Messages

17701

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Looks like Earthbound won't be hitting Virtual Console

« on: February 20, 2009, 05:29:07 PM »

What about when Hotel Mario and the three Zelda games appeared on the 3DO? Wasn't that due to a legal battle that Nintendo lost? Although I'd say the real losers were anyone who bought those games...

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Mario Kart Wii

« on: February 19, 2009, 07:59:04 PM »

I do think there should be a way to dodge the blue shell

You've probably found out about this by now, but just in case you (or anyone) doesn't know: You can dodge the blue shell if you use a mushroom right before it explodes. You can also dodge it if you make it into a cannon before it hits, but that's pretty circumstantial.

VR doesn't mean anything in the sense of unlockables or awards. It can, however, be an indication of the type of player you're about to face. If you see somebody with 9,999 VR, they are likely using Funky Kong + Lame Runner and are going to somehow achieve a huge lead and be nigh unstoppable. If you see somebody with less than 2,000 VR, they're likely just going to mess around, possibly camp on an item box and target first place. Hackers also sometimes give themselves low VR just for the lawls of it. If you see anyone with more than 9,999 VR, they're a hacker.

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TalkBack / Re: IMPRESSIONS: Wii de Asobu Metroid Prime

« on: February 19, 2009, 07:16:29 PM »

Forget that, just buy the JPN version of the GameCube original.

J/k. I'm sure somebody will look into this once the game is released in North America. I don't know when that's going to be though.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Mario and Sonic at the Winter Games!!

« on: February 19, 2009, 07:02:51 PM »

Wait, what? You think it's going to be a failure? I thought you were looking forward to the game?
What little we've seen so far looks pretty good to me.

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TalkBack / Re: IMPRESSIONS: Wii de Asobu Metroid Prime

« on: February 19, 2009, 06:56:55 PM »

What I wonder is if this game is going to be easier with the new control scheme. It wasn't designed with free-look in mind, the original control style didn't have that. Enemies were placed in places within your field of vision so you could quickly lock-on to them, since you couldn't really look up or down (easily).

The difficulty selection being available at the start makes me wonder... Might the "hard" mode actually be the "normal" mode of the first game, and the "normal" mode is now an "easy" mode? If there's some sort of "super hard" difficulty unlocked through completion, that might answer this question.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: A new developer joins Nintendo's Ranks

« on: February 19, 2009, 12:06:37 AM »

Go dig up some old Brawl threads if you want to vent about Brawl.

The Brawl board doesn't exist anymore, and I was under the impression that bumping old topics was at least frowned upon. In any case, I don't think any good would come from that, and I regret adding to the comments about Brawl in the first place.

it pretty much says Sakurai and this team will be working on a new IP for Nintendo that'll be something people wouldn't expect from Nintendo.

This has me curious as to what, exactly, this means. I wonder what Sakurai's idea of what that something is that people wouldn't expect from Nintendo. It could be a genre which they don't really touch up on with their various franchises, such as a more traditional RPG or a shooter. It could also be in the way the game is presented, such as having a more "mature" theme or something. Yes, this is very interesting indeed.

If I had to guess, I'd say it's an RPG of some kind.

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TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Announces Official North American DSi Release Date

« on: February 18, 2009, 09:57:34 PM »

Realistically, what would the DS successor feature besides better graphics?

It would feature all of the additions that this DSi has as well as a hardware upgrade. It shouldn't be released now, it should come out after the DS has run its course. It would also have backwards compatibility of course so people could still play their existing DS libraries. The GBA slot would still be axed, but at that point I doubt very many people would care.

This DSi is what is making the DS successor have little room to grow besides better hardware.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: A new developer joins Nintendo's Ranks

« on: February 18, 2009, 09:03:43 PM »

A reference to what? 2001 the year itself, or 2001: A Space Odyssey?
In either case, sorry for not catching that.

17709

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Announces Official North American DSi Release Date

« on: February 18, 2009, 08:42:42 PM »

I just check Wikipedia and saw that the DSi launched in Japan for ¥18,900 (including tax), which is about $192.

What a coincidence, that's my lucky number! I wonder if this means I should buy one...?

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: A new developer joins Nintendo's Ranks

« on: February 18, 2009, 08:40:01 PM »

Your list is full of things that can easily be avoided and/or turned off.

The dumbed-down gameplay can't be turned off.
Single-player can't be avoided to unlock everything.
The art style can't be changed.
If I were to turn off every contrived stage I'd be left with about five stages.
If I turned off every powerful item I wouldn't be left with much.
I could mute the sound and whistle my own music.
Uninspired Break the Targets stages can't be avoided.
Filler content takes up space which could be used for more... game.

Most importantly, the effort used to create many of these things was taken away from expanding the multiplayer mode.

What am I left with after all of that? Not much. Brawl contains almost nothing that I wanted. I suppose that deserves being responded to with generic "you fail" messages because it was everything you wanted. It's an opinion, it differs from yours, that doesn't merit a "fail" response.

MY GOSH, IT'S FULL OF STICKERS

Way to nitpick on a SINGLE complaint I have. I have hundreds more, and they all add up.

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Mario Kart Wii

« on: February 18, 2009, 08:18:47 PM »

I wanted to like the Wii Wheel but unfortunately I cannot stand the button layout of the thing. I still use it every now and then, but I have to use Automatic drift or else things go awry, and fast. I never use tricks or wheelies either. I have to use the GameCube controller to play my best... and that's a comparative term of course, it doesn't mean I'm any good at the game.

17712

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Announces Official North American DSi Release Date

« on: February 18, 2009, 08:13:57 PM »

You expected it to be $200? The system is about $186 in Japan, and game systems are usually cheaper here than in Japan.

I didn't know what it was in Japan, I was basing my assumption on import prices, of which I saw it selling for $250-300.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: A new developer joins Nintendo's Ranks

« on: February 18, 2009, 08:09:16 PM »

This is the worst post I've ever seen, and I should know because I'm the worst poster.

Are you referring to my post? If you are, that was just something I've been holding back for a while now and needed to get out. I realize this isn't the best time or place for it, but I figured there would never be a good time or place for it. All things considered, it could have been a lot worse.

Note how I never claimed that SSBBrawl was a bad game, I simply stated it wasn't what I wanted. If anyone wants to ridicule me, I don't mind. In fact, I expect it and welcome it, and am disappointed if nobody does.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: A new developer joins Nintendo's Ranks

« on: February 18, 2009, 07:23:28 PM »

I sure hope Sakurai is never allowed near the Smash Brothers series ever again, it is clear his vision with it has changed over the eight years since its inception. I hope we do see another Smash game soon because the last game was nowhere near what I wanted. Personally I'd love a Smash game involving just Mario characters as there are tons who I'd love to take into the ring (or onto the floating platform I guess).

I don't think I had unrealistic expectations for Brawl. In fact, before its release I deliberately tried to avoid any information regarding it so I wouldn't over hype myself for it. The biggest difference I see in Melee and Brawl is that Melee felt like a tribute to Nintendo whilst Brawl feels like an advertisement for Nintendo. Rather than express what I wanted, I'm going to list what I didn't want:

-An expanded single player mode. Smash is a party/multiplayer game, and while things like Break the Targets and Multi-Man Melee are fun, I'd gladly trade them all for a few extra characters and stages.

-Dumbed-down gameplay. Smash is already a pretty simple game, there was no need to alter any part of it. No -L-cancel, no hit stun, infinite air dodges, too many powerful moves... oh and what is up with the random tripping? This game is random enough, no more of those elements are needed.

-A more serious art style and tone. This is a game where Nintendo worlds collide, most of which are pretty vibrant I might add. Don't try to create a story to explain how it happened, just let the insanity ensue.

-Contrived stages. Almost every stage in Brawl has some sort of hazard, such as wandering enemies, moving sections, or some other nonsense to interfere with everyone. There are very few traditional stages with no frills, and some of the ones which were included are too small. The Stage Builder is a way to create more traditional stages, but it is extremely limited and very bland visually; I'd gladly trade it for some premade stages that are actually well-designed.

-Too many powerful items. Lots of them are one-hit KOs or can KO at low damages. And I couldn't loathe the Smash Ball anymore than I currently do.

-Trophies and stickers. The trophy feature in Melee was interesting but I'd still have preferred that effort spent on more characters and stages. Brawl adds stickers to the mix of useless content, and almost all of the trophies and stickers don't go back farther than the GameCube era.

-No more unique stages for Break The Targets. They've been replaced by five uninspired levels that aren't designed around any character's specific strengths and weaknesses. The single-player adventure has this problem as well.

-Over half the music being ripped straight from the originals or original compositions created for the game. The original music doesn't fit the game at all.

-Masterpieces. What a waste of disc space, and a shameful attempt to sell VC games.

-No Toad and Birdo. Okay, now that's all me I know, but still...

-No third-party characters. I'm probably alone on this (and in disliking Brawl in general), but Smash is for Nintendo characters ONLY. At least Snake got his start on the NES, but Sonic is all wrong.

All of that is even before I get into what I did want to see, but this post is getting ridiculous as it is.

Basically, it isn't that Brawl didn't have enough content, it is that it went in a different direction than the things I wanted to see in a sequel.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: US DSi box art

« on: February 18, 2009, 06:29:15 PM »

The Nintendo DSiPod can't be too far off now.

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TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Announces Official North American DSi Release Date

« on: February 18, 2009, 06:04:24 PM »

As the first truly interactive digital camera in a video game system with 10 different interactive "lenses" that can manipulate your photos, the Nintendo DSi Camera offers an easy way to take and share your photos with family and friends.

Yeah, never mind the EyeToy, or even your own Game Boy Camera that this clearly builds upon.

I think the key word there is "in". This is the first videogame system to have a camera included in the hardware and not as an optional accessory. That's our Nintendo, they always try to find ways in which they're the first to do everything.

Anyways, I still don't understand the point of the DSi. These kinds of features should be held off until the real successor to the DS is released, which could be in the next couple of years (but might be longer now that they've released this thing). The DSiWare exclusive games are bad enough, but if there are also going to be special DSi games alongside the regular DS games that's just going to cause confusion and even more market crowding. The DS Lite is still selling just fine, all this is going to do is split the userbase and anger those who just bought a DS... such as myself. Although, I probably wouldn't have gotten a DSi anyway since it doesn't come in pink.

These kinds of "micro evolutions" are my main problem with Nintendo right now. They're blatantly trying to squeeze the industry for every penny it is worth.

I must admit though, I expected the price to be higher. Based on Japan, I thought it would be $200. It's even lower than the rumoured $180.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Hudson isn't giving up on Virtual Console support in NA after all!!!

« on: February 17, 2009, 08:52:06 PM »

Mr. Jack: I realize how that post seems sarcastic, but unfortunately it isn't. I want to see a Mario Party 9 because the Wii is the perfect reason to revitalize the series. MP8 was good but it doesn't take full advantage of the potential of Wii; only about half of the minigames use motion/pointer controls. Some sort of online mode would be a welcome addition as well. Besides, the series is immensely popular, I can't imagine Nintendo/Hudson would want to give it up just like that. In fact, one reason there may be no mention of MP9 yet is because MP8 is still selling fairly well.

I don't see how a release of Mario Party 9 would negatively affect you; if you don't like the series then don't buy the game. As I have shown with Mario Party 8, Mario Party 9 wouldn't take the place of another Mario game.

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TalkBack / Re: This Week's Virtual Console and WiiWare

« on: February 17, 2009, 08:31:48 PM »

As hard as it is to believe, Cruis'n USA was published by Nintendo on the N64.

Really? Even so, the series is owned by Midway, is it not? Does Nintendo still own the publishing rights to Cruis'n USA? Was it their decision to put it on the VC? Why would they unleash this game unto us yet again? Does Midway see any of the profit from the VC release?

Forgive me for being ignorant of this legal junk.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Looks like Earthbound won't be hitting Virtual Console

« on: February 17, 2009, 08:09:13 PM »

So I've never played any of the Mother games. Are they really that great? I mean, it's an rpg correct? How is it any better than some of the classics?

In terms of gameplay, it isn't different than other RPGs; in fact, its battle system pretty much copies that of the original Dragon Warrior games for the NES. However, its cast of wacky characters and weird, off-the-wall enemies make it sort of feel like a parody of RPGs. Of course, with all of the Mario RPGs that have been released, this may not sound like anything special, but Earthbound is the original goofy/parody RPG.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Nintendo Power Thread! March 09 issue

« on: February 17, 2009, 08:00:40 PM »

Now why am I not surprised that SSBBrawl swept the NP awards and there's barely a mention of Mario Kart Wii? What I am surprised about is that SSBBrawl didn't win the "Best Racing Game" award due to the F-Zero levels.

NP also fails for calling it "Super Mario Sluggers" instead of its real title, "Mario Super Sluggers".

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TalkBack / Re: This Week's Virtual Console and WiiWare

« on: February 17, 2009, 07:54:34 PM »

There's still not a single third-party N64 game.

I suppose we aren't counting Cruis'n USA because it is terrible?

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General Chat / Re: Soda: Fountain vs Bottle vs Can

« on: February 17, 2009, 07:49:12 PM »

Fountain > Bottle > Can

A Fountain soda is best as long as it is mixed right, it is very fresh and fizzy.

A glass bottle seems to work better than aluminum cans; I guess the soda sort of absorbs the metal? There must be some reason: notice how the more expensive sodas usually come in bottles, such as IBC, Steward's, Jones, etc.

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General Chat / Re: Official Avatar Discussion

« on: February 17, 2009, 07:44:33 PM »

Those drawings are incredible. Good work NovaQ!

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Hudson isn't giving up on Virtual Console support in NA after all!!!

« on: February 16, 2009, 07:13:20 PM »

You mean there are people who aren't fans of Mario Party? BLASPHEMY!

It's more like I'm a fan of Mario games in general; one of my game-collecting goals is to own every Mario game. I'm actually sort of working my way backwards through the Mario Party series, as I own 3, 7, and 8. However, most people I know won't play games on older systems (because they're worthless or some such nonsense), so I'm gonna need a Mario Party 9 to have another chance at multiplayer mayhem.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Hudson isn't giving up on Virtual Console support in NA after all!!!

« on: February 16, 2009, 07:07:10 PM »

Those Rayman games are no Mario Party.
I can never have enough Mario games. If 2007 can handle Mario Party 8 and Mario Strikers Charged being released in the same month, 2009 can handle Mario Party 9 and Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics (Not sure if I should count the re-release of Mario Power tennis or not...).