Well neither my Q1 Pop-Tart (Returnal) or Toaster Strudel (Riders Republic) even released, let's see if I can actually pick some games releasing this time around.

Pop-Tart
New Pokémon Snap - I have faith they wouldn't go through with making this if they weren't going to do it right - and it doesn't take much. The original follows a pretty simple formula; animate fun situations, puzzle mechanics, and secrets. The setting and world take care of a lot of the rest, and I don't think the length will be an issue.

Toaster Strudel
Mario Golf: Super Rush - Having recently completed Mario Tennis Aces, I have little faith a similar attempt at golf will break par. The first console Mario Golf game in 18 years looks woefully uninspired; from the Mii "story" mode to the Super Rush mode, there is little ambition on display. I will likely play this a ton, but I'm disappointed by how its shaping up.

It seems like the PS+ Collection and Games of the Month are their reaction, and the offerings seem pretty good - its obviously not Game Pass but they're providing good things. Can't speak for PS Now, never really see too much about whats on there. Whenever I get a PS5 I'm planning to subscribe for a bit to play through a lot of their PS4 offerings. I think the competition is improving all services.

@bam541 I honestly love this for sports games since its a yearly thing, even if its just for like 3 months or so - then you can buy it on sale or wait to buy the 2022 version. I'm so glad to finally get to play this on Xbox, its crazy I don't even have to buy it now.

I've seen every mainline game thanks to Huber (except the original Resident Evil, maybe?), but these are how I'd rank what I've actually played.

1. Resident Evil 2 (2019)
2. Resident Evil VII: Biohazard
3. Resident Evil 3 (2020)
4. Resident Evil 5
5. Resident Evil 0
6. Resident Evil (2002)

Youtube Video

Maquette is coming out tomorrow, Playstation/PC exlcusive for now, looks great.

Really looking forward to this, doesn't look like they're trying to do too much and understand why it was beloved in the first place.

@yoshi Its interesting, there are a lot of people who are indifferent to watching/playing golf that enjoy the series. Golf can be incredibly frustrating, annoying, and tiring in real life for casual players but it generally loses those issues in a video game. Its hard to totally encapsulate why the positives of the sport translate so well, but I think most just sort of end up looking at it as less of a sports game and more of a challenge. That's why people always associate the RPG mode from the Game Boy games when citing their want for a new entry. As for me, compared to most other Mario spin offs with multiplayer potential, this is the one game that stands the best on its own when it comes to solo play. I can play round after round on a course just trying to improve my score. The Speed Golf looks annoying as hell to me and can burn for all I care, but if that's a mode they felt like they needed to make this then so be it. Just hope we get a substantial amount of courses (this worries me greatly), the RPG mode learns from what made Aces kind of boring, Ring Shot returns, and the physics improve.

Could Not Care Less About: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, Famicom Detective Club, Samurai Warriors 5, Legend of Mana, Monster Hunter Rise, Tales from the Borderlands, No More Heroes 3, Neon White, DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power, Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville, Miitopia, Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update, World's End Club, Hades Physical Release, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Expansion Pass, Bravely Default II, SaGa Frontier Remastered, Apex Legends

(20/30) - I literally didn't care at all about 2/3rds of the announcements, could've been worse.

Not Quite Nothing, Not Yet: Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse, Star Wars Hunters, Knockout City

(3/30) - Stubbs the Zombie will almost certainly be a pass for me on Switch, but I am intrigued about it possibly coming to XGP and this is the first official announcement of its existence. I'm pretty down on Star Wars at the moment, and I doubt this will pull me in, but until we see more I won't totally brush it aside. I actually get the trailer for Knockout City, its different than other games and something I've always thought would be fun; it gives off a Rocket Arena vibe, especially since its published by EA, so I worry of its eventual fate. I may dip into it once it joins EA Play.

That's a Great Port!: Outer Wilds

(1/30) - This is awesome, worth playing, and should hopefully get a lot of new customers; I already own it though on Xbox and don't see a need to double dip to have it on Switch.

Keeping An Eye On: Capcom Arcade Stadium, Project Triangle Strategy, Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection, Splatoon 3

(4/30) - I'm glad more collections like Capcom Arcade Stadium are being released and the presentation looks solid, though I will probably wait for this on Xbox as well. I enjoyed the demo for Octopath Traveler but I don't know if I have it in me to finish such a lengthy game, I'll try out the demo for Project Triangle Strategy as well to see if it may be worth the investment. Ghosts 'n Goblins isn't a franchise I'm attached to, and despite initially dismissing the way this new entry looked, the style has grown on me and I may get it down the road. Haven't played Splatoon or Splatoon 2, but I am intrigued by the franchise, interested to find out more about Splatoon 3.

Lock: Mario Golf: Super Rush, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

(2/30) - Mario Golf is one of my favorite franchises, so I will buy this, but I must admit this game looks pretty disappointing. After finally playing through Mario Tennis Aces this past year, I have incredibly low expectations. Its games like this that really make me disappointed in Nintendo, there's no reason for this to seem so small in scope with a full price tag. I know the reputation for Skyward Sword, but I enjoyed watching Kyle stream the first few hours and think I might enjoy it even if its the exact opposite of The Breath of the Wild.

@paulmci27 That's unfortunate about the views, I hadn't even noticed that aspect; I'm right there with you though, I used to really enjoy listening to every game they talked about on each episode but now I only check the timestamps to see if there's something of interest.

Hard to say why this has happened, I don't know if I just started getting bored of the games they were bringing to discuss, or the format or what. The pandemic may be partly responsible too, though I'm watching more things on YouTube than I ever have before while I work from home so its certainly not the sole cause. It also lines up with Bosman leaving, but he wasn't always on Frame Trap, and his absence is clearly felt on the EZA Podcast. I'm wondering if they should just abandon the dual podcasts and combine the two.

Its tough as I've supported since the beginning but I've really been pretty checked out of a lot of stuff they've done of late - which again is crazy because I have so much time to watch. Maybe we're all just being worn down, IDK, but I hope it bounces back.

For those interested, hopefully it is able to carry the legacy of being superior to Madden.