General and Gaming > General
52 Games Challenge 2026!!!
bikingjahuty:
--- Quote from: 2ko on April 07, 2026, 11:10:53 pm ---
--- Quote from: bikingjahuty on April 03, 2026, 01:07:29 am ---I was left a bit surprised by how much this game feels like a prototype to Mario Kart 8 than its own distinct Mario Kart game. Don't get me wrong. MK7 dos have enough of its own unique stages, music, and visuals to set it apart from 8 or any of the other Mario Kart games, but I guess I was surprised by how similar the gameplay mechanics were between 7 and 8, as well as most of MK7's better tracks being included in MK8, many of them within the vanilla game.
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It's funny how playing them in this order can change your judgement on the game. It's like playing Mario Kart DS after Mario Kart 7 and pointing out how they play alike and that some of the best tracks from DS are in 7.
Not saying you're wrong. It's factually the case that 8 is an improvement over 7. But that's kinda the case for the entire series (outside of the latest entry imo).
Just thought it was funny how the order we play games can affect people's perception on games. One of the reasons I tend to play games in release order when I try a new series.
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That is true, however DS and most other MK games feel very distinct from one another. DS and 7 feel and looks completely different from one another, whereas 7 and 8 almost feel like the same game often, albeit 8 looking way better. And being similar to 8 is absolutely a good thing (8 is my favorite in the series), but it does make me wish 7 felt a bit more unique and distinct.
marvelvscapcom2:
RECENTLY ABANDONED GAMES
1. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2025
I was heavily disappointed with my experience of this game. The game uses a flawed and outdated version of Bing maps. I wish Microsoft would have swallowed pride and done better. I was under the impression that albeit poorly textured. The game had rendered cities across America. The cities are worse than PS2 fidelity and missing so many geographical landmarks that my city doesn't look nor feel like flying over my city even in a polygon PS1 world. It ruins immersion and is fairly trash. Wish I didn't pay launch price for this. If anyone wants it for cheap or trade for some 20 dollar game. Hmu
2. Halo 2
Again I feel like I'm kicking someone's grandfather lol. But it is shocking to me that the king of first person shooters doesn't have an allocated aim mechanic. I remember loving this game as a kid. I know it's a fan favorite. The plot hasn't gripped me and the aiming system is very dated versus modern fps. It hasn't aged well Imo
3. Cyborg Justice
I may return to this one. The concept of ripping the enemies arms off is cool and novel. And it has epic soundtrack. Is fairly customizable too. But I suck badly at this game. Like it's so brutally hard.
kamikazekeeg:
13 - Retro Rewind: Video Store Simulator (PC 2026) - BEAT - Over the past couple years, these "simulator" games have become more of a thing, and not like Powerwash Simulator, but usually it's about you running a store, or a business, and you do tasks, earn money, expand your business, etc...Generally I'm not super into them, they often feel abit low effort, usually very asset flip heavy, they might have a gimmick that's mildly entertaining (The TCG card one seemed okay), and I don't know if I would say this game doesn't feel slightly similar (I think it's content is original, but not 100%), but the nostalgia of running a video store is nice enough to draw me in.
I hit Level 20 which is the games current level cap for earning anything new, so it's where I'm counting it as complete, though I still have stuff to buy, more store expansions to get, but I'm good as is right now with it. The gameplay loop is simple. Get to the store, put away movies brought back overnight, restock snacks, then check out people and help with requests, and close. You can get up to 2 employees, my main one just does movie returns so I can focus register.
I feel where the game falters is the gameplay loop is fairly basic, there's not a lot of friction or variety to events or things that could happen throughout other than if someone has a late charge fee or broke a tape, they can get upset about the fee and refuse to pay for their new rentals, pushing them off the counter, and that's mostly it. I think it could definitely use more depth and the NPC's that seem to be original as far as I can tell, don't have any designs that feel very 90's, music playing is sorta synthy, but I wouldn't say are strong 90's, though the store itself is good enough. The art is another thing that's not great, as to have lots of movie variety (Supposedly there's 14k "original" movies), all the art is kinda like cheap clip art feeling, that then can be re-used among the genres or in different ways. It makes sense, but it looks bad. New Release movies luckily get all original art and movie standees that look good at least and are usually parodies of Alien, Rambo, Star Wars, and a few others that I've seen so far.
It's not worth the 20 bucks with the content it has, but it's fine if you can get it on sale. They are planning to add more to the game with free updates, including video game rentals as it sold a lot better than they expected it too, so that'll be a fun to have.
bikingjahuty:
31. Pilotwings 64 (N64)
I feel like all gamers have those special comfort games they play when life isn't at its best or maybe they just need to be reminded of simpler times. In my case, I felt like I needed both. I found out last week I'm getting laid off from a job I've had for 8 years. I don't work from some mega corporations where layoffs are the norm and the company is certainly small enough to where everyone is fairly connected to everyone else, even the executive management team. So the fact that I was one of about 40 people that were told we're getting let go soon came as a complete shock. This unfortunate news derailed my playthrough of Chrono Trigger, a game from a genre I struggle to get into even when I'm not dealing with life changing events. When I finally did feel like doing something other than frantically navigating a terrible job market, I decided to play a game I've thoroughly enjoyed since I was a young kid, and one that reminds me of those simpler times better than most.
I've probably played and beat Pilotwings a dozen time since it came out in 1996. It honestly makes me feel ancient even thinking about this game being 30-years old this year. But over the past three decades, this game has always made me smile. Whether it's the surprisingly good, and fun gameplay, the almost perfect OST, or the fact that this game still looks fairly impressive, even with how aged N64 graphics are typically seen now. Pilotwings 64 is a legitimately enjoyable, well made, and special game.
My only gripes with this game involve the camera, some of the controls, especially when playing the unlockable modes, and yes, the graphics which are very impressive for a game in 1996, but have lost most of that luster they once may have had. However, all these issues are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Anytime you get frustrating trying to control the hang glider or hit Giant Hawk with a missile, playing the birdman mode instantly makes all those frustrating melt away.
I know this game isn't typically discussed when the upper echelon of N64 games is brought up, however I feel like Pilotwings 64 almost belongs in that conversation. If you grew up with this game like I did, you'll no doubt be unable to resist its mid-90s video game charms, but more than that, the game and its various modes still control and play very well, and its various areas all have a distinct charm to them, even of they are relatively small in scale. Pilotwings 64 is an absolute must play on the N64 and a game I'm very thankful to have right now. (4/10/26) [39/50]
2ko:
--- Quote from: bikingjahuty on April 10, 2026, 09:15:15 pm ---31. Pilotwings 64 (N64)
I feel like all gamers have those special comfort games they play when life isn't at its best or maybe they just need to be reminded of simpler times. In my case, I felt like I needed both. I found out last week I'm getting laid off from a job I've had for 8 years. I don't work from some mega corporations where layoffs are the norm and the company is certainly small enough to where everyone is fairly connected to everyone else, even the executive management team. So the fact that I was one of about 40 people that were told we're getting let go soon came as a complete shock. This unfortunate news derailed my playthrough of Chrono Trigger, a game from a genre I struggle to get into even when I'm not dealing with life changing events. When I finally did feel like doing something other than frantically navigating a terrible job market, I decided to play a game I've thoroughly enjoyed since I was a young kid, and one that reminds me of those simpler times better than most.
I know this game isn't typically discussed when the upper echelon of N64 games is brought up, however I feel like Pilotwings 64 almost belongs in that conversation. If you grew up with this game like I did, you'll no doubt be unable to resist its mid-90s video game charms, but more than that, the game and its various modes still control and play very well, and its various areas all have a distinct charm to them, even of they are relatively small in scale. Pilotwings 64 is an absolute must play on the N64 and a game I'm very thankful to have right now. (4/10/26) [39/50]
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Sorry to hear that. I'll also be leaving my job in August, at which time unfortunately I'll also have to leave Japan. In my case though I knew it was coming as my contract is up and there was no chance of renewing it. Hopefully you are able to land on your feet with a smooth transition into your next endeavor.
On the topic of Pilotwings 64 though. it's one of those games I've been thinking of picking up but haven't pulled the trigger on. I've only recently started to collect N64 after getting an Analogue 3D last year, and so far I've basically stuck to the "sure hits" I know I want in my collection like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda titles. I think I've got somewhere around 15ish games for the system right now, but I'm basically out of games I know 100% I wanted. From now I have to be careful with what I buy so I don't waste money on something that won't stay in my collection. Once I play the games I already have, I think I'll start emulating stuff to figure out if its something I want to keep, and Pilotwings will likely be one of the first games I try.
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