Comments 884

Re: Talking Point: How Are You Finding Mario Kart's Open World?

Zaruboggan

My brother and I have been having a good time driving around one map at a time, tracking down the ? blocks and peach medallions and big ol' piles of coins.
It's fun trying to figure out how to get to some of those medallions, and then sharing the route with others, and watching them make something I struggled with look super easy.
I expect we'll do a decent amount of this. Maybe not every inch of the open World, but enough.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (7th June)

Zaruboggan

I still have to wait for my Switch 2, but I'll be playing Mario Kart World on my brother's. He also picked up Rune Factory (Hooray for physical!) and Welcome Tour, and I'll probably buy Fast Fusion for my account on his console. Unless the new way game sharing works makes that a bad idea...?

Outside of Switch 2, we're playing Monster Hunter Generations U and Eldin Ring Nightreign. And I may still get a chance to continue Xenoblade Chronicles X.*

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (31st May)

Zaruboggan

Gonna be getting together with some non-gaming friends for a pot luck today, which means I won't get to play as much Eldin Ring: Nightreign as maybe I'd like. We did a few runs yesterday. Still haven't beaten the third day, but we're getting our feet under us on the exploration parts, so I expect it's just a matter of time.
We're scheduled to begin playing some weekly Monster Hunter Generations on Switch with our cousin, which should be fun. I dropped off MHG on 3DS pretty fast, since I think I was still burned out from playing so much of 4U. We'll see if I'm not too burned out on MHWilds this time.
We finished doing Halfpipe with every racer on F-Zero X, as well as our Mario Kart marathon. It remains to be seen what we'll get up to next.
(Also, more Xenoblade Chronicles X and Fashion Dreamers, and, if I can figure out how to beat B-Rank decks, Shadowverse Champion's Battle)

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (24th May)

Zaruboggan

Xenoblade Chronicles X! Just cleaning out some side quests and taking my time. I beat the Wii U version over several years, and I expect the same will be true of this one.

Last weekend, my brother and I "traded" games--he had to play one of mine and I had to play one of his. I picked him the nice, neat, and tidy package of Mario 3D Land on 3DS. He picked me the significantly longer (but still compelling) Shadowverse Champion's Battle, so I'll still be working my way through that. I'm already about 7-8 hours in and having fun. It's in the same genre of games as the GBA Yu-Gi-Oh titles: JRPG/TCG. Largely under-represented and very fun. Really, the only way I can stomach TCG battles.

We'll also be continuing our Mario Kart marathon, this weekend with Mario Kart 7. Looking forward to it.

And I'll probably pop in Fashion Dreamers again.

Edit: Forgot to mention that we're also still doing F-Zero X's Half Pipe with every car.

Re: Feature: The Long & Rainbow Road To 'Mario Kart World' - Part 2

Zaruboggan

Absolutely loved Double Dash and Mario Kart DS. I just popped into Double Dash this last week with my brother in our through-the-ages marathon of the series, and I totally forgot that the co-op is two players on one kart! One player drives, and the other fires items and does the stick wiggle for drift. Wild. On long drives across country, my brothers and I had the Gamecube set up with the Gamecube mini screen attachment and just played the whole way, beating all the cups together and having a ball. Back when the NPCs had some fight inthem!

Mario Kart DS is another absolute favorite of mine. All four of us kids had our own DS and copy, and on one vacation, we played over and over and over again... Good memories.

I didn't particularly care for Mario Kart Wii, and I didn't play long enough to tell you why. Was Brawl already out? I feel like Brawl was already out.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (17th May)

Zaruboggan

I wrapped up Avowed last weekend, so at last there'll be some variety from me!
I didn't beat Xenoblade Chronicles X, though, so more of that. I still don't want to get my skell. I'll clean out some green quests, some affinity quests, maybe explore the northern continents as much as I can on foot. The skell just changes the exploration so much. Also my phone keeps autocorrecting skell to smell so if one sneaks through you'll know what happened...

Otherwise...? Played some Eldin Ring and Windblown with friends/family last night. I might hop into my Pokemon Sun file I abandoned years ago, or I might pop in a DS game, or, I dunno, maybe I'll drop some money on GamePass and start Doom.
Kind of in waiting mode until the Switch 2. Oh, and we'll probably do a few Mario Kart DS races as we work our way through the series.

Re: The Hundred Line Director Has Already Announced A Brand New Game

Zaruboggan

I expect there are a lot of possible reasons for this that still track with what we've been told (which may or may not be optimistic to believe).
-They're desperate for more investment money
-They've been working on this in tandem (seems most likely to me, based on supposed release date) with THL
-Someone else is funding it
-They made a deal with the literal devil at the cost of their souls

Re: Talking Point: How Can The Next Animal Crossing Improve Crafting?

Zaruboggan

I love customizing my island and everything on it, but I don't love crafting. I had to collect an insane amount of stone to build a coastal cemetary, and I'm not eager to hit another rock for anything other than bells. Plus, it meant collecting a growing pile of junk with which I could make actual furniture.
I didn't hate it in ACNH, but I will be happy if we move on from it. It was also really annoying having to buy item customization kits for every item.
A nice balance between more involved townsfolk, town and home customization a la HHD/ACNH DLC, and smoother multiplayer features are on my wishlist. Even if that doesn't answer the question at hand lol (See above!).
(TBH, I think a bell focused economy that doesn't let you fast track it with turnips so that you're done in a weekend is the way to go.*
*Maybe. I love being rich.)

Re: Super Mario World Looks To Be The Official Name Of The Next Mario Movie

Zaruboggan

@KaiserGX A Man Named Otto was a great book, so I imagine the same is true of the movie! Unfortunately, I haven't seen it.

They may be different kinds of movies, but that doesn't mean Mario can't be meaningful in its own way.

The film did toy with certain things: disapproving families, using escapism to find yourself (literally traveling to another world where Mario could be more than a plumber; he could be a hero), and earning their respect as a result--things that would certainly resonate with people playing Mario through the ages.
But it didn't do much with any of it. Like I said, small edits could have given it so much more.

Also, the fact that you and I are in here having a disagreement makes this by definition not an echo chamber lol. Good for us!

(I had fun with the film, fwiw. And no offense taken--I didn't write those movies.)

Re: Super Mario World Looks To Be The Official Name Of The Next Mario Movie

Zaruboggan

Are the allergies to good films seasonal?
Mario Bros could have been a better movie--should have been a better movie. Countless family films are actually thought-provoking, and it doesn't take much more effort to get there. The Mario movie could have said something about escapism, expectations, growing up, etc. (any theme that could resonate with people who play the games) with the smallest of script edits, but it didn't. It didn't really say anything at all.
Which is why, after the eye candy and jokes, there was nothing else to it.
If we can get the LEGO Movie, Frozen, and Into the Spiderverse, we can get a well-written Mario movie. Which, for the record, doesn't mean we can't have the eye candy, the pop, the jokes, the references, etc.

Re: Talking Point: Are You Excited At All For Switch 2 GameChat?

Zaruboggan

I kinda like the idea of it, but it requires friends to get it, too. I ran through my list of friends getting a Switch 2, and none of them are interested in the camera. Therefore, I'm not either.
That could have changed, before the update to the Privacy paperwork. Yes, I know every phone/app etc. requires the same thing; I understand that it may just be a requirement because they're sending data between devices.
I don't really care. Privacy matters. I've been knocking out one vice at a time to protect my data. I'm not about to add in a new one.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (10th May)

Zaruboggan

Inching ever closer on Avowed. I've almost fully explored the 4th map and wrapped up most of the side quests. I'll have to pop back to the 1st area to turn in some maps, but I think I can see the end from here.

Not as close on Xenoblade Chronicles X, but I did wrap chapter 6 after ten hours of affinity quests and MP grinding. Next is the Skell, so I'll probably hold off for a bit. It totally transforms exploration, so I'll stay on foot for a while longer. Until I've had my fill.

Lil bit of Fashion Dreamer. It thankfully has less of the live service BS that makes games homework. No daily log ins, no daily missions. And yet, I'm still motivated to log in, see what lookit mail I've got, and design a couple of fits.

Windblown is possible. We just unlocked the new area. F-Zero X is mostly guaranteed. We've been having fun clearing Half Pipe with every character in 1st and 2nd place. And we just started a kind of Mario Kart marathon, starting with Mario Kart 64 last week, so up next may just be some Mario Kart Double Dash.

Re: Rumour: Donkey Kong Bananza May Include A Local Multiplayer Component

Zaruboggan

I think the Mario Galaxy/Bowser's Fury half-***ed 2nd player is most likely, which is too bad. It'd be fun if we could at least move Odd Rock as we get bashed around by DK. I actually like the idea of just bumbling in the way of things and getting launched by DK's ground pound.

Of course, I'd be much happier with the versus mode straight out of DK64. Loved that, with all the false walls and secrets. The honorable peanut duels. The dishonorable peanut duels. All of it.

Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl - Duel: 1080° Avalanche

Zaruboggan

As people have said, JP looks like it's a GameStop replacement box, a magazine ad, or some sort of slip case for a demo disc.
US looks like box art. Not particularly memorable, but definitely serviceable.
JP can have points for originality, but not enough points to deserve a vote.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (3rd May)

Zaruboggan

Still Avowed and Xenoblade Chronicles X.
I'm just wrapping up the Thirdborn section (probably) in the former. I've made some decisions sort of on accident a couple times, so I don't expect things to go well for me. At least I know play time is over when it comes to the Garotte --they're gonna get it next I see em!
In the latter, I keep getting roped in to completing the squad missions. I can't help it! If someone's knocking em out, I've got to do my part!
Also a little Windblown (the new update made reviving pals horrible--a little too knee jerk after the previous update made it really, really easy). And probably a little bit of Fashion Dreamers, too.

Re: Video: Here's Another Look At The Lord Of The Rings 'Tales Of The Shire' Game

Zaruboggan

Whoa, the way they use the birds to point the way is wicked. I love that sort of subtle signposting in games. It's like the wind in Ghost of Tsushima. Super cool.

The comments set me up for general disappointment, so maybe that's why I'm pleasantly pleased with how it looks? I haven't really been interested in the title before, but this video's shifted my needle in the right direction.

That said, it's kind of surprising (and definitely disappointing) we haven't had a real AAA singleplayer LotR experience in, what, forever? Since Shadows of Mordor (technically its sequel, I guess)? And we haven't had a good game following the main cast since...PS...2? Unless you count 2012's LEGO game.
While it's been more steady with multiplayer (the MMO, the MOBA, and the fantastic Lord of the Rings Conquest), it's just a bizarre lack of proper direction for the franchise in the AAA space.

Re: Poll: Orange Or Red Switch eShop - Make Your Choice

Zaruboggan

Orange. Let my switch 1 keep its colors and identity. Do whatever you want to the switch 2 icons and colors.
I'm glad they didn't update my GameCube to have a red logo at launch. I'm glad sony didn't update my PS4 to have the PS5's UI.
(I understand that its the same shop across both consoles here, and the probably wouldn't want to code a separate color for whichever console you're launching, but at the same time, using color to differentiate whether a product is S1 or S2 woulda been nice. It would have been nice if they kept the S1 shop separate a la the Wii and Wii U shops, if only because the first shop is filled with so much garbage.)

Re: Nintendo eShop Cards Are Apparently Getting A Refresh For Switch 2

Zaruboggan

@N00BiSH I'm missing how the comparison doesn't apply. All three are brand refreshes, and all three replace old designs and design principles with the new.
And sure, they didn't take the butt end of a number two to our old collections, but the old DK icon is gone.

Edit: I'll be honest, all these hours later, I forgot what thread this even was.
To be contextually accurate, yes, the use of DK here on the eShop cards is a harmless application of the new look for the big ape. I stand by everything I said, but I think I thought I was commenting on the icon-based post? Happens sometimes when I open multiple articles on the phone. Or maybe I was responding to the general vibe of the comments here ("New DK is great! What's all the fuss about?"). I dunno.

Re: Nintendo eShop Cards Are Apparently Getting A Refresh For Switch 2

Zaruboggan

I like the new DK fine. I just don't like the erasure of old DK. Feels like when Marvel adjusts its comic designs to better match the movies, or when Mario went through a period of sterilization for no particularly good reason.
What's the harm in having the icon for the old one stick around? Answer: there is no harm.

Re: Talking Point: Which Nintendo Series Are You Most Excited To See Return On Switch 2?

Zaruboggan

All of the franchises.
Starfox like Assault? Give it to me.
A Fire Emblem that returns to form (PoR, RD)? I'm there.
An evolution of Splatoon? Sign me up.
A modern sequel to Wave Race, F-Zero, and 1080? I'll pay the $80, you monsters.
Chibi Robo? Custom Robo? Kid Icarus? Metroid? DK Country? 3D Mario? Mario Baseball? As long as their new games aren't like Zip Lash, then, uh, yeah, day one.
I would also like an Animal Crossing that does for Animal Crossing what MKW is ready to do to MK, and a Style Savvy that applies some of the neat MP features of Fashion Dreamers to the significantly more feature-complete series.
And eventually (though I am in no rush), that new Smash Bros.
Can I also beg for Excite Truck 2? Why did Pushmo and Sakura Samurai have to be so short-lived? Can Sawano still compose for XCX2? Or do I have to write a letter to Monolith Soft for a new Baten Kaitos? A Soma Bringer sequel?
I won't say no to more Arms... Or Golden Sun. Or, if I may be so bold, another pinball spinoff. Bolder, better Mario sports games. I want full-assed, not half-assed, Mario Tennis!

Re: EA And Respawn Hit By Hundreds Of Layoffs As New Project Cancelled

Zaruboggan

When I see games like Eldin Ring hit 30m, I can't help but think that EA would have just...grown, if it had just managed its studios and given them the ability to make the games they wanted to make. No fad-chasing BS. If they still had the best Bioware, the best DICE, the best Respawn, the best Pandemic, they'd still be on top.
Now they're...holding on? Ish? Basically only the Respawn games have been noteworthy.

Re: Poll: Which Switch 2 Accessories Are You Picking Up At Launch?

Zaruboggan

Kinda waiting to hear what the new drift situation really is.
Otherwise, I'd like a pro and a GameCube controller, but they won't be day one.
The camera kind of depends on other friends getting one, because there's no point if they don't at this time.
I'm hoping bigger express SD cards will become standard before I have to shell out for one of those.