As many of you have no doubt noticed Nintendo has started SpotPass on the Switch, sort of, via free gifts for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. All you do is access the 'Tips from the Wild' posts in the News tab and launch the software from within the note, and a treasure chest or the items appear at Link's feet once the game boots up.
The latest gift, as you can tell in the image above, is all about throwable 'boomerang' weapons. The post explains that after throwing them with R you use A to catch them as they swerve back towards you; they can be pretty handy in battle. We tried this out twice in our Master Mode save (there's no limit to how many times you launch the software and claim the gift) and both times got the basic boomerang with 8 strength.
Well, it's better than a poke in the eye.
Comments (44)
I'd rather get poked in the eye...
I've never actually seen a basic boomerang, so that will fill another slot in my Hyrule Compendum
Lol. Remember when we had an entire discussion about this and that the Wii U version wouldn't be getting any of these items. Well... You all aren't missing much.
Would be neat if it couldn't break.
I don't understand why these gifts even exist.
@Snakesglowcaps Crikey
One of these days I'm going to try juggling two boomerangs... Not sure if it's possible but worth a shot.
@Elanczewski Pretty sure it's to encourage us to open up zelda once a week until the DLC comes out. Keep the interest up and keep people off other systems. Just a theory.
The giant boomerang is probably my favourite melee weapon! It is pretty rare though unfortunately 😔
@Elanczewski It's just so that learning each little tip doesn't require you to scour Hyrule for the relevant item. I expect they quite deliberately pick things that don't significantly increase your chances of beating the game.
This is just basically a creative way of having a tutorial for newcomers!
Excellent idea. It's gives the options for people who didn't want to sit through a 1-hour tutorial.
I predict that they will never give items that the WiiU users can't get. All just basic stuff with tips on how to use them.
It's optional, it's great.
People - such brats.
see comments above
Boomerangs were the one weapon group I didn't really use in BOTW. They were too much hassle to throw. Some were decent as melee weapons.
Edit: Wait! What? Not on Wii U? While I don't care about this particular weapon, others will. And what about future updates? It's a middle finger to the people that actually supported Nintendo through their mistakes while everyone else ignored the Wii U.
"Well, it's better than a poke in the eye."
Wii U owners have been poked in the eye. They promised parity, this isn't parity. If anyone deserves rewards, it's Wii U owners.
@Snakesglowcaps No you wouldn't. Trust me.
Didn't realize you could catch them. I'll play around with this.
I loved using the tri-blade boomerang things, but i never threw them i just beat people with my bladed boomerang lol.
@dougphisig they're pretty fast weapons. I'm playing on master mode right now and I snuck into Hyrule castle and loaded up on great poo. Majoras mask makes most of the enemies in there ignore you
Tri-forked Lizal Boomerang and Giant's Boomerang are my favorite weapons to use, easily. Master the art of throwing/catching and flinging boomerangs, arrows, and bombs everywhere is too much fun... I mean, isn't that essence of LoZ combat?
Though, I admit it doesn't seem quite right without a hookshot.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Sure it would be nice if the Wii U had this feature but geez, lets not blow things out of proportion. As far as video game controversies go this is trivial to the point of insignificance.
You paid for a Wii U and you got a Wii U.As did I. Nintendo doesn't owe you anything.
@otterskateboard Yes they do.
@dystome @Alikan You're probably right, sometimes I write, and then I think.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE If you're under the impression that Nintendo owes you something for buying a console five years ago, you might want to stop buying consumer electronics. You are going to be horrifically disappointed again and again if you have that attitude.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I have 3 Wii Us and even I have moved on. The kids and I still play on those system everyday and they will be the family room systems many more years. Would I have liked more support? Of course. But in the end, we have a massive collection of Wii, Wii U, and VC games to bang out over the next decade or so, including many of the best family-appropriate games yet released. Truly, there isn't a better family platform than the Wii U, which was always it's promise. That's worth a lot to me, it's just unfortunate that isn't what the market wanted and that it couldn't become more.
@thesilverbrick Yeah, because they did such a great job of supporting it for "five" years. It's even harder to do when it's not 5 years old. Nintendo gave up on the Wii U long ago and churned out turds like Mario Tennis: Ultra Trash, Animal Crossing: SCamiibo Festival and Star Fox 0% towards the end. That's when they actually gave us a game. We were starved for months on end.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Nintendo doesn't owe you anything, except warranty, which for the wii u has already been long gone.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Everything you're saying is true, but it's the unfortunate reality of business. The Wii U was a financial disaster for Nintendo. It's terrible business sense to sink time and resources into heavily supporting something that only drains your bank account. To Nintendo's credit, though, they supported the Wii U more than Sega did the Dreamcast or Sony did the Vita. Console manufacturers wisely jump ship and move on when something bombs. If that's a reality you can't live with, like I said, you shouldn't be gambling your money on gaming consoles.
@thesilverbrick That's why I haven't bought the Switch. I'm still very bitter over what happened. I'd bought every console on launch day since the SNES before that.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Based on your experience, I think you're making the right choice. Wait and see how the Switch does, and only jump in when you feel Nintendo is going to support it long term. For the record, though, it's blowing the Wii U out of the water, so I think it's safe to say at this point we are going to see exponentially more support for this console, especially when the 3DS is put out to pasture and all game development resources will go into one machine.
But if you think you have it bad, imagine being an early adopter of the Virtual Boy...
@DarkmarkUnited We don't have to let companies treat us this way, but the only way to stop them is to not buy their products, which is what I suggested.
I hope this is the last thing. I want a new Zelda game that is dark and without breaking inventory. Very annoying. Cute in beginning but keep scrolling to get items during battles can be very repetitive
@Bunkerneath You could buy all the pictures to get the official ones. They look better than almost anything you can take on your own.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE and let's not forget they abandoning Miiverse already keeping in mind 3DS still rolls. I still go regularly on my favorite communities of games I like and play on Wii U.
Yea, I agree with you.. it's one big middle finger to some Nintendo fans, including myself... And I own Switch
Well, one post included 2 Courser Bee Honey. That's pretty neat for the reward you get for 120 shrines
it didn't work with the first gift and besides, why would I want a basic boomerang with 8 attack? There are far more better options in the game.
These are great for people new to the game. Me? Not so much. I finally beat the Master Trials and got my inventory slots maxed out. So I'm just korok hunting and enjoying the game, so once they make a star fragment post its on! Lol!
As far as Wii U comments, I got on MH3U last night to play and chat with an old friend. I still love my Wii U, and I also started the DS Kirby game that was on sale. I have unfinished business with a few games that actively use Miiverse, and Mario Maker is the disc that mainly stays in my system. I hope Nintendo rethinks the complete takedown and keeps at least a few communities up, but I'm sure they won't.
Boomerangs are the best. I love throwing my weapons in BOTW, and these are the only ones that don't break when thrown. They also do a lot of damage and make good melee weapons (although I try not to use them that way so as not to wear down their durability on non-throws). The only problem is that it's easy to lose them when they hit something in the environment, and then you have to scour the area to find them afterwards.
I love that they incorporated boomerangs into the game in a unique way; the boomerang has been a key part of Zelda games since the first installment.
@thesilverbrick It is NOT blowing the WiiU out of the water. The switch, so far, has a lackluster library and it's sad to see Nintendo fans pine over rehashes and premium priced rereleases. As well as just plain trashy games. The switch is more Neo Geo 3.0 than Snes part 2.
A Nintendo only gamer is missing out on some truly amazing games. I waited to get a PS4 until early this year and I'm still drooling over all of the amazing titles. Including those from smaller publishers. Not to mention the great sales Sony has on a regular basis. I just picked up The strider remake for under $4. The Switch can definitely wait. It's not worth the price of admission right now. When Metroid comes out on switch ( which won't be for a LONG time) then I'll jump in. Maybe the library would have fleshed out a bit more by then.
@OGGamer Read my comment again. I was referring to the fact that the Switch is blowing the Wii U out of the water in terms of sales. In less than six months the Switch has nearly sold half the amount of consoles the Wii U sold in its lifetime. I was simply stating this to indicate that Nintendo will stick with and continue to support the Switch if it sells well (and it sure has so far). They gave up on the Wii U because it didn't sell. Plain and simple.
And I can't help you if you don't like the Switch's library, but six months into the Wii U's lifecycle there was far less to play.
@thesilverbrick Your point about what was available in the WiiU 6 months in is well taken. That still doesn't excuse the switch. Which in my opinion doesn't have anything compelling worthy of a purchase 6 months in and beyond.
The lesson to be taken from this is don't early adopt a Nintendo console if you like gaming. Also, brand loyalty is a waste.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I’m voting for you
You are 100% correct and I agree with you
@ACK The family friendliness of the Wii U is the exact reason I got one. It is a console that I can enjoy with my wife and children. And Nintendo hasn't disappointed us.
We have access to the whole Wii catalogue. Many of the Wii U games were gems that were both multiplayer and family friendly. Not to mention the Wii U is the only console you can play every Zelda on thanks to the Virtual Console along with the Windwaker and Twighlight Princess HD remasters.
Yes, we are moving forward with the Switch, but our little family has loved the Wii U and we will continue to do so.
Like you said, it is a shame it wasn't for everyone, but for many of us the Wii U was the best choice over the Playstations or Xboxes. And I don't regret my purchase or begrudge Nintendo.
I tried to get the chest this morning.....it fell down a river.
@OGGamer Here's where we agree to disagree. I will absolutely side with you and say that the first month or two was a bit dry (Zelda aside, of course), but at this point I'm having a phenomenal time with ARMS and Splatoon 2, plus Mario Odyssey, Fire Emblem Warriors and Xenoblade 2 are going to keep me very busy quite soon. What great first-party games did the Wii U get in its first nine months, by comparison? Pikmin 3 and... end of list. The Switch's library is already far more varied and exciting. But if none of the first year Switch games are your thing, you've probably never enjoyed playing Nintendo consoles, anyway.
I agree with your statement about brand loyalty, though. I stick with Nintendo consoles because I enjoy their games and IPs, not because of any inherent loyalty. I can't play Mario, Zelda etc. anywhere else.
@thesilverbrick I've owned every Nintendo home console. I bought them all day 1. I also had the original Gameboy then skipped handhelds until the 3ds. Played every Zelda and Mario title with Metroid being my favorite series of all time. As a publisher Nintendo is untouchable. I love their IPs. So you are totally wrong about me not being a Nintendo gamer. Yes, the WiiU library was a desert it's first year but Pikmin 3 craps all over 80% of the switch games out now. Pretty sad. You would think they've learned. Instead you're paying a premium for games that were already released on the Wii and WiiU VC as well as the mediocre of the Indies that are available on other consoles and PC.
Nintendo is antiquated when it comes to their business structure. Everything from their pricing (insulting discounts) to their hardware. Their philosophy on games seems to be "we'll tell you what you like not the other way around". People on here tend to be apologists when it comes to Nintendo.
I'm glad you have games to look forward to. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is going to be amazing. I look forward to playing it in a couple of years when there's a more substantial switch library. While you do that I'll be knee deep in Horizon zero Dawn, Nier automata, Nex Machina, Dragons Crown, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir, Matterfall, Dragon Ball Fighterz, Monster Hunter World, Gravity Rush 2, Ni no kuni 2, Berserk, Gundam Fighters, and so so much more.
So that's how you catch them! I didn't know that.
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