Ho Ho Ho, ya filthy animals! I have a packed weekend. Still chipping away at Metroid 4, I also picked up Hades 2 in the sale, and Santa brought me Kirby Air Riders and the latest Hyrule Warriors. Phew. What am I still doing here? I better get gaming!
@Mgalens Agreed. Ports would go a long way too. Capcom is very good at this with all their various collections. Darkstalkers is a good example. It hasn’t had a new game in ages, but it’s been ported so those characters are still around for modern audiences. But NiGHTS? I doubt anyone younger than a millennial has any sort of connection to those characters.
It’s wild to me how Sega will keep characters like these around despite the fact there hasn’t been a new entry in the series for well over a decade. Here’s hoping that changes, right?
Pretty sure they said it was only a temporary bundle, so not surprised it’ll end after the holiday season. I’m sure some new bundle will replace it in 2026.
I’ll be playing Metroid Prime 4. Didn’t have much of a chance to play this week, so not sure if I’ll be able to finish it this weekend or not. I’ll also be playing the Pokemon Z-A DLC.
I get the criticism, but I’m not too against the repetition myself. It adds a gameplay loop that extends my playtime. I’ve only been playing it a little bit at a time, so it doesn’t feel too repetitive to me. I’d rather that than a DLC I beat in 2 hours.
I do feel like releasing Metroid 4 so late into the holiday season was an odd move. It’s sandwiched between so many other releases. I wonder why it wasn’t more of a late summer/fall release where it could have had more time to shine. Still, a respectable debut I’d say.
@Yosher They definitely see and they don’t care. Scalping is about profit. Being the aggressive one who gets product before your competition is all that matters.
The current environment killed collecting for me. I was never a hardcore card collector, but I enjoyed buying packs from time to time of various series. A few years back, Pokemon would even have some fun card sets that came with pins and stuff, which I liked to snag. But these days, when I pass by the card section, it’s barren. And on the rare occasion when I do stumble on Pokemon cards in stock, I don’t even bother because I know I won’t be able to find them again to collect more. It’s just sad that a fun, casual thing I used to enjoy is gone
It’s an 8 for me. So far it’s a solid game, but there are enough questionable choices to keep it from being a 9 or 10. I also haven’t been blown away by anything yet.
I don’t think it’s a problem for Mario Kart games to play like Mario Kart games. There’s an expectation players have for the series and the appeal of any series is that continuity between games where they evolve yet retain some of the formula. What I think is boring is other kart racers, like say Sonic CrossWorlds, essentially copying Mario Kart’s control scheme. Almost every modern kart racer that I’ve played fundamentally controls like Mario Kart with only a few tweaks here and there. There’s pros and cons to that, of course. Break too far off the norm and you risk alienating people. Unfortunately, Kirby Air Rider’s sales in certain markets (UK for one) is seeming to reflect this risk.
@Suketoudara Reading the article makes it sound like Forgotten Land’s performance was an outlier. It was Kirby’s first number 1 in the UK and the writer says, “ It's worth noting that Kirby is typically one of Nintendo's smallest franchises in the UK.”
Old amiibo don’t give you anything? How bizarre. Hope there just a translation error and there’s at least something.
The cutscene is an odd one too. Honestly, none of these seem worth it so I definitely won’t go out of my way to get these amiibo at their current prices.
The concept of speedrunning myself stresses me out, but I respect people who are able to do it and find cool little tricks like this. Amazing that people are still finding new shortcuts all these years later.
This looks more my speed! I tried out Vampire Survivors before and just wasn’t into the gameplay. But I’m a sucker for dungeon crawling and deck building games, so I’ll definitely give this one a try.
I can see the appeal of buying old games a la carte, but personally I’m a sucker for collections like the ones Capcom puts out. Feels like more of a value to get multiple games, especially when a lot of these older ones are barebones on content by today’s standards.
I really don’t think the player count on 2 games is enough to make that statement. I don’t think it’s true either. A Roblox meme game is not a good indicator of whether or not consumers care about AI in games. 1) It’s within Roblox, a massively successful game. Would people play “steal a brainrot” if it was its own thing? Doubtful. And 2) it’s a meme. People are doing it for the “lulz.” That’s not going to be something you can recapture and people will get bored of it and move on.
The other point I want to make is that his final line about people using “emotion rather than logic” and get upset that companies use AI for some things over others has to be deliberately misunderstanding what the complaints about AI are. AI should be a tool, not a replacement for people and creativity. Using AI to assist with coding is much different from using AI to replace artists and designers. Majority of complaints about AI are not that it’s used at all, but that’s it’s used to a severe degree that it replaces the human element behind its creation.
They are instantly identifiable as Link and Zelda, which is the goal. There’s not much else to say.
In this day and age, most movies adapting IP play it “safe” with designs. Back in the day you’d get more creative interpretations of costumes (like say Green Goblin in Rami’s Spider-Man). But today, people want things to look exactly like the thing it’s adapting so, for the most part, that’s what studios do. Look at Superman this year, you had costumes ripped out of the comics for Superman, Guy, Mr. Terrific, etc. So I’m not surprised that Zelda is in her BOTW costume and Link is in a classic green one. They were never going to get too crazy with the designs (which is probably good in this case).
I finally watched clips of the new character and, uh, what were they thinking????
I genuinely thought people’s reactions were overblown. I usually don’t mind the “annoying” side characters like Navi from Zelda. But this guy? Sheesh, idk if I can listen to that for long
Comments 1,285
Re: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: How To Beat Varmis
Had to look this one up because I thought I was missing something to make it go faster, but nope. This was a bit of a slog.
Re: Arcade Archives Celebrates 500 Retro Releases With Special Commemorative Game
$7.99 for Space Invaders???? I respect what Hamster does, giving old games a second life, but that price is pretty steep for a game like that, imo.
Re: Here Are Japan's Best-Selling Switch and Switch 2 eShop Games For 2025
The top 4 were what I expected, but not necessarily in the order I expected. I thought (more like hoped) DK would be higher haha
Re: "This Just Didn't Fit Into My Gaming Lifestyle" - Hideki Kamiya Isn't Happy About Switch 2's Lack Of A D-Pad
Somehow it never occurred to me until now that there wasn’t a d-pad.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (27th December)
Ho Ho Ho, ya filthy animals! I have a packed weekend. Still chipping away at Metroid 4, I also picked up Hades 2 in the sale, and Santa brought me Kirby Air Riders and the latest Hyrule Warriors. Phew. What am I still doing here? I better get gaming!
Re: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds NiGHTS DLC Pack Launches For Free This Week
@Mgalens Agreed. Ports would go a long way too. Capcom is very good at this with all their various collections. Darkstalkers is a good example. It hasn’t had a new game in ages, but it’s been ported so those characters are still around for modern audiences. But NiGHTS? I doubt anyone younger than a millennial has any sort of connection to those characters.
Re: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds NiGHTS DLC Pack Launches For Free This Week
It’s wild to me how Sega will keep characters like these around despite the fact there hasn’t been a new entry in the series for well over a decade. Here’s hoping that changes, right?
Re: Switch 2's Mario Kart World Bundle Has Apparently Reached The End Of Its Lifecycle
Pretty sure they said it was only a temporary bundle, so not surprised it’ll end after the holiday season. I’m sure some new bundle will replace it in 2026.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (20th December)
Still working through Metroid 4 and the Pokemon Z-A dlc
Re: Fire Emblem Shadows Makes Metacritic's "Worst Games Of 2025" List
Legitimately forgot about that game. It truly was awful, though, even by mobile game standards
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (13th December)
I’ll be playing Metroid Prime 4. Didn’t have much of a chance to play this week, so not sure if I’ll be able to finish it this weekend or not. I’ll also be playing the Pokemon Z-A DLC.
Re: Kirby Air Riders Dev Team Disbanding Soon, Game Updates Also Ending
I mean, this is what people want, right? Get the whole game with one purchase. If the team feels the game is complete, that’s good enough for me.
Re: Review: Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Mega Dimension (Switch 2) - Repetition Takes The Shine Off
@Axecon versions exclusives have been a thing since Red and Blue. You’ve always had to pay more to catch em all.
Re: Review: Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Mega Dimension (Switch 2) - Repetition Takes The Shine Off
@Bats1234 agreed. I’ve been going at a slow pace so the repetitiveness doesn’t bother me. I think that’s the optimal way to play it
Re: Review: Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Mega Dimension (Switch 2) - Repetition Takes The Shine Off
I get the criticism, but I’m not too against the repetition myself. It adds a gameplay loop that extends my playtime. I’ve only been playing it a little bit at a time, so it doesn’t feel too repetitive to me. I’d rather that than a DLC I beat in 2 hours.
Re: Video: Here's Your First Look At The Street Fighter Live-Action Movie, Due Out 2026
Cody Rhodes truly is Guile lol
Re: Your Nintendo Switch 'Year In Review 2025' Won't Arrive Until Next Month
I actually like this? I want to see the full year in review, not the eleven months every other company seems to do.
Re: Japanese Charts: Sorry Samus, Octopath Is The Best-Selling New Release This Week
Metroid was even below Air Riders? Yikes. That bums me out, honestly.
Re: Feature: "It's A Bit Of A Joke At This Point" - Skyrim Dev On Returning For A Switch 2 Re-Release
It is a bit of a meme now, but I can’t fault them for getting every cent they can out of a game as iconic as Skyrim lol
Re: UK Charts: Metroid Prime 4 Debuts Behind Mario Kart World And EA Sports FC 26
I do feel like releasing Metroid 4 so late into the holiday season was an odd move. It’s sandwiched between so many other releases. I wonder why it wasn’t more of a late summer/fall release where it could have had more time to shine. Still, a respectable debut I’d say.
Re: "My Staff Have Had Customers Threatening To Rip Their Heads Off" - Retailers And Collectors Tell Of Pokémon TCG Woes
@Yosher They definitely see and they don’t care. Scalping is about profit. Being the aggressive one who gets product before your competition is all that matters.
Re: "My Staff Have Had Customers Threatening To Rip Their Heads Off" - Retailers And Collectors Tell Of Pokémon TCG Woes
The current environment killed collecting for me. I was never a hardcore card collector, but I enjoyed buying packs from time to time of various series. A few years back, Pokemon would even have some fun card sets that came with pins and stuff, which I liked to snag. But these days, when I pass by the card section, it’s barren. And on the rare occasion when I do stumble on Pokemon cards in stock, I don’t even bother because I know I won’t be able to find them again to collect more. It’s just sad that a fun, casual thing I used to enjoy is gone
Re: Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?
It’s an 8 for me. So far it’s a solid game, but there are enough questionable choices to keep it from being a 9 or 10. I also haven’t been blown away by anything yet.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (6th December)
Metroid…. If my copy ever arrives from Amazon this weekend smh
Re: Opinion: Kirby Air Riders & Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Have Me Wishing For More Control Experimentation
I don’t think it’s a problem for Mario Kart games to play like Mario Kart games. There’s an expectation players have for the series and the appeal of any series is that continuity between games where they evolve yet retain some of the formula. What I think is boring is other kart racers, like say Sonic CrossWorlds, essentially copying Mario Kart’s control scheme. Almost every modern kart racer that I’ve played fundamentally controls like Mario Kart with only a few tweaks here and there. There’s pros and cons to that, of course. Break too far off the norm and you risk alienating people. Unfortunately, Kirby Air Rider’s sales in certain markets (UK for one) is seeming to reflect this risk.
Re: Japanese Charts: Well, Look At Who's Snuck Back Into First Place
Nice to see Kirby performing well there. At least Japan loves the little pink puff ball more than the UK!
Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A DLC Is Introducing A New Type Of Mega Evolution
Lucario is never beating the industry plant allegations.
Re: Switch 2 Exclusive 'Drag x Drive' Scores Its Second Major Update, Here's What's Included
Gonna be honest, I forgot this game existed. At least Nintendo hasn’t given up on it completely yet.
Re: UK Charts: Kirby Is Nowhere To Be Seen In A Quiet Week
@Suketoudara Reading the article makes it sound like Forgotten Land’s performance was an outlier. It was Kirby’s first number 1 in the UK and the writer says, “ It's worth noting that Kirby is typically one of Nintendo's smallest franchises in the UK.”
Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Next Mystery Gift Code Event Is Now Live
One of my favorites! I’m gonna have to get him as soon as I can.
Re: UK Charts: Kirby Is Nowhere To Be Seen In A Quiet Week
Brutal. I wonder how Kirby is doing in other regions. Is it just the UK doesn’t appreciate the pink puffball?
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (29th November)
Honestly, not sure yet. I’ve been swapping between games while impatiently waiting for Metroid haha
Re: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: amiibo Unlocks Revealed
Old amiibo don’t give you anything? How bizarre. Hope there just a translation error and there’s at least something.
The cutscene is an odd one too. Honestly, none of these seem worth it so I definitely won’t go out of my way to get these amiibo at their current prices.
Re: Nintendo Expands Switch Online's NES And Game Boy Library With Four More Titles
This reminds me that we are overdue for a new Kid Icarus game. Make it happen, Nintendo!
Re: Huge Super Mario 64 Trick That Will Change Speedruns "Forever" Has Been Discovered
The concept of speedrunning myself stresses me out, but I respect people who are able to do it and find cool little tricks like this. Amazing that people are still finding new shortcuts all these years later.
Re: Nintendo Has Scheduled Maintenance For 3DS Later Today
… why do I feel like whatever they’re doing will be bad? Lol. Seems sus.
Re: UK Charts: Kirby Air Riders Narrowly Misses Out On A Top Ten Spot
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still out there pulling enough numbers to be in the 10 spot? Insane.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (22nd November)
Probably some Z-A. Still need to get that shiny charm
Re: Poll: So, Will You Be Getting The New Kirby Air Riders amiibo?
Too rich for my blood. Shame because I think the feature would be fun, but it’s way outside the reasonable price range for what it is, imo.
Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Was The Best-Selling Nintendo Game In October (US)
Same old story every time. Doesn’t matter what people online think about it, Pokemon games consistently put up big numbers. They’re review proof.
Re: Vampire Survivors Is Getting A Bonkers-Looking Dungeon Crawler Spin-Off
This looks more my speed! I tried out Vampire Survivors before and just wasn’t into the gameplay. But I’m a sucker for dungeon crawling and deck building games, so I’ll definitely give this one a try.
Re: The Next Picross Games Are Teaming Up With Capcom & SNK
Ooo that’ll be a fun one as I’ll actually recognize most of the pictures haha
Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Ranked Battle Season 3 Start Date And Rewards Revealed
Rank S again? Thank goodness. The goal is to play multiplayer as little as possible lol
Re: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade's File Size On Switch 2 Is Making Us Sweat
There’s absolutely no way they can make Part 2 on the Switch. That game is massive.
Re: Mini Review: Arcade Archives 2 TOKYO WARS (Switch 2) - Another Polished But Wafer Thin Hamster Port
I can see the appeal of buying old games a la carte, but personally I’m a sucker for collections like the ones Capcom puts out. Feels like more of a value to get multiple games, especially when a lot of these older ones are barebones on content by today’s standards.
Re: Poll: So, Will You Be Getting Kirby Air Riders?
This is the time of year where I hold off on new releases and give people an easy Christmas present for me lol
Re: "Consumers Generally Do Not Care" About AI In Games, Says Former Square Enix Exec
I really don’t think the player count on 2 games is enough to make that statement. I don’t think it’s true either. A Roblox meme game is not a good indicator of whether or not consumers care about AI in games. 1) It’s within Roblox, a massively successful game. Would people play “steal a brainrot” if it was its own thing? Doubtful. And 2) it’s a meme. People are doing it for the “lulz.” That’s not going to be something you can recapture and people will get bored of it and move on.
The other point I want to make is that his final line about people using “emotion rather than logic” and get upset that companies use AI for some things over others has to be deliberately misunderstanding what the complaints about AI are. AI should be a tool, not a replacement for people and creativity. Using AI to assist with coding is much different from using AI to replace artists and designers. Majority of complaints about AI are not that it’s used at all, but that’s it’s used to a severe degree that it replaces the human element behind its creation.
Re: Poll: What Do You Make Of Link And Zelda's Live-Action Looks?
They are instantly identifiable as Link and Zelda, which is the goal. There’s not much else to say.
In this day and age, most movies adapting IP play it “safe” with designs. Back in the day you’d get more creative interpretations of costumes (like say Green Goblin in Rami’s Spider-Man). But today, people want things to look exactly like the thing it’s adapting so, for the most part, that’s what studios do. Look at Superman this year, you had costumes ripped out of the comics for Superman, Guy, Mr. Terrific, etc. So I’m not surprised that Zelda is in her BOTW costume and Link is in a classic green one. They were never going to get too crazy with the designs (which is probably good in this case).
Re: Preview: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Is Great, But I Want To Kill One Of Its Characters
I finally watched clips of the new character and, uh, what were they thinking????
I genuinely thought people’s reactions were overblown. I usually don’t mind the “annoying” side characters like Navi from Zelda. But this guy? Sheesh, idk if I can listen to that for long
Re: Review: Blippo+ (Switch) - An Uncanny Channel-Surfing Sim That Perfectly Captures '90s TV
Fascinating concept, but I am someone who wants to “play” games, so this definitely isn’t for me. Might be worth watching on YouTube, though.