Messages

51

Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #13 Poll -- GBA Edition

« on: July 11, 2010, 03:17:23 PM »

Apparently NWR is now endorsing piracy by asking their readers to obtain illegal copies of the game to play along for this feature, as that is the only way to play this game in English.  That's a disappointment. 
 

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #13 Poll -- GBA Edition

« on: June 29, 2010, 08:37:03 PM »

As Jonny said, you're free to play Mother 3 on an original Japanese cartridge using a translation guide.  If you choose to play a pirated ROM it's between you and your conscience.

I think the issue here is that the idea of RetroActive was to pick older games that are reasonably easy to obtain.

To expect people to import a Japanese-only game, then either learn Japanese or have the equipment to copy the GBA cartridge in order to install the translation patch... it's above and beyond.

No to Mother 3.

This is another very valid point.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #13 Poll -- GBA Edition

« on: June 28, 2010, 07:59:23 PM »

I have to say that Mother 3 is a terrible choice.  Listing this game in the poll does nothing other than condone illegal game piracy. 

Regardless of whether or not the translation is a copyright infringement (probably not), the fact that the only way to play this game in English is via a pirated ROM means that -- should this game win -- NWR will be asking its users to obtain a pirated copy of the game via illegal download.  Not only is that opening the users up to legal liability, but possibly the website was well.  Let's stick to legitimate games please, John.

I voted for Drill Dozer because it's an interesting game that you don't hear about much and it's not a choice that encourages piracy.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Tommy Tallarico Interview

« on: June 14, 2010, 09:43:59 AM »

This was a great interview.  I really liked the topic and the thorough discussion.  Definitely going in my permanent podcast folder.  Hopefully you can make this a more frequent feature on the site. 

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 191

« on: May 02, 2010, 09:11:33 PM »

No RFN this week? I know ya'll took last week off, but this week too?

I was wondering the same thing. 

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #12 Poll -- Game Boy Edition

« on: April 11, 2010, 08:05:07 PM »

Maybe my problem is I don't view the purpose of RetroActive the same way others do.  I don't look at it as an excuse to replay my favorite games.  I like to think of it as a way to discover and discuss games I'm not familiar with.

And how many here have actually played Metroid II?  Probably not many.

I've got my copy on the way from eBay ($10 including shipping).  If I have to replace the battery then it will be another $5.  I hope Metroid II wins obviously, but if not, at least I will have a game that I've always wanted to try but just never had the chance.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #12 Poll -- Game Boy Edition

« on: April 04, 2010, 10:13:23 PM »

I've never played Metroid 2 before, but I've heard a lot about it and I've always wanted to give it a try.  I would pick up that game to play along for this Retro Active, so  I voted for Metroid 2.

Jonny...which ever game wins, please give an extra week or two for the play through since unlike the traditional Retro Active, we can't just download these games on the Virtual Console.  We have to wait for the mail man to bring them from eBay, which could take as long as 10 days.  I'd hate to buy a game only to have it arrive after the discussion is complete.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #11 Discussion: Super Mario RPG

« on: February 01, 2010, 06:59:05 PM »

Dang. Jet Pilot bringin' the h8t.

Just giving my honest opinion.  It's good to hear various opinions in discussions such as these.  I don't like the game, but I still find it interesting to read why others find it so enjoyable.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #11 Discussion: Super Mario RPG

« on: January 31, 2010, 09:18:07 PM »

I love Paper Mario.  I really love the Mario & Luigi series.  Square's Final Fantasy is one of the best RPG's ever created.  Mix them all up and you get Super Mario RPG.  A masterpiece?  Hardly.  More like a giant steaming pile.  Super Mario RPG is a pile of trash. [yes, I know Super Mario RPG predates both the Paper Mario and the Mario & Luigi series]

The story of Super Mario RPG is uninteresting tripe.  The presentation is very slow and extremely boring.  I often found myself wanting to turn off the game out of sheer boredom.  I only made it several hours into the game because the tedium of the game was just too much for me to handle.

The game's controls are unresponsive and the camera point-of-view was not a good choice for the elements included within the game.  Jumping tends to be imprecise due to the isometric viewpoint of the game's camera.  This makes it very difficult to judge your position with any sort of accuracy. 

The character progression is, at best, monotonous and tiresome.  If the first few hours of the game are any indication of what to expect, this game will require hours upon hours of level grinding.  Grinding is a task that is not -- and will never be -- considered fun.  It is a laborious waste of time used to cover up poor game design.  A good RPG should progress such that level grinding is never required to reach subsequent areas.  The player should gain the adequate experience necessary to progress through the game throughout the normal course of play.

The visuals in Super Mario RPG have that horrible 16-bit "plasticy" look.  The "pre-rendered 16-bit" visual style looked great when the original Donkey Kong Country was released -- primarily because it was a new art-style on home consoles at the time.  Traditional 16-bit sprites have aged beautifully.  Games such as Super Mario World & Yoshi's Island still look gorgeous to this day, 15-20 years after their release.  New games using traditional sprites such as the Mario & Luigi series are a testament to the fact that the 16-bit sprite art-style has a timeless beauty.  The same cannot be said about the pre-rendered style used in Super Mario RPG.  That art-style has aged terribly, and there is a very good reason why we do not see developers using that style today...it looks like crap.

The only thing decent about this game is the music.  It is good (what more can I say).

IMO, Square knew they had a lousy RPG, so they slapped Mario's face in the game in order to disguise the fact that, without the Mario skin, this title would otherwise be considered a complete pile of garbage by the masses.

I want my 800 points back.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #11 Poll -- Second Chance Edition

« on: January 17, 2010, 08:53:31 PM »

Super Mario RPG has dated visuals and is a slow, boring and repetitive game.  In addition the game is just too long.

Actraiser has beautiful 16-bit visuals with a soundtrack that pushes the SNES to its limit.  In addition, the gameplay combines two genres for an exciting game with an enjoyable story.  The simulation is fairly basic but serves its purpose in the story well.  The platforming has crisp controls, well designed levels and challenging bosses.  The length of the game is perfect as well.  Long enough to be a great experience, but no so long that it feels like the developers put in filler material just to extend the length of the game.

I vote for Actraiser.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 170

« on: November 16, 2009, 08:28:47 PM »

@ John

You didn't mention it on the show, but I'd like to know your thoughts on the rest of Uncharted for PS3.

I just bought a PS3 (about two weeks ago) and picked up Uncharted with the console (I've heard nothing but good things about the game and your praise for the title in the podcast pushed it over the top).

I thought it was a great game, but I did think [highlight the blank space for SPOILERS] the zombie like creatures at the end were a little out of place.  Made it seem like a Resident Evil game on a South Pacific island for a couple chapters. [END SPOLIERS] Other than that, I thought the game evoked a great atmosphere and was an amazing experience.

I've got Uncharted 2 coming my way shortly...Christmas gift from my loving wife  .  Everything I've read so far says that Uncharted 2 is even better than the original, so that means it must be a great game.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 170

« on: November 15, 2009, 10:13:18 PM »

Does Retro Active return next week?  I was looking forward to that segment all week.  Disappointed. 

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Podcast Discussion / Retro Active poll?????

« on: September 07, 2009, 10:25:15 AM »

Where is the latest Retro Active poll (#9, I think). Last weeks podcast said it should be up and it's a week later and I still can't find it?  I'm new to the forums so maybe I'm just looking in the wrong spot. 

Thanks!