I think it's a mix of all these things. There are genuinely strange parts if you've never played a 2D Metroid (the run button is one) and yeah, the game's not spelled out for you and requires experimentation and time. I can even understand the shoot 5 missiles to open a red door if you've never played Metroid.

At the same time it is silly how people get stuck on relatively easy parts that require just a little bit of experimentation and logic. Maybe I'm just exposed to this stuff but this is my first time going through SM and I haven't had too many hiccups, just tiles that you have to bomb.

Also I'm like 99% the save room one is a parody because holy crackers.

This is revenge for uncensored Tharja, yes?

butt, why?

@QBertFarnsworth yeah it's just one town. Other people can share it with you but they can't be mayor.

Was also curious so I went over to Nintendo's ACNL site and saw it said that the money ordinance "increases the cost of new items." I hope that doesn't work in reverse to what Jon here wants.

I think online is a strong part of the game too, it's a shame it's dead.
That said single player is still fun and quirky, but I liked fighting other people. There are also items that are exclusive to getting certain ranks online (there's even one for being #1 on leaderboards which is ridiculous).

Immediately thought of Annie Dillard on this.

@GiftedGimp I like measuring games in price/hours of play as much as the next idiot but I really wish there was a unit to measure fun because I'd much rather go price/amount of fun. That said game length is not something to base price on imo...I would like a great short game instead of an okay long game.
I guess we don't know about W101 yet but I'd be willing to bet it'll be the former.

I was under the impression that they put in spotpass b/c streetpass isn't as prominent in the west.

You're assuming that the entire population is buying the game. Likewise 1 billion Americans aren't buying these games.

Hatin' on Urban Champion? I like it...

@QBertFarnsworth
You make a good point, even though I disagree with how long a game needs to be (people do certainly expect to devote 10, 20, 30 hours to a game). It has to be tough to make a game fun and have some adult themes in it. I don't mean themes of sex, violence, and swearing, I mean thought-inducing games that give a good lesson. @Bismarck brings up Little Inferno, and that's a good example. Compare Little Inferno to what gaming is typically associated with — shooters, action games, violence in general, etc. It's like films today. Watch a movie like Lincoln and compare it to the rest of the options at the theater. Go back and watch movies like Doctor Strangelove...these give real lessons and make real points without devolving into gritty war and action.

Now gaming doesn't have to be like that all the time obviously. Gameplay is no doubt integral to a game. It's a game after all. Just need to expand the thoughts and not be restricted to what sells.

I draw maps for Metroid/Kid Icarus/Sword of Hope in Game Notes.

goty

Dejavu or this is really old (older than Iwata's post, anyway).

@DashCG yeah, I get you on that. my only motivation for single player past the story and bonus missions was leveling joke characters. Really though this game is almost nothing without online. The music and art is nice, but we can all agree that's not a major reason to buy a game for most people.

In stark contrast to @DashDG I spent 70 hours on this game, losing only to the likes of Kid Icarus, Pokemon, and soon, Etrian Odyssey in terms of total playtime. The online is really fun when people actually play it. The story isn't that great but if you love grinding up characters there's no shortage of that, either.

I really hope that US can play with EU and that people actually play online.

Baby = baby metroid. It's all becoming clear now.

Review implies careful thought and constructive criticism of a game, not assigning a game an arbitrary number. Ever had someone peer edit an essay? There are people that read your work and circle numbers that quantify their opinion, but sometimes never qualify it. Why is my word choice a 4/5?

That said review scores are nice since there usually is a substantial review along with it (it kind of gives you a general idea of what they thought), but it's still important to see why the author decided on that score and not just say, "Oh, a 6/10, guess I won't get it."

This was a bargain bin type of game I got years ago...loved Banjo-Kazooie and recall being kind of disappointed it wasn't THE Banjo-Kazooie. Still fun, though.

KIU controls worked for me, so no complaints there.
SS seems ok, I haven't beat it but that's no fault of the game itself.
Other M is my definition of a bad game. I walked away from playing it and felt dirty. Absolutely nothing in that game worked well. The d-pad, the environment, the enemy design, the music, the story. I've said this before but the enemies particularly upset me, they make no sense to look at and don't feel like actual animals, more like monsters (Team Ninja is probably the cause, NG: RE has similarly hideous enemies). Just ugh.

Ban Moby Dick, it glorifies whale hunting!

@Pichuka97 These games are very light on story so it's not needed at all.

@speedyExpertist Austin Ivansmith definitely said Switch Force 2. The Destructoid link has a short bit of the interview. The entire interview is really cool, I encourage everyone to watch it. He also mentions that Pirate's Curse was announced a bit earlier than they would have normally done b/c Nintendo Power asked them to be on the cover. I don't want to butcher what Ivansmith says further so, again, I encourage everyone to watch it when they release the full interview!

Do recommend.

I love WayForward but have to say no on this one. Not sure how to explain it but their females are decidedly female. Look at Shantae, Officer Wagon and Luna. They're hilarious characters but if that kind of style leeched over to Metroid I'm not sure what I'd think.

Probably not worth 150 coins but I got it anyway. I actually remember playing this one, and it finishes off my 3D Classics collection.

Probably Denpa men, gotta try the demo first though.

@bezerker99

Everyone loves the baby the baby the baby

Looks like a blast.

Woooo, getting this.

I'll subscribe for these last issues. Sad but it has to happen I guess.

$350 is kind of what I expect it to be, but I'm secretly hoping for $300.
In any case I can't freaking wait.

Might as well spread me on toast and call me jelly, damn.

"*The gold controller will simply be gold in color and will not contain any actual precious metals."

lmao

I suppose it's to be expected.