ChromaticDracula

@LikeWhoa reading about your heated seats and needing a subscription to make them work made me want to hurl. I’m just upset now 😩

I hate to (continue) beat(ing) the dead horse but no thank you. Played the game and couldn't bring myself to go any further than the first gym. Out of principle, I couldn't play the game for how bad of a state it remains in. I'm the furthest thing from someone who relies on graphics and performance but this is just outright jarring and sloppy. It feels like knockoff of its own series but done by amateurs.

While on the topic, I also despise the art direction they've been going with. I prefer the cell shaded look or the 3DS look. Cartoony but not this weird smooth surface hybrid stuff. Sun/Mon were peak for me: pixel graphics, non-chibi npcs, smooth gameplay, huge Pokédex, no need for HM dedicated Pokémon... It's gone down-hill since... Sword/Shield were great but that's when my burnout hit with the repetitive same gameplay: gyms, trainers, bland time-waste/fluff side-quests... That's why I was so looking forward to Scarlet/Violet because it truly finally shook up the gameplay with an open world.
Fooled me, devs! Fooled me real good and it won't happen again.

@Anti-Matter Wow Nexomon 3 looks GREAT! I've been investing hours upon hours into Cassette Beasts personally. It's shockingly well-made and deep. That's my #1 Pokémon replacer right now.

NOT a bullet-hell shmup fan in the slightest but who can ignore a 10/10. I can barely see the player ship in those screenshots but screw it, I'll be damned if I don't like a good painful yet rewarding game.

EDIT: I just did a search online of some gameplay videos: Honestly., this looks like a quality game through and through with tons of care. I saw the menus and modes and settings. I just don't think I can do it. I'd have died so many times within the first minute.
Bullet Hells I tell ya! Maybe someday...

This was 100% patent infringement and 110% within Nintendo’s rights. Even worse, the game is available by Nintendo directly, albeit in its original (and still very much playable) form.
But as a proof of concept, that HD DX thing was freaking amazing…
I’d almost rather that then the remake we got. The remake is fantastic in its own right but if you’re a nostalgia-holic such as myself, Well… ya… you know what one I’d pick over the other.

I was standing there with my arms crossed watching this saying internally, "Nah, why HD visuals on gameboy game? I always put settings back to make them look like the original anyway..." Then the screen borders get pushed and I really noticed the screen scrolling and it clicked. Amazing. I'd play this if it were on handheld. Not a PC gamer.

I wonder how the dungeons are handled.. all black outside the play area? That won't look so jaw dropping.

Can’t complain with free but I partook in one of these free things one year and from an OCD standpoint, it made me upset having all those “junk” games in my purchase history.
More than half the games I got for free were …. Ahem… literal CRAP. Some, playable. Most, best left in the digital black abyss.

Needless to say, I’m trying to keep my account/download/transaction history “clean” so I won’t be doing this again personally.

@KingMike TIL there was a Shinobi for Saturn! I never owned a Saturn even though I used to love playing the demo system at the local store when it was there. Never knew this existed…
I just watched some gameplay footage and it appears to me to be a step back from 3. It looks slower paced and I really don’t dig that Mortal Kombat style character style. I get what they were probably trying to do to showcase the system’s power but still…
Thankfully the new one looks at least a bit quicker and more ninja-like.

Didn’t realize we had actual footage of the games in that trailer above! I actually am digging the style they went with for Shinobi. Not what I’d have asked for but it looks fitting that’s for sure.

I wonder if someone’ll revive Comix Zone someday?

I’m shocked to not see Shinobi higher up. Shinobi 3 is one of the best side scrollers ever. Would love to see a 4th entry done in the style of 3. Like how they made Sonic Mania: pixel graphics, 16 bit sound, etc…

@ChibiNinja yeah but when someone says it, you know exactly what RPG sub-genre they’re referring to. It’s the perfect term.

“RPG with monster collecting and battling mechanics” isn’t… quite as easy on the eyes and ink and toner cartridges.

I haven’t played most of the ones listed here but Cassette Beasts is one that really freshens things up.
The battle system (fire melts plastic and makes poison, wind attacks blow fire out, wind attacks uproot grass types, etc.), and it being so open (multiple quest lines to work on at one time), ability to reassign and have more than 4 moves, fusions, to name a few key points, have really made this my number one Pokémon-replacer.
I don’t hate Pokémon but it’s grown sooo stale and it’s always two steps forward, one step back or two steps forward three steps back. Cassette Beasts feels familiar but is also fresh at the same time and has carved out its own space. I sunk a ton of hours in already and I hope they make more games in the series! The foundation is too good not to continue or build upon it.

I am sooooo excited right now!!!!! I’m at the point where I won’t be able to easily cancel my NSO+Expansion pack sub. Up until now it was kind of an option… kind of… but now it is not. I’ll be an NSO lifer with this lineup.
Once Castlevania releases, it’s over. Forget it.

@dustinprewitt mystical ninja 64! Mischief makers!

I’ve been enjoying Cassette Beasts way too much to jump ship and swim over to this one. Someday maybe but right now I can’t put CB down!

Thank Goodness You’re Here FTW

@Xbox_Dashboard This comment gave me chills. The bad kind. That would be horrible.

Honestly I don’t see what the big deal is. I dunno.
Can’t wait to play it in the US though, that’s for sure!

Nintendo, give me a reason to stow away my N64 once and for all: we still need both Castlevanias, shadows of the empire, San Francisco rush 2, beetle adventure racing, mystical ninja starring goemon, bomberman 64, and mischief makers. EDIT: including resident evil 2 (yes I’d love to play this on my N64 again, Capcom!) perfect dark, and Star Wars rogue squadron.
Am I missing any? Maybe one or two…
Once we have the above I will happily disconnect my N64 and store it away, replacing it with NSO.

@rainbowtick did you get it yet? It indeed has motion controls! The cutscenes and the mouth movements for dialogue are waaaayy more impressive than I remember. This was a technical marvel on N64.

I was trying to forget this game because the wait was already near unbearable. Now this! Back to annals you go, game!

Very happy they’re putting in the proper care for this. It blows my mind how commonplace releasing games half-baked/three-quarters baked is these days. “Oh a patch will take care of it” is such a crutch these days.
I understand there’s some kind of crazy Nintendo eshop certification process or something and picking a street date can be intimidating. You’re setting a hard date on your project but maybe that means some more leeway should be given or something should change with the process. I dunno…

Anyway, can’t wait for this to release. I’ll spare you the Miyamoto quote

@rainbowtick I did! I was checking like a hawk today. I haven’t bought it just yet because of the price (shocked it’s so much) but will likely get it tonight or latest tomorrow after my shift.

I’m all for the preservation and updating and I support Atari 100% of the way. That being said the only 2600 game I ever find myself going back to is Enduro. It’s so satisfying to me, especially the sounds of the snow level. And that fog level is 🤌

But yeah if they were to take those 2600 games and give them a new lease on life like a minor graphical bump/remaster or like … some kind of voxel treatment, or some additional features/filters, that would be really cool.

Why is Turok 3 not mentioned? That’d be getting my single vote if it were listed.

@Monday13 I totally forgot about that game! I was a huuuuggeeee Mystical Ninja 64 fan (still have the cart and booklet )

Might have to finally stop being so lazy and open a Japanese account for it.

Mission Log - November 30, 2023–
I’m locked and loaded for today waiting for this to drop. Gonna be a great weekend with this and Cassette Beasts! (In late to the game on the latter I know and just bought it on sale finally. This time of year is Pokémon time for me but there isn’t any reason to play that now so I’m trying something fresh and what looks to be somewhat better.)

I buy Nintendo consoles because I want to play Nintendo games. If I wanted to play Xbox games I’d buy Xbox. Keep your gamepass service away please. I also don’t like streaming games.
Options are good but leave it out please.

….i just want your rare replay. Bring that over.

EDIT: Also, I’m done with the subscriptions. That alone is like a poison to me so no thanks.

@BoFiS this is actually a really great idea if I’m being honest.

"Evening Star did work with Sega to explore possible directions Classic Sonic could go after the success of Sonic Mania. Sonic Mania 2 was never in development, though, because we actually agreed early on that we should try to make something fresh, like hand-drawn 2D or 2.5D."

Welp…. Maybe next time you stick with the pixel/classic style.
I appreciate the effort to make it fresh but I think if people had seen the older graphics with this new gameplay it would’ve been a banger. “Following in the success of Mania” should’ve been the recipe for success.

But yeah releasing the game at that launch window with all the other games ultimately worked against it either way I reckon.

I think at the time I preferred Alliance Alive. I also kind of sort of prefer the 3DS graphics over these. It looks a tad mobile-game now which is fine but I also liked the grainy/foggy look better.
I may get this if only so that I can play on my TV now.

:: Vince McMahon Fallover Meme ::
Panel 1: Sees F-Zero and Star Fox in the same description
Panel 2: Sees SNES/GBA-inspired graphics
Panel 3: Sees gameplay mashing those two together in a fun way
Panel 4: SEES TRACK EDITOR OMGGGGG

Seriously, can't wait for this! It looks to be executed beautifully.

It kind of irks me when I think about choosing between deleting a streaming service app or an actual game to make room on my console storage. By principal, I will always delete “the fluff” and try to keep as many games as possible at the ready.
I’ve never downloaded a streaming service app for my switch because I use another device exclusively for that. It just makes more sense to me to keep gaming with gaming and everything else on its own or separate things.
It’s like keeping your clean dishes in your fridge instead of your cabinets. It’s convenient because food and plates go together but your clean dishware is eating into your refrigerator storage for what?

That’s one dumb analogy but it makes sense to me lol

It’s only a matter of time that I get these. I know there are some niggles and what-have-you but I cant say no to a mech game. Updates are always welcome!

YO, UM, YOU DON’T JUST DROP JFG AND NOT HAVE IT RELEASE EVERYWHERE.
Seriously this better come west!

@WanzerBanzer no I own (DS cart, not SNES) and have played the first!
I think them using the word “remake” in the title implies that it’s expanding outside of its original boundaries which I suppose it has in some regard.
If they had used the word “remaster” then I expect the base game being simply metaphorically lifted outside original box A and dropped into the newly updated box B.

“Remake” implies overhaul to me (example: Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Resident Evil 2 Remake, etc.)
This is more of a “remaster” to me.

From a gamer perspective, the game holds nostalgia, it still plays extremely well, and pushes N64 to the limits so it’s a lesson in limitation. It’s really just done so well…
From a marketing perspective however, it would be good idea to remake it for when this so-called live-action movie comes out to generate hype and bring what’s considered the best in the series to modern gamers in an appealing updated format with current controls. One could argue this has already been done with NSO which is 100% true but the graphics can be considered “retro” to some of these kids nowadays.
I don’t care if they ever remake it but it better damn well always be playable through NSO or some other way. If it ever gets remade I’ll be so excited though and yes I’ll be buying it day one.

@PharoneTheGnome
Yeah I scrolled down the list and I was like… ?? Sale? Uuhhhh…. No

US customer here.
Still can’t wait to play this…
…But I’m gonna wait… until November 30.

@Jey887 you’re not the only one
Will be waiting for a review for this one

120fps…. Like… why? Is this a pixel perfect monster capture and fusion game? Instead of pixel perfect jumps, there is now pixel perfect collecting?
Aaaaaaanyway, will try the demo. 🙋‍♂️

@Moonlessky oooohhhhhh yikes - I always thought you needed a primary switch and that was the one and only.
I’ll edit my post— thank you for clearing that up 😬

[del]Given that Nintendo will likely only allow you to sign into one console to download digital purchases, it’ll probably be rendered mostly useless once I sign into my Switch 2.
I’ll more than likely keep it to play my physical library though… I can’t see myself selling it or trading it outright.
My wife got it for me for Christmas so it holds quite a bit of sentimental value too.[/del]

I always thought you could only have a primary switch which is why I always thought it was weird people had multiple switches… well today I learned you can have multiple switches with your same login. Nevermind…
Still, not getting rid of my OG switch!

NOOOOOO
honestly , not a bad wait at all. It hits me though because believe it or not this is one of my most anticipated games in 2023… lol

I think it was in my top 5? Mario RPG, EA Sports WRC, Mario Wonder, Metal Gear Solid Vol 1, and Turok 3. Can’t wait to play this!

Live action is such a strange choice!!
For it to work it would have to be dark/mature AF like The Green Knight.

Anyway, here’s my picks: Fran Drescher will play Zelda, Larry David will play link, and Paul Giamatti will play ganon. Fred Armisen can play Tingle.

Title should be prefixed with “In a rare turn of events…”

That’s pretty wild though, wow.

@Mauzuri oh wow … I definitely don’t feel that way. I guess it depends which ones you’ve played prior. I’m someone who played red and yellow and then the next games I played were black/white and then alpha sapphire and then sun/moon. I skipped and missed all those in between really. I just thought Sun/moon had really great writing and a massive Pokédex to fill.
To each their own I suppose!

I tried my hand at this gen and .. well… I’m looking ahead to the next one already. Can’t get over the performance enough to enjoy it. I keep feeling like it could be better and that hampers the experience too much. I’m about to start my 3rd play through of Sun/Moon. Amazing games…!
See y’all next gen.

I’ve had the physical edition ordered and it’s suppose to arrive “late October mid November”
Still no word yet though sadly…

Until this review giving me at least an idea of how this plays out I had no idea what to expect and zero expectations. I just know I love Junji Ito’s stuff and this looked cool.

Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for reviewing this, NL!

@FawfulsFury I LOOOOVVVEEEDDD the 3DS entries, even Paper Jam because in addition to having Mario on one button and Luigi on another, you now had a third for paper Mario so it felt like it added an extra layer of difficulty. Plus, the sounds in that game were so soothing if you liked paper and stationary. I’m nerdy so it really hit my ASMR nerves.
…Might have to play that again this holiday…

@blindsquarel I second that: I want a game system not an entertainment hub.
Options are nice, especially if you have no other way to watch these things other than switch, but…

They're both good! Charles' Wario is definitely my favorite though. I think @N00BiSH nailed it: The new one is perhaps lacking the silliness.

@Aaron00 if you mean Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, yes, definitely… in fact, skip Sun/Moon and go right to Ultra. Same game just some more content, especially post-game. Kind of like how Yellow was to Red/Blue. You’ll be getting the definitive version.
Sun/Moon really do strike a nice balance between old and new and I really think you’ll enjoy it judging by what I’m reading in the comments.