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Happy New Year (and news on GoNintendo's imminent return!)

The time is almost here!
by rawmeatcowboy
01 January 2022
GN Version 5.0


Happy new year, my friends! I hope your 2021 had some bright spots, and that 2022 brings you all sorts of wonderful things. If you were hoping for GoNintendo’s return to be a part of the new year, you’re in luck! Our revamp is closer than ever to wrapping up, and I’m here to tease what’s in the very near future.

While we might have a more specific timeframe in mind internally, I feel safe sharing that GoNintendo should be returning to action sometime in Q1 of 2022! Yes, that means that we should be up-and-running sometime before March of 2022 ends. It’s obviously been a long road for everyone involved, but there’s very much a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s becoming considerably brighter every single day.

An absolutely enormous, monumental, gargantuan thank-you is in order for both T27Duck and Cortjezter. It’s a simple fact that GoNintendo returning to action would not be possible without the two of them. They are 100% the reasons why our revamp is happening, and the people behind building everything out. The work these two have done in a short period of time is truly astounding. The magic they work and the feats they pull off boggle my mind every single time we meet to figure out the path ahead. They’ve done so much so far, and have more to handle before launch, but I already have less than zero doubt they’ve given us the best version of GoNintendo yet.

I cannot wait to get back into the swing of things with work, and I’m chomping at the bit to put GoNintendo’s revamp through its paces. I’ll also be bringing some of you with me, as I’m looking to grab some of you for news/features positions as well! Yes, we’ll be looking to bring in new staffers before the relaunch, and I’m hoping some of you will be interested! I’ll have more on that in the very near future, so keep a lookout for those details super soon.

For now, I just wanted to pop in on day one of the new year with the good news, and I also wanted to wish you all a wonderful 2022. Everyone faced some major struggles last year, and we all deserve a better year this time around. I hope 2022 brings you everything you need/want/wish for in abundance. Let’s make this the best year possible!


Metroid Dread mini-review (and a note on GoNintendo's revamp!)

The world is at peace
by rawmeatcowboy
15 October 2021
GN Version 5.0

@gonintendotiktok

Check out our ##review for ##metroiddread ! ##metroid ##nintendo ##nintendoswitch ##switch ##videogames ##TreatiestCupContest ##IKnowWhatYouDid

♬ Cloud Burst - Clutch

Hello, gang! I hope you're all doing well in every way possible. I thought I'd stop by again and share another quick review, which you can see above. I've put together my final thoughts on Metroid Dread, and I'm honestly very proud of how this Tiktok came together. Hopefully you enjoy it!

As usual, you can read the script for this review below, but I have something else to share before I leave you with that. I know you're all waiting for a status update on GoNintendo's revamp, and I feel like I can at least share some details on progress so far.

T27Duck, Cort, and I have been having weekly meetings about the revamp for over a month now. Work was going on before that, but now we're at a point where we have to meet up once a week to answer questions, go over features, and more. These meetings are multiple hours, complete with screen-sharing and voice chat. That might not seem like a big deal to most of you, but it honestly makes me feel quite special. This is, without a doubt, the most collaborative process there's been when it comes to revamping GoNintendo.

Both T27Duck and Cort have been making incredible progress on things so far. Out of respect for them, I'm not going to share specifics of their work. I will say that their efforts include all areas of the site, and some of the content is perfectly functional in its current state. I cannot fully explain just how impressive it is to see what these guys do. They really, truly know their stuff, and our meetings help steer them in a direction we think will make all readers happy.

Again, just to stress this point once more, this is a MAJOR revamp for GoNintendo in every way. It's a complete relaunch from top to bottom. There are lots of things to do and sift through, and it all takes time. I wish I had a set date for you as to when things would be back in action, but again, I don't have one to give. I want things up-and-running just as bad as you do, trust me.

Not working on GoNintendo feels incredibly weird. It's like I'm an alien inhabiting my body. Obviously that ties into the stuff I went through that pulled me away from regular life in the first place, but being out of the GN schedule for so long has impacted me in ways I never could have even imagined. I want to be back, and I want to work harder than ever. Just typing about it now is making me tear up a bit. I miss you guys soooooo much.

When I have news to share on a launch date, I promise I'll rush right here and tell you. Until that point, you'll just have to keep hanging tight...and I know that 100% sucks. That said, I absolutely guarantee the wait will be worth it. Everyone is working their butts off to ensure that, and I couldn't be more proud of what T27Duck and Cort have achieved.

That's that for the status update. I should be back with another sooner rather than later. Until then, stay safe, happy, and healthy.

Metroid Dread review script below.

For a number of years, a portion of Metroid fans weren’t feeling too great about the franchise. Metroid Other M received quite a bit of backlash for its characterization of Samus, and remains a divisive entry to this day. That was followed by Metroid Prime: Federation Force, a spin-off some viewed as being a case of wrong place, wrong time. The negative sentiment about Metroid as a series finally started to clear when Metroid: Samus Returns hit the 3DS in 2017, giving players a return to form. MercurySteam, the developer on that title, followed the 3DS remake with Metroid Dread, their first crack at a brand-new Metroid title. Where Metroid: Samus Returns gave fans great hope for the future, Metroid Dread shows us that Samus is definitely back, and in many ways, better than ever.

One of the most striking achievements of Metroid Dread is its realization of Samus. For decades now, Metroid has characterized Samus as the strong, silent type. A stoic bounty hunter who gets the job done, and does it with style. In Metroid Dread, we see those aspects of Samus explored to a much greater degree. Previous Metroid titles gave us glimpses into Samus’ persona, but Metroid Dread shows who she is with everything it does. Samus remains seriously impressive during cut-scenes, but now we see her personality ooze through in everything from basic movements to big boss battles.

In Metroid Dread, Samus moves with an incredible amount of confidence. She’s much quicker and more nimble than we’ve ever seen her before. All of her movements have an unbelievable fluidity to them, making moment-to-moment gameplay that much more enjoyable. The way Samus leaps through environments, counters attacks, free-aims at enemies, and so much more truly brings her to life. Instead of being shown or told how impressive Samus is, we get to control it first-hand. It’s quite rare we see a game that not only feels this good to play, but also manages to encapsulate who a character really is through their movements.

We get to take all this in through what might be the most densely-packed Metroid adventure yet. What appears to be a smaller map at first slowly reveals itself to be jam-packed with an insane amount of nooks and crannies to explore. You’ll bounce between multiple regions in the name of hunting down power-ups to unlock new areas in previous sectors. There’s an impressive amount to do and see, plenty of which requires a keen eye to open up. In true Metroid fashion, a new ability or the path ahead may seem just out of reach, but blasting a smartly-placed enemy or suspicious wall can expand the road ahead. You may find yourself stuck a few times early on, but you’ll no doubt learn to pay close attention to the environments, making progression feel extremely rewarding as the game rolls on.

The icing on this Metroid cake comes from the boss battles, which are arguably the best in the series. While some familiar faces return in outstanding form, the new EMMI encounters are the star of the show. Rather than focusing on a single room, EMMI encounters stretch across multiple sections of a map, and for most of the face-off, your only option is to run. With each EMMI having a unique moveset and location, no two encounters are alike, and each one will have your pulse pounding and blood pumping.

Metroid Dread is exactly what the franchise needed. The way it handles classic Metroid-style gameplay while adding countless innovations is seriously impressive. Most importantly, it completely repairs the damage Samus’ character suffered. Metroid Dread is the game Samus deserves, and the AAA experience fans have been clamoring for for years.


Hot Wheels Unleashed mini-review

The amazing race
by rawmeatcowboy
01 October 2021
GN Version 5.0

@gonintendotiktok

See if ##hotwheels Unleashed on ##Nintendo ##Switch is worth your time! ##nintendoswitch ##racing ##mattel ##toys ##cars ##review ##BillboardNXT ##videogames

♬ dance(256762) - TimTaj

While work on the GoNintendo revamp continues, I'm still toiling away on some projects over on Tiktok. Most recently, I put together a video review for Hot Wheels Unleashed, which turned out to be a much, MUCH better game than I expected! You can watch that review above, or read the script of the review below.

As for the GoNintendo revamp, things are going extremely well! Lots of exciting stuff happening, including a very productive meeting yesterday. We're definitely at the point where things are really coming together. Hopefully in the not-too-distant future, I'll have a thing or two to actually show you, instead of just hint at!

Lastly, posts over at the GoNintendo Patreon continue. Most recently, we've had some fun discussion about the Mario animated movie, Metroid Dread, the Switch OLED Model, and more. There's also some personal tidbits in there as well. Thanks to all who support us over there!

As always, I'll keep you updated on big advances on GoNintendo's revamp. Rest assured, a lot is happening behind the scenes! It's a very exciting time, and I can't wait to be back to regular work. Until next time, gang!

________________________________

There’s no shortage of racing games on the Switch. The eShop is chock full of titles in the genre, including arcade-style, kart, simulation, and more. There’s plenty of decent racers to find, but it takes something a bit more to stand out. The Hot Wheels brand certainly attracts some attention, as it's been a high-profile toy brand for over 5 decades now. Of course, a recognizable name doesn’t instantly mean a game will be good. Thankfully, in the case of Hot Wheels Unleashed, the game itself is very much worthy of the iconic name.

Most of us played with Hot Wheels cars both in and out of the house back in the day, and Hot Wheels Unleashed aims to recapture that same spirit. Race tracks are set up in everyday locations, such as bedrooms, back alleys, construction sites, and so on. The tracks themselves are built using all the classic Hot Wheels accessories you know and love. Corkscrew towers, giant loops, and miles upon miles of bright orange track are woven throughout these locations, with races taking you from the bottom of basement steps all the way up ceiling lights. Hot Wheels Unleashed’s tracks are the ones we would have built as kids if our parents weren’t so busy parenting!

Just like the tracks themselves, Hot Wheels Unleashed is packed with a litany of nostalgic cars. With a collection of 66 cars to unlock from day one, chances are you’ll see a handful of classics that are instantly recognizable. Even some of the licensed properties have made the cut, including the Batmobile, Knight Rider’s, K.I.T.T., the Ninja Turtle party wagon, and many others. The combination of all these infamous cars racing alongside each other only helps to make the racing experience that much more enjoyable.

As for the racing, while it’s pretty straightforward, it’s unbelievably enjoyable. There’s no weapons to throw out at your opponents here. Your placement in a race is based on driving skill and boosting. You slowly build boost as you drive, but you can gain it much faster by drifting. Drifting is absolutely key in Hot Wheels Unleashed, as there are a ton of extreme turns to make. You’ll spend a decent amount of your time drifting around the track, and it feels absolutely fantastic. The sheer sense of speed, your car whipping around the track, and 11 other racers jockeying for position the entire time makes for a race environment much more intense than you might expect!

The pure fun of racing makes up for the lack of variety in your objectives. Single player has you working your way through a map littered with standard races, boss races, and time attacks. Standard and boss races are pretty much the same thing, just with difficulty dialed up. Time Attack is self explanatory, but the times set for each track are quite challenging. Completing the various race objectives earns you customization options, gears to upgrade cars, blind boxes with new cars, and more. The unlocks, paired with just how different each car feels and the overall challenge of races should keep you more than busy.

There’s also other reasons to keep coming back, such as local and online multiplayer, a track editor, room customization, and some other superfluous bits. All in all, Hot Wheels Unleashed is a real treat, thanks to thoughtful track creation, adrenaline-filled racing, and smart implementation of nostalgic elements. There’s no doubt about it. Hot Wheels Unleashed really is one of the best arcade racers in recent years.


Check out our mini-review for No More Heroes 3

Tiktok Travis
by rawmeatcowboy
02 September 2021
GN Version 5.0

@gonintendotiktok

Here’s our review of No More Heroes 3! ##nintendo ##nintendoswitch ##review ##switch ##videogames ##foryou ##fypシ

♬ Stylish Jazz HipHop - Future Oriented Triad


I know you guys are very patiently waiting for GoNintendo's revamp to launch, and I thank you for that. Again, the plan is to have something launched by the year's end, which means there's still a long way to go. That said, I'm very surprised with just how many people have reached out about the site's upcoming returning. Plenty of supporters, both within the industry and fan-wise, have reached out help in any way possible. I've had countless phone calls and online discussions that have opened up all sorts of avenues. The plan for this month is to hone in on a vision and get cracking.

While you continue to wait, you can get a smattering of content from me via Tiktok. I've been putting out videos over there somewhat consistently, and they've been a lot of fun. Music trivia, history, details on upcoming launches, and more. Our most recent Tiktok is a review for No More Heroes 3, which you can see above. Tiktok certainly has its restrictions when it comes to time and viewing area, but working within those limits has been quite fun for me. Hopefully you enjoy what I've put together!

If you'd rather read a review than watch one, you can check out the script for the Tiktok review in its entirety below. Along with that, I'll be writing a more in-depth review of the game shortly. Hopefully this tidbit is tasty enough to tide you over!

________________________________________

The No More Heroes franchise might not be the biggest or most well-known among the general gaming public, but it certainly has a sizable fanbase. You don’t get to three mainline games and a spin-off without supporters. Those fans have been waiting over 10 long years to get a third numbered installment, and just recently, their day has come. Travis Touchdown is back, and he’s more of a troublemaker than ever.

No More Heroes 3 sees Travis pick up his trusty beam katana once more for another stroll through the garden of madness. Previous No More Heroes titles had Travis square off against would-be assassins to climb a ranking board, and that’s the name of the game in this third outing as well. The big difference is that this time, Travis is taking on assassins of an interdimensional variety. Instead of fighting humans in grueling battles, the assassin rankings are now filled with aliens from all over the universe.

While the sword fodder might be different, the action remains the same. No More Heroes 3 features combat that’s fast-paced, super-powered, and incredibly violent. Alien blood of all colors will paint the screen as you slice and dice, creating a Jackson Pollock-like battleground around you. Of course, Travis brings a bunch of his favorite wrestling moves with him as well. It wouldn’t be No More Heroes without a few brain-busters, suplexes, and backbreakers!

When you’re not spending your time saving the world, you can collect some funds by doing odd jobs. Travis may be an assassin first, but he also makes a great landscaper, garbageman, and more. Performing odd jobs around town earns Travis all sorts of goodies that are necessary for progression. Get money to enter ranked assassin fights, earn WESN to upgrade your abilities, and collect random trinkets that can be combined to create varied buffs.

Most of the components No More Heroes fans want and expect from a new installment are here, but there is one considerable change. All henchmen battles now take place in a limited selection of battle arenas, which means you’re no longer running around themed levels prior to assassin battles. Entering these battles is required, as they give you gems needed to open up the next assassin face-off. Losing sprawling stages definitely stings, but battles are now 60 frames per second, and the variety of enemies and their moves can make each match-up quite memorable.

No More Heroes has never been a franchise for everyone, and creator Suda51 has always been upfront about that. There’s tons of otaku humor, 4th wall breaking, outlandish scenarios, and over-the-top brawls. This is the stuff that leaves plenty scratching their heads, and that’s totally understandable. If you’re one who prefers more mainline trappings, No More Heroes 3 is a very hard sell. For longtime fans of Travis and his adventures, No More Heroes 3 cranks the vibe and atmosphere up to 11. You’re getting pure, unadulterated Travis here. It might not be the best entry in the series, but it’s certainly worth your time, and undoubtable earns its spot in the franchise.


While you wait, come check out the GoNintendo Tiktok account!

by rawmeatcowboy
09 August 2021
GN Version 5.0

@gonintendotiktok

Time to take a look at the past and future of ##metroid for the franchise’s 35th anniversary! ##nintendo ##nintendoswitch ##fypシ ##videogames

♬ [Chill] Lo-Fi HipHop(856799) - Yu Yaguchi

How do you do, fellow kids? Have you heard of the hot, new social media app, Tiktok? It's all the rage right now, and it's where all the hepcats hang out!

In all seriousness, Tiktok is absolutely massive right now. I've been using the app for quite awhile, and it's been a constant source of funny videos. Tiktok's algorithm found out in no time flat that I love anything that would pop up in an episode of America's Funniest Videos, so my ForYou page is filled with people falling down and getting hurt. What can I say? I guess I'm just easy to please!

While work continues on revamping GoNintendo, I thought I'd take some time to do something creative. I figured this was the perfect excuse to open up a GoNintendo Tiktok account and make some fun stuff. I've been meaning to learn how to use DaVinci Resolve for editing, and making mobile vids seemed like a simple enough way to start out. It's been a fun learning process, and I've also really enjoyed spending time creating content again.

My plan is to do at least 3 videos a week on the GoNintendo Tiktok, and I'm testing out all sorts of different ideas. We'll see what sticks and what doesn't, and I'll evolve the content from there. Truth be told, I really thought this would be something fun to occupy my mind with as I work towards feeling normal again. Hopefully, whatever I end up putting on this Tiktok account tickles your fancy!

Also, don't worry...this Tiktok account is in no way taking away time from GoNintendo's revamp. I've actually had a lot of phone calls an discussions in the last week+ that have been super encouraging. Lots of plans, lots of notes, and lots of goals to strive for. I promise I'll give you more on that when I have something substantial to share. Until then, maybe I'll see you on Tiktok!

P.S. If you're not a fan of Tiktok and don't want to get the app/subscribe, no worries. You can always visit this link on any browser to see our latest Tiktoks. No app download necessary!


GoNintendo will be back in action sometime this year

by rawmeatcowboy
23 July 2021
GN Version 5.0

I've never been one to bury the lead or tease things out, and I'm continuing that tradition today. Just like the title says, GoNintendo is going to make a return to daily updates sometime in 2021.

When in 2021 will we be back to usual? That's a question I can't answer yet, as there's a ton of stuff I have to do before we're ready to go. This isn't going to be a straightforward return to the old ways. My goal is to give GoNintendo the "Version 2.0" update that it has desperately needed for years now. Don't worry, as everything you love about old GN will very much be a part of the revamp. That said, if things go as I'm planning, there will be major changes to delivered content and the people putting it together.

One of my main goals for the revamp is a greatly expanded team. I'm going to be 40 in just over a year, and I can't keep cranking out content like I did for the last 18+ years. I need to give myself a regular schedule where I can walk away from the computer at a certain time of the day, while at the same time knowing someone more than capable is stepping in to take the next shift. I'm going to be casting a very wide net to see who wants to try things out going forward, and I'm hoping that includes some of the familiar faces that have worked on the site before. I haven't even reached out to those people yet, but if all goes well, we'll have a great mix of names your recognize alongside fresh-face newcomers.

Along with that comes a greater focus on Features. That won't be at the expense of news, mind you. Anyone on staff will be able to put together opinion pieces, reviews, previews, interviews, and more. That includes myself, as this new approach to work will give me more free time to create expanded content. The hope is that our team will have a reliable schedule of all this content going forward, and it will be showcased in a way that will be easy to find, while also being spotlighted. If people are going to work their butts off on these features, I want to make sure they get time to shine.

Obviously, the site itself will have to be reworked as well. I've always been hesitant to do a complete overhaul, but if there were ever a time to do that, it's certainly now. Again, I haven't reached out to the people behind-the-scenes to make this happen, but I'll certainly be turning to them first. If they're on-board with all the work ahead and minutiae, then we'll make it happen. Perhaps we'll even bring in some others to help out with that side of the site work. One way or another, we'll make sure that retooling happens. GoNintendo has long since needed a fresh coat of paint, and the only excuse for it not happening was me dragging my feet and getting caught up in the day-to-day news postings.

Lots and lots to do, and an end-goal of launching things before 2021 closes out. I wish I could give you a better answer as to when, but I really don't know. Truth be told, I've spent every day since my last post thinking about what my future looks like. There was a long time there where I thought I was officially done with GN, and I only just came to an final decision a couple days ago. I've been mulling over a ton of stuff, thinking about what life looks like from here on out, all while going to therapy and trying to find my new normal. While doing all that, there was one thing that kept bouncing around my brain. I couldn't stop thinking about you guys.

I can't express how much I've missed all of you. This community has meant so much to me over the years, and you've helped me reach heights and achieve things I never thought possible. So many amazing moments in my life are directly tied to your support. Memories I'll never, ever forget, people I've become close with, connections to my idols, and so much more. The last 5+ months ripped me from all of you, and the site in general. Having that connection severed impacted my life so much, and in ways I never would have considered. I honestly lost part of who I am, and I'm still feeling that now. Working on GN and creating content for you guys bled into so many other areas of my life. You're the connective tissue that holds everything together for me. Again, that connection was torn apart with an unforeseen event, but after a lot of soul searching and uncomfortable convos, I feel like it's time for me to repair that connection.

What's the site going to look like while I work towards the relaunch? My itch to write has been almost unbearable, so I might drop in from time to time with some features. Please don't expect any schedule for that content. It'll be when I have something to write about, and when the motivation hits me. My complete focus is on getting GN ready for its relaunch, so all the other stuff is superfluous right now. That said, you can expect posts on site progress, ideas for the relaunch, general status updates, requests for new staffers, and more. Long story short, the site's not going to be what it used to be during this rebuilding process, but it won't be completely dead either.

With all that said, the long road to getting GoNintendo in tip-top shape begins. There's sure to be bumps, struggles, and issues along the way, but I promise you it's happening. I'll give everything I have to make that a reality.

Thank you for your support through this entire mess, as it's the reason why I've arrived at this path forward. Your emails, texts, social media posts, and so much more...they all matter more than you could ever know. I understand there's frustration in not knowing what I've gone through, but you've also shown great respect and restraint in letting me heal. I don't know that I'll ever feel like I used to, but I definitely have a great passion inside to revive GoNintendo. It's taken a long time to figure out what I need to do, and now that I've arrived at that realization, I'm incredibly driven to tackle the work ahead.

2021 has been the worst year of my life, and has forever changed me as a person. It challenged me in ways I could have never predicted. I don't want that to be my story for this year. I want to make sure 2021 will end on a personal high point. To those who are still here and reading this, thank you for giving me the strength to push on. Here's to GN 2.0, gang!

P.S. ...and yes, the podcast is coming back!


An update on me and the future of GoNintendo

by rawmeatcowboy
20 May 2021
GN Version 5.0

Hey, gang...I hope you're all doing well. It's obviously been quite some time since I up and vanished from the site, and I know you all have a ton of questions. I'm going to tell you everything I can, and also talk about the future of GoNintendo.

To kick things off, I want to say that the situation I was going through is officially over. It was something I never thought I would go through in a billion years, but here I am. I want to stress just as a I did last time, everyone is physically healthy and safe.

As for the situation itself, I honestly don't know that I'll ever feel comfortable talking about it in detail publicly. I know that's disappointing to hear, as I'm sure you guys/gals want to know every single bit of info. I do not blame you for wanting full details, and I know not getting them is frustrating beyond belief. All that said, here's what I'll share.

The situation hit me completely out of nowhere, and it removed me from everyone/everything I'm normally involved with. I don't want you guys to think I just up and left GoNintendo because I was tired of it. You know how important not just GoNintendo, but you guys are to me. This has been my baby for 17+ years and I've come to know and love so many of you. Trust me, it absolutely killed me to be yanked from my life's work and you wonderful people.

I also want to say once again that this took me away from ALL my usual interactions. We're not just talking about work. My friends and family have been in the dark just as long as you guys have, save for a VERY, VERY select few. I vanished from connections with them, and they've been wondering what's going on as well. It's been roughly 1 week since I've been able to come back to "normal" life, and I'm still working on filling in those personally close to me on what happened. It has been unimaginably rough, and quite honestly, I don't know that I'll ever get back mentally to who I was before this.

The matter removed me from every friendship, every work connection, and just about everything I did in my day-to-day life. I cannot stress enough how absolutely traumatic it has been, and continues to be. Even though everything is over and I can move on, I feel like an alien in my own body. Things that I did in life without giving a second thought now absolutely terrify me, and that goes for even the most simple of interactions. Getting the mail, answering a text, having conversations with people I've known all my life, and so on. I feel as though I'm watching myself from third person when I try to go through anything that was part of my usual routine. It's like some sort of out-of-body experience.

Again, I know it's supremely annoying not fully knowing what happened, but hopefully I've painted a picture that shows how horrible this all was, and how it's forever changed me in a very serious way. I'll no doubt be utilizing therapy for many, many years to come, and I have no idea if I'll ever feel like my old self. I hope this doesn't come across as overdramatic or woe-is-me, but I sincerely do not know if I'll ever be the same again. Just typing about it all makes me immeasurably uncomfortable. I spent those 2+ months sitting here worrying about everything, everyone, every thought, every noise, and so on. Even though I'm out from under the situation, nothing in life feels anywhere near normal right now.

Obviously, I'm sure many of you are wondering what this means for GoNintendo. Again, I know this isn't the answer you want to hear, but I really don't know what the future holds. To be 100% honest, I don't see myself getting back to a mental state where I can pick up work normally again. You guys know I worked on the site EVERY single day for the entirety of GoNintendo, so for me to say I don't see a path back mentally means a lot.

That said, I've had so many fantastic experiences through this site...there's honestly too many to count. From meeting my heroes, working with industry legends, covering the company I loved since I was a kid and so on, this has been a dream come true. Of course, the best part has been all of you people. Site readers, podcast listeners, social media followers, and so on. The amount of good to come from you and the site in general has been an incredible gift that gave just as much two months ago as it did on day one.

Unfortunately, I'm really not sure what to do from here on out with GoNintendo. It kills me to think about it ending, but I'm in no shape to push on. Just like many, many other normal things in my life right now, even contemplating diving back in makes me feel physically ill. I know it's trauma from what I went through and I need help to work through it, but as I said, that's going to take some serious time. Even just writing this post has proved extremely difficult. I've been having some horrendous nightmares about a billion things lately, including various GoNintendo stuff. It's all so, so incredibly difficult right now. I'm dedicated to getting better mentally, but I can't put a time on when I'll be in a better state, or how close to normal I'll ever be.

I have options for GoNintendo going forward, and those are things I need to think through. There are soooooooooo many work people I need to reach out to following this mess. Thinking of all the relationships that were severed makes me feel sick to my stomach. Again, I had zero idea any of this was going to happen, so the frustration those work people have felt is echoed by me as well. It's going to take quite some time for me to reach out to people individually and say the various things that need to be said. Trying to rebuild my life is an absolute nightmare that I know will be the toughest challenge I've ever had, and remedying old work connections is very much part of that. It all has to be done, but I have to make sure I do it with the help I need and the time it takes.

I can't say 100% that GoNintendo is dead, but unfortunately, it's not going to be up-and-running as usual anytime in the near future. I don't even know what "usual" would be at this point, as it might not include me. I really, honestly do not know what's ahead. I'll have to figure things out as I go along, and see what solutions and opportunities arise. There might be something that comes my way that makes GoNintendo close to what it used to be, but your guess is as good as mine as to what that would be. I have so much to sift through and put in order, and that very much means personal and work life together.

To be even more transparent, I have no idea what's going on in the world of Nintendo right now. I've picked up a few things here and there, but by and large, I'm completely in the dark. There's never been a time in my life where I'm so uninformed about Nintendo. The same goes for all my passions right now, to be honest. Gaming as a whole, comic books, pro wrestling, and so on. The situation I was in completely removed my interest and drive to learn about those hobbies. Only just now am I getting reconnected to some of those things, but interacting with them just doesn't feel right. Not to be depressing, but those things don't make me happy or engage me like they used to. I've recently played games with friends, but that was definitely fueled by the desire to hear their voices and get back to some level of normal with them. I've also tried playing solo games, but I end up getting extremely uncomfortable and lost in bad thoughts at the same time. Not a fun place to be at mentally at all.

So yeah, not exactly the uplifting and happy post I'm sure you guys were holding out for, and for that I'm truly sorry. Trust me, I wanted that more than anything. The best news I can share is what I stated at the beginning. The situation I endured is over, and all is 100% well. If I could snap my fingers and forget the last few months, then I could pick up work/personal life tomorrow and plow ahead just like any other day. I so desperately want that to be possible, but obviously it's not.

I do want to share a thank you with everyone who reads this post and has checked in on the site the last couple of months. As of roughly a week ago, I had others inform me of all the comments you've shared, discussions you've had elsewhere, social media campaigns you put together, and so on. I'm incredibly touched that you guys care that much about me and GoNintendo in general to do all that. I've always said that I'm just some random Nintendo fan that obsesses over all things Big N, and you guys have been wonderful enough to support me on my journey. To know that your appreciation and care for my work, as well as me in general, goes this far is the most humbling thing I've ever experienced. I've never understood why I've been so lucky to have so many incredible people at my virtual side, and this whole situation only furthers that. You've always been a part of my heart, and that is something I truly appreciate right now.

My apologies for hitting all of you with such a giant post. I hope it helps bring some closure to the situation, and helps ease your mind a bit. Moving forward, I promise to keep you updated on any future for GoNintendo, but I obviously don't know when that'll be. As I said, I have a lot to deal with right now in both personal and work situations. When I have news to share about GoNintendo, you can be sure I'll bring it to you first.

Finally, on a personal note, there's one more thing I want to share today. Do me a favor and spend some time doing something you love and spreading some joy. Play a game online with your friends, tell your family how much they mean to you, take a day trip for a bit of relaxation, and so on. Enjoy life, do what makes you smile, and make sure you try to bring those smiles to others as well. Nothing would make me happier than knowing you guys are loving life and doing well.


Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 heads to Switch in 2022, 'Development Update' video shared

by nintendojam
05 March 2021
GN Version 5.0

Fates are sealed as paradigms shift and a new era unfolds. What lies beyond the path toward hope?
Inti Creates' flagship 2D side-scrolling "Azure Striker GUNVOLT" series is back with a brand new title!

Check out the latest news from the development team and get ready for Azure Striker Gunvolt 3, coming 2022!

Thanks to sligeach_eire for the heads-up!

[Inti Creates]

Fire Emblem Heroes - content update for March 5th, 2021

by nintendojam
05 March 2021
GN Version 5.0

[Events] The Final Results of the latest Voting Gauntlet event, AHR 2021 Finals are now live. The winner is… Lyn (Ninja-Friend Duo) (no end date)

[Events] The latest Forging Bonds event, Seeds of Fodlan, is now live. It features the following Heroes: Ingrid (Galaea’s Heir), Dedue (Dimitri’s Vassal), Kinhardt (Hevring’s Heir), and Marianne (Adopted Daughter) (available until March 19th)

[Summoning] A new Summoning Focus is now live: Seeds of Fodlan. It features the following Heroes: Ingrid (Galaea’s Heir), Dedue (Dimitri’s Vassal), Kinhardt (Hevring’s Heir), and Marianne (Adopted Daughter) (available until March 30th)

[Story Maps] A new set of Story Maps, and more precisely a Story Chapter called Night and Day is now live (no end date)

[Quests] A new set of Quests is now live: Night and Day (available until March 30th)

[Log-in Bonus] A new set of Daily Log-in Bonuses is now live: New Heroes Log-in Bonus. (available until March 18th)

[Story Maps] A new Tactics Drills map is now available: Lion’s Lance and Shield (Skill Studies) (no end date)

[Store] The following is now available in the Store: Special Orb Promo – March (available until March 19th)

[Link]

Mario Kart Tour - content update for March 5th, 2021

by nintendojam
05 March 2021
GN Version 5.0

[Tours] Part 2 of the 38th Tour, the Snow Tour, is now live (available until March 10th)

[Pipe] The 2nd Snow Pipe is now available. It features the following: Wario (Hiker), Peach (Wintertime), and more (available until March 10th)

[Store] The following Packs are now available in the Store: Ice Mario Pack, Cact-Ice Pack (available until March 10th)

[Link]