quickbeam

I've been on the internet for 10 minutes and I keep seeing... good news after good news! What is this, 2007? I almost don't want to close my laptop and end the streak!

THPS3, 4, and UG1 are my personal favorites, so any remakes involving those games will definitely be a buy from me, as long as the quality is anywhere near the 1+2 remake.

I actually do fall into the camp saying the GameCube theme was too dang long. Same effect taking half the time would have been perfect. Love it as a console, of course.
GBA has my favorite startup sound (and it lasts about half as long as the GCN’s, just sayin).

Anybody remember Pokemon toys at Burger King back in '99? At least here in the US, the toys originally came in cheap plastic pokeballs, but then a toddler suffocated on one and they were then packaged in regular plastic baggies. Then there were the golden collector's cards featuring Pikachu, Mewtwo, Charizard, Togepi, and others.

Pre-internet (for most of us), pre-scalping (as far as I know) – simpler times.

As many others are saying, I think $399 is probably fair market value. If they can get $349, they will fly off the shelves.

I think this is a valuable point that raises interesting discussion, whether I fully agree with it or not. There are many factors to consider. Nintendo has been playing their cards better than Sony and Microsoft recently when it comes to game consoles, so they’re naturally going to play it a bit safer. I am interested to see what new technologies they may have implemented about which we don’t have much detail at this point, but it is wise to have a Switch sequel at this time.

It’s one of the most successful consoles of all time – may yet become the best selling ever! When you catch lightning in a bottle, you don’t bet double or nothing, you iterate to varying degrees.

We all love that Nintendo is a big-ish tech company that’s still not afraid to take risks, and I hope that never changes, but that should never be the very top priority.

If this approach starts to sour, I think we’ll be more likely to see something that has more “new” to it, and that will be exciting – but making that move now would be imprudent.

Call me basic, but Silksong, Pokemon Legends, and Metroid are the only three that remotely interest me on this list. And that's honestly a good thing because my to-play list is already at [checks notes]... oh my... 94.... Apparently the Switch is going to be my last console.

Happy Christmas! I haven’t had a chance to play any 2024 games, but here are my top five that I’m excited to play when I get around to it:
5. Sonic X Shadow Generations
4. Animal Well
3. Mario Party Jamboree
2. Paper Mario: TTYD
1. Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

I've long been comfortable as a last-gen gamer, and was all set to buy a Wii U soon after the Switch was released. However, once I saw the Switch's popularity and how many of the Wii U's best games were quickly released or announced for the Switch, I saw the writing on the wall and sprung for current gen, and boy am I glad I did.

As of now, with my long list of games yet to buy and play on Switch, I'm planning on sticking with this system through the next gen. That said, this experience has made me more open to keeping up with current gen than I once was, at least when it comes to Nintendo consoles.

Fun article to read – as well as, I'm sure, to create!

I am a big LOTR fan, so I want to love this game. However, I'm just not into farming/life sims, so I'll probably skip it.

It looks like all that it has going for it is the middle earth theme and farming sim mechanics, and, for some people, that will be enough. What would take it to the next level and give it much wider appeal (including to me) would be some great writing and, especially, beautiful environments (regardless of realistic graphics). Maybe the visuals will improve enough by release to meet that second criterion, but, unfortunately, it's not doing it for me as of now.

Super cool! But every time I see these all I can think of is ligma.

It would be nice to get at least one actual new game from Nintendo this year that's not a remake or, ideally, not even a sequel. I'm a nostalgic person and have greatly enjoyed the remakes and remasters released for Switch, but let's keep innovating too!

I learned the hard way that I won't do that unless I disliked a game enough that I refuse to ever play it again (and that's super rare because I only buy games that I know I will like or that are very well reviewed!). Back in the PS2 days, I had the mindset that, "hey, I've beaten this game, may as well get a little cash for it." At that point I had never experienced nostalgia before, so I didn't take into account that, actually, years later, I will want to REplay this game. Video games are one of the few things in life that I will allow myself to hold onto "just in case" I want to revisit it, because I know that by the time I do it might be hard to get ahold of it.

Personally I prefer fewer extra apps. It's purely a gaming device for me. But overall I think I vote yes just so we can hopefully avoid a bunch of articles called "Why does the Switch STILL not have _____?!?!?"

I would think it's not a huge ask for Nintendo, but they're so weird about online services it might actually take significant resources from other development for them.

I doubt it. The only path I see to breaking the record would be at least 1-2 more giant game releases (at least A-tier IPs, if not S, or something new that's extremely good) before the Switch 2 is announced, which might bring it within shooting distance, then a price drop or bundle worth approx. $100 or more around the time of Switch 2 announcement that eventually inches it past PS2. Very unlikely, all said.

Not a dud on this list. Amazing that if someone only bought all of the games on this list, which are all on sale, they'd have many years of enjoyable gaming. Easy to forget just how many great games are available on Switch, no matter one's taste.

As someone who probably wouldn't be getting it day 1 anyway, I'm actually encouraged to hear that they're demonstrating that they're taking this port seriously and putting effort into it.

I'm truly so glad I can count on this being a spoiler-free site. Thanks!

So many good quests, but From the Ground Up has to be the best. So wholesome, impressive in terms of game design, and satisfying.

Surprisingly fun quiz! I got 13/15. Should have gotten the “jewelry-obsessed mammal” one, even though I haven’t played that particular title. I don’t feel bad about missing the “death penalty” one, though, as I know basically nothing about any of those options.

Based on how great BOTW was, length of development, the fact that this is the game they’re testing the $70 water with, and how good previews have been… I am 85% confident this will be a top-tier Zelda game and 60% confident it will be the best yet. So yeah, I am hyped.

Sure, this would be bad as an actual track, but it was sure fun to watch the video!

I just wish I could select multiple answers in the poll, because I really think/hope we'll see the majority of these things!

Fun question! Top 6 for me:
1. SNES
2. Switch (my favorite console overall)
3. NES
4. N64
5. GameCube
6. Game Boy

My judgment of the poll is that readers give a little too much weight to the N64/GC era since that's how old most of them were when they were old enough to start getting good at games. I'm early 30s, so that's certainly the case for me. However, NES and GB are criminally UNDERrated here, imo. SNES runs away with it for me. Switch has lots of very good 1st party offerings, but in another 10 years there will only be 1-2 that are considered alongside the top 5-6 SNES games.

@Divide_and_Wander I’m guessing you’re spot on

Shoot, they are CONFIDENT in this title!

Mixed feelings. Is it a fair price? If it’s as good as BOTW or even better, absolutely. Do I like spending more money. No, I do not, nor do I like one of my favorite companies gouging just because they can. Does this surprise me? No.

I’m one of the patient few who will wait for a sale. I know, I know, “good luck.” If it takes long enough, I’ll pay the $70 eventually with no regrets. It will be just as fun playing it for the first time in two years as it would be on launch day. I’ll try to avoid too many spoilers, but that’s not a major concern for me. In the meantime, I’ve got plenty of cheaper great games to buy and play.

Surprised repairing got so many votes. That just means more time going around collecting stuff. I think definitely keep it with some tweaks. The system adds much more than it takes away overall. Best tweaks would be some combination of…
– Make all weapons like 35% more durable
– Get increasingly better unbreakable weapons as you progress, but they’re always a step down from other breakable weapons you can obtain at the time
– Make weapon durability an upgradeable stat so it’s less and less a problem as you work through the game

I’m guessing it will be backwards compatible, but you never know with Nintendo. The most recent high-selling Nintendo home console was, of course, the Wii, and they did opt for backwards compatibility there, so here’s hoping. That said, I always laugh when everyone seems to forget that, if it’s not… you don’t need to get rid of your Switch; you’re allowed to go back and forth between consoles. Not ideal, sure, but I don’t quite understand how it’s such a huge dealbreaker for so many.

TMNT, Splatoon 3 (don’t have a Splatoon game yet), Xenoblade 3, Portal Companion Edition, Bayonetta 3, Strikers, and Tinykin (in that order, actually) have all made my list of games for me to buy from the past year. Nothing blew me away like BOTW, Smash, or Odyssey did, but overall almost as good a year as any other, in my book!

I know this is a year’s end repost, but I deleted my original comment and amend it to this: I think most should start with Breath of the Wild.

Ultimately this is the correct answer because, besides being arguably the best of the Zelda games (despite, and partially because of deviating from the excellent traditional formula), it’s simply where the series is at now. Let’s be honest, none of the Zelda games actually build on a previous game’s story. I really think even Majora’s Mask isn’t significantly more enjoyable for playing OoT first. They’re all fine candidates for an entry into the series, so one may as well pick it up at the current entry, then go back and enjoy past entries if they so choose. That way, when TotK comes out, they’ll have played the most recent entry and will have a better idea of what to expect than they would if coming from LttP or OoT (as amazing as those games are).

I remember early in the year there were some very certain-sounding rumors that the Batman Arkham collection was coming to Switch – apparently planned around August of this year, if I recall. Wonder whatever happened to that! That’s one of my personal most-wanted ports and there hasn’t been a peep about it since! ☹️

If it’s easy, that implies it doesn’t take too much time and energy, so… can we walk and chew gum at the same time, please, Nintendo? I mean if I guess I had to choose between only new games and only old games, I’ll go with new games (though it’s not exactly an easy choice, given how much I love Nintendo’s backlog), but that is a ridiculous false dichotomy!

May bite when Pokemon Stadium games drop just because of memories with online multiplayer there. DK64 may also persuade me for similar reason. Would definitely bite if Smash64 or GameCube games dropped. I still have my Wii hooked up and have several games from N64 and other consoles there via virtual console — you know, from when we could buy them from Nintendo to keep.

If you like Nintendo Music or VGM in general (and if you're reading this, I'm sure you do), check out my Ultimate VGM playlist on Apple Music. I've put a lot of work into compiling it, and it contains a lot of great arrangements! Mostly Nintendo music on there, since that's my personal jam.

As much as I like the streaming service, it's way too hard to find specific playlists via search, so I'm sharing the link with you: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ultimate-vgm/pl.u-XkD0vNZF4E1gro
NintendoLife, I'm not trying to advertise — I don't care if anyone subscribes/saves/likes/whatever it is, and, even if they do, I don't make any money from it. Just trying to share the VGM love!

I know this is a cop-out, but it really depends on the day. Way too many equally legendary tunes to choose from.
That said, the one that I find myself humming the most is Ecruteak City from Pokemon GSC.

Fun list! Thanks for putting this together. Might give a few of these a run this week so I can enjoy the colors and atmosphere inside as well as outside.

@West3DP I had never heard of that game, but yes, I suppose some elements I mentioned are included in Evoland. Obviously not precisely what I described.

Here's what I want — a dream game with three modes:

Mode 1:
Journey through time through generations 1-7 with each game's respective Pokedex. Graphics aren't necessarily original quality/style, but they remain 2D and change as you enter each new land. When you enter a new land, you have to store all of your Pokemon from the previous one.

Mode 2:
Online, 3D, Stadium-style game where you can battle any Pokemon caught along your way in Mode 1. Also minigames. Also have cups where you can totally customize your team, a la "Pokemon Showdown."

Mode 3:
A large Wild Area where you can continue to train stored Pokemon from completed generations. Update this over time with missions, events, and map expansions. Preferably 3D.

$60 for Main game, which is Mode 1, $40 for each of the other two modes as DLC.

This game will never get made. But they could if they wanted to.

I'm guessing both — there's no way they didn't anticipate the double-meaning when choosing the title — but crying seems to be the more natural interpretation. It fits much more closely with BotW's title, for one thing — more organic and personal.

OG, baby! First game I ever beat. I was either four or five when I beat it. My parents had a very cool old school game guide that helped, especially the dungeon maps. Such a timeless game.

Scarlet: Stonjourner, Prof. Sada, less stupid academy name

Violet: Salamance, cooler legendary/bike, future theme, and preferred color
...Feeling more violet so far!

I think it looks brilliant!

Pokemon fans are truly impossible to please. For everyone who wants something to change, someone else wants that thing to stay the same. Everyone seems to want everything and nothing. Then there are the children the game is targeted at, many of whom aren't leaving comments online... They've got to make decisions one way or another, and I like just about all the ones made here.

I absolutely do not play Pokemon for graphical feats. Pokemon games have been worse than other AAA titles in that area all the way back to Gen 1. Running smoothly is most important. Art style is also important, and, while I still wish they'd do something a little more interesting, I think this style is the best yet in terms of 3D Pokemon. I'm not a fan of chibi, so I'm glad they're not sticking with that in this game.

Also, “holds up better than its N64 predecessor”??? How ……. DARE you sah!

A fantastic game? One of the best on GC? Holds up well for a 3D game of its age? Points for taking a risk? Gets too much hate? Yes to all!

Still the worst 3D Mario? Also yes! That says a lot about the Mario series. Probably the only 3D Mario that’s a 9 instead of a 10, in my book, and there aren’t a lot of games that I would award a 9!

I think mine was Super Mario Bros. 3, but it may have been the original. Those two games, Duck Hunt, and original Zelda were all played the most when I was ages 3-6 (1994-97).

IMO, Nintendo is not going to compete (or try to compete) in the all-out specs department in the foreseeable future. I really hope to see at least 1440p, consistent 60fps docked next time, but I don't see anything they do next console-wise being successful without the maintaining of a mobile component. We don't need simply a "bigger," better Switch, exactly. That might do well, but I would like to see them do something a little different without sacrificing the portable option that makes the Switch so great. Nintendo has matured technologies from past generations of hardware such as motion controls and touch screens. I'm open to something new/creative/gimmicky next time around, but absolutely not at the expense of what's already working. As others are saying, internet functionality is one area where they do need to get more competitive, and Nintendo consoles, even more than others, will benefit from excellent backwards compatibility. Finally, I'm absolutely with Reggie and most others in the camp that frequent, outstanding software should remain top priority.

I’m a pretty big LOTR fan, and platformer is even one of my favorite genres, but I’m definitely holding out for reviews on this one – not sure it’s what I’m looking for. Give me an Elder Scrolls: Middle Earth!

I like Sonic games only enough to buy one of them for my Switch. I was debating between this collection and Sonic Mania. SEGA's making the choice easy.