Latest news with #MarioPaint
Metro
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Donkey Kong Bananza's sculpture mode is like a sequel to Mario Paint
The next big Nintendo Switch 2 game has a mode inspired by Mario Paint, and some unexpected connectivity with the original Switch. Nintendo delivered a blowout for Donkey Kong Bananza during its latest Direct, but along with the reveal of Pauline as a co-op companion, it had some other surprises. Between the reveal of ostrich-style power-ups and Cranky Kong from the Rare game, Nintendo debuted a mode called DK Artist, where you sculpt rock statues and customise them using the Switch 2's mouse controls. When the Switch 2's mouse functionality was originally revealed, many expected Nintendo to apply them to some kind of spiritual successor to 1992's Mario Paint on the SNES, and it appears this is exactly what DK Artist is. As shown in the Direct presentation, you can carve sculptures out of rocks, coat them with paint, add dramatic lightning, and spruce them up with decorative bananas. While the clip mostly shows off a sculpture of Donkey Kong's face, recreations of Mario and Bowser are also shown, along with a surprisingly detailed pizza slice. However, there was no mention of whether these can be shared online (although it's not hard to imagine the sordid creations certain corners of the internet will conjure up). Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Beyond DK Artist, Donkey Kong Bananza sports a two-player mode where one person shoots 'vocal blasts' as Pauline to destroy enemies and rocks. It looks akin to the two-player setup in Super Mario Galaxy, where another player could shoot star bits with the Wii Remote. However, this seems like the secondary player has a more impactful role on the action, instead of just making Goombas dizzy. Crucially, Nintendo revealed you can play this mode online with other Switch 2 systems using GameShare. You can also play this mode in local co-op between Switch 2 consoles, and more interestingly, with someone who has an original Switch. More Trending It's unclear how well this will run, but it means Donkey Kong Bananza is the first Switch 2 exclusive to have GameShare compatibility with the original console. Mario Kart World doesn't support the feature at all, even if you want to share the game between Switch 2 systems. It remains to be seen if this will be a feature in other Switch 2 games moving forward, but it's a cool quirk for those who want to try Donkey Kong Bananza but haven't yet upgraded to the next console yet. Elsewhere in the presentation, Nintendo showed off an Assist Mode which enables easier navigation through Pauline's singing and halves the damage you receive. A new Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo was revealed too, which is set to launch alongside the game on July 17, 2025. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Borderlands 4 hands-on preview and interview – 'some people have a negative reaction to the tone' MORE: The Witcher 3: Complete Edition is less than £7 in new PlayStation sale MORE: Stellar Blade dev gifts Switch 2 to staff as Nintendo port rumoured
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What Is a Nintendo Switch 2 Mouse Good For? Lots!
With a first look at the Switch 2, Nintendo practically confirmed a longstanding rumor: the Switch 2 would have mouse functionality in its Joy-Con. So what could such a feature be used for? We have some ideas. Could we finally be seeing a return of the much-loved Mario Paint series? It's been over thirty years since SNES owners picked up their mice and painted with the plumber, but the new Joy-Con could give us the perfect excuse. A painting game would be a perfect pack-in, giving all Switch 2 owners the opportunity to experiment with their Joy-Con as pointer controllers. And the sharing possibilities for art we might create are worlds ahead of what was available in the pre-internet age. There's even the potential for collaborative artwork, locally, via Wi-Fi, or over the internet. Mouse control would provide better accuracy, which is essential for quality artwork. There's also the possibility of dual control, with one Joy-Con providing brush adjustments and one moving the pointer. Many other games that aren't focused on art feature some kind of drawing feature which a mouse would improve significantly. Mario Maker, for example... The original Mario Maker actually began as a Mario Paint experiment before evolving into something entirely unique. Super Mario Maker on the Wii U gave us the power to build our own Mario levels, but its Switch sequel was slightly let down by inferior touchscreen controls. Since the Switch lacks a way of casting gameplay without using the dock, that touchscreen tablet cannot be used in quite the same way. The Switch 2 can rectify this if it offers Mario Maker 3 with full mouse control—especially if the rumors that the secret 'C'Joy-Con button will be for casting turn out to be true. Dragging elements around the screen is much more convenient than selecting them with a controller, and on a full-screen monitor or TV, this could be the best Mario Maker experience yet! Mario Maker 2 lets you create simple drawings to leave as a digital calling card for levels you've played. A mouse would let gamers create much more sophisticated artwork. Taking the concept to levels themselves, Mario Maker 3 could even feature customizable background artwork or even custom sprites. Since 2003, the WarioWare series has entertained us with zany micro-games built around bizarre interactions. Nintendo really explores its fun, surreal side with the games on offer: from nose-picking and armpit-shaving to broomstick-balancing. WarioWare: Smooth Moves made great use of the Wii Remote, and WarioWare: Move It! used the Joy-Con's motion controls to their full effect, even finding time to support the IR camera too. Optical sensors should add another dimension to the next installment, with fine-grained controls helping to support target-based games. The Joy-Con sliding motion also feels like it might be perfect for inflating tires, pumping plungers, or peeling bananas, perhaps? If you're serious about your gaming, you've probably invested in a quality gaming mouse. The best devices include highly accurate sensors, high polling rates, and even more buttons than a pro controller! The Switch 2 Joy-Con will be on the simpler end of the mouse scale—if Nintendo offers the mouse control we're all assuming they will. But, even with a base level of mouse support, there's no reason Nintendo can't lean into the idea further and offer full support for Bluetooth or even USB mice. Such a move would bring the Switch up to standard alongside Xbox and PlayStation consoles, allowing it to compete more closely with previously-overlooked types of games. Who knows, maybe one day we'll even get full mouse and keyboard control for every console game, as standard. The Switch has a huge library of games from every genre you can think of. But it's no surprise the system isn't particularly popular with fans of simulations, competitive first-person shooters, and strategy games. Certain types of games just benefit from the fast response and accurate controls that only a mouse can provide. True, other aspects—notably performance—have held the Switch back from running some of the latest and greatest games, but poor mouse support is a significant factor. Although the Switch technically supports mouse controls, few games do. As soon as mice become commonplace, however, that is bound to change. Nintendo has a commanding monopoly of family-friendly games and its own much-loved IP. However, a common complaint against the Switch has been its poor support of third-party titles, especially AAA games that require more power. Mouse support could be one small step towards greater acceptance by other publishers. What about the games we haven't yet thought of? New Nintendo consoles often introduce entirely new ways to play, from motion-controlled sports games on the Wii to dual-screen games on the DS. Nintendo often likes to show off its playful side with party games and novel experiences. 1-2-Switch, Nintendo Labo, and Ring Fit Adventure demonstrated the Switch's capability. Nintendo could easily show off its Joy-Con mice with games like air hockey, rowing, or rope climbing. I, for one, really want to see some advanced udder-squeezing tech in the sequel to 1-2-Switch. Some retro games also used innovative controls that could be resurrected. Joy-Con Pong, anyone? Away from games and painting apps, the Switch's very own OS could benefit hugely from proper mouse controls. Just scrolling through a larger library, organizing games into groups, or navigating the eShop could all be more pleasant experiences. Since the Switch 2 will offer backward compatibility, many owners will be starting off with a huge existing library, one that will only grow over time. The more games you have, and the more features your Switch provides, the more it feels like a computer, one that will benefit from more powerful controls. Mouse support is just one of the big changes that the new console introduces over the original. Find out how else the Switch 2 can differentiate itself from the original.
