Comments 239

Re: Niantic's New Pikmin Game Has Been Downloaded 2 Million Times In Two Weeks

aSmilingMan

I’ve been on at least 10 walks that I wouldn’t have gone on because of this app. I got to enjoy more of the outdoors and walk down different streets to fill up more of them with the flower petals I endlessly collect. Unlike GO which felt more like a gaming app, Pikmin is more wholesome. It’s not for everyone, but after over a year of being mostly indoors, I’m loving the constant push to walk more and explore new places.

Re: Every Nintendo Switch Online N64 Game Ranked

aSmilingMan

It’s a pity many people did not yet experience Conker Bad Fur Day. To me, that game was the pinnacle of the N64, when Rare knew just how far to push the system. Like when Nintendo knew the Wii U could bring BOTW.
Really hope Conker makes it to NSO.

As for the N64 Zeldas, I would encourage people to pick up the 3DS versions instead. The facelifts were nice!

Re: Gabe Newell: Pricing Valve's Switch-Like Steam Deck Was "Painful"

aSmilingMan

Never planned on owning a Valve device until today. I don't have a gaming PC but would LOVE access to a portable Gamepass console and a way to play chunky 3rd party games on the go, like GTAV, No Man's Sky, modded Skyrim etc.

After reading a lot about the device, I've decided to hold off on my OLED "upgrade" and get the Steam Deck instead. Seems like a perfect way to complete my gaming options, when in addition to my beloved Switch and PS5.

Re: Random: The Internet Reacts To The New Switch OLED Model

aSmilingMan

Here’s the thing missing from all of these:

There’s a global chip shortage, people!!! Even if Nintendo had the 4K Switch all ready to go (a coin toss whether they do), there is no place that could manufacture enough chips to make the launch anything less than a disaster. What they did enables the QoL upgrades that were obviously missing from the original, while giving them some breathing room to produce new chips when the market is a little better.

Re: PQube Lines Up Three Intriguing Releases For Nintendo Switch

aSmilingMan

@PikaPhantom to the point where I then wrote the developers thanking them for for making it. The controls are tight, the story is simple but touching, the sound is carefully done and the level design is creative and fun. 100% is challenging enough while never becoming unfair. Nor is it one where you have to google what to do. It’s the kind of game that makes me want to keep buying indies: a gem. Is it the best game I ever played? No. Was I completely enthralled and savoring multiple moments while playing? Absolutely. I would give it a 9/10.

Re: Soapbox: It's Time To Normalise Giving Up On Games Early

aSmilingMan

Serendipitous timing for this piece. About 6hrs ago I closed and archived Hollow Knight for good. It stopped being fun about 5 days ago and it took strength to stop. Feels amazing to have done so.

Funnily, the game I started was the Witcher 3. The start really is a slog but I’m excited to see how much fun can be had. If it’s not, I’ll drop that too and maybe do some more Hades runs before the next one!

Re: Poll: What Did You Think Of The February 2021 Nintendo Direct, Then?

aSmilingMan

I'm definitely on the boat that this was very thin.

The direct yesterday is the most convincing evidence I've seen so far of an update to the Switch being close by. My guess is that all the new major releases are being planned for better hardware and we got the ports and smaller titles filling in space until then. While I'm looking forward to playing Mario Golf in those sweet-looking new joy-cons, I'm surprised at how uninteresting this was as a 50min direct.