I really don’t understand these game key cards, why would anyone buy one of these? Just download the game instead. Beyond their pointless existence, it seems very thoughtless (bordering on criminal) of Nintendo to be adding to the world’s plastic epidemic problem with this industrially produced plastic junk and not something that should be supported.
I read an interesting piece, I forget where unfortunately, positing that the Switch 2 will be the last great physical collectors platform. Purely from the standpoint of collecting the physical OG Switch games.
I see what they're for: it emulates a physical game by being a 'cartridge' you're required to insert to play your game; it basically contains a licence to download the game and play it. You can lend it to other people, sell it on etc. but you can't play the game it unlocks without it inserted. The trouble is it has all the disadvantages of a physical game with none of the good parts.
My prediction for the future is that Microsoft will pull out of the console business in the 2030's and shill Gamepass and Xbox-branded boxes and handhelds Sony will go all digital and Nintendo will be last man standing but I agree, physical as we know it is in its twilight right now.
It’s scary, from growing up in a time with no internet I hope nothing ever causes it to be switched off or the worlds in deep trouble. I still collect physical media, maybe I’m old fashioned, like CD, Blu-ray and games etc. I just like my favourites present and owned if you know what I mean.
Physical is definitely in its last legs. Even a good percentage of games released now physically require downloads of some type, be it updates, patches or DLC, just to experience the full and/ or stable game.
Even in my lifetime, beginning in 2000, it's really scary to see how things have changed.
CRT's are gone, replaced by disposable, cheap, inferior LCD's, nobody buys CD's anymore, car radios don't have CD players, games are almost all digital, streaming services have killed the cinema where I live so I have to commute an hour to watch films. I'm much like you, I'm not really passionate about film and music but all my books and video games are physical and I intend to keep it that way.
Ownership in general seems extinct for me and my generation, we talk about video games and films but for people my age, in the world we've built? Even owning a car is a dream for most of us, truth be told, let alone a property.
I'm still baffled for both this game's performance and the whole key card philosophy adopted by Nintendo. Everything is still gearing me towards not adopting the Switch 2 during this first year and stick with other platforms, unless DK Bananza proves to be a must buy and there's a major Mario and Zelda on the horizon... which proves your point that 3rd party games on Switch 2 are in trouble.
Anyway, great read! I really enjoyed how you connected your review with the key card subject. Keep up the good work!
Unfortunately, they've made it a no-win situation for third party developers: the 64GB game card storage limit (already more expensive to print than traditional discs) means fitting modern games on the format is a mammoth task but if you choose the code in box or Game Key Card option, potentially 80% of potential players don't want to buy your game.
Personally speaking, I think pretty much no console is worth it on launch but I had been saving up for the console long before pre-orders because the gap between my Switch and PC was becoming painful.
Glad you enjoyed it! Unfortunately, this has been my worst performing article in months but I'm still going to cover topics like this in future.
It's disappointing to hear Sonic x Shadow performs so... Mediocrely on Switch 2. I was really hoping for better. I had a longer comment written up, but Substack ate it. But I'd love to see your opinion on Sonic Frontiers next. If there's one thing you can say about it, it's that Sega really tried something new without leaning on the nostalgia. It is consequently an extremely polarizing game.
As a port? It's decent but doesn't blow my mind. As a game? I quite enjoy Shadow Generations (and have been playing it still after my review) but I kind of hated Sonic Generations, the control issues were just constant.
I'm definitely going to grab it in the near future. Just need a gamepad for PC (mine stopped working out of nowhere) and to find a good sale once Kong is done.
If you have a Switch Pro controller, it's extremely easy to sync it to any pc with Bluetooth. Steam knows exactly what to do with it. You can technically sync joycons as well, but that might still require extra work/software.
In some ways, buying SonicxShadow would be effectively rebuying Sonic Generations, which I've already had on pc for years now. Definitely agree the game itself is janky, but it was fun. That's why I'm waiting for a good sale, because I'm not sure it's worth paying full price when I'm only interested in half the game
Unfortunately I don't actually have a Switch 1 Pro Controller (but will be ordering the Switch 2 Pro for Kong later this week) and I built this PC without Bluetooth or Wi-Fi just because I almost never used them, I bet I can get a USB adapter though; I was holding out for a Series X controller so I could return to Horizon 5 and grab Forza Motorsport but after the lay-offs I won't bother.
I think Sega tried the Bowser's Fury release strategy without understanding why it's been so effective. Unlike Sonic Generations, Super Mario 3D World was a game that even Nintendo loyalists didn't get to play because nobody bought the Wii-U, the added campaign wasn't the only selling point.
I'm sad, but not surprised by your review of this game.
I really, really want to like Sonic still, but every time I get one of his more recent games, I'm disappointed. I was an elementary school kid when the Genesis games came out. I grew up with Sonic, but much like the Simpsons, Sonic's aging process has really been horrific to watch.
I quite enjoyed Generations on the PS3 when it came out. It wasn't a masterpiece but it felt like a glimmer of hope for the franchise. This honestly just sounds like a botched port/remaster, especially the controls which I don't remember being as bad as you described.
If Nintendo doesn't fix the game key issue for third-party publishers, the Switch 2's sales will eventually struggle. For every Nintendo first-party physical Switch game in someone's library, there are often at least three or four physical indie games. People love buying physical and Nintendo has really put these publishers in odd positions.
Obviously, I was born after the SNES and Megadrive/Genesis but I played so much classic Sonic through those Gamecube-era game compilations; I didn't even like Mario as a kid, I only got into the franchise much later. They've just made so many bad games at this point that they outweigh the good; I touched on it briefly in the review (and this is an opinion I wholly disagree with) but people who weren't born at the time/didn't grow up with Sonic even lump the classic, amazing ones in with the slop that came after now.
I'm really interested to try the original version because I looked it up and a lot of people on forums/Reddit were also saying these issues were new/made worse by the port. I'll grab it for 360 or PS3 some time and check. Shadow Gens. was okay but honestly? Sonic Generations in this package was borderline unplayable on a lot of stages, I don't know if I just dislike the boost-era gameplay but I actively hated playing it by the end and wanted it to be over so I could move on to the Shadow campaign.
I really want to play Frontiers now though, it seems to be thought of highly and I'm so sick of Sonic Team's recycling of nostalgia that just how different it looks attracts me.
I couldn't agree more on the third party publishers front. They need to step up and offer bigger cartridges and more publishers need to be willing to take the extra cost on the chin. I don't want to have to start getting all my indies on Steam, PC gaming (although I enjoy it) feels very soulless in comparison to owning a console and it always plays on my mind that my entire library is just kind of in the aether.
Man, I'm so out of the loop I hadn't even heard about that key card thing. They didn't do that on Switch 1, did they? I remember there were a few games I got physical copies of because I usually download a ton of indie games and save loads of clips and didn't want a bunch of my space eaten up by, like, Assassin's Creed 4 or whatever, and I'd have been super pissed if I wound up with a keycard that merely allowed me to download it instead.
Your reminiscence of Sonic '06 really hit me in the gut, because it mirrors my own memories of a game I was bitterly disappointed by - Ultima IX. It was the first new game I was going to get for my first PC of my own, built by my own hands, including a video card I'd saved up and done odd jobs to buy, something I had every gaming rag dogeared on the pages with preview segments on. And then I got Ultima IX. And I had to play it. To be fair to you, I think Sonic '06 is definitely the worse game, though.
Speaking of getting back into Sonic, the one that did it for me was Colors on the Wii, and it was a bit of a surprise for me, after mostly sitting back and laughing at the blundering series since '06. Not a perfect Sonic game, and the Wisp gimmicks aren't for everyone, apparently, but I found it to be a really satisfying time, especially because it's still short enough to be playable in like, a long afternoon, and replayable enough to be worth doing that a few times. I don't know how the remakes are, though - I always heard they'd 'ruined' something about it in the more modern ports... maybe the music? Anyway, don't go in expecting something as good as Mania, but it's definitely among the least embarrassing modern Sonic titles. Now I'm going to need to play through Sonic Forces, which was inflicted on me by a so-called 'friend' for Christmas.
I didn't mind the original Sonic Generations, which I still have from Steam but seems to be delisted now. It was one of the better 3D Sonic games to my mind. So I'm not particularly interested in this addition, since I have no real attachment to Shadow - I'm too old to have that as part of my memories, Mega Drive Sonic is what I'm after.
I liked your honest review (with additional opinions on game cards) and agree that maybe Sonic should not focus so much on the past. I really liked Sonic Mania, but if they had built entirely new levels instead of remixed older levels for 2/3rds of the game, it would have been better.
I really don’t understand these game key cards, why would anyone buy one of these? Just download the game instead. Beyond their pointless existence, it seems very thoughtless (bordering on criminal) of Nintendo to be adding to the world’s plastic epidemic problem with this industrially produced plastic junk and not something that should be supported.
I read an interesting piece, I forget where unfortunately, positing that the Switch 2 will be the last great physical collectors platform. Purely from the standpoint of collecting the physical OG Switch games.
I see what they're for: it emulates a physical game by being a 'cartridge' you're required to insert to play your game; it basically contains a licence to download the game and play it. You can lend it to other people, sell it on etc. but you can't play the game it unlocks without it inserted. The trouble is it has all the disadvantages of a physical game with none of the good parts.
My prediction for the future is that Microsoft will pull out of the console business in the 2030's and shill Gamepass and Xbox-branded boxes and handhelds Sony will go all digital and Nintendo will be last man standing but I agree, physical as we know it is in its twilight right now.
It’s scary, from growing up in a time with no internet I hope nothing ever causes it to be switched off or the worlds in deep trouble. I still collect physical media, maybe I’m old fashioned, like CD, Blu-ray and games etc. I just like my favourites present and owned if you know what I mean.
Physical is definitely in its last legs. Even a good percentage of games released now physically require downloads of some type, be it updates, patches or DLC, just to experience the full and/ or stable game.
Even in my lifetime, beginning in 2000, it's really scary to see how things have changed.
CRT's are gone, replaced by disposable, cheap, inferior LCD's, nobody buys CD's anymore, car radios don't have CD players, games are almost all digital, streaming services have killed the cinema where I live so I have to commute an hour to watch films. I'm much like you, I'm not really passionate about film and music but all my books and video games are physical and I intend to keep it that way.
Ownership in general seems extinct for me and my generation, we talk about video games and films but for people my age, in the world we've built? Even owning a car is a dream for most of us, truth be told, let alone a property.
I'm still baffled for both this game's performance and the whole key card philosophy adopted by Nintendo. Everything is still gearing me towards not adopting the Switch 2 during this first year and stick with other platforms, unless DK Bananza proves to be a must buy and there's a major Mario and Zelda on the horizon... which proves your point that 3rd party games on Switch 2 are in trouble.
Anyway, great read! I really enjoyed how you connected your review with the key card subject. Keep up the good work!
Unfortunately, they've made it a no-win situation for third party developers: the 64GB game card storage limit (already more expensive to print than traditional discs) means fitting modern games on the format is a mammoth task but if you choose the code in box or Game Key Card option, potentially 80% of potential players don't want to buy your game.
Personally speaking, I think pretty much no console is worth it on launch but I had been saving up for the console long before pre-orders because the gap between my Switch and PC was becoming painful.
Glad you enjoyed it! Unfortunately, this has been my worst performing article in months but I'm still going to cover topics like this in future.
Sorry for hearing that. I really enjoyed this post! In any case, wish you the best in the next ones.
It's disappointing to hear Sonic x Shadow performs so... Mediocrely on Switch 2. I was really hoping for better. I had a longer comment written up, but Substack ate it. But I'd love to see your opinion on Sonic Frontiers next. If there's one thing you can say about it, it's that Sega really tried something new without leaning on the nostalgia. It is consequently an extremely polarizing game.
As a port? It's decent but doesn't blow my mind. As a game? I quite enjoy Shadow Generations (and have been playing it still after my review) but I kind of hated Sonic Generations, the control issues were just constant.
I'm definitely going to grab it in the near future. Just need a gamepad for PC (mine stopped working out of nowhere) and to find a good sale once Kong is done.
If you have a Switch Pro controller, it's extremely easy to sync it to any pc with Bluetooth. Steam knows exactly what to do with it. You can technically sync joycons as well, but that might still require extra work/software.
In some ways, buying SonicxShadow would be effectively rebuying Sonic Generations, which I've already had on pc for years now. Definitely agree the game itself is janky, but it was fun. That's why I'm waiting for a good sale, because I'm not sure it's worth paying full price when I'm only interested in half the game
Unfortunately I don't actually have a Switch 1 Pro Controller (but will be ordering the Switch 2 Pro for Kong later this week) and I built this PC without Bluetooth or Wi-Fi just because I almost never used them, I bet I can get a USB adapter though; I was holding out for a Series X controller so I could return to Horizon 5 and grab Forza Motorsport but after the lay-offs I won't bother.
I think Sega tried the Bowser's Fury release strategy without understanding why it's been so effective. Unlike Sonic Generations, Super Mario 3D World was a game that even Nintendo loyalists didn't get to play because nobody bought the Wii-U, the added campaign wasn't the only selling point.
My pc didn't originally have bluetooth either. But usb dongles are amazingly cheap these days!
The Key Card disclaimer box is so damn ugly. It really kills the box art.
It’s like the warning on a pack of cigarettes
Knew they reminded me of something!
I'm sad, but not surprised by your review of this game.
I really, really want to like Sonic still, but every time I get one of his more recent games, I'm disappointed. I was an elementary school kid when the Genesis games came out. I grew up with Sonic, but much like the Simpsons, Sonic's aging process has really been horrific to watch.
I quite enjoyed Generations on the PS3 when it came out. It wasn't a masterpiece but it felt like a glimmer of hope for the franchise. This honestly just sounds like a botched port/remaster, especially the controls which I don't remember being as bad as you described.
If Nintendo doesn't fix the game key issue for third-party publishers, the Switch 2's sales will eventually struggle. For every Nintendo first-party physical Switch game in someone's library, there are often at least three or four physical indie games. People love buying physical and Nintendo has really put these publishers in odd positions.
Great article as always!
Honestly? It was sad to play it.
Obviously, I was born after the SNES and Megadrive/Genesis but I played so much classic Sonic through those Gamecube-era game compilations; I didn't even like Mario as a kid, I only got into the franchise much later. They've just made so many bad games at this point that they outweigh the good; I touched on it briefly in the review (and this is an opinion I wholly disagree with) but people who weren't born at the time/didn't grow up with Sonic even lump the classic, amazing ones in with the slop that came after now.
I'm really interested to try the original version because I looked it up and a lot of people on forums/Reddit were also saying these issues were new/made worse by the port. I'll grab it for 360 or PS3 some time and check. Shadow Gens. was okay but honestly? Sonic Generations in this package was borderline unplayable on a lot of stages, I don't know if I just dislike the boost-era gameplay but I actively hated playing it by the end and wanted it to be over so I could move on to the Shadow campaign.
I really want to play Frontiers now though, it seems to be thought of highly and I'm so sick of Sonic Team's recycling of nostalgia that just how different it looks attracts me.
I couldn't agree more on the third party publishers front. They need to step up and offer bigger cartridges and more publishers need to be willing to take the extra cost on the chin. I don't want to have to start getting all my indies on Steam, PC gaming (although I enjoy it) feels very soulless in comparison to owning a console and it always plays on my mind that my entire library is just kind of in the aether.
Thank you!
Man, I'm so out of the loop I hadn't even heard about that key card thing. They didn't do that on Switch 1, did they? I remember there were a few games I got physical copies of because I usually download a ton of indie games and save loads of clips and didn't want a bunch of my space eaten up by, like, Assassin's Creed 4 or whatever, and I'd have been super pissed if I wound up with a keycard that merely allowed me to download it instead.
Your reminiscence of Sonic '06 really hit me in the gut, because it mirrors my own memories of a game I was bitterly disappointed by - Ultima IX. It was the first new game I was going to get for my first PC of my own, built by my own hands, including a video card I'd saved up and done odd jobs to buy, something I had every gaming rag dogeared on the pages with preview segments on. And then I got Ultima IX. And I had to play it. To be fair to you, I think Sonic '06 is definitely the worse game, though.
Speaking of getting back into Sonic, the one that did it for me was Colors on the Wii, and it was a bit of a surprise for me, after mostly sitting back and laughing at the blundering series since '06. Not a perfect Sonic game, and the Wisp gimmicks aren't for everyone, apparently, but I found it to be a really satisfying time, especially because it's still short enough to be playable in like, a long afternoon, and replayable enough to be worth doing that a few times. I don't know how the remakes are, though - I always heard they'd 'ruined' something about it in the more modern ports... maybe the music? Anyway, don't go in expecting something as good as Mania, but it's definitely among the least embarrassing modern Sonic titles. Now I'm going to need to play through Sonic Forces, which was inflicted on me by a so-called 'friend' for Christmas.
I didn't mind the original Sonic Generations, which I still have from Steam but seems to be delisted now. It was one of the better 3D Sonic games to my mind. So I'm not particularly interested in this addition, since I have no real attachment to Shadow - I'm too old to have that as part of my memories, Mega Drive Sonic is what I'm after.
I liked your honest review (with additional opinions on game cards) and agree that maybe Sonic should not focus so much on the past. I really liked Sonic Mania, but if they had built entirely new levels instead of remixed older levels for 2/3rds of the game, it would have been better.