[Let’s Talk] Zelda: Breath of the Wild – The Master Trials DLC
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch, Wii U | 42 Comments
This week, Nintendo delivered substantial news about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s first wave of DLC. The debut pack, titled The Master Trials, is still on track for the summer.
There’s more to the DLC than originally announced. You’ll be getting a new Hard Mode, Trial of the Sword challenge, Hero’s Path Mode to track routes taken on the map, Travel Medallion for a designated warp point, and Korok Mask to more easily track Koroks. Oh, and a bunch of new equipment is being prepared based on fan-favorite games and characters including Midna, Tingle, Phantom and Majora’s Mask.
How do you feel about the DLC thus far? Is there one element of the pack in particular that interests you more than anything else? Or are you just feeling indifferent about it all? Share your thoughts with us below.
Highlights from last week’s topic: The New 2DS XL
[Interview] Saber Interactive talks NBA Playgrounds, Switch version, developing for the system
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Interviews, Switch eShop | 5 Comments
On Tuesday, Switch will have its first sports game. Saber Interactive will be releasing NBA Playgrounds, which just so happens to be the company’s debut title on a Nintendo platform.
We recently spoke with Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch to learn more about NBA Playgrounds just ahead of its release. Karch chatted with us about the art style, roster, modes, update plans, and more. He also spoke about the Switch version, what it’s like making games for the system, and future support on the console. If that wasn’t enough, there’s an interesting note about how the 2007 shooter TimeShift nearly ended up on Nintendo platforms.
Continue on below for our full interview.
[Review] TumbleSeed
Posted on 7 years ago by Jakob Vujovic(@jakovujo) in Reviews, Switch eShop | 15 Comments
System: Switch (eShop)
Release date: May 2, 2017
Developer: aeiowu
Publisher aeiowu
The first thing that hit me upon playing TumbleSeed is how tactile it feels. Even as I was hopelessly fumbling and rolling my seed, making inconsequential progress up the game’s procedurally generated mountain, its textured soundtrack, satisfyingly percussive sound effects, and bright bubbly visuals kept me going – at least until I had a better grasp on the game. As it turns out, TumbleSeed is an excellent roguelike.
More: aeiowu, highlight, top, TumbleSeed
[Let’s Talk] The New 2DS XL
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Let's Talk | 27 Comments
Probably the biggest piece of Nintendo news this week was the reveal of the New 2DS XL. A new hardware announcement was definitely unexpected – especially another iteration of the 3DS.
But here we are. The 2DS XL exists. It’s like a combination of the New 3DS XL and 2DS, so it makes sense that the $150 price point also falls between the two.
Many of the New 3DS XL features are here. You’re getting the same large screen, power, and built-in NFC support. There’s no stereoscopic 3D support, but the system is lighter.
So what does everyone make of the New 2DS XL? Do you have any interest in it at all? Do you believe it’s smart for Nintendo to be introducing another model of the 3DS? Let us know in the comments below.
Highlights from last week’s topic: Potential SNES Mini games
[Review] Puyo Puyo Tetris
Posted on 7 years ago by Jakob Vujovic(@jakovujo) in Reviews, Switch | 40 Comments
System: Switch
Release date: April 25, 2017
Developer: SEGA / Sonic Team
Publisher SEGA
Puyo Puyo Tetris – a crossover of Puyo Puyo and Tetris – has been around in Japan since 2014, having released on just about every platform. With the Switch version as a Japanese launch title, it’s finally getting localized, albeit two months late. It goes without saying that Tetris is well known in the west with its release on every platform imaginable, though SEGA’s Puyo Puyo series is far less renowned internationally as it is in Japan. The last time a Puyo Puyo game saw an official international release was on GameCube in 2004.
More: highlight, Puyo Puyo Tetris, SEGA, top
Join our news team – night shift position open
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Site updates | 7 Comments
All submissions are now closed. To those who showed interest in the position, we will need your writing samples no later than this Wednesday (4/26). We’re looking to make a final decision by the end of this coming week!
We are still accepting submissions, but will be closing things off on Wednesday (4/19). Please keep the times below in mind. Also note that this is a non-paid position.
All initial emails have been responded to. If you haven’t seen any messages, check your spam folder!
Hello!
Jake has been doing a standout job since he joined us over a year ago. However, some personal changes are taking place, which is requiring him to relinquish his role. Jake is still on board with us, but we’ll have a rare vacancy with the night shift very soon.
The times we’re looking to fill are as follows:
– 9 PM PT – 12:30 / 1 AM PT
– 12 AM ET – 3:30 / 4 AM ET
– 5 AM in the UK – 8:30 / 9 AM in the UK
– 6 AM in Europe- 9:30 / 10 AM in Europe
– 2 PM GMT+10 (Sydney, Australia) – 5:30 / 6 PM GMT+10
The ideal person we bring in would be available Monday – Friday at the times listed above. That being said, we’re not entirely opposed to having two people tackle the position and split up the days. It’ll really come down to interest in the position, who’s applying, etc.
If you’d like to apply, please send a brief message here (select “Other”). I’ll follow up with everyone in the coming days.
[Let’s Talk] Potential SNES Mini games
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 23 Comments
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
[Review] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Posted on 7 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 30 Comments
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.
More: highlight, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, top
[Let’s Talk] April 2017 Nintendo Direct reactions
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Let's Talk, Switch | 39 Comments
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
[Let’s Talk] Future feature additions on Switch
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 36 Comments
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.
