LadyCharlie

Hot take:
The more frenetic pace of Sparkster Rocket Knight Advenutres 2 makes it more dynamic and varied than Rocket Knight Adventures.

If Rocket Knight Adventures is a 9/10, then, to me, the Mega Drive/Genesis sequel is an easy 10/10.

In summary, these games are great. Play them.

I'm super excited to get a physical edition of this game in 2026

@N00BiSH Something like a Mega Man Legends aesthetic would look pretty cool.

I mean, Switch has had one major NEW first-party title since 2024 started.
The rest is just remakes and a mini game compilation.

I'm happy to be pleasantly surprised at the June 18th Direct, but I'm really not expecting anything other than third-party games.

I'm very excited to see something new for Shovel Knight.
Pocket Dungeon was cute, and Dig was surprisingly excellent. But moving into something other than pixel art will keep this series feeling fresh.

This game deserved (and deserves) a remake, so so so much more than Mario Vs Donkey Kong.

Good pickup for first timers.

But anyone with the 3DS version already should hold onto that one.

Really wish fan projects would stay quiet about their stuff until it was released.
And if you can't afford to make a fan project off an existing IP without crowdfunding, hey maybe don't do it.

I have the 3DS version already, and that is good enough for me.

The new version doesn't do enough new to justify a double dip. And honestly? The relatively chill pace of the game feels more at-home on the 3DS.

Gris is in my top 10 games ever. And a shining example of "games as art."
Nomada Studios knocked it out of the park with their first game, and it's no surprise their follow up would be equally stellar. This write up confirms that, and I am very excited to play Neva.

$60 USD for this is a HARD sell for anyone who owns the 3DS original.

It's worth it for new players, and I hope they have a great time.
But a lot of folks are gonna be gun-shy about a full price double dip.
Feels like Nintendo is just squirting out whatever can turn a quick buck in Switch's final months.

Moonstone Island is a must for me, and a game I'll buy digitally right at launch!

Freeride and Ringos Roundup have my attention too, for doing something different.

I have never seen the EU box art before today.
It's pretty good! Feels like a 70s science-fantasy novel.

@KateGray If there is a physical release, please ensure moustache man's review is on the back of the box.
no! the front of the box.
No! make a box out of moustaches.

when it comes to Chrono Trigger, a full 3D remake would be overkill.
a big part of the reason the game feels so timeless, is the fact it's a masterclass in pixel sprite animation. add a few more frames of animation to each sprite, and put them on top of some lovely hand drawn set pieces, et voila:
you got yourself a remake done right.

So how many months are new IP free-to-plays lasting these days? 8? 12?

@dudujencarelli it looks very nice, but it would have been cool to have Super Game Boy features included.
(at least I have the fan made DX version on my flash cart.)

my hot take:
Mega Man V is better than Mega Mans 3 - 6 combined. absolute win for NSO users.

(addendum: I forgot how atrocious the unpatched music is in Mega Man II.)

Yes, as often as possible.
Ideally, performance vs. quality options would be baked into the hardware. But, at minimum, I'd like the option in every game.

This article's subheader makes me think of:

...ten years?!?

@Ein Yours is my probably favorite comment on here ❤️

More characters like Vivian in Nintendo games, in Sony games, in Microsoft games, in indie games, in all games.

The people who say "just play games for escapism," need to understand oftentimes us LGBT+ folk use games for escapism too. Oftentimes, the escapism is the ONLY place to get representation.
So yeah, more characters like Vivian in every game. Anyone against it can deal.
The future is now 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

@Beetlebum91 I dunno. Why cant people just play games to enjoy their spare time, and let people work towards adding and creating representation in them?

any console/handheld that is no longer receiving new first-party games for it is retro.

"vintage" is a term I would used based on age, not retro.

@Hinade the beauty of physical games:
if you don't like the game, you can sell it!

I was mocked when I said I was waiting for a physical.
"Indie games don't get physicals," I was told. I was also called a "luddite" for preferring physical media.
But I got the last laugh!!

art and story by Lena Raine?
Day One purchase, will double dip when there's physical ❤️

This is a big sleeper hit on Switch.
Lots of gameplay variety, smooth mechanics, and runs solid on Switch. Crossplay will be a nice addition to give it some extra legs.

remember when games were complete at launch?

and DLC expansion was considered a luxury rarity, not an industry standard?

i miss those days so much.

Doom Eternal on Switch was a MIRACLE.
But this one here, I think I will just get on my Series X 😅

@DaniPooo My definition has not changed, and will not change.

It's kinda cute, I don't hate it.
But I feel both Banjo and Kazooie work better in plush form.

@LikelySatan
LRG BAD!
They increased production times of standard editions, they became more transparent about shipping dates, and their Switch cartridge releases remain of good quality.
But still LRG bad because of reasons! Squak! 🦜🦜🦜

Remaster = updated graphics, new quality of life improvements, minimal new content.
Examples: Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario Thousand Year Door, Link's Awakening, Tomb Raider I - III Remastered

Remake = a total reinvention of gameplay style experience, reinvented gameplay mechanics (usually brought to modern standards), expansive new content and/or changes to story beats.
Examples: Final Fantasy VII Remake, Resident Evil 3, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, Tomb Raider Anniversary

"providing just enough quality-of-life aids to make it approachable to modern gamers for whom having to fetch a pen and paper and ‘bad design’ are one and the same."

oof, I feel attacked and seen 😅
this one line did manage to sell me on the game though! I will wait for the inevitable LRG physical release.

Atari Amico coming soon in 20XX

make it an actual purchase, not a "cloud" release, and I'll think about it.

That doesn't completely rule out the validity of tier lists per se, because those lists are built with the expectation that characters are used to full potential.
Though it is a relief to see that the win/loss differential is nearly razor thin.

@Splatoon_Guy You're talking about one transgender character in the game. Nintendo made the new translation in line with the original Japanese release.
I thought "respecting the original artist" vision was a good thing, and "censorship" was a bad thing. Or did the goal posts get moved again? 😒

Yes... but not right away.
After hearing that Vivian was done justice in this game, I need it.

But the Tomb Raider Remastered physical edition calls to me, and I only have so much money 😅

@RainbowGazelle @RupeeClock Doesn't look like the UK retailers ship to North America though

@MirrorFate2 So don't buy it. But also don't spread misinformation either, please.

@MirrorFate2 Shipping November 2024.

"LRG BAD!"
Actually, while they're still screwing up with CD and vinyl releases, they still do a good job on Switch games.
And, they also made major improvements to the transparency for shipping timeframes, as seen here:

I wouldn't trust them with a fancy collector's edition or anything, but if you wanna get just the game, you'll be fine.

@Maubari Not true. But I'm definitely saying it about this one.

If only there was an update to make the game feel like it was made with heart and soul 🥲

Simogo Games doesn't miss, ever.
Year Walk was brilliant.
Sayonara Wild Hearts is a masterpiece, an absolute 10/10.

I am really excited to check this game out... but as is characteristic of my stubborn self, I'm also holding out for iAm8Bit to release a physical version. Because I know they're gonna.

On Switch?

My first thought is Undertale.
Pacing is excellent, and nothing the game does overstays it's welcome, nor does it feel like "not enough."

The fact that it's online only, and sold for $20 US, tells me that Bamco pretty much sent this thing out to die.

Free to play live services are dodgy, but at least make sense.
Paid live services though, just feel insulting.