MischiefMaker

@Crimson_Ridley I also got the Lego gameboy! Very excited.

Merry Xmas everyone!

Hogwart’s Legacy - Same as it will probably be for the next couple of months or more. Although I might dip in and out to try some of the NSO games at some point - feel I should be making better use of my subscription.

Also trying to resist the e shop sales - no point in extending the backlog any more!

@Ganner Quite jealous! I’m from the uk but I’m lucky to have been able to visit Universal Srudios in Florida and Japan. I’ve only ever been in blistering heat though - quite strange wandering through snowy Hogsmeade bathed in sweat!
I think they did a great job with the game, realising that world.

Hogwarts Legacy, which I suspect will be my answer for the next few weeks. Just got my first broom, and flying around outside Hogwarts is pretty much what I imagined it to be. I’m not obsessed with graphics in general but I am glad I held off for switch 2 with this one. It looks great and that does help with the world immersion

Hogwarts Legacy for me, still in the early stages and has a bit of the old open world pointless quest-ness about it, but the world itself is great. Feels like a good game for December.

I finally finished DK Banaza (beat the boss at least). I may return at some point to do more.

I also picked up a few digital games in the sale since I haven’t bought any in a while and it extended my NSO family membership which was about to run out. Got Anno Mutationem, Unicorn Overlord and Darkwood. Very much looking forward to playing all of them, but for now I’m starting Hogwarts Legacy from the backlog which seems a good xmassy choice!

DK Bananza - I do believe I’m almost at the end. It’s been quite a ride, I’ve loved it. More than Mario Odessey I think. I may go back and try and 100% it at some point down the line, but I think I’ll start something else off the backlog once I’ve beaten the main story.

DK Bananza - sub layer 1400. What a fun, inventive game it’s been so far! Maybe some more Hades, let’s see.

No change from the last few weeks - DK Bananza - towards the end (I think) of sub layer 1200 (or 1202 or whatever) and also Hades

Although fairly limited video game time - also some solo Spirit Island (board game) for brain-melting fun

Same as last few weeks - Donkey Kong Bananza and Hades. Just reached sub layer 1100 in the former - for some reason I had it in my head that 1000 would be the last one but clearly not!

And in Hades I’m struggling through the lower levels of pact of punishment to get more weapon upgrades and improve relationships with various gods etc. There’s no way I’ll ever beat the higher levels but I at least want to do the ‘main’ optional story stuff which I think I can manage. Crucially, I’m still enjoying it.

I sometimes listen to game soundtracks on YouTube while I work (typically non-Nintendo ones). It’s not free though - I have to pay for premium or tolerate the irritating ads that break the flow every few minutes. Yes, ad-supported might mean I’m not paying actual cash but I’m still paying with my time and attention.

Much prefer the relatively cheap ad-free music app

Hades and DK Bananza again. Loving both still.

Edit: I also picked up Steamworld Quest on iPad/iPhone for a cool 99p so may give that a go at some point

I have such nostalgia for the NES - playing Super Mario Bros on my mate’s NES was what started it all, and when me and my brother got our own one a year or two later it was amazing.

But I don’t play much now - there’s just so much other stuff to play and most NES games don’t hold up so well for me now, except Mario 1 and 3. When I do play, it’s on NSO as my NES was sold many years ago and I don’t want to play enough to invest in anything else.

DK Banaza - probably close to 2/3 through, although I think I will go back and try and 100% it afterwards. It’s a good game for a bit of occasional hand held play to get a few more bananas or fossils.

Maybe Hades too

I’ll have to return to Japan then! I managed to spend a small fortune in the existing 3 stores earlier this year. Don’t regret a penny of it.

If I do get to return one day, maybe I’ll even manage to get tickets for the museum in Kyoto. Imagine…

Donkey Kong Bananza - just made it to sub layer 700. And more Hades - I’m a bit rusty though after not playing for a good while.

Donkey Kong Bananza - just finished sub layer 300 (well, not finished-finished but you know). Also had a run of Hades - the first one so may play some more of that. I got the ‘proper’ ending a while back but haven’t done all the post game stuff, and it’s as fun as ever. I’m sure I’ll get the second game at some point but for now I’m happy to play this one a bit more alongside a ‘main’ game.

Started Donkey Kong Bananza and absolutely loving it! I’ve not been too fussed on 3d platforms lately but this game just oozes quality and fun. Think I prefer it to Mario Odessey. Whether I’ll go so far as to try and 100% it remains to be seen but for now I’m really enjoying uncovering all its secrets.

Sorely tempted to get Hades 2 as well but I enough of a backlog as it is so maybe down the road some time. There was also more I wanted to do in the first Hades. Too many games, too little time…

@molkom I had exactly the same experience as you for my holiday to Japan last month. Don’t worry though, still so much good stuff. I really liked Kyoto even without getting to the Nintendo museum. And the Mario bit at universal is very busy but great. I envy you going next month though- it was so hot in August!

Still a bit sore that I couldn’t get a ticket for the museum in the lottery when I went to Japan this summer. Not sure I’ll ever get another chance. Having said that I would love to return to Japan one day so who knows?

Just finished Virtue’s Last Reward on 3DS. Brain sufficiently melted. As others on here suggested it would have perhaps been good to play the first game first, but I get the gist. I’d like to play the final one but whether I’ll ever get round to it, who knows?

Not sure I’ll play anything else this weekend - taking my eldest to uni for the first time - but if so it’ll be something off the Switch or Switch 2 backlog. DK maybe? Or Hogwarts Legacy?

@Riku3456 I think I’ve missed that boat now! I’m probably 3/4 through Virtues Last Reward. About halfway through I looked up a plot overview for the first game and struggled to get my head around it! I can see the points where it follows on I think. Still enjoying it

@AJWolfTill First playthrough. I wasn’t really sure what to expect but it has gripped me! I never played the first game (999 I think?) so maybe I’ll go back and do that some day

Virtues Last Reward on 3DS. Maybe a little bit of Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart World too. Once I’m done with VLR it will be back to switch 2 properly again. Also by then my son will have gone to uni so I’ll actually get to use my own console again!

Virtue’s Last Reward on 3DS. I started playing on holiday but didn’t get as much time as I’d thought so still only about half way through now I’m back. I was tempted to give up due to the slow pace so I could get back to Switch 2, but the story has now got its hooks on me with the strange sci-fi mystery elements and intrigue.

I did also fire up Splatoon 3 for a few mins yesterday to try it on switch 2 and remind myself how bad I am at the game. Mainly because I bought myself 4 Splatoon amiibos in Japan despite deciding I wasn’t buying any more amiibos. Oops!

Still on hols (but not for much longer) so still minimal gaming time, but I will continue with Virtues Last Reward on 3DS on the flight home. Looking forward to trying out the DK Bananza cart I picked up in Tokyo when I get back, whilst regretting not buying both Alarmo and the Zelda 30th anniversary concert Cd while I was there

I’m in Japan, baby! Been here a week now and loving it, despite the heat. Spent a small fortune on amiibos, game soundtracks on CDs, Ghibli paraphernalia etc. Also bought DK Banaza today on a whim - only £33!! (6600 yen). But I won’t be playing it for a while as I didn’t bring my Switch 2. Instead I bought my 3DS, although I’ve barely had time to play that either. When I have been playing it has been Virtue’s Last Reward which I purchased in the final 3DS e shop sale. Quite liking it, and it suits the Japan vibe very well.

Also got to go to the Nintendo bit at Universal which was very cool (not literally - it was sweltering). All in all having a fantastic time in the home of Nintendo

No Man’s Sky. It’s starting to feel a bit grindy so I figure I’ll put some effort into trying to do the main story missions and then put it down, maybe pick up again in the future. But then I can’t help getting distracted by everything else!

Ideally I’d like to wrap it up before I go away on hols in a few days but let’s see

No Man’s Sky still. Progressing the missions and exploring the galaxy. Close to 50 hours and I’m still in the starting galaxy but it’s huge and I’m still finding undiscovered planets.

@Slideaway1983 Yeah it’s been a lot of fun so far! Pulp were great last night, and Hot Chip (dj set). Love the user name btw - one of my fave songs from teenage years

No Man’s Sky still. Tempted to buy a couple of games in the current sale too but not sure when I’d get round to playing them. Plus it’s a local music festival all weekend here in Sheffield and food and drink is not cheap there!

No man’s sky and Mario Kart World. Still.

I’m close to 40 hours in NMS and some elements are starting to lose their initial shine but there’s still plenty I want to do, not least the main story missions. And I still find a good game to relax with and just take my time.

@SpecialT Yeah for sure. Just need to go and mine some me stuff, oh wait what’s this weird planet that I just need to spend an hour exploring…

Same as ever! No Man’s Sky mainly with a bit of Mario Kart World on the side.

Loving them both still

Same as the last few - No Man’s Sky and Mario Kart World. More of the former at the moment just because there’s lots to do! But loving both.

@Whirlwound Yeah that’s what I’m hoping. I did see some dates added when I checked a bit ago but they didn’t coincide with when we’ll be in Kyoto. But at least it gives me some hope!

Fully addicted to No Man’s Sky. I can see that I will get bored at some point, but at the moment it just feels like there’s so much I want to do. I found a planet to call home and spent hours in the surrounding solar system, then remembered there’s millions more out there!

Also some MKW when I can tear myself away from NMS

@Whirlwound Best of luck. Me and my family are going in August. I was unsuccessful in the ticket lottery - I keep checking back in the hope some randomly appear again. It’s a shame as I’ll probably never get another chance, but there’s plenty more stuff I can’t wait to experience so not too salty!

Still Mario Kart World and No Man’s Sky. More of the latter as it’s got its hooks in me - found a lush but deadly planet that I want to call me own (even though some other player discovered it 3 years ago apparently). But still loving MKW too - suspect I’ll play it here and there for the entirety of the console’s life.

I just messed around and try stuff out at first, then made sure I’d played each Grand Prix and Tour at least once in 100cc. Now I’m going back to the ones where I didn’t get gold to try and get those. When I’ve done that I’ll hit any that dont have any stars, then any remaining that have only 1 star etc.

I guess then I’ll do the same all over again for 150cc!

But I won’t be too bothered if I never reach that milestone as long as I’ve enjoyed what I’ve played

I’ve taken the plunge on No Man’s Sky from the backlog. Enjoying it so far, although even with the Switch 2 edition the frame rate can judder at times. I never played it on Switch One (despite the fact I must have owned it for a couple years) so no idea how it compares. It kind of reminds me of that Starlink game which I got bored of after a few hours, but there seems much more to do in this one so I think it will hold my interest longer.

And more Mario Kart World. Still constantly delighted by it, so much to discover and the racing is as fun as ever.

I'm loving it. I think the free-roam mode was created to fulfill that urge that has always been there (at least in the more recent games) in players to explore the world around the roads. Playing MK8 I always wanted to be able to leave the track and explore those interesting and varied locales a bit more.

I don't think free roam alone would justify a full game but it's a fun distraction and just adds more life to the game. I doubt I'll 100% it, but I'll return every now and then again just to explore and discover new stuff. It's great spotting something off in the distance during a grand prix and thinking 'I'll go check that out after'.

I hope they add in 'classic grand prix' with 3 laps as others have said, but I have still really enjoyed playing the race modes alone, online and with my family in 4-player couch mode.

So far i've only played a few hours, but I can't recall any previous MK that drew me in quite so much (although I've owned and enjoyed all of the console MK games). My kids (and also me) have been constantly delighted with this so far.

@Burning_Spear I did read a comment in another article saying press + to enable classic grand prix mode but didn't work for me - suspect it's a not-so-elaborate hoax unless I'm pressing it on the wrong screen. You can apparently choose to do the 3-lap versions in versus which I haven' tried yet. Hopefully Nintendo will add the option in for grand prix at some point, although I guess they'd probably need to split it to record your cup scores separately for that mode

Mario Kart World! Seems somewhat divisive from the comments I’ve seen on other pages, but it’s been pure joy for me. Played a few hours solo across the modes and loved discovering all the nice little touches. Also played a bit of local multiplayer with the wife and kids last night and we had a blast, even if the fps was a bit jarring for me after the silky smooth single player mode.

I hope they do add an option for ‘classic’ Grand Prix in future - I don’t hate the driving between courses like some do, but it does seem like a shame not to get a bit more out of the courses. Also doesn’t feel like it would be a huge dev effort to implement.

Tried a bit of Soul Calibur 2 as well but just seems to hard to remember all the controls. Maybe I’ll look up the manual online and give it a proper go some time.

Tempted to start No Man’s Sky which I’ve had backlogged for ages (and now glad I didn’t start it in Switch 1) but I might wait until I’ve wrung a bit more fun out of MKW first

Very happy with this. I have No Man’s Sky for Switch but never played it (backlogs, right?)

I decided a bit ago that I’d wait to play it. Was hoping it would get a proper switch 2 upgrade (or at the very least improved fps or resolution by default) and would have been happy to pay for real improvements. Can’t wait to dive in!

Is anyone still reading at comment-nearly-260?
I’ve got the MK world bundle pre ordered. Will be working from home on Thursday, hoping it actually gets delivered that day so I can at least start MK downloading while I work. Will probably not play it properly until Friday (non-working day for me).

I would like Fast Fusion, Cyber Punk and Hogwarts Legacy too but will probably hold off for now as I still have a few big Switch 1 games on the backlog.

And I’ll dabble with the GC games too since I have an NS0 sub.

My eldest turned 18 yesterday so in the middle of prepping for a garden party with the extended families today.

When I’ve had chance I’ve been playing Doom 3. Should just about finish it by Thursday I think!

I would like to try the other campaigns that it comes with at some point but those can wait for switch 2!

Got a couple more 3 star 150cc cups in Mario kart 8 but think I might abandon doing that for now. Don’t want to get MK fatigue before World comes along! I’ll come back again in the future and try and complete it.

I also randomly started playing Pinball FX3 after not playing it for years. Enjoying the Doom table. Turns out you have to keep playing the same table for a while before it starts making any sense…

And that also inspired me to play Doom 3 which I got on sale a while ago. I did play it on pc many years ago so it’s not new, but should keep me good until switch 2. I do want to replay Doom (2016 one) at some point. Hoping it might get a performance boost on switch 2.

Mario Kart 8, still trying to get 3 stars on every Grand Prix. Also a bit of some retro NSO gaming I think, although not sure what yet.

edit: been playing some Pilotwings 64 this morning and quite enjoying it. I remember wanting it when the N64 released, but £60 was a lot to 17 year old me in 1996!

Right now sitting on a train to York for a uni open day with my son. Tired because I made the mistake of playing Civ 6 for the entire evening last night, probably 4 hours or so. My brain just breaks when I do that, couldn’t sleep for seeing hexagons on my eyelids…. Hopefully will finish it soon and put it to bed for a while! I do love it early game but it becomes a bit of a slog later, especially going for domination victory.

Maybe I’ll squeeze a bit of mk8d as well at some point. My plan to at least get 3 stars on every cup 150cc before mk world is not progressing very well!