Mister Jack

You probably don't even need a stick for that game. I usually use one for fighters, but I didn't feel like digging it out for a beta and it's just as well because the game was obviously designed for people who don't have fight sticks. None of the inputs, at least none that I saw, ever got more complicated than quarter circle motions, which are more than doable on a pad. If anything, using the dualshock might be easier because the shoulder buttons and triggers are mapped to shortcuts for vital mechanics.

We live in a world where it is now more practical and affordable to buy prebuilt than it is to build your own.

Super Ghouls and Ghosts Yeah, the SNES game. I know it's old but god damn it, I'm proud of this one. It was sitting on my SNES Classic, taunting me as a game I could never beat, so I took it upon myself as a personal challenge to beat that son of a bitch. I did not use the rewind feature on the system to erase my mistakes, and I only used one save state slot at the beginning of certain levels so that I could take breaks and come back later without having to just pause the game and leave it on forever like in the old days. Aside from that one small convenience, I beat this game legit, and it was a real son of a bitch. What finally helped me get through was when I realized that Ghouls and Ghosts is not a platformer. Oh, it wants you to think it is, but it's actually a puzzle game. Enemies and obstacles occur on predetermined patterns for the most part, and once you figure out how to work your way around those patterns it's just a matter of following the right steps to make it from point A to point B because this is a very slow-paced game that isn't really based on reflexes. It's about memorization and problem solving. Even once I started treating the game with this mindset it still wasn't easy. It took me a grand total of four days off and on to get though to the end. And just as a side note, I really fucking hate that it's some kind of tradition in this series that you have to beat the game twice in order to see the ending. That's one of the worst gaming gimmicks I've ever seen.

"YOU DUMB BABIES! STOP HAVING FUN! IT'S JUST A STUPID BOOOOOOX!"

A Lego Dimensions-esque toys to life kind of thing.

I used an old, forgotten Gamestop credit card to buy my Switch because I figured I could get some points or something from it, and while i was setting up my online account I noticed I had a crapton of old rewards points I never redeemed for anything. So I went ahead and redeemed them.

Well I put on the replacement screen protector. There's still some bubbles along the edge but rather than lifting it up and trying it again, which is what ruined it last time, I'm going to wait a day or two and see if they go away on their own. There were some bubbles in the center but I was able to push them out with my thumb. I'm not sure but it seems like maybe this amFilm screen is ever so slightly smaller than the screen itself? I say this because it seems pretty lined up, but there's a very thin line up along the top that wasn't covered up. I don't see anywhere I messed up but it would be nice to know I'm not the only one who noticed this because it's driving my OCD crazy. Edit: I couldn't stand it. I had to reapply it. Fortunately, I was much more careful this time. I even wore some vinyl gloves to ensure I wouldn't leave any prints. I'm happier with the positioning now. Still a small bubble on the side, but I'm hoping that will disappear.

@Mal I bought that too. Haven't played too much of it yet but it's a nice, relaxing game that's perfect for portable mode.

The Dragon Ball Fighter Z beta is live and it's unlike any fighter I've ever played. It is by far the most accessible I've ever seen. Every special move I see so far is done with simple QCF or QCB motions, and that includes supers. All other functions except two are mapped to their own buttons, and the other two only require you to push two face buttons together. Basic combos can be done just by mashing a button. It was definitely made for Dragon Ball fans who have never played a fighting game before, but at the same time there's a lot of depth if you are willing to look for it. I imagine some purists might be mad that it's so easy to pick up a controller and do cool shit, but as someone who considers himself pretty good at fighters, I don't mind at all. It makes for more exciting matches when anyone can pull off some crazy moves..

@TheMightyEthan I actually agree with you about the moons and the controls, but I realized that the number of moons is ultimately an arbitrary distinction. If you got three moons from a challenge, that's just three more moons you have to get. I actually would have lowered the number of total moons and made the easy ones into moon pieces a la the heart pieces from Zelda. Totally agree about the controls though. That's just bullshit, but the rest of the game is strong enough to make up for it in my opinion.

Mario Odyssey What can I say that hasn't been said? Fantastic platformer. Probably my favorite Mario game since 64 and likely my number two game from 2017.

Figures. I had a bubble in the corner that was driving me insane, but in the process of trying to get rid of it I only made it worse until there were bubbles everywhere. Lesson learned.

I feel like a dumbass. I managed to completely screw up putting on my screen protector to the point where it is now worthless and I had to contact the company for a replacement. I've never used a screen protector before and I thought I could just plop it on and be done, but no. Apparently you have to do it in a very specific way or else you risk ruining it like I did. I think where I screwed up was pushing down along the edges instead of on the center to stick it on. Next time around I'm definitely using the hinge method. I also hear now that small bubbles tend to go away after a day or so. If I somehow screw it up again I don't think I'm going to bother with a third attempt.

Mark Hamill reads Trump quotes as the Joker.

In an unrelated note, Pop Team Epic recently started. If you ever wondered what would happen if the Japanese made their own version of Robot Chicken, this is that show. These clips are edited from their original versions, but I'd be lying if I said the unedited scenes made much more sense.

What the fuck. Time for a refund. ALL THIS SHIT IS GOING BACK TO GAMESTOP.

Fuck yeah! But why is it filed by the manga publisher and not the production company? Is that normal?

I am skeptical as hell of the PC version. I didn't realize it was coming to other consoles too. I might end up going with the PS4 version in that case. I don't love this series enough to need to play it on the go.

Say, is there a way to move data from the system memory to the microSD card without having to redownload or reinstall it?

I tried to play the PC version and even with the mod my experience was completely fucked. I hated Souls games the first time I tried them, but I really liked Nioh and I thought Bloodborne was alright so I'm willing to give the series another chance with a non-fucked port. That is, unless it costs 60 dollars. I'm not paying sixty bucks for a last gen game.

So hey, is there a better way to do the spin throw and the homing throw that don't require you to play with the joycons detached? That's my least favorite control scheme.

If anybody is still trying to find a good second dock (or if you just don't like the original one) and you're squeamish about opening up the original one for that Amazon model then you might want to check out Best Buy's Insignia branded version. I looked at a bunch of options before getting my Switch because I knew I'd want another dock for the bedroom. I discounted the Nyko one because it has reports of bricking Switches. Even if it wasn't, I'm not fond of how it leaves the Switch completely exposed while it's charging. I have a cat and she gets into absolutely everything. I needed at least some semblance of a cradle so she couldn't easily knock it out, and the Insignia one is the best option I could see. As you can see, it's smaller than the normal dock, but it still has a bit of a shield to hold it in place. The ports are in the back too, so you don't have to do that weird sideways thing if that bothers you. It also requires minimal force to push and pull the Switch in and out, only a tiny bit more effort than the standard dock. The only real downside I can think of is that it only has one USB port. I'm not really sure what you would need multiple ports for unless you intend to charge multiple pro controllers at the same time, but bear in mind that this is 40 dollars versus the Nintendo branded dock's 90 dollars. Edit: Here's a video review of some of the most popular options, including the one I bought.

Got a Switch now. My code is SW-2093-2714-0238