As a console/handheld gamer, I feel completely abandoned by Squeenix. They show little sign of interest in anything but iOS/Android gaming. There was another FF for 3DS that was previously mentioned that there's been not another word about. Not everybody is into mobile gaming, and the failure to realize this is costing Squeenix (and their tone here indicates to me that they're going to further forsake traditional gaming).
Another thing, as has been pointed out in comments, Final Fantasy has not felt like Final Fantasy since I don't remember when. I think they have completely forgotten the Final Fantasy that put them on the gaming map in the late 80s, and the gamers who fell in love with it. Crystals, airships, great heroes, sinister villains, memorable writing and stories, the amazing scores of Nobuo Uematsu... These things have been lost. In my mind, yesterday's and today's Final Fantasy compares to the Star Wars prequels losing much of the original trilogy's magic.
Squeenix is going to have to find a way of returning to its roots and it's fans who helped bring them to the dance. Unfortunately, I see no sign of this happening soon. And the same story applies to my other favorite third parties of the past, Capcom and Konami. I know any, or all three could possibly suffer THQ's fate.
Even with the hope a new console generation brings, these are some dark days for gaming and gamers.
I was thinking earlier what would be a potentially amazing Zelda remake. The Legend of Zelda 3D. No subtitles. Just "The Legend of Zelda 3D." Remaking the very first 2D Zelda that started it all, rebuilt from the ground up in 3D. I'd keep the dungeons and overworld just as they are, but with new distinguishing characteristics. For instance, something setting the twin rocks on Death Mountain (one of which, of course, houses Level 9) apart from others. With some work and imagination, I think the original could be amazing in 3D!
Something else I was thinking of, after AVGN pointed it out in a rant on the Zelda timeline: They go BACK IN TIME with the series to make the latest game the first in the timeline so often. They did this with (I think) A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, The Minish Cap, and now Skyward Sword. It seems time for some original sequels, rather than continually reimagining the starting point of the series. It'd be nice to see a proper sequel to The Adventure of Link, for example. A proper decendant of the originals!
As I mentioned yesterday, there is little discretionary entertainment money in this lousy economy. Along with that, people are not only making less, they are doing so working more hours. Companies are trimming workers, and giving the remaining employees more hours. So, the time isn't there either. A friend of mine is working many more hours than she was, and she was just chewed out for taking ONE sick day because she was sick as Hell. This is a growing trend, treatment like this. With so many people out of work, slave treatment can be expected, because you are uber-replaceable.
I've read articles how the US is the most overworked country in the world, with the least amount of vacation time. All work (for peanuts, generally speaking) and no play for Americans!
I'm afraid articles like this will start to become commonplace, for not only Nintendo, but also all game makers. And many other industries.
If we're getting another remake, I'd like to see A Link to the Past. Since the last 2D Zelda, Spirit Tracks, it's been all 3D. I'm not sure if I'd count Four Swords Anniversary. The last few years, it's been Ocarina of Time 3D, Skyward Sword, and now Wind Waker Wii U coming up. Just because both Wii U & 3DS are capable of 3D Zelda doesn't mean I want to stop seeing the classic 2D Zelda that I started playing 25 years ago this month, and only see 3D from here on out. And can anybody imagine how gorgeous a full blown Link to the Past remake (or sequel) would be?
For the umpteenth time, where is that Link to the Past 3DS remake (or sequel) announcement? Or a new classic overhead view Zelda? So long overdue! Well.... hopefully at E3.
I think their were projections were... optimistic... to put it lightly, considering the present economy, not just in the US, but in the world. Here in America, the jobs aren't there, jobs are being eliminated, benefits scaled back, and income taxes are going up for many (not just rich folks) as a result of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations. Leisure spending money is just... not... there for people. The Wii U was my SOLE extravagant purchase last year, and even then I have guilt trips over it. This year, if things don't change, I'll be lucky to get 3 or 4 new games. They need to consider a price drop, because otherwise it's a difficult purchase in this economy.
And the next gen PlayStation & Xbox? If they charge in the neighborhood of what Sony did for the PS3, sales of both systems may make the Vita's paltry numbers look more like the PS2's historic sales by comparison.
THIS is why cheap cell phone games are popular right now, and software sales are down. A couple of dollars is all a lot of people can spend on gaming.
You know a certain community of rabid MLP fans beginning with "B" (of which I'm a member ) will be throwing money into the ring for "Fighting is Magic!" Legendary Street Fighter Daigo kicking flank as Fluttershy? Yes, please! (Correction: F'shy doesn't "fight", her animal friends do, al a Pokemon Trainer & Pokemon.)
@dragon_rider Hmmm, I thought the copyright issues must've been settled, in order for it to be released in any territory. Then again, I've not followed the situation. It's so strange that it didn't cause trouble when it was originally released!
And, especially with behavior I've seen from companies such as Capcom with the Mega Man Legends 3 fiasco, I'm convinced that no amount of fan input has any influence on the decisions of the modern day game maker (sadly).
Happy birthday, @MarioKenny1992 & @Brendonm17 ! Not sure how old you are, @Brendonm17 , but @MarioKenny1992 , 1992 was one of my personal best years, and perhaps THE best for gaming (finally got the SNES, along with many of the best games on the system: Zelda: ALttP, Super Mario World, Super Castlevania IV, Final Fantasy II/IV, Street Fighter II: TWW, CONTRA III, etc.).
I think this program is a great publicity tool for the upcoming Wii U VC (and perhaps even the Wii U itself among retro gamers). For that little, and some of the great titles like Super Metroid that will be available, you know the Trial Campaign is going to get plenty of attention. And it already has. The Miiverse board for Balloon Fighter, an almost 30 year-old game, was bustling with activity yesterday. Last I saw, it had almost 5,000 posts! Man, how I wish Miiverse had been around years ago when first playing these classics (and I definitely consider Balloon Fight a classic). This was a great idea on Nintendo's part, and hopefully a sign that they're going to try harder with Wii U VC.
That said, I think the exclusion of Earthbound except in Japan is a big mistake and detriment to the program. It's well known by Nintendo how much it's been wanted around the world, not just Japan. I know one Nintendo Power (RIP) issue had it as THE most wanted VC game. And yet, Japan's not only getting the same gaming favoritism it has for as long as I can remember as a gamer, it's getting it in a high visibility manner being a part of this program in Japan. I'm not Hell bent on having Earthbound myself, but I'm sure there are those who are breathing fire, knowing that Japan's going to get it for next-to nothing after they've asked for it for years. I don't really understand what Nintendo's thinking. Then again, I don't understand much of anything video game makers are doing in this day and age (and I'm not sure they do either, as is evidenced by some of their questionable decisions).
Now, what I am happy about is the inclusion of Super Metroid. I can only hope that this exposure of, IMHO, Samus' best adventure will increase demand for classic 2D Metroid on 3DS and/or Wii U!
Was already getting my Balloon Fight on yesterday! 30 cent classics FTW!
As for Super C, I'm always happy for VC support. HOWEVER... first of all, and it goes back to the GBA Wii U VC announcement, I wish they'd have handheld games for handhelds and console games for consoles. Instead of getting an NES game that's already available on Wii VC, we could have gotten a new Game Boy/GBC game. Either Contra, Contra Hardcorps, or Contra Force; three unreleased Contra games that I, and I imagine many others are looking forward to on VC; could've been released on Wii VC instead, along with a new GB release. Instead, Super C is made available again. But, again, I don't want to complain too loudly, because it is VC support.
Now, what in the BLEEP is going on with NES Contra? It defies all logic that one of the all-time great NES games has now been passed over for a second time in favor of its sequel on a format. I once thought it some exclusivity deal that had to do with Contra arcade being available on Xbox Live Arcade. However, that's the arcade version, and Super Contra arcade's availability on XBLA hasn't stopped Super C's release on two Nintendo platforms now. This is one of the great Virtual Console mysteries!
Hmmm. It looks good! May wait to see if any new features are added, but will likely get it being the first Ninty HD remake. And, hey, with GamePad support, I could get my multitask on and catch part of a Thunder game in the 5 minutes it takes to sail from point A and B.
Now, Shiggy, what about that 3DS Link to the Past redux you've been teasing us with for almost two years?
I was afraid of being nickled & dimed on games I already have, but know it could've been worse. Now I can have save states for games like StarTropics, and Ninja Gaiden III, that have been kicking my flank for ages! That is assuming the games will be available. Are ALL NES & SNES Wii VC games going to be available, or are they going to trickle out at the typical VC pace?
Also... No mention of established VC systems (N64, Genesis) or new systems (GameCube, Dreamcast), but they're putting GBA games here instead of on 3DS??? Nintendo, you are so random... Playing GBA on the TV is what my GC's Game Boy Player is for!
Maybe I'm a purist, but VC-wise I'm for keeping console games on the TV and handheld games on handhelds. I take it that that means our GBA ambassador games will never be updated.
Also, apparently old GameCube games will be kept off, for the purpose of making HD remakes to charge full price for. Will we see any new systems, beyond certain-to-be-pixelated-as-HAYL GBA?
Not sure how to process this Wii U VC news. Guess I'll take a "wait and see" approach.
@Bankai I didn't say they hadn't been blamed. Just that in this round of the blame game for Sandy Hook, other forms of media have emerged relatively unscathed. I've not read as much criticism of movies/TV since the massacre, and not much came from Vice President Biden's meetings with other industry leaders (though the NRA, of course, places the blame on anything and everything other than guns). Comparatively, I remember movies were in the crossfire after Columbine, perhaps in part because shooters Kleibold & Harris were supposedly dressed like characters in "The Matrix."
The video game industry: Serving as the NRA's and gun lobby's gun violence scapegoat to avoid gun control since 199X. Video games are more dangerous than assault weapons of war in some people's minds, I suppose. What a crock. Those people have an agenda to have maximum availability of assault weapons retained. I wonder if gun violence in books was blamed back before the days of TV? Stimulus of any form is going to affect a person's mind the way it's going to. Whether it comes from games, movies, TV, books, whatever. Only difference with video games is that it's more interactive than other forms of entertainment. I don't hear much blame on movies and TV these days. It's all on video games. There's more realistic gore, torture, and violence on the likes of "Criminal Minds" and "CSI." They should see what goes on on "American Horror Story" and the new series "The Gathering" as well. Gruesome stuff, nothing like I've seen in my decades of gaming. Gaming is just a convenient scapegoat groups are using to get their way politically.
I really dislike what Square Enix is doing these days. Not only is this NOT Bravely Default, it's also YET ANOTHER iOS Final Fantasy.
This, Dimensions, and AT LEAST a FF V remake (or enhanced port) are/will be on the way to iOS, without a peep of them on any other system. SE has iOS tunnel vision right now, and it seems the rest of us gamers are supposed to embrace it, or get left behind. The way I feel about SE right now, it'll be the latter. This is a bad time to be a Final Fantasy fan. Much as it is bad to be a fan of SE & Capcom, among other currently disappointing 3rd parties.
It just feels very much like gaming is in decline right now and, right or wrong, I partially blame it on iOS and iOS-obsessed developers. Wasn't there another time when cheap, often-times poor-quality games pulled video gaming down in, oh, the early 80's? I also remember a quote about "those who forget history being doomed to repeat it." Like "The War of the Magi."
I know there are iOS fans here. No offense. I love my iPod Touch. I'm posting this on one! However, gaming is not one of the things I love it for, to say the least. I don't like it being shoved down the throats of Final Fantasy fans (which I have been for 21 years), with no other platform choices.
Now here's a story I can't resist commenting on, because it's a possible marriage of two of my favorite things in life: Nintendo, and actress Parker Posey, AKA "The Queen of Sundance." It wouldn't be Sundance without Parker there, so I know she'll be there. It would be a dream to see Parker playing a game that I've played! I'm going to closely watch Miiverse around that time, and look for Parker lookalike Mii postings.
Wouldn't mind seeing that some of my other favorite ladies, like Anne Hathaway, Rachel McAdams, Emma Stone, and Sarah Paulson got their game on too (though they've already "got game" ).
Oh, and Parker would be awesome doing a Wii U commercial. Sadly, now being in her mid-40s and underemployed as even the best actresses are when older, she could use the work.
I know nothing about Wii U eShop. I may actually visit it if they ever get Wii U VC up and running. I too am worried about having to rebuy a game for each and every system. So far, that's one thing I'll give to Sony, not making gamers buy something X number of times.
Wish there'd been a spot (unless I missed it) for suggesting other franchises you'd like to see. While it's not a "franchise", as there's only been one game, I'd love me some more "Code Name: Viper!"
Happy to see Strider among the options, and know Capcom hasn't forgotten it (and it could be in future plans ). Please, guys, mark Strider, so we can see it again after over a decade! STRIDER 3, FTW!!! All sons of old gods, DIE (evil Grandmaster laugh) !!!
Also... ARCADE PERFECT Street Fighter II, SF II Champion, SF II Hyper Fighting, Street Fighter III: New Generation, and SF III Second Impact, please.
We need a three-sport superstar, al a two-sport legend Bo Jackson, to have the triforce nickname. Then again, a three-sport superstar wouldn't likely do enough gaming to know what the Triforce is.
Aaaarrrggghhh! Can't sleep. Too excited! Need a Black Mage to cast "Sleep" on me. Please don't attack with sleep-inducing weaponry like Cat Claws (man, I hope Wii U gets Final Fantasy XV ).
Going to pick up my Deluxe, NSMBU, and Pro Controller later this afternoon after some other mandatory business. It'll be my first time to get ANY console on launch day since Nintendo 64! So... 3rd & 6th Big N console on launch day. Going by pattern, my next launch day console will be the 9th Nintendo console like 16 years from now in 2028 (guess it'll be holograms or something ).
Guess I can use it for the two whole days I continue to have the Wii hooked up, before my Wii U gives it the boot. Actually, watching Saturday's new episode of Ponies on the app will be a great swan song (or pony song, as it were ) for the Wii!
I don't know why they didn't officially name it Super Wii. It would've harkened back to the days of the Super NES, and that would certainly be a good thing toward selling long-time Nintendo gamers on the system. Wii U is a headscratcher of a name.
I hope we get some news on the Wii U eShop & VC too. There's been announcements of WiiUWare (or whatever) games, but nothing on VC. Right now I'm wondering if it's safe to assume there will be a Wii U VC, much less GameCube on it. They've been so focused on certain things, like the GamePad that details on other things have been non-existent. Not good for a system less than one month away. Kind of makes me wonder if it'll be missing some features for a while after launch, al a 3DS.
@ei8htbit I love your Mega Man avatar, it's too cute for words! Makes me want Mega Man Powered Up 2 (although I'm not holding my breath for ANY Mega Man right now).
Also, there is evidence part of Ocarina of Time is based off of tennis! Link & Ganondorf were playing "hit the lightning ball" Sampras & Agassi-style. Not too fair that Ganondorf is always on serve, though. Maybe Link would like to serve for a change!
So, when is Zanarkand getting a football franchise to join the blitzball Abes? Time to see if Tidus can do the Bo Jackson two-sport superstar thing.
Oh, that black mage is perfectly welcome to use Flare on Tom Brady, Meteor on Ben Rothlesberger, and Ultima on Eli Manning. And we need a summoner to sic Bahamut on Tony Romo.
@WesCash Subtitle made me smile too. Yes I'm Siskel, yes I'm Ebert and it's getting two thumbs up! (Geez... Siskels' gone, and they aren't even having X-Files movies anymore... I feel old, LOL.)
I'm pretty much anti-social, so meh. All this attention on Miiverse and the GamePad. When are we getting actual news about things we don't know anything about, like eShop and new systems supported on Virtual Console???
The social stuff is fine with me as long as it's not all-encompassing and distracting. I don't want to read messages every time I finish a level/die in NSMBU. It needs the option to be turned off. As with every Nintendo system for 25 years, the games are most important to me (after all, it is a game console).
I have a feeling I'm not going to like this new trend of rewarding digital downloads. I have no desire to pay full price and not have something tangible to show for it, yet it appears that's the only way of getting something like this that I want. Looks like I'm missing out on this. Hopefully it'll be offered for sale on eShop one day.
Oh and I have an idea. How about Nintendo actually support Virtual Console, more specifically VCA, by offering the classic arcade Donkey Kong? They've not had a first party Wii VC release in a while, and that'd be so perfect for VCA!
I love the SNES. So much so that it's my favorite video game system of all-time! That said, I cannot imagine Super Mario 64 working on it. Nintendo made the right decision there.
As for Super Mario RPG, you can tell Square had their paws in that game. I remember seeing Bowser's Japanese victory stance in GamePro magazine around the time the game was released May of '96, cursing NoA that they didn't allow that in the game.
As for Peach's XXX, that reminds me of the Lustful Lali-Ho in Final Fantasy IV. Definitely a way for Square to put their signature in the game, in a more subtle way than Culex and the Final Fantasy IV boss theme. Princess Peach is a NAUGHTY GIRL (and that's a good thing )! Hard to imagine here 16 years later that we're now about to see a game like Bayonetta 2 as a Nintendo console exclusive!
@DonJumpMad
You're going to give poor Weegie more of an inferiority complex than he must already!
Forget stupid things like finding a cure for cancer, improving education, infrastructure, etc... Nations must spend all rupees designing weapons/vehicles/apparatuses from video games and film.
All I know is I want to wield a lightsaber and learn the ways of The Force before I die! Blasters are so uncivilized, so I don't care about them!
At any rate, good to know Lucius Fox is still hard at work on tomorrow's technology!!!
I'm going with pack-in Nintendo Land and NSMBU. Tempted by Tekken Tag Tournament 2, but I'm just not sure it'd be right. I got the first TTT and Street Fighter EX3 on PlayStation 2 launch day (then failed to win a drawing for the right to buy a PS2, and didn't play them for 4 months ).
Man, this launch beats the Nintendo 64 launch, which I seem to remember having an especially paltry lineup (though it did consist of Pilotwings 64 and, of course, pack-in Super Mario 64... wait...I looked it up, and those were the ONLY TWO launch titles, jeez Louise...).
Oh, having 23 launch titles, maybe Nintendo's trying to make Wii U MJ-esque.
Things like this showing how lacking/pitifil VC support is outside Japan make me faceplant (I'm practicing my Zivaisms for the NCIS premiere tonight... they're a bit dusty right now after the onseason ).
They used to call Mario Lemieux Super Mario! hmmmmm...
As for Bowser Jr., I'm glad these aren't the olden days (dark ages) or he'd catch all kinds of flack for being an (perhaps) "illegitimate child." It would give him such an inferiority complex and make him a sad Koopa. I think his mother took off out of jealousy that Bowser always wanted to kidnap another woman, but never her. Is that "cheating" in the Mushroom Kingdom?
Comments 1,052
Re: Square Enix Laments "Increasingly Difficult" Console Market
As a console/handheld gamer, I feel completely abandoned by Squeenix. They show little sign of interest in anything but iOS/Android gaming. There was another FF for 3DS that was previously mentioned that there's been not another word about. Not everybody is into mobile gaming, and the failure to realize this is costing Squeenix (and their tone here indicates to me that they're going to further forsake traditional gaming).
Another thing, as has been pointed out in comments, Final Fantasy has not felt like Final Fantasy since I don't remember when. I think they have completely forgotten the Final Fantasy that put them on the gaming map in the late 80s, and the gamers who fell in love with it. Crystals, airships, great heroes, sinister villains, memorable writing and stories, the amazing scores of Nobuo Uematsu... These things have been lost. In my mind, yesterday's and today's Final Fantasy compares to the Star Wars prequels losing much of the original trilogy's magic.
Squeenix is going to have to find a way of returning to its roots and it's fans who helped bring them to the dance. Unfortunately, I see no sign of this happening soon. And the same story applies to my other favorite third parties of the past, Capcom and Konami. I know any, or all three could possibly suffer THQ's fate.
Even with the hope a new console generation brings, these are some dark days for gaming and gamers.
Re: Talking Point: The Legend of Zelda: Remakes of the Past
I was thinking earlier what would be a potentially amazing Zelda remake. The Legend of Zelda 3D. No subtitles. Just "The Legend of Zelda 3D." Remaking the very first 2D Zelda that started it all, rebuilt from the ground up in 3D. I'd keep the dungeons and overworld just as they are, but with new distinguishing characteristics. For instance, something setting the twin rocks on Death Mountain (one of which, of course, houses Level 9) apart from others. With some work and imagination, I think the original could be amazing in 3D!
Something else I was thinking of, after AVGN pointed it out in a rant on the Zelda timeline: They go BACK IN TIME with the series to make the latest game the first in the timeline so often. They did this with (I think) A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, The Minish Cap, and now Skyward Sword. It seems time for some original sequels, rather than continually reimagining the starting point of the series. It'd be nice to see a proper sequel to The Adventure of Link, for example. A proper decendant of the originals!
Re: Talking Point: The Legend of Zelda: Remakes of the Past
@Kid_A
If there's a way to remake the future, the Zelda timeline(s) will certainly find a way to do it.
Re: Wii U Price Cut Isn't in Nintendo's Plans
Big mistake, IMHO.
Re: Latest Figures Show The Video Game Market Is Contracting
As I mentioned yesterday, there is little discretionary entertainment money in this lousy economy. Along with that, people are not only making less, they are doing so working more hours. Companies are trimming workers, and giving the remaining employees more hours. So, the time isn't there either. A friend of mine is working many more hours than she was, and she was just chewed out for taking ONE sick day because she was sick as Hell. This is a growing trend, treatment like this. With so many people out of work, slave treatment can be expected, because you are uber-replaceable.
I've read articles how the US is the most overworked country in the world, with the least amount of vacation time. All work (for peanuts, generally speaking) and no play for Americans!
I'm afraid articles like this will start to become commonplace, for not only Nintendo, but also all game makers. And many other industries.
Re: Talking Point: The Legend of Zelda: Remakes of the Past
If we're getting another remake, I'd like to see A Link to the Past. Since the last 2D Zelda, Spirit Tracks, it's been all 3D. I'm not sure if I'd count Four Swords Anniversary. The last few years, it's been Ocarina of Time 3D, Skyward Sword, and now Wind Waker Wii U coming up. Just because both Wii U & 3DS are capable of 3D Zelda doesn't mean I want to stop seeing the classic 2D Zelda that I started playing 25 years ago this month, and only see 3D from here on out. And can anybody imagine how gorgeous a full blown Link to the Past remake (or sequel) would be?
Re: Iwata: 10 Key 3DS Titles On The Way This Year
For the umpteenth time, where is that Link to the Past 3DS remake (or sequel) announcement? Or a new classic overhead view Zelda? So long overdue! Well.... hopefully at E3.
Re: Talking Point: Nintendo's Lower Expectations Are No Surprise
I think their were projections were... optimistic... to put it lightly, considering the present economy, not just in the US, but in the world. Here in America, the jobs aren't there, jobs are being eliminated, benefits scaled back, and income taxes are going up for many (not just rich folks) as a result of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations. Leisure spending money is just... not... there for people. The Wii U was my SOLE extravagant purchase last year, and even then I have guilt trips over it. This year, if things don't change, I'll be lucky to get 3 or 4 new games. They need to consider a price drop, because otherwise it's a difficult purchase in this economy.
And the next gen PlayStation & Xbox? If they charge in the neighborhood of what Sony did for the PS3, sales of both systems may make the Vita's paltry numbers look more like the PS2's historic sales by comparison.
THIS is why cheap cell phone games are popular right now, and software sales are down. A couple of dollars is all a lot of people can spend on gaming.
Re: Smash Bros. Melee Needs Your Help To Make It To EVO 2013
You know a certain community of rabid MLP fans beginning with "B" (of which I'm a member ) will be throwing money into the ring for "Fighting is Magic!" Legendary Street Fighter Daigo kicking flank as Fluttershy? Yes, please! (Correction: F'shy doesn't "fight", her animal friends do, al a Pokemon Trainer & Pokemon.)
Re: Talking Point: The Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign's Advertising Role
@dragon_rider
Hmmm, I thought the copyright issues must've been settled, in order for it to be released in any territory. Then again, I've not followed the situation. It's so strange that it didn't cause trouble when it was originally released!
And, especially with behavior I've seen from companies such as Capcom with the Mega Man Legends 3 fiasco, I'm convinced that no amount of fan input has any influence on the decisions of the modern day game maker (sadly).
Re: Nintendo Download: 24th January 2013 (North America)
Happy birthday, @MarioKenny1992 & @Brendonm17 ! Not sure how old you are, @Brendonm17 , but @MarioKenny1992 , 1992 was one of my personal best years, and perhaps THE best for gaming (finally got the SNES, along with many of the best games on the system: Zelda: ALttP, Super Mario World, Super Castlevania IV, Final Fantasy II/IV, Street Fighter II: TWW, CONTRA III, etc.).
Re: Talking Point: The Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign's Advertising Role
I think this program is a great publicity tool for the upcoming Wii U VC (and perhaps even the Wii U itself among retro gamers). For that little, and some of the great titles like Super Metroid that will be available, you know the Trial Campaign is going to get plenty of attention. And it already has. The Miiverse board for Balloon Fighter, an almost 30 year-old game, was bustling with activity yesterday. Last I saw, it had almost 5,000 posts! Man, how I wish Miiverse had been around years ago when first playing these classics (and I definitely consider Balloon Fight a classic). This was a great idea on Nintendo's part, and hopefully a sign that they're going to try harder with Wii U VC.
That said, I think the exclusion of Earthbound except in Japan is a big mistake and detriment to the program. It's well known by Nintendo how much it's been wanted around the world, not just Japan. I know one Nintendo Power (RIP) issue had it as THE most wanted VC game. And yet, Japan's not only getting the same gaming favoritism it has for as long as I can remember as a gamer, it's getting it in a high visibility manner being a part of this program in Japan. I'm not Hell bent on having Earthbound myself, but I'm sure there are those who are breathing fire, knowing that Japan's going to get it for next-to nothing after they've asked for it for years. I don't really understand what Nintendo's thinking. Then again, I don't understand much of anything video game makers are doing in this day and age (and I'm not sure they do either, as is evidenced by some of their questionable decisions).
Now, what I am happy about is the inclusion of Super Metroid. I can only hope that this exposure of, IMHO, Samus' best adventure will increase demand for classic 2D Metroid on 3DS and/or Wii U!
Re: Nintendo Download: 24th January 2013 (North America)
Was already getting my Balloon Fight on yesterday! 30 cent classics FTW!
As for Super C, I'm always happy for VC support. HOWEVER... first of all, and it goes back to the GBA Wii U VC announcement, I wish they'd have handheld games for handhelds and console games for consoles. Instead of getting an NES game that's already available on Wii VC, we could have gotten a new Game Boy/GBC game. Either Contra, Contra Hardcorps, or Contra Force; three unreleased Contra games that I, and I imagine many others are looking forward to on VC; could've been released on Wii VC instead, along with a new GB release. Instead, Super C is made available again. But, again, I don't want to complain too loudly, because it is VC support.
Now, what in the BLEEP is going on with NES Contra? It defies all logic that one of the all-time great NES games has now been passed over for a second time in favor of its sequel on a format. I once thought it some exclusivity deal that had to do with Contra arcade being available on Xbox Live Arcade. However, that's the arcade version, and Super Contra arcade's availability on XBLA hasn't stopped Super C's release on two Nintendo platforms now. This is one of the great Virtual Console mysteries!
Re: New Footage of Bayonetta 2 and The Wonderful 101 Emerges
Bayonetta... Stripped... Um, sorry, what were we talking about again? I had my concentration broken.
Re: Nintendo Unveils The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD for Wii U
Hmmm. It looks good! May wait to see if any new features are added, but will likely get it being the first Ninty HD remake. And, hey, with GamePad support, I could get my multitask on and catch part of a Thunder game in the 5 minutes it takes to sail from point A and B.
Now, Shiggy, what about that 3DS Link to the Past redux you've been teasing us with for almost two years?
Re: Wii Fit U Gets Social With User Created Miiverse Communities
@FiveDigitLP
No, I missed it, an didn't catch mention of it in stories. Sorry.
Re: Nintendo Reveals Plans For Wii U Virtual Console
I was afraid of being nickled & dimed on games I already have, but know it could've been worse. Now I can have save states for games like StarTropics, and Ninja Gaiden III, that have been kicking my flank for ages! That is assuming the games will be available. Are ALL NES & SNES Wii VC games going to be available, or are they going to trickle out at the typical VC pace?
Also... No mention of established VC systems (N64, Genesis) or new systems (GameCube, Dreamcast), but they're putting GBA games here instead of on 3DS??? Nintendo, you are so random... Playing GBA on the TV is what my GC's Game Boy Player is for!
Maybe I'm a purist, but VC-wise I'm for keeping console games on the TV and handheld games on handhelds. I take it that that means our GBA ambassador games will never be updated.
Also, apparently old GameCube games will be kept off, for the purpose of making HD remakes to charge full price for. Will we see any new systems, beyond certain-to-be-pixelated-as-HAYL GBA?
Not sure how to process this Wii U VC news. Guess I'll take a "wait and see" approach.
Re: Wii Fit U Gets Social With User Created Miiverse Communities
We should be able to create specific communities on regular Miiverse. Guess they're afraid we'll make ones about pornz instead of poniez?
Re: Ralph Nader Targets Violent Video Games and Their Developers
@Bankai
I didn't say they hadn't been blamed. Just that in this round of the blame game for Sandy Hook, other forms of media have emerged relatively unscathed. I've not read as much criticism of movies/TV since the massacre, and not much came from Vice President Biden's meetings with other industry leaders (though the NRA, of course, places the blame on anything and everything other than guns). Comparatively, I remember movies were in the crossfire after Columbine, perhaps in part because shooters Kleibold & Harris were supposedly dressed like characters in "The Matrix."
Re: Satoru Iwata Tweets That Wii U Direct Will Be "A Bit Different"
DK: Ooooooh, banan-ahhh!
I don't know what to expect, but I'd at least like some Wii U VC news at long last.
Re: Ralph Nader Targets Violent Video Games and Their Developers
The video game industry: Serving as the NRA's and gun lobby's gun violence scapegoat to avoid gun control since 199X. Video games are more dangerous than assault weapons of war in some people's minds, I suppose. What a crock. Those people have an agenda to have maximum availability of assault weapons retained. I wonder if gun violence in books was blamed back before the days of TV? Stimulus of any form is going to affect a person's mind the way it's going to. Whether it comes from games, movies, TV, books, whatever. Only difference with video games is that it's more interactive than other forms of entertainment. I don't hear much blame on movies and TV these days. It's all on video games. There's more realistic gore, torture, and violence on the likes of "Criminal Minds" and "CSI." They should see what goes on on "American Horror Story" and the new series "The Gathering" as well. Gruesome stuff, nothing like I've seen in my decades of gaming. Gaming is just a convenient scapegoat groups are using to get their way politically.
Re: "All The Bravest" Square Enix Trademark Was for iOS Game, Not Bravely Default Localisation
I really dislike what Square Enix is doing these days. Not only is this NOT Bravely Default, it's also YET ANOTHER iOS Final Fantasy.
This, Dimensions, and AT LEAST a FF V remake (or enhanced port) are/will be on the way to iOS, without a peep of them on any other system. SE has iOS tunnel vision right now, and it seems the rest of us gamers are supposed to embrace it, or get left behind. The way I feel about SE right now, it'll be the latter. This is a bad time to be a Final Fantasy fan. Much as it is bad to be a fan of SE & Capcom, among other currently disappointing 3rd parties.
It just feels very much like gaming is in decline right now and, right or wrong, I partially blame it on iOS and iOS-obsessed developers. Wasn't there another time when cheap, often-times poor-quality games pulled video gaming down in, oh, the early 80's? I also remember a quote about "those who forget history being doomed to repeat it." Like "The War of the Magi."
I know there are iOS fans here. No offense. I love my iPod Touch. I'm posting this on one! However, gaming is not one of the things I love it for, to say the least. I don't like it being shoved down the throats of Final Fantasy fans (which I have been for 21 years), with no other platform choices.
Re: The Sundance Festival and Red Carpet Are Calling For Mario
Now here's a story I can't resist commenting on, because it's a possible marriage of two of my favorite things in life: Nintendo, and actress Parker Posey, AKA "The Queen of Sundance." It wouldn't be Sundance without Parker there, so I know she'll be there. It would be a dream to see Parker playing a game that I've played! I'm going to closely watch Miiverse around that time, and look for Parker lookalike Mii postings.
Wouldn't mind seeing that some of my other favorite ladies, like Anne Hathaway, Rachel McAdams, Emma Stone, and Sarah Paulson got their game on too (though they've already "got game" ).
Oh, and Parker would be awesome doing a Wii U commercial. Sadly, now being in her mid-40s and underemployed as even the best actresses are when older, she could use the work.
Re: Round Table: Let's Talk About The Wii U eShop
I know nothing about Wii U eShop. I may actually visit it if they ever get Wii U VC up and running. I too am worried about having to rebuy a game for each and every system. So far, that's one thing I'll give to Sony, not making gamers buy something X number of times.
Re: Capcom Wants Your Help For Future Digital Releases
Wish there'd been a spot (unless I missed it) for suggesting other franchises you'd like to see. While it's not a "franchise", as there's only been one game, I'd love me some more "Code Name: Viper!"
Re: Capcom Wants Your Help For Future Digital Releases
Happy to see Strider among the options, and know Capcom hasn't forgotten it (and it could be in future plans ). Please, guys, mark Strider, so we can see it again after over a decade! STRIDER 3, FTW!!! All sons of old gods, DIE (evil Grandmaster laugh) !!!
Also... ARCADE PERFECT Street Fighter II, SF II Champion, SF II Hyper Fighting, Street Fighter III: New Generation, and SF III Second Impact, please.
Re: Wii U TVii App Goes Live in North America on 20th December
Does anybody know if this will work with Cox Cable? It only works with certain providers, right?
Re: Check Out The Wii U and 3DS eShop Titles That Are Coming Soon
Wake me up when Wii U VC arrives, and 3DS VC has something other than NES games already available on Wii VC.
Re: Nintendo Download: 29th November 2012 (North America)
Oh Wii U VC, where are U?
Re: Feature: EU Wii U Launch Day - Live!
Congratulations on joining the Wii U fun, Europe & Australia! Have fun (after the looooooooong downloading/updating, that is )!
btw, NL has towers? Y U no be Fawlty Towers?
Re: Review: Pac-Man (3DS eShop / NES)
Dat Ghosts 'n Goblins reference!
Re: Isaiah Triforce Johnson Grabs First Wii U at Launch Event
We need a three-sport superstar, al a two-sport legend Bo Jackson, to have the triforce nickname. Then again, a three-sport superstar wouldn't likely do enough gaming to know what the Triforce is.
Re: Feature: Wii U Launch Day, Live!
Aaaarrrggghhh! Can't sleep. Too excited! Need a Black Mage to cast "Sleep" on me. Please don't attack with sleep-inducing weaponry like Cat Claws (man, I hope Wii U gets Final Fantasy XV ).
Re: Feature: Wii U Launch Day, Live!
Going to pick up my Deluxe, NSMBU, and Pro Controller later this afternoon after some other mandatory business. It'll be my first time to get ANY console on launch day since Nintendo 64! So... 3rd & 6th Big N console on launch day. Going by pattern, my next launch day console will be the 9th Nintendo console like 16 years from now in 2028 (guess it'll be holograms or something ).
Oh yeah..."Let's start with LAUNCHpad McQuack."
Re: Official Youtube App Launches On The Wii In North America
Guess I can use it for the two whole days I continue to have the Wii hooked up, before my Wii U gives it the boot. Actually, watching Saturday's new episode of Ponies on the app will be a great swan song (or pony song, as it were ) for the Wii!
Re: Feature: Nintendo's Wii U Hype Machine
I don't know why they didn't officially name it Super Wii. It would've harkened back to the days of the Super NES, and that would certainly be a good thing toward selling long-time Nintendo gamers on the system. Wii U is a headscratcher of a name.
Re: Miiverse To Be Detailed In An Upcoming Nintendo Direct
I hope we get some news on the Wii U eShop & VC too. There's been announcements of WiiUWare (or whatever) games, but nothing on VC. Right now I'm wondering if it's safe to assume there will be a Wii U VC, much less GameCube on it. They've been so focused on certain things, like the GamePad that details on other things have been non-existent. Not good for a system less than one month away. Kind of makes me wonder if it'll be missing some features for a while after launch, al a 3DS.
@ei8htbit
I love your Mega Man avatar, it's too cute for words! Makes me want Mega Man Powered Up 2 (although I'm not holding my breath for ANY Mega Man right now).
Re: Final Fantasy's Battle System Is Based On American Football
Also, there is evidence part of Ocarina of Time is based off of tennis! Link & Ganondorf were playing "hit the lightning ball" Sampras & Agassi-style. Not too fair that Ganondorf is always on serve, though. Maybe Link would like to serve for a change!
Re: Final Fantasy's Battle System Is Based On American Football
So, when is Zanarkand getting a football franchise to join the blitzball Abes? Time to see if Tidus can do the Bo Jackson two-sport superstar thing.
Oh, that black mage is perfectly welcome to use Flare on Tom Brady, Meteor on Ben Rothlesberger, and Ultima on Eli Manning. And we need a summoner to sic Bahamut on Tony Romo.
Re: This Real Life Tanooki Suit is a Bit Strange
Looks like a brown nightmare!!!
@WesCash
Subtitle made me smile too. Yes I'm Siskel, yes I'm Ebert and it's getting two thumbs up! (Geez... Siskels' gone, and they aren't even having X-Files movies anymore... I feel old, LOL.)
Re: Nintendo Download: 4th October 2012 (North America)
Sorry to sound like a noob, but I don't see the NSMB2 DLC anywhere. On the game, or on eShop. How are you supposed to go about getting it?
Re: Reggie: Miiverse Will be a "True Killer Application" on Wii U
I'm pretty much anti-social, so meh. All this attention on Miiverse and the GamePad. When are we getting actual news about things we don't know anything about, like eShop and new systems supported on Virtual Console???
Re: Team Ninja Backs Wii U to Grab Attention
Did Adam authorize the posting of this article?
The social stuff is fine with me as long as it's not all-encompassing and distracting. I don't want to read messages every time I finish a level/die in NSMBU. It needs the option to be turned off. As with every Nintendo system for 25 years, the games are most important to me (after all, it is a game console).
Re: Game Boy Advance Games Pop Up On Nintendo Europe Press Site
If you want to see Game Boy Advance games on eShop, give me a HELL YEAH! So many games I've missed on GBA over the years. I hope this is true!
Re: Two More Retail Releases Arrive in 3DS eShop in North America
I have a feeling I'm not going to like this new trend of rewarding digital downloads. I have no desire to pay full price and not have something tangible to show for it, yet it appears that's the only way of getting something like this that I want. Looks like I'm missing out on this. Hopefully it'll be offered for sale on eShop one day.
Oh and I have an idea. How about Nintendo actually support Virtual Console, more specifically VCA, by offering the classic arcade Donkey Kong? They've not had a first party Wii VC release in a while, and that'd be so perfect for VCA!
Re: Check Out Some Mario Facts in This Video
I love the SNES. So much so that it's my favorite video game system of all-time! That said, I cannot imagine Super Mario 64 working on it. Nintendo made the right decision there.
As for Super Mario RPG, you can tell Square had their paws in that game. I remember seeing Bowser's Japanese victory stance in GamePro magazine around the time the game was released May of '96, cursing NoA that they didn't allow that in the game.
As for Peach's XXX, that reminds me of the Lustful Lali-Ho in Final Fantasy IV. Definitely a way for Square to put their signature in the game, in a more subtle way than Culex and the Final Fantasy IV boss theme. Princess Peach is a NAUGHTY GIRL (and that's a good thing )! Hard to imagine here 16 years later that we're now about to see a game like Bayonetta 2 as a Nintendo console exclusive!
@DonJumpMad
You're going to give poor Weegie more of an inferiority complex than he must already!
Re: Pokémon Almost Brought a "Seizure Gun" to the World
Forget stupid things like finding a cure for cancer, improving education, infrastructure, etc... Nations must spend all rupees designing weapons/vehicles/apparatuses from video games and film.
All I know is I want to wield a lightsaber and learn the ways of The Force before I die! Blasters are so uncivilized, so I don't care about them!
At any rate, good to know Lucius Fox is still hard at work on tomorrow's technology!!!
Re: North America, Here Are Your 23 Wii U Launch Titles
I'm going with pack-in Nintendo Land and NSMBU. Tempted by Tekken Tag Tournament 2, but I'm just not sure it'd be right. I got the first TTT and Street Fighter EX3 on PlayStation 2 launch day (then failed to win a drawing for the right to buy a PS2, and didn't play them for 4 months ).
Man, this launch beats the Nintendo 64 launch, which I seem to remember having an especially paltry lineup (though it did consist of Pilotwings 64 and, of course, pack-in Super Mario 64... wait...I looked it up, and those were the ONLY TWO launch titles, jeez Louise...).
Oh, having 23 launch titles, maybe Nintendo's trying to make Wii U MJ-esque.
Re: Mega Man 3 Leaps Onto The Japanese 3DS Virtual Console
Things like this showing how lacking/pitifil VC support is outside Japan make me faceplant (I'm practicing my Zivaisms for the NCIS premiere tonight... they're a bit dusty right now after the onseason ).
Re: Shigeru Miyamoto: Mario and Luigi Don't Have Last Names
They used to call Mario Lemieux Super Mario! hmmmmm...
As for Bowser Jr., I'm glad these aren't the olden days (dark ages) or he'd catch all kinds of flack for being an (perhaps) "illegitimate child." It would give him such an inferiority complex and make him a sad Koopa. I think his mother took off out of jealousy that Bowser always wanted to kidnap another woman, but never her. Is that "cheating" in the Mushroom Kingdom?
Also, article pic: SHORYUKEN!!!!!