S.C.G

Bump... I realise that the Korg Gadget on the Switch probably hasn't had as much love as it should have for various reasons. I know there was the issue around the lack of full touch-screen controls, also I just did a search and USB midi support was also something people have been asking for. Anyway... I saw this stream, in which they are adding Sega and Taito sound libraries complete with new gadgets... (go to the 26 minute mark) I thought this was really cool, then I went back and remembered the limitations of the Switch version, it's frustrating because if they were to update it now with full touch-screen support, USB midi interface for keyboards etc and slashed the price for a week then it would surely become a versatile tool for music making, especially for those of us who have a Switch but would never want or need anything like an overpriced branded tablet, the Switch is that sweet spot in the middle as the price is good for what it can do but just having a more sully featured version of the Korg Gadget would be an amazing addition to any Switch owners library. Maybe it will happen, maybe it won't but I can see that there's a lot of potential here... I might end up getting it anyway when these sound libraries come out, if it's on sale.

Yeah, I'd be up for some stock Smash at 8PM or just after or so. I may or may not have started playing Super Mario Maker 2 before then, I was planning on maybe firing it up for a "quick go" at 7PM so we'll see how that goes. But I plan to play some Smash as well.

Might Switch Force Collection releasing on July 25th on the eShop for around £15.99 or so. Easiset games to sell on the Switch, it's even in the title! Physical collection or no sale for this one. Skybolt Zack releasing in 2019 is a rhythm focused plaformer with reflex-based gameplay. Probably best to read the PR details and watch the trailer for this one as it looks good. Check the articles for more information.

I didn't realise there was a limit on the number of levels you can upload. I mean... It doesn't say that there's a limit on the number you can store locally, so that's something but I suppose it means you're just going to put your very best courses online. Still... 32 courses? I'm sure 100 per user would have been a more sensible amount. Surely @RedShell will have maxxed out his amount of permitted uploaded levels within the week.

Up on the front page, great game which I played a few years ago on the PS4. If I recall correctly I just started playing it one evening when I wasn't feeling too good and it really lifted my spirits. I know that the story isn't really that cheerful but it's just the way that it's all put together is just charming. Anyway, I'm not about to spoil What Remains of Edith Finch for anyone but it is out on the Switch eShop on May 4th for (probably) £15.99 I won't be buying it digitally because I already have it on the PS4 but... a physical release would absolutely make me double dip on it.

I had a CEX voucher to use up, so I got this, seeing as it just came out, hopefully I'll get a copy that's in good as new condition, I hope so anyway. I know, the game will probably be £25 in two months but, it's a game that I want in my collection and that I plan to play.

Personally, I thought that should have been the pull quote for the review.

I haven't been keeping a strict running total but I just unsealed a load of 2017 Switch games (before the gold coins expire within 2 years ot release date) and on top of the £4 in points I already had from the last unsealing session, I managed to get over £12 in coins. Which I then spent on Sega Ages Virtua Racing and Wonder Boy in Monster Land because they came out today and that's what spurred me on to finally claim those points which would have otherwise been lost, you don't get a huge amount of points as it is from physical games, but due to the sheer amount of Switch titles I have now, it does mean that I get a few free digital titles, which is nice. Some games only give you around 25 points or so, the most I've seen is 63 on certain titles such as the ones published by Nicalis, the best one was probably Bayonetta 2 because I got 50 points for the second game, then I redeemed the code for Bayonetta (finally) and got 150 points because of it being a digital title, that took me over the amount I needed with 63 coins to spare. I've probably redeemed gold coins from maybe 35 games now? But after doing a count... that's only around a third of my physical collection... I'll let you know what the rest amount to but I will just say that certain Limited Run Games don't always work, so it might not be as much as you'd think... in any case, with physical games I'm not really in it for the gold coins but when I do get to redeem some, it's a nice bonus.

You know what? I was considering playing this game at some point soon, for similar reasons too but also because I really enjoyed playing Explorers of Sky as well. I have a feeling that I'd probably enjoy it, I picked up Shiren the Wanderer a while back too with the intention to play through it but I might save that one for another time.

in

I played the game for an hour last night, now admitedly, I'm still on the Ship... as I decided to grind to level 10 but... I didn't have any real issues. Though it seems most of the problems people are encountering are later on in the game, at the moment I'm enjoying it anyway.

Another plug for the new page... Super Mario Maker 2 Review written by @Ashley

Same again, all the Zelda amiibo are back in stock.

No big deal, I just wanted to make sure we didn't miss any as the above video was posted around the same time as the previous one. It's bad when we end up getting complacement about posting these videos, as if the exploits of AAA publishers and storefronts isn't even surprising any more. But these videos definitely need to be shared if we're to hope for anything to change... oh and stopping buying certain games will help, by a small margin. This is the thing... if everyone stopped buying certain games, things would soon change but then... that's unlikely, we can say the same for lots of things though. Ultimately it comes down to that same quote... (often used in Jimquisition videos) "Insanity is doing the exact same, fucking thing and expecting things to change" - Far Cry series (2015)? By the same token, I suppose just posting videos here won't necessarilly change anything on its own, but it's something. I don't know about anyone else, but I've really been trying to change the way I buy games recently, or rather don't and I've even gotten rid of games from publishers I no longer like due to their practices... games which, let's face it... I wasn't ever going to prioritise anyway, so what's the point in even owning them? Some of these titles I should have known that I wasn't going to enjoy in the first place but the continuing practices of these companies just solidifies my decision to get rid of these titles and they won't be getting any more of my money in the future if I can help it.

The Super 64 is certainly a step in the right direction, I saw comparison images of it yesterday though and I wasn't exactly blown away by them and the video is no different sadly. Also, it's $150... I got an RGB modded N64 and a high quality RGB Scart lead for less than that and this model of the Super 64 is NTSC only but they are working on a PAL version. I mention that in case anyone is tempted to buy one for their PAL systems because as I understand it, this initial model won't work with those systems. While I know the difference in image quality isn't ever going to be amazing on an N64, I've had much better results with an RGB cable, but then... this is a HDMI plug 'n play solution. Some choice comments from underneath the video... So it's still a good product, for what it is but just be wary of its limitations, though it's definitely less hassle than getting a modded N64 and an RGB Scart cable. I wouldn't go expecting the same results as an HDMI modded N64 though, that's the best current option but it's expensive and the difference between it and RGB Scart is minimal. Hope this information helps.

Switch Update: Immediate update plans and localization news Hello everyone, today we have an update on our progress regarding the Switch version of the game and an update on localization. Regarding localization, we’ve been alerted that several of the languages available for Bloodstained have not been translated to the high quality bar we set for ourselves. However, I’m happy to report that our Production teams are on top of this situation and are in the process of doing a full localization pass on all languages. You can also help in this process by visiting this forum thread and providing specific examples of problem areas encountered with any languages you play the game in. Regarding the Switch version of the game; the amazing teams at WayForward and ArtPlay are already hard at work on improvements. Below is a list of what we’re working to fix ASAP via multiple updates over the next few weeks: HD Rumble fix (completed!) Crash stability Optimizing Miriam's jump The teams are also at work on a variety of updates to the game and engine, including: Optimizing animation for certain enemies (WayForward is testing some techniques to accomplish big things here, but it may be risky and require lots of testing, may need to be pushed to a later update) Addressing input delay wherever it occurs Switch-specific loading optimizations (this requires a bit more work, and will probably be in the last "ASAP" patches) Obviously the above plan will adapt as we identify priorities and new tasks and as we add development resources, but we’ll keep you updated as we go. We’ll also have more to announce soon as we do more to improve the Switch version of Bloodstained. We are committed long-term to making sure the Switch version is just as great and enjoyable as the other platforms, and this is just a window into our immediate action plans. We apologize again for the inconvenience of the Switch launch not going according to plan, but we really appreciate your understanding and support as we work to make things right. Roberto Piraino “Angel-Corlux” Global Brand Manager 505 Games

Wait a minute... Sea of Thieves has a single player campaign now? I'm intruiged.

Yep, Horizon Chase Turbo seems like a good pick for a Plus game... ... as for Pro Evo Soccer 2019, that will join the small list of Plus games which I won't even bother adding to my library. I haven't bothered with conventional sports titles in a lonnnnnnng time as they just don't have anything in them which makes then worth playing.

Exception is heading to the Switch. Check the article for the details and a trailer.

Bizarre... truly bizarre! I think I'm going to have to do some tests of my own with all the different wired controllers I own just to see what happens.

True, they could have... then potentially that would have been yet another blow to those who originally backed the Wii U version, having presumably been OK with having the Switch version instead (I had no problems with this) but to then delay it again? I'm not sure if that would have gone down to well, even if the end result might have been better in the long run but yes absolutely, it should have been possible to switch to another version but... it's Kickstarter so I don't know how these things work logisitically once things reach a certain point. I think backers were given the option when the Wii U version was cancelled to change versions though for what it's worth, I wanted to be all in for the game on whatever Nintendo platform it came out on though due to me being really stubborn I know that I could be playing a technically better game right now on one of the other platforms but I can't help but be all in on the Switch version now. I'm curious about John's bolded comment there... he stated that he only played in handheld mode and he's still stating input lag problems? I thought that the joy-cons in portable mode connected directly to the console and NOT wirelessly... therefore normally there shouldn't be any inout lag, fair enough if it's there when they are connected physically then that's that... I'm just really curious about that. From my experience of using a wired Pro Controller I can't detect any input lag, so maybe it's just the joy-cons or general lag from people playing with wireless controllers. Just to be clear, I'm not here to pick at every point, I'm just trying to offer a bit more perspective on the situation, also I'd love to find out what's causing the lag in particular but more than that, I just want the game to end up as polished as it can be over time and yes, it seems like the devs still have some work ahead of them but after following all the updates for years now, I can't see them giving up just like that and I think we will end up with a better game on the Switch sooner rather than later... even if it is later than the other versions and parity is out of the question and I definitely don't like the approach in the industry generally but here I can see that they are really making an effort.

The MetroidMania event is live this weekend, I like the write-up that came with the announcement... "The three-day #SmashBrosUltimate spirit event "Metroidmania" starts on 28/06! Check your Spirit Board, because #Metroid characters are coming out of the walls! Defeat them in battle to earn more SP than usual." I'm sure I'll be taking part in this one.

While I don't agree with the "release it as is and patch it later" approach either... I think in this instance, it was all they could have reasonably done in order to launch it with the other versions. Four or five years ago, we didn't know for sure what the future was when it came to home consoles, sure the Wii U wasn't doing well but it was still... existing. So then when Nintendo decided to Switch things up (and rightly so) the development of the Wii U version would have been partway through and even that wasn't powerful enough. Having to change over to the Switch version was their only option, I believe the Vita version was cancelled as well so that gives you an indication power-wise of what can run it. Now, after actually playing the game myself last night (finally!) for... only half an hour but even so I can say that I didn't experience all of the stuff others have been reporting. Yes, the visuals have clearly taken a bit of a hit on the big screen but it's not that bad unless you're directly comparing between versions, the framerate is fine and no input lag at all. Of course, that is while using a Pro Controller in wired mode, but for me, there isn't any other option, yes ideally it should be fine in wireless mode as well but all I'll say is that if you're relying on wireless controllers for everything... there's nearly always a wired alternative or option, it's not very elegant but I have my Pro Controller connected instead of charging in the options and I have a USB extender cable, this works for me. I'm still hopeful that the game will be improved significantly in the coming weeks and as for the gameplay, visuals and soundtrack itself? Masterful. I won't be giving up on the Switch version just yet, I've waited this long and I'm too stubborn damnit! Also, if everyone else is enjoying the game on other platforms then that's great and probably the wiser option but I'm just glad that we can all get to play it now in one form or another.

Switch Release Update We have been listening to the feedback regarding Switch performance. Our goal is for everyone, regardless of platform, to be able to enjoy the game and have it run smoothly. We want to live up to your, and our, expectations. Throughout the QA process we have been addressing performance issues in the game. Update 1.01 was published to Switch prior to launch to add content and improve performance. It did not accomplish as much as we had hoped and we need to do more. To address the concerns brought up by the community we are immediately shifting resources to improve performance and stability for the Switch. You can expect a number of small updates that will improve different areas of the game rather than waiting longer for one big update. We will have more details as we dive into the work. We thank you for your patience and apologize for the inconvenience. Jason “Question” Ryan Sr Community Manager – 505 Games