#302 — Your Nintendo Update: Nier perfect on Switch, a cancelled Zelda DS game, and a Nintendo whistleblower

REVIEW Nier Automata for Switch is a miracle port — ” this port might be one of the best PS4 to Switch conversions I’ve played “. Ben Johnson, writing for Pocket Tactics , says this last-gen classic jumps to Switch in a “mind-bogglingly impressive fashion”. This video from Nintendo World Report looks at how it performs.

Cullen Black // RPG Site

REVIEW Tunic — ” truly harkens back to a time when games felt off putting and mysterious [..] a modern masterpiece “. Here’s another review from Lowell Bell at Nintendo Life.

Willem Hilhorst // Nintendo World Report

▶ The Cancelled Zelda Game: Heroes of Hyrule — A fascinating look at this canned DS strategy/tactics game from Retro Studios.

Did You Know Gaming? // YouTube

Fired Nintendo worker speaks out, alleging union-busting

Stephen Totilo // Axios

REVIEW FIFA 23: Legacy Edition — ” EA has returned with their annual gift of regretful déjà vu for Nintendo Switch owners. [..] a prime example of minimal effort for maximum profit “.

Simon Cardy // IGN

REVIEW Hokko Life — ” severely lacks in personality and unique identity. For a game that promises a relaxing experience, you spend more time walking around trying to find something to do rather than sitting back and enjoying the game’s gentle progression “.

Kara Phillips // Nintendo Life

REVIEW The Spirit and the Mouse — Described here as ” a truly thoughtul game that proves even the tiniest things in life can make a big difference “. Jaz Sagoo at COG Connected wasn’t so keen however, calling it rather tedious and formulaic in places.

Tilly Lawton // Pocket Tactics

REVIEW Railgrade — ” a superb sim that acts more like a logic puzzle game in many of its more elaborate scenarios “.

A.J. Maciejewski // Video Chums

REVIEW The DioField Chronicle: An understated, under-marketed strategy RPG romp that deserves better

Alex Donaldson // VG247

REVIEW Let’s Build A Zoo

Tia Zell // Vooks

▶ ARK’s new Switch version is a game changer — The game was first ported to the Switch a few years ago, and John, like many others, was not a fan . This is an all new port which seemingly fairs much better.

John Rairdin // Nintendo World Report (YouTube)

How hobbyist hackers are preserving Pokémon’s past—and shaping its future — Cian spoke with nine prominent ROM hackers about preserving a series that is largely inaccessible on modern hardware, and having to occasionally fight legal crackdowns from the publishing giant that is Nintendo.

Cian Maher // Ars Technica

▶ Breath of the Wild: Archaeological Analysis — An engrossing look at the archaeology of the various ruins and buildings of Hyrule from my buddy Jay and an actual archaelogoist, Mike Sowden.

Game & Word // YouTube

How Dorfromantik creates contested meanings of landscape

Jay Castello // Eurogamer

Google killing Stadia is a Google problem, not a streaming one — Another (non-Switch) opinion piece from me — enough of you clicked last week’s that I’m assuming you don’t mind the occasional non-Nintendo bit — this time I look over Google’s decision to kill Stadia. As a side thought — we may all groan ATM when a game coming to Switch is announced as a ‘Cloud’ version, but I can see it becoming an increasing part of the approach, particularly for handheld devices such as the Switch — so it will be interesting to see how the offering has to change to make it actually appealing, or whether just over time folks will come to accept it. The pricing and ownership model of Stadia was, and for Switch Cloud games is, a complete non starter. Be curious to know what you think — just hit reply to this if you have any thoughts.

Chris Brandrick // Overkill

▶ Why can’t we pay attention to video games anymore?

Polygon // YouTube