CJD87

A few other people have commented similar - but here's another:

THPS4 - you can just adjust the timer in options from 2 mins - - > 60 mins (or other variants). So it really isn't the end of the world.

A great remake, my only issue is that the switch joy-cons make for a rather tricky test in regards to intricate combos... HORI need to hurry up with a split-pad pro (or even better, split pad compact)

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound on 31st…. That’ll be a day1 for me, alongside Tony

Also, perhaps naively, I’m hoping Wild Hearts runs smoothly as I need something to fill the MH shaped hole in my life

GENKI Covert Dock being a "no" is a real bummer...!

@The-Chosen-one @The-Chosen-one Super and thanks for replying...

I'm not an FPS snob, as long as 30 is locked then I'm usually pretty happy

thanks, it looks to be a cool game

@The-Chosen-one how is street fighter? 30 or 60fps?

So in the UK we have Switch2 priced at ~ 400 £GBP.

Personally, I would have gladly handed over 500 £GBP for a version that had an OLED screen, alongside some more internal storage (perhaps 512GB, instead of 256GB)

I don't regret buying S2 on Day 1, but thoroughly expect Nintendo to do as Valve did with the Steamdeck... and release an upgraded OLED version within next ~24-36 months

MHRise patch.....? 60fps Switch2?

I played this on EA release via Steamdeck, and for the fee I paid (around 25 £GBP) it was worth every penny. A great successor to an amazing first game. It wont dissapoint

Not sure what I think of the new DK... maybe just personal taste, but nothing about this game 'excites' me. Also, I'm ever so slightly jaded by the half-baked open-world in the new Mario Kart - and fear that this could follow the same premise of an uninspiring collectathon.

I'm a huge Nintendo fan, and always have been, but looking at the 1st party output as objectively as possible - Switch2's lineup (at least initially) pales in comparison to its predecessor.

Prime4 will hopefully be a belter of a game, but even that has me wary in terms of it being backwards-compat (intimating that the game can't/wont take full advantage of the new hardware).

3rd party support has been a shining light though, and unsurprisingly the support for Switch2 has been amazing from Day1. Cyberpunk has been really quite brilliant, and SF6 and Kunitsu-Gami have proven solid ports also.

I'll of course go into the DK direct with an open mind, but my initial feelings are that this will likely turn out to be a poor man's Mario Odyssey

@Mabelissimo snap, for the sake of 10 £GBP it makes perfect sense just to apply a decent screen protector (if only for the peace of mind...)

@sixrings I am actually quite burned out from open-world in all honesty, but genuinely think SF could be the IP that actually warrants a larger open scope (unlike MKWorld...!)

But yeah, I'd also happily settle for a spiritual successor to SF64, on-rails mission based structure

@sixrings the console wars are hilarious I know. Stepping back objectively, each of 'the big 3' has their pros and cons.... they definitely all have their faults but also strengths.
To your point - XBOX Gamepass is absolutely singing this year... to have had Blue Prince, Expedition 33, Doom all in the space of weeks is insane! Equally those, some upcoming PS exclusives look tasty - Ghost of Yotei for instance.

I really hope Nintendo get the hit machine pumping though, where's a new Starfox? Imagine if they went full space-opera, open world with base building and ship upgrades etc. On-foot planet exploration twinned with in-air dog fights. Co-op/online missions and also PvP similar to SF64. I honestly think that the Starfox IP has such a strong potential. If they somehow managed to make a cross between Armored Core and No Mans Sky, it would be deadly

@Cia 100% I have no doubt this port will land eventually, especially as RDR1 is on original Switch.

My money though is on the announcement being an impending TV show (or movie maybe?) and then I'd expect the Switch2 port to drop around the time of said show or movie - to maximise hype really shift some units. The Fallout series numbers were absolute insanity once the show hit its stride... like a +300% boost in sales over the course of 10 weeks whilst the show aired lol

I'd love this to be a Switch2 port (take my money now...!) but I think Rob Wiethoff's reaction, and perceived level of excitement, intimates something very different. Would he really be that exited about a port to Switch 2? Or even a PS5/60FPS patch?

I'm calling this now - I'd imagine the news is that there will be a TV show / movie recently green-lit, and that RDR will be coming to the big or small screen.

Then, upon/around airing of the show/movie, this is when I think the Switch2 port will land. Fallout and TLoU have proven that game sales skyrocket when releases/updates coincide with other mediums of said product.

Those 2 Zelda upgrades do really pop on Switch2, and especially TOTK can now be played ‘as originally intended’ (smooth 60fps, no stutters). Really goes to show how much TOTK put Switch 1 through its paces

However, that being said I hope Nintendo don’t bank on these games being consistent sellers - and instead look to bolster the new Switch 2 1st party offerings.

@monterxz I checked and I pay for Gamepass Ultimate... have I struck hold here then?

Got a Switch2 at launch, was a steamdeck owner also (but sold this to fund Switch2)

I must confess I am genuinely interested int he XBOX ROG Ally. For me, the major hook is gamepass....

I already pay a Gamepass sub for my kid so he can use this on his XBOX. My understanding is that I could also use the same subscription I am already paying for on the new XBOX handheld? In which case the big cost would be the hardware, as there is plenty available to play on GP.

So many day 1 great titles coming up, and in last months we have seen Blue Prince, Expedition 33, new Doom etc...

@Thorgaer I’m really tempted and intrigued by Kunitsu Gami… how’s it play on S2? Difficult to gauge its genre… strategy/turn based? Or CRPG?

Shredders Revenge was a delight to play, a great one to jump on to with the kids also.
Unless this game bombs at release, I’d dare say it’ll be a day1 for me!

Props to the author of this article - a brave man indeed (!)

Joking aside though, this really is pretty sketchy of Nintendo. Valve include a similar intro/game within the Steamdeck, a fun 10ish minutes that introduces you to the main features and functions.

I actually find this whole scenario far more contentious than the MKW premium pricing !

Not wanting to sound ungrateful, as the re-map option for N64 games is absolutely essential.... but why on earth wasn't remapping included at launch of the app?!

any word on dimensions?

I am actually still quite looking forward to this. MHRise is my most played game ever, and this could scratch my itch??

I’m actually quite excited by this one, as a huge fan of MH Rise. I poured 800+ hours into Rise/Sunbreak, topping out at AR Level 300 (max) before finally hanging up my Greatsword. It was/is the ultimate side-game, a perfect accompaniment to more meaty ‘main games’. I probably played daily for the years since release, if only for 10-15 mins (quick hunt/build update/crafting)

Tried out World on Steamdeck and just couldn’t gel with it… Rise has spoilt me, and I just missed so many of the more arcade-ish nuances of Rise. Don’t get me wrong, ‘objectively’ World is awesome - but the slower nature of the game wasn’t for me.

Wilds remains unplayed, as currently only playing Switch/Steamdeck (actually just sold the deck, to fund impending Switch2)

Has anyone here played Wildhearts? IIRC - it actually reviewed fairly well, albeit of course not as good as the MH series (but perhaps the best contemporary iteration of it?)

I’ve got the Switch2 bundle with MKW, and will grab Cyberpunk at launch also. I’d like to also grab Streetfighter 6 and maybe Wildhearts

Can anyone here advocate WH? Impressive imitator or lacking pretender??

@OldGamer999 Yeah I agree, and have 3 on order (not for scalping, 1 is for me, and other 2 are for friends)

But yeah, wasn't too rough. TBH, could have probably had 5-6 on order in total if needed

Isn't this a very similar story to the recent delay incurred by the latest Broken Sword game? (remaster of BS1)

I remember being desperate to grab it on Switch at day1, but release was held back for reasons pertaining to rating/classification?

IIRC - Original launch date for BS1r was 19th Sept, and eventually it landed on Switch ~5-6 weeks thereafter.

Hoping Old Skies doesn't incur the same delay time!!

I’ve never played this, as I skipped the GC/Wii/WiiU generations, but hear good things.

I like the franchise a lot, but really bounced off SSHD… found it really quite dull!

I replayed the native-Steam versions of OoT and MM recently - these really still hold up I think

In regards to re-mapping of controls, and being able ton have "per-game" profiles (ala steamdeck)....Will there be "per-game" profiles available for the individuals games in the various NS0 apps?

eg in N64 app, could i have separate profiles for controller setups accross Mario 64 / Ocarina etc...

This is great news, and terrific to hear that N are cribbing from Valve’s homework here… it’s a great function

Question - is there any confirmation on being able to have per-game controller profiles for the individual games INSIDE the various NSO apps? Eg it would remember a specific setup for Ocarina of Time; and a separate setup for Mario 64??

I'm very excited for the Switch2. Honestly, from a hardware perspective it is everything I'd hoped/wished for.... minus a few omissions (UI personalisation, ala SteamDeck, would have been wonderful!)

I think there should be a distinction though between what could/should be considered 'expensive' and what is actually 'overpriced'.

The hardware itself, is definitely an expensive pricetag - but arguably the Switch2 as a singular console is not really over-priced, considering the market and competition. LCD Steamdeck at launch was similarly priced? Also a terrific piece of kit, well worth the admission cost.

The software however, alongside the peripheral accessories, I would argue have veered into 'overpriced' territory.

In my mid-thirties, and fortunately having the income to allocate, I'm very lucky to be able to afford S2 at a launch + a few games. But considering the younger audience, it seems insane that by the time a kid has got a Switch2 + MKW + Pro-Controller + Webcam + Carry Case... looking at potentially 600£+?

I am a million times happier that WW is included in the NSO/Expansion.... vs Nintendo doing a classic repackage/port and selling as a singular game for +50£GBP.

I've never actually played it, and as an existing subscriber to NSO/Expansion I'm thrilled.

To go off on a tangent.... this is actually the first time that I've considered NSO/Expansion to be good value for money - considering Switch2 brings in the GC library, alongside the free S1->S2 upgrades for games like BOTW/TOTK. Along with all the previous Switch1 content, this is now a pretty good deal I think

On a separate note - I actually think that the NSO+Expansion subscription is now pretty essential, but also pretty solid 'value for money' considering the annual cost.

At launch, NSO Expansion was seriously lacking... and the drip-feed of N64 titles was (and to an extent, continues to be...) lacklustre.

However, considering from S2 release - NSO+Expansion will include free S2 upgrades for some/most titles, including BOTW/TOTK, alongside access to the Gamecube titles + voice chat.... this seems a pretty sound deal? Not to mention online play, cloud, SNES/NES/N64 and all the legacy titles in those arenas.

Having never played Windwaker, F-ZERO GX or SoulCalibre2... I am excited. Not to mention future titles

Mind blowing to consider the announcement was 2019… 6(!!!) years ago.

IIRC - the development time for Baldurs 3 was circa ~6years!

I appreciate that the 2 devs are different companies, with varying time and resources, but surely a 2D Metroidvania shouldn’t take longer than something as humongous as BG3?

@Mana_Knight Ubisoft the same right..! Prince of Persia Lost Crown is usually a a crazy low price, especially considering how quality a game it actually is!

I am all for this. The franchise needs some 'new life' breathed in to it...

IMO, Pokemon either needs to strip back fully to the basics... or become enriched with new mechanics/changes (similar to FF7 Remake/Rebirth)

Arceus was the best entry in years IMO, they need to build on this I think

@JohnnyMind I'd be inclined to agree that excitement is well justified here...

THPS 1&2 was (IMO) an absolute 'poster-child' of what a full-scale remake should entail. An absolute labour of love, true to the originals and brimming with updated QoL features and incredible graphics. I played on PS5 and was blown away. THPS 1&2, alongside Demon's Souls, are pinnacle remakes I think.

In terms of 'remaster', I think Metroid Prime is a solid example of how to undertake such a remit.

Less exciting for me are games that receive remasters/remakes in instances were the original titles are <10 years old.... Horizon (!) for example.

But I played the original THPS on PS1 as a kid, adored those games and played them to death, so I'm slightly biased. I even remember THUG 1&2 being pretty decent.

A new TH game would of course be great, but the originals are so old it makes sense to remake.

@Tasuki or both…!?

@rvcolem1 how is ToI1? I have both EM and ToI2 in backlog, can’t decide on which to play…

I’ve just come out of finishing Nine Sols, which was an amazing ride… albeit the final boss took me about 2 weeks, roughly 30 mins worth of attempts per day lol

I love this series, but I genuinely prefer Rise massively vs World.

Granted, Rise was my first MH game (and entry to the franchise) and I adore the more arcade-ish nature of the game. World felt a bit sluggish after Rise.

I'd love the portable team to take their time and perhaps do a similar optimised game that is designed for handheld play...

Wilds plays like a slide-slow on Steamdeck, I couldn't believe how poor it was! So chance of it running well on Switch2 is slim

Since recently beating Nine Sols, and still suffering from the PTSD that came from several weeks vs Eigong (final boss) - I’m currently playing 2 puzzle games concurrently:

1) Loco-Motive: a Lucasarts-inspired P&C adventure game, gorgeously crafted with solid voice acting and strong gameplay. A little on the easy side, and doesn’t quite capture the same magic as recent genre peers (Return to MI, Thimbleweed Park, Lucy Dreaming etc) - but a nice chilled enjoyable time.
2) Rise of the Golden Idol: never played the predecessor, but this game is top tier. Sort of a detective-style mystery puzzler - in which you fill in the gaps of various crimes by deducing elements of crime scenes. A high recommend, best puzzler I’ve played since Lorelei & the Laser Eyes

Finally beat Nine Sols, after a couple of weeks getting smoked by the final boss! Practice makes perfect, finally got her done after what felt like 100s of attempts. Proud to say I didn’t drop the difficult and managed to beat her on Standard/normal mode! It was a hard lesson though in terms of just how important exploration is…. And my lack of this meant being severely underpowered upon reaching ‘the point of no return’ - which lead to an even rougher ride with the last boss. An amazing game though, like a 2D-Sekiro. If you love MV titles and Souls difficulty, Nine Sols is an easy recommend.

Now playing the excellent Loco-Motive, a point-click game that clearly wears its Lucasarts influences on its sleeves. About a third through and loving it - the VA work and art style is really great. Maybe a tad on the easy side, although a few puzzles have had me scratching my head for a bit. Maybe feels a bit easy due to Lorelei being the last game I played from this genre, which was remarkably tough!

After Loco-Motive I’m torn between starting the new Ender Lillies sequel or instead Rise of Golden Idol…‘can’t quite decide!

@dartmonkey same, I had a look online and difficult to find reliable measurements for either...! thanks

To the reviewer... how does size/shape compare with the HORI Split Pad Compact? (NOT Split Pad Pro)

I currently use a great TomToc case which is made for the HORI Split Pad Compact, wondering if it would fit the Hyperion 2?

@Max_the_German Yes and I suppose this is one of those cases where the very definition of ‘what constitutes a side quest’ will shape the discourse! I suppose by virtue of being able to complete W3 without touching Bloody Baron, would make it eligible?! Either way, it beats rounding up cats in FF7 Remake

Could it be that Nintendo has struck an exclusivity deal with Team Cherry? (timed exclusivity perhaps?) And that SilkSong would be a potential exclusive launch title for Switch2?

W3 "The Bloody Baron" - cited in the article - is probably the highest benchmark for side quest standards.

BS1 Reforged was an excellent example of a terrific remaster. Re-vamped visuals, QoL features (hints/difficulty options) alongside a slicker control system for consoles etc. A gorgeous way to replay a classic, or alternatively a terrific entry point for newcomers... "the best way to play" this classic IMO.

This admittedly looks pretty great, but I’ve just come off the back of Nine Sols… and next week I believe we have Ender Magnolia landing, which I’d expect to be excellent

I’ve added BC to my DekuDeals list, will definitely grab when a considerable sale prices hits. As others have said though, the MV market is so oversaturated right now…. And I definitely don’t have the scope to play any and every new MV release, by virtue of how many drop each month!

This is a nice article and a good list

Personally I would have stretched to 10, added Mario Odyssey and MHRise… the former being an amazingly innovative 3D platformer, and the latter being a great showpiece for ‘Switch (timed) exclusivity’

I'll watch this for sure as a big fan of both...

BUT - I don't think it will reach the dizzying heights of quality that Brian Cox brought to his recap of the Tekken series! (genuinely great, channeling his inner Logan Roy)