Sonic vs Mario: The Coolness Debate Heats Up
With the 35th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog sparking memories, reader Kenzie recalls intense playground arguments about who was better: Sonic or Mario. In his school, Sonic won decisively, thanks to the Mega Drive's popularity. But as an adult, Kenzie acknowledges Nintendo's superior game quality, though the coolness question remains tricky. Sonic's supporting cast—Miles, Knuckles, and others—are deemed lame, while Mario's ensemble of Bowser, Peach, Luigi, Yoshi, and Toad has been boosted by recent movies. Kenzie now switches allegiance to Mario.
Steam Machine: Too Expensive and Underpowered?
Reader Futterman declares he will never buy a Steam Machine, citing its high price and lackluster performance compared to similarly priced gaming PCs. He notes that economic times are tight, and expensive consoles are not a priority. He worries about the PlayStation 6's potential cost and its impact on the next generation's adoption.
N64 at 30: Remakes and Relevance
Reader Zeiss reflects on the N64's 30th anniversary, hoping for a mini-console version and remakes of classics like Star Fox 64 and Zelda: Ocarina Of Time. However, he doubts a Super Mario 64 remake would hold up due to its basic design and camera. GoldenEye 007, he argues, may not be timeless. Zeiss believes only a small percentage of games remain playable across generations.
Half-Life 3 Still a Mystery
Reader Clanker notes that despite the Steam Machine reveal, there is no sign of Half-Life 3. He questions whether Valve changed their plans or how they intend to handle exclusivity. He hopes the game, if real, will be released on PC at least, as Valve has historically shunned consoles.
Xbox Execs Under Fire
Reader Pr0metheus criticizes Xbox executives for endless interviews that do not help the brand. He points out that while they boast about Call Of Duty's cultural impact and a potential Sea Of Thieves movie, layoffs and studio closures loom. The new boss, he says, sounds just like Phil Spencer, and he has lost all sympathy for Xbox.
Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance Underperforms
Reader Corsa comments on Sega's admission that Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance sold below expectations. He notes the lack of hype and feels the game, while good, doesn't capture the original Shinobi spirit. Sega's retro revival, starting with this title, has failed because they waited too long. Only Dreamcast games like Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio might still resonate, while Virtua Fighter CrossRoads is unlikely to appeal beyond hardcore fans.
Other Letters
Reader Trepsils looks forward to the PlayStation 6 launch, hoping it spurs Sony to release new games. Reader Vallow informs that a Rhythm Paradise Groove demo is now available on the Switch eShop for both Switch 1 and 2.
