Comments 220

Re: Assassin's Creed Shadows Switch 2 Port Technical Rundown Detailed By Ubisoft

FaroreAbhorsen

@HaNks I very much care about GameChat. It's kinda the biggest feature for me and my social circle and a key differentiator from Switch 1. It's better than the phone, discord, or any other 3rd party solution. I have bought two additional Switch 2 units for remote relatives I want to play with already with like 3+ more likely.

Nintendo is already giving devs 2 different configurations to tune for, handheld and docked. Adding with chat or no doubles that to 4 and I don't even want to think about a game dynamically adjusting to a call starting or dropping, nor do you want to create a situation where players are dropping out of chats to salvage some RAM. Developers must make their game enjoyable on the lowest spec. If they can't, they shouldn't put the game on the platform. Nintendo should do all the can to keep the platform from fragmenting.

Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A DLC's Next Mega Evolution Is A Mythical One

FaroreAbhorsen

@Grim with Pokemon Shield I felt that the two new locations finally delivered on what we wanted from the wild area in the base game. Like it was a good appetizer but everyone things "Why just this place, why not make the whole map free roam?" and the DLC delivered that and more.

I did get the Violet DLC and I'm hoping it similarly fulfills the potential of the base game there, though I haven't started it yet.

Mega Dimensions is already paid for. Any excuse to train up a Mega Raichu is enough for me.

Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Sold 5.8 Million Copies Globally In Its First Week

FaroreAbhorsen

@Jeronan good point about moving NPCs. Sometimes I notice the uncannily still NPCs in the streets but I also would hate to have to look for them. In Octopath and even Zelda NPCs either stay in place or move in a small loop usually, with a few exceptions.

Also, there aren't any moving cars in the city. Which is weird when I think about it but I'm very rarely thinking about it because I enjoy looking at and interacting with all the partner Pokemon.

Re: Borderlands 4 Has Been Delayed For Switch 2, Digital Pre-Orders Cancelled

FaroreAbhorsen

A developer has been transparent, proactive, responsible, apologetic, and restated their commitment to shipping a better product on all consoles.

Folks who pre-ordered can re-pre-order later but the Nintendo policy protects customers who don't get what was advertised and might actually be a legal requirement in places. Either way, there's no reason to have any negative reaction to someone refusing to take your money for not giving you something when they said they would.

All the FUD about the system seems... premature. I'm going to let them cook and react based on what they actually ship when they actually ship it, not what I imagine they might have to ship whatever based on what they've done elsewhere and with the assumption that they can't fix those issues ever or make any other acceptable design tradeoffs. Why would I expend real emotion now for a hypothetical. If it's unacceptable later we'll all have the option of not buying it, on this platform or any other.

Re: Opinion: I Can't Believe I'm Finally Getting My Dream Pokémon Game In 2026

FaroreAbhorsen

Ever since The Legend of Zelda - Echoes of Wisdom, I've wanted a Pokemon title more about interacting with the game world through Pokemon specific abilities. This feels like it's in that direction so I'll be very glad to pick it up. Don't know if I'll be able to play this and Fantasy Life i though but hopefully they aren't too similar? Never played AC so this is a good starter.

Re: No Switch 2 "Upgrade Path" For Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined Planned

FaroreAbhorsen

Pretty much as a rule I don't buy a Switch 2 only version of a game if it can run decently on my OLED too. I prefer to take my Switch 1 on the go because they're lighter and less expensive. And a Switch 2 only version means I can't use it on all my systems and I also can't digitally loan the virtual card to my family group members.

I get that SE said no. I'm irritated that SE didn't say 'Why'.

Re: Donkey Kong Bananza's Dig Button Placement Is All Thanks To Miyamoto

FaroreAbhorsen

@axelhander N64 NSO is soo much better now that I can remap arbitrarily. I think every game should allow remapping all inputs even if only a minority of users do so. That and all cutscenes being shippable might as well be mandated by law.

One problem that may be unique to me, jumping between Zelda BotW, TotK, SSHD, Hyrule Warriors DE and AoC, is how inconsistent controlling Link in a 3D space is.

Re: Switch Is Now Within Touching Distance Of The DS' Lifetime Sales

FaroreAbhorsen

Because there isn't a Switch 2 lite and the lite is a better dedicated portable for tiny hands and folks who don't want to lose JoyCon outside, I think continuing life sales will be the big factor for beating PS2. I'd certainly pick up a special edition Lite if I like the design.

Switch 2 is larger, heavier, harder to get, and too expensive for me to casually carry around all over. Pokemon Legends Z-A performance on Lite will be another huge factor in Switch 1 sales this year.

The decision to make GameShare with Switch 1 systems could really help. DK Bananza didn't need to include that but they did. They want to keep Switch 1 valuable for another year or two like they supported the 3DS for a couple years into the Switch life. I do worry about those GameStop trade-ins getting resold and undermining the sale of new Switch 1 units though. Yes, this is entirely about bragging rights/team sports.

Re: Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment Has Been Rated For Switch 2

FaroreAbhorsen

@DollyrotsFan1 I played Age of Calamity for at least 100 hours and the combat expressiveness is just tops. It makes fighting fun and I'm a little sad TotK didn't pull in any of that. I get that the 1 vs 1000 is what makes the big moves required but there's gotta be a middle grown the mainline Zelda team can find. I want my Master Spear

Re: Nintendo's Official Camera "Attach Rate" With Switch 2 Revealed For US

FaroreAbhorsen

@Specters I tried GameChat out with my friends pretty early on but without the cameras and the audio is the real super-star of the feature. The screen sharing is ok for just hanging out and watching over each other's shoulders, especially while we're all playing our own games at our own houses. But the ability to chat without a headset and have the audio come through the TV sound system is such a win. Nintendo advertising the screenshare and video first gives a bad impression that those are the primary reasons to use GameChat. I sit in Teams meetings all day and have no interest in the webcam but voice conferencing with my niece and nephew would be great!

Re: Nintendo Will Discontinue Switch Game Vouchers Entirely In 2026

FaroreAbhorsen

I've been using these for $60 titles exclusively since they came out (and one $70 one). I'm only not super sad because I've used mine to buy almost every game I wanted already. I was hoping they'd let you buy Switch 2 titles for like $10 though but I guess not.

But Jan is enough time. I need to get Thousand Year Door, Legends Z-A, and Bayonetta 3 at least.

Re: Random: Final Fantasy 14 Director Thinks "Aspiring" Game Devs Should Play Echoes Of Wisdom

FaroreAbhorsen

@Thomystic it's such an odd complaint to make. "assets"? Are we players or project managers? Historically assets were recreated because of generational improvements between games or technique or budget not to burn money so players feel they aren't being cheated out of $60 worth of labor.

Are all the props and costumes in Avengers Endgame prefabricated since Avengers Infinity War? Is 3PO re-smelted for Empire Strikes Back?

Is this why studios are going bankrupt?

Re: Random: Final Fantasy 14 Director Thinks "Aspiring" Game Devs Should Play Echoes Of Wisdom

FaroreAbhorsen

@Kyloctopus it's absolutely the reward of exploration. Of stumbling into a cave and finding a mini-dungeon. Or a quest NPC. Whatever you do might get you a heart piece (love them soo hard), or a new echo, or an accessory, or treasure, or a might crystal, or a stamp, or bottle, ... etc.

Because you don't know what you're going to get and everything has use, it was always fun for me. A complaint I have about open air Zelda's was that the rewards weren't... rewarding enough. Particularly in TotK. Once I had enough stamina or hearts I didn't even want to go into the next shrine. I didn't need another Korok seed or piece of armor.

Re: Drag X Drive Switch 2 eShop Price Revealed

FaroreAbhorsen

@BTB20 thanks! I have edited my comment. I was originally said 'half' rhetorically rather than as a literal estimate but upon re-reading I realize it context it comes across as a statistic rather than as an idiom.

Even with millions I think the point stands. If it's been 1M and 10M then Nintendo has given away between $60M and $600M to those bundles. So, they're not committed to hoovering up every dime they can from customers. At least not on every transaction.

Re: Drag X Drive Switch 2 eShop Price Revealed

FaroreAbhorsen

@AlanaHagues I would love to find an interview or review of this game with someone who's actually in a wheelchair/disabled and/or plays real world wheelchair basketball.

I'm very happy that Nintendo made a game where the player character could be a disabled person. I think that's cool and respectful but pretty much all the coverage I've heard/seen about it has been from folks who as far as I know can walk and probably have limited experience moving in a wheelchair.

I want to learn if the JoyCon 2 controls are realistic/pleasant for someone who's had to turn the real things. I'd also like to see if someone who uses a wheelchair regularly outperforms someone who doesn't.

Also, I think that a disabled person might feel more free to discuss these things than someone who isn't. Do you know of any YouTubers with this perspective or are there folks in the NintendoLife/PushSquare network you could reach out to for opinions?

Re: Drag X Drive Switch 2 eShop Price Revealed

FaroreAbhorsen

@PikminMarioKirby Nintendo pricing is a mixed bag.

  • Their online service is cheap compared to their competitors
  • Metroid Prime Remastered seems criminally underpriced
  • Game Vouchers basically let you pay $50 for all of their Switch 1 games even the $70 TotK
  • Mario Kart World is worth $80 to them but they'll let it go for $30 in a bundle
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is their best selling game but millions of its copies were given away free in a bundle
  • The booster pass for MK8 is free for subscribers as are the Switch 2 upgrades to BotW and TotK
  • Bowser's Fury was a gem just included with the 3D World re-release and it was unexpected and unnecessary. 3D World was great enough on its own and I was already planning to buy it
  • I've been trying out GameShare with friends and family of 3D World, Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker, etc. I like both games a lot, so it's weird that they enable you to enjoy them with friends and family without making everybody pay for them separately.

They seem to feel more strongly about high pricing than actually collecting the money. They're not a charity, no, but I also can't consider them predictably greedy. Their methods are still mysterious.

Edit: Updated MK8 sales point to be a more reasonable estimate (based on follow-up comment) rather than an overinflated exaggeration.

Re: Random: Death Stranding 2 Has Mushroom Kingdom References, Just Like Its Predecessor

FaroreAbhorsen

@Magician Me either. But a friend of mine (who loved BotW, and Metal Gear) gave it a try with modest expectations and the gameplay somehow grabs you. I think this guy is a parcel delivery guy the way Sam Gamgee is a gardener. If they port it to Switch 2 it's definitely on the high-maybe list for me. I'll let you know if I personally recommend it then. For now I'm just saying despite the premise, I'm keeping an open mind about it.

Re: Third-Party Launch Games On Switch 2 Reportedly Sold "Very Low Numbers"

FaroreAbhorsen

I got the Switch 2 w/ Mario Kart World, plus insurance, and a pro controller, and a microsd Express card. Very happy but very broke. I wish I had the cash to get some 3rd parties right away. What I did get was only because I had some on my eshop account already.

It's not a great time economically. The Mario Kart sales are high because you save $30 on getting the bundle. Paying the full $80 for it separately might have caused seizures.

Re: Pokémon Fan Loses "20 Years Worth Of Data" After Performing Switch 2 Transfer

FaroreAbhorsen

This is awful. I trusted the transfer and it worked but if it hadn't I don't know what I'd do. I haven't been collecting long at all but I'm still attached to the idea that a particular packet of data is my Raichu, etc.

I'm very disappointed in the cloud solution for Pokemon. I'd rather store all of my mon in the cloud by default and have it just be slow to load/save than risk a technical issue, theft, or damage wiping all my data. It's basically kept me from taking my Switch out of the house. Now I'm using my Switch 2 at home with my Pokemon games on it and my OLED can be for a few titles I'm happy to play on the go. I can risk no harm to the preciouses.

Re: PSA: Remember, You Can 'Fix' The Camera In Zelda: The Wind Waker On Switch 2

FaroreAbhorsen

I had to do a similar fix to the N64 Ocarina controls. I have both analog sticks mapped to movement but have de-inverted the Y-axis on the right stick for intuitive camera controls while using the left stick for movement. I also moved the C-buttons to the D-pad.

If you switch between all the 3D Zelda games on Switch it's extremely frustrating how inconsistent the controls are from game to game.

Re: It's Official, Switch 2 Has Sold Over 3.5 Million Units Globally In Its First Four Days

FaroreAbhorsen

@MasterGraveheart agreed. I got the system and it was only $50 more expensive than I always imagined it was going to be. The only reason I have Mario Kart is because it was $50 with the bundle and most new titles are either still $60 or a few are $70.

It's just nice to be able to go through my Switch 1 backlog with better frame rate. I don't even need and Nintendo specific Switch 2 games yet. I'm mostly curious about 3rd party ports.

Oh, also, GameChat is incredible.

Re: Review: The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - A Sublime Sequel, Now Sublimer

FaroreAbhorsen

@PikminMarioKirby To me, Notes is a huge win for people who own both because you can send materials and weapons from BotW to TotK through the notes. Suddenly I can use my HUGE hoard of upgrade materials from years of BotW play to upgrade armor in TotK with less tedium. And the weapons you send from BotW seem to be pristine non-decayed versions and you can even send Champion weapons and the Hylian shield. I almost feel like all the time I put into Breath is being respected lol

Re: Nintendo Switch 2: GameChat Guide - How Does It Work?

FaroreAbhorsen

I just tried this with a friend and I was shocked how good it felt. No external camera or mic just us playing our Switches and talking. Playing different games and sometimes sharing or looking at screens but just as often not. No trouble hearing or being heard even when the Switch was maybe 10 ft away. No background noise. It was freaky. Can't wait to try GameShare with someone.

Re: Rumour: New Leak May Explain Why So Many Switch 2 Physicals Are Game Key Cards

FaroreAbhorsen

@TheExile285 I think companies should offer both gamekey card and everything on cartridge versions and let consumers decide what they want. It would suck if physical collectors had to pay a $5-10 premium for the complete cartridge but it's better to give them a choice. Or, gasp, break the game over multiple cartridges. Whatever you have to do to give the people what they want, which is everything on permanent physical media.

When I was younger, hybrid car were much more expensive than gas cars. Ford eventually started selling their gas and hybrid models at the same price and found out that all else being equal plenty of people would support fuel efficient vehicles. A lot of these publishers aren't being creative. We can already decide between digital and physical so why not offer one more choice to the discerning consumer?

Re: Nintendo Showcases Switch 2's Fancy New Battery Charge Settings

FaroreAbhorsen

@LastFootnote I agree that this design, while transparent, isn't ideal. That 10% buffer is vexing and tempting. It's purely a trick of perspective but I'd show and describe the 90 capacity as fully charged, as you describe. I would then describe the remaining capacity as "overcharged" in the way we describe computer chips exceeding their advertised speeds as overclocked.

Overclocking is also a thing which can shorten hardware life or otherwise be inefficient so most people feel comfortable not doing it. How a manufacturer contextualizes things matters.

Interestingly, in Tears of the Kingdom you can consume a large Zonai charge to overcharge your battery beyond it's natural 100%. There's a special animation for this. The concept is understood and understandable. I'd have preferred they just use that instead of showing me a 90% icon/readout forever. It just feels worse, I think. Like not getting all your due. Tomato-tomato