Messages

3501

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Nintendo's Western Developer Inner Circle

« on: July 09, 2012, 10:56:08 AM »

...
That said, I've often wondered about some other developers with traditionally close histories with Nintendo hardware, like Shin'en, or 5th Cell. I'd be curious if Nintendo might start directly "outsourcing" some projects to them, like they often do with small Japanese developers (TOSE? Alpha Dream?) sometimes.
...

I always find that Shin'en games are technically excellent but missing that "magic" on the gameplay side. Would love to see them collaborate directly with Nintendo on a title or two, and play whatever comes out of the partnership!

3502

Nintendo Gaming / Kid Icarus Uprising cards out now in UK - how cool is this?

« on: July 09, 2012, 10:50:53 AM »

This has been reported on various sites, so I'm just posting a link to the actual source instead of trying to give credit anywhere.  But this is pretty cool news.

http://www.paninionline.com/collectibles/institutional/bt/uk/scheda_prodotto.asp?idEdit=8610


I used to collect Panini stickers every summer as a kid (not sure if we ever successfully finished a book though) and would LOVE to see something like this come out here in North America too.  That said, not having them available is saving me a bunch of money... so I guess that's a plus.

3503

TalkBack / Re: Project Zero 2: Wii Edition Review

« on: July 09, 2012, 07:13:14 AM »

So the only real question is whether to import now or hold out in hope that Nintendo of America will announce the game for North America before the current European print run becomes scare and expensive.  Given how expensive Fatal Frame 4 imports are now, I'm not going to wait for long.

3504

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Nintendo 3DS Discussion

« on: July 06, 2012, 01:27:09 PM »

Wait, what exactly made the game bad? I liked it.

I also thought the demo felt ok. At least, it met expectations (which weren't very high to begin with).


I'm also assuming that the full game will be slightly more interesting when higher level power-ups and loot start making a difference - although that's a bit of a gamble.

...

I wouldn't say it was bad but it certainly wasn't ... worth buying I feel when there are other games that are certainly better and are more enjoyable. ...

(Apologies for the cut - but I wanted to focus on this one sentiment.)


Sadly, I don't see 3DS littered with better games.  In fact I haven't seen anything on the system more appealing than Heroes of Ruin since Kid Icarus came out - so this mediocre game might earn my money by default just because there aren't any other retail games worth buying right now.


Then again, maybe I'll just save my cash and spend time working on my DS backlog instead.  I've got some old Atlus titles just begging to be played, and am finally ready to start Dragon Quest V.

3505

TalkBack / Re: North American Club Nintendo Prizes Revealed

« on: July 06, 2012, 01:13:03 PM »

If anyone seriously doesn't like the Platinum rewards, I'll gift you $20 worth of Wii downloads in exchange for your reward.

Assuming the final prizes are as shown here, I'll totally take you up on this offer.  The Platinum rewards aren't terrible but have no appeal for me. On the other hand, there are still plenty of downloadable games on Wii that I'd like to get.


PM me to work out details if you are interested.

3506

TalkBack / Re: Swapnote Updated to Feature Additional Colors

« on: July 05, 2012, 01:46:18 PM »

Nintendo are true entertainers, taking the "always leave them wanting more" motto to heart. Guess this is just another cool idea that arrived half-baked. Color Swapnotes would be awesome, if only you could use more than one color at a time. Maybe we'll be able to change folder colors with the next update (of course, with a limitation of changing the color of all folders at once and being unable to adjust them individually).
 


Guess I'm insatiable.

3507

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Download - July 5, 2012

« on: July 05, 2012, 11:24:44 AM »

I guess a lot of content is better than none, although a little bit of good content trumps both.  Oh well.  At least the demo will be interesting, as Heroes of Ruin is about the only "big" 3DS game since...  Kid Icarus?  Will be nice to try the game firsthand after seeing middling reviews.

3508

General Gaming / Re: What is your most recent gaming purchase?

« on: July 05, 2012, 08:03:23 AM »

...




... I won Project Zero 2 in a competition.

...

Nice!  I'm extremely jealous, especially because it seems likely that NoA has no plans to release the game here.  I fully expect Project Zero 2 to be Wii's (imported) swan song for me.

3509

Nintendo Gaming / Re: What do you expect to pay for Wii U at launch?

« on: July 05, 2012, 07:32:12 AM »

Ha, trick question!  I'm paying $0 because there is no way Nintendo can convince me to buy at launch after the ill will they've built up from anemic Wii software support over the past couple of years, and because 3DS was a rough reminder that there is never enough software within a year of launch worth playing to justify any investment on my part.


If I do buy a Wii U eventually, it certainly won't be until a price drop happens and there is a stable of compelling software on the shelf waiting to be played.  Even then, Nintendo has yet to convince me that Wii U is a better option than buying a PS3 or 360 to enjoy the existing library of (cheap) games on those systems.

3510

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Working to Maintain a Robust Security System In 3DS, Wii U

« on: July 03, 2012, 08:12:58 PM »

not for nothing, but "making sure that our consumers feel that playing our products is safe"

is a giant pile of bullshit. just saying. Your DS isn't gonna cut a bitch if you put in an r4

With reference to Animal Crossing, where hacked items can ruin a game that you spent dozens or even hundreds of hours building, Iwata's statement has at least some truth.


Of course the real reason to improve security is to reduce piracy and keep third party developers confident in the viability of the system - proliferation of R4 cards didn't do anything to help DS software sales, although probably did spur hardware to some degree.  Frankly I'm ok with that trade off.

3511

Reader Reviews / Re: Rate The Last Game You Played

« on: July 03, 2012, 04:10:33 PM »

@ymeegod
 
Is it weird that I don't disagree with anything you just said, yet I played through this game as both characters and loved every minute of it? I think I just enjoyed the art so much and I didn't find the gameplay to be offensively bad so I was willing to ignore some of the glaring faults.

It's not hard to see both sides on this one.  My complaint with Muramasa is that it really could've offered a more involved experience on the gameplay side - or a more streamlined experience. Either way would work and might feel better - at least that is my guess. However, what was provided was enjoyable enough and so beautiful that the gameplay faults get a free pass from me.

3512

TalkBack / Re: The Legend of Zelda and NES Open Tournament Golf Updates Available for 3DS Ambassadors

« on: July 03, 2012, 11:15:39 AM »

Maybe MKSC was good back in the day, but in 2012 it sucks donkey balls. I never played it back then, so I don't have nostalgia working it. I know some people love it, some hate it. I am in the latter camp.

Games have changed. So have gamers and their expectations.


Super Circuit certainly feels different, but offers tight racing with a meaningful learning curve. It's probably one of the least approachable Mario Kart games, but is also one of the most skill-based and includes a great single-player mode.  Guess it just depends on what you are looking for in a Mario Kart game.  Obviously the hardware limitations were very different than what newer releases had to work with.

3513

TalkBack / Re: The Legend of Zelda and NES Open Tournament Golf Updates Available for 3DS Ambassadors

« on: July 02, 2012, 08:34:06 PM »

Wait... you use Ubuntu and like Mario Kart Super Circuit?  Are you... my brother?

3514

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Official Club Nintendo Thread

« on: July 01, 2012, 09:42:00 AM »

2 new Club Nintendo game rewards for July:

Mario Tennis (Wii Virtual Console - N64) - 150 Coins
*expires July 22nd*

Electroplankton Rec-Rec (3DS) - 100 Coins
*expires July 15th*

Hmm...I'm not usually interested in the Mario Sports games, but I'm kind of tempted to pick up Mario Tennis.

Both are very tempting.  I've always wanted to try Electroplankton, but not enough to pay real money for the opportunity.  And Mario Tennis is probably worth a shot too for 150 coins. Not like Club Nintendo is bursting with other prizes that I covet right now...

3515

General Gaming / Re: What is your most recent gaming purchase?

« on: June 30, 2012, 09:11:36 PM »

Kirby's Epic Yarn - $20 at Walmart


I would've preferred to get Return to Dreamland, but at $20 it's hard to say no to a game this gorgeous.

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TalkBack / Re: PSA: VVVVVV Discounted in North America eShop Right Now

« on: June 30, 2012, 02:48:09 PM »

I got it yesterday, & so far it's pretty cool but I don't see why people gush over it as they have. It just seems one of those games that's only popular because it's hard & the music is catchy.

Although it was a good experience and the music was great, I tend to agree that VVVVVV is overrated.  Of course, I would say the same thing about most indie games - nice concepts, fun for a bit, but not something I want to invest large amounts of time with.


That said, I do think that it's an excellent way to spend $5 in the eShop.  The sale price is exactly what I feel comfortable paying in this case.

3517

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Which was better: GameCube or Wii?

« on: June 30, 2012, 02:45:15 PM »

Kinda sorta related to Pikmin games: the lack of pointer controls in Little King's Story was the biggest letdown in that game.  Not that playing with traditional controls was bad, but sometimes having pointer controls can make the experience a bit smoother and more intuitive.  (You can probably guess where I fall on the NPC vs original debate.)

3518

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Official Club Nintendo Thread

« on: June 29, 2012, 08:02:00 PM »

I've heard guesses that the platinum reward would be an 8-bit Mario cushion. Hopefully not, as I personally have no interest in that item, but since it's a free gift I guess there is no reason to complain regardless of what they send.


(Also, I liked the pin set better than the statue or hat from previous years, but seem to be the only person who feels that way...  oh well.)

3519

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Which was better: GameCube or Wii?

« on: June 29, 2012, 06:23:07 PM »

...

...
Moving back to a happier topic:

I think you've sold me on [Phantasy Star Online I & II for GameCube]. Now if I can just find an affordable copy!

 Haha! Have you ever played any PSO before?

No, but the game sounds interesting enough from the Wikipedia description. The fact that I can even play offline multiplayer mode (assuming I can round up a few friends) is also very appealing.  Many online-enabled games today seem to depend completely on access to servers to be "worth playing", sometimes I wonder how many great experiences will be lost for future generations once those servers are no longer available.

3520

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Which was better: GameCube or Wii?

« on: June 29, 2012, 04:14:24 PM »

...  ejamer thinks anyone with an opinion other than his must be trolling.  ...

I want to be very clear that many (maybe most?) people here have strongly held, different opinions than I do - but certainly aren't trolls or trolling.  They express a full opinion and back it up with well through-out reasons, and tend to support what they like instead of just bash what they don't.


There is one person who I feel needs to improve their rhetoric if they want to avoid a "troll" designation...  But please don't accuse me of saying everyone with a different opinion is a troll.

Did Phantasy Star Online have a single player mode, or was it only online?  My curiosity is growing, but I'm not willing to jump through any hoops (ie: tracking down a GameCube broadband adapter) to get online play working...

Single-player offline mode. Also, MULTIPLAYER OFFLINE mode with no need for a broadband adapter. It was very addictive.

Moving back to a happier topic:


I think you've sold me on this game. Now if I can just find an affordable copy!

3521

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

« on: June 29, 2012, 09:50:51 AM »

...
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.
...

* Metal Gear doesn't just support the Circle Pad Pro attachment, it virtually requires it.
* Resident Evil Revelations gets a nice, but not essential, boost from having the accessory.
* Kid Icarus Uprising uses it, but I don't even know how.


I don't know about you, but that list makes up three of the top four games on the system in my opinion. 
More importantly, Capcom's Monster Hunter games are being designed specifically for the Circle Pad Pro and optimized with the extra slide pad and triggers.  Those games are almost certain to jump to the top of my list, and are a huge part of why I purchased a 3DS in the first place.


Maybe you don't care about Circle Pad Pro support and are happy to make smug remarks, but I do care.  Seeing them built-in on the 3DS XL would've made the system an "instant buy" for me.  Instead Nintendo took the ridiculous route of creating an absurdly over-sized accessory that kills any interest I have in upgrading.  Not a big deal because I'm no worse off... but disappointing that they don't seem to care about the gaming experiences I am interested in.


Also, people need to drop this "Triggers!" crap.  It would be possible to add an extra set of triggers to the already over-sized 3DS XL design if Nintendo deemed the change worthwhile, the trick is that Nintendo doesn't care about doing anything or helping anything that isn't going to immediately benefit them.

3522

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Which was better: GameCube or Wii?

« on: June 29, 2012, 09:37:06 AM »

I don't want to get into the discussion of what makes a video a "classic" because I'm pretty sure the whole thing is just a lame troll attempt.

I will say that the definition doesn't really matter anyway: being deemed a "classic" or not doesn't matter when talking about games of overwhelming quality that deserve to get played.  Many of my favorite older games right now aren't "classics", but are high quality games that remain incredibly fun to play and are worth going back to. Others are simply nostalgic throwbacks that I experienced with friends in my youth and have fond memories of.  Some are critical darlings that were largely missed on release but have since built up a cult status. A few were instant hits that maintained that popularity ever since they were first released.  But I still go back and enjoy all of them - so what difference does it make which are "classics"?

Wii has games that fit all of the descriptions I listed above... so whether they end up being "classics" by your narrow definition or not, they are games that will be worth playing again and again for years to come.  More to the point, every console has at least a couple of these games - even failed systems like Virtual Boy, Sega Saturn, or 3DO.


This is all off-topic though.  The question is which is better: Wii or GameCube.  If you are arguing that GameCube has more "classic" games then offer some support for the console you prefer instead of just spewing junk about the one you don't like as much.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Which was better: GameCube or Wii?

« on: June 28, 2012, 01:22:06 PM »

With the Wii, Nintendo proved to me that they are not interested in making classic games anymore, most 3rd parties had already done that by that point.

What does this even mean?  Are you saying Nintendo's first party efforts on Wii aren't going to be considered classics?  Or that they aren't games with a classic style?

In either case, I can't see your claim as reasonable.  Nintendo's return to classic 2D platforming was glorious on Wii, and they didn't sacrifice other genres either with games like Wii Sports, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Mario Galaxy, and Xenoblade Chronicles all standing tall as defining moments in the generation that will be played for years to come.

Maybe you need to clarify what "making classic games" is supposed to mean, or at least give some examples, if you want your opinion to hold more weight.

3524

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Which was better: GameCube or Wii?

« on: June 28, 2012, 12:11:29 PM »

Phantasy Star Online is the Monster Hunter of Gamecube.  They are kissing cousins of each other except for the monthly charge.

Did Phantasy Star Online have a single player mode, or was it only online?  My curiosity is growing, but I'm not willing to jump through any hoops (ie: tracking down a GameCube broadband adapter) to get online play working...

3525

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

« on: June 27, 2012, 11:26:32 PM »

Well, it's not like it makes the XL model less portable in a meaningful way...


Still, I see this as good news.  Not releasing a Circle Pad Pro XL would've been a real disappointment as it would limit that hardware - even if only marginally.