It's always 10 steps forward, 20 back with Nintendo. Now, the changeable faceplates was an excellent idea: release an assortment of these things for $15-20 a pop (rather than requiring fans to pony up $200+ for each special edition 3DS model that comes out should they want a new look for their system) and simply swap them out. Then, we come to find only the regular-sized New 3DS has this "feature" while the New XL does not. So here we are back at square one: another large New XL special edition (which isn't as cheap for fans as the faceplates would be, plus manufacturing an entire new system can't be cheap for Nintendo either) that will really only benefit those who don't yet have a system and this is their first. Hopefully, the new president can shake some of the "Iwata" off this company... (And I'm not disrespecting Iwata: I hope his family are finding some peace and progressing through life while holding steadfast to his memory. But I've NEVER cared for Iwata's business acumen as a Nintendo exec and still don't now.)
Nintendo is ALWAYS slow to react to anything. As much as some may hate to admit it, Shuffle's likely making some type of profit and as far as the hacking goes, they're not going to do anything about that. What they should do, though, is simply get rid of the Mega Stone competitions, period. But they're not going to do that. And miss an opportunity for players to spend real money on IAPs for gems and coins to "win" the online competitions? Smh...
@Yorumi Couldn't have stated it better myself: took the words right outta my mouth. With all Nintendo's missteps, mistakes, and their seeming reluctance to acknowledge any of it, I'm extremely skeptical (and critical) of most things they do. He hasn't done anything yet but the new president seems like he may exude a glimmer of hope...
Recently, I've been wondering what it would be like if there were a Pokémon game based on the anime... Perhaps even like a side-series to the main handheld games where you actually play as Ash... Hmm...
Additionally, are we EVER going to get official releases for Hoopa and Volcanion???
...more free-to-play, microtransaction junk; I suppose Shuffle wasn't enough. Guess I shouldn't be surprised, though: everyone wants in on this junk, mobile gaming crap. As long as I get my main series games and they don't infect those with the IAP disease, I couldn't care less.
Wow. That frame rate sure looks low compared to the 3DS version... What's there to say? It's a freemium game. I'd rather play ORAS or any of my other 3DS backlog.
@Coldpancakes Exactly. I don't understand what all the whining is about. I'd say 6/10 is either spot-on or probably a little generous taking into account the original game's review scores. I'm not championing Senran Kagura 2 nor am I against it — it's just not something I'm into (and seems a little weird and strange imo). Unless you're into anatomically-incorrect digitized breasts and love beat 'em ups, the series seems pretty shallow and mediocre as a whole.
@6ch6ris6 Agreed! And to think, I was just thinking about purchasing Picross 3D online somewhere because I really miss playing it... (Probably going to buy it anyway 'cause I'm sure this isn't likely to arrive anytime soon if it does.) Surely, this is coming to North America... And hopefully it won't take forever to localize... ::fingers crossed::
Thanks for the heads up, NL. You've gotta keep your eyes peeled for Poke events. I was slipping and missed the one a couple weekends ago where they were giving away Diancie, I think, for ORAS. I already have one for XY but still would've liked to have one specifically for ORAS, too.
"Moffitt feels that developers within Nintendo have now gotten used to exploiting the controller..."
See, that's the problem right there. That's fine for first-party (it's not really not but...). If I were the head of a non-Nintendo studio, we'd already be (amongst other things): doing logistics to see if our game is financially feasible; planning and research; development and programming; blahblahblah. I would NOT want the additional concern of exploiting a gimmicky hardware quirk. Gamers (non-Nintendo) are just fine playing awesome games on systems that don't have weird, oddball designs; gimmicky quirks; and one-off accessories that only work with a single game (something else Nintendo is notoriously known for). I'm positive if Nintendo came out with a system that had a regular controller; an internal hard drive; an account system; third-party support; robust online & services; and HD, not one Nintendo fan would be begging for them to bring back the gimmicks they seem so intent on forcing these days. Nintendo needs to STOP trying to be different: YOU'RE NINTENDO — YOU'RE ALREADY DIFFERENT!
I couldn't care less about an NX. I'm a dedicated Nintendo handheld fanboy for life, though — handhelds, the only thing they've managed to consistently get right over the years, even to this day. On the other hand, Nintendo's proven over and over again that 21st century console gaming is like deciphering alien glyphs for them. And I don't even think a new leader is really going to change things up that much (if at all). I'd love to be wrong. But I really don't see it happening...
@Ichiban "I miss [the old] Nintendo. The new Nintendo (Nutendo) need to stop dumbing down all their games and be alot more ambitious. Until that happens, i can't really see many people caring about the NX."
Couldn't agree more. It's nearly 2016 and Nintendo still doesn't have an account system. (Perhaps that'll change with the DeNA partnership... I guess.) Until Nintendo starts incorporating commonplace features like this (amongst others) into their systems, I have absolutely zero interest in any console they're thinking of dropping.
I loved ACNL so this is still going to be a preorder for me. However, it's EXTREMELY disappointing that designs aren't graded somehow. I kinda assumed this game would be like the coffee shop in ACNL where you had to make their order a specific way to get a perfect "rating" from the animals. Really disappointed, actually. Hopefully, this is an early build and this is actually built into the game... But it doesn't sound like it.
Glad to hear this news although it won't affect me: I don't use Miiverse at all really; think I saw a tumbleweed blowing past my Twitter I've been so inactive; and I don't have (or want) a Facebook. (Pinterest, G+, and Tumblr are my networks of choice, currently.) Looks like posting would still be somewhat of a hassle for me. Oh well.
@Yorumi Hmm... Story-wise, that stinks: I usually like DQ games for their quaint humor and decent stories. As for the grinding, I thought all DQ games were grindfests ::hehe:: Last Square Enix game I played that I absolutely loved was Vagrant Story.
Beyond their "excellent" E3 performance (), I also feel Nintendo really dropped the ball in terms of 3DS themes during the expo. (Well, they've been lackluster in delivering themes at a steady pace before E3, honestly.) I would've thought they'd deliver themes for SMB 30th, E3, etc. Themes are extremely simple: they're essentially wallpapers and that's it. Maybe at a couple bucks a pop, they're more concerned with amiibo (ugh) at $12-15 a pop... Visiting the PS Store, there are scores of themes and new ones always on the way (and probably the same for Xbox but since I don't have one I can't say for sure). Hmmm... Oh well, I guess. (smh...)
I'm not a Square Enix fan by any means but they're quickly going to my "used purchases only" category with their antics lately... Hopefully, as the article states, this points to an official release outside Japan.
@Maxime "The Wii U failed because the Wii turned core gamers away from Nintendo anf the casuals went to smartphones. We don't want gimmicks. We want good games with traditional controls."
^^^This: a million times this. Silkscreen this on a set of bricks and chuck these through Nintendo's HQ windows. Darn it, it's really that simple. What's so hard about this?? When Yamamuchi-san passed, he took a lot of the soul of Nintendo with him because this newer Iwata-led incarnation of the company is like watching circus clowns attempting to engineer atomic clocks. They have no idea what they're doing. And this amiibo nonsense is even making it worse. Personally, I don't care for collectibles (I'm all about the games), haven't purchased a single one, and never will. But they can't even restock past figures that are currently unicorn rare and they're already announcing new waves??? Ridiculous.
Apparently, Nintendo doesn't like taking customers' money. We all know the previous XL model outsold the regular one and 2DS, even combined probably. But it's also ridiculous to not offer users options: there's a vocal amount of people who actually prefer the smaller model. And why would they allow for face plates on the standards New 3DS and not the XLs is beyond me.
@Yorumi You're correct: it's currently $300 (thought it was $250 for some reason). It's way too early to tell but I just have a gut feeling the NX is doomed as well as you. They haven't learned anything. Iwata is the worst: the Wii's industry-disrupting "success" was a FLUKE and was a success for all the wrong reasons in terms of gaming. Console-wise, they're so lost and all they seem to do is keep smiling and skipping like everything's okay... But it's kinda what they get: they've been resting on their laurels for generations, keen to rely on past successes while the industry whisks by them, and have been reluctant to evolve with the times. Even if the NX was awesome, affordable, and gamer-centric (instead of toy-centric), Nintendo's image is severely damaged within the industry at this point. It's a mess.
"...we're hoping that [the NX] will be a very big hit..." Hope? XD XD XD What kind of business plan is that? LOL Ahhhh, Nintendo, Nintendo... "...but maintained that affordability and innovative remain Nintendo's primary goals..." Those two terms "affordability" and "innovative" already have me squeamish about the NX. In terms of 21st century HD gaming, the Wii U's asking price of $250USD is hardly wallet-breaking (compared to the competition). Anything more "affordable" than $250 and the hardware will definitely suffer and be even more antiquated than the last-gen tech Nintendo already tends to build their systems on. And for the love of everything, I'm sick of Nintendo and their goofy experiments and "innovation": just make some bleeding games, get third-parties on-board, and stop relying on Mario and Zelda to carry the ENTIRE brand. Nintendo needs to leave their toy focus behind and move on.
Mr. Pitchford is absolutely correct. As I always say, though, for all the sense he and thousands of others make, you still have that 10,000-ft wide marble wall named Iwata that continues to completely prevent or, at minimum, impede any real progress Nintendo can make. I'm always hoping they can return to their former glory but in my mind, those days are over. Nintendo's no different than any other entity in their position: they've failed to — and have been reluctant to — evolve, and now they're scrambling trying to catch up:
HD gaming a generation late
Finally recognizing their online pales in comparison via the recent DeNa partnership
And in a sense, it's really too late but if they don't hit a home run with the NX...
@OneBagTravel Hmm... Interesting. I also own Dream Team but haven't gotten around to it yet. I've played a tiny bit of Superstar Saga, which I thought was really good (the morsel I played, anyway). But I did notice a lot of dialogue in the game. And just like you, that's something I could do without. A little exposition here 'n there is fine but unless there's a riveting narrative happening, I gloss over and just mash the A button.
The only reason I didn't think the Digital Event was that bad is because I want into it expecting absolutely NOTHING and when I say nothing, I mean that. (Granted, it was pretty underwhelming and meh overall.) So although I'd seen practically everything they presented already, I didn't mind because I wasn't expecting to see anything new either. On that front, it was nice to see gameplay footage of previously known titles and to see where they are in the development stages.
Nintendo is still #1 in handhelds (and is the only thing I really love them for) but I lost respect for them, in terms of consoles, a long time ago when Fuhrer Iwata came along — great guy but a bleeping imbecile business-wise. It simply baffles me how he's been allowed to run the ship this long... And should the NX truly be the next system, I don't see that changing anything over there because Iwata's influence and philosophies will still pervade. Iwata approaches gaming systems as if they were toys instead of pieces of technology: waggle controllers; gyro-tablets; cheap plastics; marginal specs (I'm no graphics whore but come on)... It's the 21st century and Nintendo still has no real account system, no hard drives 'cause Iwata's too cheap and instead wants you to buy SD cards to expand memory... What the heck?? Future Nintendo machines may finally get fully-realized online capabilities via the DeNa partnership, though.
If the NX is their next system, my wish list is simple: get rid of the gimmicky control schemes; robust online functionality; contemporary specs; and, for crying out loud, put a darn hard drive in the thing. The Wii U was supposed to be their reentrance into the modern gaming world and they screwed that up royally — mainly by including "Wii" in the system's name. We'll see if Iwata gets it right this time... (But I'm not holding my breath.)
@rjejr Now, what would be the point of that since they want you to dig in your wallet? Hehe... I feel you but that's how free-to-play works: dangle the carrot, watch user writhe in pain, and finally some will part ways with their cash. Not I but many will and do.
@invictus4000 And also attempting to make fans eat part of their development costs with that paid "Prototype Version" demo crap. ::snickers:: Please. I've been over Crapcom so long I forgot they existed until I read this headline lol. Mighty No. 9 >> MML3, anyway: Inafune-san still won out in the long run!
Mmm... Sounds like backpedaling. Errors in translation are credible enough but it just seems like damage control after firing off the mobile gaming clip and not getting the projected reaction their focus group told them they would.
Well, if PoPoLoCrois made it to the western PSP at one point, there may be — may be — some hope that this new entry could see release outside Japan. I love these type games so if it came here, it'd be a day one preorder for me — additionally because the PSP game looked good but never got a chance to play it (didn't have a PSP). Here's to keeping the fingers crossed...
@Windy Trust, SwapNote was definitely abused by kids and big kids alike. In Japan, a 40-something year-old man was arrested for coercing kids to send him nude pictures of themselves using the application. And I've read articles of similar instances occurring in North America — some where kids were taking nudies and/or sending porn to one another. Now, I will say this: you are absolutely correct in stating Nintendo is cheap. In fact, Iwata is arguably the biggest cheapskate in the gaming industry. (Example: Expansion via SD cards instead of decent-sized HDDs in the Wii/Wii U...) However, Nintendo merc'd SwapNote because of the controversy at the time. (But they are still cheap.) Honestly, they could've killed off photosharing and still kept the app alive. (Well, technically it's alive but virtually useless now.)
I just checked out the update and I prefer this to the old layout. It's cleaner, loads a little faster (a little), and if you want to see more from a particular user, just hit the arrow — simple. (And totally not a big deal.) I'm not a regular user of Miiverse, mainly due to how slow it is even with the "improved" hardware of the New 3DS systems. I may try using it for a week to see if the increased speed is negligible or noticeable.
I wouldn't mind if he didn't show up for any future E3s... or if, perhaps, he just stepped down... One can only dream. Still, I do hope he is in good health and if not, I wish a speedy, healthful recovery for him. It's not Iwata's personality — I just don't like him as a businessman. Well, okay: I think he SUCKS as a businessman and is the opposite of what 21st century Nintendo needs. But he's still human and I hope all is well.
...and Konami falls victim. Curious as to how this news comes literally a day after Square Enix reports they're shifting focus from being console-oriented to concentrating on mobile. I don't play games on my phone and never will: battery life isn't that great on smartphones anyway and I'm not draining mine for anything other than calls/text/browsing/etc.
@IceClimbers Thank you, regarding DQVII. Honestly, I stopped waiting on that game long ago. And since reading about Square Enix's newly announced focus to shift away from console games to mobile ones, I'm not holding my breath for DQVIII - not that I'm hopeful, anyway. Mix in Enix's overall loyalty to the homeland first (and foremost in many cases, including DQs 7&8 releasing outside Japan), and you have a recipe for a little bit of disappointment and a little bit of likely not gonna happen.
@IceClimbers Curiously enough, Iwata does a number of things that subsequently push third-parties away and those are the same entities Nintendo desperately needs.
@heathenmagic It was nice to get Xenoblade 3D exclusive for the New 3DS systems but I doubt we'll be seeing anymore "New 3DS Only" games (if for no other reason than developers wanting to cast the widest net possible to maximize profits). Maaaybe one but, judging from past history, no more after that. When the original DSi came out, Nintendo made a big deal then about "certain games will only be playable on the DSi due to the superior hardware..." Foto Showdown was the only DSi-exclusive the system saw. Literally, every other game released was playable on the original DS, DS Lite, DSi, and the DSi XL. I have a hard time seeing how Xenoblade 3D on the New 3DS systems is going to be any different.
2015 is "Year of the Wii U" - I don't see any real big news or games coming for the 3DS this year. E3 will probably see some indie games announced for the 3DS eShop but Nintendo's stretched so thin right now (totally their fault), I don't think they have the resources to really push both console and handheld platforms full-throttle. The Wii U's been draining them since the thing came out and we've seen them trying really anything to help put plumber's putty in the hull holes — even nonsensical things like releasing last generation handheld games (NDS) to be played on... a current generation console. I think 2016 will see more focus on 3DS. I'd be really surprised if we 3DS gamers got any big announcements this year.
"An informative FAQ does provide an explanation however, referencing the immediate limitations of developing with Nintendo hardware."
Point. There's absolutely no way to defend Nintendo from such a blunt and truthful statement. Nintendo fans aren't looking for bleeding-edge tech — that's never been the company's schtick anyway. However, I'm sick of Iwata delivering these cheap, plastic, Fisher Price toys with crazy outdated specs that usher in comments from developers like the one above. Give us a GAMING SYSTEM and no more toys. Then, things like getting skipped over due to inadequate specs would be less likely of happening. Le sigh...
@ikki5 Amen to that. But the only way Iwata's going to leave Nintendo is when he retires. You're 100% correct, though: he's quite possibly the WORST thing to ever happen to arguably the world's greatest gaming company.
I tried the Puzzle & Dragons demo... I didn't really care for it. I think it's mostly because I'm "match-three'd" out from a few years ago when the genre was really popular, particularly on mobile. The visuals, music, and gameplay is superb, though: just not something I'll be purchasing.
"Nintendo, surprisingly, has been the hardest sponsor to get. While they know about StreetPass groups, they have very little interactions with them in the USA."
That's our Nintendo. There are some small groups in my area but nothing of the San Diego magnitude (at least to my knowledge as it's been awhile since I've actively looked into StreetPass Meetups).
While I really liked Pokémon Rumble Blast, I've been hesitant about Rumble World due to its freemium nature. (Needless to say, I hate freemium games.) I've been so busy with Fantasy Life, I haven't cared to read up on it until now (although I've been seeing it as most people's "Most Recent Game" when StreetPassing). It's nice to hear that the microtransactions aren't as offensive as other games and I really like that $30 ceiling which keeps parents of kids happy they won't get a bill for $100 and keeps people from just buying everything to win over those who would rather play the game to win. I don't say this often about Nintendo these days but good job.
There's nothing to say, really: I doubt Nintendo will ever fully wake up and get with the program. They'll make little advancements here 'n there but in large, they just don't get it. Fuhrer Iwata runs that ship with an iron fist. And it's still unimaginable to me that he is not only president and CEO of Nintendo (like that isn't enough), he's also the president of NOA. Way too much power imo. Iwata's recipe? Rely on nostalgia and leaving luck up to heaven, for sure. Nintendo's their own worst enemy and any misfortune that happens will be of their own doing. I love Nintendo to pieces but they're also the dumbest, stupidest company in the contemporary gaming world.
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Re: Video: See the Unboxing of the Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer New Nintendo 3DS XL
It's always 10 steps forward, 20 back with Nintendo. Now, the changeable faceplates was an excellent idea: release an assortment of these things for $15-20 a pop (rather than requiring fans to pony up $200+ for each special edition 3DS model that comes out should they want a new look for their system) and simply swap them out. Then, we come to find only the regular-sized New 3DS has this "feature" while the New XL does not. So here we are back at square one: another large New XL special edition (which isn't as cheap for fans as the faceplates would be, plus manufacturing an entire new system can't be cheap for Nintendo either) that will really only benefit those who don't yet have a system and this is their first. Hopefully, the new president can shake some of the "Iwata" off this company... (And I'm not disrespecting Iwata: I hope his family are finding some peace and progressing through life while holding steadfast to his memory. But I've NEVER cared for Iwata's business acumen as a Nintendo exec and still don't now.)
Re: Save Data Hackers Top Competition Leaderboards in Pokémon Shuffle
Nintendo is ALWAYS slow to react to anything. As much as some may hate to admit it, Shuffle's likely making some type of profit and as far as the hacking goes, they're not going to do anything about that. What they should do, though, is simply get rid of the Mega Stone competitions, period. But they're not going to do that. And miss an opportunity for players to spend real money on IAPs for gems and coins to "win" the online competitions? Smh...
Re: New Nintendo Controller Patent Features Rotational Shoulder Buttons
@readyletsgo Which would be an AT&T exclusive for years like the original iPhone lol
Re: Talking Point: Sweeping Internal Changes Show That Nintendo Is Ready To Tackle New Challenges
@Yorumi Couldn't have stated it better myself: took the words right outta my mouth. With all Nintendo's missteps, mistakes, and their seeming reluctance to acknowledge any of it, I'm extremely skeptical (and critical) of most things they do. He hasn't done anything yet but the new president seems like he may exude a glimmer of hope...
Re: New Pokémon XY & Z Anime Trailer Unveils Zygarde's New Forms
Recently, I've been wondering what it would be like if there were a Pokémon game based on the anime... Perhaps even like a side-series to the main handheld games where you actually play as Ash... Hmm...
Additionally, are we EVER going to get official releases for Hoopa and Volcanion???
Re: Pokémon Go is an AR Game Headed to iOS and Android, With Accompanying 'Plus' Device for the Wrist
...more free-to-play, microtransaction junk; I suppose Shuffle wasn't enough. Guess I shouldn't be surprised, though: everyone wants in on this junk, mobile gaming crap. As long as I get my main series games and they don't infect those with the IAP disease, I couldn't care less.
Re: Pokémon Shuffle Mobile on iOS & Android - First Look
Wow. That frame rate sure looks low compared to the 3DS version... What's there to say? It's a freemium game. I'd rather play ORAS or any of my other 3DS backlog.
Re: Review: SENRAN KAGURA 2: Deep Crimson (3DS)
@Coldpancakes Exactly. I don't understand what all the whining is about. I'd say 6/10 is either spot-on or probably a little generous taking into account the original game's review scores. I'm not championing Senran Kagura 2 nor am I against it — it's just not something I'm into (and seems a little weird and strange imo). Unless you're into anatomically-incorrect digitized breasts and love beat 'em ups, the series seems pretty shallow and mediocre as a whole.
Re: Review: SENRAN KAGURA 2: Deep Crimson (3DS)
Laughing at all these sensitive people in the comments Folks online... That's NL's review of the game. It is what it is.
Re: Picross 3D Sequel is Heading to the 3DS in Japan, Includes amiibo Support
@6ch6ris6 Agreed! And to think, I was just thinking about purchasing Picross 3D online somewhere because I really miss playing it... (Probably going to buy it anyway 'cause I'm sure this isn't likely to arrive anytime soon if it does.) Surely, this is coming to North America... And hopefully it won't take forever to localize... ::fingers crossed::
Re: Shiny Rayquaza Distribution Event For Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Launches In North America
Thanks for the heads up, NL. You've gotta keep your eyes peeled for Poke events. I was slipping and missed the one a couple weekends ago where they were giving away Diancie, I think, for ORAS. I already have one for XY but still would've liked to have one specifically for ORAS, too.
Re: Nintendo: Wii U GamePad Is The Only Real Innovation This Console Cycle, But We Didn't Showcase It Well Enough
"Moffitt feels that developers within Nintendo have now gotten used to exploiting the controller..."
See, that's the problem right there. That's fine for first-party (it's not really not but...). If I were the head of a non-Nintendo studio, we'd already be (amongst other things): doing logistics to see if our game is financially feasible; planning and research; development and programming; blahblahblah. I would NOT want the additional concern of exploiting a gimmicky hardware quirk. Gamers (non-Nintendo) are just fine playing awesome games on systems that don't have weird, oddball designs; gimmicky quirks; and one-off accessories that only work with a single game (something else Nintendo is notoriously known for). I'm positive if Nintendo came out with a system that had a regular controller; an internal hard drive; an account system; third-party support; robust online & services; and HD, not one Nintendo fan would be begging for them to bring back the gimmicks they seem so intent on forcing these days. Nintendo needs to STOP trying to be different: YOU'RE NINTENDO — YOU'RE ALREADY DIFFERENT!
Re: Core Console Market Bigger Than Ever, Despite The Impact Of The "Wii Bubble"
I couldn't care less about an NX. I'm a dedicated Nintendo handheld fanboy for life, though — handhelds, the only thing they've managed to consistently get right over the years, even to this day. On the other hand, Nintendo's proven over and over again that 21st century console gaming is like deciphering alien glyphs for them. And I don't even think a new leader is really going to change things up that much (if at all). I'd love to be wrong. But I really don't see it happening...
@Ichiban "I miss [the old] Nintendo. The new Nintendo (Nutendo) need to stop dumbing down all their games and be alot more ambitious. Until that happens, i can't really see many people caring about the NX."
Couldn't agree more. It's nearly 2016 and Nintendo still doesn't have an account system. (Perhaps that'll change with the DeNA partnership... I guess.) Until Nintendo starts incorporating commonplace features like this (amongst others) into their systems, I have absolutely zero interest in any console they're thinking of dropping.
Re: Take a Look at the New 'Green Blob' Pokémon
Hmmm... Still no Hoopa announcements, though... Guess he's coming "soon"... The little green guy looks interesting and adorable, though ::laughs::
Re: First Impressions: Getting Cosy With Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer
I loved ACNL so this is still going to be a preorder for me. However, it's EXTREMELY disappointing that designs aren't graded somehow. I kinda assumed this game would be like the coffee shop in ACNL where you had to make their order a specific way to get a perfect "rating" from the animals. Really disappointed, actually. Hopefully, this is an early build and this is actually built into the game... But it doesn't sound like it.
Re: Sharing to Miiverse in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer is a Breeze
Glad to hear this news although it won't affect me: I don't use Miiverse at all really; think I saw a tumbleweed blowing past my Twitter I've been so inactive; and I don't have (or want) a Facebook. (Pinterest, G+, and Tumblr are my networks of choice, currently.) Looks like posting would still be somewhat of a hassle for me. Oh well.
Re: There Are Now Over 600 DSiWare Games And Apps
@Rensch Nail on the head with the 'trash' part.
Re: Square Enix Shuts Down Dragon Quest VII Fan Translation Project
@Yorumi Hmm... Story-wise, that stinks: I usually like DQ games for their quaint humor and decent stories. As for the grinding, I thought all DQ games were grindfests ::hehe:: Last Square Enix game I played that I absolutely loved was Vagrant Story.
Re: These 3DS Home Themes for The Great Ace Attorney Are Rather Neat
Beyond their "excellent" E3 performance (), I also feel Nintendo really dropped the ball in terms of 3DS themes during the expo. (Well, they've been lackluster in delivering themes at a steady pace before E3, honestly.) I would've thought they'd deliver themes for SMB 30th, E3, etc. Themes are extremely simple: they're essentially wallpapers and that's it. Maybe at a couple bucks a pop, they're more concerned with amiibo (ugh) at $12-15 a pop... Visiting the PS Store, there are scores of themes and new ones always on the way (and probably the same for Xbox but since I don't have one I can't say for sure). Hmmm... Oh well, I guess. (smh...)
Re: Square Enix Shuts Down Dragon Quest VII Fan Translation Project
I'm not a Square Enix fan by any means but they're quickly going to my "used purchases only" category with their antics lately... Hopefully, as the article states, this points to an official release outside Japan.
Re: Reggie Fils-Aime Tackles Metroid Prime: Federation Force and amiibo Criticism
Fils-Aime makes me laugh. He always gets annoyed and semi-defensive when someone asks him real questions.
Re: Tablets Stole The Wii U's Thunder, Laments Shigeru Miyamoto
@Maxime "The Wii U failed because the Wii turned core gamers away from Nintendo anf the casuals went to smartphones. We don't want gimmicks. We want good games with traditional controls."
^^^This: a million times this. Silkscreen this on a set of bricks and chuck these through Nintendo's HQ windows. Darn it, it's really that simple. What's so hard about this?? When Yamamuchi-san passed, he took a lot of the soul of Nintendo with him because this newer Iwata-led incarnation of the company is like watching circus clowns attempting to engineer atomic clocks. They have no idea what they're doing. And this amiibo nonsense is even making it worse. Personally, I don't care for collectibles (I'm all about the games), haven't purchased a single one, and never will. But they can't even restock past figures that are currently unicorn rare and they're already announcing new waves??? Ridiculous.
Re: Reggie Fils-Aime Hints at Smaller New Nintendo 3DS for North America
Apparently, Nintendo doesn't like taking customers' money. We all know the previous XL model outsold the regular one and 2DS, even combined probably. But it's also ridiculous to not offer users options: there's a vocal amount of people who actually prefer the smaller model. And why would they allow for face plates on the standards New 3DS and not the XLs is beyond me.
Re: Tablets Stole The Wii U's Thunder, Laments Shigeru Miyamoto
@Yorumi You're correct: it's currently $300 (thought it was $250 for some reason). It's way too early to tell but I just have a gut feeling the NX is doomed as well as you. They haven't learned anything. Iwata is the worst: the Wii's industry-disrupting "success" was a FLUKE and was a success for all the wrong reasons in terms of gaming. Console-wise, they're so lost and all they seem to do is keep smiling and skipping like everything's okay... But it's kinda what they get: they've been resting on their laurels for generations, keen to rely on past successes while the industry whisks by them, and have been reluctant to evolve with the times. Even if the NX was awesome, affordable, and gamer-centric (instead of toy-centric), Nintendo's image is severely damaged within the industry at this point. It's a mess.
Re: Keiji Inafune Would Still Be Interested in Making Mega Man Legends 3
The rebirth of MML3 would be a FANTASTIC idea because... well... I'm not really feeling how Mighty No. 9 looks and seems to be turning out...
Re: Tablets Stole The Wii U's Thunder, Laments Shigeru Miyamoto
"...we're hoping that [the NX] will be a very big hit..."
Hope? XD XD XD What kind of business plan is that? LOL Ahhhh, Nintendo, Nintendo...
"...but maintained that affordability and innovative remain Nintendo's primary goals..."
Those two terms "affordability" and "innovative" already have me squeamish about the NX. In terms of 21st century HD gaming, the Wii U's asking price of $250USD is hardly wallet-breaking (compared to the competition). Anything more "affordable" than $250 and the hardware will definitely suffer and be even more antiquated than the last-gen tech Nintendo already tends to build their systems on. And for the love of everything, I'm sick of Nintendo and their goofy experiments and "innovation": just make some bleeding games, get third-parties on-board, and stop relying on Mario and Zelda to carry the ENTIRE brand. Nintendo needs to leave their toy focus behind and move on.
Re: Nintendo Is A Slave To Its Past Success, Says Gearbox President Randy Pitchford
Mr. Pitchford is absolutely correct. As I always say, though, for all the sense he and thousands of others make, you still have that 10,000-ft wide marble wall named Iwata that continues to completely prevent or, at minimum, impede any real progress Nintendo can make. I'm always hoping they can return to their former glory but in my mind, those days are over. Nintendo's no different than any other entity in their position: they've failed to — and have been reluctant to — evolve, and now they're scrambling trying to catch up:
And in a sense, it's really too late but if they don't hit a home run with the NX...
Re: First Impressions: Getting Into the Fold With Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
@OneBagTravel Hmm... Interesting. I also own Dream Team but haven't gotten around to it yet. I've played a tiny bit of Superstar Saga, which I thought was really good (the morsel I played, anyway). But I did notice a lot of dialogue in the game. And just like you, that's something I could do without. A little exposition here 'n there is fine but unless there's a riveting narrative happening, I gloss over and just mash the A button.
Re: Poll: What Did You Think of Nintendo's E3 Digital Event?
The only reason I didn't think the Digital Event was that bad is because I want into it expecting absolutely NOTHING and when I say nothing, I mean that. (Granted, it was pretty underwhelming and meh overall.) So although I'd seen practically everything they presented already, I didn't mind because I wasn't expecting to see anything new either. On that front, it was nice to see gameplay footage of previously known titles and to see where they are in the development stages.
Nintendo is still #1 in handhelds (and is the only thing I really love them for) but I lost respect for them, in terms of consoles, a long time ago when Fuhrer Iwata came along — great guy but a bleeping imbecile business-wise. It simply baffles me how he's been allowed to run the ship this long... And should the NX truly be the next system, I don't see that changing anything over there because Iwata's influence and philosophies will still pervade. Iwata approaches gaming systems as if they were toys instead of pieces of technology: waggle controllers; gyro-tablets; cheap plastics; marginal specs (I'm no graphics whore but come on)... It's the 21st century and Nintendo still has no real account system, no hard drives 'cause Iwata's too cheap and instead wants you to buy SD cards to expand memory... What the heck?? Future Nintendo machines may finally get fully-realized online capabilities via the DeNa partnership, though.
If the NX is their next system, my wish list is simple: get rid of the gimmicky control schemes; robust online functionality; contemporary specs; and, for crying out loud, put a darn hard drive in the thing. The Wii U was supposed to be their reentrance into the modern gaming world and they screwed that up royally — mainly by including "Wii" in the system's name. We'll see if Iwata gets it right this time... (But I'm not holding my breath.)
Re: Pokémon Shuffle Gets Its First Ever Escalation Battle
@rjejr Now, what would be the point of that since they want you to dig in your wallet? Hehe... I feel you but that's how free-to-play works: dangle the carrot, watch user writhe in pain, and finally some will part ways with their cash. Not I but many will and do.
Re: New Mega Man TV Series Blasting Its Way to Screens in... 2017
@invictus4000 And also attempting to make fans eat part of their development costs with that paid "Prototype Version" demo crap. ::snickers:: Please. I've been over Crapcom so long I forgot they existed until I read this headline lol. Mighty No. 9 >> MML3, anyway: Inafune-san still won out in the long run!
Re: Konami Not Turning Its Back On Consoles After All, Says Sorry For Causing Such A Fuss
Mmm... Sounds like backpedaling. Errors in translation are credible enough but it just seems like damage control after firing off the mobile gaming clip and not getting the projected reaction their focus group told them they would.
Re: Video: This New PoPoLoCrois: Harvest Moon Trailer Will Scratch Your Fantasy Life Itch
Well, if PoPoLoCrois made it to the western PSP at one point, there may be — may be — some hope that this new entry could see release outside Japan. I love these type games so if it came here, it'd be a day one preorder for me — additionally because the PSP game looked good but never got a chance to play it (didn't have a PSP). Here's to keeping the fingers crossed...
Re: Nintendo Download: 21st May (North America)
@Windy Trust, SwapNote was definitely abused by kids and big kids alike. In Japan, a 40-something year-old man was arrested for coercing kids to send him nude pictures of themselves using the application. And I've read articles of similar instances occurring in North America — some where kids were taking nudies and/or sending porn to one another. Now, I will say this: you are absolutely correct in stating Nintendo is cheap. In fact, Iwata is arguably the biggest cheapskate in the gaming industry. (Example: Expansion via SD cards instead of decent-sized HDDs in the Wii/Wii U...) However, Nintendo merc'd SwapNote because of the controversy at the time. (But they are still cheap.) Honestly, they could've killed off photosharing and still kept the app alive. (Well, technically it's alive but virtually useless now.)
Re: The Latest Miiverse Update Has Users In An Uproar
I just checked out the update and I prefer this to the old layout. It's cleaner, loads a little faster (a little), and if you want to see more from a particular user, just hit the arrow — simple. (And totally not a big deal.) I'm not a regular user of Miiverse, mainly due to how slow it is even with the "improved" hardware of the New 3DS systems. I may try using it for a week to see if the increased speed is negligible or noticeable.
Re: Nintendo President Satoru Iwata Is Skipping E3 Again This Year
@WaveBoy Agreed.
Re: Nintendo President Satoru Iwata Is Skipping E3 Again This Year
I wouldn't mind if he didn't show up for any future E3s... or if, perhaps, he just stepped down... One can only dream. Still, I do hope he is in good health and if not, I wish a speedy, healthful recovery for him. It's not Iwata's personality — I just don't like him as a businessman. Well, okay: I think he SUCKS as a businessman and is the opposite of what 21st century Nintendo needs. But he's still human and I hope all is well.
Re: Mobile Is Konami's Future, According To President Hideki Hayakawa
...and Konami falls victim. Curious as to how this news comes literally a day after Square Enix reports they're shifting focus from being console-oriented to concentrating on mobile. I don't play games on my phone and never will: battery life isn't that great on smartphones anyway and I'm not draining mine for anything other than calls/text/browsing/etc.
Re: Square Enix Announces Dragon Quest VIII For The 3DS
@IceClimbers Thank you, regarding DQVII. Honestly, I stopped waiting on that game long ago. And since reading about Square Enix's newly announced focus to shift away from console games to mobile ones, I'm not holding my breath for DQVIII - not that I'm hopeful, anyway. Mix in Enix's overall loyalty to the homeland first (and foremost in many cases, including DQs 7&8 releasing outside Japan), and you have a recipe for a little bit of disappointment and a little bit of likely not gonna happen.
Re: Iwata: 3DS Has Plenty Of Room For Growth, Female Gamers Key To Console's Continued Success In Japan
@IceClimbers Curiously enough, Iwata does a number of things that subsequently push third-parties away and those are the same entities Nintendo desperately needs.
@heathenmagic It was nice to get Xenoblade 3D exclusive for the New 3DS systems but I doubt we'll be seeing anymore "New 3DS Only" games (if for no other reason than developers wanting to cast the widest net possible to maximize profits). Maaaybe one but, judging from past history, no more after that. When the original DSi came out, Nintendo made a big deal then about "certain games will only be playable on the DSi due to the superior hardware..." Foto Showdown was the only DSi-exclusive the system saw. Literally, every other game released was playable on the original DS, DS Lite, DSi, and the DSi XL. I have a hard time seeing how Xenoblade 3D on the New 3DS systems is going to be any different.
Re: Iwata: 3DS Has Plenty Of Room For Growth, Female Gamers Key To Console's Continued Success In Japan
2015 is "Year of the Wii U" - I don't see any real big news or games coming for the 3DS this year. E3 will probably see some indie games announced for the 3DS eShop but Nintendo's stretched so thin right now (totally their fault), I don't think they have the resources to really push both console and handheld platforms full-throttle. The Wii U's been draining them since the thing came out and we've seen them trying really anything to help put plumber's putty in the hull holes — even nonsensical things like releasing last generation handheld games (NDS) to be played on... a current generation console. I think 2016 will see more focus on 3DS. I'd be really surprised if we 3DS gamers got any big announcements this year.
Re: Former Castlevania Producer Koji Igarashi's Kickstarter Launches, But Won't Come To Nintendo Consoles
"An informative FAQ does provide an explanation however, referencing the immediate limitations of developing with Nintendo hardware."
Point. There's absolutely no way to defend Nintendo from such a blunt and truthful statement. Nintendo fans aren't looking for bleeding-edge tech — that's never been the company's schtick anyway. However, I'm sick of Iwata delivering these cheap, plastic, Fisher Price toys with crazy outdated specs that usher in comments from developers like the one above. Give us a GAMING SYSTEM and no more toys. Then, things like getting skipped over due to inadequate specs would be less likely of happening. Le sigh...
Re: Iwata Reveals a Bit More Information on Nintendo's Upcoming Integrated Membership Service
@ikki5 Amen to that. But the only way Iwata's going to leave Nintendo is when he retires. You're 100% correct, though: he's quite possibly the WORST thing to ever happen to arguably the world's greatest gaming company.
Re: Get Inked With This New Nintendo 3DS Splatoon-Themed Cover Plate
"Be as stylish as a squid this July"
I'd love to but Iwata hates money.
Re: iOS Title Catch The Rabbit Sure Does Remind Us Of Something
@KryptoKrunch I think you meant most of games you find in mobile app stores.
Re: Nintendo Download: 30th April (North America)
I tried the Puzzle & Dragons demo... I didn't really care for it. I think it's mostly because I'm "match-three'd" out from a few years ago when the genre was really popular, particularly on mobile. The visuals, music, and gameplay is superb, though: just not something I'll be purchasing.
Re: Listings and Rumours Point to a Silver Mario amiibo Release on 29th May
@LaVelle These amiibo are getting ridiculous...
Re: Feature: A Day With The Biggest StreetPass Group in the US
"Nintendo, surprisingly, has been the hardest sponsor to get. While they know about StreetPass groups, they have very little interactions with them in the USA."
That's our Nintendo. There are some small groups in my area but nothing of the San Diego magnitude (at least to my knowledge as it's been awhile since I've actively looked into StreetPass Meetups).
Re: Review: Pokémon Rumble World (3DS eShop)
While I really liked Pokémon Rumble Blast, I've been hesitant about Rumble World due to its freemium nature. (Needless to say, I hate freemium games.) I've been so busy with Fantasy Life, I haven't cared to read up on it until now (although I've been seeing it as most people's "Most Recent Game" when StreetPassing). It's nice to hear that the microtransactions aren't as offensive as other games and I really like that $30 ceiling which keeps parents of kids happy they won't get a bill for $100 and keeps people from just buying everything to win over those who would rather play the game to win. I don't say this often about Nintendo these days but good job.
Re: Editorial: Nintendo's Problems With Trends and Modern Media Continue to Damage Its Image
There's nothing to say, really: I doubt Nintendo will ever fully wake up and get with the program. They'll make little advancements here 'n there but in large, they just don't get it. Fuhrer Iwata runs that ship with an iron fist. And it's still unimaginable to me that he is not only president and CEO of Nintendo (like that isn't enough), he's also the president of NOA. Way too much power imo. Iwata's recipe? Rely on nostalgia and leaving luck up to heaven, for sure. Nintendo's their own worst enemy and any misfortune that happens will be of their own doing. I love Nintendo to pieces but they're also the dumbest, stupidest company in the contemporary gaming world.