Tyranexx

I hope we get to see what the other sages look like under their masks during the game. I like the masks - they have cultural significance to each tribe and unsurprisingly resemble the Divine Beasts in Breath of the Wild - but they also make them appear impersonal at first glance.

I assembled mine over the weekend. It was a fun build, and the weight and feel are indeed almost 1:1 with the original. I never owned the OG Game Boy, but I've handled a couple of units.

I also absolutely love which lenticular screen they chose for Link's Awakening. It's an iconic scene from one of my favorite 2D Zelda entries.

I like the colors on the NA box, but I went with Japan since I prefer the art style.

I appreciate the PSA. I went the first day these were available - mid-afternoon - but my local GS was already out of codes. Pardon me for being employed (and I was off early!). 50 codes per store. What were they thinking?! They should have printed these on receipts to begin with.

I remember going into GameStop in the past during these promotions during the advertised time frame - at my convenience, not on the first day - and there being a whole pile of codes available. From what I've read online, the first day of this was timed with a TCG launch, so my guess is quite a few of these went to scalpers flogging them on eBay.

I want to lend more time to other hobbies this weekend, so not as much gaming as usual. I plan to assemble my newly arrived LEGO Game Boy today and also hope to finish a book I'm reading (Doctor Sleep).

I'm in the home stretch of the fifth and final case in Ace Attorney Investigations 2 (AAIC/Switch). It's a long, amazing, and convoluted case, full of twists and turns that tie the rest of the game to the proceedings. I hope to wrap this one up within the next couple of days, then back to my recently started Pokemon Scarlet file (Switch) and Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii/Wii U).

Happy gaming! Remember, be kind to yourselves.

@KoiTenchi There are definitely a lot of moving pieces - and twists - to this one. I made it to the third "To be continued" last night and hope to play more this evening. I too love when the final cases tie together the rest of the game. I think that's one reason I enjoyed Trials and Tribulations so much.

Edit: I finished the game yesterday! A very good ending IMO, though I'll admit it was kind of a convoluted road to get there.

From what little I do know about PL vs. AA, it's highly unlikely it will ever be considered canon. The best explanation I could think of is a branching timeline involving the character incarnations who traveled to that world. That thought now makes me want an entire spinoff series lol. Even if it is unlikely. I completely understand overlooking Last Specter since it released so late in the DS life cycle. Definitely worth a look when you get the chance, and I did enjoy the movie for what it was! There's a short, funny ProZD video that is a fairly accurate summary, but the full movie is worth a watch for any Layton fan IMO.

A note about the first two FDC titles: The Missing Heir released first, but The Girl Who Stands Behind serves as a prequel. I played them in release order, but either order will work.

Thanks for mentioning Tangle Tower! I haven't heard of the game but will certainly look into it. Sounds like it ticks at least some of the right boxes from what you describe. Full voice acting is indeed a plus, something I too would like to see in Ace Attorney someday. That would help me get through the text faster since I tend to narrate all the speech in my head in non-VA scenarios.

I usually wait a bit after a console launches before jumping in. Mostly for issues to be worked out and for more games to release. I didn't pick up my Switch until late 2019. Glad both DKB and MKW sound like they're worth it! Regarding the DKL games: DKC2 is my favorite of the Rare trilogy as well, so I was unpleasantly surprised that DKL2 was arguably too faithful. DKL1 gets points for being unique and trying something different. I had issues with the controls and visuals (before learning I could change the NSO filter). Your description of DKL3 intrigues me enough to give it a spin sometime. I'll take a remix over a retread any day, especially if the controls are smoother and the player can jump into the action quickly.

It looks like a wonderful, quality build. Mine finally arrived yesterday after an Amazon delay - something definitely happened in transit, going by the outer box - but the main box appears intact. Hoping to assemble mine over the weekend!

Nothing for me at this time, but the physical version of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles (Switch 1) will hopefully appear in my Christmas stocking. I may pick up Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 in the future, but they're not a priority right now.

Did I expect this to happen? Yes.

Have my expectations been exceeded by this creative, talented person building an actual circuit board to fit this masterpiece? Also yes! I expected folks to just jam emulators into these, but this sets the bar much higher.

It's been a VERY long time since I've read such a relatable opening paragraph.

I was gonna give this game a try, though I wasn't expecting much. Seems like I should save some time and not touch this at all. Shame, because I like the concept on paper. But the execution is severely lacking.

February 31st huh? Quite the placeholder date!

@KoiTenchi I too just made it up to the second "To be continued" this evening! I particularly enjoyed the part right before the save prompt; there was some great writing on display. Still more questions than answers however. This is quite the long case, but I've come to expect this with final Ace Attorney cases lol.

I didn't dive into the major details, but Wikipedia seems to indicate both Level-5 and Capcom contributed a lot to the development. Level-5 published Layton vs. Wright in Japan, but Nintendo took care of publishing in other territories. It sounds like an amazing game even if it's non canon, something I'm not bothered with as long as we're told in advance lol. The Last Specter is an enjoyable Layton game, though I'll admit it's my least favorite of the bunch plot wise (It's not bad, the plot could have wrapped up better IMO). There are still many enjoyable puzzles and characters however. About the movie: no prob! It's called Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva. It's set between the events of The Last Specter and Miracle Mask.

I can certainly relate to having quite a backlog. RPGs are my Achilles heel. I recommend using a retailer discount or promo if you can since the FDC games are worth it but are indeed pricey for the runtime. The other two games are indeed solid! Not quite hitting AA's highs IMO, but I love mysteries and investigations. I think that's why I've clicked with Ace Attorney so well.

Please update me on when/if you get to Danganronpa! Though on your own time. No hurry on my part. I'm sure it's a quality series since I trust the sources who have recommended them to me.

That's indeed high praise for Donkey Kong Bananza. I don't have a Switch 2 yet, but I plan for DKB to be a day one purchase. I've enjoyed all the 2D Rare and Retro DK platformers immensely, though I'll admit I couldn't get into the Donkey Kong Land sub series. I did finish the first DKL but dropped the second one once I realized it was very similar to DKC2.

These are a pass for me since my Wii copies are perfectly playable, and I'm not particularly fussed about snazzier visuals. I AM curious about the new storybook sections, but I'm sure I'll find screenshots online.

That said, these two are my favorite 3D Mario games (Galaxy 1 takes the crown). If anyone hasn't played these and has even a passing interest in platformers, please grab them!

I do want to play this - the entire trilogy really - someday, but I think I've decided to grab this on PC when I get a decent one. While I understand why SE went the GKC route in this case due to the file size, the fact remains that I find PC storage cheaper and easier to manage. Not to mention I have more trust in account systems like Steam when it comes to digital purchases.

Still, I'm glad the entire Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy is coming to Switch 2. The wider the audience for this stellar series, the better.

Thank you for everything, Zion! Best wishes for your next steps forward!

I keep changing my mind on whether I want to enter the Trails series with either this version of the game or the original Trails In The Sky FC on Steam since I already own it. I'll probably make up my mind sometime.

I'm confused about the Mega Man Star Force bit; I seem to recall all three titles released on the regular DS? Unfortunately, I'm not where I can verify that information right now. Edit: Looks like other comments are confirming my sanity on this one.

This piece has quite the spread of games I'm interested in:

• Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
• Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection
• Once Upon A Katamari
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (I keep forgetting Koei Tecmo is in charge of this one)
• Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (Still a tad salty there's no Switch 2 upgrade path)
• Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

@KoiTenchi I did start Case 5 yesterday and played a little past the first "To be continued" in the beginning section. You're correct; the case jumps right in where the last one left off. Not a lot makes sense right now, but the zaniness reminds me of some of the Steel Samurai related cases in previous games. XD

I do hope Capcom and Level-5 can work something out regarding the PL vs. AA crossover. I'd have to research who handled most of the development, but I feel like Capcom is the faster of the two when it comes to rereleasing games lately. I too am excited for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam! Hopefully this latest delay is the last. I've played all the main series Layton games. All range from good to amazing IMO. To be fair, The Last Specter/Spectre's Call is only briefly referenced in later titles in the prequel trilogy, along with the movie that I'm sure many haven't seen. I had to track down the movie on YouTube.

I played Emio - The Smiling Man early this year and enjoyed it! Though the epilogue definitely wrapped things up nicely. I thought the main game ended rather abruptly. I picked them all up after reading the earlier games influenced Ace Attorney. The UI is definitely rougher, and I'll admit I had to consult a guide a time or two when I wasn't progressing through the dialogue trees. Unfortunately, I don't think the earlier two Famicom Detective Club titles will ever get a discount. I think I used a GameStop gift card for a "discount" towards a code for the double pack. I'd say the other two are almost on equal footing with Emio, though Emio benefits from a couple of QoL improvements like the text highlighting. I think The Girl Who Stands Behind is my favorite due to the genuine creep factor, though Emio is a close second. The Missing Heir is worth it since we learn a lot about the protagonist we play as.

Like you, I've heard the Danganronpa series compared to Ace Attorney but also haven't played through any of those games yet. Maybe someday! It seems like a quality series at any rate.

I think I played Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth back in May. I've squeezed in a couple RPGs and short indie titles since.

I successfully preordered the Switch 1 version! No Switch 2 for me yet. I'm skipping this video since I want to discover this area for myself, but I'm glad it seems SE is putting a lot of TLC into this pair of remakes.

I went with Japan, though it's close for me. NA/EU conveys a puzzle game better, but Japan has a nice spread of major characters.

While I'd call Layton's Mystery Journey the weakest main series game, I still had fun with its slice of life approach and characters. Enough to also watch the anime. Also enjoyable, but definitely a kid's show and one that also reuses many cases from the game, giving them its own spin in the process. Some episodes regarding "missing" characters are very much worth a watch though.

@D-Star92 I'm sorry to read you're not feeling the best. Keep doing the best you can, be kind to yourself, and bask in all those cozy games!

I'll slot in both videos when I can, though it's a bit soon for me to revisit Dragon Quest VII; I played through the 3DS remaster a couple years ago. It's a worthy Dragon Quest entry and is one I'd recommend for any fan, though it does indeed have some pacing issues. Thankfully, the 3DS version has a summary log, plus many parts of the game are story vignettes. Suitable for the pick-up-and-play nature of handheld and hybrid systems. Here's to hoping Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is slightly more streamlined. I didn't have issues with the length until towards the end. Things could have wrapped up faster.

• Pokemon Scarlet (Switch) - Thanks to shiny legendary Pokemon FOMO, I'm loading this game for the first time. I'll only play enough to unlock the mystery gift feature, nab the internet distributions I want, then put it back down until I finish Ace Attorney Investigations 2. On that note....
• Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor's Gambit (AAIC/Switch) - I finished case 4, A Turnabout Forsaken. This one kept me on the edge of my seat and played a lot like an Ace Attorney final case...but there's still one to go! I can't wait to see what happens next. So far, all the cases have been connected to each other....
• Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii U via Wii mode) - Still my side game. Haven't made a ton of progress between pushing Ace Attorney Investigations and trying to fully complete and unlock all levels, but I'm in World 4.

I'm kinda salty about the Pokemon Scarlet/Violet shiny Koraidon/Miraidon distribution. Only 50 codes per store (at GameStop in the US at least), and I missed out by about half an hour. Pardon me for being employed. /Grump/ My grievance isn't with the employees who are doing their jobs, but with this asinine distribution method.

Happy gaming! Fall has finally come to the Northern Hemisphere.

Considering she was chosen for the role, I'm sure Pritchard's body is ready.

I'm certainly intrigued by this new content, though this pair of games is new to me regardless. As others have mentioned, underwater regions in JRPGs can be iffy, so I hope this will be one of the positive examples.

Can't wait! I plan to drop by my local GameStop today to preorder this.

@KoiTenchi I finished Case 4 last night. I definitely agree it was epic enough to be a swansong case! Parts of it reminded me of the extended fifth case from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. Yet the ending didn't quite tie everything up nicely. I'm expecting Case 5 to knock it out of the park and answer a few lingering questions!

I unfortunately hadn't played any Ace Attorney titles and had just started dipping my toe into Professor Layton when the crossover was released. I passed on it at the time since I wasn't sure if it was worth investing in. I had no idea that the physical game would become so rare. Kind of wish I'd invested in the digital version off the 3DS eShop in hindsight even if I would have had to upgrade my SD card. I'm very glad the game sounds worth my while from what you describe! Fingers crossed Capcom indeed ports the game sometime.

I'll get plenty of mileage out of AA for some time, plus I typically take a break between games in the same series to avoid burnout. Its great to know the rest of the series has some great content in store even if the quality varies. I hope you're able to find similar games that scratch the same itch. I've played and enjoyed all three Famicom Detective Club entries. They're decent but weren't quite the same.

@roy130390 I'm glad to learn that failure doesn't mean lost progress in Hades's case. Nor does it sound overly repetitive if new dialogue and plot elements often unlock. God mode sounds intriguing, though I don't see myself diving for that unless I'm desperate or get sick of playing and want to see the end lol. I don't mind a challenge when I'm up for it; it's having nothing to show for my time and effort that I'm concerned about.

You've made some good points in your comment. I think you and others about have me convinced to dive for the first game since it does tick some of the right boxes. I appreciate the input!

While I feel Doug Bowser has been kind of one-note after Reggie - besides his beyond perfect surname naturally - I do wish him a good retirement. Even if he didn't have Reggie's presence, I'm sure leading NoA hasn't been easy.

I wish Devon Pritchard good luck in her new role. I'm sure it was well earned. She has some big shoes to fill. Plus...We're getting Shibata!!! Some of us crazy Yanks do recall how much fun he was in historical NoE Directs!

@jfp I don't currently have an active Netflix sub. Looks like it's available to play through the service on this side of the pond, but only on iOS devices. I'm firmly Team Android. I appreciate the suggestion!

@Tasuki Another welcome suggestion! No good way to use Gamepass right now unfortunately. I do appreciate the reminder that it can also be used on PC; it's something I'll keep in mind when I buy or build my own rig.

@Rainz I admit I'm VERY tempted lol. I think I'll check out a couple gameplay videos first. I've heard it's not as punishing as some roguelikes, and it's cheap enough that I might jump.

I'm intrigued by both this game and the first Hades since I enjoy Greek Mythology and a good story, but I have a muddy history with roguelikes. Mostly due to the repetition and death penalties (CoughMysteryDungeonGamesCough). If there's one thing I really dislike, it's feeling like the last while I put into a game with my finite free time was wasted.

I did see Hades is on sale right now. Is there a way I can play a demo of the game somewhere? Or should I just take a chance since it's $6.24 on the US eShop? Before tax sadly.

Welcome news, especially after saving up enough hourglasses for a 10 pack opener yesterday. I used it on Wisdom of Sea & Sky (Lugia side) since I haven't pulled from the set outside of Wonder Picks. I think the highest rarities I got were a couple of 3 diamonds. Worst ten pack opener to date. -___-'

Can't say I'm surprised. This game crossed my mind the other day when I realized there was still no solid release date this late in the year. Plus, this is Level-5. "Delay" should be part of their company name at this point.

I first saw the icon via the Nintendo Today widget, tapped it, and was genuinely confused about what I was watching at first. This looks intriguing, and I may try it. However, I rarely play mobile games since they don't often stick for me. The main exceptions are Pokemon Go and TCG Pocket; one is a good exercise companion, and the other only requires a few minutes a day. I tried Fire Emblem Heroes and liked it, but I dropped it after I had to grind more and would rather spend my limited free time at home playing on a console.

Definitely left field, but not as much as the NSO Virtual Boy announcement.

Excellent. Love to see this reviewing well. I'm not sure when I'll pick this up for Switch 1 since I'm up to my ears in SRPGs already, but it WILL happen.

No complaints regarding more accessibility and some neat extras! I might boot up Ace Attorney Trilogy again just to check some of this out post update. I just played through the bunch over the span of a year in 2023-2024, so I'm not due for a full revisit yet.

I'm one of those "gameplay over graphics" types unless the FPS REALLY chugs and I can barely tell what I'm looking at. Sounds like this game absolutely sells in the engaging gameplay department. Which was very much the main reason why I enjoyed Pokemon Legends: Arceus so much. Plus, previews only sample a game; we only have part of the story, not the full buffet.

I'm still excited for PL:Z-A, but it'll be some time before I get to this one. I'm JUST about to finally start my copy of Pokemon Scarlet (Yes, on Switch 1 in all its messy glory lol) and suspect it'll keep me busy for a long time.

@KoiTenchi I didn't want to respond until I'd played more; I've had a busy week IRL. I've wrapped up the middle portions of Case 4 since I last commented, and WOW has the plot thickened regarding the setting, the accused, and the newly accused. Can't wait to see what happens next! I hope your progress with Case 5 is going well and that it's a suitable swansong to this excellent game!

I'm enjoying my gradual journey through the Ace Attorney series. I own them all between Switch and 3DS minus the non canon Professor Layton crossover (Hopefully this gets a rerelease eventually since it's expensive secondhand) and finally got around to the first trilogy last year. If other games in the series are this high quality, I can see myself revisiting the AA series now and then.

Duly noted on Apollo Justice dividing the fanbase. I'm sure it's still a good entry, but I can understand some not liking it when other games in the series set such a high bar. As much as I like Ace Attorney so far, I will agree there have been a few weaker cases. Thankfully these are outweighed by many good ones.

I am very glad many people will get the chance to experience these games again; I feel they were oft overlooked back in the day. I too intend to revisit them through this collection at some point. These aren't as strong as the Mega Man Battle Network series IMO, but they're a natural continuation and are worth playing.

@RupeeClock I am very sorry to read Europe has never received either version of Mega Man Star Force 3 until this upcoming release. They were a natural evolution of MMSF and are my favorite games in this sub series. I too played through Black Ace. Still own my copy actually.

I'm watching both of these. I'm more sold on The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales since it's a refreshing change from the turn-based combat in many of SE's HD-2D games, plus I like when studios experiment with new IPs. I'm also intrigued by Octopath Traveler 0, but I think I should play my backlogged copy of Octopath Traveler II before I seriously consider grabbing it.

If this trailer doesn't hammer home that this pair of remakes have a lot of care and attention put into them, I don't know what will.

Guess I should start saving now. Which reminds me, I still need to build the OoT side of The Great Deku Tree set soon. I've only put together the BotW half. Glorious build for anyone familiar with the game. I loved all the little details during assembly.

@KoiTenchi Now you have me excited for for Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy! I'm gradually trying to play the series in chronological order.

I've had a very busy day and unfortunately haven't continued my file yet, but I'm glad you're praising this fourth case so highly! Makes me think the fifth will be even more intense.

Europe in spades. Japan is too bland, not to mention I can unfortunately hear the scene it depicts.

While I'd like a shot at Virtual Boy Wario Land, I'd 1. Have to pony up for NSO+ (not happening until I get a Switch 2 for GCN access) and 2. Buy one of the accessories. Probably the cardboard one. I'd like the actual accessory, but not for the asking price.

So...this is a pass for now. Maybe in the future, but I doubt I'll get bored or curious enough to invest.

@KoiTenchi I expected the third case to mostly remain in the past like a couple turnabouts in Ace Attorney Trilogy and was pleasantly surprised when the past and present started to align; it was neat to work it all out from two different points in time. I'm through the beginning two sections of the fourth case and likewise can't wait to see what happens next!

It's indeed crazy that AAI2 never officially released outside of Japan until it shipped with this collection. I assume the first game didn't sell well enough to meet Capcom's expectations, hence axing a Western release. I do not regret playing either game.

@D-Star92 I'm tempted to try the original Hollow Knight sometime. Preferably when my backlog is less robust (lol), it gets a massive sale, and when I'm in the right mindset. I still like challenging platformers, but the main Metroid series and games like Shovel Knight are typically my limit. I prefer challenges of the mind. Puzzles and reasoning, mainly.

@JohnnyMind Congratulations on landing godfather status! No worries on the lateness; IRL takes priority!

@D-Star92 Thanks! A cozy game is exactly what the doctor ordered after a busy week. And a tough one earlier on. If I were to play something like Silksong right now, that would quickly lead into the games Buy New Switch Pro Controller and Soap Gargle Simulator.

I had a lot going on IRL this week, so I'm glad I get some breathing time today (not so much tomorrow). My limited gaming time pretty much went to Ace Attorney Investigations 2 (AAIC/Switch). I wrapped up the surprisingly long yet excellent third case, Turnabout Legacy. I can definitely see the step up in quality compared to the first Ace Attorney Investigations when it comes to the writing and character development. I plan to start the fourth case shortly.

My current side game is the beautifully pastel Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii). So far I've only finished the first world, but I like the puzzles and different mechanics from the main series. This game is both a nice text break and an exploration of creativity for me.

Happy gaming!

/Exec Japan_gets_all_the_nice_things.exe