Nintendo News

[Maryokutai]

10 hours ago, Maf said:

I think this Virtual Game thing will include Switch 2 so someone can transfer their library. But I would be surprised if that specific feature of sharing a game for 2 weeks carries over to Switch 2

 

To be honest I don't see why it wouldn't, there's too much backend tech they had to go through only to throw it at a system that will be redundant in 12 months. Plus it's not doing anything physical games aren't already doing. I can just buy Mario on a cartridge and pass it around, too. It's also a completely different thing to the Switch 2 backwards compatibility, which I presume (hope) consists of simply logging into that system with your account, de-synching your Switch 1 and then having access to your library. This sharing thing is mostly just for families with multiple systems.

 

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As for the Direct, I think this was the kind of Direct I expected last year when they suddenly announced stuff like Mario & Luigi to everybody's surprised. This was very much low-budget stuff all around, but it was still nice to see Rhythm Heaven making a return (only in 2026 though, which is so weird). The last, final game being a new Tomodachi was proof enough they have moved on though.

 

That's not to say there wasn't anything interesting though. I'm not going to play them but the DQ remakes look good as ever, and I'm thinking about picking up that Necrodancer rhythm game. I'm also quite interested in the Devil Summoner: Raidou remake, too. Never played that on PS2 but I remember one person from a forum back in the day who really liked it.

 

 

[Maf]

Actually that’s correct and very obvious about the game card thing, I dunno why I didn’t think of that. Like MFNick said, then, it’s very generous of Nintendo. Very unexpectedly open for them and probably will be on Switch 2. 

[Maf]

Some small print has sparked speculation of Switch 2 enhanced version of Switch 1 games. Not confirmed, just what people are reading in to it

 

https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-small-print-leads-to-speculation-of-enhanced-switch-2-editions-of-og-switch-games

 

Quote

Thanks to a little bit of small print, many out there now have hopes that Nintendo may be upgrading some of its OG Switch games for the more powerful Switch 2 console.

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During yesterday's Nintendo Direct, the company announced a new feature for Switch and Switch 2 that'll let players share their digital games with another console or Family Group members in the same way they might swap a physical cartridge known as Virtual Game Cards.

This little announcement was very welcome in itself, but a particular bit in the small print has since caught the attention of many, with the mention of "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games".

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The small print on the Virtual Game Cards information page reads:

"Compatible systems must be linked to a Nintendo Account to use virtual game cards. Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games can only be loaded on a Nintendo Switch 2 system.

"To move virtual game cards between two systems, you must pair the systems via local wireless and an internet connection, but only when pairing the systems for the first time. Up to two systems total can be linked per Nintendo Account."

The fact Nintendo has made a clear distinction between Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games has led many to speculate that a select number of original Switch games will be getting a bit of an upgrade for the upcoming console, which we already know will be backwards compatible. 

There have been a number of rather enthusiastic reactions online, with one post reading "WE FUCKING WONNNN OMG".

Others, meanwhile, are remaining cautious about the wording, suggesting that Nintendo is merely suggesting that some games will be released across both Switch and Switch 2 (much like we still see plenty of games debuting on PS4 and Xbox One), while some will be Switch 2 exclusives.

 

[Pikman]

For the Virtual Game idea, what it made me think is that we might not trade in the Switch 1 at all. I've never done that before. Could be smart if that was their intended outcome.

[Guest]

We might get a Nintendo World

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz95n2837vgo

 

Quote

A new Universal theme park will be built in the UK, the government has confirmed.

It will be constructed on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks near Bedford and is expected to generate 28,000 jobs before it opens in 2031.

 

Universal estimated the 476-acre complex could attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year and generate £50bn for the UK economy by 2055.

 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the muti-billion-pound investment by the company would "see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage". 

 

Universal Destinations and Experience said 80% of those employed in the new jobs will be from Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

 

Universal, which produced films such as Minions and Wicked, currently has theme parks in Orlando and Los Angeles in the US, as well as Osaka, Japan, Sentosa, Singapore, and Beijing, China.

The park will be the first Universal-branded destination in Europe. 

 

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy said: "This landmark investment is fantastic news for our economy, for UK tourism and for the British public, who will be able to enjoy the biggest and best theme park in Europe on their doorstep."

A full planning proposal will be submitted to the UK government with construction expected to start in 2026.

 

[Maf]

FE2 GBA available today

 

 

I quite liked what I played of the first one but the whole first campaign is basically a tutorial and after watching “pro” players on YT I realised I missed a really obvious mechanic (You can use Pegasus units to airlift other units around the map) I got disheartened by the slow progress and being ass at it and dropped it 

[Maryokutai]

I played the first one without ever using the Pegasus stuff or other more in-depth strategies and still got through it as a young teen with limited internet access/resources. I think you'd be fine.

 

This one is arguably easier and maybe a better introduction though as you can power level and such. Didn't like it that much for that reason, it lacks the finely tuned balance of its predecessor. 

[Maf]

Not saying I couldn’t beat it. Just when I watch someone airlift a character over a mountain range instead of spending 30 turns walking the units around it I was like oh. 

[Maf]

These games also came out recently

 

Streets of Rage and Golden Axe created my dislike of 2D side scroller beat ‘em ups. These games were impossible to beat, even in 2 player 

[DANGERMAN]

If you think Streets of Rage is hard you should try ESWAT. Good game, but it gets nails 

 

If it helps, Streets of Rage 2 is easier, if you want to play a brawler 

[Maf]

BITCH

 

This might be the first fighting game I ever played 

[Maf]

 

[Maf]

 

There’s even more films and such beyond the Zelda movie.

 

The way they’re pushing Donkey Kong has to be one of them. 
 

With Miyamoto’s love of Pikmin I wonder if that could be another 

 

I like that they say they are deeply involved in all the production. Must be a headache for Hollywood but good for us

[Maf]

 

If Phil Spencer read this he’d need a translator 

[Maf]

https://www.eurogamer.net/donkey-kong-bananza-climbs-to-top-of-uk-physical-sales-charts-but-still-sells-less-than-half-of-mario-odyssey
 

Donkey Kong kills previous DK Switch games in sales, but sells around 50% of Mario Odyssey 

[Maryokutai]

With fewer Switch 2 systems about & the rise of digital sales not factured into the comparison it's difficult to draw any conclusions from that.

[DANGERMAN]

Yeah, I'd imagine it's attach rate is really high 

[shinymcshine]

Not sure why the headline attaches any importance to Mario Oddyesy when the more direct comparator is also stated: 

 

"..physical sales for DK's latest outing were three times that of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on the original Switch. "

 

So Mario isn't really any like for like franchise comparison - and only used to try to say something is low, when it really isn't.

[Maf]

It’s a 3D platformer made by the same development team specifically for Switch 2 just like the same team specifically designed Odyssey for Switch 1. In a reasonable same kind of time frame (same year).  It is a notable point. 

[Maryokutai]

Probably not that big of an overlap in the Venn diagram of people buying Bananza and people knowing it's by the Odyssey team. And even then I wonder if it would matter, developer loyalty is quite rare even among the devoted.

 

Also while IIRC they produced a significantly larger batch of systems this time around, from a logistical standpoint you'd have to assume Switch 1 after six months to have sold quite a bit more than Switch 2 after six weeks. There's only so many boxes you can move around in a certain timeframe.

 

That said the important part is that the game seems to be doing well, that's all that really matters at the end I think because DK has been a bit of a bench warmer in the last decade.