iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by John Rairdin NWR

Nintendo World Report @nintendonwr.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It's almost a little sad to send the legendary Switch 1 version of Witcher 3 off into the sunset as the Switch 2 gets a dedicated version in Witcher 3 Remastered. @jtsknight92.bsky.social takes a look: youtu.be/Cez1Tn-w7w8

youtu.be

Witcher 3 Remastered (Switch 2) Technical Review + Comparisons

YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I think the most impressive thing about Witcher 3 Remastered on Switch 2, is that it's actually targeting the same underlying pixel count as Witcher 3 on Switch 1 (720p). A really good example of how you treat your pixels being as important as how many you have.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I took a look at the Switch 2 version of Witcher 3. Shoutout to @jrudek.bsky.social for helping to round up footage heading into a very busy review week :P youtu.be/Cez1Tn-w7w8

youtu.be

Witcher 3 Remastered (Switch 2) Technical Review + Comparisons

YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV

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Ben Lesnick @banditloaf.wcnews.com · 27/09/2026

A lot of folks have very thoughtfully forwarded me a trailer for a "Wing Commander Remake". I am sorry to report that this is not genuine; it's a crypto bro who has found Howard Day's open source "Wingleader" assets and is vibe coding them to launder their reputation.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Oh hey, I backed the original GBA version of this definitely-not-Dune game years ago. It's a really cool game if you have exactly my taste in cool underpowered 3D. www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Switch now has both Xevious 3D and the PC-8801 version of Silpheed. With their powers combined I feel like we could summon the Sega CD Version of Silpheed

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Was working on a project yesterday that's using about 30 different sources spanning five years of history. Cannot emphasize enough that the vast majority of these I was only able to find (or in some cases only able to even have access to) because of the VGHF Archive.

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Joe That's Me @stringpixel.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The answer to these is usually no but it never hurts to ask: do I have any friends with any connections to the folks that run VGMDB, perchance?

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Justin D. Berube @jusdberube.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Next Tuesday is the end. Play while you can!

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

That poor bike lane sign was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A few folks have suggested that I might prefer Dietrich's storyline if I want to focus on the tactical combat elements of Fire Emblem. This is terrifying as that's already who I'm playing as :P Also the story itself is great once you trudge through free time.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Fascinated by how this map for the Ocarina of Time remake represents the Gerudo Desert. A lot of little changes compared to the original.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave has a similar (though not as bad) issue to Three Houses. It spends an incredible amount of its runtime convinced that I don't want to play Fire Emblem. Why is the majority of this game something other than me moving little guys around a grid?

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Boy, the opening of Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave is VERY different than I was expecting (complimentary)

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

ICYMI: in the Video Game History Foundation's latest YouTube video, John Rairdin uses VGHF's archives to explore the work of pioneering - and perhaps overlooked - Nintendo 3D camera creator Takumi Kawagoe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zmd...

youtube.com

Takumi Kawagoe - Camera Systems, Cinematics, and Defeating Ganondorf

YouTube video by The Video Game History Foundation

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

So where is Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave falling on the Engage to Three Houses scale? Are we playing a tactics RPG or are we simulating the life of a creepy school teacher seducing their students?

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Frank Cifaldi @frankcifaldi.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I love the videos we've started producing this year, where @jtsknight92.bsky.social finds something interesting in our library and goes down a rabbit hole, teaching you how to research along the way. Also, look at the comments! It turns out intelligent content builds intelligent communities, weird.

youtube.com

Takumi Kawagoe - Camera Systems, Cinematics, and Defeating Ganondorf

YouTube video by The Video Game History Foundation

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

One of the most difficult parts of the transition from 2D to 3D was coming up with a good camera. Luckily for Nintendo, they had Takumi Kawagoe. Join John Rairdin NWR for a quick dive into the largely unsung career of this pivotal player in the history of 3D games: youtu.be/8zmdcS7gRfQ

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The more I learned about the career of Takumi Kawagoe the more interesting it got. I also highly suspect he's currently working on the Zelda movie which is potentially very exciting given his previous contributions to Zelda storytelling. youtu.be/8zmdcS7gRfQ

youtu.be

Takumi Kawagoe - Camera Systems, Cinematics, and Defeating Ganondorf

YouTube video by The Video Game History Foundation

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

"The Sometimes River is 55 minutes of pure gold. An amalgamation of blues, jazz, indie and contemporary classical is what drives this band, which self-identifies as genreless... How do you put into words this feeling of warm sunshine, cool rain and quiet snowfall?" www.studioone.org/news/2026-09...

studioone.org

Genre versus feeling: Cedar Rapids band treesreach makes their comeback

It's been three years since this duo performed, but with their release of their new album, treesreach is ready to return to the limelight.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Nintendo has a Legend of Zelda playlist on their music app, but their selection of Zelda OSTs is so random that there is a LOT of Age of Imprisonment (not Age of Calamity which is a better OST) and no Majora, Twilight, Echoes, Awakening, Minish, Oracle (either one) pr Zelda 2 among others.

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CuteMonster Props @ DragonCon @cutemonster.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A week ago at Dragoncon I met Richard Garriott at a panel about his new Ultima game. Long story short he wants to use AI. He already has for concept art and ChatGPT generated fantasy language. I wrote an account with the hope that this could spread to the right people. Please pass this along.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Lol Nintendo updated the Star Fox Zero origami Arwing for Star Fox 2026. Pretty sure the origami itself is identical. www.nintendo.com/app/znsa/dl/...

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

they put an owl on his leather armor... I don't think I'll ever recover

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The Japanese Zelda timeline website paired with google translate is the bane of my existence when it comes to the internet talking about Zelda lore.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The way Star Fox Adventures on Switch 2 handles the original's analogue trigger input is to register the triggers as being partially pressed (barrel roll is a double click) it works but it looks goofy cuz you're awing just lazily slants rather than doing the full turn.

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Aftermath @aftermath.site · 10/09/2026

Former Game Awards Future Class members skeptical of Geoff Keighley's involvement with grant program for game devs aftermath.site/future-class-n...

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This is some poor PR person doing their best to solve a problem that doesn't actually exist.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

On the one hand I fully support Sony realizing (like Konami did) that giving Kojima a blank check to make games that sell just okay is a bad move. On the other hand, are they at this point just looking for corners of their audience they haven't alienated yet?

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Star Fox Adventures is an absolutely absurdly good looking game.

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Frank Cifaldi @frankcifaldi.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I like to say "we have 500 subscribers!" but last month dipped to 499. I hope to bounce back up so as not to be a liar.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I'm excited for a new generation to discover that this game is good and that early gaming youtubers were sorta just a community built on disliking things.

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Liam E 🚲 🦝TANUKI @liambme.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I went away feeling, "yeah why does this remind me of every 50s,60s fantasy book cover art". Oh, this is why. It's also why the more I watch, the more I like it.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Well timeline analysis doesn't make sense for a remake sooooo... Let's translate some signs! youtu.be/8BtXCNdalJs

youtu.be

Can you Read the Signs in the Ocarina of Time Remake?

YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The people comparing Ocarina remake to Hire This Man are making it very clear that they never had a good handle on what was wrong with Hire This Man. Which explains why this april fools joke went so well... youtu.be/THc67TNGpzo

youtu.be

NWR April Fools 2023 - Diddy Kong Racing Deluxe | Remastered Trailer

YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I am very glad we are back in an era where Nintendo teams are allowed to make weird little guys part of the art style again.

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Since the Zelda 40th anniversary stream is happening... This is the first (and only?) American review of the original Legend of Zelda, from the August 1987 issue of Computer Entertainer. The reviewer praised its "mythic aura" and "fairy-tale quality." Read the full issue: ow.ly/tg3s50ZJMSY

"THE LEGEND OF ZELDA (***1/2/****) from Nintendo for the NES is THE most eagerly anticipated title yet released for the system. With all the hoopla, including golden package and matching golden cartridge, we just didn't feel right about playing the game with our usual review set-up: NES Control Deck hooked up to a modest, 12-inch composite monitor. So we dragged the deck into the living room, connected it to a 27-inch Sony monitor/receiver, and dared Nintendo to impress us. Not only did Nintendo impress us with the many wonders of ZELDA, but they also managed to get us totally hooked on this excellent game. Imagine a great adventure: the rescue of the princess Zelda, the recovery of the Triforce of Wisdom, the defeat of of an evil prince. Imagine yourself as Link, the young hero about to set out on this adventure, with all 97-plus screens of the Hyrulean Overworld to explore and nine levels of multi-screen labyrinths in the Underworld as well."

"Alone in the Forest
The story begins with young Link alone and unarmed in a forest clearing. If he enters the cave at one edge of the clearng, he can find a sword and begin his adventure. As an inexperienced young hero, he will suffer many defeats in the early going. The forests are full of dangerous creatures. The lakes harbor nasty monsters that shoot balls at Link. But there are jewels and other goodies to be found by slaying the creatures, and jewels can buy useful items sold by merchants in some of the caves. After wandering for a while (or following the directions in the instruction book), Link can find the entrance to the first underground labyrinth. In the Underworld, the player has an overhead view into the chambers, which are full of many surprises and more nasty creatures of all kinds. The trip through a labyrinth is a treasure hunt, with a Triforce segment the ultimate treasure to be gained. Along the way, there are monsters to fight, secret doors to discover, and plenty of frustration. As Link gathers treasures, new weapons, and experience, he is able to venture into new places and make new discoveries. Thanks to the built-in battery in the cartridge, the objects that Link accumulates are saved from one playing session to the next. It's a good thing they are saved for Link, because it would be impossible to complete this game in one sitting. (The battery also allows you to save three "Link" characters.) Players are also aided by maps and hints included in the package."

"Fairy-Tale Quality
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA has a beautiful, fairy-tale quality that we found very appealing. As an adventure, it has more to offer than the typical hack-and-slash epics because of its special mythic aura that carries you into the story. And ZELDA offers an incredibly rich, deep gaming experience that goes far beyond the typical cartridge game. The game is well supported by charming graphics, superb original music, excellent animation, and smooth transitions in scrolling between locations. We believe that THE LEGEND OF ZELDA will appeal to both male and female players of all ages. It has a very special kind of magic that makes it a "must-have" for every owner of the Nintendo Entertainment System. (Solo play; Pause.) Recommended. (MSR $44.95)"

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Willem Hilhorst @whilhorst.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I put a lot of effort into my little Ocarina of Time video essay and it completely bombed last month. Seems like a good day to share it once more. youtube.com/watch?v=I8qK...

m.youtube.com

How I Learned To Start Randomzing and Love Ocarina of Time (Video Essay)

YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

There is still time to rectify the mistakes of the past Capcom.

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Personally, I think Star Fox 64 is long overdue for a remaster

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John Rairdin NWR @jtsknight92.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

.... Nintendo is celebrating the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by announcing a second Nintendo Direct....

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