Julius

The game has shipped and digitally sold 3 million copies! Excellent initial figures for a third party exclusive I feel, and I'm sure that demo and a likely decreasing price in the coming months is going to shore it up with more sales. It being a standalone title compared to VII Remake makes me also think it's in a good position to continue to onboard newcomers, as myself and others will surely be pointing at XVI when people ask how to get into the series (with a modern entry)!

Four more games have been added for the Mega Drive/Genesis:

I'll save more complete thoughts for once I've completed it, but this genuinely could be in with a shout at being my personal GOTY over Tears of the Kingdom. I'm about halfway through (I love that there's an accurate % completion for the main story available from the PS5 home screen! Not to mention the changing backgrounds!). I'm just going to say it: I loved Ragnarök last year, but what God of War has lacked in epicness since its reboot, Final Fantasy XVI is carrying the torch on. The music. The boss fights. The story. The gorgeously animated pre-rendered cutscenes, which at times are interspersed between in-engine cutscenes! It's the new definition of a game being considered "epic" for me, it's crazy what they've done. I'm digging into as much lore as I can (as mentioned before, ATL needs to now become an industry standard in lore-heavy story-based games), and the combat is just incredible, this might be my favourite action JRPG, and that's even considering NieR Automata, which I loved for its combat (I mean, Platinum doing Platinum things I suppose!). Totally agree with you @Choze, I think the XIV/MMO inspiration is super on the nose here – and there's no real reason it shouldn't be, it's generally very good when you notice the carryover. I felt like Xenoblade Chronicles was very MMO-like as well, and so things line zones, a main hub, the way levels are laid out, heck even going so far as some of telegraphing attacks in a similar way in some boss battles with how the floor lights up! All works. Only thing that's not working for me so far in this regard, and where the game definitely also feels like an MMO, is in most of its side quests. I've heard that they get better towards the end, but they're very fetch-questy as things stand, so again, basically Xenoblade. Only other real negative I have is just the Performance Mode still not being fixed (it's a really solid 60 fps in combat, but in combat only, weirdly, which is very jarring, and it makes the world look like mush) and not having that motion blur toggle out, so I've been playing in Quality Mode to at least not get that queezy feeling every time I play. I'm sure there's going to be conversation about diversity and the handling of a core element of the story (Bearers). Look, I'm mixed race, and I'm all for inclusion, but I don't think every single story/game/whatever NEEDS representation. It's awesome when it happens naturally, but I'm so tired of it being considered a need; look, it's a fantasy-based game made by Japanese devs who aren't necessarily going to be as exposed to different cultures in the same way the West are, and heck, I don't think I've seen any Asians in this game so far in the same way I haven't seen any dark-skinned black people (jury's out on the people of Dhalmek I guess). I also think, just considering how the Bearers are presented in this game, that would've been a very slippery slope to navigate. I've also read that the writer of this story, who did A Realm Reborn and Heavensward, maybe wasn't the best writer on XIV either when it came to his treatment of some characters? So I don't know how this game goes, but if we end up with a sequel/spin-off/XVII being worked on by CBU III again, would be really curious to see what the more trusted writers from that team can do (to be clear: I've loved this story so far, I guess I'm talking more to the potential of an even greater story). And look, I don't know how this game ends, so unless the game ends with the entire world blowing up? I could see this getting a sequel. The combat and lore is simply too good and rich to be tossed aside. I'd love more. I know I'm going to want more when it's over. Anyways: it's still the horniest FF. It's still on track to be my favourite FF soundtrack, or definitely up there. It's probably going to end up being considered the best modern FF, and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of my favourites when all is said and done. It's so good it's making me seriously consider picking up and getting into XIV after I finish it. I'm not joking. It's. Just. That. Good!

Might as well throw my hat in the ring Name: Nintendo Switch Two (spelt out, not as a number) Release: November 2024 Price: £349.99 Features (& marketing): • it's still a hybrid console, with detachable Joy-Cons. You'll be able to use old Joy-Cons but, because the base unit will be a bit larger than the standard Switch and OLED (8" screen?), there'll be a case made available which serves as something of an adaptor. Because money: if they're going to let you use old Joy-Cons, you'll be damn sure they'll find a way to make some money from it. Hence the slightly bigger screen and adapter case. • Full HD 1920 x 1080 handheld, upscaled 4K when docked. • customisation and wallpapers is going to be in their marketing, because it's nonexistent on the Switch and I refuse to believe that Nintendo are stupid enough to have held back but for any reason other than to make it a selling point for the Switch's successor. The kickstand will be slightly larger than it is on the OLED, and will be removable to be replaced with a whole host of kickstand designs, similar to 3DS faceplates. • launch colours will be blue, red, and black (not to be confused with the dark grey of the Switch). Special editions of Metroid Prime 4 - available from launch - will include an exclusive Metroid Prime 4 kickstand. The docks and backs of the consoles will match the colour of the main unit. • the marketing noise we'll grow to love will be two clicks in succession with a slight overlap, compared with the Switch's one. This is probably the only thing I think Nintendo should actually do if the next console is a true Switch successor, it's too easy a differentiator to miss out on when it comes to marketing. • the logo will basically be the Switch logo, except there'll be more of a gap between the Joy-Cons to have it printed to say 'T W O', and it won't say 'Nintendo Switch' (because they're that confident in how well the Switch was branded and marketed) underneath, but will bring back the circled Nintendo logo. So pair of Joy-Cons, 'T W O' in the middle, circled Nintendo logo at bottom of the back. I wanted to be cute and say you just do the current logo on its side because it kind of looks like a 2, but nah, that's too logical for Nintendo. • the console will be fully backwards compatible with the Switch, and yes, online games and all our accounts will carry over. As President Shuntaro Furukawa sort of gets at here: • they'll mention that they're hard at work on the next set of online features, but will ask us to wait a bit longer, so NSO at launch is as it will be on the Switch when the new console is announced. Nintendo Switch Online will expand to include GameCube games in September 2025. • this is because the main change in terms of services will be a complete eShop overhaul. I don't know about you guys, but I think the Switch eShop is really poorly curated, and I think this is something they'll have worked on. There'll be a jukebox feature in the eShop to choose from remixes of your favourite classic eShop tunes. • Metroid Prime 4 will be a launch title. • the branding colours will be inverted: we'll go from white on red to red on white. • in talking about the new Joy-Cons - which will include a proper D-Pad this time, as will the new Pro controller - they won't directly say "we've fixed the Joy-Con drift!", but will talk about how they've put in R&D to make it more durable, used new materials, etc. I give it three weeks after launch before DriftConGate becomes a thing, as people stress test this and say it patently doesn't work (but in some cases it genuinely won't). • analogue triggers baby • you can feel two more ice cubes in the slightly larger new Joy-Cons. Oh, and they'll be called Joy-Cons Plus because of the new D-Pad. The buttons will feel nicer, more in line with the 3DS than the flat buttons we have currently. I didn't want to jump on the idea myself, but @Dcubed, I do love your idea of a bendable screen to use for dual-screen gaming and local versus. If something like that happens I say call it the Switch Duo (clearly a successor to the Switch and speaks to the functionality) and you're golden! So obviously they'll call it the Switch On/Off instead knowing Ninty

Just realised that this was the first time we'd actually seen footage of gameplay for this Collection, which is kind of wild... ...and also really smart. I'd imagine the Switch version is going to be the "weakest" version in terms of technical performance (considering the age of these games I'm not saying it'll struggle, I'm just saying MGS3, even in the Bluepoint remasters, dropped some frames back on the PS3 with certain weapons), so this sets the bar as low as it reasonably can be for the performance of the game. Also, big get to have them save the date for the Direct too, even if it made its appearance at PlayStation last month seem pretty lacklustre. Heck, maybe that's why they did it? Backdoor. Shady. Deals.

And it is done, even upgraded to the Deluxe Edition just for the pretty box Time to see what this install size and time is like!

Royal Mail have pulled off an almighty blunder and so despite being in, they've not delivered. So, naturally, I'm now in an Uber on my way to my nearest GAME to pick up a copy in-person...which I don't think I've done for any game since I picked up my Switch over 4 years ago. But XVI can't wait another day, so I'm just doing what must be done

Into. My. Freaking. Veins. All of the art I've seen so far for XVI has been beautiful, and I honestly think it's some of the nicest we've seen for modern FF. Will absolutely buy an art book if/when one arrives. My copy got dispatched earlier today, and tracking is saying that it's on course to arrive tomorrow morning. Will get it installing while I work and then plan to dive in head first as soon as I finish!

Honestly, I thought the exact same thing! I spent the first half of the trailer waiting for a wipe transition to new and improved HD that never came and then was like 'huh, Returns? So this 3DS-lookin' mess is the sequel¿?'

Yoko Shimomura has announced her return as composer for the remake!

Digital Foundry tech review is absolutely glowing: Currently sitting at an 88 on Metacritic and a 90 on Opencritic, which is super exciting to see! I never put too much stock in review aggregation other than to get a general idea of what the general consensus will probably end up being (I'd rather make up my own mind based on my own time with the game!), but man, that's a well-reviewing game if I've ever seen one!

A Disney Galley for Mando S3 has just been announced, and will be dropping next Wednesday (28th): Phil Tippett hype!

It's really odd. It even being announced was blink-and-you-miss-it in the Direct, tacked on to the Pikmin 4 update before quickly being moved on from, and the US version of the Direct only mentioned the digital release (so I'd assume they aren't getting it), whereas the UK version details the digital version shadow dropping today and the physical release in September. But still, blink-and-you-miss-it. They might be very successful but Nintendo sure don't make it easy for themselves at times

Considering it's the first time these games are getting re-released in a minute, figured they deserved their own thread, following their shadow drop on the eShop after today's Direct and their planned physical release on 22nd September. £24.99 each or £39.99 for both. I just scrubbed through the US version of the Direct and it doesn't seem like they're getting the physical release? Which is curious. Anyways, now, with all the Pikmin games assembled on one console, think I'll finally dive in myself once the physical version releases!

That was a whirlwind of a Direct. So many announcements. October was already stacked, and now it's just stupid. You definitely get the sense that things are winding down for the Switch, but it seems like it's being set up to go out with a bang. Best show of the summer once again for me (not that the bar's particularly high), unless we count the XVI event, in which case it's the best more traditional E3 showing. I'd give it an 8.5/10. No massive surprises, a lot of long-rumoured and long-fawned-over games, and a consistent reel of games I've now either got an eye on or will be picking up for sure. Again: just a shame how stupidly stacked October (and September) is, and it already was before this Direct!

As announced in today's Direct, Zelda and Ganondorf are getting TOTK amiibo: Welp, guess I'm getting those too. They look fantastic, especially Ganondorf!

Goodbye generic art style of New Super Mario Bros., and hello Wonder! Looks gorgeous and like it has a fair few fresh ideas!

Oh it looks wonderful!

Volume 1 is arriving October 24th, and will also be on Switch! @Ashley any chance of moving this thread over to Nintendo Gaming once you get the chance, if it's possible please? Appreciate that most interested on here would likely be playing on Switch EDIT: thanks @Ashley, appreciate it!

Vampire Survivors?! Potentially a huge get

YES WE HAVE A DATE LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO

Not surprised MGS Master Collection is here But give us a date please for the love of Eve (oh and for Suikoden too please)

Wow, did not expect an update on this so quickly! The Dark Prince arrives 1st December 2023:

The Dragon Quest Monsters game we only heard about like three weeks ago?! And with the Hero from IV?! AAAAAAAAAH