I'm hoping that we can simply buy a complete set like we could with the first set of cards (at least via My Nintendo in Australia).
But I wasn't happy with how ridiculously compact the tiny box was. There's compact, but did they have to make it nearly impossible to open without damaging it?!
Can I just pay $300 and have all of the collections on a single cartridge?
In any case, I'll probably end up getting all of these... eventually. But it's especially annoying that there's probably only one or two games per collection that I'm particularly interested in.
On the other hand, I'll likely never have to buy those games again as I can play them on both Switch 1/2.
I just wish Nintendo would issue a similar collection of their arcade games as well.
It seems "upgrade path" is the new hot term of the week.
To my knowledge, none of the previous Atelier releases offered any kind of "upgrade path" or save data transfer. People suddenly expect this to be the default because a few cross-generation Switch 1/2 titles had it. I don't recall people complaining this much when previous Deluxe Trilogies neglected to offer such concessions for existing customers.
I'm guessing that the developers have been trimming unnecessary data from the original builds as well, hence why they tend to shrink a fair bit in terms of their file sizes, and perhaps these internal changes render it a little too difficult to enable save data transfers without complications.
But perhaps I'm being a little too charitable by giving the developers the benefit of the doubt.
@YunoboCo : It's putting me off from buying the Switch 1 version as well.
Why couldn't they just include the performance updates or even the entire Switch 2 build on the cheaper Switch 1 cartridge? It's not as if a collection of old games is going to need a faster cartridge to run them.
And it's incredibly annoying how they keep targeting the same MSRP for all platforms at the expense of the Switch 2 version. If the Switch 2 version needs to cost more, then so bloody be it!
The Western art makes the game look like the sort of shovelware slop that would struggle to sell in an Aussie bargain bin even at the low, low price of $5.
@MidnightDragonDX : Tamagotchi Plaza got a proper Switch 2 physical edition in Japan/Asia, but Bandai have been frustratingly inconsistent (for example, their upcoming Dragon Ball Z release is a key card, and their Japanese Switch 2 Edition of Shadow Labyrinth is a mere code in a case).
@MarkyVigoroth : Not sure what you're talking about there (we're talking about the second film, right?).
It's normal for shot-on-film animation to not be perfectly stable, though this upload appears to have a more processed appearance that may also have been digitally stabilised (and scrubbed of its natural grain field), which doesn't look true to source, at least judging from a YouTube upload that I briefly sampled on my phone. My Blu-ray copy should serve as a better reference.
Pokémon Go: Fossil Research Day (Today) and Gigantamax Butterfree Max Battle Day (Tomorrow)
It always seems to rain in Sydney during Research Days. I just hope it winds down a bit for the real attraction tomorrow. I'll be kicking things off with a Golden PokéStop Bonanza ahead of the Community Ambassador-hosted Gmax début at 2pm.
Had terrible luck with shinies today (only one Tyrunt and Amaura), while my homie got about 12 shiny Amaura alone... 😭
@HeadPirate : How could they possibly gauge a "decline in demand" when they haven't even bothered testing the waters? The fact that early sales data indicated that Cyberpunk 2077 has been outselling "key card" releases (in spite of its higher retail price and older-skewing target audience) negates the point that you thought you made.
And to compare this situation with media that was rendered obsolete some four decades ago? 🤦 Nobody here was bemoaning the unavailability of obsolete media. If you wanted a better analogy, you could have pointed out the obvious reasons why Nintendo no longer produces or manufactures games for their older hardware, but that's not even remotely the point that anybody here was trying to make.
And regarding that ridiculous analogy, CD is an objectively superior format. Those who want to continue to listen to music from their favourite artists still have the option to do so, given that they were willing to upgrade (and even proceed to convert them to obsolete formats, if one so chooses), just as gamers will have to upgrade to newer hardware in order to play the latest games. Again, not the point.
The difference between music and games in this context is that we are outright denied the option to own a lot of current generation software, while a lot of music is still available to own (whether as physical discs/records or audio files).
@ThaBEN : There probably won't be much of a difference (if any) with regard to the retro games themselves, but I assume that the documentary materials will be presented in UHD resolution (or at least 1440p), at opposed to the Switch 1 version, which will likely only contain 1080p video.
In any case, there must be some reason why they've decided to issue a separate Switch 2 version. It would have been silly to do so otherwise.
@HeadPirate : That's what third parties want people to think. They only care about their bottom line, hence why they often rush unfinished crap to shelves and "physical" releases with little to nothing on the supplied media, regardless of platform.
It's the fact that the masses lap up their anti-consumer slop that third parties continue to get away with it. Something's got to give, and I'm glad that people here are being vocal about their disdain for "key cards". The relative minority of releases that were released as such on Switch 1 were problematic enough, but there needs to be pushback if we are going to see any material difference to the way that third parties do business going forward.
Nintendo deserves a good chunk of the blame for even allowing the practice to take place on their platforms in the first place. I imagine that had Nintendo still been ruled under Iwata's thumb that we would never have seen such disdainful practices propagate on their platforms, even at the expense of putting off the less scrupulous of third party publishers.
Nintendo were also extremely short-sighted for not allowing Switch 1 cartridges to be repurposed for Switch 2 games, particularly those that do not require the (rumoured) 64GB storage or increased read speeds. Releases such as Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, Octopath Traveller 0, Shadow Labyrinth, Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac, all of these should have had proper Switch 2 physical releases, cross-compatible with the Switch 1, without the need for the higher capacity/speed media.
@Medic_alert : LRG/Sega's physical release of Yakuza Kiwami shipped on a 32GB cartridge for a mere US$35. That's budget price territory for far, far smaller games.
We routinely get third parties skimping on cartridges when they charge $60, and now even $70! I refuse to believe for a second that these cartridges are anywhere near as expensive as some have been speculating if a 32GB cartridge can be sold for as little as US$35.
My only annoyance about this release is that it seems to only include the Switch 2 version on the cartridge. A cross compatible cartridge would have made the higher cost of the Switch 2 version easier to bear and added some further value to the package. In any case, I intend to grab the S2 version, and given how it's already quite expensive, and the deluxe edition not too much more so, I could be tempted to spring for that.
@Bizzyb : They're already doing that now without putting the game on the cartridge!
Borderlands 4 is retailing for AU$120 here, the same price as Cyberpunk 2077, yet the former comes on an empty cartridge! The [expletive] nerve!
I think a $10 increase is more than fair given that we'd otherwise be spending more than that on providing our own storage (and without the benefit of owning a complete tangible copy of the game).
@Remerkin : Even if that were the case, I don't understand why in the hell Nintendo aren't essentially allowing Switch 1 spec cartridges to be used for smaller Switch 2 games. Not every game needs the high read speeds and storage space. Just look at Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S.
And in situations like Octopath 0, I also don't understand why the Switch 2 build isn't simply included on the Switch 1 cartridge. Why issue two releases, of which one is substantially inferior? Surely a game that is only 5GB in size wouldn't need the faster read speeds of a Switch 2 cartridge, nor is there any necessity for two separate SKUs.
The most insane thing about the "key card" situation is that games have seen a price hike, yet we're still being shortchanged when it comes to physical media.
EA's sports games, Borderlands 4, all US$70. Why $70? Because the extra $10 certainly isn't there to cover the cost of the cartridge! I'm happy to pay more if that's what it takes. Having the full games on high speed cartridges and not needing to install the game will pay for itself over having to buy additional MicroSD Express cards as they'll reach capacity after as few as 3-5 AAA games!
LRG's physical release of Yakuza Kiwami on Switch 1 shipped on a 32GB cartridge and it was only US$35! I'm not buying any of this BS that cartridges are too expensive. Either charge a fair amount to cover the added expense or don't bother.
@RainbowGazelle : The ridiculous anti-physical releases are making the wait for a limited edition (and/or OLED) model all the easier! It's a wonder that Nintendo even bothered to release the console if this was the quality of third party "support" we were expected to see from the outset.
While handheld PCs weren't a threat to the Switch 1 due to its impressive library, I fully intend to grab a handheld gaming PC at some point this generation for retro and third party games (of those that are available DRM-free).
Though I'd overwhelmingly prefer to grab such games physically on Switch 2... if given the option.
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).
I hope this either gets a proper Switch 2 release that we can import or that the Switch 2 improvements are baked into the cartridge of the Switch 1 release.
Looks like typical eSlop to me. I'm surprised that the likes of this even scored an article.
Though I'm suddenly reminded of the humble Valet Parking 1989 on DSiWare. That was a surprisingly fun and quirky little game with some amusing thinly-veiled nods to 80s stars.
@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.
@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.
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.
Shinobi is intriguing, but being code-in-a-case only unless I pick it up from LRG is putting me off a bit, especially if I have to place a preorder on a yet-to-be-released game, and one that will likely contribute to the continued excavation of the abyss that is my backlog.
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.
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?
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.
This looks like it could run on a 486 for freak's sakes.
How the hell are they not ashamed to be pumping out such an uncomplicated looking game with anything but perfect performance even on much, much older hardware?
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.
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.
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.
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.
@DollyrotsFan1 : I seldom buy games from EB unless there's a pre-order bonus that I am especially keen on (but more often than not, JB will also offer a pre-order bonus along with their standard $10 off the RRP). EB's better for merch and accessories over actual games. 😅
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)
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.
@Acid87 : It's such a stupidly convoluted way of saying that it's a cross-generation title without explicitly communicating that fact (all "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" releases can be played on the Switch 1).
@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.
@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).
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.
Comments 10,419
Re: Street Fighter 6's Next Wave Of amiibo Cards Surface Online, Here's A Look
I'm hoping that we can simply buy a complete set like we could with the first set of cards (at least via My Nintendo in Australia).
But I wasn't happy with how ridiculously compact the tiny box was. There's compact, but did they have to make it nearly impossible to open without damaging it?!
Re: SNK Announces ACA NEOGEO Selection Vol. 7 And Vol. 8 For Switch
Can I just pay $300 and have all of the collections on a single cartridge?
In any case, I'll probably end up getting all of these... eventually. But it's especially annoying that there's probably only one or two games per collection that I'm particularly interested in.
On the other hand, I'll likely never have to buy those games again as I can play them on both Switch 1/2.
I just wish Nintendo would issue a similar collection of their arcade games as well.
Re: Random: Honda's Pokémon Koraidon Motorbike Looks Laughable In Practice
I like how its performance pays tribute to how the games perform on the original hardware. 🤓
Re: Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack Won't Offer Switch Upgrade Path Or Save Data Transfer
It seems "upgrade path" is the new hot term of the week.
To my knowledge, none of the previous Atelier releases offered any kind of "upgrade path" or save data transfer. People suddenly expect this to be the default because a few cross-generation Switch 1/2 titles had it. I don't recall people complaining this much when previous Deluxe Trilogies neglected to offer such concessions for existing customers.
I'm guessing that the developers have been trimming unnecessary data from the original builds as well, hence why they tend to shrink a fair bit in terms of their file sizes, and perhaps these internal changes render it a little too difficult to enable save data transfers without complications.
But perhaps I'm being a little too charitable by giving the developers the benefit of the doubt.
Re: Nintendo Sends Out Second Game-Key Card & Physical Game Survey
@ear_wig : The survey was so ridiculously stupid. 🤦🏻♂️
Re: Nintendo Sends Out Second Game-Key Card & Physical Game Survey
@YunoboCo : It's putting me off from buying the Switch 1 version as well.
Why couldn't they just include the performance updates or even the entire Switch 2 build on the cheaper Switch 1 cartridge? It's not as if a collection of old games is going to need a faster cartridge to run them.
And it's incredibly annoying how they keep targeting the same MSRP for all platforms at the expense of the Switch 2 version. If the Switch 2 version needs to cost more, then so bloody be it!
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl - Duel: The Hobbit (GBA)
The Western art makes the game look like the sort of shovelware slop that would struggle to sell in an Aussie bargain bin even at the low, low price of $5.
Re: SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans Of The Tide Brings A Ghostly Adventure To Switch 2 This November
@MidnightDragonDX : Tamagotchi Plaza got a proper Switch 2 physical edition in Japan/Asia, but Bandai have been frustratingly inconsistent (for example, their upcoming Dragon Ball Z release is a key card, and their Japanese Switch 2 Edition of Shadow Labyrinth is a mere code in a case).
Re: PSA: Pokémon YouTube Channel Uploads 'Pokémon The Movie 2000'
@Hapless : I could be mistaken, but I believe content flagged as being "for kids" doesn't have ads.
Re: PSA: Pokémon YouTube Channel Uploads 'Pokémon The Movie 2000'
@MarkyVigoroth : Not sure what you're talking about there (we're talking about the second film, right?).
It's normal for shot-on-film animation to not be perfectly stable, though this upload appears to have a more processed appearance that may also have been digitally stabilised (and scrubbed of its natural grain field), which doesn't look true to source, at least judging from a YouTube upload that I briefly sampled on my phone. My Blu-ray copy should serve as a better reference.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (2nd August)
Pokémon Go: Fossil Research Day (Today) and Gigantamax Butterfree Max Battle Day (Tomorrow)
It always seems to rain in Sydney during Research Days. I just hope it winds down a bit for the real attraction tomorrow. I'll be kicking things off with a Golden PokéStop Bonanza ahead of the Community Ambassador-hosted Gmax début at 2pm.
Had terrible luck with shinies today (only one Tyrunt and Amaura), while my homie got about 12 shiny Amaura alone... 😭
Re: Nintendo Showcases Every Partner Direct Switch 2 Game In New Infographic
@HeadPirate : How could they possibly gauge a "decline in demand" when they haven't even bothered testing the waters? The fact that early sales data indicated that Cyberpunk 2077 has been outselling "key card" releases (in spite of its higher retail price and older-skewing target audience) negates the point that you thought you made.
And to compare this situation with media that was rendered obsolete some four decades ago? 🤦 Nobody here was bemoaning the unavailability of obsolete media. If you wanted a better analogy, you could have pointed out the obvious reasons why Nintendo no longer produces or manufactures games for their older hardware, but that's not even remotely the point that anybody here was trying to make.
And regarding that ridiculous analogy, CD is an objectively superior format. Those who want to continue to listen to music from their favourite artists still have the option to do so, given that they were willing to upgrade (and even proceed to convert them to obsolete formats, if one so chooses), just as gamers will have to upgrade to newer hardware in order to play the latest games. Again, not the point.
The difference between music and games in this context is that we are outright denied the option to own a lot of current generation software, while a lot of music is still available to own (whether as physical discs/records or audio files).
Re: Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Gets Proper Physical Release On Switch 2
@ThaBEN : There probably won't be much of a difference (if any) with regard to the retro games themselves, but I assume that the documentary materials will be presented in UHD resolution (or at least 1440p), at opposed to the Switch 1 version, which will likely only contain 1080p video.
In any case, there must be some reason why they've decided to issue a separate Switch 2 version. It would have been silly to do so otherwise.
Re: Nintendo Showcases Every Partner Direct Switch 2 Game In New Infographic
@HeadPirate : That's what third parties want people to think. They only care about their bottom line, hence why they often rush unfinished crap to shelves and "physical" releases with little to nothing on the supplied media, regardless of platform.
It's the fact that the masses lap up their anti-consumer slop that third parties continue to get away with it. Something's got to give, and I'm glad that people here are being vocal about their disdain for "key cards". The relative minority of releases that were released as such on Switch 1 were problematic enough, but there needs to be pushback if we are going to see any material difference to the way that third parties do business going forward.
Nintendo deserves a good chunk of the blame for even allowing the practice to take place on their platforms in the first place. I imagine that had Nintendo still been ruled under Iwata's thumb that we would never have seen such disdainful practices propagate on their platforms, even at the expense of putting off the less scrupulous of third party publishers.
Nintendo were also extremely short-sighted for not allowing Switch 1 cartridges to be repurposed for Switch 2 games, particularly those that do not require the (rumoured) 64GB storage or increased read speeds. Releases such as Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, Octopath Traveller 0, Shadow Labyrinth, Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac, all of these should have had proper Switch 2 physical releases, cross-compatible with the Switch 1, without the need for the higher capacity/speed media.
@Medic_alert : LRG/Sega's physical release of Yakuza Kiwami shipped on a 32GB cartridge for a mere US$35. That's budget price territory for far, far smaller games.
We routinely get third parties skimping on cartridges when they charge $60, and now even $70! I refuse to believe for a second that these cartridges are anywhere near as expensive as some have been speculating if a 32GB cartridge can be sold for as little as US$35.
Re: Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Gets Proper Physical Release On Switch 2
My only annoyance about this release is that it seems to only include the Switch 2 version on the cartridge. A cross compatible cartridge would have made the higher cost of the Switch 2 version easier to bear and added some further value to the package. In any case, I intend to grab the S2 version, and given how it's already quite expensive, and the deluxe edition not too much more so, I could be tempted to spring for that.
Re: Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Gets Proper Physical Release On Switch 2
@Bizzyb : They're already doing that now without putting the game on the cartridge!
Borderlands 4 is retailing for AU$120 here, the same price as Cyberpunk 2077, yet the former comes on an empty cartridge! The [expletive] nerve!
I think a $10 increase is more than fair given that we'd otherwise be spending more than that on providing our own storage (and without the benefit of owning a complete tangible copy of the game).
Re: Octopath 0 Is A Game-Key Card On Switch 2, And Square Enix Has "No Plans" For A Switch 1 Upgrade Option
@Remerkin : Even if that were the case, I don't understand why in the hell Nintendo aren't essentially allowing Switch 1 spec cartridges to be used for smaller Switch 2 games. Not every game needs the high read speeds and storage space. Just look at Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S.
And in situations like Octopath 0, I also don't understand why the Switch 2 build isn't simply included on the Switch 1 cartridge. Why issue two releases, of which one is substantially inferior? Surely a game that is only 5GB in size wouldn't need the faster read speeds of a Switch 2 cartridge, nor is there any necessity for two separate SKUs.
Re: Octopath 0 Is A Game-Key Card On Switch 2, And Square Enix Has "No Plans" For A Switch 1 Upgrade Option
The most insane thing about the "key card" situation is that games have seen a price hike, yet we're still being shortchanged when it comes to physical media.
EA's sports games, Borderlands 4, all US$70. Why $70? Because the extra $10 certainly isn't there to cover the cost of the cartridge! I'm happy to pay more if that's what it takes. Having the full games on high speed cartridges and not needing to install the game will pay for itself over having to buy additional MicroSD Express cards as they'll reach capacity after as few as 3-5 AAA games!
LRG's physical release of Yakuza Kiwami on Switch 1 shipped on a 32GB cartridge and it was only US$35! I'm not buying any of this BS that cartridges are too expensive. Either charge a fair amount to cover the added expense or don't bother.
@RainbowGazelle : The ridiculous anti-physical releases are making the wait for a limited edition (and/or OLED) model all the easier! It's a wonder that Nintendo even bothered to release the console if this was the quality of third party "support" we were expected to see from the outset.
While handheld PCs weren't a threat to the Switch 1 due to its impressive library, I fully intend to grab a handheld gaming PC at some point this generation for retro and third party games (of those that are available DRM-free).
Though I'd overwhelmingly prefer to grab such games physically on Switch 2... if given the option.
Re: Hitman: Absolution Sneaks Onto Switch 1 Later This Year, Switch 2 In 2026
@Orwellian87 : Blood Money's been out on Switch 1 for ages (and LRG issued a physical release), unless you're talking about a Switch 2 version?
Re: Yakuza Kiwami 2 Brawls Onto Switch 2 In November
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: Pac-Man World 2 Is Getting The Re-Pac Treatment
I hope this either gets a proper Switch 2 release that we can import or that the Switch 2 improvements are baked into the cartridge of the Switch 1 release.
Re: Interactive Therapy Session 'A Dream About Parking Lots' Drifts Onto Switch Today
Looks like typical eSlop to me. I'm surprised that the likes of this even scored an article.
Though I'm suddenly reminded of the humble Valet Parking 1989 on DSiWare. That was a surprisingly fun and quirky little game with some amusing thinly-veiled nods to 80s stars.
Re: Hitman: Absolution Sneaks Onto Switch 1 Later This Year, Switch 2 In 2026
@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
@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
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: Nintendo Highlights Multiple Switch 2 And Switch Games Launching In August 2025
Only Kirby for me.
Shinobi is intriguing, but being code-in-a-case only unless I pick it up from LRG is putting me off a bit, especially if I have to place a preorder on a yet-to-be-released game, and one that will likely contribute to the continued excavation of the abyss that is my backlog.
Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Reveals Another Pre-Order Distribution
Well, screw that, then!
That was the only thing driving me to paying full price for this at EB. 😅 (I also had the EB/Amazon exclusive Sword/Shield items from back when)
Nice to know that I'll be saving at least $10 then.
Re: Pokémon TCG Pocket Pulls New Expansion Card Art Amid Accusations Of Plagiarism
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
@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
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
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: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Will "Average" 30fps On Switch
This looks like it could run on a 486 for freak's sakes.
How the hell are they not ashamed to be pumping out such an uncomplicated looking game with anything but perfect performance even on much, much older hardware?
Re: Nintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With A Mouse Game
Just to confirm, this only supports mouse controls? So no touch controls? And no support for handheld mode?
Just curious as to how this is supposed to work.
In any case, bring on new Mario Paint, Art Academy, and my personal favourite WarioWare D.I.Y.!
Re: Review: Pokémon Friends (Switch) – Pretty Plushies, Puzzling Pricing
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?
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)
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: Xbox Will Reportedly Announce "More Game Ports" For Other Platforms Soon
DOOM Eternal + DLC on a cart. 🙏🏻
Re: Nintendo's Official Camera "Attach Rate" With Switch 2 Revealed For US
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)
@DollyrotsFan1 : I seldom buy games from EB unless there's a pre-order bonus that I am especially keen on (but more often than not, JB will also offer a pre-order bonus along with their standard $10 off the RRP). EB's better for merch and accessories over actual games. 😅
Re: Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment Has Been Rated For Switch 2
@DollyrotsFan1 : That's what I've been holding out for!
Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Switch 2 And Switch Pre-Order Bonuses Revealed (US)
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: Another Code Director's Gorgeous Interactive Adventure Comes To Switch 2 Next Week
Likely around AU$10 here. Not too shabby. At that price (or better yet, on sale), I'll give it a look-see once I pick up a Switch 2.
Re: Review: Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV - A Fantastic Addition To An All-Time Party Game
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: Review: Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV - A Fantastic Addition To An All-Time Party Game
@Acid87 : It's such a stupidly convoluted way of saying that it's a cross-generation title without explicitly communicating that fact (all "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" releases can be played on the Switch 1).
Re: Review: Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV - A Fantastic Addition To An All-Time Party Game
@JCLKaytwo : "Buy me Super Mario Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV or go to hell!"
Re: Prominent YouTuber Doubles Down On Belief That A Nintendo Direct Is Due This Month
I've already got plenty of nosey aunties if I were interested in idle gossip.
Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is Getting Its Very Own Switch 2 Bundle
@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
@AussieMcBucket : Switch 1 AU$89.95, Switch 2 AU$109.95
Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is Getting Its Very Own Switch 2 Bundle
@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
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.