Messages

151

TalkBack / Re: 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro Coming 2012

« on: June 28, 2012, 11:44:25 AM »

Dear The Internet
Please calm yourself over all things related to 2nd circle pads on the 3DS, be it XLs, Frankensticks or imaginary future redesigns.


There are 4 reasons for this:


1. If you MUST have 2 stick portable game play you can! Please buy a Vita. This is not cheating and guilt does not have to dominate your choices.


2. Nintendo were never going to ignore potential XL owners when selling Monster Hunter 4. Do you struggle with feelings of anxiety? Remember to breathe.


3. TTBOMK there are 2 3DS games that support 2 sticks in the west and only 1 on the horizon. The frankenstick/CPP XL will be just another footnote in the list of Nintendo peripherals that didn't get a lot of support after release. Do you struggle with pattern recognition in daily life? Help is available.


4. So long as decent games keep coming out you will be fine. I sense you have trust issues, you'd be surprised how much progress even you can make in this area.


Your sincerely
A smug but concerned friend.

152

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Game Nominations

« on: June 22, 2012, 10:38:46 AM »

Re: Infinite Space - I too would like an excuse to play it and chops about it online. No idea it was hard to get in the US, I've seen it for £5 a few times in the UK.


Whilst on the theme, I'd dearly like to play some DS for the next RetroActive and preferably a platformer.
So my suggestions are:


Wario Master of Disguise
Kirby's Magic Paint Brush/Canvas Curse

The Legendary StarFy
Henry Hatsworth (as it gets mentioned on the show a fair bit)
Yoshi's Island DS

153

TalkBack / Re: Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing 3DS Arriving Next Year in EU

« on: June 22, 2012, 10:06:11 AM »

I'm really glad about this news for 2 reasons;
1st, it's welcome confirmation that they are definitely on the way. I was starting to worry about Animal Crossing.


2nd, I'm really excited about the next 6 months on 3DS and I will have a hard enough time choosing which games to get for Christmas as it is 

154

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo 3DS XL Coming to All Regions This Year

« on: June 22, 2012, 07:41:54 AM »

That's the last time I stay up late to watch an E3 live stream!


I definitely want to upgrade to one of these, but the price will dictate when I get to take the plunge.
Does anybody know how long a 3DS system transfer takes?

155

Nintendo Gaming / Re: All things Mario Tennis Open!

« on: June 22, 2012, 07:37:25 AM »

Just finished single campaign and now started to play through doubles (by myself sadly).
This is my first Mario Tennis game and I was initially underwhelmed; the button controls seemed to complicated and the touch screen controls made it a dull colour matching rhythm game. I decided to stick with it for a week and so glad I did. Little did I know that the initial single player tournaments are really the tutorial!Okay so they aren't offically, but this is where I learned the play mechanics that now seem second nature. Now I've mastered the commands, am thinking in terms of spaces and really enjoying myself.


I really hope we get VC releases for the GBC & GBA versions at some point.

156

General Gaming / Re: Any Vita owners here?

« on: June 22, 2012, 04:41:49 AM »

But...but...bags are girly!

But girls are awesome!

157

General Gaming / Re: Any Vita owners here?

« on: June 22, 2012, 04:39:29 AM »

@Einstein: I applaud your steadfastness in the face of all this "convergence" tomfoolery :p

Convergence is fine for playing Cut the Rope whilst standing in a queue or checking facebook on your lunch break. But there's a good reason people with iphones still buy Kindles and DSLRs.

158

General Gaming / Re: Any Vita owners here?

« on: June 19, 2012, 10:55:38 AM »

If I got a Vita my pockets would hate me. I would have a dumbphone for texting and calling, an iPod Touch for my multimedia and WiFI browsing, a 3DS for gaming, and a Vita for other gaming and 3G browsing.

   that is exactly what I have in my bag right now. Apart from the 3G bit. Oh and mine's a Black Berry, a neither world betwixt the dumb and the smart. Mind you, I did have an Android and still carried a DS & PSP around with me.


My advice to you: you don't need an iphone. You need a bag.


On a serious note, every seasoned traveler knows that having one device that does everything is just not reality right now. I justify each of my 4 hand helds for different purposes. There is a lot of cross over in what they can do (like wi fi browsing, multi media, cameras & gaming) but they all excel for some uses and are complete rubbish for others. And I still take a book whenever I go abroad because they don't use batteries and flight staff aren't afraid of them.


In my defense - I only carry the Vita when I'm hooked on a game. But the 3DS comes everywhere for Street Pass and Coins of course.


Get a bag.

159

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 294: Something in Common

« on: June 19, 2012, 10:34:01 AM »

CODBLOPS2 = yawn.


On a different subject, did anybody here listen to the Hip Tanaka Discover Music Project podcast with TYP?
It was the first time that I've crossed over to that show and I really recommend it, the last 2 songs alone make it worth a listen.


I was playing a frantic game of Mario Tennis Open whilst listening to the Silver Surfer NES music (not Tanaka before anybody says - just  listen to the show) and it was a perfect fit.


Just one complaint, my favourite piece of video game music was missed out: The Gameboy Tetris high score entry theme. Along with Mario Land I sincerely believe these are the best two rewards I've ever had for finishing a game/playing well.


What about you?

160

TalkBack / Re: Ossu! Tatakae! Ouendan

« on: June 15, 2012, 11:55:33 AM »

Ah memories!
I imported Ouendan when it was new and DS games were still GBA games with some touch screen stuff shoe horned in. The only trouble I had not speaking Japanese was not understanding the difference between the 2 difficulty levels. Other than that it was pure gaming bliss. For me the original is a far superior experience then EBA (which I also imported because the European version was a way off). I enjoyed and finished EBA but for me Ouendan was always more fun, the style, stories and music are all so much better. But I think players tended to prefer which ever game they experienced first.


In fact my love for Ouendan was so all eclipsing that when I first played guitar hero I complained that even plastic instruments couldn't make it as good.


Do any other UK gamers also wince when they see EBA in the bargain bin for £5 as I often do? I feel it's a game that never got the love it deserved in the UK. I'd love to see a 3DS or Wii U revival.

161

General Gaming / Re: Any Vita owners here?

« on: June 14, 2012, 11:55:50 AM »

I picked mine up in time for my E3 trip, and I bought a whole bunch of games for it. MLB The Show, Resistance, Rayman and FIFA, plus Super Stardust and Mutant Blobs Attack, Tactics Ogre, Mega Man and Harvest Moon for PSP and about half a dozen PS Minis.

Insanolord, I know you said you haven't got round to most of it yet but I'd be interested in what you make of Resistance and Mutant Blobs Attack.

162

General Gaming / Re: Any Vita owners here?

« on: June 08, 2012, 09:58:14 AM »

Hi, just thought I'd chime in.
I've had my Vita for about a month now. At first I was pretty under whelmed, I held off on buying a game whilst I played through PSN demos and got reacquainted with my PSP download games.
My main problem with it was those analog sticks, they didn't feel good at all to me.


But now I'm on my 2nd play through of Uncharted, I'm used to the controls and really looking forward to playing more games. As others have said the touch screen stuff in Uncharted is terrible and it's a pretty short game, but otherwise it's a lot of fun. It's the first game I'll played this year that I have wanted to continue playing straight after the credits rolled (although I do plan on going back to Resident Evil and Ace Combat on 3DS to play through harder settings too).


My heart sank after the Vita was so ignored by Sony in their E3 press event. But now the trailers from their booth are all online I am looking forward to Strangers Wrath, Jet Set Radio & Gucamelee. 2 ports and a cross format title I know, but all games that will suit me best on a handheld device. Nothing to drag me away from Paper Mario on 3DS but plenty to keep me coming back.


I wish Sony would sort out Remote Play properly as teased last year with Killzone 3. As it stands Pixel Junk Eden works okay, but that's really all. I know others here have been dismissive of this feature, but this is something that I would use a lot.

163

Nintendo Gaming / Re: E3 2012 Press Conferences - Days 2-3: Nintendo Main PC & 3DS PC

« on: June 07, 2012, 08:46:39 AM »

Judging by the posts here I guess I am one of the few who are looking forward to the 3DS holiday line up.


Yes, I was disappointed that the press show didn't reveal any games that hadn't already been announced.
And yes it felt like a waste of my time.


But there are at least 5 games hitting 3DS that I want to own. Probably more then I can afford. Which means I'll be too busy playing 3DS to feel bad about my interest in the Wii U launch titles having shriveled up and died.

164

Nintendo Gaming / Re: E3 2012 Press Conferences - Days 2-3: Nintendo Main PC & 3DS PC

« on: June 07, 2012, 08:40:02 AM »

Re Smart Glass.


For once I think Michael Patcher is making the most sense on this, did you hear him on Giant Bomcast this week? He reckons Smart Glass is not aimed at gamers as such but more about getting the right things in place to control all the various entertainment content that Microsoft want coming through the xbox instead of cable/satelite/phone etc etc. They are pulling an Xbox Live and getting the new service up and running this gen so it's ready for the main event - the next gen multimedia hub thing that the new xbox will no doubt be.


Makes sense to me. MS certainly aren't that interested in xbox as a gaming platform anymore, as evidenced by the focus on everything but gaming. Well, maybe just a little bit of gaming ;-)

165

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN E3 2012 The Half at Home Reacts

« on: June 06, 2012, 08:38:22 AM »

YAY! My first (and quite possibly only) treat of E3! Thank you boys, appreciate you taking the time to pontificate in my ears.


Seriously though, you've got to be one massive Pikmin fan to get a Wii U at launch if E3 is anything to go by. Especially with what looks like a pretty decent holiday line up on 3DS - only so many hours in the day and £s in the pay packet after all. Shame really, I was really looking forward to it for the remote play style options on the tablet.


I guess we'll see what news the next few months bring.

166

Nintendo Gaming / Re: E3 2012 Press Conferences - Day 2: Nintendo

« on: June 06, 2012, 07:27:02 AM »

They didn't give people a reason to buy a Vita.  Hell, they didn't even give people who already had Vitas a reason to keep them.

So yeah, I say that Sony gave the impression that they'd abandoned the Vita.

HERE HERE!
As a Vita owner filled with buyers remorse, Sony's E3 out put so far has been a disaster.
Nothing we didn't already know, very little on the games we do know about, nothing on Killzone and a complete fumble of Remote Play.
Not sure whether to jump ship now and maximize whatever 2nd hand price I can get (already a big loss from what I paid) or to keep it as an expensive up res'd rig for PSP rpgs.

167

TalkBack / Re: Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition Impressions

« on: June 06, 2012, 07:01:17 AM »

Can anybody clear something up for me: can you play this streamed to the game pad screen with out a TV? I wasn't sure from the write up, haven't got my head around all the new terminology for Wii U yet.
And do you have to have the armour suit? From what I've seen so far I just want to play it as regular batman, not some blue sparked Infamous wannabe.

168

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 292: The Show Must Go On!

« on: May 22, 2012, 06:48:51 AM »

Just popped by to say how much I enjoyed the Getting to Know you section.


"From the Streets" indeed, the bare faced cheek of the man!


I expect somebody can refer me to episodes where the RFN team have covered this before (and I remember listening to one a few months ago when the guys all talked about their jobs) but I would love a regular Getting to Know You feature, especially when you have people like TYP on. Specifically I'd love to hear how everybody got into Nintendo games and when they realized their was no going back.


Looking forward to getting James back next week too!
And how about letting the new kid select a short list for a Retro Active some time soon?

169

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 291: Good Night, Sweet Prince

« on: May 17, 2012, 09:19:29 AM »

I want each and every listener to know, this last week and a half has really shown me how much this show means to our listeners. The outpouring of support, praise, emotion, and genuine humanity in the inhumane tundra that is the Internet has been absolutely touching.

I couldn't agree more with James on this. Even just for a regular listener like me the out pouring of appreciation for RFN from all of us and the honest vulnerability the guys showed on the podcast this week has felt like something special. I love knowing that I'm not the only one who can't wait for the show each week and enjoys it as much as I do.


Sad as I am at the prospect of not listening to Gregg each week, I'm looking forward to listening to the next episode and I'm so glad the show is moving on.


Bring on the next Retro Active!

170

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 289: S.O.P.H.I.A. on the Sauce

« on: May 08, 2012, 05:42:51 AM »

Here's how I would sum up the situation:
"Rehash" game + awesome = no problem.
"Rehash" game + not awesome = problem.

Couldn't agree more!
I would buy a NSMB rehash every year so long as I keep enjoying them.
And if I don't enjoy it then I am happy for a million other people to buy it and line the Nintendo pockets again and hopefully further widen the 3DS install base. I'll just play something else.


I think people are making too much of the Wii U Mario demo at E3 last year. It was a demo, let's wait for an announcement before we criticize the release schedule. How long was Skyward Sword demoed before we ever got an accurate release date?


Stroof, based on the 3DS time line there won't be a Mario game on Wii U until summer 2013 anyway ( although I do hope they learn their lesson and have some plumber ready for the launch)!!!

171

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 290: BOMZALDROPPEN

« on: May 08, 2012, 04:43:00 AM »

Like a lot of people posting here, Greg's insight and whit are what I most look forward to when I download the podcast each week. No disrespect to the rest of the team, and I'm always interested by Jame's New Business each week. But like so many others here I am grateful and truly sorry to hear the news. All the best to you Greg!

172

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 289: S.O.P.H.I.A. on the Sauce

« on: May 03, 2012, 10:51:38 AM »

Another nice podcast fella's. Glad I passed on the retroactive, it just sounded too frustrating.


And speaking of frustration, I think Johnny's opinion on New Super Mario Bros 2 is a bit unrealistic (trying to be kind here!).  It sounds like he wants Nintendo to function like an indie developer in the same year that they published their first annual loss.
New Super Mario is a series that makes money, it's not like they have annualized it or milked it beyond redemption like an Activision or Ubisoft franchise and the previous 2 games are both solid 2D platformers. Not my favourite Mario games but nothing to be ashamed of.


One of the things I like about Nintendo is that they do experiment as well as milking their classic franchises.
So I think it's a bit unreasonable to moan about a predictable money maker that will massively help their bottom line, especially one that comes out a year after Mario 3D land which is pretty unique for a Mario game.

173

General Gaming / Re: Hackers Open Up Complete PS3 Library For Vita Owners To Play

« on: April 20, 2012, 06:51:10 AM »

Well, I would love it if remote play let me enjoy all my PS3 games whilst the TV was otherwise engaged. I would even buy a Tablet S if that was the only way to do it. But I think you have to take this story with a big fat scoop of salt.


Firstly, did Sony ever advertise that the Vita would do this?
Because from what I can see one guy played Killzone 3 with a Vita once at a trade show.... a long way from marketing remote play as a feature.


Also, I'm pretty sure I remember reading a denial from Sony when the "all PS3 games will work with remote play in PSP resolution" rumour broke last year. Infact as I remember it, their official line was that only specific PS3 titles would do it.


AND FINALLY - from the videos I've seen the remote play hack is too laggy to be any fun.


Maybe when the WiiU launches Sony will show a sudden renewed interest in remote play. I hope so because it's something I really want to see. Whether the Vita's ropey analog sticks are up to it is a potential deal breaker though.

174

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 287: Demolition Sherpa

« on: April 20, 2012, 06:39:22 AM »

LOL, the discussion on the 3DO kinda makes me want to try and get a 3DO and Way of the Warrior and Demolition Man.

I say "DO IT!" I doubt you could ever regret an investment like that.

175

Nintendo Gaming / Re: About time for another Wave Race... Wii U?

« on: April 19, 2012, 11:39:50 AM »

Couldn't agree with the thread title more.
I loved both Wave Race games and I would take more in whatever flavour Nintendo see fit to commission. But I think it would work really nicely on 3DS with some street pass features, so that would be my first choice.