Topic: IGN Podcast alludes to the "resurrected Nintendo franchise" that was a no show at E3

[Mashiro]

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Or, perhaps Super Mario RPG is considered a franchise, and we might just see an actual sequel to that? I doubt the second one, though.

You know, out of all the Mario RPG based games, that was the only one I played and I freaking loved it. It was actually the first RPG I ever purchased for a system, such fond memories of that game.

To this day I think Geno has to be the coolest character who has the origin of just being a childs toy haha.

[nickmitch]

Lololo and Lalala were bosses in Kirby's Dream Land for the GB.

[Ceric]

Cubivore was Atlus here and hard to find to boot.  Took me years to get my copy.  Though I be down with a second one.

[Dirk Temporo]

I've never even heard of StarTropics. What is it?

[Mashiro]

You know I heard of it but never played it, GP told me about it and I sadly don't have the exact words she used to describe it . . .

However here is a breakdown from wikipedia:

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StarTropics is a game released by Nintendo in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Unlike most of Nintendo's games, it was never released or intended to be released in Japan. It was released only in North America and Europe, although designed by Japanese designers living in the United States, written and directed by Genyo Takeda of Nintendo Integrated Research & Development (also the creators of such games as the arcade and home console versions of Super Punch-Out!! and Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!).

As of June 2007 there has been no indication StarTropics will be released for the Wii Virtual Console.

StarTropics was followed by a sequel titled Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II, in 1994.

StarTropics is played from a 2D top-down perspective, similar to The Legend of Zelda (in the "dungeon" areas) and various RPGs on the NES (town/overworld areas). The game is divided into a series of chapters through which the story progresses. In each chapter, Mike initially walks around towns or other areas, talking to NPCs and obtaining information. After speaking to the required people, Mike will often then travel to a cave or other underground area. It is here that the game switches mechanics. The view is much more zoomed-in, with Mike traveling through rooms that are (usually) one screen big. He initially attacks enemies with a yo-yo, which has a short range. He can accumulate additional weapons in these areas, such as baseball bats, baseballs (also called horsehides), shooting stars, laser guns and more. He has a life meter which is made of a maximum of 22 hearts, similar to that of Link's. This meter can be expanded by finding Big Hearts (which are essentially the same as Heart Containers in Zelda). Mike has three lives and must restart from the beginning of a dungeon area if he loses them all. There are dozens of different enemies within the game and some instant-kill traps, such as platforms that sink into the ubiquitous water and giant bowling balls. Upon reaching the end of the dungeon area, Mike will usually fight a large boss character, which often requires a unique strategy to defeat. There is a point system in the game which, unlike most games, does not reward the player with more points for performance, but rather awards the same number of points after an area is completed. The points do not appear to serve any purpose in the game.

Edit: also this was pretty cleaver of the developers:

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A unique aspect of StarTropics was a saga involving a piece of paper, resembling parchment, that came packaged with the game. Written on it was a letter from Dr. Jones and was addressed to Mike, asking him to visit him at his laboratory on C-Island. It was as if the actual player had intercepted the message and was being invited indirectly to play the game. In later parts of the game, Mike receives an enigmatic message from his uncle through a third-party.

"Evil aliens from a distant planet... tell Mike to dip my letter in water."

Even for a player who owned an original copy and thus, was more likely to have the letter, it was unusual for a game to refer to a physical object that would otherwise just be a novelty. This prompted the player to think that Dr. Jones might be referring to an object within the game. To add to the confusion of the puzzle, putting this paper under water might damage it. Regardless, the correct course of action was to dip the physical piece of paper in water. It revealed a secret message from Dr. Jones and the number "747" that must be used in the game in order to advance.

Since many used video game retailers sell their NES games without a box or manual, it is difficult to find a copy of StarTropics with the original letter, requiring the use of online game manuals or online walkthroughs to complete this part of the game.

After completing the game a slideshow of events from the game is shown, including the letter being dipped in water and the number "747" visible on it.

[that Baby guy]

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Originally posted by: TVman
Lololo and Lalala were bosses in Kirby's Dream Land for the GB.

And bosses in Kirby's Super Star for the SNES.  HAL must have been fond of them.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Startropics is a tough game to describe, it progresses in chapters, but at the same time also manages to be a platformer/action/RPG/exploration. Much of the game utilizes a Zelda esque overhead view, though I believe there are also 2D side scrolling elements (I could be mistaken it has been a few years). The overhead map visuals look alot like Zelda 2, though the dungeon views are close up to your character. Personally I think it is the game Zelda 2 should have been. Even the visuals were pretty amazing for an NES game, with boss visuals as good, if not better than blaster master (Though unlike BM there was scenary around the boss instead of a black void).

[Bill Aurion]

It's too bad the controls are pretty assy...

"And bosses in Kirby's Super Star for the SNES. HAL must have been fond of them."

That's okay, Ninty paid them back by making Kirby an enemy in Link's Awakening... ='D

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: Bill Aurion
It's too bad the controls are pretty assy...

"And bosses in Kirby's Super Star for the SNES. HAL must have been fond of them."

That's okay, Ninty paid them back by making Kirby an enemy in Link's Awakening... ='D

Yeah I forgot about the controls, but you can get used to them (Some of the jumping is difficult especially to single tile blocks). Regardless I found StarTropics to be a brilliant and unique title, that I really hope is re imagined for Wii.

[Bill Aurion]

The thing is, I don't think Ninty had any respect for the series in the first place...The reason they stopped making it in the first place was because they thought of it as "an inferior Zelda"...

The chances of it being reborn are less than those Mr. Game & Watch getting his own 3D game... =3

[that Baby guy]

Right, well, they did make a sequel, though.

Honestly, I've never played them, I was just in the first grade when the second game was released, and I moved on to my SNES by then, too.  However, reading about how the game was built, it looked to use the formula of Super Paper Mario, what with the chapters and all, but with the gameplay of The Legend of Zelda.

From what I recall, Nintendo Power always made a big deal about it, and the game did well enough to merit a sequel then.  Unfortunately for the sequel, the NES was about dead in '94.  Remember, this is two years before the 64 and the same year Donkey Kong Country was released.  Had the game been a year or two earlier, it may have made a larger impact and the franchise wouldn't have been killed.

Essentially, I think a Kid Icarus game is coming.  There is too much interest in Pit.  Far too much interest than any other old franchise.  However, past that, I think StarTropics would be the game that could make a very simple and intuitive transition into today's games, from what I've read.  It's praise then, unfortunate release timing, gameplay and story ideas, as well as obscurity really would allow developers a great structure to follow, while granting amazing liberties, too.

[nickmitch]

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Originally posted by: thatguy

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Originally posted by: TVman
Lololo and Lalala were bosses in Kirby's Dream Land for the GB.

And bosses in Kirby's Super Star for the SNES.  HAL must have been fond of them.

Yeah, I thought of the GB game first 'cause it was sitting in my drawer. I promptly played it after making that post.

[Mashiro]

I wish I still had Kirbys Dream Land. If there is ONE mystery in my life I wish I could solve it's "where did all my GB games go?"

Overtime I think my younger sister ended up losing many of my games and I just never realized it. The tree I miss the most are Metroid II, Super Mario Land 2 and Kirby's Dreamland =(

[Chozo Ghost]

The more I think about it, the more a Punch Out game is what it will be. It makes perfect sense... the Wii-mote would be well suited for a boxing game, and it is very overdue.

Well, that or Kid Icarus. Either one of those two is what my money is on it being....

[Ceric]

Its not the first  Though its in the series and the video is funny.

[Adrock]

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Adrock - where the hell is Punch Out on your list? I'd say it has a stronger chance than anything, although Kid Icarus is a very, very close second.

I thought about Punch-Out, but figured Wii Sports Boxing kind of makes it less of a priority. Kid Icarus seems far more likely to me.

[Galford]

I would $hit a brick if it turned out to be Sta rTropics, but I don't think so.

Most likely it's Kid Icarus, as the series is quickly becoming what Metroid was duing the N64 generation.

A distant third is Golden Sun, Nintendo just Monolith Soft, and so far they have no new announced games
for the Wii.

[Khushrenada]

Well, if you want a really obscure Nintedno franchise (and by franchise, I mean, two games in the series,) and has some reason for existance, perhaps one should look to the Super Scope.

Battle Clash and it's sequel Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge.

Now obviously, this is obscure and most people may not even remember its existance. Nor do I know of any fans clamoring for its return and another sequel. But, we do know Nintendo is making a game to package with the gun grip they have made. So maybe the resurrected franchise is being resurrected for this reason.

Of course, the most obvious would be a new Duck Hunt game and that is what I'm going to guess this game is.

But still, it would be something if Nintendo brought back something that obscure. I'm sure it would cause quite a shock. Although, I wouldn't mind a new Yoshi Safari. Anyways, that's my thought on the matter.  

[Mashiro]

I was thinking Duck Hunt as well until the said "well there is one more hardcore game for Wii" bit. Unless this is like...EXTREME Duck hunt . . . word.

Edit: I miss having a working super scope ::tears::

[LuigiHann]

I definitely want a new Yoshi's Safari. Or at least, the old Yoshi's Safari on VC.

A new one would be a great chance to bring back the Koopa Kids as well.  

[Shift Key]

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Originally posted by: Khushrenada
Well, if you want a really obscure Nintedno franchise (and by franchise, I mean, two games in the series,) and has some reason for existance, perhaps one should look to the Super Scope.

Until they bring back the Super Scope (the real deal, none of this Zapper rubbish) they shouldn't touch any of those franchises.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I really REALLY don't think it is a duck hunt or any other shooter, the way Matt talks it sounds like a game that is "hardcore" in the sense of Metroid, Mario, or Zelda. Duck Hunt and any other shooter would be more casual.

[Kairon]

Yoshi's Safari is hardcore.

[Strell]

Hmmm.

Gumshoe mayhap?  That could be amusing.

or HARDCORE BALLOON FIGHTER 2: THE BALLOONING

[S-U-P-E-R]

Could it be one they were gonna put out, and then got cancelled? Who remembers RIQA or CATROOTS?

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Originally posted by: Kairon
Yoshi's Safari is hardcore.

that game owns