[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – February 2024
Posted on 2 months ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 0 comments
A new month just started up a few days ago. Now that we’re in February, we want to know what you’ve been playing.
Have you been going through the Golden Sun games on Nintendo Switch Online? Maybe you’re sinking your teeth into Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy? No matter the case, let us know in the comments.
[Interview] Apsyr on Tomb Raider I-III’s updated graphics, new controls, and more
Posted on 2 months ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Interviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
The original Tomb Raider trilogy is about to make a comeback on Switch in the form of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft. To learn more about the project, we caught up with Chris Bashaar, director of product at Aspyr.
This release is more than a simple remaster as players can switch between the new and original graphics at any time, experience updated controls, and more. We spoke about these features and a few other topics in our interview.
Here’s the full discussion:
[Review] Another Code: Recollection
Posted on 2 months ago by Nicholas Serpa in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: January 19, 2024
Developer: Arc System Works / Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
It’s really a bit remarkable that, of all the long-dormant franchises Nintendo could have chosen to resurrect next, it was Another Code that they decided to give another chance. I’m totally here for it, both as a fan of narrative-driven adventure games, and as an advocate for the preservation and accessibility of older titles; I’m just surprised that it actually happened. Another Code: Recollection is a full remake of the 2005 DS game Another Code: Two Memories, as well as its Wii sequel, Another Code R: Journey into Lost Memories – the latter which never released in North America. While these puzzle-tinted mystery games have always been well-regarded by fans for their compelling premises and overall atmosphere, they never sold particularly well globally and generally received mixed reviews from critics; furthermore, the original development studio no longer exists, and both games were built around hardware features unique to their original platforms. Well, against all odds, we now have a reimagined collection of both titles sporting improved visuals and presentation, and even some narrative and gameplay changes. While I ultimately enjoyed my time getting to know the game’s charming protagonist and unraveling a moderately captivating mystery, Another Code: Recollection’s toothless writing and shallow moment-to-moment gameplay makes it a slightly niche recommendation.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 amiibo guide and compatibility list
Posted on 2 months ago by Ethan in Guides, Switch eShop | 0 comments
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 recently received what is assumed to be its final content update, and it adds support / rewards for the newly-released Noah and Mio amiibo figures. This means the game is now compatible with the Shulk, Pyra, Mythra, Noah, and Mio amiibo for a total of five different figurines with special compatibility. Unlike other games with amiibo-exclusive content, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 lets players obtain amiibo-exclusive gear without having to actually own the amiibo. Today, we’ll be going over each piece of exclusive gear (pictures included) plus how to get each one without using its corresponding amiibo figure.
More: Amiibo, highlight, top, Xenoblade Chronicles 3
[Let’s Talk] 3DS and Wii U online memories
Posted on 2 months ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, Let's Talk, Wii U | 0 comments
3DS and Wii U online play – and overall online functionality – will soon come to an end. Earlier this week, Nintendo gave fans a final date as April 8 for shutdown timing.
Many Nintendo fans are playing Switch these days, but that doesn’t mean we should forget about 3DS and Wii U. While 3DS was the more popular system, Wii U had its own userbase and plenty of online games.
With the shutdown date looming, what are some of your memories playing online with 3DS and Wii U? Miiverse was taken offline further back, but what’d you think about that service? Let us know in the comments.
[Review] Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters
Posted on 2 months ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: January 23, 2024
Developer: Idea Factory / Compile Heart
Publisher: Idea Factory
Hyperdimension Neptunia is a series that has been around for a long time now, and much like the video game industry that it shamelessly parodies, it is constantly changing, incorporating new ideas and gameplay mechanics into its premise to stay relevant. This has not always been for the better, however. Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters, the latest entry in the franchise to make its way to the Switch, now features some of the series’ best writing to date, but is let down quite significantly in other areas, making it a tough sell for any but those already invested in the series.
How to trade with Coach Trainers in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Posted on 2 months ago by Ethan in Guides, Switch | 0 comments
Today, we’re talking all about coaches in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet – how to invite them, the benefits of doing so, and the Pokemon each coach offers to trade you on their third visit.
Coach trainers are a mechanic new to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk DLC. Blueberry Academy is the home of the League Club Room, a special area that lets you extend invites to Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, and teachers from the base game. Once you’ve invited one of these coach trainers, you can battle them and eventually trade Pokemon with them after sending multiple invites.
More: Game Freak, highlight, Pokemon Scarlet, Pokemon Violet, top
Nintendo staffer reflects on N64 Switch Online controller development and trying to avoid leaks
Posted on 2 months ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
Takemoto Hayato, who is a part of Nintendo’s technical development department, published an interesting piece a little while back reflecting on his work with the N64 controller for Nintendo Switch Online. He spoke about his role during development and even gave a little bit of insight into leaks that occurred prior to the reveal and how they were essentially unavoidable.
Some of you may recall how there was a great deal of speculating regarding N64 games coming to Switch after a game controller application was filed with the Federal Communications Commission. Hayato called leaks “unavoidable” given how Nintendo would have needed to “perform extremely precise calendar management and careful information control” if it were to avoid “unintended situations”.
[Review] Turnip Boy Robs a Bank
Posted on 3 months ago by Dawn in Reviews, Switch eShop | 0 comments
System: Switch
Release date: January 18, 2024
Developer: Snoozy Kazoo
Publisher: Graffiti Games
It’s not very often that you find a game that will actively encourage you to commit crimes, with most that even give you the option of doing so attaching a suitable punishment: placing a bounty on your head so that authorities will attack you on site, changing your name to “THIEF” so that everyone knows your true nature, or even outright killing you if you return to the scene of the crime in future. Turnip Boy Robs a Bank sees the titular hero returning to commit further crimes after his successful tax evasion, this time in the form of a roguelite experience that, despite its flaws, is as delightfully charming and nonsensical as its predecessor.
Nintendo developer talks CG and amiibo work for Metroid Dread
Posted on 3 months ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
In a post on Nintendo’s recruitment website, developer Uenaka Minoru shared insight into his work on Metroid Dread, including CG and amiibo. He’s been with the planning and production department since 2019.
Minoru’s post goes into working with MercurySteam and how the “finest details” needed to be considered since CG was used on Nintendo’s website, the boxart, and more. Working on E.M.M.I. was probably the biggest aspect of the project since it required “a sense of realism that required not just cooperation from the series development team, but also cooperation with other companies to get the fine details properly finished and as convincing as possible.” As for the amiibo, he wanted to create two poses so that it would look like Samus and the E.M.M.I. were squaring off.
