Granadico

I feel like there's always a game or two that pushes a console's emulation development just to pay that game. GC has Smash Bros, PS3 probably has a lot but I'd put MGS at the top, PS4 with Bloodbourne, and Wii U/Switch (despite being completely different consoles with very little under the hood similarities) having BotW.

Didn't GTAOnline have the same kind of issue with loading time or something?

This echoes of lot of my thoughts on the Switch 2. I'm looking forward to games that were made with the Switch 2 in mind from the start but Nintendo has had a great launch year.

Atlus, From Soft, and Game Freak are the kings of technologically phoning it in while having gameplay loops everyone seems to love. If only their publishers would give them a swift kick in the ass and get their tools into shape. I'd even be fine with reduced visuals if the performance is at least proportional to it.

Om the DF Graphics of the Year article I commented how I was disappointed at the lack of variety and non-AAA games, but until this article I forgot that I conflated John's list with the overall list. Happy to see John keeping the spirit of retro and 2D games alive.

I love any mention of the Pico. I had one as a kid and it almost feels like a fever dream because no one ever talks about it. Do cool to see more stuff preserved.

I just commented on the RDR article about using DLSS on an older game to go from 1440 to 4k so I'm glad to see that's a reasonable option.

Ever since Oblivion on the 360 I've complained to my friends about Bethesda's technical prowess (or lack thereof). Sure the games have tons of systems going on and you can do a lot of things that you can't do in other games, but at some point the ambition isn't worth glossing over how terrible the game is actually made or runs. I understand some bugs are going to pop up in games that massive but stuff like this is embarrassing.

I would have liked more indie/retro/etc games in this list like past years. AAA games are easy picks because they're the most popular and high budgeted but they're ultimately not the most interesting. Or maybe have a second list for most impressive on aged hardware.

4x resolution is akin to balanced mode on PC, or is that more like performance? I wonder how 1440p to 4K would run on a lighter game?

I'd take a cleaner, less advanced game, especially for an arcade racer where visual style trumps graphics.

For a 3D game I'd give higher resolution iver 120 fps, especially since Metroid Prime isn't really a super intense action game, the shooting is just a means to explore more. But man I'd kill for a 120 fps update for Dread, but we've yet to see a Switch 1 game get updated for that so it might not be possible.

I was so happy to see this announced, especially since its non MCU Marvel. I have uet to play any od these 2D beat em up revivals these past few years sadly, hopefully I can get my kid into them so I have a partner.

Sadly my Switch is hooked up to the AV Receiver that doesn't output 120 Hz. Better visuals seems worth it for a first play theough anyway, maybe 120Hz on a second Hard runthrough where the clarity would help anyway.

I trust John's taste so I'll put more weight in his review than a lot of the other outlets. It doesn't sound like this is on par with Prime 1 or even 2 but it still sounds like a great game.

It'd probably take years, even next generation possibly, but I'd love to see a homebrewed Switch 2/3 with a sidebooot option to run Steam games. Having a Switch and Steam Deck is overkill but having both in one would be stupidly valuable.

Sakurai's team always punches above its graphical weight with great art style and clever tricks; still waiting on that Kid Icarus Uprising sequel/remake. 1080p is pretty underwhelming for Switch 2 but the game looks good, but I'm looking forward to true Switch 2 games since all these so far seem like upgraded Switch 1 games.

I miss the unfinished wood look of the 90s in general. Even though TVs/monitors are sleeker now that they're flat screens I think the move to 16:9 or wider makes it hard to make space efficient, utilitarian desks, now they're all just giant flat tables with now verical space at all.

Nice, didn't realize Sam Machkovech moved to be a DF writer. Haven't seen him in Ars for a while. Good to see DF has a website now and not just YT.