foursider

Turned the voices off, ignored his prompts, thus rendering him as he is, irrelevant. What did bother me, no one asked, is the game itself. Boringly banal and devoid of fun. It seems the franchise is as limp as a wet noodle; insipid as the NPC of topic. At least to me, of course. I can hardly recognize what once was, and now is. Such is life through the lens of nostalgia's grace, I reckon.

Pokemon Yellow and Soul Silver remaster for Switch 2, please! Same style, no big anime heads - just full/widescreen and colorized.

And for something new, a Stardew Valley-esque featuring all Pokemon, and your main character isn't some bland boring generic tool, but Brock, Ash, or Misty!

Already preordered the Animal Crossing upgrade pack. Super stoked for it! To reiterate a previous comment I made, sure wish Nintendo would add the music from previous Animal Crossing games as an option to switch to in New Horizons. Oh please oh please oh please.

@Gamer_Griff

I miss the Wii/Wii U interface, various Channels, and, of course, the Wii Shop Channel music, too. The Wii was such a magical little system. I remember firing up the Shop and Mii channel just to listen to the music, or the Photo channel just to listen to the groovy "Scenic" theme music. So good! I keep hoping they add some personality to Switch/Switch 2, but I guess boring it is as still no themes to Switch, or Switch 2, and no music to any app. Boo!

The eShop, a mess, indeed. Much more manageable and seamless now with Switch 2. Especially like being able to easily sort by what's on sale in my wishlist - which is wonderful to hop on, see what's on sale that I've been eyeballing, and hop off.

I do wish we could sort out the junk games, but I suppose my frustration is another's joy. Kind of like how when searching for something quality to buy on Amazon you're met with a thousand brand names featuring way too many consonants. Sure you could buy the cheaper option, but sometimes you want the real deal (even if it's not that much better).

I do miss the days of old, which makes me old, of renting games and having nothing to go by other than the boxart. I can see the appeal of purusing the eShop in a similar fashion. However, with costs rising and memory reserves already low, I can't really justify random buys. So many things "hearted" though... Which is a beast in and of itself to reconcile.

I do wish for further eShop improvements, though. Like, an option for refund (even a 30min window would be enough), being able to gift games (I'm so tired of buying digital games on Amazon or Best Buy and then figuring out a creative way to gift people a code), and a clear call-out if a EULA is required to play (did get refund from Nintendo on Penny's Big Breakaway after being met with its invasive pervasive EULA - but it's a hassle and no guarantee). Still glad such exists, the eShop, improved as it is. But, as others mentioned, Deku Deals rocks. I even appreciate Nintendo's latest app attempt, Nintendo Store (even if redundant and in need of improvement).

However, without question and hesitation, you, dear author, are much better off playing games on the eShop than having anything to do with Instasham, er, Instagram. You're better than that!

Haha. I love it. A passion project, filled with ideas, plagued with problems. Anything extra to an already extra game is welcomed, warts and all. I appreciate the authentic vibes.

As someone that would love a pet cow (like a Scottish highland), I approve of this article's message!

Another dimension makes sense and is an easy out. Timelines don't make much difference to me, as someone that plays mostly Nintendo games (where stories aren't at the forefront), so it could be the first, or the last, and it wouldn't matter to me. So long as the game is fun (which this one isn't), I'm good. In fact, I'd have preferred them spending less time on the story and side characters in Beyond (as in, omitting them), and more time on gameplay and level design.

Nice interview! Toby is the bee's knees.

I wish Nintendo would call Mr. Fox and be like, "since we can't go with Tomato's localization of Mother 3, can you do it? And add in more of your music to fill in any gaps? We'll pay you whatever."

@topher6490

Same! I keep hearing and seeing good things about these games, and even though I know I won't play them, I want them - and I didn't even like the demos. 🤪

Top two, or three, would be:

Donkey Kong Bananza
Hardee's II (leaving the auto-correct 😝)
Pokemon Z-A (not a 10/10, but haven't played many "new" games this year... Still better than Metroid Beyond though!)

Downloaded the update. Didn't see any immediate upgrades, realized I still need to get married but can't decide between three, and shut it off. Story of my life.

Great article. But, thanks for making me want one now that it's out of stock. 🤪

Wish they'd release it digitally, and offer the accessories separately. Hopefully it'll see a Switch 2 redo soon.

Thanks for this article! I downloaded the demo last night, and immediately bought it right after. Thought I wouldn't like the super zoomed in view, but it's not bad, and I like that I can edit how zoomed in I want it. Looking forward to playing more later this week. Christmas gift to me from me. ✨

It bothers me immensely. I can see the usefulness of AI for help generating an outline for something, or deepdive for medical research, etc. But to use it for creative purposes, to cost cut and cut jobs, the human touch, bothers me. I hate the word hate, but I hate AI.

I used it once to ask itself how much energy is used to ask it this question (from a default Google search which uses AI now by default, not AI directly), and it responded that this one simple question generated enough energy to power an incandescent lightbulb for a day.

Just thinking about how many dumb, mundane things AI is used for via what people think is a basic Google search, and the incredibly detailed things when using ChatGPT and the like, it's scarily mind-boggling how much energy is effectively wasted.

Creative endeavors: games, music, books, art, etc, should be human powered only. Otherwise, what's the point? Prompts aren't creative, they're a lazy, wasteful slippery slope.

The list of companies I try and avoid supporting financially or otherwise is getting increasingly long these days. From environmental to political, and now this. I'm going to need a spreadsheet to track everything! Oof.

Ah, Nintendoland. What a marvelously magical multiplayer wonder. Would love to see this for Switch 2. Well, that wish coupled with better motion controls on Switch 2.

I'm noticing a trend.

I've put in over 100hrs in Vampire Survivors, and am still playing it.

So, regarding this new game from the Poncle team... Hush up and take my money!!

@Twilite9

Thanks for the heads-up! I know a couple of books exist, but I would love for someone to release a book just of box art, front and back, for NES, SNES, Genesis, and GB games (and maybe N64, too).

Music is great, but that box art slaps my jacks.

The dip in ranking matches my interest, as I haven't gone back to it since getting the first key.

Darn. And right after I deleted the unfinished game on my Switch 2 to make room for games that are more fun and forgiving.

Interesting list. The only one that matches my list, by in large, is Super Metroid.

Metroid NES is so far beyond better than Beyond it's silly to even see them so close together, especially with Beyond ahead of it.

Never played Federation, but have seen enough of it and agree about its place. Wasn't a fan of Fusion, but the other 2D handheld games were amazing. Those, Prime 1, and Super are the best of the best. I really liked Pinball though, and Hunters for multiplayer (my first ever online game experience were I got to "talk" to someone. It was so weird! 😝). Other M, Dread, Prime 3, and Beyond are middle to low on my list.

Just beat Hades II last night, so this pleases me to have further confirmation of what a great game it is, and great group they are.

Love DK's classic look. Didn't know I'd miss it.

@EvenStephen7

And Wario, at that! It's no Shake It?, but I'll take it!!

Goes to buy badge, can't find it, puzzled, returns to site, missed the part that it's not for US. Sigh.

@EvenStephen7

I like your line of logic. Let's hope!

I've only played R4, thanks to it hitting a Nintendo console and the amazing Wii motion controls it utilized, so this is good news to me. At least, it means I'm more interested now then before. Which I wasn't.

I only have the first key, so I can't place my vote yet. However, I have a pretty good feel for how the rest of the game will progress, and I'm not all that pleased. Granted, it's kind of what I expected, but disappointing to be sure, at least thus far.

Prime 4 is more Prime 2 & 3 than Prime 1. That is, more action and story than exploration. The voice work, my biggest fear leading up to the game, was easily made moot and mute by simply turning off the voice sounds. Sadly, however, Samus' extremely jarring and annoying screams when hit, can't be adjusted without turning down/off the sound effects. And speaking of sound effects, another reviewer noted this, I initially brushed it off, but now totally get it... Samus' arm cannon needs more oomph and pizzazz in the sound department; seems very muted and gimped for what it is. Granted, it takes way too many shots to fell a foe, so maybe it's on point. And speaking of foes...

My biggest gripe with Prime 4 is similar to what I experienced with Prime 2, 3, and even Dread, where it seems like every single room you enter the doors seal shut, the music ramps up, and you're left to face a fleet of foes. Over and over and over again. With gimped cannon in hand, the battles drag out and aren't all that interesting, rewarding, or fun. I'd much rather it be another environment to explore with smaller baddies to blast or perplexing puzzles to solve. It just gets old, tiresome, and numbing.

Don't get me started on Metroid Kart Zero Riders Grand Prix, or whatever the point was in showing me how to use the Tron-mobile. It's like Nintendo wanted to add more racing to Switch 2's launch year. It didn't bother me that much, and certainly wouldn't affect my scoring of the game, and didn't last long, but just seemed so silly for Samus, and so pointless given the barren wasteland I'd soon be exploring. And speaking of silly things, Prime 4 seems to really want to be this cinematic experience, yet the title screen has "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" in nearly the size and boldness of the game's title. It just kinda cheapens it. Though, given the "Beyond" gimmicks, it kinda fits.

I will say, the game looks great, though a bit too polished (literally) and sounds great (though a bit too chorally). The controls I'm struggling with for some reason, but aren't a deal breaker. I appreciate the motion control options; I just wish Nintendo would give us a proper accessory/controller for such. There were times I wanted to shut the game off and be done with it, and did the first day and left it sit for a few days, but it's Metroid so I want to give it a chance, and went back to it. Dread I played until the boss' 99th phase and then I was like, nope, I'm out. Done. Never ever going back (and didn't). I'm hoping Prime 4 doesn't feature similarly exhausting banal boss flights.

So, for me, at this juncture, I'd rate the game 6/10. If it wasn't Metroid, it might even be a little lower. Fewer locked in, pointless battles, and it'd be a good bit higher. It's a game I don't necessarily want to play, but feel I have to because it's Metroid (and because I want it to get better). I'm pessimistic about how the game will progress, but hopeful all the same.

Article line of the year... "Storage prices that should come with a side of lube"

So true! Sad, but true.

Great read. Very poignant, and relatable, even for the childless.

More articles like this please!

While I'm no fan of mass mergers, I'm thankful Netflix won over Paramount (given things).

But no option added to silence the NPC voices. Drats.

Okay, okay, great, uh-huh, a 9/10. But... what score would Alex give the game!?!? That's the real question I need answered!

@Moistnado

My wish, too! That was my hope about the Switch 2 camera, that it would some how bring back motion controls. Good, Wii level, motion controls. Nope.

My wish, prayer, hope, dream, desire... let the streamers moan and groan so much about the banal banter so as to create such a fury that Nintendo patches in some silence to squelch the sqwaking.

Nice! I just tried out the Ninja NES game last night, and Bionic Commando on GB, and could have used a change in controls.

@Fiskern

For me, is just lack of save points that give me anxiety to explore, take risks, and have fun. I said, nope I'm done, when I died at a boss fight, had to head to all the way back from the last check point, and died again, this losing my silk thingy. Maybe even thrice, I can't remember. The game overall isn't punishing, it just needs more save spaces. Like, Celeste is challenging (for me), but never once did I complain or have issue. There just needs more balance and leeway in Silksong for players that want to have fun.

@LightSpirit

That's what I hoped to see, too. If anything, just more save/check points. I'm done with the game until there's a fix of sorts.

Yes!! I love the new themes and menu music added! Oh, wait. That's a wish, not reality. Shucks.

Got the only available option at launch (that I could find), the 256GB one, and ran out of space within minutes. Have been waiting for a quality brand to come out with a 1TB or greater option... Still waiting after all these months. Only two real options right now for 1TB, which is an absolute joke. And neither option is by a brand I would normally buy from. Keep hoping SanDisk releases one, but it looks like I shouldn't hold my breath.

One thing's for sure... I'm growing quite frustrated playing the manage data game in deleting software just to make room for updates, demos, or games that I need to redownload.

Really wish Nintendo would bring Soul Blazer and Terranigma to the eShop. With the former fetching high prices used, and the latter never released stateside, I may never get to play these oft gushed over games.

Kirby is one of my favorite characters and series, however, after playing the demo I can state with certainty that I shan't be picking this one up. Despite never getting into the original GCN game, I was jazzed about this new one given the coverage. But, alas, despite the polish and the care, I just don't get it. It's not fun and the controls just don't work for me. Maybe if it ever goes on sale at some mega reduced rate I'll reconsider it, but for now, I'll sit this Kirby game out, and hope for his return to proper form one day soon.

Of the nominations, I've only played two. DK and Hades. DK takes my vote for just being crazy fun, but it ain't perfect, so definitely don't see it being top banana here.

Both look good!

@Chron

Oh! That's true. And I so did that first thing. Hopefully such options exist in Prime 4. Thanks for the bit of hope.

VGC's take is how I felt after watching the latest trailer... Which is concerning.

"What Metroid Prime 4 is seemingly trying to be is a far less interesting, and more dated, type of first-person action game with none of the mood the series is known for."

This is most unfortunate to read, but I appreciate the heads-up so as to tame my expectations for a series I (once?) adore(d).

I loathe feckless followers I have to protect in games. Add in incessant, banal dialogue? Ugh. I was hoping the cringy bits from the overview trailer were an anomaly, but it seems not. And knowing Nintendo and their stingy menu options, there won't be a way to lower/turn off the voice sounds.

Hopefully there's a weapon more powerful later on in the game we can use to eviscerate him. All humans, really. They don't belong in Metroid. Bounty hunters work alone.

While I've stopped playing (for now) it's a lot of simple fun. Way better than Violet, but still no SoulSilver. Thus, while I poopoo'd the game at first (before playing), I'm glad it's selling well given it seems GameFreak tried something new, and it kinda sorta works.

Tried the first round of demos... And I'm out. Sadly, as much a Kirby fan as I am, I can't find the fun.

Hades 2 is my pick. Bookmarked Absolum and Pipistrello; never heard of those before but yet look cool. Blue Prince is really fun, and creepy at times!, but I never finished it as despite trying to be a PS5 gamer, I just can't. Keep Driving looks interesting, and hope it comes to S2 soon so I can check it out. Haven't played or seen much of the others.

@LightSpirit

Totally agree. Was going to wait on Hades 2 for a sale to try and be good by waiting until I finished Silksong, but after dying again after several attempts at a boss fight and making way all the way back from a save point far away, I died again, thus losing my silk bundle (or whatever it's called) and was like, nope. I'm done. Downloaded Hades 2, and haven't stopped playing, despite dying left right and sideways.

I was like, meh, until the Rosalina scene, and then I was like, that was cool! And I'm not even a Rosalina fan. 🙃