Grazza

Well it should be. Whether outdoor smoking is banned should begin and end with whether it's a public health risk. I've never touched a cigarette in my life - it's extremely unwise to smoke, in my opinion - and I don't respect anyone's right to damage my body. But... this should be entirely a health issue. There's a worrying trend of groups lecturing others and telling them what to do - I'm convinced it's a new wave of Puritanism - backed with, if they can get away with it, legislation. This, for example, seems like social engineering, however noble the aim: Smoking is awful, I agree, but I'm unconvinced open-air smoking is a huge risk to my health. We live in a world where, whether we like it or not, we are exposed to immense amounts of radio waves from mobile phones and other types of wireless communication. It's safe, they tell us, of course they do - just like all the things in the past that were "safe". Just walking down the street, you will breathe in a disgusting amount of fumes from buses and cars with dodgy exhausts. Our food is full of chemicals and hormones, and thanks to the contraceptive pill, our water supply is packed with enough oestrogen to make fish change sex. You honestly think that has no effect on humans? I'd much rather they banned the contraceptive pill than outdoor smoking, but that's not a politically-correct idea, is it? I won't shed a tear if outdoor smoking is banned, but it should be about health, not the politics.

Hmm... I saw the resolution was 400 x 480 and mistook the vertical resolution for a single screen as 480 (didn't realise each image showed top and bottom).

Looks great, but that's way higher-res than the 3DS version will actually look. I know that's the standard with "bullshots", but this seems particularly optimistic.

I have this quirk, nando, but to an even greater level. I hardly like owning games at all - once I've completed it I like to sell it and move on. Of course, I keep a few favourites, but even then it's not for too long. For example, I kept a few GameCube and PS2 classics, but have got rid of them too now we're in the era of HDTVs. I'd rather wait for an HD remake, or just be without the game if that doesn't happen. In terms of digital releases, I'm similar, but don't mind deleting the icons. Out of the Ambassador games, I've only kept Minish Cap and Metroid Fusion. The other games that have a home on my 3DS are Shantae 2 & 3 (although even the fact that the former is a DSi Ware game slightly irritates me), Mighty Switch Force 1 & 2, plus all the Sega and Nintendo 3D Classics that I own. Other quirks: The double-save - "Am I sure it saved properly? I'd better do it again!" Left-side priority - When I'm exploring an area or dungeon, I'll always choose left first, then middle, then right Delayed key usage - Like the above, when playing Zelda, Dragon Quest etc, I'll always explore as much as I can without using keys

Fantastic Four needs to be camp and colourful. Not everyone will like it, but that's what it is - that's the comic. Seems to me they tried to get respect from the Batman/X-Men audience with this one, but that's just not right for FF.

Generally the RPGs with a timed battle system, like Final Fantasy IV onwards. Although I like the genre, I feel they're best with an untimed turn-based system so you have to time to read everything and consider your actions carefully. The newer ones like Xenoblade Chronicles are an ever bigger turn-off for me, as your team dart around the enemy and I get confused as to whether placement matters (logic says it should, but that's too much for me when I have to switch between each member in real-time). Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the idea this system is going for, but I think it'd be better via really good A.I., with you merely setting priorities before battle (as in Final Fantasy XII). Another intimidating game was Bangai-O Spirits on the DS. To this day, I have no idea how you play it.

I actually think this is a more pertinent point than the "story vs. gameplay" debate (not that I'm knocking it). The Wii U hasn't had a Metroid or Zelda game. It's amazing when you think of it. The issue for me is not really whether a game has a good story, or how it's told - it's more that Nintendo has focused on very, very simple games recently. It may well be that The Witcher 3 sets new standards, but Nintendo hasn't even attempted to match its own standards.

Nintendo Life is very positive about this: http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/etrian_odyssey_2_untold_the_fafnir_knight To be honest, I was in two minds about whether to get this game. I, II, III and IV were great but EO Untold: The Millennium Girl is, in my opinion, the worst of the bunch. The post-game boss is just too frustrating even on Normal difficulty (despite me beating it in the original). I came to the conclusion that you really need to farm the King Grimoires in order to beat it - something I was not prepared to do. Thus, I deleted my data and it's the only one of the five I didn't beat the post-game boss of. But, I shouldn't forget how much fun it was for the vast majority of the game. This sequel also sounds really interesting in its own right. I'll continue to play the Etrian Odyssey games, but just be a bit more pragmatic about the "Untold" sub-series. They're good, but I'm not going to worry if I can't 100% them.

Flipping heck, it's awful.

Putting together the more credible-sounding rumours and the general stated purpose of the NX, it does seem like we're heading for something slightly more powerful than Wii U - still on the PowerPC architecture, but powerful enough to run current game engines. The thing that's really thrown me is that it's sounding more and more like a home console, and yet their current handheld really needs replacing sooner or later. In theory, this could go back to the old idea of two machines at once - handheld less powerful than Wii U, console more powerful - but if the handheld was sub-Wii U, surely that would rule out the game engines that Wii U couldn't run?

For now, I think people will want to talk about all three versions in the same thread. When they are actually released, however, I think two different threads would make sense (depending on how different the PS4 version is to the 3DS). In theory, there could be different sidequests, items etc. and so there might be a need to differentiate strategies between the games.

Well, this is a turn up for the books. PS4 - I'm glad that, if DQ XI was going to be a home console game at all, it's on the PS4. Even when all three are out, this will surely remain the technical-best version. From the tech demo, it seems like they've remembered all the technical strengths from VIII and are not letting the 3DS version limit it. The high-walled citadel seen is something you simply would not have got in IX, not to mention the control you have over the camera and the ability to investigate the interiors of buildings (I'm assuming there is a 1st-person mode too, if only when you're stationary). The overworld really does look similar to the upcoming Legend of Zelda, which is no bad thing at all. It's a really good, cartoony look. Of course, it does need a lot of work and we never know whether the full charm of DQ will be in force - cheeky humour, moonlit musings, romantic melodies - but it's starting from a very strong position. 3DS - Despite wanting DQ XI to be on PS4, this was an extremely welcome surprise. Ever since playing IX, I've hoped for the same experience again, and this could well provide it. The polygons/sprites mechanic is cool, but I think I'll stick to polygons in this case. If I'm really nitpicking, the spritework doesn't seem to be a focus. Compare it to the remakes of V or VI, for example, which had some incredibly well-animated sprites. Technically, though, it's a huge leap over IX, with complex towns and dual-camera set-up. Not only would I buy both versions, I'd actually buy a New 3DS for this. NX - I'm expecting this to be a slightly-lesser version of the PS4 game, with the 3DS version really being a curiosity for a very popular handheld. Might have slightly lower polygon count or lower resolution, but will essentially be the same as the PS4 edition. Depending on how close it is, I could see this being a good substitute. ... So, three bits of good news with one huge drawback - whether the West will actually see any of these. I think there's more chance we will than won't, but I don't want to get my hopes up. That said though, everything looks like its heart's in the right place - an offline, single-player, turn-based Dragon Quest! I can't help myself from wondering whether there'll be Alchemy, whether every piece of armour will be visible in-game, how generous the Skill Points system will be... but until we get confirmation of localisations, I'll just have to temper my expectations.

Played through the whole game again, this time as Max. It feels great to have Max's extra power, especially against the bigger, stronger bosses (even though it's hard to use his wrestling moves in these situations). There's something primal about it. I can't really explain how much enjoyment I'm getting out of Streets of Rage 2 this time around. It takes me back to when games were simple, accessible and exciting. Even though I do play longer types of game than this (like RPGs), SoR2 is making me recall when I'd have friends round and we'd load up several games in a session, rather than spend the whole time playing one game in particular. You must have JavaScript enabled on your device to view Miiverse posts that have been embedded in a website. View post in Miiverse You must have JavaScript enabled on your device to view Miiverse posts that have been embedded in a website. View post in Miiverse You must have JavaScript enabled on your device to view Miiverse posts that have been embedded in a website. View post in Miiverse Streets of Rage 2 is so good that they might as well take the original off the eShop (half joking)! I love my "Sega 3D Classics" folder - it's full of fun, simple titles that never get outdated. Realistically, I doubt the 3DS can emulate System 32, but there are still a few System 16 and Mega Drive titles the collection won't be complete without: Golden Axe (coin-op) Enduro Racer Super Monaco GP Bare Knuckle 3 After those I think that'd be about it, although I hope one day I can have a handheld with all the 16-bit 3D Classics on, plus 32-bit ones. Sega's 3D remasters are so good, it'd be great if Capcom gave their games the same treatment!

You know, I was feeling a bit tired and intimidated at the thought of playing again so soon, and thought to myself "Who do I know who goes through games at light speed and could check this easily...?" Well, OK, but that's probably the PAL version and doesn't have the cigar!

Nope, only thought of that after I posted. I'll try it next time. Needless to say, if it's in there, I'll post a cigar pic! Personally, I think Outrun is better (with Space Harrier being outclassed by Afterburner II). However, obviously you know your stuff, and part of these is how they evoke the feelings of the time. I reckon I'll end up with most of them next time there's a sale - I'm particularly thinking about buying Thunder Blade. I just love having these in my 3DS. The graphics, music and controls are all so perfect, and presented brilliantly by M2.

So... Streets of Rage 2! Whilst I never owned a copy of the original Streets of Rage (most of my friends seemed to have it), the sequel obviously arrived a year or two later and things were different. The sprites looked bigger and chunkier, and I was really excited for what seemed like a Final Fight-quality brawler on my Mega Drive. The funny thing about the original release of SoR2, however, is that I never completed it. By this point, I didn't have as much chance to play 2-player, and with the longer stages, I generally found the game a bit too long and difficult to play in one setting (like Sonic 2, actually). I'm by no means saying it's a particularly hard game, just that I didn't find it very manageable given the circumstances. Fast-forward to today's 3DS release by M2! I'd been thinking about which character I would use first. As a teenager, my natural instinct was to play as Max (same goes for Haggar in Final Fight), as back then I wanted little more than to be huge and muscular! I remembered him being rather vulnerable, though, so I planned to use Axl this time. In the event, however, I most wanted to see if they'd censored Blaze's flying kick (they haven't), so I loaded her up first. The action was so addictive I couldn't help but play through the whole thing! Note: in terms of censorship, this seems to be the same as the original PAL release. Whilst Blaze's flying kick is intact (unlike the US cartridge), the final boss still doesn't smoke the cigar he had in the Japanese original. M2 have done a great job, getting this running like a dream. It's hard to explain, but back in the day, a brawler having sections of diagonal scrolling was a sign of arcade quality. These moments are done so smoothly in stereoscopic 3D, there are no obvious "layers" at all. The graphics in general are so pretty, especially the character sprites, I can't help but think the industry went backwards when it stopped using pixel art for 2D games (but then that's my pet rant ). Streets of Rage 2 is definitely an improvement over the original. If the first game is "small sprites + 30fps", the sequel is "big sprites + 60fps" (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Whilst the original is perfectly playable (with great music), it's easy to see why this is considered the peak of the series. I do actually think it's on a par with Final Fight - Sega being one of the few developers who could truly make something as playable. The difficulty is enough to be pulse-pounding and make you pay attention, whilst still giving you a fair chance of completing it with the allowed amount of lives and continues. I had a blast playing through this tonight and will soon go back to it as Axl and Max. Streets of Rage 2 remains an exciting brawler and I really hope M2 bring us Bare Knuckle 3 (the proper Japanese version) next. You must have JavaScript enabled on your device to view Miiverse posts that have been embedded in a website. View post in Miiverse You must have JavaScript enabled on your device to view Miiverse posts that have been embedded in a website. View post in Miiverse You must have JavaScript enabled on your device to view Miiverse posts that have been embedded in a website. View post in Miiverse

Good man! I'm thinking of having a brawler-a-thon, with Streets of Rage 2, Final Fight 2, Final Fight 3 and maybe Final Fight One. I can't decide which version of the original game to buy - would prefer coin-op or Mega CD, but know that GBA is probably the best available to me right now.

Regarding parity with Xbox One/PS4, one man's "copying the others" is another man's "taking part in the wider industry". Nintendo is just one manufacturer/developer (and a fine one too), but the industry is also made up of other manufacturers, publishers and 3rd-party developers, not to mention those who create middleware. Every once in a while, all those people move forward as one, deciding to focus on new technical standards. This is why the term "generation" has greater meaning than just "timing", much as that angers some. The point of Nintendo adapting to these standards would not necessarily be to win over Xbox/PlayStation fans, but simply to get the games. Yes, Nintendo has innovated, but there is a difference between innovating out of necessity and innovating out of desperation. I'd argue the whole "Blue Ocean" strategy is one of desperation, as it's built on fear of the Red Ocean. There have been some genuinely good innovations such as analogue sticks and rumble, but when there is a need for them, the industry will come up with them. There is still a great deal of mystery surrounding NX, and the timing of it is a particularly thorny issue. If it's a home console, it may well be that it's too late for the current generation and too early for the next. But the general idea of keeping in line with the wider industry is a highly valid one.

Argh! I'm seriously tempted to get it ASAP! One question: Is the Alpha version of Guy actually more powerful than the normal version?

Haha, I completely forgot about that! Now I want to play this again too.

Just bumping this because it's almost time for the next wave of 3D Classics. Streets of Rage 2 will be here on 23rd July! http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/07/3d_streets_of_rage_2_hits_north_america_and_europe_july_23

Completely agree with you about this! Final Fight and, if I may say so, Double Dragon are the two best beat-'em-ups in my opinion. Yes, but it's still full length, isn't it? Apart from true arcade ports on things like Capcom Classics Collection, I thought the Mega CD and GBA versions were about the only two home versions that were the whole game.

Hmm, so I suppose this is the best version of Final Fight currently available for a Nintendo system? It was the first game I bought for my original GBA back in the day! Am very keen to have it again, but (like so many GBA Virtual Console games) might wait until it's on handheld. Please can we have Double Dragon Advance though? I'm desperate for that one!

This RPG is out in North America next week, and is cross-buy too. No European release date yet, but apparently it's on its way. Personally, I think it looks hilarious, and might be our only chance for a "Dragon Quest" in the West.

Wasn't there a young chap who presented a recent Nintendo Direct? I wouldn't be at all surprised if he became president.