Here are some rumors, stories, and goings-on in the video game industry I wanted to comment on. I usually don’t dabble in news, but I’m thinking I might start if I enjoy making these posts. So consider this an experiment.

Ubisoft Announces Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time Remake

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is one of the best games Ubisoft has ever made. It probably didn’t need a remake in the first place, but if they’re going to do it, it better look jaw-dropping gorgeous, as Sands of Time was one of the best looking, and best-animated, games of the GameCube/PS2/Xbox generation. I’m not seeing that here. I would’ve much preferred a new game in the series, plus ports of the remastered Sands of Time trilogy for the Switch.

The fact that this remake is supposed to come out in January 2021 doesn’t inspire me with confidence that this is going to be worth a purchase.

Nintendo Announces Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity For Switch

From a story perspective, as a way to give fans a way to experience the Calamity in Zelda: Breath of the Wild, this is a fantastic way to do it. I’ve never played a Warriors game before, but I will be now. I thought perhaps Breath of the Wild 2 was going to tackle the events of the Calamity, but I guess not. I can’t wait to play this.

This is why it’s futile to try and predict what Nintendo is going to do. They always do something unexpected. No one saw this coming.

It’s unfortunate Nintendo didn’t have an E3 Direct this year. With all the announcements we’ve gotten, it would’ve been pretty good, and they may have more on the way still.

No More Heroes 3 Delayed Until 2021

Suda51 announced on social media, with apologies, that No More Heroes 3 needs more time in the oven and has been delayed until 2021.

I wasn’t expecting No More Heroes 3 this year anyway. We haven’t seen anything of the game since the initial trailer last year. Maybe while we wait, we could get No More Heroes 1 & 2 for Switch.

Nintendo Announces The Long-Rumored Super Mario 3D All-Stars

The rumors were true. Nintendo announced remasters of Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy in one $60 package. The downside is this package will only be available until the end of March 2021. At which point, Nintendo will probably sell each game individually, and hopefully also make Super Mario Galaxy 2 available for purchase as well.

As we see more and more of the package, it’s obvious Nintendo wasn’t as lazy as some are accusing them of being in bringing these games to the Switch. Touchscreen support, widescreen support, HD resolutions, and extensive texture touch-ups in the game and during cut-scenes doesn’t qualify as lazy.

I’ll be interested to see the Digital Foundry review when the game comes out. The only complaint I have is no 60 FPS framerate – but I can live with it if it’s a solid 30 FPS.

This short video does a good job of showing the differences.

RUMOR: Nintendo Is Telling Developers To Have Their Games 4K-Ready

 

It looks like we might be getting Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and Metroid Prime 4 in 4K.

“The introduction of a more affordable Switch Lite variant in late 2019 helped broaden the machine’s potential audience and Nintendo is making preparations for an upgraded Switch model and a beefed-up games lineup for 2021, Bloomberg News has reported. Several outside game developers, speaking anonymously as the issue is private, said that Nintendo has asked them to make their games 4K-ready, suggesting a resolution upgrade is on its way.”

Personally, I’d rather have 720p/1080p at 60 FPS, but I know a lot of others will be happy about this. As someone who has a 4K laptop, it’s nice, but I don’t think it’s as important as a silky-smooth framerate.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti…said-to-boost-switch-production-by-another-20

Xbox Series X $500: Launches November 10, 2021

I know I should care about this, but I don’t. Console launches are almost always overhyped. With Halo Infinite getting delayed, there isn’t much reason for me to be excited about a new Xbox. Xbox Game Pass doesn’t interest me either. I like owning my games, not renting them. Most consoles need a good year to get their legs. Let’s see where Xbox Series X is in nine months at E3 2021 (assuming it doesn’t get cancelled again because of COVID).

https://www.gamesradar.com/xbox-series-x-release-date-cost-announced/