Tag: Mario Kart

  • Hidden Steam Deck Bluetooth Trick Most Users Miss

    Hidden Steam Deck Bluetooth Trick Most Users Miss

    Key Takeaway

    – The Steam Deck can receive Bluetooth audio from a smartphone, allowing users to route calls, YouTube, or Spotify from their phone to the handheld.
    – Many Steam Deck owners were unaware of this Bluetooth audio source feature.
    – Using a phone as a Bluetooth audio source may be less demanding on the Steam Deck’s battery and performance than running apps directly on the device.

    Amid discussions about the current Steam Deck OLED price increases, Reddit also has something to laugh about – and even something to learn. A meme in the Steam Deck subreddit sums up how many gamers use their handheld: the device is tired, the battery is groaning – and yet it is still expected to handle Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at double emulation speed, full brightness and Spotify running in the background.

    The Joke Turned Into A Serious Discussion

    The joke turned into a discussion about how much people actually demand from the handheld in everyday use – and also brought attention to a hidden feature that some users apparently did not know about. It started with a comment by u/PushDeep9980, who wondered why anyone would run Spotify on the Steam Deck when they could instead stream audio from their smartphone to the handheld via Bluetooth. The Redditor explains it as follows:

    How To Connect Your Phone

    “On your phone, you can search for your steam deck as a Bluetooth device. Once it is connected, then all audio from your phone will be routed to your deck. So you can even listen to whatever the f*ck YouTube, Spotify, phone calls.”

    Practical Uses For The Feature

    A smartphone can therefore be used as a Bluetooth audio source for the Steam Deck. The idea is that a simple Bluetooth connection to the phone may be less demanding for the handheld in terms of battery life and performance than running the app directly on the Steam Deck. Whether that is actually true is debatable. Either way, the feature is practical – for incoming calls, for example, or for watching a YouTube video on the side while playing the audio through the same headphones.

    User Reactions

    Many Steam Deck owners were apparently unaware of the trick. On Reddit, users wrote things like “TIL!” or “Well… I learned something new today. Thank you.” Even the creator of the thread seemingly did not know about it. In the end, the meme thread about the Steam Deck’s digital burnout offered some real added value.

    Sources
    Tags: , , , ,
  • Mario Kart Port for PS4 and PS5: Excitement on Hold

    Mario Kart Port for PS4 and PS5: Excitement on Hold

    Key Takeaways

    1. A developer named HoTsHoTz79 showcased an unofficial Mario Kart game for PS4 and PS5, based on Ishaan Patel’s open-source project created in Unity.
    2. The game currently has bugs and missing features, such as item usage and proper drifting mechanics.
    3. Ishaan Patel’s original project is a fan creation that resembles Mario Kart 8 but uses his own animations and programming while retaining Nintendo’s assets.
    4. There is no downloadable version of the game available, and its future completion is uncertain due to other commitments.
    5. Nintendo is unlikely to allow this fan project to continue, given their history of shutting down similar unofficial games.

    Amidst the recent buzz surrounding Nintendo, a developer known as “HoTsHoTz79” on X/Twitter has revealed a video showcasing an unofficial version of Mario Kart operating on PS4 and PS5 consoles, which are priced at $499.99 on Amazon. This particular port is not an official title from Nintendo; instead, it is a recreation of an open-source Mario Kart game created by Ishaan Patel using Unity (C#) almost four years ago.

    Visuals and Performance

    The shared footage depicts the game on Sony’s systems, but it comes with several visible bugs and performance hiccups. HoTsHoTz79 mentioned that the current version is incomplete, lacking essential gameplay features like item usage and effective drifting mechanics. Additionally, there are graphical flaws stemming from unsupported shaders and misaligned meshes.

    Origins of the Project

    Ishaan Patel’s original Mario Kart in Unity was a fan initiative aimed at capturing the essence of Nintendo’s beloved racing game. While it bears a strong resemblance to Mario Kart 8 in terms of visuals and gameplay, Patel is clear on his website that most of the assets, including character and level designs, are owned by Nintendo. However, all the animations and programming are his own creative work.

    Future of the Project

    HoTsHoTz79 also pointed out that there is no downloadable version available right now, and it remains uncertain if the project will reach completion due to other commitments. Nevertheless, this proof-of-concept, despite its bugs and uncertain future, showcases the potential for fan-driven Unity projects on PlayStation systems.

    While this news is thrilling for fans of the franchise, it is highly improbable that Nintendo would permit such a project to proceed, given their track record of shutting down fan-made games that incorporate official Nintendo elements.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , ,
  • Best Buy Canada Launches Switch 2 Pre-Orders on April 2nd

    Best Buy Canada Launches Switch 2 Pre-Orders on April 2nd

    Key Takeaways

    1. Best Buy Canada will start pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 on April 2nd, following the Nintendo Direct event.
    2. Tech journalist Matt Swider predicts pre-orders will begin at 10 AM EST, with a likely price of $399.
    3. Best Buy has not confirmed the Switch 2’s price or release date, but it mentions features like backward compatibility and magnetic joy-cons.
    4. The only confirmed launch title for the Switch 2 is a new Mario Kart, with no listings for other games yet.
    5. A Nintendo Switch 2 Experience event will take place in Toronto from April 25th to April 27th, offering hands-on demos.

    Best Buy Canada has announced the pre-order date for the highly awaited Nintendo Switch 2 console. In a recent blog entry, the company stated that customers can start reserving the console on April 2nd. This date aligns with earlier leaks suggesting that pre-orders would kick off right after the Nintendo Direct event for Switch 2.

    Anticipated Pre-Order Timing

    Tech journalist Matt Swider, known for his accurate tracking of console availability, predicted that pre-orders for the Switch 2 would begin one hour following Nintendo’s April 2nd presentation. This timing is similar to the pattern established during the 2017 Nintendo Direct for the first Switch. Although Best Buy Canada hasn’t confirmed the exact time, Swider estimates it to be at 10 AM EST for gamers across various regions. He also anticipates a price tag of $399, which is consistent with information from other sources.

    Limited Information from Best Buy

    Sadly, the latest update from Best Buy does not reveal the Switch 2’s price, release date, or any surprising specifications. However, it does confirm some features that seem pretty evident from Nintendo’s announcement video in January. The retailer promotes the hybrid Switch 2 as being backward compatible, but it does caution that certain titles may not work. Other features include magnetic joy-cons, a U-shaped kickstand, and a USB-C port for charging devices.

    Launch Titles and Upcoming Events

    Best Buy Canada has only mentioned a new Mario Kart as a possible launch title for the Switch 2. This game was showcased during the January reveal, featuring upgraded character models and 24 starting locations for racers. Up until now, there are no listings for Mario Kart 9 or any games specifically made for Switch 2.

    For those eager to pre-order the Switch 2, they can find a link on the Best Buy blog. Additionally, with similar events planned in cities like New York, Toronto will host a Nintendo Switch 2 Experience from April 25th to April 27th. Best Buy Canada is looking forward to offering a hands-on demo, which may help clarify any lingering questions about the Switch 2’s specifications.

    Source:
    Link

    Best Buy Canada Launches Switch 2 Pre-Orders on April 2nd
    Tags: ,
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Beats PS5 Reveal with 17M YouTube Views

    Nintendo Switch 2 Beats PS5 Reveal with 17M YouTube Views

    After being talked about for several years, the Nintendo Switch 2 was officially announced on January 16. The initial video released by the company showcased the new handheld gaming device, and it seems to be receiving a lot of attention. To be precise, this reveal video accumulated over 17 million views within just 48 hours.

    Comparing View Counts

    Naturally, the first-generation Nintendo Switch trailer had a stronger showing, racking up 19.5 million views on YouTube in the same two-day period. It’s quite fascinating that the new gaming handheld’s reveal video surpassed the first official PlayStation 5 video, which managed to gather about 13.3 million views in 48 hours.

    Growing Popularity on Social Media

    Another interesting point is that the Nintendo Switch 2’s reveal trailer on X is gaining even more traction. The video has achieved over 40 million views on Nintendo of America’s account, while the Japanese version has surpassed 52 million views.

    This clearly shows that there is significant excitement surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2. While the reveal trailer suggests that the handheld is set to meet expectations, the price will play a crucial role in its success. For reference, the original model debuted at a price of $299.99, which many consider a reasonable option compared to other popular handhelds, such as the ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme currently priced at $499.99 at Best Buy).

    Expected Pricing and Game Bundles

    A recent report indicates that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be priced at $499 and will include a Mario Kart game as part of the bundle. Without the game included, the handheld is expected to retail for around $449.99. More information will be shared by the company during the upcoming Nintendo Direct event.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , ,