Upcoming Weekend Gaming Plans: What to Play

Last year, Microsoft finally put some effort into making Windows 11 less dreadful for handheld PCs, launching Xbox Full Screen Experience – a stripped-back, more gamepad-friendly interface specifically for launching and installing games – on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally family. The same update has been strangely unforthcoming to other Steam Deck rivals, but it sounds like the Lenovo Legion Go series is finally getting access soon. There’s a preview build that Legion Go, Legion Go S, and Legion Go 2 owners can try right now, too.

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# Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Strategies for a Successful Journey

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the newest primary installment in Nintendo’s Metroid series, signifies a remarkable comeback after nearly a decade of suspense. Now out on Switch and Switch 2, while it might not earn the title of the finest game in the franchise, it offers numerous exciting levels and tough foes to confront. Before plunging into this new quest, here are some vital strategies to elevate your experience and assist you in saving the day.

## Ensure You Break Plenty of Green Crystals!

While traversing the Sol Valley desert in Metroid Prime 4, you’ll come across a plethora of green crystals dispersed throughout. These can be broken with your bike and gathered. The game highlights the significance of this task, and it genuinely pays off to engage in it. Not only will you attain upgrades when you bring these crystals back to your base camp, but you’ll also spare yourself from excessive grinding later on to finish Prime 4. A considerable amount of these crystals is essential before you can initiate the final mission, and neglecting to gather enough early could result in annoying setbacks. Thus, prioritize breaking any green crystals you encounter!

## Alter the Morph Ball Jump Button Immediately

At the game’s beginning, Metroid Prime 4 offers two separate jump buttons: one for Samus in her normal human state and another for her Morph Ball shape. This design choice can be bewildering. However, you can effortlessly modify this in the menu to consolidate the jump function. It’s advisable to switch this to a single button as soon as possible—a change that can significantly simplify your control scheme.

## Hammer the A Button to (Maybe) Bypass Cutscenes

Metroid Prime 4 features some incredible cutscenes but also includes several repetitive ones during transitions. Although you can skip these scenes, you must wait for the game to finish loading first, and it doesn’t notify you when you can do so. On the Switch 2, load times are generally swift, so developing the habit of mashing the A button during these transitional scenes will enable you to skip them once loading is complete.

## Scan Everything and Then Scan More!

As a fundamental element of the Metroid Prime series, scanning is key. While experienced players may already be aware of this, it’s critical to scan every item and enemy you come across. These scans can often yield essential clues on unlocking doors or solving puzzles. Additionally, some enemy scans provide valuable insights to help you defeat them more effectively.

## When Confused, Experiment with Everything

Though Prime 4 typically steers clear of overly complicated puzzles, there will be instances where you find yourself unsure of your next action. In these moments, adhere to a simple guideline: try everything, starting with the latest ability you’ve acquired. Even if it seems irrational to use a bomb or missile on a certain object, giving it a try could lead you to the solution swiftly.

## Freeze Opponents

Among the various elemental blasts in Prime 4, the ice shot is particularly favored. It successfully freezes most enemies for several seconds, offering crucial intervals to regroup during ambushes. Furthermore, using the ice shot on airborne adversaries can bring them crashing down, which is especially useful in certain situations. Don’t forget to utilize the ice shot against fire-themed enemies for an immediate advantage.

## Mark Locations on Your Map

As you traverse various levels and the vast desert, you’ll encounter doors and items that need specific abilities to interact with. These occurrences are not a waste of time; Prime 4 allows you to mark these spots on your map using various icons. This feature is incredibly useful for retracing your steps later in the game when you want to revisit locked doors or scout bots without needing to remember their exact locations.

Equipped with these strategies, you’re set to begin your journey in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Enjoy your gaming!

# Pokémon Champions: A Beginner’s and Competitor’s Handbook

**Pokémon Champions** acts as the new standard arena for competitive Pokémon gameplay, aiming to appeal to both new players and veteran enthusiasts. Although the battle simulator may seem overwhelming at first glance, it provides an easier way for beginners to dive into competitive Pokémon clashes. This article will equip you with vital details to elevate your experience and assist you in effectively bringing your team online.

## Your Preferred Pokémon May Not Be Included

A significant worry for gamers could be the initial lineup of Pokémon in the game. At its release, **Champions** showcases just 186 Pokémon, focusing mainly on fully developed forms. While it features some fan favorites, numerous players view the selection as somewhat restricted, missing certain expected characters like Pawmot, which was heavily promoted. It’s wise to consult resources like [Serebii](https://serebii.net/pokemonchampions/pokemon.shtml) to verify the currently available roster.

## Your Starter Influences Your Initial Team

Throughout the lengthy tutorial, players are tasked with selecting a starter Pokémon, which subsequently shapes the initial team setup they will receive. Understanding which Pokémon correspond with each starter can be a smart method to acquire desired Pokémon without the usual grinding. Check various charts and sources for specifics on team setups linked to your starter selection.

## Don’t Feel Pressured to Conform to the Meta

A frequent misconception in competitive gaming is that participants must adhere to the “meta” or choose solely the strongest Pokémon to achieve success. Nevertheless, many players derive enjoyment from utilizing non-meta teams aligned with their individual tastes. Creating a team centered around favored Pokémon enhances personal enjoyment and fosters a gaming experience unshackled from the pressures of mainstream strategies.

## Numerous Resources Available for Build Guidance

With competitive Pokémon being a time-honored community endeavor, a plethora of resources exist for players wishing to enhance their Pokémon’s effectiveness. Websites like [Smogon](https://www.smogon.com/) and [Serebii](https://serebii.net/potw-sv/) offer comprehensive databases and guides detailing movesets and strategies for hundreds of Pokémon. These resources can serve as invaluable aids when considering how to incorporate a particular Pokémon into your lineup.

## Training Tickets: An Essential Resource

In **Champions**, **Training Tickets** are crucial consumables that allow players to train their Pokémon without spending the typical VP currency, which can be allocated towards other in-game expenditures. Obtained through challenges and progress in the battle pass, these tickets cover training costs irrespective of the level of modifications made. Effectively utilizing Training Tickets can help players conserve VP for other necessary resources.

## Quickly Accumulate VP for Experimentation

Players should feel free to expend VP on adjusting their Pokémon, as gathering these points through online battles occurs rapidly. While it’s beneficial to save points, players are encouraged to explore various builds and tactics without fixating solely on conserving their currency. Experimenting with new movesets can yield surprising and enjoyable results.

## Mega Stones: Factor in Your Strategy

While **Mega Stones** can substantially boost certain Pokémon via Mega Evolution, only one can be utilized per match. Players should strategically assess whether allocating a Mega Stone to a Pokémon is advantageous compared to equipping it with other items that may offer sustained benefits, such as healing items like Leftovers.

## Each Pokémon Has Its Unique Achievement List

Players may benefit from tracking achievements for individual Pokémon in **Champions**. This feature, although somewhat buried in the menus, rewards players for engaging in matches with specific Pokémon. Regularly reviewing these achievement lists can yield bonuses and enrich the overall experience of utilizing your favorite Pokémon.

## Resolution Issues on Switch 2

Gamers using the Switch 2 may experience resolution challenges that impact the visual fidelity of **Champions**. Reports suggest that launching the game while docked can result in reduced resolution. To fix this, simply undock and re-dock the system during gameplay. This quick adjustment can greatly improve the visual experience throughout matches.

## Stable Ranked Thresholds

In **Champions**, ranked games permit players to climb through different levels. A remarkable aspect is that once players attain a new rank threshold, they retain the title associated with that rank despite any subsequent defeats. This system alleviates the pressure tied to performance fluctuations and allows players to enjoy their competitive journey more freely.

## Utilize Other Pokémon Games for Team Assembly

Creating a robust roster in **Champions** may feel restricted by the reliance on daily rotating Pokémon. However, leveraging **Pokémon Home** and other Pokémon titles on Switch can facilitate the transfer of desired Pokémon into **Champions** more efficiently. This approach empowers players to build a customized team without the unpredictability of gacha rolls.

## Delve Into the Battle Data Menu

Lastly, the **Battle Data** menu serves as a precious tool for players struggling with team construction. It provides insights into favored moves, equipped items, and strategic partners for each Pokémon, assisting in effective team assembly and strategy formulation.