tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10368812231313375112024-03-13T19:10:09.743-07:00Nintendo 5-StarAdding that 5-star touch.Nintendo 5-Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378622809042133428noreply@blogger.comBlogger902125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-36645182071696144472016-08-19T12:46:00.000-07:002016-08-19T12:46:29.653-07:00Ash Ketchum Has Become The Worst RoleModel Ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(Honestly, the title could've read "Ash Ketchum Has Become The Worst Metaphor Ever" and it would've made the same amount of sense).<br />
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To be frank, I haven't watched the Pokemon tv show since it went into the 4th Gen, save for a few movies set in Unova, so the show has been something of a far off memory of mine, but what I do remember of it was mostly good. So when I heard of the outcry of fans during this week's recent episode, many of which came back after a hiatus just to watch this episode, I was curious enough to reopen pandora's box to see what the deal is. I now completely understand why the fans are upset, and that reason alone is pointing directly at the show's miserable screw-up, Ash Ketchum.<br />
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The episode in question was the last in a series of Ash fighting against the Kalos league. The show had massive buildup: the possibility of Ash winning was teased with a new Shuriken move from Greninja, who I may add is basically synchronized with Ash to the point that it looks like this: <br />
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<i>Wah?</i></div>
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Which basically means the bond between Ash and Greninja was so strong that their friendship combined to create a synchronized hairstyle monstrosity: or in anime terms, blah, blah, stronger form that kicks major ass (think synchro monsters from Yugioh, also forget I ever said synchro cards). And Ash clearly had a type advantage against his final opponent: a Charizard, which is probably damn well going to get cowabunga'd by that massive fricking water shuriken the writers have been teasing. The title of the episode was "Kalos League Vicotry", so everything seemed to be hinting at Ash winning his first Pokemon League. <br />
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So why the ever loving frick did he lose? After OVER 900 fricking episodes of the tv show you'd think it would mean he got some experience out of his battles, but no: he lost every single Pokemon League from Kanto to Unova- that's 5 times he screwed up in a row, and now it's made 6. Granted, I get it that it makes sense to have a protagonist lose because it's good to tell your intended audience, mainly kids, that it's okay to fail, because you will fail sometimes. But this is an example of where the writers' intentions become convoluted after repetition: Ash losing after this many attempts despite having the best chance of of winning is literally saying "You will fail again and again and no matter how hard you try you will never succeed". <br />
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And the worst salt on the wound is after Ash failed the Kalos league and he just stands there <i>smiling</i>. I mean, I'm not condoning being a good sport, but he should've had at least a negative emotion. Wouldn't you at least show some level of dissatisfaction after losing when you've come that far and it was possibly the last chance you were ever given to win at something? There's no relating to a character who's emotions are as dynamic as a plank of wood, I'm sorry, Game Freak. <br />
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<i>Suddenly, that "L" on his cap explains a whole lot. </i></div>
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Which is probably why so many people tuned in for this episode just to see him win. Rewatching the older episodes of Pokemon made me realize how originally beloved this character was for failing, because he got back up and took another go at it. This episode was to make up for all of his failures, but to our further dismay and dwindling faith in this character to do anything right he failed again just to reiterate a tired old message of "try your best" when his best is being the worst. Ash's Pokemon evolve but his character never does with them. <br />
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It could be said that the reason Ash never grows up and succeeds is because this show is meant for a new generation of kids, but do they even watch it for Ash Ketchum? Fans watch the show because they want to be the best, and if the main protagonist can't provide it, the fans got bored and look elsewhere. It's no wonder that the stuff from XYZ that got fans talking about the show again was the episode in which Serena takes Ash's place for a day. <br />
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<i>This got less screen time than Porygon's seizure-inducing flashing lights. </i></div>
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The prospect of a new trainer sounds refreshing, and if Ash won the Kalos League it would've been a perfect sound off as he would hand the cap over to someone new. But now he's just an (ageless, mind you) kid who loses at every opportunity. That may be just a refurbished opinion, but I just wish the show had a tangible protagonist who grew up with the viewers who first knew him, finally succeeded at pursuing his dream, and then passed the torch to a new trainer who would try to do even better. How awesome would it be to have a canon Pokemon series with the visual appeal and heart of shows like The Legend of Korra? Right now, passing on his legacy could be interesting, since Ash could realize he's not the best at fighting BUT he could instead pursue to continue cataloguing every Pokemon in existence a la' Red and be good at doing that. He could be a mentor from the shadows; giving advice to the "new Ash" on how to care for his/her Pokemon and creating new bonds, or some friendship thing the show likes to emphasis so much. The least they can do is extend the spin-off anime including Mega Evolutions Special and the stellar (and crinimally short) Pokemon Origins anime, which could carry on into the Silver and Gold games and already have original protagonists.<br />
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But right now, the defeat is still salty in everyone's mouths, and I wouldn't doubt many people will stop watching the show entirely. While Ash Ketchum wishes he's the very best- we have still yet to believe he'll even get there.<br />
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<br />N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-55375825082591406762016-06-25T14:27:00.000-07:002016-06-25T14:27:57.760-07:00What If: NX Reveal Live Blog Make Believe<div class="MsoNormal">
The NX will be revealed sometime around this Fall or early
Winter if sources are to remain correct, so there’s bound to be more rumor and
speculation out there than facts. While we have no idea what to expect it’s
times like these that talking about it is better than nothing. But top X lists
have been overdone to death, so I came up with a fake NX reveal scenario via
live blog to express what I would love to see in Nintendo’s big reveal. Enjoy,
puddins’. </div>
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FIRST DISCLAIMER: This is not real. Don’t take anything in this blog
seriously. Thank you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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SECOND DISCLAIMER: This is a scenario in which the console is NOT a hybrid. Don't take it as my ultimate desire for the console, but more so a second option. Also, no cartridges, just no. We have no idea what the final product will look like, so be open and nice about any other possibilities of what the system could be. Much obliged. </div>
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NX Reveal Day X/XX/20XX <o:p></o:p></div>
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9:55 - We’re just moments away from the NX live stream
reveal! <o:p></o:p></div>
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9:56 – Interesting to note that this will be the first time
Nintendo has revealed their console without a live stage. You’ll just have to
listen to your own fan screams whenever a big announcement happens. <o:p></o:p></div>
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9:59 – One minute left! <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:00 – Starting off with a reveal trailer showing the
history of Nintendo consoles up until this point. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:01 – The “NX” is looking very sexy! <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:01 – Almost looks like the Monolith from 2001 Space
Odyessey. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:02 – Logo “N” with wings on both sides. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:02 – Controller has one screen still. Some grips
on the back are new. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:02 – Official system name is the “Nintendo Phoenix”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:02 – Really impressed thus far! <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:03 – Reggie: “We decided on the name our new console the Phoenix, because the
name is the manifestation of what we’re trying to accomplish: re-invent the
Nintendo brand”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:03 – That has me slightly scared but I’m ready for whatever
they have next. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:05 – “Find your origin” is there new tagline. Meaning
that the system is intended as a fresh start for “all gamers” from what I’m
gathering. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:05 – Reggie showing off the controller from the trailer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:06 – The Phoenix Master Controller. Assuming this is the
default controller. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:06 – Oh, there’s also a Phoenix Pro controller too that
looks similar to the Classic Controller. Looks like a HUGE improvement from that,
however. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:07 – “The Phoenix can support four Master Controllers at
the same time”. YES! <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:08 – Reggie telling about all the things the Master
controller is capable of. All sound pretty standard.<o:p></o:p></div>
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10:09 – …except that you can take it with you wherever you
go and play Google apps on it. Guess this technically makes it their smartphone?
<o:p></o:p></div>
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10:11 – Off-TV play as well. Sadly, this doesn’t mean you
can play Phoenix games with just the controller away from the console. Bummer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:14 – Official price: 250GB model with Master controller
is $300. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:14 – 500GB model is $350 and comes with both a Master AND
Pro controller <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:15 – Ditto with 1TB model that runs for $400 <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:15 – March 28<sup>th</sup>, 2017. Save the date! <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:15 – Showing the revamped menu system. Seems like an
empty platform in the middle of space surrounded by some menus top to bottom.
Being described as a “hotel”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:16 – “The more data you have on the system the more rooms are added to your menu screen”. Interesting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:17 – Master menu can also be skipped altogether by
pressing the “Game” button on your controller (either one). Nice feature. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:17 – Showing some customized themes: one gives it a
Mushroom Kingdom makeover. Another gives it a Hyrule Field vibe. These will be
sold separately I imagine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:19 – Some new changes to accessibility of features. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:19 – Friend codes are no more! <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:19 – Now you can just look up someone’s name to add them
or join a Miiverse group. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:20 – Speaking of which Miiverse receiving a significant
upgrade in the future. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:20 – Master controller has more user friendly options to
share photos from games you’ve been playing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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10:21 – You’ll be able to share and record your gameplay
with other Miiverse users. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:21 – Miiverse will ask you which age group you’d want to
be associated with to better unite you with players that share common
interests. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:22 – Promise of better privacy and filtering features. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:22 – Reggie: “The Nintendo Phoenix supports all types of
gamers from all different consoles”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:23 – Cross play on-line across all systems. It was inevitable. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:24 – REGION LOCKING IS NO MORE, I REPEAT, REGION LOCKING
IS NO MORE <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:24 – About time! <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:25 – Discussing about the changes from Wii U to
Phoenix <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:25 – “Moving on from the Wii brand. This is a fresh
start”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:26 – Seems Wii remotes not compatible anymore, not sure
if that pertains to Wii U Classic controllers as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:26 – Wii U pad compatibility with Phoenix is a definite
no from the looks of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:27 – Both Phoenix Master and Pro have built in gyro
sensors it seems. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:29 – Reggie: “And yes, there is a new handheld system in
development”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:30 – Meant to both stand alone as a handheld system and
to share key features with the Phoenix. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:30 – Compatible as a Phoenix controller. That’s THREE
different controllers now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:31 – Select future Phoenix games will feature cross buy
so you can play them on the new handheld as well without being near the Phoenix. Nice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:33 – That’s it about the handheld. This stream was meant
to focus on the Phoenix anyway. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:34 – “Virtual Console is changing for the better”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:35 – If you have VC titles on the Wii U they can be
transferred to the Phoenix at no charge. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:36 – Most if not all VC titles will have cross play with
the Master controller and the new handheld. That maybe confirms cross buy with
the new handheld as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:37 – Gamecube VC on the way! Super Mario Sunshine,
Luigi’s Mansion, Final Fantasy: The Crystal Bearers, and Pikmin will all be
available in March. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:39 - Banjo-Kazooie coming to N64 Virtual Console. Never expected that!<o:p></o:p></div>
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10:40 – Now a developer video talking about the processing
power of the Phoenix. Among them are Aonuma, Yuji Naka of Sonic Team, and
Michel Ancel of Ubi-Soft. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:41 – Apparently it has “one of the most powerful game
development tech on the market if not the most powerful tech”. Hmmm, modest
words there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:42 – Aonuma up now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:42 - Breath of the Wind graphics comparison with Wii U
and Phoenix. Phoenix version has more subtle polish. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:43 – Special 1GB system bundle with game available at
launch. Master Controller has Master Sword color pallet, while Pro has the shield symbol.<o:p></o:p></div>
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10:44 – Aonuma thanks for your patience and adds that the
game has become even better during the long development time. I think we can
all agree on that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:45 – Bill Trinen is finally up. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:45 – He’s talking about the launch titles like Wii Sports
and Nintendo Land that coincided with the console releases. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:46 – Trailer for the launch game: Miitendo Life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:46 – “Interact with other Mii’s from around the world” <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:46 – Reminds me of a Nintendo Sims <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:47 – Showing off some Nintendo inspired mini-games you
can play with other people. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:48 – Mii Tennis is officially back. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:48 – “Find Me” makes a return. This time it looks like a
Final Fantasy-esk JRPG. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:49 – Judgement Bay from Tomodachi Life. People from all
over the world vote on daily questions it looks like. (Wait…did it just ask
about the Presidential election??!?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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10:49 – The game is a combination of games than just
Tomodachi Life it seems. Your Mii lives an apartment complex just like in that
game, however. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:51 – Phoenix will support achievements. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:51 – Specific achievements unlock themed furniture,
apparel, and medals in Miitendo Life as well as Miiverse stamps. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:52 – Some Zelda swag showing off. Must be achievements
from BoTW.<o:p></o:p></div>
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10:53 – Bill taps a Donkey Kong amiibo on the Master controller
screen, and a DK costume appears in Miitendo Life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:53 – Costumes can be ported to Miitomo <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:55 – Cloud costume shown off in new Find Mii game. This
game is insane. <o:p></o:p></div>
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10:59 – Miitendo trailer ends with a scene in which a Mii
dressed as Peach kidnaps a Mii dressed in a Link tunic and a Mii Samus has to
save them. Yup, insane. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:01 – Behind the scenes trailer of a new Mario
Project now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:02 – “With Mario, we never want to do something trite or
obvious, so we’re always pushing ourselves to come up with new and fun ways to
reinvent the standard formula”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:03 – Sounds like something big is being planned for
Mario, but we won’t be seeing it just yet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:03 – 2017. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:05 – Reggie back on talking about the importance of
strong third-party support. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:07 – Square Enix bringing Dragon Quest XI overseas to the
Phoenix. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:08 – Kingdom Hearts 3 and Final Fantasy VII remake as
well! <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:09 – Promising start with 3<sup>rd</sup> party titles. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:10 – Reggie: “Most of all, we absolutely cannot pass on
the opportunity to accept exclusive third-party partnerships”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:11 – New game trailer begins. Something by Ubi-Soft. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:12 – A lone car in a desert landscape. A futuristic city.
Scenery is gorgeous. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:12 – Beyond Good and Evil 2 lives! <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:13 – “Phoenix Exclusive. In development”. Hoy boy, here
comes the salt. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:13 – Beyond Good and Evil HD being released on system
release date. Will be a free bonus if you pre-order the sequel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:14 – Next trailer by Capcom. "Phoenix Exclusive"<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:14 – Mario Maker? <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:14 – No…MEGA MAN Maker!
<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:15 – Switch between 8-bit Mega Man and Mega Man X stage
creators. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:16 – Stages can end with either an enemy, boss, or
victory ball. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:17 – You can also play as the Robot Masters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:17 – Reggie: “Mega Man Maker was perceived around the
time when Mario Maker was becoming popular”.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:17 – Will have regular updates with new creation tools
and playable characters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:18 – Available at launch. Looks great! <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:18 – Another trailer happening now, looks like Street
Fighter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:19 – “Phoenix Exclusive. In Development” <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:20 – Model of Ryu…has a very clean cel shaded style. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:20 – Is that Mario?! <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:21 – Capcom vs. Nintendo! Someone has to be trolling this
live stream! <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:21 – Yet here it is!<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:21 – Final clip shows Link battling Zero.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:22 – Trailer was very brief, but very satisfying! <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:22 – Phoenix wins. Playstation NEO go home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:23 – The Billster returns. Indie time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:24 – Undertale being ported to Phoenix. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:25 – Tomba the Badass Elephant too. Was wondering when
that game would make it to the Phoenix. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:25 – Wayforward working on a new IP for the Phoenix.
Shatae ½ Genie also being ported. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:27 – Super Smash Bros Phoenix – SSBWiiU version with all
the DLC included! The rumors were true. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:28 – Cross-Play with the new handheld in the future. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:28 – Available on Phoenix launch date. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:29 – Reggie: “2017 is going to be the biggest year for
Nintendo”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:30 – Retro Studios next title be revealed at E3 2016. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:30 – Awwww… <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:31 – Masuda takes the stage. New Pokemon game they’ve
been working on for the Phoenix for a year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:32 – Pokemon Snap 2!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:33 – Use Master Controller as a camera, or use traditional
controls. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:34 – No word if it will include ALL the Pokemon though.
That it would make the game massive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:35 – More information coming in E3 2017.<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:35 – And we’re off on another trailer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:35 – “Every day is a vacation”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:36 – Animal Crossing: Endless Vacation <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:36 – Trailer showing off a lot of new interesting
content. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:37 – “Artifacts” are new collectibles you get in island
caves. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:37 – Caves randomly generate every day. Some even have
puzzles. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:38 – Pockets are MASSIVE now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:38 – The best part: it’s a Phoenix Launch title! <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:39 – A bit at the end showing how the series progressed
through the years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:41 – “Wow, this came out of nowhere!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:41 – Platinum Games developing a new Kid Icarus. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:42 – Has an Egyptian theme this time around. Really funny
quips in the trailer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:43 – Small gameplay trailer showing Pit battling Horus. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:44 – Looks like Dark Pit makes a return. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:45 – E3 2017 is the magic word. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:46 – “Our last game” <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:46 – Miyamoto showing off Pikmin 4, finally. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:48 – “The Phoenix graphical power far surpassed the Wii U’s,
so we could really focus on a game that worked consistently well even with more
than one player”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:49 – Showing off 4-player local co-op: players each use a
Master Controller screen to play. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:50 – New “Shroom Pikmin” with mushroom caps on their heads.
Look really cute. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:50 – “Charged Pikmin” are also new. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:51 – Full gameplay trailer up now. The setting is in autumn,
and the visuals are complementing very nicely. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:52 – Shroom Pikmin can put some enemies to sleep. They can
traverse mud, and you can use their heads as platforms. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:54 – Charged Pikmin attract metal objects from a distance.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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11:55 – The amount of Pikmin you can have in these games now
are insane. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:56 – Trailer ends in a boss fight against a (giant?) crab
with metal claws. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:56 – Available at system launch! <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:57 – Reggie says some closing remarks about the Phoenix. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:57 – “Fan feedback and the generous support from
third-party publishers is helping us create some of the best production values
of any system launch we’ve <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:58 – A montage of games is playing. Some third-party
titles including EA’s FIFA and Activision’s Call of Duty: Infinite
Warfare/Skylanders shown off. The new Sonic game too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:58 –Thought I saw a WarioWare in there as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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11:59 – Finally a collective list of Nintendo Phoenix launch
titles. At least 6 titles from Nintendo including Miitendo and the Smash Bros
port. Very impressive list. <o:p></o:p></div>
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12:00 – And that’s a wrap. Whoa! Well done, Nintendo, well done. </div>
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So what are your hopes for the NX? Know of a better name for the system? Post in the comments section below, follow us on Facebook, or join our friendly forums to let your voice be heard!</div>
N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-50642431486063703742015-12-16T08:41:00.002-08:002015-12-16T08:41:46.395-08:00N5S Gut Reaction: Final Smash Bros PresentationWell, Smash Bros had a final thing and apparently we have a blog thing, so I guess I have to do the thing for all you 7 poor unfortunate souls. <br />
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(Also, here's the British link to the presentation, because Donald Trump won the American ballot and no one needs to see that)<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Watching the Final Smash Bros Presentation for me was like <i>watching</i> someone else open presents they either thought they never wanted or didn't want to begin with. To be honest, I wasn't even remotely hyped because I got all the ice cream I could ever want a year, but still left bitter sweet seeing everyone else get the same vanilla ice cream- or in their minds, vanilla piss flavored ice cream with hairy squirrel nut sprinkles.<br />
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<i>Or just pizza flavored. </i></div>
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How does Sakurai-san sama end what is possibly the most impressive love letter DLC lineup of video game characters in existence? Well, you start by showing them another Fire Emblem character. Yeah, good start. Yeeeeah you could make him/her as cool as you want but no one would give two s***s about a less interesting Robin with a down B counter. At this time I was contemplating watching something more thought-provoking or educational, but no paint was drying at the time and the presentation still had at least 25 minutes to go, so I submitted through the Highlander 2 of gaming characters just to see what disappointed me next.<br />
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<i>Not to mention that the "dog on horse" Twitch live stream servers were down at the time.</i> </div>
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Next we learn that Ike Strife is being released at the end of the presentation along with a Midgar stage. Awesome! But the Midgar stage only has two tracks and neither One-winged Angel or the Bombing Mission theme from Cloud's freaking reveal trailer are included. Oh. Also half-way through the game Snake is replaced by Raiden and it's going to be episodic. </div>
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Oh but guys, Square Enix remembers Geno! They went through all the trouble of scalping his dead carcass just for your mii characters to wear, so they'll look exactly like a mii character wearing a Geno costume! If you have trouble making your mii look nothing like the character it's trying to resemble, Don't worry! Just scan the QR codes from our wall of shame and use one of our miis that look nothing like the character it's trying to resemble. </div>
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<i>Nailed it! </i></div>
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But alas we've come to the end of the journey and it's time to reveal the results of the Smash ballot- wait, is that...F*** EVERYTHING THAT'S PIT AND THAT'S AN EVIL WOMAN'S VOICE- IT'S MEDUSA. MEDUSA WON. </div>
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Just kidding, ass and xbox tears wins.</div>
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<a href="http://nintendoeverything.com/wp-content/uploads/Bayonetta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nintendoeverything.com/wp-content/uploads/Bayonetta.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<i>But mostly ass. </i></div>
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Ho sh*t, evidently K Rool lost weight and changed his sex. Okay, I think I fully understand you now Sakurai: you have such an undying fetish for surprising people that you hack into our inner conscious from your Nintendo wizard powers to surprise us with something we always wanted but never expected. </div>
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Or the North American ballot results was so atrocious you instead opted to reveal the European results. Okay, I admit I can deal with that too, but the overall worldwide result? Uh, what?</div>
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Pictured: Europe. </div>
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Curses! How dare you surprise me with something that will make the game remotely better when I was expecting something lackluster like Shovel the Warthog! Hack-spitsh (?) I spit in your general direction and sleep with your mother and then spit on her, you mouth pooper!!!!!!!1!11! Well now I'm boycotting your games and forming a petition, Sakurai, so now you'll have to listen to me next time! HAHA didn't expect that didn't you! Well you're not getting my money now even though I already paid full priced for your game! I'll only buy one of the DLC characters too and play it at a friend's house on Fridays- you're ruined! </div>
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Also God bless your magnificant hands, you amazing sexy beast. </div>
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<br />N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-69481177640090191692015-08-18T11:44:00.000-07:002015-08-18T11:44:49.383-07:00How Keiji Inafune Ruined Kickstarting Game Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/projects/1930737/photo-original.jpg?v=1437624292&w=1536&h=1152&fit=crop&auto=format&q=92&s=4eda11bdad71a33163a12f8e8d27c612" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/projects/1930737/photo-original.jpg?v=1437624292&w=1536&h=1152&fit=crop&auto=format&q=92&s=4eda11bdad71a33163a12f8e8d27c612" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Red Ash Kickstarter was a disaster from the start. It was not even a month before Mighty No. 9 was released that Keiji Inafune announced he was working on a new project. And it all went downhill from there.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>But don't worry; this story ends with a happy ending...well, if you were Inafune at least- for all the fans, well, it just meant not knowing what the heck you were even funding in the first place. Let us note all the many selling point essentials that were never addressed from the start of the Kickstarter: Story? Nope, they're working on that. Will I be able to play it on a console I own? Ahhhh...maybe? Well...what kind of game is it? Action-Adventure....you know, like Meag Man Legends or something who knows. I've seen episodes of Lost that were less vague in providing descriptions.<br />
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Unsurprisingly, the Kickstarter didn't get enough sufficient backers and there was no way they would've made the fund raising goal within less than a week. Luckily for Inafune, a Chinese game development company named Fuze (I looked them up; they apparently make game consoles for the Chinese market) came to the rescue and covered the rest of the cost of the game which was roughly over $100,000. Sound a little dodgy yet? Don't worry, it gets better. With all said and done you'd think they could make a game with what funding they had and end of story, but no, Inafune wants more people to fund the anime tie-in to the game...<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mightyno9/red-ash-magicicada-by-studio4c/description" target="_blank">to extend the length of the episodes from 15 to 32 minutes. </a>This tidbit coming just a few weeks after Mighty No. 9 had been delayed to early 2016. Bull. Sh**.<br />
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Now, Inafune is pretty revered for his talents and everyone knows him best as one of the core developers responsible for Mega Man, which is probably why he got way too big in the head thinking this could've worked, and well, to be honest this game would've worked if for not for its ill timing. But what in the holy f*** on white bread was he thinking when he thought people would fund another kickstarter for longer anime episodes based on a game we know little about and who's kickstarter mind you had both the game AND the anime in question??? Also, is it just me or is it strange that a 3DS (or even Wii U) stretch goal for Red Ash was never in question, despite the game appearing to be a love letter to Mega Man Legend 3 fans? Though maybe I shouldn't mention that or otherwise Inafune would want to make another fundraiser for it.<br />
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Funding these projects brings to fruition a major problem I have with Kickstarter: you really don't know what your funding sometimes and when you'll even get it. Granted, this is true as well when you preorder a game at Gamestop or from an on-line store, but in this case if the project is fully funded and you want for any reason to back out out of your order <i>you can't.</i> Those who funded the Project Cars' kickstarter for the Wii U version learned this the hard way, but the studio was mostly at fault for assuring everyone that the Wii U was delayed but still on the way- only to cancel the game a few months later. Generally speaking, it's a frivolous game developer's wet dream to get anyone to pay more for a game and then not ever having to be obliged to refund the backer of any of his money. This could potentially make pre-ordering look good in comparison, and we seriously need to wake up and realize what's going on. Look, I'm not trying to deter anyone to not back a kickstarter, all I'm saying is it's best to see if the project is already fully funded and if that's the case it's usually a good thing to wait and see if the game you want is coming to the system you have before reaching for that check book, because you might regret that decision later on.<br />
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But back to Inafune one last time. I think a golden rule of kickstarting projects should be that if you go over $1 million for one project you have really no business funding another Kickstarter. I realize it takes money to get a game rolling, no arguments there, but puh-leeze, making a spin-off anime a stretch goal before anything else is ballsy and pretty low. Still, I'm excited for projects like Bloodstained and Yooka-Laylee, two great shout-outs to their respective fanbase(s), but only because they focus less about tying in a tv show and are more about the fans' desires to relive nostalgia in a completely new way. But with Keiji Inafune's Red Ash, I can't think of one reason to shell out a single penny, and makes this Mega Man fan a sad panda.<br />
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<br />N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-14169557838659073432015-06-21T04:55:00.000-07:002015-06-21T04:56:10.406-07:00N5S Reactions: Nintendo E3 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, Nintendo E3 Direct came and went faster than a restock of amiibos, and naturally the team at N5S will give their two cents worth is how the show faired. Did we like it? Did we hate it? Well, some of both...<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<b>SmashLegendStar:</b> Disclaimer before we start I need to be
clear that Nintendo is not and will never be doomed and I will never think
that- and that truly is the problem that we face with Nintendo, because once
they create a new cashcow from toys and one-time peripherals they'll never face
any marketing failure and will have too much money stuck in their ears to care
about fan feedback. First off on the list of disappointments (oh believe me,
there's a LIST), I doubt this Direct had anything to do about games- heck,
let's just rename it the "Amiibo Direct" because think about it: name
one game they showcased for the Wii U that did not have amiibo support. And
don't say Star Fox: Zero, because Miyamoto pretty much confirmed they're
working on an Arwing prototype amiibo, which I admit sounds a lot cooler than
anything they showed at this year's E3, but I digress. It gets worse once the
Direct starts picking up steam when Reggie announces a new partnership- ooooh,
what could it be?? Super Mario RPG revival or some new surprise crossover
game?? Nope, f***ing Skylander amiibo toys. Wtf? Selling out to the competition
is one thing, but giving a middle finger to the amiibo collectors by
introducing $70 starter sets is truly a dick move of enormous proportions.
Probably the worst excuse of amiibo fondling is Animal Crossing: Amiibo
Festival- a game that works ONLY if you have the amiibos, which means after the
scalpers get their hands on all the amiibos the game will be worthless. And
this will be around the time when they'll be releasing at least 13 other
amiibos in a span of one damn month, so hope you enjoy amiibo black Friday shopping
every time you want to fully enjoy literally anything released on a Nintendo
console from now on. </div>
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I’ll be slightly nice now in this sentence by saying that
Nintendo did show off some cool stuff on the 3DS, namely Mario & Luigi:
Paper Jam and the surprise Tri-force Heroes announcement, which were probably
the only worthwhile mentions besides Star Fox. But now I’ll be mean in this
sentence by saying that their Wii U line-up was abysmal at best, and you could
tell Nintendo knew this because that would only explain the high amounts of
boring filler they crammed in an hour including an over five minute segment for
Yoshi’s Wooly World about we already know about months ago (The Muppets were
okay in my book, however). What does Nintendo have in store for the Wii U in
2016 besides Zelda U though? Absolutely nothing apparently, which means they’re
getting ready to trash the Wii U in favor for the NX...and before you say it
might not be a new console, Reggie and the producer for Metroid Prime have
pretty much 100% confirmed it will be a new gen console, so expect a more
expensive Amiibo NX console to replace your 3 year-old Amiibo U console,
because f*** it if it makes any marketing sense to build a userbase only to
start over from scratch for no damn reason. They might as well make it a hybrid
console and cheat NN3DS owners out of everything too, because we wouldn’t want
them to feel left out.</div>
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To make up for all the games we already knew about, Nintendo
decided to end the show…with a game we already knew about. What, you were
expecting Metroid for the Wii U? Sorry, you’ll wait until the NX releases-
please enjoy our on-line only games and buy plenty of amiibos from now on,
kids! To be fair though, the part where Miyamoto shared his stories of what
went into creating Mario for the first time were really interesting. Though
after the way Reggie was hyping over Mario’s 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary for
four minutes, you’d think they were going to end the show with a new 3-D Mario
bros. But no, the show closed with Youtube clips of fans singing the Mario
theme…um, what? Speaking as a Nintendo fan myself I felt absolutely jaded from
this year’s E3 Direct. With nothing but amiibos to show for and nothing but
Zelda U planned for 2016, Nintendo sunk the Wii U to new extreme lows despite years
of attempts to revive it. And all just to announce a new console next E3?
Ridiculous. To say the least, I’m not only disappointed in the Direct, but also
disappointed with Nintendo- not a game making company, but a toy making company.
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>CRAZ1ah:</b> </span><span class="postcolor">The problem with Nintendo's E3 game this year is
because most of their announcements have been spread out into several
days between the Smash Direct and the Treehouse streams. The streams
from the Smash Direct and the Nintendo World Championships only made
fans build up their hype and expectations from Nintendo's main event
during the Digital Event only to be disappointed by a less than mediocre
event by which most of the games are either spin-offs or have already
been announced during last year's Digital Event. Moreover, the Digital
Event was short on explaining certain new games in favor of development
stories which could have very well been placed during their Treehouse
event. This has led to many viewers misinterpreting and enraged for some
of the decisions made such as Animal Crossing Amiibo Party and Metroid
Prime Federation Force.<br /><br />Overall, Nintendo's E3 presentations was
so-so as it lacks major announcements. Some announcements from last
year's E3 shouldn't have been announced then but instead could have been
made this year such as Zelda Wii U and Star Fox as last year was all
about Smash Bros. </span><span class="signature"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /><b>MasterofMonster:</b> This year's Nintendo Digital Event was... decent.<br /><br />It is clear from the reactions of the media/fans that Nintendo lacked the Oompf that most other companies had that year, and that Nintendo had last year. Nintendo started out Strong with the funniest moment of this year's E3, having Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, NOA presodent Reggie Fils-Aime, and even Shigeru Miyamoto appearing in Muppet form (official name: Nuppets). <br />The Nuppets soon transformed into Fox, Falco and Peppy, presenting the hyped game StarFox Zero, a remake-not remake of StarFox 64, developed by Platinum Games, looking quite impressive.<br /><br />Unfortunately, that's when most viewers were at the peak of hypeness, as it seems the general mass agrees that it got less and less exciting after that. <br /><br />Aside from the hilarity of more Nuppet snippets, large parts of the Event were spent on games we've already seen a LOT from (Yoshi's Woolly World, Super Mario Maker, Xenoblade Chronicles X, etc), or on Developer Stories (which are all good and well, but did we really need a 4-hour long one for Woolly World after getting one at last year's E3?). Woolly World and Mario Maker are sure to be grand titles, but they cannot make a E3 Event feel hype, when we've known about them for over a year now.<br /><br />Then there were some newly announced games that all had something in common. They all seemed to cause rage in the fans for being what we wanted, yet not what we wanted.<br /><br />We got a New Metroid gane (developed by Next Level Games) for the first time in 5 years. But it is a Spinoff game done in Chibi-Style, focusing on 4-player Co-Op missions. Metroid Prime: Federation Force caused such rage that a petition was made to cancell the game.<br /><br />We got a new Zelda game in The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes, which blends Four Swords with A Link Between Worlds. This game was not very well-recieved (especially after the news that it will not have Online Voice Chat). We also got to see the neat 3DS Port of Hyrule Warriors (titled Legends), but as it was leaked beforehand, the surprise was ruined, and the lack of Nintendo's next Home Console Zelda (confirmed to still come to the Wii-U) hurt even more.<br /><br />We got a new Paper Mario! Sorta. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is a Mario & Luigi game that features Paper Mario, and it caused rage by dashing the expectations for a new, true Paper Mario Sequel after the very controvercial game that is Sticker Star.<br /><br />Then we got a new Animal Crossing game: Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival. Animal Crossing was a game many expected, but no one did see this Spinoff coming, being a game that used Amiibo-only, as a Mario Party without the... Party.<br />We also got more info on the 3DS title: Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer, and it's hundreds of Amiibo Cards. Yes. Hundreds. Good luck, Pikaby!<br /><br />While all three of these titles are sure to be fun, they ruined the hopes of many, and are already getting a lot of hate, deservingly or not. <br /><br />Speaking of Amiibo, a lot of new ones were revealed as well. 8 Animal Crossing ones, and two 8-Bit Mario ones (for use in Super Mario Maker). And while Amiibo sells really well (gotta buy 'em all! I know I will), they, too, caused a lot of rage, as Nintendo has yet to fulfil the demand of most of the already released Amiibo. <br />We also got a surprise reveal of Amiibo/Skylander Hybrids in Hammer Slam Bowser and Turbo Charged Donkey Kong.<br /><br />Overall, Nintendo certanly have a lot of good titles to be released this year and the next. Fire Emblem: Fates is sure to become big, Youkai Watch is set to release outside of Japan, and a new Wii-U title Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash was a surprise (made by Camelot)... but even this game was not well-recieved for looking pale at this state, with only new feature shown being Giant Mushrooms.<br /><br />While the 3DS got a lot of love, well-recieved or not, the Wii-U still stumbles a little with the lack of Third Party Games. I think saving the Smash reveals (Ryu, Roy, Stages) as well as some games in the recent Mini-Direct (Mario & Sonic at The Rio Olympics, Chibi-Robo Zipp Lass), as well as cutting down a little on the developer stories, could have helped the Digital Event a little, but even so, very few Nintendo fans felt satesfied when it was over (and ended with a Mario Anniversary montage). Especially after the great Event of 2014.<br /><br />Personally, I liked a lot of what was shown. And I think many does as well. But too much went against Nintendo this time, and a lot of it is their own fault. Nintendo has a lot of work in front of them, and while I will buy many of the titles shown, it is clear that the general fanbase is not happy with their Event this time. As we get closer to 2016, and Nintendo's next Home Console, Codename NX, is set to be revealed (or at least, talked about), and Nintendo's first iOS titles set to be released this year, we'll see how the fanbase will react on the changed Nintendo has made recently. For better or worse, Nintendo is about to change. And I am excited for the future.<br /><br />Nintendo have a lot of amazing developers, and as long as they leave Luck to Heaven, they are bound to make a grand return to glory.<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Thanks to the N5S members for their critiques and thank you for reading! -ed<br /></span></div>
N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-70477440555123327412014-11-06T17:07:00.002-08:002014-11-06T17:07:42.888-08:00Nintendo Direct 11.5.14 Impressions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I see a bad moon arisin'. I see bad puns on the way.<br />
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(Wii U/3DS Direct Impressions blog)<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b> THE AWESOME</b><br />
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HOLY SH** MAJORA'S MASK REMAKE FOR SPRING 2015: Well it's finally happening so all you paranoid warts who just had to form campaigns for this thing will have to find something else to beg for now (ermahgerd, OmegaRuby/AlphaSapphire references Sinnoh QUICK LET'S FORM A CAMPAIGN SO WE'LL BE SURE TO GET THOSE GAMES NEXT!!! *sigh*). On one hand I'm happy it's happening, but on the other hand I strangely don't feel so excited for it. Probably because I knew it was going to happen eventually, or maybe because now the awesome Wii U fan tribute will never happen. But on the bright side it appears to be getting much needed polish from its glitch ridden original, thank god, and we can finally take a break from the hundred million awkward teasers Nintendo has been showing for the past two years.<br />
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"Huehuehue" </div>
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Xenoblade Chronicles X's new trailer: HOLY CRAP as if this game didn't look great before it just keeps getting bigger and better the more trailers it gets. Its world looks like a lovechild between GTAV and Final Fantasy XV, and the character models thankfully look less like the mannequin counterparts from the E3 trailer. It's a bummer there's no release date as of yet, (heck, it took us a year and a half to finally know what the game was even called) but if it takes them another half of a year to polish the game even more than I think it would be well worth the wait. </div>
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Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker: What originally looked like an excuse to appease Toad fans has actually ended up looking...AMAZING. 70+ levels all looking as unique as the last, and Toadette as a playable character?! Day one purchase absolutely justifiable to the max. </div>
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<b>THE GOOD </b></div>
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Splatoon Single-Player mode: The creators of Splatoon deserve a medal just for killing off two stereotypes with one stone: creating a TPS game that's not filled with over dramatic greys and teenage angst, and having female leads that don't look like sexually possessed hoes. Mission accomplished. But what we really care about is the gameplay, and while the 2-player looks fun and all, I can rest easy knowing that the single-player mode looks like it got just as equal attention. Finally, a TPS single player campaign that isn't riddled with shooting segments where the main objective is to hide behind something until the enemy starts playing nice. I hope every video game developer is paying attention.<br />
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Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack: Granted, we've all known about this months ago, but now we finally get an official list of tracks and get to see Link in action (which was absolutely badass btw). Courses inspired by Excite Bike, Legend of Zelda, and what appears to be a vague reference to Marusume's Castle are just some of the new courses to expect in DLC packs among other things including Cat Peach and Tanooki suit Mario (why would he even need the Super Leaf item?...eh, forget it, Link is included in that pack anyway). We're not getting characters like Kirby or Captain Falcon unfortunately, but you can use their amiibo figurines to get their Mii Suit costumes which is...kinda cool I guess? Well, it could've been Ghost Data for Time Trails if Nintendo was lazy enough, so no loss there.<br />
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Kirby and Rainbow Curse: *Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee* Kirby games are subjectively the most memorable when they resemble a real world art material: this time around, it's ever so cute claymation, giving an ironic finger to every game with more than 30 fps. To help Kirby along on his journey three more players can join in as Waddle Dee, Waddle Dee, and...Waddle Dee. Hey were you even expecting four player mode to begin with? <br />
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<b>THE BAD </b><br />
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Hello again: While not really a bad thing to include past information we already know about (Pikmin short movies, Duck Hunt dog in Smash Bros, MK8 DLC, etc.) it was disappointing that when they were included they felt more like filler at some points. We only got info of how amiibo would work for only two games, and any new information for the Twilight Princess DLC pack for Hyrule Warriors was dissed even though its to be released this month. On a positive note we have a LOT to look forward too in the coming months, but this sort of vagueness is not helping in our purchases. <br />
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Score: 4.5/5<br />
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Majora's Mask 3D was the front runner and probably the biggest announcement that came out of yesterday's Direct. Overall, it was a good show to remind everyone of great stuff to come, though I do wish that <i>because</i> it was mostly older information that the Direct could've benefitted more if it was a bit shorter. No matter what I think though, Nintendo is at the right direction and if November 21st is any indication, they know what they're doing and they're doing it right.<br />
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<br />N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-83599341824621374022014-10-12T17:59:00.000-07:002014-10-12T17:59:01.022-07:00Review: Super Smash Bros (3DS)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Review by EggBeatr8<br />
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title: Super Smash Bros. for 3DS<br />
Developer: Nintendo<br />
Platform: 3DS<br />
Bottom Line: Minor shortcomings and unbalanced series representation still don't outweigh the replay value and extremely solid gameplay that can found in possibly the best Smash Bros experiences ever crafted.<br />
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WARNING: This review assumes that you've seen EVERYTHING that Smash Bros 3DS has to offer. If you somehow were able to avert your eyes from every major leak up to this point and don't want to spoil the game for yourself, then turn back NOW.<br />
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It seemed foolish to think that just mere weeks ago we were cursing Sakurai for possibly "ruining" the Smash Bros series by giving the option to make custom fighters, adding Dark Pit as a playable character, and removing the Ice Climbers entirely. It's almost damnable to call SSB3DS a bad game, but to call it a terrible game just because Ridely isn't in it (Spoiler #1: BOOM!) or just because it's not on a home console is done right unacceptable. SSB3DS pushes the hardware limits to the extreme: delivering one of the most fluid and solid Smash Bros experiences ever, that you can, for the first time ever, take with you in your pocket for that matter. It may not be perfect, far from it, but is it the best Smash Bros game so far? More or less, yes, yes it is. <br />
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In some aspects, SSB3DS's gameplay could be compared with Brawl, albeit with some major design changes. For one, tripping is thankfully gone for good; no more must we submit to the frustration and slight disgust of tripping for no reason at the worst time possible. But that's not the only change to gameplay: probably the most shining achievement is the character balancing. Every fighter is fine tuned just so as to not be overly powerful (ex: Metaknight) or feel too sluggy (ex: Bowser), offering a near perfect battle experience every game. It takes a bit more powerful blows to send a fighter flying off screen as well, so items like Home-Run Bats and Golden Hammers feel a little more welcome on screen than being a cheap handicap item to give the user an uberly cheap advantage over the competition. In fact, the items players will most likely go for now are the new Galaga Ship and Beetle items, which drag opponents off stage indefinitely if they're at a certain damage percentage. All in all, I've never once experienced slowdown in my first week playing SSB3DS, no matter how much stuff was happening on screen at once. All in all the gameplay is absolutely fantastic, and only made better by the incredibly smooth local connection with multiple players. On-line connection, on the other hand, does have considerable lag, and the amount of error codes I got trying to play with players on my friend's list was astounding, but even then the game held up consistently even with four players on the screen at once.<br />
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If one thing is for sure, SSB3DS definitely has a larger assortment of fighters than Brawl. On first glance, the roster appears to be a ridiculous assortment of novelty fighters like Wii Fit Trainer and Dr. Mario, but personal tastes aside, every fighter plays just as powerful and unique as the next. Characters like Greninja and Little Mac provide a super fast and easy way to play Smash, perfect for novice players, while more complex characters like Villager and Duck Hunt that require careful set up time and placement are more catered to metagame pros. Zero Suit Samus and Sheik are separate fighters from their Samus and Zelda counterparts respectively this time around, but it actually was for the best in the long run: both Zelda and Sheik have their own much needed new unique down specials, and players can finally use Samus' Final Smash without being forced to play as Zero Suit Samus- so even if it means them taking up another character slot, both ZSS and Sheik feel more like new fighters than veterans, so it's a more welcome change and gives more series representation. Literally the only problem I have with the roster is Sakurai's favoritism for representing his own favorite characters. Granted, I don't care if Kid Icarus gets three reps (even if one is a Pit clone) or FOUR Fire Emblems reps, but the fact that DK only gets no new fighters, and Metroid technically having one is really unnerving. And judging by the alternate costumes, you can tell characters like Bowser Jr. with 7 Koopaling costumes each with their own individual voice overs, and Little Mac with 16 ALTERNATE COSTUMES (?!!?!) probably had a higher priority than fighters like Pac-Man, whose alternate costumes look practically the same. Nonetheless, even if some fan desires were undelivered, the roster is still flipping amazing, and no one can say that three measly clones (not counting returning clones) are overshadowing a beefy roster of 48 characters, plus Mii Fighters; allowing you to pit Morgan Freeman, Jay Leno, and Michael Cera in a brawling match to the death. <br />
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The stages, on the other hand, are a mixed bag. Some newcomer stages are amazing: including the chaotic Dr. Wily's Castle in which Yellow Devil comes down to wreck havoc on players, and the retro 8-bit Pac-Man stage with ghost stage hazards; while some are just okay like the awkwardly asymetrical Gaur Plains stage from Xenoblade Chronicles and the vertical Tomodachi Life Stage; while the rest are plain right out recycled stages from Brawl. No one really asked for Mushroomy Kingdom back, and to add insult to injury the ground portion has been removed, and the stage somehow looks even worse on the 3DS. Other lesser mentions are the Jungle Japes and Corneria Melee stages, which ended being the only stages to represent their respective series (again: favoritism). It almost feels like the Omega Forms for stages, ergo, Final Destination forms, were meant to compensate for the low stage quality- and while they do make some stages actually barable to play on, it's a somewhat boring and needless addition to tempt item banning fanboys into playing on other stages for a change. <br />
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Characters and stages aside, replay value and content are major factors for Smash Bros, and the 3DS version is no pushover. SSB3DS features an assortment of unique modes, including returning Classic and All-Star modes, an updated Stadium mode, and the brand new Smash Run mode. Out of the returning modes, Classic feels even better than before: giving the players the ability to choose their difficulty level and the enemies they encounter to reap the most rewards at the end. If you have the guts to try 7.0 difficulty or higher, you'll encounter the nefarious Master Core; a pants soilingly powerful final boss with five forms that will give any smash veteran a run for his/her money (or technically, coins). All-Stars on the other hand remains unchanged from Brawl, and for this reason feels slightly more tedious than the other modes; probably for the fact that this time you have to complete it with 20+ more fighters. Stadium mode however, has been improved, featuring more smaller cookie cut modes including 10-Man Smash and Rival Smash. Thankfully the grueling 15-Minute Smash is gone, hopefully for good this time. Target Blast, though trying to imitate Angry Birds' gimmick of destroying architecture, is only fun for about 2 minutes and won't hold your attention for long.<br />
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What should hold your attention, however, is SSB3DS' spotlight mode, Smash Run. This mode pits you in an enclosed area as you fight your way through randomly generated enemies from Nintendo game series for three minutes, receiving power ups that in theory should give you an advantage once you enter the 'Final Battle' with your opponents who also went through the same process. To boost your chances of success even further you can also outfit your fighters pre-game with powers, tweak their stats, and giving them alternate special attacks (that is, if you found them playing in other modes or in Smash Run). This mode is the best way to obtain more customization items for your fighters and is ideal when you need more coins to attempt Classic on a higher difficulty. However, after a few rounds of Smash Run it's easy to spot its Achille's heel right away: the Final Battle. The Final Battle can be anything from 'Run faster than anyone else' to 'Team Smash' or to the baffling '300% Smash' which gives everyone 300% damage at the start which made the effort of collecting power-ups seem utterly fruitless. You have no idea which of these 'Final Battles' will take place, and since some characters clearly have overall stat advantages for certain Final Battles even without the power-ups, you'll either end up owning the entire game or lose absolutely by the opponent A.I. To be fair, regardless of its obvious faults, Smash Run is best when played locally with others. It's clear that it was meant merely for a fun mode to play with others and to collect customization parts, though I do wish it was less random.<br />
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To conclude my lengthy review, SSB3DS is the semi-best Smash Bros ever made (Yes, I'm calling the Wii U Version the better version), and you can't tell me otherwise. Yes, Smash Run can be broken, Little Mac will no doubt be banned within a week from now, the stage selection could've been better, and any fan will look at the roster of 48 and come up with a list of at least 10 fighters that the game should've had, but these objections should not deter anyone from enjoying one of the most essential titles on the 3DS. <br />
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Pros:<br />
+Astounding production values and character roster <br />
+Superb running speed keeps gameplay smooth at a constant framerate<br />
+Great Replay Value<br />
+On-line runs with few lagging issues (sometimes) <br />
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Cons:<br />
-Smash Run can be frustratingly random<br />
-Returning stages are a ho-hum affair<br />
-Uneven series representation<br />
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<br />N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-91868330637032917482014-08-29T13:32:00.002-07:002014-08-29T13:32:40.862-07:003 Reasons Why the 'New 3DS' is Going to Confuse Everyone<br />
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If you haven't already heard, during a Japanese 3DS Nintendo Direct this morning a new iteration of the 3DS model called the, I kid you not, 'New 3DS' is on the way, because if you hadn't realized it by now: Nintendo's console/game naming department is filled with cocaine addicts. This 'New' handheld features an upgraded CPU, a second analog stick that looks more like a zit, two additional ZR and ZL shoulder buttons, and a sleek new design that looks exactly like the previous 3DS(es)! It's literally the DSi of the 3DS generation, and if that console is any indication to the future of this 'New' handheld we're going to experience the whole "Which DS is which" scenario all over again, because...<br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. The Name 'New 3DS' Is the Most Vague Name Ever</b></span><br /><br />
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Hey, remember when the 3DS came out and FOX News called it a '3D DS'? Or remember way back when the DSi came out and GameSpot thought it was a new system? Hell, I remember when the 2DS first came out and some unfortunate GameStop employee had to describe the difference between that system and the 3DS to every parent that came into the store. Well now amplify that confusion to 11 because the 'New 3DS' is here! You can pretty much guess how that conversation will go down during Christmas shopping: </div>
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"I would like to buy a 3DS for my son." </div>
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"Will that be new or used?" </div>
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"New." </div>
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"Do you mean a new 3DS or the NEW 3DS?" </div>
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"Is there a difference?" </div>
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"The NEW 3DS plays new current 3DS games." </div>
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"Okay...I guess I'll buy my son that then." </div>
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"Will that be a new NEW 3DS or a used NEW 3DS?" </div>
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"Is there a difference?" </div>
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"No, one is just used." </div>
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"But you just said it was NEW??" </div>
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"Because it plays NEW games." </div>
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"So it can't play his older Game Boy and Xbox games?" </div>
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"ARRGH!"</div>
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<i>"So can this play 'NEW' 3DS games too?"</i></div>
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<i> "If I say yes, sir, will you leave the store?" </i></div>
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It's as if Nintendo never learned anything from the Wii U/Wii/Wii Mini everyone-thinks-it's-the-same-console-clusterf**k, they outdone naming stupidity once again by adding the prefix "New" to their consoles. Note that the 3DS also struggled to form an audience during it's first year <i>because</i> of it's similar name to the DS, so it's absolutely baffling why Nintendo would want to mimic that disastrous attempt at promoting two similar handheld iterations at once, only this time promoting <i>three</i> handheld iterations that look nearly identical and have similar names- <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/more-3ds-models-would-confuse-gamers-says-nintendo/1100-6384793/" target="_blank">and this is just two years after Iwata said there will be no more 3DS iterations because they would confuse gamers</a>. Most fanboys will know the difference and buy the console anyway, since that's the audience Nintendo is obviously trying to impress, but to the rest of the gaming public it's just another confusing DS iteration. But hey, at least it doesn't have exclusive games? Right? </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. It Will Have Exclusive Games You Can't Play on Previous 3DS Systems. </span></b></div>
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I've already read dozens of posts in comment sections defending Xenoblade as a N3DS exclusive by saying ignorant quips like "This is no different than Apple releasing a new iPhone every year, and everyone buys still it no matter what economy we're in. This is no different and you'll just buy it anyway". It's amazing we're still comparing apples (no pun intended) to oranges, and it's highly stereotypical to believe that every gamer is a fanboy who throws money at every single new hardware that comes out. It seems to be an elaborate scam to tease cult gamers into buying a system they don't technically want. It gets worse when developers jump in on the action and start producing games exclusively for that handheld iteration (I'm looking at you WayForward), and at one point the DSi was even starting to get re-tail games. RE-TAIL. Not downloadable games mind you, but physical copies of DSi games next to DS games, because confusing people apparently boosts sales. Fortunately, you can only name all the physical DSi re-tail games on one hand, and pretty much all 100% of them were awful enough to deter other developers from supporting the system. </div>
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<i>This game probably only ruined about two birthdays and one guy's video game boxart career tops. </i></div>
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Judging by the reports of the N3DS having an upgraded CPU, Nintendo will inevitably promote it as a 'New' handheld system, and more exclusives will inevitably follow after Xenoblade, potentially something like the Pokemon X and Y sequels or GBA VC just to sell consoles. And it's a stretch, but who knows if they'll raise the price of these exclusives to $50 a pop just because they can. But hey, it's your money, so I don't care how you use it. Just note that.... </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. You'll End Up Buying a Prototype To the Next Gen Nintendo Handheld </span></b></div>
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The 'New' 3DS is to the next portable system as the DSi was to the 3DS: a prototype for what's to come, and not much more. So far, what little 'new' the N3DS does offer isn't anything spectacular. The 3DS is already getting an amiibo peripheral, and you can buy a Circle Pad Pro for a second analog stick if you really wanted it. Considering that the N3DS is releasing in Japan just a month after Smash Bros 3DS its primary existence could just be a glorified Smash Bros peripheral. Will the extra shoulder buttons even be backwards compatible? Would we need them other than for Monster Hunter? Probably not. </div>
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Its shelf-life won't be incredibly long either. Judging by Nintendo's launch timeline, the DSi was released 5 years after the DS, with the 3DS released just 2 years later. If that's any indication Nintendo has one year to convince people into buying the thing, a year to convince them to buy what ever exclusives the iteration will have and another year to disappoint everyone when they announce the next gen handheld. While the 3DS could last a lot longer than what I'm speculating, the fact still stands that the next gen handheld is in the making, so buying a whole new iteration now would be gambling $160 on something that will be outdated in a few years. </div>
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<i>It's like the 2DS...only with 3D!</i> </div>
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Here's my tip to Nintendo before releasing this iteration to western audiences: remove the moniker 'New' in its title and replace it with something like the suffix 'Pro', and then sell it as a '3DS with Circle Pad Pro built-in', while taking special care to promote this as a 3DS and not a new system. And finally, instead of full-on exclusives why not just give exclusive content to N3DS owners? At least that way everyone gets the game. Just try not to confuse everyone too much this time around, okay?</div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-38395990843142164432014-06-13T10:26:00.001-07:002014-06-13T10:26:14.936-07:00Nintendo @ E3 2014 Impressions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not one to immediately jump to conclusions as to which big company "wins" E3 every year, so that's probably why you're reading this three days after the Digital Event, but now I've had time to come to a consensus and from what I've seen this year, Nintendo really knocked it out of the park. While Microsoft and Sony were catering to the teenage angst of fan services, glorifying 60 fps and exclusive DLC like they were the raining holy mana bread of gaming, Nintendo took the Digital Event and Treehouse after party as a means to showcase what games are truly meant for: fun. Here are the main highlights from this week's Nintendo @ E3:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>THE AWESOME </b><br />
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Of course, Nintendo kicked off the show with Smash Bros, because we were all pretty much thinking that it would make more sense to reveal the new Zelda at the end of the show and have Smash as the appetizer for this year (more on Zelda a little later). The trailer showed Reggie in the flesh battling Iwata, but thankfully the Mii Fighter was revealed to be the new playable character(s) and not Reggie as a standalone (sorry petition signers). That wasn't the last of the character announcements though, for Palutena was revealed just before the Digital Event ended, and at night the same day during a roundtable presentation Pac-Man joined the roster as the third 3rd (sorry)-Party character; sporting his 80's retro look and thankfully not his "character with 'tude" modern design. After all that hype it's a bummer the 3DS version's release date has been set for October 3rd...which Sakurai claims is summer - "Summer" as in a time when everyone is in the middle of school and have no time for games whatsoever. Sigh, at least we got some amazing gameplay footage from the Invitational and daily Miiverse pics to tide us over a little. </div>
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But new smash characters wasn't the only new announcement they had up their sleeve. Yoshi's Woolly World, and Kirby and the Rainbow Curse showed off their yarn and claymation art styles respectively, being ever so adorable while showcasing what the Wii U is capable of. Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker was another big surprise, and it's about time Toad finally got his main adventure, puzzle game or not. Monolith's Wii U project formerly called "X" has finally got a decent story trailer it deserved and an official name: Xenoblade Chronicles X. Though the trailer had shown some strangely ugly character designs for a game that's supposed to look hyper-realistic, the Treehouse appeased those worries by playing a demo of the game where the characters actually looked decent, so the trailer shown at the Digital Event was probably from a different development stage in the game. Nevertheless, I have this to say: Xenoblade is getting a spiritual sequel ahhhhhh exclamation point asterisk semi-colon dollar sign eeeeeek!!!! It's a shame its release date got pushed to 2015, but at least it gives me more time to focus on Smash Bros 3DS and Pokemon ORAS. </div>
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Another big surprise is the inclusion of the original Bayonetta in Bayonetta 2, which should make every Wii U gamer who didn't play the original very happy. I know it makes me happy, I mean someone FINALLY did an exclusive console sequel right this time. I'm not even going to mention the xbots who are still sadsacks after this, because they choose to have Forza Motorsports and Conker's Bad Disney Project Spark or whatever, so it's their lose when they're watching Bayonetta blasting away demons in a Samus suit. </div>
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<i>Xboxone game of the year conf- ZING! </i></div>
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Zelda didn't come first nor did appear last in the digital Event, but boy howdy did it make a lasting impression. If those real-time game images are to believed, this game is going to look freaking gorgeous. The most exciting part? It's the first full 3D Open-World Zelda game on a home console. It's the Zelda game I've praying for ever since I hit a brick wall in Skyward Sword (that brick wall being the game's tutorial monger, Fi), and now it appears I'm getting my wish. Dumb teases over Link's gender aside, there's nothing bad going for this game and I absolutely can't wait for more information. </div>
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<i>Xboxone game of the year conf- ZING! </i></div>
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<b>THE GOOD </b></div>
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<i>Huh? </i></div>
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From the crazy opening Robot Chicken skit in which Reggie ingested a fire flower and sets an annoying fan on fire for asking for Mother 3, we can pretty much tell what theme Nintendo was aiming for this year: "Shut the f*** up, our game's are awesome and we're edgy and hip!" It's not everyday that Nintendo strikes back at it's whiny fanbase and/or uses a cartoon from Adult Swim to demonstrate it, so it was pretty damn hilarious. </div>
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There wasn't much Mario this time around, save for one game Mario Maker where you can make your own 2-D Mario games. Yep, it's almost like Nintendo is saying: "Hell, if you don't like our New Super Mario Bros games THEN MAKE YOUR OWN!!!" The Mario Maker was shown in a humorous trailer in which Mario was unable to pass through a wall to get to the castle...which is a good indication that you can totally make broken levels, which probably means that the game is more of an evil trolling tool to make everyone you know hate your guts for putting a pipe right over an unpassable gap. And hey, you even share your levels around the world, so why stop with just people you know? </div>
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But who cares about that when there's a new Star Fox game in the making! Too bad they weren't any pics to show at this point in development, but Miyamoto had two other new Wii U IPs to show to make up for it. One was called Project Giant Robo and had you use the Wii U pad to walk through a populated city and tip over other giant robots, and the other Project Guard, which is a strategic shooter where you place camera turrets in key points on top of a maze and blast at robots (who look strangely like R.O.B) before they can reach your core reactor. The latter looks to be a really deep game, the former project, however looks more like a silly concept at this point and I can't really judge too much on it until I see more gameplay, but so far it looks a 3rd-Party title you would easily forget existed a year later after its release - hopefully that's not the case with the final product. </div>
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<i>If nothing else, the robot editor allows anyone to create robot head penises. </i></div>
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Probably the most exciting new IP is Codename S.T.E.A.M, a turn based strategy game being developed by Intelligent Systems for the 3DS. The game is in a steampunk setting with main heroes inspired by American comic books and enemies modeled from H.P. Lovecraft novels, and it's gameplay is a cross between Advance Wars and Valkyria Chronicles. You can also play as Abraham Lincoln, because holy crap, after that description this game can't get more over the top than it already is. Definitely will be be looking closely at this title in the months to come. </div>
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<i>Coincidence? </i></div>
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And then there's Splatoon...as if anyone doesn't know what that is at this point... </div>
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<b>THE BAD</b> </div>
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Look, I'm not going to say Splatoon looks bad in the least, because it looks pretty darn fun, but it was honestly this year's Nintendo Land, in which Nintendo gave a freaking 10 minute slot for a virtually unknown game at the end of the show and would not stop talking about it. I think I can vouch for everyone that we all thought "Thank goddess!" at once when we saw the Smash insigna at the end of the event, because let's face it, this is like a circus performance where the last act is a sad clown who juggles three balls, falls on his butt, and then gets up and leaves, I mean you got to end the show with a bang (shoot the clown if you have to if that's the "bang" you're looking for). Granted, the rest of the show was brilliant to complain about one game, but why would you give Zelda less time than this game, come on.</div>
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That aside, the secrecy surrounding amiibo and what the figures actually do in other titles besides Smash Bros. was a little disappointing. Though we did get a good list of titles the amiibo will cover in the future, they're mostly if not all Mario games, and though it's exciting Mario Kart 8 is compatible with the figurines, it's disappointing that nothing was shown for it. But that's just me, since I'll buy them all anyway, though I just think it's strange that Nintendo would be so secret about something they believe would save Wii U sales. </div>
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<i>"It's a-mii, maribo! Get it? Because his name is...yeah, forget it."</i></div>
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And speaking of secrecy, what was up with those disclosed roundtables? What was the point of that if they allowed us to see them an hour later???? Reading that Pac-Man was a newcomer on a liveblog is so much less exciting than watching a reveal trailer that it makes less sense the more you try to come up with a conclusion as to why the roundtable wasn't streamed. Same thing with the reveal of Codename S.T.E.A.M - <i>a game we had no idea about and cannot even begin to picture what the heck it even is without pictures. </i>Needless to say, both announcements were great, but please don't try to pull this off again next year, Nintendo, because it's completely arbitrary and no one likes it. </div>
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OVERALL: 5/5 </div>
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Call me a fanboy, but when I'm playing a Nintendo system, I'm home, and every year E3 enforces that psychology for me. I love this Digital Event because it finally proved that Nintendo does care about making new IPs, and sure as heck would never stoop to the greys and browns of military shooters and their exclusive DLC that Microsoft and Sony keep fighting over like a bunch of rabid hounds. We might not have gotten everything we wanted this year, namely SMTxFE, "Pokken Fighters", or a new Metroid, but there's always monthly Directs for those games anyway. To conclude, this year was great, with minor shortcomings, and I wish Nintendo good luck in getting more Wii U sales once Smash Bros Wii U enter the scene.</div>
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<br />N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-13752778348858871922014-06-03T18:31:00.000-07:002014-06-03T18:31:02.345-07:003 Signs That Sonic Boom Won't SuckMonths after its <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRprvD5J-YA" target="_blank">initial announcement trailer </a>and just days after <a href="http://www.gonintendo.com/s/229595-sonic-boom-wii-u-3ds-video-previews-and-footage" target="_blank">two extensive gameplay trailers were shown</a>, it's safe to say that not everyone has really warmed up to the Wii U exclusive Sonic Boom and its steroid abominations that are supposedly the games' main heroes. Granted, any sane/insane person could find a million things wrong with this game before it's even released, most of which bring up questions like "Why does Knuckles look like a freaking jock?", "Why are they using Skrillex music in a video game?", and "Why the hell does Sonic have bandages on his shoes?"<br />
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Seems like an impractical way to prevent third degree scoff marks.</div>
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Thankfully, the redesigns are not permanent as Big Red Button Entertainment (the lead design team behind the game) assured everyone that <a href="http://www.sonicstadium.org/2014/02/sonic-boom-will-not-be-replacing-the-old-universe/" target="_blank">the game will not replace the mainstream Sonic series</a>, and is meant as a separate spin-off, not as a reboot. Unpredictably, Sonic fans are still not keen on the idea, and no one can blame them after the mixed reactions of Lost World, but remember this is exactly how they felt when Sonic Colors was announced after the puke-fest that was literally any Sonic game released before 2010. You still might call out "bullsh*t, it's still going to suck", but there are 3 relevant signs that we could all be wrong and that Sonic Boom could be the next best Sonic game since Generations. </div>
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<a name='more'></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">3. This Could Be the Sonic Game That Finally Does An Open-World Right.</span></b><br />
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Sonic games, especially the 2-D platformers, have always been a linear affair that when mixed with an open-world hub have produced mixed results. The main problem with the open worlds in previous 3-D Sonic games is that they were basically an excuse for the developers to shoehorn in arbitrary side-quests and mini-games in attempt to lengthen the game by forcing you to play as all the characters one by one to see 100% completion (Sonic Adventure and Sonic 06 being the worst offenders). The Sonic Advance titles had an interesting mini hub world that connected all the games' stages (Sonic Generations actually borrowed this concept years later), but those ultimately felt lacking. </div>
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Sonic Boom could remedy this problem for good, and so far the open world screenshots look promising. Plus, having four characters present at all times not only means that needless game filler is no more, but it also means that full exploration of the world isn't restricted to just one character at a time, which plagued every single Sonic game that had an open world. Imagine Sonic Unleashed if the game had let you change from Werehog to hedgehog whenever you felt like it - that's Sonic Boom. Not only is it the spiritual third sequel to Sonic Adventures that almost every Sonic fanboy has been begging for for the past thirteen years, but we're finally getting a spiritual sequel to Sonic Heroes <i>as well.</i> And yet all we can think about is how stupidly buff Knuckles is, but there's a reason for that... </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. It's the Next-Gen Crash Bandicoot Game We'll Never Get.</span></b> </div>
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Of course, who gives a two-sides of a buttocks if Sonic Boom isn't being developed by someone noteworthy? At first, "Big Red Button Entertainment" sounds like a generic shovelware producer put together at the last minute to leech off of a Nintendo console, but it's actually a company founded by former Naughty Dog art directors, <a href="http://brbent.com/" target="_blank">Bob Rafei and Jeff Lander plus a small army of developers from well-known game studios.</a> Rafei and Lander worked on big Naughty Dog titles including Crash Bandicoot (before Naughty Dog sold the rights to Universal), Jak and Daxter, and Uncharted - so they <i>know</i> how to make a platformer and to do it well. </div>
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Knowing this the redesign of Knuckles actually makes sense as Rafei explained: </div>
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<i>"It's really important for me to make sure when you have an ensemble of
characters that they all have distinct shapes so you can quickly
[internalize] the variety between them. With that comes a quick
understanding on who these characters are. That's why, for instance, we
requested to beef up Knuckles, to make him look more like the bruiser he
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Every character redesign reflects previous designs of Crash Bandicoot characters, whether having noodle arms or a lack of. You could probably replace the Sonic mains with Crash Bandicoot and pals, and no one would know the difference. Some might find it dumb that they could have just made a new Crash Bandicoot game, what with Sony having no plans for a PS4 game, <a href="http://mynintendonews.com/2013/03/10/new-crash-bandicoot-game-coming-to-wii-u/" target="_blank">the rumored Activison title being short-lived</a>, and the fact that the only thing fans can hold on to is a <a href="http://www.moddb.com/games/crash-bandicoot-return" target="_blank">Crysis 3 mod, </a>but at least we know Sonic Boom is in good hands.</div>
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<a href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/93998/1775391-crash1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/93998/1775391-crash1.jpg" height="201" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i> Every screenshot of this mod has Crash's back turned away in shame.</i></div>
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The way the game supposedly plays has also created an uproar among fans, because unpredictably, whenever a Sonic game doesn't feature only Sonic running fast it's automatically bad according to the fanboys. Which is a dumb accusation considering...</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Sonic Boom Is More Than Just Speed (And That's A Good Thing).</span></b></div>
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Speed has been the biggest controversy in Sonic games - which I can agree on some levels, but when fans start complaining when Sonic is in a car instead of racing on foot you know we've gotten far too carried away with the Sonic-is-always-fast argument (every racer in SASASR is in a kart, why would Sonic be the only one <i>not</i> in a kart?). We always tend to forget that the original Genesis games were great not because they focused just on speed, but on platforming and fast puzzle solving as well. Enemy placement actually mattered, but after Sonic Rush they just become minor speed bumps to bulldoze through. Look at the huge gameplay differences between the retro and new Sonic levels in Generations and you'll understand exactly how the series has changed though a 20 year period. That said, I don't mind the occasional rollercoaster style Sonic game, but it's time for something more than holding down a button through an entire level. </div>
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An Action Metroidvania style Sonic game might just be the thing to spice things up, and it's the perfect excuse for the developers to incorporate old-school mechanics. "NO SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP," a Sonic fanboy will no doubt shout in my ear "AN ACTION SONIC GAME CAN'T WORK HAVE YOU NOT PLAYED UNLEASHED OR BLACK KNIGHT AT ALL STUPID?!?!?!" In reply I say get out right now. Like I said about Crash Bandicoot, it all depends on the development team whether a game is good or not, and Big Red Button Entertainment could very well pull off a great Sonic game. A hack and slash beat em' up Metal Gear Solid would've never worked if it wasn't for Hideo Kojima handing Platinum Games the helm to revamp the game. It's too soon to tell whether Sonic Boom would bomb or not, but considering how pessimistic the internet was during the announcement of Colors I'm not giving up and saying Sonic Boom would downright stink just to agree with the popular opinion.</div>
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But whether Sonic Boom stinks or not matters little to the canonicity of the franchise and absolutely nothing to the fanbase at this point. If anything the presentation should prove to be the deal breaker for this outing...<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzIZL8ds8C0" target="_blank">because the music by Skrillex isn't</a>, but I guess we can have everything nice.</div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-59783546251960576252014-05-14T17:41:00.005-07:002014-05-14T17:41:47.428-07:00What Nintendo needs to do (and not do) with the "Nintendo Figurine Platform"Well, we're just a month away from Nintendo's big "E3" conference and I'm sure everyone is beginning to use their Jedi mind tricks to predict the outcome of the show, so they can complain afterwards that [some title] wasn't shown, yada, yada...yeah I'm not doing that. Sorry, no. What I will be doing, however, is discuss about Nintendo's latest surprise announcement last week: <a href="http://www.polygon.com/2014/5/7/5693376/wii-u-nfc-mario-figurines-nintendo" target="_blank">"Nintendo Figurine Platform"</a> which is the company's answer to Skylanderss/Disney Infinitys' buy-expensive-toys-to-unlock-game-content gimmick. Many fans probably reacted to this news with a chorus of "ughhss" and "hell no"s, and rightly so, but note that we haven't seen any of these figurines in action and no tie-in games have been officially announced, so we can't be entirely pessimistic...yet. On one hand, the prospect of collecting video game figurines is enticing, but there is so many directions where this could go sour fast.<br />
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"It's-a-me! Your wallet's arch-nemesis!"</div>
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So I made it my goal in this blog to name specifically what Nintendo needs to do (and on any accounts, do not do) with the NFP.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: lime;"><b>Do tie it in with Smash Bros Wii U/3DS:</b></span> The old <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eajoen8TeT8" target="_blank">Smash Bros. Melee intro trailer</a> from 2001 shows a kid throwing a Mario trophy in the air, which then descends on the ground, lights up, and comes to life -- back then we thought nothing of it, but now it's completely possible and it needs to be done. The fact that the NFP is compatible with both Wii U/3DS is perfect, since no one will get cheated from being able to use figurine exclusive characters. And the best part: It would give smash fans more hope for future fighters to be included in the game(s), and the trophies would look wicked sick on top of our moniters.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Do NOT lock content that can only be unlocked by using figurines:</b></span> The bone with Skylanders is that you pay $70 for 80% of a game that requires you to pay for more figurines in order to complete the last 20%. It's an absolute grotesque gimmick of an otherwise cool idea that would make Capcom jealous, and it's just plain out frivolous. I believe in Nintendo more than this, but their latest trends with DLC in recent years has made me a little skeptical. If NFP means that we have to BUY Waluigi for Mario Kart 9 then the whole point of the gimmick is to milk money -- and that's not cool.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><b>Do let third parties in on the action:</b></span> Hey, why should this be limited to just Nintendo figurines? This is the perfect opportunity for the Wii U get some major third party attention. Okay, maybe not "major" attention, but if third parties to want to make their own figurines for the NFP, then what does Nintendo have against that? While not a whole lot of third parties would actually jump the bandwagon to use it, the possibility of collecting figurines from third-party series including Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear Solid, and Mass Effect would give gamers an incentive to buy the Wii U version of those games (it's wishful thinking, I know, but you never know what could happen). And while we're on the subject...<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Do NOT make this your master plan to save the Wii U: </span></b>Look...I know it's too early to judge whether this will boost Wii U sales, but if this (and GBA Virtual Console) is Nintendo's master plan to save the Wii U then...well, good luck to them. Whether it will out compete with Disney Infinity is uncertain, and who knows if anyone would even bother with yet another money mulching toy-to-game gimmick for kids to milk money from their parents. Nintendo is doing the right thing by allowing one figurine to access multiply games, but is a few IPs enough? Unless...<br />
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<b><span style="color: lime;">Do use Pokemon to promote it:</span></b> Yes, I do realize Pokemon Rumble U has already tapped into the whole figurine gimmick, but I don't mean they should make more Rumble figurines for the NFP: re-release different Pokemon figurines that look less like big headed N64 polygons and tie them in to a new game.And I imagine everyone is dieing for a good Pokemon game for the Wii U, so it's a win-win for everyone (But a Pokemon Snap 2 would be nice as well). Plus Pikachu and company are equally if not more well-known than the Spyro and Disney IPs, so Nintendo would have no trouble gathering up an already existing fanbase to buy their toys.<br />
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If nothing else...the NFP is a promising addition to the Nintendo consoles, and E3 is going to be most intriguing this year when Nintendo reveals what new titles will take advantage of this tried-but-true gimmick. Let's hope they know what they're doing.<br />
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<br />N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-75797845245035358032014-04-09T18:21:00.000-07:002014-04-09T18:21:32.425-07:00Smash Bros. Direct 2.8.14 Impressions<div style="text-align: center;">
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Like Greninja, yesterday's Smash Bros.-exclusive Direct made a huge splash. (and this time it was super effective) Here's the most notable highlights: </div>
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<a name='more'></a><b>THE AWESOME </b><br />
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"Yippie-Ki-yay motherfu-" </div>
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<b>New and Improved:</b> Holy flying spaghetti in the sky where do I even begin. To think we were calling Brawl the best game of all time 6 years - we're now getting a Smash Bros. with the craziest set of items ever imagined, revamped fighters, an approved on-line mode, and Mega-bleeping-nostalgic-megabuster-Final-Smash-Man. From Kid Icarus' new Three Sacred Treasures Final Smash that actually doesn't suck, to Charizard's new speedy moveset, to Zelda's new Dark Nut move Smash Bros.' metagame is definitely changing. Now if they can just refrain from giving all the Star Fox fighters Landmasters. </div>
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<b>The Launch Window: </b>Viewers were met with a one-two punch during the beginning of the Direct when Sakurai announced release information for both games. While we didn't get exact release dates, the 3DS/Wii-U versions of the game got a summer and winter launch window this year respectively. It's exciting to think we'll be able to play the 3DS version before fall, though it's rather unfortunate and odd that the Wii U version has to be delayed until winter, especially this being the system's most troubling year. Yet again, we'll have to wait until E3 to see what the heck Nintendo is going to do this year. </div>
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<b>Greninja:</b> If anyone deserves the title of "troll of the year", it's the guy who scared everyone into believing Palutena was just a trophy only to reveal it to be Pseudo-Palutena. Even after the show appeared to be over the shenanigans didn't end there: what looked like Mewtwo charging up a Shadowball was revealed to be a different Pokemon entirely: Greninja. GRENINJA. Not saying I'm disappointed (because Greninja looks amazing), I'm just saying Sakurai is the most genius S.O.B of the history of the universe. </div>
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<b>THE GOOD </b></div>
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<b>Smash Run:</b> Remember that weird mysterious pic of a stage Sakurai posted on MiiVerse that had no real explanation? Well, turns out it wasn't from Rayman Legends nor was it an adventure mode like everyone thought it would be. It's a Kirby City-Trial-esk new mode called Smash run in which players collect stat boosting collectibles before personally duking it out one-on-one. Pretty cool stuff. Now let's see what the Wii U version has in store. </div>
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<b>Yoshi!:</b> Because the fanbase wouldn't shut the hell up about Yoshi's absence from the SSB4 roster - as if Sakurai would ditch one of the original SSB characters out of the SSB4 games, I mean come on people use your stupid head - Yoshi was revealed in the Direct. It doesn't appear that his moveset has been altered, but damn does his color palette for these games look shiny. </div>
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<b>THE BAD: </b></div>
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<a href="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--rwe5NeDo--/c_fit,fl_progressive,w_636/tvftl1blg3qwh2ipcskw.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--rwe5NeDo--/c_fit,fl_progressive,w_636/tvftl1blg3qwh2ipcskw.png" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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"You know...for people who hate fun!" </div>
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F<b>inal Destination...EVERYWHERE: </b>Why in the heck is Sakurai kissing the butts of the whiny competitive Smash fanbase? Granted, maybe separating the on-line community would be good in the long-run, but does every stage need a Final Destination form? Really?? I'm surprised those stages don't force everyone to play as Fox with items off. </div>
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<b>Sheik and Zero Suit Samus as separate characters:</b> To think Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale having both Cole and 'Evil' Cole in the same roster was bad game design - Nintendo had to go and make Sheik and Zero Suit Samus separate characters. (And what the heck is up with Zero Suit Samus' rocket-powered boots looking like high-heels? How can she even fight in those things???) This is a lazy way to fill up a roster, and I don't care if it means Samus' Final Smash won't trigger her Zero Suit transformation - can't we just switch between forms like Wii Fit Trainer? </div>
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OVERALL: 4.5/5 </div>
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The Smash Bros. Direct produced a lot of reactions, the most common three being: "Uhh...","Uhh???", and "Uhh?!?!!!" To say the wait for these games would be excruciating is an understatement. Whether Sakurai was being a troll or a substituting Pokemon throughout the Direct - he nonetheless got us all hyped for the next big game(s) in the Smash Bros. series.</div>
N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-64980643713139315412014-03-30T15:33:00.001-07:002014-03-30T15:33:18.622-07:004 Ways The Gaming Industry Has Lost Its Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="lightBoxWrapper"><span class="img-border"><img alt="DS Games Are Coming To the Wii U&#39;s Virtual Console" class="transform-com.kinja.core.model.Image$Size$KinjaUncroppedExtraLarge$@1d4e93e3" data-asset-url="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--YSuoL8C6--/c_fit,w_636/19e3dw2c3ecfyjpg.jpg" data-chomp-id="19e3dw2c3ecfyjpg" data-format="jpg" height="358" id="img-0" src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--YSuoL8C6--/c_fit,w_636/19e3dw2c3ecfyjpg.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></div>
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Gamers are partly to blame for the major decisions the game industry makes. If we buy every FPS consisting of rainbow candy bullets and quantum breast physics then you can bet the marketing gods that we would get a sequel to that game every year until the universe implodes within itself. Though granted, the gaming market has the most power in what games we play, and possibly has less knowledge of what the heck gamers actually like, which is why sometimes a developer might say "Hey, you know that <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/shaq-fu-a-legend-reborn" target="_blank">Shaq Fu</a>/Final Fantasy game that no one liked the first time? Let's do it right this time." and more often say "Hey, you know that F-Zero game that everyone liked the first time? Well f*** them we cater to a niche group of gamers (Also please buy a Wii U)." The gaming industry isn't always cut and dry, <a href="http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/Professor-Layton-vs-Phoenix-Wright-Ace-Attorney-845517.html" target="_blank">and we occasionally get a real nice surprising treat once and while</a>, which is why when we get something like the following it brings up the question if the gaming market even understands its audience anymore.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Nintendo Assumes Gamers Like Playing Portable Games on a Home Console.</b></span><br />
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I've tried looking at this from every angle, and every time I came back to the same conclusion that the only time playing portable games on a bigger screen was hip was when the GameBoy Player was relevant and actually allowed you to take your Game Boy cartridges out of it if you wanted to play them on your GBA. GBA VR on the Wii U takes that concept and eliminates the need for cartridges, while also eliminating the hassle of taking games with you where ever you go...apparently. Nintendo believing that putting GBA games on a home console would encourage people to buy a Wii U is like saying a zoo could encourage more visitors if it enclosed the petting zoo by a 18 ft. fence (it's more exciting if you pretend all the goats are bears). </div>
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And because the lovely folks at Nintendo are apparently throwing darts blind-folded at a dart board filled with the worst ideas ever (they still haven't hit "offer rights for a Mario's Time Machine sequel"), <a href="http://kotaku.com/nintendo-is-bringing-ds-games-to-the-virtual-console-1512079422" target="_blank">we will soon be able to download DS games right to our Wii U's as well</a>. What do 3DS gamers get out of this in exchange? 3-D SEGA Genesis titles...that are just SEGA Genesis titles if you're playing them on the 2DS. Because Gamecube VR on either system would be a ridiculous idea, apparently. </div>
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<i>It's not like people actually play games on this system or anything. </i></div>
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And not to mention the countless mobile game ports of games like Angry Birds, Tank! Tank! Tank!, and Tetris leaching unto the Wii U as if the first thing people want to do when they get home after playing nothing but time-wasting idle games on their phone is to sit down and play more time-wasting idle game. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Everyone is Making a Gaming Console</b></span><br />
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<i>How the heck will this even fit in a pocket?</i> </div>
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Hey, remember the days when there was only three game consoles and each had it's own set of niche exclusives? Now amplify that to ten times and you have today's issue: every software developer literally took a glance at the gaming market and said, with cartoon dollar signs in their eyes "yep, we're doing THAT now". Not only is Valve making their own gaming console, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2590892/Kindle-TV-coming-Amazon-set-reveal-TV-plans-week-games-console-well.html" target="_blank">Amazon has been rumored to be working on their own as well</a>, and it has been reported that the next Apple TV will have <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2014/01/24/report-next-apple-tv-will-have-a-games-console/" target="_blank">a built-in game console.</a> It's just a matter of time before Google rears in its ugly face and produces their own video game console that will most likely convert every electonic in your house into a default Google + password system of despair. Granted, we can't have great games without some third-party competition, but it's all both too much and nothing has really broken the mold yet. Does anyone even know what an Ouya is?</div>
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<i>Pillsbury Ouya Boy? </i></div>
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If a $99 USB port hub can't change gaming, then a $350 Nvidia Shield, which would pretty much be obsolete before it leaves the box, certainly is not going to turn any heads, especially to the PC purists it's supposed to attract. Plus, these systems don't really offer anything exceptionally new that you can't find elsewhere. That Angry Birds game you're playing on the Android powered <a href="https://gamestick.tv/" target="_blank">GameStick</a>? Yeah, you can play that already on any smartphone ever birthed from the anals of time, or you can play it for free on-line anytime. That Mass Effect 3 game you're playing on the Ouya? You can buy the whole trilogy on a different console. </div>
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I'm not saying third-parties should never make a new console, I'm just saying there's reasons why some people only buy one console every new generation; and it's more about lack of time, money, and space to put all that s*** than just being a software fanboy. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Game Releases Are Becoming An Annual Thing</span></b></div>
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Once upon a time, waiting for a game's release date was practically a religious art. Not only did you have to wait years for the next Kingdom Hearts or Zelda game, but you also had to dodge the innumerable spoilers and rumors like they were eye raping facehuggers. Sure, the build-up of hype for Smash Bros. Brawl was tremendous and exhausting, but at least the game worked and didn't spontaneously exploded when you inserted it into your system. Now enter 2014 and the term "waiting" has lost meaning for both developers and gamers. Remember when there was a new Assassins Creed roughly every other year? Well forget that, because now we're getting an AC <i>every</i> year- not counting spin-offs and the fact that we're getting at least <i>two</i> AC this year. Ubi-Soft's excuse to it all? “We are able to offer people a new Assassin’s Creed every year because they want Assassin’s Creed every year”, which is like a 400 Ib. binge eater defending his mid-night snackathon simply because the food was in the fridge. </div>
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WB Games/Rocksteady's excuse for three Batman titles in two years? They thought the 3 year wait period after Arkham City for another Batman would be <a href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=779183" target="_blank">too long for the fans</a>, so they hired WB Montreal to make Origins, which was also released with a 3DS sequel that is now getting its own port this year along with Arkham Knight. Tetsuya Nomura, creator of Kingdom Hearts, has even commented years ago that his vision for the series is to make a new (or remake of a previous) Kingdom Hearts game to be released every flippin' year, and so far it has happened. That's right: a series that's held tight by a very cult niche group of fans is increasingly becoming another annual sports 20XX game.<br />
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FIFA14: More or Less Edition </div>
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Please STOP. You're ruining the quality of your games by releasing a re-skin of the previous game every year. Take more time to develop your games: improve them, give enough time to incorporate new ideas. If the final product sucks after a 3 year development, learn from your mistakes and improve upon it for the sequel. Somethings don't need to be fixed, but if something becomes stale after overuse - break it, fix it, and make it better. </div>
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And if nothing else don't make a movie out of it... </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. More Video Game Are Getting Film Adaptions Then Ever Before</span></b></div>
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On a scale from 1 to 10 to rank how bad of an idea adapting a video game to movie is, the premise would deserve a full 10.5 on the awful scale and a good twenty minute beating with a folding chair (depending on lunch break hours). The Super Mario Brothers proved two things: 1) Hollywood is either Satan or Michael Bay when it comes to movie adaptions of our fond childhood memories and must be exorcised with Holy Water and silver bullets to the head, and 2) Video games make terrible movies, because you can't just cram an expansive interactive experience into 2 hours - that's why movies and video games have always been separate media. <br />
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As if no one learned anything from the movie adaption atrocities that were Doom, Mortal Kombat, and the hundred campy Resident Evil flicks, Disney went and greenlit the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time movie, which was released in 2010 and earned over $90M in ticket sales despite being a subpar campy film that uses time travel as an excuse to reuse set pieces.<br />
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"Guys, look! I see something in the horizon...nope never mind it's just more sand." </div>
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5 years ago no one gave a tapir's behind about video game adaptions, yet it is as if Hollywood looked at The Sands of Time's so-so box office success, slapped their foreheads and exclaimed "NEW FAD BUY ALL THE RIGHTS BEFORE IT GETS OLD!!!!" Now we have game developers lining up to get their games adapting into movies, because this is what happens when a majority of your income is dependent on whether your game's DLC sells. The crappy Need for Speed movie is just the tip of the turdberg: Assassin's Creed, Angry Birds, Ratchet and Clank, and Sly Cooper are all getting film adaptions as early as 2015 . Not to mention a Last of Us movie (no mention if Ellen Page is going to reprise the role of Ellie), a flippin' live-action Minecraft movie, a World of Warcraft movie, and a Mass Effect movie are to be in the works - the latter probably becoming three movies, because Hollywood can't stop touching itself at night. </div>
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And I haven't even named the worst of the proposed screen adaptions: a Rollercoaster Tycoon movie by the writers that gave us The Smurfs, the Dead Island movie that was inspired from a freakin' teaser trailer of a bloody zombie game, and a proposed <a href="http://screenrant.com/josh-trank-talks-shadow-colossus-movie/" target="_blank">Shadow of the Colossus movie</a>...yes, that's still in production. Either that's going to be a 3 hour snorefest consisting of a guy killing a Colossi 16 times, or the movie will be abridged to the point of it resembling nothing like the original game. I'm going to say they'll pick either the latter, or make a trilogy. </div>
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<i> And if it's anything like the video game, expect frequent suspenseful scenes of the hero falling off the Colossi, then climbing back up again only to fall back down... </i></div>
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Well, Gaming Industry - that's my rant. You'll probably never read this and if you did you'd probably disagree with #2 the most, but before you go and make future decisions at least know who your audience is. It's all I'm asking. We don't need history repeating itself... </div>
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Well, at least the tagline was honest. </div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-56505793782746223062014-02-14T18:25:00.003-08:002014-02-14T18:25:42.893-08:00Nintendo Direct 2.13.14 Impressions <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, Nintendo gave us a scare last month, with there being no Direct and the Wii U being eaten alive by analysts and all, but luckily they came through this month and delivered a fantastic Direct yesterday. Here are the highlights sand my impressions.<br />
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<b>Little Mac joins Smash Bros: </b>Everybody that's been posting fake leaks of Little Mac's Smash Bros. inclusion can officially get a real life, because Little Mac is now a playable fighter, baby. The Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS character roster is looking pretty darn nice. And no this does not mean Ridley is confirmed, and that Yoshi is getting excluded from the game- keep your moronic, irrelevant speculation to yourself. </div>
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<b>Release Dates: </b>Nintendo finally shares the release dates of some the most hyped 3DS games (and no, sadly Smash Bros. 3DS is not one of them). Kirby: Triple Deluxe and Mario Golf: World tour are both slated for May 2nd, with Professor Layton and the Azran Legend coming out right around the corner on February 28th, and Yoshi's New Island not far behind being released May 14th. Wii U games got release dates too, but I'm wondering what Nintendo is planning with the wide release gap between DKC: Tropical Freeze (February 21st) and Mario Kart 8 (May 30th), because that's a pretty big chasm of nothing for a struggling system. </div>
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<b>THE GOOD </b></div>
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<i>Bayonetta 2: pissing off Xbox360 fanboys since 2012.</i></div>
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<b>Kick-a** trailers:</b> The Direct might not have ended with a huge bang, but it did show off some tantalizing gameplay trailers for big Wii U games like Monolith's 'X' title and the forever third-party exclusive Bayonetta 2, which both look like an absolute blast. I expected more info about 'X' (and an official title) than just a trailer, but it was so good I guess I can't really complain. </div>
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<b>NES Remix gets a sequel: </b>NES Remix was an interesting title released last year that combined the challenge of NES games with the quick pick up-and-play gimmick of WarioWare. Apparently it only takes Nintendo a week to put a game like this together, because a sequel is planned for April 25th (I know, I know, they own the assets for these games but still that's pretty fast) This one will feature bits and boops from later NES titles like Kirby's Adventure and SMB3, and will include a mirrored version of the entire game of SMB with Luigi as the main character. Because apparently the Year of Luigi wasn't enough to quench Luigi's hungry vendetta to out trump his brother. Makes me wonder whether Peach or Daisy is at the final castle. </div>
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<b>Koopalings join the Mario Kart 8 roster:</b> Well, they're basically seven Metal Marios, but Nintendo could do far worse. Whether anyone will play as Lemmy Koopa remains uncertain, however.</div>
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<b>THE BAD </b></div>
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<b>Lack of any new Wii U titles: </b>Not only is the release dates for Wii U games few and far between, but the lack of new titles to fill that void is very disappointing. I'm sure Nintendo has something up their sleeve, but right now we need more than just some blind hope. At least we have GBA games to tide us over, derp! </div>
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<b>Steel Diver:</b> Hey look, it's a sequel to that 3DS launch title everyone liked. Wow, I'm finding this game to be worth my time and effort. I think I'll pay $10.00 for the premium version with MORE subs! My life was empty without this game, thank you Nintendo. </div>
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OVERALL: 4/5 </div>
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The Direct showed some cool new eShop titles I forgot to mention, and gave us a taste of the titles coming out in Q3-Q4 2014, it's just too bad we didn't get any information for new Wii U games. All-in-all thank you Nintendo for giving us a Direct and we wish you all the luck. </div>
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Happy Valentine's Day everyone! <3</div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-48244675298633012932014-01-24T19:46:00.003-08:002014-01-24T19:49:23.821-08:00Review: Chib Robo Photo Finder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Review by EggBeatr8<br />
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Title: Chibi Robo Photo Finder<br />
Developer: Nintendo<br />
Platform: 3DS eshop<br />
Bottom Line: Slow at the get-go, and at times can be tediously punishing, but if you've got the patience, there's much to love about this new installment in an overlooked series.<br />
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In the looming shadows of big AAA titles and popular IPs, it's common to find a handful of original titles that just weren't popular enough to garner sequels. That's why it's extremely satisfying to see an overlooked series like Chibi-Robo to get another installment; a long overdue sequel made possible only on the Nintendo eShop. </div>
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In this new Chibi-Robo adventure, Photo Finder has Chibi-Robo helping Mr. Curator build a NostalJunk museum by using the 3DS camera to snap photos of various objects 'from the past' and converting them into museum exhibits. But in order to do this, Chibi-Robo must obtain Happy Points which he can get by cleaning up counter tops and garages or helping out the inhabitants (mostly toys and inanimate objects come alive) in various mini-games. Once you get enough Happy Points you can exchange them for silhouette film and finally take a picture of something in the real world that matches the shape of the silhouette of the film. And that's pretty much what Photo Finder has you doing through the whole game. </div>
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From the get-go, whether you've played a Chibi-Robo game in the past or not, it's obvious how painfully tedious this game is during the first 3 hours. Accepting work from the game's characters is your main source of Happy Points, but if you fail the challenges they give you even once (and mind you, most of these mini-games rely heavily on trial and error), you'll have to wait until you obtain a new NostalJunk and your job mail to reset before you can attempt them again. Your only other option to obtain Happy Points is to 'Explore' the set areas around the museum, which task you with cleaning up dust and picking up garbage. Of course, anyone who has played a Chibi-Robo game before should expect the game to limit you to 50 watts, the game's health points, which decrease over time whenever Chibi Robo walks or uses an item. The main problem with this early limitation is that it restricts how much exploration you can do at any given time. To put in perspective, it takes at least 10 watts to vacuum up dust patches, and even if you do manage to fill your dust bag to 100% don't expect to get a lot of Happy Points for your effort. Fortunately, the game picks up speed later on, though it's just too bad it has to be so darn slow to get going anywhere.</div>
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Probably the biggest problem the game faces is, sadly, what seemed to be the coolest gimmick: taking pictures. The low res 3DS camera is absolutely terrible at registering shapes, and in order to get at least 60% accuracy for the item to appear, don't be surprised if the game tells you again and again that the lighting is too dark. Even worse, you're only given 9 tries per silhouette film to get a shot right- if you can't get it within that duration then, well, it's back to farming Happy Points. And let's say you do get a picture just right: don't be surprised if it turns into a Nostaldud, the game's random insult to turn your hard work into a puzzle puzzle item that has no apparent point to the game until you collect all of them. And while it is sort of considered cheating, I did end up resorting to taking pics straight from Google Images, but i only did it to save myself the trouble of having to go track down an object again in real life because it turned into a Nostaldud. This is very unfortunate, because it's fun to see what object the silhouette actually turns out to be when you take a picture of something that's similar or (in most hilarious occasions) completely different in shape. </div>
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If there's one thing that's worth forking over $10 to buy this game, it's the undeniable Chibi-Robo charm the series is known for. The characters you meet in the game, including a bear shaped sponge, an anime TV robot, and a French Mustard and Ketchup bottle duo are all just as unique as the last, and their witty dialogue is as ridiculous as they are. Exploring every nook and cranny for goodies is what makes Chibi-Robo shine the brightest, and the areas to explore offer a good change of pace from working for the game's local toy folk (though it's dissappointing there's only 5 levels total in the game). The game looks really good all around too, boosting some impressive textures and details for a 3DS game. </div>
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To conclude, if you like Chibi-Robo, and you can overlook the game's constant tedium, then you can't go wrong for $10. On the other hand, if you're impatient and hate randomly generated shenanigans, then this is definitely not a game you'd want in your collection. While it's great that we finally got another Chibi-Robo, it's unfortunate it has so many shortcomings against it. </div>
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The Good: </div>
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+Undeniable fun and witty dialogue and characters. </div>
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+Impressive graphics. No visuals hiccups. </div>
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+Some fun mini-games.</div>
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The Bad: </div>
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-Extremely tedious and restrictive at the beginning of the game. </div>
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-3DS. CAMERA. IS. BAD. </div>
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<br />N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-44641440792969049772014-01-10T13:43:00.000-08:002014-01-10T13:43:19.173-08:005 Games That Need To Come Out In 2014<br />
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2013 brought us a lot of fantastic games, most of which were triple AAA+ titles, making it one of the worst years to be a tree, a wallet, or a hungry stomach (kids eat too much anyway). In all the hustle and bustle of big budget titles, some awesome games promised to us fell out of the radar in a month and some were so vaguely teased we didn't know what to think. Here's 5 games that took their idle time in delays during 2013, and that developers wouldn't give me no matter how much money I threw at them:<br />
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<b>The Tease: </b>Flipnote Studios 3D is the sequel to the popular free DSi moving animation drawing tool app. Announced in a Direct back in April, the app was to be set for a Summer release. Then Summer came and past, the game received a 'TBD' release date with the on-line feature removed during the offensive Swapnote message fiasco, and was never mentioned again.<br />
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<b>Why it needs to be released already:</b> 8 Months. It's been eight flippin' months since Flipnote Studios 3D was first announced, and now its as if Nintendo is determined to bring this pregnancy of delays into its full-term. The game has been out in Japan since July, and the only localization hurtle encountered was the termination of the on-line mode Flipnote Gallery: Friends, and that was over months ago, so what in the flippin' birds is the hold-up? The game still has its <a href="http://flipnotestudio3d.nintendo.com/" target="_blank">official website</a>, so it hasn't been canned for release so it's absolutely baffling why this hasn't come out already. (though looking again at the main page they still have the omitted on-line features listed, so it's possible they forgot this game even exits) <br />
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<i> Above: Kingdom Hearts 3 release date for the past 10 years.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. A New Okami </b></span></div>
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<b>The Tease:</b> Also back in Arpil, Capcom posted a teaser on their Twitter page about an upcoming Okami announcement that they'll reveal the following week. Was it a new game? A remake??? A spin-off???? An iOS port just to mess with us???? Actually, it was just a Japan-only fan book with stickers. You know, even an iOS port seemed less of an insult. Granted, it wasn't meant to be for the U.S. fanbase, but where and why in the entire universe would you tease something like this?</div>
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<i>Thanks? </i></div>
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<b>Why it needs to be released already:</b> Back when Okamiden was released, the Wii U wasn't even a word yet and the 3DS was labeled as a failure that made the Vita look good in comparison. 3 years later, and we have a console that's in a desperate need of new and exciting games, and a handheld that's just begging for a new Okami. If they can do it with a Wii Mote they can certainly do it with the Wii U pad or any touch screen for that matter (forget what I said that iOS port, Capcom, I know what you're thinking). If there's one game that shouldn't be snubbed from the annual tradition of releasing PS4/Xbone exclusive games it's a new Okami, and I'm pretty sure the PS4's controller screen pad won't do the game any justice. So come on already, Capcom, don't leave your Okami fanbase hanging like you did with your Mega Man Legends faithful. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. TWEWY 2 (The World Ends With You 2)</b></span></div>
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<b>The Tease:</b> In 2012, Square Enix set up a teaser site with a set timer counting down from 7 days that hinted of a sequel to the cult hit title TWEWY was in the making and that it was to be revealed within that week. It turned out to be nothing more than a port for the iPad, because Square Enix apparently feeds on the rage tears of its fanbase and unicorn blood, and assumed everyone wanted a half-ass sequel to FFIV. It wasn't until someone completed the iOS port that a hidden teaser to an actual TWEWY sequel was discovered, which pretty much proved Square Enix is terrible at teasing something. </div>
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<i> I am so ready for this game! ...I think? </i></div>
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<b>Why it needs to be released already:</b> We already know they're working on <i>something</i>, so let's get to the nitty-gritty: If they really, truly care about their TWEWY fanbase they would not make this iOS exclusive. Repeat: DO NOT make this an iOS exclusive. I've had it up to hear with games like All the Bravest, Kingdom Hearts Coded, and Final Fantasy Tactics S milking out as much money for a game that either plays exactly the same as it did before or is so dumbed down you'd swear Square Enix believes we're all dyslexic. If they want to release it on the iPad, so be it, but give the 3DS the TWEWY sequel it needs and what the fans had actually wanted in the first place when you strip teased something so irrelevant to anyone's time. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire Remakes </b></span></div>
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<b>The Tease:</b> Okay, I'm probably going to get groans for this, considering the onslaught of Ruby/Sapphire rumors claiming that X and Y were teasing Gen III remakes have made all your brains numb, but I couldn't let this one (or these two) slip out of the list. Besides the fact that Gens I-II have received remakes in order, Pokemon director Masuda has hinted at the possibility of the remakes being developed <a href="http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/masuda-hints-at-possibility-of-pok%C3%A9mon-ruby-and-sapphire-remakes.206020199/" target="_blank">a few years back in a tweet,</a> but never really followed up with anything later. And of course last year at this time, Gamefreak announced a big reveal to be shown via Nintendo Direct that ended up being Gen 6, forever breaking the tradition of remaking a Pokemon game then announcing a new gen. </div>
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<b>Why it needs to be released already:</b> Because it's long overdue, that's why! Pokemon Emerald was one of the best Pokemon games ever made, period. All they have to do is take the Battle Frontier and Vs. Seeker from that game and incorporate it to the Ruby/Sapphire remakes, and viola', instant Game(s) of the Year. Most of the Pokemon that got a Megavolution in X/Y are available in Gen III, so it would make the game have a new modern feel to it for vets. Also, it would give them an excuse to re-distribute Jirachi, which would be just swell, because dammit, some of us have been waiting 10 years for them to distribute it again. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. The Next Metroid (Just Anything but Other M 2)</b></span></div>
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<b>The Tease: </b>During the gag reflex that was the VGX show last month, Reggie was asked whether a new Metroid was in development and responded with an ambiguous "Of-" as if to say "Of course", but quickly changed the subject (he was wearing a Metroid pin so either he's trollin' with everyone or just likes wearing Metroid pins). </div>
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<b>Why it needs to be released already: </b>Whether the next Metroid is 2D, 3D, or 2.5D I don't care...just anything to brainbleach my memory of Other M. Granted, Other M had some genuine good moments (ergo, the battle with Ridley), the storyline on the other hand flipped the series outside down and lead to the dumbest excuse in Metroid history as to why you can't use your items or upgrade your suit: no you did not loss them, Commander Adam <i>forbids</i> you from using them until he says so. Not to mention the game boasted atrociously drawn-out cutscenes interrupting almost every fight scene, starring Samus Aran either whining about the Baby Metroid or Adam Malkovich, Adam Malkovich, ADAM MALKOVICH. The poor lady can't undress without the guy's orders to do so, and yet she wouldn't stop kissing his butt like he was the last Klondike bar in existence. </div>
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<i> "Adam, I need to pee, permission to use restroom?" </i></div>
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<i>"Not until you go through a volcano without protective armor, you don't! Man up, b****!" </i></div>
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It's been a four year hiatus since we got another Metroid, give us something different and less story driven. A TPS Metroid with a Mass Effect gameplay vibe would be interesting, or even a true 2D platformer, because we seriously haven't seen one of those since 2004. Give us something with a better lasting impression than *spoilers* Samus almost killing herself to get a freaking helmet of a dead Adam Malkovich. Please don't do that, and please give us a Metroid title this year. </div>
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2014...you've already promised us <a href="http://gamerant.com/shaq-fu-2-fighting-game-details-shaquille-oneal/" target="_blank">Shaq Fu 2</a>, so don't make it any harder for us and announce something worth our time. And if you're generous enough throw in another Star Fox, Pokemon Snap, and F-Zero while you're at it. </div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-37420693490527425002013-12-18T10:07:00.001-08:002013-12-18T11:30:42.576-08:00Nintendo Direct 12.18.13 ImpressionsNintendo gave us a exceptionally fantastic show today. Here's what happened:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS_gYzv02SQ" target="_blank">Direct Link of video cannot be found. Click here to view the Direct.</a><br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>THE AWESOME: </b><br />
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<i>"DIE NASTY WARRIORS!!!" </i></div>
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<b>Unlikely Duos: </b>Okay, I've been trained to accept some weird crossovers as of late, but this is just bonkers. First game out of the gate appeared to be a Dynasty Warriors with a Zelda skin (akin to what they did with Dynasty Warriors 3D and similar to Monster Hunter 4's Link costume DLC), so obviously it wasn't a Zelda ga- lol nope, IT IS a new Zelda game. After the trailer we were left with a tentative title "Hyrule Warriors" and I imagine everyone watching will need plastic surgery to realign their gaping jaws back unto their confused faces. </div>
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<b>Also, There's Sonic running through a "Yoshi's Island Zone":</b> Yep, those with the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World will be able to download a special "Yoshi's Island Zone" level for free from the eShop. I cannot believe I just typed that. And what's more, Iwata hinted at another DLC Zone being released next year that will "Link" you into its world...uh huh, I have literally no clue either. </div>
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<b>Mario Kart 8:</b> I don't know how much better Mario Kart 8 can look than it does now, but it sure looks gorgeous. Not much new was shown in the Direct other than the airport course, but supposedly a Kirby Air Ride course was teased in the Japanese Direct, so there's something to hope for. </div>
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<b>CHIBI ROBO IS BACK:</b> After over a 3 year hiatus of no new games in site, Chibi Robo has returned back to the gaming scene with Chibi Robo: Photo Finder, coming January 9, 2014. This should go to show that Nintendo still cares about their lesser IPs, so stop complaining that they never do anything new.</div>
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<b>THE GOOD: </b></div>
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<i>SPOILER AL- Nah, just kidding. </i></div>
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<b>Rosalina in Smash:</b> In what has to be the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA8vCTHqvIs" target="_blank">most awkward way to reveal a new Smash Bros. character ever</a>, Rosalina (with Luma) has been confirmed to be a playable fighter in the next Smash Bros. While this may be giving the middle finger to Daisy fans everywhere, at least Rosalina appears not be a straight up Peach clone. </div>
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<b>Yoshi's New Island:</b> Headed by Takashi Tezuka, creative director of the original Yoshi's Island, Yoshi's <i>New</i> Island (seriously: Donkey Kong Country <i>Returns</i>, <i>New</i> Super Mario Bros...Nintendo sure knows how to slap on uncreative labels- as if Yoshi ever disappeared in the first place, but anyway...) is bursting with charm. Get ready to lay eggs of unthinkable size sometime in Spring 2014. Also, why hasn't Yoshi been revealed for Smash Bros. yet? </div>
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<b>NES Remix:</b> Modders eat your heart out, because Nintendo just owned you in the adding-random-characters-in-Donkey-Kong department. It's like WarioWare's 9-Volt Microgame$ on steroids played backgrounds through the internet. And it's available now, which is cool. </div>
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<b>THE BAD: </b></div>
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<i>Why?</i> </div>
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<b>Babies:</b> "Hey everyone, the new playable character in MK8 is Kirb- nope, it's just the baby versions of Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Daisy trolololol." Of all the Marioverse characters to choose from they opted back to the babies... This is why we can't have nice things. </div>
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<b>Cranky Kong:</b> "Hey, did you guys hear that we revealed Cranky Kong back in the VGX show? Because we don't think you remember it, so here's more info about Donkey Kong Country Returns Tropical Freeze: Cranky Kong is playable. Did we mention Cranky Kong is playable? Because we don't think we mentioned Cranky Kong would be playable before." </div>
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Overall: 4.5/5 </div>
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This was a strange Direct that has just given us a taste of what's to come in 2014. It was enjoyable to watch, and I very little to complain about. What a great way to end the year, Nintendo. </div>
N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-63262048291441043222013-12-13T11:43:00.000-08:002013-12-13T11:43:23.273-08:00Majora's Mask Remake: When it rains, don't always expect a Rainbow Bow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Earlier this week a simple daily screenshot of Smash Bros.<a href="http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2013/12/MM.jpg" target="_blank"> revealing Skull Kid from Majora's Mask </a>entering the fray as an assist character, sent the internet flying into a full-blown rumor tornado speculating that a Majora's Mask remake is on the way. Curiously, this wasn't the first time that Majora's Mask was teased: In last month's Nintendo Direct trailer for A Link Between Worlds, the mask could be easily spotted during the beginning of the trailer hanging on the Item shop wall:<br />
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Which only means one thing: Half-Life 3 confirmed. </div>
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Is this enough proof that a Majora's Mask remake is in the making? The answer is both a yes, and a no. Remember, this is Nintendo we're talking about: a company known to always port/remake their N64 games eventually years down the road (namely: Super Mario 64 DS, Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D to name a few). I would be daft to say that they'll never remake Majora's Mask, because <a href="http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/12/zelda-producer-on-majoras-mask-remake-say-that-i-laughed" target="_blank">Eiji Aonuma has been hinting at something</a>, but to say it's in development now? No. Look, we've already got TWO big Zelda titles this year (not counting Oracles) and a big TBA Zelda Wii U title is currently in development for next year- that's a lot of Zelda games to make in a short amount of time. Granted, Wind Waker HD was made in only 6 months, but mind you that Majora's Mask is a completely different game made 13 years ago when 64-bit was the norm, so they would have to build the game from the ground up rather than just slap HD paint on the characters and call it good. If we want the game to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JOChBfhta4" target="_blank">look as good as this,</a> it would take a lot more time than just 6 months to develop. Furthermore, the game was objectively one of the hardest Zelda games, and knowing Nintendo, the game would have to be fine-tuned into being more user friendly by having more save points for one thing, and I'm sure they have to have Tatl repeat "Please take a break" ten-thousand times at every opportunity. </div>
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On the topic of the Smash Bros. screenshot it's ridiculous people even translate it as a MM remake teaser, I mean it's a game that includes the entire Nintendo universe, of course it would reference Majora's Mask. It doesn't mean it's teasing a new game. It was the same ordeal with the mundane rumors of the Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire remakes being made, because Pokemon X/Y would mention the "Hoenn Region" as if the series hadn't already referenced past regions many times <a href="http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_cross-generational_references" target="_blank">before</a>. With references, the game remains canon with its series; it's not put there just to tease everyone to believe that there's definitely a new game or remake coming out RIGHT NOW. The Zelda games have been referencing each other for years I doubt it will end any time soon. I'm not implying we'll never see Majora's Mask in fruition, but now seems too soon. </div>
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I could be wrong, so don't mind me if you don't agree with me, but just don't be disappointed if your crystal ball is malfunctioning.</div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-53049217776182511872013-11-14T12:05:00.004-08:002013-11-14T12:05:33.679-08:00Nintendo Direct 11.13.13 Impressions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/adam/dd54e0b4543eedd0fcbcea2eb94a0fc7/reggie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/adam/dd54e0b4543eedd0fcbcea2eb94a0fc7/reggie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Hey. </i></div>
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(Direct linking of the video is giving a "not found" error message, so here's the the URL to the youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mijfc0-zEgw) </div>
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This month's Direct can be compared to going to a theater that beings bombarded you with trailers that reveal their movies entire plotlines before they're even released, and then urging you to go and see them a day later. </div>
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<a name='more'></a><b>THE AWESOME </b><br />
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<a href="http://www.technobuffalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Nintendo-Network-IDs-for-Wii-U-and-Nintendo-3DS-630x349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://www.technobuffalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Nintendo-Network-IDs-for-Wii-U-and-Nintendo-3DS-630x349.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Single Cross-platform accounts (woo!): </b>No more must we deal with having two separate accounts for our 3DS and Wii U, and no more must we have to shell out extra dough for a eShop points card for Nintendo's evil marketing vendetta to make you pay more for no reason. Finally, we only need one single cross-platform account to access all our game transactions, just like nature intended. Now all we need is a way to connect both systems to Miiverse...</div>
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<b>Miiverse for 3DS:</b> Oh! Here it is! Now I wish for a Pokemon Snap 2... </div>
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...eh, can't always get what you want. </div>
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<b>THE GOOD: </b></div>
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<b>November 22nd:</b> Is the particular date this month that you'll hate yourself for buying three games in one day. Not only is A Link Between Worlds and Mario Party 3DS being released on that day, but so is Super Mario 3D World, because Nintendo is setting fire to your wallet and the only discounts this month are for VC games so "haha your needs, right". </div>
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<b>3DS Youtube App:</b> Oh sweet, now I can look up por- er, Pokemon videos on my 3DS. Uh...yeah, go Pokemon!... </div>
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<b>THE BAD: </b></div>
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<i> Hey. </i></div>
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<b>SPOILER AL- actually no, we'll just not warn you:</b> Wow, what a stupid way to ruin a perfectly good Direct. Gameplay trailers are fine, but did they have to reveal the main baddie in A Link Between Worlds (no, it wasn't that obvious; some Zelda games DO have bosses other than Ganon) and why show all the coolest new stages and unlockables in Super Mario 3D World just a few<i> weeks </i>before launch? Please don't pull this stunt with Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS, Nintendo, some of us want to play your games <i>and</i> watch Directs without having to hear you say "Hey I hear you like (insert game) well here's every unlockable item, character, and boss trololololol". </div>
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<b>Um...: </b>Where's Flipnote Studios 3D exactly?</div>
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OVERALL: 2/5 </div>
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I might be picky, but I best want my steak to be served well done and in my tummy before I even think about desert. Nintendo has already served desert and I'm still eating the appetizer. Oh well, November 22nd looks delicious nonetheless (why I'm I still using food as a metaphor?) and Miiverse and Youtube on 3DS is a good thing as well as not. Needless to say, I'm starving. (sigh...sorry)</div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-90488177229480789662013-11-02T11:40:00.001-07:002013-11-02T11:40:20.710-07:00Review: Pokemon Y <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Review by EggBeatr8 </i><br />
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Title: Pokemon Y<br />
Developer: GameFreak<br />
Platform: 3DS<br />
Bottom Line: A Mega, Mega Evolution for Pokemon.<br />
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I scoff at the naysayers that claim that the mainstream Pokemon games never change. Replace Call of Duty's enemies with robots and it's automatically a new game, yet you could reboot the entire Pokemon series with 700 new Pokemon as an Action-space-shooter-racer-RPG and critics would still call it "the same game". That's the world we live in: the same world where that said "same" game (or games) would go to sell over 5 million copies in a week, on a system people still believe is just another DSi upgrade. Now that's something you can't argue. Is it all just a fluke though? Do people have bad taste for gaming and are just buying it because everyone else is? As a long time Pokemon fan since Pokemon Red, I can safely say that if Pokemon was the exact same game over and over I would've quit playing it years ago. The only peer pressure associated with a new Pokemon game is the thought of yourself missing out on a new installment....a brand new adventure. And quite frankly, Pokemon X/Y is an adventure that you wouldn't want to miss.<br />
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The most obvious change in this Pokemon outing is the full graphics overhaul. For the first time on a portable console, the trainers, scenery, and of course Pokemon have all been fully 3D-rendered. Pokemon have never looked more alive since the release of Pokemon Stadium graced the N64 and it's about time too. Kalos looks absolutely amazing, and the scenery more-or-less tries to mimic that of France, from which the region hints to be inspired from. The scenery even looks better in 3-D...when you're allowed to use it. If there's any indication that Nintendo is slowly extinguishing the use of 3-D, Pokemon X/Y is a good hint. The only time 3-D is really applicable or readily used is in battle or in a few cut-scenes, etc, whilst the rest of the time the 3-D light is off, leading me to assume that if anyone plays the game in 3-D the entire time, they'd find it absolutely jarring and eye-numbing when the game is constantly switching from 2-D to 3-D. But it might just as well be so, considering that the 3-D-less 2DS was released at the same time. Regardless, the game looks just as great if not better in 2D anyway. <br />
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Now that we got graphics out of the way let's talk about what we actually care about in a Pokemon: the Pokemon. While there's not a lot this time around (barely 70 counted thus far), the game(s) makes up for the lack of new Pokemon in exchange for an exciting new gameplay twist: Mega Pokemon. About half-way through the game you're awarded the Mega Ring, which let's you Mega Evolve a Pokemon if they're holding their respective Mega Stone(s). While this may seem Pokemon is going into ironic Digivole territory, the Mega Pokemon look fantastic, and it should balance on-line battles out whenever you battle a troll who's team consists solely of Metagross and Dragonite. Unfortunately, Kalos Pokemon can't 'Megavolve', and some Pokemon that desperately need stat buffs (Far'Fetched, Quilfish, Cacturus) are out shadowed by Pokemon who really don't need Mega Evolutions (Garchomp, Tyranitar, Mewtwo). At least it's a smart idea on the right track, but hopefully it balances out in the long run instead of encouraging everyone to spam Mega Mewtwo along with their Metagross.<br />
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<i>This won't end well. </i></div>
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Gameplay wise, Pokemon X/Y is hasn't changed much since Gen V, which isn't a bad thing at all, but luckily, for those who want something different, a very notable addition to the metagame rock-paper-scissors gameplay will forever change the way people play Pokemon: Fairy-types. These Dragon-resistant monsters are only weak to Steel and Poison types, making them formidable foes. Pokemon like Azumarill, Granbul and Gardevoir have received this new type, making otherwise useless/useful Pokemon full-on Dragon slayers, and you can bet the Metagame will be full of them once Pokemon Bank rolls around, and you can transfer you're team(s) from Black and White. Concerning the battle style when battling trainers on the other hand, Pokemon X/Y only features one new battle style called Sky Battles, in which only flying-Pokemon and/or Pokemon with Levitate can partake in. while it's an interesting new form of battle style, it's absolutely infuriating in-game, since your options for flying-types are lackluster this Gen, and you can be sure your opponent will use a Pokemon like Flygon or Aerodactyl, Rock Edge spamming machines, which is bad news for everyone who happened to raise Talonflame (read: 4x the damage or more). A more interesting battle that happens only in wild encounters is horde battles. It pits your Pokemon against five (yes, five) wild Pokemon, may they be a horde of Scraggy, Geodude, or *shudder* Zubat. They're cleverly challenging, (at least until you get a multi-hit move like Surf or Earthquake), and can be easily escaped if you choose to run from them. Horde battles are few and far between, and you probably will encounter a few at most in your adventure, but they're a welcome addition I'd love to see again in future titles nonetheless. </div>
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No Pokemon game lacks a good 300+ hours of gameplay, and Pokemon Y is no slacker. I already accumulated over 90 hours in the main adventure alone, and most of those hours were spent surprisingly on the bottom screen in what has to be the most addictive simulator ever: Pokemon Amie. Amie allows you to pet your Pokemon, give them Poke Puffs, and play mini-games in order to develop a better bond with your Pokemon, and it's unlocked as soon as you get your first Pokemon. While this might seem like it has no real point other than to be a cute little gimmick, it actually aids you in-game by giving your Pokemon an extra boost in EXP points, and your Pokemon might just dodge a foe's attack or sometimes even sustain a blow with 1 HP if you bond with it enough. Another game you'll play on the bottom screen is Super Training, which makes level grinding to get EV's (effort values for potential stat boosts) a thing of the past. Breaking the score record for every Super Training mini-game allows you to play more challenging mini-games that reward you with more EV's (or Kalos points, whatever they're calling them now) which in turn fills up a bar, ending the need to tally up all your points in umpteen notebooks and then finding out you counted them wrong. And last, but not least, we have the PSS, or Player Search System, which shows all you everyone who's playing the game and you interact with them at any time: maybe offering or receiving help in the form of O-Powers, (sort of like Gen V's Pass Powers), or maybe challenging them to a battle or offering a trade. This is all done in one place, and it all comes together perfectly thanks to the game's amazing server, which rarely encounters any serious lagging issues. All-in-all, the bottom screen feels like a whole separate game in itself, and don't be surprised if it eats up half of your weekend.<br />
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Concerning Post-game content, it's a little mixed. I've only got as far as the Battle Maison (This Gen's Battle Subway equivalent), so I can't tap on how much more post-game material this, but from what I did experience it was pretty good. Most notable is the Friend Safari, which associates one Pokemon type per each friend registered on your 3DS. The more friends you have increase the amount of Pokemon you can find (limit:3) and if they're on at the same time the chances of catching a rare Pokemon with a hidden ability increases by 50%. This is unpredictably encouraging gamers of all ages to share Friend Codes, which makes the PSS shine even greater. Whether it's post-game or not, the boutique(s) is/are a fun new feature that lets you customize your trainer head-to-toe for the first time. You can customize everything from the shoes you wear to even the hair length and color. Clothes selection and prices change everyday, so prepare for some major re-playability is you're what they call a 'fashion-esta' (which is Nintendo's evil plan to get you from playing animal crossing: New Leaf ever again). Rumors aside that there is DLC content on the way, Pokemon Y offers a good amount of content as is, and should satisfy any trainer for a long time.<br />
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In conclusion, I might sound like a broken record for saying "Pokemon (insert sub-title) exceeds in everything that makes the series great and fixes all the problems of the previous blah, blah, blah" every time a new Pokemon game that's released, but it's hard to fight the truth. To say Pokemon Y is the same thing as Pokemon Gold, Ruby, Green, yada yada would be an injustice. Pokemon Y is yet another grand jewel in the series, with only a few rough edges here and there. Perfect for newbies, and fun for returning vets, this is an adventure that's worth ignoring all the haters.<br />
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The Good:<br />
+Fantasic presentation.<br />
+Extensive amount of content and exciting new features<br />
+Superb On-line mode.<br />
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The Bad:<br />
-Sky Battles are infuriating. <br />
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<br />N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-47380816436633220772013-10-05T09:30:00.001-07:002013-10-05T09:36:29.143-07:00Nintendo Direct 10.1.13 Impressions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dammit, Nintendo. October was exciting enough with Wind Waker HD's release, and Pokemon X/Y and the 2DS being released in a week, but now you go and show another Direct out of nowhere and get us even more hyped. How am I supposed to pay for all these games?! HUH?!?! Sigh. It's not easy being a Nintendo gamer. </div>
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Anyway, here's my impressions on the MegaDirectachu: </div>
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<b>THE AWESOME </b></div>
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<i>"Bowser! That's not a health fairy from Hyrule! Bowser, STOP!" </i></div>
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<b>Super Mario 3-D World:</b> Since its first reveal during the E3 Direct, I've never been personally excited for a 3-D Mario game since Mario Galaxy. And it isn't just them throwing out the ho-hum "Bowser-kidnaps-Peach-repeat-moan" plotline and letting you play Peach for a change that's exciting; the game itself looks like a completely new and fresh experience, especially after years of NSMB sequels. This could very well be a masterpiece from the likes we haven't seen since Mario Galaxy 2, and it might just be the icebreaker game that makes me go and finally buy a Wii U already. </div>
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<b>New TBA Kirby 3DS/2DS title revealed: </b>The 3-D background/foreground gimmick wouldn't look as cool for 2DS owners, but the game looks fun at least. KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYY </div>
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<b>THE GOOD </b></div>
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<b>Sonic is back for Smash Bros 4:</b> Haters gonna hate, because Sonic is ready to return to the Smash Bros. roster and K.O. everyone 5 times in a row with his Super Sonic Smash Attack. Nah, he'll probably be balanced this time around (I kid, Sonic fans). Also, look at that kick@ss Sonic World stage, I mean WOW. </div>
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<b>Link Between Worlds to have nonlinear dungeons:</b> We didn't get that new Zelda Wii U info this past Direct like everyone predicted (come on, it was about games that were going to be released THIS year, learn how to read), but we got some new footage for Link Between Worlds to tide us over. Even more interesting is the info that the game will a much nonlinear approach to how you complete dungeons. Finally, now remember to do the same for the Water Temple the next time you re-release OoT, Nintendo. </div>
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<b>M&S at the Olympic Games doesn't look that bad:</b> huh. </div>
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<b>THE BAD </b></div>
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<i>I guess you could say this game's release date is...*puts sunglasses on* Frozen. YEEE- *gets shot* </i></div>
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<b>"Please Understand": </b>While it's dumb to nit-pick about one game being delay, it's not good for a struggling system that has had most of its games' release dates pushed months ahead. It also begs the question whether Nintendo has anything planned for Wii U for the first quarter of 2014. Oh well, at least we have Super Mario 3-D World and plenty of 3DS titles to keep us occupied. </div>
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<b>OVERALL: 4/5 </b></div>
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Really, all this Direct needed was to show a little footage of Super Mario 3-D World and it would've won me over, but it had to go and show a new Kirby game, new Street Pass Relay content, Bravery Default, and other stuff I just so happen to not mention. Sigh. I love/hate being a Nintendo gamer. </div>
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--EggBeatr8 </div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-16289299854547327012013-08-24T11:43:00.001-07:002013-08-24T11:43:42.464-07:00My 5 Wishes for the Next Animal Crossing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm going to put this on the table now: Animal Crossing New Leaf is one of the best game I've played this year. It's been a month since I've written the review and I still haven't even scratched the surface. It's safe to say that it's the best AC so far, bar none, but I feel some improvements can be made. Like...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Personalize Your Character (And Face) From the Start </span></b><br />
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It happens to practically everyone who firsts starts off on an Animal Crossing game: you pick the most ideal town, giving it the perfect name (eg. Analville); and as soon as you leave the bus/car/train you'll notice that you're character's face is...less than ideal. In fact, it's terrible. <br />
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Of course, <a href="http://acwiki3ds.wikispaces.com/Face+Guide" target="_blank">there's ways to get the essential face you want at the start by answering the right questions</a>, but it's a dumb process since every facial feature has a different hair style and color. Considering you can't get Sampoodle until well into weeks in the game (longer for most players), you'll have to deal with your homicidal insomniac look for there's no other way to change your character's face other than wearing something on or covering his/her head. <br />
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<i>Which is universally received as not very attractive. </i></div>
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For a series that continually gives the player(s) more and more freedom from the beginning, not being able to edit your character seems ridiculous. Why not offer some basic creation tools from the start? I'm not saying 'make the game more like the Sims, but take a page from that series' character creation and let us at least customize our character a little. You want a chubby villager? Make him bigger. Stubble? You can do that. Want the skin color darker? Go right ahead.<br />
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Even if you just let us edit the eyes, it's a lot better than naming your town 'Kawaii', and expecting your character to be equally cutesy, only to find out he/she looks like Freddy Kruger and Steve Buscemis' nightmare child.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. More Shops/Island unlocked at the Beginning of the Game</span></b><br />
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My main biggest complaint (and mind you this was my only complaint) when I reviewed New Leaf was that it took forever for most shops to be unlocked. Most of them required you buying 10,000 Bells of merchandise or more each, and then waiting up to three days for them to upgrade or for the store next door to be built. The former waiting period was worse than the latter, since you had no where else to buy furniture that wasn't being sold in the Flea Market. It might seem picky of me to poke at something so arbitrary latter in the game, especially since there's plenty of other stuff to do, but we've unlocked these shops in the past games! Upgrading shops gives a sense of progression, but to get those shops first takes way longer than it should.<br />
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<i> "Maybe if you stopped compulsively selling all your @$%# archaic fossils and Sea Bass to us, we might be able to get a net profit and upgrade faster, a**hole."</i> </div>
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And then there's the island: want to go there and get a wet suit to swim in the ocean, maybe play some mini-games too? Well, you have to wait three days until it's available trolololol. Come on now, if there's any game that deserves waiting filler it's definitely not Animal Crossing. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. A Bigger Role for the Island </span></b></div>
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When the island returned in New Leaf it evolved way beyond just catching rare fish/bugs: it offered a whole new assortment of mini-games for multiple players to gain points for exclusive furniture and items. It was fun, and somewhat ironic for making the village seem slightly more like a getaway in comparison. But now I want to see more. </div>
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Here's a proposition: make the island the main focus of the game. I'll call it...Animal Crossing: Island Getaway. If the Tortimer Games from New Leaf were any hint of what's to come, we'll be seeing a second village with its own inhabitants that live there. It's not necessary to talk to these villagers every day, or uproot all the weeds etc., because they'll do that: this is your true getaway from the game that's already a getaway. And here's the kicker...exploration. Journey into randomly generated ruins everyday to discover new items and one-of-a-kind furniture. If you're really lucky enough you'll be rewarded with jewels and priceless artifacts that can be donated to the museum's extended art gallery, or sold for a boatload of Bells. And it would be completely optional. It would be perfect. This is what's been missing in Animal Crossing for so very long (well, for me at least), and what better time to do it than on the Wii U? </div>
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But that's just me. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. More Pocket Space </span></b></div>
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Man, isn't the amount of content in New Leaf SWELL? There is so much stuff to collect I find my primal post-64-bit kleptomania seeping through my brow whenever I pick something up. That is, until I run out of room. But that's okay! I'll just pair these fruits up aaaaaaaand...huh, I only have one slot left after I did that? Oh well *takes off equipment* time to try on this new shirt! But first I have to take this wet suit of- MY POCKETS ARE FULL AGAIN?! CURSE YOU TAAAAILORRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!<br />
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Rule to follow, Nintendo: when you offer more content in a game about picking stuff up, increase the pocket size. This isn't a horror game where your decreased suitcase size forces you to think strategically about what to keep, therefore heightening the tension of the game- this is Animal Crossing!! The pocket size was fine in previous iterations, but that's because the previous games didn't have you carrying extra luggage like a Wet Suit, a Loudspeaker, coffee beans, etc. Whenever I renovate my furniture in my house it's a problem. Whenever I score lucky with a money rock, I have to enter my pockets almost three times before collecting all the Bells because I can't fit them all in one go. Please, for the love of God, increase pocket size for the next AC, because I'm sure it will have twice as much stuff to carry, and will probably have more new fish/bugs to catch that will never all fit in our pockets at once.<br />
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<i>Where else would we put 10 of these other than in our pants?</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. A Pokemon Crossover</span></b><br />
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The mainline games have been fantastic thus far, but think for once if Animal Crossing had gained a separate spin-off series. No, I'm not hinting of an action/horror axe chop fest spin-off or a party game- I mean take Animal Crossing and combine it with another well known franchise. Make an Animal Crossing game, not with animals, but with:</div>
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Pokemon. </div>
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You're a trainer who has just arrived in the Pokemon village as the town's mayor. You'll choose several Starter Pokemon to be your neighbors, and Pikachu will be your personal assistant throughout the game. You're asked to visit Prof. Oak first thing, who'll welcome you to your new home, and then will hand you a PokePal to document every Pokemon you come across. The bulk of Pokemon you'll see are wild, which you can catch using fishing rods, nets, and of course, Pokeballs in some circumstances, and donate them to the Day Care Center. You can't catch your neighbor Pokemon, of course, for you'll interact with them every day, do certain tasks to make them happy, and write them letters screaming in all CAPS demanding them to give you their furniture- it's like every typical day in Animal Crossing, only with Pokemon. It would be akin to Pokemon Ranch and Hey You Pikachu! having the cutest Pichu baby in the freaking universe. </div>
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Also, it would sell 1 million copies every 0.04 seconds in Japan. </div>
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<i>Now picture this graph with Pokemon Crossing and it will spontaneously implode into a black hole of money. </i></div>
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I can't even begin to think of what other niche ideas developers would come up with this game, but I would bet every one of them would be pants soiling adorable. You say I might as well be dreaming, but dammit, we need more good Pokemon spin-offs like Pokemon Snap! I would sell my clothes for this game. I wouldn't care if this were the last game I was ever allowed to buy (that is, if it was released after Xenoblade 3)- it needs to happen. </div>
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So yeah, you, Nintendo dev...if you're reading this...great job at making New Leaf one of the best games I've ever played. Don't stop improving the series, and maybe someday everyone would love Animal Crossing- even the biased haters. Please prevent any future day when we look at a new Animal Crossing and say: "What?! You Again?!"</div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-34063303029332646732013-08-15T03:20:00.000-07:002013-08-15T03:27:12.875-07:00Last Week's Nintendo Direct(s) impressions.After the end of the first half of Summer '13, Nintendo fans all around the world have already been pleased with some of the... uuuh... hottest titles for the season (no pun intended), with more yet to come in the near future. On top of that, a double Direct appointment has been spread around the world last week, focusing more on what we'll be getting in roughly the next three months for now! One is our regular-sized Nintendo Direct feature, while the other one is a 20-minute feature about The Wonderful 101, Platinum Games's incoming new game for Wii U. The American version of both the videos can be seen below:<br />
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Much like for the pre-E3 Direct, I watched all the three editions of the regular Direct presentation, but this time our focus will be only with the stuff in common in all the editions, with some exceptions. The reason behind this choice is because I would end to talk about some topics I already discussed the past time (eg. not-JP games in the JP market, localization difficulties for most of the JP-exclusive games and so on), thus losing focus from the main things.<br />
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So, without further ado, let's dive right into Nintendo's latest news-based marathons and see what's new on the table this time.<br />
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<b>THE AWESOME</b><br />
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<i>Look over there! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a...</i><br />
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<b>Cross-over localization</b>: The biggest bombshell this time wasn't brought by a new game, but instead by a welcomed import of Level-5 and Capcom's <i>Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright</i>, which is set to release in NA and Europe next year, after the last Professor Layton game. But when a puzzle-addicted university professor and a well-respected attorney merge their forces, hilarity ensues in the not-Japanese directs. Just look at Satoru Shibata above!</div>
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<b>The Wonderful 101 Direct</b>: This special edition about a single game alone is worth of a space among the Awesome stuff in there. As we have already seen in the past, Nintendo hasn't make the world aware about this title as well as they already did with other titles, and last Friday's feature presentation was definitely a step in the right direction.</div>
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<b>THE GOOD</b><br />
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<i>You know if your catchphrase works if you crack up a smile when a digital yellow dog uses it.</i></div>
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<b>Home-console Majors Unite</b>: Another relatively-big thing introduced is a new free channel about the Animal Crossing universe, simply called <i>Animal Crossing Plaza</i>. With the opportunity to daily meet a large selection of the game series's anthropomorphic villagers and discuss about them on Miiverse with the rest of the world, this add-on is another welcomed addition to what it's shaped to be the ultimate portable Animal Crossing game of all times.<br />
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<b>Release Dates Roundabouts</b>: Once again, the majority of the presentations was an update about the already-announced games with tentative release dates, both for Nintendo games (Zelda on 3DS/Wii U, Pokemon Rumble,...) and third-party/independent contributors, like Sonic Lost worlds and that February game which we will be able to try "only" in about 3-4 weeks from now... Anyway, since it manages to touch both the physical main releases and the eShop/Virtual Console markets, this over-ally results in a complete look of the gaming horizon for ol' N's gaming machines.<br />
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<b>A Wonderful Spoiler...?</b>: These Direct-related posts on N5S don't tend to have something like a "THE MIXED" section to talk about, but I want to discuss anyways about the 7-minute trailer which ended the Wonderful 101-themed Friday presentation. While it's great to see more of a future game which had very little content revealed before, said trailer feels more like a fast-forward wrap-up of the majority of the game's plot, which is good for a common movie trailer but for a video-game this may spoil the fun for who wants to fully discover it by simply playing it. My tip is to totally skip said trailer, if what you already seen of the game before is enough for you guys to buy Platinum Games's latest opus.<br />
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<b>THE BAD</b><br />
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<i>... we also would like to introduce a brand-new game mechanic: B-button special moves!</i></div>
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<b>Painfully Obvious</b>: As nit-picky as this title sounds, we can't deny that these two Directs had their little flaws that have been received from the viewers as an insult to their intelligence. The Net has already been swarmed by dumb, whiny comments like "Oh, Luigi is coming back to Smash Bros YOU DON'T SAY" or "Yes, tell me once more W101's release date! It may be changed drastically after TWO MINUTES", but for an event so anticipated and suddenly-revealed like a new Nintendo Direct, people usually expects to hear something more of what almost every random fanboy can "predict" with their home-made magic 8-balls.<br />
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<b>Slow-Paced Forecast</b>: In a period when industry, reporters and random gamers are continuing to bash Kyoto's gaming industry for well-polished topics about Wii U's poor start and "Why Nintendo should do the Sega gaming approach or totally move into the mobile market" <strike>(even if it's probably because most of the reporters seem to have only mobile-related stocks)</strike>, a Nintendo Direct packed in this way still seems more aimed to already-interested people to Nintendo consoles than actually the whole gaming community. While the Wii U its still waiting for this year's biggest games, this Direct doesn't seem to persuade other people to change their mind by supplying new content about well-known incoming games.<br />
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FINAL DIRECT: 3/5 STARS<br />
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Overally, do these iterations speed-up or slow-down the player's hype for Nintendo's products? Once again, this is not the case of any rhythm change. Even if little to no ground-breaking reveals occured this time, this Direct simply holds the good pace of the past iterations, proving once again to be a fast and fine update compilation for an average Nintendo player. But will the next ones be able to drag an even bigger audience?<br />
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Lokamp out.Nintendo 5-Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378622809042133428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-72602218144253166472013-08-01T17:23:00.000-07:002013-08-01T17:23:38.060-07:003 Ridiculous Petitions for Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS CharactersSince the reveal of Smash Bros 3DS/Wii U in June, the internet has predictably erupted into an all-out roster discussion frenzy of which characters need to stay or go, and spamming CAPS LOCK at everyone that says Ridley is too big to be a playable character, because this is what happens when you take out SmashDojo and replace it with random gameplay images for us to maul every detail as if we'll find spoilers in stock footage.<br />
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<i>GHOST PIKMIN CONFIRMED FOR SMASH BROS 4 CHARACTER ROSTER SAKURAI JUST SPOILED THIS GAME FOR EVERYONE!!!! </i></div>
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But then there's the fans that are tired of waiting whether their characters make it into the game, and created petitions to get their voices heard. Which is awesome...until you see what madness they're trying to get in SSB4 like... </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Digimon </span></b></div>
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At least half of the internet took the news of Namco Bandai co-developing Smash Bros out of literal context, and assumed that every Tekken, Tales Of, and Tomogachi character has a shot at being at least featured in SSB4. Which is like saying that since J.J Abrams is the director of the new Star Wars trilogy we're going to be seeing the Cloverfield monster speeding through Tatooine on the Enterprise. Sora Sakurai is already losing sleep over adding third-party characters, and we'll be lucky if we even get Pac-Man as a rep let alone having Ivy as an assist trophy glazing her sexist breasts against the screen like a humping NintenDog. But apparently no one told that to the 10 poorly misguided Digimon fanboys who signed <a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/namco-bandai-new-character-in-the-new-super-smash-bros-agumon" target="_blank">this petition</a> to get Argumon in SSB4. </div>
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Yes, some people want Digimon. In Smash Bros. </div>
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<i> Don't like Digimon in Smash Bros? Your Argumon is invalid! HA! (I'm very sorry) </i></div>
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The petition hasn't had any new signatures since July 22nd, so it's probably safe to say Digimon in SSB4 is a no go, but you have to admire this guy's enthusiasam; albeit he might be a bit too obsessed judging by his FB page: </div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><em>"Question of the day: If Agumon was in Smash Brothers. How would you want him to handle? What sort of move set would you want for him? Recolors, final smash, voice actor(s). Let us Know!"</em> </span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><em>"Anyone else ever think Movie Yoshi looks more like Agumon than Yoshi? Too bad the movie predates Digimon by quite a while."</em></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><em>"Admin here; just started playing Project Xross Zone, and I'm hooked. I love it; but the lack of certain characters bugs me. Lets hope they make a sequel and put some more bandai characters in there next time. I personally would love to see Agumon fighting along side Megaman." </em></span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Practically every post this guy makes mentions Argumon, and if it doesn't involve Argumon, it's a post begging everyone to help localize Digimon World Re:Digitize Decode. I'm guessing his next move is to legally change his name to Argumon Pereira. </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Mike Jones </b></span></span><br />
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This might seem like a weird petition to diss on, since StarTropics was a first-party NES title, so there's a slight chance that he'll appear in SSB4- but do we really <i>want</i> him? To be fair, <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/nintendo-of-america-make-a-startropics-wii-u-or-bring-mike-jones-into-super-smash-bros" target="_blank">the petition</a> just dismisses it as a second thought next to asking Nintendo to make a new StarTropics (A.K.A. a game few people today even know exists) for the Wii U, but obscurity aside would you really want this guy in the next Smash Bros:<br />
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<i>It's like Donkey Kong and Tin Tin had a nightmarish eyebrow child.</i></div>
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He'd literally be a medium weight Lucas with a similar moveset (StarTropics indirectly referenced Earthbound) and look at that face- LOOK AT THOSE GLOBDAMN EYEBROWS. Maybe I'm being a little unfair- Pit didn't look exactly like his prior NES counterpart after all- and we've already have Wii Fit Trainer to prove that obscurity isn't a hurtle, but still, this is like having Slippy Toad as a playable character. Captain Rainbow would make more sense as a playable character than- </div>
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<i> STOP IT! </i></div>
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NopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNope. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Reggie Fils-Aime</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://images.vg247.com/current//2011/03/reggie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://images.vg247.com/current//2011/03/reggie1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ask anyone what CEO/president of a video game company they would like to play as in a video game, and you'll probably get a blank stare and a resounding "what, why?", which is one of the many reasons why you won't be playing as Peter Moore in a future EA Sports title any time soon. So it's baffling that <a href="http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/sora-sakurai-add-reggie-fils-aime-to-the-super-smash-bros-3ds-wii-u-roster-reggieforsmashbros" target="_blank">there's a petition to include Reggie Fils-Aime</a> (The American COO of Nintendo) as a playable character in Smash Bros. </div>
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And it already has over 24,000 supporters, and growing consistently as I write this. Gabe Newell couldn't get that praise even if he gave away free copies of Half-Life 3 and sold his fortune to end world hunger. </div>
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<i>This is relevant. </i></div>
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Let me rephrase that: an average Nintendo COO that accidentally became a famous internet meme is now part of an on-line petition to include him in a fighting game that features a walking pink marshmallow and electric mice- and it has over 24,000 people backing it. This is what we've become. Oh, and Reggie is seriously going with it: </div>
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Of course Sora Sakurai has the final decision of the character roster, but the mere fact that this could very well happen and that it's under consideration is baffling, especially coming from a gaming company that has never taken fan feedback seriously at all. </div>
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<i>"You want a new F-Zero you say? Well that's just silly, no one wants that." </i></div>
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N5Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06268743253183217964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036881223131337511.post-68726319813282136242013-07-18T19:45:00.003-07:002013-07-18T19:45:41.007-07:00Review: Shin Megami Tensei IV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Review by Pokefreak</i><br />
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Title: Shin Megami Tensei IV (translated as True Goddess Reincarnation IV)<br />
Developer: ATLUS<br />
Platform: 3DS<br />
Bottom Line: Expensive and difficult, but rewarding and classic.<br />
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The Shin Megami Tensei name is commonplace for any RPG fan. From the original Famicom games to the wildly successful Persona series, everything about it clicks with JRPG fans. And ATLUS has decided to present us with another entry in the main series, the first since 2009's Strange Journey on the DS and even moreso since the last main entry, 2003's Nocturne on the PS2. As an avid fan of the SMT name, with Persona 4 being my all time favourite game, I couldn't turn down getting a chance to look at the series that started my obsession over these games.<br />
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Now before you continue, I need to point out. <b>THIS GAME IS NOT PERSONA.</b> It seems that numerous other reviewers have constantly looked down on SMTIV because it doesn't feature the same RPG/dating sim elements that Persona 3/4 have. Persona is a spin-off series of this, friends. Get used to it.<br />
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Now, before we get started, the game itself is pricy. Currently, the only versions of the game you can buy physically are the limited editions. These cost as much as a typical console game, nearing $60. Is the extra stuff in the box worth the extra $20? Well, let's see what's in the box.<br />
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Inside the package is a small game guide/artbook from famous guide developers Prima, a soundtrack CD, and the game itself. It's not a bad value if you're like me and like having physical objects rather than download codes. It's a good value if you like that kind of thing. The only issue is that it's still more expensive on the eShop than most 3DS games, even without the extra feelies. Not exactly a smart move, ATLUS. Another problem is that the Prima guide doens't cover the entire game. It really only covers the first quarter of the game and only has information on the demons featured in that quarter. What the hell, Prima?<br />
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Let's jump into the actual game. You play as Flynn, a young man aiming to be a Samurai in the eastern kingdom of Mikado. You succeed, and team up with your Samurai friends Walter, Jonathan and Isabeau. But as you protect the kingdom, you learn that you might not be the only ones in the world, and that underneath your world is something much more terrifying... the land of Tokyo, where demons roam free and humans have barely managed to survive. On top of that, there's someone called the "Black Samurai" who is turning people into demons!<br />
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Gameplay is MegaTen standard. You need to make use of a Pokemon-like system where some attacks do more damage to certain demons. On top of that, you have to recruit demons and fuse them to make stronger demons to keep yourself on top of the game. It requires a fair bit of strategy, despite being more action-based than most titles in the franchise. And there are over 400 demons in the game. Good luck.<br />
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Graphically, the game looks amazing. The game moves between 2D stills for cutscenes and battles and 3D for overworld exploration. The 2D has a certain charm to it that reminds me of past MegaTen games, especially Strange Journey. The 3D aspect looks better than its PS2 prequel and controls well too. The 3D feature of the system does the overworld wonders, while the battles and cutscenes just look flat. It's a weird thing where the game can look either amazing or awful.<br />
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All in all, the game brings a little of what we know, revamps and polishes it, and presents us with the beautiful on one side, sorta rusty on the other gem that is Shin Megami Tensei IV. If you want a good RPG, this will definitely strike your fancy.<br />
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The Good:<br />
+Fantastic music by Mr. Shoji Meguro himself<br />
+Classic SMT story featuring both Law and Chaos routes<br />
-Engrossing gameplay with amazing overworlds. <br />
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The bad<br />
-Graphics are a double-edged sword<br />
-Game can be difficult and mocks you for drying<br />
-Recruiting demons is one of the worst endeavors ever.Nintendo 5-Starhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00378622809042133428noreply@blogger.com0