"This has been an issue, obviously, that some people have had, and I think that the word 'normal' is a misrepresentation."
So implying that a "casual" player is not an "expert" on what they play doesn't incur any "misinterpretations"? Some people's own "misinterpretation" of terms cause even further "misinterpretations".
Ok. So. Let's take it from the top. The release of the 2DS IS NOT an "admission of failure by Nintendo". If you actually pay attention to the marketing for the 2DS, you'll notice that it is targeting the 7 and under demographic whom, if you also paid attention to the 3DS earning label, it is harmful for their eyed to use the 3D effect. Just because you might not 3D it doesn't make it a "gimmick".
As for digital only, as much as I like the idea, I prefer physical games better. Besides, I don't think it'll be a good idea to go digital only until our purchases are tied to our accounts and not the console. Unfortunately, after what happened to Microsoft with the 360 where people basically pirated games by logging in their friends' consoles and allowed them to download games they had already purchased, I doubt Nintendo would come out with a handheld like that. High potential for lost revenue. Currently, I don't think there is any feature that might prevent such illegal distribution unless you're connected online 24/7. That wouldn't work on a handheld console.
As for the "graphical arm race". Quality over quantity man. Pretty graphics don't make great games.
As for "connectivity". I don't know about google +, but Facebook is not a place for gamers. That's why Nintendo created Miiverse. If I were to share a post or pic on Facebook, most of my "friends" (if they could even be called that) would be like "wth?" because like 95% of my fb friends are not gamers. Miiverse is perfect for gamers to interact with gamers. As for unifying accounts, I think Nintendo is already looking into that by consolidating their console and handheld hardware divisions. However, I'm not holding my breath on being able to transfer my games due to issues aforementioned two paragraphs ago. Also, you're not taking into account that, the main reason for iOS/Android account transfers is because those devices are marketed to be yearly purchases! Dedicated gaming devices have a seven year cycle. BTW, you CAN transfer your purchases and accounts from 3DS to 3DS, you just need both machines physically present.
As for "the price needs to be right". You are telling me you rather pay $600 for an iPad than $200 for a 3DS? The reality is that prices go up! One can't expect to pay less for an item today than what we did 7 years ago. Is just not a realistic expectation.
As for "don't go changing". If ain't broken, why fix it? Right?
Wait. Where did you get your information Damien? I read yesterday on the internet, and even saw on the official CoD website that the official reveal won't be until Sunday.
Also: "The other big news is that neither Infinity Ward or Treyarch are handling this new title — Activision-owned Sledgehammer Games is taking the controls for the first time in the history of the series."
That's no really "news". It was announced last year after the release of Ghosts.
Is this from the same experts that claimed the Wii U would have bluray? The only possible "hardware" Nintendo could possibly unveil is their QOL plan. Other than that, there's no way they unveil a new console/handheld.
Just because Nintendo submitted patents for a new controller design, it doesn't mean they're launching a new console. Nintendo submits patents like crazy to protect future ideas.
I'm waiting for it. My Wii U is my primary console (THE HORROR!) so I'm in not hurry to but it. Besides, with so many let's play videos I'm making, it'll give me time to finish some of them.
I love e3 and as part of it I love the big stage presentations. I don't mind of they're mistakes or flaws in them, after all, that's party of doing an event live. Last year Nintendo Direct was a failure because, to me, it felt just like any other Direct. There wasn't anything special about it. It's E3! The biggest gaming expo of the year! I expect the big three to come out in a big gaming shootout.
Online streaming of E3 is not new. I've watched Nintendo's conference online for several years now. Thus I don't have anything about the online streaming, I just miss the big LIVE stage.
It's a shame Miyamoto feels there isn't anything "new" to make with the series. Instead of using F-Zero elements in Mario Kart (anti-gravity), Nintendo should focus in bringing the next installment of F-Zero to U.
Personally I never read any of the books about the expanded universe so this doesn't really bother me. In regard to the cartoons, I found the current Clone Wars series rather dumb and never considered canon. However, the original Clone Wars miniseries SHOULD be considered canon because, not only starts where Ep. II ends and ends with the Battle of Coruscant where Ep. III begins, but also shows how Anakin got his scar, the reason for General Grievous' cough throughout the movie, and how Palpatine was capture by Grievous.
As for the video games, I don't why the Rogue Squadron series can't be partly canon. After all, a good part of the game's content if straight out of the Original Trilogy.
"Unfortunately under the terms of the Nintendo NDA, we're not allowed to talk about what it’s like to develop on the Wii U or specifics about the hardware or performance. Sorry!"
Ok, I understand Nintendo wanting to keep a secret the official performance specs in order to show that higher raw power is not always positively correlated to better graphics, but also putting a gag order in effect on the experience of developing for the U? This makes me think that, developing wise, the Wii U is the N64 all over again.
@StraTTtheRipper With the Nintendo Wi-Fi servers shutting down, I'd say the price drop would happen until after the closure of the severs our the release of MK8.
@Ryno Does it really matter that much? I mean, we're taking about minor differences on two HD resolutions, not "night-and-day" differences as in 480p and HD.
Now, by "this Summer" they do mean "THIS Summer" and not summer 2015/2016 right?
@dkxcalibur The Wii handled quite decently the 32-player multiplayer mode of Medal of Honor Heroes in the Origin server, so I'm sure the Wii U can handle 32-player multiplayer matches in whatever server they are using for this game. I wonder who runs the severs for Indie games.
The closest BestBuy is about 30 miles away. By the time I go over there and back, I'd spend about $15 or more on gas. Unless we get the awesome Blue Shell bundle you folks are getting in the UK, I'm DLing this game and get the 10% eShop cash back from Nintendo.
@Marshi You do get a heck of a lot games for what you pay. Personally though, I'm an old fashion kind of gamer and as much as I'm embracing full retail DL games, I still prefer to have physical copies of games and have the liberty to play a game any time I wasn't without being tied to a subscription service, the servers are ruining or out, and whether or not my internet is running or not (which is something I enjoy on Wii U and my 360. Once the game is in my HDD, it's mine to play whenever I like as long as my console works and there's electricity in my home, lol).
I have hulu plus and Netflix, but I find it rather annoying when their servers are down or my modem happens to be acting out. Also, at least with those services, if they don't renew a license, the movie/show is gone and we can't watch it again. I enjoy being able to go back to any game in my collection regardless of how old it is. If I understand correctly, these are inevitable problems that might arise with PSN+.
Another gripe I have is that, why do we have to pay M$ and Sony money for being able to use Netflix when I'm already paying for that service. I understand is their console but I'm already buying a console for hundreds of dollars and I'm only allowed to enjoy some of the features it offers unless I pay more money a year? Talk about buying a "half of a product".
I don't know. I suppose we belong to two different generations of gamers.
@ferrers405 Yeah. I calculated to only 24 games a year, not 60. It is an awesome rental deal provided you get every single free game. Any game DLed after the 7th game makes it a better deal regardless. But you see, that's on Sony willing to lose a sale, I don't think Nintendo can afford that. They're not conglomerates like Sony and M$.
@Marshi I know it's a great deal. I even acknowledged that. I'm just trying till bring awareness to the fact that, in this case, "free" is an illusion. I personally hope Nintendo doesn't charge anytime soon for online. I don't have Gold because I believe it's extortion to charge extra sure a feature already included in gaming for years. Gamers complain that the Wii U gets "half of games" because they don't have DLC or a mode, well what about PS and and xbox having to pay extra to be able to play online? Now THAT is truly getting "half of a game" because at least missing DLC doesn't deprive the Wii U owner of the while experience of such game. No online gaming just because one refuses to pay extra, that's extortion and an incomplete game too.
@bstie1198 My math itself was not "way off", what was incorrect is that I took into account only 24 games per year like LIVE Gold gives out as supposed to an average of 60 as you guys state PSN+ gives out. As for losing access to the games, is not "pointless". I have game consoles and game libraries that go back 25 years, so if you happen to be an avid PS gamer as I am Nintendo's, I'm sure you'll still have your consoles 25 years from now. By then, i seriously doubt you'll be able to access and play your 250 "and counting" DL game collection. Also, what happens if your online goes down? Can you still play your DLed "free" games? As for downloading every free game just because is there. I don't do that. My kids have Gold and they don't DL everything just because they can. Only what is of interest to them and myself. No reason for us to be greedy.
@ferrers405 @readyletsgo @Marshi The term "free" is not valid for neither PSN+ nor LIVE Gold because you have to pay for the subscription! Is that simple. It IS a better value because you only pay a few dollars for the games depending on how many you download in a year.
Now, for LIVE, you get to keep these discounted games so you actually buy them. For PSN+, you are only RENTING the games because you can't play them after your subscription ends.
DO THE MATH: If you were to DL EVERY SINGLE "free" game offered on PSN+ or LIVE Gold in a year (which I'm sure you're not), you're still paying at least $2.50 per game.
So kids, really, don't be fooled by the terminology companies use. Whether you pay $10 or $2.50, those games aren't really "free".
@unrandomsam You to need understand Nintendo's past to understand where Nintendo was trying to go (and achieve) with the Wii U. The Wii was such a success because of several factors. It was affordable, it was user friendly, it innovated by having motion controls, and it broke the stereotype that games are only for the young. It brought families together even though alienated the self-proclaim "hardcore gamer" population (I have a social theory in regard as to why buy that is discussion for another day).
Now, from a business perspective, if you had all the success on a product the way Nintendo succeeded with the Wii; would you change it radically in order to appeal the small percent of the population that you inadvertently alienated in the process? Of course not! After all, "if it isn't broken, why fix it?" Right?
So Nintendo created the Wii U trying to reproduce the Wii's succeed. It was affordable (compared to the $600 PS360's of 7 years ago, you can't tell me it wasn't), user friendly, and kept innovation going by incorporating the Gamepad. Nintendo even tried to lure the "hardcore gamer" (I hate that term) back with the addition of the controller Pro, the button configuration of the Gamepad, HD graphics, expanded online gaming, voice chat, massive external HDD capability, and promise of third party support. Nintendo attempted to correct all the shortcomings of the Wii. However, if Nintendo if guilty of lacking any forsight, is for not understanding the nature of the casual gamer and the arrogance of the "hardcore gamer".
Nintendo failed to foresee that the casual gamer, whom I'm guessing it was at least 75% of the Wii's population, is not interested in buying console after console, flashy specs, and big budget titles. The casual gamer only cares about fun and accessible games. Otherwise Candy Crush Saga, Angry Birds, Farmville, and many games like those wouldn't be successful. So when the Wii U came out, the casual gamer either didn't understand that the U was a new console, or simply they weren't interested because they were happy with what they had. As for the arrogance of the "hardcore gamer", Nintendo failed to see that such gamers don't care about innovation and affordable gaming experience. The hardcore gamer only cares about the next console being bigger, faster, and more powerful than the competition. So when the "hardcore gamer" realized that the Wii U is not as powerful and flashy on paper as the competition, they shunned (and still continue to do so) three Wii U as inferior regardless of how gorgeous the games are.
Statistically speaking, the Wii's success was an abnormality; an extreme deviation from the mean. The Wii U, is the regression to the mean.
@Marre35 Again, you're not seeing the situation past the size of your hard drive. In order to have flash memory that size, the Wii U would see a price increase of at least $100 because Nintendo doesn't have fall back divisions like Sony and M$ do because Nintendo only makes video games. They can't afford to sell Wii U at a big loss like Sony and M$ did last Gen and as they're probably doing now.
The other alternative would be a complete redesign of the Wii U to accommodate a sizeable HDD, but that also would mean a price increase of at least $100 to $150. Then you'd be complaining that the Wii U is too expensive compared to the competition because of the specs.
Nobody forced you to buy a Wii U. Learn to cope with what you've been given and make the best of it. You're acting as if the U wad just like the Wii where we couldn't expand the memory. We can expand the U storage up to 4TB!!! What else do you want?
I don't feel there is anything special about this bundle. Sure the box art is nice, but at the end the Wii U is a plain Wii U. Bundles like this should have design printed on like tee Wind Waker HD bundle. Now THAT was a bundle. Awesome box art design, Gamepad art, and Hyrule Historia (as well as game).
@Marre35 Be smart about it dude. Would you rather pay an extra $50 to $60 dollars for the Wii U because an extra measly 32GB, or would you rather pay that same amount for a 320GB to 500GB (or even bigger depending on store specials) USB HDD from a store?
I didn't care for Galaxy either. The only reason I liked Galaxy 2 was because of the throwback levels and the classic SM64 songs in a few of the other levels.
I'm sorry but when I keep on reading news articles on how even though Nintendo has posted losses for two years straight, they have enough cash reserves to last them 20 to 30 years; news like this DO come as a big surprise!
@Chris720 @Goginho @memoryman3 This is a puzzle game. Good puzzles never really end. It's like the "daily crossword puzzle" in the newspaper. As long as there are pictures to turn into puzzles, Picross will be there.
@dkxcalibur Same here, I haven't played Picross since Picross DS, so I think its time to give the game another try.
One hasn't been able to "post messages in quick succession" for a long time. There has been a two-minute wait to post comments for a long time now. All that Nintendo did was to increase the waiting time from two to three minutes. So it's not a big deal at all.
@Purple I think it is becoming obvious that the apparent AAA Indie titles take time to develop just like their big company counterparts. Anything else is either announced/unveiled close to release date, or is simply shovelware.
I really enjoy the snowboarding games I have for Wii that use the Balance Board. I find it more enjoyable to steer with my body the skis and snowboards than with an analog sick.
As for the topic at hand, I can see Sony coming out with their item balance board if their VR headset becomes successful.
While I'm a bit sad that Nintendo has finally succumbed to the day-one DLC business model, I have to admit that this is the reality of our gaming generation. The good thing is that Nintendo is providing a full fledged retail game and the DLC will be extensive as well but not big enough that would overshadow the retail released content.
@Anguspuss Is it the same for console though? I mean, I know PC games have activation keys, but console games don't have that. At least not Nintendo games... or do they? 0_o (tan, tan, taaaaaan!) LoL
@unrandomsam You do live in an alternate reality, lol (j/k). Here in the US, pre-orders cost as much as the release price. So you pay $60USD whether you buy the game on Gamestop.com or at the store. The only difference is that if you pre-order in the store, you can pay in installments vs. online where you have to pay in full at checkout.
Amazon is the only place where I've seen a bit of a discount on pre-orders vs. buying after release, but the discounts are usually from only a few cents to a couple of dollars max. Nothing significant. I've never shopped at Steam so I don't have any idea of their prices.
As for the prices of games in the UK, I know they're more expensive than in the US, but if think that's bad, you should see prices in Mexico. The Wii U in Mexico costs about $462USD and the PS4 is about $616USD. The games for U are about $81USD and for PS4 $76USD (odd isn't it?). The 3DS are chapter than in the UK (about $59USD) and the XL is about $316USD. What makes those prices even crazier is that, the average weekly salary in Mexico is what an average person makes in a day in the US.
In Mexico those items are luxury items so their open to free market pricing without any government intervention.
@Liam_Doolan If that's the case then the "powers above" need to get off their desks and in the field once again so that they can see what people really want.
@unrandomsam I'm sorry but with all due respect, in what alternate reality do you live because, in over 20 years of buying pre-order games, I've never paid less for a retail pre-ordered game (regardless of the Publisher) compared to a game after release date. They're the same price.
@King47 I know how pre-orders work. Also don't forget about the psychological effect of paying for a game in installments vs. the full price in one payment. But as we pointed out, there's no real benefit for the consumer to pre-order digital games since there isn't a physical inventory.
The only true benefit I see in this is for Nintendo. By allowing pre-orders of digital games and giving out the DL code, Nintendo is hooking up gamers into buying the game in advance (most avid gamers will pre-order a game in excitement and intoxication). Since the pre-order is digital, there won't be chance for the consumer to get "cold feet" and cancel the pre-order. The sale is locked.
Comments 554
Re: Upcoming Child of Light Patch to Rename Difficulty Settings
"This has been an issue, obviously, that some people have had, and I think that the word 'normal' is a misrepresentation."
So implying that a "casual" player is not an "expert" on what they play doesn't incur any "misinterpretations"? Some people's own "misinterpretation" of terms cause even further "misinterpretations".
Re: Talking Point: What We Want To See From Nintendo's Next Handheld
@6ch6ris6 Thanks. I thought I was the only not liking his "logic" (or lack of, lol!) in most of his articles.
Re: Talking Point: What We Want To See From Nintendo's Next Handheld
Ok. So. Let's take it from the top. The release of the 2DS IS NOT an "admission of failure by Nintendo". If you actually pay attention to the marketing for the 2DS, you'll notice that it is targeting the 7 and under demographic whom, if you also paid attention to the 3DS earning label, it is harmful for their eyed to use the 3D effect. Just because you might not 3D it doesn't make it a "gimmick".
As for digital only, as much as I like the idea, I prefer physical games better. Besides, I don't think it'll be a good idea to go digital only until our purchases are tied to our accounts and not the console. Unfortunately, after what happened to Microsoft with the 360 where people basically pirated games by logging in their friends' consoles and allowed them to download games they had already purchased, I doubt Nintendo would come out with a handheld like that. High potential for lost revenue. Currently, I don't think there is any feature that might prevent such illegal distribution unless you're connected online 24/7. That wouldn't work on a handheld console.
As for the "graphical arm race". Quality over quantity man. Pretty graphics don't make great games.
As for "connectivity". I don't know about google +, but Facebook is not a place for gamers. That's why Nintendo created Miiverse. If I were to share a post or pic on Facebook, most of my "friends" (if they could even be called that) would be like "wth?" because like 95% of my fb friends are not gamers. Miiverse is perfect for gamers to interact with gamers. As for unifying accounts, I think Nintendo is already looking into that by consolidating their console and handheld hardware divisions. However, I'm not holding my breath on being able to transfer my games due to issues aforementioned two paragraphs ago. Also, you're not taking into account that, the main reason for iOS/Android account transfers is because those devices are marketed to be yearly purchases! Dedicated gaming devices have a seven year cycle. BTW, you CAN transfer your purchases and accounts from 3DS to 3DS, you just need both machines physically present.
As for "the price needs to be right". You are telling me you rather pay $600 for an iPad than $200 for a 3DS? The reality is that prices go up! One can't expect to pay less for an item today than what we did 7 years ago. Is just not a realistic expectation.
As for "don't go changing". If ain't broken, why fix it? Right?
Re: Activision Enlists Kevin Spacey To Sell Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare's New Brand Of Combat
Wait. Where did you get your information Damien? I read yesterday on the internet, and even saw on the official CoD website that the official reveal won't be until Sunday.
Also: "The other big news is that neither Infinity Ward or Treyarch are handling this new title — Activision-owned Sledgehammer Games is taking the controls for the first time in the history of the series."
That's no really "news". It was announced last year after the release of Ghosts.
Re: Nintendo Quashes Rumours Of New Hardware At E3 2014
Is this from the same experts that claimed the Wii U would have bluray? The only possible "hardware" Nintendo could possibly unveil is their QOL plan. Other than that, there's no way they unveil a new console/handheld.
Just because Nintendo submitted patents for a new controller design, it doesn't mean they're launching a new console. Nintendo submits patents like crazy to protect future ideas.
Re: Nintendo Download: 1st May (North America)
Picross for me and debating still on Child of Light. Doesn't matter how much I try, I can't seem to get into RPG's
Re: Ubisoft Now "Fully Focused" On Making The Wii U Version Of Watch_Dogs "The Best It Can Be"
I'm waiting for it. My Wii U is my primary console (THE HORROR!) so I'm in not hurry to but it. Besides, with so many let's play videos I'm making, it'll give me time to finish some of them.
Re: Talking Point: Nintendo's E3 Plans Are Full of Tantalising Potential
I love e3 and as part of it I love the big stage presentations. I don't mind of they're mistakes or flaws in them, after all, that's party of doing an event live. Last year Nintendo Direct was a failure because, to me, it felt just like any other Direct. There wasn't anything special about it. It's E3! The biggest gaming expo of the year! I expect the big three to come out in a big gaming shootout.
Online streaming of E3 is not new. I've watched Nintendo's conference online for several years now. Thus I don't have anything about the online streaming, I just miss the big LIVE stage.
Re: Feature: Let's Take A Look At The Crazy Supporting Cast Of The F-Zero Universe
It's a shame Miyamoto feels there isn't anything "new" to make with the series. Instead of using F-Zero elements in Mario Kart (anti-gravity), Nintendo should focus in bringing the next installment of F-Zero to U.
Re: Lucasfilm Decrees That All Star Wars Video Games Are Non-Canon
Personally I never read any of the books about the expanded universe so this doesn't really bother me. In regard to the cartoons, I found the current Clone Wars series rather dumb and never considered canon. However, the original Clone Wars miniseries SHOULD be considered canon because, not only starts where Ep. II ends and ends with the Battle of Coruscant where Ep. III begins, but also shows how Anakin got his scar, the reason for General Grievous' cough throughout the movie, and how Palpatine was capture by Grievous.
As for the video games, I don't why the Rogue Squadron series can't be partly canon. After all, a good part of the game's content if straight out of the Original Trilogy.
Re: Super Mario Bros. Movie Actor Bob Hoskins Passes Away Aged 71
R.I.P. Mr. Hoskins. You'll be missed.
Re: Feature: All the Important Details From the Mario Kart 8 Nintendo Direct Broadcasts
I just skipped down to the comments. Haven't seen the ND yet so I don't want to read anything about it yet, lol.
Re: Mario Kart 8 Club Nintendo Promotion Offers a Free Wii U Game
Blast you NoE!!! As usual, you have better goodies than NoA!
Re: Exclusive: Opposable Games On Bringing Second-Screen Tactical Action To The Wii U With Salvaged
"Unfortunately under the terms of the Nintendo NDA, we're not allowed to talk about what it’s like to develop on the Wii U or specifics about the hardware or performance. Sorry!"
Ok, I understand Nintendo wanting to keep a secret the official performance specs in order to show that higher raw power is not always positively correlated to better graphics, but also putting a gag order in effect on the experience of developing for the U? This makes me think that, developing wise, the Wii U is the N64 all over again.
Re: Pokémon X & Y Happy Meal Toys Heading to North America
I gotta catch them all!
Re: Expansion of Nintendo Selects Range Confirmed for Europe
@StraTTtheRipper With the Nintendo Wi-Fi servers shutting down, I'd say the price drop would happen until after the closure of the severs our the release of MK8.
Re: Matters of Import: Sega 3D Classics Races Ahead With 3D OutRun
I'm pouting like a 2 y.o. bratty kid.... "I want this game!!!"
Re: Infinity Runner Heading To Wii U eShop
@Ryno Does it really matter that much? I mean, we're taking about minor differences on two HD resolutions, not "night-and-day" differences as in 480p and HD.
Re: Infinity Runner Heading To Wii U eShop
Now, by "this Summer" they do mean "THIS Summer" and not summer 2015/2016 right?
@dkxcalibur The Wii handled quite decently the 32-player multiplayer mode of Medal of Honor Heroes in the Origin server, so I'm sure the Wii U can handle 32-player multiplayer matches in whatever server they are using for this game. I wonder who runs the severs for Indie games.
Re: Review: Child of Light (Wii U eShop)
The fighting mechanics are "time-based"? As in real-time or turn-based or different? Never heard that term before.
Re: Weirdness: Best Buy Offers "Gas Cash" Promotion for Mario Kart 8
The closest BestBuy is about 30 miles away. By the time I go over there and back, I'd spend about $15 or more on gas. Unless we get the awesome Blue Shell bundle you folks are getting in the UK, I'm DLing this game and get the 10% eShop cash back from Nintendo.
Re: Stick It To The Man Will, Erm, Stick It To The Wii U on 1st May
@Marshi You do get a heck of a lot games for what you pay. Personally though, I'm an old fashion kind of gamer and as much as I'm embracing full retail DL games, I still prefer to have physical copies of games and have the liberty to play a game any time I wasn't without being tied to a subscription service, the servers are ruining or out, and whether or not my internet is running or not (which is something I enjoy on Wii U and my 360. Once the game is in my HDD, it's mine to play whenever I like as long as my console works and there's electricity in my home, lol).
I have hulu plus and Netflix, but I find it rather annoying when their servers are down or my modem happens to be acting out. Also, at least with those services, if they don't renew a license, the movie/show is gone and we can't watch it again. I enjoy being able to go back to any game in my collection regardless of how old it is. If I understand correctly, these are inevitable problems that might arise with PSN+.
Another gripe I have is that, why do we have to pay M$ and Sony money for being able to use Netflix when I'm already paying for that service. I understand is their console but I'm already buying a console for hundreds of dollars and I'm only allowed to enjoy some of the features it offers unless I pay more money a year? Talk about buying a "half of a product".
I don't know. I suppose we belong to two different generations of gamers.
Re: Stick It To The Man Will, Erm, Stick It To The Wii U on 1st May
@ferrers405 Yeah. I calculated to only 24 games a year, not 60. It is an awesome rental deal provided you get every single free game. Any game DLed after the 7th game makes it a better deal regardless. But you see, that's on Sony willing to lose a sale, I don't think Nintendo can afford that. They're not conglomerates like Sony and M$.
Re: Stick It To The Man Will, Erm, Stick It To The Wii U on 1st May
@Marshi I know it's a great deal. I even acknowledged that. I'm just trying till bring awareness to the fact that, in this case, "free" is an illusion. I personally hope Nintendo doesn't charge anytime soon for online. I don't have Gold because I believe it's extortion to charge extra sure a feature already included in gaming for years. Gamers complain that the Wii U gets "half of games" because they don't have DLC or a mode, well what about PS and and xbox having to pay extra to be able to play online? Now THAT is truly getting "half of a game" because at least missing DLC doesn't deprive the Wii U owner of the while experience of such game. No online gaming just because one refuses to pay extra, that's extortion and an incomplete game too.
Re: Stick It To The Man Will, Erm, Stick It To The Wii U on 1st May
@bstie1198 My math itself was not "way off", what was incorrect is that I took into account only 24 games per year like LIVE Gold gives out as supposed to an average of 60 as you guys state PSN+ gives out. As for losing access to the games, is not "pointless". I have game consoles and game libraries that go back 25 years, so if you happen to be an avid PS gamer as I am Nintendo's, I'm sure you'll still have your consoles 25 years from now. By then, i seriously doubt you'll be able to access and play your 250 "and counting" DL game collection. Also, what happens if your online goes down? Can you still play your DLed "free" games? As for downloading every free game just because is there. I don't do that. My kids have Gold and they don't DL everything just because they can. Only what is of interest to them and myself. No reason for us to be greedy.
Re: Stick It To The Man Will, Erm, Stick It To The Wii U on 1st May
@ferrers405 @readyletsgo @Marshi The term "free" is not valid for neither PSN+ nor LIVE Gold because you have to pay for the subscription! Is that simple. It IS a better value because you only pay a few dollars for the games depending on how many you download in a year.
Now, for LIVE, you get to keep these discounted games so you actually buy them. For PSN+, you are only RENTING the games because you can't play them after your subscription ends.
DO THE MATH: If you were to DL EVERY SINGLE "free" game offered on PSN+ or LIVE Gold in a year (which I'm sure you're not), you're still paying at least $2.50 per game.
So kids, really, don't be fooled by the terminology companies use. Whether you pay $10 or $2.50, those games aren't really "free".
Re: Nintendo Confirms The Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition Wii U Hardware Bundle
@unrandomsam You to need understand Nintendo's past to understand where Nintendo was trying to go (and achieve) with the Wii U. The Wii was such a success because of several factors. It was affordable, it was user friendly, it innovated by having motion controls, and it broke the stereotype that games are only for the young. It brought families together even though alienated the self-proclaim "hardcore gamer" population (I have a social theory in regard as to why buy that is discussion for another day).
Now, from a business perspective, if you had all the success on a product the way Nintendo succeeded with the Wii; would you change it radically in order to appeal the small percent of the population that you inadvertently alienated in the process? Of course not! After all, "if it isn't broken, why fix it?" Right?
So Nintendo created the Wii U trying to reproduce the Wii's succeed. It was affordable (compared to the $600 PS360's of 7 years ago, you can't tell me it wasn't), user friendly, and kept innovation going by incorporating the Gamepad. Nintendo even tried to lure the "hardcore gamer" (I hate that term) back with the addition of the controller Pro, the button configuration of the Gamepad, HD graphics, expanded online gaming, voice chat, massive external HDD capability, and promise of third party support. Nintendo attempted to correct all the shortcomings of the Wii. However, if Nintendo if guilty of lacking any forsight, is for not understanding the nature of the casual gamer and the arrogance of the "hardcore gamer".
Nintendo failed to foresee that the casual gamer, whom I'm guessing it was at least 75% of the Wii's population, is not interested in buying console after console, flashy specs, and big budget titles. The casual gamer only cares about fun and accessible games. Otherwise Candy Crush Saga, Angry Birds, Farmville, and many games like those wouldn't be successful. So when the Wii U came out, the casual gamer either didn't understand that the U was a new console, or simply they weren't interested because they were happy with what they had. As for the arrogance of the "hardcore gamer", Nintendo failed to see that such gamers don't care about innovation and affordable gaming experience. The hardcore gamer only cares about the next console being bigger, faster, and more powerful than the competition. So when the "hardcore gamer" realized that the Wii U is not as powerful and flashy on paper as the competition, they shunned (and still continue to do so) three Wii U as inferior regardless of how gorgeous the games are.
Statistically speaking, the Wii's success was an abnormality; an extreme deviation from the mean. The Wii U, is the regression to the mean.
@Cyberbotv2 Thanks. Read my dissertation above.
Re: Nintendo Confirms The Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition Wii U Hardware Bundle
@Marre35 Again, you're not seeing the situation past the size of your hard drive. In order to have flash memory that size, the Wii U would see a price increase of at least $100 because Nintendo doesn't have fall back divisions like Sony and M$ do because Nintendo only makes video games. They can't afford to sell Wii U at a big loss like Sony and M$ did last Gen and as they're probably doing now.
The other alternative would be a complete redesign of the Wii U to accommodate a sizeable HDD, but that also would mean a price increase of at least $100 to $150. Then you'd be complaining that the Wii U is too expensive compared to the competition because of the specs.
Nobody forced you to buy a Wii U. Learn to cope with what you've been given and make the best of it. You're acting as if the U wad just like the Wii where we couldn't expand the memory. We can expand the U storage up to 4TB!!! What else do you want?
Re: Nintendo Confirms The Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition Wii U Hardware Bundle
I don't feel there is anything special about this bundle. Sure the box art is nice, but at the end the Wii U is a plain Wii U. Bundles like this should have design printed on like tee Wind Waker HD bundle. Now THAT was a bundle. Awesome box art design, Gamepad art, and Hyrule Historia (as well as game).
Re: Nintendo Confirms The Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack – Special Edition Wii U Hardware Bundle
@Marre35 Be smart about it dude. Would you rather pay an extra $50 to $60 dollars for the Wii U because an extra measly 32GB, or would you rather pay that same amount for a 320GB to 500GB (or even bigger depending on store specials) USB HDD from a store?
Re: Amazon Comes in Low With Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle Price, Awesome GamePad Skins on the Way
I already have the Wind Waker HD special edition Gamepad. I would not want to desecrate it with these skins.
Re: Video: We Put The Pedal To The Metal In Sega's 3D OutRun
I... want... it! Any word on an N.A. release?
Re: Multiplayer Sci-Fi Alien Shooter Hive Jump Coming to Wii U
The 2D kind of turned me off but the local multi made me regained interest. I'll be watching this one with some interest
Re: New World Record Set for Super Mario 64 120 Star Speed Run
I didn't care for Galaxy either. The only reason I liked Galaxy 2 was because of the throwback levels and the classic SM64 songs in a few of the other levels.
Long live SM64!
Re: North American Club Nintendo Update Closes Down Physical Rewards Until May
So tempted to get F-Zero X but somehow I have the feeling I should save my coins for May.
Re: Latest Project CARS Trailer Shows Off Stunning In-game Footage, Locks In November 2014 Release
Holy bleeeeeeep!!! The real question is, is the video "gameplay" example of just PC, PC/X1/PS4, or ALL systems.
Re: Nintendo Is Shutting Down Its Taiwan Subsidiary
"...this doesn't come as much of a surprise..."
I'm sorry but when I keep on reading news articles on how even though Nintendo has posted losses for two years straight, they have enough cash reserves to last them 20 to 30 years; news like this DO come as a big surprise!
Re: Picross e4 Confirmed For North American 3DS eShop Release In May
@Chris720 @Goginho @memoryman3 This is a puzzle game. Good puzzles never really end. It's like the "daily crossword puzzle" in the newspaper. As long as there are pictures to turn into puzzles, Picross will be there.
@dkxcalibur Same here, I haven't played Picross since Picross DS, so I think its time to give the game another try.
Re: Miiverse Update Imposes Restrictions on Posting Comments
One hasn't been able to "post messages in quick succession" for a long time. There has been a two-minute wait to post comments for a long time now. All that Nintendo did was to increase the waiting time from two to three minutes. So it's not a big deal at all.
Re: Interview: MixedBag on Bringing forma.8's Mysterious Adventure to the Wii U eShop
@Purple I think it is becoming obvious that the apparent AAA Indie titles take time to develop just like their big company counterparts. Anything else is either announced/unveiled close to release date, or is simply shovelware.
Re: Nintendo Gets Dramatic in New Kirby: Triple Deluxe TV Commercial
I love this commercial. I was laughing so hard when I watched it over the weekend.
Re: Ubisoft Has Dispatched 73 Million Assassin's Creed Games Since 2007
Rayman sales are a big shocking to me. That franchise it's been out for almost 20 years. I was expecting higher sales than that
Re: Weirdness: Hoverboards Now a Virtual Reality With the Assistance of a Wii Balance Board
I really enjoy the snowboarding games I have for Wii that use the Balance Board. I find it more enjoyable to steer with my body the skis and snowboards than with an analog sick.
As for the topic at hand, I can see Sony coming out with their item balance board if their VR headset becomes successful.
Re: Nintendo Confirms Mario Golf: World Tour DLC, Pricing and Release Schedule
While I'm a bit sad that Nintendo has finally succumbed to the day-one DLC business model, I have to admit that this is the reality of our gaming generation. The good thing is that Nintendo is providing a full fledged retail game and the DLC will be extensive as well but not big enough that would overshadow the retail released content.
Re: You Can Now Pre-Order eShop Games Via Nintendo UK's Online Store
@unrandomsam Trace what? I'm lost.
@ToxieDogg Like I said, you guys live in an alternate reality to ours, lol.
Re: You Can Now Pre-Order eShop Games Via Nintendo UK's Online Store
@Anguspuss Is it the same for console though? I mean, I know PC games have activation keys, but console games don't have that. At least not Nintendo games... or do they? 0_o (tan, tan, taaaaaan!) LoL
Re: You Can Now Pre-Order eShop Games Via Nintendo UK's Online Store
@unrandomsam You do live in an alternate reality, lol (j/k). Here in the US, pre-orders cost as much as the release price. So you pay $60USD whether you buy the game on Gamestop.com or at the store. The only difference is that if you pre-order in the store, you can pay in installments vs. online where you have to pay in full at checkout.
Amazon is the only place where I've seen a bit of a discount on pre-orders vs. buying after release, but the discounts are usually from only a few cents to a couple of dollars max. Nothing significant. I've never shopped at Steam so I don't have any idea of their prices.
As for the prices of games in the UK, I know they're more expensive than in the US, but if think that's bad, you should see prices in Mexico. The Wii U in Mexico costs about $462USD and the PS4 is about $616USD. The games for U are about $81USD and for PS4 $76USD (odd isn't it?). The 3DS are chapter than in the UK (about $59USD) and the XL is about $316USD. What makes those prices even crazier is that, the average weekly salary in Mexico is what an average person makes in a day in the US.
In Mexico those items are luxury items so their open to free market pricing without any government intervention.
Re: Weirdness: Could This Be The Pokémon FPS That Nintendo Fans Have Always Wanted?
@Liam_Doolan btw, who wrote the headline? Because if it was you then you can't really blame it on the "powers above"
Re: Weirdness: Could This Be The Pokémon FPS That Nintendo Fans Have Always Wanted?
@Liam_Doolan If that's the case then the "powers above" need to get off their desks and in the field once again so that they can see what people really want.
Re: You Can Now Pre-Order eShop Games Via Nintendo UK's Online Store
@unrandomsam I'm sorry but with all due respect, in what alternate reality do you live because, in over 20 years of buying pre-order games, I've never paid less for a retail pre-ordered game (regardless of the Publisher) compared to a game after release date. They're the same price.
@King47 I know how pre-orders work. Also don't forget about the psychological effect of paying for a game in installments vs. the full price in one payment. But as we pointed out, there's no real benefit for the consumer to pre-order digital games since there isn't a physical inventory.
The only true benefit I see in this is for Nintendo. By allowing pre-orders of digital games and giving out the DL code, Nintendo is hooking up gamers into buying the game in advance (most avid gamers will pre-order a game in excitement and intoxication). Since the pre-order is digital, there won't be chance for the consumer to get "cold feet" and cancel the pre-order. The sale is locked.
Clever Nintendo. Very clever. He he.