Picola-Wicola

Merry Christmas everyone! Mario on Christmas morning… it has to be done.

@JustMonika I remember the original getting a perfect 10 from Edge magazine back in the day (a 10 from them was a big deal back then) but I was a Nintendo exclusive player so never tried it. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed 1 but if you liked 1, 2 is better in almost every way. Just feels smoother, easier to pull off combos and makes more sense (although those last two points may be me just getting better at the gameplay). Enjoy the 80 degree weather - it’s below freezing here!

I am planning on playing through the Bayonetta trilogy for the first time. Currently on 2, and it’s so much better to play than 1. Everything seems to click this time, after slogging through to the end on 1. Makes me excited for 3, which is ready and downloaded. Oh, and I’m replaying Odyssey after 5 years. I forgot how joyful it is to play!

Oh yes! Hades is one of the best games I’ve played in the last 5 years. This looks like a perfect follow on.

@ozwally Thank you so much for that, I had no idea you had to start a new save file, I would have been flying around looking for them in my main save. Will try that later today.

The current version is actually 4.0.7 on switch. And I haven’t checked yet, but I’m hoping this is the version that includes the expeditions mentioned in your earlier article (of course some guidance on how to actually access these expeditions wouldn’t go amiss).

@Lizuka What was your issue with Bug Fables, out of interest? Because for me it was a very good follow-on from Paper Mario.

Could you provide some details on what these expeditions are, conditions for activating etc for those of us who are not in the know? Absolutely loving this game on switch. Just got to the Atlas for the first time and would love to know more about this extra content without having to Google and see spoilers etc.

No Man’s Sky as the main course (such an epic game to play in handheld!) with some Golf Story to pallet-cleanse. I am loving Golf Story so far!

I had the exact same reaction thinking it was a death at first! Jeez, scary.

If there was a GOAT in video games, this would be it. There has not, to this day, been a game created that tops the majesty of Super Mario Bros 3.

Just started No Man’s Sky on switch, so that will take up all my weekend gaming. Flying through the stars on that OLED screen just looks amazing. Loving the game so far.

Jeez, everyone had a NES and SNES in my experience growing up in England.. then N64 blew us all away. Sure, PlayStation took over from the GameCube (the only Nintendo system I’ve never owned) but then Wii came along and everyone and his mother/grandmother had one. I’ve gotten rid of my PS4 and flirted with Xbox One, but my Switch Oled is my absolute prized gaming machine. Closely beating out my 3DS. Nintendo is revered in large parts of the UK.

@Rainz Very, very, very well said!!!

I got the Hori split pad pro to try… and they were awful! Had to sell them straight away. I’ve been playing Foregone (which is an underrated gem) and downloaded No Man’s Sky which I hope to start this weekend. Still halfway through Bayo 1, but once I finish that and 2 I will buy 3 for sure.

@LikelySatan Sad story, sorry to hear that. I also got a WiiU at launch, but it was a joyous time with family and friends. Now I have a pretty much solitary gaming life on Switch…

Mass Effect 3. It’s still the game I have spent more time on than any other. And to just press the gamepad and be able to talk to someone in New Zealand … was revolutionary for a Nintendo console. And the one thing they have taken a backwards step on with Switch.

I’ve just finished chapter 3 of Bug Fables, which scratches my Paper Mario itch perfectly (thanks for the recommendation NL). I have picked up Dead Cells again after a few months hiatus, and cannot stop dipping in for one more run. And after the NL reader recommendations I played the demo for Foregone and loved it, so I will be buying the full game in the next day or two.

The most recent example for me is the song that plays over the credits in Tetris Effect when you finish journey mode. A stunningly beautiful voice singing something I think called ‘We’re all connected (together in this world)’. I like to finish that final level just to hear this song and watch the amazing cosmic display pop off the OLED screen.

Added a few of these to my wish list and just downloaded the demo for Foregone on the back of this. Really enjoying it so far and it’s looking like a definite purchase, so thanks!

@The_Pixel_King Hear, hear! Although Hades might just pip it for me purely on storyline.

That is just…. wrong.

I am currently trying nearly every game in my switch catalogue… because I upgraded to an OLED this week. And my gosh, is it a joy to play on. Working my way through Bayonetta 1&2 in preparation for 3. And Metroid Dread’s boss rush looks beautiful on that screen.

@ParadoxFawkes Thanks! I’ll have mine in my hands in about 15 hours… is it weird that I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve!?

@GrailUK Haha, that made me smile. Really looking forward to it actually, as I haven’t seen the OLED in the flesh yet, just read about how good the screen is, and I do most of my gaming in handheld.

I am actually very keen to try this on switch. Especially as I’m upgrading to an OLED on Monday, perfect timing.

I HAVE recently played through Lttp, Link’s Awakening remake and both Blossom Tales games, and I DO want more of that 2D Zelda formula. So I was not aware of this game, but sounds like it’s for me…

Looks intriguing for Halloween actually… though be interested to see how it plays.

I bought Bayo 1&2 in anticipation of this. Gotta play through those first, but looking forward to this.

I still have loads of copies of old ONMs and NGamer. Loved getting them every month. Does anyone remember ‘Total!’?

I’m replaying ocarina after more than a decade… just got the ice arrows. And just got back into Tetris of all things, after not playing it since the original gameboy! Added cult of the lamb and blossom tales 2 to my wish list for next week.

One of the best games I’ve played on switch. Awesome merc there.

I’ve been playing Paper Mario nonstop every evening this week… it has honestly been worth the £35 subscription fee alone! Similar to Ollie, I plan on playing through Ocarina next (it’s been 11 years since I finished the 3D version), and then Bayonetta 1&2 for the first time in preparation for 3.

@garfreek That actually makes me want to play that game. I’d never considered it before, so thanks.

I have been avoiding games since finishing the epilogue in Hades (so sad to have to stop playing - what a game!). But I downloaded Disco Elysium, TMNT, and Kharon’s Crypt, so I will start one of those today. Happy gaming everyone!

Everything has been put on hold for the sheer addictive brilliance that is Hades. Even after the ‘final’ credits roll, there is an astounding amount of content, storyline and play styles to explore. It has become one of the best gaming experiences I have ever had, and that is saying something. Shredder’s Revenge will have to wait till next weekend.

Hades, Hades, Hades and more Hades! I just cannot put this game down.

@GrailUK It got a 1.9gb update when I updated the software at the weekend.

I loved Skyward Sword with motion controls back in 2011, and I am about to face Demise having played solely with button controls this year, and loved every second of it again. Fantastic game and fantastic port.

What a brilliant and timely article. I have not played any of the games on this list, which is strange as it is a subject I have strong feelings about, but Celeste and Disco Elysium are now on my next to buy list. Kudos to NL for raising this often difficult to talk about issue.

@Freek I absolutely loved Dead Cells but never heard of this Skul game. Should I check it out?

@Bluerangervegeta fair enough, I assumed as much but you used it twice in the same comment, so thought it was maybe some joke I didn’t ‘get’.

@Bluerangervegeta who on earth is ‘mitamoto’? Please.

It’s a real shame it does not deal the marketing disaster that was the WiiU.

In the early hours of the morn, I saw some gold glistening from one my long-forgotten drawers. It turns out it was the November 2011 issue of Edge magazine. With Skyward Sword emblazoned on the cover, with a huge Zed (or Zee, to our transatlantic cousins). I read the review of Skyward Sword, as I am currently replaying the switch version. And I noted the ‘10’ at the end of the review, and I was surprised because time seems to have judged this Zelda harshly. But oh my, were they right! In this same issue Dark Souls was reviewed, and as I was reading I expected another 10. Because of the prestige of Dark Souls, and it’s subsequent impact on gaming. But it got a 9. Which is a masterpiece in Edge’s notoriously harsh scoring (at least at the time). I just wanted to share that I am enjoying Skyward Sword at the minute, and even in light of BOTW, it remains a masterpiece.

@romanista wow, ok, I am up for new experiences. I don’t know what I am getting myself in for, but will just jump in.

Really enjoyed the review, but I am non the wiser as to what type of gaming experience this actually is…

@BeefSanta I’m sorry, but that is one disturbing avatar. Like, I can’t comprehend what’s going on there! No offence intended, I just had to comment.

I have absolutely no idea what’s going on…

I have never played a Xenoblade game, and wondering if it’s time for me to try X1, just don’t know whether I would like it…