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[Time will tell if this year's EA Sports soccer game be more than just another Legacy Edition on Nintendo Switch.]

101

TalkBack / EA Sports FC Is Replacing FIFA on Switch, But Will It Actually Be New?

« on: April 06, 2023, 10:11:27 AM »

Time will tell if this year's EA Sports soccer game be more than just another Legacy Edition on Nintendo Switch.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/editorial/63331/ea-sports-fc-is-replacing-fifa-on-switch-but-will-it-actually-be-new

Back in 2017, FIFA was featured as a core part of Nintendo's initial Switch marketing campaign. You could play some footie on the road. It's portable soccer! But after a decent outing in 2017, EA Sports' notable soccer franchise stalled. After a few minor tweaks in 2018's FIFA 19, every ensuing year featured a "Legacy Edition" - essentially just the same game as the 2018 release but with new rosters. This was an annual disappointment.

EA Sports is shedding the FIFA label this year and in its stead comes a new name for their soccer game: EA Sports FC. Today, Nintendo of America tweeted the logo for the game (in Switch Red). It reads "Join The Club this July" with no other real details.

Join The Club this July. #EASPORTSFC pic.twitter.com/l5PZlWLA6O

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 6, 2023

So what does this mean? Likely not much. The Switch is now more than six years old and it would be weird if EA put an effort now after not doing much of anything for nearly five years. There is hope, but outside of a new title screen and branding, I can't imagine that hope will amount to much more than the bones of FIFA 19 on Switch with a new hat.

The only trace of a mention of EA Sports FC 24 on Switch I found online is on the FIFA game series news site FIFAUTeam that proclaims that this version of the game will be another Legacy Edition. It's sad if true because EA Sports used to be a bigger presence on Nintendo systems, even if the Nintendo versions were always secondary. GameCube got nearly everything, even with some Punch-Out and Mario bonuses in Fight Night and NBA Street. Wii got distinct versions, focusing on motion controls and more cartoony characters. But after the Wii U and 3DS launches, which saw the likes of Madden and FIFA on the platforms, EA Sports took their ball and went home. For the sake of Wii U and 3DS, it might have made business sense, but the complete dismissal of the Switch on EA's behalf probably left success on the table. That first FIFA on Switch? It was pretty good. And while I'm a Madden junkie, I can imagine I'm not the only one who would play the snot out of a portable Madden on Switch. I played a lot of the horrific Steam version of Madden on my Steam Deck and that's an awful version of a game that is largely not regarded as a good entry in the franchise.

I had hoped this might be a more optimistic editorial, but I couldn't find any reason to have real hope that EA Sports FC will be more than a Legacy Edition. Prove me wrong, EA Sports. I want more sports games on Nintendo Switch. Sony is currently outdoing you on a console that isn't theirs.

[We checked out Jakks Pacific’s initial lineup of Mario movie toys.]

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TalkBack / The Best Super Mario Bros. Movie Toys

« on: April 04, 2023, 07:02:59 AM »

We checked out Jakks Pacific’s initial lineup of Mario movie toys.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/63329/the-best-super-mario-bros-movie-toys

With the Super Mario Bros. Movie on the cusp of wide release, the inevitable follow-up after a child watches this movie is going to involve toys (or video games - if you have questions on that, check the rest of the site because we have almost 25 years of Mario video game coverage). I had a chance to test drive a number of toymaker Jakks Pacific’s Super Mario Bros. Movie toys with my 4-year-old (and when appropriate, with my 1-year-old) and across the board, Jakks Pacific seems to have made some winners.

The most ridiculous one is assuredly the 7-inch Bowser figure that blows smoke out of his mouth. It requires some setup (3 AAA batteries and some drops of water), but after you fill up Bowser’s head with water, you can press a spike on his back and cackle as he blows water vapor out of his maw as it lights up red. This koopa king is poseable and should display nicely while also being a durable and entertaining toy for kids.

The first wave of 5-inch toys fit well with our friend vape smoke Bowser. Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad all get well-sculpted toys that look to be a step ahead of Jakks Pacific’s World of Nintendo figures. Each hero comes with an accessory that may or may not have relevance in the movie. Mario has a plunger, which adds up since his plumbing background is going to be referenced. Luigi has a flashlight, evoking Luigi’s Mansion while also appearing to be something he uses in his path through the movie. Toad has a frying pan that I assume he uses to hit a goomba on the head or something. Lastly, Peach has a parasol that I assume she uses to hit a goomba on the head or something. Since Bowser and the heroes entered my house, both of my kids have played with them and I’m happy to report they’ve held up to wear and tear.

There are also vaguely Polly Pocket-ish playsets that I didn’t expect to like as much as I did. The biggest one is Peach’s Castle, which resembles the famous facade and opens up to reveal an obstacle course that looks like the training course we’ve seen in trailers (as well as looking like a level from Mario’s games). This set comes with a 1.25-inch Mario and Peach that can be used to hop around the blocks and piranha plants.

The other playset is based off of Mario and Luigi’s van. It can be used as a toy vehicle but it also opens up to reveal a series of pipes to different kingdoms. This set only comes with a 1.25-inch Mario. I understand the Mario movie toys should come with Mario, but it’s literally the same 1.25-inch Mario that comes with the Peach’s Castle set. There are other 1.25-inch figures ranging from Luigi to Kamek that are nice to have with these playsets, but if you just buy the sets by themselves, you’re saddled with two duplicates.

To complement the ample Mario Kart references in the movie, there are also pull-back cars that evoke the karts from the movie (and look like off-kilter versions of karts from the game itself). I’ve only had time to mess around with the Mario one, which comes with a 2.5-inch Mario figure and a standard kart. Other karts include ones that come with Toad, Peach, and Koopa Troopa.

More waves of toys could be on the horizon and who knows: maybe the Mario movie will expand into a whole Mario Cinematic Universe with movies about Donkey Kong and Luigi and a sequel that introduces Wario. Maybe we could call it the MCU?

[Part 5 of the 3D Zelda Game Club.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 362: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Game Club

« on: March 31, 2023, 07:04:35 AM »

Part 5 of the 3D Zelda Game Club.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/63268/episode-362-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-game-club

The gang assembles to discuss the controversial title, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Is this the peak of what Link to the Past started? A dissaster that necessitated the soft reboot into Breath of the Wild? Some other sithian absolute? Find out in this episode of the 3D Zelda Game Club and don't forget to join us for our playthrough of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

[A respectable sophomore season after a surprisingly great rookie campaign.]

104

TalkBack / MLB The Show 23 (Switch) Review

« on: March 28, 2023, 03:43:03 AM »

A respectable sophomore season after a surprisingly great rookie campaign.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/63260/mlb-the-show-23-switch-review

The second season of the Sony-made baseball game on Nintendo Switch isn’t a huge upgrade over the rookie year, but when the initial salvo was so strong, more of the same (and updated rosters) isn’t a big detriment. MLB The Show 23 on Switch is still an impressive technical feat, taking essentially everything from the beautiful-looking PlayStation and Xbox versions and making it work without much playable compromise on an increasingly ancient hybrid device. The visuals might look rough at a glance, but everything runs smoothly in spite of the fact that finer details blur together and player faces look flat and dated. This might be the best this series can look on Nintendo Switch, but it’s an acceptable level of visual jank for such a strong portable experience that remains compatible with other platforms via crossplay and crossave.

As far as what is brand new for this iteration, the coolest addition is Storylines, which currently features what amounts to an interactive museum about the Negro Leagues. You can learn about eight different players from the era, filled with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick going over each one’s history, whether it’s Satchel Paige playing pro baseball at age 60 or Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in the MLB. Kendrick’s videos are interspersed with playable moments where you can play as those players in ways reflective of their fascinating histories. As most pro sports leagues are pushing well over 100 years of history at this point, I hope content like this comes out in every form it can. I haven’t been this delightfully surprised at a new mode in a sports game since I played Franchise mode in Madden for the first time more than two decades ago. Even better, more Storylines are coming in the future.

Beyond Storylines, the section that got a lot of fine-tuning and tweaking is the always-online Diamond Dynasty mode, where you collect baseball cards and make your own team of modern and classic players. While you can pay to win in a way here, I’m still struck by how the game directly tells you that you can just play the game and earn enough cards to be good without spending real money. The option is there, but it’s not the focus. I enjoyed seeing a lot more legends pop up in Diamond Dynasty, whether it’s the likes of Yankees legends like Derek Jeter, Babe Ruth, or Mariano Rivera, or Nintendo favorites like Ken Griffey Jr. It’s still a riot seeing Cy Young and Lefty Grove pitch in modern settings.

Diamond Dynasty also is more open to getting high-ranking players earlier on. In past years, it would be months before top-value players would be accessible. That’s no longer the case. Also, Mini-seasons are tweaked to offer up more variety, whether it’s 28-game seasons where you play three-inning games with just lefties on your roster or just players from a specific team. Diamond Dynasty continues to be an extremely good mode with a lot of longevity even if you don’t spend a dime.

Franchise Mode and the streamlined March to October have been adjusted and updated to better replicate the changes made to the MLB last year. It reflects the new playoff structure, the dual-position Ohtani Rule, and the universal DH. A lot of behind the scenes tweaks have overall made these a better experience, including improved logic for simulated aspects and computer-controlled teams. Also the draft in Franchise will no longer bizarrely feature 26-year-old players. It’ll be more reflective of the actual draft where players are in their late teens or early 20s.

Road to the Show is a mode that didn’t have a lot of updates. I still find it enjoyable and fresh as someone who hadn’t touched MLB The Show in a long time before its Switch debut, but I can start to see some of the wheels coming off as it’s very similar to last year’s mode. Here’s hoping Road to the Show gets some love in the next year or two. The ability to use the MLB The Show mobile app to take a picture of your face to use for your create-a-player is new this year too, but I could not manage to get it to work in game.

MLB The Show 23 continues to be an incredible baseball game if you’re looking for a flexible experience with real-life players. You can get deep into the details with hardcore simulation play, especially with the improved in-game UI that gives you a cleaner readout on the specifics of your pitch or swing. You can also flip the game to casual and just sit back and relax, ripping some dingers and striking some dudes out. Or you can toss out the idea of playing full games and just experience history in the incredible Negro League Storylines mode. Even if the visuals border on being potato quality, this game rocks on Switch.

[With its Deluxe additions, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land might be Kirby’s 2D best.]

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TalkBack / Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Switch) Review

« on: March 16, 2023, 06:17:15 AM »

With its Deluxe additions, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land might be Kirby’s 2D best.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/63160/kirbys-return-to-dream-land-deluxe-switch-review

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land comes to Switch in a much different time than when it debuted on Wii. Originally launching in 2011, the Wii release was Kirby’s first non-yarn mainline foray into home consoles in a decade. Return to Dream Land Deluxe, on the other hand, comes on the heels of Kirby’s biggest hit of all time with 2022’s Kirby and the Forgotten Land. To level set, this is not the bold 3D reinvention of the Kirby formula that Forgotten Land was. Return to Dream Land Deluxe is simply the peak form of Kirby’s side-scrolling 2D adventures, retaining the quality and charm of the original Wii adventure while adding improved co-op, enjoyable party games, and an interesting epilogue.

The main game sees Kirby and friends come across a lost traveler named Magolor who has crash landed in Dream Land. The driving force is to help Magolor repair his ship so he can return home, along the way coming across both new and familiar Kirby foes. As per Kirby tradition, the story is breezy until a wild finale. It’s not quite at the level of Forgotten Land or Planet Robobot’s endings, but it’s satisfying and Magolor makes for one of the more memorable companions in Kirby games. The newly added epilogue (only available after you beat the main game) stars Magolor, adding a little bit more to the story while also providing a slightly new way to play new levels. Magolor initially starts off relatively powerless and as you progress, you can unlock more abilities. He winds up roughly controlling like Kirby, but it’s still a novel enough hook to make the epilogue well worth playing. Everything is playable in full co-op with elegant drop-in/drop-out.

I was struck by how much of the original game was tweaked as it was brought to Switch. Two new abilities, the world-dominating Mecha and the Leaf-like Sand, are the clearest examples, but there are a variety of subtle tweaks. Some copy abilities feature upgraded moves that first debuted in later games. Level layouts are largely the same but the placement of enemies and items is slightly tweaked. Best of all, unlike in the Wii original, four players can all play as Kirby in co-op. This was a bummer in the original because Kirby is the only one who can wield copy abilities and on Wii, the three other co-op players could only be Meta Knight, King Dedede, or Bandana Waddle Dee. You can still play as Kirby’s friends, but it’s much more fulfilling to have a full team of Kirbys. The excellent challenge stages, unlocked by collecting optional gears throughout levels, are still present, including two new main ones for Mecha and Sand.

Another sizable new addition to the Switch release is Merry Magoland, an alternate dimension theme park where one to four players can party up and compete in 10 different sub-games. The list of games pulls from the whole series along with some new ones, and while they might not be as deep as some sub-games in past games, the collection is fun and varied, especially with four players. It also consistently rewards you just for playing, letting you slowly unlock masks of other characters throughout the series that can be worn throughout all modes. The stand-out sub-games in my time were Booming Blasters, a brand new game that is a quick and intense top-down combative game, and the Kirby 64 sub-game Checkerboard Chase, which is frenetic and strategic. The depth here isn’t immense, but the whole mode is an excellent side dish to a delectable main course.

The visual upgrade is excellent, taking a standard-definition Wii game and making it sing on the Switch. Honestly if I didn’t know this was originally a Wii game, I’d just assume it was a brand new Kirby game. The difficulty is in line with most in the series, as it is initially very easy with the highest challenge coming from post-game modes. I did play through the majority of this with my 4-year-old and he consistently had an absolute blast playing through the game, kicking between the main game, the sub-games, and the challenge levels. Not everything was easy for him, but the new addition of the helper mode, where you get double health and Magolor saves you from falling into pits, made it so he was able to romp through the game.

I played Kirby’s Return to Dream Land on Wii at launch and over the years, it’s never been a high-ranking game on my personal list of Kirby games. After playing through it on Switch, that’s changed, though partially because of the smart updates and changes made in the new version. Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is the best 2D Kirby I’ve ever played, combining a lot of the side-scrolling entries' best elements into a heck of a total package that works as both a single-player adventure and a delightful co-op journey.

[You know that new Picross-like game you're looking for? Well, listen to this.]

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TalkBack / Tents and Trees (Switch) Review

« on: March 14, 2023, 04:54:29 AM »

You know that new Picross-like game you're looking for? Well, listen to this.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/63149/tents-and-trees-switch-review

I have reviewed a lot of Picross games over the years. I’d call it one of my favorite types of games or puzzles, with its thoughtful logical design and ability to be both relaxing and mentally taxing. I knew nothing about Tents and Trees going into playing this game on Switch. Apparently this is a type of puzzle I didn’t previously know about, but the basics of it evoke the nonogram stylings of Picross. It scratches a slightly different itch, though, and thanks to a delightful presentation and an incredible amount of puzzles, Tents and Trees is incredible.

Every puzzle is a grid, starting from 6-by-6 and going all the way up to 19-by-19 (and maybe beyond in daily puzzles). Trees are peppered throughout and your task is to place tents throughout the grid so every tent only touches one tree while the tent is not touching another tent. Like Picross, each row and column has a number that represents how many tents will go in each one. It took a little for me to wrap my head around the particulars, but once it clicked, I was engrossed. The puzzles are designed to only have one solution and if you hit any brick walls, a solid hint system can help you along. You can even save state your puzzles, both to come back to later and also revert to that save state if you make a huge mistake. My only tiny complaint is that the initial setup for every puzzle starts to get a little bit workmanlike as you figure out the tricks and intricacies of the puzzles. It gets a little rote over time to laboriously check off all the diagonals (this will make sense when you get into the game) to start off every puzzle. Especially since the game lets you auto-complete rows, part of me wishes they also automated more of the mechanical aspects of solving puzzles.

The chill presentation belies how deadly some of the later game puzzles can get, especially when you start introducing columns and rows missing numbers. The serene interface is made even better by both touch and button controls that work well and can be swapped on the fly. It’s hard to accurately communicate just how good everything about this feels to interact with. Different themes and music tracks unlock as you play puzzles, too. An achievement system and a handful of daily puzzles deepen the base game, which already has more than 500 puzzles to begin with. On top of all that, you can even mess around with solving puzzles communally thanks to a four-player local co-op mode.

If you’re looking for more Picross on Switch that’s more than just your standard issue Jupiter releases, Tents & Trees is amazing, making for a novel twist on a logic puzzle game staple. With the excellent style and the ample daily puzzles, this is one I’ll be revisiting for a long time.

[Playful escapades and an excellent voice cast power this Diablo-lite DC Comics adventure.]

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TalkBack / Justice League: Cosmic Chaos (Switch) Review

« on: March 13, 2023, 05:40:53 AM »

Playful escapades and an excellent voice cast power this Diablo-lite DC Comics adventure.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/63147/justice-league-cosmic-chaos-switch-review

Justice League Cosmic Chaos is the DC superhero I didn’t know I needed. The latest from publisher Outright Games continues to cement them as one of the best makers of kid-oriented licensed games. I can personally vouch from playing the likes of DC League of Super-Pets and My Friend Peppa Pig with my children that they shepherd developers to make friendly, approachable games that are fun to play at a variety of ages. However, PHL Collective, the developer of Cosmic Chaos who previously made the Star Fox-ish League of Super-Pets game (and also the rad eight-player local sports game Clusterpuck 99), have raised the bar with their take on Diablo-esque gameplay with Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. This colorful cartoony adventure is a blast, making it a bright spot in a comic book video game world shaded over by the lumbering future of Games-as-a-Service titles like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

To start, the voice cast is incredible, with the playable trio being expertly voiced by Nolan North (who previously played Superman in LEGO content), Vanessa Marshall (who previously played Wonder Woman in the HBO Max show Harley Quinn), and Diedrich Bader (who previously played Batman in the underrated Batman: The Brave and the Bold cartoon among other reprisals). The delightful surprise for me was Dana Snyder (Master Shake in Aqua Teen Hunger Force) as Mr. Mxyzptlk, who brings the perfect energy for the goofy villain (note: the late Gilbert Gottfried was planned to reprise the character that he brought to life on Superman: The Animated Series, but he passed away before he could. The game is dedicated to his memory, as well as recently passed comic artists Neal Adams, Alan Grant, George Pérez, and Tim Sale). The story, which involves Mxy asserting himself as the mayor of Happy Harbor, is a breezy goofball of a romp. Other Justice League members get taken over by the mind-controlling Starro and it’s up to the team of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman to save the day.

The main story is only available in single-player, as you swap between the three characters on the fly. They have a repeatable basic attack and dodge, as well as a variety of secondary and special abilities. The latter abilities are on timers that recharge after use, even when you’re not controlling the character. The combat is relatively simplistic hack-and-slash gameplay at face value, but more nuance lies underneath the hood. Swapping between characters constantly is the optimal way to go, unleashing their different powers as they recharge. Additionally, later on in the game elemental affinities come into play, so Superman’s heat vision can melt down ice foes quickly. On top of all that is a skill tree that unlocks as you level up and upgrades as you collect and use resources. Even beyond that, each hero can have three accessories that augment their power further. Oh and as you rescue members of the Justice League, you can summon them to assist you. It does get repetitive over time, especially because the enemy variety wears a little thin, but the game consistently offers you enough new twists on what you can do to keep it fresh.

Beyond Mxy’s machinations is a boatload of side quests featuring countless DC villains. Happy Harbor isn’t that big of an overworld, but more diversions are nestled there than I first expected. Generally you’ll find some access point that takes you to another location, sometimes just an underground base and other times you just get transported to Wonder Woman’s home of Themyscira. The references go deep, especially in the delightful unlockable costumes. Collecting comic books throughout lets you unlock the likes of a dopey Matches Malone Batman outfit or the trippy Batman Zur-En-Arrh costume.

While it’s a little disappointing that the main story is not multiplayer, Cosmic Chaos does have a really cool mode called Instant Action, where two players can just jump right into the fray. As someone who has long been frustrated by multiplayer games requiring a long lead up to actual multiplayer (here’s looking at you, Secret of Mana), this is a welcome addition. It also adds a little bit more longevity beyond the already sizable story mode. What might wear you out from playing all that there is here is the fact that the Switch version is not that visually impressive. It runs well enough, but if you’re coming here looking for a graphical showcase, you’ll leave disappointed. Thankfully the rest of the presentation is great, like the virtuoso voice-acting performances from a list of greats or the animated cutscenes that give you a glimpse of what this game could possibly look like on better hardware.

If you’re looking for a DC superhero game that relies more on arcadey gameplay, whimsical callbacks, and a playful atmosphere, Justice League Cosmic Chaos is incredible. I had a great time playing through this, both by myself roaming around Happy Harbor trying to save the day while getting distracted by side quests and in co-op with my kid in the smart Instant Action mode. With the bar raised for future games from Outright Games, here’s hoping that Cosmic Chaos is the start of a new era for kid-oriented licensed games.

[Lightly used listener mail.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 360: Remaster Waialae Country Club: True Golf Classics You Cowards!

« on: March 10, 2023, 11:33:41 AM »

Lightly used listener mail.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/63097/episode-360-remaster-waialae-country-club-true-golf-classics-you-cowards

John and Neal take to listener mail once again to dig into the possibility of a major Gamecube Remaster. Keeping on that topic, the fellas explore their most desired remake from Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS.

[And Neal finally buys Rebel Galaxy Outlaw.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 359: Here's the Mail

« on: March 03, 2023, 11:06:16 AM »

And Neal finally buys Rebel Galaxy Outlaw.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/63033/episode-359-heres-the-mail

After spending most of February on very specifically themed episodes, we've built up quite a bit of listener mail. Alex joins John and Neal to answer your burning questions about the eShop, Gamecube remasters, and so much more!

[An enjoyable narrative adventure with some clever RPG hooks.]

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TalkBack / Meg's Monster (Switch) Review

« on: February 28, 2023, 07:15:45 AM »

An enjoyable narrative adventure with some clever RPG hooks.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewmini/63016/megs-monster-switch-review

Meg’s Monster is a peculiar game that might be billed as a JRPG but it’s more of an experimental, narrative adventure. You control Roy - the titular monster - as he stumbles upon a little human girl named Meg who, for some reason, has fallen into the underworld. When Meg starts to cry, she appears to trigger the early stages of the apocalypse so Roy makes it his mission to save her from harm and get her to safety.

The plot is charming, with a localization much better than Japanese developer Odencat’s previous Switch work Fishing Paradiso. The cast of characters in the underworld are sometimes hard to keep track of, but the focus is always on Roy and Meg. Their relationship drives things forward in a way that reminded me of Sully and Boo in the Pixar movie Monsters Inc. Everything builds to a tear-jerking finale that makes the handful of hours this linear adventure takes a rewarding experience.

The aspect of Meg’s Monster that caught my eye was how the turn-based combat works, as Roy has an absurd amount of hit points and is for the most indestructible. However, Meg hates seeing her new monster pal get hurt so battles become a balance of defeating the enemy while also making sure Meg is happy. It’s an excellent way to bring the story and gameplay together, but since the battles are all scripted, it never feels as engaging as I hoped it would be. A lot of fights rely on deus ex machina story contrivances and while occasionally some light strategy and puzzle solving is required, it felt more like an accessory to the story than a main driving force.

It’s a good thing the story of Meg’s Monster is engaging because even if the gameplay cleverly ties into the narrative, it doesn’t amount to much. As long as your expectations are managed and you’re expecting something closer to a visual novel than a JRPG, Meg’s Monster should be an enjoyable read as long you’re ready for some bittersweet emotion.

[Featuring Metroid]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 358: The Star Fox 30th Anniversary Episode

« on: February 24, 2023, 05:34:17 AM »

Featuring Metroid

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/62967/episode-358-the-star-fox-30th-anniversary-episode

Fresh off the release of A Legacy in 3D: The Story of Star Fox, John and Neal sit down to discuss the understated importance of Star Fox to Nintendo as we know it. They quickly get sidetracked with Metroid Prime Remastered but its mostly about Star Fox!

[30th anniversary documentary featuring the original developers.]

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TalkBack / A Legacy in 3D: The Story of Star Fox

« on: February 21, 2023, 06:00:00 AM »

30th anniversary documentary featuring the original developers.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/video/62959/a-legacy-in-3d-the-story-of-star-fox

30 years after it launched on Super Nintendo, Star Fox's impacts are still evident throughout Nintendo's 3D games. Join host John Rairdin for a journey through the making of Star Fox as told by its original developers, Dylan Cuthbert and Giles Goddard. Featuring an array of special guests and a never-before-seen glimpse into the development of X, the Game Boy title that inpired Star Fox. Produced in collaboration with the Video Game History Foundation.

[Jordan Rudek's Top 6]

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TalkBack / Rudek and Ronaghan's Game Boy Advance NSO Picks

« on: February 23, 2023, 04:00:00 AM »

Two editors return to DISPUTE each other's top Game Boy Advance games on Switch.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/62956/rudek-and-ronaghans-game-boy-advance-nso-picks

As we did recently with the Game Boy games on NSO, Neal and Jordan are back once again to rank the six Game Boy Advance games currently available and share two of their most anticipated titles. Following the same debate-style format of the GB ranking, Neal’s going to critique Jordan’s list, and then Jordan will do the same back to Neal. *Nintendo Switch click*

Jordan Rudek's Top 6

6. Kuru Kuru Kururin

Neal’s Take: Bro - just go play Kuru Kuru Kururin. It’s really cool! I think it might be a little overrated just because of its spot as a game that never came to America, but it’s a very clever and unique spatial puzzle game of sorts where you maneuver a rotating stick through various obstacles.

5. Mario Kart Super Circuit

Neal’s Take: Properly rated. I have fond memories of playing this in multiplayer when it was new, but I’m never going back to this game. It does have some neat ideas, like being able to avoid a red shell if you just keep racing perfectly, but it’s soundly my least favorite Mario Kart.

4. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

Neal’s Take: Put some respect on the e-Reader levels that are included in this package. Wacko naming scheme and unnecessary voiceovers aside, this is a peculiar portable version of a masterpiece with incredible extra levels that are only available on Nintendo Switch Online (and soon-to-be formerly Wii U and also if you have a bunch of cards you had to swipe into a Game Boy Advance accessory). This is not the definitive version of Super Mario Bros. 3, but this is a cool release.

3. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$

Neal’s Take: WarioWare is maybe the best Game Boy Advance game ever made and is so good that the only WarioWare game that topped it needed a big ridiculous cartridge to even come close to matching the simplistic brilliance of Nintendo’s first stab at microgames. Especially on the heels of the disappointing Switch entry in the series, playing through WarioWare GBA on Switch is a breath of fresh air…even if it’s 20 years old.

2. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Neal’s Take: We’re not so different here. I don’t think Minish Cap is the best 2D Zelda (though maybe a hopeful replay on Switch will make it so), but it’s one of the best, made stronger by being so unique from a lot of the other 2D entries in the series. I don’t need Nintendo to give me Link to the Past 2 again; I need them to take me to some weird tiny village with kinstones - or whatever the unique equivalent of that is in 2023.

1. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Neal’s Take: I will be 100% honest: I only put Mario & Luigi 4th on my list for controversy. This game totally rules. It’s goofy and funny and the closest to an actual sequel to Super Mario RPG we will ever get. Though even still, I’d hesitate to place this in my own top spot because I think the rest of the series improved upon it and it’s very hard to go back to this early GBA RPG, especially when the 3DS remake is the same but way better.

Most Anticipated (Announced): Golden Sun

Most Anticipated (Unannounced): Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Neal Ronaghan's Top 6

6. Mario Kart: Super Circuit

Jordan’s Take: I can’t disagree with this given Super Circuit’s position on my list. I remember being real disappointed when I brought this game home and realized how cumbersome it would be to play it in multiplayer. It’s probably the worst Mario Kart, and while that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad game, per se, it’s deserving of the ranking here.

5. Kuru Kuru Kururin

Jordan’s Take: Taking a fairly simple concept and making a game out of it, Kuru Kuru Kururin is certainly charming and fun in spurts. It just doesn’t have the staying power of the other titles on this list. I completely agree with Neal that it’s well worth busting out to see if it hooks you.

4. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Jordan’s Take: Looking at the six games that Nintendo brought to NSO, it’s pretty hard to fault anyone for how they arrange the ones that Neal and I have in our top four. They’re all great and hold up quite well. Having not played the remake of Superstar Saga, I don’t have the same point of reference, but I do think the game should be higher here. It’s funny and full of heart, and it definitely helps to fill that void left in Super Mario RPG’s wake.

3. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

Jordan’s Take: Awful naming convention aside, SMA4: SMB3 (ugh) is a wonderful addition to the line up, largely in part due to the e-Reader levels that Neal mentioned. The more than two dozen extra levels are clever and challenging, featuring collectables that encourage replayability. On top of that you’ve got an incredibly enjoyable game in Super Mario Bros. 3, even if NSO already has two other versions of it (Super Mario Bros. 3 on NES and Super Mario All-Stars on SNES).

2. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Jordan’s Take: The only game on our lists that happens to fall into the same slot as runner-up, I fell in love with Minish Cap while sailing the high seas–on a large cruise ship with an extravagant buffet. When I wasn’t gorging myself there, I spent our sea days in my cabin playing through The Minish Cap and loving every minute of it. Owning it for the first time thanks to the 3DS Ambassador program, my first experience with the game was a memorable one. It isn’t spoken of with the same reverence as other 2D Zelda games, but it probably should be.

1. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$

Jordan’s Take: There’s no denying the absurdity and hilarity of WarioWare, but I’ve always had the most fun with Wario and his micro games in a larger multi-player setting, like with Smooth Moves on Wii or even Mega Party Game$! on GameCube. Mega Microgame$ is indeed awesome, but for me it doesn’t have the appeal of Superstar Saga and The Minish Cap. That said, it’s by far the best WarioWare game on Switch, so definitely play it for that reason.

Most Anticipated (Announced): Metroid Fusion

Most Anticipated (Unannounced): Mother 3

Whose top six list looks just like yours? Check out these Game Boy Advance titles now on Switch, and then let us know which games you’re hoping to see on the service in the future!

[Part 4 of the 3D Zelda Game Club]

114

Podcast Discussion / Episode 357: The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess

« on: February 17, 2023, 08:40:18 AM »

Part 4 of the 3D Zelda Game Club

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/62904/episode-357-the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess

Special guest Super DQP joins the panel to discuss the edgiest of 3D Zeldas. Does Twilight Princess find its own identity or is it merely Ocarina of Time again? Does the HD version improve things? Could the dungeons possibly be the best in the series?

[In which Nintendo does exactly what we said, and the internet runs off with the goalposts.]

115

Podcast Discussion / Episode 356: Somehow Samus Returned

« on: February 10, 2023, 06:38:48 AM »

In which Nintendo does exactly what we said, and the internet runs off with the goalposts.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/62829/episode-356-somehow-samus-returned

NWR News Editor Donald Theriault joins John and Neal to discuss what just might be one of the best Nintendo Directs... ever.

[Jordan Rudek's Top 5]

116

TalkBack / Rudek and Ronaghan's Game Boy NSO Picks

« on: February 10, 2023, 03:00:00 AM »

Two editors DISPUTE each other's top Game Boy games on Switch.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/62828/rudek-and-ronaghans-game-boy-nso-picks

With the latest Nintendo Directly safely in our rear-view mirrors, we wanted to share some thoughts on the new consoles added to the NSO service. First up, Nintendo’s little portable that could: the Game Boy. Riffing on Skip and Shannon: UNDISPUTED, a popular sports debate show, we’ve got Neal Ronaghan and Jordan Rudek lined up to share their top 5 Game Boy games currently available, an honorable mention, and two anticipated titles. Neal’s going to critique Jordan’s list, and then Jordan will do the same back to Neal. *Nintendo Switch click*

Jordan Rudek's Top 5

5. Gargoyle's Quest

Neal’s Take: I’ll be honest–I toyed with putting this before Link’s Awakening on my own list, largely because Gargoyle’s Quest is truly that damn good.

4. Metroid II: Return of Samus

Neal’s Take: I respect this, largely because I have a renewed appreciation for this game after talking to true blue Metroid II superfan Justin Berube a few years ago about it. It’s a janky old Game Boy game, but what it tries to do is impressive even if it slips a little bit courtesy of the samey surroundings and lack of a map. Hunting down individual Metroids is a different feel than the rest of the 2D Metroid games, but the isolating tone still comes through, especially in the stark silence that hits you in the end game.

3. Tetris

Neal’s Take: On a system where I have better versions of Tetris at my fingertips, I find it very hard to go back to Game Boy Tetris. Why play the first Tetris when I could instead play the best Tetris in Tetris Effect? I unlocked some core memories booting this game up, but the time for this 1989 wunderkind is over.

2. Super Mario Land 2

Neal’s Take: This was the first Game Boy I personally owned. I played this front to back dozens of times as a kid and every time it’s rereleased or I stumble upon my Game Boy copy, I hurriedly rush to replay it. What a wonderful video game.

1. Link's Awakening DX

Neal’s Take: I find your lack of Wario Land 3 disturbing. Link’s Awakening as a Game Boy game is far more impressive than Link’s Awakening as a Switch game because to me, the glory of this game is how it takes the limited controls and visuals of the Game Boy and makes it sing to the level of a home console Zelda game. The story is wildly good and the clever ways it makes use of the Game Boy’s button layout rules. Also when it’s Game Boy graphics and not painterly toy visuals that run at an inconsistent framerate on Switch, the simpler puzzle designs are charming and not limiting.

Honorable Mention: Game & Watch Gallery 3

Most Anticipated (Announced): Oracle of Ages

Most Anticipated (Unannounced): Pokémon Crystal

Neal Ronaghan's Top 5

5. Kirby’s Dream Land

Jordan’s Take: Not putting KDL in my own top 5 hurt because I’m so fond of the series as a whole, but the fact that Kirby’s signature copy ability isn’t present makes returning to the original game a bit of a drag. Since I did grapple with it being on my own list, I can admit that the charm and simplicity do hold up today, just not enough for me.

4. Gargoyle’s Quest

Jordan’s Take: We’re nearly in alignment on this one, and I’m actually happy to see Gargoyle’s Quest get a higher rating than I gave it. For an early Game Boy title, it’s incredibly unique, and the combination of action-platforming and a Zelda II-esque overworld complete with random battles make for a very fun experience.

3. Link’s Awakening DX

Jordan’s Take: I’m baffled that what some consider the best 2D Zelda game is outside Neal’s top 2. This is the desert island game about a hero stranded on a seemingly deserted island, and it still holds up incredibly today. It’s the must-play title of the current GB NSO offerings, and it may stay that way as long as the service exists. Without question, Neal takes a year of Luigi-sized L here.

2. Wario Land 3

Jordan’s Take: The third Super Mario Land game was the first Wario Land game, and I think that’s still the best one; it doesn’t get bogged down in Metroidvania trappings and unclear objectives. Playing Wario Land 3 today, I’m reminded that ricocheting off objects that Wario dashes into simply feels bad (man). With the best Wario impression I can muster: “This game stinks, and anyone who puts it in their top 5 does, too.”

1. Super Mario Land 2

Jordan’s Take: Super Mario Land 2 was a massive improvement over the first game, and that alone could be enough to award it the crown for this initial batch of Game Boy games on Switch. It feels like a console game, and that’s a quality that only a few Game Boy games possess. I wish it had a few more worlds to explore, but I can’t fault anyone for putting this at the top spot.

Honorable Mention: Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare

Most Anticipated (Announced): Pokemon Trading Card Game

Most Anticipated (Unannounced): Catrap

Whose top 5 list looks just like yours? Check out these Game Boy titles now on Switch, and then let us know what your list looks like in the comments below!

[Eight new heroes enter a bar with more variety and prettier visuals.]

117

TalkBack / Eight Observations After Eight Hours with Octopath Traveler II

« on: February 08, 2023, 03:00:00 PM »

Eight new heroes enter a bar with more variety and prettier visuals.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/62794/eight-observations-after-eight-hours-with-octopath-traveler-ii

Nearly five years after the launch of Octopath Traveler comes its sequel, aptly named Octopath Traveler II. First revealed during Nintendo’s early 2017 Switch unveiling, the first game came out in the summer of 2018 to voracious love from yours truly and a smattering of positive and negative sentiments elsewhere. At the end of the day, that first game sold very well, kicking off Square Enix using the HD-2D engine for Triangle Strategy, Live A Live, and the upcoming Dragon Quest III remake. Returning to the game that started off this trend feels meaningful though, especially since so much has changed about the HD-2D engine, the gaming landscape, and the world.

I’ve had the chance to play through the first chapters of all of the eight new characters (and even the second chapter of one character because of a neat twist) and so far this game feels like a refined and polished iteration in the young series. I’m intrigued by the potential of how the game will unfold from here while also enjoying the changes that I’ve seen firsthand so far. Here’s eight takeaways from my handful of hours of Octopath Traveler II so far.

The Combat Tweaks Make A Good Battle System Even Better

Octopath’s turn-based battles liberally borrowed from Shin Megami Tensei’s Press Turn system (with some more company-adjacent influences like Bravely Default) and for the most part, everything hones in on finding enemy weakpoints and exploiting those weaknesses to stun (or break) them. The biggest adjustment in the sequel is the addition of Latent Powers, which are special abilities triggered when a character receives enough damage or breaks an enemy. Each character has a unique one, whether it’s Throné the thief acting twice or Osvald unleashing a super-powered magic spell. They factor into the strategy of battles, deepening the pool of tactics you can draw from.

Day and Night Mechanic Visually Is Neat And Also Impact Gameplay

At the press of a button (in most situations), you can change the time from day to night and vice versa. Aside from the visual flair of the sun rising and falling to impact the look of the world, enemies are more powerful at night and certain NPCs only show up during one of the two times. It’s better to grind levels at night because of that. Also, the Path Actions from the first game are now double the fun with the day/night cycle. Previously, each character only had one Path Action; now they have two. So Ochette the hunter can provoke NPCs during the day, fighting them and taking their lunch money, while at night, she can befriend an NPCs, bringing them along as a fighter in battle. Every character has this duality and it does a good job of making sure you almost always have every type of Path Action at your disposal wherever you are. Having eight options at one time is a little daunting, but once you settle into it, it’s nice to have the versatility.

Chapter Ones Are Less Onerous

In general, it seems like the first chapters for every character are more streamlined than they were before. They are still story-heavy, functioning as tutorials for the abilities of each hero, but diving into chapter ones is less of a burden than it was in the first game. Also, you have the option of reflecting on a hero’s origins later on in the game as opposed to dropping everything right when you meet them. Ideally, you still want to assemble all eight before you go deeper into other stories, but the game is slightly less rigid with how you go about that.

Chapters Are Less Formulaic

The one major difference to how the first chapters go is Osvald’s, who I chose as my starting character. Osvald is a scholar locked in prison after being framed for the murder of his wife and kid. His first two chapters tell the story of how he breaks out of prison, making for a compelling early adventure and also a unique way of going about these origin stories.

Beyond that, you have multiple options of how to go about the stories as well. For Throné, she’s hunting down the leaders of her thieves (who are named Mother and Father for some reason) and after the initial chapter, you can pursue either leader in different places.

The Promise of Crossed Paths

In the preview segment, I haven’t experienced Crossed Paths at all, but it’s one of the parts of the game I’m most curious about. Adding to the variety of the chapters you can tackle are story segments that involve two characters. Put both characters in your party and go to the prescribed town to, uh, well I don’t know quite what yet. It might function as a standalone chapter or it might be a cutscene. Time will tell, but I like the idea of making these characters interact more. There are also travel banter segments that just seem like the character conversations in Tales games. Those are fine, albeit nothing substantial so far.

Sailing Has My Attention

At the center of Octopath Traveler II’s world is a big body of water that splits up the land masses. I began my story in the northeast with Osvald’s story and proceeded around the map clockwise getting the gang together. I reached a point where I was trying to figure out how to go from Throné’s origin city of New Delsta to the island where Ochette the Hunter lives. There was an underground waterway that I determined had to have a secret exit to get to Ochette’s area. At a certain point, it dawned on me that I can cross the water. So I went to the port section of New Delsta’s overworld and hopped on a ferry to Ochette’s island. Early on, you can ride canoes in smaller waterways on the overworld but it seems like later on you get your own ship. I don’t know how deep the sailing will be, but I’m intrigued because it looks like it might jazz up the exploration after I felt like the exploration dried up over time in the original game.

Visuals Look Great; Music Is Good

The soundtrack for the original game was one of my favorite things about it. It’s been almost five years and I still listen to it from time to time. I’m not thrilled that my takeaway after a few hours is that the music is merely good. I don’t want to conflate that as the music being bad. It’s solid, but the original game’s music wasn’t just solid. It was incredible. Time will tell and maybe I’ll find this game’s version of the sublime Frostlands track.

Visually, you can tell the HD-2D engine has had a lot of revisions since 2018. The camera is more dynamic and the settings seem less washed out by the bloom lighting. I’ve seen a number of novel visual tweaks, especially in any kind of flashback sequence. Castti the Apothecary is an amnesiac and in the few bits of her memories I’ve seen so far, there’s some neat tricks used to make her memory seem faulty.

Favorite Characters So Far

Osvald’s prison break was a fun sequence, so that magic wielder is one I’m glad is at the top of my party. Beyond that, I love having a thief with me to steal items from NPCs so Throné and her thieves guild warfare is another early favorite. Ochette talks to a giant lion in her homeland and I love building up a team of animals to use as accessories for combat so she’s an early mainstay. My fourth party spot is up for grabs currently, though I have a sinking feeling I’ll need to stay balanced as I work my way through the game so there might be a bit of a rotating cast. That being said, Hikari the Warrior Ninja Guy has some interesting potential as he can challenge NPCs during the daytime to then use their abilities in battle. I have not found a true weaklink character yet, which is encouraging because I remember quickly picking favorites in the first game. Time will tell as I work my way through their stories, though.

[Retro Studios led the charge on the remake of their 2002 release, but a variety of outsourcing companies also helped with development as well.]

118

TalkBack / Iron Galaxy Studios Assisted with Metroid Prime Remastered Development

« on: February 09, 2023, 06:59:01 AM »

Retro Studios led the charge on the remake of their 2002 release, but a variety of outsourcing companies also helped with development as well.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/62825/iron-galaxy-studios-assisted-with-metroid-prime-remastered-development

The surprise announcement and release of Metroid Prime Remastered during the Nintendo Direct on February 8 brought up a few questions alongside the delight of the shadowdrop. Retro Studios was announced as the developer of the remaster, but what does that mean for the development of Metroid Prime 4, which Retro started development on around early 2019.

It appears that Nintendo and Retro Studios had some help to bring out Metroid Prime Remastered, most notably from Iron Galaxy Studios, a developer who worked on Switch ports for Skyrim, Diablo III, and Overwatch (as well as their own original games like the Rumbleverse and Divekick). In addition to Iron Galaxy, the following support studios were also all listed in the credits for Metroid Prime Remastered: Airship Images Limited, Atomhawk Design, CGBot, Gamesim Inc, Liquid Development, Original Force LTD, Shanghai Mineloader Digital Technology, and Zombot Studio.

In looking through the new credits for Metroid Prime Remastered, which notably do not include the original credits for the GameCube or Wii game (but do offer a broad credit to the teams who worked on those games), it's notable that a handful of the credited developers started at Retro Studios after the January 2019 announcement that Retro Studios was taking over development of Metroid Prime 4. Additionally, some of the credited developers left Retro Studios within the past two years. It is unknown the exact breakdown of what Retro staff is working on what game and when, but there's a decent chance that some of the new hiring at Retro Studios in the past few years might have been to support Metroid Prime Remastered as much as they were done to support Metroid Prime 4. For example (according to their respective LinkedIn profiles), Lead Producer Marisa Palumbo was only at Retro Studios from October 2020 to October 2021, Senior Art Director Jhony Ljungstedt started at the company in February 2020, and Art Producer Beverly Garland started in July 2020.

Metroid Prime Remastered is now available on the eShop and is releasing in stores physically later this month. Metroid Prime 4 is still in development with no announced release window.

[Directed by Rian Johnson]

119

Podcast Discussion / Episode 355: The Last Big Hitter

« on: February 03, 2023, 04:54:24 PM »

Directed by Rian Johnson

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/62757/episode-355-the-last-big-hitter

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is set to be the very last "big hitter" for Nintendo this year. Assuming of course you very specifically define "big hitter" as something that isn't Kirby, Metroid, Xenoblade, F-Zero, Star Fox, most Zelda games, Mario sports games, Donkey Kong, Fire Emblem, Paper Mario, Yoshi, Pikmin, anything by Platinum Games, or any HD remake of a Gamecube game. Other than those.

[And the lingering effects of Amiibo.]

120

Podcast Discussion / Episode 354: The Rush of Engaging in Horse Racing

« on: January 27, 2023, 01:25:00 PM »

And the lingering effects of Amiibo.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/62690/episode-354-the-rush-of-engaging-in-horse-racing

Alex joins John and Neal for a new release focused episode. From Nintendo icons like Pocket Card Jockey and Fire Emblem, to a brand-new Xbox exclusive in Hi-Fi Rush, there are a lot of great games to talk about. But first, we take a look at the state of Amiibo. Do these small plastic folks still have a place in Nintendo's future?

[A hunter goes outside her home and an apothecary gets amensia.]

121

TalkBack / Rating Octopath Traveler II's Characters: Ochette and Castti

« on: January 26, 2023, 07:46:38 AM »

A hunter goes outside her home and an apothecary gets amensia.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/62688/rating-octopath-traveler-iis-characters-ochette-and-castti

We are about a month out from Octopath Traveler II. The expected prologue demo should be arriving shortly, I’d imagine. The original had multiple demos, as did HD-2D follow-up Triangle Strategy. Even though Octopath Traveler II is not being published by Nintendo of America like its predecessor, I still think we’ll see a prologue demo before release. Even the Square Enix-published Harvestella had one.

But today we are here to rank the next two characters: Ochette and Castti. In case you missed our previous rankings, the merchant Partitio got a score of 2 out of 8 Octopaths, while scholar Osvald nailed a lofty score of 7 out of 8 Octopaths in the first one. Thief Throné landed 6 out of 8 Octopaths, and cleric Temenos wound up with 4 out of 8 Octopaths in the second set of rankings. As mentioned previously, if I’m committing to the bit fully, I need to fit these final four characters into 1, 3, 5, and 8 Octopaths. So hopefully I am stoked or disappointed about some of these.

Ochette is a hunter, and since my starter in Octopath 1 was Haanit, I’m a little biased from the start. She lives among beastlings on an island in the south of the game’s world. Part of the island has been conquered by outsiders, which gives me pause as the idea of colonization in video games is usually handled with the grace of a buffalo. That being said, I’m a big sucker for her Path Actions, which go between two ends of the spectrum based on her day and night actions. During the day, Ochette can Provoke people and beat the snot out of them. At night, she Befriends them (as long as they’re pampered with an item) and can bring them along in battle. I appreciate a character who is ready to punch people in the face when the sun is up, and then aims to be their besties as the moon rises. Ochette’s story is all about finding some legendary creatures to help prevent some apocalypse. I hope that you oscillate between fighting those creatures and loving them. Mostly because I’m scared the final two characters are going to be nightmares (I know there’s info on them out there; I’m just putting my head in the sand), I’ll give Ochette 8 out of 8 Octopaths.

Next up is the apothecary Castti. She’s an amnesiac lost at sea who is trying to figure out what the heck is happening. Castti is extremely good at apothecarying, which according to her Path Action, makes her very good at soothing people at night. During the day, she has the Inquire action because well, she can’t remember anything so of course she’s going to be asking people 20 questions to figure things out. There’s a good chance Castti’s story has some good twists but as of now, amnesiac stories are tropey and played out. Sorry to your memory, lady, but I’m giving you 1 out of 8 Octopaths.

Since this list is getting near completion, here’s a recap of who has gotten what ranking. Any you agree with? Am I doing Castti and Partitio dirty? Do I hate names with multiple Ts? (ignore the fact Ochette has two Ts)

• Ochette the Hunter: 8 Octopaths
• Osvald the Scholar: 7 Octopaths
• Throné the Thief: 6 Octopaths
• Temenos the Cleric: 4 Octopaths
• Partitio the Merchant: 2 Octopaths
• Castti the Apothecary: 1 Octopath

[Whether you're underperforming or posting billions in profits, now is the time to cut costs.]

122

Podcast Discussion / Episode 353: Video Games In And Out Of Jeopardy

« on: January 20, 2023, 08:49:55 AM »

Whether you're underperforming or posting billions in profits, now is the time to cut costs.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/62628/episode-353-video-games-in-and-out-of-jeopardy

Zach joins John and Neal for a fund round of Jeopardy (Play along at home and let us know how you did). But first the gang covers recent news out of both Ubisoft and Microsoft. Is the situation as dire as it seems?

[And also, the Xenoblade X announcement.]

123

Podcast Discussion / Episode 352: The Anniversary of Disappointment

« on: January 13, 2023, 10:00:08 AM »

And also, the Xenoblade X announcement.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/62583/episode-352-the-anniversary-of-disappointment

We've got a lot of great Nintendo related anniversaries this year, and this month we've got the anniversary of possibly the worst Nintendo Direct of all time. So that's neat.

[So they finally jazzed it up.]

124

TalkBack / Picross X: Picbits vs. Uzoboros (Switch) Review

« on: January 12, 2023, 08:57:14 AM »

So they finally jazzed it up.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewmini/62580/picross-x-picbits-vs-uzoboros-switch-review

I have reviewed a lot of Picross games from developer Jupiter, who have been making these games for decades. Their run of Picross-e games on 3DS and then Picross S games on Switch have been consistently good, though with nearly a dozen different Jupiter-made Picross games on Switch, the format of completing progressively larger Picross puzzles in a nearly identical setup and structure has worn a little bit thin. That’s what makes Picross X: Picbits vs. Uzboros, their latest release, a fascinating project. It’s Jupiter’s attempt at jazzing up their stable Picross formula, and while I appreciate the effort, it scratches a different itch than I want out of Picross.

The focus isn’t on taking your time to complete 5x5, 10x10, and 15x15 puzzles in succession. Here, it’s all about tackling varieties of smaller puzzles, typically 5x5, as fast as you possibly can. These short, timed rounds require you to think quickly and act fast. Surrounding that is the subtitle, as I guess you’re controlling “Picbits” and going against the Uzboros. At the end of each round, you’re graded on the puzzles you completed, how fast you completed them, and more to give you a score that turns into damage to an Uzboros. You can switch between button and touch controls, though the speed of the game made me feel like touch controls were the only way to be successful. Each of the game’s many stages also has bonus challenges that typically revolve around using (or not using) abilities. Those abilities do things like increase your score and temporarily prevent mistakes. I found myself really only bouncing between them to make sure I could complete the bonus challenges. Stages also have different twists, whether it’s something like bombs appearing on the grid so you need to make sure you solve it before they explode, or a stage where you have to finish the unused squares as well as the used ones to complete it.

You can also play all of this cooperatively locally or online. I didn’t play too much of the multiplayer, but it’s definitely a novel concept. A lot of what Jupiter has done to toy with cooperative Picross has been interesting over the years and this is an evolution of the basic co-op they’ve included in recent Picross S games. A degree of visual customization crops up here as well, as you can unlock different themes and icons to decorate your play experience. The retro Game Boy aesthetic is particularly charming.

I found myself wanting to go back and play other traditional Picross games as I played Picross X, though. That isn’t to say Picross X is a bad game, far from it. It’s a creative attempt at mixing up the formula for the series. It’s just an attempt that didn’t land as well for me as I had hoped. Here’s to Jupiter continuing to creatively iterate on Picross while also returning to the old style and giving us a new allotment of traditional puzzles every now and then.

[(Assuming no new games are announced between now and christmas 2025 or so)]

125

Podcast Discussion / Episode 351: The Last Switch Game Ever

« on: January 07, 2023, 01:22:46 PM »

(Assuming no new games are announced between now and christmas 2025 or so)

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/connectivity/62530/episode-351-the-last-switch-game-ever

With only five games left for Nintendo to release for the rest of time, John and Neal ponder what they'll do with the site when all this is over.