"SmileBASIC is now unavailable on Nintendo eShop because it has been reported that SmileBASIC is used for a wrong purpose to abuse Nintendo 3DS system. We have already found a root cause of this security breach and already took necessary fixes preventing SmileBASIC from unwanted access to the system. As soon as the update is approved SmileBASIC will be back on Nintendo eShop. We know that many of SmileBASIC users are concerned about this happening. We always try to make SmileBASIC safe and secure for our true fans and we will never leave any kinds of exploits and breaches. Thank you for your support."
What kind of crack are 37% of responders smoking to claim that Amiibo use in games is "Generally very good, though there's been the occasional mis-fire" or better?
Amiibo, from a cost/functionality stand-point, has been garbage in almost every implementation. As collectible figures, sure they are fine. Just don't expect to get any meaningful use and you'll be ok.
@Damo "the shortcomings mean little" That's one opinion. I guess it depends on what you are looking for from the console.
The screen is brighter but has the wrong aspect ratio and isn't as sharp. Controls and general build quality aren't as good. The price is reasonable, but far from cheap.
My comments above about whether this is worth buying (for me) remain unchanged. If the compromises made are acceptable to you, then great!
I get that price and performance are linked and a knock-off console might require people to make compromises. But it doesn't sound like the screen is actually superior in any aspect other than brightness level - the drawbacks listed will be significant for some people.
Considering the cost, I'm not that excited about this option personally. It's good to have the options, but spending $52 USD is already out of impulse buy territory - I'd rather spend a little more and get better quality at that point.
@televisions And on that point - the negative reaction to localization changes being immature and unreasonable in far too many cases - I fully agree with you.
It's a shame the so-called controversy is taking so much focus away from the gameplay - which by all accounts is excellent. (I won't find out for a bit as I'm currently in the midst of Persona 3 Portable...)
@televisions It's fine that you have an opinion, but your posts have been judgmental - bordering on outright rude - towards people who feel differently. That puts a real damper on the whole "other people need to grow up" stance you're peddling.
@televisions Are you kidding? In 30 years, nobody will care about this game - few will even remember it exists.
@those who are overreacting People need to take a step back. This shouldn't be reason to throw personal attacks at each other - implied or direct - at each other for having different opinions.
Show some maturity! Learn enough to be properly informed instead of relying on poorly formed knee-jerk reactions. Think about the broader implications of your stance before committing to it. Finally, accept that not everyone will hold the same opinion.
Interesting, but ultimately useless to me. (1) You have to do it on a ripped copy of the game? Yuck. (2) The misplaced time/effort/expense that development teams spent making pointless localization changes - and many changes in this game are pointless - is still lost, instead of being put towards better pursuits (like providing translations for character banter in battles).
Modern games need a lot of space, and need to be cheap if Nintendo wants to appeal to third parties. A custom cartridge format to avoid piracy and maintain control of publishing would increase costs, upset developers, and (once again) show that Nintendo is out of touch compared to their competitors.
It's hard to believe that anyone knowledgeable about the industry would take this idea seriously - but maybe I shouldn't be surprised. NL always puts an emphasis on being positive instead of being realistic. Yum - that kool-aid tastes good!
@aaronsullivan So glad to see another person (there are a bunch here) who "get it".
I feel like many people here watched the video - maybe not even -and then made incorrect assumptions that the device is intended for gamers. It's really not, although potential coders will probably find it very appealing.
If you want to play games, this probably isn't a device designed for you. It's designed for tinkerers, although does include some gaming options. Anything that works with Linux (and has pretty low requirements) should work here: DOS-based games, PICO-8 games, emulation, etc.
If you want to tinker with computers, including learning to program, then this might be for you - although if your interest is only in learning to program games then there are probably better options available.
@ThanosReXXX
Yes, you are missing the point of the device. This isn't a gaming device. Yes, it can play some games. You can also use it to learn how to code games. But playing games is NOT the primary purpose and your comment about "support" from gaming companies is laughably off-base. This is a simple Linux-based computer with some cool GPIO access and a custom shell that makes portable use more convenient.
EDIT: "This article has a slightly different focus, but the other article about this device talked about this being in the spirit of the Game Boy and the philosophy behind it, and that couldn't be more wrong."
This part, which you added after my first response, I agree with.
PICO-8 is a neat little coding tool available for (essentially) any computer that encourages people to create games with very limited resources. I do think it's in the spirit of Game Boy Color, encouraging development of simple games in a system with very limited resources, and I think that the little demos and games people create are very cool.
But the only way that PICO-8 is related to the CHIP computer (with or without the PocketCHIP case) is that people who buy CHIP get a free license to use the PICO-8 development tool. PocketCHIP itself isn't intended as a dedicated gaming device, and if people have that intention when buying they might end up disappointed!
I think some people are missing the point of this device.
The CHIP is very similar to Rasperry Pi or other "maker" type of tools. It offers a small and inexpensive Linux-based computer that people can customize for whatever homebrew ideas they dream up.
The PocketCHIP casing makes it look like a gaming device, but is actually just a convenient way to allow access to the computer - otherwise you need to hook up a screen and portable keyboard (or connect wireless using a different device) before you can do any programming. When you look at the case, there are all kinds of little holes across the top for GPIO breakouts to add custom sensors or accessories.
Offering out-of-the-box support for games programming with a free license for PICO-8 is very cool, and fits well with the handheld form factor of the PocketCHIP casing. But that's only one small part of what the system can do. PICO-8 can also be used with any computer, with the resulting games playable on any supported device with a browser and appropriate input.
I'm not trying minimize the general coolness of PocketCHIP - but if you are just looking for a way to try your hand at amateur game programming then there might be better options. SmileBASIC on 3DS comes to mind, or just using PICO-8 or Scratch on your PC.
From a business standpoint, it doesn't make any sense for Nintendo to manufacture open source hardware like this for a whole bunch of reasons. But if you can't immediately see why then it's probably not a discussion worth having. (EDIT: Not saying that it's a bad idea to manufacture these types of things - they are super cool and I'm glad they are being made - just that Nintendo probably isn't the right company for this particular job.)
@madelk Yeah, after looking at it and thinking for a bit I ordered one too.
Doubtful that a "Super Mario Land Maker" is possible with the PICO-8 editing package - the limitations are (probably) just too strict. You could use other programming languages if so inclined though!
I also think that this would be a great project to attempt with SmileBASIC running on 3DS. You could definitely do it with that platform, although you'd want to avoid running into copyright issues if planning to distribute via their sharing network.
Also worth noting that for the specific application being discussed here (Pico-8) coding is done using Lua - more accurately a subset of Lua, if I understand correctly. You could create other custom applications using just about any language you want, but Pico-8 has some nice built-in advantages that make it easier to experiment with creating and sharing cute little games.
This project interested me when it was listed on KickStarter, and I still think it looks really cool. But instead of a dedicated tool of unknown quality I decided to spend some time with SmileBASIC and create/play games directly on my 3DS instead. It's kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison in many ways... but SmileBASIC seemed more convenient and easier to get started with (and it's been available for a while now).
@madelk From the FAQ:
"What programming languages does CHIP support? C.H.I.P. is a real computer, and can run software written in all kinds of programming languages, so long as there’s a compiler for them. Python, Java (via JDK8), Ruby, PHP, Squeak, C++, JS, Assembly, BF.. even our favorite, ArnoldC, and lots lots more."
I think it's running a stripped-down version of Linux, so you probably have lots of flexibility. Performance will be an issue to work around, but that's a given with a setup like this.
Surprising. The aesthetics of Dot Arcade were so beautifully retro, even though it didn't affect the games it did affect the overall experience by changing my perception/expectations.
In this case, just losing artwork from the sidebars really affects the visual impact of the game. It's a shame that something so small has such a big impact, but when a game is boiled down to it's core every little detail matters.
It's foolish to localize a game that is (very intentionally) deeply set in Japanese culture. It's a waste of time and resources, and is telling about who they are targeting for an audience.
None of the graphical changes are a big deal, although showing fully clothed models in the dungeons instead of bikinis can have an effect on the story. But none of them are necessary, so why bother?
Also, this explains why Nintendo made that statement recently about Atlus being responsible for localization. They knew this was coming out and wanted to avoid dealing with it.
I'm still calling that statement. It's hard to blame Atlus instead of Nintendo based on the long-standing history of both companies. (Atlus = very open about releasing content that might be considered odd or suggestive; Nintendo = very controlling with any projects they are involved in and very heavy-handed when it comes to deciding what content is appropriate for the perceived audience in different markets.)
Sure. From experience, I've learned not to trust Nintendo PR that much so this statement doesn't really mean anything to me.
Atlus might be doing the translation in a way that NoA feels "is consistent" with their other releases, but they still have hands tied when it comes to other localization changes (example: changed character models, cut content, etc). And that's without even touching the fact that what NoA feels to be accurate and what actually is accurate often aren't the same things. NoA even give an out for making any changes desired in the statement so we know that there will be some unwanted modifications in the game.
This is still good news because (a) I generally prefer the translation work that Atlus does, and (b) it at least shows some awareness from NoA that people don't like the way localization is currently being handled. But it's still just PR instead of any meaningful change in their approach to deciding what is appropriate for Western audiences.
Do you have any statisticians looking at the numbers? I'm guessing not, and guessing that the usefulness of this "best of" list is nearly nil because of the way it was run.
(We'd be better off just going to Metacritic and sorting by user scores.)
@errantrazor I don't think so - some articles are better than others. Nearly all are very positive, which makes sense for a fan site.
I felt like the topic was pretty interesting. But instead of a more nuanced and detailed discussion about build quality, quirks and concerns, and comparison of feature the author did a pretty high-level comparison - it read as a fluffy opinion piece instead of a guide.
Very disappointed you didn't go into detail about any of the actual design changes for different models. For example, the original 3DS has a very common issue where the upper screen gets scratched due to a poor design choice, and speaker quality isn't equal across the board.
Without getting into comparative nuances like that, this guide ends up being a fluff piece that basically sums up as "some are big, some are small, new ones are better to buy unless you are under 6".
Nothing MercurySteam has created has been particularly impressive or fun to play and their take on Castlevania was particularly disappointing. Although hopefully that will change, I'm not holding my breath.
Before, your actions had consequences and now they don't. If that's what you want in an RPG, good for you. It's not what I want.
Apologists can swallow whatever load they're given and smile. I'm skipping this one - which seems to be an increasingly common trend with games on Nintendo consoles.
Also, I just found out that tomorrow is the day they announce winners from the programming competition held last year. So you can expect at least a handful of other really cool games (and other applications) coming soon.
One big selling point with this release is how much easier it's become for people who just want to try playing what others create. Instead of scanning lots and lots of QR codes, you just find the public key for that program and download it directly. Super easy!
Oh man! SmileBASIC is on sale! It's an awesome game for anyone interested in programming or indie dev. Even if you don't want to create your own games you can download and play the games that others have created. (There is a Google spreadsheet floating around with the codes for a whole bunch of games.)
I can't believe some people are taking a $400 accessory seriously.
It's not going to get a decent amount of market share, which means limited support that ends early. If you've got deep pockets, enjoy the novelty... but this is a joke for average gamers and not something to take seriously.
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 on Wii U is very good, and Injustice: Gods Among Us isn't bad either. Both are quite cheap.
Backwards compatibility with Wii gives the ability to play Mortal Kombat Armageddon, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus, The King of Fighters Collection, Samurai Shodown Anthology, and the extremely cool Tatsunoko vs Capcom.
Virtual Console puts Street Fighter at your finger tips, along with some classic Neo Geo fighters.
All of those games are much better choices than Steel Rivals.
Two Tribes has consistently done great work for a long time. Toki Tori 2 in particular is out one of the best games I've played over the past few years, and was enjoyed far more than many other "critical darlings" that sell well but weren't worth playing.
Moving to different pursuits might be a smart decision - if game development isn't profitable and enjoyable then it's the right move - but it's still a sad moment for all gamers!
On the bright side, RIVE looks like an amazing swan song. If you're going out, might as well do it with a bang... Best of luck to all involved with Two Tribes over the years!
It was a decent game, but had some notable issues: mushy controls, some areas had weak level design, the physics didn't always behave consistently, and (worst of all) it caused mutliple hard locks on my Wii U. I wanted to love the game, and thought it included some great ideas, but the execution was disappointing.
Here's hoping that World to the West is an improvement. Rain Games has lots of talent, so despite my criticism it's good to hear about another game coming from them.
I would still prefer 2D hand-drawn sprites, but assume that going 3D is easier for development. This remains one of very few KickStarter games that I'm excited to see more from.
@JaxonH It's easy to not be concerned about one game when I have a stacked backlog (which already includes one Fire Emblem game) and more games are constantly being released.
Fates looks great. I won't miss it.
@PlywoodStick Maybe there will be a Limited Edition reprint? That's what I'm hoping for, although definitely not holding my breath. The game is sure to sell well which mean that Nintendo probably won't care about the minority who aren't buying.
Game looks great, but I have so many problems with how NoA handled it (especially how exclusive the limited edition was) that I'm choosing not not to buy.
This is the kind of project that KickStarter was made for - a good idea from a proven developer, but straight self-funding is too risky and the game is unlikely to find a publisher who will cover costs.
Would I like Dementium 3? Yes... but I'm done buying digital games so my support isn't useful.
As a pipe dream, how sweet would it be to see a 3DS cartridge that contains the entire Dementium collection? I can't see how it would make sense financially, but it's certainly something that I would buy.
Comments 918
Re: Listing Points to Darksiders Heading to Wii U
If the port goes retail, I'd buy.
Re: SmileBASIC Gets Taken Down from the 3DS eShop Due to A Homebrew Exploit
Statement by the developers:
"SmileBASIC is now unavailable on Nintendo eShop because it has been reported that SmileBASIC is used for a wrong purpose to abuse Nintendo 3DS system. We have already found a root cause of this security breach and already took necessary fixes preventing SmileBASIC from unwanted access to the system. As soon as the update is approved SmileBASIC will be back on Nintendo eShop. We know that many of SmileBASIC users are concerned about this happening. We always try to make SmileBASIC safe and secure for our true fans and we will never leave any kinds of exploits and breaches. Thank you for your support."
Source: http://smilebasic.com/en/whatsnew/
Re: Poll: As The amiibo Collection Hits 100, What's The Current State of Play?
What kind of crack are 37% of responders smoking to claim that Amiibo use in games is "Generally very good, though there's been the occasional mis-fire" or better?
Amiibo, from a cost/functionality stand-point, has been garbage in almost every implementation. As collectible figures, sure they are fine. Just don't expect to get any meaningful use and you'll be ok.
Re: Hardware Review: EXEQ GameBox Game Boy Advance SP Clone
@Damo "the shortcomings mean little"
That's one opinion. I guess it depends on what you are looking for from the console.
The screen is brighter but has the wrong aspect ratio and isn't as sharp. Controls and general build quality aren't as good. The price is reasonable, but far from cheap.
My comments above about whether this is worth buying (for me) remain unchanged. If the compromises made are acceptable to you, then great!
Re: Hardware Review: EXEQ GameBox Game Boy Advance SP Clone
"... the GameBox's superior screen ..."
"... stretched image ... slightly fuzzy appearance ... Viewing angles aren't terrific ..."
I get that price and performance are linked and a knock-off console might require people to make compromises. But it doesn't sound like the screen is actually superior in any aspect other than brightness level - the drawbacks listed will be significant for some people.
Considering the cost, I'm not that excited about this option personally. It's good to have the options, but spending $52 USD is already out of impulse buy territory - I'd rather spend a little more and get better quality at that point.
Re: Fans Create Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Patch Which Uncensors Western Censorship
@televisions
And on that point - the negative reaction to localization changes being immature and unreasonable in far too many cases - I fully agree with you.
It's a shame the so-called controversy is taking so much focus away from the gameplay - which by all accounts is excellent. (I won't find out for a bit as I'm currently in the midst of Persona 3 Portable...)
Re: Fans Create Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Patch Which Uncensors Western Censorship
@televisions
It's fine that you have an opinion, but your posts have been judgmental - bordering on outright rude - towards people who feel differently. That puts a real damper on the whole "other people need to grow up" stance you're peddling.
Re: Fans Create Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Patch Which Uncensors Western Censorship
@televisions
Are you kidding? In 30 years, nobody will care about this game - few will even remember it exists.
@those who are overreacting
People need to take a step back. This shouldn't be reason to throw personal attacks at each other - implied or direct - at each other for having different opinions.
Show some maturity! Learn enough to be properly informed instead of relying on poorly formed knee-jerk reactions. Think about the broader implications of your stance before committing to it. Finally, accept that not everyone will hold the same opinion.
Re: Fans Create Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Patch Which Uncensors Western Censorship
Interesting, but ultimately useless to me.
(1) You have to do it on a ripped copy of the game? Yuck.
(2) The misplaced time/effort/expense that development teams spent making pointless localization changes - and many changes in this game are pointless - is still lost, instead of being put towards better pursuits (like providing translations for character banter in battles).
Re: Nintendo Unveils Massive E3 eShop Sale in North America
Pretty weak pricing for most of those games, but a few aren't bad.
I might grab Shantae.
Re: Random: Store Shelves Appear To Be Filling With Pre-Owned Copies Of Star Fox Zero
Meh, Star Fox games are always short and the "average Joe" trades in games after seeing the credits roll. No surprises here.
(Also why I wasn't willing to pay full price. This game will be marked down before long - or available for much less on the second-hand market.)
Re: Reaction: The NX Could Benefit from Using Cartridges Instead of Discs
Moving to cartridges is a terrible idea.
Modern games need a lot of space, and need to be cheap if Nintendo wants to appeal to third parties. A custom cartridge format to avoid piracy and maintain control of publishing would increase costs, upset developers, and (once again) show that Nintendo is out of touch compared to their competitors.
It's hard to believe that anyone knowledgeable about the industry would take this idea seriously - but maybe I shouldn't be surprised. NL always puts an emphasis on being positive instead of being realistic. Yum - that kool-aid tastes good!
Re: New Handheld Channels The Spirit Of The Game Boy And Can Run Virtual Boy Games
@aaronsullivan
So glad to see another person (there are a bunch here) who "get it".
I feel like many people here watched the video - maybe not even -and then made incorrect assumptions that the device is intended for gamers. It's really not, although potential coders will probably find it very appealing.
Re: Talking Point: Retro-Focused, Innovative and Inexpensive Portables Should Be Part of Nintendo's Future
@FlashBoomerang
You are missing the point.
If you want to play games, this probably isn't a device designed for you. It's designed for tinkerers, although does include some gaming options. Anything that works with Linux (and has pretty low requirements) should work here: DOS-based games, PICO-8 games, emulation, etc.
If you want to tinker with computers, including learning to program, then this might be for you - although if your interest is only in learning to program games then there are probably better options available.
@ThanosReXXX
Yes, you are missing the point of the device. This isn't a gaming device. Yes, it can play some games. You can also use it to learn how to code games. But playing games is NOT the primary purpose and your comment about "support" from gaming companies is laughably off-base. This is a simple Linux-based computer with some cool GPIO access and a custom shell that makes portable use more convenient.
EDIT: "This article has a slightly different focus, but the other article about this device talked about this being in the spirit of the Game Boy and the philosophy behind it, and that couldn't be more wrong."
This part, which you added after my first response, I agree with.
PICO-8 is a neat little coding tool available for (essentially) any computer that encourages people to create games with very limited resources. I do think it's in the spirit of Game Boy Color, encouraging development of simple games in a system with very limited resources, and I think that the little demos and games people create are very cool.
But the only way that PICO-8 is related to the CHIP computer (with or without the PocketCHIP case) is that people who buy CHIP get a free license to use the PICO-8 development tool. PocketCHIP itself isn't intended as a dedicated gaming device, and if people have that intention when buying they might end up disappointed!
Re: Talking Point: Retro-Focused, Innovative and Inexpensive Portables Should Be Part of Nintendo's Future
I think some people are missing the point of this device.
The CHIP is very similar to Rasperry Pi or other "maker" type of tools. It offers a small and inexpensive Linux-based computer that people can customize for whatever homebrew ideas they dream up.
The PocketCHIP casing makes it look like a gaming device, but is actually just a convenient way to allow access to the computer - otherwise you need to hook up a screen and portable keyboard (or connect wireless using a different device) before you can do any programming. When you look at the case, there are all kinds of little holes across the top for GPIO breakouts to add custom sensors or accessories.
Offering out-of-the-box support for games programming with a free license for PICO-8 is very cool, and fits well with the handheld form factor of the PocketCHIP casing. But that's only one small part of what the system can do. PICO-8 can also be used with any computer, with the resulting games playable on any supported device with a browser and appropriate input.
I'm not trying minimize the general coolness of PocketCHIP - but if you are just looking for a way to try your hand at amateur game programming then there might be better options. SmileBASIC on 3DS comes to mind, or just using PICO-8 or Scratch on your PC.
From a business standpoint, it doesn't make any sense for Nintendo to manufacture open source hardware like this for a whole bunch of reasons. But if you can't immediately see why then it's probably not a discussion worth having. (EDIT: Not saying that it's a bad idea to manufacture these types of things - they are super cool and I'm glad they are being made - just that Nintendo probably isn't the right company for this particular job.)
Re: New Handheld Channels The Spirit Of The Game Boy And Can Run Virtual Boy Games
@madelk
Yeah, after looking at it and thinking for a bit I ordered one too.
Doubtful that a "Super Mario Land Maker" is possible with the PICO-8 editing package - the limitations are (probably) just too strict. You could use other programming languages if so inclined though!
I also think that this would be a great project to attempt with SmileBASIC running on 3DS. You could definitely do it with that platform, although you'd want to avoid running into copyright issues if planning to distribute via their sharing network.
Re: New Handheld Channels The Spirit Of The Game Boy And Can Run Virtual Boy Games
@madelk
No worries. It was buried pretty deep in the FAQ.
Also worth noting that for the specific application being discussed here (Pico-8) coding is done using Lua - more accurately a subset of Lua, if I understand correctly. You could create other custom applications using just about any language you want, but Pico-8 has some nice built-in advantages that make it easier to experiment with creating and sharing cute little games.
Re: New Handheld Channels The Spirit Of The Game Boy And Can Run Virtual Boy Games
This project interested me when it was listed on KickStarter, and I still think it looks really cool. But instead of a dedicated tool of unknown quality I decided to spend some time with SmileBASIC and create/play games directly on my 3DS instead. It's kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison in many ways... but SmileBASIC seemed more convenient and easier to get started with (and it's been available for a while now).
@madelk
From the FAQ:
"What programming languages does CHIP support?
C.H.I.P. is a real computer, and can run software written in all kinds of programming languages, so long as there’s a compiler for them. Python, Java (via JDK8), Ruby, PHP, Squeak, C++, JS, Assembly, BF.. even our favorite, ArnoldC, and lots lots more."
I think it's running a stripped-down version of Linux, so you probably have lots of flexibility. Performance will be an issue to work around, but that's a given with a setup like this.
Re: Review: Dodge Club Party (Wii U eShop)
Surprising. The aesthetics of Dot Arcade were so beautifully retro, even though it didn't affect the games it did affect the overall experience by changing my perception/expectations.
In this case, just losing artwork from the sidebars really affects the visual impact of the game. It's a shame that something so small has such a big impact, but when a game is boiled down to it's core every little detail matters.
Re: Limited Run Games Would Like to Distribute Physical Copies of Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies
I'd gladly buy Fatal Frame V if it was released. Interesting news - fingers crossed that it actually goes somewhere.
Re: My Nintendo's Rewards Have Been Updated for May
New Club Nintendo is extremely unappealing to me.
Glad that some people are still happy with what's on offer though.
Re: Western Localisation Of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Features Costume And Age Changes
It's foolish to localize a game that is (very intentionally) deeply set in Japanese culture. It's a waste of time and resources, and is telling about who they are targeting for an audience.
None of the graphical changes are a big deal, although showing fully clothed models in the dungeons instead of bikinis can have an effect on the story. But none of them are necessary, so why bother?
Also, this explains why Nintendo made that statement recently about Atlus being responsible for localization. They knew this was coming out and wanted to avoid dealing with it.
I'm still calling that statement. It's hard to blame Atlus instead of Nintendo based on the long-standing history of both companies. (Atlus = very open about releasing content that might be considered odd or suggestive; Nintendo = very controlling with any projects they are involved in and very heavy-handed when it comes to deciding what content is appropriate for the perceived audience in different markets.)
Re: Atlus Is In Charge Of Localising Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE In The West
Sure. From experience, I've learned not to trust Nintendo PR that much so this statement doesn't really mean anything to me.
Atlus might be doing the translation in a way that NoA feels "is consistent" with their other releases, but they still have hands tied when it comes to other localization changes (example: changed character models, cut content, etc). And that's without even touching the fact that what NoA feels to be accurate and what actually is accurate often aren't the same things. NoA even give an out for making any changes desired in the statement so we know that there will be some unwanted modifications in the game.
This is still good news because (a) I generally prefer the translation work that Atlus does, and (b) it at least shows some awareness from NoA that people don't like the way localization is currently being handled. But it's still just PR instead of any meaningful change in their approach to deciding what is appropriate for Western audiences.
Re: Toys-To-Life Newcomer Thinks We're Growing Bored Of Pieces Of Plastic
I'm shocked. You mean that not having a good or interesting way to use the figures makes them less desirable? Who would have thunk...
Re: Guide: Getting Started With My Nintendo
I'm out. I'm way too old-school for this kind of BS "engagement" rewards system that wants people to do a lot of non-gaming activities.
Nintendo has been trending in a direction that doesn't appeal to me. This is the last straw.
Re: Community: Your Favourite 3DS Games - Fifth Anniversary Edition
Do you have any statisticians looking at the numbers? I'm guessing not, and guessing that the usefulness of this "best of" list is nearly nil because of the way it was run.
(We'd be better off just going to Metacritic and sorting by user scores.)
Re: Guide: Which Nintendo 3DS or 2DS System Should I Buy?
@kurtasbestos
Because the idea is good, but the execution is poor.
I've gotten as much useful info from the comments below the article as I did from the article itself.
Re: Guide: Which Nintendo 3DS or 2DS System Should I Buy?
@errantrazor
I don't think so - some articles are better than others. Nearly all are very positive, which makes sense for a fan site.
I felt like the topic was pretty interesting. But instead of a more nuanced and detailed discussion about build quality, quirks and concerns, and comparison of feature the author did a pretty high-level comparison - it read as a fluffy opinion piece instead of a guide.
Re: Guide: Which Nintendo 3DS or 2DS System Should I Buy?
Very disappointed you didn't go into detail about any of the actual design changes for different models. For example, the original 3DS has a very common issue where the upper screen gets scratched due to a poor design choice, and speaker quality isn't equal across the board.
Without getting into comparative nuances like that, this guide ends up being a fluff piece that basically sums up as "some are big, some are small, new ones are better to buy unless you are under 6".
Re: MercurySteam Reunites With Castlevania Producer Dave Cox For New Secret Project
Nothing MercurySteam has created has been particularly impressive or fun to play and their take on Castlevania was particularly disappointing. Although hopefully that will change, I'm not holding my breath.
Re: Review: SmileBASIC (3DS eShop)
Contest results (with download codes for all winning entries) now available here: http://smilebasic.com/en/ogiri4/
Pretty cool stuff.
Re: Nintendo Issues Statement On Side Quest Changes In Bravely Second
Pure PR statement.
Before, your actions had consequences and now they don't.
If that's what you want in an RPG, good for you. It's not what I want.
Apologists can swallow whatever load they're given and smile. I'm skipping this one - which seems to be an increasingly common trend with games on Nintendo consoles.
Re: Nintendo Download: 17th March (North America)
@mystman12
Also, I just found out that tomorrow is the day they announce winners from the programming competition held last year. So you can expect at least a handful of other really cool games (and other applications) coming soon.
One big selling point with this release is how much easier it's become for people who just want to try playing what others create. Instead of scanning lots and lots of QR codes, you just find the public key for that program and download it directly. Super easy!
...Sorry, maybe I got too excited.
Re: Nintendo Download: 17th March (North America)
Oh man! SmileBASIC is on sale! It's an awesome game for anyone interested in programming or indie dev. Even if you don't want to create your own games you can download and play the games that others have created. (There is a Google spreadsheet floating around with the codes for a whole bunch of games.)
It's a steal at $5 - highly recommended.
Re: Talking Point: Sony's PlayStation VR Launch Adds Pressure to Nintendo's Holiday - and Perhaps NX - Plans
I can't believe some people are taking a $400 accessory seriously.
It's not going to get a decent amount of market share, which means limited support that ends early. If you've got deep pockets, enjoy the novelty... but this is a joke for average gamers and not something to take seriously.
Re: Review: Steel Rivals (Wii U eShop)
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 on Wii U is very good, and Injustice: Gods Among Us isn't bad either. Both are quite cheap.
Backwards compatibility with Wii gives the ability to play Mortal Kombat Armageddon, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus, The King of Fighters Collection, Samurai Shodown Anthology, and the extremely cool Tatsunoko vs Capcom.
Virtual Console puts Street Fighter at your finger tips, along with some classic Neo Geo fighters.
All of those games are much better choices than Steel Rivals.
Re: Two Tribes Announces That RIVE is Now a Development Farewell
Sad news!
Two Tribes has consistently done great work for a long time. Toki Tori 2 in particular is out one of the best games I've played over the past few years, and was enjoyed far more than many other "critical darlings" that sell well but weren't worth playing.
Moving to different pursuits might be a smart decision - if game development isn't profitable and enjoyable then it's the right move - but it's still a sad moment for all gamers!
On the bright side, RIVE looks like an amazing swan song. If you're going out, might as well do it with a bang... Best of luck to all involved with Two Tribes over the years!
Re: Review: Star Ghost (Wii U eShop)
This sounds pretty cool.
I'm price sensitive for digital games with a relatively short lifespan, so not sure that I'll buy... but I am interested.
Re: Rain Games Announces World to the West
Just finished playing Teslagrad this week.
It was a decent game, but had some notable issues: mushy controls, some areas had weak level design, the physics didn't always behave consistently, and (worst of all) it caused mutliple hard locks on my Wii U. I wanted to love the game, and thought it included some great ideas, but the execution was disappointing.
Here's hoping that World to the West is an improvement. Rain Games has lots of talent, so despite my criticism it's good to hear about another game coming from them.
Re: New Animal Crossing amiibo Coming to North America in June
My most wanted Amiibo. Great news.
Re: Unleash Your Creative Side with Disney Art Academy
Will this be a lame "digital only" release, or get a real release?
I'm excited by the idea but doubtful it will get a real release.
Re: SNES Games Finally Arriving on the New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
I'm ok with buying again if there is some kind of promo pricing. Otherwise it's kind of a bummer and I'm unlikely to pay again.
Only game on the list that appeals to me is Super Metroid though.
Re: Feature: What We Expect from Nintendo Direct - 3rd March
So NX release date confirmed? Great news!
Re: Rumour: Beyond Good And Evil 2 Is Being Developed As A Nintendo NX Exclusive
If I believed this game really existed in a meaningful way, this would be big news and a big win for Nintendo. The first game was excellent.
But rumors have been flying about this game for years without anything to show, so at this point I'm not going to get too excited.
Re: Nintendo Will Do Well On Mobile Because That's Where Its Core Audience Is Now, Claims Analyst
Nintendo's audience has moved to other consoles. They need to go third party, and then everyone will be happy.
Also, Nintendo needs to start creating and selling games for mobile, with pricing under $1 per game and relying heavily on in-app purchases.
This is what people want. Really.
Re: Video: New Bloodstained Development Update Blurs The Line Between 3D And 2D Art
I would still prefer 2D hand-drawn sprites, but assume that going 3D is easier for development. This remains one of very few KickStarter games that I'm excited to see more from.
Re: Review: Fire Emblem Fates (3DS)
@JaxonH
It's easy to not be concerned about one game when I have a stacked backlog (which already includes one Fire Emblem game) and more games are constantly being released.
Fates looks great. I won't miss it.
@PlywoodStick
Maybe there will be a Limited Edition reprint? That's what I'm hoping for, although definitely not holding my breath. The game is sure to sell well which mean that Nintendo probably won't care about the minority who aren't buying.
Re: Review: Fire Emblem Fates (3DS)
Game looks great, but I have so many problems with how NoA handled it (especially how exclusive the limited edition was) that I'm choosing not not to buy.
Re: PlatinumGames Explains Shift to Contract Work and Ambition to be One of the World's Top Studios
I don't always love their games, but the overall quality of their work is undeniable.
Re: Jools Watsham Wants to Know if You Want a Dementium III
This is the kind of project that KickStarter was made for - a good idea from a proven developer, but straight self-funding is too risky and the game is unlikely to find a publisher who will cover costs.
Would I like Dementium 3? Yes... but I'm done buying digital games so my support isn't useful.
As a pipe dream, how sweet would it be to see a 3DS cartridge that contains the entire Dementium collection? I can't see how it would make sense financially, but it's certainly something that I would buy.