I prefer digital and would like to go download-only, but the lack of resale value stops me. Until downloads are significantly cheaper to compensate for this aspect, I'm encouraged to buy the physical version.
This game aside, I still say the female chest is the equivalent of the male chest, and there are of course plenty of games featuring the latter. Society just (wrongly, in my opinion) thinks one is more sexual than the other, probably because women started using bras for support, and anything hidden away becomes forbidden to an extent. A "jiggling package" isn't the equivalent of "jiggling boobs" - there aren't games focusing on the groin of either gender!
That was a superb article and I totally agree with much of it. However, I count myself as someone who preferred the GameCube/PS2 days. Nintendo has never been better as a platform owner, but on balance I haven't enjoyed anything recently as much as Wind Waker/Ocarina of Time.
Games are much bigger now, and whilst I could spend months and months, even years, playing Skyrim or Breath of the Wild, I much prefer a succinct, 2-week experience. For the same reason I dislike DLC, free or otherwise.
The eShop, too, gives us so much to occupy our time. I find myself becoming intolerant of games if I even become a bit bored. I think what it is, is that although we have so much to play, we're always waiting for that next great experience. For the same reason, when there's a Nintendo Direct, we do want to see Metroid Prime and F-Zero - not because we want to play them right now, but because we want the excitement.
@Gamer83 - I agree, it's much worse than the 1990s. Back then there was an attitude that games were for children, which may have been misguided, but I can understand some objecting to Mortal Kombat etc. Nowadays the censorship is political, with the internet allowing vocal activists to have their way.
There's nothing wrong with the mechanic, as such, as long as the game isn't unreasonably difficult. You can get far into the first Metal Slug with practice, and Metal Slug 2 is possibly my favourite because it's easier than the others. Not that I can 1-cred either of them.
As long as the challenge presented to players is reasonable, I don't think there's need for a great deal of change.
Thanks for including the line-up so far. I was genuinely finding it hard to keep up.
It's good that Sega is including arcade games already, and 3D ones at that. I used to really want to own all these in the '90s. Just don't forget about the Golden Axe coin-ops, please!
I'd really like to see a "normal" Golden Axe 4, personally. I think the key is to make it not too gritty or violent, and not too cartoony either, but have that "medium" feel of the original.
@CanisWolfred - Apparently the Western Streets of Rage 3 was made much harder than the Japanese Bare Knuckle III. I've not played either myself, but would still like to try the Japanese one.
The original Streets of Rage was a really big deal, and although I now think Streets of Rage 2 is definitely better, I wasn't as much into it as I was the first one and didn't properly appreciate it until I got the 3D Classics version.
The first game has brilliant music and might be my undoubted favourite if it had the big sprites and smooth graphics of the second.
@JoakimZ - IV and V are both excellent, with the latter probably the best in the series. As others have said, IV has an overworld, which I feel takes away more than it adds. They are both very easy to recommend though.
You'd certainly get your money's worth with Untold 1 and 2 as well, although I personally prefer the DS originals. The remakes are easier to play, with conveniences like Floor Jump (zoom to any staircase you've used) but they've also been rebalanced. A system called Grimoire Stones was introduced, which I feel overcomplicates things and makes you rely on very rare and random drops. With the post-game bosses given more HP, they are even more frustrating than in the originals, which did at least give you a way to beat them. In Untold, it feels like they expect you to collect the best Grimoire Stones.
I'm sure I saw this In a seaside arcade when I was extremely young (around 1980). I was too young to understand what I was seeing, in fact, and thought there was an actual cowboy figure that came out of the wall in the arcade. When I was older I tried to work it out, and there was no physical evidence of there ever being a door there. It was almost certainly this, and I feel a great sense of satisfaction to learn about it. Thanks for the article!
Seeing that video reminds me of why I used to want the arcade version of everything so much in the '80s - better graphics, better sound and faster gameplay. Ikari III looks better than I expected too (I didn't know about it beforehand).
I completed this on PS2 but am afraid I'm in the small club of people who didn't enjoy it a great deal. Drawing with the Celestrial Brush just felt too disconnected from Ameratsu (I understand that's the point), and I remember it being too long. Still, it's a very memorable game that many obviously love; it just wasn't for me.
@aznable - I see what you mean about female characters tending to wear skimpier outfits (at least on the lower half), but don't forget male characters are often completely topless, whereas women never are (in this sort of game). I personally think because society considers the female chest sexual, women and female characters tend to show more leg as compensation.
It's the same when people go swimming or with a group of dancers, for example - the women might wear skimpier outfits overall but the men might be expected to go topless. The difference is that women are now becoming more and more covered up in most media, unless it's something completely adults-only. For that reason alone, I find games like SNK Heroines quite refreshing.
@anglon - IV and V are very easy to recommend with no reservations (V is the best of all). As for playing the first three games, I actually prefer the originals. Untold 1 and 2 are probably better for the main story, but a lot of the best moves were made weaker and I found the post-game bosses impossible (they're always hard, but the original games had ways to succeed). If you like to 100% a game, I-III on the DS are better than the remakes.
Dragon Quest IX was one of the most amazing gaming experiences I've ever had. The main story was good enough, but the post-game lasted for so long. I remember delving into Grottoes, trying to get the best equipment and fighting the post-game bosses. Good times.
Bad Dudes is more complete than I expected, with the charge attack intact and the option to not have any scanlines. Still doesn't have the Japanese version, but I didn't know the other things had been fixed.
My reaction to playing this demo last night was one of relief that this sort of thing is still allowed. The way things were going, I wouldn't have been surprised if there had been in-game censorship, not just on the eShop. In fact, I suspect this game is partially a kick back against the puritanical movement - after all, you are promised more "sexism" if you buy the full game. It's not sexism anyway, just sexual.
Besides, the most shocking thing about this game is the realistic implication of brutal street violence, not the "nudity", which is only the same sort of thing that until recently you could see in a British or German newspaper.
@ThanosReXXX is right - society has become more censorious and puritanical, and that's not romanticising the past. I remember the 1990s well. Since then there has been a crackdown on lads' mags, Page 3, music videos... you name it. Sure, there has also been the proliferation of much more extreme material, but I think what a lot of people don't realise is how the erotic is being driven underground, putting the user at much more risk. You used to be able to see something fairly erotic on sites like YouTube, for instance, but now it's all being driven to much more dodgy sites linked to crime and grubbiness. With the push for age checks as well, certain forces are basically trying to make all this stuff out of bounds.
So I welcome ventures like Metropolis: Lux Obscura, and if other artists can come up with some less violent erotic adventures, I'd be even more pleased to support them.
@SmaggTheSmug "@markie7235 Are you serious with the music comment? Rock and roll has been accused of satanism and degenerating youth at least since The Beatles! And the entire metal genre, brrr! Just eeeeeviiil. Music albums have that "parental advisory" stickers on them, much like games with PEGI/ESRB."
Quite. Music videos in particular have been very much under fire from feminists during the last decade. I'm still waiting for the next Call On Me!
Still busy with Dragon Quest Builders, personally. I'm always up for a good Arcade Archives title (particularly looking forward to the Data East ones) - Double Dragon was great, but the more recent ones have been a tad too old for my nostalgia zone.
To be honest, I've always found 6-button and 4-button fighting games too complicated to play anyway. I never have any idea which is the best button to press or combo to use. SNK Heroines really appeals to me - perhaps a rethink of the fighting genre is not a bad idea?
@TossedLlama - Yeah, that was pretty annoying. I finally managed it on Virtual Console, but only with save states. It wouldn't have been so bad with a save between levels, but the original games didn't even have that.
I'm guessing the nudity wouldn't be too extreme for a PEGI 18, and Switch already has several games with that rating, so I don't see why this couldn't arrive in its true form. Most people who are interested in this would probably want the uncensored version, and so wouldn't be put off by a high rating.
Maybe they had fun because they were basically making a sandbox tool for people to play about with. I'm sorry to say, but I don't think the game is particularly "designed". Some of the individual elements are amazing, but there appears to have been very little thought about how it all fits together, the pacing of the game or how the player progresses through the journey. Breath of the Wild is an incredible bit of software, but I don't think it subjects itself to the pressures of living up to being a great Zelda.
Comments 775
Re: Feature: Digital vs Physical - What Is Your Preference for Nintendo Switch?
I prefer digital and would like to go download-only, but the lack of resale value stops me. Until downloads are significantly cheaper to compensate for this aspect, I'm encouraged to buy the physical version.
Re: Dead Or Alive Xtreme 3: Scarlet's First Trailer Shows Exclusive 'Soft 4D' Joy-Con Feature On Switch
This game aside, I still say the female chest is the equivalent of the male chest, and there are of course plenty of games featuring the latter. Society just (wrongly, in my opinion) thinks one is more sexual than the other, probably because women started using bras for support, and anything hidden away becomes forbidden to an extent. A "jiggling package" isn't the equivalent of "jiggling boobs" - there aren't games focusing on the groin of either gender!
Re: Capcom's Update For Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection Arrives Next Week
I hope they expand the gallery in Beat 'Em Up Bundle as well. I wonder what "asset corrections" means though?
Re: Dragon Quest X Could Make It To The West As An Offline Version
Yes please!!! I'm a big Dragon Quest fan but don't enjoy playing online, even for DQ, so an offline version would make all the difference for me.
Re: Sega Wants Simultaneous Video Game Releases Worldwide
Would love a new Golden Axe, Wonder Boy or Shining (1st-person RPG) game.
Re: Soapbox: Why Do We Want More Games When We've Already Got Too Many?
That was a superb article and I totally agree with much of it. However, I count myself as someone who preferred the GameCube/PS2 days. Nintendo has never been better as a platform owner, but on balance I haven't enjoyed anything recently as much as Wind Waker/Ocarina of Time.
Games are much bigger now, and whilst I could spend months and months, even years, playing Skyrim or Breath of the Wild, I much prefer a succinct, 2-week experience. For the same reason I dislike DLC, free or otherwise.
The eShop, too, gives us so much to occupy our time. I find myself becoming intolerant of games if I even become a bit bored. I think what it is, is that although we have so much to play, we're always waiting for that next great experience. For the same reason, when there's a Nintendo Direct, we do want to see Metroid Prime and F-Zero - not because we want to play them right now, but because we want the excitement.
Re: Feature: Nintendo Life eShop Selects - September 2018
Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle for me. I can't remember enjoying a piece of software as much as this.
Re: Epic Says Jiggle Physics Included In Latest Fortnite Update Were "Unintended"
@Gamer83 - I agree, it's much worse than the 1990s. Back then there was an attitude that games were for children, which may have been misguided, but I can understand some objecting to Mortal Kombat etc. Nowadays the censorship is political, with the internet allowing vocal activists to have their way.
Re: SNK's Yasuyuki Oda Unsure About One-Hit Mechanic In A Metal Slug Reboot
There's nothing wrong with the mechanic, as such, as long as the game isn't unreasonably difficult. You can get far into the first Metal Slug with practice, and Metal Slug 2 is possibly my favourite because it's easier than the others. Not that I can 1-cred either of them.
As long as the challenge presented to players is reasonable, I don't think there's need for a great deal of change.
Re: Virtua Racing Joins The Sega AGES Line On Nintendo Switch
Thanks for including the line-up so far. I was genuinely finding it hard to keep up.
It's good that Sega is including arcade games already, and 3D ones at that. I used to really want to own all these in the '90s. Just don't forget about the Golden Axe coin-ops, please!
Re: Nintendo Download: 20th September (Europe)
@AcesHigh - Unfortunately not. The games are top class, but arguably there could be more options, like sound tests.
Re: Nintendo Download: 20th September (Europe)
Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle - it's an absolute dream come true to have all these great coin-ops in a collection.
Re: Feature: Behind The Scenes On Streets Of Rage 4, The Sequel We Thought We'd Never See
Axel and Blaze are the best, but it'd be a shame not to be able to play as Max as well.
And Alex Kidd, OutRun or Shining Force would be cool, but Golden Axe would be even better.
Re: SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy - A Sexy Street Fighter That's Perfect For Beginners
It actually does look sexy in a nice way - nothing vulgar.
And I'm pleased someone's made an accessible fighting game, but to be honest it still sounds quite complicated!
Re: Hands On: Streets Of Rage 4 Is A Grand (Upper) Revival
@Razer - Was that Beast Rider or The Duel?
I'd really like to see a "normal" Golden Axe 4, personally. I think the key is to make it not too gritty or violent, and not too cartoony either, but have that "medium" feel of the original.
Re: Video: It's The Perfect Time To Remember How Amazing Streets Of Rage Was, And Still Is
@CanisWolfred - Apparently the Western Streets of Rage 3 was made much harder than the Japanese Bare Knuckle III. I've not played either myself, but would still like to try the Japanese one.
Re: Video: It's The Perfect Time To Remember How Amazing Streets Of Rage Was, And Still Is
The original Streets of Rage was a really big deal, and although I now think Streets of Rage 2 is definitely better, I wasn't as much into it as I was the first one and didn't properly appreciate it until I got the 3D Classics version.
The first game has brilliant music and might be my undoubted favourite if it had the big sprites and smooth graphics of the second.
Re: Koei Tecmo Worked On The Action Segments In Dragon Quest Builders 2
I really enjoyed Dragon Quest Builders. It's probably the best game on the Switch... until Dragon Quest XI, that is!
Re: Etrian Odyssey Nexus Announced For Nintendo 3DS In The West, Available February 2019
@JoakimZ - IV and V are both excellent, with the latter probably the best in the series. As others have said, IV has an overworld, which I feel takes away more than it adds. They are both very easy to recommend though.
You'd certainly get your money's worth with Untold 1 and 2 as well, although I personally prefer the DS originals. The remakes are easier to play, with conveniences like Floor Jump (zoom to any staircase you've used) but they've also been rebalanced. A system called Grimoire Stones was introduced, which I feel overcomplicates things and makes you rely on very rare and random drops. With the post-game bosses given more HP, they are even more frustrating than in the originals, which did at least give you a way to beat them. In Untold, it feels like they expect you to collect the best Grimoire Stones.
Re: Feature: The Unlikely Story Of Sega And Nintendo's Early Coin-Op Alliance
I'm sure I saw this In a seaside arcade when I was extremely young (around 1980). I was too young to understand what I was seeing, in fact, and thought there was an actual cowboy figure that came out of the wall in the arcade. When I was older I tried to work it out, and there was no physical evidence of there ever being a door there. It was almost certainly this, and I feel a great sense of satisfaction to learn about it. Thanks for the article!
Re: SNK 40th Anniversary Collection Will Include Entire Ikari Warriors Trilogy
Seeing that video reminds me of why I used to want the arcade version of everything so much in the '80s - better graphics, better sound and faster gameplay. Ikari III looks better than I expected too (I didn't know about it beforehand).
Re: Review: Okami HD (Switch eShop)
I completed this on PS2 but am afraid I'm in the small club of people who didn't enjoy it a great deal. Drawing with the Celestrial Brush just felt too disconnected from Ameratsu (I understand that's the point), and I remember it being too long. Still, it's a very memorable game that many obviously love; it just wasn't for me.
Re: Fatal Fury’s Terry Bogard Has Been Transformed Into A “Fatal Cutie” In SNK Heroines
@aznable - I see what you mean about female characters tending to wear skimpier outfits (at least on the lower half), but don't forget male characters are often completely topless, whereas women never are (in this sort of game). I personally think because society considers the female chest sexual, women and female characters tend to show more leg as compensation.
It's the same when people go swimming or with a group of dancers, for example - the women might wear skimpier outfits overall but the men might be expected to go topless. The difference is that women are now becoming more and more covered up in most media, unless it's something completely adults-only. For that reason alone, I find games like SNK Heroines quite refreshing.
Re: Atlus Teases Next Stage In Etrian Odyssey Series
@anglon - IV and V are very easy to recommend with no reservations (V is the best of all). As for playing the first three games, I actually prefer the originals. Untold 1 and 2 are probably better for the main story, but a lot of the best moves were made weaker and I found the post-game bosses impossible (they're always hard, but the original games had ways to succeed). If you like to 100% a game, I-III on the DS are better than the remakes.
Re: The Man Behind The Wonder Boy: Dragon's Trap Remake Would Love To Tackle Zelda II
Zelda II would be good, but I'd prefer Wonder Boy in Monster World.
Re: Jin Fujisawa, The Director Of Dragon Quest IX, Leaves Square Enix
Dragon Quest IX was one of the most amazing gaming experiences I've ever had. The main story was good enough, but the post-game lasted for so long. I remember delving into Grottoes, trying to get the best equipment and fighting the post-game bosses. Good times.
Re: Wizard Of Legend Will Bring Its Roguelike Magic To Switch On 15th May
Looks more appealing than most.
Re: Feature: Which Retro Classics Do You Want To See Come To Sega AGES On Switch?
System 16 and System 32 games, please, especially Shinobi and both Golden Axe entries.
Re: Nintendo Download: 12th April (Europe)
Bad Dudes is more complete than I expected, with the charge attack intact and the option to not have any scanlines. Still doesn't have the Japanese version, but I didn't know the other things had been fixed.
Re: Random: Switch eShop Censorship Of Metropolis: Lux Obscura Doesn't Go Far Enough
My reaction to playing this demo last night was one of relief that this sort of thing is still allowed. The way things were going, I wouldn't have been surprised if there had been in-game censorship, not just on the eShop. In fact, I suspect this game is partially a kick back against the puritanical movement - after all, you are promised more "sexism" if you buy the full game. It's not sexism anyway, just sexual.
Besides, the most shocking thing about this game is the realistic implication of brutal street violence, not the "nudity", which is only the same sort of thing that until recently you could see in a British or German newspaper.
@ThanosReXXX is right - society has become more censorious and puritanical, and that's not romanticising the past. I remember the 1990s well. Since then there has been a crackdown on lads' mags, Page 3, music videos... you name it. Sure, there has also been the proliferation of much more extreme material, but I think what a lot of people don't realise is how the erotic is being driven underground, putting the user at much more risk. You used to be able to see something fairly erotic on sites like YouTube, for instance, but now it's all being driven to much more dodgy sites linked to crime and grubbiness. With the push for age checks as well, certain forces are basically trying to make all this stuff out of bounds.
So I welcome ventures like Metropolis: Lux Obscura, and if other artists can come up with some less violent erotic adventures, I'd be even more pleased to support them.
Re: Johnny Turbo's Arcade Arrives Next Week In Europe
Yeeeeeessssssssssssss!!! Get in!
Re: Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse Comes To The Switch Next Week
@Dayton311 - In the UK it's £14.59, so it probably is $20 or so.
Re: Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse Comes To The Switch Next Week
On the Switch eShop, it's a PEGI 7 and only lists "Violence". Wasn't it a PEGI 12 on the 3DS and Wii U, with a rating for "Suggestive Themes"?
Re: Shantae And The Pirate’s Curse Comes To The Switch Next Week
Good news. I'd rate them in this order:
1. Pirate's Curse
2. Risky's Revenge
3. Half-Genie Hero
4. Shantae
A remake of the original might be better than Half-Genie Hero though. As it is, I could only play it with save states.
Re: The Games Industry Reacts To The White House's Violent Games Showreel
@SmaggTheSmug "@markie7235 Are you serious with the music comment? Rock and roll has been accused of satanism and degenerating youth at least since The Beatles! And the entire metal genre, brrr! Just eeeeeviiil.
Music albums have that "parental advisory" stickers on them, much like games with PEGI/ESRB."
Quite. Music videos in particular have been very much under fire from feminists during the last decade. I'm still waiting for the next Call On Me!
Re: Talking Point: Nintendo Life's Favourite Games From Switch's First Year
1. Dragon Quest Builders
2. Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap
3. Super Mario Odyssey
4. ACA Metal Slug
5. Arcade Archives Double Dragon
I like dragons.
Re: Nintendo Download: 1st March (Europe)
Still busy with Dragon Quest Builders, personally. I'm always up for a good Arcade Archives title (particularly looking forward to the Data East ones) - Double Dragon was great, but the more recent ones have been a tad too old for my nostalgia zone.
Re: Takara Tomy Is Building A New Zoids Game For Switch
I still think Zoids were the best toys ever made.
Re: Review: Wanderjahr TryAgainOrWalkAway (Switch eShop)
@Muddy_4_Ever - Oh yes, I played that so much I saw it in my sleep! Genuinely had to stop playing it in the end.
Re: Feature: Tagging In With SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy Producer Yasuyuki Oda & Director Kaito Soranaka
To be honest, I've always found 6-button and 4-button fighting games too complicated to play anyway. I never have any idea which is the best button to press or combo to use. SNK Heroines really appeals to me - perhaps a rethink of the fighting genre is not a bad idea?
Re: Feature: Suiting Up For Combat With Battle Princess Madelyn On Switch And Wii U
@TossedLlama - Yeah, that was pretty annoying. I finally managed it on Virtual Console, but only with save states. It wouldn't have been so bad with a save between levels, but the original games didn't even have that.
Re: Review: Bayonetta (Switch eShop)
To be fair, Carry On Up The Khyber is a classic!
Re: Feature: Suiting Up For Combat With Battle Princess Madelyn On Switch And Wii U
Looks like one of the best 2D games to me. Even more appealing if you're a Ghouls 'n' Ghosts fan.
Re: Talking Point: What Games Are You Playing This Weekend?
Dragon Quest Builders, Magical Drop 2 and Metal Slug X.
Re: Data East Makes Its Debut On Switch Next Week With Gate Of Doom
It wasn't one I'd heard of, but now I've seen it I'm intrigued. Would definitely buy Bad Dudes, Two Crude Dudes, Caveman Ninja and Sly Spy.
Re: Mobile RPG Seven Knights Is Now In Development For Nintendo Switch
I actually really like the look of this. I'm not a big fan of mobile games, but hopefully on Switch it'll be a good, traditional RPG.
Re: Zerodiv Is Bringing Samurai Aces, Sol Divide And Taisen Hot Gimmick To Switch
How naughty is Taisen Hot Gimmick? I just want to know for research reasons.
Re: Saucy Visual Novel Nekopara Is Coming To Switch With Extra Content
I'm guessing the nudity wouldn't be too extreme for a PEGI 18, and Switch already has several games with that rating, so I don't see why this couldn't arrive in its true form. Most people who are interested in this would probably want the uncensored version, and so wouldn't be put off by a high rating.
Re: Eiji Aonuma Says Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Is "Maybe The Most Fun" He's Had Making Games
Maybe they had fun because they were basically making a sandbox tool for people to play about with. I'm sorry to say, but I don't think the game is particularly "designed". Some of the individual elements are amazing, but there appears to have been very little thought about how it all fits together, the pacing of the game or how the player progresses through the journey. Breath of the Wild is an incredible bit of software, but I don't think it subjects itself to the pressures of living up to being a great Zelda.
Re: EVO Japan Trailer For SNK Heroines Turns The Fan Service Up To Eleven
Nice to see some unashamed raunch in this day and age. I'm going to pretend it's The Presidents Club and throw money at them!