HAL9000

This time I will finish you Steamworld Heist! Thank goodness for portable nature of switch to promote playtime in my busy life! My TV is located in basement... and boy is it cold down there! Portable = Warm upstairs!

I love how each character is so unique and almost feels game-breaking with their abilities compared to vanilla-Beck. I found the customization aspect rather tedious (too many menues), but the new characters ignore it completely and make the game awesome to play through so you can focus on the amazing stage designs.

My brain melts when I play this game and I just emit panicked cries and grunts... in a good way.

That narrator is AWESOMELY OVER THE TOP!

Collectibles! Shut up and take my money!

I love Nicalis instruction manuals and physical extras!

Tears of joy!

Bows down to Bayonetta altar with Bayonetta amiibo.... Thank you Platinum and Nintendo!

Yep, I had to look up definition of buildungsroman. Nice writing vocabulary to reviewer.

It's a simple bildungsroman tale at its core.....

noun
a novel dealing with one person's formative years or spiritual education.

I really enjoy the art style and Iron Chef theme. Well done!

Major plus is that Nicalis has a collectors physical first run version with FULL COLOR MANUAL and a WATER RESISTANT MAP (because ... well... just in case you go adrift in ocean with your Switch I guess...

@Ralizah

Hallelujah Brother! I agree that the Switch has allowed me to actually game as an adult and not be tethered to a TV. 8 hours on a sofa! Only during school breaks (teacher = always working on lessons).

@JaxonH
I whole-heartedly agree - I love that Doom is on Switch. I love that the Switch fits into my adult lifestyle and has given me time to game again because I am not tethered to a TV. If anyone wants the full-frame experience... then play it on PS4/XBOX/PC but you are stuck tethered to a wall/TV. If you want to play it on an awesome portable/TV combo, then pick up Switch.

I find people comparing Switch frames to PS4/Xbox really amusing. Have you seen how much SMALLER the Switch is than XBOX/PS4... of course it is not going to be same full frame experience. They are HUGE consoles with heat sinks/fans to handle all graphics.

Switch is perfect for being a console that fits into my lifestyle. I love it because it is portable. Cudos to developers for making Doom work .... it looks awesome.

Has anyone heard if the entire single player campaign is on cartridge w/o an additional download?

Also, is multiplayer DL optional?

Thanks!

@Alikan

Tiny Barbarian reversible box art was pretty cool.

Rayman Legends was a double dib for me. The Wii U version is still the best because Murphy levels were awesome. On the other consoles they don't work as well. However the rest of the game is SOOOOOOO excellent, that it is perfect for quick 5-10 minute levels. Switch console rocks because it makes gaming actually convenient for modern adult life!

I heart Wayforward! Way to take a stinky license and make it uniquely work to the strengths of their studio!

The gamer's dilemma...

Young gamers (kids/teens) - Have lots of TIME to play games, but no money to buy the games/systems they want because they are kids and have to have Mom/Dad permission or have them buy games for them.

Mature gamers (adults) - Have MONEY to buy games and INDEPENDENCE to buy whatever they want (within a budget) without having to ask permission from Mom/Dad.... but we have no time to play games with work.

Just got to end of level 2 boss... we really need an easy mode. I am willing to admit when I have NO chance at beating a boss. The twins of death at end of level 2. I really want to play the entire game for gameplay and lore/history... but damn... those twins are EVIL. I barely beat level 1 boss and he was only 1 boss!

I love the cute main character and philosophical discussions with robots/zombies. Nice relaxing game after being repeatedly killed off by Wulverblade twins of doom/death at end of level 2.

@fullyilly

Thank you for putting so much passion into the gameplay mechanics (yay for classic beat-em-up love), visuals/music (the art is striking and makes me feel like I am doing a Game of Throne battle) and history (the historical notes are amazing well written and researched). I am loving the game and recommending to friends.

I would add my voice to request a casual/easy mode. I love a deep game, but being pushed back to mid checkpoints is harsh with my limited time to play games (curse of being adult... have money to buy games... but no time).

Another suggestion would be to have a CHECKPOINT RIGHT BEFORE BOSS BATTLES since that seems to be where everyone is getting stuck. This would make the game less frustrating and still keep challenge intact.

In all fairness... I do spend a lot of time looking at all the icons on the Switch screen pondering which game to play.

I am happy the entire single player campaign is on cartridge as I am primarily single player. It is nice that the the online multiplayer is optional 9GB download (don't care about online multiplayer so skip for me) - unlike NBA which is a required download to even play the game. Nice way around the storage issue so we get a functional game on cartridge with extra download for extra functionality.

The Switch is the perfect Nintendo system. It captures a niche market (plus - Console + Handheld versatility and sleep mode ... minus - not as powerful) compare to PS/XBOX (plus - super powerful ... minus - tied to TV, no sleep mode so can't stop game mid-level). The genius is that you CAN'T have both POWER + PORTABILITY - so there is room in market for both visions.

Personally, the switch is everything I want in a console because I can play Zelda on TV downstairs, and when my Wife comes home I can undock it and then play upstairs with her (either continue zelda, or go for a 2 player game on tabletop). The ability to SLEEP a game is genius for fitting it into modern adult lifestyles.

I am very happy with the decision to use carts for Switch games because they load faster than CD, are much more reliable for a PORTABLE system and are small size/portable themselves. The PSP/VITA were not successful portables because their media was not portable friendly.

Nintendo found a great niche with having a PORTABLE/TV hybrid device. PS4 Neo/XBOX Scorpio are focused on POWER and are necessarily tied to TV. You want POWER - go XBOX/PS4 and be tied to a TV. You want PORTABILITY - go switch. You can't have both.

Oh NOOOOO!!! A Walmart exclusive! Good luck with their horrible history of pre-order mess ups! I lost out on Neon Squid amiibo thanks to their screw up... and don't even mention SNES mini.

The free download for pacman vs on multiple switch systems sold the game for me. Nice addition so only one person has to have the full game.

Overcooked for myself and my Wife (love local coop on switch)!!

Namco museum is very tempting for pac man vs. You can play 1-3 players on SAME switch system (all as ghosts chasing pacman). You can only play as pacman (system 1 - with full game purchase) vs ghosts x 3 (system 2 - with DL free pacman app) if you have TWO switch systems (due to privacy of screens).

GEM is one of the best shooters that I have ever played. So easy to fall into the "zone" with this game due to well balanced weapons and enemies. The sword is my best friend and I love the balance between main gun overheating and specials x 3 that use meter so you constantly need to alternate/balance.

GEM is one of the best shooters that I have ever played. It is so easy to get in the "zone" and just react. The sword is my very best friend. Missiles I rarely use. I love the balance between main gun overheating and 3 specials that use meter.

Here is the link for the interview with producers on balance changes
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-07-11-arms-new-mode-allows-you-to-play-as-hedlok

Max Brass is a great addition to the roster and I love the new Headlock mode (it is frantic fun and chaotic) for non-ranked play.

Snake park could be abused at high level play in ranked using kid cobra (all of top ranked japanese players won using kid cobra on skate park - hoverboards and jumps made him nearly untouchable) so it was removed from rank play.

I'd rather play this than playstation exclusive SF5 honestly. The classic Street Fighter is still the best IMO. Hey.. don't judge.. I grew up in the 80's!

Definitely day one download for me so I can have portable beat downs on my hybrid Switch... it was made for both big adventure games (Zelda BOTW) and local multiplayer (Tetris/Puyo - Mario Kart - Arms - Street Fighter)... I am in gamer heaven!

@SuperWeird

I agree. I use it primarily as tabletop to game in kitchen next to my Wife at night as she works on college classes or is on internet. Our TV is downstairs in chilly basement... so it is MUCH more comfortable to be upstairs and together. When she finishes with her work... we have a quick game of mario kart or tetris/puyo before bed.

I never realized how little gaming time I had because I had to isolate myself with the TV on (so it became less and less opportunity to game and relieve stress at night... I am a teacher... so I needs my stress relief).
Playing it on tabletop mode is sooooo COMFY with a pro controller!! I love it!

I play on TV when my Wife is gone at work (and I miraculously catch up on grading) ... and can then pick it up right where I left off in tabletop mode. It is marvelous.

The nice part of the switch.. is how it is NOT isolating like 3DS is... the screen is meant to be shared (unlike 3DS screen which is more isolating). That is why I never liked handheld games.

I LOVE that my console/handheld games are the same now. The Switch truly is a LIFE-CHANGING device.

I have been playing the Switch A LOT more than I ever played my Wii U. I love how flexible it is and fits into my lifestyle. I am a teacher and see a lot of excitement for the system among both my students and the adults/parents that I've talked to about gaming. The system is just so much more appealing at a concept level than Wii U ever was. Nintendo-Win!

@WolfyWardark

Thanks for the tip on re-activating checkpoints to save progress!

I love this game! It is so charming with the snake's personality (all games should have an facial expression button) and the physics of playing as a snake are AMAZING! Once I learned to climb by wrapping.... tightening... letting to to wrap some more... tighten... it made so much more sense! I looked at my staircase at home in a whole new way!

HD rumble is all that and a bag of chips by the way.

I have been using the Switch primarily in table-top mode. We have our TV in the cold-cold basement... and I never realized how unwilling my Wife and I were to go downstairs to play. The switch is awesome for table-top portable where I can play on kitchen table (much warmer) while she works on college HW (I am a teacher and take nights off to recover from kids) and we can stop and play an impromptu game of snipperclips with easy to share joycons. It is an amazing system taking the best of the Wii U (off screen) and making it much sleeker and portable. I love that the screen is bigger than 3DS and the joycons are soooooooooo comfortable (unlike clunky Wii U and 3DS that tire out my hands after 1 hour of gaming... I love the freedom of movement from Wii remote/nuncuck era with joycons). Kit and Krista of NintendoMinute are running around this weekend and PaxEast with the Switch in portable mode... great advertising.

Wind Waker Switch Cozy?!!? Screen protected and Styling! Shut up and take my money!

I am so glad that I reserved the grey joy-con system now! Backed instantly... shut up and take my money!

I was able to download Paper Mario Color Splash early due to the eshop pre-load snaffu and have been playing the first few chapters. It is EXCELLENT and VERY FUNNY. The painting of environment is very addicting and writing is hilarious. It is definitely NOT sticker star 2.0. I would put it under 1,000 year door (that game was just sublime with playing as Mario, Bowser, Peach)... but it is miles better than sticker star in (1) Story - a million times better than sticker star, (2) Puzzles - don't need a FAQ they all make sense, (3) Battles - cards are good system and not handicap like stickers with limited inventory. Very enjoyable.

I am really enjoying playing Severed on my Wii U right now... it is very engrossing and easy to pick up and play for 10 minutes.. which can easily turn to 30 minutes due to addicting combat. I am playing this more than Axiom Verge (if you can believe it... I am a teacher and very busy so Axiom Verge is a bit intimidating to be honest with a full metroid-vania experience given my limited time). I love the combat and graphics/sound/atmosphere.

@Shiryu

I loved your post! Nice write up! I am loving Federation Force because I can finally play a co-op shooter with my Wife! I love Next Level Games - the game is awesome and I am having a great time with it!

The next REAL entry for Metroid should be on NX.... NOT on 3DS (not enough horsepower) - so a spinoff on 3DS is perfect IMO.

Nintendo is smart to invest in augmented reality like Pokemon go that are social in nature - like spotpass. Every time I try a Virtual Reality headset - I get nauseous and can't imagine playing that for more than 10-15 minutes... it is so isolating.

@getyourak
I am actually looking forward to it very much so I can play coop in the Metroid universe with my Wife - thanks! We will also be playing fashion with Style Savvy together. (yay for gamer Wife).

I do respect your opinion - and acknowledge that if Nintendo just confirmed a PROPER exploration Metroid for NX (just a title screen) - it would solve why people are upset about Federation Force being a spin-off.... but... it's Nintendo... LOL.

@getyourak
True regarding the art style... but my Wife won't play Monster Hunter with me (too complicated... and she has a point - MH has a very steep learning curve) - where-as this is more pick up and play friendly (i.e., you can revive a team-mate by going to unconscious body and revive them) and the art style will make it easier for her to get into (i.e., not bloody).

I have NO problems with federation force EXPANDING the Metroid Prime universe with stories of soldiers (makes more sense then Metroid Prime 2 multiplayer anyway) in co-op shooter on a 3DS.

The next proper Metroid SHOULD be on NX... not on 3DS.

The chibi art style is made for the 3DS because of the small screen... it makes sense once you know why they did it (again... for the 3DS).

The gameplay looks like a LOT of FUN (Co-op shooter with my Wife... yes please!) and it is made by Next Level Games (who made awesome Luigi Mansion). The next proper Metroid should be released for NX (NOT on 3DS!! - not enough horsepower), so this is fine for 3DS. Nintendo SHOULD (but won't b/c they are Nintendo... sigh) just confirm that a proper Metroid is coming to NX, and all the hate would disappear in an instant.

August 19th is going to be awesome... My Wife and I are getting Style Savvy (for her - she is an actress) and Federation Force (for me and us to play together)... and yes, I will be playing Style Savvy as well. That is how gaming marriages work!

Boo!!!!!!! Glow in the dark!!!! My life is complete!! He is my favorite character!

I am super-excited that Nintendo continues to champion local co-op play!!! I love playing games with my Wife on Wii U (pikmin 3, yoshi wooly world, super mario 3d land, nintendoland, affordable space adventures). I avoid playing online at all times because I can't stand hate speak you encounter online and laggy games. Give me my best friends in same room so I can punch their arms when they win! Wii U is my favorite system EVER for this fact.