Comments 649

Re: Nintendo's 'Summon Character To Fight' Patent Rejected By US Patent Office

PharoneTheGnome

This whole thing is so utterly ridiculous because the concept of summoning companions to fight alongside you predates Pokomon by a very, very long time.

As far as gaming goes, we were doing this in PEN AND PAPER dungeons and dragons campaigns before there was even a concept of a console gaming machine. We literally did this with a piece of paper, a pencil, and six sided dice (yes pre-D20).

This just wreaks of what is wrong with the patent system in the first place.

Re: Japanese Teens Apparently Love Nintendo Switch More Than Pokémon & Disney

PharoneTheGnome

Not surprised in the least bit.

We are talking about teenagers which means their opinions have developed over the past decade.

What was the console for kids over the past decade... anyone? anyone? Nintendo Switch. Correct.

What has Disney done in the past decade... anyone? anyone at all? Got away from telling good fun compelling stories and instead leaned heavily on pushing agendas. Correct. Kids don't like being lectured to. They just want to have fun.

And, what about Pokemon over the past decade... anyone? anybody? Rehashed the same thing over and over with nothing really flashy and new to compete with other games that have come out in the past decade. Correct. Teenagers today grew up with a TON of options for games to play, and sadly, pokemon was not a stand out in the crowd over the past decade.

Re: Nintendo's Apparently Cutting US Switch 2 Output After Lower Than Expected Holiday Sales

PharoneTheGnome

@ToniK Exactly this. You're spot on.

I too was a first year purchaser of the Switch 2, and while I like the system, I can not recommend anyone purchase it right now. It simply is not worth it at this time.

Anytime someone asks me if I would recommend buying a Switch 2 right now, my answer is, "do you already own a Switch"? If so, just keep using it and wait. If not, then go buy a Switch 1. Don't buy a Switch 2 at this time.

Re: Nintendo's Apparently Cutting US Switch 2 Output After Lower Than Expected Holiday Sales

PharoneTheGnome

The Switch 2 is a really good hybrid system (handheld/docked).

Compared to the other current generation consoles though, it is not a competitor in raw power. Most of the big games you can now buy on the Switch 2 are better AND CHEAPER on the other current gen consoles because those same games have been out on them for a LOT longer and run on more powerful hardware.

So, that leaves the Nintendo exclusives as the only real decider that would make some buy a Switch 2 over one of the other current gen consoles.

Despite the hype system that is so obvious in this circle, the Nintendo exclusives for the Switch 2 are ok but not great. First off, there is no new main line Zelda nor Mario game out on the Switch 2 yet.

Metroid was a good exclusive, but it is a nitch version of Metroid. Not all Metroid fans are in to first person shooter style games. When they think of Metroid, they think of traditional 2D side scrolling Metroid. So, yeah it sold good, but it didn't sell as much as a traditional new Metroid game would have sold.

Same thing goes for Donkey Kong Bananza. It's a good game in it's own right, but it is not a traditional main line Donkey Kong game like Tropical Freeze. It sold good, but it didn't capture the sales that a traditional Donkey Kong game would have garnered on a new system.

And, then we have Pokemon ZA. While people tried to pump up the hype on it, there was a noticably loud group of Pokemon fans talking about how the world graphics were flat 2D backgrounds, the selection of pokemon was low (with expectations of selling DLC to increase it over time), and the battle system was not your typical Pokemon combat that is such a key factor of the genre. Again, it's good game that sold decetnly in its own right, but it did not sell like a new entry in the traditional Pokemon series would have sold on a new system.

And, then there is the ever present "pay to upgrade" that Nintendo has been using on almost all of their main line exclusive games to get your game from Switch to Switch 2 quality. This is something that most consoles do for free when a next generation system comes along. Nintendo instead has seen this as an opportunity to get another $20 to $40 out of you for every game you already spent $60 or more on to purchase for their last system.

Simply put, there isn't enough perceived value in the Switch 2 at this point. The previous Switch sold to millions of people with a huge number of those people NOT BEING hardcore Nintendo gamers. Those are the people that aren't going to spend $500 on a Switch 2 with out having new mainline Nintendo exclusives and FREE upgrades for their existing Nintendo Switch library.

What we saw in the first year of sales was the hardcore Nintendo gamers purchasing the new console. Those were not the average Nintendo Switch owner. And... that initial surge is over.

Re: Opinion: Pokémon Pokopia Is Nostalgia Done Right

PharoneTheGnome

Its interesting because I didn't grow up playing Pokemon. I didn't even try a Pokemon game until I was well in my late 40s. Even then, I have never been a huge Pokemon fan as I have never beaten any Pokemon ever. I buy them, play it, get most of the way through, and lose interest.

Then there is Minecraft. I didn't get on the bandwagon with Minecraft until it was already a very old game with multiple spinoffs. I honestly never thought I would like Minecraft, but oddly enough, I started playing it on Nintendo Switch 2 a while back and loved it. I've played Minecraft a ton on the Nintendo Switch 2.

And, then there is cozy farming games like Stardew Valley. I absolutely adore Stardew Valley. It is literally my favorite cozy game ever made. I have started over on Stardew Valley to play through again more times than I can remember.

Which brings us to Pokopia.

I'm a semi Pokemon fan, semi Minecraft fan, but I am a huge Stardew Valley fan. Reading your article here has convinced me that i should give Pokopia a chance as it is the Pokemon, Minecraft, Stardew Valley mashup of the year. We'll see how it turns out once I give it a shot.

Re: UK Charts: Pokémon Pokopia's Physical Troubles Continue As It Slips From The Podium

PharoneTheGnome

@Johnny44 I don't think it is a flop. I think it is a really good game. I just don't buy in to the concept that not having enough boxed copies available for sale at retail establishments is the reason it fell from 2nd to 4th place in weekly sales numbers.

It's causation fallacy.

Was there a lack of boxed games available for sale at retail establishments? Yes.

Did the weekly sales numbers slip to the point where the game went from 2nd to 4th place? Yes.

Does that mean that the lack of retail boxes available for sale caused the sales numbers to slip from 2nd to 4th for the week? Not necessarily. The data simply isn't available to make that assumption at this time.

As retail supply increases, more data will be available to make that determination, but making that determination right now is little more than driving a narrative with no facts to back it up. It's something that I wish news outlets would stop doing. Just report the facts rather than your opinions-as-facts.

Re: UK Charts: Pokémon Pokopia's Physical Troubles Continue As It Slips From The Podium

PharoneTheGnome

@electrolite77 and you believe there are that many people that haven't bought it JUST BECAUSE the supply of Game Key Card in a box supply has been too low that it makes up for going from 2nd to 4th position in sales for the week?

Really? So you believe that tens of thousands of would-be purchasers didn't buy it this past week SIMPLY BECAUSE there was no box at the store to purchase?

I'm sorry, but no. The lack of boxed copies available for sale doesn't equate to losing 2 rankings in weekly sales.

To go from 2nd place to 4th place in weekly sales, the lack of boxed copies available for purchase would have to account for something like HALF the total sales of the week. We're talking a loss of 50,000 to 100,000 missed sales.

It's a nice pipe dream, but its statistically impossible that they missed out on half or more of their potential sales due to people going to the store, finding out it was not in stock, and then NOT going home and purchasing it anyway via digital purchase.

Proof of this will be in how it continues to under perform over the next few months even AFTER in store stocks replenish, but I am sure by then, the Pokopia-is-the-best-thing-since-sliced-bread people will be on to the next thing and not here to discuss how they were wrong about the lack of box sales effecting the sales ranking of the game.

Re: UK Charts: Pokémon Pokopia's Physical Troubles Continue As It Slips From The Podium

PharoneTheGnome

The fact that the boxed version is a Game Key Card and not a physical game in a box tells me that the lack of Game Key Cards available for purchase at stores would have simply lead to more digital purchases online.

Therefore, it is a lot less likely that the lack of boxes available to purchase in store had anything to do with the game dropping from 2 to 4th place this week.

Reality is that those who wanted the game bought it. Now the numbers are going to trend down over time as those who purchase it from here on out are "extra" purchases and not part of the initial surge upon release.

Interesting though how its being spun as the lack of boxes in store being the reason it is not at the top of the list anymore. I guess you can spin anything the way you want if you try hard enough.

Re: Stardew Valley's Two New Marriage Candidates Have Been Revealed

PharoneTheGnome

That was awesome. Of all the games I have played in my lifetime, Stardew Valley is one of my top 5 games that has meant the most to me.

In no particular order, the top five games that have meant the most to me in my life are:

  • Stardew Valley
  • Pool of Radiance by SSI on the Commodore 64
  • Zack McCracken and the Alien Mind Benders on Commodore 64
  • Kirby's Epic Yarn on the Wii
  • Everquest on the PC

There have been so many great games over the years, but these five hold a special place in my heart for one reason or another.

Stardew Valley is a game that makes me feel happy every time I play it. I just feel peace and happiness when I play this game. Kirby's Epic Yarn did the same thing for me. I was going through some hard times back when Kirby's Epic Yarn came out, and it just made me feel like a kid with no worries in the world when I played it. I could escape in to it and forget the real world for a while.

Pool of Radiance was the first game I ever played where everything you did built upon what you did next. It was a new era where your game play sessions all built upon one another. Before that, games were a series of starting over every single time you turned your computer on.

Everquest was the first 3D MMORPG I ever played. The first time I ever ran in to a real player in the game, I thought it was just really good programming. I had no idea it was another actual human somewhere in the world playing the game... until they told me. I was shocked and amazed ... and hooked on online games for ever after that.

It was a hard decision between Zak McCracken and Maniac Mansion for the last of the five games. Both were pivotal games for me as a kid growing up in the 80s. They were amazing adventure games that told a story, made you laugh, and took you to far, far away places for a little while. In the end, I had to go with Zak because it took me to Mars. I mean.. come on.. Mars.

Yeah.. those would have to be my top five most influential games of all time.

Re: Poll: What's Your Favourite 3DS Model?

PharoneTheGnome

New 3DS XL is the win.

These systems are only going to continue getting more and more popular and hard to find because you can mod them to run just about anything retro.

In the age of everything becoming more and more download-based, having an old retro system that you can carry in your pocket and never have to worry about some executive deciding its time to sunset your favorite game from the past, the 3DS is a win win!

Plus... lets not forget the fact that a 3DS fits in your pocket way easier than a Switch, and Nintendo can't brick your 3DS when ever they feel like it.

Re: Talking Point: Our Pokémon Presents 2026 Predictions - What Are You Hoping For?

PharoneTheGnome

It just occurred to me why they would release the Fire Red Leaf Green games for purchase ahead of the Pokemon Presents date...

They will be announcing a Fire Red/Leaf Green REMAKE during the Pokemon Presents, and they want as many people as possible to have already pre-purchased the non-remake before they announce it.

Mark my words... $60 Pokemon Red/Leaf Green REMAKE announcement incoming during Pokemon Presents.

Re: Poll: So, Will You Be Getting Mario Tennis Fever For Switch 2?

PharoneTheGnome

I know I sound like a broken record, but I just feel like these sports games are too expensive to justify the purchase.

I like the look of the game and would really enjoy playing it, but I will not spend $70 on it.

I reserve $70 game purchases for games that I really, really am looking forward to playing. Like a brand new Atlus entry for Persona or a Red Dead Redemption 3 or something along those lines. A game that has a ton of high quality content.

Re: Nintendo Showcases Every Switch And Switch 2 Partner Direct Game In New Infographic

PharoneTheGnome

There's some games on there that I am definitely interested in, but none of them are necessarily must buys for me.

And.. some of them, I probably will buy for a lot less on sale on the PS5 instead since they've been out longer on that system.

That's one of the things I struggle with honestly is whether to buy non-1st party games on the PS5 or Switch 2. In most cases, the games have been out a lot longer on the PS5 by the time they come out on the Switch 2, so it will likely be cheaper due to sales on PS5.

At the same time, I prefer having most of my library on my Switch 2 just because I like using it so much.

The struggle is real lol.

Re: Here's A Look At The Best-Selling Switch And Switch 2 Games So Far

PharoneTheGnome

I just wonder if there will ever be another non-legends Pokemon game ever made. I don't mind these Pokemon Legend games, but I prefer the "main line" games more.

Literally, the only reason I didn't buy Pokemon Scarlet and Violet was the silly looking motorcycle pokemon. Looking back on that now, I kind of wish I would have bought Scarlet or Violet because that might be the last "main line" Pokemon we ever get if they end up going this Legends route.

Re: Google's 'Project Genie' Is Basically A Huge Plagiarism Tool, So When Will Nintendo's Legal Ninjas Strike?

PharoneTheGnome

@Oldstalk what you are missing is that this is just the tip of the iceberg. We are seeing the very, very early stages of what AI game generation can do.

Also, to those that keep villainizing anybody that is not screaming kill AI on here, I think you're missing the point. We're not saying AI is a good thing. We are just saying that its inevitable at this point. You can't stop it, so going to every single post, thread, article, etc that mentions AI and screaming fight the good cause is never going to do anything to actually stop AI from infiltrating every single part of our lives.

Even if all first world countries outlawed the use of AI, there's hundreds of 3rd world countries where the average citizen is lucky if they have food on the table little lone having a roof over their heads that are more than happy to take the money from the AI industry. AI will persist somewhere in the world, and if all 1st world countries ban its use, it will just create a new 1st world country out of the one of the 3rd world countries that does allow it because there is NO WAY in the world that most gamers will not buy a game JUST BECAUSE it was created by AI IF that game is better than what is available at the time made with out AI.

At the end of the day, consumers WILL buy what gives them the most of what they want for the least amount of money. That's just the facts. If you don't believe that, then please explain how a certain game that will not be named was boycotted by every gaming outlet last year and still managed to sell millions of copies.

Consumers don't care about what's right or wrong. They care about getting the most for their money.

You can advocate for what's right, but it won't stop the consumer machine from gobbling up what's wrong if it helps them get what they want at the cheapest price possible.

Re: Google's 'Project Genie' Is Basically A Huge Plagiarism Tool, So When Will Nintendo's Legal Ninjas Strike?

PharoneTheGnome

WoW that is just insane.

That all being said though, if you don't read the room, you're probably missing the bigger picture.

Good, bad, or indifferent, Game Development is about to be changed forever.

I've said before that we can NOT put the genie back in the bottle when it comes to AI. It's here. Some idiot opened the bottle, and there's no putting the genie back in.

What we saw in that video is clearly plagiarism, and I can't imagine Nintendo not suing.

But, the end game here is that we are going to see more and more "build your own game" solutions come out. They're going to get better and better to the point where eventually people will prefer making their own games over paying $70 for a game that may or may not be 100% what they like. Especially in the age now where its common for developers to hold content back and then charge you to have it as DLC.

I don't like where the industry is headed, but I can guarantee you we can't stop it.

Re: Book Review: The History Of The Pokémon Games - A Light, Informative Blast To The Past

PharoneTheGnome

Speaking of Pokemon-related books, I have been working on playing through all of the Pokemon games from the first ever made to the most current. Are there any good books out there that are guides for each of the Pokemon games anyone can recommend? I'm mainly looking for physical books rather than websites. I want something I can open on my desk while I play the games.