80 is fine. One of my favorite video games I've played this decade - one I probably sunk over 200 hours into "Friday The 13th: The Game", sits at 61 on metacritic.
I've played quite a few AAA games with high review scores that have nearly bored me to tears.
One of the first Switch 2 games I will be getting - I had cancelled my preorder, as I've been busy with other things and just play my switch and ps5 until things calm down. But I will be getting this one at some point. I'm glad to hear they nailed the landing.
Earthbound blew my mind as a kid. It's still endlessly fun to play through over and over again. I thought Chrono Trigger was over-rated from the start - a good game, but nowhere close to Final Fantasy VI, and I much preferred Earthbound over both of those.
Also, F-Zero GX down in the 80's? Mario 64 in the 20's? Ugh. Oh well, not my list.
I'm so tired of seeing this franchise getting mistreated. Gaiden was pretty good fun, and I liked Neon as well. But for every one of those, we get a Double Dragon 4 and well, whatever this is. And I feel like there hasn't been a truly awesome DD since Double Dragon Advance.
I have been playing Phantasy Star IV on the sega collection on switch.
I'm also trying to wrap up Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. I unlocked one ending, but it's going to take me a while to get the secret ending.
Also, I'm on stage 5 of Bloodstained: Curse of The Moon 2. It's pretty tough. Not impossible, just old-school NES tough, requiring memorization and practice.
About seven or eight physical games a year, as of late, not counting legacy systems like NES and Genesis. As far as digital games, maybe fifteen or so.
So yeah, 20 to 30 games a year. And I sell over half of my physical games when I'm done with them. I only keep the ones that I plan on replaying at least once in the future. Bear in mind, that about two-thirds of these are more "bitesize" and "indie-style" games. I try to limit my playtime.
I have thirty-two physical switch games, plenty of digital.
I have about fifteen physical ps5 games, the same for ps4, also plenty of digital games. If I hadn't sold so many, I'd have way more, but I ran out of space a long time ago.
And as far as legacy systems go, my attic is full. I guess the nieces and nephews will get a pleasant surprise one day, hopefully a long time from now.
I'm not sold on the bike. I will wait until I play the game until I give it a final verdict, of course. That said, at this point in time, I would much prefer she just turn into a morph ball and roll around the way. But perhaps the idea of a humanoid tumbling at 200+ kilometers per hour requires even greater suspension of disbelief than a motorcycle in space would.
"Digital products, on the other hand, generally don’t have a lifespan."
Sure. Because servers are never taken down, and hard drives never fail.
Like dude, myspace botched a server migration years ago and over 90 percent of the data is lost forever. Millions upon millions of songs, lost forever.
I just think you're on a weird hill, man. You certainly like to generalize. None of what you said applies to me, and doesn't apply to most gamers on here.
I definitely do not need sexuality in a game to enjoy it, and I don't feel the need to get my "rocks off" either. I'm just not put off or offended if I see a pair of boobs in a game, or a ripped guy's abs, or whatever. Bodies are bodies. We are humans, and sex is in things because people like sex.
I do agree with you that some of the characters in video games look a bit young, especially from Japan, but a lot of older people "look young". And there is a big problem over there with some promoting that type of thing - that said, accusing Sunsoft, or any party of promoting such a thing, without sound evidence, is unethical unto itself. There are other companies out there you could direct your feelings towards.
A thirty-second look on your comment history is hardly a deep dive. Also, you're the one just bringing up the subject of underage girls and body parts, and at no point has Sunsoft implied that any of their characters are under the age of consent. The reality that you're bringing up such a stretch at random is telling. And all just from that half a minute of what I saw on your comment history is constant whining about anything and everything.
What are you even on about? This is the company known for Blaster Master and lots of good licensed games in the 80's and 90's. Also, looking at your comment history, it seems your actual issue is with any games that come from Japan....and well, just about everything else as well.
A long, long time ago, I used to rent the first Bubsy game. I kinda enjoyed it for what it was. It was frustrating, and I think the levels and gameplay just couldn't work with the hardware limitations.
The main drawback was not having a good view to see obstacles and plan ahead. If they remade the first original with the camera panning out, and made Bubsy more capable of taking hits, it would be an otherwise decent game.
But I played through that game, and started to memorize the stages, and thus it became playable to me. The game did have good graphics and music for the time.
I still wouldn't recommend them to anyone who doesn't have masochistic tendencies.
There have been several Metroidvanias over the years, that I have enjoyed and replayed more than Hollow Knight - Infernax and Astalon: Tears of The Earth being my favorites. Hollow Knight for sure is good, but I agree with folks who say it isn't the "be-all-end-all" metroid-style game.
Yet another game I've chosen to purchase on the PS5 instead of Switch or Switch 2. I'm playing Dragon Quest 3 HD2D on PS5 right now. It's really good so far, so I'm definitely getting 1 and 2. (Dragon Quest 1, a.k.a. "Dragon Warrior" was my first rpg, and it came with a subscription to Nintendo Power in the U.S. - for fifteen dollars).
At least I can still enjoy my copy of Dragon Quest 11 on switch. It's still a good way to enjoy the game if anyone wants some quality Dragon Quest action on a Nintendo console.
"The naivety is that so many focus on one issue that is fashionable to complain about while ignoring another that is worse. It also covers those who think GKC disappearing will mean a return to full games on a cart when it won’t, it will mean more digital only releases."
That's possible. I can't confirm what the outcome will be from that. I do not that more people are complaining about the key card lately, because it was just introduced. Code in a box was hated too, but it's not new, so naturally less people are going to be commenting about it.
Personally, I think it's all terrible. And on that note, I will posit that buying game key cards will most likely not aid in influencing publishers to release the full game on cartridge, but that supporting game key cards will encourage these publishers to adopt this format as a new (and lowered) standard for "physical" games.
Can you elaborate a bit on your argument a little bit? It doesn't make sense. How do you know that people didn't complain about code in a box? Last time I checked, that was also very unpopular. And key cards are arguably even worse.
And how does any of this make consumers naive? Key cards are not legit physical versions, since they have little to no real game data. So, I just don't see any validity or soundness to what you're trying to convey.
I'm backing up my CD collection right now. All files to lossless flac format. I have some that are around thirty years old now.
I stream music on my phone all the time, but it sounds like crap compared to CD. CD's have a much higher bit rate than compressed mp3. In terms of gaming, Mega Man 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3 still play the best on the original NES console. I still have most of my cartridges. They are beautiful.
A great way to preserve these things is to take care of them. It's quite effective.
I know it, and I really dislike this. I've always seen falcom as one of the "underdogs" of the gaming industry. Their games rarely sold as well as the competition, but they kept at it and brought their own unique flavor and combat that stands apart from other RPGs.
When I say that not purchasing their new output is bittersweet, I mean it. The key cards and lack of legit physical availability is just something I refuse to support. If other people are okay with it fine, but for me, nope.
I think it was already bad the way falcom released a new version with no upgrade path from the beginning. Perhaps they are in dire financial straits, but their recent practices are disappointing to say the least.
Good idea. If that's the case, I will definitely get it. Ys games have their own unique style, and I enjoyed the demo for X. Lots of companies do this "scarcity" tactic and release for other consoles later, so my fingers are crossed and I hope it makes it on disc.
Having played through the first Dark Deity on switch, and all of the GBA Fire Emblem games, I must admit that it's not quite on par with FE.
That said, almost everyone I've talked to regarding the second game has said that it addressed all of the flaws of the original.
I'm willing to give it a chance. I still enjoyed the first Dark Deity, and it didn't regret playing through it, though I admit it had its share of flaws.
It is. However, if you're expecting it to play like the older Double Dragons (like Super and DD2), you might be disappointed. It plays a lot differently. There is a certain rhythm to this game, and you have to learn to fall into that rhythm to appreciate what it offers. I recommend getting it on sale, that way you won't have to much remorse if it's not your cup of tea. As for me, I bought the physical version, I've put nearly forty hours in, and I don't regret it.
Castlevania Advance Collection, specifically Aria of Sorrow. I played through it on switch, now on PS5 and hoping to get the platinum trophy by Halloween (I don't game as much as I used to).
Your comparison is invalid. Your argument implies that digital-only and key-card releases are superior to full physical releases. Key cards are a step backwards in several ways*, whereas going from 8-track to cassette, and then compact disc saw a massive improvement in sound quality and usability.
There is no inherent advantage to having a key card that requires moving physical media, without the benefits of that physical media semi-permanence. It's costing more to manufacture, it's worse for the environment, it negates the enjoyment of collecting, and it's flat out lame.
These companies could at least just put the full game on the cartridge and raise the cost if they're so focused on their bottom lines.
Truth be told, when I hear people say "these anti-key card arguments are getting on my nerves", what's really being said is "I'm okay with disappointment and lowered standards, and you should be too". Also, I'm hearing "corporate profits are more important than your enjoyability".
As if many of these companies aren't swimming in dough from expanded and collector versions marked up for a few cheap pieces of plastic or releasing wave after wave of dlc isn't allowing these companies to make money hand over fist. And in my opinion, that's fine, but those standards are as low as I'm willing to go. The key-card situation is greed, plain and simple.
Get used to them. It's a terrible, anti-consumer practice, and people are rightfully defiant against it. Just because you're okay to accept lowered standards, doesn't mean the rest of the world is - and we'll push against it as long as we feel the need to.
This looks fantastic. That said, I may wait until two years after the release, when the "ultimate edition" with all dlc comes out. Yes, I am a cheap-ass.
I'm going to sort of agree with both of ya'll on this. The combat is hella stiff at first, but gets better as you level up. Once the characters are buffed, the game "plays properly". So, imo, ya'll are both right.
I do think that having some louder "hit noises" / feedback to feel more weight on attacks would help the combat overall. Games like Final Fight and Double Dragon understood this from the start.
For its time, it was amazing. I was there with the DKC preview VHS, and DKC2 still felt like an upgrade in every way. That said, I feel like Tropical Freeze is the best of the 2d games with all nostalgia aside.
Tropical Freeze is the goat, and Jungle Beat should be higher. GB Donkey Kong is a little too high - good game, and the best of the "classic" style of DK, but nowhere near the top five. Of course, video games like music are very subjective, so here's my opinion for the pile.
Same, and I LOVE Ys. It's just such a unique series that has that old school vibe and super-smooth combat, banging music. But yeah, I will be waiting at least two years for every falcom release hence.
Ys 3 on SNES was my first. I've played through 1 and 2, Memories of Celceta, IX, and a few others. VIII remains my favorite. I thought IX was pretty good, but couldn't quite keep up with VIII.
I tried the demo for X, but will probably get X Proud Nordics on another platform. It's already bad enough the way falcom has handled the releases of this game, but this game key thing is a nail in the coffin for me.
I cancelled my preorder again. The console looks just fine, and the games look good - I'm looking forward to getting one, but I'm holding out until early next year.
I think the launch was handled well. There were lots of chances to preorder, and plenty of consoles were around my area on launch week. I was a young lad in my twenties when the Wii was released, and that was a nightmare - I went to five different stores on launch day, and didn't find one in the wild for nearly a year.
I loved Undertale enough to buy it three times. I played through about an hour of Deltarune a year or so ago, and decided that since I enjoyed it so much, I had better wait until the whole thing is finished. So, I'm waiting, impatiently.
How is that so? Most ps5 games have the base game on disc. Updates and more come later, but in most cases the game is still playable from disc without any connection. Even if that weren't the case, I can still go online and download ps3 games today. I can't say the same for my wii U and 3ds consoles.
Minus the series X, because I don't have one, this is my strategy. I have the ps5 for third-party games, and switch 2 will be my nintendo exclusive and indie machine. I'm not buying anything with a key card.
Comments 562
Re: Review: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (Switch 2) - Samus Returns In Prime Form
@OldGamer999
80 is fine. One of my favorite video games I've played this decade - one I probably sunk over 200 hours into "Friday The 13th: The Game", sits at 61 on metacritic.
I've played quite a few AAA games with high review scores that have nearly bored me to tears.
Re: Review: Kirby Air Riders (Switch 2) - Incredibly Chaotic, But Satisfyingly Deep & Rewarding Racing
One of the first Switch 2 games I will be getting - I had cancelled my preorder, as I've been busy with other things and just play my switch and ps5 until things calm down. But I will be getting this one at some point. I'm glad to hear they nailed the landing.
Re: Review: R-Type Delta: HD Boosted (Switch) - The Best R-Type? Possibly, And It's Never Looked Better
I love me some R-Type. I beat R-Type 3 once. Hard as hell. I felt like a champ after that one.
I haven't tried Delta yet. I might bite.
Re: Top 100 Nintendo Games, As Chosen By Nintendo Life & IGN
Earthbound blew my mind as a kid. It's still endlessly fun to play through over and over again. I thought Chrono Trigger was over-rated from the start - a good game, but nowhere close to Final Fantasy VI, and I much preferred Earthbound over both of those.
Also, F-Zero GX down in the 80's? Mario 64 in the 20's? Ugh. Oh well, not my list.
Re: Review: Double Dragon Revive (Switch) - Nice Ideas, Uneven Execution
I'm so tired of seeing this franchise getting mistreated. Gaiden was pretty good fun, and I liked Neon as well. But for every one of those, we get a Double Dragon 4 and well, whatever this is. And I feel like there hasn't been a truly awesome DD since Double Dragon Advance.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (18th October)
I have been playing Phantasy Star IV on the sega collection on switch.
I'm also trying to wrap up Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. I unlocked one ending, but it's going to take me a while to get the secret ending.
Also, I'm on stage 5 of Bloodstained: Curse of The Moon 2. It's pretty tough. Not impossible, just old-school NES tough, requiring memorization and practice.
Re: Poll: How Many New Games Do You Buy In A Year?
About seven or eight physical games a year, as of late, not counting legacy systems like NES and Genesis. As far as digital games, maybe fifteen or so.
So yeah, 20 to 30 games a year. And I sell over half of my physical games when I'm done with them. I only keep the ones that I plan on replaying at least once in the future. Bear in mind, that about two-thirds of these are more "bitesize" and "indie-style" games. I try to limit my playtime.
I have thirty-two physical switch games, plenty of digital.
I have about fifteen physical ps5 games, the same for ps4, also plenty of digital games. If I hadn't sold so many, I'd have way more, but I ran out of space a long time ago.
And as far as legacy systems go, my attic is full. I guess the nieces and nephews will get a pleasant surprise one day, hopefully a long time from now.
Re: Video: SEGA Shares "First Look" At Yakuza Kiwami 3's Combat Gameplay
@Fighting_Game_Loser
Are you able to see the irony that you're complaining about people complaining before they get to complain?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (20th September)
I am playing Dragon Quest 3: HD2D and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, as soon as I finally find some time. Hopefully, tomorrow.
Re: Opinion: Metroid Prime 4 Reminds Me Of Gears 5, And It's Making Me Nervous
I'm not sold on the bike. I will wait until I play the game until I give it a final verdict, of course. That said, at this point in time, I would much prefer she just turn into a morph ball and roll around the way. But perhaps the idea of a humanoid tumbling at 200+ kilometers per hour requires even greater suspension of disbelief than a motorcycle in space would.
Re: Poll: So, Will You Be Getting Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 For Switch?
Nah. It looks pretty dope, but I already have Super Mario Galaxy on wii and switch, and Galaxy 2 still on my wii U, so I'm good.
Re: Nintendo Is "Acting To Protect The Industry" With Switch 2 Game Key Cards, Says Ex-Capcom Composer
"Digital products, on the other hand, generally don’t have a lifespan."
Sure. Because servers are never taken down, and hard drives never fail.
Like dude, myspace botched a server migration years ago and over 90 percent of the data is lost forever. Millions upon millions of songs, lost forever.
Re: Sunsoft Has A "Major Announcement" To Share Next Week
@KevinP
I just think you're on a weird hill, man. You certainly like to generalize. None of what you said applies to me, and doesn't apply to most gamers on here.
I definitely do not need sexuality in a game to enjoy it, and I don't feel the need to get my "rocks off" either. I'm just not put off or offended if I see a pair of boobs in a game, or a ripped guy's abs, or whatever. Bodies are bodies. We are humans, and sex is in things because people like sex.
I do agree with you that some of the characters in video games look a bit young, especially from Japan, but a lot of older people "look young". And there is a big problem over there with some promoting that type of thing - that said, accusing Sunsoft, or any party of promoting such a thing, without sound evidence, is unethical unto itself. There are other companies out there you could direct your feelings towards.
Re: Sunsoft Has A "Major Announcement" To Share Next Week
@KevinP
A thirty-second look on your comment history is hardly a deep dive. Also, you're the one just bringing up the subject of underage girls and body parts, and at no point has Sunsoft implied that any of their characters are under the age of consent. The reality that you're bringing up such a stretch at random is telling. And all just from that half a minute of what I saw on your comment history is constant whining about anything and everything.
Re: Nintendo Direct Announced For Tomorrow, 12th September 2025
I'm going to really go out on a limb here.
They are going to announce remakes of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn.
I mean, they aren't. But that's my wild guess anyway.
Re: Sunsoft Has A "Major Announcement" To Share Next Week
@KevinP
What are you even on about? This is the company known for Blaster Master and lots of good licensed games in the 80's and 90's. Also, looking at your comment history, it seems your actual issue is with any games that come from Japan....and well, just about everything else as well.
Re: Review: Bubsy In: The Purrfect Collection (Switch) - Limited Run Cleans Out The Kitty Litter
A long, long time ago, I used to rent the first Bubsy game. I kinda enjoyed it for what it was. It was frustrating, and I think the levels and gameplay just couldn't work with the hardware limitations.
The main drawback was not having a good view to see obstacles and plan ahead. If they remade the first original with the camera panning out, and made Bubsy more capable of taking hits, it would be an otherwise decent game.
But I played through that game, and started to memorize the stages, and thus it became playable to me. The game did have good graphics and music for the time.
I still wouldn't recommend them to anyone who doesn't have masochistic tendencies.
The sequels were all progressively worse.
Re: UK Charts: Mario Kart World Takes The Lead While Cronos Sees Weak Sales On Switch 2
@Smithicus
There have been several Metroidvanias over the years, that I have enjoyed and replayed more than Hollow Knight - Infernax and Astalon: Tears of The Earth being my favorites. Hollow Knight for sure is good, but I agree with folks who say it isn't the "be-all-end-all" metroid-style game.
Re: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Has Officially Gone Gold, Out This October
Yet another game I've chosen to purchase on the PS5 instead of Switch or Switch 2. I'm playing Dragon Quest 3 HD2D on PS5 right now. It's really good so far, so I'm definitely getting 1 and 2. (Dragon Quest 1, a.k.a. "Dragon Warrior" was my first rpg, and it came with a subscription to Nintendo Power in the U.S. - for fifteen dollars).
At least I can still enjoy my copy of Dragon Quest 11 on switch. It's still a good way to enjoy the game if anyone wants some quality Dragon Quest action on a Nintendo console.
Re: Japan's National Library Says Game-Key Cards Are Not Eligible For Preservation
@electrolite77
"The naivety is that so many focus on one issue that is fashionable to complain about while ignoring another that is worse. It also covers those who think GKC disappearing will mean a return to full games on a cart when it won’t, it will mean more digital only releases."
That's possible. I can't confirm what the outcome will be from that. I do not that more people are complaining about the key card lately, because it was just introduced. Code in a box was hated too, but it's not new, so naturally less people are going to be commenting about it.
Personally, I think it's all terrible. And on that note, I will posit that buying game key cards will most likely not aid in influencing publishers to release the full game on cartridge, but that supporting game key cards will encourage these publishers to adopt this format as a new (and lowered) standard for "physical" games.
Re: Review: Kirby And The Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World - Kirby's Best Shines Even Brighter
I'm glad I held off buying this for switch (I did borrow it from the library and played through it).
I'm betting this looks gorgeous in 4k. I will probably be getting it at some point.
Re: Japan's National Library Says Game-Key Cards Are Not Eligible For Preservation
@electrolite77
Can you elaborate a bit on your argument a little bit? It doesn't make sense. How do you know that people didn't complain about code in a box? Last time I checked, that was also very unpopular. And key cards are arguably even worse.
And how does any of this make consumers naive? Key cards are not legit physical versions, since they have little to no real game data. So, I just don't see any validity or soundness to what you're trying to convey.
Re: Japan's National Library Says Game-Key Cards Are Not Eligible For Preservation
@Burning_Spear
Same here. I used to look for a copy on switch first, but now I go straight to ps5 or ps4 for anything that's not first-party.
Re: Japan's National Library Says Game-Key Cards Are Not Eligible For Preservation
@Saints
I'm backing up my CD collection right now. All files to lossless flac format. I have some that are around thirty years old now.
I stream music on my phone all the time, but it sounds like crap compared to CD. CD's have a much higher bit rate than compressed mp3. In terms of gaming, Mega Man 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3 still play the best on the original NES console. I still have most of my cartridges. They are beautiful.
A great way to preserve these things is to take care of them. It's quite effective.
Re: Ys X: Proud Nordics Sails West On Switch 2 In Early 2026
@jojobar
I know it, and I really dislike this. I've always seen falcom as one of the "underdogs" of the gaming industry. Their games rarely sold as well as the competition, but they kept at it and brought their own unique flavor and combat that stands apart from other RPGs.
When I say that not purchasing their new output is bittersweet, I mean it. The key cards and lack of legit physical availability is just something I refuse to support. If other people are okay with it fine, but for me, nope.
I think it was already bad the way falcom released a new version with no upgrade path from the beginning. Perhaps they are in dire financial straits, but their recent practices are disappointing to say the least.
Re: Ys X: Proud Nordics Sails West On Switch 2 In Early 2026
@topsekret
Good idea. If that's the case, I will definitely get it. Ys games have their own unique style, and I enjoyed the demo for X. Lots of companies do this "scarcity" tactic and release for other consoles later, so my fingers are crossed and I hope it makes it on disc.
Re: Ys X: Proud Nordics Sails West On Switch 2 In Early 2026
@topsekret
Same. And I was really committed to getting it before I heard this. Ys VIII is one of my favorite games of all time, and Ys IX was good fun.
Also, I was just going to get the ps5 version, but they announced today that the ps5 will not get Proud Nordics....so it's either this or PC....
so it's a skip for me.
Re: He-Man Is The Next '80s Icon Getting His Own Stunning Arcade-Style Retro Revival
This looks amazing. I grew up with He-Man and She-Ra toys and cartoons, and I love the Golden Axe games, so this checks all the right boxes for me.
Re: Dark Deity 2 Is Bringing Another Healthy Dose Of Fire Emblem Inspo To Switch
@Expa0
Having played through the first Dark Deity on switch, and all of the GBA Fire Emblem games, I must admit that it's not quite on par with FE.
That said, almost everyone I've talked to regarding the second game has said that it addressed all of the flaws of the original.
I'm willing to give it a chance. I still enjoyed the first Dark Deity, and it didn't regret playing through it, though I admit it had its share of flaws.
Re: Double Dragon Gaiden Scores Another Free DLC Character Pack In New Update
@Ellie-Moo
You're welcome. I hope you like it. It does have all the wild enemies and banging music that DD is known for, so maybe you will enjoy it.
Re: Double Dragon Gaiden Scores Another Free DLC Character Pack In New Update
@Exerion76
Yeah, that stage is awful if you play it last or next to last - and Anubis is actually tough as nails at full power.
Re: Double Dragon Gaiden Scores Another Free DLC Character Pack In New Update
@Ellie-Moo
It is. However, if you're expecting it to play like the older Double Dragons (like Super and DD2), you might be disappointed. It plays a lot differently. There is a certain rhythm to this game, and you have to learn to fall into that rhythm to appreciate what it offers. I recommend getting it on sale, that way you won't have to much remorse if it's not your cup of tea. As for me, I bought the physical version, I've put nearly forty hours in, and I don't regret it.
Re: Double Dragon Gaiden Scores Another Free DLC Character Pack In New Update
I saw this update on my ps5 last night. Just another reason to break out this game. It's a lot of fun.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (9th August)
Castlevania Advance Collection, specifically Aria of Sorrow. I played through it on switch, now on PS5 and hoping to get the platinum trophy by Halloween (I don't game as much as I used to).
Re: Nintendo Showcases Every Partner Direct Switch 2 Game In New Infographic
@HeadPirate
Your comparison is invalid. Your argument implies that digital-only and key-card releases are superior to full physical releases. Key cards are a step backwards in several ways*, whereas going from 8-track to cassette, and then compact disc saw a massive improvement in sound quality and usability.
There is no inherent advantage to having a key card that requires moving physical media, without the benefits of that physical media semi-permanence. It's costing more to manufacture, it's worse for the environment, it negates the enjoyment of collecting, and it's flat out lame.
These companies could at least just put the full game on the cartridge and raise the cost if they're so focused on their bottom lines.
Truth be told, when I hear people say "these anti-key card arguments are getting on my nerves", what's really being said is "I'm okay with disappointment and lowered standards, and you should be too". Also, I'm hearing "corporate profits are more important than your enjoyability".
As if many of these companies aren't swimming in dough from expanded and collector versions marked up for a few cheap pieces of plastic or releasing wave after wave of dlc isn't allowing these companies to make money hand over fist. And in my opinion, that's fine, but those standards are as low as I'm willing to go. The key-card situation is greed, plain and simple.
Re: Nintendo Showcases Every Partner Direct Switch 2 Game In New Infographic
@Max_the_German
Get used to them. It's a terrible, anti-consumer practice, and people are rightfully defiant against it. Just because you're okay to accept lowered standards, doesn't mean the rest of the world is - and we'll push against it as long as we feel the need to.
Re: Scott Pilgrim EX Brings More Beat 'Em Up Action To Switch In "Early 2026"
@jaughndis
Just the lone fact that the live action movie has Mary Elizabeth Winstead cast as Ramona negates your thesis.
Also, maybe it's not for you.
Re: Marvel's New Beat 'Em Up 'Cosmic Invasion' Reveals Two More Playable Characters
This looks fantastic. That said, I may wait until two years after the release, when the "ultimate edition" with all dlc comes out. Yes, I am a cheap-ass.
Re: Feature: "Never In My Wildest Dreams Would I Have Expected This" - Falcom President Talks 20 Years Of 'Trails' In Our Big Interview
@HammerKirby
Exactly. It's like they are trying to sound like politicians. Just give it to us straight.
Re: Scott Pilgrim EX Brings More Beat 'Em Up Action To Switch In "Early 2026"
@Patchanka
I'm going to sort of agree with both of ya'll on this. The combat is hella stiff at first, but gets better as you level up. Once the characters are buffed, the game "plays properly". So, imo, ya'll are both right.
I do think that having some louder "hit noises" / feedback to feel more weight on attacks would help the combat overall. Games like Final Fight and Double Dragon understood this from the start.
Re: Best Donkey Kong Games Of All Time
@DaGoldenBoo
For its time, it was amazing. I was there with the DKC preview VHS, and DKC2 still felt like an upgrade in every way. That said, I feel like Tropical Freeze is the best of the 2d games with all nostalgia aside.
DKC2 still holds up beautifully though.
Re: Best Donkey Kong Games Of All Time
Tropical Freeze is the goat, and Jungle Beat should be higher. GB Donkey Kong is a little too high - good game, and the best of the "classic" style of DK, but nowhere near the top five. Of course, video games like music are very subjective, so here's my opinion for the pile.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (12th July)
I am playing Cookie Cutter, a rather tough, but rewarding Metroid-style game.
I am tempted to play through Infernax again, since Cookie Cutter has sharpened my reflexes and given me some decent gaming teeth.
Then again, I might just keep it simple and play through one of the many variants of Street Fighter 2.
Re: Ys X: Proud Nordics Reportedly Includes 120fps Performance Mode On Switch 2
@Exerion76
Same, and I LOVE Ys. It's just such a unique series that has that old school vibe and super-smooth combat, banging music. But yeah, I will be waiting at least two years for every falcom release hence.
Re: Ys X: Proud Nordics Reportedly Includes 120fps Performance Mode On Switch 2
@Grandiajet
Ys 3 on SNES was my first. I've played through 1 and 2, Memories of Celceta, IX, and a few others. VIII remains my favorite. I thought IX was pretty good, but couldn't quite keep up with VIII.
I tried the demo for X, but will probably get X Proud Nordics on another platform. It's already bad enough the way falcom has handled the releases of this game, but this game key thing is a nail in the coffin for me.
Re: Talking Point: One Month On, How Did Nintendo's Switch 2 Launch Go?
I cancelled my preorder again. The console looks just fine, and the games look good - I'm looking forward to getting one, but I'm holding out until early next year.
I think the launch was handled well. There were lots of chances to preorder, and plenty of consoles were around my area on launch week. I was a young lad in my twenties when the Wii was released, and that was a nightmare - I went to five different stores on launch day, and didn't find one in the wild for nearly a year.
Re: Every Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Game On Switch 2, Ranked
Path of Radiance is fantastic, as well as Radiant Dawn. I'd love to see them both as a remaster in one single game.
Re: Review: Deltarune (Switch 2) - A Superbly Subversive RPG That Defies All Rules
I loved Undertale enough to buy it three times. I played through about an hour of Deltarune a year or so ago, and decided that since I enjoyed it so much, I had better wait until the whole thing is finished. So, I'm waiting, impatiently.
Re: As Switch 2 Breaks Records Worldwide, Sony Reminds Us That PS5 Still Exists
@sethfranum
How is that so? Most ps5 games have the base game on disc. Updates and more come later, but in most cases the game is still playable from disc without any connection. Even if that weren't the case, I can still go online and download ps3 games today. I can't say the same for my wii U and 3ds consoles.
Re: As Switch 2 Breaks Records Worldwide, Sony Reminds Us That PS5 Still Exists
@DTfearTheBEARD
Minus the series X, because I don't have one, this is my strategy. I have the ps5 for third-party games, and switch 2 will be my nintendo exclusive and indie machine. I'm not buying anything with a key card.