Tyranexx

More on Professor Layton and the New World of Steam and The Adventures of Elliot, please! Surprises are also always welcome.

I just wish the timing for my time zone could be better. I have to report for work then. I should be able to work the Direct in later tomorrow morning.

@Liam_Doolan Thank you! Much appreciated.

@whitemage That it does. It definitely changes the last sentence's context.

Shouldn't the last sentence in the Balloon Kid description say "give Alice [a] hand"?

Edit: It's fixed.

The online player elements in Super Mario Bros. Wonder were welcome but are very much the extent I wish to play with others in this game. While I'm tempted by playable Rosalina, not for $20.

I definitely want both of these games, but I have yet to grab a Switch 2 for AoI and am waiting a bit on MP4. While other regions seem to be receiving significant discounts for the latter, that isn't the case for NA as of this writing.

There's nothing too crazy that interests me in the current first party lineup outside of Pokemon Pokopia, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, and tentatively Splatoon Raiders (need to know more about this one first). That said, we're still early in the year and due for a Direct before long, so this will likely change.

Honestly...I'm fine if this turns out to be a quiet year for me. I'm definitely not wanting for games to play if my backlog is any indication.

Watch the OG Switch family hit 160 million units. Only for Sony to find another 5 million units tucked in some rich collector's warehouse or something. 🤪

(I laughed way harder than I should have at the article's couch comment)

@Grandiajet FWIW since I played both Ys IX and Ys X on the OG Switch in 2025, I think Nordics was the stronger of the two performance wise. Though it did still struggle in some busy areas. I think this is due to the different engine Falcom used for the latter. No harm in waiting for Proud Nordics on Switch 2 if you find SW1's performance bothersome.

Performance aside, I think I prefer Ys IX: Monstrum Nox overall for its cast, general darker plot/setting, and the general vigilante vibe. The two games are close for me, though Ys VIII is still my absolute favorite party system title.

@slowpoke_tail I'm really enjoying PM64 so far! Though I've only just started chapter 1 as of this writing. Its N64 roots show a little (playing via Wii U VC), but for that era I think it's a decent looking game. I've at least liked every entry I've played, though the battle systems in both CP and TOK have warned me off playing them again. Such a shame as both had some great characters, zones, and writing.

Should this ever receive an English translation, I'll be all over it. Even if it doesn't, I might try grabbing it anyway just to look at the art.

Glad this remake is very much worth my time, though I didn't expect anything different. I'll pick up the physical Switch 1 version at some point, though I'm not in a hurry; not only did I play through the 3DS version a couple years ago (also a fun take IMO), but I'm in the middle of Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake and have both XI S and IX backlogged before I even dream of touching other entries. And this is before even considering spinoffs.

And just as I've started playing the original Paper Mario for the first time lol. I'll be out of official Paper Marios after this one minus a fabled 3DS game, so I'll definitely look this game up in the future! Especially after the positive feedback I've seen under the weekly "What Games Are You Playing This Weekend?" articles here. Though it'll be after I try out the forever wish listed Bug Fables I think.

@Grandiajet First, I am very glad you've gotten into the Ys series! It's one of my favorite RPG franchises. If you don't have the base game of Ys X: Nordics and want Proud Nordics, then by all means go for it.

The problem I have with Proud Nordics is its existence was announced not long after the base game launched in the West; I was literally in the middle of playing it. To learn that I was in the middle of a less complete edition when I bought the game day one stung. Not a huge deal if the missing content was available as DLC or as an upgrade path, but to my knowledge this isn't the case. I'd have to buy the whole game again. To be fair, Falcom is no stranger to remaking and remastering their games, but there's usually a way longer time gap.

I will definitely keep patronizing Falcom, but this experience has made me decide not to preorder anything else they release in the future. I rarely preorder or buy games day one. If I do, it's because I have a lot of trust in the franchise and/or developer and want to play immediately. This scenario broke that trust.

Games I'm interested in from this list, though for various reasons - a current game buying embargo and no Switch 2 yet being the main ones - I won't be grabbing them for awhile.

• Dragon Quest VII Reimagined (Only played the excellent 3DS version previously)
• Pokemon Pokopia (Digital, based on my experience with Dragon Quest Builders 2)
• Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (Not anytime soon and not sure I'll buy on Switch 2; still need to try the second game)
• Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection (Still on the fence, but I'm glad Capcom acknowledges this series)

Ys fan though I am, I'm giving Proud Nordics a hard skip. Ys X: Nordics is the last time I preorder a new game in the series if Falcom is going to start pulling an Atlus.

A whole digital PLANT as a pre-order bonus. Wonderful, green, luscious pixels. We're eating good, folks!

I may pick this one up sometime, but it depends on when I play through and if I enjoy Octopath Traveler II. I bounced off the first game after a few hours but have heard the second fixed many of the issues I had.

The "very near future", huh?
Looks at Partner Direct rumors
Looks at calendar
Hmm....

Quiet Saturday, busy Sunday. Celebrating a couple family birthdays tomorrow since we had to postpone from last weekend thanks to a historic winter blast in the US. Any Sunday gaming will likely be in the evening.

• Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake (Switch) - I now have all 5 sigils and have found 57 mini medals. I just found out how to get into Rendarak and secured the false idol to do so, plus I need to awaken Rubiss first. But...more exploration for now since I've unlocked more ways to navigate both the ocean's surface and its deep depths. I think I'm nearing the home stretch to the credits but have learned that the post game will be very much worth my time.
• Paper Mario (Wii U VC) - This is the only Paper Mario I haven't played ignoring a fabled 3DS entry, something I hope to remedy this morning. It was one of my last eShop pickups on the Wii U. Definitely looking forward to some classic plumber jumping and hammering after my amazing TTYD Switch experience a couple years ago. Edit: Made it through the Prologue! I'm enjoying the game so far. The visuals are fairly decent for a N64 game, and it definitely has the series's charm.

Vulpix Community Day in Pokemon Go is also happening tomorrow, but I'm not sure I'll be able to participate. They REALLY need to extend the C-Day hours again. Besides, I have a couple shiny Alolan Vulpix already, so I only need the Kantonian variant.

Happy gaming! Stay warm all (or cool, for those on the equator's flip side).

Not everyone is the r/PatientGamers sort, apparently. Good things take time. Let this guy work on his game at his preferred pace.

Stuff like this is why I believe AI (especially Gen AI) should be regulated. It's a tool that CAN be useful when used as one of many tools in one's toolbox, but I don't support it replacing jobs, plagiarizing unauthorized content or people, or replacing free thought.

While I'm mostly a physical buyer when it comes to Switch retail games, I have taken advantage of the voucher program a couple times for select circumstances. I was tempted to buy another pair before today's deadline, but I only tentatively want one game digitally (still haven't decided yet and likely won't for awhile) and am not sure what I'd use the other voucher on. Besides, there are plenty of ways to get discounts elsewhere through deals, gift cards, credit, etc. So I'd rather not spend the $100 up front unless I'm completely sure.

The SIMS: Nintendo Mii Quirktacular Edition

This game definitely isn't for me, but I hope those looking forward to it enjoy their time with it.

Beautiful. I caved and preordered this a few days after it was officially announced. It helped that I had some expiring LEGO store credit to burn. It's coming out of my entertainment budget, so no video games for a couple months. Which is fine; I have enough games in Ye Olde Backlog™ anyway.

Which reminds me, I still need to rebuild my Deku Tree set to see how the OoT side looks....

I knew almost nothing about this game until it was announced for Nintendo platforms. I looked into it and think it's one I'll enjoy. I'll certainly give it a try at some point, though as it's digital I may just grab it on PC since Steam often sees better discounts in my experience.

While I'm not bothered by the censorship per se - heck, it sounds hilarious to me - I am bothered that the setting to toggle it was removed.

While I'm not generally into farming sims, I'd give this trial a try since I'm one of the six people who hasn't played this game...if it comes to North America, that is.

I mean, this is great - I like that green filter in particular - but I'm baffled why these won't be included when the VB games launch on NSO.

I unfortunately didn't know about Operation Rainfall until it was no longer relevant - I didn't really get into RPGs until a short while later barring franchise tie-ins - but I'd love a remaster or remake of this game. Or at least some way to play it that doesn't involve selling spare organs. The Xenoblade series has turned into one of my favorites. While I ultimately passed on Pandora's Tower when it was available digitally on Wii U (didn't think the time limits were my cup of tea), that game does tell a very poignant story.

@BrianJL Besides potential licensing issues at the time - not sure if that applies to now either - I assume it made the game sound cooler in the 90s or something.

D-Hopper sounds like an intriguing game, even if the name leaves a lot to be desired IMO.

I'm glad they're bringing unreleased VB games to the service as well. That said, outside of Virtual Boy Wario Land, none of these are really must plays for me. I might try the library eventually, but I'm in no hurry.

Might listen to this next time I need some pump-up music lol.

I really enjoy this series. I'd say WarioWare: Smooth Moves and WarioWare: Gold are my favorites, but my entry point was WarioWare: Touched! Can't say I've played any bad entries, though I've not played them all (working on it) and have avoided the only consensually bad DSiWare title. I even liked Game & Wario even if it was a step down.

@Friendly "Take it with a large Garganacl of salt."

@Nep-Nep-Freak Glad I could make someone's day!

I'm skipping this one. Not only is the timing lousy for me as usual, but this isn't a game I'm interested in. I hope those who are interested get some great mileage out of this Direct though.

I'll believe it when we officially hear about it. Until then:

Well deserved sales from what I've heard, though I have yet to play this myself. But I fully agree intend to contribute to the number when I pick up my own Switch 2.

A five minute Direct for a trailer seems a bit excessive IMO, though I expected it. They definitely shoved A LOT into it. I liked the first movie and definitely plan to watch this one, though I wonder how they'll conduct the plot without it being a mess. Trailers, thankfully, aren't always indicators of a movie's final quality.

Like half the US, I'm stuck indoors most of this weekend due to very cold, snowy weather. Good thing most of my preferred pastimes involve staying inside lol. One outlier is hiking, but I'm definitely not doing that in these conditions.

• Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake (Switch) - 3 sigils and 47 mini medals found. I finally have a full party of four and have arrived underwater to the mermaid settlement of Mersea. After I liberate all the chests, pots, etc. in this new area, I plan to start the next dungeon.
• Pokemon Scarlet (Switch) - I'm briefly revisiting my file this weekend to train up some starter 'Mon I transferred from Pokemon Go via Pokemon Home. I didn't want to grind up BP to unlock all the terrarium upgrades at Blueberry Academy, so this is how I'm getting around that and filling more Pokedex pages.
• Neva (Switch) - Revisiting this indie gem, but I'm playing through on Story Mode this time to focus more on the....well, story. I played Adventure Mode on my first run last year. I've since learned I missed out on some context and want to play through the game with my new perspective.

I found all 100 Cat Shines on the Bowser's Fury side of SM3DW this week and tackled the true boss fight. Fury Bowser's updated form is cool, but I really wish there'd been more of a shakeup with phase 2. It's more annoying than anything IMO. At least Bowser Jr.'s cat form is adorable lol.

Happy gaming! Stay warm and safe all.

Kind of weird to drop this on a Sunday of all days. Hopefully I can watch; the weather is supposed to be pretty crazy around then. Should be manageable as long as I don't lose power.

While I'm not terribly fussed by box arts normally, that IS pretty bleh. Makes me kinda glad this is one of the few Switch titles I did decide would be better to grab digitally. I used a voucher on it since I didn't anticipate ever selling it.

@Metazoxan Ah yes, good points. Should I also add trolling and cherry picking comments out of context?

@Tempestryke Yep lol. "The Most Magical Place on Earth" doesn't bring affordability along for the ride unfortunately.

B-b-b-but! Sky-high game prices! Insane console prices! Terrible games that don't run at 640 FPS and start five seconds ago on my 120 inch Ultra 8k TV! Yoshi's tax evasion! Wario's capitalism issues!

...Am I doing the fearmongering right?

I'm definitely gunning for that Ogerpon card when this drops. Love it!

I'm curious to see what shape this will take. In the meantime, I hope to get to Universal Studios in Orlando within the next couple years. Possibly next year. I've been to the one to California (nearly two decades ago), but not that one. I particularly want to experience the Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter sections, but I want to hit most of the park in general.

I'd like to revisit Disney as well - last went in 2011 - but I'll probably save that expense when my Niblings are older. Prices...have definitely risen.

Welp, I'm convinced. The multiplayer does nothing for me, but a playable Rosalina and the Toad Brigade challenges sound worth it. This is an upgrade I'll pay for unless the price is ludicrous. When I pick up a Switch 2 anyway.

I'm conflicted. I'd like Captain Toad for my shelf, but I wish without the talking flower lol.

While Tanabe's overall resume is mixed depending on who you ask, he has still had a hand in some very influential titles over the past 40 years. I wish him a wonderful retirement.

Congratulations, Alana! I'm very happy for you and your husband for your impending new arrival! Will she also be born with a quest book and controller in her hands?

While kiddos aren't currently on the cards for me, I can't wait until my niece and nephew are old enough to properly experience video games (hopefully not too far off for my nephew!). I can't wait to introduce them to Mario, Kirby, and probably some of Link's lighter adventures too! Only if they want to naturally.