Manufacturer: Nintendo

Platform: Nintendo Switch

RRP: £34.99 / $59.99

Game Age Rating: PEGI 12+

Release Date: 26th May 2017

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online & ToysWorld

Review Posted: 8th June 2017

Since its release a couple of months ago, the Nintendo Switch has delivered some truly awesome games based on immortalised classics like Zelda, Mario Kart and Tetris – each taking the success of what has gone before and ramping it up for a new generation.

Now and again, however, there’s a title that doesn’t really need a massive update; you just want the familiarity of a game you loved, but for the shiny new console you’ve just bought. Enter Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers!

Ultimately this is a port of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, a title that is already the definitive mix of all previous versions in one tidy package. The new switch version has some nifty additions, however, and they more than make the purchase worthwhile. The title also happens to be released as Street Fighter celebrates its 30th anniversary, so the timing couldn’t be better!

Firstly – the graphics have been souped up, making everything that bit smoother and more clean. Kudos to UDON (responsible for the Street Fighter comics), for the game visuals, which, stylistically works so well. If that’s not for you, though, you have the option to switch to classic visuals and sounds, so there’s something for everyone.

As for the roster, this now clocks in at a total of 19 characters, including Evil Ryu, Violent Ken and Akuma – who is no longer hidden and available to play straight away.

There are several game modes to choose from including Arcade, Buddy Battle, Way Of The Hado, Training, as well as Versus & Online modes. Way Of The Hado makes use of the detachable Joy-Con controllers, and allows you to play from Ryu’s point of view, as you make your way through waves of Shadaloo soldiers. The motion controls are pretty accurate, with only the odd rogue move, and you do feel like you’ve had a workout afterwards – which totally counts by the way! [kisses non-existent biceps]

Multiplayer mode is incredibly easy and works right out of the box, with the ability to use the Joy-Con’s for 2-player mode. Online play is refreshingly straightforward, too, and the expected lag is nowhere to be seen. One of the best parts is that you can get into a match quickly and even rematch straight away afterwards.

Whilst gameplay is perfectly suited to the Joy-Con’s, the game really comes into its own if you use the Switch Pro controller, where everything feels a little bit more natural.

Speaking of gameplay, it’s just as you remember it! The buttons and combos are pretty much the same, with only a few slight changes, which you can adjust to seamlessly.

Overall, Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers couldn’t really go wrong. It’s a timeless classic that, despite new takes on the franchise, keeps going back to this particular iteration – and for good reason. With an RRP of £34.99, there is enough new / additional content to make it a worthwhile purchase, but it is undoubtedly the classic gameplay that you’ll keep going back to again and again.

+  BUY Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers from Amazon.co.uk from just £29.99!
+  BUY Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers from Amazon.com from just $39.99!

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Platform: Nintendo Switch

RRP: £49.99 / $59.99

Game Age Rating: PEGI 3+

Release Date: 28th April 2017

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online & ToysWorld

Review Posted: 7th May 2017

Mario Kart has been a defining racer since its original release in 1992. Combining fun with skill and those all-important power-ups, the game has sold well over 100 million copies, worldwide.

It was the release of Mario Kart Wii, however, that redefined the game, allowing (for the first time on a full console) the ability to connect online and race with players across the world.

2017 sees the highly-anticipated release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the new Nintendo Switch console, and it brings with it some cool new characters, karts and modes;

New Characters:

King Boo (Heavy)
Dry Bones (Light)
Bowser Jr. (Light)
Inkling Boy (Medium)
Inkling Girl (Medium)

If you manage to complete all the cups in 200cc mode, you will also get to unlock a special secret ‘Gold Mario (Heavy)’ character.

New Karts:

Splat Buggy
Ink Striker
Koopa Clown
Super Glider

New Battle Modes & Maps:

There are 8 new battle mode maps in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe:

Battle Stadium
Sweet Sweet Kingdom
Dragon Palace
Lunar Colony
3DS Wuhu Town
GNC Luigi’s Mansion
SNES Battle Course 1
Urchin Underpass

Within the new Battle Modes you get five different types;

Balloon Battle – each player starts off with 5 balloons, which other players have to pop.
Bob-omb Blast – similar to balloon battle, except the only items that players can find are Bob-ombs.
Renegade Roundup – players are split up into 2 teams, in a cops and robbers style pursuit. One group have piranha plants attached to the front of their vehicles and must capture players in the opposing group.
Coin Runners – players must battle to claim the most coins in the arena before the timer runs out.
Shine Thief – players have to battle over the control of a shine sprite in the style of capture the flag.

Other changes for the Nintendo Switch version of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, include being able to play in 1080p resolution (compared to 720p on the Wii U), with 720p resolution in handheld mode. There are also updated Mii animations, as well as new menu graphics.

So that’s everything new compared to the standard Mario Kart 8 version, but how about the gameplay itself?

Any of you familiar with Mario Kart Wii, will feel right at home with the latest iteration. Rather than rebuilding the game from the ground up, Nintendo have taken the success of the Wii version, and improved on it immensely, whilst retaining the spirit and barebones of its predecessor.

One major improvement is the graphics, and being able to play Mario Kart in high definition really does make a huge difference to the overall enjoyment and immersive feel of the game. There are some lovely little in-game, on-screen FX, like water when it’s raining. The raindrops hit the screen in an incredibly realistic style that makes you second guess whether you need to rub the screen dry or not.

The Nintendo Switch brings with it the fantastic ability to play on your TV, but also in handheld mode on the go, and this is where Mario Kart 8 Deluxe really comes into its own. The ability to take the game with you in the car and race while you’re literally on the road (with a responsible driver in charge of the actual car, of course), is truly fantastic!

Online multiplayer mode is as entertaining as ever, and you really feel like you need to up your game to compete with other players from around the world. For the first time you can also bring a second local player online with you for two-player, online mode.

The previously mentioned battle modes really take the game up a notch too, and add a welcomed change to the gameplay if you fancy switching things up a bit. One of our favourite modes was Renegade Roundup, where you have to try and catch (or evade) the opposing team members with your piranha plant.

We cannot find fault in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (except for that annoying thing where you’re in 1st place and know that the blue turtle shell is coming for you any second), everything we loved about the previous version has been improved, and with tracks that revisit some old favourites, you get a double hit of nostalgia with the game.

+  BUY Mario Kart 8 Deluxe from Amazon.co.uk from just £41.99!
+  BUY Mario Kart 8 Deluxe from Amazon.com from just $59.88!

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