Switch Funday - Banjo-Kazooie - My First Time

Welcome to Switch Funday!

This week's game is Banjo-Kazooie and this is my first time playing it! I've heard people talk about this game for a long time and most often they've spoke highly of it, putting it up as one of the best on the N64. I've always been curious about it, but i never got it when it came out on Xbox 360. With it's sequel, Banjo-Tooie, being released i was reminded that Banjo-Kazooie was already out Nintendo Switch.

having tried out other N64 games, i knew that the controls might be the most annoying part of playing this but thankfully they weren't too bad. it wasn't great but it was manageable enough. that's not to say that Banjo-Kazooie doesn't have it's own quirks, i found it's momentum to be frustrating when it came to doing big jumps and trying it's roll attacks. but by the time i was finishing this video i was starting to get to grips with that aspect of the game.

Having heard people talk about this game for so long, things like the puzzle pieces or music notes weren't a surprise to me. But there were still things, even after all this time, that surprised me. you'll hear after i finish the first level how surprised i am that Grunty's Castle isn't linear, that it's full of secrets and small puzzles. i was also kinda surprised by how small the first stage was. i was worried that with all the collectables the stages would be massive and it'd be a pain to find everything. but i fond that first stage to be the right size and it's puzzles not too difficult. things could change with the later stages, but for this first hour or so it was very pleasant.

Banjo-Kazooie really makes a great first impression with it's introduction "movie", the tutorial area, and the first area we visit in the castle. i enjoyed the quips between each character, too. for me, i had such a great time with Banjo-Kazooie that i do want to play more. i'd prefer to play more with modern controls, but with the XBLA closed and Rare Replay not on a console i own, i may have to learn to tolerate the controls on the Switch Pro Controller...but i think it might be worth it!

Switch Funday - Blast Corps - A Frustrating Nostalgic Return

Welcome to Switch Funday!

This week's game is Blast Corps and this isn't my first time playing this N64 game. back when it came out, my sister either rented or borrowed this game and we played it a little. the problem was, we only played it a little because we got stuck. my hope about revising Blast Corps is to try and make progress but also to understand why i probably got stuck as a kid.

As ever, some of the journey with N64 games on Nintendo Switch is working out what the controls are, how they've been brought over to the Pro Controller. unfortunately, i think that even after my time with the game, i still didn't fully understand all the controls. i understood enough, but for example i couldn't work out how to do the dump truck drift.

The controls throughout were always a little weird, not just in how they've been brought over to the Pro Controller, but in how responsive they are in game. at times, i was impressed with how responsive and accurate it was. then there were times where i kept getting stuck on buildings as the controls didn't quite work as expected. 

out of the different modes i played, i enjoyed the timed destruction ones the most. having a set level, a time limit, and a target was nice and was like a puzzle. it did feel like there was only one answer to this puzzle, but it was mostly fun and a nice way to try out each of the machines you can control. Racing had potential, but i think the course design didn't match well enough with the vehicles and the short cutting mechanic. the second race i did came close. but other than that, i didn't really enjoy the other game modes.

I came away from Blast Corps with the feeling that this was an XBLA game before such a thing existed. for me, there's not enough here for a full game release. not just in terms of gameplay, but also with the menus, music, and basic lack of any information. 

Switch Funday - R.C. Pro-Am - My First Time

Welcome to Switch Funday!

For today's game i wanted to try out the NES game R.C. Pro-Am from Rare. This was a recent addition to the service and a game i've heard many people talk about for a long time now. I was quite eager to give it a go, but i didn't really know how it will play. I've got experience playing top down racers like Micro Machines and behind the car racers like Moncao GP, both games on the SEGA Mega Drive. But this was a side on isometric game with graphics that surprised me.

R.C. Pro-Am is a fairly early NES game so i was surprised by how good it looked. sure, there are few cars on track and not all the screen is used, but what is on screen is very clear. The only issue i had was that i felt like the controls weren't as tight enough for how narrow the tracks were.

On real highlight was the soundtrack to the game, all the music i heard was fantastic and i really enjoyed listening to it. I was caught of guard by the game going straight into racing. i imagine the game's manual would've explained things a bit more as i had to learn whilst playing. Early on, i didn't know that i had weapons, but once i learned there are weapons i fully enjoyed using the rockets.

I hope the sequel, R.C. Pro-Am II, comes to the service as i imagine it's a more refined and impressive game than this was. But R.C. Pro-Am is well worth trying, there are a lot of positives and using the #Switch save state feature means you don't have to worry about starting from the beginning. Tho i kept doing that as i felt like i was learning each time i tried again.

Switch Funday - GoldenEye 007 - My First Time

Welcome to Switch Funday!

Even tho i've been playing video games since the early 1990's, i've never played GoldenEye 007. As i say in the video, my sister had a Nintendo 64 but we never had the game. I didn't even know anyone who had the game. so when it came out on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack i was eager to try it.

i went in knowing full well that games from this time haven't always aged well but still, i was shocked at how bad the controls were. they haven't been updated for the Nintendo Switch release, they've merely been mapped to controls that already exist. but it's fun to watch the video and see how i gradually adapt to the controls.

In this video, i don't finish the second level. even tho it's over an hour long, i try 4 times to beat the second level and fail. and it's mostly because of my own mistakes. but gameplay wise i kinda had fun. it was somewhat nostalgic but it was perhaps even nicer to know that i have finally played the game.

i don't know if it's one i'll come back to and finish. maybe if they update it or maybe if i get the N64 controller for Switch i might. It would be nice to try the online multiplayer, but that's only for friends rather than randoms online which i had hoped it would be.

Rare And Nintendo Announe Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Coming November To Wii U

Rare have revealed they are working on Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze for the Wii U. coming this November, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze features the return of Dixie Kong.

FEATURES:

• Dixie Kong is back to join the adventure as a playable character alongside Diddy Kong. Either can buddy up with Donkey Kong, and each character offers a different game-play experience.

• Explore new dynamic levels that twist, turn and transform in new ways. Plus enjoy spectacular views from the dynamic rotating camera.

• On their journey to reclaim Donkey Kong Island, Donkey Kong and his friends travel across five islands with a variety of stages that include underwater areas and frozen environments.

• Enhance Donkey Kong’s exploration and unlock secrets with a new move that involves “plucking” items right out of the ground.

• Team up with friends in a cooperative multiplayer mode that lets two players share in the fun together.

Screenshots


Fact Sheet

Microsoft And Rare Announce Kinect Sports Season 2

Microsoft and Rare have announced Kinect Sports Season 2 for Xbox360 Kinect. there are 6 new sports to play, American Football, Tennis, Baseball, Golf, Skiing, and Darts. The first video shows a montage of these sports whilst the second video shows in-game Kinect action.


Watch Kinect Sports Season 2 - Sport Montage in Tech & Gaming | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com


Watch Kinect Sports Season 2 - Gameplay Trailer in Tech & Gaming | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Microsoft Have Released A New Trailer For Kinect Sports

Microsoft have released a new trailer for Rare's Kinect Sports. this trailer shows in-game action and the moves people have to do to pull them off. in-game action is shown from all the sports in the game.

Rare Celebrate Their 25th Anniversary And Reveal New Logo

Rare have announced that in celebrating their 25th Anniversary in the games industry, they will bring a new look to the brand. as well as a new logo, Rare will also relaunch their website with a new design. 

Announcing Rare’s new look, Head of Studio Mark Betteridge said: “Both Rare and the games industry have seen massive changes over the past 25 years, and right now it feels as if both we and the industry are continuing to evolve at an ever-increasing pace. With this landmark anniversary coming up, and knowing that we have a really exciting future ahead, we felt now was the time to have a new image more in keeping with an innovative and creative entertainment company which aspires to be around for at least the next 25 years!”

Rare Logo's


Press Release

LONDON – 2 June 2010 - British developer Rare is to celebrate its 25th anniversary in the games industry this summer. Such a landmark provides a natural opportunity to reminisce over what has been a hugely impressive presence throughout that period, and to prepare for an equally influential future with a brand new look.

Throughout Rare’s lifespan, the world of videogames has morphed from the cottage activity of the ’80s into a thriving and vibrant entertainment industry, easily as significant as music and films in today’s market. Rare is extremely proud to have been at the forefront of this metamorphosis.

Now, as the company focuses its vision on an even more exhilarating future, the timing is perfect to introduce a distinctive new look. So Rare is thrilled to unveil its new identity, encompassing a brand new logo and branding soon to be extended to a full website relaunch at www.rare.co.uk.

The new logo is both modern and classic, adjectives that could be applied equally well to Rare itself.

Announcing Rare’s new look, Head of Studio Mark Betteridge said: “Both Rare and the games industry have seen massive changes over the past 25 years, and right now it feels as if both we and the industry are continuing to evolve at an ever-increasing pace. With this landmark anniversary coming up, and knowing that we have a really exciting future ahead, we felt now was the time to have a new image more in keeping with an innovative and creative entertainment company which aspires to be around for at least the next 25 years!”