RedShell

Not gonna lie, it is pretty weird. The gameplay is superb though. One of the most unique (and challenging) fighting games ever made.

Have you played God Hand before? If not, and if you’re still in the mood for PS2 games I’d definitely recommend it.

That is absolutely atrocious. I want it.

You know what though? (and this is kind of weird, but hey, nothing new for me ) I don't always see Wario in Smash as a representative of WarioWare. Yeah, I know... his default outfit is the WW get-up. The stages, the music... predominantly WW. I guess having played many games featuring Wario long before WarioWare even existed is the reason. Also, technically the game doesn't consider him exclusively as a WW rep either, as demonstrated by this: Whereas if say, Jimmy T. or 9-Volt *cough* were to be added to the game, I imagine it'd look more like... *waves Photoshop wand*... this!: Why you got to be so cruel?

Don’t forget WarioWare and Chibi-Robo! What? I need points in the roster prediction thing. Not sure an appearance in Smash would be enough to do that, but yeah, it certainly wouldn’t hurt. I also just think it’s really cool when older more obscure characters are brought back into the spotlight, like Duck Hunt Duo for example. Absolutely. But to be honest I gave up trying to figure out Nintendo’s strategies a long time ago. We all know that trying to understand why they do things the way they do, or trying to predict their next move is just pointless. There is clearly no logic involved whatsoever when it comes to Nintendo from both the creative or business side of things. They’re an enigma.

I just think when there are still so many options available for great characters from games which are yet to be included in Smash, it doesn’t make sense or isn’t really fair to add even more from a series that already has a presence in the game. I have nothing against the latest character BTW (it’s not like the Minecraft Steve situation ) in fact I think she looks really good (although I definitely disagree with you about the costume changes being an improvement) I just wish Nintendo would try to get as many unrepresented franchises into the game first, and then if there’s still development resources and demand for more content (which, let’s face it, there is ) think about adding additional characters from the existing roster at that point. Let me put it another way, would you rather they add Pyra or Dillon? Now while I reckon I know what your answer to that question will be, I don’t actually have a preference between either of the above choices, however, I’d still prefer the latter purely because it’d mean a character from a different IP being added to the game.

Well, that was utterly disappointing. It started off pretty well with the Smash Bros. segment, which I actually really enjoyed, despite considering the character choice to be yet another wasted slot. Seriously, why are they still adding characters from franchises that already have representation?! As for the rest of the Nintendo stuff: Famicom Detective Club - Definitely very cool that this is happening, but it’s not my cup of tea unfortunately. Mario Golf - After getting severely burnt with Mario Tennis I have to be super cautious with this one. It certainly looks to be more substantial, but looks can be deceiving. The speed golf/simultaneous multiplayer thing is nice, but nothing new having already played Everybody’s Golf. Miitopia - Great game. Played it extensively on 3DS though, and I’m not going to buy it again just because its got a new hat. Animal Crossing Mario Update - The Mario themed items look better than ever, and the added functionality of the warp pipe is amazing! That was actually the best moment of the entire Direct for me, which speaks volumes for how poor this presentation was. Hyrule Warriors Expansion - Don’t have the game, so this is meh by default. Skyward Sword HD - Nope. Played it on Wii, don’t need or want the new hat version. Splatoon 3 - Not sure what to make of this really, seems like a weird choice of game to do a same platform sequel for, as it’s so focused on multiplayer. I mean it’ll basically make Splatoon 2 completely obsolete. I think it would’ve made much more sense to keep Splatoon 3 for the next system. It also looks pretty rough at this stage and the trailer was bizarre, but lots of time left to work on it I guess. So yeah, here’s hoping Nintendo have something more to my taste in the next Direct, whenever that may be. But with the way things are going, it’s certainly not looking good. I really did think that once they’d got all the Wii U ports out of the way we’d start to see nothing but original content, but now they’re doing Wii and 3DS ports too! So glad I bought a gaming PC... *goes back to enjoying Game Pass*

Oh nice! It's been such a long time since the last proper Nintendo Direct that I can't even find my hype Corgi GIF. This'll have to do instead: Anyway, very much looking forward to it. Also, please let the next Smash Bros. character be good... Once, just once, I'd like to get hyped for a new fighter reveal.

I'm fine with giving it a miss to be honest. Thanks for the offer though, very kind of you.

@lostmario... Yakuza Zero Yakuza Kiwami Yakuza Kiwami 2 Yakuza 3 Remastered Yakuza 4 Remastered Yakuza 5 Remastered and next month... Yakuza 6

Yeah, it is certainly uncharacteristic of them. Almost makes me think that it could even be an intentional oversight to later serve as an additional selling point for the "Switch Pro". Guess we'll have to wait and see if other Nintendo developed titles follow suit.

All of those options are incorrect I'm afraid. The real answer is:

Thanks for the game yesterday @Cube & @Kaepora_Gaebora, was good fun. I learnt some useful stuff too, like being able to harpoon other players (must be super handy in the arena) and that you can buy keys from the woman outside the pub. You guys are definitely more experienced pirates than me, as demonstrated when I blew up our ship while trying to harpoon some treasure but accidentally getting a gunpowder barrel instead. Unfortunately I didn't get a capture of that moment (was laughing too much ) but here's a clip of you two being competent pirates, while I play with my cat:

I’m on now but just about to wrap up. Earliest I’ll be back online is 8pm.

@Cube & @Kaepora_Gaebora, I just sent you guys a friend request (I think ) so if you see Meownolito pop up, that be me.

Spoke too soon! And with that lucky ancient skeleton (plus some of the season reward coins) I'm now the proud owner of a pirate cat named Tingle! Do they do anything? Apart from eating your fish and looking adorable, that is. Would be hilarious if they helped out in combat, a la Monster Hunter. Something else pretty lucky happened yesterday actually, I'd just started a session and had set sail when I suddenly noticed a sparkle on the outpost, did a 180 and went back to discover a chest and 2 books inside it! There was nobody else around so I nabbed 'em and cashed it all in. Must have been some good stuff too, as each book unlocked an achievement!

Aaaaaaand I’m completely addicted to this again! Once you really get into the game it becomes unbelievably difficult to stop playing it. Had a fantastic session yesterday. Sunk a ghost ship, hunted a couple of those mega shark things, cashed in loads of treasures and successfully defended my sloop from a persistent (not to mention incredibly annoying) invader. So satisfying when you send a player like that flying into the sea! Not bad for a solo pirate. Think I’m on level 38 of the season rewards now. I like how it gives you a few ancient coins in each tier, especially as I never seem to encounter those ancient skeletons anymore. Still don’t have quite enough for a cat though... Controversial opinion here, but I actually think this is one of the best games Rare have ever produced! Well, ok... post-Nintendo Rare. It’s without question one of my favourites anyway. Looking forward to some N-E pirate shenanigans tomorrow evening! Would be nice if we could get 4 players for it, @S.C.G you up for joining?

@Cube and @Kaepora_Gaebora, I should be able to join for a bit on Friday night. Yeah, it's great. Before this update it was possible to have a really unlucky/unproductive session and it'd feel pretty bad. But now, even if you have a similar session at least you'll have made some form of progress and possibly earned some rewards too. It's also got me trying different stuff and learning some new tricks. BTW, is it just me, or have they buffed the skeletons in the latest version? I seem to remember them being a right pushover before, but now they appear to be much more of a threat. That, or I've just gotten rusty. And man, I really hate those damn explosive barrel ones!

At this rate I'll never even see chapter 8! Have been stuck on 4 for a while now, why does literally everything in this game have to cause damage to your character!? And whoever decided those propeller platform thingys should also be out to kill you wants such a slap. And another thing... 3 bloody boss fights in a row is not cool. ARRRGGGHHHH! This game is making me crazy!

I just think the fact you’re controlling the same character across two versions of the environment simultaneously is really cool (not to mention super impressive from a technical standpoint ). And I’m still confident it’s going to do more with that mechanic going forward.

Up to chapter 4 and this is my biggest issue with the game so far, having to redo such large sections over and over starts to get quite annoying. I also keep trying to duck, which inexplicably isn't a thing in this game. Other than that though it's pretty good. Just started playing this today myself, I'm really enjoying it though. It's like classic Resident Evil on acid. The split screen and out of body sections have been pretty straightforward so far, but I imagine they'll be used in more complex ways as the game progresses. Really unique game mechanics regardless, and it's nice to play something that experiments a bit more with gameplay. That was indeed disappointing.

I had a quick go the other day but have been busy with DQXI. Now that game is finished though (kind of ) I can properly check this out.