A divisive announcement, to be sure... But at the very least, this is proof that Nintendo still values F-Zero outside of Smash Bros. and re-releasing the original SNES game.
And this is a far better outcome than what happens to other long-dormant IPs, cause at least it's still F-Zero at its core.
For whatever reason, this game being the "One last thing" of the Direct really cements the public sentiment that the Switch is ABSOLUTELY in its final year before the successor releases. The 3DS was getting quite a few remakes and layups on its way out as well.
That said, this is still a moral victory for old fans and gaming in general. What many consider to be the best Paper Mario (and one of the best Mario RPGs in general) is finally free from the GCN vault!
We all knew this day would come eventually, but glad it's at least not on sad terms like other VAs who have to leave their roles due to drama or because they passed away. All in all, it's been a good run, and props to Charles for representing Mario for all these years.
Additionally, godspeed to the VA who's gonna have to fill those shoes.
@RareFan People are free to like/dislike whatever art styles they want, but speaking as an artist and animation fanatic myself, I dont think it does your opinion any favors by casually tossing around overused terms and comparisons that are often found around reactionary circles.
@nessisonett The one silver lining to these grifts hitting back-to-back and overlapping with certain types of people is that they become increasingly easy to spot.
Especially in light of how we're now realizing that some types of convenience we've adopted haven't come without sacrifice of bargaining power, people are thankfully becoming more critical of tech bros showing up to "disrupt the market" while hand-waving logistical and ethical concerns.
@IronMan30 People love to harp on the jank, but the games are honestly fun in spite of it.
And I get folk's cynicism that TPC wont have any incentive to "make better games" so long as the sales remain good, but I'd be willing to bet people on the inside are well aware that their release schedule is hitting points of unsustainability.
While a brand new Smash is inevitable, I still think they can get away with just adding more to Ultimate's package in the same way Nintendo did for Mario Kart 8.
Away from that, I feel like the next Smash should take a step away from the platform fighting genre and try a different style. I'd be down for a traditional 2D fighter, but an arena fighter would be more likely to maintain that broad appeal.
I'm high-key hoping for a physical release. I wouldn't mind having a copy for posterity's sake (and if it's actually a good game, then that's a bonus).
Side note: Anyone not already watching the show is really missing out. Despite the pre-school target demographic, Bluey is something special in a way that other cartoons (whether for kids or adults) could only dream of being.
While I am nostalgic for an internet that isnt consolidated to a handful of websites, I cant imagine the kind of bravery it takes to see the insanity of social media spaces in 2023 and think, "Yeah, let's throw our hat into the ring."
@Yosher Geez, amiibo would be the worst way to go about it, but it would unfortunately be the most likely option if they can't technically (or legally) add online functions post-launch.
@MrGawain I feel like a lot of the licensed games jumped to smartphones with the rise of the mobile gaming market, but have since realized there's still a market out there for console games.
@Zavijah I'm not too sure if PC is a great argument here, since there's no real 1st party that maintains that space and demands exclusivity in the same way Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo do.
Like, you'll occasionally have companies like Epic or Steam trying to incentivize purchasing games through their storefronts before others (or consoles), but what winds up being ported from PC to consoles tends to be at the discretion of 3rd party devs and publishers.
Okay... I was giving this game the benefit of the doubt upon reveal, but it feels way too disjointed with additional context.
From the bigger part smartphones seem to play, to how much more physically active the games are, to the lack of much of any advertised HD Rumble functionality, it feels like anything but a sequel to the original.
Not to be too mean about it, but this really feels like it'd be more attractive if it was a free download, included with NSO subs, or was way cheaper than current MSRP.
Better than a cloud version, at least (still salty about Kingdom Hearts), but what's even the point of a physical version if so much has to be downloaded anyways?
As much as I hate the Switch Tax and the growing trend of $70 games, I'm almost willing to pay that if that's what it'll take for companies to stop forcing us to subsidize game space of physical purchases onto our microSD cards.
I love how this is effectively their response to the NSMB criticism. That franchise's biggest problem was that it felt so simple and sanitized by NSMB2 (3DS), and especially, U. They were competent and fun, but they hardly lived up to what "New" could've been.
It feels like they finally figured it out here, though! On top of the colors and aesthetics, I can't get enough of the character animations! The more extreme poses, the smear frames in Mario's run cycle and Yoshi's flutter, and the speed lines from fast actions add so much to it.
It really feels like if we can't get the 2D Mario game with the "hand drawn" style" Nintendo likes to use, this is the next best thing~ (Though, with how "weird" the game is leaning towards, a guy can dream!)
Man, what a way to start off a trailer for this game. I suspect it was their intention, but I sincerely thought, "Okay, cool, Mario RPG for the SNES NSO." And then they hit you with the glow up!
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about translating everyone's "toyetic" proportions into HD, but I appreciate the art direction aiming for that feeling where our minds filled in the gaps of antiquated graphics back in the day.
I was sold on the game before even hearing it was being made by Sonic Mania devs. It has such a Sega Saturn/Dreamcast energy to it, that I can't help but be drawn to it.
Gameplay will always hold higher priority over graphics, but aesthetics can do a lot to make a mechanically solid game that much better~
A lot of the usual gamers are gonna clown on this hard, but it does seem like that kind of game that'll have a time and a place with the right crowd.
Not that it'll make up for that many sales, but I can absolutely see this finding a niche at conventions, like Rock Band, Just Dance, Jack Box games, and that musical Joust game played with those Playstation Move controllers. Though, those have a much lower barrier of entry in selling people a concept.
I feel like "Really Mad" is kinda overselling this... There are a few aspects that people passionate about them would've liked to see done a bit better, but I don't see how any of the examples given are people fuming over them.
These all sound like reasonable criticisms character designers, UX/UI designers, audiophiles, emulation junkies, and even some game reviewers would make, were it on a different platform than the site stereotyped to be "the one with people yelling at each other" (as if that doesn't happen on other sites).
@Magician While I'm sure that quote means well, it also feels like one of those "grindset" sayings that doesn't do much service to the discourse or criticism.
Granted, we as consumers should have some expectations and standards for companies that demand our money, but creatively, that quote isn't the healthiest mentality for creatives to adhere to.
In one part because of how useful it was to find the last handful of Shrines I needed, but also because it feels like something that should've clicked way sooner than when I only had a handful of Shrines left to go (plus a fully uncovered Depths).
I hate how cynical I feel about the idea that if literally everything about this reveal was the same, save for music choice and the character's hairstyle (not even his personality or rest of his design), it wouldn't be getting anywhere as much of a negative reception...
Personally, I hope the tone of the game stays within the same realm as the trailer (there's not enough mainstream gaming OSTs that dare to break from what works), but what personally bugs me is that I wish they just pushed the visual aesthetics a bit more. It all looks nice, but still a bit too sanitized.
@Arawn93 The issue isn't inherently the existence of Green Hill in a Sonic game, but the use of it. Around the Adventure/Advance era, Green Hill was a neat callback or ambitious remix. Post-Generations, it started to feel way too safe, as if riding off of nostalgia in a cheap way.
Ironically, with your Mario comparison, people were getting exhausted with NSMB's overall aesthetic. It was cool at first because there hadn't been a new 2D Mario in about a decade, but by the 4th entry, the entire series just felt so safe.
@Arawn93 Honestly, even if they dotted their i's and crossed their t's, trying to put an emulator on a mainstream storefront still feels like flying too close to the sun.
Was Steam integration really worth the risk, or was there something else they were hoping to achieve?
There must be some kind of unique benefit to having Dolphin on the Steam storefront when the app was always available for download from their official site.
The trouble is, legal and ethical gray areas aside, posting up on a mainstream storefront feels like trying to fly too close to the sun. What makes the attempt worth it?
Konami has been playing relatively nice with the Switch. And if Snake Eater can be ported to the 3DS of all things, the Switch should be a slam dunk.
Also, I know it's a different company, but this rubs salt on the wound, remembering how dirty the Switch was done in regards to the Kingdom Hearts collections...
Definitely how different Hyrule feels. My biggest fear leading up to release was that it would he hard to shake that feeling of "I did all this before..." New mechanics can only do so much if the landmarks and topography are exactly the same.
But there really is so much new stuff going on, it feels like that excitement you get when you visit a still-thriving hometown (or vacation destination) you haven't been back to in years. And this is literally only scratching the surface.
I don't know how Nintendo pulled it off, but it really does feel like 2017 all over again, in the best way possible.
Is there any consumer entertainment industry more audacious than the mobile gaming market? Cause sometimes it feels like it's way overdue for a hard reset and/or tighter oversight...
Hangups about this version of Bomberman aside, I'm absolutely thrilled that this franchise is still alive and well in 2023! I can't believe they buried the lede about cross-platform online play. That's a huge deal, considering the matchmaking issues from the original R.
(Also, any version that remembers Louies exist is already off to a good start in my book)
Bowser liking Peach has long-since been a thing, but the idea of him giving her a pet name is surprisingly endearing.
Like, yeah, it's pathetic to get too far ahead of yourself when you havent even asked the person out yet. But knowing Bowser doesnt stand a chance, it at least feels like he legitimately likes her as a person, rather than as just "The Princess."
8/10 for me. I wanted a fun movie, and that's what I got, and then some!
My biggest issue is that the run time needed to be unapologetically longer. Like an extra 30 minutes to an hour, I'm not even joking. I can only imagine how much was left on the cutting room floor, because there wasn't even enough time for what was actually in the film.
I'm positive it'll actually be a fun movie for what it's worth, but seeing WB holding the movie rights makes me nervous.
Between Ready Player One, Space Jam 2, the Lego Movies, Lego Dimensions, and MultiVersus, I'm kinda getting fatigued from their endeavors being low-key IP parades and superfluous crossovers in general.
@locky-mavo Avoiding any hard spoilers, Peach's characterization in this film was actually more fun and nuanced than I expected it would be. Not deep, but more than you'd expect from Peach.
If there was any archetype she appealed to, she straddled the line between "team mom" and "big sister", which is a far cry from what certain folks keep trying to project onto her just because she's a competent female character.
@AstroTheGamosian Also worth keeping in mind, too, is that we don't really know what her character arc is going to be in the film. Usually the most outwardly "in control" characters have more subtle flaws that aren't revealed until later in the runtime.
I could absolutely be wrong about this and she could be Princess Perfect all throughout... but it only makes the point of how absurd it is for someone to be so upset over an isolated clip that narratively checks out, given the movie's premise.
@Rainbowfire That's what I'm saying! Out of all the characters in a video game movie to be upset about being capable and competent, Peach should be nowhere on that list.
Like, not feeling this version of her personality is fair enough (not that her usual in-game version has that much depth to begin with...), but to try and turn such a short clip into yet another unironic, cynical culture war argument is just outing one's self as a reactionary more than anything else.
@Bass_X0 While this scene is following that trope of "experienced female character outclassing noob male character" I feel like calling it "toxic superiority complex" might be a lot to take from such a short clip...
Unless there's some twist we havent seen yet, this movie is clearly coming in at the "I'm new to this world" angle. So it's safe to assume Mario will have the necessary character growth and find himself on equal footing around the 2nd or 3rd act.
Had me until half-way through the article when I remembered what day it was...
It sucks because in a generation of arbitrary remakes and remasters for games that aren't even two gens old, there's a treasure trove of middling-to-bad games that would be amazing if given a second go.
-OG Blue -XL Blue (Traded) -XL Yoshi (Traded) -XL Pikachu -XL Smash 4 Red (prize from Nintendo's Gamestop Smash 4 event) -N3DS XL Monster Hunter 4U (Active) -N3DS White -2DS Electric Blue -N2DS XL Black and Blue
So about 9 over the years. If not for the fact that we're limited to one account per console, I'm certain I would've collected more for their aesthetics than just for being different models.
I've got that wary excitement, as I know better than to hope that this'll perfectly re-capture the magical first few weeks playing BotW.
And now in a post-Elden Ring world, TotK has big shoes to fill in terms of having an engaging world to explore (not even getting into combat). No doubt it'll be great, but gonna keep expectations right down to "this is just BotW+". Anything more than that will be a pleasant surprise.
@MirrorFate2 Yeah, it's asking for quite a bit, but it's more with the understanding that past collections have done the same, and then some.
The original release of the Origins collection felt like a huge step down from past collections (going by game quanitity), and the inclusion of Game Gear games - a couple of which have superior console versions - only drives home the point how amazing things could've been.
It's not the end of the world of course, but it's definitely a missed opportunity for what's shifted from an "Origins" collection to a "Classics" collection.
I hate to be a choosy beggar, but man, it feels like they were so close to making this the best of both Sonic Mega Collection Plus and Sonic Gems Collection. All that's really missing is Sonic R, The Fighters, 3D Blast, Spinball (Genesis), Mean Bean Machine (Genesis) and Flicky. All of which already had console ports!
All that said, making Amy retroactively playable is a big deal.
@PessitheMystic Honestly, I get the cynicism, but it does sometimes help to leave that kind of bias at the door. Not every "youtuber" is some vapid kid who tripped into internet celebrity status.
Sometimes they do use their influence and reach to do good things.
@Cptncha It's a purely subjective thing, but in these type of cases, it can feel a bit TOO redundant.
In a world without Wargroove existing (with a sequel on the way) and the AW Re-boot Camp a little more than a month away, something like this would make way more sense in the same way indie devs are trying to keep F-Zero alive since Nintendo isn't doing it themselves. But now, it feels kinda cheap in a "saturating the market" kind of way because it's not showing enough to stand out from its contemporaries.
Of course, no amount of criticism of the optics matters if there's an audience ready to throw their money at this game. And they're well within their rights to do so.
@Pigeon It's worth remembering that being popular with a mainstream audience isnt fully representative of the quality of one's content or efforts.
Platinum's been notoriously cursed with making games few can ever consider "bad" (whether or not they click with you is a whole other matter), but they struggle to get that reach beyond a cult following because their games ARE niche.
I still remember jumping on this as my first Metroid game because "It was the lady from Smash Bros.!". I opted for it over Prime because I felt that Prime's 3D aesthetics were too scary for my sensitive 12 year-old self... little did I know Fusion could technically count as a horror game anytime SA-X was nearby.
Despite that, I've been a casual Metroid fan [and Other M apologist] ever since.
Comments 943
Re: F-ZERO 99 Turns The Classic Racer Into A 99-Player Battle Royale, On NSO Today
A divisive announcement, to be sure... But at the very least, this is proof that Nintendo still values F-Zero outside of Smash Bros. and re-releasing the original SNES game.
And this is a far better outcome than what happens to other long-dormant IPs, cause at least it's still F-Zero at its core.
Re: GameCube Classic Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Is Heading To Switch
For whatever reason, this game being the "One last thing" of the Direct really cements the public sentiment that the Switch is ABSOLUTELY in its final year before the successor releases. The 3DS was getting quite a few remakes and layups on its way out as well.
That said, this is still a moral victory for old fans and gaming in general. What many consider to be the best Paper Mario (and one of the best Mario RPGs in general) is finally free from the GCN vault!
Re: Charles Martinet Will No Longer Be The Voice Of Mario
We all knew this day would come eventually, but glad it's at least not on sad terms like other VAs who have to leave their roles due to drama or because they passed away. All in all, it's been a good run, and props to Charles for representing Mario for all these years.
Additionally, godspeed to the VA who's gonna have to fill those shoes.
Re: Pokémon: Path To The Peak Episode One Is Now Available On YouTube
@RareFan People are free to like/dislike whatever art styles they want, but speaking as an artist and animation fanatic myself, I dont think it does your opinion any favors by casually tossing around overused terms and comparisons that are often found around reactionary circles.
Re: Kickstarter Is Cracking Down On AI And Promoting Human Creativity
@nessisonett The one silver lining to these grifts hitting back-to-back and overlapping with certain types of people is that they become increasingly easy to spot.
Especially in light of how we're now realizing that some types of convenience we've adopted haven't come without sacrifice of bargaining power, people are thankfully becoming more critical of tech bros showing up to "disrupt the market" while hand-waving logistical and ethical concerns.
Re: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Has Now Sold Over 22 Million Copies, Closing In On Gold & Silver's Sales
@IronMan30 People love to harp on the jank, but the games are honestly fun in spite of it.
And I get folk's cynicism that TPC wont have any incentive to "make better games" so long as the sales remain good, but I'd be willing to bet people on the inside are well aware that their release schedule is hitting points of unsustainability.
Re: Sakurai Can't Imagine Future Super Smash Bros. Games Without His Involvement
While a brand new Smash is inevitable, I still think they can get away with just adding more to Ultimate's package in the same way Nintendo did for Mario Kart 8.
Away from that, I feel like the next Smash should take a step away from the platform fighting genre and try a different style. I'd be down for a traditional 2D fighter, but an arena fighter would be more likely to maintain that broad appeal.
Re: Bluey: The Videogame Has Been Rated By The Australian Classification Board
I'm high-key hoping for a physical release. I wouldn't mind having a copy for posterity's sake (and if it's actually a good game, then that's a bonus).
Side note: Anyone not already watching the show is really missing out. Despite the pre-school target demographic, Bluey is something special in a way that other cartoons (whether for kids or adults) could only dream of being.
Re: Pokémon Launches Official Community Forums And It's Already A Disaster
While I am nostalgic for an internet that isnt consolidated to a handful of websites, I cant imagine the kind of bravery it takes to see the insanity of social media spaces in 2023 and think, "Yeah, let's throw our hat into the ring."
Re: Zelda: TOTK Player Creates The Perfect Master Hand From Super Smash Bros
@Yosher Geez, amiibo would be the worst way to go about it, but it would unfortunately be the most likely option if they can't technically (or legally) add online functions post-launch.
Re: Zelda: TOTK Player Creates The Perfect Master Hand From Super Smash Bros
This makes me realize it would've been amazing if Nintendo included a system to share Auto Build schematics with players.
Re: Avatar: The Last Airbender: Quest For Balance Is Finally Announced, Coming To Switch This Year
@MrGawain I feel like a lot of the licensed games jumped to smartphones with the rise of the mobile gaming market, but have since realized there's still a market out there for console games.
Re: Microsoft CEO Says He Would "Love To Get Rid Of" Exclusives On Consoles
@Zavijah I'm not too sure if PC is a great argument here, since there's no real 1st party that maintains that space and demands exclusivity in the same way Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo do.
Like, you'll occasionally have companies like Epic or Steam trying to incentivize purchasing games through their storefronts before others (or consoles), but what winds up being ported from PC to consoles tends to be at the discretion of 3rd party devs and publishers.
Re: Hip-Thrusting Is Just One Of The Weird Minigames In Everybody 1-2-Switch!
Okay... I was giving this game the benefit of the doubt upon reveal, but it feels way too disjointed with additional context.
From the bigger part smartphones seem to play, to how much more physically active the games are, to the lack of much of any advertised HD Rumble functionality, it feels like anything but a sequel to the original.
Not to be too mean about it, but this really feels like it'd be more attractive if it was a free download, included with NSO subs, or was way cheaper than current MSRP.
Re: Random: Artists Are Already Creating Elephant Mario Fan Art And It's Brilliant
You know, if Mario was to have a fursona, an elephant surprisingly makes the most sense.
A portly plumber who's claim to fame is growing bigger and more powerful? Of course he'd lean into that.
Re: Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 Switch Physical Version Requires Downloads
Better than a cloud version, at least (still salty about Kingdom Hearts), but what's even the point of a physical version if so much has to be downloaded anyways?
As much as I hate the Switch Tax and the growing trend of $70 games, I'm almost willing to pay that if that's what it'll take for companies to stop forcing us to subsidize game space of physical purchases onto our microSD cards.
Re: Super Mario Bros. Wonder, A Brand New 2D Mario Game, Is Coming To Switch
I love how this is effectively their response to the NSMB criticism. That franchise's biggest problem was that it felt so simple and sanitized by NSMB2 (3DS), and especially, U. They were competent and fun, but they hardly lived up to what "New" could've been.
It feels like they finally figured it out here, though! On top of the colors and aesthetics, I can't get enough of the character animations! The more extreme poses, the smear frames in Mario's run cycle and Yoshi's flutter, and the speed lines from fast actions add so much to it.
It really feels like if we can't get the 2D Mario game with the "hand drawn" style" Nintendo likes to use, this is the next best thing~ (Though, with how "weird" the game is leaning towards, a guy can dream!)
Re: Super Mario RPG Is Getting A Remake This November, And It Looks Amazing
Man, what a way to start off a trailer for this game. I suspect it was their intention, but I sincerely thought, "Okay, cool, Mario RPG for the SNES NSO." And then they hit you with the glow up!
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about translating everyone's "toyetic" proportions into HD, but I appreciate the art direction aiming for that feeling where our minds filled in the gaps of antiquated graphics back in the day.
Re: Penny's Big Breakaway Is A Gorgeous 3D Platformer From The Sonic Mania Team
I was sold on the game before even hearing it was being made by Sonic Mania devs. It has such a Sega Saturn/Dreamcast energy to it, that I can't help but be drawn to it.
Gameplay will always hold higher priority over graphics, but aesthetics can do a lot to make a mechanically solid game that much better~
Re: Nintendo's Upcoming Party Game Everybody 1-2-Switch! Showcases "100 Players At Once"
A lot of the usual gamers are gonna clown on this hard, but it does seem like that kind of game that'll have a time and a place with the right crowd.
Not that it'll make up for that many sales, but I can absolutely see this finding a niche at conventions, like Rock Band, Just Dance, Jack Box games, and that musical Joust game played with those Playstation Move controllers. Though, those have a much lower barrier of entry in selling people a concept.
Re: Sonic Fans Are Already Really Mad About Sonic Origins Plus
I feel like "Really Mad" is kinda overselling this... There are a few aspects that people passionate about them would've liked to see done a bit better, but I don't see how any of the examples given are people fuming over them.
These all sound like reasonable criticisms character designers, UX/UI designers, audiophiles, emulation junkies, and even some game reviewers would make, were it on a different platform than the site stereotyped to be "the one with people yelling at each other" (as if that doesn't happen on other sites).
Re: Sonic Mania Dev Confirms Superstars Translates 'Retro Engine' Physics Into 3D
@Magician While I'm sure that quote means well, it also feels like one of those "grindset" sayings that doesn't do much service to the discourse or criticism.
Granted, we as consumers should have some expectations and standards for companies that demand our money, but creatively, that quote isn't the healthiest mentality for creatives to adhere to.
Re: Talking Point: What Do You Wish You Knew Sooner In Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
Definitely the Shrine/Lightroot correlation.
In one part because of how useful it was to find the last handful of Shrines I needed, but also because it feels like something that should've clicked way sooner than when I only had a handful of Shrines left to go (plus a fully uncovered Depths).
Re: Poll: Are You Excited About Ubisoft's Metroidvania "Inspired" Prince Of Persia Platformer?
I hate how cynical I feel about the idea that if literally everything about this reveal was the same, save for music choice and the character's hairstyle (not even his personality or rest of his design), it wouldn't be getting anywhere as much of a negative reception...
Personally, I hope the tone of the game stays within the same realm as the trailer (there's not enough mainstream gaming OSTs that dare to break from what works), but what personally bugs me is that I wish they just pushed the visual aesthetics a bit more. It all looks nice, but still a bit too sanitized.
Re: Sonic Superstars Won't Recycle Locations Like Green Hill Zone
@Arawn93 The issue isn't inherently the existence of Green Hill in a Sonic game, but the use of it. Around the Adventure/Advance era, Green Hill was a neat callback or ambitious remix. Post-Generations, it started to feel way too safe, as if riding off of nostalgia in a cheap way.
Ironically, with your Mario comparison, people were getting exhausted with NSMB's overall aesthetic. It was cool at first because there hadn't been a new 2D Mario in about a decade, but by the 4th entry, the entire series just felt so safe.
Re: Dolphin Emulator Steam Release "Indefinitely Postponed"
@Arawn93 Honestly, even if they dotted their i's and crossed their t's, trying to put an emulator on a mainstream storefront still feels like flying too close to the sun.
Was Steam integration really worth the risk, or was there something else they were hoping to achieve?
Re: Dolphin Emulator Steam Release "Indefinitely Postponed"
There must be some kind of unique benefit to having Dolphin on the Steam storefront when the app was always available for download from their official site.
The trouble is, legal and ethical gray areas aside, posting up on a mainstream storefront feels like trying to fly too close to the sun. What makes the attempt worth it?
Re: Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 Announced For "The Latest Platforms"
Konami has been playing relatively nice with the Switch. And if Snake Eater can be ported to the 3DS of all things, the Switch should be a slam dunk.
Also, I know it's a different company, but this rubs salt on the wound, remembering how dirty the Switch was done in regards to the Kingdom Hearts collections...
Re: Feature: 7 Things From Zelda: TOTK's First Hours That Had Us Grinning Like Mad
Definitely how different Hyrule feels. My biggest fear leading up to release was that it would he hard to shake that feeling of "I did all this before..." New mechanics can only do so much if the landmarks and topography are exactly the same.
But there really is so much new stuff going on, it feels like that excitement you get when you visit a still-thriving hometown (or vacation destination) you haven't been back to in years. And this is literally only scratching the surface.
I don't know how Nintendo pulled it off, but it really does feel like 2017 all over again, in the best way possible.
Re: Looks Like There's Already A Mobile Game Ripping Off Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Is there any consumer entertainment industry more audacious than the mobile gaming market? Cause sometimes it feels like it's way overdue for a hard reset and/or tighter oversight...
Re: Random: Sega And Uncanny Brands Team Up To Reveal A Sonic Waffle Maker
With that much flat surface area, can they even legally call it a waffle?
Re: Peppa Pig: World Adventures Lead Producer Explains Random Queen Tribute
@HammerGalladeBro I think the term is "tonal dissonance," and it's absolutely something you never want to do by accident if you can avoid it.
Re: Super Bomberman R 2 Explodes Onto Switch This September
Hangups about this version of Bomberman aside, I'm absolutely thrilled that this franchise is still alive and well in 2023! I can't believe they buried the lede about cross-platform online play. That's a huge deal, considering the matchmaking issues from the original R.
(Also, any version that remembers Louies exist is already off to a good start in my book)
Re: Video: Jack Black Performs Bowser's Mario Movie Song 'Peaches'
Bowser liking Peach has long-since been a thing, but the idea of him giving her a pet name is surprisingly endearing.
Like, yeah, it's pathetic to get too far ahead of yourself when you havent even asked the person out yet. But knowing Bowser doesnt stand a chance, it at least feels like he legitimately likes her as a person, rather than as just "The Princess."
Re: Poll: What Score Would You Give To The Super Mario Bros. Movie?
8/10 for me. I wanted a fun movie, and that's what I got, and then some!
My biggest issue is that the run time needed to be unapologetically longer. Like an extra 30 minutes to an hour, I'm not even joking. I can only imagine how much was left on the cutting room floor, because there wasn't even enough time for what was actually in the film.
Re: Warner Bros. Locks In A New Release Date For The Minecraft Movie
I'm positive it'll actually be a fun movie for what it's worth, but seeing WB holding the movie rights makes me nervous.
Between Ready Player One, Space Jam 2, the Lego Movies, Lego Dimensions, and MultiVersus, I'm kinda getting fatigued from their endeavors being low-key IP parades and superfluous crossovers in general.
Re: Miyamoto Talks About Other Nintendo Movies, Says There's "Probably Nothing To Announce In The Near Future"
It's so easy to let the imagination run wild with what Nintendo could do in the film (and TV) space, but we have to remember that it's still Nintendo.
This is the company where safe/brave/baffling business decisions are a total dice roll.
Re: Movie Review: The Super Mario Bros. Movie - A Fun Ride That Substitutes Story For Spectacle
@locky-mavo Avoiding any hard spoilers, Peach's characterization in this film was actually more fun and nuanced than I expected it would be. Not deep, but more than you'd expect from Peach.
If there was any archetype she appealed to, she straddled the line between "team mom" and "big sister", which is a far cry from what certain folks keep trying to project onto her just because she's a competent female character.
Re: Video: Super Mario Bros. Movie 'Princess Peach Training Course' Clip Released
@AstroTheGamosian Also worth keeping in mind, too, is that we don't really know what her character arc is going to be in the film. Usually the most outwardly "in control" characters have more subtle flaws that aren't revealed until later in the runtime.
I could absolutely be wrong about this and she could be Princess Perfect all throughout... but it only makes the point of how absurd it is for someone to be so upset over an isolated clip that narratively checks out, given the movie's premise.
Re: Video: Super Mario Bros. Movie 'Princess Peach Training Course' Clip Released
@Rainbowfire That's what I'm saying! Out of all the characters in a video game movie to be upset about being capable and competent, Peach should be nowhere on that list.
Like, not feeling this version of her personality is fair enough (not that her usual in-game version has that much depth to begin with...), but to try and turn such a short clip into yet another unironic, cynical culture war argument is just outing one's self as a reactionary more than anything else.
Re: Video: Super Mario Bros. Movie 'Princess Peach Training Course' Clip Released
@Bass_X0 While this scene is following that trope of "experienced female character outclassing noob male character" I feel like calling it "toxic superiority complex" might be a lot to take from such a short clip...
Unless there's some twist we havent seen yet, this movie is clearly coming in at the "I'm new to this world" angle. So it's safe to assume Mario will have the necessary character growth and find himself on equal footing around the 2nd or 3rd act.
Re: Rumour: The Infamous Phillips CD-i Zelda Games Are Being Remastered For Switch
Had me until half-way through the article when I remembered what day it was...
It sucks because in a generation of arbitrary remakes and remasters for games that aren't even two gens old, there's a treasure trove of middling-to-bad games that would be amazing if given a second go.
Re: Poll: How Many 3DS Consoles Have You Owned?
-OG Blue
-XL Blue (Traded)
-XL Yoshi (Traded)
-XL Pikachu
-XL Smash 4 Red (prize from Nintendo's Gamestop Smash 4 event)
-N3DS XL Monster Hunter 4U (Active)
-N3DS White
-2DS Electric Blue
-N2DS XL Black and Blue
So about 9 over the years. If not for the fact that we're limited to one account per console, I'm certain I would've collected more for their aesthetics than just for being different models.
Re: Poll: What Are Your Hype Levels for Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
I've got that wary excitement, as I know better than to hope that this'll perfectly re-capture the magical first few weeks playing BotW.
And now in a post-Elden Ring world, TotK has big shoes to fill in terms of having an engaging world to explore (not even getting into combat). No doubt it'll be great, but gonna keep expectations right down to "this is just BotW+". Anything more than that will be a pleasant surprise.
Re: Sonic Origins Plus Officially Announced For June, Adds Amy And 12 Game Gear Games
@MirrorFate2 Yeah, it's asking for quite a bit, but it's more with the understanding that past collections have done the same, and then some.
The original release of the Origins collection felt like a huge step down from past collections (going by game quanitity), and the inclusion of Game Gear games - a couple of which have superior console versions - only drives home the point how amazing things could've been.
It's not the end of the world of course, but it's definitely a missed opportunity for what's shifted from an "Origins" collection to a "Classics" collection.
Re: Sonic Origins Plus Officially Announced For June, Adds Amy And 12 Game Gear Games
I hate to be a choosy beggar, but man, it feels like they were so close to making this the best of both Sonic Mega Collection Plus and Sonic Gems Collection. All that's really missing is Sonic R, The Fighters, 3D Blast, Spinball (Genesis), Mean Bean Machine (Genesis) and Flicky. All of which already had console ports!
All that said, making Amy retroactively playable is a big deal.
Re: Random: YouTuber Spends Nearly $23K Buying Every 3DS & Wii U eShop Game
@PessitheMystic Honestly, I get the cynicism, but it does sometimes help to leave that kind of bias at the door. Not every "youtuber" is some vapid kid who tripped into internet celebrity status.
Sometimes they do use their influence and reach to do good things.
Re: Warside Blasts Onto Kickstarter With Advance Wars-Inspired Turn-Based Tactics
@Cptncha It's a purely subjective thing, but in these type of cases, it can feel a bit TOO redundant.
In a world without Wargroove existing (with a sequel on the way) and the AW Re-boot Camp a little more than a month away, something like this would make way more sense in the same way indie devs are trying to keep F-Zero alive since Nintendo isn't doing it themselves. But now, it feels kinda cheap in a "saturating the market" kind of way because it's not showing enough to stand out from its contemporaries.
Of course, no amount of criticism of the optics matters if there's an audience ready to throw their money at this game. And they're well within their rights to do so.
Re: Round Up: The Reviews Are In For Bayonetta Origins: Cereza And The Lost Demon
@Pigeon It's worth remembering that being popular with a mainstream audience isnt fully representative of the quality of one's content or efforts.
Platinum's been notoriously cursed with making games few can ever consider "bad" (whether or not they click with you is a whole other matter), but they struggle to get that reach beyond a cult following because their games ARE niche.
Re: Nintendo Expands Its Switch Online Game Boy Advance Service March 9th
I still remember jumping on this as my first Metroid game because "It was the lady from Smash Bros.!". I opted for it over Prime because I felt that Prime's 3D aesthetics were too scary for my sensitive 12 year-old self... little did I know Fusion could technically count as a horror game anytime SA-X was nearby.
Despite that, I've been a casual Metroid fan [and Other M apologist] ever since.