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3DS

The 3DS Fall Might Break Its Back

by Neal Ronaghan - August 13, 2012, 10:15 am EDT
Total comments: 59

Two major 3DS games are delayed, making a thin line-up thinner in the important lead up to Wii U.

Nintendo unveiled the rest of their 3DS release schedule for 2012. While there are assuredly quality games littered in the next few months, there were two key absences: Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate. We could also refer to those games as the "ones that got the biggest push at E3 2012."

Nintendo's press release confirmed the Luigi's Mansion delay, saying it is now coming out in the first half of 2013, an area also occupied by Fire Emblem and likely Animal Crossing on 3DS. Oddly, that makes the first half of 2013 stronger than the fall if those three games come out. We reached out to Konami regarding Mirror of Fate, but we have yet to get a reply. The game's absence in this press release makes it a safe bet that it isn't coming out soon.

In a fall that will ride heavily on the 3DS, as the Wii U won't be out until, unless Nintendo surprises everyone, November 18, this list of games is underwhelming. Nintendo's published 3DS retail titles from September to December (or more specifically, from October to November, as there are no Nintendo releases in September and none listed for December) consists of: 

  • one Mario RPG (Paper Mario: Sticker Star - November 11)
  • a Layton game (Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask - October 28)
  • one upgraded eShop game (FreakyForms Deluxe - November 5)
  • a sequel to a DS fashion game (Style Savvy: Trendstters - October 22)
  • a Crosswords game (Crosswords Plus - October 1)
  • a sequel to a DS art game (Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone! - October 1)

It might be well-rounded, but it's not inspiring. Outside of that, the third-party list nearly betters Nintendo's efforts. While the following is subjective, here is a list of interesting third-party titles in my eyes:

  • Skylanders Giants (October 21)
  • Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward (October 23)
  • Code of Princess (October 9)
  • Adventure Time (Fall)
  • Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (November 18)
It's not a miserable pile of games, but there is no stand-out, superlative work, like Super Mario 3D Land or Mario Kart 7 last year, that is a must-have game. This fall's tentative 3DS schedule is a mess of good-looking mid-tier and niche games. For a company coming off of their first loss in decades, this lineup of 3DS games can't inspire much confidence.

Although, taking a step back, New Super Mario Bros. 2 is coming out in August, and will likely sell at a high level throughout the fall. Similarly, Pokémon Black and White 2 hit October 7 on the DS, which will crossover considerably to the 3DS market. Those two caveats might save the company monetarily in regards to the 3DS, but still, the 3DS by itself during the fall is missing a heavy hitter. With the Wii U launch likely happening late in the season, this 3DS schedule doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence. But who knows, maybe we'll get a surprise or two, whether it's a last-second addition or some of the confirmed games far exceeding their expectations.

So, how do you feel about the 3DS' fall release schedule? Sound off in the Talkback thread below.

Talkback

NinJha01August 13, 2012

So you're saying this might be the Bane of its existence? (see what I did there?)

The only good spin I can come up with is that it means I don't have to spend as much money on 3DS games, which gives me more to spend on the Wii U, which unlike the 3DS has a great lineup.

I'll have more time to catch up on stuff and play more stuff on Vita/PS3/360, I guess. Maybe the eShop will blow me away? I don't know.

Chozo GhostAugust 13, 2012

It would have been nice if the 3DS would be getting Black Ops 2 this fall, but unfortunately that is going to the Vita. Such a waste.

On that note, I'm curious to see how the Vita lineup stacks up to this. My gut is that it might be stronger, which is weird to me.

I think they're about the same, which is horrible for the 3DS considering how much of a lead it has.

Pixelated PixiesAugust 13, 2012

For me, this lineup kind of sucks (I have to imagine that Europe will also see a delay for Luigi's Mansion). I was already pretty bummed out when they announced that Fire Emblem would not make it's Fall release, so the Luigi's Mansion delay is pretty dissappointing.

As someone who has been chastened by the complete lack of Wii software and having also decided not to purchase a Wii U until I get a better idea of what Nintendo's competitors will be doing in the next generation, alot of my gaming this year was pinned to the 3DS. So yeah, it's pretty dissappointing.

Having said that, I couldn't be happier about Spin Cycle and at least Super Paper Mario and Power of Illusion are coming out this year.

I get the feeling that Nintendo believes everybody who owns a 3DS will buy a Wii U, just like they assume everyone who bought a Wii will buy a 3DS and a Wii U. Their release schedules are dictated as such. So, if you're on the fence about Wii U, you're almost shit out of luck later this year. Likewise, if you don't own a 3DS and are waiting for Wii U, your new game fall is gonna be shit until November.

Pixelated PixiesAugust 13, 2012

Quote from: NWR_Neal

I get the feeling that Nintendo believes everybody who owns a 3DS will buy a Wii U, just like they assume everyone who bought a Wii will buy a 3DS and a Wii U. Their release schedules are dictated as such. So, if you're on the fence about Wii U, you're almost **** out of luck later this year. Likewise, if you don't own a 3DS and are waiting for Wii U, your new game fall is gonna be **** until November.


Yup. Pretty much. To a certain extent they're correct, as I have no doubt that many, many Wii and 3DS owners will run out and buy a Wii U simply because it's a box that will play Nintendo games (if I could afford it I'd be right there with them). Sucks for people like me though who stuck with the Wii, who bought a 3DS at launch, and who would have greatly liked to see their existing platforms better supported before they decide to commit to another one. I wouldn't go so far as to say I feel burned by Nintendo, but their handling of the Wii and 3DS have certainly weighed on my decision not to purchase a Wii U at launch.

KisakiProjectAugust 13, 2012

Well Adventure Time, Code of Princess & NSMB2 is a enough for me.  LM2 is a bummer.  I don't think it's as dire as people are acting.  Also NSMB2 is starting the holidays early etc.

ejamerAugust 13, 2012

To date, there has been exactly one 3DS retail game that I actually cared about owning. (There is also a small handful of quality games that don't appeal to me. Unfortunately it doesn't matter how "good" a game is if it doesn't appeal: I'm still not buying or playing it.)


The platform hasn't been a disappointment because of a fairly strong digital lineup and full backward compatibility... but it's been far from a standout system and hardly something I could recommend to my friends.

luigimanAugust 13, 2012

in super mario wiki it said the NA & europe has been delayed to Q1 2013 whlie japan still have a 2012 release f**k! :@

Chozo GhostAugust 13, 2012

Quote from: luigiman

in super mario wiki it said the NA & europe has been delayed to Q1 2013 whlie japan still have a 2012 release f**k! :@

I wouldn't trust anything a Wiki says... and if you are really desperate enough you can always just import it.

TJ SpykeAugust 13, 2012

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: luigiman

in super mario wiki it said the NA & europe has been delayed to Q1 2013 whlie japan still have a 2012 release f**k! :@

I wouldn't trust anything a Wiki says... and if you are really desperate enough you can always just import it.

Which is fine if he owns a Japanese 3DS.

joshnickersonAugust 13, 2012

Everything I heard about Luigi's Mansion suggested that it still needed a bit more polish, so the delay could probably be a good thing. Plus, it would probably be overshadowed by his older brother's RPG game if released in the same time period anyway.

I don't really remember those two games being "ones that got the biggest push at E3 2012." In fact, I'd forgotten about Castlevania until this article.

I'm not concerned, there are plenty of third party games coming out in the meantime.

TenserAugust 13, 2012

Not a fan of Luigi's Mansion but I see the Castlevania delay as a huge relief. I was staring down the face of three, possibly five games to purchase in October.


I am certainly picking up Code of Princess and Zero Escape. I also want Adventure Time and Unchained Blades which are both tentative October titles.


I'm also curious about Spy Hunter and NightSky.

Quote from: joshnickerson

I don't really remember those two games being "ones that got the biggest push at E3 2012." In fact, I'd forgotten about Castlevania until this article.

In terms of 3DS, the biggest push was at the 3DS presser Nintendo held. Castlevania and LM2 were two of the five games or so that got a prolonged spotlight.

TamazoidAugust 13, 2012

Castlevania most likely needs more time to work out its kinks. Most reports about the frame rate were pretty negative at E3.


Your comment about there being no stand out game is a bit strange since I would have thought Paper Mario and Mario RPGs in general are usually a bigger hit than Luigi's Mansion. So are you saying there was no stand out title to begin with?


Also where is Scribblenauts in your list? That's coming this year correct? Also what about Lego City Undercover?


My take on this is that Nintendo expects the titles to be coming out enough to tide over current users and that new users can pick up Mario Kart/3D Land/NSMB2/Kid Icarus to tide them over. Nintendo can't release system sellers every year.

AVAugust 13, 2012

This year will really suck if Scribblenauts Unlimited is disappointing. I really like the 2nd game and really want the 3rd game to be e-shop download.


Mario, Fluidity, Scribblenauts are the only games I really am interested in.


I got burnt out on mario rpgs after M&L bowser Inside Story


I guess my current 3DS games will get more play, but i wonder how long that will last.  :( :@ :confused; :-\ :-[

Bman87301August 13, 2012

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: luigiman

in super mario wiki it said the NA & europe has been delayed to Q1 2013 whlie japan still have a 2012 release f**k! :@

I wouldn't trust anything a Wiki says... and if you are really desprate enough you can always just import it.

If I'm not mistaken, LM:DM is being developed out of Canada-- meaning it's being developed in English first and will have to be localized for Japan. So it's pretty much certain that Japan won't be getting it this year either.

I don't think there was a stand-out fall 3DS title to begin with, though as I say, that could technically be NSMB2 or Pokémon B/W2. Even still, remove a solid big release from a holiday slate that already wasn't very strong makes it worse. Let's put it this way: throw in a Luigi's Mansion, a Fire Emblem, or an Animal Crossing into this current list, and I don't think I feel the urge to write this editorial. I understand LM likely will benefit from the extra time. It's just disappointing that there is a gap in the schedule (at least to me as a high-level 3DS user).

Scribblenauts, to me, isn't exciting on 3DS, which is why I added that caveat to the third-party list. That third-party list is games I would buy. I don't think I'd buy Scribblenauts 3DS. LEGO City wasn't mentioned, going with my personal theory that LEGO City ain't ready for primetime (3DS wasn't at E3; Wii U was very rough).

AVAugust 13, 2012

I know what your saying Neal , I guess its grasping for straws. The new one does look good, and they have improved on the games as they go so I EXPECT a great game, but unless it gets amazing scores i might skip it out.

Quote from: Mr.

I know what your saying Neal , I guess its grasping for straws. The new one does look good, and they have improved on the games as they go so I EXPECT a great game, but unless it gets amazing scores i might skip it out.

Oddly, the Wii U version does excite me, but I also think Scribblenauts works best as a kind of one-player party game.

TeaHeeAugust 14, 2012

Here is my conspiracy theory.  Nintendo short changes the 3DS this fall so that Wii U isn't overshadowed by its better line up.  Then to get your fix you by buying a Wii U and more of its games than you had planned.  Next spring when Wii U slows down you release some of your big 3DS titles to satiate gamers.


I don't really believe this, but I think very few people who promote conspiracy theories really believe them.

Chozo GhostAugust 14, 2012

Quote from: TeaHee

Here is my conspiracy theory.  Nintendo short changes the 3DS this fall so that Wii U isn't overshadowed by its better line up.  Then to get your fix you by buying a Wii U and more of its games than you had planned.  Next spring when Wii U slows down you release some of your big 3DS titles to satiate gamers.


I don't really believe this, but I think very few people who promote conspiracy theories really believe them.

The problem with that conspiracy theory is it could easily backfire and get people to buy games for other systems (or even buy other systems, if they don't already have them).

TennindoAugust 14, 2012

I guess the only thing we can look forward for is Paper Mario and New Super Mario Bros 2.
really 2012 wasn't a bad year for the 3DS. not like last year. We still have Kingdom Hearts, Heroes of Ruin, Mario Tennis, and Kid Icarus that will sell well during the holidays when parents buy the 3DS system. I think the 3DS will be ok during the Holiday.

Pixelated PixiesAugust 15, 2012

Quote from: Tennindo

I guess the only thing we can look forward for is Paper Mario and New Super Mario Bros 2.
really 2012 wasn't a bad year for the 3DS. not like last year. We still have Kingdom Hearts, Heroes of Ruin, Mario Tennis, and Kid Icarus that will sell well during the holidays when parents buy the 3DS system. I think the 3DS will be ok during the Holiday.


It depends on the type of games that interest you I guess. 2012 thus far for me has been a pretty sparse year in terms of 3DS releases that I am interested in. In fact, the only retail 3DS game I've bought this year has been Kid Icarus: Uprising (and not to open that can of worms again, but I don't think it was half as good as many people suggest).

The games I was looking forward to most have all been delayed until next year, Fire Emblem being my most anticipated. Being as though I only have a Wii and 3DS, you can imagine how starved I am for games right now. The delay of even one of these games, like Luigi's Mansion, blows sizeable holes in the release schedule for someone like me.

LouieturkeyAugust 15, 2012

I've heard Kingdom Hearts 3D is a pretty good action RPG.  Or are you only interested in SRPGs?

Pixelated PixiesAugust 15, 2012

Quote from: Louieturkey

I've heard Kingdom Hearts 3D is a pretty good action RPG.  Or are you only interested in SRPGs?


I'm not really much of an RPG guy full stop. Thanks to retroactive though I played Ogre Battle 64 and Fire Emblem and have inadvertently became an inexperienced fan of SRPGs. I have enjoyed quite a few JRPGs (Secret of Mana, Chronotrigger, FF6, The Last Story and Xenoblade being among my favourites), but it certainly wouldn't be my genre of choice.

As for Kingdom Hearts I can't say I've ever played one. I did try out the DDD demo and thought the Flow Motion stuff had some potential, but I had a real strong negative reaction to it aesthetically. The whole look of the game was really off putting to me. I mean technically it's one of the 3DS's better games, but I really don't like the art style of that game. I also had some serious camera issues during the demo. It could be cool I guess, I just don't think it's for me.

Chocobo_RiderAugust 16, 2012

So much insanity in this thread....

People claim to want new IPs, and then discount them when they are coming.  People claim to want 3rd party support, and then complain and overlook it if it outshines first party stuff.

Just because LM2 and CV got pushed back, suddenly those are the games everyone wants the most.  People would be giving the same song and dance if you swapped those games out for Paper Mario and Epic Mickey or maybe even Code of Princess or the 999 sequel.

Seems like whatever could possibly be this month's weak link is suddenly the most important facet of a given Nintendo platform.  It's just a doom and gloom machine and it's a little embarrassing.

But hey, that's just my take.  Personally, I will struggle to afford all the 3DS games I want for the remainder of 2012 - let alone Wii U stuff.

Pixelated PixiesAugust 16, 2012

Quote from: NinSage

So much insanity in this thread....

Just because LM2 and CV got pushed back, suddenly those are the games everyone wants the most.  People would be giving the same song and dance if you swapped those games out for Paper Mario and Epic Mickey or maybe even Code of Princess or the 999 sequel.

Seems like whatever could possibly be this month's weak link is suddenly the most important facet of a given Nintendo platform.  It's just a doom and gloom machine and it's a little embarrassing.


I think it just seems that way. I don't think that people would lie about which games they're interested in just because those games have been delayed (although I do not doubt that for some people a delay might heighten their anticipation). Neal's post was about two games which were being delayed, so you'd expect that those people who were most interested in those two games would have more to say about the topic.

So in a sense you're right. If the games being delayed were Paper Mario and Epic Mickey you'd probably get the same tone from many of the posts, but it wouldn't necessarilly be the same people. Personally, I'm glad that people are excited about playing these games and that they want to see a healthy release schedule for their platform. I'd be more embarrassed if nobody cared.

WHERE'S ALL THE OUTRAGE THAT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANIMAL CROSSING YET?!?!?

That's the real outrage for me, Carmine. If we were getting Animal Crossing this fall I wouldn't care what got pushed to 2013.

Chocobo_RiderAugust 16, 2012

@Pix^2

Yea, but it's not that people wouldn't CARE about those games.  It's the fact that people dwell on their absence to the extent of appearing to NOT CARE about what we ARE getting.

Btw, Luigi's Mansion 2 is one of the two games that made me say "yes! I will one day have to get a 3DS!" But I mean, c'mon, I can't be the only one with enough perspective to not have to start flippin' tea tables about playing it in the Winter/Spring instead of Fall/Winter.

Anyway, I appreciate that you did word your difference of opinion in a kind, respectful and level-headed way.  Good on you, man.  Seriously.

@Kairon

ha! I would also really like to know when that's happening =)

broodwarsAugust 16, 2012

For me, my ire is based on the fact that almost every game I was really looking forward to this year has been delayed into next year.  And next year, those games will all either kill each other, or they'll all be delayed again.  In fact, Castlevania LOS: MOF was one of the games I bought my 3DS for since I'm a big fan of the first Lords of Shadow.  With no Sly Cooper and no Castlevania this Fall, it's looking like a pretty underwhelming rest of the year in terms of games that I have had interest in.  Dishonored could be interesting, but I kind of want to see how it reviews first.  PSAS Battle Royale needs a lot of work from what I've seen of the Beta.  Everything either just doesn't appeal to me or doesn't look good enough to warrant an immediate purchase.

ShyGuyAugust 17, 2012

Have a nice TRIP, see you next FALL.

Chozo GhostAugust 17, 2012

Quote from: Kairon

WHERE'S ALL THE OUTRAGE THAT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANIMAL CROSSING YET?!?!?

Each Animal Crossing game is basically the same as the last. Just play your Wii or DS or Gamecube version. Doesn't really matter. All the same stuff.

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: Kairon

WHERE'S ALL THE OUTRAGE THAT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANIMAL CROSSING YET?!?!?

Each Animal Crossing game is basically the same as the last. Just play your Wii or DS or Gamecube version. Doesn't really matter. All the same stuff.

Your lack of outrage disappoints me.

Pixelated PixiesAugust 17, 2012

I would just like to say that I've never played an Animal Crossing game and don't really feel the need to. I still don't completely understand why those games are so popular from a gameplay perspective. Aren't those games ultimately just about farming, collecting, and buying stuff?

AnGerAugust 17, 2012

I don't see any problems with the 3DS's fall line-up (except the fact that I'm pretty pissed about not getting Code of Princess, so people with an european 3DS like me will be at the mercy of niche publishers...), mainly because I don't think that people will buy (and play) all these must-haves in such a short timespan.

The combination of the 3DS line-up with the Vita line-up and the Wii U launch means it'll be a fine a fall. Last year, I basically survived almost solely on 3DS in the fall. That's why I'm disappointed. It's not a bad season; it's just not a great one.

Chozo GhostAugust 17, 2012

Quote from: Kairon

Quote from: Chozo

Quote from: Kairon

WHERE'S ALL THE OUTRAGE THAT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANIMAL CROSSING YET?!?!?

Each Animal Crossing game is basically the same as the last. Just play your Wii or DS or Gamecube version. Doesn't really matter. All the same stuff.

Your lack of outrage disappoints me.

The franchise needs a huge overhaul before I would get interested in it again. I bought the Gamecube version, and then later I got the DS version and I was disappointed at how it seems like I had just bought the same exact game twice. So having learned my lesson I passed on the Wii version, and from all accounts apparently it isn't a huge leap over the past versions just like I figured.

I need to see some hard evidence that the next Animal Crossing will be substantially different before I would consider buying it. I suppose a Wii U version that makes use of the tablet controller thing would probably have a lot of improvements in that respect, but would that be enough to justify it? We shall wait and see.

But Kairon, don't be outraged because I think its a certainty there will be an Animal Crossing on the Wii U. Whether its a worthwhile upgrade over the last ones remains to be seen, but either way it will happen.

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the 3DS Animal Crossing that we know is in development and is most likely coming out in North America in early 2013. From what little we know of how it plays, it definitely seems like more of an overhaul than any previous version has been.

Quote from: Chozo

But Kairon, don't be outraged because I think its a certainty there will be an Animal Crossing on the Wii U.

^_^

Quote from: Chozo

Whether its a worthwhile upgrade over the last ones remains to be seen, but either way it will happen.

T-T

The only way it would be interesting to me is if Animal Crossing WAS the Miiverse and it was MMO.

Chozo GhostAugust 17, 2012

Yeah, I agree with Megabyte. I've been thinking for a long time that Animal Crossing should be an MMORPG. There is only so much interaction you can have with an AI, and it gets boring and repetitive after awhile. But what if instead AI, all the characters you interact with are real people? Then the interactive potential suddenly becomes infinite.

The only downside is then you have to deal with people being offensive or obscene online. Nintendo would have to police that, especially when we're talking about an E rated game where parents won't want their kids exposed to F bombs and Swastika and what have you. This is the dilemma Nintendo faces in bringing the Wii U into the online era.

It wouldn't really be Animal Crossing if you did that. I'd like to see the ability to share a town with a few friends online, but I don't want it to be an MMO. I like the AI characters, and I like having my own unique town. The 3DS game's focus on you being the mayor and customizing your town sounds great to me.

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

It wouldn't really be Animal Crossing if you did that. I'd like to see the ability to share a town with a few friends online, but I don't want it to be an MMO. I like the AI characters, and I like having my own unique town. The 3DS game's focus on you being the mayor and customizing your town sounds great to me.

And I think that's why the current Animal Crossing fans will be the only AC fans. It's the same thing with Pokemon, too, I feel.

If you turn it into an MMO I don't think you'd gain that many fans; it'd basically be PlayStation Home all over again, where people might be interested at first but wouldn't stick around. You'd also alienate all the current fans by drastically changing it. Turning it into an MMO would effectively kill the franchise.

PlayStation Home isn't applicable. It was based on nothing. Animal Crossing is a Nintendo franchise that has been around for a decade. That's like saying a generic arcade sports game failing means Nintendo should never make another Mario sports game.

I'm with Aaron; if it were an MMO and the hub for Miiverse, I'd be way more interested.

Animal Crossing would make for a horrible MMO, and an even worse hub for Miiverse. The whole charm of the series would have to be eliminated to make it work in that context. Despite the history of the franchise, it would effectively be PlayStation Home; the history wouldn't make it more appealing, at least in the long term, and it would essentially kill a series of games that a lot of people love.

I just don't understand how it would "effectively be PlayStation Home" when it has what Home lacked: a personality. Does that mean they should scrap Miiverse because it's "effectively PlayStation Home"? I mean, why bother do anything like that when it would "effectively be PlayStation Home"?

Concessions would have to be made, but hey, I'd rather the series take a risk than have its biggest new feature being "hey guys! You can be the mayor this time! It's like, totally gonna change everything! Just like when you could go to the city!"

I see you want the same game over and over again. I guess that means you're cool with endless parades of side-scrolling Marios, traditional Zeldas, etc.

ShyGuyAugust 18, 2012

Yeah Insanolord, take that!

Quote from: NWR_Neal

I just don't understand how it would "effectively be PlayStation Home" when it has what Home lacked: a personality. Does that mean they should scrap Miiverse because it's "effectively PlayStation Home"? I mean, why bother do anything like that when it would "effectively be PlayStation Home"?

I don't see how they could retain the personality and charm of the series while turning it into an MMO, which was my point.

Quote from: NWR_Neal

Concessions would have to be made, but hey, I'd rather the series take a risk than have its biggest new feature being "hey guys! You can be the mayor this time! It's like, totally gonna change everything! Just like when you could go to the city!"

That's literally all we know about that game, and it's much more of a game changer than anything the previous sequels have had to offer. I'd prefer to wait and see what the final product brings to the table before writing it off based on assumptions just because we haven't heard anything else yet.

Quote from: NWR_Neal

I see you want the same game over and over again. I guess that means you're cool with endless parades of side-scrolling Marios, traditional Zeldas, etc.

I don't want that, but arguing that that's what Animal Crossing has been is shortchanging the series. There have been significant improvements to the core mechanics over the course of the series that aren't immediately obvious on the surface. Just like while on the surface Madden this year looks nearly identical to the same game five years ago, there are a ton of changes you only notice if you've played a ton of both of them.

The 3DS Animal Crossing is about two or so months from release in Japan, so I guess we will find out then. Even still, Madden and Animal Crossing have both been iterative series. You're right that there are tweaks and changes below the surface, but that doesn't change that Animal Crossing can be compared to a football series that is limited in how much it changes from year to year because it is based off of a professional sport that doesn't see many changes from year to year.

Quote from: NWR_Neal

You're right that there are tweaks and changes below the surface, but that doesn't change that Animal Crossing can be compared to a football series that is limited in how much it changes from year to year because it is based off of a professional sport that doesn't see many changes from year to year.

Hmm... I've never thought of condensed-letter writing as a sport, but maybe it is...

Though I do have to point out, Animal Crossing isn't anywhere near annualized. We get one-per-console and that's it. Done. That's a lower frequency than we get, oh... Zelda games, for example.

I'm kind of curious to see how much they could add on top of the existing formula without turning it into a completely different game. I think the ideal would be to have a persistent world, but not really an MMO, where you can share a town with a few friends, each with a house, and each able to access it at any time, regardless of who was or wasn't online. This could easily be done, although it would require real servers or they could take the more complicated route of a really sophisticated back-end that made it look persistent for everyone but was really just save file swaps and peer-to-peer multiplayer.

Regardless, just like I buy Madden (and NHL and FIFA) every year, I'll continue to buy Animal Crossing even if it stays with the iterative updates, because every couple years I get the itch to play it again and I might as well play the best version available.

Chozo GhostAugust 18, 2012

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

people might be interested at first but wouldn't stick around.

Isn't that pretty much how a lot of people feel about Animal Crossing as it is now?

Perhaps, but that's a much harsher criticism for an MMO that would require a drastic change to the series than it is for continuing down the current path.

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