Blister

Interestingly Phantom Hourglass is the only Zelda game my wife played to any extent - and SHOCK - got further in than I did. I liked the game but that repetitive timed dungeon killed it for me a bit. Maybe I will try it again.

Personally I feel more information about the eshop, virtual console etc would have been helpful in securing sales. I'm a fan, but I don't think a great case for preordering has been made yet. The machine looks lovely but where are the "must play" games? If you have a Wii U you will be able to play Zelda: BOTW without purchasing a Switch.
I wanted to feel that I couldn't afford to miss being on board at day one - instead I just can't justify (or afford) the preorder.

Yeah. Order cancelled by Amazon. :'-(

Got it. But not necessarily getting a Switch at launch...

@cmk8 This.

@JTMnM Yes. This!

@samuelvictor I hope Rondo of Blood gets a Wii U release - I found it too hard without restore points on the Wii.

@Baker1000 Maybe you can use the wii classic controller pro?

I know that the browsers in nintendo consoles are never a serious rival to smartphones or PCs, but on occasions I quite liked being able to search for help online midgame. The Earthbound guide implementation was quite fun particulary. On a mobile device it seems a bit strage to omit it.
Streaming apps on Wii U were very useful - our kids use them all the time and the gamepad interface was much easier for them to navigate than our set top boxes. I hope they make it across.

The Switch as a device looks lovely but the announced list of titles seems rather lacklustre right now. It's a worry.

Personally I loved the 3D effects - I think it really lifts the presentation of some games and in a select few helped with gameplay. I will miss it assuming it will not be carried forwards in any way. I hope that there is some sort of plan for accommodating both dual screen play and glasses free 3D in future virtual console releases of 3DS games, but am not holding my breath.

I'm thinking pretty much along the same lines as Mitch. I'd like to be optimistic, but the stakes feel a notch higher this time. The Switch launch needs to be a mainstream media event to generate excitement and sales outwith the usual Nintendo audience. Strong third party support has to last the lifetime of the console. If this fails I imagine the company becoming primarily a developer for the mobile sphere.

I think this is disappointing - there is at present probably still a (small) audience of Wii U users engaged who are awaiting Switch. There is a window of opportunity to shift some copies of software via more generous discounts (it generally works on myself) and at least recoup some money on titles on a soon to be completely dead console. I'm surprised that better sales and discounts are not being adressed during this time period.

Seeing these lists in black and white underscores what a poor year it has been for nintendo gamers. I didn't purchase many of these because frankly they were less than essential purchases. Roll on 2017: I'm not going to miss 2016 for lots of different reasons!

Argh.

This is rather poor given the competition elsewhere. I really think for me a PS4 would be a better purchase than Switch. The WiiU has had such a short cycle with long frustrating barren periods in the release schedule. I don't think I can face the same thing again!

I would love Igarashi to helm a new metroid game - he would knock it out of the park. There is definitely room for a new "2.5D" Metroid series entry. I preferred Super Metroid and its direct sequels to the Prime series and I miss the Metroidvania games.

@skwiddly LOL!

@Scapetti Point taken, but I also note the key words in your post: "compared to".

@Mahe I think you probably have a point regarding the Wii. Cheers.

It's stating the obvious, but this makes for pretty dispiriting reading each week. Bar re-released old games and discounts on some good older games there hasn't been anything much to get excited about for months, particularly on Wii U. I have spent much of this generation catching up on really old games from past systems that I missed. Without the virtual console and some re-makes it would have been a pretty barren lanscape!

The early death of AAA content on Nintendo home consoles seems to be a feature of each hardware cycle recurring with depressing regularity. After enduring it on four successive consoles I'm not sure I'm ready to jump into Switch, no matter how enticing it seems from this standpoint. Maybe it's time for me to kick my Nintendo habit and get a PS4.

I had great fun attending the Glasgow concert. Even my wife survived the experience...

@Pinkman I'm definitely thinking that streaming could be an element of this device. That way the tech in the system doesn't have to be bleeding edge in terms of performance (and Nintendo's systems haven't been for some years) to handle some impressive games going forwards.

Being a metroidvania fanatic I never really liked going back to this one, and I found Rondo to be snappier. The save states on the WiiU version helped SCIV feel less labourious. I think I left the poor chap swinging on a chandelier so perhaps I should boot it up on Halloween and help him out...

@BensonUii Actually, I am sure you are correct about this. I only read about PS3 and Vita. Thanks.

@Jimmy_G_Buckets Sadly I don't have a 360, but it's useful to know that - might be a cheap route to playing it! Thanks!

...also, I did like Rondo of Blood on the Wii VC, but found the challenge a little too much - I'd love it to release on the Wii U so that I can rampantly abuse the save state feature and see more of it!

I LOVE the Metroidvania games on GBA and DS, but must confess I have yet to play Symphony of the Night! blushes
I believe it may be available on the Playstation Network, but I don't have any appropriate hardware. The wait for the NX is making me want to bail and get a PS4, so SOTN may be a good enough excuse (assuming you can play it on a PS4)...

@Dan-Adelman This sounds exactly the sort of game I love. Can't wait to try it, thanks for bringing it to a platform that is otherwise suffering a bit of a drought!

I recall enjoying The Neverhood on PC back in the day. It definitely had a handful of obtuse puzzles but the art style (very fresh at that time) kept me engrossed till the end.

@OorWullie Wow. I had exactly the same difficulties with dual analogue controls and got almost nowhere in the game before giving up.

This is really good. Enjoying it much more than the original game boy version. Great stuff!

@HydroTendonMan
" The trials of being an adult gamer! Affording all the games you wanted when you were younger, except now we have no time to enjoy them all."
I hear you!

Yup. I find Miitomo tedious and repetitive. I go on it to mine coins but honestly I find that a chore. I know nobody else who uses it so there is very little reason to engage with it. I hope it gets update with some worthwhile content.

Wow! Sounds like a great entry.

@abbyhitter Yup, a controversial view but one I agree with. I like the Prime games but I also have not felt driven to complete them. The glossy production of Other M pushed me to the end of the game. I rather liked it despite some shortcomings. More please!

@Noelemahc spoiler alert

Off topic ish... but BBC radio 4 is about to have a feature about Zelda on Front Row any minute!

Yes please - a full Zelda game in this visual style would be splendid.

Fusion was my first experience of Metroid and remains my favourite. I rather liked the structure that directed you forwards. I caught up with Super Metroid on the Wii U and loved it too, but found I had to occasionally refer to guides (and restore points) to get me through. Along with Zero Mission these three games are pretty much as good as 2D gaming gets for me. I would love more in their vein.

Cool. Will definitely give these a try...

This is a bit "off topic" possibly, but I am having problems running Wii download games from my external HD: S&P2 and SMGalaxy simply do not startup. I might try moving them to internal memory...

@Bass_X0 Absolutely. Metroid: Other M is totally forgiven.
I actually quite liked it, and completed it, which is more than I can say about any of the Prime games. I don't think it deserves the pasting it gets. It's a solid game that had the guts to try a different approach to the franchise.
I can't speak about FF, but I do think the vocal elements of the fanbase need to be less conservative. We need to allow developers the room to take risks with treasured IPs. Bleating that we don't like the first screenshots is too premature. There was a terrible fuss about the look initially of LoZ: WW back in the day - if it had been cancelled on the strength of that reaction we would have missed a classic.

I'm a huge fan of the 2D Metroid entries and would love some kind of new entry in that style. I like very much how A Link To The Past was updated on the 3DS with A Link Between Worlds - a similar approach to the 2D Metroids could be a winner - using 3D models with a generally fixed side scrolling viewpoint.
As for WiiU personally I'd prefer a completely fresh approach. I actually quite liked Other M... Whilst there were issues with the controls at times I did appreciate the bravery in its attempt to bring a bit of cinematic sweep to the franchise. And something in the storytelling drove me to complete it - something I'll admit I didn't manage with any of the Prime trilogy. I like the Prime games, but perhaps not enough to want another. Lets have a big, shiny, open world epic space opera Metroid reboot with a series of weird alien planets to explore! Throw in some gunship dogfighting, bounty hunting deals and trading, perhaps similar to Elite and we have a deal!

@VanillaLake Thanks - I'll see what I can manage with another try! Enjoy MH4U when you get it.

@earthboundlink Good that the community is helpful - I never really managed to get going on online quests on the Wii. I guess the newer games have more robust online multiplayer portions so I should give them a try. Cheers.

@DaydreamingUC
Thanks for that! I probably need to change my weapons and attack approach. Unfortunately the dual inconveniences of work and child rearing probably preclude me getting much further in this crucial quest!

I feel so conflicted about this game. MH3 Tri on Wii provided hours of memorable gameplay to me which I really enjoyed at the time - the hunting, resource gathering and crafting was a new experience for me.
Then came The Great Jaggi. Try as I might I just couldn't quite finish it off! I'm disappointed I didn't make it deeper into the game, but then perhaps it wasn't the core experience that I enjoyed in the earlier parts of the game. I guess I don't really have the free time or tenacity needed to make it in MH! The (overly) easy mode in the demo has made me wonder if I should perhaps give Monster Hunter another try. I think had it been on Wii U I would have been more tempted.

I love the idea stated in this article. A Metroid space horror game would be delicious. [Hopefully it doesn't undermine what I said when I mention that I actually enjoyed Other M]. It is possible that it may harm the commercial success of the game but I think Nintendo needs to reach out to gamers of all persuasions at this time... if you catch my drift.

Really enjoying this game. I have meant to complete it for years after I played the fantastic GBA metroid games. It really does suit different play-styles. There are so many secrets to discover that I find myself hunting every room for them. I think it provides a sterner challenge than I recall from Fusion or Zero Mission - even with the use of restore points. I think I've got 2 bosses left to go so perhaps foiling them would be the best way to celebrate this anniversary!