All posts tagged in Nintendo Switch
Feb 22, 2020
Many Animal Crossing fans were inevitably disappointed last year when it was announced that Animal Crossing: New Horizons would be delayed. However, the recent New Horizons Nintendo Direct (which you can watch here) proved that the game is totally going to be worth the wait. With exciting new features such as terrain customisation and the introduction of an airport, as well as new animals, Nintendo have clearly been working hard. However, it’s the level of detail in the game that is truly impressive. Here are some examples.
Shiny Hair
Being the first mainline Animal Crossing game with HD visuals has allowed for a lot of aesthetically pleasing elements. One of these is how nice and shiny certain hairstyles look.
Hair Obeys The Laws of Physics
The recent Animal Crossing Nintendo Direct really highlighted this new feature. Hair will behave a lot more realistically than in previous games. Examples include bobbing ponytails, swaying braids and the movement of bangs with certain hairstyles.
Clothing Has Physics
Like hair, clothing in New Horizons will also obey the laws of physics. Examples include dresses blowing in the wind, and as shown below, the dress moving when the player twirls.
Shoe Soles
The larger variety of shoes to choose from in the game is great in itself. However, shoes now look a lot more realistic and you can even see patterns on the soles of the shoes.
Knees
Some fans were alarmed upon first seeing that players would have detailed kneecaps, (especially considering that they still have balls for hands…). Nonetheless, whether you love them or hate them, you can’t argue that they show attention to detail.
Pupils
As well as having a variety of face shapes, noses and mouths to choose from, depending on the eye type chosen, your player can now have pupils. This new feature could prove great for glaring at Tom Nook when he slaps you with that itemized bill.
Items Look Wet When It Is Raining
Another visual upgrade to look forward to in New Horizons is that items will look wet when it rains. This is yet another feature that will make the game more realistic and that little bit extra special.
Raindrops Create Ripples In Water
Another rain-related feature that shows attention to detail is how rain affects water. When it is raining, raindrops will leave ripples in both rivers and the sea.
Cherry Blossom Petals Float On Water In Spring
During cherry blossom season in the spring, you will be able to see cherry blossom petals floating in the air and landing in the water. This is definitely one of the most beautiful details in the game.
Leaves Float Around In Fall
In fall, players will be able to see autumnal coloured leaves floating through the air. This small feature alongside the cherry blossom petals in spring, shows just how much effort has gone into making each season special.
Windy Weather
During windy days on your island, the leaves on the trees will shake and you will hear them rustling. Weeds and flowers will also sway in the wind. As hair now seems to obey the laws of gravity, it’s quite possible that the wind will affect your hair too.
Flowers And Weeds Now Grow in Stages
It’s pretty neat that players can collect just the buds of flowers whilst leaving the main plant in tact. The introduction of different types of weeds is also a nice feature, making gameplay more realistic. But did you know that they both now grow in stages? Additionally, you are now able to collect weeds and can even sell them.
Detailed Shadows & Improved Lighting
Another nice perk of the game’s HD visuals, as well as improved graphics techniques is detailed shadows and better outdoor lighting. Items, trees, characters and even clouds can have their own distinct shadow(s). These shadows will also change depending on the time of day and the weather.
The lighting in New Horizons is significantly better than in previous games. Objects in the game are much better lit, light reflects more realistically on water, and the general ambience is simply awesome.
Curtains And Blinds
Curtains and blinds did first appear in Happy Home Designer, however they will be returning in New Horizons also, as can be seen in Fuschia’s home below.
Curtains Can Be Seen Open or Closed From Outside
A pretty cool little feature in New Horizons will be the ability to see whether curtains are open or closed from the outside.
Paths Can Go Right Up To Your Door
In previous games in the franchise, there would always be that one tile outside of your front door where you were unable to place a pattern. In New Horizons, this is no longer an issue. Additionally, players can now create paths that curve, something that also wasn’t possible in previous games.
Phone Cases For Your NookPhone
In the various different trailers and Nintendo Directs that have been released, different cases can be seen on NookPhones. This suggests that players will be able to choose different cases for their NookPhone.
Animals Can Carry More Than Just Tools
Although animals were able to carry various tools in previous games. Various trailers and gameplay footage shows that they will now be able to carry other items also. So far, they’ve been seen carrying resources, books and popsicles.
Toe Beans
A cute little feature appearing in New Horizons is that animals will now have toe beans, or foot pads.
- Feb 13, 2020
Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl – Gold is an endearing action RPG that releases on Nintendo Switch on Valentine’s Day, 2020. Level-5, who are notorious for the highly regarded Professor Layton games, Yo-Kai Watch franchise, and Nintendo 3DS game Fantasy Life, are both the developers and publishers of this game.
About The Snack World franchise:
The Snack World is a multimedia franchise created and developed by Level-5. The franchise consists of a ‘rogue-like’ RPG that was initially released under the name ‘The Snack World: Trejarers for the Nintendo 3DS in August 2017 in Japan. An expanded Nintendo Switch port of the game under the same name was released in Japan on April 12th, 2018. Android and iOS versions have been confirmed, but are yet to be released.
Fast forward to November 2019, when Nintendo announces that the game will be released in the west, where it would be re-titled Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl – Gold.
Two manga adaptations of the game have been released, and an anime television series which aired on Cartoon Network in Australia from 2017-2018.
The game also has a toy line by Takara Tomy in Japan.
About Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl – Gold:
Described as a dungeon-crawling adventure with ‘real bite’, the game offers players the option to play solo, or to join forces with up to three others (either locally or online). The aim is to save the world from being swallowed whole, so no pressure, right?
Plot:
You are found unconscious at the gates of Tutti-Frutti and have no recollection of who you are. Bummer. Then to make matters worse, it seems that an evil sultan could be resurrecting a mighty deodragon to eat the entire kingdom. Great!
King Papaya and his demanding daughter, Princess Melonia, enlist the help of you and the other heroes of Tutti-Frutti to save the day. With numerous dangerous dungeons (I guess it’s in the game’s title) and plenty of menacing monsters to face, you’re going to have your work cut out.
Features:
- Numerous randonly-generated dungeons to explore (and loot), which contain rare treasures and new equipment. Remember: the more you achieve during a quest, the more chests you’ll attain, each packed with loot.
- The ability to change your hairstyle, facial features and body shape before setting out on your adventure.
- Find and equip jaras (the most important loot-hunting equipment around) to arm yourself with weapons, shields, healing tonics, and status-enhancing colognes. Each of these have their own unique skills, abilities and passive powers.
- craft your own gear by merging materials gathered from dungeons into jaras, clothing and armour. Additionally, you can merge any doubles you find or make to improve their stats.
- Obtain ‘Snacks’ (plastic cards of monsters and characters) by taking their photograph with a device called a Pix-e Pod.
- Defeating monsters and taking their snack shot and lending characters a helping hand are both ways to obtain snack shots.
- You can add Snacks to your party before venturing forth, or summon them in battle to give yourself an advantage.
- Play with up to three other people (either locally or online) and team up to defeat dastardly dungeon-dwellers.
- All downloadable content released for the original Japanese version are included, free of charge.
For more information about the game, click here
Want to buy a physical copy?
- ?? Canada
- ?? United States
- ?? Australia
- ?? United Kingdom
- Feb 8, 2020
Developed by Peachy Keen Games and published by Whitethorn Digital. Calico is a magical, relaxed and family-friendly simulation game where players are given an opportunity to run their very own cat cafe.
The game is expected to be released on Steam at some point during Summer 2020. The game will most likely release on the following platforms shortly afterwards:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
- macOS
- Macintosh operating systems
About Calico
Calico came about due to the game developer’s obsession with cats, magical girls and fluffy animals. However, wanting to create a game that would appeal to everyone, she also included creatures such as lizards, birds, deer, raccoons, dogs, turtles, red pandas, foxes, etc.
She then shares about how she wanted to publish a game that would make players feel ‘soft, happy, cuddly and cozy’. If that wasn’t wholesome enough, she has said in an interview that she just wanted to create a game where the only goal is to have the best time possble.
However, simply running the cat cafe is not the only things that players can do. The game also incorporates enjoyable aspects from other popular gaming franchises such as Animal Crossing. Similarities between Calico and Animal Crossing include the simulation aspects of both games, and the ability to place furnitire and decorations in your buildings. A perk about Calico however, is that the animals will not leave, the shop never closes, and crops never die.
Calico Key Features
- As all animals are interactive, players can explore the village to find cats and other animals, including raccoons, deer, dogs, turtles, red pandas, foxes, lizards, etc. The animals can be befriended, petted and played with
- Players can ride on giant cats ( as you do? ?)
- Run your café by filling it with animals, furniture and yummy café eats!
- Use magic potions to change your animals and environment
- Meet magical girls, witches and other townspeople who you can help and befriend
According to the Steam Website, Calico won’t playable until at least Summer 2020. However, there’s no need to be disappointed, as you can play these cat-themed games in the meantime to tide you over 🙂
For more updates on how the game is progressing, check their Twitter here.
More Magic Games!
Checkout Witchbrook the Stardew Valley of magic as well as Little Witch in the Woods and adorable magic and life simulation game!
If you love life simulation games, take a looksie at this game about Japanese Rural Life!
- Feb 8, 2020
Nintendo have remained somewhat cryptic about Animal Crossing New Horizons *insert an angry Mr. Resetti image here*. However, with each new trailer and video posted about the game, more and more exciting details are given.
This article will feature all the official Animal Crossing: New Horizons videos released so far, and the information that can be ascertained from each one.
First Teaser Trailer From 2018:
The first teaser trailer for Animal Crossing New Horizons was somewhat bittersweet. It was exciting to finally hear news on how the Switch addition to the franchise was progressing. However, the teaser trailer was just that. Nintendo teasing us. The only information given by Tom Nook, was that he had ‘business to attend to’ and needed ‘to make sure everyone has a nice, new place to come home to’. Naturally many fans were a little disappointed. However, there was excitement that Nintendo had finally begun talking about the game.
E3 2019 Trailer:
Fast forward to June 11th, 2019, during Nintendo E3, Nintendo released a more informative trailer. This trailer announced that New Horizons would be set on a deserted island and showcased major graphical improvements. The trailer also gave a sneak peek into new features that were unavailable in earlier Animal Crossing games, such as:
- Being able to gather materials
- Being able to craft tools
- The ability to place furniture outside
- The ability to make your own dirt paths without placing tiles
- A handy tool that allows you to pole vault across rivers (which inspired a few memes ?)
- Shinier hair for your characters that actually obeys the laws of physics and bounces ?
- More realistic looking human characters
with terrifyingly realistic kneecaps - The ability to make flower crowns for your players to wear
- New items of clothing and new accessories
- More diversity with new hairstyles and skin tones
- Villagers actually being able to wear short sleeve tops and long sleeve tops! (adios tank tops)
- The first hint towards the game supporting multiplayer
E3 2019 – Nintendo Treehouse Livestream:
Also released on June 11th, 2019, as part of E3 2019, was a Nintendo Treehouse Livestream containing Animal Crossing: New Horizons gameplay which showcased:
- Some of the DIY recipes available to craft. These include tools, benches, bonfires, signs, laundry lines, etc. We also get a peek at the sorts of materials required to craft these items. A lot of materials required to craft these items are supposedly easy to gather on the island. An example of this is the ability to gather materials such as stone and clay by hitting rocks with a shovel. Different types of wood can also be obtained by using the ‘flimsy axe’
- The ability to choose between northern and southern hemisphere when setting up your game/island means that the weather on your island is more closely matched to the weather that players across the world would experience in real life.
- The ability to buy tools as opposed to gathering resources and crafting them.
- The introduction of ‘Nook Miles’ (Similar to ACNL’s MEOW coupons), allows players to accumulate Nook Miles by completing various activites on the island. These include: crafting tools, pulling weeds, selling unwanted items, etc. Nook Miles can be exchanged for items and other activities, meaning that players are now being rewarded for completing tasks they would probably do anyway. Fun Fact: Nook Miles are called Tanuki Miles in the Japanese version of the game.
- A first insight into local multiplayer using one console. You can call other players on your island by using your Nook Phone. (For more up-to-date information on how multiplayer will work in Animal Crossing New Horizons, click here).
- More realistic features such as leaves blowing in the wind and the sound of the wind
- The ability to change between leaders during one console co-op play. (The yellow flag above a players head shows that that particular player is the leader).
- A brief insight into how multiplayer will work (8 people can visit one persons island at the same time)
- The ability to take photos (hopefully better quality than ACNL screenshots ?)
- Photo filters ?
- The ability to acquire DIY recipes through other animals (similar to how players obtained Public Works Projects in ACNL maybe?)
- The ability to dig up clams on the beach, which you can craft into fishing bait.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Direct 2019:
This promotional video aired on the 4th September 2019 during a Nintendo Direct. The video shows:
- A yellow plane situated next to the building that manages it. The building has a sign on it that says ‘Dodo Airlines’, which given the name, could be managed by birds. The fact that the plane remains on the island, and has its own dedicated building, could mean that players can travel to different places.
- Various different new weeds
- A potential building modification system situated at Nook’s Services at the centre of the island. There are blueprints, paint and tools based here.
- That players will need to keep up their energy to complete strenuous activities such as pulling up a tree. In the video, the player eats an apple and her energy increases.
- Different ways to earn Nook Miles, such as: pulling weeds, collecting DIY recipes, greeting islanders a certain amount of times in a day, getting familiar with your new NookPhone, catching a bunch of fish in a row without any getting away, etc.
- You can move whole trees
- Windy weather is now a thing
- Villagers can read books
- Fish bait is a thing
- Curved paths are a thing
- You get your own workbench
- Gigantic mushrooms exist
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Deserted Island Getaway Package Primer:
On January 22nd 2020, a new advertisement for the game appeared. Although the video is rather short, one can learn the following:
- Tom Nook is as greedy as ever
- Tom Nook’s nephews are featured, and may return
- The villagers/animals in the game are cuter than ever
- Isabelle could be returning
- What the game’s box art will look like
Nintendo Switch Animal Crossing: New Horizons Edition:
This advertisement shows the recently announced super cute Animal Crossing Switch Console. Although the video is brief, it shows a Nintendo Switch Console with:
- Pastel green and blue joy-cons
- A cute Animal Crossing print on the back of the tablet console
- An adorably fitting Switch dock featuring Tom Nook and his nephews dressed for an island adventure.
Nintendo Switch My Way – Animal Crossing:
And finally, is the most recent Animal Crossing (related) advert. Which showcases local co-op play, and gives a wholesome insight into how whole families can enjoy the game together :3
Many Switch owners are kicking themselves for not waiting for an Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch console. If you are lucky enough to not currently own a switch, but would love to own an official Animal Crossing Switch, you can pre-order one below:
?? Canada
?? Australia
NB: The console has sold out in a few places online, but hopefully more will available soon.
Animal Crossing New Horizons Decals!
If you own an original Nintendo Switch which you’d like to make a bit more Animal Crossing-y, click here for some amazing Animal Crossing decals and cases 🙂
What are you most looking forward to in ACNH?
What are you hoping to see in ACNH?
Animal Crossing Themed Mini Garden Kit!
If you love to garden without a mess – this tiny garden kit features everything you to need to grow a Japanese Succulent or vibrant green Bermuda grass – grab yours right here!
- Feb 8, 2020
A few great games are on sale during Nintendo’s Love To Game and Gift Sale.
Getting a great deal on games is always a good thing. And if there is one thing that we can expect when another holiday rolls around, it will mean more sales from all of our favorite retailers.
This year, Nintendo’s Valentines Day sale happens to bring down the cost on some cute games that I am quite fond of. First, there are few great LEGO games currently on sale, like LEGO Worlds now for only $11.99.
Possibly the greatest deal for this sale, though, would be the complete LEGO Harry Potter Collection for only $19.99. That is a lot of magical goodness for a great deal. Not to mention how LEGO tends to make every game/movie franchise just that much more silly.
LEGO Harry Potter Switch Trailer
There are a few other cute titles available on sale, but the overall list is a bit unimpressive. However, I am always keeping an eye out for other great sales. Especially since Nintendo never seems to keen on lowering the prices of their games.
Visit the official Nintendo Website to see the full list of games on sale!
- Feb 3, 2020
There’s only one thing that can make playing Animal Crossing better, and that’s playing it with friends! Therefore fans of the franchise will be pleased to know that New Horizons features both local and online multiplayer. In a recent notice from the official Nintendo website in Australia, it was announced that:
Official Nintendo Announcement
- Up to eight players can reside on an island at once.
- Four residents of the same island can play together simultaneously on a single system (presumably with each player requiring a joycon).
- Eight players can play together on one player’s island via online multiplayer or local wireless.
*Up to 8 players with registered accounts on a Nintendo Switch console can live on one shared island, and up to four residents of one island can play simultaneously on one console.
Please note: only one island can exist per Nintendo Switch console, irrespective of the number of user accounts registered to or copies of the game used on one console.
One Nintendo Switch and one copy of the game is required for each unique island. Alternatively, up to eight people can play together on one island via local wireless or online play. Local wireless play requires one console and one copy of the software per player.
This is how Animal Crossing New Horizons Multiplayer works!
So to clarify, that’s three different ways to play with friends:
- Up to 4 residents of the same island can play together simultaneosuly on one console.
- Up to 8 people can play together (each with your own console and copy of ACNH) using local multiplayer.
- Up to 8 people can play together (each with your own console, copy of ACNH, an internet connection, and a Switch Online membership) using Online Play.
Whilst not yet officially confirmed, gameplay from Nintendo Treehouse E3 2019 and trailers suggest that local multiplayer (using one console) will work in the following way:
New Horizons Local Multiplayer Using One Console
- Through the Call Islander app on the Nook Phone, it is possible to invite other characters that have already have a home for themselves in the town.
- Up to 3 players can be invited this way for a maximum of 4 local players on the same system
- One character is set as the main player, indicated by the flag over their head. Initially it is the player who used to app to invite someone, but can be switched at any time (easy switching between characters)
- All characters in local coop must stay within the same field of view. If the main player moves such that another player is moved off screen, that player will *poof* back next to the main player.
Switch may require Dock mode for New Horizons Local Multiplayer
It is not yet confirmed or denied by Nintendo, however it is to assume that the Switch will need to be docked, with each player owning a joycon, in order to play with others using one system.
In regards to online multiplayer, developers have stated that the Nintendo Switch Online App will likely be compatable with the game. This could mean that voice chat will be available when playing online, making gameplay easier and more fun .
It seems that Nintendo have put a lot of effort into co-op play in Animal Crossing New Horizons, something that has made New Leaf so enjoyable for many years after its release. Trading with players from all over the world and exploring other towns has breathed new life into New Leaf even 7 years after its initial release.
New Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch and Joy-Cons
Make sure to pre-order your copy of Animal Crossing New Horizons and to invest in a sufficient number of joycons, as Animal Crossing New Horizons will be coming to Nintendo Switch on March 20, 2020.
The new Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch Edition is also now live on Amazon!
More Animal Crossing New Horizons News
Check out all the adorable merchandise announced so far for New Horizons, including this adorable AC themed Gardening kit and this super cute Choco Egg that comes with some of your favorite characters!
- Jan 21, 2020
Mineko’s Night Market is an upcoming cat-themed crafting adventure game that celebrates Japanese culture and is essentially about friendship, choices, and of course, cats. The indie game is being developed by Meowza Games, and being published by Humble Bundle, who will also publish upcoming games Forager and Ikenfell.
The exact date for the games release is yet to be determined, though the creator mentioned that it may possibly be early this year. I thought I’d provide everyone with a detailed article on everything we know about this cute cat-filled creation!
What is the game about?
Playing as Mineko, a girl who has moved to a superstitious fishing town inundated with cats, you will uncover secrets whilst assiting Mineko in becoming a successful young entrepreneur. This can be done by completing tasks, undertaking quests and gathering resources in preparation for the weekly night market.
Players can craft a variety of odd items, toys, and trinkets, which can then be sold to townsfolk (who are now your customers) at Mineko’s night market stall. After you’ve finished selling your items, you can explore the Night Market yourself, where you can play mini-games, eat unusual foods, and purchase collectibles.
The game allows you to explore distant lands by unlocking different types of transport (which include buses, bullet trains and cat carts). Each land offers new people to meet and unique things to do, dependent on the time of day and season.
There are 16 uniquely themed markets every year which all feature a stage event that you can partake in. Examples of events include Taiko drumming, karaoke competitions, sumo suit wrestling, and more!
The better you perform at the market, the bigger and better the market will become, which may well attract new townsfolk and even celebrity guests!
What sort of stuff can I do in the game?
Some features of the game include:
- Explore the village and surrounding areas to find rare resources and make new friends
- Craft peculiar items with the resources you find around the world
- Barter with townsfolk at the weekly Night Market to sell your creations
- Explore the night Market to discover unusual culinary dlights and collectibles
- Play and compete in a variety of Night Market games like cat racing,
pachinko, and whack-a-tako - Uncover the mysteries of the Sun-Cat Abe and Mount Fugu Island!
How much will it cost?
The price of the game is still TBA.
What platforms will it be released on?
- PC
- Mac
- Nintendo Switch
When will it be released?
The Nintendo website claims that the game is ‘coming early 2019’ to the Switch console. As the PC and Mac versions were in the works first. However it was delayed until 2020 with no concrete release date, however let’s hope we can all play the game this year!
Is there any game merchandise available to buy?
Yes! The following items can be purchased whilst you (im)patiently await the game’s release:
- Mineko and the cats T shirt from theyetee.com
- Abe the Sun-Cat pin from theyetee.com
- Mineko pin from theyetee.com
- Mineko’s Night Market poster from theyetee.com
- Mineko’s Night Market Cutaway Cats and Rice Art Print (limited stock)
I sat down with Brent, developer behind the game for an exclusive interview last year. For some more sneaky details on Mineko’s Night Market, make sure you check out the interview here.
- Jan 18, 2020
Currently in development by Naps Team, Baldo is an upcoming action-adventure coming to Switch, amongst other platforms. The Zelda-inspired game has a cel-shaded art style, which is comparable to that of Studio Ghibli and Ni No Kuni.
There isn’t a lot of information available about Baldo. However, the following Nintendo announcement trailer, shows that in-game action is top-down, but that the game’s pseudo-realistic backgrounds are 3D.
The description beneath the game’s announcement trailer says the following:
The prophecy came true, the pure child is born. The no heart creature sealed in the underworld by the wise owls is about to rise again. The game is set in the world of Rodia, a journey into a magical land full of mysteries to discover. Baldo is an action adventure rpg, full of puzzles and intricate dungeons to solve. Traveling around the world, Baldo will interact with many weird and funny characters scattered everywhere, to complete the main story quest and many other side quests. You’ll travel into an open world map discovering new towns and people, fighting enemies, locating hidden temples and collecting objects to get new weapons or items to use.
From the trailer, it looks like players encounter a variety of characters and monsters. Additionally, it appears that dungeon-crawling, puzzle-solving and exploration all feature in the game.
Baldo will release on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows.
A release date for the game is still TBA.
Baldo has its own Facebook and Twitter pages where you can follow the game’s progress. Despite a lack of posts since earlier in 2019, Baldo recently replied to a post on WholesomeGames Twitter on 12th January.
Yay! They’re alive! 🙂
