Shiromikio

The pink/white XL looks all right, but I'd much rather have full white or silver. Slowly getting there ... hoping for news later this month on the holiday lineup.

@MrWalkieTalkie: Personally fine with it (that segment of untapped audience again), but yeah, I also noticed how most of the scenarios are 6-12 year olds with or without the parents, only 1(?) scene with two people in the 20-30 age group playing together.

Of course to people following Wii U news on game sites it doesn't give any new info about the system. It's a teaser aimed at those who don't follow gaming news. The focus of the ad is definitely on the GamePad and how it can be used in different ways/games (individual screen for multiplayer, secondary screen showing things from song lyrics to character inventory to movie covers, etc.)

The slogan is a bit cheesy, but the ad should work fairly well if they release a series of them spotlighting different features of the Wii U. The first one says to the parents to look for the game system with a screen on the controller.

Nothing this week. Had enough of Freakyforms, I might've tried the 2nd Style Savvy: Trendsetters demo if I hadn't already picked up the game. Maybe Paper Mario: Sticker Star next week.

The silver one looks cool. The yellow design on the red one makes it more preppy (in Style Savvy terms).

Again, just about every region under Nintendo's scope has more than 2 XL models ... except NA. That's all right ... no additional choices, no upgrade.

Kudos to them for being more cautious about how they incorporate DLC and the newer business models. Too much or done in certain games, it can feel like crippled games made to entice people to pay to unlock more items. I think Nintendo is well aware of this and they're still testing the waters. They didn't have to make this choice with AC, but it's nice that they did.

@Holmfry: it may be a distribution issue. Some smaller stores only carry franchise titles or games they think will appeal to the masses (NSMB2, Nintendogs, etc.) In Ontario I found the game new in at least two stores. Rhythm Thief and the Emperor's Treasure, on the other hand ...

I tried the demo, liked it and got the game. It's a pity the sales are discouraging them from making an improved sequel. There's definitely room for improvement and more features, but it did do some things well (e.g. online multiplayer with voice chat, daily/weekly quests). I didn't come upon the bugs some people here had, the only minor thing was that the music in the initial loading screen pauses at one point.

One complaint I agree with is that the story isn't memorable or intriguing. There could've been more plot among the guardians and their cities, as it is the ending calls for a sequel (the chances of which are looking dim now.) A lot of dungeon crawlers don't throw memorable stories, choosing to emphasise the battling, but they could've taken the lead on the 3DS and break a bit from the formula.

Gameplay-wise, the main thing I would've like to see changed is the money/equip cap (and maybe throw in the ability to unlock some kind of equip storage post-campaign), it's easy to reach that cap and it cripples the replay value for people who like to collect rare equipment by doing the daily/weekly quests. Otherwise, with the weekly quests and online community, they have the potential to keep people playing the game.

Skyrim winning awards is no surprise, but Angry Birds Space as the best mobile/tablet game is a sign these so-called awards should be taken with a large pinch of salt.

Still on the fence about NSMB2, coin rush sounds fun so I might get it sometime down the road with the 2 DLCs. Originally I was going to get Miracle Mask, but taking a long break from Layton puzzles for now.

Well, considering the games available in each region are different, some numbers could've been higher if they released a few of those much-anticipated games in the other regions. NSMB2 only made it to eShop this year. As for US leading on NSMB2 rather than Japan, the latter probably has other titles to keep them busy (Culdcept, CalcioBit, etc.) than NSMB2.

One of the main reasons I haven't chosen downloads to retail when both are available is because of the downloads being tied to one device. If I were to get an XL and keep the regular 3DS, I'd have to pay to have the same games downloaded on both devices. The retail version allows me to switch between devices and includes cover art. If they address some of the concerns then they could see more people switching to download, even if there's a segment that'll always prefer retail and collect the cartridges.

As for online connectivity rate, people might actually make an effort to connect if they provided more reasons to do it. Little digital freebies via Spotpass (say adding a Mii accessories store to the Mii Plaza and downloading new accessories every season that you can unlock with play coins), overhauling their Nintendo Video app (which has a lot of potential but right now has very limited and boring content), and so on.

So yeah, slowly getting there.

It'd be cool if such a service were to come to NA/EU, but there would probably be DRM on it. I'd prefer a mobile version along the lines of Bandcamp or the Joypad Records store (pay and download, no device restrictions).

"Early 2013" for Animal Crossing: New Leaf ... the hype train still has a ways to go. Nice to know there are 10 more NAA lessons coming. Fluidity Spin Cycle seems like a nice game (really like the concept of the main character as water able to shift forms). Fire Emblem: Awakening looks good, but alas, I'm not into strategy RPGs so I'll pass.

Still no sign of the silver/white XL. At this rate it's beginning to look like it won't make it to the holiday lineup.

Release dates for Animal Crossing: Jump Out and Bravely Default: Flying Fairy. Silver and/or White 3DS XL please!

If they're feeling generous, also wouldn't say nope to more free custom lessons for New Art Academy.

@DarkKnight: Nice, can almost picture the commercial. Or they could do one for LOTR with a group of people, showing the different characters you could play as.

@Wheels2050: Yeah, it's possible their market research data influenced their decision to go after a segment of players who (they assume?) aren't gamers. I still feel they shouldn't have gone with a gender-based campaign, for one of the reasons you mentioned (people viewing the campaign as perpetuating that myth).

Some people didn't care for the Penelope Cruz commercial, but I thought it was a nice one showing two sisters playing together. They look like they were having a lot of fun and made the game look exciting. They could've continued along those lines and not make an entire girl power campaign out of it. Also not sure what to make of the "play as you are" slogan, it draws a blank for me. It sounds like some kind of identity crisis, as if they're reassuring girls that they don't have to be someone different to play on the 3DS? Ah well. I figure I shouldn't ponder too deeply about it, otherwise it doesn't make any sense, lol.

Normally I don't post to heated topics like this one, but I'll bite this time.

Fwiw, I'd see the commercials more as "I am not just a gamer, I am (insert other roles) when I play on my Nintendo 3DS" and that the 3DS offers a varied experience/something for everyone.

However, with a tongue-in-cheek reference to stereotype (gamer identity), which is a heavily debated topic, there will be different views on it and on the ads. I could see why @k8sMum and others might be unhappy about them. For one, advertising targeted towards a certain demographic (gender-based being a touchy one) tends to project assumptions about that demographic (i.e. generally girls like pink and play "casual" games like Style Savvy), and some people who may identify as part of that demographic don't see it as describing them. A few have posted here to say that. I wouldn't call that "overreacting", it's another opinion like anyone else's. I should think the people who posted to say so are already aware that they're not forced to buy the products, they're just posting their personal opinion on the ads for said products.

Second, why a campaign for girls and women? Why is there not a campaign for boys and men too? A bit ironical to be referencing stereotypes while the campaign seems to be based on the premise that "(most) girls do not play games, therefore we need to make commercials to target this group to inform them of our products". It's obvious then why the girls/women who have played their games and bought their consoles don't identify with this campaign, and how cheesy it might look to them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel that is what some people here were trying to say. Then again, as others have also pointed out, the people who faithfully bought their products aren't the target audience for the ads.

In short: the ads had positive messages to make, just that (imho) there are better ways about it. it wasn't a good idea to make the campaign gender-based, it would've been better if they just focused on the variety of great games, the social aspects (e.g. Streetpass) and multiplayer, e.g. having a good time with family/friends, like the Robin Williams commercial.

Thanks for the informative review.

Question: is the fashion show a must to advance in the game or can you play this for the most part without entering in the shows?

I might look into this again. Tried the demo and didn't like the fashion shows. I hadn't realised before this review that it was just tag-matching and found it didn't take well to experimenting. However, it looks like there a lot more activities besides the fashion shows, and the online plaza sounds cool.

Slightly tempted to get this for the DK game. (I still haven't decided which to get as a download, got tired of Layton puzzles after finishing Last Specter so I might not be getting Miracle Mask after all.)

White XL ... looks like a nice holiday lineup for Austrailia.

Also hoping the silver or white XL will come to NA soon. Just about every other region has 3+ colours/editions already.

@Burn
It's got a sim/shop management aspect to it, some people might like that.

Nothing this week, looking forward to the Professor Layton title next week.

From the video it doesn't look very comfortable, the buttons are too near the edge and just barely fit on either side. The main thing it's got going is the larger screen. The dedicated gamers are probably better off with a Vita (or 3DS XL) and its games library, while for casual gamers it's at a size too big for a phone and on the small end of a tablet.

Not remotely interested here. Maybe someone out there will like it, though.

Good review, thanks. Got a hold of two Layton DS titles to play while waiting for this to be released in NA.

@Barbiegurl777 Thanks, that was helpful.

Guess that means I can't avoid the crosswords entirely, maybe just a few at the start. Since I don't play crosswords (but will go for other word games like anagrams), I was trying to get a sense of how many of the other puzzles are included, e.g. if the majority were crosswords and the other types were added as an afterthought (the selling point is crosswords, after all), compared to a nice chunk of say 50+ puzzles each in the other modes.

I might get this as a quick play type of game. Thanks again.

Will try the LOTR demo and take a look at Mario Golf GBC, but will most likely pass on the latter.

How many of the other puzzles (not crosswords) are included? Do you have to do crosswords to unlock the other puzzle types (since the review mentions unlocking)?

Wondering as I don't do crosswords, but if there are enough of the other kinds of word puzzles I might go for it as a download, and get the DK title on the side (either this or Layton, which I may purchase as retail after all).

The file sizes won't affect my choice, it depends more on the title. Usually games I'm not likely to re-visit after finishing the main story, or will replay only occasionally, are bought in retail. The ones I'd like to keep on the 3DS menu tend to be ones with a lot of replay value, or quick play games. Then there are many released solely as one or the other, no choice if you want to play the game.

I picked up New Art Academy in retail so that I could use it between 2 devices in the future (probably going to get the XL), but having once forgotten to bring the cartridge along on the go, I'm actually considering getting a 2nd downloadable copy after all. If they'd offered an account-based setup as many have suggested (so they're not locked to only 1 device, and I was surprised they haven't, as other online stores like Steam already have this), I wouldn't mind getting more retail titles as downloads.

Tried the demo of the first game on iOS. It's fine for short bursts of diversion — the graphics look good and the characters can be endearing, but the gameplay gets repetitive for me fairly quickly. Young children might like it though, the controls are easy enough to get a handle on, and the levels vary some to keep them aiming for those stars. It reminds me of an old game (forgot the name) where you control a tank and the goal is to figure out the trajectory/physics to hit a target on a hill.

As others mentioned, this has the same rating as titles like Tales of the Abyss, which has much, much more depth from gameplay to story. To me the rating is for someone who's followed the franchise and likes this sort of game, not for those who're looking for a game with a full-length story with a lot of puzzling or fighting strategy.

The price difference between this and iOS versions bought separately is odd from a consumer's point of view, and the mobile games advocates will probably bring this up as an example that 3DS games are overpriced. Is there a good reason for the difference (stereoscopic 3D, packaging, licensing fee)?

For gameplay alone, I'll pass. For what looks like a double standard, I wouldn't bother with the iOS ones, either.

New Art Academy - looking forward to NA release after 2 months
Professor Layton and the Last Specter - first foray into the series while waiting for Miracle Mask
The "Denpa" Men - I'll return to this early if the Layton title doesn't work out after all

A great step forward. I like the option of both retail and download: retail for those who have/plan to keep multiple devices, download for the convenience and not worrying that physical copies would be sold out at the store. (Or, they could just allow eShop downloads to be played on say 3 devices that you own, if they don't already?) Hopefully they'll keep it up and offer older titles (VC, etc.) to make it easier to get games that are a bit elusive in retail.

Looking forward to Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight and a few others.

A good week here. New Art Academy for sure, undecided about Cave Story (already have Cave Story+ for PC and barely touched it) but the graphics look great. Would've been more tempted to get Dr. Mario if I hadn't just gotten the DsiWare version ... maybe nostalgia will get the better of me after Quarth, lol.

Waiting for silver or white XL for NA, but Pikachu edition will do, if it ever makes it over.

@-Max-: not sure. My guess is it shouldn't, or you could just play it safe and wait until the survey comes up.

@-Max-: If it's one of those post-purchase surveys then yeah, it takes a week for the survey to be available on the to-do list, but usually at the bottom strip of covers, if you've bought a particular game displayed, it'll say something like survey will appear in a week, then you just check back in a few days and fill out the survey for the reward.

Mildly interested in the game, didn't download it before as the active puzzle area (the jar) seemed too small in the screenshots. As I'm more inclined to keep the coins for exclusive offers, I'll just buy this from the eShop instead, sooner or later.

Usually the eShop would be more convenient here, but as I'd like to get a 3DS XL sometime and New Art Academy is a title I'd like access to on both devices (instead of doing a 1-time transfer of downloads to the XL like DSiWare? Or does it actually allow two copies, one for each device you own?), I'd get the retail copy and missed the DK offer.

Fortunately there are 5 eligible titles, so that'll be New Art Academy in retail and the Layton title as eShop download for me.

@-Max-: It should appear within minutes, if not near instantly, once you've linked accounts then purchase.

While it won't stop the most determined from pirating on an older generation handheld, at least they're closing the gap with the current generation, which might help a little if a lot of people are playing on the latest tech.

It's good news, though a bit of a pity that homebrew will also be blocked out. There are some handy apps on that front, which may never see an official equivalent, especially outside of Japan.

There's a slight similarity to Apple in that the hardware and software are one package (iPhone/iOS). The close link between hardware and software drives the gaming experience. Control over the hardware and firmware are important to Nintendo for various reasons, and while it may cost them more to do the hardware, it also gives them a certain liberty to decide what gets included in the device, instead of being at the mercy of another company's hardware and platform. So as others have said, I doubt they will toss that out anytime soon.

Innovation on the hardware enables games to be played in new ways (e.g. stereoscopic 3D, battle systems using dual screens), so the appeal comes from both the software (well-known franchises, other things like eShop and Swapnote) and how that hardware will deliver the experience. From the mockup, this group seems to be saying that attaching a control pad to an iPhone offers the same experience as a Nintendo handheld ... but it doesn't, for one reason previously mentioned.

As an aside, I would like to see more games come to the 3DS, though. People argue that iOS is just full of low-quality games, but there are well-known titles (FF III) as well as some small but cool indie games (e.g. Ramp Champ). Imho this is an area where the eShop especially could step up a bit. DS had a nice library so hopefully there will be more coming for a while yet.

The demos have got me a bit more interested in this game, I might pick it up. It was on my watch list, but having never played the franchise before, wasn't sure what I was getting into in terms of puzzle difficulty and content.

Like @LavaTwilight, the 1st one went through more quickly when I realised the swaps unraveled the strings below rather than the section inside the swapped tiles. The 2nd one was fairly straightforward.

Looks good, I'd likely get it if it sees a worldwide release.

This would be great to have in other regions especially for mobile reading. No need to take another device along if you plan to finish a book after a round of gaming.

Agreed with @Tony_342. Silver or white to NA, please.

Good review. Had the same experience, the game just seemed too short, maybe more achievements to aim for and a variety of random events that can affect your score would provide more things to do as you run through a given day. Not too bad with the attached pricetag.