Topic: Nintendo Switch 2

@skywake In fairness, Oblivion Remastered is more like Metroid Prime Remastered in terms of how much work was put into the game to make it look new and up-to-date, which represents much more work than the barebones additions that the Zeldas seem to be receiving. Especially if you don't factor in the weird mobile app tie-in elements.

I say this as someone who isn't getting Oblivion Remastered, but will be playing TotK NS2 Edition very quickly after launch.

That said, TotK and BotW NS2 Editions can be had for $60 by anyone who doesn't insist on physical if they get the base game through vouchers and update it.

@skywake I don't like the digital deluxe skins tactic but in general I think Oblivion approach is much better because it adds a new game to the library (PS5 can't play PS3 games via backwards compatibility). Nintendo's pretty much doing the Sony tactic where they remaster games that already have a native Switch 1 version (native PS4 version in Sony's case) while classic games rot away behind a subscription.

@Grumblevolcano
I would argue that what matters is the end result. On the extreme end of the scale there have been occasions when I've got remakes or graphical updates for games I already had for nothing. GTA5 recently with its update on PC, Bioshock Remastered years ago, Portal RTX. I think I have something like three editions of Metro Exodus and honestly I don't remember even buying it once.

Then there are other cases where I'm instead charged full price again, whether that be for compatibility reasons or just outright they want to charge you full retail again. Every single remake on Switch for example. Then there's the bit in the middle, offer you an upgrade for a fee

The how and why of how you get there is irrelevant. There may be very good technical reasons, especially when verifying physical purchases from old and physically incompatible media, but functionally it's still the same thing. It's an upgrade. You already purchased a licence for the game. Are they charging you for the whole thing again, a partial fee for the improvements or are they just giving it you? Simple as that

And the Switch -> Switch 2 transition is, broadly, pretty good as far as console transitions go

@Ralizah
Yeah, I'm not dismissing the effort behind the Oblivion Remaster and I would say it's worth the asking price. Especially if you're diving into it for the first time. It just strikes me as odd that some are trying to use it as a shining example of pro-consumer behaviour in contrast to what Nintendo is doing with the Switch 2 Editions.... because it's clearly worse than the Switch 2 Editions....

Not I.

I remember briefly playing the first game and being disappointed is wasn't a straight up third person shooter. I've got Blood Money on the backlog. Not sure when I'll get around to it though.

Amazon’s preorders lasted a whole five minutes in my country

@JaxonH I've played quite a bit of the Hitman trilogy. Incredibly fun, and the World of Assassination trilogy as a whole is an incredible package with a lot to do. One thing I will say though is that they do heavily incorporate online elements such as leaderboards, special events, and user-created content. There's also an account signup that is recommended, but not required. (Just mentioning because I know online elements can be a turnoff for some, so thought I'd mention it). But yeah, personally I would highly recommend it. The Switch 2 version should probably be pretty decent too, cause the game isn't all that demanding to run.

@skywake The difference is that the Oblivion remake is a remake of the original game. They call it a remaster, but there's a lot of changes they made that are on the level of effectively making a new game. Tons of new voice work, animations, models. Areas redesigned and rebuilt. The only thing is that most of the code is the same, with some additions.

Compare this to the Tears of the Kingdom and BotW remasters, which are literally just FPS upgrades and slight texture reworks. The majority of the game is the same as it was when it first came out, aside from a feature that they're charging for which is ultimately pointless in every single way (the Zelda Notes app). The price is lower, sure- but imo it should've just been a free update. Especially given that you're paying for an app that breaks the game's balance- along with the DLC on top of that (if you're buying BotW as a newcomer).

@VoidofLight
I'd put it this way. If I'm entirely new to both of these and I'm buying them outright? The cost of these two games is fairly similar and given both were very highly rated I think you could fairly safely argue they provide a similar amount of value. Although notably the Zelda games are significantly more recent

If however I had all of the relevant platform subscriptions and had purchased all the licences and content related to these games? BotW and TotK cost me nothing additional, the Oblivion remaster on the other hand is an entirely new game. Full price. $85AU or $100AU if you want the deluxe edition

The technical hows and wherefores? Doesn't matter. One of these models is undeniably better

Im thinking im going to get cyberpunk. The team has done a good job selling me on it. I just don’t know how good it actually is. I love fps and will welcome the shooter elements.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is looking peak. And, the OG Switch version actually runs very smoothly, unlike Rune Factory 5. It has some notable texture pop-in when in the main village due to how open it is but, if that's the price to pay for smooth performance I say well done. The last game was ruined by performance issues. This one looks to be very much playable even on the original Switch.

The Switch 2 version, however, is going to be flawless. Thats the way to go. But if you're not getting a Switch 2 at launch, know that this game is not a repeat of the last entry with regard to performance. They've clearly learned their lesson and designed this ground up to ensure it plays smoothly.

New gameplay thanks to Marvelous providing the game early to this person:

@Qwertyninty
I've played some of Cyberpunk and I enjoyed what I played. I've heard it's significantly better now that they've had years to fix it up and add the expansion. I mean, at worst it's still going to be an enjoyable game. At best you'll adore it. Gyro aiming and mouse aiming is what saves it for me. I just can't do first person shooting without it. Thank goodness the devs went all out on behalf of us gyro aiming Switch gamers (and soon to be mouse aiming Switch gamers).

@JaxonH well I just preorder it so I’m all in.

Any confirmation about Switch 2 cartridge size dimension?
If the size is same as Switch 1 cartridge, I will prepare more Switch 1 card case.

Walmart did an unannounced 2nd wave. Switch 2 preorder secured! Went for just the system since I figured that was likely to go through easier. If I gotta spend the extra $30 for Mario Kart so be it.

Thank God for Wario64!!!

Walmart just came through for me!! I finally managed to secure one, and it was the bundle!

Does anyone know if Free NS2 Patches for confirmed NS1 Games, especially Scarlet & Violet, will come Day 1 or at least in first 10 days?!
https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/transfer-...
https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Hardware/Nintendo-Switch-2/Nin...

@TeeJay
I just tagged you about this but I see you already got one last night while I was sleeping. Right on man.

@IceClimbers
Congrats, I know it feels good getting one secured.

@SViper
As of yet unknown. I don't think they're coming til later in the year, otherwise they'd have been mentioned.

@SViper Nobody knows for sure, but the wording they used in the Direct when they mentioned adding Game Share to Clubhouse Games somewhat implies that they'll be spread out throughout the year, and that Clubhouse will be first.

I'd expect the patch for Scarlet/Violet to go live in August after the inevitable Pokémon Presents.

According to Nintendo Japan, Mario Kart World is aaaaa, Kirby Air Riders is aaaba, and Donkey Kong Bananza is aaaca. Idk what that means, but it seems like Kirby Air Riders was an earlier game at least in terms of development.

@PikminMarioKirby Those are the cartridge codes. The first four uniquely identify the game and the last letter is the build.

I'd expect that they were probably assigned long before development on the games started in earnest and have nothing to do with expected release order.

For what it's worth, on the Switch, AAAAA is Breath of the Wild, AAABA is Smash, and AAACA is Odyssey. So, three games that would very much have been top of the wish list for what they wanted to bring to the console, but only one of which ultimately hit the launch window.

@Matt_Barber Okay, thanks for the insight! Interestingly enough, for both Switch and Switch 2, aaaaa is launch title, aaaba is the Sakurai project, and aaaca is (seemingly) the epd game.