In a letter marking Sonic the Hedgehog's 35th anniversary, reader Kenzie recounts playground arguments over whether Sonic or Mario was cooler. While Sonic won at his school due to Mega Drive popularity, Kenzie now admits Nintendo's games are better but finds the coolness question complex. He argues Sonic's supporting characters are lame, whereas Mario's cast—Bowser, Peach, Luigi, Yoshi, Toad—have been enhanced by recent movies. Ultimately, Kenzie switches allegiance to Mario.
Alternative Reality and Current Affairs in Games
Reader Rooster wishes more video games reacted to current affairs, noting that even online games rarely do more than seasonal outfits. He feels the real world is absent from gaming, unlike movies and TV.
Steam Machine Price and PlayStation 6 Concerns
Futterman declares he will never buy a Steam Machine due to its high price and mediocre power compared to gaming PCs. He worries about the PlayStation 6's cost and slow adoption, citing economic pressures.
N64 Turns 30: Remakes and Relevance
Zeiss reflects on the N64's 30th anniversary, hoping for a mini-console and welcoming remakes of Star Fox 64 and Zelda: Ocarina of Time. He doubts a Super Mario 64 remake would hold up, and notes only a small percentage of games remain playable across generations.
Half-Life 3 and Valve's Strategy
Clanker observes that despite the Steam Machine reveal, there is no sign of Half-Life 3. He speculates Valve may have changed plans, but hopes for a PC release even if consoles are skipped.
Xbox Exec Interviews Criticized
Pr0metheus criticizes Xbox executives for giving endless interviews while layoffs loom. He finds the new boss indistinguishable from Phil Spencer and feels less sympathetic toward Xbox, vowing not to buy its games even on PlayStation 5.
Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance Sales and Sega's Retro Revival
Mark Matthews notes Sega admitted Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance underperformed, attributing it to lack of hype and being too far removed from the original. He doubts other retro revivals like Virtua Fighter CrossRoads will succeed, as Sega waited too long.
Other Letters and News
Trepsils looks forward to the PlayStation 6 for new hardware incentives. Vallow announces a Rhythm Paradise Groove demo on the Switch eShop for both Switch 1 and 2. The inbox also includes standard disclaimers and submission guidelines.
