#super late to the dlc hype train but take this!

[eggo-tistical]

…she’s everything, and he’s just luis

[zerolympiustrife]

Favorite video games of all time?

Get ready for a LONG post, folks! However…allow me to break this down to my three favorite video game genres: Fighting games, RPGs/JRPGs, and Platformers/Action Platformers (both 2D and 3D). However! Since I feel like these posts are gonna take MUCH longer than I thought it would, I’m just gonna divide the genres into separate posts. But for now, let’s stick with the…

FIGHTING GAMES!:

Dragon Ball FighterZ: My number one favorite (traditional) fighting game of all time. My favorite ArcSys game of all time. My favorite Dragon Ball game of all time. This game is the reason how I got into the Dragon Ball franchise back when I’ve had to little to NO interest in the franchise, even when I’ve watched the ENTIRE Namek saga from the original anime back in 2009. The game’s GORGEOUS art style, every character animation’s (such as specials, supers, intros, victory poses, and ESPECIALLY the Dramatic Finishes) faithfulness to the original manga AND anime of Dragon Ball Z and other DB properties (such as GT and Super), the AWESOME soundtrack (courtesy of ArcSys theirselves, who’re known for awesome music in their games), the 3v3 gameplay, the character roster (though I’ll admit that having five Gokus and Three Vegetas is rather silly), having a new character design by DB creator Akira Toriyama himself, and lastly, being a breath of fresh air to those new to the fighting game genre (since the genre itself is notorious for its high learning curves) AND to Dragon Ball fans who were sick and tired of having the story of DBZ recapped over and over and over AND OVER AGAIN is a fucking sight to behold. This game FUCKING RULES (and a million times better than MvC:I). However, I wouldn’t call it perfect. I’ll admit that the Story Mode is rather lackluster, Arcade Mode is rather lacking, the Shop is completely randomized, and the Online Mode, much like every other fighting game, suffers from lag, spammable players, or just outright ragequitters. That, and the fact that, unlike MvC3 and BB:CTB, every character assist only sticks to ONE attack (meaning that more than one character is gonna have a Kamehameha assist), and that MOST PLAYERS you’re gonna run into is gonna main the likes of Cell (who ENJOYS dragging out combos for as long as possible), Adult Gohan (like Cell, also drags out long combos), and Vegeta (Super Saiyan, because of his assist. Need I say more?). But aside from those flaws, it is hands down the BEST fighting game I’ve ever played, next to…well, below.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: My number one favorite (unique) fighting game of all time. My favorite Nintendo game of all time. Series creator Masahiro Sakurai is a man that I’d like to describe as…well, not only doing the impossible and HIGHLY respected, but also putting those filthy naysayers about certain characters in their place. The fact that the whole point of Smash Ultimate was to include EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER FROM SMASH 64 TO SMASH 4 (Wii U and 3DS), INCLUDING EVERY THIRD-PARTY CHARACTERS DESPITE THE LICENSING AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES THIS WOULD CAUSE is another sight to behold. FUCK Melee, THIS is hands-down the best Smash game of all time! The inclusion of Spirits, the Adventure Mode, the Boss battles, the gameplay, the kind of chicanery you can pull, the game’s main theme “Lifelight”, the roster, the soundtrack…there’s just ALOT about this game that I just fucking adore. What can you make folks more hyped about this game? Oh, I don’t know…why not shock everybody with JOKER (from Persona 5) AND BANJO & KAZOOIE (who’s still owned by Microsoft) being in the game. What I love about Smash Bros is how Sakurai is just outright defies those say certain characters can’t appear in the series for silliest (or justifiable) reasons. Cloud can’t be in Smash because his game was never released on a Nintendo console until 2019? No problem! Ridley’s too big therefore he can’t be playable? Fuck that! Banjo & Kazooie can’t be in Smash because they’re owned by Microsoft of the Xbox brand? It’s fine! Why? “Because I AM HERE!” -Banjo (JK, but seriously, the fact that Banjo’s in was quite a surprise.) Smash 4 is the reason how I got into Final Fantasy VII, and I hold the entire Smash series in high regard for doing so. Goddamn, do I love this franchise! But! Again, it’s not perfect. The Online Mode is MUCH worse than DBFighterZ (to the point where you’re more than likely to end up in a battle with Items TURNED ON or stages with distracting hazards, OR end up fighting the SAME fucking characters I hate fighting against, such as Little Mac, Falco, Inkling, Incineroar, etc.), and that fighting against EVERY single spirit in the Adventure Mode to get 100% can get rather tiring (not to mention that you gotta get BOTH bad endings from fighting Galeem solo AND Dharkon solo), lack of additional content upon release (Stage Builder and Home-Run Content weren’t even implemented into the game at first), and lastly (although these two complaints are one of more personal matter and one towards Square Enix), the fact Zero from Mega Man X, my favorite video game character is ASSIST character instead of a playable was really heartbreaking to see (but hey, I’m not complaining TOO much since I enjoy interacting with him in my free time in Training), and lastly, the fact that Cloud, and to high extent, Final Fantasy VII AND the FF franchise as a whole has LITTLE TO NO representation in this game whatsoever (again, I feel like this was more of SE’s fault than Sakurai’s). No spirits, no “Fighter Spirit” artwork from the original FFVII, no Assist characters, not being dubbed in English AGAIN (though this was more of a contract issue with SE), no additional music on Midgar, NOTHING. But, nonetheless…this game is fucking awesome.

Blazblue: Cross Tag Battle: Ahahahahaha! Ah…Oh, Blazblue…I love this franchise oh-so much, but the fact that it hasn’t received the same treatment as Guilty Gear lately (not to mention the mainstream Blazblue games, aka the C-series, has pretty much came to an end) is a rather sad sight to see…depression aside, I love Blazblue. I REALLY do! I love the characters, I love the stages, I love the music, the story is confusing as FUCK, but it’s a fighting game franchise I’ve discovered WAY back 2012 and I still love to this day, even more so than Guilty Gear (don’t @ me). So…what to do now? Could there perhaps be another Blazblue game? A game that just so happens to be a crossover? One just as awesome as Smash Bros? Ooh! How about…PERSONA 4?!? UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH?!? A FRANCHISE THAT, LIKE DRAGON BALL AND FFVII, I’VE HAD NO INTEREST IN UP UNTIL 2018 (aka RWBY)?!? AAAAAAAAAAAAAA- Fangasm aside, the fact that this game even EXISTS is an achievement in its own right. As stated before, this game is the reason how I got into RWBY. What I really love and adore about the game are the interactions among the characters. That, and I was SO HAPPY to hear that the game would be dubbed in English, after GG:Xrd Revelator and BB: Central Fiction lacked a dub. I was not only excited to hear the likes of Ragna, Noel, and Hazama voiced in English again, but I was also happy to hear that any characters who’ve never been dubbed in English in the past (characters from UNIB, newcomers in BB:CF, etc.) would be dubbed in English as well. Hell, the fact that the characters from both Blazblue AND Persona 4 (two franchises/games I really love) being in the EXACT same game together was enough to make me be all like “Shut up, and take my money!”, considering how crazy excited I was in the past to see them interacting with one another via fanart and fanfiction (thanks to the Persona 4 Arena games being developed by ArcSys). And if you thought having only THOSE four franchises in the game was enough, you’d be wrong! Here’s Arcana Heart! Here’s Senran Kagura! Here’s a FIFTH character from RWBY: Neo Politan! This game, much like DBFZ and Smash Ultimate, is awesome. However, complaints I do have towards the game are the Online Mode (although the chibi interactions are cute and adorable and I will praise the Online Mode for that, and ONLY THAT), Gordeau from UNIB is still a problem, the rest of the half of the roster is entirely DLC, lack of additional content upon release, the control scheme is WAY too simplistic (even moreso than DBFZ), and lastly, while I love the sprites ArcSys did for RWBY, the reused sprites from Blazblue, Persona 4 Arena, and UNIB is also a complaint I have (but a minor one, mind you. They could’ve just easily redone the sprites specifically for this game, but…no). And while this game isn’t exactly in my top two favorite fighting games, it’s definitely in my top THREE. Also, I have yet to actually to play the Story Mode of this game, but I haven’t yet, therefore, I hold no opinion on the story as of currently. Marvel vs Capcom-styled traditional fighting games are hands-down, my go-to preference for traditional fighters.

Dissidia (and Dissidia 012): Final Fantasy: Forget Dissidia NT, THIS game (mostly Dissidia 012) is what an awesome 3D Action Fighting game is about! Much like how Smash Ultimate’s a unique fighting game (a Platform Fighter), this game is also a unique type of fighting game, possessing RPG elements and just having a blast with its awesome combat system. Cloud and Sephiroth were just so much fun to play as, with Terra, Squall, and WoL being my other favorite characters in this awesome game. This game is also essentially a HUGE homage to Final Fantasy as whole. From the ongoing conflicts between Cosmos and Chaos, to MULTIPLE references to the character’s original games, to additional modes that involve unlocking the likes of Gilgamesh from FFV, or fighting against the most frustrating secret final boss I’ve ever had the displeasure of fighting against (Feral Chaos), these games are awesome! Also, the reason why I’m addressing both games as a single installment here is because technically, while Dissidia 012 IS a prequel, it pretty has the same content (no, scratch that, MORE content) from the first Dissidia game and it’s pretty much an updated…well, not a “port”, per say, more like an enhanced re-release, much like Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 or any of the Blazblue EXTEND re-releases. However, complaints I have for Dissidia is that certain characters are annoying to fight against (such as Jecht, FUCK that character), the RPG system takes a while to build up until your favorite characters are FINALLY at Level 100, trying to get the rarest Equipment is rather difficult, and lastly, the action commands for certain character’s EX Bursts can be retooled for the sake of a proper fighting game, but then again, Dissidia ain’t a “traditional” fighting game. But aside from that, not only is this my favorite Action RPG/Fighting game of all time, but this is also my favorite Final Fantasy Spin-Off of all time.

Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars: What’s that? You were expecting a Marvel vs Capcom game to be on this list, let alone my top 5? Too bad! It’s Tatsunoko, baby! This one definitely holds a spot in my heart as this game stands as my number one favorite “Capcom vs Whatever” game of all time (yes, even moreso than Marvel vs Capcom itself OR any of the SNK vs Capcom games, don’t @ me). I love this game. I love its soundtrack (ESPECIALLY its main theme, “Across the Border”), I love the roster (despite being small), I love the final boss of the Arcade Mode (Yami, from Capcom’s Okami), and I love the gameplay. My complaints goes towards the lack of additional content outside of Arcade and the Gallery (although the top-down shooter minigame is rather fun), and, as stated before, small roster. But other than that, this game was really fun to play.

OTHER FAVORITE FIGHTING GAMES:

Sonic Battle, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, SvC: Chaos, and Blazblue: Chrono Phantasma.

Coming up next: My favorite RPGs/JPRGs!

[turntothree]

Spread Thought: Switching it Up

Dateline: Tokyo, Japan - March 17, 2015

The tech sector is rocked with the revelation of Nintendo joining forces with app developer DeNA to bring its line-up of iconic mascots to various Apple and Android devices.

In a move once thought unthinkable, The Big N signed a big fat contract (with 10 per cent equity of DeNA in tow) to become a third-party game creator for what it previously considered to be its lead competitors. With the Wii U losing traction and the 3DS on its slow march into retirement, could this historic moment have marked the end of 30 years of standard-setting hardware development?

image source - The Associated Press

Before this notion could even register, (then) Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced to the world the company was working on a brand-new home console. Its name (at least at that point) NX; its concept revolutionary; and...that was it. Iwata said more news would come in 2016, before shifting focus back to mobile.

But there was no turning back the NX hype train. Once it left the station that was it. Just like that, a hallmark moment was overshadowed by a quick quote to save face.

“I wanted to avoid any misunderstandings such as, “Nintendo might have lost its passion for the dedicated game system business”, and because I wanted many people to understand that Nintendo will continue its dedicated game system business with even stronger passion and motivation.” – Satoru Iwata to Time Magazine (March 18, 2015)

image source - Sega

Sure, the partnership with DeNA was then and continues now to be a huge deal (one that is currently paying some decent dividends) but those two letters became an enticing mystery gamers and the games press worked tirelessly to solve.

Patent filings were rummaged through, “development document leaks” were pinched with so many grains of salt, investor briefings and conference calls were examined with a fine tooth comb, and so many inside sources were contacted. Would Nintendo’s hand be forced?

“We have no comment at this time.” – Nintendo PR (Pretty much all of the time ever)

For all the fans knew, the NX was an Android-powered stream box/handheld hybrid that had a touch screen for a controller, a connection to every Nintendo game ever made, and AR and VR components capable of bending time and space. Not to mention it would be the first home console since the late 90’s to run on cartridges. 

Seriously, remember when this was a thing?

image source - ID 2Dev

Also, 20 million units shipped out in time for a summer 2016 release? As if!

After 19 agonizing months of fans digging, probing, reporting, rabid Redditing, and social media outcrying, Nintendo finally lifted the curtain when we least suspected.

image source - Nintendo of America

As the whole world stayed glued to their Facebooks and Twitters (and I’m assuming Touts) for an outright avalanche of opinion circa Clinton V Trump III, Mario of all um...characters(?) cut in and politely whispered, “NX reveal trailer tomorrow, yippee!”, before retreating back behind the curtain. OK...that was an exaggerated paraphrase but you get the point.   

As of October 20, 2016, Nintendo’s NeXt console is no longer protected under a shroud of secrecy. Now it is proudly exposed for everyone to see, but was it well received? Is all that excitement continuing to gain momentum post-reveal or has the Big N hype train gone off the rails in the face of further “leaks”?

I’ve thought long and hard on this subject and to be honest, there’s a lot to think about, but if I think things through and spread out all of my thoughts, I think I can reach that one conclusive thought.

First and foremost, Welcome to the world...Nintendo Switch!

As it turns out, the most prevalent of NX rumours is the one that turns out to be the most true. (Well, don’t that just put the “DINK” in CO-INKY-DINK).

The NX aptly named Nintendo Switch is in fact a hybrid of home console and portable gaming device. If (for whatever reason) you thought such a concept was merely the stuff of dreams, there’s no use pinching yourself.

image source - 20th Century Fox

...

How does this dream machine work? Well, it’s quite ingenious, really. Think of the home console portion as a docking station for its central component, a station that happens to be connected to a TV through a HDMI input. Oh and that central component also happens to be a tablet. (Probably should have lead with that).

image source - Nintendo

Anyway, when snugly snapped into the dock, the tablet will transmit the latest and greatest Nintendo games to the player’s TV in glorious high-definition; perfect for crashing on the couch and kicking back with Zelda or whatever. However, if they wanted to say, take their game outside, or on the open road,  or in the air, or blare Super Mario from a rooftop (...you’ll see), they can do that too, in a few different ways...that rely heavily on the system’s main controller.

I know that last bit sounds a tad strange but let me explain.

The controller (which as many have pointed out, looks like an adorable puppy dog) has two detachable components; the Joy-Con 1 and Joy-Con 2. These joint Joy-Cons can be snapped comfortably onto the tablet and with one gentle lift; players got themselves a traditional portable system that’s ready to go.

image source - Nintendo

Wait a second...hmm...there’s something noteworthy at the tail end of that last picture. Let me just zoom in a few smidges.

image source - Nintendo

Aw, there it is. It’s a bit blurry, but it’s there for all to see. It’s a cartridge slot, in case you couldn’t tell. I wouldn’t blame you if you couldn’t, on account of the blur and all. (Chalk another one up for the rumour mill).           

All of the retro console diehards who have been clamouring for a return to cart-based storage can party like it’s 1996. Although, I suppose for those of us who’ve been keeping up with Nintendo’s handheld systems for the past three decades can give a little clap and go back to business as usual.

This revelation didn’t get much attention during the Switch’s reveal. (In fact, if you blink, you’ll likely miss the young man inserting a copy of Skyrim into his tablet). However, during the October 21 investors meeting, current Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima did mention the standard capacity of a Switch cartridge will clock in at 16GB, which is only double that of a 3DS cart.

mock up made by me. Asset sources - Nintendo and Bethesda

Concerns have been raised by this little info nugget. Given the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 standard of 50+GB Blu Ray discs, 16 gigs does seem rather small in comparison. Heck, the DLC files for some of those PS4 and Xbone titles are bigger than that. So, will first-party titles be shorter or smaller scale experiences? Will third-party partners be wedged into a corner and forced to significantly trim down Switch ports? Not likely.

Note how Kimishima said “standard”, meaning that while typical Nintendo games may in fact have a file size of 16GB or less, developers on both sides of the aisle will have the option to upgrade to heftier carts that can match up with Blu Ray storage, if they need too. So, that’s good.  

Editor’s Note: Also, the top minds at Nintendo EPD Lab are wizards of data compression, so I wouldn’t stress out on this too much.

What I’m sure many critics will say is not so good (or at least unfortunate) is the obvious omission of backwards compatibility between the Switch and its predecessor (the Wii U)...at least in a physical sense. (The possibilities of digital transfers haven’t been ruled out...yet).

image source - Nintendo

Adding a disc drive to the tablet would’ve put a tremendous strain on it and streaming games from the disc to the dock to the tablet would have been its own technological nightmare. So, Switchers will have to keep their Wii U’s on the shelf if they wish to continue playing their past-gen games.

Before you say anything, no, the Switch is not compatible with the 3DS. I know, they both use carts, but their circuitry is just too different.  

Anyway, where was I again? Oh right; that handheld option is all well and good but what if players wanted to replicate the TV experience with just the tablet and a controller? Is that an option, too? Yes!

Just kick back the tablet’s nifty kickstand, pick up the Joy-Cons (one in each hand, like a wireless Wii Mote and nunchuck combo), turn it on and enjoy.

image source - Nintendo

Wait a second, does multiplayer work with this travel set-up?

Indeed it does and once again, it’s all tied to the ingenious design of Switch’s trademark controller.

Notice how the button layouts on the Joy-Cons look near identical, if not slightly mirrored...and upside-down? Well, that’s because Joy-Con 1 and Joy-Con 2 can also become controller 1 and controller 2, when the Switch is in travel mode. (Just flip em’ sideways and ta-da!).

image source - Nintendo

Pretty clever, eh?

Travel Switch can also be enjoyed by up to four-players! But that would require an additional Switch tablet and two more Joy-Cons.

image source - Nintendo

Editor’s Note: Pro controllers will also be available for Switch as separate purchases, in case some players happen to find the (let’s say, “Travel Size”) Joy-Cons to be a tad uncomfortable.  

image source - The Verge

That about covers everything we know about the hardware, well...everything we’re supposed to know for the time being, as there’s a lot that’s still being kept under lock and key. However, I guess we could take a brief look under the hood.

...

Nope! Never mind. Can’t do that either, because that too is a secret apparently. It’s been confirmed Android/PC tech giant Nvidia has formed a mutually beneficial partnership with Nintendo (one Nvidia itself expects to be decades long) and will supply one of its patented GeForce processors to power the Switch. (Yet another rumour is proven true, sort of).

image source - Nvidia

The exact chip at the forefront of said processor, as well as the rest of the system specs have yet to be revealed (at least under official channels). There have been some rumours and chatter between “inside sources” about whether or not it stacks up to the competition or if the graphics will even be as good as those shown in the reveal, but I’ll get to that later.

I guess I should spout off a few personal opinions about the design before moving on. I’ll step away from the internal specs (for now) since; again, Nintendo hasn’t divulged anything about them. So, I’ll stick to the look and gimmick of the Switch.

*Ahem*

In short, I think the design is sleek, cool, and modern, with a gentle touch of Nintendo’s toymaker whimsy.

In um, longer (I guess?), I think it has the same glossy and sophisticated high tech aesthetic as an Apple or Android product. It gives an air of complexity but also convenience. It appears to be both futuristic and easy to understand and it looks cool while doing so. It looks like a product gamers are going to want to proudly show off at home and on the road.

Oh and that beautiful black and grey finish?               

From a technical standpoint, the ways in which it covers the bases for both home and travel play are tremendously clever and for them all to revolve around a tablet (a universal device most people use every day) was a master stroke in hardware ingenuity. That and being able to take the controller apart and attach it to the tablet or use those two controller bits as separate controllers is totally rad!

The way things literally get switched around is kind of like playing around with Transformers and that’s something I think both kids and adults are going to be toying with...even if some of the older folks won’t admit it out loud. (Although, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about some of the youngest folks breaking or losing vital components).

Choosing carts over discs, while unfortunately disbarring generations-old philosophies of backwards compatibility, does offer its own set of advantages. Like flash memory, which offers faster load times, and the durability of a thick plastic casing that keeps data protected from scratches, smudges, and smears. They also happen to be more expensive to produce but thanks to Ninty’s connections, it can save a bundle on those costs. (Hopefully said savings will be passed on to customers and third-party partners).

Yeah, there are a few drawbacks but I’d say it’s a clever concept with an overall clever execution; at least from this current standpoint of looking in from the outside.

Nintendo has been Super Game Coy about the Switch’s pending software library but it did let a few things slip in the lead up to the reveal, as well as in the reveal itself.

image credit - Nintendo

Throughout the past couple years; Nintendo’s legendary Creative Fellow Shigeru Miyamoto has talked in certain interviews about projects he had conceptualized for what he called “next generation hardware.” Those projects were a new 3D Mario game (which we saw a split second of in the Switch reveal) and Pikmin 4. Mario should be released within the system’s first few months but Pikmin probably isn’t coming anytime soon, as Miyamoto noted that particular passion project had been pushed back several times due to popular IPs taking priority.

image source - The Pokemon Company

The Pokemon Company released a statement one month prior to the reveal in which it committed itself to creating a new game for the platform. Whether it’s a spin-off or the first ever mainline title made for home console remains Unown...at least that’s what Nintendo wants you to believe.  

image source - Nintendo

Getting back on track to the Switch reveal, two major upcoming releases raced through shells and ink to make the scene. Coming to the surprise of no one, Mario’s multi-million selling Kart racing spin-off is revving up for another lap on Switch, while the squids and kids of Wii U’s break-out hit (Splatoon) swim in from behind to offer their support. Release dates are currently classified but word on the street is they’ll be pulling into retail in time for Switch’s launch day celebration.

image source - Nintendo

Of course there’s also The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild; an epic adventure that’s been in development since before even the release of the Wii U. In the past year, it went from Ninty’s bet kept secret to the best game of E3 to the most anticipated title of 2017 (without a Red coating). There’s currently a lot of confusion as to when it will be released but more on that later. For now, let’s say before the summer solstice, The Hero of Time becomes The Hero of Switch.

I’d also be remised if I didn’t mention what (on the surface) appears to be an unprecedented amount of third-party support for a Nintendo product’s launch year.

image sources - SEGA, Square Enix, Ubisoft, TellTale Games, Warner Bros., Bethesda, Take-Two Interactive, ConcernedApe, Re-Logic, Tequila Works and GalaxyTrail.

From Sega, there’s Sonic Project 2017 (no, not that one). Square Enix is porting over Dragon Quest X and XI. Telltale is bringing its Guardians of the Galaxy tie-in. Ubisoft is pumping up the jams with Just Dance 2017. Warner Bros. is building a bridge with Lego City Undercover. Even indie darlings like Stardew Valley, Terraria, and the much anticipated releases of Rime and Freedom Planet 2 have been confirmed for the Switch’s eShop. Hmm...and I guess I shouldn’t forget Switch show stealers NBA 2K and the aforementioned Skyrim!

Editor’s Note: I know Bethesda and Take-Two have said those last two aren’t guaranteed for Switch, but come on. No one honestly believes those snippets were just gameplay demos. Even if they were, that fan support (especially from the Elder Scrolls crowd) is going to make those games happen on Switch.

BREAKING NEWS!

mock up made by me. Asset sources - Playtonic Games, Capcom and Nintendo

Playtonic Games’ spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie could also “Make the Switch.”

The company mentioned in a recent press release the Wii U version of Yooka-Laylee has been cancelled due to “unforeseen technical issues” and in an effort to make amends (aside from offering Kickstarter supporters a refund); the team is working closely with Nintendo to try and make a Switch port happen.

A great potential pick-up for the Switch, but also a bit of a bummer for those who put their in money for a Wii U port. I guess you’d call that bitter-sweetie.

Those who have followed Nintendo throughout its history in the gaming market know all too well The Big N tends to send a couple of its best hitters onto field at launch time; it’s just common sense. However, there’s an inescapable feeling coach Reggie is aiming for an astronomical batting average this time around.

Just take another quick gander at that roster: Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Mario Kart, Splatoon, 2K Sports, Skyrim, need I continue? Never has a Nintendo console launched with so many fan favourites at the ready, and with so much variety. Platformers; RPGs; racers; shooters; adventure games; dancing games; sports; games for the kids; games for the adults; games for the entire family. And apparently, that’s only scratching the surface.

Granted, there are still a few unanswered questions (which I’ll get to soon) but for right now, that surface level is looking mighty fine.

Here it is, the very famous and very first advertisement for the Nintendo Switch.  

Was it good? I liked it and I think most other people liked it too, based on the 22 million plus views and over 500K likes on Youtube...and the overwhelming praise on social media.

What makes it such a compelling commercial? It’s hard to narrow it down to just one reason so...for starters; it’s the appeal of seeing this one of a kind product in action for the first time. Observing each transformation of the controller/tablet combo with fresh eyes was really cool.

Secondly, it was quick, simple and to the point. Each transition was presented without verbal explanation but the way in which they were seamlessly injected into the go-go lifestyle of the actors, made it easy to understand the various ways in which Switch can be enjoyed.

Speaking of easy to understand, I just want to take a brief moment to say something I should have said earlier; I love the name Switch. It describes the console perfectly and it doesn’t leave room for any brand confusion. (I’m looking at you, Wii U!)

Oh and the song choice was great too. It’s fun, catchy and the “Be yourself” hook matches the eccentric nature of the Switch and paints Switch owners as unique. That’s the kind of mass market “individuality” Apple mastered back in 1984. (I also liked how the audio cues of each Joy-Con snap synched up to the music. That was beautiful)

image source - Nintendo

Editors Note: Is that bit at the end a pitch for a competitive Splatoon league? Cause I think eSports folks would sign up by the thousands. 

From a sales perspective, I guess you could say it was...

image source - Nintendo

Well...perhaps it isn’t perfect.

Some folks have the opinion the commercial faltered a little bit in that it didn’t feature any children.

Kids (younger kids especially) have always been the life blood of the wonderfully colourful worlds Miyamoto and company built and that always rang (perhaps at its most) true in Nintendo’s advertising. From the Zelda Rap to Train On, children have been at the forefront of every major campaign. So why leave them out of what is in all likelihood the most important campaign in company history?  

image sources - Nintendo and The Pokemon Company

It’s obvious this one ad isn’t the be-all end-all of the campaign but rather the beginning of something much, much larger. There will be a time to shine the spotlight on kids and their families and that time will be directly before launch. This introductory ad had to serve a more vital purpose than to ring in customers (those being the parents, obviously) who’d likely be on board regardless. What this spot had to do was reach out and get back all those mainstream millennials who had grown up with Nintendo, but left its Mushroom Kingdom behind back when their Wii’s collected their first speck of dust.   

image source - Nintendo

Whether or not Nintendo will win back the buying power of these wayward Gen X and Y’ers, time will have to tell. But given the record-setting Youtube numbers and the outpouring of excitement and enthusiasm shown across the web, it’s safe to say something about the Switch resonated with that much sought after crowd (as well as the rest of the mass market), which is something Nintendo could never accomplish with the Wii U.    

If I had but one criticism it would be it does come off a bit let’s say goofy and unrealistic at times. Like say, that one girl taking her game from her lavish loft apartment to a casual rooftop social (as we millennials, oh so rich with money, often do...I said sarcastically), or that moment in which a real-life basket ball game is broken up to kick-start a round of NBA 2K17 (seems logical).

Also, if you’re the kind of person who takes your dog for walk, only to ignore said dog in favour of a screen to glue your face to, I hate you. 

image source - Nintendo

Also, that’s not how you sit on a bench. Stupid idiot!

Looking back on it, the ad was pretty solid. Sure, it has a few slightly silly hiccups but it got the point across and presented what the product can do in a way that was fun and kind of exciting.

In closing: Ad=Good. Neglectful Dog Owner=Bad.

You’re kidding, right? Based on Nintendo’s marketing pitch, the Switch will allow players to take all of their favourite Nintendo and third-party games with them wherever they go, with HD fidelity and a variety of multiplayer options in tow. That’s pretty darn appealing, if you ask me.

Next section.

While Nintendo has been gracious enough to show us so much (without actually showing us so much), so many tantalizing secrets still remain on both the hardware and software fronts.

For example, what are the specs? What kind of quality dip can we expect from TV to tablet? How long will the tablet’s battery last? Are motion controls making a return? Will there be any peripherals? What changes are in store for the Nintendo Network? Will the Virtual Console receive an expansion? With so many developers coming forward as Switch partners, just how big is the launch line-up really?

image source - Nintendo

Editor’s Note: Seriously, look at this! It’s a virtual who’s who of the video game industry and they’re all on board with Nintendo this time around.

Oh and when exactly is this thing coming out...and how much is it going to cost?

Proper answers have been fairly scarce these past few months, likely because Nintendo wanted to shift focus on the holiday shopping season and everything it could sell in that most vital of time frames. Now with the shopping frenzy over and that merch moved, the Switch hype train can finally switch gears and come at us full steam in 2017, and it all begins next week with a massive two-part event.  

image source - Nintendo

It all kicks off late into the night of January 12, with a live Internet broadcast from Nintendo’s Japanese Headquarters, hosted by Mr. Kimishima. This event will present what all Nintendo fans have been craving, an in-depth look at the Switch’s hardware, as well as the initial catalogue of Switch games.

The fun continues the next morning with another livestream, this time broadcasting from Nintendo World in New York City and it’ll be hosted by Reggie and Bill and all of your Nintendo of America favourites. This will be similar to Nintendo’s E3 broadcast, in which the Treehouse crew and various developers kicked up a seat and played a selection of upcoming titles.

Much like any other Nintendo fan with a pulse, I’m excited! How could I not be?

When the build-up to the reveal is combined with the gap between the reveal and this upcoming press event, that’s nearly two years fans have waited for the NX/Switch to complete this pre-launch lap and finally come full circle.

By the time all is said and done, I firmly believe Nintendo will lay it all (or at least most of it) on the table for the world to see. Specs, games, accessories, prices...launch day; everything customers need to know before they make the Switch will be out in the open, and I can’t wait!

 Although, if you simply can’t wait another three whole days, I might just have a few answers to hold you over and by few, I mean a lot of ‘em. I should also note said information may not be what’s the word? Accurate.

This intel is (at the moment) the stuff of rumour and speculation and (as of this writing) hasn’t been confirmed by Nintendo so it’s best to approach it with a healthy bit of scepticism. But I will say the various reporters who shared this info have strong track records when it comes to calling this stuff, so make of it all what you will.

image source - Nvidia

On the specs front: It’s been widely reported the Switch’s core will be powered by Nvidia’s Maxwell and Tegra X1, which is a step behind its current generation of processors and will rank Switch somewhere slightly beneath the lower end of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. However, it can still run games of the current calibre of those systems...they just won’t look quite as nice. This also means no 4K gaming on Switch, which is just as well. Running games at such a high resolution wouldn’t work out so well for the tablet.

image credit - 20th Century Fox

As long as third-parties keep their promise to make all of their games universally playable between the standard and 4K variants of the competing consoles, porting Triple A titles to Switch shouldn’t be too much of a problem...barring some sort of unforeseen Uesque technical issue.

image source - Digital Foundry

I’m not one for understanding specs and clock speeds and CPUs and GPUs and such, as it’s all Greek to me. However, I can say (based on the Switch’s showing on The Tonight Show) I don’t think these specs are as bad as some people are making them out to be.

The world saw that when docked, Switch can play slick HD games in beautiful 1080p resolution and a clean and crisp frame rate of 60fps. And how could I forget the seamless transition to travel mode and the nice 720p high-def and 60fps on that tablet screen?

So when docked, the Switch has graphics that while not as cutting edge as PS4 or XBO, are slick and competitive enough to standout, and it also happens to be most powerful handheld ever made when in travel mode. So I think Switch is just fine in the graphics department...based on what I’ve seen.

Editor’s Note: If you want to check all of that spec stuff out, I highly recommend clicking on these great pieces from NeoGAF, Eurogamer’s Digital Foundry and Venture Beat.

I suppose one last thing I could cover about the systems specs would be memory. The Switch supposedly has internal storage of 32GB and (maybe?) a 128GB Micro SD card. Again, not quite up to snuff with the other guys, but that is a nice bit of storage to start with, especially if that is indeed the Micro SD’s file size.

image source - Nintendo

Battery life for the tablet is believed to be between three and five hours, which isn’t too shabby given what it has to offer. It’s just too bad the battery itself (allegedly) can’t be swapped out for a stronger one. Kind of weird, given Wii U’s GamePad had that option. 

Wide spread reports of Nintendo toying with the idea of the Joy-Cons having motion and gyroscopic control functionality were recently “confirmed” via a recent US patent office filing from The Big N itself. However, this does not guarantee either will be built into the final product.

image source - US Patent and Trademark Office

I mean, four-player split screen for a single tablet in travel mode was also patented and that’s probably not going to happen.

Motion controls are fun for certain games (like Wii Sports and such), so I’d welcome their inclusion. The gyroscope and its tilt mechanics on the other hand, can go jump in a river.

*Cough*

image source - US Patent and Trademark Office

Another possible confirmation that popped up in the patent is the Switch’s tablet screen having a touch interface.

Given this technology worked tremendously well with the DS handheld family, this isn’t much of a surprise and if part of the final product (which it most likely is), it would be another welcomed addition.

And if you’ve noticed the above image, I suppose I don’t need to tell you Nintendo’s interest in Switch VR has also been patented.

Considering the current craze, it is not at all surprising Mr. Kimishima would want a piece of that pie. The technology has grown immensely over the past decade (leaps and bounds, even) and shows tremendous promise, whether it’ll fully live up to its potential, remains to be seen but for the time being, there’s some money to be made in virtual reality.

image source - Ryan Salamandra

A VR headset is not the only hardware accessory Kimishima is hoping to add-on to the Switch, in fact, he’s hoping to launch a whole bunch of them into the marketplace.

As artist Ryan Salamandra demonstrates above, the customizable nature of the Switch’s Joy-Con/tablet setup opens up a plethora of possibilities. Personally, I would love to see a fight stick variant.

image source - Nintendo

Before moving on to the top secret games library, let’s take a brief moment to discuss the new Nintendo Network UI.

It will implement DeNA’s My Nintendo account system and Friend Codes are said to be (finally) a thing of the past. That’s it. That’s all anyone knows or claims to know at this point.

Alright, My Nintendo is great and I (along with most other Nintendo fans) would be oh so glad to see a permanent end to those tedious codes.They’re not nearly as intrusive as they used to be but still, why? Why do they exist!?

With the long parade of developers and publishers coming forward with a pledge of support for Switch, surely at least some of what they’ve got in works must’ve leaked out somehow, right? Well, Nintendo has done a very admirable job of keeping Switch info on lockdown but a few journalists have connections with certain (un-named) people in the know, so plenty of potential games have had their names published.

Editor’s Note: Just keep in mind even the most diligent of journalists can sometimes get it wrong.

I guess I should start off with the Virtual Console. Apparently it will expand on Switch to include GameCube games, something Nintendo fans have been requesting since the launch of the VC way back in the Wii era.

mock up made by me. assets source - Nintendo

The first inductees into the GC wing of the VC classics library are said to be Super Mario Sunshine, Super Smash Bros. Melee and Animal Crossing.

image source - Nintendo

While it doesn’t confirm anything, it’s also worth mentioning Nintendo recently renewed its claim to the Eternal Darkness trademark (as it does every few years). This could point to a Switch port via the Virtual Console or Nintendo is just protecting the IP. 

mock ups made by me. asset sources - Nintendo and Ubisoft

Now to quit living in the past and move on to some stuff that’s all hip and current; like for example, the Wii U.

According to reputable Nintendo news reporter Emily Rogers, the best and brightest of the Wii U will be repackaged and (in most cases) re-designed (with new content) for Switch. These titles include Super Smash Bros. IV, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and Super Mario Maker. The previously unveiled Mario Kart and Splatoon games are also said to be classified as advanced ports.

As far as brand-new stuff goes, there’s chatter about Ubisoft’s highly anticipated Beyond Good & Evil 2 eventually getting made and put on Switch as a 12-month exclusive.

There are also claims by Laura Kate Dale (whose been a real tour de force when it comes to reporting all things Switch) that Ubisoft and Nintendo are teaming up to make a Mario & Luigi and Rabbids RPG crossover, which was apparently set for launch but is now delayed until September.

Both of these Ubisoft titles should make for fascinating spectacles, if real.

And according to Rogers, Next Level Games is said to be developing Luigi’s Mansion 3. That sounds like scary good fun.

Editor’s Note: Monolith Software is also said to be working on an all-new project, aside from the XCX port.

*Sigh*

Speaking of ghosts, if you’d allow me to tiptoe back to the Virtual Console, I should probably address a rather persistent rumour that refuses to die.

Several times over the past decade, fan demand and industry chatter (and one infamous case of Nintendo banter) appeared to be pointing to an official English release of the GBA cult classic Mother 3. Both Dale and Rogers are reporting that Lucas and his crew are finally ready to steal America’s hearts (for realises this time) on Switch... :/

Right; did any other games get leaked out? Well, there are two more potential ports to talk about.

mock up made by The Know. asset sources - Nintendo and The Pokemon Company

Games media across the Internet have been buzzing about what The Pokemon Company has in store for the system. Word on the street is GameFreak has been commissioned to craft an HD upgrade of Pokemon Sun & Moon, called Pokemon Stars and much like every other third step Pokemon title, Stars would be packed with new content. Not bad for what would be the first ever mainline entry made for a home console. 

mock up made by me. asset sources - Nintendo, From Software, Namco Bandai and The ESRB

LKD came across another juicy tidbit not too long ago. Maybe juicy isn’t the right word, perhaps dusty...or dead?

According to her sources, From Software will be bringing its nightmarishly tough Dark Souls series to the Switch, starting with a port of Dark Souls III and maybe even remasters of I and II.

image source - Epic Games

Aside from that, not much game wise has leaked out.

An Epic Games rep recently said we can expect “many games” built with Unreal Engine 4 to Switch it up. I don’t know what those games are but it’s nice to get some confirmation that the Switch’s processor can handle the latest of what Unreal has to offer...at least to a degree.

image source - Square Enix

Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata is on record saying he’d “love to make games for Switch.” A nice sentiment and Square Enix is a confirmed Switch partner studio, but whether or not either of those things results in a FFXV port for Nintendo’s new hardware remains to be seen...but hopefully it does.

image source - Nintendo

Oh right, according to Dale and Rogers, Super Mario Switch (name pending?) is all but finished and will be on store shelves alongside the console on launch day. Of all the major titles to be available on launch day, this one would make the most sense. 

image source - Nintendo

Also said to be ready for launch day is Breath of the Wild, at least in North America and maybe Japan.

Dale’s connections seem unsure of this, as Nintendo has kept this info locked up as if it were a Hookshot (or a pair of Heavy Boots...or something). As a result, she has had to change her report more than once but currently, her intel has BotW slated for the Switch’s launch in North America and Japan. Unfortunately, gamers in Europe might have to wait until June.

Whether it comes out in March or June or even December, Zelda fans will flock to Switch for a chance to breathe in the wild. Although, it’d be preferable and more idea if migration happened on launch day.

Editor’s Note: As I said before, I believe it would be available in all regions by the end of June.

By the way, when is launch day? Officially, Nintendo is waiting until the first livestream to reveal that but the mass consensus in the games media is that a world-wide launch is happening on March 17.

That’s not a bad day to launch, but it’s still a bit odd Switch missed Christmas 2016, although I guess it’s better to wait until all of the launch games are done before jumping the gun and launching the console...I see you, Wii U!

image sources - Toys R Us and GAME UK

One more thing, Toys R Us Canada recently had Switch listed for $329.99 CAD, while GAME UK listed it for £249.99 with a pack-in game and £199.99 without. Meanwhile, Japanese business outlet Nikkei has dug up a ¥25,000 price tag for Japan.

Any way you slice it, all signs point to a $249.99 USD price tag being revealed this week.

For an all-in-one console like the Switch, $250 is a darn good price and certainly competitive given the costly nature of a PlayStation or Xbox. (I only wish the Canadian Loonie wasn’t so weak right now)

asset sources - Nintendo and GIMP

Phew, that was a lot to unravel and according to mostly everyone with their ear to the figurative grind stone (or I guess in this case, I dunno...a Leaf Stone?), I haven’t even scratched the surface. (In fairness, neither have they)

For all the sleuthing journalists and dedicated fans were able to do, they could only gather so many pieces of the puzzle and it seems most (if not all) will legitimately fit into Nintendo’s larger plan, but there are so many left to uncover.

We don’t know how the network interface will operate.

The possibility of VR is the only real clue we’ve got in terms of hardware add-ons.

Not to mention that for all of the games we know are coming and for the sheer volume of leaked titles (again, I think the majority are real), we still haven’t seen what the likes of Capcom, Bandai Namco, Level-5, EA, Activision, Atlus, Platinum Games and so many others have in store.

Heck, we all know Nintendo’s got more in the works than just Mario, Zelda and ports of Wii U stuff. Snap, Sakurai is working on something other than Smash for flip’s sake!

Between the intrigue of the leaks and the pile of secrets that have yet to come to light, Thursday night and Friday morning can’t get here fast enough!

If you’ve made it this far, I thank you for sticking with me (and I promise, future instalments will be shorter). With that said, I hope you don’t hate me for saying this but...I can’t render a final verdict.

From what’s been presented through official channels and uncovered by the media, Switch shows a lot of promise and I am greatly impressed with what I saw. However, I need all the facts before I can make a fair and proper judgement.

So my final thoughts on the Switch’s grand debut are...Inconclusive.

Crank that dial back to TTT next time and I’ll be sure to finish this once and for all with my reactions to the Direct and Treehouse livestreams.  

Research Sources: Tech Crunch, Time, Nerdist, The Know, GameXplain, The Verge, Gamer Informer, Eurogamer, Polygon, Tech Radar, Ars Technica, SEGA, NeoGAF, Let’s Play Video Games, Arcade Girl 64, Digital Foundry, Siliconera, VG24/7, Playtonic Games, Digital Trends, Venture Beat, IGN, Engadget, The Tonight Show and Nintendo