NES vs Famicom Switch Online apps – April 2019 update

The update for April 2019 brings things back to how they started. Both NES and Famicom get the same number of games. Still, though, there’s an important difference in Kid Icarus.

Below is the list of games added to the NES app:

  • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
  • Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
  • Star Soldier
  • (SP) Kid Icarus (starts off in the final level with everything powered up)

And here’s the list of games added on the Family Computer – Nintendo Switch Online app.

  • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (aka, Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan)
  • Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
  • Star Soldier
  • (SP) Kid Icarus (Famicom Disk version – Same start as above)

As expected, Kid Icarus in Japan is based on the Famicom Disk version. Besides the difference in sounds, though, there’s a huge difference in gameplay as well. The final level in the Japanese version is not an auto-scrolling one, but one where you can actually move the screen at your own pace. Also, you need to press the A button if you want to keep flying.

NES vs Famicom Switch Online apps – March 2019 update

March update brings the biggest difference between the two apps. For the first time, the NES app gets something that the Famicom app wont, StarTropics. The reason for this is the fact that StarTropics never got released in Japan. So instead, Japanese users get a game that was never released outside of their region, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light. And then there’s also the usual extra game that Japan has been getting recently.

Below is the list of games added to the NES app:

  • Kid Icarus
  • StarTropics
  • (SP) Kirby’s Adventure (Starts with the first file finished with 100%)
  • (SP) Zelda 2 (Starts at the beginning but all powered up and with all the magic spells)

And here’s the list of games added on the Family Computer – Nintendo Switch Online app.

  • Yie Ar Kung-Fu
  • Kid Icarus (Famicom Disk version, features save files)
  • Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
  • (SP) Kirby’s Adventure (Same changes as the NES app)
  • (SP) Zelda 2 (Famicom Disk version, same changes as the NES app)

Yie Ar Kung-Fu was never released outside of Japan and is simply ignored in this month’s NES app update.

Remote Image Loader and Sequential File Downloader

These are two small scripts I made a while ago to help me see or download images with a sequential filename (001, 002, 003… etc).

The first one is done in JavaScript and it lets you view them on your browser. You can find the code here:

https://gitlab.com/linknm/remote-image-loader

Or you can use the web app here:

https://linknm.gitlab.io/remote-image-loader/

The second one is a small Python script I did afterwards. While my idea was still focusing on image files, it can pretty much download any kind of file too as long is it has an extension in its file name. You can check the code and download it here:

https://gitlab.com/linknm/sequential-file-downloader

Proper RGB setup is important

Video settings have gotten more complicated in the recent years. To be more precise, since HD TVs started to appear, there’s been more settings to configure.

The easiest part to configure is the resolution, as that’s pretty much done automatically and in the right way. The real confusion comes with another setting in the video, the RGB Range. Setting this part correctly is as important as the resolution, specially if you are going to take screenshots, record video, or stream. It’s even more important if you’re going to do any kind of graphic comparison.

Continue reading “Proper RGB setup is important”

NES vs Famicom Switch Online apps – February 2019 update

Welp, Nintendo has done it again. The NES app only gets two new games while the Japanese version gets three. It’s also interesting to note that this is also the first time there’s a second Special version for a game that already had one before (Metroid). Below is the list of games added on the NES version.

  • Kirby’s Adventure
  • Super Mario Bros. 2
  • (SP) Blaster Master (Starts fully powered up on area 8)
  • (SP2) Metroid (Starts fully powered up right before the final area)

And here’s the list of games added on the Family Computer – Nintendo Switch Online app.

  • Kirby’s Adventure
  • Tsuppari Oozumou [つっぱり大相撲]
  • Super Mario USA (aka, Super Mario Bros. 2)
  • (SP) Blaster Master (Same changes as NES app)
  • (SP2) Metroid (Famicom Disk Version, same changes as NES app)

The sumo game from Tecmo was never released outside of the region. So, once again, instead of replacing the game for a different one, Nintendo simply decided to skip it.

First Play – Defense Grid 2 on Switch (plus impressions and other info)

Defense Grid 2 is coming to Switch and we recently had the chance to see it in action through an exclusive Mixer stream. Now with a review code, you can see my first play in the video below.

Considering the game was originally made for Xbox One and PS4, the game runs pretty well on Switch. It’s not completely smooth but it seems to barely drop frames when it does. Other information I got from the previous stream was that the game runs at 1080p when docked and 720p when in portable. Also, from the time I got to play it, the game looks good, sharp textures and graphics.

As for the gameplay, it is a well made tower defense game. In a good way, it knows what it is, does well that aspect, and doesn’t try to be anything else. It’s easy to pick up and play and the controls make sense. There’s a story of aliens to give it context too that you’ll be hearing or reading, even though there doesn’t seem to be any real cutscene.

As for other technical details that you may be wondering about, the game does support Cloud Save Backup and Switch Video Capture. There’s online highscores which can be filtered between friends or worldwide and the game features new missions on Switch that were previously only available on the VR version of the game. The file size is also not that big, which is great.

So far, it seems to be a great game if you are into strategy or, more specifically, tower-defense games. By the way, I also asked during the Mixer stream and, apparently, they seem to be planning some sort of physical release too. (or at least trying to get one)