Comments 46

Re: Soapbox: 'Switch 2' Doesn't Really Need Backwards Compatibility

Bishop_Saturn

I would argue that not having backwards compatibility would be a huge misstep for Nintendo.

The Switch occupies a very unique, and increasingly beloved niche for Nintendo fans and gamers alike. While the concept will never allow the platform to be the leading graphical powerhouse of any generation, the ability to take games anywhere you go, with ease, is basically a dream come true.

Fans are going to want to a blend of classics, fun first-party entries, and newer ports. Not only does Nintendo have the ability to deliver more of that with an upgraded Switch, it has the ability to uphold a cherished catalogue of portable games that consumers can build upon - potentially even with some performance improvements utilizing newer hardware.

Obviously, you play launch titles when a new system hits the market. But being able to roll with my triple digit back catalogue makes an upgrade a no-brainer and, if anything, entices me to purchase some titles that I may have previously held-off on buying.

Nintendo has a great opportunity to stick the landing here. What they need to avoid is overthinking it.

Re: Rumour: Nintendo Is Targeting A 2024 Release For The Switch Successor

Bishop_Saturn

In theory, this should be a no-brainer for Nintendo.

The Switch model works. There's a demand for it, and it fills a niche that neither Sony nor Microsoft have been able to crack.

Basically the consumer wants what they currently have, just with more power under the hood. That means adding a bunch of XB1/PS4 era ports; more powerful first-party IPs; while keeping their current lineup of Switch and Nintendo Online options.

Sure they'll appreciate more bells and whistles. But they don't need an art project from Nintendo. They don't need someone to reinvent the wheel for them. They want a very specific product and Nintendo has never been better positioned to deliver on that demand.

Will they? That's unknown. While this should be a no-brainer; Nintendo always gives off vibes that they can't help themselves sometimes - particularly with consoles. Some of it's based in history, some of it is exaggerated and a bit unfair. But it is what it is.

Having said that, if they more or less take the approach they did with Gameboy and DS family of products; there's no reason why they can't still dominate their market space. More enthusiastic gamers will still upgrade to new a platform; they'll still keep their old systems around or pass them down to a younger generation as a gateway console; and a few years into the lifecycle Nintendo will still boost sales with an OLED model as the price point becomes unattainable.

It's all realistically possible. But it's on Nintendo to execute.

Re: TMNT: Shredder's Revenge Lands New Character, Game Mode And More In Upcoming DLC

Bishop_Saturn

This made my day on so many levels.

For one, I'm a huge Usagi fan. Stan Sakai is arguably one of the best modern storytellers around, in any medium. Also interesting that it says character(s). Other content yet to be announced?

I absolutely loved Shredder's Revenge and the execution. It was the ultimate love letter to the old arcade games, but made a number of improvements over those incarnations.

And finally, I'm just generally stoked to see the TMNT continue to stay in the pop culture conversation. Between the DLC, the comics, the figures, the upcoming movie, etc., it's a really good time to be a fan.

Re: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Cowabunga Collection Surpasses One Million Sales

Bishop_Saturn

I know a million doesn’t seem like a huge number by some modern standards, but for a collection of 30+year old/near 30 year old games, I’d say it’s pretty impressive.

Konami did a great job with this release, which still feels like something fans would’ve dreamed up rather than something a company would actually make available. I’d love to see them bundle some of their other offerings in similar packages, and see other companies do the same.

Re: It's Official, Total Switch Sales Have Now Surpassed The Game Boy And PS4

Bishop_Saturn

The thing with the Switch is that gave gamers the best of both worlds. In the past, you had the experience of sitting in front of a big screen tv and feeling like you were a part of a movie. Or you had the ability to take fun, but relatively limited games on the go with you.

Switch provided elements of both. I think the result is that it’s easier to feel connected with the experience. You can have those nights with friends and a couple of pizzas, or you can settle into a comfy chair and do your own thing without your activity having to be the center of all activity.

I find Switch gaming to be a more personalized experience. I remember sitting down with BOTW as it rained outside. Link rolled into a stable as a thunderstorm moved the area of the map he occupied. I had him just hang out, talk to people and watch the storm unfold. But because of my surroundings, it felt deeper. It created one of those touchpoint moments with a game that you remember years later.

There are some games that the Switch will never touch, like Ghost of Tsushima or the latest open world offering from Rockstar. But that’s okay. That’s what a PlayStation or Xbox is for. The Switch is something different. It’s more of a companion device.

Re: The Newest Disney Dreamlight Valley Update Will Be Released On February 16th

Bishop_Saturn

Enjoying this game and think they’ve only scratched the surface of its potential. Honestly, the cross-platform save feature is a game changer for me. I started on the Xbox, but love the ability to continue and take my game on the go with me via Switch.

Would love to see some more classic characters thrown into the mix and maybe even more “events” that bring characters together.

Re: Video: One Month In, What Are Your Predictions For The Switch's 2023?

Bishop_Saturn

I feel like I wouldn't mind if 2023 leans into various collections for the Switch. Again, broken record here, but Maxis, Monkey Island, Simpsons, Marvel arcade, classic Disney, maybe Sid Meier's Pirates (which seems like a perfect fit for the platform), a collection of some of the remaining Zelda games and a Paper Mario collection. Wouldn't mind seeing Dark Forces 1 and 2 ported to complete that series. Would love to see Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas in a bundle. Would love to see more of Telltale's offerings brought over.

As for new games or rebuilds, an announcement of a Link's Awakening type reimagining of Super Mario RPG. Would love to see something about Prime. I feel like we're due for a new Punch-Out entry.

Re: Video: Does The Switch Actually Feel 'Old' Yet?

Bishop_Saturn

As a platform? No. Though I would definitely love to see an upgrade on the horizon.

My particular Switch? Yes. From years of playing it and taking it everywhere. Despite my best efforts, it was dropped by one of my children, the screen protector needs to be replaced, and the console definitely has a “well loved” feel to it. But that’s all the more reason why I want to see an actual upgraded system.

Re: Return To Monkey Island Sets Sail For Physical Release

Bishop_Saturn

Really enjoyed this game and also can’t say I’ve had any problems with LRG in the past. Having said that, what I really want is an archive collection. If not the complete collection like what is available on STEAM, at least a port of the first two games (like XB and PS received) and a port of Tales (like Wii).

Re: Talking Point: So, When Will Nintendo Announce Its Next Console?

Bishop_Saturn

When I was kid, a device like the Switch would've felt like a fever dream. Nintendo, which has been more of a "niche" provider for a while, really carved out something special with this system.

With that said, I really hope they don't overthink this next system. I feel like Nintendo's consumer base has been pretty consistent with what is desired. Personally, I'm hoping to see a smart phone like approach where they roll out with an upgraded model (models?) and work with developers to update software to address any changes to the OS.

As for timing, I'd like to see a late 2023 announcement with the upgraded hardware available around in the second or third quarter of 2024.

I don't think there's going to be a crash in people buying games in the meantime. In some cases, you're going to have people like me who get the upgraded model but keep the older model around for younger kids. I don't think there will be a huge conflict if they keep it in the Switch family.

Re: Story Of Seasons: A Wonderful Life - Everything We Know So Far

Bishop_Saturn

I enjoyed the original at the time, though I haven’t played it in ages. What I remember was really getting into my own little section of the world and living a life with my character. You start to form a bond that’s hard to explain, and the “ending” just wasn’t something you often saw at that time.

Having said all that, part of me wonders if there’s only so many times I can explore the whole “start a new life as a farmer and build a family” plot device in gaming. We’ve now reached the point where we’ve tackled it a bunch of different ways.

Still, for all the memories I have with the original, I probably won’t be able to help but give it one more go.

Re: Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games And Accessories For January And February 2023

Bishop_Saturn

The first Octopath felt like one of those “perfect on Switch” kind of games. The art and gameplay felt like something from the SNES era, but with some upgrades that really helped stick the landing. I’d dare say it didn’t quite garner as much attention as it deserved. I’m looking forward to the sequel. If it’s anything like the first entry, it will be easy to dive into and even easier to lose track of time.

Re: Back Page: Why Don't Nintendo Games Get Gritty TV Shows? Here Are Some Pitches

Bishop_Saturn

I’m more surprised that it’s taken this long to get something like the upcoming Mario movie. In theory, Nintendo’s IPs have always seemed ripe for animation, be it more family-friendly (Mario, Kirby, etc.), or something drifting closer to PG-13/Adult Swim territory (Zelda, Metroid, etc.).

You can’t help but feel like there are a number of IPs that would naturally lend themselves to streaming or movies, or even other mediums like graphic novels. While gritty and Nintendo don’t often go hand-in-hand, there’s a lot of creative meat on the bone for approaches that Nintendo would likely be more comfortable pursuing.

Re: Best Of 2022: Which Zelda Game Should You Play First?

Bishop_Saturn

I went with A Link to the Past based on quality and approachability.

BOTW is a contender, but my concern would be less about a player feeling lost in the world of the game, but rather concerns that other games in the series would feel restrictive or small by comparison. However, there is something to be said about being able to spin-off into Age of Calamity before diving into the upcoming Tears game.

Re: Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse Remastered Announced For 2023

Bishop_Saturn

There are a few groups of games/developers for whom I carry a soft spot:

Telltale (including Sam & Max)
Maxis (PC and SNES)
Sid Meier (anything really)
Lucas Arts (Monkey Island, 90s/early 2000s era Star Wars PC games)

Sam & Max fall into a grouping of games that just take me back to a very specific time and mood. Not the best days of my life, but a unique one. Bring ‘em on!

Re: Best Of 2022: How Stardew Valley Grew The Farm Sim While Harvest Moon Went To Seed

Bishop_Saturn

While Stardew Valley certainly borrowed from beloved predecessors, it also served as a reminder for gamers and developers that sometimes a well-executed, simple premise is far more engaging than sweeping narratives and boundary-pushing realism.

There are moments where people just want a simple escape and the freedom to enjoy a world, without ever feeling lost in it. You could argue that games like Stardew Valley, Shredder’s Revenge and even Monkey Island are tailor-made for a system like the Switch. To me, the approach those games take is an incredibly underrated aspect of gaming - games you can pick up, any time, without too much effort or drawing too much attention to the activity.

Stardew Valley takes the best elements of open world gaming, and keeps it in a sandbox that is welcoming and warm. I think more than anything, it’s a game that understands the psychological preferences, if not needs, of many potential audience members. We want the familiar, without ever feeling too familiar.

Re: Soapbox: If You Thought Last Year Was "Sad" For Switch, 2023 Might Be Hard To Handle

Bishop_Saturn

Personally, I feel like the Switch is often the only system keeping me interested in gaming. I don’t know if it’s age, other commitments, a disconnect from a many newer games, etc., but I don’t enjoy gaming like I once did.

Many of the options are the Switch are simply fun. Sure they’re not technological marvels, and not every game is a compelling, epic adventure. But more often than not, Switch games are approachable. I can dive right into whatever concept is before me and not feel like I am starting a part-time job. I grab some tea, settle into my favorite chair and I can simply let go.

There were some great new entries in 2022, as well as some classic ports. But I always feel like there is something for me to discover. Even now, my wishlist is pretty extensive. Is there room for improvement? You bet. I’d like more power, more ports and first class party titles, as well as an online service that doesn’t make me miss my old VC. But I never felt disappointed or wanting.

Re: Best Of 2022: Which Is The Absolute Best Nintendo Console Generation?

Bishop_Saturn

The Switch is kind of hard to beat with its variety and portability. For me, the ability to play deep games whenever and wherever is a game changer. The biggest knock for me is that I wish Nintendo Online more closely resembled the Virtual Consoles of yesteryear.

Honorable Mentions: SNES was a game changer for its era, helping to close the gap between what gamers could expect to access at home.

While many fans remember Wii for its motion control elements, I appreciated the backwards compatibility with the GameCube generation, the virtual console and some really good games for that generation.

Re: Rumour: Switch Pro Was Real But Got Cancelled, Claims Digital Foundry

Bishop_Saturn

And can’t say the Switch Pro or a mid-generation upgrade was ever something I paid too much mind. If anything, I’d say I’ve been focused and maybe a little worried about the what comes after Switch. For better or worse, over the last 25 years or so, it seems like every other console from Nintendo is the superstar offering. In the case of the Switch, I feel like they have a great niche carved out - not a console that is going to compete with Microsoft or Sony, but a portable option that focuses on first party titles, classics and offerings that focus on fun rather than being sweeping epics. I’m hoping the next console builds on what they have, rather than seeks to reinvent things again.

Re: Feature: Nintendo Switch Ports We'd Love To See In 2023

Bishop_Saturn

I’m going to go somewhat old school here and plausible based on hardware requirements:

1. Sid Meier’s Pirates!
2. Civ Revolution
3. Monkey Island Collection
4. Ducktales Remastered
5. Super Mario RPG
6. Maxis Classics Collection (SimCity, SimAnt, SimEarth)
7. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
8. Simpsons Classic Game Collection (Arcade, Hit & Run, etc.)
9. Paper Mario Collection
10. Metroid Prime Collection