F_T_Wolf

Good I read this. As of writing, Steven Universe: Unleash the Light at least is still purchasable on the Dutch EShop. I had it on my wishlist for years after I got into SU years ago but by the time its sequel hit, well, my interest was over.
Did buy it now that I can at least play it in the future should I want to.

Nope, I haven't. Bought it at launch, played if for a few weeks and than dropped it. Picked it back up again in November only to drop it again around Christmas. Not because I dislike it, but it's just a big game and I'm feeling "open-world fatigue".

I plan to finish it this year, but after I've moved out on my own. It'll be one of the first games I'll play on my brandnew 55-inch 4K TV, a big step up from my current 32-inch 1080p Samsung from 2011.

Looks like that 'back to school' discount for Hogwarts Legacy was a good marketing choice. Still haven't bought it myself though. Too much on the backlog and a stuffed October. Black Friday, perhaps.

I'm down for a AA (I presume) Avatar game. Started reading the Kyoshi novels 3 weeks ago so the timing would be good. As long as its fairly priced and, you know, actually a good game I'll buy it.
Not thrilled with the November date though.
Not a lot of time to run promotion and the competition is stiff.

On the Nintendo side of things I´ll be finishing up the last world of that super-hot, well received 3D platformer everybody's been talking about: Super Mario 3D Land!

In all seriousness, I plan to start Kirby and the Forgotten Land right after finishing up 3D Land. Just wanted to tick something of my backlog first. Mario 3D Land has been a a lot of fun. Just something fun and quick to breeze through in-between big and long releases.

This isn't just a video game credit practice. I graduated as a Material Scientist recently and I've come across quite a few instances where companies me and my fellow students worked presented our work without our name. A friend of mine saw his final presentation and report, word for word, given and republished by his supervisor at a convention for example. His name was nowhere to be found.

I understand that when you work as an intern the accomplishments are in the name of the company
but the least they could do is put our name somewhere even if it's not on the front.

But they don't and that, quite frankly, still makes me angry.

@Zuljaras
Same. Those 50,- more is worth it I think for a more premium feeling experience. If it breaks.
I've got it a month after launch it has hold up surprisingly well. How hard it might be to believe, my Joy-Cons don't even drift [Knocks on Wood] even though I use the Switch regularly and have no pro-controller.

Oshawott
It's my least favourite of the 3 (and of gen 5) which is why I've never picked it before. I have picked Rowlett and Cyndaquil before. Multiple times even. So for that reason, for the variety, it'll be Oshawott for me. Perhaps it will surprise me once I actually play around with it.

@Justaguest
The radio silence on both games has made me nervous, especially with that 'less then 100 days to go' on BDSP. Hope we get a Presents or something else substantial soon on both of them. Get a better look at those graphical & technical improvements and more news on some of the features.

I´ve finished 17 games (and expansions) this year, only now realizing that none of them are 2021 releases.
Might need to do something about that. I mean, want to play Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury and Monster Hunter Rise looks interesting as well but my backlog is just to big to justify purchasing new games at the moment. And that's not mentioning the 2019-2020 Switch releases I want but haven't bought either, like Trials of Mana.

Scatch that, I completly forgot about Toree 3D. Guess it's my favourite 2021 game (by default)!

Don't have the game myself, but free new content is always good news. Especially when it comes to a game like New Pokémon Snap where a little can go a long way.

Went to the MediaMarkt (big chain of tech stores, in case you don't know it) in Heerlen, The Netherlands last week and counted 7 copies of Super Mario 3D All-Stars on shelves.
So yeah, that limited release thing was bad for yet another reason. I'm at least glad that the copy I got at the very beginning was only 5,- more expensive simply due to shipping.

No. I bought the original last year (orchestral soundtrack included) and have no desire to double-dip.

@JamesR
The Switch has a lot more going for it when compared to the Steam Deck, not just the price. It's library of exclusives, its different play pattern, its wider appeal (children, families) and its physical games indeed.

The, in my eyes not really fair pricing comparison however is just the one point I wanted to single out here as I haven't really seen people take that into account.

I feel that the comparison of ´the Steam Deck is just 50,- more for a lot more power' isn´t completly fair. With the Switch OLED you don't just get the console itself for that 350,- price tag. You also get the dock and the components for a more traditional controler.

With the Steam Deck, you just get the unit yourself. Want to 'dock' it? You gotta pay extra. Want a more traditional controler? You gotta pay extra. And for the record, not every buyer will already have the necessary cables and/or components lying around for this. It also doesn't change the fact the Steam Deck doesn't come with these components right out of the box while the Switch does.

@Farts_Ahoy
I'd just try again. It'll be infinitly more satisfying watching the ending that way.

Around halfway through Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Anniversary. First Tomb Raider ever and while I'm not a fan of the combat and the controls are a bit wobbly I've enjoyed my time so far. The Tombs remind me of the Dungeon in Zelda, in a good way.
Also been dabbling in Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and been having the urge to start playing Chibi Robo! Zip-Lash. I know that game blows, but it's the 'Red Button' effect, you know?

While a playable Zelda would be the piece of resistance, I'm not getting my hopes up for it. Keeping my expectations in check. However, I do very much hope that her role is much larger and more interesting here then it was in BOTW. I started playing Age of Calamity last week and just having Zelda around and be an active contributor to the story is already making me enjoy that game that much more.

@HamatoYoshi
It's propably going to be digital yeah. Doesn't chance the fact 'or perhaps I could get it physical?' will keep echoing in my brain untill release. I know how it works by now.

@TYRANACLES
The description says that there are nine playable characters.
Mario, Rabbid Peach and Mario Luigi are shown in the stills. That's the first three confirmed.
Judging from the boxart, I think it's safe to assume that Luigi, Peach and Rabbid Rosalina are playable as well plus that unique looking Rabbid. That makes 7 out of 9.
If this game follows the same trend as the first, then Rabbid Mario and Rosalina would round out the roster. This isn't garantueed to be the roster, but the one that I feel is the most likely one based on what we currently now.

Looks interesting. What stands out to me is the 'galactic journey' part of the description, Rabbid Rosalina and what I think are Rabbid Luma's. It's very clearly taking inspiration from Super Mario Galaxy and I'm not complaining!

Also, and this is very much a me problem, I'm torn if I want a physical or digital version of this game. I generally prefer physical media but I got the first one digitally and my autistic brain has trouble handling the inconsistency of having 2 games of the same series in a different format.

It would be very odd that CD Projekt Red would be involved in such an event and not have any game goodies.
I think more information regarding the PS5 & Xbox Series X version of The Witcher 3. Maybe, Maybe, they'll reveal some alternative looks and/or armour based on the Netflix Witcher but that's a big Maybe.

Assist/easy features to increase accesibility is never bad. I just hope that they give you to option to turn them off and re-balance the game so that it doesn't 'break' the difficulty wide open.

@Kiz3000
Including, but not limited to, Master Chief in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

@jump
Those would be the (potential) ads from non-gaming companies I'd imagine.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: my preferance lies with "Nintendo Switch+" but I don't think it'll be the actual name. Would love to be wrong though!

@HalBailman
"Pro" is what stuck though I'd be surprised if that would be the actually name. Something more along the line as, indeed, 'New Nintendo Switch' would be more likely. The 'Nintendo Switch+' sound best to me, but something tells me that's not going to be its name either.

@gcunit
I don't. That the 'Switch Pro' will be more expensive then the current model Switch is an assumption. We'll have to see if this is true (which I think is likely considering the components) and if so, how much more expensive exactly.

"Bloomberg reports it'll replace current model, which will be 'phased out"
This, I see as a problem. Assuming that this is true and that the 'Switch Pro' will be more expensive, this means that there won't be a middle option anymore. People either have to choose between the cheap(er) Lite, sacrifising docked play, or the new 'Pro' with its much more expensive price tag.

@Vortexeo
Basically the same story, though I finished up Hearts of Stone two weeks ago. Only have Blood and Wine left but going to wait a few weeks to start that one. I intend to burn some games of my backlog first like Shantae, AER and Raji since The Witcher can be so time-consuming.

It would be interested to check out historical sake alone but I doubt it'll keep my attention for more then a couple of hours.

Planning to do close the book on Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition this week(end). I'm in the midst of Chapter 15, did as much exploring and side-questing that I wanted and feel it's time for my journey across the Bionis and Mechonis to come to an end.
If I find some time I hope to get to find the Flame of Din in Skyward Sword as well. Not looking forward to the escort mission up the volcano though.

@MarioBrickLayer
I don't think they'll hit those target numbers. Not only do I expect the shortages in components to play a role but stronger competition and more Switch's entering the 2nd hand market at a reasonable price (should an upgraded model come out which is likely).

Plus: Nintendo themselves set that the Switch was in the latter half of its life last year. That'll give them those three years you talk about, true, but a successor will have reared its head by that point. Its announcement alone will negatively impact Switch sales (especially if it has backwards compatibility).

I wouldn't mind being wrong but I really don't see the Switch overcoming the DS without Nintendo holding of on a successor, thus extending its lifespan.

@sanderev
I don't think that'll be enough. Doubling you sales numbers is a tall order and even with boosts such as a new model and a cheaper price I think a successor will rear its head before it can do so.

Very surprised by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still sitting at Nr. 1. That it extended its lead over Animal Crossing: New Horizons even more so. I thought it'd be a safe bet that AC had overtaken it but I guess Mario Kart 'legs' are stronger. I know wonder if AC will ever overtake it. Something to take a good look at during the next report I suppose.

These are some very good numbers. There are many pre-2020 titles in this list that are still selling over millions of copies. Do find it intriguing though that of the top 10, only 2 titles are new. Would've thought that number would be higher but (fiscal) 2020 was a pretty weird year.
Also: bit dissapointed by Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition numbers. They're good, especially for a (2nd) port and a JRPG but the Xenoblade fan in me had hoped it would be a bit higher. Around 1.7 million if you must know.

At this rate the Switch will definetly pass the Wii by the end of its lifespan and saying the same for the Gameboy is a safe bet to I feel.
However, I don't think it'll be able to pass the DS. It would need to essentially double its current, four-year, sales figure and I don't see that happening even with a potential Switch Pro.

Just checked my Omega Ruby copy and it, thank Arceus, still works. It has some physcial ware and tare though, most likely from putting it in and out of the system.
Considering many people on the forums say that the majority of copies affected ar PAL versions in a German box my guess is that the problem is physical. Like a component starting to fail after all these years.

@Slowdive
I can remember going to somesort of TED-Talk like lecture day for Extra Credit and hear a guy talk about how many big companies these days don't just want to make money but want to make 'all the money'. That they want/expect their product to be the next 'big thing' and anything but that is a failure in their eyes. Not worthy of their time. A 'damaging and self-eating practice' is what he called it.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edtion, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone are the games I've been juggling for the last 2 weeks or so. Hope to get some good time in all three of them this weekend. Move on from Chapter 14 to Chapter 15 in Xenoblade at the very least.

@tonyp1987
Maybe. The question is though: which gb/gbc/gba games would those be? Personally can't think of any. Well, any through Limited Run Games that is. You never know what Nintendo itself might do.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is a game that I hope to get some good time into this week. Been playing it for quite a while now and I just need to push myself to finish it. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not pushing to finish it because its a slog or anything, but because I repeated a mistake I make often with big games. That I don't want them to end and then starts stalling.

Europe. It's clean, has enough going on to still somewhat pop & be recognizable on a shelf and represents the game very well.
Japans boxart way to basic. It's boring and doesn't pop.
The US one tries way too hard. It tries its best to pop out but the Yellow is too garish and their's so much going on that makes toe box cluttered.

Going to continue my Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edtion and Skyward Sword journeys.
In case of Xenoblade, I'm working my way up the Mechonis at the moment and should finish it in a week or two. Skyward Sword I started only a week ago and are currently at Eldin Volcano starting to get the hang of the motion controls.

Well, guess it's a 'good' thing that I already downloaded the Demo then!

Yep. Animal Crossing is going to become the Switch's number one selling title any day now. Perhaps it even has, but we won't know for sure untill Nintendo releases its quarterly earnings report.
That should happen at the end of the month, begining of the next right?

Keeping my eye on this one. Sonic Colours is one of those Wii games I want in my collection but is difficult to get in my region. If a remaster is indeed coming I'll pick that one up instead.

Tetris 99 has remained a consistently popular game since its launch. I wonder if Pac-Man 99 has the same kind of staying power.
Only time will tell.

@iLikeUrAttitude
For us the Demo was indeed good. For Square Enix, not so much.

@BloodNinja @JAPBOO
Let's hope not.