I’ve rented this game once or twice from blockbuster back in the day. Solid fun for the time but an 8 in 2023? This was a 7 at best in 2000 and that’s even a stretch. It had fun mechanics but it was very repetitive.
Happy people can play it today but this is just a game to play around for a couple hours and then move on.
The MX vs. ATV THQ series that spawned after took that experience people were looking for and really expanded upon it with a ton of modes, track editors, vehicles, and customization. The one for 360 / PS3 is really good! Reflex? Can’t recall.
Highly recommended that series for those who want to BRAAAAP.
That’s ultimately what people are flagging. No, I am not boycotting this game. Yes, I even want the physical edition. No, I didn’t expect a full remaster, especially on Switch.
It just feels like a poor value @ $50 for me and other people feel the same way too. It doesn’t mean it’s a terrible value for everyone because that is subjective.
At the end of the day, I’m just glad they have RDR on Switch and its NOT botched. The GTA trilogy was a disaster. This is just wait for a sale / price drop moment. Unfortunate or frustrating but not a deal breaker.
Yes… The game scope and complexity is vastly different. Yet you can easily understand from first glance that they put a ton of effort in Quake II, from the new features, split screen, extra content, graphic tweaks. Most importantly, it’s just a mere $10 or alternatively, a free upgrade if you already got the game on Steam.
The two announcements are wildly different and it’s interesting to compare them considering the timing. RDR doesn’t need the same level of treatment but for the $ they’re charging, I think it just raises the expectations.
If they priced this more appropriately, at launch, not a wait until next year sale, I think people would have reacted differently.
No, I don’t think Switch owners in isolation have much to complain about but when you look at the bigger picture, it feel underwhelming knowing Rock* could have definitely done more or simply lowered the price.
Look, I agree with you that the getting the game on switch is an achievement but we can’t ignore why the general reaction was negative.
We have many examples of ports and remasters coming out that offer more content or improvements at an adjusted retail price.
I would love to pick this game up again but for $50 in a year full of excellent releases… no. I have and likely others, have limited budget towards games. I just don’t see a moment where I walk into a store to pick this up considering the full scope at the price they want.
Co-op heists and missions as well as various competitive modes. Including duels and team death matches. All connected in a free roam mode if I recall correctly.
I have vivid memories in the 360 era steering a wagon with friends into a gorge full of enemies (AI / bots) whilst they hurl dynamite.
I don’t believe the missions or heists being particularly complex or full of depth, but they were fun.
The competitive modes were a nice add-on but they got repetitive fast. You could always just mess around in free roam too. Go to Mexico, camp in the fort with the cannon, and try to survive as the “police” come for you.
It (multiplayer) as a package was definitely substantial but not an experience I would expect to be good on Switch considering it’s lackluster online capabilities.
Why it’s not on PS4 and why there isn’t a PC version is where the problems (scope) truly lie if you ask me. Price for omissions and lack of upgrades follows.
Compare this to the effort in Quake II. Quite ironic but nonetheless, we have RDR, one of my all time favourites, on the go. There is something to be said about that.
Honestly, I won’t be buying it at $50 USD but it doesn’t exclude the fact that I want to buy it.
An ideal price would be as cheap as possible of course but they have R&D into converting the game to run on base PS4 and Switch.
I’m sure their core tech team or programmers didn’t just copy / paste code, run it on dev kit, and call it a day.
Besides, I think they learned their lesson from the GTA trilogy. Unless you’re going to commit resources to properly remaster the game (e.g., Metroid Prime) it’s best to ensure the original game runs properly on new hardware. Metroid Prime Remaster retails for $40 USD just as a reminder.
It also takes additional time and effort ($) to also test a game and run through and solve any bugs that may occur on these new platforms.
A fair price seems to be $30 USD all things considered but since this isn’t a Nintendo first party title, I expect the market (demand) to help drive the price down sooner than later. Especially if Switch 2 rumours are true.
I think for the core gamer demographic, sparks of hope adds enough mechanics, changes, and challenge to keep it exciting. The removal of the grid is very much much appreciated. It’s a natural progression of the series and I think the developers took the right steps for this franchise to stay relevant.
I found Kingdom Battle a bit too simple and easy, personally. However, its accessibility is likely the reason why it was more successful financially (date to date comparison).
Sparks has legs but I don’t believe they catered to the correct demographic if their financial goals were to supersede Kingdom Battle.
Keep in mind one fact - Kingdom Battle announcement and release was a spectacle of its own. There were leaks prior and people were extremely skeptical. Once they announced the game, the press and the public reaction was a complete 180.
It reviewed very well and sure, it didn’t blow up in sales initially but there were very few new Mario games on Switch. I bet you, over time that more and more kids bought / were gifted Kingdom Battle because of the mario brand.
Now there are a lot more Switch titles available vs. 2017 to 2019.
Ignore the noise for a moment - We’re getting Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare on the Switch.
Sorry but that is quite the accomplishment. It’s not as ambitious as Witcher 3 in terms of complexity and scope but damn, people forget that Red Dead Redemption PUSHED the 360 to the limit. It’s arguably one of the best looking AAA games (Halo 4 takes the crown) and the game holds up really well.
I for one will get a physical copy at some point. I went back and beat Undead Nightmare earlier this year on original hardware (360) and had a blast.
As long as it holds 30 fps, it’s a win. If we get worse performance than 360… then we are in trouble.
I understand a vocal group may be boycotting the game and they are free to express their discontent, which is valid. However, I see the situation a little bit differently and I am glad Rock* are bringing back an older game. Even if it’s at a price I don’t particularly agree with.
The gaming market is so much larger and accessible is we look at 2017 - 2030 vs. 2000 - 2013.
I'm not sure if its fair to just compare unit sales without that context. However, if we look at the same 13 cycle, (launch to end of life for PS2) Switch should beat PS2.
That's less than 1M (0.93M) units per quarter OR 3.71M per year, until end of calendar year 2030.
Nintendo already communicated to investors that there would not be a new console in this FY. Their line up is winding down. The sales have started to decline.
The launch window will need to align with a few killer apps. Whether its Metroid or a new Mario game. It has to convince families to recommit hundreds of dollars into a new Nintendo console. Regardless of all of the above, it NEEDS to be compatible with user’s existing Switch library in some capacity.
Backwards compatibility coming off a console that has over 100m unit sales is a must.
Don’t get too caught up in tech specs. For all we know, it could be another tegra chip, ARM, or something completely different.
What matters is the value and the software. Why would I, as a new customer or Switch owner buy a new console / eco system? Hardware (speed) alone isn’t enough and this has been proven time and time again.
It’s not just a gimmick either, it needs to solve a problem. Just like the Wii solved accessibility. Or Switch solved flexibility.
Same here. I’m a PC / Nintendo gamer by and large but I used to primarily play on Xbox 360. Havent bought a Playstation or Xbox since.
RDR II screams TV and couch but I can’t always take over the display from my wife.
So I’ve played a bit of RDR II on my monitor with a controller but its not the same. I wont lie, I am more interested for RDR I remaster on PC if anything but I won’t complain, if the port is good, to play on Switch.
Heck, I still have my X360 hooked up to our C9 OLED. RDR and Undead Nightmare still hold up very well. I went through Undead Nightmare this past winter holiday for the first time via Xbox 360 and had a blast. 720p scales up to 4K very well (3 vertical x 3 horizontal pixels for every 1 rendered pixel) so playing on Switch or replaying on 360 isn’t a deal breaker to me.
Should be possible on Switch at 720p / 30 fps depending on the level of effort they put into the assets and VFX.
Definitely interested. RDR I is my favourite Rock* game, with GTA IV in second.
I couldn’t get as attached to RDR II. It’s fantastic and objectively better but it’s treading into western sim territory. RDR I definitely finds the right blend between Rock* and western.
I remember, vividly, when these games came out on Game Boy. The ads were awesome. When I was younger, I bet I would have wanted Ages.
I could only imagine the nonsense we would say at school. Like traveling through time over years is much cooler than seasons within the year. LOL.
Anyway, I never played them and if I were to start, I would go with Seasons. That gameplay concept sounds funner to me. Freezing lakes, seeing the trees during autumn, fresh flowers in the spring. Obviously the Gameboy doesn’t have the juice to realize those effects to today’s standards but still, my mind goes in that direction. Sounds pleasant AF.
I understand some progression is required by Oatchi but… that would just make the co-op all the more fun. Your partner couldn’t just venture on their own for the entire day.
Imagine one player is steering Oatchi, charging and chomping, whilst the other is slinging Pikmin.
I’m have around 7 hours clocked on my save file. Pikmin 4 is the first title I am playing in the series (excluding demo of 3).
I am really enjoying it. The game is definitely very polished, easy to jump in, has a lot of character, in a very comfortable but sometimes disturbing world.
I would just say that it’s just a bit too easy. Im about 10-12 days in so many it’s too early to say but it feels like the main gameplay hook is wearing thin. I don’t feel the need to divide and conquer. I’m not really losing pikmin. There doesn’t seem to be any urgency because there are endless days as far as I can tell.
Don’t get me wrong, I am having a very comforting time. It’s all I am really playing and it’s very zen, especially before bed.
I won’t vote but initial impressions lead me to a 8. Great game but feels lacking in some areas that’s preventing it from reaching a perfect score.
Hopefully there is a bit more depth as time goes on and I hear from reviewers that there is excellent postgame content. I don’t want to spoil it for myself so I haven’t dug further.
The only piece I feel will remain lacking is co-op. I vividly remember when Pikmin 2 was announced and I know Pikmin 3 also supported full campaign co-op. Seems odd they stripped co-op to a mario odyssey style feature. Why not let players play as Oatchi? Oatchi is essentially a secondary character.
Regardless of all the above, I have fallen in love with the series. I will plan to play the series backwards, with 3 next.
Once I get through 3, the retail version of 2 & 1 will be out on shelves and I pivot to 2 and then the original. Seems like the best way to play the series for someone like me.
Look, I am just happy I can access the game on a Nintendo system without having to search on Ebay and dust off my Gamecube.
Do I wish the ports were better? Sure but honestly I can accept a lower effort port if the cost match. $40 USD sounds fair for the collection based on the feedback so far.
Either way, know I definitely want the physical copies so can get over my regret during the Gamecube era when I for some reason, didnt buy Pikmin 1 & 2. Might just wait a little longer and find it used or wait for a sale, like Pikmin 3.
Super excited for the franchise. I’ve always regretted during the Gamecube days that I skipped Pikmin.
With 3 (Deluxe) on Switch, I’ve picked it up about a year ago but I haven’t even put the cart into the console yet. I still want to play it but it’s the perpetual backlog is hitting hard.
I have a feeling once Pikmin 1 + 2 get a physical release, I’ll grab that and 4 just to get over my Gamecube regret and hopefully plow through them all.
Glad the series is in good shape and reviewing well.
I hope the DLC has a meaningful impact for those who want to play single player without feeling burnout. Mr. X Nightmare from SOR4 is the bar and I hope they meet or exceed it.
Love TMNT and it’s a great casual game to play with friends, but with any arcade style beat em’ up, the gameplay gets repetitive quickly on your own.
That’s why I think the Mr. X Nightmare really helped fulfill that void in SOR4 but for a few reasons, I don’t think those same modes can work with TMNT. Maybe I am wrong but I hope they don’t just copy / paste those features from Mr. X into this DLC.
Seems relatively fair considering the grind and effort. I mean, you have a person on that list who not only invested a majority of their life into the organization, but also invented many iconic characters that are represented in franchises earning billions of $USD.
On the other hand, I am more curious about the average dev salary compared to their cost of living in Japan. Japanese companies, specifically in game development are notorious for paying their employees lower wages and required to work more hours compared to western countries. I’d would be nice to see the whole picture (coverage, mat leave, vacation, avg pay, bonus structure, stock options, etc.)
I thought it looked like the first image. Then I scrolled down.
Wow, what have they done to RCT. The image imbedded at the top of the article is very nice. Colourful, vibrant, and more inline with the original sprite graphics.
The subsequent photos... my eyes, they bleed. Why is this game now pseudo 3D? Just stick to 1 and 2 on PC people. You can find it super cheap and it will run on anything.
Came back after building one in the Depths. What a life saver! A little difficult to rebuild perfectly, as a small misalignment will force the player to counter steer but damn, smack a battery on the fan hub and you’re in for a good flight.
Anyone near 120 hrs… for the context that is 12 hrs (1/2) of every day since launch.
There are only three ways you can rack of that many hours:
1. You’re at the stage in your life with little to no responsibilities I.e You’re under 18, you’re single etc. 2. You leave the system running even when you’re not playing. 3. You’ve ascended beyond the capabilities of basic human need and don’t require sleep.
I’ve only completed approx. 110/120 in BotW (85hrs+) and 25 in TotK (20hrs+) and ultimately I prefer TotK because the tools are more diverse.
Hard to compare puzzle to puzzle but when the tools and abilities offer more opportunities to experiment, I don’t see how anyone would objectively argue that the puzzles in BotW are better.
You can nearly build anything and it feels like there are countless ways to beat each shrine.
Ultimately, I’m glad they brought back shrines because I really enjoyed them in BotW. I was a bit nervous and anxious prior to May 12 but I am glad they’re back and better than ever
Everyone has different opinions and that's cool. My opinion shouldn't be assumed as status quo of all others. Yes, the Gamecube, even if you were of age, only reached ~25m users vs. Switch ~125m users. So of course, any game sold on Switch has higher potential. I would just hope for more than a port and no, I disagree with a port as the only approach to be successful with an old series.
A lot of developers take different approaches. EA recently remade Dead Space. Ubisoft is remaking Splinter Cell. Square Enix is remaking VII. WayForward* remade Advance Wars. CAPCOM remade RE2, 3 and 4. iD reboot Doom, Activison reboot CoD MW, Warner Bros reboot MK, Crystal Dynamics reboot Tomb Raider.
All of those games are not ports and have been successful (critics, sales etc.)
My TL;DR - I would hope for more than just a port.
Spend the extra time and sell your games for cash. Nintendo games don’t go on sale often. Thats both bad and good for the market.
The value of used Nintendo Switch games effectively hold well because lack of sales. Games that are new usually sell for $80 CAD + tax, can easily be sold for $50 to $60 used, if in good condition. Heck, a lot of first party titles like BotW and Odyssey I bought used.
Two used games can be sold for $100 which in turn will cover a new Tears of the Kingdom ($90 + tax).
@Cashews Understood. I just went through Vanquish over the weekend. That was led by the OG director of RE4, who went on to start Tango, and now recently left Tango.
Point is - the original Platinum is already broken up. They will have to reboot if they believe they have the talent at CAPCOM or whomever they choose to work with. Otherwise, sure porting is safe but whats the long term goal? Bring back the franchise? If so - how?
Not arguing that but CAPCOM could publish it since they were the original sorta HQ / Owner for Clover before. If they got extra cash in the bank and want to continue diversity with their portfolio (avoid all eggs in one basket) they got some room to play now.
Curious to what they actually resolve with each update on a system that feels very smooth.
Feels like I’ve been reading for the past 3 years “updates to improve stability”.
Maybe they can update to e-shop to be less resource intensive. That store is definitely not stable. Feels like I am walking on a tight rope above a pool of acid and broken glass every time I try to scroll through…
Maybe in a year or so when it goes on sale for a whopping $55 CAD.
Nothing wrong with the game but 2022 was opportune for it. 2023 is quite loaded with titles and with TotK and Pikmin 4 coming out over the next few months, I don’t mind holding out.
I have Black Hole Sun on GBA, Days of Ruin on DS and Battalion Wars on GC.
Days of Ruin I have around 200+hrs so it’s not even a question if I am a fan or like the series. I just think due to extremely unfortunate circumstances, they missed a good launch window.
I hope those who have never played an Advance Wars game jump in and enjoy. The original games were exceptional and it seems that the experience has more-or-less been translated to the Switch.
Still can’t believe both Fusion and Prime came out, on the SAME day, 20 years ago.
Highly recommend fusion as your first 2D Metroid. It’s a great introduction IMO, even if it is #4 in the 2D timeline.
It’s short, controls are tight, the world is engrossing, and most importantly SA-X is terrifying. At least, it was to me when I was young and I had to face this demon on the Gameboy Advance.
Grabbed my copy today (pre-order from EB Games). Cover is reversible and it's the alt image shown in the banner image embedded at the beginning of the article. Nice little perk.
Wish there was a manual, like I do for every other physical copy Nintendo Switch game but I digress.
Ah that's interesting Thanks for flagging and confirming that the feature is still available on dual stick controls.
They mentioned, which I was I recommended watching the video, that is likely disabled (by default) because the dual sticks mitigate the need to reposition the camera. However, when you enable original controls, the automatic camera adjustment (downward) is still present.
The video analysis / tech review is very good. Objective and poignant. I wouldn't be too focused on the negatives. I would focus on the positives as there are a metric TON.
However, the main main criticisms were:
Light sources from the arm cannon when firing a projectile aren't as dynamic as the original. You would see light being cast onto more surfaces in the original vs. the remaster. Could be too hardware intensive on the remaster.
The cannon bobbing (when moving) has been drastically reduced. Subjective but I agree.
Reflections on some elements (reflective surfaces) no longer show Samus. Watch the video, it explains why.
There are some other minor ones, like Samus not looking down when platforming on the dual stick controls, but there is context to why DF believes it was removed and why its still present if you play with the original "tank" controls.
Those criticisms pale in comparison to all the good they have done. Honestly, the game looks fantastic and I can't wait for my copy next week.
Comments 350
Re: Company Of Heroes Collection Marches The Classic RTS Game Onto Switch This Autumn
Love the idea, skeptical about the controls, scale, and UI (handheld mode) on the Switch.
Hope it turns out well!
Re: Review: Excitebike 64 - An Underrated Racer That Deserves To Ride With Its N64 Stablemates
I’ve rented this game once or twice from blockbuster back in the day. Solid fun for the time but an 8 in 2023? This was a 7 at best in 2000 and that’s even a stretch. It had fun mechanics but it was very repetitive.
Happy people can play it today but this is just a game to play around for a couple hours and then move on.
The MX vs. ATV THQ series that spawned after took that experience people were looking for and really expanded upon it with a ton of modes, track editors, vehicles, and customization. The one for 360 / PS3 is really good! Reflex? Can’t recall.
Highly recommended that series for those who want to BRAAAAP.
Re: Japanese Charts: Switch Games Dominate As Pikmin 4 Can't Be Plucked From Top
3/4 of a million units in Japan over approx. 1 month is very impressive for Pikmin.
I’d like to see a chart showing the sales trends of all Pikmin titles as units sold / unique acquisitions, expressed in weeks since launch
Seems like Pikmin 4 is bound to set records for the franchise.
Re: Random: Xbox Legend Major Nelson Visits Nintendo
Crosses the street from MS to Nintendo
“So… I heard you don’t have achievements yet”
Re: Review: Red Dead Redemption - A Fine But No-Frills Switch Port, For A Fistful Of Dollars
@russell-marlow
“because they can get away with it”
That’s ultimately what people are flagging. No, I am not boycotting this game. Yes, I even want the physical edition. No, I didn’t expect a full remaster, especially on Switch.
It just feels like a poor value @ $50 for me and other people feel the same way too. It doesn’t mean it’s a terrible value for everyone because that is subjective.
At the end of the day, I’m just glad they have RDR on Switch and its NOT botched. The GTA trilogy was a disaster. This is just wait for a sale / price drop moment. Unfortunate or frustrating but not a deal breaker.
Re: Review: Red Dead Redemption - A Fine But No-Frills Switch Port, For A Fistful Of Dollars
@russell-marlow
Yes… The game scope and complexity is vastly different. Yet you can easily understand from first glance that they put a ton of effort in Quake II, from the new features, split screen, extra content, graphic tweaks. Most importantly, it’s just a mere $10 or alternatively, a free upgrade if you already got the game on Steam.
The two announcements are wildly different and it’s interesting to compare them considering the timing. RDR doesn’t need the same level of treatment but for the $ they’re charging, I think it just raises the expectations.
If they priced this more appropriately, at launch, not a wait until next year sale, I think people would have reacted differently.
No, I don’t think Switch owners in isolation have much to complain about but when you look at the bigger picture, it feel underwhelming knowing Rock* could have definitely done more or simply lowered the price.
Re: Review: Red Dead Redemption - A Fine But No-Frills Switch Port, For A Fistful Of Dollars
@Stamina_Wheel
Look, I agree with you that the getting the game on switch is an achievement but we can’t ignore why the general reaction was negative.
We have many examples of ports and remasters coming out that offer more content or improvements at an adjusted retail price.
I would love to pick this game up again but for $50 in a year full of excellent releases… no. I have and likely others, have limited budget towards games. I just don’t see a moment where I walk into a store to pick this up considering the full scope at the price they want.
Re: Review: Red Dead Redemption - A Fine But No-Frills Switch Port, For A Fistful Of Dollars
@Stamina_Wheel
For Rock* to stop cutting corners. The level of effort here is fine but the price should reflect that.
It’s not a one size fits all approach. If there was a PC port and this launched at $30 USD, people would accept this.
You’re telling me you would compare this effort to Metroid Prime Remastered Edit: which sold for 40$?
Re: Review: Red Dead Redemption - A Fine But No-Frills Switch Port, For A Fistful Of Dollars
@EarthboundBenjy
Co-op heists and missions as well as various competitive modes. Including duels and team death matches. All connected in a free roam mode if I recall correctly.
I have vivid memories in the 360 era steering a wagon with friends into a gorge full of enemies (AI / bots) whilst they hurl dynamite.
I don’t believe the missions or heists being particularly complex or full of depth, but they were fun.
The competitive modes were a nice add-on but they got repetitive fast. You could always just mess around in free roam too. Go to Mexico, camp in the fort with the cannon, and try to survive as the “police” come for you.
It (multiplayer) as a package was definitely substantial but not an experience I would expect to be good on Switch considering it’s lackluster online capabilities.
Why it’s not on PS4 and why there isn’t a PC version is where the problems (scope) truly lie if you ask me. Price for omissions and lack of upgrades follows.
Compare this to the effort in Quake II. Quite ironic but nonetheless, we have RDR, one of my all time favourites, on the go. There is something to be said about that.
Re: Japanese Charts: Pikmin 4 Comfortably Holds Onto Its Throne
Never underestimate doggo
Re: Metroid Dread Developer Has "Two Large Undisclosed Titles" In The Works
Metroid 6 would be fantastic however I am more intrigued by their rumoured RPG.
Re: Video: Red Dead Redemption Graphics Comparison (Switch & Xbox Series X)
@Dm9982
Honestly, I won’t be buying it at $50 USD but it doesn’t exclude the fact that I want to buy it.
An ideal price would be as cheap as possible of course but they have R&D into converting the game to run on base PS4 and Switch.
I’m sure their core tech team or programmers didn’t just copy / paste code, run it on dev kit, and call it a day.
Besides, I think they learned their lesson from the GTA trilogy. Unless you’re going to commit resources to properly remaster the game (e.g., Metroid Prime) it’s best to ensure the original game runs properly on new hardware. Metroid Prime Remaster retails for $40 USD just as a reminder.
It also takes additional time and effort ($) to also test a game and run through and solve any bugs that may occur on these new platforms.
A fair price seems to be $30 USD all things considered but since this isn’t a Nintendo first party title, I expect the market (demand) to help drive the price down sooner than later. Especially if Switch 2 rumours are true.
Re: Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope Dev Is "Not Worried" About Game's Initial Sales
I think for the core gamer demographic, sparks of hope adds enough mechanics, changes, and challenge to keep it exciting. The removal of the grid is very much much appreciated. It’s a natural progression of the series and I think the developers took the right steps for this franchise to stay relevant.
I found Kingdom Battle a bit too simple and easy, personally. However, its accessibility is likely the reason why it was more successful financially (date to date comparison).
Sparks has legs but I don’t believe they catered to the correct demographic if their financial goals were to supersede Kingdom Battle.
Keep in mind one fact - Kingdom Battle announcement and release was a spectacle of its own. There were leaks prior and people were extremely skeptical. Once they announced the game, the press and the public reaction was a complete 180.
It reviewed very well and sure, it didn’t blow up in sales initially but there were very few new Mario games on Switch. I bet you, over time that more and more kids bought / were gifted Kingdom Battle because of the mario brand.
Now there are a lot more Switch titles available vs. 2017 to 2019.
Re: Video: Red Dead Redemption Graphics Comparison (Switch & Xbox Series X)
Ignore the noise for a moment - We’re getting Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare on the Switch.
Sorry but that is quite the accomplishment. It’s not as ambitious as Witcher 3 in terms of complexity and scope but damn, people forget that Red Dead Redemption PUSHED the 360 to the limit. It’s arguably one of the best looking AAA games (Halo 4 takes the crown) and the game holds up really well.
I for one will get a physical copy at some point. I went back and beat Undead Nightmare earlier this year on original hardware (360) and had a blast.
As long as it holds 30 fps, it’s a win. If we get worse performance than 360… then we are in trouble.
I understand a vocal group may be boycotting the game and they are free to express their discontent, which is valid. However, I see the situation a little bit differently and I am glad Rock* are bringing back an older game. Even if it’s at a price I don’t particularly agree with.
Re: Resident Evil 2 Remake Is Now The Best-Selling Entry In The Entire Franchise
As an owner of Resident Evil 4 on Gamecube, I guess you can say that I am “1 in a million”…
I’ll see my self out.
Re: Poll: Do You Think Switch Can Catch PS2's Total Sales Before 'Switch 2' Arrives?
With an asterisk*, yes
The gaming market is so much larger and accessible is we look at 2017 - 2030 vs. 2000 - 2013.
I'm not sure if its fair to just compare unit sales without that context. However, if we look at the same 13 cycle, (launch to end of life for PS2) Switch should beat PS2.
That's less than 1M (0.93M) units per quarter OR 3.71M per year, until end of calendar year 2030.
Re: Rumour: Nintendo Is Targeting A 2024 Release For The Switch Successor
@Chaotic_Neutral
Because you can't get Nintendo IP anywhere else (legally).
When that Metroid 4 trailer drops... I bet you will think twice.
I have a feeling this is why Nintendo was very light on details for that new Peach game. I have a feeling that will be a cross-gen launch.
Re: Rumour: Nintendo Is Targeting A 2024 Release For The Switch Successor
Of all the leaks, it’s the most plausible.
Nintendo already communicated to investors that there would not be a new console in this FY. Their line up is winding down. The sales have started to decline.
The launch window will need to align with a few killer apps. Whether its Metroid or a new Mario game. It has to convince families to recommit hundreds of dollars into a new Nintendo console. Regardless of all of the above, it NEEDS to be compatible with user’s existing Switch library in some capacity.
Backwards compatibility coming off a console that has over 100m unit sales is a must.
Don’t get too caught up in tech specs. For all we know, it could be another tegra chip, ARM, or something completely different.
What matters is the value and the software. Why would I, as a new customer or Switch owner buy a new console / eco system? Hardware (speed) alone isn’t enough and this has been proven time and time again.
It’s not just a gimmick either, it needs to solve a problem. Just like the Wii solved accessibility. Or Switch solved flexibility.
That’s the special sauce Nintendo has.
Re: Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption Logo Update Reignites Remaster Rumours
@WhiteTrashGuy
Same here. I’m a PC / Nintendo gamer by and large but I used to primarily play on Xbox 360. Havent bought a Playstation or Xbox since.
RDR II screams TV and couch but I can’t always take over the display from my wife.
So I’ve played a bit of RDR II on my monitor with a controller but its not the same. I wont lie, I am more interested for RDR I remaster on PC if anything but I won’t complain, if the port is good, to play on Switch.
Heck, I still have my X360 hooked up to our C9 OLED. RDR and Undead Nightmare still hold up very well. I went through Undead Nightmare this past winter holiday for the first time via Xbox 360 and had a blast. 720p scales up to 4K very well (3 vertical x 3 horizontal pixels for every 1 rendered pixel) so playing on Switch or replaying on 360 isn’t a deal breaker to me.
Re: Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption Logo Update Reignites Remaster Rumours
Should be possible on Switch at 720p / 30 fps depending on the level of effort they put into the assets and VFX.
Definitely interested. RDR I is my favourite Rock* game, with GTA IV in second.
I couldn’t get as attached to RDR II. It’s fantastic and objectively better but it’s treading into western sim territory. RDR I definitely finds the right blend between Rock* and western.
Re: The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons & Oracle Of Ages - Which Should I Play First?
Wow… 22 years old.
I remember, vividly, when these games came out on Game Boy. The ads were awesome. When I was younger, I bet I would have wanted Ages.
I could only imagine the nonsense we would say at school. Like traveling through time over years is much cooler than seasons within the year. LOL.
Anyway, I never played them and if I were to start, I would go with Seasons. That gameplay concept sounds funner to me. Freezing lakes, seeing the trees during autumn, fresh flowers in the spring. Obviously the Gameboy doesn’t have the juice to realize those effects to today’s standards but still, my mind goes in that direction. Sounds pleasant AF.
Re: Soapbox: Oatchi Is The Star Of Pikmin 4, And He Deserves To Stay For Good
100% on the missed co-op opportunity.
I understand some progression is required by Oatchi but… that would just make the co-op all the more fun. Your partner couldn’t just venture on their own for the entire day.
Imagine one player is steering Oatchi, charging and chomping, whilst the other is slinging Pikmin.
It would be blissful.
Give us Oatchi co-op!
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Pikmin 4?
I’m have around 7 hours clocked on my save file. Pikmin 4 is the first title I am playing in the series (excluding demo of 3).
I am really enjoying it. The game is definitely very polished, easy to jump in, has a lot of character, in a very comfortable but sometimes disturbing world.
I would just say that it’s just a bit too easy. Im about 10-12 days in so many it’s too early to say but it feels like the main gameplay hook is wearing thin. I don’t feel the need to divide and conquer. I’m not really losing pikmin. There doesn’t seem to be any urgency because there are endless days as far as I can tell.
Don’t get me wrong, I am having a very comforting time. It’s all I am really playing and it’s very zen, especially before bed.
I won’t vote but initial impressions lead me to a 8. Great game but feels lacking in some areas that’s preventing it from reaching a perfect score.
Hopefully there is a bit more depth as time goes on and I hear from reviewers that there is excellent postgame content. I don’t want to spoil it for myself so I haven’t dug further.
The only piece I feel will remain lacking is co-op. I vividly remember when Pikmin 2 was announced and I know Pikmin 3 also supported full campaign co-op. Seems odd they stripped co-op to a mario odyssey style feature. Why not let players play as Oatchi? Oatchi is essentially a secondary character.
Regardless of all the above, I have fallen in love with the series. I will plan to play the series backwards, with 3 next.
Once I get through 3, the retail version of 2 & 1 will be out on shelves and I pivot to 2 and then the original. Seems like the best way to play the series for someone like me.
Re: Video: Digital Foundry's Technical Analysis Of Pikmin 1+2 On Switch
Look, I am just happy I can access the game on a Nintendo system without having to search on Ebay and dust off my Gamecube.
Do I wish the ports were better? Sure but honestly I can accept a lower effort port if the cost match. $40 USD sounds fair for the collection based on the feedback so far.
Either way, know I definitely want the physical copies so can get over my regret during the Gamecube era when I for some reason, didnt buy Pikmin 1 & 2. Might just wait a little longer and find it used or wait for a sale, like Pikmin 3.
Re: Review: Pikmin 4 - Relaxed, Refined Real-Time Strategy, Ready To Crack The Mainstream
Super excited for the franchise. I’ve always regretted during the Gamecube days that I skipped Pikmin.
With 3 (Deluxe) on Switch, I’ve picked it up about a year ago but I haven’t even put the cart into the console yet. I still want to play it but it’s the perpetual backlog is hitting hard.
I have a feeling once Pikmin 1 + 2 get a physical release, I’ll grab that and 4 just to get over my Gamecube regret and hopefully plow through them all.
Glad the series is in good shape and reviewing well.
Also, who doesn’t love a doggo?
Re: Nintendo Updates Pikmin 4 To Version 1.0.1, Here's What's Included
Nintendo and their patch notes are like the mafia from Goodfellas collecting payment.
“F you, pay me”.
Re: Soapbox: It's Time To Admit That F-Zero X Is The Best F-Zero
F-Zero Maximum Velocity was my first F-Zero game, so therefore it's the best.
That's the reason why I chose it. I love it.
Let the rest squander over GX and X....
Re: TMNT: Shredder's Revenge DLC Will Feature A Dimension-Hopping Survival Mode
I hope the DLC has a meaningful impact for those who want to play single player without feeling burnout. Mr. X Nightmare from SOR4 is the bar and I hope they meet or exceed it.
Love TMNT and it’s a great casual game to play with friends, but with any arcade style beat em’ up, the gameplay gets repetitive quickly on your own.
That’s why I think the Mr. X Nightmare really helped fulfill that void in SOR4 but for a few reasons, I don’t think those same modes can work with TMNT. Maybe I am wrong but I hope they don’t just copy / paste those features from Mr. X into this DLC.
Re: Nintendo 2023 Annual Report Reveals Director Salaries Are Still Modest For The Industry
Seems relatively fair considering the grind and effort. I mean, you have a person on that list who not only invested a majority of their life into the organization, but also invented many iconic characters that are represented in franchises earning billions of $USD.
On the other hand, I am more curious about the average dev salary compared to their cost of living in Japan. Japanese companies, specifically in game development are notorious for paying their employees lower wages and required to work more hours compared to western countries. I’d would be nice to see the whole picture (coverage, mat leave, vacation, avg pay, bonus structure, stock options, etc.)
Re: Exclusive: RollerCoaster Tycoon Adventures Deluxe Rides Onto Switch Later This Year
I thought it looked like the first image. Then I scrolled down.
Wow, what have they done to RCT. The image imbedded at the top of the article is very nice. Colourful, vibrant, and more inline with the original sprite graphics.
The subsequent photos... my eyes, they bleed. Why is this game now pseudo 3D? Just stick to 1 and 2 on PC people. You can find it super cheap and it will run on anything.
Re: Random: Zonai 'Airbike' Is The Perfect Custom Vehicle In Zelda: TOTK
Came back after building one in the Depths. What a life saver! A little difficult to rebuild perfectly, as a small misalignment will force the player to counter steer but damn, smack a battery on the fan hub and you’re in for a good flight.
Re: Random: Zonai 'Airbike' Is The Perfect Custom Vehicle In Zelda: TOTK
@Mrkittyhead
Thanks and perfect. I’ve just completed my first dungeon (north east area).
I’ll keep my eyes peeled!
Re: Random: Zonai 'Airbike' Is The Perfect Custom Vehicle In Zelda: TOTK
Without spoiling, how do you “Autobuild” or obtain an Autobuild list?
Re: Zelda: TOTK Playtimes Start To Appear, And Some People Haven't Been Getting A Lot Of Sleep
20 hours or more.
Anyone near 120 hrs… for the context that is 12 hrs (1/2) of every day since launch.
There are only three ways you can rack of that many hours:
1. You’re at the stage in your life with little to no responsibilities I.e You’re under 18, you’re single etc.
2. You leave the system running even when you’re not playing.
3. You’ve ascended beyond the capabilities of basic human need and don’t require sleep.
Re: Soapbox: Zelda: TOTK's Shrines Are Brilliant At Making An Idiot Feel Like A Genius
I’ve only completed approx. 110/120 in BotW (85hrs+) and 25 in TotK (20hrs+) and ultimately I prefer TotK because the tools are more diverse.
Hard to compare puzzle to puzzle but when the tools and abilities offer more opportunities to experiment, I don’t see how anyone would objectively argue that the puzzles in BotW are better.
You can nearly build anything and it feels like there are countless ways to beat each shrine.
Ultimately, I’m glad they brought back shrines because I really enjoyed them in BotW. I was a bit nervous and anxious prior to May 12 but I am glad they’re back and better than ever
Re: Capcom Reports Yet Another Record Year Of Game Sales
@JohnnyMind
Everyone has different opinions and that's cool. My opinion shouldn't be assumed as status quo of all others. Yes, the Gamecube, even if you were of age, only reached ~25m users vs. Switch ~125m users. So of course, any game sold on Switch has higher potential. I would just hope for more than a port and no, I disagree with a port as the only approach to be successful with an old series.
A lot of developers take different approaches. EA recently remade Dead Space. Ubisoft is remaking Splinter Cell. Square Enix is remaking VII. WayForward* remade Advance Wars. CAPCOM remade RE2, 3 and 4. iD reboot Doom, Activison reboot CoD MW, Warner Bros reboot MK, Crystal Dynamics reboot Tomb Raider.
All of those games are not ports and have been successful (critics, sales etc.)
My TL;DR - I would hope for more than just a port.
Re: Save Big On Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom With This GameStop Trade-In Offer (US)
Spend the extra time and sell your games for cash. Nintendo games don’t go on sale often. Thats both bad and good for the market.
The value of used Nintendo Switch games effectively hold well because lack of sales. Games that are new usually sell for $80 CAD + tax, can easily be sold for $50 to $60 used, if in good condition. Heck, a lot of first party titles like BotW and Odyssey I bought used.
Two used games can be sold for $100 which in turn will cover a new Tears of the Kingdom ($90 + tax).
Also - don’t buy digital unless you have to…
Re: Capcom Reports Yet Another Record Year Of Game Sales
@Cashews Understood. I just went through Vanquish over the weekend. That was led by the OG director of RE4, who went on to start Tango, and now recently left Tango.
Point is - the original Platinum is already broken up. They will have to reboot if they believe they have the talent at CAPCOM or whomever they choose to work with. Otherwise, sure porting is safe but whats the long term goal? Bring back the franchise? If so - how?
Re: Capcom Reports Yet Another Record Year Of Game Sales
@Cashews
Not arguing that but CAPCOM could publish it since they were the original sorta HQ / Owner for Clover before. If they got extra cash in the bank and want to continue diversity with their portfolio (avoid all eggs in one basket) they got some room to play now.
Re: Capcom Reports Yet Another Record Year Of Game Sales
@Jimmy_G_Buckets
We need Viewtiful Joe 3 or simply a reboot. Let them start on a new game already. Switch is full of ports.
Re: Capcom Reports Yet Another Record Year Of Game Sales
Keep it up, CAPCOM!
SFVI is shaping up well and the RE train is on a roll. Can’t wait for REIX. Please keep the game first person to round off the “trilogy”
A little skeptical of Exoprimal but… space raptors has me intrigued XD
I know most of these titles are not on Switch but if you have another console or PC, don’t skip on recent CAPCOM games
Re: Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Upcoming Switch Games, And It's Slim Pickings
In a summer sea of upcoming AAA titles…
I think it would be wise if Nintendo postponed their announcements until a fall direct.
Yes it won’t be as full as previous years because the Switch is really showing it’s age but don’t be fooled by this “list” right now. Be patient.
Re: Nintendo Switch System Update 16.0.3 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Thanks for the updated article, Liam (tweet / data mine)
Re: Nintendo Switch System Update 16.0.3 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Curious to what they actually resolve with each update on a system that feels very smooth.
Feels like I’ve been reading for the past 3 years “updates to improve stability”.
Maybe they can update to e-shop to be less resource intensive. That store is definitely not stable. Feels like I am walking on a tight rope above a pool of acid and broken glass every time I try to scroll through…
Re: Poll: Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Is Out Today, Will You Be Getting it?
Maybe in a year or so when it goes on sale for a whopping $55 CAD.
Nothing wrong with the game but 2022 was opportune for it. 2023 is quite loaded with titles and with TotK and Pikmin 4 coming out over the next few months, I don’t mind holding out.
I have Black Hole Sun on GBA, Days of Ruin on DS and Battalion Wars on GC.
Days of Ruin I have around 200+hrs so it’s not even a question if I am a fan or like the series. I just think due to extremely unfortunate circumstances, they missed a good launch window.
I hope those who have never played an Advance Wars game jump in and enjoy. The original games were exceptional and it seems that the experience has more-or-less been translated to the Switch.
Re: Nintendo Expands Its Switch Online Game Boy Advance Service March 9th
@Pho
Much appreciated. I thought a Paper Mario x King of the Hill collaboration was much needed in our universe.
Re: Nintendo Expands Its Switch Online Game Boy Advance Service March 9th
Still can’t believe both Fusion and Prime came out, on the SAME day, 20 years ago.
Highly recommend fusion as your first 2D Metroid. It’s a great introduction IMO, even if it is #4 in the 2D timeline.
It’s short, controls are tight, the world is engrossing, and most importantly SA-X is terrifying. At least, it was to me when I was young and I had to face this demon on the Gameboy Advance.
Re: Where To Buy Metroid Prime Remastered On Switch
Grabbed my copy today (pre-order from EB Games). Cover is reversible and it's the alt image shown in the banner image embedded at the beginning of the article. Nice little perk.
Wish there was a manual, like I do for every other physical copy Nintendo Switch game but I digress.
Re: Video: Digital Foundry's Technical Analysis Of Metroid Prime Remastered
@UsurperKing
Ah that's interesting Thanks for flagging and confirming that the feature is still available on dual stick controls.
They mentioned, which I was I recommended watching the video, that is likely disabled (by default) because the dual sticks mitigate the need to reposition the camera. However, when you enable original controls, the automatic camera adjustment (downward) is still present.
Re: Video: Digital Foundry's Technical Analysis Of Metroid Prime Remastered
The video analysis / tech review is very good. Objective and poignant. I wouldn't be too focused on the negatives. I would focus on the positives as there are a metric TON.
However, the main main criticisms were:
There are some other minor ones, like Samus not looking down when platforming on the dual stick controls, but there is context to why DF believes it was removed and why its still present if you play with the original "tank" controls.
Those criticisms pale in comparison to all the good they have done. Honestly, the game looks fantastic and I can't wait for my copy next week.