I'll echo that I haven't had an issue with the maps in this game, aside from them being a bit plain and lacking moving parts. The Mahi rework adding so much space made it feel MORE sniper-friendly to me, funny enough. But I've really liked the more recent stage additions in the game, so I'm excited to see what they try with Mincemeat.
Another game that will be here today, gone tomorrow because it fails to create its own identity. Not worth getting up in arms about.
Putting aside how tasteless the concept of "Pokemon with guns" is in the first place, and the default Unreal assets and shady business model, I do agree that this game has managed to make an overworld that looks more like what people want from their 3D games. Pokemon's delivery on that front has been a big failure this gen. However one thing Pokemon has always maintained is appealing creature designs, that are consistent with its tone and world building. It's stupid to justify Palworld on the grounds of Game Freak being creatively bankrupt; the creative side is literally their one clear strength, it's the technical side where they're shamefully cheap.
I'll be the first to say I think Miyamoto actually squandered some of the potential of some Nintendo series, especially what was done to Paper Mario.
But it does sound like his days of micromanaging and upending the tea table are behind him. That quote about not feeling ownership since his games have been cultivated by so many people, is a pretty mature view of things.
I always wondered why this guy looked exactly like the owner of the Oakland Athletics in Moneyball (2011). Turns out that was him, in an uncredited acting role!
Anyway good riddance, he should have stuck to acting.
Miyamoto should have looked at the design, I think it's great. In later eras where Miyamoto had a more hands-off role, I think they could have got her in a game and she'd be a recurring character now.
I’m skeptical about the X Battle changes, I’d say its biggest issue is long matchmaking times or not finding enough players at all. Sometimes I spend more time waiting for matches than actually playing them. It should look to match you with more players, not fewer…
@gizmo998 The 2 stages played on in the trailer are new, there's a new special weapon (the Splattercolor Screen), all the weapons shown will have new kits (the Painbrush, Reef-lux, Splatana Stamper, Splat Dualies, Blaster, S-Blast, Undercover Brella, and Squeezer), the music is new, there's new clothing options, and a glimpse of a new Big Run stage (Barnacle & Dime) and a new king salmonid.
Can't blame you for asking though as there was not much of a write-up here.
I'm with @HalBailman that 150cc is far too easy, and 200cc is more of a special mode. The CPUs in 200cc aren't even any more difficult - they drive off the track and into walls just as an unpracticed player might. Mostly the mode answers the question "what if Mario Karts went really fast?" which opens up funny interactions such as taking shroom shortcuts by simply... hopping over them, or outrunning blue shells. That's right - if you drive without hitting walls, you basically go at the same speed the blue shells travel at, and can outrun them for a whole race. Hard mode!! Even the competitive multiplayer scene defaults to 150cc.
I never played Tour and had limited access to MKWii, so I went into half this wave having not played the tracks. I took poor lines and routes, drove out of bounds, got blue shelled repeatedly... and still cruised to 1st on every track in 150cc. You don't even need to utilize drifting or items, because the CPUs drive so slow, you pass them just by driving forward. The single player in this game plays like it's for babies, which makes me wonder what on earth 100cc and 50cc are for.
And to make matters worse, ALL the online multiplayer relies on the roulette system, so there isn't even a way to reliably pull the new tracks. The only way to see the new cups in order, is to populate your races with bots driving so bad that it's pretty much Time Trial With Blue Shells.
On the one hand I wanted more Double Dash tracks, but on the other, seeing how DK Mountain was absolutely butchered, maybe it's for the best that they stayed away from it. That game deserves its own re-release or feature on a Switch Online type service, there's no replicating its physics and chaos in MK8.
Thinking about the DYKG report on Retro's early years where they spent a ton on office space and furniture, then layoffs hit and most of it went empty and filled with literal crickets. Meanwhile here's the parent company waiting until their 139th year to open a 2nd development building.
Sad to see no option for ergonomics, like we've just accepted the Switch 2 will be an even clunkier beast than the Switch and handheld play will be an afterthought.
For this whole generation I never bought a 2nd Switch model, and it's because the Switch was such a poor handheld. It's too loose and heavy for something you hold in such a cramped hand position, especially compared to past Nintendo handhelds. They really spoiled me with the DS Lite and later 3DS models.
If I were to point to the biggest disappointment this gen (besides drift), it would be when they DID release a more handheld-friendly version in the Switch Lite... and removed its ability to output to TV! As an avid Splatoon player, that half-functionality was a huge no-go for me, and eliminated any chance it could be your dedicated Switch. Such an insult, that they couldn't spring for the tiny component to allow HDMI output through its USB-C port. If it just had that, I could have actually unplugged my Switch to play so many more smaller titles this gen, instead it's just been a docked box.
All due respect to DYKG, but this reporting is based on one line in the game code that bears Iwata's signature, VS multiple interviews with developers who actually worked with him, stating he helped them to fit Kanto into the final game.
As pointed out in their comments section, it's possible GameFreak was working on their own faster algorithm, but couldn't get it to use a comparable size to the Gen 1 original until Iwata provided his. Or, he may have helped at other parts of development. I think it's a little silly to call this a "debunked" rumor, or that it was even hearsay to begin with, since it was always based on direct testimonial from his coworkers.
For me the biggest loss from this will be Zelda Tri Force Heroes. Still the best multiplayer Zelda experience in my opinion, and it will continue to draw interest over time as a mainline Zelda game. Right now you can fire it up online with friends, but soon I'm guessing you'll have to be in proximity to each other. Well, at least that's easier than Four Swords Adventures.
Not backwards compatible: SNES N64 GameCube Switch (Not counting the NES and GameBoy as they didn't have predecessors in the same way)
Arguably Nintendo consoles have been backwards compatible more often than not, especially the "handheld" line. I'm guessing we'll at least see the option to patch 1st party games to work on the new chip architecture, on a game by game basis, as has been rumoured through Pokemon datamining. What this would mean for the Switch's huge indie library though, is what I worry about.
I would add the burden placed on the game by the higher price point didn't help either. I know it was only $10 USD more, but that's still the most I've spent on a videogame to date. That made me really feel like I should squeeze my money's worth out of it rather than enjoy it for what it is.
Given the recycled Hyrule, I don't think the price increase was all that justified in retrospect.
"When I write music, I make sure the music is in sync with the frame rate, the overall movement of the video..."
Great perspective for all those who say the frame rate of a Paper Mario remake doesn't matter because it's an RPG. Video games are an animated medium. Frame rate is absolutely core to their character.
Count me among those confused as to what the core gameplay even is here. Beat em up? Luigi's Mansion sort of adventure game? But it all appears to take place in the same theatre... I worry this will rely on set pieces and mechanics that have nothing to do with each other.
Very interested to see if Splatoon 3 is playable on the Switch 2 or if there's some kind of cross-play. They'll want a game early in the console's life but 2024 or 25 feels too soon for a brand new Splatoon. Maybe a Splatoon 3 Deluxe is in order.
As for these suggestions, I actually like the idea for a warthog! Maybe that could be a new ranked mode, the newest ranked mode is still Clam Blitz from Splatoon 2.
Wow, people don't care for minimalism huh. I think this is easily the best-looking special edition and has just slightly too much Mario imagery, get rid of the little Mario on the back and it's perfect.
This game feels like it has Koizumi written all over it, from the psychedelics to the RPG badge system to the large playable cast it's pretty un-Miyamoto
I really don't understand the NSMB comparisons. People don't have eyeballs.
I'm on the fence about picking it up because I usually put down sidescrollers quickly. But it's nothing if not a huge departure from those games visually.
This sounds like it will be added to the splatfest music rotation, so pretty funny that it continues the story from Liquid Sunshine, which was Big Man's collab with the Squid Sisters.
This has grabbed me more than any Pokemon mobile game since Magikarp Jump. It's super easy to play for free, rewards you for something you do every day anyway, and the pokemon are surprisingly complete in their mechanics, down to having stat boosting natures. It's almost like they were made to be transferable to Pokemon Home...
I don't know what's worse - Kirby's skin forming a function-tight membrane around all those sticks, buttons, screw holes and battery cover, or Kirby's skin having cutouts in it so all those things can work.
I couldn't get into their story because I reached the first couple gym leaders and had my team of 6 pokemon all 1-2 levels higher than their aces without even trying to.
That is also part of a game's storytelling. That's telling the player "the gym leaders in this region are all pushovers and your pokemon get stronger whether or not you even train them"
A point where modern Pokemon really lost me was in ORAS, where the game gives the player a Latios or Latias, as a story event, from the champion, after 5 gym badges. Five! Barely halfway through the game!
Legendaries should feel special and hard to obtain. I also didn't care for Scarlet/Violet making the box legendaries glorified bicycles who won't battle for you, but will be ridden like a horse for some reason.
My expectations for anything TPC does with the trading card game are through the floor. We're never getting anything as cool as the two Game Boy RPGs again.
Gave this a chance a while ago but if they were passionate about games, it sure wasn't coming across on the podcast. Very buttoned up and PR heavy. Tough to compete with various fan and journalist podcasts where hosts can actually speak their minds.
They never released a model as affordable and playable as the DS Lite. The Switch Lite is $200 USD to this day (compared to the $130 DSLite launch) and showing its age, and disappointing from the start due to drifting sticks and lack of a simple HDMI out function.
I really wish they went in the exact opposite direction of the OLED. That's a niche premium upgrade that's even less essential than the New 3DS line, since its internals stayed the same. I'd point to there as failing the Switch's sales momentum.
If it were a 1-1 copy the commanders would look like they had any personality at all. I can't understand all these indie games with very competent pixel art but absolutely dead-eyed generic character designs. Just look at good character designs, reference them, you're already referencing everything else.
The fact you can shoot them prematurely to make some of them (or all?) detonate right away is interesting. I'm reminded of the Bubble Blower as much as the Tenta Missiles.
I wished for a decoy balloon you could place down in a firefight as you scamper away, but as a sub weapon. Oh well
@steely_pete Yeah the whole FE fandom has been making this complaint. Most of what we know about this game has come from videos and character profiles that haven't been localized for some reason. Fan translators are having to do NoA's job for them. But that doesn't have much reach and is no substitute for actual marketing.
One mistake I've seen on this very site is thinking it's an all-stars type game relying on older characters in the series. When in fact it's a new mainline game with an all-new cast of characters that haven't been marketed anywhere. 12 older characters have cameos as literal accessories. There's clever changes made to all the on-foot classes to make them as viable as mounted and flying classes finally, but you won't find much info about that in English.
Not to sound like a weeb but clearly Japan is just a more enlightened land. In politeness, in transit infrastructure, and in preferring Nintendo handhelds
Funny, I thought this was one of the more faithful depictions of a female lord in the game so far. Maybe she doesn't look exactly like her Kozaki portrait in Awakening, but at least they let her keep a stern expression. Micaiah and Eirika just look vacant.
I'd say the free update model works for games like Splatoon or Animal Crossing that people want to play regularly anyway. Not a sports spinoff that launches with less content than its Gamecube version
Friction-free is the problem. I get an automatically leveled up team just from basic exploration and all my Pokemon are the same lvl as the gym leader's ace. On top of it they removed Set battle style for some reason. The game's battles could be played by a drinking bird toy tapping the A button.
Old school Pokemon made you actually gasp send your Pokemon into battle to train them. All that friction, I wonder how it became a successful series among kids.
The character is obviously poking fun at streamer/Vtuber culture, note the fat Greedents in the background as she talks about her viewer count going up. She's supposed to be annoying.
My only complaint is that she shows up physically in game, instead of conducting her gym battle from a screen. You mean to tell me in the reality of the Pokemon world, this girl's teeth are filed into points? Or she talks through fake teeth all the time? And yeah, I normally don't mind the lack of VA in games, but it really sticks out when someone's very characteristic way of speaking is missing. And hoo boy are the colours in that gameplay washed out compared to her "streams".
Comments 623
Re: Splatoon 3's Mincemeat Metalworks Stage Will Temporarily Close Next Week
I'll echo that I haven't had an issue with the maps in this game, aside from them being a bit plain and lacking moving parts. The Mahi rework adding so much space made it feel MORE sniper-friendly to me, funny enough. But I've really liked the more recent stage additions in the game, so I'm excited to see what they try with Mincemeat.
Re: Pokémon Fans Set Their Sights On Palworld's Monster Designs
Another game that will be here today, gone tomorrow because it fails to create its own identity. Not worth getting up in arms about.
Putting aside how tasteless the concept of "Pokemon with guns" is in the first place, and the default Unreal assets and shady business model, I do agree that this game has managed to make an overworld that looks more like what people want from their 3D games. Pokemon's delivery on that front has been a big failure this gen. However one thing Pokemon has always maintained is appealing creature designs, that are consistent with its tone and world building. It's stupid to justify Palworld on the grounds of Game Freak being creatively bankrupt; the creative side is literally their one clear strength, it's the technical side where they're shamefully cheap.
Re: Talking Point: What Will The 'Switch 2' Actually Be Called?
To promote its backwards compatibility, it will be called the Switch Back
Re: Shigeru Miyamoto Isn't Really Thinking About Retiring
I'll be the first to say I think Miyamoto actually squandered some of the potential of some Nintendo series, especially what was done to Paper Mario.
But it does sound like his days of micromanaging and upending the tea table are behind him. That quote about not feeling ownership since his games have been cultivated by so many people, is a pretty mature view of things.
Re: Activision Blizzard's Bobby Kotick Will Step Down Later This Month
I always wondered why this guy looked exactly like the owner of the Oakland Athletics in Moneyball (2011). Turns out that was him, in an uncredited acting role!
Anyway good riddance, he should have stuck to acting.
Re: PC Port Of Zelda: Link's Awakening Offers HD Visuals And 120fps Scrolling
I'll contradict some comments here and say please keep reporting on fan projects such as these, they are relevant to my interests.
If a free project uses 30 year old game assets and gets copyright claimed, that's nobody's fault but Nintendo's.
Re: Random: Waluigi Designer Shares Scrapped Character Art Of "Walpeach"
Miyamoto should have looked at the design, I think it's great. In later eras where Miyamoto had a more hands-off role, I think they could have got her in a game and she'd be a recurring character now.
Re: Splatoon 3 Version 6.0.0 Is Out Now, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Pretty huge change to Salmon Run and Big Runs!
I’m skeptical about the X Battle changes, I’d say its biggest issue is long matchmaking times or not finding enough players at all. Sometimes I spend more time waiting for matches than actually playing them. It should look to match you with more players, not fewer…
Re: Splatoon 3 'Chill Season 2023' Update Revealed, Launches December 1st
@gizmo998 The 2 stages played on in the trailer are new, there's a new special weapon (the Splattercolor Screen), all the weapons shown will have new kits (the Painbrush, Reef-lux, Splatana Stamper, Splat Dualies, Blaster, S-Blast, Undercover Brella, and Squeezer), the music is new, there's new clothing options, and a glimpse of a new Big Run stage (Barnacle & Dime) and a new king salmonid.
Can't blame you for asking though as there was not much of a write-up here.
Re: Zelda's Voice Actor Would "Love" To Reprise Her Role In The Live-Action Movie
Posing questions like these to voice actors just invites unfair comparisons between how voice actors and live action ones are valued.
Obviously a huge commercial movie is going to use huge commercial on-screen talent.
Re: Miyamoto And Avi Arad Have Been Discussing The Zelda Movie For A Decade
Can't wait for this film that will look worse than the animated Link's Awakening cutscenes that keep being used for thumbnails.
Re: Nintendo Hardware And Software Teams Have Been Working "As One" Recently, Says Shinya Takahashi
Clearly the pop-out bubble blower in the left Joy-Con will be used extensively in 1-2-Switch 2!, and then never used by software again.
Re: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Has Been Updated To Version 3.0.0, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
I'm with @HalBailman that 150cc is far too easy, and 200cc is more of a special mode. The CPUs in 200cc aren't even any more difficult - they drive off the track and into walls just as an unpracticed player might. Mostly the mode answers the question "what if Mario Karts went really fast?" which opens up funny interactions such as taking shroom shortcuts by simply... hopping over them, or outrunning blue shells. That's right - if you drive without hitting walls, you basically go at the same speed the blue shells travel at, and can outrun them for a whole race. Hard mode!! Even the competitive multiplayer scene defaults to 150cc.
I never played Tour and had limited access to MKWii, so I went into half this wave having not played the tracks. I took poor lines and routes, drove out of bounds, got blue shelled repeatedly... and still cruised to 1st on every track in 150cc. You don't even need to utilize drifting or items, because the CPUs drive so slow, you pass them just by driving forward. The single player in this game plays like it's for babies, which makes me wonder what on earth 100cc and 50cc are for.
And to make matters worse, ALL the online multiplayer relies on the roulette system, so there isn't even a way to reliably pull the new tracks. The only way to see the new cups in order, is to populate your races with bots driving so bad that it's pretty much Time Trial With Blue Shells.
Re: Review: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 6 - Takes The Chequered Flag With A Safe Final Lap
On the one hand I wanted more Double Dash tracks, but on the other, seeing how DK Mountain was absolutely butchered, maybe it's for the best that they stayed away from it. That game deserves its own re-release or feature on a Switch Online type service, there's no replicating its physics and chaos in MK8.
Re: Nintendo Confirms Delay Of New Development Building
Thinking about the DYKG report on Retro's early years where they spent a ton on office space and furniture, then layoffs hit and most of it went empty and filled with literal crickets. Meanwhile here's the parent company waiting until their 139th year to open a 2nd development building.
Re: Talking Point: Along With Joy-Con Drift, What Does Nintendo Have To 'Fix' With 'Switch 2'?
Sad to see no option for ergonomics, like we've just accepted the Switch 2 will be an even clunkier beast than the Switch and handheld play will be an afterthought.
For this whole generation I never bought a 2nd Switch model, and it's because the Switch was such a poor handheld. It's too loose and heavy for something you hold in such a cramped hand position, especially compared to past Nintendo handhelds. They really spoiled me with the DS Lite and later 3DS models.
If I were to point to the biggest disappointment this gen (besides drift), it would be when they DID release a more handheld-friendly version in the Switch Lite... and removed its ability to output to TV! As an avid Splatoon player, that half-functionality was a huge no-go for me, and eliminated any chance it could be your dedicated Switch. Such an insult, that they couldn't spring for the tiny component to allow HDMI output through its USB-C port. If it just had that, I could have actually unplugged my Switch to play so many more smaller titles this gen, instead it's just been a docked box.
Re: Random: Players Share Bananas Gameplay Of New King Kong Game, And It's Not Looking Good
Well at least the crabs got nice models. Mashing the same combo over and over into giant creatures with no health bars, looks like Monster Hunter!
Re: New Details Emerge On Satoru Iwata's Work On Pokémon Gold And Silver
All due respect to DYKG, but this reporting is based on one line in the game code that bears Iwata's signature, VS multiple interviews with developers who actually worked with him, stating he helped them to fit Kanto into the final game.
As pointed out in their comments section, it's possible GameFreak was working on their own faster algorithm, but couldn't get it to use a comparable size to the Gen 1 original until Iwata provided his. Or, he may have helped at other parts of development. I think it's a little silly to call this a "debunked" rumor, or that it was even hearsay to begin with, since it was always based on direct testimonial from his coworkers.
Re: 3DS And Wii U Online Play Ends In "Early April" 2024
For me the biggest loss from this will be Zelda Tri Force Heroes. Still the best multiplayer Zelda experience in my opinion, and it will continue to draw interest over time as a mainline Zelda game. Right now you can fire it up online with friends, but soon I'm guessing you'll have to be in proximity to each other. Well, at least that's easier than Four Swords Adventures.
Re: Soapbox: 'Switch 2' Doesn't Really Need Backwards Compatibility
Backwards compatible:
GBA
DS
Wii
3DS
WiiU
Not backwards compatible:
SNES
N64
GameCube
Switch
(Not counting the NES and GameBoy as they didn't have predecessors in the same way)
Arguably Nintendo consoles have been backwards compatible more often than not, especially the "handheld" line. I'm guessing we'll at least see the option to patch 1st party games to work on the new chip architecture, on a game by game basis, as has been rumoured through Pokemon datamining. What this would mean for the Switch's huge indie library though, is what I worry about.
Re: Soapbox: FOMO Nearly Ruined Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom For Me
I would add the burden placed on the game by the higher price point didn't help either. I know it was only $10 USD more, but that's still the most I've spent on a videogame to date. That made me really feel like I should squeeze my money's worth out of it rather than enjoy it for what it is.
Given the recycled Hyrule, I don't think the price increase was all that justified in retrospect.
Re: Feature: "JRPG Isn't Just One Blanket Kind Of Game" - Star Ocean: The Second Story Returns 25 Years Later
"When I write music, I make sure the music is in sync with the frame rate, the overall movement of the video..."
Great perspective for all those who say the frame rate of a Paper Mario remake doesn't matter because it's an RPG. Video games are an animated medium. Frame rate is absolutely core to their character.
Re: Princess Peach: Showtime! Opens On Switch In March 2024
Count me among those confused as to what the core gameplay even is here. Beat em up? Luigi's Mansion sort of adventure game? But it all appears to take place in the same theatre... I worry this will rely on set pieces and mechanics that have nothing to do with each other.
Re: Talking Point: What Do You Want From A 'Splatoon 4'?
Very interested to see if Splatoon 3 is playable on the Switch 2 or if there's some kind of cross-play. They'll want a game early in the console's life but 2024 or 25 feels too soon for a brand new Splatoon. Maybe a Splatoon 3 Deluxe is in order.
As for these suggestions, I actually like the idea for a warthog! Maybe that could be a new ranked mode, the newest ranked mode is still Clam Blitz from Splatoon 2.
Re: Nintendo Announces Mario Red Edition Switch OLED, Out October
Wow, people don't care for minimalism huh. I think this is easily the best-looking special edition and has just slightly too much Mario imagery, get rid of the little Mario on the back and it's perfect.
Re: Miyamoto Wasn't A Big Fan Of Super Mario Bros. Wonder's Early Elephant Design
This game feels like it has Koizumi written all over it, from the psychedelics to the RPG badge system to the large playable cast it's pretty un-Miyamoto
Re: Poll: What Did You Think Of The Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct Showcase?
I really don't understand the NSMB comparisons. People don't have eyeballs.
I'm on the fence about picking it up because I usually put down sidescrollers quickly. But it's nothing if not a huge departure from those games visually.
Re: Splatoon 3 Releases A Brand New, Utterly Ridiculous Song Called 'Big Betrayal'
This sounds like it will be added to the splatfest music rotation, so pretty funny that it continues the story from Liquid Sunshine, which was Big Man's collab with the Squid Sisters.
Re: Pokémon Sleep Will Be Tucking In New Species, Relaxing Sounds And More In Future Updates
This has grabbed me more than any Pokemon mobile game since Magikarp Jump. It's super easy to play for free, rewards you for something you do every day anyway, and the pokemon are surprisingly complete in their mechanics, down to having stat boosting natures. It's almost like they were made to be transferable to Pokemon Home...
Re: Kirby Has Gobbled Up PowerA's Latest Wireless Switch Controller
I don't know what's worse - Kirby's skin forming a function-tight membrane around all those sticks, buttons, screw holes and battery cover, or Kirby's skin having cutouts in it so all those things can work.
Re: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Has Now Sold Over 22 Million Copies, Closing In On Gold & Silver's Sales
I couldn't get into their story because I reached the first couple gym leaders and had my team of 6 pokemon all 1-2 levels higher than their aces without even trying to.
That is also part of a game's storytelling. That's telling the player "the gym leaders in this region are all pushovers and your pokemon get stronger whether or not you even train them"
Re: Soapbox: Catching Legendary Pokémon The Old-Fashioned Way Was So Much Better
A point where modern Pokemon really lost me was in ORAS, where the game gives the player a Latios or Latias, as a story event, from the champion, after 5 gym badges. Five! Barely halfway through the game!
Legendaries should feel special and hard to obtain. I also didn't care for Scarlet/Violet making the box legendaries glorified bicycles who won't battle for you, but will be ridden like a horse for some reason.
Re: Splatoon 3 Devs Tease "New And Different" Gameplay In Wave 2 DLC
It will be stages on floating platforms against Octarian enemies.
Re: Random: Guillermo del Toro Praises Mario Movie For Moving Animation In Right Direction
If you said to me "[Animation] has been kidnapped by a bunch of hoodlums", the first people to come to mind would be Illumination.
Re: The Pokémon Trading Card Game Online Servers Have Now Permanently Shut Down
My expectations for anything TPC does with the trading card game are through the floor. We're never getting anything as cool as the two Game Boy RPGs again.
Re: Original Stitch's Pokémon Shirts To Close Down Next Month Following Business Termination
Always liked their designs as they didn't make the Pokemon branding super obvious. But yea, never bought one given the price.
Re: Charity Pokémon Concert To Be Held In Japan With Global Livestream
Friendly request for NintendoLife to bump this article on like August 8th so I actually remember to tune in
Re: Nintendo's Official Podcast Just Aired Its "Last Episode"
Gave this a chance a while ago but if they were passionate about games, it sure wasn't coming across on the podcast. Very buttoned up and PR heavy. Tough to compete with various fan and journalist podcasts where hosts can actually speak their minds.
Re: Nintendo Switch Surpasses One Billion Software Sales
They never released a model as affordable and playable as the DS Lite. The Switch Lite is $200 USD to this day (compared to the $130 DSLite launch) and showing its age, and disappointing from the start due to drifting sticks and lack of a simple HDMI out function.
I really wish they went in the exact opposite direction of the OLED. That's a niche premium upgrade that's even less essential than the New 3DS line, since its internals stayed the same. I'd point to there as failing the Switch's sales momentum.
Re: Random: Sakurai's Latest Video Implores Publishers Not To Mislead Players
What comes to mind for me is all the RPGs and tactics games whose trailers are 100% cinematics. Even Fire Emblem has been guilty of this.
The cinematics are pretty and all, but I'm buying it to play a rpg/tactics game! Don't hide the grids and menus!
Re: Warside Blasts Onto Kickstarter With Advance Wars-Inspired Turn-Based Tactics
If it were a 1-1 copy the commanders would look like they had any personality at all. I can't understand all these indie games with very competent pixel art but absolutely dead-eyed generic character designs. Just look at good character designs, reference them, you're already referencing everything else.
Re: Splatoon 3 Reveals Brand New Special Weapon For Fresh Season 2023
The fact you can shoot them prematurely to make some of them (or all?) detonate right away is interesting. I'm reminded of the Bubble Blower as much as the Tenta Missiles.
I wished for a decoy balloon you could place down in a firefight as you scamper away, but as a sub weapon. Oh well
Re: Fire Emblem Engage Scheduled Maintenance Spotted Ahead Of Launch
@steely_pete Yeah the whole FE fandom has been making this complaint. Most of what we know about this game has come from videos and character profiles that haven't been localized for some reason. Fan translators are having to do NoA's job for them. But that doesn't have much reach and is no substitute for actual marketing.
One mistake I've seen on this very site is thinking it's an all-stars type game relying on older characters in the series. When in fact it's a new mainline game with an all-new cast of characters that haven't been marketed anywhere. 12 older characters have cameos as literal accessories. There's clever changes made to all the on-foot classes to make them as viable as mounted and flying classes finally, but you won't find much info about that in English.
Re: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Is The Best-Selling Game In Japan In 2022
Not to sound like a weeb but clearly Japan is just a more enlightened land. In politeness, in transit infrastructure, and in preferring Nintendo handhelds
Re: Nintendo Introduces Lucina In Fire Emblem Engage
Funny, I thought this was one of the more faithful depictions of a female lord in the game so far. Maybe she doesn't look exactly like her Kozaki portrait in Awakening, but at least they let her keep a stern expression. Micaiah and Eirika just look vacant.
Re: Bowser Jr. And Birdo Star In Mario Strikers: Battle League's Third Free Update
I'd say the free update model works for games like Splatoon or Animal Crossing that people want to play regularly anyway. Not a sports spinoff that launches with less content than its Gamecube version
Re: Soapbox: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Is The Most Friction-Free Pokémon Yet
Friction-free is the problem. I get an automatically leveled up team just from basic exploration and all my Pokemon are the same lvl as the gym leader's ace. On top of it they removed Set battle style for some reason. The game's battles could be played by a drinking bird toy tapping the A button.
Old school Pokemon made you actually gasp send your Pokemon into battle to train them. All that friction, I wonder how it became a successful series among kids.
Re: Advance Wars Style Kickstarter Project Warside Targeting 2023 Switch Release
It looks like Advance Wars but with character portraits sourced from a pre-teen artist they paid in exposure
Re: Tactics Ogre: Reborn Switch Impressions Are Out, And It's Looking Really Good
Imagine that, a gritty SRPG that was actually allowed to use nice colors. Much easier on the eyes than all the Square Enix "HD-2D" games imo
Re: Bellibolt The Electric Frog Is The Newest Addition To Pokémon Scarlet And Violet
The character is obviously poking fun at streamer/Vtuber culture, note the fat Greedents in the background as she talks about her viewer count going up. She's supposed to be annoying.
My only complaint is that she shows up physically in game, instead of conducting her gym battle from a screen. You mean to tell me in the reality of the Pokemon world, this girl's teeth are filed into points? Or she talks through fake teeth all the time? And yeah, I normally don't mind the lack of VA in games, but it really sticks out when someone's very characteristic way of speaking is missing. And hoo boy are the colours in that gameplay washed out compared to her "streams".