@ShadJV: I'm guessing, though, that many of the people commenting in this article are having that debate in their countries at the moment, and Nintendo as an international company is open to this kind of scrutiny. Having to remove a representation of social inclusion is still having to remove a representation of social inclusion, whether it was a game breaking accident or not and whether it would be accepted in that culture or not.

@Geonjaha: and @theblackdragon: I wasn't being literal, I was extending a metaphor and making some social commentary. I'm a game designer and understand the meaning of a glitch. I just think it's funny that they accidentally allow for social inclusion and accidentally don't discriminate against gay people wanting to connect with their Mii's, and then have to label it a glitch (which it sounds like it was by the strict definition) and offer a patch. At least since it's a 3DS game the patch will be optional for those that bought the game for that reason.

So having gay marriage in a game is a 'glitch' that needs to be corrected, huh? Whether or not they intended to Nintendo will be taking a side in this matter, and if they do indeed remove it that will offend a proportion of the population. I don't see how keeping it in offends the general population seems as though if they don't want to gay marry in the game they wouldn't have to. This is surprising, too, since Japanese games tend to be more liberal about sexuality.

I seriously considered contributing, but it just doesn't feel right yet. The 1.5M is just for the pilot episode and there is no guarantee that they will make any more than that even if they did reach that target. Honestly I would buy this game in a heartbeat, but I want a true Eternal Darkness sequel and I want Nintendo on board.

Wow, the mobile version is really very well made. Why do they need to make an app (maybe other than to allow drawing?). You can add the Miiverse icon to your home screen on iPhone and then it basically is like an app.

Yep, tried to click through to Excitebike and got errors the first two times but third time it loaded and still says April 23rd as the release date.

I don't think @SpaceApe could have been serious. I haven't even heard of theif and while I think the Last of Us will be awesome there is no way sales wise it will come anywhere close to Mariokart or Mario 3D or even Wii Fit U probably (Uncharted certainly didn't compare to first party published Ninty games on Wii in terms of sales figures).

Anyway, hope the update comes tomorrow. I would have preferred a cheaper upgrade for VC titles too, but I am thankful that they are at least acknowledging Wii VC sales and letting that factor in to the upgraded ports. Here's just hoping most of them will be the NTSC versions and not PAL!!

What is with the graphical glitches whereby you've got the changing column of colour at the edge of the screen. Why wouldn't they fix such an obvious glitch?

For me, I'll research the cheapest option and then evaluate based on convenience of always having it available versus likelihood to trade the game in at a later date. So far, only one full retail game has made the cut - New Super Mario Bros. U, but with download codes at retailers offering more competitive prices for download options there could be a lot more to come.

Wow, I'm guessing this would work for Australian users too (if they switch their region to the UK). This makes games considerably cheaper without having to wait for an import. E.g. Fire Emblem Awakening is RRP: $69.99 (eShop price), can be found in stores here for $64, but we can get the download code from GAME UK online for $52! Surely Nintendo Aus needs to step up to the plate!?

I don't agree with a lot of what this guy is saying. I think he has very particular gaming habits, and if Nintendo's core games aren't satiating that then just play other games on other systems. It was a strong launch, and the launch window has certainly been a window - transparent through the middle, but Nintendo already apologised for this and promised a steady stream of content was on the way from the end of March. I got Lego City Undercover and Luigi's Mansion 2 today and I couldn't be happier. Could it have been handled better, sure, but they also created a whole new social network, online shopping network, operating system and a whole bunch of other applications too! They are amazing developers but they are not Gods!

If there's a game I'm going to play frequently, or one that I know I won't want to trade in, then I'll purchase the digital copy. But this is made very hard in Australia where store sale prices are often much less than the RRP that it sells for on the eShop. Nintendo either needs to give a discount on the digital version of lower RRP's to give retailers less wiggle room (and make digital purchases more fair).

Sounds like an impressive array of improvements. I wasn't so interested in the title on 360/PS3 but these gameplay enhancements could pull me in.

Super disappointed, not so much now that the game might not come to Wii U but that it supposedly turned out so crap. I was really looking forward to exploring that universe more (especially on Wii U), but it sounds like its not going to be a worthwhile trip anyway. When I heard the reviews were so negative to the PS3/360 version I was still holding out hope that the Wii U version would be improved enough to make the difference, but it doesn't sound like that's the case

"You have to think about it and put time and craft and effort and whatever else into it but you have to do that for everything that's worth doing in this business..."

Wow! Sounds like quite a passionate team. Just like any platform, if you put into making the game work well for THAT hardware then you will reap the rewards. Sounds like this team has done their homework, and that pushes this game onto my must buy list.

http://www.change.org/petitions/ubisoft-entertainment-s-a-keep-to-the-original-rayman-legends-release-date-for-the-wii-u

Signed. Good for the dev team! I don't think they would have done this if they didn't want some community support. They were obviously passionate about the Wii U release and were undermined by the publisher.

@Majin-Naruto - I don't know, they kind of have to take a bigger performance leap, don't they? Unless Sony/Microsoft pave new ground in interface design, having the power to last for the next 5 or so years is their biggest selling point, isn't it? Nintendo has had a different strategy for quite some time, but I doubt the others would feel comfortable being different enough to say graphics aren't everything.

@Raylax - I know right. Wii U has been able to pull off the end of the seventh generation with quick launch ports very well. There is so much room for expansion there. Think about the jump from early SNES games to DKCIII, or Uncharted 1 to Uncharted 3, Halo 3 to Halo 4. This is a much longer journey than what's possible in the first few months of release.

Yeah, again, we buy Nintendo systems for Nintendo games. The Wii U offers a generational power leap over the Wii, and so we'll get to see what the next generation of Nintendo games/interfaces look/play like. Hopefully, also, for this year at least we get a few multiplatform titles that we can buy with Gamepad perks. If that dies out that's fine, because despite being significantly more underpowered than 360/PS3 last generation, Wii was still my most played platform overall. Where there's a passion for and appreciation of innovation, creative developers will come.

@Savino - I agree, I'll probably get PS4/720 eventually as well, but the leap to capitalise on that kind of power is going to take time. In the meantime, we'll see slightly prettier versions of what we've come to expect at the end of the PS3/360 generation.

There's now a survey on change.org that I've just signed:
https://www.change.org/petitions/nintendo-of-japan-nintendo-europe-release-future-wii-u-virtual-console-games-in-europe-australia-in-60hz-2

I appreciate them taking the time to let us know what's been happening. This was one of my most anticipated games so its been hard resisting region hopping to get it!

Great work this week on the eShop series of articles. It's been interesting getting multiple perspectives on the eShop launch. Personally, I don't mind the layout, but agree quick buttons to key sections along the top or side would be great, and also speed needs to be improved. Obviously it is Nintendo's best online shop yet though.

My loading times have been HEAPS better since the latest system software update. Used to take up to 5 minutes stuck on the loading screen loop, now takes less than 30 seconds for most software. So honestly, I thought this had already been addressed. But yeah, if they can continue to make it more snappy that would be great!

@rjejr It actually makes a lot of sense to me. As long as the redundancy packages are generous, then you are giving these people the Christmas break to look into future prospects rather than letting them have ignorant bliss and then dropping the bomb on them in the new year with little time to consider options.
This is a pretty minor reduction given the size of the studio. They are just rescaling and obviously got a bit big for the types of projects they are moving forward with. Anyway, very much enjoyed the LostWinds games - I hope they invest some time in Wii U eShop development.

Grr... still no Trine 2 for Australia!! It was approved by the Classification Board 10 days ago... better be there next week!

Totally a fan. Brilliant survival horror. That's what I was expecting and that's what I got!

Yeah, my point would be don't forget eShop too! The attach rate may actually be much higher when you factor that in. I bought Zombi U and ACIII at retail with my premium bundle, but then also downloaded NSMBU, Little Inferno and Nano Assault Neo. Have also since bought Sonic Racing. So, initial attachment rate from retail = 2, but real attach rate between 4 and 6!!

I remember at e3 this game had a weapon wheel for switching weapons on the fly on Wii U, but it appears to have been taken out of the final version. I agree not including touch based waypoints on the gamepad map was an oversight! Still, got this game at launch and looking forward to immersing myself deeper into the game!

Mighty Switch Force is missing from the Australian eShop, though we did get Funky Barn (hooray!?). Is this another one delayed due to classification (Trine 2 still isn't there, but has now been rated by the classification board [PG])??

Haha, nice one @Taceus
Yeah, was going to purchase this at launch too, so got little inferno instead. Was going to get it from the UK store, but don't want to miss out on my premium rewards...

I'm also going to the Brisbane launch event. Sounds like a circus (literally). Can't wait!

This is a shame. Was hoping Nintendo would have a decent karaoke franchise. Hopefully the new collaboration with Joysound in Japan will come to the west and give us a real karaoke game.

Thanks for the review! This just reinforces my intention to buy. Looks like a great game to show off the gamepad and based on videos is one of the prettiest Wii U games at launch.

Thanks Damien! I was wondering what was going on, but had just figured you guys were actually playing the games fully (and with online features) before publishing your reviews (unlike some sites). Thanks for the update, and shame on Nintendo for not getting one of the biggest Nintendo sites review copies.

Super Paper Mario was my favourite (played n64, GC, Wii and some of SNES, if that counts). I'm less excited for this now, and might wait until I find it super cheap. Played this a bit at EB Expo and I just get the feeling I'm going to find the sticker collecting and dialogue streams too tedious.

I saw several copies left in Yodobashi in Akihabara today, so not quite sold out (lol). But I streetpassed 63 people today and can confirm the Japanese are playing the hell out of animal crossing (it is almost everyone's most recently played game).

I agree that the quality of smartphone/tablet games generally does not compare. I have dozens and dozens of games on iPhone and iPad that I got free or cheaply, and yet only a handful that have held me for more than an hour. There are rare instances where they work just as well, but they are really limited by both the control interface and the expectations of consumers for cheap and disposable games.

Great article. I'm not surprised by the polls though. You're asking Nintendo fans if they would protest by not supporting their favourite company (when this is not a Nintendo exclusive issue). I think its clear people care about it, and want changes made. They expect their multi-national corporations to act ethically, but they rely on their products so won't stop buying them (especially if they think it won't make a difference). It seems like media attention is the best way to force a change.

Yes!!! Would love to see a new Wave Race. Played the hell out of the 64 and Gamecube versions. It was one of their graphical showpiece titles, so it's not surprising it didn't resurface (haha) with the Wii (hoho). With Wii U representing a proper graphics update for Nintendo they'll likely want to stretch their graphical muscles with some water generation and effects.

Interesting that according to the poll there is a slight majority preference for 2D Mario games. While Galaxy 2 is a better game by today's standards, Super Mario 64 just held so much wonder for me and I loved having a hub-world to explore - so it is still my number 1. Of the 2D Mario games I'd have to say NSMB Wii's multiplayer pushes it above the rest. Here's hoping NSMB U can steal the 2D crown!

Anyone heard if there will be retail download codes for NSMB2 available in Australia? They are asking for $69.95 on the eShop, and that's not gonna fly!

I'm still torn. I wanted to get the digital copy because I think it would be great not to have to switch carts and I don't mind the money going directly to Nintendo... but I can get the boxed game new here in Aus for $54 at BigW or $55 at Target.
Does anybody know what the implications of buying this from the UK eStore from Aus will be? Does anybody know what the eStore bonus is for Australian customers?
If they price it at $69.95 (RRP) on the eStore in Aus then the digital incentive needs to be pretty good to make up for the extra $15-20 in cost, not to mention the loss of $20-$35 in trade value!!