#221: Your Nintendo Update

▶ Pokémon Presents: Pokémon 25 — This is worth a watch if only for the amazing five minute intro highlighting all the big moments from the series over the past 25 years. We also got lots of new game reveals, and another look at the new Snap, which is neat. 🙂 Here’s a write-up of the reveals if you’d rather.

Pokemon // YouTube

REVIEW Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection — The original game from Capcom was notoriously tough, so a follow-up of a similarly gruelling fashion was bound to divide opinion. This review from Nintendo Life was largely positive, calling it a “love letter” to the 35 year old series. Mike Epstein for Gamespot wasn’t so keen, saying that although a faithul homage, its ” an artifact of a time long-past “. I found Imran Khan’s piece on Resurrection over at Fanbyte interesting — it raises the question as to whether the game is at fault if the player finds the core challenge to be so frustrating to the point of misery. Finally, here’s Digital Foundry’s take ( complete with the usual technical overview ) on this brutal return to form.

Tom Massey // Nintendo Life

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 confirmed for 2021 Switch release

Ryan Craddock // Nintendo Life

🎂 Pokemon at 25
A few Pokemon related reads as the series hits 25:

• Pokemon is 25 – Here’s why it’s the most special series in the world to me // Cian Maher
• Pokémon and the Nostalgia of the Outdoors // Daryl Baxter
• Pokémon at 25: How 151 fictional species took over the world // Oscar Holland
• Pokemon’s remake strategy shows the franchise at its most (and least) risky // Alex Culafi
• Pokemon could be exceptional if Game Freak didn’t have a history of scrapping new additions // Stephanie Minor

PREVIEW Monster Hunter Rise: The Final Preview — ” I am confident about the direction in which Ichinose and his team are heading: a game that prioritizes enjoyable action above all else. Action is Capcom’s expertise after all, and Rise might just be the purest action game in the Monster Hunter series. “.

Esra Krabbe // IGN

REVIEW Bravely Default II — Square-Enix’s new turn-based RPG is a ” joy to play ” and although it has its flaws, they’re said to be ” minor compared to the overall excellence ” here. Zhiqing Wan, writing for Twinfinite , saw moments of frustration, but ultimately calls this an ” endlessly charming and endearing ” follow-up. Jon Bailes review over at VGC is also well worth a read — he highlights how this Switch version ” magnifies the blemishes ” when compared to the 3DS original.

Lilly K // Cubed 3

REVIEW Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos — This new co-op game from Heliocentric Studios gives me total Four Swords Adventures vibes. Sean notes that whilst ” not the most engrossing single-player game, Ruins of Tasos is a great co-op dungeon-delving setup. “. I’m keen to try it, as getting a session of Four Swords Adventures going back in 2005 was something of an impossibility.

Sean Martin // Pocket Tactics

REVIEW Taxi Chaos — Described as ” an admirable revival of a genre that’s been dormant for far too long”, but one that feels “very much like a proof of concept “.

Ollie Reynolds // Nintendo Life

The legend of The Legend of Zelda — A look back at how the series has influenced other games with input from several commentators.

James Batchelor // gamesindustry

It felt like everyone celebrated Zelda’s 35th anniversary except Nintendo

Adam Bankhurst // IGN

Phil Spencer & 17 more video game luminaries on Zelda’s legendary impact

Imran Khan // Inverse

Nintendo delivered a strong Direct, but fan impatience grows

Christopher Dring // gamesindustry

In Bowser’s Fury, Mario’s world and open worlds breathe new life into

each other

Christian Donlan // Eurogamer

Why I adore Nintendo’s failed console

Andy Carrick // Super Jump

My 30-year quest to beat Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

CJ Andriessen // Destructoid

Nintendo Switch games are too expensive but it makes total sense

Sean Buckley // CNET

🗳 The State of Switch Survey 2021 — My annual, independent survey looking at all things Switch is seeking your thoughts on Nintendo’s hybrid console.

Monday, March 1

• A Glider’s Journey — A minimalist, low-poly flight game.

Tuesday, March 2

• Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 — Monster truck racing.
• ⭐️ Pako Caravan — Looks like a fun little arcade game in which you conga with cars.
• Tunche — Hand-drawn beat’em-up adventure with roguelike elements.

Wednesday, March 3

• ⭐️ 3 out of 10: Season One — A ‘playable sitcom’ adventure set in a videogame studio.
• Cave Bad — 8-bit style roguelike adventure.
• Counter Recon: The First Mission — Take on terror in this single-player FPS. (Mar 4 in U.S.)
• GraviFire — Space themed logic puzzler with 50 levels to take on.
• Sir Lovelot — 2D platforming from castle to castle.
• ⭐️ Wind Peaks — A hand-drawn hidden object game set in the wilderness.

Thursday, March 4

• Doug Hates His Job — Office based beat’em-up. (Mar 5 in U.S.)
• Duel on Board — Fight for beer in this pirate themed 1 vs 1 mulitplayer game.
• Estranged: The Departure — A solo developer is behind this 3D adventure mystery game.
• Everhood — I would not have this down as ‘adventure RPG’. Looks unconventional.
• Give It Up! Bouncy — 70 levels of bouncy puzzle platforming.
• Gnosia — A sci-fi ‘social deduction’ RPG.
• Into A Dream — A lore-rich puzzle adventure game (about love, depression, memories, etc).
• Kill It With Fire — Ever seen the movie Arachnophobia? It’s that as a goofy arcade game.
• Mail Mole — Platformer in which Mr. Resetti chilled out and became a mail man.
• Multi Quiz — MY DESCRIPTION.
• Nena — Short, top-down action puzzle game. (Mar 5 in U.S.)
• Ruinverse — A fairly traditional looking RPG.
• ⭐️🎮 Sea of Solitude: The Director’s Cut — Hop in your boat for this award winning emotional action adventure game.
• Super Metboy — Looks like a cute enough 4-player arcade game, the name though….
• Task Force Delta – Afghanistan — FPS.

Friday, March 5

• America Wild Hunting — Basic hunting game.
• ⭐️ Harvest Moon: One World — Farming sim with a slice of adventure. (Mar 2 in U.S.)
• Rock ‘N Racing Bundle Off Road & Rally — Racing game bundle. (No good link for this one.)