Tag Archives: nintendo

video game reviews

Nintendo Direct 2/9/2023

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I am a bit late to this coverage, but I thought I’d share it anyways. The Nintendo Direct just came out and there is a bit to unpack. It is looking to be a great year for the switch when it comes to not only retro gaming, but a few Nintendo classic titles like Pikmin and Zelda.

Pikmin 4 ($59.99)

Coming in as possibly the cutest entry from the Direct is Pikmin 4. This sequel to the cult classic comes with a new cute protagonist on her own adventure with the help of her little Pikmin friends. This game introduces new companions and abilities. Game releases on July 21,2023. Pre-orders are now open!

Samba de Amigo: Party Central (TBA)

If you are a fan of rhythm games, Samba de Amigo is a cute little title to add to your list. The game seems to take advantage of the Joy Con’s motion controls as you shake them to the groove of a pretty diverse collection of music. You can play by yourself, challenge your friends, and there is even online play if that is something that is important to you. The game is scheduled to release in June 2023.

Disney Illusion Island ($39.99)

For all you Disney fans out there, get ready for this cute little platformed. Take control of Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, and Donald as you travel through a new world in search of some magical books. The game releases on 7/28/23. Pre-orders are now open.

Advance Wars 1+2:Re-Boot Camp ($59.99)

To the fans of the original titles, the wait is finally over. This classic RTS was first announced and then delayed, but we finally got a release date. There are new modes, two playable stories, and online PVP. If you are feeling creative, you can even make your own maps! The game releases April 21, 2023. Pre-orders are now open!

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom ($69.99)

Zelda fans got another glimpse at Tears of The Kingdom and it looks to be another epic adventure over a new open world. They announced a collector’s edition, but good luck getting your hands on one:

and a cool new Link Amiibo ($15.99)

You can preorder yours at Best Buy or Game Stop

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom releases May 12, 2023. Preorders are now open!

Beyonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon ($59.99)

For all you Beyonetta fans out there, we are now getting some back story! Hopefully this ones better than 3. The game comes out March 17, 2023. Preorders are now open!

Metriod Prime Remastered ($39.99)

You can grab a digital copy today! Physical copies are available on February 22, 2023.

Maybe there will be a trilogy in our future.

Octopath Traveler II

I have already talked about this game. I am super excited. The game comes out February 24, 2023. For those of you interested in the title, there is a demo available for download in the Eshop.

Omega Strikers (Free to Play)

For those of you looking for an online battler, Omega Strikers is free to play 3v3 footbrawler coming to the switch April 23, 2023.

Etrian Odyssey Orgins Collection ($79.99)

I am very excited for this remaster of a classic collection I missed growing up. With updated graphics, modes, and gameplay, this collection of dungeon crawlers is sure to take up a nice chunk of my life. The game releases June 1, 2023. Preorders are open today!

Beten Kaitos I & II HD Remastered (TBA)

Another glow up to a classic card battler I missed growing up. The game is set to release in the summer of 2023. Make sure to add it to your wishlist!

Sea of Stars (TBA)

This is a cool looking turn-based RPG that I will be checking out. I love the pixel art and I could always use another RPG in my life. The game is set to release on August 29, 2023. You can download the Demo on the Eshop today!

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (TBA)

For those who missed it, or want to relive the fun of this cult classic, its coming out in the summer of 2023! You can wishlist it today!

Fashion Dreamer (TBA)

Be the influence you’ve always dreamed of being in this other life simulator game. The game is releasing sometime this year.

DECAPOLICE (TBA)

Level 5 is coming at is with a other cool looking RPG set in the future. It promises an open world as you fight crime in a futuristic city. The game is set to release sometime this year. You can wishlist it today!

Fantasy Life: The Girl Who Steals Time (TBA)

I loved the original Fantasy Life on the DS. It was cute and relaxing. This looks like it is promising an updated experience and I am here for it. The game comes out sometime in 2023. You can wishlist it today!

Tron: Identity (TBA)

This title caught me by surprise. I didn’t expect for Tron to come back. This is a puzzle game where your choices matter. The game comes out in April 2023, but you can add it to your wishlist today!

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE (TBA)

It seems like this is the year of detective games. The art looks cool and the gameplay seems neat. I’ll be keeping this on my radar. The game comes out on June 30, 2023. You can add it to your wishlist!

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie (TBA)

If you like visual novels, the art looks cool and the story seems intense. I just hope it has voice acting. The game comes out in June 2023. Add it to your wishlist!

WBSC eBASEBALL: POWER PROS ($.99)

For you baseball fans out there, this cute little game will sure to delight you. For $.99, it couldn’t hurt to give it a try. It is available now!

The Gameboy is coming to the Switch

It looks like this is a great year for retro gaming. They are porting a number of classic gameboy titles to the switch for those of you who have the Nintendo Online subscription.

DLC: In No Particular Order:

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass – February 15, 2023 ($29.99)

Splatoon 3 1st Wave of the Expansion Pass arrives in spring 2023 (24.99)

Mario Kart 8 Wave 4 Booster course pass ($24.99)

Fire Emblem Engage Expansion Pass ($29.00)

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania March 6, 2023 ($9.99) Pre-orders open!

I know this was a lot, but I wanted to collect it all in one place. Hopefully the format isn’t aweful and I didn’t miss anything. I know I didn’t talk about everything, but I didn’t want this to be too overwhelming. I wanted this to be a resource so I didn’t add any affiliate links or any other marketing. This was a pretty great direct that has me very excited for my year of gaming. Let me know what you are most excited about.

Image by Sharan Vijayagopal from Pixabay

video game reviews

Game Review: Fashion Police Squad

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If you like what I do and want to show your support, please consider buying me a coffee

I was sent Fashion Police Squad as a review code. While I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to review this game, I am not letting this sway my opinion. This will be my honest review of the game.

Fashion Police Squad is a retro FPS Doom clone with a silly quirk. It is available on all major platforms and PC. This review will be on the PC version. You play as Sargent Des who suddenly finds himself in a city with an abnormal boom in fashion crimes. It is up to you to fight these crimes and get to the bottom of what is behind this sudden wave.

Pictures are screenshots taken from the game.

The writing in this game is fine. It is full of fashion-related puns, and at least some will make you laugh. I got a good chuckle out of this game and appreciate the developers’ commitment to the bit. The plot has a predictable mystery, but you aren’t playing this game for its deep storytelling. 

This game is a mostly more polished retro fps full of inventive weapons and hilarious enemies. Each enemy comes with a specific weakness that requires you to constantly switch between your equipment. This mechanic gives the game a welcomed level of difficulty. I played on the normal difficulty and thought the game was challenging enough, but you can always raise it if you find it too easy. I found that even on normal difficulty, I had to plan out my moves and be aware of enemy positioning or else be overwhelmed. 

That said, the game isn’t perfect yet. I found instances where I could confuse the NPCs and get them stuck in loops that made them easy to kill. There were also a few performance issues, especially in instances with many enemies, where the game would stutter; or frames would drop after each kill. The performance issues never made the game unplayable, but they are noticeable when it happens. 

I had a lot of fun with this game. I love retro FPS games and found this to be a delightful little take on the genre. The humor was a vibe that I was all about, although I will admit some of the slang did go over my head. The art is really cool, and their attention to detail is admirable. Most importantly, this game is fun. It is definitely worth the $20. The game is on sale for $17 until February 16 on the Xbox, PC, and Switch.

You can grab your copy of Fashion Police Squad on the Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, and Steam.  

Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today!

For whatever reason, WordPress isn’t letting me post my gameplay video so here is a great one by ContraNetwork

video game reviews

No Man’s Sky

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The other day I booted up No Man’s Sky on PC because I didn’t know I had the copy. To my surprise, not only did I have a copy, but I also had access to their new VR update. If you don’t remember, No Man’s Sky had a rough start at release. By all accounts, this game was terrible, and people were demanding refunds. Hello Games came out and made a statement assuring its players that it will continue to work on this game and make it better. Seven years later, this game is still going strong, and Hello Games has made good on many of its promises.

I got this game after its first update. I saw the bad news, but when the game went on sale, the sale price justified my curiosity. I loved this game and played way too much of it. For those who don’t know, No Man’s Sky is a space-themed survival game. You must use the resources of the planets you land on to build your bases, explore ancient cavillations, and travel the universe. If you like survival games, you probably already own this title. If you are considering buying this game, it doesn’t hurt to jump in now. The art is phenomenal, the gameplay is relaxing, and the developers behind this game are amazing. Do not be intimidated if you aren’t familiar with survival games. There are many resources and guides out there to guide you on your journey, and there are several modes and settings to help make your playthrough a catered experience.

I got this game on the Xbox when I first got my copy. Not only did this copy grant me access to the PC version, but I can also play it in VR. I love the fact that I can switch between consoles without having to start over and buy another copy of the game. I hate having to purchase multiple versions of the game when I dare desire the convenience of playing on the couch. I wish more games came with the option of not just cross-platform, but cross-saves as well. I know that there is that belief that PC gaming is the panicle of the experience, but sometimes I want to not be at my desk. It shouldn’t be too much to ask for, especially in online games, to be able to play on whatever is most convenient without having to spend so much money. 

The VR experience has revitalized my love for this game. Not only does it give me a reason to use my Meta Quest 2, but it is a phenomenal experience. This isn’t a cheap gimmick to trick people into buying the game again. There was a lot of effort put into this port. This game is so pretty and immersive that I have spent more time looking at the strange alien life than trying to finish any questing. I am the type of person who is easily distracted. The game runs pretty well on the Quest 2, although there are some stuttering and bugs that could be ironed out. It is not enough to ruin the experience, but it is noticeable enough to be distracting. 

Chilly MKA posted a pretty good game play video that you should check out if you need to see what this game looks like in VR:

One thing to note about this version is that the default movement settings are designed to mitigate VR sickness. You teleport to move it blinks to turn. Teleporting to move felt clunky, and it took away from the emersion. Turning feels too sudden and jarring. I changed the settings so that I could get a more immersive experience, but that will take some getting used to for most. While I didn’t get as sick with this title as others I have played, the sickness will eventually creep up on me, and I will need to take my break or risk losing my lunch. I do recommend you not wear the headset until the game is loaded to your instance because the loading animation will make you sick. My only complaint is that I wish I could use a flight stick for flying the spaceship, but I can live without using one. 

You should buy this game if you don’t have it. It is sure to provide you with many hours of relaxing gameplay as you travel through the universe exploring strange and wonderful worlds. Check it out on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, xbox, Steam, and GOG. For those of you who like physical copies, consider getting cheaper copies on Amazon with my affiliate links:

Nintendo Switch ($48.11)

PS5 ($48.83)

Xbox ($29.47)

PS4 ($31.40)

Image Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50630511

video game reviews

The Pathless

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I just watched the trailer for The Pathless, and I thought I would share it with you. The Pathless is an action-adventure game available on all major consoles, PC, and IOS devices. Take control of a hunter and her eagle as you travel through a magical land, riding it of darkness with the help of your archery and acrobatic skills. This game might be worth looking into if you are in the market for a faster-paced platformer. I don’t think I will be picking it up because I have a few games lined up for review, but the art looks interesting, and the gameplay seems solid. It doesn’t seem too bad for $40.

You can get your copy for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Steam, and IOS. This game is included in your apple arcade subscription if you have one. It is mostly available in digital format, but I was able to find a physical copy for the PS5 that is a bit cheaper at $21.95 through my affiliate link.

NintendoGalaxy put out a nice video showcasing the gameplay on the Nintendo Switch that is worth checking out if you are interested in the the game.

video game reviews

Game Review: SpongeBob: The Cosmic Shake

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If you like what I do and want to show your support, please consider buying me a coffee

I was sent this game as a review code. While I am very grateful for the chance to review this title, I will not let the fact that I got this game for free skew my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

Pictures and video are taken from the game

SpongeBob The Cosmic: Shake is a 3D platformer available on all major consoles and PC. This review is for the PC version. Play as your favorite yellow sponge as he traverses the multiverse to save his friends and Bikini Bottom. Can you collect enough jelly to put everything back to normal?

I wasn’t surprised by how much I enjoyed playing this game. Traditionally, SpongeBob titles have been good enough, and by all accounts, this game follows said tradition. It may not change the gaming climate or be a lasting title, but it is a relaxing title that you should pick up if you are just trying to chill.

The story is pretty simple and negligible. SpongeBob breaks reality, and it is up to him to put it back together. You get to travel to different themed worlds where you must complete quests to return your friends to Bikini Bottom. It is very reminiscent of titles like Banjo Kazooie or Spiro, but I would argue that SpongeBob is a little easier.

The platforming is simple but satisfying. It will be easy for those veterans of the genre, but it provides enough of a challenge to help you pass the time. This game was made for a younger audience, but that doesn’t mean adults won’t enjoy it. This game is full of jokes, references, and easter eggs that will make even the most casual fans of the series smile. I loved the dose of nostalgia this game was for me, but also adored the gameplay built around it. As someone who traditionally hates platformers, this became an enjoyable time sink.

The game runs smoothly for the most part. I averaged 80 fps, but I did notice the occasional stuttering and frame drops. The drops weren’t bad enough to render the game unplayable, but it is noticeable when it happens. I hope the publishers will continue to support this game by releasing updates and patches.

If you have kids, this title is a must-buy. It is cute, inoffensive, and hard enough without being impossible. If you don’t have kids, it’s worth the $40 if you are looking for something relaxing to play. It has all the SpongeBob references you can take, costumes to collect, fun music, nice graphics, wonderfully themed worlds, and your favorite yellow sponge. What more can you want from a SpongeBob title?

Grab your copy for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. And for those who prefer physical copies, why not get them using my affiliate links: Switch, PS4, Xbox

Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today!

I couldn’t list my video for whatever reason so here is IGN’s gameplay if you need to see more.

video game reviews

Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers Available Now!

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If you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, the Nintendo Switch Game vouchers have just been announced. For the price of $99.98, you get two vouchers that you can exchange for any full-priced game or preorder. AAA games like Pokemon are typical $60 and rarely go on sale. If you don’t mind expanding your digital library, this is a great way to save some money.

A nifty little trick to enjoy more savings is to find discounted Nintendo eshop Gift cards. Costco sometimes has good deals on these so be on the lookout when you can. If you are interested in Mario games, I would wait till after March 10. March 10 is Mario day, and I am sure you can score some nice discounts then.

The vouchers are available now, so make sure you grab yours today!

video game reviews

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless

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Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless was just announced, and I am interested in keeping up with my newfound interest in strategy games. I haven’t played any of the games in this series either, but I have always heard good things. The game looks adorable and the little gameplay I saw looks manageable for my skill level. This SRPG is promising a bunch of new features like a Hell Mode, an auto-battle feature, and online ranked play for those competitive folks out there. I will be watching for more news and gameplay.

The game is set to release in the fall of 2023 on the Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PlayStation. As of writing this, you can only preorder the different collection bundles and plushies directly from the NIS store, and the swag looks pretty neat if you are a fan of the series.  

Limited Edition with Plush Set

Nintendo Switch Bundle $158.99 USD

PlayStation 4 Bundle $158.99 USD

PlayStation 5 Bundle $158.99 USD

Limited Edition Without the Plush Set

Nintendo Switch Bundle $99.99 USD

PlayStation 4 Bundle $99.99 USD

PlayStation 5 Bundle $99.99 USD

Just The Plushies

Lil’ Pirilika $36.99 USD

Lil’ Fuji $36.99 USD

“Netherworld Warriors” Acrylic Print $299.99

The Desk Mat $23.99 usd

video game reviews

Game Review: Fire Emblem Engage

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If you like what I do and want to show your support, please consider buying me a coffee

Traditionally, I haven’t been a fan of strategy games, but with age, I find myself coming around. I have never played a Fire Emblem title before, and when I saw the ads for Engage, I thought this would be a great time to start. I loved the art style, and the animation looked very cool. I was not disappointed by this title, and Engage quickly became one of my obsessions. I recommend this game to anyone looking for a new game to play, even if you don’t like the genre.

Fire Emblem Engage is a strategy JRPG for the Nintendo Switch where you play as Alear and her allies as they fight against the evil ancient dragon Sombron and try to stop him from taking over the world. With the help of the spirits of great warriors, you and your allies fight against formidable foes in decisive battles that can change everything. Can you collect all the emblems and defeat Sombron before it is too late?

Images are Screenshots from game

I found the story for this title a bit generic and predictable. It leans heavily on anime tropes, and I found some of the character development a bit lacking. That said, the story is good enough for the casual experience this became for me. It isn’t a bad story, but I have a feeling that there are better stories in the series that I will be exploring in the future.

The gameplay is a bit of a mixed bag. There are elements of the gameplay like the combat that I loved, but there are other elements that felt like they bogged the game down, like the training mini-games. What sets Engage apart from other strategy games I’ve played is its social mechanics You are encouraged to make friends with your allies through a series of activities you complete in-between battles. You can eat, train, and talk with allies to unlock additional backstory and small buffs. This was an interesting concept that quickly became a chore as the stories I sat through stopped being as interesting, and the minigames stopped being fun. I just wanted to beat the next chapter, but I also wanted to make sure I collected all the available buffs. If you like the characters you interact with, this might not feel as much of a chore.

I loved the combat in this game. I played this game on normal difficulty and on casual because I couldn’t handle the permanence of death. There is a mode in this game where death is permanent. Units that die in combat die in the story, and you no longer have access to them. This is a very cool mechanic, but one that I wasn’t ready for at the start of my adventure. I found the normal difficulty challenging enough for my abilities, but the options are available from the start for those of you who need the extra challenge. One thing to note about the normal difficulty is that it is very easy to over-level. I can’t speak for harder difficulties, but you don’t really need to grind much on normal to beat the story. 

So is this game worth it? Yes. Although it has its flaws, it serves as a fantastic introduction to the series. As someone who has never played another Fire Emblem game, I am left wanting more. I went into this title blind without knowing anything about the series, and never felt lost with the lore. The mechanics were easy to pick up, the story is good enough, and the animation is very cool. There are settings in this game to speed up combat by turning off animations, but I left them on because I loved watching the combat. If you are looking for a fun strategy game that isn’t a huge commitment, check out Fire Emblem Engage. 

Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today!

Image By Giant Bomb, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72742725

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Persona 3 Portable & Persona 4 Golden Bundle

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This year is looking pretty good for the Nintendo Switch and console gaming in general. I am definitely going to struggle to keep up with my ever-growing backlog of games. I just saw the ad for the Persona 3 Portable & Persona 4 Golden Bundle and I am very excited. I am still busy with Fire Emblem Engage. but I will try to finish it up quickly to attempt to squeeze it in. If you are a fan of these classic titles, you can now get them on each modern console. It looks like they have upgraded the graphics and it looks pretty sick. I haven’t had a chance to play any of the persona games, but this looks like it’s a nice place to start. Grab your copy for the Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch today!

video game reviews

Game Review: Samurai Maiden

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If you like what I do and want to show your support, please consider buying me a coffee

I got Samurai Maiden as an impulse. I wanted something to do while I waited for Fire Emblem Engage. I liked the art, and I needed something to do. Unfortunately, my interest faded quickly the deeper I got into this series.

You play as a high school girl who finds herself in the past. It has prophesied that she would come to save the world from a great evil. With the help of a group of sexy ninjas, you must now fight against the forces of evil and fulfill your prophecy.

I don’t believe I need to be any more specific because the narrative is as generic as it gets. There is an audience for this game, but it wasn’t me. The writing for this game is bad. This might be due to a poor translation, but I just couldn’t get past it. The voice acting is okay, but it bothers me that they constantly pause after each line of dialogue. I couldn’t get invested in a story that was poorly executed. The only aspect of this game that I liked was the art. Samurai Maiden is a beautiful game, but it remains a shallow experience.

The main gameplay exists within this very stiff hack-and-slash game. As the main character, you fight your way through small dungeons and call on your friends for support. There are some dating sim elements to this game. You gain friendship with your support characters as you use them. You can also form romantic relationships with the other ninjas. You unlock more combos and back story as you develop relationships with the other characters. I liked this mechanic and thought it was an interesting way to handle support characters and worldbuilding. It wasn’t good worldbuilding, and I didn’t care for the dating sim bits, but it was an interesting mechanic. 

If you like these kinds of games, you might have a better time. There is enough fan service and cute moments, but the gameplay just isn’t there. For everyone else, it isn’t worth the trouble, especially for the price of $59.99. It looks great, but the game isn’t. But for those interested, you can get it on Steam, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. 

Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today!