Tag: Soapbox - Page 2
Soapbox Zelda: Ocarina Of Time's Kokiri Forest Rivals World 1-1 As A Perfect Intro
Move it, Mido
November 21st, 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's Japanese launch. To mark this historic Hyrulean occasion, we'll be running articles throughout the week dedicated to the game, our memories, and its legacy. Today, Ollie sings the praises of Ocarina of Time's mystical opening location, Kokiri...
Soapbox 20 Years On, It's About Time These Pokémon Games Got Switch Remasters
Gotta snag em’ all
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, ahead of its 20th anniversary on 21st November, Nathanial looks back on a Pokémon region that's been pretty much ignored for two decades... A common mislabelling seen online...
Soapbox Six Months Later, Tears Of The Kingdom's Sense Of Wonder Is Still Unmatched
Hook(shot), line and sinker
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim celebrates six months of Tears of the Kingdom by flying back into Link's latest... The launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was such a momentous...
Soapbox Fortnite OG Reminds Me For The First Time In Years That I’m Playing A Battle Royale
Who says you can’t go home again?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Ethan thanks the driver of the time-travelling Battle Bus... Back in 2018, a rallying cry echoed throughout the Nintendo Switch community. It was just three...
Soapbox No, Mario Wonder's Most Annoying Character Isn't The Talking Flower
The Long and Whining Toad
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim's got some not-so-wonderful thoughts about the residents of Mario's latest 2D adventure... You don't need me to tell you just how charming Super Mario Bros. Wonder...
Soapbox Lavender Town Isn’t Pokémon’s Scariest Location, It’s Someplace Far More Sinister
Trainers beware, you’re in for a scare
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Ethan chateaus himself in the creepiest place in the Pokémon world... Ah, Lavender Town — the place where the journeys of old Pokémon end and the...
Soapbox Pokémon X & Y - The Series' Greatest Paradoxes
You can’t be groundbreaking without leaving a few cracks
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Andy looks back at a pivotal juncture in the Pocket Monster series which hinted at the path it would take over the following decade...
Soapbox TOTK's Ganondorf Is Great, But Zelda Needs To Do More With Its Villain
(Geru)Do better
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim pleads the case for just a little more Ganondorf action... The reveal of Tears of the Kingdom's Ganondorf has to be one of my favourite all-time moments as a Zelda fan. We all...
Soapbox 'Switch 2' Doesn't Really Need Backwards Compatibility
Much as we all want it
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Gavin ponders his instinctual desire for backwards compatibility and why, perhaps, it's really not needed this time around... First things first, I would love 'Switch 2' to...
Soapbox What Do You Do When Nintendo Ticks Off Your ENTIRE Most-Wanted List?
Good problems
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Kate runs down her Switch wishlist and wonders if Nintendo has her phone bugged (or maybe just reads her articles)... Oh, I have been spoiled this year. Suspiciously spoiled, in...
Soapbox My Most-Played Game Of 2023 Isn't On Switch, But It Must Be On The Cards
Ready to snap
Before I get started, the me get this out of the way: the Switch is definitely my most-played console of the year. Between The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Fire Emblem Engage and Pikmin 4 (the less said about Vampire Survivors, the better), the hundreds of hours that I have poured into Nintendo's hybrid hardware far outweighs...
Soapbox Can You Really 'Spoil' A Mario Game?
I Wonder what will happen…
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Kevin ponders if it's even possible to spoil a game about a tubby plumber who jumps around a lot... Super Mario Bros. Wonder is right around the corner, and I think I...
Soapbox Nintendo, "THE Prime Asset" In Xbox's Content Quest? It's Only Natural
But it ain't happening
The FTC case examining Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, depending on your perspective, is either the gift that keeps on giving or an eye-scrapingly dull, never-ending saga. Still, you can't deny that it's turned up some tasty behind-the-scenes morsels to chew on, giving gamers a fascinating glimpse of the...
Soapbox Rayman Legends Blew My Mind Then Broke My Heart
Prince of Persia fans beware - he may suffer Rayman’s fate yet!
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Francisco shares his love of Rayman Legends as it celebrates its 10th anniversary — but also laments that it may have been a...
Soapbox An Ode To A Lost Pokémon TCG Deck, And My Quest To Recreate It
TCGee, I don't know
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Mahin laments the loss of a treasured deck, and recounts his quest to build it anew. For real, this time... There was once a time I was doing moderately alright at the Pokémon...
Soapbox Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom's Thunderous Callback To The Great Sky Island Is Perfect
Lightning in a bottle
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim sings the praises of one of Tears of the Kingdom's later-game areas... I will preface all of this with a thank you to every Zelda fan on social media. As I worked my way...
Soapbox Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC Is A Chance To Win Back Disenchanted Fans
Mask off
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Ahead of tomorrow's Pokémon Presents, Alana is hoping that The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is a real treasure for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s DLC, The...
Soapbox Oatchi Is The Star Of Pikmin 4, And He Deserves To Stay For Good
#OatchiForSmash
Every so often, a long-running series will throw a brand new feature into a game that makes me think to myself, "I hope that they never drop this". The Melee Counter from Samus Returns; Animal Crossing: New Horizons' crafting system; and, most recently, Tears of the Kingdom's Ultrahand and Ascend abilities. I simply can't understand...
Soapbox Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Fixed The Yiga Clan, And Now I Want More
Come on and join the Kohga
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim chews over how Tears of the Kingdom is a step in the right direction for the series' banana-loving bandits... Let me start with a confession. When I initially...
Soapbox Catching Legendary Pokémon The Old-Fashioned Way Was So Much Better
Mewsings
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Kevin remembers a time when getting your hands on a legendary involved going on a real-life journey... The '90s were a fun time, weren’t they? AOL was brand new, The Simpsons was still...
Soapbox It's Time To Admit That F-Zero X Is The Best F-Zero
You got boost power!
F-Zero X launched on 14th July 1998 in Japan, meaning the N64 entry in this dormant Nintendo racing series is, somehow, inexplicably, 25 years old now. A quarter-century! Blimey. As such, we're republishing this article from 2019 penned by Nintendo Life founder and CEO Ant Dickens to curry favour with top brass celebrate an...
Soapbox Getting The Master Sword In Tears Of The Kingdom Is Zelda At Its Best
Once more, with Fi-ling
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim gushes over the moment you retrieve the legendary sword in the newest Zelda game... There were several moments in my playthrough of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the...
Soapbox It's The Port I've Dreamed Of, But Can Switch Deliver The Batman We Need?
Rocksteady? We'll see
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, basic Batfan Gavin considers if Switch can handle this much Arkham... Fair warning, DC fans. I'm the quintessential '80s kid for whom Keaton, the Burton Batmobile, and Elfman...
Soapbox For This First-Timer, Summer Game Fest Felt Like A Perfect E3 Antidote
Many meetings
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Ollie recaps his first trip to LA and Summer Game Fest... “Hey look, Katsuhiro Harada’s over there.” “Oh my God, Phil Spencer’s walking right towards us!” “Dude, was...
Soapbox Modern Zelda Bosses Are Getting Harder, But They're Nothing Compared To The Oldies
Fairies at the ready
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim gets bossy... Note. This article discusses certain elements of some Regional Phenomena boss battles, including tactics and screenshots. If you are still maintaining an...
Soapbox The Shame Of Revisiting My Abandoned Pokémon Ranch
See you, PokéCowboy
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, on the 15th anniversary of the game's release, Ethan heads back to the ranch... It’s a guilty feeling that Animal Crossing fans know all too well — the shame that comes...
Soapbox Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom's Busier Hyrule Is Making Me Miss BOTW
The call of (Breath of) the Wild
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Ollie wants to explain why Breath of the Wild will remain his go-to open-world Zelda, despite Tears of the Kingdom's improvements... I’ve been playing The Legend...
Soapbox Returning To The Great Plateau In Zelda: TOTK Felt Like Coming Home
A truly GREAT plateau
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim argues that Breath of the Wild's starting area is still fantastic in Tears of the Kingdom... There are a lot of fantastic places that you can revisit in The Legend of...
Soapbox Pokémon Desperately Needs A Rival, But Who's Big Enough To Take It On?
Time to steal some of Pikachu's pie
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Lowell considers how Pokémon could do with a rival to keep it hungry, and who might be able to step up... When Pokémon Sword and Shield brought Pikachu and...
Soapbox Modern Zelda Dungeons Are, In Fact, Divine
We owe the Beasts an apology
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim spreads some love for the modern-day Zelda dungeon. Be aware that he discusses Tears of the Kingdom below (not in detail, but he references a specific dungeon), so...
Soapbox Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom's Incredible Opening Is One Of Nintendo's Best
Sheik it up
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Jim dives into that opening... Despite having been counting down the days until The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's release over the past four years or more, nothing could have...
Soapbox Obstinate And Addictive - Playing Final Fantasy For The First Time In 2023
OG fantasy
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Henry experiences his very first Fantasy... I admit it – I’ve never played Final Fantasy. It wasn’t on my radar as a kid, and by the time I was paying attention, it had jumped to...
Soapbox If Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Isn’t Switch’s Swan Song, It Really Should Be
The most poetic end possible for a legendary console
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Lowell ruminates on the perfect end to a glorious Nintendo generation... When looking back at a console’s lifespan, there’s always a game...
Soapbox Game & Watch Still Scratches A Very Particular Itch, And I Need More
An itch the Switch can’t fix
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Nile is pining for something a little smaller and simpler on his commute... Not too long ago, my niece taught me something heartening about the staying power of old...
Soapbox Torna - The Golden Country Is One Of The Best DLCs Of All Time
Future established
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Alana proclaims that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has one of the best pieces of DLC ever in Torna - The Golden Country, and ponders what that could mean for Xenoblade Chronicles 3:...
Soapbox Can We Stop Pretending Switch Can't Run Call Of Duty?
Let's stop with the hyperbole, shall we?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Rory looks at all the doubters, then at all the 'miracle' Switch ports, then back at the doubters, then back again to the... I don’t know who needs to...
Soapbox Nobody Does 'More Of The Same' Better Than Nintendo
Déjà vu
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, in response to the disappointment among some Zelda fans who (from what we've seen so far) think Tears of the Kingdom is looking too similar to BOTW, Alana looks back on some past...
Soapbox 3DS' Boundless Creativity Got Me, And Nintendo, Through Some Tough Times
A platform for change
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Andy McDonald celebrates and reminisces about a console that showcased Nintendo's off-the-wall creativity at its very best... With the 3DS’ days numbered as an active...
Soapbox Alone In The Dark On GBC Is A Bizarre Relic You Should Play At Least Once
Be afraid?
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Ollie sits down with the least loved entry in the current Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy library and finds an odd, twisted version of a game he loves... Alone in the Dark: The New...
Soapbox As A Colour Blind Gamer, I Can Now Finally Beat Metroid Prime
Prime-ary colours
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Rory how the recent release of Metroid Prime Remastered has enabled him to settle an old score. Prime endboss spoilers inbound... I know. I was a handsome bugger. It’s always...
Soapbox Switch Is Great, But The GBA SP Was The Pinnacle Of Public Transport Gaming
SP-icy takes
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, nearly 20 years to the day since the GBA SP launched in Japan, Jim argues the case for why it still has a very important role to play in his day-to-day... Ok, let's get this out of...
Soapbox An Ode To Ramón Salazar, Resident Evil's Most Absurd Villain
"My, my, we've got a feisty one"
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Ollie looks back on the pantheon of resident evils in all the Resident Evils and pens a tribute to perhaps his favourite character in video gamedom... I have a bit...
Soapbox Gaming Superstitions And Rituals Might Not Work, But They Matter
We're crossing our fingers
The God of Random Numbers is real, and he's in your house right now, sniffing all your dice. If you don't pray to him, you'll never see a natural 20 again, and all of your card decks will be stacked against you for the rest of time. Or... RNG is exactly what it sounds like. Random. Mashing B, or A, or whatever button you...
Soapbox Wario Land 4 Deserves More Love, And Indie Devs Are Doing What Nintendon't
Wario wary? HURRY UP! and play
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Scott ponders how Mario's nemesis number 2 deserves more respect... In the conversation of all-time great video games you have many Nintendo faces who show up near...
Soapbox Playing Games With Other People Made Me Realise That I'm A Monster
Just unplug the 2P controller already
My partner is the most patient man I've ever met. It's one of the things I appreciate about him the most — especially since I'm the opposite. He's the Lawful Good to my Chaotic Neutral. I'm a cyclone and he's calm waters. Opposites attract, right? For most of our relationship, this dynamic — his patience,...
Soapbox Fire Emblem Engage's Nintendo NYC Launch Felt Pretty Unengaging
The red carpet stayed rolled up
It was Fire Emblem Engage launch day and Nintendo Life had boots on the ground in New York City to document the launch of Intelligent Systems’ latest entry in the series, at Nintendo NYC in Rockefeller Center. Nintendo fans in New York City are spoiled. We have Nintendo’s flagship retail shop, replete with Marios...
Soapbox Whether The Rumour Is True Or Not, Baten Kaitos Deserves A Remake
A white whale
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, rumours of a potential Baten Kaitos remake have got Alana all fired up... Of all the wild remake rumours I thought I would hear in 2023, Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost...
Soapbox Zelda Should Be Given The Paper Mario Treatment
Paper Zelda: The Thousand-Year Door (of Time)
Nintendo struck gold when they made the first Paper Mario. They figured out how to take a beloved series like Super Mario, put a slight twist on it, and create something entirely new that doesn't feel stale, doesn't feel like a flimsy spin-off, and best of all, is better than most Super Mario games...
Soapbox All Fish Pokémon Are Bad, And There's A Good Reason Why
Go (away) fish
I'll start this with a confusing admission: My favourite thing in the world is a trip to an aquarium. I could spend days gazing through the curved glass of a tank, watching sharks glide past me, pressing my hand against the smooth, white underbelly of a stingray, and taking note of the clownfish darting in and out of the swaying mass...
Soapbox After 10 Years I Finally Got A Wii U, Here’s What I Thought
The good, the bad, and the ugly
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, following up on his piece from a few weeks back, Jim delivers his verdict on the ten-year-old console and how it holds up in 2022 ... Picture the scene. The year...