GameCube for me. SNES was very solid, and N64 awe-inspiring, but GameCube is when they perfected their craft. Wind Waker, Super Mario Sunshine, F-Zero GX, Metroid Prime 1&2 and Twilight Princess all built on what had gone before and generally lost nothing in the process. The games often had bold themes, yet kept the core gameplay of their predecessors. For one reason or another, Nintendo has not yet managed to make another console with such an array of single-player adventures.
Nintendo seriously needs to start making this type of game again. Just seeing how good this remaster is has reminded me of how great the GameCube era was - Prime, Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, Twilight Princess. I personally think they focused too much on party games during the Wii era and now too much on online multiplayer like Splatoon. I really just want to go back to semi-serious, single-player adventures like Metroid Prime.
I've always used a shortened version of my own name.
As it happens, I think the Zelda games have become worse the more they've focused on Link as a character, and less about putting you in the game. He's cool, I get that (especially in that first Twilight Princess trailer, before the game had a name), but the more they focus on him, Zelda and serious stories/timelines, the less magical I find it. Ocarina of Time aside, I find the games with Young Link better experiences, as there is less ego involved and less about him as a character.
This is quite poor of Nintendo. The remake would not exist without the original game, which was made by people with very specific tasks, such as enemy design, area layout and boss patterns etc. The core elements of these must run all through the remake too, so those who set them in motion all those years ago deserve credit each time they're used.
I generally like the fairies, also like Linebeck and voted for King of Red Lions. However, I must admit, Midna was something special. I was one of the people who liked Twilight Princess quite a lot, but said it was disappointing compared to my expectations. Many said that in 10, 20 years time we'd all be saying what a wonderful game it was. How right they were.
It does look amazing. I was the biggest critic of the Wii and DS philosophy, but Switch really is the point where the graphics are plenty good enough for me. I know there are a few things newer hardware could do, but if Metroid Prime Remastered actually looks like that when I'm playing it then it really is fantastic.
@Dom_31 - This is one of the few series where I'd recommend playing the first one first. Not necessarily because you need to know any story for future games, it's just that it's such a neat experience with everything essential to the series.
This was the highlight of the Direct for me. They were such magical games that I played in the prime of my life, with beautiful music and 2D art. Despite the high difficulty, they were relaxing, as all good RPGs should be. I'm so pleased they're remasters of the original DS game and not the 3DS "Untold" series - although the originals seemed less balanced, they had all sorts of techniques you could use that made the post-game bosses possible to beat.
The one change I'd like is to have more skill points, as it was quite frustrating trying to get the exact build you wanted. On a slightly negative note, the 3D graphics don't look quite as improved as they could be, and £71.99 is extremely expensive for the three. I see this more as a £30-40 package. But still, an excellent reveal.
No, because I just don't really want it. It wasn't so long ago that you could pre-order a new game for £30 (maybe not on Switch, but it still wasn't that long ago). £60 is OK if you really want something, but it's too much to take a chance on. £30 I'd get it, £60 not so much.
@johnvboy Because I'm more likely to get frustrated with the game if Link is running in directions I'm not deliberately moving him in. Therefore, it's just another factor making me reluctant to shell out a lot of money.
If I'm honest, several things are putting me off - the high-ish price, Joy-Con drift, the fact it's an "engine re-use" game and the fact that I didn't really enjoy Breath of the Wild.
To be positive, there are a couple of things that would sway me towards getting it. If it was on Switch 2, that would at least offer a new graphical experience with new (driftless) controllers. I can't help but feel that new hardware may be nearer than we think.
That's amazing, and well deserved. I hope it goes on to outsell the DS as well. Switch is the perfect form for a games machine - traditional controls and good graphics, about as good as you can get whilst also keeping the hybrid functionality. The follow-up console should definitely keep the same principles.
The Joy-Cons are very poor, there's no doubt about it. Mine have been drifting for years, and it's the first time I've ever had a problem with any gaming hardware. Sure, I still like Nintendo, and it's not the worst thing in the world, but the reality is it has affected how many new games I'll buy for the Switch, especially if they're designed for analogue sticks. I tend to stick to 2D games now, which although they can also be affected by drift, they seem to understand more when you're primarily using the d-pad. Partly because of drift, I didn't buy Metroid Dread, the latest Fire Emblem or any other big releases over the past few years, and I probably won't even buy the new Zelda. So yeah, I'm not full of hate for Nintendo in any way, but Joy-Con drift has definitely made a bad impression, and I think Nintendo should have been much more pro-active in sorting it out.
Cordelia for me. I'm not hugely familiar with the series, but I liked how you could get an S-rank with someone in Awakening. It's not that the social side is a bad thing, per se, it's just that Three Houses required you to do too much of it outside of the main battle gameplay. Other than that, I think marriage and camaraderie, if you like, suits the series quite well.
All I'll say is that 40" is not actually that big, and I'm surprised there's a ride system where it's considered so. I used to be 32" at my absolute peak fitness and there's no way I could have got smaller than that. Now I'm not saying that I'd still be fit if I were 40", but this seems quite unusual for an American or European theme park ride.
If ever a game deserved an official remaster it's this one. This is what I like to see with old games - enhanced but strictly keeping the essence of the original. Smoother, sharper etc. It's a shame Nintendo doesn't do this with its old games on the eShop, as I don't subscribe to the online service and would rather pay a bit more to download a properly-enhanced remaster.
Several Metroid bosses have frustrated me, particularly the Spider Guardian in Metroid Prime 2 (GameCube original).
The thing that annoyed me most, though, was Star 242 in Super Mario Galaxy 2. I tried it so many times it really made me feel quite bad. It's a shame because I used to 100% Mario games up to that point, and just gave up when they went over-the-top with the sort of no-mistake, endurance runs, like the hardest two levels in Super Mario 3D World as well. Nowadays, I don't even bother to think about 100%-ing them.
Fire Emblem: Awakening was the first one I played and, for me, that had the right level of social interaction. It's good to pair teammates up so they work well together in battle, it's just that they took it too far with Three Houses, when you had to spend a lot of time exploring a hub building and interacting with the characters there.
A demo was much needed for this game, but I played through it last night and thought it was way too short. Most of it was just storytelling, and I find myself still needing to know more about the gameplay. How do you recruit monsters, for instance, outside of the scripted event they showed you, and what do you actually do with the treasure? Can you equip it? I consider myself a Dragon Quest fan, but need to know more about the actual game.
I got Bubble Bobble a week or two ago, so it's nice to see they're still releasing the really big games. When I was a kid in the '80s, playing cassette versions on my Amstrad CPC 464, I could only dream of having the real arcade games at home. There aren't too many that I feel are missing now. Kung-Fu Master is a big one, as @Dru64 says, and personally I'd like to finally have Gauntlet.
It's one of the best things about modern gaming that companies are getting retro games more and more right. There have been great collections from Capcom and Konami, and I have almost everything I want via the Arcade Archives series (I've just seen Bubble Bobble is now available too, which is great).
The one company I'd like more from is Sega. It just seems a shame they haven't been able to bring us more of their classic arcade games over the years. I bought a few Sega Ages titles, but they never brought out the ones I really wanted, like Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder or Spider-Man: the Arcade Game. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me they almost went to too much effort with them, and expected too much in return. Some of the Arcade Archives titles are extremely niche and I doubt they sold many, but that business model still seems OK for Hamster. I'm sure a complete set of Sega games would have a similar popularity, if not greater.
GameCube and GBA are the best generation because Nintendo were at their creative peak then. Great hardware paired with great games. Metroid never got better than Fusion and Zero Mission, and Zelda never got better than Wind Waker.
I actually don't think video games are bad for you at all. Sure, some may not be very good for the spirit or soul, but that's like any media. It's also possible to play too much, but if you do so, there's probably a reason for it other than the game itself. Overwhelmingly, I think they're fantastic for your mental health, as they help you relax, and relaxing is one of the most valuable things you can possibly do.
Oh wow, I didn't know these existed, but this is great news. I really enjoyed Final Fantasy III on DS, but I reckon pixel remasters would be the best way to play them. They sound like more my cup of tea, anyway. They do sound expensive at the moment, but they should be a good buy when they're the right price.
I say yes, give us more and he belongs on the sea.
Wind Waker was an utter masterpiece. One issue with Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks was that they had massively inferior graphics, so whilst the character design was similar, they didn't feature the truly impressive visuals cel-shading can bring you.
Furthermore, although Phantom Hourglass featured boats, it simply didn't recreate the feel of sailing or adventure that Wind Waker gave us. Though I understand why the DS couldn't do these things, it's rather a shame these were the last outings for this style.
Now we have unquestionably better technology, I say give us a true "Wind Waker 2". Sailing, adventure, a new "Great Sea". Make it a much more traditional game than the series has become, with dungeons, plot progression, permanent weapon upgrades etc. It could scratch the itch that many of us have since Zelda became a bit too open world and experimental.
Excellent, just what I wanted. I've bought way too many Arcade Archives games (and ACA Neo Geo) at full price, but I haven't got any of the Nintendo ones so far and really wanted one or two.
Fusion and Zero Mission are still the best. I like most Metroid games, but I don't think you can beat the ones that use d-pad and shoulder buttons (for diagonals) rather than the analogue sticks.
The only thing I preferred about the Wii U reveal is that the Zelda demo looked so good. I still think another "Twilight Princess Link" game had so much potential if it followed the traditional Zelda formula, rather than the open world game we eventually got.
I've collected all the fish and bug models now, which is what I really wanted, but I'm still playing it most days. I want to turn my house into a pirate ship, at least the ground floor, so I still need more Pirate Wallpaper from Gullivarrr.
Very well deserved! This is what we need - simple concepts done well. I always loved beat 'em ups, from the moment I first played Double Dragon in the 1980s, and I felt a bit left behind when they began to be replaced with vs. fighters. Needless to say, I'm overjoyed to see the genre coming back, and with great style too. New Golden Axe and Final Fight next, please!
Wind Waker is my favourite Zelda, but I would rather see Twilight Princess, as I think it has more potential for improvement with every remaster. Other than that, I'd really like to see Dragon Quest X Offline confirmed for Europe.
@dugan - there are five ending screens in the updated version: Completion, 100% Completion, Fast Completion, Fast 100% Completion and Hula Mode (more magic, lower defence).
The reason I thought it was difficult to 100% is because there are so many cards to collect and items to find, unlocked by the dances. However, it turns out you only need to find all the squids and nuggets, nothing else. That said, some of the nuggets are in pretty obscure locations, but I got them from a video on YouTube.
I managed to get the 100% ending for Shantae and the Seven Sirens (not as "100%" as it sounds, thankfully), so I'm going through the game again, making plans to get the other ending screens.
I've also returned to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. My house is decorated like the inside of a pirate ship, and I'm refining that at the moment. I just finished collecting all the bug models, and have four fish models to go.
I'd like to play them again, yes, but I don't think they should be any more than £20-30 each. For me, this all ties into the question of whether the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible. If it is (which I think it should be), we should really have Wind Waker and Twilight Princess on the system... but then we should also have remasters of Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask etc.
Oddly, I'm playing Shantae and the Seven Sirens. I didn't think I'd play it again, but the updates do improve the experience. Whilst they may have thrown a bit too much at it, you can see how they were going for a really top-class Metroidvania.
I'm hopeful we'll see Dragon Quest X Offline in Europe. I remember the old days, when it wasn't so strange to not know if something was going to be released outside of Japan. Playing Dragon Quest IX was one of the best gaming experiences of my life, coming home on a Saturday night to go through a grotto, hoping to get some Metal King or S-Class equipment. Maybe I'm wrong, but this looks like it could offer a similar feeling.
I have found myself going back to Fight'N Rage - a really excellent game that I am beginning to appreciate more and more. I've only just been able to complete it on "Normal"!
I wouldn't mind "Nintendo Arcade" where the core game is free, like Capcom Arcade Stadium, and you just pay for individual Virtual Console games. I don't use the online service so I'm cut off from those games now.
Metroid Prime on the GameCube. I don't really know how I missed Super Metroid, but I suppose it was because I was quite young at the time and was more careful about purchases. I loved the GameCube and soon heard that Metroid Prime was one of the most revered titles for it. Unfortunately, I didn't like the game at first, generally found it an ordeal and couldn't beat the final boss.
Then I played Metroid: Zero Mission, loved it, and it helped me understand the core gameplay of the series. I went back to Prime, felt much more comfortable with it all along and finally completed it. I've been a fan of the series ever since.
I'm in the 50-100 bracket. If Nintendo ever introduced a scheme where you could get even £1 or £2 eShop credit back for the digital purchases you no longer wanted, it'd be very successful.
As long as the game is not deliberately depicting assault of any kind, I don't see what the problem is. It was only PEGI 12 as well, so presumably it wasn't very naughty at all.
Super Mario Sunshine is certainly my favourite. Whilst I was engrossed enough in Mario 64 at the time, Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 held my attention and Odyssey was about as good as I could ask for, there's just something special about Mario Sunshine.
To me, it was to do with having a very defined theme, being a clear generational jump from 64 and being tailor-made for a new controller. I think I recall Shigeru Miyamoto saying he wanted people to feel like they were on holiday, and that's what I needed at the time. I still remember not properly understanding the analogue triggers, and it was very satisfying when I finally understood. Even though they haven't been kept up since, to me it felt like true evolution rather than a gimmick.
Comments 775
Re: Talking Point: Which Nintendo Console Has The Best First-Party Games Lineup?
GameCube for me. SNES was very solid, and N64 awe-inspiring, but GameCube is when they perfected their craft. Wind Waker, Super Mario Sunshine, F-Zero GX, Metroid Prime 1&2 and Twilight Princess all built on what had gone before and generally lost nothing in the process. The games often had bold themes, yet kept the core gameplay of their predecessors. For one reason or another, Nintendo has not yet managed to make another console with such an array of single-player adventures.
Re: Video: Digital Foundry's Technical Analysis Of Metroid Prime Remastered
Nintendo seriously needs to start making this type of game again. Just seeing how good this remaster is has reminded me of how great the GameCube era was - Prime, Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, Twilight Princess. I personally think they focused too much on party games during the Wii era and now too much on online multiplayer like Splatoon. I really just want to go back to semi-serious, single-player adventures like Metroid Prime.
Re: Talking Point: What Do You Name Link When You're Playing A Zelda Game?
I've always used a shortened version of my own name.
As it happens, I think the Zelda games have become worse the more they've focused on Link as a character, and less about putting you in the game. He's cool, I get that (especially in that first Twilight Princess trailer, before the game had a name), but the more they focus on him, Zelda and serious stories/timelines, the less magical I find it. Ocarina of Time aside, I find the games with Young Link better experiences, as there is less ego involved and less about him as a character.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
This is quite poor of Nintendo. The remake would not exist without the original game, which was made by people with very specific tasks, such as enemy design, area layout and boss patterns etc. The core elements of these must run all through the remake too, so those who set them in motion all those years ago deserve credit each time they're used.
Re: Feature: Zelda Companions, Ranked - Who Was Link's Best Sidekick?
I generally like the fairies, also like Linebeck and voted for King of Red Lions. However, I must admit, Midna was something special. I was one of the people who liked Twilight Princess quite a lot, but said it was disappointing compared to my expectations. Many said that in 10, 20 years time we'd all be saying what a wonderful game it was. How right they were.
Re: Video: Metroid Prime Remastered - Switch Vs. GameCube Comparison
It does look amazing. I was the biggest critic of the Wii and DS philosophy, but Switch really is the point where the graphics are plenty good enough for me. I know there are a few things newer hardware could do, but if Metroid Prime Remastered actually looks like that when I'm playing it then it really is fantastic.
Re: Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection Brings Original Trio Of DS Titles To Switch In June
@Dom_31 - This is one of the few series where I'd recommend playing the first one first. Not necessarily because you need to know any story for future games, it's just that it's such a neat experience with everything essential to the series.
Re: Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection Brings Original Trio Of DS Titles To Switch In June
This was the highlight of the Direct for me. They were such magical games that I played in the prime of my life, with beautiful music and 2D art. Despite the high difficulty, they were relaxing, as all good RPGs should be. I'm so pleased they're remasters of the original DS game and not the 3DS "Untold" series - although the originals seemed less balanced, they had all sorts of techniques you could use that made the post-game bosses possible to beat.
The one change I'd like is to have more skill points, as it was quite frustrating trying to get the exact build you wanted. On a slightly negative note, the 3D graphics don't look quite as improved as they could be, and £71.99 is extremely expensive for the three. I see this more as a £30-40 package. But still, an excellent reveal.
Re: Poll: What Did You Think Of The February 2023 Nintendo Direct?
Etrian Odyssey was my highlight, followed by there being a Sea of Stars demo. Was also very nice to see Metroid Prime and Tears of the Kingdom.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
No, because I just don't really want it. It wasn't so long ago that you could pre-order a new game for £30 (maybe not on Switch, but it still wasn't that long ago). £60 is OK if you really want something, but it's too much to take a chance on. £30 I'd get it, £60 not so much.
Re: Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Temporarily Listed On Nintendo Website For $70 USD
@johnvboy Because I'm more likely to get frustrated with the game if Link is running in directions I'm not deliberately moving him in. Therefore, it's just another factor making me reluctant to shell out a lot of money.
Re: Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Temporarily Listed On Nintendo Website For $70 USD
If I'm honest, several things are putting me off - the high-ish price, Joy-Con drift, the fact it's an "engine re-use" game and the fact that I didn't really enjoy Breath of the Wild.
To be positive, there are a couple of things that would sway me towards getting it. If it was on Switch 2, that would at least offer a new graphical experience with new (driftless) controllers. I can't help but feel that new hardware may be nearer than we think.
Re: It's Official, Total Switch Sales Have Now Surpassed The Game Boy And PS4
That's amazing, and well deserved. I hope it goes on to outsell the DS as well. Switch is the perfect form for a games machine - traditional controls and good graphics, about as good as you can get whilst also keeping the hybrid functionality. The follow-up console should definitely keep the same principles.
Re: Nintendo Wins "Switch Joy-Con Drift" Class Action Lawsuit
The Joy-Cons are very poor, there's no doubt about it. Mine have been drifting for years, and it's the first time I've ever had a problem with any gaming hardware. Sure, I still like Nintendo, and it's not the worst thing in the world, but the reality is it has affected how many new games I'll buy for the Switch, especially if they're designed for analogue sticks. I tend to stick to 2D games now, which although they can also be affected by drift, they seem to understand more when you're primarily using the d-pad. Partly because of drift, I didn't buy Metroid Dread, the latest Fire Emblem or any other big releases over the past few years, and I probably won't even buy the new Zelda. So yeah, I'm not full of hate for Nintendo in any way, but Joy-Con drift has definitely made a bad impression, and I think Nintendo should have been much more pro-active in sorting it out.
Re: Talking Point: Who Did You Marry In Fire Emblem: Awakening?
Cordelia for me. I'm not hugely familiar with the series, but I liked how you could get an S-rank with someone in Awakening. It's not that the social side is a bad thing, per se, it's just that Three Houses required you to do too much of it outside of the main battle gameplay. Other than that, I think marriage and camaraderie, if you like, suits the series quite well.
Re: Super Nintendo World's Mario Kart Ride Has A "Waistline" Limit (US)
All I'll say is that 40" is not actually that big, and I'm surprised there's a ride system where it's considered so. I used to be 32" at my absolute peak fitness and there's no way I could have got smaller than that. Now I'm not saying that I'd still be fit if I were 40", but this seems quite unusual for an American or European theme park ride.
Re: Zelda: A Link To The Past's Code Has Been Reverse-Engineered And Unofficially Enhanced
If ever a game deserved an official remaster it's this one. This is what I like to see with old games - enhanced but strictly keeping the essence of the original. Smoother, sharper etc. It's a shame Nintendo doesn't do this with its old games on the eShop, as I don't subscribe to the online service and would rather pay a bit more to download a properly-enhanced remaster.
Re: Taito's Action Platformer 'The NewZealand Story' Is This Week's Arcade Archives Game
I've always wanted to own the true arcade version of this. My neighbour had the Amiga port and I was always envious.
Re: Talking Point: Does Nintendo's Next Console Have To Be 'Another' Switch?
I just want backwards compatibility, no drift and for it to be powerful enough to run Dragon Quest XII.
Re: Talking Point: What Is The Most Frustrated You've Ever Been With A Video Game?
Several Metroid bosses have frustrated me, particularly the Spider Guardian in Metroid Prime 2 (GameCube original).
The thing that annoyed me most, though, was Star 242 in Super Mario Galaxy 2. I tried it so many times it really made me feel quite bad. It's a shame because I used to 100% Mario games up to that point, and just gave up when they went over-the-top with the sort of no-mistake, endurance runs, like the hardest two levels in Super Mario 3D World as well. Nowadays, I don't even bother to think about 100%-ing them.
Re: Review: Fire Emblem Engage - Relationships Get Sidelined By A Thrilling Combat-First Focus
Fire Emblem: Awakening was the first one I played and, for me, that had the right level of social interaction. It's good to pair teammates up so they work well together in battle, it's just that they took it too far with Three Houses, when you had to spend a lot of time exploring a hub building and interacting with the characters there.
Re: Square Enix Has Released A Dragon Quest Treasures Demo Worldwide
A demo was much needed for this game, but I played through it last night and thought it was way too short. Most of it was just storytelling, and I find myself still needing to know more about the gameplay. How do you recruit monsters, for instance, outside of the scripted event they showed you, and what do you actually do with the treasure? Can you equip it? I consider myself a Dragon Quest fan, but need to know more about the actual game.
Re: Galaga Is Hamster's First Arcade Archives Switch Release Of 2023
I got Bubble Bobble a week or two ago, so it's nice to see they're still releasing the really big games. When I was a kid in the '80s, playing cassette versions on my Amstrad CPC 464, I could only dream of having the real arcade games at home. There aren't too many that I feel are missing now. Kung-Fu Master is a big one, as @Dru64 says, and personally I'd like to finally have Gauntlet.
Re: Soapbox: 2022 Was A Watershed For Companies Taking Retro Compilations Seriously
It's one of the best things about modern gaming that companies are getting retro games more and more right. There have been great collections from Capcom and Konami, and I have almost everything I want via the Arcade Archives series (I've just seen Bubble Bobble is now available too, which is great).
The one company I'd like more from is Sega. It just seems a shame they haven't been able to bring us more of their classic arcade games over the years. I bought a few Sega Ages titles, but they never brought out the ones I really wanted, like Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder or Spider-Man: the Arcade Game. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me they almost went to too much effort with them, and expected too much in return. Some of the Arcade Archives titles are extremely niche and I doubt they sold many, but that business model still seems OK for Hamster. I'm sure a complete set of Sega games would have a similar popularity, if not greater.
Re: Best Of 2022: Which Is The Absolute Best Nintendo Console Generation?
GameCube and GBA are the best generation because Nintendo were at their creative peak then. Great hardware paired with great games. Metroid never got better than Fusion and Zero Mission, and Zelda never got better than Wind Waker.
Re: Best Of 2022: How Video Games Can Be Brilliant For Your Mental Health
I actually don't think video games are bad for you at all. Sure, some may not be very good for the spirit or soul, but that's like any media. It's also possible to play too much, but if you do so, there's probably a reason for it other than the game itself. Overwhelmingly, I think they're fantastic for your mental health, as they help you relax, and relaxing is one of the most valuable things you can possibly do.
Re: Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection Launches On Switch Spring 2023
Oh wow, I didn't know these existed, but this is great news. I really enjoyed Final Fantasy III on DS, but I reckon pixel remasters would be the best way to play them. They sound like more my cup of tea, anyway. They do sound expensive at the moment, but they should be a good buy when they're the right price.
Re: Talking Point: As Zelda: Wind Waker Turns 20, Doesn't Toon Link Deserve A Second Chance?
I say yes, give us more and he belongs on the sea.
Wind Waker was an utter masterpiece. One issue with Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks was that they had massively inferior graphics, so whilst the character design was similar, they didn't feature the truly impressive visuals cel-shading can bring you.
Furthermore, although Phantom Hourglass featured boats, it simply didn't recreate the feel of sailing or adventure that Wind Waker gave us. Though I understand why the DS couldn't do these things, it's rather a shame these were the last outings for this style.
Now we have unquestionably better technology, I say give us a true "Wind Waker 2". Sailing, adventure, a new "Great Sea". Make it a much more traditional game than the series has become, with dungeons, plot progression, permanent weapon upgrades etc. It could scratch the itch that many of us have since Zelda became a bit too open world and experimental.
Re: Arcade Archives Nintendo Collection Goes On Sale For The First Time Ever, 30% Off
Excellent, just what I wanted. I've bought way too many Arcade Archives games (and ACA Neo Geo) at full price, but I haven't got any of the Nintendo ones so far and really wanted one or two.
Re: Best Metroid Games Of All Time
Fusion and Zero Mission are still the best. I like most Metroid games, but I don't think you can beat the ones that use d-pad and shoulder buttons (for diagonals) rather than the analogue sticks.
Re: Feature: Wii U Vs. Switch - How Did Those Nintendo Hardware Reveal Trailers Compare?
The only thing I preferred about the Wii U reveal is that the Zelda demo looked so good. I still think another "Twilight Princess Link" game had so much potential if it followed the traditional Zelda formula, rather than the open world game we eventually got.
Re: Poll: One Year After The DLC, Are You Still Playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
I've collected all the fish and bug models now, which is what I really wanted, but I'm still playing it most days. I want to turn my house into a pirate ship, at least the ground floor, so I still need more Pirate Wallpaper from Gullivarrr.
Re: Sega Wants To Know What Mini Console Fans Would Like To See Next
I've never been able to shake that 1980s feeling that arcade is best, so I wouldn't mind an arcade stick you can plug into the TV that had:
Re: TMNT: Shredder's Revenge Has Netted A Bodacious $22 Million In Revenue
Very well deserved! This is what we need - simple concepts done well. I always loved beat 'em ups, from the moment I first played Double Dragon in the 1980s, and I felt a bit left behind when they began to be replaced with vs. fighters. Needless to say, I'm overjoyed to see the genre coming back, and with great style too. New Golden Axe and Final Fight next, please!
Re: Talking Point: What's Your Favourite Music Track From A Nintendo Game?
The Great Sea, Wind Waker.
When all is said and done, I don't think any other track was quite as stirring as the music that accompanied my exploration in this game.
Re: Anniversary: Dragon Quest V Is 30 Years Old Today
Not the best Dragon Quest, but certainly the best 2D one. Melody of Love is one of the greatest tunes in the series.
Re: Talking Point: What Do You Want To See At Tomorrow's Nintendo Direct Showcase?
Wind Waker is my favourite Zelda, but I would rather see Twilight Princess, as I think it has more potential for improvement with every remaster. Other than that, I'd really like to see Dragon Quest X Offline confirmed for Europe.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 10th)
@dugan - there are five ending screens in the updated version: Completion, 100% Completion, Fast Completion, Fast 100% Completion and Hula Mode (more magic, lower defence).
The reason I thought it was difficult to 100% is because there are so many cards to collect and items to find, unlocked by the dances. However, it turns out you only need to find all the squids and nuggets, nothing else. That said, some of the nuggets are in pretty obscure locations, but I got them from a video on YouTube.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 10th)
I managed to get the 100% ending for Shantae and the Seven Sirens (not as "100%" as it sounds, thankfully), so I'm going through the game again, making plans to get the other ending screens.
I've also returned to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. My house is decorated like the inside of a pirate ship, and I'm refining that at the moment. I just finished collecting all the bug models, and have four fish models to go.
Re: Poll: Do You Actually Want Switch Ports Of Wind Waker And Twilight Princess?
I'd like to play them again, yes, but I don't think they should be any more than £20-30 each. For me, this all ties into the question of whether the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible. If it is (which I think it should be), we should really have Wind Waker and Twilight Princess on the system... but then we should also have remasters of Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask etc.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (September 3rd)
Oddly, I'm playing Shantae and the Seven Sirens. I didn't think I'd play it again, but the updates do improve the experience. Whilst they may have thrown a bit too much at it, you can see how they were going for a really top-class Metroidvania.
Re: We're Getting Serious Zelda: Wind Waker Vibes From Sinister Fishing Game 'Dredge'
Looks very atmospheric indeed.
Re: Video: Square Enix Releases New Official Trailer For Dragon Quest X Offline
I'm hopeful we'll see Dragon Quest X Offline in Europe. I remember the old days, when it wasn't so strange to not know if something was going to be released outside of Japan. Playing Dragon Quest IX was one of the best gaming experiences of my life, coming home on a Saturday night to go through a grotto, hoping to get some Metal King or S-Class equipment. Maybe I'm wrong, but this looks like it could offer a similar feeling.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (August 20th)
I have found myself going back to Fight'N Rage - a really excellent game that I am beginning to appreciate more and more. I've only just been able to complete it on "Normal"!
Re: Talking Point: Which Nintendo Series Would Work Best As A Free-To-Play Game?
I wouldn't mind "Nintendo Arcade" where the core game is free, like Capcom Arcade Stadium, and you just pay for individual Virtual Console games. I don't use the online service so I'm cut off from those games now.
Re: Talking Point: How Were You Introduced To Metroid?
Metroid Prime on the GameCube. I don't really know how I missed Super Metroid, but I suppose it was because I was quite young at the time and was more careful about purchases. I loved the GameCube and soon heard that Metroid Prime was one of the most revered titles for it. Unfortunately, I didn't like the game at first, generally found it an ordeal and couldn't beat the final boss.
Then I played Metroid: Zero Mission, loved it, and it helped me understand the core gameplay of the series. I went back to Prime, felt much more comfortable with it all along and finally completed it. I've been a fan of the series ever since.
Re: PSA: Are Your Switch Games Disappearing? You May Have Too Many - But You Can Fix It
I'm in the 50-100 bracket. If Nintendo ever introduced a scheme where you could get even £1 or £2 eShop credit back for the digital purchases you no longer wanted, it'd be very successful.
Re: GAME's 'Home Arcade' Range Lets You Build The Arcade Of Your Dreams
I really like this sort of thing and it's good to see GAME backing them. However, I thought the Arcade1Up cabinets were three-quarter size?
Re: Raunchy Rhythm Title 'Massage Freaks' Delayed Indefinitely After Online Backlash
As long as the game is not deliberately depicting assault of any kind, I don't see what the problem is. It was only PEGI 12 as well, so presumably it wasn't very naughty at all.
Re: Soapbox: 20 Years Later, Super Mario Sunshine Is Still The Best 3D Mario
Super Mario Sunshine is certainly my favourite. Whilst I was engrossed enough in Mario 64 at the time, Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 held my attention and Odyssey was about as good as I could ask for, there's just something special about Mario Sunshine.
To me, it was to do with having a very defined theme, being a clear generational jump from 64 and being tailor-made for a new controller. I think I recall Shigeru Miyamoto saying he wanted people to feel like they were on holiday, and that's what I needed at the time. I still remember not properly understanding the analogue triggers, and it was very satisfying when I finally understood. Even though they haven't been kept up since, to me it felt like true evolution rather than a gimmick.