Topic: Next Level Games' secret project speculation.

[Pixelated Pixies]

According to an item over at GoNintendo the LinkedIn profile of Devon Blanchet, a lead designer at Next Level Games, suggests that the developer has been working on a secret project since October. Here we are waiting for Luigi's Mansion 2 like chumps and those guys have already moved on. The nerve!
 
Still, you can't help but wonder what they might be working on. Given the developer's history with Nintendo it's entirely possible that they might be working on bringing back yet another beloved game or series. First there was Punch Out!! Then Luigi's Mansion. What next?
 
Personally, I'd like to see what they could do with the Donkey Kong series. Retro did a fantastic job with reviving the DKC formula, but I'd like to see both Retro and the Donkey Kong series take different directions. NLG have proven themselves more than capable in several genres, so I'd be interested to see if they could do something novel with Donkey, Diddy and Dixie (Kiddy Kong? Not so much).
 
Or, perhaps they'll do something completely original. Either way, NLG are a developer I'm happy are out there and making games. Long may they do so.
 
P.S. Seriously! Why did it take so long for Luigi's Mansion 2 to come out?

[Adrock]

My guesses: either Star Fox or Mario Strikers U. I could see Monster Games developing F-Zero once they're finished port duty on Donkey Kong Country Returns, maybe even 3DS and Wii U games with connectivity.

P.S. Seriously! Why did it take so long for Luigi's Mansion 2 to come out?

Some insight on the game's development.

[TJ Spyke]

Wasnt really in development that long, they didnt even start until late 2010.

[Adrock]

Development started in 2009 which clocks in at over 3 years.

Source: the link in my previous post.

[NWR_insanolord]

Three and a half years is a long time for any game, but especially a handheld title.

[TJ Spyke]

Development started in 2009 which clocks in at over 3 years.

Source: the link in my previous post.

Yeah, it was late 2010: http://wayback.archive.org/web/20120325142030/http://nintendocharged.com/2011/06/09/luigis-mansion-2-update/

I'm not surprised Kotaku is wrong, they seem to be wrong more often now.

I am sure the next one will be Mario Strikers on Wii U.

[Adrock]

Kotaku interviewed the development team specifically for that article. I can't believe you're disputing this...

[TJ Spyke]

Planning started in 2009, but the actual development was in 2010. Back on topic? LOL

[Kytim89]

Considering NLG's track record when developing games that are non-Nintendo related then whatever this game is it must be from Nintendo's arsenal. While a Wii U Sports title would be nice, it would be a waste of their talent. If Luigi's Mansion 2 is successful then I could easily see Nintendo buying a controlling stake in the company. Either way whatever they are working on it must be for the Wii U considering that it needs all the games that it can get right now. Perhaps a reveal at E3 this year?

[azeke]

We still won't know about it for years.

Or we will know about that project, but Nintendo won't tell NLG actually develops it. Like when people knew about Monster Games involvement in Pilotwings Resort after it was released, from credits. Or like recently when people knew about the same developer making DKC 3DS from ratings board or something.

If this is next Mario Strikers game -- please do something with cutscenes on each power move.

[Pixelated Pixies]

I don't know exactly when development started on Luigi's Mansion 2. The more salient point perhaps is that Nintendo announced the game far earlier than seems to be their custom. I feel like I've been waiting for this game for as long as I've had a 3DS.
 
@Adrock
 
Strikers U would be very cool. Although I didn't like Mario Sports Mix (I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to forget about that game forever and ever), I'd be interested to see if NLG could make a better version of that game. You know? The same concept, but...better. Much Better! I really enjoyed Strikers and Punch Out!! Those guys have arcade sports games nailed.
 
 
@Kytim89
 
Yeah, let's hope for the sake of the console that they are working on something for Wii U. You know, now that I think about it, Nintendo did recently extend it's trademark for Eternal Darkness. Hmmm. NLG work on a haunted mansion game starring Luigi. They begin development on a secret project in October. Then Nintendo extend the trademark on another game involving a haunted mansion. Think about it!
 
lol. I'm joking of course, but how cool would it be if NLG did the next Eternal Darkness? I'm not sure if they'd be up to the task (it's so different from their previous games), but I'd love to see them try.

[Kytim89]

@ Pixelated Pixies


Until third parties actually start supporting the Wii U then Nintendo is going to have to funnel all their resources into supporting the Wii U, and not the 3DS because it has too much support at this point.

[Pixelated Pixies]

@ Pixelated Pixies


Until third parties actually start supporting the Wii U then Nintendo is going to have to funnel all their resources into supporting the Wii U

Didn't you already say that, and didn't I already agree with you? *looks up at post*
 
As for
 

and not the 3DS because it has too much support at this point.

I don't think I agree with you that the 3DS has 'too much support'. At least, not as far as retail goes. I guess it depends on your tastes though.
 
There hasn't been a 3DS retail release since Mario 3D Kart back in December of 2011 that I've really enjoyed. You could argue that regardless of whether or not I appreciate the games, the system is still being supported with releases. I'd argue though that if those retail releases aren't engaging me as a consumer then the system isn't being supported to the extent that it could or should be. Support should be measured in terms of both quantity and quality. I would argue that retail releases on the 3DS have been missing the mark on both.
 
eShop on the other hand continues to be a great source for games. Fallblox, Fluidity, Nano Assault EX, Harmoknight etc. are the sorts of games I want on a handheld. If it weren't for the eShop I think I would have got rid of my 3DS a long time ago. Still, I would love to see more support being thrown behind the 3DS in terms of retail releases, particularly from western developers.

[TJ Spyke]

Like when people knew about Monster Games involvement in Pilotwings Resort after it was released, from credits.

Just about, the producer announced at GDC a few weeks before the game released that Monster Games was the developer.

As for liking certain games, I would not blame Nintendo for that. The game released may not interest you, but that doesn't mean the games aren't good.

[Pixelated Pixies]

As for liking certain games, I would not blame Nintendo for that. The game released may not interest you, but that doesn't mean the games aren't good.

It does mean, however, that the perceived level of 'support' for any given system is in the eye of the beholder. What is seen as 'too much support' for one person might be 'what support?' for another.

[Ian Sane]

"Too much support" is an odd way to look at it.  I would say simply that the Wii U is in much greater need of support from Nintendo than the 3DS is.  Nintendo would be fools to not take that into consideration when deciding what project a team should work on next.

[pokepal148]

@ Pixelated Pixies


Until third parties actually start supporting the Wii U then Nintendo is going to have to funnel all their resources into supporting the Wii U

Didn't you already say that, and didn't I already agree with you? *looks up at post*
 
As for
 

and not the 3DS because it has too much support at this point.

I don't think I agree with you that the 3DS has 'too much support'. At least, not as far as retail goes. I guess it depends on your tastes though.
 
There hasn't been a 3DS retail release since Mario 3D Kart back in December of 2011 that I've really enjoyed. You could argue that regardless of whether or not I appreciate the games, the system is still being supported with releases. I'd argue though that if those retail releases aren't engaging me as a consumer then the system isn't being supported to the extent that it could or should be. Support should be measured in terms of both quantity and quality. I would argue that retail releases on the 3DS have been missing the mark on both.
 
eShop on the other hand continues to be a great source for games. Fallblox, Fluidity, Nano Assault EX, Harmoknight etc. are the sorts of games I want on a handheld. If it weren't for the eShop I think I would have got rid of my 3DS a long time ago. Still, I would love to see more support being thrown behind the 3DS in terms of retail releases, particularly from western developers.

kid icarus and especially fire emblem say hello.
but yeah that's about it on me,

[shingi_70]

Its Startropics.

[Pixelated Pixies]

@pokepal148
 
My opinions on Kid Icarus: Uprising are well documented. It was incredibly polished but I thought mechanically it was ill-conceived. I didn't much care for it.
 
As for Fire Emblem? Oh, you mean that game that I've been pining for ever since I heard it was being localised? That one game that I'm excited about above all others? That one game that isn't yet released in Europe? You mean that game?..._{it hurts.}

[pokepal148]

@pokepal148
 
My opinions on Kid Icarus: Uprising are well documented. It was incredibly polished but I thought mechanically it was ill-conceived. I didn't much care for it.
 
As for Fire Emblem? Oh, you mean that game that I've been pining for ever since I heard it was being localised? That one game that I'm excited about above all others? That one game that isn't yet released in Europe? You mean that game?...it hurts.

ok then you're excused
although i think kid icarus's control problems come from the 3DS taco's wonderful erogonomics (or lack therof) because i've people say it works fine on the XL

fun tip: for the best support conversations ever pick a female avatar, marry chrom and watch the magic happen

[Pixelated Pixies]

fun tip: for the best support conversations ever pick a female avatar, marry chrom and watch the magic happen

Thanks. I'll bear that in mind..._{it still hurts.}

[Pixelated Pixies]

Its Startropics.

You said that with such authority that I'm almost inclined to believe you.

[shingi_70]

Playing Kid Icarus uprising is what I would imagine the monster Hunter claw from the PSP iterations of the game were like.


Now Uprising is a game I wouldn't mind an extended wii U port of.

[pokepal148]

Playing Kid Icarus uprising is what I would imagine the monster Hunter claw from the PSP iterations of the game were like.


Now Uprising is a game I wouldn't mind an extended wii U port of.

hardly the 3ds taco is not designed in an erogonomic fashion and alot of the problems with controls come from the fact that the taco doesn't rest in one hand naturally. the controls themselves are a minor annoyance at worst but the XL fits more naturally in your hands(or one) removing the cramping issue coming from trying to grip the system

the MH claw was just a mess however

[TJ Spyke]

I wish people would stop calling the 3DS "taco", it's honestly a very stupid name. Just call it 3DS since that is its name.

I dont have any problem with the 3DS design, it feels very good in my hands. And I have never had and cramping problems with it, and I wonder how anybody could (unless you hold your system in a very weird way).