Details on the elusive Nintendo Switch were revealed at Thursday’s late-night console event. The latest console from the family-friendly Japanese gaming giant will see a push towards online gaming and total mobility through the system’s unique controller scheme, which will allow users to play the Switch in a variety of different ways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5uik5fgIaI
The Switch is an entirely unique console looking to change the way people play video games, something Nintendo’s aimed to do with its last two systems, the Wii and the Wii U. The Switch is a home console, a portable console, and a wherever you want console. Its versatility is impressive.
With Nintendo upping the console’s hardware to more modern capabilities and the planned launch of a paid subscription online service similar to PSN or Xbox Live, they’re finally entering direct competition with Microsoft and Sony. Will they succeed? That’s still unknown (of course), but the games announced on Thursday night are an extremely encouraging start. Here are my five favorite titles announced.
Sonic Mania
Growing up, no system was more special to me as a kid than the Sega Genesis. I played the crap out of the Sonic games, but in recent history, Sega’s Sonic games all managed to be flaming turds. Sonic Mania looks to shift the character back into our good books.
Sonic Mania is a 2D platformer like the iconic titles of old, with new levels and variations to classic stages. It’s great to see Sega return to the old format, as they’ve never found a modern replacement for it. It’s playing on our nostalgia, but that’s OK. Sega isn’t reinventing the wheel, but with Sonic Mania, we’ll hopefully be reminded why Sonic is one of the most recognizable gaming properties in console gaming history.
Super Mario Odyssey
During Super Mario Odyssey’s unveiling, Nintendo couldn’t stop bringing up Super Mario 64 as a comparison into what they were trying to emulate. That’s great news. I’m a big fan of the Mario series, but its foundation needed both something fresh and familiar.
Super Mario Odyssey looks to be somewhat of a spiritual successor to SM64, mixing in real life settings, great-looking new locations, and some familiar level design. It’s Nintendo’s first attempt at an open-world Mario game. Whether it’s successful or not, you have to commend Nintendo for trying something completely different. Although, Mario interacting with real people is a tad perplexing.
Splatoon 2
Splatoon was an original series launched on the Wii U, which unexpectedly became the best game on the console. Its simplicity and online multiplayer were more fun than it had any right being. The aim of the game is to cover an area with more paint than your opponent. It’s that simple.
Splatoon 2 looks to add new features, weapons, and characters. Will it be all that different from the first game? Nah. But, I’d have it no other way. When it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
How did they not name it SplaTWOn?
— Griffin Bennett (@GriffinWB) January 13, 2017
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Splatoon characters! Battle Stages! Updated graphics! No need for the bulky gamepad! Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a simple upgrade with some swanky new additions to the latest generation of the long-running racing game. Mario Kart 8 *ducks under a table* was the best in the series so far, so any minor improvements on the Switch version will be good in my books. Until Mario Kart 9 hits the shelves, this will more than do.
Puyo Puyo Tetri…. OF COURSE, ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD
The game looks freaking stunning. Setting a Zelda game in an open world’s been long requested, but now it’s finally upon us. Holy shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. Breath of the Wild is a console seller. I can’t really put into words how amazing it looks. It’s like Studio Ghibli had a cel-shaded baby with Zelda.
Exploring the unpredictable Hyrule wild will add many dimensions to a fairly linear series. I loved Wind Waker for it’s massive, choose-where-you’d-like-to-go setting. Breath of the Wild will dwarf that surrounding in comparison.
Please don’t suck. Ughhhhhhhh, can this come out now? Why do we have to wait?
