Super Metroid is one of the all-time greats, no question. Conversely, I’m playing through Fusion for the first time and am very disappointed with it, like it’s trying to be intentionally annoying and didactic. Strange that so many people love this one, but I’m happy for them all the same.
Whereas many games I remember fondly haven’t in fact aged all that well, I was delighted that upon recently playing SMB3 the whole way through, that it is a bonafide masterpiece, and a joy. It captures a sense of fun in a way that few games do.
It’s interesting how quickly some commenters want to turn this good news into an exercise in subtle victimhood/oppression discourse. Let’s congratulate Koji Kondo for this good fortune and the fact that VGM continues toward increased recognition among a broader non-gaming audience.
After having been underwhelmed by the last 3-4 games I’ve played (which were all supposed to be great, based on reviews), it has been a true joy to now be playing TRIANGLE STRATEGY. Wow, this game is fantastic! 10 hours in, and I’m loving every minute of it.
Thanks, Alaina. A beautiful love letter to an unforgettable game with tremendous heart and imagination. I agree, others may be technically superior, but this one captivates me like no other has since.
I would think that many creative processes would seem “chaotic” to outside observers when comparing to a typical office space. How many great films, plays, games, and albums that turned out to be masterpieces didn’t also suffer from at least some messiness along the way?
I love both the NES and SNES versions for different reasons. They’re both aesthetically beautiful graphically and musically in their unique ways, and equally fun to play. I couldn’t choose one over the other.
@Ooyah Also playing Trinity Trigger here! I thought I was the only one, as it was kind of here-and-gone overnight. But I’m a sucker for Mana, so I shamelessly and gladly jumped in feet-first. The fact that you’re almost done with it suggests that it’s worth taking it to the end.
The remake has a persuasive aesthetic and as has been mentioned, QOL improvements, but framerate issues compromise the immersiveness of what should otherwise be an enveloping world, especially one as unique as Koholint.
Just got to the Blue Dragon in Lunar: The Silver Star. I feel like I can see the end of this awesome game just peaking over the horizon and want to savor every minute before it arrives.
After finishing Chained Echoes, which was fine but ultimately underwhelming, I’m revisiting one of the best RPGs of all time: Lunar. Only a few hours in, and this game is wonderful; filled with so much heart, imagination, and a sense of adventure.
Despite having many strong actors on GoT, Clarke’s performance was consistently narrow in range and ultimately unconvincing in delivery. It was kind of like seeing Anthony Hopkins and Gary Oldman run circles around a young Keanu Reeves in Dracula.
I’m so happy for everyone who’s excited for TOTK, and I hope the game is everything they want it to be. To say its release is a special occasion is indeed an understatement.
For whatever reason, I’m not that drawn to the game myself at the moment, despite being a Zelda fan; maybe that will change in time. My weekend will see what I expect to be the conclusion to Chained Echoes.
I think I’m done with Hades now. It was quite good, and I’m glad I checked it out. Now I’m into Chained Echoes. After a somewhat underwhelming and generic start, it’s begun to grow on me.
Week 3 with Hades, and I’m back to considering it a solid 8.5. Unless it has more surprises up its sleeve, it’s just a completionist slog at this point. Good while it lasted, but merely good.
Still playing Hades, and have warmed up to it more than last week. While not quite on the 10 bandwagon (yet?), it’s a solid 8.5-9 for me. Still, I’ve more to do in the game, so who knows? I might eventually hop on board after all.
Finally jumped into Hades after hearing for forever that it is a masterpiece. I’m enjoying it, but it’s just okay. Not really sure why it got such gushing praise. Still, it’s fun.
I can’t help but think that certain games’ box art is chosen for these brawls with an assumption about which will win. Since last week it was NA, this week it must be Japan.
Majora’s Mask (3DS). Never really loved this game, but there are some incredible ideas peppered throughout. I can see why it’s some people’s favorite Zelda.
Comments 539
Re: Feature: 33 Games We're Surprised Still Aren't On Switch
Twilight Princess is when the Zelda series lost me; it was like a teenager trying too hard to be cool but failing miserably and embarrassingly.
Re: Soapbox: 30 Years Later, Super Metroid's Foreboding Atmosphere Is Still Unmatched
Super Metroid is one of the all-time greats, no question. Conversely, I’m playing through Fusion for the first time and am very disappointed with it, like it’s trying to be intentionally annoying and didactic. Strange that so many people love this one, but I’m happy for them all the same.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl - Duel: Mario Golf (GBC)
The NA box art is bloody amazing!!!!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (16th March)
Phantasy Star IV. Just a few hours in, but loving it.
Re: Talking Point: What's Your Personal Favourite Super Mario Game?
Whereas many games I remember fondly haven’t in fact aged all that well, I was delighted that upon recently playing SMB3 the whole way through, that it is a bonafide masterpiece, and a joy. It captures a sense of fun in a way that few games do.
Re: Talking Point: What Do You Want To See From The Next Super Mario Bros. Movie?
Wart, voiced by Idris Elba.
Re: Sunsoft's 'Ufouria: The Saga 2' Gets A New Trailer And A Physical Switch Release
I really dig this art style.
Re: 'Switch 2' Launching This Year With 8-Inch LCD Screen, According To New Analyst Rumour
Keep the rumor mill running full blast, baby! I love it!
Re: Legendary Nintendo Composer Koji Kondo To Be Inducted To AIAS Hall Of Fame
It’s interesting how quickly some commenters want to turn this good news into an exercise in subtle victimhood/oppression discourse. Let’s congratulate Koji Kondo for this good fortune and the fact that VGM continues toward increased recognition among a broader non-gaming audience.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Metroid
The Japan box art could be for any generic adventure game. EU captures much of the empty ominousness that the game’s music does as well.
Re: Review: Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch) - The Best 2D Mario Since The Super NES
After having finished this game within the past few days, I agree that this one stands right alongside SMB3 and SMW. It’s an easy 10/10.
Re: Three More Of Sega's Classics Are Being Revived, It's Claimed
@Synecdoche You read my mind.
Re: Site News: Got A Second To Fill Out Our Reader Survey?
Keep up the great work, Nintendo Life crew! You continue to do quality work, which has well earned the supportive reader base that you have.
Re: Nintendo Download: 14th December (North America)
Interesting to have such a lame week of releases in the middle of the Christmas buying season.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl - Duel: Harvest Moon 64
The Japan box art is gross.
Re: Round Up: Every Switch Announcement At Day Of The Devs - The Game Awards 2023 Edition
I’ll be curious to see more about Holstin.
Re: Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night To Share Details On Two New Modes Next Week
I was surprised by how disappointed I was with this game, even after the “fixes” via updates.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 2nd)
Alaina, you spoke the magic words (Lunar Eternal Blue), and will forever be my friend.
My weekend will hopefully see the completion of the fantastic Triangle Strategy.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Re: Review: Blasphemous 2 - Bloody, Brutal, And Even More Brilliant Than Its Predecessor
Blasphemous is of my favorite Switch games. Glad to see the sequel lives up to its predecessor’s very high bar! Definite buy.
Re: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Producer Asks Fans To 'Trust' That A New Chapter Will Dawn
I don’t understand SE’s dedication to this game. Everyone seems to have a low opinion of it.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 12th)
After having been underwhelmed by the last 3-4 games I’ve played (which were all supposed to be great, based on reviews), it has been a true joy to now be playing TRIANGLE STRATEGY. Wow, this game is fantastic! 10 hours in, and I’m loving every minute of it.
Re: Memory Pak: Secret Of Mana's Dazzling World Of Colour Opened My Eyes
Thanks, Alaina. A beautiful love letter to an unforgettable game with tremendous heart and imagination. I agree, others may be technically superior, but this one captivates me like no other has since.
Re: Talking Point: Which Nintendo IP Should 'Switch 2' Launch With?
I would love to see a new Mario game at launch, but knowing Nintendo, it’ll wind up going with some stupid wiggle waggle party game.
Re: Feature: So, Which Zelda Games Aren't On Switch Yet?
ALBW is my personal favorite on the list, but my vote went for WW.
Re: Metroid Dread Wasn't A "Chaotic" Project, Working With Nintendo Was "Game Changing", Says Dev
I would think that many creative processes would seem “chaotic” to outside observers when comparing to a typical office space. How many great films, plays, games, and albums that turned out to be masterpieces didn’t also suffer from at least some messiness along the way?
Re: Site News: Nintendo Life Partners With Family Gaming, Brings Accessibility Info To Reviews And Game Pages
Hopefully it will exert positive pressure on developers moving forward.
Re: Poll: Super Mario All-Stars Is 30 Years Old - Do You Prefer The NES Or SNES Versions Of The Classics?
I love both the NES and SNES versions for different reasons. They’re both aesthetically beautiful graphically and musically in their unique ways, and equally fun to play. I couldn’t choose one over the other.
GBA sucks, though. That soundchip…
Re: Feature: That Time Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Made Mario Bros. Go Full Inception
I’ve tried to like the M&L games since GBA, but each one has left me disappointed.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel - Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
The art style is a fever dream of bad ideas.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (July 8th)
@Ooyah Also playing Trinity Trigger here! I thought I was the only one, as it was kind of here-and-gone overnight. But I’m a sucker for Mana, so I shamelessly and gladly jumped in feet-first. The fact that you’re almost done with it suggests that it’s worth taking it to the end.
Re: Talking Point: Which Version Of Zelda: Link's Awakening Is Your Favourite?
The remake has a persuasive aesthetic and as has been mentioned, QOL improvements, but framerate issues compromise the immersiveness of what should otherwise be an enveloping world, especially one as unique as Koholint.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 3rd)
Just got to the Blue Dragon in Lunar: The Silver Star. I feel like I can see the end of this awesome game just peaking over the horizon and want to savor every minute before it arrives.
Re: Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games And Accessories For June And July 2023
If the reviews for Illusion Island are solid, then I’m in!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 27th)
Lunar: The Silver Star! One of the best RPGs of all time.
Re: Samba De Amigo: Party Central Shakes Its Way Onto Switch This August
Is the amount of hype that this game seems to be getting at all reflective of the demand for it?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 20th)
After finishing Chained Echoes, which was fine but ultimately underwhelming, I’m revisiting one of the best RPGs of all time: Lunar. Only a few hours in, and this game is wonderful; filled with so much heart, imagination, and a sense of adventure.
Re: Zelda's Tears Of The Kingdom VA Took Inspiration From The Hit HBO Show "Game Of Thrones"
Despite having many strong actors on GoT, Clarke’s performance was consistently narrow in range and ultimately unconvincing in delivery. It was kind of like seeing Anthony Hopkins and Gary Oldman run circles around a young Keanu Reeves in Dracula.
Re: Nintendo Expands Switch Online's GBA Library With Three Super Mario Games
@Decapre Thank you; that soundchip, yikes terrible. It ruins a lot of otherwise great GBA games.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 13th)
I’m so happy for everyone who’s excited for TOTK, and I hope the game is everything they want it to be. To say its release is a special occasion is indeed an understatement.
For whatever reason, I’m not that drawn to the game myself at the moment, despite being a Zelda fan; maybe that will change in time. My weekend will see what I expect to be the conclusion to Chained Echoes.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl Duel: Yoshi's Story
They’re both gross.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 22nd)
I think I’m done with Hades now. It was quite good, and I’m glad I checked it out. Now I’m into Chained Echoes. After a somewhat underwhelming and generic start, it’s begun to grow on me.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 8th)
Week 3 with Hades, and I’m back to considering it a solid 8.5. Unless it has more surprises up its sleeve, it’s just a completionist slog at this point. Good while it lasted, but merely good.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 1st)
Still playing Hades, and have warmed up to it more than last week. While not quite on the 10 bandwagon (yet?), it’s a solid 8.5-9 for me. Still, I’ve more to do in the game, so who knows? I might eventually hop on board after all.
Re: Eiji Aonuma On Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom: Expect New Gameplay That Will Change The Game World
It’s probably going to be some god-awful return of wiggle waggle controls, but even worse than in the bloody sinful Wii era.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 18th)
Finally jumped into Hades after hearing for forever that it is a masterpiece. I’m enjoying it, but it’s just okay. Not really sure why it got such gushing praise. Still, it’s fun.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel - Mega Man X2
I can’t help but think that certain games’ box art is chosen for these brawls with an assumption about which will win. Since last week it was NA, this week it must be Japan.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 11th)
First new game I’ve purchased since August: Radiant Silvergun. I am loving it!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 18th)
Majora’s Mask (3DS). Never really loved this game, but there are some incredible ideas peppered throughout. I can see why it’s some people’s favorite Zelda.
Re: Round Up: The Reviews Are In For Tales Of Symphonia Remastered
Played it back on the GC and just remember being really bored by it. Boring usually doesn’t get fixed with a lackluster remaster job.
Re: Poll: Which Of Rare's Classic N64 Games Would You Like To See On Switch Online?
Glad to see Diddy Kong Racing get so much support; great game.