A note before we begin: for the purposes of this list, we’re looking exclusively at strictly linear games. If a game is open world, semi-open world, wide linear, Metroidvania, places emphasis on exploration designed around backtracking, or anything of the sort, you won’t see it on this list. We know that’s a pretty strict way of defining linear design in games, but the very purpose of this feature is to celebrate that, after all, so do keep something in mind as we move ahead.

#15. WOLFENSTEIN 2: THE NEW COLOSSUS

MachineGames did an excellent job of redefining the Wolfenstein franchise with 2014’s The New Order, and then took the series’ new formula to even greater heights with its sequel. The biggest strengths of Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus obviously lie in its story and storytelling, and getting to witness its gleefully over-the-top cutscenes and wonderfully bizarre personalities in a story that remains captivating until the last second is an unforgettable experience. It helps, of course, that the action itself can also be a lot of fun.

CELESTE

That Celeste, a small-budget indie game made by a tiny team, is unequivocally one of the best platformers we’ve played in years absolutely cannot be taken for granted. That, of course, is down to the fact that it works within its limitations to deliver something so unique and well-made. Particularly on the platforming front, it’s a game that can be gruelingly difficult. Even if you’re sticking to the critical path, grappling with Celeste’s demanding platforming trials can be quite the task, though it’s the optional content that really provides the truly difficult challenges. Thankfully, thanks to the game’s pixel perfect platforming and incredible level design, that rarely ever feels overbearing.

Super Mario Party

The infamous ruiner of friendships debuts for the Nintendo Switch. Super Mario Party takes the more traditional approach to the series’ formula, introducing new mini-games, some with motion controls, and a new mode called Partner Party where teams of two can work together. There’s even a mode called Toad’s Rec Room where multiple Switches can be combined for gameplay across multiple screens. Super Mario Party captures the amazing feeling of losing to never-ending nonsense, which may or may not be your definition of a good time.

Owlboy

D-Pad Studio’s Owlboy first released in 2016 following years and years of development. Its charming art-style and believable characterization meshed well with the quasi-Metroidvania platforming it had to offer. Playing as Otis and flying through the skies to battle pirates and learn the truth about the world may not have been revolutionary but it’s utterly amazing adventure all the same.

BELOW

 Below was in development for five years, which is a long time to wait for any game. Late in 2018, we finally got to play the game, and what a ride it was. While there’s an argument to be made that it’s difficulty can actually be a bit unfair at times, especially combined with the undeniable repetitiveness, most of the times, the game manages to find the right balance. Struggling through gruelling encounters and navigating around the many deathtraps it throws at you is as satisfying as you would expect.

]]> https://gamingbolt.com/15-most-difficult-games-of-2018/feed 0 379561 https://gamingbolt.com/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-passes-10-million-units-sold-on-switch https://gamingbolt.com/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-passes-10-million-units-sold-on-switch#respond Tue, 30 Oct 2018 10:19:57 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=370062

Amid other companies sharing their financial results today, Nintendo revealed updated sales numbers for its top-selling Switch titles. These are sales as of September 30th, 2018, so the actual numbers till now may be higher. Regardless, Super Mario Odyssey leads the pack, with 12.17 million units sold. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is in second place with 11.71 million units sold.

However, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is arguably most worthy of note, having received massive critical acclaim for its open world mechanics and design. It was also the flagship title for the Switch when it first launched, prompting many a fan to put down money for the new console. As it turns out, this paid off handsomely for Nintendo in the long run, with the game now having sold 10.28 million units on the Switch.

Other titles include Splatoon 2 selling 7.47 million units, 1-2 Switch selling 2.64 million units, and Mario Tennis Aces hitting 2.16 million units sold. ARMS has managed to sell 2.10 million units, followed by Kirby Star Allies at 2.10 million as well. Interestingly, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has sold 1.67 million units, which bodes well for other Wii U titles that have been ported over to the Switch. Finally, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 sits at 1.53 million units sold.

Nintendo has just announced their financial results for the first fiscal quarter of the year, and the results are looking great so far. The company has seen significant increases in sales across multiple areas and they are expecting to continue having strong sales throughout the rest of the year.

Sales have increased by 9.1% year-on-year, while operating profit has increased by 88.4% during the same period. The company has seen strong sales with games such as Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze on the Switch, which has sold 1.40 million units so far, and Mario Tennis Aces, which has sold 1.38 million units. The Nintendo Labo is also off to a decent start, with a total of 1.39 million units sold so far.

Overall, software sales has seen significant growth, with a 120.8% increase year-on-year, whereas hardware sales have decreased by 4.4%. As for the Nintendo 3DS, hardware and software sales have (unsurprisingly) decreased year-on-year. Digital sales and add-on content have also sold well overall with  a 68% increase year-on-year. The company also reports that smart devices and IP related income has reached 9 billion yen as of now.

Nintendo also stands by its prediction to sell a total of 20 million units of the Nintendo Switch in this fiscal year. Although shipments of the Switch have slowed down during this quarter, its sales have been going up after E3. There are also a lot of upcoming titles planned for the year including some Pokémon titles, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and games from other publishers. Overall, it looks like it’s going to be a pretty good year for Nintendo.

NPD’s charts for the month of April are now out, and surprising absolutely no one, the PS4 topped chats again, generating the highest April unit sales for a Console since Nintendo Wii in April 2009, and the highest April dollar sales for a Console since Nintendo Wii in April 2008- and obviously, this was all on the back of God of War, which achieved the highest ever launch month dollar sales for a title launched exclusively on a PlayStation platform. That’s right, no PlayStation exclusive in history has generated more money in its launch month than God of War did.

Elsewhere, the Labo debuted in fourth place on the charts, while Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze managed to reach fifth place with just two days of tracking, a remarkable feat. Far Cry 5 continued to hold well, and MLB The Show 18 debuted in third place- Sony just had a great month all around.

You can check out the full charts for yourself below.

RANKINGS

1. God of War 2018
2. Far Cry 5
3. MLB 18: The Show
4. Labo Variety Kit
5. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze*
6. Mario Kart 8*
7. Grand Theft Auto V
8. Call of Duty: WWII
9. Super Mario Odyssey*
10. NBA 2K18
11. Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds^
12. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
13. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
14. Monster Hunter: World
15. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
16. A Way Out^
17. Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life*
18. Sea Of Thieves
19. Kirby Star Allies*
20. FIFA 18^

* Digital sales not included
^ PC digital sales not included

Xbox One

1. Far Cry 5
2. Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds
3. Sea Of Thieves
4. Call of Duty: WWII
5. Grand Theft Auto V
6. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
7. NBA 2K18
8. A Way Out
9. Monster Hunter: World
10. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege

PS4 

1. God of War 2018
2. Far Cry 5
3. MLB 18: The Show
4. Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life*
5. Grand Theft Auto V
6. Call of Duty: WWII
7. Monster Hunter: World
8. NBA 2K18
9. A Way Out
10. FIFA 18

Nintendo Switch*

1. Labo Toy-Con 01 Variety Kit
2. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
3. Mario Kart 8
4. Super Mario Odyssey
5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
6. Kirby Star Allies
7. Labo Toy-Con 02 Robot Kit
8. Splatoon 2
9. Mario & Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
10. Pokken Tournament DX

Year to Date

1. Far Cry 5
2. Monster Hunter: World
3. God of War 2018
4. Call of Duty: WWII
5. Dragon Ball: Fighterz
6. Grand Theft Auto V
7. NBA 2K18
8. MLB 18: The Show
9. Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds^
10. Mario Kart 8*

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is the first game of the series to make it onto the Nintendo Switch. The game had initially released for the Wii U to critical acclaim. Being the sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns, there was already enough reason to get hyped for it. Now, in 2018, the game has made its way onto the Switch as an enhanced port and includes some completely new features that weren’t present in the original version of the game.

Apart from the Original mode which lets you play the game as Donkey Kong, there is also a new mode called Funky mode in which you play as Funky. Funky will extra hearts and some unique abilities that will ensure a more accessible experience for players. The game also looks better on the Switch, so this is going to be the definitive way to experience this game. You can check out the video walkthrough below which will guide you through the entire game.

​

It’s Wednesday, which means we have another round of sales figures for video game software and hardware from Japan. And… yep, it’s the week right after the Golden Week holidays in Japan, which means the numbers are miserable all around, with everything seeing massive drops from last week.

On the software front, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze held surprisingly well, and is still at first place on the charts, joining other perennial Nintendo evergreens such as Splatoon 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Kirby Star Allies, Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and, bafflingly enough, ARMS.

On the hardware front, the Nintendo Switch topped charts again, with 31,720 units sold. The PS4 came in at sub-20,000 units again, which is slightly worrying. Nothing else did well enough to have any remarks or comments on.

The coming weeks are going to see some major releases- Dark Souls Remastered, Mario Tennis, Octopath Traveler– so maybe things improve then. I hope they do, because these charts as they are are a bit depressing right now.

[via ResetEra]