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Cucco Attack Podcast - Episode I: Two Years of Switch

Welcome a new addition and means of enjoying gaming discussions to the Hughes3D blog - Cucco Attack: A Gaming Podcast!  Co-hosted by friend and coworker, Chad Hembrock, we'll look to discuss past and upcoming games, gaming hardware and news, debate the greats, stream co-op / multiplayer fun and more.  As very much a new playing field for us both, we apologize in advance for the audio and video quality of this first episode.  We've learned a lot since recording, but didn't want this episode to go to waste, so hope you're able to enjoy such still all the same and look forward to improved quality as we move forward.

In this first episode of Cucco Attack, Switch has turned two years old and we discuss some of our highlights in the best games to release for Switch, both first party and indies, during these first two years.

Celebrating Two Years of Switch - Top 5 Games

The Nintendo Switch has become a gaming hardware sensation as it now celebrates two years since entering the market this past Sunday.  Thanks in part to its versatility in games and gamers of all play styles, it seems just about every game is a perfect fit and desired wish-list to be put onto this system.  So whether you've been along for the ride since its launch or are now debating to jump aboard this dreamy hybrid console, let's take a look back at the best of the best this system has offered up.  As is often the selling point of most any console, we'll start by taking a look at the exclusive (or mostly exclusive) titles available only on Switch.  These are my Top 5 recommended Switch Exclusives:


(Updated 12/27/19 - Removed Golf Story in exchange for Luigi's Mansion 3)

(Updated 4/23/19 - Removed PlayDead's Limbo / Inside in exchange for Cuphead)

-1- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Although technically also a bit of a swan song to the Nintendo Wii-U, Breath of the Wild has become synonymous with the launch of the Switch and perhaps one of the greatest launch games to any system ever.  It has redefined and set a new standard for open-world adventure games, allowing unprecedented levels of freedom and creative play that make way for players of many skill levels and play styles to enjoy play each in their own unique way.  Clocking over 100 hours myself in just my first play-through of this game, this is an epic adventure to behold, and the Switch is the perfect means to tackle shrines and explore new horizons whenever and however long the call for adventure beckons.  Simply put, this is a must-have for any Zelda fan, adventure lover, or pretty much any Switch owner.  For a more detailed review of this grand epic, click here.

Refusal to Change

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Kingdom Hearts III Review

Genre: Action RPG
Players: 1
Playtime: 30 hours (Includes beating the game and a fair share of side exploration and mini-games; Played on standard difficulty on PS4)


Fourteen years have passed since the last numbered installment of Kingdom Hearts II in 2005, though the series certainly hasn't stood still during that time, releasing a slew of side entries to fill the gap.  With that however has also come ever rising expectations and increasingly growing loads of convoluted narratives to resolve.  Games with long development periods and frequent delays are often due to unrelenting levels of polish poured into the game or else on the other spectrum, a disjointed vision for the overall game design.  And never has this been more true than for the beautiful mess that is Kingdom Hearts III.  Are the breathtaking aesthetics enough to compensate for the game's narrative and gameplay shortcomings?  Summon your keyblades and get ready to mash "X" as we strike through the hordes of pros and cons in this review.

A Misconstrued Surprise

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Throwback Thursday Update

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, which for the past 2 years has been your weekly destination for nostalgic looks into my Top 100 games.  Now that we've covered all 100 games on this list, you may be wondering what next lays in store for this particular blog segment.  For starters, our Top 100 list was previously determined for all games released prior to 2017, so some time will be spent reevaluating the list to include games released / played in the past two years.  Also, the act of closely analyzing and writing about each of these games across these many posts has given new perspectives on each game, to which the rankings of some games may be adjusted during this time.  So look forward to an update on such in the near future.

And although not every game necessarily can stand among what is my Top 100 games, there are still plenty of more great, nostalgic games deserving of time and recognition.  So look forward to more throwbacks still, though please understand they won't appear on as frequent a weekly basis.  Adjusting the frequency of these Throwback segments will allow more time to catch up in completing other posts, such as many pending reviews for Kingdom Hearts III, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Astro Bots: Rescue Mission to name a few.  Also look forward to more game recommendations based off genres, consoles, and more, so still be sure to check in and stay tuned for more gaming discussions on a regular basis.

If you have any suggestions for topics you'd like to see in Throwback gaming or other general gaming, be sure to let me know in the comments.  Be sure to check the Throwback Thursday tab and catch up on any previously discussed games you may have missed.  And look forward to a hopefully greater wealth of gaming content to be found still, just with more unexpected timing and joyous surprise.  Thanks.  And happy gaming!