Comments 1,840

Re: Metroid Prime Dev's Cancelled 3D Platformer 'Harmony' Streamed Online For More Than Four Hours

John_Deacon

This "linear 3D" game was in development during the Wii U generation and was supposedly stopped in its tracks when the Austin, Texas-based team was tasked with saving Metroid Prime 4.

So Metroid Prime 4 was in development pre-2017? It was a mess, they hired Retro, they started working on it, MP4 was announced, Retro couldn't save it, the ideas were scrapped and they started it from square one? Or have I gotten it all wrong?
I had no idea it was "a mess" (or going nowhere) even before it was announced

Re: Nintendo Updates Its User Agreement To Crack Down On Emulation

John_Deacon

Well, Nintendo has been working diligently to put off customers. I've never seen such a backlash in the gaming industry like this one that's been going on now. Of all my friends and acquaintances who have a Switch, only ONE is getting a Switch 2 day one. I didn't see this happening so intensely around the launch of the Xbox One, for crying out loud. At least here where I live. All the others, including me, didn't even try pre-ordering one. If they're making one anti consumer statement (and action) after another, I'm not gonna fight them. I'll just not buy their new console. It's a long list of "measures" they've been adopting that end up scaring the kind of customer who, like me, has very little chance of being affected by them. However, when we understand these actions as hostility, it's better to keep off their grass. I've spent thousands of dollars to buy all the games I've bought since 2017. I'd never spent so much money on games as this. I don't regret it, cause I've had fun, but the Nintendo "package" is just too much for me now. I'm postponing buying a Switch 2. God knows when (or if) ill end up getting one. Right now it's Switch 1, PS5 and retro emulation. And that's it. I'm disappointed

Re: Another Switch 2 "Code-In-Box" Physical Release Appears Online

John_Deacon

@StewdaMegaManNerd you're absolutely right on that one. The only problem is the introduction of game-key cards now. If Nintendo gradually starts to adopt them for their first party releases, then physical will be doomed once and for all. If they stick to actual physical media and only offer GKC as an option for third party partners, then it's ok

Re: Here Are The Top Ten Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Games As Of March 2025

John_Deacon

@wuntyme8 Besides eveything you said, BOTW was a launch title for the Switch, which vastly increases the chances that a game will sell well. With TOTK, the console wasn't a new thing anymore, the trailers showed clearly that although it looked incredible, it expanded on what BOTW had already shown years before, so the premise of the game wasn't entirely new, either. So, I'd say TOTK was more for players who are not in for mere curiosity, but because they want the experience the game has to offer

In the end, it's a shame there's still a 10 million copy gap between them because, from my point of view, TOTK is a much better experience than BOTW. It delivers more and better

Re: Here Are The Top Ten Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Games As Of March 2025

John_Deacon

@Pillowpants I think these NSMU Deluxe numbers can only be justified by timing. It was released in early 2019. There was not much competition back then in terms of 2D Mario platformers.

And about the Mario Party games, I like Superstars much more than Super, too. But again, it was the first one to come out, so it ended up selling really well first. Maybe that's what can justify it

Re: Talking Point: With Prices Rising, Are Your Gaming Habits Changing?

John_Deacon

I have been mostly a Nintendo gamer since the 90s. Although I've never lived in regions where gaming is traditionally more affordable, such as the US or most European countries, the past 15 years haven't been bad here in terms of access to games or affordability, but that's over now. Before that, access was harder, but you could always find something here and there. After the last rise, Mario Kart World will cost one third of a minimum salary here. I don't mean your average weekly pay. That's a third of your monthly salary. Bananza, almost a third. Even though I don't live on a salary like that, keeping up with releases is absolute luxury now, totally prohibitive for me and my friends. PS5 and Xbox are expensive as well, but games are cheaper and first-party deals are much better than Nintendo's. Of all my gamer friends, only one pre-ordered the Switch 2. I'll enjoy my backlog and my retro games, play some PS5 games, enjoy PS+ more often, replay my Switch 1 games and that's ok. I'll get a Switch 2 eventually, but I have no idea when

Re: The Company That "Leaked" Switch 2 Is Being Sued By Nintendo

John_Deacon

It's incredible how some people fear nothing! How could they challenge Nintendo at what they do best: suing people and companies? Not that I agree with Nintendo's relentless behavior, but even though I disagree with that, if I can avoid being sued, of course I'll avoid it, not challenge them.

Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (3rd May)

John_Deacon

Metroid Dread (Switch) - once again having a blast replaying Dread as part of my preparation before Prime 4 comes out. Dread is one my favorite entries in the series. Who said you can't play a Metroid game for hundreds of hours?
Ratchet and Clank: RIft Apart (PS5) - This is my first time playing this one. it's a solid 10/10 for me. Everything is fluid, beautiful, precise and really fun. Voice acting is incredible

Re: Editorial: Gamers, Support The People And Sites You Love, Before It's Too Late

John_Deacon

I'll just quote @Medic_alert here

the industry is indeed in a horrible place right now where even success doesn't guarantee survival.

This is the same for devs, journalists, store staff, etc. Its a shame. Maybe the industry will be "reformatted" and things will change. Prices have been soaring, layoffs are commonplace, physical media is being killed without any mercy, and here we are....

Re: PSA: You Can Still Play One Game Across Two Switches, But Not Online Anymore

John_Deacon

@shgamer I'm not sure if the arcade games you're referring to are Hamster's Arcade Archives. If that's the case, you'd better check if they're compatible with Switch 2 before you make the move. Last time I read something about it, the Arcade Archives library (and other emulated collections) won't be compatible with S2 (or they arent fully compatible YET). But please look it up yourself

Re: Xbox Is Raising The Price Of Consoles, Accessories, And Games Worldwide

John_Deacon

It just goes to show that Nintendo's decision to price Mario Kart World at $80 in the US is not an isolated incident

It's vital to bear in mind that Xbox or PS5 games that will likely cost $80 in the (near) future tend to have higher development costs (graphics, motion capture, voice acting in several languages, etc) than Mario Kart. The comparison is still not fair

Re: 'The Knightling' Trailer Showcases A Stunning World Begging To Be Explored

John_Deacon

@Anti-Matter no, absolutely no problem getting the version you like. That's legitimate. As I said, it's all good and fair. I decided to mention you directly because it seems to be repetitive behavior (it sounds the Switch is always inferior in every aspect, and when there's no comparison, when it comes to exclusives, they are problem-ridden, too) on this site. But this is the last you'll hear from me. Feel free to post whatever you want to

Re: Opinion: It's Time To Get Rid Of Fall Damage

John_Deacon

In my opinion, every aspect of game design depends on the experience developers are trying to propose. There are tons of decisions that should be made, and how damage is dealt and received is just one of them. Generalizing this isn't a good idea. Although i agree that in the specific case of XCX, not receiving fall damage contributes immensely to the joy of exploring, it should be considered case by case. After all, a game's aspects should not be the same as every other game's, right?

Re: Uh Oh, It Looks Like Select Switch 2 Games Won't Support Cloud Saves

John_Deacon

I'll just have to say it again: after being in the business for so many decades, how can Nintendo be communicating so badly with us at this day and age? All the confusion (pricing, features, S2 edition games, etc etc) wouldn't even exist if they made things clear. This "oh, this disclaimer is present in region X but not in region Z" is absurd! Unfortunately, this one seems to be only one more mistake in their S2 run

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