TrueWiiMaster

@Bolt_Strike
But you did have to collect enough stars/shines to continue. Until then, you were stuck with the level(s) you were on, and the levels you'd already passed. Probably the thing I disliked most about Mario 64 was being stuck on a level I didn't like, having to play it over and over until I had enough stars to move on. I don't remember having that problem in Sunshine, though. Honestly, it's difficult to say either style is better, because they both have advantages and disadvantages. The classic style allows for bigger, more complex levels, which means more exploration, but ends up with far fewer levels, which it has to reuse. The newer style, on the other hand, allows for more levels, quicker progress, and more variety, but the levels lack the depth of the classic style, and there's less exploration.

If 3D World had "accommodated" that style, it would have been even less a hybrid, because it would have just been Mario 64 2 (not that I'd mind such a game). The hybrid status comes from playing like a 2D game, in a 3D game.

@Bolt_Strike
Did you play them? The levels in 3D World were much larger than in 3D Land. I wouldn't be surprised if you could fit several 3D Land levels in some of 3D World's levels. As for the linear design, that follows Galaxy's pattern, and is also in line with 2D games. The only games that were open to explore were Mario 64 and Sunshine, and you still had to play the levels in order for the most part.

"The recent 3D Mario games are more 2D gameplay applied to a 3D space than a true hybrid style"
That sounds like a 2D/3D hybrid to me. Just think about it. We're playing games in 3D worlds, which means 3D gameplay, with 2D-styled gameplay.

"And frankly, I'm sick of seeing the 2D gameplay, it's so repetitive and simplistic that it just feels like the same game over and over again."
That criticism applies to every genre. How much you can "take" depends on your preference for the genre. I love platformers, so I don't get bored with them easily, but I quickly get bored with open world games unless there's something else there to keep me, like the JRPG part of Xenoblade.

@3MonthBeef
What I meant was that Nintendo's games tend towards specific styles. If you don't like those styles, you likely won't want much that they make, and therefore won't have much to play on the Wii U. Bayonetta 2 was actually them veering away from their usual style.

@Bolt_Strike
You could say it's related to the quality of a library overall, but it doesn't have anything to do with individual games. And again, a lack of variety is something that many systems deal with, not just the Wii U. Strangely enough, the games on the Wii U are often the types of games missing on other platforms.

"Mario's been running in place since Galaxy"
You do realize that there has only been one 3D Mario game on consoles since Galaxy 2, right? So it's been running in place for one game? And the melding of 2D and 3D elements in 3D World was what made it unique. Aside from 3D Land, which was a much smaller, portable experience, there's really nothing like it. NSMB is about the same as ever, but that still means highly polished, classic 2D platforming (I've played them all, and NSMBU is easily the best, too).

"As for Tropical Freeze, it's basically DKCR with a couple of gameplay mechanics from the Classic Trilogy added back in (and it's still got some catching up to do), nothing special."
You and I clearly have very different ideas of what's special here. The DKC games are among the best platformers ever, and Tropical Freeze might be the best one yet, with beautiful HD graphics, awesome music, and the gameplay that established Rare as a major developer decades ago (with some new twists, mainly in the form of multiple partner characters). It's on a very short list of games that I wanted to keep playing, even after I beat them.

@3MonthBeef
Fair enough, though I don't know what kind of games you were expecting from Nintendo if you don't like the kind of games they've been releasing.

@nintykid
I was only referring to last year, not years in general. This year already has 6 games scheduled to release from Nintendo, and 2014 had 7-8. And really, even 4 major games from one developer is pretty good. Sony usually hits closer to 2 or 3. The big difference is 3rd party support. The quantity seen on other systems comes from many developers each making 1-4 major games per year.

@Bolt_Strike
You're confusing quality with variety, and that applies to all systems. The Wii U is lacking in FPS games, for example, but the PS4 is lacking in platformers. As for those platformers you mentioned being "similar-looking", they're actually quite different, in style and in play. NSMBU and Tropical Freeze are both stylized 2D platformers, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. 3D World is a 3D platformer, and one of very few on any platform this gen. All three are excellent, and rank among my top spots for the genre (and that's really saying something, since it's my favorite genre). Also, there are several open world games on the Wii U. Besides the recently-released Xenoblade, Assassin's Creed 3 and 4 are both on the system, along with Darksiders 2 and the two Batman games. LEGO City might fall into that category as well.

@Luna_110
Pokemon Black/White was released on the DS just a few weeks before the 3DS came out in the West. Even in Japan, it was only a few months before the 3DS's launch.

The whole "quality over quantity" thing is a very accurate description of the Wii U's library. Last year, there were only 3-4 big releases on the Wii U, but they were awesome. I consider Splatoon, Mario Maker, and Xenoblade as top Wii U games, alongside major titles like Mario Kart 8, 3D World, and SSBU, which I consider among the top games of all time. I'd even say Splatoon is the best new Nintendo IP since Pikmin.

@Action51
To be fair, almost no games have been announced for the Wii U since E3 2015. Pokken Tournament was confirmed a little later, but was already known of. Other than that, there was the Twilight Princess remake, and Paper Mario. I was never part of the "Wii U death cult", and I'm not part of it now (I'm looking forward to what's coming this year), but the fact is, there has only been one new Nintendo game announced for the Wii U in the last 7 months, and it was announced this week. Even at E3 2015, few games were announced for the Wii U, and that includes Mario Tennis and Amiibo Festival. The Wii U definitely seems to be slowing down, and it was never going that fast.

What glitches are they referring to here? Speedrunners use glitches to get faster times, but Mario Maker isn't a set game like Ocarina or Mario 64. Every run is different, because it's made up of different levels.

The first rule just seems awkward. I'm sure there are a lot of people who post their levels on Miiverse and ask for stars. It doesn't seem like a major violation to me.

It's too bad this is only for the New 3DS. I would think at least some SNES games would play fine on the original (it can emulate the GBA Ambassador games, after all, one of which is an SNES port). Even if these were coming to the regular 3DS, though, I probably wouldn't buy them, unless they came with big discounts for people who already own them on the Wii U. I might pay a buck or two, but I certainly wouldn't buy the games at full price again, just to take them with me.

I'm glad the Wii U's finally getting a Paper Mario. I was beginning to think it wouldn't happen. It looks great, but then, I'm part of that minority of fans that loved Sticker Star (TTYD is still my favorite, though).

Definitely interested. I always love a good, hand-drawn style.

This is a pretty good sale, but I have most of the games I want from Ubisoft already, so there's nothing for me. I would highly recommend Rayman Legends for anyone who doesn't have it though. It was a great game.

I'll probably be getting Ocarina 3D at some point, but I have almost all of those other games. Still, $20 each for those Wii U games is an amazing deal. Tropical Freeze, Pikmin 3, and 3D World are all excellent games.

That's pretty awkward, seeing as how neither of those developers have actually made games for Nintendo's systems. What makes them think that Nintendo isn't showing/giving dev kits to indies who have supported Nintendo's systems, like Wayforward and Curve Digital? Obviously Nintendo would target established "Nindies" and big publishers before going after random indies. I'm interested in both Unravel and Ori, but this guy is just coming off as arrogant and self-aggrandizing.

If Pokemon Reorchestrated has licensed the music for sale, that almost certainly means The Pokemon Company gets a cut of the profits. It's possible that by putting the videos up on youtube, Pokemon Reorchestrated was making money without giving TPC their cut. It's also possible that TPC just didn't want their music "given away" for free on youtube when the license was to sell it. And of course, it's possible I'm way off base here.

I'm not really a Final Fantasy fan (I bought the PS1 trilogy and X/X2HD last year, but haven't played them yet; at this point I've only played III on the DS), but XV looked interesting, at least. I wouldn't be surprised if this rumor was true, especially if the NX is a handheld/console hybrid. Japan loves handhelds, and Square is making Japanese RPG's. The fact (we can call it that, right?) that Square is already developing DQ for the NX helps, too.

I'm still hoping against hope that I can get the special edition. I loved Awakening, and I'm glad that Fates seems to be as good or better. At this point, Fates is up there with Zelda U as my most anticipated games of 2016.

I already have most of these, but it's good to see that more people will be able to enjoy the increasingly rare Pikmin 3. As for me, I might get Ocarina 3D at some point.

They really shouldn't have a choice. People paid them for a Wii U version. Even if they aren't legally obligated to fulfill that promise, they should still fulfill it. Their ability to fulfill it is irrelevant, since they already took the money for it. Not releasing the game on Wii U would be like cancelling a pre-order, but not giving a refund.

That said, if the game does come to the Wii U, I'll be interested. While I wasn't a Kickstarter supporter myself, I remember this game looking pretty good.

I really enjoyed Pirate's Curse, and I've been holding off on Risky's Revenge in the hope of getting the Director's Cut version on Wii U at a lower price (it's $9.99 on the PS4, while the original's $11.99 on the 3DS eshop). I have a ton of indies to play right now, so I'll probably be waiting for a sale, but I'm glad it's finally coming to the Wii U nonetheless.

I voted for Animal Crossing, Pikmin, and Zelda, but I don't expect a new Animal Crossing at launch. Because Zelda is coming this year, I expect it to be on the NX (as well as the Wii U), if the NX comes this year. The same goes for Pikmin 4, which is apparently close to completion. I could see an Animal Crossing coming by the end of the first year (possibly only in Japan at first), but at launch I think a new Mario would be more likely, along with a new IP and a surprise or two.

I'd love for this to be true. Paper Mario's one of my favorite franchises, and I'd love to see a new, HD installment. Hopefully, if they are making it, it will have turn-based combat. The Wii game is my least favorite of the current Paper Mario games largely because it didn't have turn-based combat.

It's worth noting that this also applies to Amiibo.

I already have the Best Buy membership, which gives 20% off all new games (new as in not used, not as in recently released), but this Amazon discount could be handy for getting games that Best Buy runs out of. Hopefully one of them gets Fire Emblem Fates Special Edition back in stock.

I got Box Boy when it went on sale late last year, and I loved it. Its NintendoLife review is one of few that I really disagree with. I'd give it an 8/10, easy. Hopefully the sequel is just as good or better.

Now that the sales are up, I'm a bit disappointed. There are more Curve games on sale, but the game I was most excited to get, The Swindle, is 3x more than in the European sale. I'll probably get Nova-111, but I'll wait on The Swindle.

I really hope there are more Curve games on sale than just those two. I was hoping for a sale similar to Europe's. If not, then I'll probably just get Tengami, and maybe Swords & Soldiers 2.

I hope these Curve sales come to North America. I'd love to pick up The Swindle and Nova 111 at those prices. Swords & Soldiers 2 would be great too. It's been high on my list since it came out.

Didn't some manufacturer say they were making circular screens for Nintendo at some point?

This is an interesting idea. I can't decide if I love it or hate it.

I was fairly interested in Minecraft U... and then they said $29.99... and then they said no touch screen inventory... Right now, I'm still interested, since I never played it, but it's too expensive and too lacking for me to buy it.

I'd still prefer Link to remain the main character of future Zelda games, as always. I think it would be interesting to see Linkle make an appearance in future games, but as a side character or partner, not the protagonist.

@TheLastLugia
While Animal Crossing has always sold better on handhelds, it's no slouch on consoles. From the first game it has been a multi-million seller, outselling various other franchises like Kirby, Metroid, and even Zelda (City Folk beat Skyward Sword). So while Nintendo would obviously be interested in making another handheld Animal Crossing, they'd also be interested in making another console Animal Crossing, because after games with Mario in them, it's one of their best selling franchises on either format.

As irritated as I am that the Wii U probably won't get an Animal Crossing, I'm already excited about getting Animal Crossing NX early in the NX life cycle. Who knows, maybe they'll make the next game for the NX and Wii U. It's not like Animal Crossing games are power-intensive.

In response to this video, the guy's vision of Animal Crossing U looks pretty awesome. I didn't see anything I didn't like. Bring back some old stuff like the island and maybe the city, and add a bunch of new fish, bugs, fossils, etc, and I'd put a few hundred hours into that.

I'm definitely interested in some of those indies, but I'll pass on the retail games. It takes a better discount than that to make me go digital on Nintendo retail games.

Does anyone know if Never Alone was ever updated to fix the bugs and improve the frame rate?

It's not going to keep me from getting the game, but this seems like a particularly significant and awkward change. I don't know why people think it's offensive to use traditional Native American clothing or images. I think the idea that such images are offensive is itself offensive, and possibly racist.

Also, if the Redskins change their name, it won't be to "avoid causing offense". It will be because the government revoked their trademark. Personally, I'm hoping they stick with their current name and symbol. Little known fact: the Redskin's icon was actually suggested and created by a Native American leader (Walter Wetzel, former president of the National Congress of American Indians). Before that it was just an R.

Sounds like developer incompetence/laziness to me. The Wii U is obviously much stronger than the Vita, and really, the Vita should have no problem playing this game. With a competent developer behind it, it would probably even work fine on the 3DS.

@A01
Nintendo's file limit was in place from the beginning. Team Meat knew about it when they promised the game, and then proceeded to make a game that wouldn't fit it, and blame Nintendo for a rule they chose to ignore.

I'm glad that these games are finally coming to the eshop, but this price is ridiculous. With Earthbound, it was just a $2 increase, a mere 25% up from the typical SNES price. With these games, we're talking about a whopping 150% increase in price compared to other Game Boy games. I would have been okay with an extra couple bucks, since they added wireless, but more than doubling the price is just too much, especially since most people probably won't even use the updated feature (myself included). Unless I fall into some hype/nostalgia, I won't be getting any of these games at those prices. I could just play Fire Red on my DS, or the original on my GBA (if the save still works in the cartridge).

Since Link is an established character (yes, I know it's technically a different Link in most games) I'd prefer he stay a he. It would be interesting to play a game, or part of a game, as Zelda, though. I think if they want a female protagonist, they should use one that's already female.

As for choosing a gender, I'd worry that that would limit the game to some degree. Unless games are specifically built for it, like Mass Effect, having a gender option means the game cannot have gender-specific relationships. Those may not be common in Zelda games, but I want the creators to be able to put them in easily if that's what they want.

This year has had some awesome games, but the total still sits at about 3. It has to be one of the slowest years any Nintendo system has ever had while still current. That said, Xenoblade still looks awesome, and I'm looking forward to the games coming to the Wii U and 3DS next year (plus the real NX announcement).

This game looks awesome, if more than a little overwhelming. My biggest concern is the quests. I thought the quests in the original could get annoyingly tedious. I really hope the quests are better in this game. That said, I definitely plan on getting it. I'm just deciding if I want the regular or special edition.

@Yorumi
Was it removed by NoA or NoE? NoA does use NoE's localization's sometimes.

Walmart's going to have the original 3DS XL for $120. Also, Meijer is offering the Wii U SSB Splatoon bundle for $250, plus $30 off your next purchase.

I got Girls Like Robots a while back in a Humble Bundle, and I had a lot of fun with it. I thought the humor and gameplay were great, and thought it would be a good fit for the Wii U, so I'm glad that it's finally coming to the eshop.

That said, because I already have it, I probably won't be getting anything but free demos this week (unless something cool comes from the Direct).

I think these kinds of features, along with free online play, are a huge, and missed, marketing opportunity for Nintendo. The convenience of letting your kid play games (or stream videos) on the Gamepad while you watch TV, the savings in using Wii games and accessories, and the variety and nostalgia on the eshop are too often overlooked. Add in free online play and its lower-than-the-others price tag, and the Wii U is definitely the best value of the current consoles. You may get "free" games with PS+ and Xbox Gold, but never having to pay a penny to get everything from your console is a major selling point, imo.

I didn't think I'd like Woah Dave!, but it came with the Humble Bundle, so I got it. It's a surprisingly fun and addictive game, and the music is great. I'd definitely be interested in Space Dave.

The names are obviously similar (pretty much identical) but the logos are very different. The only real similarity is that they both feature a boat, but the boats don't look at all alike.

I'll probably be getting Siesta Fiesta, but that's it. I'll be getting hard copies of Rodea (if I get it) and Yokai Watch.

The survey should have asked if they played a home console, not just if they owned one. Depending on the person/question, just having one in the house could be considered owning a console. It doesn't mean they play the console, or even that the console is theirs. Media outlets always seem so eager to say women play games as much as or more than men, but they never have anything to back it up.

Eh, I really don't care. I wasn't buying this game for specific costumes. I was buying it for its enormous, beautiful world, epic plot, and great gameplay, and they remain intact. In general, I'm against censorship, but I'd count this up as localization more than censorship.

I can definitely see that. With the hundreds of millions of mobile devices out there (or has it passed a billion yet?), it's not so unreasonable to expect massive profits from some of the most valuable IPs in the world. That said, I hope the incredible potential for profit that mobile offers doesn't pull Nintendo to the dark side.

So it can't play NES games? That seems like a strange design choice. That alone would push me to the Retron 5. I'd rather have NES compatibility than the PC Engine, Turbografx, and SuperGrafx. What I really want, though, is a Retron 5 with added N64 support. When that happens, I might finally buy one of these clone systems.

I'd love to get Twilight Princess in HD, but I wish they'd give some non-Zelda games remasters/remakes for a change. This would be the fourth Zelda remake this gen (Wii U and 3DS), and while I love Zelda, I also love Mario, Pikmin, DK, Metroid, and various other Nintendo IPs that rarely, if ever, see real remakes. It would be great to see Mario Sunshine HD, DK64 3D, and/or Metroid Prime Trilogy HD.

I got those back in what I think was the only sale the Wii Shop ever had, so I'm not worried.

I don't really see what the problem is. I wouldn't have even known it was based on a meme if not for this article. I'd imagine that other people who aren't into memes, and future players who haven't heard of this meme, will be the same way.