Messages

26

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Sensor Bar Question - PLEASE Help!

« on: December 04, 2006, 12:22:24 PM »

Actually, Trauma Center doesn't use depth detection for the difib sequences.  It's pure motion detection (the first clue is that you use both controllers, the second is that the Wiimote is pointing UP).  There's another section that MAY use the depth sensing (the electrical pins in the bomb sequence), but I doubt it.

Playing at a constant angle shouldn't be too much of a problem unless the angle is pretty severe.  The accellerometers do use gravity to do their jobs.  If that's going to be a problem, I'd highly recommend either making changes to your play environment, or finding someone skilled with basic electronics that would be willing to custom make some IR emitters for you.

27

Nintendo Gaming / RE: So I finally got to try out the Wii

« on: December 04, 2006, 12:19:17 PM »

There's a pretty easy explanation for this.  Zelda sells itself.  Wii Sports sells itself (since it's included).  ExciteTruck needs a little help.

That said, I fully agree that showing Wii Sports would certainly lead to more hardware sales.  However, at this juncture, the hardware doesn't need the help either.  But ExciteTruck does.

28

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Sensor Bar Question - PLEASE Help!

« on: December 03, 2006, 06:23:18 AM »

Just because it hasn't been clearly articulated yet ...

The motion sensing is done in the controllers, not the sensor bar.  Anything that requires use of the accellerometers in the controllers will work fine regardless of sensor bar placement.

The IR Receiver in the Wiimote is the only thing that requires the sensor bar.  As a result, as long as you can see the sensor bar from some location, you can aim the Wiimote at the sensor bar rather than the TV.  It will feel strange, but it will work.  So for example, if you were to mount the sensor bar above your TV on the wall, that might give you enough distance without drastically altering the play experience.

Alternatively ... you could build your own IR emitters that are closer together, which will make the Wii seem like you're playing from a further distance than you really are (because the distance between the two emitters is how the Wiimote senses depth).   Then you could put them right by your TV and you'd be fine.

There's really no magic in this ... I wish Nintendo wouldn't obscure the technology to make it seem like it's "magic" when it's not all that advanced.  In fact, they'd have some pretty cool options if they'd open it up a bit more.

29

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Trauma Center

« on: November 29, 2006, 02:46:10 PM »

Yes, that operation is a tad easier.  It's worth noting that I think you're intended to use the Healing Touch in that mission to finish it.  There's also a bit of other strategy to employ in terms of handling as many of them at once as you can.

30

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Trauma Center

« on: November 29, 2006, 08:33:08 AM »

It's easier.  At the risk of spoiling part of the game ... I never got past the part of the game with the bomb.  Not only is that part completely different, it's easier as well.  There's more tolerance in the game for slight mistakes, in fact, I'm incredibly sloppy with my sutures and still manage to get either Good or Cool on most of them.  Performing a "Healing Touch" is harder, but I've only had to use it on rare occasions.

31

Nintendo Gaming / Trauma Center

« on: November 29, 2006, 07:30:59 AM »

Been playing a bit of Trauma Center to tide me over until I can spend time finishing Zelda (I'm trying to save the end of the game for after Finals Week).  So far, I like it better than the DS version, if only because they've updated the game to include some Wii-specific puzzles and whatnot.  Without spoiling anything, I'll just say that the game will give your wrist a bit of a workout at times.

There is also a "side quest" of sorts with a new doctor and all new surgeries.  And it's boatloads of fun.  I couldn't get my wife to try the DS game (surgery game?  ick!) but she's showing some interest in the Wii version, so I figure it's only a matter of time before I come home from school and she's got someone sliced open.  

32

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Twilight Princess Spoiler Discussion Thread

« on: November 27, 2006, 02:29:36 AM »

I'm almost finished.  I'm saving the last area for when I have time to truly savor it.  That said, the rest is in spoilers so I can gush ...

OMG ... This is every bit the best Zelda game ever.  I love the nice homage to Ocarina when you enter the real Temple of Time for the first time, I think I had a little joygasm there.    I'm quite disappointed that you don't ever have to collect any parts of the Triforce, because that's one of the main things I associate with a Zelda game.  Other than that, this game is an absolute masterpiece, and I've enjoyed every second of it, even the frustrating parts!

33

Nintendo Gaming / RE: It's a software update, not a firmware update.

« on: November 22, 2006, 07:40:52 AM »

It is important to know the difference.  But I think you're wrong on this point, but only on a technicality.  Wii is getting both software AND firmware updated, because the Wii is a rare case where you have software that is loaded in firmware.  If this were purely a software update, people would be able to wipe the software layer when this error code situation started, and boot from the original image.  That you are unable to do that suggests that this is firmware that we're dealing with.

34

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Madden disc thrashing

« on: November 22, 2006, 05:39:44 AM »

My guess would be that they didn't take time to optimize the data layout on the disc, which happens when you rush a game out for launch.

35

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Gamespot Zelda Review

« on: November 22, 2006, 05:38:28 AM »

Well, this discussion is officially no longer about a specific review.  It's become about whether or not reviews are opinions, and arguably not even that any more, so I'm closing this down.  

36

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Post your Miis!

« on: November 22, 2006, 05:29:32 AM »

Edit: Doh ... wrong thread.

37

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Mii games you'd like to see

« on: November 22, 2006, 05:19:57 AM »

Shuffleboard
Basketball
Paintball

That's all I can think of at the moment.

What do you want to bet that you'll be able to play as your Mii in Super Smash Bros. Brawl?  

38

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Virtual Console

« on: November 22, 2006, 05:18:17 AM »

I've still got my NES Wizards and Warriors cart.  I loved that game back in the day.  Now it really sucks.    

39

Nintendo Gaming / RE: The next generation of FPS control (long post)

« on: November 22, 2006, 04:27:15 AM »

I think you guys should try Monkey Wars, one of the minigames on Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz.  No bounding box, no "snap back", just free movement with the Nunchuk and free aiming with the Wiimote.  Works pretty well for me, although my wife hated it.

40

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Virtual Console

« on: November 22, 2006, 04:14:31 AM »

You know, other than Solomon's Key, I haven't seen a single game on here I'd buy.  Seriously, anything I'd be interested in I have in another form, whether it's Zelda from the GameCube collector's disc, Super Mario 64 DS, the umpteen versions of Mario Bros. on GBA, etc.

Show me some really interesting choices and I might consider it.  Duck Hunt and Hogan's Alley, for example.  Maybe Blast Corps. for the N64 (did Rare keep that license, or Nintendo?), hell, gimme Sin and Punishment.  Seriously, just gimme some of the rarer stuff that Nintendo hasn't been already shoving down our throats and I'll bite.

So an interesting thing I noticed the other day.  The "Classic" Controller has two analog sticks.  Why?  The N64 only had one, and you have to use a GameCube controller to play GameCube games.  Why is there as second stick?  Could we end up seeing some VC originals?

41

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Twilight Princess Spoiler Discussion Thread (for those who have the game tomorrow)

« on: November 22, 2006, 04:08:07 AM »

Finished the third dungeon last night, and stayed up far too late to do it.  That boss fight was awesome.  Boy, story takes an interesting turn after that, and that's all I'm going to say.

Anyway, I'm just about ready to declare this the best Zelda game ever.  This is going to sound just awful, but I'm kind of glad that my wife has caught a bug and can't stay at the cabin all weekend for Thanksgiving ... now I have more time to play!  

42

Nintendo Gaming / RE: OFFICIAL Ask Random Questions About Wii Thread

« on: November 21, 2006, 01:08:41 PM »

Just looking through my NWR e-mail, and someone noticed that one of thier Mii's did update.  So I guess that question is answered.

43

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Gamespot Zelda Review

« on: November 21, 2006, 01:01:52 PM »

You're really splitting hairs.  You know nothing about someone's ACTUAL opinion from reading a review.  You only know their STATED opinion.  And for the record, while you can claim that there are no examples, I can prove that there are, because I DO THIS ALL THE TIME.  What I actually think and what I tell people I think aren't always the same thing, and there's no way you can tell from a review.

44

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Super Monkey Ball

« on: November 21, 2006, 12:59:33 PM »

Monkey Darts

[DrewMG]

45

TalkBack / RE:IMPRESSIONS: Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz

« on: November 21, 2006, 09:07:35 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: DrewMG
We spent about 25 minutes just trying to figure out how Monkey Bowling functioned, and I'm still not sure we ever truly got it.  I was physically UNABLE to throw a ball that didn't have spin.  I would hold it perfectly level and it would give me FULL spin.  I'm still convinced that I must be doing something wrong, because nothing seems to work the way I think it does. Monkey Target was fun, but it seems like they stripped a lot out of it.  I really enjoyed Monkey Darts, though.  That was a good time.  

All in all, quite disappointed with the game.

You were swinging the remote like you would in Wii Bowling.  Just hold it level with the floor and flick it upwards slightly.  No spin.  If you're on the line just right of center, you'll get a strike every time.  Congratuations!  You just ruined Monkey Bowling for yourself.

Monkey Darts is the best thing about SMB:BB.  That's pretty sad, really.

I think I need to build an "accessory" that snaps onto the Wiimote and gives you handles on the left and right.

46

TalkBack / RE: IMPRESSIONS: Wii

« on: November 21, 2006, 09:02:21 AM »

Wait just a damned minute ... where did you guys get the idea that Nintendo was allowing game patches at all?  A firmware update (to fix bugs or release new features) is a necessary thing with a console like this that's evolving.  Game Patches, on the other hand, are far harder when you don't have much persistent storage.  I think Nintendo would far rather a developer fix the game and ship out new discs (at the developer's cost and Nintendo's profit) than have to load a patch every time you want to play the game.

[Smash_Brother]

47

Nintendo Gaming / RE:OFFICIAL Ask Random Questions About Wii Thread

« on: November 21, 2006, 08:58:20 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
Yeah, but think of the volume of traffic we're talking about.

1. You can have up to 100 Miis in your plaza. If EVERY one of those Miis needs to check their "Mii of origin" for changes, on EVERY Wii on the network, it would be an insane amount of bandwidth moving around.

2. I don't think Miis are registered or tied in any way to the console they were created on, ergo, there's no way my Pale Mii knows that it should be updated from the original Mii from which it was wrought.

The more I talk about this, the more religious connotations it seems to have: is the creator relevant to the Mii, or are Miis made in our images entitled to the free will of possessing their original characteristics without vindication from the update procedure?

I need to think about this...

In the meantime, Pale, send me a new copy and let's see if he overwrites the one I have now.

I think you drastically overestimate the amount of data/bandwidth this would require.  Remember, you can fit 10 Miis on your Wiimote, and it only has 6KB of memory resident.  That means each Mii is less than 1KB, so even 100KB would only take a few seconds.

48

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Twilight Princess Spoiler Discussion Thread (for those who have the game tomorrow)

« on: November 21, 2006, 08:10:37 AM »

I've died several times.  The game is tough, but not overly so.  The Retry feature mitigates a lot of the penalty of dying, which is nice, since I don't save nearly as often as I should.

[Smash_Brother]

49

Nintendo Gaming / RE:OFFICIAL Ask Random Questions About Wii Thread

« on: November 21, 2006, 08:04:20 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
I will when I get home, but I suspect it won't change because that would require that, upon logging on, the Wii would have to check every Mii ever created in the entirety of the Mii plaza for updates.

I'll check, but if it DID change, that "THUNK" noise will be my jaw hitting my knee.

Why?  WiiConnect24.  The Wii is always on, and checking for updates, remember?

50

Nintendo Gaming / RE: I miss the tiny discs

« on: November 21, 2006, 08:01:26 AM »

Not going to happen.  Pressing a 4.7GB disc is almost infinitely cheaper than any size SD card.  Why not just put them on a disc and stick it in Nintendo Power?  Actually, it might be a great way to continue recouping the investment in the GD-ROM presses, by using the smaller discs as demos.