Churchy

Holy game reveals @earthboundlink you're right - to the Ninty Direct mobile!!!

Just for sh*ts and giggles - if it's real I'll put money on this being a Metroid game. I'm picking up a Chozo Ruins vibe from the clearly obscure screenshot.

Personally I'm still waiting for Nintendo to make good on their bicycle and teddybear patents.

@Shiryu Haha, such is the power of the Internet!

That's cool that this was your first. I came in relatively late and joined with Path of Radiance. But I began working my way back when suddenly all of the great titles by Intelligent Systems began showing up!

Awesome article @Shiryu - my Famicom/Super Famicom knowledge is a little thin so it's great to read-up on the ins and outs of the early Fire Emblem games.

It's strange how this and the Wars series lasted for so long without coming to the west, considering how amazing they were.

@Alundra-1998 Haha, it's a fair point! But I think a better choice of words would've been "track record". As far as I can tell Kimishima (or TK as his chums call him), is more business orientated - although I don't take anything away from him.

Normally I would agree, and if things change during development then I would also change my mind. But when it comes to Paper Mario, the decline has already started, and if Shigsy has a say in it then it'll remain so.

The thing is Miyamoto doesn't want narrative anywhere near Mario. In an interview on Nintendo Life itself Sticker Star dev members stated that many of these elements were removed on his recommendation. Yoshiaki Koizumi has also gone on the record with the difficulties of including narrative too in Super Mario Galaxy. Because of Miyamoto's status within the company, no one is going to argue with him.

But for a game series that is a spin-off and had it's greatest hits with narrative, live action commands, a partner battling system - I feel it's misjudged to go in this direction. And it's pretty clear that Color Splash is going down a stripped down route like Sticker Star.

The thing is, I really wish I didn't have to write that about a Paper Mario game, and I accept my view my seem grating or even ridiculous - but these types of views come about because people are afraid that we'll get another lacklustre game when the series could reach the same heights it did in the past.

Meanwhile, in the UK...

Great news! I loved Cing's games and both Kyle Hyde games are amazing (and actually among my all time favourites). I'll be watching this with great interest!

I remember this not being that good last year -looks like nothing's changed! There are lots of great indie horror games but as the reviewer makes clear, this ain't one of 'em.

For me it's Paper Mario, just withThousand Year Door alone (though the series looks as though its slowly going down hill.)

Mario Kart has been consistently fun for the most part, and although it's ridiculous and awful now, Mario Party has several great games in the series.

The strange thing is I thought that going back I would find it incredibly jarring, due to how much simpler basic things in the new games are. But I was incredibly surprised, the basic design of the game is still brilliant and just as fun as it was back in the day.

Of course, selecting certain options takes a bit longer and some of the Pokemon are a bit imbalanced, but as an overall experience it is undeniably enjoyable and the magic hasn't disappeared. When you think about how basic the Game Boy was, it's amazing to think they got this much onto a cartridge. It totally deserves its place as an all-time classic!

Great review Alex!

I'm glad we have the release date and that package looks sweet. I shall pre-order as soon as it's possible! I'm glad that Fire Emblem has gained a higher profile now. It's always deserved it. Hail Intelligent Systems.

Is it me or does Shigsy look really creepy in that picture?

It's the work of the Missingno. glitch.

See, I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed.

What is it that Nintendo doesn't understand about this series now? The reason a lot of people feel passionate about this, is because they know Intelligent Systems (and Nintendo as producers) has the potential to make a truly great Paper Mario game. And these days, it's hard not to think that Nintendo is delusional in some respects.

One explanation I ponder about is Miyamoto disliking the idea of narrative in any form of Mario game. It's the reason Sticker Star's narrative was immensely cut down (among other RPG factors, and using new characters). It's also the reason that story-based elements like Rosalina's backstory were removed for Mario Galaxy 2 (along with her presence). The visual style looks nice, but gameplay-wise it appears as though there isn't anything that warrants it being a spin-off worth doing this time around.

Ah well, I'll just enjoy the glory days of the Glitz Pit.

If I recall correctly, Super Meat Boy was meant to be on WiiWare but ended up not making it due to the memory restrictions of the service. Still at least it made a Nintendo console in the end!

I'm glad the importance of this moment has been captured for posterity.

A great read. Starfox 64 (or Lylat Wars for us in the UK!) was just so much fun. There was so much packed into every playthrough. And because of the dictated pace, it meant there were so many things you'd miss.

I wasn't great at it when I was younger, but as I got older, I kept coming back to it, desperate to earn all the medals, unlock expert mode, and then do it again!

As much as I respect Starfox on the SNES, Starfox 64 still remains the series peak for me. The entire vibe of the game is nothing short of magical. And who doesn't love fighting a giant brain that releases brown poo pellets?

I will admit I've never been Twilight Princess's biggest supporter, but this is a lovely story. Time to make them die-hard Zelda fans Mr. Aonuma.

I'm just going to ignore all the rumours and whatnot and just wait for the official announcement. For the next few months I'll take a page out of Mario's book.

The last time I was this confused was with the Milo project. And why are they trying to be humble by only showing everyone's first names. Firstly, they're Microsoft. And secondly, I want to know who the hell they are for f**k sake!

And yes, I should point out. Rare has only been a name for quite a while. There are a few people who still remain from the older eras but most of them are gone.

@Damo I still have the VHS entitled "The Best of SMTV Live: So Far". Good times.

We all know the real fashion ambassadors of Pokemon are Ant and Dec with their cosplay pokemon battles and knitted Pikachu jumpers.

That aisde, this does seem really strange. I can't help but think I'd rather have Rhonda Rousey. But there you go!

I've bought other vinyl released by Data Discs and they are fantastic. They really do a proper job when it comes to remastering, and the pressing quality of the vinyl is great. They did an awesome job with the first Streets of Rage soundtrack was awesome and I'm sure they'll do the same again.

I remember on the last day of the school year back in 2000 roughly 12 of us sat around a table playing Pokemon Red and Blue - trading, battling and cheering when catching new 'Mon.

Back in the day, Pokemon was the great leveller. The games (and everything else that came with it) even allowed you to extend the olive branch to your playground nemesis. A slice of world peace truly was possible.

Thank you for a Red Dwarf-related story. You can never have enough. But honestly, smeg isn't really a swear word; the fact the BBC allowed it is proof enough.

But it does seem that zoophilia is in the banned list. There goes my game pitch.

I did it, but I often found myself in the position of thinking (none of these answers apply to me). I felt trapped when it asked me what content I wanted to see on social media. I never want to see memes on a company's social media but it wouldn't let me continue! WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END?!!!

The Smash Bros. DLC was awesome. They put huge work in updating older characters and making sure the new ones were balanced and felt individually crafted. For now, I just want to enjoy what's there without thinking about the future of the series. We've already had so much on this front.

I remember NGC magazine reporting this and describing many instances of grown men crying... and with good cause.

Please give this professor his own game.

It's a shame that Platinum never really get the sales they deserve. Almost all of their titles have been fantastic.

Although, due to Hideki Kamiya's twitter responses, I kind of want their official company motto to be: Do You Eat S**t?

I hope they can the Project games. Let's face it, they're not very good. Sorry Shigsy.

I think part of it is tied in with technology as Link could never be given a voice back in the day, even if they wanted to. And it's become like a tradition now that he doesn't (two words in Wind Waker aside).

Perhaps if they were set on it, it should be a spin-off game or something that would support the idea somehow. I mean it's not like they could do any worse than the CD-i Zeldas... right?

From the list I'd pick Metroid, Zelda and Pokemon main series. Seriously Game Freak, just make a Pokemon MMO on a home console, and possibly do a Dark Souls system of online/offline option and invading other people's games for battle.

But to be honest, I'd lose my s**t if a new Advance Wars were announced, and I'd love to see a new IP from younger designers.

But then, there's always Chegger's Party Quiz 2.

Even though my older brother doesn't play many games today, we still play GoldenEye whenever we meet. Licence to Kill. Facility. Proximity Mines. The rest plays itself.

I wonder if they'll release on April 1st... and then delay it again?

@TriforceShoe I'm not too concerned about Yooka Laylee, mostly because they originally were going to make the game under their own steam (but when fans asked for it they did it, hence why they already had pre-alpha footage in-engine). They revealed this at EGX Rezzed last year, as I was lucky enough to be there.

Also I think a lot of the problem with Mighty No. 9 and Comcept is that they tried to do other projects alongside it, and I'm not sure why. For some reason they thought Kickstarting Red Ash before Mighty No. 9's release was a good idea. Also they're still down as co-developing Recore. So they're in a bit of a mess really.

A lot of Kickstarted games actually pan out very well (e.g. FTL, Banner Saga, Shovel Knight, Pillars of Eternity) it's just that Comcept seemed to have made a pigs ear of everything!

I'm game. But then a metal soundtrack will always speak to me! As long as a game is fair and responsive (e.g. Bloodborne), then I don't have a problem with something being difficult.

But I hope they don't fall into the same design pitfalls as the first 3 Castlevanias. I think they're actually quite poorly designed in terms of their difficulty. And the stairs are atrocious. At least Super Castlevania IV put it right.

But my bombasity aside, bring it on! Also, I love that press statement.

If this were true, I'd love it to be in the vein of the first two games. But seeing as how Shigsy seems to dislike ANY narrative in a Mario game, this one will probably be hugely hindered by his judgement like Sticker Star was - if it even exists that is.

But if Intelligent are allowed to go by their own devices, I can only hope that we once again get to read the immortal words: FEEL THE RAWK!!!

I personally think that the two Dementium games are great. They also came at a time when horror games on consoles weren't really in vogue, and a years before the wave of first-person indie horrors would really kick off. And to do it on the DS was seriously impressive. I look forward to going through these again.

@gcunit There have been some brave souls who have worn them in a standard manner, but they have often been eliminated by "the man".

Confirmed - the new machine will be called Nintendo Radical, with free 90s cap that can only be worn backwards.

Out of all the stability updates we've seen, I can categorically state, without hyperbole, that this has been the best stability update ever. God bless Nintendo.

@DESS-M-8 Well he hasn't joined as a member of the team per se, but him and David Wise have been confirmed that they will be contributing to the soundtrack. In fact, one of Grant's tracks is already revealed and available for streaming and downloading. Enjoy!

https://grantkirkhope.bandcamp.com/album/yooka-laylee

Awesome work! I often find myself wondering what the Rare remake on Xbox 360 would've been like had it been released.

@DESS-M-8 Seeing Doak and Hollis work with Playtonic would be amazing. Steve Ellis and Graeme Norgate too. Luckily Grant Kirkhope is already making some jolly tunes for Yooka Laylee.

Personally, I prefer Genesis 5.

@Spin I'll expect the full report, typed up and double spaced, on my desk on Monday.

@Spin Hide in the laundry cart. That always works.

As for me, I'd be most interested to see a new IP announced this year or something we have no idea about.

DLC, amiibo and Nintendo are inspiring more Internet boxing matches than perhaps any other topic right now. But here's my take.

DLC in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing, it all depends on specific examples. I actually thought that the Mario Kart 8 DLC was well priced and the thing is, they actually revealed what would be in it before hand! I'm also comfortable with the Smash Bros. DLC.

However, I'm not really a fan of amiibos and I'm not a huge fan of the toys-to-life idea. That certainly colours my view on it. I'd rather buy a game that costs £15 or under, or put it towards a full release then buy an amiibo. And in all honesty, amiibo are essentially physical DLC attached to an item. I think where people get irate is because of the fear that it could go further or that they feel that part of the game is being blocked off so to speak.

If people are into amiibo then that's fair enough. But I think the discussion comes at which point do you draw the line and say what's the right kind/amount of DLC an amiibo unlocks. In all honesty, if I don't like the way something is done, I just simply won't buy it.

Although, this discussion does make me wonder though if in future statues or other physical items will end up being the unlock for full games, negating the need for optical media.