Divide_and_Wander

I like the idea. A scroll wheel sounds like a better way to more quickly move through menu items, such as your Echoes in EoW.

I don't think this will end up being true though. I hope NL is keeping a list of all their Switch 2 rumor articles so when its finally announced, we can see how many of them panned out.

I just got a ROG Ally X last week, so I'm still getting familiar with it while playing Starfield. I'll probably pick up Echoes of Wisdom this weekend too since that's more appropriate for our daughter.

This sounds very plausible to me. Wasn't their forecast 13.5 million units for this fiscal year? First quarter was only 2.1 million. If they are feeling that confident, I would imagine a price drop for either console or a 'Nintendo Selects' library, or a late hardware addition to the Switch line-up. At this point, we've seen nor heard nothing regarding this.

I've seen the bundles they are offering for current models and the games that they have announced for this year and beyond, but nothing stands out to me as 'this will carry Nintendo to their goal'. Nintendo's announcement is looming, and I can't wait to see how they surprise us.

To be completely honest, i didn't notice that Links Awakening on Switch had frame rate issues to begin with, so I can't imagine this will impact my enjoyment in the slightest.

In all fairness though, being in my 40s and living through the evolution of video games from the Atari to now, I've seen worse. So long as the core gameplay is fun, interesting and engaging, frame rates aren't something that bother me.

I'm not too surprised... they are basically comparing the size of a Gameboy game to a current generation game. 😋

Didn't read the review, only the score. I wanted to get this on Day 1, but it might now have to wait a few weeks. Looks like it'll be well worth the wait though!

Didn't the Nintendo president refer to the hardware as 'Switch next model'? I feel like the next iteration will be nothing more than a beefier Switch, much like a 'Pro' model with extra bells and whistles and fully backwards compatible. This way, people still have the less powerful and affordable Switch options, all while launching shiny new hardware.

Because of this, it wouldn't surprise me if the leak is legitimate. I'm certainly looking forward to see if it's true or not!

Future Nintendo platforms... plural? Switch 2 & Pro confirmed? 😋

I think the best case scenario, we get a Direct and they give us a sizzle reel of Switch 2 games in the future without revealing hardware as the 'one more thing'.

Worst case scenario, we don't get one at all, as Nintendo already has their first party games through January '25. This lines up with their typical Feb Direct for a 'reveal all'.

Trying to finish Star Ocean First Departure, but wow, the last area (at least, I assume is the last area) is really beating me down. Not sure if its equipment/accessory related yet, but wow, its tough. Haven't encountered any save points either, so every time I've lost, I get put right back to the beginning. Grrrr...

Still haven't gotten around to buying the base game due to a meaty backlog, but I'm sure it'll be on sale this holiday season. So many metroidvanias, so little time.

I feel like a few things would need to happen to not tank their holiday sales if this rumor is true.

• Switch 2 would need to be backwards compatible both physically and digitally.
• Nintendo would also need to announce a price drop on Switch hardware and select Nintendo Switch games to keep the masses invested.

I'm on board for whatever happens!

Can't wait to see how this reviews. Definitely interested in this one, but it will likely have to wait until after Echoes of Wisdom.

My wishlist has a healthy amount of puzzle games at the moment, and it looks like this will join them! Thank you for the review.

Just finished Hollow Knight on Friday, so my metroidvania itch has been scratched. Thought about getting the Dominus collection next, but ultimately decided to choose something from the backlog instead.

Started a playthrough of Star Ocean First Departure R, and so far I'm enjoying it. I'm glad too, as I heard the second one was excellent.

I don't think I'm going to be able to wait for the Dominus collection... good chance ill pick it up this weekend. I know i played Dawn of Sorrow back in the day, but cant remember if i played the other two. Only one way to find out... get em!

Very excited to play this. Less than a month to go! I won't be watching anymore videos on this to keep the rest of the game a surprise.

@Arawn93 - I havent played any game in any of the series, mostly because it's overwhelming from a game and time commitment perspective. I still have a few RPGs in the backlog, but it's only a matter of time before I'll want more.

I really enjoyed what I saw, with several games already added on my wishlist. I'm trying to hold off on Castlevania as long as I can, but being a Metroidvania fanatic (currently replaying Hollow Knight) means it's only a matter of time before I buy.

Lots of RPGs shown too, another library staple.

Between these and what Nintendo has announced for this year, I know I will personally be busy heading into 2025 on the Switch. 😁

Sooo... reading various articles online, this would be the first game in the Legend of Heroes series, correct? If so, I look forward to diving in next year!

Very excited to see what they have in store for us. I'm still not expecting a Switch 2 reveal until after Christmas, but a price drop on consoles and games in time for the holidays would be appreciated.

I enjoyed the first game quite a bit. It was unique enough to keep my interest until the end on the Switch. Loved the art style and the fighting system was fairly unique, at least for my normal gaming preferences. I'll be keeping an eye on the sequel.

I'll be at work and providing training, so I won't be able to watch a single moment, unfortunately. Excited to see what is shown across all platforms. Would love a Soul Reaver remaster shadow drop (wishful thinking, I know)!

Just wrapped up on Ni No Kuni 2 to start the weekend off. Wasn't sure if the complete overhaul of the battle system would be my cup of tea, but I actually ended up enjoying it a lot.

I'm sort of lost on what to start next... I'm thinking either Borderlands 3, the first Star Ocean, or Blasphemous II.

Love the look! Can't wait to see and hear more about it.

Excited to see review scores and whether performance is an issue. 95% of my purchases end up being Switch versions though due to portability, so it may not matter. Can't wait!

This doesn't surprise me, as an announcement this year would certainly hurt their holiday sales. My guess is that the new system will be unveiled in the likely Feb Direct, with a May/June release.

Keeping an eye on this. CrossCode ended up being one of my favorite games for interesting and fast paced combat, tons of puzzles, and a fairly long playtime. 🙂

What a lovely surprise to start the week. I happened to see it on YT before NL had an article up.

I'm really liking the mechanics here, with a lot of BotW/TotK influence but retaining the charm of a top down Zelda game. The end of the trailer has me really excited for a 'dark world' reveal.

Such a shame, loved Game Informer when i was younger. I was a magazine subscriber for many years.

I wonder if the podcast will keep going in some form. Brian Shea did take it independent a few months back, and I usually listened weekly on my commute home or over the weekend.

I hope everyone affected can find new work with minimal disruption.

EDIT: All Things Nintendo Podcast was on Spotify when I was leaving for work. Brian recorded on Thursday, but included an intro recorded today touching on the closure. Truly heartbreaking. He will continue doing the podcast since he did make it independent from Game Informer just a few months ago.

Wow, this brings me back. Played a DOS version where the rogue was an yellow smiling face and monsters were just letters of the alphabet. I played it on one of the computers at the place my mom worked at back then in the 80s. Some good early gaming memories there.

I haven't settled on anything for this weekend yet, but I'm leaning towards Ni No Kuni II. I've only played about 2 hours so far to get a feel of it, and I have liked it so far. I was a little bummed the battle mechanics have changed, but I'll give it some more time to see if it can hook me much like the original.

Still slowly making my way through Dungeons of Hinterberg in Xbox too. The more I play it, the more I feel this would have been a perfect game for the switch. Maybe in a year's time, much like Planet of Lana, we'll see it on our platform.

I don't know how well these have aged, but I got into the Legacy of Kain series on the Dreamcast. Very enjoyable at the time. Very happy to see these being re-released!

Finished Afterimage on Friday, and wow... what a great metroidvania. The map was massive, and there was so much to explore and get lost in (which i did, frequently). The combat got surprisingly challenging, probably because I always deviated from the intended story path. Every chance I had I logged time in it. I wish the story was better, and the performance wasn't flawless, but it was totally worth the playthrough. It was so good, I may double dip on Xbox if the performance is solid.

As for this weekend? I'm trying a few things. I'll be starting Pepper Grinder and maybe Outer Wilds. On the Xbox front, Im interested in checking out Dungeons of Hinterburg and finishing the absurdly ridiculous McPixel 3.

This just makes me have more questions... Maybe Link is playable in whatever world he falls into? Maybe some things that Zelda influences in the world, and vice versa, change the opposite world? I really can't wait to find out more!

I'm scratching my metroidvania itch and playing Afterimage on the Switch. I've sunk several hours into it already. The map seems quite large from what I've played, and there's plenty of secrets to be found. The game looks quite nice despite performance issues (some stutter here and there)... but nothing that would make me abandon the game.

None of this sounds out of the norm to me. I've worked as an independent contractor and for a group. With group work, I didn't get to list my individual assignments, no matter how impactful my contributions were. It's what I knowingly signed up for, and why I'm trying to make a name for myself on my own independently.

@Maubari - That's a bummer to hear, since I really enjoyed the first one. Only paid $9.50 for it, which I felt was low enough to check it out.

Had 50 bucks to burn, so I grabbed quite a few games on sale from the eshop off my wishlist. Picked up Afterimage, Pepper Grinder, Outer Wilds, Ni No Kuni 2 & Katana Zero after everything was all said and done. Can't wait to dig in this weekend!

Never played this... so the $60 price tag doesn't bother me personally. I missed out on a lot from the GC/Wii/Wii U era, so every game they bring over allows a chance to catch up

I mean... it's kind of inevitable that itll be on Switch. makes me reminiesce of the days of the arcade beat em ups when i was younger.

I was refreshing NL like crazy this morning thinking it would be announced today, haha.

With nothing basically announced beyond mid July from Nintendo, it'll be interesting to see whats coming. Im really hoping for Mario Galaxy 2 and additonal Metroid Prime ports, and those LOZ gamecube ports would be nice too.

Definitely feels like a good Direct game. Hope its a shadow drop because id love to play it on vacation in a few weeks!

I'll probably download it from Xbox GP for my daughter. She'll get a kick out of it, for sure.

There's no way an announcement/reveal takes place this year, as that would likely mess up holiday sales. I'm thinking February 2025, when they typically hold a Direct. I just hope whatever games get revealed in June will hold us over until then!

I'm completely unbothered by it, mostly because I never played it originally. Now if we could just get Galaxy 2 before the year is over, that'd be great. 😁

Siliconera probably sold me on picking this up. My 4 year old will love this. She loves when we go to aquariums, and with her recent interest in video games and my nature field guides, this seems pretty slow, relaxing and easy to learn on. What the game is, is exactly what I want and need out of it. 🙂

I'm interested in a few here... Animal Well, Lorelei, TTYD & Endless Ocean are all candidates for the collection for various reasons. I'll wait to see some reviews though.

This weekend starts a new era of gaming for me. My 4 year old daughter has been super interested in video games lately, and she's been polishing her movement skills in some open world-ish Paw Patrol game on Game Pass.

I went out and bought Mario Kart 8, Animal Crossing & Super Mario Wonder to play with her, and I'm super excited to experience the world of Nintendo with her. 🙂

There were quite a few games I'm interested in! Europa, Stitch, Schim, Animal Well, and Yars were all right up my alley.