Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

That's a remake I'd be totally down for. I missed those games and was actively disinterested in it after other JRPGs like Kingdom Hearts and PSO started going in a similar card game based direction. But being Monolith Soft games, I probably missed out.

Best part is its not even the only card JRPG on GCN made by devs who would then make some of the most beloved RPGs of the past decade. Look up Lost Kingdoms.

@Grumblevolcano I don't think Switch 2 is coming this year, but at the same time I do think people are missing 3D Mario so perhaps they are pulling another Booster Course pack situation because Odyssey sold so well and enough people are asking "where's Odyssey 2?" (which seems to be exactly why they did the Booster Course pack). And while I am an outspoken critic of the Booster Course pack, that's mainly because I want to see larger changes to the gameplay that you need a new game for. With Odyssey 2 I just want to see new kingdoms and captures and DLC can satisfy that just fine, whatever format they choose to give that to me I'd be fine with.

I do think 2024 is when we get Switch 2 and it'll probably be BC, so the big games we've been getting recently such as Splatoon 3 and TotK could still be played on the new system as well as new games. But I also think we'll have few Switch 2 exclusives to start and it'll be a slow transition with tons of cross gen games like 3DS -> Switch was, that would allow them to gracefully transition without dumping the Switch's strong userbase and sales momentum.

@Grumblevolcano I actually saw a Twitter post from someone I follow, that shows the SMO email. I agree that it doesn't make sense, because they did not say a single word about when the next 3D Mario will be made. If anything, it made me want the next 3D Mario game that much more, lol. I finished Odyssey with every unique Power Moon back in 2019, and fully completed Bowser's Fury in 2021. So I'm all ready for Mario's next adventure, whenever that will be. For now, we'll just wait until Nintendo decides to show it off.

@MarioLover92 It's typical for them not to give specific information about when the next game will release until they're ready for a formal announcement. If they give out the date ahead of time, competitors could choose to release their game at the same time to siphon off sales, or (far more likely in this case given how popular Mario is) avoid that date and schedule it for another time to maximize sales. A release date is not something you should expect in the first place, this is presumably just a quick tease of "get ready for more Mario fun, stay tuned for further announcements!". They're probably not going to give us full details such as the name, content, release date, etc. until a future Nintendo Direct.

Fire Emblem Engage reviews are in and I'm kinda shocked to read that the social sim stuff is more of an afterthought compared to recent entries, and that they focused more on the strategy combat.

That actually makes me more excited for Engage, as a more focused Fire Emblem that emphasizes the strategy sounds right up my alley. That being said it'll likely make Engage a more divisive entry among fans where those that enjoyed the social aspects of Three Houses and other recent entries might not like this entry as much.

Curious to see how well Engage does between the social stuff taking a backseat and its January launch date.

@Bolt_Strike It’s all about the lineup. Given how many franchises are already represented in 2022 and 2023 so far and hence next game would be around 2027/2028 outside of Pokemon I do feel that the stronger the 2023 lineup is, the harder it would be to have a strong Switch 2 lineup if the console released in 2024 - 2026.

I just don't think the SMO 2 rumors are true, given that it's been so long since Super Mario Odyssey. You'd think that if they were making a direct sequel or DLC within the same engine as the main game, due to having ideas left over, they would've done so soon after the first, instead of waiting all this time. I'd be somewhat disappointed if the next 3D Mario isn't a brand new game, rather than a sequel to a mediocre one.

Also, I don't see the "Switch 2" coming this year. TotK is most certainly releasing with an OLED model, and we would've most likely heard of the next big console by now if it were going to come out in 2023. People have to remember that just because there's a new Zelda doesn't mean that the new Zelda will launch right beside brand new hardware. Tons of past games in the series haven't done so, and the only real reason BotW did was because Nintendo was jumping ship from the failure that was the Wii U. It also wouldn't make sense when you take into account that the switch doesn't actually have it's own 3D Zelda yet. BotW doesn't really count, as it was originally made for the Wii U in mind, and brought over to the switch halfway through development. No Zelda game actually exists that takes advantage of the Switch's feature set. I doubt they'll end up jumping ship again and not give the system a proper game that takes advantages of the system's gimmicks.

@VoidofLight SMO is definitely not a mediocre game, it is one of the best, if not the best, 3D Mario to date. SMO2 would be huge news and would generate incredible sales, in a similar vein to Zelda TotK. It's not like we haven't seen successful sequels to 3D Mario games, Mario Galaxy 2 comes to mind, another amazing game. SMO2 is one of the most anticipated titles Nintendo could launch in the remaining lifespan of Switch.

@alexwolf
It's defenetly not mediocre. But I didn't like the collectathon aspect of the game personally. I really enjoyed the sub worlds, the parkour parts of the game. It really misses actual jump 'n run gameplay. I have alot more fun with 3D World, despite beeing on a smaller scope. And even playing it for the 100th time since its release on Wii U.

@VoidofLight TotK is exactly what you describe though, it’s a direct sequel to BotW launching 6 years after BotW came out. The big difference being that TotK was announced way too early.

@Budda I hear that, and I am sure that SMO is not everyone's preferred 3D Mario, but objectively speaking, from online reviews and sales numbers, it is definitely one of the best Mario 3D titles.

While Galaxy is my favorite for its unique tone, music, and aesthetic, I do think there's an argument to be made for Odyssey being the best entry in the series. It's so polished, creative, and well-designed. An absolute joy from beginning to end.

@Grumblevolcano Again, I don't think that's exactly the plan. I think they want the lineup to be strong for the Switch 1 AND Switch 2 and then gradually shift it to Switch 2. The Switch 2 would probably have a few exclusives to start out, but many of the 2024 games would be cross gen. So you would buy a Switch 2 early if you like some of those exclusives, and if you don't have a Switch 1/haven't played it in a while you could also buy the 2023 games for Switch 2, but if you have a Switch 1 and aren't enticed by the Switch 2 yet, you're not pressured into dumping your Switch 1 immediately. Then 2025 there'd be more Switch 2 exclusives and less cross gen and you have more reason to transition to Switch 2, then by 2026/2027 the Switch 1 will stop getting games altogether and then you need a Switch 2.

Again, Nintendo doesn't want a sudden and immediate hardware transition because of the Switch's userbase and momentum. You don't want to drop those people all at once because there's no guarantee they'd like the Switch 2, and you can fall back on the Switch 1 if Switch 2 fails. So having the lineup start cross gen and gradually shift to Switch 2, as Nintendo did for 3DS -> Switch and Microsoft and Sony have done for the last 2 generations, would keep the overall sales momentum going into next gen.

@Bolt_Strike I wasn’t suggesting the launch window would be all Switch 2 only games, rather that filling the pre-launch window with big Switch 1 games saving nothing big for the Switch 2 launch window wouldn’t do the Switch 2 any favours.

Crossgen games can still be big movers of the new hardware like Twilight Princess, BotW, Miles Morales, Horizon Forbidden West, GT7, GoW Ragnarok.

@IceClimbers
Thing is, there are no "other recent entries" that focus on social aspects. Three Houses is it. In fact one of the key takeaways is that Engage is more in line with Awakening and the 3DS entries. That said, even if it doesn't have social sim stuff to the extent Three Houses did, it still has more than any other non-TH entry ever has. The big difference between Engage and Three Houses is, fewer activities and they're all optional. So those who like the break in between battles still have things to do in the Somniel, while those who just want to get on with the next battle can do so and not feel like they're missing out on anything.

Nintendo World Report says Engage has the best cast of any Fire Emblem to date, which kind of flies in the face of some other reviewers who criticize it for "not having good characters and story like Three Houses". But NWR reviewer is a long time fan with perspective of having played other entries besides Three Houses, so I trust their judgement more than those whose first game was Three Houses and are coming off a little salty this game wasn't a repeat of that specific approach.

Basically, Engage seems to be Awakening 2.0. Same straightforward classic story (may not be as in depth as Three Houses but it's also not downright terrible like Fates story was, which is why Awakening is the most apt comparison), best gameplay in the series according to most reviewers, and, at least according to the few reviewers I trust who are longer term fans and have played more than just Three Houses, the cast and support convos are exceptional.

Sounds great to me! Granted, I adore Three Houses and by no means am I saying I "prefer" the Awakening/Engage approach more. I like them both. Honestly I think it's appropriate we get a game in each style on Switch. Especially given the Holy War remake leak, which would indicate the next entry will be more like Three Houses again.

@JaxonH I think it’s better this way with the balance. Have games that are like Awakening, games that are like Three Houses and games that are like pre-Awakening. The Zelda situation where pre-BotW style is virtually nonexistent nowadays is still rather sad.

@Grumblevolcano
I mean, we got Zelda Link's Awakening right? And we got Zelda Skyward Sword HD too, right? So I wouldn't say they're done giving the older formula. It's true those were ports and remakes, but the important thing is they're still providing games of that flavor.

But ya, I totally agree. I like all flavors of Fire Emblem, and having variety is better than only having one specific type. While that may satisfy those who prefer that style, it alienates those who prefer the other. And even of those who like both (such as you and me) it feels more repetitive vs getting different alternating styles.

@Grumblevolcano True, and I don't think there won't be big hitters for Switch 2 at launch. I think that 2024 lineup could look something like this:

New 2D Mario game (not a NSMB game, something completely different)- Switch 2
Mario Kart 9- Switch 2
Metroid Prime 4- cross gen with some enhancements on Switch 2 version
some new gimmicky casual game like Wii Sports/Nintendo Land/1-2 Switch- Switch 2
some kind of Pokemon remake (probably Johto or Unova)- Switch 1
Smash Ultimate port (MK8D-esque port with game + DLC)- Switch 2
2D Zelda- depends on what it is (if it's the rumored Oracle remake it'll be Switch 1, if they do something new it'll be Switch 2)
Yoshi game?- Switch 1
Paper Mario game?- Switch 1
Astral Chain 2?- Switch 1
Mario Odyssey DLC? (possibly starting in 2023 and continuing in 2024)- Switch 1

A few of those questionable Switch 1 games might be 2023 games, not as sure about the timing on those. Anyway, something like that would strike a good balance of having big games for Switch 2 while still having significant releases for Switch 1.

@JaxonH We did get those old games (which I’m really happy that happened) and there are still some left to be brought over (which I hope happen in the near future) though at some point if Switch 2 has backwards compatibility Nintendo will have to decide between a new game or there being a complete break. Traditional 3D Zelda has just Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD left for example (OoT and MM are on NSO).

@VoidofLight You also have to remember that the Switch doesn't have to have its "own Zelda game". That's a fan made arbitrary rule, especially since BotW is that game for the vast majority of people.

Also what mythical "Switch feature set" are you talking about? The system isn't radically more powerful than the Wii U, and BotW already uses gyro aiming. That just leaves HD Rumble and the IR Sensor, which most 1st party Switch games don't really use anyways (though I'd love to see TotK use HD Rumble, I doubt it gets used to any notable degree).