brunojenso

It was the first Zelda I finished (not played) and I love it. I was always confused when some people suggested it's not one of the greats. I loved all the stealth stuff with the Phantoms too.

@contractcooker Wow, that's a lot of bollocks you've got there

@valcoholic True that, and I guess I was trying to defend from the potential 'graphics don't make a game' brigade. I'm aware of Junk Jack and yes it does have a nice look to it - the same weird rotating arms instead of actual animation though if I remember. Maybe I'll just say 'Terraria is very fugly' and be done then

I felt somewhat 'forced' to buy 3D All-Stars digitally a couple of days ago. That way I can let my Mum use the physical copy I bought on release.

I'm not going to get my pitchfork and flame-stick and storm HQ. but this is not right Nintendo.

Never got into it despite trying it for an hour or two. I know graphics/aesthetics are not the most important thing in a game by a long shot, but when you really don't like a games graphics, or for you they are (subjectively) bad, it's really hard to keep playing.

This is why I can't put series time into what is surely a good game - it just looks too damn ugly (imo). That and the fact we have so many good games I DO like the look of these days. I felt the same way about the Binding of Issac unfortunately - although I didn't like the premise of that game either.

Shame on you for that article subtitle - it practically hurt reading it

@Darlinfan Ok thanks, I'll take that onboard. Take it easy.

@Darlinfan Well that's that then, I guess I'm making it all up.

@Darlinfan You make many good points so thank you and I'll think on them. Just two things though. If someone asked me to recommend them an RPG of course I'd not be the person you describe. I'd simply recommend them games based on the conventions already established. I understand its an establish term, even if I'm not a fan of it.

Also your suggestion that is all on me about the 'special category' of RPG is unfair I think. There is clearly that particular stigma present in the games industry, in this thread and on game sites going back decades people have been defending the idea that the likes of Zelda should be allowed in the 'club'. People care if something qualifies as an RPG even if they shouldn't. Thats pretty much what this whole article pivots on, so I don't see why your putting that on me alone. I on the other hand (like you) don't think it matters - and that's my main reason for disliking the terminology in the first place. There simply IS a snobbery around it - and I have not imagined it thank you very much.

You originally suggested people are stupid to challenge the use of the term RPG in its narrow sense. I didn't appreciate that much and so challenged it. That's all. But your right that it is the established term now and any discussion around the topic is a bit mute since what I regard as bad wording, isn't going anywhere. Its similar with people who don't like the Metroidvania moniker (which I do like). Their debate equally amounts to farts in the wind - BUT I don't regard those people as stupid for challenging bad semantics. Maybe the genre titles will still evolve and mutate over time.

Most intriguing!

@BloodNinja Cool buddy

@BloodNinja Sure ,you make an interesting point that I need to consider more. I think I'd say even in the games you mention you don't really 'create the role from scratch, writing out backstory'. I mean maybe Animal Crossing fits that idea more than most traditional RPGs, but it's still all predetermined through a (sometimes complex) set of options laid out for you. So I'd say you are still given it all from the game developers intention - but I kinda get your point and it makes me want to play them more. But even if what you are saying is true (and I think it is) most people try to single out RPGs because they have turn based mechanics etc...

So isn't the whole reason we are having this debate is because of potentially broken semantics? If it goes beyond semantics then I guess we can call anything anything and it doesn't matter. And I guess that's kinda true - it doesn't really matter, so I'm off to bed

I guess I just don't like the term RPG and the way it is presented like some special club only for special games or something. It's just another type of game.

Btw, it's cool that you like you Ninjas and all, and I'm really not going on the attack or trying to suppress your rights or anything - and this doesn't really matter either - but genuine question: Is the Ninja approved thing maybe getting just a tad old now? No problem if you want to carry on. I'm just gently asking the question. And I'm sorry if it's out of order to mention it.

@Darlinfan Sorry but I disagree entirely. It's madness to ignore the literal meaning of the term RPG and be content to use such a broad sweeping term for a set of very specific games. It's actually laziness that lets this ridiculous debate continue. RPG should be used in the broad sense and not the narrow. That would be intelligent non-lazy use of language, and to continue to use it as is, is to deliberately dumb-down the way we use language. I'm not scared of looking at the subtle differences between game mechanics and labelling accordingly. But when we vehemently defend the wrong terms to begin with then what on earths the point. I'd like to see the term RPG and the snobbery surrounding it to disappear - since it is close to, but not quite, a synonym for games in general - like it or not.

RPG is such a bull**** term anyway because almost all games are role playing games! If you play a racer you play the role of a driver. If you play a beat-em-up you play the role of a fighter. An example of a rare exception would be Tetris.

So who cares if Zelda is allowed to be included in the ridiculous terminology that is 'RPGs' anyway. I've always thought there is some snobbery around the term and I prefer Zelda to be non-associated with all that nonsense.

Action adventure is a far better term for it anyway. So RPGs can keep there stupid label as far as I'm concerned.

@Ricube Yeah even today the game remains unique and simple fun. And remains quite a challenge in later stages! I'm not such how I got my cart but it was quite early on – it really is a mystery how I came to own it. Maybe the box art attracted me.

Kuru Kuru Kururin!

I've owned both Vita models and settled on the excellent Slim. I just don't care for the 'OLED difference' - ie over the top saturation and burn in concerns. I genuinely prefer the excellent LCD. Also looking at the history of Nintendo's priorities and interests I can't see them caring either. They'll ask the same as most consumers - 'Does a slightly larger OLED screen make for new or better gaming opportunities' - no, no it does not.

I really wish they would dramatically reduce the character models for taxing games NOT make them blurry!

Wow. I love the Wipeout games and this looks incredibly close to the feel of the first three games (that I know well). Scary close really. Even the company name is setup to ape Showing results for Psygnosis, and the graphic design is clearly aping The Designers Republic. I'm so in for this. I know there are more F-Zero fans here, but I'm a WipEout boy.

@sanderev Yeah sad but true. I just wish they could leave them a bit longer. Also I hope they give it one last update so that inactive features don't flash up error dialogs and obstruct when your trying to enjoy offline content. Wipeout 2048 on Vita is a terrible for that - they chopped the multiplayer servers but left the game with about four online-error messages before you could enter the campaign. It's a brilliant game but feels ruined now before you start because the lazy company couldn't be arsed doing final maintenance on the game. I hope Nintendo is more responsible in how they walk away form their games. Anyway it is what it is

Is 6 years really long enough for a server based game to 'live'

Maybe... and maybe not. I do get that the Wii U was a bit of a special case due to it's very small user base. But still, I hope this won't be the fate of similar games on Switch - including SMM2 of course.

When I like a game, I come back to it down the years - if the game allows.

Whatever, I've given up on any major additions to the user experience at this point.

@brunojenso Replying to myself - what a ruddy wind bag! That was my longest post ever. Sorry guys.

@johnvboy Ouch, another truth bomb, and I accept

However I do think there is some truth to what he said, even if your playing with your partner etc. I think it's a bit like soap operas - they can provide a more interesting 'life' with less effort than it takes to build those aspect into your actual interactions. Or those aspects of your game life are simply not a possibility for you in your daily life.

I think to deny at least a little truth to what @killerbob said is I think worthy of some challenge. Anyway it's not presented as a criticism just more observational, and of course in reality the reasons why such a type of game is of interest to someone is multifold and can contain one or both of positive and negative motivating factors.

For me, I've enjoyed both AC and SV quite a bit - but just for a while - they can't hold me longterm and find the mundane tasks such as buying clothes and caring about 'fashion' to be extremely dull and almost offensive in a video game - and I don't like things like fishing on principle - but that's me and a bit generational maybe. If there is a suggestion in a game of dating or marrying someone then that game can f.r.off. For me thats not a video game. For me video games must contain at least an element of escapism. If it's too close to real life activities then I'm not sure about it.

I'm semi/reasonably intelligent I think, but also simple in my tastes and for me video games are at their 'purest essence' when they have elements of what traditional games had - arcadey, shooty, racey, jumpy fun with a bit of pace to it. That's not all I play, but I'm definitely more arcade in my tastes. I recently went back to play some Tempest 2000/X3/TxK and I couldn't believe how much fun those games were compared to some modern titles - like for instance, AC dare I say. Sure, sure they are incredibly different games, but if a game doesn't prioritise fun over 'stuff to do' then what the heck is the games industry doing?

But in truth all game can sometimes feel like work. For instance I'm playing through Shovel Knight Treasure Trove at the moment (on a Vita) and it can be brutal in parts, and I think 'why the hell I'm I putting myself through all this'. When it's really difficult I do wonder if the 'fun in the challenge' is true, or whether games in general are just not much fun really - and I'd be better moving on to other activities in my life. I've been a gamer most of my life and therefore supposedly I enjoy it – but sometimes all games can feel like a chore/work. Not just AC.

Games I actively avoid now are games with very complex systems and menus such as deep RPG and Strategy games. Not because I can't get my head around them but because sometimes figuring out a games complexities is a bit too close to learning something like Photoshop or even Excel! - menus, menus, menus. I'm a graphic designer and Illustrator by trade so I'll be damned if I'm going to leisure time something that is close to the activities I do during work hours. For that reason stuff like Civilisation and most turn-based stuff is out for me too.

Anyway at the end of the day if someone find some enjoyment in a game I'm happy for them. Nuff said

@KillerBOB Ouch, that's quite the truth bomb.

@invaderyoyo I think if your running the latest stable Retroarch + using the best overclock plug-in 'PSVshell' to set Retroarch at 500mhz I think you'll find GBA almost perfect now - as in almost all games will be perfect with a few exceptions such as very 3D heavy racers and maybe Golden Sun 1+2 which have always been a bit of an emulation challenge. Don't be after to overclock - on Vita it does no harm and I don't even notice a significant battery drain difference. Honestly if you already have a Vita you'll find it can so much these day. I have a beautiful Neon Orange Slim model that I absolutely love. N64 is still crap on it though.

@invaderyoyo Thank you. Good to know the screens not bad but them not choosing the correct pixel screen for the job - when the device's sole purpose is for displaying GBA is a bit of a daft production choice. Maybe it plays GB/GBC too but I'm sure you get my point. To be honest these days I use a hacked Vita Slim for GBA because the screen is high-res enough that RetroArch can scale those pixels beautifully. And I have a Gameboy Micro for those times I want that tiny pocket size or to use my original carts for perfect native compatibility. I appreciate the follow up though mate.

I'd love a Switch Game & Watch Gallery collection since we now have a high-res screen to display them properly. But give us all the Marios, DKs and Snoopys - and non of this 'ball' and 'Vermin' crap.

I wish fishing was something entirely optional in Zelda games. Some of us find fishing a hard thing to stomach. Please don't pounce on me – I'm not judging others enjoyments, and I get it's become a Zelda traditional, just saying I'd love it too be an option to turn off.

@Clyde_Radcliffe I'd buy it if they included the Alien vs Predator arcade beat'em'up

Still hoping Donkey Kong Country will get an official and graceful move into 3D one day soon. If Mario can so can DK.

Regarding this - well there is a lot of polish on show, and the all important physics look good. Frame rate is in need of work. But I'm intrigued.

So what are the best Neo Geo Pocket Color that are not fighters?

@BloodNinja Err, not if it wasn't blatant. Nothing in your comment indicates sarcasm. I was just trying to be helpful :/

@BloodNinja They just announced it!

Cool, I always wanted to try this darker looking Diablo.

Sorry? BOTW has Dungeons? That's news to me.

Good grief – about 10 hours after the first supposedly major direct in more than a year and we are immediately back to to clinging desperately at rumours.

Just... good grief. This is too exhausting and at this point I don't care – we get what we get.

The Mario Golf announcement was both the best of the direct and the directs main saving grace. For a 50 minute presentation it was maybe the least interesting selection of game possible - Mario Golf was the only real standout - maybe a few more semi-standouts.

@Timppis Thank you

@Timppis Wow that's a great result - good for you! I'm just at the start of RFA (day 5) and I'm currently slightly over 15 Stone. 40 lbs would get me around a much desired 12 Stone. May I ask how much your RFA exercise time is generally (not playtime) and how often you play. I'm guessing it's increased over time? and maybe you do other exercises too?

@KammyWh1te It's very encouraging to see your comment has over 50 likes for Metroid Prime Trilogy HD. Also Metroid has been mentioned over 50 times in this thread.

Surely Nintendo can hear the noise by now? Many people want some Metroid action on the Switch outside of the NSO offerings.

POST DIRECT EDIT: So much for that. Fours years into the Switch, no Metroid to play beyond the SNES. No Prime Trilogy HD, No Fusion 2, No Samus Returns Port, No Original 2D or 3D game. Me sad.

Just ******* Splatoon 3 that looked exactly like S.2.

Thank goodness for Mario Golf and Fall Guys I suppose.

@Azuris 'Those 75% are the normal Price'

Sorry what? that sentence doesn't make sense it think. Anyway I'm hoping a 33% off Luigi's Mansion 3.

Userbase = 'this is hardly surprising' as you say in the article.

@Agent721 What's DDR?

@Anguspuss

@Anguspuss Clive Sinclair would be proud. Sorry about your Friend’s parent - sounds like they were like extended family.

@Anguspuss Wow - I can't remember the last time I heard ZX81 mentioned - but I can claim the same. My Mum bought one for the family (quite a cutting-edge lady for the early 80s). I say I played a 'game' – it was one of those simple ones you had to enter pages of basic code in from an enthusiast magazine that made Pong look incredible. Even then I don't think you could save it – turn off the machine and it was lost from the massive 1kb of ram (if I remember right). I even had a go at making my own space invaders like game.

People's memories of Phantom Hourglass are not the kindest, but again I loved every minute of it (including the supposedly dreaded Temple). Loved the stealth elements in particular. And although I had played several Zelda's before this, it was the first I 100%'ed. Another great Zelda title with plenty of individual charm.

@aznable I agree, the first game was top-tier quality.

I totally loved the first game and it looked amazing on Switch. The reviews were weird and generally questionable.

I loved the second game too but visually it looked a bit rough and unpolished. Not the models and environments which were top-drawer and as good (or very close to) the quality seen in DKTF! But the anti-aliasing and edge-quality on everything was very rough on both docked and undocked - even in menus and static images. I think they compressed the crap out of it too. But the game itself was so good that it deserved a final polish that it never got - and I really hope they update it. Fix that and it's basically a classic.

I honestly don't know why YL2 looks so rough when they made the 3D game so visually perfect.

Please Playtonic revisit it for a bit of visual refinement.

In general I hope they go back and stay with 3D Platformers. Second choice would be for them to try a StarFox like. That would be amazing.