Too positive? Honestly, in a sense, yes. I expect enthusiasm about Nintendo products and the company itself--my personal enthusiasm is what drew me here--but there's enthusiasm and then there's pandering. With "why Nintendo is good" articles posted typically every day (preaching to the choir), Nintendo detractors demonized and even the most minor Nintendo news glorified, it's hard to take your "even-handed" claim at face value.
You seem to have missed my point about your Youtube audience--you have a video on your own Youtube channel that presents the same information already. This video is redundant to anyone who follows your channel, even if they don't read your website. Youtube or no, NL or no, the news has been out for so long that this video doesn't really have much value this late in the game. It's akin to a sports broadcast reporting last week's sports scores--though at least in that case, there's generally actual winners.
I don't expect NL to champion or even acknowledge Nintendo's rivals, nowhere did I say that, and skewing my words like that is a good example of why I don't like the rhetoric this site puts out. I thank you for your well-wishing, and since you described my view of the ideal Nintendo news site as utopian, I hope that as Editorial Director you'll take steps toward realizing that utopia.
@sinalefa That's exactly the point I made earlier on--I don't plan on keeping up with the site anymore. I never said "change for me," I said "I'm done with this." At which point people like you stepped in to say "other sites are even worse!" as if that would or should change my stance.
@sinalefa @PlywoodStick Those would be really compelling points if I was talking about any of them. I'm not. If you don't like a breakfast cereal, it doesn't matter if some other breakfast cereal is even worse; Golden Crisp being a terrible cereal doesn't mean that Cap'n Crunch is therefore good or that I have to enjoy it. I'm talking about Nintendo Life--which posts Pachter articles, or any other not-necessarily-pro-Nintendo articles, to whip its readership into a zealous frenzy. The Mario Kart 8 criticism roundup still sticks in my mind as a particularly low point.
@Damo Your Youtube audience has likely already gained the information presented in this video in the Nintendo E3 video you posted a week ago, when the content was fresh. Regardless of what audience you're talking about, the video is redundant. Are you referring to that piece that ultimately concluded "Nintendo probably has to do this, and we can't have our cake and eat it too, so rev up that Mercedes?" The article does question its wholesomeness before reaching that conclusion, but even Whitehead--one of the more even-keeled writers here--can't help but explain away the very thing he critiqued.
NL has an article that claims--based on a few other game news sites and your own poll--that Nintendo unquestionably brought in doubters. but when Sony announces that unbiased national polls show PS4 owners used to own non-Sony devices last gen, you present it as lies as soon as the byline. Throwing in a wishy-washy counterpoint now and again just doesn't counterbalance the heavy-handed bias. But maybe it's you in particular I take issue with. Your articles tend to prime readers for a desired response by painting your opposition in an unfavorable, even inaccurate light, which really lends credence to the notion that you write with an agenda in mind.
@WanderingPB You misunderstand the point I'm trying to make. It's not simply a matter of what I do or do not want to read, nor is it a matter of what choices I make. It's a matter of the choices NL makes. Whether I actually read it or not, the fact that the same damn article is posted every single day not only turns me off to the site, but makes me question its integrity. It often feels like the mission statement of the site isn't to provide readers with Nintendo news and trustworthy reviews, but to constantly remind me that Nintendo is Good and Sony and Microsoft are Bad--anyone who says an unkind word about Nintendo or its products, even if the points are valid, is aslo Bad. I've come to a site called "Nintendo Life"--I already know Nintendo is a good company. That said, I don't pretend it's infallible (or that its rivals are terrible), and it's tiresome to have to see the same rhetoric spewed every day--even I choose to not actually read the article.
On top of that, this article provides literally no new content, other than repackaging already-established information in video form. When I click on a new article, I expect it to have something new to say. This is a video summarizing Nintendo's E3 highlights--which this very site has already covered several times--more than a week after the fact. What is the point?
The images have nothing to do with what the sign is supposed to convey. I like these characters, too, but that doesn't mean they're appropriate in every context, certainly not public property.
@WanderingPB Choosing to read an article doesn't mean the reader can subsequently only express agreement with it. I don't question fan response, I question why a semi-professional website continually regurgitates the same rhetoric (and my only answer comes in the form of stoking the embers of fanboy factionism). I don't see why another website would be interested in that.
But you're right about one thing, it's my choice to read the site at all, and at this point I'm leaning towards dropping it.
This is, what, the fifth post-E3 (which ended over a week ago) "Nintendo won" article? How many times does this need to be said? For being unaffiliated with Nintendo, a lot of what is published here comes across as propaganda.
"Villager and Miis are similar in that they both exist as avatars of the player."
I almost stopped reading right there. If that's an argument against Miis, then it should also be an argument against Link, Pokemon Trainer, or any other silent protagonist with minimal personality. Game characters are quite often intended to be avatars for the player--it's hardly the exclusive province of the villager.
That "the Mii's place on the roster could have been freed up for [... an]other Nintendo character" is argument you can use against any Smash character you don't like or want. I could argue Palutena cost Captain Syrup her spot, for example. When that rationale applies to everyone, it applies to no one--that is, it's not a compelling point against the Miis.
If Miis are banned from "Vs. Anyone" play because of the potential abuse of Mii faces, that alone doesn't satisfy me. You can easily circumvent that by only allowing stock/generic faces in Vs. Anyone mode (and if those "generic" faces happen to resemble Sakurai, Miyamoto, Iwata, etc....). I'd take that over excluding an entire character. If it's a question of balance (regarding the customization), maybe they should try to balance the character before putting it in at all.
I would love to see, in one form or another, tutorials from Miyamoto and other great platformer directors that share insight on what makes for good level design. I'm sure it won't stop the inevitable slew of "impossible deathrap lol epic" designs, but it might inspire more players to take the engine seriously, or even consider picking it up when they otherwise might not have. If nothing else, it'd be great insight into the world of game development.
I was more or less on board with Smash's implementation of Amiibo, but for other games, it sounds like the figures just arbitrarily unlock content already embedded in the game; that's exactly what I predicted, feared, and don't want. If these figures do nothing more than what an unlock code does, they are superfluous; they're on-disc DLC in physical form. It's really disappointing, because initially it sounded like Nintendo was consciously avoiding that route; now they seem unabashed about it.
This news makes me a little more enthused about the project, but I'm just waiting/fearful for "...as DLC" to follow. It'd be really neat if we could have a medley of different graphical elements running at once.
I'd love to see the Super Leaf, or the long-lost CAPE FEATHER, incorporated. If the latter is implemented I will probably bite. I want to soar again.
@Play-Doh_25 You're absolutely right, of course, but I think being skewed and inaccurate is the point here. Most people should understand that a poll with less than 1,000 participants on a Nintendo-centric site just can't compare with a nationwide survey conducted by a professional, unbiased ratings company... but it seems like a lot of NLers would rather turn a blind eye to that concept.
Now, that all said, (a) the actual ratings report cited by Sony hasn't been published as far a I can tell, and (b) for Chrissake, we need to stop obsessing/caring about sales figures and who's "winning." It makes sense for companies to be vested in these numbers, but consumers should worry more about what their purchases yield for them and not what "team" they're playing for (and who to root against).
Isn't the Avengers movie canon in the movie universe and not in conflict with the storylines of its characters? It doesn't seem like a very apt analogy to me.
I think trying to apply a timeline to the Zelda games was a mistake, anyway. I don't think it's ever really impacted my enjoyment of any individual game, either. They function fine as standalone stories.
These are "wired" controllers only technically, in that they have a wire. "Wired controller" is generally understood to mean "has a direct connection to the console via wire," and is preferred by players who want precise timing (eliminates chances of lag). Connecting them to wireless Wii Remotes does not make them "wired" in this sense, and calling them that can be very misleading to consumers who don't research this product.
If they were actual GameCube controllers (with wired GameCube connectors)--and no so glossy/gaudy--I'd get them for use with my Wii, as they'd complement the Mario Wii Remotes paired with them. As it is, though, this is a swing and a miss.
My reactions are mixed. Since I've wanted physical Smash trophies since Melee (with that simulated trophy room), I'm ultimately happy. I'm also glad the the core gameplay doesn't rely on them; and yet, the point about customization seems since you can't actually control them. Whether or not I embrace them really depends on how they're generally implemented. The create-your-own-version-of-the-character aspect of Smash more or less works, but "buy Funky Kong Amiibo to unlock him in MK8!" is not going to fly with me.
I haven't played a console Zelda in some time, but so far I'm a little enticed to give this a go. There's not much to go on, but it looks like it has promise.
I know Smash is a world where Villagers can potentially beat armored space hunters, but something about a goddess joining the fight bugs me. But I guess Rosalina kind of opened that door. Ultimately, I don't mind, but I'm not familiar enough with the character to get excited.
I'm not really grabbed by this one. There are plenty of other games where create-a-level is a mere bonus feature attached to an actual game, so if this is meant to be a standalone title, I'd hope it's priced accordingly. Further, I know I'm no expert level designer, and I suspect most gamers aren't either, so the idea of a whole community of user-created stages isn't as enticing as one would tout. I do appreciate the visual style options, though; even though I cut my teeth on Super Mario Bros. and someone who likes sprites in general, I'm sick to death of the original sprite aesthetic.
@AJSjedi That's a limited-time promotion and not really comparable. If you want to make that case, though, I'd rather have all the content of a given game with one purchase than receive a second game for free--especially when the free game choices are popular titles Wii U owners are likely to already own. Three of the four titles were all bundled with the hardware at some point!
DLC, eh... it depends on the price, I suppose. I'll feel a bit burned if there's a "GOTY edition" with them all included... I like most of new character additions, though. E. Gadd is a nice surprise, and it's nice to see Kamek after being knocked out of Mario Kart 64! Plessie should be far larger than any kart, though. I only wish that characters like these--that is to say, actual characters--were part of the main game, and characters like Pink Gold Peach were the DLC. I also have a strong desire to rearrange that selection screen's order!
@EarthboundBenjy Bowser Jr. appeared alongside the Koopalings in both NSMB Wii & NSMB/NSL U. I guess you could say that they're mutually exclusive in the handheld iterations, though.
I don't think analog triggers would make a difference anyway, since games would need to be designed with them in mind. As far as I know, no Wii U controllers have analog trigger functions, save for the original Classic Controller.
@MegaWatts Speaking of lightening up, you may recall that NL itself playfully ribbed "Fox News" for having a slow news day when they devoted a whopping 26 seconds to a MK8 video.
Welcome news, as it more or less assures that I'll eventually own these games at one point or another. I would love to see this prompt a sale or reduced price in the digital versions, however; this feels like a game that belongs "in" the console, accessible any time. A physical release costing more than a digital download just doesn't make sense.
@faint @aaronsullivan Stores routinely run sales and specials on games. I'd count on this being discounted during the holiday season at the latest.
@Snivy102 I understand your point; I was just adding that the removal of a legitimate technique (unintended or otherwise) was met with disdain. Firehopping also seems very minor compared with wavedashing, so I don't see what all the fuss is about.
Lots of "unintended" features become series staples. Maybe the T-Spin should have been removed from Tetris, or Capcom should have patched out the ability to combo in Street Fighter II--instead of them becoming recurring, even defining, aspects of the game play.
This is such a minor trick I have a hard time understanding why it's controversial. Of course, this place is the only place I've encountered such a claim...
I'd be interested in a retail disc or a digital deal that's equivalent in price. I need to research if these games offer more than just a graphical update, but I think online play might be enough to warrant their purchase.
@ECMIM Accuracy is nice, but not as nice as click-bait.
What's as concerning is that some people approached the article/video with the mindset that it was "Fox News," which led them to either misinterpret the tone or intent, or worse, imagine it.
If you told the teenage me--the teen who lived and breathed Final Fantasy, and especially loved its music--that I would greet a limited edition Final Fantasy music game package with complete and utter apathy, he wouldn't believe you. But, here we are. Weird. It's an attractive edition that I'm sure fans will appreciate, though.
I'm sort of on the fence on this one. I've grown somewhat accustomed to having a choice of console color (though color being linked to hard drive size reduced that freedom of choice a bit), but I also find the practice of releasing multiple variations and revisions to be a bit annoying and overwhelming--unless you really do your research, you can't always be sure if your model does X, Y, and Z (currently, with Nintendo I'd rather buy early before features are cut, while with Sony I'd rather wait for its hardware to be improved/refined). Ultimately, I think I'd welcome having hardware variations down to a minimum.
You know, as a kid, I rather liked Worlds of Power, particularly the Blaster Master title. They weren't very faithful to the games, no, but at that time, a lot of game canon was either unestablished or inconsistently applied--and if I recall correctly, some elements of the Worlds of Power Blaster Master novelization actually became folded into the Blaster Master game canon.
@Kirk There has always been, and likely always will be, certain games that only work with certain peripherals. I understand your concern with having to cover all the bases, but all I can recommend there is reviewing the back of the game box or eShop description to ensure you're properly equipped before you buy. I wouldn't expect a motion control game to work with Pro Controllers, and we've known since 2006 that the Wii Remote won't cover all the bases.
I've already conceded that the situation isn't ideal for games that require specific controllers, but I still don't see how multiple control options is "mental." But since you decided to retread the former rather than the latter, I'm not sure there is much more to it; at this point I think we'll just have to agree to disagree.
The dash-as-offense mechanic looks fun. I'm sure some of the more bland areas are just an early build/demo purposes. But I hope we get a little more than just the new dash mechanic, because otherwise the Mega Ersatz vibe isn't as charming to me as one would've hoped.
@Kirk You have a point for games that require certain controllers/cannot use certain others, but you lose me when you complain that a game that supports all options (such as Smash) is convoluted and messy. So they're bad when they're limiting, AND they're bad when they're open? Is your ultimate conclusion that the Wii U should have one controller and one controller only? Because I'm not sure the Wii U would have enjoyed the limited success it has if the /only/ thing we could use/had to buy is a monolithic slab.
@Kirk I'm not familiar with the game, so I don't know if you mean the second player can ONLY use the Pro controller (not the Wii Remote), but I haven't found anything to confirm or support that notion.
@Kirk But you don't /need/ these options. Can you name a single Wii U game that requires you to use something other than the Game Pad or Wii Remote?
If you like your Game Pad, you will be able to keep your Game Pad. This is nothing new, by the way; many companies, including Nintendo itself, have long offered alternative controllers for decades. I never needed to buy the NES Max or SNES Advantage, either, but if I wanted them, they were available. I cannot comprehend why you insist this is a bad thing, other than your faulty assertion that adopting these alternate controls is mandatory.
This was certainly a surprise. It's not something I'll purchase (unless the Pro Controller proves to be insufficient for a GC Virtual Console), but it's surely made a lot of players very happy.
But speaking of Virtual Console, here's what I WOULD purchase: this, but with one GC port, one N64 port, one SNES port and one NES port (and while we're at it, one USB connector). Replace or accompany the Wii U logo with a Virtual Console logo, and you've made that many more 'hardcore' fans happy.
@Action51 Do you know if a Pro Controller connected via USB acts as a "wired" controller? Not looking to tout it as a way to refute the necessity of a wired (GC) controller, just curious.
The Mercedes feels a bit out of place--I think a Mini Cooper or Beetle would better suit Mario Kart--but it doesn't bother me. The Yoshi sound effect in the NES game irked me a tiny bit, but the live-action portion of the commercial was great.
@HylianJowi While I stand by points, I may have initially come off a bit aggressively in addressing them; so, my apologies, and my respect for responding affably.
One thing we can agree on is that the Kart cast could use expansion. There are many characters that could be included before resorting to baby versions of everyone. As I mentioned before, Pauline, Captain Syrup, and, say, Mona would help round out the female cast--and none of them would be princesses or monsters with tertiary sexual characteristics! Kamek, Jimmy T., and Wart would be welcome additions as well, though I'd omit Kamek since we have so many Koopas already.
@HylianJowi I'm glad you see that the opposition has some merit, but if I were to say "It's a shame that some people might not realize how much of what people love about Mario Kart would be lost in the process," wouldn't that come off as dismissive?
On that note, Kart would indeed lose a lot. To make room for the other franchises, lots of Mario Kart tracks, items and characters--more than just the filler characters--would have to go. If we were starting fresh, that might not be so bad, but Mario Kart has a long legacy. Reinventing it just 'cause would bring at least as much harm to the table as it may bring good.
"And now, Nintendo will unveil some big Zelda news; but who better to make the announcement than Zelda herself? Ladies and gentleman, Zelda Williams!"
"Thank you, Reggie. Growing up, I've always enjoyed the Legend of Zelda games and was proud to have Princess Zelda as my namesake. But I was also always a bit disappointed that these games often relegated the titluar character--as powerful as she is--to a supporting or even background role. Today, I am proud and honored to announce that that's about to change. In Nintendo's upcoming The Legend of Zelda: ______ _______, Princess Zelda herself will be a playable character, along with Link."
That would be extra special and "not what [people] think." Hey, a guy can dream.
Did the Yabuki interview's click-bait subtitle not rouse enoguh rabble? Expanding Mario Kart to include all Nintendo franchises is unnecessary, and would make the game far too busy; I find the game to be laden with options already, and throwing more items and vechicles into the mix would feel like overkill. We already have enough Nintendo orgy/fan pandering in Smash Bros (and now the NES Remix series). Another such title would diminish Smash's allure.
There's a reason why the Mario franchise plays host to Nintendo's sports and party games. Mario was designed to be a character who could feature in any game; Link and Samus and Little Mac were not. I'm all for replacing the baby and gold characters, but the Mario universe has enough to bring in, from WarioWare and Donkey Kong's cast of characters to NPCs like the oft-forgotten Pauline and Captain Syrup. But then, the fact that several past Mario Kart characters were cut from the game suggests that rather than Mario Kart suffering from a lacking roster, it has an overabundance.
Is this News? I'd call it a Talking Point, but since the article itself poo-poos anyone with a dissenting opinion...
Comments 138
Re: Video: Watch Our Handy Highlight Video To See How Nintendo Silenced Its Critics At E3 2014
Too positive? Honestly, in a sense, yes. I expect enthusiasm about Nintendo products and the company itself--my personal enthusiasm is what drew me here--but there's enthusiasm and then there's pandering. With "why Nintendo is good" articles posted typically every day (preaching to the choir), Nintendo detractors demonized and even the most minor Nintendo news glorified, it's hard to take your "even-handed" claim at face value.
You seem to have missed my point about your Youtube audience--you have a video on your own Youtube channel that presents the same information already. This video is redundant to anyone who follows your channel, even if they don't read your website. Youtube or no, NL or no, the news has been out for so long that this video doesn't really have much value this late in the game. It's akin to a sports broadcast reporting last week's sports scores--though at least in that case, there's generally actual winners.
I don't expect NL to champion or even acknowledge Nintendo's rivals, nowhere did I say that, and skewing my words like that is a good example of why I don't like the rhetoric this site puts out. I thank you for your well-wishing, and since you described my view of the ideal Nintendo news site as utopian, I hope that as Editorial Director you'll take steps toward realizing that utopia.
Re: Video: Watch Our Handy Highlight Video To See How Nintendo Silenced Its Critics At E3 2014
@Bob's Red Mill is exactly what I hunger for, but I'd settle for Nature's Path. I'll let you know if I find any...
Re: Video: Watch Our Handy Highlight Video To See How Nintendo Silenced Its Critics At E3 2014
@sinalefa That's exactly the point I made earlier on--I don't plan on keeping up with the site anymore. I never said "change for me," I said "I'm done with this." At which point people like you stepped in to say "other sites are even worse!" as if that would or should change my stance.
Re: Video: Watch Our Handy Highlight Video To See How Nintendo Silenced Its Critics At E3 2014
@sinalefa @PlywoodStick Those would be really compelling points if I was talking about any of them. I'm not. If you don't like a breakfast cereal, it doesn't matter if some other breakfast cereal is even worse; Golden Crisp being a terrible cereal doesn't mean that Cap'n Crunch is therefore good or that I have to enjoy it. I'm talking about Nintendo Life--which posts Pachter articles, or any other not-necessarily-pro-Nintendo articles, to whip its readership into a zealous frenzy. The Mario Kart 8 criticism roundup still sticks in my mind as a particularly low point.
@Damo Your Youtube audience has likely already gained the information presented in this video in the Nintendo E3 video you posted a week ago, when the content was fresh. Regardless of what audience you're talking about, the video is redundant. Are you referring to that piece that ultimately concluded "Nintendo probably has to do this, and we can't have our cake and eat it too, so rev up that Mercedes?" The article does question its wholesomeness before reaching that conclusion, but even Whitehead--one of the more even-keeled writers here--can't help but explain away the very thing he critiqued.
NL has an article that claims--based on a few other game news sites and your own poll--that Nintendo unquestionably brought in doubters. but when Sony announces that unbiased national polls show PS4 owners used to own non-Sony devices last gen, you present it as lies as soon as the byline. Throwing in a wishy-washy counterpoint now and again just doesn't counterbalance the heavy-handed bias. But maybe it's you in particular I take issue with. Your articles tend to prime readers for a desired response by painting your opposition in an unfavorable, even inaccurate light, which really lends credence to the notion that you write with an agenda in mind.
Re: Video: Watch Our Handy Highlight Video To See How Nintendo Silenced Its Critics At E3 2014
@WanderingPB You misunderstand the point I'm trying to make. It's not simply a matter of what I do or do not want to read, nor is it a matter of what choices I make. It's a matter of the choices NL makes. Whether I actually read it or not, the fact that the same damn article is posted every single day not only turns me off to the site, but makes me question its integrity. It often feels like the mission statement of the site isn't to provide readers with Nintendo news and trustworthy reviews, but to constantly remind me that Nintendo is Good and Sony and Microsoft are Bad--anyone who says an unkind word about Nintendo or its products, even if the points are valid, is aslo Bad. I've come to a site called "Nintendo Life"--I already know Nintendo is a good company. That said, I don't pretend it's infallible (or that its rivals are terrible), and it's tiresome to have to see the same rhetoric spewed every day--even I choose to not actually read the article.
On top of that, this article provides literally no new content, other than repackaging already-established information in video form. When I click on a new article, I expect it to have something new to say. This is a video summarizing Nintendo's E3 highlights--which this very site has already covered several times--more than a week after the fact. What is the point?
Re: Weirdness: Classic Game Characters Part of Artist's Neighbourhood Watch Makeover
The images have nothing to do with what the sign is supposed to convey. I like these characters, too, but that doesn't mean they're appropriate in every context, certainly not public property.
Re: Video: Watch Our Handy Highlight Video To See How Nintendo Silenced Its Critics At E3 2014
@WanderingPB Choosing to read an article doesn't mean the reader can subsequently only express agreement with it. I don't question fan response, I question why a semi-professional website continually regurgitates the same rhetoric (and my only answer comes in the form of stoking the embers of fanboy factionism). I don't see why another website would be interested in that.
But you're right about one thing, it's my choice to read the site at all, and at this point I'm leaning towards dropping it.
Re: Video: Watch Our Handy Highlight Video To See How Nintendo Silenced Its Critics At E3 2014
This is, what, the fifth post-E3 (which ended over a week ago) "Nintendo won" article? How many times does this need to be said? For being unaffiliated with Nintendo, a lot of what is published here comes across as propaganda.
Re: Talking Point: Mii, Myself and I - The Arguments For and Against Miis in Super Smash Bros.
"Villager and Miis are similar in that they both exist as avatars of the player."
I almost stopped reading right there. If that's an argument against Miis, then it should also be an argument against Link, Pokemon Trainer, or any other silent protagonist with minimal personality. Game characters are quite often intended to be avatars for the player--it's hardly the exclusive province of the villager.
That "the Mii's place on the roster could have been freed up for [... an]other Nintendo character" is argument you can use against any Smash character you don't like or want. I could argue Palutena cost Captain Syrup her spot, for example. When that rationale applies to everyone, it applies to no one--that is, it's not a compelling point against the Miis.
If Miis are banned from "Vs. Anyone" play because of the potential abuse of Mii faces, that alone doesn't satisfy me. You can easily circumvent that by only allowing stock/generic faces in Vs. Anyone mode (and if those "generic" faces happen to resemble Sakurai, Miyamoto, Iwata, etc....). I'd take that over excluding an entire character. If it's a question of balance (regarding the customization), maybe they should try to balance the character before putting it in at all.
Re: First Impressions: Getting Creative With Mario Maker
I would love to see, in one form or another, tutorials from Miyamoto and other great platformer directors that share insight on what makes for good level design. I'm sure it won't stop the inevitable slew of "impossible deathrap lol epic" designs, but it might inspire more players to take the engine seriously, or even consider picking it up when they otherwise might not have. If nothing else, it'd be great insight into the world of game development.
Re: Mario Kart 8 Toys Boosting Into McDonald's Happy Meals
@Rosalina I wonder if the normal wheels move.
@Tasuki The employees won't care. Lots of adults order Happy Meals, some under the silly notion that the smaller portions make the meals healthier.
Re: E3 2014: Nintendo Planning To Release Amiibo Figures for Entire Super Smash Bros. Roster
I was more or less on board with Smash's implementation of Amiibo, but for other games, it sounds like the figures just arbitrarily unlock content already embedded in the game; that's exactly what I predicted, feared, and don't want. If these figures do nothing more than what an unlock code does, they are superfluous; they're on-disc DLC in physical form. It's really disappointing, because initially it sounded like Nintendo was consciously avoiding that route; now they seem unabashed about it.
Re: E3 2014: Amiibo Figures Will Have A Price Tag Comparable To Skylanders And Disney Infinity Toys
$10 per unarticulated figurine? That strikes me as a bit pricey... for the first time, I'm looking at game paraphernalia through my parents' eyes.
Re: Mario Maker to Include Additional Graphical Styles, Sharing Levels is "Really The Whole Point"
This news makes me a little more enthused about the project, but I'm just waiting/fearful for "...as DLC" to follow. It'd be really neat if we could have a medley of different graphical elements running at once.
I'd love to see the Super Leaf, or the long-lost CAPE FEATHER, incorporated. If the latter is implemented I will probably bite. I want to soar again.
Re: Wii Owners Are Upgrading To PlayStation 4, Claims Sony
@Play-Doh_25 You're absolutely right, of course, but I think being skewed and inaccurate is the point here. Most people should understand that a poll with less than 1,000 participants on a Nintendo-centric site just can't compare with a nationwide survey conducted by a professional, unbiased ratings company... but it seems like a lot of NLers would rather turn a blind eye to that concept.
Now, that all said, (a) the actual ratings report cited by Sony hasn't been published as far a I can tell, and (b) for Chrissake, we need to stop obsessing/caring about sales figures and who's "winning." It makes sense for companies to be vested in these numbers, but consumers should worry more about what their purchases yield for them and not what "team" they're playing for (and who to root against).
Re: E3 2014: Hyrule Warriors Not Part of Zelda Timeline, More Like an Avengers Spin-Off
Isn't the Avengers movie canon in the movie universe and not in conflict with the storylines of its characters? It doesn't seem like a very apt analogy to me.
I think trying to apply a timeline to the Zelda games was a mistake, anyway. I don't think it's ever really impacted my enjoyment of any individual game, either. They function fine as standalone stories.
Re: E3 2014: PDP Shows Off its New GameCube-Styled Wired Fight Pad For Wii U and Wii
These are "wired" controllers only technically, in that they have a wire. "Wired controller" is generally understood to mean "has a direct connection to the console via wire," and is preferred by players who want precise timing (eliminates chances of lag). Connecting them to wireless Wii Remotes does not make them "wired" in this sense, and calling them that can be very misleading to consumers who don't research this product.
If they were actual GameCube controllers (with wired GameCube connectors)--and no so glossy/gaudy--I'd get them for use with my Wii, as they'd complement the Mario Wii Remotes paired with them. As it is, though, this is a swing and a miss.
Re: E3 2014: Nintendo Reveals Amiibo NFC Concept, Confirmed For Mario Kart 8
My reactions are mixed. Since I've wanted physical Smash trophies since Melee (with that simulated trophy room), I'm ultimately happy. I'm also glad the the core gameplay doesn't rely on them; and yet, the point about customization seems since you can't actually control them. Whether or not I embrace them really depends on how they're generally implemented. The create-your-own-version-of-the-character aspect of Smash more or less works, but "buy Funky Kong Amiibo to unlock him in MK8!" is not going to fly with me.
Re: E3 2014: Wii U Legend Of Zelda Revealed, Confirmed For 2015 Release
I haven't played a console Zelda in some time, but so far I'm a little enticed to give this a go. There's not much to go on, but it looks like it has promise.
Re: E3 2014: Nintendo Rolls Out New Kirby Game Trailer For Wii U
Canvas Curse wasn't my favorite, so I'm not really drawn to this. Visually, it looks great, though.
Re: E3 2014: Palutena to Descend From the Heavens to Join Super Smash Bros.
I know Smash is a world where Villagers can potentially beat armored space hunters, but something about a goddess joining the fight bugs me. But I guess Rosalina kind of opened that door. Ultimately, I don't mind, but I'm not familiar enough with the character to get excited.
Re: E3 2014: Mii Fighter Confirmed for Super Smash Bros.
I'll take it! That Rocky Balboa Mii I made in '07 finally has a purpose in life.
Re: E3 2014: Mario Maker Officially Announced for Wii U, Coming 2015
I'm not really grabbed by this one. There are plenty of other games where create-a-level is a mere bonus feature attached to an actual game, so if this is meant to be a standalone title, I'd hope it's priced accordingly. Further, I know I'm no expert level designer, and I suspect most gamers aren't either, so the idea of a whole community of user-created stages isn't as enticing as one would tout. I do appreciate the visual style options, though; even though I cut my teeth on Super Mario Bros. and someone who likes sprites in general, I'm sick to death of the original sprite aesthetic.
Re: Rumour: Mario Kart 8 DLC to Feature Expanded Roster and New Battle Modes
@AJSjedi I am not whining, I am articulating why I'd prefer theoretical DLC up-front over a second game which I'm likely to already own/have played.
Re: Rumour: Mario Kart 8 DLC to Feature Expanded Roster and New Battle Modes
@AJSjedi That's a limited-time promotion and not really comparable. If you want to make that case, though, I'd rather have all the content of a given game with one purchase than receive a second game for free--especially when the free game choices are popular titles Wii U owners are likely to already own. Three of the four titles were all bundled with the hardware at some point!
Re: Rumour: Mario Kart 8 DLC to Feature Expanded Roster and New Battle Modes
DLC, eh... it depends on the price, I suppose. I'll feel a bit burned if there's a "GOTY edition" with them all included... I like most of new character additions, though. E. Gadd is a nice surprise, and it's nice to see Kamek after being knocked out of Mario Kart 64! Plessie should be far larger than any kart, though. I only wish that characters like these--that is to say, actual characters--were part of the main game, and characters like Pink Gold Peach were the DLC. I also have a strong desire to rearrange that selection screen's order!
@EarthboundBenjy Bowser Jr. appeared alongside the Koopalings in both NSMB Wii & NSMB/NSL U. I guess you could say that they're mutually exclusive in the handheld iterations, though.
Re: GameCube-Style Wii U Controller, the WaveDash, Seeks Kickstarter Funding
I don't think analog triggers would make a difference anyway, since games would need to be designed with them in mind. As far as I know, no Wii U controllers have analog trigger functions, save for the original Classic Controller.
Re: Weirdness: This Walmart Employee Got a Little Confused by a Mario Kart 8 Poster
@MegaWatts Speaking of lightening up, you may recall that NL itself playfully ribbed "Fox News" for having a slow news day when they devoted a whopping 26 seconds to a MK8 video.
Re: Wii Sports Club Retail Version Hits North America on 25th July
Welcome news, as it more or less assures that I'll eventually own these games at one point or another. I would love to see this prompt a sale or reduced price in the digital versions, however; this feels like a game that belongs "in" the console, accessible any time. A physical release costing more than a digital download just doesn't make sense.
@faint @aaronsullivan Stores routinely run sales and specials on games. I'd count on this being discounted during the holiday season at the latest.
Re: Poll: Should Nintendo Patch The Controversial Fire Hopping Technique In Mario Kart 8?
@Snivy102 I understand your point; I was just adding that the removal of a legitimate technique (unintended or otherwise) was met with disdain. Firehopping also seems very minor compared with wavedashing, so I don't see what all the fuss is about.
Re: Poll: Should Nintendo Patch The Controversial Fire Hopping Technique In Mario Kart 8?
@Snivy102 Well, in a sense, it was, by way of its removal in Brawl. Consequently (among other reasons), many feel Melee is the better game.
Re: Poll: Should Nintendo Patch The Controversial Fire Hopping Technique In Mario Kart 8?
Lots of "unintended" features become series staples. Maybe the T-Spin should have been removed from Tetris, or Capcom should have patched out the ability to combo in Street Fighter II--instead of them becoming recurring, even defining, aspects of the game play.
This is such a minor trick I have a hard time understanding why it's controversial. Of course, this place is the only place I've encountered such a claim...
Re: Wii Sports Club Baseball and Boxing Arrive on 27th June, Retail Bundle on 11th July
I'd be interested in a retail disc or a digital deal that's equivalent in price. I need to research if these games offer more than just a graphical update, but I think online play might be enough to warrant their purchase.
Re: Weirdness: Luigi's Mario Kart 8 'Death Stare' Is Deemed Noteworthy By Fox News
@ECMIM Accuracy is nice, but not as nice as click-bait.
What's as concerning is that some people approached the article/video with the mindset that it was "Fox News," which led them to either misinterpret the tone or intent, or worse, imagine it.
Re: Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call Release Date and Special Editions Confirmed
If you told the teenage me--the teen who lived and breathed Final Fantasy, and especially loved its music--that I would greet a limited edition Final Fantasy music game package with complete and utter apathy, he wouldn't believe you. But, here we are. Weird. It's an attractive edition that I'm sure fans will appreciate, though.
Re: Feature: A Week of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS Screens - Issue Forty
I don't understand the choice to make characters emit steam when they're weak... one could say it's mystifying.
Re: Older Wii U Bundles, Including All Black Systems, Discontinued in Japan
I'm sort of on the fence on this one. I've grown somewhat accustomed to having a choice of console color (though color being linked to hard drive size reduced that freedom of choice a bit), but I also find the practice of releasing multiple variations and revisions to be a bit annoying and overwhelming--unless you really do your research, you can't always be sure if your model does X, Y, and Z (currently, with Nintendo I'd rather buy early before features are cut, while with Sony I'd rather wait for its hardware to be improved/refined). Ultimately, I think I'd welcome having hardware variations down to a minimum.
Re: Nintendo Announces The GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U
@PS4 That doesn't make any sense. ALL Wii U Virtual Console games work with wireless controllers. Why would GC VC games be any different?
Re: The Lost Worlds of Power: Volume 0 is Available
You know, as a kid, I rather liked Worlds of Power, particularly the Blaster Master title. They weren't very faithful to the games, no, but at that time, a lot of game canon was either unestablished or inconsistently applied--and if I recall correctly, some elements of the Worlds of Power Blaster Master novelization actually became folded into the Blaster Master game canon.
Re: Nintendo Announces The GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U
@Kirk There has always been, and likely always will be, certain games that only work with certain peripherals. I understand your concern with having to cover all the bases, but all I can recommend there is reviewing the back of the game box or eShop description to ensure you're properly equipped before you buy. I wouldn't expect a motion control game to work with Pro Controllers, and we've known since 2006 that the Wii Remote won't cover all the bases.
I've already conceded that the situation isn't ideal for games that require specific controllers, but I still don't see how multiple control options is "mental." But since you decided to retread the former rather than the latter, I'm not sure there is much more to it; at this point I think we'll just have to agree to disagree.
Re: Video: Comcept's Latest Mighty No. 9 Footage Shows Off Some Tasty Gameplay
The dash-as-offense mechanic looks fun. I'm sure some of the more bland areas are just an early build/demo purposes. But I hope we get a little more than just the new dash mechanic, because otherwise the Mega Ersatz vibe isn't as charming to me as one would've hoped.
Re: Nintendo Announces The GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U
@Kirk You have a point for games that require certain controllers/cannot use certain others, but you lose me when you complain that a game that supports all options (such as Smash) is convoluted and messy. So they're bad when they're limiting, AND they're bad when they're open? Is your ultimate conclusion that the Wii U should have one controller and one controller only? Because I'm not sure the Wii U would have enjoyed the limited success it has if the /only/ thing we could use/had to buy is a monolithic slab.
Re: Nintendo Announces The GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U
@Kirk I'm not familiar with the game, so I don't know if you mean the second player can ONLY use the Pro controller (not the Wii Remote), but I haven't found anything to confirm or support that notion.
Re: Nintendo Announces The GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U
@Kirk But you don't /need/ these options. Can you name a single Wii U game that requires you to use something other than the Game Pad or Wii Remote?
If you like your Game Pad, you will be able to keep your Game Pad. This is nothing new, by the way; many companies, including Nintendo itself, have long offered alternative controllers for decades. I never needed to buy the NES Max or SNES Advantage, either, but if I wanted them, they were available. I cannot comprehend why you insist this is a bad thing, other than your faulty assertion that adopting these alternate controls is mandatory.
Re: Nintendo Announces The GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U
This was certainly a surprise. It's not something I'll purchase (unless the Pro Controller proves to be insufficient for a GC Virtual Console), but it's surely made a lot of players very happy.
But speaking of Virtual Console, here's what I WOULD purchase: this, but with one GC port, one N64 port, one SNES port and one NES port (and while we're at it, one USB connector). Replace or accompany the Wii U logo with a Virtual Console logo, and you've made that many more 'hardcore' fans happy.
@Action51 Do you know if a Pro Controller connected via USB acts as a "wired" controller? Not looking to tout it as a way to refute the necessity of a wired (GC) controller, just curious.
Re: Mario Kart 8 DLC Confirmed for Japan With Free Mercedes Car
The Mercedes feels a bit out of place--I think a Mini Cooper or Beetle would better suit Mario Kart--but it doesn't bother me. The Yoshi sound effect in the NES game irked me a tiny bit, but the live-action portion of the commercial was great.
Re: Mario Kart Month: Expanding the Universe of Mario Kart
@HylianJowi While I stand by points, I may have initially come off a bit aggressively in addressing them; so, my apologies, and my respect for responding affably.
One thing we can agree on is that the Kart cast could use expansion. There are many characters that could be included before resorting to baby versions of everyone. As I mentioned before, Pauline, Captain Syrup, and, say, Mona would help round out the female cast--and none of them would be princesses or monsters with tertiary sexual characteristics! Kamek, Jimmy T., and Wart would be welcome additions as well, though I'd omit Kamek since we have so many Koopas already.
Re: Mario Kart Month: Expanding the Universe of Mario Kart
@HylianJowi I'm glad you see that the opposition has some merit, but if I were to say "It's a shame that some people might not realize how much of what people love about Mario Kart would be lost in the process," wouldn't that come off as dismissive?
On that note, Kart would indeed lose a lot. To make room for the other franchises, lots of Mario Kart tracks, items and characters--more than just the filler characters--would have to go. If we were starting fresh, that might not be so bad, but Mario Kart has a long legacy. Reinventing it just 'cause would bring at least as much harm to the table as it may bring good.
Re: Zelda Williams Will Be at E3 2014 "Doing Something Extra Special"
"And now, Nintendo will unveil some big Zelda news; but who better to make the announcement than Zelda herself? Ladies and gentleman, Zelda Williams!"
"Thank you, Reggie. Growing up, I've always enjoyed the Legend of Zelda games and was proud to have Princess Zelda as my namesake. But I was also always a bit disappointed that these games often relegated the titluar character--as powerful as she is--to a supporting or even background role. Today, I am proud and honored to announce that that's about to change. In Nintendo's upcoming The Legend of Zelda: ______ _______, Princess Zelda herself will be a playable character, along with Link."
That would be extra special and "not what [people] think." Hey, a guy can dream.
Re: Mario Kart Month: Expanding the Universe of Mario Kart
Did the Yabuki interview's click-bait subtitle not rouse enoguh rabble? Expanding Mario Kart to include all Nintendo franchises is unnecessary, and would make the game far too busy; I find the game to be laden with options already, and throwing more items and vechicles into the mix would feel like overkill. We already have enough Nintendo orgy/fan pandering in Smash Bros (and now the NES Remix series). Another such title would diminish Smash's allure.
There's a reason why the Mario franchise plays host to Nintendo's sports and party games. Mario was designed to be a character who could feature in any game; Link and Samus and Little Mac were not. I'm all for replacing the baby and gold characters, but the Mario universe has enough to bring in, from WarioWare and Donkey Kong's cast of characters to NPCs like the oft-forgotten Pauline and Captain Syrup. But then, the fact that several past Mario Kart characters were cut from the game suggests that rather than Mario Kart suffering from a lacking roster, it has an overabundance.
Is this News? I'd call it a Talking Point, but since the article itself poo-poos anyone with a dissenting opinion...