WackerJr

They’ve got the name which is a start. So far they’ve managed to keep the host & Gamesmaster themselves a secret (or simply that they haven’t found anyone yet!), but it’ll be interesting to see who they get, as I remember Patrick and Dominic being a huge part of the original series.

A solid demonstration of the DS’s key features and how useful stylus control and a second screen can be, and so how to make a game that could only really be experienced on a DS. I don’t think I was as much of a fan as others though. I found the basic controls simple enough, with drawing my lines and tapping Kirby being responsive. The only aspect of control I wasn’t good with was tapping the corner to remove a power-up (so Kirby could collect a different power). I rarely saw the need to actually use the power-ups though. Despite this being one of Kirby’s key abilities, it felt as though they were included for that reason, without really adding to the game. The game was one of the early DS titles and it shows. Graphically I thought it looked like a GBA title, with Kirby and enemies looking unremarkable, but at least obvious. The rainbow effect of your lines stood out which was good. By the nature of having to use the stylus to tap both Kirby and the enemies meant that the screen was quite zoomed in to ensure everything was large enough to be tapped. The downside to this is that it was often difficult to see upcoming enemies and obstacles, especially as you started to actually build Kirby’s momentum. As such I endured a lot of ‘Sonic frustration’ where my momentum was often abruptly halted by the sudden appearance of an enemy or wall. This meant glancing at the map, permanently located on the top screen, was a must. In typical Kirby fashion, completing the levels were, for the most part, fairly simple. The challenge was in locating the three medals hidden within each. I often find I’d notice them after passing them, or just as transferring from one area to the next, so if I wanted to go back and collect it I’d need to start the level again, which I found a little frustrating. I foolishly hadn’t really paid attention to what the medallions did. Thanks to our forum users I discovered that they could, importantly, be used to buy extra health. Sadly I found this out AFTER completing the game… Still, it provided me with an extra challenge trying to complete the final levels with minimal health… (in other words I’m a fool!) Ultimately I think it was a good title for early DS adopters. I feel time has hurt it, as playing it now feels a little short and basic. It’s technically solid and controls well, but was it ‘fun’? I came away with the impression of it being distinctly average. Nothing terrible, but little particularly memorable for me. Sorry pink puffball!

Yeah, I think you’ll be right with that. I know they’ll have heard the lukewarm reception to their last State of Play. I expect them to respond and use this to really hype the games for late-Nov / early Dec (plus early next year) to encourage Christmas console sales.

Do we still have a couple of days leeway to write down some thoughts on the game?

Niantic made a lot of positive changes as a result of the pandemic. I’m with the majority that it’s too soon to lose most of these positive changes with the number of cases across all countries still high. It’s good to see them listening to feedback and backtracking on this change, although it doesn't affect me too much either, as the restrictions don’t prevent me from heading outside!

The credits have just rolled for me & ONLY NOW do I discover this!?!! 🤦🏻‍♂️🤪 Those health boosts would’ve been useful...

Once again, another week with so many wonderful stories. The only thing I struggled to watch were those really unfortunate Modern Pentathlon athletes who were given a horse who just refused to do anything & cost them any medal opportunities. Seeing those athletes in tears of frustration while riding was a real tough watch & really felt for them. I’ve read today that the German coach has been sent home for striking the horse afterwards! On a personal note, I am delighted for Bryony Page winning bronze for GB in the Trampolining. As a Trampoline Coach, that success is huge for me & the sport. The governing body, British Gymnastics, has had a lot of understandable negative press in the last year for some horrendous stories about how gymnasts had been treated. As they try to turn things around, this will secure funding for the sport I’m heavily involved in & really could make a huge difference.

Oh good choices! I love Ghost Trick, but only played it again last year so I’ve gone for Kirby. A game I’ve never played but always wanted to. Seems like a good excuse to go to eBay...

I have absolutely loved the Olympics so far! Ok, so the timing of most events happening during the night here in the UK is unfortunate, and the TV deal made by the IOC means that the BBC haven’t been able to show everything (but they’ve done a fine job of trying!), but it’s been great viewing. So many events have had drama, excitement, heartache & triumph. I know I’m biased towards Team GB, but just some of the memorable moments include: • Nice guy Tom Daley finally winning Olympic Diving Gold & the sheer emotion he showed. • GB Rugby 7s remarkable Quarter Final comeback followed by Argentina stunning South Africa after having a man sent off after 1 minute. • Bianca Walkden losing in dramatic fashion in the final second of the Taekwondo Semi-Final. • 46 year-old Uzbekistan gymnast Oksana Chusovitina receiving a standing ovation after competing in her 8th and final Olympic Games. There have been so many other remarkable moments I won’t bore people any more, and we’re less than a week in! I understand the controversy about whether they should be even happening, but now they are it’s addictive to watch.

I thought that too! Shame the BBC commentator didn’t recognise it... “1970s easy listening videogame”??? [emoji23]

That sounds interesting and no doubt he’s had a variety of interesting experiences. Will look out for that next year.

Is this a good time to link to the N-Europe forum members’ Top 10 GameCube games? 😃 Other titles outside the obvious: Chibi Robo: A little slow, but a fun and positive 3D platform / adventure game, with a likeable & charming cast of characters. Good luck finding a copy for a reasonable price nowadays mind! Beyond Good & Evil, and Eternal Darkness are probably too well known to be thought of as hidden gems, but both are high on my list. Lost Kingdoms 2: I think it’s fair to say that Baten Kaitos did the ‘RPG using a card-based battle system’ better, but the real-time aspect of LK2 is fairly unique. Great shout by @Dcubed on Beach Spikers too. It really is excellent fun in multiplayer and is so unexpected!

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus (Switch) I guess the first rule of DDLC is don’t talk about about DDLC! No spoilers here. I went in blind, having avoided spoilers & knowing very little about this visual novel apart from it’s positive reputation. I thoroughly enjoyed it! [emoji2] For me it was maybe a little over-hyped, but a memorable experience.

Agree with you both. While it’s fairly tough in the beginning when it’s tone is more ‘teenage humour’, I always found the difficulty in the second half ramped up alongside the darker tone.

Lessons to be learned & while hugely disappointing, but so much positive has come from this England team this tournament. Italy are a fantastic team and have been all tournament. To be second best to them over the game is nothing to be ashamed of, but to take them to penalties is a huge achievement in itself, and penalties are a lottery at the best of times. I expect the order was determined well in advance and ultimately it’s just one of those things. England made the most of their slightly ‘easier’ route to the final (compared to Italy) and the young players will grow in confidence enormously from reaching a major international final.

Haha, of course penalties! I wouldn’t want to look up and see the size of Donnarumma though!

I agree completely! Italy like to counter, so go for England, but just be ready for that counter-attack.

It really has been a tournament for players to embarrass their critics. Sterling has been immense, as have the likes of Shaw & Pickford.

I was just lamenting at home that we looked really nervous & then that happened! I thought this could be a 0-0 game beforehand so I’ve been wrong on a counts! Great start.

It does sound as though they are thankfully training up and giving opportunities and experience to staff (see BotW, Mario Maker, etc). It feels as though Nintendo do seem to have fewer internal development teams, although I’m sure someone knows for sure? There seem to be more remakes or updating previous games than larger new titles. I wonder if this is part of the development plan for staff?

This was new to me too! When they said they were only a few minutes away yet had this battle still to go I thought they’d made a mistake!

Same situation here... Although from reviews plus I am a big fan of the other Spike-Chunsoft titles I’m confident I’ll enjoy it, and with this excitedly being revealed it seems a good time to finally play the original!

I recall Sakurai suggesting a couple of years ago that the final roster had been decided and that it was Nintendo themselves who chose the actual characters (Sakurai would report back to Nintendo’s suggestions as to whether he could make them work in the game). Trying to then think like Nintendo would think sadly though, is nigh-on impossible! I think the Halo team are trolling with all the Master Chief hints. I could see a Phoenix Wright or Professor Layton, even though I’m not sure they’re big enough reveals to leave until last. I’d be ok with either. I can imagine Disney being difficult in allowing Sora & MGM with James Bond (both would be popular enough reveals though). I don’t think Nintendo would relent with Waluigi so my more realistic expectation would be a mascot such as Rayman or Crash. Like others have said, I can’t think of any single announcement that would avoid mass disappointment.

Being a fan of the original, I was really excited for this, what with the promise of enhancements and new levels. Seeing the footage and disappointing review on Nintendolife has given me second thoughts sadly...

I feel better that others are struggling as I don’t have the foggiest! I’ve no reason to ever doubt Jonnas’ guesses, so in case it’s somehow not right, I’m going for: Good discussion about E3 overall and the Nintendo Direct. I agree with the description “solid” that was used, and no doubt helped in part by the lack of huge announcements throughout the rest of E3.