NSMB DS's pngs and low poly models and crunchy sound effects have weaseled their way into my heart. Finally played it for the first time, wow was it much more experimental than the 3DS sequel, probably because the public had more lofty expectations for it, given its place in the franchise, makes sense. All the wacky new enemies and level elements, it's got a strong original vision a lot of its siblings lack.
This game was rushed, have you seen those videos about its spaghetti code? I first suspected it when I pressed the jump button, the physics definitely felt off at first, adjusted fast enough though, jank gives it flavor. I said the sound effects were crunchy before but the whole game is... the thing's texture... it's yummy. Those retro fugging sound sfx, the fugging sound mixing, the mixed media graphics... adorbs. This is an insect game, beep boop bug.
Finished Sonic CD last night! Got the good ending too, but man I can't imagine having to beat the special stages in one try in the original lol, those were irritating as ever
In general, the KC manga is very, very mean towards Wendy, with characters throwing up whenever she tries to be cute (which is often).
Fanart at the end of the Yoshi's Egg issue threw her a bone at least. She's adorable in Peach's dress. Guess funny shipping's been around for quite a while!
Also, it referenced the localizations more often than just the "American Koopa" thing from the SMW arc.
I prefer using the term "common" over the term "normal".
There is certainly traits we come across constantly but I feel normal implies absolutes in traits and traits are rarely absolute.
I feel like this absolute thinking that comes with the term is why anyone who differs from what is common tends to be bullied
3D Land's a good-looking game, I like playing through the compact diorama-like levels, it's endearing. The clean graphic look's sleek, I enjoy when Mario games have just the right amount of abstractness, instead of whatever Odyssey did. It's a thin line to balance, when one of these things lean too far into one direction, hyper fidelity or rudimentary simplicity, the world quickly ceases to be meaningful to me.
Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS are my best example of what I mean. N64, too many flat colors, too geometric it's nothing to me but a wacky digital sandbox to blast through, it's a fun toy. DS, there's texture, there's life, but it's not real life, it's a cartoon, there's still clear deliberateness and artifice to its pieces but no longer am I looking at glue, I'm appreciating the world's stitches. My favorite Mario games are like sweaters, does that make sense? Don't answer that. I can vibe in them, they're satisfying, that's as well as I can phrase it. If the game's not a sweater it should be a cute little insect I can admire in my palm, pretty much everything in-between feels awkward. This applies to more than Mario actually, it applies to my taste in video games in general... Similes. Tangents. 3D Land's a good-looking game that found a sweet spot.