Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is the best game of 2020 of the games I've played. Not sure why 3D All-Stars isn't included here since it's #2 on the overall best games of 2020 list, and is definitely more of a port than XC:DE.
Animal Crossing should be enjoyed however a player wants to enjoy the game. It's a mostly relaxed, single player experience that's personal to that particular player. TT should be perfectly fine as the player should have the option to dictate the game's pace not the other way around. I haven't played New Horizons since a little after Bunny Day, so there's plenty for me to take in when I do decide to pick up the game again.
I think Metroid: Samus Returns is the most unsatisfying game in the Metroid Series, due mainly to enemy interaction, but most fans seem to like the game and so it could make sense for the game to come to Switch. Personally, if it's not the Prime Trilogy, I think the most potential would come from either Metroid Prime Hunters or Federation Force coming to Switch. I could be wrong, but I don't think any other Metroid games would take full advantage of what the Switch has to offer.
Xenoblade is higher than I expected, but behind a release I didn't expect. It would take a compilation of three great games with improvements, all at least averaging 9/10, to top Xenoblade. Xenoblade would've been on top otherwise.
I would imagine Galaxy and Galaxy 2 would be at the top on a Nintendo site, but Xenoblade Chronicles should immediately follow those two games. Personally, Xenoblade Chronicles blew every other Wii game out of the water at Makna Forest, which I don't think is even the game's halfway point.
When I heard about this release, I bought the game pretty much immediately. On mobile, I felt Part Time UFO was one of the best experiences I've had. That and more on the Switch was an easy purchase decision.
@Giancarlothomaz It wouldn't be first shown at E3 2023 if you think it's releasing late 2022/early 2023. I think Metroid Prime 4's first showing will be next year's E3. If the game is early 2022 rather than late 2021, I can also see it appearing at TGA 2021 because why not. The game really shouldn't take a couple more years to release based on the cycles for a majority of the Prime Series, unless they're reinventing the wheel here for Metroid.
I did expect Prime 4 to have cutscenes following the footsteps of a majority of the Prime Series, and it should. A Samus and Sylux confrontation has been building for over 14 years now within the Prime Series, so they need to capture those interactions from all angles including cinematic. Product Testers could be good news for how soon Prime 4 could be releasing. I do still expect to be playing Prime 4 by the end of next year.
Sunshine was the first game I played in the collection and decided to beat it before moving on. Sunshine has higher highs than I remember , but also lower lows. It can be the funnest 3D Mario game and can be the most frustrating. The secret level episodes were the most frustrating for me and the game's lowest points for the most part. I don't know if it's the game or how the Pro controller is, but Mario felt way too touchy to control and FLUDD wasn't there to correct.
They looked like path indicators in the secret level, so I figured they wanted to make this version a little easier. That's not something I was going to be upset over.
9s to Super Mario 64 DS, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Sunshine, 3D Land and Super Mario Odyssey, while giving 8s to Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario 3D World...3D Mario might be the best overall series from Nintendo, and Super Mario 64 DS is my favorite of the group by just a slight margin. I liked the multiple characters, especially Luigi, the additional stars, the mini-games and the multiplayer. This game looks really impressive to me still on the DS.
Not surprising to see. I pre-ordered my copy through Amazon the day the collection was announced. The convenience of having both Sunshine and Galaxy on the same card and playable away from a TV screen is alone, for me, worth the investment. I enjoyed both of those games quite a bit and have no problem double dipping. Plus now, I can share my experiences easily with the Switch's media features. Super Mario 64, while I don't like as much, is still a great time in its own right and further sweetens the package.
I missed the last question. I was hoping for more obscure questions that dealt with the series' lore. For example, asking what Project Golem references with the possible answers being Thardus, Federation Mechs, Mogenar and Diamonts. Maybe even a list of the characters who have interacted with a baby Metroid.
I'm pretty sure each Prime game done by Retro Studios Retro had their own producer and a producer directly tied to Nintendo, which would be Kensuke Tanabe. This to me means that they're shifting into coming up with a marketing strategy for the game. I still expect Prime 4 in November of 2021.
Metroid's 35th anniversary is also next year. I don't necessarily think that's important for Prime 4, but I do think next year would be the best time to potentially see two new Metroid releases again. A new side-scrolling Metroid game should be on its way soon. Imagine a new 2D Metroid game in August for the exact anniversary and have Prime 4 follow up later in November.
Origami King, unless it takes a nose dive, is my favorite Paper Mario game and favorite release from the Mario IP on Switch. I'm just getting started on the game's fourth streamer and this game has not lost any momentum. It's on track to being a game I would want to 100% complete, and it seems very approachable to do so. I'm taking my experience through the game slowly, savoring it and have been enjoying the game out of game. Right now, as I comment, I'm listening to the themes extended of the Legion of Stationery members I've already fought.
The game's low point I would say are the regular battles. The addition of a puzzle element via the ring concept before going into the turn-based action for me makes it a little more engaging than I remember TTYD being up until the player has a decent, leveled up partner party to work with. I do not think the battle system overall is a low point however. The boss encounters are very well done, Vullementals and Legion of Stationery, and the Paper Macho battles have been enjoyable, more in line with what I would have expected in an action adventure game.
I'm glad that the game has had the best launch for the series here. The game, in spite of asinine restrictions, has maintained creativity and has been great to experience. I do not want Paper Mario to shift away from the action adventure genre if Origami King is the standard going forward.
I have been enjoying Origami King a lot, and, because of that, I'm interested in revisiting the series in general once I beat the game. I do not think Sticker Star is that bad at all either. Games don't have to be a specific genre to be a quality experience. I have yet to have a terrible experience while playing Sticker Star. If it wasn't for how vague it can be, I might have already beaten the game.
I think Sticker Star's biggest problem is how vague it can get with its puzzles and solutions. I have enjoyed the game when I've played it overall and do think the game works well as a handheld experience. I don't mind the loop of collecting stickers and using them in battles even if there is no real benefit to that besides making the path in the stage more manageable. Sticker Star is right behind Origami King for me in terms of progress made since beating TTYD. It and the original may be the first games I go back to once I'm done with TOK. I was playing both leading up to TOK's release.
I've played all six Paper Mario games and have only beaten one so far. Unlike the Mario & Luigi series through the GBA-DS era, Paper Mario hasn't really clicked with me often in spite of their quality. I would like to return to some of these games though following The Origami King.
I rated The Thousand Year Door and The Origami King at a 9/10, even though I'm only halfway through the latter and have beaten the former. I remember TTYD fondly, mainly for its settings, story, character designs and consistent, good gameplay, but I was also 12 at the time I played through the game. The one time I've beaten the game I used a guide most of the way to help myself pace through the game better. First game I had a guide for and usually I now only get guides for games I really like or am interested in. To be honest, I don't remember exactly how I felt as I was playing the game that first time. I don't know how much I enjoyed the experience, so I cannot definitively say it's my favorite. TTYD was my first Paper Mario game.
I do know how much I'm enjoying TOK. Like I said, I think I'm halfway through the game and it's fantastic. I do think it is the best release from the Mario IP on the Switch or at least that's how I'm feeling after several of my recent sessions with the game. I find TOK very similar to how I played Odyssey with an additional mix of Zelda sprinkled in. It's an action adventure game and so far it succeeds at delivering that kind of experience.
The Origami King: 9
The Thousand Year Door: 9
Paper Mario: 8
Sticker Star: 7
Super Paper Mario: 6
Color Splash: 6
I've enjoyed the ring battle system so far in my experience with Origami King. Most battles have felt fresh by mixing up enemy placement and in that sense I find this system more engaging than the battles present in the rest of the series. I don't think they need to reinvent the battle system with each new entry though. I think they're in a good spot now and hope that they expand upon puzzle elements influencing battles in the future.
New Horizons released at the perfect time and is a game constantly getting new updates. I personally, in spite of not being my favorite Animal Crossing game, would take it over most of the Metroid Series today. It's much better than Samus Returns especially. I don't know how that game didn't get heavily criticized for its combat. MSR took several steps backwards from Other M and it came out 7 years after. After all the fuss from Federation Force, a better game too, I was hoping a more traditional Metroid experience would leave a better impression since there hadn't been one since Corruption. I really hope Melee Counter is a one time thing.
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2017 are Nintendo's best years to me...and of those six, I'm going with 2005. 2005 has Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario Kart DS, Nintendogs, Meteos, Metroid Prime Pinball, WarioWare: Touched!, Super Mario Strikers, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat and Partners In Time.
Origami King has been fantastic, these restrictions aren't. If they combined the writing they're pushed to do now with the creativity in design that they had back then, Paper Mario would be a lot better. Even with restrictions, at least with Origami King, I'm enjoying the game more than current mainline Mario.
The worst thing associated to Origami King are Tanabe's comments in that interview released right before the game. I almost skipped the game partially due to those comments. I have the game though and have been enjoying the game a lot. It reminds me a lot of my first play through of Super Mario Odyssey, without its more filler kingdoms, so far, but I'm not willing to say it is better just yet. I do think it has the potential to end up as my favorite Mario IP release on the Switch.
@marnelljm I'm not done with Origami King, but I do think it's a possibility with how much I'm enjoying the game for it to end up being better than Odyssey.
I think Nintendo knew that Origami King wasn't what most fans were wanting from the series. The game was announced outside of a presentation a couple of months before its release. Origami King hasn't had much marketing either, and some of the marketing it has had made the game look questionable if not bad. It's a release Nintendo seemed content on letting the Switch's success carry. Regardless of its sales, the game is really good and may just be the best release out of the Mario IP on Switch.
2019 to me has been the worst year since I've been following. Pokemon Sword and Super Mario Maker 2 were the only two new games I believe I had picked up. Pokemon Sword can be enjoyable, but its quality level leaves a lot to be desired. Super Mario Maker 2 was just a poorly handled release as it didn't come bundled with a stylus. 2020 has had New Horizons, Xenoblade and the Origami King, and all are solid experiences.
2015 and 2016 felt like really bad years in terms of excitement level within the community, but I feel the stretch had a decent line-up especially in 2015. With 2016, it has Pokemon Go and Federation Force, which puts it above all of Switch's years except 2017 so far. 2020 could be a very solid year still. Right now, it's just a bit better than 2018 and 2019, which is disappointing as I had hoped 2020 would be the next 2017 for the Switch before the pandemic happened.
Best newcomer in Ultimate in my opinion. I thought Min Min should have gotten in even though I wanted Twintelle. Seeing how they translated ARMS to Smash, I can see why Twintelle of all of ARMS cast would not have worked as well: It is her hair. Twintelle's face would be obscured so much in a 2D fighter like Smash while trying to accurately replicate the feel of playing ARMS. I'm looking forward to playing as Min Min next Monday!
If it's Min Min or Twintelle, I'll buy the entirety of Fighters Pass 2 on Monday. If it's Dr. Coyle, I'll buy Dr. Coyle. If it's anyone else, I'm looking to get Smash off of my Switch. I just hope if it is Min Min, Twintelle or Dr. Coyle, their Smash representation is character accurate throughout i.e. their character stage should be the stage coming to Smash and their standard ARMS should be in their moveset.
I might have to wait until the game is out to learn about the game's mechanics in detail. I don't know why I would battle common enemies, since there appears to be no EXP system. If there is a point to battle, Nintendo has not shown that detail yet.
I'm on the fence with Origami King, but it did get me to buy the original Paper Mario for my Wii U. I see potential and I also see problems that I just don't understand. The potential are areas or stages like that "Snifit Bazaar," which almost was able to get me excited for this game alone. What I don't understand is why character design and character originality continues to be very basic and generic. I've played The Thousand Year Door. A Bob-omb named Bob-omb maybe as a partner (who knows) does nothing for me. Are they creatively gassed after messing around with the paper aesthetic for the environments?
This is like an end credits scene in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film. There's going to be Metroid news soon, possibly even their next relatively big drop possibly handled like Origami King was. Could be 2D Metroid, Prime Trilogy or a Prime 4 trailer, there will be something.
If that wasn't meant to tease an upcoming Metroid announcement, that clip is in poor taste. I cannot imagine them wanting to troll the Metroid community after their decision to restart Prime 4's development last year.
I'm pretty sure Pokemon Sword was the only new game I picked up released in 2019. I've put 65+ hours into it with shiny hunting, and have not completed the story. It has been worth the $60 with what I've gotten from the adventure so far. The recent Pokemon games getting GOTY just shows me how down of a year 2019 was for gaming, and that's how I felt during last year. 2020 starting out with Animal Crossing and then Xenoblade next month, it's already head and shoulders better than 2019.
Min Min or Twintelle, beyond that it starts to gradually go downhill. I'll be disappointed if we're speculating over box art characters. Max Brass and Dr. Coyle are the main characters of ARMS.
@FullMetalWesker The only game that could be argued to have been negatively impacted by AM2R is Federation Force, which had its own reception issues going on. Samus Returns was released more than a year after, and Metroid fans apparently made it a success in spite of how late it arrived in the 3DS's life. I personally waited to start AM2R until right before MSR's release as to build up my own hype for the official game. That hype helped my initial impressions of Samus Returns a lot. I don't recall fans questioning buying Samus Returns based on AM2R. They practically demanded that Nintendo did an official remake following the take down and Nintendo did soon after.
@FullMetalWesker In defining a fan, I don't see any difference. One route is clearly a smarter decision due to fact Nintendo owns Metroid, and I'm sure Guasti would have benefited financially sooner had he just re-skinned AM2R when it was becoming more obvious that Nintendo would protect their IP rights, esp. once Federation Force was officially revealed. That said, I have played AM2R from start to finish, and wouldn't want the reality where Samus Returns is the only remake available to fans to potentially play of Metroid II.
@FullMetalWesker The fact that he had a vision for a better Metroid II and decided to pursue it to me is a passionate fan. I think if he had sat on his talent or will to learn the talents for a sizable fan project that he would be much less a fan of the series. It would be clear in the case of him doing nothing with his ability that he isn't much a fan. Guasti is by far the most passionate fan of Metroid II, and one of the most passionate Metroid fans in general for pursing his vision of a modernized Metroid II with AM2R. I'm personally convinced AM2R is what motivated Nintendo to make and have Samus Returns ready the next year. Federation Force wasn't the only negative PR situation Nintendo had with Metroid in 2016.
@FullMetalWesker Where do you stand on cosplayer and art prints being sold? Do you have a problem with cosplayers and artists gaining recognition for their work based on Nintendo IP?
@FullMetalWesker A person can be a passionate fan of Metroid and realize that the original Metroid II is and has been a flawed entry since Super. If anything, Guasti didn't trust Nintendo to do a Metroid II remake, certainly not in the style of Zero Mission.
Just having Metroid assets doesn't lead to a great Metroid experience, the developer still has to put them together to get the game there. Guasti accomplished something that Nintendo has continually struggled with since Metroid Prime 3, and filled a 2D Metroid void that Nintendo seemed uninterested in until they saw the buzz AM2R got.
Samus Returns did not have the same level of care put into it as AM2R got from Guasti. It's one of the weakest 2D Metroid entries. It doesn't hold up to the standards set by Super Metroid or the GBA games. AM2R on the other hand does. Ranking it with the official Metroid games, AM2R would be a Top 5 entry.
I haven't been able to really get into any Animal Crossing game so far aside from Wild World, which was my first experience with the series. I still play Wild World somewhat regularly and like how simple it is to play with the touch screen. The use of the top screen to display the sky added to the game's atmosphere and made for a more immersive experience. The games following have felt incomplete in that sense of capturing the setting.
I would want both, but I just hope that the next 2D Metroid is better handled than Samus Returns. Samus Returns at best is better than the Metroid and Metroid II. It's an average traditional Metroid game that had the benefit of releasing when Metroid fans were desperate for anything traditional from Metroid after Federation Force's release the year prior. I'll give Samus Returns credit for looking the part on the 3DS, because I thought it was graphically solid on the system. I want a better playing/designed game though if Mercury Steam is behind what's next for the series on Switch.
Comments 603
Re: Nintendo Winter Wonderlands - Can You Name All These Festive Levels?
10/12, haven't played Earthbound or Undertale
Re: Feature: Best Nintendo Switch Ports Of 2020
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is the best game of 2020 of the games I've played. Not sure why 3D All-Stars isn't included here since it's #2 on the overall best games of 2020 list, and is definitely more of a port than XC:DE.
Re: Feature: Nintendo Life's Switch Game Of The Year 2020
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition should be on this list, especially if Super Mario 3D All-Stars is being put as the 2nd best game of 2020.
Re: New Restrictions Placed On Time Travel In Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing should be enjoyed however a player wants to enjoy the game. It's a mostly relaxed, single player experience that's personal to that particular player. TT should be perfectly fine as the player should have the option to dictate the game's pace not the other way around. I haven't played New Horizons since a little after Bunny Day, so there's plenty for me to take in when I do decide to pick up the game again.
Re: Rumour: Has Nintendo Accidentally Leaked Metroid: Samus Returns For Switch?
I think Metroid: Samus Returns is the most unsatisfying game in the Metroid Series, due mainly to enemy interaction, but most fans seem to like the game and so it could make sense for the game to come to Switch. Personally, if it's not the Prime Trilogy, I think the most potential would come from either Metroid Prime Hunters or Federation Force coming to Switch. I could be wrong, but I don't think any other Metroid games would take full advantage of what the Switch has to offer.
Re: Feature: Best Nintendo Wii Games
Xenoblade is higher than I expected, but behind a release I didn't expect. It would take a compilation of three great games with improvements, all at least averaging 9/10, to top Xenoblade. Xenoblade would've been on top otherwise.
Re: Reminder: Rate Your Favourite Wii Games
I would imagine Galaxy and Galaxy 2 would be at the top on a Nintendo site, but Xenoblade Chronicles should immediately follow those two games. Personally, Xenoblade Chronicles blew every other Wii game out of the water at Makna Forest, which I don't think is even the game's halfway point.
Re: Review: Part Time UFO - A Game About Picking Things Up That You Won't Want To Put Down
When I heard about this release, I bought the game pretty much immediately. On mobile, I felt Part Time UFO was one of the best experiences I've had. That and more on the Switch was an easy purchase decision.
Re: Retro Studios Is Remodelling Its HQ In 2021 To Aid Development Of Metroid Prime 4
They are building for the future. This isn't just about Prime 4, and I'm still expecting that November 2021.
Re: Retro Studios Seeking Three Product Testers And A Storyboard Artist
@Giancarlothomaz It wouldn't be first shown at E3 2023 if you think it's releasing late 2022/early 2023. I think Metroid Prime 4's first showing will be next year's E3. If the game is early 2022 rather than late 2021, I can also see it appearing at TGA 2021 because why not. The game really shouldn't take a couple more years to release based on the cycles for a majority of the Prime Series, unless they're reinventing the wheel here for Metroid.
Re: Retro Studios Seeking Three Product Testers And A Storyboard Artist
@Giancarlothomaz When do you think the first trailer will drop?
Re: Retro Studios Seeking Three Product Testers And A Storyboard Artist
I did expect Prime 4 to have cutscenes following the footsteps of a majority of the Prime Series, and it should. A Samus and Sylux confrontation has been building for over 14 years now within the Prime Series, so they need to capture those interactions from all angles including cinematic. Product Testers could be good news for how soon Prime 4 could be releasing. I do still expect to be playing Prime 4 by the end of next year.
Re: Random: Switch Owners Are Discovering Just How Frustrating Super Mario Sunshine Can Be
Sunshine was the first game I played in the collection and decided to beat it before moving on. Sunshine has higher highs than I remember , but also lower lows. It can be the funnest 3D Mario game and can be the most frustrating. The secret level episodes were the most frustrating for me and the game's lowest points for the most part. I don't know if it's the game or how the Pro controller is, but Mario felt way too touchy to control and FLUDD wasn't there to correct.
Re: Random: Some 3D All-Stars Players Aren't Happy About The Visible Debug Cubes In Super Mario Sunshine
They looked like path indicators in the secret level, so I figured they wanted to make this version a little easier. That's not something I was going to be upset over.
Re: Poll: What's The Best 3D Mario Game?
9s to Super Mario 64 DS, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Sunshine, 3D Land and Super Mario Odyssey, while giving 8s to Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario 3D World...3D Mario might be the best overall series from Nintendo, and Super Mario 64 DS is my favorite of the group by just a slight margin. I liked the multiple characters, especially Luigi, the additional stars, the mini-games and the multiplayer. This game looks really impressive to me still on the DS.
Re: Poll: Super Mario 3D All-Stars Is One Week Away - Which Game Will You Play First?
Sunshine feels like the game to play right now.
Re: It's Not Out Yet, But Super Mario 3D All-Stars Is Already 2020's Second Best-Selling Game On Amazon
Not surprising to see. I pre-ordered my copy through Amazon the day the collection was announced. The convenience of having both Sunshine and Galaxy on the same card and playable away from a TV screen is alone, for me, worth the investment. I enjoyed both of those games quite a bit and have no problem double dipping. Plus now, I can share my experiences easily with the Switch's media features. Super Mario 64, while I don't like as much, is still a great time in its own right and further sweetens the package.
Re: How Well Do You Know Metroid?
I missed the last question. I was hoping for more obscure questions that dealt with the series' lore. For example, asking what Project Golem references with the possible answers being Thardus, Federation Mechs, Mogenar and Diamonts. Maybe even a list of the characters who have interacted with a baby Metroid.
Re: Retro Studios Reminds Us It's In Need Of A Lead Producer For Metroid Prime 4
@Giancarlothomaz I don't think the Metroid Prime Trilogy HD exists.
Re: Retro Studios Reminds Us It's In Need Of A Lead Producer For Metroid Prime 4
I'm pretty sure each Prime game done by Retro Studios Retro had their own producer and a producer directly tied to Nintendo, which would be Kensuke Tanabe. This to me means that they're shifting into coming up with a marketing strategy for the game. I still expect Prime 4 in November of 2021.
Metroid's 35th anniversary is also next year. I don't necessarily think that's important for Prime 4, but I do think next year would be the best time to potentially see two new Metroid releases again. A new side-scrolling Metroid game should be on its way soon. Imagine a new 2D Metroid game in August for the exact anniversary and have Prime 4 follow up later in November.
Re: Paper Mario: The Origami King Has The Best US Launch For The Series To Date, NPD Charts Reveal
Origami King, unless it takes a nose dive, is my favorite Paper Mario game and favorite release from the Mario IP on Switch. I'm just getting started on the game's fourth streamer and this game has not lost any momentum. It's on track to being a game I would want to 100% complete, and it seems very approachable to do so. I'm taking my experience through the game slowly, savoring it and have been enjoying the game out of game. Right now, as I comment, I'm listening to the themes extended of the Legion of Stationery members I've already fought.
The game's low point I would say are the regular battles. The addition of a puzzle element via the ring concept before going into the turn-based action for me makes it a little more engaging than I remember TTYD being up until the player has a decent, leveled up partner party to work with. I do not think the battle system overall is a low point however. The boss encounters are very well done, Vullementals and Legion of Stationery, and the Paper Macho battles have been enjoyable, more in line with what I would have expected in an action adventure game.
I'm glad that the game has had the best launch for the series here. The game, in spite of asinine restrictions, has maintained creativity and has been great to experience. I do not want Paper Mario to shift away from the action adventure genre if Origami King is the standard going forward.
Re: Feature: All The Paper Mario Games, Ranked By You
I have been enjoying Origami King a lot, and, because of that, I'm interested in revisiting the series in general once I beat the game. I do not think Sticker Star is that bad at all either. Games don't have to be a specific genre to be a quality experience. I have yet to have a terrible experience while playing Sticker Star. If it wasn't for how vague it can be, I might have already beaten the game.
Re: Poll: What's The Best Paper Mario Game?
I think Sticker Star's biggest problem is how vague it can get with its puzzles and solutions. I have enjoyed the game when I've played it overall and do think the game works well as a handheld experience. I don't mind the loop of collecting stickers and using them in battles even if there is no real benefit to that besides making the path in the stage more manageable. Sticker Star is right behind Origami King for me in terms of progress made since beating TTYD. It and the original may be the first games I go back to once I'm done with TOK. I was playing both leading up to TOK's release.
Re: Poll: What's The Best Paper Mario Game?
I've played all six Paper Mario games and have only beaten one so far. Unlike the Mario & Luigi series through the GBA-DS era, Paper Mario hasn't really clicked with me often in spite of their quality. I would like to return to some of these games though following The Origami King.
I rated The Thousand Year Door and The Origami King at a 9/10, even though I'm only halfway through the latter and have beaten the former. I remember TTYD fondly, mainly for its settings, story, character designs and consistent, good gameplay, but I was also 12 at the time I played through the game. The one time I've beaten the game I used a guide most of the way to help myself pace through the game better. First game I had a guide for and usually I now only get guides for games I really like or am interested in. To be honest, I don't remember exactly how I felt as I was playing the game that first time. I don't know how much I enjoyed the experience, so I cannot definitively say it's my favorite. TTYD was my first Paper Mario game.
I do know how much I'm enjoying TOK. Like I said, I think I'm halfway through the game and it's fantastic. I do think it is the best release from the Mario IP on the Switch or at least that's how I'm feeling after several of my recent sessions with the game. I find TOK very similar to how I played Odyssey with an additional mix of Zelda sprinkled in. It's an action adventure game and so far it succeeds at delivering that kind of experience.
The Origami King: 9
The Thousand Year Door: 9
Paper Mario: 8
Sticker Star: 7
Super Paper Mario: 6
Color Splash: 6
Re: Paper Mario Producer Says "It's A Necessity" To Change The Combat System In Every Entry
I've enjoyed the ring battle system so far in my experience with Origami King. Most battles have felt fresh by mixing up enemy placement and in that sense I find this system more engaging than the battles present in the rest of the series. I don't think they need to reinvent the battle system with each new entry though. I think they're in a good spot now and hope that they expand upon puzzle elements influencing battles in the future.
Re: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Has Sold More Copies Than The Entire Metroid Franchise
New Horizons released at the perfect time and is a game constantly getting new updates. I personally, in spite of not being my favorite Animal Crossing game, would take it over most of the Metroid Series today. It's much better than Samus Returns especially. I don't know how that game didn't get heavily criticized for its combat. MSR took several steps backwards from Other M and it came out 7 years after. After all the fuss from Federation Force, a better game too, I was hoping a more traditional Metroid experience would leave a better impression since there hadn't been one since Corruption. I really hope Melee Counter is a one time thing.
Re: Poll: So, What Was Nintendo's Best Year Ever?
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2017 are Nintendo's best years to me...and of those six, I'm going with 2005. 2005 has Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario Kart DS, Nintendogs, Meteos, Metroid Prime Pinball, WarioWare: Touched!, Super Mario Strikers, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat and Partners In Time.
Re: Paper Mario Producer Says Team Is "No Longer Able To Graphically Represent Individual Characteristics" In Toad NPCs
Origami King has been fantastic, these restrictions aren't. If they combined the writing they're pushed to do now with the creativity in design that they had back then, Paper Mario would be a lot better. Even with restrictions, at least with Origami King, I'm enjoying the game more than current mainline Mario.
Re: Still Not Convinced On Paper Mario: The Origami King? This Accolades Trailer Might Do The Trick
The worst thing associated to Origami King are Tanabe's comments in that interview released right before the game. I almost skipped the game partially due to those comments. I have the game though and have been enjoying the game a lot. It reminds me a lot of my first play through of Super Mario Odyssey, without its more filler kingdoms, so far, but I'm not willing to say it is better just yet. I do think it has the potential to end up as my favorite Mario IP release on the Switch.
Re: Paper Mario: The Origami King Launch Sales Compared To Past Entries (Japan)
@marnelljm I'm not done with Origami King, but I do think it's a possibility with how much I'm enjoying the game for it to end up being better than Odyssey.
Re: Paper Mario: The Origami King Launch Sales Compared To Past Entries (Japan)
I think Nintendo knew that Origami King wasn't what most fans were wanting from the series. The game was announced outside of a presentation a couple of months before its release. Origami King hasn't had much marketing either, and some of the marketing it has had made the game look questionable if not bad. It's a release Nintendo seemed content on letting the Switch's success carry. Regardless of its sales, the game is really good and may just be the best release out of the Mario IP on Switch.
Re: Poll: No, Really, What Was Nintendo's Worst Year?
2019 to me has been the worst year since I've been following. Pokemon Sword and Super Mario Maker 2 were the only two new games I believe I had picked up. Pokemon Sword can be enjoyable, but its quality level leaves a lot to be desired. Super Mario Maker 2 was just a poorly handled release as it didn't come bundled with a stylus. 2020 has had New Horizons, Xenoblade and the Origami King, and all are solid experiences.
2015 and 2016 felt like really bad years in terms of excitement level within the community, but I feel the stretch had a decent line-up especially in 2015. With 2016, it has Pokemon Go and Federation Force, which puts it above all of Switch's years except 2017 so far. 2020 could be a very solid year still. Right now, it's just a bit better than 2018 and 2019, which is disappointing as I had hoped 2020 would be the next 2017 for the Switch before the pandemic happened.
Re: Poll: Did The Nintendo Direct Mini: Partners Showcase Meet Your Expectations?
No expectations. I only would have liked for an update on Nintendo's first party schedule before hearing an update about their partners' games.
Re: Min Min Revealed As Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Next Fighter
Best newcomer in Ultimate in my opinion. I thought Min Min should have gotten in even though I wanted Twintelle. Seeing how they translated ARMS to Smash, I can see why Twintelle of all of ARMS cast would not have worked as well: It is her hair. Twintelle's face would be obscured so much in a 2D fighter like Smash while trying to accurately replicate the feel of playing ARMS. I'm looking forward to playing as Min Min next Monday!
Re: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's ARMS Fighter Will Be Revealed In Livestream Next Week
If it's Min Min or Twintelle, I'll buy the entirety of Fighters Pass 2 on Monday. If it's Dr. Coyle, I'll buy Dr. Coyle. If it's anyone else, I'm looking to get Smash off of my Switch. I just hope if it is Min Min, Twintelle or Dr. Coyle, their Smash representation is character accurate throughout i.e. their character stage should be the stage coming to Smash and their standard ARMS should be in their moveset.
Re: Paper Mario: The Origami King Combat And Companion Details Revealed
I might have to wait until the game is out to learn about the game's mechanics in detail. I don't know why I would battle common enemies, since there appears to be no EXP system. If there is a point to battle, Nintendo has not shown that detail yet.
Re: Feature: 10 Years Later, We Return To Our Abandoned Animal Crossing: Wild World Village
I actually prefer Wild World to New Horizons, because it is far more laid back. I love that I only need one hand to fully enjoy my town.
Re: Paper Mario Is Coming To Switch! Paper Mario: The Origami King To Launch This July
I'm on the fence with Origami King, but it did get me to buy the original Paper Mario for my Wii U. I see potential and I also see problems that I just don't understand. The potential are areas or stages like that "Snifit Bazaar," which almost was able to get me excited for this game alone. What I don't understand is why character design and character originality continues to be very basic and generic. I've played The Thousand Year Door. A Bob-omb named Bob-omb maybe as a partner (who knows) does nothing for me. Are they creatively gassed after messing around with the paper aesthetic for the environments?
Re: Random: What's Up With That Metroid Reference In The Paper Mario Trailer?
This is like an end credits scene in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film. There's going to be Metroid news soon, possibly even their next relatively big drop possibly handled like Origami King was. Could be 2D Metroid, Prime Trilogy or a Prime 4 trailer, there will be something.
If that wasn't meant to tease an upcoming Metroid announcement, that clip is in poor taste. I cannot imagine them wanting to troll the Metroid community after their decision to restart Prime 4's development last year.
Re: Pokémon Sword And Shield Wins Famitsu Dengeki 2019 Game Of The Year
I'm pretty sure Pokemon Sword was the only new game I picked up released in 2019. I've put 65+ hours into it with shiny hunting, and have not completed the story. It has been worth the $60 with what I've gotten from the adventure so far. The recent Pokemon games getting GOTY just shows me how down of a year 2019 was for gaming, and that's how I felt during last year. 2020 starting out with Animal Crossing and then Xenoblade next month, it's already head and shoulders better than 2019.
Re: Poll: Which ARMS Fighter Should Join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
Should: Min Min
Want: Twintelle
I think making a Hero/Bowser Jr. concept for the ARMS cast would be the worst direction they could take.
Re: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Sixth DLC Fighter Is From ARMS
Min Min or Twintelle, beyond that it starts to gradually go downhill. I'll be disappointed if we're speculating over box art characters. Max Brass and Dr. Coyle are the main characters of ARMS.
Re: The Project AM2R Creator Now Designs Levels For The Ori Developer Moon Studios
@FullMetalWesker The only game that could be argued to have been negatively impacted by AM2R is Federation Force, which had its own reception issues going on. Samus Returns was released more than a year after, and Metroid fans apparently made it a success in spite of how late it arrived in the 3DS's life. I personally waited to start AM2R until right before MSR's release as to build up my own hype for the official game. That hype helped my initial impressions of Samus Returns a lot. I don't recall fans questioning buying Samus Returns based on AM2R. They practically demanded that Nintendo did an official remake following the take down and Nintendo did soon after.
Re: The Project AM2R Creator Now Designs Levels For The Ori Developer Moon Studios
@FullMetalWesker In defining a fan, I don't see any difference. One route is clearly a smarter decision due to fact Nintendo owns Metroid, and I'm sure Guasti would have benefited financially sooner had he just re-skinned AM2R when it was becoming more obvious that Nintendo would protect their IP rights, esp. once Federation Force was officially revealed. That said, I have played AM2R from start to finish, and wouldn't want the reality where Samus Returns is the only remake available to fans to potentially play of Metroid II.
Re: The Project AM2R Creator Now Designs Levels For The Ori Developer Moon Studios
@FullMetalWesker The fact that he had a vision for a better Metroid II and decided to pursue it to me is a passionate fan. I think if he had sat on his talent or will to learn the talents for a sizable fan project that he would be much less a fan of the series. It would be clear in the case of him doing nothing with his ability that he isn't much a fan. Guasti is by far the most passionate fan of Metroid II, and one of the most passionate Metroid fans in general for pursing his vision of a modernized Metroid II with AM2R. I'm personally convinced AM2R is what motivated Nintendo to make and have Samus Returns ready the next year. Federation Force wasn't the only negative PR situation Nintendo had with Metroid in 2016.
Re: The Project AM2R Creator Now Designs Levels For The Ori Developer Moon Studios
@FullMetalWesker Where do you stand on cosplayer and art prints being sold? Do you have a problem with cosplayers and artists gaining recognition for their work based on Nintendo IP?
Re: The Project AM2R Creator Now Designs Levels For The Ori Developer Moon Studios
@FullMetalWesker A person can be a passionate fan of Metroid and realize that the original Metroid II is and has been a flawed entry since Super. If anything, Guasti didn't trust Nintendo to do a Metroid II remake, certainly not in the style of Zero Mission.
Re: The Project AM2R Creator Now Designs Levels For The Ori Developer Moon Studios
Just having Metroid assets doesn't lead to a great Metroid experience, the developer still has to put them together to get the game there. Guasti accomplished something that Nintendo has continually struggled with since Metroid Prime 3, and filled a 2D Metroid void that Nintendo seemed uninterested in until they saw the buzz AM2R got.
Samus Returns did not have the same level of care put into it as AM2R got from Guasti. It's one of the weakest 2D Metroid entries. It doesn't hold up to the standards set by Super Metroid or the GBA games. AM2R on the other hand does. Ranking it with the official Metroid games, AM2R would be a Top 5 entry.
Re: Feature: The Best Animal Crossing Games Of All Time
I haven't been able to really get into any Animal Crossing game so far aside from Wild World, which was my first experience with the series. I still play Wild World somewhat regularly and like how simple it is to play with the touch screen. The use of the top screen to display the sky added to the game's atmosphere and made for a more immersive experience. The games following have felt incomplete in that sense of capturing the setting.
Re: Rumour: Prolific Leaker Says We'll Get Paper Mario And A 2D Metroid This Year
I would want both, but I just hope that the next 2D Metroid is better handled than Samus Returns. Samus Returns at best is better than the Metroid and Metroid II. It's an average traditional Metroid game that had the benefit of releasing when Metroid fans were desperate for anything traditional from Metroid after Federation Force's release the year prior. I'll give Samus Returns credit for looking the part on the 3DS, because I thought it was graphically solid on the system. I want a better playing/designed game though if Mercury Steam is behind what's next for the series on Switch.