Deputy Editor, VGC. Writer of video game encyclopedias. Formerly of Official Nintendo Magazine and CVG. Tired Old Hack. Celtic supporter. Scottish. Dad joke aficionado. LGBTQ+ ally
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The people expecting the resurrection of old WWF and NBA Jam games were obviously never going to get that here, but it would have been nice to have seen at least one familiar name here. That said, none of the nine games shown here looked bad, so I look forward to trying them out
Apparently so, this sums it up well (though it’s still more complicated than the title suggests!) gamesfray.com/why-nintendo...
I know that, but I'm saying the initial controversy about the character design was what got Nintendo's attention in the first place, and since then it's been doing everything it can to bring it down. Petty? Absolutely. A sign it'll use the same game mechanic patent on other games? Not necessarily.
Unnecessary comment at the end aside, I didn’t say it did actually plagiarise Pokémon. But enough drama was caused that Nintendo paid attention to it. Was it right to? Maybe not. The only point I’ve been making is that this is why Nintendo will do its patent bullshit with Palword and not Persona.
Congratulations? I’m not sure what your point is
I'd be up for that TBF
It became an enormous success but was also quite clearly taking more than a little inspiration from Pokémon. The controversy absolutely is why the lawsuit is happening IMO. They're going about it in a petty way with the patents but I don't think this would have happened had it not been for this
An hour-long Direct sounds great until you realise 45 minutes of that will be Sakurai coming back on again to give a lecture on how acceleration works
How did you come to that conclusion from what I said? Don’t forget the controversy surrounding Palworld when it released: there’s making a monster-taming game and there’s making a game with character models so similar people were placing them over Pokémon ones to see if they were identical
Nintendo has confirmed that its next Nintendo Direct will take place this Friday, the day before Super Mario Bros' 40th anniversary. vgc.news/news/nintend...
Yes, I do know this already. And how many of the lawsuits on that page are for patent infringement, rather than IP-related?
Why would they? They're going after Palworld because it was an alleged Pokémon rip-off that became an enormous success. Once again, I don't agree with Nintendo owning the patent, but I don't think it's going to use it unless the bear is poked with a sharp enough stick.
I take your point. I still think it's enough of an established mechanic now that I don't see it ever being enforced beyond the Palworld case, but I do get some devs will pause when considering it. There are doubtless countless other patents like that too which haven't been pointed out in the media
Like I say, this isn't a good thing. I'm just saying it's not the Thanos event some are worrying it will be
I'm seeing people saying "RIP Persona, RIP Final Fantasy". No, I don't believe Nintendo will start suing Atlus and Square Enix.
To be clear, like I say, I'm definitely against this in principle. I'm just saying the people I'm seeing going "RIP Persona" are perhaps overreacting, because this isn't a case of Nintendo wiping out that mechanic in every other game going forwards. This is a (bullshit) strategy to win one lawsuit
Granted, it's still not great to have such a wide-ranging concept being gatekeeped by a litigious company, but I don't think we're going to see Nintendo throwing its lawyers at every game with a summon mechanic in it. Palworld quite clearly pissed them off by flying too close to the Sunflora.
Seeing some "this is disastrous for games" chat. I'm 100% against patenting gameplay but remember patents are different from trademarks in that Nintendo doesn't have to challenge every infringement. It can pick and choose its battles, and this was clearly filed to fight Palworld.
100%. We gave them Developer of the Year last year www.videogameschronicle.com/features/vgc...
This is a fascinating watch. I love how they kept the moving floor, and that it’s more faithful to the game with the backstage chatter at the start and the buzzer sound effects. Cheers for uploading it Iain!
“People who don’t like AI are lazy. Now, watch me press a button and have all my work done for me”
“Fuckin bring it, buddy”
Here’s my predictions / hopes for possible Mario announcements this week. Just a bit of fun, not interested in any “this won’t happen because X” 😉
That force feedback when you crash in Forza is going to be wild
Maybe they're playing Forza in the back seat ;)
Wee laddie sitting on our garden fence
I always felt the next logical stop for E3's survival was a $20 pass which gave players access to all the floor demos for a month (even if it was streaming-only to avoid datamining)
1) Game difficulty 2) Yellow paint 3) Review code 4) Free to play 5) Games 'journalism' (always in quote marks to undermine it)
These are always great for checking out a bunch of new games in a row, and the closest you can get to a Gamescom or E3 (God rest it) experience without having to physically go there and stand in long queues. Win-win!
Urrrrgh, are we really doing the game difficulty discourse again? Blah blah original vision blah blah git gud blah accessibility blah blah blah let people play it how they want blah blah gatekeeping blah. There, all caught up
If you aren't watching Channel 5's NFL coverage you're missing out on Partridge levels of cringe. Every time the play stops it cuts to a studio where Dermot O'Leary hosts the cheapest American football-themed game show you've ever seen. Bucking broncos and everything
Something I have decided while writing my encyclopedias, especially the current PS1 Encyclopedia I'm writing: There were faaaaaaar too many bass fishing games in the '90s. Other fish exist, developers from the past.
The weekly comedy news round-ups I've been doing on Patreon are now on posted on the site every Sunday, so here's today's. (Patrons still get them on Fridays, as well as all the other extra podcast and video content which doesn't appear on the site)
We're a big @dreamlightvalley.bsky.social household here, so obviously I couldn't turn down the chance to see November's upcoming expansion when I was at Gamescom. It's exciting stuff, folks.
To be honest, it’s more likely that Capcom will turn off the online servers for Street Fighter 6 before Nintendo turns off the Game-Key Card download servers, so a number of these games will lose a lot of features in the future before it becomes an issue
The other benefit is that unlike a code in a box which is a one-time use, you could loan or re-sell a Game-Key Card as if it was a normal cart with the full game on it. Whoever buys it off you puts in the cartridge and it’s just downloaded again
It’s The Crew example but much further away. You put in the cart and it connects to a server which downloads the game. The servers will be switched off one day but like I say, we’re talking decades. Plus once it’s installed it only needs the cart for verification so it’ll work after the servers die
Aye, that's the real problem, because those WILL become useless when the eShop shuts down, which will be a lot sooner
Podcast: What is the $650 Lego Pokemon set? @jordanmiddler.bsky.social @andyrobinson.bsky.social and @scully1888.bsky.social break down the week in news. Watch: youtu.be/VpDrvcaDjkY Listen: lnk.to/VGC Plus, some overdue respect paid to Takeshi Kitano.
There will indeed be a point where you'll put in a Game-Key Card and it won't download the game. But – and not to trivialise it, because I still don't like it – we're talking decades here, and by then there'll be other 'methods' of playing those games on actual hardware.
Seen some sites saying the problem with Game-Key Cards is that Nintendo has closed down its other eShops. To be clear, it's download servers that's the issue, not eShops. Nintendo will eventually shut off its servers but in the distant future: 19yrs later you can still redownload Wii Shop purchases
On the same day in the Telegraph:
![The Telegraph Rayner tax scandal - £40k tax dodge - Statement Angela Rayner dodges £40,000 stamp duty Deputy Prime Minister reduces tax bill for Hove flat by declaring it as her main residence [Photo: Angela Rayner pictured at the weekend in Hove, where she has just bought a flat Credit: Dan Charity/The Sun on Sunday] Robert Mendick Chief Reporter. Amy Gibbons Political Correspondent 29 August 2025 8:57am BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreihe5mm7nwmwvzhtgadmsafyvsaxhrufuai2d2j2rju5zt6g2lytea@jpeg "Click to view full size")
![The Telegraph Money > Property > Second homes How to avoid tax on your second home From stamp duty to council tax, shield your wealth from Labour's tightening net [Photo of houses around a bay - Areas such as Cornwall have added a premium to council tax bills for second homes Credit: iStockphoto] Fran Ivens Senior Money Writer 29 August 2025 1:21pm BST](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2kf2qj56o2vq7jfaq4x4ogp6/bafkreieuwgc2vsmyfcctmf4cnpcqckij2pqdk2gmzajpnihrsqyqmzyr5e@jpeg "Click to view full size")
It would also have made it much more expensive to produce. There's still a cost element to releasing a Game-Key Card versus the full game on the cart, even if it wasn't the main reason here
At the end of the day, like it or lump it, this just makes sense. We're entering an era where physical cartridge storage just isn't fast enough to handle the data transfer speeds of some high-spec games
Rest in (no more available replacement) piece(s)
Nae luck, beasts. (Watch kids get around the age verification system anyway)
Don't blame him to be honest. IO has a great reputation, why let any more potential shitshows get in the way of that
Here's my second review of the day. Had a great time with the new Everybody's Golf.
This is your regular reminder that on VGC's scoring scale 3 stars is a perfectly fine game, even if that translates to a worse-looking score when presented as a different number. Anyway, unrelated:
Not that I've seen. Downloaded it yesterday afternoon, no extra patches since then
So, it turns out – at least during its opening stages – Star Wars Outlaws runs pretty bloody solid on Switch 2. Here's my own direct-feed footage.
A Lego Sega Mega Drive / Genesis controller is coming later this month, complete with hidden Sonic scene, but there's a catch. www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-lego-...
Good to see the worst box art on N64 is making its way to Switch Online
I was so disappointed by the first High on Life, but after spending an hour with its sequel at Gamescom I'm already a lot more excited about its potential.
I’m usually very wary of CEOs because they often know how to play the media game but Rosen said enough to me off the record that proved to me he legitimately cares.
He doesn’t work for The Tetris Company, LucasArts or id Software either but he’s arranged deals to remaster their games. You don’t need to fully own an IP to work on it, you just do a deal with its owner.
I never thought I had it in me to fall in love with a man until the word "Snatcher" left Wade Rosen's mouth, unprompted
I had a great chat with @atari.com CEO Wade Rosen at Gamescom. Atari's turnaround in recent years has been huge so I was really keen to chuck a load of questions at him. Here's the full transcript: it's a hefty interview so grab a beverage.
I had a great chat with @atari.com CEO Wade Rosen at Gamescom. Atari's turnaround in recent years has been huge so I was really keen to chuck a load of questions at him. Here's the full transcript: it's a hefty interview so grab a beverage.
Got another big interview going up on the site soon, really enjoyed recording this one. One to watch out for if you're into modern releases of retro games.
FINALLY - a Nintendo-themed Lego set I won't be tempted to buy
The Weekly Round-Up: Peta targets Mario Kart, PlayStation 5(0 bucks more), and David isn't a Hayter anymore. vgc.news/blog/the-wee...
Sabrina Carpenter’s new album is really good but it’s pure filth. Absolute disgrace. I’m going to listen to it for a seventh time just to make sure
Podcast: What we'd like from a PS6 Portable @jordanmiddler.bsky.social, @andyrobinson.bsky.social and @scully1888.bsky.social are back for another podcast. Plus: Is every modern Nintendo game Breath of the Wild? Watch: youtu.be/WcBFo_uskxc Listen: lnk.to/VGC
I'm going to be annoyingly pedantic here but I've seen some sites saying the NES game Bible Adventures is in High on Life 2. Having played the demo at Gamescom, it's actually the Mega Drive version that's in there, as well as the Mega Drive version (I believe) of Radical Rex.
Kid: “Why are girl things always pink? Just because it’s a girl it doesn’t meant it has to be pink, we like other colours too.” Me (proudly): “That’s right pal, you like whatever colour you want.” Kid: “That’s why Daisy is cool, she likes yellow.” Me:
Yeah, apparently the real-world sections make up about 60% of the game so hopefully the Labyrinth stuff is added at the right moments to keep it from feeling too repetitive. At least there's a tiny bit of depth in that you have blunt weapons (for armour) and sharp weapons (for bare skin), I guess
If you don't play this game in the buff with a big spike through your Whispering Bob Harris then you're not playing it properly
There's zero percent chance of this making it to Australia in its current form
Keep the faith! From what I've played it's not going to be a game of the year contender but it feels solid enough, more in the ballpark of Sega's Condemned: Criminal Origins. Barker apparently oversaw it, and so far it certainly feels authentic enough, which is good. Fingers crossed!
As some of you may know, I'm a massive horror fan, so the news of a Hellraiser game had me very excited. But the films are extremely graphic. Could the game possibly be quite as depraved? WELL, my friend. I have such sights to show you. (by which I mean tell you about)
Got one of the more 'colourful' hands-on previews I've ever written coming up in 10 mins or so. Brace yourself for this one.
When independent media outlets like VGC are finally killed off, YouTube videos like this, which (despite appreciated praise) read our feature out verbatim, AFTER TURNING ON AD BLOCK, and then don’t mention us AT ALL, won’t have any content left to source www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9wc...
"I couldn't pay my rent," In a special VGC Podcast, @aliona.bsky.social and Jennifer English discuss fair pay for video game performers, the threat of AI, and their sense of responsibility as a queer couple in the video game industry. Listen: lnk.to/VGC Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuDr...
I mean, he's not wrong
Had a lovely chat with Yoshi-P last week. Here's the full transcript.
Fixed, cheers
Nope, it's $20 / £17
Here's my review of the Switch 2 update for Kirby and the Forgotten Land. It looks so much better now and the extra levels are fun, if nothing revolutionary.
Great news. Cold Fear has Nightdive written all over it, if they give that The Thing treatment that'll be brilliant.
Putting aside the fact that there's no 'restart' button, I'm up for this.
Simon the Sorcerer was one of my favourite Amiga games, so I'm excited to see how this prequel will do, especially with Chris Barrie returning.
If you've got access to the Japanese eShop, this is a fun wee diversion for the little 'uns.
These are lovely and the music is great in them. Hope we get more soon
Here's my next Gamescom preview. I went hands-on with Kirby Air Riders and had fun with it, but time will tell just how much lasting power City Trial mode has.
Last chance! To celebrate one year of the VGC Patreon, we’re gifting exclusive pins to everyone who joins, upgrades, or gifts in August. Top members will receive them automatically. Support the future of independent games media and join our community! www.patreon.com/posts/last-c...
I haven't reviewed that
Here's my first five-star review of the year so far. I love everything about this game.
100% me. Spent hours last night trying to write a review but most of that involved lying on the couch thinking of the angle. Just hit me this morning and I'll then be able to fire it out at lightning speed
It's very early to speculate but I really hope this journey ends in another Dead or Alive game. Putting aside all the 'jiggle physics' pish, it was always one of my favourite fighting series because the combat and reversal system were so approachable, making you feel cool as hell
You compared the studio to Hitler, so I'd say that's pretty far off.
You might not like their games or their business practices but that’s a fucking insane comparison to make.
Here's the first of my Gamescom previews. There's a hell of a lot more on the way this coming week, so keep an eye out for a steady stream of hands-ons, hands-offs and interviews ❤️
When you're going on a world tour but all you need in your suitcase is your @celticfc.bsky.social shirt
Podcast: What's the best thing we've played at Gamescom? @jordanmiddler.bsky.social, @scully1888.bsky.social and Aaron Bayne chat about the week in news, and all the hands-on impressions from Gamescom. Watch: youtu.be/F35oeEyutEk Listen: lnk.to/VGC Plus, Chris chats to Naoki Yoshida;
Really does feel like they get it more than almost anyone else. The turnaround there has been immense.
Went hands-on with Romeo is a Dead Man and had another lovely chat with Suda 51. Expect my hands-on report and interview in the coming days.
