August 15th 2025.
I was browsing through the letters page and came across an interesting question about the potential consequences for Microsoft and Activision if their highly-anticipated game, Call of Duty, fails. Along with that, one reader expressed excitement about the upcoming remake of Resident Evil Code: Veronica. If you have any thoughts on these topics, feel free to join in on the conversation by emailing us at the given address.
Speaking of games, I can't help but feel disappointed by the reviews for Drag x Drive. It's currently sitting at a mere 62 on Metacritic, not far behind the 54 that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour received. I have to admit, these scores are not up to the usual standard of Nintendo, especially considering they have only released four games for their new console so far.
Personally, I have not purchased either of these games, but I can't help but wonder why they were even made in the first place. Who came up with the idea for a wheelchair basketball game that uses mouse controls? While it may seem like a good concept, I can't help but feel like it's lacking in many aspects. Where are the different courts, customization options, and tournaments that make it a true game? It's disappointing to see such a well-respected company release subpar games like these.
Now, I'm not worried that Nintendo has lost their touch when it comes to making great games. After all, we have titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza to prove that. However, I do believe they have lost their ability to create hype and choose worthwhile projects. And I'm sure this will be reflected in their placement on the Metacritic best publisher chart this year.
On a brighter note, I am thoroughly enjoying the current celebrations for the Amiga's anniversary. I never would have expected to see a new game in a well-known franchise being released for this classic console. It's a clever marketing strategy, as I had no idea this game even existed. I am definitely looking into getting one of those mini-console Amigas so I can play The Settlers 2 and relive some nostalgia.
But let's talk about Nintendo again. With the poorly reviewed games they've been releasing, I can't help but worry about the fate of Hyrule Warriors and Kirby Air Riders. Both of their predecessors are among the lowest rated games ever published by Nintendo, so I can only imagine what will happen with these new titles. It's almost like there's a two-tier system among their first-party games, with top-tier games like Mario Kart and Donkey Kong and bottom-tier games like Welcome Tour, Drag x Drive, Hyrule Warriors, and Kirby Air Riders.
It's almost as though these games are being made by two different companies, and it's not just because of their low budgets. I'm not sure what the thought process is behind these projects, but I do know that when the Metacritic best publisher chart comes out, Nintendo will not be at the top of the list.
Moving on, I find it quite amusing that it may be EA's Battlefield 6 that finally breaks the invincibility of Call of Duty. It's crazy to think about the potential consequences for Activision and Xbox if Call of Duty were to fail. After all, Activision has not created any major franchises in decades, despite having the resources to do so. It's frustrating to see them milk popular titles like Guitar Hero, Crash Bandicoot, Skylanders, Spider-Man, and then toss them aside once they stop bringing in enough money. It's a shame that thousands of employees could potentially lose their jobs because of this lack of foresight.
On a slightly different note, I've noticed a trend in games featuring overly sexualized female characters. And it seems to be coming mainly from China and Korea. While I have nothing against it as long as no one is being harmed, I do find it quite pathetic. It's almost like companies are using the "sex sells" mentality to their advantage, especially in live service games like Marvel. It's concerning that games are being marketed this way, and I think it says a lot about our society's values.
In conclusion, I just wanted to express my thoughts and concerns about the current state of gaming. Thank you for providing a platform for us to share our opinions and discuss these topics.
Dear fellow readers,
As I perused the letters page on Friday, I came across an interesting question: what would happen to Microsoft and Activision if Call of Duty were to fail? It got me thinking about the upcoming Resident Evil Code: Veronica remake, which I am eagerly looking forward to.
But amidst all the excitement, I couldn't help but feel disappointed by the recent reviews for Drag x Drive. With a score of 62 on Metacritic, it's following closely behind Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which received a 54. These are not the kind of scores I would expect from a company like Nintendo, especially considering they have only released four games for their new console so far.
I haven't purchased either of these games, but I can't help but wonder why they even exist. Who thought a wheelchair basketball game with mouse controls would be a good idea? And why stop there? Where are the different courts, customization options, and tournaments that would make it a truly enjoyable game? It's a shame that such potential was left untapped.
Don't get me wrong, I still have faith in Nintendo's ability to create amazing games. But I do believe they are losing their touch when it comes to generating hype and choosing which projects to pursue.
I also hope that these poor reviews will put an end to all the complaints about a supposed "bias" towards Nintendo in reviews. The only "bias" here is towards good games, which Nintendo is known for. But when they serve up subpar games, they should be held accountable, just like any other company. It's unfortunate that this is happening right now.
On a brighter note, I am thoroughly enjoying the current celebrations for the Amiga's anniversary. The fact that we are getting a new game in a well-known franchise is both hilarious and unexpected. It has definitely caught my attention and I will be looking into it.
Signing up for the GameCentral newsletter has given me access to expert and exclusive gaming analysis, along with the latest reviews and more. It's a great way to start off my Saturday mornings.
I am also considering getting a mini-console Amiga so I can play The Settlers 2. It's a blast from the past and I can't wait to relive those nostalgic memories. It's a nice distraction from the current state of the rest of the gaming industry.
But with Nintendo releasing another poorly reviewed game, I can't help but worry about the fate of Hyrule Warriors and Kirby Air Riders. Their predecessors were already amongst Nintendo's lowest rated games. It seems like the Switch 2 will have a two-tier system for their first party games, with Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, and Metroid on top and games like Welcome Tour, Drag x Drive, Hyrule Warriors, and Kirby Air Riders on the bottom. It's almost as if they were made by two different companies.
Speaking of companies, it's crazy to think that EA's Battlefield 6 might be the game to finally break Call of Duty's invincibility. Without Call of Duty, what becomes of Activision? And without Activision, what happens to Xbox? It's mind-boggling that Activision has gone decades without creating another major franchise. They had Guitar Hero, Crash Bandicoot, Skylanders, Spider-Man, and that's about it. With all their resources, it's surprising that they haven't kept a backup plan in case one of their games fails. But it seems like they just don't care, as evidenced by their tendency to milk a franchise to death and then discard it once it stops making enough money.
On a lighter note, I have to admit I had never heard the term "gooner" used to describe a perv before. But it's interesting to see how many games are incorporating sexy female characters, especially in the last decade. Most of it seems to be coming from China and Korea, so it remains to be seen if it will become a trend in the West. Personally, I don't have a problem with it as long as no one is being hurt. However, I do find it a bit pathetic when I have to second guess playing a game if my girlfriend is in the room due to the overly sexualized characters.
In the end, it's no secret that sex sells, and even companies like Marvel are taking advantage of this in their free-to-play games. It's a lucrative strategy, as seen in the success of live service games. But let's not forget that at the core of it all, these are still just games and we should focus on the gameplay and not just the appearance.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on these topics.
Sincerely,
[A concerned reader]
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