Damien McFerran
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Writing For
Nintendo Life
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Tetris is one of the greatest video games of all time, and Tetris Effect: Connected is perhaps the best iteration of the classic puzzler yet. While this Switch port doesn't offer a great deal over existing versions in terms of features, it delivers the one key ingredient that its rivals cannot: portability. Sure, some will argue that Tetris Effect: Connected's unique brand of synesthesia only really comes alive when played on PSVR or an Oculus Quest headset, but we'd argue quite passionately that this game benefits far more from the ability to pick it up and play whenever, wherever. Just as the Game Boy and Tetris combined to create an irresistible, world-conquering fusion back in 1989, Tetris Effect: Connected has finally found the hardware that allows it to truly shine, making this an utterly essential purchase for all Nintendo Switch owners. Just don't forget those headphones.
The release of Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is timely. Bloodborne is currently thrilling PlayStation 4 owners all over the globe, yet like its distant relative Demon's Souls – and unlike its two most recent spiritual forerunners – it's a Sony exclusive. Scholar of the First Sin – which is essentially a remastered version of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 epic, complete with technical improvements and all of the available DLC – therefore represents a vital entry point for those who are new to the PS4, or only have access to an Xbox One. Whatever perspective you approach From Software's legendary title from, you're in for a treat. A painful, often disheartening treat – but a treat all the same.
Like the Hollywood classic Drive which provided a large helping of inspiration during development, Hotline Miami is a visceral assault on the senses which often leaves you breathless and sweaty-palmed, but also isn’t afraid to offer up moments of shocking frustration. Part action game, part puzzle title, part subversive mind-bender, this is a game which delights in spraying the screen with gore yet has a surprisingly thought-provoking story at its heart.
With Fatal Fury, SNK proved it could compete with Capcom, but with Samurai Showdown it showed it had the talent to surpass its rival. Fans still argue over which game is better – this or Street Fighter 2 – but one thing is for sure, any self-respecting Wii owner should really own both.