Latest news with #Nintendo3DS
Business Mayor
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
Bravely Default HD Remaster shows the party potential of Switch 2's mouse controls
If I had to describe 2012's Bravely Default , the very last term I'd use is 'party game.' In fact, the Nintendo 3DS RPG is the anti party game. It's a long, winding adventure that requires a tremendous amount of patience to get through. So it came as a bit of a surprise when the first thought I had after demoing its upcoming Switch 2 version, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster , is that it really sells the party potential of Nintendo's new console. That's not because the RPG has changed in any way; it more has to do with its new side content. During a hand-on demo, I tried my hand at the remaster's two new minigames, which are available as bonuses from the main menu. Both are designed to use the Switch 2's mouse controls in incredibly clever ways that left me even more eager to see what developers can do with the unique two joy-con scheme. I only had a brief amount of time to try the remaster, so I opted to jump straight into the new content rather than the main game. If you're curious, though, expect more of a straight remaster than a remake here with one big caveat. Everything has been reworked to compress the two-screen game to one. Otherwise, you're mostly getting smoother visuals that clean up the 3DS' jagged edges. That brings it much more in line with 2021's Bravely Default 2 . Squ But enough of that: Let's talk minigames. The first one I tried, Luxencheer Rhythm Catch, was a music game built around mouse controls. Here, I wasn't simply pressing buttons on beat alongside music from the game. Bubbles popped forward and I'd have to more or less pop them at the right time by sliding my two controllers around. A line linked my pointers on screen and I'd need to make sure that it cut through the bubbles to pop them at the right moment. When colorful flowers appeared on screen, I'd have to slide my corresponding Joy-con over to it and hold the trigger to hit the beat. And when a line appeared on screen, I'd have to drag both of my controllers to the center of it to properly hit the beat. All of this felt like a great Mario Party minigame. I had to move my hands carefully, as the Switch 2's mouse controls are remarkably precise. One false move and I'd risk sliding a hand up too far, causing the line between my pointers to miss a bubble. It's a clever spin on a traditional rhythm game that makes for a refreshing little diversion from a dense RPG. The second minigame, Ringabel's Panic Cruise, gets even more mileage out of the mouse controls. Here, I had to pilot my airship through a set of rings. Simple enough. I controlled the vessel from a cockpit view, using a wheel to steer and a lever to rise up or down. I could control each independently with my mice, sliding them around to steer the ship properly. That task is complicated by the fact that my crew occasionally asks me to manage the ship by using a control panel around my wheel. At one point, I need to replace a fuse by grabbing one from the side of the screen and replacing a dead one. Later, I'm asked to make sure some switches are working, dial up a specific number on a panel, and grab a flyswatter to fend off some pesky flies – a bit of an homage to Mario Paint perhaps. Of course, I need to do all of that while steering the ship. Square Enix It's a bit like a single-player version of Spaceteam combined with Wii U hidden gem Affordable Space Adventures . It's a juggling act that required me to do two or three things at once, creating some comedic chaos as I rushed to complete a task and quickly steer the ship straight again. It's only a small side-game, but it's one that really sells me on just how much creativity developers could pull out of a two-mouse control scheme if they're willing to experiment. I especially want to see that pay off in party games. At the end of my demo, I asked if I could try to play the rhythm game with two players operating one set of Joy-cons. I grabbed the left and a friend controlled the right. We both had to work together to position our mice as we tried a song on hard mode, a difficulty that increases how quickly the prompts pop up on screen. It was about as silly as you can imagine, as we both tried to work around one another's movements when the other was out of position. I hope to see that energy carry over to series like WarioWare, because there's some real co-op party potential in these two minigames. I'd love to see experimental games in the vein of Snipperclips on Switch 2 early in its lifespan, showing us exactly what the platform can do that no other can. Until then, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster will do as a small appetizer pinned on to a beloved RPG. These small games may not be enough of a reason on their own to grab the double dip, but they're fun launch day extras that will get your imagination buzzing early. Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster launches on June 5 for Nintendo Switch 2.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nintendo Switch 2 Backward Compatibility Explained
Switch 2 lacks perfect backward compatibility due to a hybrid software emulator/hardware compatibility approach. The compatibility list for Switch games on Switch 2 is constantly changing and may require game updates. Physical Switch cartridges can be used in the Switch 2, but SD cards from the original Switch won't work. The Switch 2 is coming. Pre-orders are open (oops, they're sold out!) and everyone is gearing up for Nintendo's latest console to release in June 2025. Of course, this brings up the important point of what happens with your existing Switch game collection. How backwards compatible is the Switch 2 with original Switch content? Luckily, Nintendo itself has given us just about all the information we need. The first thing you should know is that the Switch 2 does not have perfect, native compatibility with Switch games. In a developer interview it was revealed that the Switch 2 uses "something that's somewhere in between a software emulator and hardware compatibility." This is in contrast with, for example, the Nintendo 3DS or Wii consoles. These consoles were able to play games from the previous generation because they contained hardware from those consoles. Similar to how the PlayStation 2 had a PlayStation 1 chip inside to play PS1 games. This is not the approach taken with the Switch 2. While the new console is still using the same CPU architecture, there's only partial hardware compatibility with the game code, with the rest handled through emulation or compatibility layer methods. We don't know the exact nuts and bolts, but that's the gist of it. Because there isn't perfect 1:1 hardware compatibility, it means that Switch games are not guaranteed to work on the Switch 2. Nintendo maintains a compatibility list, with this being the state on April 1st, 2025. This list is being updated as more data becomes available, and I suspect many developers will be patching their Switch games to be more compatible with the Switch 2 as time goes by. However, as it stands, you can't actually replace a Switch with a Switch 2 yet. While Nintendo and game developers are still trying to crack the nut of compatibility on the software side of the equation, at least the physical hardware for Switch media is compatible. This means that you can take any of your current Switch cartridges, and put them into a Switch 2. Whether the actual game will run correctly is an open question at this point, but it's good to know that your physical collection might be ported over in principle. If, like me, you invested in a large and expensive microSD card for your Switch, you may be disappointed to know that you won't have the option of using it on the Switch 2. Instead, the Switch 2 will only work with the more expensive microSD Express standard of cards. This is completely understandable, since standard microSD cards simply aren't fast enough for next-generation Switch 2 games. However, I think it would have been nice to have the option to keep original Switch games on a standard microSD card, the same way a PlayStation 5 lets you play PS4 games from a USB hard drive. I guess if you have to keep your original Switch to maintain access to all your games, it's a moot point. If you are planning on getting a Switch 2, it's probably a good idea to invest in a microSD Express card now, since the demand for these cards will likely skyrocket along with prices, once the Switch 2 is selling at full tilt. While there's no confirmation of this officially, I assume that original Switch games that have unlocked frame rates and dynamic resolution scaling will simply max out those numbers when running on the Switch 2. Likewise, games that suffered from low frame rates which work on Switch 2, will likely now hit their intended frame rate targets. Again, this is unconfirmed, but I think pretty obvious and likely. However, if you want original Switch games that take full (or near to it) advantage of the new hardware, you'll have to pay for the privilege. These "Switch 2 Edition" versions of games will be sold at full retail price on Switch 2 cartridges. However, if you already own a copy of the game, you can pay a lower upgrade fee. I suspect the upgrade fee will vary by game, but right now it seems that $19.99 is what it will typically cost for a first-party Switch game. Again, there's no official confirmation of this, but third-party games may charge a different, much lower fee for upgrades. At least, that's what I hope! What sort of advantages will these Switch 2 editions offer? It's going to vary by game, but we can probably expect better asset quality, much higher resolutions, and options for higher frame rates than were possible before. Based on what I've seen so far, these are essentially light to moderate remasters of these games, so whether the $19.99 fee is worth it will depend on how much you value what's changed in the updated version. Certainly, for Switch owners with large first-party game collections, it's probably not financially viable to upgrade all your games, especially if you're happy with how they looked and ran before on the OG Switch. The Switch offers access to classic Nintendo (and Sega!) games through a subscription service, using emulation. This is backwards compatibility of a sort, though I do wish they'd just let us buy the specific games we want rather than putting them behind a subscription fee. Again, I have no confirmation of this as of this writing, but I suspect all the current systems that are available via emulation on the Switch will also be on the Switch 2. What we do know, is that the Switch 2 will include GameCube emulation, and there's even an official controller for those games you can buy. Right now, the Switch 2 backwards compatibility situation isn't looking as rosy as I, and many of you, may have hoped. However, it's worth remembering that there were similar doubts about the PlayStation 5 leading up to its release, and by and large it's never been an issue. There are still a few months left before Nintendo's new console arrives as I write this, so here's hoping that the compatibility list shapes up quickly.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Square Enix Announces Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster Are Coming to Nintendo Switch™ 2
Play Two Acclaimed RPGs Anywhere on the Highly Anticipated Nintendo System LOS ANGELES, April 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During the Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 presentation today, SQUARE ENIX® announced two critically acclaimed RPGs, FINAL FANTASY™ VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and BRAVELY DEFAULT™ FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster, are coming to the highly anticipated system. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is the expanded edition of the first entry in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project and includes an additional story arc that takes place during the game's events. BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster revives the beloved Nintendo 3DS title with updated graphics and new minigames for gamers to discover. Nintendo's latest system will allow fans to play Square Enix's blockbuster RPGs on the go with enhanced graphics and upgraded textures on the system's larger screen. To view today's FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE Nintendo Switch 2 announcement segment, visit: To view the BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster Nintendo Switch 2 trailer, visit: In FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, players follow the story of ex-SOLDIER operative turned mercenary, Cloud Strife, as he lends his aid to the underground resistance group Avalanche in the mako-powered city of Midgar. In the fight against the shadowy Shinra Electric Power Company, Cloud and his comrades are thrust into a larger conflict to determine the fate of the planet. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE also includes an exhilarating original story arc, FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, which brings Wutai ninja Yuffie Kisaragi to the forefront as she infiltrates the city of Midgar during the events of the base game. With over seven million copies shipped and sold digitally worldwide on the PlayStation and PC platforms, this upcoming release marks the series' debut on a Nintendo system, giving a new audience of players a chance to experience 2020's The Game Awards RPG of the Year* for the first time ever. Originally released in 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS, BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster brings the unforgettable story, iconic characters designed by Akihiko Yoshida (FINAL FANTASY TACTICS, NieR:Automata™) and innovative "Brave & Default" turn-based battle system to the current generation of gamers for the Nintendo Switch 2 system. The HD remaster features updated graphics and new content, perfect for long-time fans to revisit the world of Luxendarc and for newcomers alike. BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster is set in Luxendarc, a world where four elemental crystals maintain peace and balance. When darkness suddenly emerges from the Great Chasm that left a gaping void in the world, the warriors of light will embark on an adventure to save the world from calamity. Players will join Agnès Oblige, the vestal of the Wind Crystal, Tiz Arrior, a kind shepherd and sole survivor of the Great Chasm that engulfed his hometown, Edea Lee, the only daughter of the grand marshal of the Duchy of Eternia, Ringabel, an amnesiac young man with a mysterious journal that has chronicled future events and Airy, a cryst-fairy, on an epic journey to restore light to the crystals and bring peace to the world. Players can work strategically to control the flow of battle with its innovative "Brave & Default" battle system: Brave to expend Brave Points to increase the number of actions taken in turn, and Default to stock up a turn while shoring up defenses. With the game's job system that features over 20 unique jobs, players can mix and match different jobs and abilities to experiment with a huge variety of party compositions. Thrilling turn-based battles, which can be sped up by the player as desired, are enhanced further by a larger-than-life soundtrack from Revo making BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster a can't miss for RPG enthusiasts. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB and is in development for Nintendo Switch 2. For more information, visit: BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB and will be available on June 5, 2025 on Nintendo Switch 2. For more information, visit: *PS4 version Related Links: FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE:Official Website: X (previously Twitter): TikTok: Facebook: Threads: YouTube: Instagram: #FinalFantasy #FF7R BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster:Official Website: X (previously Twitter): TikTok: Facebook: Threads: YouTube: Instagram: #BravelyDefault About BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster BRAVELY DEFAULT, originally released in 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS, is the first RPG in the landmark BRAVELY franchise, which has sold over 3 million units worldwide. Telling a classic fantasy tale of crystals and warriors of light, the title is known for its deceptively simple storyline and iconic Brave & Default battle system, in addition to its character designs by Akihiko Yoshida and music composed by Revo. Developed by Team Asano, the game serves as a point of genesis for the critically acclaimed Octopath Traveler series. An HD remaster redesigned to be played comfortably on modern consoles will be released exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. About FINAL FANTASY VII First released in 1997 on the PlayStation® computer entertainment system, FINAL FANTASY VII celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2022. The game is universally regarded as a hallmark title of the RPG genre. The original title received high praise for its epic storyline, unique characters, and movie sequences that utilized the most cutting-edge technology of the time. Since then, the game revolving around iconic hero, Cloud Strife and his pursuit of the antagonist Sephiroth has sold over 14.4 million copies worldwide and continues to receive widespread acclaim from critics and fans around the world. The popular game has even expanded into spin-offs, films and merchandise. Now, Square Enix's FINAL FANTASY VII remake project created by a team of original and new developers, retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct, and standalone games. The first game of the trilogy, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE is now available on the PC and the PS5® console, and will be available for the Nintendo Switch 2 platform. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the second game in the trilogy, has been praised by both players and critics across the globe, earning more than 125 perfect scores from media and 40 Game of the Year awards, and is available now for PC and the PS5® console. About Square Enix, Inc. Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY™, which has sold over 200 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 94 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at © SQUARE ENIX FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE © SQUARE ENIXCHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA / ROBERTO FERRARILOGO ILLUSTRATION:© YOSHITAKA AMANO BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster © SQUARE ENIX "PlayStation" and "PS5" are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. View source version on Contacts Contact (press only): Emily Shojieshoji@ Rachel Mascettirmascetti@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Tomodachi Life sequel sparks debate as Nintendo introduces same-sex relationships
Nintendo has officially announced Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, a long-awaited sequel to the popular life-simulation game, set for release in 2026 on the Nintendo Switch. This installment introduces major updates, including same-sex relationship options—a response to past criticism regarding the franchise's lack of LGBTQ+ representation. The original Tomodachi Life, released in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS, faced backlash for excluding same-sex relationships, prompting Nintendo to address inclusivity concerns in future titles. The announcement of Living the Dream has sparked widespread discussion among fans, with many celebrating the progressive update while others debate its impact on the game's core experience. In addition to Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Nintendo also unveiled Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the highly anticipated continuation of the Metroid series. The latest trailer showcased protagonist Samus Aran wielding new psychic abilities, signaling a fresh direction for the sci-fi franchise. Fan reactions to both announcements have been overwhelmingly positive, with gamers excited to see beloved franchises return with modern updates. The inclusion of same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream marks a significant step for Nintendo toward greater inclusivity in gaming, aligning with broader industry trends. its so fucking funny to me they put This at the very end of the tomodachi life trailer teasing gay romance options like its a smash character — Kale Chip 🦑💙🌙 (@seafoodchip) March 27, 2025 'We apologize for disappointing many people by failing to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life. if we create a next installment in the Tomodachi series…design a game-play experience …that is more inclusive…' Then does that team these two are hinting at,,,y'know😳 — Senpai (@_CSenpai_) March 27, 2025 With Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on the horizon, Nintendo is set to deliver some of its most anticipated titles in 2026, cementing its legacy as a leader in the gaming world.
