artofmana

I'm in the group that has gotten a lot of use with this in the US but admittedly I get most of mine from conventions.

I work in Tacoma. Should I do it? I don't know. I'm not really confident in my ability to do decently but I might kick myself for not participating....

Thanks. I'm a retro gamer but still — like many in the US, I'm sure — knew little more than this console existed and was the successor to the TurboGrafx-16. I appreciate the well written history lesson and the insight into this piece of the console wars.

Though I am one, I'm genuinely not trying to be a fanboy at the moment. But really I think this is genius. Nintendo gets to not only stress test the servers, but they also give players a much more realistic experience. The servers are going to be busy when the game is fully launched. This demo period will probably be hit or miss unless they hone in on some specific times. I'm pretty excited! Plus, it doesn't give anyone too much of an advantage.

@JaxonH I fully agree that Other M is one of the best games of last generation. I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it did a lot of really clever and unique things. It's a shame that most people can't look past elements of the story. I agree it could have been better but I don't think it irrevocably damaged the game as a whole and there are parts of the story that are really pretty good. In any event, I think this will end up on some "Hidden Gem" lists for sure.

I've preordered the game but I'm not sure about the guide. I tend to get these guides more for collecting reasons or if I get really deep into a game and I want to develop further. I may get it for the artwork, though!

Thank you. This was a very helpful article.

I admit I'm reeling from all the announcements today and I don't really know where do begin with all the new information that came out but this does seems like good news. As a Nintendo fan and supporter, I have already begun to see all the areas where I use Nintendo services expand. I love to use Miiverse from my phone and generally have it next to me during play sessions so that after I post something, I can read and respond to comments immediately without having to load up Miiverse on my device. I would like to be able to have games that I buy playable on multiple devices as well. Not non-Nintendo devices, of course, but on other platforms. I loved the Mario vs. Donkey Kong cross buy promotion. Thanks for your coverage of this news. I will continue to read on!

Ha ha! The Old Man and the Neal Young reference!

@JaxonH, as @Jayvir said, those software backup laws are pretty specific. Also, Nintendo's terms of use have said from day one back ups are not permitted. I'm no lawyer so I don't know how terms of use stand up legally but....

Looks great!

I'd love to watch it!

Hey, that's pretty cool!

@sonicmeerkat Regarding your last post, I would argue it's not about bullying anyone into changing their artistic vision but rather raising awareness of negatives so they may be replaced by positives by people's own free will. Seeing as you don't see any of this as negative, therein lies the sticking point.

As for our interactions in general, I'm probably not going to convince you, I can see. I've shared my thoughts and you've shared yours. I appreciate you helping me to further hone my thoughts. If you want to discuss my main points further, I'd be happy.

I do hope they stick with the 3D screen, though because I do love that! It's so immersive and it's only getting better!

@sonicmeerkat Unfortunately, I think you've just negatively judged a major segment of people. Have you heard of the Myers-Briggs test? It is a personality test and one aspect it measures is whether you are a thinking oriented person or feeling oriented person. There are pros and cons to both and I would certainly disagree that feeling people make the world an uglier place. (Of course, I am one in full disclosure.) Knowing the traits of a thinking or feeling person certainly helps.

Feeling people:
Have a people or communications orientation. Are concerned with harmony and nervous when it is missing. Look for what is important to others and express concern for others. Make decisions with their heart and want to be compassionate. Believe being tactful is more important than telling the "cold" truth. Sometimes miss seeing or communicating the "hard truth" of situations. Are sometimes experienced by others as too idealistic, mushy, or indirect.

Thinking people:
Enjoy technical and scientific fields where logic is important. Notice inconsistencies. Look for logical explanations or solutions to most everything. Make decisions with my head and want to be fair. Believe telling the truth is more important than being tactful. Sometimes miss or don't value the "people" part of a situation. Can be seen as too task-oriented, uncaring, or indifferent.

I feel (ha!) it's clearer where someone falls when you discuss something in person which is why I suspect online comment sections tend to get vitriolic.

To all those who agree with Yosuke Hayashi, please consider that he never addresses legitimate concerns over the portrayal of women in media and simply makes the blanket statement that if you don't like it, don't play his game. Explaining away the criticism as nothing more than cultural difference is not satisfactory. Knowing why something is doesn't mean something is still okay. So cultural reasons might explain but not legitimize. Why is a good question but the question on the table remains: should we start doing things a bit differently?

There is nothing shameful about the naked human body in and of itself. What is wrong is sexualization (where someone's value is determined by their attractiveness alone) and objectification (where someone is seen as an object without any inherent dignity or self worth). Context is everything. Cultures have distinct views on what is appropriate clothing and have differing opinions of modesty. However, it is reasonable to push back when a character in a game exists solely for "fan-service" which usually sexualizes and objectifies said character. Said character being almost always female. By extension, someone exposed to it and never nurtured otherwise may come to view women as objects whose sole worth is in their looks. This is wrong.

As for choosing to simply ignore the game, I've been seeing this sentiment pop up all over — especially on YouTube — where it often takes the form of "vote with your dollar." I have come to really feel this is ridiculous. Just about everything we encounter may be flawed in some way but in many if not most cases there is redeeming value in what we consume. I for one enjoy fighters and the gameplay of Dead or Alive. I don't support the sexualization of its female characters. Are you saying that if I choose to buy this game, I'm endorsing all of it and if I choose not to I am making clear to all that I do not like any of it? Ridiculous! Besides, the problem with this connection to money is that simply purchasing someone's product is not the only way they profit.

No, I think what Yosuke Hayashi is saying is tantamount to, "You may think there is a problem here, but if you do, just ignore it." My guess is that regardless of where you stand on this particular subject, there is probably some cause that you would push for — something you think deserves to be addressed. How would you feel if someone said, that's how it is, so deal with it. If you don't like it, then pretend it doesn't exist. A lot of the world's atrocities would not have been stopped or improved if this was our response.

I bet he is a fine man, but I completely disagree with his sentiments.

Finally bought it last night. I'm so excited to play this. I LOVE the first game!

Wow! I'm really happy I frequent your site. I had been waiting for these rewards to come out. I got the Zelda pouch and the messenger bag. It was a tough call with those Animal Crossing cards looking really nice but I'm happy with my decision. Now to finish off my coins by getting a few good games.

@Sir_JBizzle In hindsight, purchasing those four Marths may have been a good idea.

This is one of my favorite comics ever! I am beyond excited! Thanks for the news!

I'm beyond disappointed. I figured I had more time to consider pre-ordering or not. I guess that was dumb. Still, I had hoped they might be slightly more amiibo produced. I really hope I can get my hands on Toon Link, Shiek, Mega Man and Sonic. Rosalina would be nice but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Very cool.

@Achoo I completely disagree. I have been following the story and Nintendo Life brought new information about it. Personally, I think this out of all videogame auctions deserves to be newsworthy.

That is really so cool!

These are so cool! Thanks for sharing!

@AshFoxX I disagree. In fact, I think this is a preferable set up. I don't have a proprietary drive, I don't have to take apart a case and I happen to have a drive that matches my Wii U and looks really good sitting next to it!

Oh wow! I really hope that these are not sold out for good. I missed my opportunity for a 3DS XL cradle charger and now this. I admit, I hesitated because I was confused if this would work for other games.

Nice article and I agree with your assessments. Thanks!

@PvtOttobot Excuse me, what?! Fat?! Oh dear.... I'm definitely on the side of things where I think the state of the sexualization of women in media is negatively affecting us. I present this comment to illustrate my point. Really, though. I don't mean to be mean. I just can't look at Midna and say she's fat in this portrayal for the life of me!

I absolutely agree it is better to have the unique Nintendo franchises than the shared games. Of course, the ideal would be to have both. Still, I don't mind missing out on some of the other experiences out there in exchange for those that I know I will truly enjoy. There are a few games I'd like to eventually play that are exclusive to Sony and Microsoft's current generation but I am kept more than busy with all of the great titles coming out on Nintendo platforms. Since I only chose one modern console, Wii U was it and I have no regrets.

@Kirk I think both these updates look like they only have very minor graphical changes compared to the original but going back and playing the original proves they are actually pretty big. Also, I'm someone who utilizes the 3-D effect all the time and that makes these games all the more intriguing. Finally, while pixel art does have an artistic quality that early polygons don't quite have yet, both these games don't feel dated in my opinion. The core gameplay and storytelling are still fantastic! I would have no problem calling both N64 Zelda titles works of art.

I say why not? This has some serious potential and I really enjoy my Mii. I think they are the best designed avatars in gaming. I actually use mine for some of my social media already thanks to the SD card saving feature on modern systems.

Having just finished both games, I must admit I am impressed and wish we had this version available in North America. It would be neat.

I am looking forward to seeing some of the excellent games that are out there coming to my preferred platform and my favorite system to collect for. I do think it is a little sad that the Nintendo Seal of Quality ship has officially made it to the open waters. I think it's interesting to consider the cultural differences between the NES era and now. I'm going to guess a lot of that has to do with the ERSB and the open, Wild West mobile markets creeping into our expectations. The price of some great games being some terrible and objectionable ones at times. But I think this is a positive move for Nintendo as a company.

I preordered so there was no problem. I wish that was an option in your poll because I bet a lot of the first time lucky choosers preordered. Thanks for the insight, though!

@Kirk Whoa! Cool your jets. I think the article made a few quick and clear points that are quite valuable. Many parents might think to get this game for their kids but might not want the sexualized nature of Shantae and the crew to be on their kids' system. Regardless of how much you see sexualization in your media to be an issue, there's no denying its present in this game. And your link doesn't help. Belly dancers are sexualized! I'm sure an average boy in puberty wouldn't complain about animated busts however parents might wish to have a little more active role in raising their kids to have healthy images of women.

@Koapa I'm not sure where the idea that pixel art work is somehow both inferior to and easier to create then 3-D polygonal graphics, but it's wrong. I would be willing to bet more time was spent on the art and graphics in this game then truckloads of polygon-based games. It's a different type of art that is no less demanding and perhaps more so in reality. I would not pass this game up based on perceived value because of its graphics if I were you.

Thinking of the new Zelda's trailer, I actually could see this fitting. There is that cool bow and arrow set plus the monster is actually a machine. I wouldn't be surprised if the new installment either chronicles a Hyrule at the peak of its civilization much like an Atlantis (remember, it even ends up at the bottom of the ocean!) or a sort of new history cycle after the fall of our own like in Secret if Mana.

@PvtOttobot Ha ha! Brilliant! Me too!

Wow! There's something about this game. It's not usually my type of purchase but I have this preordered. I'm looking forward to it!

Aww. That is disappointing. I crank the 3D slider full blast all the time and it's jarring when a game doesn't support 3D. I think it makes the graphics shine. Otherwise, the graphics do look a tad long in the tooth.

I know this is a fan project, but I get so frustrated with repurposed, competing art styles and anachronistic graphic effects in these sorts of things. It's great that those working on this have been experimenting and putting a lot of effort into it. I'm sure they are building some great skills. Still, I won't be downloading this.

I'm so excited! Prices for the original Game Pak have been out of my budget. I'm going home and getting this one!

That was very entertaining if not a bit difficult to watch. I mean, I love Nintendo and the NES and it's hard to imagine young people who don't get warm-fuzzies when they look at it. Also, I flat out disagreed with some of the statements made but I can't deny it's an old piece of tech that is outdated. It just happens to play very well designed (if not technologically cutting-edge) games.

Oh. And as for the M rating, there is no clear nudity. There is one throw away scene of one of the characters bathing but more skin is covered by opaque steam than even a bathing suit would. There are, however, scantily clad demons and more than a few sexual innuendos and overt scenes involving a lustful henchman hitting on one of the demons unless I just misunderstood the poor translation.

So I saw the price, the art style and the ratings given on the eShop and took the plunge before your review was up. I enjoyed it start to finish. The poor translation is troublesome and one of my personal pet peeves. However, in this case, that is my biggest complaint as otherwise, it is a short romp that is a fun experience. For a couple bucks, I'm glad I picked it up.

I am disappointed by the comments that simply choose to dismiss this article and the need for discussion. Thanks for writing it. I think it was well put together. As people have pointed out, tight fitting athletic wear makes a degree of sense for Samus to wear under her suit but the question is why would she be out of her suit? I think the answer is obvious when you consider her exaggerated proportions (yes, boys, most women do not look like the screenshot of Samus from the new Smash Bros.). The answer: capitalizing on or placating raging hormones.

Nintendo has an opportunity to further hone Samus' character into the unchallenged strongest and most fleshed out woman lead in gaming and I for one would like that to be the inspiration for future appearances of Samus. We have plenty of generic, slender and buxom, scantily clad female characters. We don't need to have another one only helping objectify women for gamers young and old.

I purchased the linked to hard drive (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003MVZ60S?pc_redir=1402519619&robot_redir=1) off of Amazon because I needed it for the Mario Kart 8 promotion. I have been very pleased with it. It matches the Wii U system design and is intended for use in a media center so ventilation has been good in its small home. It's self-powered with 1TB, USB 2.0 and is pretty reasonably priced I think. I hope this helps any of you looking for hard drives!

@Evenmoresteven I would agree. I think there has to be commentary or else why would you have it online? Enjoy the game. Heck, that even seems to get into the tricky area of free use. Is it really free use to straight up stream a game without adding anything of value? (Please note: this is a knee jerk response that is open to critique and input.)