ear_wig

Played the demo for over an hour, both in docked and handheld mode. Made it to the open world and close to what I think is the first town. And… Super disappointing performance. Choppy, low FPS with lots of stuttering and poor resolution. Camera is unwieldy, and the controls are super clunky, making the mech a chore to control. It’s a real shame, because the systems and customization seem addicting and the art design is awesome. But yeah, very, VERY rough. Certainly won’t be buying this on Switch 2, if at all (need to try the demo on my PS5 pro; heard it’s much better). Major bummer… 😢

Update: game plays beautifully on PS5 (Pro), and is quite fun. Smooth movement, and has an addicting mission/gear loop. Just makes this Switch 2 version even more disappointing. Looks like a PS4 game, too, which just further solidifies the disappointment that they couldn’t get it to perform better. Really wanted to support that Switch 2 (true) physical, but alas, it will be a PS5 purchase sometime next year.

I’d prefer it gets added to NSO. Would be a great title to pad out the Gamecube lineup. Awesome games like this are why we pay for the service.

I wasn’t expecting to be excited about this game, but it really does look awesome. I’ve finally convinced my partner to play Mario Kart World with me (she’s gotten totally decent), but we’ve kind of done/seen it all already (save mirror mode). This game seems like a logical next step for us, then, especially since the controls are relatively simple (although the game seems complex). Definitely excited, and will be preordering!

Wasn’t at all excited about this game before, but… I stand corrected—it looks like SO MUCH FUN!! I never played the original, but damn, I will be getting this game for sure! Course look amazing—that water course! Gameplay looks fast and super tactical. City trial is bonkers. Obviously, there are more modes that weren’t featured yet. Hopefully there’s plenty to unlock; seems like that was alluded too, with vehicles? But WOW! Just awesome all around. Loved the Direct too; Sakurai was a great host, and brought some good humor to a great presentation.

I would totally get this day one, but already have both Cronos and Hell is Us preordered on PS5. Devs are shooting themselves in the foot all releasing their games in September…

How about a Metroid Prime 4 release date? Or Age of Imprisonment? Not excited for another racing game tbh

NEVER buy game-key cards!
NEVER stop complaining about game-key cards! Torches at the ready! 🔥

@Olmectron Thanks for the input. I struggle with 30fps sometimes, in terms of motion sickness issues. I suppose if it’s solid it may be okay.

Haven’t played a Pokemon game since… Yellow? On my gameboy in the 90’s? Have been consistently tempted by Arceus though; a Switch 2 patch would push my temptation over the edge!

This game looks… drab? The combat sounds good though! Hmmm…

This game looks like it has zero personality. I haven’t played it myself, but that doesn’t seem like a prerequisite to judge the poor art direction. Sounds like the game is fun enough, gameplay-wise though, if you can manage the controls, but I am not surprised to see mediocre reviews.

Great news! This game looks very joyful, which we could all use right now!

Now I need to play Metroid again. The original NES and SNES games have, I think, the best game soundtracks of all time. Explains why I love weird electronic music; huge inspiration as an artist. Chip is the GOAT

Game Kitchen—you paying attention???

Definitely the highlight of the show; this game looks incredible. Hopefully a physical will be out sooooooooner rather than later!

@Tom-Massey @olliemar28 Thanks, gents! Appreciate you guys responding and adding the second opinion. I hope Game Kitchen can improve performance, game sounds amazing!

They REALLY want to know why I haven’t purchased a SD express card yet…

And why I wouldn’t go to a retail store to buy a digital download! L—O—f***ing—L

@FishyS Do you mean Shinobi? There is no demo available for Ninja Gaiden Ragebound

@tom-massey No mention of how it performs on Switch 2?

I’ll be waiting for a unlock framerate patch to play. Hopefully they can get it on the physical cart. Disappointing, Game Kitchen…

I love Bananza so, so much!

Honorable mention for its beautiful 2D illustration of each level’s relative depth to the core, when you hit that sweet gong!

Enjoyed it, but wasn’t 100% sold on the combat. Went back after 24 hours away and really dug in, and I absolutely love it. Hard difficulty is where it’s at—really makes the combat more tactical and exciting. Definitely would like to see some tweaks (that fairy…), and I’m curious where the story will go (time-hopping to the… future please!) but I’m very excited to play this game. Now maybe we can all convince SE to put the whole game on a cart with that survey…

Controlling Donkey Kong in Bananza is, in my opinion, WAY more fun that controlling Mario in Odyssey. But yeah, very different games, both fun in their own ways!

Would love to see that Ninja Gaiden review come in today… Word on the street (reddit) is that the game has issues on Switch 2 (shimmering and nonsense when scrolling) and is maybe a bit over 30fps, but not by much. Seems like Game Kitchen really dropped the ball with the Switch version, unfortunately…

I like it, but the combat feels stiff. It needs a dodge/roll/evade button, and maybe also the ability to run, or close distance on enemies. And I HATE the fairy character… The abilities are a good idea and helpful, but the character… Blech

The real star of the show is the Shinobi demo that Lizardcube just released—game is siiiiiiiick and plays beautifully on Switch(2)! Little concerned about the graphics though… Joe Musashi has some rough edges for some reason; hopefully it’s just a demo issue… Can’t wait for the full release though!

Definitely “average”. That said, cool to see Cronos is coming to Switch 2 (although I’ll be buying it on PS5). Looking forward to trying the The Adventures of Elliot Eating a Philadelphia Cheesesteak demo today too. Age of Imprisonment continues to excite me, but was hoping for a solid release date (not delayed though!). Overall pretty ‘’meh”..

Like that Rage reference 👍🏼

@carlos82 This exactly. It almost looks like they’re reusing assets, like it’s made in “HD-2D RPG Maker”.
Happy to see a 2D pixel action-RPG though!

They spelled Philadelphia wrong

This looks fantastic, can’t wait! Hope it comes out before Xmas break

I’m anxious to find out about performance, as I really want to support the Switch 2 physical release, but if it’s the case of 30fps on S2 and 60 on PS5, I’m going to have to go with PS5… Game looks awesome though!

This game is a masterpiece, but $50 with tax and shipping for US customers is a bit pricey. If I could sell my LRG version first I’d go for it, but there’s a million of them on Ebay—lol I think scalpers overestimated the draw of this game! Anyways, rather have the final (Switch 2) build on the cart though! 🫤

That is supremely disappointing, but not surprising, unfortunately. Switch is the de facto retro machine; 60fps should have been a priority for them. I’d just PS5 it, but these games just look better on a handheld, and the Portal-lag wouldn’t be acceptable for this type of game.
Bummer…

Definitely excited for this. If I wasn’t knee-deep in Bananza right now (and Death Stranding 2) I’d take another run through Hollow Knight.

Finally started DK Bananza—what a game!! So much fuuuuuuun!!
OH, BANANA!!!

If performance was stronger I would absolutely consider getting this. Bummer…

Still, downloaded the demo and will still give it a try to see for myself. Seems worth a purchase when a good sale pops up.

This man is very lonely… 🫤

So glad I hadn’t gotten around to Tears of the Kingdom yet; playing for the first time on my Switch 2, and wow, looks and plays beautifully! Not to mention that TotK is an absolute masterpiece, will definitely go down as one of my favorite games if all time, and I’ve been gaming since the 90’s!!

Very happy with my charge grip. Half the price and still rockin’ those back buttons, which are so easy to program!

I love this grip, but I would NOT recommend docking it with the grip on. 99% sure that’s where the vertical scratch on my screen came from—the ONE time I docked it with the grip on. The extra plastic makes it a little tight, and if there’s anything on your screen or something inside the dock that may cause a scratch… BOOM! Otherwise, highly recommend this grip!

PS: If the little piece falls out the lock, just stick it back in and you’re good to go!

@somnambulance That’s what I’ll be doing as well! Should make for a strange but wonderful juxtaposition!

Would love to know when Prime 4 is coming out. Really hope it doesn’t get delayed to 2026…

All for it! Mario Bros. Movie was waaaaaaay better than I expected. I Hope they can get Rogen again too.

What a ridiculous comment! If you, “prioritize(d) playability” then there would be a solid framerate!

That said, I’m sure the game will be fine; as long as the drops aren’t below 40fps it shouldn’t be too big a deal… Let’s all play the game first and then see for ourselves!

I STRONGLY disagree that create-a-park has limited appeal. I spent hours and hours with that feature growing up. Maybe the remake version sucks for some reason that I missed, but calling this a CON is ridiculous. Also—where is the mouse functionality for Switch 2 in creation mode?! Blech…

I’m very happy with my charge grip. Half the price, has the back buttons, and uses the excellent new Joy-Con that came with the system, which feel much better to hold and use.

They can definitely be both. It depends on who you’re asking.

@0ohHeWrong Same, no response whatsoever

@Kyloctopus What theory?

Playing Tears of the Kingdom S2 edition has been a dream. Fantastic game that plays SO well on the new system. Regarding the system, I love the big screen—which looks great even if it’s not OLED—and the improved ergonomics of the Joy-Con 2 is greatly appreciated (loving my charge grip with back buttons!). They also really improved the eShop, which was a must do. Super jazzed for Donkey Kong Bananza and—hopefully very soon—Metroid Prime 4. Very happy overall!

On a side note, I was lucky enough to get a pre-order from Target (US). Now only a month later, Nintendo emails me with a chance to order a system. So selling my used console to a friend and getting a new one (without the unfortunate scratch…)! Pretty good launch situation!

@Princess_Lilly Let’s hope it’s very minor, where it only dips when huge numbers of particles and earth and enemies and such align once in a blue moon. The map issue, though… Hopefully they can fix that.