Comments 6,142

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (7th March)

nhSnork

Most of the hybrid anniversary week has been split between refilling the memory card on OLED and wrapping up the already reinstalled Wreckfest (the latter alongside Miracle Cure over on 3DS). Following a parallel eShop spree of anniversary-befitting proportions, some of its newly vacant space is already anticipating a few of the resulting backlog infusions from SteamWorld Build, TMNT Splintered Fate and Sagres to Doomsday Hunters, Dawnfolk and Bilkins' Folly; bulkier stuff like Barn Finders, Planet of Lana and Vanguard Dear Days may have to wait. I even almost grabbed Balatro on sale but dodged the bullet at the last moment - the discounted NS version, seemingly unlike the recently encountered case of Core Keeper, appears to be a separate edition and would have ended up stuck on the nextgen.🤔😅 The new additions have also confirmed that neither the most recent system update nor OLED's increased internal memory have addressed the icon display anomaly, which means little point in recreating the older unit's group structure until better times as well - guess I'll really have to fall back on the VGC menu and external collection trackers for browsing the full library now.

With luck, what gaming sessions may yet occur this weekend will revolve around the aforelisted new items alongside already "recovered" mainstays like Xenoblade X, RE0, MHR, Yumia and/or Borderlands 2 alongside NSO-provided Zero Mission, Zelda II or Yoshi's Island - but even if mopping up the remaining transfers clashes with these plans (not all titles allow background downloads), there's always stuff to turn to on other hardware, from the equally hybrid Cyberpunk and No Man's Sky to the Deck with its own couple of new recruits in Greedfall and Deep Rock Galactic. Handheld console representatives from Valentia and the first Fantasy Life to Eternia and VLR may feature in some capacity, too.

Re: Review: Blue Prince (Switch 2) - A Masterful Mystery, And One Of The Best Puzzlers Ever

nhSnork

You'd think this would end with a 10. "X won't be for everyone" applies to everything under the sun, and for all the advantages of cross-save functionality, has it become as commonplace as to deduct its absence from an otherwise outstanding game? I don't recall [m]any people bashing Xenoblade for no data transfer from 3DS even though the latter was present in Monster Hunter Generations.

Re: Xbox Announces Next Generation Console, Will Play "Xbox And PC Games"

nhSnork

Well, Rog Ally X walked the path of Steam Deck (sans the competitive price that sets or at least used to set the latter apart), so I suppose a Windows take on Steam Machine was a natural followup.😄 Only time will tell how it goes, but "leading in performance" sounds like a premium price across the board, meaning that ports to Nintendo's more affordable and already robust hybrids should remain topical.

@SBandy1 to be fair, a PC in console dressing is pretty much what Xbox has been since its Gen 6 debut.

Re: Nintendo Indie World Showcase March 2026: Every Announcement, Game Reveal, Trailer

nhSnork

Banger upon banger, but it's fairly typical of IWs to deliver particular headturners. Although while welcoming Deadzone Rogue among the rest (FPS roguelites are still relatively uncommon), I'm left wondering if the game also has gyro and lowkey concerned about third parties starting to focus on "mousecons" over it despite the latter tech being naturally awkward in one mode of the console's three and borderline unusable in another. Not quite an equivalent exchange if we're talking feature priorities. Oh well, if I got through all three Bioshocks on sticks alone...

(On a side note, new game showcases are obvious article fuel and all, but surely NL hasn't forgotten what date it is overall?😏)

Re: Nintendo Indie World Showcase Announced For Tomorrow, 3rd March 2026

nhSnork

@tanaka2687 I would need a second job to quickly catch up with everything ALREADY announced for NS2 (not to mention the ever bottomless and still growing pastgen wishlist). I welcome every showcase (and IWs tend to dish out some of the most imaginative stuff among them), but strictly on a "we'll get there when we get there" basis. The boos must really be coming from the folks who literally buy a Nintendo console for 3-4 flagship Marielda games and wallow in consistent buyer's remorse inbetween.

Re: Gallery: Here's A Look At Pokémon Winds & Waves On Switch 2

nhSnork

Ironic (but not unappreciable) that I used to fancy a modern Pokemon Snap as a free-roamer of the kind I eventually got in Beasts of Maravilla Island - and now it looks like we've got a whole Pokemon region with environments resembling the latter title. I reckon a photo mode will be there for good measure, too?

Meanwhile, the real pressing issue is to decide on the new generation's portmanteau name for easier reference online. Pokemon WiWa sounds a bit weird, but Pokemon Wives... may sound even weirder.😅

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (28th February)

nhSnork

Good question. Switch was intended to be the usual hardware focus until a wild headturner of an OLED offer drew near; Mariko's gradually aging battery (even more hassle to replace by oneself than on 3DS) and last year's annoyingly random HDMI signal tantrums have idly directed my mind towards un upgrade for a while but I didn't expect it to happen right on the eve of the hybrid queen's 9th anniversary, with the ensuing routines from account transfers to a borderline terabyte's worth of redownloads.💀 Some of the previously planned items, from RE0, Wreckfest and Ball x Pit to XC2, Omega Strike and Sakuna are given priority, but the rest, including my go-to franchise menu with its generally sizeable entries, is less realistic for the time being. Oh well, after finishing both Jettomero among native ports and Dr. Mario among emulated stuff, this backlog couldn't claim negligence this week if it tried - and there's still another hybrid machine to indulge in the meantime with items from MK64, Cyberpunk and Palia to Carto, Doom 3 and No Man's Sky. The other backlogs, from New Order, Watch Dogs and Xenosaga to Miracle Cure, VLR and Eternia, might just seize the opportunity for more session time as well.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (21st February)

nhSnork

Two platform backlogs growing bigger yet this week, but while the Switch library gains (including Newt One, Breathedge, Jack Move and two more Bendy games) are more abundant, they're also going to wait at least until I'm through with the Wreckfest career while Deck should see some actual weekend action in Warriors of the Nile, a tactical roguelite that somehow never followed its sequel Switchward. The OG hybrid, on the other hand, got two regions' worth of Virtual Boy installed (the Japanese version grabbed just in case although the launch lineup is identical); the unequipped experience is predictably squintworthy but not unenjoyable, and the arcade horror of Innsmouth no Yakata is particularly neat to see as yet another retro title getting some belated westside presence courtesy of the Classics apps. That said, what time I may spend with said apps this weekend will likely be focused on a salad of Zelda II, Yoshi's Island, Zero Mission and MK64 instead.

Retaining their fair session odds are also the other Switch "salads" (the usual franchise-spanning ones - Xenoblade, Tales, Persona, Atelier, Castlevania, My Time...) alongside other stuff from FFXII, RE0, Unsighted and Hero's Hour to Caravan Sandwitch, Swords of Ditto, Knight Witch and Dysmantle. More Zelda across BotW and EoW is also possible, as is the other aforementioned franchise engagements spilling over to other platforms like 3DS and Vita (which also have other content odds ranging from Endless Frontier and Chase Begins to VLR and Neptunia). Even PS4 might just elbow in with some New Order and/or Drake's Fortune.

Re: Talking Point: Our Pokémon Presents 2026 Predictions - What Are You Hoping For?

nhSnork

Almost four years since ScarVio, a new flagship game pair (fittingly labeled "Gen 10") seems quite likely, but my own wishful thinking continues to gravitate towards anything pinball (from the NSO updates to a brand new entry that might as well house the entire National Dex for the first time in years - get that collectathon going!) and more fancy crossovers like Pokemon Conquest (unless Pokopia's AC/DQB flavours are already filling that slot for now). Mainline remasters/remakes are welcome for legal access and convenience but the franchise's general portability (alongside my Pokebinge already juggling Gold, Moon and Sword) doesn't make them an unbearable itch.

Re: Missed Potential Or A Campy Classic? Switch 2 Exclusive 'Tokyo Scramble' Hasn't Been A Hit

nhSnork

The game went straight to my wishlist since the Direct and no amount of deciphering what some pretentious dodos define as "campy" is likely to change that. If my wallet procrastinates on the game, it'll be purely through the competition in the aforesaid wishlist and the limits of the aforesaid wallet, but the medium isn't relatively swimming in dinosaur[oid] games to begin with. As for frustration, far be it from me to expect otherwise as someone who generally sucks at stealth games. Just like I suck at soulslikes and still remain interested in them.😆

Re: 'Can You Use Labo VR Goggles For Virtual Boy Games On Switch?' & Other Nintendo Classics VB Questions Answered

nhSnork

Props for the screen photos - perhaps I might still find some use for the app after all.😆 I mean, at least by a rough mental comparison, the proportions don't look smaller than what I unironically played through the entire Tales of Destiny at (I set the image to native resolution because stretching it to my PSP's screen looked weirder). There'll be [additional] eye strain to deal with, but as the article itself admits, most VB games weren't designed for lengthy sessions anyway. And the app's listed 62 Mb certainly lend themselves to trying and seeing how it goes.

Re: Back Page: The Best Horses On The Nintendo Switch

nhSnork

Noteworthy that Roach even has her own game on a Nintendo platform, if small and accessed in a fairly roundabout way.

Meanwhile, come on now - with two G5 games and one G4 DLC pinball table, how does this list not address MLP franchise while listing a birb? Don't get me wrong, chocobos are iconic steeds in themselves, but...

EDIT: and I'm one pot to call out the kettles here after forgetting to mention the Spirit game on Switch as well - only hailing from one of the most iconic horse-themed franchises in modern fiction and spawned from one of my all-time fave movies!

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (14th February)

nhSnork

After a fairly Wreckfest-filled week (I kept thinking I could wrap up the career soon but the leagues are growing 6-8 races per event now, which the pursuit of bonus objectives can recurrently double), I'm not even confident about putting other driving stuff among my weekend backlog plans, although the related Cyberpunk and Borderlands 2 bits may still apply, and I might already start Mario Kart 64; SMK just saw me settle for the silver in the 150cc Star Cup and honestly ponder cutting my losses here because Special Cup's first race wipes the floor even with the variably recommended Toad (let alone Peach whom I got through every previous cup). The completion is off the table anyway as I never had any interest in the local time trials.

The SNES app, however, might just get more of my time toward finishing Yoshi's Island, and the mood may extend to other veteran franchise binges like Zelda II and Zero Mission. Of course, all of the above will be facing the usual competition from native Switch stuff like Xenoblade 2, Xillia, Yumia, Dying Light, Athanasy, Carto, Fell Seal, Caravan Sandwitch, Gnosia, Core Keeper, Dead Cells and the first Hammerwatch from the local bundle (freshly picked alongside Coteries of New York which will warm the bench for now), plus quite possibly one or more Castlevania playthroughs from here to Vita. The other platforms retain the odds of more Elex, Xenosaga, Nioh, VLR, Luigi's Mansion and Wolfenstein New Order, too; possibly even some Pokemon Gold/Moon while at it.

Re: Subnautica & Subnautica: Below Zero Appear To Be Getting Switch 2 Upgrades

nhSnork

"And if you have the newer console, why wouldn't you?"

Because I'm not keen on increasing an already portable game's filesize for some extra frixels and/or reduced loading times alone. Ironically, I do have one such free upgrade on my account now, but courtesy of Core Keeper's NS2 package being on sale instead of the pastgen port when I bought it last week (needless to say, the game itself landed on my Switch).

That said, I don't recall any gyro in Subnautica on Switch; if it materializes here (unlike in some other titles that could benefit from the feature - looking at you, RDR👀😆), the offer would be a definite chinscratcher even with a price attached.

Re: Nintendo Store App Receives A Small But Welcome Update

nhSnork

The app seemed interesting but I started steering clear of it after its purchase history choked at the region discrepancy and started listing my older purchases for $150-4500 in its currency confusion.😅 Perhaps unfoundedly (I am a humanitarian), but I can't help lowkey wondering if that could have played into last autumn's nonsequitur transaction hijinks and last month's defunct "year-in-review".

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (7th February)

nhSnork

Another month, another hybrid splurge. And, despite the progress made in Wreckfest and Saints Row 4, another couple of reluctantly shelved items on top of the space previously cleared with two GTAs in January. But the tradeoff was not only getting FFXII back on board, but also greedily surrounding myself with a bagful of enticing backlog bloaters for the weekend (Core Keeper, Knight Witch, Going Under, Paranormasight, Warriors Abyss and Caravan SandWitch while yet others from Brigandine, Home and Curse of the Sea Rats to Penko Park, Scar of the Doll and PopSlinger will await their own hour). Naturally... if for a given definition of "natural"👀... the already installed playthroughs will still be competing with this bunch for this nerd's free time and attention as well - driving stuff from the aforementioned titles to Truck Driver and Super Mario Kart (itself close to a wrap-up, although the last two 150cc cups can drive you in a fairly nutty direction even with all the emulation perks applied💀), adventure mysteries like Athanasy and Danganronpa, simulations like PowerWash and Idol Manager, roguelites from 20xx and Little Noah to Dust & Neon and Rogue Legacy 2, JRPGs from Xenoblades, Tales and Ateliers to Rune Factories, Personas and Fantasy Lives... and some other possibilities like Carto, RE0, Monster Sanctuary, Luminaria and Astroneer.

Handheld consoles, aside from a couple more Miracle Cure stages, may take a backseat for the next few days, outbeckoned not only by Deck (which saw Tales of Arise and Oblivion wiped in light of their respective NS2 ports' advent, then Elex and Wondership Q immediately taking some of their space) but even PS4 which I've finally made slightly more portable with a pretty basic but proportionally affordable 11.6" external display - the resulting combo may still not so readily lend itself to my "downtown downtimes", but not having to plug into a living room TV might just streamline the procedure for occasional home sessions. The likes of GTA 5, Star Ocean IaF, New Order and Uncharted are all likely to be summoned as witnesses to those expectations over the weekend. I even curiously tested both hybrids in docked mode, the results feeling satisfactory if predictably redundant.

Re: Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase February 2026: Every Announcement, Game Reveal, Trailer

nhSnork

The only minor bummer was Todd's phrasing about "franchises coming to Nintendo for the first time" which inadvertently left me trolled about the still absent Dishonored (both TES and technically Fallout have already been on Switch, and Indy's game isn't exactly a franchise unless you count previous adaptations... which, again, WERE on past Nintendo platforms). Otherwise, a doozy - it's not often you get new Tales, Elder Scrolls and Final Fantasy port announcements in the same Direct! The returns of Captain Tsubasa, Culdcept and Paranormasight (the latter's first entry incidentally just dropped to a fiver on US eShop as well) are great news as well, as are Granblue Fantasy ReLink (here's hoping Versus is somewhere in the pipeline as well), Time Stranger and more Xanadu for the god of Xanadu. And Tokyo Scramble? Close enough - welcome back, Dino Crisis.😄 The reiterated stuff from Resident Evils to Pragmata, Orbitals and MHS3 looks juicy, too, so in the end, the only one unhappy with this Direct here is my wallet.

@NintendoWife "word salad"? This title is shorter than half the anime shows these days. And as far as games go...

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@7GOD tell me I didn't just see "more single player games" used derogatorily. Plenty of those can take you anywhere between 30 and 300 hours in their own right, but would people prefer to crutch the same time on the whims amd schedules of complete strangers a hemisphere over alongside the delicious FOMO of events and battle passes? And I'm not even talking from particular personal aversion to the latter, but really now.