Tag Archives: mario

Exploring Beyond Mario Kart: Is It Worth Playing on the Nintendo Switch 2?

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The Nintendo Switch 2 certainly leaves a strong impression at first glance, but as the initial excitement diminishes, it’s the games that will sway hesitant buyers. Mario Kart World shines as a multiplayer marvel, and while the original Pokemon Scarlet/Violet and Zelda titles have received impressive updates for the new console, there’s a noticeable lack of exclusive Nintendo launch titles for the Switch (aside from the £8 tech demo, Nintendo Switch 2 welcome tour).

Fortunately, other developers have stepped up and delivered a host of updated games that have been available on other platforms for a while now. Once you tire of Mario Kart World, what should you try next?

The World of Hitman’s Assassination: Signed Edition

Elegance in stealth… Hitman: A world of assassinations. Photo: IO Interactive

Hitman is designed for replayability, boasting intricately crafted assassination missions in locations ranging from the stunning Amalfi Coast to eerie British countryside manors. Developer IO Interactive hosts live events that periodically enhance this morally ambiguous stealth experience. In handheld mode, the assassination world appears particularly breathtaking. The Switch 2’s HDR display adds vibrant colors to the iconic Berlin nightclub level, and Agent 47 retains the same intensity even in docked mode.

How good is Switch 2? 4/5

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

An ambitious port… Cyberpunk 2077. Photo: CD Projekt

CD Projekt Red takes on another challenging port with this third-party launch title from two years ago. While The Witcher 3 struggled with the Switch’s capabilities, Cyberpunk 2077 performs impressively. This sci-fi RPG, although notorious for initial issues on PS4 and Xbox One, is quite playable on Switch 2, featuring enhanced mouse controls and motion control options for indoor missions and cutscenes. However, when racing through Night City’s streets, the processor shows strain, especially during the Phantom Liberty expansion, resulting in visuals that can blur and soften around you. For those who yearn to immerse themselves in Cyberpunk 2077 and own only this console, it’s a commendable effort, but for everyone else, playing it on a PS5, Xbox, or a capable PC is the way to go.

How good is Switch 2? 3/5

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD

Timely adventure… Bravely Default: Flying Fairy. Photo: Square Enix

Though a 3DS game wasn’t the first title I anticipated seeing on the new £400 console, it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Bravely Default HD revitalizes one of the standout RPGs of the past year. Free from the constraints of the smaller screen, its beautifully illustrated world bursts with life and detail. Although some character models reveal their 3DS origins in cutscenes, this charming game looks fantastic in 4K and even better on the Switch 2’s 1080p handheld display. For fans of classic RPGs reminiscent of Final Fantasy IX, this is a must-play.

How good is Switch 2? 4/5

Sonic x Shadow: Generation

A blue blur of charm… Sonic x Shadow Generation. Photo: Sega

With Mario racing ahead and Donkey Kong set to follow, Sonic’s new entry on the Switch 2 does not disappoint. This remake truly shines in handheld mode, delivering a brilliant fusion of color and speed that captivates on its vibrant screen. The 2011 remake of Sonic Generations includes an exciting new Y2K-themed shadow-centric expansion, along with the Super Mario 3D World Expansion Bowser’s Fury. However, the disappointment lies with Sega’s pricing; unlike last year’s Switch release, there’s no discounted upgrade pass for Switch 1 owners, leaving them with the feeling of being shortchanged.

How good is Switch 2? 3/5

Kunitsu-gami: Path of the Goddess

Deserving of recognition… Kunitsu-gami: Path of the Goddess. Photo: Capcom

One of the most intriguing games of 2024, this title makes its mark on Switch 2 with impressive results. Compared to other launch ports, Kunitsu-gami is strikingly similar to its PS5 counterpart when docked, reviving this underappreciated game for a second chance on Nintendo’s latest console. Its village defense mechanics mesh smoothly with the Switch 2 gameplay style, making it particularly enjoyable on a TV, even though handheld mode sacrifices some visual fidelity.

How good is Switch 2? 4/5

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut

Visual highlights abound… Yakuza 0. Photo: Sega

Delving into Tokyo’s underground scene from the ’80s is a journey I’ve started numerous times but often abandoned. After trying the Sublime Switch 2 port, I finally opted to immerse myself in the story of Kiryu. It features stunning lighting and runs in 4K at 60FPS when docked, marking it as a graphical gem for Nintendo’s hybrid console, alongside Hitman. With a plot filled with drama, betrayal, wacky side quests, and lively karaoke, Yakuza 0 provides an unforgettable story-driven experience with a newly added 25-minute cutscene.

How good is Switch 2? 5/5

Street Fighter 6

Fluid and engaging… Street Fighter 6. Photo: Capcom

As I stepped into the brawling world of RYU on Switch 2, memories of the 3DS launch game Super Street Fighter IV 3D flooded back. The combat is fluid and responsive, ensuring consistent frame rates vital for a fighting game. While Street Fighter 6’s art style dazzles on the PS5, the character designs seem slightly off-brand on Switch 2, with odd proportions that can be distracting. For newcomers, these visual quirks may go unnoticed, but for seasoned fighters accustomed to other platforms, it may feel somewhat lacking.

How good is Switch 2? 3/5

Puyon Puyotetris 2

A lackluster sequel… Puyon Puyotetris 2. Photo: Sega

Sega has once again failed to impress with Puyo Puyo Tetris 2. This ‘upgrade’ to the existing Switch game offers minimal enhancements, adding a few new multiplayer modes, but fails to leverage improved resolutions or frame rates. It’s frustrating to see such a lazy port launch at a premium price; sticking with the original Switch version is a better bet for puzzle enthusiasts.

How good is Switch 2? 1/5

High Speed Fusion

High-octane thrills… Fast Fusion. Photo: Shin’en Media

The Switch 2’s launch lineup offers few standout titles, but this download-only game shines. Fast Fusion is a four-player racer that combines elements of Wipeout and F-Zero for just £13.49. Much like Shin’en’s previous works, Fast Fusion is a visual showcase, utilizing the Switch 2’s capabilities impressively. Packed with customizable vehicles, online competitions, and a pulsating soundtrack, Fast Fusion is a thrilling racing experience to compete with Mario Kart.

How good is Switch 2? 4/5

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mario Kart World Review – Riot Road Trip: A Fun Adventure for Everyone on Nintendo Switch 2

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I When my sons rushed over to me a few hours after the game, I recognized that there might be challenges with the Mario Kart universe in our home. Slightly concerned, I examined my thumb and noticed it had indeed been battered by the chaotic fun of the tournament. Playing Mario Kart online is now an option—even during video chats—but it doesn’t replicate the experience of playing alongside friends on the couch. This game has the potential to revive living room multiplayer for countless families.

It’s been a long time since 1992 when Mario and his friends started racing around the whimsical Wonder Circuit. This series has been a consistent companion throughout my life, one that everyone enjoys playing with me. I found myself embroiled in a multi-month match battle with my brother and a gamer friend. I witnessed a stranger joyfully playing it endlessly during the gaming night at the pub I managed. I raced in and out of the game over the long evening with a large group of friends. I’ve played it with nearly every person I’ve dated. Mario Kart World accommodates all these play styles and more. Highly competitive.


The Mario Kart world is vibrant with split-screen multiplayer as per usual, and the online features are extensive. Photo: Nintendo

The course offerings resemble a true Disneyland, featuring ice palaces, jungle safaris, dinosaur parks, ski slopes, and a spaceport themed after the 1983 arcade version of Donkey Kong. Some courses feel like classic Mario Kart tracks with clever turns and shortcuts designed for power sliding and boosting in the traditional style. Others take you on broader, more scenic journeys. All tracks link to additional courses, allowing you to traverse hotspots on a vast, interconnected map—from the seaside to Bowser Castle and up volcanic mountains.

Outside of racing, you can freely roam off-road or along the water, searching for hidden coins and challenges. You’ll encounter tricky courses across lava fields, unconventional routes through the air with seaplane wings, and timed coin-collecting adventures. This world might not be as densely populated and visually stunning as Forza Horizon, but it’s a delightful space to explore with friends, discovering quaint, picturesque spots together. The visual elements evoke the essence of group excursions—think Polaroid snapshots, local shop stickers, and favorite foods. It’s unfortunate that Free-Roam is limited to online play; two or more players using the same console can race together but cannot explore as a group.

Speaking of exploration, you can make your Mario Kart session feel like a tournament. If desired, you can time your laps and compete to identify the optimal lines on specific courses. However, it seems developers aim for an exploratory experience instead. The Grand Prix Competition ties together courses, allowing you to create routes across this little continent and witness all its sights. Racing with 24 players along an expansive route feels less like a race and more like a chaotic road trip. This atmosphere is reminiscent of a knockout tournament—a Fortnite-style elimination race where you can go from 1st to 14th place in seconds, getting knocked out frequently.

Yet, the most significant shift isn’t the setting but the movement mechanics. You can charge boost jumps, grind along rails across more intricate courses, ride on walls, and discover chain shortcuts. This required me to rewire my muscle memory built over years of drifting and boosting. In my initial days with Mario Kart World, I faced the humbling reality that I might actually be bad after all these years. However, once you master it, the gameplay feels revitalized, adding a hint of Tony Hawk-level skill, even for those of us who have been karting for ages.


The new visuals of Mario Kart World revitalize Donkey Kong for a new generation. Photo: Nintendo

The character roster is extensive and whimsical. Cows, dolphins, and a freshly designed Donkey Kong can race on the Hilaring Wheel in the Hilaring Rally. (Nintendo’s iconic apes now look as though they’ve been inspired by a recent Mario movie.) Every time I perform my tricks, I lightly bounce in the air. Now I realize he’s not irritated; he’s just older. It’s hard not to chuckle at Bowser donning full biker leather, echoing his copycat Harley persona.

With a variety of motion-controlled steering and auto-acceleration options, the game offers multiple assist settings for newer players. My 8-year-old could play without assistance, while my 5-year-old managed with some help. It truly feels like an exemplary welcoming title, embodying a blend of diverse philosophies of fun that coexist harmoniously. The Switch 2 itself seems more like a suave upgrade than a completely new console, showcasing Nintendo’s talent for reinvention.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Survival Kids Shows Nintendo Switch 2 is More than Just a Mario Kart Game | Games

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tOne intriguing aspect of the console launch is the element of surprise in the first batch of games. Who could have guessed that the standout title for PlayStation would be Fireworks Simulation (Fantavision), or that the most entertaining offering in the inaugural GameCube lineup would involve racing with gigantic, transparent gloves (Super Monkey Balls)?

The most recent addition to this mix is Konami’s Survival Kids, the sole new third-party title in the Switch 2 Opening Wave. This latest entry in the cult series of Tropical Island Survival Sims by the publisher originates from Game Boy Color and was revised for the Nintendo DS under a new moniker, despite not achieving widespread international success. Players, in groups of up to four, find themselves marooned on a mystical archipelago, requiring them to gather resources, craft tools, locate food, and explore vibrant cartoon landscapes. While four players can join online, the game also supports game sharing on Switch 2, allowing one owner to connect wirelessly with others and play together.




A vibrant, manga-style setting… it’s still from Survival Kids.
Photo: Konami Digital Entertainment

Andrew Dennison, the head of game developer Unity, considers this feature to be one of the key highlights of Switch 2. “With Splitscreen, a single console renders two different game views,” he explains. “With GameShare, one view can be compressed and streamed. It renders everything three times and transmits it to the other consoles. As long as you understand the specifications of the technology, the advantages of GameShare are enjoyable. You don’t have to own the game to play.”

In contrast to survival games like Don’t Starve or Project Zomboid (or even Lost in Blue), Survival Kids does not impose lethal consequences. Although a shortage of food will slow your progress, you won’t actually starve to death. If you perish, you simply respawn nearby. “We wanted to ensure the game is enjoyable for players of all skill levels,” Dennison adds. “It’s a balancing act. I don’t want to bore experienced gamers, but I aim to streamline challenges without oversimplifying them to the point of being irrelevant.” Due to a strict NDA surrounding Switch 2 hardware, developers had limited access to external testers, resulting in Dennison testing the game within his niece and finance department.




Collaboration is key… Survival Kids
Photo: Konami Digital Entertainment

Crafting tools plays a vital role. By combining vines and sticks, players can create a fishing rod for useful items. Building an umbrella allows navigation across wide canyons. There’s no cumbersome item management; players can simply retrieve what they need from a magical spit bucket. All tools are organized in Basecamp rather than menus, allowing easy access to essentials.

Much like Overcooked, Survival Kids emphasizes streamlined cooperation and well-split tasks. It’s quicker for two individuals to chop wood and break rocks, thus establishing a labor team. Meanwhile, a culinary expert is essential for gathering plants and preparing food, which fuels the energy required for climbing cliffs and transporting heavy items. “We’ve put a lot of effort into enhancing our customer experience,” remarks Richard Jones, creative director at Konami Digital Entertainment. “This is how Basecamp functions as a communal spot. It’s essentially a shared kitchen.”

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Unlike many contemporary survival sims, Survival Kids is not entirely open-ended. The objective is to explore multiple islands, providing a sense of an escape room. Players can also revisit levels for extra attempts. Despite its family-friendly appearance, the game features intriguing, challenging physics-based puzzles with various solutions. Additionally, it maintains a playful tone and humor. This is likely due to the fact that many developers at Dennison and Unity’s Stratford-Upon-Avon office previously came from Codemasters and Rare.

Will Konami bring more classic titles to Switch 2? “I know there are other Konami teams that are keen on this platform, and we can support them,” says Jones. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for at least two more projects from Konami.” For now, Survival Kids appears to be an excellent pilot for family game sharing on the new console.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Seeing Through His Eyes: A Reflection on Super Mario, My Father, and Me

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oMy early memories NE watches my mom and dad play the opening level of Super Mario Bros in cooperative mode on Nintendo’s entertainment system. This was in the early 1990s, and joined the sofa waist and laughed at the idea that two Portly plumbers would become huge after consuming a ton of magical mushrooms.




“Not a tragic myth, normal man has been photographed by Thomas Hobbs’ family with his father, Jonathan. Photo: Thomas Hobbs

At this moment I felt their natural chemistry, but the intoxicating mix of 8-bit visuals and lively, synth-heavy music blew my toddler’s mind. It was frustrating to see me at the end of the level not being able to jump high enough to hit the top of the flagpole, but I remember it being translated to a TV screen.

I was only four years old when my father passed away. It suddenly happened when he was 37 years old and I witnessed it on my bike…it broke my family forever. However, the formative image of his most carefree and in love dad remained, clutching the rectangular controller connected to a grey slab of Japanese joy. It was something I could use whenever I was too sad. Most importantly, memories allowed us to visualize our father as an ordinary person, rather than the tragic myth that he later came to life.

We were a working class family with limited space, so the NES eventually disappeared. No one could resolve whether they were collecting dust in old plastic bags in their relatives’ lofts or if it was accidentally thrown away. So I was recently shocked when mom unexpectedly handed over the console after finding it during the spring clean. She asked me if I could try to fix it.

There were no leads, games or controllers. Also, it was dirty, especially with sticky clumps of dirt around the AV slot, and as judged by the rust gathering in the cartridge slot, there was serious flood damage. After buying an expensive device that cleans deeply, removes all the damp dust from the inside and converts games to HD, I turned it on. For some reason, it still worked. Clearly, like most consumer devices produced in the 1980s, the NES was built to withstand nuclear winters if the Cold War heated up.




The retro Nintendo Family Computer was sold in Japan as a pioneer of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

The last few weeks of retaking the game and getting lost in their fuzzy charms were really recovery for my mental health. A chance to reconnect with my roots. It took me about 15 minutes to understand how to jump to the Fortress level in Super Mario Bros. 3 World Level 1. The spikes were down from the ceiling just as my squirrel suit was flying to the other side. But working out made me just patient and had to dive into a small space to avoid any danger.

I’m particularly obsessed with Mike Tyson’s punch-out!! Despite the clunky 2D crowd and square dimensions, the boxer’s movements have a real dynamism, with the sense that David can beat Goliath by simply swinging, weaving and flipping the collision with the jabs he appears in. Later boxing games may have been dripping with body fluids like life, but I have yet to find anything that will replicate more of what is moving for the magic and murder of boxer tastes than this 1987 NES game.

The double dragon was also a revelation. This cooperative fighting game offers a large open space to navigate, making you feel like Brue Three despite the graphical limitations: surrounded by enemies, but with enough battlefield intelligence to use your environment to your advantage and kick your enemies into the dust. The early sequence of fighting some weight on a moving conveyor belt in a race that accompanied a 24-hour tension felt like he was in a John Woo action movie.

These games don’t have a save mode, allowing you to invest in continuous improvement. So, I’m confident that I’ll avoid the same mistake the next time I hit the scary “Game Over” screen. This glyft is oddly addictive and it’s easy to imagine that my father took a quick break after putting the baby to sleep. His heart is heartened by the charm of the hard work at the heart of this more patient era of Nintendo games.




Real dynamism…Mike Tyson’s punch-out!! Photo: Nintendo

Knowing that he once had the same smile while playing NES made him more concrete in my mind. It was possible for me to see through his eyes. And my 2-year-old son feels like he’s putting his father’s energy to life as he experiences his own father, obsessed with firing flower power-ups and defeating Dracula Duck in the final boss battle of the family’s melodrama, a Duck Tales.

Retro games are on the rise in the UK and the US, with many players rediscovering the joy of consoles in the analog era. Playing these old cartridges on the original machine is an escape from a world that gives you a deeper understanding of the evolution of the game and feels much more comfortable than in the days when these machines were thriving. Perhaps they also hope to rekindle memories of those who have passed and continue to connect with their loved ones who once invested time in these devices.

Rather than making that old console a home for spiders in the loft, dust it and play it. It may help you to sadden you, or you may relive special memories that may have been easily lost. When I heard the opening chords for the Super Mario Bros theme song, I immediately went back to that couch with Mom and Dad and assured me that everything would be fine.

We opened comments to readers to share their own story of the console, which reminds us of lost friends and relatives.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Get in the Race with Mario Kart World: Nintendo’s Must-Have Title for Switch 2 Launch

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hDoes OW follow just as complete and wide-ranging games as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Nintendo has banked in the answer: it’s getting bigger. Double the number of racers to 24. Increase the number of characters (total of 60). More weapons. And, by catching the eye the most, more exploration.

While this is not a term related to closed circuits, the three-lap formula that the series has completed over the past 30 years, in the upcoming Switch 2 flagship launch title, Mario Kart World, Nintendo has demolished the tire barrier and offers players a For the Horizon style open world. It’s not exactly a complete reinvention of the wheel, but it’s a major change in format since the series began. Considering that a physical copy of Mario Kart World is retail for £75, is that enough?

I had the opportunity to spend some time playing new games, but what immediately struck me was that it was what I would expect from the next generation Mario Kart title. It’s familiar, incredibly refined, it plays perfectly no matter what’s slaughtered, and it looks fantastic. As I ran through the course, the temptation was to slow down and incorporate all the small, quirky details.

The famous internet… Mu Moo Meadows Beef. Photo: Nintendo

Perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to do that with the free roaming element of the game. I didn’t get much opportunity to explore this. It was essentially a lobby while waiting for 24 players to join. I had two modes. First it was the Grand Prix. This is your traditional Mario Kart incident: start, 3 laps, finish. The slight tweak here is that it’s not using closed circuit courses, but sprints all over the world. The moment you are in Boo’s cinema, the next moment you’ll become a prehistoric jungle. I chose to play as a cow of Mu Moo Meadows, a breakout star known for the recent Nintendo direct internet.

As a veteran Mario Kart player (to put it gently), I found you to play as expected. Muscle Memory Takes over: You skid (maybe less agile than the MK8D to explain the wider track). You throw a shell at the enemy. Just like he was trying to use the boost, he screams in frustration when he gets hit by lightning. The level’s design is beautiful, with each track apparently packing with alternative routes and small secrets. Wideer roads mean that the game will lose some of the claustrophobic massacre and cannot escape the sense that the emphasis on weapons rather than promoting skills in the series iterations, but I can live with it. Anyway, I win my first race – I want to record it – and my cow is given a glorious crown.

My time in the game also had one race in the knockout tour mode in Nintendo’s Battle Royale Style series. Follow the course and you will encounter checkpoints on the horizon. Crossing these, the four racers below block continuous and dropouts. This continues up to the final track where the remaining four races compete on the podium. I hadn’t noticed that I would race 23 other journalists in the room with me, so I chose to choose a racing comedy choice as a Wiggler on the Pink cruiser. If I had noticed the stakes, I would have been a Wario/Monster bike, but it’s my fault to assume that it’s a race that doesn’t matter. They are all important.

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Knockout Tour mode is refreshing. If, like me, you believe you can achieve a godlike position in the MK8D and run each course during your sleep, if you are used to cruising in the first place without any single bananas in your name, prepare yourself. In Knockout mode, you may start from 24th to 24th.

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The solution is to embrace the massacre. I feel that weapons are more important (I lost the number of golden mushrooms, bullet bills, and star powers I experienced). Amidst all the enthusiastic confusion, I had no idea how long the race had lasted – I think I’m somewhere between 3 minutes and 3 hours. I see the checkpoint and know that I know there is only one scary, timing red shell apart. Clearing the checkpoints provided relief. It was a hurry. I finished fifth and couldn’t qualify for the final section. Aside from this shame mark, my first impression of knockout mode is that it is an exciting reinvention of form and there is a strong chance that it is trying to become my whole personality.

Source: www.theguardian.com

How one artist’s vision of Mario Jump made him a key figure in Nintendo’s story | Games

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IIn 1889, craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi founded a Hanafuda company in Kyoto, naming it “Nintendo.” Although the exact meaning has been lost over time, historians believe it translates to “leave it to luck.” Nintendo successfully transitioned from paper games to electronic games in the 1970s, establishing itself as a household name worldwide.

Working at Nintendo was a dream come true for Takaya Imamura, an art school student enamored with games like Metroid and Super Mario Bros. 3 in the 1980s. Despite initial misconceptions about the industry, Imamura discovered the creative opportunities at Nintendo and joined the team in 1989. Over the years, he contributed to iconic projects and characters, solidifying his place in gaming history.

Imamura’s journey at Nintendo was marked by memorable collaborations with Shigeru Miyamoto, leading to the creation of beloved games and characters. From F-Zero to Zelda and Star Fox, Imamura’s artistic vision helped shape Nintendo’s unique design philosophy. His work reflected a blend of traditional techniques with innovative storytelling, resonating with audiences worldwide.

As Nintendo evolved under new leadership, Imamura witnessed the company’s strategic shifts and successful product launches. Reflecting on his time at Nintendo, Imamura embraces the transformative era of gaming and technological advancements. His departure from Nintendo in 2021 marked a new chapter in his career as an indie developer, with a passion project inspired by his earliest days in the industry.

Embracing the spirit of chance and creativity, Imamura’s journey comes full circle with his indie game, Omega Six. Honoring Nintendo’s legacy of dedication and innovation, Imamura continues to explore new frontiers in game development, guided by his enduring vision and passion for storytelling.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Get ready for the return of Family Mario Kart tournaments – can you avoid defeat?

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I I’m dying. I found some life expectancy calculators online that put me at either extremes of 84 or 54, and I’m turning 55 in December, so I’m worried. I’m running out of time to do the things I dream of doing: seeing Machu Picchu, finding a good vegan sausage, beating the kids at Mario Kart again.

The cats were our family’s favorite pastime, but when they began to gleefully slaughter me, I was forced to exact a petty revenge: take what they loved and secretly donate it to a charity shop. They still miss them to this day.

When they got Mario Kart 8, I called it a day, saying I was done with that childish stuff. But with death looming in the months or decades to come, I spent a week training to get to the top again.

The game has thousands of characters now. In addition to various versions of the original characters, there’s Kamek, a mysterious stranger known only as the Villager, and some totally random people, though I’m not sure who Pauline is. Glen Powell is probably in there somewhere, too; he’s been in everything else lately.

This was my first time handling the Switch OLED, and it’s a fragile little thing the size of a 1970s sandwich, with a recessed on/off button that requires tweezers — this is not a machine made for big fingers.

But those bloated fingers still have the skill. I tell my oldest daughter that she is easily passing the 50cc and 100cc levels. She says to me, “That’s amazing, Dad. As long as you do your best, that’s all you can do.” She smiles, but her eyes are not smiling. “Remember, Dad… Rainbow Road.”

Destroyer of dreams…Rainbow Road from Mario Kart Tour. Photo: Nintendo

I broke out in a cold sweat. That song destroyed dreams. It drove me crazy. It mocked my sense of depth.

On day two, I dominated Rainbow Road in the 100cc Star Cup and racked up wins like a pro. With perfect drift boost timing, I won four Grand Prix in one day. The menu music felt like something straight out of a “comedy” cop movie where one of Kevins (Hart or James) chases someone through a cake factory and comes out covered in icing, but it got the joy flowing in my old plaque covered veins.

I was surprised that I never went off course. Steering assist on…oh my gosh. This is like when my wife found out I was playing Horizon Zero Dawn on “Story” difficulty.

Without steering assist it’s a whole different story. The 150cc Star Road is the exact same nightmare as before. I hate this track, it’s like something out of a Gaspar Noe movie. 4 hours of practice on Friday gave me a stress rash on my face. My wife asks me why I yelled “Forget you, Lady Rosaline!”

On Saturdays, I go out drinking under pressure.

The Sunday of the Diamond Family Grand Prix arrives. My wife is called in to work. It’s a shame because she loses easily. “Are you good at Mario Kart?” I ask my son’s girlfriend.

“Not really,” she replied.

“Perfect,” I announced. “You’re player number four.”

My son plays shirtless because he doesn’t want to get his work shirt dirty, but it’s clearly an act of power, so I take my shirt off too. I have more hair and tattoos than he does. Nice try, son.

The controllers are the bigger problem. I’ve practiced with two Joy-Cons welded together into a single device, but with four players, each person shrinking one Joy-Con to the size of an inflated Mars bar and the shoulder buttons deforming into staple-sized flakes, my hands are twisted into unnatural shapes, and within minutes I’m in pain like I’m not feeling arthritis in 20 years.

This game is Should Play Mario Kart 8 on Nintendo Switch. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images (Courtesy of Nintendo of America)

There are other oddities too: My guy (Dry Bones, chosen to reflect one of my many ailments) keeps veering off to the right.

“What the hell is wrong with my controls?” I exclaim, in seventh place.

“The controller is drifting,” my son says.

“why?”

“Because it’s Nintendo.”

I’d completely forgotten about this. Just like the shoulder buttons on an Xbox controller start to wear out after a year, Nintendo controllers also drift. Good thing Nintendo can’t control the Mars Rover buggy, or it would just be spinning around in circles.

“You’ll get used to it, Dad.”

He does. I don’t.

I finished the Grand Prix in third place behind my son and the number one kid. The number one kid is a really good gamer. I asked her how she was so good. “Hmm. Autism, Dad!” she replied.

I demand a rematch, in which Number 1 Child must use a drift controller.

I get even worse. My son’s girlfriend is hitting on me. She is the sweetest, kindest, most respectful girl in the world, the kind of girl I would dream of giving to my son. But she Now he cries as if it were his own child. What a terrible child.

Miraculously (that is, thanks to me firing off an armada of blue shells), I overtook the number one kid in the final race and won. She still won the grand prize, but I proved I could still win. I did a loud, incredibly complicated victory dance and then booked myself in for a massage to fix my twisted, claw-like hands.

My elderly father still has some life left in him.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Unsure of possibility, gamers rush to conquer 80,000 levels in Super Mario Maker

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○On March 14, Team 0% was on the verge of finishing their seven-year mission to conquer all 80,000 incomplete levels of the 2015 Nintendo game Super Mario Maker. They only had two challenging maps, “Herb Trimming” and “The Last Dance,” left to conquer. But as time ticked away, Nintendo dropped the bombshell that they would be shutting down the game’s servers on April 8th. Any level unfinished by then would remain that way forever. Unfortunately, Team 0% fell short at the final hurdle.

When Super Mario Maker was released for the Wii U, players discovered the thrill of creating their own levels and sharing them online. However, to upload a level, players had to beat it themselves first. Little did they know that one of the remaining levels was a hoax.

From its launch, Super Mario Maker inspired players to create incredibly difficult levels with inventive designs. A website called Super Mario Maker Bookmarks tracked every uploaded level, generating stats on completion rates. In 2017, a Reddit user named the0dark0one compiled a list of levels yet to be beaten, unknowingly sparking a journey.

Jeffie, the founder of Team 0%, launched a Discord server in December 2017 to tackle the backlog. They faced technical challenges due to the volume of data but persisted, clearing the initial list after eight months. However, new levels kept pouring in, each more challenging than the last.

Super Mario Maker allows players to craft levels using the Wii U’s touchscreen, resulting in a range of creative challenges. Photo: Nintendo

The team developed training levels within Super Mario Maker to teach newcomers the unique skills required to ace tricky levels. As they sharpened their skills, the task became more daunting with the deadline looming, requiring nearly 100 levels to be completed daily.

As the team neared the finish line, they faced suspicions regarding the legitimacy of the last level, “Trimming the Herbs.” Some speculated it might have been completed using cheats like TAS (Tool-Assisted Speedrun). Ultimately, the creator admitted to using TAS, tarnishing the victory moment.

Despite the disappointment, players continue to tackle “Trimming the Herbs” before the shutdown. The accomplishment lies not just in completing every level in Super Mario Maker, but in preserving the efforts of all creators in the game’s history.

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Mario Movie in the Works: And I Have the Ultimate Idea to Make it Even Better! | Games

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WIn a surprising move, Nintendo made an announcement at the Oscars ceremony revealing its collaboration with Illumination Studios to create another Mario movie on March 10th. The decision was unexpected considering the lack of attention at the event that day. The previous Mario movie was a massive success, grossing $1 billion and marking the end of a cursed era for video game adaptations. The new movie is scheduled for April 2026, with co-directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and screenwriter Matthew Fogel returning for the project. Despite this, the film may not necessarily be a direct sequel as both companies have not confirmed its title as a sequel. Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto expressed excitement for “a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros.” promising a bright and fun narrative.

The previous Mario movies faced criticism from movie critics, with mixed reviews on performances such as Jack Black’s Bowser and Seth Rogen’s Donkey Kong. Regardless, the upcoming sequel presents an opportunity to enhance the storytelling and expand the world of Mario beyond nostalgic references.

While the first movie focused primarily on Mario, there are hopes for the sequel to explore other characters and locations within the Mario universe. The lack of a complex storyline in the games provides a blank canvas for the filmmakers to develop a compelling narrative that goes beyond just fan service.

Detective Pikachu. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures/AP

The next Mario movie could potentially expand beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, drawing inspiration from games like Mario Galaxy to create a visually spectacular experience. However, there is still room to explore within Mario’s familiar world, offering an opportunity to push creative boundaries and deliver a more ambitious sequel.

what to play

Expeditions: Mud Runner Game. Photo: Steam

Keith recommends diving into the world of Expeditions: Mud Runner Game, a unique off-road simulation game that offers a challenging and rewarding experience. Unlike traditional racing games, this title requires strategic decision-making and overcoming obstacles in rugged environments. It provides a refreshing gameplay style that goes beyond typical racing titles, offering a more intellectually engaging experience.

Available on: PC, PS4/5, Xbox, Switch
Estimated play time: 30 hours or more

what to read

The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears. Photo: Nintendo
  • – WSJ reports former Activision president, Bobby Kotick, considering investing in TikTok as a potential acquisition amid regulatory pressure. The move raises questions about corporate motivations and industry dynamics.
  • – Toyota engineers develop a real-life robot version of a Pokémon capable of riding, highlighting the fusion of technology and pop culture.
  • – British Academy Game Award nominations include popular games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, and Zelda: Kingdom of Tears, showcasing the industry’s diverse offerings.

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question block

Customers who have a PS5 on the release date. Photo: Hollandse Hoogte/REX/Shutterstock

Reader John poses a thought-provoking question about the dynamics between Sony and Microsoft within the gaming industry, exploring notions of corporate strategy and market dominance.

“Why is Microsoft perceived differently from Sony in terms of market dominance despite both companies aiming for profitability through different strategies?”

The response highlights the scale and influence of companies like Microsoft within the industry, shaping perceptions and dynamics based on their financial capabilities and strategic positioning.

Have a question for the question block or feedback on the newsletter? Feel free to reach out to pushbuttons@theguardian.com.

Source: www.theguardian.com