MONSTER BOY AND THE CURSED KINGDOM DEMO ON THE WAY

FDG Entertainment has revealed that a demo for Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is going to launch sometime soon. We don't know when exactly the demo will release, but we do know it'll require 600MB of space. Clear up the room now in preparation for this demo's launch!

Daemon X Machina early tech analysis

A Prototype Missions demo for Daemon X Machina was recently released on the Switch eShop. With that in mind, Digital Foundry has taken a closer look at the download to see how it holds up from a technical perspective. 

As far as resolution goes, Daemon X Machina targets 1080p when docked. But as Digital Foundry notes, it’ll more often sit at 1664 x 936. Resolution tends to reach 504p in portable mode, though it can drop to 408p. The lower resolution, along with a lack of anti-aliasing, can make things look a bit pixelated. 

Daemon X Machina looks similar in docked and portable modes. However, there are some changes, such as a reduction in texture quality and texture filtering in handheld mode.

What about frame rate? Daemon X Machina targets 30 FPS, but it tends to slip well below that point. Digital Foundry says the frame rate is so low at points that it can impact gameplay. Frame pacing is also an issue here as well.

While that may sound disappointing, Daemon X Machina does have potential and has a unique-looking art style. You can watch the full analysis from Digital Foundry below. 

Pokemon Sword/Shield pre-orders open

Update: Bumped to the top. Pokemon Sword/Shield is up for pre-order on Amazon.

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Original: Pre-orders for Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield have started to open. Best Buy is up first – reserve the Sword version here and Shield version here. By pre-ordering the game, you’ll receive a $10 reward certificate upon release.

MONSTER BOY AND THE CURSED KINGDOM DEMO ON THE WAY

FDG Entertainment has revealed that a demo for Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is going to launch sometime soon. We don't know when exactly the demo will release, but we do know it'll require 600MB of space. Clear up the room now in preparation for this demo's launch!

Android gets ported to the Nintendo Switch! – You might soon be able to turn your Switch into a fully-fledged tablet

For quite a while, it’s been possible to run Linux on fusee-gelee vulnerable Nintendo Switch consoles which gives you a fully-fledged browser, ability to use emulators like Dolphin (with limited success) and much more. Unfortunately, desktop Linux distributions aren’t really meant for use with 7-inch tablets so the UI can get a bit clunky but now, Android got ported to the Switch which may make running Linux on your device much more appealing!

Android on the Nintendo Switch and its current state

Initial hints that work was underway on getting Android to run on the Switch came in the form of a tweet from natinusala, a developer that worked a lot on the Switch’s RetroArch port, on February 12 showing a Switch booting (or trying to, anyway) Android.

Fast-forwarding a little under two weeks, work on porting Android to the Switch reached pretty advanced stages and to share the progress, Max Keller (@langer_hans) published a video (below) of a Nintendo Switch running Android Q (which looks quite similar to Android Pie), the upcoming version of Android and successor to Pie (9.0)!

As of right now, this Android port which is apparently a joint effort between Max Keller and ByLaws (Billy Laws) is still work-in-progress and from the video, it seems to be at the current stage:

• 
  

  In its current state, this Android port seems to have the basics working just fine except GPU acceleration which is being worked on (image from video below)
  Framebuffer output and the touchscreen input are working fine
• WiFi and Bluetooth are supported so connecting to the Internet and browsing is possible (and demonstrated in the video as well)
• The joycons function which could open quite a few possibilities relating to Android gaming
• Performance isn’t too great because the graphics acceleration isn’t working since the GPU drivers are functioning as they should.
  • Thankfully, this problem is being worked on so it may only be a short while before Android starts running smoothly on the Switch!
• Some things like SDCard support and rotation support weren’t demonstrated in the video or mentioned in any tweet so there’s no confirmation about their status as of yet
• If you weren’t following Switch Linux news, the infamous battery bug was fixed last yearso you needn’t worry about that.

What are the benefits of running Android on the Switch? Can I get it right now?

As the Switch has a powerful (albeit underclocked) Tegra X1 CPU and 4GB RAM, it could make a pretty decent performing Android tablet thus making it much more useful. Among the things that Android could bring to the Switch, we find:

• A fully-fledged browser letting you browse the web without having to mess around too much
  
  

  Ever fancied playing some Fruit Ninja on your Switch? Well, you may be able to in the future by running Android! (Image Source)
  • Right now, you can use homebrew like BrowseNX but the Switch’s browser (that Nintendo hides) is a bit lacking the UI department thus making it a bit difficult to navigate
• Access to a plethora of applications like social media, productivity and entertainment apps thus turning your Switch into an all-in-one tablet that shines at gaming and regular usage
• A wide range of Android games like Age Of Zombies and Fruit Ninja among many others that aren’t available on the Switch
• The ability to use Android-exclusive software like DraStic, a proprietary DS emulator that’s very high performing, and unofficial Citra (3DS emulator) builds among many others

Right now, there is no download link available for Android on the Switch and no ETA has been given either. However, there may be a decent chance of a release happening in the foreseeable future especially if the GPU driver issue is fixed.

Conclusion

On a concluding note, it’s important to state that the best thing you can do now is just wait for more information about Android on the Switch as a release may come sooner or later. To keep up to date with the latest developments, you can check out Max Keller’s Twitter and remember not to pester him or ByLaws for a release 

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Max Keller’s Twitter (further updates): https://twitter.com/langer_hans

Tweet with the video of the Switch running Android:

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes – Vol. 1: Black Dandelion DLC launches February 28The first piece of DLC for Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is nearly here. Vol. 1: Black Dandelion will arrive on February 28, Nintendo announced today.

The first piece of DLC for Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is nearly here. Vol. 1: Black Dandelion will arrive on February 28, Nintendo announced today.
Vol. 1: Black Dandelion features the Badman Strikes Back Adventure, including Shinobu as a playable character.

Atmosphère 0.8.4 released: Switch FW 7.0.0/7.0.1 now supported, kernel patches for JIT support added and more!

As it often happens, firmware updates break CFW compatibility and FW 7.0.0 is no exception even though its keys were cracked within hours. Fast forwarding about 3 weeks and a half, FW 7.0.0’s days of not having a CFW ended as Atmosphère 0.8.4 got released with support for both 7.0.0 and 7.0.1!

What is Atmosphère?

Atmosphère, mainly developed by SciresM, TuxSH, hexkyz, and fincs, is one of the major players in the Nintendo Switch’s CFW scene and requires a fusee-gelee vulnerable Switch console. By using Atmosphère, you can make your Switch much more useful and do stuff such as:

• Run a lot of homebrew from an ever-increasing homebrew library.
  
  

  If OSU is your thing, then hacking your Switch will let you satisfy your hobby with McOsu!
  Among available homebrew, we find:
  • A plethora of emulators such as ones for the SNES, PS1, GBA and more recently, decently performing versions of Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS emulators thanks to overclocking and JIT support in the former!
  • Utilities like NXShell, to browse your files and get stuff on your Switch via FTP, and pPlay for watching videos since Nintendo decided not to include a video player…
  • Many open-source game ports like an osu! port and Sonic Robo Blast 2 port among others!
• Support for modules, similar to plugins in PSVita/PSP lingo, like sys-clk which lets you overclock your Switch’s CPU/GPU/RAM in both docked and undocked state
• Commercial game modding and many other things

What does Atmosphère 0.8.4 bring along?

While Atmosphère 0.8.4 isn’t a 0.x release, it’s still a pretty significant update as it includes:

• Support for firmwares 7.0.0 and 7.0.1 which means that the latest Switch firmware now has a CFW available for it!
  • Key derivation is now done through a new payload called ‘sept’ which stores boot keys in “sept/payload.bin” on your SDCard
    
    

    As fusee-gelee can’t be patched on already vulnerable consoles, new Switch firmwares will keep on getting CFW although it may get harder in the future as Nintendo implements more measures to stop them from being hacked!
  • It seems that the sigpatches being used for FW 6.2.0 and below do not work on FW 7.0.0/7.0.1 which means that custom NSP support is currently broken and applications like GoldLeaf won’t work.
• Kernel patches, by m4wx, having to do with JIT support now ship with Atmosphère
• The algorithm for recognising applications to override has been improved
• Numerous fixes relating to system modules, such as a fix for a deadlock condition in libstratosphere mitm sysmodules.

Without a doubt, the highlight of this release is FW 7.0.0/7.0.1 support but you should be cautious when updating to those firmwares if you use stuff that requires sigpatches. If your Switch is still running an older firmware, it’s still recommended to upgrade to Atmosphère 0.8.4 when you have time for the bug fixes and the JIT patches especially if you’re into emulation!

Conclusion

To grab Atmosphère 0.8.4 and liberate your FW 7.0.0/7.0.1 fusee-gelee vulnerable Switch, simply follow the link below and install it on your device. Issues should be reported to the Issues tab of the GitHub link below.

As usual, there’s a significant chance of getting banned when hacking your Switch especially when using NSPs so think twice before hacking your device and if you do so, avoid connecting to the internet!

Atmosphère 0.8.4 download link: https://github.com/Atmosphere-NX/Atmosphere/releases/latest

Capcom will have Resident Evil, Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 4 Switch news at the end of the month

A few months ago, Capcom announced that it will be bringing a few classic Resident Evil games to Switch. Resident Evil, Resident Evil 0, and Resident Evil 4 are all planned for this year.

We haven’t heard anything since the initial announcement in October, but fans are due for an update soon. Capcom’s Resident Evil community manager says there will be “more details about the Switch ports at the end of Feb”. There’s just a few days left in the month, so we should be getting an update by next Thursday at the latest.

Source

NPD: NINTENDO SWITCH WAS THE BESTSELLING CONSOLE IN JANUARY 2019

Several sources working with NPD have revealed how many units each game console sold in the US in January 2019.

According to these sources, Nintendo Switch was the bestselling game console in January 2019 as it moved 284,000 units. The Switch beaten both the PS4 and Xbox One, which sold 195,000 and 101,000 systems respectively.

Interestingly, the Switch has also set a new milestone for a January month – it has seen the best hardware sales for a January month in NPD history. The previous record was set by PS4 in January 2014 at 274,000 units.

We should have the full NPD results later this week, so stay tuned.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – “Kong Family Reunion” Spirit Board event announced

Nintendo has announced the next Spirit Board event, this time carrying the theme “Kong Family Reunion”. The fun kicks off on Friday.

During the event, you’ll see more spirits from the Donkey Kong series. If you defeat them, you’ll earn more snacks than you normally would.

The Kong Family Reunion Spirit Board event will be live for three days.

Source

The King of Fighters 2003 is this week’s NeoGeo game on Switch

After a week off, Hamster is readying a new NeoGeo game for Switch. The King of Fighters 2003 will be available worldwide starting February 21.

We have the following overview for The King of Fighters 2003:

The King of Fighters 2003 is a fighting game released by SNK in 2003. It features the same 3-on-3 battle system as the previous title in the series, but this time players are able to use the “Multi-Shift” format to freely tag in team members for speedier gameplay. A new character named ASH is also introduced, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the series!

Pricing for ACA NeoGeo The King of Fighters 2003 is set at $7.99 / €6.99 / £6.29.

Source: Hamster PR

Chrono Trigger director involved with Oninaki

The latest issue of Famitsu has an update on Oninaki, the new RPG from Square Enix and Tokyo RPG Factory announced in last week’s Nintendo Direct. Specifically, we have news about some of the staff working on the project.

Hirotaka Inaba is in charge of the scenario. It’s a familiar role for him, as Inaba was a writer on I Am Setsuna and Lost Sphear. Tomonori Kogawa also handled the game’s title logo.

Famitsu further reveals that Takashi Tokita is involved with Oninaki as a creative producer. Tokita has directed and contributed to many Square Enix titles over the years, including Chrono Trigger – where he was the game’s director.

Source, Via

Octopath Traveler Arrangements Break & Boost soundtrack album preview videos

With the Octopath Traveler remix album “Octopath Traveler Arrangements – Break & Boost” available starting today in Japan, Square Enix has released two new promotional videos previewing some of the songs in the set.

Although the video is in Japanese, those interested can still listen to the samples in the trailers below.

Media Create sales (2/11/19 – 2/17/19)

The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:

Switch – 65,958
PS4 – 11,792
PS4 Pro – 7,892
New 2DS LL – 3,358
Vita – 1,767
New 3DS LL – 1,254
2DS – 142
Xbox One X – 55
Xbox One – 13

For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:

Switch – 61,280
PS4 – 11,583
PS4 Pro – 8,111
New 2DS LL – 3,216
Vita – 1,475
New 3DS LL – 1,070
2DS – 138
Xbox One X – 129
Xbox One – 16

And here are the software charts:

1. [PS4] Jump Force – 76,894 / NEW
2. [PS4] Catherine: Full Body – 51,824 / NEW
3. [NSW] New Super Mario Bros.U Deluxe – 34,541 / 431,771
4. [NSW] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 29,843 / 2,860,966
5. [PS4] Far Cry New Dawn – 26,285 / NEW
6. [PS4] Kingdom Hearts III – 19,265 / 755,810
7. [PS4] Metro Exodus – 17,513 / NEW
8. [NSW] Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu / Eevee – 15,287 / 1,490,789
9. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 12,249 / 2,133,021
10. [PS4] Resident Evil 2 – 11,636 / 338,492
11. [NSW] Super Mario Party – 10,942 / 1,018,889
12. [PS4] Nobunaga’s Ambition: Taishi with Power-Up Kit – 10,326 / NEW
13. [PSV] Catherine: Full Body – 9,241 / NEW
14. [NSW] Minecraft – 8,905 / 607,502
15. [NSW] Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 8,235 / 1,292,065
16. [NSW] Splatoon 2 – 7,193 / 2,932,629
17. [PSV] La Corda d’Oro: Octave – 4,585 / NEW
18. [PS4] Ace Combat 7 – 4,250 / 249,839
19. [NSW] Dragon Quest Builders 2 – 3,758 / 231,659
20. [NSW] Nobunaga’s Ambition: Taishi with Power-Up Kit – 3,705 / NEW

Source

January 2019 NPD: Switch the best-selling hardware platform, only console with year-on-year sales growth

According to a new report from NPD Group, Switch was the best-selling hardware platform of January 2019 in the United States. This is in terms of both dollar and unit sales. Additionally, Switch was the only console platform to show year-on-year sales growth. As a side note, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller was January’s best-selling accessory with dollar sales increasing 40% year-over-year.

NPD hasn’t shared an official figure confirming how much Switch sold last month. However, based on the aforementioned information, Nintendo should be pleased with how the system is performing. 

Source

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy western release date for Switch to be announced next week

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy has just made it to Switch in Japan. However, Capcom has yet to say when the package will be available in the west. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait much longer to find out.

Capcom has indicated that we’ll be finding out when Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy will be available for Switch in the west next week. On Twitter, the company teased:

Source