With cross-platform play being a hot topic in the gaming world at the moment, publishers are no doubt feeling more pressure than ever before to ensure that their games can be played across all major systems. Of course, system exclusives naturally steer clear of this mentality, and Nintendo has unsurprisingly confirmed that there are no plans to share its first-party games with other consoles.
The confirmation comes from a recent financial result briefing Q & A, with Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa being asked about cross-platform possibilities on Switch. The question asked whether or not there would be any potential for the likes of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to be offered as cross-platform titles, following the success of the ever-popular battle royale game Fortnite. Furukawa’s response was to the point – and exactly what you might expect.
“If publishers want to release cross-platform titles, and doing so would make consumers happy, then as long as it is technically feasible, we would want to support them. That said, we have absolutely no plans to offer any Nintendo games as cross-platform titles at this time.”
We’ve already seen that Nintendo has been more than willing to promote cross-platform play with third-party releases, with the aforementioned Fortnite being a well-documented example thanks to Sony’s original reluctance to join in the fun. Furukawa’s words suggest that this cross-platform support will continue throughout the Switch’s lifetime, which is very good news indeed for fans of all systems.
Are you happy to see games be offered as cross-platform titles? Or do you only play with other friends on Switch anyway? Let us know in the comments.
Super Rare Games has revealed that it will be bringing a physical version of N++ to Nintendo Switch. The game will go on sale on 15th November.
Despite only forming in February of this year, Super Rare Games has become one of the leading publishers for physical indie games on Switch. We’ve recently seen the likes of Worms: W.M.D and Snake Pass arrive in physical form, too, with N++ being the latest addition to Super Rare’s lineup.
The game actually arrives under the name of ‘N++: Ultimate Edition‘, acting as the “definitive” version of the game and including 4,340 handcrafted levels, a level editor with global level-sharing functionality, four-player local co-op, 63 tracks from top electronic artists, and 119 colour palettes to customise the game’s look.
Mare Sheppard and Raigan Burns of developer Metanet Software have said the following:
“We are so excited to see N++ on the Nintendo Switch (thank you Blitworks!) — it really is the perfect platform for this game, it just feels so great. We’re delighted to see it in it’s glorious physical form as well! We think you’ll love the whole package.”
The Super Rare edition will also include a 16-page, full-colour manual designed by Metanet Software, a reversible cover, an exclusive sticker, as well as three trading cards randomly selected from its five-card set. You’ll be able to order your copy directly from Super Rare Games’ website from the 15th November for $34.99 / £29.99 / €33.99.
Do you collect physical copies of indie games on Switch? Will this one be going on your shelf? Let us know below.
It can be quite the challenge bringing a game from the normal ‘static’ experience of playing on a TV to the immersion of virtual reality, and we’ve seen plenty of successes and abject failures as a result. But what about when a title that’s specifically been built for VR makes the jump back to a more traditional visual setup? Can it really be translated cleanly or are the sacrifices of losing head tracking and full motion controls a cut too far?
Battlezone Gold Edition hopes to answer that question, taking the VR-orientated sci-fi tank simulator of the same name and removing any need for cumbersome and expensive virtual reality accessories. Drawing inspiration from 1980 original (which served as one of the progenitors for the first-person shooters we know today) and the countless attempts at sequels and reboots that have popped up in the near four decades since, British developer Rebellion has certainly made something that’s faithful to that arcade classic while still embracing plenty of new ideas when it comes to mechanics.
Using a meaty-looking Cobra tank (which you control remotely, tying into the game’s VR-friendly fiction), it’s your job to traverse a tiled grid filled with procedurally-generated maps. Each one is filled with enemy tanks, missile platforms, drones and other deadly forms of armour as you attempt to weaken (and ultimately destroy) the nefarious AI Core waiting at the other end of the titular battlezone. Some tiles contain Supply Drops where you can spend credits you’ve earned on weapon upgrades, while others host Shield Generators that weaken the AI Core; you can even send out drones to check nearby tiles for info on its occupants.
It’s still a shooter after all, so there’s plenty of tank-based gunfighting to be had as you slowly manoeuvre through its polygonal maps and trade bullets, missiles and artillery shells with your fellow armour, but there’s also plenty of rogue-like elements to keep you from going full gung-ho. You only have a limited number of lives (which enable you to respawn back on the map you’re currently on), but their cost shoots up considerably the more you buy. Run out lives and your campaign will be over, and it’s back to the start of a fresh grid.
As a result, Battlezone’s difficulty curve can be a little unforgiving at times, even on the lowest difficulty setting, as you realise rushing into battle will almost always see you overwhelmed and destroyed in minutes. When you start using cover effectively, defining which of your customisable weapons works best against certain armour and when to use your turbo (which gives you a much-needed burst of speed at the expense of draining your shield) you soon discover there’s more at play than simply shooting a giant cannon. Battlezone is a more tactical shooter than its screenshots and trailers suggest, and even something as simple as how long it takes for one weapon to be retracted in favour of another requires thought before engaging the enemy.
You can play each campaign solo, in local co-op or co-cooperatively online, although playing with other players does make each map considerably easier. Whether you’re battling to control an enemy base, defend your own, or simply destroy every foe in the vicinity, having another friendly tank near you means you automatically start healing one another. Battlezone’s arcade roots come out far more vibrantly when you’re playing with others, and it’s here the game is at its most enjoyable. Talking of its roots, you can even play in Classic mode (complete with two track controls based on the original build, or a modern variation) and revel in 3D gaming in its earliest, wireframe form.
As a prospective new platform for a non-VR version of Battlezone, the Nintendo Switch makes a lot of sense. And although it’s taken a little while for this version to make its way to the hybrid platform – it launched on consoles and PC in this form back in May – using the accurate gyros in your Joy-Con to look around your tank’s cockpit does make for a mostly intuitive experience. It’s never going to be as clean or instinctive as using a headset, but it does an admirable job when playing in docked or tabletop mode.
That transition works less well when you’re not actively using any form of motion control, mainly because so much of the screen is taken up by your cockpit. The interior of your tank is entirely rendered and animated in 3D, complete with mission update screens and bobbleheads that quiver as your cannon roars outside. In handheld mode, where you’re working with a far smaller amount of screen real estate, this issue can be a little frustrating. However, you can now hold ‘L’ to look around your cockpit in the same way you would with a headset in VR.
As a result, motion controls in this version of Battlezone aren’t as integral to the experience as you might think, but they do elevate it when used properly. Whether in handheld mode, or in tabletop and docked mode, gyro controls are resigned to that aforementioned ‘look mode’ where you hold ‘L’ and move the Joy-Con to glance around your cockpit. While these controls are relatively minimal, they come remarkably close to how Battlezone plays in VR – and when used effectively, they really help negate the restrictions to your view when playing ‘statically’.
In terms of performance, TickTock Games and Rebellion have produced a port that runs surprisingly well. The frame rate holds for the most part, but can begin to noticeably dip when there are lots of enemy vehicles on-screen, but it’s never enough to impact the ebb and flow of each battle. The use of a simple polygonal visual style also helps with the porting process, with the blurring and drop in asset quality far less of an issue as a result. Add in all the DLC – including countless tank paint jobs and bobbleheads based on Rebellion-owned properties (say hello to Judge Dredd) – and there’s a strong argument to make that is the best version of Battlezone you can play outside of owning a VR headset.
Conclusion
It’s taken a good six months for Battlezone Gold Edition to make its way to Nintendo Switch, but those months have been well worth it. The result is a port that uses the console’s gyro controls to recreate the movement of a VR headset, and one that does so without making too many concessions in terms of overall performance. While it’s still frustrating Switch owners have to wait so long for ports such as this, Battlezone Gold Edition could be the precedent that proves VR-orientated titles could lead a happy second life in semi-handheld form.
The lack of any Bluetooth headphone support on the Switch is something that’s riled up a fair few people in the past, and rightly so; it’s not unreasonable to expect it in a modern device. But as luck would have it, third parties do what Nintendon’t, and one of those companies is GuliKit.
They’ve only gone and made a tiny little adapter that doesn’t require any kind of external power that routes the audio through USB and into the air, ready to be picked up by any willing headphones or speakers who feel left out of the Switch party. We had a right good ruddy look at it in the video above, so check it out why don’t you?
Later this month on 30th November, Kirby Star Allies on Nintendo Switch is receiving its ‘wave three’ update which will add a bunch of new characters and a special challenge mode to the game for free.
After teasing much of this DLC content in Japanese, Nintendo has now released a prolonged video in the west which runs for close to three minutes. During this clip, you see the latest dream friends Magolor, Taranza and Susie in action as well as the Three Mage Sisters who are linked to the new challenge mode, Heroes In Another Dimension.
Take a look at the clip above and tell us if you like the look of this latest DLC.
Netflix recently sent out an email notifying users Nintendo will be suspending all video streaming services on the Wii – including the Netflix Channel – at the end of January 2019. Here’s the full message below, courtesy of a post on Reddit:
Unfortunately, Nintendo will suspend all video streaming services on Wii—including the Netflix Channel—after January 31, 2019.
We hope you’ll soon enjoy an even better Netflix experience with additional features on a supported device. Please visit netflix.com/wii for our device list.
It’s not all that surprising when considering the fact the Wii Shop Channel will close in the same month next year and official online multiplayer support for the system ended years ago. It’s also interesting timing this reminder has been issued as the YouTube app has just been released on the Switch.
Would you like to see Netflix eventually make the transition across to Switch? Tell us below.
Even though it’s not being officially classed as the next mainline entry in the series, according to multiple website listings including Amazon and GameStop, Nintendo will be releasing a physical edition in time for launch.
That’s not all, as the descriptions for these listings go on to explain how this version of the game will include a season pass – allowing players to access all of the title’s downloadable content. This is reportedly the first time a season pass and DLC for the game have been mentioned. Below is the full description from Amazon’s page:
Get into the game-literally! Enter the world of the Death Drive Mark II, and hack and slash your way out of its various games.
Pass a Joy-Con to a friend for local co-op, with special team-up charge attacks.
Represent your favorite indie games by rocking their swag in-game. Hit the road in an all new adventure with gaming’s most hardcore otaku assassin.
Includes Season Pass that grants access to future downloadable content.
Beam Katana in hand, Travis Strikes Again!
If you missed it, Grasshopper’s Suda 51 said Travis Strikes Again is about “50 percent” hack-and-slash and the other half is comprised of racing, puzzle, action and side-scrolling elements. It stars Travis and Badman who are stuck inside the Death Drive Mark II – a phantom console from the ’90s.
Are you glad to hear Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes will receive a physical edition on release? What are your thoughts about this game receiving a season pass? Tell us in the comments.
Japan, Europe and even other countries such as South Korea previously had announcements for Super Mario Party bundles and now it is North America’s turn.
On 16th November, a Super Mario Party bundle containing a neon green and neon yellow Joy-Con will be released for $99.99. Below is Nintendo’s official tweet:
In case you’re wondering, Japan received a Super Mario Party bundle with a neon pink and neon yellow Joy-Con (including appropriately coloured straps), while Europe’s bundle came with a neon pink and neon green Joy-Con.
Did you pick up this game on release? Have you been holding out for the bundle? Which set of Joy-Con do you like the most? Tell us below.
Make multiplayer parties even easier with a Super Mario Party bundle with included Joy-Con
TheSuper Mario Party game for the Nintendo Switch system provides some of the most fun four-player party action this side of the Mushroom Kingdom! And to give prospective owners of the game the ability to play with four players right out of the box, Nintendo is offering a bundle that includes the Super Mario Party game and a pair of Neon Green/Neon Yellow Joy-Con controllers. The bundle will hit stores on Nov. 16 at a suggested retail price of $99.99 while supplies last. This is a great value for shoppers, as they will save almost $40 when compared to buying Super Mario Party and two Joy-Con controllers separately. Nintendo Switch comes with two Joy-Con controllers, so anyone that opens this gift during the holiday season will be able to start a four-player Super Mario Party with surrounding friends and family members right away!
Super Mario Party is the newest game in the long-running Mario Party series – and the first on Nintendo Switch. In the game, the much-loved four-player original board game mode is back with new features like character-specific Dice Blocks that add strategy to each roll. Players can compete in 80 minigames that use the Joy-Con controllers in fun ways, as well as new ways to play like the cooperative River Survival mode. For the first time in series history, party-goers can play sets of minigames online with other players. (Nintendo Switch Online membership is required and sold separately.) And in the new Toad’s Rec Room mode, two players that each own Super Mario Party can pair their Nintendo Switch systems, lay them flat and participate in some mode-specific minigames that combine both screens in creative ways.
The Nintendo Switch Holiday Experience is a vibrant space that invites fans of all ages to stop in and experience all things Nintendo, and get recommendations about what Nintendo products to buy for their friends and family members this holiday season. Plus, they can try out a Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit and interact with a Fortnite-themed photo experience. Admission to the experience is free and everyone is welcome.
“With the Nintendo Switch Holiday Experience, we wanted to give families a place to take a break and play some fun games during their holiday shopping,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Being able to play games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate before they launch is a great way to inform shopping decisions and educate people about what Nintendo has to offer this holiday season.”
People can visit the Nintendo Switch Holiday Experience in the following shopping centers from Nov. 10 to Dec. 16:
Mall of Georgia in Buford, Georgia
Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois
Memorial City Mall in Houston, Texas*
Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, California
The Florida Mall in Orlando, Florida
Mall of America™ in Bloomington, Minnesota
Queens Center in Elmhurst, New York
King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, Arizona
Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California
Tysons Corner Center in Tysons Corner, Virginia
*The Nintendo Switch Holiday Experience at the Memorial City Mall in Houston will start on Nov. 11.
The Nintendo Switch Holiday Experience will have playable games for all types of different players. Fans of high-octane racing will love taking part in four-player races on a giant screen with the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game. Families who enjoy playing together can get the party started with Super Mario Party and Just Dance 2019. For Pokémon fans, the new Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! games for the Nintendo Switch system can be played using the new Poké Ball Plus accessory, which looks and feels just like a real Poké Ball. (Pokémon: Lets Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! will be playable at the Nintendo Switch Holiday Experience starting on Nov. 16.) With a giant cast of some of the most popular video game characters of all time, families will love to compete in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and get a taste of their favorite fighters before the game launches on Dec. 7.
And if all of this isn’t enough, there will also be hands-on demos with Overcooked! 2, an uproarious four-player cooking co-op game created by Ghost Town Games, one of many talented independent developers, and the chance to get a feel for Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit, the latest in Nintendo’s line of interactive DIY experiences.
The Nintendo Switch Holiday Experience will be open to the public from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. In addition to all of the fun games that can be played, visitors who are My Nintendo members can check in with their My Nintendo QR Code** pattern to receive a holiday gift (while supplies last). For more information about the My Nintendo rewards program and how to check in, visit https://my.nintendo.com/news/e9bebd2024cfdd08. For more information about the Nintendo Switch Holiday Experience, visit https://happyholidays.nintendo.com/holiday-experience/.
**QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.
