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To answer one of your questions, @Rummy, for me the issue isn't the price, it's what's on offer that I have an issue with. It's more the principal of the thing. Firstly, the NES lineup is very poor, IMO. We've played a lot of these games to death now and had them spread across the Wii, Wii U, 3DS and NES Classic. I think this is where the promise of other consoles, such as N64 and GameCube would go a long way with Switch owners. As it stands, we have a selection of NES games but no mention of if we can buy them outright, what the release schedule will be or if more consoles will available. Secondly, the Switch hasn't got any online games that pull me in. Mario Kart and Splatoon were fun in short bursts but have I dropped them a while back. ARMS and Pokken also failed to grab my attention. The Switch also lacks a lot of the big 3rd party games that have online modes. My 3rd point is about the lack of ability to send messages, set up games with friends and Nintendo doubling down on the app for voice chat, are the BIG reasons why the games I previously mentioned don't hold my attention. Not being able to set up games with people without using a forum or using another device is flat out ridiculous in this day and age. These have been industry standards for 2 generations now but Nintendo refuse to get with times. I would honestly pay a premium price for Nintendo's service if they allowed me to party chat via the console and send messages and set up games. Everything else they offer with the service is just a bonus, much like PSN and XBL. Outside of the cloud saves, I don't think the service is worth dropping money on. I can afford it but why bother if the games aren't there and the service isn't actually giving me what I actually want? I mentioned earlier in the thread that I think the way this has been announced has been a bit of a mess. I think more clarity is needed in regards to the service but as it stands the whole thing seems half baked, just as it before it was delayed. Speaking of the delay, what here has justified a whole year delay? I know there were rumours that they were having a bit of a nightmare getting the service up and running and that doesn't exactly fill me with confidence going forward.

I agree with a lot of what you wrote there @Hero-of-Time . My problem is that, nothing about what they are offering with this directly improves the actual online infrastructure of the Switch. As far as gaming online on the Switch goes, it'll be exactly the same, only now with a price tag. All of the other stuff (Nes games, cloud saving, discounts) are just separate extras. If paying for Switch's online gave us the ability to send messages and invites for example, then I would be all for it, but based on the information they've put out so far, seems like its going to be the same service. Couple that with the fact there are very few online games for the switch and I currently only have one that holds my interest, I'm struggling to see why I should get a subscription, no matter how cheap it is.

I think Xbox's strategy over the past 18 months has been about preparing for the next generation really, trying to diversify their game line up a bit more to veer away from the image that the Xbox is good only for Halo and Gears Of War. I think the projects that have been hinted at (like the return of Fable) will be part of their strategy for the successor to the Xbox One and they are shifting their focus from simply creating an Xbox console to creating an Xbox ecosystem by making their exclusives available on Windows. I think in the short term it seems like they're diluting their console business but the execs in charge of Xbox are looking at the bigger picture and are thinking more long term than just catching up with the PS4. The Xbox One X kind of flies in the face of that long term philosophy though, they seem to have invested millions in R&D to produce a console they can market as the most powerful ever released just to squeak a couple of percent of the console market away from Sony. I think i'm most interested in their E3 conference to see what their plans are for the next year, I know what to expect from Sony and Nintendo but I can't think what Microsoft's showing is going to be like.

Christ, guys, take it outside or something.

Looks like EA are going to continue pushing forward with these kinda of practices.

Get Out was great. This should be gooooood:

I guess this belongs here?

A new 2D fighter made by the Studio Saizensen, the studio that made Code of Princess, and published by Nicalis. It features characters from both Studio Saizensen and Nicalis, and apparently some other surprise characters as well. It's a pretty traditional fighter, except the controls are simplified. Graphics are 2D, although they're made with the help of 3D models. It should release somewhere this Summer. I made this thread, as yesterday they had this new character reveal: Some info and gameplay: Together with Street Fighter and Blazblue, it looks like I'll be doing some fighting this Summer.

Hi guys I found this gaming forum, and I was wondering if you could help me to find the name of a game from my childhood. I understand that this might be a bit hard to find, as there are many 3D platformers from that era. Thank you! Here's all the info I have: Platform: Must be either PS1, Saturn, Dreamcast, N64 or even PS2 Genre: 3D platformer (it could possibly be considered action/adventure) Estimated year of release: Between 1997-2002 Graphics/art style: Colorful or cartoony, 3D levels and 3rd person camera. It looks similar to Kao the Kangaroo, Crash Bandicoot, Banjo-Kazooie or Croc 2 It's not: side-scrolling, 2.5D nor isometric, and doesn't look dark/realistic/futuristic Main character: An animal/creature. I think it doesn't have any weapon or power-up Other details: The first or second level is a typical field/meadow/plain in a sunny day, you walk through a road (dirt or stone). I definitely remember some big rolling balls as obstacles. I recall the level as being kinda simple: you walk forward on the road instead of roaming around the place. I don't remember any dialogue, NPC or special features. It seemed more like a demo, but I guess it's a full game. Here's a little drawing: https://imgur.com/a/NzxTy Checked games: Crash series, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, Croc 2, Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Kao the Kangaroo, Sonic series, Ninpen Manmaru, Conker, Gex, Spyro series, Ape Escape, Chameleon Twist, Ratchet & Clank, Vex, Zapper, Billy Hatcher, Klonoa, Lilo & Stitch, Tomba 2, Pitfall, Scaler, Pandemonium, Rayman 2, Bubsy 3D, Barbie, Kingsley's Adventure, Tonic Trouble, Sheep Raider, Bugs Bunny series, Looney Tunes, Super Magnetic Neo, Bugdom, Space Circus Fever, Hugo/Agent Hugo, Sly Cooper, Bug!, Ty the Tasmanian Tiger, Jak&Daxter, Super Mario 64, Glover, Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers, Scooby Doo, Treasure Planet, Stretch Panic, Malice, Phix: The Adventure, Legend of Kay, Mystical Ninja Goemon, Neopets: The Darkest Faerie, Frogger series, The Emperor's New Groove, Muppet Monster Adventure, Woody Woodpecker, Space Station Silicon Valley, Donkey Kong 64, Rocket: Robot on Wheels, Adiboo & Paziral's Secret, The Adventures of Monkey Hero, Jersey Devil, Jinx, Jumping Flash, MediEvil, A Bug's Life, Blues Brothers 2000, Charlie Blasts Territory, Daffy Duck: Duck Dodgers, Earthworm Jim 3D, Starshot Space Circus Fever, Taz Express, Floigan Brothers, The Grinch, MDK2, An American Tail, Animaniacs, Anubis 2, Billy The Wizard, Castleween, Cocoto Platform Jumper, Coraline, Freak Out, Gift, Herdy Gerdy, Psychonauts, Tak and the Power of Juju, Zapper, The Legend of Kay

You're most welcome. It's a shame that it wasn't any of those but at least that's a few more down to cross off. Also, I noticed that in your list of consoles you have some games which could have been on GameCube or Xbox so I guess those are platforms to consider as well from the same era. Yes, nostalgia most certainly is great at times but deadly at other points in time. If I think of any other games, I'll be sure to post them here.

Thank you for your help, S.C.G.! Those are great games, but I'm afraid they're not the one I'm looking for. Anyway, now I can add them to the list, thanks to you. Ah... Nostalgia is indeed a sweet feeling. But sometimes it haunts you in your dreams! Haha Aside from playing Nintendo, in my free time I like to do some research, and finding childhood games seems a perfect thing to do. Thanks again, and I hope my English level is enough. Edit: If you like Darius II, let me recommend you Thunder Force (also for Mega Drive)

Also... Donkey Kong 64 on the N64 just to throw that one out there as it doesn't seem to be on the list. Oh and Rocket Robot on Wheels can't forget that one.

Hi @Azalus and welcome to N-Europe. I can sympathise with you wanting to find a game that you played during your childhood but just can't think of the name, it has happened to me a good few times over the years... the one which eluded me for a while was this side-scrolling shmup that I played on the Megadrive over at my late Grandparents neighbours house, which featured a really significant boss battle in a lava stage which featured a mutated angler fish and some of the greatest music I've ever heard in such a title. That game of course was Darius II... I know that now, but at the time, I couldn't think what it was, possibly due to it being an import copy I think. Anyway, back to your quest to find this 3D platforming type game, which I can see already has a rather large exclusion list of games you've already checked and I must commend you on the amount of research you've done as at least we have a lot to work with, so I will try to help you find out what this game is called. My first thought was Super Magnetic Neo as that one is kind of obscure, fitted the bill and I only realised what type of game it is very recently... but that's on the list. The only title I can think of right now is... Space Station Silicon Valley on the N64 purely because it's so odd and it doesn't seem to be in your list. It's a starting point at least.

Well as long as people aren't getting on my back for reasonably asking him where his figure came from, and can allow the fact I haven't changed my numbers repeatedly I'm fine with that - because it's a foundation for the points I wanted to come onto. People have already mentioned the value of the service to them, something which you surely can't come up with without considering cost. There's going to be different ways to compare this too - which is also related. I wanted to avoid just getting repeats of the same issues people feel they have with it atm though. So first off - for those who don't feel it's worth the £18 yearly(remember this at the moment is a minimum/cheapest price, and shorter term buys work out more expensive). Ignoring the family pass for the moment - for those who don't feel it's worth the £18 then what DO you feel it is worth? Is there a lower price threshold you'll pay for it in its current speculated state (I realise there's lot of room for movement and unknowns in here) or do you simply feel it's a service that does not currently offer enough to bother with at all? Next up - how do you feel the price compared with alternatives; either both at advertised pricing and obtainable? My point here as an example is that ps+ has been recently raised to an official price of...£60 for 12 months? Though in reality you can often get it for less via places like CDKeys etc and Sony themselves often do small deals on it - this is something I think we're unlikely to see from Nintendo and I doubt anywhere will sell pre-paid 12 month cards etc for anything less than £18 so it's likely to be an absolute bottom. What happens next if, as some are wondering, the service isn't up to scratch? There's already murmurs of potential issues of withdrawing currently existing free online play to behind the subscription; what happens if the service just doesn't get a good uptake? There's enough Switch owners here dithering on the fence and for me online has been a big question mark that's held me off purchasing a switch for a while. Another reason I wonder about this came up in General sales etc - some suggesting that retail sales seem to be down more these days and someone else wondered if it was due to a proliferation of digital options for consumers now. What happens if this online service doesn't quite keep up with shifting patterns or trends, especially when we've seen retailers dump Nintendo lines previously with the Wii U? Tbh I don't see it really happening with the Switch as demand still seems to be going, but I do wonder what will happen after this online service is launched. Questions also still hanging out there about piracy/hacked devices and whether this will be a service designed to counteract any negative effects of that. I'd like to hope they have designed a service smartly enough for it but given its been rather notably hacked relatively short into his lifespan I'm curious whether they'll be prepared for what could come(even if it was a Tegra vulnerability rather than their own). I'd also be curious about the verification when it comes, and if someone clever might find ways to get hacked Switches online playing without paying etc. For me there's lots of questions about something we don't really have many answers to - I can't say it makes me keen to jump in with the system atm.

EA's CEO Reveals PS4 is Selling More Than Double Xbox One I was under the impression Microsoft were gaining momentum in the last year, this suggests otherwise.

The game is highly scripted? So that's why I always lose...

@Rummy, sorry but take to PM if you want to discuss it further. I posted the EUR price shortly after. I don't think anyone was mislead unless some one has said so. Personally I didn't know the UK prices were announcement (or I'm blind).

For the Wii U tournament, they played with items on up until the final (and i think even in the semi-finals they were set to low). Interesting mix of players to invite (four from the Melee scene, four from Smash 4). The fact that they are inviting Mango implies that Sakurai is confident in the game attracting Melee fans. Could this game be a return to the fast paced Melee?

I can easily see @Julius Caesar's suggestion of Steve from Minecraft happen, if Xbox plays nice that is. Would be a huge get for Smash, given the popularity of the game.

"Intentionally misleading in order to troll?" Says the man who suggested I was 25% wrong in my figure? If you're going to accuse others of misleading information, at least make sure your own posts are accurate. Why do you feel the need to pop on the Nintendo boards and start utterly pointless arguments where none was necessary? The previous time with @dazzybee a few months ago, now this. It's arguing over such small things. I made a mistake, I was off by 10 pence, apologies everyone. Sorry @Julius Caesar, I won't say another word on this.

I don’t mean to the flames of this ‘discussion’, but £0.10/£1.40 is around a 7% price difference, not 25%. I certainly don’t mean to involve myself in this too much - because I respect and have had fruitful discussions with both of you, if not in this thread then in others - but I don’t think that @Ronnie was intentionally trying to mislead anyone, @Rummy, and I think it’s unfair to single him out for “wrong or misleading information”, when the 25% figure you just floated out can be seen as such given that it’s not contextually related to the current discussion. I’ve only been on these forums for a bit over two years, but I keep seeing heated debates between the two of you (and occasionally others) with ill-intentioned jabs at one another, and it has to stop. It’s not healthy for either of you, let alone the current discussion and other users here. I don’t know either of you personally, and so I don’t know whether your arguments are rooted in real life arguments or only online ones. As @Ashley points out, those UK subscription prices seem to be quite new. I certainly hadn’t seen them before, and I was even quoting the US$ prices as recently as yesterday in this very thread. Back on topic, with regards to the pricing, a family account subscription for up to eight users to use is available which costs only £31.49/year. That’s what, around £0.33/month/user? I think Nintendo has made it quite accessible in terms of pricing, especially if you compare it at face value to the prices of Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus. Whether you’re getting your money’s worth in contrast to the other two major console online services is a different matter altogether, though, and one I’m sure we’ll see coming up time and time again until we learn more about their plans for the service.

Without going back and checking exact timings, the UK price was announced last (even after EU).

I went off the US price because that's the only price I had to go on at the time, and did the maths in my head. Apologies everyone, when I said £1.40 a month sounded good to me, I should have said £1.50 a month sounded good to me. A whopping 10 pence more a month than I suggested. There we go. Was it really worth arguing over?

I don't think the size and position of the Xbox market has much to do with the drop off. The game had a very strong start both in retail and digitally but a lot of players left not long after it launched. The reason for this is the game just lacks content, which is baffling considering how long it was in development for. Having it on other consoles wouldn't have helped as you would have just had more people left disappointed. There is also the problem of it lacking a real single player component. Sure, you can play on your own but no doubt you will get hunted down by a group of people who are playing together. I've read a fair few stories on Era about how people got sick of losing their loot due to being attacked by a random group of players. This is fine if its an even battle but if you are off about doing your own thing by yourself, exploring and getting treasure, only for it to be nicked away from you after putting a couple of hours into getting it, it's not hard to see why people got fed up. The GaaS model is a tricky one and you need to have a plenty of things to do for the player that keep them engaged otherwise it's going to tank. Ubisoft seems to really have cracked the code with some of their games. Just look at how well Rainbow Six, The Division and even For Honor are doing. All 3 of them had bumpy starts but Ubisoft engaged with their user base, listened to the feedback and reacted quickly in order to deliver games that are now very successful.

3DS was hacked this way too. Cubic Ninja was the first, followed by individual save file hacks for games like OoT3D and others. Wii U was hacked via the web browser. It's not hard to see why they removed access to save file transferring and the console web browser in Switch... Switch has ended up getting hacked thanks to a big, widespread CPU flaw inherent in many CPU designs, including the Tegra X1 in the Switch (And all the documentation for the X1 is also freely available online and has been for years). The Switch's own security hasn't actually been compromised, but thanks to this security flaw inherent to the X1, hackers have been able to bypass Nintendo's security altogether. Which is why Nintendo/Tegra is working on a revision to the Switch's X1 chip right now.

Why go off a US price converted into GBP when we have a UK price of £18, and after that also your maths still isn't adding up. Do you wilfully try to misrepresent information when it's not needed, or is it genuinely mistaken? Pretty much modifying the saves off the system via PC or so and then using it to trigger flaws that can access the system - Twilight Princess and Smashstack and even Bannerbomb all utilised a method of modding the SD card contents and letting the system try to load it to then trigger a doorway in to run code etc. Iirc one of the early original Xbox softhacks utilised a specific game for a hack, I can't recall if it used custom saves/codes or if it was a harder in game thing to do though. Indeed!

I adore the original films and look forward to seeing if they can pull this comeback off. The second films ending never fails to give me goosebumps. It's Steve Vai's intro that pumps me up.

A lot of information coming from Game Informer on the game: • Been in development for five years. • First idea came after making Uncharted Golden Abyss. • More than 100 developers, team size has doubled since 2016. • Picks up several years after a pandemic has ravaged the US. • People infected by virus are simply called "infected" by NERO (National Emergency Response Organization). • NERO operated 12 checkpoints for quarantining and processing people, but now abandoned. • Deacon has a mercenary friend named Boozer. • Plot is about surviving, not finding a cure. • Stealing Boozer's stuff will make him upset, which will effect your relationship. • Five encampments in the world which Deacon goes between, has to forge relationships. • Have to clear out locations to unlock fast travel. • Weapons look worn down because of the rain. • Larger towns to explore. • Weapons lockers and safehouses which refill ammo. • Deacon can scout camps with binoculars. • Deacon is the enforcer of a biker club called the Mongrels. • Bike is completely upgradeable with cosmetic upgrades such as paint jobs. • Can increase fuel efficiency and durability, swap out tires based on weather. • Can ambush camps. • Wide variety of weapons such as Shotguns, sniper rifles, molotov cocktails, pistols, LMGs, grenades, napalm. • Freaker-ear bounties, hunting animals, camps to clear. • Flashback missions where you learn about Deacon's past with Sarah. • Ambush camps are bad, encampments are good. • Ambush camps will attack you roadside(marauders). • Freakers are drawn to dark places such as tunnels and will make nests. • Only way to clear freaker nests is via molotovs, gas cans, oil drums. • Deacon has "survival vision" which highlights items of interest, can be upgraded to highlight enemies. • Deacons stamina, health, time slowdown are upgradable. • Radio towers that you can climb. • No fetch quests or time trials, everything has context. • Hordes are scattered throughout the world. • 300 zombie hoard is a "baby hoard", E3 2016 demo had 500. • Hordes need to eat, sleep, and drink. Travel in groups. NERO mass grave was where they were in demo. We also have our first look at the game’s map: They also estimate that the game’s critical path is around 30 hours long, but this is a number which can easily be changed by the weather that you experience during your playtime.

God, I can't believe Herman José did a David Attenborough bit. I knew hosting the contest would come with risks, but this... Anyway, I'm legit shocked Belgium didn't qualify. That was the sort of quality song that can nevertheless do well in these contests. Still, I'm happy for Ireland, Lithuania and Estonia, which were the other ones I enjoyed the most. Also, I could swear we were going to have interval acts during the semi-finals. If we had one, I missed it. Grievances about results will not be taken personally

Got another tweet added to the Nintendo VS Uk moment again this week. Much better than the last one too. It was my one from Tick Tock Clock.

Arrr!

Can we also talk about actual pirates?

Infinity War was entertaining. But, that was not Thanos. Thanos is not an anti-hero. He is not trying to save the universe. And it really irks me that they can get away with changing a character so fundamentally and everyone's just dandy with it. The run on from this, is that the story makes no fucking sense. If Thanos has the Infinity Gauntlet and can reshape reality then the issue of the universe's 'finite' resources because null and void. He could literally wish everyone a Big Mac if he really wanted. Why does killing half the universe make any sense at all? It doesn't. This is a hangover from Thanos' real intentions and character in the comics; his unending crusade to woo Lady Death (the physical manifestation of Death). And the reason why killing half the universe makes sense there is because her brother is Eternity and they must exist together. The snap is the most cosmically overblown romantic gesture ever and its great. It makes no sense in the film. Thanos is a nasty, cruel, unforgiving, mutant tyrant. Not whatever this crappy Disney villain was. Watching these Marvel films is like one of your friends telling people your anecdotes but they've got the details all wrongs and they've forgetten why they were telling it in the first place. They're a bunch wish-washy, pseudo-emotive films with virtually no intelligent or memorable points to make. Entertaining and pretty forgettable trash. Worth the price of admission but not really worth thinking about. But yeah, I enjoyed the ride a lot.

Yup, but as stated many times, you have the option to save locally for free on a USB stick or HDD. Had this been an option as well then nobody would be batting an eyelid.

To rephrase what @Kav said: Back up saves locked behind paywall... I think no one is criticizing the fact that cloud saves cost money, it's just that Nintendo doesn't offer any alternative right now and there's no indication that an alternative will be available soon. Quite frankly, it's embarrassing that you aren't able to back up saves to an external storage device...

I like the idea of a Netflix for games, but ain't none of those games interest me at all. I currently have no online multiplayer games either, so that feature would be a waste. I think I can wait for them to add more games first before I bother signing up.

Oh yeah i know how to get them in and out, ive had it since launch. Its just flimsy plastic around the edges of each slot and ive already had the slots themselves failing more and more. Its a clever device but not a massively reliable one.

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze Review written by @Hero-of-Time Thank you on behalf of N-Europe.

Been married a week now... url picture We are currently in London for our honeymoon. Having a meal in the Shard tonight and then we fly to Japan for two weeks on Sunday. Cannot wait!!

I would have won GP3 if I didn't screw up so hard on the last race >_< EDIT: Been grinding out the Single Player for gold mario / parts. I didn't know you got new title screens for doing the mirror GPs ^_^ Also time trials were a bitch, just finished them today for the wheels. Just need to grind out coins for the glider and i'm done.

I renewed the domain for this place.

I downloaded the Super Lucky's Tale DLC today and couldn't put it down! It's really great, hard as nails and changes up the formula a bit so it feels nice and fresh, these are set challenges now so it's mainly a case of surviving until the end of the stage instead of collecting the L U C K Y pieces and 300 coins. The levels are hard as nails too! This is certainly one to play after you've completed the main game. I also really love the aesthetics. It's split up into three parts, a 'puzzle' part which is a bunch of those Super Monkey Ball/ marble type levels, fighting levels which are remixed battles and arenas and my fabourite part, a bunch of new super hardcore platform levels. Each level has a hotdog which is quite hard to obtain, like Mario gold coins. I've completed everything but I just have 3 hotdogs left to get and given the time I think I'll leave that until tomorrow haha. I got some funky new glasses. And check out that achievement art!

Liking the new stats you can get since the latest update. Some of mine: Shame you can only get a few stats (and at random) before this happens though: Seeing as the game is already tracking all this stuff, it'd be nice to just be able to see everything in a straightforward list too.

Yuck! Those Turtle designs are atrocious. Should’ve gone with the 80s version.

Because i've had to put up with the series being on underpowered hardware for long enough. If it were on the Switch and done stupid numbers there's always the chance Capcom could keep the series on that platform as an exclusive, which is something I simply don't want.

This is from a foreign site and isnt being reported anywhere else but people think that they broke embargo by accident as we know there was a Vive announcement coming. Its also been run through Google Translate so thats why it may not read quite right. HTC Announces Vive Pro and Vive Wireless Adapters After the announcement at the weekend follows now as expected the official press release: HTC announces its new headset Vive Pro , which wants to shine with a higher resolution and integrated loudspeakers. There is also a new Vive wireless adapter . Vive Pro: Update 1.5 with 3K and speakers Those looking for a completely new model may be disappointed - but the Vive Pro offers a welcome update - the original HTC Vive remains in the program. The Vive Pro has two OLED displays with a common resolution of 2880 x 1600 pixels, which makes it similar to the Vive Focus from the same company. Overall, the new headset has thus increased by 78 percent resolution and should achieve a much sharper and clearer presentation. For comparison: The "normal" HTC Vive offers 2160 x 1200 pixels. A welcome innovation is the integration of speakers, which should increase the comfort significantly. Owners of the old model had to resort to the Deluxe Audio Strap , which should be superfluous in the Vive Pro now. HTC intends to provide information on the availability and price of the new VR headset later. In addition, the manufacturer announces the Vive Wireless Adapter for the HTC Vive and HTC Vive Pro , with which you can connect the headset without a cable to the PC. The adapter uses Intel's WiGig technology, unlike TPCast , but you have to be patient for a while. Only in the third quarter of 2018 should the adapter come on the market. Open and exciting the price remains: Although TPCast for the first HTC Vive available, but for around 350 € anything but a bargain. Whether the Vive Wireless Adapter can position itself here as a price-breaker remains to be seen. Whether TPCast with the HTC Vive Pro without (too) large latency problems or even works remains to be seen.

Not on mine unfortunately.