Image: Gemma Smith / Nintendo LifeHo ho holy moly, it's Christmas already!?Welcome, welcome - come on in and take the weight off! Grab a mug of warm cocoa, pull up a chair, and join us as we open up the Nintendo Life Mailbox for the holidays.Got something you want to get off your chest? We're ready and waiting to read about your game-related ponderings, musings, and high/low-falutin ideas. And drawings! We'd love to see some hand-drawn, wholesome Nintendo-related art, so feel free to snap a pic and send it our way.Each month well highlight a Star Letter, the writer of which will receive a months subscription to our ad-free Supporter scheme. Check out the submission guidelines at the bottom of this page.Okay, the mood is right, spirit's up. Let's crack on.Nintendo Life Mailbox - December 2024Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life"I would" (***STAR LETTER***)I have been a fan of Nintendo games and consoles for a while now, and while I like pretty much all of them (save for the Virtual Boy of which I have never played) I believe they still haven't made a better piece of hardware than the DSi XL. Not only does it play the incredible DS lineup of games (one of Nintendo's best imo) in great quality on the sharp screen, but it also alongside the normal DSI introduced DSiWare, which I think was great.If Nintendo ever makes another dedicated handheld, would you like them to revisit smaller and cheaper digital games? I would.CaseySwitch could easily host more smaller-scale games like Jump Rope Challenge and it would be fantastic to see Nintendo get back into publishing experimental things in the $2-8 range. The eShop is full to the brim with quality games for that price, but a little more first-party variety is always welcome. Nintendo's fairly good in that department certainly better than the other platform holders but I'd love to see internal teams putting out inventive, micro-scale games.The DSi XL is a lovely bit of kit. You can play those games on a 3DS XL, but you're missing out on the sharpest possible pixels that way, and I like my pixels crispy. I got a Wine Red one with a temperamental cart slot a few years ago, but I'd love a mint yellow or green DSi.Pricey these days! - Ed."love to hate"Why does everyone get so hyped for remasters? People love to hate on copy / paste sequels (another full priced sports game but with a different roster!) but happily buy the exact same game but with slightly better graphics.KeithRemasters appeal in the same way I'd be interested in the 4K version of a film I watched to death on VHS. It's not just a roster update, it's a new way to view an old favourite. Metroid Prime Remastered? It's like Singin' in the Rain in UHD, Keith. Maximum def, colour, hype.For me, it's more often a chance to catch up on something I missed with a few mod cons. I could dig out my DS and get hold of a copy of Ghost Trick but having it on Switch is far more convenient. If a remaster sands off some rough edges, all the better. - Ed."I'm laughin' at clouds so dark up above..." Image: Nintendo"playing those Rhythm games"Dear NintendolifeI wonder if some of Nintendolife staff have interest with Rhythm Games Arcade such as Dance Dance Revolution, Beatmania IIDX, Sound Voltex, MaiMai Deluxe by SEGA, etc.Those Rhythm games are very popular in Japan and other Asia countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.I don't see a lot of users on Nintendolife have any interest to talk or playing those Rhythm games on Arcade except me myself. From: Anti-MatterFrom my British perspective, it's less a lack of interest than of access. Outside the big cities, UK arcades (or my experience of them) were much less varied and exciting than in other countries. Growing up, I might see a Time Crisis, a House of the Dead, or a Daytona but that was about it.Arcades in major cities had the latest and greatest, but a DDR unit crammed in amongst the 2p machines on the end of the pier would have been an event. Perhaps that's a factor that affects the conversation around these parts. We could all do with more DDR in our lives! - Ed."breakdown and understand"Heyo!Are there any musicians on the NL team? As a musician and VGM artist myself, a huge part of how I enjoy video games is using my musical knowledge to breakdown and understand what makes the soundtracks and sound design sound so good.I think a basic understanding of how music works is essential to truly enjoying all the aspects of a game soundtrack.What are some of your favorite game soundtracks and why?Keep on grooving!MetaCrystalI noodle on the guitar for my own satisfaction, and I think Ollie's got an axe or two. By far the most accomplished musician on staff is Felix from our video team. He plays several instruments, composes his own pieces, the works.Everyone except Jim ("Does Guitar Hero count?") is off being holly and jolly, but as for me, Grant Kirkhope's Banjo-Kazooie soundtrack has a joyful, bouncing, fairytale vibe that I associate with gaming like no other. It's a very specific sound from a huge palette of video game audio, but that's the one I always go back to when someone asks for my favourite.In terms of this year, we might have a soundtrack feature coming soon, if it comes together. Watch this space. (And also, if you missed it, check out our NL VGMFest from a few years back - it would be nice if more people read some of those!) - Ed. A mini-season of musical magicSubscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube789k"a GIF of Frozone saying 'I need to know!'"We Wish You a Merry Christmas!We Wish You a Merry Christmas!We Wish You a Merry Christmas,And a Happy New Year!That said, what do *you guys* wish? For a Switch 2 announcement on New Years Eve? For a new FZero game? [Should this be published, please replace this text with a GIF of Frozone saying "I need to know!"]CaleBoi25Merry Christmas, Caleboi! I wish for an ignominious end to the AI grift, a marked increase in respect and recompense for workers throughout the gaming industry, and a Switch 2 announcement so we can just bloody well crack on with it!Hmm, that came across a bit grouchy on this celebratory day. Oh, and let's have a Rhythm Heaven game while we're at it. - Ed.Bonus Letters"Dr Mario 64 was the best party game ever. Any chance we see an updated 4+ version of that game return?" - Brian HoughLet's say... sure! I've never been a big Dr Mario fan myself, although I own that one as part of Nintendo Puzzle Collection. Speaking of parties, I'm not a Mario Party fan, either.I do like some Mario games, I promise! Just, you know, the good ones. - Ed.Would you be ok if Prime 4 has voice acting for Sylux, Samus, etc. as well as having a powerful story? - Marshall GordeukYes, I would be okay with that. Make it so. - Ed."And another thing. Liza from Charicific Valley in Johto gets a new voice actor. It will be Erica Lindbeck." - Scottdevine53Does Erica know? - Ed."If Sportsmate are a thing in Nintendo Switch Sports, what happened if Sakurai add Smashmate as an answer to Mii Fighters in Super Smash Brothers?" - PluckTheDragonAaaaand on that note, it's time to call it a year! - Ed.Image: NintendoThat's all for this month! Thanks to everyone who wrote in, whether you were featured above or not.Got something you'd like to get off your chest? A burning question you need answered? A correction you can't contain? Follow the instructions below, then, and we look forward to rifling through your missives.Nintendo Life Mailbox submission advice and guidelinesLetters, not essays, please - Bear in mind that your letter may appear on the site, and 1000 words ruminating on the Layton series and asking Jim for his personal ranking isn't likely to make the cut. Short and sweet is the order of the day. (If you're after a general guide, 100-200 words would be ample for most topics.)Don't go crazy with multiple correspondences - Ideally, just the one letter a month, please!Don't be disheartened if your letter doesn't appear in the monthly article - We anticipate a substantial inbox, and we'll only be able to highlight a handful every month. So if your particular letter isn't chosen for the article, please don't get disheartened!How to send a Letter to the Nintendo Life MailboxHead to Nintendo Life's Contact page and select the subject "Reader Letters" from the drop-down menu (it's already done for you in the link above). Type your name, email, and beautifully crafted letter into the appropriate box, hit send, and boom you're done! Advert FreeShare:00 Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...