Comments 2,340

Re: Review: Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - Stellar Battles, But A Step Down From Arceus

somnambulance

Sort of surprised to see NintendoLife be on the lower end of the spectrum with reviews here, but I trust the opinion. Good to see that the game is averaging above ScarVi and Sw/Sh currently on Meta and Opencritic. I’m honestly far more interested in the game than I was yesterday following all the reviews. Can’t wait to try the new combat system. Sorry Ghost of Yotei if I don’t see you for a bit.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (11th October)

somnambulance

Well, I forgot to write on this yesterday, but so far I’ve played Absolum, which I love to start, Kuukiyomi 4, which my son stole from me and proceeded to play as rudely as possible, a few rounds of Hades 2, which I’m starting to progress in now (and I agree with everyone that prefers the first game, basically, because the second one may have better gameplay but a less compelling storyline), and Super Mario Galaxy 2… because my son was having trouble with bosses.

Hopefully I get a chance to play Yotei as well! Pokemon is coming out next week and, after a relatively easy year to stay ahead of games, I’m sinking now! A good problem to have, huh?

Re: PSA: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is Already Being Datamined, Watch Out For Spoilers

somnambulance

I’d say the only thing I want to leak is the reviews, but honestly, after how the last couple of games have reviewed, I don’t trust reviews on Pokemon games anymore. I fully expect a series of critical reviews at this point and the game to sell millions regardless and also generate more conversation than the majority of GotY tier titles because… that’s Switch era Pokemon for you!

I’m looking forward to seeing how the game is, even if I’ve got way too much to play at the moment. 😵‍💫

Re: Opinion: Sonic Racing Crossworlds > Mario Kart World, And It's Not Even Close For Me

somnambulance

@benmalsky198 I mean, if you want to get into a philosophical debate on if anything is good or bad, we can go there, but Adventures in Gameland is certainly not of the same quality as say… Silksong, and nowhere near as rich in content or fun either. Or to make things more comparable to its genre, I would say something like Elechead or Belle Boomerang are far more fun and a better value (you can get them both for less cost than the Rugrats game as well!). Or I mean, Megaman and Super Mario Bros are pretty easy to get access to as well, and are far more exceptional experiences. Adventures in Gameland is an ok game that could’ve been better. It’s sort of fun.

Re: Video: 11 Exciting New Games Coming To Switch 1 & 2 In October 2025

somnambulance

Already got Galaxy 2, preordered Pokemon and Katamari and gutted that Mina got delayed since it’s absolutely fantastic, buuuut… I’ll be fine. More time to play what I already have. I’m tempted with Mortal Kombat, but I’ll resist because I truly do have enough to play this month. I’ve also got Yotei on the PS5, so I mean, that’s four games to play in a month. That’s my heaviest month this year for sure!

Re: Opinion: Sonic Racing Crossworlds > Mario Kart World, And It's Not Even Close For Me

somnambulance

@benmalsky198 I largely play indie games, so I’ve got a pretty decent vantage point to compare the game to other indies of various budgets and scopes, and that’s where I feel I can acknowledge its strengths and weaknesses as a game pretty confidently. To cut them some slack, I don’t think the development team had the experience for a license as big as Rugrats and I think they did the best they could with their limitations. However, as sympathetic as I towards that, it doesn’t mean that the game ended up being a success in that it had a decent amount of pitfalls in how the gameplay felt, the brevity of the levels, etc. I suppose it does simulate the 90’s feeling of a licensed game pretty well, but I doubt that’s what they were aiming to do. To compare it with those though, it’s one of the better ones in that comparison. That’s probably a friendlier comparison point than the indie scene.

Re: Opinion: Sonic Racing Crossworlds > Mario Kart World, And It's Not Even Close For Me

somnambulance

@benmalsky198 Adventures in Gameland was a missed opportunity. The visuals are largely solid, but the level design and gameplay leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a 6/10 to me. I’d recommend reading some reviews on the game. They’re not wrong. It’s a frustrating game because you can tell the developers have passion towards the game and they had elements of the game right, but its sort of clear to me too that the game could’ve used more time to cook.

Those shows would probably resonate more with my younger siblings. I don’t dislike the shows. They’re good shows, just a different nostalgia though, I suppose.

Re: Opinion: Sonic Racing Crossworlds > Mario Kart World, And It's Not Even Close For Me

somnambulance

@benmalsky198 I’m not sorry about it. There’s a definite charm about the retro era and I’ve basically grown up with the modern history of gaming. Plus, I was in high school during the PS2 era, so I got plenty of it, just not much in the way of like SpongeBob games or whatever. The best TMNT games are NES/SNES, fyi. I’ve heard the SpongeBob games are pretty solid, but I just don’t really have the connection to the character like I would have for the Klasky Csupo cartoons, you know? I really wanted to like that new Rugrats game, but, man…

Yeah, I dunno. I think fun means different things to different people. For me, completing intricate platforming sections in a game are fun, but I’m well aware that that’s not for everyone. And I like a lot of offbeat games too, which aren’t for everyone either. I get more toy box vibes from stuff like that.

Re: Opinion: Sonic Racing Crossworlds > Mario Kart World, And It's Not Even Close For Me

somnambulance

@benmalsky198 Your reasoning totally makes sense to me. It could be a generational thing as I’m about 10 years older and the NES/SNES/N64 eras were littered with bad games that only sold because they had a name brand attachment.

And, no, I don’t particularly like it when there’s crossovers if it doesn’t make sense to me. I’m not opposed to crossovers though. I liked when Supernatural and Scooby Doo had a crossover. Lol. But for me, most works of fiction have their own in-universe sense of logic to them and things get a little weird when things get mixed.

Re: Opinion: Sonic Racing Crossworlds > Mario Kart World, And It's Not Even Close For Me

somnambulance

@benmalsky198 @benmalsky198 Nickelodeon’s legacy in games has been for licensed games of all different qualities. Back in the N64 era, there were some unplayable clunkers dropped by Nickelodeon. I definitely had a decent amount of Nickelodeon games as a kid. I can admit to not playing SpongeBob games, but definitely Rugrats, Ren and Stimpy, Rocko, etc, and I’d be hard pressed to call any one of those games a classic by any means. I’d argue most Nickelodeon games I’ve played have been along the lines of a 5/10 tier game, some worse, some slightly better.

And yeah, I don’t like crossovers so much unless there’s a story or rationalization to have it make sense. It’s one of the reasons I think Crossworld is worse than MKW. Other people feel the same too. I can understand your analogy for dumping the toy box, but uhh… I dunno… I still think there needs to be a logic beyond, “People like these characters too, so we have a business partnership and brought them in because we thought that would drive sales.” In my opinion, that’s how the characters feel as additions.

Again, the game’s not bad. It’s a strong kart racer, but it’s a bit all over the place in some respects for me. Your comment about the toy box though, again, really rationalizes to me why the game has some middling reviews but some really glowing reviews. I’d wonder if there’s a correlation between doing that as a child and loving this game

Re: Opinion: Sonic Racing Crossworlds > Mario Kart World, And It's Not Even Close For Me

somnambulance

@Sonicka @benmalsky198 I’m not particularly a fan of Megaman or any non-Sega IP being in it anyway. It’s not Smash in that it’s a celebration of gaming as a whole, Nickelodeon doesn’t really have much legacy in the video game outside of licensed games for their cartoons. I get where some people would like them, but for me they don’t add value to the experience, but rather show the corporate synergy between the two brands. So, yes, exactly, it’s Paramount and Sega shaking hands.

It DOES feel very Fortnite, which I can’t stand Fortnite as a Petri dish of popular IPs tossed into a BR shooter, so it makes sense why I don’t like it.

Re: Poll: So, Did You Get Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 For Switch?

somnambulance

I bought Galaxy 2 since I already have 3D All-Stars. At $40, it’s fantastic value for a fantastic game. I tested it out for a bit and it’s still a very 10/10 tier game. I’ll go back and play it in December or January though when the release schedule thins out, trying to play through all the newer games I’ve gotten before Metroid if it’s possible.

Re: Opinion: Sonic Racing Crossworlds > Mario Kart World, And It's Not Even Close For Me

somnambulance

I thought Crossworlds was ok from what I played of it. Admittedly, I’ve got about five or six times about as much time in MKW as Crossworlds, but I like that MKW abandons the three lap structure for intermission courses and I sort of feel that Crossworlds feels a bit too busy at times. MKW feels like the most relaxed yet skill intensive entry whereas Crossworlds feels like Sonic Racing inspired by Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, but at double speed. I do NOT like Crossworlds having Nickelodeon characters in it, but respect MKW for staying in-universe.

Admittedly, kart racers aren’t my favorite genre, and my son argues that both of them are worse than MK8. Personally though, MKW’s probably the most fun I’ve had with the genre since MK64 whereas Crossworlds feels like a competent kart racer with a neat hook but that’s about it. I am curious how I’ll feel about Kirby Air-Riders. I sort of hope there’s a demo for it because I’m sort of at kart racer saturation right now. I don’t know who’s the genius that thought the Switch 2 needed 3 of them for launch year.

Re: Feature: Nintendo Life eShop Selects (September 2025)

somnambulance

Absolutely agree with Silksong at #1 and Hades #2. Earthion’s a solid #3, but… for me, I think I actually liked both Henry Halfhead and Lego Voyagers more than Earthion, even if that game’s made by the best minds in the shmup genre, basically. I just prefer oddball games to shmups in 2025, I think.

But, yes… Silksong… it’s the best game to release on Switch and Switch 2 this year for certain with potentially only Mina the Hollower and Metroid Dread to contest it now.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (4th October)

somnambulance

Ghost of Yotei, Silent Hill F, Lego Voyagers, and Hades 2. I suspect I’ll play all four of them in some capacity.

So far, I’ve yet to start Silent Hill F, so it’s hard to comment on it, but Lego Voyagers seems like it’s pretty underrated. My son and I have had fun with it to start. Meanwhile, I’m still making opinions of Hades 2 and Ghost. To start, they both feel like sequels that don’t quite hit like the first games in their series, but that could just be because it’s early in both of them for me. I am sort of surprised by how similar AC Shadows’s seed plot is to Yotei too. Even though, Atsu’s a very different character and the way the stories are told are different, it’s sort of interesting that the revenge narrative was put down in two massive games this year like that.

Re: Review: Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Switch) - Still Out Of This World

somnambulance

Looking forward to playing Galaxy 2 soon enough. I think I’ll prioritize new games still for the month, but definitely purchased it because I know I’ll play it again someday. Playing Galaxy 1 when 3D All Stars came out was proof that a good game is a good game, no matter the age or limitations of the original hardware. I personally find Wii era games difficult to return to, but these ones are timeless. It’s such a wonderful thing that 2 is now available on Switch as well.

Re: Poll: Box Art Brawl - Duel: Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle And The Millionaires' Conspiracy (Switch)

somnambulance

Japan for me.

My wife got me this one for Christmas in 2019. Still barely started it and she’s still asking me to go back to it. What’s the consensus on this game? I’ve never played a Professor Layton game, so I’ve no comparison point. I like the art, but you know the drill… other games come out and some games you just never go back to and all that. Just curious if I’m missing something with this one.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (27th September)

somnambulance

More Silksong and that will remain my game until it is completed. I may try Hades 2 out because I’m deeply curious about it or watch my son play Henry Halfhead too. I did pick up Lego Voyagers as well, so that’s possible. With Silksong and Hades being such massive indie hits that basically dropped from nowhere, is it weird that I’m like jeez Mina the Hollower, I knew your release date first, so let’s complete the trinity a little sooner please?

I’ll be picking up Ghost of Yotei and Mario Galaxy 2 next week, so I’m basically at a point where my gaming is planned and stacked for maybe the next 4, 5 months. Should I get Silent Hill F too?

Re: Round Up: The Reviews For Hades II On Switch And Switch 2 Are In

somnambulance

@SirLink May Silksong emerge victorious!

Death Stranding 2’s my personal GotY, but, man, Silksong’s also a 10/10 and it’s got that following (as of right now, I’d be ok with Bananza as GotY too, but it doesn’t feel like anyone’s championing that). I may be an outlier but Expedition 33 is more like a strong 7/10 for me. It’s a good game with some flaws.

Re: Opinion: Why Focus On Silksong's Difficulty When We Need To Talk About How Cute It is?

somnambulance

@its_luke_c No kidding! I did love seeing the game humble the internet because no one got early access to it. It feels like the difficulty argument popped up because “the internet” was struggling with the game and was so open about it. Honestly the first boss in Erdtree was more difficult than anything in Act 1 of Silksong, only difference though is that people could practice for Erdtree.

Re: Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Gets A Seven-Minute Overview Trailer

somnambulance

@GgGames @LastFootnote Xenoblade Chronicles 1 was given heaps of praise and was basically a Switch GotY candidate for a lot of people in Nintendo circles. Few people complained about Skyward Sword or Sonic Colors (I know that’s not Nintendo, but it’s a Wii game). For the most part, people were positive toward Kirby’s Return to Dreamland. Even 3D All Stars was generally considered a great release at launch. The only games I recall having true resistance was the Donkey Kong games, and Tropical Freeze is a WiiU title, so that’s a bit of a different beast. Luigi’s Mansion 2 is a 3DS game, so that’s a bit of a different beast too.

Porting two 10/10 games at $40 a pop is a good value. Nintendo could’ve sold both games individually at full AAA price and people would be buying them. This is better than that. In an era where we’ve been getting low effort ports and low effort remasters/remakes at $60 and $70 for individual games, this is better than that. It feels like there is far more outrage toward this package than most of the other ports we’ve had the last 5-10 years.

Re: Nintendo Is "Acting To Protect The Industry" With Switch 2 Game Key Cards, Says Ex-Capcom Composer

somnambulance

It’s always interesting to see people decry Nintendo as greedy when they are literally the last major platform to the digital party. Xbox and PlayStation have both basically prioritized digital for 5+ years now. Nintendo has stated they did the key cards to appease third party publishers that wanted to keep costs down. This was their compromise, knowing that the Switch brand does have a decent amount of collectors, myself included. At least Nintendo is growing software shelf space as PlayStation and Xbox decrease theirs.

The company is just smart with how they utilize their assets to continually generate profits. Nintendo creates good, quality games and that’s never changed. Sure, the aim is to make money with their games, but that’s what most publishers are in it for. Nintendo prioritizes DLC and microtransactions far less than the rest of the industry.

Just remember all companies want to make money and survive in a changing economic climate. Let’s try to support what Nintendo does right because they’re doing a lot more right than the rest of the industry is doing wrong. Nintendo attempting to preserve Virtual Boy, in spite of the plastic headset and the console’s niche appeal, demonstrates that Nintendo is making steps toward preservation. They could be far greedier than they are.