Honestly based on how evil Activision Blizzard has been I have zero issues with Microsoft cleaning house. As far as long term competition of the industry... Sony has been the king of anti-consumer and anti-competition practices since the beginning. If you don't believe me look it up. They have done a ton of questionable things since getting into gaming in the mid-90s.
Controversial opinion... They all kind of were the best. NES started most of Nintendo's top IPs, the SNES refined and delivered the best 2D iterations of those games, N64 was revolutionary and well gave us Smash, Wave Race and 1080 and the "Citizen Kane of gaming" with Ocarina of Time, GameCube was Nintendo willing to get weird, the Wii is unrecognized for the pure bangers it released, the Wii U was almost pure Nintendo first party (there is a reason most of them are on Switch) and the Switch is chef's kiss!
They all rock for their own reasons and I'd have a hard time saying one is definitively the best.
@Banjo- it would be the same issue with Series X. They're all based on the PS2 version which was hard locked at 30fps. So the only way to get a comparable experience with all the modern improvements you need to go PC with the FPS mod.
@Banjo- very impressed friend! And I did the same. But we're unfortunately my friend in the minority on that one. I'm all for legal emulation, but snarky comments on articles most the time aren't talking about that.
I am pro emulation... Just not pro piracy. And with Tales of Symphonia on GCN currently being $25-$60 if someone wants to legally emulate the game it won't brake the bank compared to Xenosaga. So if someone wants to do that, am all for it.
@123akis true! But, that still is not same as being the government actively doing those things. I'd say some is geopolitical as we need them, but we can also and should adjust on our policies to have a harder stance.
As far as the Saud government is concerned they are one of the few counters NATO nations have to Iran (they historically do not get along). So, yeah it's one of those enemy of my enemy is my friend relationships.
@Faruko the joys of not having a Twitter And while I want a Tesla... I'm not supporting Elon. Facebook I hardly give any information for and more use it to stay in contact with extended family I'm not perfect, but I try to be better where I can!
If the Saud government does get a high enough stake in Nintendo... I'm going to consider not buying their products.
@Clyde_Radcliffe yeah this isn't comparable. One, The Saud government has very low stake in Nintendo atm compared to JK who owns the Harry Potter brand and that very brand gives her a platform to not just rake in millions, but to also give her that very platform. It's similar to Orsan Scott Card where his brand is Ender's Game and those are far easier to compare and buying products of Ender's Game actively supports Card and his platform.. This while similar is not quite comparable.
@victordamazio I'm not buying Activision games till they're fully acquired by Microsoft. Similar to Hogwarts Legacy till it's on a deep discount or used. While I'd hate to do similar with Nintendo I have boycotted games in the pass. I can live without AAA video games.
@123akis hmmmm... When was the last time there was a state execution that used beheading by sword in the UK? I get the US and the UK have done terrible things (especially the UK), but when a lot of that human rights abuses is over a century ago while the other is a current practitioner... That's apples and oranges.
@Dimjimmer maybe I've touched a nerve. But, I will ask a question. When someone says "play on Dolphin" do they tend to mean A) buy a legal copy of the game, rip it and enjoy it on Dolphin. Or B) pirate the game and play it on Dolphin. In my experience it has not been the former. And even then I'm not saying people can't or shouldn't play the game on GCN if they want the 60 fps. That's fine and I honestly don't care. But, the trade off is the loss of the extra content and the amount of extra goodies the PC port does give.
I get if someone wants to play the game in 60 fps, but if there is a legal port of the game on PC I will direct people there instead of piracy and the headaches of emulation. Even if this is one of my personal favorite JRPGs and I'm not buying this port at $40.
Edit: ps I'm not arguing if someone wants to go the legal route with Dolphin. If they want to I say go for it!!! Playing games legally on an emulator can be an amazing experience!!! It was the way I played Prime till the remaster was through a rip of my Wii copy and in Dolphin. For most people it's not worth the hassle and for that I would say the FPS fix on PC is worth it for 4K Ai upscaled texture, anti aliasing, true widescreen support, the usage of any controller they want to with Steam, and the extra content added through the PS2 port. So, it is a trade off.
@Dimjimmer that's negligible for me for the most part. Tales of Symphonia's combat is not as intensive that you need 60 fps compared to the sluggish exploration and dungeon crawling which in my opinion is the bigger component of the game. But, to each their own.
PS not saying you should not buy the GCN version or even this mediocre port at $40. I'm just not pro piracy and the PC port with mods is way more substantial then the GCN version in Dolphin... And well legal.
@Telin when did I say that? I've been rather disappointed with the port myself... But you have to admit if someone is going to say "just play it on Dolphin" they don't tend to mean buy the GameCube game, rip the iso to your PC then play in Dolphin. They tend to mean pirate it. And even if I don't care if someone wants to play their games on emulators, if there is a PC port then I'm going to direct them there.
@bonjong23 or buy the game legally on Steam and apply the 60fps mod... You don't have to use Dolphin to get a better experience and not promote piracy (which is implied when people say just play it on Dolphin)
@Nanami_Ataraxi the progression mechanics it's talking about are more for advanced players. For everyone else you can just level up and upgrade your equipment like every other JRPG and get through the game on Hard without much issues.
I love Tales of Symphonia, I think even at $40 you'll have an amazing experience. But, I'd recommend for this release wait till it's $25 as it does not add that much new and that's the general going rate for the Cube version. Also, get Phantom Brave if you want a nice deep cut RPG on the cheap on Switch.
@Anti-Matter Not everyone still has their PS3 and it lacks the portability of Switch. I get the sentiment, but I know I'd rather not lug out that old beast just to play Tales of Symphonia again.
What exactly is Wave 1? Is it just a new hub world? Does it have new maps and weapons? Does it have throwback levels to Splatoon 1? I'm really confused on what this is and why I want to spend $20 on it or just wait to see if it gets added to Expansion Pass.
Give me Pokemon RBY and GSC with Pokemon Home compatibility or give me DEATH!!! All kidding aside those are on my wish list along with the ones already mentioned in the article.
@Sinton isn't that one already on the eShop? Not sure if Wayforward would want to give it away for free on the basic Switch Online plan.
@ArcticEcho Tales of Symphonia has an amazing story and really speaks on some taboo subjects that most stray away from. It really is a fantastic story with characters that feel real!!! Sure it has some clunky dialogue (this is a game that was translated in the early-00s), but it is marvelous! I look sideways at people who say the story is bad and ask how far they actually got in the game? The generic save the world plot is not what the game is actually about and even then it has shades of grey hinted throughout the first 10 hours to give you a peak behind the curtains.
I personally feel 6/10 is a little rough score on what is one of the best JRPGs ever made (the story, characters, gameplay and replay-ability should at least lift it up to a 7/10). But, I do understand the score as despite the extra content the FPS is bellow the GCN version and the visuals have been hardly touched up since the PS3 port around a decade ago.
This game (along with Phantom Brave... buy it you cowards!) was a very important step for me to branch out to other JRPG franchises that were not Final Fantasy. Shame that Bandai Namco did not give it the care and attention it deserves.
@Tober this is probably one of the first times I've been genuinely wow'ed by a comment!! A lot of this is very fair and actually made me re-examine my stance! Bravo!!! Very Bravo!!!
@WatsonWatson is it a remaster though? a remaster is something like Skyward Sword HD, a touch up and "remastering" of the original game. This has entire assets, code, particle effects completely made from scratch to recreate the original game updated for a modern era. And before someone says no a remake is like FFVII Remake or Resident Evil 2 (2019)... That's more a reimagining marketed as a remake. This is closer to Bluepoint"s Demon Souls or Shadow of the Colossus and no one calls those remasters despite being the same game.
I think my biggest Bugaboo is people have no idea the differences between the terms remaster, remake and reimagining and that's almost by design in this industry as they use all three interchangeably...
@-wc- I agree! Despite the credit that is there is perfectly okay (this is not your average remaster, and is closer to a remake similar to Bluepoint's Daemon Souls remake... who I don't think ever credited Fromsoft or Hidetaka Miyazaki in its credits... from what I can find) I don't see the issue with just having a Special Thanks at the end and listing the names of the original team. Sure the credits would be longer, but I think that is only fair.
@Tober LiamR has rubbed me the wrong way too... but I don't think this response is very fair either. In the creative industry it was very common for companies to ignore and even disregard the talent that made the game. Castlevania and Contra being two very notable examples where we have no idea who most of the dev teams were. Then there are examples like Yoko Shimomura who is best known for her work on Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy XV. For the longest time we had no idea she worked on Street Fighter 2 and other Capcom arcade classics because they made all developers go under pseudonyms... which you can imagine an industry which is seen as male dominated how the early female contributors have been largely ignored for those contributions because of those practices. I almost guarantee if we did not have Shimomura's later work with Squaresoft/Enix she'd have been a forgotten contributor and don't get me started on people like Tommy Tallarico. Just YouTube his name, he has become legendary for his lack of giving credit to other people... I'm sure his mother is very proud.
But, I also think other people deserve more credit then they get. Think for example the people at Microsoft who developed Windows 10 and 11... you have to dig through pages and pages of Linkedin pages to get a complete list of who made two of the most important operating systems currently in circulation.
I think there are two very strong extremes we need to be aware of and not fall for the bait and get emotionally attached to a topic and miss the forest for the trees in these kinds of situations.
@Martijn87 I really want to see your designs! I love that kind of thing as I have tons of artbooks from small name artists to large published works by Dark Horse. Shame you're not getting proper credit if the work is still being used... then again if this is like the automotive industry those sketch artists are the unsung heroes.
@LiamR Am I saying that I have no empathy for them? If you've read my comments you'd know this is not my preferred way for them to be credited either. But, this idea that their careers may hang on a remaster they had no involvement in does make me wonder what projects they have worked on between Prime 1 and now. Can you link me to said interviews? Please enlighten me. I want to be corrected because I like being intellectually honest on these topics and while I feel for them, but calling me a chump when I'm just giving my opinion does not speak highly of your professionalism.
EDIT: And I have also had issues with the genius game dev label as well. The idea that the monolithic guy in the chair deserves soul credit for a work. It is one of the reasons I have major problems with Hideo Kojima and the "A Hideo Kojima Games" label. I'm all for making sure the little guy gets their credit. But, you'd rather call me an unempathetic chump eh instead of actually asking me that question.
@larryisaman here's the rub... They kinda did. They got thanked as part of the "based on the work by the Metroid Prime development staff" message in the credits. They did not get credit by name, but the crediting was there. Let's not pretend that message was not there at all! If they received no thanks or recognition I'm with you that's not okay, but that's not what we're discussing. What is being discussed is if that message was enough. And the original Prime credits is very, and I mean very accessible. You can find out who worked on what in 60 seconds.
I personally think a special thanks with a list of names would had been more appropriate. But, then we would then be discussing if that is enough. But, this remaster is more a remake and then were caught in a ship of Theseus paradox. How, much of the original work is still there and does the original person deserve the same recognition if their original work is no longer present (like the infamous doors). That's the discussion we should be having not this mythical idea that the original team did not credit at all... Which is not true as the article has the very credit in it.
@LiamR I don't think it's ignorance as I think a lot of people recognize that. I think people are more wanting the people who worked on the remaster to be properly recognized for their work compared to the group who have already received fountains of praise the past 20 years due to their credits on Prime on the GCN and Wii (who still got credit for their work. Not by name, but as a thank you to the original dev team message). I also highly doubt someone who worked on the original Prime's next job will hinge on getting a credit on a remaster of their 20 year old work... If it does I'm really concerned about their choice of projects the past 20 years 🤔
Glad the Japanese Police are taking things like this seriously now. After the tragedy at Kyoto Ani (look it up, it was terrible) people like this should be arrested on the spot for even threatening such a thing.
@larryisaman I think that is a little bit of a disingenuous argument. Credit was given in the form of a based off the work of the original dev team credit. It's not like that credit list is not available as it's listed on the Wiki, Mobygames and other sources. If someone was curious who those were they can find the information within 60 seconds. It's not like they weren't credited at all.
On a personal level I think the work done on this "remaster" is substantial enough that the new team deserves top billing. But, I personally think the original team should get an extra credit at the end. But, I think the way they were credited here was very respectful.
@johnvboy my friend, I don't think the discussion of whether someone is a troll or not is worth it with some people. You can be perfectly reasonable, but if you don't share some users opinion or even argue as the devil's advocate you are a troll in their eyes. Even if you're just doing so to stay intellectually honest. I just don't think it's worth it to have the discussion as they probably already think you're a troll yourself so what you're saying is just going in one ear and out the other.
As for my personal opinion... This project is on the level of a remake rather than remaster. I think the team that worked on it deserve top billing. But, I can see how the original devs could feel they still deserve to be credited.
@RubyCarbuncle While I understand the sentiment it is apples to oranges to compare the Prime Trilogy release to Prime Remaster. One is a game completely ported to a new console with new textures, lighting engine, models, and a multitude of new control options. I'd agree if this was like Skyward Sword HD where the only real difference was some control tweaks and some spit shine on the textures. This really is a completely different beast. When discussing price we need to compare this to other full remasters on Wii U and Switch and it is cheaper than all the Zelda remasters (Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword and Link's Awakening), Xenoblade Definitive Edition, Crisis Core Reunion, Final Fantasy XII Zodiac, Shin Megami Tensei 3 and other similar remasters. This is a far fairer price.
I'm not saying it's not okay to be disappointed, but this is a rather quality remaster at a very reasonable price point.
@Ventilator I mean Trilogy was a similar price when it came out... but at the same time we have to consider that Prime Trilogy was not that much of an overhaul of either Prime 1 or 2. They implemented a new control scheme, but that is not even close to the undertaking Prime Remaster was. That is like being upset that Zelda OoT 3D did not include Majora's Mask as well in a single package as the Zelda Collection on the Cube had both. It's apples to oranges.
I have a feeling like much like how Wind Waker HD was so the Zelda team could practice on HD consoles, Prime Remaster was a testbed for the devs at Retro. I mean a lot of the original dev team has moved on and while they hired a lot of pros from other studios they needed a place for the team to cut their teeth again at a 3D Metroidvania.
@Crono1973 once again... Not really. I've maybe bought a few season passes on Switch (Xenoblade 2/3, Mario Kart 8 and Pokemon Sword and Shield), outside of that I haven't. I'm more just annoyed about how some publishers chop up the game and sell it to me piecemeal rather than just increase the price of the base game and put everything in (even if they update in more content later for free like Splatoon did). I'm fine if the price goes up for a game and all these predatory practices went the way of the dodo, but as I've said previously that's not going to happen as publishers are greedy and well so are consumers. You've more or less said that you'd rather have a substandard experience sold to you at $60 than what the developers full vision is at $100.
@Crono1973 not really. I'd gladly pay $100 if it meant the game was stable, it does not have season passes/battle passes, lootboxes and other nonsensical practices. I've said this in other comments that we're paying the same price for a game when development costs were maxed at $6 million USD now it is over $80 million... Yet prices have stayed the same. Now, I'm not going to be overly thrilled if the standard price of a game was $100, but if devs were more honest with the cost of their game and not chop it up in a bs pricing scheme (Ubisoft, EA, Activision, Square Enix I'm looking at you four) then I 'd probably be less annoyed with AAA games than I have been the last 5 years.
While I have zero plans to buy a PS5 (the last hold out for me getting a new PlayStation was God of War, but with their games coming to PC I have less incentive), but glad it's in stock for those who want one. I think if I do get a next gen console it be a Series S with Gamepass so I can play 360, Xbone games that never made it to PC or Switch.
@WiltonRoots I'm not one to argue I want to pay more for a game.. but this really is not the hill to die on. If you don't want to buy it at $70 wait till the price drops, a sale or get it second hand later. Buying games at launch is a luxury expense. That and the people saying "well inflation does not matter blah, blah" people bring it up because games in the 90s costed more not just because of inflation, but because they just were more expensive.
So, either way it really does not matter and I doubt this will harm Zelda's sales.
@ChakraStomps I'm all for season passes if the content is genuinely good and the base game is already exceptional. I'm talking Xenoblade 2 (Torna was like an entire extra game), Smash Ultimate, Mario Kart 8 Delux... but for the most part Season Passes are just filler with no killer which will get bundled in later with a "Game of the Year" Edition anyways... if we are specifically talking Battle Passes like found in Fortnight and other "live services"... yes... I want that practice gone next to the Online Pass in the forgotten graveyard of death. Why is it Splatoon 2&3 keep rolling out free updates years after release with quality content, yet Epic and Blizzard nickel and dime the consumer with those nonsense passes.
"The elephant in the room, to me, seems to be the industry is highly profitable, even without price increases. This is true on any platform though."
This is something I very much agree with! The gaming industry is highly profitable. While logically we can discuss inflation and development cost as legitimate reasons to increase the cost to $70 (I even wrote an entire post detailing how we are on average paying less for a game now than back in 2006 by an average of $20. Post #155). But, the game industry itself is caught in an ouroboros. We demand higher and higher graphical fidelity which cranks the cost of development where publishers then charge outrages prices for DLC, micro-transactions and freemium experiences and are rewarded for it... then gamers complain and the cycle continues because they buy it in droves anyways.
The reason a lot of these practices exist is due to THQ (not THQ Nordic the original THQ) which to compete with Activision, EA, Ubisoft and others cranked out AAA experiences at ballooned development costs and to recapture that cost implemented season passes, microtransactions and "online passes" (thank Mario that practice is dead and in the trash). Yet despite those practices still went under due to the weight of their own dept. Yet, completely viable companies latched onto those practices and milked them for all their worth. Some for legitimate reasons and others just out of pure greed.
If developers back in 2006-2014 were just honest and increased the price of games to help offset the cost we'd probably have less of these practices. But, even then this is why even increasing the cost now will not offset those practices because it is too little too late. Even at $70USD developers are still making less on each game sold then they would had back during the 360/PS3-era. So, even then it won't make much of a difference outside to just offset maybe the production cost of the physical game rather than development.
So, yeah... I agree. The elephant in this room is still very much so there despite the very logical and reasonable reasons a game now-a-days should be $70... yet even then I'd argue a new AAA game should be $90 and should come with the season pass as free updates. But, now I just sound crazy and I'd rather not give EA and Ubisoft ideas.
@Rascal0302 I've sure I've gotten a fair amount of people calling me a Nintendo-shill over the years... but is a take where I will put my foot down and just call bad.
Hardware power does equate the quality of a product. If that was the case Ryse: Son of Rome and The Order 1886 would be classified as gaming classics... which they're not. Rather they're remembered as vapid and boring experiences despite still being gorgeously realistic looking games that still marvel today visually.
The thing is we know barely anything about TotK and it could be double the size of BotW and fix all the legitimate issues that game had (the progression and dungeon issues). If it does that then I'm sure even naysayers will pay $70 (which is unconfirmed). But, the crux of the issue I have with this comment is price of a game should never be pinned to how good a game looks as you will miss out on some amazing games for the sake of some bland and dull "AAA 4K" experience...
@johnvboy I know and if you dare having a difference of opinion "you're a troll." But, as I did state in my post there are people who do have legitimate grievances if the price is real and they're already struggling. But, I mean just like how going to the cinema is luxury so is gaming. They should get their house in order first before looking at buying a game at launch.
@nocdaes I think for a lot of people it is more an emotional argument. The classic "how dare the man make this thing I enjoy more expensive! It has been this price for a long time, it should be this way always!" The man yells at tree argument I like to call it. But, @SonOfDracula does have a point. In some major cities like LA, New York, London even small cities like Toronto cost of living has been nasty for people trying to make ends meat for a decade now ($2000-3000 a months rent in New York City is not uncommon). But, then again cost of living has not gone that far up in more suburban areas and rural areas. It has hit the urban folk quite hard! The obvious answer would be to move out of those areas, but that is easier said than done for most folks.
So, while we can look at this logically and go $10 is not that much of a leap and in the grand scheme of things it's not. But, I can see for those already struggling to remain in the hobby this extra step can be what pushes people out if they already are in some of these areas.
But, for everyone else who is just mad for the sake of being mad to maintain the status-quo... those are the ones that could use the ice cold bucket of water that is gaming is at the cheapest it has ever been on a consumer level.
@Rykdrew I think that is fair. For me it is more time commitment. Can I justify spending $60/$70 when I need to also maintain family commitments, my job, and my other hobbies. I find as I've gotten older I just can't justify that the same way I could in my 20s where staying up till 4am to eek out that final dungeon was justifiable with my low life commitments.
I find Zelda, Pokemon and others more like comfort food. They bring me back to a time where things were simpler and my life was not as hectic. But, I can also see it the other way with people who want to unwind with new experiences. It's all good.
But, man $20 for Elden Ring that is a steel and I'm impressed by your thrifting skills on that one.
@Rykdrew kinda jealous to be honest! I'm all for supporting devs, but when someone is practically giving away an awesome game for $20 bones I'm biting down on that deal!
I mean I'm all for paying $70 for a game, but a deal is a deal.
@Divide_and_Wander I was just a touch too young to remember buying games in the 1990s (I do remember them being rather expensive). I inherited a large collection of Nintendo Power magazines and I remember flipping through older issues gawking at the cost of some of these games... gaming in the 1990s was not cheap when you consider the buying power of $60 back then and the general lower minimum wage (anywhere between $3.80 to $5.15 USD) so I tip my hat to you kids who slaved away to afford those games back then.
@Audiogore0733 It could just had been a glitch as Nintendo has not confirmed the $70 price point. But, based on how inflation and cost of development has gone up the past 30 years... games should had gone from $60USD to $70USD over a decade ago. The fact game prices have stayed the same for this long (and actually gone down from where they were on the, SNES and N64 where a game being $70 was rather normal) is bonkers. I mean a new copy of Shaq Fu was $64.99 at launch in 1990s money... Shaq Fu? I feel bad for 90s kids.
Comments 2,307
Re: Microsoft's Commitment To Bring Call Of Duty To Nintendo Is Now Legally Binding
Honestly based on how evil Activision Blizzard has been I have zero issues with Microsoft cleaning house. As far as long term competition of the industry... Sony has been the king of anti-consumer and anti-competition practices since the beginning. If you don't believe me look it up. They have done a ton of questionable things since getting into gaming in the mid-90s.
Re: Talking Point: Which Nintendo Console Has The Best First-Party Games Lineup?
Controversial opinion... They all kind of were the best. NES started most of Nintendo's top IPs, the SNES refined and delivered the best 2D iterations of those games, N64 was revolutionary and well gave us Smash, Wave Race and 1080 and the "Citizen Kane of gaming" with Ocarina of Time, GameCube was Nintendo willing to get weird, the Wii is unrecognized for the pure bangers it released, the Wii U was almost pure Nintendo first party (there is a reason most of them are on Switch) and the Switch is chef's kiss!
They all rock for their own reasons and I'd have a hard time saying one is definitively the best.
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
@Banjo- it would be the same issue with Series X. They're all based on the PS2 version which was hard locked at 30fps. So the only way to get a comparable experience with all the modern improvements you need to go PC with the FPS mod.
Re: You'll Have One Year To Transfer Funds Once 3DS & Wii U eShops Close, Says Nintendo
As someone who has already linked my Nintendo ID with my Nintendo Online account this is a non issue. But, for those who haven't... Get on that.
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
@Banjo- very impressed friend! And I did the same. But we're unfortunately my friend in the minority on that one. I'm all for legal emulation, but snarky comments on articles most the time aren't talking about that.
I am pro emulation... Just not pro piracy. And with Tales of Symphonia on GCN currently being $25-$60 if someone wants to legally emulate the game it won't brake the bank compared to Xenosaga. So if someone wants to do that, am all for it.
Re: Saudi Arabia's PIF Raises Stake In Nintendo For The Second Time This Year
@123akis true! But, that still is not same as being the government actively doing those things. I'd say some is geopolitical as we need them, but we can also and should adjust on our policies to have a harder stance.
As far as the Saud government is concerned they are one of the few counters NATO nations have to Iran (they historically do not get along). So, yeah it's one of those enemy of my enemy is my friend relationships.
Re: Saudi Arabia's PIF Raises Stake In Nintendo For The Second Time This Year
@Faruko the joys of not having a Twitter And while I want a Tesla... I'm not supporting Elon. Facebook I hardly give any information for and more use it to stay in contact with extended family I'm not perfect, but I try to be better where I can!
If the Saud government does get a high enough stake in Nintendo... I'm going to consider not buying their products.
Re: Saudi Arabia's PIF Raises Stake In Nintendo For The Second Time This Year
@Clyde_Radcliffe yeah this isn't comparable. One, The Saud government has very low stake in Nintendo atm compared to JK who owns the Harry Potter brand and that very brand gives her a platform to not just rake in millions, but to also give her that very platform. It's similar to Orsan Scott Card where his brand is Ender's Game and those are far easier to compare and buying products of Ender's Game actively supports Card and his platform.. This while similar is not quite comparable.
Re: Saudi Arabia's PIF Raises Stake In Nintendo For The Second Time This Year
@victordamazio I'm not buying Activision games till they're fully acquired by Microsoft. Similar to Hogwarts Legacy till it's on a deep discount or used. While I'd hate to do similar with Nintendo I have boycotted games in the pass. I can live without AAA video games.
Re: Saudi Arabia's PIF Raises Stake In Nintendo For The Second Time This Year
@123akis hmmmm... When was the last time there was a state execution that used beheading by sword in the UK? I get the US and the UK have done terrible things (especially the UK), but when a lot of that human rights abuses is over a century ago while the other is a current practitioner... That's apples and oranges.
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
@Dimjimmer maybe I've touched a nerve. But, I will ask a question. When someone says "play on Dolphin" do they tend to mean A) buy a legal copy of the game, rip it and enjoy it on Dolphin. Or B) pirate the game and play it on Dolphin. In my experience it has not been the former. And even then I'm not saying people can't or shouldn't play the game on GCN if they want the 60 fps. That's fine and I honestly don't care. But, the trade off is the loss of the extra content and the amount of extra goodies the PC port does give.
I get if someone wants to play the game in 60 fps, but if there is a legal port of the game on PC I will direct people there instead of piracy and the headaches of emulation. Even if this is one of my personal favorite JRPGs and I'm not buying this port at $40.
Edit: ps I'm not arguing if someone wants to go the legal route with Dolphin. If they want to I say go for it!!! Playing games legally on an emulator can be an amazing experience!!! It was the way I played Prime till the remaster was through a rip of my Wii copy and in Dolphin. For most people it's not worth the hassle and for that I would say the FPS fix on PC is worth it for 4K Ai upscaled texture, anti aliasing, true widescreen support, the usage of any controller they want to with Steam, and the extra content added through the PS2 port. So, it is a trade off.
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
@Dimjimmer that's negligible for me for the most part. Tales of Symphonia's combat is not as intensive that you need 60 fps compared to the sluggish exploration and dungeon crawling which in my opinion is the bigger component of the game. But, to each their own.
PS not saying you should not buy the GCN version or even this mediocre port at $40. I'm just not pro piracy and the PC port with mods is way more substantial then the GCN version in Dolphin... And well legal.
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
@Telin when did I say that? I've been rather disappointed with the port myself... But you have to admit if someone is going to say "just play it on Dolphin" they don't tend to mean buy the GameCube game, rip the iso to your PC then play in Dolphin. They tend to mean pirate it. And even if I don't care if someone wants to play their games on emulators, if there is a PC port then I'm going to direct them there.
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
@bonjong23 or buy the game legally on Steam and apply the 60fps mod... You don't have to use Dolphin to get a better experience and not promote piracy (which is implied when people say just play it on Dolphin)
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
@Nanami_Ataraxi the progression mechanics it's talking about are more for advanced players. For everyone else you can just level up and upgrade your equipment like every other JRPG and get through the game on Hard without much issues.
I love Tales of Symphonia, I think even at $40 you'll have an amazing experience. But, I'd recommend for this release wait till it's $25 as it does not add that much new and that's the general going rate for the Cube version. Also, get Phantom Brave if you want a nice deep cut RPG on the cheap on Switch.
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
@Anti-Matter Not everyone still has their PS3 and it lacks the portability of Switch. I get the sentiment, but I know I'd rather not lug out that old beast just to play Tales of Symphonia again.
Re: Splatoon 3 Reveals Expansion Pass Wave 1 Launches Later This Month
What exactly is Wave 1? Is it just a new hub world? Does it have new maps and weapons? Does it have throwback levels to Splatoon 1? I'm really confused on what this is and why I want to spend $20 on it or just wait to see if it gets added to Expansion Pass.
Re: Feature: 19 Game Boy Games We'd Love To See On Nintendo Switch Online
Give me Pokemon RBY and GSC with Pokemon Home compatibility or give me DEATH!!! All kidding aside those are on my wish list along with the ones already mentioned in the article.
@Sinton isn't that one already on the eShop? Not sure if Wayforward would want to give it away for free on the basic Switch Online plan.
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
@ArcticEcho Tales of Symphonia has an amazing story and really speaks on some taboo subjects that most stray away from. It really is a fantastic story with characters that feel real!!! Sure it has some clunky dialogue (this is a game that was translated in the early-00s), but it is marvelous! I look sideways at people who say the story is bad and ask how far they actually got in the game? The generic save the world plot is not what the game is actually about and even then it has shades of grey hinted throughout the first 10 hours to give you a peak behind the curtains.
Re: Review: Tales of Symphonia Remastered - A GameCube Classic That Shows Its Age On Switch
I personally feel 6/10 is a little rough score on what is one of the best JRPGs ever made (the story, characters, gameplay and replay-ability should at least lift it up to a 7/10). But, I do understand the score as despite the extra content the FPS is bellow the GCN version and the visuals have been hardly touched up since the PS3 port around a decade ago.
This game (along with Phantom Brave... buy it you cowards!) was a very important step for me to branch out to other JRPG franchises that were not Final Fantasy. Shame that Bandai Namco did not give it the care and attention it deserves.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@Tober this is probably one of the first times I've been genuinely wow'ed by a comment!! A lot of this is very fair and actually made me re-examine my stance! Bravo!!! Very Bravo!!!
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@WatsonWatson is it a remaster though? a remaster is something like Skyward Sword HD, a touch up and "remastering" of the original game. This has entire assets, code, particle effects completely made from scratch to recreate the original game updated for a modern era. And before someone says no a remake is like FFVII Remake or Resident Evil 2 (2019)... That's more a reimagining marketed as a remake. This is closer to Bluepoint"s Demon Souls or Shadow of the Colossus and no one calls those remasters despite being the same game.
I think my biggest Bugaboo is people have no idea the differences between the terms remaster, remake and reimagining and that's almost by design in this industry as they use all three interchangeably...
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@-wc- I agree! Despite the credit that is there is perfectly okay (this is not your average remaster, and is closer to a remake similar to Bluepoint's Daemon Souls remake... who I don't think ever credited Fromsoft or Hidetaka Miyazaki in its credits... from what I can find) I don't see the issue with just having a Special Thanks at the end and listing the names of the original team. Sure the credits would be longer, but I think that is only fair.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@johnvboy No issues friend! Always a pleasant interaction even if we don't agree.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@Tober LiamR has rubbed me the wrong way too... but I don't think this response is very fair either. In the creative industry it was very common for companies to ignore and even disregard the talent that made the game. Castlevania and Contra being two very notable examples where we have no idea who most of the dev teams were. Then there are examples like Yoko Shimomura who is best known for her work on Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy XV. For the longest time we had no idea she worked on Street Fighter 2 and other Capcom arcade classics because they made all developers go under pseudonyms... which you can imagine an industry which is seen as male dominated how the early female contributors have been largely ignored for those contributions because of those practices. I almost guarantee if we did not have Shimomura's later work with Squaresoft/Enix she'd have been a forgotten contributor and don't get me started on people like Tommy Tallarico. Just YouTube his name, he has become legendary for his lack of giving credit to other people... I'm sure his mother is very proud.
But, I also think other people deserve more credit then they get. Think for example the people at Microsoft who developed Windows 10 and 11... you have to dig through pages and pages of Linkedin pages to get a complete list of who made two of the most important operating systems currently in circulation.
I think there are two very strong extremes we need to be aware of and not fall for the bait and get emotionally attached to a topic and miss the forest for the trees in these kinds of situations.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@Martijn87 I really want to see your designs! I love that kind of thing as I have tons of artbooks from small name artists to large published works by Dark Horse. Shame you're not getting proper credit if the work is still being used... then again if this is like the automotive industry those sketch artists are the unsung heroes.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@Serpenterror I concur. Playing any game in stretch really screws up the game and makes it look ugly in a lot of cases.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@LiamR Am I saying that I have no empathy for them? If you've read my comments you'd know this is not my preferred way for them to be credited either. But, this idea that their careers may hang on a remaster they had no involvement in does make me wonder what projects they have worked on between Prime 1 and now. Can you link me to said interviews? Please enlighten me. I want to be corrected because I like being intellectually honest on these topics and while I feel for them, but calling me a chump when I'm just giving my opinion does not speak highly of your professionalism.
EDIT: And I have also had issues with the genius game dev label as well. The idea that the monolithic guy in the chair deserves soul credit for a work. It is one of the reasons I have major problems with Hideo Kojima and the "A Hideo Kojima Games" label. I'm all for making sure the little guy gets their credit. But, you'd rather call me an unempathetic chump eh instead of actually asking me that question.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@larryisaman here's the rub... They kinda did. They got thanked as part of the "based on the work by the Metroid Prime development staff" message in the credits. They did not get credit by name, but the crediting was there. Let's not pretend that message was not there at all! If they received no thanks or recognition I'm with you that's not okay, but that's not what we're discussing. What is being discussed is if that message was enough. And the original Prime credits is very, and I mean very accessible. You can find out who worked on what in 60 seconds.
I personally think a special thanks with a list of names would had been more appropriate. But, then we would then be discussing if that is enough. But, this remaster is more a remake and then were caught in a ship of Theseus paradox. How, much of the original work is still there and does the original person deserve the same recognition if their original work is no longer present (like the infamous doors). That's the discussion we should be having not this mythical idea that the original team did not credit at all... Which is not true as the article has the very credit in it.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@LiamR I don't think it's ignorance as I think a lot of people recognize that. I think people are more wanting the people who worked on the remaster to be properly recognized for their work compared to the group who have already received fountains of praise the past 20 years due to their credits on Prime on the GCN and Wii (who still got credit for their work. Not by name, but as a thank you to the original dev team message). I also highly doubt someone who worked on the original Prime's next job will hinge on getting a credit on a remaster of their 20 year old work... If it does I'm really concerned about their choice of projects the past 20 years 🤔
Re: Arrest Made In Japan After Nintendo Executive Receives Death Threats
Glad the Japanese Police are taking things like this seriously now. After the tragedy at Kyoto Ani (look it up, it was terrible) people like this should be arrested on the spot for even threatening such a thing.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@larryisaman I think that is a little bit of a disingenuous argument. Credit was given in the form of a based off the work of the original dev team credit. It's not like that credit list is not available as it's listed on the Wiki, Mobygames and other sources. If someone was curious who those were they can find the information within 60 seconds. It's not like they weren't credited at all.
On a personal level I think the work done on this "remaster" is substantial enough that the new team deserves top billing. But, I personally think the original team should get an extra credit at the end. But, I think the way they were credited here was very respectful.
Re: Metroid Prime Engineer "Let Down" By Exclusion Of Original Credits In Remaster
@johnvboy my friend, I don't think the discussion of whether someone is a troll or not is worth it with some people. You can be perfectly reasonable, but if you don't share some users opinion or even argue as the devil's advocate you are a troll in their eyes. Even if you're just doing so to stay intellectually honest. I just don't think it's worth it to have the discussion as they probably already think you're a troll yourself so what you're saying is just going in one ear and out the other.
As for my personal opinion... This project is on the level of a remake rather than remaster. I think the team that worked on it deserve top billing. But, I can see how the original devs could feel they still deserve to be credited.
Re: Nintendo Infographic Showcases Every Game Featured In The February Direct 2023
@Kirbysonic I know Shulk gets a lot of love, but I connected a lot with Rex!!! Cannot wait to see Chad King Rex!
Re: Retro Studios Wasn't The Only Dev Working On Metroid Prime Remastered
@RubyCarbuncle While I understand the sentiment it is apples to oranges to compare the Prime Trilogy release to Prime Remaster. One is a game completely ported to a new console with new textures, lighting engine, models, and a multitude of new control options. I'd agree if this was like Skyward Sword HD where the only real difference was some control tweaks and some spit shine on the textures. This really is a completely different beast. When discussing price we need to compare this to other full remasters on Wii U and Switch and it is cheaper than all the Zelda remasters (Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword and Link's Awakening), Xenoblade Definitive Edition, Crisis Core Reunion, Final Fantasy XII Zodiac, Shin Megami Tensei 3 and other similar remasters. This is a far fairer price.
I'm not saying it's not okay to be disappointed, but this is a rather quality remaster at a very reasonable price point.
Re: Retro Studios Wasn't The Only Dev Working On Metroid Prime Remastered
@Ventilator I mean Trilogy was a similar price when it came out... but at the same time we have to consider that Prime Trilogy was not that much of an overhaul of either Prime 1 or 2. They implemented a new control scheme, but that is not even close to the undertaking Prime Remaster was. That is like being upset that Zelda OoT 3D did not include Majora's Mask as well in a single package as the Zelda Collection on the Cube had both. It's apples to oranges.
Re: Retro Studios Wasn't The Only Dev Working On Metroid Prime Remastered
I have a feeling like much like how Wind Waker HD was so the Zelda team could practice on HD consoles, Prime Remaster was a testbed for the devs at Retro. I mean a lot of the original dev team has moved on and while they hired a lot of pros from other studios they needed a place for the team to cut their teeth again at a 3D Metroidvania.
Re: Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Temporarily Listed On Nintendo Website For $70 USD
@Crono1973 once again... Not really. I've maybe bought a few season passes on Switch (Xenoblade 2/3, Mario Kart 8 and Pokemon Sword and Shield), outside of that I haven't. I'm more just annoyed about how some publishers chop up the game and sell it to me piecemeal rather than just increase the price of the base game and put everything in (even if they update in more content later for free like Splatoon did). I'm fine if the price goes up for a game and all these predatory practices went the way of the dodo, but as I've said previously that's not going to happen as publishers are greedy and well so are consumers. You've more or less said that you'd rather have a substandard experience sold to you at $60 than what the developers full vision is at $100.
Re: Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Temporarily Listed On Nintendo Website For $70 USD
@Crono1973 not really. I'd gladly pay $100 if it meant the game was stable, it does not have season passes/battle passes, lootboxes and other nonsensical practices. I've said this in other comments that we're paying the same price for a game when development costs were maxed at $6 million USD now it is over $80 million... Yet prices have stayed the same. Now, I'm not going to be overly thrilled if the standard price of a game was $100, but if devs were more honest with the cost of their game and not chop it up in a bs pricing scheme (Ubisoft, EA, Activision, Square Enix I'm looking at you four) then I 'd probably be less annoyed with AAA games than I have been the last 5 years.
Re: Japanese Charts: PlayStation 5 Soars In Sales And Once Again Beats Switch
While I have zero plans to buy a PS5 (the last hold out for me getting a new PlayStation was God of War, but with their games coming to PC I have less incentive), but glad it's in stock for those who want one. I think if I do get a next gen console it be a Series S with Gamepass so I can play 360, Xbone games that never made it to PC or Switch.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@WiltonRoots I'm not one to argue I want to pay more for a game.. but this really is not the hill to die on. If you don't want to buy it at $70 wait till the price drops, a sale or get it second hand later. Buying games at launch is a luxury expense. That and the people saying "well inflation does not matter blah, blah" people bring it up because games in the 90s costed more not just because of inflation, but because they just were more expensive.
So, either way it really does not matter and I doubt this will harm Zelda's sales.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@ChakraStomps I'm all for season passes if the content is genuinely good and the base game is already exceptional. I'm talking Xenoblade 2 (Torna was like an entire extra game), Smash Ultimate, Mario Kart 8 Delux... but for the most part Season Passes are just filler with no killer which will get bundled in later with a "Game of the Year" Edition anyways... if we are specifically talking Battle Passes like found in Fortnight and other "live services"... yes... I want that practice gone next to the Online Pass in the forgotten graveyard of death. Why is it Splatoon 2&3 keep rolling out free updates years after release with quality content, yet Epic and Blizzard nickel and dime the consumer with those nonsense passes.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@Kirgo This right here:
"The elephant in the room, to me, seems to be the industry is highly profitable, even without price increases. This is true on any platform though."
This is something I very much agree with! The gaming industry is highly profitable. While logically we can discuss inflation and development cost as legitimate reasons to increase the cost to $70 (I even wrote an entire post detailing how we are on average paying less for a game now than back in 2006 by an average of $20. Post #155). But, the game industry itself is caught in an ouroboros. We demand higher and higher graphical fidelity which cranks the cost of development where publishers then charge outrages prices for DLC, micro-transactions and freemium experiences and are rewarded for it... then gamers complain and the cycle continues because they buy it in droves anyways.
The reason a lot of these practices exist is due to THQ (not THQ Nordic the original THQ) which to compete with Activision, EA, Ubisoft and others cranked out AAA experiences at ballooned development costs and to recapture that cost implemented season passes, microtransactions and "online passes" (thank Mario that practice is dead and in the trash). Yet despite those practices still went under due to the weight of their own dept. Yet, completely viable companies latched onto those practices and milked them for all their worth. Some for legitimate reasons and others just out of pure greed.
If developers back in 2006-2014 were just honest and increased the price of games to help offset the cost we'd probably have less of these practices. But, even then this is why even increasing the cost now will not offset those practices because it is too little too late. Even at $70USD developers are still making less on each game sold then they would had back during the 360/PS3-era. So, even then it won't make much of a difference outside to just offset maybe the production cost of the physical game rather than development.
So, yeah... I agree. The elephant in this room is still very much so there despite the very logical and reasonable reasons a game now-a-days should be $70... yet even then I'd argue a new AAA game should be $90 and should come with the season pass as free updates. But, now I just sound crazy and I'd rather not give EA and Ubisoft ideas.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@Rascal0302 I've sure I've gotten a fair amount of people calling me a Nintendo-shill over the years... but is a take where I will put my foot down and just call bad.
Hardware power does equate the quality of a product. If that was the case Ryse: Son of Rome and The Order 1886 would be classified as gaming classics... which they're not. Rather they're remembered as vapid and boring experiences despite still being gorgeously realistic looking games that still marvel today visually.
The thing is we know barely anything about TotK and it could be double the size of BotW and fix all the legitimate issues that game had (the progression and dungeon issues). If it does that then I'm sure even naysayers will pay $70 (which is unconfirmed). But, the crux of the issue I have with this comment is price of a game should never be pinned to how good a game looks as you will miss out on some amazing games for the sake of some bland and dull "AAA 4K" experience...
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@johnvboy I know and if you dare having a difference of opinion "you're a troll." But, as I did state in my post there are people who do have legitimate grievances if the price is real and they're already struggling. But, I mean just like how going to the cinema is luxury so is gaming. They should get their house in order first before looking at buying a game at launch.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@nocdaes I think for a lot of people it is more an emotional argument. The classic "how dare the man make this thing I enjoy more expensive! It has been this price for a long time, it should be this way always!" The man yells at tree argument I like to call it. But, @SonOfDracula does have a point. In some major cities like LA, New York, London even small cities like Toronto cost of living has been nasty for people trying to make ends meat for a decade now ($2000-3000 a months rent in New York City is not uncommon). But, then again cost of living has not gone that far up in more suburban areas and rural areas. It has hit the urban folk quite hard! The obvious answer would be to move out of those areas, but that is easier said than done for most folks.
So, while we can look at this logically and go $10 is not that much of a leap and in the grand scheme of things it's not. But, I can see for those already struggling to remain in the hobby this extra step can be what pushes people out if they already are in some of these areas.
But, for everyone else who is just mad for the sake of being mad to maintain the status-quo... those are the ones that could use the ice cold bucket of water that is gaming is at the cheapest it has ever been on a consumer level.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@Rykdrew I think that is fair. For me it is more time commitment. Can I justify spending $60/$70 when I need to also maintain family commitments, my job, and my other hobbies. I find as I've gotten older I just can't justify that the same way I could in my 20s where staying up till 4am to eek out that final dungeon was justifiable with my low life commitments.
I find Zelda, Pokemon and others more like comfort food. They bring me back to a time where things were simpler and my life was not as hectic. But, I can also see it the other way with people who want to unwind with new experiences. It's all good.
But, man $20 for Elden Ring that is a steel and I'm impressed by your thrifting skills on that one.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@Rykdrew kinda jealous to be honest! I'm all for supporting devs, but when someone is practically giving away an awesome game for $20 bones I'm biting down on that deal!
I mean I'm all for paying $70 for a game, but a deal is a deal.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@Divide_and_Wander I was just a touch too young to remember buying games in the 1990s (I do remember them being rather expensive). I inherited a large collection of Nintendo Power magazines and I remember flipping through older issues gawking at the cost of some of these games... gaming in the 1990s was not cheap when you consider the buying power of $60 back then and the general lower minimum wage (anywhere between $3.80 to $5.15 USD) so I tip my hat to you kids who slaved away to afford those games back then.
Re: Poll: Would You Pay $70 For The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?
@Audiogore0733 It could just had been a glitch as Nintendo has not confirmed the $70 price point. But, based on how inflation and cost of development has gone up the past 30 years... games should had gone from $60USD to $70USD over a decade ago. The fact game prices have stayed the same for this long (and actually gone down from where they were on the, SNES and N64 where a game being $70 was rather normal) is bonkers. I mean a new copy of Shaq Fu was $64.99 at launch in 1990s money... Shaq Fu? I feel bad for 90s kids.
Source: https://i.redd.it/k5n5p1pbkmn01.png