[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – January 2025
Posted on 4 weeks ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 0 comments
Along with a new month, a new year also just started. Now that we’re in January, we want to know what you’ve been playing.
Things have been quiet the past couple of weeks in terms of releases. Still, there’s plenty to play out there. Did you get anything new for the holidays? Playing something from your backlog? No matter the case, let us know in the comments.
These 5 fighters need a new Final Smash in the next Smash Bros. game
Posted on 1 month ago by Ethan in Features, Switch | 0 comments
With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate turning seven years old not too long ago, we’ve reached this sort of impasse within the series. Many are wondering where it’s headed next and how could it possibly be surpassed – especially given that Ultimate will be playable on Nintendo’s new hardware via backwards compatibility. We think the most likely solution is a new Smash game with fewer characters and stages, but with reworks and new moves provided to its veterans. One aspect of each fighter that could use a refresh are their Final Smashes. These powerful and cinematic moves are the cornerstone of each fighter’s moveset – in casual play, that is. But to this day, some fighters’ Final Smashes are outdated or no longer accurately represent them. We’ve come up with five particular characters who need new Final Smashes in the next Smash, as well as ideas for what those new attacks might look like.
More: highlight, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, top
Why Yoshi’s Woolly World deserves a second chance on Nintendo Switch
Posted on 1 month ago by Ethan in Features, Switch, Wii U | 0 comments
Of all the Wii U titles that haven’t made the jump to Nintendo Switch, Yoshi’s Woolly World is absolutely one of the most deserving.
Early on in the Switch’s life span, Nintendo filled what would have otherwise been gaps in their release schedule with plenty of Wii U ports. Between Super Mario 3D World, Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Bros. U, and especially Mario Kart 8, many of that console’s best-received titles found new life on Nintendo Switch. Lately though, we haven’t been seeing many Wii U ports at all. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition could be counted as one, but between the graphical overhaul and added story content, one could argue that it goes beyond that.
The point is, we likely won’t be seeing many more Wii U ports on Nintendo Switch or even Switch 2. Nintendo has, for the most part, ported all of its heavy hitters. However, we’re now talking about one particular Wii U game that has sort of fallen into obscurity: Yoshi’s Woolly World.
More: Good Feel, highlight, top, Yoshi's Woolly World
Nintendo needs to put these DS games on Nintendo Switch Online
Posted on 1 month ago by Ethan in DS, Features, Switch 2 | 0 comments
With the imminent reveal and eventual release of Nintendo’s next hardware, it’s safe to assume that we’ll eventually be seeing more retro platforms become available on Nintendo Switch Online. And with confirmation that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with standard Switch software, it’s also safe to assume that its Virtual Console-esque offerings won’t be starting over with the NES. Many would tell you that GameCube is the next platform Nintendo should add to their online services, and that makes sense – but given how large these games are (plus the presence of many remakes and ports on Switch, including Metroid Prime Remastered, both Pikmin games, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, and more), this seems unlikely. That said, the most likely platform to come to Nintendo Switch Online would be Nintendo DS. The Wii U actually had Nintendo DS games available for download on the eShop, so there’s some precedent here. And since Nintendo Switch lacks a microphone needed to play certain DS games, it’d make sense to wait for Switch 2 to release these titles back to the public.
So today, we’re looking at several DS games that Nintendo needs to add to Switch Online if or when the company does decide to add this platform to its lineup. Note that we’re only discussing likely games here – as great as the Pokemon titles on the DS are, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll ever be released this way – especially not when Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are already available and would be backwards compatible.
More: highlight, Nintendo Switch Online, top
Mario & Luigi: Brothership devs explain change in composers, finding ‘Mario-ness’ following Miyamoto feedback
Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
The developers of Mario & Luigi: Brothership have opened up about what it was like creating music for the game, including shifting composers from Yoko Shimomura to Hideki Sakamoto and some initial feedback from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto. This information comes from a Famitsu interview with director Haruyuki Ohashi and producer Akira Otani.
Shimomura previously handled music for the series previously. However, with the franchise seeing various changes including Acquire taking on development, Otani said they “decided to get a fresh start”.
More: Acquire, highlight, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, top
[Let’s Talk] 2025 Nintendo predictions
Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 0 comments
As Nintendo fans know, 2025 is looking like it could be a big year for the Big N. We don’t get console launches very often, but it seems as though that will finally be happening within the next several months. If nothing else, we’re getting an announcement by March or so – which isn’t too far away.
Nintendo does have some confirmed plans in place already, with some Switch games confirmed for 2025. However, it’s the unknown that we’re focusing on today.
What are your predictions for Nintendo in 2025? When do you think the company’s new system will be announced and released? How about games you think could be revealed? And what about other initiatives like movies? Let us know in the comments.
Rating Nintendo’s 2024, Switch games and announcements
Posted on 1 month ago by Ethan in Features, Switch | 0 comments
It’s another year in the books for Nintendo Switch, and for what is most likely the console’s final stretch, it wasn’t quite as empty as people were expecting. We had many prolific releases, from Zelda to Mario to Mario to Mario. Okay, it was mostly Mario, but between a new Mario Party title and the first entry in the Mario & Luigi series in over ten years, there was a lot to love in 2024. We’re going over all of Nintendo’s news, announcements, and games from this year and asking you the question: how would you rate Nintendo’s 2024 on a scale of 1-10?
It’s the perfect time to give EarthBound Beginnings a chance
Posted on 1 month ago by Ethan in Features, Switch | 0 comments
By now, just about everyone involved in the Nintendo sphere knows or has heard about EarthBound in some way, shape, or form. The game went on to inspire many of today’s popular indie titles, and it’s since become a cult classic among its fans. EarthBound – which is actually the second game in its series – was released in the United States in 1995. It didn’t sell very well, however, thanks at least in part to a poor marketing campaign. It turns out, selling your game with the tagline “this game stinks” doesn’t make people more likely to buy your product!
More: EarthBound, EarthBound Beginnings, highlight, top
[Let’s Talk] Most anticipated game of 2025
Posted on 1 month ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments
With 2024 wrapping up in just a couple of weeks, it’s time to think about 2025. Next year is looking like it could be a very exciting year for Nintendo fans for a few different reasons, including the expected launch of Switch 2.
As far as what’s confirmed, there are actually a number of Nintendo Switch games already slated for the new year. From Nintendo, we’re finally getting Metroid Prime 4: Beyond years after it was announced along with Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. From third-parties, Tales of Graces f Remastered, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, Guilty Gear Strive, Civilization VII, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, Shadow Labyrinth, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Capcom Fighting Collection 2, and Little Nightmares 3 are all on the way with even more planned.
Nintendo Switch 2 is obviously the wild card here. The new console is technically not confirmed for 2025 (only the announcement is), but is largely expected. By the time it comes out, it’ll be eight years since the release of the current Switch. A new console can bring all sorts of new experiences from Nintendo, but all of that exists in just a thought bubble currently.
So as we turn attention to 2025, what’s your most anticipated game – or games – of the year so far? Let us know in the comments.
Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered review for Nintendo Switch
Posted on 1 month ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: December 10, 2024
Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Aspyr
One of many series that I have mourned the loss of over the last two decades is Legacy of Kain. After the disastrous Nosgoth spinoff was cancelled and the IP was passed back and forth over the years with various acquisitions, it seemed to be a series that would be eventually forgotten about. The Soul Reaver duology received widespread critical acclaim at the time of their release, and even though this was 25 years ago, their resurrection on the Nintendo Switch as Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered shows that time has done little to dull what made them such noteworthy titles when they were first released.
