I'm glad this is a decent port, which shows SE CAN do a decent job if they put in the effort (unlike, say, a certain cloud collection).
I'll play this - and hopefully the rest of the trilogy - at some point, though it'll be a very long time before I do. Still undecided on platform. I have only played/finished one Final Fantasy (III/VI on the SNES Classic) as of this writing and have several others backlogged, including the OG Final Fantasy VII. I'd like to have the original's context in mind before jumping in and plan to do so before long. I am definitely not hurting for main series games to play, and that's before considering any spinoffs lol.
Unfortunate news, though it seems the writing is on the wall going by the comments. Still, less competition means less ways to keep prices in check. I hope employees are able to find work elsewhere.
Also, TIL K-Mart still exists in Australia. Those went extinct years ago in my general region. Not sure there are hardly any left in the US. My local store liquidated their electronics section years before it fully closed. Not that it was ever great, but I did find a couple new games that were out of print by that point that I got great deals on: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future and Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. Didn't pay more than $15 for each, though I don't recall the exact prices.
All speculation of course, but definitely not unlikely.
As mixed as I am about AI overall - it's a tool that can be used well or abused - I DO think it's a huge negative when it impacts affordable RAM and electronics for normal consumers.
All I'll say about the other angle is the tariff war definitely isn't helping.
Still don't think this is enough to get me to buy this over my perfectly functional 3DS copy, but at least it's a more substantial update than a Switch 2 performance bump. The world needs more Dixie Kong!
Sounds like a stressful second week+ on the job for something that was definitely not caused by him to begin with. I'm sure it was a learning experience. PokéMania was definitely in full swing then.
As far as all the excellent Zelda soundtracks out there....Well, this has Linebeck's theme lol. It's not bad by any means, just feels very recycled from TWW sometimes. Spirit Tracks is a definite step up IMO.
And here I thought YouTubers, Reddit, and just about any gaming forum or social media platform that breathes Nintendo was on the money that the Switch 2 is D00M3d or something.
(There are some legit criticisms, but some of the hyperbole out there is pretty nuts)
While I've always liked the general aesthetic of the NA box art for this one, my vote hands down has to go to JP/EU. It definitely shows the characters and text better.
I've wanted to try this game for awhile, but at this point it may be better to wait to see if it and FFTA are both remade. I still need to buy their recently released forebear anyway.
Yep....It's definitely winter where I am. No major plans to go outside today at least. Perfect weather for indoor pastimes.
Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake (Switch) - My party now has their own ship, met the Dragonlord's great-grandson, saved the fairies at his request, and just secured their first sigil. The world has really opened up for exploration; I feel like I've only scratched the game's surface so far. Definitely not a bad thing! 34 mini medals found.
SM3DW + Bowser's Fury - I had my fill of the main game, so I dove into the Bowser's Fury mode for the first time yesterday. This is very fun!...and addicting. Not only is this entire area feline themed, but collecting Cat Shines reminds me of Super Mario Odyssey's Moon collecting. Mario and Bowser Jr. make a surprisingly great team. 39 Cat Shines found.
Pokemon Go - Grookey's Community Day is tomorrow, so hopefully I can catch a couple shiny monkeys...if I find the time. Really wish they'd go back to Saturdays some of the time, or at least extend the hours again.
This is towards the top of my Switch port wishlist (even if I'm bad at rhythm games), so hopefully this means Nintendo platforms will see it this year.
I've always been mildly interested in this one, but the very long runtime is admittedly off-putting. Might try the demo sometime just to see how badly I want it lol.
Glad this is out there for those who want it, but this American Switch owner is perfectly fine giving this a pass even if I DID own a Switch 2. Most sports games put me to sleep. I will quite literally play any other genre.
Not in a place where I can watch the video, but I'll work it in later. The quote at the end of the article is a poignant reminder that even in crazy times like these, we can still find some joy in our lives through our passions.
Edit: Finally watched this. Her reactions were so wholesome! While I don't think this is a YouTuber I'd normally watch, I appreciate that he seemed respectful and genuine in his interactions with Jan. Zelda is my favorite series as well, so hopefully part of my twilight years are spent playing the games too!
@garfreek I know, right? I randomly searched a few older games out of curiosity, and the secondhand loose copies are bad enough (other than obvious bootleg listings). There are even graded copies of Platinum up in four figures!
Pseudo copy/paste with what I commented on yesterday's article, with some personal 2025 GOTY highlights tacked on at the bottom.
669 hours, with 25 titles played. The Switch is my main platform, though not the only one. Most played:
1. Ace Attorney Investigations Collection - 118 hours
2. Pokemon Scarlet (including the DLC) - 116 hours
3. Fire Emblem: Three Houses - 73 hours
Unsurprisingly, my playtime trends higher during the colder months. Though this year, part of that was I played both Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Kirby: Planet Robobot (both on 3DS) in late spring and early summer. A bit of dabbling on my Wii U and Steam as well.
My personal Top 3 games I played last year, in no particular order:
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Azure Moon only; hoping to do another route soon)
Biggest Pleasant Surprises: Hades (not normally a big roguelike fan), Fuga: Melodies of Steel (took a chance and enjoyed it!) Surprisingly decent despite agreeing performance/visuals should have had more time in the oven: Pokemon Scarlet
@garfreek I hope you find that R4! I normally support playing games through legit means when possible, but my stance relaxes when it comes to older games/hardware that are very expensive or were never released in certain regions.
They could have done so much more with BDSP. I don't really blame ILCA since I assume they were given a template they had to stick to (and they did...too much so IMO), but at the very least they could have inserted remixed Platinum content through a post game story like in Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire's Delta Episode.
@garfreek BDSP aren't bad games, just very underwhelming compared to past remakes. This pair arguably played things too safe. While they're a slight improvement over the original D/P - namely better speed and how they handle the Underground, though I wish they didn't replace some of the unique secret base items with the statue mechanic - they also inherited the issues of the originals too. The devs didn't incorporate any of the positive changes from Platinum at all. Previous remakes had some significant mechanic, plot, and postgame changes. This pair felt minimum-effort in comparison. Doubly disappointing for me since Sinnoh is my favorite region. Thankfully, Pokemon Legends: Arceus was a better way to scratch that itch.
If you've never played Gen 4, are curious, and can get one of these two at a good discount, I'd say go for it. But if you want to experience the best that Gen 4 has to offer, I recommend buying, borrowing, or even emulating Pokemon Platinum. I don't suggest emulation lightly, but older Pokemon games tend to be expensive even secondhand in my experience.
@jolteon23 Honestly, I was surprised about my Ace Attorney Investigations time too lol. The collection is very much worth playing for any Ace Attorney fan or even those curious (Though I encourage newcomers to play the first Ace Attorney Trilogy first since AAIC references those games), especially AAI2. It's a direct sequel of AAI, so they're best played in order.
Several factors that racked up my time were at play:
I played both games mostly blind, only turning to walkthroughs when I was truly stuck. So there was definitely some trial and error (and resets from the last save).
To go with the above, most instances of AAI2's Mind Chess mechanic rely on perfect dialogue tree navigation, so there were some resets and accidentally leading Edgeworth in occasional text circles.
I talk to everyone and inspect almost everything I can in the investigation sections.
I did replay a few sections/saves of each final case to relive them again. I did have a false start for one case too.
I spent some time with the collection's extras, mostly the art gallery and music player.
I'm usually not a fast reader. Speeding through text means I often miss a lot of details and context. I tend to digest and reread info and mentally give character dialogue a "voice" when I read. Voice acting helps, but the AA games I've played so far don't have voice acting outside of the yelled sound bits.
I'm sure many people have played through the collection faster. I hope you enjoy it if you do decide to pick it up.
669 hours, with 25 titles played. The Switch is my main platform, though not the only one. Most played:
1. Ace Attorney Investigations Collection - 118 hours
2. Pokemon Scarlet (including the DLC) - 116 hours
3. Fire Emblem: Three Houses - 73 hours
Unsurprisingly, my playtime trends higher during the colder months. Though this year, part of that was I played both Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Kirby: Planet Robobot (3DS) in late spring/early summer.
It's the stock market. It rises and falls like a rollercoaster. If anything, now is likely a good time to BUY Nintendo shares lol. Plus, as other comments have mentioned, most companies don't tend to release a lot of games during the lull after the holidays.
I'm waiting on grabbing a Switch 2. I've mentioned my reasons elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, I want one. Now just isn't the time.
@Kiz3000 Interesting....While I'm aware of how the traditional stock market works, stock shorting is something I wasn't aware of (or if I was once, it was in passing). I dug into it at a surface level, and it DOES baffle me that someone can try to make a profit via shares they don't own (in this case, borrowing with the promise to buy later). Seems a risky strategy to me, but I suppose it CAN pay off if one plays their cards right. It appears there is some oversight, but I'm sure it isn't enough.
#Capitalism is right, and is a tag I almost used in my initial post.
Ignoring the obvious greedy price inflation - seriously, don't give in folks! - it still baffles me how one can sell the promise of owning something when it isn't even in their hands yet.
I hope these get reported and that nobody pays up.
As usual, employees lower on the totem pole take the fall first. The crazy thing is they appear to be doing this with profitable locations as well. GameStop has been floundering for awhile, but letting employees know they're losing their jobs at such short notice is a jerk move.
I admittedly buy most physical games online anymore since online storefronts tend to run better deals. I'd like to buy more from my local GS, but I don't often do this in person unless I'm trading in games (which is rare) and almost never buy from them secondhand since there are often better prices and quality elsewhere (Ex. eBay, mom & pop stores with online storefronts). That said, I'm glad my local store is still open, but another store roughly 40 minutes away wasn't so lucky. Unfortunately, that only leaves Walmart for new videogame purchases since some of the other well-known chains are ~90 minutes away. Any retro game stores that pop up don't tend to last long.
...Is it sad I forgot this is coming? I'm curious to see what all the additions are. As things currently stand, the multiplayer elements - while nice for those who want them - do nothing for me.
Not much of a duel in my opinion when the NA/EU cover showcases way more characters without feeling cluttered. It gives a good idea of what to expect in the game.
@mlt Thanks! I'm looking forward to trying out the Bowser's Fury side. It's the main reason I bought the game - despite already owning it on Wii U - since impressions seem very positive.
@Classic603 As @Expa0 kindly explained, translation tomfoolery made the difficulty options misleading. If I'd had access to Radiant Dawn back in the day, it's very possible I'd have picked Normal difficulty (the option I often go with) not knowing I was technically picking Hard. Which would have negatively affected my experience.
I'm very glad this is on NSO now, even though I won't be able to play it for a long time. It at least circumvents selling a kidney to buy the physical version secondhand.
As for difficulty....I assume it's Radiant Dawn that has the messed up difficulty options in English?
It's a cold weekend in my part of the world, which means plenty of indoor activities. Though Saturdays are typically my only major gaming day lately.
Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake (Switch) - Still my main game and one I'm really enjoying! I've just picked up the windbraker and used it to unlock a new part of the map. Three party members currently. I've been very impressed with their character development so far (outside of the silent protagonist). 16 mini medals found. Now, about my tombola addiction....
Super Mario 3D World (Switch) - I reached the main game's credits this week and am messing around in the postgame worlds for now. Not sure how far I'll get since I don't plan to 100% this portion of the game, but I have unlocked Rosalina. These levels are more punishing than I remember from the Wii U, and I know I never fully beat Champion's Road the first time around. I might move on to the Bowser's Fury half of the game should I become too fed up. Edit: Seems it's mostly the spinning platform levels giving me trouble. I think it's the Switch version's faster speed messing with me. Most other levels are manageable so far.
Well, this is disappointing. If an earlier comment is anything to go by, it appears Larian and Hasbro aren't seeing eye to eye. Looks like this will be one for my eventual new PC then.
Look, I agree productive conversations about how and when AI is used need to happen. This fruitless witch hunt isn't it. Editing goofs happen, plus...hands are funny things. I have naturally long fingers. Some people are born with an irregular amount of digits. Others have had said digits altered. I know a person who is missing the last segment of her ring finger from an accident. Would she automatically be flagged by the AI police in a photo?
AI is, at the end of the day, a tool that needs regulated in order to curb theft and job loss. Technology replacing jobs unfortunately isn't a new concept. In my opinion, it should be used as part of one's toolset when it comes to their line of work, not a replacement of free thought or creativity. I've used it in my own work (coding). Not to code for me, but to help troubleshoot issues or learn how to do something that isn't really referenced through documentation. Since the coding language I use isn't standard, I still have to fact check what it spits out sometimes. But it has saved me some time better spent on other aspects of my job.
HECK YES I'll be trying this out!...when I finally grab a Switch 2 and pony up for NSO+. I really do want to play this game, but now is not the time sadly.
@Dee123 Definitely. I'm clearly not wired for many of the more popular genres that trend in the West. The only "sports" game I've even remotely enjoyed is Wii Sports. The closest I get to enjoying FPS games are the Metroid Prime games, and that's more because they feel like 3D Metroid and still retain the puzzles, upgrades, and exploration I enjoy in the core series.
While I'm glad Falcom seems to be doing well - the company deserves it for the most part - I hope they don't sacrifice quality for quantity.
@EarthboundBenjy I think I was on Chapter 2 of Ys X: Nordics when Falcom announced Proud Nordics for Japan. I was definitely irked. From what I've read, I won't be missing much, but I'm not a fan of them pulling an Atlus either. I know Falcom is no stranger to rereleases, remasters, and remakes, but typically there's a much longer time period. Sorry, Falcom, but with no upgrade path, no additional money from me. I'm not rebuying an entire game just to net a little extra content.
Seeing these charts is a periodic reminder that my gaming tastes aren't out of left field. They just don't align with many Western countries apparently.
I'd like to see more comparisons with some adjustments, like accounting for inflation, pricing between systems/games/accessories, and cost of living. Sometimes, these results don't tell the whole story. And that's assuming someone isn't trying to skew or obscure some findings in order to promote an agenda. Not directing this at the site, just something I've noticed when it comes to stats and data gathering in general.
I have yet to buy a Switch 2 for several reasons. My Switch 1 functions fine and can play a majority of my backlog. I barely have time for the platforms I already own without adding something else to the mix right now. Plus, I'm saving up for other things that are frankly a higher priority. I also prefer to wait for either a special edition Switch 2 system CoughZeldaOrXenobladeCough or at least a light hardware revision before biting.
I'm more apt to buy a pro controller when I nab my own Switch 2 unit, but I can't deny these are cool joy-con 2 variants. Wonder if they'll release a version of the console with these instead of the current default pair?
About what I suspected between the Switch versions. Still not sure which platform I'll get it on. As much as I want this game, it'll be a long time before I grab it. I played the 3DS version not too long ago, plus I'm trying to mostly focus on backlogged games this year.
Comments 9,284
Re: Ubisoft Cancels 6 Games In Major Organisation Restructure
Y'know, I never thought another gaming company would kick itself in the nards down to 'EA' tier for me, but I think Ubisoft just made it happen.
Re: Review: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Switch 2) - A Big, Bold Reimagining, And A First-Class Port
I'm glad this is a decent port, which shows SE CAN do a decent job if they put in the effort (unlike, say, a certain cloud collection).
I'll play this - and hopefully the rest of the trilogy - at some point, though it'll be a very long time before I do. Still undecided on platform. I have only played/finished one Final Fantasy (III/VI on the SNES Classic) as of this writing and have several others backlogged, including the OG Final Fantasy VII. I'd like to have the original's context in mind before jumping in and plan to do so before long. I am definitely not hurting for main series games to play, and that's before considering any spinoffs lol.
Re: EB Games Is Closing Some Stores In Australia This Month
Unfortunate news, though it seems the writing is on the wall going by the comments. Still, less competition means less ways to keep prices in check. I hope employees are able to find work elsewhere.
Also, TIL K-Mart still exists in Australia. Those went extinct years ago in my general region. Not sure there are hardly any left in the US. My local store liquidated their electronics section years before it fully closed. Not that it was ever great, but I did find a couple new games that were out of print by that point that I got great deals on: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future and Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. Didn't pay more than $15 for each, though I don't recall the exact prices.
Re: Switch 2 Predicted To Follow In PlayStation And Xbox's Footsteps This Year With "Global Price Hike"
All speculation of course, but definitely not unlikely.
As mixed as I am about AI overall - it's a tool that can be used well or abused - I DO think it's a huge negative when it impacts affordable RAM and electronics for normal consumers.
All I'll say about the other angle is the tariff war definitely isn't helping.
Re: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Gets A Free Switch 2 Update And Adds Dixie Kong
Still don't think this is enough to get me to buy this over my perfectly functional 3DS copy, but at least it's a more substantial update than a Switch 2 performance bump. The world needs more Dixie Kong!
Re: Random: Reggie Recalls Retailers "Upset" With Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire Shortages
Sounds like a stressful second week+ on the job for something that was definitely not caused by him to begin with. I'm sure it was a learning experience. PokéMania was definitely in full swing then.
Re: Nintendo Music Adds Another Legendary Zelda Soundtrack, Here's Every Song Included
As far as all the excellent Zelda soundtracks out there....Well, this has Linebeck's theme lol. It's not bad by any means, just feels very recycled from TWW sometimes. Spirit Tracks is a definite step up IMO.
Re: Switch 1 & 2 Dominate Famitsu's Best-Selling Games Of 2025 List
And here I thought YouTubers, Reddit, and just about any gaming forum or social media platform that breathes Nintendo was on the money that the Switch 2 is D00M3d or something.
(There are some legit criticisms, but some of the hyperbole out there is pretty nuts)
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel - Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (DS)
@KingMike Yep! I can actually better tell who and what I'm looking at.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel - Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (DS)
While I've always liked the general aesthetic of the NA box art for this one, my vote hands down has to go to JP/EU. It definitely shows the characters and text better.
I've wanted to try this game for awhile, but at this point it may be better to wait to see if it and FFTA are both remade. I still need to buy their recently released forebear anyway.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (17th January)
Yep....It's definitely winter where I am. No major plans to go outside today at least. Perfect weather for indoor pastimes.
Happy gaming!
Re: Random: Disney's Terrible DS Game 'Cory In The House' Is Now Selling For Hundreds Of Dollars On eBay
Cory is Love, Cory is Life.
Re: Hi-Fi Rush Has Been Rated For The Switch... Again
This is towards the top of my Switch port wishlist (even if I'm bad at rhythm games), so hopefully this means Nintendo platforms will see it this year.
Re: Zelda's Next Lego Set Might Have Been Leaked, Here's A First Look
Unlike some rumor mills out there, LEGO rumors tend to be pretty accurate. So....
Oh HECK YES. One of my favorite scenes in the franchise in brick form! Dream on, Pokemon sets. THIS is getting my hard-earned cash!
Re: The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy Is Now Officially 'Two Games In One'
I've always been mildly interested in this one, but the very long runtime is admittedly off-putting. Might try the demo sometime just to see how badly I want it lol.
Re: Super Nintendo World Is Celebrating Its Fifth Anniversary In Style
....It's been five years already? #YayAging
Now I want cake.
Re: Nintendo's First Game Trial Of 2026 Is Exclusive To Switch 2 (North America)
Glad this is out there for those who want it, but this American Switch owner is perfectly fine giving this a pass even if I DID own a Switch 2. Most sports games put me to sleep. I will quite literally play any other genre.
Re: Random: Feeling Blue? This 91-Year-Old Zelda Fan Will Make Your Day
Not in a place where I can watch the video, but I'll work it in later. The quote at the end of the article is a poignant reminder that even in crazy times like these, we can still find some joy in our lives through our passions.
Edit: Finally watched this. Her reactions were so wholesome! While I don't think this is a YouTuber I'd normally watch, I appreciate that he seemed respectful and genuine in his interactions with Jan. Zelda is my favorite series as well, so hopefully part of my twilight years are spent playing the games too!
Re: More Switch Games Have Received Switch 2 Compatibility Updates
@garfreek I know, right? I randomly searched a few older games out of curiosity, and the secondhand loose copies are bad enough (other than obvious bootleg listings). There are even graded copies of Platinum up in four figures!
Re: Feature: Nintendo Switch Year In Review 2025 - Our Most Played Games
Pseudo copy/paste with what I commented on yesterday's article, with some personal 2025 GOTY highlights tacked on at the bottom.
669 hours, with 25 titles played. The Switch is my main platform, though not the only one. Most played:
1. Ace Attorney Investigations Collection - 118 hours
2. Pokemon Scarlet (including the DLC) - 116 hours
3. Fire Emblem: Three Houses - 73 hours
Unsurprisingly, my playtime trends higher during the colder months. Though this year, part of that was I played both Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Kirby: Planet Robobot (both on 3DS) in late spring and early summer. A bit of dabbling on my Wii U and Steam as well.
My personal Top 3 games I played last year, in no particular order:
Biggest Pleasant Surprises: Hades (not normally a big roguelike fan), Fuga: Melodies of Steel (took a chance and enjoyed it!)
Surprisingly decent despite agreeing performance/visuals should have had more time in the oven: Pokemon Scarlet
Re: More Switch Games Have Received Switch 2 Compatibility Updates
@garfreek I hope you find that R4! I normally support playing games through legit means when possible, but my stance relaxes when it comes to older games/hardware that are very expensive or were never released in certain regions.
They could have done so much more with BDSP. I don't really blame ILCA since I assume they were given a template they had to stick to (and they did...too much so IMO), but at the very least they could have inserted remixed Platinum content through a post game story like in Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire's Delta Episode.
Re: More Switch Games Have Received Switch 2 Compatibility Updates
@garfreek BDSP aren't bad games, just very underwhelming compared to past remakes. This pair arguably played things too safe. While they're a slight improvement over the original D/P - namely better speed and how they handle the Underground, though I wish they didn't replace some of the unique secret base items with the statue mechanic - they also inherited the issues of the originals too. The devs didn't incorporate any of the positive changes from Platinum at all. Previous remakes had some significant mechanic, plot, and postgame changes. This pair felt minimum-effort in comparison. Doubly disappointing for me since Sinnoh is my favorite region. Thankfully, Pokemon Legends: Arceus was a better way to scratch that itch.
If you've never played Gen 4, are curious, and can get one of these two at a good discount, I'd say go for it. But if you want to experience the best that Gen 4 has to offer, I recommend buying, borrowing, or even emulating Pokemon Platinum. I don't suggest emulation lightly, but older Pokemon games tend to be expensive even secondhand in my experience.
Re: Nintendo Switch 2025 'Year In Review' Is Available Now
@jolteon23 Honestly, I was surprised about my Ace Attorney Investigations time too lol. The collection is very much worth playing for any Ace Attorney fan or even those curious (Though I encourage newcomers to play the first Ace Attorney Trilogy first since AAIC references those games), especially AAI2. It's a direct sequel of AAI, so they're best played in order.
Several factors that racked up my time were at play:
I'm sure many people have played through the collection faster. I hope you enjoy it if you do decide to pick it up.
Re: More Switch Games Have Received Switch 2 Compatibility Updates
You mean they finally patched in all the Platinum content? /s
Re: Nintendo Switch 2025 'Year In Review' Is Available Now
669 hours, with 25 titles played. The Switch is my main platform, though not the only one. Most played:
1. Ace Attorney Investigations Collection - 118 hours
2. Pokemon Scarlet (including the DLC) - 116 hours
3. Fire Emblem: Three Houses - 73 hours
Unsurprisingly, my playtime trends higher during the colder months. Though this year, part of that was I played both Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Kirby: Planet Robobot (3DS) in late spring/early summer.
Re: Nintendo's Investors Are Reportedly "Spooked" As Stock Slides
It's the stock market. It rises and falls like a rollercoaster. If anything, now is likely a good time to BUY Nintendo shares lol. Plus, as other comments have mentioned, most companies don't tend to release a lot of games during the lull after the holidays.
I'm waiting on grabbing a Switch 2. I've mentioned my reasons elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, I want one. Now just isn't the time.
Re: Pokémon Lego Sets Are Already Being Sold On eBay For Stupid Money
@Kiz3000 Interesting....While I'm aware of how the traditional stock market works, stock shorting is something I wasn't aware of (or if I was once, it was in passing). I dug into it at a surface level, and it DOES baffle me that someone can try to make a profit via shares they don't own (in this case, borrowing with the promise to buy later). Seems a risky strategy to me, but I suppose it CAN pay off if one plays their cards right. It appears there is some oversight, but I'm sure it isn't enough.
#Capitalism is right, and is a tag I almost used in my initial post.
Re: Nintendo Switch 2 System Update 21.2.0 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
@Drago201 "Random" is one of my favorite settings!
Re: Pokémon Lego Sets Are Already Being Sold On eBay For Stupid Money
Ignoring the obvious greedy price inflation - seriously, don't give in folks! - it still baffles me how one can sell the promise of owning something when it isn't even in their hands yet.
I hope these get reported and that nobody pays up.
Re: Nintendo Switch 2 System Update 21.2.0 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Pokes head in Did someone say STABILITY?!
[Meme mode engaged]
(Thanks to NintendoSoup)
Re: Site News: Please Welcome Mai, The Newest Member Of Our YouTube Team
Welcome to the site, Mai!
Also: "..., Baldur's Gate 3 (hey, that probably isn't coming to Switch 2!),...
Too soon, Ollie. Too soon.
Re: LEGO Pokémon Reveals First Sets, Launches February 2026
My thoughts on each set:
Re: GameStop Kicks Off 2026 By Reportedly Shutting "Hundreds" Of Stores
As usual, employees lower on the totem pole take the fall first. The crazy thing is they appear to be doing this with profitable locations as well. GameStop has been floundering for awhile, but letting employees know they're losing their jobs at such short notice is a jerk move.
I admittedly buy most physical games online anymore since online storefronts tend to run better deals. I'd like to buy more from my local GS, but I don't often do this in person unless I'm trading in games (which is rare) and almost never buy from them secondhand since there are often better prices and quality elsewhere (Ex. eBay, mom & pop stores with online storefronts). That said, I'm glad my local store is still open, but another store roughly 40 minutes away wasn't so lucky. Unfortunately, that only leaves Walmart for new videogame purchases since some of the other well-known chains are ~90 minutes away. Any retro game stores that pop up don't tend to last long.
Re: Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup In Bellabel Park Has Been Rated
...Is it sad I forgot this is coming? I'm curious to see what all the additions are. As things currently stand, the multiplayer elements - while nice for those who want them - do nothing for me.
Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel - Mario Power Tennis (GameCube)
Not much of a duel in my opinion when the NA/EU cover showcases way more characters without feeling cluttered. It gives a good idea of what to expect in the game.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (10th January)
@mlt Thanks! I'm looking forward to trying out the Bowser's Fury side. It's the main reason I bought the game - despite already owning it on Wii U - since impressions seem very positive.
Re: Review: Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance (GameCube) - Aged & Easier Than You're Used To, But Still A Winner
@Classic603 As @Expa0 kindly explained, translation tomfoolery made the difficulty options misleading. If I'd had access to Radiant Dawn back in the day, it's very possible I'd have picked Normal difficulty (the option I often go with) not knowing I was technically picking Hard. Which would have negatively affected my experience.
Re: Review: Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance (GameCube) - Aged & Easier Than You're Used To, But Still A Winner
I'm very glad this is on NSO now, even though I won't be able to play it for a long time. It at least circumvents selling a kidney to buy the physical version secondhand.
As for difficulty....I assume it's Radiant Dawn that has the messed up difficulty options in English?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (10th January)
It's a cold weekend in my part of the world, which means plenty of indoor activities. Though Saturdays are typically my only major gaming day lately.
Happy gaming!
Re: Larian "Would Have Loved" Baldur's Gate 3 On Switch 2, Will "Certainly Consider" Divinity
Well, this is disappointing. If an earlier comment is anything to go by, it appears Larian and Hasbro aren't seeing eye to eye. Looks like this will be one for my eventual new PC then.
Re: Nintendo Accused Of Using AI Images In New 'My Mario' Marketing
Look, I agree productive conversations about how and when AI is used need to happen. This fruitless witch hunt isn't it. Editing goofs happen, plus...hands are funny things. I have naturally long fingers. Some people are born with an irregular amount of digits. Others have had said digits altered. I know a person who is missing the last segment of her ring finger from an accident. Would she automatically be flagged by the AI police in a photo?
AI is, at the end of the day, a tool that needs regulated in order to curb theft and job loss. Technology replacing jobs unfortunately isn't a new concept. In my opinion, it should be used as part of one's toolset when it comes to their line of work, not a replacement of free thought or creativity. I've used it in my own work (coding). Not to code for me, but to help troubleshoot issues or learn how to do something that isn't really referenced through documentation. Since the coding language I use isn't standard, I still have to fact check what it spits out sometimes. But it has saved me some time better spent on other aspects of my job.
Re: Nintendo Expands Switch 2's GameCube Library With Another Game
HECK YES I'll be trying this out!...when I finally grab a Switch 2 and pony up for NSO+. I really do want to play this game, but now is not the time sadly.
Re: Review: The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Beyond The Horizon (Switch 2) - A Step Up From Daybreak II
Executes "WillPlayTheEntireSeriesSomeday.exe"
Re: Japanese Charts: Pokémon Legends Z-A Surpasses 1 Million Sales On Switch 2
@Dee123 Definitely. I'm clearly not wired for many of the more popular genres that trend in the West. The only "sports" game I've even remotely enjoyed is Wii Sports. The closest I get to enjoying FPS games are the Metroid Prime games, and that's more because they feel like 3D Metroid and still retain the puzzles, upgrades, and exploration I enjoy in the core series.
Re: Falcom Reiterates Support For Switch 2, Currently Working On New Port
While I'm glad Falcom seems to be doing well - the company deserves it for the most part - I hope they don't sacrifice quality for quantity.
@EarthboundBenjy I think I was on Chapter 2 of Ys X: Nordics when Falcom announced Proud Nordics for Japan. I was definitely irked. From what I've read, I won't be missing much, but I'm not a fan of them pulling an Atlus either. I know Falcom is no stranger to rereleases, remasters, and remakes, but typically there's a much longer time period. Sorry, Falcom, but with no upgrade path, no additional money from me. I'm not rebuying an entire game just to net a little extra content.
Re: Japanese Charts: Pokémon Legends Z-A Surpasses 1 Million Sales On Switch 2
Seeing these charts is a periodic reminder that my gaming tastes aren't out of left field. They just don't align with many Western countries apparently.
Re: Switch 2 Sales Reportedly Struggled Over The Christmas Period
I'd like to see more comparisons with some adjustments, like accounting for inflation, pricing between systems/games/accessories, and cost of living. Sometimes, these results don't tell the whole story. And that's assuming someone isn't trying to skew or obscure some findings in order to promote an agenda. Not directing this at the site, just something I've noticed when it comes to stats and data gathering in general.
I have yet to buy a Switch 2 for several reasons. My Switch 1 functions fine and can play a majority of my backlog. I barely have time for the platforms I already own without adding something else to the mix right now. Plus, I'm saving up for other things that are frankly a higher priority. I also prefer to wait for either a special edition Switch 2 system CoughZeldaOrXenobladeCough or at least a light hardware revision before biting.
Re: Nintendo Reveals First New Joy-Con 2 Colours For Switch 2
I'm more apt to buy a pro controller when I nab my own Switch 2 unit, but I can't deny these are cool joy-con 2 variants. Wonder if they'll release a version of the console with these instead of the current default pair?
Re: Ubisoft Starts The New Year With A Studio Closure, 71 Jobs Affected
Oof. >.< Something I was hoping to see happen less this year. Not a good start so far. Best wishes to all those affected.
Re: Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined Demo - Switch And Switch 2 Performance Investigated
About what I suspected between the Switch versions. Still not sure which platform I'll get it on. As much as I want this game, it'll be a long time before I grab it. I played the 3DS version not too long ago, plus I'm trying to mostly focus on backlogged games this year.