ejamer

Considering Darksiders 2. The price is great and I really want the game... but would MUCH prefer to get a retail copy instead of digital. Unfortunately haven't seen a retail copy for less than $50 locally. Hmm...

Kind of interested in this, but not sure that I care at all about the DLC - regardless of when it gets released. Chess is chess, right?

Might grab one pack if I like the game just to support the developer... but unless there was something special and unique being offered (Nintendo-themed or other licensed sets being a great suggestion) then I'm unlikely to move past the base purchase.

I think it's interesting to see where people draw these arbitrary lines over what is ok and what isn't. Sexism? Violence? These things are ok to exist, but not to market?

I don't really like the approach of the game in question so choose not to support it. For me, that's where the line is drawn and that's where it ends. Maybe we should all be more socially active and protest against the game... but my take is that this game is just a symptom of a larger cultural issue, and protesting over a video game won't promote actual change.

@CrissCross87
I'm sure that SteamWorld Dig will look gorgeous on Vita/PS4, but having the map always visible on the lower screen is extremely convenient in the 3DS version - especially later in the game when certain power-ups add more information to the map. In my mind, that might be reason enough to favor the 3DS over other platforms.

From what I've read, there are no additional features or modes being added either - although maybe it's better to wait until next week to confirm that? The one consideration for waiting is that it might be free on PS Plus eventually... although for $5 I think it's worth playing now instead of waiting.

I'm not interested personally and find the game to be kind of... disturbing? One of those cases where I question what "mature" really means in this industry, and where you worry slightly how youth would interpret the themes and actions (assuming they would stop to think about them at all).

However, I know many others loved the perverse humor in the game, and it certainly seemed to be well made. Regardless of how I feel about the themes and subject matter, I'd love to see it made available on the 3DS platform.

So are the Zen Pinball discounts only for 3DS? Hmm... I would buy Star Wars on Wii U if the sale applies there also, but otherwise maybe I'll just grab the portable version.

That's a great price for StreamWorld Dig. I know the game is coming to lots of other platforms, but it's fantastic on 3DS and well worth buying. Nice week for sales!

Love the Animal Crossing pouches and the Yoshi basket... but don't have anywhere near enough coins. Both prizes seem kind of expensive too, or is that just me?

Lots of sour grapes in the comments. You don't want the game anyway, fine... but I think it looks interesting. Will it be good? None of us know yet - but it's unfortunate that I won't even have the option to play when it does get released.

Regarding the developer statement, I agree that they should just be more direct. The Wii U install base isn't large, and doesn't tend to support M-rated games very well. This isn't about "good games on Wii U", it's about profit and they are probably right that the development effort might not be justified.

"Is the publisher right to use the game's overt sexuality to sell copies, or should it perhaps focus on the gameplay instead...?"

Seems to me that the publisher is being pretty up front about content in the game. Yes, it's a decent brawler by all accounts... but "breasts, bums, and bikinis" are one of the major selling points for the game.

This ad makes no effort to hide that fact, and why should it? Anything else would be like telling people that you read Playboy, but only for the insightful articles and humor. Why hide the truth?

It's rare that I say a game is worth paying that much for... but Xenoblade is one case where I think the price is warranted. Fantastic game, and I'm glad there is more stock available in Canada.

The 3DS number is pretty disappointing. I expected low... but much lower than Vita or Wii U? (Actually, the intent to support Vita was pretty surprising in general considering how sales have gone for that platform.)

I'd buy a disc over a digital license any day. I have no interest in downloading these games but if this compilation disc was released in North America it would convince me to buy the NES Remix titles.

(Exception: I did opt for the convenience of an always-available digital version of Animal Crossing New Leaf.)

Combat in Xenoblade was good, and managed to stay engaging for the entire (long) experience - so this is good news. But what excites me more is the world they build for X. Exploration, discovering secrets and side-quests, helping to build towns... those are the memories that made Xenoblade one of my favorite games every. Hopefully these features are retained for the sequel.

Tough topic.

Despite the hopes and dreams of many fans, Wii U is quickly turning into a "failed" console. First party games alone will be enough for some people (probably enough for me) but the almost complete abandonment of the platform by major third parties is terrible news and has serious implications for the profitability/sustainability of the console.

The good news for Wii U owners is that "failed" doesn't necessarily mean "bad". Dreamcast failed and was awesome. As long as Wii U support isn't pulled by Nintendo themselves, the console will still be worth owning and will end up with some awesome, exclusive games.

Here's hoping that Wii U is more of an N64 than Virtual Boy.

Punch-Out!! seems pretty expensive at 200 coins... but it's a great game, and if it's Wii U native then maybe it's worth the high price to some?

Super Mario RPG and PictoBits are both great options as well.

Some of the suggestions people are making don't make sense to me. They are excellent games... but having the split screen between TV/gamepad would hinder gameplay. For example, Contra 4 would be really tough to play on Wii U because the game is designed to account for the gap between screens on a handheld.

That said, I'm still excited about this news. More games certainly isn't a bad thing and there are plenty of DS games that would work well.

Awesome! Sadly, I spent the majority of my coins on two of the 3DS cases recently and can't afford it. Realistically, the posters probably wouldn't be used anyway so it's not that bad.

Pretty awesome price for Spin the Bottle. I don't know that I can get it played - we just don't have the right audience any more - but it's still tempting just to grab anyway at that price.

Anyone who doesn't already own Toki Tori 2+ should definitely give it a shot. Great price for a fantastic game!

I'm not a fan of the idea to remove the gamepad from the basic bundle.

There is weak support for truly innovative/excellent use of the controller now. If Nintendo make it an expensive and optional extra and nobody will buy, install base will suffer, and support will diminish further. It's great to say that the gamepad can become an optional add-on that will see strong support... but if it's not built into the console then it will wither and die. Think 3DS Circle Pad Pro or GBA-GameCube connectivity.

However, maybe being able to drop the price significantly would be worth the loss? I'd rather see compelling software make use of the hardware as it exists now... but I already own a Wii U so my opinion is colored.

The hard part is figuring out what a compelling use of the hardware actually is. Maybe something like Henry Hatsworth where players are essentially playing two separate (but interrelated) games at the same time, one on each screen? Asynchronous play works well in multi-player settings, but finding a really good use of a second screen isn't as easy for single player games.

Ugh... I don't like buying digital when an alternative exists, but the pricing is fantastic and I have to admit it would be nice to play some Monster Hunter again. The only thing holding me back is the need to buy more storage first - that might be a deal breaker though.

@hiptanaka
True. But many of the "big name" video games go wildly over their initial goals without providing any meaningful reward for backers. My point was that the bigger success a Kickstarter campaign is for a video game, the less incentive there (usually) is for me to throw money at them before the project is complete.

In cases where the game really might not get made without Kickstarter support, I'm more lenient about backing - but I'm also careful to do my homework and balance out how much trust I have in the development team versus how much risk I'm willing to accept to see the project move forward.

I'm not anti-Kickstarter... but the (usually) long development times required for video games usually turn me off from backing projects. Especially when the game is already getting created without my backing and will be available - probably on sale eventually - later. Why take on any risk if you don't need to?

@Artwark
You only give money once. It's like an "advance purchase" so that the developer has better cash flow, instead of leaving the developers to front all costs before the game is released. It also serves as a sort of measuring stick for public interest: if the project can't hit it's goal then maybe the developer would be better off trying to create something different.

I was hoping for a 2014 release for Monster Hunter 4... but since the extra content will be included it's hard to be disappointed. Really looking forward to this - especially since the 3DS release should be able to play online, unlike 3U.

Awesome how everyone just complains.

Seems pretty cool to me - a full remake of a DS "hidden gem" (one I've never played but would be interested in trying) that costs $15 for the whole experience but offers a flexible pricing structure in case you aren't into the game?

Mutant Mudds didn't do it for me, and I don't have any special love for Renegade Kid... but this sounds cool and I'll keep the game in mind next time I'm looking for something to download.

PS — Rumor has it that this is just the start. If sales warrant, it would put Renegade Kid in excellent position to use the remade 3D engine for sequels.

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest had some ambitious ideas that failed in execution. In some cases the problems are poor design, in others it's due to limited hardware.

The game is still playable... but is definitely obtuse in many places. I'd be happy to play again, but it's tough to recommend Simon's Quest to people who (a) haven't already experienced the game, or (b) aren't hardcore retro gamers, used to the type of challenges the game presents.

Cool. Bubble Bobble and Mighty Final Fight are both awesome games - hopefully they'll come out here too in the near future. (I already own Bubble Bobble on Wii VC... but it's one of the few titles I'd pay to upgrade for access on the gamepad.)

Loved the first game, and interested in backing... but it would need at least $500,000 to be of any use to me - and even then, I'd probably never play the game on PC. Fingers crossed for either a 3DS or Wii U release one day!

Rage of the Gladiator for $3.50 on the 3DS eShop? That's a fantastic price for a great game. Anyone who enjoys Punch-Out!! should give this game a shot.

Ooh... I've had my eye on the Wii U version of Scribblenauts Unlimited for a while. Would still prefer a physical copy, but the $20 price point is very appealing.

I understand why (from a business perspective) it hasn't been released here. North American gamers don't support Dragon Quest nearly as well as Japanese gamers, and a Nintendo game that requires a monthly subscription is just added risk.

That said, it's really a shame that we haven't seen this game localize. It looks incredible and being able to explore the Dragon Quest world in an MMO would be great fun.

Interested to find out more about Unepic. Also thinikng aboutEtrian Odyssey while it's on sale... but haven't gotten through EO4 yet and strongly prefer physical copies when possible, so will probably pass for now.

Oh yeah, and all the Castlevania 2 hate is laughable. The game is hard, and unabashedly old-school... but it's also awesome. Night/day cycles, action RPG, lots of hidden secrets and tricks that you need to figure out to progress. Not for the faint of heart but a fantastic game nonetheless.

Sweet deal. Hopefully Nintendo honors the mistake (at least it looks like a mistake) and everyone gets to keep their cheap games. I'd love to grab Pikmin and Wonderful 101 at those prices... although still prefer physical copies over digital.

I don't know why NoA doesn't want to offer CD soundtracks as prizes. They are cheap to produce and ship, and would be a great piece of swag for Club Nintendo members.

Even when NoA does test the water, their choices are so weird. Why was Majora's Mask the CD test case for last year's platinum prize? The quality of music isn't that good since it was all composed for the N64, and the timing is odd since the game really isn't relevant right now. (If there had been a 3DS remake released or even announced, that would be different. But there hasn't been.)

Anyway, I'll keep my fingers crossed. More CDs would be a great prize from Club Nintendo.

So sorry to hear this news!

On the bright side, Toki Tori 2 remains a fantastic game and one of Wii U's most underappreciated gems. Everyone should play it, so I'm glad to hear that it will still be available!

Best of luck to Martijn and Collin with the current and future endeavors, and to the rest of the Two Tribes staff as they move to different work.

I'm torn about online play. While that is awesome in the short term, I can't think of many games I consider "classics" that require online because games usually don't maintain a userbase long enough. 5 years later and online games tend to be replaced or forgotten. Games like Final Fantasy 6 or Xenoblade, on the other hand, will be just as awesome in a decade as they were when first released.

Why didn't Mirror of Fate sell? You'd think if the game was good, then a free demo and word of mouth would help sales.

But when I played the demo for Mirror of Fate on 3DS, the new direction of the series simply wasn't appealing. Maybe that's the fault of the demo, maybe of the design. But either way, when making a list of 3DS games I wanted to buy Castlevania was (and still is) conspicuously absent.

It's disappointing to hear that Konami doesn't want to continue along the lines that were established with GBA/DS entries. While some were clearly better than others, almost all were more enjoyable than what I experienced of the recent 3DS release.

Am I the only one who has a hard time believing that X will arrive (in North America, at least) during 2014? Still my most anticipated game across any console - regardless of when it does arrive.

Update: Now available in Canada. Not sure when it started or when it will end since there was no announcement (that I saw). Get your cheap Mega Man while it lasts!

Hard to know if the price is fair when we don't know more about how much content is actually included.

Looks to me like 100 WarioWare-type stages based on 16 different NES games. I have no idea what the remix modes offer though - whether they are full games or just bits and pieces with quick goals to accomplish. That second point is pretty much the "make or break" issue for value.

Since there are only 2-3 of those NES "classics" that I'd care at all to play again now (most already owned in other formats) it becomes a pretty tough sell for $15... maybe when more information is available, or when it goes on sale in the eShop, I'll reconsider.

@JonWahlgren
Boo!

Oh well. I'm a little bit jealous of people who can grab this awesome deal, but c'est la vie. Thanks for the confirmation - better to know one way or the other.

@ThomasBW84
@daveh30
Fair enough - if it's showing up on the Canadian website, and if other deals are normally shared across both regions, then I'll just keep my fingers crossed and check back later.

Maybe this is US only? The 3DS title isn't showing as a sale item for me (Canada) which is pretty disappointing. I'll check the Wii U game later in the day.

Edit: Ended up taking a short break and confirmed that Mega Man X (Wii U) isn't on sale in Canada either - at least not yet. Rather disappointing. Getting that game for $2 would've been an incredible deal.

Maybe the article title should be changed, as calling it a North American sale doesn't appear to be accurate.

Nothing that interests me, but that's probably a good thing with so many Christmas bills on the way.

Good editorial!

Some additional quotes from the referenced article that caught my eye:

" "Free-to-play requires a different set of design muscles and all companies are struggling to adapt, Disney included," said Joe Minton, co-chief executive of Digital Development Management, a video game talent agency.

Disney must step carefully because of its focus on young players. Consumer protection groups are concerned that children are being asked to buy things during the heat of game play; Apple recently settled a class-action lawsuit over in-app spending by children. A few child advocates question whether freemium games are appropriate at all for family entertainment companies, calling it a casino-style business in which most revenue comes from a relatively small number of big spenders."

How relevant is this to Nintendo? It's no secret that freemium games (which dominate the smartphone market) are designed to be cash-grabs hidden behind cute graphics.

Nintendo is a family-friendly company that has a huge appeal for youth. Exactly how they are supposed to enter a market where their target market and friendly reputation are in direct conflict with the predominant business model is a question that gets glossed over far too often.

So importing a physical copy may be possible? Fantastic news!
Very interested in this... although still want to hear some impressions before laying out any cash.

What's said isn't always what happens, but this certainly sounds like good news. Giving Atlus access to old Sega IP could have really cool results too.
thumbsup

@Gioku
It is very expensive, but for six gorgeous books in a (limited) collector's edition it's not really that crazy of a price. Aren't most guides around $20 at retail when first released anyway? I bet this set is selling on eBay for at least twice the current asking price by Christmas next year.

Came so close to ordering this... but would rather spend that money on actual games than supporting swag. Pretty awesome set though! Certainly couldn't fault anyone who did lay out the cash to grab one.

Owning Steamworld Dig on 3DS is enough for me - but I am happy to hear that the potential audience is being expanded. It's a fantastic game - hopefully being on Steam allows more people to discover this gem of a title.

Doesn't fit my budget, but very cool so I can see these having a market for gamers with deep pockets.