Comments 189

Re: Mario Kart World's 'Free Roam' Is Much More Than Mindless Open World Driving

Mallow

@WiltonRoots It's mind boggling to me. "Doesn't justify" the price. The noise online about this strikes me as incredibly naive about economics, costs, and the misalignment with consumer expectations.

"Gimme everything bigger, better, with online infrastructure, new modes, hundreds of hours of content...also, pay developers fairly, increase and scale development team sizes to output more games and of larger scope...but keep prices the same as 2017, or barely more."

Huh?

Another big problem is the echo chamber of amateur "analysts" [i.e. random people with streaming gear] who make podcasts and have youtube channels just repeating the same thing. Their reactions and "takes" are more that of fans/enthusiasts than credible voices who understand how industries operate.

In the end, I get that paying $80 is a lot for some people, but this is the world, and happening across many industries. A serious, larger discussion around global economics, politics, and disparity is what gamers should open their perspectives to explore. Gaming is not some isolated little corner where the above does not apply.

Re: Nintendo Of America President Says Tariffs "Not Factored" Into Switch 2 Price

Mallow

The original $450 price fairly reflects all the of the major upgrades [4K support, Up to 120fps, HDR, Joy Con 2, etc] that fans not only clamored for, but would have dumped on Nintendo for not including if it was priced lower/at the $400 price point that was predicted.

It amazes me now then to see people both simultaneously complain about the console price [after addressing many Switch 1 complaints] and then also complain it isn't OLED, which would have only made it more expensive. There really is no winning with some folks.

Hopefully enough pressure and outrage ensues on/within the US government to reverse these ridiculous tariffs.

Re: Nintendo Comments On Mario Kart World's Controversial Price

Mallow

Games are expensive to produce. It's an expensive hobby. This game is larger in size than Tears of the Kingdom, so even if some of that is due to support of 4K, etc...there will be a lot of content in this game.

$80 is a lot of money, but everything is more expensive. I'm hoping the direct shows off more of the content, and if they support with additional updates at no cost, $80 might seem more reasonable. People paid $90 for Mario Kart 8 and the pass [if you didn't have NSO].

Re: Soapbox: Why Can't Nintendo Offer Both Virtual Console And Switch Online?

Mallow

@Euler

Because companies would need to maintain the servers indefinitely in the event you ever want/need to re-download the game again.

So yes, today you can lose your Switch, but you can re-download games from your account. If Nintendo decides to stop support that platform - then you have no access. So you "own it" so long as the infrastructure is supported. In 30 years, will you be able to re-download your switch games?

Re: Soapbox: Why Can't Nintendo Offer Both Virtual Console And Switch Online?

Mallow

Because Nintendo's primary goal is to grow its online service. Embedding legacy content is one way of doing that, since their old games are always in demand.

What I don't understand is why people want VC on Switch. It will be digitally only, meaning, as is no surprise with 3DS and Wii eshop news, there is no ownership forever of the games - which is the exact complaint leveled at having to use the streaming service. So you don't technically "own" the game forever with either VC or NSO.

There is a larger topic of here of "forever," this warm blanket of perceived security having one's games at their fingertips across any platform, never having to re-buy anything again ever. That is not going to happen. Our content overlords across all mediums want to keep the consumer ensnared in an ongoing dependency of streaming/long-term rentals.

Selling the titles via VC is always something Nintendo can keep in their back pocket if they got into financial trouble. Seeing where Switch sales are at, there is no need to.

Re: Review: Mario Golf: Super Rush - A Solid Swing, But Par For The Course

Mallow

@zool

"Value" is a loaded, subjective term. People are happy to pay $20 to see a 90 minute film in theaters. $60 for a 20-30 hour+ experience seems a "value" by comparison.

Conversely, a $15 Netflix sub gets you endless hours of entertainment in a month if you want.

Given the expense and effort that goes into development/testing/marketing, I personally feel $60 is fair, especially if I buy physically and have the option of getting some of my money back by selling if I choose.

Everyone knows by now that game prices in general have remained consistent vs. where they could easily be in the $70-80 range. Imagine if they charged $117 dollars for the game? which is exactly what the inflation-adjusted price for Star Fox 64 would be today (and other N64 games).

Re: Review: Mario Golf: Super Rush - A Solid Swing, But Par For The Course

Mallow

I always find it interesting is that people criticize a game for what it isn't, rather than what it is.

If it isn't the graphics, or the animations, it's this or that, etc. Yet people will praise earlier, more simplistic games with even less features than this.

Sounds like if you want a fun golf title with Mario characters, this will be great. If you want a deep, 25 course game with a 50 hour RPG adventure mode, or other things Nintendo never promised, it's probably not for you.

They did mention to expect additional courses and characters will be added later, for what it's worth.

Re: Soapbox: The Modern Games Industry Has A Hype Problem, And It Needs To Stop

Mallow

All these media platforms ( be it social media, Nintendo Life, Youtube, etc) care about is traffic and getting eyeballs for advertisers in a sea of competition.

Generating controversial articles, takes, "analysis," etc. are in their interests, which then get parroted in echo-chambers across the web and by self-appointed "experts" (i.e. random dudes) on Youtube, and then suddenly a "narrative" takes hold about a game or situation until it spirals out of control.

Re: Soapbox: The Modern Games Industry Has A Hype Problem, And It Needs To Stop

Mallow

Totally agree with this.

It can be expanded to broader parts of our culture as well. The never ending need for the new. A game gets announced...Twitter, sites, podcasts all dissect every detail and give "takes" and opinions before it is even released.

Hype and announcement culture's social elements have almost overtaken the actual playing of the games, which you hear little about after they're released (on to the next dopamine hit).

Re: Controversial Rising Sun Design Removed From Street Fighter II's Re-Release

Mallow

@Rhaoulos If a Japanese developer chooses to remove something related to Japanese history/culture from their own artwork, can you enlighten us over how this is political correctness run amok?

There is a lot of needless extrapolating here. This is not a case of "modern woke (insert prejoratives)" BS. Many here have bent over backwards to try and retrofit this into being an example of something it is not.

It is not censorship...a government or powerful entity has not forced Capcom to do this.

Re: Controversial Rising Sun Design Removed From Street Fighter II's Re-Release

Mallow

@GannonBanned It is always interesting to see what people "go to bat" over.

To be offended at the removal MORE than what it represents to others, just because it means nothing to them personally, just speaks a lot to the ignorance and twisted misuse of concepts of "censorship" and "free speech" ( and is it not free speech for the developer to choose to do this of their own volition?)

Re: Controversial Rising Sun Design Removed From Street Fighter II's Re-Release

Mallow

@Darlinfan I mean, I think this is a broader cultural discussion about artistic works appropriating history successfully and unsuccessfully. You're right that other works can trivialize serious subject matter, but those are usually bad or unsuccessful artworks. Others do a better job.

The point here specifically, is that the flag removal (which as far as I know, no mob was demanding, but was removed by the developers) doesn't have a strong case for its narrative-inclusion, does not impact the quality of the game whatsoever, and yet removes a symbol that is painful for other cultures. To me, the net "good" here wins out.

Re: Controversial Rising Sun Design Removed From Street Fighter II's Re-Release

Mallow

@Darlinfan I think there is a distinction to be made when Nazis (in your examples) are central to a story or plot. Just as Imperial Japan and its flag has been shown in numerous fictional accounts before.

Removing this one detail from a video game, where it adds no real value or is not central to anything...please explain why that is suddenly critical to keep?

The bemoaners of this type "censorship" see everything in false equivalent terms.

Re: Poll: What Did You Think Of The February 2021 Nintendo Direct, Then?

Mallow

Very good direct. Nice mixture of games for a variety of tastes and ages.

Nice to see more legacy content coming (Skyward, Mana, Saga, first ever NA translations for Famicom Detective) as well as some intriguing new stuff.

People tend to forget other new games have already been announced for this year that weren't covered: Snap, Sports Story, Axiom Verge 2, SMT 5, plus first party fall/winter lineup that hasn't been announced.

Smart announcing Splatoon 3 for 2022 now. The fans know it is coming to build hype, and it frees up a prominent fall/winter reveal in future announcements.

2021 is looking like it will be pretty full month-to-month.

Re: Review: Wrestling Empire - A Love Letter To Pro Wrestling That Falls Foul Of Hilarious Bugs

Mallow

Like some of the others here, I have been playing this non-stop. This has given me the N64 AKI-classic fix I've been wanting, combined with anarchy, comedy, and a really fun "career mode."

It's great to play a wrestling game that doesn't take itself too seriously, but still has deep customization and replay options.

This will probably be the best wrestling game for Switch until the AEW game is finished (if it is released for Switch). Loads of fun and absurdity.

Re: The Original Fire Emblem Is Coming To The West For The First Time Ever On Switch

Mallow

@JoeyTS

I never said every future Nintendo release would be this way. But its a strategy they will definitely pursue, and it makes much more sense to do it with retro content. Again, like the old disney moratorium program. Nintendo knows there is a market for retro releases, and by doing this with 3D all stars and now this, it suggests they are toying with adopting this for new/special releases of older games. Again, i think it makes sense from their point of view the same way there has not been any virtual console. Rather than cannibalize indie sales, they kept their retro games to nso. Now, bringing in select retro titles under this model will surely bring them major sales in a short period. Rather than dumping a ton of retro nintendo games in the eshop week after week to compete with each other , indies, etc, do it selectively, create more hype, make a lot of sales, then move on.

We’ll see what happens

Re: The Original Fire Emblem Is Coming To The West For The First Time Ever On Switch

Mallow

@JoeyTS

I understand the distinction that it is digital, but you cannot look at this industry the same as we always have. It is increasingly going digital, and that is its future (much to my personal disdain). Nintendo and other companies are going to have to adjust their models to continue selling you the same game over and over again. If everything is digital, it will take strategies like these to create buzz, make you buy, and then take it away until next console. That will definitely create more sales in a shorter time, boosting quarterly numbers (again, shareholders and earnings report being the main motivation behind corporate profits, not being "pro consumer" or your friend).

Practices like these and other tricks will be essential for companies moving forward, since customers have voted with their wallets to favor digital games. The goal of Nintendo is to sell as many as possible. Keeping it up on the eshop indefinitely, as other games compete for your attention, wont be as effective as this "fomo" model in the short-term.

I have a feeling though, like others have mentioned, that eventually, after they get you to buy, it will eventually find its way to NSO.

Re: The Original Fire Emblem Is Coming To The West For The First Time Ever On Switch

Mallow

@JoeyTS

Whether or not people believe these tactics to be "crummy," is fine. But it is not new in the world of business.

Nike puts out limited sneakers. Record labels put out limited releases for Record Store Day (many indie labels at that). Records go out of print. Every clothing company changes their line each season. We dont expect the shirt at Zara to be there forever. Disney did this for years with their video releases. it is not new or unique to Nintendo. Cereal companies, fast food ("only for a limited time"), and beverage companies put out variations and special offerings routinely and I dont see the level of outrage. The world of video games suddenly is the exception?

And it isn't "artificial scarcity." The digital release will not be scarce. It will simply be a "limited time purchase." It's a business tactic to get people's attention to buy it now.

People can hate on it all they want, but hate on it everywhere and be consistent and dont act like Nintendo is breaking new ground here.

Re: Collection Of SaGa Brings The Final Fantasy Legend Trilogy To Switch This December

Mallow

I love that Square is giving us some deep cuts like this and bringing over some games to the west for the first time (SD3, Romancing Saga 3). It's not Digital Eclipse level of preservation/extras quality, but it's a total welcome surprise we are getting these at all. Hoping for a physical release.

Like others, I am baffled that some of SE's classics are absent from the Switch, but hoping it is a matter of time. This year is Chrono Trigger's 25th anniversary, so it would've been perfect timing to bring it to Switch. I assume that it's because this and Super Mario RPG are getting full blown remakes

Re: Switch Software Sales Are Comfortably Beating The PS2's, The Best-Selling Console Of All Time

Mallow

@Cheez Yes, the Switch has definitely benefited in some ways, as Animal Crossing and Switch sales have shown.

As the economy worsens or remains steeped in recession (or possibly a depression), one wonders if consumers will be willing or able to pay $500+ for next-gen consoles over the next year.

A $200 Switch lite could be a much more realistic buy for parents. These sales may continue to grow, especially for new adopters of the Switch that have a backlog of great titles to purchase.

Re: Nintendo Switch Sales Surpass 61 Million, Equalling The Mighty NES

Mallow

As much as people want to try and continue to downplay Nintendo's success, the numbers are impressive.

The NES era had no competition from Playstation, no Xbox, no smartphones, no tablets, limited PC exposure compared to now, no social media, an internet in its consumer infancy, etc. The dominance that Nintendo wielded over the marketplace during this era can never be replicated by any video game company again, given the options available today.

To go from the WiiU to this, is great positive momentum for Nintendo. Are they perfect? No, but I'd love some examples of companies that are.

The pandemic has been a double-edged sword. Animal Crossing and Switch sales soared because of it, but other games appear delayed because of it (like other companies). With literally hundreds of good games and only 3 years in, I feel like the Switch, and Nintendo, are in good shape**

**Disclaimer: "good shape" is defined by financial numbers, library and sales of existing games...not wishlist expectations that were never promised, not by assumptions of "no games" being parroted, and not by speculative projections and words that are inventions of the mind.

Re: Talking Point: Is Nintendo Making As Many Games As It Used To?

Mallow

Also a question that rarely gets asked: How many games does one really need these days?

There is more competition for attention spans now more than ever. Even if you shrink available entertainment options down to just "video games" alone, there are now decades worth of older games that are there for people to explore. Just like kids are still discovering music and movies from the 90s, 80s, 70s, and further, so too are they just discovering "Chrono Trigger."

BOTW, Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Mario Maker 2, Smash Bros. Ultimate are 5 games alone you could get hundreds and hundreds of hours from. If you're a player that doesnt feel the need say, to play 200 hours of BOTW, that doesnt stop the fact there is a ton of content in there to explore. And on the other hand, there are some players who master and play one or two titles exclusively.

I think Nintendo has struck a fair balance of releases with the Switch so far. We have been promised Metroid Prime 4 and BOTW 2, which will most likely be 2 huge games as well. Given you know, the historic pandemic, and just available free leisure-time to new-game ratio, I don't have any complaints.