August 11th 2025.
Do you ever find yourself questioning the size of something? It's a common dilemma, and one that the Monday letters page has been discussing recently. The topic of the moment is the Battlefield 6 open beta, which has left readers impressed. But amidst all the excitement, one reader laments not jumping on the Codemasters racing game bandwagon sooner.
If you want to join in on the discussion, simply email us your thoughts. But before you do, we want to know: how do you like to play your games?
It's interesting to see all the debates about the future of the Nintendo Switch 2. What's even more intriguing is that no one seems to have any major complaints about the console itself. It's well-made and efficient, but personally, I've found myself playing it more at home on the TV than I did with the Switch 1.
I usually don't pay much attention to technical specifications, but I can't help but wonder if all the talk about the screen not being as good as the old OLED model has subconsciously influenced my gaming habits. Or perhaps it's simply because games like Donkey Kong Bananza have too much going on visually to be enjoyed on a relatively small screen. Ironically, the Switch 2 is also too big for comfortable gameplay of games like Mario Kart World.
Don't get me wrong, the portability of the Switch 2 is a great feature. But personally, I've only used it as a last resort. I find myself leaning towards the idea of getting a Switch 2 Lite because it's smaller and more suitable for games that are best played on-the-go. However, the price point may hinder this decision. Maybe I can convince my wife to make it a shared purchase and have the best of both worlds.
Speaking of inspiration, have you noticed the striking similarity between the Nintendo patent and the Playdate? It's quite surprising to see Nintendo taking inspiration from another company, as they're usually the ones being mimicked. Although, one could argue that the handle on the fishing rod is just a coincidence, but the optics don't look great.
But don't get me wrong, I'm all for Nintendo creating this gadget. I miss the days of crazy peripherals, like the Dreamcast and to some extent, the Wii. I'm curious to see how Nintendo would use this controller for non-fishing games, like the Playdate. I haven't gotten my hands on one yet, mainly because of the price, but I would love to see the same level of experimentation on the Switch 2. That is, if the add-on is reasonably priced.
As I get older, I find myself becoming more and more interested in racing games, which is something I never really paid attention to in the past. I feel a bit guilty because I could have supported some of these games when they first came out, such as Race Driver: Grid, DiRT 3, and DiRT Rally. But it's also given me a newfound appreciation for Codemasters, who have been a major player in the gaming industry for over 40 years. They should be given the highest recognition for their contributions to the world of gaming.
I hope they continue to produce great games before EA decides to scrap all their hard work and history.
Moving on to mobile games, I've recently found a free Netflix game that I play every day. I use my old iPad Mini as a steering wheel for a first-person experience, but there are other control options available. It's called Asphalt Extreme, and while it does have loot boxes, you can only purchase them with in-game currency. There's no option to use real money, making it a fair and enjoyable game. It's similar to FlatOut, with elements of Ridge Racer. The tracks are diverse, with multiple routes, jumps, and nitro boosts. The different types of vehicles also add an interesting dynamic to the races.
My favorite mode is Infected, where after a certain amount of time, your car becomes "infected" and speeds up. If you collide with another car, they become infected too. The multiplayer races are also a lot of fun, although I usually find myself being outmatched by more experienced players. But the fast-paced and exhilarating racing keeps me coming back for more.
I was also delighted to read Mike's Reader's Feature about Shenmue and the Dreamcast. I share the same sentiment, as I was a big fan of both. It's hard to believe that the Dreamcast only lasted two years, as it left a lasting impression on me. Just like big boy bent's experience with the marbles game in Squid Game, there are certain moments in games that we can never seem to replicate no matter how many times we try. But that's what makes these memories so precious.
Moving on to a different game, the Battlefield open beta has been receiving rave reviews, and I couldn't agree more. I've been thoroughly enjoying every second of it. However, it did take me a few games to get back into the "Battlefield mentality" after playing a lot of Call of Duty. I started with the smaller maps, playing Domination to get used to the mechanics again before diving into the larger-scale battles in Breakthrough mode, which has been nothing short of amazing. Cover is essential, and spotting a sniper scope and quickly taking cover adds a whole level of intensity to the gameplay.
Is it too big or is it too small?
As I peruse the Monday letters page, I am struck by the enthusiasm for the Battlefield 6 open beta. One reader even shares their regret for not getting into Codemasters racing games earlier. If you want to join in on the discussion yourself, simply email us at the given address. But first, let's talk about how you like to play games.
Personally, I've noticed a lot of debates surrounding the future of the Nintendo Switch 2, but no one seems to have any qualms about the console itself. It's a well-made device, but I find myself playing it more often at home on the TV than I did with the original Switch. I'm not usually one to fuss over technical specifications, but I can't help but wonder if all the talk about the screen not being as good as the old OLED model has subconsciously turned me off from using it in handheld mode. However, I think the real reason is that visually busy games like Donkey Kong Bananza are better suited for a larger screen, and ironically, the Switch 2 is too big for comfortable gameplay of Mario Kart World.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the portability of the Switch 2, but I've only used it in that way as a last resort. In fact, I'm tempted to get the Switch 2 Lite, as it is smaller and better suited for the games I prefer to play on the go. I probably won't, since it's quite expensive, but perhaps I can convince my wife to get it as a shared purchase. That way, we can enjoy the best of both worlds!
Moving on to other gaming news, have you seen the similarity between the Nintendo patent and the Playdate? It's pretty uncanny. I can't recall Nintendo copying anyone before, but this one stands out to me. Of course, it could just be a coincidence and the design is meant to resemble a handle on a fishing rod, but the optics are not the best.
Having said that, I would still love to see Nintendo bring this concept to life. I miss the days of quirky peripherals, like the Dreamcast and Wii. It would be interesting to see how Nintendo could implement the controller for non-fishing games, similar to the Playdate. I haven't been able to get my hands on one yet, as it's quite expensive, but I would love to see the same kind of experimentation on the Switch 2. Of course, this is assuming that the add-on isn't unreasonably priced, which it very well could be.
Moving on to a different topic, I must admit that I have recently developed a newfound appreciation for racing games. It's a genre I had previously avoided, but now I feel a bit guilty for not supporting these games when they first came out. Games like Race Driver: Grid, DiRT 3, and DiRT Rally are so well-made, and it's a shame that we may not see sequels to some of these titles.
This newfound love for racing games has also led me to appreciate Codemasters even more. They truly deserve recognition and praise for their contributions to the gaming industry, from their early days in the 80s to their mastery of simulation and simcade racing games. They should be revered as one of the greatest developers in the world. I just hope they get back on track before EA decides to discard 40 years of gaming history.
On a lighter note, have you tried the free Netflix mobile game, Asphalt Extreme? I've been playing it every day and I'm hooked. I use my old iPad Mini as a steering wheel in first-person mode, but there are other control options available. It's a loot box game, but don't worry, you can only buy them with in-game currency and not real money. The gameplay is similar to FlatOut, with elements of Ridge Racer. There are plenty of tracks with multiple routes, jumps, and nitro canisters to pick up. Plus, you can top up your nitro by drifting, jumping, and even wrecking your opponents. It's a thrilling experience, especially in the multiplayer races where I'm usually up against more skilled players with maxed out cars.
Finally, I just want to take a moment to appreciate Mike's Reader's Feature on Shenmue and the Dreamcast. I loved both of those, and I can't believe the Dreamcast only lasted two years. It felt like much longer to me. I still remember roaming the streets of Yokosuka, playing the marbles game like in Squid Game. One time, a mean girl and her gang bumped into me and told me to "kiss off, schoolboy!" I couldn't trigger that scene again no matter how many times I played the game. It was truly a phenomenal moment, and I often wonder if I imagined it.
Lastly, I have to agree with the review in progress of the Battlefield open beta. I've been enjoying it immensely, but it did take me a few games to get back into the Battlefield mentality after playing so much Call of Duty. I started with Domination, which is a smaller map with only infantry, to get used to the mechanics again. Then I moved on to Breakthrough, which has been an amazing experience. Cover is crucial, and spotting a sniper scope and quickly diving for cover adds a layer of intensity to the gameplay.
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