Comments 715

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (27th June)

HexagonSun

I'm jumping between Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Star Fox on Switch 2. Both are fantastic.

I'm at home this weekend, so I may play something retro. I'm slowly playing through GoldenEye on my Analogue 3D, Super Mario World on my Super NT and MGS Twin Snakes on my GameCube.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Re: Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Description May Suggest A Faithful 1:1 Remake

HexagonSun

I highly doubt the OoT remake is going to be reimagined in the same way that Final Fantasy VII was. I fully expect that it's going to be the same game with only minimal changes to the level design and gameplay. Something like MGS Delta. OoT is already a near perfect game, so why change it drastically from the original? I was fully expecting to just get an enhanced port of the 3DS version, so I'm very happy with what we're getting.

Re: Talking Point: What Do You Think Of Link's New Ocarina Of Time Design?

HexagonSun

I think it looks very promising. However, we've barely seen anything, so it's too soon to cast judgement. I don't think I'll be disappointed. OoT is one of my all time favorite games. I play through it a couple of times a year, so I'm looking forward to experiencing it again with a modern coat of paint. Only time will tell if the remake will be my new go to version. I can't wait to see more.

Re: Movie Review: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie - A Faithful But Overstuffed Sequel

HexagonSun

The first movie almost felt like a game of spot the easter eggs. I had to actively pay attention and see it more than once to catch everything. That's what made it fun.

It seems like the sequel is doubling down on that formula. As a long time Nintendo fan, I can appreciate all the fan service. It works well with Mario, as the games never had deep storylines to begin with.

I can certainly understand those that aren't fans being disappointed with the movies, but I'm sure I'll have fun spotting everything in the new one.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (28th February)

HexagonSun

On Switch 2, having just played through the main story in Final Fantasy VII Remake, I just started Resident Evil Requiem. It's pretty cool being able to play through games like this on a handheld.

I'm off work this weekend, so I'll take advantage of that by playing something on one of my retro consoles. I'm not sure what yet, but I'm feeling some SNES and N64.

I'm wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 😊

Re: Anniversary: The Legend Of Zelda Turns 40 Today - How Did You First Play It?

HexagonSun

I got the original NES cartridge around the time of its release. I had never played anything like it. No handholding. Just a foldout map that was incomplete. It really felt like embarking on an adventure. It took me a few years and a few issues of Nintendo Power before I finally beat it. It was one of the more memorable games I played when I was a kid.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (21st February)

HexagonSun

I'm some 45 hours in on Final Fantasy VII Remake for Switch 2. Amazing game! I'm also playing Virtual Boy with my new replica. Mostly Wario. Beyond playing a few demo units back in the day, it's the only Nintendo console I missed out on. I'm happy to get a chance to experience it now. It really was a wacky Nintendo system. I love it!

I'm planning to play some Metal Gear Solid 2 once I finish up with Final Fantasy. I'm in no hurry though.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend! 😊

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (7th February)

HexagonSun

I'm mostly playing Final Fantasy VII Remake on Switch 2. As a Nintendo only gamer, it's my first time playing it. It's fantastic so far. My favorite third party Switch 2 game thus far.

I'm also playing through Ocarina of Time on my Analogue 3D. Excellent, as always!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend! 😊

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

HexagonSun

I'm playing Metroid Prime 4 on Switch 2 and a variety of N64 games on my new Analouge 3D. It's weird just how long I've been waiting for both MP4 and an FPGA N64 clone. I can finally play my entire retro Nintendo collection on my 4K TV. It's been a long time coming.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Re: Nintendo Is "Acting To Protect The Industry" With Switch 2 Game Key Cards, Says Ex-Capcom Composer

HexagonSun

I don't like Game Key Cards, but it looks like Nintendo made them to simply entice third parties to publish their games on Switch 2. Nintendo themselves aren't even using them. They're releasing all of their games complete on cartridge. It's obviously not some evil plan to screw over the consumer. It just ensures that more third parties release their games without resorting to a code in a box.

We were already seeing publishers on Switch buy the smallest cartridge and require the consumer to download most of the game. I didn't like that either, but it didn't stop me from buying the games I wanted.

I'm a physical media collector. I try to get physical media for all my favorite music, movies, games and books.

Game Key Cards will keep me from making impulse purchases, like I did on Switch. When it comes down to it though, I buy Nintendo systems for Nintendo games, and all of Nintendo's games are going to have complete physical versions. That's enough to make me happy with Switch 2. Third party content is just icing on the cake.

The industry is moving toward all digital. At best, you'll have to buy a disc drive separately for PS6 (just like PS5 pro). I wouldn't be surprised though if it's all digital.

Nintendo is not the bad guy here. They're making the best out of a difficult transition. If physical media is that important to you, collect retro games. I do and I have a collection that I'll be able to enjoy offline for the rest of my life.

Re: Opinion: I'm Celebrating Super Mario Bros.' 40th Anniversary By Finally Finishing It

HexagonSun

Congratulations on finally beating it!

Super Mario Bros is still a fantastic game. My preferred way to play it these days is with the original cartridge on my RetroUSB AVS with an NES Advantage controller on my 4K TV.

SMB was my first console game as a kid. I was five and it basically taught me how to play videogames. I spent hours searching out every little secret, bonus level and warp zone. There was really nothing like it at the time. It still holds up very well and is worth a playthrough no matter how you choose to play it.

Re: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Has Officially Gone Gold, Out This October

HexagonSun

Square Enix is really baffling when it comes to how they're treating it's Nintendo fanbase. I just upgraded DQIII for free, but I can't do that with DQ1+2? It makes no sense. I have Final Fantasy Tactics preordered for Switch, because I know I'll be able to both own the game on cartridge and get the benefit of a Switch 2 upgrade. I would have done the same for DQ1+2 if they hadn't arbitrarily decided against an upgrade path.

It's really too bad. Dragon Quest is best played on a handheld. I own every DQ game released on Nintendo handheld. As much as I want to just get the Switch 1 version, I don't want to support this anti-consumer practice. I hope they reverse this decision. Even if I have to pay for an upgrade, I would rather that than no option at all.

Re: Review: Genki Force Field 2 And Energy Pack - The Ultimate Switch 2 'On The Road' Combo?

HexagonSun

I've tried a few grip cases for Switch 2 and they add too much bulk and weight for my taste. I like how sleek the Switch 2 is without a case.There's no metal sliders to bend this time, so it doesn't feel necessary like it did with Switch 1. I'm just sticking with a screen protector this go around.

As for an external battery, I've already bought a couple of great batteries for much less than the one being advertised. I haven't owned a new external battery since the original launch Switch. I was surprised at how much better they are now. I would never want to bolt one of these to the back of my Switch 2.

Re: Square Enix Confirms Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Runs At A "Stable" 30fps On Switch 2

HexagonSun

Switch 2 isn't a PS5. Some people seem to forget that Switch 2 is a handheld console. Just because it has a convenient TV out doesn't change that. It's a Gameboy that plays modern games at an acceptable performance. It's not for everyone, but it's more convenient than any other console, including a PS4. That's the appeal of getting third party games for it.

I'm a Nintendo only gamer, so I've never played FFVIIR. I'm very much looking forward to it and I'm glad it has a steady frame rate.

Re: Mini Review: The House Of The Dead 2: Remake (Switch) - Erratic Controls Chomp At Another Classic

HexagonSun

@Alex79uk I don't know. Nintendo did just add controller remapping for NSO. From my perspective, the service has only continued to improve since it released. This is coming from someone who owns a sizable retro collection from every Nintendo console (except Virtual Boy). I'm holding out hope that they'll at least have an optional way to replicate pointer controls. Zapper games are starting to gain popularity again, so that may be reason enough to release some sort of solution. That could just be using the new camera accessory to track joycon instead of faces. I don't know. Perhaps unlikely, but not out of the realm of possibility.

Re: Yakuza Kiwami 2 Brawls Onto Switch 2 In November

HexagonSun

I just got my physical copy of Kiwami 1 for Switch through LRG. I'm really glad they're allowing upgrades. I just started the series with 0 on Switch 2 and I'm really enjoying it so far.

I just wish Sega would have allowed upgrades for Sonic Generations. I'm not buying a game twice.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (19th July)

HexagonSun

I'm playing Donkey Kong Bonanza and having an absolute blast. With DK released, it feels like the Switch 2 generation has finally begun. It really should have been a launch title. Nothing against Mario Kart World. I do really like it and I've had a lot of fun playing it with my wife. It's just not the big single player experience I've been waiting for.

Re: Donkey Kong Bananza Director Acknowledges Performance Drops: "We Prioritized Fun And Playability"

HexagonSun

It's good not to forget that Switch 2, just like the original Switch, is the modern day equivalent of a Gameboy. Everyone who buys one should realize that you're sacrificing fidelity for the convenience of being able to play anywhere. Like it or not, Nintendo only makes handhelds now. A frame dip here and there during demanding gameplay isn't a deal breaker if you just want to have fun.

Re: Former Nintendo Execs Fear We Might Be Waiting A While For A 3D Mario On Switch 2, Thanks To Donkey Kong

HexagonSun

@Michael0916 Well, there's the aesthetic quality first. It has a very similar look to Odyssey. The worlds look fairly large, like Odyssey. Pauline is in the game, like Odyssey. Then there's changing the clothes the characters wear, similar fast travel, small challenge levels hidden throughout the main areas, and transformations.

No doubt, this is a different game. It's not Odyssey 2, but it seems to have a lot of it's DNA built into it.

Re: Former Nintendo Execs Fear We Might Be Waiting A While For A 3D Mario On Switch 2, Thanks To Donkey Kong

HexagonSun

I can easily say that one of my favorite game series is 3D Mario. Ever since Super Mario 64, Nintendo has managed to do something special and new, while also retaining what makes Mario unique. However, how many times has Nintendo's developers said that gameplay ideas come first?

This game could have easily started out as intended for Mario, only to become a Donkey Kong game. Tearing up the levels to use as weapons, platforms, extra jumps and making alternative routes definitely seems more suited to a giant ape than Mario.

There's no denying, however, how much Bananza looks like an evolution on the ideas in Odyssey. It's going to be an amazing game even without Mario. I also wouldn't be surprised if they had another team start on 3D Mario as soon as they realized that Bonanza was not going to be a Mario game. Nintendo knows how important Mario is to their continued success.

I would be very surprised if the next 3D Mario game is more than a few years away. Perhaps, this created the perfect storm for Mario Galaxy 3. Or, perhaps, the ideas employed in Bowser's Fury have matured into a more comprehensive experience. Only time will tell, but I haven't been disappointed by 3D Mario in almost 30 years. I don't think this should be a cause for concern. We're definitely going to get another 3D Mario. I can wait. In the meantime, Nintendo might give us Galaxy 2 and 3D Land to tide us over.