Jon is gone. Jonny is gone. Billy is here. James is in charge. What could go wrong?
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/30985
With Jon still stranded on a beach somewhere, and Jonny lost deep in the heart of NYC, James and Guillaume find comfort in the warm embrace of NWR founder Billy Berghammer.
Billy uses this platform as his chance to reflect on the E3 that was - and to solicit our thoughts on what is widely considered a bit of a disappointing show. He also has impressions from Mario Tennis Open and Gravity Rush. Guillaume hates on Popcap Games, with Billy leading a spirited defense of the EA subsidiary's works, and discusses being the "co" in Super Mario Galaxy's co-star mode. James rounds out new business with a look-back on a Game Boy game from his past, Kid Dracula, a Konami-produced self-parody of Castlevania games.
In listener mail, the trio discuss Nintendo in the world of the $100 million video game, Nintendo in the world of downloadable games, and practical purchasing advice for the RPG-gamer on the go.
As always, we value your input - so write us an email with questions or comments on all things gaming - or not about gaming. We love your mail, so keep sending it.
Hm, I subscribe to the iTunes version but this one didn't have chapter stops for me, should I try to re-download?I'm sorry, I don't know what happened, but I've fixed it now. Please re-download.
@ the plants vs zombies discussion
Welcome to life as a Nintendo fan, Guillaume.
I'm sure you'll be discussing this on the next episode but do you know whether or not Nintendo have any contingency in place for when this happens?
I'm sure you'll be discussing this on the next episode but do you know whether or not Nintendo have any contingency in place for when this happens?
With a police report.
Yes, I'm serious. At least they could move my Ambassador status over, having been down this road already.
NEVER ACCUSE ME OF PROFESSIONALISM!
I've waited for a long time for a soapbox to say it. PvsZ is neat, but good lord, there were so many quick fun games that came out at the same time as the XLBA version, and then the iPad version...
I mean no disrespect to you, but I am confused as to why you put the time into playing the co op when it's a game you don't much care for. When you finished discussing it I couldn't help thinking
"So... why did Gui want his girl friend to play this?"
Or is this one of those games like inFamous 2 where you did actually enjoy playing it but had a lot of criticisms?
Goodness knows I have played my fair share of games where I felt like that.
It's an enjoyable game with good music and cute art. I've said as much on the show. And the fact that it's easy and exploitable becomes a plus when you're trying to figure out what game to play with someone who hasn't played as many games as you have.
Plus, I knew we were going to play games together, but I hadn't really planned anything in advance. I figured I'd watch her play Wind Waker but she didn't really want to, so I went "let me look at what I have".
I went for the PSP last Christmas and was able to get kitted out for about $140 with a 16GB card (brand new 3000 + microSD + memory stick adapter). The 3000 is the best bet because in my experience, the used games are usually SquareEnix ones that aren't on PSN.
The Tactics redo and Tactics Ogre are on PSN ($10) but the Final Fantasy 1 remake isn't, same with Kingdom Hearts, the Valkyrie Profile/Star Ocean remakes and Crisis Core. And I wouldn't wish Final Fantasy 2 on my worst enemy (though Chozo should check it out).
But yes, abuse the hell out of the July Atlus sale (Personas and the entire Department Heaven strategy RPG series runs about a new PS3 game altogether). Also, XSeed's Tales in the Sky was in my GOTY discussion for 2011, and that's pretty cheap now.
Does the Vita support PSP UMDs or just downloads? I looked it up but couldn't find a definitive answer.
Billy, my man, I respect you a lot. I really do. But what happened this episode? You voiced some opinions that I never thought I would hear on such a quality podcast. No offense, but, I strongly disagree with the following opinions of yours:
-smartphone cross-platforming would help games on Nintendo systems
-designing a car/ship/castle/RPG party at work and playing it at home is a valuable feature
-HD ports/"remakes" are exciting
Two ways to look at it:
1) Sony, heading into the holidays and finally supported by some mainstream killer apps (Call of Duty, Assasins Creed), decide to ride out the end of the year and see if sales can rebound. This will be the systems first Xmas in the west after all. They adjust pricing following the holiday slowdown and perhaps on the back of their first hardware update.
I predict a Connectibites v. RFN throwdown.
I do like Hd remakes of things I haven't played before, but it's highly unliky that Nintendo will chose to remake games I haven't played before.
Billy, my man, I respect you a lot. I really do. But what happened this episode? You voiced some opinions that I never thought I would hear on such a quality podcast. No offense, but, I strongly disagree with the following opinions of yours:
-smartphone cross-platforming would help games on Nintendo systems
-designing a car/ship/castle/RPG party at work and playing it at home is a valuable feature
-HD ports/"remakes" are exciting
-Kid Icarus Uprising is not (very obviously) top-notch voice acting
-someone wants gaming on a budget and you suggest the Vita? yyyyiiiiikes. That console is not even simply "$150 more" when you factor in the memory sticks. Especially since she said she wanted to do a lot of downloadable games.
Gui, great job. Thanks for politely challenging a lot of Billy's opinions that I disagreed with.
James, good job hosting, sir.
Instant Pre-Order.I do like Hd remakes of things I haven't played before, but it's highly unliky that Nintendo will chose to remake games I haven't played before.Well, we'll see what you have to say when an HD remake of Captain Rainbow gets announced.
And G-Man, you really shone this episode. I had the impression over the past few that you have been somewhat quiet, and this is probably because of adjustment (the absent John(y)s I am sure also played a role).
Also, Billy obviously needs to play more Kid Icarus: Uprising. It's pretty clear when people haven't played much of it. It's balls-to-the-wall insane and awesome.
@Insano
Cool. Hit me with your reasons if you have time.
Also, Billy obviously needs to play more Kid Icarus: Uprising. It's pretty clear when people haven't played much of it. It's balls-to-the-wall insane and awesome.
@well, mostly everyone
I can't believe my (virtual) ears. Doesn't everyone break out the pitchforks and torches when Nintendo remakes/releases old games? Doesn't everyone get all pissy when any platform's launch line-up largely (and, in that case, sensibly) consists of remakes/ports?
Plus, unless the remake is truly lazy (which, granted, many are) that means resources are taken away from what would otherwise be a new game.
I may be mistaken, but I would expect Nintendo to release Gamecube games as downloadable for Wii U as direct ports, nothing more, nothing less.So F-Zero will restart for no reason and Metroid Prime will go all weird artifacty for that authentic GCN feel?
...
I may be mistaken, but I would expect Nintendo to release Gamecube games as downloadable for Wii U as direct ports, nothing more, nothing less.So F-Zero will restart for no reason and Metroid Prime will go all weird artifacty for that authentic GCN feel?
...
On My Cube it was so bad that I rarely ever completed a full race. Though Mine also had a problem with Battalion Wars at times.I may be mistaken, but I would expect Nintendo to release Gamecube games as downloadable for Wii U as direct ports, nothing more, nothing less.So F-Zero will restart for no reason and Metroid Prime will go all weird artifacty for that authentic GCN feel?
...
Metroid Prime isn't something I can comment on, as i've never played anything from that series, but I can say that I've logged dozens of hours in F-Zero GX and have never had that issue with it.
On My Cube it was so bad that I rarely ever completed a full race. Though Mine also had a problem with Battalion Wars at times.I may be mistaken, but I would expect Nintendo to release Gamecube games as downloadable for Wii U as direct ports, nothing more, nothing less.So F-Zero will restart for no reason and Metroid Prime will go all weird artifacty for that authentic GCN feel?
...
Metroid Prime isn't something I can comment on, as i've never played anything from that series, but I can say that I've logged dozens of hours in F-Zero GX and have never had that issue with it.
F-Zero doesn't play nice with non-nintendo controllers or memory cards; I think Battalion Wars had the same problem.On My Cube it was so bad that I rarely ever completed a full race. Though Mine also had a problem with Battalion Wars at times.I may be mistaken, but I would expect Nintendo to release Gamecube games as downloadable for Wii U as direct ports, nothing more, nothing less.So F-Zero will restart for no reason and Metroid Prime will go all weird artifacty for that authentic GCN feel?
...
Metroid Prime isn't something I can comment on, as i've never played anything from that series, but I can say that I've logged dozens of hours in F-Zero GX and have never had that issue with it.
My Wavebirds and Stock Nintendo Memcard would like a word with you.F-Zero doesn't play nice with non-nintendo controllers or memory cards; I think Battalion Wars had the same problem.On My Cube it was so bad that I rarely ever completed a full race. Though Mine also had a problem with Battalion Wars at times.I may be mistaken, but I would expect Nintendo to release Gamecube games as downloadable for Wii U as direct ports, nothing more, nothing less.So F-Zero will restart for no reason and Metroid Prime will go all weird artifacty for that authentic GCN feel?
...
Metroid Prime isn't something I can comment on, as i've never played anything from that series, but I can say that I've logged dozens of hours in F-Zero GX and have never had that issue with it.
I may be mistaken, but I would expect Nintendo to release Gamecube games as downloadable for Wii U as direct ports, nothing more, nothing less.So F-Zero will restart for no reason and Metroid Prime will go all weird artifacty for that authentic GCN feel?
...
Metroid Prime isn't something I can comment on, as i've never played anything from that series, but I can say that I've logged dozens of hours in F-Zero GX and have never had that issue with it.
My take-home point is that it seems that as of late Nintendo seems to have made focus of their decisions based on improving shareholder confidence (2 2D Mario Platformers in one year?). To me, it would make more sense to expand the Wii U's version of virtual console to include Gamecube games and give the same treatment that they gave Nintendo 64, SNES, & NES games.
Recently a friend of mine was tickled pink that NiGHTS into Dreams was getting an HD remake. Now, I looooove that franchise. But, when I heard that news it was met with an overwhelming *yaaawn*. I don't want SEGA to spend time making HD assets for a game that is still perfectly enjoyable on the flippin' Sega Saturn.
My Wavebirds and Stock Nintendo Memcard would like a word with you.F-Zero doesn't play nice with non-nintendo controllers or memory cards; I think Battalion Wars had the same problem.On My Cube it was so bad that I rarely ever completed a full race. Though Mine also had a problem with Battalion Wars at times.I may be mistaken, but I would expect Nintendo to release Gamecube games as downloadable for Wii U as direct ports, nothing more, nothing less.So F-Zero will restart for no reason and Metroid Prime will go all weird artifacty for that authentic GCN feel?
...
Metroid Prime isn't something I can comment on, as i've never played anything from that series, but I can say that I've logged dozens of hours in F-Zero GX and have never had that issue with it.
Recently a friend of mine was tickled pink that NiGHTS into Dreams was getting an HD remake. Now, I looooove that franchise. But, when I heard that news it was met with an overwhelming *yaaawn*. I don't want SEGA to spend time making HD assets for a game that is still perfectly enjoyable on the flippin' Sega Saturn....
AND FINALLY IN DEFENSE OF REMAKES:
Remakes make money for devs and publishers (or at least that is the idea). These companies need profits to survive and continue to make games, which I want them to do. There are plenty of new games if you don't want to buy a remake (unless it's a console launch of course, and even then you can always wait a few months).
It always bugs me in any industry when people expect main stream house hold names to operate like artistic, experimental indies. Successful indies are hugely influential on mainstream brands, they all have their place.
All I ask is that the products I pay for do not suck.
Can the recent Nintendo press release saying Ocarina of Time 3D just crossed 1 million units be the nail in the coffin for VGChartz? They're reporting 1.29 million, which even if Nintendo's numbers are only from the end of June, likely is off. I doubt OoT 3D sold a fifth of its sales in the past month.