Getting back to an old thing I had done earlier. I asked what 2 systems Ian and Big Jim liked and as I thought, they both mentioned the Nintendo 64. The reason I bring this up is because I believe the N64 is probably the most hardcore system Nintendo has made. Now, you migh think this is a strange statement but from my experience, I've found that compared to other Nintendo systems, the N64 is really hard system for people unless they are really into video games.
The first Nintendo system I ever had was the SNES (which, I agree with Ian, was the best system ever released). My dad bought it for my brother and I but he also played with us. The system came with Super Mario World and so that is what we played. I remember it took us forever to learn the controls. Anyways, we played it at that game for a long time. It was always a huge celebration for us when we beat a koopa kid and moved on to a new level. In fact, even my mom gave it a try. She would only play one level for some reason but she tried it out. Anyways, when we finally reached Bowser, my dad started to lose interest, though he still tried to beat Bowser. Finally, one evening, I was able to beat Bowser. Everyone gathered around to see the end of the game. After that, my dad stopped playing. We'd ask him all the time to join but he wouldn't. My mom had long stopped playing her one level. Point of all this being that I was the better Nintendo player compared to my brother. When we rented games, I'd be the one to beat the big bosses and such. The only game he always beat me at was Mario Kart.
That changed when we rented Mario World 2. We'd switch back and forth as we fought Baby Bowser and finally my brother beat him. It was the first time he beat a game. Although, I'd still usually be the one to finish games, it marked the start of his ascendancy over me. Anyways, after some time, we finally bought a 64. It was around the time that Donkey Kong 64 had come out. And once again, we had to sort of learn how to use the controller again. Eventually, we got the hang of it but my brother seemed to get it better than I did. He was the one who now beat all the games. He beat Mario 64, Mario Kart, Mario Golf, Paper Mario, StarFox, etc. In fact the only game I ever seemed to beat for the 64 was DK64 but namely because he didn't really play it much or seem that interested in it. After awhile, I got kind of bored with the system. I'd still play games like Mario Party or Kart but didn't play as much as my brother. He'd rent games and I'd watch him play for a bit then go do something else. Maybe it was partly that he was a better player then me that led to my playing less but I think it was also the fact that it was a hard system to play.
Anyways, when the GameCube came out, I was still interested enough to play it. We'd started watching X-Play on TechTv and they review all the new games coming out for the Cube and we were just amazed at the graphics. We saved enough to buy one in January or Febuary 2002 and bought Rogue Leader. My brother loved the game for the 64 (I could never get the controls) and we always liked the graphics (which show they can help sell). It started out the same with my brother doing well at the game while I was having trouble flying. But after awhile, I finally figured it out and got going. It sounds wierd but something just clicked in my head and I just got the control scheme easy. I remember thinking to myself many times that this was the best controller Nintendo ever made. It just seemed so perfectly designed compared to the 64. My brother and I were racing one another to complete the game first and get all the Gold medals and I beat him. It was the first time I'd beat a game before him in years. And it was Rogue Squadron as well. Then Mario Sunshine came out and again we both competed to finish it first. Once again, I beat him to it. This time he didn't even finish the game. In fact he's never finished it 100%. Now, he's the one who's become disinterested in games. The only games he plays with me are Mario Kart DD (and he still beats me all the time) or Mario Party. Now and then, he'll play a new game I buy for awhile but his interest will burn out. He's more interested in doing things on his computer. Sometimes he says video games are a waste of time.
One final thing is with the DS. I bought one that was bundled with Mario 64 and played that and loved it. Even though I had a hard time with Mario 64, I still loved the game and wanted it. It was the first time I ever completed the game 100% percent. Also, even though swinging Bowser could be awkward, I finally got a good grasp of how to aim when fighting him. As a result, I was inspired to replay the 64 and I finally finished the game 100%. Also, thanks to the DS and the Gamecube, I had much better ability to use the controller than before. As a result, I've been inspired to play all my 64 and beat them. I've been surprised at how well now I'm able to use the controller. Unfortunatly, the graphics just don't look that good anymore and can make it hard for me to really get into playing some games, especially compared to the Gamecube. (F-Zero X).
So let me end my long story by saying that Nintendo may have something with creating a new type of controller. A complicated controller makes it hard for people to keep playing games. Also, if it's easy to understand, there's a good chance it will get people to keep playing games and may attract back people who have stopped playing games. Also, a system that does appeal to casual gamers might be for the best. Ian mentioned the SNES as appealing to casual gamers and from my experience I agree. We also both feel that the SNES was the best system as well. Finally, graphics do sell. If the DS graphics looked like the N64, I don't think the system would be selling as much as it has. It really does put the 64 to shame. Even if the Rev doesn't have the best graphics, as long as it doesn't look like the 64 compared to the DS, it should be fine and still appeal.
OK, I'm done.
Topic: Forbes: Kaplan Interview (Read 19730 times)
