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This looks phenomenal! Thank you for highlighting. Definitely going on my list!

@Quarth Because they get a small amount of money from Amazon if somebody purchases the game after clicking the link.

All Facebook knows how to do is make unconscionable amounts of money by amplifying and propagating negativity. It's literally written into their algorithms. Now I'm gonna spend time in whatever hellscape they think will enhance the reality they've demonstrably worsened? Yeah... no.

Mighty No. 9 got some pretty terrible reviews, but expectations were way higher than the game could bear, and when the dust settled we were left with a pretty decent action platformer, IMO.

Narita Boy is a time machine that oozes style and atmosphere.

Video Kid will make you remember the feel of your pocket full of quarters, bathed in the glow of the cabinet in the dank, dark din of the arcade.

Ditto Hyper Sentinel.

Cybarian is the NES game you'd never heard of, that your wealthy friend bought because she was bored, and that hooked you from the first stage.

Gato Roboto is kinda weirder and better than any Metroidvania you've ever played, and it's over before you know it.

And can we all go have an adventure in the SNES world of Iconoclasts? That'd be nice.

The visuals looked heavily downgraded from my PS5 version, so I'm guessing it won't be cloud-based.

Interesting way to do it bundled with the Expansion Pack. If the last of the tracks are released into 2023, we'll need two years' subscription to see them.

I visited the Highlands once and it's like I never left. I will certainly give this lovely-looking title a go just to immerse myself in the beautiful music and visuals. Barring a AAA Highlands experience, this will float me back to that wonderful time.

@Krull Thank you! Hard to say no at $10, really. I wish Bayonetta 2 would go on sale, like, ever, but I never see it dip below MSRP.

@karatekid1612

https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/6-nintendo-characters-8-bit-wine-labels/

@Krull Was wondering exactly this. Just spotted it for $10 on the PS store and thought I'd finally give it a go. But I often just cannot handle dated camera and general visual muddiness of older games. Does it play well for someone who LOVED Astral Chain?

Luigi's Mansion and a brand new run-through of Breath of the Wild on Switch, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on Nintendo Switch Online.

Uncharted 4, Guardians of the Galaxy, Chorvs, and Tomb Raider on PS5

Forza Horizon 5, Doom Eternal, Golf With Friends and Unpacking on Xbox Series X

I am absolutely spoiled for choice and loving this generation. Game on one and all and happy weekend!

@Tourtus I don't know if there's any way to play it these days, but check out The Neverhood if you haven't!

Very cool! Does anybody remember The Neverhood by Dreamworks? I loved that game!

@MNH Thanks for sharing. I agree the value is there, plenty of it, even if it's on a different scale from something like Game Pass. These legacy titles are simply incomparable and for me experiences of great sentimental value. May I ask what region you're gaming in and what kind of internet connection your Switch enjoys?

How do movies come out on time? Maybe it has something to do with unions preventing such gross mismanagement? I'm sure it happens in all industries, but the video game industry seems systemically broken. I can't imagine anybody but investors and managers are to blame. And since these people all look and speak and act the same way, I think we know what the problem is. We need unions and we need real leadership.

For a kid who had his mind blown the first time he saw Mario 64 demo'd at his local Blockbuster, and whose first video game system was a Nintendo 64, Banjo Kazooie brings me DEEP nostalgia. I spent many, many hours in this bright and bonkers world. I would love to jump back in today, but since I don't have the upgraded NSO subscription and I've heard it performs poorly, I'll give it a go on Game Pass, where it's been available for quite some time. I tried to get into Yooka Laylee because I believe it was made by some of the same people and obviously pays homage to BK, but it was just a bit too janky for me to enjoy beyond a couple hours' frustrated roaming.

Does anybody know if performance issues have been fixed with N64 titles on NSO?

This game doesn't appeal to me, but Eastshade is such a wonderful and unique game, I can't recommend it highly enough.

Quality parody, this. Appreciate the take!

@earthinheritor I'm a bookseller and while books do go on sale, and at some places are sold at a discount, it's not because of their age. But bookselling is unique in that if a book doesn't sell I can send it back to the publisher for a full refund. I forego the chance at a profit (and lose a bit of money on shipping), but if your store is small enough, like mine, you don't want to dedicate room to lower-profit-margin items (sale items), which didn't do well to begin with. Old books still sell for full price.

"Don't worry. The thing some people paid for is still better than the thing other people will now pay for."

Guacamelee and the Blind Forest

This probably falls under the category of art direction rather than graphics, but every time I boot up Thumper for some very satisfying short-burst gameplay, I'm impressed by how it looks.

And what about:

Narita Boy
Hades
Hellblade
The Trine games
Hob
Dragonball Fighterz

@larryisanassman Appreciate the detailed response. Your testimony has led directly to a loss of funds. The game looks remarkable more than just visually and I can't wait to boot it up. May your entire playthrough be just as satisfying as the first 7 hours. Cheers!

I'm on the fence about Eastward. Has anybody picked that up and logged some hours? It looks like the kind of lovingly hand-crafted indie affair I enjoy, but if its systems are too complex and get in the way of exploration and combat, I'll probably skip out before finishing.

Meanwhile I've been thoroughly enjoying a second playthrough of Astral Chain. What a masterpiece of a game!

Happy weekend all and happy gaming!

Mario Odyssey 2. You heard it here fifth.

@Dragonslacker1 You're so right. I've been using my 8Bitdo SN30 Pro to play Super Metroid through my Switch Online account. Perfection.

Picked up Alba: A Wildlife Adventure on sale and it's turned out to be exactly what I hoped: a chill, pleasant, colorful, light-hearted excursion perfect for just before bed or after a stressful day at work.

Happy weekend one and all and happy gaming!

Box Boy is on my list.

@GrailUK You could care a little less and not comment, mate

Obviously I wouldn't call it a bad game because I love it, but apparently I am in a minority of gamers who never could get enough of Cool Spot on the Sega Genesis.

Picked up Kaze and the Wild Masks and looking forward to a light-hearted nostalgia trip (Jazz Jackrabbit, anyone?) to lighten my mood inbetween grim sessions of The Last of Us Part II. Happy gaming to all!

It's kinda mobile-y which is generally a turnoff for me, but I got a lot of mileage out of the simple and addictive Flat Heroes. Does that count as a hidden gem? Fantastic music and visuals, hectic single-player and local co-op, great style. And frequently on sale! I feel like the equally excellent (and similar) Just Shapes and Beats gets more of the spotlight, but Flat Heroes is high pick-up-and-play value, in my book.

I've recently taken to playing on easy, if not from the beginning of a game, then at least when I get to a point where I can't progress and frustration is replacing joy and jolting me from the immersion I seek when gaming. Also, when I'm playing a game like Jedi Fallen Order or Control, where I'm supposed to FEEL like a badass hero with amazing capabilities, dying over and over and over again kinda harshes that vibe. I don't want things to be TOO easy, because that's not fun, either, but a well-balanced easy mode that emphasizes the feel of being the protagonist and allows the narrative to progress smoothly is increasingly what I go for.

I was not a fan of Zelda's voice in the game, but I don't blame the actor for it. It's definitely a choice that the director made. Zelda was written to sound constantly vulnerable and racked by self-doubt and exasperated with herself, hence the reason her voice is so breathy and high-pitched and vulnerable all the time. I'm certain this voice actor would have done a good job voicing what this fan thinks SHOULD have been a strong-willed and ferocious Zelda. Perhaps we will get that one day.

Picked up Horace after reading the NL review and seeing it drop 86% in price on the eShop. Started it last night and was immediately drawn in by its charm, strong storytelling, and the way gameplay is built into the narrative rather than the other way around. I've not gone too far into it yet but it's been a wonderful experience. I would have completely missed it without the attention here at NL so thank you, cheers, and happy holidays!

My fear is that they copied far too much from BotW, and the game will subsequently fail to measure up. It just doesn't look different enough to creep out from under BotW's shadow. I can see myself enjoying this for a few hours, growing bored, and booting up BotW for my 500th hour of gameplay.

Looks wonderful. Especially intriguing is how the trailer shows no combat, only evasion from harm. This could be a fresh take (for me, who is somewhat new to the genre and would love to know if it's been done before). I'm also getting a kinda samey vibe from the environments. Hopefully there's enough variety to keep things interesting.

I recently learned that Nintendo (and Microsoft and many other companies) utilize United States prison labor to cut costs. Given the inequities in our justice system, smashed windows are hardly recompense for this moral and ethical failing. I say this as the owner of a Switch and Xbox. It’s a shame.

This game is an absolute joy as you cycle through a gorgeous low-poly landscape with ASMR-like atmospheric sound effects that induce a zen-like trance until you hurl your controller through the television set in rage because it gets heinously f$&@$ng difficult!

@Lordplops I guess I would be interested if it was inspired by early Zelda games

Gold star for cheep thrills! Although I would have accepted ‘trills’ too.

LOL pitched his tent ill-advisedly.

Has anyone here seen the movie Shaolin Soccer? This is the video game version.

@Bunkerneath You may also like The Talos Principle. Scratches that Qube 2 itch nicely.

Skyrim! I’m finally powerful enough to not be mauled or hacked down wherever I go. Oh boy, what a game! (Can you tell it’s my first playthrough?) Have a great weekend everybody!

@betterbygames I feel your pain, my friend. How amazing would it be to pursue your passion like that and open up your own legendary games shop? I’m lucky enough to live near this amazing place:

http://videogamesnewyork.com

Amazon is a company that offers consumers rock bottom prices by abusing labor, dodging taxes, lobbying against the interests of its own employees and host cities, monopolostic business practices, and eroding the value of what creative and productive people produce. They also destroy communities by destroying small businesses. Shop local y’all. Save your souls! Signed, manager of an independent bookstore and lifelong Nintendo fanboy.

I’ve been having so much fun with Darksiders II, which I plan to continue this weekend. I may also launch myself back into Hyperlight Drifter, which I drifted away from after my initial hype because I couldn’t defeat a boss.

Happy weekend one and all and happy gaming!

I became an uncle this morning, so I doubt there’ll be much game time but if there is, I just picked up Darksiders II on sale! Happy weekend to all!