@Dr_Corndog The problem is that every console is somebody's first video game console. The Wii U may be compatible with the Wii Remotes, but it doesn't come packaged with any at all. So the customer has to go out and buy not only a Wii Remote, but also a Wii Nunchuk if they want to use multiplayer... even though those aren't a featured part of the new system.
That's probably part of why some people still don't understand what the Wii U is. In the commercial, you see the family members using Wii Remotes, with only one person holding the Gamepad. It's just a bizarre setup
I recently started playing Rayman Legends with a friend, and I have to say the Gamepad features pretty much just get in the way of gameplay. I start a level using the standard controls, but at some point I have to stop and continue as Murphy on the touch screen. At that point, I'm pretty much controlling the entire game while my friend says "man, you're doing everything." It's just not balanced... and honestly, I'd rather be looking at my 55" TV to enjoy the HD graphics, rather than looking down at the Gamepad screen, having a kind of private type of game experience. While touch-screen controls are probably faster, there's little or nothing in Rayman Legends that couldn't have been achieved with a Wii Remote.
My other Wii U games really don't feature the Gamepad much at all, so there's nothing else to say. I think the biggest thing holding the Wii U back is... the Wii U. I'm ready for the next home console, Nintendo.
I would buy a new game with new stages. I loved the first one. I loved the style, the length, the difficulty level, and the price It really was a perfect sShop release, in my opinion. Nice, bite-sized fun. I would probably buy more "episodes" if they kept producing them, and I'd prefer that episodic approach over a larger game experience.
I think Nintendo should be releasing bite-sized Zelda games so there's not such a huge wait between releases. Bringing back old games in HD is a nice idea as a supplement... but these are still old games that many of us have played before. I can't get excited until I see something truly new.
This show is one of my earliest memories, so I think the game could be really fun. The characters' eyes seem a bit far apart, compared to the original show. That's nitpicky, though. One important thing, I think, is that they use some of the original soundtrack in this game.
I'm sure "Layton 7" is referring to the seven characters featured. It's not necessarily a Professor Layton game, and it's likely something entirely new.
@Zodiak13 Yeah, I see that now. It's a real shame. I just can't justify buying this game without Akuma and the Turbo mode. I'd really like to have a copy of SSF2T somehow, even for the 3DS or something.
Does anyone know if this version of Super Street Fighter II includes a Turbo mode? I remember that for the PC, Super Street Fighter II Turbo was its own entity, and I'm not going to buy this game if it doesn't have Turbo.
@NFeZ That was unnecessarily aggressive. I'm talking about tangible rewards — specifically comparing this year's Elite Status gifts (a 3-poster set or a Majora's Mask OST) to this cute item that I could attach my car keys to and enjoy everywhere I go.
Never played Gunstar Heroes, but I just checked out some gameplay video, and it looks great. Star Successor was really fun. So this game, although it's sort of a Saint Seiya type of theme, has the potential to be really good. The 3D battles look like they could be really fun. I just need to see more gameplay.
Man, they really cheaped out again this year. shakes head How about a full soundtrack for Skyward Sword, at least? Why is it for a 15-year-old game? And then... posters??? This really makes those trading cards look special. I passed them off to a friend who liked card games and Mario, so that's fine. I passed completely on the buttons the year before. My first reward was that statue, and it continues to be a great display piece. Why can't we get something like that? Even just a little figurine! Sigh.
The game (or franchise) is often referred to simply as "Zelda," much as Super Mario Bros. is referred to as "Mario." Both contestants wrote "WHAT is Zelda?" as opposed to "WHO is Zelda." So they knew what they were talking about. It's possible the judges mistook their answers as referencing the name, as opposed to the game.
In the strictest sense, "The Legend of Zelda" is the correct answer. Still... I'm sure "Zelda" would have been close enough for the Family Feud judges. Oh well. The look on the first guy's face as he was told he was wrong. Oh man. Brutal.
While there's some sense to his logic, I think Miyamoto is missing the mark with his comments. A single character illustration can kick off an explosion of creativity, as happened with Black Rock Shooter. By focusing entirely on gameplay first, you're ignoring the possibility of new characters and new TYPES of characters. Furthermore, by focusing on gameplay first and then applying it to an existing franchise like Mario, you're limited that new gameplay idea. People will buy the next Mario game, whatever it is, just like people by the latest FIFA or or whatever just because the year on the packaging has changed.
Mario doesn't need to star in a tennis, soccer, party, racing or family board game. He does, though, and we all know why. Nintendo's milking Mario for all he's worth. It's actually about the franchise and its ability to make money, and any new gameplay idea that presents itself — you better believe they'll try to cram it into a Mario game, rather than come up with a new character or world to use for that game.
It's interesting that there isn't a Zelda racing game... where you have horseback riding or something. There's not really any reason why you couldn't make that game. There are plenty of characters to use, and it wouldn't be all that different from a Mario cart — and yet it would be very different. But no, if Nintendo were to make a horseback riding game, it would end up being something like "Mario Derby."
(As a quick side note, Mario surely could have been used in Pikmin. Miyamoto's thinking there is beyond me. You would only have to adjust the story a bit, and you'd have the next Mario spinoff. That aside...)
There appears to be a deep fear within Nintendo of NOT using Mario. There are plenty of arguments for why they should continue to do things the way they do, but fans like myself are tired of the same old same old. The Mario story has been stale since Super Mario 3, in my opinion. (The same goes for Zelda, but that's a discussion for another time.) I just don't think that "They'll sell more games this way" or "People like nostalgia" are good reasons to NOT develop new characters. Even Disney introduces something new every once in a while, but Nintendo just keeps going back to the well. I certainly haven't been buying any of the latest Mario games. It's all the same thing over and over again.
A couple of people mentioning Red Steel here... You know, one thing I already miss on the Wii U is motion controls. When you're using the Gamepad, it's just traditional controller action with a little bit of screen-tapping. I was a big fan of the motion controls on Skyward Sword, and Red Steel 2 wasn't bad. Then you had Wii Sports, of course, and a slew of other titles with fun motion control. It just seems like the Gamepad gimmick isn't delivering the same fun and innovation as the Wii Remote did.
That being said... one game that would be amazing on the Wii U would be Elebits. The Gamepad would really work well with that game.
Having said that, I'm really disappointed in Ubisoft. You would have thought, before the Wii U launch, that Ubisoft was really in it for the long haul. They certainly made it seem that was at E3 that year. Now, however, they're basically pulling out in favor of the newer systems. They've abandoned Wii U. So all this E3 hype, the speeches, the interviews... it all amounts to nothing, because nobody sticks to what they say, and reality has turned out very differently than what we were promised.
The stigma of third party publishers working with Nintendo obviously still exists. I agree Nintendo should make a big move to purchase another studio to increase their IPs. That makes sense to me. But then, look at what Nintendo allows on their systems. Does anyone really want The Croods on Wii U? That kind of stuff just makes Nintendo systems seem silly. What's next? Another Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen game? shakes head This stuff leaks into Nintendo game libraries constantly, while we wait and wait and wait for solid 1st party and superior 3rd party games to arrive. Honestly, I walk through the game aisle with envy, seeing all the games that are available for other systems. I should've bought a PS3 instead of a Wii U.
@HeatBombastic "I suggest you think about it." That sounded really aggressive
I get what you're saying, and I've experienced some of the "asymmetric gameplay" already in NintendoLand, Chasing Aurora and Tank!Tank!Tank!... I've played with friends, and both my and their response was lukewarm. I use the Gamepad mainly to browse the internet, and naturally to navigate the system menu. It's good for some things, like the Wii Panorama U, or whatever it's called. It's a gimmick, though, and I think it's not a strong enough selling point for the general public. Iwata has essentially admitted this, so I don't think anyone need go out of their way to defend it.
Moving forward, I think it makes sense to focus on games, and mention the Gamepad as an extra... almost like tricking people into thinking they're getting something for free. "Touch-screen Gamepad Included!" Anyway, I think the upcoming games will help turn the numbers around for the WiiU. It's just a shame that these games weren't available at launch. As I've said before, perhaps the WiiU should have been delayed until more software was ready for it. The launch was premature, and the system has suffered as a result. When Mario 3D World, Mario Kart, Smash Bros and DK come out, I think more systems will sell... and it'll be HD graphics, familiar characters and bright, shiny colors that will convince people to buy.
I think the biggest problem is the focus on the Gamepad. They really want to use that as the selling point, but it's not. It's the games. The Gamepad is kind of weird, honestly. Different branding might have made it more clear. "Nintendo DS Home," perhaps. That's essentially what it is. It's a DS system, using your television set as the upper screen. Also, it would have made more sense to have the Gamepad actually be a portable system of some kind, where you can take the game with you. The Wii U is almost there, but it seems conceptually incomplete.
Aside from the ease of touch-screen controls in certain situations, I haven't seen anything significant that be done using the Gamepad that couldn't have been done normally. Most of the games I've played are played entirely on the main TV screen. Honestly, 2-player using the Gamepad isn't as fun as split-screen. That's what I've found. The Gamepad actually gets in the way of having fun sometimes.
I didn't have enough patience to stick around. There was only one screen, and everyone was playing Mario Kart. It was hard to see the action because of the crowd. There was no free "swag," as advertised. They set it up in a competition format, where you could choose a prize if you won a race in Mario Kart, or something else like that. I thought the setup was really weak, and it was a shame there weren't more new games being demoed. Wonderful 101 would've been nice. shrug The only thing I walked way with was an ad booklet for the WiiU, and even that was defective. I don't know if it's worth holding this sort of demo. At least I got a nice batch of StreePasses.
Although the later stages get a bit too hard for a casual player like me, I really love these games. #2 throws in some nice changes to shake things up, though it would be nice if there were some surprises hiding in those mud blocks. Maybe later in the game... The animated characters are really fun and cute. The robot needs his own game!
I think it's a bad move. I did try out the Tingle Tuner back in the day, and it was a fun extra. This Miiverse nonsense needs to be dialed back. Nintendo's going nuts with it. They're exploiting their own service. How obnoxious!
Arino-kachou in 3D! I'd like to see some of the ADs make an appearance. Not sure what type of game it would be. Maybe very much like the first. I think I'd like to see something a bit different.
Well, I totally missed out on this one. Honestly, I'd be willing to spend my coins on anything that seems remotely useful. This, although a bit on the small side, might have some use. I just didn't know there was an update to the catalogue.
As someone else said, some of this stuff should be available for actual monetary purchase. It doesn't make sense that there's so little Nintendo merchandise out there. At Toys'R'Us, the most unique item is a Super Princess Peach backpack. At the Nintendo Store in New York City, you can buy the Hanafuda cards and a Toad vinyl toy... but the rest of their stock is basically t-shirts, baseball caps, plush toys and coffee mugs.
When you start to think about it, it's really kind of bizarre. Anyway, it's too bad I missed out on this item. It might have been fun. What would be better, though, would be a Zelda Accessory Box, featuring the different versions of Link, perhaps.
I think it's telling that the game most people are interested in, so far, is a game we know nothing about. It just means the Mario branding is that strong, or that people are too hungry for familiarity.
@Optometristlime said something about seasonal games. That's actually not a bad idea. I'm surprised Nintendo hasn't tried to do something like that. Beach Mario, maybe
Ha. West Paterson. I'm surprised there's actually going to be a local event here. Looks like I'll have to go take a look, though I'm sure it'll be crowded as all get-out.
Well, Shin'en hasn't failed me yet. To their credit, Nano Assault Neo is probably the best piece of software on my WiiU, so I value their opinion. From that perspective, sure... the WiiU can have great games. Let's see them. If I could have more experiences like Nano Assault Neo on the WiiU, I would be extremely satisfied.
Maybe part of the problem is that 3D platformers, fighters, etc have all become stale. Maybe the WiiU should focus more on arcade-style action. I mean, TANK! TANK! TANK! isn't all that bad. It's not amazing, but it has some play value. Push that forward with more intuitive, open gameplay and you might have something special.
Back to Nano Assault Neo, though... I'm just sorry it was so short. I really liked it, but it was short. In a way that's good, because it allows a quick playthrough that's easy to enjoy. The problem is that once it's over, you want more.... and on the WiiU, there isn't anything like it.
@Austroid Yeah, I read about that a while back. It makes sense in Japanese. A Japanese-language pun pinned onto an Italian name. Someone, I'm sure, is very proud of that. Maybe there's a Wajumpman out there, too.
I don't think Nintendo realizes the WarioWare brand is actually a turn-off to some consumers. Isn't there a better way to present these types of games without putting an ugly, evil, moustached man on the cover? I feel like Wario — just the character — is sort of a niche thing that not everyone gets. I remember rolling my eyes when I first heard the name as a kid. It just seemed cheap and unimaginative. (Imagine how I felt when I heard about Waluigi!) But now Wario is an antihero or something, and he has a posse of bizarre and wacky characters to play games with... I guess...? I don't really know, and I'm not interested.
As for the Pirates game... I remember when that was shown off at E3, along with the ninja star game that ended up in NintendoLand. It looked cool. The idea of having it as pre-installed, non-Wario software was a great one. Of course, they had to ruin it.
The guy goes on to talk about how they needed to develop a story to house the mini games... shakes head See, that's what I'm talking about. Too much BS getting in the way of playing games. The WiiU is struggling, and the people in charge are allowing this kind of tomfoolery to go on, rather than getting the core ideas and games out to the public. I've felt for a long time that Nintendo is becoming too conceptual. This just solidifies it for me.
I apologize for the rant. I know I'm just rambling, and I apologize for being negative. This just got under my skin for some reason.
Just to tack this on, the 3DS still has problems, as others have stated. No second circle pad, short battery life, etc... and the resolution isn't great. If the next Nintendo handheld can somehow improve on all of these, it will really be something impressive.
I think the point is that in addition to all the new games and gimmicks, it also plays a ton of games that can be stored on the system, as well as a ton of classic games also stored on the system. No need to switch out game cards most of the time. Now, if the 3DS Virtual Console were to be expanded, you'd really have something there. All that history, plus all new innovation, all in one little bundle in your pocket. It's possible the 3DS is the best console ever. At least, it may have the potential to be. I'm not sure it's there yet.
I like the idea, but it's just too big. The XL is already almost too big and heavy to carry around in a pocket comfortably, so this upgrade isn't really an option. I just plug my XL in when I'm home, and I have a $5 car charger that works great on the go. The only thing I really miss is the charging cradle for home, but I think there's one available for purchase somewhere, right?
@rjejr Ha. Thanks... By the way, if the denial comment came across as aggressive, I apologize. I was thinking about that after I posted it.
So ok, 1- I brought up Grandma just because back before Christmas I was at a Toys'R'Us, on line behind an elderly woman who was purchasing a Wii. I assume it was for her grandkids, but I don't know for sure. Just assessing the situation, though, I realized the entire packaging for that particular Wii bundle wasn't all that different from the WiiU packaging. Of course, the Wii price was much cheaper, but I had to wonder what the situation really was, and whether or not Grandma really understood the difference between the two products.
2- The Wii really was revolutionary, and was a completely different system than the Gamecube. There's absolutely zero possibility of confusing those two consoles. I did acknowledge in my post that nobody is saying the WiiU name is solely responsible for the console's underperformance, but I do think it's a contributing factor. The WiiU is attached to the Wii brand, so I think casual buyers could be confused. My story about the workplace reaction was really just an anecdote. Maybe I was making too many points in also addressing the ridiculous nature of the name.
3- Not every household has a gaming system. When people start having kids, and those kids get to be 8 or 10 years old and start asking for video game consoles, I'd venture to say that for many households, there is such a thing as a first video game console. So with that in mind, I think there's a large possibility for families to buy a WiiU without having owned the Wii. As for the Wii remotes, I think this is pretty clear. In the TV ads, you see the family sitting on a couch — one person has the Gamepad, and the others have Wii remotes. Nothing ever says "WiiU is compatible with the controllers you already own!" To the uninitiated, it may seem they're just playing a Wii game with some new add-on. The fact that Nintendo is now seriously trying to press the fact that "This is an ENTIRELY NEW system" is proof enough that confusion exists. With an entirely new name, I feel there would be little to no confusion.
4- Wii to WiiU, in my opinion, is completely different than PS2 to PS3 or NES to Super NES (or "Nintendo" to "Super Nintendo," as kids called it in my region). "U" on its own is a bizarre suffix. It doesn't convey any real information.
I obviously can't supply some of the numbers you're asking for, but I can say that my personal experience in being asked about the WiiU is that there is confusion surrounding the system, and a lot of it has to do with the name.
You brought up "Wii 2" as a possible name. I think that would have been better than WiiU." When you put "2" after an established brand name, there's no question as to what it means. After all, nobody wonders if "Iron Man 3" is just a variation of "Iron Man." If they had called it "Iron Man U" or "Iron Man Alpha," however, some casual moviegoer might not know what the heck it's supposed to be just by hearing the name on the radio or seeing it in print.
(Even if it were to be called "Wii HD," there would still be confusion. Is it the same old Wii but with better graphics? What is it? What's a U? What's a WiiU? The new Super Mario game in the commercial looks just like the last one I bought a few years ago. What's the difference here? Oh wait, hold on. I'm getting a text. Beyonce did WHAT?? LOL derp ^_^)
Or better yet:
Billy - "Mom, I want a WiiU!" Mom - "You already have a Wii." Billy - "No, this is different! It has a gamepad!" Mom - "You have lots of games. I just bought you that Pokey-man thing last week! Why don't you play that?" Billy- "No, Mom! This is different! It has, like, a screen, and it's different!" .........
I won't argue at all about the lack of games and advertising, though I have actually seen television commercials aired. (As a side thought, I've seen many more 3DS ads than WiiU ads). As I've said elsewhere, I think the case design is another factor that is contributing to poor sales. That alone, combined with the name, is a recipe for confusion among casual buyers. The special Wii bundles in stores before Christmas are another factor, like I mentioned above with Grandma. It's not just one thing. It's multiple things, but the name is surely one of them.
A lot of people seem to think that hardcore gamers outnumber casual gamers, but I think it's the other way around. Nintendo surely relies heavily on casual gamers to buy their hardware and software. The problem is that smart devices offer a lot more than just gaming, and both smart devices and gaming hardware cost a lot of money. People are more likely to shell out the cash for a more useful piece of hardware like a smart phone. Once in hand, it turns out there are games that can be played on the smart phone as well. These may be casual games, but trust me — people become addicted to them. Whether it's Angry Birds or Draw with Friends (or whatever it's called), people just can't put their phones down. And again, they can use their phones for internet browsing, GPS, text messaging, etc... I don't know how it is for other people, but during the summer time especially, I have limited pocket space. I think people are more likely to keep a smart phone in their pocket than a 3DS. My point? The casual market is shifting toward smart devices. If the hardcore gaming market becomes merely a niche... is Nintendo really going to make money from that? Eventually, if sales are low, Nintendo will surely abandon ship when it comes to electronics and then focus more on other uses for their intellectual properties. We already know a huge chunk of their profits come from Pokemon, and that stretches WAY beyond video games at this point. This, of course, is an extreme forecast, but the possibility exists.
@rjejr I don't think anyone's saying the name is ENTIRELY to blame for the WiiU's lackluster performance so far, but it's surely a contributing factor. To deny that is simply to be in denial. Not all people who purchase video game systems frequent websites like NintendoLife, so they need it — let me reiterate that... Grandma needs it to be extremely clear that this is an entirely new system.
When I mentioned the WiiU at work, I was pretty surprised by the response. People were baffled. "What the **** is a Wee U?" "Hey, come on over so we can Wee U!" "Wanna play with my Wee U?" Everyone just laughed at the ridiculous sound of the name, and tore it apart. Of course, we all remember the same sort of thing just after the official name was announced online. The Wii was bad enough, but WiiU simply doesn't translate well internationally. It's a real stinker of a name, if you catch my meaning (Pee-yoo!)
It also doesn't help that the WiiU requires Wii peripherals in order to play multiplayer games. That's just confusing. Convenient for Wii owners, but surely bizarre for anyone who didn't own a Wii and now owns a WiiU.
Also, in regard to Guitardude7's comment, I agree "Nintendo U" might have been a better name. Of course, that makes it sound like "Nintendo University," but it would probably have been better than "WiiU." Names are tricky. You have to put thought into them. The Japanese love to use English words when naming things, but it doesn't always work. The play on words in "WiiU" isn't nearly as clever in English as it may seem to a native Japanese speaker.
That blazing green would certainly have set WiiU apart from the Wii!
I do have to say... the WiiU system itself (not counting the gamepad) is kind of ugly in my opinion. The Wii display stand had that cool tilt that created a unique shape that was almost like modern art. The WiiU is just a generic-looking piece of hardware. The old Nintendo console designs always caught my imagination, all the way up to the Gamecube. Again, I think the WiiU design is just the next step in Nintendo's attempt to emulate Apple, but it seems to have not paid off. There are so many other design possibilities. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if Nintendo comes up with something fun and original for the next generation.
I won't compare the WiiU to the 3DS, because the handheld market is a different beast than the home console market. Comparing WiiU to Wii, though... the Wii was a hot item well after launch. The WiiU had a VERY quiet launch, and nobody knows or cares about it. It's basically a flop. Of course, Nintendo is now stuck with the system, and they have enough resources to build up momentum over time... but the WiiU is not a big hit. It's not a smashing success. It's a dud. The whole "be patient" mentality doesn't hold up. That's a stubborn refusal to face reality.
I got sucked into the WiiU hype because I wanted to. I wanted to be excited about a new system. I wanted to get in on a home console at launch. I wanted to support Nintendo. All the while, I silenced the little voice warning me of potential disappointment — the voice that noticed the weak game lineup, the uselessness of some of the proposed apps, the gimmicky nature of the gamepad and the terrible branding and design of the system. I ignored my better judgment and committed to Nintendo out of loyalty. What did I get in return? Not much.
Even if there are big reveals at E3, we're not going to see much before year's end. That makes the entire first year of the WiiU a wash. That's pretty much unforgivable, and I'm starting to think some form of compensation is in order... and the 30 cent Virtual Console downloads aren't what I have in mind.
Comments 408
Re: Talking Point: Marketing Wii U to the Masses
@Dr_Corndog The problem is that every console is somebody's first video game console. The Wii U may be compatible with the Wii Remotes, but it doesn't come packaged with any at all. So the customer has to go out and buy not only a Wii Remote, but also a Wii Nunchuk if they want to use multiplayer... even though those aren't a featured part of the new system.
That's probably part of why some people still don't understand what the Wii U is. In the commercial, you see the family members using Wii Remotes, with only one person holding the Gamepad. It's just a bizarre setup
I recently started playing Rayman Legends with a friend, and I have to say the Gamepad features pretty much just get in the way of gameplay. I start a level using the standard controls, but at some point I have to stop and continue as Murphy on the touch screen. At that point, I'm pretty much controlling the entire game while my friend says "man, you're doing everything." It's just not balanced... and honestly, I'd rather be looking at my 55" TV to enjoy the HD graphics, rather than looking down at the Gamepad screen, having a kind of private type of game experience. While touch-screen controls are probably faster, there's little or nothing in Rayman Legends that couldn't have been achieved with a Wii Remote.
My other Wii U games really don't feature the Gamepad much at all, so there's nothing else to say. I think the biggest thing holding the Wii U back is... the Wii U. I'm ready for the next home console, Nintendo.
Re: Bertil Hörberg Shows Gunman Clive Running on the Wii U
@6ch6ris6 You know what? I hadn't thought about it, but that's not a bad observation.
Re: Bertil Hörberg Shows Gunman Clive Running on the Wii U
I would buy a new game with new stages. I loved the first one. I loved the style, the length, the difficulty level, and the price It really was a perfect sShop release, in my opinion. Nice, bite-sized fun. I would probably buy more "episodes" if they kept producing them, and I'd prefer that episodic approach over a larger game experience.
Re: Miiverse Update Allows Activity Feed Posts Outside of Communities
This is a good move. I remember people asking for this on Miiverse on Day One.
Re: Nintendo Tested Two Other Zelda Titles in HD on the Wii U
I think Nintendo should be releasing bite-sized Zelda games so there's not such a huge wait between releases. Bringing back old games in HD is a nice idea as a supplement... but these are still old games that many of us have played before. I can't get excited until I see something truly new.
Re: Exclusive: Exploring The Mysterious Cities of Gold With Fleur Marty
This show is one of my earliest memories, so I think the game could be really fun. The characters' eyes seem a bit far apart, compared to the original show. That's nitpicky, though. One important thing, I think, is that they use some of the original soundtrack in this game.
Re: Layton 7 is Announced, and Looks Like Quite a Departure
I'm sure "Layton 7" is referring to the seven characters featured. It's not necessarily a Professor Layton game, and it's likely something entirely new.
Well... evidently.
Re: Nintendo Download: 22nd August (North America)
@Zodiak13 Yeah, I see that now. It's a real shame. I just can't justify buying this game without Akuma and the Turbo mode. I'd really like to have a copy of SSF2T somehow, even for the 3DS or something.
Re: Nintendo Download: 22nd August (North America)
Does anyone know if this version of Super Street Fighter II includes a Turbo mode? I remember that for the PC, Super Street Fighter II Turbo was its own entity, and I'm not going to buy this game if it doesn't have Turbo.
Re: Chasing Aurora Began as a Prototype Based on Secrets of Raetikon, was Developed in Five Months
This one was always a big disappointment. It feels like an incomplete game, so this info makes sense.
Re: Pikmin Keyrings Arrive as Club Nintendo Europe Rewards
@NFeZ That was unnecessarily aggressive. I'm talking about tangible rewards — specifically comparing this year's Elite Status gifts (a 3-poster set or a Majora's Mask OST) to this cute item that I could attach my car keys to and enjoy everywhere I go.
Re: Pikmin Keyrings Arrive as Club Nintendo Europe Rewards
Unfortunately, our North American elite rewards aren't as cool as this.
Re: Sin & Punishment Studio Treasure Is Working On Gaist Crusher With Capcom
Never played Gunstar Heroes, but I just checked out some gameplay video, and it looks great. Star Successor was really fun. So this game, although it's sort of a Saint Seiya type of theme, has the potential to be really good. The 3D battles look like they could be really fun. I just need to see more gameplay.
Re: Review: Puddle (Wii U eShop)
@antonvaltaz If that's truly the case, then I'll take back what I said.
Re: Review: EarthBound (Wii U eShop)
I wish I could get into RPGs. I just can't stand the combat.
Re: Weirdness: Two Kids Debate The Legend of Zelda
"See?"
Re: Nintendo Reveals The 2013 Club Nintendo Elite Rewards
Man, they really cheaped out again this year. shakes head How about a full soundtrack for Skyward Sword, at least? Why is it for a 15-year-old game? And then... posters??? This really makes those trading cards look special. I passed them off to a friend who liked card games and Mario, so that's fine. I passed completely on the buttons the year before. My first reward was that statue, and it continues to be a great display piece. Why can't we get something like that? Even just a little figurine! Sigh.
Re: Weirdness: Zelda Answers Rejected on Jeopardy, Hearts are Broken
The game (or franchise) is often referred to simply as "Zelda," much as Super Mario Bros. is referred to as "Mario." Both contestants wrote "WHAT is Zelda?" as opposed to "WHO is Zelda." So they knew what they were talking about. It's possible the judges mistook their answers as referencing the name, as opposed to the game.
In the strictest sense, "The Legend of Zelda" is the correct answer. Still... I'm sure "Zelda" would have been close enough for the Family Feud judges. Oh well. The look on the first guy's face as he was told he was wrong. Oh man. Brutal.
Re: One Piece: Romance Dawn Won't Be Sailing To North America
It looks like fun. I would probably pick this up because I really like One Piece.
Re: Miyamoto: Fresh Experiences Make A New Game, Not New Characters
@Chriiis I guess I should've stopped after the first half
Re: Miyamoto: Fresh Experiences Make A New Game, Not New Characters
While there's some sense to his logic, I think Miyamoto is missing the mark with his comments. A single character illustration can kick off an explosion of creativity, as happened with Black Rock Shooter. By focusing entirely on gameplay first, you're ignoring the possibility of new characters and new TYPES of characters. Furthermore, by focusing on gameplay first and then applying it to an existing franchise like Mario, you're limited that new gameplay idea. People will buy the next Mario game, whatever it is, just like people by the latest FIFA or or whatever just because the year on the packaging has changed.
Mario doesn't need to star in a tennis, soccer, party, racing or family board game. He does, though, and we all know why. Nintendo's milking Mario for all he's worth. It's actually about the franchise and its ability to make money, and any new gameplay idea that presents itself — you better believe they'll try to cram it into a Mario game, rather than come up with a new character or world to use for that game.
It's interesting that there isn't a Zelda racing game... where you have horseback riding or something. There's not really any reason why you couldn't make that game. There are plenty of characters to use, and it wouldn't be all that different from a Mario cart — and yet it would be very different. But no, if Nintendo were to make a horseback riding game, it would end up being something like "Mario Derby."
(As a quick side note, Mario surely could have been used in Pikmin. Miyamoto's thinking there is beyond me. You would only have to adjust the story a bit, and you'd have the next Mario spinoff. That aside...)
There appears to be a deep fear within Nintendo of NOT using Mario. There are plenty of arguments for why they should continue to do things the way they do, but fans like myself are tired of the same old same old. The Mario story has been stale since Super Mario 3, in my opinion. (The same goes for Zelda, but that's a discussion for another time.) I just don't think that "They'll sell more games this way" or "People like nostalgia" are good reasons to NOT develop new characters. Even Disney introduces something new every once in a while, but Nintendo just keeps going back to the well. I certainly haven't been buying any of the latest Mario games. It's all the same thing over and over again.
Re: Wii U Turned Ubisoft On To Second-Screen Gaming, But Isn't The Focus Moving Forward
A couple of people mentioning Red Steel here... You know, one thing I already miss on the Wii U is motion controls. When you're using the Gamepad, it's just traditional controller action with a little bit of screen-tapping. I was a big fan of the motion controls on Skyward Sword, and Red Steel 2 wasn't bad. Then you had Wii Sports, of course, and a slew of other titles with fun motion control. It just seems like the Gamepad gimmick isn't delivering the same fun and innovation as the Wii Remote did.
That being said... one game that would be amazing on the Wii U would be Elebits. The Gamepad would really work well with that game.
Re: Wii U Turned Ubisoft On To Second-Screen Gaming, But Isn't The Focus Moving Forward
The second screen isn't all that amazing. shrug
Having said that, I'm really disappointed in Ubisoft. You would have thought, before the Wii U launch, that Ubisoft was really in it for the long haul. They certainly made it seem that was at E3 that year. Now, however, they're basically pulling out in favor of the newer systems. They've abandoned Wii U. So all this E3 hype, the speeches, the interviews... it all amounts to nothing, because nobody sticks to what they say, and reality has turned out very differently than what we were promised.
The stigma of third party publishers working with Nintendo obviously still exists. I agree Nintendo should make a big move to purchase another studio to increase their IPs. That makes sense to me. But then, look at what Nintendo allows on their systems. Does anyone really want The Croods on Wii U? That kind of stuff just makes Nintendo systems seem silly. What's next? Another Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen game? shakes head This stuff leaks into Nintendo game libraries constantly, while we wait and wait and wait for solid 1st party and superior 3rd party games to arrive. Honestly, I walk through the game aisle with envy, seeing all the games that are available for other systems. I should've bought a PS3 instead of a Wii U.
Re: Nintendo's Claim to WiiU.com is Denied
They could just rename the console.
Re: Iwata: We Are To Blame For Poor Wii U Sales
@HeatBombastic "I suggest you think about it." That sounded really aggressive
I get what you're saying, and I've experienced some of the "asymmetric gameplay" already in NintendoLand, Chasing Aurora and Tank!Tank!Tank!... I've played with friends, and both my and their response was lukewarm. I use the Gamepad mainly to browse the internet, and naturally to navigate the system menu. It's good for some things, like the Wii Panorama U, or whatever it's called. It's a gimmick, though, and I think it's not a strong enough selling point for the general public. Iwata has essentially admitted this, so I don't think anyone need go out of their way to defend it.
Moving forward, I think it makes sense to focus on games, and mention the Gamepad as an extra... almost like tricking people into thinking they're getting something for free. "Touch-screen Gamepad Included!" Anyway, I think the upcoming games will help turn the numbers around for the WiiU. It's just a shame that these games weren't available at launch. As I've said before, perhaps the WiiU should have been delayed until more software was ready for it. The launch was premature, and the system has suffered as a result. When Mario 3D World, Mario Kart, Smash Bros and DK come out, I think more systems will sell... and it'll be HD graphics, familiar characters and bright, shiny colors that will convince people to buy.
Re: Iwata: We Are To Blame For Poor Wii U Sales
Finally snapping out of the fog of denial.
I think the biggest problem is the focus on the Gamepad. They really want to use that as the selling point, but it's not. It's the games. The Gamepad is kind of weird, honestly. Different branding might have made it more clear. "Nintendo DS Home," perhaps. That's essentially what it is. It's a DS system, using your television set as the upper screen. Also, it would have made more sense to have the Gamepad actually be a portable system of some kind, where you can take the game with you. The Wii U is almost there, but it seems conceptually incomplete.
Aside from the ease of touch-screen controls in certain situations, I haven't seen anything significant that be done using the Gamepad that couldn't have been done normally. Most of the games I've played are played entirely on the main TV screen. Honestly, 2-player using the Gamepad isn't as fun as split-screen. That's what I've found. The Gamepad actually gets in the way of having fun sometimes.
Re: Impressions: The Best Buy "Nintendo Experience"
I didn't have enough patience to stick around. There was only one screen, and everyone was playing Mario Kart. It was hard to see the action because of the crowd. There was no free "swag," as advertised. They set it up in a competition format, where you could choose a prize if you won a race in Mario Kart, or something else like that. I thought the setup was really weak, and it was a shame there weren't more new games being demoed. Wonderful 101 would've been nice. shrug The only thing I walked way with was an ad booklet for the WiiU, and even that was defective. I don't know if it's worth holding this sort of demo. At least I got a nice batch of StreePasses.
Re: Review: Mighty Switch Force! 2 (3DS eShop)
Although the later stages get a bit too hard for a casual player like me, I really love these games. #2 throws in some nice changes to shake things up, though it would be nice if there were some surprises hiding in those mud blocks. Maybe later in the game... The animated characters are really fun and cute. The robot needs his own game!
Re: Exclusive: Zelda's Aonuma: We're Looking Into Going "Beyond The Disc" With DLC
No.
Re: Aonuma Explains Why The 3DS Wasn't Used As The Tingle Tuner In Wind Waker HD
I think it's a bad move. I did try out the Tingle Tuner back in the day, and it was a fun extra. This Miiverse nonsense needs to be dialed back. Nintendo's going nuts with it. They're exploiting their own service. How obnoxious!
Re: Nintendo Reveal Why Its 3D Mario Title Isn't Super Mario Galaxy 3
I'm happy with this reveal. The game looks crisp and fun. The return of Princess Toadstool with her floating ability is a real treat.
Re: Video: Bayonetta 2 Reveals Exciting New Hairstyle
I don't like the new costume. Maybe that's the Nintendo influence. Gotta keep her covered up, right? shakes head
Re: New GameCenter CX Title in Development for 3DS
Arino-kachou in 3D! I'd like to see some of the ADs make an appearance. Not sure what type of game it would be. Maybe very much like the first. I think I'd like to see something a bit different.
Re: Guys, This Is How You Make A Live-Action Zelda Movie
I like how the old guy didn't use the fairy to save his comrades.
Re: Feature: Our Top 10 3DS Games - Summer 2013
Three out of the ten are remakes. Sigh.
Re: Limited Super Mario Accessory Box Reward On Club Nintendo Has Sold Out Already
Well, I totally missed out on this one. Honestly, I'd be willing to spend my coins on anything that seems remotely useful. This, although a bit on the small side, might have some use. I just didn't know there was an update to the catalogue.
As someone else said, some of this stuff should be available for actual monetary purchase. It doesn't make sense that there's so little Nintendo merchandise out there. At Toys'R'Us, the most unique item is a Super Princess Peach backpack. At the Nintendo Store in New York City, you can buy the Hanafuda cards and a Toad vinyl toy... but the rest of their stock is basically t-shirts, baseball caps, plush toys and coffee mugs.
When you start to think about it, it's really kind of bizarre. Anyway, it's too bad I missed out on this item. It might have been fun. What would be better, though, would be a Zelda Accessory Box, featuring the different versions of Link, perhaps.
Re: Feature: The Biggest Wii U Games of 2013 - Summer Edition
I think it's telling that the game most people are interested in, so far, is a game we know nothing about. It just means the Mario branding is that strong, or that people are too hungry for familiarity.
@Optometristlime said something about seasonal games. That's actually not a bad idea. I'm surprised Nintendo hasn't tried to do something like that. Beach Mario, maybe
Re: Nintendo Confirms E3 Best Buy Demo Locations
Ha. West Paterson. I'm surprised there's actually going to be a local event here. Looks like I'll have to go take a look, though I'm sure it'll be crowded as all get-out.
Re: Shin'en Multimedia Defends The Wii U Hardware
Well, Shin'en hasn't failed me yet. To their credit, Nano Assault Neo is probably the best piece of software on my WiiU, so I value their opinion. From that perspective, sure... the WiiU can have great games. Let's see them. If I could have more experiences like Nano Assault Neo on the WiiU, I would be extremely satisfied.
Maybe part of the problem is that 3D platformers, fighters, etc have all become stale. Maybe the WiiU should focus more on arcade-style action. I mean, TANK! TANK! TANK! isn't all that bad. It's not amazing, but it has some play value. Push that forward with more intuitive, open gameplay and you might have something special.
Back to Nano Assault Neo, though... I'm just sorry it was so short. I really liked it, but it was short. In a way that's good, because it allows a quick playthrough that's easy to enjoy. The problem is that once it's over, you want more.... and on the WiiU, there isn't anything like it.
Re: Game & Wario Was Originally Intended As A Pre-Installed Wii U Title
@Austroid Yeah, I read about that a while back. It makes sense in Japanese. A Japanese-language pun pinned onto an Italian name. Someone, I'm sure, is very proud of that. Maybe there's a Wajumpman out there, too.
Re: Game & Wario Was Originally Intended As A Pre-Installed Wii U Title
I don't think Nintendo realizes the WarioWare brand is actually a turn-off to some consumers. Isn't there a better way to present these types of games without putting an ugly, evil, moustached man on the cover? I feel like Wario — just the character — is sort of a niche thing that not everyone gets. I remember rolling my eyes when I first heard the name as a kid. It just seemed cheap and unimaginative. (Imagine how I felt when I heard about Waluigi!) But now Wario is an antihero or something, and he has a posse of bizarre and wacky characters to play games with... I guess...? I don't really know, and I'm not interested.
As for the Pirates game... I remember when that was shown off at E3, along with the ninja star game that ended up in NintendoLand. It looked cool. The idea of having it as pre-installed, non-Wario software was a great one. Of course, they had to ruin it.
The guy goes on to talk about how they needed to develop a story to house the mini games... shakes head See, that's what I'm talking about. Too much BS getting in the way of playing games. The WiiU is struggling, and the people in charge are allowing this kind of tomfoolery to go on, rather than getting the core ideas and games out to the public. I've felt for a long time that Nintendo is becoming too conceptual. This just solidifies it for me.
I apologize for the rant. I know I'm just rambling, and I apologize for being negative. This just got under my skin for some reason.
Re: UK Mainstream Newspaper Declares 3DS The "Best Console Ever"
Just to tack this on, the 3DS still has problems, as others have stated. No second circle pad, short battery life, etc... and the resolution isn't great. If the next Nintendo handheld can somehow improve on all of these, it will really be something impressive.
Re: UK Mainstream Newspaper Declares 3DS The "Best Console Ever"
I think the point is that in addition to all the new games and gimmicks, it also plays a ton of games that can be stored on the system, as well as a ton of classic games also stored on the system. No need to switch out game cards most of the time. Now, if the 3DS Virtual Console were to be expanded, you'd really have something there. All that history, plus all new innovation, all in one little bundle in your pocket. It's possible the 3DS is the best console ever. At least, it may have the potential to be. I'm not sure it's there yet.
Re: Hardware Review: Mugen 3DS XL Battery Replacement Grants 20 Hours Of Staying Power
I like the idea, but it's just too big. The XL is already almost too big and heavy to carry around in a pocket comfortably, so this upgrade isn't really an option. I just plug my XL in when I'm home, and I have a $5 car charger that works great on the go. The only thing I really miss is the charging cradle for home, but I think there's one available for purchase somewhere, right?
Re: Skullgirls Wii U eShop Release "Unlikely" Until The Console's Sales Pick Up
This always happens. I see a pretty image that looks really interesting, and the article says "This isn't coming to WiiU."
Re: Nintendo Sends Direct Wii U Marketing Message To Wii Owners
@rjejr Ha. Thanks... By the way, if the denial comment came across as aggressive, I apologize. I was thinking about that after I posted it.
So ok, 1- I brought up Grandma just because back before Christmas I was at a Toys'R'Us, on line behind an elderly woman who was purchasing a Wii. I assume it was for her grandkids, but I don't know for sure. Just assessing the situation, though, I realized the entire packaging for that particular Wii bundle wasn't all that different from the WiiU packaging. Of course, the Wii price was much cheaper, but I had to wonder what the situation really was, and whether or not Grandma really understood the difference between the two products.
2- The Wii really was revolutionary, and was a completely different system than the Gamecube. There's absolutely zero possibility of confusing those two consoles. I did acknowledge in my post that nobody is saying the WiiU name is solely responsible for the console's underperformance, but I do think it's a contributing factor. The WiiU is attached to the Wii brand, so I think casual buyers could be confused. My story about the workplace reaction was really just an anecdote. Maybe I was making too many points in also addressing the ridiculous nature of the name.
3- Not every household has a gaming system. When people start having kids, and those kids get to be 8 or 10 years old and start asking for video game consoles, I'd venture to say that for many households, there is such a thing as a first video game console. So with that in mind, I think there's a large possibility for families to buy a WiiU without having owned the Wii. As for the Wii remotes, I think this is pretty clear. In the TV ads, you see the family sitting on a couch — one person has the Gamepad, and the others have Wii remotes. Nothing ever says "WiiU is compatible with the controllers you already own!" To the uninitiated, it may seem they're just playing a Wii game with some new add-on. The fact that Nintendo is now seriously trying to press the fact that "This is an ENTIRELY NEW system" is proof enough that confusion exists. With an entirely new name, I feel there would be little to no confusion.
4- Wii to WiiU, in my opinion, is completely different than PS2 to PS3 or NES to Super NES (or "Nintendo" to "Super Nintendo," as kids called it in my region). "U" on its own is a bizarre suffix. It doesn't convey any real information.
I obviously can't supply some of the numbers you're asking for, but I can say that my personal experience in being asked about the WiiU is that there is confusion surrounding the system, and a lot of it has to do with the name.
You brought up "Wii 2" as a possible name. I think that would have been better than WiiU." When you put "2" after an established brand name, there's no question as to what it means. After all, nobody wonders if "Iron Man 3" is just a variation of "Iron Man." If they had called it "Iron Man U" or "Iron Man Alpha," however, some casual moviegoer might not know what the heck it's supposed to be just by hearing the name on the radio or seeing it in print.
(Even if it were to be called "Wii HD," there would still be confusion. Is it the same old Wii but with better graphics? What is it? What's a U? What's a WiiU? The new Super Mario game in the commercial looks just like the last one I bought a few years ago. What's the difference here? Oh wait, hold on. I'm getting a text. Beyonce did WHAT?? LOL derp ^_^)
Or better yet:
Billy - "Mom, I want a WiiU!"
Mom - "You already have a Wii."
Billy - "No, this is different! It has a gamepad!"
Mom - "You have lots of games. I just bought you that Pokey-man thing last week! Why don't you play that?"
Billy- "No, Mom! This is different! It has, like, a screen, and it's different!"
.........
I won't argue at all about the lack of games and advertising, though I have actually seen television commercials aired. (As a side thought, I've seen many more 3DS ads than WiiU ads). As I've said elsewhere, I think the case design is another factor that is contributing to poor sales. That alone, combined with the name, is a recipe for confusion among casual buyers. The special Wii bundles in stores before Christmas are another factor, like I mentioned above with Grandma. It's not just one thing. It's multiple things, but the name is surely one of them.
Re: Smartphones And Tablets To Be "Primary Screen For Gamers" By 2017
A lot of people seem to think that hardcore gamers outnumber casual gamers, but I think it's the other way around. Nintendo surely relies heavily on casual gamers to buy their hardware and software. The problem is that smart devices offer a lot more than just gaming, and both smart devices and gaming hardware cost a lot of money. People are more likely to shell out the cash for a more useful piece of hardware like a smart phone. Once in hand, it turns out there are games that can be played on the smart phone as well. These may be casual games, but trust me — people become addicted to them. Whether it's Angry Birds or Draw with Friends (or whatever it's called), people just can't put their phones down. And again, they can use their phones for internet browsing, GPS, text messaging, etc... I don't know how it is for other people, but during the summer time especially, I have limited pocket space. I think people are more likely to keep a smart phone in their pocket than a 3DS. My point? The casual market is shifting toward smart devices. If the hardcore gaming market becomes merely a niche... is Nintendo really going to make money from that? Eventually, if sales are low, Nintendo will surely abandon ship when it comes to electronics and then focus more on other uses for their intellectual properties. We already know a huge chunk of their profits come from Pokemon, and that stretches WAY beyond video games at this point. This, of course, is an extreme forecast, but the possibility exists.
Re: Nintendo Sends Direct Wii U Marketing Message To Wii Owners
@rjejr I don't think anyone's saying the name is ENTIRELY to blame for the WiiU's lackluster performance so far, but it's surely a contributing factor. To deny that is simply to be in denial. Not all people who purchase video game systems frequent websites like NintendoLife, so they need it — let me reiterate that... Grandma needs it to be extremely clear that this is an entirely new system.
When I mentioned the WiiU at work, I was pretty surprised by the response. People were baffled. "What the **** is a Wee U?" "Hey, come on over so we can Wee U!" "Wanna play with my Wee U?" Everyone just laughed at the ridiculous sound of the name, and tore it apart. Of course, we all remember the same sort of thing just after the official name was announced online. The Wii was bad enough, but WiiU simply doesn't translate well internationally. It's a real stinker of a name, if you catch my meaning (Pee-yoo!)
It also doesn't help that the WiiU requires Wii peripherals in order to play multiplayer games. That's just confusing. Convenient for Wii owners, but surely bizarre for anyone who didn't own a Wii and now owns a WiiU.
Also, in regard to Guitardude7's comment, I agree "Nintendo U" might have been a better name. Of course, that makes it sound like "Nintendo University," but it would probably have been better than "WiiU." Names are tricky. You have to put thought into them. The Japanese love to use English words when naming things, but it doesn't always work. The play on words in "WiiU" isn't nearly as clever in English as it may seem to a native Japanese speaker.
Re: Mutant Mudds Developer Muses on Wii U Design
That blazing green would certainly have set WiiU apart from the Wii!
I do have to say... the WiiU system itself (not counting the gamepad) is kind of ugly in my opinion. The Wii display stand had that cool tilt that created a unique shape that was almost like modern art. The WiiU is just a generic-looking piece of hardware. The old Nintendo console designs always caught my imagination, all the way up to the Gamecube. Again, I think the WiiU design is just the next step in Nintendo's attempt to emulate Apple, but it seems to have not paid off. There are so many other design possibilities. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if Nintendo comes up with something fun and original for the next generation.
Re: Reggie: Pace Of Wii U Software Launches Is "Slower Than Hoped"
I won't compare the WiiU to the 3DS, because the handheld market is a different beast than the home console market. Comparing WiiU to Wii, though... the Wii was a hot item well after launch. The WiiU had a VERY quiet launch, and nobody knows or cares about it. It's basically a flop. Of course, Nintendo is now stuck with the system, and they have enough resources to build up momentum over time... but the WiiU is not a big hit. It's not a smashing success. It's a dud. The whole "be patient" mentality doesn't hold up. That's a stubborn refusal to face reality.
I got sucked into the WiiU hype because I wanted to. I wanted to be excited about a new system. I wanted to get in on a home console at launch. I wanted to support Nintendo. All the while, I silenced the little voice warning me of potential disappointment — the voice that noticed the weak game lineup, the uselessness of some of the proposed apps, the gimmicky nature of the gamepad and the terrible branding and design of the system. I ignored my better judgment and committed to Nintendo out of loyalty. What did I get in return? Not much.
Even if there are big reveals at E3, we're not going to see much before year's end. That makes the entire first year of the WiiU a wash. That's pretty much unforgivable, and I'm starting to think some form of compensation is in order... and the 30 cent Virtual Console downloads aren't what I have in mind.