mike_intv

And people still think that cloud gaming has arrived.
It may yet get here. But it isn't here yet.

I am not sure what all the fuss is about. People buy or don't buy.

This game was meant as a satirical parody and as a proof of PT Barnum's philosophy.

I personally plan to buy it — and so will a lot of people. I would rather someone who has made good experiences that I have enjoyed get the money for the eventual Flappy Bird clone for the WiiU than someone who is just in it for a cash grab.

And for those who argue that Nintendo should impose some "quality control" on the eShop (on content — not just on functionality) — the minute it did most would be complaining about "Nintendo is censoring our games." In other words, there is no winning with some people.

Most recent Lego games have sold better on PS4 and XB1 than on WiiU (according to VGChartz — only public data available).

Historically, the Wii versions were the biggest sellers but were supplanted by the X360 versions late last generation.

The problem is that selling incomplete (or can't be completed games) leads to lower sales which makes it a self-defeating proposal.

That being said, this move (especially if DLC is not available) moves the game from MAYBE to NO for me. And it will do that for a lot of people.

Finally, does anyone else feel Lego Games are about to "jump the shark"?

@TrueWiiMaster EXACTLY!

I do the buying on our system — so I would be the one connecting to the eShop.

@RCMADIAX

Well played!
I plan to buy ... Just because it is so shameless!

Hopefully any such game will be released where there is an audience, not on platforms where people don't care and the graphical power would be unused.

Actually, what we all can do now is trade our old 3DS units across regions. That will make more sense (and value) than trading them in at GameSeller.

Aegis Defender failed to hit its stretch goal by less than $5,000. Should be interesting what happens ... if anything.

@gage_wolf

I can see why you would feel that way. I am just pointing out that the reason RCMADIAX is doing Spikey Walls is to point out the absurdity of it all. The other current games from the developer are quick/fun experiences. There is a bigger, more robust game planned (Super Robo Mouse) as well.

Ironically, this entire discussion is about a developer who fled the AppStore for the WiiU eShop — and whose first release for the eShop was a remake of an iOS game.

Wasn't this released globally for the PS1. So updating localization should not take that much effort.

Some numbers from the only public data source available (VGChartz — take them for what they are worth).

Install base outside of Japan: PSVita 5.6M, WiiU 5.2M, XB1 5.1M. This is important because Minecraft has no presence in Japan.

Sales this year (globally): XB1: 2.0M, WiiU 1.7M, PSVita 1.4M. This is important because it shows the XB1 is not "killing it" as people would have you believe (especially as the PS4 has over 5M sales).

Tie-ratio (globally, all games): WiiU 4.0, XB1 3.3, PSVita 3.1. Admittedly, the XB1 is newer so it is going to be lower. But the WiiU number is higher than the PSP and approaching the Gameboy.

In other words, this is about money and power. It is not about install base.

And it works. My son wants a console version of Minecraft, even though he already has the PC and Tablet versions.

@gage_wolf
If you followed the whole conversation of @RCMADIAX regarding Spikey Walls, there was a strong thread of satire that went through the whole announcement process. Unfortunately, note everyone picked up on this, so some have picked on this developer whose other experiences have been simple but complete and playable and fun..

The worst thing is that the general gaming media won't even ask why this is not on Nintendo platforms. For example, IGN did not even mention that the game was ports tot the WiiU (listing only PS3 and X360) in the background of the story.

Hate to see games pulled. But if it has to be done, this is the way to do it. Announce so people have one last chance to purchase and explain so people know that things do happen for a reason.

That is $188,600 per title — or 3,772 copies of each game at $50 each.. Really strange.

My guess this release is for Europe only — and not for North America.
Can anyone confirm that?

My second guess is all EA has done is a roster and kit update (and removal of the Brazilian leagues of which it no longer has rights) to the version of FIFA it has been selling since 2011 (FIFA 12, FIFA 13, FIFA 14 Legacy Edition).

I just wonder how much more the figures will be at Gamestop than at other stores. Gamestop has a history of selling high-demand first-party Nintendo items above MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price).

Here is what does not make sense.
Using the only data publically available (VGChartz*), the the 3DS version of Revelations sold 780k, almost as much as the PS3 (570k), X360 (190k), and WiiU (90k) versions combined (that totals 830k).

Plus, going MS only makes absolutely no sense from a home market standpoint. 3DS sold 300k in Japan, more than PS# (200K), WiiU (30k) and X360 (20k) combined.

*I am well aware of the problems with VGChartz data. But it is the only publicly-available dataset for game sales. And with time, as companies release their numbers, the LTD numbers tend to become more accurate (because they are corrected).

@Serebii

Then this is pretty much nothing — other than making it more mobile than a laptop.

Is not this just an expansion of the on-line TCG, already available on computers?

If so, it is far less revolutionary — or problematic — than those on the this board think. It is just evolutionary.

To me, the take-away point is that a lot of people in this business have long memories: Do me wrong once, I will make your life horrible forever.

Nintendo had a horrible reputation with many third parties during the NES and SNES days. Not everyone has forgotten about that. And I would not be surprised if some of the decisions being made today are the results of those decisions made more than a quarter century ago (when someone who is now an executive may have been a developer/programer).

It is not unlike EA apparently making decisions not to bring things to the WiiU because Nintendo supposedly not to make Origin the main network for the console. (EA feels crossed and won't bring games to the console — and it has a history of dealing with people this way (see Sega Genesis, Sega Dreamcast)).

As for Activision and Ubisoft, these decisions are at least in part based on business (but sometimes they don't seem to make sense to us), so it is somewhat rationale. (Though I am sure there are some execs there who had issues with Nintendo and scores to settle as well — it is just there is not a connected case like with EA).

I think people are missing the fact that this is satire — and for 99 cents I will buy satire.

What happened to Ice Cream Surfer?
Wasn't that supposed to be out in NA this week as well?

@hydeks

The r-word has no business in civilized discourse.
If you feel Nintendo's strategy is challenged, that is fine. But if you have followed the conversation, you know this is not an automatic situation for success.
There is a potential for high piracy with limited IP protection.
There are strict governmental limits on where the systems have to be manufactured (which apparently is not the same place exports) and game standards.
Nintendo has decided to do something different in this market than just release its regular console. That will protect its investment if something goes bad. Whether or not this is the right strategy is a winning one remains to be seen. But for Nintendo, it probably makes far more sense than investing hundreds of millions of dollars into a plant that may have a limited lifespan because of red tape and copy cats.

@gatorboi352
Actually, the Wii was SD while the others was HD.
The Wii did not have DVD playback — it was only a game machine not a full-time media hub.

Both of these were seen as conservative decisions at the time.

Nintendo is being cautious and conservative. That is how is always does things. And given issues related to respecting IP, it is probably the way to go.

@Drac_Mazoku

And I never get a response from the Black Forest Games (via Twitter). Last word was that the update was sent to NoA (supposedly).

As for Diesel, the clothing company would have to show it has made other things and then it might still be a stretch, although logic never seems to play a role in TM disputes. Also, the Italian clothing company is getting press out of this.

Reminds me of Mysteria on the Saturn.

@ninjapigstudios
I will keep an eye out for it.

@TG1

Where did you get the info it was only one test with 20 questions?

Ubisoft has not yet said if it is DL only or retail on the 3DS.
It's website only talks about PS4 and XB1 versions.

@SirQuincealot First of all, I do not appreciate being called names.

Second of all, while both PS-Plus and XBLA Gold offer free games — you have to pay $50 annually for those services. I do not know how it works since I do not have those systems. But to the best of my knowledge, they do NOT give free games just for buying throughout the year. Nintendo operates a customer loyalty program, which the others do not. They are providing benefits to paid customers.

Third, I said I would like to see a physical gift option too. Please read the full post.

Last year, my son talked me into a calendar for him ... which he never used and had no idea how neat it was.

I am sure I will find something to download. After all, this is a FREE gift — which is not something the others do. Personally, I would like some physical gift choice as well. But in the end, this is not something that Nintendo has to do and i get something for FREE.

This sounds like a case of Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The WiiU got the definitive version, albeit later. However, I have more trust that Bandi-Namco will put more marketing into Project Cars than EA did into NFS:MW (which it essentially let "die on the vine").

I think we are seeing a point where the gaming architecture and limitations of companies are causing a divide. The PS4/XB1/PC version(s) are similar enough to be done along side one another. The WiiU has different (lesser) graphics and a second screen. From a business standpoint, if you are trying to do a top-notch job, this makes sense. As for the price reductions on other systems, it is something we have to live with. Basically, I don't game on the other ones so it has limited impact on me.

First of all, as I noted in a Tweet, in my opinion, Sega is being short-sighted and missing a opportunity here because Nintendo owners are the audience for this.

BUt related to this, what is Sega doing with its classic/neo-classic games? Besides making 3D games (mainly for Japan) and releasing an occasional retail compilation, is it doing anything?

@Morph It is important to know when others post drivel — and that is exactly what the Sun is doing. Thankfully, since it has placed it behind its pay wall, access and dissemination will be fairly limited, especially outside the UK.

If Sun in Mainstream — God save the Queen.

Can people get addicted to gaming — of course.
To what degree do people get addicted — unknown because either we have people trying to create controversy, make a name for themselves, or not willing to listen.

Sounds like politics in the 21st century,

I have downloaded a lot of free games on my iPad — and deleted the majority of them.

The only good ones from EA were the ones made by studios it bought after they had done a game.

Many of the games become glitchy, are really just seeking microtransaction monies, or have too many interrupting ads to be enjoyable. That is why they are deleted.

The GLA is appealing to younger families (than a typical Merc) --- at least in early US data.

It appears to be going after the same buyer who might be looking at a Honda CRV but can afford a bit more. Depending on features, the difference may only be a few thousands US dollars. Thus, it may be the Mario audience after all.

Also, the US case was not filed until 2013 because Philips did not have US patents until 2013.

Something does not seem right with this.

The final patents were not awarded until 2011 (though the initial submission was 2003). The judge says the Sony controller did not use motion detection but Move descriptions note how it includes tracking sensors.

My guess is that any game would not have TV display ... just two Gamepad displays. That would alleviate some of the horsepower issues.

Just read the interview on which the CVG story that serves as the source for this news item is based.

It appears the "right price" comment was unsolicited

You have a Wii U game 'on the shelf'?

Yes, that game is waiting for more machines to be available. With Mario Kart, Wii U made one step and we expect with Smash Bros. it will also do more. If Nintendo put the right price on the machine then they will probably have a chance to do further.

Based upon Amazon

In the UK, the PS4 is UKP 349 (non-bundle), UKP 385 (bundles). The WiiU Mario Kart 8 bundle is UKP 239.
In France, the PS4 is Euro 439-499 (depending upon the budnle). The WiiU Mario Kart 8 budle WiiU is 329 .

Based upon Gamestop (Amazon US does not sell NIntendo hardware directly for some reason)

PS4 is $400 (non-bundle), $450 and up (bundle). WiiU Mario Kart 8 bundle is $330. (These are standard prices).

Would someone tell me where the price point issue is again?

I wonder if this will make it to North America.
I also wonder if Puyo Tetris will ever leave Japan.

Love to know how much these will cost and how they will be sold.
I just know that they will cost me. A LOT.

And now the story is gone.
Soon probably to reappear.

Literally, it goes from a "story not found" to the start of the interview that won't move.

I can't believe Mario Paint did not rank as highly as some other games. The gamepad seems to be made for that game.

Any idea of a possible North American release?

I wonder if WB asked Nintendo to do this or if Nintendo did this as a pre-emptive strike.

It should be interesting since I hear a lot of cash registers ringing up sales with the "gold coin" sound now. I wonder if those are licensed or not.

Several posibiltiies.

Game cancelled totally.
Game cancelled in Europe/PAL.
Game cancelled in Italy.
Gamestop decided not to sell the game.
Gamestop made the game on-line ordering only.
Gamestop computers glitched.

This news seems to be based upon the experience of one person with one retailer.

Please note that every website that I have checked — including Amazon.it and Gaemstop.it still has the game available for pre-order on their websites.