Messages

[Why Nintendo not having a large press conference is not that bad.]

176

TalkBack / No Conference? No Problem!

« on: April 25, 2013, 10:50:05 AM »

Why Nintendo not having a large press conference is not that bad.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blog/34015

As many now know, Nintendo will be foregoing their usual large E3 press conference and instead focusing on smaller events and probably some Nintendo Directs. This has made some fans annoyed or worried about Nintendo's E3 showing this year.

I do not really care that much about Nintendo having the large live stage presentation. In my view, we will still be receiving all of the same information, and possibly even gain more detailed demonstrations and impressions than usual.

This change seems to have come in part due to the success of the Nintendo Direct video presentations that Nintendo has been doing for awhile now. When Nintendo drops a direct, the industry press pays attention, Nintendo can control the message more concisely and even give people more gameplay footage than what a usual E3 conference may be able to afford.

Nintendo seems like they will be trying to create a constant stream of announcements and information throughout the E3 week. This type of strategy is possibly a great idea. Microsoft and Sony will both have a lot of press eager to see their new consoles and if Nintendo front loads their talking points, it is easier for them to be lost or forgotten in the glut of information that comes out later. I think spreading things out will allow Nintendo to continually be a recent talking point and get more people paying attention to them as they trickle out announcements. Having one big splash at the start isn't always the best, especially if you can keep peoples eyes on you constantly.

I don't think Nintendo fans have anything to worry about. The game announcements are still going to be there, and most likely the announcements will be very exciting. I really like that Nintendo is trying a different approach and I think it could be brilliant. Another positive is that because they are trying to mix things up, they may be more open to sharing more things through the eShop and Miiverse. If they allow us to download some demos at home, it would be very cool.

[The frankenstick got even bigger!]

177

TalkBack / Circle Pad Pro XL Photos

« on: April 23, 2013, 09:26:51 PM »

The frankenstick got even bigger!

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blog/33984

If you were ever curious about how large the Nintendo 3DS XL is with its Circle Pad Pro XL attachment, then check out our images below. We have also taken some snaps of the original 3DS to compare it to.

Behold the giant.

We all thought the original was large..

Curvy

Side by side.

[The colour is much stronger than the previous pink editions.]

178

TalkBack / Brand New Pink Nintendo 3DS XL Coming to the UK

« on: April 22, 2013, 07:41:55 PM »

The colour is much stronger than the previous pink editions.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33972

A brand new pink Nintendo 3DS XL will be launching in the UK on May 31st.

A pink and white  3DS XL had previously been available in both Japan and the U.S, this new model features the colour for the entire system however. Apparently Nintendo will be bringing this colour to other European regions, but cannot confirm dates as of yet.

[If you love the music in Toki Tori 2, you can now own the soundtrack!]

179

TalkBack / Toki Tori 2 Soundtrack Available for Download

« on: April 19, 2013, 12:16:52 AM »

If you love the music in Toki Tori 2, you can now own the soundtrack!

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33952

The soundtrack to Toki Tori 2 is now available for download via the bandcamp website.

The album contains 31 tracks from the game, a digital poster that is signed by the development team, and a build-it-yourself hermit crab. The company behind the music, SonicPicnic, had the following to say on the creation. “We’ve incorporated many different themes from the Toki Tori legacy, going back as far as its Game Boy Color roots sometimes.”

Toki Tori 2 is currently available on the Wii U Nintendo eShop.

Check out the album here.

180

TalkBack / Re: Bit.Trip Runner2 Out in Europe, Not Yet in Australia

« on: April 13, 2013, 05:06:07 AM »

Yeah to access the EU eShop you have to create a new profile/Nintendo ID. Your eShop wallet on your regular account is unaffected. Once you have it all downloaded you can just switch everything back and log into your normal account.

[Australians get shafted even further, but can still get access if they want.]

181

TalkBack / Bit.Trip Runner2 Out in Europe, Not Yet in Australia

« on: April 12, 2013, 05:35:20 PM »

Australians get shafted even further, but can still get access if they want.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33830

Bit.Trip Presents... Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien has now been released on the European eShop, although it is nowhere to be seen on the Australian one.

The game was originally delayed across Europe and Australia due to classification holdups. The European rating system has obviously passed the game, but according to the developer Gaijin Games, the Australian release has been held up even longer due to rating board issues.

In the meantime, Australians who want the game now can create a new profile on the Wii U with the region set to somewhere in Europe, which will allow access to the European eShop.

[Bring your own 3DS to take part in multiplayer matches, StreetPassing, and more.]

182

TalkBack / Nintendo Australia to Attend Melbourne and Gold Coast Supanova

« on: April 09, 2013, 11:03:02 AM »

Bring your own 3DS to take part in multiplayer matches, StreetPassing, and more.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33781

Nintendo Australia has announced that it will attend the Melbourne and Gold Coast Supanova pop culture convention this year.

At the events, Nintendo will host a lounge area where players can come and interact with their Nintendo 3DS's. Multiplayer matches will likely be a large attraction of the event, as will StreetPass. Nintendo will also provide charging stations so players don't have to worry about their system dying throughout the day.

The event will also have a number of giveaways and on-the-spot competitions throughout the weekend. Details on when and where the Supanova conventions are this year are below.

Melbourne Supanova
Where
Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale, Victoria 3032.
When
Saturday April 13th, 10am to 6pm, 2013
Sunday April 14th, 10am to 6pm, 2013

Gold Coast Supanova
Where
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Cnr Gold Coast Highway & TE Peters Drive, Broadbeach, Queensland 4218
When
Saturday April 20th, 10am to 6pm, 2013
Sunday April 21st, 10am to 6pm, 2013

183

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo World Report: Powered Off - Issue 4

« on: April 03, 2013, 07:01:26 PM »

Yeah adding publication dates is something I've been thinking about. I'll probably add a date next to the bylines for every article going forward.

184

TalkBack / Re: Fire Emblem Awakening Team Discusses Casual Mode

« on: April 03, 2013, 06:36:00 PM »

I wish the permadeath had more of an impact on the story, it would be much more interesting if losing certain characters changed the direction of the story. I think if there were alternate storylines that appeared, people wouldn't need to reset as much as it could lead to things you haven't seen before. As it is now I believe all that losing a character does is take away some possible story elements.


Permadeath should be linked to alternate/more storylines.

[The decision to include a more casual way to play Fire Emblem was met with skepticism initially.]

185

TalkBack / Fire Emblem Awakening Team Discusses Casual Mode

« on: April 03, 2013, 08:02:00 AM »

The decision to include a more casual way to play Fire Emblem was met with skepticism initially. 

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33723

The team behind Fire Emblem Awakening discussed the implementation of the Casual mode and the difficulties behind making such a decision in a recent developer interview.

When the idea was first brought up, some of the team members were against the idea. However, the team realised that many people were intimidated by the series because of the fact that party members die permanently. Adding in a casual mode where players do not have to worry about such a consequence has meant that more people are willing to try Fire Emblem. Although they did also acknowledge that some of the fun of the series is in the possibility of losing a much loved character, the consensus was that both play styles have their advantages and that is why the mode was implemented.

While the team thinks that they will still implement a casual mode in future games, the director from Nintendo, Genki Yokota, gave a hypothetical example for an instance in which not having a casual mode might be beneficial. "let's say we wanted to depict a really big and serious war scene. In a situation like that, having permadeath would help lend weight to everything; it'd be much more tense and meaningful to players if their characters' lives were truly on the line, just like in a real war. So it really depends."

186

TalkBack / Re: HarmoKnight Review

« on: March 30, 2013, 07:35:33 PM »

If only the rabbit helper could be changed to John Candy..

[All the games are now 50% off their original list price.]

187

TalkBack / Ubisoft Wii U Titles on Sale on Australian eShop

« on: March 30, 2013, 05:11:37 AM »

All the games are now 50% off their original list price.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33698

Ubisofts Wii U games are now 50% off their Nintendo eShop retail price until April 4.

The titles and prices are as follows:

ZombiU - $89.95 - $44.95
Assassin's Creed III - $89.95 - $44.95
Just Dance 4 - $59.95 - $29.95
Rabbids Land - $59.95 - $29.95
Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth - $59.95 - $29.95
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 - $59.95 - $29.95

For titles such as ZombiU, this sale makes the game cheaper than current local retail pricing, where recently the game has been priced at around $49.

188

TalkBack / Re: Port Or Not, I'm Excited for Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

« on: March 29, 2013, 06:35:55 PM »

I didn't pick up the original either, so I may get this.

189

TalkBack / Re: Castlevania: Lords of Subspace - Emissary of Fate

« on: March 28, 2013, 06:40:46 PM »

Good article, interesting comparison!

[The quest to find the best is over.]

190

TalkBack / Nintendo Australia Finds the Ultimate Monster Hunter

« on: March 28, 2013, 10:07:40 AM »

The quest to find the best is over.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33645

Nintendo Australia has crowned their Monster Hunter champion.  Recently Nintendo Australia ran a competition to find the Ultimate Monster Hunter, with the prize being to have their gameplay footage of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate recorded at Nintendo's head office to be used in a commercial for the game.

The Ultimate Monster Hunter displays their fighting skills against the mighty Stygian Zinogre, which is one of the games rare species. Check out the trailer below.

191

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN Live Panel at PAX East 2013

« on: March 26, 2013, 06:02:11 PM »

I was surprised no one mentioned Goldeneye as a good movie game. Also, King Kong was supposed to be pretty great back when it released.

192

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 77: Physical All the Way

« on: March 22, 2013, 06:06:42 PM »

The only real advantage digital has going for it is convenience. I much prefer physical copies, having the games on something local and separate from the system seems safer in the long run. I also worry about publishers losing rights etc and taking the games off the servers to purchase.
Not to mention re-selling and lending games to people isn't possible with a digital game.

[The king of swing returns from a return this May.]

193

TalkBack / Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D Dated for Australia

« on: March 20, 2013, 07:19:01 PM »

The king of swing returns from a return this May.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33603

Nintendo Australia has announced that Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D will be releasing in Australia and New Zealand on May 25.

The game will be available both as a boxed retail game and as a downloadable title on the Nintendo eShop. The eShop currently has an exclusive 3D gameplay video available to view as well.

194

TalkBack / Re: Book - The History of Sonic the Hedgehog

« on: March 08, 2013, 05:36:32 PM »

The book isn't overly positive with the games that weren't well received. It mentions the poor reception of Sonic 2006 and how the team was having trouble, but Sega released it anyway.


The Sonic X-Treme team actually asked and started using the Nights engine for the game, but once Yuji Naka found out he took it away from them.

[Sonic the Hedgehog gets his own extensive history book.]

195

TalkBack / Book - The History of Sonic the Hedgehog

« on: March 08, 2013, 08:41:08 AM »

Sonic the Hedgehog gets his own extensive history book.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blog/33514

Unlike many NWR staffers, I did not grow up playing Mario. I was a Sega Mega Drive owner back in the day, so my mascot of choice was Sonic the Hedgehog. I recently picked up “The History of Sonic the Hedgehog,” a 300-page hardcover book that goes over the blue blur’s games and history.

The book was originally published in French and was released in mid-2012. A company called UDON later secured the rights to translate and release the book in English, which released in December 2012. Then, around the end of January, original publisher Pix’n Love announced it would release 1000 copies of a limited edition version of the English translation, mimicking the look and style of the French hardcover. Luckily, I found out about the book when the English limited edition was announced, so that’s the version I was able to get.

Mr Needlemouse was an early name for Sonic.

The quality of the cover and the printing is great. The front features the classic Sonic logo, while the back features one for the 20th anniversary. The cover has an interesting, slightly rubbery feel, Inside, book covers everything from before Sonic’s inception right up until his latest exploits. The book is something along the lines of the Hyrule Historia, and features a ton of interesting artwork and information. (One of the points of interest I found amusing was that an early plan for the first Sonic game’s story was to have a human love interest named Madonna. Sonic saving a human princess actually did end up happening eventually, with the ill-fated Sonic the Hedgehog game of 2006.) It even includes interviews with the major creators of Sonic, Yuji Naka, Takashi Iizuka, and Naoto Ôshima.

Madonna, Sonic's love interest.

This image is from a cancelled Sega Saturn Sonic game called Sonic X-Treme.

The included interviews and history are presented well, with a pleasant layout. Overall, I really enjoyed reading the book; it’s nice to have a detailed history and resource for Sonic.

It seems as though it is still possible to order the collectors edition of the book from Pix'n Love, although, the regular UDON release is still readily available and cheaper. Check out more images from the book in the gallery below.

UDON cover.

Websites for both publishers are below:
Pix'n Love
UDON

196

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo World Report: Powered Off - Issue 3

« on: March 01, 2013, 06:26:03 PM »

Hehe.. If it hurts too much just turn the page
 
I hope people like the exclusives we have this month, let the writers know what you think too.

[Spidey's senses were signalling to steer clear of an Australian release.]

197

TalkBack / The Amazing Spider-Man Not Releasing in Australia

« on: February 28, 2013, 01:09:27 PM »

Spidey's senses were signalling to steer clear of an Australian release.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33457

The Amazing Spider-Man Ultimate Edition will not be releasing in Australia, however the game will still be released in Europe.

The Ultimate Edition of the game includes the original game plus the DLC that was released for the title. 

This news makes it the third title from publisher Activision to not see release in Australia, the other two titles being 007 Legends and The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct.

[Check out the newly confirmed dates for Luigi's Mansion, Fire Emblem, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon and Animal Crossing.]

198

TalkBack / Australian Release Dates Announced for High-Profile Nintendo 3DS Titles

« on: February 25, 2013, 09:14:13 PM »

Check out the newly confirmed dates for Luigi's Mansion, Fire Emblem, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon and Animal Crossing.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33432

Nintendo Australia has announced release dates for several high-profile games for the Nintendo 3DS.

The games Nintendo has given dates to include Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, which is coming out on March 28, Fire Emblem Awakening will be coming on April 20, the new Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity is arriving on May 18, and Animal Crossing: New Leaf will be available on June 15.

All of these games will be available at both retail and on the Nintendo eShop.

199

General Chat / Re: Bonnaroo 2013

« on: February 25, 2013, 05:27:48 AM »

Paul McCartney is gonna be there. That'd be cool.

200

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 327: In Tents Pro Duck Shun

« on: February 25, 2013, 01:00:23 AM »

I too wish that Nintendo had broken away from including old Pokemon with the recent games. It would of been a perfect time too, considering the location and routes were so far away.

I want two games to include all the Pokemon somehow, that was the great thing about Red and Blue, only a few were not possible to get in each version. There are far to many hoops to jump through to obtain a lot of them these days.