Topic: Nintendo Switch --OT--

Same here TBH. I've only beaten 1 Switch game since buying it.

I am grateful my Switch backlog isn't as big as PS4 or PS5 though.

@kyleforrester87 Sounds like I'll definitely have to detox from my constant use of the enlargened minimap in the first then! It's very helpful to figure out where any mission collectibles or secret areas might be, as it doesn't actually have any fog of war unlike the main map. I feel like half the time I'm running around, it overlays my game and I'm actually just playing Pac-Man trying to get the yellow circle to whatever point of interest I've focused on.

@Ralizah Yeah, everything I've heard about the third game is that it's in most ways the best of both worlds. Seems like the iteration actually helped them get to the right place eventually, which is not always a given! Hearing about the Future Redeemed DLC is actually what initially got me interested into the franchise. From a writing perspective, them combining thirteen years worth of narrative across games with different stories and characters to wrap it into one final adventure to tie everything together and deliver a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy fascinates me.

I hope I'll not have many issues with the second game's combat as it definitely took me a while to get to grips with the first. I'm probably still not playing optimally right now. The first time I tried getting into the game, I completely screwed myself over with leveling and my strategies within the combat. I'm happy at least I've now gotten to a point where I can comfortably start a combat sequence without getting trampled. Helps that in most cases I'm ridiculously overleveled though, haha.

@Ralizah I generally found the Switch quite underwhelming by Nintendo standards. It feels cheap in the hands where the 3DS and Wii U felt premium. The OS lacked the Miis, the music (weird that the PS5 is the only modern console with ambient music).. basically all the fun stuff that made Nintendo so good. But I had to buy one for Mario Odyssey. If they announce a Mario game I'll buy a Switch 2 immediately. Even though I will only end up owning 10 games by the end of the console.

I wasn't expecting the Switch 2 direct to happen on April 2nd, but it doesn't rule out a Summer release window for the new hybrid device.

As for it not being fully backwards compatible with all Switch 1 games, hopefully the 1% outliers are Labo or niche games no one plays.

Registered my pre-order over at Shopto. Whether I'll get it day one or not depends on the launch games, but I figured I'd pre-order it to be safe.

Finally getting around to Donkey Kong Country Returns and Christ, it’s sterile. I know it’s from that era of Nintendo where you had this and Kirby’s Adventure Wii and New Super Mario Bros but I expected Retro to bring a bit more charm to the series. It’s night and day compared to even Country 1 never mind 2 and 3, the worlds are just called ‘Jungle’ or ‘Forest’ instead of actual themes and the graphics are mostly painfully boring 3D environments that feel like default settings in Unreal or Unity. Physics are wonky, the roll barely registers and I’m using buttons rather than motion controls and DK has a turning circle like a literal ape rather than the tight controls of the SNES games. It’s not bad, just stiff, devoid of charm and a bit soulless. Difficulty never feels very fun either, the added checkpoints and borderline limitless lives feel like a crutch to add more irritating elements like twitch gameplay or memorising obstacles. I’ve heard Tropical Freeze is better to be fair.

@nessisonett Although my view of the game isn't quite so negative, I agree with you regarding the general theming and difficulty in particular. I remember the difficulty curve being all over the place leading me to drop the game on the 3DS.

Interesting you decided to start with DKCR actually. Tropical Freeze is almost unanimously considered the better game, and solves both of those issues IMO.

@Buizel I never had the 3DS version so I’ve been holding off for this Switch port and my brother’s let me borrow it. I think he enjoyed it more than I am!

@nessisonett I actually downloaded the demo for DKCR on Switch... I genuinely couldn't believe the input lag. Felt like I was waiting forever for a jump to occur, long since pressing the button! (nb. definitely not a joycon issue, used same joycons to recently beat Nine Sols - which is utterly reliant on Sekiro-like reflexes and reliant button inputs)

I played the demo for <5mins then deleted

@CJD87 I’ve died countless times because of a jump or roll either not registering or happening far too late. It’s bizarre.