I still don't understand why this site continues to hold the online requirement against Jackbox. Not even Nintendo figured out a way to connect phones to the Switch without requiring an Internet connection with Everybody 1-2-Switch. It just isn't feasible. Also, I'd like to know how drawing on a phone screen is less than ideal. What's the alternative? Using a controller? (If it bothers you that much, I've found that using a laptop and mouse setup works alright.)
I still hold that the Switch is the best platform for Jackbox if you're looking to play it locally, since you can take a Switch with you very readily. At least as far as actual consoles go, though if you're lugging an Apple TV or something around just for Jackbox, I respect it
I think a system where developers can choose to bundle icon options in with their games might be the best call, as it would allow even the most niche of indies to get icons should the developer or publisher choose to include them.
Alternatively, integrating icons into a Nintendo Badge Arcade successor on the Switch 2 would be neat
Jason Momoa would've been a better fit for Steve than Jack Black. Why the hell did they make him an original character who looks like...that (and still apparently give him lead billing!)
Where's the poll option for "I'll be picking the game up via Steam?" Because that's what I'm leaning towards doing. The performance on Switch is a bit too rocky for my liking based on my time with the demo. This will, of course, mean that when the Switch successor is formally unveiled later this month, it will be confirmed that the entire Switch library is natively backwards compatible and will play with boosted performance on the successor just because it'll have the power to keep things looking sharp and running smoothly. If this happens...you're welcome.
@Fizza I feel like that's selling the game short, especially since it's already clear Brothership is not pulling a Paper Jam and deriving everything from New Super Mario Bros. It's closer to Odyssey, putting its own spin on the tropes (Rumbla Island, for instance, is a fire/ice area, which I don't think we've seen since the Galaxy Games, while the desert seems to have a scrappy town theme and there's an entire city area)
@Uncle_Franklin @FantasiaWHT I'm not too far in the game, but I feel like playing it by trying out every single option all the time is missing the point. You're supposed to consider what options make the most sense for the situation you're in; as this Twitter thread details, everything is like a puzzle to some extent, and going in with that mindset is likely to help. https://x.com/TrainDetective/status/1824477993407799313?t=YU3S4_gK3jViHEp8VuLbsQ&s=19 There are also multiple subtle hint systems at play, like highlighting key words and the Think command. I'm not too far into the game, but they've absolutely helped me so far when I do get stuck. And I've seen a fair number of people say that, compared to the original Famicom games/their remakes, it is more intuitive to figure out what to do most of the time. I respect the developers for trying not to upend the design philosophy of the original games while still working to modernize them. Could they have done more? Perhaps. But I don't think everyone would like it if the game constantly highlighted what they had to do next at the cost of any flexibility (a toggle would probably be a good compromise, though...).
I think that ultimately, sometimes you just have to accept a game might not really be for you. Emio reviewed well with critics; it's been warmly received by many others. If you didn't enjoy the demo at all, then fine. It's not for you. That doesn't mean the game lacks merit and was a waste of resources (the only game it really could've detracted from is the next 2D Metroid, and considering that Sakamoto worked on the remakes of the first 2 Famicom Detective Clubs at the same time as Metroid Dread, it's not even likely it did that). I like to read, and I'm generally patient with my games - and so far, I've really been enjoying Emio. The demo helped sell me. It's fine if it didn't do the same for you - I'm not even trying to say you should try it again with a fresh perspective. But there's a reason why these games are clicking for a lot of people, and just because you aren't one of them doesn't make the game an objectively terrible release.
Not fond of the change. I get why they made it, but it still comes off as a relic of how they were founded even with Dentsu dropped from the name, doesn't sound like the name of a studio, and could actively be confused with the Nintendo GameCube. The new logo is also extremely bland. Just feels like a bizarre decision to not try and fully rebrand - NDCube has become the successor to Hudson Soft over the course of its life. Why stick with any trace of the name that was essentially formed out of a joint venture while cribbing part of Nintendo's home console name at the time?
The website has also confirmed that some minigames will be returning from past Mario Party games again. Shy Guy Says and Bumper Balls appear to be part of some other mode now, as they support over 4 players (likely up to 8, as the website shows a number of minigames with 8 players duking it out or working together), but the main party mode has a lineup of returning minigames as well, and notably, they weren't in Superstars (and many weren't even in Top 100). These include Treasure Divers from Mario Party, Platform Peril from Mario Party 1 and 2, Three Throw, Domination, Blame It on the Crane, and Stamp Out! from Mario Party 4, Defuse or Lose from Mario Party 5, and Jump the Gun from Mario Party 6. Other minigames appear to take cues from ones previously featured in the series - one on the website appears to be inspired by Globe Gunners from DS, but instead of revolving around shooting your opponents, you're collecting flags while walking around a giant sphere).
Picking up Emio physically, as well as Pizza Tower and Can of Wormholes...and Crypt Custodian from last week's Nintendo Download...and the Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus developers are finally able to roll out updates to the game on consoles, with the first one already being released (yesterday, seemingly), so I will likely be getting it as well. Expensive week for me.
@Uncle_Franklin Nintendo just put out an interview with Yoshio Sakamoto and another key developer involved with Emio at Nintendo, Kaori Miyachi, where they reveal that it was their development partner MAGES that pushed to revive Famicom Detective Club with the remakes so strongly that Nintendo recognized their passion and approved the project. From there, Sakamoto felt they could work on a new entry. Nothing about Emio detracts from Nintendo reviving other franchies like Star Fox or F-Zero. It happened because another developer wanted to do so, got approval from Nintendo, and paved the way for a new entry.
Bit of an odd decision to not get Kate Gray back for this review, since she still does review games for NintendoLife occasionally despite no longer being a full-time employee, and she reviewed the Famicom Detective Club remakes. Just seems a bit odd that the reviews of those games were more positive despite them being more archaic, and now Emio's score is lower because it's not modernized enough, even though there are hint systems at play to alleviate some of the confusion.
I think it makes sense why they combined these presentations, because both were not great - the worst Indie World in quite some time (which is what I thought about the last one as well) and the weakest Partner Showcase since 2020. I'm interested in a fair bit of what was shown, but the only new announcements I'm genuinely excited about are Pizza Tower (which I already own on Steam) and Tetris Forever (finally, a Digital Eclipse project that I'm really intrigued by, even though it's seemingly more collection than interactive documentary).
I think my main issue boils down to generally just finding Nintendo's Indie World selection poor now. There's so many neat indie games on the horizon. I've been keeping tabs on a ton of them, even if just by wishlisting them on Steam. So why in the world are they showing me a game where I can date human household appliances when there are all sorts of other great-looking games that could make it into the presentation on paper? I get that it's not like anyone can get their foot in the door, and some projects might just be further out. I'm not here lamenting the lack of Silksong or Mina the Hollower. But rarely does Nintendo bring indies I genuinely want to check out to my attention or spotlight anything that's already on my radar. There were a lot of shadowdrops today, and yet if it wasn't for Pizza Tower, my sole pickup releasing today would be Crypt Custodian. At least Moth Kubit, Morsels, and Peglin look intriguing
I've been following Thinky Games for a while now, and their GOTY award is definitely a reason for this to be on the radar of anyone who likes puzzlers. Looks like it's running great too!
@NFrealinkling What the Car? from the same developer releases on Steam next week on September 5th, so maybe there's a slim chance it'll be announced for Switch tomorrow?
@Serpenterror Intelligent Systems is deeply intertwined with Nintendo, but they're not directly owned by them. They're much like HAL Laboratory in that regard (being in exclusive partnerships, contributing to hardware and pack-in software, etc.). And seeing as HAL was in a Partner Showcase in 2020 for the Switch version of Part Time UFO, Intelligent Systems showing up is not impossible.
Getting Crypt Custodian, but I'll hold off for a few days just because I'm about to hit Switch game #200, and I want to be able to get a second "My Games" group going with 3 games to fill out the thumbnail (and with Emio on the way, might as well wait until the 29th)
I do have it preordered, but I'd like to give the demo a shot since I've been hearing things ranging from "too obtuse" to "smooth sailing." You can get hints through the Think command, apparently.
I think I'll snag Phantom Spark. The demo was enjoyable, my time with Nintendo World Championships has taught me that I get a good kick out of speedrun/time trial challenges (especially in shorter bursts), and it appears to be extremely well-optimized on Switch - looking pleasant and running at a smooth 60fps based on all the gameplay floating around YouTube (though with a bit of pop-in with distant background elements), which is a big deal for any 3D game not coming from Nintendo this late in the Switch's life.
I'm excited, but I really don't expect this to run well on Switch at this point with how scant any Switch gameplay appears to have been, coupled with the intensive-looking visual effects during the 3D portions of the game. Hoping that isn't the case - especially coming from a key developer who directed a Nintendo-published game with HarmoKnight - but I'm increasingly concerned
Looks quite promising. Apparently the developer's last game, Pine, reviewed very poorly on Switch, so I imagine this is absolutely going to be a game to pick up on another platform (perhaps the Switch 2?)
Coming from the guy who said Tears of the Kingdom was the last big Switch release and then tried to claim that Super Mario Bros. Wonder didn't count because he was hearing it was made by the "Mario C-Team" - not even remotely the case, and I don't even think such a team exists. Uh-huh. Sure.
I think it's entirely plausible that the Switch successor isn't launching until after March 2025, but this guy saying it isn't going to make me believe it.
...But Tango's closure wasn't exactly something that could stop the Switch port from happening. PEGI rated a Switch version around 3 months ago. When ratings roll out, that's essentially almost always a sign the game exists and is ready to release. Additionally, the port could've been contracted out to a third-party firm (as a Bethesda-published game, Panic Button could feasibly have done it), or at least finished by one. The physical version from Limited Run has also been conspicuously MIA, suggesting that they've been holding off to accommodate a version of the game on what is ostensibly their most lucrative platform. Krafton managing to revive Tango just makes it likely that Hi-Fi Rush will become properly multiplatform with future entries; it is unlikely to enable some newly-created Switch port (though it's possible this means they'll bring it to Switch 2 at some point if the Switch version somehow fell through despite being rated or releases in a poor state).
I prepurchased SteamWorld Heist II, but there's quite a bit this week that's enticing. Billy Bumbum, of all games, was technically developed by Nintendo alumni, as the lead (only?) developer worked on Good Job! (And I'm probably juvenile enough to appreciate it.) Vividlope also looks very interesting, and Cat Quest III seems to be quality as well. One of the better weeks/days for indie releases on Switch in some time - feels like there's usually only one or two standouts, though I imagine some hidden gems really fly under the radar when there's so much drivel going up on the eShop these days.
Digital Eclipse's interactive documentary approach and Nintendo games would be a match made in heaven. Especially because, if the 2020 gigaleak is any indication, Nintendo has preserved a lot of early development builds
@Steel76 There's been a fair bit of evidence suggesting that Monolith has a new IP in the works, such as them hiring for a project distinct from their current brand identity - they also had a page displaying concept art for an unknown project for years that was finally taken down within the last week, suggesting that it has likely wrapped development considering they're now hiring for a new project. Supposedly it's either an action game or action RPG from the rumors/speculation I've seen, and it might be tied to the rumor of a Monolith project codenamed "Legacy"
Surprised Crypt Custodian didn't make the list with the prerelease buzz it's gotten. Phantom Spark is also on my radar, but we haven't seen any Switch footage yet, and 30fps would be a dealbreaker for a fast-paced racing game focused around time trials
@Eggolor @DiggleDog Except what they did with Vivian was far from the only change they made to the script. There was a lot they changed/censored, some of which is at odds with the original Japanese script, like the scene where some Goombas catcall Goombella - prompting you to give them a beatdown, so it's not like it portrayed it in a positive light or anything. So that argument has its flaws, though there's a chance the Japanese script itself underwent some changes, as Taro Kudo was credited for "text editing" on the remake. But they went so far as to change every single instance of "crazy" and "nuts" for no good reason. No one was going to take offense to those words. Ultimately, the changes produced decidedly mixed results - some of the revised dialogue I do find better, but some of the changes were unnecessary, and some make things far worse for no good reason (especially this "health nut" line - it genuinely reads very poorly now, to the point I think I would've picked up on it being a censored line without knowing what the original said - it would've been on my mind, since Pikmin 2 underwent similar bizarre changes to its script when it was rereleased on Switch).
I had the option of either paying full-price for the remake or borrowing the GameCube original. If all they did was just retranslate some Vivian stuff, the decision would've been a lot harder for me to make. But pile on an overall neutered script, a halved framerate, and seeing complaints about the remake feeling more sluggish (especially in regards to menus in battle and text boxes), and...yeah, I'll put up with some extra backtracking if it means saving my money and getting an experience that's snappier in some regards and less sanitized in others. So many people fell in love with the original TTYD despite its flaws, so I imagine I'll be able to as well (especially because I played Bug Fables).
@Zach777 I actually don't have much to complain about with Braid's icon because the artwork is so nice on its own. Still could use a logo, but among the logoless icons, it's probably a contender for the best.
El Shaddai, on the other hand, has such a poor icon that it killed any interest I had in buying it on Switch.
@Daniel36 @Poodlestargenerica @toasterovenly I mean, when the developer, whose prior output consists of other Metroidvanias (side-scrolling ones), refers to it as a Metroidvania, then I think he knows what he's talking about. Having played the PC demo, it has far more prominent platforming than most top-down games, and the developer has also stated its design takes after Metroidvania staples like ability gating. Of course the shift to top-down brings the game more in line with 2D Zelda, but...Metroid was itself designed around having Zelda's open exploration paired with the side-scrolling gameplay Super Mario Bros. pioneered. The very core of the Metroidvania genre is inherently "action adventure platformer."
I think if we do get a Selects equivalent on Switch, Nintendo will change its focus from the best-selling games to ones that sold respectably, but could use a shot in the arm for one reason or another. Quite a few Switch games are physically out of print or hard to come by, like Astral Chain and Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (the latter is pretty highly priced now, hence why I haven't picked it up since I don't love opting for used and the game is a bit too large for me to feel comfortable with downloading it), while there are certainly others that could benefit from being made cheaper in a bid to expand the audiences for those series. If Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition was $20-$30, I'd probably bite. There's no real reason to drop the prices of evergreen sellers, but I think Nintendo would gain from taking games that are out of print or more niche and lowering the barrier to entry.
Comments 1,805
Re: Mini Review: Jackbox Naughty Pack (Switch) - NSFW But Too Safe For Jackbox
I still don't understand why this site continues to hold the online requirement against Jackbox. Not even Nintendo figured out a way to connect phones to the Switch without requiring an Internet connection with Everybody 1-2-Switch. It just isn't feasible. Also, I'd like to know how drawing on a phone screen is less than ideal. What's the alternative? Using a controller? (If it bothers you that much, I've found that using a laptop and mouse setup works alright.)
I still hold that the Switch is the best platform for Jackbox if you're looking to play it locally, since you can take a Switch with you very readily. At least as far as actual consoles go, though if you're lugging an Apple TV or something around just for Jackbox, I respect it
Re: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Has Been Updated To Version 3.0.3, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
They're never fixing the Wave 6 minimaps, are they
Re: Soapbox: Switch Really Needs Third-Party Profile Icons - Here Are Our Top Picks
I think a system where developers can choose to bundle icon options in with their games might be the best call, as it would allow even the most niche of indies to get icons should the developer or publisher choose to include them.
Alternatively, integrating icons into a Nintendo Badge Arcade successor on the Switch 2 would be neat
Re: First Minecraft Movie Trailer Features Creepers, Piglins And Jack Black's Steve
Jason Momoa would've been a better fit for Steve than Jack Black. Why the hell did they make him an original character who looks like...that (and still apparently give him lead billing!)
Re: Poll: Good-Feel's Goemon-Inspired Switch Game 'Bakeru' Is Out This Week, Are You Getting It?
Where's the poll option for "I'll be picking the game up via Steam?" Because that's what I'm leaning towards doing. The performance on Switch is a bit too rocky for my liking based on my time with the demo.
This will, of course, mean that when the Switch successor is formally unveiled later this month, it will be confirmed that the entire Switch library is natively backwards compatible and will play with boosted performance on the successor just because it'll have the power to keep things looking sharp and running smoothly. If this happens...you're welcome.
Re: Mario & Luigi: Brothership Trailer Welcomes You To Concordia
@Fizza I feel like that's selling the game short, especially since it's already clear Brothership is not pulling a Paper Jam and deriving everything from New Super Mario Bros. It's closer to Odyssey, putting its own spin on the tropes (Rumbla Island, for instance, is a fire/ice area, which I don't think we've seen since the Galaxy Games, while the desert seems to have a scrappy town theme and there's an entire city area)
Re: UK Charts: Star Wars Outlaws Bags Number One While Emio Flounders
@Uncle_Franklin @FantasiaWHT
I'm not too far in the game, but I feel like playing it by trying out every single option all the time is missing the point. You're supposed to consider what options make the most sense for the situation you're in; as this Twitter thread details, everything is like a puzzle to some extent, and going in with that mindset is likely to help.
https://x.com/TrainDetective/status/1824477993407799313?t=YU3S4_gK3jViHEp8VuLbsQ&s=19
There are also multiple subtle hint systems at play, like highlighting key words and the Think command. I'm not too far into the game, but they've absolutely helped me so far when I do get stuck. And I've seen a fair number of people say that, compared to the original Famicom games/their remakes, it is more intuitive to figure out what to do most of the time. I respect the developers for trying not to upend the design philosophy of the original games while still working to modernize them. Could they have done more? Perhaps. But I don't think everyone would like it if the game constantly highlighted what they had to do next at the cost of any flexibility (a toggle would probably be a good compromise, though...).
I think that ultimately, sometimes you just have to accept a game might not really be for you. Emio reviewed well with critics; it's been warmly received by many others. If you didn't enjoy the demo at all, then fine. It's not for you. That doesn't mean the game lacks merit and was a waste of resources (the only game it really could've detracted from is the next 2D Metroid, and considering that Sakamoto worked on the remakes of the first 2 Famicom Detective Clubs at the same time as Metroid Dread, it's not even likely it did that). I like to read, and I'm generally patient with my games - and so far, I've really been enjoying Emio. The demo helped sell me. It's fine if it didn't do the same for you - I'm not even trying to say you should try it again with a fresh perspective. But there's a reason why these games are clicking for a lot of people, and just because you aren't one of them doesn't make the game an objectively terrible release.
Re: Mario Party Dev NDcube Has Officially Changed Its Name
Not fond of the change. I get why they made it, but it still comes off as a relic of how they were founded even with Dentsu dropped from the name, doesn't sound like the name of a studio, and could actively be confused with the Nintendo GameCube. The new logo is also extremely bland. Just feels like a bizarre decision to not try and fully rebrand - NDCube has become the successor to Hudson Soft over the course of its life. Why stick with any trace of the name that was essentially formed out of a joint venture while cribbing part of Nintendo's home console name at the time?
Re: Feature: Nintendo Life eShop Selects & Readers' Choice (August 2024)
Considering I can't even vote for it as a game you guys missed this month, I think Phantom Spark flew way under Nintendo Life's radar
Re: Super Mario Party Jamboree Will Include Pauline As A Playable Character
The website has also confirmed that some minigames will be returning from past Mario Party games again. Shy Guy Says and Bumper Balls appear to be part of some other mode now, as they support over 4 players (likely up to 8, as the website shows a number of minigames with 8 players duking it out or working together), but the main party mode has a lineup of returning minigames as well, and notably, they weren't in Superstars (and many weren't even in Top 100). These include Treasure Divers from Mario Party, Platform Peril from Mario Party 1 and 2, Three Throw, Domination, Blame It on the Crane, and Stamp Out! from Mario Party 4, Defuse or Lose from Mario Party 5, and Jump the Gun from Mario Party 6. Other minigames appear to take cues from ones previously featured in the series - one on the website appears to be inspired by Globe Gunners from DS, but instead of revolving around shooting your opponents, you're collecting flags while walking around a giant sphere).
Re: Bo: Path Of The Teal Lotus Lands Bug-Squishing Update On Switch, Here Are The Patch Notes
Doesn't seem like there are any performance improvements listed in the patch notes. Hopefully those are on the way
Re: Nintendo Download: 29th August (North America)
Picking up Emio physically, as well as Pizza Tower and Can of Wormholes...and Crypt Custodian from last week's Nintendo Download...and the Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus developers are finally able to roll out updates to the game on consoles, with the first one already being released (yesterday, seemingly), so I will likely be getting it as well. Expensive week for me.
Re: Round Up: The Reviews Are In For Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
A rare instance of Nintendo Life's review of a Nintendo project scoring the game lower than most.
Re: Review: Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club (Switch) - A Stylish Mystery With One Foot In The Past
@Uncle_Franklin Nintendo just put out an interview with Yoshio Sakamoto and another key developer involved with Emio at Nintendo, Kaori Miyachi, where they reveal that it was their development partner MAGES that pushed to revive Famicom Detective Club with the remakes so strongly that Nintendo recognized their passion and approved the project. From there, Sakamoto felt they could work on a new entry. Nothing about Emio detracts from Nintendo reviving other franchies like Star Fox or F-Zero. It happened because another developer wanted to do so, got approval from Nintendo, and paved the way for a new entry.
Re: Review: Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club (Switch) - A Stylish Mystery With One Foot In The Past
Bit of an odd decision to not get Kate Gray back for this review, since she still does review games for NintendoLife occasionally despite no longer being a full-time employee, and she reviewed the Famicom Detective Club remakes. Just seems a bit odd that the reviews of those games were more positive despite them being more archaic, and now Emio's score is lower because it's not modernized enough, even though there are hint systems at play to alleviate some of the confusion.
Re: Nintendo Direct August 2024 - Every Announcement & Game Reveal From The Indie World & Partner Showcases
I think it makes sense why they combined these presentations, because both were not great - the worst Indie World in quite some time (which is what I thought about the last one as well) and the weakest Partner Showcase since 2020. I'm interested in a fair bit of what was shown, but the only new announcements I'm genuinely excited about are Pizza Tower (which I already own on Steam) and Tetris Forever (finally, a Digital Eclipse project that I'm really intrigued by, even though it's seemingly more collection than interactive documentary).
I think my main issue boils down to generally just finding Nintendo's Indie World selection poor now. There's so many neat indie games on the horizon. I've been keeping tabs on a ton of them, even if just by wishlisting them on Steam. So why in the world are they showing me a game where I can date human household appliances when there are all sorts of other great-looking games that could make it into the presentation on paper? I get that it's not like anyone can get their foot in the door, and some projects might just be further out. I'm not here lamenting the lack of Silksong or Mina the Hollower. But rarely does Nintendo bring indies I genuinely want to check out to my attention or spotlight anything that's already on my radar. There were a lot of shadowdrops today, and yet if it wasn't for Pizza Tower, my sole pickup releasing today would be Crypt Custodian. At least Moth Kubit, Morsels, and Peglin look intriguing
Re: Quirky Puzzler 'Can Of Wormholes' Wriggles Onto Switch This Week
I've been following Thinky Games for a while now, and their GOTY award is definitely a reason for this to be on the radar of anyone who likes puzzlers. Looks like it's running great too!
Re: Nintendo Indie World & Partner Direct Announced For Tomorrow, August 27th 2024
@NFrealinkling What the Car? from the same developer releases on Steam next week on September 5th, so maybe there's a slim chance it'll be announced for Switch tomorrow?
Re: Nintendo Indie World & Partner Direct Announced For Tomorrow, August 27th 2024
@Serpenterror Intelligent Systems is deeply intertwined with Nintendo, but they're not directly owned by them. They're much like HAL Laboratory in that regard (being in exclusive partnerships, contributing to hardware and pack-in software, etc.). And seeing as HAL was in a Partner Showcase in 2020 for the Switch version of Part Time UFO, Intelligent Systems showing up is not impossible.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel - Astro Boy: Omega Factor
The proportions look really odd on the Western boxart, so I voted for Japan's.
Re: Rumour: Wii & DS Favourite 'MySims' Could Be Coming To Switch Soon
@Zeebor15 I see. It's the only EA game I have on Switch, so it came to mind quickly for me
Re: Nintendo Download: 22nd August (North America)
Getting Crypt Custodian, but I'll hold off for a few days just because I'm about to hit Switch game #200, and I want to be able to get a second "My Games" group going with 3 games to fill out the thumbnail (and with Emio on the way, might as well wait until the 29th)
Re: Rumour: Wii & DS Favourite 'MySims' Could Be Coming To Switch Soon
@Zeebor15 Are you not counting Burnout because it's a remaster?
Re: Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club Is Out Next Week, Will You Be Getting It?
I do have it preordered, but I'd like to give the demo a shot since I've been hearing things ranging from "too obtuse" to "smooth sailing." You can get hints through the Think command, apparently.
Re: Round Up: Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 - Every Nintendo Switch Game Reveal & Trailer
@mereel It's closer to a blend of Donkey Kong Country and Crash Bandicoot, as there are some linear 3D sections like the latter
Re: Talking Point: Would $499 Be Too Much For 'Switch 2'?
I'd fork over $499 just because I want to have my first console launch experience, but I sure hope the Switch 2 is cheaper than that.
Re: Nintendo Announces 'Nintendo Museum Direct'
Rats. I was really hoping for the announcement of a Blathers survival horror game where all the insects in his museum get loose.
Re: Nintendo Download: 15th August (North America)
I think I'll snag Phantom Spark. The demo was enjoyable, my time with Nintendo World Championships has taught me that I get a good kick out of speedrun/time trial challenges (especially in shorter bursts), and it appears to be extremely well-optimized on Switch - looking pleasant and running at a smooth 60fps based on all the gameplay floating around YouTube (though with a bit of pop-in with distant background elements), which is a big deal for any 3D game not coming from Nintendo this late in the Switch's life.
Re: Joyous Storybook Adventure 'The Plucky Squire' Finally Gets Release Date
I'm excited, but I really don't expect this to run well on Switch at this point with how scant any Switch gameplay appears to have been, coupled with the intensive-looking visual effects during the 3D portions of the game. Hoping that isn't the case - especially coming from a key developer who directed a Nintendo-published game with HarmoKnight - but I'm increasingly concerned
Re: 'The Knightling' Takes Inspiration From 3D Zelda In A Promising Debut Trailer
Looks quite promising. Apparently the developer's last game, Pine, reviewed very poorly on Switch, so I imagine this is absolutely going to be a game to pick up on another platform (perhaps the Switch 2?)
Re: Rumour: Game Developers Supposedly Told Not To Expect Switch "Successor" In Current Financial Year
Coming from the guy who said Tears of the Kingdom was the last big Switch release and then tried to claim that Super Mario Bros. Wonder didn't count because he was hearing it was made by the "Mario C-Team" - not even remotely the case, and I don't even think such a team exists. Uh-huh. Sure.
I think it's entirely plausible that the Switch successor isn't launching until after March 2025, but this guy saying it isn't going to make me believe it.
Re: Good-Feel's Goemon-Inspired Switch Game 'Bakeru' Is Getting Localised
It's too bad that there's apparently not a physical in the West. I'll check the demo out on Switch, but I might pick the actual game up on PC.
Re: Random: Is This The Harshest Mario Kart 8 Has Ever Been?
@ArtistRemaining is not the original poster of the clip, for the record. Saw it on r/mariokart last night, and OP took notice of it going viral today
https://www.reddit.com/r/mariokart/comments/1eqk593/some1_posted_my_clip_on_twitter_and_it_gone_viral/
https://www.reddit.com/r/mariokart/comments/1epx6tt/first_time_taking_the_bridge_route_in_yoshis/
Re: Tango Gameworks Survives, Reviving The 'Hi-Fi Rush On Switch' Dream
https://x.com/johnjohanas/status/1822804769699946697
The director of Hi-Fi Rush has confirmed he's back.
...But Tango's closure wasn't exactly something that could stop the Switch port from happening. PEGI rated a Switch version around 3 months ago. When ratings roll out, that's essentially almost always a sign the game exists and is ready to release. Additionally, the port could've been contracted out to a third-party firm (as a Bethesda-published game, Panic Button could feasibly have done it), or at least finished by one. The physical version from Limited Run has also been conspicuously MIA, suggesting that they've been holding off to accommodate a version of the game on what is ostensibly their most lucrative platform. Krafton managing to revive Tango just makes it likely that Hi-Fi Rush will become properly multiplatform with future entries; it is unlikely to enable some newly-created Switch port (though it's possible this means they'll bring it to Switch 2 at some point if the Switch version somehow fell through despite being rated or releases in a poor state).
Re: Surprise! DOOM + DOOM II Get Newly Enhanced Release On Switch eShop
Curious that this doesn't appear to be a bundle of separate games based on the eShop listing. Are they effectively one game on the Switch OS?
Re: Nintendo Download: 8th August (North America)
I prepurchased SteamWorld Heist II, but there's quite a bit this week that's enticing. Billy Bumbum, of all games, was technically developed by Nintendo alumni, as the lead (only?) developer worked on Good Job! (And I'm probably juvenile enough to appreciate it.) Vividlope also looks very interesting, and Cat Quest III seems to be quality as well. One of the better weeks/days for indie releases on Switch in some time - feels like there's usually only one or two standouts, though I imagine some hidden gems really fly under the radar when there's so much drivel going up on the eShop these days.
Re: Retro Re-Release Studio Digital Eclipse Says It's Up For A Collab With Nintendo
Digital Eclipse's interactive documentary approach and Nintendo games would be a match made in heaven. Especially because, if the 2020 gigaleak is any indication, Nintendo has preserved a lot of early development builds
Re: Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom New Art And Screenshots Revealed By Nintendo
@VoidofLight I think what you thought was facial hair is just the Gerudo's hand raised to her face
Re: Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom New Art And Screenshots Revealed By Nintendo
@VoidofLight Where is the male Gerudo shown?
Re: Xenoblade Chronicles Dev Monolith Soft Is Recruiting For A 'New RPG'
@Steel76 There's been a fair bit of evidence suggesting that Monolith has a new IP in the works, such as them hiring for a project distinct from their current brand identity - they also had a page displaying concept art for an unknown project for years that was finally taken down within the last week, suggesting that it has likely wrapped development considering they're now hiring for a new project. Supposedly it's either an action game or action RPG from the rumors/speculation I've seen, and it might be tied to the rumor of a Monolith project codenamed "Legacy"
Re: Video: 16 Exciting New Games Coming To Nintendo Switch In August 2024
Surprised Crypt Custodian didn't make the list with the prerelease buzz it's gotten. Phantom Spark is also on my radar, but we haven't seen any Switch footage yet, and 30fps would be a dealbreaker for a fast-paced racing game focused around time trials
Re: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door And Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Both Surpass One Million Sales
@Eggolor @DiggleDog Except what they did with Vivian was far from the only change they made to the script. There was a lot they changed/censored, some of which is at odds with the original Japanese script, like the scene where some Goombas catcall Goombella - prompting you to give them a beatdown, so it's not like it portrayed it in a positive light or anything. So that argument has its flaws, though there's a chance the Japanese script itself underwent some changes, as Taro Kudo was credited for "text editing" on the remake. But they went so far as to change every single instance of "crazy" and "nuts" for no good reason. No one was going to take offense to those words. Ultimately, the changes produced decidedly mixed results - some of the revised dialogue I do find better, but some of the changes were unnecessary, and some make things far worse for no good reason (especially this "health nut" line - it genuinely reads very poorly now, to the point I think I would've picked up on it being a censored line without knowing what the original said - it would've been on my mind, since Pikmin 2 underwent similar bizarre changes to its script when it was rereleased on Switch).
I had the option of either paying full-price for the remake or borrowing the GameCube original. If all they did was just retranslate some Vivian stuff, the decision would've been a lot harder for me to make. But pile on an overall neutered script, a halved framerate, and seeing complaints about the remake feeling more sluggish (especially in regards to menus in battle and text boxes), and...yeah, I'll put up with some extra backtracking if it means saving my money and getting an experience that's snappier in some regards and less sanitized in others. So many people fell in love with the original TTYD despite its flaws, so I imagine I'll be able to as well (especially because I played Bug Fables).
Re: Braid: Anniversary Edition Sales Have Been "Utterly Terrible", Says Creator
@TotalHenshin The artwork was redone, and there are 13 completely new stages not tied to the developer commentary.
Re: Braid: Anniversary Edition Sales Have Been "Utterly Terrible", Says Creator
@Zach777 I actually don't have much to complain about with Braid's icon because the artwork is so nice on its own. Still could use a logo, but among the logoless icons, it's probably a contender for the best.
El Shaddai, on the other hand, has such a poor icon that it killed any interest I had in buying it on Switch.
Re: Poll: Which Is Your Favourite Nintendo Game Cartridge Design?
...struggling to put a Switch cartridge in the right way? That kinda just sounds like a you problem
Re: Crypt Custodian Is A Zelda-Like Metroidvania Where You Play As A Dead Cat
@Daniel36 @Poodlestargenerica @toasterovenly
I mean, when the developer, whose prior output consists of other Metroidvanias (side-scrolling ones), refers to it as a Metroidvania, then I think he knows what he's talking about. Having played the PC demo, it has far more prominent platforming than most top-down games, and the developer has also stated its design takes after Metroidvania staples like ability gating. Of course the shift to top-down brings the game more in line with 2D Zelda, but...Metroid was itself designed around having Zelda's open exploration paired with the side-scrolling gameplay Super Mario Bros. pioneered. The very core of the Metroidvania genre is inherently "action adventure platformer."
Re: Talking Point: Will The Switch Ever Get A 'Nintendo Selects' Range?
@KingMike That's...absurd, to put it lightly.
Re: Talking Point: Will The Switch Ever Get A 'Nintendo Selects' Range?
I think if we do get a Selects equivalent on Switch, Nintendo will change its focus from the best-selling games to ones that sold respectably, but could use a shot in the arm for one reason or another. Quite a few Switch games are physically out of print or hard to come by, like Astral Chain and Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (the latter is pretty highly priced now, hence why I haven't picked it up since I don't love opting for used and the game is a bit too large for me to feel comfortable with downloading it), while there are certainly others that could benefit from being made cheaper in a bid to expand the audiences for those series. If Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition was $20-$30, I'd probably bite. There's no real reason to drop the prices of evergreen sellers, but I think Nintendo would gain from taking games that are out of print or more niche and lowering the barrier to entry.
Re: Crypt Custodian Is A Zelda-Like Metroidvania Where You Play As A Dead Cat
@BenjiTProcrastinator Kyle has already confirmed on the Metroidvania subreddit that the Switch version is running at a smooth 60fps
Re: Bō: Path Of The Teal Lotus Updates Could Be Affected By Humble Games Layoffs
I wonder if they'll try and move the game under Marvelous's umbrella because they published the game in Japan. Maybe it'll be moved under XSEED?