Tag: Talking Point - Page 8
Talking Point What Can The $1200 Aya Neo Tell Us About The 'Switch Pro'?
We go hands-on with the Aya Neo 2021 Pro
Next year, the Switch will be five years old – a fact which makes the continued demand for the console all the more remarkable. Despite being powered by technology that, even back in 2017, could hardly be described as cutting-edge, the hybrid system has shifted over 90 million units worldwide and shows no...
Talking Point Great Game, Poor Performance - When Does A Bad Frame Rate Not Really Matter?
Shh, don't tell Digital Foundry
It seems that no game release is safe nowadays without frame rate graphs and resolutions being counted. That is fair enough, as games should ship in a competent and playable condition, but it's easy to forget that we're often spoiled in this modern gaming era. We gasp if gameplay regularly dips below 30fps, and with...
Talking Point Mario Kart 7 And Its Infamous Course Skip Are Now 10 Years Old
One of the earliest Nintendo game updates we can remember
We're in a gaming era of plentiful patches, where it's common for games to get frequent updates starting on day one. There are some rare releases even today that receive either no updates or very few — unless there are frequent DLC additions — and one of Nintendo's selling points is its...
Talking Point How Do You Feel About Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl's Affection Rates?
STOP LOVING ME SO MUCH
How can your pets loving you ever be a bad thing? Well, in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, it can very easily ruin your strategies. In the Pokémon games, there is a statistic that's often called "friendship" or "affection", which can affect a few different mechanics in the game. It tells the player how close...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 27th)
Playing some freshly acquired bargains?
It's the end of another week, and there've been plenty of quirky developments and storylines in the world of Nintendo. GTA Trilogy stayed in the headlines to an extent and had its first notable update, sequence breakers struck again in Metroid Dread, Mario Golf: Super Rush
Talking Point 5 Reasons That Nintendo Switch Is Still A Hot Product
Even if it doesn't feel that way to long term fans and owners
Many reading these pages have owned a Switch for nearly 5 years. We likely have extensive game libraries, a wonky Joy-Con stick or two, and a lot of fond memories. Yet the feverish attempts to wish a Switch 'Pro' into existence this year, as opposed to whenever Nintendo is good and ready...
Gyroids? Brewster? The return of Tortimer?
It's been about two weeks since the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons' massive 2.0 update, as well as the Happy Home Paradise DLC, so hopefully most of you have had a good crack at it so far! With two weeks of Brewster,
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 20th)
Pokémon, back catalogue or another new gem?
It's been another big week in the Nintendo Life, with a significant arrival on the Switch. That's Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl of course, which we naturally reviewed for your reading / viewing pleasure. Elsewhere there was
Talking Point Is There A Better-Looking 20-Year-Old Game Than Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II?
Rogue Leader standing by
Feel old, everyone — Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader is now two decades old. The GameCube-exclusive title launched alongside the console itself in the US and was something of a show-stopper in the visuals department. Developer Factor 5 had turned in an excellent arcade-style X-Wing action game with the original...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 13th)
Tell us your weekend gaming plans
We're almost at the halfway point through November, and it's been a busy old time all right. With Pokémon arriving very soon, we've been digging into the minutiae of the excellent Animal Crossing DLC while we have the time. Elsewhere, Twitch appeared o
Talking Point The Transformative Impact Of Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 2.0
Team NL has a virtual chat in The Roost
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has had its major version 2.0 update, which includes a bunch of freebies and also the paid DLC option of Happy Home Paradise. A number of Team NL have been enjoying its charms, and a topic that kept coming up was the new content's ability to bring back lapsed players. It's also...
Talking Point Will Nintendo Abandon The Switch Concept For Its Next Console?
Could we see another Wii – or another Wii U?
Nintendo isn't a company that likes to stand still for too long. It has often innovated and driven the entire industry forward, such as when it popularised motion-control gaming with the Wii and touch-based interfaces with the DS. However, this desire to experiment hasn't always worked out; the Virtual...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (November 6th)
Tell us your weekend gaming plans
Another week down in the inexorable march towards 2021's holiday season, and it's been a busy one Nintendo-wise. The platform holder released its quarterly financial results — profits are down but on track, with industry-wide production issues being a particular thorn in Nintendo's side at present — and the...
Talking Point Switch Is A Juggernaut, But Nintendo Will Still Feel Investor Pressure
Production issues and no 'Pro' will remain topics
Today brought the Q2 Nintendo financial results, which would be easy to miss with the understandable excitement of Animal Crossing: New Horizons version 2.0 arriving a day early. In some ways they're results with two sides, though within Nintendo's boardroom they may feel like they're somewhat stuck...
Talking Point Super Mario 3D Land Turns 10 - Was It The Best '3D' Game On 3DS?
The golden era of stereoscopic 3D
Ten years ago on 3rd November 2011, Super Mario 3D Land made its debut on 3DS in Japan. It's not typically held up or remembered as a glorious entry of the Mario series — indeed, at the time of writing it inexplicably doesn't rank on our dynamic reader-rated list of the 50 best 3DS games — but several of us in...
Talking Point Are You Preparing Your Island For The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update?
Time to get back to work?
It's been about a year since I last visited egg, my Animal Crossing: New Horizons island. I played a lot of Animal Crossing: New Leaf, so I knew what to expect when I booted it up again, following the jam-packed Animal Crossing Direct recently: weeds everywhere, cockroaches in my house, and villagers being more disappointed...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 30th)
Tell us your weekend gaming plans
Another week down as we head into the spookiest weekend of the year and onward into November. This week Nintendo launched its Switch Online Expansion Pack to a mixed response, we got our first look at
Talking Point Five Years On From The Frenzy Of 'NX' Becoming The Switch
The more things change, the more they stay the same
This week marked five years (yikes) since the mysterious Nintendo 'NX' became the Switch. It was a pretty big deal and, to the relief of Nintendo, it was received well. Let's be honest, the reaction wasn't going to be worse than the Wii U E3 reveal, when most follow-up questions were "so is the...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 23rd)
Tell us your weekend gaming plans
We made it through another week, well done everyone! There was a varied slate of news this week, with one of the slightly disappointing stories being allegations of poor management practices at Metroid Dread developer MercurySteam, but in happier news we also had the arrival of Sora in Smash, we confirmed that
Talking Point How Many Hours Is A 'Short' Game For You?
It's what you do with it that counts
There was a time when we wished every video game were never-ending. Back in the old days we'd save up all our pocket money and wisely invest in only the very finest games after weeks and months of meticulous research; consulting reviews, collating opinions and perhaps even renting or borrowing from a pal to make...
Talking Point Do You Have A 'Way' You Play Certain Switch Games?
Metroid Dread = portable + headphones + a dark room, right?
The Nintendo Switch has various strengths, but the key aspect of its design that has helped to fuel its success is flexibility. It's a concept that is ultimately more than the sum of its parts — when you break it down, it's a tablet with mid-2010s technology and a USB-C connector to hook...
Talking Point The Metroid Dread Credits Debate Is Sadly Common
The video game development industry needs to respect its contributors
The conversations around Metroid Dread have been mostly positive since its launch, but a recent topic that has caused a good deal of debate and criticism of developer MercurySteam has related to the game's credits. Multiple contributors to the game have raised the fact that...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 16th)
Dread to think what you're up to this weekend
This week we closed out with an Animal Crossing Direct broadcast that detailed the final free content coming to the game, plus the Happy Home Paradise paid DLC. The broadcast also confirmed
Talking Point What Would You Like To See From The Animal Crossing Direct?
Brewster's certain, but what else?
Alright, we're FINALLY getting Brewster and The Roost in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, after what feels like years of people asking. So, we're all totally satisfied and content now, right? Of course not. Brewster was just the beginning. There are still plenty more features that people would love to see in New...
Poll So, Which Switch OLED Did You Buy?
Red, White and Blue
It seems that Switch OLED has got off to a strong start sales-wise, so many of you reading this must have picked up Nintendo's new console SKU over the last week or so. We're fans of the lovely new screen and the various refinements to the basic design that gives the consoles a marginally more premium feel over the trusty...
PSA Sensitive To PWM Flicker? You'll Want To Keep The Switch OLED's Screen Nice And Bright
New screen uses Pulse Width Modulation to control brightness
Nintendo's premium iteration of the Switch launched on 8th October 2021 and while it was far from the long-rumoured 'Switch 2', the screen on the Switch OLED model is a beautiful thing and has led to the new Switch SKU receiving generally positive reviews. It doesn't hurt that incredible...
Talking Point Should We Be Worried About Screen Burn-In With Switch OLED?
"You don’t see a lot of burn-in in modern OLED panels"
Editor's note: This piece was originally published when the Switch OLED was announced and has been updated with new content for the console's launch. Now the Switch OLED is with us, it's perhaps worth revisiting the topic of screen burn-in. We know, thanks to Bloomberg, that the screen on...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 9th)
Yes, a lot of us are playing THAT game
It's been a particularly crazy and busy week in the world of Nintendo, as you've no doubt noticed! The biggest event was undoubtedly Masahiro Sakurai's final presentation for Smash Ultimate which confirmed the arrival of Sora. There've been two huge arrivals; you can check out our Switch OLED hardware review...
Talking Point #ThankYouSakurai For Smash Ultimate, Now He Should Choose His Own Path
Sakurai-san's creative spark can go even further than Smash Bros.
This week Masahiro Sakurai gave his last character presentation for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with interest and anticipation for the final broadcast reaching a fever pitch. With over 24 million sales at last count and substantial DLC uptake thanks to the m
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 2nd)
Got gaming plans?
Another busy week in the world of Nintendo comes to a close. This week saw a bunch of Switch OLED videos popping up on the interwebs as the consoles find their way into the wild ahead of next week's launch, a new Pokémon was unveiled, the rebooted GamesMaster
Poll Do You Use The Black Or White Theme On Your Nintendo Switch?
There's a correct answer
Among all the talk of big games coming up, the imminent double release of Metroid Dread and the OLED Switch model, we like to consider the big questions here at Nintendo Life. Stuff that matters. So we return to Themes, and the seminal choice that faces all Nintendo Switch owners - Basic White or Basic Black? It's a tough...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 25th)
Got gaming plans?
Well, it's been a Nintendo Direct week! The new voice of Mario has been revealed, Brewster's back in Animal Crossing, Kirby's gone all Last of Us in
Talking Point A Nintendo Direct With Something For Everyone, And Quite A Few Surprises
Aside from a couple of leaks and old rumours, Nintendo kept its cards close
The latest Nintendo Direct was quite something, one of Nintendo's longer broadcasts and positively packed with reveals and updates. The structure was clever in terms of getting maximum attention, too, showcasing long awaited titles, entirely new games and getting broad...
Poll Do You Call Handhelds Like Game Boy And Nintendo DS 'Consoles'?
Inconsole-able?
In a recent chat with a friend, we somehow strayed onto the topic of our 'favourite consoles'. I expected some light-hearted bants and joshing as we proposed winners and defended our favourites but the conversation took an unexpectedly contentious turn when I mentioned the 3DS while umming and ahhing. My pal responded and it went...
Talking Point The Switch Is Following Nintendo's Successful Portable Playbook
Slowed down, but familiar
With the Nintendo Switch OLED model now just a couple of short weeks away, we're heading into the system's fifth Holiday season with three distinct 'tiers' in its hardware family. We've written previously about how each Switch iteration offers something different, in terms of features and price points, and how that stacks...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 18th)
Got gaming plans?
Another busy week in the world of Nintendo has flown by. We've seen the return of a famed arcade racing series, a price 'adjustment' for Switch in Europe, the 20th anniversary of a treasured console, and a surprise Switch firmware update that included a much-requested feature:
Talking Point Was The GameCube Really A Portable Console In Disguise?
Love handles
If you're a Nintendo fan, then since day one you've probably always had at least two consoles on the go: one for the TV, and one for the car/bus/plane/bed. From 1989's Game Boy to Nintendo's boundary-blurring hybrid Switch, there has always been an option for players on-the-go. But the Nintendo Switch isn't their first foray into home...
Talking Point What Games Are You Looking Forward To Playing On Switch OLED?
14 games we're dying to (re)play
It's an odd phenomenon when new hardware comes along which makes you delve into your back catalogue for gems you might have missed, or perhaps just revisit classic titles to see how they look and perform on your shiny new system. It's something that PS5 and Xbox Series X gamers have encountered over the last year,...
The battle for Holiday sales is about to begin
Nintendo can't be accused of being reactive with the Switch ahead of the fast approaching Holiday season. In a time where sales and demand remain strong, the big N has been lining up a steady flow of varied games to keep the console on the wider gaming public's agenda. There are major first-party titles...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 11th)
Big games, or micro games?
It's been another busy week of the Nintendo Life, with plenty of news and points of interest to chew over. There were some shenanigans and surprising visual glitches in Sonic Colors Ultimate, we shared our review of WarioWare: Get It Together!, a LEGO Super Mario 64 '?' Block was revealed, so
Talking Point Which Nintendo Console Has The Best Start-Up Sound?
Ding! Boop! Click! etc!
Look, I know what you're thinking. You're already pre-emptively scrolling down to the comments to say "OBVIOUSLY it is the GameCube, Lord of All Noises", but just hold fire, okay? Let me at least make the case for some of the others. Before I do, though, a quick note as to why I'm not including the Nintendo 64, since I know...
Talking Point Just How 'Finished' Is Your Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Save File?
Any% of the Wild
It's four-and-a-half years since The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched on Switch (and Wii U — don't be forgetting the Wii U!) and it's one of those evergreen games I've been dipping back into ever since. That's not to say I'm constantly restarting the game (although there are plenty of people who begin again on the...
Talking Point What's The Best Sound In Video Games?
Our favourite bleeps, bloops, and vwoops
Our summertime Video Game Music Festival has largely, if not entirely covered the wonderful world of soundtracks, which you could probably have guessed from the name. But what about all the stuff that isn't-quite-music? Don't noises deserve love too? YES. So, here you go: Our favourite sounds in video games...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 4th)
Well, what ARE you playing?
It's been another fun week of the Nintendo Life, with some interesting news and announcements giving us plenty to chew over. A big one was the report that Nintendo is set to add Game Boy / Color to Nintendo Switch Online, there was intrigue around updated PEGI rating requirements around gambling, we shared our
Talking Point It's A Golden Era For Video Game Music Fans, So How Do You Listen?
When you're not playing the games, obvs
Being a fan of Nintendo-based video game music has historically been pretty tough. Older aural aficionados would cling tightly to their Killer Cuts CDs, dedicated collectors wept at the triple-digit pricing of rare Japanese CD sets containing most, but never quite all, of a popular '90s RPG soundtrack, and...
Talking Point If Nintendo Switch Online Adds Game Boy, Why Not Throw In GBA, Too?
Imagine the entire 2D Metroid timeline playable before Dread...
Nintendo Switch Online has been relatively static, as a service, for quite some time. We have had some turnover of free online games, most recently with Pac-Man 99, and a slow and steady influx of NES and SNES titles, but generally it's been a quiet time. Aside from some oft-demanded...
Talking Point What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 28th)
No More Time
It's been another hectic week of the Nintendo Life. Let's see, there was a Monster Hunter Rise x Street Fighter free update, all sorts of reveals from Gamescom Opening Night Live and follow-up streams, accusations of foul play in the world of retro collecting, a surp
EMMIs in pursuit mode
Earlier today we reported that another impressive-looking fan-made Metroid game — a 2D reimagining of Metroid Prime this time — has been shut down after the makers received an inevitable cease-and-desist communique. Nintendo wasn't specifically named, but there are no prizes for guessing the "certain games-related company"...
Talking Point How Much Would You Pay For A Mint Copy Of Super Mario Bros.?
6 golden coins? 8 red coins?
Following on from the recent record-breaking sales for retro games, including $2 million USD for a copy of Super Mario Bros. and $870K USD for The Legend of Zelda on NES — not to mention the unf
Talking Point Million-Dollar Retro Game Auctions Help Remind Us What Matters Most
Passion and preservation
As you've no doubt seen over the past couple of years, there have been some high profile and eye-watering sales of retro games which have reached hundreds of thousands of US dollars, and now more than $2 million. It's been rather baffling to onlookers; these are copies of extremely common games, after all, and the downside...