Latest news with #SuperNintendo
Android Authority
7 days ago
- Android Authority
After a week with the Nintendo Switch 2, these are the 4 things I love and 3 I don't
Nintendo Switch 2 The Switch 2 isn't as exciting or innovative as you might want or expect from the big N, but it proves that even when Nintendo plays it safe, there's still a unique magic to be found. I wasn't going to buy a Nintendo Switch 2. With no major Nintendo games releasing for a while and better and cheaper ways of playing indie titles, my original Switch had been gathering dust for months; I'd largely pivoted to spending my fleeting gaming hours on my PC rig, a Steam Deck OLED, and testing out a few exciting new Android handhelds. But then it went on sale, and I got an email from a retailer to say they had limited stock, and, well… here we are. I've owned Nintendo home consoles and handhelds stretching back to the Super Nintendo, so I've seen the many, many ups and downs of the Kyoto innovators' weirdest and most wonderful hardware launches. But in all that time, there was one thing missing: '2'. The Switch 2 represents the first ever numbered console follow-up from Nintendo, and it's hardly surprising considering the Switch's overwhelming sales figures and general popularity. Nevertheless, I was curious to see if it could earn that sequel status, so I kept my impromptu pre-order. After a week of playing around with the Switch 2, I can confirm that the unique home-handheld hybrid setup hasn't lost the sauce, and there are plenty of upgrades to get excited about. However, it's not the perfect successor I was hoping it would be, either. The performance upgrade is huge Oliver Cragg / Android Authority Put simply, the performance bump over the original Switch is the single biggest reason to buy the Switch 2. In handheld mode, the Switch 2 can run games in 1080p at 120fps. In docked mode, you'll get up to 4K at 60fps, with some games confirmed to benefit from NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) upscaling tech for improved performance. What that means is even uber-demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 are now possible to play on a Nintendo console. Meanwhile, first-party games like Mario Kart World and the superbly-named Donkey Kong Bananza — launching in July — can up the size of their worlds, increase the number of particles and other bits on screen, and generally look far more visually and technically impressive than any Nintendo game to date. Perhaps the most underrated upgrade is the eShop experience, which is now fluid and doesn't take an age to load when you're simply trying to check the latest (usually very stingy) batch of game sale prices. The performance bump over the original Switch is the single biggest reason to buy the Switch 2 There's a significant hit to battery life compared to the original Switch (I've been getting 3-4 hours on a single charge; not terrible but not great), and I think the lack of variable refresh rate support when docked is a strange omission (it's there in handheld), but the fact that we're in the ballpark of PS4-like performance and visual clarity from a Nintendo console is an obvious win. Backwards compatibility upgrades are literally game-changing (but should be free) Oliver Cragg / Android Authority Thanks to a combo of hardware compatibility and an emulation layer, the Switch 2 can play most of the Switch 1's vast library of games. That's already great, and a huge improvement over other Nintendo console generation leaps, where backwards compatibility was the exception rather than the rule. It's also compatible with Switch 1 accessories, so you can keep using your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and even pair the original Joy-Cons to keep up with your exercises in Ring Fit (sorry, Labo fans, you're out). But the real reason backwards compatibility is such a big win builds on everything I said about the performance gap. Thanks to some timely updates, and in some cases even without patches, there are many games that now run significantly better on Switch 2. Paid Nintendo Switch 2 Editions aside, the backwards compatibility upgrades are impressive. The best example of this is Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the best-selling Pokémon games of all time and the only entry in the long-running series I had yet to play because it was genuinely unplayable for me on Switch 1. The textures are still a bit gnarly, but the vomit-inducing frame rate drops, razor edges on objects, painful load times, and awful pop-in are long gone when you click the same cartridge into a Switch 2 — it's a revelation (check out an hour of it here if you don't believe me). Of course, Nintendo being Nintendo, it couldn't stop itself from making the improvements slightly consumer-unfriendly and overcomplicated, so some performance upgrades are gated behind paid Nintendo Switch 2 Editions, such as is the case with the Switch's two The Legend of Zelda classics, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom (and yes, I know you get both 'free' with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, but you still pay for that!). Nevertheless, the fact that exploring Hyrule in HDR at a steady frame rate is even possible in the first place is something to cherish. The LCD is pretty good, actually Oliver Cragg / Android Authority Hands up, I was wrong on this one. The decision to shift from a gorgeous OLED on the Switch OLED refresh back to an LCD panel like the launch Switch 1 was the primary reason I wasn't going to buy the Switch 2. I knew it'd be better than that horrible display on the first Switch — LCD has come a long way in recent years — but as someone who bought both a Switch and a Steam Deck twice over to get an OLED screen on their respective model refreshes, I was sure the Switch 2 couldn't pull this off and I'd be better served waiting for the inevitable Switch 2 OLED. Nintendo Switch 2: Hot or not? 0 votes Hot NaN % Not NaN % And to be honest, I'll still probably buy that when it happens — OLED blacks can't be matched even by the Switch 2's excellent LCD — but the larger, more vibrant, higher refresh rate, HDR, and VRR-enabled 1080p screen is shockingly nice. If you're holding out for the same reason I was going to, then I'd encourage you to find a demo model in a store (or hope one of your friends snagged one of the rare launch units), and give it a look — it's far better than you think it'll be. Nintendo learned to KISS Oliver Cragg / Android Authority There was a bit of buzz pre-launch, accusing Nintendo of playing it safe with the Switch 2, and there's some validity in that, frankly. If the console were to be rebranded as the long-rumored but never-to-materialize Switch Pro, I don't think anyone would have questioned the nomenclature; it's essentially a beefed-up Switch with some extra features. Those wanting to see the wild creativity of the Nintendo that brought us a cube-shaped console with a random hand grip, the Wiimote, a dual-screened handheld with a stylus, or the many, many bizarre accessories of past decades, spanning the ungainly Power Glove all the way to the Labo VR box, will come away sorely disappointed with a console that is far more in line with an Xbox or PlayStation generational shift than any previous Nintendo evolution. But 'keep it simple, stupid,' is a saying for a reason. Perhaps burned by the aggressively misjudged Wii to Wii U transition (and paying for it in sales), the Switch 2 is an exercise in being smart enough not to mess with a successful formula. All the core tenets of the Switch 1 are preserved, with tweaks made where it counts that go beyond a mere performance boost. The UI is slightly cleaner and smoother, but immediately recognizable. The Joy-Cons now snap into place via magnets, and while you might get a nasty pinch if you're not careful, it's safer than shoving a Switch 1 Joy-Con back on the wrong way (ask me how I know this). Handheld mode is much improved with the larger display, and you no longer have to do battle with a dangling cable when you need a charge, thanks to the top USB-C port. Other additions like GameShare (sharing a game with someone to play together with one copy) and the Switch 2 Camera setup also make this a more socially friendly console, an area in which Nintendo has historically struggled, particularly in the online space. Seeing someone's reactions in a little bubble next to their racer in Mario Kart World, even if it's at a slideshow-like refresh rate, is a very Nintendo take on modern gaming essentials. So no, the Switch 2 isn't a moonshot project, but it's all the better for it. Mostly… The Joy-Cons and the Dock needed more love Oliver Cragg / Android Authority The Switch 2 is a big boy compared to the Switch 1, but it's still nowhere close to the size or weight of the beefy Steam Deck. So why can I not use it in handheld mode for as long as Valve's behemoth? The answer is ergonomics. I have an inflammatory disease that manifests as fairly consistent aches in my hands, but I can play on the Steam Deck for hours without any issues because the weight distribution and curved design mold to my palms and grip. This wasn't the case with the original Switch, and it's even worse with the Switch 2. The new Joy-Cons have more features and look nicer than ever, but the harder edges are more uncomfortable to hold. People swore by Hori Split Pad Pro replacements for a reason on Switch 1, and I can see the same thing happening again here. Beyond ergonomics and my tolerance, the Switch 2 Joy-Cons still feel underbaked. Teardowns have revealed that the Switch 2 Joy-Con joysticks are based on the same potentiometer tech as the original Joy-Cons. You know, the ones that consistently succumbed to stick drift. Hall effect and Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) are table stakes on the best controllers now, and it's baffling that Nintendo didn't take greater measures to fix one of the biggest pain points of the Switch 1. Instead, that time perhaps went into making the Switch 2 Joy-Cons usable as a mouse — time poorly spent if so, while they do technically work for games like Civilization VII or even shooters like Fortnite, there's a good reason mouse companies don't make products that look like this: they're painfully uncomfortable after about 10 minutes of use. The Switch 2 console upgrades are all on point, but the new-gen Joy-Cons and Dock feel undercooked. The Switch 2 dock equally feels like Nintendo could've done so much more. Docking the console doesn't offer any additional peace of mind over the original Switch and dock combo regarding potential screen damage; it still has solid plastic on either side, which necessitates real care when you're reengaging the device to switch between handheld and home modes. And while the Switch 2 itself got a second USB-C port, the dock still has a whopping zero. It's two USB-A ports all over again, so charging controllers will require one of those USB-A-to-USB-C cables many of us have been trying to eliminate from our gadget lives. Where Nintendon't, others will. dbrand kindly sent me over its KillSwitch case, which immediately solved my Joy-Con woes by adding rubberized, textured ergonomic casing, and improves the dock experience via an adapter so you can dock the Switch 2 externally. The Ultra bundle I received also has the idiot-proof Prism 2.0 screen protectors, which I highly recommend for your Switch 2 (or really any gadget dbrand makes them for). I'm also holding out hope that there's a Hori Split Pad Pro or an equivalent made for Switch 2 to permanently fix the Joy-Cons and give them more reliable sticks and better grips as standard. The price doesn't end at the console Oliver Cragg / Android Authority If you can actually find one to buy, the Switch 2 itself isn't cheap. I'd say that $449 is a fair price for a modern console, especially when you consider that it's a hybrid system that can cover portable and TV play, and that the Steam Deck OLED is another $100 on top at its minimum entry. But the Switch 2 ecosystem is expensive, more so than the Deck and even more so than a traditional console from Microsoft or Sony. $80 games are apparently the new norm, so asking that for Mario Kart World stings, but it's not beyond expectation, especially when the cost of game development is at an all-time high. However, Nintendo has a knack for rarely ever reducing the price of its games. $80 now may drop to $60-$70, but based on recent history, you shouldn't ever expect to see Steam sale or even PSN/Xbox sale level of price drops on first-party Nintendo games. I'm still yet to pick up 2019's Fire Emblem: Three Houses, despite loving the series, because it's always stuck at MSRP, and I can get 2-3 games from my wishlist elsewhere for that price. Likewise, third-party games and indies do go on sale more often, but the sticker price is typically higher than in other ecosystems (and this may get worse if Nintendo doesn't fix another issue I'll get to in a moment). Nintendo isn't the only game in town anymore if you want to play on the go, and long-term it's cheaper elsewhere. Then there are the extras that come with any console, but still add up. 256GB base storage is a big leap from the 32GB of the original Switch and even the 64GB of the OLED model, but you'll still likely need more room for all your games before long, and the Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards, which start at around $50-60 for a 128GB card, and rise in cost from there for more storage. A Switch Online account is required for online play, and the Expansion Pack is needed for some emulation and additional perks. The USB-C camera is $54.99, and if you want a Pro controller with a capture button, that'll be a hefty $85 add-on. Overall, the Switch 2, even when you factor in the extras, isn't exorbitantly expensive, but with more competition in the handheld space in particular from the Steam Deck and the first wave of Steam OS machines, Xbox's ambitions to fix Windows for portable play, more and more breakout titles coming to mobile (e.g. Balatro), and the ever-increasing number of ultra-affordable retro handhelds, Nintendo isn't the only game in town anymore if you want to play on the go. The cartridge debacle is dumb Oliver Cragg / Android Authority Okay, so this is confusing, so bear with me. In its infinite wisdom, Nintendo decided to make the act of buying games more complicated than it needed to be with the introduction of Game-Key Cards. When you buy one of these boxed Game-Key Card games from a retail store, you get a regular Nintendo Switch 2 cartridge, but the game isn't stored on the cartridge, only an access key. Instead, when you put the cartridge into your console, it'll trigger the system to download the title. To Nintendo's credit, the packaging for Game-Key Card games has clear branding to differentiate them from a native Switch 2 game that is stored on the cartridge. There are also upsides to this approach, such as cheaper production costs for indie studios who don't have to buy larger storage cartridges. On the consumer end, you can also share and sell Game-Key Cards (Nintendo did an awful job at communicating this at launch, with this huge detail only coming out of an interview), which you can't do with previous digital-centric brick-and-mortar store purchases, which had a single-use game code. Game-Key Card confusion has been an unfortunate and avoidable blunder. But if only it were that simple. For starters, Game-Key Cards are no better than code slips for game preservation. If game publishers or Nintendo take the necessary servers offline, that key won't do anything. And the silly part is, even though Game-Key Cards exist, there were still two Nintendo Switch 2 launch games — Civilization VII and Split Fiction — that had a slip in the box, not a cartridge! Even my Switch 2 and Mario Kart World bundle came with a code for the racer, not a Game-Key Card. More alarming is the number of Game-Key Card games vs. actual cartridges, with the former outnumbering the latter — there's a handy list on reddit that is keeping track of each release. Reports are circulating that the number of Game-Key Card games is so high because Nintendo has only supplied 64GB Switch 2 cartridges for companies that want to offer the full physical game, as opposed to the Switch 1, which had a range, reportedly with multiple options and going as low as 4GB. With a suggested $16 cost price of each 64GB full cartridge for Switch 2, it's easy to see why publishers and indie developers have opted to save money per sale by buying cheaper Game-Key Cards that require only storage enough for an activation. The real disadvantage here plays into the Switch's very purpose — a simple, plug-and-play handheld that doesn't require jumping through any hoops. That paradigm continues to be unraveled by confusing initiatives like the Game-Key Cards, and, to a lesser extent, Switch 2 Editions. Here's hoping Nintendo fixes this dumb issue and offers more card sizes soon. Nintendo Switch 2 verdict: Is it worth it? Oliver Cragg / Android Authority When the dust settles and the restocks start hitting, I can safely recommend the Nintendo Switch 2 if you want to play the very best Nintendo can offer in the best possible way. Personally, I'm excited enough to play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on a platform that can hit 4K at 60fps on my TV that I could justify it to myself. That said, if there's nothing on the horizon from Nintendo's first-party game slate that catches your eye, you might want to hold off, either until something does pop up that's Switch 2-only, or plays so poorly on the original Switch that it comes time to upgrade. Even when Nintendo plays it safe, there's still a unique magic to be found. But Nintendo consoles live and die by Nintendo's own games, and if you're looking instead for a handheld for a far broader experience of AAA and indies, I would recommend at least considering options like the Steam Deck ($549 at Manufacturer site), other Steam OS handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go S ($499.99 at Manufacturer site), and perhaps even waiting to see what comes of the Xbox Ally devices. We're no longer in a world where handhelds without a Nintendo sticker are a niche curiosity, and while the cost of entry is slightly higher elsewhere, the long-term costs are often a lot lower, and the plug-and-play advantage Nintendo previously had isn't quite as secure as it once was. There's also the lingering possibility of a Switch 2 OLED, which I'd guess is inevitable, but I doubt we'll see it for at least 3-5 years. In the meantime, you could be enjoying playing on a console that does almost everything you'd want from a Switch successor. It's not as exciting or as innovative as you might want or expect from the big N, but even when Nintendo plays it safe, there's still a unique magic to be found. Nintendo Switch 2 Improved performance • Surprisingly great LCD display • Fun social features MSRP: $449.00 Nintendo's best gets bigger and better. The Nintendo Switch 2 offers big upgrades over the original Switch, including a larger 7.9-inch 1080p 120Hz display, a beefed-up, custom NVIDIA processor, 256GB of internal storage, and GameChat social features. See price at GameStopSee price at Newegg Positives Improved performance Improved performance Surprisingly great LCD display Surprisingly great LCD display Superior console design Superior console design Fun social features Fun social features The best way to play Nintendo exclusives Cons Limited upgrades for Joy-Cons and Dock Limited upgrades for Joy-Cons and Dock Expensive ecosystem
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nintendo Switch 2 hits store shelves in global launch
Nintendo's (NTDOY, 7974.T) Switch 2 gaming console is here, taking over store shelves around the world. The Japanese gaming giant is expecting to sell 15 million units in this initial launch. Yahoo Finance tech editor Dan Howley reports more on the Switch 2 launch and the competition in the portable gaming space. Catch Yahoo Finance's full interview with former Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aimé from July 2024. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Morning Brief here. Well, the Nintendo Switch 2 is officially out with lines across the US and the world as gamers head to their nearest retailer to pick up the new console. The first Nintendo Switch launched in 2017. It sold 152 million units. Nintendo expecting to sell 15 million units of the Switch 2 this year, despite potential headwinds from global trade tensions. Yahoo Finance Tech Editor Dan Howley joining us now with more. Dan, great to speak with you about this launch. Uh very exciting for the gamers out there. What are you anticipating in terms of the success of this launch for Nintendo? Yeah, very exciting for the gamers, very excited for me. I got my Super Nintendo uh controller above my head there, uh dissected. But uh for the the company itself, this is uh a huge launch. I mean, this happens once every seven to 10 years. Uh Nintendo last launched this in 2017. So this is a a huge deal for for them. The success of the switch was virtually unprecedented for their home console brands. Uh they're generally uh go between a ebb and flow kind of pattern when it comes to the success of of those consoles. So we had the huge success of the switch. Now we have to see if they can break that ebb and flow pattern for the switch too. And the ebb and flow pattern I'm referring to is you go from the the Super Nintendo to the Nintendo 64, the GameCube, uh you know, that didn't sell sell well. Then they had the Wii, which everyone, you know, saw and used, and then we had the Wii U, which didn't do well, and then the switch. And the switch uh basically kind of introduced a new type of gaming uh to the industry, the the handheld style uh for full-sized games. Obviously, there were things like the Game Boy before this, but these were full regular games that you would then be able to also play on your TV. And so now there are competitors from uh we have a portable from Sony now with their uh PlayStation uh portal. Uh we also have Windows-based competitors uh from the likes of uh Steam, uh as well as Asus and and other PC companies. So this really did kind of set up a a new kind of gaming. But for Nintendo, this is an absolute must. Uh the console, as you can see, 449, that's a big price jump from the $300 of the original. If you get the game uh Mario Kart World with it, it's 499 uh 499. So you save a little bit of money there uh if you do that that bundle. New Joy-Cons, uh they're now magnetic. Uh they can also be used as a mouse. And then yes, they have built-in chat as well as new multiplayer features where you can set up a little camera. Uh it's built into a PD Piranha plant, uh that Piranha that eats Mario in the games, uh and you'd be able to communicate with other players. So they're going whole hog into to the idea of being able to connect. That's obviously social part is a big part of gaming nowadays. Uh and Nintendo really going into that, but this needs to be a huge success for them and it's kind of a risk uh sticking to that same pattern, something they don't usually do. Dan, we only got 30 seconds here. Were you at the Switch launch event in New York last night? No, I I wasn't, thankfully. I avoided. I do have Look, man, I don't even know why I'm talking to you guys. Target's supposed to be shipping mine today. I'm not getting any updates, so I I need to know where it's at. All right. Uh I guess we won't tell anyone to go stand outside of your apartment and just wait for that shipment. Uh we know that there's a lot of eager people trying to get their hands on those. Dan, good luck. Bring it in studio, why not? Let's just put it up on one of the screens in here. Start playing Mario Kart. Exactly. Thanks so much, Dan. Appreciate it. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Why Celestial Park is the glowing heart of Epic Universe (especially after dark)
Why Celestial Park is the glowing heart of Epic Universe (especially after dark) Show Caption Hide Caption Celestial Park: A gateway to Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Universal Orlando's Epic Universe theme park will have five new lands, including Celestial Park, the "cosmic heart' at the front of Epic Universe. ORLANDO, Fla. – From classic monsters to Super Nintendo to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and 'How to Train Your Dragon,' Universal's new Epic Universe theme park has a lot of deeply loved intellectual property — but one of its five worlds is entirely unique to Universal Orlando Resort. Celestial Park is an original concept world, which Universal likes to say puts the park back into theme park. With elegant landscaping, shimmering fountains and fanciful art nouveau-inspired architecture, it runs through the heart of Epic Universe and serves as a thoroughfare to the other worlds as well as a place to rest and reset between them. As the first world guests enter, either from the park's main entrance or rear entrance exclusive to Universal Helios Grand Hotel, there's no way to miss Celestial Park, but guests would sorely miss out if they don't experience it at night. All five Epic Universe worlds are a sight to behold after dark, but Celestial Park was made for it. At dusk, its synchronized lighting begins to glow with an ethereal warmth, transforming the already otherworldly scenery into a heavenly landscape. Illuminated cars on the massive dueling coaster Stardust Racers resemble shooting stars as they speed along unlit tracks at night. Constellation-inspired animals on glass-domed Constellation Carousel sparkle as they swirl like a cosmic ballet. "If you think of the modern theme park, a lot of them are fantastic experiences, but a lot of them don't have the park-like experiences where you can meander and be in the shade and see water fountains and all these other very park-like experiences, which are super enjoyable, particularly for people who don't want to go on thrill rides," Steve Tatham, executive creative director for all of Epic Universe, told USA TODAY. Meandering through Celestial Park at night is a must. The reporter on this story received access from Universal. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Epic Universe opens to thrill crowds, with hopes of boosting economy in Central Florida
The Brief Epic Universe opened in Orlando after six years in development, debuting with short wait times and high fanfare. The park is expected to drive major economic growth across Central Florida's $92.5 billion tourism industry. With its scale and ambition, Epic Universe reinforces Orlando's status as the theme park capital of the world. ORLANDO, Fla. - After six years in development, Universal's long-anticipated Epic Universe theme park officially opened its gates Thursday, marking the first major new park to launch in Orlando in more than two decades. What we know Universal Orlando officially opened its new Epic Universe theme park on Thursday, marking the first major theme park addition to the region in more than 25 years. The park includes five immersive lands themed around popular franchises such as Super Nintendo and Harry Potter. Despite high anticipation, wait times for most rides remained under 25 minutes, and crowds were surprisingly manageable — suggesting a controlled, soft-launch strategy by Universal. The backstory Universal's newly opened Epic Universe is doing more than attracting crowds — it's transforming Orlando's landscape and supercharging the local economy, particularly in the once-overlooked International Drive corridor. Epic Universe has been in development for six years, representing one of Universal's most ambitious projects. The park's announcement stirred global interest, with pre-sale tickets selling out as early as October. The last major park debut in Orlando was in the 1990s, making Thursday's opening not just an event, but a generational milestone for Florida's tourism industry. Dig deeper Located on 160 acres in Orange County, Epic Universe is now a vibrant draw for tourists and businesses alike, sitting on what was once vacant and contaminated land formerly owned by defense contractor Lockheed Martin. The transformation has turned what some called "wasteland" into a global attraction. Before Epic Universe broke ground, the area served a far different purpose. Documents show Lockheed Martin conducted missile and fire control testing on the property from 1958 to 1996, leaving behind contaminants like benzene, cadmium and vinyl chloride. After Universal acquired the site in 1998, cleanup efforts began. In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency commended both Lockheed and Universal for collaborating on the remediation, which cleared the way for development. Timeline The launch of Epic Universe isn't just a milestone for Universal — it's a shot in the arm for Central Florida's $92.5 billion tourism sector. Local business leaders are already reporting increased foot traffic and renewed interest in surrounding areas. Analysts expect the park to drive substantial growth in jobs, tourism revenue, and regional development. It also raises the bar for theme park competition, potentially influencing the future direction of entertainment attractions nationwide. Below is a timeline of significant dates leading up to Epic Universe's grand opening: 1998: Universal acquires the site from Lockheed Martin, cleanup efforts begin. 2004: EPA clears path for redevelopment of the land. 2019: Universal announces plans for Epic Universe. 2020–2022: Development faces delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Late 2024: Tickets go on sale, and final preparations begin. May 2025: Epic Universe officially opens to the public. What we don't know Universal has not disclosed exact attendance numbers or confirmed whether opening day capacity was intentionally limited. There's also uncertainty around how long the lower wait times and controlled entry will last. What they're saying The park's opening has created a wave of prosperity for surrounding businesses, hotels, and infrastructure projects. The Hilton Grand Vacations Hotel, overlooking Epic Universe, has seen an influx of international guests. Experts say the entire corridor is booming, with new developments including the expansion of the Orange County Convention Center and the planned Sunshine Corridor rail project. "When the economists do the projections for 2025, the total economic impact is going to be somewhere north of that $92.5 billion," said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Universal Orlando Resort and Orange County.
Auto Car
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Super Mario Kart is the finest racing game ever, not Gran Turismo
As computers and games consoles rapidly evolved in the 1990s from literally BASIC (as in the BBC Micro's programming language) to the ultra-cool Sony PlayStation, so developers created some amazing racing games. In 1991, Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix set new standards for an accurate Formula 1 simulator, then in 1997 Gran Turismo's staggering realism and unprecedented scale changed the genre forever. TOCA Touring Car Championship and Colin McRae Rally melded simulation with accessible dynamics and there were pure arcade classics such as Sega Rally Challenge, Daytona USA, Ridge Racer and Need for Speed. But the greatest racing game of the decade – no, actually, the greatest racing game of all time – arrived on the Super Nintendo in 1992, featuring a cartoon plumber racing karts against rivals including a gorilla, a princess and a mushroom. But underneath that cutesy cartoon froth, Super Mario Kart was a supreme racing title. Clearly, Super Mario Kart isn't realistic in the style of Gran Turismo, but its faux-3D backdrops (enabled by the Super Nintendo's parallax scrolling and Mode 7 graphics wizardry) were groundbreaking. Even the technical limitations, such as the inability of the system to render 3D elevation, meant the track design had a simple purity that fancier, more capable games have since lost. But it was in gameplay where Mario Kart excelled. The cartoon karts actually handled like karts. You had to hustle them, and unlocking true speed meant mastering the 'jump drift' technique to powerslide round corners. As a result, even Time Trial mode became a huge challenge. I maintain that my still-standing Attwood family lap record on Ghost Valley 1 is the nearest I'll ever come to Ayrton Senna's 1988 Monaco pole lap for in-the-zone driving transcendence. And the racing modes were another area where Super Mario Kart absolutely shone. For starters, the various characters had different characteristics (Bowser had a high top speed but handled badly and was slow to accelerate; Koopa Troopa would zip off the line and round corners but lagged on long straights) that created a real balance.
