#new game released for the N64 in 2023

[n64retro]

Xeno Crisis Bitmap Bureau Nintendo 64 2023

[trackerkitsune]

The only Goncharov adaptation that matters is the video game adaptation Super Goncharov (1992) on the Super Nintendo. Followed by Super Goncharov 2 : The Return of Goncharov (1994) released two years later. Both adventure games with role playing elements allowing the players to go deeper into the plot of the original film and developing a more intricate, intriguing and complex storyline. A perfect addition to the saga. I must also give credit to the attempt made by Nintendo of creating something unique and new with Goncharov Kart (1995) on the Game Boy, who mostly was a success thanks to the use of the original themes and soundtrack from the first film (not to mention it was released at the same time as the VHS boxset of the original film with THX remastered audio). Now I know my opinion will divide among the true fans of the saga but personally I think Goncharov 64 (1997) on the Nintendo 64 was a terrible adaptation despite being a commercial success. The switch to a 3D plateform game was a poor decision and imo it lost itself trying to edulcorate the original storyline and atmosphere of the movies to try to touch a broader and younger audience. Proof of it being the catastrophic follow up to this game : the awful Goncharov Evolution (1998) developed in a hast to capitalize on the relative success of the previous opus. Some will disagree but I believe the poor sales of it compared to the astronomical budget invested into it was the main reason why sales of the Nintendo 64 also dropped significantly the same year and why in the end the console was discontinued by Nintendo. It only got worse for Nintendo when they announced their new Gamecube console only one day before it was confirmed they’d lost the rights for Goncharov video games adaptations against Sony after a legal battle that costed several hundreds millions of dollars to both companies. A shame because I was excited by the (then tragically cancelled) Gamecube adaptation : Goncharov versus Goncharov (2001/unreleased) and especially by the two immersive accessories it was meant to be played with. The GonchaPad(tm) an innovative gamepad allowing the player to shoot with a customizable rifle-like pad all the while controlling the character, and the GonchActive(tm) interactive headset allowing you to connect with your character and interact with them in real time. I know Sony’s acquisition of the commercial rights gave us amazing adaptations on the PS1 and PS2 but they were imo classic and basic games with no risks taken. We’ll see if the recently announced Goncharov-VR (2025) on the PS5 will be up to the standards of these classics. I fear trying to innovate only for the sake of it could give us another catastrophic modern interpretation of the saga like last year’s Goncha’Party (2023)… I mean turning the Grand Orchestra and Opera scenes into a karaoke may help the players being more involved, but you will never change my mind about the fact it’s a complete travesty of the author’s work! I guess we’ll see next year.

Oh yeah, god the N64 3D adaptations were pretty bad... the platforming was clunky as heck and I really don't understand why they did Katya so dirty with the altered plotline either! Honestly I liked the Sony games for the franchise, something about their polygonal aesthetic really vibes well with the original film's styling.

[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 24/07/2023

Aquadial

Season 3 Featured on: Now That's What I Call Quality! 2

Ripped by cookiefonster (@cookiefonster)

If you've been listening to SiIvaGunner for any amount of time, you've undoubtedly realized just how much Kirby content in particular is on the channel. Though SiIva is a creative outlet that allows individual rippers to express themselves, Kirby in particular has kind of been the backbone for much of the channel's brand. The first two major story arcs on the channel, The Reboot and The Christmas Comeback Crisis, are directly built on Kirby Planet Robobot's audiovisual direction, and the Kirby games released since 2016 have gotten plenty of love on the channel to boot. Hell, the two King for a Day tournaments and their assortment of rearranged music is pretty much a direct tribute to Super Smash Bros, a franchise that's very heavily intertwined with Kirby and his creator. No matter how many things change, love for the pink puffball is inescapable.

That love isn't just visible through the massive events and aesthetics as presented above, but in the regular output of rips from Kirby fans on the team. Of these rips, Kirby 64 rips are always a highlight for me due to the game's incredibly diverse and unique soundscape. There's just nothing else in the world that sounds quite as dreamlike as the Dark Matter Kirby games, in particular Dream Land 3 and Crystal Shards. Aquadial takes one of the latter game's most unique songs, Aqua Planet, and applies its hyperactive instrumentation to another gem of the N64, Bomberman Hero's Redial. With two vibes combined, the result is simply pure magic.

Just through a rearrangement of melding the two songs, a whole new vibe is formed that refuses to leave my brain. Everything good about the two songs is preserved perfectly, yet simultaneously their combination creates something entirely new, calming yet exciting. Its a heartfelt tribute to Kirby and one of the N64's best soundtracks, and is one of several hundred pieces of SiIva's legacy that shows just how deep the passion for Kirby goes. Each one of these is special, but Aquadial in particular just hits different.

[submalevolentgrace]

gaming hype youtubers have absolutely conspiracy theory levels of unwavering belief that we are weeks, if not days, away from the announcement if not release of the "switch 2", a thing for which no actual evidence has ever existed beyond "yeah, it'd make sense for nintento to release a new console eventually, right?"

and they have held this belief of "imminent announcement within weeks" for YEARS. they used to call it the switch pro and are convinced they know the specs even. there are always constant "reliable rumours" that it's RIGHT ABOUT TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW, for at least 3 years.

and when i say it's conspiracy level thinking, what i mean is, their basis is literally nothing, or sometimes contradictory evidence.

the switch is 5 years old, switch pro at next direct. gameboy games on NSO will launch with switch pro. oh, well, n64 games will be on switch pro. they're working on new mario kart tracks, must be for mario kart 9 on switch pro. no new games towards the end of 2022 announced? switch is winding down, switch 2 soon. a whole bunch of new games announced for 2023? they're getting the last games out, switch 2 soon. mario wonder will definitely be a switch 2 launch title. new nvidia chipset in the works? must be switch 2. indie devs at GDC saying they're developing with future consoles in mind? switch 2 confirmed but somehow still steeltight secret. investor meeting upcoming, they're going to announce switch 2. investor meeting where they literally say "we are only focusing on existing hardware this financial year" HOLY SHIT SWITCH 2 CONFIRMED!!!

last week they somehow CONVINCED themselves that there was going to be a surprise nintendo direct announcing the switch 2. it didn't happen, so in the great history of conspiracy theories, they realised their beliefs had been totally unfounded and they admitted error and they had been wro--- NO!! "SWITCH 2 DELAYED" THUMBNAILS

it's insane

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

There is no reason an N64 cartridge should cost more than five bucks in 2023. Super Mario 64 sold tens of millions of copies, it should be a dime a dozen, but everyone on ebay is asking 15, 20, 40, up to 60 dollars for it! That's absolutely ridiculous! All the cheapest cartridges have the stickers torn off with sharpie scrawled on them and are sold as is, no returns. I should be able to buy some old games at a reasonable price, but every single website is acting like they're all brand new releases. You used to be able to buy carts for a buck a pop at the thrift store, good games that people have actually heard of, but now the only affordable ones are sports games or generic shooters with titles like Army Fighters or Air Force Patrol 1999.

[foggypainterstudentfmp]

Nintendo games being a close link to my game

The company of Nintendo:

Nintendo is a Japanese company that is arguably one of the most notorious game console and game developing companies for the fact that they created two of the greatest games of all time: Super Mario and Donkey Kong which revolutionized the gaming industry. They also have released some of the most recognizable consoles too for example the 3DS, Wii and N64 (mainly the controller was the recognizable part of this console). Nintendo was founded in 1889 and made hanafuda playing cards. Hanafuda are Japanese playing cards that can be used for many games and contain images like animals, birds, people or objects. Fast forwards to 1960 and Nintendo is a public company and release their first console exclusively to Japan called Color TV Game in 1997. They then had their first game release which gained the company international recognition and put them straight on the map being Donkey Kong in 1981 this did feature the much loved Mario but he was called Jumpman until renamed in '82. This game was a huge threat to anything else out in arcades at the time as it was so repayable, enjoyable and also very different. Then 2 years later they released the first Super Mario title which joined Donkey Kong in the arcades which again everyone loved. For 1981 and 82 the arcades were firmly under Nintendo's grasp. Then 4 years later Shigeru Miyamoto released a new console the NES and with it a successor to an arcade game allowing people to play the arcade games they love at home instead of having to travel out to the arcades to play which again was revolutionary as you could play anything on it as long as you had the game card. This successor is the Super Mario Bros which released in 1985. This is when the Japanese gaming market started to ship titles over to US for at home gaming as later that year they shipped over Super Mario Bros for the NES which was released in US earlier that year. It was also probably one of the first Japanese titles that wasn't changed to suit the Western world more as it is a very diverse friendly game. This game went onto win many records and break sales due to the pure fact of how good it was. This led to many successor's and it overall helped popularize the sidescroller games. Since then Nintendo have been creating many different characters and new games like Luigi's Mansion, Mario Kart, Kirby, Zelda, Splatoon and they even made an animated film with Illumination. They also continued to make loads of hardware like the Game Boy, SNES, Wii and the Switch and they are still doing well having sold 5.6 billion games and 836 hardware units from March 2023.

My game will be based very closely on Super Mario as it is much like my idea for my game and it performed so well and still does today so I would like my game to come out successfully like what Nintendo have produced.

In the development of Super Mario they made many development decisions such as they wanted Mario to be bigger but then realized this would be more fun as a power up allowing the player to change sizes in the game. They also had multiplayer where one person would play as Mario and the other Luigi.

[first-impressions-gaming]

GAMING RECAP (AUGUST 5-11)

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 announced for November

The Call of Duty team and Sledgehammer Games has confirmed in a very brief announcement that Modern Warfare 3 will arrive on November 10.

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Valve begins selling refurbished Steam Decks

Valve has announced that it is now selling refurbished Steam Deck devices.

The company said that each handheld console has been "thoroughly tested."

"All refurbished units meet or even exceed the performance standards of new retail units. Although they may have minor cosmetic blemishes, they provide a reliable, high-quality gaming experience at a lower cost," said Valve in the announcement.

The cost of the refurbished models is listed below:

Steam Deck 64 GB - Valve Certified Refurbished - $319

Steam Deck 64 GB - Valve Certified Refurbished - $419

Steam Deck 64 GB - Valve Certified Refurbished - $519

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Devolver Digital moves a slate of releases to next year

Devolver Digital has announced that a number of games planned for 2023 will be moved into next year.

The announcement was made during the publisher's Devolver Delayed Showcase.

2024's release schedule for the company will now include The Plucky Squire (All Possible Futures), Stick It To The Stickman (Free Lives), Skate Story (Sam Eng), Anger Foot, and Pepper Grinder (Ahr Ech).

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PlayStation Plus August 2023 Lineup Includes Sea of Stars, Moving Out 2, and Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

Sony has announced the batch of games PlayStation Plus users with an Extra or Premium subscription can download and play in August.

This month's lineup includes two indies available with Game Catalog on their respective launch days: Sea of Stars and Moving Out 2.

Sea of Stars will be available when it launches on Tuesday, August 29, with all other titles available starting Tuesday, August 15.

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Two classic Pokémon games are coming to Switch today

Announced during a Pokémon Presents live stream on Tuesday, Game Boy’s Pokémon Trading Card Game and N64’s Pokémon Stadium 2 will be available today via Nintendo Switch Online and its premium Expansion Pack offering.

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THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2023 was held online

Half an hour showcase had 12 games with updates from Alone in the Dark and The Last Ronin in addition to reveals such as South Park Snow Day.

[geekcavepodcast]

GoldenEye 007 Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online Trailer

Xbox Game Pass date Reveal Trailer here.

Rare’s N64 classic GoldenEye 007 game is getting a release for Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass and Xbox Game Pass on January 27, 2023.

Be aware, though, that the two releases of GoldenEye 007 are not identical. The Nintendo Switch version is the original game and the only one that will include a new online multiplayer option. The Xbox version is a remastered edition that boasts new control options, achievements, 16:9 resolution and up to 4K Ultra HD resolution. Also, if you already own a digital version of Rare Replay on Xbox, GoldenEye 007 is included for free.

[sniperct]

to be fair

NES was 1985 SNES was 1991 N64 was 1996 Gamecube was 2001 Wii 2006 Wii U 2012 Switch 2017

They literally do about 5-6 years between consoles and my launch switch is 6 years old lol

They have said there is no new console in 2023 coming and possibly not even 2024* so there's no need to sweat it.

Switch came out 3 years earlier than the current gen and I think they regret that a little. I think they WANT to time the next one closer to the PS6 era, but Sony is on a 6-7 year time table historically going all the way back to the first PS and Xbox is roughly the same. Both their consoles came out in 2020 so 2026 at the earliest. I'd actually expect 2027 or 2028.

All that said, since the DS they've gone closer to 7-8 years between releases on the handheld side so they may be looking at it more like that kind of time-table. (the gameboy advance was kind of an outlier, the GB to gameboy color was 8 or 9 years, then the GBA came out 4 years after the GBC and the DS 3 years after the GBA.

*I kind of expect a second switch revision (like the OLED version they released) that's slightly beefier before we ever see a Switch 2 or another full fledged console, and 2024 would be a good year for that if they really do want to wait to compete more directly with Sony and MS's next gen.

Might be willing to trade in my current switch towards it, but I didn't see the need for the OLED one and don't think I need a beefier switch myself.

I'll do what I've done since the PS3 - place an order with the right retailer, and then every paycheck apply a gift card to the order. They're paid off months before they come out, and it's way easier to manage 20-40 bucks every two weeks than 300-600 at once. It's like pre-order layaway. Its the only reason I was able to snag a PS5 lol

Honestly I think we're hitting a point with consoles and games where the consoles either need to be compact but powerful PCs (more so than they are now) or designed in a way that's unique, interesting and fun (like the switch and the 3DS before it). Like we're at diminishing returns here.

everyone keeps saying they want a new nintendo console and that the switch is reaching the end of its lifespan or whatever but am i the only one who like. really doesnt want that yet lol. i am not ready to drop 300-400 dollars on a new console again

[knittingwithhighlighters]

Putting a fan theory here for posterity’s sake, but....

...I wonder if the Switch 2 might be released next year? It’ll be about 6 years since the first one came out (as of March of 2023), and I don’t know. Nintendo has been keeping a lot under wraps--but then, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.

What we DO know is that the new Zelda game is coming out in May, and it’s a big, expansive game that’s the sequel to Breath of the Wild. Breath of the Wild was considered a “main” Zelda title, and it looks like Tears of the Kingdom will be too..and each generation of consoles since the N64 has one “main” Zelda title on it (Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild). (Sidenote, note that Wii U doesn’t have its own Zelda game like this. And while we’re on the subject of the Wii U, I hope the next console also lets you download the Netflix app too, that would be pretty cool). I don’t know. Apparently some people are theorizing that it might be released sooner than we think, and for example they were talking about how Nintendo was spending a lot more on raw materials. An article The Nikkei has said in that they won’t release a new console in the fiscal year that ends in March 2023 (although it’s not clear if the journalist was asserting that, or if Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said that himself). Either way, I can totally see them going for a November/December 2023 release. Consoles sell better in the holiday season--especially since Sony and Microsoft are definitely not releasing main consoles this winter--and this makes sense for Nintendo especially, since a lot of content is aimed at kids, who are going to want new games to play at Christmas. This is just me rambling, naturally--but I’m putting out there, in case I’m right. And if I’m right, if there IS a new Nintendo console release in winter of next year...then I would expect a new Smash game too. Especially since that would make 5 years since SSBU launched, and Nintendo has said that there will be no new DLC Smash characters, with the last one release in October of last year. I guess what I’m saying is...well, for me this is a possibility. And it’s nice to be right on fan theories, so I’m putting this out there for posterity’s sake. I guess only time well tell :)

[letstalkloz]

Order of Play: Timeline Order

New fan wondering where the hell to start in a series that's been going on for 36 years, or a long time fan looking for a fun way to play through the games? While I'd argue there's no wrong way to get into The Legend of Zelda franchise, I'm going to break down a few ways I'd suggest playing through the games, starting with the confusing, yet still fun timeline order.

What's so confusing about timeline order you ask? Most veteran Zelda players understand- the story of the games does not go in release order, and after the fourth game in the timeline, Ocarina of Time, the timeline splits into 3 different paths. If you're following timeline order, you can pick and choose how you want to handle the split, but I'll go over some suggestions for the smoothest story order.

Buckle up, we've got 19 main titles to get through, and even a few spinoffs.

The first 4 games are pretty easy to follow. To follow timeline order, start with Skyward Sword, either the 2011 version on the Wii, or the recent HD remake on the Switch that dropped in 2021 (I'd recommend the Switch copy personally due to better motion controls, as well as the ability to turn off motion controls all together).

The Minish Cap comes next, which you can get a physical copy on the Game Boy Advance or a digital copy off of the Wii U e-shop (Warning- Wii U e-shop does close in March 2023 so get it while you still can- or emulate it if you're able to). Sticking with Game Boy Advance games, Four Swords comes next in the timeline. I did say that the first four games are pretty straight forward, but Four Swords is a little odd. For the Game Boy Advance version, you'd have to purchase A Link to the Past with the Four Swords game attached to it (it was a two games in one cartridge situation). The downside to playing the GBA version though is it does require you to play it as a multiplayer, so unless you have a friend with the game too, and a link cable, you won’t be able to play. There was a digital version available on the 3DS e-shop that allowed for single player use, however it is no longer available there. Again, I'd suggest emulating, or even in this case just watching a play through of Four Swords, since it is harder to get your hands on compared to other games in the franchise.

The last game in the starting timeline section is the one that breaks it all: Ocarina of Time. Considered by many as the best game in the series, Ocarina of Time is thankfully available on multiple platforms, including the N64, the Wii U e-shop (until March 2023), and the Switch N64 Online package. For those who prefer updated graphics and controls, there is even a remake of the game for the 3DS. However, since this is where the timeline splits, I'm going to suggest something a little weird: Play Ocarina of Time, and when you get to the final boss fight against Ganondorf, die. Save the game, let him kill Link, and then set the controller down. Now pick up A Link to the Past, the first game in the Defeated Hero timeline.

Yes, you heard that right, the Defeated Hero timeline. Nintendo created a timeline where the hero, Link, fails. Get comfy here, because the Defeated Hero timeline has the most games in it.

After A Link to the Past (which is available on the SNES, Game Boy Advance, Wii U and 3DS e-shops until March 2023, and the Switch's SNES Online membership) things stay confusing. The official timeline can't decide if Link's Awakening or the Oracle games comes next. It doesn't matter that much in all honesty, so I'd suggest playing them in whatever order you can get them. Link's Awakening might be the easiest to get ahold of, since it was recently remade for the Switch, but it is also available on the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color, as well as the 3DS e-shop (until March 2023). Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages are also available for the Game Boy Color, but I'd suggest buying them on the 3DS e-shop while you still can (March 2023).

I hope you enjoyed A Link to the Past, because you'll be returning to that version of Hyrule for the next game, in the timeline, A Link Between Worlds. This is not a direct sequel though. The story takes place 100 years after A Link to the Past, with a different Link and Princess Zelda. Available on the 3DS, this game is pretty easy compared to other games in the Defeated Hero timeline, so consider this a nice break. Well, this and Triforce Heroes, the next game in the timeline, and another 3DS title.

Right towards the end of the Defeated Hero timeline, you're finally at the first game released: The Legend of Zelda. Available on the NES, the Wii U digital e-shop, the 3DS digital e-shop (both until, you guessed it, March 2023), and the Switch's NES Online membership, this game is not hard to get a copy of. Be careful not to name yourself Zelda though, unless you want to do the second quest which is notably much harder. Still not as difficult as the last game on the Defeated Hero timeline.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is easily the hardest game in the franchise, and is more of a side-scroller than a top-down perspective adventure. Available on all of the same systems as the original Legend of Zelda, Zelda II is easy to get your hands on, but not as easy to complete (I cannot tell you how many times I died playing through the first dungeon alone).

Remember how I said to die in Ocarina of Time? Boot that game back up and kick Ganon's ass. Beating Ocarina of Time splits the timeline again, and spoilers for a 24 year old game, but Zelda sending Link back in time creates a timeline where he continues his life as a child, and one where the hero no longer exists, due to him being sent back in time.

Confused yet? There's a reason why I said things can be confusing playing in timeline order.

We're going to follow the child timeline next, since the next game in that order follows the same Link from Ocarina of Time. The first game in the child timeline is Majora's Mask, which is available on all of the same consoles as Ocarina of Time, including it's own 3DS remake. Only thing is, if you're going to play it on the N64, you will need the expansion pack for the console itself in order to play.

The second game in the child timeline takes place about 100 years after the events of Majora's Mask. The only main series T-rated Legend of Zelda title so far, Twilight Princess. Duel released on the GameCube and Wii back in 2006, and then released again as an HD remake in 2016 for the Wii U, Twilight Princess continues with the darker story themes introduced in Majora's Mask. For all of my fellow left-handed people out there, I highly recommend either the GameCube or the Wii U version over the Wii (I struggled with the right-handed motion controls the Wii forced me to use, but have been doing much better with the left-handed Wii U combat).

The last game in the child timeline is Four Swords Adventures. Available only on the GameCube, this game is another difficult one to get your hands on if you don't own a GameCube or Wii, so if possible, I'd suggest emulating it, watching a playthrough, or even picking up the two-part Four Swords manga as a solid substitute. I will say though, Four Swords Adventures is one of my favorite Legend of Zelda games gameplay wise, so if you have a system to do so, I highly suggest playing through it.

Remember that timeline Link abandoned after Zelda sent him back in time at the end of Ocarina of Time? If you're wondering how it's doing without a hero, let me be the first to tell you that all of Hyrule is now underwater in the forgotten Adult timeline.

Wind Waker sends Link on a journey on the Great Sea, sailing around on a boat to explore the islands that still exist after Hyrule flooded. Available on the GameCube, and also released as an HD remake on the Wii U, this cartoon style game had mixed reactions at the time of it's release, but has since grown into a classic Legend of Zelda title that earned itself a direct sequel: Phantom Hourglass. Available on the DS and the Wii U e-shop (you already know what I'm going to say- until March 2023), this is actually one game I'd recommend getting the DS version of if possible for my left-handed folks. The Wii U digital copy is cheaper, but all of the screen options that focus on using the stylus are for right-handed people.

My same advice goes for those needing a copy of the final game in the adult timeline, Spirit Tracks. Just like Phantom Hourglass, this game is available on both the DS and the Wii U e-shop (until March 2023). However, the DS copy of this game usually runs higher than Phantom Hourglass, so I'd suggest getting the Wii U version if money if your main worry and just adapting to the screen setup (That's what I'm doing because I'm a broke college student, and it's working fine).

Three timeline splits and 18 out of the 19 main series games down and I can hear you all asking "But Rose, where is Breath of the Wild?" It's here at the end of every timeline. I'm not kidding, Nintendo couldn't figure out where it fit, so they threw it at the end of every timeline. Honestly though, saving Breath of the Wild for last is probably the best if you're trying to get into The Legend of Zelda franchise, since it is so different gameplay wise to any other Zelda game. It's available on both the Wii U and the Switch (I've played it on both, apart from some slight lagging issues in puddles on the Wii U version, both work really well).

I mentioned two spins offs, and those are Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors 2: Age of Calamity. For Hyrule Warriors, I would suggest getting the Definitive Edition, since it includes everything from both the Wii U and 3DS versions of the game (available on the Switch). Based on the collection of characters in the game, if you decide to play it, I would save it until either before or after Breath of the Wild, since characters from all three timelines do appear in it. As for Age of Calamity, it does serve as a non-canon prequel to Breath of the Wild. Even though it technically takes place before Breath of the Wild, save it for last so you can fully appreciate your time with the characters in the game.

Okay, 21 games down, and a million left off. The big question is, do I recommend playing the games this way? Short answer: No. Long answer: It's complicated (just like the timeline).

Timeline order can be a fun and creative way to sit down and work your way through the games, and as a long time Legend of Zelda fan with access to every game in this lineup, I would consider going through the games like this. However, if you are new to the franchise, or don't have easy access to every game, or get stuck on one that's too difficult (looking at you Zelda II), then this way can make it feel like you have to complete a game, or wait until you buy one of the harder to find games before continuing on to the next one. While Skyward Sword is a decent starting game (more on that later), it's not the game I'd suggest to people first.

Well now you're probably wondering why you read through all of that just for me to tell you not to do everything I outlined. My goal here is to present different ways of plaything through the games. If you're like me and care more about lore and story over gameplay, then timeline order could work for you! But everyone is different, and if I'm trying to convince as many people as I can to play through the games, I would not suggest timeline order.

So what order do I suggest? Good question, with an answer that'll come in another long ass post sometime in the near future.

[pluiedesang64]

Dismantled 2

Big annoncement today, It's official, it's happening... Dismantled 2!! is in the work and should see a release in 2023. It will be made in Unity 3d engine and will feature a complete original soundtrack by Evan Prince which is also co-producer on the project. Thanks to everyone who bought the first Dismantled and those who support my work. It greatly helped giving this project a better budget. Go Wishlist it on Steam please if you can it will help a lot, and share this post to help spread the word!! More info: Dismantled 2 is the official sequel to the original game Dismantled. The demo is intended to take place where the DLC Bittersweet misery ended. Full game will see new characters involved in the story, 4 years after the events of the first game. Dismantled 2 aim for a N64 style esthetics, and will be as gory as the first game.. I want to keep the same style. But without''adult only content'' to reach a wider public. The demo should be out next year and the full game will launch somewhere in 2023. Dismantled 2 will also be available on Itch.io and on Steam. 

 Steam page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1563880/Dismantled_2/ Itch.io page: https://bigprojectalone.itch.io/dismantled2

[mikegranich87]

Nintendo Switch OLED review: Beautiful, but not a must-have

Though they don’t come out with the annual frequency of an iPhone, video game consoles can always be counted on to have a few mid-cycle refreshes (think: the PlayStation 4 Pro or Xbox One X). This week it’s Nintendo giving the OG Switch a makeover, adding an OLED screen and a few other exterior tweaks. But it’s basically the same system on the inside, so don’t call it the Switch Pro. It’s officially dubbed the Nintendo Switch OLED, because calling it the “slightly nicer Switch” doesn’t really move units from the shelves. If you’ve already invested in a Switch or Switch Lite you won’t need the upgrade, but if you’re still Switch-less this is the model to buy.

It’s $50 more than the original, which is not being pulled from shelves just yet. For $350, the new Switch has a full 7-inch OLED screen, a step up from the older model’s 6.2-inch display. The larger screen size is appreciated, though after six hours of playing it in handheld mode I didn’t notice the difference as much.

Kris Naudus / Engadget

What did catch my attention when I switched back to the original were the chunky bezels around the 6.2-inch display. I’ve never liked them and found them to be one of the least attractive things about the system. Now they make me recoil in disgust when I compare them to the OLED model’s slim lines, which have been whittled to a third of the size. The matte plastic frame around the screen has also shrunk and changed to a glossy plastic, making it even less obtrusive.

As for the display itself: yes, it is noticeably brighter. There’s enough of a difference that in my initial hands-on I was dismayed when I returned to my personal Switch at home hours later. When placed side by side, the difference is undeniable. The colors pop just a bit more, the blacks are deeper and the whites are… more white, with the original having a slight lavender tint in contrast to the purer white of the OLED screen.

Kris Naudus / Engadget

While not every game will benefit from better colors, Nintendo is also releasing Metroid Dread the same day. Like all titles in the series, the game traffics in a lot of dark spaces, with the bright pop of Samus’ red and yellow (or blue) armor contrasting nicely alongside backgrounds of brown and gray. It’s a good showcase for the OLED’s improved color fidelity and just a nice-looking game in general, which distracts from the fact that the new Switch doesn’t bring any actual improvements under the hood.

The CPU and GPU go unaltered, which ensures that all future Switch titles remain compatible with existing Switch and Switch Lite systems. This is pretty much in keeping with the Game Boy Advance and 3DS lines of products, which saw some radical redesigns like the Game Boy micro and 2DS over their lifespans. Sure, there were handhelds like the DSi and New 3DS that came with improved internal specs, but those never saw widespread adoption. The Switch OLED is a lot more like the Game Boy Advance SP: significant improvements to the display and form factor, but the same old library of games.

Alongside that new display are a bunch of minor tweaks that don’t seem like much when considered individually, but as a whole really improve the experience. The most notable is the new stand on the back. The one on the original Switch is small and roughly a finger’s width, with only two positions: open and closed. The one on my original launch unit no longer locks in the “closed” position and has a tendency to flop out when I’m playing in handheld mode. It also detaches completely if you look at it funny.

The Switch OLED’s stand is an entirely different beast. Instead of a skinny little strip, it’s now a Microsoft Surface-style panel that stretches across the back of the entire unit, with real hinges that can be left in a number of positions so you can now put your unit at whatever angle you prefer. I wouldn’t try to pull this thing off; the hinges are actually molded into the plastic, so if you do break it, it’ll have to go off to the Nintendo repair shop to get fixed up.

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To accommodate the new stand a bunch of stuff has been moved around on the back of the Switch unit. The logo is now printed on the stand itself, so it’s been moved to the lower half of the rear. The manufacturing info, like the parts number and voltage, is now printed in black on the black plastic, underneath the stand. So it’s doubly hidden — a subtle but welcome improvement. The rear speakers have been moved to the bottom edge of the unit, where they also serve as a way to pull the stand out. It’s actually very thoughtful, while providing clear game audio and minimizing system noise. And, while the microSD hasn’t been completely relocated, it’s now placed parallel to the bottom edge. I assume this small change is to keep users from accidentally pulling out the card when they’re trying to adjust the stand. The one thing that hasn’t been relocated is the USB-C port on the bottom, so you still can’t recharge it in tabletop mode.

Kris Naudus / Engadget

There are fewer changes to the device’s top edge, with the most notable being a button redesign resulting in longer, thinner power and volume switches. The new buttons aren’t easier to hit, but they do look sleeker and feel better under my fingers thanks to the textured plastic of the Switch OLED. The system is actually just nicer to hold now, like when it kept the sweat from pooling under my clammy hands during a particularly stressful boss fight in Metroid Dread.

Kris Naudus / Engadget

Because the Switch OLED has to be compatible with all existing accessories, that means the unit is the same height and width as the original model. The Joy-Cons haven’t gotten a redesign, but hopefully the infamous “Joy-Con drift” has been eradicated by now. The new black and white color scheme is very nice, a step up from my all-gray launch unit in terms of style. If you like a more playful color palette, the Switch OLED can also be bought with red and blue Joy-Cons, or you can swap any other Joy-Cons you want. But the white ones don’t show scratches as easily as the other shades, so they’ll look spiffy for longer.

The one change in the system’s dimensions is the weight, thanks to the OLED screen. When handling the original and new Switch side by side, the difference is undeniable. But it’s not a big enough divide to make the Switch OLED less portable in any way. Subjectively, it might actually seem a bit lighter, possibly because the weight is well-distributed. The one thing about the build that feels like a step down is that the OLED model has a tiny bit of flex in the middle of the rear panel that’s not present in the original. However, it doesn’t make much of a difference to the build quality unless you’re planning to take a hammer to the back of the unit.

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Because the system keeps the same internals, that means the battery has gone unchanged as well. It’s the same as the refreshed 2019 battery, which offers between four and nine hours of battery life compared to the launch unit’s cap of six hours. However, the new OLED should be more power-efficient than the LCD, and in use it appears to be. I got almost seven hours of Metroid Dread before I got the “low battery” warning at 15 percent, and that’s a game that makes frequent use of vibration. Compare that to the four or five hours I tend to get out of my OG Switch, even when playing something fairly tame like Animal Crossing or Untitled Goose Game.

If you already have an existing Switch, you can drop the OLED model into your current dock and it will work just fine. But the system does come with its own, redesigned dock that you might want to set up. It looks a lot nicer thanks to its rounded corners and glossy black plastic on the inside (which admittedly will probably scratch up over time). The back panel isn’t great, as it feels flimsy and can come off completely (so you may lose it). But all of these are outweighed by the important addition of an ethernet port.

Prior to this, the Switch has always been intended as a wireless system, and it hasn’t been stellar. Early models had a tendency to “forget” how to connect to your WiFi, forcing you to restart the system. And even now, downloading from the Nintendo eShop can be pokey; even with the OLED model I had to leave my system sitting for an hour or two while it downloaded games wirelessly. But now you can just plug in a cable for a faster, more reliable connection. If you have one in your living room, that is. Many people don’t, which makes this a feature for the more technical-minded fans. It’s the one new feature of the Switch OLED that I would consider “pro” level, and if you have a place to plug in it’s certainly worth the $50 premium.

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Overall, the Switch OLED is a nice system coming out at an odd time, as it’s been over four years since the release of the original Switch. Based on Nintendo’s past release history, that would indicate a new console some time around 2023. So it’s a big ask of people to buy a $350 system if something better is just around the corner. (Nintendo has categorically denied that it has plans for a new Switch as recently as last week, but that doesn’t preclude that one will come out eventually.)

There’s also the specter of the Steam Deck in December, just two short months from now (assuming no delays). It's far more powerful than the Switch, and is also much larger, but promises access to almost the entire Steam library, which happens to overlap with the current Nintendo eShop quite a bit. The biggest selling point for the Switch OLED is access to storied franchises like Mario and Zelda, as well as the incredible bargain that is Switch Online. But you don’t need an OLED screen or wired ethernet to enjoy old NES, SNES, N64 and Genesis titles.

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If you’re not going to be able to plug it into ethernet, or don’t need better speeds because you play offline all the time, the choice to upgrade to a Switch OLED is tricky. If you always play on the TV, there’s absolutely no point in buying this one, as there’s no difference in the dock’s output quality. It’s going to look the same as it always has, as this is most definitely not the rumored upgrade to 4K. But even if you’re a handheld player it’s not a must-have, unless you’ve given up on your original Switch because you just really, really hate LCD displays, or absolutely need more than five hours of battery life.

from Mike Granich https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-switch-oled-review-130025998.html?src=rss