S.C.G

I'm not aware of any new signup verifications, but it's a possibility as we were having some bot(?) trouble on the site/forum recently, but I think all is OK now. @Shorty will likely know the answer to this, if nothing has changed though and a new member can't post, then there would seem to be something wrong somewhere.

Want? Yes Need? No Bought? Not yet...

Also, I still can't believe that they didn't include Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the collection as well, unless that's part of the plan all along, once you can't get one collection, release a second collection, and then when you can't get both of those, release them all in one, bundled collection. It might have do something to do with file size as well, though I doubt it. Also, isn't this collection out on September 19th? I'd have thought the pre-order for it on the store would be going up soon.

True... but I remember it, and it would have been nice if the option was there regardless, Shine Get is so much better than Shine. (I could have sworn they left it in, in my mind I must have been seeing it anyway due to how enamoured I was with the original Japanese text) Regardless... there's only one thing for it; might as well start a new movement, to demand that it gets included, despite this perceived inaccuracy... #SuperMarioShunShine

I'll offer to buy one off you then, since it's technically pre-owned.

Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Direct Roundup All up on the main site, N-Europe's Roundup of the presentation. Full press release and video embed. While it was a good presentation, there's only one thing I have to say... Nintendo... why you change "Shine Get!" to "Shine" in Super Mario Sunshine? Literally unplayable. (joking aside, I really liked that original odd translation and it is a shame when videogame history is sanitised)

They're just one publisher (of many) which I try not to give money to any more, their business practices aren't brilliant and the less said about the 'higher-ups' in that company, the better. I get that it's the developers who make the games but still, it's all still owned by Activision, and as such, I'll likely be buying the game second-hand. Does it make a difference ultimately? Probably not a very big one, but if everyone voted with their wallet, then things might change. Again, probably not, maybe the only thing which would happen if nobody bought this game new, is that we wouldn't get any more remasters. If you really like a particular game or series, it's probably better to just buy the game and support the developer but it's a bit of a catch 22 when certain publishers are involved. There isn't really any other game published by Activision which I'm interested in, so it's easier for me to wait on this game, being that I haven't conciously supported the publisher in recent times, I bought Destiny initially, the Crash remasters (though I don't know why now) and Sekiro because there was no other option, though I could have easily just waited or not bothered with that as well, looking back. It's the same for Ubisoft and a few other developers/publishers... I might have supported them in the past, but I just can't or won't any more where possible. (this might be good to make another thread on but it might just end up dragging up age-old circular discussion which probably won't lead anywhere) TL:DR - Tony Hawk's remasters look good, but I wish I could support just the developer and not the publisher.

I would like to play this remaster, but it's Activision... I can wait for a second-hand copy, or a new copy being sold as second-hand. Interestingly, I noticed The Game Collection are now selling pre-owned games, or at least are planning to, it would seem? There's no mechanism to actually "sell" games to them yet, and the pre-owned page just goes to a 404, plus you don't seem to be able to buy any game pre-owned yet. I would guess that this is something they will be rolling out soon, it will likely work the same as similar retailers, except there's no physical retail and you'd send them in. I just found it interesting, as this could be a good option for anyone who wants to buy a new game, but isn't too fussed about buying new from a particular publisher. It is only £2 difference between new and pre-owned currently, but it's good that the option is there, or soon will be. - - - - As for the actual remasters, both games look like they've had a decent amount of time, research and attention to detail put into them, to make them as good as they can be on a new modern-day engine. I can see this doing pretty well over the next few weeks/months, especially when word gets around... "Hey, did you know that the Tony Hawk's games got re-released?" "No way? Those games from the Nineties?" "Yeah, except they look loads better now and they have online leaderboards etc" "I'm going to buy that for sure, I haven't played those games in forever..." Nostalgia can be a powerful selling point. They'll also want to get that Switch version out as soon as possible.

So long as Saturday, 8pm is convenient for you, that's fine, as it's convenient for me as well.

Cheers for the games @drahkon I think this weeks set of games should have been titled... "Games which play automatically" There is strategy involved, and you played well though. I just seems like a lot of it is predetermined, so the game just plays out in a certain way after so many moves have been played. Anyway, bring on the other games in the coming weeks, they can only get better from here on. I got screenshots of all the results.

@drahkon well, Dot's and Boxes moreorless plays itself, well played though. gonna have to brb for a minute before setting up the next game, will only be a couple of minutes.

@drahkon I've made a Friend lobby.

Instead of in two hours time? That... could just about work. (they are quick games, as I understand) I'll set up now then.

No worries, it seems to be quite a busy weekend generally and it's a Bank Holiday as well. (here anyway) Tonight would be OK, 7PM should be alright as well, did you want to host or shall I? Looking forward to playing some games tonight, 'Four-in-a-row' should be fun.

My thoughts are with you @martinist I'm sending some positive thoughts your dad's way, I believe that he'll get better. Plenty of rest seems to be the best thing, along with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and keeping hydrated, according to a bit of research; just mentioning in case it helps. All the best to your family, and here's to your Dad's recovery. If you want to talk, send me a PM.

Nope, not as of yet anyway... I've just listened to the three tracks again, they're all so different, you'd have thought that would make it easier, or narrow it down but alas... Just to clarify, the game was either mentioned in this weeks podcast or a recent, previous podcast? I get the sense that it is a modern game... oh wait, I think I might have just got it. It probably isn't that, but I've got nothing else to go on.

I was pretty happy with that, especially for my first game of the evening... ...and what a way to finish the evening, that Smash Ball match was priceless. Thanks for the games, everyone.

Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase August 2020 Roundup All up on the main site, N-Europe's Roundup of the mini presentation. Full press release and video embed. The collection of Game Boy Final Fantasy titles looks good, plus Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 was a nice surprise. Same time, next month then, Nintendo?

N-E Café Episode 41 now available! Now up on the main page. Again, some really great game discussion in there this week, personally I enjoyed the talk about Ninja Gaiden and Bad Dudes. (hence the banner) Nice intro and outro music as well, it just reminds me that I really enjoy the OST to Tokyo Mirage Sessions, despite not playing the whole game, I should fix that. Does that mean that there's now only a week until the Podpals episode? I should get on with playing The Messenger... Thanks again for another excellent episode.

No worries, we could just rearrange for another evening perhaps? That'll work in this instance, right @Glen-i? Or shall we wait until a weekend when we can all play? I don't mind either way.

I've found that buying a grip for the Switch completely transforms portable play, no cramp and it makes the system a lot better to use overall. Yep, here's the link to the Skull & Co grip set... * https://skullnco.com/collections/switch-gripcase/products/gripcase-set?variant=22216281980976 And, here's the link to the Satisfye grip set... * https://www.satisfye.com/collections/switchgrip-pro-bundle/products/zengrip-pro-elite I'd recommened the Satisfye grip, but it's the only one I've personally purchased and have used for a fair amount of time. *Disclaimer - these are NOT affiliate links in any way, shape or form. Having said all of that... I would still very much like Nintendo to make an official Left joy-con (with better build quality) which has a proper D-Pad.

Got both the Gastrodon and Porygon 2, thanks. Also, I didn't check the Pokémon (I just confirmed that they were both in box 2) but I did check my progress... Play Time - 10:44 Pokédex - 44 Location - Motostoke City (no gyms/challenges beaten) It's probably about time I made a bit of progress in the game.

I might as well get those two Pokémon to add to however many I have in-game, which probably isn't that many as I didn't get very far. It has been nearly seven months since I last played Pokémon Sword, maybe it's time to give it another go inbetween other games.

*sigh* it's the first time I've loaded this compilation up, it seems there's stuff I need to do in order to be able to select online mode. I'll be right there.

Thanks for the games everyone. Some fun matches there, also plenty of fun had on that new(?) stage @RedShell I managed to stay out of the 'middle section of massive damage' for quite some time as Ridley there.