Tyranexx

I voted NA. While Japan (technically South Korea) wins for me in background color, I love the zany spread of characters and the pseudo abstract/hilly background. Sorry EU/PAL, not enough characters and 7/10 - too much yellow.

So for those of us who already own the Switch 1 version (Haven't played it yet in favor of other DQ titles; I'd love to get to it before long):

• No upgrade path
• No save transfer
• A resolution bump for a game that, from footage I've seen, already looks decent on Switch 1 and already looks better on Switch 2

Mondo hard pass.

WHAT a week. Both IRL and online. Does anyone else look forward to this wholesome weekly topic?

Playing:

• Final Fantasy VII (Switch) - Materia. So much Materia. This game is full of it. And now it wants me to hunt for Big Materia?
  
  In the middle of this hunt, I located Cloud and learned some VERY interesting details about his and Tifa's past. Got thrown a couple more curve balls, and on top of that I stumbled across Zack's unfortunate fate....
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Switch) - I secured my fourth key. Before heading to Great Mines, I'm exploring, crystal collecting, and doing some item cleanup first. Electricity is awesome in this game. Sol Valley? Not so much. It's too barren.
• Pokemon Go - Sobble Community Day is today. The weather doesn't look promising (storms), so I'll probably spend much of it at home running an incense or playing parked in my car.

Happy 4th of July to my fellow US denizens, happy late Canada Day to our northern neighbors, and happy gaming!

I must hand it to CD Projekt Red, at least they stuck with the game and have fixed many of its issues after a disastrous launch. Which makes me think deadlines played a large unfortunate role. Some publishers and developers would have called it quits on the game or wrote it off for The Next (Possibly) Big Thing™ long ago. One of the best turnarounds I've seen for a game. Completely deserved IMO.

@JohnnyMind Perhaps the consumer rights issues won't be addressed anytime soon; I agree that it may be awhile since the political and legal systems tend to move slowly. But that's why we need to start seriously having these conversations now. I agree that the more options we have, the better; taking away any of them, even GKCs for those who want them, is a net loss. Choice is a good thing. Sony's push (and potentially Microsoft's, though this isn't 100% confirmed) towards an all-digital ecosystem on their systems in the near future will severely limit those choices. Not only the format, but where those digital-only games are distributed as well.

I must say I didn't intend to get that wordy up there. I tend to explain why I think and feel the way I do about one or more topics using available information and personal examples.

@Teksette Yes! I would love to see such a breakdown of the physical vs. Digital percentage data! I too have a healthy skepticism of anyone trying to push numbers, especially if there's an agenda involved. Call it a mix of general caution from learning how numbers can be misrepresented or may not tell the whole story and from living in a US state with historic and recent evidence of political corruption on both sides of the aisle.

@JohnnyMind While I mostly buy physical on Nintendo platforms (Namely for storage savings, the ability to sell titles I took a chance on and either didn't click with or won't play again, easier gift giving and receiving (Many of my relatives have an aversion to gift cards), and not needing to mess with larger downloads), I am not against going the digital route in some circumstances. Usually for convenience reasons, if it's a game I never plan to sell (Though admittedly I prefer to buy my favorite Nintendo franchises physically regardless lol), there's a significant discount, and/or its distribution is digital only. For example, Pokopia would fall under the first two categories for me, not to mention the game constantly receives updates. I bought the game's spiritual brother, Dragon Quest Builders 2, digital for the same reasons. So no, in that case I'm opting against the GKC format since it isn't the best option for me.

I don't care for GKCs since they're basically a plastic DRM key, but I do concede they can be physically gifted and resold. And that, in a handful of scenarios, they ARE a necessary physical presence for games that don't fit on the 64 GB carts. I'd personally find them more acceptable if they contained install data since I know that - while these folks are a minority these days - not everyone has strong internet and will be downloading games and updates for hours, if not days. This isn't currently an issue for me since I now have solid fiber internet, but that wasn't always the case. On my old, monopolized ISP, I was lucky to hit even 1 MB/s download speed during high traffic hours. And I was paying for 6 MB. Unfortunately it was my only broadband option at the time; any satellite or wireless options were limited and very expensive. This is one reason why I think the more legal options to get a game, the better.

I think the bigger issues at play that I've brought up above and elsewhere relate to consumer rights regarding digital content - and not just on Nintendo platforms. There are some very hard conversations the game industry and consumers need to have regarding how we access and manage digital content we've paid for. For now, at least with digital Nintendo purchases, I have to be 1000% sure it's a game I want before pulling the trigger since, once the game is in my "possession", I'm stuck with it. No refunds even if I run into significant issues that may or may not be patched. Sure, I can archive or even delete a decent, playable game from my system, but I'm the sort who likes to pass on something I no longer want or use to others if it's still usable and in good shape.

I tend to take some of what Piscatella says with a grain of salt, but I do agree that 1. Nintendo tends to march to the beat of their own drum (obvious to any fan), and 2. the Switch 2 is unlikely to go digital only anytime soon.

As for digital...Yes, consumer preferences and the video game industry as a whole have been gradually sliding us towards digital only for years. I don't plan to stop gaming when this inevitably happens - though that day seems to be coming sooner than I realized - but, as I've mentioned in other comment sections related to Sony's wonderful bombshell this week, NOW is the time for consumers and advocates to push for better consumer-friendly regulations in the digital space. Namely around DRM, current and future access for purchased games and content, refunds, reselling, lending, and things like "always online" requirements for games that frankly don't need them. There's also the inconsistency of fast and/or affordable Internet access for some folks out there; this was one of the reasons I was MAJORLY put off Xbox during the Xbox One debacle since I only had access to very poor internet at the time.

@CaptainQuo

While it unfortunately wouldn't surprise me if Project Helix also goes the digital only route, "launching without a disc drive" doesn't necessarily mean this will never be an option. And I actually like the idea of converting existing physical discs to a digital license...for those who wish to do so. Options are good. I disagree with limiting them.

Again, I would fully embrace the convenience of digital and deal more with storage management if consumer protections were more robust. Namely involving DRM, guaranteed current and future access to purchased content, better refund and resell policies, digital sharing (Nintendo allows this with virtual cards, but it needs work), and always online requirements. That last one particularly rings true since, while I lucked into amazing fiber internet, not everyone has great Internet options...or can't afford them.

I'd also like to see a breakdown of the digital vs. physical numbers being tossed around. What kind of sales are these? What percentage of the digital sales are digital only games, games that were released first digitally and then physically later, or bundled with consoles? Are we talking wholesale prices sold to stores and distributors, or what retailers and store fronts are charging (with tax, without?). Did sales and discounts come into play? There are a lot of questions to ask about data, especially if the source may be trying to push a narrative.

I'm definitely up for more Metroid, especially the 2/2.5D titles since it has been awhile. As for previous titles....While Super Metroid is almost perfect as is, the control scheme could use updating. I'd also like to see a remake of Zero Mission (Which is already one) or Fusion. Or maybe those rumors about Metroid Prime 2/3 getting the remaster treatment are true?

Still enjoying my time with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, though I haven't had much opportunity to play it this week (Flare Pool area).

I'm throwing money at my phone screen, but nothing's happening yet.

I'm still keeping a cursory eye on Splatoon Raiders and would like to pick up Digimon Story: Time Stranger (Switch 1) eventually.

I hope this doesn't turn into a monkey's paw moment, but...please be the next 2.5D Metroid!

I think an issue at play here relates to consumer rights. I would fully embrace digital if there was any way we were to secure better consumer protections regarding access on current and future systems for games we purchased. One of the reasons why I support Stop Killing Games.

Refund periods (with limitations, since people WILL likely abuse this) should also be a thing IMO. Most platforms have either a very limited window or don't allow this at all. Including Nintendo, unfortunately (at least in the US).

Another is the memory shortage issue. Which, while this isn't the fault of console manufacturers and PC storefronts, the fact remains that storage costs are pushed onto the consumer. I never thought I'd see it, but gaming is gradually becoming a more luxurious hobby.

With RAMageddon, there have been a couple times I regretted not grabbing a PS5 when there were some great sales around the holidays as a platform alternative instead of a new PC since MOST non-Nintendo system games I want to play are also on the platform. In light of this news and the loss of the StudioCanal license leading to the removal of 551 movies from PS users' libraries that they paid for, I'm glad I didn't give Sony a cent. While they may be correct in how consumers tend to purchase PlayStation games (And I'm skeptical since numbers can be manipulated or may not tell the whole story), this is still taking away options.

As for the GKC bit in the article:

Don't get us wrong, we're not about to shout [GKC's] praises from the rooftops, but it's at least something tangible that you can hold and share and sell.

A fair point. But a perfume sprayed polished turd is still a turd.

I did watch the Direct but have noped out of Treehouse footage. I'm leaning towards skipping this one but will consult some reviews when the time comes. While it's clear a lot of care and some great ideas have went into this experience, like @Jappio and @Bolt_Strike, this leans way more into combat and roguelike elements vs. the exploration, puzzles, and compulsory hoarding fun collectibles that I'd prefer. Not all roguelikes/roguelites are created equal, and a couple games that make use of some of these elements have pleasantly surprised me (See: Hades, SteamWorld Heist). Namely because they can be less punishing.

I'm happy for those who are genuinely looking forward to this game and are among the intended audience. I just don't think I'm part of this group.

And suddenly, my interest in the Switch 2 version just shot WAY up! Definitely a pleasant surprise. Let's just hope the optimization is, at least, passable.

_{I'm also completely ignoring the fact that I still haven't yet played the juggernaut that is Skyrim on Switch. Hopefully later this summer or fall.}

If true, this is almost a moot point for me. I play docked most of the time, and honestly...I'm used to visual downgrades on dedicated gaming handhelds. Granted, some developers have done a GREAT job with what they have. Visuals aren't everything to me; story, writing, gameplay mechanics, and even music are weighted higher in my book.

@WiltonRoots Sounds like I should definitely walk in with a budget - and reserve extra room in my suitcase! XD I appreciate the report!

I plan to at least watch the Direct, though likely not live (Yay work). I am interested in this game since it's more single player focused. Not sure about the Treehouse material yet.

@D-Star92 No prob. Depression isn't fun to sit with, but taking care of ourselves the best we can is so important. I encourage you to engage in your other hobbies too. Arceus has a great postgame IMO, but whether you do it is up to you - it's your time, and time is finite.

On my trip: thanks! I'm looking forward to it minus the early morning red eye the first day. I plan to do many things the few days I'm there, but the Nintendo Store is definitely one of them!

@D-Star92 Hang in there! Please remember to take care of yourself, go at your own pace, and set boundaries. Congratulations for finishing Pokemon Legends: Arceus! And I hope you're having a great time with Yoshi and XCX too.

@WiltonRoots I'm actually heading to NYC for the first time next month for a few days. The Nintendo Store is definitely on my visit list. Did any unique merch catch your eye? And do they still have a museum area?

What, pray tell, is an N46? Is it a lost console that released alongside the Virtual Boy?

I went with Japan. As others have said, it's more kinetic, shows the track, and is a better character showcase IMO.

Update: I opted to play Final Fantasy VII this afternoon, and...wow. Mind. Blown. While I'm glad this game has more curve balls to throw than THAT iconic moment that almost everyone and their mother knows about, this one was mostly unexpected. I'm not sure who our main protagonist is anymore....

No Switch 2 yet, but I'm keeping an eye on 512 GB micro SD express cards. I prefer going the physical route ~90% of the time when it's an option (there are exceptions), but the changing times and the insistence of many third-party publishers to essentially give us digital only options on Switch 2 means I want to invest in a long-term storage solution that I won't fill up right away. 1 TB cards are ludicrously priced, and I'm concerned 256 GB may be too low.

My Switch 1 has a SanDisk 256 GB micro SD card that has served me well since I bought the system in late 2019. It isn't quite full yet due to some archiving and data management, but it's getting close.

Playing:

• Final Fantasy VII (Switch) - Geez, Jenova doesn't know when to quit and keeps showing up in the weirdest of places. This time on a mountain clogged with ice. Thankfully, they weren't too difficult to dispatch (I may be overleveled).
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Switch) - After an annoyingly spongy boss, I obtained my third key and the Ice Shot upgrade. Currently poking around for some upgrades and ammo expansions before returning to Flare Pool to continue with the main story.

Happy weekend, and happy gaming!

I'd love to be optimistic and hope this quiets the NintenDOOMers, but I unfortunately know better. Constructive criticism for any company is healthy, but some of the shorts and videos I've come across are not.

@Coalescence After rereading my gif post and double checking the site rules for good measure, I'm not sure I follow. Unless you're making a joke I'm missing (Fried work brain) or meant to respond to another user?

@Johnny_Arthur Turns out he has some other great lines too.

@Manxman64 I plan to pick up the physical version at some point regardless, but I'll admit a similar or matching discount would have convinced me to jump immediately lol.

My brain when I read the tagline:

Another classic example of Business Non-Answer 101 in action.

Man, if only that Cyberpunk 2077 discount applied to the physical. Some retailers are price matching a few of the physical games.

@FatWormBlowsASparky Oof. At least I'm not alone in my feelings. My dad and I share very few interests. If my appearance didn't borrow a lot from his side of the family, I'd wonder if I was switched as a baby lol.

A very heartwarming tale! Looks like this interview brought up some great memories for Jim's parents too. Sans screaming, Jim was a pretty cute youngster!

I wish I had parents who were into gaming. My mom would rarely play Wii Sports with us kiddos and did go through a short Just Dance kick for fitness reasons (an injury unfortunately stopped this), but I wouldn't say she was really into them. My dad wouldn't even look at videogames; they always seemed to irritate him. Even games like Guitar Hero where I would play songs I knew he liked.

I haven't played Final Fantasy XV (Heck, I'm in the middle of my second ever mainline FF), but this comment section is reinforcing my impression that it's a VERY divisive game. I'd personally like to see it come to the Nintendo Switch family; any main series FF is ultimately welcome in my book. Though I'd rather see the almost as divisive Final Fantasy XIII trilogy first.

@nhSnork Glad I'm not the only one slightly miffed about Bravely Default skipping Switch 1. There was absolutely no reason for this other than promoting the Switch 2. Ah well....I still have a perfectly functional 3DS cartridge.

Paint the building purple! Or...dare I say orange?

Either way, this is definitely an intriguing announcement. I wonder if they just need more space, or if there are some concerns with the current building?

GTA 6 is going to sell ludicrous numbers – that's just a given – and publishers will no doubt look at its success as "proof" that physical games no longer matter.

This is exactly what concerns me. I have no horse in the GTA 6 race - I've tried the franchise and it isn't for me - but it will push crazy numbers regardless of format. Consumers having format options is beneficial. I genuinely hope the game isn't used as a precedent to start fully removing those options.

Edit: And yes, the entertainment industry has been gradually moving in this direction for awhile. I'm just concerned this will accelerate things faster. Also, as other comments mention below, the key issue relates to consumer DRM. If I didn't have DRM concerns with accessing digital games, I likely would have jumped off the physical ship on consoles ages ago outside of certain franchises.

Still cleaning house with Pulsing Aura, but I should hopefully have the 3 cards I still need by then. Paradox Drive wasn't a huge set.

@nomither6 Can't speak for anyone else, but I'm mostly referring to the clear edutainment/recognizable property cash-ins aimed at children. As well as well known stinkers like Superman 64.

Quite a list. Plenty of spam in there, but some genuinely great games too. At least...from what I've heard. I unfortunately completely missed out on the N64 and have had to rely on the Virtual Console, NSO, and any ports, remasters, or remakes that have released ever since. Though I distinctly recall playing one of the Pokemon Stadium games on a Walmart demo kiosk when I could back in the day. I think it was 2, but I'm not positive.

I honestly forgot this was announced (WAAAAAY too early), but I appreciate this article just for reminding me this exists. I love stop-motion and slapstick, though I'm not very familiar with Aardman's work outside of the excellent Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run franchise. Looking forward to this when it finally does launch.

I fully support doing more brawls like this in the future to shake up the proceedings.

It was between Sonic Mania and Sonic Origins Plus for me since I like the classic art style. I finally went with the latter. Though I can't say I dislike any of the covers. I'm purely going by visuals since I haven't played any of these games.

@D-Star92 Thank you! We are very fortunate there were no fatalities. I was directly under one tornado warning, but thankfully nothing except a ton of rain and lightning with that one. Two earlier warnings produced two damaging twisters, one of which was only about 15 minutes away at one point. Both luckily danced around highly populated areas but still caused some significant damage.

Definitely trying to take care of myself. You take care of yourself the best you can too.

My neck of the woods has had a wild weather week. Yours truly is ok. Thankfully no fatalities. My property was spared, but I can't say the same for some others. Tornados are nothing to mess with.

Not much new from last week. I'm still playing both the OG Final Fantasy VII (Just obtained the keystone and about to enter the Temple of the Ancients) and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Made it to the Ice Belt; two keys so far) on the Switch. Today is also Frigibax Community Day in Pokemon Go, so I'll be catching a few icy dragons as well.

Happy Father's Day weekend! Please share this amazing hobby with your families! And happy gaming to all.

It looks like this is also available for pre-order on Amazon US. Also through VGP and PNP Games in Canada.

Very tempting. I don't often preorder games unless I plan to play them day one (or close to it), but if this is a very limited release....Maybe I should lock in while I can?

It works surprisingly well, feeling like a mix between Zelda: A Link to the Past and Ys Origins.

This line sold me on the game. Now to just decide which platform I eventually want to pick this up on.

This update definitely has some beneficial adjustments. I fully intend to pick this wonderful game up sometime. However, I think I should get through some of my backlogged SRPGs before picking up more.

I'm currently stuck between "Nooo, I want to go in totally fresh" and "Yes! I will (re)play the 3DS remake". So I went with "Maybe - I haven't decided yet". It highly depends on how my backlog looks after this summer.

I'd like to try the N64 original (or NSO rom) at some point, but that won't be until I finally cave for the NSO+ tier for GameCube games.

@Stormcloudlive Unfortunately, as beautiful as the world can be sometimes, there are plenty of dark spots to it as well.

Much welcome speed improvements aside, I'm glad they added a dark mode to go with the console setting. This has bothered my "dark mode everything possible" trigger for awhile. XD