SillyG

SillyG

Porygon did nothing wrong

Comments 10,300

Re: Yakuza Kiwami 2 Brawls Onto Switch 2 In November

SillyG

I'm a little annoyed that Kiwami's getting an upgrade if that means that a physical version of the Switch 2 version is off the table (if nothing else, LRG will likely step in again).

I've only recently received my physical copy, and I was surprised to learn that it's on a 32GB cart. The standard edition was only US$35!

What the hell is every other major publisher's excuse for not offering 32GB releases at US$60-70 when LRG can do it at a budget price?! (Even more surprising is that LRG's releases are often overpriced, but this wasn't only fairly priced, it was a bargain!)

With regard to Kiwami 2, I'll pick it up if it gets the proper physical treatment on Switch 2, otherwise I'll play it on PC (I'm pretty sure it's available via GOG).

Re: Hitman: Absolution Sneaks Onto Switch 1 Later This Year, Switch 2 In 2026

SillyG

@PKDuckman : I get that such releases attract backlash, but surely the single player campaign was playable without an online requirement? (My understanding is that some online modes require the GOG Galaxy client)

If not, that defies the entire purpose of buying games from GOG, and perhaps it was for the best that it was removed.

Re: Hitman: Absolution Sneaks Onto Switch 1 Later This Year, Switch 2 In 2026

SillyG

@Dr_Awkward : If you had read between the lines, my issue is concerning ownership of the games that I purchase over their tangibility per se. Games purchased via GOG are DRM-free, meaning that I can backup and/or install the game to as many devices as I choose without any online requirement (I could also make my own physical copies by burning them to Blu-rays, if I were so inclined). Can't do that on consoles, unfortunately (at least not without hacking them).

I do intend to pick up a handheld gaming PC sometime this generation, mainly for retro and third party games (I'll have a preference for the Switch 2, but in the absence of physical copies, I'll grab the PC version, if a DRM-free version is available).

In the absence of proper physical copies, DRM-free on PC is the next best thing.

Re: Hitman: Absolution Sneaks Onto Switch 1 Later This Year, Switch 2 In 2026

SillyG

I've only played Blood Money, which I blind-bought from LRG, only because it's been a long-loved franchise, and it made a fan of me too.

It's a crushing disappointment that the Switch 2 release of World of Assassination wasn't properly physical, so I'll be skipping that (might grab it on PC instead, if available via GOG).

Whether or not I pick up Absolution will depend on whether or not Switch 2 gets a proper physical release. Ball's in your court, IO.

Re: Pokémon TCG Pocket Pulls New Expansion Card Art Amid Accusations Of Plagiarism

SillyG

For those wondering why IP holders issue cease and desists on popular fan creations...

This is why.

The unfortunate reality is that official developers/artists cannot create anything that too closely resembles fan art, even if said fan art is an infringement on their IP in the first place.

Though I'd be interested to know whether this was a coincidence or a case of fan art being provided as a reference to the official artist, and if the latter is the case, then that's certainly a Coalossal Blaziken-up.

Re: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Recieves Another Switch 2 Update

SillyG

@Lizuka : 3D Land really should have been bundled with the Switch port of 3D World.

And I so wish we had gotten New Super Mario Bros. All Stars complete with the DS, 3DS, and Wii instalments in addition to U/Luigi U.

In any case, I would completely jump at your suggested compilation. Mario 64 DS deserves another lease on life.

Re: Switch Online's SNES Update Has Apparently Upgraded The CRT Filter

SillyG

I'll never understand the desire to artificially degrade the quality and integrity of the original image/output signal. I can acknowledge a certain quaintness in playing vintage games on the original hardware (and CRT TVs), but artificially replicating it on modern equipment? It always looks fake and distracting.

This isn't like film grain that is an inherent characteristic of traditional photography (and is more finely resolved when classic films are rescanned at higher resolutions; in fact, digitally scrubbing away grain diminishes the detail/quality/integrity of the image). On that note, I also strongly dislike when modern films add distracting artificial grain to the image instead of ponying up the goods and actually shooting on film in the first place.

But while people are applying filters to retro games, are they also setting their console's resolutions to 480p to drive the illusion home?

Re: Disgaea 7 Complete Lands Western Switch 2 Release Date

SillyG

How is an anti-physical cartridge release by definition "deluxe"?

Couldn't they have just reissued the original Switch 1 version with the DLC included on the cartridge along with a new update to enable superior performance/resolution when played on Switch 2?

At any rate, this is neither "deluxe" nor "complete". Pathetic.

Re: Review: Pokémon Friends (Switch) – Pretty Plushies, Puzzling Pricing

SillyG

I've been playing the mobile version only because it's F2P whereas the Switch version costs AU$16 upfront.

I actually really, really like it, but AU$54 for all of the content while the extremely similar Big Brain Academy is available physically and at a cheaper asking price (AU$50 full retail) is bloody obscene.

Give me a physical option though and I'll gladly buy this on day one (and maybe a copy for my nephew), but digital only? And at that ridiculous price? Hard pass. It's such a shame, because despite the criticisms and simplicity of its presentation, I had been yearning for another Big Brain/Brain Training style experience, and this had the potential to scratch that itch.

Re: Poll: So, Have You Tried Out Pokémon Friends On Switch Or Mobile Yet?

SillyG

It's basically Big Brain Academy with a Pokémon skin.

But what's absurd is that this digital exclusive costs over AU$50 for the base game + optional expansions (and for such a basic, low-budget game).

A physical copy of Big Brain Academy on Switch cost me less than that!

I'll consider buying this if a complete physical release materialises, but I cannot justify spending AU$50 on this on either platform. Or they can lower the damn price.

For now, I'm sticking with the F2P mobile version, which is a nice little diversion, but I'm still a touch bitter about how they've handled this release.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (26th July)

SillyG

Pokémon Go: Latios and Latias Max Weekend

No shinies so far today (a mate got the shundo!), and a few of the bloody things had run from me. This also might have been my highest-attended event so far (of the ones I have hosted).

Community Ambassador is hosting tomorrow, and will continue the hunt for those annoyingly elusive shinies.

Re: Nintendo's Official Camera "Attach Rate" With Switch 2 Revealed For US

SillyG

I have zero interest in online chat, nor do I intend to subscribe to NSO, outside of bonus trial codes thrown in with some games.

But I love how it's been implemented into Mario Kart World's local multiplayer mode, so I think it can be a lot of fun in couch co-op, and I'd love to see more games that implement the camera in such a way.

That, and I'm itching for new Nintendogs and a camera-focused WarioWare.

Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Switch 2 And Switch Pre-Order Bonuses Revealed (US)

SillyG

It's stupid that there isn't a Steelbook as every other main series game dating back to Sun and Moon has gotten one (including Legends Arceus).

I'm also annoyed that there are separate bonuses for both versions. EB (Australia) always charges full price, but I'm a little tempted for the exclusive in-game trenchcoat. 😅 (there are physical bonuses too though)

Re: Review: Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV - A Fantastic Addition To An All-Time Party Game

SillyG

As long as "Jamboree TV" is essentially its own thing (with no actual connection to the base game), then why not just sell it separately via the eShop instead of selling it as DLC for a US$60 game?

By all means, bundle them together for the physical release, but this just sounds like an enormous missed opportunity when they could have put this camera/microphone oriented content toward a future Mario Party instead.

This screams of a really cynical and almost pathetically desperate attempt to pad out Nintendo's sparse launch libary. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to trying out the new content (once I pick up a Switch 2), but they've handled this so clumsily. Outright neglecting to improve the resolution and performance of the base game is inexcusable.

Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is Getting Its Very Own Switch 2 Bundle

SillyG

@AussieMcBucket : You deceiver! 😅 Yes, that was in Aussie currency. The American pricing should be $60 Switch 1, $70 Switch 2, which seems to be the norm whenever there's a "Switch 2 Edition" of a game.

The physical Switch 2 edition will be compatible with both consoles, so even if you do not yet have a Switch 2 (but plan on getting one), it would be worth grabbing that instead.

Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is Getting Its Very Own Switch 2 Bundle

SillyG

@kmtrain83 : It would be silly to manufacture a themed console and not reflect that fact in promotional materials.

In any case, I suspect that we won't see any real revisions until about a year into the Switch 2's lifespan (or possibly to coincide with whatever Holiday AAA blockbuster Nintendo have planned).

Re: Surprise! A Brand New Pokémon Puzzle Game Is Available Now On Mobile And Switch

SillyG

AU$54 is obscenely overpriced for a digital exclusive of this quality. I'd happily pay AU$60 for a complete physical edition (and many would still argue that's too expensive for such a basic puzzle game), but for a mere download? No freaking way. What a shame, as I'd be all over this otherwise.

Big Brain Academy on Switch (which looks extremely similar to this) retailed for only AU$50 with a retail release.

Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is Getting Its Very Own Switch 2 Bundle

SillyG

Not even basic silhouette art on the rear of the console like they did with the Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee bundles back in the day?

This is as lazy as it gets, and it is especially annoying for those waiting for a themed console, which means that I'll be waiting even longer before picking up a Switch 2.

Re: Best Virtual Boy Games

SillyG

It is a crying shame that we never got these on 3DS, be it as a full physical compilation, VC titles (though the hideously straining red graphics would have made it hard to look at for more than a few minutes at a time), or individual remakes, at least of Nintendo's own titles.

I would have preferred that they stuck to the original art design as closely as possible and colourise them.

The 3DS was such a great concept. It would be a shame if we never see another glasses-free 3D Nintendo console in our lifetimes.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (19th July)

SillyG

Pokémon Go: Gigantamax Lapras Raid Day (today) and Quaxly Community Day (tomorrow)

Didn't get any shiny Gmax Lapras... 😭 but I did get a second shiny with a ribbon (following on from yesterday's one). A shiny Chatot also fled from my Go++ when we lured up the town square after 5pm for the first day of the "summer concert" event (it's winter here in Australia). I did catch a Lotad though.

My physical copies of Castlevania (the DS collection) and Yakuza Kiwami also arrived from LRG, and I'm particularly looking forward to trying the latter. It's a crying shame that Sega hadn't issued a proper physical release of Zero on Switch 2 to complement it.

Re: Review: Shadow Labyrinth - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Sometimes 'Good Enough' Is Just That

SillyG

@Ogbert : I understand that, but publishers too often keep putting deadlines ahead of the quality of the products they produce because they want to start profiteering as soon as possible.

And given the slightly more horror-like elements of Shadow Labyrinth, perhaps it might not have been the worst idea to release the game closer to Halloween (though it shouldn't have taken quite that long to get the complete game on shelves).

Re: Review: Shadow Labyrinth - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Sometimes 'Good Enough' Is Just That

SillyG

The fact that performance is still spotty on the Switch 2 is pretty embarrassing. How much worse is the performance on Switch 1?

Worse is that the Switch 2 performance updates haven't been baked into the cartridge for good measure. I don't understand why publishers aren't doing this if they aren't going to issue a dedicated Switch 2 physical release. Not every game would need the faster read speeds or higher capacity Switch 2 cartridge, and this game is so small that they could have fit both the Switch 1 and 2 versions separately on a single 16GB cartridge and still have room to breathe.

I get that it's a "free update", but why do we need to waste storage space on what should have been included on the cartridge in the first place? And why pay for a physical copy with an inferior build on the cart when it released day and date with the superior version? Considering that Namco had also released Tamagotchi Plaza on Switch 2 in Japan/Asia with absolutely everything on the cart (and also cross-compatible with the Switch 1), I don't understand why they opted to screw Shadow Labyrinth up so badly, especially as Pac-Man should have broader appeal on a hugely popular new console with very few physical releases to its name so far.

@kuu_nousee : The Japanese Switch 2 physical version is even worse. It's a code-in-a-case. Not even a key card. There's a tiny blurb on the cover reminiscent of the "Download Required" disclaimer on the case of some Switch 1 games.

Re: Pokémon Is Teasing Something Ahead Of Next Week's Showcase

SillyG

We'll probably get another Mystery Dungeon, or perhaps a complete remake set of the Rangers trilogy with touch and/or mouse controls.

But what I really want is a physical compilation/s of the Gen I-III games.

@mariomaster96 : Sword/Shield and Legends Arceus in 4K, let's gooooo!!! (Ironically, I don't care if the treatment extends to the Let's Go games)

Re: Here's What Donkey Kong Bananza Looked Like On Switch 1

SillyG

Spotted an electronic billboard promoting this on a busy Sydney motorway last night. Really curious to see how this translates sales-wise given that Donkey Kong, historically, doesn't have the same pull as, say, Mario or Pokémon.

But this is also the most ambitious Donkey Kong project in decades, and could really appeal to the Minecraft generation and old school Nintendo fans alike. It'll be a while before I get my hands on this, but I'm looking forward to how the critics and players respond to this.

Re: Tony Hawk Reiterates Decisions Behind Song Choices In Pro Skater 3 + 4

SillyG

@AmplifyMJ : I'm not even an MJ fan, but that song was such an integral part of the experience and nostalgia.

Though there are sillier reasons to buy games. I bought Just Dance 2017 and 2019 because they each had a Turkish song. I don't even like dancing. I gave it a try, but even in the comfort of solitude, I was cringing like crazy inside. 😅 Not for me. But fun for when little ones are around.

Re: Tony Hawk Reiterates Decisions Behind Song Choices In Pro Skater 3 + 4

SillyG

Long story short, they're cheapskates (no pun intended!).

It's not as if they put the money they saved on skimping on the classics toward the cartridges.

Just as poor, destitute Rockstar snubbed Michael Jackson and Kate Bush (among others) when clumsily assembling the "definitive edition" of the beloved GTA trilogy. If the first song you hear on the radio isn't Billie Jean, are you even playing Vice City?