I guess I’ve successfully de-oxidized my media digest, because I’ve only learned about the negative reactions to this Direct about a week after the announcements. I’m surprised by the tepid reaction to Ocarina of Time, as it’s only grown on me since the first gameplay reveal, but I do empathize with the lack of additional features in the vein of Link’s Awakening’s build-a-dungeon concept, or perhaps Twilight Princess’ additional Cave of Trials? On the other hand, I don’t doubt that the folks at Nintendo found the Ocarina voice recognition to be a novel and toyetic addition, which is always a central part of their design.

I felt the Ravenous trailer telegraphed itself pretty well, in that it seems Samus gets mortally wounded to the point that she is going to need to “eat” enemies to regenerate/sustain herself like a Metroid, which she’ll probably adapt out of as Greg mentioned. With the bold visuals and energy, though, I did feel this has a chance to be further removed from some of the earlier design philosophy of the other Mercury Steam Metroids.

I guess I didn’t realize how fatigued people were feeling by Nintendo’s seeming insistence on their B-tier IP early in the life of the Switch 2, but I’m certainly picking up that vibe from the discussion I’ve heard surrounding this Direct. I do think that the Switch 2 versions of some games like Forgotten Land right into something new from Kirby like The World Beyond makes the announcement, regardless of my personal excitement, a bit lukewarm. I’m curious about your collective thoughts on Nintendo’s software output in the first 18 months of the Switch 2, as I feel they’ve taken some swings that are appealing to a specific subset, but maybe not always hits.

I will say that Gui should definitely take a look at Romancing SaGa 2 remake at some point, as someone with a passing familiarity with SaGa it was a joy to play and felt very approachable while so having that open-ended progression feeling. And I did also want to chime in and recommend Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta to James, as I think it’s a great example of that addictive exploration cycle that modern Ys has embraced (it was also the game released right before Ys VIII so it shares lots of DNA).

I've kind of hit a point 12 months in that I'd like to have seen them take more major swings. If you think about the absolutely bonkers swings we got for Switch, it just feels like there's something lesser in their output. The novelty hasn't been there the same way.

Bananza obviously checks the box. Pokopia does as well. But beyond that it feels a bit safe.

I understand that. I recall the days of Fire Emblem x SMT, Code Name STEAM, and even ARMS quite fondly, so I do feel the Switch 2 is mostly treading in safe territory.

At the same time, I wonder how drastic games like Kirby and even Xenoblade are going to be in terms of new ideas. I am hoping that the draw distance in the Xenoblade backgrounds means we’re in open-world territory again, but then again, draw distance vistas has always been a Monolith staple. But yes, I am waiting for the Platinum Games Captain Falcon Action Game…

For the life of me, I don't understand why Nintendo isn't milking their 3DS software lineup more on Switch/Switch 2 if they're that desperate for easy games to just throw out to fill a calendar. I mean, Kid Icarus Uprising and Metroid 2: Return of Samus are right there.

They probably don't want to release $40 Switch 2 games while also don't want to get hammered for selling $60 re-releases of $40 games.

Just make my adapter that lets me connect my Switch 1 to my Switch 2 for regular DS and 3DS games.