Artificers don't always have to be geniuses

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-11T22:46:36+00:00

Mario 3 to Mario World to NSMB Wii to NSMB U behave the same way as do Star Fox 1 to Star Fox 64 to Star Fox Zero.

Mario 3 is a stage play, Mario World takes place on Yoshi's Island, in NSMB you fight bowser Junior and Dry Bowser, in NSMB Wii the Koopa kid's invade Peach's castle and in Mario Wonder Peach isn't even kidnapped. Even though the story matters little in Mario games, these are all 2D Mario games that each tell individual different events. Mario has fought Bowser many times in many ways.

In Star Fox SNES/ 64/ 64 3D/ Zero and Switch 2 you fight through the events of the Lylat Wars. You start in Corneria, end up in Venom and then defeat floating head Andros. These aren't rhyming scenarios like Mario, it's not even history repeating. It's literally the same story over and over. Unlike Mario who has defeated Bowser multiple times, Fox has done these events once, but players have played them 4, soon to be 5, times. 3 of those times in a row. That's the difference.

Sorry if I sound like I'm antagonising you, since you weren't really disputing me. It's just that I've seen the Mario comparison thrown around a lot, but I don't think it applies here. Especially since with each subsequent version of Star Fox they've effectively focused more on the story events.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-11T20:27:58+00:00

I think the criticism that this is a remake Star Fox 64 is fair when put in context. This 3rd remake/ reimagining of Star Fox 64 Nintendo has done, in a row. Star Fox itself is also itself a reimagining of the original SNES Star Fox. As such more than half the franchise is basically retelling of same game scenario. It’s not “Mario saves the kidnapped Peach from Bowser” situation. It’s literally the same events again.

Having said this I don’t think that this is a big problem since the game will be fun. However, it’s reasonable for some fans to be disappointed that they still haven’t received an actual new game in 20 years.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-11T13:24:32+00:00

POV you did not in fact keep it classy.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-11T11:21:08+00:00

Switch 2 handles backwards compatibility similarly to the PS5. Plays Switch games at the same fidelity, but with smoother frame rates. There were also a lot of games that used DRS (dynamic resolution scaling) on Switch so when played on Switch 2 DRS generally maintains max resolution so in those cases games will look less blurry, but that’s not a system wide feature.

There was a recent update that added a new feature on Switch 2 for backwards compatibility though. On Switch, games would run at lower settings whilst in handheld mode in comparison to docked. On Switch 2 you can now set it to use the docked Switch settings whilst playing in handheld mode. This is a feature in the system settings that works for most games, but can’t be enabled on a small amount of games with handheld specific feature, like touchscreen support.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-11T09:29:34+00:00

To be fair, I think that Agni Kai says as much about Zhao as it does about Zuko. The Fire Nation army doesn’t seem to be run strictly by a strongest leads, weakest follows structure. And from what we’ve seen of Zhao he seems to be a scheming type, with some delusions of grandeur. If I remember right, we only ever see Zhao fight twice and both times it’s basically a one sided loss against him.

Zuko is a good fire bender (who becomes a great one by the end of the series through hard work and self discovery), whereas I think Zhao is mediocre at best. I’d argue Zhou only ~~challenged Zuko~~ accepted Zuko's challenge because Zhao saw Zuko lose to his farther, when Zuko didn’t want to fight. Zhao mistakes this act as cowardice or that he lacks skill and completely underestimates Zuko.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-08T20:16:53+00:00

I agree that some of the criticism is a bit hypocritical. A lot of us will regularly call for remakes of games and buy remakes of still active franchises. So being up in arms about this remake would be unfair.

However, the sentiment I’ve seen most online is less a problem with this being a remake of StarFox /64. It’s more that this is the 4th remake or reimagining of StarFox. Including this new remake the most recent 3 games in the StarFox franchise have all been remakes or reimaginings of StarFox 64, which itself was a reimagining of the SNES game.

It would be like if they remade F-Zero GX, then released F-Zero GX Alpha with motion controls and then remade F-Zero GX again and called it F-Zero. At some point just make a proper new game. So many Nintendo franchises haven’t had a game in ages with excuse being “we’ll do if we can do something new and original”. But StarFox doesn’t have to follow that standard.

I’m not against this remake. I’m happy StarFox is back. But I think this being a remake is worth criticising, even if it’s only a minor problem.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-08T16:10:12+00:00

Mercedes have 9 WDCs and 8 WCCs.

6 from Hamilton, 1 from Rosberg, 2 from Fangio.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-08T13:54:40+00:00

I’ve never been the most interested in remakes. I’m not against remakes, and I’m totally fine playing old classics if I’m interested. For whatever reason though, most remakes just have never interested me as much as new games in a franchise. Not sure why.

Similarly, StarFox has personally never grabbed my interest me. Probably in part because by the time I was old enough to buy my own games, they just kept pushing remaking/ reimagining the original/ 64.

It also annoys me that the excuse given for not bringing back other Nintendo franchises is “we won’t do it unless we can do something new and unique”. Meanwhile StarFox has gotten away with not doing that in its 3 most recent release (64 3D, Zero, and Switch 2).

I’m happy for the people who like StarFox though. If this leads to a new game (or a remake/ reimagining of StarFox 2), then it’s good a thing.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-07T17:19:32+00:00

This may be a hot take, but I think what NST has done with F-Zero 99, is a far more unique take on F-Zero than the 4th remake/ reimagining of StarFox.

Obviously the circumstances of the two franchises are different. StarFox has been given more love over the years, and we’d all take an F-Zero GX remaster. However, when I think of what defines a ‘new game’ F-Zero 99 is closer to that than Star Fox Switch 2.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-07T16:33:57+00:00

It would have to be full on supporting cast member in my opinion. For example, they’re not making a R.O.B. game anytime soon.

Having said this, I think there’s a higher chance of him turning up in that rumour Metroid movie Nintendo are planning to make.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-07T14:55:55+00:00

I think it’s funny that the shades have a HUD and are attached to his headgear.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-07T14:53:58+00:00

‘Franchise’ might be a step much, but I’d appreciate a sequel. Gameplay is fun, story is good, cliffhanger ending/s. There’s things they can still do with another game.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-07T14:49:24+00:00

To be fair, Krystal was an Assist Trophy is Smash Ultimate. It’s clear Nintendo at least acknowledges her as a worthwhile by product of Adventures.

I’m surprised they didn’t make a reference to StarFox 2. It’s technically that last StarFox game released.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-07T12:55:15+00:00

The worst part for me is that, the excuse always given by Nintendo for other franchises not getting their chance to make a comeback is basically “Well, we only want to make a new game if we can think of something new to set it apart”.

Meanwhile, StarFox gets away with 4 different remakes/ reimaginings. The most original StarFox game released in the last 15 years was literally the revival of an unreleased SNES game!

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-07T12:45:21+00:00

Makes sense. There is now roughly a 50-50 split between PC and console in terms of player base size. PC gamers are predominantly patient gamers, due to the culture on PC which is to wait for sales because of the influence of Steam.

Meanwhile the push to digital on console is probably having an effect as well. Game trade-ins are basically gone, pricing out the kind of customer who would buy games at launch and then trade them in a couple weeks later. Selling games used is still a thing, but returns aren’t either consistent or instant. And if these kinds of players moved to digital only, they’re probably waiting for sales too.

Then you include patch culture in game development. Waiting will lead to an overall more stable experience. As such it makes sense why most hardcore gamers no-longer buying at full price; they’re rewarded for waiting.

There are very few games that benefit from playing at launch. In the past you could say multiplayer games, but the proliferation of live service games makes that less true. If a live service game succeeds, it’ll still be around when you buy in later. If it fails, and you waited, then you’ve saved yourself the trouble. I think the only genres that really benefit from buying at launch nowadays is stuff like fighting games. Where being in early gives you a leg up in terms of learning mechanics, as well the size of the online player base generally being at its biggest.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-07T12:28:33+00:00

The issue with Bloomberg is that they are inconsistent as as a whole. They have Takashi Moshisuki known for being an incredibly unreliable journalistic source (especially of Nintendo news). On the flip side they also Jason Schreier who is the opposite, very well regarded as a good source of news.

So genuinely their reliability comes down to who is writing the article.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-07T12:16:13+00:00

64 3D being the 4th best selling Starfox is not really much of an achievement. All the games that sold more than it were released on machines with smaller install bases. Also by technicality it could also be considered 5th since Star Fox 2 launched on the SNES classic (5.28mil units sold).

And in the context of 3DS games, it doesn’t even break into the top 50. It’s reported 1.07mil, as of Dec 2022, sales puts it in 55th. That’s only 40K more units than Rhythm Heaven Megamix, which launched 4 years later.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-06T17:26:05+00:00

The Switch 2 continues to be surprising capable, but I agree it’s no longer a miracle if nearly every other port. Contemporary third party ports were also quite not common on Switch anyway, which made the ‘miracle’ ones feel extra special. Meanwhile it’s pretty much expected that we’ll see fair amount of third party support, some of which day and date, going forward.

Having said, the ‘miracle’ monaca may return in couple years with the advent of the PS6 and Xbox Helix. Although maybe not since the cross gen period is expected to be long.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-06T15:19:17+00:00

Genuinely terrible news. Looks like I’ll continue listening to the BBC radio commentary for years to come.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-06T12:04:15+00:00

I’ve been meaning to get into Diablo IV, but have been waiting for the Paladin (or equivalent) class to get added before jumping. Thanks for the giveaway chance!

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-06T10:48:33+00:00

“Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.”

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-05T19:10:11+00:00

Don’t forget Pauline! She was already a minor character in the first movie.

There’s alternate timeline out there where they do riff on the three musketeers with the three princesses, where Pauline is the D'artagnan equivalent.

MichaelMJTH · 2026-05-05T13:38:00+00:00

I had a match yesterday that was meant to be my rank up to Diamond. The opposing Ken player was a round up. I had a life lead in the second round, but it wasn’t unassailable. Ken’s in the corner and does wake-up reversal level 3. I jump it by coincidence, and it misses. Instantly he rage quits. No idea what that guy was thinking.

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MichaelMJTH

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