Managed to play a reasonable amount during August, still spending a lot of time with the Switch. I am planning on a substantial PC upgrade between now and Christmas though, so I expect that’ll be where I focus my gaming time once it happens.

Games completed this month

Timespinner – Switch

A rare 100% completion here, including a New Game+ run. Really enjoyed Timespinner, but a lot of it was spent thinking what a great game Symphony of the Night is. A worthy tribute, as touched upon in my Metroidvania post.

---

Alex Kidd in Miracle World – Switch (SMS)

One of the first games I played on a games console, and certainly the first played on a system I owned. I finally completed Alex Kidd in Miracle World this month, some 30 years after first playing it. One of my all time favourite platform games, it only narrowly missed a place in my All-Time Top 5 games. Granted I was playing the SEGA Ages version on Switch and benefiting from some quality of life improvements, but it was satisfying to see the ending. I had previously got to the last area on occasion as a child, but didn’t understand what I needed to do.

Games played during August

Tetris 99 – Switch

Another Tetris 99 event to unlock a theme took place over an August weekend, and although the theme was based on a videogame IP I don’t care for (Fire Emblem) just the prospect of unlocking something was enough to pull me back in. Very much enjoyed putting some time into this again. I bloody love Tetris. Still haven’t managed first place though.

---

Tiny Trax – PSVR

I have been neglecting my PSVR. Admittedly the warmer weather had been making me less inclined to step into the headset, but the issue was more that whenever I put it on, I ended up just playing Tetris Effect and nothing else. Realised I’d bought this months (at least) ago and never even tried it. Spent some time with Tiny Trax this month and really enjoyed myself. It’s pretty much slot-car racing, with a steering mechanic to make things interesting. Also, it’s from FuturLab, the Brighton-based developer who made some of my favourite games on the Vita, always happy to show them some support.

---

Metro Exodus – PC

Put a few more hours into Metro Exodus during August. I am enjoying it, mostly because I like the setting and the characters. I do miss the claustrophobia inducing tunnels of the metro from the previous games, but at least there is a train. Everyone likes a train. Could do without the crafting though. Humbug.

---

Phantasy Star – Switch (SMS)

I played about half an hour of this, spoke to everyone in the village where I started. Entirely forgot I could save anywhere. Took one step outside the village and got murdered by a giant scorpion. Game Over. Games used to be tough, ya know? I was a bit disheartened but I shall go back and try again with regular saving (and maybe a guide).

---

Tetris Effect – PSVR

After my good work playing Tiny Trax, I was intending to play some more of my VR stuff. However the urge took me and I spent another 4 hours playing VR Tetris instead. No regrets! Also finally got to play in the “1989” themed levels, modelled on the original Gameboy graphics & music. It did not disappoint.

Retail version on Amazon here*. Best reason to go for the physical release for this is that if you forget to put the disc in, you might end up playing some of your other games for a change.

August Pick-ups

Warcraft 1 & 2 – PC

I never really played these properly back in the day, but have been meaning to try them properly ever since Good Old Games added them to their store. Warcraft II is still pretty playable so I’m hopeful I’ll get round to playing through that campaign. Possibly wasted my money on the first game though, not much fun to play in 2019…

---

Diablo – PC

As above for this really. Grabbed it at the same time as the Warcraft bundle. Like Warcraft 1, the original Diablo is clunky to play now, but I might still spend a bit more time with it. The mechanics aren’t as bad as early RTS games.

---

Outrun 2, Project Gotham 1 & 2 – Xbox

I took to eBay to pick up a few basics for my recently acquired Xbox. Outrun 2 was pretty much the main reason I wanted to console so was very happy to get hold of it.

---

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid – Switch

When this first came out I was intrigued as my partner is a big Power Rangers fan and does enjoy a versus fighting game. However early reports suggested that although it was a competent game, it was let down by a lack of content. It popped up in a Switch sale recently though, for a very reasonable £15, and a quick google informed me they had since added a few new characters and a story mode to the game as free updates. Figured it was now worth a punt, and after having a quick go it does seem promising.

---

Just Dance 2019 – PS4

Because fun.

---

Zelda Wired Pad – Switch

Not entirely happy about this one. My partner’s brother was visiting and I wanted to pick up a cheap extra pad in case we played some 3 player Raging Justice or Puyo Puyo Tetris. I left it too late to order online and my local Argos didn’t have stock for same day pick up. I was thus limited to Game and the only ones they had were this, Pokemon and Mario designs. I went for Zelda as the least visually offensive and to be fair it is a pretty good pad to use. As it happen’s my other half is a Zelda fan and really likes the design, so I’m optimistic she’ll use it and I can both get my Pro Controller back, and also stop having to detach the joy-cons when we want to play together on the TV.

They have this one on Amazon* if you want one. Can’t imagine why you would though. xD (In fairness, it is a very competent extra pad if you already have a Pro Controller)

---

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 – Switch

Didn’t think I’d get round to picking this up for a while. It hasn’t reviewed particularly well, but the criticisms could largely be levelled at the two previous games in much the same way and I had a lot of fun with those. The main thing putting me off was the £50 RRP. However during August there was a “Buy one get one half price” deal on a handful of Switch exclusive retail games. Although there was nothing else in the offer that I wanted, my buddy was keen to pick up Dragon Quest Builders 2, so we grabbed both games and split the discount. Worked out about £34 each via Amazon thanks to their “slightly less than RRP” base price. (Deal has ended, but Amazon have dropped it further to £39.99* atm)

*As usual, these links are affiliate ones, which may earn me a small commission if you buy something.

Well it was hinted as a possibility for this year, I’ve cracked and bought a Nintendo Switch. I didn’t even wait for Animal Crossing. More thoughts on that in the Pick-ups section below. No games completed, but hey, at least there are more games in the backlog now…

Games played during February

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Switch

It’s Mario Kart, I’ve been playing quite a bit, but haven’t taken it online yet. Was trying to at least 1 star all the cups first, but 200cc races are madness. I may need to rethink that.

Tetris 99 – Switch

This was a surprise announcement / release from Nintendo. A free (providing you pay for the online service) Tetris game where you play a “battle royale” style competitive game. You versus 98 other people. Last one standing wins. It did what it was supposed to, and made me pay for the online service.

February Pick-ups

Nintendo Switch

As headlined at the start of the post, I caved and picked up a Nintendo Switch. I had been toying with the idea on and off, particularly now there is an Animal Crossing announced. The main thing that sold it to me though was just the urge to get properly into a Mario Kart game again. There still aren’t many games I want for it, but I expect that to change in the future. I anticipate the Switch becoming my preferred platform for those indie games that previously I would have got for my PlayStation Vita.

Hyper Sentinel – Switch

My second Switch game. A fun little C64 style shooter, I originally played this at a retro event last year. It was £1.49 in the Nintendo eShop, where almost everything else is comically overpriced.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas – Switch

I’d heard good stuff about the core game of Starlink, but I think the expensive toy mechanic meant that the game pretty much tanked, and is now available very cheaply. Nintendo’s version of the game also includes Star Fox as a playable character. This month they announced the Switch version would be getting some free DLC to add the rest of the Star Fox crew to the game, so I figured I’d pick the starter pack.

Tetris Effect – PSVR / PS4

I had been waiting for a price drop on this since trying the demo last year. Found a bargain online and can’t wait to get my face on it. The demo was incredible. Pretty much the trippiest way to play Tetris.

Puyo Puyo Tetris (yes again) – Switch

The Switch is the perfect home for this as a great multiplayer puzzle game. This does however mark the fourth time I’ve bought Puyo Puyo Tetris, and the third Tetris game I’ve picked up this month! What year is it again? Fortunately I managed to sell my Japanese copy of Puyo Puyo Tetris on the PS4, recouping 70% of the cost.

SEGA Ages Thunder Force IV – Switch

The Switch has a whole bunch of shmups old and new, but annoyingly they tend to be much more expensive than on any other platform. I expect I’ll pick up more when they go on sale, but Thunder Force IV was the most tempting of the SEGA Ages range of games to start me off.

Golf Story – Switch

The only Nintendo exclusive I’ve really wanted to play on Switch so far outside of Mario Kart and the as yet unreleased Animal Crossing. Looking forward to giving this a proper play, definitely up for Golf the RPG.

Games retired in February

SEGA Heroes – Mobile

I haven’t been properly into a mobile game for years, unless you count Ticket to Ride & Hearthstone, which I don’t. This game is a standard “puzzle quest” style match 3 bejeweled clone. It is from SEGA though, and I was highly entertained by the fan service in the game. However, they launched a recent event to obtain “Tails” that was ridiculously cynical even by mobile game standards. It was looking at a purchase of upwards of £49 just to take part in, so I’m out.

I appreciate there is money to be made chasing “whales” in the mobile or free to play market. However, a company like SEGA should probably be more protective of its IP. Or we might be looking at the demise of the SEGA boy…