I'm definitely going to pick up Pocket Card Jockey. I loved the demo, and have been waiting for a sale. Risky's Revenge is tempting, but I already have it on PC. I'm thinking about Severed and/or Gurumin, but I have so much to play right now, and those discounts aren't that amazing. Then again, I still have a pile of eshop funds that I bought at 15% off on Black Friday...
Considering how much power is needed to go 1080p instead of 720p, I'm not worried. I could get a $30 graphics card and play the newest games in 720p (something I've thought about doing, since I currently have no graphics card in my PC). My only concern is that it sounds like it will take some extra work on the developer's part to make everything go smoothly.
I'm not super interested in buying Melee again, but I'd buy Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, and Animal Crossing day 1. I'd love to see Fire Emblem, Chibi Robo, Double Dash, and Baten Kaitos, too.
I already ordered Fire Emblem Fates Birthright and Bravely Second from Best Buy, and 2 copies of Pokken tournament from Target (one for my nephews). I might get Minecraft from Toys R Us, since that seems to be a rare discount. All that's left is Twilight Princess HD (and a few $8 PS3 games) from Walmart, but those deals seem to be in-store only, and I won't be going to Walmart today, and probably not tomorrow. If I can get it Saturday, or if Amazon puts up a similar deal, I'll snatch it up and my Black Friday shopping will be done.
Walmart: Twilight Princess HD (seemingly without the amiibo)-$25 Splatoon- $35 Pikmin 3-$15 NES Remix Pack Wii U- $15 Super Mario All-Stars (Wii)- $15 Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D-$15 Ocarina of Time 3D- $15 Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire- $25
Target: Pokken Tournament- $35 Kirby: Planet Robobot- $25 Pokemon X/Y- $25 Pokemon ORAS-$25 SSB 3DS- $25 New Super Mario Bros 2- $15 Mario Maker Wii U-$35 BOGO 10% off eshop cards
Those are the three ads I've focused on.
For me, I'm going to try to get Pokken Tournament, Fire Emblem, and Bravely Second. I might get Twilight Princess, but I want that Wolf Link Amiibo...
I'm still very conflicted about it. I have most of the games on it that I want (multiple copies in some cases), and the ones I don't have I could get for around $20 on the eshop. Because of its crazy short controller cords, it would be fairly inconvenient to play, too. But it's so awesome...
I will, at least, be buying one or two of the controllers for use with my VC games.
I'm very tempted to try to get one of these at launch. It looks awesome, the games are awesome, and it's just a cool device. That said, I doubt I'd play it very much (due to a combination of limited time, and a massive backlog of games), and I already own many of the games on the Wii/Wii U. I think it would fairly quickly be relegated to a shelf or closet. Add to that limited money so close to the holidays, and you have a very conflicted consumer. But it's just such a cool item...
I'm of the opinion that the Switch is the next home console, and not the next handheld. It could end up being both, but what we've seen of it so far (games, features, etc) are more in line with a console. Half of it's portable use seems to be using the screen as a tiny TV to play as if you were home. Perhaps I just can't imagine the next Pokemon game being on an HD system already.
As far as losing the second screen, I'll miss it, but not enough affect my interest in the Switch. It added a lot sometimes, but the vast majority of its use was just to make things more convenient (which was great, but not hugely important). If this does end up being Nintendo's next handheld as well as their next console, I will miss the clamshell design of the DS and 3DS, though. It was just so perfect for portability. This thing will never fit in my pocket, and I probably won't take it out of the house for fear of breaking or losing my home console.
@jimi That's ridiculous. BC is far from the most important thing when designing a new system. It's a great feature, but it's not absolutely necessary. Obviously a disc drive would not work well in a system that is meant to be portable, and without a disc drive, Wii/Wii U BC couldn't happen. Likewise with dual screen games on a one screen device. Also, for the 3DS, screen resolution didn't matter much. Its games were only on its screens. They didn't need to be made for other resolutions. The Switch will have games on HD TV's, and on its own screen. It needs to support standard resolutions for that, not for DS/3DS games.
Your rant about modern gamers doesn't work as well as you think. First, "millenials" is a term that describes people born in the the early 80's through the early 90's. In other words, it describes people who grew up on the NES and SNES as well as the N64 and Gamecube. Second, it's the people who grew up on the most classic hardware who have re-bought games the most. I don't know about you, but I own at least 4 copies of Super Mario Bros, and I didn't even buy every re-release. And third, classic hardware didn't have BC at all. Classic consoles didn't support the previous gen's games or controllers. For Nintendo's home consoles, that didn't change until the Wii, the first Nintendo console to have a media drive that was compatible with the previous gen's.
Changing controllers between gens is the norm for Nintendo. The Wii remote lasted longer than any other (2 gens). It's a great controller, but it would be a terrible fit for the Switch, because it can't be used on the go.
And as for "preservation of games", that lies more with the original systems than in BC. I'm keeping my Wii U, along with every other Nintendo console, so that I can always play the games the way they were originally meant to be played. That's preservation.
@jimi The Wii U had fewer obstacles than the Switch would, though. It has a disc drive, and uses the Wii remotes itself. It also used the same architecture as the Wii. None of that is true of the Switch (unless they announce Wii remote support later). The 3DS was also very similar to the DS. It used similar cartridges, and had the same 2 screen, touch screen layout.
As for digital BC, I expect Nintendo will carry over VC purchases in some way, but to carry over Wii/Wii U/3DS digital games would still involve overcoming hardware limitations (no Wii remotes, no second screen, possibly no touch screen). Without those features, many Wii/Wii U/3DS games would be unplayable. If the Switch has a touch screen, they could possibly emulate 3DS games like they've emulated DS games on the Wii U, but that really isn't ideal. And again, emulating the Wii U would probably be fairly difficult.
@maceng Yeah, but that model actually had a PS2 inside it (in America; I think they used emulation in Europe), and not all "fat" PS3's had that feature. My point was that Sony could have easily made every PS3 PS2 compatible. There were no real obstacles. Even now, if they wanted to they could release an update and make all PS3's backwards compatible.
@jimi I don't think that's really a fair comparison. There was no reason for the PS3 to lack PS2 BC. It supported to disc type, had almost identical controllers, and had plenty of power to run the emulation. It still bugs me that Sony withheld the software (which is all that's missing) to allow PS2 BC. They even released a few PS2 games on PSN, showing that PS2 support is easy, but they wouldn't give it away. In the Switch's case, however, there are various obstacles to BC. The Wii, Wii U, DS, and 3DS all had special hardware which would need to be supported to allow backwards compatibility. For the Wii, that means controllers and the sensor bar. For the DS, 3DS, and Wii U, that means dual screen support. The Switch also uses a different media than the other systems, so they'd need to add unnecessary ports, or extra accessories just for BC. In the Wii U's case, emulation would probably be very hard and/or need a lot of power too.
Also, I'd question that statement about this being Nintendo's next portable. It seems much more like a portable home console than a dedicated handheld (I know, that sounds stupid). The only things they showed on it were home console games. There was no suggestion that any portable franchises will be making an appearance on the system. I'm not saying it isn't the successor to both the 3DS and Wii U, though. Just that it hasn't been made clear. Until I see a new Pokemon game coming to it, I'll consider it more a home console than a handheld.
That's disappointing, if completely expected. It doesn't really matter to me, though, because I'll just keep my Wii U up and have no issue. I just upgraded my TV (my old 720p set was finally dying on me), and have HDMI's to spare. My bigger concern is with backwards compatibility with VC purchases, and Gamecube games finally becoming available. I want to play Mario Sunshine on this thing.
And to those worried about whether the dock comes with the system or not, does it really matter? Either it will come with the system and the bundle will be pricier, or you'll be able to buy it separately and get the system cheaper. Personally, I expect multiple SKU's, with one at $300-350 (perhaps without the dock), and one at $350-400 (perhaps with the dock and pro controller). Even if the dock is a major part of the system, for families wanting multiple portable systems (one per kid, for example), multiple docks would just add unnecessary costs. For such cases, a dock-less option would be very useful.
It's worth mentioning that people with Best Buy's "Gamer's Club Unlocked" membership also get 20% off amiibo. I recently picked up a couple more Animal Crossing amiibo, as well as a couple Star Fox amiibo, for about $3 each there.
6 months, 5 free games, some free DLC, and 2 free themes later (with enough coins to get more stuff as soon as it arrives), I'm better off than I would have been without MyNintendo, but I do wish it was better. The discounts need to cost fewer coins, and they need to change up the game rewards more often and offer more at one time. And of course, physical rewards would be welcome.
That's definitely disappointing, but at least he's cancelling it for a legitimate reason, and even offering refunds for backers. I'll just keep an eye out for a sale on the PC version.
The biggest announcement for me was the new Pikmin game. For years I have been wanting a portable Pikmin, and they're finally making one. I just hope this isn't the Pikmin 4 Miyamoto mentioned before. I'm still hoping that's an NX game.
Other than Pikmin, I'm also very interested in Pokemon Sun, Ever Oasis, and DQ7, with a little interest in DQ8 and Yo-Kai Watch. I'm curious about the Animal Crossing update too, but unless it adds some major content, it probably won't be pulling me back into the game at this point. And because I already have them on the Wii U, I'm not really interested in Mario Maker or Woolly World for the 3DS.
@Barbiegurl777 Considering some of these games have already released elsewhere and are well-regarded, and others are from established developers, I don't think they can rightfully be called rubbish. Perhaps they're not your cup of tea, but that doesn't make them bad.
I would also mention that it's not really NoA bringing these games to us. I'm sure they work with the developers, but Nintendo doesn't publish the indies on the eshop. Likewise with the Hello Kitty games. Nintendo doesn't publish them, and it was the publisher that chose not to bring them over. Nintendo probably had nothing to do with it.
Aside from the recent localization controversy over JRPGs, NoA has actually done a pretty good job bringing Nintendo's games to America. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any we didn't get (there might be some I don't know about). Thing is, Nintendo hasn't been releasing many games recently, so there haven't been many games to bring over.
I'm glad to see the eshop getting a lot of good indies. It seems like it's been a long time since it was regularly getting games I wanted. I have a lot of interest in at least 6 of those games. Add in a few I need to know more about, and that's about 2 a month for the rest of the year, which is pretty good.
If you buy Severed when it comes out on the Wii U, will you get the 3DS version when it releases?
@Barbiegurl777
There are quite a few dark games in there, but there are also some bright and colorful titles like Shantae, Jotun, and Stardew Valley. There are also a bunch that don't seem to have any info or pictures on this site yet.
I've been interested in this game since I first saw the trailer, mostly for the style, and a little for the pedigree. It's unfortunate that the characters and plot aren't as entertaining as the graphics, but I'm still interested. I'll probably just wait for a sale.
This really doesn't even hint at the NX's capabilities. DQXI is coming to the PS4, the strongest console, and the 3DS, the weakest handheld. I'm hoping/expecting the NX is at least around Xbox One level power if it's a home console, but I don't think a game that's releasing on the weakest and the strongest systems really tells you much.
That said, this is still good news, but unless they confirm a Western release it doesn't affect anybody outside Japan (except importers). Here's hoping that among the trailers shown at the NX reveal is an English DQXI.
This is a missed opportunity. He should be using the popularity of the app to the church's benefit, not demonizing it and everyone who uses it. He could arrange Pokemon Go church trips or something. Is that against Catholic beliefs? I've always been Protestant, and I've seen video games used in youth groups to bring kids together. A church-sanctioned Pokemon Go hike could be a very popular event, bringing a lot of people together under the church.
@3MonthBeef That isn't what I was talking about. The point of videos and demos is to help people who haven't played the game decide if they want the game or not. I use them all the time myself. I was only saying that someone who has played the game is a more credible source on the game's quality than someone who has not. That's why we have game reviews, in which people who have played the game describe their experience with it, so that people who haven't played it can get a deeper understanding of the game than a brief demo or video provides.
As for that second part, that really depends on the genre. Some games, especially among RPG's, can take hours to get into, and many games get better as you play them (more powers, harder challenges, etc). A few early minutes don't necessarily offer an accurate reflection of how the game will be after a couple hours. Again, that's what you turn to reviewers for. They've seen if it gets better or worse, or just stays the same.
@VanillaLake I completely missed that. Where I am, a 50 would be a failure in school. Passing starts at 60. 70 is average, 80 is above average, etc.
@huxxny That's a good point. His opinion would be valid (as in, did he like it or not), but without other games to compare it to, he couldn't really say it was better or worse than other games. For experienced players, a more informed opinion, even second hand, might be better, if only because they could say "it plays like ...".
I didn't mean to conflate exploring the Metroid universe with traditional Metroid exploration. I understand that exploration is a fundamental part of traditional Metroid games, just as platforming is fundamental to traditional Mario games. In both cases, however, the worlds are big enough and interesting enough to do more, to explore other parts or from different angles, and see things you wouldn't usually see.
As an aside, thinking about Mario RPG's and Metroid together kind of made me want a Metroid RPG...
@naut Please see the above paragraph. I don't think I've been communicating my point very well, so hopefully that clears it up.
@VanillaLake If 50 is bad (which I agree that it is), and 100 is perfect, wouldn't that still put 70 at good? I generally interpret scores as follows: below 50 is probably broken and/or awful, 50's is bad, 60's is mediocre, 70's are good, 80's are great, 90's are awesome, and 100 is a masterpiece. Of course, personal preference can buck critic opinion altogether. I've enjoyed some 60's more than some 80's.
@naut I didn't mean just exploring a big, open world. I meant going to new areas, finding new enemies, seeing new sights, getting more background, etc. You might not explore the whole world at once in this particular game, but you still explore the world of Metroid. That's as opposed to many Mario spin-offs like Mario Kart or Mario sports games, which have no exploration or expansion of the world at all.
@VanillaLake I know you said you won't respond to me anymore, but what did I ignore or manipulate? I thought I covered everything pretty well. The only reason I didn't copy/paste quotes from you was the already lengthy size of my comment. If you added anything in an edit, I haven't refreshed the page, so I didn't see it.
Even with bias, the opinion of someone who played the game will always hold more weight than the opinion of someone who didn't. The only time that would prove untrue would be if the person who played the game was lying about their experience, and therefore not giving their real opinion.
Which comment about scores?
It doesn't matter if multiple people make an accusation if the accusation is not true. Where in the review does he say that? Are you referring to when he says you'd expect them to make a beautiful game, because their last game was beautiful?
@naut That's true, but they do have one thing in common, and that's an engaging world (though engaging in different ways, obviously). Mario spin-offs work so well partially because the world of Mario is charming and fun to play in. Likewise, the world of Metroid is deep and interesting. It's not suited to goofy/party games like the Mario world, but it is well-suited to exploration, even if Samus isn't the explorer, and even if the style is changed. From the beginning, what interested me most about this game was the new side of the Metroid world it would show. I'm not much of a Metroid fan myself (not much a fan of shooters in general), but I love the world of Metroid, and want to see more of it.
@VanillaLake I agree, to an extent, that you don't need to play a whole game to have an opinion on it. I often watch videos to see if a game looks like something I'd want to play, or play demos if they're available. That's what they're there for. Even so, that's a very shallow and incomplete opinion, and has very little weight compared to one from someone who has played the whole game. If you play a demo and say the game is shallow, but someone who completed the game says it gets much better later on, you can't refute them because you've only played the demo. You cannot have an opinion about what you have not played. Also, your claim that the reviewer was affected by his love for the developer doesn't hold up well, considering his review is in line with what other critics are saying. Giving a game most critics think is a 7/10 an 8/10 does not show any particular bias. He just liked it a little more than average, just as others liked it a little less.
In response to your second reply, I have to assume you're feigning ignorance (I don't mean that as an insult). Surely you've seen the many Metroid fans bashing the game before release? The videos that are uploaded and immediately get tons of angry comments and dislikes? The petition going around to cancel the game based on the trailer? Is that not "passionate dislike"?
A commenter that's mad at the people hating the game without playing it is not relevant to the hate people have for this game, nor is it necessarily hateful to say you think it's stupid or moronic to hate a game you've never played. If someone told you they never played Metroid Prime, but they hated it, wouldn't you think that was stupid? Would that make you hateful?
@VanillaLake You might not agree with him, but I don't think that's an unfair opinion. Clearly it scratched the Metroid itch for him, and he thinks it could do the same for others if they gave it a chance. And let's not forget that, according to most reviewers, this is a good game (7/10 is good). It's not the big console Metroid Prime 4 fans wanted, but it's a good FPS in the Metroid universe.
@naut Wouldn't that apply to all of the many, many spin-offs Nintendo has made over the years? Nobody was asking for Mario RPG before it released, for example, and it has nothing in common with previous Mario games except the characters.
I was disappointed when the Epic Mickey franchise was ended. I enjoyed the first game quite a bit, as well as the 3DS game. I haven't played it yet, but I have Epic Mickey 2 sitting on my shelf. There aren't enough 3D platformers these days, and aside from the camera issues, Epic Mickey was one of the few good ones, with great source material. At least there are several indie developers stepping in to cover the diminishing genre as the big publishers step away.
Maybe I missed it in all the hate people were giving this game, but I didn't realize it was made by Next Level. I was already interested, and that just makes me more so. I'm glad to see this game is good, even if it doesn't star Samus (getting a new perspective on an existing world is one reason I thought this game looked interesting).
@VanillaLake Is giving a 7/10 game an 8/10 really such a stretch? It seems to me that anything within 1 point of the norm doesn't necessarily reflect bias in either direction. That actually applies to Star Fox and NSMB2 too.
@KTT I'm definitely with you as far as back-ups go. The difference is that I think people should make their own back-ups rather than download them from someone else. That can be difficult with games, because you can't just put them in a computer and rip the data like with CD's. It would be great if a company made a device to make back-ups of your games (a Retron 5 that copied ROMs, for example), but because of current (ridiculous) laws in many countries, and the fear of making illegal distribution easier, the company would probably get sued.
The problem with downloadable copies is that the download is just as available to people who don't own a copy as it is to those who do. It's a convenient way to get a back-up for legitimate owners, but it enables piracy.
@KTT That's why I said it was reviewed "as a piracy device". Generally stuff like this can have many purposes, but this reviewer practically recommended downloading ROM's, which is piracy. I've never heard of a country that allowed you to download additional copies of a game you own, but I'll take your word for it. Even so, I'm fairly certain that is not the case in most countries. Regardless, downloading these copies still supports illegal distribution.
I was mostly referring to this review itself. It did not say "check out this cool new flashcart to play homebrew games" (though it did mention them in passing), so much as "check out this cool new flashcart to play pirated games".
Didn't NintendoLife used to have a policy against promoting, or even discussing, downloading ROM's (i.e. piracy)? And now it's reviewing products as pirating devices, and even describes piracy as "risky business in legal terms" (it's just plain illegal; there is no gray area there). The reviewer even said that, unless you only want to play homebrew games, this device is best used for piracy. When did this site take this turn?
@shani Apparently I came very close last night, when I was at zero, but so far I've never ranked down. Whenever I got close I'd win a few matches and be safe. I might try again to rank up to A tonight, while simultaneously earning "money" to buy the rest of the weapons (I need about 150k).
I tried some other weapons, including the Dual Squelcher, and I still just prefer the speed and low ink use of my N-Zap. I might rotate between the '83 and '89 though.
@shani I didn't know you could actually drop down a rank, like from A back to A-. I thought, for no real reason, that you were locked in when you ranked up.
@shani I didn't know you could rank down. That's good to know. I can relate, though. In truth, last night I actually went up to 80's, down to 0, back up to 70's, and stopped at 50's. Ranked mode is a lot like gambling. When you win, you want to keep winning, and when you lose, you want to win it back.
I wish NoA had gone this route with Captain Toad instead of adding an Amiibo. The game looks great, but my understanding is that it's very short, and not really worth $40.
For anyone who doesn't have them, I'll add my recommendation for Pikmin 3 and 3D World. Both are excellent games, more than worth the Nintendo Select price.
Unless they are company phones, I don't see how they can tell their employees what they're allowed to have on their own devices. They can, of course, tell them not to use the app while working (which seems like common sense), but telling them what they can have on their personal phones seems a step too far. For that matter, employees could just lock their phones, and the company would not be able to find out.
@shani Congratulations on your new high! My Gamepad usually decides when I stop, but maybe that's not a good thing. I almost made it to A, but then had a bad streak and ended about where I started (50). If I had ended at a different time, I would have been in the 80's, but it's hard to stop when you only need 1-2 more wins.
@shani I do pretty well with my N-Zap. My biggest problem is usually teammates in ranked mode (seemingly) not understanding the mode we're playing. Some players seem to think every mode is Turf War.
I was mostly referring to shooting speed. Anything that needs a charge feels terrible to me. I like to shoot as I react. The "perks" I stick with are usually Stealth Jump (always), and then a combination of swim speed up (if I'm moving, I'm usually swimming), special saver, quick respawn, and special up. Right now I'm finding 4 special savers, 2 special ups, and tenacity pretty fun.
@shani I would say I fall in between the casual and hardcore Splatoon players, between the people who very rarely play and the people who play every week. This is the first time I've played an online game so much, too. I played a fair amount of Black Ops 2 on the Wii U, but I've played Splatoon at least 3-4x as much, and unlike BO2, I'm not bored of it.
I typically stick to just one gun (the N-Zap '89), because I always end up disliking other weapons when I switch. I like to play fast and on the offensive, and I haven't found a better gun for it. Most other "classes" (not sure if that's the proper Splatoon word) feel too slow for my taste.
I actually never used any of my sea snails. I played during Splatfests because they gave me a reason to, even when there was nothing left to unlock in the game, and because I enjoyed the idea that everyone was playing at once. Now that Splatfests are over, the only goals in the game are leveling/ranking up, which don't interest me much. When I play, as I'm playing now, I'll probably work towards them anyway, but when I'm not playing, the desire to level/rank up probably won't make me want to play.
@shani You're clearly a more hardcore Splatoon fan than me, but I wouldn't call myself a casual just because I don't play regularly. I'm level 34, A- rank, and what brought me back time and again were the Splatfests. I'd play until I was burnt out, and do it again at the next Splatfest (and the preceding/following days). Like I said, the game is still great without the Splatfests, but it now lacks that incentive to come back and get sucked in again. There are those who play continuously (all those level 50's that are always on the opposing team...), but many like myself like to have a reason to come back, and leveling/ranking up without any unlocks isn't always enough. I'll still play it at random (I'll probably play after I post this, actually), but outside of playing on a whim, I'm not sure how often Splatoon will be in my Wii U.
It's pretty weird that they'd stop Splatfests, and then promote the game with a demo. The game is still great without Splatfests, of course, but they were reasons for people to come back and play every now and again. Now that they're done, it feels like the game is winding down, and that's when Nintendo chooses to "invite" new players with a repeat demo? "Come try the game that won't get anymore content or events!" Maybe they're planning to announce Splatoon 2 for the NX in September, and they want to remind people who didn't buy it what it is.
I'm glad to see Lego City Undercover finally get the Nintendo Select treatment in America, but I would have preferred Captain Toad getting a price cut instead of a pack-in amiibo. The #1 complaint I saw about that game was that it should have been cheaper.
My ideal NX launch would include Pikmin 4, Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild, and a Mario platformer (2D or 3D), plus maybe a Smash Bros U/3DS Deluxe Edition. The only problem I'd have is actually buying all of that, plus a new system, in 1 day. I'd also love to see a new Luigi's Mansion. As a big fan of the franchise, I want a main series Pokemon game too, but with Pokemon Sun/Moon coming out in October, I think the NX launch window would be too soon.
Comments 1,285
Re: The 'January Digital Deals' Offer eShop Discounts in North America
I'm definitely going to pick up Pocket Card Jockey. I loved the demo, and have been waiting for a sale. Risky's Revenge is tempting, but I already have it on PC. I'm thinking about Severed and/or Gurumin, but I have so much to play right now, and those discounts aren't that amazing. Then again, I still have a pile of eshop funds that I bought at 15% off on Black Friday...
Re: Eurogamer Report Suggests Nintendo Switch GPU Runs 60 Percent Slower When Undocked
Considering how much power is needed to go 1080p instead of 720p, I'm not worried. I could get a $30 graphics card and play the newest games in 720p (something I've thought about doing, since I currently have no graphics card in my PC). My only concern is that it sounds like it will take some extra work on the developer's part to make everything go smoothly.
Re: Rumour: GameCube Virtual Console Coming To Nintendo Switch
I'm not super interested in buying Melee again, but I'd buy Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, and Animal Crossing day 1. I'd love to see Fire Emblem, Chibi Robo, Double Dash, and Baten Kaitos, too.
Re: Deals: Nintendo of America Outlines Key Black Friday Discounts
I already ordered Fire Emblem Fates Birthright and Bravely Second from Best Buy, and 2 copies of Pokken tournament from Target (one for my nephews). I might get Minecraft from Toys R Us, since that seems to be a rare discount. All that's left is Twilight Princess HD (and a few $8 PS3 games) from Walmart, but those deals seem to be in-store only, and I won't be going to Walmart today, and probably not tomorrow. If I can get it Saturday, or if Amazon puts up a similar deal, I'll snatch it up and my Black Friday shopping will be done.
Re: Guide: The Best Nintendo Black Friday 2016 Deals in the US
This list is very lacking. I made a list for myself days ago and came up with much more.
Best Buy:
Bravely Second- $20
$50 eshop card- $42.50
Skylanders Imaginators Wii U- $40
Fire Emblem Fates (either)- $25
Pokemon X/Y- $25
Walmart:
Twilight Princess HD (seemingly without the amiibo)-$25
Splatoon- $35
Pikmin 3-$15
NES Remix Pack Wii U- $15
Super Mario All-Stars (Wii)- $15
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D-$15
Ocarina of Time 3D- $15
Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire- $25
Target:
Pokken Tournament- $35
Kirby: Planet Robobot- $25
Pokemon X/Y- $25
Pokemon ORAS-$25
SSB 3DS- $25
New Super Mario Bros 2- $15
Mario Maker Wii U-$35
BOGO 10% off eshop cards
Those are the three ads I've focused on.
For me, I'm going to try to get Pokken Tournament, Fire Emblem, and Bravely Second. I might get Twilight Princess, but I want that Wolf Link Amiibo...
Re: Poll: Are You Excited About the Mini NES?
I'm still very conflicted about it. I have most of the games on it that I want (multiple copies in some cases), and the ones I don't have I could get for around $20 on the eshop. Because of its crazy short controller cords, it would be fairly inconvenient to play, too. But it's so awesome...
I will, at least, be buying one or two of the controllers for use with my VC games.
Re: Video: Nintendo Minute Goes Retro With a Look at the Mini NES
I'm very tempted to try to get one of these at launch. It looks awesome, the games are awesome, and it's just a cool device. That said, I doubt I'd play it very much (due to a combination of limited time, and a massive backlog of games), and I already own many of the games on the Wii/Wii U. I think it would fairly quickly be relegated to a shelf or closet. Add to that limited money so close to the holidays, and you have a very conflicted consumer. But it's just such a cool item...
Re: Poll: Nintendo Switch Delivers Single Screen Gaming - Will You Miss the Dual Screen Concept?
I'm of the opinion that the Switch is the next home console, and not the next handheld. It could end up being both, but what we've seen of it so far (games, features, etc) are more in line with a console. Half of it's portable use seems to be using the screen as a tiny TV to play as if you were home. Perhaps I just can't imagine the next Pokemon game being on an HD system already.
As far as losing the second screen, I'll miss it, but not enough affect my interest in the Switch. It added a lot sometimes, but the vast majority of its use was just to make things more convenient (which was great, but not hugely important). If this does end up being Nintendo's next handheld as well as their next console, I will miss the clamshell design of the DS and 3DS, though. It was just so perfect for portability. This thing will never fit in my pocket, and I probably won't take it out of the house for fear of breaking or losing my home console.
Re: Zoink Confirms It's Developing a Game for Nintendo Switch
I thought Fe looked interesting, and I loved Stick it to the Man, so this is good news.
Re: Nintendo Confirms Switch Isn't Physically Backwards Compatible With 3DS And Wii U Software
@jimi
That's ridiculous. BC is far from the most important thing when designing a new system. It's a great feature, but it's not absolutely necessary. Obviously a disc drive would not work well in a system that is meant to be portable, and without a disc drive, Wii/Wii U BC couldn't happen. Likewise with dual screen games on a one screen device. Also, for the 3DS, screen resolution didn't matter much. Its games were only on its screens. They didn't need to be made for other resolutions. The Switch will have games on HD TV's, and on its own screen. It needs to support standard resolutions for that, not for DS/3DS games.
Your rant about modern gamers doesn't work as well as you think. First, "millenials" is a term that describes people born in the the early 80's through the early 90's. In other words, it describes people who grew up on the NES and SNES as well as the N64 and Gamecube. Second, it's the people who grew up on the most classic hardware who have re-bought games the most. I don't know about you, but I own at least 4 copies of Super Mario Bros, and I didn't even buy every re-release. And third, classic hardware didn't have BC at all. Classic consoles didn't support the previous gen's games or controllers. For Nintendo's home consoles, that didn't change until the Wii, the first Nintendo console to have a media drive that was compatible with the previous gen's.
Changing controllers between gens is the norm for Nintendo. The Wii remote lasted longer than any other (2 gens). It's a great controller, but it would be a terrible fit for the Switch, because it can't be used on the go.
And as for "preservation of games", that lies more with the original systems than in BC. I'm keeping my Wii U, along with every other Nintendo console, so that I can always play the games the way they were originally meant to be played. That's preservation.
Re: Nintendo Confirms Switch Isn't Physically Backwards Compatible With 3DS And Wii U Software
@jimi
The Wii U had fewer obstacles than the Switch would, though. It has a disc drive, and uses the Wii remotes itself. It also used the same architecture as the Wii. None of that is true of the Switch (unless they announce Wii remote support later). The 3DS was also very similar to the DS. It used similar cartridges, and had the same 2 screen, touch screen layout.
As for digital BC, I expect Nintendo will carry over VC purchases in some way, but to carry over Wii/Wii U/3DS digital games would still involve overcoming hardware limitations (no Wii remotes, no second screen, possibly no touch screen). Without those features, many Wii/Wii U/3DS games would be unplayable. If the Switch has a touch screen, they could possibly emulate 3DS games like they've emulated DS games on the Wii U, but that really isn't ideal. And again, emulating the Wii U would probably be fairly difficult.
Re: Nintendo Confirms Switch Isn't Physically Backwards Compatible With 3DS And Wii U Software
@maceng
Yeah, but that model actually had a PS2 inside it (in America; I think they used emulation in Europe), and not all "fat" PS3's had that feature. My point was that Sony could have easily made every PS3 PS2 compatible. There were no real obstacles. Even now, if they wanted to they could release an update and make all PS3's backwards compatible.
Re: Nintendo Confirms Switch Isn't Physically Backwards Compatible With 3DS And Wii U Software
@jimi
I don't think that's really a fair comparison. There was no reason for the PS3 to lack PS2 BC. It supported to disc type, had almost identical controllers, and had plenty of power to run the emulation. It still bugs me that Sony withheld the software (which is all that's missing) to allow PS2 BC. They even released a few PS2 games on PSN, showing that PS2 support is easy, but they wouldn't give it away. In the Switch's case, however, there are various obstacles to BC. The Wii, Wii U, DS, and 3DS all had special hardware which would need to be supported to allow backwards compatibility. For the Wii, that means controllers and the sensor bar. For the DS, 3DS, and Wii U, that means dual screen support. The Switch also uses a different media than the other systems, so they'd need to add unnecessary ports, or extra accessories just for BC. In the Wii U's case, emulation would probably be very hard and/or need a lot of power too.
Also, I'd question that statement about this being Nintendo's next portable. It seems much more like a portable home console than a dedicated handheld (I know, that sounds stupid). The only things they showed on it were home console games. There was no suggestion that any portable franchises will be making an appearance on the system. I'm not saying it isn't the successor to both the 3DS and Wii U, though. Just that it hasn't been made clear. Until I see a new Pokemon game coming to it, I'll consider it more a home console than a handheld.
Re: Nintendo Confirms Switch Isn't Physically Backwards Compatible With 3DS And Wii U Software
That's disappointing, if completely expected. It doesn't really matter to me, though, because I'll just keep my Wii U up and have no issue. I just upgraded my TV (my old 720p set was finally dying on me), and have HDMI's to spare. My bigger concern is with backwards compatibility with VC purchases, and Gamecube games finally becoming available. I want to play Mario Sunshine on this thing.
And to those worried about whether the dock comes with the system or not, does it really matter? Either it will come with the system and the bundle will be pricier, or you'll be able to buy it separately and get the system cheaper. Personally, I expect multiple SKU's, with one at $300-350 (perhaps without the dock), and one at $350-400 (perhaps with the dock and pro controller). Even if the dock is a major part of the system, for families wanting multiple portable systems (one per kid, for example), multiple docks would just add unnecessary costs. For such cases, a dock-less option would be very useful.
Re: Deals: Legend of Zelda amiibo, Snazzy New 2DS Colours and More
It's worth mentioning that people with Best Buy's "Gamer's Club Unlocked" membership also get 20% off amiibo. I recently picked up a couple more Animal Crossing amiibo, as well as a couple Star Fox amiibo, for about $3 each there.
Re: Poll: Six Months On - How Do You Feel About My Nintendo?
6 months, 5 free games, some free DLC, and 2 free themes later (with enough coins to get more stuff as soon as it arrives), I'm better off than I would have been without MyNintendo, but I do wish it was better. The discounts need to cost fewer coins, and they need to change up the game rewards more often and offer more at one time. And of course, physical rewards would be welcome.
Re: Hex Heroes Still Alive, Studio Issues Combat Engine Update
I'm glad this game isn't dead. From the first time I saw it I thought it looked fun, like a simpler, faster Age of Empires.
Re: Wii U Version Of Hyper Light Drifter Is Officially Cancelled
That's definitely disappointing, but at least he's cancelling it for a legitimate reason, and even offering refunds for backers. I'll just keep an eye out for a sale on the PC version.
Re: Poll: Did the 3DS Nintendo Direct Boost Your Hype for the Portable's Line-Up?
The biggest announcement for me was the new Pikmin game. For years I have been wanting a portable Pikmin, and they're finally making one. I just hope this isn't the Pikmin 4 Miyamoto mentioned before. I'm still hoping that's an NX game.
Other than Pikmin, I'm also very interested in Pokemon Sun, Ever Oasis, and DQ7, with a little interest in DQ8 and Yo-Kai Watch. I'm curious about the Animal Crossing update too, but unless it adds some major content, it probably won't be pulling me back into the game at this point. And because I already have them on the Wii U, I'm not really interested in Mario Maker or Woolly World for the 3DS.
Re: Nintendo of America Unveils Nindies Summer Jam Promotion and a Tasty Sizzle Reel
@Barbiegurl777
Considering some of these games have already released elsewhere and are well-regarded, and others are from established developers, I don't think they can rightfully be called rubbish. Perhaps they're not your cup of tea, but that doesn't make them bad.
I would also mention that it's not really NoA bringing these games to us. I'm sure they work with the developers, but Nintendo doesn't publish the indies on the eshop. Likewise with the Hello Kitty games. Nintendo doesn't publish them, and it was the publisher that chose not to bring them over. Nintendo probably had nothing to do with it.
Aside from the recent localization controversy over JRPGs, NoA has actually done a pretty good job bringing Nintendo's games to America. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any we didn't get (there might be some I don't know about). Thing is, Nintendo hasn't been releasing many games recently, so there haven't been many games to bring over.
Re: Nintendo of America Unveils Nindies Summer Jam Promotion and a Tasty Sizzle Reel
I'm glad to see the eshop getting a lot of good indies. It seems like it's been a long time since it was regularly getting games I wanted. I have a lot of interest in at least 6 of those games. Add in a few I need to know more about, and that's about 2 a month for the rest of the year, which is pretty good.
If you buy Severed when it comes out on the Wii U, will you get the 3DS version when it releases?
@Barbiegurl777
There are quite a few dark games in there, but there are also some bright and colorful titles like Shantae, Jotun, and Stardew Valley. There are also a bunch that don't seem to have any info or pictures on this site yet.
Re: Review: Armikrog (Wii U eShop)
I've been interested in this game since I first saw the trailer, mostly for the style, and a little for the pedigree. It's unfortunate that the characters and plot aren't as entertaining as the graphics, but I'm still interested. I'll probably just wait for a sale.
Re: Dragon Quest XI Confirmed For Nintendo NX, For Real This Time
This really doesn't even hint at the NX's capabilities. DQXI is coming to the PS4, the strongest console, and the 3DS, the weakest handheld. I'm hoping/expecting the NX is at least around Xbox One level power if it's a home console, but I don't think a game that's releasing on the weakest and the strongest systems really tells you much.
That said, this is still good news, but unless they confirm a Western release it doesn't affect anybody outside Japan (except importers). Here's hoping that among the trailers shown at the NX reveal is an English DQXI.
Re: Italian Bishop Likens Pokémon GO To Nazism, Claims It Turns Players Into "Walking Dead"
@MarvinTheMartian
Don't let this guy be that cement. Not all religious people think Pokemon are Nazis.
Re: Italian Bishop Likens Pokémon GO To Nazism, Claims It Turns Players Into "Walking Dead"
This is a missed opportunity. He should be using the popularity of the app to the church's benefit, not demonizing it and everyone who uses it. He could arrange Pokemon Go church trips or something. Is that against Catholic beliefs? I've always been Protestant, and I've seen video games used in youth groups to bring kids together. A church-sanctioned Pokemon Go hike could be a very popular event, bringing a lot of people together under the church.
Re: Review: Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
@3MonthBeef
That isn't what I was talking about. The point of videos and demos is to help people who haven't played the game decide if they want the game or not. I use them all the time myself. I was only saying that someone who has played the game is a more credible source on the game's quality than someone who has not. That's why we have game reviews, in which people who have played the game describe their experience with it, so that people who haven't played it can get a deeper understanding of the game than a brief demo or video provides.
As for that second part, that really depends on the genre. Some games, especially among RPG's, can take hours to get into, and many games get better as you play them (more powers, harder challenges, etc). A few early minutes don't necessarily offer an accurate reflection of how the game will be after a couple hours. Again, that's what you turn to reviewers for. They've seen if it gets better or worse, or just stays the same.
Re: Review: Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
@VanillaLake
I completely missed that. Where I am, a 50 would be a failure in school. Passing starts at 60. 70 is average, 80 is above average, etc.
@huxxny
That's a good point. His opinion would be valid (as in, did he like it or not), but without other games to compare it to, he couldn't really say it was better or worse than other games. For experienced players, a more informed opinion, even second hand, might be better, if only because they could say "it plays like ...".
I didn't mean to conflate exploring the Metroid universe with traditional Metroid exploration. I understand that exploration is a fundamental part of traditional Metroid games, just as platforming is fundamental to traditional Mario games. In both cases, however, the worlds are big enough and interesting enough to do more, to explore other parts or from different angles, and see things you wouldn't usually see.
As an aside, thinking about Mario RPG's and Metroid together kind of made me want a Metroid RPG...
@naut
Please see the above paragraph. I don't think I've been communicating my point very well, so hopefully that clears it up.
Re: Review: Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
@VanillaLake
If 50 is bad (which I agree that it is), and 100 is perfect, wouldn't that still put 70 at good? I generally interpret scores as follows: below 50 is probably broken and/or awful, 50's is bad, 60's is mediocre, 70's are good, 80's are great, 90's are awesome, and 100 is a masterpiece. Of course, personal preference can buck critic opinion altogether. I've enjoyed some 60's more than some 80's.
Re: Review: Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
@naut
I didn't mean just exploring a big, open world. I meant going to new areas, finding new enemies, seeing new sights, getting more background, etc. You might not explore the whole world at once in this particular game, but you still explore the world of Metroid. That's as opposed to many Mario spin-offs like Mario Kart or Mario sports games, which have no exploration or expansion of the world at all.
@VanillaLake
I know you said you won't respond to me anymore, but what did I ignore or manipulate? I thought I covered everything pretty well. The only reason I didn't copy/paste quotes from you was the already lengthy size of my comment. If you added anything in an edit, I haven't refreshed the page, so I didn't see it.
Even with bias, the opinion of someone who played the game will always hold more weight than the opinion of someone who didn't. The only time that would prove untrue would be if the person who played the game was lying about their experience, and therefore not giving their real opinion.
Which comment about scores?
It doesn't matter if multiple people make an accusation if the accusation is not true. Where in the review does he say that? Are you referring to when he says you'd expect them to make a beautiful game, because their last game was beautiful?
Re: Review: Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
@naut
That's true, but they do have one thing in common, and that's an engaging world (though engaging in different ways, obviously). Mario spin-offs work so well partially because the world of Mario is charming and fun to play in. Likewise, the world of Metroid is deep and interesting. It's not suited to goofy/party games like the Mario world, but it is well-suited to exploration, even if Samus isn't the explorer, and even if the style is changed. From the beginning, what interested me most about this game was the new side of the Metroid world it would show. I'm not much of a Metroid fan myself (not much a fan of shooters in general), but I love the world of Metroid, and want to see more of it.
@VanillaLake
I agree, to an extent, that you don't need to play a whole game to have an opinion on it. I often watch videos to see if a game looks like something I'd want to play, or play demos if they're available. That's what they're there for. Even so, that's a very shallow and incomplete opinion, and has very little weight compared to one from someone who has played the whole game. If you play a demo and say the game is shallow, but someone who completed the game says it gets much better later on, you can't refute them because you've only played the demo. You cannot have an opinion about what you have not played. Also, your claim that the reviewer was affected by his love for the developer doesn't hold up well, considering his review is in line with what other critics are saying. Giving a game most critics think is a 7/10 an 8/10 does not show any particular bias. He just liked it a little more than average, just as others liked it a little less.
In response to your second reply, I have to assume you're feigning ignorance (I don't mean that as an insult). Surely you've seen the many Metroid fans bashing the game before release? The videos that are uploaded and immediately get tons of angry comments and dislikes? The petition going around to cancel the game based on the trailer? Is that not "passionate dislike"?
A commenter that's mad at the people hating the game without playing it is not relevant to the hate people have for this game, nor is it necessarily hateful to say you think it's stupid or moronic to hate a game you've never played. If someone told you they never played Metroid Prime, but they hated it, wouldn't you think that was stupid? Would that make you hateful?
Re: Review: Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
@Einherjar
"Hate: intense or passionate dislike"
You really think that isn't a fitting description of how some people responded to this game?
Re: Review: Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
@VanillaLake
You might not agree with him, but I don't think that's an unfair opinion. Clearly it scratched the Metroid itch for him, and he thinks it could do the same for others if they gave it a chance. And let's not forget that, according to most reviewers, this is a good game (7/10 is good). It's not the big console Metroid Prime 4 fans wanted, but it's a good FPS in the Metroid universe.
@naut
Wouldn't that apply to all of the many, many spin-offs Nintendo has made over the years? Nobody was asking for Mario RPG before it released, for example, and it has nothing in common with previous Mario games except the characters.
Re: Concept Art Surfaces from the Cancelled 'Epic Donald'
I was disappointed when the Epic Mickey franchise was ended. I enjoyed the first game quite a bit, as well as the 3DS game. I haven't played it yet, but I have Epic Mickey 2 sitting on my shelf. There aren't enough 3D platformers these days, and aside from the camera issues, Epic Mickey was one of the few good ones, with great source material. At least there are several indie developers stepping in to cover the diminishing genre as the big publishers step away.
Re: Review: Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
Maybe I missed it in all the hate people were giving this game, but I didn't realize it was made by Next Level. I was already interested, and that just makes me more so. I'm glad to see this game is good, even if it doesn't star Samus (getting a new perspective on an existing world is one reason I thought this game looked interesting).
@VanillaLake
Is giving a 7/10 game an 8/10 really such a stretch? It seems to me that anything within 1 point of the norm doesn't necessarily reflect bias in either direction. That actually applies to Star Fox and NSMB2 too.
Re: Hardware Review: Everdrive GBA X5
@KTT
I'm definitely with you as far as back-ups go. The difference is that I think people should make their own back-ups rather than download them from someone else. That can be difficult with games, because you can't just put them in a computer and rip the data like with CD's. It would be great if a company made a device to make back-ups of your games (a Retron 5 that copied ROMs, for example), but because of current (ridiculous) laws in many countries, and the fear of making illegal distribution easier, the company would probably get sued.
The problem with downloadable copies is that the download is just as available to people who don't own a copy as it is to those who do. It's a convenient way to get a back-up for legitimate owners, but it enables piracy.
Re: Hardware Review: Everdrive GBA X5
@KTT
That's why I said it was reviewed "as a piracy device". Generally stuff like this can have many purposes, but this reviewer practically recommended downloading ROM's, which is piracy. I've never heard of a country that allowed you to download additional copies of a game you own, but I'll take your word for it. Even so, I'm fairly certain that is not the case in most countries. Regardless, downloading these copies still supports illegal distribution.
I was mostly referring to this review itself. It did not say "check out this cool new flashcart to play homebrew games" (though it did mention them in passing), so much as "check out this cool new flashcart to play pirated games".
Re: Hardware Review: Everdrive GBA X5
Didn't NintendoLife used to have a policy against promoting, or even discussing, downloading ROM's (i.e. piracy)? And now it's reviewing products as pirating devices, and even describes piracy as "risky business in legal terms" (it's just plain illegal; there is no gray area there). The reviewer even said that, unless you only want to play homebrew games, this device is best used for piracy. When did this site take this turn?
Re: The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
@shani
Apparently I came very close last night, when I was at zero, but so far I've never ranked down. Whenever I got close I'd win a few matches and be safe. I might try again to rank up to A tonight, while simultaneously earning "money" to buy the rest of the weapons (I need about 150k).
I tried some other weapons, including the Dual Squelcher, and I still just prefer the speed and low ink use of my N-Zap. I might rotate between the '83 and '89 though.
Re: The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
@shani
I didn't know you could actually drop down a rank, like from A back to A-. I thought, for no real reason, that you were locked in when you ranked up.
Re: The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
@shani
I didn't know you could rank down. That's good to know. I can relate, though. In truth, last night I actually went up to 80's, down to 0, back up to 70's, and stopped at 50's. Ranked mode is a lot like gambling. When you win, you want to keep winning, and when you lose, you want to win it back.
Re: Crash Bandicoot's Nemesis Is Confirmed For Skylanders Imaginators
That Crash looks very different from the one I grew up with. I wonder if that's how he'll look in the remakes. Cortex looks about right, though.
Re: Captain Toad And Super Mario 3D World Are Joining The Nintendo Selects Range In Europe Soon
I wish NoA had gone this route with Captain Toad instead of adding an Amiibo. The game looks great, but my understanding is that it's very short, and not really worth $40.
For anyone who doesn't have them, I'll add my recommendation for Pikmin 3 and 3D World. Both are excellent games, more than worth the Nintendo Select price.
Re: Work For Volkswagen? Better Delete Pokémon GO From Your Phone
Unless they are company phones, I don't see how they can tell their employees what they're allowed to have on their own devices. They can, of course, tell them not to use the app while working (which seems like common sense), but telling them what they can have on their personal phones seems a step too far. For that matter, employees could just lock their phones, and the company would not be able to find out.
Re: The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
@shani
Congratulations on your new high! My Gamepad usually decides when I stop, but maybe that's not a good thing. I almost made it to A, but then had a bad streak and ended about where I started (50). If I had ended at a different time, I would have been in the 80's, but it's hard to stop when you only need 1-2 more wins.
Re: The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
@shani
I do pretty well with my N-Zap. My biggest problem is usually teammates in ranked mode (seemingly) not understanding the mode we're playing. Some players seem to think every mode is Turf War.
I was mostly referring to shooting speed. Anything that needs a charge feels terrible to me. I like to shoot as I react. The "perks" I stick with are usually Stealth Jump (always), and then a combination of swim speed up (if I'm moving, I'm usually swimming), special saver, quick respawn, and special up. Right now I'm finding 4 special savers, 2 special ups, and tenacity pretty fun.
Re: The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
@shani
I would say I fall in between the casual and hardcore Splatoon players, between the people who very rarely play and the people who play every week. This is the first time I've played an online game so much, too. I played a fair amount of Black Ops 2 on the Wii U, but I've played Splatoon at least 3-4x as much, and unlike BO2, I'm not bored of it.
I typically stick to just one gun (the N-Zap '89), because I always end up disliking other weapons when I switch. I like to play fast and on the offensive, and I haven't found a better gun for it. Most other "classes" (not sure if that's the proper Splatoon word) feel too slow for my taste.
I actually never used any of my sea snails. I played during Splatfests because they gave me a reason to, even when there was nothing left to unlock in the game, and because I enjoyed the idea that everyone was playing at once. Now that Splatfests are over, the only goals in the game are leveling/ranking up, which don't interest me much. When I play, as I'm playing now, I'll probably work towards them anyway, but when I'm not playing, the desire to level/rank up probably won't make me want to play.
Re: The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
@shani
You're clearly a more hardcore Splatoon fan than me, but I wouldn't call myself a casual just because I don't play regularly. I'm level 34, A- rank, and what brought me back time and again were the Splatfests. I'd play until I was burnt out, and do it again at the next Splatfest (and the preceding/following days). Like I said, the game is still great without the Splatfests, but it now lacks that incentive to come back and get sucked in again. There are those who play continuously (all those level 50's that are always on the opposing team...), but many like myself like to have a reason to come back, and leveling/ranking up without any unlocks isn't always enough. I'll still play it at random (I'll probably play after I post this, actually), but outside of playing on a whim, I'm not sure how often Splatoon will be in my Wii U.
Re: The Splatoon Testfire Demo is Coming Back for a Summer Fling
It's pretty weird that they'd stop Splatfests, and then promote the game with a demo. The game is still great without Splatfests, of course, but they were reasons for people to come back and play every now and again. Now that they're done, it feels like the game is winding down, and that's when Nintendo chooses to "invite" new players with a repeat demo? "Come try the game that won't get anymore content or events!" Maybe they're planning to announce Splatoon 2 for the NX in September, and they want to remind people who didn't buy it what it is.
Re: Nintendo of America Expands Nintendo Selects Range and Unveils Small New 3DS Bundle
I'm glad to see Lego City Undercover finally get the Nintendo Select treatment in America, but I would have preferred Captain Toad getting a price cut instead of a pack-in amiibo. The #1 complaint I saw about that game was that it should have been cheaper.
Re: Poll: Which Nintendo NX Games Do You Want to See in the Launch Window?
My ideal NX launch would include Pikmin 4, Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild, and a Mario platformer (2D or 3D), plus maybe a Smash Bros U/3DS Deluxe Edition. The only problem I'd have is actually buying all of that, plus a new system, in 1 day. I'd also love to see a new Luigi's Mansion. As a big fan of the franchise, I want a main series Pokemon game too, but with Pokemon Sun/Moon coming out in October, I think the NX launch window would be too soon.