Comments 2,511

Re: Pokémon Pokopia Is Seemingly Nintendo's First Game-Key Card Release

FX102A

While still early days (only 6 months into Switch 2), I do believe that GKCs are likely to stay, yet I still believe some games’ physical releases will fail due to their use of them.

Really all depends on the game. This is the kind of mass market release where a GKC will have minimum impact and many buyers will know no better or simply not care.

In contrast, a niche title where the physical is released later than its digital release or is popular amongst collectors would would be tantamount to suicide if they did a GKC.

It’s going to be an individual decision per game and some bad decisions will be made.

Re: Nintendo Reportedly Increases Switch 2 Production To 25 Million Units For Year 1

FX102A

One big factor many people seem to be missing in the GKC situation, is the types of games that are being released as such. Whilst games with mass market appeal are not surprising due to “mainstream” gamers being a large part of the target audience, seeing more niche games being released as such where collectors make up a larger % is what makes it more of an issue.

Personally, NISA is currently the biggest culprit. Their games and collectors editions are desirable amongst physical game collectors and their Switch 2 pre-orders seem to be going nowhere.

Of course we are still in the early days, we need to wait until more releases take place and see what type of sales numbers happen. I see GKCs continuing to exist, yet the variety of games released on them could shrink if certain titles fail to sell.

Re: Nintendo Sends Out Second Game-Key Card & Physical Game Survey

FX102A

@Ooccoo_Jr If they were a cheaper alternative / simultaneous offering to an actual cartridge with data then that would be okay. The issue stems is they are being presented as an alternative to a proper cartridge. Physical collectors value having the baseline data in their possession and not taking up limited storage space.

The distaste comes from the majority of 3rd party publishers releasing GKCs rather than proper game cards (and in many cases charging more); and then trying to tell us it’s the “best for us” like we’re imbeciles.

GKCs really lack the best of either option and are really nothing more than digital games that can be traded in / sold; something the majority of digital-only gamers have long since lived without.

Re: Octopath 0 Is A Game-Key Card On Switch 2, And Square Enix Has "No Plans" For A Switch 1 Upgrade Option

FX102A

@Ulysses @roboshort True, Nintendo deserves some of the flack, but it is the publishers who make the decision to embrace something that is seemingly wholly unpopular when there are alternatives (not without their own challenges, but alternatives nonetheless). In such a situation the most respectable thing to do would be to publicly announce that they are forced to sell true physical copies at a higher price for this reason. At least they’d be offering something we’d want, not insulting our intelligence by offering something else arguing it’s “the best for us” like they know us better.

I’d gladly pay £10 extra for a true physical copy and I have a feeling many collectors / physical owners would if given the choice. Those that don’t will likely go down the eShop route, which has already become a highly accepted form of game procurement for millions of Switch owners.

Before GKCs became a thing, the lines between Physical and Digital had pretty much settled and those who had gone all in on digital had accepted that trade-ins and swaps were not possible for convenience and shelf space saving.

Now instead all GKCs will do is make potential physical buyers either skip entirely or go to the eShop when at massive discounts. It’s seemingly a loose / loose situation for them.

Of course, I could be completely wrong and in 6-months time GKCs will be declared a success and the all-digital shift in gaming will be one step closer. Hoped it wouldn’t happen till I passed 50 but ho-hum. Got a plethora of PS2 games still to get through…

Re: Octopath 0 Is A Game-Key Card On Switch 2, And Square Enix Has "No Plans" For A Switch 1 Upgrade Option

FX102A

Sadly it’s clear Square Enix has gone all in on the Game Key Card for Switch 2. I’ll be sticking to Switch releases and maybe then buy Switch 2 releases on eShop when the are 75% off or more.

As for their key cards, they can rot unsold in some warehouse for all I care until they practically have to give them away, hopefully suffering a financial loss in the process.

I already knew many publishers were out of touch with gamers, but this whole Key Card debacle is on a whole new level and sadly they won’t get it until their financial charts start showing red lines heading southbound.

Re: NIS America: Trails Beyond The Horizon Switch 2 Game-Key Card Release Is "Most Beneficial Option" For Fans

FX102A

What planet do they live on? It’s like trying to formulate the most bull*hit response possible. To say nothing of the price increase for a digital game with the need for shelf space.

The funny thing is they could have doubled the price increase, used a proper cartridge and just been honest and said this is the only way to make this financially viable, and we likely would have accepted and appreciated their honesty.

Instead they try and insult our intelligence with this diatribe of bovine fecal matter.

Re: Review: Arcade Archives 2 Air Combat 22 (Switch 2) - A Top Gun Origin Story

FX102A

The lack of the 3 axes of motion was disappointing, but I expected that for an arcade game where simple pick up & play controls is essential. A bit pricey for what it is but as a big arcade flightsim fan I was willing to pay up.

<Plane Geek Mode Activated!>

Also @Damo it’s actually a YF-22 rather than a F-22, and a Su-35 (original variant) rather than a Su-27.

Re: Switch 2 Users Are Reporting Instances Of Their Consoles Overheating

FX102A

The only time I’ve noticed my console getting quite hot is when I am downloading something in handheld mode, then put it on standby and pop it in its case. Used to do this with my Switch 1 without an issue but looks like my Switch 2 produces more heat even when just downloading and installing.

At least all it means is I have to be careful. Other than that no issues whilst playing so far (touch wood).

Re: Forget Switch 2 Game Key-Cards - "Full On-The-Cart Physical Releases" Are What People Want, Says Publisher Lost In Cult

FX102A

Really game key cards are nothing but a reusable download code; in my eyes they are just digital games that can be loaned / traded.

Thing is, most people who have gone full digital are likely to continue buying direct off the eShop to avoid their key cards taking up space or having to slot them in every time they want to redownload it.

In contrast, physical collectors want nothing to do with them. So really they either severely overestimated the market or are just trying to force people give up on any element of ownership.

The early signs that they may be selling poorly (not the only reason but likely an impactful one) whilst proper card releases are doing reasonable well gives me hope this will see them disappear or at least be heavily drawn back.

Re: Switch 2 Is Nintendo's Biggest UK Console Launch Of All Time

FX102A

Whilst people give a lot of good reasons for Nintendo’s “challenges” in the UK, I always wondered if it was a cultural thing with a hefty dose of peer pressure, that there was a strong desire amongst British children to grow up quickly and abandon anything remotely childish. You sought to become “hard” and get into more “mature” and “adult” (at least on the outside) things that would elevate your “status”.

I do think this has become change as geek culture becomes more prevalent in the mainstream.

Re: Talking Point: Does Your Switch 2 Vent Smell?

FX102A

Noticed mine smelling when I took it out of its case whilst I was in the shower. It was downloading games in sleep mode, so I think I better avoid any long download sessions in the case from now on.

Whilst I type this though it is starting to mellow down.

Re: Publishers Are "Thanking" Nintendo For Game-Key Cards On Switch 2

FX102A

I can see this working out for games with broad appeal as let’s be honest, many buyers of such games will know no better or just won’t care.

But for more niche titles, where a large portion of their clientele value full data on cartridges and preservation, this could backfire.

Lets be honest, numerous publishers who have ‘embraced’ game key cards aren’t exactly small and are merely choosing the cheapest option. It’s no different to those that released Switch games on 8GB carts yet required an additional 13GB download to get the full game.

Re: Poll: So, Did You Order A Nintendo Switch 2?

FX102A

Mine’s all paid for and will be collecting after work tomorrow. Pro Controller, case and copy of MKW.

Been eyeballing more games but will wait and see for the moment. I know Donkey Kong and the Daemon x Machina sequel is not far off.

Biggest question is do I use the MKW code with my console or open up my physical copy? Prefer physical but Mario Kart is the game series I kind of always want to have available for impromptu races.

Re: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Launches October, Switch 2 Version Confirmed

FX102A

Looks like I will continue to buy OG Switch games for now with just a select number of Switch 2 titles, until they get some deep eShop discounts.

Well at least I can start putting more money aside for other hobbies.

I can understand the desire to keep costs down by going down the Key Card route, but I wish they would consider full game cart versions that they would charge premium for and distribute exclusively through their own stores. Sure it’s not the best option as we’d have to pay more, but at least the choice would be there.

Re: Nintendo Has "No Plans" To Use Game-Key Cards For First-Party-Developed Titles

FX102A

As someone who primarily purchased even 3rd party multi-platform titles on Switch due to the console’s portability, the massive update of game key cards by 3rd parties is troublesome.

I will be treating them equivalent to digital games and thus would only buy them in deep discounts.

I have a small hope that these key cards will fail for many 3rd party publishers (especially for niche titles) and make them realise they need to change things up.

That or Nintendo starts offering cheaper cartridges.

Re: Talking Point: Will You Be Buying Any Game-Key Card Switch 2 Games?

FX102A

I only ever buy a game digitally when a game is deeply discounted and I would like to have a copy on my console at all times. These game key cards remove the biggest positives of a digital download so I see now reason for me to buy any.

The only plus they offer is the ability to re-sell, trade, etc, but since I buy digital games only when they are really cheap I don’t really think about re-sale value in case I don’t like a game.

Re: Nintendo Switch Online Announces Removal Of Super Famicom Title

FX102A

An unfortunately reality of subscription based services. I like them because of the opportunity to try games you typically wouldn’t buy, but the lack of a purchasing option is annoying. At the same time, each requires its own negotiations and contracts between Nintendo and 3rd parties.

Re: 'Nintendo Music' Adds Another N64 Soundtrack, Here's Every Song Included

FX102A

Whilst I am enjoying the app it is a bit Switch-heavy for my liking as many of my more memorable game music comes from Generations 4 to 6. Gen 3 has some great tunes but the hardware held them back so I prefer them when they are played with actual instruments.

It just astounds me how some of Nintendo’s tent pole games have yet to be added; particularly from the SNES and N64.

It feels like Nintendo is walking a fine line, trickle it out so updates can continue well into the future but they need to be careful people don’t get tired of waiting and call it quits.

Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Mega Man Zero 3

FX102A

Capcom Europe went through a period of very basic, colourful boxarts during this era in an attempt to grab people’s attention on store shelves.

North American box arts tended to be far more busy with action and casts.

Japanese boxarts were just sublime. A lovely balance.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (6th April)

FX102A

After such a long wait, diving into Freedom Planet 2. Enjoying it but I guess it lacks the “fresh impact” of the first game. Also, in contrast to the review, I am really missing the long cheesy cut scenes. They were fun to watch. Now they wrap up just when starting to feel good.

May also try to squeeze in some more Another Code Recollection.

Re: Monster Hunter Stories Physical Collection Includes A Download Code (US)

FX102A

Honestly doesn’t surprise me, Capcom (the Weatern arms at least) have been doing this for years on their collections. Seems like only Capcom Japan and Asia have a proper understanding at what physical buyers want.

Whilst I don’t see it happening, the only way this will stop is if Nintendo forbids it in its next console. Either cough up for the cart size you need or get compressing.