Begun, the subscription wars have
Plus gaming headsets, how to get the best deals on Lego, and Morrowind turns 20.
Hello there! This week on Press Any Button we have some suggestions for what to get downloadin’, but we’re also breaking down some subscription service non-controversies, checking out a new local Lego store and looking back at some games that may be older than you’d like to think they are.
And speaking of old games, I (Tim) treated the kids to an at-home cinema experience over the weekend where we watched Sonic 2, and let me tell you that film makes some bizarre choices for a movie about a sarcastic hedgehog and his friends. But the little ones ate it up, immediately adopting Knuckles as their new idol and conveniently glazing over at the eyes during the half-hour digression about humans getting married in Hawaii.
Sonic has always had an innate appeal that elevated it over the glut of other 90s weird animal mascots, but I’m endlessly surprised at its longevity. Some older millennials who won’t accept any version of the character that isn’t strictly 2D may not want to hear it, but every generation seems to get and adore a new version of the blue blur, and they’re all equally valid.
Sub on, sub off
By Tim
There’s been a lot of talk over the past week about subscription services, not only because Sony’s new offering launched in Asia with fewer titles than expected, but because the delay of two Xbox exclusives prompted musings about whether or not Game Pass remains a decent value.
But just like with video-on-demand services, the value of game subscriptions isn’t easy to calculate. Someone who owns zero video games for example may see an instant library as a veritable treasure trove, while dedicated players may just see old games they’ve already played. Those who primarily play a single game or a few big titles a year, will likewise see things very differently to indie fans or those who like to jump around a lot.
Some outlets and personalities have argued it’s time to unsubscribe from Game Pass, now that Redfall and Starfield won’t launch until 2023, which has prompted online arguments and controversy. But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with dipping in and out of subscriptions. You wouldn’t pay for Disney+ every month if you only used it three times a year to see new Marvel movies. And likewise, if you’ve been paying for Game Pass every month but don’t intend to actually use it until the big games hit at the end of the year, you’ve been wasting money.
The new PlayStation Plus is shaping up to be a bit different, in that brand new Sony-made games are totally off the table, but the same principle applies. You’re not obliged to either commit yourself entirely to the service or shun it as worthless; you can dip in and out as you like. That said, Sony’s offering does incentivise yearly subscriptions with a discount, so you’ll have to decide whether you think there’s a year’s worth of gaming there in advance.
Just like with video subscription services, I fully expect a lot of people to alternate between Game Pass and PlayStation Plus to maximise their options without paying for both at the same time. And I think that competition will be a positive thing for players overall.
What to play
Speaking of Game Pass, new on the service is the wonderfully dorky Floppy Knights, a tactics card game hybrid with a lot of depth, humour and good vibes. This week will also see Sniper Elite 5 and Pac-Man Museum+ launch into Game Pass. That's 14 Pac-Man games in a single package, if you can believe such a thing is possible, but unfortunately a legal dispute means Ms Pac-Man is nowhere to be found.
Those with the Switch Online + Expansion Pack can now play N64 gem Kirby: The Crystal Shards. Some saddos will tell you this is a bad game, but it’s not; it’s just slower and uglier than most Kirbys. The hook in this one is that you can combine standard copy abilities (fire, bomb, cutter etc) to create some really weird powers. Two needles for example makes a bunch of pointy things like a cactus, a pencil and a syringe jut out of Kirby, while a combo of ice and spark makes him into a living fridge.
Roller Champions is going live later today! I (Alice) have been playing demos and previews of this roller derby game since 2019, when the developers suddenly went radio silent. It’s now being launched as a free to play game, which inspires some raised eyebrows. But, it’s definitely worth a shot. I’ll be back next week with more detailed thoughts.
Coming to Apple Arcade this week is Pro Darts. It appears to be a game where you throw darts. Groundbreaking. That said, when I (Alice) was 12, my dad and I got really into a darts video game on my PC, so I’m kinda looking forward to seeing if this inspires any nostalgia.
Do you need a gaming headset if you already have good headphones?
By Alice
This week SteelSeries launched its fanciest gaming headset ever, with no feature spared and a price tag that rivals a discless PlayStation 5. This has coincided with me working on the most comprehensive gaming headset buyer’s guide I’ve ever done, and I’m currently comparing more than 25 headsets ranging in price from $80–$800. While both my review of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the buyer’s guide are still a little while off (keep an eye on my Twitter for them), this has got me thinking about the difference between gaming headsets and regular headphones.
It's no secret that I love headphones. I think they’re one of the most important gadgets a person can have, and they’ve been important to me since I was 12 and reading up on which type of copper would be best to look for in the headphones I’d use while mowing. You can technically use any wired pair of headphones with any console, and you probably already have a good pair that would take a wire. So, is there any point in getting something gaming specific?
The answer for me is yes. Gaming headsets tend to have a bigger focus on bass because that’s the most important frequency for game audio. They also have better directional mics for chat and easier muting. Discrete-looking gaming headsets can do double duty as work conference call headsets, if you need extra justification.
That said, though, if you already have $500 ANC headphones that take a 3.5mm jack, buying a $100 gaming headset will be a step down from what you’re used to and end up being a waste.
In the end, it all comes down to how often you play games, how long for, and whether you’re on chat while you play. I’ve always strongly believed in having the right headphones for the situation, because I have yet to come across a pair you could comfortably use gaming, travelling, in the gym and on the bike.
Bricks, Boards and Beginnings
by Alice
There’s a new Lego store in Melbourne, friends. This is terrible news for my wallet, but great for folks wanting to get some of the rarer sets without having to wait for shipping. But allow me to let you into some secrets about buying Lego for the best prices or getting the best freebies. Because, while it’s great that you can just walk into a store to buy this stuff, you’ll probably be paying too much unless it’s exclusive.
The first rule of Lego is that it’s almost always cheaper at Kmart if you’re looking for smaller sets. They don’t need to have a sale, it’s just usually around 10-20% off as their regular price. However, they generally only stock the kids’ sets.
For the bigger ones, you might be in luck with Big W. They have a big toy sale in the middle of each year where they have ridiculous discounts, so if they have the big set you want, that’s the time to do it.
If you, like me, collect the modular buildings and Architecture sets, then Myer and David Jones are (surprisingly) your friends. Most weekends you can get Lego 20% off at at least one of them, or if you’re patient David Jones sometimes has 25% off, which is the best discount you can get.
If you’re after something like the Mario Question Block (as I am, at the moment), you can get those sets from Toy World and sometimes they’ll have 10-20% off, though there are also some sites that permanently offer 15% off. Use them at your peril.
If you want something that’s exclusive to Lego stores, wait for double VIP points, because they can be turned into vouchers that work out to 10% off and you can usually get a good freebie.
That’s not to say you should totally avoid official brick and mortar Lego Certified stores completely. They sometimes have good bundle offers and gifts with purchase, not to mention the pick-a-brick wall is the best value for loose bricks if you pack the cup correctly.
So, shop well friends. May the discounts be ever in your favour.
Retro Esoterica
by Tim
With May nearly over, it’s time to look back on three of the games that had a significant anniversary in the last month.
Now 20: The Elder Scrolls III Morrowind. From the music, to the characters, to the quests, to the huge mushroom trees and constantly howling silt striders, Morrowind remains a masterclass in atmosphere and open world design. Yes, the combat and magic casting are super clunky by today’s standards, and it gave you a freedom to screw yourself over that no modern game would dare match. But in some ways it remains unsurpassed as a roleplaying game. I’ll never forget finding and using a massive jump spell that is definitely supposed to kill you by falling, but instead I landed in the sea on the other side of the world and had no way to get back, completely derailing my early game quests.
Now 30: Wolfenstein 3D. Infamous for its constant swastikas and final boss fight against Adolph Hitler in a mech suit, Wolf 3D isn’t something I have a lot of interest in going back to these days. But it was a revelation at the time, and set the stage for Doom to cement the first-person-shooter as a thing the following year. The secret-filled 3D corridors, enemy voice samples and frequent dog-killing are what stick in my mind the most. That and the fact that I assumed all the Nazis in white were milkmen.
Now 40: Choplifter! Originally a game for the Apple II, Choplifter! was widely ported and I have fond memories of it from the Commodore 64. You have to fly a helicopter around blowing up buildings and rescuing the hostages inside, while also battling tanks. The animation was extremely detailed compared to our other C64 games, with the little hostages waving you off if you had to leave them behind, and the US flag at your base fluttering in the wind. I remember you could set your ‘copter to face one way and fly in another, which made our big ol’ joystick feel like actual flight controls.