Vulpern

Thankfully, the European cover is somewhat reversible, if you don't mind (or prefer) the absence of the usual logos etc.

The front nicely frames Link climbing an inverted cliff wall, showing off his liberating new ability.

My save game loaded but the roads have gone weird.

They need to make the core game more stable before I consider DLC, especially as reloading the game is such a lengthy pain (2K ask for access to my Nintendo Account EVERY TIME).

Worth noting that the standard file size has grown from 5.2GB at launch to 8.1GB after successive releases of DLC.

Nintendo UK fixed my drifting joy-con for free (including free postage) within a couple of weeks over Christmas, returning it in a lovely Nintendo branded box.

I honestly explained it had been drifting before my warranty expired and sent it off to them as their website instructs, giving them an easy job.

Good companies know the value of good customer service, so give them a chance. I wish I hadn't sat on it (not literally) for so long.

The Atari Lynx could at least daisy chain its link cables for 4 player - as me and my school mates managed just once back when everyone else had Gameboys (or pretending they were too cool for games). Otherwise, getting a bit of multiplayer California Games in was a logistical nightmare, with the Lynx's power needs and bulk.

Apart from the comparable size, we're so much better off with our wireless Switches.

GRID - so many different 'Autosports' that all feel so distinct and polished, aided by sublime use of HD rumble.

Download the generous demo. Playing the campaign and skirmish battles will give you an excellent idea whether the series' innovations are for you.

I found the 3D camera a distraction, less clear than sprites and pretty pointless as the fighting is still resolved in a separate animation. 'Focus fire' is a good approximation of flanking though and gameplay is fine in general.

But it sure ain't in Advance Wars' league and Into the Breach has already reinvented and refined the 'tiny' turn-based strategy genre.

@RadioHedgeFund Horizon Chase Turbo is up there with RMX and (Out)runs beautifully on Switch.

@Medic_alert thegamecollection.net are always worth checking. Loyalty points, quick delivery, and very low prices from time to time. I might not have even bought a Switch if it wasn't for them selling them for £240 last year, so I've got to give them a shout out too.

EDIT: £259.95 for a Neon Switch now which still outshines Amazon's Grey offer.

The Wii U one is sexy. And all it would take is Nintendo releasing black Joy-Cons.

Inspired by commenters last week and the Oscar buzz for the Free Solo climbing documentary, I'm also catching Breath of the Wild's second (year) wind.

Otherwise advising my girlfriend, who's caught the Civ 6 bug.

Surely it's time for Nintendo to implement some sort of filing system for the Switch. I've only got 20 or so games on mine (without an SD card so far) but I'd appreciate having fewer icons to pick from.

A file for just coop games would help a lot, or even the option of the SD card sub menu like on the Wii.

@shadow-wolf Thanks very much. BOTW arriving later today with a new pair of headphones, as I've heard the sound's improved on Switch. Hyrule deserves whatever upgrade I can give it!

@spirit_flame Civ 6's interface is tricky to get to grips with but works well in in the end (repeated presses of the - button explains what most of the onscreen buttons do pretty well).

Apart from navigating the Civilopedia which is such a nightmare it's better to use a wiki (Fandom's is excellent)!

Breath of the Wild - time to try the Switch version. I'm hoping there's less pop-up than in the impressive Wii U version. The Switch screen and pro controller seem like the real upgrade.

If anyone's played both since all the updates I'd appreciate any advice before spending my rupees!

@Dromosus I totally lost the thread with the slightly bloated Hollow Knight, an otherwise wonderful experience. Playing without the DLC would have been a nice option for the first playthrough.

Anyone know how it compares to Rock Boshers, Tikipod's last twin-stick?

I found it solid and certainly made with a lot of love but mechanically clunky, at least compared with the fluid aiming in Gungeon.

Super Chariot - the most cooperative coop platformer I've played. The Overcooked of its genre and a bargain at 60% off.

If the Bad North demo drops as announced on Thursday (along with a discount for the full game) I'll be keeping vikings at bay as I keep warm in these suitably chilly conditions.

Otherwise, more Civ VI, set to 'Cold' perhaps.

A WiiWare classic, one that I've just redownloaded before the Wii Shop's closure at the end of the month.

The game's depth, a Dom referred to, is in the timing of producing the varied units (which move automatically at different speeds) in the hope that they reach the front in some semblance of a formation. Very satisfying when it works!

GRIS has been my lie-in game for the last couple of weekends since Devolver gave it their 15% discount for owning one of their other titles. Not a lot going on gameplay wise but with headphones on and emotions primed, it's a beautiful way to ease into the day.

@bluemage1989 Finished Subsurface Circular just last night - such an intriguing, classy game. Mike Bithell likes to launch games without warning and he's done it again with Quarantine.

@Cobalt Classic mode playable in co op ("jouable en coop") is welcome news. Merci beaucoup!

Mine has just arrived through the post! Waiting for my girlfriend to return home from work before I even unwrap the plastic seal.

@westman98 Genuinely does feel a bit like Christmas. The hype has given this old gamer a reminder of advents past.

Played it a fair bit since downloading it on Saturday. One tough little game but worth persevering with. Text size could do with patching though, the high scores are almost unreadable on the Switch's screen.

The trailer looks (and sounds) fantastic.

Bland name doesn't do the polygonal violence justice. Off the top of my head, I humbly suggest - 'Panel Beaters'.

Can't agree that publishers have "no genuine concern in Nintendo's fortunes - beyond making money on their systems".

1. Nintendo systems introduce new (often young) potential customers to gaming, who may eventually gravitate to other, more 'hardcore' formats with greater potential revenues.

2. Publishers need console makers to keep making consoles and Nintendo are the last dedicated games company still doing so. It's been 15 years since a new format (Xbox) launched, and there are no guarantees for them that Microsoft, or even Sony, won't focus their activities on more profitable and less volatile parts of their businesses.

3. An argument could even be made that helping Nintendo sustain their own systems, prevents them providing stiff competition as a rival multi-format publisher.

A public service announcement too painful to watch in full. Not that it isn't fun seeing Alex mystified.

https://youtu.be/xFaODCwcIEk

Star Wars was a neat little game, zipping about Tatooine, top-down (both the perspective and the speeder).

May the license be with you Nintendo.

Like a soporific Chu Chu Rocket. In a good way.

But a Christmas backlog puts to bed any chance for Bob to fill the surreal hole left by Mr Pumpkin in my waking hours.

@imageform I see. Maybe I'll dig out my dusty old 3DS for Tower Defence, if it's still available.

Just started Dig between posts. Loving it (especially now I can steam jump). Thanks for the discount.

God Jul!

"SteamWorld Tower Defence" tripped off the tongue all too easily in the video. Whatever they're brewing up, I'm already stoked.