Handheld Gaming News week 22

Hi there, back again for another week of Handheld Gaming news. The E3 conference, the moment every gaming company is gearing toward, is only one week away. It would seem that news is slow because of that, let’s hope we will get lots and lots of great news next week.

As you might expect, my hopes are on an Animal Crossing on the Switch. Now how awesome would that be, paired with a supporting mobile game. We could for instance earn bells walking around with our phones in our pocket. Take that, Tom Nook!

Anyway, take a nice scone with clotted cream and jam, and enjoy the news!

Details Nintendo Paid Online Services

Ever since the details arrived of the new Switch, we also learned that Nintendo intended to charge for online play. Nothing new in the gaming world, as Xbox van Sony have been doing it for years. Still, it takes some getting used to the thought that playing with friends over wifi will cost money in future. The Service would start this fall, but Nintendo pushed it back to 2018.

Here are the details from the Nintendo site:

• You’ll be able to play compatible co-op and competitive games online by signing in with your Nintendo Account. Online play will be free for Nintendo Account holders until our paid online service launches in 2018.
• After the free-trial period, most games will require a paid online service subscription from Nintendo in order to play online.
• This service is only for Nintendo Switch. It does not affect online play or features for the Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
• Our new dedicated smart device app will connect to Nintendo Switch and let you invite friends to play online, set play appointments, and chat with friends during online matches in compatible games─all from your smart device. A free, limited version of this app will be available for download in summer 2017.
• Classic Game Selection: Subscribers will get to download a compilation of classic titles with added online play, such as Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight and Dr. Mario.

All of this will cost $ 3,99 for 1 month, $ 7,99 for 3 months and $ 19,99 for a period of a year. By the way, you can substitute the $ for € if you are in Europe. This seems a reasonable price, much lower then PS Plus. And what surprised me the most, is that online gameplay using the WiiU or 3DS stays free!

Japan is lucky: Animal Crossing Stamp Set 

Sometimes one can be envious of the cool gaming stuff the Japanese people can get their hands on. Don’t these look amazing, fellow Animal Crossing fans? These  Animal Crossing Stamp Set will be available in Japan by Enksy on 18 July priced at ¥864 ($8) with 16 different designs.
Thanks for the tip, Japanesenintendo.com!

Yonder: the Cloud Catching Chronicles on Steam

As you know, I am a handheld gamer. But every now and then a game appears on other platforms that looks so great, that I really want it to come to any of the handheld devices. Like this game that Kelly brought to my attention: Yonder: the Cloud Catching Chronicles. It looks so good, that I hope it does well enough on Steam to merit a release on the Switch or the Vita later on. Like is happening with Stardew Valley.

This is the description of the game, that will be released on Steam July 18 2017.

Yonder is set on the vast island of Gemea, a lush frontier with eight distinct environments ranging from tropical beaches to snow-capped summits. Each location has its own flora and fauna, along with changing seasons and a day-night cycle. Gemea, once a paradise, still maintains the appearance of one, yet an evil murk has enshrouded the land and its people in despair.

As the hero you will explore Gemea, uncovering the islands secrets and the mysteries within yourself as you embark on a journey of self-discovery. On a quest to become the island’s champion, you join forces with Sprites, creatures who are the only thing capable of dispersing the murk, to save Gemea and its people.

The towns of Gemea are filled with kind-hearted residents who have faced many difficulties since the murk arrived. By contributing to the island through farming, crafting, cooking, fishing and brewing, relationships can be built with the locals, who offer everything from resources to a new farm as rewards.

Nintendo on Tour

Last week I mentioned the Nintendo Summer of Play tour in America, but Nintendo is doing its promotions in other countries as well. There’s an extensive list of locations in the UK and a very meagre list for the Netherlands. I’ll include the links:

Nintendo UK

Nintendo Netherlands

Lost Sphear RPG on Switch

Like all Switch users I’m sure, I check out the news in the eShop regularly. And I was pleased to see this trailer for this new game, Lost Sphear. It’s an RPG made by Tokyo RPG Factory, published by Square Enix.  It’s made by the same team that made I am Setsuna, and while I Am Setsuna costs $40, Square Enix is pricing Lost Sphear at $50. It will be available digitally, but the PlayStation 4 and Switch will get physical releases too.

This is what the game is about (from the Square Enix website)

The adventure of Lost Sphear begins in a remote town where a young boy, Kanata, awakens from a devastating dream to find his hometown disappearing,” Square Enix details in its press release. “Chosen by destiny, Kanata must arise to face a phenomenon never seen before and awaken the power of Memory to restore what was lost in order to save the world.

The game isn’t exactly turn-based, but has an ATB (active time battle) system like we had in World of Final Fantasy. It’s a twist on the traditional turn-based system that gives each character their own meter. When it fills up, that character can perform an action. Sounds interesting, but I’m not sure of the price. I would love to try I am Setsuna too, but for such a short game (20 hours) it seems pricey. I’ll wait and see what this one offers.

Next week: E3 2017

Expect a lot of gaming news next week, as the E3 takes place again at June 13 and lasts till June 15, with lots of news from the big gaming companies like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Aside from that, big developers like EA, Bethesda and Ubisoft have their own press conferences. They already already start earlier. Here’s the schedule (found on IGN, here), if you want to stay up to date. IGN also has a list for UK times and AU times:

By the way, like last year, Nintendo opted out of holding a press conference. They will live stream its Nintendo Switch presentation (referred to as the “Nintendo Spotlight”) instead on June 13 at 9 AM PT.

That’s it for this week, thanks again for reading, enjoy your gaming weekend. I’ll be returning for a bit to Atelier Firis again, as I just did my exam and I can now roam the open world. Of course, I’ll roam around the Wild too with Link, progress is slow but steady there. What will you be playing this weekend?