Nintendo Switch Catch-All 2.0

Recommend adding The Last Story, Silent Hill: Frozen Memories, and Pandora’s Tower.

The Mario Galaxy games should be at the top of your list. 120 stars on both and fun the entire time.

Tried and failed to go back to Trauma Team recently. Felt so imprecise I thought I was playing surgeon simulator

The Mario Galaxy games, Xenoblade, and Metroid trilogy are all good gets. Wii Sports Resort too, if you have someone to play with who would be interested.

I liked Skyward Sword more than most, and thought the sword motion worked well once you had to get the hang of it. It had two fantastic dungeons in the middle of the game, but some absolutely dreadful padding near the end as well.

You might also consider Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. I think Path of Radiance on the GC was better, but RD is worthy of a look.

My memory of No More Heroes is that it wouldn't hold up.

I'm not familiar with what systems the various Pikmin games were on. I thought one was on Wii.

-BEP

Thanks for the advice all! Now to slowly accumulate them as my kids grow.

Oddly there was no Pikmin title developed for Wii itself, as they were for GCN and then Wii U, but Pikmin 1 & 2 were rereleased on Wii with upgrades and new controls, so thank you to help me learn about those.

Here then is my updated list of Wii games still worth playing many years later:

* de Blob
* Godfather Blackhand Edition
* The Last Story
* Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword
* Lego Star Wars Complete Saga
* Little King’s Story
* Kirby’s Epic Yarn
* Mercury Meltdown Revolution
* Metroid Prime Trilogy
* No More Heroes 2
* Pandora’s Tower
* Pikmin
* Pikmin 2
* Resident Evil 4 (best version of it)
* Silent Hill: Frozen Memories
* Super Mario Galaxy
* Super Mario Galaxy 2
* Super Paper Mario
* Tiger Woods PGA ‘11
* WarioWare Smooth Moves
* Wii Sports / Wii Sports Resort
* Xenoblade Chronicles
* Zach & Wiki Quest for Barbados Treasure

I’ve left off Fire Emblem since the other Nintendo systems’ titles in that series seem to be better, particularly Awakening and Three Houses.

Wii games not on your list I recommend (I spent most of my gaming time in that era on Wii and some on PC):
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure: Best adventure creative use of wagglefest you will see, and it had a great simple art style. Just be careful because puzzles will let you get into impossible situations.
Overlord Dark Legend: If you liked the other Overlord games, this is the best paced on of them all. Very short (8 hrs at my slow pace) and easy. Plays kinda like a Pikmin game if you are unaware.
Punch-Out!! - You can choose controller / motion controls.
Light gun games. I only played a few, but loved my time with:
Ghost Squad. Probably a bit of arcade nostalgia, but I played quite a bit of this, with it's multiple branching routes, increasing (but selectable) difficulty levels, and co-op shooting action.

+1 for Resident Evil 4 Wii. Even though people said it had great graphics at the time, I always thought the early environment was ugly as sin. Played it 1.5 times on GCN, 3.5 times + extra modes on Wii and later an hour on PS2. As long as you dial in your Wii remote aiming skills, it's great. You will struggle and possibly hate it if you are no good at the aiming. Same goes for the light gun games, and even more so for Okami.

Speaking of Okami, which I loved on Wii, it is one many people did not mesh with on Wii due to the pointer controls. I became extremely proficient using the pointer controls and was faster at it than an analog stick would allow. Loved it there, but it has also been released in a bunch of other places, with fixed and improved visuals. The game also maybe focuses on objectifying female body parts too often. I was reminded of this when I randomly checked out someone playing the PC release about 1/2 way through the game and there was a part where that came up and the player was discussing how the companion character can be described as lecherous. Otherwise a fantastic Zelda game that depending on who you ask was the best Zelda game with a wolf in it of 2006.

Cool, I’ll check out those. Dunno if I’d want to play Okami through again since I got my fill of that on S2.

NEWS

Turning the Nintendo Switch into Android’s best gaming hardware
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019...

Wii games that use the Wii that you want are

Boom Blox
House of the Dead: Overkill
Sin and Punishment 2

I'm selling an original console in its box with all the cords manuals Etc. Comes with two grey joycons. Absolutely no issues.

If anyone wants to buy it let me know! $225 shipped CONUS. Includes tracking.

Indie Showcase coming on Monday: https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/...

Awesome. Any rumours/news about what will be in it?

Towerfall rocks again.

I was given 10 minutes notice that my wife and I were to entertain two of our friend’s kids, 7 and 9.

I quickly loaded Towerfall on my Switch. 2 hours flew by and they laughed and goofed and had a ball. I swear this is the perfect party game for kids.

I also just got the 8bitdo SN30+ (as a birthday present) and I'm extremely impressed. It feels every bit as well constructed as first party controllers for the current consoles, I can't make the plastic on this thing creak one bit. It still feels a tad small for my hands, but that may just be because I'm accustomed to the Xbox style controller shape; it's infinitely better than the joy cons or or joy con grip, which I can't use for more than 30 minutes without feeling like I'm going to get carpal tunnel.

Been watching some videos of Astral Chain and I'm intrigued by the premise although I've never played a Platinum product before. Does anybody know if it's more or less required to switch between the different Legion partners for different situations, or can I just use the good good boi dog Legion the whole time after I get it?

I think they're designing it with the intent of swapping between different Legions based on the situation. So if you played Wonderful 101, a bit like using the Bomb or Whip on certain enemies and in certain situations, but fewer different options and easier to swap between them. Some of the more advanced techniques seem to involve sending one Legion out, then mid-combo swapping out so the first Legion continues wailing on an enemy independently while you launch into a new combo with a new Legion.

...I'm currently sitting here contemplating if I want to purchase this physical so I always have it, or to pre-order it digitally so I can start playing it around midnight....

Did anyone else try the Mario Tennis Aces free trial that was on last week?

I got a decent way into the Adventure mode (which was weirdly like an Avengers movie what with having to collect five Power Stones and all that) but it didn't help sway me over whether or not I wanted to buy the full game. It had some interesting tweaks on a tennis game which certainly engaged me more than the last Mario Tennis game I played back on the N64.

ccesarano wrote:

I think they're designing it with the intent of swapping between different Legions based on the situation. So if you played Wonderful 101, a bit like using the Bomb or Whip on certain enemies and in certain situations, but fewer different options and easier to swap between them. Some of the more advanced techniques seem to involve sending one Legion out, then mid-combo swapping out so the first Legion continues wailing on an enemy independently while you launch into a new combo with a new Legion.

...I'm currently sitting here contemplating if I want to purchase this physical so I always have it, or to pre-order it digitally so I can start playing it around midnight....

You'll regret it if you don't.

Middcore wrote:

I also just got the 8bitdo SN30+ (as a birthday present) and I'm extremely impressed. It feels every bit as well constructed as first party controllers for the current consoles, I can't make the plastic on this thing creak one bit. It still feels a tad small for my hands, but that may just be because I'm accustomed to the Xbox style controller shape; it's infinitely better than the joy cons or or joy con grip, which I can't use for more than 30 minutes without feeling like I'm going to get carpal tunnel.

Absolutely agree, this is one of the best controllers I've owned.

ccesarano wrote:

I think they're designing it with the intent of swapping between different Legions based on the situation. So if you played Wonderful 101, a bit like using the Bomb or Whip on certain enemies and in certain situations, but fewer different options and easier to swap between them. Some of the more advanced techniques seem to involve sending one Legion out, then mid-combo swapping out so the first Legion continues wailing on an enemy independently while you launch into a new combo with a new Legion.

...I'm currently sitting here contemplating if I want to purchase this physical so I always have it, or to pre-order it digitally so I can start playing it around midnight....

I think it's the combo emphasis that's always turned me off of Platinum titles. I'm a very methodical type of gamer and I always favor an efficient/safe combat style over aggression/style. I have to completely force myself to adjust my mindset in games like DOOM.

ccesarano wrote:

if I want to purchase this physical so I always have it, or to pre-order it digitally...

Funny, I think of the opposite: to own something perpetually, buy digitally, whereas buying physically means it is likely to get lost or I would sell it after I’ve had enough of the game.

5,000th reply on the thread, wow!

I'm treating myself to a switch because I just got a new job and I'll have 3 weeks off before starting the new job. I don't have a ton of time for gaming these days (young kid, busy job) so this will be a rare chance to actually lock in.

What should I be looking for in the console?
Do I need a memory card?
Pro controller: my impression is they are highly recommended, is there a particular one to get?
I don't expect to do any traveling with it in the immediate future. With that in mind is a case still important? If so, which brand/model?
Headphones: important if playing in bed next to spouse. Any switch specific models to look for?

Games: I figure I'll get 3 games; More than that and I know I'm likely to be paralyzed with too many options.
Even with 3 weeks I'll probably only have 12-15 (maybe 20?) hours of gaming time per week, so I'm not looking for any 40+ hour storylines. I don't mind endlessly replayable but I'm trying to avoid storylines that I'll risk losing the thread on.
A shorter story, i.e. under 20 hours for sure, preferably less would be fine.

Once it's back to work I'll be learning a new area and gaming time will dip by half or more.

My candidates are pulled mainly from the conference call and community goty awards. Can you all help narrow my list down from 8 to 3?

Zelda BotW
Slay the Spire
Hollow Knight
Dead Cells
Mario + Rabids
Into the Breach
Moonlighter
Wizard of Legend (I really liked it on PS4, seems like it would be even better on switch, but is probably lower priority because I have it already.)

Thanks all.

If I were going to pick 3 of those games myself, I'd take the top 3, Zelda, Slay the Spire, and Hollow Knight. I've played all of the games on your list and those 3 are fantastic. Each is deep in its own way, offers its own style of gameplay that is nothing like the others in the set. Each are top games in their genre

I would offer this alternative. If tough and somtimes frustrating platforming or boss fighting is a little iffy, swap Hollow Knight out and put in Into the Breach. I loved Hollow Knight and bounced of Into the Breach, personally even though I originally found Hollow Knight tough to get into.

Thanks for the input Polypusher.
Zelda and Slay the Spire do seem pretty close to locked in.

I think the last wrinkle I have to throw in would be an opening for a light palate cleanser kind of game.
At the end of my 3 weeks I'd like to have finished 1 or 2 of the 3 and be left with one more to keep plugging away at.

From what I've gleaned it seems unlikely that I would finish zelda and hollow knight. Or am I wrong? I don't know what the typical playtime are.

With Breath of the Wild it very much depends on your definition of "finished." Any % speed runs of that game take something like 10-15 minutes. The 100% speed run took something like 3 days. I would expect that you could play the crap out of Zelda for 3 weeks and then go kill Gannon when your time is up and have a satisfying experience.

I never beat breath of the wild but that didn’t stop me from playing it for 65 hours on my first switch though forgot all my info on that old account. Wasn’t much of a loss I still enjoyed that game dearly and will play the next.

From your list, Hollow Knight is the only one I'd recommend whole heartedly.
Zelda was good, but I bounced off it due entirely to the weapon degredation mechanics.

Zwickle wrote:

What should I be looking for in the console? You want one of the new ones with updated chipset as it'll have significantly better battery life. Model number: HAC-001(-01)
(product serial number begins with “XKW”)

Do I need a memory card? Gawd, yes.
Pro controller: my impression is they are highly recommended, is there a particular one to get?
I don't expect to do any traveling with it in the immediate future. With that in mind is a case still important? If so, which brand/model? Sure, anything that's a hard case. Amazon has a bunch. You can make it a lower priority, but we bought an official licensed one for our oldest. Was $15 or $20.

Getting the new model is the most important thing.

Zwickle, here's the newer Switch with better battery (third hardware version):

IMAGE(https://cdn.pocket-lint.com/r/s/660x/assets/images/148957-news-how-to-tell-if-youre-buying-the-148957-or-old-nintendo-switch-image1-ci1kl6sa8u.png?v1)

Older Switch with old battery (second hardware version):

IMAGE(https://cdn.pocket-lint.com/r/s/660x/assets/images/148957-news-how-to-tell-if-youre-buying-the-148957-or-old-nintendo-switch-image2-seb8edwjwl.png?v1)

As far as hardware, you do not absolutely require an SD card but it's recommended as it depends on whether you buy disks or purely buy digitally, and obviously how many and how many big games you will play. The internal storage can hold something like 30 GB; Zelda is about 15, whereas most games are much smaller. Don't just use some crummy old card, either, as the speed of it will have a significant affect on loading times. Here's what I got: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HRDM55...

Controller: I made the mistake of buying the official Pro controller right away. It's alright but expensive. Better and cheaper would be to buy the 8bitdo SN30 pro plus--the plus means it has full handgrips. The most important difference to me between 8bitdo's and the official pro is that the pro controller ironically doesn't have a great d-pad, though other users are more excited about its customizability.

Buy a screen protector! The dock will eventually scratch your screen. I use this: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01N3ASP...

For bluetooth you'll want this but I haven't tried it myself: https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Ada...

Don't worry about a case for now.

So yes unfortunately the $300 Switch price is just the beginning. I think I ended up spending $700 with the initial games and accessories.

That's the same screen protector I got. Recently it cracked but my Switch was undamaged. Put the 2nd one on a couple weeks ago.

@Zwickle: I bought a Switch a week ago and here's what I went with for accessories (too early for reccos per se, but perhaps still helpful):

sd card - SanDisk 256GB Ultra microSDXC
screen protector - amFilm Tempered Glass
grip - Satisfye SwitchGrip Pro
case - Satisfye Slim Grip Case
controller - 8Bitdo Sn30 Pro+