July 23rd 2024.
Will the price of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 be higher than its predecessor? This has been a hot topic of discussion lately, but it seems like the most important factor is often overlooked. How much will this new console cost? As we've seen with the recent PlayStation 5 release, prices can vary greatly among different consoles. The original Switch was priced at £280, while the PS5 was released at £450. Rumors surrounding the Switch 2 suggest that it may be more expensive than the original. While Nintendo typically keeps their hardware affordable, it's possible that the success of the Switch has given them the confidence to charge more for an upgraded, more powerful version. As dedicated gamers, this may not be a problem, but for those on a budget, a higher price tag could be a deterrent. In that case, a more affordable Switch 2 Lite may be a good alternative.
Moving on to the topic of hardware churn, there have been talks about a potential PS5 Pro, but it's hard to imagine that the average person would be able to tell the difference between it and the regular PS5 without a side-by-side comparison. While Sony may be aiming for a premium product, it's unclear why someone would upgrade to it if they already own a PS5. The cost of a PS5 Pro could buy you multiple games, and it's likely that many gamers would choose to invest in more titles rather than a slightly upgraded console. With all the speculations and leaks surrounding new consoles, it's understandable that some are looking forward to when companies will focus more on games rather than hardware. However, there's always the possibility that Sony will come up with some new, unnecessary peripheral.
On a different note, this week marks the 20th anniversary of Gradius 5, a game that many may have forgotten. While some readers may not understand why Konami didn't revamp Castlevania, the same can be said for Gradius. The lack of recognition for this game is due to it being neglected by the company. However, there are many possibilities for a modern version of the game, with inspiration from other popular titles like Star Fox and No Man's Sky. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that we'll see a new Gradius anytime soon.
Switching gears, let's talk about fighting games. While I may not be very good at them, I've always admired the community surrounding these games. They seem to be more friendly and less toxic compared to other gaming communities. Despite not selling as much as other genres, fighting games have gained a lot of popularity, with tournaments like Evo being well-known in the gaming world. As for crossover fighters, I'm all for it. Capcom and other companies have always made these games accessible and fun, and I would definitely try out a crossover game featuring characters from franchises I'm interested in.
Lastly, there's a new game called KoROBO on Kickstarter, created by the same people behind the Chibi-Robo games from Nintendo. It's a spiritual successor and has gained a lot of support from fans. While it may not be acknowledged by Konami, the success of this campaign shows that there is still a demand for Chibi-Robo games. On a different note, it's important to remember to update our Xbox 360 consoles before 2024 and purchase any games that will no longer be available after the digital store closes this month.
While we're on the topic of Xbox, it's been revealed that Microsoft has a much smaller budget in Europe compared to PlayStation. This seems unbelievable given the amount of money Microsoft has wasted in the past. Instead of spending billions on acquiring Activision Blizzard, perhaps investing in marketing and advertising would have been more beneficial for Xbox. It's also concerning that there hasn't been much effort put into proper translations and advertising in Europe. These are basic things that could have been easily addressed. It's hard to take the people in charge of Xbox seriously when they seem to be self-sabotaging their own success.
The topic of the new Nintendo Switch 2 has been buzzing lately, but one crucial question remains unanswered: how much will it cost? While the original Switch launched at £280 and the recent PlayStation 5 at £450, rumors suggest that the Switch 2 may come with a higher price tag. As a dedicated gamer, I understand the need for a powerful and upgraded console, but I also hope that Nintendo will keep the cost in check. After all, part of the Switch's success is its affordability, and I fear that a significant price increase may turn away some loyal fans.
The focus on hardware churn in the gaming industry has been all the rage lately, with talks of a potential PS5 Pro causing quite a stir. In my opinion, all this technobabble is just nonsense. Can the average person really tell the difference between the original and upgraded console without a side-by-side comparison? I highly doubt it. While I understand Sony's desire to create a premium product, I fail to see why anyone would spend more money on a minor upgrade when they can use that money to buy more games.
Speaking of games, this week marks the 20th anniversary of Gradius 5, a highly acclaimed game from Treasure. As a fan of the series, I am disappointed that Konami has not acknowledged this milestone. It's a shame that they have neglected the franchise, as it used to be a big deal in the gaming world. With so many possibilities for a modern version, I can't help but wonder why they haven't revamped it yet. Hopefully, someday we will see a new and improved Gradius game.
Even though I am not very skilled at fighting games, I have always admired the community around them. Unlike other gaming communities, the fighting game community seems to be friendlier and less toxic. Despite not being as popular, their tournaments, such as Evo, are well-known and highly regarded. Personally, I would not attend a European version, but I do enjoy watching the highlights. I also appreciate crossover fighters from Capcom and other companies, as they are more accessible and fun for casual players like myself.
In other gaming news, KoROBO is now live on Kickstarter. This game is a spiritual successor to the beloved Chibi-Robo series, and I am excited to see what the creators have in store for us. As a fan, I have already backed the campaign and opted for a physical copy, but there are also options for a digital version, soundtrack CD, and art book. The campaign will end on August 23rd at 4pm BST, so be sure to check it out before it's too late.
On a different note, if you are an Xbox 360 owner, don't forget to update your system before July 31st, 2024, and purchase any games that will be lost once the digital store closes at the end of this month. While I personally am not a huge fan of the Chibi-Robo games, I understand that some people may enjoy them and want to preserve their access to them.
Finally, I would like to address the recent statement made by the marketing boss at Microsoft regarding their smaller budget in Europe compared to PlayStation. It's hard to believe that a company with such immense resources would struggle in this regard. With the amount of money they have wasted over the years, surely they could have allocated more funds towards advertising and translations. I find it hard to take them seriously when they continue to make self-sabotaging decisions. It's time for those in charge to step up and make some necessary changes for the benefit of the Xbox community.
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