PixlBit

Wow, this year went fast! 2018 was a very busy year for me, which is why you barely saw me here on Pixlbit. I've been adjusting to a new place and life is moving in a very wonderful direction (as in marriage is in my future). But I tried to still make time for games this past year, so I will share with you my gaming experiences. As usual, there are some retro games here, and it's mostly Nintendo stuff. I finished 17 games this year (not bad at all). Really excited for the new year and what it has in store. Hope you guys are too. So let's get into it. Here are the games I finished this past year. 

Steamworld Dig 2 (Switch eShop)

This game was great! Being able to explore deep cavernous areas was so cool, and all the upgrades and stuff made it feel like a true Metroidvania experience. This was a great game to jump in and out of on the Switch, and I had no problem seeing it through to the end. 

Bravely Default (3DS)

I was determined to finish this game. I sunk nearly 65 hours into it, but I beat it! This is a great game, but unfortunately, the end kinda irked me. If you've played it, you know what I'm talking about. It gets way too repetitive, but overall, the game is excellent. The banter between the characters is especially fun. 

Shantae: Half Genie Hero (Switch eShop)

This was an impulse buy because I really wanted to play this game on Wii U, but missed out. The cartoon aesthetic is a delight to behold, and the game is very fun. They added all the DLC to this too, so I ended up playing through it several times, but the game is not very long. Really had a great time, Shantae games are always good. 

Kirby: Star Allies (Switch)

Some people really love this game and others really dislike it. Well I loved it! I actually picked this up to play with my nephews, and we had a blast. Is the game too easy? Yes, but I don't see that as a problem. This is a very polished game, and the whole point is to play it with friends. If you want a big single player experience, I would steer clear of this. But if you have friends to play with, Star Allies is great. 

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon (Switch eShop)

This game is a nostalgia trip! They nailed the Castlevania vibe, although the bosses are very un-Castlevania-like, but that's fine with me. The game is short, but the story unfolds so that you have to play through multiple times. The characters and the gameplay are great, and the music--it's pure, chiptune Castlevania goodness! But as you'll see, this is only one of several retro games I enjoyed this year. 

Super Mario 64 (N64)

Yes, it's true. Up til this year, I had never beat Mario 64! We actually never owned the game growing up (crazy, right?). So after buying a copy, I was determined to finish it. Wow, this game really is legendary. True, it looks dated and the camera can be a pain at times, but besides that, the game holds up remarkably well. It's fun AND challenging. Playing this makes me appreciate Mario Odyssey even more. 

Arms (Switch)

I had to get Nintendo's new IP for the Switch. I wish Arms was a bigger deal because this game is so fun! There's nothing quite like this. It's a strategic 3D fighting game--a little part Punch-Out and part Street Fighter. The characters are all wonderful. Playing online was very fun, and again, playing with my nephews was a blast (they love this game). You can play this with motion controls, but it quickly becomes tiring; this game is best with the pro controller. It would be better if Arms had more to offer. Hopefully Nintendo will not drop this IP. 

Golf Story (Switch eShop)

I'm not a golf person, even when it comes to games, but I had to pick this up because everyone seems to love it, and it looks really fun. Well, I had a blast with GS. The story and characters are charming, and the gameplay is simple, easy to learn, but still challenging. I was determined to finish this game, and the championship at the end was tough, but I did it. This is the first golf game I've ever beaten, and I completely recommend it. 

Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)

I bought this as soon as it was released. I love the Mario Tennis series, so I was very excited for this one. The adventure mode was mostly disappointing, except for the bosses, which were fun. This game shines in multiplayer. The zone shots and trick shots make this a very strategic game, and playing online is a lot of fun. Kids love this game. I was able to take this to my brother's place, and his girls (and one boy) played Aces endlessly! I know it can be a bit bare bones, but the game is great for multiplayer. 

Bomb Chicken (Switch eShop)

I bought this game just to try it out, and I got hooked. The gameplay is so simple, but they use it in very creative ways. Your chicken can't jump, so you have to lay bombs in order to reach high places. There were way more levels than I expected in a game like this, and this game can be very challenging, but I think it's very fun (if you like challenges, that is). 

The Messenger (Switch eShop)

This is one of my favorite games of last year. Wow! The art style, the levels, the gameplay, the music--everything comes together for a complete package of nostalgia here. This is also a pretty meaty game, split into two distinct parts: the first part is a typical action game, but the second part is a Metroidvania! I know some people did not like the change, but I really enjoyed it. This game is certainly challenging, but it is also very rewarding. Also, the dialogue is often hilarious! This is probably my second favorite game of the year. 

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Switch)

I missed out on this during Wii U days, so I picked it up. Really enjoyed the cute diorama-type levels and the simple, fun puzzle elements. I hope that Captain Toad gets a second game on Switch. The new Odyssey levels were disappointing, however; they were just too short. But overall, a great game. 

Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle (Switch eShop)

My favorite game ever is TMNT 4: Turtles in Time (SNES), so you better believe I picked this game up the moment it dropped! This is a great collection. Most of these games were very fun, and they're all the arcade versions (not console ports), which is great. Unfortunately, I could not get the local multiplayer to work, which was very frustrating. My nephews would have loved to play this with me, but I couldn't figure out how to get multiplayer to work. How could Capcom mess up such a simple thing? 

Mega Man 11 (Switch eShop)

Fans the world over were so excited to get a brand new Mega Man game after all these years. I know that some were disappointed, but I think MM11 is a great game. The levels and bosses are done very well, and the art style works well for what it's trying to do. Also, the game is challenging, but not frustrating. In fact, this is one of the few MM games that I've beaten (along with Mega Man X and Mega Man X4), because MM games are so hard. 

Undertale (Switch eShop)

After hearing about how Undertale is literally the best thing ever for the last three years, I had to try this game. Well, it's not the best game EVER, but it is very good. It's a simple game, the turn-based combat is completely different, but fun, and the story is great. The characters are endearing and you really want to find out what happens. The dialogue is often hilarious, and the throwbacks to specific games is done so well. The music is also exceptional. The game is short, but you'll have to play through a few times if you want to get the full experience. Yes, this is a great game. 

Sonic Mania Encore DLC (Switch)

I didn't plan on getting this originally, but then I did because I remembered how much I loved Sonic Mania! I get to play through this game again with two new characters? YES! And I had a great time. I'm just blown away by the intricate level designs. This time, you can switch between five playable characters, which was nice, although I often got stuck with Tails (I would prefer anyone other than Tails). 

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch) 

I've saved the best for last (actually, it's because this game came out so late in the year). This is easily my Game of the Year. Sakurai and his team have done it again. Ultimate boasts the most legendary cast of video game characters ever to appear together in a single game. The gameplay is fine-tuned to perfection. The one player mode--World of Light--is massive and impressive. The new modes are so fun, and having EVERY Smash character ever is a true delight. This is the best Smash game imo and that's really saying something. 

Thank you, guys! I hope to be a little more visible this year on Pixlbit. Hope you have a wonderful year in 2019!