OT: Video Game Talk (oh, also the Week before the All-Star Break Pre-Game Talk "archive")

[expatriatedtexan]

Still not a whole lot of details but something official.

*LOL* 2 minutes and 22 seconds to say we've got a screen with two minature controllers that serve absolutely no purpose when not connected to the screen but you are free to disconnect them and lose them in your seat cushions at your convenience.

 

[S E P H]

So I platinum'd Elden Ring. 100/10 game, freaking amazing. Not sure I am interested when it comes to the new co-op one though.

Now I am starting Horizon Forbidden West. The first game was brilliant but had a lot of gameplay issues for me. This one has been very smooth for the most part, but I feel that Aloy moves WAY too fast. Just a minor click of the joystick to the right and it feels like she moves five meters. Additionally, a bit too many cutscenes so far in the early goings (I just unlocked the entire opening map).

Also been playing CFB 2025 and loving it. Super hard game though, defence is almost flawless at times I feel like.

Still not a whole lot of details but something official.

Nintendo's marketing budget has to be close to zero. They are anti-America, never build any hype for their games but the gameplay is always awesome. This is another example of that, where it was one of the worst reveal trailers I have seen for a new system, along with the reveal trailer for Meteroid.

 

[sethro109]

I'm just happy that it's confirmed to have an SSD. Since they're not interested in competing with PS/Xbox/PC in graphics, so they might as well make the thing lightning fast. That's my one gripe with my Switch right now. I don't know how I did it as a child. The load times on switch games make me want to pull my hair out. And if people really saw a SD express badge, that will also be welcome for the same reason.

 

[JWK]

Hopefully it doesn't take Nintendo 4 years to release an OLED version of Switch 2, I'll probably wait for that.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I'm just happy that it's confirmed to have an SSD. Since they're not interested in competing with PS/Xbox/PC in graphics, so they might as well make the thing lightning fast. That's my one gripe with my Switch right now. I don't know how I did it as a child. The load times on switch games make me want to pull my hair out. And if people really saw a SD express badge, that will also be welcome for the same reason.

If the Switch truly doesn't give a hoot about graphics and emphasizes fluidity of gameplay and intuitive controls, then I might consider jumping back into their ecosystem, depending on how many games they produce.

Outside of the Nintendo Classic Mini, I haven't had anything to do with Nintendo since the first version of the Wii. The problem I always got into was that my wife loves the platformers they have, but their action games didn't quite feel right to me coming from a PS/Xbox and PC background. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the emphasis on motion and unique game play rather than just using the buttons and stick to play a fun game. The graphics were behind the other systems, but honestly that meant nothing to me. The graphics were (and probably still are) completely adaquite for the games they were producing. I just felt the controllers were always a bit behind. I would love to find out that there is a system that has potentially dozens of deep games I've never explored.

Does the switch do backwards compatibility and if so, how far back?

Hopefully it doesn't take Nintendo 4 years to release an OLED version of Switch 2, I'll probably wait for that.

Probably take me that long to save up for an OLED display. Those things look beautiful but are not cheap.

 

[sethro109]

If the Switch truly doesn't give a hoot about graphics and emphasizes fluidity of gameplay and intuitive controls, then I might consider jumping back into their ecosystem, depending on how many games they produce.

Outside of the Nintendo Classic Mini, I haven't had anything to do with Nintendo since the first version of the Wii. The problem I always got into was that my wife loves the platformers they have, but their action games didn't quite feel right to me coming from a PS/Xbox and PC background. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the emphasis on motion and unique game play rather than just using the buttons and stick to play a fun game. The graphics were behind the other systems, but honestly that meant nothing to me. The graphics were (and probably still are) completely adaquite for the games they were producing. I just felt the controllers were always a bit behind. I would love to find out that there is a system that has potentially dozens of deep games I've never explored.

Does the switch do backwards compatibility and if so, how far back?


Probably take me that long to save up for an OLED display. Those things look beautiful but are not cheap.

They did say it was backwards compatible with switch games. But also had an asterisk that said certain titles might now be fully compatible.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

They did say it was backwards compatible with switch games. But also had an asterisk that said certain titles might now be fully compatible.
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Eh, I'm an idiot and a penny pincher. I wish I had more allegiance to Nintendo growing up, that would make it easier to go with. But I'm still having a hard time figuring out why I would go this way over a Steam Deck which would allow me to take games I already know I love and get mobile with them.

I have a feeling that if I get a Switch, it will probably end up being later in its life cycle when more games are already available so I have a plethera of titles to choose from rather than waiting and hoping for a game to come out that I want to play.

 

[sethro109]

Eh, I'm an idiot and a penny pincher. I wish I had more allegiance to Nintendo growing up, that would make it easier to go with. But I'm still having a hard time figuring out why I would go this way over a Steam Deck which would allow me to take games I already know I love and get mobile with them.

I have a feeling that if I get a Switch, it will probably end up being later in its life cycle when more games are already available so I have a plethera of titles to choose from rather than waiting and hoping for a game to come out that I want to play.

Steam deck is a hard value to top. I really enjoy mine. Ironically, I got it for me to game on the go with newer titles, but I almost never use it for that. I still find myself playing those titles on my PC. However, I love emulating older games and playing rom hacks on my steam deck.

 

[twostroke2023]

Omg. How did I never notice there was a video game thread here. I’m home! This is gonna be a fantastic year for games. I’m pumped for GTA, Fable and Avowed. Most notably right now avowed, mostly because it’s coming out soon!

Steam deck is a hard value to top. I really enjoy mine. Ironically, I got it for me to game on the go with newer titles, but I almost never use it for that. I still find myself playing those titles on my PC. However, I love emulating older games and playing rom hacks on my steam deck.

Steam Deck is awesome. I ended up buying the Rog Ally X. I find myself using it more than my Xbox, PC or PS5 just because of the convenience. My buddy has a OLED steam deck and they’re super slick devices too.

 

[Pokecheque]

Most fun I had gaming last year came from parties where we played with an Atari Flashback and a Nintendo Classic Mini. In this day and age of mega-AAA titles that cost $70, have purchasable DLC on day one, and don't actually work until about six months after release, there is something about playing low-graphic games that aren't made to last more than 5 minutes or so. Get a group together and let the shit-talking begin!! Combat! and Excitebike are my two current favorites.

As for the bolded... I think you nailed it here. I was a product of the era when video games were born. They developed, matured and grew right as I was doing the same. Games will always be a part of my life. However, there is just so much competition today for kids. Between tik-tok, social media, school, helicopter parents planning every moment, the explosion of cellphones and held-held devices that offer connectivity, the need desire for a centralized gaming specific console for a pre-teen is probably much less than it was.

I actually bought an Atari VCS for Christmas this year because I was desperate to find a console that played Combat! from the old Atari 2600 console. My first attempt to get that (the Atari Flashback like, over a decade ago) didn’t have it. Sure enough, it’s in the library on this one! I’m one of those old farts who doesn’t even need 8-bit graphics.

 

[MonsterMack]

Veilguard sincerely is not that bad. I wouldn't call it great, or tell you to immediately spend 70 buck on it, but the game is fine. Gamer expectations, and gamer opinions of each game company are so out of whack. Pre assumed opinions of games based on which company is producing them just snowball bad (or good) reviews. Bioware never had a chance.

It's not what I wanted, but I've had fun with it.

 

[katfude]

Veilguard sincerely is not that bad. I wouldn't call it great, or tell you to immediately spend 70 buck on it, but the game is fine. Gamer expectations, and gamer opinions of each game company are so out of whack. Pre assumed opinions of games based on which company is producing them just snowball bad (or good) reviews. Bioware never had a chance.

It's not what I wanted, but I've had fun with it.

Agreed. I enjoyed it but the whole franchise peaked on the first game. But the hate it's getting is overinflated, especially the GAME IS WOKE bullshit

 

[UncleRisto]

*LOL* 2 minutes and 22 seconds to say we've got a screen with two minature controllers that serve absolutely no purpose when not connected to the screen but you are free to disconnect them and lose them in your seat cushions at your convenience.

Switch controllers can be used by one or multiple players when not attached to the screen, though.

Trailer is bad, yeah.

 

[Ceremony]

I don't know anything about PCs.

 

[JudoKoala]

It's the best platformer ever on a console that isn't Nintendo's and is as enjoyable as just about any mainline Mario, as far as im concerned. It's one of the few games in recent years where you can tell that the devs prioritized the fun factor above all else. And if you're privy to PlayStation and it's history you'll be rewarded with a ton of fun surprises. I highly, highly recommend it.

I've been enjoying it a lot so far.

Animal Well is really good too. Significantly more challenging imo

Sorry for the delay, this is actually my first time back on HFAvs in the new year! Just wanted to say I ended up getting this (physical copy, which comes with a lovely manual/cartoon booklet), and it is absolutely the most pure fun I've had in ages. I agree, Merchant: The creativity, polish, and ingenuity are right up there with the mainline Mario platformers. Maybe I'm missing a bit of the Nintendo Hard factor (though I'm still early on in AB so perhaps later worlds will include such levels), but it's just so charming and lovely that I don't even really care. I'm just so happy we finally have a bonafide platformer in the vein of all the other legacy non-Mario franchises (Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter, etc.). Tremendous!!!!!

Other games I've recently gotten: Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition, Demon's Souls, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Silent Hill 2 remake. 'Tis the season for gaming, oh yeah!

 

[The Merchant]

Sorry for the delay, this is actually my first time back on HFAvs in the new year! Just wanted to say I ended up getting this (physical copy, which comes with a lovely manual/cartoon booklet), and it is absolutely the most pure fun I've had in ages. I agree, Merchant: The creativity, polish, and ingenuity are right up there with the mainline Mario platformers. Maybe I'm missing a bit of the Nintendo Hard factor (though I'm still early on in AB so perhaps later worlds will include such levels), but it's just so charming and lovely that I don't even really care. I'm just so happy we finally have a bonafide platformer in the vein of all the other legacy non-Mario franchises (Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter, etc.). Tremendous!!!!!

Other games I've recently gotten: Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition, Demon's Souls, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Silent Hill 2 remake. 'Tis the season for gaming, oh yeah!

Yeah, the majority of the main campaign caters to an all-ages audience, but as you play you'll discover challenge levels that will definitely test your skills. The final challenge level was especially punishing and a blast to figure out.