“expose”
If video game development around the world suddenly stopped and you could only play games that have already been released, how would you handle it? Would you get bored of games if they didn’t advance technologically at all? Do you think you’d enjoy being exposed to genres and series you wouldn’t normally play? How would you direct your gaming time?
Daniel
Personally, my current backlog would probably see me out. There are entire series that I’ve never touched, so while I’d be disappointed to never ride the zeitgeist of a new release again (and who doesn’t love the smell of new hardware?), there’s such a rich history of games to experience — and so many banjo replays to enjoy — I’d manage are good. – Ed.
“being picky”
To whom it may concern
I love Joy Mech Fight. It’s a great fighting game, and on the NES (well Famicom if we’re being picky) no less. I just recently started playing it and figured it out. 3 of my top 5 NES games are from 1993.
There was still life in the old man before he was put to sleep, and what a wonderful life it was!In case you’re wondering (you probably aren’t) this is my order:
Top 5 NES games
1. Mr. Gimmick (1993)
2. Kirby’s Adventure (1993)
3. Ufouria: Saga (1991)
4. Dr. Mario (1990) (yes, I like it this much)
5. Joy Mech Fight (1993)
From,
Casey
Very nice – some underrated Sunsoft gems in there. 1993 was a good vintage. And thank you for reminding me to check out Joy Mech Fight on NSO. – Ed.
“satirical as it is”
Greeting!
I would like to know why there is no ‘Comedy’ video game genre. I would say that there are a lot of satirical games such as: Untitled Goose Game, Stanley Parable, Portal, and there are probably more. So why isn’t comedy a genre of games like movies?
OswaldTheLuckyGamer
Probably because it’s so hard to pull off. Timing is of the essence in Conedy, and control is incredibly difficult in an interactive medium without just directing the player to ‘ride’ the rails or switch to a scene. You could have the funniest script in the world, but if the line is delivered a fraction too early or too late, or overlaps with the trigger for the next one, it’s all for naught.
The Stanley Parable and Portal are probably the best examples ever made, constantly using clever little distractions and tricks to make dialogue spontaneous or draw your attention to something you might have missed entirely if you were looking the other way. Those games are illusory marvels in how they deliver their comedy. Weaving it into a video game requires magic and a complete mastery of design, and most developers simply don’t have the talent and sense to do so. – Ed.
“pretty bad”
Square Enix’s new release strategy aims to develop high-profile games for as many platforms as possible. At the same time, games like FF and KH are always looking for the best possible graphics available. Since Nintendo is going their own way (probably with weaker hardware than the competition), do you think there’s a chance we’ll be playing the next numbered FF and KH on Switch 2? I personally doubt it. They certainly appeal to Nintendo’s audience, but hardware-intensive third-party games often look pretty bad on the Switch.
RenanKJ
I wouldn’t be surprised to see numbered entries in those franchises appear on future Nintendo hardware, though recouping the investment in existing games first will mean ports that weren’t viable on the current console, I imagine. PC is an easier audience to chase, but if the Switch 2 blows the doors off like the Switch did, the SE will want to be there for it. – Ed.
“complete dreary silence”
Do you know why I still love my 3DS and Wii U more than the Switch, even though the Switch is arguably the most popular console ever? Well, I have one word for you: PERSONALIZATION.
I will never miss the abundance of themes, the carefully crafted piece of music for each screen, the Miiverse, the addictive e-commerce tunes that “encouraged” you to spend more time looking for fun games… and the Switch has none of that! Happily spending hours in the Switch e-shop in complete dreary silence.
I honestly can’t believe we’re at the end of the Switch’s life cycle and yet when you open up the theme selection you can only choose between white and black… Bro that’s just not it… Oh and On that subject the touch screen touch on Switch is so underutilized it’s insane!
Out Le Grumpy Potato!
Agreed on all fronts. The home screen needs a Spice Orange theme. eShop needs a bop. – Ed.
“friend in the country”
Greetings NL team!
I’m wondering if there are any plans to extend Nintendolife eshop codes/credits outside of the current regions? I’m in New Zealand (hello 2am Nintendo Directs) and would love to support the website via commission! Just the incentive I need to buy more credits in the eshop and hopelessly fill my backlog…
PS I know about the region change, but I have game sharing set up with a friend in the country and I don’t want to accidentally lock them
SkywardPumpkin
Having looked at this, the available regions are dictated by where Famehype (NL’s code selling partner) operates, and a NZ option isn’t something we’re likely to see anytime soon, unfortunately.
Silver lining: Maybe one day you’ll just finish your backlog? – Ed.
“reverse scale”
Hello! As you recall, which Switch games were the best received (in terms of sales, Metacritic scores, etc.) in inverse proportion to how they were previously praised in official company showcases and such?
The answer would reflect more on the marketing behind the game rather than the quality of the game itself, but it could be informative in the context of resource allocation and how some good games can be overlooked, especially when you consider the effort put into producing something like Nintendo Direct .
Keep up the good work!
Zalapski
Hard question. On the front end, anything that’s well-received by critics tends to get a similar marketing push. I can’t remember a single Nintendo game that was brilliant without them telling everyone. Advance Wars Re-Boot Camp, perhaps, though for obvious reasons of sensitivity. They kept Everybody 1-2-Switch pretty quiet — as you would — but great games? You’ll never get a good Nintendo game that people sleep on these days.
Apart from the first things, it seemed like Balatro appeared ‘out of nowhere’ this year. More precisely, he failed to grab my attention in preparation before publication. I could retreat to a private island if I had a coin for every email with ‘roguelike deckbuilder’ in the subject line, and card games are rarely announcement-friendly, so it took a while before I got back and finally got around to it. Hell of a game, but it was a case of, ‘Hmm, okay, we power I missed something here.’ – Ed.
Bonus letters
“If there was a nuclear disaster hundreds of years from now that wiped out the world’s population, would a new Mario game still be released?” – HotGoomba
Almost certainly. I thought the industry had finally calmed down on zombie games, but Nintendo is often late to the party. – Ed.
“Sonic Frontiers 2 may introduce a new hedgehog character.“- scottdevine48
Isn’t there already enough misery and suffering in the world? – Ed.
“I hope Nintendo Life is not for old school nostalgia and against new ideas, new directions and accessibility.“- Marshal Gordeuk
Can we have some from column A and ALL from column B? – Ed.
“I recently played Superstar Saga and just finished Joke’s End. The music made it much more painful than it should have been – a 5 second loop played continuously throughout the hour long dungeon.
What kind of amateur composer would make something like- Yoko Shimomura?! – Munchlax
After listening to this, I’ll include it at the end to lighten my load and share the pain with everyone reading. I pray. – Ed.
That’s all for this month! Thanks to everyone who chimed in, regardless of whether you were listed above or not.
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