Aug 1, 2019
If you’re a gamer (and you probably are!) it’s likely because you think playing games is fun. You know what’s not fun? Carpal tunnel syndrome. Your family complaining about your game or television’s volume isn’t great either. Dropping your handheld console and picking it up to realize it’s damaged? Not the best experience.
Comfort Grips
There are accessories that solve or greatly reduce the incidence of such issues! What’s more, they can significantly improve your gaming experience in the process, and many of them are surprisingly affordable. Those featured today are licensed by Nintendo. Voiding your warranty is not a fear, here!
One type of accessory that is near and dear to these potatoes’ starchy hearts is the comfort grip. Ever since finding a cozy, densely squishy grip called Dream Gear for the 3DS (comes in multiple colours and reduces the chance of the 3DS being damaged if dropped) these potato gamers have been big fans.
The Switch already has many comfort grip options too, including colourful rubbery ones like the Dream Gear for 3DS. This time, we chose the firmer GoPlay Grip for the angled hand holds. It offers less protection, but makes handheld gaming a joy. It keeps your wrist position straighter and your grip more secure due to the shape and texture of the rubberized hold. The joy-cons can be removed easily with the grip still attached so that you can use it as a stand to play in tabletop mode. If you decide to get the packaged set, the grip will also come with a carrying case which the Switch will fit into even with the grip still on.
Comfort grips can be great for anyone, allowing you to hold the system in a more comfortable way, but tend to be especially helpful for those of us with bigger or longer hands. Portable gaming suddenly feels so much better. These spuds are in love!
Audio Controller
Released for sale very recently is also the first integrated audio controller. It has an audio jack, into which you could plug earphones or even a full headset (if using an integrated voice chat feature as in Fortnite). In shape and layout, it is nearly identical to Nintendo’s own pro-controller, though it is a third of the price.
Keep in mind that it cannot be played wirelessly, and it doesn’t use rumble or motion controls. If those features are important to the games you play most, PDP’s Faceoff Deluxe+ audio wired controller probably isn’t for you. But if you want to be able to play your Switch docked and still keep the sound to yourself in crisp quality, and at whatever volume you like, this isn’t a controller to overlook. It also comes in 4 colour options.
These are just the accessories we’ve tried ourselves…there is an entire world of options out there to let you customize your playing experience and improve your physical comfort at the same time. If you know of any gems, or discover new ones, please tell us about them!
We’re sure the upcoming Nintendo Switch Lite will also soon have a plethora of great accessories. You can even pre-order the Lite itself right now!
- Jul 31, 2019
Beautiful and popular indie title Newt One is coming to the Nintendo Switch in August.
Newt One is a magical indie title that captured the hearts of many with its heartfelt message of spreading positivity. With a nonviolent focus on adventure and vibrant graphics, this charming title continues to gain fame. Now, it has been announced that Newt One will be coming to the most wholesome of consoles, the Nintendo Switch. It will be available for digital download starting sometime in August.
A bit about Newt One.
You play as Newt, a musical note in a world that has lost its splendor. It is up to you to return the world to its vibrant and majestic state. The world will awaken around you as you spread your joy about. Explore a non-linear 3D environment that comes to life as you interact with everything you see.
This title features an enchanting soundtrack as well as a super cute art style that has players raving. It’s no wonder that the developers teamed up with the crew from Whitethorn Digital, you know, the ones behind Calico – Magical Girls Running Cat Cafe’s, to help bring this title to new platforms.
The Official Trailer
For more information about Newt One, you can check out the developers on itch.io.
- Jul 31, 2019
Harvest Moon Friends of Mineral Town was first released in 2003 and quickly became one of the best selling gameboy games of its time. Now the the popular farming game will get a remake on Nintendo Switch and be published under the Story of Seasons Reunion of Mineral Town name, with many familiar and beloved characters making a return.
If you have played the original game back in the days, you may have come to enjoy the company of some, or even many of the characters in the game. Mary, Gary, Elli, Doctor and even Kai are now confirmed to be making an appearance in the remake.
With the surprise annoucnment, Marvelous was also kind enough to share some more screenshots with us. Check out how our beloved friends will look like in the new and remastered version of the game.
Marvelous will be releasing Story of Seasons Friends of Mineral Town in Japan on October 17th. There is no release date for the west yet, however XSeed Games, who will be handling publication in the west has confirmed that the game will indeed be coming to North America and Europe at a later point.
If you can’t wait for Story of Seasons on Switch, make sure to follow up on Rune Factory 4 Special which is now out on Nintendo Switch. There is also a brand new teaser for Rune Factory 5 you don’t want to miss!
If you are curious to find out why Harvest Moon games are now being published under the Story of Seasons name, make sure you head over here to find out!
- Jul 31, 2019
Playful Fox Games Inc is an indie development studio based in Canada. Their main focus is about building a strong narrative experience that creates an emotional connection. In Animal Bar, you play as the bartender and serve all of the drinks to a wide range of adorable anthropomorphic animals each with their own unique personalities. Get to know your customers by interacting with them and solving their problems. Below are the biographies of four characters in development with a plan to add a total of twenty in the final product. Please note that this game is very early in development and is still a work-in-progress. Therefore, a lot of the things mentioned in this article are subject to change.
About Animal Bar
Animal Bar is about understanding and learning about your customers and their personal stories as you try to build and run a successful Coffee/Tea/Soda bar. Create an identity for yourself and your bar, specialize or generalize as you choose whether to cater to your customers or create the experience and aesthetic that you want.
Each customer has their history, their own story, and will deal with some type of dilemma. As you build up a friendship, you can help guide the customers through their stories, and help them make key decisions in their lives. Based on your decisions of décor, the times of day that you show up to run your bar, your interactions with your customers and more, you can guide the experience that you, the player, will have with the game.
Simon
Simon grew up with a lot of siblings. A middle child, he was largely ignored by the rest of his family and struggles with self-worth issues, constantly seeking approval. In high school his grades were on the higher end but did not stand-out. He hasn’t figured out what major to take in college, only that accounting seems to be something his parents might approve of. Simon is very timid, but also very anxious.
Star
Star is a pop-star phenomenon. Bringing back the retro look and sound of the 80s-90s, she was built for the spotlight and performed on stage from a young age. She was the star of her elementary and high school plays and talent shows. In her senior year, a talent agent picked her up and she’s been a star ever since. She goes by her stage name to all but a select few.
Zoe
Zoe is a yoga instructor. She’s been on top of all the exercise trends for women including Zumba, step class, and even had a series of workout VHS tapes in the early 90s. She can only ever be seen in active wear, giving the impression that she’s just coming from or going to another class. She runs her own yoga studio which includes a shop selling salt lamps, candles and diffusers.
Stephen
Stephen once worked as a roadie for some metal bands touring around the country. He has since settled down and started a music shop to spread the tunes to the next generation. Some say he used to be a drummer in a well-known band, but he left because the band went too mainstream. Stephen looks intimidating, but he’s a nice chill guy when you get to know him.
Photo Gallery
You can follow Playful Fox Games on their official Twitter page here and their Discord channel here.
We’d like to thank Ryan from Playful Fox Games for providing myPotatoGames with this information and these exclusive character screenshots! If you love the idea of serving customers and getting to know them, check out our article here: Coffee Talk – Make Coffee & Conversation. This game is about being a barista to fantastical characters. Stay tuned with myPotatoGames as we keep you apprised on these relaxing wholesome games.
- Jul 30, 2019
Our favorite Sunday comic cat is back on the racing track in Garfield Kart: Furious Racing
Garfield is back with an all new racing game coming to console and PC. The original Garfield Kart was released in November of 2013, and wasn’t very well received. Many players found that the super jump ability was just a bit too overpowered when it came to taking shortcuts. But we at myPotatoGames could never hold a grudge against such a cuddly kitty. So well known for being lazy and munching on lasagna, it is kind of surprising that he’d be willing to go through such high paced action again. Well, here is hoping that this foray into the kart world will treat him better than the last.
About Garfield Kart: Furious Racing
This new cat-tactic racing title will boast some definite improvements from the 3DS version. You will now be able to play as 8 different characters from the Garfield universe. This title will also come with 16 different tracks for Garfield and his buddies to go head-to-head. Like Mario Kart, Furious Racing will feature the modes Grand Prix, Single Race and Time Trial.
You will also be able to race online with up to eight players, or locally with as many as four. Akin to other games in the kart genre, Garfield Kart: Furious Racing will feature a few attack and defense power-ups to help keep things interesting. You can be sure that there will always be plenty of lasagna to keep you going during these perilous trials. This iteration in the Garfield Kart series will release in North America on November 15th, 2019. Being that it has been created by the same developers as the original, Microids, we can be sure that there will be much more in store for us in this sequel to Garfield Kart.
For more awesome kart action, check out myPotatoGames coverage of Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled.
- Jul 30, 2019
Remember Don’t Starve? The quirky survival game now also available on Nintendo Switch! The developers behind Don’t Starve, Mark of the Ninja and other popular games finally released their new game Oxygen Not Included. The game shares the same adorable art-style and amusing gameplay as we come to love from Klei games.
In Oxygen Not Included you will start with a tiny colony of only three people. Inside what appears to be a moon rock, you will begin with a box of just a few useful things to help you get rolling. Some foods, tools, and a computer to research technologies used to advance in the game.
Players will have to start their own colony, build, craft and manage people. Make sure that everyone survives, but even better – survive and thrive! Keeping people happy is a key element in the game.
Oxygen Not Included initially entered early access in 2017 and has since then undergone many changes and enhancements. Plenty new features have been added as well, to make Oxygen Not Included as fun as can be!
Oxygen Not Included is now available on PC and Mac and is currently on sale to celebrate its launch. You can grab it here on Steam or even on the Epic Game Store. Check out the super cute Oxygen Not Included launch trailer below!
For more survival fun, check out Among Trees, a game in which you create your own cabin in the middle of a mysterious forrest, build, craft and cook in order to survive!
Build Extensive Bases and Discover What it Takes to Survive
Everything in your space colony is under your control, from excavation and resource allocation right down to plumbing and power systems. Resources will begin depleting with your first breath, however, so be sure to dig fast if you want to live.
It’s Mind Over Matter with Stress Simulations
Keep the psychological impact of survival at bay with fun leisure activities, great accommodations and even better food for your colony. Duplicants each have different and potentially destructive ways of reacting to stress, so be sure to always keep them happy. Whatever the cost.
Take Charge with Power Grid Simulations
Choose from a multitude of power sources including coal, hydrogen, natural gas or just plain old elbow grease. Manage power runoff, circuit overloads and meltdowns to keep your colony running smoothly.
- Jul 30, 2019
Following the news of the Physical Forager Special Edition for Nintendo Switch, that includes with an adorable sticker pack, the developers released the release trailer in celebration of the digital release on the eShop.
Forager is Described as an “idle game that you want to actively keep playing”, Forager is a 2D open world game inspired by exploration, farming and crafting games such as Stardew Valley, Terraria and Zelda. The game contains a variety of islands and biomes to explore and players can craft, gather resources, uncover secrets and even build a base.
The goal is to expand your islands, create new islands, connect them with one another and keep farming, collecting and building! Forager quickly gained in popularity and became a fans favorite game due to its fun, cute and fast paced gameplay.
Forager is now available on the Nintendo eShop for only $19.99. If you are looking for a reason to get the new Nintendo Switch Lite in one of those 4 beautiful looking colors, check out our guide where we take a closer look at all the differences of the Nintendo Switch Lite.
About Forager on Nintendo Switch
– Gather, collect and manage resources.
– Craft useful items & structures.
– Build and grow a base out of nothing. Buy land to expand and explore.
– Level up and learn new skills, abilities, and blueprints.
– Solve puzzles, find secrets and raid dungeons!Abo- Achieve anything you want! The choice is yours, you set your own goals to work towards!
- Jul 30, 2019
Aside from just getting smaller, here are some other changes with the new Switch model.
Grab Your Nintendo Switch Lite
The Nintendo Switch Lite is now up for pre-order on Amazon. All version including Turquoise, Yellow, Gray and even the Zacian and Zamazenta Edition are now available for grabs. Delivery is expected to happen on September, 20th!
The Nintendo Switch Lite will launch on September 20th, this year. The price tag upon release is set at $199, which is great news for everyone still holding out on getting this epic console. So far, the new model will play most of the 2000 games currently available for Nintendo Switch, unless the game requires the device to be docked (since the Lite cannot be docked). We have already outlined a few of the changes in the systems with our original article on the Nintendo Switch Lite, but we have decided to go into just a bit more detail.
The new model will indeed be smaller. Just how much smaller? The screen on the original Switch model is 6.2″, and the Lite will drop that to 5.5″. The overall dimensions of the hardware will also drop some. The original model is 4″ by 9.4″, and the new model is 3.6″ by 8.2″. Hopefully this size will accommodate more pockets than the initial model.
Aside from the hardware size, there have also been some mechanical changes internally. The Lite will feature a longer battery life than the dockable model. As per the usual in handheld devices, the battery life will jump from a range of 2.5hrs-6.5hrs on the original model, to 3hrs-7hrs on the Lite model.
Thanks to all the downsizing on equipment, there will also be a slight drop in the weight of the device. The original Nintendo Switch weighed approximately .88 pounds (with controllers attached), and the Lite will weigh .66 pounds. Not a huge difference, but enough to make the ease of portability alone categorize this device as a true handheld.
For more information on the Nintendo Switch Lite, be sure to check out Nintendo’s official website page for the product!
