12-09-2018, 04:43 PM
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 8th)
<div><div class="media_block"><a href="http://images.nintendolife.com/dc6509d475361/large.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/dc6509d475361/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<aside class="picture strip">
<div class="img"><a title="Ssbu" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/dc6509d475361/ssbu.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/dc6509d475361/ssbu.900x.jpg" alt="Ssbu" /></a></div>
</aside>
<p><em>As regular readers will know, every weekend we post a write-up of the games Team Nintendo Life will be playing in our spare time. As you’ll also likely know, this week saw the release of a pretty major Nintendo game, and you can probably guess where this week’s entries are headed. So, please accept our apologies for the incredibly obvious games we’ve picked this time around, and feel free to join in with our poll and comment sections below. Enjoy!</em></p>
<h2>Jon Cousins, Japan correspondent</h2>
<p>All gathered ’round the TV, a brisk winter evening. Tournaments. brackets. You all know the setup. Choose your character, strength and weakness. No do-overs, second chances and definitely no Johns. Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, last-second heroics or one silly mistake. The victor, the spoils, the should have, could have, or would have been. On the outside its all for fun but deep down we yearn, crave and long for glory. There’s no use hiding it. This weekend I will be playing… <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/wii/wii_sports"><strong>Wii Sports Tennis</strong></a>.</p>
<h2>Ryan Craddock, staff writer</h2>
<p>This weekend – as I’m sure we’ll all agree – is an utterly glorious one, and one that I’ll be using to finally scratch an itch I’ve had for the last few months. As gaming fans, most of us will be familiar with that excited feeling of waiting for the post to arrive, or that moment when cash exchanges hands at the store checkout, and you can finally hold that precious game you’ve been waiting for.</p>
<p>From its incredible collection of characters to its gorgeous design, and from its multiplayer perfection to its amazing amiibo implementation, this game really has it all and I can’t wait to get stuck in. That’s right folks, the game I’ll be playing all weekend – and for weeks to come, I’m sure – is <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/wiiu/animal_crossing_amiibo_festival"><strong>Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival</strong></a>.</p>
<aside class="object object-youtube">
<div class="youtube"><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='900' height='507' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/STtxyPSbxVg?version=3&rel=0&fs=1&autohide=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=1&hd=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe></div>
</aside>
<h2>Gavin Lane, contributing writer</h2>
<p>With so many fantastic options, picking what to play should be a toughie, but this weekend there’s really no competition. The mere whisper of the title is sure to evoke strong emotions and unforgettable memories in any loyal Nintendo fan. The multiplayer fun it’s given gamers over the years is incalculable; it’s one of those rare games that absolutely anyone can pick up and play, and it’s been an internet favourite ever since that E3 reveal set tongues wagging. Yep, apologies to be ‘Captain Obvious’ but this weekend I’ll be firing up an absolute doozy – you guessed it! – <strong><a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/wii/wii_music">Wii Music</a></strong>. <a class="external" href="https://youtu.be/_2e0RuWoa3s?t=400">Whaddagame!</a></p>
<h2>Austin Voigt, contributing writer</h2>
<p>This weekend, I’ll be getting my Nintendo Versus gaming ON with one of the Switch’s biggest crossovers! The only other version of this game that I’ve experienced was on 3DS, so I am pumped to get back into this series with HD graphics & new stages to battle it out on. The most exciting thing I’m looking forward to is the competitive multiplayer action, so I can knock all of my friends around a bit as well. The improved graphics and technical performance are just icing on the cake. I honestly don’t think I’ll need any other games on the Switch, ever. This one completes me. Well, see ya on the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/aqua_moto_racing_utopia"><strong>Aqua Moto Racing Utopia</strong></a> leaderboards, suckers!</p>
<aside class="object object-youtube">
<div class="youtube"><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='900' height='507' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uZgnX2rJgEg?version=3&rel=0&fs=1&autohide=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=1&hd=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe></div>
</aside>
<h2>Liam Doolan, news reporter</h2>
<p>My main for many years now has been Link. Out of all the Nintendo characters, in my opinion, he’s always been the most all-round fighter there is. That trademark spin-attack, the unlimited bombs he has at his disposal and his trusty bow and arrows always deliver the final blow – not to mention the fact he’s saved the land of Hyrule on multiple occasions over the past few decades. How could you not be impressed? That’s why this weekend, I’ll be defeating evil in <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/legend_of_zelda_breath_of_the_wild"><strong>The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</strong></a> – Link’s grandest adventure yet. He’s my hero of all-time and always will be.</p>
<h2>Steve Bowling, US editor</h2>
<p>What am I playing? Same thing as everyone else, obviously! I’ll be grabbing some friends, gathering around the screen for the same intense, pulse-pounding experience as the rest of you. My heart races just thinking of the crazy, chaotic rounds I’ll be running this weekend. I’ve been waiting <em>so long</em> for this moment. I just hope nobody snags my main since I’m a little possessive. I can’t wait to take it to the competition with Bishnu in <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/astro_bears_party"><strong>Astro Bears Party</strong></a>!</p>
<p>…What?</p>
<aside class="object object-youtube">
<div class="youtube"><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='900' height='507' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FHjNdrGk2jw?version=3&rel=0&fs=1&autohide=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=1&hd=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe></div>
</aside>
<h2>Gonçalo Lopes, contributing writer</h2>
<p>Since there are no major Switch game releases this week (<em>ahem</em>) I have decided to put mine away and hook up my trusty Nintendo 64 instead. I’ve had this craving for some smashing action for a while now so I dug up one of my all-time favourite fighting games on the system. That’s right, you probably have already guessed which game I’m talking about since there weren’t that many to begin with: <strong>Flying Dragon</strong>!</p>
<p>Developed by Culture Brain and part of the <strong>Hiryū no Ken</strong> series, this little gem was rightfully described by N64 Magazine as “our very own <strong>Tekken</strong>”. It was no easy feat to keep the charming nature of the super-deformed 2D sprites but they pulled it off. And if someone is giving you lip because the SD characters look too immature, just switch to ‘Virtual’ mode and the roster turns into realistically proportioned humans. It has aged rather well and this is how I will blissfully be spending this weekend.</p>
<h2>Alan Lopez, contributing writer</h2>
<p>When I originally read that they were adding even more models to an already robust lineup, I had to stop and ask myself how any one video game could ever get this big. Honestly, how do they fit it all inside that cartridge?</p>
<p>I mean, sure, the Pasaat line is a given, and the Jettas were a strong likelihood, but the attention to detail to surprise announce both the Scirocco and Golf Mk lines of Volkswagens displays such a love for fan sentiment, there’s no doubt in my mind <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/n64/beetle_adventure_racing"><strong>Beetle Adventure Racing!</strong></a> is the greatest franchise-based video game ever made. Finding all the branching paths and crashing into each crate will definitely be taking up my entire weekend. There’s no guarantees the weekend after that is safe either.</p>
<p>And did I mention my friend let me borrow his rumble pack? I’m stoked. “Das Auto” is now DAS game.</p>
<div id="poll-08dec-18-tpweekend" class="poll">
<div class="results">
<h3 class="heading">Which games are you playing this weekend? (110 votes)</h3>
<div class="result">
<h4 class="heading">Super Smash Bros. Ultimate</h4>
<p class="votes"><span title="47 votes"><span class="bar accent-bg">43%</span></span></p>
</div>
<div class="result">
<h4 class="heading">Ultimate Smashing of the Super Brothers</h4>
<p class="votes"><span title="11 votes"><span class="bar accent-bg">10%</span></span></p>
</div>
<div class="result">
<h4 class="heading">Brothers Having A Super-Ultimate Smashing Time</h4>
<p class="votes"><span title="15 votes"><span class="bar accent-bg">14%</span></span></p>
</div>
<div class="result">
<h4 class="heading">Something else (comment below)</h4>
<p class="votes"><span title="37 votes"><span class="bar accent-bg">34%</span></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="empty">Please <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/login">login</a> to vote in this poll.</p>
</div>
<p><em>As always, thanks for reading! Normal Talking Point service will resume next weekend – we hope you enjoyed our silly ramblings for this one-off special!</em></p>
<p>Make sure to leave a vote in the poll above and a comment below with your gaming choices over the next few days…</p>
</div>
<div><div class="media_block"><a href="http://images.nintendolife.com/dc6509d475361/large.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/dc6509d475361/small.jpg" class="media_thumbnail"></a></div>
<aside class="picture strip">
<div class="img"><a title="Ssbu" href="http://images.nintendolife.com/dc6509d475361/ssbu.original.jpg"><img src="http://images.nintendolife.com/dc6509d475361/ssbu.900x.jpg" alt="Ssbu" /></a></div>
</aside>
<p><em>As regular readers will know, every weekend we post a write-up of the games Team Nintendo Life will be playing in our spare time. As you’ll also likely know, this week saw the release of a pretty major Nintendo game, and you can probably guess where this week’s entries are headed. So, please accept our apologies for the incredibly obvious games we’ve picked this time around, and feel free to join in with our poll and comment sections below. Enjoy!</em></p>
<h2>Jon Cousins, Japan correspondent</h2>
<p>All gathered ’round the TV, a brisk winter evening. Tournaments. brackets. You all know the setup. Choose your character, strength and weakness. No do-overs, second chances and definitely no Johns. Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, last-second heroics or one silly mistake. The victor, the spoils, the should have, could have, or would have been. On the outside its all for fun but deep down we yearn, crave and long for glory. There’s no use hiding it. This weekend I will be playing… <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/wii/wii_sports"><strong>Wii Sports Tennis</strong></a>.</p>
<h2>Ryan Craddock, staff writer</h2>
<p>This weekend – as I’m sure we’ll all agree – is an utterly glorious one, and one that I’ll be using to finally scratch an itch I’ve had for the last few months. As gaming fans, most of us will be familiar with that excited feeling of waiting for the post to arrive, or that moment when cash exchanges hands at the store checkout, and you can finally hold that precious game you’ve been waiting for.</p>
<p>From its incredible collection of characters to its gorgeous design, and from its multiplayer perfection to its amazing amiibo implementation, this game really has it all and I can’t wait to get stuck in. That’s right folks, the game I’ll be playing all weekend – and for weeks to come, I’m sure – is <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/wiiu/animal_crossing_amiibo_festival"><strong>Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival</strong></a>.</p>
<aside class="object object-youtube">
<div class="youtube"><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='900' height='507' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/STtxyPSbxVg?version=3&rel=0&fs=1&autohide=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=1&hd=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe></div>
</aside>
<h2>Gavin Lane, contributing writer</h2>
<p>With so many fantastic options, picking what to play should be a toughie, but this weekend there’s really no competition. The mere whisper of the title is sure to evoke strong emotions and unforgettable memories in any loyal Nintendo fan. The multiplayer fun it’s given gamers over the years is incalculable; it’s one of those rare games that absolutely anyone can pick up and play, and it’s been an internet favourite ever since that E3 reveal set tongues wagging. Yep, apologies to be ‘Captain Obvious’ but this weekend I’ll be firing up an absolute doozy – you guessed it! – <strong><a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/wii/wii_music">Wii Music</a></strong>. <a class="external" href="https://youtu.be/_2e0RuWoa3s?t=400">Whaddagame!</a></p>
<h2>Austin Voigt, contributing writer</h2>
<p>This weekend, I’ll be getting my Nintendo Versus gaming ON with one of the Switch’s biggest crossovers! The only other version of this game that I’ve experienced was on 3DS, so I am pumped to get back into this series with HD graphics & new stages to battle it out on. The most exciting thing I’m looking forward to is the competitive multiplayer action, so I can knock all of my friends around a bit as well. The improved graphics and technical performance are just icing on the cake. I honestly don’t think I’ll need any other games on the Switch, ever. This one completes me. Well, see ya on the <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/aqua_moto_racing_utopia"><strong>Aqua Moto Racing Utopia</strong></a> leaderboards, suckers!</p>
<aside class="object object-youtube">
<div class="youtube"><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='900' height='507' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uZgnX2rJgEg?version=3&rel=0&fs=1&autohide=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=1&hd=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe></div>
</aside>
<h2>Liam Doolan, news reporter</h2>
<p>My main for many years now has been Link. Out of all the Nintendo characters, in my opinion, he’s always been the most all-round fighter there is. That trademark spin-attack, the unlimited bombs he has at his disposal and his trusty bow and arrows always deliver the final blow – not to mention the fact he’s saved the land of Hyrule on multiple occasions over the past few decades. How could you not be impressed? That’s why this weekend, I’ll be defeating evil in <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/legend_of_zelda_breath_of_the_wild"><strong>The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</strong></a> – Link’s grandest adventure yet. He’s my hero of all-time and always will be.</p>
<h2>Steve Bowling, US editor</h2>
<p>What am I playing? Same thing as everyone else, obviously! I’ll be grabbing some friends, gathering around the screen for the same intense, pulse-pounding experience as the rest of you. My heart races just thinking of the crazy, chaotic rounds I’ll be running this weekend. I’ve been waiting <em>so long</em> for this moment. I just hope nobody snags my main since I’m a little possessive. I can’t wait to take it to the competition with Bishnu in <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/switch-eshop/astro_bears_party"><strong>Astro Bears Party</strong></a>!</p>
<p>…What?</p>
<aside class="object object-youtube">
<div class="youtube"><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='900' height='507' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FHjNdrGk2jw?version=3&rel=0&fs=1&autohide=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=1&hd=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe></div>
</aside>
<h2>Gonçalo Lopes, contributing writer</h2>
<p>Since there are no major Switch game releases this week (<em>ahem</em>) I have decided to put mine away and hook up my trusty Nintendo 64 instead. I’ve had this craving for some smashing action for a while now so I dug up one of my all-time favourite fighting games on the system. That’s right, you probably have already guessed which game I’m talking about since there weren’t that many to begin with: <strong>Flying Dragon</strong>!</p>
<p>Developed by Culture Brain and part of the <strong>Hiryū no Ken</strong> series, this little gem was rightfully described by N64 Magazine as “our very own <strong>Tekken</strong>”. It was no easy feat to keep the charming nature of the super-deformed 2D sprites but they pulled it off. And if someone is giving you lip because the SD characters look too immature, just switch to ‘Virtual’ mode and the roster turns into realistically proportioned humans. It has aged rather well and this is how I will blissfully be spending this weekend.</p>
<h2>Alan Lopez, contributing writer</h2>
<p>When I originally read that they were adding even more models to an already robust lineup, I had to stop and ask myself how any one video game could ever get this big. Honestly, how do they fit it all inside that cartridge?</p>
<p>I mean, sure, the Pasaat line is a given, and the Jettas were a strong likelihood, but the attention to detail to surprise announce both the Scirocco and Golf Mk lines of Volkswagens displays such a love for fan sentiment, there’s no doubt in my mind <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/games/n64/beetle_adventure_racing"><strong>Beetle Adventure Racing!</strong></a> is the greatest franchise-based video game ever made. Finding all the branching paths and crashing into each crate will definitely be taking up my entire weekend. There’s no guarantees the weekend after that is safe either.</p>
<p>And did I mention my friend let me borrow his rumble pack? I’m stoked. “Das Auto” is now DAS game.</p>
<div id="poll-08dec-18-tpweekend" class="poll">
<div class="results">
<h3 class="heading">Which games are you playing this weekend? (110 votes)</h3>
<div class="result">
<h4 class="heading">Super Smash Bros. Ultimate</h4>
<p class="votes"><span title="47 votes"><span class="bar accent-bg">43%</span></span></p>
</div>
<div class="result">
<h4 class="heading">Ultimate Smashing of the Super Brothers</h4>
<p class="votes"><span title="11 votes"><span class="bar accent-bg">10%</span></span></p>
</div>
<div class="result">
<h4 class="heading">Brothers Having A Super-Ultimate Smashing Time</h4>
<p class="votes"><span title="15 votes"><span class="bar accent-bg">14%</span></span></p>
</div>
<div class="result">
<h4 class="heading">Something else (comment below)</h4>
<p class="votes"><span title="37 votes"><span class="bar accent-bg">34%</span></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="empty">Please <a href="http://www.nintendolife.com/login">login</a> to vote in this poll.</p>
</div>
<p><em>As always, thanks for reading! Normal Talking Point service will resume next weekend – we hope you enjoyed our silly ramblings for this one-off special!</em></p>
<p>Make sure to leave a vote in the poll above and a comment below with your gaming choices over the next few days…</p>
</div>