Tag: Talking Point - Page 7
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 1st)
Flame on
One week ago today we were looking at the calendar and commenting on how things seemed pretty quiet for Nintendo to round out March and then out of nowhere — boom! — we're hit with our first proper look at The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and everything changed. Yes, this was the week that we fell thoroughly back into the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 25th)
Sunsetting those eShops
Ahh... The weekend. It's been a bit of a quieter week in the world of Nintendo, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been a number of interesting stories to highlight. In confirmation of rumours circling the internet, Sega announced that it will be releasing Sonic Origins Plus in June, bringing Amy to the fold and adding...
Talking Point What's The Best Year In Gaming?
Cream of the crop
Games are so good, right? Looking back over the years and decades, it's difficult to actually think of a year that's been objectively bad in terms of gaming output; generally speaking, with the wealth of consoles and developers out there, there's always been at least a handful of games every year that spoke to us in a meaningful...
Talking Point What Makes A Really Good Demo?
Time is money
As the Switch eShop library continues to grow, so too does the number of available demos. And hey, demos are great! This convenient way to try before you buy has got us hooked on many a game that we may never have otherwise picked up, and with a number of demos offering the chance to carry your data over from the trial into the full...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 18th)
Searching for lost demons?
Hooray, the weekend is here! It's the weekend, everybody! Before we dive into what we're going to be playing, let's take a peek at what's been happening in the world of Nintendo this week. First up, Nintendo saw fit to add not one, not two, but four new titles to its Nintendo Switch Online service. We reckon that's...
Talking Point Which Pokémon-Themed Nintendo Console Has The Best Design?
The very best...
Back in January, we ran down every Zelda-themed Nintendo console out there in an attempt to find which one you lovely lot thought was the best. There were a lot of these Hylian designs, with the series clearly standing as one of Nintendo's most popular choices in the special edition design room, but these are dwarfed in number by...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 11th)
Zelda? Mario? Metroid? Tell us
Ladies and gentlemen... The weekend. Yes, it's time to wrap up another week and find out what we're all planning to play over the weekend. But first, let's go over what's been going on in the world of Nintendo this week. First up, the excellent Metroid Fusion launched on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 4th)
Tell us, pleeease
Welcome, one and all! It's been another reasonably busy week here at Nintendo LIfe. We started off with a Pokémon Presents showcase which, according to you fine people, wasn't all that good. The biggest highlight was undoubtedly the announcement of the Scarlet and Violet DLC, which will come in two parts and is officially called
Talking Point Which Is Your Favourite 3DS Theme?
Main theme
As we continue our trip down memory lane before the 3DS (and Wii U) eShops close up for new purchases, firing up our old consoles recently has reminded us just what a bounty of gaming joy 3DS presents every time you crack open that clamshell. What a wonderful little console! (Check out our 'Countdown' series if you're looking for eShop...
Talking Point Which Gaming Moments Made You Question Your Intelligence?
Uh... what... who..?
Human beings are smart. Really smart. We're the only species on earth with the brainpower to comprehend its own existence. We've landed on the moon, built great feats of engineering, constructed huge buildings that pierce the clouds in the sky, and made tremendous leaps in the fields of science and medicine. So yeah, we're a...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 25th)
The good, the bad and the ugly
It's been a long six months since we last got a new Kirby game on Switch, but with this week's release of Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, we think it's safe to say that nature is finally healing. This week over on Nintendo Life we have been delving into the world of ports, asking why so many remasters are sub-par...
Talking Point Why Are So Many Remasters Sub-Par At Launch?
Remastering the wheel
Remasters are fantastic, but they're also a little bit weird. They give us the chance to revisit some of our favourite games from our childhood, give new players the opportunity to share in our experiences, and sometimes they represent the first time a game is getting an international release. But why are they so inconsistent?...
Talking Point What Will Be Announced On Pokémon Day 2023?
Who's that reveal?
27th February is fast approaching, and you know what that means? Pokémon Day is almost here! Every single year since 2016, which happened to be the franchise's 20th anniversary, The Pokémon Company has shared a number of announcements on this day to celebrate Pokémon, usually in the form of a Nintendo Direct-style Pokémon...
Talking Point What Is The Best Special Edition Switch Console?
The full range
Ah, special edition consoles. There is nothing else quite like them, is there? From the flashy to the subtle, these decked-out devices are a reminder of the series' that we love, the titles we cherish and the designs that make us ooh and ahh. They are a special way to stand out from the crowd and have something that feels a little...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 18th)
Adventures big and small
We all needed a quieter week after last week's Nintendo Direct blow-out, and that's exactly what we got. But don't worry, there's still plenty to talk about, and plenty of games on the horizon. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's big patch is coming soon, and we've got all of the patch notes for you.
Talking Point Which Nintendo Console Has The Best First-Party Games Lineup?
Best of the best
With the Game Boy and GBA libraries getting added to the Switch recently, we've been thinking about all of the games that might be coming our way over the next few months. This, in turn, got us thinking about just how many great first-party games were available on those two systems. Indeed, we thought along the very same lines when...
Talking Point 20 Years Of The Best Game Boy Ever - How Did You Get Your GBA SP?
Love letters to our SPecial ones
On 14th February 2003, Nintendo gave Japanese gamers a Valentine's to remember when it released the Game Boy Advance SP. Those outside Japan would have to wait until March to get their hands on this gorgeous clamshell redesign of the GBA which came — mercifully — with a front-lit screen (the back-lit AGS-101...
Talking Point What Do You Name Link When You're Playing A Zelda Game?
New game, new name
We are but a few months away now from the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (finally) and it is fair to say that many of us are just a little bit excited. We recently got a look at the second trailer for it, and one of the ways that we have been channelling this excitement until 12th May is through replaying...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 11th)
Primed and ready
Phew - this was a pretty busy week, huh? To kick off the week, we took you through some of the highlights from Nintendo's latest financial report for Q3 of fiscal year 2023. This included the rather stupendous new sales milestone for the Switch, with the console now exceeding Game Boy and PlayStation 4 total sales. We also learned...
Talking Point Who Did You Marry In Fire Emblem: Awakening?
Fire of love
For better or for worse, Fire Emblem today is a different beast to what it was a decade ago. Fire Emblem Engage brought back the weapons triangle, a combat-first focus, and the wonderful Engage mechanic, but at what cost? The social aspect (one of the biggest selling points in previous games) takes a tumble in the most recent entry. The...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 4th)
Game on!
Well folks, we made it through January and the upcoming months are looking bright (in gaming, at least). It's now fewer than 100 days until the release of Tears of the Kingdom so the countdown is well and truly on. This week at Nintendo Life, we had a chance to get hands on with Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, and we also
Talking Point Which Mario Suits Do You Want To See In The Super Mario Bros. Movie?
Thinking inside the box
We are still a couple of months away from the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie on 7th April 2023, but that means that the publicity can only increase from here. Remember that brief period of trepidation where none of us knew what the movie would look, sound, or even remotely be like? Ah, what sweet bliss. Now, we know...
Talking Point 15 Years On, Should Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Subspace Emissary Return?
In Smash Space, no one can hear you brawl
Well blimey, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is celebrating its 15th anniversary in Japan today! That's right, the third entry in what is one of the most iconic Nintendo franchises launched on 31st January 2008, and for many — even with how huge Melee was — this is what created some of the most iconic Smash...
Talking Point Do We Need Another Pokémon Mystery Dungeon On Switch?
Putting the "fun" in d(f)ungeon
I've been thinking a lot about Pokémon Mystery Dungeon recently. Maybe it's the list of spin-offs I recently wrote up, which reminded me just how many excellent/terrible Pokémon spin-offs exist out there, or maybe it's the fact that when I was writing my answer to the question "What Pokémon game should be the next...
Talking Point Where Should The Next Pokémon Legends Game Take Place?
And who should be the 'legend'?
It's hard to believe it, but Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a year old today. This Pokémon game took us back to the distant past and completely shook up the formula of what we all expected from a mainline Pokémon entry. And, quite frankly, we want more of what it gave us. Legends: Arceus sees you get thrown back in...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 28th)
Shaken not stirred
Well here we are folks. It's the final week of January and we have had our first big Nintendo release of the year. Consider 2023 to be well and truly underway! This week at Nintendo Life, we got all kinds of excited for the eventual release of GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo Switch Online N64 library and suggested a quick fix for...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 21st)
Flame on
January has felt like a long one, we'll admit, but we are almost at the end of it now and we have Nintendo's first big release of 2023 to show for it! After all the character profiles, gameplay trailers and developer interviews, Fire Emblem Engage is finally here in all of its tactical glory. In recognition of the gaming year starting to...
Talking Point In 2023, Do You Still Care About amiibo?
Or are you amiibored?
Nintendo's amiibo line has been going for over eight years now. Originally launched back on November 21st, 2014 in North America alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the toys-to-life figurine series has maintained relatively steady interest while competitors like Disney Infinity and Skylanders have completely fallen by the...
Talking Point Does Nintendo's Next Console Have To Be 'Another' Switch?
Bait and Switch?
Let’s talk about comeback stories. The Mighty Ducks. Robert Downey Jr. Rocky. Nintendo in 2017. Yep, after the launch of the Wii U, many may have thought that the Big N was out for the count (well, not completely, but certainly left licking its proverbial wounds), but did this come to pass? You bet your chunky GamePad it didn’t...
Talking Point What Is The Most Frustrated You've Ever Been With A Video Game?
From button mashing to controller smashing
We love playing video games. It can be a mode of escape, a time to relax, a story to get deep into, or something to stimulate the mind. But the fact of the matter is, we also hate playing video games. They can be really hard, we lose unfairly, a mechanic doesn't sit right, or we forget to save. Of course,...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 14th)
Game on
With the Christmas chocolates finally dwindling in number, we think it's fair to say that 2023 is well under way. And as the year kicks off, so too do we see the return of gaming news — nature is healing, people! This week at Nintendo Life, we have been welcoming in the new year with open arms, looking to the months ahead and talking...
Talking Point After Pixel Remaster, What's Next For Final Fantasy On Switch?
The final countdown?
At the end of 2022, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy PIxel Remaster, a collection composed of revamped versions of Final Fantasy I through VI, would finally be making its way to Nintendo Switch, putting to rest many months of speculation from eager fans. It’s big news, as its release means that FF-loving Switch owners...
Talking Point So, When Will Nintendo Announce Its Next Console?
Grab your dartboard
Another year, another round of 'New Nintendo Switch Pro/2/+/On/Up/Over' rumours. Whispers of new or updated Switch hardware have been doing the rounds since practically the launch of the console back in 2017, and the start of 2023 has brought with it a fresh round of speculation as to when exactly Nintendo will debut its next...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 7th)
A new year dawns
It's 2023 and the lights are back on at Nintendo Life Towers. While January can often be something of a sleepy month as the gaming industry rears its head from a Christmas-induced slumber, we are up and raring to dive into what looks to be an interesting year for Nintendo. This week, we have shared our thoughts on 2023's first big...
Talking Point Which Zelda-Themed Nintendo Console Has The Best Design?
Special addiction
When it comes to console special editions, Nintendo takes the biscuit. Whether it's a colour variant, a game release exclusive, or a nod back to retro consoles of the past, the company is constantly looking for ways to get a 'new' model out on the market and, so it seems, get the money out of our pockets. No more so is this the...
Talking Point Which Zelda Game Should You Play First?
Where should you start if you're new to The Legend?
The announcement of a solid release date for BOTW2 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom marked the beginning of a new, more intense phase of enthusiasm for one of the most anticipated sequels of the decade. Sure, a new Zelda game is always big news, but when it's a follow-up to one of the most...
Talking Point Professor Layton And The Lost Franchise: Where Did The Beloved Puzzle Series Go?
This reminds me of a puzzle...
From the late 2000s to the mid-2010s, my gaming experience was all about learning to become a gentleman. This was a central topic which ran throughout the Professor Layton series. If Professor Hershel Layton wore a trench coat, I wore a trench coat; if he drank fruity tea, I drank fruity tea; if he was reminded of a...
Talking Point What Game Do You Replay Every Year?
New year, old game
We did it everyone! 2022 is finally behind us and 2023 stretches happily into the great beyond. This is to be a year full of promise, a year of hope, a year of enough Nintendo releases (with any luck) to squeeze out an almost literal cry from our bank accounts. But for the moment we're not thinking about the future, we're looking...
Talking Point What Was The Video Gaming 'Theme' Of 2022?
Maybe it was just "more video games"
Hey, remember in 2022's Summer Game Fest when every other trailer was about scary things happening in space? It was like, "hey, what if Dead Space was everything"? What a fun time that was. But it highlighted something important in video games: The fact that every year more or less has a trend. Like how 2017 was...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 31st)
High res resolutions
Happy New Year's Eve good reader! Congratulations! You've almost made it through 2022 and we think it is fair to say that we have had some good gaming to show for it. Here at Nintendo Life, we have spent the week looking back over the past year with fondness, re-reading some of our favourite pieces from 2022 and putting them...
The perils of dipping a toe in a franchise
It started with a simple question: Which Dragon Quest should I play first? It's one of my gaming shames that I've never touched Square Enix's hallowed RPG series, and I've been wanting to dig into something really meaty for many months now. Sure, I've got about 30 unplayed RPGs ready and waiting on Switch...
Talking Point How's Your Switch Holding Up After 5 Years?
Memories and mistreatment
Switch is officially five years old now, and it's got us thinking back half a decade to our very first interactions with the little console that could. Whether we were lucky enough to get our hands on an early review unit, or marched down to our local video game emporium to pick up a pre-order, or winged it on the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 24th)
Festive edition!
"So this is Christmas, and what have you done?" These were the words sung by the legendary John Lennon in perhaps the most depressing Christmas song of all time. But in answer to your question, John, we're having quite a busy one, actually. We have been prepping all things game of the year this week, with us Nintendo Life staff...
Talking Point What's The Deal With The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Switch Release?
Final Font-asy
It’s finally happening – the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series is coming to Switch, and it’s about bloomin’ time! We’re pretty darn excited here. The first six Final Fantasy games on the NES and SNES – Final Fantasy I, II, III, IV, V, and VI – on a Nintendo console for the first time since
Talking Point What Would You Want To See In A 'Mega Man 12'?
Mega (old) Man
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the first Mega Man, the game that kickstarted a remarkably iconic franchise in the video game industry, spawning ten direct sequels, multiple spin-off games, comics, tv shows, and more. The latest entry to the series, Mega Man 11, launched back in 2018 and we thought it was excellent. In our 9/10...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 17th)
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
It has certainly been a festive week this time around at Nintendo Life. We've been busy getting all things ready for the end of the year and are now ready to catch up on all of the great games that we have missed in the meantime. The week brought us our Nintendo Switch Year in Review (always a reminder...
Talking Point As Zelda: Wind Waker Turns 20, Doesn't Toon Link Deserve A Second Chance?
Big eyes, big dreams
Today marks the 20th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker’s Japanese release and after all of these years, we think that it is finally safe to say that Nintendo’s punt paid off. By ‘punt’ we don’t refer to the idea of putting Link on a boat – whatever will they think of next, putting him on a train??...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 10th)
Award winners and wheel spinners
It has been yet another fun-filled week here at Nintendo Life and we are ready to once again hit the ol' games this weekend. In the past seven days we have had The Game Awards (and the absence of any Tears of the Kingdom news thereof), a brand new
Talking Point Are You Excited To See Call Of Duty Return To Nintendo Platforms?
Whisky tango foxtrot
In case you missed the recent bombshell from Xbox Game Studios' CEO Phil Spencer, the business executive confirmed in a tweet that Microsoft would enter into a ten-year commitment to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms following the presumed merger of Microsoft and Activision-Blizzard. <related ids="142197"> The...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 3rd)
Splatting, catching and slashing
"How many different franchise can we feasibly hear news about this week?" We might have asked on Monday here at Nintendo life. The answer: all of them. The past seven days have seen us reporting on the new Mario movie trailer, breaking down the intricacies of Splatoon 3's new update, reporting on Nintendo Switch...
