The SEGA Game Gear Will Go Micro For SEGA’s 60th Anniversary

2020 marks SEGA’s 60^th anniversary [19], as well as the ironic success of the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie and the 30^th anniversary of the SEGA Game Gear, SEGA’s answer to Nintendo’s Game Boy [26] [28]. To celebrate the two anniversaries and increase the company’s cred in a similar way of how the SEGA Mega Drive Mini has potentially helped celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the original Mega Drive outside of Japan [27] [34], a miniature version of the Game Gear has been announced not too long ago [5] [6]. So far, The Game Gear Micro is raising plenty of eyebrows. I think I have a thing for analysing and stating my thoughts on smaller handheld systems. First the Playdate that has recently demonstrated its own monochrome port of Doom [8] [9] [35] [36], then the Nintendo Vita [29]…oops! I mean Nintendo Switch Lite [14] [37] [38], now the SEGA Game Gear Micro. It also looks like pint-sized versions of old school consoles might have become a trend ever since the classic edition of the Nintendo Entertainment System came around in late 2016 [30]. A miniature version of a classic gaming system can either be exceptional and honourable or…could have been much better [3] [30].

I have got to stop ticking off some Vita misters and sisters by calling the Nintendo Switch Lite “The Nintendo Vita” [29]. [14]

Apart from that, I hope many employees at SEGA enjoy the company’s 60th anniversary! [19]

The Game Gear Micro will be available in four different colours to further increase its appeal [4] [6] [25], similar to how the Nintendo Switch Lite is now available in four colours, including a new lovely shade of coral [14]. Unfortunately, I do not think the decent variety of different colours will make up for how small the screen is, how tiny it will feel in the hands of many old school gamers and how awkward the risk of having to squint to see it more clearly will feel [5]. After all, the whole thing is only twenty millimetres deep, forty-three millimetres tall and eighty millimetres wide, making it smaller than a Nintendo Entertainment System controller [25]. Heck, it is as almost as small as the screen of the original Game Gear [25]! A way to see the screen more clearly would be holding the device close to your face, which would be almost as straining as looking at the red and black gameplay from any of the games for the Tiger R-Zone [12] [18] [35] [36]. Did Sonic the Hedgehog sneak into Mario’s trailer and give four of his mini mushrooms to a bunch of Game Gears after Beat from Jet Set Radio painted them with graffiti [7] [13] [20] [33]?

Look at tiny it is!! [4]

And look at the four different colours! [4]

In addition to four colours for the Game Gear Micro, there will be four games available for each coloured system [4] [25], which is quite fascinating to a degree. For example, the black Game Gear Micro will provide:

•    Sonic the Hedgehog’s first game from 1991 [4] [6] [25]
•    Puyo Puyo 2 [4] [6] [25]
•    OutRun [4] [6] [25]
•    Royal Stone [4] [6] [25]

The games that blue Game Gear Micro will consist of will be:

•    Sonic and Tails [4] [6] [25]
•    Gunstar Heroes [4] [6] [25]
•    Sylvan Tale [4] [6] [25]
•    Baku Baku Animal [4] [6] [25]

The red Game Gear Micro will come with:

•    Megami Tensei Gaiden Last Bible [4] [6] [10]
•    Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible Special [4] [6] [11]
•    Columns [4] [6]
•    The GG Shinboi [4] [6] [21]

Lastly, the yellow Game Gear Micro will include:

•    Shining Force [4] [6] [24]
•    Shining Force 2 [4] [6] [23]
•    Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict [4] [6] [22]
• ·  Nazo Puyo [4] [6] [16]

Reflecting on the fitting but unfortunate size of the Game Gear Micro, having to buy all four colours to play every single ported game on a Game Gear Micro may not feel all that rewarding to plenty of video game collectors since the handheld’s size seems quite too impractical [25]. Nevertheless, I suppose each Game Gear Micro can at least be a unique collectors’ item for plenty of old school gamers out there. Dare to collect all four?

The Game Gear Micro gang will provide four ports each. That makes sixteen ports of retro games that were available for the original Game Gear at the time in total. [4] [6]

I strongly believe that my boyfriend will choose either the black one or the blue one since both of those versions will consist of an instalment of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise [4] [6]. [25]

The concept of a pint-sized Game Gear reminds me of the Game Boy Micro, a small model of the Game Boy Advance that was established back in 2005 [1] [31]. Sadly, the second redesign of the Game Boy Advance was a failure due to its lack of backwards compatibility and how it was released after the debut of the Nintendo DS [2], but it also came in a bigger variety of different colours [1] [31], including:

•         Black
•         Silver
•         Pink
•         Green
•         Red
•         Blue
•         Purple

The Game Boy Micro seemed to be almost the same size as a Nintendo Entertainment System controller [31]. Furthermore, it is no wonder the Game Gear Micro will simply be a rehash of it for the early 2020s, despite having a smaller variety of different colours [4] [6] [25]. Another notable difference is that any Game Boy Advanced game could be played on a Game Boy Micro in any colour [1] [31]. How only four games will be available depending on the colour of the Game Gear Micro might feel too limited. Reflecting on the poor sales of the Game Boy Micro back in the mid-2000s [1] [31], it looks like the Game Gear Micro might be at risk of heading down the same fate.

Not even the Pikachu edition of the Game Boy Micro could rapidly increase its sales back in the mid-2000s. [1]

The edition of the Game Boy that celebrated the 20th anniversary of Nintendo sadly did not help either. [1]

Luckily, there is an accessory that can help those who have their hands on a Game Gear Micro see the screen far more easily and that is no other than the Big Window Micro [4] [6] [25]. Its name is quite oxymoronic if you ask me. Too bad the Game Boy Micro never had an accessory to help magnify its screen. Even though I could be grateful and appreciative towards how a useful accessory would increase a device’s playability, the appearance of it slightly decreases the appeal of the handheld’s visual appearance. It reminds me of the Light Magic, an accessory that would shine its light around a Game Boy’s screen to make it easy to see in a dark room and has a magnifying glass to make it seem bigger and even easier to see, even though it seemed quite tacked on due to its fairly odd design [17]. At least the Big Window Micro has a quite cool design as it resembles a television set you would see in the 1990s, the decade the original Game Gear was released in [26]. The add-on also does not seem as excessive as the Booster [17]. Sometimes less is more and one solution to one problem is enough.

The Big Window Micro looks like a television set from the ’90s, increasing the nostalgic vibe despite making the Game Gear Micro look a little bulky. [25]

What will be next? Platform shoes that have a slot to place a Gamer Gear Micro into? It worked for the Game Boy Color at some point. [17]

In all honestly, I would prefer to play any of SEGA’s nostalgic gems on the original Game Gear from the ‘90s [26]. I would not want to risk having to squint unless I am holding the handheld closer to my face whilst feeling a little discomfort near my elbows. At least I can always attach the Big Window Micro accessory onto the system.  Despite how the Game Gear Micro seems too small and unnecessary to many ‘90s kids to play on comfortably as fairly young adults [5], it will be available on shop shelves in October 2020 [25]. I do not think plenty of our dear Vita misters and sisters would be too pleased with a PlayStation Vita Micro [28]. At some point in the rest of this new decade, I would still like a recreation of the original Game Boy called “Game Girl” with the colourful 8-bit graphics from the Game Boy Color [34], along with a recreation of the Game Boy Camera for talking far more colourful selfies with the quality of an iPhone SE selfie to balance the nostalgic vibes of handheld Nintendo gaming from the 1990s with a little more female empowerment in today’s modern gaming society [17] [32].

I think I would prefer the Playdate due to how it is proportionately bigger and can at least show something refreshing, which is an appealing chalkboard-like aesthetic on the screen [8] [9] [35] [36]. [15]

Anyway, we are yet to find out how well the Game Gear Micro will do and how much it can honour the legacy of the original Game Gear. Will it sell decently? Will it also be released outside of Japan [4]? [25]

References

1. Bulbapedia. (2010). Game Boy micro. Available: https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Game_Boy_micro. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
2. Bulbapedia. (2009). Nintendo DS. Available: https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Nintendo_DS. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
3. Caddick, J. (2019). The PlayStation Classic - Caddicarus. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qczn1t9rOu0. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
4. GameXplain. (2020). Game Gear Micro - Reveal Trailer (4 Games Per Color + Crazy Accessory - JP). Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv5LhWmKCWE. Last accessed 3rd Jun 2020.
5. IGN. (2020). Available: https://twitter.com/IGN/status/1268158254644957189. Last accessed 3rd Jun 2020.
6. IGN. (2020). Sega Announces Palm-Sized Game Gear Micro Console - IGN Now. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma-Hr1FYUEw. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
7. JetSetPedia. (2012). Beat. Available: https://jetsetradio.fandom.com/wiki/Beat. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
8. Magnier, N. (2020). Available: https://twitter.com/NicMagnier/status/1267144174756925442. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
9. Magnier, N. (2020). Available: https://twitter.com/NicMagnier/status/1267844459414372353. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
10. Megami Tensei Wiki. (2019). Last Bible. Available: https://megamitensei.fandom.com/wiki/Last_Bible. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
11. Megami Tensei Wiki. (2019). Last Bible Special. Available: https://megamitensei.fandom.com/wiki/Last_Bible_Special. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
12. Mortal Kombat Secrets - MKSecrets.Net. (2015). Mortal Kombat 3 - Rare R-Zone Commercial | TV Spot. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQY3DEkDT7o. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
13. Nintendo. (2006). New Super Mario Bros. Nintendo DS. Tokyo, Japan
14. Nintendo. (2019). Nintendo Switch Lite. Available: https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Nintendo-Switch-Family/Nintendo-Switch-Lite/Nintendo-Switch-Lite-1595961.html. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
15. Panic. (2019). Playdate. Available: https://play.date/. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
16. Puyo Nexus. (2018). Nazo Puyo. Available: https://puyonexus.com/wiki/Nazo_Puyo_(Game_Gear). Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
17. Rolfe, J. (2017). Game Boy Accessories - Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN). Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEzJH90h3aA. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
18. Rolfe, J. (2013). Top 10 Worst Video Game Consoles Ever - AVGN Clip Collection. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5RzMmBaLOI. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
19. SEGA. (2020). Go SEGA 60th Anniversary. Available: https://60th.sega.com/en/. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
20. SEGA. (2020). Jet Set Radio. Available: https://www.sega.com/games/jet-set-radio. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
21. SEGA Retro. (2010). The GG Shinboi. Available: https://segaretro.org/The_GG_Shinobi. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
22. Shining Wiki. (2020). Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict. Available: https://shining.fandom.com/wiki/Shining_Force_Gaiden:_Final_Conflict. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
23. Shining Wiki. (2020). Shining Force II: Ancient Sealing. Available: https://shining.fandom.com/wiki/Shining_Force_II:_Ancient_Sealing. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
24. Shining Wiki. (2020). Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention. Available: https://shining.fandom.com/wiki/Shining_Force:_The_Legacy_of_Great_Intention. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
25. Sonic News Network. (2020). Game Gear Micro. Available: https://sonic.fandom.com/wiki/Game_Gear_Micro. Last accessed 3rd Jun 2020.
26. Sonic News Network. (2020). Sega Game Gear. Available: https://sonic.fandom.com/wiki/Sega_Game_Gear. Last accessed 3rd Jun 2020.
27. Sonic News Network. (2019). Sega Mega Drive Mini. Available: https://sonic.fandom.com/wiki/Sega_Mega_Drive_Mini. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
28. Sonic the Hedgehog, dir. by Jeff Fowler (Paramount Pictures, 2020).
29. Sony. (2020). PlayStation Vita. Available: https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/explore/ps-vita/. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
30. Super Mario Wiki. (2016). Classics. Available: https://www.mariowiki.com/Classics. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
31. Super Mario Wiki. (2007). Game Boy Advance. Available: https://www.mariowiki.com/Game_Boy_Advance#Game_Boy_Micro. Last accessed 3rd Jun 2020.
32. Super Mario Wiki. (2006). Game Boy Color. Available: https://www.mariowiki.com/Game_Boy_Color. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
33. Super Mario Wiki. (2012). Mini Mushroom. Available: https://www.mariowiki.com/Mini_Mushroom. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
34. Williams, L. (2019). 2019: The Year Of Awesome Anniversaries. Available: https://laurasambitiouswriting.wordpress.com/2019/12/10/anniversaries-in-2019/. Last accessed 3rd Jun 2020.
35. Williams, L. (2019). A Date With Playdate Awaits – Could We Be Thankful For The Crankful?. Available: https://laurasambitiouswriting.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/playdate/. Last accessed 3rd Jun 2020.
36. Williams, L. (2019). A Date With Playdate Awaits – Could We Be Thankful For The Crankful?. Available: https://laurawritesanarticle.blogspot.com/2019/05/playdate.html. Last accessed 3rd Jun 2020.
37. Williams, L. (2019). Nintendo Switch Lite – It’s Lite, All Right?. Available: https://laurasambitiouswriting.wordpress.com/2019/07/15/nintendo-switch-lite/. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.
38. Williams, L. (2019). Nintendo Switch Lite – It’s Lite, All Right?. Available: https://laurawritesanarticle.blogspot.com/2019/07/nintendo-switch-lite.html. Last accessed 4th Jun 2020.

Could You Be A Cookstar For Cooking Mama?

Another shout-out to our fellow 2000s kids coming up! I enjoyed playing the original Cooking Mama game on my pink Nintendo DS when I was a preteen [1] [6]. I especially liked making a sandwich and combining meatballs with spaghetti while many of us witnessed the horrors of PETA’s own edition of the game that was created to encourage vegetarianism and veganism [6] [20]. I was even aware of how Mama was also into gardening, camping, crafting, and babysitting as a teenager who played Cooking Mama Friends’ Cafe on Facebook and Cooking Mama Lite on an iPod Touch [3] [4] [5]. As a young adult in 2017, I was quite fascinated at Mama’s sweet shop business that must have stimulated the sweet teeth of many Nintendo 3DS players [15]. However, was it a sign of the franchise becoming quite stale like uneaten bread? If that was the case to some of you, perhaps preparing a meal with Mama on the Nintendo Switch can be almost as refreshing as a glass of cool strawberry milk before its expiration date on the carton [2] [9]. With high hopes for Mama’s first game for the Switch, I urge you all to remain polite. Otherwise, there will be no dessert for you!

The title of Mama's new chapter is "Cooking Mama: Cookstar Star" [2] [9], which sounds quite motivating. [9]

Is anyone up for cosplaying as Mama soon [19]? [9]

A few screenshots of the upcoming instalment were leaked back in 2019 [2]. I can say that the graphics look quite vibrant [9]. The textures for the foods may not be the most realistic at times, but they are at least convincing. The realistic texture on the chopping board, leaves on the plant, and so on in the gameplay meet up with today’s expectations of 3D graphics in video games. Strangely enough, the food’s textures are absent in the recipe selection screen, which must be just to make them look like selective icons [2]. I can tell since the large variety of recipes to choose in the selection screen in the original Cooking Mama for the Nintendo DS somewhat looked like what you would see in a 16-bit game [1]. Despite how blurry the view of the kitchen seems in the main menu of Cooking Mama: Cookstar, the colour palette of it truly brings out those family-friendly vibes for fairly causal gamers [2]. As long as the same graphics from the Cooking Mama games for home consoles are used to keep that child-friendly charm for casual gamers who enjoy cooking [5], the game ought to receive praise for its faithfulness to what the franchise recognisable.

Want a bite of rather realistic rendering? [2]

Oh. Did I mention that I also admire this clear view of the kitchen behind Mama? Thank goodness they did not drastically redesign her as we may not be ready for that yet. [2]

As shown in the trailer, the player who takes on the role of a chef will once again be presented with a variety of challenges when it comes to cooking a variety of recipes [2] [9]. The indication that would usually be at the bottom right corner during some of the tasks is solid evidence of the game featuring compatibility with motion controls [9]. An example of motion controls that can bring out the feeling of being a chef would be flicking the right Joy-Con left and right to tame fire under the grill with a fan [9]. Even though some gamers believe that motion controls are not as relevant as they were since the Nintendo Wii era [27], at least movements with the Switch’s Joy-Cons can still make gameplay feel active. There is also the challenge of pressing a certain button for a certain task at the right time [9], which reminds me of how I would follow instructions as well-timed as I can in the original Cooking Mama for the Nintendo DS [1]. At least the controls will be likely to be far more responsive than the wooden spoon in Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals [20]. Thank you for those splendid times, PETA.

Another example of motion controls in Cooking Mama: Cookstar is titling a chopping board as show here. [9]

When life gives you lemons, make motion controls. [2]

The most important aspect of establishing a cooking simulation game is, of course, the food. The new grilled cheese sandwich that consists of multi-coloured cheese and is one of the recipes the player will be able to cook in the game reminds me of iJustine’s green grilled cheese sandwich recipe back in early 2018 [9] [13], along with the rainbow grilled cheese sandwich her sister Jenna back in 2016 [14]. Could one of the unlockable recipes also be the pink heart-shaped marshmallows we prepared in a demo of Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop [12]? As much as plenty of us loathed PETA’s Cooking Mama game [20], at least Cooking Mama: Cookstar has been praised by the organisation for featuring a special vegetarian mode for vegetarian gamers [10]. Additionally, I also think the mode should also feature a few vegan recipes so that it can appeal to players who also do not eat any other animal products. Aside from a promising variety of recipes for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and possibly vegans, there is also an option to take a photograph of a finished meal and perhaps add a filter and some stickers to it after a series of challenges in the gameplay [9].

PETA’s Cooking Mama game
Was quite an online dud.
Player discretion was advised
As there was lots of blood. [17] [20] [28]

But this Cooking Mama game’s
New mode sounds pretty sweet.
It can appeal to gamers
Who simply don’t eat meat. [17] [20] [28]

There also seems to be more customisable features, such as the option to change Mama’s apron and kerchief [2]. I do not think she will wear other accessories as she did in Crafting Mama [7], but I can see it will help her maintain practicality when it comes to cooking. As someone who loves changing outfits of characters in video games, I am very pleased that the player will be able to dress her up again [8]. I like how you can also change several items in the kitchen [2]. Furthermore, the player can feel like Mama’s kitchen seems like their own once they change the appearances of the cooking items to their favourites. To be honest, I would like an option to change the interior decorating of the kitchen, similar to how I could change many decorative aspects of the rooms in Laura’s house once she waves a magic wand in Laura’s Happy Adventures [26]. If I ought to play the game later this year or two, my boyfriend might as well nag me to buy more aprons and kerchiefs for Mama like how I nagged him to buy more clothes for Travis Touchdown in No More Heroes [21].

Mama would be very delighted to have a fashionista in the kitchen. [2]

The player will also be able to share images of food on Facebook and Twitter [2]. Just look at how obvious the reference to Facebook is on the right. [2]

Looking back to cover, I can say the next chapter of Mama’s life as a housewife can look promising on shop shelves. I think the way Mama is holding a smartphone and taking a picture of the rainbow grilled cheese sandwich might be a sign of trying a bit too hard to appeal to the youth of today [2]. Nevertheless, I suppose it can be related to the option to take pictures of the recipes as shown in the gameplay. I also like how the word “Cookstar” is surrounded by a lovely palette of pink, purple, and blue that reminds me of the Crazy Eight’s design in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [18] [24], as well as how its font matches the Cooking Mama logo. I think having one of the newest recipes as the one Mama is taking a photograph of makes the cover look more refreshing to those who remember playing any of the previous Cooking Mama games. It can also make the game already seem appealing to sims with the grilled cheese aspiration [11] [25]. With a promising cover, it ought to stand out in its own way as a new Switch game and an addition to the Cooking Mama franchise.

Grilled cheese! Grilled cheeeeese! GRILLED CHEEEEEEESE!!!!!! [2] [9] [11]

By the way, you can tell by this screenshot that the cover is definitely not misleading. I am just throwing that out there as if it is a bone to keep the dog out of the kitchen while I cook. [9]

Cooking Mama: Cookstar is to be released on the 13^th of March 2020 with the potential to continue Mama’s legacy in a new decade [2] [9]. Aside from how I think Mama’s new cooking experiences for the early 2020s can welcome new Cooking Mama players to the franchise, I also admire the colour of the new carol Nintendo Switch Lite [16], which is another great thing about 2020 so far besides the live-action movie based on Sonic the Hedgehog turning out to be enjoyable [22]. Unfortunately, the coronavirus outbreak is likely going to heavily affect the marketing of the new addition to the Switch Lite pack in Japan [16]. I sincerely wish those who have been affected by the disease a full recovery, along with several helpful ways to maintain positive thinking and good mental health, such as looking forward to upcoming films and such. Despite a rough start of the year for some of us [16] [23], we can still look forward to new things, such as a new addition to our favourite video game franchises. Once Cooking Mama: Cookstar is part of your Switch game library in your country, bon appétit after a few challenges for preparing a delicious meal!

Despite the mishaps that may have decreased our motivations at the very start of a new decade [16] [23], we can still look for positive vibes in quite a proactive way. [2].

References

1. 505 Games. (2006). Cooking Mama. Nintendo DS. Milan, Italy.
2. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2020). Cooking Mama: Cookstar. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama:_Cookstar. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
3. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Cooking Mama Friends Cafe. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama_Friends_Cafe. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
4. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Cooking Mama Lite. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama_Lite. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
5. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Cooking Mama (Series). Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama_(Series). Last accessed 21st Feb 2020.
6. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Cooking Mama (video game). Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Cooking_Mama_(video_game). Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
7. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Crafting Mama. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Crafting_Mama. Last accessed 21st Feb 2020.
8. Cooking Mama Wiki. (2016). Mama. Available: https://cookingmama.fandom.com/wiki/Mama. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
9. Dante Nintendo Switch World. (2020). Cooking Mama: CookStar - Debut Trailer for Nintendo Switch HD. Available: https://youtu.be/iPH_9xNeHTk. Last accessed 19th Feb 2020.
10. Doolan, L. (2019). Random: Cooking Mama: Cookstar Receives Award From PETA For Including Vegetarian Mode. Available: http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/08/random_cooking_mama_cookstar_receives_award_from_peta_for_including_vegetarian_mode. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
11. Electronic Arts. (2005). The Sims 2: Nightlife. PC. California, United States.
12. Elìa1995. (2010). Cooking Mama 3 - Marshmallows [PERFECT 100%]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahk60T-ob3k. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
13. Ezarik, J. (2018). Green Grilled Cheese | Happy St. Patrick's Day!. Available: https://youtu.be/X2sjoQY3zSE. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
14. Ezarik, J. (2016). MAKING RAINBOW GRILLED CHEESE!. Available: https://youtu.be/w68dfUh6qNk. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
15. GameTrailers. (2017). Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop Official Reveal Trailer. Available: https://youtu.be/vlklrd5t0-k. Last accessed 19th Feb 2020.
16. GameXplain. (2020). Coral Nintendo Switch Coming Animal Crossing Day! (+Coronavirus Impact). Available: https://youtu.be/R8jaudYdU20. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
17. MGPLyrics. (2014). Andrew Gold - Spooky Scary Skeletons LYRICS (2spooky4u). Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFokeK1exI. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
18. Nintendo. (2017). Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Nintendo Switch. Tokyo, Japan.
19. Pansino, R. (2014). COOKING MAMA CHOCOLATE CORNETS - NERDY NUMMIES. Available: https://youtu.be/JMP8_HioNqU. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
20. PETA. (2008). Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals. Available: https://games.peta.org/cookingmama/. Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
21. Rising Star Games. (2008). No More Heroes. Nintendo Wii. Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
22. Sonic the Hedgehog, dir. by Jeff Fowler. (Paramount Pictures, 2020)
23. Stringstroke, C. (2020). A DAY FOR SHOUT OUTS || Chaser Plays Mr. Massagy (Revisited). Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DWZfYEjjBI. Last accessed 21st Feb 2020.
24. Super Mario Wiki. (2014). Crazy Eight. Available: https://www.mariowiki.com/Crazy_Eight. Last accessed 21st Feb 2020.
25. The Sims Wiki. (2008). Grilled Cheese (aspiration). Available: https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Grilled_Cheese_(aspiration). Last accessed 20th Feb 2020.
26. Ubisoft. (1998). Laura’s Happy Adventures. PC. Montreuil, France.
27. WatchMojo.com. (2017). Top 10 Video Game Industry Trends That DIED. Available: https://youtu.be/mTAcCtY1tAQ. Last accessed 19th Feb 2020.
28. Williams, L. (2019). Andrew Gold - Spooky Scary Skeletons (PETA Cooking Mama Parody). Available: https://www.wattpad.com/802877686-laura%27s-song-parodies-volume-21-andrew-gold-spooky. Last accessed 21st Feb 2020.

Nintendo Switch Lite – It’s Lite, All Right?

It has been two years since the ambitious hybrid of a home console and a portable gaming system has been released and began a new generation of Nintendo gaming [18]. It has received so much acclaim for providing a fair variety of gameplay styles for many Nintendo nerds [8] [18]. Another method of expanding its ambitions is the Nintendo Labo, a cardboard toy platform designed to help younger players express creativity as they build objects for certain games and activities [18], such as a little piano for playing music and a VR headset to experience a little virtual reality [10]. To further expand its legacy, Nintendo has announced that there will be a second version of their eighth generation console that will hit shop shelves in September 2019; the Nintendo Switch Lite [7] [8] [11] [12]. If you are a 2000s kid, the term “Lite” would sound familiar in terms of rather casual gaming [3] [16]. Well, unless you were more of a PlayStation Portable player back in the day [14]. Well, we are in the late 2010s now, so let us stay proactive for a bit. As a Nintendo nerd myself, I shall take a look at what it has to offer with you, my dearest readers. It’s the Lite, all right?

 

A part of the family. [12]

Aside from how it will be smaller and weigh less than the original Switch [7], I like how it will be available in yellow like Pikachu, grey like a thwomp and turquoise like Hatsune Miku’s hair [8] [11] [12]. And wow! There will also be a Zacian and Zamazenta edition for the release of Pokémon Sword and Pokemon Shield [11]. A decent variety of colours for the Lite will at least appeal to some Nintendo nerds of this generation. I guess a Nintendo Switch Lite that will be almost as pink of Princess Peach’s dress would look cool. Due to the success of a certain lighter and slightly smaller version of the original DS, its variety of colours and editions steadily increased throughout the late 2000s, thus appealing to more DS players with different interests [3] [16]. Furthermore, the same thing should apply to the Lite if any of the first three colours sell well enough. Similarly, I stated that the Playdate, an upcoming handheld from Panic should eventually have an increased variety of colours if it sells well in 2020 [20] [21]. How the Nintendo Switch Lite will be smaller and lighter suits its name and how it will available in at least three colours can somewhat increase sales.

Three is the magic number for September 2019. [12]

Oh. And did I mention that the Switch Lite will be cheaper than the original Switch, considering how it weighs less? [12]

I am afraid to state that I do not like how the lite will only be available to play in one method, thus it will not be able to connect to a Nintendo nerd’s television [7] [8] [11] [12]. Additionally, the controllers are permanently incorporated to the unit, making the second official interruption of the Switch remain in its handheld mode with no way of removing any of joy-cons [7] [8] [18]. These disadvantages completely contradict the meaning of the original’s name and meaning. Moreover, detachable joy-cons from the original Switch’s model will have to be used for games that require motion control [7] [8]. It is disappointing that the Lite will not be fully compatible with Switch games that only work with motion controls, including Super Mario Party due to how it will only be completely useful for playing in handheld mode [7] [18]. It looks like the Nintendo nerds of today will have to look carefully at the back of a Switch game to see if it is compatible with handheld mode. I guess my nicknames for the Nintendo Switch Lite will be “Nintendo Vita” and “NP”, which stands for “Nintendo Portable” [13] [14]. My deepest apologies to our Vita misters and sisters for making that claim.

What a bummer. No detachable joy-cons for a lighter version. Talk about contradicting the original’s name and meaning. It is also another reason why the Lite will be cheaper. [8]

If you buy a Switch Lite of any colour, along with a game that only requires motion controls and you do not have the original’s joy-cons, you are fudged. [8]

Let us look at other pros for the Lite, as well as some cons. The buttons on the left built in joy-con have been replaced with a D-pad [8] [12] [18]. This is beneficial for those Nintendo nerds who still play games on the DS and 3DS [3] [17]. Aside from that, many of the buttons are still in the same place, except that the capture and home buttons have been moved closer to the bottom of the screen [7] [12]. This will make the Lite comfortable to play for those have played on an original Switch in its handheld mode before. Another advantage is that whoever plays on a Lite will not miss out on multiplayer mayhem locally or online with a Switch Online membership [11] [12]. In addition to such a downgrade with a lack of independent support for motion controls, the Lite will not feature the IR Motion Camera and HD Rumble [7] [8] [11] [18]. Luckily, the Lite might at least be compatible with a few Switch accessories and additions, such as the wired Switch controller as it will have the same USB Type-C connector [12]. With a few more advantages, I guess the Switch Lite can at least honour the first Switch’s legacy to some degree.

 

On second thought, this controller might not look very practical with the Lite. [18]

The Lite players will miss out on the motion camera and rumble. [8]

The Switch Lite can at least be suitable for younger players, those who prefer lighter gaming systems and those who prefer sticking to simplistic handheld gaming with the original Switch [7] [8] [11] [12]. On the other joy-con, has Nintendo learned nothing from the dissatisfaction of the first version of the 2DS and Wii Mini [1] [2] [5] [15] [17] [19] [22]? In all honesty, I believe the Labo had a bigger purpose, mostly for children and preteens as it came in a variety of constructions for cardboard things [18], including a fishing rod and a little house that kind of reminds me of Pixel Chix [4] [9]. Ultimately, I will remain fairly neutral and not be too harsh as it can still be appealing somehow. If you would like to buy a Switch Lite, sure thing. If you want to stick to the original model for the sake of all three modes, I can understand [7] [18]. I can also understand if you prefer trying out a Nintendo Labo kit for the sake of creativity, even if you are an adult [9] [10] [18]. Feel free to express your thoughts on the Nintendo Switch Lite with me too if you wish. Now if you will excuse me, I shall nibble on some pancakes from Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp [6].

Sayonara! Yonde kurete arigatou gozaimasu! [8]

Mmmm…pancakes. [6]

References:

1. Alvarez, R. (2013). Video Game Characters React - Nintendo 2DS (TheFineBros Parody). Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ceied8VT68o. Last accessed 13th Jul 2019.
2. Black, B. (2013). RANTalfloss: The Nintendo 2DS - brentalfloss. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxNmobDPAsc. Last accessed 15th Jul 2019.
3. Gamepedia. (2018). Nintendo DS Lite. Available: https://gamicus.gamepedia.com/Nintendo_DS_Lite.Last accessed 15th Jul 2019.
4. iaoth. (2006). Pixel Chix commercial. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gsEJ4YYvtU. Last accessed 14th Jul 2019.
5. Meadows, A. (2013). NINTENDO 2DS : Black Nerd Rants. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsIGfM1RgqA. Last accessed 15th Jul 2019.
6. Nintendo. (2017). Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. iOS. Tokyo. Japan.
7. Nintendo. (2019). Compare systems. Available: https://www.nintendo.com/switch/compare/. Last accessed 14th Jul 2019.
8. Nintendo. (2019). First Look at Nintendo Switch Lite: New Addition to the Nintendo Switch Family. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59yuBFRSZdg&t=81s. Last accessed 13th Jul 2019.
9. Nintendo. (2018). Nintendo Labo - Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWjHVVDpg48. Last accessed 13th Jul 2019.
10. Nintendo. (2019). Nintendo Labo - Toy-Con 04: VR Kit. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOjcbdAU5Gw. Last accessed 14th Jul 2019.
11. Nintendo. (2019). Nintendo Switch Lite. Available: https://www.nintendo.com/switch/lite/. Last accessed 13th Jul 2019.
12. Nintendo. (2019). Nintendo Switch Lite. Available: https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Nintendo-Switch/Nintendo-Switch-Lite/Nintendo-Switch-Lite-1595961.html. Last accessed 13th Jul 2019.
13. PlayStation Vita Wiki. (2012). PlayStation Vita. Available: https://playstationvita.fandom.com/wiki/PlayStation_Vita. Last accessed 15th Jul 2019.
14. PlayStation Wiki. (2009). PlayStation Portable. Available: https://playstation.fandom.com/wiki/PlayStation_Portable. Last accessed 14th Jul 2019.
15. RadiumZ1. (2012). I'm not buying it - Wii abandons Gamecube and other rants. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAttLLY5d2s. Last accessed 15th Jul 2019.
16. Super Mario Wiki. (2011). File:DS Lite Turquoise.jpg. Available: https://www.mariowiki.com/File:DS_Lite_Turquoise.jpg. Last accessed 13th Jul 2019.
17. Super Mario Wiki. (2011). Nintendo 3DS. Available: https://www.mariowiki.com/Nintendo_3DS. Last accessed 13th Jul 2019.
18. Super Mario Wiki. (2017). Nintendo Switch. Available: https://www.mariowiki.com/Nintendo_Switch. Last accessed 13th Jul 2019.
19. Super Mario Wiki. (2007). Wii. Available: https://www.mariowiki.com/Wii. Last accessed 13th Jul 2019.
20. Williams, L. (2019). A Date With Playdate Awaits – Could We Be Thankful For The Crankful?. Available: https://laurasambitiouswriting.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/playdate/. Last accessed 14th Jul 2019.
21. Williams, L. (2019). A Date With Playdate Awaits – Could We Be Thankful For The Crankful?. Available: https://laurawritesanarticle.blogspot.com/2019/05/playdate.html. Last accessed 14th Jul 2019.
22. Yuusha. (2017). Wii mini - Unlikely Review. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfer9urZQ08. Last accessed 15th Jul 2019.