S.C.G

N-E Café Episode 46 now available! Now up on the main page. Another great episode this week, I enjoyed all the game industry talk with the Bethesda buyout. Nice to hear about Donkey Kong Country 2, Super Mario 3D All-Stars and Crimsonland. Episode 47 will surely have an interesting main topic. Plenty of new game discussion to be had too, especially with Super Mario Bros. 35 just being released.

In fairness, there are a lot worse character additions then Steve, and if we are going to be comparing, then it could be also said that at least it's not a non-descipt playable character from Fortnite... that really would be a lot worse, especially with that games art-style, which I've never understood the appeal of. I do think @RedShell has a point about the Minecraft art style though, while it isn't the worst I've seen in a game, there has always been something about it, that I really don't like, and the only way I can think to describe it, is that it's a very polished generic voxel art style; perhaps that's what makes it such an odd juxtoposition? There's definitely something about the art style and the game, where I can see why it would appeal to a wide audience.but I think for a lot of people who have played the game, it can seem like one of those titles, where once you see it for what it is, there just isn't a great deal of appeal to it. But the success of Minecraft is undeniable, as is the general level of appeal. I'm not saying that 'this is the worst thing ever!11!!!' and to keep it in perspective, this is one character, in a game which has a roster of around 80? characters, on a platform which has a load of other games to play; we are really fortunate as gamers. I know that this could be extended to anything, by extension, we're fortunate to even be able to choose to make the time to comment on this, and really, when it comes down to it, I'm just grateful that there even are more characters being added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at all... plus, playing as these characters when they come out, online with the N-Europe community, definitely makes it all the more memorable. Speaking of which... I believe there's an online game being hosted right now, so if anyone wants to join for a few games, then please do, all players welcome, as are all characters of pixels, polygons or voxels alike.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Minecraft Steve presentation Roundup All up on the main page. Full press release, statement from Mojang Studios and a video embed of the presentation. I get how big Minecraft is, I'm glad that this is something the fans of the series and the developer are grateful for... ...I just don't think that Minecraft is that great, but then, I'm not the target audience, so this doesn't matter. But, we did get Banjo-Kazooie... so if Minecraft was part of the Microsoft deal, then it was still worth it, as two different fanbases are satisfied. That's how I'm going to rationalise it, anyway, we've got a new character being added to Smash and at least there's more to look forward to.

Well... Microsoft won't ever outright buy Nintendo but you've got to wonder just how much money exchanged hands in order to make this happen. From a business perspective, and making a load of fans of Minecraft happy, it's a genius move. From a roster perspective, this feels like a wasted spot, when you consider how many other characters from the entire history of videogames could have been included. It is what it is though, and I reckon the only way is up from here when it comes to the other character reveals. This could have been so much worse, or better, depending on your perspective, personally, I can see it for what it is, but I can't say that I'm that surprised or enthused. If this means that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is now enjoyed by a lot more people who wouldn't have considered it before though, or who will now buy the dlc, this is surely only a good thing for ensuring the long-term sales future of the series, but there isn't that much else to say about a character reveal where the motives behind it are so transparent. Ah well, this is the Pirahnah Plant of the season pass, for me at least... I just hope this is appreciated by those who actually asked for it, they can at least be grateful. I'm still going to play as the character, just like every other one in the roster, released or unreleased, but this was the best time to showcase this character, rather than wait until the end of the Season Pass... though it really does make me wonder, just which other characters we'll be getting now.

*nods* I can see it happening, I really can, that's why I'm going to put some energy into the thought that it could be Lloyd Irving from Tales of Symphonia, coming to Smash. Also, this could be coupled with another announcement, Tales of Symphonia Remastered for the Switch... But didn't they remaster both Tales of Symphonia games for the PS3? Yes... but they really didn't do a great job, this could be a chance to port it again using the GC version. As for Lloyd in smash though, he could work really well as a character, especially with regard to how the battle system works in Tales of... games, what with the battles taking place in a 3D arena, but you only ever attack in a straight line, so it always felt like you were mostly battling in 2D anyway, only using the rest of the 3D space to either evade attacks, or change attack position. Plenty of fancy sword moves could be used, for attacks in all directions, the Final Smash could be a spirit summon, the arena could either be a floating style across the world map, similar to Dragon Quest, or just set it all inside Meltokio Colosseum, that way, you'd have plenty of scope to put any other Tales of... series characters in there as background elements or even make them part of the battle. I can see the reveal trailer now... Sword Kirby walks through a large, darkened doorway, into an unknown arena, Many sword-wielding characters face off against him, in this dark arena, You only catch a glimpse of them, but you can make them out from small details as they battle it out, One by one, Kirby takes them all on, and uses their powers against each of them, Then, as Hero-Kirby approaches the centre of the arena, one unfamiliar swordsman brandishes his sword, "Give me your name, and I shall give you mine!" states the character... you catch sight of the back of his hand, is that? an Exsphere?!? *ching!* It lights up, then the whole arena is lit up, fire torches are ablaze and the battleground is revealed, along with the challenger... Lloyd Irving pledges his swords to Smash! Ahem! Well, it would certainly make my day if it were to happen that way, anyway.

Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass Updates Roundup All up on the main site. Full press release and video embed. Good news for anyone who has been awaiting the second part of the DLC. Personally, I don't know if I'll finish the main game at this point, therefore the very idea of DLC is a bit superfluous. I'm glad for everyone who enjoys playing the game(s) though.

Boundary Break - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 A great episode, it really shows off just how much detail went into these remakes, both inside and outside the playable areas. I'm going to play some of this now, as since my initial second-hand copy arrived, I've only put a couple of hours into it.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - Champions Unite! Trailer Up on the main page. That... was a really great trailer, I may well pre-order this nearer the time.

Did someone say, Astalos Butchery at 8pm, tonight? If so, I'm in.

Well, that was the most interesting game of Chess I've played in a long time. Good game @drahkon you played well. Chalk up another win for drahkon please.

I don't mind at all, will host it in a few minutes.

Kirby Fighters 2 is now available on the Nintendo Switch eShop Press release and launch trailer.

Best keep it to 7pm (UK time) less than four hours from now, that seems like a good time for a game of Chess, and gives enough of a buffer before Mario Kart.

N-E Café Episode 45 now available! Now up on the main page. Thanks for having me on the podcast this week, it was great getting to talk about games with you both. Also, even though I was part of this episode, the transition tunes are put in later of course, so I don't have any idea what they're going to be. As it turns out though, I know what this weeks transition tune is, so I can't not 'guess' at it. Great Podcast Extras section at the end there too. I think that calls for a shameless plug of Old Nintendo Gamer and Son because it's a great channel you've built up there @Londragon

This resonates with me so much, in recent times, whenever I have bought another 'bargain' to add to my Steam library, I usually have no desire to play any of the games, except for on very rare occasions, the same can also be said for some games I buy on the Switch when they are in the sale, but to a lesser extent, as it's usually Sega Ages games which I like to have there for when I choose to play them. The same is also true of a lot of games which have been obtained through either Games with Gold, or from Playstation Plus, which of course gives the odd new title for free which I might check out, but I wouldn't have otherwise paid money for those games, so that's almost the other end of the scale, but almost alligning with the Game Pass model, but on a very small scale, being that it's only the odd couple of titles a month which get 'given away' and they've usually already been out for a while. Game Pass is definitely turning games into a more disposable form of entertainment, not only that, but I believe that it is having a huge effect on physical game sales, to the point that very soon, I don't think there will be quite as many physical games manufactured, we're even seeing dedicated digital versions of both the PS5 and the Xbox Series S now as well, which demonstrates that there is clearly a market for it. Because I (also) like to invest a lot of time in a single, well made game as well, rather than chopping and changing between lots of titles, I won't support Game Pass, no matter how good a prospect it is, generally I don't even have any other subscriptions either, aside from Xbox Live, PS Plus and Nintendo Switch Online, but those are a yearly subscription and still seem to be just about worth it, for the ability to play online. I can still see Xbox Game Pass doing very well indeed, also... anyone going for that subscription model, for the console and the subscriptions, will probably be paying... £30 or so a month for so many months? So long as they are playing at least one new game every week, then the cost is probably justified for them, I can see from that perspective, that it's an enticing prospect. At this point, nothing would make me want to sign up for it, not even if they suddenly made every Xbox original game available for it, and to me, that would be a very good selling point, but a niche one for a lot of people. Though this makes me realise, it might be about time to dig out my original Xbox console again to play some classic physical games that I own for it.

Yeah, that could work. Mario Kart league at 8pm but... I don't think our Chess game will last an hour, I played a few games of it when I first got the collection and typically, the games were decided within a few moves, for all the variations in Chess, a lot of games seem to go a similar way once you get past the opening four moves or so, I've found. I'm not even seriously into Chess, I just used to play it a little bit when I was younger, it'll be great to play a game with you though.

About that port of Doom Eternal for the Switch... We should still get that, right? It just means that Microsoft will get a cut of the takings, just like with any Rare games which were made and released on Nintendo platforms after that acquisition. That's how I'd read into it, aside from that one game though, moving forward, this is a good move for Microsoft, in business terms. For Bethesda though? It must have been made worth their while, assuming that all their games are now Xbox (and PC?) only, they must have decided that the amount of sales they would make on other platforms, PS4/PS5/Switch to be not worth it for them, in light of what has been offered to them.

6pm will probably work, might be slightly later, see what happens on the day, will keep you posted.

Friday night's alright. 8pm? (earlier possibly, but play it by ear)

Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase September 2020 Roundup All up on the main site, N-Europe's Roundup of the mini presentation. Full press release and both video presentation embeds. Two new Monster Hunter titles? Expectations have been exceeded.

Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase September 2020 to be broadcast tomorrow Up on the main page. We'll have the full roundup article with the press release etc up on the main page shortly after the event airs tomorrow. Personal expectations? A release date for Doom Eternal, perhaps? I think that's likely, and a good shout from @Ganepark32 A new Monster Hunter game would be interesting but, I'm going to go with Streets of Rage 4 DLC possibly being announced, following its recent update.

N-E Café Episode 44 now available! Now up on the main page. Great episode, with some really interesting game discussion, especially the talk about Mario games. Probably best to save a lot of Mario game discussion until the fiftieth episode though, by the sounds of it. Of course, with a title like that for the podcast, the banner couldn't be anything else but a Sonic one, especially as it's only his 30th anniversary, next year. Thanks again for another excellent episode.

Everyone - Can we have an N64 / GC / Wii Virtual Console for the Switch? Nintendo - We are going to release N64 retail titles in 2021, GC retail titles in 2022, and *Wii retail titles in 2023... *But not Super Mario Galaxy 2, that'll be saved for Mario's 40th Anniversary collection

Indeed, more love and postivity is much needed right now, in this world. I'm sending some love and positive thoughts out as well, to everyone who is going through anything in life at the moment. May you all find the inner-strength within yourselves to make the right decisions, for you. I can remember not so long ago, I had spent a short amount of time in hospital, then not too long after that, I left my job over a year ago now... Not that I'm trying to compare, just that I remember at the time, I had support from many members of this community, which I'm grateful for to this day. These days, I'm really actively trying to practice gratitude every day, and if I can put out some positive energy which helps someone, then that's worth doing. With so much division going on, if we can help ourselves, and others around us, then I believe we can improve things. Right now, I just want to say "thanks" to this community, as while we might not agree on everything, I think that there's more that we agree on, than what we disagree on when it comes down to it, and there does seem to be a general shift in conciousness going on... I don't know if anyone else senses it, but I'll take it as a positive sign right now. If anyone wants to talk about anything, I know I mention it a lot, but I am happy to do so, be it via PM, Discord etc, or on here. Wishing all the best for N-Eone and everyoN-E, each and every day, for the rest of 2020, and beyond.

Sony have chosen 9pm on a Wednesday for this "showcase" though... I'll likely be playing games at that time, otherwise, I'd have joined you in the chat again. Enjoy the show though, and for anyone who does want to join the N-E chat... https://www.n-europe.com/chat