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  • Top Ten Reasons to be Hyped for Super Smash Bros Ultimate

    Top Ten Reasons to be Hyped for Super Smash Bros Ultimate

    Super Smash Bros Ultimate comes out on December 7th, 2018. It will absolutely be the best game of the year and everyone who is even passingly interested in video games is excited. If you’ve been checked out of gaming news recently, you might be a bit confused as to why everyone is so excited about this game. Well, allow us to bring you up to speed. These are the top ten reasons to be hyped for Super Smash Bros Ultimate!

    Top Ten Reasons to be Hyped for Super Smash Bros Ultimate

    smash ultimate

    Limited Edition Has a GameCube Controller

    Photo Credit: Nintendo UK

    The limited edition of Smash Bros Ultimate will come bundled with a GameCube controller and an adapter to connect it to your Switch. Given that the 2001 entry, Melee, was one of the biggest games of all time, it makes sense that many consider the GameCube controller to be the true controller for Smash Bros. It’s good to see that this trend will continue with what’s shaping up to be the definitive version of Smash.

    Tons of Assist Trophies

    Photo Credit: GameBanana

    There are tons and tons of Assist Trophies this time around.  Everyone from Waluigi to Grey Fox to Shovel Knight has been confirmed to appear as Assists this time around. While many are sad to see these characters aren’t playable fighters, this is still awesome news. It’s better to have them in the game than not, so we’ll take all the Assist Trophies we can get!

    Pokémon for Days

    Photo Credit: IGN

    Pokéballs, similar in function to Assist Trophies, have been overhauled with tons of new Pokémon this time around. New creatures from Sun and Moon will be making their first Smash appearances, as well Alola versions of several Kanto Pokémon. We always love to see more support for this awesome series!

    The First Monster Hunter Crossover

    Photo Credit: Polygon

    Rathalos, one of the biggest bads from the Monster Hunter series, is appearing in this game. He’ll be both an Assist Trophy and Stage Boss. Not only is he the first character to be both of these things, he’s also the first MH representative in Smash! We’re not likely to see any fighters repping the series, but it’s still cool to see it featured in such a big way.

    Stages upon Stages

    Photo Credit: Reddit

    Speaking of Stages, there are a ton of new and returning stages this time around. The most recent Direct confirmed that there are over 100 stages in the game! That’s not even counting that every stage can be converted into two stripped-down versions. There will even be a feature that allows the match to transfer from one stage to another in the middle of the match! If you ever found yourself bored of the stage selection in the previous entries, that likely won’t be happening this time around.

    The Music

    Photo Credit: Zelda Dungeon

    Music has always been a huge focus of the Smash series, as it tries to function as a living love letter to video games. This time is no exception: there are going to be over 900 unique songs from all the series represented. If you’re even a passing fan of some of these series, you’ll appreciate how deep the soundtrack here is. Between the rearrangements and remasters, this is likely the most complete repository of classic video game music in history.

    The Trophies

    Photo Credit: Smashpedia

    Speaking of Smash Bros functioning as a Nintendo encyclopedia, we’re hyped as always for the trophies. Trophies serve two purposes: the first is as collectible 3D renders of thousands of Nintendo characters. The second is as encyclopedia-style entries explaining each character’s place in their respective series. If you’re interested in digging deep into the lore of these older series, this is the feature for you.

    Multiplayer Options A-Plenty

    Photo Credit: Smash Wiki

    The most recent Direct also confirmed the incredibly deep multiplayer options on offer this time around. If you’ve ever spent hours at a time on the couch with friends just playing Smash, this should have you excited. Everything from stamina battles to wacky rules like extra gravity and double-speed are available. Interestingly, there is also the option to redefine what the default rules are. If your group prefers 3-stock battles with a 4-minute time limit, you can set that as the default. For those who plan to spend hundreds of hours in the multiplayer suite, this is the best possible news.

    Everyone is Here

    Photo Credit: SlashGear
    Nintendo lit the internet on fire when they announced that every single character to ever appear in Smash was coming back for this outing. That means oft-requested characters that appeared once, like Snake and Wolf, were brought back into the fold. Even better, it means that all of the DLC characters from Smash 4 are in the roster. Bayonetta, Ryu, Cloud and more are all fan-favorites and it’s amazing to see them all under one roof. There’s no way they could have had room to squeeze in more characters, right?

    Wrong, they also threw in Ridley for good measure. Everyone was dying for Samus’ rival to be added as a fighter, and Nintendo delivered. Not to mention, the Inklings from Splatoon are new playable fighters. Also, they threw in Daisy as an Echo Fighter of Peach just for the fun of it. But there’s no way there could be anyone else in the game, right?

    Everyone Else is Also Here

    Photo Credit: Engadget

    No, they squeezed even more characters in. The most recent Direct also confirmed the much-requested Simon Belmont would be joining the roster, as would his descendant, Richter Belmont. If that wasn’t awesome enough, the ever-menacing Dark Samus got added to the huge fighter pool. Continuing the theme of villains joining to harry the heroes, Donkey Kong’s archnemesis King K. Rool has also joined the fight.

    All this, and we’re still four months from the game’s launch! Who knows what other characters might be announced before December? Frankly, we couldn’t be more excited for this game. We will absolutely be standing in line to get it the very instant it releases. We hope to see you there!

  • Missing Faces: Franchises We Need on Nintendo Switch

    Missing Faces: Franchises We Need on Nintendo Switch

    The Nintendo Switch has proved quite popular since its launch in March of 2017. The momentum of the console has continued quite well into its second year, with titles like Mario Tennis Aces, Octopath Traveler and Kirby Star Allies keeping the console fresh. Later this year, fans will be treated to Mario Party, Smash Bros and Pokemon entries that are brand new to the console. However, there are still many franchises and games that we’ve yet to see on the system. In fact, today’s list focuses entirely on franchises we need on Nintendo Switch that haven’t been given solid titles or release dates yet. We’re focusing mostly on Nintendo franchises, but they’re not the only games we want to see on the system.

    2D Mario

    Photo Credit: Nintendo

    From 2006 to 2012 Nintendo flooded the market with serviceable but somewhat “same-y” 2D Mario titles. New Super Mario Bros on the DS, a sequel on the Wii, another DS title and a sequel on the Wii U followed. After years of diminishing returns in terms of sales and critical response, Nintendo backed off of 2D Mario. In fact, they backed off so hard that we haven’t seen a proper 2D Mario game (not counting Super Mario Run) since 2012. And, to be honest, that’s not a bad thing: Nintendo overdid it there for a while.

    However, it’s been long enough now that audiences have had time to recover from Mario fatigue. To capitalize on the Switch’s success and bring in old fans, Nintendo should revive the 2D franchise but drop the “New” branding. Just “Super Mario Bros” is good, and a focus on tight, classic platforming would serve them well.

    Animal Crossing

    Photo Credit: Nintendo

    Animal Crossing: New Leaf was the last proper entry in the series, and it came out on 3DS in 2012. That’s a long time for no proper entries in the series to come out! The Switch is a natural fit for the franchise, which has seen success on both home and portable consoles. As of yet there are no official plans to bring Animal Crossing to the console, but it is high on the list of franchises we need on Nintendo Switch. The combination of zen-like gameplay and cute animal friends makes it an ideal match for the hybrid console. Imagine enjoying spending time with your animal buddies on the go or on the big screen!

    Golden Sun

    Photo Credit: Golden Sun Wiki

    The last entry in the series, Dark Dawn, was released in 2010. As such, the Switch is the ideal home for the next entry in this legendary RPG series. The fantastic story and gameplay would lend themselves well to the hybrid console. Enjoying seeing Djinn summon an ass-whooping on the big screen would be excellent. As of yet, there are no plans for a revival of the series, however.

    F-Zero

    Photo Credit: GoNintendo

    The criminally underrated F-Zero franchise has been dormant for more than 15 years. That’s absolutely nuts! Three distinct console generations have passed since the last time we saw Captain Falcon take to the track. The fast-paced, futuristic racer’s absence has led indie developers to try their hand at the genre, with games like Fast RMX popping up to scratch the itch. Sadly, it’s not the same as the polished, high-energy outings from Nintendo. Switch would be an ideal home for a revival!

    Star Fox

    Photo Credit: Nintendo Wiki

    While Star Fox has had no shortage of entries, the franchise has been in a bit of a slump in terms of quality. 2016’s Star Fox Zero got mixed reviews, due in large part to its highly unusual control scheme and uneven difficulty. However, a potential Switch port or sequel could address these problems by just having a normal control scheme. Honestly, the Star Fox formula is so solid that it’s surprising how often Nintendo releases downright awful Star Fox games.

    Earthbound

    Photo Credit: Twitch

    Fan favorite series Earthbound is known for its witty dialogue, humorous use of game mechanics and top-notch world building. The last entry in the series, Mother 3, saw a Japanese release on GBA, but has yet to get an English-language localization. The series isn’t a dead-ringer for Switch due to the system’s hardware, but instead simply due to the series rock-solid pedigree. Honestly, any new Earthbound would be a fantastic turn, regardless of the hardware it’s released on.

    Kid Icarus

    Photo Credit: Nintendo

    Kid Icarus: Uprising was a surprise hit in 2012 when it released, reviving a long-dormant slumber from decades of inactivity. Smash Bros director Masahiro Sakurai helmed development of the fast-paced shooting game, which carries his distinct trademarks. The only major complaint leveled at the game is the unusual control scheme, which would be addressed completely by the Switch, as it uses conventional controls for its games. The addition of gyro aiming, and portability, make the possibility of a sequel to Uprising rather tantalizing. Sadly, no plans to bring the series to switch have surfaced yet.

    Luigi’s Mansion

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    The charming, pseudo-horror franchise Luigi’s Mansion most recently saw a sequel, Dark Moon, released on 3DS. In fact, the original is even seeing an updated remake on 3DS. However, a third entry on Switch could greatly benefit from gyro aiming and the hybrid portability of the system. It could even forego the mission structure of Dark Moon. Many gamers favor of the Resident Evil-style puzzle exploration of the original. A Switch entry could bring back the things people loved about both entries in the franchise.

    Chrono Trigger

    Photo Credit: Polygon

    There’s nothing about the system in particular that makes this one of the franchises we need on Nintendo Switch. No, Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest traditional RPGs ever released, and a sequel to it (not Chrono Cross) would be fantastic to see on Switch. The huge success of Octopath Traveler and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has proved that RPGs perform well on the system.

    Advance Wars

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    The finest tactical wargame ever released, Advance Wars would be a natural fit on the Switch. The series revolves around tactical turn-based military strategy. A spiritual successor, the non-Nintendo Tiny Metal, is evidence that fans of the series are eager to see a proper release. Another spiritual successor, Wargroove, is set to release in 2020. However, none of these fan-made indie tributes can quite live up to the real thing. Nintendo, do the right thing and bring back Advance Wars!

  • Switch Flip Grip for Portrait Orientation Play Coming Soon!

    Switch Flip Grip for Portrait Orientation Play Coming Soon!

    Fangamer has reached their Kickstarter goals to release a new Flip Grip for the Nintendo Switch! The Flip Grip promises to make playing games in portrait orientation on Switch a breeze. You might be asking, which games use portrait orientation? Well, a lot of arcade games released through the online store, actually.  

    A Classic Picture Mode 

    A ton of arcade classics have seen re-releases on the hybrid console. Games like Galaga, Punch-Out!!, and Strikers 1945-II were meant to be played in an extra-tall aspect ratio in their original arcade cabinet. While it’s possible to prop the Switch up on something in tabletop mode to play these games in portrait, it’s a pain. Not to mention, the Switch’s Joy Con rails only allow for landscape picture in handheld mode. The solution to these problems is the Flip Grip! 

    The Flip Grip holds the system in portrait mode and can hook the Joy Cons into the sides. This lets you play arcade games as they were meant to be, on the go! 

    Flip Grip Kickstarter Success 

    The peripheral experienced a huge Kickstarter success, meeting its goal after being up for a few days. More than 3000 backers have already pledged more than $50,000 for the unique peripheral. As of right now, a pledge of $12 gets you one of the Grips when they go live. Twice that gets you two grips and a discount on shipping!  

    While this might seem niche, it goes to show just how innovative and flexible the Switch is. The fan community that has grown up around the Switch is very engaged and excited about all releases on the system. As such, it makes sense that Fangamer would experience such success with a neat, off-the-wall concept like this! There’s huge interest in retro-style gaming right now, as evidenced by the success of Nintendo’s Retro Classic series. Those mini consoles have been selling out with each shipment!  

    Fangamer plans to ship their unique new Grip in November of this year. Until then, game on, retro fans! 

  • Fortnite For Switch! Get Ready to Battle on the Go!

    Fortnite For Switch! Get Ready to Battle on the Go!

    Fortnite, the astronomically popular battle royale shooter, is coming to Switch! The Korean ratings board posted their rating for the Switch version, confirming that the game is being ported. This news, ahead of E3, shows that Epic likely planned to announce the port at the large game conference.  

    Fortnite and Switch: A Match Made in Heaven 

    Fortnite, with its cartoony graphics and fast-paced action seems to be a perfect match for Nintendo’s hybrid console. Getting to battle and build while in handheld mode is sure to be hours of fun! Additionally, the Switch has very little in the way of free-to-play games, meaning the game will have little competition on the system. Children are likely to download it, thanks to its free-to-play model and bright graphics. Those same children will certainly then pester their parents for a few bucks to spend on in-game items, thus securing a great revenue stream for Epic.  

    While the demographics of the system make it a natural fit, this move also makes sense from another perspective. Fortnite had already been ported to every other modern console! The Xbox One and PS4 both have versions of the game, as does PC, of course, and even mobile! If the popularity of the game on mobile is any indication, demand for a handheld battle royale game is quite high. 

    Epic in the Headlines 

    Epic has been in the headlines recently thanks to more than just their mega-popular game. PUGB Corporation, the Korean company that makes rival game PUBG, has accused Epic of copyright infringement. To that end, PUBG Corp has sued Epic in Korea. Given just how much money both games make, it seems likely that if a case materializes, it will be incredibly high stakes.  

    In the meantime, though, both games continue to host millions and millions of players every day, all vying for the number one spot. If you’re interested in checking out Fortnite today, it’s free to download and on (nearly) every system! 

  • Nintendo Begins Selling Switch Without Docks… In Japan

    Nintendo Begins Selling Switch Without Docks… In Japan

    In a move to outfit even more households Switch owners, Nintendo has started selling dock-less Switches in Japan. The “second Switch” version of the console is markedly cheaper than the standard retail version, going for ¥24,980. That’s about $220 in USD. How does this version stack up? 

    What’s in the Box? 

    By spending a little less, you get just the Switch, Joy Cons and Joy Con Grips. You don’t get the Comfort Grip, also affectionately known as the Dog Bone, which is something of a bummer. As we said, this version also doesn’t have a dock, which means it doesn’t have an HDMI cable either.  

    Oddly, this version also doesn’t include a charging cable. If you want to charge it, you’ll have to either use someone else’s dock or a standard USB-C cable. Be wary when using non-Nintendo cables, though, as the Switch is infuritatingly not USB-C compliant. We’d hate to see someone brick their switch just trying to charge it! 

    Who is This For? 

    Nintendo seems to be primarily marketing this device at people who already live with a Switch owner. Since it doesn’t even come with a charger, this version is clearly aimed at those who could use someone else’s dock.  

    The hybrid console has some users (about 20 percent) who elect to use it primarily as a handheld gaming device, forgoing the dock altogether. Those users would benefit from the cheaper price and lack of included dock as well. 

    Dockless Switch Coming to the US? 

    While this definitely seems better suited to the Japanese market than the American one, Nintendo may be able to benefit from releasing it here. For one, users who already have a Switch (and thus, a dock) would be able to get it for loved ones. Birthday presents for kids, gifts for spouses, etc., would be more palatable for some at a cheaper price.  

    Secondly, users who are uninterested in using the Switch as anything other than a handheld aren’t unheard of. If said users already have a USB-C cable and are wary of the Switch’s specifications, this could be an ideal budget entry to the system for them. Not to mention, users could later pick up a dock by itself from Nintendo.  

    Maybe we’ll hear more about a potential American release around E3. Until then, if you want a cheaper console with no dock, you’ll have to hit the secondhand market.  

  • Hottest Nintendo Switch Games of 2018

    Hottest Nintendo Switch Games of 2018

    With Summer and E3 rapidly approaching, you’re surely looking for something new to play on your Switch. While the release of Super Smash Bros, Fire Emblem and Pokemon are still a little way off, there’s no need to worry: there’s still a ton of cool games to check out on your Switch! Today we’re rounding up our favorite Switch titles of 2018 so far!

    Bayonetta 2

    A port of the Wii U hit, Bayonetta 2 is available as a standalone digital release, or as a physical release that comes included with a copy of the first game. Bayonetta is a must-have for fans of fast-paced, frenetic action.

    With a main character who oozes style and dispatches angels and demons without breaking a sweat, Bayonetta follows in the footsteps of greats like Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden. If you missed this one on Wii U, or if you just want another crack at the addictive action on the go, you should check out the Switch version!

    Kirby Star Allies

    Everyone’s favorite pink puffball is back on the Switch! While Star Allies doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it is still an excellent addition to Kirby’s impressive library of games. Sporting silky-smooth drop-in drop-out couch co-op and the triumphant return of power combinations, this is a game built with friends in mind.

    Whether you’re all on the couch in the living room or huddled around the console in tabletop mode, Star Allies makes for a great centerpiece to an afternoon hanging out with buddies. If you’ve enjoyed Kirby’s previous 2D platformers, you’re going to find a lot to love in this beautiful HD update to the classic formula.

    Celeste

    Okay, this one isn’t Switch exclusive, but it really might as well be. A charming (and burtally difficult) 16-bit platformer, Celeste tells the tale a young girl trying to climb a mountain. The game has pitch-perfect controls, witty writing, likable characters and cool retro graphics. While the game’s soaring difficulty curve might put some off, the game offers an assist mode to help players who are struggling.

    However, the game’s story directly addresses how personal growth occurs when we challenge ourselves to reach new heights. This game is a showcase of how to marry game mechanics with story: with each level you beat, you get that much closer to scaling the mountain. But, the more you push, the harder it gets. Perseverance, determination, and some tight platforming skills are required to reach the top.

    Our Favorite Switch Game Right Now: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

    Another port of a fantastic Wii U game, this sequel to the 2006 revival of Donkey Kong Country deserves your attention. If you liked the originals back on the SNES, or their Game Boy Advance remakes, you should give this game a shot. Combining the old-school philosophy of level design and world building, DKC:TF consistently challenges the player to up their game.

    With a pitch-perfect difficulty curve that keeps you learning new ways to challenge yourself and superb visuals and music, this entry in the storied series deserves your attention. On the Switch it gains a new level of portability over its original incarnation, which adds even more reason to check out this version.