ShiaOfMahdi

So next week, there will be two Nintendo Directs. One for Zelda's 40th Anniversary and one regular one for next year's lineup.

So I just finished The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom on my Switch 2. I do look forward towards trading it for Ocarina of Time Remake.

So for the last few days I have been finishing Mario Strikers Battle League's Galactic Mode cup battles. I finished the Trick Cup and yesterday I beat the Championship Cup. I am finished with Strikers and wait for the next one on Switch 2 alongside Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. Good. Also the regular PS5 is expensive compared to the Switch 2 worldwide when you buy it brand new now. I would say at this point Nintendo Switch 2 is the best choice if you want to buy a new system that will still have physical media and play all the AAA games and even stuff like Mario and Zelda. I do like how it will still have physical media while Sony will stop making physical discs for new releases in 2028.

I would honestly say the regular PS5 is fine enough or a Switch 2. PS5 Pro doesn't have much over the regular PS5 like PS4 Pro did over the regular PS4. All it has AI upscaling, better frame rates and more storage at 2TB. I would say to buy used PS5 or get Switch 2. Switch 2 is much cheaper and will play most games just fine. Many games like Call of Duty and EA Sports FC/Madden NFL as well as NBA 2K are coming out the same day as PS5 for Switch 2.

This is one of the things that made me think twice about all the games that I got on the PS3 as well as PS4. Nintendo Switch 2, I have no problems with because I can play it on the go or at home. I find the Nintendo Switch 2 to be the system I play more often. The PS3, I tend to play more than the PS4 but I do use the PS4 when I want to play Spider Man or something.

For me though, I do find the hobby to be a concern as someone who starting collecting games for his Nintendo Switch in the early half of this decade before moving to the PS3 and later PS4 and now Nintendo Switch 2. I feel like I created a backlog that I would never ever finish and I think I have gone far beyond what is considered in moderation, especially with the PS3 and even PS4 somewhat. On top of that, there are Islamic rulings on what video games are halal and what aren't halal. I do play video games but only in short bursts. I do tend to play my Nintendo Switch 2 though and play some of the Switch 1 games I haven't finished alongside Nintendo Switch Sports and Ring Fit Adventure. I tend to play more Switch Sports and Ring Fit Adventure since I feel that they are games that get me active and not be a total waste of time. I also am busy with life too with studies. I feel like I may have done Israaf or got something with haraam themes like Shirk and Immorality. How about the rest of you brothers and sisters who were or are gamers? Do you find there are issues and concerns with video game collecting being problematic as hobby for a Muslim, let alone a Shia Muslim?

I know this topic is quite old but a video game can be considered halal or haraam based on the content. The Legend of Zelda is in a bit of a limbo by many scholars who discourage it (despite the fact that I used to be a huge fan of the series with Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker being my all time favorites). Super Mario Bros. and Princess Peach Showtime is generally seen as fine. Ring Fit Adventure is something I have no problems with. I use it to get a workout.

So over the weekend on Sunday, I got Horizon Zero Dawn for the PS4. I decided check out what all the hubbub was about. All I can say is that it's an incredible and phenomenal Sony game just as the fans are making it out to be. It's a great experience on the PS4 or PS5 (if you can get one that is). Unfortunately, I won't be buying a PS5 until after PS6 launches and the prices will have come down by then. I will stick with Nintendo Switch 2 and will happily stay with PS5, finding no need to buy a PS6 by then since no more physical games. I still await for that Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake and the new 3D Mario game on Switch 2.

For this year, I wrote a lovely poem right before Fajr Salah which is the most spiritual times of the day. It is a great reminder to who exactly Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was and is. I made it simple and relatable for any Muslim regardless of whether they be Shia or Sunni. I hope you all love what I wrote. I'd love receive great feedback and appreciation for it. Here is the poem without further ado: In realms of time, where prophets stand divine, A crown of mercy, radiant and fine. Prophet Muhammad, above the skies, A beacon shining, eternal prize. From Adam’s clay, the earth was shaped, Through Noah’s ark, salvation draped. Abraham’s faith, a guiding flame, Moses’ law, a sacred name. David’s psalms, a king’s decree, Solomon’s wisdom, a throne of tree. Jesus, pure, with miracles bright, Yet Muhammad’s rank outshines the light. King of God’s Prophets honored and true, His mercy vast, his mission anew. The Quran revealed, a guiding light. To lead mankind from darkness to right. A final messenger, mercy’s seal, His heart and soul, the truth reveal. In ranks of prophets, he ascends, The last, the greatest, and the ultimate without end. Above them all, in honor's height, A shining star in heaven’s night. The seal of prophets, mercy’s crown, Forever cherished, revered, and renowned.

Yeah, Silent Hill was peak on PS1 and PS2 along with Resident Evils 1 to 4. Resident Evil Zero too on GameCube and Wii. Switch 2 is getting the Resident Evils recently along with Bloodborne sequel, The Duskbloods.

Now this is something Gen Z will hold dearly onto to their hearts as physical media is phased out by Sony. Still one of the greatest video game systems ever (even with the original Nintendo Switch challenging it alongside the Nintendo Switch 2) and the first console I ever saw in my lifetime. I wish I got to have a chance to play my own PS2 when I had it alongside my GameCube and Wii without input lag. Inshallah someday I will get another PS2 alongside the original Xbox out of curiosities sake.

We're getting new content in Mario Tennis Fever. I like the new mode, courts, and rackets, as well as the new mode.

Good news, the Nintendo Switch 2 is better value and it will still give you physical media and pop and play. Will run many games, including GTA 6 inshallah. Call of Duty and future Doom games will be on there. It will play many great Switch 1 games. Also Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake will be great. Most anticipated remake after Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. I'd say its worth getting the Switch 2 over the PS5 since it is outrageously overpriced to the point that I can build a PC for the price of getting one. I also look forward to Ring Fit Adventure 2 as well. I do have to also add that Sony will be killing the PS3 and PS Vita PlayStation Stores and I am taking advantage of the time to get the last few games on PS3. I also will have PS3 and PS4 as my last PlayStation systems with me still playing PS3.

A big update for the new generation on the Switch 2. We have Nintendo Switch Sports Resort which encourages more active play on the Nintendo Switch 2 as an exclusive by moving the JoyCon or JoyCon 2 controllers. It brings me back to the Wii Sports Resort days on the Wii with the Wii Remote + Wii Motion Plus days and Twilight Princess as well as Skyward Sword. We also have The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time from Nintendo 64 being reimagined on Switch 2 so that's one to add to learn combat skills in addition to that Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom alongside Echoes of Wisdom which helped me how to be strategic. I still wait for that Ring Fit Adventure 2 for the newer gen to work out as the original Nintendo Switch family fades away as the transition takes place. Inshallah, they'll learn to be fit and active warriors with great combat skills and strategic skills too. The simulations make for great practice, especially when playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom or perhaps the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake that's happening.

So the Nintendo Direct was incredible. There are a lot of great games shown like the new Xenoblade game, Fire Emblem, Kingdom Hearts 4 and now we have the greatest remake after Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy, The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time remake. Also Nintendo Switch Sports Resort looks fun as well but I do miss the soccer game so I will hold on to Switch Sports.