Messages

8076

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Mario 64 Questions and Speculation (Possible I guess Spoilers not really)

« on: November 26, 2004, 04:01:36 AM »

I just unlocked Luigi.  Search all over the Ghost House for him  (Figures Nintendo would do an inside joke like that.)

Anyway, yeah I have found a few more minigames.  Luigi's are quite hard to find though.

I am at 40 something stars, and still having a blast with this game.  

8077

Nintendo Gaming / RE:DS rentals

« on: November 24, 2004, 04:03:13 AM »

If you have a store like:

Movie Trading Company you can probably rent them.  Its a store that allows you to buy/sell/rent any movie, game, or whatnot they have in the store.  Its actually the best place to rent games and movies.  Blockbuster bought them out in Texas, and I dunno if they are elsewhere.  

Very cool company though.  

8078

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Control on the Nintendo DS

« on: November 24, 2004, 04:00:38 AM »

You know...I haven't even played the Metroid Demo since I bought the system.

Though, not about Metroid, but about Controls on the DS.

Have you seen new shots of the Rayman game.  They seem to be answering the problems many had with Mario 64 DS.  Instead of having a map they have an Icon that allows you to have a starting point for your thumb when using analog, and it also allows you to know when you are at the extreme point.

It may take awhile to get used to the limit, but once you do I bet you won't even have to look at the second screen to tell.

8079

Nintendo Gaming / Mario 64 Questions and Speculation (Possible I guess Spoilers not really)

« on: November 24, 2004, 03:27:31 AM »

I have two questions, for all you Super Mario 64 DS players.

1)How many of the minigames have you opened, and what are the requirements to unlock them?  

I am speculating that the rabbits keep reappearing outside after you obtain a certain number of stars and are outside with the right character to catch them, but I am not sure if thats how it really works or not.

2)The Fourth character door in Princess Peach's room...who is that for?  I am speculating its a hidden character that you either get after collecting all the stars or beat the game the first time.  But whom is the hidden character?  What are your best guesses?

My best guess would be Princess Peach because after you beat the game you would have saved her.  She would also be a very interesting character to control in 3D with her float jump manuever and therefore could be very different from the others.

However, it could also be something very cool and crazy like throwing in WALUIGI or Toad.  A unique character with totally new play mechanics very explored before.

What are your thoughts?

8080

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Mario 64 DS reviews

« on: November 24, 2004, 03:21:42 AM »

KING:  Yeah you know actually, that could be a spoiler...if people never played the game before.

But your right in that there are probably many people probably have never played Mario 64.

8081

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Mario 64 DS reviews

« on: November 23, 2004, 03:41:48 AM »

I have played probably 2 hours now.  I beat the first Bowser, and have all but one star in the first level and a few stars in the other levels.  Here is what I have noticed about the control.

1)Jumping is alittle bit more ackward.  It seems hard to triple jump, or run and jump forward if you are close to a wall.  Not a big deal, I probably just need to get a little more adjusted to the controls.
2)The Camera controls are not perfect.  It makes me wish I could completely Customize the controls, because there isn't a peferct control set up.  Still this isn't a huge problem.
3)The analog control can make you slip and you have to adjust.  This isn't hugely annoying yet, but it could be a problem in later levels.  However, since Mario 64 was very rarely about defeating enemies it shouldn't be too much of  a problem.
4)The only move that is hard to perform is that special U-Turn jump.  Its very hard to get the timing consistant.  


Here are a few good things I have noticed about the control.

1)The touch screen actually does work to emulate analog, and you can easily get the degree of sensitivity needed to do all your moves.
2)Nintendo fixed wall jumping by adding the slide down the walls so it is totally less frustrating to try and wall jump.  This is a huge blessing.
3)The touch screen actually makes spinning Bowswer around 100% more enjoyable and more intuative.  Its a great feeling.


Talking about possible cheap and easy fixes.  I got one people should try.  If the DS won't freak out about having something else on the screen you can place a circular object on it the size or alittle larger for the analog sensitivity.  Then when you hit the edge of that circular object you know you have gone too far out.

Or if a 3rd party develops a slightly more pointed thumbstrap, but I completely see why Nintendo developed the thumbstrap like they did.

The game is still a blast, and literally feels like a new game.  Anyone that is holding off on the game or the system because its a port is missing something truely special.   This game feels completely different, and there is so much new stuff that its great.

8082

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Mario 64 DS reviews

« on: November 22, 2004, 04:39:45 AM »

Rohq:  Great.  I can't wait to read what you think after some time with the game.

So far the only problem I have had is with the Flip U-Turn Jump.  Other than that I think it controls pretty good.

8083

Nintendo Gaming / Mario 64 DS reviews

« on: November 22, 2004, 04:18:58 AM »

Ok.

We have all read the Mario 64 DS reviews, and we all know that this is a great game that is slightly flawed by no true analog control, via a control stick.  However, why do we think it is flawed?  Because of our memory of the original Mario 64.  

I would like to challenge people to play the game and try to forget Mario 64.  Try to forget that the game is a port.  Play the game and enjoy it, then review the game as if it was an original and not a port.  

I would bet that if you do that you will find your opinions of the game drastically different.

I haven't played Mario 64 in years.  So remembering the game and every little nuisance of the control isn't a problem for me.  I will admit that Mario DS isn't perfect in design, but it is far better than reviewers are letting on.   They are letting the memory of another game get in the way.

I have question for you.  When you review Halo 2 do you consider the controls of Halo and compare how Halo 2 stacks up to the original?  I think the original controlled much easier.  You didn't have to worry about so many different actions that are mapped to every button.  

Or when you review Resident Evil Remake for Gamecube did you consider the control of the original Resident Evil on the review?  Perhaps the Gamecube game controls are too good, taking some of the tension away with adding quick turn arounds and such.

Basically, I challenge people to play Mario 64 DS, and come here and write your review not comparing it to the N64 game, but reviewing it on its own merit alone.

After I get further in the game I will do that.

8084

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Official Nintendo TV Tuner?

« on: November 19, 2004, 08:15:57 AM »

I wouldn't be very interested in this, except that television tuners and handhelds have advanced enough that this unity might work and be very successful.

I also see it as a great alternative to the PSP and watching DVDs or their own little DVD movies for that system.

If the technology is there to keep a solid television signal while on a car trip I can see this as a very exciting proposal.  

For the low price of $250 dollars I can get a portable game system and television.  

I hope this turns out very good.  I don't know how likely I would use it since I don't watch tv, but for others its an interesting idea.

8085

TalkBack / RE:New Nintendo DS Ads Begin Airing

« on: November 19, 2004, 04:51:19 AM »

I really like these commercials.  They have a magical, mystical feel to them that aren't cheesy.  

You really feel that this product they are advertising is special.  You don't know what it is, but you know its something cool.

I wonder if the populace will feel the same way I do.

Breath is definately my favorite one.  

8086

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Nintendo DS multi-catridge: With 4 megs!?

« on: November 17, 2004, 11:11:26 AM »

You also make it seem that 4 Megs is the same 4 Megs constantly.

Why couldn't they design the game to create 2 Megs on basic game, and what level and characters you pick the DS will send that next information to the computer for the other 2 Megs.  

There are ways for this to work and work well.  

And for those simple gamer games that aren't racers, first person shooters.

The Beat'm Ups, and Sidescrollers, and whatnot that is EXACTLY how they will do it.  

2Megs for or so for basic code and 1Meg for graphics needed or level and 1 Meg to send music and sound effects for that level.  (Of course these aren't exact numbers I am just saying how it could be done.)

8087

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Your Impressions of the Nintendo DS Demo

« on: November 17, 2004, 11:04:35 AM »

I would just like to take the time and thank everyone who posted on this thread.  Special thanks to those who spent the couple of minutes it took to write out the detailed impressions of your experiences with the Nintendo DS demo.

8088

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Nintendo DS multi-catridge: With 4 megs!?

« on: November 17, 2004, 08:44:46 AM »

4Megs can be used in a couple of ways, and besides that it won't take long for developers to get the most out of that 4megs, and find interesting ways around the 4Meg limit.

8089

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Sunday couldn't come sooner (But who will know about it)

« on: November 17, 2004, 07:02:44 AM »

LOST101:

Exactly.

Nintendo was smart to send the finished packaged DS systems to the media early, but they dropped the ball.  Why not ask developers to package their last build of the games with this early packages.  If Nintendo has to pay the bill for the marketing.  Why not send Mario 64 DS with the system.

Why not work with the media to get reviews out before the system is out to purchase.  Help people make better more informed decisions.

If Nintendo had worked alittle harder at getting pictures, videos, games ready for the media months ago the hype the media alone would have made would be huge.  

I don't see enough commercials on television for the DS, and its crunch time.  This week and next week I would have had commercials running on every station possible in prime time.  

Heck even retailers don't have the information right.  My Gamestop in Texas told me they won't be selling the system until the 23rd because that is the street date.  

Nintendo needs to realize that hype sells, and it is very important to know how to manufactor hype.

8090

Nintendo Gaming / Sunday couldn't come sooner (But who will know about it)

« on: November 17, 2004, 03:40:38 AM »

So, the big launch date is coming very soon.  4-5 days depending on if you count Wednesday?

Many of us are already ready to go.  We know exactly what game/s we want to purchase with the system and accessories we think are needed to go with our purchase.  Most importantly we have a preorder because the number of units available may be limited.  

The question is though, where is the buzz?  Where is the feeling of excitement for this system?  Outside of the game sites and game magizines does anybody really know that a new system is launching?  It just feels dead out there.  

I feel I wasted time preordering, because I will most likely be able to go to Walmart at midnight and pick up a system without any problem.  As it is now, I am going to have to wait till Sunday after church to pick up the system.  Another couple hours waiting for it to charge and then FINALLY I can play it.  

No place that I know is offering that midnight celebration for the launch.  Nobody I know unless I have told them about it even knows about the system.

Nintendo has dropped the ball in hyping this system, and they may sellout of product and games, but I feel very little excitement about the whole thing (except my personal excitement.)

Hopefully this will change soon.  

What do you guys think?  Have you felt more hype or excitement than me, or do you feel this is like a sleeper system release?

8091

TalkBack / RE:Official Mario 64 DS Webpage Launches

« on: November 16, 2004, 05:49:49 AM »

CouchMonkey:  Do not worry.  The game has a clever device to where you won't need to backtrack.

If you choice Yoshi as your character (Possible any character) you can find hats in each level that will change you into such character until you get hit by an enemy.  Then you just need to find that hat again.

Its an interesting compromise.  Certain characters will be better for certain levels and you can definately switch and play the entire level with one character.  But if you are on a character specific goal then atleast you can find a star that allows you become that character.  

I am very excited, because each character seems to have very unique special moves, and play experiences, that will enhance the game without breaking the game.

8092

TalkBack / RE:Official Mario 64 DS Webpage Launches

« on: November 16, 2004, 03:22:36 AM »

Those videos are very cool, and I noticed alot of differences in this game than the original.  The website is great easy to manuever through the pages, and the little drawing game was fun to play around with.

Great website.  

8093

Nintendo Gaming / RE:come list Games ideas

« on: November 15, 2004, 09:22:39 AM »

Thanks.  Ian Sane.

It is an evolution of an idea I have been having for awhile.  

Basically its 2D game that controls and is designed in much the same way as a 3D adventure game.

Meaning:  

Multiple paths,
Mutliple strategies,
intellegent enemies AIs

and most importantly a context sensitive button that allows you to do some unique enviroment manipulation.

The idea would be to have about 12-15 deeply designed levels that could be beaten 5 different ways, beating the game completely in these different ways unlocks bonus items, levels and such.

I also wish Nintendo would design a 2D Mario game with the game elements and design of their 3D Mario games.

Why not design a Mario game where the king of jumping is truely king.  I want to see Mario traversing complicated 2D levels that are equally about height as they are length.  

See Mario have to perform tricky triple jumps into a wall jump back in forth along a 2D enviroment with the artstyle from Yoshi's Island.

Oh well, perhaps it will be made.  Perhaps not.

8094

Nintendo Gaming / RE:come list Games ideas

« on: November 15, 2004, 08:35:09 AM »

Does anyone remember the game unicycle for SNES, or something like that?

Here is my idea for a game.

Its a character platform game where you use the touch screen to control and move the character.  If you move the stylus up the character jumps, and down he ducks.  If you move him down to duck and the across he crawls.

The point is to get the character across the level performing stunts and avoiding monsters and pitfalls and such.

The gimmick is using the stylus to perform tricks and move the character throughout the level by activating enviroment specfic special moves.

For instance.  Moving the character forward then up to jump will just have your character leap forward.  But if you do that same motion and add a loop with the stylus the character flips.  

If you do that flip move and your characters hands grab hold of a bar within the enviroment you can now start twists the character around the bar.  A double tap makes him let go and swing into the air with momentum.  

The idea is similar to Donkey Kong Jungle Beat.  But where in that game the platform elements were handled with drums, this is handled with literally scribbling your way around the enviroment.

It would be hard to program but you can incorporate alot of special moves within the process of this techinque, and getting through the level would have a Tony Hawk feel to it.  How many chains of tricks and a form together to get to the end of the game.

8095

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Your Impressions of the Nintendo DS Demo

« on: November 12, 2004, 11:14:31 AM »

Artemis:  It is worth the trip.  I usually am not someone that thinks its a big deal to play games early before they come out.

Systems are alittle different though.  There is an excitement in going and trying a system before you can buy it.  Kinda like playing a new arcade game that just came out.  

Too bad at the show you probably won't have to time to play with all the little features within the game.  

--------------------------------

Anyone else try the system.  I really would like to know others opinions and thoughts.

8096

Nintendo Gaming / RE:IGN's Possible early Launch Story

« on: November 12, 2004, 11:11:59 AM »

:^)  I stand corrected then.

8097

Nintendo Gaming / RE:IGN's Possible early Launch Story

« on: November 12, 2004, 10:36:31 AM »

Ian Sane:  You can't use pure conversion methods to determine prices.

Sure the exchange rate should put the price 179.99 for Canada.

However one can't forget to consider:

1)Canadian taxes.  They may be higher on either Nintendo or the retail shop then in the US.

2)Canadian Retailers may be requesting higher profit for the system than US retailers are.

Though, I am more likely to believe it is probably government related with taxes.  But if you did research I bet either its an import tax, a retail tax, or some other tax that is raising the price.

Don't blame it on Nintendo neccessarily blame it on the government.  *LOL*

8098

Nintendo Gaming / RE:DS Game Idea: POKeMON MMO?

« on: November 12, 2004, 04:26:48 AM »

Pokemon would work really well as an MMO.  You really don't even need to make it internet playable.

Here is what you do.  

The next Pokemon game have a huge singleplayer game.  Tons of Pokemon to train and battle.  

The wireless works as such.  Whenever someone else is playing the single player game enters within radius of wireless connection or enters a hotspot you are sent a message telling you they are available to chat.

A new PokeDevice allow you to voice chat with people.  It also allows you to participate in virtual Pokemon battles. If you want to battle someone but aren't willing to leave your location a virtual pokemon battle can be waged among any pokemon trainer in the DS world.

Offical DS Pokemon tournaments would of course take place in a special location in the DS world.  Perhaps a location that is only available when hooked into a hotspot.

8099

Nintendo Gaming / RE:PSP vs DS

« on: November 12, 2004, 04:11:53 AM »

OH I understand forgetting to do the recharge or what not.  I also understand that the PSP will be getting like 3-4 hours game play max when used for actual gaming.

I am just saying I know I have never played my Gameboy Advance for more than 4 hours a day.  Which means as long as a remember to recharge I am ok.  

There is some questions about the battery charge with the PSP though.  As the battery begins to die will load times take longer as the disk starts to spin slower?  Or will the PSP tell you the charge is too low once the disks can't spin at optimal speed?  

There is still alot of questions Sony isn't answering.  My original post wasn't created to diss the DS.  But to bring up the point to many battery power won't be an issue.  Its also not like that information is going to be readily available to research in find before you buy a portable system.  

Sony won't advertise its true battery power, and Nintendo isn't going to make ads comparing the systems, because Sony can turn around and do the same hurting Nintendo.

8100

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Nintendo DS has 2 million preorders in Japan

« on: November 12, 2004, 04:02:08 AM »

I thought Nintendo said they will intially launch with 1 million in Japan, but by the end of the year they will have 2 million out on shelves?

It won't be too bad of a wait, since the system is launching in December, if you aren't the first it will just take a week or two to get yours.