Comments 716

Re: Reminder: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds 'Open Network Test' For Switch Is Now Live

martynstuff

General impressions- it's definitely the Switch version (I'm playing handheld). I'd say its on par to how Shadow Generations looks on Switch- fine but certainly not perfect as the Big Boy console counterparts.
Personally, it's a mixed bag. The pros are it handles well and the tracks do look aesthetically pleasing (more so on the Switch 2 version I hope). The track transformations are neat too but shake it up.I had fun with what I played.
The cons are that some of the tracks don't lend themselves well to the mechanics. Some of the paths are a bit too narrow which can be tricky to navigate amongst the chaos. The music during the races seems a bit too quiet by default which is a shame as it does sound good. Can't say I enjoy the Gears vehicles as they feel a little too floaty and they don't really feel all that different during sea and air segments. Don't know how to feel about the customisation parts either. They feel like they're more of a completion thing rather than anything.

It seems like a bit of a hodgepodge of various elements of previous Sonic racers but not quite finding that sweetspot. Is it a competent racer? It could be. Is it going to be the Mario Kart World killer? Absolutely not. Say what you like about MKW (and people will) but it's still an enjoyable game in it's core gameplay and feel.

Re: Pokémon Legends Z-A's Latest Mega Evolution Looks Particularly Snazzy

martynstuff

I like it. What I like about the Megas is that it's like GF looked at some of the older designs and thought 'ok, if we were to redesign this Pokémon, how would it look?' Give Dragonite more Dragonair features, make Slowbro look more goofy akin to Slowpokes more aloof look

In terms of how how frequently TPCi doing these reveals, I think it's worth keeping in mind that they have to deal a significant issue since the 3DS days- leakers. It happened when the Sun and Moon demo got datatmined revealing most of the Pokédex, we had that one outlet who leaked Sword and Shields contents via a guide, you have people like Centro who brazenly leak info, the Tera Leak had an incomplete build which someone is going through. When you're TPCi and you see that, what can you do? I know they've tried taking action for it (Centro gets very arrogant and smug about it too). I would agree they showed too much during the lead up to Gen 7 but I think they've reigned it back since then and I don't blame them for not doing downloadable demos. I think the main upset should be aimed at leakers ruining surprises. That said, with Pokémon you're danged if you do, danged if you don't. Show too much and people will say you're spoiling everything, show too little and some will say they've hardly shown anything.

For anyone worried they're showing things too much, by the sounds of it you won't have to worry about all the Megas being shown before release.

(Full disclosure- I don't work for TPCi so I can't talk 😜)

Re: Opinion: No One Told Me 'Chibi-Robo' Is Traumatising

martynstuff

Well, I would have said this but that would have been spoilers 😜
I remember originally playing through the game and thinking 'hmm..this is surprisingly dark game'. Despite its cheery demeanor, it tackles issues I'd never seen in a Nintendo game- divorce, a wife who's clearly stressed out, a man-child, a child who may or may not have non-verbal autistic qualities or is using a coping mechanism to deal with issues.
I suppose that's what I like about the game really. It has a childish like glee but it also says 'hey, not everything is as it seems'. Sort of reminds me of my parents relationship being quite patchy and leading to divorce.
Gave me a new perspective on how dark some games get despite their artstyle or appearance (especially in the Pokemon games if you've read the pokedex entries or plot themes)

For that reason, that's why Chibi-Robo is in my top 10 games list.

Re: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Lands Another New Mega Evolution

martynstuff

Well, i liked it. Had to flinch when it eventually appeared. I do like that it follows the theme of pitcher plants by being full of liquid (in this case, poison)

But of course, I suppose some will dislike it because it's not overly complicated like a good percentage of fanart 🙄

Re: Nintendo Music "Special Release" Adding Tracks From Kirby's New Switch 2 Game

martynstuff

@Polley001 @N00BiSH
In Ultimates case, I would say that if we were to get that games soundtrack, it would be only select songs from it as you'd have to do a LOT of licensing for certain tracks. For starters, the new FF arrangements, unlike most remixes in the game, are solely credited to Square Enix under Arrangement Copyright so really you'd have to get SE to play ball on that. I'm not sure how it works but I would assume that despite many of the remixed songs having Nintendo credited as Arrangement Copyright, it would require a lot of negotiation with the original song owners (mainly third parties) and I'm guessing it's nowhere near as simple as 'throwing money at it's

I suppose a good example would be the Club Nintendo Smash 3DS/Wii U CD where in the liner notes, Samurai explained that they could only get clearance on one third party song for it.

Anyway, it's early in the day and I'm still half awake so I've likely misread the point that was made so forgive me 😪

Re: Review: Drag x Drive (Switch 2) - A Real Baller With Friends, But Is There Enough To Do?

martynstuff

My impressions from the Global Jam- The controls take a little getting used to but once you get the hang of it, it can be pretty enjoyable. It definitely gives that effect of moving in a wheelchair. My main two issues were tackling requires going head on which is difficult to pull off in all the action. The other is actually nothing to do with the game itself but I couldn't help but notice there wasn't much teamwork as whichever player had possession of the ball chose to wheel themselves across the court and take a shot themselves which was a bit disappointing.

Personally, I think it would have been easier to lose the ball if you got hit hard enough from any direction so at least it encourages players to pass more often rather than take all the glory themselves.

All in all, it's a solid and enjoyable experience and the HD rumble did feel really nice

Re: Talking Point: Where On Earth Are The Switch 2 Soundtracks On Nintendo Music?

martynstuff

I use it fairly for when im out and about.

Aaaaanyway, does anyone remember when they added Kirby and the Forgotten Land and they specifically stated it was only part of the OST and that the rest would be added at a later date? I think we now know why part of it was omitted. That'll be because they'll add the remaining tracks and Star Crossed World's soundtrack at some point when the Switch 2 edition has released. How soon after? I have no idea but I'd say it's likely the first Switch 2 soundtrack added..

Source: Me because I think about this sort thing too much

Re: Random: Honda's Pokémon Koraidon Motorbike Looks Laughable In Practice

martynstuff

'At least it runs better than the games did on Switch amirite, guys? Come on, laugh at my joke that highlights an issue from three years ago. Yeah, it got an update to play better on Switch 2 but don't let that get in the way of my hot take that everyone else has made' attaches the same two screenshots from 2022

Quote source: nearly every content creator/social media user with more than 2000 followers

Re: This Fortnite 'Power Rangers' Trailer Is Absolutely Awesome

martynstuff

Ive always been curious about Power Rangers in gaming as I always thought the Power Rangers might be a licensing issue due to the Super Sentai IP in Japan. I heard Battle for the Grid didn't see a JP release for that reason

Edit: I was half right. Power Rangers games are rebranded as Super Sentai but Battle for the Grid was an exception as it is based on the BOOM comic series so that's probably why

Re: Feature: What We Expect From Nintendo For Super Mario Bros.' 40th Anniversary

martynstuff

Personally, I'm not expecting anything. I get that the 40th is an important milestone but I think Nintendo would be focused on Switch 2 and it's upcoming titles. Also, if they celebrated every milestone, the novelty would wear off.

If they did have to do something, it'd have to be something small scale. I suppose seeming as five years have passed, I guess they could put the 3D All-Stars titles individually on the eShop for those who missed out or only wanted specific titles. Maybe a few Mario titles on the NSO apps like Sunshine, the Advance sports titles etc. i suppose an update or DLC announcement for Mario Kart World would be decent too. A teaser trailer for the second movie? Alarmo update?

Long story short, nothing major and epic but probably acknowledgement of the original games release and updates on Mario related stuff

Re: Anniversary: 10 Years After His Passing, Satoru Iwata's Thoughts Are More Relevant Than Ever

martynstuff

I still think, in hindsight, that as fans we were a bit harsh on him after the E3 2015 presentation. Nintendo were in a unfortunate situation. The Wii U wasn't doing great, the 3DS pretty much carrying the company along with amiibo and unbeknownst to us, Iwata was in his last days. I think all that made me want to change my viewpoint on games in general. Ditch the cynicism and snark and instead look at things from a different, more fairer perspective. Consider developers as humans rather than a non entity

Even now, you can see Iwatas influence such as Directs to convey information to the player, maintaining relationships and initiating partnerships with third parties, not always just following the trend or...most importantly, able to surprise players with something unexpected but nonetheless fun. People may not realise it but although the man has gone, there's still a little Iwata magic throughout Nintendo to this day

Re: "That's Some Real Coward S***" - Hideki Kamiya Discusses The Fallout From The Bayonetta 3 Voiceover Controversy

martynstuff

Ah, that situation. I remember not saying anything because I felt like what Helena was saying was coming across as somewhat coercive in matter. I remember people posting screenshots of their cancelled orders and feeling very proud about it. Then when the story got more clarification, people backtracked or doubled down on something else related.
It should be taken as an important lesson about not jumping to conclusions or seeing things in black and white. I would definitely chalk this up as one of a few times when the fan base were in the wrong.

For me, it ruined my enjoyment of the game.

Re: A Cancelled 'Animaniacs' GBA Game Has Been Rediscovered, And You Can Play It Now

martynstuff

So i suppose the game can now be played in United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama
Haiti, Jamaica, Peru,
Republic Dominican, Cuba, Carribean
Greenland, El Salvador too.
Puerto Rico, Columbia, Venezuela
Honduras, Guyana, and still,
Guatemala, Bolivia, then Argentina
And Ecuador, Chile, Brazil.
Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua, Bermuda
Bahamas, Tobago, San Juan,
Paraguay, Uruguay, Surinam
And French Guiana, Barbados, and Guam.
Norway, and Sweden, and Iceland, and Finland
And Germany now one piece,
Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia
Italy, Turkey, and Greece.
Poland, Romania, Scotland, Albania
Ireland, Russia, Oman,
Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia
Hungary, Cyprus, Iraq, and Iran.
There's Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan
Both Yemens, Kuwait, and Bahrain,
The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Portugal
France, England, Denmark, and Spain.
India, Pakistan, Burma, Afghanistan
Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan,
Kampuchea, Malaysia, then Bangladesh (Asia)
And China, Korea, Japan.
Mongolia, Laos, and Tibet, Indonesia
The Philippine Islands, Taiwan,
Sri Lanka, New Guinea, Sumatra, New Zealand
Then Borneo, and Vietnam.
Tunisia, Morocco, Uganda, Angola
Zimbabwe, Djibouti, Botswana,
Mozambique, Zambia, Swaziland, Gambia
Guinea, Algeria, Ghana.
Burundi, Lesotho, and Malawi, Togo
The Spanish Sahara is gone,
Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Liberia
Egypt, Benin, and Gabon.
Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya, and Mali
Sierra Leone, and Algiers,
Dahomey, Namibia, Senegal, Libya
Cameroon, Congo, Zaire.
Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar
Rwanda, Mahore, and Cayman,
Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Yugoslavia...
Crete, Mauritania
Then Transylviania,
Monaco, Liechtenstein
Malta, and Palestine,
Fiji, Australia, Sudan.

Re: PSA: DBrand's Switch 2 'Killswitch' Dock Adapter's 'Seamless Docking' Apparently Isn't Quite Seamless

martynstuff

But....but..dbrand once taunted Nintendo and referred to Sony as 'terrorists'. They're the edgy rebellions who sock it to the corps. they're the good guys...

No but seriously, I do find dbrands...brand and 'consoomer fwendo'-ism to be a little brash and cringy personally so the likelihood of me buying their stuff was pretty low anyway. Should be interesting to see how they handle this...

Re: Pauline's Age In Donkey Kong Bananza Has Been Revealed

martynstuff

My headcanon is that Donkey Kong Jr is a prequel to Donkey Kong. Jr grew up to be the DK we know today. However, the Ape that's trapped in the cage in that game is actually Cranky. However, when Cranky says he was the original DK, he neglects to mention he was the one from DKJr so yes, technically he is the first Donkey Kong in the timeline but due to him being an old grump, he tends to embellish things to save embarrassment from being 'Oh, you're the one who got captured'

My timeline-
DK Jr> Bananza>DK (arcade)> Country series