Tag: Talking Point - Page 15
Talking Point Mario Maker Can Be A Game Changer For Nintendo And Its Relationship With Gamers
A future with NES Maker and more could be extraordinary
Sometimes a game has the power to seize the imagination from the moment it's revealed, with a self-hyping capacity to get thousands of gamers excited from little more than a glimpse. Others can be a slow burner or need the right moment to set off alarms in an individual's head. This writer will...
Talking Point Mario Kart 8 DLC is a Winning Formula for Nintendo, But It Can Go Further
A real Battle Mode, Challenges and more
We suspect that the online multiplayer servers for Mario Kart 8 saw a handsome spike this week, with the launch of DLC Pack 2 and an update that includes the 200cc race class. It's a title that just keeps growing, and as we argued recently the arrival of non-Mario franchises points to a potential future for...
Talking Point Market Expectations Remain High For Nintendo and DeNA's Smart Device Crusade
A bubble to burst or the start of major success?
It's now been over a month since Nintendo and DeNA announced their major corporate partnership, with one relatively short presentation blowing away the big N's apparent reticence and minimalist approach to bringing games to smart devices. The announcement brought a marked shift in strategy - we went...
Bringing more gaming with less releases
Let's kick off this article with some current-day realities - not negative as such, but perhaps uncomfortable. At the moment, especially with the Wii U, Nintendo is responsible for producing the bulk of high-quality retail releases. There are partners or second-party studios producing some key efforts - like...
Talking Point Splatoon Is a Typically Colourful Nintendo Dabble in the Mainstream Market
It can't be gory with all that ink
When Splatoon was revealed at E3 2014, this writer was rather unimpressed, which in the clear perspective of hindsight was a very narrow-minded reaction. Eager to see more 'hits', the oddball, super colourful third-person competitive shooter seemed like a peculiar announcement - both fundamentally Nintendo-esque...
Talking Point Nintendo's Plans for DLC and Microtransactions Point to Changed Priorities
Previous ethics and standards are being stretched
We're in the midst of changing times for Nintendo, perhaps of a turbulent nature, and the sands are shifting in multiple ways. In the past couple of months we've seen Nintendo partner up with DeNA to move towards bringing its core IPs to smart devices, bringing a resultant boom in share prices, while...
Talking Point Nintendo Turns to Classics, DLC and amiibo to Keep Fans Hooked
Stalling tactics, but delightful nevertheless
Nintendo's most recent Nintendo Direct broadcasts were an oddity of contradictions - a lot was revealed, but it can easily be argued that there wasn't a great deal of new content. We were excited and delighted by some of the reveals, but conversely shook our heads and felt concern with every release...
Talking Point What We Expect from Nintendo Direct - 1st April
Release dates, teases, DLC and eShop goodies
It's that time again, and before we start referring to this as the April Fools' Day Direct, let's remember that it's airing on 2nd April in regions and countries like Japan, Australia and CET parts of Europe. Nintendo will most assuredly be announcing plenty of real details, which is certainly worth...
Talking Point It's Too Early to Write Off the Wii U Over The Legend of Zelda's Delay
The upcoming Nintendo Direct may show why
The delay of The Legend of Zelda on Wii U was undoubtedly disappointing for fans excited about its original 2015 release, but many reacted with a degree of acceptance - better to wait longer for a classic than have an underwhelming end result was a common refrain. We suggested the delay was perhaps good for...
Nintendo needs a plan B
There'll be a number of Nintendo fans that, if they feel so inclined, can now say "I told you so". After insisting in December 2014 that The Legend of Zelda for Wii U was on track for a 2015 release, despite bold promises of a sizeable integrated game world and innovative ideas, Eiji Aonuma released a video update stating...
Remakes and remasters seem like a win-win for Nintendo
In the past 24 hours (at the time of writing) there has been excitable chatter around a 'leak' for a 3DS version of the GameCube classic Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, considered by some to be the best of the charming RPG series. We'd love to believe it - originally shared on Reddit, a...
Talking Point It's Time for a Nintendo Direct to Set the Agenda
With two months since the last broadcast, our bodies are ready
Ever since the broadcasts began, Nintendo Direct has given fans a fix of reveals, footage and talking points about upcoming releases; so when a gap opens up between presentations, there's some nervous twitching. When is the next video coming, and will Satoru Iwata appear in front of any...
Create a platform exciting enough to match its Indie games
In recent weeks Satoru Iwata addressed shareholders in an Investor Briefing Q & A, tackling a range of issues around Nintendo's business. An issue that came up was the "digitalization" that we're seeing, with more and more gamers opting to download their games, and also seeking new ways...
Yep, Super Mario amiibo - Gold Edition pre-orders are flooding eBay
Today brought a familiar turn of events in the realm of amiibo and anything that's 'limited edition' of late from Nintendo. The best-known toy secret was announced with confirmation of Walmart exclusivity for the Super Mario amiibo - Gold Edition, and then they were gone before...
Talking Point New Nintendo 3DS, Operation Faceplate NA and the Bigger Picture
The issue has resurfaced, so we consider each side's perspective
In mid-January Nintendo hosted its first 'Direct' broadcasts of the year, and what seemed like improbable retailer leaks turned out to be true. North America was confirmed to be receiving a unique red New Nintendo 3DS XL - which looks rather nice - along with the black equivalent, but...
The portable and home console gap slowly closes
The New Nintendo 3DS arrives this week, which is exciting news for eager portable games for a number of reasons. It's very much 3DS version 1.5, so the upgrade is down to the accumulation of a variety of relatively small improvements as opposed to a generational leap. It's standard Nintendo practice to...
Less sales yet increased profits highlight extensive streamlining
Nintendo's got a lot of tough balancing to do right now with its finances - not only does it have its annual research and development costs, but it's also moving into the health field with Quality of Life and is about to complete the worldwide roll-out of new hardware with the New...
Talking Point Star Fox for Wii U is an Ongoing and Surprising Mystery
When will Nintendo show off Shigeru Miyamoto's project?
Nintendo had an impressive E3 in 2014, winning plaudits not just for its reveals but also its approach to the show, with the Super Smash Bros. Invitational and Treehouse live streams keeping fans entertained. There were a number of notable reveals, too, yet it was Star Fox for Wii U that...
Talking Point It's Time to Salute The Nintendo 3DS, Defying Early Gloom to Pass 50 Million Sales
A survivor in a harsh new world
The DS family of systems is wonderful in many ways, and achieved sales - the highest ever for a range of gaming portables - that are staggering: around 154 million units. That number accounts for those picking up replacements or upgrading to new models, yes, but it's a monstrous number that is representative of...
Talking Point Nintendo's Flirtation With Microtransactions May Step Up in 2015
Free-to-play needs to make money somehow...
Nintendo is just hours away - at the time of writing - from announcing its Q3 financial results, which will teach us much about its Holiday season performance. The company's stable share prices approaching the publication of these accounts suggests that we're not looking at apocalyptic target misses, and...
Talking Point Nintendo's Had a Strong Start With amiibo, But Evolution's a Priority for 2015
The Super Mario range doesn't stir the soul like Smash Bros., it seems
When it comes to amiibo we often discuss stock issues, and the fact that acquiring specific toys is akin to obtaining an interesting quote from a politician - difficult and mostly fruitless; yet there's perhaps not enough focus on the concept itself. Until last week its...
Talking Point Club Nintendo's Closure Is An Exciting Opportunity To Modernise Fan Rewards
The Club Nintendo brand shouldn't necessarily be lost, however
There was some surprising news today with the upcoming closure of Club Nintendo, bringing an end to Nintendo's only consistent consumer loyalty programme. There have often been promotions to encourage gamers to buy and enjoy more systems and games, with the Nintendo Network Deluxe /...
Talking Point The New Nintendo 3DS Could Be a Huge Success, But Its Route to Release Has Been Rocky
A delayed Western arrival and XL-only in the Americas detracts from buzz
The New Nintendo 3DS now has a release date for both North America and Europe, with 13th February no doubt circled on a number of calendars. It continues Nintendo's trend of sprucing up and revitalising a portable generation with a refreshed system, and there's certainly...
Talking Point Nintendo's Wise to Embrace The Vital YouTube Audience
The bigger the better in 2015
An accusation occasionally hurled at Nintendo is that it's slow or behind the times in social media, and failing to do enough on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. It would have been a valid point in past years, certainly, but it looks increasingly wrong with each passing year; 2014 brought some major improvements...
Talking Point Five New Year's Resolutions for Nintendo
We'll tak' a year o' blockbusters yet
2014 is drawing to a close, ending another year of fun, frustration, innovation and madness in the world of Nintendo. Once again the Kyoto company went its own way, which is a strength and weakness in any given circumstances. The 3DS continued to sell in highly respectable numbers, though may track below 2013,...
Talking Point Super Smash Bros. and amiibo Have Enjoyed Success, But Nintendo Could Have Done More
Communication, stock and implementation could have been better
For Nintendo fans and Wii U owners, we feel that the last few months have been a terrific period — there's been excitement and buzz around 2015 games and, more importantly, a selection of high quality and hugely enjoyable games that are in stores now. There's been a perceivable shift...
Talking Point What's Next For amiibo?
Nintendo's range is off to a blistering start, but what could 2015 hold?
Amid the confusion regarding amiibo figures apparently being discontinued (and then not) and the scarcely credible defected models we've been seeing, it's easy to miss the fact that Nintendo's new "toys to life" range has been a storming success — so much so that the...
Talking Point The Time Is Right For A Nintendo Phone
A move by Nintendo into the mobile space could make the company even bigger
Rumours of Nintendo working on its own mobile phone have been appearing on and off for the past decade, and recently we even heard that the idea almost become a reality back in 2004. The prospect of owning a mobile telecommunications device crafted to suit Nintendo's unique...
Talking Point Super Smash Bros. Can Finally Reach Its Money-Spinning Potential
All the pieces have come together
We often talk up Nintendo's alternative and unique approach in the current games market, primarily that of generally focusing on colourful, fun games that often run at a silky smooth 60 frames per second; when it comes to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, we're even looking at a native 1080p resolution to round off the...
Talking Point Nintendo Offers the Best of Both Worlds with Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Satoru Iwata's "Same-Generation Hypothesis" actually makes sense
It's almost taken for granted that Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire will perform well on 3DS (and 2DS) over the Holiday season. It's the safest bet for Nintendo since Pokémon X & Y jumped into a bold new 3D engine and became the biggest-selling of all 3DS games;...
Talking Point The amiibo Range Grows, Yet Key Questions Remain
Its ambition is both a strength and a curse
Back in August we outlined amiibo pros and cons, mainly within the context that Nintendo had revealed little about the figures over the course of the summer months. Many questions have since been answered in terms of how the figures will be used in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, in addition to their minor...
Talking Point The Majora's Mask 3D Reveal Showed Nintendo Can Still Surprise and Delight
It was a S.T.E.A.M.Y Direct
This week Nintendo produced a rather traditional Direct broadcast — there was no animation, relatively little flashy presentation beyond trailers, and a diverse range of announcements. It was back to type and rather like those that we'd seen throughout 2013; that's not a criticism, as Nintendo has diversified its...
Talking Point Platinum Games Has Secured a Golden Wii U Legacy
Bayonetta 2 joins the brilliant Wonderful 101
We argued, right at the start of our Bayonetta 2 review, that the "Wii U library is small, but also diverse and exciting". The reason we opened with that point is that, despite lazy comments often shared online — increasingly irrelevant with each passing month — stating that the Wii U has 'no games',...
Talking Point Nintendo's Ability to Charm Young Gamers is Vital for its Success
Proper next-gen
There was a period, in the latter half of the last generation of systems, when it seemed as if Sony and Microsoft were making a major play for the young gamer's market — Microsoft pushed for advertising presence on major multi-platform franchises, in particular, while Sony tried new ideas with its range of Wonderbook releases. Both...
Talking Point History Shows Us That Nintendo's Here to Stay
125 years and counting
On 23rd September 1889 Nintendo was founded as Nintendo Koppai, meaning the company is now 125 years old; it's been known as Nintendo Co., Ltd since 1963. The history of the company is particularly fascinating, and also reminds us of some important lessons regarding Nintendo; it's not solely a video game manufacturer,...
Talking Point The Super Smash Bros. 3DS Demo Has Been an Easy Triumph for Nintendo
The 3DS brawler is given a chance to shine
With around 24 hours passed since its announcement, we can't help but be slightly amused by the understated nature of Nintendo of America's announcement of a Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS demo. Two of the Nintendo Treehouse staff stood outside their venerated department and, with a mixture of...
Talking Point The Growing Role of The Treehouse Gives Nintendo More Personality
A human touch
It's not so long ago that The Treehouse at Nintendo of America's HQ was a mystery, a department with a rather charming door behind which delights could be found. It was tempting to think of it as a smaller game-related version of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, with Oompa Loompas in Mario hats singing songs and playing games. Of...
Talking Point Nintendo Brings Life to the 3DS With New Models
Game changer
When Nintendo announced a Japan-only 3DS Direct, one phrase immediately came to mind — RPGs. Yet what happened was entirely unexpected. Not only was new 3DS hardware announced, but it's a substantial change that can — perceivably — extend the life of the portable a fair amount. We've discussed, here in the office and briefly in...
Talking Point Mario Kart 8's Diverse DLC Sets Up Endless Potential for the Franchise
A vehicle that could be vital in future
It's safe to say that Nintendo caught us off guard with its recent DLC announcement for Mario Kart 8, with these extras bringing new franchises into the MK world and, just as importantly, serving up a significant dose of content. Once both packs arrive the number of courses will have doubled, which is...
Talking Point The Argument For And Against Retro Flash Carts
Preserving the past, or exploiting it?
As technology has advanced over the years, we've seen massive strides being taken in the realm of retro gaming, and one of the most important events to occur recently is the emergence of flash carts that allow gamers to potentially store every single game ever made for a single platform on an SD card and run...
Talking Point The Wii U May be Best as One of Two Consoles, Just Like Wii
Whether the 'first' or 'second' console, unique content remains vital
When the Wii U was launching in late 2012, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime did his job; he kicked in with full PR-nonsense in his statements and predictions. The focus in that time — in multiple territories — was to talk up the system as a console for the...
Talking Point A History of the Sexualisation of Samus
Exploring the long, complicated history of the bounty hunter's public image
Zero Suit Samus' alternate costumes in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Just this week, Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai revealed the new alternate costumes for Zero Suit Samus in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U: “From the ending of
Talking Point A Virtual Console Revival Could Be Just a Pricing Revolution Away
Time for some of those new pricing structures promised by Satoru Iwata
When the Virtual Console arrived on the Wii Shop it was a revelation, an official and guilt-free way to download and play classics from across the history of Nintendo systems and even former rivals from Sega and Commodore. It was an opportunity to sample games from consoles that...
Talking Point The Pokémon Trading Card Game for iPad is a Smart Move
A sensible approach to the tablet market
Nintendo is likely to be weary of those ready to tell it — in ever authoritative tones — that it should pitch up its tent in the iOS and Android gardens and bask in the glow of golden revenues. We imagine that while the company is happy to debate the issue, it'll have little tolerance for those that...
Talking Point Nintendo's Ambitious amiibo Plans - Pros and Cons
An exciting platform with lots of unanswered questions
Earlier this year, as part of a major presentation following Nintendo's annual financial results, Satoru Iwata unveiled the Nintendo Figurine Platform, which was then announced with some style as amiibo during E3 2014. The initial E3 reveal focused on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, though a follow...
Talking Point Deconstructing Nintendo's Retail Releases of Wii U eShop Titles
Sensible cash-in or lack of focus?
The recent announcement of a NES Remix physical disc compilation coming to North America was the latest in a minor trend for Nintendo, as it is showing an increased willingness to convert download titles into retail releases. It was also surprising, as NES Remix Pack will combine two $15 titles, so presumably will...
Talking Point Nintendo Continues to Evolve Its Hype Machine
It's not all about Nintendo Direct any more
Following their introduction in late 2011 and rise to prominence in 2012, Nintendo Direct broadcasts quickly became a primary marketing and awareness tool for Nintendo. In 2013 alone there were 16 broadcasts — counting the E3 equivalent — for the Western market; some were full-blown reveal...
Talking Point The Wii U eShop is Raising Tough Questions on Quality Control
Accessibility is generally considered wonderful, but has its downsides
In the coming weeks we're going to tackle a tricky issue here at Nintendo Life, in which we look at the direction of the Wii U eShop and ask whether a change in structure is required. In general the store shows excellent support for all download games, providing each and every...
Talking Point Should Nintendo Be Promoting The Wii U GamePad As A Tablet Killer?
Kids love tablets, so why isn't Nintendo shouting about the GamePad?
When Nintendo first lifted the lid on the Wii U and its unique GamePad controller, many within the industry murmured their cautious approval. It all seemed to make so much sense — Apple's iPad had already kickstarted a tablet revolution and second-screen gaming promised big...
Talking Point Nintendo Rewrote the E3 Rulebook With a Focus on Children
Sharing the experience
With their online press conferences and fan events Nintendo has been doing E3 differently for a couple of years now. This year, though, it broke one of the golden rules of show business — never work with children. A Kid’s Corner initiative brought some hand-picked children into E3 to try out the new games and experience...
