@VoidPunk I have the original, and that's fine with me. I'm not interested in seeing how Marvelous' budget team of ringer developers has changed the original development team's vision. Strawberry cows, childish costumes and the removal of any level of difficulty, I presume.
@eltomo There's no question about losing sales to other platforms. I've always been Nintendo first and probably have 10 or 15 Nintendo physical games for every PlayStation physical game in my collection, but I'm not buying anything digitally on Switch 2 if it's available on physical for PS4 or PS5.
@Coalescence No, Nintendo isn't making anyone release games on a game key card, but they're also not providing a cost-effective solution for true physical releases. They're going to sell hundreds of millions of games this generation. They should be able to mass produce a range of game cards to accommodate games of all but the very largest file sizes.
I was off yesterday, so my weekend is already well in progress. I began with a little Mario Golf Super Rush and the victorious completion of my run as the Netherlands in Civ VI. This was one of my favorite runs ever and also one of my best, as I'm overtaking another difficulty level.
We're going on a day trip for the Spearess' birthday today. That will give me time to gameplan the next Civ run. Tomorrow will likely be Civ and ... who knows, perhaps I'll start another game.
I watched a stream this weekend. The players seemed to be moving and dipsy-doodling deftly, so someone at least has mastered the control scheme. I haven't played it, so I can't rate it, but I will say my wrists tired just from watching it, so I'm hesitant to drop $20 on it.
I'm about 175 turns into an amazingly fun Civ VI run as The Netherlands. Teddy Roosevelt inexplicably messed with us in the Medieval Era, and I've smacked him into bankruptcy with relentless military pressure. Meanwhile, my plucky Dutch citizens are happily filling the waterways with polders and dams.
I finished a victorious Civ VI run as Frederick Barbarossa last night and am thinking about which civ to guide next. In the meantime, I've been playing a good deal of Dr. Mario on the GameBoy as well as the WiiWare version and Dr. Luigi on the WiiU.
My poor Switch 2 continues to watch longingly from the sideline. "Can I play yet, coach?" "Sorry, son, but these other boys have been here much longer and have earned their playing time."
Let's face it: The game-key-card genie is out of the bottle and cannot be contained. I hope I'm wrong, but the survey seems like fake concern, or maybe Nintendo is throwing a Hail Mary, hoping to get enough positive feedback to say it's reasonably well received.
Let it be forever noted that Nintendo put the final nail in the coffin of widespread physical releases.
The Spearess and I are back from vacation, but it's such a beautiful weekend that I may need to get right back outside. With the remaining time, I'm going to unlock the DK theme in Tetris 99 and continue my latest run in Civ VI.
I've been holding off on a PS5, but a price drop will get me there now. This could be the first generation my collection has more games for a non-Nintendo system.
I'll be finishing a Civ VI run as Frederick Barbarossa. I've got a space-race victory in my back pocket ... except two of the AI players are on the cusp of a diplomacy victory (lame way to win), so I'll likely need luck and ingenuity at the next World Congress session to prevail.
Otherwise, the Spearess and I will be taking a vacation next week, so I need to prepare the house for little Spear. But I think as you all can relate, NO WAY I go on vacation with unfinished business in Civ.
Hey, @JohnnyMind, I caught some of your Zelda Japanese tutorial this week. Awesome stuff! Much better than Rosetta Stone!
@sethfranum And when I read this story a couple of days ago, I asked why the option of paying more for a full game on a cart was not included in Nintendo's survey. To be honest, if it comes down to a choice between a game key card or a physical copy on the PS4, I'm going PS4. Until now, that would have been the rare exception.
Why does the Switch 2 version of this have to be on a game key card? There has to a reasonably priced cart that would work. Why is there even a cart port on Switch 2? Nice work, Nintendo.
@Cipher36 Exactly the same here. I probably have about 120 physical Switch games but, like you, expect to cut back drastically this time around.
In the bigger picture though, I'm reconsidering all game purchases after taking a look at my backlog — literally more than a hundred unplayed games — and deciding I'll never play everything I have so why just keep buying things to put them on a shelf? I'm really going to be more prudent this generation, and game-key cards make it easy to do that.
The feedback will be in the sales, which I imagine will be somewhat tepid for a while before inevitably reaching expected levels as the physical community grudgingly accept its fate.
My eight-game Civ VI win streak ended yesterday, so I began a revenge run as Frederick Barbarossa last night. It felt good to capture a couple of cities with force rather than failing to woo them as Eleanor of Aquitaine.
I'm also playing Puzzle Bobble Everybubble and trying to get the superstar club set for the last two characters on Mario Golf Super Rush.
Can someone please explain to me how Switch 1 can't handle the resolution for a 30-year-old arcade game? Or did they just put more effort into the Switch 2 version?
I'm still on Civilization VI. Playing a run as Eleanor of Aquitaine leading England. It's looking like a diplomacy victory or nothing, as Basil II keeps derailing my progress with protracted wars he can't possibly win. I guess option three here is taking a loss but at least wiping him out in the process.
@Sambuc There are two original Bust-a-Move games on the Switch. Everybubble and 4 Friends. If you haven't played it, try the excellent 3D version of Bust-a-Move on the PlayStation 4/5.
What did we read this week about PlayStation not considering Nintendo a competitor? I laughed at the time, but it's true: There is no competition when one company can wipe out the other's sales after giving it a four-year head start.
Lots of Civilization VI. I started a new run last night as Eleanor of Aquitaine leading England. I had won with her leading France a day or two ago but wasn't pleased with my work. She's one of the few leaders you can play with multiple civs, so it's a do-over that will continue progress toward completing the Hall of Fame.
@JohnnyMind I hear you. I've played a little Mario Kart World but otherwise am still heavy in Switch 1, mostly with Civilization VI. It will probably be a while before Switch 2 is my main console.
I haven't done the Virtual Card thing to swap my games over, but I'm thinking about it for a few. For some reason, Civ has been crashing a lot lately in late-game scenarios unless I save frequently. Switch 2 may help with that.
With the restock, I hope everyone whose box and console were blemished by staple punctures were given a replacement on GameStop. The moral: The lobotomized should not work in public service.
Does anyone else feel the tilt controls are sluggish? They don't seem anywhere near as responsive as the Wii, Wii U or Switch controls for MK. And yes, I have steering assist turned off.
On past iterations I've taken it to OCD extremes by trying to finish with the max coin total in each race. On World, doing that four consecutive times is like a one-in-a-hundred shot, thanks to inevitable blue shells and lightning.
Late to the party here because I was awake until 3:45 a.m. starting a new run on Civ VI. Just one more turn!
The rest of the weekend will likely be more Civ, a little Mario Kart World and continuing to reconfigure my game setup. I got a great new power block that clamps to my desk to get my desktop setup in order, and I got a new HDMI splitter to accommodate the Switch 2. So my flat screen now hosts the two Switches, the Wii, the Wii U, and the PS3 and PS4. After I get this all sorted out, I'll move on to the CRT setup.
@its_luke_c I think MK8 easily had the best track collection of any entry in the series, even before they gave it the Deluxe treatment. What I've played so far in World seems dull.
I didn't rate it, as I haven't played much yet, but for me it's about the tracks, and there hasn't been a single one yet I've liked. And the tilt steering seems sluggish to me — not close to being as responsive as in MK8 or Wii. But plenty of time for my opinion to change,
I thought the unlocks ended too quickly in MK8, so I'm content to avoid this shortcut. I don't mind not having everything unlocked, as long as I get there eventually.
@AllBLK I agree with @BenAV. What they did was not cool, and though I don't need a case or any other accessories other than a screen protector, I won't buy from Genki either after this. And not only did they leak it, but they trolled Nintendo along the way.
@MrGawain The story mode in Puyo Puyo 1 was a ton of fun, though the dialogue was tedious at times. (Often.) (OK, almost always.) Nevertheless, I look forward to story mode whenever I try the sequel ... which won't be on Switch 2.
Avoiding this on principle. Nintendo has gone too corporate this generation, and I'll make my statements in opposition where I can. And I think it actually started last generation, with the half-baked launches of certain games with promises to support (translation: complete) them after launch. Disappointed in a company I've supported since the NES.
Comments 2,199
Re: Review: Story Of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - The Series' Best Remake Yet
@VoidPunk I have the original, and that's fine with me. I'm not interested in seeing how Marvelous' budget team of ringer developers has changed the original development team's vision. Strawberry cows, childish costumes and the removal of any level of difficulty, I presume.
Re: Japan's National Library Says Game-Key Cards Are Not Eligible For Preservation
@eltomo There's no question about losing sales to other platforms. I've always been Nintendo first and probably have 10 or 15 Nintendo physical games for every PlayStation physical game in my collection, but I'm not buying anything digitally on Switch 2 if it's available on physical for PS4 or PS5.
Re: Japan's National Library Says Game-Key Cards Are Not Eligible For Preservation
@Coalescence No, Nintendo isn't making anyone release games on a game key card, but they're also not providing a cost-effective solution for true physical releases. They're going to sell hundreds of millions of games this generation. They should be able to mass produce a range of game cards to accommodate games of all but the very largest file sizes.
Re: Japan's National Library Says Game-Key Cards Are Not Eligible For Preservation
I understand the library's stance. Maybe start a bad-ideas wing?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (23rd August)
I was off yesterday, so my weekend is already well in progress. I began with a little Mario Golf Super Rush and the victorious completion of my run as the Netherlands in Civ VI. This was one of my favorite runs ever and also one of my best, as I'm overtaking another difficulty level.
We're going on a day trip for the Spearess' birthday today. That will give me time to gameplan the next Civ run. Tomorrow will likely be Civ and ... who knows, perhaps I'll start another game.
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Drag x Drive?
I watched a stream this weekend. The players seemed to be moving and dipsy-doodling deftly, so someone at least has mastered the control scheme. I haven't played it, so I can't rate it, but I will say my wrists tired just from watching it, so I'm hesitant to drop $20 on it.
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Drag x Drive?
I saw @JohnnyMind dropping threes in this game this weekend! Looks like fun!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (16th August)
I'm about 175 turns into an amazingly fun Civ VI run as The Netherlands. Teddy Roosevelt inexplicably messed with us in the Medieval Era, and I've smacked him into bankruptcy with relentless military pressure. Meanwhile, my plucky Dutch citizens are happily filling the waterways with polders and dams.
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: New Grand Theft Auto Trilogy Physical Switch Release Spotted
"No download required" = huge patch installed upon first load, followed by multiple updates.
Re: Nintendo's Share Price Is Now Double The Height Of The Wii Era
Good job by Nintendo, but for context, the S&P 500 is up about 300 percent in the same period.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (9th August)
I finished a victorious Civ VI run as Frederick Barbarossa last night and am thinking about which civ to guide next. In the meantime, I've been playing a good deal of Dr. Mario on the GameBoy as well as the WiiWare version and Dr. Luigi on the WiiU.
My poor Switch 2 continues to watch longingly from the sideline. "Can I play yet, coach?" "Sorry, son, but these other boys have been here much longer and have earned their playing time."
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: Nintendo Download: 7th August (North America)
I preordered UFO 50, which, unfortunately, won't ship until February ... probably right about the time I finally get tired of Civilization.
Re: UFO 50 Gets A Surprise Shadow Drop On Switch Today
@somnambulance I thought the same thing. Kind of buried the lede.
Re: UFO 50 Gets A Surprise Shadow Drop On Switch Today
I just preordered the physical edition. A game on a cart in a box ... See how it works, Nintendo?
Re: Nintendo Sends Out Second Game-Key Card & Physical Game Survey
Let's face it: The game-key-card genie is out of the bottle and cannot be contained. I hope I'm wrong, but the survey seems like fake concern, or maybe Nintendo is throwing a Hail Mary, hoping to get enough positive feedback to say it's reasonably well received.
Let it be forever noted that Nintendo put the final nail in the coffin of widespread physical releases.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (2nd August)
The Spearess and I are back from vacation, but it's such a beautiful weekend that I may need to get right back outside. With the remaining time, I'm going to unlock the DK theme in Tetris 99 and continue my latest run in Civ VI.
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: Octopath 0 Is A Game-Key Card On Switch 2, And Square Enix Has "No Plans" For A Switch 1 Upgrade Option
I've been holding off on a PS5, but a price drop will get me there now. This could be the first generation my collection has more games for a non-Nintendo system.
Re: Atari 50 Is Getting Yet Another DLC Pack, This Time Focused On Namco Titles
Wow, I might have to pick up that Pac-Man Edition 2600+.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (19th July)
I'll be finishing a Civ VI run as Frederick Barbarossa. I've got a space-race victory in my back pocket ... except two of the AI players are on the cusp of a diplomacy victory (lame way to win), so I'll likely need luck and ingenuity at the next World Congress session to prevail.
Otherwise, the Spearess and I will be taking a vacation next week, so I need to prepare the house for little Spear. But I think as you all can relate, NO WAY I go on vacation with unfinished business in Civ.
Hey, @JohnnyMind, I caught some of your Zelda Japanese tutorial this week. Awesome stuff! Much better than Rosetta Stone!
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: Nintendo Is Seeking Player Feedback On Game-Key Cards In Japan
@sethfranum And when I read this story a couple of days ago, I asked why the option of paying more for a full game on a cart was not included in Nintendo's survey. To be honest, if it comes down to a choice between a game key card or a physical copy on the PS4, I'm going PS4. Until now, that would have been the rare exception.
Re: Square Enix Rules Out Switch 2 "Upgrade Path" For Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
Why does the Switch 2 version of this have to be on a game key card? There has to a reasonably priced cart that would work. Why is there even a cart port on Switch 2? Nice work, Nintendo.
Re: Nintendo Is Seeking Player Feedback On Game-Key Cards In Japan
@Cipher36 Exactly the same here. I probably have about 120 physical Switch games but, like you, expect to cut back drastically this time around.
In the bigger picture though, I'm reconsidering all game purchases after taking a look at my backlog — literally more than a hundred unplayed games — and deciding I'll never play everything I have so why just keep buying things to put them on a shelf? I'm really going to be more prudent this generation, and game-key cards make it easy to do that.
Re: Nintendo Is Seeking Player Feedback On Game-Key Cards In Japan
The feedback will be in the sales, which I imagine will be somewhat tepid for a while before inevitably reaching expected levels as the physical community grudgingly accept its fate.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (12th July)
I'm more than halfway through a run of Civ VI as Frederick Barbarossa. I'm also filling in with a little Puzzle Bobble Everybubble.
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: Nintendo's Summer Deals Discounts Multiple Physical Switch Titles, Save Up To $20 (US)
What are these "physical games" Nintendo speaks of?
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel - Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
I've never played this. Is it as good as Rogue Squadron II on the GameCube?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (5th July)
My eight-game Civ VI win streak ended yesterday, so I began a revenge run as Frederick Barbarossa last night. It felt good to capture a couple of cities with force rather than failing to woo them as Eleanor of Aquitaine.
I'm also playing Puzzle Bobble Everybubble and trying to get the superstar club set for the last two characters on Mario Golf Super Rush.
How's that for a rotation, @JohnnyMind?
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: Harvest Moon's New "Cozy" Bundle Slightly Delayed For Switch
The games just may not be complete. After all, we're not talking about a sophisticated developer.
Re: Arcade Archives Is Bringing 'Air Combat 22' To Switch 2
Can someone please explain to me how Switch 1 can't handle the resolution for a 30-year-old arcade game? Or did they just put more effort into the Switch 2 version?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (28th June)
I'm still on Civilization VI. Playing a run as Eleanor of Aquitaine leading England. It's looking like a diplomacy victory or nothing, as Basil II keeps derailing my progress with protracted wars he can't possibly win. I guess option three here is taking a loss but at least wiping him out in the process.
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: Taito Brings More Bubble Bobble Action To Nintendo Switch In 2025
@Sambuc There are two original Bust-a-Move games on the Switch. Everybubble and 4 Friends. If you haven't played it, try the excellent 3D version of Bust-a-Move on the PlayStation 4/5.
Re: Former Nintendo Execs Fear We Might Be Waiting A While For A 3D Mario On Switch 2, Thanks To Donkey Kong
Removed
Re: Switch 2 Has Already Overtaken The Combined Lifetime Sales Of The Entire Xbox Series Family And PS5 Pro In Japan
What did we read this week about PlayStation not considering Nintendo a competitor? I laughed at the time, but it's true: There is no competition when one company can wipe out the other's sales after giving it a four-year head start.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (21st June)
Lots of Civilization VI. I started a new run last night as Eleanor of Aquitaine leading England. I had won with her leading France a day or two ago but wasn't pleased with my work. She's one of the few leaders you can play with multiple civs, so it's a do-over that will continue progress toward completing the Hall of Fame.
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: Former Nintendo Execs Fear We Might Be Waiting A While For A 3D Mario On Switch 2, Thanks To Donkey Kong
@The_Nintend_Pedant Do you have Luca Brasi's number handy?
Re: Former Nintendo Execs Fear We Might Be Waiting A While For A 3D Mario On Switch 2, Thanks To Donkey Kong
Can someone please point me toward the filter that blocks Kit and Krysta content?
Re: Mini Review: Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - A Fantastic Little Upgrade
@JohnnyMind I hear you. I've played a little Mario Kart World but otherwise am still heavy in Switch 1, mostly with Civilization VI. It will probably be a while before Switch 2 is my main console.
I haven't done the Virtual Card thing to swap my games over, but I'm thinking about it for a few. For some reason, Civ has been crashing a lot lately in late-game scenarios unless I save frequently. Switch 2 may help with that.
Re: Mini Review: Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - A Fantastic Little Upgrade
@JohnnyMind Yah mon, JohnnyMind got the Switch 2! Congrats, my brother! Now all you need is 15 Switch 2 games to play simultaneously! =>)
Re: Random: GameStop Tries To Make Light Of Switch 2 Staple Fiasco, But Lands In More Trouble
With the restock, I hope everyone whose box and console were blemished by staple punctures were given a replacement on GameStop. The moral: The lobotomized should not work in public service.
Re: Nintendo Reminds Mario Kart Players They Can Toggle Auto And Smart Controls
Does anyone else feel the tilt controls are sluggish? They don't seem anywhere near as responsive as the Wii, Wii U or Switch controls for MK. And yes, I have steering assist turned off.
Re: Poll: Do You Three-Star-Gold Every Mario World Grand Prix Before Moving On To The Next?
On past iterations I've taken it to OCD extremes by trying to finish with the max coin total in each race. On World, doing that four consecutive times is like a one-in-a-hundred shot, thanks to inevitable blue shells and lightning.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (14th June)
Late to the party here because I was awake until 3:45 a.m. starting a new run on Civ VI. Just one more turn!
The rest of the weekend will likely be more Civ, a little Mario Kart World and continuing to reconfigure my game setup. I got a great new power block that clamps to my desk to get my desktop setup in order, and I got a new HDMI splitter to accommodate the Switch 2. So my flat screen now hosts the two Switches, the Wii, the Wii U, and the PS3 and PS4. After I get this all sorted out, I'll move on to the CRT setup.
Happy gaming, everyone!
Re: What Review Score Would You Give Mario Kart World?
@its_luke_c I think MK8 easily had the best track collection of any entry in the series, even before they gave it the Deluxe treatment. What I've played so far in World seems dull.
Re: What Review Score Would You Give Mario Kart World?
I didn't rate it, as I haven't played much yet, but for me it's about the tracks, and there hasn't been a single one yet I've liked. And the tilt steering seems sluggish to me — not close to being as responsive as in MK8 or Wii. But plenty of time for my opinion to change,
Re: Mario Kart World Players Have Found A Really Easy Way To Farm Coins
I thought the unlocks ended too quickly in MK8, so I'm content to avoid this shortcut. I don't mind not having everything unlocked, as long as I get there eventually.
Re: It Looks Like Another Harvest Moon Game Is On Its Way To Switch
@The_Nintend_Pedant If you're talking about Natsume, indeed.
Re: Review: Genki Sleeper Case - A "Virtually Indestructible" Switch 2 Carry Case That Looks As Good As It Protects
@AllBLK I agree with @BenAV. What they did was not cool, and though I don't need a case or any other accessories other than a screen protector, I won't buy from Genki either after this. And not only did they leak it, but they trolled Nintendo along the way.
Re: Review: Genki Sleeper Case - A "Virtually Indestructible" Switch 2 Carry Case That Looks As Good As It Protects
Genki has to pay its lawyers!!!
Re: Review: Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S (Switch 2) - A Disappointing Update For A Modern Puzzle Classic
@MrGawain The story mode in Puyo Puyo 1 was a ton of fun, though the dialogue was tedious at times. (Often.) (OK, almost always.) Nevertheless, I look forward to story mode whenever I try the sequel ... which won't be on Switch 2.
Re: Review: Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour - Surprising, Delightful, And You Know Where It Belongs
Avoiding this on principle. Nintendo has gone too corporate this generation, and I'll make my statements in opposition where I can. And I think it actually started last generation, with the half-baked launches of certain games with promises to support (translation: complete) them after launch. Disappointed in a company I've supported since the NES.