Limbo: The Story of Arnt Jensen, Dino Patti, and Playdead Studio Video Game Story Time 2026-09-21 | Limbo: The Story of Arnt Jensen, Dino Patti, and Playdead Studio
Sonic Superstars Doesnt Feel Right Video Game Story Time 2023-10-15 | I have played Sonic Superstars, and I regret to inform you that I'm not 100% in love with it.Admittedly I've only played a demo on a convention floor, so how this relates to the full experience of playing the actual retail version of the game is anyone's guess. All I can say is that, based on my brief experience checking out the physics of the game, I won't be purchasing it at full price when it releases in (at the time of making this video) just a few days.If you're tuning in after Superstars has been out for a while, you'll probably have your own thoughts, so bear in mind that this is my experience with a demo on PS5. Perhaps the Nintendo Switch version of the game is a whole different kettle of fish again.Apologies for the weird convention footage in the video, I had planned to film actual gameplay, but alas, the staff at the SEGA booth would only let me film the booth generally, rather than a close-up of my actual gameplay footage. But, hey, that's better than nothing.The staff at the Specsavers booth which also inexplicably had Sonic Superstars were less fussed, but that might be because all of their screens had opaque filters so that you couldn't actually see what was happening. Thanks, Specsavers, I actually wear glasses normally so I don't need to simulate what it looks like to have bad eyesight.Anyway, look forward to a similar video on Mario Wonder, coming soon.Lots of love,Just Kotor this timeSource for the quote in this video: youtube.com/watch?v=7wyrIAXQpyAMusic for this video: ocremix.org/remix/OCR02297Webster's channel: youtu.be/8Dabdom0HQA
Why Paper Mario Thousand-Year Door is coming to Switch Video Game Story Time 2023-09-22 | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is finally coming to Nintendo Switch, and we have one person to thank for it. No, it's definitely not Shigeru Miyamoto; it's you! You did this! Thank you!According to longtime Paper Mario developer Risa Tabata, decisions surrounding whether or not to remaster or remake older Paper Mario titles often come down to whether the fans shout loud enough.While this is often the case for games with cult followings, Gamecube classic Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door had the odds stacks particularly high against it because many of Nintendo's higher-ups, especially Shigeru Miyamoto, think that Mario RPGs are a bad idea.Which is unfortunate, considering all the people who love them.Anyway, that's the video. Bye.BretonStripes and KotorSources:youtu.be/dlcNubU6bYAvideogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/paper-mario-origami-kingweb.archive.org/web/20120124130706/http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-advance-warsiwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/3ds/papermario/0/2Music:Still Awake by Ghostrifter Official | soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-officialMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Why Elephants are in Super Mario Bros Wonder Video Game Story Time 2023-09-08 | So, Elephant Mario in Super Mario Bros Wonder, huh? What's the deal with that? Let's talk about it.Specifically, let's talk about why this happened. Mario Wonder director Shiro Mouri has explained exactly why the developers at Nintendo decided to put this particular power-up in the game.The reason: because it makes the game easier. Cool.But wait, there's more: did you know that Shigeru Miyamoto hated the original design of Elephant Mario?You did?Oh.Then, what am I even doing here?Oh well, at least the video's short, right? If this was a different channel the video would be exactly eight minutes and one second long, and would feature a load of footage from trailers and no real substance.Brevity. That's what we've got going for us here. That and a picture of Shigeru Miyamoto as an elephant, flipping a table.Anyways, thanks for watching. You're very much in the minority in that you a) chose to watch this video, and b) chose to read the description all the way to the end.You are appreciated. Thank you.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:npr.org/2023/08/31/1196990890/super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-prevew-interviewign.com/articles/shigeru-miyamoto-didnt-like-elephant-marios-original-design-in-super-mario-bros-wonder
How Charles Martinet Changed Mario Forever Video Game Story Time 2023-09-01 | Charles Martinet has been voicing Mario for over twenty years, and he's pretty darn good at it. With the Super Mario Bros Movie proving a success and with Nintendo moving away from Martinet's work in Super Mario Bros Wonder and beyond, the man deserves a bit of extra attention.As the beloved voice actor behind one of the most recognisable characters of all time steps back from the role that he defined, it's time to revisit how he got the role, and why his particular version of the character has stood the test of time when other versions of Mario have been all but forgotten.Martinet tells a good story about how he got the role of Mario to start with. It's a solid underdog tale, with a beach bro turning up unannounced at an audition, and annoying everyone until they gave him a job.Martinet insists that he had never heard of Mario before the audition, and this lack of familiarity with the character no doubt helped shape his particular take on Nintendo's mascot.This just goes to show that it's better to do things your own way than copy what everyone else does.In case you were wondering, that's why this video is a series of drawing timelapse clips rather than footage from Mario games. We've tried doing things the way everyone else does them. Now we're going back to doing things our own way.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:youtube.com/watch?v=R1t6iNG28zIyoutube.com/watch?v=8HKhjwlX7HYkotaku.com/marios-voice-actor-recalls-his-rambling-audition-5361823http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/blogs/2848045/Charles-Martinet-interviewessentiallysports.com/esports-news-super-mario-bros-movie-voice-actor-charles-martinet-reveals-how-crashing-into-the-audition-got-him-the-iconic-role-chris-prattbbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19664003thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2022/03/10/charles-martinet-on-30-years-of-voicing-nintendos-beloved-mario-its-such-an-honouryoutube.com/watch?v=tR5joNASmtY
How Advance Wars Fixed Nintendos America Problem Video Game Story Time 2023-08-18 | Advance Wars 1+2: Reboot Camp is an attempt at revitalising one of Nintendo's only English-first franchises. Without Advance Wars, many of Nintendo's most popular games would never have been released in America and across the world.The original Advance Wars, itself the latest in an already established franchise in Japan, released to Westerners first, and Japanese audiences second. In doing so, it showed Nintendo that Western gamers were interested in more than just action games, and it paved the way for other strategy games, such as Fire Emblem, to be localised outside of Japan.This is a tale of preconceived assumptions, and how developers at Intelligent Systems' managed to create a game that defied all conventional wisdom regarding what games sold well in the West.Sorry this one has taken a long time, this type of video takes absolutely ages to make.Lots of love,BretonStripes and Kotor Sources:web.archive.org/web/20120124130706/http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-advance-warsweb.archive.org/web/20130812023507/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/50069/features/the-making-of-fire-emblem-awakening/?page=1tanasmanor.net/sites/fe11/interview/interview1.htmlkotaku.com/inside-the-treehouse-the-people-who-help-make-nintendo-1301809672Music:Small Town Girl by | e s c p | escp-music.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by free-stock-music.comCreative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Autumn Dance by | e s c p | escp-music.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by free-stock-music.comCreative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0I Miss You, Southern Winds by | e s c p | escp-music.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by free-stock-music.comCreative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Afraid of expressing myself by Babasmas | soundcloud.com/babasmasmoosicMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 Purple Dream by Ghostrifter bit.ly/ghostrifter-ytCreative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0Music promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allFaithful Mission by Artificial.Music | soundcloud.com/artificial-musicMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0Morning Routine by Ghostrifter Official | soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-officialMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0Way Home by Tokyo Music Walker | soundcloud.com/user-356546060Music promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0Signs of Life by Purrple Cat | purrplecat.comMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0Sweet Dreams by BatchBug | soundcloud.com/batchbugMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensecreativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_USMotivational Ambient | ALONE by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/Music promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0Slow Grind by Ron Gelinas Chillout Lounge | soundcloud.com/atmospheric-music-portalCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensecreativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_USMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allSunflowers by Piano Amor | lesfm.netMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
How Pikmin Low-Key Saved Nintendo Video Game Story Time 2023-07-21 | Shigeru Miyamoto once said, "The new Mario is Pikmin." The franchise, which started on the Nintendo GameCube, has now seen the release of its fourth installment, after a decade of Miyamoto insisting that it's right around the corner.To hear Miyamoto tell it, Pikmin is one of the most important franchises that Nintendo controls - this in spite of the fact that the series has never sold as well as the likes of Mario, Zelda, or Splatoon.There's a reason why Miyamoto cares so much about Pikmin, and why Nintendo keeps pushing tis particular franchise harder than all others. Pikmin is the company's ace in the hole, and the decision to create the franchise at the start of the GameCube's lifespan had a dramatic impact on what Nintendo has become, to this day, as a developer of innovative games.When all other gaming hardware manufacturers focused on graphics, Nintendo looked to see what else could be done with the more powerful GameCube technology. Pikmin is indicative of the company's drive to do the unexpected, and find new ways to entertain.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gdc-shigeru-miyamotos-keynote-speechgamedeveloper.com/business/q-a-design-lessons-learned-from-a-decade-at-nintendo-s-eadgameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/07/05/miyamoto-talks-zelda-pikmin-and-wii-u-development.aspxtelegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/11201171/nintendo-super-mario-pikmin-tokyo-film-festival-mandarin-oriental-tokyo-sega-mario-kart-zelda-wii-oculus-rift.htmlunseen64.net/2008/04/08/pikmin-gc-betanintendo.com/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-10-pikmin-4-part-1nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-New-Super-Mario-Bros-Wii/Volume-1/1-Mario-Couldn-t-Jump-At-First/1-Mario-Couldn-t-Jump-At-First-210699.htmlMusic for this video: Crescent Moon by Purrple Cat | purrplecat.comMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0Sleepless by Purrple Cat | purrplecat.comMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0Embrace by Sappheiros | soundcloud.com/sappheirosmusicMusic promoted on chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0Downtown Glow by Ghostrifter & DevyzedCreative Commons — Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported — CC BY-ND 3.0Music promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allColorful Flowers by Tokyo Music Walker | soundcloud.com/user-356546060Music promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0Still Awake by Ghostrifter Official | soundcloud.com/ghostrifter-officialMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0Way Home by Tokyo Music Walker | soundcloud.com/user-356546060Music promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0Ferris Wheel by Purrple Cat | purrplecat.comMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0Pillow Fort by Purrple Cat | purrplecat.comMusic promoted by chosic.com/free-music/allCreative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0Ant video footage by CESAR AUGUSTO RAMIREZ VALLEJO from Pixabay
when a games artist actually cares about the villain Video Game Story Time 2023-07-03 | Let's face it: Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf is a very handsome man. There's a reason for that: Satoru Takizawa, a man who single-handedly saved The Legend of Zelda: Twilight princess by drawing moody pictures of Gandondorf.Well, it wasn't specifically Ganondorf that he was drawing, but rather, the art style for the entire game. Nevertheless, Ganondorf was probably in there somewhere, right? Either way, that's the point that Takizawa pushed his artistif preferences onto the Zelda series, and that's a large part of the reason why he was asked to design the new, handsome Ganondorf for Tears of the Kingdom.Of course, Takizawa's involvement with Ganondorf doesn't start there. He also designed the character's very first appearance in Ocarina of Time (not including the namedrop in A Link to the Past) as well as Twinrova. Before that, he made some of the best/worst enemies in Super Mario 64, and made enemies for Star Fox 64.Basically, for over two decades Takizawa has been Nintendo's go-to guy for cool enemies, which is why he was assigned the job of designing this latest Ganondorf, with the instruction to make him as cool as possible.Mission accomplished.PS And naturally, Purah is super cool too, but we don't have a specific reason for that to delve into at this time.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:theverge.com/23721063/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-interview-aonuma-fujibayashizeldadungeon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Interview:Nintendo_Power_July_2005&mobileaction=toggle_view_desktopnintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Wii/Iwata-Asks-The-Legend-of-Zelda-Twilight-Princess/3-Like-trying-to-Mould-Clay/3-Like-trying-to-Mould-Clay-227280.html
Why Playtesters HATED Everybody 1-2 Switch Video Game Story Time 2023-06-19 | Your browser is holding you back. Level up here: https://mtchm.de/xqu4a.Everybody 1-2 Switch is a surprise release from Nintendo, announced just weeks before making its way to store shelves. What's particularly interesting is that, according to a report from 2022, the game was apparently so terrible during playtesting that the testers didn't actually want to play it.Which is impressive. Imagine the scenario: you and your family have been chosen by Nintendo to play their brand new game that hasn't been announced yet. You all get together, filled with excitement to try it out and... actually, could we turn it off and go home? Thanks, Nintendo. Sorry, Nintendo.According to the report on Fanbyte by industry insider Imran Khan, playtesters genuinely didn't want to keep playing Everybody 1-2 Switch, calling it "tedious". The game's mascot, an anthropomorphic horse who looks like one of those horrible rubber masks you see at frat parties, was so unpopular that during localisation his most prominent game mode earned a quite rude nickname (Khan doesn't specify who gave it this nickname - whether it was playtesters or the localisation team themselves, but either way, that ain't good).Khan also claims that Nintendo was somewhat taken aback by just how negative the feedback was, which was awkward considering that manufacturing of game cases was already underway.Were the decision-makers at Nintendo willing to cut their losses and ditch an unpopular game about a terrifying horse mask? Neigh. The game is now set to release at the end of June, but whether the game is terrible or has somehow been salvaged, this is an absolutely fascinating story.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSource for this video:fanbyte.com/games/news/the-wild-story-behind-nintendos-unannounced-1-2-switch-sequel
Will Sonic Superstars be the new Sonic 4? Video Game Story Time 2023-06-10 | Sonic Superstars looks great and all, but it's giving off some very strong Sonic the Hedgehog 4 vibes.Sonic Superstars is the brand new 2D Classic Sonic game, coming in Fall 2023 to Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The game's biggest innovation is probably the four-player co-op, but the first thing that's going to catch the eye of most Sonic fans is the fact that it featuresvisuals akin to the Classic Sonic sections of Sonic Generations and Sonic Forces.With Sonic Frontiers clearly being the future of Modern Sonic going forward, it seems that SEGA is attempting to find a different, alternative niche for Classic Sonic - while still charging consumers $60 for some baffling reason.A lot of this game looks good, but there's just something about it that screams Sonic 4, and that's lighting up the Flight or Fight parts of my brain.I am a tremendous fan of 2D Sonic, having started with the Master System titles before progressing to the original Mega Drive games as a child. I've played and loved the Sonic Advance Trilogy, Sonic Rush (not Sonic Rush Adventure, I didn't like that world exploration and navigation got in the way of the actual gameplay), and even Sonic Rivals, the oft-forgotten PSP game that gave Sonic a 2.5D structure long before it was cool.The question, then, is whether Sonic Superstars will be another in a long line of fairly solid to downright brilliant 2D Sonic games... or if it'll be Sonic 4 all over again.Honestly, SEGA, why couldn't you have just done whatever you needed to do to keep the Sonic Mania team onside? Things could have worked out so much better for the human race.Anyway, thanks for watching this rather unusual video. BretonStripes will be back next week, promise.
Why a Child Just Sued Nintendo Over Mario Kart Lootboxes Video Game Story Time 2023-05-24 | A child's attempts to sue Nintendo of America over lootboxes in Mario Kart Tour is actually part of a bigger attempt to battle gambling mechanics in games.Which is probably not a surprise, because let's be real: the legal system isn't actually set up to be accessible to underage children. There needs to be a grown-up pulling the strings here.Sorry TOTK Ganondorf fans, you'll have to wait for us to provide the authentic explanation from developers as to why Ganon is so hot.Mario Kart Tour is not a game that I personally have played, because I already own Mario Kart on devices with, y'know, actual controllers, so a free-to-pay mobile game doesn't exactly fill me with excitement. These are exactly the kinds of games that I keep my daughter away from for this exact reason.She's been allowed precisely one mobile game that features microtransactions, but I've disabled the ability for the game to make purchases, and in fairness she hasn't touched it for years because she prefers games on the Switch. The kinds of games where you pay once and then you "own" the thing, rather than the kind where you think it's free until you realise you've spend over £100.My mother, on the other hand, goes in for this kind of freemium nonsense with a dangerous excitement. That's a story for another day, though.The one exception to my rule about free-to-play mobile games is good old Pokemon Go, a game that I have absolutely never put a single penny into, because in my opinion it would entirely ruin the fun if resources were any less scarce.As a matter of fact, I haven't touched that game for a couple of years now too, simply because I filled up my inventory with items and couldn't be bothered to grind gyms just for more storage space. That's silly.I like to think that my beloved Snorlax, Foreman, is still waiting for me.Anyway, what was this video about?Oh yeaaaaaahhhhh, Mario Kart Tour. I'm sure it's perfectly fine. I own Mario Kart 8 on Wii U, though, so I don't think I need a mobile version in my life. I don't even need the Switch port, really. It's all good.Ummmmm what else should I say? Don't buy lootboxes, I guess. We don't want to encourage this kind of awful behaviour from game developers.To be honest, I feel like the big lootbox panic is mostly over now, but that might just be because the games I play are less likely to feature them. As stated, I'm not paying very close attention to the kinds of games that are glorified slot machines for children.Lots of love,KotorPS Oops, I just noticed I used an endslate that said that BretonStripes did the speaky on this one. Don't worry, she'll be back next time. This video just felt like more like it should be one of mine.Sources for this video:courtlistener.com/docket/67403533/1/2/na-v-nintendo-of-america-inc ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/P214800%20Dark%20Patterns%20Report%209.14.2022%20-%20FINAL.pdf
Why TOTK reuses BOTWs Hyrule Map Video Game Story Time 2023-05-15 | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is built on the same Hyrule world map as Breath of the Wild, but why? Why not simply make a new game world from scratch? In a recent Nintendo Ask the Developer interview, the developers behind the game, including longtime series producer Eiji Aonuma, spoke at length about the decision to make TOTK on top of what they'd already built for BOTW. While this might sound like an easy job, it turns out that stripping away all the relevant stuff from the Nintendo Switch launch title and replacing it with new, intricated systems and opportunities for exploration actually ended up being more work than starting from scratch.This just goes to show how much love, care, and attention to detail went into making Link's latest adventure. Turns out, game development is hard no matter how many assets you can get away with reusing!Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSource for this video:nintendo.co.uk/News/2023/May/Ask-the-Developer-Vol-9-The-Legend-of-Zelda-Tears-of-the-Kingdom-Chapter-1-2383804.html
What Makes a Great NPC? Video Game Story Time 2023-05-11 | Non-player characters make or break many a game. NPCs provide the flavour, the atmosphere, the general ambience of a game world, for good or ill.Whether we're talking about recurring characters that the player spends a lot of time with, or relatively brief interactions with random passers-by on that just provide small snippets of exposition, NPCs are often the tool by which a player is grounded in a game. It's through NPCs that we learn to care about the stakes involved in a game.So if you, like, apparently, a lot of Video Game Story Time viewers, are obsessed with Kass from Breath of the Wild, and you're desperately hoping to see him pop up again in Tear of the Kingdom, then here's a video explaining exactly why this delicious Rito is quite so appealing.Source for the GlaDOS quote:rockpapershotgun.com/valve-on-portal-2-spoiler-interview-part-one01:57 The Sans Strategy03:48 Fire Emblem: Charm Offensive05:56 Thinking with Portals07:44 Groose Groose GrooseMusic by freemusicarchive.org/music/holiznacc0/bassic and freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/streamliner
Why The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog Got Made Video Game Story Time 2023-04-19 | The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the unexpected hits of 2023. A game which originally dropped on April Fool's Day, it has won fans for its quirky premise, cute writing, and surprisingly earnest and heartfelt message.So... why does this thing exist? Why did the decision-makers at SEGA allow a Sonic the Hedgehog social media manager, Katie Chrzanowski, make a visual novel in which the company's mascot is murdered?The answer is, yes, it's a marketing tool, but it's also a labour of love by a group of passionate game developers and enthusiasts who wanted to make something a little odd, but which reflected their particular love of both Sonic the Hedgehog and the wider pantheon of SEGA games.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-04-05/sonic-is-murdered-in-a-new-game-an-unexpected-must-play-delightkotaku.com/murder-of-sonic-the-hedgehog-mystery-game-free-steam-1850344140twitter.com/KatieChrz/status/1641963753632845824steamdb.info/stats/gameratings
Whats Next for Nintendo Movies? Video Game Story Time 2023-04-14 | What Nintendo movie can we expect now that the Super Mario Bros Movie has proven a hit? A live-action Zelda film? The long-awaited John Woo Metroid movie? A full-on Avengers-style Super Smash Bros movie?Erm, probably none of these things. Nintendo is playing it very safe with the Mario movie franchise for a reason: they don't really need movies to be a hit, and while it's nice to have more video content, they can afford to ensure that every single film is polished and on-brand to the point that it's more a Super Mario Bros Movie (2023), and not a Super Mario Bros (1993).Disclaimer: I have no genuine insight into the workings on Nintendo and I am probably wrong on all points.
The Mario Movie Reviewed by a 7-Year-Old (SPOILERS!) Video Game Story Time 2023-04-12 | On opening night last week, Kotor and our daughter went to see The Super Mario Bros Movie. This is her review.The short version: Mario and Luigi and Toad and Princess Peach? Good. Scary dog? Bad.The longer version involves Bowser, mushrooms, power-ups, flowers, Mario Kart, and a lengthy history lesson about Donkey Kong and his extended family.Our daughter's been wanting to do more reviews for a while; she's still interested in doing a Splatoon 3 review at some point. We spent a good chunk of time today trawling around book shops looking for the second volume of the Splatoon manga for her.The Super Mario Movie was an excellent opportunity to make a review, though: a quick twenty minutes spent chatting in front of a microphone (with a lot of jumping around thanks to all the sugar in her system) and her part of the process was done. She then listened to the whole thing and took out the bits she didn't want in the final video. She's been an aggressive editor; you'd no doubt laugh at some of the bits she decided she didn't want you to hear, but never mind.Lots of love,Kotor and 7-Year-Old Gamer
Why Nintendo Finally Made the Mario Movie Video Game Story Time 2023-04-09 | The Super Mario Bros Movie came out earlier this week, but *why* did it get made? Why did Nintendo finally decide it was time to try again, and why partner with Illumination instead of all the other movie studios who were desperate for the rights to Mario?Do you ever start making a video, and get, like 95% of it finished, and then struggle to get that last 5% done for the next week until the video is no longer as topical, all because it's the school Easter holidays and you're juggling work and childcare and this YouTube channel and everything just grinds to a halt?No? Just me?Well, that's what happened. This video was an awful lot more timely when we started it. But still, it's all about Mario, so hopefully people will care.Also, how good is Jack Black in this film? So good, that's how good. Chris Pratt is also in the film, but I'm gonna say that I still prefer Bob Hoskins in the role.Oh, and Toad is the best character, and I enjoyed Donkey Kong and Luigi. Kinda saw Peach's role in the script coming, it would've been nice if Anya Taylor-Joy had been given a little more to do beyond act cool.Ummmmm that's the end of this description, I think.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorOur daughter may or may not have a review for the movie coming next week, we'll see how things go.Sources:nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2020/200202e.pdfbuzzfeednews.com/article/adambvary/nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-on-the-wii-u-we-will-make-it-a-subuzzfeednews.com/article/adambvary/sony-nintendo-mario-bros-movie#.duwkpjZgVsegabits.com/blog/2015/04/29/leaked-sony-pictures-e-mails-show-excitement-for-segas-sonic-the-hedge-dognintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2018/180210e.pdf
Why E3 2023 Crashed and Burned So Hard Video Game Story Time 2023-04-03 | To buy a commission and help fund Kotor's new camera, go to our Ko-Fi store: ko-fi.com/videogamestorytime/commissionsE3 2023 has been cancelled, meaning that we're now had four years in a row of the Electronic Entertainment Expo being cancelled. While the show may well return in the future in some form, its organisers at the ESA have made it clear that they're evaluating the gaming landscape and the needs of the industry. If and when E3 returns, it'll be a very different beast.Those who are involved with the show have not been shy about explaining what went wrong. Basically, E3's usefulness as a trade show has been watered down as it has grown in popularity as a fan convention (despite the fan convention part of the show generating millions of dollars in revenue). With the rise of social media, many games companies question why stacking their biggest announcements alongside their competitors to be judged by the public is a good idea.Why go to E3, when you can reach a similar audience with a dedicated YouTube Nintendo Direct?This is bad news for any company that isn't as large and powerful as Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft. The biggest losers with the cancellation of E3 will be the games studios that aren't big enough to earn a lot of attention on their own, and who rely on the expo as a networking event.At the same time, other events like GDC and Gamescom have become more useful for this kind of networking as E3 has been retooled to cater more for fans. If comments from the ESA are to be believed, they expect that if E3 does have a role to play in the future of gaming, it'll be a lot less about new game reveals and industry networking.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:https://www.gamesindustry.biz/in-the-end-the-industry-just-didnt-want-this-e3-opinionhttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/e3-2023-is-cancelled-esa-tells-us-whywashingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/06/11/e3-historykotaku.com/e3-2023-canceled-why-nintendo-sony-microsoft-la-rip-1850285780
When will Pokemon come to Nintendo Switch Online? Video Game Story Time 2023-03-31 | Please fund my new camera by buying a commission: ko-fi.com/videogamestorytime/commissionsPokemon Quetzal:pokemonromhack.com/pokemon-quetzal.htmlyoutube.com/@UCXn1TCTDN5Or6MsQHyUX2Eg discord.gg/KF28bJkEUMPokemon Dark Worship:drive.google.com/file/d/1TCvykRYbzfkf0lpM_m5Lze2AhQzpRMmc/view?usp=share_linkpokeharbor.com/2023/01/pokemon-dark-worshipWhen will Pokemon Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games come to Nintendo Switch Online?Games like Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, Green (in Japan), Gold, Silver, and Crystal all eventually came to the 3DS eShop, although they didn't arrive until five years after the first Game Boy games to be ported to the platform.Meanwhile, Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Fire Red, and Leaf Green all remain thoroughly unported, having never been released on any platform besides the GBA. These games continue to be phenomenally popular, and are fairly pricey if you're looking to buy a legitimate cartridge on eBay.Retro game collecting is pretty rough.Join us in an entirely speculative video in which we try and fail to pin down exactly when Nintendo and The Pokemon Company kinda maybe sorta might release these beloved Pokemon titles on Nintendo Switch Online.Spoiler alert: we have no idea what we're doing here.(E3 video is coming next week, we need a bit more time because it's hard to do a whole video in a day like we used to...)
Our Familys Final Wii U eShop Purchase Video Game Story Time 2023-03-29 | For commissions head to ko-fi.com/videogamestorytime/commissionsWith the death of the Nintendo Wii U and 3DS eShops this week, we had to scramble at the last minute to purchase the one remaining game that our daughter (currently Seven-Year-Old Gamer, previously Five-Year-Old Gamer, Baby Gamer, Baby Boogle etc etc) absolutely couldn't live without.That game is The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for the Nintendo DS.So, while everyone else was getting excited about Eiji Aonuma showing off ten minutes of unadulterated Tears of the Kingdom footage, we were all sat around the TV as a family, watching our daughter annotate some maps.She REALLY likes annotating those maps. Apparently giving her the power to make notes on a game map is like giving her a full-time job - she has to explore every doorway and make note of which path leads where. It's very sweet.It does beg the question: how are we going to do this all again now that the Wii U and 3DS eShops are gone?Because, well, the Switch doesn't have a stylus. Nintendo's also hesitant to make many games only playable in handheld mode. The further away we get from Nintendo's dual screen era, the harder it's going to be for DS and 3DS games to get a re-release or remaster.Plenty of Wii U games are also going to be difficult to port. Sure, things like Super Mario 3D World, Pikmin 3, and even Breath of the Wild itself have come across fairly easily, but what about Nintendoland? Star Fox Zero?...Maybe nobody's actually even all that bothered if gamepad-heavy games get a re-release. It still feels like a loss, though. Especially given just how much our daughter adores Wii U games, and given that Wii U consoles aren't going to last forever.Lots of love,BretonStripes and Kotor
Why Amy is FINALLY Playable in Sonic Origins Plus Video Game Story Time 2023-03-23 | Have no fear! Amy Rose is here! Sonic Origins Plus has been unveiled, and Classic Amy is finally playable!I mean, she's obviously always been playable in Sonic R, and Sonic the Fighters. And Modern Amy is playable in 2D games such as the Sonic Advance trilogy. And Classic Amy has long been playable in fan mods and hacks.BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE THIS VICTORY AWAY FROM ME!Amy fans have been campaigning for this for a long time, and it's great to see SEGA and Sonic Team give us what we want with the new DLC for Sonic Origins. That said, let's bear in mind that this is a purely financial move. The market has spoken and SEGA has listened.Cynical as this might be, it's still great for gamers like my daughter, and I will naturally be buying Sonic Origins Plus in physical form so that we can play together on the Switch.Lots of love,KotorPS I'm certain I called Sonic Origins "Mania" at some point in this video, and I apologise for that. I made this while a two-year-old was hanging onto me, constantly insisting that I stop what I was doing so he could put makeup on me. It's been a long day.Sources for this video:youtube.com/watch?v=Fp2k9EIcsJometroiddatabase.com/old_site/mp3/Iwata_Asks_Metroid_Prime_3_index.php
Why the 3DS & Wii U eShops Had to Die Video Game Story Time 2023-03-20 | Why has Nintendo chosen to close the 3DS and Wii U eShops? The simple answer is money. The more complicated answer has to do with decisions Nintendo has made to design their online stores around obsolescence, and replacing everything as soon as possible after a console generation ends.(Which, in fairness, is also all to do with money.)The death of the 3DS and Wii U eShops marks the end of an era for two beloved Nintendo platforms, although admittedly one was more widely beloved than the other. Our Wii U originally didn't get a lot of play, but as our daughter got older, it came into its own as an excellent family console. We've ended up picking up most of the big hitters from the Wii U's back catalogue over the past few years, mostly from eBay, and it turns out, this thing was pretty great!We appreciated the 3DS more during its tenure as Nintendo's primary handheld console, and it has a lot of stellar games that it's sad to see go. Mosty notably, the 3DS and the Wii U are the only remaining platforms for purchasing Virtual Console Nintendo titles, including DS games which aren't even available on Nintendo Switch Online. Indeed, once the ability to buy games for the dual-screened consoles disappears, there's a good chance it'll be a while before Nintendo bothers to retool its DS, 3DS, and Wii U games for future platforms. Single screens appear to be where the company is headed.Here's hoping the fantastic eShop games that are about to be lost will at least be available in some form again in the future.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources:digitaltrends.com/gaming/wii-u-3ds-eshop-closure-explainedtwitter.com/GameOverThirty/status/1494048013727248387eurogamer.net/nintendo-was-waiting-for-wii-u-10th-anniversary-before-shutting-eshop-report-claimsnintendolife.com/features/ncl-has-been-waiting-for-this-day-since-2014-former-noa-employee-talks-nintendo-eshop-closureshttp://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/62471/major-security-vulnerability-disclosed-in-multiple-nintendo-gamesen-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/~/wii-u-%26-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation-q%26a videogameschronicle.com/news/miyamoto-acknowledges-its-easier-than-ever-to-offer-backwards-compatibility
Metroid Fusions Worst Feature is Actually Genius Video Game Story Time 2023-03-15 | I wanted to make a video about Metroid Fusion, so I did. It's pure coincidence that the Game Boy Advance game just came to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, because I don't have the add-on. I'm happy with the base NSO, and I'm happy owning a GBA and a cartridge, which remains my prefered way of playing games from this era.Anyway, Metroid Fusion is a game that most people like well enough, but I've heard enough people complaining over the years about its linearity and signposting that I just felt the need to say, actually, no. These things are not a problem. These things perfectly build up the atmosphere and tension that the game is trying to community.Unlike previous adventures, Samus Aran is not a bold bounty hunter space adventurer. She's a victim. A protagonist in a horror story. Someone who has to run and hide. This game, more than any other Metroid, is designed to make you feel small and weak and powerless. One of the ways it does that is by refusing to give you control. You've got to do what you're told... at least, until what you're told to do stops making any sense.These are my own thoughts on the game and they're completely subjective, so feel free to disagree with me, it's all good. Just don't assume that I don't a) recognise that other perspectives on this game are valid, and b) think I'm an expert on this subject. I'm just one ill-informed weirdo yelling at the void. I'm not looking for the void to get aggro in return.Anyways, have a lovely day.KotorNintendo Life's Metroid Fusion eview: nintendolife.com/reviews/gba/metroid-fusion
Is Retro Game Piracy Morally Correct? Video Game Story Time 2023-03-10 | Retro video game piracy may be illegal, but for many gamers, it's a necessary requirement for playing beloved classic games. Whether a game is unavailable on modern hardware, prohibitively expensive, or simply inconvenient to play the way publishers intended, there are many cases where some players feel justified in downloading ROMs online or accessing copies of older games.This video sets out to explore the history of art preservation as it relates to video game piracy. We seek to explore this polarising issue, not to condemn or to absolve, but simply to highlight some arguments that are made both for and against pirating retro video games.There's a lot that could be said on this subject, but this nearly thirty-minute video is already the longest we've ever created, so apologies in advance if we've missed out some burning argument that you feel is relevant to the piracy discussion.Also, note that all video footage in this video (with the exception of gameplay from Sonic 3) is within the public domain. we took this approach to show how alternatives to modern copyright law exist and can help the spread and creation of new art, analysis, and education materials.Perhaps that in and of itself is a statement on our opinions of copyright. The one definitive thing we will say: modern copyright law really doesn't do justice to the current video game climate.Thanks for watching. Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:statista.com/topics/3152/music-industry-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/#topicHeader__wrappercopyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/uk_law_summaryassets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/359247/Exceptions_to_copyright_-_Guidance_for_consumers.pdfgov.uk/government/news/quashing-of-private-copying-exceptiontheguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/17/high-court-quashes-regulations-copy-cds-musicianslegislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2014/9780111112700judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/basca-v-sofs-bis-judgment.pdf3dnatives.com/en/3d-printed-lamborghini-120720195boingboing.net/2017/04/22/drm-eschatology.htmlconsumerist.com/2015/04/22/john-deere-wants-to-be-able-to-file-copyright-claims-against-the-way-you-use-your-tractortheguardian.com/business/2015/oct/28/its-ok-to-hack-your-own-car-us-copyright-authorities-rulevox.com/2015/5/26/8656281/dmca-car-repair-rightsarstechnica.com/gaming/2021/06/former-rom-site-owner-must-pay-2-1-million-to-nintendokotaku.com/nintendo-orders-rom-site-to-destroy-all-its-games-or-1847487357https://www.gamesindustry.biz/video-game-history-foundation-criticises-nintendo-over-eshop-closuresblogs.loc.gov/copyright/2017/12/its-a-wonderful-liferockpapershotgun.com/no-one-will-sell-no-one-lives-forever-so-lets-download-itkotaku.com/so-called-pirates-are-doing-the-work-when-publishers-fa-1846533244eurogamer.net/newell-stop-piracy-by-offering-superior-serviceVideo footage is primarily from Pexels and Pixabay, thanks to all the content creators who helped make this possible. Sources can be found here: twitlonger.com/show/n_1ss8mqbChapters:1:33 Chapter One: Preservation or Death8:00 Chapter Two: More than a Memory16:38 Chapter Three: Games as Waste25:40 Conclusion: The Slow March of Progress
The Problem with Game Boy on Nintendo Switch Online Video Game Story Time 2023-02-13 | At the latest Nintendo Direct, it was announced that Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games were coming to Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.That's great. That's absolutely wonderful news. However...Look, I appreciate that I'm not a typical customer when it comes to Game Boy games. While retro collecting has grown in popularity in recent years, I completely understand that the vast majority of people who want to play Game Boy games in 2023 will want to do it in a more convenient form factor, such as on the Switch.And, indeed, providing these games as part of a subscription service that most people either have already signed up for, or genuinely can't be persuaded to try, does at least mean that the people who do want to play Game Boy games on Switch can do so in a convenient manner.That said... there aren't a lot of these games on NSO, are there? Around 15 titles, give or take a few depending on which country you live in. It's a fairly small offering when there were previously far, far more Game Boy games available on the 3DS and Wii U eShops.The decision to add Game Boy to NSO just so happens to come a little over a month before Nintendo removes the option for customers to purchase any first party Game Boy titles direct from the company in any way, shape or form. Where previously, it was possible to dust off a 3DS (or, if you don't want to develop a headache, a 2DS) and download a retro handheld game, soon that won't be an option anymore.All of this means that Nintendo is pushing consumers to either take up piracy (while simultaneously suing ROM archivists for millions of dollars), or to take up retro collecting.And, wow, retro collecting has gotten expensive in the past few years.As someone who's watched retro collecting's explosion in popularity (and subsequent inflated prices), I would just like Nintendo to start printing more copies of their old games for original hardware. In retrospect, while it made sense to move on from older hardware at the time, now that a burgeoning second-hand market exists for retro games and consoles, it would be nice if Nintendo treated the Game Boy not as obsolete, but as a different style of play.I would like retro game cartridges to be the new vinyl: a technology celebrated in its own right because of, rather than in spite of, its limitations. People are already collecting retro games in much the same way that music fans collect retro albums; the next logical step is to start printing new cartridges for old Game Boys, or launch a Nintendo branded equivalent to the Analogue Pocket that plays old games but with modern conveniences and screens and batteries.This is the way that I would like to see retro games preserved for the future. It's clear that Nintendo's subscription system for a little more than a dozen games isn't exactly ideal for introducing new gamers to older titles.Make no mistake, there are plenty of younger people who are finding these old games for the first time now, and who are desperate to buy as many as they can afford. I was lucky enough to a) be playing games when the Game Boy was modern, and b) have the wisdom to hold onto all my games and even their cardboard boxes, but not everyone had the good fortune to be alive in the Nineties.So, let's bring these games back! Make new copies of old games, just as companies like Limited Run, Retrobit, and incub8 have done, to name but a few. This is to say nothing of new homebrew games developed for Game Boy and other retro hardware (I'll leave that rant/excitement for another day).All I'm saying is: give us MORE, Nintendo. I don't care what "more" even means. More Game Boy games on NSO. Easier access to older titles. The opportunity to buy these games rather than just renting them as part of a subscription.Or, if you really want to make me happy, print more cartridges.That last one's obviously a long shot, though.Thanks for watching.Creative Commons video footage courtesy of:pexels.com/@cottonbroCreative Commons photos courtesy of:commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stratford_City_Westfield_Shopping_Centre_Game_branch.JPGcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HMV,_13-15_Smithford_Way,_Coventry.jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cex,_Beulah_Street,_Harrogate_(15th_February_2020).jpgcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GAME_Skellefte%C3%A5_20140722.jpgCheck out Ferrante Craft:ferrantecrafts.com/listing/1221102527/black-castle-game-cartridge-for-game-boyThis video is published under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
When Nintendo Accidentally Made Poisonous Merch Video Game Story Time 2023-02-10 | To try everything Brilliant has to offer—free—for a full 30 days, visit http://brilliant.org/VideoGameStoryTime/. The first 200 of you will get 20% off Brilliant’s annual premium subscription.Did you ever heard the tragedy of the Nintendo merchandise that accidentally contained an illegal neurotoxin? I thought not. It's not a story Nintendo would tell you. Unless, of course, you've read their surprisingly smug recall notice, in which they want credit for "voluntarily informing" customers about the health risks of these poisonous Nintendo products.The short version of the story is this: in the mid 2000s Nintendo's official store in the Rockerfella Center in New York City sold a range of metal lapel pins featuring Mario, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, Samus, Waluigi and more. These pins were, it turns out, made with an illegal paint that contains harmful chemicals which, according to the World Health Organisation, can lead to "irreversible neurological damage".All those times grown-ups told you that Nintendo would rot your brain? Turns out they were actually right!Oops, in writing this description I've just realised that I drew a Link pin, but one doesn't actually exist. Let's pretend I drew a Samus one instead.As an important disclaimer for this video: if you happen to own any poisonous metal pins, be very careful when handling them, and don't put them in your mouth.Anyways, here's hoping you're enjoying your day and that you're not being exposed to deadly neurotoxin. GlaDOS would be proud, Nintendo.Sources for this video:cpsc.gov/Recalls/2008/nintendo-recalls-lapel-pins-due-to-risk-of-lead-exposurehistoryofinformation.com/detail.php?id=4759kotaku.com/the-coolest-things-in-nintendos-american-headquarters-5834386ipen.org/news/china-adopts-new-lead-paint-standards-protect-children%E2%80%99s-healthnytimes.com/2007/09/10/business/worldbusiness/10iht-lead.5.7455679.htmlhttps://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240037632theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/30/one-in-three-children-dangerous-levels-lead-in-bloodnintendo.com/consumer/pinrecall.jspweb.archive.org/web/20081031160818/nintendo.com/consumer/pinrecall.jspgamespot.com/articles/nintendo-recalls-lapel-pins/1100-6190086This video was sponsored by Brilliant.
Why is Persona 3 Portable on Switch Instead of P3 FES? Video Game Story Time 2023-01-17 | Persona 3 is finally on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC! But, it's the stripped-down PSP port, Persona 3 Portable (aka P3P), which is, y'know, a really solid, very enjoyable game, BUT, not quite what fans of Persona 3 FES were hoping for.In this video, after annoying everyone with our pronounciation of Persona 3 FES (yes, we know, we're wrong, it's cool), we explore why the developers at Atlus see P3P, rather than FES, at the ultimate version of Persona 3 - especially for newcomers to the series who have played Persona 5 Royal or Persona 4 Golden and want to try this older game.The short answer is that they put a lot of work into revisiting the game, and because it's the one that's designed to be more agreeable from a combat perspective for fans of older games in the series.The long answer is, well... watch the video and find out.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:Persona 3 Portable Official Fanbookpersonacentral.com/persona-seroes-sales-graphic-2020web.archive.org/web/20120502124928/http://mag.gomorning.com/index.php?fuseaction=SiteMain.Content&contentid=1413&page=2skyflyinginaction.tumblr.com/post/187522989919/persona-3-portable-official-fanbook-creatorspersonacentral.com/atlus-character-designer-soejima-interview-2010-2017/2
Pokémon Just Sued A Guy Who Doesnt Exist Video Game Story Time 2023-01-06 | Keep exploring at http://brilliant.org/VideoGameStoryTime/. Get started for free, and hurry—the first 200 people get 20% off an annual premium subscription.In December 2022, The Pokémon Company sued an NFT games developer for unlicensed use of their intellectual property. The only problem? The games developer in question doesn't exist.What started as a routine intellectual property lawsuit quickly transformed into a detective mystery story, as a group of private investigators tried to track down an alleged Pikachu thief; a real life Team Rocket. Spoiler alert: they didn't actually find him.Get ready for fake LinkedIn accounts written in Russian, baffling claims about the development of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a case on mistaken identity (and/or straight up identity theft), and an unlicensed Pokémon game in which the player can feed Pikachu "poisons".It's a wild ride, here's hoping you enjoy!Lots of love,BretonStripesSources for this video: http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCA/2022/1561.htmlhttp://kotiota.com.au/linkedin.com/in/jason-grant-b49351244https://pokeworld.game/https://www.servcorp.com.au/en/serviced-offices/locations/sydney/parramatta-square/twitter.com/pokeworldp2e
Toby Fox Reacts To Our Masahiro Sakurai Job Video Video Game Story Time 2022-12-21 | In the first UNDERTALE/DELTARUNE newsletter, Toby Fox gives his thoughts on our claim that he has taken Masahiro Sakurai's old job.Yes, says Toby, he now writes columns for Weekly Famitsu, taking the role that Sakurai used to have with the magazine. No, he says, he's not the new Masahiro Sakurai. He's just a rat they found in a supply closet. His columns are completely different to anything Sakurai might have written, and give no insight at all into whatever's next for Super Smash Bros DLC.Also in this video: Toby explains where development of DELTARUNE Chapter 3 has reached, and we point out that there's no use speculating about when Chapter 3 will release just yet. Toby uses the word "something" a lot to describe the creative process a lot, and BretonStripes struggles to say "parenthetically", because Toby has a habit of using weird language.Speaking about language issues, we also bring a small snippet from Toby's latest Famitsu column, in which he explains how Anamanaguchi inspired a song from UNDERTALE.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:UNDERTALE/DELTARUNE newsletter issue 1Weekly Famitsu magazine issue 1774deltarune.com/update-092022
RIP Ash Ketchum, Gamings Greatest Loser Video Game Story Time 2022-12-19 | So long, Ash Ketchum. You may have succeeded in your dream of being the very best, like no one ever was, but Pokemon was more fun when you were a complete loser who could barely remember how Pokeballs work.The Pokemon Company has announced that, surprise surprise, Ash will not be returning for the show's next season. Instead, we'll see the debut of brand new protagonists, based off characters in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.In saying goodbye to Ash, he's been given a proper send-off, as the writers have stopped teasing us and finally let Pallet Town's favourite son (sorry, Gary) become a Pokemon champion, and, by extension, a Pokemon Master...maybe? The concept of a Pokemon Master is deliberately vague, according to the show's longtime overseers.It's a shame. The world needs more protagonists like Ash Ketchum: characters who'll keep trying even if (especially if) they don't actually succeed at their goals.Never has there been a more relatable hero.Source for that Pokemon Master quote: dogasu.bulbagarden.net/features/translations/animedia_june2020_daiki_tomiyasu.html
Why The Game Awards are Rigged (But Not the Way You Might Think) Video Game Story Time 2022-12-16 | The Game Awards 2022 were rigged! But not the way you might think. The truth is, there's no grand conspiracy, no attempts to install a particular game as the Game of the Year. By all accounts, Elden Ring won because, hey, it's actually a really solid game.No, the bias within The Game Awards is more subtle than that. Even the jurors themselves don't completely realise that they're showing bias. The Game Awards is rigged in that the systems in place for judging - the selection of journalists who get a vote, the categories that earn awards - are chosen to push towards specific winners.It has to be so, as otherwise, every award would end up as messy as Genshin Impact vs Sonic Frontiers. Just a scrappy, embarrassing social media war between two mega brands and the players who are able to shout the loudest.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:youtube.com/watch?v=hlcFrzV3UNchttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-truth-about-video-game-awards-events-opinion
Why Yuji Naka Got Arrested AGAIN Video Game Story Time 2022-12-09 | Yuji Naka, co-creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, Balan Wonderworld, and the absolutely forgettable Ivy the Kiwi, has been arrested yet again.Next verse, the same as the first - but a little bit louder and a little bit worse!Turns out, there may have been even more going on with Naka's insider trading accusations than had been known previously. While the amount of shares he is alleged to have purchased in Aiming Inc, developer of Dragon Quest Tact, is relatively small, he is now alleged to have bought an awful lot more shares in ATeam, the developers behind Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier.And, yes, we did this video without a single The A-Team reference. We can only apologise.Naka's ongoing attempts to sue Square-Enix for the mishandling of Balan Wonderworld will probably not benefit from the news that he has bene arrested multiple times for abusing information he gained while working at the company.That said, to be clear: this will not affect any future Sonic the Hedgehog games, as Naka has not been involved with SEGA or Sonic Team since before the release of Sonic '06.Which the Japanese government now trying hard to crack down on illegal insider trades, this may well not be the last time we hear of game developers being arrested over their investments in the stock market.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources:gameinformer.com/2022/12/07/update-yuji-naka-reportedly-arrested-again-for-another-insider-trading-schemeasahi.com/articles/ASQD762GNQD7UTIL00X.htmlvideogameschronicle.com/news/yuji-naka-re-arrested-over-alleged-final-fantasy-vii-the-first-soldier-insider-trading-scheme
Why I like the Switch OLED more than the Steam Deck Video Game Story Time 2022-12-07 | Keep exploring at http://brilliant.org/VideoGameStoryTime/. Get started for free, and hurry—the first 200 people get 20% off an annual premium subscription.This video was sponsored by Brilliant.Yes, I'm back again: the hapless fool who sold his Valve Steam Deck to buy a Nintendo Switch OLED model for his family (for his daughter, more than anyone). Several months after making this decision, what do I actually think of the Switch OLED? Was it worth giving up the Deck? Time for an illustrated review to find out!The short answer is: yes. The Switch OLED gets a lot more play than the Steam Deck ever did. Sometimes the games we play need to inform the devices that we purchase, and given that my daughter is very much beholden to the Nintendo pantheon, it was a sensible move to buy a TV-ready Switch for games that our older Switch Lite simply wouldn't manage comfortably. Or, more accurately, games that I didn't want my daughter playing on the Switch Lite.The upshot of moving to a TV Switch rather than an All Handheld, All the Time Switch is that my daughter's gaming experiences have become a family bonding experience, rather than, as they were previously, a slightly antisocial affair.The downside is that I now don't have a dedicated emulation machine with which to play homebrew Game Boy games. The Steam Deck wins out over the Switch for the sheer breadth of different games that can be played, even if the Switch does the very specific, narrow type of game that our family plays together more than any other at the moment.That said, the Steam Deck was absolute overkill for the kinds of retro games I like to play, and I think I'd probably be much better off with an emulation machine such as a Retroid Pocket or (my current obsession) a Miyoo Mini. More on this line of thought if I ever actually bite the bullet on purchasing one of these devices.In the meantime, the one other big advantage I give the Steam Deck over the Switch OLED Model is that only one of these devices feels like it would withstand the bashing that a seven-year-old girl gives her games consoles, and it's not the Nintendo-made device.Rather paradoxically, the Steam Deck is the safest device to put into small hands, as it's less likely that the screen will get scratched or the analogue sticks will get damanges, BUT, the Deck is less child-friendly in that it requires a bit of technical knowhow to get the most out of it.And, yes, the Deck can technically play Nintendo Switch games - even those from Nintendo themselves, if you know what you're doing and you don't mind the legality of the situation. For a layman like myself who just wants to play Splatoon with his family, though, this isn't a consideration. For all its hardware limitations, the Switch is the machine that has Mario Kart, so it's the winner for this family.Thanks for watching!
Why Peach Needed a New Personality in the Mario Movie Video Game Story Time 2022-11-30 | Princess Peach in the Super Mario Bros Movie is fundamentally different to any version of the character we've seen before. Except, of course, that she isn't.In some of the earliest Super Mario Bros cartoons, Princess Toadstool is often shown as a compassionate, engaged leader who stands up for the rights of the Mushroom Kingdom's many residents. This is the kind of Princess Peach that we appear to see in the Mario Movie trailers (although how much the trailers will reflect the finished film remains to be seen).This is a necessary change, to give Peach something to make her interesting outside of a game environment. The character is all but entirely absent from the vast majority of Mario games: it's enough for the player to be tasked with rescuing her, without needing to know much about her. Aspects of her personality often shine through more in subtle moments of animation and voice acting, rather in anything she actually does while trapped in a cage.For a film, though, without the instant investment that comes from literally controlling the protagonist, audiences need a reason to care about Peach, and in this case, that means a more decisive, outspoken, capable persona.It's the same reason why Sonic the Hedgehog has a clear lesson to learn in the Sonic movies (both times, the lesson is: friendship is magic).Then there's Luigi, the perfect damsel in distress for this film, since, unlike Peach and Mario, his personality is a fundamental part of his gameplay in the Luigi's Mansion titles. Luigi is at his most fun when he is conquering his fear, so naturally, he gets terrified by Bowser. It's just a solid fit.Thanks for watching!Lots of love,Matthew (Kotor)
What Went Wrong with Pokémon Scarlet & Violet? Video Game Story Time 2022-11-23 | Critics and players alike have concluded that, while featuring an enjoyable core gameplay loop, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are plagued with performance issues, muddy textures, and hilarious (and sometimes terrifying) glitches and bugs.So what went wrong? Why does such an otherwise promising game feature such a noticeable lack of polish? The Pokemon series has come a long way since Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow shipped with game-breaking bugs and glitches, so why are Scarlet and Violet , games with a massive budget and over a hundred playtesters, running into these issues?The answer, put simply, is: time. Game Freak simply weren't given the time necessary to iron out all the kinks in their new titles, as The Pokemon Company pushed developers such as director Shigeru Ohmori to stick to an aggressive release schedule that doesn't account for the time it actually takes to complete games this big to a higher standard.Things go deeper than this, though. To a certain extent, Game Freak has chosen to make buggy games, rather than compromise on other parts of the development process. Having been given the choice between making polished but formulaic titles, and trying to innovate with each release at the cost of graphical and technical quality, Game Freak has chosen to focus on good gameplay over stability.The studio's stubborn refusal to expand beyond a relatively small core team means that the games are filled with good ideas - the kinds of ideas that can only be finessed by a team of people who are completely in unity and share excellent communication - means that Pokemon games have a solid foundation, but there is less time for polish.Ultimately, it's the belief of the higher-ups at Game Freak that players will excuse some bugs if the game is good, but won't be quite so forgiving if a game looks great but lacks a fundamentally enjoyable experience underneath all the flashy graphics.Is this true? That's up to you to decide.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:polygon.com/platform/amp/interviews/2019/10/24/20929597/game-freak-explains-the-1000-staff-missing-creatures-and-leek-size-of-pokemon-sword-and-shieldyoutube.com/watch?v=XuDNmKmO2zs https://www.gamesindustry.biz/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-is-the-second-biggest-pokemon-launch-of-all-time-uk-boxed-charts
Why Ed Sheeran is in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Video Game Story Time 2022-11-19 | Pokemon Scarlet and Violet may not have fancy pants graphics, but they do have got one thing: Ed Sheeran. The popular music man has contributed a song to the new game, primarily because he absolutely loves Pokemon and he just wants to be involved.In this video, we explore Sheeran's childhood playing Pokemon Yellow and Pokemon Silver with his brother. We learn about how much he enjoyed Pokemon Black, and we see a recreation of the Squirtle tattoo that he has on his elbow.We'll revisit his performance within Pokemon Go, and the time he got caught singing at a kareoke bar in Tokyo while wearing a Snorlax onesie.We'll take a brief detour to discover what UNDERTALE/DELTARUNE creator Toby Fox was given by way of inspiration when he was also asked to contribute music to the game.And, of course, we'll find out why Ed made a song for the game: basically, he met the developers at Game Freak, someone suggested he make a song, and he was very excited to take them up on the offer.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:twitter.com/tobyfox/status/1557503052487479297twitter.com/tobyfox/status/1532038920183205888twitter.com/edsheeran/status/47672230070583297twitter.com/edsheeran/status/1460638796697976841twitter.com/edsheeran/status/114356563447263232cnet.com/tech/gaming/pokemon-go-teams-with-ed-sheeran-for-an-in-game-performancepokemongolive.com/post/ed-sheeran-collabthesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/10272069/ed-sheeran-pokemon-karaoke-japanbillboard.com/music/pop/ed-sheeran-pokemon-song-celestial-squirtle-tattoo-1235144027eurogamer.net/that-pokemon-x-ed-sheeran-collab-song-will-be-in-scarlet-and-violettwitter.com/edsheeran/status/1575500821487579141rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ed-sheeran-pokemon-song-celestial-1234602327nme.com/news/music/ed-sheeran-to-release-new-single-celestial-in-collaboration-with-pokemon-3315975twitter.com/PokemonNewsUK/status/1575501702819909638youtube.com/watch?v=23g5HBOg3Icyoutube.com/watch?v=Q4TogkBl-gs
Why Sonic Co-Creator Yuji Naka got Arrested Video Game Story Time 2022-11-18 | Sonic co-creator Yuji Naka has been arrested over actions taken while he was in the employ of Square-Enix during the development of Balan Wonderworld.According to FNN, Naka used insider knowledge of Square-Enix's dealings with other companies to invest in one of their business partners, Aiming Inc, shortly before the announcement of Aiming's new game, Dragon Quest Tact.Due to the popularity of the Dragon Quest franchise, it was a safe bet that the stock prices for Aiming Inc was to receive increased attention from investors after the announcement, meaning that Naka's approximate $20,000 investment was set to increase in value significantly.It's important to note that these allegations are not confirmed, and that Naka is innocent until proven guilty. It's also worth noting that insider trading is a common issue within Japanese society, and that the Japanese Financial Services Authority is also busy trying to catch bankers and financial investors who are using insider trading with far larger amounts of money.That said, breaking the law with any amount of money should not be encouraged nor supported - insider trading is illegal for a reason, and particularly in Japan has a large negative impact on the entire financial market.These allegations are not a good look for a man who is currently attempting to sue Square-Enix, alleging poor mistreatment during the period of time that he is now accused of abusing his own position within the company for financial gain.Lots of love,BretonStripes & KotorPS: Our video on Ed Sheeran and Pokémon will be out over the weekend instead.
Why Sonic Frontiers has a Realistic Art Style Video Game Story Time 2022-11-14 | Sonic Frontiers is here, and the collective response from the gaming community is...it's complicated. Many Sonic fans love it, some people think it's pretty good, very few people outright hate it, which is the closest we've had to a collective agreement on a 3D Sonic game...ever? It's been a while since a Sonic game (that wasn't made by Stealth and Taxman) received near universal thumbs ups, even if some of the thumbs are noncommital in just how far up they're thrust.Bringing an open world to Sonic makes sense - which is why fan games have been doing it for years already at this point. What Sonic Frontiers does that fan games tend to avoid, though, is making this "open zone" environment as photo realistic as possible.There's a great deal of disagreement over what a Sonic game should look and feel like. What tone these games should strike. Sonic Team - especially the entire-based-in-Japan iteration of Sonic Team (as opposed to the SEGA Technical Institute of decades past) seems oddly fond of throwing a blue cartoon hedgehog into the "Real World" with games like Frontiers, but also Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) and, of course, the Sonic Adventure games.Why? What set of circumstances led Sonic Team to experiment with photo realism all those decades ago? When main rival Mario was bouncing around in a bright, colourful, but ultimately very simplistically designed cartoon Peach's castle grounds, SEGA made the deliberate choice to set 3D Sonic games in a world that looks a little more like regular Earth (albeit online slightly more like Earth, because let's face it, late '90s/early '00s consoles weren't going to give us true photo realism).The reason? SEGA had consoles to sell. While the big draw of the Mega Drive (or Genesis if you're a Yank) had been its (alleged) Blast Processing, the name of the game going into the Dreamcast era was realism.Hence, Sonic Adventure was designed using real photos for textures in an effort to make the game look like the pinnacle of computer graphics. Clearly someone at Sonic Team liked this approach, as it's always kind of stuck around in the periphery. Sure, we get games like Sonic Lost World and Sonic Heroes - decidedly cartoonish affairs. But Sonic Forces, both storybook Sonic games, and most notably Sonic '06 all strive for a level of realism with their world designs that you don't normally see form a mascot platformer.Which leads us to Sonic Frontiers, a game which is just shy of the moody, cloudy, atmospheric world design of something like Dear Esther. And in the middle of it all is a little blue cartoon hedgehog.We're not saying that's a bad thing. We're just interested to think about how we got here.Lots of love,BretonStripes and Kotor Source: pressreader.com/uk/retro-gamer/20181228/281659666135596
Toby Fox Reveals What His Bones Are Made Of Video Game Story Time 2022-11-11 | Toby Fox, the creator of UNDERTALE and DELTARUNE Chapters one and two, has a particular love of dogs. Big dogs, small dogs, any kind of dog really - canines feature prominently in all of his work thus far, and many characters, especially in DELTARUNE (Ralsei and Suzie jump to mind in particular) share more than a few attributes with dogs themselves.Plus, of course, Toby Fox insists that he is himself an Annoying Dog, having been bitten by one several years ago, and since having transformed, werewolf-style, into a dog himself.So where does this dog obsession come from?From Secret of Evermore.And, probably, from a number of other sources. Quirks like this don't tend to come from a single source.In his latest column for Famitsu magazine, Toby Fox has spoken extensively about a game by the name of Secret of Evermore, a Super Nintendo title which features the "groundbreaking" (Toby's word) mechanic in which you can play as a dog.In the article, Toby also reveals how the soundscape for Secret of Evermore, created by Skyrim and Knights of the Old Republic composer Jeremy Soule, inspired several of the songs that Toby created for UNDERTALE and DELTARUNE.He also reveals that his diet growing up consisted mainly of JRPGs, and that this is why his bones are weak - especially given that many of these games didn't see a Western release at the time.The source for this video is Famitsu magazing, there's a link below if you want to check it out, but bear in mind that it's in Japanese, so that may influence how much you get out of the article.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSource:bookwalker.jp/ded6127cd0-1504-4a0f-a186-d32902122725
So Persona 5 is Basically The Wizard of Oz Video Game Story Time 2022-11-10 | This video was sponsored by Brilliant. Keep exploring at http://brilliant.org/VideoGameStoryTime . Get started for free, and hurry—the first 200 people get 20% off an annual premium subscription.So Persona 5 Royal is finally on Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox, and PS5. Is it? This is good news for fans of Joker, Morgana, and the rest of the PHantom Thieves, but it's also good news for fans of The Wizard of Of, because Persona 5 borrows more than a little inspiration from the 1939 adaptation of L Frank Baum's modern fairy tale.It's not clear how much of this borrowing was intentional, but at least some of it was. One of the game's songs features a lyric which specifically refers to the Tinman from Oz, proof positive that at least someone working on this game recognised the link between these two stories.Both Persona 5 and The Wizard of Oz are about children standing up to corrupt adults. Both stories are about travelling into a subconscious world filled with mirror-images of people from the regular world. Both stories involve a protagonist who helps others along the way to achieving their goal of going home.This video features more than a little of Salman Rushdie's article on The Wizard of Oz from The New Yorker, which can be read in its entirety here: newyorker.com/magazine/1992/05/11/out-of-kansasMr Rushdie has yet to make a public statement about Persona 5 Royal on the Nintendo Switch, but, taking a stab in the dark, we have to assume that he would hate it.
Why Everyone Thought Bayonetta 3 Was a Mess (But Actually it Wasnt) Video Game Story Time 2022-11-04 | PlatinumGames' Bayonetta 3 has finally released on Nintendo Switch, and it's...fine, actually. Which is a surprise, given that fans and media outlets alike have been filled with doom and gloom for years over this supposed cancelled game.As early as two years into Bayonetta 3's six-year development period, key developers such as studio head Atsushi Inaba and executive director Hideki Kamiya have been forced to publicly state that, no, everything is fine, actually. Reports of the game's cancellation are greatly exaggerated.Perhaps it's something inherent to the Bayonetta series that makes fans think the worst. Certainly, these games exist in an uneasy limbo between Nintendo and Sega, with two big studios with very different approaches to game development needing to see eye-to-eye to make the project work. With much of the money for Bayonetta 3 coming from Nintendo, we can assume that the company wants to make sure their investment bears fruit - or else, the plug would be pulled entirely on the whole franchise.The good news is that apparently all the rights holders and various entities involved with Bayonetta 3's design have apparently done a solid job of collaborating and compromising on the game's final design. The result is a game that's met generally favourable reviews, no matter how many times journalists highlighted rumours that things were hectic behind the scenes.The most recent Bayonetta 3-related scandal, the public fued between original Bayonetta voice actor Hellena Taylor and PlatinumGames, is not a primary focus of this video. That said, we stand in solidarity with video game voice actors in their reports of poor pay that apparently seem to be widespread and all too common.As two creators who've always fancied giving voiceover work a try ourselves, this isn't exactly good news for us!Apologies, by the way, that this video went out a week late. The reason for this is: we are very, very tired. We also wanted to keep an eye on the Hellena Taylor situation before publishing a video about Bayonetta 3's development.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:videogameschronicle.com/news/bayonetta-3-has-an-unorthodox-development-process-says-platinumvideogameschronicle.com/news/platinum-games-explains-bayonetta-3s-e3-no-showwccftech.com/bayonetta-3-without-nintendotwitter.com/i/events/963271450370236416gematsu.com/2020/03/platinumgames-interview-with-atsushi-inaba-and-hideki-kamiya-at-pax-east-2020-the-wonderful-101-remastered-project-gg-and-tokyo-officevideogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/interview-platinumgames-on-next-gen-and-its-next-steps platinumgames.com/official-blog/article/11466ign.com/articles/bayonetta-3-voice-actorskotaku.com/niko-bellics-voice-voices-pay-concerns-5010170twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1584530997705515014?s=20&t=rdUxBjb09yjFMYheqNro7Qeurogamer.net/bayonetta-3-voice-actress-jennifer-hale-asks-fans-to-be-kinder-following-abusetheguardian.com/games/2022/oct/18/an-insult-video-game-voice-actors-speak-out-to-demand-fair-paycomicbook.com/gaming/news/bayonetta-3-nintendo-switch-twitter-reactionnintendolife.com/news/2022/01/bayonetta-3s-lead-designer-actually-left-platinumgames-two-years-ago
Why Chris Pratts Mario Sounds Like That Video Game Story Time 2022-10-07 | Let's call this one a reaction video of sorts. There's no tremendous original insight or anything, I'm sure you all already know about Mario's history as a Brooklynite in the Super Mario Bros Super Show and the original Super Mario Bros movie with Bob Hoskins.That said, I think it's interesting to point out WHY Mario being a New Yorker is so powerful within his story: why it matters to celebrate the Italian-American community, and, by extension, migrants from around the world.Because Mario's story is one of immigration: he arrives in the Mushroom Kingdom from some nebulous elsewhere (the "real world" if you will) and finds it in the midst of political strife. It's significant that Mario, as a newcomer to this country, is the one to fix its problems. It's also significant that the blue-collar plumber goes up against a king, the head Koopa himself, and defeats his entire army.There is, therfore, a hidden signifance to Mario's New York accent. It's a reflection of his journey as a fish-out-of-water, and it's a reference to the atmosphere in New York; a cultural melting pot where everyone is welcome.Indeed, it's because of New York's welcoming atmosphere that Nintendo was able to establish a base in America in the first place. It's because of New York's diverse population that the company was inspired to name this character Mario in the first place.Anyways, this video isn't particularly well thought out, but here's hoping you like it anyway!Matthew
Toby Fox Just Took Masahiro Sakurais Old Job Video Game Story Time 2022-10-05 | Toby Fox has taken a job as the new Masahiro Sakurai, and he's already filling everything with hot dogs, because of course he is.Last year, Masahiro Sakurai stepped down from his regular column with Famitsu magazine. For years, Sakurai used this column to discuss game development, as well as his thoughts on various games that he'd been playing.Of course, this column was often the source of much speculation among Smash Bros fans who were hoping to get an insight into which characters might get included in Fighters Pass DLC. Sometimes, this proved accurate, while some fans are still waiting for an Among Us costume that just isn't happening.With Sakurai no longer doing the column, Famitsu has found a replacement... Toby Fox. The creator of Undertale and Deltarune Chapters 1 and 2 has filled a two page spread within the magazine with pictures of his avatar, Annoying Dog.The game he's been playing recently that he discusses in the column is none other than Tokimeki Memorial, a dating simulator that, while very popular within Japan, has never received an official English language translation.Thankfully, the game has been translated by fans, and a translation patch can be found here: https://www.translated.games/snes/heartthrobWhile Toby Fox's column is also region-locked, again, this first instalment has been translated by fans: in this case, us. Please enjoy a loose translation of the fun of a dating simulator in which you try to romance a hot dog girl.Thanks, Toby Fox. Things are never dull when you're around.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSource for this video: Famitsu magazine issue 1763, which can be purchased here (bear in mind that it's in Japanese): bookwalker.jp/de0d45b5ad-a093-49ca-9a66-38cb79d8d59cFor an update on the progress of Deltarune Chapters 3-5, visit the Deltarune website deltarune.com/update-092022
Why I Sold My Steam Deck to Buy a Switch OLED Video Game Story Time 2022-09-23 | Use my link to install BLOODLINE for Free: app.adjust.com/dyu6pju_v21qbkz& Get an exclusive starter pack that has now been upgraded to 200 Diamonds, 2 Summoning Crystals and 5 Stamina Potions worth $30 [Available only for the next 30 days]--I was one of the first people to pre-order a Valve Steam Deck. Announced just after the Switch OLED model, I knew that I needed to choose one or the other of these devices, and I figured, hey' I've already got a Switch. I'll try the portable PC.As soon as I got it out of the box, I realised that the Stead Deck simply didn't meet my needs. There's nothing wrong with it; no major flaw in its design. It simply doesn't suit my lifestyle and the things I need from a gaming device.By contrast, in the lead-up to the release of Splatoon 3, it became clear that my family actually needed a new Nintendo Switch. One that would allow for play on the television, so that my daughter could play games online while being observed by grown-ups.So, having tried and tried to get along with the Steam Deck to no avail, I did what needed to be done: I sold my Steam Deck, and bought a Splatoon 3 Switch OLEN Model.It was, in retrospect, a very wise decision.Kotor (http://twitter.com/kotorcomics)
Did Nintendo Think Tears of the Kingdom is Offensive? Video Game Story Time 2022-09-15 | So, uh...did anyone at Nintendo actually delay revealing the name Tears of the Kingdom in the UK because they thought those mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II would find the new Zelda game offensive?Because, if so, that's very sweet, but British people don't really work that way.The latest Nintendo Direct showcased a lot of games - Pikmin 4, a bunch of different farming sims, and absolutely nothing about Metroid 4 - but the crowning jewel of the presentation was the announcement of the official name of the sequel to Breath of the Wild.Sure, some people were holding out hope for more announcements - such as Wind Waker and Twilight Princess on Switch - but c'est la vie. 'Twasn't meant to be.In a very odd move, though, Nintendo elected not to livestream the Direct presentation in the UK, instead making it available as a Video on Demand at 4pm, mere minutes after the rest of the world learned about Tears of the Kingdom.Considering that many Brits, ourselves included, simply watched the US livestream instead, this didn't seem to achieve very much.It was only after the name Tears of the Kingdom was revealed that commenters began speculating - did Nintendo worry that UK viewers might think the name was a reference to the Queen?This we don't know for certain, but as to whether or not Brits will be offended by the new Zelda game's official title, the short answer is that most British people probably wouldn't have noticed the connection unless Nintendo hadn't drawn attention to it.But, let's be honest. That's not the real purpose of this video.The real reason we made this is so we could quote Master Oogway at the end. Yesterday's history, tomorrow's a myster. Today is a gift - that's why it is called the present.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources for this video:ign.com/articles/nintendo-uk-wont-livestream-tomorrows-direct-as-a-mark-of-respect-for-the-late-queentwitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1569326012156059649yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/the-queen-and-paddington-royal-parks-urge-public-not-to-leave-marmalade-sandwiches-as-tributes-to-protect-wildlife-3840657 ign.com/articles/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-2-official-title-secret Check out Thomas Game Docs' video on a Nintendo game that DID upset British people here: youtube.com/watch/oT3NvuTLgM0
Why Nintendo CANT Raise the Switch Console Price Video Game Story Time 2022-09-02 | Life is getting more expensive, but one thing is staying just as affordable as ever: the Nintendo Switch. Okay, so maybe this isn't all that affordable to everyone, but in the light of Sony announcing a European price increase for the PlayStation 5, a Nintendo spokesperson insists that the Switch will not receive a similar price hike in the near future.This is likely in part because trying to make small increases to the price of Nintendo devices has gone very poorly in the past. The 3DS is proof of how a small change to a trade price can have wide-reaching negative effects.Reggie Fils-Aime explained in his autobiography, Disrupting the Game, how Satoru Iwata wanted a $219 or $229 price point for the 3DS, but this would have created problems with retailers, who would have increased the price to maximise their small profit margin. Thus, Nintendo consoles are always sold at a recommended retail price in multiples of $50 or 50 Euros (this rule doesn't apply in all markets, for example, Britain).That said, Nintendo may eventually need to recoup some higher costs from manufacturing and shipping, as well as the challenges of unfavourable exchange rates due to high inflation throughout Europe.Thus far, Sony has suffered worst from this, due to the aggressive price point at which the PlayStation 5 is sold. What happens next is anybody's guess.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources:Disrupting the Game by Reggie Fils-Aimevideogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-says-it-has-no-plans-to-increase-the-switch-priceeurogamer.net/nintendo-responds-to-playstation-price-hike independent.co.uk/tech/ps5-playstation-5-sony-buy-b2135874.htmlsony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/er/pdf/22q1_sonyspeech.pdf
Why Kirbys Dream Buffet is So Different Video Game Story Time 2022-08-19 | Kirby's Dream Buffet is the latest in a long line of oddball, bizarre Kirby spin-off titles that all fundamentally rethink the way the pink puffball controls and plays. For years, HAL Laboratory has been pumping out Kirby titles with very little connection to each other in terms of gameplay, in a seemingly never-ending line of diverse, unusual spin-offs.Why?Well, according to developers at HAL Laboratory, most notably longtime series overseer Shinya Kumazaki, these spin-off games are more than just an exercise in branding. They're an opportunity to train up younger developers; a space to give them the freedom to try out new game design ideas, and to practice and experiment with concepts that can then be brought back into the core Kirby platformer series.It's a strategy that certainly seems to be working. Between Kirby's Dream Buffet and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, there's certainly a lot of Kirby goodwill in the air at the moment!Lots of love,BretonStripes (http://twitter.com/bretonstriped) and Kotor (http://twitter.com/kotorcomics)Sources:nintendoeverything.com/hal-laboratory-planning-for-the-next-stage-of-kirbygonintendo.com/archives/307009-hal-discusses-the-design-process-of-kirby-games-spin-off-titles-difficulty-and-halweb.archive.org/web/20220428044659/nintendoeverything.com/kirby-design-director-wants-to-make-a-non-action-spin-off-says-therell-be-a-lot-of-variety-in-the-futurebleedingcool.com/games/kirby-design-director-would-like-to-make-a-new-spin-offkotaku.com/approachable-yet-deep-the-designers-goal-for-new-kirby-1833970471
The Real Stray Cat That Inspired Stray Video Game Story Time 2022-08-12 | To get an exclusive discount on a two year plan of NordPass with one month free, visit http://nordpass.com/storytimeStray is a game that our family loved, but drawing is hard right now because Kotor has hurt his wrists (he works too hard), so our video about an AI world filled with computers mimicking humans is actually drawn by a computer mimicking humans. That seemed fitting.Stray will probably be our family's game of the year, because our seven-year-old (yes, she's seven now) absolutely loves it. So much, in fact, that nobody else has been allowed to play! The team at BlueTwelve Studio clearly did something right!In interviews, the team has spoken about how the game's eponymous stray is based on a real cat, Mertaugh, who was adopted by studio heads Viv and Koola after he was discovered under a car.The weird robot city is also based on a real place: the infamous Walled City of Kowloon in Hong Kong, which was demolished in 1994, but which was genuinely an enclosed, densely populated skyscraper city. It didn't have as many robots as the city in Stray, of course.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources:vg247.com/stray-previewweb.archive.org/web/20220722082633/ftw.usatoday.com/2022/06/stray-blue-twelve-interview-kowlooninverse.com/gaming/stray-cat-game-robots-interviewthemarysue.com/stray-meet-the-real-life-cat-who-inspired-the-hit-indie-games-protagonistblog.playstation.com/2022/07/15/getting-to-know-strays-leading-feline-out-july-19
Daisy is Coming To Mario Strikers: Battle League Football Yay Video Game Story Time 2022-07-19 | Why Nintendo Always Ignores Daisy: youtu.be/Uc1bbFntl5AIn before people start telling us our old video is outdated. We knew it would be.
What Went Wrong With Sonic Origins Video Game Story Time 2022-07-08 | Please consider donating to Simon Thomley's Patreon, because he deserves it: patreon.com/HCStealthSonic Origins is not enjoying a warm reception from the fan community. The removal of the "Michael Jackson" music in Sonic 3 upset some people, while glitches and bugs (such as the infamous Tails jump noise glitch) have bothered others.We should point out that some people are having a great time with the game, it's a matter of personal taste how much the bugs bother any individual player.One individual player who is certainly very bothered by the glitches is Simon Thomley, one of the developers who worked on the game. Alongside Christian Whitehead he created the widescreen mobile remakes of Sonics 1, 2, and CD, which are all included in this collection. Along with his team, Headcannon, he also helped create the Sonic 3 & Knuckles remake that is in the game.Except, Simon Thomley says that the version of the game that his team delivered to SEGA is not quite the same as the version of the game that is in the finished Sonic Origins collection. Thomley blames bugs on a rushed development cycle, and while he's quick to insist that SEGA of America and Takashi Iizuka are not to blame, it does sound like management decisions from on high had an impact on the quality of the final collection.Personally, we're inclined to believe Thomley, as it's difficult to find a more dedicated and passionate Sonic fan. Sadly, Thomley's had a difficult time since finishing Sonic Mania, and it's a shame to see him so frustrated with a game he clearly put so much work into.The source for this video (Thomley's tweets) can be seen here: twitter.com/HCStealthIf you'd like to play another Simon Thomley game (one that SEGA didn't rush out the door), consider trying out Pier Pressure on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1386160/Pier_PressureThank you all, and have a lovely dayMatthew (http://twitter.com/kotorcomics)
Why Persona 5 is FINALLY on Switch Video Game Story Time 2022-06-28 | Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable are all coming to Switch! And also to Xbox and PlayStation and PC, but statistically speaking, if you're looking at this, then you're probably more interested in Nnintendo Switch.All platforms are good, whichever one you're enjoying the most, that's the best one. Also, unless your favourite is the Dreamcast or something, there's a good chance you're getting Persona games in the near future, and that's great news for everyone.Apparently Atlus took some convincing before dropping all of these hot and fresh game ports onto so many systems. SEGA had to push hard for the company to allow this, and even then, Atlus wanted to make sure that a) there was a genuine interest in Persona ports, and b) that they could make high quality ports that would leave customers satisfied.Early offerings such as Catherine and Persona 4 Golden on Steam are a large part of Atlus now feeling confident enough to give us more Persona on more platforms.We're not saying that there weren't any behind-the-scenes wranglings between platform owners, or other factors involved with the decision to put P5R, P4G, and P3P on Switch and Xbox and stuff. We're just saying that this was a factor.Anyway, here's hoping you're having a brilliant day and that you watched the recent Nintendo Direct Mini.Lots of love,BretonStripes and KotorSources: attackofthefanboy.com/news/atlus-brand-manager-discusses-all-things-persona-in-recent-interviewpersonacentral.com/atlus-interview-joker-smash-p3-p4-projects-futurepersonacentral.com/atlus-interview-35-year-history-future-teasevideogameschronicle.com/news/an-atlus-survey-is-asking-if-it-should-bring-persona-to-xbox pcgamesn.com/persona-pc-port-atluspcgamesn.com/persona-6-pcdualshockers.com/persona-6-ps4-pc-switchpersonacentral.com/atlus-usa-player-survey-portsatlus.com/atlus-and-emulationpcgamer.com/uk/yakuza-and-persona-are-on-that-list-of-games-sega-want-to-bring-to-pcshacknews.com/article/117566/persona-5-royal-is-not-confirmed-for-pc-yet-says-sega?amphtml=1pcgamer.com/sega-now-considers-yakuza-a-multi-platform-seriespcgamer.com/catherine-classic-is-out-now-on-pc-and-more-atlus-games-could-followmobile.twitter.com/Wario64/status/1270454802246299648twitter.com/persona_central/status/1167664716560441346?s=21game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1204584.htmlhttp://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/06/there_is_no_plan_to_bring_persona_5_royal_to_other_consoles_atlus_reiteratesuk.ign.com/articles/keep-fighting-for-persona-5-on-switch-atlus-sayspersonacentral.com/atlus-nintendo-switch-ports-persona-smt-etrian-odysseytwitter.com/Atlus_jp/status/1226751522144260096
