kalosn

kalosn

Switch 2 - The Future is Here

Comments 1,686

Re: Opinion: Nintendo, Let Us Buy The Games Being Delisted From Switch Online

kalosn

I remember how tiring it was to once again buy individually most of Nintendo's classic catalog of games during the Wii U and 3DS era at some price. Between that and this sudden limitation of games being removed from the service... What could be reasonable for players? Packs of classic games at a cheap price?
What I currently hope for the service is for Nintendo to introduce a Game Pass-like subscription model for Switch games, but definitely not necessarily for the biggest and/or first-party games.

Re: Was That Pokémon Legends: Z-A Footage Running On Switch 2? Digital Foundry Weighs In

kalosn

Metroid Prime 4 is still much more convincingly a Switch 2-looking game, even if it is actually running on a Switch 1.
Another thing to note is how they have seemingly removed the Physically-Based rendering element for this game compared to Scarlet and Violet, which explains why Pokémon lack textures and overall, the surroundings look less detailed or textured, that should also ease performance issues, besides the fact it's an open-city game.

But really, if this was running on Switch 2 it should look like a Insomniac game...

Re: Monolith Soft Adds Final Fantasy Cutscene Artist To Its Ranks, So What's It Cooking For Switch 2?

kalosn

I know they are indeed making a new game, but it looks a bit far off the Switch 2's first year and months. I would prefer if the save the biggest (and relatively near-term) first-party news for a prospective June Direct. They can focus on the basics in the upcoming direct, and maybe just tease or announce some blockbusters coming for its first year.
Also, speaking of Visions of Mana and Switch 2... you know what I mean.

Re: Pokémon Champions Reveals Multiplayer Battle Mode Options

kalosn

Online components? It seems this game may include some offline content, possibly hinting at a single-player Stadium-like mode.
But what if you just want to play online with your Pokémon from Home? I hope they at least consider that simple aspect both in mobile and console.

Re: Monster Hunter: Wilds Tech Analysis Has Us Concerned About A Switch 2 Port

kalosn

If the numbers are closer to a PS4 Pro, then I guess that also includes the Xbox Series S. Both also have very similar performance metrics, but the XSS has CPU and GPU tech a generation ahead, which the Switch 2 should also include (with DLSS too of course).
But yeah, in general this game is pretty demanding currently. Even the Steam Deck had issues, to the point only an ROG Ally could run it acceptably the least.
I expect further optimization though patches that could make a Switch 2 port more feasible. At this point, I don't care for these (or possibly more) cutbacks if we're talking about PS5-caliber games, they will still look better than a compromised Switch 1 port.
But it doesn't look to likely it'll come to Switch 2 on its first year at least, maybe Capcom would first port MHW to the Switch before working on a handheld port of Wilds.

Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Introduces Thrilling Series First "Real Time" Battles

kalosn

Exp. Share is back once again... fortunately Legends Arceus made good use of it by making all opposing Pokémon overpowered

With Pokémon Champions possibly becoming the new norm for competitive play, the mainline games could bring in more innovations for the battle system. Not this exactly though, this feels like an evolution to the PLA battle style, which simplified the battle system and discarded abilities and held items. This time though, Mega Evolution will boost your Pokemon to potentially OP levels without disrupting the competitive balance (maybe), now this becomes interesting...

I don't think the traditional RPG system will go anywhere and there will still be place for the traditional system on the mainline games, but there's definitely more potential for diversity.

Re: Opinion: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Looks Cool, But It's Lacking Arceus' Unique Style

kalosn

@Gryffin Possibly, or at least in some sense. There's kind of a difference in how characters move, and the speed of their movements compared to PLA. This game in comparison seems to be using a derivative of the Scarlet and Violet engine. I think both have the same basis, but the PLA team modified it slightly to give the player more interactivity with its surroundings.
Maybe I haven't seen enough gameplay or hands-on with it, maybe it will feel closer to PLA since most of its mechanics will return, but at this point, I wonder when the animations will become more immersive..

Re: 'Pokémon Champions', A New Battle-Focused Game, Announced For Switch And Mobile

kalosn

Is this the competitive Pokémon game I always imagined would be perfect pinnacle for the competitive scene?
This game could forever change the way Pokémon games are made. Every new game, they usually tend to focus on the multiplayer aspect maybe too much, to the point of making the main story look like a tutorial for the online battles, maybe even affecting the uniqueness of the game.

But not everything's clear right now, first of all, it should be free-to-start. Why making it paid when you need the Pokémon from the mainline games in the first place? Unless they offer rental Pokémon or even a main story component, there's no need to make it less accessible by asking you for a price.
Why not make them paid components then? For a mainline game, microtransactions would be unacceptable, but in this game, it feels like a good option, if it's free to begin with.

I feel this game deserves its own presentation. And of course, with the focus on battles, this is the chance to finally make more cinematic animations, better not waste it!

Re: Gallery: New Pokémon Legends: Z-A Screenshots Give A Closer Look At The Upcoming Adventure

kalosn

Oh... who knew everybody would get the starters wrong? But it's still strange I mean, two Gen 2 starters and one from Gen 5... that's inconsistent compared to Legends Arceus, what will they have in common?
And it's good to see Mega Evolutions coming back too. But in general, it would've been more exciting had they revealed at least one new critter.. or new form. Maybe we'll have to wait, this game looks more AAA the more I see them giving it the main title treatment, including a full map of the city... and who knows if we could explore anything else in the Kalos region.

Re: How Would You Rate The Pokémon Presents Showcase For February 2025?

kalosn

Okay... not too bad, but not that great either. In fact, ironically, it was pretty solid until the Pokémon Legends Z-A trailer, which besides the later-than-expected release date, only left us wanting more... yet they gave us a deep dive worthy of a first announcement. Too bad, I expected my Pokémon mood to come back for this moment, but I guess it'll have to wait

At least they could appear on the Switch 2 Direct... maybe... if they talk about cross-gen at least.

Re: Opinion: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Looks Cool, But It's Lacking Arceus' Unique Style

kalosn

They're still using the same 3DS-era engine, that is apparent not in the visual quality, but how the world works in general. Similar animations, simlar movement mechanics, similar interactivity... I really hope they finally rework the engine for the next generation to allow for more movement freedom, in fact, that was what made Legends Arceus different from the other games, it's like the engine there was different in more respects.

Still, I won't lose hope in this game's cross-gen potential for the franchise. Not even 4K resolution could hide the fact these buildings are basically textured boxes, the development team must play the Insomniac Spider Man games ASAP

Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Trailer Confirms Starters And Mega Evolutions, Coming Late 2025

kalosn

This trailer definitely looked like a first look more than a full overview. It surely had a very long development time....
Okay, maybe this game will be a bit more "AAA" compared to Legends: Arceus, I mean, how could they otherwise explain the "late 2025" release date? To polish a game like they never did before? Come off, it's not like it has the most detailed assets to work with...
Or maybe it was announced too early last year? I don't know, they're always making games...

Re: Game Vouchers Won't Work On Switch 2 Exclusives, Says Nintendo

kalosn

Again, the could've announced this after revealing the first Switch 2 exclusives and first-party projects.
I would expect them to work on Switch 2 games sometime later, but with all the cross-gen talk and backwards compatibility, it also leads to one premature question: Will Nintendo offer a 10$ upgrade path to Switch 2 updates?

Yes, that question is definitely too early to think about, but similar to what Sony does, offering exclusive gameplay features besides an update in visual settings is something they could make the most of, even if (luckily) no extra price is needed. It would be the natural evolution to the "Wii U port" route we've seen on the Switch 1 generation.

Re: Opinion: Scrapping Gold Points Makes Sense For Nintendo, But It's A Bitter Pill For Loyal Fans

kalosn

I see, that's also the reason why during Switch's first year, Gold Points couldn't be used on Switch games at all, and Game Vouchers came to be two years after the Switch launch
Those small bonus points were always useful for smaller, cheaper games, that's how I got to download some small DLC when I couldn't even pay for them. No matter how small it is, even the littlest incentive can led to comfortable stories.
Still, I don't understand is why announcing this already now, they could've announced this for April for it to feel less abrupt. And how will they replace this incentive? I don't know, but they better talk everything about Online (AND My Nintendo) for the April Direct.

Re: Nope, Monster Hunter Wilds Producer Still Won't Spill The Beans On A Switch 2 Port

kalosn

You would think a developer like Capcom would've been contacted by Nintendo themselves about the Switch 2 and they would be one of its first developers... maybe they do, but for some reason not the Monster Hunter team, that is despite the fact the franchise has always been successful on Nintendo's platforms... Hmm...

Maybe this game is running on the same engine as Monster Hunter Rise, but it is touted as a sequel to Monster Hunter World (aka the game that never came to Switch...), completely open-world with the multiplayer focus the franchise is known for. Alongside games like Dragon's Dogma 2, this game will definitely be a plausible benchmark for what the Switch 2 could ever reach, it it does.
PS4-level "juice" won't be enough. Not even the Steam Deck could run the beta appropriately.
But the game is really looking promising, for me, I just hope it stands at least the miraculous chance of getting it, it could serve as a decent handheld equivalent to the big screen experience.
Or maybe they could just port MHW to Switch 2 at the start, then they would see the possibility of this game.

Re: Rumour: Placeholder Retail Listing Suggests Switch 2 Price Might Be Cheaper Than Expected

kalosn

That translated price almost makes no sense... it's pretty much the price of the Switch OLED..
Even if the Switch 2 has a LCD screen in comparison, it still deserves to be higher to consider its value in the market, but not THAT high to make it unaffordable for the main customer. Basically, at least it must to what the Xbox Series S does in making current-gen gaming accessible, but with more popularity behind it

Nintendo could be considering making two models to give the customer more options in case it needs to cost more, maybe a digital-only model, one with less storage memory or anything? With those options in mind $400 should be the average medium.

Re: EA: Switch 2 Could Help Games Like FC And Madden "Find Real Energy"

kalosn

It's not surprising they decided to comment on EA Sports franchises specifically. It's more about how even with the success of the Switch, EA could never approach that audience without the hardware necessary to run their games, which meant it missed out on many of its other core franchises like Battlefield and Star Wars.
I wouldn't be surprised they played it safe for now, only releasing its core sports franchises (and maybe something like Skate), then afterwards, release some of their blockbusters to see if the Switch audience will be enough.

I hope to see the Jedi games come to Switch 2 at least, I feel they could work pretty well with motion controls.

Re: Feature: 12 Things Switch 2's Mysterious Not-C-Button Might Do, Maybe

kalosn

Dual-screen shenaningans? I had an insane idea about that before the console was revealed. It's not likely because it can be hilarious to even think about it, but whaf Nintendo intends all the the Switch 1 consumers to use the console as a Gamepad while the new Switch 2 they bought is docked... to allow dual-screen gameplay.
Ok that's it, no questions please... just let's wait for more info

Re: Nintendo Switch Hardware Sales Pass 150 Million, With PS2's Record Still A Way Off

kalosn

I don't know if Switch 2 can reach those numbers, but if I remember correctly, the PS1 was a major success milestone for the console industry back in the day with its 100 million units sold, only for the PS2 to surpass those numbers in just a matter of years.
The PS2 is probably the only case of a next generation console being more successful than its already record-breaking predecessor. Is the Switch 2 poised to become one too?
If these numbers speak correctly, I'm pretty sure most of its core base is ready to move on.

Re: Analyst States That Switch 2's Price Won't "Really Matter" For Early Adopters

kalosn

I see many are guessing it will cost 400$, but what if they make also announce a cheaper, digital-only model? What if that is the one that costs 400?
Considering how much the digital-only handheld PCs cost... I guess it should be a fair price depending on the tech it'll have, a digital-only option isn't impossible to think about.
https://www.nintendolife.com/features/talking-point-would-you-buy-a-digital-only-switch-2

Re: Astral Chain Director Seemingly Forms New Studio After Leaving PlatinumGames

kalosn

Aww man... I wish him the best luck on his new studio, but I also hope there's still that chance to complete the Astral Chain trilogy they always wanted, especially for Nintendo's upcoming console.
As for Platinum themselves, I don't know what's going on there to see this sudden talent exodus happen, especially on a studio that was founded to not depend on another publisher (in this case Capcom's) decisions to make the games they wanted. Ninja Gaiden 4 is looking exciting at least, and who knows if it could eventually arrive on Switch 2.
I just hope they can still do what they do best, you would think Nintendo should help on their supposed dire situation, considering they have always had the best relations ever since the Wii U days.

Re: Nintendo's Surprise Switch 2 Trailer Is On Track To Surpass 20 Million Views

kalosn

Maybe because the PS5 hardware reveal wasn't alone in terms of accompanying trailers. The upcoming Direct will be its true showing, and hopefully that's where they can show all the new features.

Now that I think about it, both the PS5 and Switch 2 had similar first reveals, by focusing on the hardware itself (except for the VERY different music effects....). I guess this rules out a digital-only Switch 2 model?

Re: Poll: So, How Would You Feel About 24 Racers In Mario Kart 9?

kalosn

I'd definitely love to see a Battle Royale something on this game, even if it's a dedicated mode itself and would require more optimization, that would be a showcase for the new console's abilities.
For the meantime, 24 racers is interesting, it could either be the new standard or something customizable. Battle Mode would surely get crazy!

Re: Feature: Everything You Missed In The Switch 2 Mario Kart Reveal - Characters, Features, Easter Eggs

kalosn

The resolution even seems to be the same as Mario Kart 8 without anti-aliasing, but at least Donkey Kong has fur, seemingly at least

Unless this is early footage, I have a feeling Nintendo will pull a Tears of the Kingdom with this game and instead of using the new horsepower to boost the visuals, they will use it to expand the gameplay itself, in this case, allowing 24 racers or so on a single track.
Still, considering those are Wii U-class visuals (that still ran at 59-60fps there no less), the rumoured specs and tech, as well as Nintendo's track record on in-house polish, you would assume they can do both things, especially because racing games tend to be the best ways to showcase your new tech.

I don't think it will be cross-gen, Nintendo seems to be implying "you want this all-new Mario Kart with all its new features? Buy the new console or stick with good old MK8 and its DLC lol"

Oh and open-world? Maybe, but I don't find it necessary to be honest, why not make an open world 3D Mario instead?

Re: Reaction: Nintendo Pins Hopes On Familiar Fun With Switch 2

kalosn

I would never call it a stopgap, it would make the console and all these years of waiting feel less valuable.
Overall, it definitely feels more like an evolution from Nintendo, rather than a revolution.

The name itself seems to prove this will be the generational successor to the Switch, but seemingly just that... no gamepad, no Wiimote, no dual-screen, no 3D sensor... something's missing here... I have an insane theory its connection with the original Switch, but it's so unvelieable that maybe I won't share it until either Nintendo does, or doesn't (have).

They haven't even talked about it specs, visual potential, screen resolution, or if it will be 4K on the TV at least (which frankly, wasn't even the selling point of the current-gen console trailers, it was all talked on their respective events)...

I just hope the best for the console, maybe you could assume it will be a success based on the current Switch's, but considering the competition it's going to have all-around (remember, iPhones are now capable of running the RE4 remake), they will have a lot of ground to NOT repeat the Wii U's mistakes.

The Wii U's first mistakes were confusion around the branding and the lack of clarity. Here, it's almost on the verge on making mistakes around convincement... why should the consumer consider it an evolution of the Switch 1? Can it prove to compete with the other handhelds? How will it coexist with the PS5 (PRO) and the eventual PS6?

Re: Joy-Con Mouse Functionality Seemingly Confirmed In Switch 2 Trailer

kalosn

I wonder if it also could have a scroll wheel...
This functionalty has a lot of potential for many games, well mainly FPS and overall games that work perfect on PC, but there's also room for gameplay innovation, like, air hockey games, maybe on a Switch Sports 2 (or Switch Sports Resort)? That would be cool

Re: Poll: So, What Did You Think Of The Switch 2 Reveal?

kalosn

It did what it should did and finally reveal the Switch's sucessor to the world, yet it definitely felt different compared to the first Switch trailer...
That trailer was a classic, it showcased people all-around playing like 4 teased games (and Karen of course!) and using the console on different ways, here it looks as if Nintendo took notes from Sony and Microsoft and choose to literally focus on the hardware itself, maybe thinking "ok, since the public already knows about the Switch, it's time to introduce them to the next generation, no need to showcase what they already know it does"

I get it, if they only wanted to focus on the evolution of the hardware itself, I think a better execution was possible, maybe with a person playing on the original Switch and then it suddenly transforms into the succesor in front of their eyes, then you show games that would never run on the Switch 1 (new name huh?) and of course, a first-party tease like Mario Odyssey back in the day (which in this case was a new Mario Kart)...

It seems the Switch 2 still has a lot of secrets under its sleeve, this trailer focused on what has mostly leaked before, but definitely not everything was leaked, what is that second USB port for? or the mysterious C button? Questions that will hopefully be answered later.

Re: New Mario Kart 9 Teased For Switch 2

kalosn

A new Mario Kart? I would have assumed they could've shown a new 3D Mario Game as a first-timer, but anyway, I don't know what to think I mean, years of DLC support for Mario Kart 8 for them to come with something that should be different enough I guess?

The visuals look to be running on what appears to be a modified Mario Kart 8 engine, which is fine I guess, but in a world of modern rendering techniques, there are some questions here about the quality of the visuals, unsurprisingly given this is the first Switch 2 title seen running on an actual console, maybe it's an early look?

Re: Nintendo Will Hold A Switch 2 Direct Presentation In April

kalosn

Oh no, waiting once again months for more official information on a new console, it feels like the Xbox Series/PS5 waiting time again D:

I guess the leaks won't end here, impatience can be underestimated...

Besides, this is different from the original Switch pre-release era, when Nintendo hosted a live Nintendo Switch Presentation within a crowd of journalists, yet it's more akin to how modern game presentations are handled.

This will be the Switch 2's chance to be sold to the public, this is their equivalent to the all-important first blowout event, this will be Switch 2's SpaceWorld, E3 2006, E3 2012, Switch Presentation, etc...
How are they going to handle what should (assumingly) be the longest and most important Nintendo Direct ever yet? Time will tell.

Re: Nintendo Breaks Silence On 'Switch 2' Image And Video Leaks

kalosn

It's okay, not official, but that doesn't mean it's not legit... blah blah.
What I'm worried mostly is if what they said about it being already "avaliable on the black market" turns out to be true, I mean, buying a console that wasn't even revealed yet sounds crazy enough

Re: 'Switch 2' Ergonomic Grip Case Surfaces On Amazon

kalosn

That's it. So. many. LEAKS!!!!
Between this, the Xbox handheld rumors, the PlayStation handheld rumors, the now 4-year+ generational gap, the PC handhelds, the latest phones running current-gen console games.... It feels like the only thing they haven't talked about is the potential new feature/innovation/gimmick that Nintendo is known for every console generation. I wanna know how powerful it will be too, but there must be something that makes it stand out compared to everything that came to be thanks to the original Switch, right?

Re: Is This Our Best Look Yet At 'Switch 2'?

kalosn

...... right now I only have questions about its thickness, somehow it looks thicker than what it was previously leaked, but maybe that's just the accesory itself. Still, if only it was thick enough to support a strong battery...
It would also be awesome if it truly shipped with those black-ish colors, they look cool.

Re: Reaction: With Xenoblade Chronicles X On Switch, The Wii U's Demise Is Complete

kalosn

Why is everyone suddenly thinking this announcement means no Switch 2 news for the rest of the year? It's not like if there was a law related to announcement dates, remember the original Switch was properly revealed with no named games, it only showed some concepts of how they would work and run.
The release date being March is because of its anniversary by the way, if the Switch 2 releases or would be released by then, it would a nice cross-gen addition with backwards compatiblity.