Technosphile

Burning Rangers was cool, but why do people pretend Nights wasn't terrible?

Here's an idea:

Let's erase the prequels from the "canon" as well.

At least Shadows of the Empire doesn't, you know, suck.

A lot of this sounds very similar to what the guy from Bethesda said. Nintendo doesn't go out and meet with devs, you're expected to come to them. Clearly that is not a welcoming or encouraging sign for developers today, especially when Sony and Microsoft do backflips to accommodate developers.

Basically, if you're a "name" Japanese studio, there is a chance Nintendo will publish or even fund your title, provided you give exclusivity rights. If you're a western dev? Forget it, you're on your own, but please feel free to apply to have your stuff on the eShop.

It is these 90's-era policies and strategies that is ensuring Nintendo stays in 3rd place, at best. The people up top--Iwata, Miyamoto, Reggie--need to either join the 21st century or step aside for people who know what's really going on in the market. Or just stay stagnant and enjoy the hubris, whatever.

Can. Not. Freaking. Wait.

Just about a week left!

THIS IS AN OUTRA--

Oh, it isn't the PC-Engine Dracula X. Carry on.

So they're keeping development in Japan? It's about time.

It's also too late. Thanks for dragging the Final Fight, Megaman, and Strider names through the mud by outsourcing to the west, Crapcom.

So why can't Nintendo replicate the fun, engaging experience I'm having with this game on the Wii U? Why hasn't the Gamepad been used in the creative ways the 3DS is in Rusty's? I just bought The Aim Game and was once again impressed with how the system's features are used. You know what is STILL the only U game to use the Gamepad worth a damn? ZombiU!

Rusty's is 1000% percent why the 3DS is so far ahead of the Wii U in every single worthwhile aspect of gaming: it is new, creative software that doesn't use established Nintendo IP. It isn't some rehashed sequel. It uses the hardware in cool, fun ways. It is very clearly made with love and holds your interest for more than a few hours!

Seriously, a 7/10 is what this breath of fresh air deserves from NintendoLife? What a joke. Go play Pikmin 3, with its rehashed gameplay and 3-hour campaign, then give it a 9/10. Shame on you, Shapiro.

I've been playing it like crazy, bought three games so far. It's funny, charming, has great sound, and the games themselves are incredibly addictive.

But I'm a jock-nerd who loves baseball. Your mileage may vary.

If Nintendo knew what was good for them (they don't), this would be 100% true.

Hypocrisy. He says there's a global mass market for these games, but still allows censorship of them, creating pointless regional differences.

It's too bad that Bravely Default sold well outside Japan. It sends the wrong message. Apathy is a terrible thing to have.

Looks like I'll finally play Toki Tori.

That first one should fit nicely in between my red dragon battling a wizard tshirt and my flaming dice button-up

This is the definitive version because of the crouch-walk, 3rd person aiming, free camera standard, and control options. Not to mention Yoshi.

There are so few 3DS games that utilize Circle Pad Pro, but Metal Gear Solid 3DS and Kid Icarus alone make it a must-own if you're really into 3DS gaming. Why oh why didn't Namco include it in the US version of Assault Horizon?

Is this the place where we take bets on whether or not the gay marriage aspect makes it into the western version?

I'm putting $1000 on "lol no".

Did the PSN Japan version of Ground Zeroes also have the reduced price vs. physical that we enjoyed here in the west? If so then I bet this was a great week for Konami and everyone at Kojima Pro.

To think, that little game on an obscure PC platform has grown into what Metal Gear has become. Proud to say I've been playing it in some fashion since I was 7 years old. Saddened to say Nintendo has missed out on almost all of it.

I liked Last Blade on the Pocket, but never on the "real" Neo hardwares. That home run minigame was so great.

Dynamite Slugger, Neo Turf Masters, SNK vs. Capcom MotM are all great. I dunno how cheap the Pocket stuff is anymore, but if you've never played one you should definitely check it out.

That's wonderful, but since the west is STILL waiting on After Burner 2, I know it's gonna be awhile.

Just let it go, guys. The time has passed.

Igarashi made some really questionable decisions with the Castlevania franchise over the last...13 years. The two best in the entire series are both from the mid-90's; he and his teams were never able to replicate the greatness of Dracula X when they tried the action style, and none of the Castleroids come even close to Symphony. He oversaw a (terrible) Castlevania fighting game, a light gun (whip) arcade game, dumbed down Dracula X on the PSP, and made more Castleroids for handhelds than I can even remember. Castlevania was oversaturated in the market ever since 2000 or so, that is why these games have seen declining sales.

So I don't feel sorry for him, though I do think Japanese publishers handing off their beloved franchises to Western devs is sacrilege. Konami isn't as bad as Capcom in that regard, but it is still heinous. Igarashi will likely try to crowdfund another tired Castleroid game instead of trying something new, once again demonstrating that he doesn't get it. The reason Mighty No. 9 has been successful is because that type of Megaman game has largely been absent from the market for a long time; you could trip over how many bland would-be successors to Symphony of the Night Konami has published over the years.

Castlevania needs a break.

Fine by me, but unfortunately good games never show up in the used section at big stores like Wal-Mart. Check out these areas at Target and Best Buy, and all you will see is the worst shovelware garbage that you can't believe anyone bought in the first place (Mary-Kate & Ashley DS games, awful Sonic titles, etc).

iOS ports, how exciting!

Frankly I think we need more objectification of women in Nintendo games

Pretty sure that PS4 dropoff is due entirely to no one being able to find one to buy. It is going to dominate this gen, worldwide.

If Yoshi could sing, what would that sound like?

And this should be the price for a 32gb Wii U, with no game. This price point would turn the Wii U around, I guarantee it.

I can't believe it. For once, the western cover for a Mario Golf is better than the Japanese version.

@R-Moss this is a problem that was created in Seima no Kouseki/Sacred Stones: the ability to fight non-story maps solely for the purposes of grinding. A Fire Emblem can be hard without being cheap, but they never will be again as long as grinding is permitted.

Funny that this article mentioned the prison level, which made me turn Thracia off forever, and sell my Collector's Edition of the game. Not only are you initially weaponless there, but the goal of the map is to get your team to an exit at the top; leaving anyone behind loses them forever, they're dead. So to successfully get everyone out, Leaf (this game's Lord character) will have to be the last one out. Meaning he has to remain and fend off the endless waves of much-stronger enemies as your numbers slowly dwindle. Freaking infuriating. These sorts of levels are also the very worst of Fire Emblem, where enemies endlessly respawn, and immediately behind you. Crave a challenge all you want, but ideally you'll clear a map with no casualties on the first try, that stuff makes it nearly impossible.

I also had high hopes for the game in terms of sprite animation and graphics, given its release date. Very disappointing, not a huge amount better than Monsho no Nazo. All in all I wasn't happy with Thracia 776. The GBA trilogy really are the best of the series.

Bonus Time: I sold my Collector's Edition of Thracia to a guy in France. It took forever getting there, despite me sending International Priority. He went completely ballistic during the wait, and at one point threatened to fly to Seattle and get his money back from me in person. Would have loved to have seen him. Then the game showed up and he sheepishly apologized. Made me wanna fly to France and get my game back since it was unfortunately now in the hands of a crazy person.

Ignored this on PSN because there was no Nintendo option.

Now? I'll buy it on Wii U. Great decision here by Drinkbox.

Can. Not. Wait.

@Dark-Link73 you're not telling me anything I don't know. I'm playing Goldeneye Wii as we speak, which Nintendo is going to kill off forever in three months time. A guy can dream.

How about Goldeneye HD, with Nintendo Network support? I can think of a few people who would buy a U for that.

Only since November? Woof. Probably two years away.

This decision has lead me to decide that 007 Legends Wii U will go on ice for three months, and I will return to Goldeneye Wii full-time. Even though I have Reloaded now on PS3, I need to enjoy every moment I can of the game that forever changed my opinion of first-person shooters.

Goldeneye Wii and its community are perhaps the hardest-hit by this. I'm not saying we should be able to play online forever..but we'd like to.

HA HA HA

EAT IT, MICRO$OFT

Bought, thanks for the heads up. The favorable USD exchange rate helped, too.

Sounds great. Anything to beat Nintendo's backwards-thinking region lock.

But does she own a Wii U?

I dunno about a "remake", but seeing VF2 get the M2 Sega 3D classics treatment on 3DS would be swell. Why does everything always have to be "remade"? Can you not enjoy and appreciate the real game, with its limitations? If that's the case, why do you want it at all? And yes, this has technically already happened--VF2 saw a PS2 Sega Ages release, with the Shun Di river float stage finally available on a home console version.

Kudos also to those showing some Fighters Megamix admiration in this thread. One of my favorite games of all time. I'd sell my liver for Fighters Megamix 2. I'd even buy an Xbone for that.

I'd prefer Mr. Driller Ace, Japanese text and all

Of course its Little Mac. His picture made all those others irrelevant.

Baaaaaaaaaaarrrrrffffff

As a Tecmo Super Bowl maniac, this could have been something beautiful...instead it looks like some stupid joke game that exists solely to mock EA.

I'm betting a dollar this never gets published, anyway.

I hate soccer, but that actually looks great. Hopefully this will see a US eShop release, as well?

So, so excited. Long overdue, too.

What a crock. It's just some bitter Nintendrones. Look at their low-rent Blogger "website", you think those guys are going to make a good game? Keep dreaming.

Click for CENSORED WESTERN VERSION (take the "safer" route)

Click for BRAVELY DEFAULT: FOR THE SEQUEL (stand up for your rights)

Meanwhile, the US gets Vegas Stakes and Urban Champion.

So why isn't Japan teeming with indie development on par with the west? It is crazy to me that after the renaissance of the 90's with Japanese game development, there aren't hundreds of indie games making waves. But there just aren't.

I agree fully with folks in this thread pulling for Nintendo to make a move with regards to western development.

To the uninformed people who are disagreeing with that: you are living in a fantasy world where Japanese game development has not rotted and is still the core of the industry. Today, an example of how a AAA Japanese game sells is The Wonderful 101.

Nintendo should purchase Next Level Games outright, for starters.

@eichs22 looks more like Daytona, which is a great thing.

I've been very interested in this game for a long time..the sooner it is released, the better.