Jim Norman, staff writer
I have a little bit of everything for this weekend. I love getting involved in the Grand Festival Big Run in Splatoon 3 before the ultimate Splatfest next week. I also have NBA 2K25 ready and ready for hopefully not another disappointing year of gaming (look out for my thoughts soon).
But things might change since I made the stupid mistake of starting a new one Ring of fire save the file right at the beginning the month of games. It’s been a huge waste of time for the past seven days, but with new releases already creeping in, I don’t know how long my tainted mistake will last.
Ollie Reynolds, staff writer
I want to play Final Fantasy IV this weekend – but which version should I play? I have the original SNES version, the GBA port, PSP ‘Complete Collection’DS remake and Pixel Remaster Switch version. Gosh, I don’t know… I like the weight and voice acting in the DS version, but the practicality of running it on Switch is undeniable.
While I’m thinking (and maybe you guys can help me decide), I’ll play of course Astro Bot on PS5. How could I not?! People are calling it ‘Super Mario 64’ for the PlayStation, and yes, it took the company years to get to this point, but who cares? I can’t wait to dive in.
Alex Olney, Senior Video Producer
I have to admit something. Despite my bones telling me otherwise last week, I did not actually complete Half life 2. I decided instead that my time was better spent replacing the fill valve on my downstairs toilet, and in doing so opened a Pandora’s box of other problems such as broken washers, confusing stubborn decisions and a leaking cistern.
So this weekend? I don’t know, I’ll probably run the vacuum around and find I’ve picked up some carrier dust or something, and console myself with more Roller Coaster Tycoon.
Tom Massey, Associate
This weekend I’ll be sitting down and sweating profusely with Capcom’s new Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection. One of us will go through the colander. To cut the edge, I’m going to cozy up with a new retro-style Rugrats game to see if it’s worth its weight in baby powder. Hopefully they will retain the show’s charm, but not at the expense of thoughtful stage design.
When it’s all written, I’ll be back in DoDonPachi Re:Incarnation remix mode, because that elusive one credit is just inches out of reach!
Gavin Lane, editor
I was supposed to play DKC, but Can of Wormholes is distracting me. It’s a great little puzzler that, along with World of Goo 2, will occupy my GOTY 2024 puzzle — absolutely worth checking out if you like to keep your gray matter lean.
Plus I can’t wait to try out Shogun Showdown after reading PJ’s great review. And Pizza Tower won’t play itself, nor Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn or Castlevania Dominus Collection. Lots to go on! Have a great time, folks.
Nile Bowie, associate
I wife and I tried a rhythmic game based on drums Taiko no Tatsujin first time at the playhouse this week and I was delighted. I got a good deal on a great drum control peripheral for the Switch and picked up a copy of Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, so we’ll be doing our best to stay on the beat this weekend.
Elsewhere, I’ll be working a shift on Splatoon 3 for the Big Run event to help deliver that insane quota of 700 million eggs and I plan to relax before bed with Emio – The Smiling Man, which I got into early but am enjoying so far, and curious to see how the plot thickens. But there was not so much thematic focus on eggplants in a Nintendo game since the last Kid Icarus.
Kate Gray, Associate
I have my family left, which means a lot less gaming than usual. But in my downtime I was playing Core Keeper on Xbox! It’s pretty fun — I played it in very early access and it’s come a long way since then. I’m three bosses short and I think I have a lot more to do, so I’ll probably keep playing for a while.
But now I’m done with Ace Attorney, it makes me a little sad. I need more murder mysteries!
Alana Hagues, Deputy Editor
I’m enjoying the Castlevania Dominus collection and loving every second of it. It’s nice to play games slower than usual. I was considering 100% Zora before I remembered how horrible the soul drop rate is, so I switched to Ruin Portrait, which I think is very underrated.
I’d like to start Crypt Custodian soon too – I still need to play Islets and Sheepo, so I’ve got a lot of good Metroidvania ahead of me. But I’m also finally playing my third that game, Memories at Celceton Steam Deck. I’m kind of shocked this isn’t on Switch yet, but for now Celceta is a good, fun time.
Ethan Zack, Contributor
This weekend I’m diving deeper into Emio – The Smiling Man: The Detective Club Famicom. I’m starting to piece together some very important details about the case and it’s making my mind go a mile a minute. The prime suspect? Whoever I’m talking to at the time. Call me paranoid, but I’ve played, read, and watched enough murder mysteries to know that one of these smiling morons is just waiting for the right moment to stab me in the back. No one is beyond doubt!
I like to start my spooky gaming season early every year to get as many miles out of it as possible, so I can dive into the recent Resident Evil (1996) port on the computer. A cup of fine spiced tea and a nostalgic encounter with a few scary demons is all I need to get into the autumn spirit.
Oliver Revolta, associate
Playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder with my girlfriend was an experience that lasted not much more than twenty minutes. She put her controller down and that first and last time we played a game together was done and dusted.
I latest attempt to get her to play games is a taste of her homeland – Venba. I have no idea what to expect or if we’ll be playing it for long, but after Nintendo Life’s 8/10 review, I’m at least looking forward to it.
Craig Reid, Associate
I will spend most of this weekend lazing in bed with my wife. She’s a little sick at the moment. So, in the spirit of making the most of our TV time, I’ll hook up the Switch to play co-op games like Snipperclips, Mario Party Superstars, and visit her island on Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You know, comfortable classics!
Oh, and I’m also happy to go back to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, because Brotherhood looks fine!
Is Space Marine 2 on the switch? No, ah, hell. Have a great weekend, folks!
That’s what we have planned for the weekend, what about you? You can let us know which game you’ll be running in the following poll, then share what else you have on your cards in the comments.
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