For some, it’s a happy new year to celebrate…

…for others, well…’Happy’ is a very strong word

Which, I’m not too far off from, to be honest, but it’s really just been more of a slow start to the year than an abjectly disgusting one, thankfully. To that point, I’m not quite sure where the time has gone the past few days, but my schedule has been nothing short of a flimflam, as I’ve barely had time to play Mario Kart World (MKW), of which play sessions are generally a bite sized affair. Luckily, I had already poured so many hours into the game since Xmas, that I had a lot of ammunition at the ready with which to fire off an analysis with, which by my self-reflective estimates, turned out quite well, all things considered. However, that puts us at a moment of self-reflective pause, as it being the end of my work week, I don’t feel as if this is the best time to start a new game, even though I’ve largely signed off on any further address of MKW. This leads me to believe today’s article may be a bit more meandering, as I ponder aloud that which may vex my subconscious, but in the silently stalking, unapparent ways that need some curious coaxing in order to get a grip on the idea in moving forward.

I’m not yet sure if Donkey Kong: Bananza will be the next title I write about, only due to the notion that while it looks very fun, and I most certainly want to follow up on my other big Switch 2 game, something tells me it may not necessarily be the most cognitively inspiring game, so I may end up just writing a one off article on it before moving on from my “greener grasses” to yet another new project. While I’ve enjoyed the schedule that I have predicated my gaming upon since last September when Silksong came out, where in I take one big game and basically make that my focus for the majority of the month, perhaps it is time to change it up again, and write more one offs about a variety of games, instead of just the singular chosen title of choice. I also got away from news articles, cause they started to feel too formulaic when all was said and done, though I don’t know if they’re completely valueless….so much to consider.

I’m also wondering if it is worth it to try and frame my Words of Wisdom articles more in line with my gaming articles (where applicable), as they tended to have more inspirational relevancy in reference to the games I was playing when I started it mid last year, though the wisdom they touched upon usually related to the “irl” space in being able to apply said wisdom in more than one way, so that’s something to consider.

I remember throwing shade at the horrendous optimization issues of Pokémon (PKMN) Scarlet and Violet several times last year, and for good reason. For mainline PKMN games, they really are sad creatures to gaze upon, all things considered. However, while I did contest that I don’t think the Switch 2 upgrades were worthwhile selling points for people hesitant to take the dive on the Switch 2, now that I have one, perhaps it’s time to utilize said upgrades for Violet, and attempt to go through the game once again. The irony of all of my shade throwing at the PKMN franchise is that I am quite an enthusiast about the property, so to be in such a wayward disposition for so long does not sit well with me. Though I have been filling the void with Pokémon Go (PG), for a lot of obvious functional reasons in terms of accessibility related issues. Though…it leaves a lot to be desired, truth be told.

This has some relation I feel on what seems to be a blindspot on my perspectives involving Mario Kart: Tour (MKT), or more accurately, my lack of perspective on MKT...on a technical level, as I have played the hell out of MKT over the past two years, so on a first hand experiencial basis, I would be more equipped than most in doing a rundown on what the game offers and fails to do well. More so to my point about lacking perspective, is related to the idea that MKT is a mobile offering, and therefore, seemingly exists in this void of reference, a black hole touchstone of which the gaming press just never visits, as I feel that I have read next to nothing about MKT in the many years since its been released. Someone pointed out on one of my videos recently that it is considered a mainline Mario Kart game, which, if true, is nothing less than fascinating to me, as I don’t remember even Nintendo going on about it quite at all to my recollection.

Im not discounting the fact that in the right places, there is information related to both PG and MKT available on the internet, no doubt. More my point is that one has to consider that I do a lot of perusing within the realm of gaming in the online space, so algorithmically speaking, I would be a prime target to be receiving any number of pings from possible information sources, related to either title, or at least, stumbling onto random news articles occasionally, yet neither is the case.

I’m aware the issue pretty much boils down to the fact that they are both mobile games, and both the gaming press and the gaming public has branded mobile games with a black mark of shame, due to the unfortunately low standards associated with the mass proliferation of slop the mobile market is known for. Which, okay, understandable (on some level), but just like almost no coverage ever? For arguably two of the most popular franchises in gaming? That seems unfathomable to me, yet here we are. It not only leaves me scratching my head as to how both of these games seem to still fall so regularly under the radar that I never seen to encounter almost any random online discourse about them whatsoever, but also to the notion that if these two worthwhile mobile games are getting the visibility shaft, what other titles of merit are possible suffering the same fate? And, considering the ironic details of the lack of reporting, how would we even know if it was happening to start with? Troubling developments to say the least.

All things to consider, moving forward, as 2026 starts out with kind of a slow shuffle and a sad whimper. Not every day can be a grand adventure, and it’s important for one to stop and appreciate the more relaxed moments when one can. An excellent idea to keep in mind heading into my weekend. I look forward to seeing you here tomorrow, so we may delight in Words of Wisdom together, so until then, happy trails.

-Pashford