Switch Buying Guide

Nintendo have just released a Skyward Sword trailer to show that, when you pick up a common item you've seen before, it no longer pauses the game to explain the item to you.

50 quid.

Buy Monster Hunter 2 Stories instead, it looks really good. Fuck.

Nintendo have just released a Skyward Sword trailer to show that, when you pick up a common item you've seen before, it no longer pauses the game to explain the item to you.

50 quid.

I helped make that trailer, I'll have you know.

Haha the trailer itself is excellent. You can only work with what they give you. :p

50 quid.

Plus another 20 quid if you want fast travel, because they've locked that behind an Amiibo.

50 quid.

Plus another 20 quid if you want fast travel, because they've locked that behind an Amiibo.

This pisses me off a bit (not you, Gar, just the sentiment overall). Fast travel in SS was never an issue, there are bird statues allowing you to return to the sky all over the place. You're never more than a couple of minutes from one at any point in the game. The amiibo functionality is nice, sure, but the game isn't broken without it. The QoL features were genuinely issues people had with the game when it first came out, and those have been addressed. No-one when the game first came out was complaining you couldn't get to the sky from anywhere.

I'm more than willing to wager half the people complaining about this haven't even played the game on Wii. It's bullshit bandwagon jumping and while I can appreciate the thought behind the argument, it doesn't actually hold water if you've got experience of the game that isn't clouded through the passing of time.

Lol.

I've played the game on Wii, it's a mediocre Zelda game with a shitload of padding and repetition. Most of those issues are inherent to the game design and can't be fixed without substantial changes, but gating something that does help (even a little) behind a twenty quid Amiibo tax is outrageous. Sure, stick some cosmetic outfits or something in there but not a feature that actually makes the game more pleasant to play.

They deserve all the criticism they get for this one (over and above the fact they're charging full price for a 1080p upscale of a shit Zelda game with its one distinctive feature removed, but that's another story).

My lol was in response to mart saying he'd never buy a PS5. Not sure why it ended up here. But hey ho. Lol.

I've played the game on Wii, it's a mediocre Zelda game with a shitload of padding and repetition.

Not disagreeing with that bit.

New Switch announced! Yay!

It's the same underpowered Switch hardware with a slightly larger screen! Boooo!

That's the best news I could have hoped for, as an existing Switch owner. I was worried they'd split the game base, or have new games run badly on the old hardware.

Also OLED! I play quite a lot in handheld, so there's some appeal there. Not £300 worth, but some.

I loved that OG Vita screen…

…

…

Don't look at me. I literally found out about this when you all did.

Man nintendo really do manage to find the catchiest names for things don't they.

Nintendo Bait & Switch.

I am loving this. Bigger better screen, better audio, just hope that Satisfye do a grip for it as presume the current ones may not fit? Although same size JCs

Insert Top Gun gif of him putting on the glasses and smiling here*

Main unit is not quite the same size, a tiny bit wider. A touch heavier too.

Main unit is not quite the same size, a tiny bit wider. A touch heavier too.

Like all of us after the pandemic am i rite lol remember to tip your waitress.

I’ve been playing the demo of Monster Hunter Stories - I feel
I should like this game but I’m finding it clunky.

It looks beautiful but feels sparse, the targets for picking up items are tiny and I spend ages trying to get into the right position.

And finally bushed the demo. Hmm. Think I will get this on a cart, so I can exchange it at some point.

I'm pretty sure Skyward Sword is the worst 3D Zelda. And not even a particularly good game, full stop.

But I've just bought it. I don't even know why. I am literally the reason Nintendo gets away with this shit.

Why is it so bad again? I haven't played it but it looks colourful and full of that adventure feel….I'd get it if I had the time.

It’s not terrible, but it is quite repetitive, there are only a few environments and it sends you back to them over and over again. Even the boss fights repeat.

The only really good thing about it is the motion control sword fighting. Seriously if you can play this docked on the Switch with motion controls then do so, it’s going to be shiiiiit with regular controls.

I hated this at the time due to the motion controls, I know that's a tad cliche to say but it was an unenjoyable experience for me, like virtually all motion games, I just can't get on with them.

Seen this is already 35quid on some deals so willing to give it a try as it's one of the few Zeldas I would say I haven't properly experienced.

Have to admit I'm really enjoying it so far. The button controls work (which is more than could be said for the old motion controls), and as much as I think Breath of the Wild is pretty much perfect, I've missed the traditional dungeons.

They actually have fixed Fi, too. I forget she's there half the time; that's how infrequently she pops up now. It's a novelty seeing a Zelda game running ay 60fps too. It's a very pretty game, on the Switch Lite's screen at least.

I'm only in the first temple, so the repetition hasn't kicked in yet. Let's see if I'm still enthusiastic in ten hours.

That's a positive first thoughts to read though. It's a shame that this and Links Awakening were some combined pack. 50 for both I'd be all over but 70-75 and I have currently avoided both.

Who has played the Breath of the Wild DLC? Seen it's 12quid and going to get it (on CDKeys) however I have a question for the knowledgeable folk about when should I play/install it?

I have just returned to BoTW in the last few days as had never actually finished it, I just finished off the final Devine beast but I still have loads of shrines and side quests. When are you meant to play the DLC? I would be happy to just play through and finish the game then start a new, is that the idea?

It's available once you've cleared all four beasts, I believe. I've not done it myself though.

I've got it. As Mart said, the main quest is available after completing the divine beasts, it throws in a handful of new shrines and quests then you have to fight all the divine beast baddies again but this time it's in your mind or something? You unlock a Spoiler - click to show motorbike which is very silly but fun.

There's a couple of cool things though - a teleport marker that you can place anywhere on the map, horse clothes that means they can teleport when you whistle, there's a challenge mode with endless rooms of enemies to defeat and then just loads of new armour stuff that means nothing to me as I've not played any other Zelda games.

Have to admit I'm really enjoying it so far. The button controls work (which is more than could be said for the old motion controls), and as much as I think Breath of the Wild is pretty much perfect, I've missed the traditional dungeons.

They actually have fixed Fi, too. I forget she's there half the time; that's how infrequently she pops up now. It's a novelty seeing a Zelda game running ay 60fps too. It's a very pretty game, on the Switch Lite's screen at least.

I'm only in the first temple, so the repetition hasn't kicked in yet. Let's see if I'm still enthusiastic in ten hours.

20 hours in and I'm still really enjoying Skyward Sword HD. Turns out Fi's hand-holding was the only thing wrong with the game; with that gone, it's a solid 3D Zelda.

I remember being disappointed how linear everything was first time around – it's essentially one long dungeon, with none of the overworld bits that make Zelda games a fun place to inhabit. But if you go in knowing that–that it's essentially a 30-hour dungeon–there's a lot to enjoy. And before Breath of the Wild came along, dungeons were the best bit of Zelda anyway.

And I can't stress enough just how much they've improved Fi. (By basically deleting her.)

If we take this as a guide:

They've deleted TEN HOURS of dialogue boxes. From a 30-hour game.

Less is more.

Latest Indie World went well then.

Spoiler - click to showI would say that though, I wrote it and helped pick the game selection.

Latest Indie World went well then.

Spoiler - click to showI would say that though, I wrote it and helped pick the game selection.

Not seen that. Is this something I can watch in the Dash?

On the Switch? Not sure. It's also at the top of the front of the NUK website.

On the Switch? Not sure. It's also at the top of the front of the NUK website.

Got it, it is on the Switch news section, at least for me anyway. Very excited by Jet Set Radio returning, hope there is a limited run physical edition of that in a DC themed case.

I insisted on Bomb Rush being the opener on pain of death. That was easily one of my games of the show.

(It's not Jet Set, but I can't tell if you're joking or not… )

I just can't be bothered pretending it'd not! It's a clear homage and so was Lethal league at least in its style, same composer too as Jet Set this isn't it? It looks great so great cool with that.

We will probably cover that on the Dreamcast site I am part of, and we have only ever covered about 5 non Dreamcast games in the last 5 years, which I think says a lot about my views on it!

Does the Frankfurt Fwiend discount extend to Eastward, by any chance…?

(Doesn't Eastward look lovely.)

Does the Frankfurt Fwiend discount extend to Eastward, by any chance…?

We didn't publish it, so no. Sorry.

(Doesn't Eastward look lovely.)

Yes, it does.

Eastward does look really pretty.

Holy shit, Nintendo has actually added support for Bluetooth headphones in the latest Switch update.

Welcome to 2012!

Am I missing any biggies from my list of Switch JRPGs? looks at Alastor

The eStore is basically useless unless you know exactly what you're searching for. It feels like there should be dozens of these things, but I can't seem to see them.

Played
Atelier Ryza (I know there are more of these)
DQ11
Persona Fire Emblem Idols (can't remember the name)
Various Pokemon
Various Final Fantasys
Octopath Traveller
Ys

To buy
Trials of Mana
Bravely Default 2
Fire Emblem

Xenoblade chronicles 1 and 2?

Holy shit, Nintendo has actually added support for Bluetooth headphones in the latest Switch update.

Welcome to 2012!

The latency over Bluetooth makes it generally useless for gaming though.

I'm going to give it a try, just to find out. I've used Bluetooth headphones on the Vita in the past without noticing anything, but I may have just been playing RPGs or something where it wouldn't have been noticeable.

Am I missing any biggies from my list of Switch JRPGs? looks at Alastor

The eStore is basically useless unless you know exactly what you're searching for. It feels like there should be dozens of these things, but I can't seem to see them.

Played
Atelier Ryza (I know there are more of these)
DQ11
Persona Fire Emblem Idols (can't remember the name)
Various Pokemon
Various Final Fantasys
Octopath Traveller
Ys

To buy
Trials of Mana
Bravely Default 2
Fire Emblem

Not played the first two on the 'To Buy' list (I wanted to play some Mana games this year, hopefully I still can) but I think Fire Emblem:Three Houses is one of the best games on the system, it depends on how much you like strategy RPGs though and this one isn't too rough as far as they go.

And like Cheddar said, Xenoblade Chronicles Remastered but I think you've already played the second game because I'm sure you said something about the british voice acting. I think the first game is better but it's still largely the same, just as super long and with a million sidequests.

Can't think of any huge game you haven't played judging by that list though, there's Cold Steel 3 but I dunno' if I'd reccomend that as a first jump into the series anyway. Monster Hunter Stories 2 is another game I haven't played but by all accounts is a great RPG in it's own right judging from the review scores and general reception.

I'm glad you're so into JRPG's these days!

SUPER IMPORTANT EDIT - The World End With You and the sequel is on Switch The original is one of the best games on the DS and one of my favourite JRPGs period. It did a lot of stuff and had so many cool ideas that made it unique in a non gimmicky way. There was stuff like how you could set your level as low as you want to get more chance at item drops, you chose when and where to engage in random battles which were all on a separate 'screen' to the world map.

However, one of the best things and most divise things about it on DS was the control scheme, you controlled two characters on both screens at the same time and you controlled one character with the touchscreen and the other with their unique battle system.

This was very hard to get used to at first, wasn't perfect but in the end this synergy of passing the damage multiplier between characters was fantastic. This is no longer in the Switch version since…one screen and I honestly don't know how combat works now but I think it's divisive again except this time the DS fans feel like it missed something and the people who thought the DS version controls ruined a game they wanted to play finally get to have fun. I don't know if I wanna' play it on Switch but I AM glad more people get to experience this game, it's great.

The World Ends With You: Neo - I haven't got this but there was a super long demo on PS4 so I assume there is on the Switch. It's got the same unique sense of style as the original only with a new combat system. I think if you play the demo it will tell you all you need to know better than I can as all I did was a few battles which were were actually really fun and decided I didn't want to overplay the demo.

Both games are set in Shibuya, it's not as strong as Persona 5 but if you miss Japan as much as me it's really nice.

Eastward is brilliant. It’s part Zelda, part slice of life. The puzzles are an inventive joy, whacking things with a frying pan is super satisfying, and it’s drop dead gorgeous.

Definitely feels a home on handheld, and it’s making me wish for GBA games to be included in Nintendo’s online offering.

I watched the Nintendo Direct last night and came away a bit underwhelmed:

• New "massive expansion" for Monster Hunter Rise - yay!
• New DLC for Animal Crossing and Mario Golf Super Rush
• A new/old Mario Party game - the first one on the Switch was soporific so I'll be passing on this
• Disco Elysium - always wanted to play this but will need to check if it's coming to Game Pass as well
• Chocobo Racing - looks utter, utter shit
• Some sort of card game that's basically a rip-off of Hand of Fate
• No announcement yet on the final Smash Bros character
• A remaster of ActRaiser - never played it
• Castlevania Advance collection - now this I'm reasonably interested in
• Triangle Strategy - yes please
• The Mario movie no-one asked for, starring Chris Pratt
• A hilariously unremastered release of Knights of the Old Republic which, it must be said, looks like dogshit these days
• Splatoon 3, same as it ever was
• Metroid Dread, looks nice in an "oh shit Prime 4 isn't ready yet, let's dig out that thing we were working on a while back and tart it up for release this winter" kind of a way
• Some sort of Kirby game that looks like a reskin of Mario Odyssey
• They're releasing N64 and Megadrive ROMs on the Switch Online service and almost unbelievably the bastards are planning to charge you more for them
• Bayonetta 3, a series that's never grabbed me really but looks much like the first one, i.e. an Xbox 360 game that came out in 2010

I think that's everything. So count me in for the Monster Hunter expansion, Triangle Strategy, possibly Castlevania, and inevitably Splatoon 3 even if it looks the same as the last one. Was hoping for a bit more, but there you go.

Castlevania Advance collection - now this I'm reasonably interested in

I was on duty for the Direct yesterday (left the office at 2am). I bought this the second it went live on eShop just after 1. Circle of the Moon is my favourite non-Symphony Castlevania game.

Metroid Dread, looks nice in an "oh shit Prime 4 isn't ready yet, let's dig out that thing we were working on a while back and tart it up for release this winter" kind of a way

Don't underestimate, and definitely don't assume it's a placeholder title that's been rushed out. I've been playing Dread for a week now (one of my current projects) and it's absolutely lovely. Easily one of the best, if not the best 2D Metroid game.

Some sort of Kirby game that looks like a reskin of Mario Odyssey

My next project at work. Looking forward to this, it looks fun.