Ristar24

I've pretty much decided not to purchase a Switch 2 for the moment, so if I do get the game at some point would be on my trusty OLED.

The gameplay with the chattering npcs and 'radio buddies' seemed really jarring to the atmosphere to me. We see a beautiful landscape, the music swells and we hear a very generic npc tell us 'it's beautiful'. A simple puzzle is used to open a door and we hear the same npc exclaim 'did that door just open by itself?' To me it feels like such an unnecessary commentary which undercuts what the (evidently outstanding) world design is achieving, imagine something like that in Elden Ring. I really did like the first two, Metroid Prime was like nothing else at the time and replaying remastered when it was released, it's still a brilliant and unique game for me. I'll definitely be watching some more gameplay before I make a purchase on this one.

The first game remastered is probably still my favourite. It managed to make the cinematic platformer 3D, it's grid based and movement requires precision for platforming. 2013 takes a lot from Uncharted, the movie spectacle style sequences, the 3rd person shooting. It's fun to play the shooting galleries, but the platforming is pretty much automated and the tomb puzzles are a side line. I played the first on the Saturn at the time and it's so different from what the series would become. I only finished Tomb Raider 2 recently as I never had a PS1, but I still think the first is the best, too many human enemies in the second considering combat is not it's strong point.

Looks like a lot of talking, and I know it's been said elsewhere but Metroid really did have an atmosphere of loneliness and isolation, that sense of exploring an alien world alone is for me part of the appeal of the series, which this doesn't really sit well with. I'll wait and see, but it does seem be moving away from the atmosphere I enjoyed in the older games. Still want to try the game, so ultimately I'll reserve judgement after waiting all these years.

I moved recently so still unpacking some retro stuff, came across my Saturn RAM carts so may play some X-Men Vs. Street Fighter, King of Fighters 97 and Metal Slug. Also found my PAL version of Bubble Bobble featuring Rainbow Islands and forgot how nice the enhanced Rainbow Islands version looks, will probably give that a go. On Mega Drive maybe some Revenge of Shinobi and Shadow Dancer.

On the more modern side, still playing the new Tomb Raider 2013 release on Switch which is more fun than I thought to replay. I've actually repurchased Rise on PS4, I forgot I played it before but my PS4 says otherwise as I have trophies in my list from 2017.

The ability to play music on the bike seems a strange one, that sounds like it should be a basic feature, it can't be silent otherwise so perhaps just lets you pick different music...we'll see.

Booting up the PS3 where I first played this one back in 2013, I immediately noticed some elements looked cut back on Switch, the removal of shadows do have some impact on the atmosphere. Having said that, I also own the base PS4 version as bought it on sale a while back, but the inconsistent 40-50fps and constant juddering really impacts the gameplay to the point I stopped playing. I think the cutbacks to get a consistent 60fps are worth it if you own a Switch 2, I'm playing on Switch 1 and I'd still take the mostly consistent 30fps over the base PS4 version. I presume playing on PS4 Pro or PS5 are best, but I don't own those consoles. I did just pick up Rise on PS4 though as thought I'd replay that next and it looks still looks outstanding on base PS4, and thankfully has a proper 30fps cap. I'm certainly still enjoying replaying this one on my OLED Switch 1 though.

One weird oversight on Switch is later in the game, when Lara looks in a mirror (to thematically reflect on how she has changed, a significant moment in the story) and the reflection present on PS3 is completely missing.

I have the Switch version and booted up the PS3 game I had at launch, and base PS4 version for comparison. Id still take the Switch version's mostly stable 30fps over the much better looking but unstable 40-50fps on base PS4 (which I'm sure is much better on the Pro or PS5). PS3 actually looks better and more atmospheric than Switch one in some ways, but I'm still enjoying replaying the game for the first time in years.

After being quite impressed with the RAD2X on Saturn, I picked up the Mega Drive version so playing some Master System and Mega Drive carts. On Mega Drive thinking some Streets of Rage, Batman, Hyperstone Heist and maybe some Shadowrun. Master System wise, I may play some Double Dragon or Sonic. Also SEGA Rally on Saturn and I picked up Rougecraft DX on Evercade / Amiga.

I did end up buying the new release of Tomb Raider for my OLED Switch and its comparable to the PS3 version I played in 2013, still a good game.

I went ahead and bought for Switch 1, I played it pretty extensively back on PS3 at lauch 2013, but long enough ago that it's fun to play again. I did get the PS4 version a while back (I only have the base console) but the framerate was just too inconsistent to enjoy. Switch 1 is more playable as mostly at 30. I did load up the PS3 original though (still have my save file) and in some ways it seems to look better than the Switch port which is suprising, but nice to have it portable on the OLED.

Just tried my base PS4 version again and while it looks better, the performance is less than optimal, 40-50fps and not smooth at all. Suprised they never patched a 30fps cap mode as would have been more playable. Think they made the right decision with the graphics settings on Switch if that was a trade off to get better fps.

@Olliemar28 Does it consistently hit 60fps, PS4 tried, but mostly failed. This looks like a mash up of the PS3 and PS4 version so Switch 2 may well hit it consistently. I'd also be interested in whether Switch 1 has a proper 30fps cap with good frame pacing as don't own the new console if Nintendo Life have the chance to test it on the original.

This was good on PS3, I enjoyed the game at the time. Bought on PS4 recently and I don't think it's aged very well at all, also the PS4 had a 30-60fps which was worst than I remembered on PS3, which I think was locked to 30fps. I much preferred revisiting the original I played all those years ago on the Saturn in the remastered version.

As its mid November, going back to Batman: Arkham Origins on PS3, I think I preferred his one to Knight despite it not being part of the 'trilogy'. The Christmas setting in the city still has great atmosphere, even on PS3 I still think it looks good. Also as I'm using the console, have to play some classic Daytona USA.

Even more retro wise, I picked up the new DLC for Atari 50 on Switch, playing 2600 Dig Dug after all these years is still fun, and very nostalgic.

Not had much gaming time lately so mainly shorter retro or arcade style games. Night Striker Gear, Operation Wolf, OutRun, SEGA Rally on the Saturn. I also played the NES version of Last Ninja (2) on Switch as waiting for the new collection from System 3, might play through the superior C64 version this weekend.

I first became aware of the site when it merged with VC Reviews, so 2013 I think. Didn't know was around in 2005! Congrats on 20 years.

No, I've played them before on Wii and though I liked the games, I think this is too expensive for what they offer so I just wont buy them.

Busy weekend but currently replaying The Evil Within on PS4. Still a good game despite the performance issues. Also Mad Max on PS4 which has been fun to go back to and make some more progress. Retro wise picked up Toaplan Arcade Collection 2 on Evercade so will be trying to see if I can get any better at Hellfire, played the Mega Drive version years ago and it's a tough shooter.

I was never as bowled over as a lot of people were with these games. I liked them a lot and bought both on Wii, but they still didn't make the impact of Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World or Mario 64 for me. I'd not be buying them again personally as I still have my Wii hooked up with a component cable, still looks OK to me. Maybe if they're on sale at some point for portable play sake.

It's It's a great engine, playing RE4 remake on PS4 slim at the moment and it runs suprisingly well.

Slightly less retro than usual for me, I bought PS4 Max Max for less than £4 in the current PSN sale and picked up where I left the game in 2016. Its very formulaic in its structure, but the game has great atmosphere and the graphics are still outstanding. Also picked up The Evil Within for about the same price, started replaying and I'd forgot the game doesn't have great performance on PS4, but again it does have a really striking atmosphere and visual design. Has me more on edge than the RE4 remake, which I'm also playing for the first time.

Retro wise may play some Famicom Castlevania on the Anniversary collection.

@TryToBeHopeful I mostly play retro games, but either way, I'd rather buy something digitally that this. Yes modern games almost all require patches, which is also far from ideal, but at least they mostly work to some degree.

I maintain the view that these key cards are quite rubbish, and literally so once you can no longer download the associated data.

@MeloMan I agree, it's certainly accessible on easy as I managed to complete the game, plus you get a password and can try on normal with your upgrades. I'm not great at shooters but had a lot of fun with Earthion already, will be moving up to normal.

@Duncanballs Yes, I was suprised the Mega Drive port of Speedball 2 even lacks the nice court graphics of the Amiga, it has the more basic version from the Atari ST. Also realised the Evercade is actually the US Genesis version, so it lacks the better music and the option to play music during matches thats present in the PAL version. At least Bitmap 2 on Evercade has the Amiga versions of games.

Finally finished Gods on the Amiga (on Evercade). A game I started on my friend's Atari ST probably about 35 years ago and we never did complete it. Only had to check a walkthrough once or twice, so not bad. Might continue the Bitmap Brothers theme with the SNES version of the Chaos Engine on Evercade or Speedball 2 on the A500 Mini.

On Switch, have to play some more Earthion, what a amazing new shooter, I'd forgot about the Switch release until I saw it on the eShop. Also been playing some Operation Wolf and Space Gun in the Operation Night Strikers Collection.

Finally, been playing Power Drift and working on my best times in SEGA Rally on Saturn, not as good as I used to be, but getting the RAD2X really has me playing the console again.

I dunno, that desert didn't look as good as Mad Max on PS4, but I'll reserve judgement for now. As a Switch owner, its been a long wait and as I'm skipping Switch 2 for now, this is likey the last big first party Nintendo game I will play for a while. I'm still looking forward to the game, just hope its it's not like Arkham Knight where I felt they kept trying to bring the Batmobile into play too often.

Think I'll load up Great Giana Sisters on my C64 later in honor, ha. I think I've completed Super Mario Bros but only one friend I knew had a NES as kid. Was mostly Spectrum, C64, Amstrad, Amiga and Atari ST here in the UK at the time.

Last week I obtained a RAD2X for my Saturn so have been playing some of my favourite games on the console. This weekend be some more SEGA Rally, which I still think is one of the best arcade racer ports ever made, plus some other great sprite based racers, OutRun (with the correct car sprite), Power Drift and Chase H.Q.

Also the Saturn version of Road Rash is really good fun (and the music very much takes me back to the 90s), and I've restarted Panzer Dragoon Saga, I never did finish the game as the battery save in my console had died.

I certainly won't be buying these games again at that price, or a Switch 2 any time soon, it's all become far too expensive.

It's so weird to me that these retro style games aren't 60fps to begin with, even with original Switch level tech these days. Just feels like the priorities are wrong to me.

I must finally buy Zwei, for my Saturn. I have the first one and Saga. Currently looking at buying a decent upscaler to get back into Saturn gaming. I have the remake of the first one, it's not too great though to be fair its the Switch version so maybe better on more powerful hardware.

This weekend will continue my replay of PS1 Resident Evil 2 on PS4, currently on Claire scenario B and this game is still as good as it ever was, even after the remake. On Switch playing the original PS1 Fear Effect release that just came out (first time playing this one).

On Evercade I'll try play some more of God's on the Amiga and recently picked up the Codemasters collection, so some Sensible Soccer on the MegaDrive. Also might play some Treasure Island on the Spectrum, if I'm feeling particularly nostalgic.

@AppleBlade See your point but seeing Mario 64 running, coming from 8-bit micros and 16-bit consoles, was something else. The impact of that shift into such a well designed 3D world genuinely felt like a new era in gaming, and I started on Atari 2600. In the UK it also launched with Shadows of the Empire and that battle of Hoth intro stage, wow. Probably only matched for me by the Dreamcast and then the PS360.

I've not bought one and not feeling the need to, no games I am really enthusiastic to buy the console for and the screen doesn't look as nice as the OLED which I own. A lot of the retro stuff I like is also still coming to the original Switch. I wonder if its going to be like PS5, where I just stuck with my PS4 and retro gaming (and it still gets the PS1 and PS2 classics which interest me more than new games anyway). It's all got so expensive too.

I remember playing Thunderbolt in the arcade, was amazing at the time. Looks like a good collection for a sale, will we ever see Chase H.Q. though, maybe there is some licensing issue.

Nice I've meant to play it for years. Looks a bit rough compared to PS4/5 PS1 emulation, but I just downloaded so glad its available either way. Went for Switch version for portable play on my OLED.

Two mice is an interesting concept, but it's really lacking artistic flair, next to Rocket League it looks quite boring, which is quite unlike Nintendo. In theory, I can see those controls replicated with a couple of analog sticks and maybe analog triggers, but sadly Switch 2 doesn't have those as standard either.

It was and is a really interesting and good game. Glad I still own a copy, honestly Nintendo should allow Switch 2 owners (I don't have one) and people who dont subscription buy these games as downloads. If PlayStation can do it Nintendo should. RE2 and 3 both joined PS Plus recently and I could download them on my PS4 'for free' as I owned them on PS3. A game as good as Chibi-Robo, it's a shame it's just tied to NSO.

I'm not sold on Switch 2, so they're not in touch with me so much. Mostly I'm looking forward to Prime 4 which should play great on my OLED. I find myself in a similar position to where I was with PS5, I'm not seeing the value in an upgrade and going back to retro gaming and happy with PS4 and Switch 1.

FromSoftware always seem to have performance problems, their 30fps capped games tend to have pace frame pacing issues, and 60fps modes fail to meet their target. The exceptions on consoles seem to be when 60fps can be reached more comfortably, so Dark Souls 1 and 2 on PS4 or Elden Ring's PS4 version running on PS5. I am never a fan of an uncapped frame rate hovering in the 40-50 fps mark, but when 30 is the target the inconsistent frame pacing also hinders that experience. It's a shame, I still found Bloodborne and Elden Ring playable on PS4, but I noticed the the judder no doubt.

I did play it, interesting game, but I'd really like them to do Deus Ex.

Weird as I recognised a lot of the names of the 2009 comments, was when I first joined the site (I was Ristar42 back then)! A new play control version woukd have been good. I got my copy of this game down from the loft the other day along with a bunch of other games. I remember really enjoying it on Gamecube, don't have a Switch 2 but maybe I'll start it up on my Wii.

The best improvement would be running not diminishing your energy. Was annoying to have to keep eating just to move fast and was never a feature of the originals. I guess restoring health before fights fixes it to a degree, but you'd still having to keep slowing to a walk when getting about.

I'd probably prefer the first two on Switch, I've still not finished the third but I found it so grindy to increase your stats to win fights, and the training was not that compelling. Far from the Virtua Fighter style original. After wanting the sequel for all those years after playing both original games on Dreamcast, I was sadly disappointed by quite a few aspects of this one to be honest.

I still have my original copy, I dont have a Switch 2! Was a fun game if I recall not played it in years.

Cosmic horror. I've never really got into the series myself, except Zero Misson on GBA which I did finish and Metroid Prime, which was definitely worth replaying with the Switch remaster.

I've not bought one at this point I won't be getting one for a while. The games haven't grabbed me anymore than the PS5 which I also skipped, I also don't like these 'key card' games at all. Still use my OLED and will be getting Metroid Prime 4 on there, but except for that, I'm sticking with retro gaming for now. Glad for those who are enjoying the new console and looks to be selling well, but it's not for me at the moment.

Completed my replay of PS1 Tomb Raider and first playthrough of SNES Dragon View on Evercade last week. Dragon View took about 15 hours and was a great find for a game I'd never played. I picked up the Renovation collection recently so moving on to Granada and Arcus Oddessy on the Mega Drive, I really like both games and they have great music. Also still chasing my own high score in NES Pacman.

On Switch might play some Turrican II (Amiga) or Rendering Ranger: R2 (SNES).

More modern games I have lined up to play are Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor on PS4, but not sure will have time this weekend.

As someone skipping Switch 2 for now, still looking forward to this one on the original.

Pretty neat. Activision would be the games I'd really like to see too. They had Pitfall in some of the mini console versions I think, so here's hoping.