Jesp
2013
Replaying this again in 2024, still quite fun. User created levels can be hit or miss in terms of readability. Finally beat Clubstep, and lots of new additions and currencies, but no IAPs which is a blessing.
Finally beat Theory of Everything 2 after a two week on off grind! Took a break after unlocking the three locks but still fun. Just Deadlocked left..
Finally beat Theory of Everything 2 after a two week on off grind! Took a break after unlocking the three locks but still fun. Just Deadlocked left..
2003
Joined via invite from some friend, don't remember a thing besides its name. Apparently it had an Adventure Time collaboration, which is cool. Very anime-themed. Played for a few months, it seems.
My first Zelda game. Though it's not look at quite as fondly as other 3D Zelda titles, and takes much inspiration from Ocarina, I really enjoyed it. Still really holding out for a Switch remaster/remake.
Didn't mind the motion controls for the combat and such, and really enjoyed using things like the boomerang and bow and arrow due to the motion controls. Obviously, made it hard to zoom in and react to things especially in boss battles, but figured it out. Being the first Zelda game I played, I didn't know any differently how linear it felt, or how much backtracking was required. Warrants a replay for sure, but just found it very freeing to explore Hyrule, rolling around the Field and listening to the grandiose music. Dispelling the Twilight was very satisfying since it was so freaky, and then collecting the Mirror of Twilight Shards was cool in re-treading new ground to find the temples like Snowpeak Ruins and Temple of Time. Even being my first Zelda, seeing the Temple of Time appear from re-inserting the Master Sword was really special and I felt that history.
I remember getting confused leading up to the Forest Temple because of the backtracking required with the monkeys and lanterns and all that, and did find the start slow, but it gave me time to get my bearings.
That reminds me, the small things of stealing lantern oil or healing oil from the guy in Ordon forest, or having to collect the golden bugs, or playing the double Clawshot game in the Town, or the crazy Malo Mart...all quite cool and gave the game a lot of character. Still have memories completing all the levels in the tilting marble game in the Fishing hole.
Midna was also a fun companion, had a compelling story and honestly enjoyed being a wolf just to have Midna interact with things more. A lot more nuance to her character, and Midna's Lament is a standout for sure - though I wish it didn't stop playing if you were approached by an enemy, I remember that being an annoyance that took me out of the atmosphere.
Still have nightmares about those Zant hands in the Palace of Twilight.
And the Cave of Ordeals was extremely satisfying to power through, very proud of myself for getting through all 50 floors, especially the triple Darknuts at the end.
Didn't mind the motion controls for the combat and such, and really enjoyed using things like the boomerang and bow and arrow due to the motion controls. Obviously, made it hard to zoom in and react to things especially in boss battles, but figured it out. Being the first Zelda game I played, I didn't know any differently how linear it felt, or how much backtracking was required. Warrants a replay for sure, but just found it very freeing to explore Hyrule, rolling around the Field and listening to the grandiose music. Dispelling the Twilight was very satisfying since it was so freaky, and then collecting the Mirror of Twilight Shards was cool in re-treading new ground to find the temples like Snowpeak Ruins and Temple of Time. Even being my first Zelda, seeing the Temple of Time appear from re-inserting the Master Sword was really special and I felt that history.
I remember getting confused leading up to the Forest Temple because of the backtracking required with the monkeys and lanterns and all that, and did find the start slow, but it gave me time to get my bearings.
That reminds me, the small things of stealing lantern oil or healing oil from the guy in Ordon forest, or having to collect the golden bugs, or playing the double Clawshot game in the Town, or the crazy Malo Mart...all quite cool and gave the game a lot of character. Still have memories completing all the levels in the tilting marble game in the Fishing hole.
Midna was also a fun companion, had a compelling story and honestly enjoyed being a wolf just to have Midna interact with things more. A lot more nuance to her character, and Midna's Lament is a standout for sure - though I wish it didn't stop playing if you were approached by an enemy, I remember that being an annoyance that took me out of the atmosphere.
Still have nightmares about those Zant hands in the Palace of Twilight.
And the Cave of Ordeals was extremely satisfying to power through, very proud of myself for getting through all 50 floors, especially the triple Darknuts at the end.
2007
My first 3D Mario game, and one of my favorites. Formative experience, loved the different galaxies and worlds, and the bit of story given through Rosalina and her diary was quite compelling, though I didn't understand it much.
The Comet Observatory was my Peach's castle for those that grew up with Mario 64, really enjoyed running to the different domes, wondering what the green launch star was, and exploring the dark areas even before they were unlocked. Twirling up the slope and getting to the engine room before it was unlocked is a core memory. And hearing how the music developed after beating Bowser the first and second time was magical. Only regret is that they gave you the Red Power-up star way too late - and that it didn't really control that well (that Gateway purple coins was tough). Would've been great to use that earlier in the observatory to fly through everywhere, getting the five hidden 1-Ups.
Still remember how difficult it was to complete 100%, getting so many Game Overs on Sweet Sweet Galaxy and Loop-de-loop Galaxy on my first playthrough. And then even more so in the challenge Green star trial galaxies. But finishing all the stars, including the comets, and then replaying the whole game again as Luigi was thrilling. Replayed it multiple times over the tenure of the Wii.
Replayed it again in 2021 as part of the 3D All Stars package, and that's one of the only games I've used double joy-cons as the default best way to play.
The soundtrack is seared into my memory. Gusty Garden of course, but also the observatory, Battlerock, Buoy Base, Toy Time, and even the credits. Loved this game.
The Comet Observatory was my Peach's castle for those that grew up with Mario 64, really enjoyed running to the different domes, wondering what the green launch star was, and exploring the dark areas even before they were unlocked. Twirling up the slope and getting to the engine room before it was unlocked is a core memory. And hearing how the music developed after beating Bowser the first and second time was magical. Only regret is that they gave you the Red Power-up star way too late - and that it didn't really control that well (that Gateway purple coins was tough). Would've been great to use that earlier in the observatory to fly through everywhere, getting the five hidden 1-Ups.
Still remember how difficult it was to complete 100%, getting so many Game Overs on Sweet Sweet Galaxy and Loop-de-loop Galaxy on my first playthrough. And then even more so in the challenge Green star trial galaxies. But finishing all the stars, including the comets, and then replaying the whole game again as Luigi was thrilling. Replayed it multiple times over the tenure of the Wii.
Replayed it again in 2021 as part of the 3D All Stars package, and that's one of the only games I've used double joy-cons as the default best way to play.
The soundtrack is seared into my memory. Gusty Garden of course, but also the observatory, Battlerock, Buoy Base, Toy Time, and even the credits. Loved this game.
Don't recall how far I got into this game, only that the areas where he was scared of snakes were funny and that the whip was fun to use. Did get past the rolling boulder scene after a bunch of failed attempts.
And as usual, the environmental puzzles and collecting mini-kits (or artifacts, in this case) was fun.
And as usual, the environmental puzzles and collecting mini-kits (or artifacts, in this case) was fun.
Honestly never got past the potion making part of the story a few minutes in, something about the motion controls just didn't work when stirring or pouring.
2009
This is what I think of when I think of the Wii and Wii Sports. Wuhu Island. An amazing expansion and re-imagining of Wii Sports, creating a world of its own for the Miis to not just golf and bowl, but swordfight, fly planes, shoot targets, cycle, basket, wakeboard, canoe, many other water sports, golf but with frisbee, golf but with frisbee and dog, and tennis but with table.
(They forgot how to baseball and boxing but that's okay).
Most played game for us by far was Table Tennis. Might sound like an ad, but using the MotionPlus to put all sorts of gnarly spin on the ball was exhilarating, and gave it a lot more nuance. That was the only sport I hit rank 2500 on. Still trying to get the stamp for not hitting the guy's face in Return Challenge though.
My favorite game, though, was the Island Flyover. I'm still impressed with how much detail they were able to give to the supposed life of this resort, with 80 collectible points (iPoints) to find all over the island and its neighboring islands, and with 240 different flavor texts for those points in the three times of day. The only thing I wish this game could've added was an endless mode, but still, flying around the island and seeing how everything was connected was amazing. From the town, with the bowling alley and basketball court, to the swordfighting stadium, and up the mountain to the canoeing lake, Island Flyover really made what would've been a mini-game package into a cohesive story. Well not too much story, but flavor enough to let you imagine a story.
All the other games were extremely solid too. A good amount of single player, two player, and multiplayer options as well. And having multiple modes within each sport helped with the variety as well. Sometimes I'm not feeling a pickup game, but could go for the 3-point contest. The VS. modes in Canoeing, Cycling, and Power Cruising did fall short, though, it's basically who can reach the end the fastest, and was limited to only two players. Otherwise, they all were pretty fun.
The stamps were the perfect sort of collectible to add. Some would be skill-driven when completing the sport, some would be fun Easter eggs, and other would be just random stuff. Standouts are having to pop every white balloon in Island Flyover (which I guess I somehow did, although I did put in over 100 hours into probably just that), and all the hidden targets in Archery - which are kind of ridiculous, but thank goodness for online guides to find those.
Beautiful game. Always wishing we could get another game that returned to Wuhu Island, or at least just one with the same amount of heart and spirit. Seeing Nintendo Switch Sports come out with its Spocco Square (and disclaimer, I didn't end up getting this game) with only six sports felt so lifeless. At the very least, bring back the Wuhu Mountain Loop track from MK7 please!
Sincerely, a Wuhu Island Balloonatic
(They forgot how to baseball and boxing but that's okay).
Most played game for us by far was Table Tennis. Might sound like an ad, but using the MotionPlus to put all sorts of gnarly spin on the ball was exhilarating, and gave it a lot more nuance. That was the only sport I hit rank 2500 on. Still trying to get the stamp for not hitting the guy's face in Return Challenge though.
My favorite game, though, was the Island Flyover. I'm still impressed with how much detail they were able to give to the supposed life of this resort, with 80 collectible points (iPoints) to find all over the island and its neighboring islands, and with 240 different flavor texts for those points in the three times of day. The only thing I wish this game could've added was an endless mode, but still, flying around the island and seeing how everything was connected was amazing. From the town, with the bowling alley and basketball court, to the swordfighting stadium, and up the mountain to the canoeing lake, Island Flyover really made what would've been a mini-game package into a cohesive story. Well not too much story, but flavor enough to let you imagine a story.
All the other games were extremely solid too. A good amount of single player, two player, and multiplayer options as well. And having multiple modes within each sport helped with the variety as well. Sometimes I'm not feeling a pickup game, but could go for the 3-point contest. The VS. modes in Canoeing, Cycling, and Power Cruising did fall short, though, it's basically who can reach the end the fastest, and was limited to only two players. Otherwise, they all were pretty fun.
The stamps were the perfect sort of collectible to add. Some would be skill-driven when completing the sport, some would be fun Easter eggs, and other would be just random stuff. Standouts are having to pop every white balloon in Island Flyover (which I guess I somehow did, although I did put in over 100 hours into probably just that), and all the hidden targets in Archery - which are kind of ridiculous, but thank goodness for online guides to find those.
Beautiful game. Always wishing we could get another game that returned to Wuhu Island, or at least just one with the same amount of heart and spirit. Seeing Nintendo Switch Sports come out with its Spocco Square (and disclaimer, I didn't end up getting this game) with only six sports felt so lifeless. At the very least, bring back the Wuhu Mountain Loop track from MK7 please!
Sincerely, a Wuhu Island Balloonatic
Got a good amount in, pretty fun roguelike with central mechanic of blackjack in a dungeon crawler. A bit confusing, and some of the level-ups seem worse at first, but was a fun commuting game for a while.
Similar to the first game, with a theme of Olympic competitions but still absurd. Cool different areas, better minigames, still a bit buggy and finicky. Still fun and silly.
2019
Glad I got this refunded. A weird basically barely interactive animation. Was looking forward to checking this out and had it on my saved games for a while, but there was barely anything to it. Experimental and uncomfortable.
A simple stylish game in the vein of Monument Valley and Journey, Poco Eco was fun and used the idea of literal lost sounds as the quest goal. Don't remember much, but it was very sonically interesting with the background music developing over the course of the game, and while solving overworld puzzles.
2015
Another simple game with low aesthetics, draw a line turning all black squares into white. Similar to that Thin Ice arcade game with the puffle in Club Penguin.
2010
Bought this because of the Barry continuity from Jetpack Joyride. Gameplay was fine, similar to the classic zombie flash games of old, but with themed backgrounds and levels.
2016
Did enjoy this game when it first came out, a sort of rhythm game. Returned to it years later via a modded APK that had everything unlocked because the ads and monetization was awful.
Also the company had something to do with ad fraud? So all their games got delisted? Anyways, was solid and had some good music, although the latter levels got a bit visually muddy and annoying to play through. Took a while but was able to grind through the final few levels like pirate ship, racing, and amusement park. Also a sweet Easter egg from the dev team in the maze level.
Also the company had something to do with ad fraud? So all their games got delisted? Anyways, was solid and had some good music, although the latter levels got a bit visually muddy and annoying to play through. Took a while but was able to grind through the final few levels like pirate ship, racing, and amusement park. Also a sweet Easter egg from the dev team in the maze level.
A fun puzzle game, some trickier than others, some simple. Have two screenshots saved from then of levels 36 and 65 cause I found them clever. Still do find them clever tbh.