Duncanballs

Im not convinced that Monoliths main efforts at present are tied to the releases thus far. Im sure they went on record to say their next offering will be something new. I'd imagine it carrying the Xenoblade name forward though.

I think some updated versions may be on the cards but that certainly won't be it.

For a new mainline offering, 2026 maybe optimistic but would hope by 2027. Perhaps updates to 2 and 3 will be the filler for this year.

The world's this team create are legendary and I would like to see a multi planet universe from them in a new game. Big space opera please. 👍

All I want us something similar to Mario Power Tennis on the cube and this maybe it 🤞

@KevinP I dont think people are missing the point. I think most are focusing on the squeeze of essentials in our lives with gaming not being one of them. Its not for these companies to sort these cost of living issues that many countries are facing.

@HammerGalladeBro priorities my friend and we all have them. Hopefully you get your end of year treat. 👍

Prices go up and in many countries, wages don't. Its a global situation.

I can't get angry at non essentials going up. Food prices is where my argument and voice is and the increases are certainly not going in the back pockets of the likes of Farmers etc.

@LazyDaisy fine line as I commented above. Whilst there is still interest in SW1 a significant price drop could make SW1 the SW2s competitor.

@spiderman0616 we are the generation who experienced those first moments of wonder, in particular the arcade scene. The youths may wane but we'll be gaming into old age 👍

With the current maintained interest in SW1 still, it may coast past the PS2 numbers with no change needed.

Dropping the price now could harm SW2 in that it then becomes a competitor to its successor.

Its a fine line as to when.

@spiderman0616 thank you and all the best to you for 2026 ...... its nice that all 3 of my kids have been brought up on Nintendo and Ive been able to share that with them. Console release day and or new game release day is great to share with them.

As a 90's teenager, I stood firm as the minority Nintendo fan in my group whilst largely surrounded by SEGA fans and then Sony fans. UK based.

I dont know what the measure of success in Nintendos eye is for a Metroid game. I always thought they were around the 1-3 million mark for historic sales. I could be making that up??

Kirby is doing well for a lesser known IP and title at a attach rate of 10%. As always with Nintendo releases, most have legs.

I think MK8 is one of 3 Nintendo games in the top 10 sold of all time. Pretty sure OG Mario is one of the other ones. Impressive.

Well, myself and my son contributed to the total with a SW2 each.

We are both thoroughly enjoying the console and steady stream of releases so far. Looking forward to the rest of 2026.

Recycling but I have a second sealed variety kit stashed away in a cupboard.

Whilst I am a fan of many SEGA franchises, Sonic is the only notable known for many and the blue blur hasn't exactly been on top form for a while.

Its on my list but Im kart fatigued this year and MK and Riders was enough.

@xmkbest long live turn based 👍

With this and FF7, I'm set until Spring when I will come out of hibernation 😃

As always, my thoughts are always with the employee's. Game hasn't been competitive for years and Ive not heard the best treatment of staff.

Its sad to see as an ex manager of Gamestation. I escaped before the merger with good memories.

@Pillowpants I'm in two minds on the ignore as I dont necessarily agree that those who are here to have sensible discussions that are on topic should mute themselves to some that are not. I feel that it's someone else's job to do.

I will happily engage with others views and have many times often leading to some good and healthy discussions. Its a shame that some have views but they won't discuss.

@Kiyata I think the use of kids is a bit off as the vast amount of comments are not of a personal kind. Its unfortunate in your attempted defence that you have chosen yourself to make personal comments.

I think many of us can sympathise with the views on game key cards but its not often the main purpose of the article. All too often, it is nitpicking derived from a particular dislike but spread across any opportunity where a negative can be spun whether relevant or not.

Constant spamming is tiresome when a dedicated thread can be created in the forums if required.

Whilst everyone does have rights to voice their opinion, there is a valid view as to where those rights are voiced and the evidence suggests that the repeated attempts seen is somewhat aimed to antagonise and encourage argument rather than an open and sensible debate.

@Pillowpants totally agree and if anyone isnt genuinely excited, thats fine but dont comment for comments sake and take opportunity to criticise everything and anything.

Ive got enough JRPGs to keep me happy until Spring 😃

DQ7 and Mario Tennis for me. Ill see what the reviews look like for Monster hunter

@Anti-Matter zero support because you dont have a SW2 don't you mean?

Played Rebirth on both a gaming PC and Steamdeck. Knowing how well it could run and look from experience, SD did a good job.

Its a demanding game but on balance and seeing what they have achieved with Remake, SW2 should run it well. Its good to hear the time being put in to optimise.

A lot of unknowns thus far but I'm not worried. Mario Tennis and DQ7 as my immediate thoughts on the radar and firmly on the list.

Putting my wishlist together for the year .....

Monoliths New IP
New 3D Mario
Metaphor
Halo Collection
Mass Effect Trilogy
Forza
Starfield
Chrono Trigger Remake
Dreamcast on NSO
Some mouse controlled games ...... City Skylines Remastered, Command and Conquer Remastered, Age of Empires 3, all of the Monkey Island games

Edit ..... im not putting DQ12 on that list just to torture myself 😃

@cvrator thats what I am hoping for this year with whatever Monolith have been up to. People are getting too panicky early in the year when we know and as per your example, we could get some surprises and short release windows.

My son is into his 3d printing and has made all manner of things for the Switch and Switch 2. Im still amazed every day as to what you can actually print. Its a great hobby.

Im not going to lose sleep over censorship of this kind on this example or any other games.

However, Nintendo needs to be consistent with its approach across all games/eshop but it is unclear as to who drove this decision in fairness.

Not for me personally but I have two teenagers in my house looking forward to it with both being fans of the 3DS version.

What in the £%#@ happened here????

We are all people who like gaming. Nothing more, nothing less.

I only thought the other day that a colour filter akin to the Gameboy colour scheme would be good. Less stressful than the stark red on the eye IMO.

I think Nintendo somewhat dropped the ball in not having this available for launch.

@Styrophoamicus I miss that channel "Ive never played baseball before, but I'm going to give it everything Ive got" 😃

I did own a Virtual Boy for a short amount of time. I can't fully remember the games but from memory I liked Tennis and Wario Land.

Not desperate to jump back in due to the cost of peripherals but wouldn't mind at some point.

If you are interested in Nintendos history, it's something on the list you should experience if you want to spend the cash. Early 3d/vr.

@sikthvash I'm placing a bet on A Link to the Past getting the Links Awakening treatment at some point before the next mainline Zelda release.

@OldGamer999 well fingers crossed for this direct to be true. They have in the past though, announced some absolute belters in summer for winter release so it's likely a part 1, part 2 situation. Granted though, I would expect a 3d Mario even with an end of year date to be part 1.

Anyone stressing about this years release schedule so far, give it a bit more time. The big N doesn't announce years in advance except for MP4.

Of all things this year my wishlist and not too unrealistic IMO is whatever Monolith has been upto and a new 3d Mario.

Resisting FF7 for the mo to keep time free for DQ7.

Its wet and cold in the UK at the moment (South West) so probably a weekend inside. Really enjoying my retro bits of late like the C64 and Amiga so probably some bits on that ..... patiently waiting for the Quickshot 2 Joystick next week. The Amiga is in my top 3 of all time including the SNES and Gamecube. SW1 / SW2 very close at 4th. 😃

If I get time, a bit more of Ghost Squad and HOTD on Wii this weekend maybe.

Happy gaming people.

Edit .... im going to get the SW2 Animal Crossing update for my son today as he is really enjoying it again and it's only just over £4.

@WiltonRoots not long now

Good to see AC back up there. I haven't touched it since I lost my island back in 2022 due messing up my system transfer when I went to OLED. Starting again yesterday is a bit of a grind but I am time skipping the early unlocks. I didnt mind paying the modest £4 SW2 upgrade ...... its about the price of a coffee in most places in the UK.

Will be interesting to see how FF7 fairs next week. Obviously it's been out for 5 years elsewhere but the Japanese like the handheld form factor.

Im expecting DQ7 to do well when it lands.

@Anti-Matter good call. As you dont have a Switch 2, why would you get it? 🤔

@Lord They will no doubt have legs and could finish up on the gen at 3-5 million of which, is no flop by any means.

I didnt finish Rebirth on PC so hoping we will see it by the end of the year.

Saying that, Im still hopeful that I maybe too busy this winter for anything else because Monolith's next belter of a game is out 🤞

Ive made my peace with the chances of DQ12 appearing this year.

@Anti-Matter thanks for telling us again. I dont think anyone was aware of your position 👍

Ubisoft are famous for their neverending list of cancellations. Top tip Ubisoft, finish a game that you started and maybe you might make some money back.

They might as well bin Beyond Good and Evil at this point. Probably should have at least 5 years ago.

This will be a 3rd runthrough for me and I am up for it.

Not only do I want to play this again, Im also happy to support good quality ports on SW2.

@Oldstalk they must have some good Crystal Balls. They should buy a lottery ticket 😀

@WiltonRoots agreed on the random encounters. One of the only few old school elements I dont miss.

Can't wait to get this ..... its just the debate when it arrives to either pick up where I left off or start again. Its only 5 hours or so but I search every nook and cranny on these games and it's whether I want to do that again.

Top tip, if you are like me and search every corner, you normally dont need to buy much armour and weapons at shops as a lot can be found in chests. I tend to complete an area and go shopping after I leave for anything I didn't get for free.

@sportymariosonicmixx not a fan of IGNs interface. Its messy to say the least.

@sportymariosonicmixx some fair points. In truth, I haven't read much on IGN in years. Not the site it was.

@sportymariosonicmixx unless there is any sarcasm I'm missing in your comment, there is a link in the article to IGNs original review where they gave it a 3.

Between games at the mo so looking for something different for the weekend.

Ive got a hankering for some lightgun games so I might fire up the Wii for Ghostsquad and House of the Dead.

As I have 3 CRTs, I really should get an OG PS2 at somepoint. Probably the best platform for the most variety of lightgun games including backwards compatibility with PS1.

If it's stable for a game like this, I can hardly tell the difference between 30 and 60 FPS.