A Video Game Design Blog
Over the years I've served as an ambassador to Nintendo's more niche and obscure series, including Metroid, Fire Emblem, Xenoblade Chronicles, and Pikmin. This year, it's Mario's turn. Well, sort-of. We all know that Mario games -- Platformers and spinoffs alike -- are usually the highest-selling games on any Nintendo system. The mustachioed plumber doesn't … Continue reading A Newcomer’s Guide to Mario RPGs
Considering I've been writing about the artistry of video games for over 5 years, it might come to a surprise to some of my readers to hear that I once saw video games as a juvenile and cringey waste of time in my early adulthood. I grew up surrounded by video games as a kid, … Continue reading What Video Games Have Taught Me About Art
After Nintendo has a bullseye success, their next console always misfires, right? I mean, the DS sold over 150 million units, yet the 3DS only reached half that amount. And the Wii sold over 100 million units, but the Wii U barely broke 16. Nintendo's console sales look like a roller coaster track. As of … Continue reading Nintendo’s Next Console Won’t Flop, and Here’s Why:
It's March, which means it's time to celebrate another Switch birthday. This time our plucky hybrid is turning 7 years old, which is like age 63 in console years. I have quite a history with it by now, and I thought it would be a good time to look back on my favorite moments with … Continue reading The Nintendo Switch: 7 Years Old, 7 Favorite Memories
On January 30st, 2019, Nintendo permanently closed the doors to the Wii Shop Channel. On March 27th, 2023, Nintendo locked up the 3DS / Wii U eShop and threw away the key. In 2021 Sony announced that they were closing the PSN store for the PSP, PS3, and PS Vita, only to backtrack on the … Continue reading Why I Modded My Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, and PlayStation Vita
The Legend of Zelda, particularly the mainline 3D games, are some of the most critically-acclaimed video games ever made. No other series can boast having over ten games above a 90 Metacritic score. More than the family-oriented Mario and the niche Metroid, Zelda is Nintendo's most prestigious series. Zelda makes everyone -- gamers and critics … Continue reading The Zelda Cycle and the Problem With Reviewing Games
As I'm writing this post, the PS5 Slim was just announced, and the successor to the Nintendo Switch (which I'll refer to by the incredibly unique codename: Switch 2) could be revealed any day now. I've already seen people speculate on the difficulties that the Switch 2 will face trying to stand out from the … Continue reading What Makes Us Buy New Gaming Consoles?
After watching last week's Nintendo Direct, it's plain to me that the Nintendo Switch is winding down its life. Just as the 3DS's later years were filled with ports and remasters such as Metroid: Samus Returns, Fire Emblem Echoes, and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, we are seeing the same lineup appear for the Nintendo … Continue reading My Selfish List of Remakes, Remasters, and Ports for the Aging Nintendo Switch
Last year I attended a single day of PAX West, and it was my first gaming convention ever. While the bright lights and loud sounds were a bit overwhelming, I got this electric feeling trying out games, meeting developers, and watching other people play. I wanted to go again. And so this year I attended … Continue reading PAX West 2023: Harder, Better, Pax-er, Stronger
So you want to try playing NES games. Maybe you're curious about where your favorite game series got its start, or maybe you're interested in video game history. Maybe you've already tried playing a few games but you got lost or you bounced off of them. Regardless of how you got here, I'm here to … Continue reading A Newcomer’s Guide to the NES
Hookshot, Charge Beam, Revive 