Topic: PODCAST: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 125

[Crimm]

Forget everything you knew about Nintendo in 2008, and learn it all over again.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/podcastArt.cfm?artid=17434

 More than just Animal Crossing... not that Nintendo wants you to know that.  



 Episode 125: 2008 Relived    

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It's the end of another year.  That means it is time for your intrepid RFN crew to cast their cynical, jaded, eyes back on the year that was.    

In this episode Jonny, Greg, Jon and STEVEN WINDYMAN RODRIGUEZ relive 2008.  With startling announcements such as Animal Crossing being ported from the DS to the Wii and that Wii Music is not a "music game," it truly was the year of the gamer.  They don't neglect the good news like Wario Land Shake It! and Sin and Punishment 2.  Who saw those two coming?!    

Think of this episode as your bridge between E3 2008's let-down and the Nintendo Fall announcements.  Credits:    

This podcast was edited by Greg Leahy and James Jones.    

Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can purchase their new album, Rocket Number 9, directly from the record label, or download it from iTunes, or call your local record store and ask for it!

[Schadenfreude]

I really need to catch up; now I'm three podcasts behind! 

[broodwars]

I really need to catch up; now I'm three podcasts behind! 

Don't worry.  So are the RFN Crew.

*rimshot*

^_-

[GoldenPhoenix]

Guess I'll listen

[Crimm]

It isn't an AC "bash-fest," but they do take Nintendo to task for

A: Promoting this game at E3 as if it were the only game they were releasing

B: Not being different enough from the DS game.

Both claims cannot be refuted.

[Crimm]

I really need to catch up; now I'm three podcasts behind! 

Don't worry.  So are the RFN Crew.

*rimshot*

^_-

2 episodes behind
One is edited, out on Tuesday.  The other is at the end of the week.

Then we go silet till Jonny get's back from his quality time with his kin-folk.

[GoldenPhoenix]

It isn't an AC "bash-fest," but they do take Nintendo to task for

A: Promoting this game at E3 as if it were the only game they were releasing

B: Not being different enough from the DS game.

Both claims cannot be refuted.

Wasn't it pretty much the only game released? It was their big game this holiday season.

Different enough is a subjective term. You can criticize about every game out there as not being different enough from a previous iteration.

[broodwars]

I really need to catch up; now I'm three podcasts behind! 

Don't worry.  So are the RFN Crew.

*rimshot*

^_-

2 episodes behind
One is edited, out on Tuesday.  The other is at the end of the week.

Then we go silet till Jonny get's back from his quality time with his kin-folk.

Always happy to hear that shows weren't lost to the void for a change.  I figured after these last 2 episodes that the missing episodes were just given up on and the show was just starting fresh.

[DAaaMan64]

It isn't an AC "bash-fest," but they do take Nintendo to task for

A: Promoting this game at E3 as if it were the only game they were releasing

B: Not being different enough from the DS game.

Both claims cannot be refuted.

Wasn't it pretty much the only game released? It was their big game this holiday season.

Different enough is a subjective term. You can criticize about every game out there as not being different enough from a previous iteration.

Of course it is subjective, but most of us agree that it isn't different enough. If you were a Wii without internet, you'd practically be playing the DS game.

And being the target market, I'm happy to bitch.

[Crimm]

broodwars: We're a week behind.  The problem is we did two episodes, two weeks in a row.

GP: The game is the same in more regards that most sequels get away with.  And it wasn't their only title this holiday season.  Wario Land Shake It! was unmentioned by NoA.  I mean that literally, we didn't even get the usual thousand NoA press releases for it.

DAaaMan: The DS game, Wide World, was online.

[GoldenPhoenix]

It isn't an AC "bash-fest," but they do take Nintendo to task for

A: Promoting this game at E3 as if it were the only game they were releasing

B: Not being different enough from the DS game.

Both claims cannot be refuted.

Wasn't it pretty much the only game released? It was their big game this holiday season.

Different enough is a subjective term. You can criticize about every game out there as not being different enough from a previous iteration.

Of course it is subjective, but most of us agree that it isn't different enough. If you were a Wii without internet, you'd practically be playing the DS game.

And being the target market, I'm happy to bitch.

So is each Madden basically like playing the previous version? AC: CF has plenty of additions that distinguish it from the DS version that are not online. I'll say one thing I've had much more fun playing this game than the DS one. I do find it interesting that games like Rock Band, Madden, WWE, and others that are yearly games get a pass, but with AC which has probably about as many additions from the last game gets harpooned by some. Now I have no doubt the argument I will hear is "This is the first AC game in a couple of years", my answer is, so what? Does that make it any less valuable or worth playing than those other games I listed? Or are we going to judge a games worth by its development cycle?

The fact is that AC is still a great game, made even better by some minor and some larger additions. Not to mention it is far more relaxing to be playing it at home in front of your TV, instead of bending over your DS, controlling the game with either the stylus or a the clunky control pad. Give me analog control any day in this game!

[GoldenPhoenix]

broodwars: We're a week behind.  The problem is we did two episodes, two weeks in a row.

GP: The game is the same in more regards that most sequels get away with.  And it wasn't their only title this holiday season.  Wario Land Shake It! was unmentioned by NoA.  I mean that literally, we didn't even get the usual thousand NoA press releases for it.

DAaaMan: The DS game, Wide World, was online.

Well Wario Land Shake it was a classic Nintendo title where they just wanted to release it and get it over with. They focused on their big holiday games. Wario Land held about as much importance to their 08 holiday lineup as BWii did.

[broodwars]

This whole topic sounds remarkably similar to my reader mail submission about comparative reviews that was read in the last posted episode...

[GoldenPhoenix]

This whole topic sounds remarkably similar to my reader mail submission about comparative reviews that was read in the last posted episode...

Hmmm. Lol guess you are right.

[Kairon]

A: Promoting this game at E3 as if it were the only game they were releasing

Wii Music was Nintendo's big E3 game. &P

[GoldenPhoenix]

A: Promoting this game at E3 as if it were the only game they were releasing

Wii Music was Nintendo's big E3 game. &P

That is true. Animal Crossing was more of their "core" game. I think the fact is that Nintendo churned out all they could for the year and filled in the gap with what they could. Next year I will be FAR more critical of them if they do the same thing. As it stands we had a GREAT 2007 and a very good first half of 2008.

[shammack]

Huh.  Sounds like I'm having too much fun with Animal Crossing to enjoy this episode, so I think I'll probably just sit this one out.

[Plugabugz]

1 hour 40 minutes and amongst all the big games that was forgotten you didnt mention Disaster Day of Crisis.

[DAaaMan64]

broodwars: We're a week behind.  The problem is we did two episodes, two weeks in a row.

GP: The game is the same in more regards that most sequels get away with.  And it wasn't their only title this holiday season.  Wario Land Shake It! was unmentioned by NoA.  I mean that literally, we didn't even get the usual thousand NoA press releases for it.

DAaaMan: The DS game, Wide World, was online.

Ya but that online sucked... also.

It isn't an AC "bash-fest," but they do take Nintendo to task for

A: Promoting this game at E3 as if it were the only game they were releasing

B: Not being different enough from the DS game.

Both claims cannot be refuted.

Wasn't it pretty much the only game released? It was their big game this holiday season.

Different enough is a subjective term. You can criticize about every game out there as not being different enough from a previous iteration.

Of course it is subjective, but most of us agree that it isn't different enough. If you were a Wii without internet, you'd practically be playing the DS game.

And being the target market, I'm happy to bitch.

So is each Madden basically like playing the previous version? AC: CF has plenty of additions that distinguish it from the DS version that are not online. I'll say one thing I've had much more fun playing this game than the DS one. I do find it interesting that games like Rock Band, Madden, WWE, and others that are yearly games get a pass, but with AC which has probably about as many additions from the last game gets harpooned by some. Now I have no doubt the argument I will hear is "This is the first AC game in a couple of years", my answer is, so what? Does that make it any less valuable or worth playing than those other games I listed? Or are we going to judge a games worth by its development cycle?

Hey I don't buy any of those shitty games. And people DO bitch about those other games not being updated. But with those games, it's perhaps more excusable.  With those games, it's more about, roster updates, and fresh content.  With less or concentration on fresh mechanics. I'm not saying that Madden has an excuse, but I don't buy those damn games, and I don't think largely those that are interested in Animal Crossing largely are either.

[AV]

This whole topic sounds remarkably similar to my reader mail submission about comparative reviews that was read in the last posted episode...

Hmmm. Lol guess you are right.

it was my Top 5 wii games topic that got them fired up for the podcast . :-)

can't to listen guys.

[Yoshidious]

1 hour 40 minutes and amongst all the big games that was forgotten you didnt mention Disaster Day of Crisis.

This was due to Disaster not coming out in North America this year. If you're looking for Disaster coverage, Episode 126 will have you covered.

[NWR_Neal]

Since I guess I'm the anomaly that likes Madden and Animal Crossing, I accept a new Madden every year without much change because the important thing is the roster update. Also, I know one is coming out every year. On the other hand, the Animal Crossing series has only seen three releases ever, and we typically only get one per system. It makes more sense to see each system's iteration be a bigger leap. While I'm still interested in Animal Crossing, City Folk is not that leap. It's more like a hop that might have gotten blown back by the wind in some areas.

[DAaaMan64]

roster update.

And you may not be an anomaly, that was just a guess.

[Jonnyboy117]

Huh.  Sounds like I'm having too much fun with Animal Crossing to enjoy this episode, so I think I'll probably just sit this one out.

It's hardly an entire episode devoted to AC.  That is one topic among many, so I would encourage you to listen before you judge.

Also, my mom says hi to everyone.  I'm posting from the public library.

[DAaaMan64]

Your mom sounds HAWT