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127
Nintendo Gaming / Re: My Name is Justin Nation... and I HATE 1-2-Switch
« on: February 16, 2017, 04:50:49 AM »At least Nintendo Land had some actual good games in it.
Yeah, comparisons to Wii Sports and NintendoLand IMHO are very unfair to those titles, which both had their faults, but both delivered some games that you could realistically play for quite a long time since they weren't completely centered on a gimmick, they had some shards of meaningful gameplay that featured a gimmick.
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: My Name is Justin Nation... and I HATE 1-2-Switch
« on: February 16, 2017, 04:49:08 AM »I was actually thinking of making a topic called: "Convince Me To Buy 1-2 Switch"...
I've said it before and I'll say it again. 1-2 Switch makes me think a LOT of Warioware: Smooth Moves, and I've just never understood the appeal of Warioware games in the first place. *shrug*
Aww, see now, that's a central part of my argument. What would have at least made 1-2-Switch BETTER would have been to put a framework like WarioWare around it. In that case you've opened the door to single-player, you embrace the simplicity/novelty of the games, and you cover for the simplicity by making them very silly, steadily increasing the rate you need to do things, and add in the challenge of people having to quickly recognize the game in question and doing the appropriate thing. THAT would have made a lot of sense!
If you generally don't "get" WarioWare there isn't much to it. You have "micro games" (ones usually with only a single objective that can be executed in about 5 - 10 seconds), you put ridiculous/silly theming around them, you randomize the order they're presented to the player in, you minorly increase the difficulty and speed of the challenges for every level the person improves to. Then you populate the game with strange characters and you group micro games with somewhat similar concepts to match a given friend of Wario.
Very simple, it can be very fun (if you're into it), and it diminishes the need to take a long look at any of the individual games, so you don't tend to dwell on their shortcomings. Take the simple one-dimensional games out of that framework, and then make pained intro videos for each one trying to convince you, in advance, of how much fun this game is going to be... and you have 1-2-Switch.
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: My Name is Justin Nation... and I HATE 1-2-Switch
« on: February 15, 2017, 06:22:47 PM »
There was an excellent point made by someone, somewhere, that I saw that completely killed the concept of it being a pack-in for me. Their contention was that if they'd made 1-2-Switch their pack-in game Nintendo would have essentially been communicating to everyone that it was their vision for the system. It was what everyone would have, everyone would play, and it would be perceived as a return to the Wii with Wii Sports as a casual/family console first. Well, plus it would send a poor message about the quality of games they're making for the Switch as well. I consider them not packing it in, now, a bullet dodged and a very good move.
As for from the PGC days, yeah, I wrote for the site and wrote the original back-end for it when everything went more "modern". Before that I started The 64 Source and OperatioN2000, and before that I was a staff writer in the twilight year or so of the N64HQ. Just been busy, but Nintendo is back to having something I can't help talking about.
As for from the PGC days, yeah, I wrote for the site and wrote the original back-end for it when everything went more "modern". Before that I started The 64 Source and OperatioN2000, and before that I was a staff writer in the twilight year or so of the N64HQ. Just been busy, but Nintendo is back to having something I can't help talking about.
130
Nintendo Gaming / Re: My Name is Justin Nation... and I HATE 1-2-Switch
« on: February 15, 2017, 05:18:39 PM »What did 1-2 Switch ever do to you, man?
In this case it is me stepping out of it as a person and viewing it as a fan who wants them to be successful and do smart things. They've done a lot of things very right, some things that you could argue, but then there's 1-2-Switch sitting there like a turd in the middle of the floor that everyone sees but people are nervous to talk about. I'm helping to break the silence, Nintendo needs to show more wisdom, and there's no progress towards solving a problem when people fail first to acknowledge it.
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: My Name is Justin Nation... and I HATE 1-2-Switch
« on: February 15, 2017, 03:13:31 PM »
Yeah, compared to the precedents of Wii Sports and even NintendoLand Nintendo went wide this time and not deep. It makes for impressive numbers of the package but once people realize that only a portion of the games are playable beyond the "Hey, this is pretty neat" phase it quickly falls apart. Wii Sports obviously heavily encouraged people to play the games repeatedly and NintendoLand, while hardly perfect, featured games that may have been built in some gimmicks in some cases but also had some genuine depth to them.
As for Arms it looks great and I was surprised how well the punching mechanics worked but the tank-style controls, the buttons for jump and dodge, and even the movement to reliably and quickly block I didn't quickly get the hang of. I didn't get a lot of time so maybe they work out once you get used to them but in some ways I was surprised I found the control mechanic I was most worried about was the easiest and the most fundamental I found the most aggravating. The ability to play without motion control is important and could be helpful but I do wonder how well, lacking the nuance of the motion controls, it will end up standing up.
As for Arms it looks great and I was surprised how well the punching mechanics worked but the tank-style controls, the buttons for jump and dodge, and even the movement to reliably and quickly block I didn't quickly get the hang of. I didn't get a lot of time so maybe they work out once you get used to them but in some ways I was surprised I found the control mechanic I was most worried about was the easiest and the most fundamental I found the most aggravating. The ability to play without motion control is important and could be helpful but I do wonder how well, lacking the nuance of the motion controls, it will end up standing up.
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Nintendo Gaming / Nintendo Switch Memes
« on: February 15, 2017, 02:10:31 PM »
Looked around for a thread for these and didn't see anything, just I'll periodically see some funny memes for Nintendo or the Switch and figured other people may enjoy them as well. This one I made today just because it is the one element of the Zelda DLC that made me think, "WTF?"
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: My Name is Justin Nation... and I HATE 1-2-Switch
« on: February 15, 2017, 12:57:31 PM »The problem comes in with the big multiplayer game, 1-2 Switch. Sure, it'll be fun the first few times I pull it out, but I might get bored with it quickly. I'm not sold that it'll be fun for me to pull out in a big group. But I really want to be.
In the specific situation you describe, where you want to bring it around for people to have fun, but don't necessarily want to gear up, until Arms hits it is possible 1-2-Switch could be your best bet, sadly. I'd still pick Jackbox Party Pack generally but assuming they don't make a fundamental change to that game if you somehow couldn't guarantee wi-fi access that game would be dead in the water. While I love Bomberman if you didn't have a TV the multi-player for it wouldn't be as viable (or maybe not at all, wouldn't know without trying).
So if you anticipated being somewhere with no TV to hook up to AND no wi-fi BUT you still wanted to do multi-player could 1-2-Switch win? Maybe if you didn't have Snipperclips which I thought I'd heard was going to be a mere $20 and I'd wager could quickly get crowd participation going as long as everyone could see it in that little screen. Just the Big N sort of painted themselves into the corner with this one and that price point is really a crippler, it raises the expectation bar.
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: My Name is Justin Nation... and I HATE 1-2-Switch
« on: February 15, 2017, 10:26:19 AM »
In order to not get into complete rant mode here (will save it for an article) I'll be very brief:
1) It is possible to argue what merits it has, regardless of shortcomings, but nothing will justify the price they are charging ($10 less than Zelda stings)
2) Let's say you have a family, you get the Switch, and this is the ONLY game you get, believing it represents Nintendo's best foot forward for this new awesome platform. Again, considering the price, when everyone settles into the fact that once you play most of these mini-games more than 2 - 3 times you've exhausted pretty much everything there is to do... the system is about to sit an get dusty
3) There are cheaper and, I'd argue, better party games coming to Switch right off the bat in terms of number of people who can play, likely longevity, and even crazy fun. Quiplash 2, included in Jackbox Party Pack 3 I guarantee would create a far more raucous and funny situation even right off the bat, but certainly over a longer haul. It is probably the best party game I've ever played, and at a party where we played it first and then Cards Against Humanity (with even all of its high praises) pretty well everyone decided to go back to Quiplash.
There's more, but again, I think I'll save for a full-on rant. Just with the points trying to elaborate on a bigger picture to this and why it has me irritated. I think Nintendo may actually be harming themselves, and not just for the normal kiddie or waggle-fest arguments... but very objective and fair criticisms. Just so much great in this launch and early on and this is SUCH a collective turd.
1) It is possible to argue what merits it has, regardless of shortcomings, but nothing will justify the price they are charging ($10 less than Zelda stings)
2) Let's say you have a family, you get the Switch, and this is the ONLY game you get, believing it represents Nintendo's best foot forward for this new awesome platform. Again, considering the price, when everyone settles into the fact that once you play most of these mini-games more than 2 - 3 times you've exhausted pretty much everything there is to do... the system is about to sit an get dusty
3) There are cheaper and, I'd argue, better party games coming to Switch right off the bat in terms of number of people who can play, likely longevity, and even crazy fun. Quiplash 2, included in Jackbox Party Pack 3 I guarantee would create a far more raucous and funny situation even right off the bat, but certainly over a longer haul. It is probably the best party game I've ever played, and at a party where we played it first and then Cards Against Humanity (with even all of its high praises) pretty well everyone decided to go back to Quiplash.
There's more, but again, I think I'll save for a full-on rant. Just with the points trying to elaborate on a bigger picture to this and why it has me irritated. I think Nintendo may actually be harming themselves, and not just for the normal kiddie or waggle-fest arguments... but very objective and fair criticisms. Just so much great in this launch and early on and this is SUCH a collective turd.
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Nintendo Gaming / My Name is Justin Nation... and I HATE 1-2-Switch (but others like it)...
« on: February 15, 2017, 06:44:15 AM »
Not sure who here may even remember me anymore but I'm a massive Nintendo fanboy (and I may have spent some time on this sort of thing at some point) and, even as much as I try to give them the benefit of the doubt, 1-2-Switch STILL pisses me off. If anything, I may actually be most irritated by the fact that my issues with the game are mostly preventable and boil down to marketing, how they've apparently structured it, and how it stands out among so many steps forward as a step back.
I have my Switch impressions article going through the process and it will touch on some of this in that space. Wondering what people would think about something more long form, a sort of rant on the game and the missed opportunities and misfires I see in it.
Oh, and how are some of the old folks doing? It's been a (long) while...
I have my Switch impressions article going through the process and it will touch on some of this in that space. Wondering what people would think about something more long form, a sort of rant on the game and the missed opportunities and misfires I see in it.
Oh, and how are some of the old folks doing? It's been a (long) while...
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Podcast Discussion / Special: NWR Book Interview with Justin Nation
« on: March 31, 2016, 03:26:00 PM »Jonny is recording long-form interviews with staff members from the past 17 years of this website, and you can listen to them as a preview for his upcoming book. This one features N64 hot shot, website designer, and super-dad Justin Nation!
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/42430/special-nwr-book-interview-with-justin-nation
Welcome to a series of special podcasts, hosted by your friends at Radio Free Nintendo. Former podcast host and website director Jonathan Metts is sharing his extensive interviews with current and former staff members from Nintendo World Report [the very site you are now reading, which is also still widely known as Planet GameCube (which is one of the long-term prices we've had to pay for the privilege of changing our name at the peak of our popularity).] These interviews are part of his research for an upcoming book about the long-running website, focusing on its vast array of dedicated, all-volunteer creators. This paragraph is painfully thorough because I want to reuse it for each subsequent release from this series, which is planned to continue throughout 2016!
This interview features the podcast debut of Justin Nation (it was also the first time he and Jonny had ever spoken, despite 15+ years of acquaintance). Justin is an old-school Nintendo reporter and media critic who founded The 64 Source and Operation N2000, discovering a crack team of well-known enthusiasts who later followed him to join the ranks of our own site. You'll hear about the time Justin was fired for working on PGC (before it reshaped his real career), and how being a family man affected his involvement. This interview is a unique opportunity to hear from one of our legendary staff members, whose influence can still be seen all over Nintendo World Report, even though he retired long before that name was installed.
If you haven't already, subscribe to Radio Free Nintendo with the links above to automatically receive all upcoming interviews in this series. You'll also get brand-new episodes of the best Nintendo podcast, according to my mom.
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General Gaming / Re: Diablo 3 Players? Clan up!
« on: March 07, 2014, 06:36:00 AM »
I have a level 60 for every class and have been playing a ton to take advantage of the bonus EXP, up to Paragon 82 now. Should make getting my Crusader up to speed much more fun and can up the challenge. Loot 2.0's drops are very nice, have picked up a few very choice pieces of Legendary gear for my Demon Hunter that have him back at the top of my preferred class food chain.
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General Gaming / Re: Diablo 3 Players? Clan up!
« on: March 04, 2014, 05:38:19 PM »
Oh, and though they may have improved their way of dealing with spam perhaps message me if you try to add me so I know to add. 
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General Gaming / Re: Diablo 3 Players? Clan up!
« on: March 04, 2014, 05:37:27 PM »
Duh, in the event someone is interested would help to be clear. The clan tag is NWR and it is named NintendoWorldReport (no spaces or it was too long for the name field). Even if not interested in the clan and looking for someone to rip through Torment with (I love my Monk) the tag is: MAMEiac#1394
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General Gaming / Diablo 3 Players? Clan up!
« on: March 03, 2014, 07:49:55 PM »
Just was trying to figure out what would be the best way to get something going with a clan (now that they're available) to bring some community to things and some old school Nintendo love seemed to be in order. I figure there must be other people out there who love some Diablo when the gaps between Nintendo releases are in effect so check it out if you'd like.
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TalkBack / Re: LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Impressions
« on: October 22, 2013, 08:31:52 PM »
Can you please confirm how multi-player works? Been looking forward to this game and have high hopes that it will be playable like was described (one person on the gamepad being able to be independent of the person using the TV) or how well multi-player works..
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: No one plays Animal Crossing online?
« on: June 29, 2013, 05:42:37 AM »
Added all peoples' friend codes on this thread, mine is 0344-9277-1213
Been trying to connect to people but apparently either most of the friends I have don't have AC or I just play on odd hours.
In addition, for anyone that far along, here's my AC Dream Suite address: 4200-2145-7300
Been trying to connect to people but apparently either most of the friends I have don't have AC or I just play on odd hours.
In addition, for anyone that far along, here's my AC Dream Suite address: 4200-2145-7300
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Wii U Nintendo Network IDs
« on: November 18, 2012, 08:16:03 AM »
I'm registered (as always) as MAMEiac
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TalkBack / Re: Roundtable Discussion: The Merits (or Lack Thereof) of New Super Mario Bros. 2
« on: August 28, 2012, 12:08:14 PM »
While people may or may not enjoy it I think it is an idea in the right direction, given the way games are made and played, particularly with the rise of tablets. While you could conceivably play a single Mario level for a few minutes and put it down traditional Mario games aren't what I'd consider "pick up for a few minutes" games. For the most part I'll play levels if I know I have a while to explore, look for secrets, try to find the hidden exits, etc.
With a job/kids/house and all manner of distractions I find I have more cases where I know all I have is maybe 10 to 15 minutes to play. To me this is the space Angry Birds, Cut the Rope, Bejeweled Blitz, Trials, and all sorts of games have found their market. Of particular note is a game like Bejeweled Blitz, taking a pretty simple game and putting a time limit on it to promote quick competition with friends or others. Mix that with Trials, with its brutal need for execution and I think I see Coin Rush fitting very well into this space, though perhaps with 3 levels it is a bit longer than what I'd consider normal.
This is why the lack of ability to share these scores beyond Street Pass is just mind-boggling. This same concept is one of the things I hope Nintendo doesn't miss an opportunity with when they get the Wii U out there as well. Foster competition in people where there is opportunity. Not everyone gets it or likes it but it is a legitimate type of game and an evolution of sorts for Mario since I never would have thought of Mario in that space. So maybe the problem is one of marketing and intent. By putting the NSMB label on it you're setting up an expectation, and perhaps in that traditional regard it is more of the same. I think they're on to something though, and perhaps the goal in the future would be to break off this sort of game into being its own variant, perhaps being more clear and making everyone more happy.
With a job/kids/house and all manner of distractions I find I have more cases where I know all I have is maybe 10 to 15 minutes to play. To me this is the space Angry Birds, Cut the Rope, Bejeweled Blitz, Trials, and all sorts of games have found their market. Of particular note is a game like Bejeweled Blitz, taking a pretty simple game and putting a time limit on it to promote quick competition with friends or others. Mix that with Trials, with its brutal need for execution and I think I see Coin Rush fitting very well into this space, though perhaps with 3 levels it is a bit longer than what I'd consider normal.
This is why the lack of ability to share these scores beyond Street Pass is just mind-boggling. This same concept is one of the things I hope Nintendo doesn't miss an opportunity with when they get the Wii U out there as well. Foster competition in people where there is opportunity. Not everyone gets it or likes it but it is a legitimate type of game and an evolution of sorts for Mario since I never would have thought of Mario in that space. So maybe the problem is one of marketing and intent. By putting the NSMB label on it you're setting up an expectation, and perhaps in that traditional regard it is more of the same. I think they're on to something though, and perhaps the goal in the future would be to break off this sort of game into being its own variant, perhaps being more clear and making everyone more happy.
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TalkBack / Re: Roundtable Discussion: The Merits (or Lack Thereof) of New Super Mario Bros. 2
« on: August 28, 2012, 10:41:57 AM »
First, as on old fogey I liked this sort of feature under its original distinction of "Blah Blah Blah"... "Roundtable Discussion" is just too prim and proper. Let it all fly!
Anyway, while I would agree that the lack of online leader boards is just plain stupid (can always hope they incorporate it into the DLC) for Coin Rush, to imply that the game is just more of the same is absolutely nuts. Coin Rush and all of the elements and enhancements in the title tied to that are the backbone of the game and the coin obsession dominates its purpose.
I thought Mario 3DS was absolute brilliance and a better game but then again I didn't find myself doing anything in it past collecting all of the special coins, finding the secrets, and completing everything. With NSMB 2 I've only completed Worlds 1 and 2, am in the process of working on the first Mushsroom World, but I'm seeing a fair amount of my time sucked into the Mushroom Class Coin Rush. It is an OCD Gamer's dream, finding every hidden trick, honing every technique, perfecting your route, maximizing your run and air time when you have the coin block on your head... and to score you need to push all of this through 3 entire levels, never making a misstep. It is freaking crack and I love it!
Really I'm hoping this becomes a side mode in every Mario game somehow, even if there are only a few level variants since I know the coin collection angle drives the layout of the levels themselves. For the first time though HOW you complete the level matters. Score never worked, I've always been able to have ample lives, the special coins and secrets are fun but just a matter of discovery. Coin Rush is taking everything you know and forcing you to execute.
So back to the problem. Yeah, no on-line sharing between your friends at a minimum let alone the general gaming community is a travesty and I pray they correct this with the DLC since it would then also be an excellent selling point for it. It is one thing to push yourself, knowing you could have eked out a few more coins, it is another to be compelled to show that cocky bastard how it is done. Even better, create a Ghost Mode so you can see the techniques other people use (if you can keep up). They have it all for Mario Kart, it seems ridiculous not to give this mode its full due.
So yeah, despite its shortcomings I can't see giving the game below an 8, and that would be docking an entire point just for it lacking friend/leader board support for spite. Calling it more of the same really would take missing out on the focus on the coins and for the first time I really see Mario as a viable competitive game. My first time through I thought I'd done well with 2500 coins, but then trashed that with my next record of 4320, but now I'm at a full-blown 8106 and I know I can do better. So many runs with so much potential ruined by a misstep into the lava, so many runs re-started because I missed a jump or didn't quite execute a section as well as I could. Even after I beat the game for the first time I have a reason to return to a Mario game anyway outside of nostalgia and that is a game changer for the series.
Anyway, while I would agree that the lack of online leader boards is just plain stupid (can always hope they incorporate it into the DLC) for Coin Rush, to imply that the game is just more of the same is absolutely nuts. Coin Rush and all of the elements and enhancements in the title tied to that are the backbone of the game and the coin obsession dominates its purpose.
I thought Mario 3DS was absolute brilliance and a better game but then again I didn't find myself doing anything in it past collecting all of the special coins, finding the secrets, and completing everything. With NSMB 2 I've only completed Worlds 1 and 2, am in the process of working on the first Mushsroom World, but I'm seeing a fair amount of my time sucked into the Mushroom Class Coin Rush. It is an OCD Gamer's dream, finding every hidden trick, honing every technique, perfecting your route, maximizing your run and air time when you have the coin block on your head... and to score you need to push all of this through 3 entire levels, never making a misstep. It is freaking crack and I love it!
Really I'm hoping this becomes a side mode in every Mario game somehow, even if there are only a few level variants since I know the coin collection angle drives the layout of the levels themselves. For the first time though HOW you complete the level matters. Score never worked, I've always been able to have ample lives, the special coins and secrets are fun but just a matter of discovery. Coin Rush is taking everything you know and forcing you to execute.
So back to the problem. Yeah, no on-line sharing between your friends at a minimum let alone the general gaming community is a travesty and I pray they correct this with the DLC since it would then also be an excellent selling point for it. It is one thing to push yourself, knowing you could have eked out a few more coins, it is another to be compelled to show that cocky bastard how it is done. Even better, create a Ghost Mode so you can see the techniques other people use (if you can keep up). They have it all for Mario Kart, it seems ridiculous not to give this mode its full due.
So yeah, despite its shortcomings I can't see giving the game below an 8, and that would be docking an entire point just for it lacking friend/leader board support for spite. Calling it more of the same really would take missing out on the focus on the coins and for the first time I really see Mario as a viable competitive game. My first time through I thought I'd done well with 2500 coins, but then trashed that with my next record of 4320, but now I'm at a full-blown 8106 and I know I can do better. So many runs with so much potential ruined by a misstep into the lava, so many runs re-started because I missed a jump or didn't quite execute a section as well as I could. Even after I beat the game for the first time I have a reason to return to a Mario game anyway outside of nostalgia and that is a game changer for the series.
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TalkBack / Re: Now Hiring: Website Programmer
« on: July 22, 2011, 05:39:51 AM »
Thanks for putting that in for a very appropriate opportunity for folks Jonny. Opportunities are only what you make them.
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Mii QR code collection
« on: April 08, 2011, 05:14:56 AM »Cannot leave off my favorite Senior Black Correspondent. Larry Wilmore. I found him particularly hard to make at all distinctive.:
Are you saying all black people look the same?
Uh... no.
Wyatt Cenac worked wonderfully with it and by comparison was pretty easy to get something good. The problem with Larry Wilmore is more that he's usually pretty well bald, has a very round head, and aside from wearing glasses actually doesn't have a great deal that is distinctive about his face. Miis are like caricatures when they work well, that you're able to run with and enhance specific features to bring out a character. Some people are easier than others. I think a lack of ears is another tough thing with Miis. No ears makes people with bigger ears tougher to make it happen.
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Mii QR code collection
« on: March 31, 2011, 07:35:41 PM »
Cannot leave off my favorite Senior Black Correspondent. Larry Wilmore. I found him particularly hard to make at all distinctive. :
:
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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Mii QR code collection
« on: March 31, 2011, 07:34:05 PM »
My best attempts at the main members of The Daily Show folks... some were easier than others
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