I’ve been toiling away in the Nintendo mines lately, chipping away at some of my ever expanding backlog when I came to the incredibly rare and never before talked about realization that those folks at Nintendo know how to make fun games.  This may come as a surprise to some of you, but I’m serious.  I think they might be onto something.

In all seriousness, I’ve been grinding my way through some Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and am having the most fun I’ve had with that series in ages.  I know a lot of people didn’t like the concept of having to unlock most of the 7000 characters in the game, but it’s kind of kept me on the hook longer than I expected.  I don’t know what will happen when I unlock everyone, but for the moment it’s enough motivation to keep me coming back.

Speaking of getting them all, I’ve also been playing Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu and am having a similar experience to Smash Bros. Ultimate.  I’ve never been a huge Pokemon guy, but this game is so darn delightful that I can’t help but be charmed by it.  I think my favorite part about it might be all the bullshit they’ve cut from the Pokemon formula.  Random encounters are gone now that you can see all the little critters rustling around in the bushes, swapping Pokemon in and out of your party is no longer something you need to return to a town for, and all your little Poke-pals get experience just for being there after a battle.  Although I guess I don’t know for sure if these are new changes to the series, but they’re new to me.  The game thus far is a low stress experience and I hope it remains that way.

2019 seems like it could be a big year for Nintendo with upcoming titles like Animal Crossing and Metroid Prime 4, and I can’t wait to see how it pans out.  Like tons of people my age, I grew up with Nintendo, and after seeing the disappointment that was the Wii U, it’s nice to see them back on top with the Switch and it’s lineup of fantastic first party games, as well as overwhelming indie support.