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@WaveBoy

I completely agree on all points, and I'm on a similar trajectory. I used to post multiple times a day, every day, but since that Starfox Poster followup "article" the spell has just been broken for me. I've posted a few times since, but the joy is gone. really, it was "a thousand tiny cuts" but that article was truly the moment something snapped.

my plan is to continue to use NL forums, mostly on the "general discussion" section, because some of my favorite lifers still seem to check in over there, and just kinda "give up" on the actual content. OTOH, i still like TE and I plan to stick around here and follow along with Damo for the foreseeable future. 🙂

I hope to still see you in those places, and I'm glad you reached out! I do hope to not lose touch completely as I enjoy your posts and our interactions around here ✌️

PS - I just realized you are both WaveBoy and NeonPizza 😂 have you been switching back and forth the whole time? 😵‍💫

@Peteykins

i was aware of each as a 12/13y.o. (and bought a NGPC shortly after release) so they must've at least made a blip ✌️

this was such a great game at the time! i really would have enjoyed a sequel.

no need to wait for a remaster, as this game plays and looks great as it is 👍

@Memblers

[refuses to answer opening question]

"well I can see this conversation is going nowhere!"

@Sketcz

man, I totally get all your points, and I'm with you to varying degrees.

but the first time I used a Wavebird, I knew I didn't want a cord ever again 😂

I don't prefer bluetooth, but I find it reasonably reliable and very convenient if I stick to the same few controllers, and I don't change anything! It gets somehow confused when I get new controllers, or try to use different controllers for different games.

honestly, I think 8bitdo's setup with the 2.4ghz usbc dongle in the charging dock is the best thing ever, and I wish all my controllers were exactly like that.

I use many bluetooth controllers and wired too but I'm reaching for the Pro 3 and Ult 2 most often by far.

Ok. So, "none" then?

@Porco

Which "american-based" developers are owned entirely by US leadership?

@NeonPizza

are you saying the former joystick had lag, wired? 🤔 that's a new one for me!

I'm not particularly sensitive to latency, until it hits a certain threshold, and then it becomes unbearable. I don't know what that threshold is but I know it when i feel it (like when i play Switch at almost anyone else's house, it seems 😂✌️)

is there a way that you test for this, like an app or a special process?

@Sketcz

No aversion! I own and use a number of bluetooth controllers. My motivation for asking/assumption was that BT would be the only way that I could use that stick with my setup.

That being said, I've noticed using my Ultimate 2 controller that the 2.4ghz mode is just faster enough compared to BT that it does make a difference, so now I'm a little less likely to use my many BT only controllers in favor of the Ult 2 and Pro3.

I'll ask you, then, in return: what is your aversion to bluetooth? ✌️

"Tyranny of virtue," 🤣👍

Zero sympathy for people wanting to mindlessly consume while having zero awareness of subtext.

Lot's of "whataboutism" BS going on in here. if you wanted to buy the shiny thing with a smooth, information free brain then you are on the wrong website, plain and simple.

Seriously, throw a rock and you'll hit someone shilling whatever product you want with zero context.

Good article, Damo. ✌️

the buttons on the pad look wrong. Might actually be an improvement for all I know, but they aren't like the original for what that's worth.

ps - i don't remember this version of the stick as well (i prefer the other version personally) but was the concave for the buttons this pronounced before? 🤔 it's interesting that they would bother to make changes at this point, in any case

@X68000

too bad! I'd really like that stick for my steamdeck. ✌️ thanks!

the stick supports "wireless..."

does that mean bluetooth?

PS - the amazon link didn't work.

always wanted a local multiplayer arcade dogfight game. this looks kinda bad for a DC game though. still, interesting! 👍

I'm with others here that bad tweets do not rise to the level of worthy dissemination or discussion beyond their native platform. This isn't Twitter and if I wanted Twitter I could be there instead. Just my opinion.

How about "updating" that awful name.

I still dont really understand why a light gun cant be made that works essentially like a normal light gun but is calibrated to function with modern tvs. I'm a tech idiot so that's not shocking tbf.

@metaphysician

I was making a different point but yeah that's also true. To be fair, the "blank killer" trope has been around as long as I've been paying attention to gaming journalism, and no doubt longer, and it has always been more hyperbolic and/or aspirational than anything. The number of handhelds that were supposedly "Gameboy Killers" for example.

it is a bit surprising that no one has made anything nearly (imo) as compelling as the steam deck in the category in the years since, but not entirely as the deck is a very compelling and thoughtfully designed piece of hardware, which isn't saddled with Windows and all the bs that comes with that platform. its the most "first party" PC gaming device that I've ever seen which is ultimately why I got one, I think.

@N64-ROX @AnonUser

isnt it possible that things simply continue to change, and we end up with something profoundly profitable for "them" but decisively worse for "us," for example subscription and cloud based gaming or mobile becoming the "mainstream" option that "casuals" and new/young players adopt without knowing any better and the rest of us are just out in the cold? does that make sense?

certainly, we have seen major shakeups in gaming that I personally feel are objectively for the worse yet looking around other people (Nintendo fans for example) seem oblivious to or even in favor of.

isnt calling anything a "steam deck killer" at this point a bit like calling something a "SNES killer" in 1996?

"Those who have already pre-ordered the device will still get their units, and AYANEO is keen to stress that this situation is only temporary. "If storage prices return to more reasonable levels in the future, we may consider resuming the sale of NEXT 2"

To me, what they are actually stressing is that the situation might be permanent. "If" and "may" are not exactly the most assuring words afterall. ✌️

this sounds like an interesting project but something the dev said got me thinking.

i have a dumb guy question:

if we can emulate the superFX chip, et al, then can a crafty dev create a "virtual" enhancement chip that never actually existed? like, a superFX "4?" if not, why not? if so... why not? lol. ✌️

@AnonUser

i dont even think you agree with "5 tops" 😅

In all seriousness I think we are actually on the same page. its like 10 if we are being picky, sounds like 25ish for you and maybe 40ish for me if we are just trying to have a good time. 😊👍

Man, the day I find the box with my Saturn, Master System, and 32X in it will be one for the history books. 😢

@slider1983

in what market did NES overshadow Dreamcast? 🤔

I don't have enough experience with most aspects of Master System to really comment on that, except that clearly NES dominated in that matchup almost everywhere, and NES definitely had the better music all around.

NES probably "overshadowed" Mega Drive to some extent, but as an NES having young'n I remember being simply blown away when I'd play Genesis at someone elses house! kind of like the Dreamcast vs psx/n64 dynamic before PS2 came out (except this time I had the Dreamcast and it was other kids losing their minds over it 😂👍)

@smoreon

To paraphrase another Willie: "They're always on my mind..."

Incidentally, I havent tested my U in a while either... 🫣

This is why I chose not to have kids lol.

@slider1983

what systems? Genuinely curious, not trying to pick a fight 😊

@Glassneedles

"your list I've never tried Rush 2, Shadowgate or the Bomberman games"

Rush 2 is my favorite N64 racing game. it's a flawed game to say the least but it has tons of character, occasionally hilarious music, and just a sense of "fun" that I think is somewhat rare for "car" games. It also has an "open" track that is essentially a giant skate park, that we would play in 2p, making up games on the spot, chasing each other around, playing "tag" and "horse," trying out zany cheat codes, and on and on. Not many racing games give you the opportunity to get serious air, but this one does. and, you dont have control of your trajectory once mid air (logically, of course) so how you hit ramps and at what speed matters a whole lot, particularly in races, adding to the feeling of legitimate skill refining if you know what I mean. I love games like that! (Jet Moto is another.)

Shadowgate 64 is such a unique game I just had to add it. When people say there are "no rpgs" on N64 they are definitely not thinking about Shadowgate 64! (some would call it an adventure game but I personally think that's splitting hairs at a point.) I can guarantee youve never played a 64 game quite like it! And if you are a fan of OG shadowgate, all the better.

As I mentioned, the Bomberman games on 64 are relatively wild! The didnt really experiment this much with the series ever before, or since. that being said, you can also have an excellent time playing "conventional" bomberman, in at least one of them.

@MegaJ

to be fair, and I agree with your overall message, I would say this one is more about being conventional than "modern." considering two pronged controllers were well established when the 64 controller was designed.

they preserved what was important (the button layout) and refined what was controversial (the ergonomics.) and hey, at least they didnt add a second stick as some here have lamented! talk about "modernizing" nonsensically! ✌️

I like the old 64 pad, and I like this one. maybe a little more. fwiw. ymmv.

@beartown

GBA = SNES has been a common trope since the beginning. I tend to agree, they are different things, and even at the time I thought "man, if only this had two more face buttons it would be like a little SNES."

OTOH i'm kinda glad that it WASN'T a little SNES because the game library might've been full of crappy SNES ports and fewer original titles. 👍 Handheld gaming was all about constraints, something that is lost in the modern era.

@N64-ROX

@2ElvesVS1man

i have "all the consoles" and i worry that the next time i try to use some of my more neglected ones, they won't work 😟

in particular, my Jaguar hasn't been hooked up in many years.

I've been thinking about this game, and feeling its absence, since grade school.

@N64-ROX

ah! I had forgotten all about the Duke!

yes indeed, you are right. I was thinking of the ver. 2 controller. 👍

makes sense, though, that the largest controller possibly ever made is the one that has room for the 3x2 button layout with two sticks! 😅

there is a new hyperkin Duke controller out there but unfortunately it is wired/usb.

@Glassneedles

The World is not enough - I never played this one, but I'm very interested now because I happen to love the single player campaign in goldeneye!

Diddy Kong Racing - this one never quite "clicked" for me, but I almost put it on my list anyway. I always intended to give it another shot however.

Dr Mario 64 - I only didnt add this because I prefer the NES one, though iirc they are basically the same game. nothing wrong with the 64 version!

Pokémon Puzzle League - similarly, I just like Tetris Attack on snes a bit more! nearly the same though.

Harvest Moon - I have this cart! great game but again, the snes one edges it out for me.

Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine - wow is this really that good? Color me interested!

Rocket Robot on Wheels - I played this for a few minutes quite recently! great bouncy, cartoony graphics and general vibe.

Rogue Squadron - great game! it gets kind of overshadowed by Leader in my mind but both games were like mind blowing when they came out 🤯

ps - thanks for the tip on RetroDodo! 👍

@N64-ROX

im a bit confused, tbh. the controller linked does have the buttons in the og xbox layout, doesn't it? 🤔

I think the real reason you dont see twin stick pads with the "sega" six button setup is that no games have ever been designed with that setup in mind, because no OEM controllers have ever been designed that way.

also, things would get pretty crowded! take a look at the saturn 3d pad, and imagine where the second stick would go..

even that horrible looking gulikit twin stick "saturn" controller reverted to 4 face buttons to make it work (arguably)

I do get what you are after, though! one pad to rule them all 👍 personally I've given up on this and i'm up to four 😂

ult 2 (dreamcast, xbox, "modern")
pro 3 (s/nes, dual shock)
8bd64 (n64)
m30 (genesis, saturn, arcade)

@romanista

i am enjoying the combo of ultimate 2, pro 3, 8bd64, and m30 so much! i have pretty much stopped wanting for more controllers at this point. (and thats really saying a lot for me!)

I also love my 8bitdo lite 1 controller for its unique layout that ive never seen on any other controller, and I will be getting the new steam controller if it ever comes out. 🙄

ps that earthion m30 is a beaut! im not really a "special edition" type guy but that one is really fitting and it isnt half assed like the RE pro con for example.

@GordonBennet

IIRC 8bitdo did actually make such a controller, but took their more "blatant" 1:1 copies off the market when they eventually got threatened by Nintendo. (as though Nintendo had any such desire to please their own fans.)

FWIW this controller is very fun to play SM64 with! very intuitive.

i can also recommend the 8bitdo replacement stick for og n64 controllers. i have a blue controller with that stick, very high quality feeling controller that way

@AnonUser

I cant really argue with your points, except that in my opinion 5 is way too low.

Mario 64
Waverace 64
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Goemon's Great Adventure
Banjo Kazooie
Banjo Tooie
Pilotwings 64
Rush 2 (kind of a personal choice but there's nothing else quite like it)
Bangai-O
Smash
Sin and Punishment
Bad Fur Day
Ocarina
Majora
Snowboard Kids (both games)
Mario Golf
a few solid Bomberman games including by far the most ambitious games in the series imo
Space Station Silicon Valley
Ogre Battle 64
Shadowgate 64
Blast Corps
Perfect Dark
Paper Mario
F zero X
Star Fox 64

lots more if you include games that were solid versions but just "better on X" (usually dreamcast) as youve alluded. I believe most of the games ive listed are both good games, and games best/only played on n64 ✌️

PS - my (many many) legacy consoles and crts have mostly collected dust, as I've been playing literally everything on my Steamdeck w/retrodeck since October of last year. so, I feel you on that!

I'm wanting to get into "native" pc ports and romhacks soon as well. its a big world out there! 😊👍

I wish theyd not moved the a + b buttons relatively drastically further from the c buttons on the new controller. I'm surprised ive not seen anyone else talk about this but i noticed it immediately.

otherwise, still a GREAT controller. i may get one of these retro color ones to go with my black one for 2p 👍👍

@AnonUser

I am sure that you get the benefits of which you speak, playing SM64's native PC port with dual analogue.

but, like, there are other n64 games besides SM64 😂👍

looks like he kinda struggles getting the cart back out 😅 oh, well.

definitely not just you.

it's not lined up in the open position 👀 can't unsee

@Yousef-

it's really great to have you back 😊👍

@Martin_H

"Retro" means "made to look/seem/feel old."

it has Latin roots and everything.

I feel you, in that if people are going to use it just to mean "old," it has lost meaning and can be safely ejected from usage in favor of words that do actually mean things.👍

@DestructoDisk

"I think that pretty much puts the final nail in the coffin on the definition of “retro” when it comes to video games."

sorry, "that's not how words actually work."

it kind of seems like you are saying that the word can rightfully mean anything to anyone as long as it's not the actual meaning of the word, reflected in it's definition and etymology.

im not going to debate about the definition of a word and not use the actual definition as a starting point. i can hardly imagine a bigger waste of time.

the relative fragility and thickness of a clamshell, but without the screen protection.

idk why y'all bother arguing about this if you don't care what the words actually mean.

snes classic mini is a retro console.
analogue 3D is a retro console.
evercade is a retro console.

Wii U is just getting old like everyone else.

which one of those "hilarious parodies" is the one where we killed 176 school girls?

so ***** embarrassing. we had a good run, y'all. ✌️