DashKappei

Personally, M2’s job on this was very disappointing. CRT filter is awful and a far cry from Gradius Origins (also M2’s). Gyro aiming is awful when used as full on replacement for “light -gun” aiming, even when using Joycon2 (improved accuracy). The review doesn’t mention the lack of rumble in all games, when recoil/shooting feedback (dat Uzi!) was a BIG part of the original experience. I contacted M2 and Squeenix/TAITO and they have no plans to support rumble at all (not even asking for HD Rumble). I absolutely ADORE OpWolf but I wish I hadn’t wasted money on this. What’s worse is that Gradius Origins included Salamander III while here the new Night Striker is tied to the uber expensive premium collector edition, and will release later as standalone for everyone else. Btw, Switch version also does not support the Cyberstick like the PS4 version does.

Call me when they add gyro aiming

@Anti-Matter you’re right it’s not bad, saying they’re bad would be the understatement of the year, PS5 sales are an absolute trainwreck. Base PS5, by far the most sold sku, barely managed 10k over 2 weeks, and the entire PS5 family sold roughly 40% of Switch 1 family over the same period. That’s absolutely tragic. What’s even worse is that software is not selling at all on PS5. It’s a very dire situation and it will only get worse into 2026.

@molkom there is a bit of a misunderstanding. Ollie hasn’t docked point to this port for missing on 120fps, because the Switch 1 can’t even support >60 framerates. They simply pointed out that it’s a shame there’s is not a Switch 2 native release for this, Switch 1 games running on back compatibility aren’t nearly as performing and we do miss out on features such as 120fps, where high framerates are a pretty big plus for these games especially.

@molkom why shouldn’t we? technology doesn’t stand still, we got a new (and kinda expensive) hardware that is perfectly capable of outputting 120fps like these games run on the other platforms, so I’m not sure why should we settle for lesser versions?

I’m honestly puzzled at why would such a tiny and fair remark in a review, scored 9/10, bother you in any way?

And remember, 60fps took off because there was a push for it and pro better performance in games, asking for performance/quality modes and such. Otherwise we would still get sub-30 fps in the vast majority of games. It sounds like the latter was good enough for you, nothing wrong with that but let others push for games to get better and better where it counts.

Fantastic review, and I’m with you hoping for a native Switch 2 version @120fps!

@sixrings Opinions. Again, I could kinda excuse it (but I didn’t buy it) on Switch due to it being a weak hardware and EA releasing a fully (?) featured FiFA for the first time on Switch. Can’t make that excuse for their Switch 2 release. Previous ones where merely roster updates for basically FIFA 15 on PS360, so I can see why NL review them like that: the score definitely reflected that and they’ve explained it in the review’s text.

@JJtheTexan Word game, together with UFO 50, looks the most interesting of the bunch and we’re not getting it, seems a very hard endeavor indeed to localize it. Dang. Looks super creative, original, out there… deffo my cup of tea, except I don’t speak a lick of Japanese

Also a bummer that Herdlings (or whatever is called) doesn’t have an Switch 2 version. Onto my wishlist it goes until/if it makes NS2.

I wanted more new announcements and even for ports I really wanted YELLOW TAXI GOES VROOM but nope

If EA FC26 is confirmed to be 30/40 as well, as it seems from previewes, then EA will never see a dime from me… I could somehow excuse it on Switch 1, after years of legacy versions, but there’s no legit situation where a properly budgeted port of THE football ⚽️ game trades 60fps for something else when the power is there.

If it ends up being 60fps then I’ll ***** up and give them money on day 1, something I haven’t done in years for FIFA/EA FC

No cross-play, always online and 30/40fps.
Sure sounds like an 8… oh wait

Great news!

@Axecon why the concern trolling? Independency is ALWAYS a good thing btw.

Also they’re a tech focused outlet focused on their niche and an audience mainly made of enthusiasts, don’t see what pretentiousness and elitism has anything to do with that and being independent.

God I hope for VF6 they remake Ryo’s face into something not resembling of a Yakuza/Like a Dragon NPC, he ugly af, RGGS completely ruined VF’s main character, it’s crazy that design was approved and they went with it

@RemyMartin I mean, I’m sure Hori will probably make one in the future, but it’s not like the Game Chat button is that important to justify a new purchase for me, you can just use Switch 1’s arcade sticks…

@Vyacheslav333 Not even close. As cool as Quest mode was, No VF5 player would choose vanilla over Final Showdown, Ultimate Showdown or R.E.V.O.

@Divide_and_Wander Icy what you did there!

Anyway it’s too risky, no d-ice

@ people saying it runs at 60 fps. Yes, the framerate is unlocked, and if you play with the camera tilted looking straight down to the floor it does reach 60 FPS -__-
In normal gameplay the game runs at uneven sub-25 fps with constant stuttering and framepacing issues (handheld mode, no interest in playing it docked), and looks like dogpoop. This was a day 1 buy for me (despite being 50 bucks and me having a Series S and the game on Game Pass), I’m a sucker for portability and I’m ok with diligent graphical cutbacks to get that “on-the-sofa/on-the-go” experience (loved the Doom(s), Wolfenstein, The Witcher, Ace Combat 7, Wreckfest, Nier, etc. on Switch 1!) But there ain’t nothing “diligent” here, to me this is unacceptable as a gameplay experience, I’m honestly puzzled at how bad it looks (and my god that awful sharpening filter, make it optional at least!) and runs, props to Koei Tecmo for putting out a demo so that we could try it tho. Awful performance, poor image quality, low geometry, pop-in, many low res textures (those tree logs! omg) reminiscent of Pokemon V/S. Well, to be fair the models/monsters are really nice at least, such a stark contrast with everything else! even if you don’t care about graphics (again, plenty of 3rd party ports I’ve bought and loved on Switch 1 despite having other consoles) man that framerate is headache inducing. But hey you don’t have to take my word as gospel, just download the demo and see for yourself. If you’re satisfied with that, more power to you! But in no way, shape or form this runs at anything close to 40/60 FPS.

@SirLink err, you do know that OKAMI 2 has been announced by Capcom and Kamiya is back directing it, right?

https://www.capcom-games.com/o-kami_newproject/en-us/

@Darthmoogle exactly, the only option for proper storage cartridges is 64GB and it costs 16$ from the publisher’s side. It’s a cost that makes sense for few games and that few publisher will be able to subsidize. Without GKC you’d see more “code in a box” releases, that’s even worse. GKC are less than ideal and I get the sentiment but it is what it is, buy them or avoid them, but the discourse has ran ita course. What’s bad is that publishers should offer upgrade patches (free or paid depending on the retail price) to the Switch 2 version for all Switch 1 releases, SEGA/ATLUS is especially guilty of this.

@OldGamer999 what? Are Luigi’s Mansion 2 and 3 not Nintendo games? What a silly take. Retro Studios is fully owned by Nintendo, more so than any Pokemon game than (Game Freak + TPC)

Edit: I see you’ve already acknowledged it, all good. But still, do you consider SSB Ultimate a Nintendo game? That was developed by Bandai Namco (and Sakurai’s Sora) both not owned by Nintendo, and yet it would be absurd to say it’s not a Nintendo game. That distinction doesn’t make sense.

@Blast16 DKB is for all intents and purposes the next “Mario” game by the Odyssey team as much as Yoshi Island was the next “Mario” game and sequel to Super Mario World.

@SabreLevant long story short that ain’t it, chief. You can say BOTW/TOTK updates should have also been free, and I would agree there, but that’s an entirely different matter than what you were complaining about in your original posts as the reason you didn’t get a Switch 2. Also there are thousands of games on PC with “arbitrary” (what?) framecaps but on PC you have modders doing the work for free to lift them (when possible). I feel I’m being trolled at this point, so… I’m out. Scummy Nintendo and its arbitrary framerate caps!

@SabreLevant I don’t know why you would’ve expected that tho, it’s never been on the table because what you’re asking is technically infeasible due to how BOTW (or all the games with fps/rez cap) is built. If a game has a hard cap on framerate, there’s nothing you can do without an update. I’d love for Ace Combat 7 to play at 60fps and 1080p portable, but since that (great) port has a 30fps cap and 720p firm res, it won’t happen unless Bamco gives us either a proper S2 update or at least a patch with an uncapped framerate mode. Still, even without the upgrade, BOTW/TOTK have unstable fps on Switch 1 while it’s rock solid on Switch 2, resolution fluctuates on Switch 1 while it’s always at its max on Switch 2. On the other hand, a game like the above mentioned NEW STAR GP, that has 3 different gfx modes you can choose in-game where 2 of them have an uncapped framerate, runs at 30fps on Switch 1, or at 40/50 with lowered graphics settings, while it runs at 60 to 120fps on Switch 2 with no graphical downsides. Or Bayonetta 3, mostly 40fps that now plays locked 60 and better resolution with no update. And so on.
Also, BOTW and TOTK are the only two paid for upgrades out at the moment, all of others (Mario Odyssey, 3D World, Bowser’s Fury, Splatoon 3, Pokemon S/V….) are 100% free.
Anyway, here you can find hundreds of Switch 1 games tested on Switch 2 with all the improvements (if there are any) outlined: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1sOYZRiOuD9Cnr-e_hlzhRuxuEq5X5Ptwq4yCfwxyfFk/htmlview#gid=0

@SabreLevant yes, but it’s not even close to the results you get with the Switch 2 upgrade. It works exactly like with PS4 played on PS5 that don’t have a specific PS5 upgrade patch.

Basically without a specific update, a Switch 1 game will always* perform on Switch 2 at its maximum theoretical output.

Let’s take BOTW: on Switch 1 it uses a dynamic resolution that will scale lower to help maintain the framerate: resolution it’s 720p max in portable mode and can lower to 648p, while it’s 900p to 810p when docked. Framerate is capped at 30fps, with dips to 25fps in certain busy areas. On Switch 2 without the update it’s always 720p and 30fps portable and 900p when docked even in busy areas. Now, with the upgrade it boasts enhanced resolution of up to 4K (1080p in handheld) and rock-solid 60fps frame rate throughout. That’s because the game on Switch 1 has a capped 30 fps framerate and resolution up to 900p. For games (plenty of them!) with uncapped framerate (even if it mostly plays 30fps or lower) the Switch 2 will make it stable 60fps, and if the dynamic resolution is up to 1080p (even if, example, it drops to 600p in game) it’ll basically always* stay at that. Furthermore, loading times (especially for digital games located to the internal storage) can be more than halved, blazing fast. So, the Switch 2 functions exactly like you wished it to, but obviously to really take advantage of the new console’s power the games will need a free or paid specific update. There are many games that are almost unplayable on Switch 1 and now have been given new life and play awesome on Switch 2 without any update (basically what this article is talking about).

@Jack_Goetz it really is a fantastic game and excellent Switch 2 showpiece for games getting boosted performance without being Switch 2 Edition (either free or paid upgrades). The game is super cool and addictive, it’s like getting a never-been-made VIRTUA RACING 2 (or 3, considering the improvements!) from SEGA! Probably my favorite arcade racing game of this whole gen! And for a fiver?! That’s a steal! Really glad you’re enjoying it!

@SabreLevant ?? that’s exactly the case. All games are getting boost without any required S2 update. Of course, games with uncapped resolution (dynamic) and uncapped framerate, will be the ones where you’ll see the most dramatic improvements (such as the mentioned NEW STAR GP, going from 30fps locked or 40 gps unlocked, to 120fps.). It’s honestly my favorite feature of the Switch 2!

@PJOReilly Too bad you didn’t mention a fantastic game that has gotten the most dramatic upgrade of them all, and probably the first REAL game (Welcome Tour ain’t one) to display 120fps (and that’s WITHOUT a Switch 2 patch, and in portable mode!): NEW STAR GP! They’ve released a patch to give the game two modes with uncapped framerate in preparation of the Switch 2 coming, very smart of them:
It truly is an incredible thing to see just how smooth the game runs now, and how stark is the difference between Switch 1 and Switch 2, and it helps that the game is just a joy to play, sooo goood! There’s no need to set the mode with reduced draw distance on S2 either (that’s to boost fps on Switch 1) and can just select “standard/default”. I can only recommend this to anyone interested in arcade racing games with some deeper mechanics, so much personality. It also has split-screen multiplayer and runs like a dream as well. It’s very often on sale for less than a tenner!

@Zeebor15 lol again with this nonsense.
It’s been 20 years and I can still redownload all of my digital Wiiware and VC games.

You don’t like it, it’s more than fair to vote with your wallet, but spare us the demagoguery. At 20 bucks it’s definitely on the cheap side.

@Jrs1 glad to especially for a RATM fan (btw I attended 2 dates of their “Battle of” tour… I’m old lol)

Review should be updated because it’s been announced by LRG that UK’s VA is coming soon in an imminent update and will be included in the physical version.

Original announcement:

“ Thank you for making the launch of GEX Trilogy a huge success!

It’s been in the works for a while and we’re finally able to announce that the PAL versions of GEX 2 & GEX 3, featuring the voices of Leslie Philips and Danny John-Jules, respectively, will be added in an update!”

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:f3gdhgrhxzvysdlkmsxa23bn/post/3lrr2bt5xyd27?ref_src=embed

Follow up:

“ This update is being pushed live on Steam now and will show up on other platforms once the patch has completed certification.”

@Tom-Massey

Sucks to see SF6 so low -_-

@Friendly No it doesn’t. You’re confusing image upscaling output (something that will merely make it so a 1080p image -or lower!- will fit the entire screen of a 4K panel) with proper rendering/output resolution.

It would be like saying BOTW on Switch is 1080p docked, while in reality it outputs a rendering resolution of 900p.

Split Fiction on Switch 2 outputs a rendering resolution of 1080p docked. Currently the only game to output 4k rendering docked is Fast Fusion iirc, while some games, such as the S2 Editions of BOTW/TOTK, output at 1440p. (Edit: Splatoon 3 is 4K! Dynamic, but it hits full 4k more often than not!)

Not even the home screen outputs at 4k when docked, only 1080p. Same as Switch 1 having the home screen at 720p even docked. That might be due to the instant dock/undock feature and thus matching the resolution of the console’s own screen, but it would’ve been appreciated if Nintendo found a more elegant solution to have the Home Screen in proper 4k.

Hope this helps clear things out!

@Friendly err, neither does the Switch 2 my friend. Dunno why you’d boast that it runs at 4K on Switch 2, when it’s 1080p (and at 30fps, halved framerate). Given more time/budget and the use of DLSS, it’s likely a port could’ve managed to include a performance mode running at 60fps (at least docked).

Too bad it doesn’t manage 60fps even in docked mode, because the gameplay (much more than It Takes Too) really benefits from 60fps with how frantic, fast and precision based it is. Xbox Series S managed 60fps at 1080p while looking incredible so I had hoped they’d be able to hit that on Switch 2 maybe aided by DLSS docked or maybe a 40fps VRR handheld mode similar to Cyberpunk 2077.

@Linnybhoy with the exception of Brothers, all of Hazelight’s games are strictly two-players only.

No farming? Finally a Rune Factory more suited to my tastes! Will definitely check it out when it reaches 30%off on eShop

Soma is very good but will only get it when/if a Switch 2 update gets announced (with a firm date)

Doing a separate post for visibility, I’ve received an official response from Hamster today, and it’s not good news:

“Arcade Archives NEBULASRAY" does not have a [Screen Filter] adjustment function. This is by design.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.
We have shared the information about the implementation of the [Screen Filter] function with our development team.
We will use this information as a reference for future development.”

So it was a deliberate choice. Really disappointing stuff. I wasted 15€ on this, dang.

I still find it weird, and honestly disappointing, that the review hasn’t been updated. When 400 games before Nebulasray all had these options, it’s very important to highlight how Nebulasray doesn’t.

@sixrings No, the default for Arcade Archives titles is “00” which applies a smoothing filter but without scanlines.

Nebulasray on the other hand is set to the equivalent of putting your ACA games on the “OFF” options, which shows the raw output with no smoothing and no scanlines.

@sixrings yeah 00 is the setting for smoothing filter without scanlines. And nope, it’s not there unfortunately

@Willo567 yeah if I had known before buying it. Scanlines and smoothing filter are both very important to display a better looking image on modern displays. (not much of a fan of the latter but I can see its useful on a case by case). CRT’s scanlines were used by graphics artists of these games as if they were a “pencil outline” to give the sprites more details and a more cohesive look and for this reason their presence in modern re-releases is very important.

Hey Damien, it should be noted that for the 1st time ever an ACA release has no display options for smoothing filter and scanlines.
Pretty important information that I find very odd hasn’t been highlighted in the review, considering that for many shmups/retro junkies it’s a deal-breaker. Contacted Hamster’s support about it but haven’t gotten a reply

Good review and interested in the game. But Mitch, has there been an issue with taking screenshots of the game for this article? Those picks don’t make any sense, don’t show anything about the game, if I didn’t know better I’d say the wrong folder has been uploaded 😂 hopefully you guys can rectify it asap

@Pigeon so disrespectful. Do you also call devs “lazy” when they don’t align with what you want?

Still whining and crying wolf eh? Legitimate reviews lambasting the game’s issues and latest update ain’t review bombing. Also, I thought he was a “free speech can say anything I want” stan? As usual, only when it suits them.

@Hee-ho-master “apparently”? He’s genuinely a terrible person. Microsoft doesn’t want anything to do with him and his studio anymore because of how he runs the studio in the worst possible toxic/chud way. At least he doesn’t try to hide it, his Twitter profile’s pic represent him well enough.

@RiasGremory it has nothing to do with laziness (and also can we do away with the lazy devs argument, so disrespectful and so far removed from the truth… it’s lame af). Nintendo only offers 64GB cards or game-key for Switch 2. On Switch 1 they offered various cards from 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. That’s not the case anymore. 64GB cards costs have been reported as around 15usd. PS4’s BRDs for comparison are a few cents. Videogames are a business and very few releases will be able to justify such cost.

On a case by case basis but yeah.
Yakuza 0 is one. While for SFVI, which I had preordered before knowing the physical release was going to be a GKC, I canceled and will go digital instead because at that point I prefer the convenience of a fully digital release. Some other games that might not really benefit from being on Switch 2 I’ll go with the physical Switch release (cases such as Lunar Remastered) instead of the SW2 GKC counterpart.

This article is peak cringe

Has there been any announcement so far for a 3rd party Switch 1 game getting a free or paid upgrade to Switch 2 Edition?

@Olliemar28 they likely haven’t, and shouldn’t, but that still doesn’t change the point: considering that game consoles haven’t been exempted and the vast majority of PS5s are made in China, that means being hit by the new 150% tariff. Sony is now redistributing to EU/UK the cost of what would otherwise be a humorous price hike in the US. I don’t think anyone can say with a straight face that this price hike and the timing to be unrelated to Trump’s tariffs war.

Of course we Europeans would end up eating up the cost of the US tariffs frenzy.

Promise Mascot Agency looks amazing and it’s made by the Paradise Killer devs, hope you guys review it. Game’s page on NLife is empty :/

It’s used to change controls configuration/use on the fly. You’ll see