In a fascinating turn of events, 2 years after the update was released and I decided to play MK7 for the first time in years, this update caused my game to crash. I've narrowed it down to just a particular 3DS model (mine is a blue New 3DS XL) where at least 2 courses won't load and the game crashes. Those courses are Daisy Hills and Air Fortress. There could be others as we did not race all tracks. They didn't load in local multiplayer or in individual time trials.
One friend owned the Samus version of the New 3DS XL with version 1.2 and was fine. My old small 3DS and the two old 3DS XL of my friends were fine. They were both on version 1.1 anyway.
Deleting the update data on my New 3DS made those courses load. Downloading the update again saw the problem return.
I've eliminated the device, game card and a corrupt part of the SD card as a problem. Mii Plaza, which includes updates on the SD card, worked, so I doubt the card is faulty. Unless it is the SD card itself, it looks like something is wrong in the game update with this particular 3DS model and, at least, the most recent system update.
Yet again Nintendo surprises no one with a knowledge of history as they will always maximise sales of a successful system. There's no gamble to that, only common sense! If you announce something before the holiday sales period, people will hold their money for that newer and better product.
The question remains as to how long Nintendo persist with the Switch. Again, look to history, look to their own words. By the end of March 2025 is when they will make an "announcement about the successor". Not a reveal. Not a release. An announcement. If we get the "traditional" Direct in late January (Nintendo already broke their tradition by skipping the September Direct), we might only get basic information, and the timing of the reveal. That Direct will be mostly about games, and potentially Metroid Prime 4 to renew excitement for Switch owners. None of the "leaks" (which are mostly unofficial fabrications and speculation) prove anything. Nintendo act on their own schedule, period.
Tetris DS, The New Tetris (N64), and Tetris 99 are my 3 favourites. An NES version on those 64 in 1 cartridges out of Hong Kong was my favourite at the time. It had an excellent cooperative mode. Researching, it was the version by Tengen that got withdrawn from sale soon after release because Nintendo secured the rights for Tetris.
I can't see Xbox surviving in its current form. With the advent of the Steam Deck, the PC market has sharply deviated from its snobbish elitism that demanded machines could be upgraded to accepting a set level of technology as perfectly viable. In that light, dare I mention the Steam Box? The market teased with that idea before it was ready, so the right time might be next Xbox. Imagine it actually be a PC console that runs Steam and therefore immediately provides access to gazillions of games, provides Game Pass, all the new games, and Microsoft only need to support one ecosystem instead of two.
Ideally, there should be a "spam folder" of sorts, where these games get automatically shunted. In practice, if Nintendo could categorise games into major games, indie games, and casual/frivolous games, then we could easily filter the shop accordingly.
I don't have any issue with the shop opening in its current format so every new release is visible. Just give us the option to cut down that list with a click. That would be invaluable if you don't check the shop often.
@obijuankanoobie Unfortunately not. I've never seen Sonic Mania at better than 60% off (perhaps that's as good as it will get and I'll eventually succumb) and didn't see The Messenger on sale at all. Typically I go through my watch list during these sales and note anything in red. Perhaps, Christmas time!
No chance! That is my unconditional and unequivocal answer if it were an option. So, answered "No way! Nothing until 'Switch 2' reveal now". No, I expect a Direct before a reveal, with the Direct early next year about upcoming games and an "announcement about the successor" as Nintendo promised. That announcement is likely basic information about its form and features, and when it might be revealed. It's sad to see so much media (not this site, thankfully) traffic in lies that Nintendo will reveal it by end of the fiscal year. Let's not forget all the ludicrous rumours of a reveal this year (2024), and even a release. I wish one website kept track of them all, including those way back to the "Switch Pro" hysteria.
February 2025 sounds about right, closely ahead of "never".
It depends on Metroid Prime 4. The recent "coming soon" addition to the initial "2025" schedule makes me think MP4 could be April to mid 2025, instead of around September that I originally thought. If MP4 is mid year or beyond, I can see the rest of the trilogy released early next year. If MP4 is, indeed, "coming soon", like first quarter of 2025, then goodbye to games 2 and 3 of the trilogy.
MP Remastered always seemed a test run of new developmental tools and determining the potential of MP4. I never expected a trilogy in that context. To rebuild all three games would take significant time and delay and significantly delay the release. Only as straight ports would I imagine a trilogy released at the time.
The curiosity now is that we're almost 2 years from MPR and there's still no MP4 or the rest of the trilogy. Perhaps MP4 was expected sooner, then got delayed, and the developers began to rebuild MP2 & 3 in the meantime.
The "coming soon" addendum really gives great hope. The original "2025" schedule told me mid to late next year, which was a worry. Hopefully it's the big first quarter game!
I remember deriding it as a complete joke and predicting it would be a failure. Then I bought one (I think a good deal quickly emerged) with Metroid Prime Pinball, and the system itself included the Metroid Hunters demo, and I loved it. Playing online was especially novel, notably with Mario Kart DS, Star Fox Command, Tetris DS, and Metroid Hunters. The array of brilliant games made it so compelling. I would later get a DS Lite.
I downloaded it already when it was 50% off. I smell a replacement collection coming.
As to physical copies or the Genesis Mini that some people think is the solution, try buy one now! They were sold out years ago while buying second hand is probably expensive.
@batmanbud2 Perhaps MK SC was the best for its time...
The point is we all have different perspectives. I never definitively declared MV superior, only that I recalled it a better game. At least the respective reviews were at a similar time. If you think otherwise, fine. Let's move on instead of this becoming a petty argument that is common at this site.
Excellent news, albeit of minor importance to me. If the dock and controllers are all backwards compatible, it's a small matter to switch between Switches!
Nintendo has always be driven by $$, not when other people thing it's time. That's why the Wii hung on so long and the Wii U was terminated early and hope of successor announced very early. Can we have a list of all the failed rumours/speculation, by the way? I'm fairly sure the usual clowns almost promised a reveal in October, and another said by 5 November (this meeting). Fail. Fail. Fail!
I still maintain that early next year is the announcement about basic information and reveal date. The reveal could be April with a release in July in August. I still bet the reveal is mid year and the release later in 2025, while not ruling out a March tease, September reveal and March 2026 release.
To answer your question, I tried the expansion pack and it sucks. N64 games aren't great anymore and are often problematic without the original controller. I don't care about Sega and DLC is only "free" as long as you permanently hold a subscription.
The biggest insult was sliding GBA games, which are commensurate to SNES games, into that tier, which saw me rage-cancel my renewal altogether.
I boycotted the online for almost 2 years, returning to the basic pack only for F-Zero 99. That subscription is already set not to renew.
I can't imagine Nintendo offering anything worthwhile to get the expansion pack again.
PS: Please, no one start the argument it's only $50 a year or whatever. Not interested. It's a tired argument and the issue here is one of principle.
Shipment and manufacturing information were the source of the two big Switch Pro rumours that proved to be the red box and OLED updates. I suspect the recent flurry of Switch 2 rumours of an imminent announcement or even a reveal likely proved to be the release of the alarm clock. So, definitely best to ignore such activity as their relevance is nearly always tenuous or speculative, if not entirely fabricated. Only if there's two connecting pieces of activity or information that I would begin to draw conclusions.
This Hori pad is an indictment on the Nintendo Pro Controller and its horrific d-pad. Criticism is insufficient about it, mostly because the d-pad is rarely used, so let's hope Nintendo return to the classic SNES style one over this clunky, imprecise and unresponsive catastrophe they gave us for the Switch. There'd be no real reason for the Hori to emerge without that failure.
I'd be very surprised there's anything in October. Too many Switch games are coming out, so it makes zero sense Nintendo would not step on potential sales, including Black Friday sales for the console itself, and Christmas season. As you say, Nintendo had Directs for the museum and indies quite recently and they represent plenty of information revealed even if neither are main Directs.
As for the NX/Switch revealed in October 2016, that was after it was revealed a year earlier to be in development. Nintendo haven't even reached that point with the Switch 2, only saying information will be announced by the end of March 2025. I suspect if there's early any information, it's to confirm nothing will be revealed this year, particular in response to the silly rumours that abound.
I bet the top 3 of BOTW, Ocarina of Time, and Link to the Past, will be top 3 in perpetuity. Looking forward to someone quoting this comment in 20 years and saying "you were wrong".
I better get back into it before my subscription expires in a week. Hopefully can finally win a race too. So many second places; yet to win a regular race.
@Yodalovesu As for say, it would be detrimental to NL's finances not to report these rumours. This story appeared in my Google suggested stories, for example.
Perhaps NL should log and list all the failed rumours at the of such stories to give readers context that the latest rumours are likely a similar bunch of bull! NL does a good job not to launch or fuel rumour mongering, and provide the usual "take it with a grain of salt" advice or warning. Then it's up to us to decide. That's the best you can do in this tricky world where volume and click bait is fundamental to the survival of a free media operation.
None of it makes any sense. Nintendo won't even announce information about the Switch successor until the fiscal year end of March 2025 (they've yet to even officially acknowledge something tangible, unlike NX a year before the Switch reveal) yet people think Nintendo will not just announce something, they will reveal it immediately and release it a few weeks later? Turn it up!
Where are all those clowns that predicted the reveal in a September Direct? Where is the September Direct? That was supposedly guaranteed because Nintendo always do one, forgetting the usual January one never happened with the only actual Direct in 2024 occurring in June (indie and partners don't count for those wanting to argue). No doubt these people are hiding in shame, only to surface in a few weeks to put their entire stock in a wild, new prediction.
No, Nintendo are a company that exhaust all possible sales of a successful system and strategically reveal and release new ones for similar reasons. With so many Switch games already scheduled for deep into next year, nothing points to an imminent release of a new system. My hunch remains an announcement early 2025 about basic information and a reveal date. June reveal. September release. A September release puts it in line with Metroid Prime 4, which they will probably make cross generation, and clear the runway for Mario Odyssey 2 as the major launch title.
Basically, Zelda EOW is a very good game, which we all knew in advance. For such games, the real interest in reviews is learning information about the game to determine if it suits your interest. For obscure or brand new titles, especially on a subject of personal interest, that's when the review result counts.
What's the new verb then if it's not buy or purchase or own? Will it be lease, rent or borrow? That will be a fascinating adjustment.
We're reaching a point where physical media isn't even guaranteed ownership, in the sense it will work. Nothing to stop companies dropping updates or patches that mean "you can't play this" when a disc is inserted. In a practical sense, there's a natural expiration for most media anyway due to loss of interest or general availability. As is often the case, a lot of fuss about nothing. Nothing lives forever.
@splinters No, Nintendo never released a Pro concept, which, if we look to the PS5 Pro, is a premium performance, premium priced model selling alongside the base model. As for a Mk2 concept, hell yeah! Look at Gameboy to GBC, DS to DS Lite and DSi, and 3DS to New 3DS and side models like 2DS. Of course, Switch got two such iterations with the red box and OLED updates, albeit the OLED was sold for a little more than the base model, not supplanting it.
I guess your point is what would a Switch 2 be? It will definitely be much more than an iteration and regarded as a new system, and Switch support would dwindle to the point it's discontinued entirely. Much like any new generation.
As to simply adding a number. While Sony have no issues incrementing the number each generation, Nintendo might shy away from that and use a naming convention from yesteryear in which the successor was much the same, only significantly better. How does Super Switch sound? I suspect Nintendo will want to stamp the successor as something special, not it just be a number "2".
Definitely not, for me. The model looks so cheap and an obvious point of fabrication when it's just a bigger Switch. Any of us could have done that in our sleep.
I keep returning to the fact almost all hardware rumours were false, Nintendo announced March 2025 as the deadline for information about the successor, Switch games are already scheduled for deep into 2025, and, of course, they won't want to trample on holiday sales. There'll be many people asking to buy a cheap deal now or wait for Switch 2. Nintendo want them to buy now.
Remember, Digital Foundry have been as wrong as anyone. They were one of the worst Switch Pro purveyors of legitimising rubbish information and rumours.
Actually, Nintendo referred to a successor to the Switch, not a Switch successor, so a subtle difference! 😛
I'm not fussed about backwards compatibility. It's so over hyped, as most of us move onto new games very quickly and the old system gathers dust. If the hardware is backwards (and forwards) compatible, like the dock, controllers and joycons, that's sufficient for me. Then it's about slotting in the particular device of interest.
I still own all three originals on DS and only played the first one. I'd therefore be insane to buy this collection, even given its sublime quality. I'll wait for a heavy discount, as I still am with the Advance collection. Again, I own the GBA originals. Konami have done wonders with all their collections, and it's a testament to their care and devotion in making great games that I've appreciated since the NES days. I love Konami!
Not an official physical copy so I'll stick to download.
(Before anyone wants to argue, I don't regard a third party like Limited Run as official, especially with their ugly label on the packaging. You might, I don't. Period!)
A shame that my two favourite Tetris games of all time, The New Tetris on N64 and Tetris DS, are not included. TNT was especially novel because you could create gold blocks (4 of the same pieces together) and silver blocks (any 4 pieces) for epic scores and extra exhilaration! Tetris DS featured a Push mode for 2-player versus, which was like a tug of war battle. I played that online so much, along with the regular multiplayer online and with friends locally.
If anyone remembers the "64 in 1" cartridges you could import from Asia, there was an outstanding version of Tetris on it. Notably it featured a co-op mode, and it was hilarious if both players were trying to jam a piece into the same space. That game and other dodgy ones should be part of Tetris history even they weren't official version.
I'm interested in Tetris Forever and will wait for reviews and a price to determine if it's an immediate purchase. I do worry that some of the 15 variants are trash, and I simply don't need to play the original NES Tetris ever again.
A well known fact already. Why do so many people ignore the words coming direct from Nintendo, preferring to delve into rumours and speculation? Nintendo clearly stated only information about the Switch successor will come this financial year (by April 2025). So no announcement or reveal of a system, much less a release.
Nintendo are also releasing Switch games deep into 2025, so that completely dismisses a Switch 2 anytime soon. It looks like late 2025 is the earliest release, with early 2026 a distinct possibility.
My timeline is January next year for a tease (basic information like it will be similar to the Switch), an announcement mid 2025 and a release later 2025. If the plan is for a 2026 release, then late March for information, September 2025 for announcement, March 2026 for release.
Nintendo acknowledged a Switch successor? That's news to me. I know they promised an announcement by April 2025 about a successor, which could simply be something is in development and the thing is a further year away. In truth, there would always be a successor unless you somehow believed the Switch was their final system ever to be made.
I have games from the N64 still to be completed so unfinished games are an irrelevant factor. We typically look forward to new stuff anyway, and when the calibre of that dries up, that's when a new system becomes important. If Metroid Prime 4 was arriving late this year or even early next year, the Switch would still look exciting. Currently it's a bit in stasis. So is the successor. Nintendo won't announce anything until next year so the entire topic is essentially moot.
@Spider-Kev 100%! Terms like roguelike, etc, are jargon and show a lack of imagination. Metroidvania is bizarre to me because Metroid was first and Castlevania copied it. I would put Metroid in a broad category of exploration games. Games like Hades I already call re-run games.
I asked my friends what is a roguelike. They said it's a game like Rogue. When I asked what that's about, they had no idea. Perhaps we start calling these things a Hades-like as a meaningful reference, or something descriptive like a re-run game. With that in mind, Splintered Fate looks interesting. Turtles + Hades = Winner!
I doubt a Switch 2 could sell more than a Switch because the Switch was such a novel idea. I believe it could smash early sales records, and then will taper. The SNES precedent is not a perfect guide because Sega got such a strong start in the 16 bit era, especially in the USA. There will be no competitive distraction when the Switch 2 arrives.
Fans already are salivating for a more powerful Switch and Nintendo operates foremost on one principle: $$. The Wii was a necessary shake up because Nintendo needed to open up the market after the relatively weak sales of the N64 and GC. Then failed to read the market was in fatigue with gimmicks and gimmick systems ahead of the Wii U.
Nintendo generally keep it quiet straight forward, save for messing around with controllers. I actually hope Nintendo cut the HD rumble nonsense from the joycons to keep costs down. 99% of game time it's never used, and the other 1% is unnecessary. Basic rumble and gyroscope is enough. Of course, I suspect Nintendo can't help themselves and do something a little wacky. Perhaps electroshock feedback? 🤣😈
Strangely, I've never pre-ordered a new system. While I did boycott the Wii and WU era, I just walked into a regular chain store on release day and bought a Switch, GC and N64, respectively. Same with games: I just go in and buy them. For Switch 2, I probably won't risk it, and pre-order.
Glad to see LM2 is a meaty game, and on the grade between premium steak and gristle, glad it see it's a nicely seared porterhouse. The price is on the beefy side for me, so I'll wait for a price drop to something near that of a quality hamburger with smoked bacon and a chicken skewer on the side. Hmm, I can taste it already!
The "successor to the Switch will be revealed in full during the current fiscal year"? According to the post on X by Furukawa, President of Nintendo, we will only get an "announcement about the successor". That announcement could be anything. I suspect it won't be until the end of the fiscal year (March 2025) and probably just basic information. A full reveal might not be until June 2025. If Nintendo really want to flog as much sales out of the Switch, perhaps September 2025 and then a release in March 2026!
A vague time frame of 2025 typically suggests towards the end of it, so I'd be stunned if MP4 arrives first half. More likely September 2025 or later, and that presumes no further delays. Then we could be encroaching into the Switch 2 release window, and we all know what that means! Nintendo: "We have decided to delay MP4 to make it even better and be a launch title for Switch 2." 🤣😛
Disappointing for me for the prime reason that all we got was a glorified way of Nintendo saying Metroid Prime 4 is still in development and up to 18 months away. After 7 years since it was announced, that is really so lame. I hoped it would arrive later this year. It's amazing that Nintendo can pull a new Zelda from their butt without any notice yet MP4 is stuck in this enduring stasis.
Other than an actual release date, and I personally hoped for later this year, MP4 looks good. It was just no where near enough. If not a release this year, a few minutes more about the game and, say, a March 2025 release, that would be an acceptable compromise. As for a vague 2025, so many of us are writing that off as anytime early to mid 2025 and it become a Switch 2 launch title.
Comments 1,678
Re: Poll: Will You Be Getting The New Mario Kart LEGO Sets?
I own enough junk already so most likely not. Only the Yoshi Bike is of mild interest.
Re: Mario Kart 7 Gets Its First Update In Over A Decade
In a fascinating turn of events, 2 years after the update was released and I decided to play MK7 for the first time in years, this update caused my game to crash. I've narrowed it down to just a particular 3DS model (mine is a blue New 3DS XL) where at least 2 courses won't load and the game crashes. Those courses are Daisy Hills and Air Fortress. There could be others as we did not race all tracks. They didn't load in local multiplayer or in individual time trials.
One friend owned the Samus version of the New 3DS XL with version 1.2 and was fine. My old small 3DS and the two old 3DS XL of my friends were fine. They were both on version 1.1 anyway.
Deleting the update data on my New 3DS made those courses load. Downloading the update again saw the problem return.
I've eliminated the device, game card and a corrupt part of the SD card as a problem. Mii Plaza, which includes updates on the SD card, worked, so I doubt the card is faulty. Unless it is the SD card itself, it looks like something is wrong in the game update with this particular 3DS model and, at least, the most recent system update.
Re: Japanese Charts: What Successor? Switch Hardware Sales Top 100,000
Yet again Nintendo surprises no one with a knowledge of history as they will always maximise sales of a successful system. There's no gamble to that, only common sense! If you announce something before the holiday sales period, people will hold their money for that newer and better product.
The question remains as to how long Nintendo persist with the Switch. Again, look to history, look to their own words. By the end of March 2025 is when they will make an "announcement about the successor". Not a reveal. Not a release. An announcement. If we get the "traditional" Direct in late January (Nintendo already broke their tradition by skipping the September Direct), we might only get basic information, and the timing of the reveal. That Direct will be mostly about games, and potentially Metroid Prime 4 to renew excitement for Switch owners. None of the "leaks" (which are mostly unofficial fabrications and speculation) prove anything. Nintendo act on their own schedule, period.
Re: Poll: What's The Best Tetris Game? Rate Your Favourites For Our Upcoming Ranking
Tetris DS, The New Tetris (N64), and Tetris 99 are my 3 favourites.
An NES version on those 64 in 1 cartridges out of Hong Kong was my favourite at the time. It had an excellent cooperative mode. Researching, it was the version by Tengen that got withdrawn from sale soon after release because Nintendo secured the rights for Tetris.
Re: Eagle-Eyed Fans Think They've Spotted The First 'Switch 2' Image In New Satisfye Trailer
Original: "Chalk this one up as a false lead"
Correction: "Chalk this one up as false lead number 558!"
I really wish a website kept track of all these hoaxes.
Re: Rate Your Favourite Switch Games Of The Year 2024
Based on my scores and time played, my GOTY would be NES World Championships.
Re: Ex-PlayStation Boss Questions Future Of Consoles, But Not Nintendo Hardware
I can't see Xbox surviving in its current form. With the advent of the Steam Deck, the PC market has sharply deviated from its snobbish elitism that demanded machines could be upgraded to accepting a set level of technology as perfectly viable. In that light, dare I mention the Steam Box? The market teased with that idea before it was ready, so the right time might be next Xbox. Imagine it actually be a PC console that runs Steam and therefore immediately provides access to gazillions of games, provides Game Pass, all the new games, and Microsoft only need to support one ecosystem instead of two.
Re: Opinion: Nintendo Needs To Let Us Block The Crap On Switch 2's eShop
Ideally, there should be a "spam folder" of sorts, where these games get automatically shunted. In practice, if Nintendo could categorise games into major games, indie games, and casual/frivolous games, then we could easily filter the shop accordingly.
I don't have any issue with the shop opening in its current format so every new release is visible. Just give us the option to cut down that list with a click. That would be invaluable if you don't check the shop often.
Re: Best Retro Throwback Nintendo Switch Games - Modern Games With Old-School Style
@obijuankanoobie Unfortunately not. I've never seen Sonic Mania at better than 60% off (perhaps that's as good as it will get and I'll eventually succumb) and didn't see The Messenger on sale at all. Typically I go through my watch list during these sales and note anything in red. Perhaps, Christmas time!
Re: Poll: After Three Quiet Months, Will We Finally Get A Nintendo Direct In December?
No chance! That is my unconditional and unequivocal answer if it were an option. So, answered "No way! Nothing until 'Switch 2' reveal now". No, I expect a Direct before a reveal, with the Direct early next year about upcoming games and an "announcement about the successor" as Nintendo promised. That announcement is likely basic information about its form and features, and when it might be revealed. It's sad to see so much media (not this site, thankfully) traffic in lies that Nintendo will reveal it by end of the fiscal year. Let's not forget all the ludicrous rumours of a reveal this year (2024), and even a release. I wish one website kept track of them all, including those way back to the "Switch Pro" hysteria.
Re: Talking Point: Where The Heck Are Those Metroid Prime 2 And 3 Remasters?
February 2025 sounds about right, closely ahead of "never".
It depends on Metroid Prime 4. The recent "coming soon" addition to the initial "2025" schedule makes me think MP4 could be April to mid 2025, instead of around September that I originally thought. If MP4 is mid year or beyond, I can see the rest of the trilogy released early next year. If MP4 is, indeed, "coming soon", like first quarter of 2025, then goodbye to games 2 and 3 of the trilogy.
MP Remastered always seemed a test run of new developmental tools and determining the potential of MP4. I never expected a trilogy in that context. To rebuild all three games would take significant time and delay and significantly delay the release. Only as straight ports would I imagine a trilogy released at the time.
The curiosity now is that we're almost 2 years from MPR and there's still no MP4 or the rest of the trilogy. Perhaps MP4 was expected sooner, then got delayed, and the developers began to rebuild MP2 & 3 in the meantime.
Re: Nintendo Adds Metroid Prime 4: Beyond To Official Metroid Website, Says It's "Coming Soon"
The "coming soon" addendum really gives great hope. The original "2025" schedule told me mid to late next year, which was a worry. Hopefully it's the big first quarter game!
Re: Feature: It's 20 Years Since The Launch Of Nintendo's Most Important Console
I remember deriding it as a complete joke and predicting it would be a failure. Then I bought one (I think a good deal quickly emerged) with Metroid Prime Pinball, and the system itself included the Metroid Hunters demo, and I loved it. Playing online was especially novel, notably with Mario Kart DS, Star Fox Command, Tetris DS, and Metroid Hunters. The array of brilliant games made it so compelling. I would later get a DS Lite.
Re: Sega Delisting 'Mega Drive Classics' On Switch eShop This December
I downloaded it already when it was 50% off. I smell a replacement collection coming.
As to physical copies or the Genesis Mini that some people think is the solution, try buy one now! They were sold out years ago while buying second hand is probably expensive.
Re: 50 Best Game Boy Advance Games Of All Time
@batmanbud2 Perhaps MK SC was the best for its time...
The point is we all have different perspectives. I never definitively declared MV superior, only that I recalled it a better game. At least the respective reviews were at a similar time. If you think otherwise, fine. Let's move on instead of this becoming a petty argument that is common at this site.
Re: 50 Best Game Boy Advance Games Of All Time
@batmanbud2 I did say "my recollection". It could be shaky! I didn't definitively declare Maximum Velocity the best.
According to Wikipedia, MV rated higher than GP Legend by 7 to 9 points. I mostly remember not playing GP Legend that much compared to MV.
Re: It's Official, 'Switch 2' Will Be Backwards Compatible
Excellent news, albeit of minor importance to me. If the dock and controllers are all backwards compatible, it's a small matter to switch between Switches!
Re: Talking Point: Nintendo's Latest Financials Make One Thing Abundantly Clear
Nintendo has always be driven by $$, not when other people thing it's time. That's why the Wii hung on so long and the Wii U was terminated early and hope of successor announced very early. Can we have a list of all the failed rumours/speculation, by the way? I'm fairly sure the usual clowns almost promised a reveal in October, and another said by 5 November (this meeting). Fail. Fail. Fail!
I still maintain that early next year is the announcement about basic information and reveal date. The reveal could be April with a release in July in August. I still bet the reveal is mid year and the release later in 2025, while not ruling out a March tease, September reveal and March 2026 release.
Re: Switch Online's Expansion Pack Promises "Excitement" In 2025
To answer your question, I tried the expansion pack and it sucks. N64 games aren't great anymore and are often problematic without the original controller. I don't care about Sega and DLC is only "free" as long as you permanently hold a subscription.
The biggest insult was sliding GBA games, which are commensurate to SNES games, into that tier, which saw me rage-cancel my renewal altogether.
I boycotted the online for almost 2 years, returning to the basic pack only for F-Zero 99. That subscription is already set not to renew.
I can't imagine Nintendo offering anything worthwhile to get the expansion pack again.
PS: Please, no one start the argument it's only $50 a year or whatever. Not interested. It's a tired argument and the issue here is one of principle.
Re: Rumour: Nintendo Might Be Gearing Up For A GameCube Controller Comeback
Shipment and manufacturing information were the source of the two big Switch Pro rumours that proved to be the red box and OLED updates. I suspect the recent flurry of Switch 2 rumours of an imminent announcement or even a reveal likely proved to be the release of the alarm clock. So, definitely best to ignore such activity as their relevance is nearly always tenuous or speculative, if not entirely fabricated. Only if there's two connecting pieces of activity or information that I would begin to draw conclusions.
Re: Review: Hori Fighting Commander For Nintendo Switch - The Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom Companion?
This Hori pad is an indictment on the Nintendo Pro Controller and its horrific d-pad. Criticism is insufficient about it, mostly because the d-pad is rarely used, so let's hope Nintendo return to the classic SNES style one over this clunky, imprecise and unresponsive catastrophe they gave us for the Switch. There'd be no real reason for the Hori to emerge without that failure.
Re: Forget 'Switch 2', Nintendo Has Just Revealed An Official Alarm Clock
So, the big rumours of Nintendo revealing the Switch 2 this week prove to be an alarm clock. 🤣
Re: Talking Point: After A September No-Show, Will There Be An October Nintendo Direct?
I'd be very surprised there's anything in October. Too many Switch games are coming out, so it makes zero sense Nintendo would not step on potential sales, including Black Friday sales for the console itself, and Christmas season. As you say, Nintendo had Directs for the museum and indies quite recently and they represent plenty of information revealed even if neither are main Directs.
As for the NX/Switch revealed in October 2016, that was after it was revealed a year earlier to be in development. Nintendo haven't even reached that point with the Switch 2, only saying information will be announced by the end of March 2025. I suspect if there's early any information, it's to confirm nothing will be revealed this year, particular in response to the silly rumours that abound.
Re: Best Zelda Games Of All Time
I bet the top 3 of BOTW, Ocarina of Time, and Link to the Past, will be top 3 in perpetuity. Looking forward to someone quoting this comment in 20 years and saying "you were wrong".
Re: F-Zero 99 Update (Version 1.5.0) Adds Five New Tracks, Satellaview Content And Much More
I better get back into it before my subscription expires in a week. Hopefully can finally win a race too. So many second places; yet to win a regular race.
Re: Rumour: 'Switch 2' Could Launch Early Next Year, Claims Accessory Company
@Yodalovesu As for say, it would be detrimental to NL's finances not to report these rumours. This story appeared in my Google suggested stories, for example.
Perhaps NL should log and list all the failed rumours at the of such stories to give readers context that the latest rumours are likely a similar bunch of bull! NL does a good job not to launch or fuel rumour mongering, and provide the usual "take it with a grain of salt" advice or warning. Then it's up to us to decide. That's the best you can do in this tricky world where volume and click bait is fundamental to the survival of a free media operation.
Re: Rumour: 'Switch 2' Could Launch Early Next Year, Claims Accessory Company
None of it makes any sense. Nintendo won't even announce information about the Switch successor until the fiscal year end of March 2025 (they've yet to even officially acknowledge something tangible, unlike NX a year before the Switch reveal) yet people think Nintendo will not just announce something, they will reveal it immediately and release it a few weeks later? Turn it up!
Where are all those clowns that predicted the reveal in a September Direct? Where is the September Direct? That was supposedly guaranteed because Nintendo always do one, forgetting the usual January one never happened with the only actual Direct in 2024 occurring in June (indie and partners don't count for those wanting to argue). No doubt these people are hiding in shame, only to surface in a few weeks to put their entire stock in a wild, new prediction.
No, Nintendo are a company that exhaust all possible sales of a successful system and strategically reveal and release new ones for similar reasons. With so many Switch games already scheduled for deep into next year, nothing points to an imminent release of a new system. My hunch remains an announcement early 2025 about basic information and a reveal date. June reveal. September release. A September release puts it in line with Metroid Prime 4, which they will probably make cross generation, and clear the runway for Mario Odyssey 2 as the major launch title.
Re: Round Up: The Reviews Are In For The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom
Basically, Zelda EOW is a very good game, which we all knew in advance. For such games, the real interest in reviews is learning information about the game to determine if it suits your interest. For obscure or brand new titles, especially on a subject of personal interest, that's when the review result counts.
Re: Californian Law Dictates Storefronts Be Honest About Digital Game Ownership
What's the new verb then if it's not buy or purchase or own? Will it be lease, rent or borrow? That will be a fascinating adjustment.
We're reaching a point where physical media isn't even guaranteed ownership, in the sense it will work. Nothing to stop companies dropping updates or patches that mean "you can't play this" when a disc is inserted. In a practical sense, there's a natural expiration for most media anyway due to loss of interest or general availability. As is often the case, a lot of fuss about nothing. Nothing lives forever.
Re: Talking Point: So Then, Is This 'Switch 2' Leak Legit?
@splinters No, Nintendo never released a Pro concept, which, if we look to the PS5 Pro, is a premium performance, premium priced model selling alongside the base model. As for a Mk2 concept, hell yeah! Look at Gameboy to GBC, DS to DS Lite and DSi, and 3DS to New 3DS and side models like 2DS. Of course, Switch got two such iterations with the red box and OLED updates, albeit the OLED was sold for a little more than the base model, not supplanting it.
I guess your point is what would a Switch 2 be? It will definitely be much more than an iteration and regarded as a new system, and Switch support would dwindle to the point it's discontinued entirely. Much like any new generation.
As to simply adding a number. While Sony have no issues incrementing the number each generation, Nintendo might shy away from that and use a naming convention from yesteryear in which the successor was much the same, only significantly better. How does Super Switch sound? I suspect Nintendo will want to stamp the successor as something special, not it just be a number "2".
Re: Talking Point: So Then, Is This 'Switch 2' Leak Legit?
Definitely not, for me. The model looks so cheap and an obvious point of fabrication when it's just a bigger Switch. Any of us could have done that in our sleep.
I keep returning to the fact almost all hardware rumours were false, Nintendo announced March 2025 as the deadline for information about the successor, Switch games are already scheduled for deep into 2025, and, of course, they won't want to trample on holiday sales. There'll be many people asking to buy a cheap deal now or wait for Switch 2. Nintendo want them to buy now.
Remember, Digital Foundry have been as wrong as anyone. They were one of the worst Switch Pro purveyors of legitimising rubbish information and rumours.
Re: Rumour: Switch "Successor" Will Be Backwards Compatible, It's Claimed
Actually, Nintendo referred to a successor to the Switch, not a Switch successor, so a subtle difference! 😛
I'm not fussed about backwards compatibility. It's so over hyped, as most of us move onto new games very quickly and the old system gathers dust. If the hardware is backwards (and forwards) compatible, like the dock, controllers and joycons, that's sufficient for me. Then it's about slotting in the particular device of interest.
Re: Review: Castlevania Dominus Collection (Switch) - The Strongest Konami Compilation Yet
I still own all three originals on DS and only played the first one. I'd therefore be insane to buy this collection, even given its sublime quality. I'll wait for a heavy discount, as I still am with the Advance collection. Again, I own the GBA originals. Konami have done wonders with all their collections, and it's a testament to their care and devotion in making great games that I've appreciated since the NES days. I love Konami!
Re: Castlevania Dominus Collection Physical Release Confirmed, Pre-Orders Open Next Month
Not an official physical copy so I'll stick to download.
(Before anyone wants to argue, I don't regard a third party like Limited Run as official, especially with their ugly label on the packaging. You might, I don't. Period!)
Re: Nintendo Is Expanding Switch Online's NES Library With Another Classic
Thanks for the reminder to cancel my auto-renew set for October. This service is a joke. I only reactivated it because I got a discount code.
Re: 'Tetris Forever' Compiles More Than 15 Titles In A New Interactive Documentary
A shame that my two favourite Tetris games of all time, The New Tetris on N64 and Tetris DS, are not included. TNT was especially novel because you could create gold blocks (4 of the same pieces together) and silver blocks (any 4 pieces) for epic scores and extra exhilaration! Tetris DS featured a Push mode for 2-player versus, which was like a tug of war battle. I played that online so much, along with the regular multiplayer online and with friends locally.
If anyone remembers the "64 in 1" cartridges you could import from Asia, there was an outstanding version of Tetris on it. Notably it featured a co-op mode, and it was hilarious if both players were trying to jam a piece into the same space. That game and other dodgy ones should be part of Tetris history even they weren't official version.
I'm interested in Tetris Forever and will wait for reviews and a price to determine if it's an immediate purchase. I do worry that some of the 15 variants are trash, and I simply don't need to play the original NES Tetris ever again.
Re: Stunning Sci-Fi RPG 'Beyond Galaxyland' Blasts Off On Switch Next Month
It looks interesting. I'll wait for the reviews and probably a hefty discount before I buy. Too many other games to finish.
Re: Video: Marvel vs. Capcom: Fighting Collection 'Marvel Super Heroes' Trailer
Commenting just to see the comments because the "Show Comments" button does not work.
Re: Rumour: Game Developers Supposedly Told Not To Expect Switch "Successor" In Current Financial Year
A well known fact already. Why do so many people ignore the words coming direct from Nintendo, preferring to delve into rumours and speculation? Nintendo clearly stated only information about the Switch successor will come this financial year (by April 2025). So no announcement or reveal of a system, much less a release.
Nintendo are also releasing Switch games deep into 2025, so that completely dismisses a Switch 2 anytime soon. It looks like late 2025 is the earliest release, with early 2026 a distinct possibility.
My timeline is January next year for a tease (basic information like it will be similar to the Switch), an announcement mid 2025 and a release later 2025. If the plan is for a 2026 release, then late March for information, September 2025 for announcement, March 2026 for release.
Re: The Legendary 'Rogue' Is Now On Switch, But Players Have Noticed A Severe Bug
What's Rogue like? I've never heard of it despite its "legendary" status. Perhaps a legend of fake creation.
Re: Poll: Are You Ready To Move On From The Switch?
Nintendo acknowledged a Switch successor? That's news to me. I know they promised an announcement by April 2025 about a successor, which could simply be something is in development and the thing is a further year away. In truth, there would always be a successor unless you somehow believed the Switch was their final system ever to be made.
I have games from the N64 still to be completed so unfinished games are an irrelevant factor. We typically look forward to new stuff anyway, and when the calibre of that dries up, that's when a new system becomes important. If Metroid Prime 4 was arriving late this year or even early next year, the Switch would still look exciting. Currently it's a bit in stasis. So is the successor. Nintendo won't announce anything until next year so the entire topic is essentially moot.
Re: Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate (Switch) - Hades In A Half-Shell
@Spider-Kev 100%! Terms like roguelike, etc, are jargon and show a lack of imagination. Metroidvania is bizarre to me because Metroid was first and Castlevania copied it. I would put Metroid in a broad category of exploration games. Games like Hades I already call re-run games.
Re: Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate (Switch) - Hades In A Half-Shell
@LikelySatan I believe I said in my second sentence that Rogue is a game. 🙄
My point is, unlike Doom and Souls, barely anyone knows about Rogue, so why not a meaningful reference like Hades?
Re: Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate (Switch) - Hades In A Half-Shell
I asked my friends what is a roguelike. They said it's a game like Rogue. When I asked what that's about, they had no idea. Perhaps we start calling these things a Hades-like as a meaningful reference, or something descriptive like a re-run game. With that in mind, Splintered Fate looks interesting. Turtles + Hades = Winner!
Re: Soapbox: Has Nintendo Set A Precedent That 'Switch 2' Can't Hope To Match?
I doubt a Switch 2 could sell more than a Switch because the Switch was such a novel idea. I believe it could smash early sales records, and then will taper. The SNES precedent is not a perfect guide because Sega got such a strong start in the 16 bit era, especially in the USA. There will be no competitive distraction when the Switch 2 arrives.
Fans already are salivating for a more powerful Switch and Nintendo operates foremost on one principle: $$. The Wii was a necessary shake up because Nintendo needed to open up the market after the relatively weak sales of the N64 and GC. Then failed to read the market was in fatigue with gimmicks and gimmick systems ahead of the Wii U.
Nintendo generally keep it quiet straight forward, save for messing around with controllers. I actually hope Nintendo cut the HD rumble nonsense from the joycons to keep costs down. 99% of game time it's never used, and the other 1% is unnecessary. Basic rumble and gyroscope is enough. Of course, I suspect Nintendo can't help themselves and do something a little wacky. Perhaps electroshock feedback? 🤣😈
Re: Component Shortage No Longer An Issue For Switch Successor, Says Nintendo
Strangely, I've never pre-ordered a new system. While I did boycott the Wii and WU era, I just walked into a regular chain store on release day and bought a Switch, GC and N64, respectively. Same with games: I just go in and buy them. For Switch 2, I probably won't risk it, and pre-order.
Re: Review: Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (Switch) - The Best Version, But Lacks Extras To Make It Essential
Glad to see LM2 is a meaty game, and on the grade between premium steak and gristle, glad it see it's a nicely seared porterhouse. The price is on the beefy side for me, so I'll wait for a price drop to something near that of a quality hamburger with smoked bacon and a chicken skewer on the side. Hmm, I can taste it already!
Re: Retailer GAME Reportedly Ending In-Store Sales Of Physical Games And Hardware
The "successor to the Switch will be revealed in full during the current fiscal year"? According to the post on X by Furukawa, President of Nintendo, we will only get an "announcement about the successor". That announcement could be anything. I suspect it won't be until the end of the fiscal year (March 2025) and probably just basic information. A full reveal might not be until June 2025. If Nintendo really want to flog as much sales out of the Switch, perhaps September 2025 and then a release in March 2026!
Re: Video: New Metroid Prime 4 Footage Spotted On Nintendo's Teaser Website
A vague time frame of 2025 typically suggests towards the end of it, so I'd be stunned if MP4 arrives first half. More likely September 2025 or later, and that presumes no further delays. Then we could be encroaching into the Switch 2 release window, and we all know what that means! Nintendo: "We have decided to delay MP4 to make it even better and be a launch title for Switch 2." 🤣😛
Re: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Confirmed For Switch, Launching 2025
Disappointing for me for the prime reason that all we got was a glorified way of Nintendo saying Metroid Prime 4 is still in development and up to 18 months away. After 7 years since it was announced, that is really so lame. I hoped it would arrive later this year. It's amazing that Nintendo can pull a new Zelda from their butt without any notice yet MP4 is stuck in this enduring stasis.
Other than an actual release date, and I personally hoped for later this year, MP4 looks good. It was just no where near enough. If not a release this year, a few minutes more about the game and, say, a March 2025 release, that would be an acceptable compromise. As for a vague 2025, so many of us are writing that off as anytime early to mid 2025 and it become a Switch 2 launch title.