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ICYMI, Final Fantasy IX is out now on Nintendo Switch and Xbox One
Final Fantasy IX is out now on Nintendo Switch and Xbox One, and yes, it includes the overworld theme audio bug.
Final Fantasy IX is out now on Nintendo Switch and Xbox One, and yes, it includes the overworld theme audio bug.
Nintendo rattled through a lot of announcements during this week’s Nintendo Direct. There’s Super Mario Maker 2, a game which everyone was expecting sooner or later, and then some things we weren’t expecting, like the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (AKA The Best Zelda).
We also saw some good news for games that weren’t a surprise, including the addition of co-op to every level of Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker, and the release of a demo of Yoshi’s Crafted World. Which is frankly brilliant.
Then there’s the “out now” releases that tend to accompany Nintendo Directs these days, like Fortnite and Overcooked 2 during E3 2018, and plenty others in the past six months.
One we’d all been waiting for is the Nintendo Switch release of Final Fantasy IX, the classic Squaresoft RPG from the year 2000. We saw a glimpse of Final Fantasy VII’s Switch release a couple of weeks ago, but everything had gone quiet on the Final Fantasy IX front; until its sudden release this week.
There is a drawback with Final Fantasy IX on Switch (and Xbox One) – it’s the mobile port, which is widely considered to be the worst version.
For starters, it’s got a font that, while it is technically cleaner to read on modern displays than the original game’s pixel fonts, is just not as pretty and stylish to look at. It also features some concessions to the mobile port, like a warning saying you can’t use emojis in character names (as if we would even want to).
Worst of all, though, is the audio bug. Final Fantasy IX’s overworld theme is a classic piece of Nobuo Uematsu composition, but when you enter a random battle on the world map? It starts the overworld theme again from the beginning when you exit the battle. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and get to hear a decent chunk of it, but when random battles are coming thick and fast, it all feels a bit like you’re stuck in a loop.
I once had a car with a wiring problem on the stereo that did something similar. It gets quite annoying, quite quickly.
We’re hoping that Square will patch out the Final Fantasy IX audio bug on Switch and Xbox One – as they have done with a similar bug in Final Fantasy V, apparently – or if you want to avoid it, you can use one of the game’s many assistance and accessibility features to turn off random encounters. That basically fixes the problem, in a roundabout way.
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New Nintendo Switch releases: February 17-21, 2020
This week’s lineup of new eShop games for the Nintendo Switch includes an impressive collection of retro classics.
This week’s lineup of new eShop games for the Nintendo Switch includes an impressive collection of retro classics.
Not a week goes by without the Nintendo Switch eshop getting at least one retro game or remake. This week we have 27. Gulp!
The fun starts on Wednesday with four new games added to the list of NES and SNES classics available through Nintendo Switch Online. Smash Tennis and Pop ‘n TwinBee are our picks from the new additions.
Even more impressive is the Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle from Arc System Works. The collection features no fewer than 18 titles, including arcade classics Double Dragon and Renegade, plus 11 NES games never before released in the West.
We also have nothing but good things to say about Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Puyo Puyo 2. Both games come to the Sega Ages range with some cool new features and game modes. Hamster Corporation also continues its good work with Arcade Archives VS. Mahjong.
Finally, Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition is the latest entry in Capcom’s popular action series to get a Switch outing.
Brand new releases include Blood Will Be Spilled, Last Encounter, and the curiously titled sci-fi adventure, Ciel Fledge: A Daughter Raising Simulator. Gulp, again!
Here’s the current roster of new Nintendo Switch releases. We’ll keep the list updated throughout the week.
Nintendo Switch releases – February 17-21, 2020
Monday, February 17, 2020
- No releases
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
- Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo – US
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
- 3000th Duel
- Eliminator Boat Duel – NES
- Pop ‘n TwinBee – SNES
- Shadow of the Ninja – NES
- Smash Tennis – SNES
Thursday, February 20, 2020
- Blood Will Be Spilled
- Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition
- Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle
- Fred3ric
- Georifters
- Katana Kami: A Way of the Samurai Story
- Lines XL
- Oddmar
- A Sound Plan
- Sudoku Relax 4 Winter Snow
- Sega Ages Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Sega Ages Puyo Puyo 2
- Sudoku Relax 4 Winter Snow
- Tower of Babel – no mercy
- Uncharted Tides: Port Royal
- Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] – EU
- Vitamin Connection
Friday, February 21, 2020
- Arcade Archives VS. Mahjong
- Blood Breed
- Brief Battles
- Ciel Fledge: A Daughter Raising Simulator
- Dark Tower
- Ego Protocol: Remastered
- Fishing Adventure
- King Lucas
- Knightin’+
- Last Encounter
- Otherworldly
- Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo – EU
- Ubermosh:Omega
- Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] – US
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Visit the Thumbsticks new releases page for the latest Switch, Xbox and PlayStation games. You can also follow us on Facebook, Google News, Twitter, and Flipboard.
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The Epic exodus is over – Metro Exodus is now on Steam
One year after its release on the Epic Games Store, Metro Exodus is now available to purchase on Steam.
One year after its release on the Epic Games Store, Metro Exodus is now available to purchase on Steam.
Over the past year or so, the Epic Games Store has been ruffling some feathers. The digital storefront, buoyed by big bucks from Fortnite Battle Royale cosmetics, has been buying PC exclusivity left, right and centre.
This has upset fans of Steam. Tribalism among video game fans is weird – we’ve seen it in the console world for years – but it’s especially weird when it extends to which free PC launcher you use. We don’t get it, frankly. But games being unavailable to buy on Steam has upset people, nonetheless.
And when Metro Exodus was announced as an Epic Games Store exclusive in January 2019, Steam was a little upset, too. Or at least, the note they left on the Steam Store page (that had previously allowed players to pre-purchase Metro Exodus) made it seem like they were.
The Steam store listing for #MetroExodus is a little… salty pic.twitter.com/XRXFepeRYW
— Tom Baines (@TomThumbsticks) January 28, 2019
Now, the year of Epic Games Store exclusivity is over. Metro Exodus is now available to purchase from Steam.
Metro Exodus is now available to purchase on Steam.
There is also a welcome back sale, that lasts until Monday. https://t.co/DO1pFd2rFD pic.twitter.com/t4L1RxKOWV
— Metro Exodus (@MetroVideoGame) February 15, 2020
To celebrate Metro Exodus riding back onto Steam, publisher Deep Silver is offering the game at a 40% discount for this weekend only.
Metro Exodus Steam Store discounts
- Metro Exodus – 40% off
- Metro Exodus: Gold Edition – 40% off
- Metro Exodus: Season pass – 25% off
- Metro Exodus: The Two Colonels DLC – 40% off
- Metro Exodus: Sam’s Story DLC – full price
- Metro: Franchise sale – 51% off
Given that the season pass is offered at just a 25% discount, and the Sam’s Story DLC – released just a few days ago – is being sold at full price, then the Metro Exodus: Gold Edition is looking like the best deal. If you’ve not played any of the other games then the franchise sale – with a whopping 51% off – includes the first two games, Metro Exodus, and the season pass.
These discounts will end on February 18, 2020. But don’t worry: Metro Exodus will be available to purchase from Steam forevermore. (We presume.)
You should follow Thumbsticks on Facebook, Google News, Twitter, and Flipboard for regular video game news updates.
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New PlayStation 4 releases: February 17-18, 2020
The Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary bundle and a new collection arcade classics are among next week’s new PlayStation releases.
The Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary bundle and a new collection arcade classics are among next week’s new PlayStation 4, PSVR, and PS Vita releases.
The Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle is our pick from next week’s lineup of new PlayStation 4 releases. Both games are remastered at 4K and 60 fps on PS4 Pro, and if you buy the bundle before March 3, you’ll also get a free dynamic theme. A limited-edition steel-book release is also available from Amazon and other retailers.
If we’re playing the numbers game, however, the Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle takes top prize. The collection includes no fewer than 18 arcade and NES classics, many of which are getting a Western release for the first time.
Let’s also give a shout-out to players eagerly anticipating the release of Autobahn Police Simulator 2. You must be out there somewhere and we’re super-pleased to tell you that the game is racing onto PS4 this week.
Other new games include Nordic noir adventure Dragen, and FPS VR shooter, Bullet Sorrow.
Here’s the complete lineup of this week’s new PlayStation Store releases. We’ll update this list throughout the week with any last minute additions.
New PlayStation 4 releases – February 17-18, 2020
Monday, February 17, 2020
- No releases
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
- Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary
- DCL – The Game
- Knightin’+ (and PS Vita)
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
- No releases
Thursday, February 20, 2020
- Autobahn Police Simulator 2
- Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle
- Katana Kami
- Townsmen — A Kingdom Rebuilt
Friday, February 21, 2020
- Bullet Sorrow VR
- Draugen
We may receive a small commission on purchases made from online stores.
Visit our new releases page for regular updates on the latest PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch games. You can also follow Thumbsticks on Flipboard, Facebook, Google News, and Twitter.
Thumbsticks needs your support
We hate to ask, but global advertising revenues are the lowest they've ever been. It's killing the online publishing world. If you found this article interesting or entertaining and you want to support quality games writing, then please consider supporting us via Patreon, buying us a coffee, or subscribing to our newsletter.
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New Xbox One releases: February 17-21, 2020
The Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle headlines next week’s lineup of new Xbox One releases.
The Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle headlines this week’s lineup of new Xbox One releases.
Can it really be ten years? Crikey, we feel old, but we’re looking forward to revisiting Bayonetta and Vanquish nonetheless. PlatinumGames’ pair of action classics are reissued this week in a double-pack of remasters. Both games get a visual bump and run at 4K resolution and 60 fps on Xbox One X. A limited-edition physical steel-book release is also available from various retailers, including Amazon.
Also heading to Xbox One is Reigns: Game of Thrones. The game is a fun twist on Nerial’s acclaimed monarch simulator and is definitely worth getting if you’re a fan of George R. R. Martin’s books or the hit HBO series.
Other new games include Bunny Parking, Thief Simulator, and Draugen, which its developer describes as “a single-player, first-person Fjord Noir mystery set in 1920.” Sign us up.
Each new release can be purchased from the Xbox One digital games store and Microsoft online store. Here’s the confirmed lineup.
New Xbox One games – February 17-21, 2020
Monday, February 17, 2020
- No releases
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
- DCL – The Game
- Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
- Bunny Parking
- Knightin’+
- Lost Artifacts
- Thief Simulator
Thursday, February 20, 2020
- Reigns: Game of Thrones
Friday, February 21, 2020
- Ailment
- Draugen
- Uncharted Tides: Port Royal
We may receive a small commission on purchases made from online stores.
Visit the Thumbsticks new releases page for news of the latest Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 games. Follow Thumbsticks on Flipboard, Facebook, Google News, and Twitter for more video game news headlines.
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Control creator Remedy has four projects in the works
Control DLC is on the way, but Remedy is also working on three other games.
Control DLC is on the way, but Remedy is also working on three other games.
Today, Remedy released a lengthy financial statement explicating its performance from January 1 through December 31, 2019. Nestled within the broader breakdown? The revelation that the Finnish company is currently working on four projects.
Control fans likely already know that Remedy is working on a pair of paid expansions for the third-person shooter. Remedy has also previously revealed that the company is handling the campaign for CrossFire X – a new take on CrossFire, an FPS with a massive player base in Asia. It’s scheduled to launch on Xbox One this year.
The new news is that Remedy is currently in pre-production on an unannounced game. We know basically nothing about that, but it might be the project that lead writer Sam Lake indicated he was beginning work on last November.
The statement also revealed that the company is gearing up to get in the service games arm race. Vanguard is a small multiplayer-focused team within Remedy, which the company’s website describes as having “a startup mentality within the stability of a large company.”
Vanguard also seems to be the working title for the project the team is working on.
All in all, there’s a lot to be excited about. We ranked Control as one of the best games of 2019, so it’s exciting to see the team branching out as they head into the future.
Sprinkle daily gaming new updates across your social feed by following Thumbsticks on Facebook, Twitter, and Flipboard.
Thumbsticks needs your support
We hate to ask, but global advertising revenues are the lowest they've ever been. It's killing the online publishing world. If you found this article interesting or entertaining and you want to support quality games writing, then please consider supporting us via Patreon, buying us a coffee, or subscribing to our newsletter.
Recommended for you
New Nintendo Switch releases: February 17-21, 2020
The complete list of NES and SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online
The Epic exodus is over – Metro Exodus is now on Steam
New PlayStation 4 releases: February 17-18, 2020
New Xbox One releases: February 17-21, 2020
Control creator Remedy has four projects in the works
Florence is out now for Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac
