Tag Archives: Nintendo

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Switch 2 Handheld Mode: Will DLSS Upscale To 1080p… Or Lower?

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What is the true performance of the Nintendo Switch 2? Video experts Digital Foundry give us their thoughts based on some of the leaks that have been uncovered.

Digital Foundry is a highly respected YouTube channel dedicated to in-depth technical analysis of video games, gaming hardware, and technology. Founded by technology journalist Richard Leadbetter, the channel focuses on dissecting the visual and performance aspects of games, offering insights into elements like frame rates, resolutions, graphical fidelity, and optimization across different platforms. Known for its meticulous attention to detail, Digital Foundry uses tools like frame rate analysis software and pixel counting to compare how games perform on platforms like the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Their videos often break down graphical features such as ray tracing, textures, lighting, and shadows, helping viewers understand the technical craftsmanship behind modern games.

The channel’s content also extends to hardware reviews, deep dives into next-generation console technologies, and retrospective analyses of classic games and systems. Digital Foundry emphasizes accuracy and transparency, earning the trust of its audience, which includes gamers, developers, and tech enthusiasts alike. Their coverage often includes side-by-side comparisons, expert commentary, and an educational tone that appeals to those looking to deepen their knowledge of gaming technology. With a reputation for technical rigor and professional presentation, Digital Foundry has become a go-to source for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of technology and gaming.

Featured, Mobile & Handhelds

Switch 2 Reveal: A Game Collector’s Perspective

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Today Nintendo revealed the Switch 2, their next-generation hybrid gaming console, featuring upgraded Joy-Cons, a larger OLED display, and support for both new titles and classic Switch games plus other neat tricks like “mouse mode”. However as a game collector and fan of the original console, many questions still remain. WATCH >> https://youtu.be/axsWf32vM1U

The original Nintendo Switch is the Swiss Army knife of gaming, except instead of a corkscrew, it has Joy-Cons that sometimes decide they’re possessed by a ghost named “Drift.” It’s the console that said, “What if we make a Game Boy…but huge and with detachable handles?” Released in 2017, it became an instant favorite for gamers who wanted to play Mario Kart on the go, at home, or in the bathroom during “very important meetings.” The design is sleek, but it’s essentially a glorified tablet with a docking station that looks like it moonlights as a toaster slot. It’s got that magical Nintendo charm, though, so you forgive it for occasionally dropping to single digital frame rates in 3rd party games.

The Switch’s versatility is unmatched—you can go from handheld mode to docked faster than Mario can grab a mushroom. But those Joy-Cons, oh boy. They slide off with a satisfying click, but let’s not pretend you haven’t accidentally launched one across the room during an intense round of Super Smash Bros. Battery life is somewhere between “long enough for a road trip” and “hope you brought a power bank.” And don’t forget the original iconic kickstand: a fragile little appendage that screams, “Lean me against something sturdy, I beg you.” Despite its quirks, the Switch is a loveable handheld that brought gaming back to the couch without chaining you to it—perfect for anyone who can’t decide if they want to be a couch potato or a gaming vagabond.

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JerryRigEverything SCRATCHES the HELL OUT OF the Chromatic Game Boy handheld 😂

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JerryRigEverything is like the MythBusters of tech, except the only myth being tested is, “Can this phone survive Zach’s wrath?” Hosted by Zach Nelson, the channel specializes in putting the latest gadgets through a torture test so extreme it feels like watching a Saw movie for smartphones. He wields his razor blade like a tech-savvy samurai, scratching, burning, and bending devices with the kind of calm demeanor that makes you wonder if he’s secretly auditioning for the next James Bond villain.

But it’s not all destruction; there’s an oddly satisfying science to it. Zach’s soothing voice explains the chaos as he systematically destroys your dream gadget, all in the name of “durability.” Want to know if your $1,000 phone can handle being sat on? He’s got you covered. Curious about whether it scratches at a Level 6 or a Level 7? He’s your guy (and yes, there’s always a deeper groove at Level 7). By the end of each video, you feel oddly educated and vaguely guilty for laughing as a poor phone gets bent in half. It’s the perfect mix of nerdy engineering and tech carnage, and you can’t help but come back for more.

Featured, System Reviews, Mobile & Handhelds

Chromatic Review: Game Boy for the Elite?

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My review of the Chromatic by ModRetro: a premium handheld for Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, featuring a custom display and magnesium alloy shell. But at $200, is it worth it, or are there better & cheaper options?

Here are five lesser-known Game Boy Color (GBC) games that are often considered hidden gems by retro gaming enthusiasts:

1. Shantae

  • Developer/Publisher: WayForward
  • Year: 2002
  • Why it’s a gem: Released late in the GBC’s lifespan, Shantae is a colorful action-platformer with Metroidvania elements. Its vibrant graphics, catchy music, and unique gameplay (Shantae transforms into animals to solve puzzles) make it a standout title.
  • Fun Fact: Due to its low print run, physical copies are rare and highly sought after.

2. Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 (Tara’s Adventure / Cobi’s Journey)

  • Developer/Publisher: Enix
  • Year: 2001
  • Why it’s a gem: Often overshadowed by Pokémon, this monster-raising RPG offers deep gameplay, a robust breeding system, and expansive worlds to explore. The level of customization in building your team is immense.
  • Fun Fact: It allows players to breed unique monsters with specific abilities, making each playthrough different.

3. Wendy: Every Witch Way

  • Developer/Publisher: WayForward
  • Year: 2001
  • Why it’s a gem: This gravity-defying platformer is simple but highly polished. Players control Wendy, the Good Little Witch, using her powers to flip gravity and solve clever puzzles.
  • Fun Fact: It’s one of the earliest games by WayForward, who would later become famous for Shantae.

4. Survival Kids

  • Developer/Publisher: Konami
  • Year: 1999
  • Why it’s a gem: A survival adventure game where players must navigate a deserted island, gather resources, and find a way to escape. It features multiple endings and a focus on crafting and exploration.
  • Fun Fact: This game is considered the precursor to the Lost in Blue series on the Nintendo DS.

5. Bionic Commando: Elite Forces

  • Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
  • Year: 2000
  • Why it’s a gem: A unique spin-off of the Bionic Commando series, this game combines action-platforming with a grappling hook mechanic for puzzle-solving. It’s challenging and offers satisfying gameplay.
  • Fun Fact: The grappling mechanic remains a defining feature of the Bionic Commando series.

These games showcase the GBC’s impressive library beyond its most famous titles. Have you tried any of these, or are you looking for something similar?

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Five GameCube Games That Will NEVER Leave the System!

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Sadly, Nintendo’s purple little cube just couldn’t compete against Sony’s juggernaut of the generation. That doesn’t mean there weren’t great games on the system, that will forever be stuck on the system!

The Nintendo GameCube is like the lovable underdog of the console world, resembling a colorful lunchbox with a handle that screams, “Take me to your friend’s house, and let’s party!” It’s as if Nintendo decided to give gaming a fun-sized makeover, creating a compact, cube-shaped delight that could survive a tumble down the stairs and still boot up “Super Smash Bros. Melee” without missing a beat.

Playing on the GameCube feels like rediscovering your favorite childhood snack—it’s nostalgic, satisfying, and always leaves you with a smile. The controllers, with their quirky button layout and trigger buttons that feel like you’re squishing marshmallows, are a perfect match for the system’s quirky charm. Whether you’re navigating the spooky halls of “Luigi’s Mansion” or racing at breakneck speeds in “Mario Kart: Double Dash!!”, the GameCube’s library of games is a treasure trove of fun that proves good things really do come in small, cube-shaped packages.

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The Gameboy Advance Is A Nearly Perfect Handheld

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I love my Gameboy Advance. And after watching ‪@MetalJesusRocks‬ and ‪@The_RadicalOne‬ do their GBA buying guide last week, I felt inspired to talk about the system as well. I show off different ways you can play GBA games, share some of my hardware that I own, and chat about some of my favorite games for the console.

The Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA) is like the Swiss Army knife of handheld consoles—it does everything, and it fits right in your pocket. With its sleek, horizontal design and a vibrant screen that was a major upgrade from its predecessors, the GBA was the cool kid on the block. It was as if Nintendo took a look at the old Game Boy and said, “Let’s give this thing a glow-up.” And oh boy, did they succeed. The GBA was your ticket to a world where you could battle Pokémon, save princesses, and race go-karts—all while pretending to listen during class.

Playing the GBA felt like holding a portal to endless adventures, all powered by a couple of AA batteries. It was the device that made waiting in line at the DMV slightly more bearable and family road trips a bit less torturous. With games like “The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap” and “Advance Wars,” the GBA was a powerhouse of fun packed into a tiny frame. It was like having a miniature arcade in your hands, minus the sticky floors and the guy who always hogged the Street Fighter machine.

Buying Guides, Featured

** NEW ** GBA BUYING GUIDE: Hardware, Clone systems, Accessories & Games!

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All new Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA) Buying Guide! Radical Reggie & I cover the different revisions of the handheld, clone systems, accessories and recommended games!

Ah, the Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA)—a handheld marvel that hit the gaming scene in 2001. This sleek, portable powerhouse was a breath of fresh air for gamers, boasting a landscape layout and vibrant 32-bit color display that left its monochromatic predecessors in the dust. The GBA’s ergonomic design fit snugly in your hands, making marathon gaming sessions a breeze. With a library packed full of iconic titles like “Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire,” “The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap,” and “Advance Wars,” the GBA quickly became a beloved staple for gamers of all ages. Whether you were a fan of platformers, RPGs, or strategy games, this little device had something to tickle your fancy.

But it wasn’t just about the games—oh no! The GBA’s backward compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges meant you could carry your entire portable gaming history in your pocket. The system also introduced some nifty accessories, like the Game Boy Advance Link Cable for multiplayer fun and the e-Reader for scanning special cards to unlock new content. And let’s not forget the GBA SP, a glorious upgrade with a clamshell design and a built-in backlight, making it even easier to get lost in your favorite adventures. All in all, the Game Boy Advance wasn’t just a handheld console; it was a key that unlocked countless hours of joy and nostalgia, cementing its place in gaming history.

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Ninten-Drawer – The Ultimate NES Fix! – Adam Koralik

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Adam reviews the Ninten-Drawer, a replacement for the original 72 pin connector on the NES. What does it do? Basically makes the system work every time, and even disables the region locking.

Ah, the original NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) – the 8-bit wonder that turned living rooms into pixelated playgrounds and made “blowing on cartridges” a recognized form of technical troubleshooting. Released in the mid-80s, this gray box of joy brought us countless hours of jumping plumbers, princess-saving, and more pixelated ducks than anyone knew what to do with. With its rectangular controllers designed to fit perfectly into the hands of a young gamer or serve as a medieval torture device for adults, the NES redefined our understanding of entertainment.

Every game started with the suspenseful moment of inserting the cartridge and praying it would work without the dreaded flicker of a glitched screen. When faced with technical difficulties, the ritualistic blowing into the cartridge – a move endorsed by no one and yet practiced by everyone – often seemed to summon gaming miracles.  In the era of the NES, every pixel was precious, every game was a challenge, and every player was a hero in their own 8-bit saga.

Recent Pickups

Modding a Nintendo Famicom (Japanese version of the NES “Nintendo Entertainment System”)

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YouTuber Kari has an original Japanese Famicom with NTSC-J RF output and she wants to connect it to a PAL TV.  Join her as she updates a  composite mod on an original Famicom “Family Computer” video game console to work with her TVs, and to have a much clearer picture.

The Nintendo Famicom, short for Family Computer, is a landmark in gaming history, released by Nintendo in Japan in 1983. It revolutionized the home entertainment landscape, introducing millions to the joys of video gaming. The Famicom’s design was sleek and compact, featuring a distinctive red and white color scheme that became iconic. Its controllers were hardwired into the console, a departure from the detachable controllers of previous systems, and featured a simple yet effective directional pad and two action buttons, setting the standard for future game controllers. The console’s architecture was built around an 8-bit CPU, with support for colorful graphics and rich sound, allowing for immersive gaming experiences that captivated players of all ages.

One of the Famicom’s most significant contributions to gaming was its vast library of games, which included classics like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, among others. These games not only pushed the boundaries of what was possible in gaming at the time but also laid the foundation for many of the franchises and genres that continue to thrive today. The Famicom’s success extended beyond Japan when it was rebranded as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) for international markets. Its influence on the gaming industry cannot be overstated, as it helped revive the video game market after the crash of 1983 and established Nintendo as a dominant force in the industry for decades to come.