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Sorry guys. I’ve been so ridiculously busy at work recently that I just haven’t had time to sit down and play anyone’s levels! Rest assured that I WILL catch up on them all when I get a chance

N-E Café Episode 48 now available! Now up on the main page. - - - - - I enjoyed listening to the talk about Super Mario Sunshine as there's a lot from that game which I'd forgotten about, I'm looking forward to going back to that game soon. It was interesting hearing about how Pikmin 3 Deluxe plays from the demo, it sounds like Nintendo have done their best with the controls, but it might take some getting used to. I'm liking the music used this week, some great tracks in that title. All of the previous episodes should now have a YouTube embed instead of the Soundcloud embed, aside from maybe one or two episodes, but most of them are there now.

My level: Turns out I'm not very good with the squirrel power-up, so the clear check for this one was an absolute nightmare.

Already answered the questionnaire and sent it. Very straightforward, all things considered. Once again, will leave bigger comments for later, but let's see if I can keep the streak going:

Just reposting the Questionnaire for the 50th Podcast episode, feel free to answer as many as you want. You'll have the kudos of getting a big shout out on the podcast in 2 weeks time. 50th Mario Episode Questionnaire 1. Favourite 2D Mario Game 2. Least Favourite 2D Mario Game 3. Favourite 3D Mario Game 4. Least Favourite 3D Mario Game 5. Favourite Mario Spinoff title 6. Least Favourite Mario Spinoff title 7. Favourite Mario memory 8. Worst Mario memory 9. Funniest Mario memory 10. Favourite power-up 11. Favourite Mario character 12. Least Favourite Mario Character 13. Best Mini game in the Mario Universe 14. Worst Mini game in the Mario Universe 15. Any other Mario nostalgia you want to share?

N-E Café [048] Pick Up A P-P-P-Pikmin is now available at all good podcast providers. Nearing that 50th episode, so please tell us about a Mario game you've been playing, and take a look at the Mario Questionnaire, so we can include your thoughts on the big 5-0, I'll repost it below. Recorded on the 11th of October, 2020. Episode 48 of the N-E Café has hosts Lee Davies and Nick Lone discussing the latest Nintendo News; games they’ve recently been playing, including Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild, Mario Sunshine, and Cake Bash (Demo); and our Big Topic, Remakes and Demos. This is episode 48 of the N-E Café Podcast, an N-Europe Podcast. Enjoy! ⦁ Intro Music: Mario Sunshine - Secret Course Acapella ⦁ Introductions: 0:00:25 ⦁ Nintendo News: 0:03:25 ⦁ Episode 50 Plans: 0:30:50 ⦁ Sales Data: 0:32:37 ⦁ Download Delights: 0:35:16 ⦁ Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild: 0:42:25 ⦁ Super Mario Sunshine: 0:46:47 ⦁ Cake Bash (Demo): 0:56:21 ⦁ Topic of the Week - Remakes and Demos: 1:08:02 ⦁ Closing: 1:33:37 Can you guess what game the Transition Tunes come from? If they ring a bell, get in touch with us, or if you have a Listener's Question you’d like us to discuss, contact us right here.

Been playing Mark of The Ninja: Remastered on PS4 for a few days now. I needed something in-between the FFVI sessions. Turns out that the 2D side-scrolling stealth game is pretty great. In fact, it's so great that it pulled me away from the JRPG classic. Will definitely go for the Platinum trophy.

In just under a month, we'll start to welcome the next generation of consoles into our homes, starting with the launch of the Xbox Series S|X and then 9 days later with the PS5. Sure, there will be a long transition period with many cross generation titles but regardless, next gen is almost here. Some of us will be picking up PS5s, some Xbox Series S|X but either way, it'll be time for many to move on to whats next. Even for those that won't be there on launch day and will instead upgrade in the coming months/years, the prospect of what's next is well and truly on the horizon and with that being the case, I thought that looking back as we move forward to the new generation would be good. A bit of reminiscing over what has been, in my eyes, a fantastic generation of games and some of the games along the way that have stuck with us, become personal favourites and will live long in our minds as games that not only define a generation but stand as some of the greatest ever. For me personally, I didn't jump into the current gen until 2014. I didn't initially see the need to make the jump on launch as I felt there was still plenty of games on the 360/PS3 to keep me going for the foreseeable future. But with Destiny set to launch, I grabbed a PS4 in September 2014 alongside Infamous Second Son, Rayman Legends and Hohokum and my journey into the then next gen was complete. I wouldn't pick up an Xbox One until 2017, though that was short lived as I would sell it a couple of months later and then pick up another last year for Gamepass and to let my ailing PS4 have its rest. The current generation of consoles is the one where I've unequivocally spent the most amount of money. Beyond the consoles themselves, the volume of games I've bought has been vast compared to previous console generations and while the majority have been on the PS4, across all current consoles (PS4, Xbox One and Switch) I've easily bought upwards of 500 games digitally and if I was to include physical games as well, it would probably be somewhere between close enough to 700-800 games, maybe more. The sheer choice and accessibility of games has been the biggest thing for me this generation as even during quiet periods, it has always felt like there was something new to try or get stuck into, whether that be AAA, AA or indie. And while the AA market certainly took some time to tick up this generation, in the last year or two its definitely found its footing and there's been some great games that that, while lacking that extra polish of the bigger titles, has managed to produce some brilliant narrative and gameplay choices that easily make them stand shoulder to shoulder with the AAA crop of titles. Indie games have definitely been a standout this generation. The indie boom came and though the stores are now clogged with indie titles left, right and centre, the quality of those that stuck the landing this generation has been phenomenal. Some have easily matched the quality of the bigger AAA titles. Going through all of my console libraries, these are the indies for me which have stood out and I remember fondly from this generation: Cuphead, Ori, Spiritfarer, Undermine, Hades, Transistor, Pyre (pretty much everything from Supergiant Games), Dead Cells, Hollow Knight, Hellblade, Hypnospace Outlaw, Disco Elysium, The Messenger, Night in the Woods, Outer Wilds, Oxenfree, Subnautica, The Talos Principle, That Dragon Cancer, The Witness, Valiant Hearts, Axiom Verge, Firewatch, Soma, Teslagrad, Volume, Invisible Inc., Hyper Light Drifter, Abzu, This War of Mine, Virginia, Inside, Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, What Remains of Edith Finch, Stardew Valley, Little Nightmares, Superhot, A Hat in Time, Celeste, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Katana Zero, Ape Out, A Short Hike, Creaks, Baba is You, Gorogoa, Return of the Obra Dinn, Slay the Spire, Rocket League and Into the Breach. That list is nowhere near extensive enough but gives a good example of just how many amazing indie games have been released this generation. Many of these have been some of my favourite games from this generation. On top of that, were had some truly fantastic and special AAA and AA experiences that stand up there as some of the greatest games of all time. Games like God of War (2018), Horizon Zero Dawn, Bloodborne, Nier Automata, Red Dead Redemption 2, Uncharted 4, Forza Horizon 3 & 4, Dishonored 2, Titanfall 2, Sunset Overdrive (this doesn't get enough love as its probably my favourite Insomniac title this gen), Ratchet and Clank, Resident Evil 7 and the remakes, The Witcher 3, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Sekiro and so on. Its fair to say that as gamers, we've been spoiled this generation and even if there might be a slower start to this generation because of the current pandemic, if things continue the way they have this generation then we should see a continuation of great AAA, AA and indie games into the next gen. So, what are the games that y'all remember or will remember this generation for? For context, here is what Eurogamer consider the best of this generation: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-18-the-top-10-games-of-the-generation And here's what Game Informer consider theirs: https://www.gameinformer.com/feature/2020/10/02/game-informers-best-games-of-the-generation

Alright, so: I haven't played Hyrule Warriors, merely checked its soundtrack. I'm definitely intrigued by it, the opportunity/excuse to buy it just never came up. Yet; It's funny to hear "Overwatch looks like Fortnite" when OW likely had a big influence on that game's aesthetic (OW was marketed and released in 2016, whereas Fortnite came out in late 2017); Vouchers can be used on non-Nintendo games such as Dragon Quest XI and Bayonetta 2... but only because those games were published by Nintendo too. Regardless, I don't think Monster Hunter is included, no; Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon is a great game. Played it on the 3DS earlier this year (my thoughts). It's definitely better than Castlevania III; Petey Piranha is not a very good example of a repetitive boss, because his rematch is pretty different from the first time, in both tactics and setting (I always loved looking around after defeating him, seeing how much the fight wrecked/gooped the village). But maybe you were thinking of those goopy piranhas? There are, like, 10 of these things to fight in the game, and it's always the same tedious dance; I was expecting the main topic to be about remakes and demos and general, but it felt like an in-depth look into Pikmin 3. Not complaining, it's the sort of thing that made me want to get it. Thinking about it, haven't played a Pikmin since the first one, so I should definitely consider it. So yeah, good episode.

Just checked it and... they're the same thing. I thought it was called "Hard Mode", but it's actually "New Game Plus". So nevermind, then! Enjoy it when you get to it, it's good.

There's a hard mode? New Game+ is more difficult than the normal play through, apparently. It does. Played it and it's great.

Just finished Mark of the Ninja: Remastered. Such a good game. Can't believe I haven't played it earlier, given that I bought it a year ago (also bought the original on Steam 8 years ago...). Only have a few trophies to clean up, one of which is a New Game+ playthrough. Already looking forward to it

Hamilton dominating everything has been boring as hell this season. It's just not interesting anymore. However, the midfield battles have been ten on ten for the entire season. I think this has been one of the best seasons in recent memory if you look at 3rd / 4th down. I really enjoyed seeing the cars banging round the Nurburgring this week, such a great track. 4th in the Driver's Championship is wide open, so that's going to be great to watch in the final few races. 3rd in the WCC is likely to be the same. If I had to put money on it, I'd pump for Danny Ric, but I think Perez, Stroll and Norris are all in with a shout. Whoever gets it, it will be a great achievement. The little stories in the midfield have been mega interesting this year too. Ferrari's woes and Leclerc's total annihilation of Vettel has been something else. The redemption of Gasly, who is fast becoming my favourite driver. The poisoned chalice that is the second seat at Red Bull. Hulkenburg's adventures in the Racing Point. Ocon being nothing more than a passenger to Ricciardo, who I think he may be the best driver in the sport behind Lewis and Max, maybe tied with Leclerc. McLaren coming good and Norris being close to the front. Williams inching their way back closer towards the midfield and Russel continuing to prove his worth. Magnussen running 4th for so long at Hungary was excellent. I'm a huge fan of him and feel he's been dealt a shit hand in his career. He has the raw pace and I like his no-nonsense attitude. Will be sad if he's dropped for '21. Fantastic season for the neutral bar the podium spots, but we've even had a couple of upsets there, so it's not completely doom and gloom at the front.

A streak, think that's about 4 in a row already, isn't it? Haha.

Great lists so far everyone. While there's some cross over of games from list to list, the variety of games mentioned I think goes to show just how varied and great this generation has been; that there's been something for everyone in just about every genre. I do agree that the much maligned Mass Effect Andromeda got the raw end of the stick. It had plenty of problems, many still existing now, but I thought it was a fun game and what I'd generally want from moving the story beyond the original trilogy. I sat and ruminated over the games that I've really loved this generation and though there's a really long list of games that I've played and enjoyed, I think there's 30-ish that to me are stand out from my perspective and are definitely games I've thought about a lot more through playing them and once finished. The Banner Saga Trilogy - kind of cheating here (and won't be for the first time) but I played this as the complete trilogy when it released on PS4 and my god is it good. The visuals are beautiful, the soundtrack by Austin Wintory is superb and the gameplay is fantastic. I've never been a huge strategy game player but the way this wraps the narrative around the gameplay and the choices that you have to make not just over 1 game but over 3 is incredible. How things can go so wrong or how you can clutch things back from the brink, I think this series is majorly overlooked for how it managed to scope out choices and decision making and bring it all together for a satisfying conclusion (should you not have lost everyone along the way). Celeste - I'm not going to lie but the first time I saw this during a Nintendo Indie event, I didn't think much of it. Then the reviews started to hit and I decided why not give it a go. And I feel in love with it. The way they nailed the gameplay, how the controls felt responsive and allowed you to hit that pinpoint accuracy needed in certain areas and how it was all wrapped up in a moving, emotional story really hit home for me. I find myself thinking about it constantly and thats the sign of a fantastic game for me. Control - Massive Remedy mark here but even with loving Alan Wake and enjoying Quantum Break, this was something else. It was just so well put together, played so well and the depth of the world they created despite it all taking place in one bureaucratic office space was incredible. Easily one of the best action games this generation. Disco Elysium - This one came out of left field for me but the writing in this game and the variety of choice to do whatever and how ever you like is incredible. My tales of the disco dancing, karaoke singing detective haven't finished yet but I can't wait to see where it goes because of just how well written the game is. That console port can't come soon enough so more people can try this. Dishonored 2 - Superb level design, freedom of choice on how to approach objectives and a continuation of one of the best and well realised game worlds, Arkane have a knack for making great games that fly under the radar but this is worthy of everyone's time for the Clockwork Mansion level alone. Divinity Original Sin 2 - The game whose main theme constantly gets stuck in my head. This game is so god damn good. Again, never was a huge fan of this style of game but this one stood out and grabbed me so hard. The characters and writing are superb, the world is amazing and the strategy combat really did leave things so open. One of the most captivating games I've ever played and I'd happily play it all again. Forza Horizon 3 & 4 - Its a toss up between these two for the best racer this generation. I much prefer an arcade to a sim but both of these really let loose and are just so good. They handle great, the amount of content is ridiculous and its just so much fun to jump into every now and then to speed past speed cameras or do a drift challenge. I love 3 for its openness and 4 for just how beautiful the game looks. God of War (2018) - I'd never had any experience with the franchise before this game but man was this incredible. The single shot camera work through the whole game is genius and the look and feel of the game was just so on point. I've since tried 3 and didn't like that style of gameplay but for me, this is easily my favourite action game of the generation because of how good it plays, looks and feels (that feeling when you catch the Leviathan Axe is just *chef's kiss*) Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice - Making a AAA tier game with little more than 20 people and on a shoe string budget is worth commending. But to make one as emotionally impactful and hard hitting as this is phenomenal. I keep toying with going back to it because I loved its play on Pictish/Norse mythology and how it didst shy away from shining a light on an important issue because it does it beautifully and its left an indelible mark on me in much the same way that something like how the TV show Mr Robot ended. Hitman (2016) - While the episodic nature of the game might have worked against it somewhat, once the full compliment of episodes was available, playing through this was a treat. The openness of levels, the variety of targets and ways to dispatch them, how good the game looks and plays, its a fantastic game and it hooked me on the franchise for the first time. I can't wait for 3. Hollow Knight - A game so good I bought and played it 3 times! Its almost the perfect game for me. It plays great, looks incredible, the soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful and it offers up a real challenge and depth for those willing to sink deep into it. I'd be hard pressed to think of another indie game that beats this for my favourite this generation. Horizon Zero Dawn - I'm not a fan of the Killzone games so I was trepidatious about this. But having played it, I lived everything about it. It looks great, I loved the world they created, fighting the robots was exhilarating and tense and it all just came together as one of my favourite new IPs this generation. Can't wait for Forbidden West. Inside - A superb narrative focused puzzle platformer, even better than Limbo. I just loved it as it just does everything so well. The subtlety of the music, the minimalistic look, the tension in certain puzzles and then that ending. Everyone needs to play this. Kentucky Route Zero - The game that literally spans this whole generation finally concluded this year and for me, I thought it was worth the wait. Its such a unique and interesting narrative experience that I've thought about so much and would love to play through again to experience it all. Might just do that before next gen arrives. The Last of Us Part 2 - I didn't initially see the need for a sequel but playing it, getting immersed in that world and going through the pains of the characters, god damn did Naughty Dog out do themselves. This was so hard hitting and depressive that I can't bring myself to replay but I thought the writing was great and how they played the story was superb (I know many have issues with it though). Life is Strange - This taken with Before the Storm are two truly fantastic narrative games that showed in the wake of Telltale shuttering that narrative games like this can still be released and can be great. I loved the story of Max and Chloe, all the ups and downs, and remember it so fondly. That mix of indie music and the general vibe of the Pacific North West in America and the way the story focuses in on the oft used trope of small town America with its hidden secrets alongside supernatural aspects was so great. Shame the sequel didst land with me but the original and prequel are fantastic. No Man's Sky - The redemption story of this generation. I enjoyed it out of the gate but where they've taken the game with the continual free updates is insane. The depth of content now is incredible and its just simply fun to load up and spend a couple of hours in here and there. Ori and the Will of the Wisps - I loved the first game for its look and soundtrack and how tight the gameplay was but this sequel just added to those massively and created a phenomenal and emotional experience. Moon Studios outdid themselves with this one and even with the technical issues at launch, I absolutely adored playing through this. So happy to have the collector's edition sitting on my shelf and soon to be joined by the Ku and Ori plushes whenever they're back in stock. Outer Wilds - This game is just remarkable. The way it slowly opens up for you as you explore and discover more, as you work out the little nuances and times of the time loop and how it all takes place with such a small set of areas. Its a game that will be studied for its game design for years to come but I don't think we'll see a game quite like this for some time. Its just amazing. Rayman Legends - My favourite platformer of this generation, in spite of the news of Ancel's work practices at Ubisoft. The level design, tightness of the controls, the look of the game, it coalesced into one of the smoothest platformers I've ever played and I don't think even the platformer specialists Nintendo have been able to come close to beating this one. Return of the Obra Dinn - Look passed the minimalist aesthetic because this detective game is well worth you're time. Lucas Pope did a great job building a captivating and intriguing game centred around the premise of identifying what's happened to the crew of a ship. Its got vibes of older PC games like Myst and such but its just so intriguing and makes you want to push on and try solve the smaller and larger mysteries at hand. Rocket League - Just a fantastic all around game thats great fun to play with or without friends. Supergiant Games - Transistor, Pyre and Hades. Any one of those could have been on here but realistically, its the studio behind it that deserce commendation for creating 3 of my favourite indie games this generation. I'm sold on whatever they have cooking up because everything they've touched is gold. Tales from the Borderlands - The only Borderlands narrative worth anything and one of TellTale's best. The characters and story are great, serious when it needs to be but always managing to make you laugh throughout. The finger gun fight alone is one of the best moments in gaming this generation and if you haven't played it, at least give it a watch as its so good. Tetris Effect - Its Tetris meets Miziguchi, what more could you want. It looks phenomenal and that soundtrack by Hydelic mixed with those visuals just turned Tetris up to 11. Its a game I always go back to and with the new multiplayer Connect version releasing soon, I can't wait to jump back in and fall in love all over again. Titanfall 2 - The best FPS of this generation in my mind. A superb single player campaign thats as fun to play the fifth time through as it is the first. Fantastic controls and superb presentation there and a solid multiplayer effort that sadly didn't take off as it should, though I put hours into it. It deserved better than I got at market but to me, there's not been a better FPS. What Remains of Edith Finch - Giant Sparrow's follow up to The Unfinished Swan was a roller coaster of emotions but was deeply captivating and thought provoking, not least for the Cannery section and its exploration of mental health issues. Short but sweet but its a game I find myself thinking about so much since playing it because of how well it handled its narrative. The Witcher 3 - My favourite game this generation. I loved everything about it. Even the combat, where people had qualms, I thought was fine. The story was great, it has some of the best side quests in a RPG this generation and the addition of the expansions on top of rhe huge amount of content here is just insane. One of the most fulfilling games I've ever played and yet I'd happily play every second of the 150 hours+ I have with the game all over again. Just a truly phenomenal piece of work. The Witness - My favourite puzzle game this generation. I just became engrossed by the gameplay and trying to solve everything, to the point I couldn't look at a bathroom tiled floor without seeing the puzzles from the game (a real life experience of the Tetris effect years before that game came out). Its just a fantastic game that stretches and wrinkles the mind with the variety of abstract and concrete puzzle ideas (using sound or shadows as a cue for how you complete puzzles for example) but that feeling of overcoming a puzzle you'd been stuck on, its something no other puzzle game has given me this generation. The Wolf Among Us - The other great TellTale game this generation. I don't know the comics but the world they created, the story and characters and how they nailed that comic book look were so good. That sequel can't come soon enough. And there we are. The games that I'll remember this generation for. A huge amount of variety and so many games left out that I enjoyed but all of these will be remembered fondly as some of my favourite games ever.

Both for £40 combined. Also got this to use it as a PC controller.

Yeah, I started on Mario 64 a couple of weeks back. To be honest I got maybe 40 stars in and unlocked a few extra areas but don't find myself longing to go back. It's weird, Mario 64 is easily one of the most significant games of all time and I think from a control standpoint it has aged very well, but as a game I feel it lacks the charm of something like Banjo Kazooie, and the camera is annoying as fuck.

Ah, do seeds always have the same colour? In other words, do I need to plant other seeds? I haven' noticed if they grew the same colour pumpkins each time, but that would explain it. Also, I forgot to mention, but: Same for me then! Except, much, much worse! Oh and another thing I forgot to mention: It's chops birthday tomorrow. I'll make sure to be open somewhere in the (late) evening. And apparently, there's another birthday coming up! @BowserBasher

I guess I'm the winner I'm late myself so deadline will be tuesday evening. Theme: I want to go out of my comfortzone, (and I suspect yours as well), so I'm going to choose something I've never even used before (not as a builder, and most likely not even as a player). It's the ehh.... I don't even know the name. The squirrel suit in the 3D world theme. That one. No other requirements or restrictions.

Apparently, Level-5 will no longer be publishing their games in the West: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-09-level-5-has-virtually-halted-operations-in-north-america So no more Professor Layton, no more Inazuma Eleven and Yo-kai Watch...

I did it first time...