If any game is a shining example of the artistic potential of video games as a medium, I cannot think of a better recent example than 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. It is that rare type of narrative-driven experience that could only really exist as a game: a sprawling science-fiction epic with no less than 13 playable protagonists, that somehow manages to be both a beautiful side-scrolling adventure and a deep, exhilarating real-time strategy game. With so many moving pieces and a lengthy 40-hour runtime, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim could have very easily been a confusing, unfocused mess of a game, but somehow, all of these disparate elements fuse into nothing less than a masterpiece.

More: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Atlus, highlight, top

Nintendo’s past with direct sequels, and how Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 fits into that

Posted on 2 years ago by Luiz in Features, Videos | 0 comments

Over the years we’ve seen many instances in which Nintendo resorted to a very common strategy in the gaming industry: releasing a very successful title followed by a sequel using many of the tools created for its predecessor. Engine, assets, animation, and other elements are some of the things that are brought back.

Now we’re waiting on the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which seems to be taking a lot of elements from the last successful Zelda game. In today’s video, I decided to take a look at other direct sequels that Nintendo produced in the past, analyzing the different strategies and trying to see where the new Zelda may fit into that. You can check out the video down below.

More: highlight, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, top

Live A Live dev on remake’s origins, why it’s HD-2D

Posted on 2 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in News, Switch | 0 comments

Following the announcement of Live A Live’s HD-2D remake, Japanese magazine Famitsu sat down with original director Takashi Tokita, to talk about the game’s development.

The new Switch version served as the perfect opportunity to re-release the game, something the team tried to do many times over the years. Tokita dove into a number of other topics as well including why the team settled on the HD-2D art style.

Here’s our translation of the excerpt from Famitsu:

More: highlight, interview, live a live, Square Enix, Takashi Tokita, top

[Let’s Talk] N64 games you’d like to see on Nintendo Switch Online

Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments

The Expansion Pass tier for Nintendo Switch Online kicked off a few months ago, and we’ve seen a number of classic N64 games added to the service since then. Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and Banjo-Kazooie are among the included titles. Mario Golf is also following next week.

Nintendo should continue adding more N64 titles to Switch Online throughout 2022. With that said, what would you like to see on there? Let us know in the comments below.

More: highlight, Nintendo Switch Online, top

[Review] Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Posted on 2 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 0 comments

System: Switch
Release date: March 25, 2022
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Publisher: Nintendo

Since 1992, Kirby has brought along a multitude of adventures on just about every generation of Nintendo hardware with many planets, worlds, and creative levels. Despite the series’ lengthy history and popularity, however, it never really seemed to get proper recognition until entries on Wii and 3DS where an installed base of millions were finally able and willing to try out just what franchise had to offer. Now in 2022, Kirby is back on his biggest and most beautiful adventure yet with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and it’s exceeded all expectations with incredibly deep levels, fluid gameplay, an evolving hub, tons of replayability, and a joyful, memorable time from beginning to end.

More: HAL Laboratory, highlight, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, top

Nintendo Everything Refresh Ep. 02: E3 cancellation, Zelda delay, LEGO Star Wars, and more

Posted on 2 years ago by Nicholas Serpa in General Nintendo, Podcast, Switch | 0 comments

Last week was surprisingly noteworthy in terms of industry-wide gaming news; not only was the sequel to the The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild delayed all the way into spring of next year, this summer’s biggest gaming event – E3 2022 – was cancelled entirely. Join your hosts Nick, Nicolas, Dennis and Luiz as they break down these topics and more in Episode 2 of Nintendo Everything Refresh, a brand new weekly news and discussion podcast!

Our show is now available on most major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Audible (with Google Podcasts coming soon), or you can check out the video version below:

Got an idea or suggestion for the show, or want to submit a fan question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments, or drop us a line at [email protected].

You can also follow us on Twitter at @ndserpa (Nick Serpa), @Dayshade1999 (Nicolas Shadday), @LyonHart_ (Dennis Gagliardotto), and @Luizestrella_ (Luiz Estrella).

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[Review] LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Posted on 2 years ago by Luiz in Reviews, Switch, Videos | 0 comments

After the preview for the game last month, our final review for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is here.

In this video review, we share our experience with the Switch version. We go over how the game evolves the classic LEGO formula while retaining a lot of the elements from previous titles.

More: highlight, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, top, TT Games, Warner Bros. Interactive

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe producer on Booster Course Pass DLC approach, design philosophy for the future

Posted on 2 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in News, Switch | 0 comments

Following the announcement and initial release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass DLC, producer Kosuke Yabuki spoke to Japanese publication Nikkei about the design philosophy behind the retro course remasters and how the team expects to handle the series going forward.

In particular, Yabuki and the team want to honor former president Satoru Iwata’s mantra of making as many games as accessible to as many people as possible.

A translation of Yabuki’s comments can be found below.

More: highlight, Kosuke Yabuki, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, top

[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – April 2022

Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 0 comments

A new month started up yesterday. Now that we’re in April, we want to know what you’ve been playing.

Are you making your way through Kirby and the Forgotten Land? Playing the new tracks from the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass? No matter the case, let us know in the comments below.

More: highlight, top

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe producer didn’t anticipate historic sales success, talks popularity

Posted on 2 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in News, Switch | 0 comments

Mario Kart 8 has seen the longest tale of any entry in the series, with support for the game continuing eight years after the initial release on Wii U (and five years after Switch) through the recently announced Booster Course Pass. Producer Kosuke Yabuki recently spoke to Japanese outlet Nikkei about the game, admitting the team didn’t anticipate the incredible sales of Deluxe for Switch. He believes the breadth of its appeal was likely a big contributing factor, as well as the fact that the Joy-Con make every Switch a potential 2-player console.

We’ve prepared a translation of Yabuki’s full comments below.