GameLord08

@rjejr basically commented for me already.

A circle pad on the shoulder? Call me crazy, but that sounds somewhat comfortable to me. Not a bad effort from all of these guys either.

Other than that, I think all this just illustrates why the 3DS should've been re-designed to include a second circle pad (if only for the XL models). No matter the position, having to attach something as relatively big as the Circle Pad Pro still feels rather clumsy.

And believe it or not, I'm not willing to shell out £15 for it either.

@tddct89: Did you honestly just compare the quality of $1 mobile games to that of $40 home-console games to argue the misled sentiment of iOS/Android gaming having no potential?

Change.org anyone?

Couldn't have finally become an XL owner at a better time.

I already bought LM2 and MH3U plus two other games with my own money, so that leaves either AC:NL, DKCR:3D or FE:A as my interesting choices. Personally, I'm willing to spend money on all three at any point in time but I've been dying for Animal Crossing in particular for a long time now. I think I'm happy to claim that as my free bonus.

The rest can wait because OMG FREE ANIMAL CROSSING.

@X-Factor: Pray tell how you'd be able to conduct a system transfer when your original system is either misplaced, stolen or damaged.

This is why I'm hesitant to adapt to digital retail purchases. If you insist on promoting digital console purchases, you at least ought to have a suitable system to support and benefit consumers.

I'm absolutely paranoid when it comes to my data yet I really want to be able to partake in the convenience of digital purchases (especially since I'm now a frequent traveller). Why not at least provide consumers with that ease of mind if you're intent on urging them into it? This is only both inconsiderate and embarassing of Nintendo and reflects poorly of the company's mindset.

Nintendo really needs to rectify their methods of adapting half-way to standard modern procedures, then saying "f*** the rest".

I'm glad they acknowledge how enthusiastic a number of fans are to see this on the Wii U, and it's nice to see that they're taking action to support this regardless of the stretch goal.

However, I can't help but ask myself whether this Kickstarter would even have reached the main goal without introducing the possibility of an eShop version of Buddy & Me. It's a suspicious motive judging by the project's progress beforehand, but they seem committed to finding more about the Wii U now regardless so I digress.

I'm glad to hear the game itself being made though, Wii U or not. The Kickstarter trailer was beautiful and the developers themselves seemed really inspired with the entire concept.

Cool feature indeed. Wouldn't be a bad regular for NL.

I'm also widely new to Monster Hunter and picked up MH3U on 3DS about a week ago. I haven't removed/swapped the cartridge for days now. It's a very demanding (yet rewarding) game, especially to us "virgins".

I've found that it's best to orientate yourself with the game's schematics first, especially with battling monsters - that way, you learn and adapt accordingly. My first approach, flinging around a Bone Hammer while mumbling Hail Mary's, did not serve me very well. Although learning's part of the fun, and I've found that finding a suitable strategy has only added to my enjoyment and benefit of the game. I've put in more or less 20 hours into the game and there's still more to complete than I could ever imagine.

Never played this game at all, so it's looking to be a brilliant buy for me in future.

Assuming this is true, it seems a tad desperate - even for a loss that'd benefit Nintendo in the long run. Furthermore, I can really only see this generating interest among indie developers for the most part (especially since the dev-kits are a mere $5,000), which is definitely not Nintendo's lapse right now. It's looking to be a bit of a misfired tactic, to be honest.

In my opinion, it only confirms the suspicion that Nintendo still hasn't devised a strategy for the Wii U with third-party developers. The company seems to be flailing aimlessly right now.

Happy Anniversary!

_{...happy anniversary, happy anniversary! Haaaappy anniversary! Happy, happy, happy...}

Am I the only one who couldn't be bothered to read it?

That was absolutely beautiful. It's wonderful to see how much work and inspiration has gone into this game so far. This is what I call talent.

Personally, I'd rather have this on iPhone/iPad as it seems more suited to that kind of accessibility (or 3DS even), but the Wii U definitely shouldn't miss out on this one. Off-TV play would also be a great addition. I hope they make the Kickstarter!

Makes perfect sense.

I wouldn't splurge resources on a Wii U version if I wasn't 100% sure I'd see a return on my investment, plus profit. Unfortunately, no developer in their right mind will make that bet - especially not with the console's current sales performance. C'est la business.

Overnight lodging in a real-life Animal Crossing-esque village. It must happen.

@Damo: That depends solely on your interpretation of the term "news". Of course this is going to generate interest, regardless of its content or intent - it's been depicted as on offensive towards Nintendo (not just on NL, mind), and this is a site dedicated to Nintendo fans. Whether or not it actually is worthy of replies, it will generate a ridiculous amount of response from many people - that's a suspiciously predictable fact.

Personally, I'm indifferent on this being posted but I believe I'm not far off when I say it can have no "appeal" whatsoever to anyone - it just happens to spark off endless debate (read: slur) for all the wrong reasons.

However, it's not my place to question your motives and if your reasons are as stated, then so be it. I just find this entire practice unattractive as of recent, especially since these types of posts are becoming quite frequent on NL.

In short, not everything calls for a re-post. I respect your position as editor, but it doesn't make this any less questionable.

@Chrono_Cross: Oh no, @pixelman certainly hasn't been the only one. He just has the courage I lack, and I applaud him for that. @Slapshot also poses a good point.

Well, they did say Fantasy Life was bound to become a series at some point. May be related.

So essentially, Animal Crossing and Dragon Quest got down and dirty, and they couldn't keep it a secret.

_{me want so bad. ;__;}

It's a little ironic how these "defensive" comments do nothing but illustrate the developer's point.

@AlexSora89: Relatively, definitely not. For Nintendo, yes. I acknowledge they're slow and pretty closed-minded in certain areas, but finally adapting to the online environment. However, I can't speak for others.

Other than that, I'd quite confidently say that the current situation won't be the status-quo for the Wii U over time, but I doubt Nintendo will even reach that time without an imminent strategy. The Wii U does have potential, but it lacks a demonstration of such - presentation has been a weakness of Nintendo's for some time, even with the GameCube and Wii. Shame.

Good feature. Glad to see someone else has taken notice of this - it's nice to see Nintendo's digital strategy evolving bit by bit.

Good review, Tom.

Out of curiosity, is there any plan for a separate 3DS review of the game on NL?

I'm betting on it being undertaken by a new studio.

@3DSonicPizzaHD: Oh, good. I was starting to get a little concerned. All's forgiven.

@3DSonicPizzaHD: Again, how does that relate to Wii U sales numbers? _{Other than that, the "irrelevant detail" I was actually referring to is Tomita being an ex-Sony staffer.}

@3DSonicPizzaHD: Tomita just happened to be an ex-Sony employee - the lawsuit concerned only Nintendo and his independent tech firm. There was absolutely zero affiliation with Sony. No idea why everybody has to find a reason to nitpick on that one little irrelevant detail.

_{I'm also not quite sure what that has to do with anything either.}

If it's such a ridiculous notion, why make banter of it then?

Next to none of the criticism on the Wii U being "doomed" is relative to its technical ability (or the "next-gen, hurr-de-durr" waffle) - that's a superficial argument. The main worry actually lies in its marketing. "I need to play it to appreciate it?" That's an absurdly weak conviction, most especially to a consumer who has had no prior experience with consoles. I want you to show me why I should play it. I want you to show me how I'll appreciate it.

Furthermore, very little on the Wii U so far convincingly demonstrates its individuality - the GamePad. The GamePad is a very important and unique asset to the console and I myself have only imagined less than a quarter of the wonder it can bring to home gaming. Everybody acknowledges its vast potential - but we currently have no reason to believe any developers themselves do right now, if not Nintendo as well. So far, the Wii U has presented itself underwhelmingly so far.

The Wii U's timing is somewhat awkward and games aren't coming as they should. E3 is still three months away - quite enough time for a console to be left in the dust, believe it or not. With the competition fast approaching, Nintendo had better devise a solid, watertight strategy to draw people to invest in the Wii U - not a relatively effortless "you have to play it to get it" ideology.

TL;DR: Nintendo: big on ideas, weak on strategy.

I would certainly buy this on the 3DS eShop, if it did get made. Looks a lovely little gem.

@TobieOBrown: No, it's currently unclear whether or not they used his particular technology. Other companies were stated to have approached Nintendo with other technical methods to achieve glasses-free 3D.

@KeeperBvK: I agree with you on the whole fan-boy issue, definitely. However to me, the thing is at face-value, we really haven't heard enough to conclude whether or not Tomita's patent in particular really was infringed.

Glasses-free 3D isn't exactly the most original idea out there, but the technology used in each patent for the idea is what makes each distinct - and with Nintendo claiming that they had other firms approach them with the same general idea of glasses-free 3D, this might just be an ambiguous case. They can't exactly rip apart the 3DS in court to prove their innocence, so unless another one of these firms that allegedly provided Nintendo with other similar ideas for the 3DS steps forward, it's sort of a grey area.

Also personally, I find the whole "suing over shape" thing between Apple and Samsung a bit ridiculous too - let's face it, a rounded rectangle isn't exactly something you can lay claim over. Especially for a phone. But something like the D-pad is somewhat distinctive, so it's understandable for a conflict to arise when it's replicated elsewhere.

I dunno, just my two pennies.

Great review, Mike.

I'm dangerously tempted to buy a Wii U solely for this game, but pitted against the 3DS' offers this season, it stands no chance. I'll definitely be buying the 3DS prequel to sustain me for now though.

Perhaps when E3 rolls around, I'll see a lot more reason to invest in a Wii U later this year. I'll probably be able to pick this up for considerably cheap by then.

@BakaKnight: My thoughts exactly. I suppose we're exposed to a lot less than the actual court material but still, I find this very odd at face-value.

As absurd as it is, I can understand Tomita Technologies demanding a portion of every 3DS sale thus far as compensation for alleged infringement (only barely, but I can see their stance). However considering how much that actually amounts to realistically, I'm glad it was settled to a more sensible sum to cover damages. $292 million sounds like a mini-fortune for the plaintiff and it'd definitely arouse my suspiscion.

I still have my doubts about the outcome of this case (Nintendo's stance seemed pretty solid - perhaps they didn't have substantial evidence though), but I'm glad it's been settled. We can leave it in the past now, hopefully.

(Also correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not sure what Tomita himself being a former Sony employee has to do with this situation. As far as I'm aware, this only concerns his own independent company - nothing more.)

Again, I can't shake the feeling that Pachter's statements have somehow been spun out of context for the elation of the games press.

On the other hand, look at all these comments.

I honestly can't see the game making much of a difference on the Wii U, apart from benefiting as a business stand-point for Nintendo. If you ask me, Minecraft is a game that can only be appreciated fully on PC - it's a universal platform and serves the game's ideals better there. It was, of course, originally born on PC anyhow.

This isn't to say I oppose the idea but I say it honestly can't do the same kind of good on Wii U, or any other platforms hereon for that matter.

I almost cried tears of appreciation when I watched the trailer. So beautifully simple. ;___;

I actually had an inkling that this may come to the Wii U. I haven't seen reason enough to tick the PS4 on to my wishlist (though I'm certainly interested), so I'm glad they have it in consideration. Open-world puzzlers are one of my favourite (and sadly, less explored) genres.

There were numerous Nintendo references during the concept video, as well as the whole murmur about the source code reveal. I'd say the chances of this coming to the Wii U aren't to be written off yet at all.

Perhaps they're trying to resolve how to adapt this game to the Wii U's design mechanics before revealing it too soon. Maybe it'll be revealed in a gameplay video following not too long after.

Please be true, please be true, please be true.

No thanks, Rovio. I have an Android phone.

@MrWalkieTalkie: I salute you.

You can't always be the good guy.

It shouldn't do "as well" as the Wii. It should aim to do better. The Wii was both a massive success and a massive failure conclusively; the Wii U ought to build upon its strengths and rectify its mistakes. That's how we'll determine whether or not it's successful.

That said, I agree - there are tons of untapped potential with the Wii U, especially in game design. However, whether developers will recognise it and be intuitive enough to appreciate it is where the conflict lies.

@AshirogiMuto: Magikarp is the lamest Pokémon? You, my friend, have a lot to learn.

@AhsirogiMuto: Magikarp is the lamest Pokémon? You, my friend, have a lot to learn.

Ah, conspiracy theories.

On a more serious note, are we sure Nintendo even applied for a nomination? I'm fairly certain these things don't come out of the blue.

It's so pink and purdy.

Yay.

(moves on with life)