Strange as it might be to describe any Mario game as “underrated,” Super Mario 3D World comes very close to fitting that bill and it is frequently in the running for the Best Nintendo characters game on the system . Released on the underperforming Wii U, Super Mario 3D World is the brilliant sequel to Super Mario 3D Land . While staged like the classic platformers, these games add another dimension, basically serving as a link between Mario ‘s 2D and 3D e

The last 2D Zelda was released in 2004 – The Minish Cap . It was followed by Twilight Princess , Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, Skyward Sword , A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild. Now, we have a sequel to the latter on the way. 2D Zelda seems to have died out, but that’s because 2D as a whole has seemingly been tossed to the wayside. Even now, remakes of 2D games opt to 3Dize them (if that isn’t a term, it is now). When I say that Nintendo should release another 2D game, I’m not talking about a remaster or remake or even the style of the 2D games but in 3D a la Link’s Awakening for the Switch. I’m talking flat, 2-dimensional sprites – the whole kaboo

_ Code Veronica _ is almost the end of an era of sorts for _ Resident Evil _ , and it in turn pays tribute to the franchise’s many settings and recurring puzzles– going so far as to even feature a rendition of the original game’s mansion during the climax. It’s a nice nod for fans of the series, but it also means _ CV _ has a very derivative sett

By far one of the most oddly satisfying things about the original Resident Evil 4 is its inventory system. The player has access to a grid-based attache case, with purchasable upgrades, and must intelligently arrange their weapons and items to use the available space most efficien

If Zelda goes back to 2D, it stands alongside the indie scene. It showcases that these older takes shouldn’t be abandoned due to their age. Many other games are doing this already, but none have the clout of Zelda. Going back to 2D with its next main entry – not a remake, remaster, or spin-off – would set a major precedent: not every new triple-A title needs to splash out to make a big blockbuster. It could be a hybrid like Octopath Traveler with its 2D sprites on top of its paper-like background, or it could go the full mile and be completely 2D. Whatever it does, going back would be refreshing for gaming and it could pave the way for other studios to do similar things with their own catal

Obi-Wan Kenobi, like Ahsoka Tano, is going to be the subject of a streaming series on Disney+. The series is likely to connect to the Star Wars movies in a lot of ways and may show some of the legendary Jedi Master’s life in the immediate aftermath of Order 66. Obi-Wan lived in seclusion on Tattooine for nearly twenty years, watching over Luke Skywalker, who he would eventually train and guide into becoming the first new Jedi in a generation. His sacrifice and efforts helped end the Sith and the Emp

The Mario vs. Donkey Kong has a weird reputation. On the one hand, most of the games are generally enjoyable, offering a fun mix of puzzle-solving and platforming . However, the spin-off series tends to struggle to trigger any significant excitement, and a new release’s announcement tends to be treated with a shrug rather than a cheer. The 2024 release is not an exception, although it does benefit slightly from being the subseries’ first project in nearly a decade. That said, as a remake of the 2004 GBA original, the game does not contain all that many surprises, even though Nintendo did incorporate a fair amount of new content to try and keep things fresh. Still, at its core, this experience is largely identical to its forefather, with Mario having the same moveset and many of the main levels being unchan

It’s not unlike animation’s seemingly unanimous move toward CGI, leaving 2D behind as a relic of the medium. Disney likely won’t ever make something in the style of The Jungle Book or The Lion King again when Tangled, Moana, and Frozen have such a wide appeal. Anime is huge in its own right but it doesn’t have the same pull in the West as Pixar, Disney, or DreamWorks – all of which have moved toward CGI animation. Indies in gaming hanging onto the old approach is like anime retaining its 2D style. Nintendo taking Zelda back in time would be akin to Disney releasing a new animated film in 2D. It would show that the approach still has a place and it would pave the way for others to do the same in whatever shape or form that might take. I wasn’t particularly optimistic about this ever being a possibility but now, with Metroid Dread , there’s a glimmer of hope on the hori

_ Resident Evil 4 _ ’s story is entertaining, but it’s far from good. _ RE4 _ may have fantastic game design, but its plot did irreversible damage for the series. Leon’s time in Europe amounts to little more than an action movie, with the scares infrequent. Worse, four games of build up are thrown out the window as _ RE4 _ wipes the slate cl