There was a running joke here in Australia when a new Nintendo magazine debuted - we'd take bets on how long it would be before they got cancelled. NMS, N64 Gamer, Nintendo Gamer, ONM Australia...
I used to be a huge magazine hoarder growing up, and it's sad that so many of them are gone. On the other end of the spectrum, the ones that are still alive are horrible. Badly written, and utterly engorged in idiotic politics **cough**Hyper**cough**.
Official PlayStation Magazine Australia has always been notoriously bad, too; whether being caught with their pants down (Driv3r 9/10 fiasco), hyperbolic claims ('PS3 is TWICE as powerful as Xbox 360', 'Killzone 2 is the best console FPS of all time', 'MGS4 needs SEVEN discs to run on 360', 'Sixaxis does motion control better than Wii'), or good old fashioned fanboy garbage (usually against Nintendo).
I don't know how that dumpster fire is still going.
My favourite mag was undoubtedly N64 World/GCN World/N Gamer/Nintendo Gamer. A genuine joy to read, and was always hilarious with its random humour - I was totally gutted when it ended.
@Mogster It's Nintendo's fault that their magazines died? Sure... totally nothing to do with the internet rendering them obsolete. Nope.
Unfortunately, Xenoblade Chronicles X (along with MGSV) was my biggest disappointment of this generation.
For all the great stuff, my experience was plagued by the innumerable idiotic and baffling design decisions - decisions that were a direct step backwards from its predecessor.
Being forced to level up your 18 characters individually. Levels capped at 60. Obnoxious, horribly designed quests that had me spending more time Googling than actually playing. Ridiculously small text. Only one save file. Have to go back to the title screen just to reload or reconnect online. Terrible learning curve that fails to explain many things (lol just read the manual lol).
Not to mention the stylistic choices, like the horrific New LA theme, stupid plot holes, and nasty graphical pop-in. And the Nopons. God how much I hate the Nopons.
Still, there were some good things. Mira itself was wonderfully designed, and the tech powering the game was seriously impressive. The localisation too, was incredibly well done - sorry weebs, no BAAAAAW CENCORSHIPZ!!1!1 from me. I actually know the difference between legitimate complaints and petulant crying.
@Equinox Nintendo shouldn't publish Nintendo games? Really brilliant stuff. Just when I thought I'd read it all.
Basically, it sounds like a more 'gamey' version than the Wii U one, with less focus on creation, and more on gameplay. I may pick this up, since I enjoy playing courses rather than creating them - which got old for me very quickly.
Whoops. Sorry, I'm being too positive... um... lolol Nintendo00med, and all that.
As brilliant as Miyamoto is, I think it's a bit unfair that Takashi Tezuka gets pushed in the background so often - he (as well as a third staff member whose name escapes me) had just as much a hand in creating the classics.
"Several of Samus's abilities are either missing or severely nerfed in the transition from 2D to 3D."
A game's quality isn't defined by its feature bloat. Additionally, you can't compare a 2D, side-scrolling game to a 3D, first person one. That's like saying Mario 64 or Ocarina of Time aren't as good as their predecessors - it doesn't make sense. It's an entirely new style of gameplay on an entirely new dimension.
"She also moves like a tank and has no agility."
How do you expect her to move? Like Bayonetta? Samus' movement was remarkably smooth for a console FPS at the time, thanks to the ability to lock-on and double jump. Really, she moves pretty much as any player of the 2D games can expect her to move on a 3D plane.
"The ideal game would mix both views and not just on the morph ball. Metroid: Other Prime would be an ideal combination and sequel. Mario and Zelda have comfortably made the move to 3D, Metroid hasn't fully."
Haha. No. You can't plug your ears with your fingers and pretend Metroid Prime wasn't a radical success, just because it doesn't fit what YOU think it should've been.
As expected, may people are in meltdown mode because of this (unconfirmed) rumour. Nintendoomed, etc, etc.
1.) The 4 GB of Switch RAM cannot be directly compared to the 8 GB of PS4 and Xbox One RAM. It's evident that the specs of the Switch are quite different to the competition, so the way the RAM is used may be different.
2.) The PS4's and Xbox One's RAM offerings were nearly SIXTEEN TIMES the amount of their predecessors'. Yet, almost immediately, games struggled to run smoothly, and we're already seeing mid-gen upgrades to compensate. Proof of there ever was that simply stuffing in more power isn't an effective way to make good hardware - it's the smart use of it that matters.
4.) Those bemoaning that having 'weaker' hardware is detrimental to Nintendo's market performance - no, it isn't. Obviously, there ARE some caveats to having relatively modest power; it's silly to assume there aren't. Most notably, many games skip out on Nintendo's consoles entirely. However, the 'lateral thinking of withered technology' is something that has worked very well for Nintendo over the decades, and it's asinine to dismiss the entire philosophy simply because the Wii U bombed, or that the 3DS didn't sell as much as the DS (never mind that it's still the highest selling console of this generation).
The gaming industry has changed dramatically, and this has affected Sony and Microsoft, too. You can't look at Nintendo's failings in some sort of vacuum, without observing the influences of outside factors. To do so is incredibly ignorant, and the same applies to the competition.
5.) Wii U didn't flop because it was 'weak'. Using that logic, systems like the NES, Game Boy, Wii, DS, 3DS, PlayStation and PS2 should have died, too. No, the Wii U struggled because of Nintendo's lackluster marketing and confusing messaging, as well as being unfocused on what they wanted the Wii U to be. Its GAMES certainly didn't suffer from quality issues, with the recent sales reports showing that they still sell gangbusters. The general populace doesn't CARE about the arbitrary numbers powering a videogame - they simply want them to be fun. Case in point, Minecraft, Overwatch, Destiny, etc.
Apparently, eShop versions of indie games sell very well, so I can't see why they won't do it. I really can't imagine that the Wii U audience would be any less than PS4 or Xbox One - at least for this type of game. Indeed, I get the impression that these arcade-style 'gamey' games are much more popular with Nintendo audiences.
Also baffling is their interest in bringing Slain to the Switch instead... a console with a grand total of zero users.
I didn't mind dual-screen gaming, but I'm not saddened by the loss. It was definitely handy in some games (like Zelda), and software like Nintendo Land showed what kind of fun could be had, but I think it's time to move on (at least, to stop selling second-screen as the 'main' thing, like 3D).
With smartphones and tablets, screens are everywhere now, so I don't think Nintendo would have any trouble dipping back into the asymmetrical well, if they were so inclined.
@gatorboi352 Nintendo Wii U & 3DS - combined 72 million sold.
PS4 and PS Vita - combined 47 to 57 million (Vita no longer reported).
Xbox One - roughly 20 million (no longer reported).
Look, I know you have some sort of unhealthy obsession with the downfall of a multi-billion dollar toy company run by Japanese dudes - but you can at least try and do SOME research before you attempt your limp-wristed trolling?
@akaDv8R LOL "True Gamers". What exactly are 'true gamers'? Are they super Frankenstein monsters constructed from the body parts of 'fake gamers'? Get outta here with that nonsense.
Superb article. It reinforces the questions of control vs freedom. For years, people accused Nintendo of being too iron-fisted with indies... unfortunately, when you relax on the rules, there will ALWAYS be a rotten apple that spoils the whole bunch. The last thing we need is for the eShop to become the App Store or Google Play. Heck, even Steam is iffy territory.
Trust the internet to make something out of literally nothing.
What's hilarious is that Nintendo have NEVER alluded to adding a female Link to the game. Yet, the BS gets so thick, people take it as fact over fiction.
What happens if this is all a big bust? What happens if there's no female Link to speak of? I can probably guess; endless crying, Nintend00m, and accusations of misogyny by Polygon and Kotaku (still reeling from the big boot, brother).
I personally don't care either way. Female. Male. It's all good to me. But to see the same group of people mocking fanciful Miiverse posts, whilst arguing over the minute differences of two drawings of the same character, because of a rumour that's been taken as factual... well, kettle. Pot. Black.
@Grumblevolcano "I'd much rather have MK8 and Hyrule Warriors DLC than Zelda U for sure!"
Remind me to never take anything you say seriously ever again.
@RetroRider "...the Wii u for example being a console no one really wanted/asked for."
If hardware makers only made stuff people were 'asking' for, then this industry would have died a long time ago. The only way to thrive is to provide new ideas and unexpected experiences. I can't believe this is so hard to comprehend.
@Ichiban "One day Nintendo fans will realise that Nintendo does not give a toss about them."
Oxymoron much?
Yeah, sorry. Nintendo Life's community makes the Miiverse crew look like Mensa candidates.
I just can't see it as a live-action film with generic American and/or English accents. For every Lord of the Rings, there are a million Seventh Sons stinking up the joint, and I still feel that Zelda's world simply would work better as an animation. Its whimsy is perfectly suited to a Ghibli or Pixar style, with comedic moments mixed with tear-jerking scenes. Not to mention the cartoony characters the games usually employ (as opposed to the relative realism of, say, Final Fantasy).
Hoo boy. I can always rely on the crybabies of the internet to cry their crocodile tears, whilst they're busy preordering the NX.
This news was definitely a shock. And yes, I got mad.
For about five minutes. Then I got over it.
I assume most of the whiners are millenials who have no clue that - shock, horror - things change with gaming companies. Restructures happen. Priorities change. New goals are established.
Since their digital-only event in 2013, it's been clear that Nintendo has been moving away from the bloated and irrelevant E3 show. Of course, the sobbing babies back then cried 'Nintendoom', before conveniently ignoring the fact that both EA and Disney have now ditched the event all together.
E3 is needlessly expensive, and in the age of social media (and rival events like Gamescom, PAX, and Paris Games Show), it no longer holds the importance it once had.
Hell, I even said that Sony and Microsoft would eventually follow suit; and lo-and-behold, Sony have established their own dedicated event. I also expect Microsoft will eventually incorporate their Xbox events into the wider tech shows, as they merge everything under the Windows umbrella (another thing fanboys adamantly denied would ever happen).
It's clear that Nintendo is undergoing some major changes - and contrary to the hysteria - that doesn't mean it's going bankrupt, or that it has 'no gaems' in development.
I remember when Sony was basically rebuilt from the ground up a few years back (though I don't expect the ADD-addled 'gamers' of today even remember that far back). They lost billions. They sold entire divisions. They restructured practically everything. Yet, things are now stable. Playstation is doing great.
Even the almighty Microsoft isn't immune to necessary change; what with the upheaval of the Xbox and entertainment divisions.
Nintendo once held a dedicated game show called Space World. Did people proclaim their death when they ditched that?
The fact is, the business is changing. Nintendo is taking charge and making changes now, before they're left behind. Judging from the strong software sales and Miitomo downloads, people still buy their games. They just need to right the hardware ship (which, contrary to popular belief, isn't an impossible task). With stuff like My Nintendo and the whole executive shake-up, they're clearly doing SOMETHING.
I suppose at least Sony is breathing a sigh of relief. Everyone's forgotten about the PS4 NEO, now.
Gee, what a surprise. Turns out this is good after all. I suppose Star Fox Zero will be the next game everyone will be whining about.
Anyway, nice review. However...
"In terms of visuals, the 1080p and 30fps lock are both excellent, though it's a pity the Wii U doesn't have enough grunt to achieve 60 frames."
I found this to be a little presumptuous. Maybe 30 fps was an intentional move? I do recall Nintendo saying that 60 fps didn't feel right for Wind Waker HD.
@AnonZer0 How asinine. There have been many great actors that have come from different backgrounds. You don't have to be a classically-trained, Shakespearean bard in order to play a videogame character.
"One of my pet peeves is when someone suggests a person for a role based solely on their appearance ("Jason Mamoa as Batman")"
I'm going to buy a thousand copies and fill my tub full of Wolf Link Amiibos. I will then cackle maniacally as I play TPHD on my GamePad, whilst relishing in the non-moving water, duck-faced Illia, and pared-back-lighting-in-that-one-part-with-the-tree. All in a glorious 30fps!
Yeah. Everything single time someone spouts off about how lousy the Wii's library supposedly was, I tell them about all the good games you can actually find - and surprise, surprise - they had no idea the majority of them existed.
Never mind the PSOne and PS2 both had their fair share of crap games, and that 'teh filthee cazualz' bought the systems for their multimedia capabilities. Nah, can't have facts get in the way of a good old-fashioned Nintendo bashing - even when the thing being bashed is a bloody decade old now.
Rant aside, the Wii was a great machine, with some of the best games of last gen. Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 were my absolute favourites, and I also loved Twilight Princess & Skyward Sword, Xenoblade Chronicles, Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, No More Heroes 1 & 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy, The Last Story, Pandora's Tower, Kirby Epic Yarn, DK Country Returns, Sonic Colours, Punch Out!!, and - crazily enough - the Call of Duty games (which were actually rather good). Lesser-known gems were Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, A Shadow's Tale, Rogue Trooper, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Wario Land: Shake It, Rune Factory Frontier and Little King's Story. Oh, and Madworld. And House of the Dead: Overkill. And Bully. And Batman: Brave and the Bold. And A Boy and His Blob. And Other M. Yes, I liked it.
It's the catch-22 that's been plaguing the Amiibo concept from the start: Lock a lot of content behind the toys, and Nintendo will be accused of greediness. However, if they only unlock some meagre thing, then they don't present any value.
Of course, many wouldn't mind Amiibo going the way of the dodo - but it's just not going to happen anytime soon. I'm not particularly obsessed by them (though I do have a fair few), but I do recognise that Nintendo will push them as long as there's money to be made - and as such, they have an unenviable task of providing just the right amount of content in order to keep both sides balanced.
Kimishima has said that he wants the figurines to do more, so maybe Nintendo could instead focus on making special games that really take advantage of Amiibo (like the rumoured F2P title), and keep their inclusion in more traditional software to a minimum.
@Fee "I just don't get these Zelda remakes."
There's your problem. Is it really that inconceivable that people simply enjoy playing them, and appreciate the extra lick of paint? Games get remade/remastered all the time; I don't see why Zelda is any different.
@Stargazer The anti-gravity parts in MK8 do change the way you race. Hitting other players causes speed boosts - or did you forget that? Changes in a game like Mario Kart don't have to be big in order to have a new effect on gameplay. In a series where every split-second matters, the smallest alteration can fundamentally change the entire way the game is played.
It's funny how you bash Nintendo for it's supposed lack of innovation, considering the praise given to both Splatoon and Super Mario Maker.
Of course, whenever Nintendo does something different (Nintendo Land, Star Fox Zero), people cry about 'gimmicks'... and when Nintendo focuses on traditional gameplay (Smash Bros, Mario Kart 8) they're accused of being 'safe'.
@Spoony_Tech Yeah, the Wii was a fluke. Let's forget the Game Boy, DS and 3DS, huh?
When Nintendo directly competed in a non-monopolised marketplace, we had the N64 and Gamecube. Two great systems, but both were handily outsold by Sony. The Wii U has been the only exception to the rule.
"The worst-case scenario I could see for the NX is if Nintendo tries to copy the PlayStation 4/Xbox One too closely in an attempt to entice more third party support for the platform."
This, this, freaking THIS.
I'm sick of people saying that Nintendo needs to 'ditch the gimmicks' and simply create a powerful box with a 'normal controller'.
Not only are these people clueless dunderheads, but this would be one of the worst things things Nintendo could possibly do. The company thrives on creating new experiences that can't be found anywhere else - that's how videogaming evolves and expands. To be creatively regressive and regurgitate the same thing over and over with 'moar powar' is the very antitheses of what the industry is about.
Sometimes the experimentation doesn't work (Wii U), but that's the whole point of being daring - failure will likely occur.
With the rise of indies and the shift the current marketplace is going through, Nintendo needs to think outside the box, and not be beholden to lazy, bloated third parties that are slowly imploding - nor the whiney minority who (if they had their way) nothing would change, ever.
I won't be playing this until Christmas, but I've already got a week off planned... No contact with the outside world - just me and Xenoblade Chronicles X
@WanderingPB It's a much more pleasant experience talking about classic consoles. They're retired, and exist outside of the current inane culture of number-crunching and fanboy wars. Even the much-derided Wii is starting to be seen us 'underrated' (as I predicted) - and the same will happen with Wii U.
It's a well-made piece of kit with an array of awesome games; in the end, this is what will be remembered most of all.
Nintendo have stated time and time again that its mobile games weren't going to be big franchises, but supplementary titles that act as a gateway to its consoles.
So this is exactly what they said it was. But this is Nintendo Life, where nonsensical crying reigns supreme.
Breaking: Multiplayer spin-off Zelda doesn't do as well as main games. More at 11.
@SpookyMeths What? Nintendo is one of the most female-friendly companies out there. Just because they don't shoehorn genders into a game in order to placate the Sarkeesian cult (i.e like Ubisoft) doesn't mean they're a bunch of misogynists. The whole 'women's suffrage' talk makes you sound last century, not Nintendo.
@KingofSaiyans This is exactly what I'm talking about.
Just because a game's story is presented like a movie doesn't automatically make it 'better'. In fact, it comes off as a crutch by designers who can't think of a more unique way of presenting a narrative.
Game are meant to evoke emotions in new ways, and a lack of cutscenes and voice acting isn't a bad thing.
It's the gameplay that's supposed to tell the story, not the overproduced Hollywood twaddle in between.
Of course, kids today don't know any better, and think games like Uncharted are stories 'done right'. Oh, and that Nintendo is 'out of touch' by not following such shallow trends. Mark my words, today's 'cinematic' games are tomorrow's badly-aged trash. Just like FMV games of the '90s, people will look back and laugh - because they were built as flash-in-the-pan experiences.
Why do you think Metroid was so successful in the first place? Because its minimal story evoked a sense of loneliness and mystery. Something that was 'improved' with movie tropes in Other M (a game I actually liked, but nevertheless strayed from the Metroid mantra).
You people do realise he isn't the only developer in the company, right? He isn't some Mother Brain-esque figure who exerts his influence over a horde of drones. There are other decision-makers. Takashi Tezuka. Yoshiaki Koizumi. Eiji Aonuma. Hidekki Konno. Genyo Takeda. Stockholders. Other dudes.
But hey, let's all ignore that. And let's all ignore everything Miyamoto has done for both Nintendo and the industry. Why bother appreciating what a genius he is (and he is a genius) when we could whine about Sticker Star and Wii Music for the billionth time? Or Star Fox? Or Project Guard/Robot? Or the Wii U? Or every other life-shattering travesty that is all one man's fault?
Does he make mistakes? Of course - he's human. But god forbid he should want to focus on fun gameplay over superfluous trends that 99% of the game industry is already enamoured with. God forbid he still values unique and quirky ideas that form the entire basis of gaming as a creative enterprise. Godforbid that he doesn't kneel down before the inane ramblings of 'gamers' who don't know whether to p** or wind their watch.
Yeah, so you keep saying. For years, in fact. Yet Sega keep making the same mistakes over and over.
Sonic '06 was an unmitigated disaster that tarnished Sega as a company. So, what did they do? Go ahead and repeat the exact same thing with Sonic Boom.
Not to mention the plethora of bad and mediocre Sonic games over the years. Pretty much since Sonic Adventure, the series has struggled - and I would even argue that the original 2D games weren't all that, either.
It doesn't help that the franchise has a cancerous fanbase; each of whom scream about how they would fix the brand, whilst pumping out disturbing fanfics.
Sega just needs to wipe the slate clean. Get rid of Takashi Iizuka, recognise what makes Sonic 'Sonic', and proceed from there. Create a solid, new gameplay structure - and build upon it. And avoid adding unnecessary crap just for the sake of it.
@MrSeitaro Actually, the Wii versions of Ghostbusters, Thor and TMNT were better received than the HD versions.
Also, Red Fly only developed the Wii version of Force Unleashed 2. The former was done by (the now defunct) Krome studios. Though the sequel was debatable, many saw the original Wii version of Force Unleashed to be the best version. I own both versions, and I can definitely say that Krome's efforts were superior; not only did it have exclusive levels and multiplayer modes, but it just felt better to play. The HD version was quite frustrating at times - Starkiller's lightsaber felt like a wiffle-ball bat, and the magnetic troopers were perhaps the most frustrating enemy is the history of gaming.
Besides, the PS3/Xbox 360 versions used the 'Euphoria' and 'Digital Molecular Matter' engines, which were impossible to replicate on Wii. But really, they made no difference to the gameplay, and Krome's Havoc engine did the job just fine. In fact, you could barely tell the difference.
As for this Maul game... I would be excited under any other circumstance... But... Well...
Comments 540
Re: Feature: Flicking Through The Debut Issue Of Switch Player
There was a running joke here in Australia when a new Nintendo magazine debuted - we'd take bets on how long it would be before they got cancelled. NMS, N64 Gamer, Nintendo Gamer, ONM Australia...
I used to be a huge magazine hoarder growing up, and it's sad that so many of them are gone. On the other end of the spectrum, the ones that are still alive are horrible. Badly written, and utterly engorged in idiotic politics **cough**Hyper**cough**.
Official PlayStation Magazine Australia has always been notoriously bad, too; whether being caught with their pants down (Driv3r 9/10 fiasco), hyperbolic claims ('PS3 is TWICE as powerful as Xbox 360', 'Killzone 2 is the best console FPS of all time', 'MGS4 needs SEVEN discs to run on 360', 'Sixaxis does motion control better than Wii'), or good old fashioned fanboy garbage (usually against Nintendo).
I don't know how that dumpster fire is still going.
My favourite mag was undoubtedly N64 World/GCN World/N Gamer/Nintendo Gamer. A genuine joy to read, and was always hilarious with its random humour - I was totally gutted when it ended.
@Mogster It's Nintendo's fault that their magazines died? Sure... totally nothing to do with the internet rendering them obsolete. Nope.
Re: Feature: The Rollercoaster Ride of Nintendo's Financial Reports
@rallydefault My personal favourite excuse: Wii and DS don't count, because they were flukes!
Re: Feature: Xenoblade Chronicles X - One Year Later
Unfortunately, Xenoblade Chronicles X (along with MGSV) was my biggest disappointment of this generation.
For all the great stuff, my experience was plagued by the innumerable idiotic and baffling design decisions - decisions that were a direct step backwards from its predecessor.
Being forced to level up your 18 characters individually.
Levels capped at 60.
Obnoxious, horribly designed quests that had me spending more time Googling than actually playing.
Ridiculously small text.
Only one save file.
Have to go back to the title screen just to reload or reconnect online.
Terrible learning curve that fails to explain many things (lol just read the manual lol).
Not to mention the stylistic choices, like the horrific New LA theme, stupid plot holes, and nasty graphical pop-in. And the Nopons. God how much I hate the Nopons.
Still, there were some good things. Mira itself was wonderfully designed, and the tech powering the game was seriously impressive. The localisation too, was incredibly well done - sorry weebs, no BAAAAAW CENCORSHIPZ!!1!1 from me. I actually know the difference between legitimate complaints and petulant crying.
@Equinox Nintendo shouldn't publish Nintendo games? Really brilliant stuff. Just when I thought I'd read it all.
Re: Feature: Super Mario Maker FAQs - The Key Differences between the Wii U and 3DS Versions
Basically, it sounds like a more 'gamey' version than the Wii U one, with less focus on creation, and more on gameplay. I may pick this up, since I enjoy playing courses rather than creating them - which got old for me very quickly.
Whoops. Sorry, I'm being too positive... um... lolol Nintendo00med, and all that.
Re: Sky Skipper Project Outlines Long Journey to See Surviving Unit at NoA's HQ
Great stuff! I absolutely love reading about lost retro/arcade games.
Re: Weirdness: Streamer Claims To Have Nintendo Switch, Flaunts It During Live Broadcast
You had to give this clown exposure. You just couldn't help yourselves, could you NLife?
Re: Doubt Is Thrown On The Exact Story Behind The Creation Of Donkey Kong
Interesting! So, much like how Sonic was created.
As brilliant as Miyamoto is, I think it's a bit unfair that Takashi Tezuka gets pushed in the background so often - he (as well as a third staff member whose name escapes me) had just as much a hand in creating the classics.
Re: Video: Digital Foundry Takes a Retrospective Look at Metroid Prime
@SLIGEACH_EIRE What a load of bull.
"Several of Samus's abilities are either missing or severely nerfed in the transition from 2D to 3D."
A game's quality isn't defined by its feature bloat. Additionally, you can't compare a 2D, side-scrolling game to a 3D, first person one. That's like saying Mario 64 or Ocarina of Time aren't as good as their predecessors - it doesn't make sense. It's an entirely new style of gameplay on an entirely new dimension.
"She also moves like a tank and has no agility."
How do you expect her to move? Like Bayonetta? Samus' movement was remarkably smooth for a console FPS at the time, thanks to the ability to lock-on and double jump. Really, she moves pretty much as any player of the 2D games can expect her to move on a 3D plane.
"The ideal game would mix both views and not just on the morph ball. Metroid: Other Prime would be an ideal combination and sequel. Mario and Zelda have comfortably made the move to 3D, Metroid hasn't fully."
Haha. No. You can't plug your ears with your fingers and pretend Metroid Prime wasn't a radical success, just because it doesn't fit what YOU think it should've been.
Re: Nintendo Switch to Reportedly Include 4GB of RAM
As expected, may people are in meltdown mode because of this (unconfirmed) rumour. Nintendoomed, etc, etc.
1.) The 4 GB of Switch RAM cannot be directly compared to the 8 GB of PS4 and Xbox One RAM. It's evident that the specs of the Switch are quite different to the competition, so the way the RAM is used may be different.
2.) The PS4's and Xbox One's RAM offerings were nearly SIXTEEN TIMES the amount of their predecessors'. Yet, almost immediately, games struggled to run smoothly, and we're already seeing mid-gen upgrades to compensate. Proof of there ever was that simply stuffing in more power isn't an effective way to make good hardware - it's the smart use of it that matters.
4.) Those bemoaning that having 'weaker' hardware is detrimental to Nintendo's market performance - no, it isn't. Obviously, there ARE some caveats to having relatively modest power; it's silly to assume there aren't. Most notably, many games skip out on Nintendo's consoles entirely. However, the 'lateral thinking of withered technology' is something that has worked very well for Nintendo over the decades, and it's asinine to dismiss the entire philosophy simply because the Wii U bombed, or that the 3DS didn't sell as much as the DS (never mind that it's still the highest selling console of this generation).
The gaming industry has changed dramatically, and this has affected Sony and Microsoft, too. You can't look at Nintendo's failings in some sort of vacuum, without observing the influences of outside factors. To do so is incredibly ignorant, and the same applies to the competition.
5.) Wii U didn't flop because it was 'weak'. Using that logic, systems like the NES, Game Boy, Wii, DS, 3DS, PlayStation and PS2 should have died, too. No, the Wii U struggled because of Nintendo's lackluster marketing and confusing messaging, as well as being unfocused on what they wanted the Wii U to be. Its GAMES certainly didn't suffer from quality issues, with the recent sales reports showing that they still sell gangbusters. The general populace doesn't CARE about the arbitrary numbers powering a videogame - they simply want them to be fun. Case in point, Minecraft, Overwatch, Destiny, etc.
Re: Wii U Version Of Slain: Back From Hell Looking Doubtful
Apparently, eShop versions of indie games sell very well, so I can't see why they won't do it. I really can't imagine that the Wii U audience would be any less than PS4 or Xbox One - at least for this type of game. Indeed, I get the impression that these arcade-style 'gamey' games are much more popular with Nintendo audiences.
Also baffling is their interest in bringing Slain to the Switch instead... a console with a grand total of zero users.
Re: Poll: Nintendo Switch Delivers Single Screen Gaming - Will You Miss the Dual Screen Concept?
I didn't mind dual-screen gaming, but I'm not saddened by the loss. It was definitely handy in some games (like Zelda), and software like Nintendo Land showed what kind of fun could be had, but I think it's time to move on (at least, to stop selling second-screen as the 'main' thing, like 3D).
With smartphones and tablets, screens are everywhere now, so I don't think Nintendo would have any trouble dipping back into the asymmetrical well, if they were so inclined.
Re: Here Are The Games Officially Confirmed in the Nintendo Switch Reveal
@GoldenGamer88 BAAAAAAAWWWWWW
Re: Nintendo 64 Classic Turok 2 Is Getting The Remake Treatment
@gatorboi352 Nintendo Wii U & 3DS - combined 72 million sold.
PS4 and PS Vita - combined 47 to 57 million (Vita no longer reported).
Xbox One - roughly 20 million (no longer reported).
Look, I know you have some sort of unhealthy obsession with the downfall of a multi-billion dollar toy company run by Japanese dudes - but you can at least try and do SOME research before you attempt your limp-wristed trolling?
@akaDv8R LOL "True Gamers". What exactly are 'true gamers'? Are they super Frankenstein monsters constructed from the body parts of 'fake gamers'? Get outta here with that nonsense.
Re: Random: Mario Is Younger Than His Mighty Moustache Suggests
@Anti-Matter Mario and Luigi are twins!
Re: Axiom Verge Dev Tom Happ Opens Up About The Challenge Of Raising A Son With Special Needs
I was thinking about buying Axiom Verge - but now I'll definitely be doing it. Thanks NLife, for sharing this amazing story .
Re: Interview: We Embark On A Dragon Quest With Noriyoshi Fujimoto
Really can't wait to get my hands on this. The 3DS has seriously amassed an amazing library.
Re: Video: Nintendo Minute Shows Off a New Area of Paper Mario: Color Splash
This game looks super fun. Sorry haters.
Re: Feature: Exploring the Licensed Content in RCMADIAX Games on the Wii U and New 3DS eShop
Superb article. It reinforces the questions of control vs freedom. For years, people accused Nintendo of being too iron-fisted with indies... unfortunately, when you relax on the rules, there will ALWAYS be a rotten apple that spoils the whole bunch. The last thing we need is for the eShop to become the App Store or Google Play. Heck, even Steam is iffy territory.
Re: E3 2016: Nintendo E3 Zelda Badge Appears to Suggest Male and Female Link
Good. God.
Trust the internet to make something out of literally nothing.
What's hilarious is that Nintendo have NEVER alluded to adding a female Link to the game. Yet, the BS gets so thick, people take it as fact over fiction.
What happens if this is all a big bust? What happens if there's no female Link to speak of? I can probably guess; endless crying, Nintend00m, and accusations of misogyny by Polygon and Kotaku (still reeling from the big boot, brother).
I personally don't care either way. Female. Male. It's all good to me. But to see the same group of people mocking fanciful Miiverse posts, whilst arguing over the minute differences of two drawings of the same character, because of a rumour that's been taken as factual... well, kettle. Pot. Black.
Re: The Nintendo@E3 2016 Miiverse Community is Live and Full of Unrealistic Expectations
@Grumblevolcano "I'd much rather have MK8 and Hyrule Warriors DLC than Zelda U for sure!"
Remind me to never take anything you say seriously ever again.
@RetroRider "...the Wii u for example being a console no one really wanted/asked for."
If hardware makers only made stuff people were 'asking' for, then this industry would have died a long time ago. The only way to thrive is to provide new ideas and unexpected experiences. I can't believe this is so hard to comprehend.
@Ichiban "One day Nintendo fans will realise that Nintendo does not give a toss about them."
Oxymoron much?
Yeah, sorry. Nintendo Life's community makes the Miiverse crew look like Mensa candidates.
Re: Feature: Five Nintendo Franchises We'd Love to See As Movies
@SomeBitTripFan I reckon a Guardians of the Galaxy meets Fast and the Furious vibe would be great for an F-Zero film.
Re: Feature: Five Nintendo Franchises We'd Love to See As Movies
The biggest one I'm iffy about is Zelda.
I just can't see it as a live-action film with generic American and/or English accents. For every Lord of the Rings, there are a million Seventh Sons stinking up the joint, and I still feel that Zelda's world simply would work better as an animation. Its whimsy is perfectly suited to a Ghibli or Pixar style, with comedic moments mixed with tear-jerking scenes. Not to mention the cartoony characters the games usually employ (as opposed to the relative realism of, say, Final Fantasy).
Re: Capcom Could Be Planning to Bring Back Old IP
Just came here to save that image as my wallpaper. I'll be leaving now.
**tips hat**
Re: Reaction: Nintendo Shakes Up E3 With No NX and a Focus on Legend of Zelda
Hoo boy. I can always rely on the crybabies of the internet to cry their crocodile tears, whilst they're busy preordering the NX.
This news was definitely a shock. And yes, I got mad.
For about five minutes. Then I got over it.
I assume most of the whiners are millenials who have no clue that - shock, horror - things change with gaming companies. Restructures happen. Priorities change. New goals are established.
Since their digital-only event in 2013, it's been clear that Nintendo has been moving away from the bloated and irrelevant E3 show. Of course, the sobbing babies back then cried 'Nintendoom', before conveniently ignoring the fact that both EA and Disney have now ditched the event all together.
E3 is needlessly expensive, and in the age of social media (and rival events like Gamescom, PAX, and Paris Games Show), it no longer holds the importance it once had.
Hell, I even said that Sony and Microsoft would eventually follow suit; and lo-and-behold, Sony have established their own dedicated event. I also expect Microsoft will eventually incorporate their Xbox events into the wider tech shows, as they merge everything under the Windows umbrella (another thing fanboys adamantly denied would ever happen).
It's clear that Nintendo is undergoing some major changes - and contrary to the hysteria - that doesn't mean it's going bankrupt, or that it has 'no gaems' in development.
I remember when Sony was basically rebuilt from the ground up a few years back (though I don't expect the ADD-addled 'gamers' of today even remember that far back). They lost billions. They sold entire divisions. They restructured practically everything. Yet, things are now stable. Playstation is doing great.
Even the almighty Microsoft isn't immune to necessary change; what with the upheaval of the Xbox and entertainment divisions.
Nintendo once held a dedicated game show called Space World. Did people proclaim their death when they ditched that?
The fact is, the business is changing. Nintendo is taking charge and making changes now, before they're left behind. Judging from the strong software sales and Miitomo downloads, people still buy their games. They just need to right the hardware ship (which, contrary to popular belief, isn't an impossible task). With stuff like My Nintendo and the whole executive shake-up, they're clearly doing SOMETHING.
I suppose at least Sony is breathing a sigh of relief. Everyone's forgotten about the PS4 NEO, now.
Re: Review: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U)
Gee, what a surprise. Turns out this is good after all. I suppose Star Fox Zero will be the next game everyone will be whining about.
Anyway, nice review. However...
"In terms of visuals, the 1080p and 30fps lock are both excellent, though it's a pity the Wii U doesn't have enough grunt to achieve 60 frames."
I found this to be a little presumptuous. Maybe 30 fps was an intentional move? I do recall Nintendo saying that 60 fps didn't feel right for Wind Waker HD.
Re: Random: Ronda Rousey "Always Wanted To Be Samus"
Holly Holm as Mother Brain.
@AnonZer0 How asinine. There have been many great actors that have come from different backgrounds. You don't have to be a classically-trained, Shakespearean bard in order to play a videogame character.
"One of my pet peeves is when someone suggests a person for a role based solely on their appearance ("Jason Mamoa as Batman")"
That... that's... what?
@Seanmyster6 Examples?
Re: Video: Digital Foundry Tackles the Native Resolution and Framerate in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
LOL these butthurt comments.
I'm going to buy a thousand copies and fill my tub full of Wolf Link Amiibos. I will then cackle maniacally as I play TPHD on my GamePad, whilst relishing in the non-moving water, duck-faced Illia, and pared-back-lighting-in-that-one-part-with-the-tree. All in a glorious 30fps!
Re: Overheating Computers Almost Cost The World The Original Pokémon Games
Taking inflation into account, apparently the Pokemon games cost $75 million to make :0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_expensive_video_games_to_develop
Re: Video: Collecting Every Wii Game Is Difficult, But This Guy Did It Anyway
HUR DURR SHOVALWARZ RITE GUYZ!!11!1?
Yeah. Everything single time someone spouts off about how lousy the Wii's library supposedly was, I tell them about all the good games you can actually find - and surprise, surprise - they had no idea the majority of them existed.
Never mind the PSOne and PS2 both had their fair share of crap games, and that 'teh filthee cazualz' bought the systems for their multimedia capabilities. Nah, can't have facts get in the way of a good old-fashioned Nintendo bashing - even when the thing being bashed is a bloody decade old now.
Rant aside, the Wii was a great machine, with some of the best games of last gen. Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 were my absolute favourites, and I also loved Twilight Princess & Skyward Sword, Xenoblade Chronicles, Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, No More Heroes 1 & 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy, The Last Story, Pandora's Tower, Kirby Epic Yarn, DK Country Returns, Sonic Colours, Punch Out!!, and - crazily enough - the Call of Duty games (which were actually rather good). Lesser-known gems were Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, A Shadow's Tale, Rogue Trooper, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Wario Land: Shake It, Rune Factory Frontier and Little King's Story. Oh, and Madworld. And House of the Dead: Overkill. And Bully. And Batman: Brave and the Bold. And A Boy and His Blob. And Other M. Yes, I liked it.
Re: Video: Watch Cats Attempt Various Monster Hunter Related Activities
Capcom needs to do this for EVERY game from now on.
Re: Rumour: Twilight Princess HD to Feature Special amiibo Dungeon, Hero Mode and Touchscreen Inventory
It's the catch-22 that's been plaguing the Amiibo concept from the start: Lock a lot of content behind the toys, and Nintendo will be accused of greediness. However, if they only unlock some meagre thing, then they don't present any value.
Of course, many wouldn't mind Amiibo going the way of the dodo - but it's just not going to happen anytime soon. I'm not particularly obsessed by them (though I do have a fair few), but I do recognise that Nintendo will push them as long as there's money to be made - and as such, they have an unenviable task of providing just the right amount of content in order to keep both sides balanced.
Kimishima has said that he wants the figurines to do more, so maybe Nintendo could instead focus on making special games that really take advantage of Amiibo (like the rumoured F2P title), and keep their inclusion in more traditional software to a minimum.
@Fee "I just don't get these Zelda remakes."
There's your problem. Is it really that inconceivable that people simply enjoy playing them, and appreciate the extra lick of paint? Games get remade/remastered all the time; I don't see why Zelda is any different.
Re: Book Review: The 200 Best Video Games Of All Time
@FRANKLIN_BADGE Comparing a 3D game released in 1996 to a 2.5D game released in 1998.
Way to go.
Re: Interview: Warren Spector on the State of Nintendo, His Future, and How Epic Mickey Annoyed Core Gamers
@Stargazer The anti-gravity parts in MK8 do change the way you race. Hitting other players causes speed boosts - or did you forget that? Changes in a game like Mario Kart don't have to be big in order to have a new effect on gameplay. In a series where every split-second matters, the smallest alteration can fundamentally change the entire way the game is played.
It's funny how you bash Nintendo for it's supposed lack of innovation, considering the praise given to both Splatoon and Super Mario Maker.
Of course, whenever Nintendo does something different (Nintendo Land, Star Fox Zero), people cry about 'gimmicks'... and when Nintendo focuses on traditional gameplay (Smash Bros, Mario Kart 8) they're accused of being 'safe'.
Re: Nintendo NX Doesn't Need To Compete With PlayStation 4 And Xbox One To Be A Success, Claims Analyst
@Spoony_Tech Yeah, the Wii was a fluke. Let's forget the Game Boy, DS and 3DS, huh?
When Nintendo directly competed in a non-monopolised marketplace, we had the N64 and Gamecube. Two great systems, but both were handily outsold by Sony. The Wii U has been the only exception to the rule.
Re: Nintendo NX Doesn't Need To Compete With PlayStation 4 And Xbox One To Be A Success, Claims Analyst
"The worst-case scenario I could see for the NX is if Nintendo tries to copy the PlayStation 4/Xbox One too closely in an attempt to entice more third party support for the platform."
This, this, freaking THIS.
I'm sick of people saying that Nintendo needs to 'ditch the gimmicks' and simply create a powerful box with a 'normal controller'.
Not only are these people clueless dunderheads, but this would be one of the worst things things Nintendo could possibly do. The company thrives on creating new experiences that can't be found anywhere else - that's how videogaming evolves and expands. To be creatively regressive and regurgitate the same thing over and over with 'moar powar' is the very antitheses of what the industry is about.
Sometimes the experimentation doesn't work (Wii U), but that's the whole point of being daring - failure will likely occur.
With the rise of indies and the shift the current marketplace is going through, Nintendo needs to think outside the box, and not be beholden to lazy, bloated third parties that are slowly imploding - nor the whiney minority who (if they had their way) nothing would change, ever.
Re: Review: Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U)
I won't be playing this until Christmas, but I've already got a week off planned... No contact with the outside world - just me and Xenoblade Chronicles X
Re: Today Was Shigeru Miyamoto's 63rd Birthday
Happy birthday to the greatest videogame designer of all time!
My first game was Super Mario Bros, and my all-time fave is Ocarina of Time.
Also, buy Pikmin 3.
Re: Review: Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets (3DS)
@amiiboacid There's a Steven Universe game on iOS (and Android, I think). Apparently, it's actually really rather good.
Re: Rejoice, The Wii U Has Finally Outsold Sega's Ill-Fated Dreamcast
@WanderingPB It's a much more pleasant experience talking about classic consoles. They're retired, and exist outside of the current inane culture of number-crunching and fanboy wars. Even the much-derided Wii is starting to be seen us 'underrated' (as I predicted) - and the same will happen with Wii U.
It's a well-made piece of kit with an array of awesome games; in the end, this is what will be remembered most of all.
Re: Nintendo Shares Suffer Major Drop as Investors React to Miitomo and Its Delay
Hm? Sorry, I was too busy listening to Aerosmith's 'Crying'. What's happening?
Re: Miitomo, Nintendo's First Smartphone Game, Is Delayed Until March 2016
Nintendo have stated time and time again that its mobile games weren't going to be big franchises, but supplementary titles that act as a gateway to its consoles.
So this is exactly what they said it was. But this is Nintendo Life, where nonsensical crying reigns supreme.
@skywake 👍
Re: Nintendo's New Membership Service Is Called "Nintendo Account"
@Xenocity You really are one confused person.
Re: The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Launches at Number One in Japan, But With Sales a Long Way Behind Predecessors
Breaking: Multiplayer spin-off Zelda doesn't do as well as main games. More at 11.
@SpookyMeths What? Nintendo is one of the most female-friendly companies out there. Just because they don't shoehorn genders into a game in order to placate the Sarkeesian cult (i.e like Ubisoft) doesn't mean they're a bunch of misogynists. The whole 'women's suffrage' talk makes you sound last century, not Nintendo.
Re: Masayuki Uemura on How the NES Controller Came About
Fun fact: Miyamoto originally wanted the controller to kick puppies.
Re: Fresh Project H.A.M.M.E.R. Details Reveal Shigeru Miyamoto's Role In The Game's Downfall
@KingofSaiyans This is exactly what I'm talking about.
Just because a game's story is presented like a movie doesn't automatically make it 'better'. In fact, it comes off as a crutch by designers who can't think of a more unique way of presenting a narrative.
Game are meant to evoke emotions in new ways, and a lack of cutscenes and voice acting isn't a bad thing.
It's the gameplay that's supposed to tell the story, not the overproduced Hollywood twaddle in between.
Of course, kids today don't know any better, and think games like Uncharted are stories 'done right'. Oh, and that Nintendo is 'out of touch' by not following such shallow trends. Mark my words, today's 'cinematic' games are tomorrow's badly-aged trash. Just like FMV games of the '90s, people will look back and laugh - because they were built as flash-in-the-pan experiences.
Why do you think Metroid was so successful in the first place? Because its minimal story evoked a sense of loneliness and mystery. Something that was 'improved' with movie tropes in Other M (a game I actually liked, but nevertheless strayed from the Metroid mantra).
Re: Fresh Project H.A.M.M.E.R. Details Reveal Shigeru Miyamoto's Role In The Game's Downfall
...Aaaand the Miyamoto crying begins.
You people do realise he isn't the only developer in the company, right? He isn't some Mother Brain-esque figure who exerts his influence over a horde of drones. There are other decision-makers. Takashi Tezuka. Yoshiaki Koizumi. Eiji Aonuma. Hidekki Konno. Genyo Takeda. Stockholders. Other dudes.
But hey, let's all ignore that. And let's all ignore everything Miyamoto has done for both Nintendo and the industry. Why bother appreciating what a genius he is (and he is a genius) when we could whine about Sticker Star and Wii Music for the billionth time? Or Star Fox? Or Project Guard/Robot? Or the Wii U? Or every other life-shattering travesty that is all one man's fault?
Does he make mistakes? Of course - he's human. But god forbid he should want to focus on fun gameplay over superfluous trends that 99% of the game industry is already enamoured with. God forbid he still values unique and quirky ideas that form the entire basis of gaming as a creative enterprise. God forbid that he doesn't kneel down before the inane ramblings of 'gamers' who don't know whether to p** or wind their watch.
I'm off to play Pikmin 3.
Re: Sega: Recent Sonic Games Haven't Been "Acceptable", Looking To Replicate The Past In Future Outings
Yeah, so you keep saying. For years, in fact. Yet Sega keep making the same mistakes over and over.
Sonic '06 was an unmitigated disaster that tarnished Sega as a company. So, what did they do? Go ahead and repeat the exact same thing with Sonic Boom.
Not to mention the plethora of bad and mediocre Sonic games over the years. Pretty much since Sonic Adventure, the series has struggled - and I would even argue that the original 2D games weren't all that, either.
It doesn't help that the franchise has a cancerous fanbase; each of whom scream about how they would fix the brand, whilst pumping out disturbing fanfics.
Sega just needs to wipe the slate clean. Get rid of Takashi Iizuka, recognise what makes Sonic 'Sonic', and proceed from there. Create a solid, new gameplay structure - and build upon it. And avoid adding unnecessary crap just for the sake of it.
Re: Weirdness: Miyamoto Wanted A Murder-Free GoldenEye Where You Made Friends With Enemies At The End
@aaronsullivan Well said.
I always find it funny when forumites spout off about stuff they simply don't understand - in this case, game design.
Once more, the fine folk of NLife show just how well informed and intelligent they are.
Sarcasm, BTW.
@Dr_Lugae B, B, B, But he destroyed mah STICKER STARZ!!1!1
Re: Red Fly Studio is Trying to Resurrect the Cancelled Nintendo Exclusive Darth Maul Game
@MrSeitaro Actually, the Wii versions of Ghostbusters, Thor and TMNT were better received than the HD versions.
Also, Red Fly only developed the Wii version of Force Unleashed 2. The former was done by (the now defunct) Krome studios. Though the sequel was debatable, many saw the original Wii version of Force Unleashed to be the best version. I own both versions, and I can definitely say that Krome's efforts were superior; not only did it have exclusive levels and multiplayer modes, but it just felt better to play. The HD version was quite frustrating at times - Starkiller's lightsaber felt like a wiffle-ball bat, and the magnetic troopers were perhaps the most frustrating enemy is the history of gaming.
Besides, the PS3/Xbox 360 versions used the 'Euphoria' and 'Digital Molecular Matter' engines, which were impossible to replicate on Wii. But really, they made no difference to the gameplay, and Krome's Havoc engine did the job just fine. In fact, you could barely tell the difference.
As for this Maul game... I would be excited under any other circumstance... But... Well...
EA.
Re: Review: Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations (Wii U)
Wowza. I was waiting for this to receive a mauling. It's always nice to see a game turn out better than expected!
I still can't stand the show, unfortunately.