Topic: A Trio of Staples

[NWR_DrewMG]

Three major franchises are up for evaluation in this edition of Virtual Console Recommendations.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/24941

If there's one thing that's as universal as death and taxes, it's that video games will iterate over the years. Today in Virtual Console Recommendations, we look at games from three major gaming franchises.

First up, Matt Blundon takes a look at Super Mario Kart, the game that started the Kart Racing genre and pioneered a major franchise for Nintendo.  

Secondly, Andy Goergen checks out a major turning point in the Castlevania franchise in Rondo of Blood, a game which could be considered a "season finale" for the storied brand in that it was the last game in the series that featured traditional stages.

Lastly, Andy helps us decide whether or not the arcade edition of Ninja Gaiden is worth our time or money.  The series eventually went on to earn accolades on the NES and Xbox, but it all started in the arcade in 1989.

[MegaByte]

I, of course, highly disagree with Matt's evaluation of SMK vs. MK64.  The control and gameplay is much more solid in SMK, but we've been over this in other threads.

[TJ Spyke]

I agree with Matt on this, I think MK64 is better. Neither one is the best in the series though, that would either be Mario Kart DS or Mario Kart Wii.

[NWR_Neal]

I, of course, highly disagree with Matt's evaluation of SMK vs. MK64.  The control and gameplay is much more solid in SMK, but we've been over this in other threads.

I feel like the age-old debate hinges on what game you grew up with. Mario Kart 64 played a much bigger role in my youthful multiplayer-playing days, while Super Mario Kart was never a huge focus.

[NWR_insanolord]

I don't think either of the Mario Kart titles on the VC have aged very well. I'd argue MK64 is better, but that's most likely because I have strong nostalgia for it and none for SMK. I agree with TJ Spyke, though, that the DS and Wii Mario Karts are far superior.

Also, I believe the Ninja Gaiden review should say it came to the Virtual console twenty-one years later, not eleven.

[King of Twitch]

*Deletes NWR bookmark*

[SilverQuilava]

It'd be incredibly great if NintendoWorldReport evaluated Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64 next. I wish even I could evaluate Paper Mario, I mean it's my favorite game in the world. No one anywhere can name any game that I could like better. It'd be cool if they'd do it, but it's okay if not.

[yoshi1001]

SMK has the best battle mode (they need to bring back the feather-but only for battle mode), but other than that it's been outclassed by its many successors.

[TheBlackCat]

I, on the other hand, never even owned MK64.  The original, however, was one of my favorites in the SNES.  However, I don't think it has aged well.  When I played it on virtual console I was pretty disappointed. 

[NWR_DrewMG]

It'd be incredibly great if NintendoWorldReport evaluated Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64 next. I wish even I could evaluate Paper Mario, I mean it's my favorite game in the world. No one anywhere can name any game that I could like better. It'd be cool if they'd do it, but it's okay if not.

Done!  Actually, done a long time ago, right here: http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/14041


It was written up and recommended for "Everyone" by Evan Burchfield back in 2007.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I agree with Matt on this, I think MK64 is better. Neither one is the best in the series though, that would either be Mario Kart DS or Mario Kart Wii.

I agree, never could get into SMK even when it was new. Mario Kart 64 on the other hand provided countless hours of fun, the battle arenas were great for the most part, I love the multiteered levels, and also the ability to jump, not to mention revenge was so much fun as the bomb (well until you got squished by star power).  But also MK Wii and MK DS are superior games, I'd give the nod to MK DS but it is close!

[pureval]

The Ninja Gaiden review shows up under Castlevania as well.

[TJ Spyke]

I agree with Matt on this, I think MK64 is better. Neither one is the best in the series though, that would either be Mario Kart DS or Mario Kart Wii.

I agree, never could get into SMK even when it was new. Mario Kart 64 on the other hand provided countless hours of fun, the battle arenas were great for the most part, I love the multiteered levels, and also the ability to jump, not to mention revenge was so much fun as the bomb (well until you got squished by star power).  But also MK Wii and MK DS are superior games, I'd give the nod to MK DS but it is close!

True, the battle modes were incredibly fun when you could get 4 players. I was happy that the DS game finally added bots though since you could now play multiplayer modes even when you can play with another person.

[Jonnyboy117]

Am I the only person who likes Double Dash the best?

[NWR_insanolord]

Am I the only person who likes Double Dash the best?

Double Dash is underrated, but the online play and (in my opinion) better track design of the DS and Wii versions cancel out the interesting mechanical changes, and then some.

[Nemo]

I'm interested in Rondo of Blood. Can someone please elaborate on "complete lack of English translation"? Is the game playable to someone who only knows English?

Also, I thought Super Castlevania IV (SNES - preceded Rondo) and Symphony of the Night (PS1 - succeeded Rondo) were pretty manageable in terms of difficulty.  I recall the NES games being somewhat silly difficult. What would be the best comparison to other games of the series?

[TJ Spyke]

I like Double Dash, but it takes some getting used to the controls (I can pick up any other Mario Kart game and play right away, but I have to readjust when I want to play DD).

[ShyGuy]

I too like Double Dash the best. The Coop innovation is underrated.

[KDR_11k]

I, of course, highly disagree with Matt's evaluation of SMK vs. MK64.  The control and gameplay is much more solid in SMK, but we've been over this in other threads.

In 3D games I assume that the camera is pointing forward, when it lags behind the car during turns that means I oversteer because I can't tell when the car is aligned with where I want to go.

[Ian Sane]

Neither one is the best in the series though, that would either be Mario Kart DS or Mario Kart Wii.

I have a big problem with the newer Maro Karts and that is that they seem to reward random luck or just outright incompetence over skill.  I cannot enjoy Mario Kart Wii.  If I'm doing good it gives me **** power-ups while those behind me crush my ass with their awesome power-ups.  I'm more or less punished for doing well.  Meanwhile if I'm behind they give me awesome power-ups so if I catch up and win there is no sense of accomplishment because I only won because the game handicapped in my favour.  Mario Kart Wii is the point where I said "**** Mario Kart" and I'm no longer interested in the series.
 
I honestly have not played Super Mario Kart or Mario Kart 64 since they were current games so I don't know really how I feel about them now.  At the time I did prefer Mario Kart 64 largely because it was four players.  It's a lot more fun to play with more people.  People rave about SMK's battle mode but I never liked it because it was one-on-one.  I like involving more people.  I don't care for one-on-one FPS death match either.
 
I don't like how Mario Kart handicaps so much for weak players.  I want to win and lose on my own merits.  So whatever Mario Kart games reward skill the most are the ones I would consider superior.  I think the switch from 2D to 3D however greatly improved the course design which would be to SMK's disadvantage.

[TJ Spyke]

I think Nintendo should give the option to turn of certain or all items, just like they did with Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I will keep them on though since the items are a major part of the series, but I know others don't like it.

[SilverQuilava]

It'd be incredibly great if NintendoWorldReport evaluated Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64 next. I wish even I could evaluate Paper Mario, I mean it's my favorite game in the world. No one anywhere can name any game that I could like better. It'd be cool if they'd do it, but it's okay if not.

Done!  Actually, done a long time ago, right here: http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/14041


It was written up and recommended for "Everyone" by Evan Burchfield back in 2007.

It'd be incredibly great if NintendoWorldReport evaluated Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64 next. I wish even I could evaluate Paper Mario, I mean it's my favorite game in the world. No one anywhere can name any game that I could like better. It'd be cool if they'd do it, but it's okay if not.

Done!  Actually, done a long time ago, right here: http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/14041


It was written up and recommended for "Everyone" by Evan Burchfield back in 2007.

Hey, thanks!

[NWR_Karl]

Fact: Crash Team Racing is better than Mario Kart 64.

Fact: The best kart racer of all time is Mario Kart DS.

Fact: Mario Kart 64 controls like ass and has the worst art in the history of the sub-franchise.

[Mop it up]

I agree on Super Mario Kart. The game was good for its time, but it simply isn't worth playing today, other than by fans of the Mario Kart series who are curious about its roots. Although, I don't think Mario Kart 64 has aged well either, so I wouldn't recommend it meself.

I also think anyone who says the items are bad in Mario Kart Wii needs to play Mario Kart 64 again. The balancing was just awful in that game, you could get powerful items like stars and lighting in second place. The method in which Mario Kart Wii distributes items is definitely more balanced than every other game except the SNES version.

I think Nintendo should give the option to turn of certain or all items, just like they did with Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I will keep them on though since the items are a major part of the series, but I know others don't like it.

The Vs. Mode in Mario Kart Wii has a similar option. You can turn all items off, or you can choose one of three presets, which are Balanced, Strategic, and Powerful. I actually don't think an individual item selection menu would work out very well, it would really throw off the item balance, especially considering the item you get is based on placing.

[vudu]

I'm interested in Rondo of Blood. Can someone please elaborate on "complete lack of English translation"? Is the game playable to someone who only knows English?

Yes, the game is perfectly playable despite the lack of localization.  There's a cut scene at the beginning--and probably the end, but I can't confirm since I haven't beaten it yet--that's not translated, but it's hardly required for playing the game.  You should be able to figure out what's going on anyway.