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A big rumor surfaced this week about Nintendo potentially creating a SNES Mini for release later this year. Whether or not that actually happens remains to be seen. But with the NES Classic Edition / NES Mini being such a big hit, the possibility is certainly there.

So let’s say that Nintendo does move forward with the SNES Mini. What games would you like to be included? Titles such as Super Mario World and Zelda: A Link to the Past would probably be safe bets. Are there any far out games you’d like to see though? What would be your dream lineup? Let us know in the comments below.

Highlights from last week’s topic: April 2017 Nintendo Direct reactions

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System: Switch
Release date: April 28, 2017
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher Nintendo


Two years ago, I wrote an article on my relationship with Mario Kart and how Mario Kart 8 revitalized the series. In making that game, Nintendo reignited the magic I used to feel towards the franchise during the N64 and GameCube days. Mario Kart 8 shed a whole new light on kart racers and the potential they had at a time where most felt stale or rehashed, with Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed being the new “king” of that genre before Mario Kart 8 returned to reclaim. Now in 2017, we’re back with the definitive version of one of Wii U’s best titles on its successor, the Nintendo Switch, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It’s as extravagant and beautiful as it was on Wii U, but this time with a revamped battle mode, all DLC included, a few new features, and plenty to love all over again.

The latest Nintendo Direct aired this past week. Nintendo originally announced it as a broadcast focusing on Arms and Splatoon 2, but in the end, there was quite a bit more than that.

Nintendo started out with 3DS. We were given a new name for Pikmin (Hey! Pikmin) and a release date, a date for Ever Oasis, news about Monster Hunter Stories, Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters and Miitopia all coming west, followed by three Kirby 3DS titles. Bye-Bye BoxBoy! also launched in North America after the presentation.

Some news about amiibo was also shared. The three rumored Zelda amiibo were confirmed. Nintendo is bringing out the final Smash Bros. amiibo this summer, along with alternate versions for each. Hey! Pikmin and Splatoon 2 are also getting amiibo.

Speaking of Splatoon 2, it was dated for July 21 and the new Salmon Run mode was revealed. Arms, Nintendo’s other big Switch game for the summer, is planned for June 16. The new character Min Min was introduced plus a 2-v-2 option. Third-party highlights include Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition on May 11, plus Namco Museum, Fate/Extella, Monopoly, Sine Mora EX, Battle Chasers: Nightwar, and Payday 2.

The Nintendo Direct also snuck in some hardware news. New Neon Yellow Joy-Con are launching with Arms in addition to a Battery Pack accessory. Finally, the standalone Switch dock is set for May 19.

For a Nintendo Direct that’s just two months off from E3, I personally thought it wasn’t too shabby. A personal highlight for myself is Monster Hunter Stories, which I was praying would be made available in North America and Europe. But what about you guys? Were you impressed or disappointed? What was your favorite announcement? Let us know in the comments below.

Highlights from last week’s topic: Future feature additions on Switch

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Switch’s launch took place just over a month ago. With that in mind, I thought it might be interesting to have a discussion about features we’d like to see added in the future.

Switch definitely isn’t a static system. Heck, no console is these days. Companies always update their platforms with firmware updates throughout the years.

Switch’s OS is incredibly slick and fast, but it’d be tough to say that it isn’t lacking a bit in terms of features. If there’s one thing I’ve seen, it’s that users want the ability to manage saves and transfer them. With Switch already supporting some browser functionality – such as when you connect to certain hotspots – a dedicated internet browser wouldn’t hurt. You’ll also always have some Switch owners who’d like to be able to watch video content on the likes of Netflix.

Those are just a few random ideas. What features do you hope to see implemented in Switch in the future? Share your thoughts with us below.

Highlights from last week’s topic: What are you playing? – April 2017

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A new month is here! We’ve just entered April, so that means we want to know what you’ve been playing.

Have you started up something entirely new for the month? Still playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild? Or maybe you’ve moved on to something else on Switch like Snake Pass. Whatever the case, let us know in the comments below!

Highlights from last week’s topic: Splatoon 2 Global Testfire impressions

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System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: March 28, 2017
Developer: Sumo Digital
Publisher Sumo Digital


There are a lot of short tips that cycle through the brief loading screens of Snake Pass. The most helpful was perhaps the most obvious: “Remember, think like a snake.” I wouldn’t be entirely satisfied categorizing this as a physics-based puzzle game. Calling it a platformer is closer, but you can’t jump. Stick this game into any established category and you’ll find that its slithery nature slips right back out. Snake Pass is, mechanically speaking, a sort of deconstruction of the 3D platformer. It’s not quite like anything I’ve ever played.

System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: March 3, 2017
Developer: Tokyo RPG Factory
Publisher Square Enix


Sometimes nostalgia gets the best of us. We look back on the vast history of video games and how far we’ve come, what’s changed and what hasn’t, for better or for worse. There are certain mechanics that evolve so much over time throughout all genres that we tend to forget how things once were when they became innovative for their time. The RPG genre has come a long way, stepping away from the linearity and turn-based tradition and heading more towards an open-world and free-form combat in a flashy hack-n-slash fashion. Sometimes, however, you want to go back to basics and back to a time that makes you fall in love with the genre all over again and elicits strong feelings of nostalgia and purity that may have faded over time as we’ve grown. I Am Setsuna brings us back to the 90’s at a time when Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, Parasite Eve, and a slew of other Square titles were pushing a new wave of gameplay with their Active Time Battle systems – ATB for short – where you could attack at any given point once a meter was filled rather than wait your turn in a chess-like fashion like traditional RPGs. I Am Setsuna not only brings us back to a time where RPGs were at their best thanks to their deep worlds, battle systems, and innocent art styles, but brings with it a reimagining to a forgotten style of gameplay that feels fantastic to have back in a modern take.

Splatoon 2 will be ready sometime this summer. However, Nintendo has been giving fans an early taste of the game with Splatoon 2 Global Testfire. Hour-long sessions have been taking place since yesterday, allowing players to battle against others online.

How many of you have had a chance to give Splatoon 2 Global Testfire a go? What do you think of the controls and new Muscle Musselforge Fitness stage? Did any of you skip the first title and might be willing to give this one a shot? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Highlights from last week’s topic: Which indie games are you looking forward to on Switch?

The verdict is out on just how much third-party support Switch will receive. If there’s anything we can count on though, it’d be indie support.

The Switch Nindies Showcase from the end of February proved just how much smaller developers are comitted to the platform. SteamWorld Dig 2, Runner3, Flipping Death, and Wargroove were just some of the games announced.

These aren’t dinky little games we’re talking about here. The SteamWorld series has received wide acclaim. Everyone knows just how good the Runner games are. Flipping Death is the spiritual successor to Stick it to the Man. Wargroove should interest Advance Wars fans who haven’t been shown much love lately.

And again, this is just a tip of the iceberg. Yooka-Laylee, Stardew Valley, Pocket Rumble, Shakedown Hawaii, TumbleSeed, Graceful Explosion Machine, Overcooked, and Thumper are among the many titles in the pipeline. Even better, most of these titles are coming this year.

So what’s on your radar right now? Are there any games in particular that tickle your fancy? Let us know below!

Highlights from last week’s topic: What are you playing? – March 2017

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We’re a little ways into March, so we want to know what everyone is up to with their gaming sessions as of late. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is no doubt something that many of you are playing, but I’m willing to bet there are at least a few of you out there who are spending your time with something else. Plus, I know some folks enjoy going through more than one game at once.

So what are you playing right now? Is Zelda: Breath of the Wild indeed taking up most of your time? Let us know in the comments below.

Highlights from last week’s topic: Your impressions of Switch and Zelda: Breath of the Wild

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