It's a well-known fact that the Pokemon Company is no longer a Game Development studio anymore, they are a multi-media franchise, and even if the games happened to drop in sales it wouldn't cause them to pivot to a different model anytime soon. They make more money off TCG and toys than they do on the games.
I understand the frustration some players have, I think I also sit in the camp of trying to chase the high that we all felt when we played our first game, mine being Yellow on my Game Boy Classic. The best they have achieved in my opinion and many others is the Gold and Siver remakes as that was just more polishing on an already great game.
As I get closer to my 30s I find myself drifting away from the Pokemon Franchise. The last game I bought was Shield, and I didn't bother with the DLC. I find that I can complete the main game in less than a weekend, and then once that's over I don't personally find much joy in the battle towers and my friends either don't play the games or never get to a point to fight me and my high-level pokemon I've ported over all the way back on my DS.
I am a Pokemon fan, and I will come back to it if they ever decide to try a truly new formula - maybe Legends will be good - who knows - I'll wait for the reviews and gameplay of others before I decide to purchase.
This isn't an attack on people who still like the games and are enjoying the new remakes, good for you that you find joy in something, and don't let anyone try to tell you not to enjoy it. I just can't anymore.
I haven't played in about 2 years but I know I've completed all the shrines, towers, beasts, flashbacks, main story, dlc. I never bothered too much with the seeds, collecting all the armour, cooking, or dyes.
@yuwarite But not all portables take on this form factor. You can describe it as a handheld because it is one, but that doesn't give someone an idea of its shape or design. Yes, you could also describe it as all of the devices you listed but they are older, and there are adults around now that have never seen many of those. I work with 20 year olds that would have no idea what a Gamegear is.
I could describe it as a vertically designed handheld console to my wife and she would have no idea what I'm talking about. If I said it was a like a Switch she'd know exactly what I'm talking about.
When writing content for webpages, to work their absolute best you have to write for the everyday person. Use popular descriptions, that 90% of users will understand.
Plus this is a Nintendo news website, of course, they will relate it to the Switch. Gotta make sure the their articles appear on peoples Google Discover Feeds for those that have searched those terms before. No one is searching for PSP, Vita or Game Gear compared to Nintendo Switch.
At the end of the day NL aren't gonna stop referring to these as Switch-Like as it's quick and understandable to the masses.
@RupeeClock They are always releasing different models - Unless it's the same shape I don't see them as upgrades or new models. I wouldn't worry about the RG300X, as you said it's likely to just be to use old hardware. I'd guess we'll see a new GBA form factor by the end of the year, though I only got mine last month so I'm not looking for a replacement just yet. I've only just set up my own custom theme and emulators after a week of tinkering.
I'd like fully functioning wifi and a bit more juice for N64 though.
@yuwarite It kind of is though right? If someone put this on a table in front of you would you not think 'oh that kinda looks like a Switch'? As the Switch is universally popular it's also easier for someone to describe the device as looking like a Switch instead of saying 'oh it has a large centred screen, surrounded by a d-pad, face buttons, two joysicks and shoulder buttons'
@Kit I agree here - it's definitely more on the line of a Steam Deck rather than a Switch. The problem is that it's double the price of the Steam Deck and would have little to no support on the thing.
If they wanted to sell this as a premium product they should be creating their own premium designs, not trying to tap into some kind of nostalgia value like the small handheld emulators do these days.
Swtich v Steam Deck v whatever this is, it's clear that this device doesn't fully stack up to either. I think Switch v Steam Deck will be interesting - it reminds me of PSP v DS days. Competition is a good thing and I hope the SD does well and effect Switch sales as to push Nintendo to innovate more.
@RupeeClock It's to try and tug on some thread of nostalgia. I don't think this kind of version works in its favour though - the shape is too far removed from the OG GB for it to appeal in that kind of way. On the other hand, the smaller devices like the Anbernics and the PocketGo do a good job of looking like a GBA enough - so much so I picked up the Anbernic RG351P in Purple as that's the GBA I had 20 years ago - and I love the thing.
@LillianBunny Hmm, while I agree with you that Twilight princess wasn't as great as the others, I still think it's a much better game than SS.
I would say Twilight Princess is pretty much an OoT clone is just as linear as that game. Still I've always felt that just the inclusion of an overworld where you can choose where to go works better, it at least creates an illusion that you have some freedom. I think TP when you complete one part of the story you do have Midna open the map and point at where to go next, but there are some things you can do elsewhere, not much, but some.
SS has you go back to Skyloft for it to then point at the next destination and there is little to no point in going back to the previous places until you are told to.
Windwaker is my favourite Zelda Game, followed by BotW and OoT. But Windwaker even falls into the trap of your map opening up by itself to then be pointed to the correct location. Id also say that there isn't huge amounts to do outside of just going to those destinations.
Maybe I was wrong to say that SS is bad because it is linear, as many of the Zelda games are, but I think it's more about how well the previous games disguised their linear game play in an open world to make you feel like its your choice.
TP's art is ugly at times, though I think it does some things well - Ganondorf's design is one of the best. I prefer TP Link to SS Link - SS Link looks like he's been out drinking all weekend. I agree that the TP bosses are also very much lacking in any originality - Even the Ganondorf fight is just ripped from WW.
The one thing I find as a shame with WW is that some elements were cut due to time but they left things in that clearly show they should have been there. WW is almost a perfect game but there are times when you go - I wish I could explore that a little more or I wish that this idea was fully evolved. And if we're also looking at the OG game - the Triforce Hunt is awful.
I don't think I'll be picking this game up, though the Zelda Joycons look excellent, if I can find a pair I think I'll grab those.
SS was an okay game - I played the story to completion when I first got it and it was actually the first Zelda game I bought myself. Before then, my brother would tend to pick the games and I'd play for a bit and then back seat gamer the rest of it, but this time I wanted to give it a go myself.
SS has some excellent redeeming qualities, the story is interesting enough, but it's the colourfully designed and emoting characters that really worked well in this game. The dungeons were interesting with some cool ideas applied such as the time stones warping sections of the dungeons.
The game also introduced some features into the game that were a little half baked such as the weapon upgrading, and the stamina metre. These would be updated (weapons switched to armour) in BotW making them less of a nuisance and more or an actual feature of the game.
The worst parts of the game were Fi and the linear design of the gameplay. I love the concept and design of Fi and in the story she's great, but she's Navi on cocaine when it comes to hints and tutorials throughout the entire game. The constant reminder that your batteries are low could have been a simple icon in the top corner, as it was for most other games.
The world design while it looked creative and fun to explore was barren of life. Only having 4 key areas to explore was a huge letdown when you compare it to the three games before it. The game became so linear that it began to feel more like a third party Zelda-lite game.
I do appreciate this game though. I think this was a key turning point in the Zelda teams vision for what this game series is, what works, what has been done too much and how to improve on what is existing. Without this game, I don't think we would have had BotW, I think we would have just had another OoT clone.
Overall, the game isn't terrible, it's just that when you compare it to any of the other Zelda game in the timeline, it is the least fun. Given the option to replay a Zelda game, I'd much rather pick up OoT, WW, BotW or maybe even TP or any of the 2D Zeldas.
@Chibi_Manny I think people are more thinking that there will be an updated Switch, not a brand new console - more like the 3DS to the New 3DS, or the PS4 to PS4 Pro etc. It's hard to know what they are gonna do, as they don't update their home consoles like Sony do (I can only think of the Wii getting a new version), but have made new versions of their handhelds all the time, as the Switch is technically both, it's hard to see which route they will take.
Still, I'm not sure they will announce this year, I think if we were living in a normal world, they may have, but as everything is messed up right now... I'm not so sure.
This list is so poorly researched it's laughable - The Infinity Gauntlet, rated as third, is noted to include 'five different stone types', these stones are literally one of a kind within each Marvel Universe and can destroy life or create anything. The Time turner is cheaper than Rachel from Friends wedding ring. The One Ring is cheaper than Pam's (The Office) engagement ring!
Comments 12
Re: UK Charts: Pokémon Legends: Arceus Accounted For Almost Half Of All Boxed Games Sold Last Week
@Varkster My personal opinion is that Sun and Moon felt the most childish of the franchise.
They tried a few things to 'shake up' the gameplay but it felt half-finished.
I preferred X and Y or Omega Ruby and Alpha Saphire if you're looking for a 3DS game.
The top one for most fans tends to be Heart Gold or Soul Silver on the DS though.
Re: UK Charts: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Make Dominant Debut
It's a well-known fact that the Pokemon Company is no longer a Game Development studio anymore, they are a multi-media franchise, and even if the games happened to drop in sales it wouldn't cause them to pivot to a different model anytime soon. They make more money off TCG and toys than they do on the games.
I understand the frustration some players have, I think I also sit in the camp of trying to chase the high that we all felt when we played our first game, mine being Yellow on my Game Boy Classic. The best they have achieved in my opinion and many others is the Gold and Siver remakes as that was just more polishing on an already great game.
As I get closer to my 30s I find myself drifting away from the Pokemon Franchise. The last game I bought was Shield, and I didn't bother with the DLC. I find that I can complete the main game in less than a weekend, and then once that's over I don't personally find much joy in the battle towers and my friends either don't play the games or never get to a point to fight me and my high-level pokemon I've ported over all the way back on my DS.
I am a Pokemon fan, and I will come back to it if they ever decide to try a truly new formula - maybe Legends will be good - who knows - I'll wait for the reviews and gameplay of others before I decide to purchase.
This isn't an attack on people who still like the games and are enjoying the new remakes, good for you that you find joy in something, and don't let anyone try to tell you not to enjoy it. I just can't anymore.
Re: Talking Point: Just How 'Finished' Is Your Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Save File?
I haven't played in about 2 years but I know I've completed all the shrines, towers, beasts, flashbacks, main story, dlc. I never bothered too much with the seeds, collecting all the armour, cooking, or dyes.
Re: Random: Aya Neo's Switch-Style Handheld Is Getting A Game Boy Makeover
@yuwarite But not all portables take on this form factor. You can describe it as a handheld because it is one, but that doesn't give someone an idea of its shape or design. Yes, you could also describe it as all of the devices you listed but they are older, and there are adults around now that have never seen many of those. I work with 20 year olds that would have no idea what a Gamegear is.
I could describe it as a vertically designed handheld console to my wife and she would have no idea what I'm talking about. If I said it was a like a Switch she'd know exactly what I'm talking about.
When writing content for webpages, to work their absolute best you have to write for the everyday person. Use popular descriptions, that 90% of users will understand.
Plus this is a Nintendo news website, of course, they will relate it to the Switch. Gotta make sure the their articles appear on peoples Google Discover Feeds for those that have searched those terms before. No one is searching for PSP, Vita or Game Gear compared to Nintendo Switch.
At the end of the day NL aren't gonna stop referring to these as Switch-Like as it's quick and understandable to the masses.
Re: Random: Aya Neo's Switch-Style Handheld Is Getting A Game Boy Makeover
@RupeeClock They are always releasing different models - Unless it's the same shape I don't see them as upgrades or new models. I wouldn't worry about the RG300X, as you said it's likely to just be to use old hardware. I'd guess we'll see a new GBA form factor by the end of the year, though I only got mine last month so I'm not looking for a replacement just yet. I've only just set up my own custom theme and emulators after a week of tinkering.
I'd like fully functioning wifi and a bit more juice for N64 though.
Re: Random: Aya Neo's Switch-Style Handheld Is Getting A Game Boy Makeover
@yuwarite It kind of is though right? If someone put this on a table in front of you would you not think 'oh that kinda looks like a Switch'? As the Switch is universally popular it's also easier for someone to describe the device as looking like a Switch instead of saying 'oh it has a large centred screen, surrounded by a d-pad, face buttons, two joysicks and shoulder buttons'
Re: Random: Aya Neo's Switch-Style Handheld Is Getting A Game Boy Makeover
@Kit I agree here - it's definitely more on the line of a Steam Deck rather than a Switch. The problem is that it's double the price of the Steam Deck and would have little to no support on the thing.
If they wanted to sell this as a premium product they should be creating their own premium designs, not trying to tap into some kind of nostalgia value like the small handheld emulators do these days.
Swtich v Steam Deck v whatever this is, it's clear that this device doesn't fully stack up to either. I think Switch v Steam Deck will be interesting - it reminds me of PSP v DS days. Competition is a good thing and I hope the SD does well and effect Switch sales as to push Nintendo to innovate more.
Re: Random: Aya Neo's Switch-Style Handheld Is Getting A Game Boy Makeover
@RupeeClock It's to try and tug on some thread of nostalgia. I don't think this kind of version works in its favour though - the shape is too far removed from the OG GB for it to appeal in that kind of way. On the other hand, the smaller devices like the Anbernics and the PocketGo do a good job of looking like a GBA enough - so much so I picked up the Anbernic RG351P in Purple as that's the GBA I had 20 years ago - and I love the thing.
Re: Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Will Have "Various Quality-Of-Life Enhancements", Nintendo Says
@LillianBunny Hmm, while I agree with you that Twilight princess wasn't as great as the others, I still think it's a much better game than SS.
I would say Twilight Princess is pretty much an OoT clone is just as linear as that game. Still I've always felt that just the inclusion of an overworld where you can choose where to go works better, it at least creates an illusion that you have some freedom. I think TP when you complete one part of the story you do have Midna open the map and point at where to go next, but there are some things you can do elsewhere, not much, but some.
SS has you go back to Skyloft for it to then point at the next destination and there is little to no point in going back to the previous places until you are told to.
Windwaker is my favourite Zelda Game, followed by BotW and OoT. But Windwaker even falls into the trap of your map opening up by itself to then be pointed to the correct location. Id also say that there isn't huge amounts to do outside of just going to those destinations.
Maybe I was wrong to say that SS is bad because it is linear, as many of the Zelda games are, but I think it's more about how well the previous games disguised their linear game play in an open world to make you feel like its your choice.
TP's art is ugly at times, though I think it does some things well - Ganondorf's design is one of the best. I prefer TP Link to SS Link - SS Link looks like he's been out drinking all weekend. I agree that the TP bosses are also very much lacking in any originality - Even the Ganondorf fight is just ripped from WW.
The one thing I find as a shame with WW is that some elements were cut due to time but they left things in that clearly show they should have been there. WW is almost a perfect game but there are times when you go - I wish I could explore that a little more or I wish that this idea was fully evolved. And if we're also looking at the OG game - the Triforce Hunt is awful.
Re: Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Will Have "Various Quality-Of-Life Enhancements", Nintendo Says
I don't think I'll be picking this game up, though the Zelda Joycons look excellent, if I can find a pair I think I'll grab those.
SS was an okay game - I played the story to completion when I first got it and it was actually the first Zelda game I bought myself. Before then, my brother would tend to pick the games and I'd play for a bit and then back seat gamer the rest of it, but this time I wanted to give it a go myself.
SS has some excellent redeeming qualities, the story is interesting enough, but it's the colourfully designed and emoting characters that really worked well in this game. The dungeons were interesting with some cool ideas applied such as the time stones warping sections of the dungeons.
The game also introduced some features into the game that were a little half baked such as the weapon upgrading, and the stamina metre. These would be updated (weapons switched to armour) in BotW making them less of a nuisance and more or an actual feature of the game.
The worst parts of the game were Fi and the linear design of the gameplay. I love the concept and design of Fi and in the story she's great, but she's Navi on cocaine when it comes to hints and tutorials throughout the entire game. The constant reminder that your batteries are low could have been a simple icon in the top corner, as it was for most other games.
The world design while it looked creative and fun to explore was barren of life. Only having 4 key areas to explore was a huge letdown when you compare it to the three games before it. The game became so linear that it began to feel more like a third party Zelda-lite game.
I do appreciate this game though. I think this was a key turning point in the Zelda teams vision for what this game series is, what works, what has been done too much and how to improve on what is existing. Without this game, I don't think we would have had BotW, I think we would have just had another OoT clone.
Overall, the game isn't terrible, it's just that when you compare it to any of the other Zelda game in the timeline, it is the least fun. Given the option to replay a Zelda game, I'd much rather pick up OoT, WW, BotW or maybe even TP or any of the 2D Zeldas.
Re: Random: Even Coca-Cola Is Getting In On The Switch Pro Hype
@Chibi_Manny I think people are more thinking that there will be an updated Switch, not a brand new console - more like the 3DS to the New 3DS, or the PS4 to PS4 Pro etc. It's hard to know what they are gonna do, as they don't update their home consoles like Sony do (I can only think of the Wii getting a new version), but have made new versions of their handhelds all the time, as the Switch is technically both, it's hard to see which route they will take.
Still, I'm not sure they will announce this year, I think if we were living in a normal world, they may have, but as everything is messed up right now... I'm not so sure.
Re: Random: Real-Life Jeweller Says Princess Peach's Crown Would Be Worth £240 Million
This list is so poorly researched it's laughable - The Infinity Gauntlet, rated as third, is noted to include 'five different stone types', these stones are literally one of a kind within each Marvel Universe and can destroy life or create anything. The Time turner is cheaper than Rachel from Friends wedding ring. The One Ring is cheaper than Pam's (The Office) engagement ring!