Grazza

I went back and read my review for the first game, and forgot how long it was! I'm really looking forward to the sequel though, as I really did love the first. I'm glad to hear weapon durability has been dropped, although I remember I didn't particularly mind it in the first game because it was generally easy to make as many as you wanted (and the very best sword in the game was indestructible). I'd definitely rather have dropped the hunger meter, but there you go.

I suspect Monster Boy has a physical release somewhere, whereas Wonder Boy was initially download-only (they are produced by different companies, of course). This is one of the reasons I'm against physical releases for games that seem to have been more intended for download - the prices always seem artificially high.

I don't know, I never really played it much even back in the '80s - I was just aware that it was one of the "big" games. The coin-ops I actually did play back then - Double Dragon, Bad Dudes - are as I remember them; I'm just amazed at how difficult R-Type is!

I played R-Type last night, but it's much more difficult than my vague memory of it, with as many environmental hazards as enemies. Is anyone here good at it? I just don't see how it can be mastered.

It's funny how massive Jurassic Park was back in 1993, and I do remember how there were so many different tie-in games, but all very different! I had the Mega CD one, and seem to recall trying ages to steal a triceratops egg!

Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild are two extreme sides of the same coin. The former excels at showing you how remarkable (I chose my adjective carefully there!) motion controls can be, and follows the linear style as much as Zelda can. The latter takes the open world concept to the limit, and does so in truly amazing fashion. Both have combat you really need to pay attention to, and RPG-style levels of material collecting. I was impressed by both in different ways, but I didn't actually like either, and would rather get back to the "medium" style of OOT/MM/WW/TP.

I apologise for not mentioning this while it was on sale, but I bought Sky Force Reloaded last week a few hours before the discount ended. It is sublime. Similar to Axelay, but by far the best game of its genre I've played. Whereas most games of this type feel ridiculously hard, this is tough in a really good way, forcing you to get better at it. And whilst I've quite enjoyed the Neo Geo games Alpha Mission 2 and Aero Fighters 2, there's little satisfaction in using unlimited credits (and as much as I'd love to 1-cred them, I couldn't). Sky Force Reloaded's difficulty is tailor-made for console gamers. The action is not just frantic; you soon realise you have to recognise enemy craft quickly and adapt your tactics to different types. Playing it honestly feels like some sort of hypnotic therapy! The only people I wouldn't recommend it to are those who hate grinding, as all your weapons can be upgraded many, many times (I see at least thirty increments for each so far) with stars you collect on the way. Personally, I really love replaying every level, trying to master each one. But it's an absolutely brilliant game and I want to pick up Sky Force Anniversary once I've got all the enjoyment I can get out of this. @S.C.G, are you a fan of this one?

No, go with @Hero-of-Time! Honestly, there's something about this game I really don't like, thematically as well as in terms of gameplay. It's good, but there were aspects where I though the designers were trying to annoy the player. That said, from what I perceive about you, drahkon, I do think you'll like it.

Possibly, yes. OutRun 2/2006, however, is probably the greatest arcade racer ever. Shame about the licensing issues.

I don't know, I reckon Tecmo have always been the best at this kind of thing. It can't be easy to arrange some polygons and actually make it look like a female figure, but they do it very well. I've always been fascinated with the depiction of female figures, in an artistic way - which proportions to exaggerate etc - and I appreciate the way Tecmo doesn't shy away from sex appeal. They emphasise it better than anyone else, which is genuinely an art in itself. Yeah, you might have a point there. The outfits could be just as skimpy, but people could pretend they were buying it for the volleyball!

Well, it's all good fun, and well done Nintendo for not censoring (is this real life or am I hallucinating?)!

Just for the record, this is available to download now, with a pre-order discount. Got mine already!

Just a heads-up - I noticed there is now a demo for 99 Vidas, which also has a pre-order discount.

I've been a fan of Stan Lee for as long as I can remember. What strikes me about Marvel's characters is that they are incredibly enduring across different media - the comics, of course, but also animation, live-action TV and, now, the spectacular films. It's largely because of how much humanity Stan Lee put into them in the first place. He co-created them with various artists, true, but he deserves credit for his writing style and how much heart he gave them. The Incredible Hulk made a huge impression on me via the 1970s TV series, and has always been one of the most lovable characters. I got into Spider-Man in the early '90s. It may be a cliché to talk about how relatable Peter Parker is, but it's important that the character is nice. It's no coincidence that Stan Lee was heavily involved with these more flawed, but endearing, characters rather than the square-jawed, virtuous-but-brutal Captain America (don't get me wrong, Cap is great too!) Fantastic Four are some of my favourite characters of all, especially the confidence-lacking genius Reed Richards (incidentally, I loved the 1990s animated series for Spidey, Hulk and FF), and the portrayal of the bickering family who love each other really is perfect. "Flame On!" and "It's Clobberin' Time!" have always been two of my favourite catchphrases. It's also no coincidence that Stan Lee's characters were the most sought-after by film companies when Marvel sold the rights to them in the 1990s. It's been an absolute pleasure to look out for Stan's cameos - some of my favourites are "Hey, Hef!", "I thought he'd be taller" and "Can I have my shoe back?" And the MCU itself took it to another level. Stan always seemed keen to talk about his characters and was enthusiastic about being involved to the end. We'll keep on enjoying his work, but he genuinely will be missed.

We honestly are incredibly similar! I have to say, this doesn't appeal to me at all because (rightly or wrongly) I get the impression it's trying to be an edgy, more-violent-than-usual comic book film, in the same manner as Deadpool. That said, I'm hooked on MCU. If you'd have told my '90s self I'd be more interested in Thor and Captain America than Spidey/Venom, I'd have been very surprised. Heck, I've even got into Guardians of the Galaxy more than I want to see this.

I'm not sure about that. There's loads of nostalgia around the Mega Drive - I have a feeling it'll sell better.

I had both on the Saturn and always preferred the original as well. With games, more than films actually, I often prefer the first one. Sonic 2 and Double Dragon 2 are two others I didn't really "get" as much as others did (and I'm sure there are more that I've forgotten). My theory is that the first game is the one that puts across the intended feeling and atmosphere, whereas the 2nd is often longer, more intense or overcomplicates things for the sake of having something different to the original. Because the first game was popular, the sequel often sells better and is more fondly remembered by more people. There are exceptions, of course - Streets of Rage 2 is definitely better, as are many games where there's been a generational jump (Ghouls 'n' Ghosts compared to Ghosts 'n' Goblins), but that's my general feeling.

The best eShop game just got better! Beat 'Em Up Bundle has been updated with the option for original size (as opposed to full screen) and two main types of filter. The "A" filter adds horizontal scanlines, and the "B" filter seems to simulate some sort of dot display. It's great to be able to play these in pixel perfect form.

Yeah, that's a good point. I often forget we're only one generation on from the PS3. All the great ports on Switch so far were developed on Xbox 360, which is a very different thing to something designed to take advantage of PS3's highly specialist architecture. Thankfully we're finally at a point where it seems easy enough to move stuff between Xbox/PlayStation, mobile and Nintendo... depending on specs, of course, but not so limited by the architecture.

I can't imagine why not, although I don't know how Square-Enix chose the ones they've announced ports of. They always seem to be in on Nintendo's plans, so perhaps that's one for Switch 2?

I had the Saturn port of Bust-a-Move 2. Whilst I try to avoid puzzle games nowadays (they make my mind too active!), it really is a stand-out title.

Johnny Turbo's Arcade has a few new titles on the way, one of which is a multiplayer-focused game using classic Data East sprites! Not sure any of these are for me, but at least there's still hope of Two Crude Dudes and Caveman Ninja coming to Europe.

Good news about Switch being able to run NAOMI (and we know it can do Model 1)! I wonder if that means it can run Model 2 and 3? Whatever the sales for the Master System and Mega Drive games, I really think people want the coin-ops. My most-wanted: System 16 Golden Axe System 32 Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder Spider-Man (yeah, right!) Arabian Fight Model 3 Daytona 2 Sega Rally 2 Le Mans

Wow, I thought it was just me! Now I'm not going to pretend this is the reason I'm burnt out, personally, but I do very much agree. Whilst I very much enjoyed Mario Odyssey and Octopath Traveler, the post-game of neither could hold my attention, and despite being initially impressed with Breath of the Wild, I agree with your verdict. @Ike's suggestion of Ys VIII is a good one, as I feel it's been quite an overlooked "major" game, but I must admit my attention is slipping 50+ hours in. One I did love was Dragon Quest Builders, but it took all my focus to complete. Regarding the whole "open world" subject, with rising development costs, I find it surprising that software teams are giving themselves lots more work by making their games so huge. What we're missing is the well-crafted, tightly-focused 1- or 2-week experience like Wind Waker, Metroid Prime or Mario Sunshine. I don't want games to be a completely linear thrill ride, but nor do I want them to be loose and unfocused.

The socks aren't big enough for me, but I'm very tempted by the "using magic" T-shirt and the framed print!