Ooyah

Parasol Superstars! Nice. Still haven't got my physical copy which I ordered in January 2024 from Strictly Limited...

This article is going to give rise to a lot of "What? I can't believe you didn't give a 10 to..." style comments, which will be very tedious. So, let me say...

Wait. Hang on.

What? I can't believe you didn't give a 10 to Chibi-Robo!!!

Archvale - Oh my days. I had heard that this was hard, but I am getting absolutely trounced wherever I go now. Some screens are just filled with bullets, and I feel like I am missing a trick! I need to have a think, as I do like the game.
Ebenezer And The Invisible World - Bought it at launch, but held back due to all of the bugs. To be honest, it feels like the Switch version is still missing some of the patches? Getting stuck in scenery is still a thing, as is the attack button sometimes ceasing to function! That is maddening. 😆 Otherwise... good characters and story, and it is very atmospheric. Looks really lovely. It feels like a very traditional Metroidvania, with little time for fancy stuff, which I actually find kind of refreshing. Bosses are damage sponges, though! But it has a very nice and comforting old-school and old-fashioned feel to it. I am really enjoying it so far.

Have a lovely weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

The Japan cover looks very grey, and a bit washed out. The NA / Europe cover is vibrant and quite jaunty, so I will go for that one.

Rogue Heroes - Ruins Of Tasos - Am getting bored of this now. 😆 It's a bit too generic. Will carry on for a bit, but may drop out of this one.

Evan's Remains - This has been on my wishlist for years, and is on sale again for around £1, so I snapped it up. Started it last night, is interesting so far! I do wonder if the puzzles will start to get beyond me, though! 😆

Archvale Also snapped up during the current sale. Looks like my kind of thing!

Have a lovely weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

That looks very, very vulnerable. I was expecting it to be gated in some way. There must be more to the security than meets the eye, as that will be a real target at night, as @Dee123 suggests. ☹️ I would like to know more about how this will be protected.

I remember the days when you had to wait a couple of years for a film to come to rental...

Okay, guys. Everybody behave themselves, okay? I don't want to even hear a mention of "Robocock". Absolutely no "Robocock" jokes, or "Robocock" stories, or "Robocock" ideas. Don't even say "Robocock". Okay? I think I mentioned it once, but I got away with it.

Wow... these people would lose their minds if they ever saw a suit of armour! 😆

@DwaynesGames They way that he would fall over and thrash around on the floor, all the while screaming "BLOBBY BLOBBY BLOBBY!!!" just cracked me up every time, no matter how many times it happened. 😆

I didn't play much last week, due to work pressures, so I'm still maining Rogue Heroes: Ruins Of Tasos. It's good so far, but maybe sticks a bit too closely to the template of it's main inspiration, Zelda. I will check to see if Never Grave has reappeared on the eShop, after it was pulled a couple of weeks ago. Have a lovely weekend, guys, and please take great care of yourselves out there.

@Bueno_Excelente "Where's everyone going? Bingo?" 😆

Had a week off, and I mainly played:

Minishoot' Adventures - Oh boy... not sure that I can make it through the post-game challenges! Am completely stuck on one which is not combat related. Maybe there is a trick to it.

Ooo - This is a really charming and intriguing puzzle game. Very simple on the surface (your little caterpillar can lay and detonate bombs... no other moves), but the puzzles are very clever, and made me think. Quite a short game (took me around six hours), but it felt just right. Recommended for fans of cute puzzle games!

Crypt Custodian - Dragged this out of my backlog, expecting an above average game, but got a lot more than that! The story and characters are thoughtful and engaging, the combat is tight, and the movement flows wonderfully. It's great fun to just mindlessly rampage around the maps! Great music too. Really, a wonderful Zelda / Metroidvania style game, which is highly recommended if you like that type of thing. I got 100% on my save file, and still wanted more. I especially wanted to spend more time with the characters.

Rogue Heroes: Ruins Of Tasos - Another backlog job. Only about two hours in, and it's alright so far!

Have a lovely weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

@Jack_Goetz Alright, Dave?

Week off, so that means going a bit crazy with games! 😆 All kinds of things lined up!

Dragon Quest III HD-2D - Will try to get back to what I'm supposed to be doing, instead of just running around everywhere like a loon! 😆

Minishoot Adventures - Wow... I am finding the post-game challenges incredibly difficult. There is one in particular... I just can't see myself getting through it, but I will keep trying!

Ooo - Just started it on an impulse. Adorable so far, with some great puzzles. Enjoying it.

Caves Of Qud - Lined up! Will start soon!

Once Upon A Katamari - I am so tempted by this, but am resisting, considering everything else! 😆

Never Grave - I was going to take a chance on this... but it looks like it's been removed from the eShop? 😮

Pokemon LeafGreen - On my way to that flipping rock dungeon. 😆 Am looking forward to seeing Lavender Town again, surely one of the highlights of the entire series.

Have a lovely weekend, guys, and please take great care of yourselves out there.

@Teksette Hey there! I did the same thing, exploring everywhere, and really taking my time. My little ship is almost fully upgraded now, and I'm still finding the last challenges so hard. I will probably focus on that come the weekend. Let me know how you get on, if you decide to go for it! And, yes, I love those little chirps!!! I also love the way it "sweats" on near misses! 😊

@Teksette I have been finding the post-credit challenges really hard! Not sure if I can prevail, currently! I will keep trying, though. 😊

@The_Nintendo_Expat It feels as if the simple graphics were a design choice, rather than a trade-off of some kind. The game carries a kind of child-like joy, and the simple, cheery nature of the graphics kind of suits that. Just my opinion but, when you experience it yourself, you may see what I'm trying to get at. It does look good in motion, and oozes charm and character. I became quite attached to my little spaceship. 😊 I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, if you go for it!

I have been absolutely loving this. For those worried that the game may be too short... let's just say that it isn't over when the credits roll! There's still quite a bit to do after that, although it's really difficult. So difficult, that I'm not sure if I can do it.

Am still jumping around a bit!

Dragon Quest III HD-2D - Will get back to this soon!

Under The Island - Have completed it, but am going back to mop some things up. A very fun and relaxing little game.

Pokemon LeafGreen - Am taking my time ambling around. Am in no rush with this one!

Minishoot' Adventures - Oh, this is simply fantastic so far!!! Think Zelda, but with cute little spaceships, and twinstick shooting. Packed full of charm, with loads to do and unlock. I just completed the first dungeon, and absolutely love it so far. I just hope that it isn't too short, but it already feels like something special.

Sword Of Fargoal (Evercade) - I completed it! (May have used one or two saves! 😆). Now I want to see how deep the dungeon goes...

Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

Minishoot' Adventures for sure, and maybe Never Grave as well!

Gen 2 for me, and not just because it's my favourite generation... it's because the cover for Pokemon Gold is one of my all time favourites. Gorgeous...and shiny!

@KingMike Spanner is really mild... maybe comparable to something like "plonker". I would be intrigued to see if "bugger" is allowed! Is that word not offensive in the U.S., then?

A few things on the go!

Dragon Quest III HD-2D - Am just wandering around, going to places I probably shouldn't just yet! I love a wander about... 😆

Under The Island - This really caught my eye, so I thought I would give it a go. Great stuff so far... nice dense maps, full of things to see and do. A very nice, light, Zelda style game.

Pokemon LeafGreen - £16.99? What do they think I am? Some kind of mug? So... I chose Bulbasaur as my starter (as always!), and am currently levelling up my Pikachu. 😆

Sword Of Fargoal (Evercade) - Am edging closer to completing this! I absolutely love it, it's fantastic.

Have a great weekend, guys, and please take great care of yourselves out there.

It cracks me up that Oak can't remember the name of his own grandson. "What is his name again?" 😆 The good news is that I was still able to name him "SPANNER".

Well, last week's battle was 101% by the looks of it, so this one will have to go some to beat it! 😆 Jokes aside, I went for the NA/EU cover this week, because the Japan one looks more like a Mario cover! I quite like the more demure Zelda covers.

Although I am continuing with Dragon Quest III 2D-HD, all of my gaming time has been consumed by Sword Of Fargoal on the C64 (via Evercade). It's a really fantastic RPG rogue-like, one of the first (1983). I have found the sword on several occasions, but escaping with it feels almost impossible! Caves Of Qud, Under The Island, and Calamity Angels also have my interest, so let's see how disciplined I can be this weekend! 😆 And then, of course... LeafGreen and FireRed next week! Oh my days. Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

This reminds me of hours spent with the Shoot-Em-Up Construction Kit on the C64...

Easy one for me! WOOOBBUUUUFFEEEEETTTTT!!! salute My favourite Pokemon ever. So goofy and endearing. And playing through Gold was one of my most magical gaming experiences of all time.

I will be continuing on with Dragon Quest III HD-2D. Has been really lovely so far, and I am really enjoying it. The monster designs in this series have always been fantastic, but they have even more personality here. I am really hoping for a HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime! That game was fantastic.

On the Evercade, I am currently entranced by Sword Of Fargoal on the C64! It's really enchanting, and quite tense at times. I haven't made it beyond the sixth floor yet, but it has really sucked me in. A very pleasant surprise!

I am also looking forward to Caves Of Qud, which at least has appeared on the e-shop now, ahead of its release next week. It will have to join the backlog for now, though!

Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

I too am a little puzzled by the absence of Caves Of Qud. I was going to pre-order it, but it remains strangely absent on the UK e-shop. I hope it hasn't been delayed, am looking forward to it!

@Yalloo Wow, thank you for the kind words. I do try to stay positive and upbeat, in spite of the depression, as I know that is who I am underneath this. I don't want to be "taken over" by it, although it is much easier said than done. Also, thank you for the great recommendations! Krimson in particular looks fascinating... and Thumper has caught my eye before. I don't usually play rhythm games (although I did adore Elite Beat Agents!), so maybe branching out a bit will do me some good. Thank you again, and I hope that you are okay yourself. And, yes... let us both keep on gaming! 😃

@Yalloo Hi there! Thank you so much for this, it is very thoughtful of you. I'm endogenous, so it's genetic from birth, and not much impacts it... distraction is the best I can do during heavy episodes. Having said that, such games are quite engaging, aren't they? Maybe if there is one with an industrial or metal soundtrack? May help to drown out the noise in my head! 😆

Being in a bit of a two and eight at the moment, I decided that I needed something comforting and old-school, so I opted for the remake of Dragon Quest 3. Something non-stressful, which can be taken at a sedate pace. Has been great so far, just the ticket! Am also enjoying Bruce Lee and Impossible Mission on the Evercade. Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

@Cleefuzz I hit 50% of your criteria (careless). Can we still be friends? I do have a Cookie Dough Milkshake right here! Share? Deal? 😆

@solarwolf07 Yeah, me too. According to my calculations, I can almost afford the Pro model, but I am short by about $6,900. 😆

Wow, I really love the vibrancy of the NA cover! And it makes the game look very exciting! Easy pick for me this week. 😊

@Link41x I loved Gravity Guy on the Windows Phone... it's a super intense game, though! The sequel is also pretty good, just surprisingly different to the original.

I must admit that I am struggling a lot with the depression and anxiety at the moment, so am finding it hard to get lost in games. I think that the BALL x PIT update is out? I may try that. Maybe some C64 on the Evercade. Or maybe just sleepwalk through Resident Evil again! Argh. Have a great weekend, guys, and please take great care of yourselves out there.

@Teksette Well, the Evercade has had Atari and Intellivision collections, so fingers crossed for a Coleco Vision cartridge! Jumpman Jr is on one of the C64 collections, by the way. GORF is a classic! I am very surprised that we haven't seen Konami yet. As for the controller, I have the handheld Evercade, so I can't be of much help there, sorry, but I hope you can find something good!

@Teksette I hope you enjoy your Evercade! Loads of good stuff on there! I am also loving Pitfall at the moment. I am hoping for a second Activision collection, so we can get Pitfall 2 and H.E.R.O. I would also love to see the return of Park Patrol! I spent hours playing that on the C64. 😊

Ah... I got stuck in a complete rut (in all ways!), so I went back to a game which I can play over and over... Resident Evil (the remarkable Gamecube remake, via the Switch 2). I know it like the back of my hand, but I find it so comforting to play. It also made me realise how much I miss this style of game, and Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill f were on sale on Steam, so I picked those up. Some time ago, I also scooped up the Dead Space remake. So I will start one of them today. 😊 Probably Dead Space, as I loved that on the 360. Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

I love the NA cover... for me, it's very classy and ominous. I have always felt it to be a good fit, as grimoires are dark and foreboding too!

I have been bouncing around between different games! Let's see:

Pokemon Legends ZA 25 hours, and I am struggling to continue. The city setting is just so "samey", and it feels like you have seen everything after a few hours. Even the story is repetitive. My love of Pokemon is urging me to continue, but this surely is a strange entry in the series.

Nightmare: The Lunatic On the one hand, it seems like a fairly standard roguelike, but it does have a slightly different feel to others, and there is something pulling me back to it. I need more time with this one.

Snoopy And The Great Mystery Club Ahem. I know, I know... but I love Peanuts, I needed some comfort, and it was on a half price sale. And... it isn't great! 😆 Charming, as it has to be, but the "missions" really are a case of: "Go here, go there, now go here, now go there"... the whole thing is about traversal. Maybe it will open up a bit.

Underwurlde (Evercade) Am so loving this! I think that I have identified a way ahead now. Maybe. 😆

Pitfall (Evercade) Still can't break 90,000. Still trying. Need to make better use of the shortcuts.

Llamatron 2112 (Evercade) Still so good! Still hard as nails!

Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

I don't have much of an interest in MP4, but I want to play it simply to see why Myles has agitated people so much! 😆

I would love to see a remaster or remake of Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime. That was such a quirky and original game, it was a total joy. Looking back now, it was probably my favourite game on the DS. Considering that it wasn't released in Europe (I imported it at the time), it really would be a great candidate for a new release.

@Yalloo I misread your initial sentence as "I am still on the same gaming loo", and was thus instantly concerned for you, and also ultra intrigued! 😆

@FishyS I hope you enjoy Fantasy Life i, and BALL x PIT! I loved both of them. For BxP, I found that the town building can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll be running with it in no time! 😃

I am now around 25 hours into Pokemon Legends ZA. Still not sure what to make of it!!! I like the new battle system, but the missions are boring and repetitive, as is the city itself. Having said that, it has the usual Pokemon charm, and the story isn't as painful as S&S or S&V. As usual, any joy is found in just wandering around and ignoring the main missions!

NPC: "The situation is critical! Meet me at the tower, urgently!!!"

ME, giving a cheery "Heya!" as I turn up 17 days later. 😊

I have been loving Pitfall on the Evercade. I can make it over 80,000, but that perfect score is a long way off... 😆

Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

Happy New Year, guys! I hope that everyone has a wonderful 2026, full of warmth, love, joy, and fulfilled dreams.