nintendodad1978

[nintendodad1978]

Haunted Chocolatier Creator Shares More Info

Recently, Stardew Valley creator, Eric Barone revealed some new insight into his follow-up game, Haunted Chocolatier, and it set the Stardew Valley fan community on fire..  In a recent livestream, he stated the HC would feature not only a greater emphasis on combat, but it would also feature Boss Battles.  The game will also bring forth a shield and stun mechanic with more new gameplay features as well.  As a diehard fan of Stardew Valley, I must say that this is very exciting news.  Granted, this new game is a very long ways off and the only platform being officially talked about is PC, but it is all but certain that it will see its way onto a Nintendo console shortly after its release if not simultaneously on release day. Not very much is known about HC, other than it will have a similar look and feel to the super popular Stardew Valley. These tidbits are the first real, solid pieces of info released.  Once again, it is still far too early to discuss a release date, but one thing is for certain. Whenever Haunted Chocolatier is released, it’s sure to be very popular.

[nintendodad1978]

Mario Kart Tour Gets New Patch

Mario Kart Tour for IOS and Android has just seen a new update go live this morning.  Addressing issues that have arisen recently, this update is really a patch of the game, as no new content was delivered.  The tweaks to the game include:

-Fixing screen flicker during races on certain devices. -Fixing the Turkish and Azerbaijani language glitch that prevented some images from loading in-game if either language was chosen in the settings -Fixing the obscure Mii Racing Suit glitch that involved going to the store to buy a new suit from the kart or glider selection screen. Doing so would not reflect the additional points, if any, on the Ready to Race loading screen.

Obviously, none of these patches are anything earth-shattering, but they are important quality of life updates. Because for anyone who would experience these obscure glitches, the game is maybe not totally ruined, but at the very least, severely hindered.

[nintendodad1978]

Retro Review: Earthworm Jim2

Releasing in 1995, Earthworm Jim 2 is the so far, only sequel to the smash hit run and gunner, Earthworm Jim. It was originally developed for the Sega Genesis and ported to the SNES, even though both games released at the same time.  The SNES version is slightly different than the Genesis version. With the SNES version having improved, alternate art for the backgrounds and the ability to change weapons.  Essentially this sequel has the exact same premise as the original game, save Princess What’s-Her-Name from Pst-Crow.  Even though the basic premise is the same between parts one and two, Earthworm Jim 2’s gameplay is vastly different and is a big improvement over the original.

When the game was released it sharply divided fans of the original.  While some levels played just like the original game, the developers also added new types of levels. Everything from game show-style levels to ones that resembled isometric shooters where added to this sequel.  One thing that didn’t change was Jim’s off-beat, and sometimes, gross humor, which was always a really big draw for gamers to the series.  

Like most run and gun games of the 16-bit era, Earthworm Jim 2 is not an easy to game to beat on your first play through.  But with practice and some patience this game proved be a very enjoyable take on the genre, especially with the periodic diversions to other game genres.  And while it isn’t the easiest game to grace the SNES, it most definitely is not the hardest, either. Making it a fun, thrilling, and laugh-out loud funny addition to anyone’s retro gaming library.

Score:  7.0 out of 10

[nintendodad1978]

Mario Gold Coming to Nintendo Switch Online+ Expansion Pack

Subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion service will be getting a new game for their N64 libraries in about a week. On April 15th, Mario Golf for the N64 will be added to the library. This is the first installment of the historically very popular series.  Many gamers have complained that Nintendo isn’t updating the roster of N64 games as quickly as they maybe should be, and it appears the Nintendo may in fact be listening. Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask was added to the library back in February, which many people believe was a direct response to subscribers stating there wasn’t a very large selection of games for the library.  One reason for the slow roll out of games is that the N64 emulator Nintendo is using for their service is not playing some of the games quite as well as it should, which possibly could have lead to delays in the roll out of further games while they attempt to fix various issues.  In the mean time we will just have to wait and see if Nintendo begins to push out games for the N64 library at a quicker pace than they have for the NES and SNES libraries.

[nintendodad1978]

Two Point Campus Delayed

In news somewhat related to yesterday’s review of Game Dev Simulator, anticipated business/university sim, Two Point Campus has been pushed back a few months.  Sega and developer, Two Point Studios released today that they would not be releasing the game in Mid-May as originally planned. Instead they intend to release it sometime in August.  While this news is sure to be disappointing to those looking forward to the game’s release, myself being one of them, it is far preferable for them to push back the release as opposed to rush it out the door in a less than complete version.  

As many of you already know, British-based, Two Point Studios was responsible for the hit hospital sim, Two Point Hospital. Making this new business/university sim instantly hyped by a lot of gamers, assuming the studio would bring there high standards for gameplay to this title as well. This slight delay proves that the studio and Sega are not going to release the game until everything is to their liking.

[nintendodad1978]

eShop Gems: Game Dev Tycoon

Game Dev Tycoon has been around in the eShop for a while, but chances are you probably passed it by as yet another tablet/phone game port that’s a waste of money. Nothing could be further from the truth. This wonderful sim/tycoon game is engrossing, challenging, fun, and worth every penny! It plays extremely well on the Switch and the controls are 100% intuitive.

I have been casting about for a Football Manager-style sim game to mess around with while I’m on the couch watching T.V. but one that isn’t necessarily sports-related.  Nothing too engrossing but fun enough to keep my attention.  I have seen Game Dev Tycoon around for a while now, and even though it always captured my attention and peaked my curiosity, I never could bring myself to pull the trigger for one reason or another. Then, three days ago I finally relented, unable to find a better game in the eShop for under $15 that fit my specifications. Thank good I did!  This game took me by surprise and it’s obvious that way too many people are sleeping on it.

In Game Dev Tycoon, you take on the role of a small time video game developer starting out in your garage. Throughout the game, you will need to carefully make decisions regarding what types of games to make, researching new pieces of game engines, and what kind of marketing to use in order to get the word out about your new game. As your company grows, you’ll also be faced with decisions regarding hiring staff and expanding to bigger offices. The ultimate goal is to grow your little dev company to the point that you eventually get the Lifetime Achievement award. What makes things really interesting is that the story takes you from the earliest days of computer gaming all the way through to modern day. It actually lets you “live” through the high points of video game history. The storyline itself, realistically only takes few hours to play through if you are careful and don’t grow your company too big too fast. But once the storyline completes, and you’ve won the award, you can continue to play and develop games for as long as you want, so realistically speaking, the game can go forever.

Game Dev Tycoon is a surprisingly addictive game, especially for those interested in game development and/or the workings of the video game industry. Is it 100% accurate in its portrayal? Of course not, but it is accurate enough to make things extremely engrossing as you progress along the way.  The replay value is also high. Whenever you start over from square one, you begin with a completely random set of genres and potential employees, which are both very consequential changes to the gameplay.  I really can’t recommend this little sim game enough. I honestly put it up there with other eShop classics like Stardew Valley and Golf Story.

Rating:  8.5 out of 10

[nintendodad1978]

E3 is Cancelled This Year and That’s OK

This year’s E3 convention has officially and completely been cancelled. The news broke with a Tweet by the head of Razor PR team, Will Powers and was later officially confirmed by the ESA themselves. Earlier this year the ESA had cancelled the physical version of the convention, but most people assumed there would be some sort of digital version of E3.  2023’s E3 is still going to happen as it stands currently. As a matter of fact this year’s event was cancelled so they could concentrate on next years.  This announcement though possibly disappointing, did not come as a complete surprise. There had already been pull-outs by companies who normally participated and complete radio silence by others.

With all of that said, it begs the question, “Is E3 even necessary anymore?” After quite a lot of thinking, I have to say that no, I don’t think it is.  Both Nintendo and Sony already do regular online events to make major announcements. It also wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility to see ones from Xbox, especially since Microsoft has done them already for other properties.  That would leave the major publishers, that is the ones not already purchased by Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. When you consider the packages they already would have had to put together for E3, it’s not a very pick step to take to put together their own digital showcase and debut on YouTube and their website.  

As fun as conventions like E3 are, thanks to the pandemic, I fear they have become a thing of the past. With things like Nintendo Direct and Playstation’s State of Play streams, there really is no longer any need for the bigger companies to even go to conventions to make their major announcements. And Quite frankly, it’s way cheaper for a smaller developer to make a splash with a viral YouTube video than it is to invest thousands of dollars on a booth at a convention like E3. With all of the virtual conventions that popped up during the lockdown over the past couple years, it was proven that a virtual convention is not only viable, but way more cost effective, for all parties involved.

The cancellation of E3 is not only unsurprising, but what may well prove to be a sign of what’s to come.  The physical conventions are just no longer a sustainable model. Not the gigantic, over-hyped, over-priced, over-crowded ones, anyway.  Like I basically stated earlier, they are already being replaced with virtual conventions and live streaming announcements, and that really is a good thing.  

[nintendodad1978]

Nintendo Switch Online Adds 2 New SP Editions

The 3 new games weren’t the only updates to the Nintendo Switch Online libraries. The SNES library also sees the addition of new SP editions of 2 beloved titles.  The SP editions of games have been a very interesting addition to both the NES and SNES libraries. They usually feature unlocked features or start in the late game, making things easier for players to check out things in games they may not otherwise be able to get to.

The first of the SP editions is Super Mario World SP.  Putting the player in the late game after the Special World has been beaten. After the Special World has been cleared, Mario is brought back to the beginning of the game where things look and act differently, effectively letting the player play through the entire game a second time.

Next we have Super Punch-Out SP. This version unlocks everything in the game just like it would if the player had played the game all the way through.  To use this mode just select continue and choose the “Nintendo” save file.

Both games are not the easiest ones to “beat” and by doing this it helps to allow ALL players to see everything these games have to offer. It’s also beneficial to gamers who have already beaten these titles, letting them get to the good stuff right away with having to take the time to slog through levels they routinely play through.  Getting more SP editions of games in the libraries are always wins, but these two in particular are HUGE wins.

[nintendodad1978]

Nintendo Switch Online Gets 3 New Games

It’s always exciting when new games drop for the Nintendo Switch Online NES and SNES libraries and this time is no exception. Speculation ran rampant yesterday on social media with the announcement of server maintenance for Nintendo Switch Online, as it usually signals new games for the libraries. Yesterday evening saw 3 new games going live, 2 for the NES and 1 for the SNES, all sequels. NES added Dig Dug 2 and Mappyland while SNES got it’s first dose of a legendary series with the addition of Earthworm Jim 2.  All three games has sent the Switch players community abuzz, with numerous people completely unaware of a sequel to hall of fame game, Dig Dug. This did not serve to spoil players’ excitement, however. It was quite the opposite, as almost every one of these players were happy to discover a sequel to a game they all knew and loved.  I, for one, am very happy to see all three of these additions. With the last update adding the first 2 Earthbound games,  and now these three titles, it may possibly signal an increase in quality of titles for the 2 libraries going forward as up until recently the additions, as of late, have been rather lackluster to say the least.

One interesting note about this update. The Japanese version of the service did not receive the Earthworm Jim sequel, instead adding Harvest Moon to the SNES library.  So speculation has begun anew in the community, with many people, myself included, wondering when the title will debut in North America.  Harvest Moon is one of the more venerable franchises in the history of Nintendo and its inclusion in the North American SNES library should be a no-brainer. Only time will tell as to when or if this game gets added.

Over the course of the next few days I will be releasing Retro Reviews of Mappyland, Dig Dug 2, and Earthworm Jim 2 allowing us to take a more in depth look at these great sequel titles.  So stay tuned!

[nintendodad1978]

Retro Review: NES Golf

Today in Retro Review we are continuing our look at the NES launch titles. Upon its debut, the Nintendo Entertainment System had more than its fair share of sports games. Out of the 17 original games on the NES, 5 were dedicated sports titles, with Golf, Baseball, Ten Yard Fight, Soccer, and Tennis. The argument could also be made for the inclusion of Excitebike, which would bring the total to 6, or just over a third of the games being sports-related. Which was actually a very smart move on Nintendo’s part, with sports giving them the widest range of possible game players. Today we are going to take a look at what is arguably the best and most popular of the 5 dedicated sports games, Golf.

Golf was not only one of the more popular of the launch titles, but also something of a technological feat at the time.  First off, Golf really only had 2 people working on it. The legendary Shigeru Miyamoto, of Super Mario Bros fame, handled character and game design and the equally legendary, Satoru Iwata was the sole programmer for the cartridge. This was one of the earliest projects at Nintendo for Iwata who would eventually rise to the level of President and CEO of the company. Iwata managed to cram three game modes and EIGHTEEN holes into the meager storage of the early Nintendo cartridge. A feat nobody at Nintendo thought would possible. Ok, enough about the history of this game, let’s talk about the gameplay.

While not totally just a pick up and play game, Golf’s controls are the definition of easy to learn yet hard to master. You select clubs and direction with the D-Pad and control the swing with a series of 3 hits of the A button. Where the real skill comes into play is compensating for the wind and obstacles on the 18 different holes. Golf is the definition of an addictive NES game. It constantly pushes you to keep playing and improving your score, much like real golf does.  The two-player mode is also great fun as you and a friend can challenge each other to be the best video duffer in your neighborhood.  While the physics and the 8-bit graphics may pale in comparison to today’s golf offerings, there is something charming about this early offering by Nintendo. It’s a game I continue to load up regularly to this very day.

1991 also saw a sequel of sorts hit the NES with NES Open.  The game featured more courses, better graphics and the players were actually Mario and Luigi instead of just partially resembling them.  While technically a better game, I still actually prefer the original due to its historical significance and honestly, nostalgia. With that said, I still feel that anyone interested in Nintendo’s 8-bit offerings needs to seriously give this game a try.

Score:  7.0 out of 10

[nintendodad1978]

Breath of the Wild 2 Delayed

Earlier today, Nintendo shared an update regarding their highly anticipated sequel to Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.  In a short video, game head, Eiji Aonuma announced that the game’s release would be pushed back from late 2022 to the Spring of 2023. He also offered an apology to fans for this delay.  While the news was disappointing, this did not come as a huge surprise to a great many Zelda fans, as the series normally sees slight delays as the team strives for perfection in each game they release. Quite frankly, I have no problem with the delay. With 2022 already insanely stacked when it comes to Switch releases, pushing it to the next year is actually quite helpful when you think about it.  A snippet of footage was also shared showing Link holding a very strange-looking Master Sword, which is proving to be just as talked-about as the delay itself, with speculation as to what context this snippet is in starting to run rampant across social media. One thing is for certain, even with the delay to 2023, Breath of the Wild 2 is a sure-fire Game of the Year contender. The full YouTube video of the announcement is available above.  

[nintendodad1978]

Nintendo Switch is a Time Machine

It’s a fact that the Nintendo Switch is a boon to retro gamers. Especially with prices shooting through the roof on almost all older platforms. From Nintendo Switch Online’s assortment of older games available to all subscribers to the various retro collections, to the reissues and even new games with the old 8 and 16 bit feel, There’s just so much to choose from! Let’s take a look at the retro gaming time machine that is the Nintendo Switch!

Nintendo Switch Online & Expansion Pack

The Nintendo Switch Online assortment of NES and SNES games continues to grow and grow. The latest additions are arguably the most exciting as Nintendo surprised everyone by announcing and then simultaneously releasing Earthbound Beginnings on NES and Earthbound on SNES also known as Mother and Mother 2 respectively. Earthbound in particular has been clamored for by most players since the beginning of the service. These two collections are great all by themselves but then with the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion, you gain the N64 and Sega Genesis libraries. Granted, none of these four libraries are comprehensive, but they offer a wide enough range of very popular games and hidden gems to keep you busy for years worth of gameplay.

Super Mario 3D Allstars

3 classic Mario games PLUS their respective soundtracks on one cartridge? Yes Please!  You get Super Mario 64, Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy.  Mario 64 is legendary as it took Mario from the 2D world into the 3D realm. Sunshine is arguably the most underrated Mario game of all time, and Super Mario Galaxy is arguably the greatest offering in a Wii library that can only be described as one of Nintendo’s strongest of all time. Nintendo then threw in the complete soundtracks for all three games for good measure. Talk about retro gaming bliss!

Namco Museum

How about some of the best arcade games ever all on your Switch?  Pac Man, Galaga, and Dig Dug, oh my! You get these three all-time greats along with many other classic arcade games by Namco all in one convenient package. What more really needs to be said?

Cuphead

Yes. I know Cuphead is a new game. But hear me out. Hand-drawn cell animation reminiscent of 1930s animation, awesome soundtrack, and it’s a 2D platformer/run and gunner that is punishingly difficult. If this doesn’t scratch the retro itch, NOTHING can!

Tetris 99

It’s “free,” while requiring a Nintendo Switch Online account, but if you already have the account to get access to the NES and SNES libraries, you need to download this awesome online multi-player version of Tetris.  The most addictive puzzle game in the history of video games keeps reinventing itself over the decades and this is one of the best!

Dragon Quest 1, 2, and 3

The first 3 Dragon Quest games are all available in the eShop and are dirt cheap. You can even find one or all of them on sale at any given time.  These classic RPGs epitomize the pinnacle of roleplaying in the 16-bit era, and they are just as much fun to play today as when they were released.  For less than $20 total you can get THOUSANDS of hours of engrossing gameplay. That’s a great deal by any measure.

Stardew Valley

Even though it came out just a few short years ago, Stardew Valley feels like it would be right at home with the best SNES titles of their day.  It is the perfect example of a very large and ambitious game bringing the 16-bit aesthetic into the new age.  I have had this game installed on my Switch since day one. As a matter of fact, it was my first purchase from the Switch eShop, and I still work on my farm, go fishing, and do a spot of mining to this day.  It’s the most fun farming sim I have ever gotten my hands on.

Golf Story

Golf Story is another fine example of a modern 16-bit game. I never in a million years would think a golfing RPG would be so engrossing, but here we are. The storyline is fun and funny. The characters are fantastic and golfing itself is not only fun, but extremely challenging in parts so it keeps you coming back for more to try to improve your score. Just like with Stardew Valley, Golf Story may be a “new” game, but it sure scratches that 16-bit itch perfectly.

Arcade Archives

This series of releases has been around for while on other consoles, but it feels perfectly at home on the Switch. Arcade Perfect ports of some of the greatest arcade games ever at affordable prices? Yeah, count me in! You can buy games like Punch-Out, Frogger, Bubble Bobble and more! This is a line of games that anyone interested in classic arcade titles should check out.

ACA Neo Geo

A spin-off of the Arcade Archives line, this group of retro titles feature the best of the legendary Neo Geo line of games. Metal Slug in particular is available and plays wonderfully on the Switch.

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collections

Every major Street Fighter release from its 30 year history all in one collection.  If your a fan of classic fighting games, this is a must-have for your collection.  Street Fighter II was the game that really launched the fighting game craze back in the day and it continues to be a force in the world of fighting game tournaments today.  With having access to all of these iterations in one convenient package, you’ll be a classic fighting game ace in no time!

Atari Flashback

These compilations feature basically every major Atari 2600 game released.  Considering the 2600 was the console that popularized home console gaming, these games are almost required in any retro gaming collection.  Granted, most 2600 cartridges aren’t very expensive to obtain, but the convenience of having all of these games in one package cannot be over-looked.

Mega Man and Mega Man X Legacy Collections

These fantastic compilations play wonderfully on the Switch and both series are the definition of classic video games.  The emulation for all these games are dead, solid, perfect and play just as good on the Switch as they did on real hardware.

These are just a few examples of the dozens upon dozens of games and collections available to lovers of retro gaming on the Switch.  For just a fraction of the cost, a retro gaming fan can now put together a collection that will put even the most comprehensive physical collection to shame. Not to mention, with the Switch’s portability, you have the ability to take this huge library with you wherever you go. Thus making the Nintendo a one stop shop when it comes not only to modern gaming but also retro gaming. It’s literally the best of both worlds.    

[nintendodad1978]

Retro Review: Pinball

Pinball on the Nintendo Entertainment System was one of 17 launch titles for the NES releasing in 1985. It features a single table split on two levels or screens and also a bonus Breakout-like bonus screen.  The controls are easy to understand. The B button launches the ball, while the right flipper is controlled by the A button and the left flipper is controlled by the direction pad.  Both the upper and lower sections of the table feature flippers, bumpers, and other scoring targets.  The physics displayed in the game was a very pleasant surprise. I was not expecting the controls to be so precise and the ball traveled in an extremely realistic way.  Obviously, this version of video pinball is rather simplistic when compared to modern day versions, but that doesn’t take away from the fun-factor and dare I say, addictiveness of this game.  It’s just as challenging as it’s modern brothers with all of their bells and whistles. While it may seem like an, “also ran” title in the launch library and the NES library in general, don’t be deceived, Pinball has proven to be a fun, deeper than first thought title and to be honest, one of my all-time favorite NES titles.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

[nintendodad1978]

Earthbound Beginnings Notebook Bound for North America?

Something very exciting has debuted in the My Nintendo store in Europe and speculation has begun surrounding whether or not it’s going to arrive here in the states. For 400 Platinum plus shipping, Nintendo fans in Europe can now order a special Earthbound Beginnings notebook. The notebook is 64 pages, featuring 8 manuscript pages for musical notations, along with 56 regular note-taking pages. When Earthbound Beginnings and Earthbound debuted unexpectedly on the Switch Online service just a few weeks ago, it set the Nintendo gaming community on fire and this latest piece of memorabilia seems to be experiencing a great deal of excitement as well.  The Mother/Earthbound fan community is one of the more passionate ones and their love of what appears to be a high quality notebook is already reverberating across various social media platforms. It still remains to be seen of this notebook will see release in the North American My Nintendo rewards, but suffice to say, if it does, there will be many, many gamers cashing in 400 Platinum as soon as they can. If it doesn’t expect to see prices for this notebook to sky-rocket on the secondary market very quickly.

[nintendodad1978]

My Top Ten Favorite Switch RPGs

The Nintendo Switch is becoming one of the all-time great RPG consoles. Between the selection of new and retro RPGs, there is no denying that if you’re a fan of RPGs, you really need a Switch in your arsenal. These 10 RPGs represent my personal Top Ten list, they may not all be the, “Best.” But they are MY favorites. So without any further ado, let’s take a look at them!

10.  Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3

This was the hardest spot to decide, the sheer number of title I wanted to put on this list was staggering to say the least, but I couldn’t exclude this title, as the X-Men Legends and Ultimate Alliance games have always been some of my favorite action RPGs.  I actually put off getting this title for a little while after it released, the $50 price point struck me as a little steep. But once I loaded up the game and started playing, it became quite clear that this game is well worth the money.  Harkening back to the older installments while still feeling fresh, new, and updated, MUA 3 has quickly become one of my favorite games on the Switch.  One of things I love is the basically infinite potentially for replays considering the gigantic amount of teams you can make. And that’s really the main draw of an Alliance game. The absolutely huge roster of Marvel characters at your disposal.  And believe me, MUA 3 does not disappoint!

9.  Christales

Grinding in turn-based RPGs is a given. And Christales certainly requires it. But with its gorgeous art-design and great characters, it never felt like a chore. Christales wears its love of classic JRPGs on its sleeve, while offering a fun take on turn-based combat at the same time, and I for one couldn’t be happier. A game that feels like it came out of the 16-bit era, while having great, high-definition graphics, is just the sweet spot this gamer was looking for.  I hesitate to say much more, because I would hate to spoil the fun of discovery I had when I first loaded up this wonderful title. Give this a try if you loved OG Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games, you’ll be glad you did.

8.  Astral Chain

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this insta-classic first party RPG for the Switch?  Great setting, fantastic characters, engrossing storyline, unique premise, and challenging combat.  I wasn’t sure if Astral Chain would be my cup of tea going into it, but I was won over within minutes, being instantly sucked into the story, fascinated by the combat mechanics. I just really hope Nintendo continues with what would most-assuredly be another in their long line of classic games series.  Its futuristic setting harkens back to the days when I discovered anime like Akira and Ghost in the Shell. Like a lot of these games, I really don’t want to get too much into specifics so as not to spoil anything for those that have yet to play this game.  But I will say this, the designs of the “monsters” in this game totally blew me away. Every single one of them.  

7.  Fire Emblem 3 Houses

I have to make a painful admission. I had never played a Fire Emblem game before picking up Three Houses. Honestly I only purchased this because I wanted to have a complete set of first-party Switch games. I have never been the biggest fan of strategy-style RPGs, so I always steered clear of the Fire Emblem games. But I’m happy to report that I am now a convert.  The story was arguably the most engrossing of any RPG I’ve ever played.  And to top things off, the storyline can take 3 different paths, guaranteeing its replay value. I have only played through this once, but the second and third playthroughs are going to happen very, very soon. This game alone is the reason why I am currently hunting down EVERY Fire Emblem game. What better sign of quality can a game have than making a gamer want to track down ALL of the games in its franchise no matter the cost?

6.  Pokemon Shining Diamond/Brilliant Pearl

Yes this is a remake, but it’s one heck of a remake.  Not to mention, it’s a Pokemon game, so it automatically means the game is gonna be fun and addictive, which it really is.  Having been so long since I played Diamond and Pearl, this was a really fun revisit of a classic entry in the Pokemon universe. Not to mention, playing Pokemon on the big screen is just plain awesome. It’s rare when a remake can be totally updated and still completely retain the heart and soul of the original game. Luckily, Diamond and Pearl is just such a rarity.

5.  Shin Megami Tensei V

Quite possibly my favorite in this most venerable of JRPG franchises. Atlus’ pedigree when it comes to turn-based RPGs is well-known, and this Switch exclusive just cements the fact that Shin Megami Tensei should always be in the conversation of greatest RPG series of all-time.  The sheer sense of awe that this game inspires is breath-taking. As always, the character, creature, and setting designs are all top-notch.  The combat is exactly what you would expect from a Shin Megami Tensei entry, so it’s the video game equivalent of wrapping up in a warm blanket on a cold winter night. Finally, the storyline is equal parts exhilarating and heart breaking. I’ll for sure be taking this game out for multiple playthroughs for many years to come.

4.  Bravely Default 2

When it comes to turn-based combat, very few surprises are seen nowadays.  Then, out of nowhere, along comes Bravely Default’s take on combat at it’s like a breath of fresh air.  Of course having great characters and a compelling story really helps to sell the game. But with the Bravely and Default options adding another degree of strategy to combat, this game will always be a favorite of mine. This game has definitely flown under the radar for most of its lifespan, which is a shame. I really hope that if you haven’t tried this modern day classic yet, you will very soon. I promise, you’ll be happy that you did.

3.  Hades

Simply put, Hades is the best Rogue-like game I have ever played, and I’ve played almost every major one released.  Easy to learn, yet hard to master fighting is just the beginning.  The dialogue is better than 99% of any other games out there.  But the best part really is the fact that the developers leaned completely into the fact that in Rogue-likes, it’s a matter of WHEN not IF you will die.  So trying to get just a little bit closer to escaping the underworld with each attempt, makes this game so darn addictive. You can play it for 15 minutes or 4 hours straight, which is rare for ANY type of RPG. So its high position on my list was a no brainer. I still have yet to “beat” this game, I actually wonder if I ever will.  But it doesn’t really matter, because it just means I can keep playing this wonderful game forever.

2.  Pokemon Sword/Shield

The first original, TRUE Pokemon game on a console, and it sure impressed me!  I played through the base game in just a matter of a few days right after its release, but I’m STILL playing post game content to this day.  I have been an avid fan of player of Pokemon since its debut on the Gameboy, and to finally play a real Pokemon game that wasn’t remake/update, on my TV was like discovering Pokemon for the first time all over again.  This Pokedex is also my favorite, second only to the original. I just can’t say enough good things about Sword and Shield. The designs of the new Pokemon a fresh and new, while simultaneously feeling classic and timeless.  I have yet to start Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and I’m sure it will be super fun once I do. But nothing beats good, old fashioned Pokemon. Nintendo continues to add little things here and there, keeping the game fresh, so honestly I’m in no hurry the leave, yet, anyway.

1.  Ni No Kuni

I have loved Studio Ghibli pretty much my entire life. There is just something magical about every single one of their movies. So when I first became aware of Ni No Kuni, I knew that I was gonna just have to play this game.  Through some sort of glorious alchemy, the developers managed to make a PERFECT Studio Ghibli RPG.  The Story, the characters, the setting, the cut scenes, the...EVERYTHING is just magnificent! The combat isn’t full on turn-based, it’s kind of a weird hybrid of turn-based and realtime which is great. It helps keep you engaged in every second of play, even grinding. This game is not only my favorite RPG on the Switch, it’s arguably my favorite game on The Switch period.  If you haven’t tried out this already classic RPG, please do so. You’ll thank me for it, I promise!

So that does it for this top ten list. I know there are going to be some titles left off that makes some readers scratch their heads. And that’s ok, this is just MY top ten list. I just hope you enjoyed the journey through some of the best games The Switch has to offer, and maybe even discovered a NEW game to check out!

[nintendodad1978]

Retro Review: Road Runner

This is the first installment of a feature I’ll be doing on a fairly regular basis, where we take a look at some of the best and worst games the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the other systems of yesteryear had to offer. I decided to start with a game not a lot of people, outside of diehard NES collectors, may even be aware exists. Road Runner, published by Tengen.  The premise is fairly straightforward. You take on the roll of the Road Runner from the classic Warner Brothers cartoons, and you have to everything you can to keep from getting captured by Wyle E. Coyote. Pretty simple, right?  Well you might be surprised how involved this game actually is. Let’s get started! Meep! Meep!

Road Runner was originally developed to be an arcade game for 1984, using laserdisc technology for the backgrounds and cut scenes, but Atari scrapped the project before it saw release. The game did see an arcade release in 1985 albeit without any of the laserdisc additions. It was then subsequently ported to systems like the Atari 2600, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum and also saw a release to the NES by Tengen in 1989. Like all other Tengen releases, this was an unlicensed game for the NES. Obviously, the laserdisc-based backgrounds and cut scenes were stripped out as well in favor of full 8-bit graphics, but gameplay remained basically the same from it’s arcade counterpart.

As The Road Runner, you are tasked with running down the familiar highway, trying to escape Wyle E. Coyote, eating birdseed along the way. If you get hit by an oncoming vehicle or are chased down and captured by Wyle E. you lose a life. And that’s the basic crux of the game. But as simple as the premise is, there is a great deal of strategy and even luck when it comes to playing this game. You have to eat all of the piles of seed, or at least as many as you can, but you can’t waste too much time in one spot trying to get the hit box to detect you getting the seed, or otherwise you’ll fall victim to the Super Genius himself. Ol’ Wyle E. also has a few tricks up his sleeve, utilizing things like roller skates, pogo sticks and rockets to increase his speed. And finally to top it all off, there are maze section in each level that you must navigate all while trying to elude the dastardly coyote.

Upon its release Road Runner received middling reviews. Pretty much 2.5-3 stars out of 5. And I have to agree with assessment. The graphics are a little below those of other NES releases, but definitely not the worst. The gameplay is serviceable. And the difficulty is not too steep while still being very challenging. So in conclusion, I would say Road Runner isn’t a masterpiece, by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

Rating:

2.5 out of 5

[nintendodad1978]

“Groups” Added to Nintendo Switch in Latest Update

Finally! Nintendo has updated The Switch with a feature that fans have been waiting 5 LONG years to get. Folders, or “Groups” as they’re called on the Switch are finally available with the latest update that came down yesterday.  The implementation is extremely user-friendly if not slightly flawed. Let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of Nintendo’s latest tweak to The Switch.

The Good

Folders is a feature that almost all Switch players have been clamoring about for over five years now. And thanks to this update players are going to have the option to better organize all of the their games. Using the Groups option is also very easy and straightforward. You go to All Software, hit the left shoulder button and boom, you’re in the Groups section of the Switch. From there, you select up to 200 games you want grouped together, arrange them in the order you want and then name the folder. You can then set up a maximum of 100 Groups. It’s almost as quick and easy as the PS4, which I believe is the easiest folder set up there is. You are also allowed to add games to multiple folders. Super Mario Odyssey, for example can be added to a Mario Group along with a Platformer Group, which allows for an awesome organizational experience for even the most OCD of gamers.

The Bad

While Groups are a fantastic addition, they are only available under All Software and not the actual home screen.  Unlike the PS4, for example, players have to take a couple steps to get to their Groups folders, so I’m not sure how much they will actually be utilized. Quite frankly, I was shocked that this oversight happened. Especially when you consider they had over five years to work on this feature. But really this is a very minor gripe in the big scheme of things, time will tell if they end up allowing the Groups on the main page or we just get used to going to the sub menu.

The Ugly

Themes. Yes, Groups is a feature a lot of players have been pining for, but ALL players have been wanting actual Themes on The Switch since day one. It’s still shocking that Nintendo has failed to add this most basic feature to the UI of The Switch. Hopefully the addition of Groups is a sign that they are going to allow players to TRULY customize their Switch experience.

In conclusion, Groups is a welcome, if not long over-due feature to the landscape of The Switch.  It’s getting a lot of hype currently, and hopefully it’s a feature that will not only prove useful, but also signify future updates that improve player experience on the console.