For instance, there was the lack of news regarding a Western release of the 3DS Dragon Quest VII remake. Also, aside from Steel Diver: Sub Wars (more about this one below), no completely new 3DS or Wii U games were revealed in any of the three Nintendo Directs, as far as I'm aware--which is a real shame, especially since the 3DS is my go-to system this year.
Anyway, let's push those negatives to the background for the moment and focus instead on the positives--like the eight bullet-pointed items below--that I personally took from yesterday's Iwata-led extravaganzas:
A Free-to-Play 3DS Game? From Nintendo?--Wasn't the word on the street that Steel Diver: Sub Wars was being made for the Wii U? Whatever, I'm actually glad it was developed for the 3DS instead--you know, because I don't currently own a Wii U. Anyway, the game's out now and is completely free--or at least a portion of it is. (The full thing, which gives you access to additional missions and subs, costs $9.99.) Consider me intrigued, and consider it downloaded, too.
Hey, Sega, You're Bringing Hero Bank to the States, Right?--Seriously, this upcoming 3DS game, highlighted during the Japanese Nintendo Direct, looks great. And I mean that literally--as in, I love its art style. Unfortunately, I've never had a clue as to what's going on in any of the gameplay trailers that have been used to promote it, and that leads me to believe I should avoid playing it in a language I don't understand. So, uh, throw me a bone, will you, Sega? Pretty please?
Hurray! Kirby Triple Deluxe Finally Has a Release Date--Unfortunately, the date is May 2--the same day Mario Golf: World Tour will hit store shelves, incidentally. Oh, well, that just means I'll be able to take my time with Bravely Default, Yoshi's New Island and a small handful of other 3DS games that are set to be released between now then.
I'm Still Not Sure What I Think About Yoshi's New Island--On the one hand, this game's graphics have started to grow on me in recent weeks, at least in a general sense. On the other, its gameplay doesn't look anywhere near as interesting as what was found in the original Yoshi's Island. And then there are those feet. You know the ones I'm talking about. Still, I'm buying this one despite my reservations, as I just couldn't live with myself if I passed on it simply because it looked kind of boring in trailers.
I Need Another Portable Puzzler Like I Need A Hole in the Head, But I'm Still Buying Pokemon Battle Trozei--Could a game be more up my alley than this one? I doubt it. I mean, it's adorable, it's a puzzler and it's coming to the 3DS (eShop). Oh, sure, Nintendo could give it a better logo, some cute (and colorful) cover art and offer up a physical release, too, but I can't blame them for going the digital-only route. Regardless, it's mine on March 20.
I Never Thought I'd Say This, But I'm Buying a Baseball Game--Specifically, I'm buying Rusty's Real Deal Baseball once it hits the North American 3DS eShop in April. This one's a localization of Darumeshi Sports Store, by the way, which has been available in Japan for a while now and by most accounts is a completely awesome and worthwhile experience.
Inazuma Eleven Earns a Stealth eShop Release--Most folks assumed us North Americans would be getting this soccer RPG sometime soon after it showed up on Nintendo.com early last month. I doubt, though, that many of them thought Nintendo of America would toss it onto the eShop immediately following today's Nintendo Direct. No joke: I'd pick it up right now if I didn't already own the European DS version of the game.
Weapon Shop de Omasse Will Be Mine--I'm not so sure it was wise to give this 3DS eShop title (an English localization of the last of Level-5's Guild 01 games) such a weird name, but what do I know? Also, what do I care? All I care about at the moment is that I'll finally be able to get my hands on it--as will you, if you own a North American 3DS and you have $7.99 to blow--on Feb. 20.
So, those are my main thoughts on yesterday's trio of Nintendo Directs. What are yours?
When they announced Weapon Shop de Omasse allowed you to be a merchant from an RPG, I started laughing and said "That's awesome! Why has nobody done that before?" I'm usually avoid rhythm games (other than Theatrhythm Final Fantasy), but I'll be buying that one.
ReplyDeleteI'm also glad to have a release date for Mario Golf. That's an automatic purchase.
I'm also happy about finally getting GBA games on the Wii U Virtual Console. The only reason my GameCube hasn't been shelved is because I still like to fire up the Game Boy Player every so often for some big-screen Metroid Fusion action.
Gah! I replied to this earlier, but apparently Disqus ate my comment :(
ReplyDeleteAnyway, yes, Weapon Shop de Omasse looks awesome. I knew it involved running a weapon shop in an RPG, but I had no idea (until yesterday) that it included a rhythm element. Even better!
I'm not sure what I think of Mario Golf at this point, I have to say. I loved the N64 Mario Golf game, so I'm at least somewhat interested in this one, but I really don't like that this game, like the 3DS Mario Tennis game before it, doesn't feature an RPG mode like previous portable entries in the series.
Still, I may pick it up eventually, although probably not for some time, and probably only on sale (or used).
As for GBA games coming to the Wii U: that's cool, I guess, but I'd be a lot more interested in that news if it said GBA games were coming to the 3DS eShop, too.
Well, yeah, overall I'd say these NDs were far from exciting. That said, I was happy with the 3DS news we got, especially since I'm up to my ears in games that need to be played and I really don't need a ton more new games to look forward to in the coming months.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually kind of "meh" on the idea of the Koopa Kids appearing in Mario Kart 8, which I'm sure sounds weird. I'm not even sure why I feel that way. Anyway, I still think the game looks awesome and I have a feeling it's going to push me to pick up a Wii U at some point, although likely not until next year.
I'm just super excited and pumped about Rusty's Real Deal Baseball. I almost imported a Japanese 3DS just to play that game!
ReplyDeleteAnd the fact that its coming out over here?! Too awesome. It reminds me of those awesome, quirky but full of character games that only Japan gets (see: Ore No Ryuori, Vib Ribbon, Roommania). I'd say we are really lucky to get that, as well as Weapon Shope De Omasse. Now all I'm waiting for is some Dragon Quest, Yokai Watch, Fantasy Life and River City Ransom 3D, and I'd be happy if 3DS stops making games after that.
Oh, and Kirby Triple Deluxe!!!! Can't WAIT!
Edit, I wouldn't be "happy" if 3DS stops making games... but I would be content with just those... I don't know what I'm try to say... I JUST WANT THOSE GAMES SO I CAN FINALLY REST IN PEACE! haha
ReplyDeleteLittle Mac in the new Smash Bros? *swoon* I've always had a soft spot for him.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Koopa Kids in Mario Kart 8? I hope the introduction of a whole brood of baddies might mean some kind of story mode that has Mario and friends racing to defeat the Koopas.
And the Pokemon title looks just as amazing and fun as, say, Puzzle Quest. So I'm in.
And...those feet? I actually don't know what you're talking about.
I believe there are actually a few games now about running the shop in an RPG, though I'm having a hard time remembering any titles besides Recettear but I'm sure there are others. Atelier Rorona has a shopkeeping element but I'm not sure how much of the main focus is on that.
ReplyDeleteHey there, Walter! Yeah, we're definitely very lucky to be getting both Rusty's Real Deal Baseball and Weapon Shop de Omasse.
ReplyDeleteI actually downloaded the Japanese version of Rusty's to my Japanese 3DS, but it's so full of text that I felt a bit too lost to do much with it.
So, I'm especially glad we're getting an English version :)
As for Fantasy Life, et all--oh, boy, do I hope we get those. I'm not feeling so confident we're going to get all of them, but I'm hoping we'll get at least one of them??
Oh, I understand. Honestly, I have so many 3DS games at the moment--a bunch of which I've yet to play--so I'd be fine, in a way, if we stopped getting 3DS games soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, right, of course there's Recettear. I think this one's supposed to be pretty different from that one, though--not that I would know! Sadly, I don't know much about Atelier Rorona either :|
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I like Little Mac, too, Justin--especially the version that appeared in the Wii Punch-Out game.
ReplyDeleteI like your thinking RE: the Koopa Kids in Mario Kart 8--especially as their initial reveal didn't excite as much as it excited others. Could it be that I've actually seen the Koopa Kids a bit too often in recent years? I mean, why can't we see the baddies from SMB2/USA again or something?
RE: Yoshi's New Island's feet: yes, you know what I'm talking about, Justin. His feet are HUGE! Grossly huge, IMO. And most of the other characters have oddly large feet--like the Shy Guys, etc. Why?!? It creeps me out.
I wonder what happened to Wart in particular. Was he really just a figment of Mario's imagination? It's been pretty well established that Shy Guys and even the less-controversial-than-you'd-think Birdo exist in Mario's world, but Wart's been a no-show for a quarter of a century.
ReplyDeleteYes, I very, very, VERY much want to see Wart as the main bad guy in a Mario game in the near-ish future. I'll take Clawgrip and Mouser as sidekicks, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of iffy on Level 5's games, which is odd because I did enjoy Dark Cloud 2. However, I've heard their 3DS titles are rather gameplay-deficient, and the one I *do* have, Crimson Shroud, bored me to tears. It might be a little TOO much like real-world RPGs for its own good.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaTTfXR9kF4
Every time I play Crimson Shroud, I can't help but think of another video game, Escape from The Big Apple, which was briefly featured on the cartoon sitcom The Critic. In it, a character runs through the streets of New York City, dodging baseball hooligans ("look out, it's nickel beer day!") and muggers, until he's cornered by the Reverend Al Sharpton. As Sharpton blathers on, and on, and on, the player's character grows old and collapses into a pile of bones. That's like, every room in Crimson Shroud. Stop talking and let me fight, already!
Well, just remember that Crimson Shroud really was just published by Level-5. It isn't a Level-5-developed game like most of the other games the company is known for.
ReplyDeleteMe, I've really only played the Prof. Layton games (when it comes to games they've actually made), and although I liked them well enough, I wouldn't say they've convinced me that I love L5 games.
As such, I really need to try some of their other games, like Inazuma Eleven and Fantasy Life and such.
AMEN! My other half and I speculate on Wart's appearance in EVERY NEW MARIO GAME that comes out. For real. Mario Galaxy? Could have been a great opportunity to revisit Tatanga, the boss of Super Mario Land. Smash Bros needs more heavy characters. Why not Wart? I mean...even just a mention of him would be nice. It's like no one even remembers he exists.
ReplyDeleteSigh. Yes, this reminds me of how I've always wondered when Nintendo would finally allow us to play as Peach (a la SMB2) in an honest-to-goodness Mario game again. What took them so long?!? Who knows, maybe this means we'll see Wart again soon, too. I sure hope so!
ReplyDeleteThe Smash reveal - I was like, who's this? You see I've never played Punch Out (even when I had a SNES) as the whole boxing scenario never interested me (and turned me off).
ReplyDeleteKirby looks kinda cool (coming about 2 weeks after you guys). I may have to see how it is before I get.
Don't know about Yoshi (I remember getting Yoshi's Story on N64 and finishing it on the same day I got, while cute, I didn't think much of it). This looks more of the same with some additions (I found a 3D video in the 3DS eShop, you can take a look and see what it looks like on your 3DS).
Weapon Shop de Omasse - very curious about this one. I may get it.
Inazuma and Mario Golf - zzzZZZzzzz
Pokemon Trozei - eh, if there's a demo I'll try it out.
Steel Diver - while interesting free to play concept, have no interest in the game (I wonder if they will start releasing new games this way, reminds of the old Shareware system from the 90s).
No mention of the baseball game in Euro stream, tho I'm not really interested.
Mario Kart - kinda interesting to have koopalings as new racers. A lot of people like it, a lot of people are annoyed that "Nintendo is wasting resources on these racers" LOL personally I don't care.
They revealed that we will be getting Etrian Odyssey Untold: Millennium Girl which is pretty cool. I may actually get into this Etrian Odyssey since it has a bit more story to it.
Still no news on SMT4 release (even tho they told us last year it is coming)
GBA games coming to Wii U VC is a neat idea, though strange why it isn't coming to 3DS.
It would've made more sense to have GameCube games come to Wii U VC. Tho I also wonder if all the suggested GBA games that are coming will reach us here in Aus.
X - wow I loved seeing the gameplay footage. I hope they reveal the proper name and the release time frame at E3. (I hope it comes out by the end of the year, the latest).
Bayonetta 2 - loved the new trailer!! I hope they reveal the release date soon too! Though my guess is probably July - September time frame. I also think there will be more at E3. I kinda wish they'd port the first one and include it with the 2nd one.
I'm assuming the castle club Mii stuff was supposed to be a RPG mode. Plus in a trailer released after the direct it shows a Mii walking around and talking to a toad that runs a shop.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NklrcLrGNF0
I wasn't really all that interested in Bayonetta 2 but that trailer they showed towards the end of the direct is making me think that maybe I should reconsider.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, well, I certainly hope you're right, Sam! That would make me a *lot* more interested in this game--although I'd still probably wait a while to pick it up, as I have plenty to keep myself busy at the moment.
ReplyDeleteAre you planning to pick it up, though--either at launch or sometime after?
I sincerely hope you're right, Walter. At the very least, I want Fantasy Life and DQ VII, but I'd obviously take all of them if they're offered!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice note about my blog and how you came to discover it, by the way.
Oh, and as for portable gaming--retro portable gaming, especially--just you wait! I'm currently obsessed with both the GameBoy and the Game Gear, so expect loads more about both systems' game libraries in the coming weeks/months :)
Glad to hear from someone else who isn't completely down on YNI. Like you said, it seems at the moment that it's not going to be anywhere near as charming as the original, but who really knows?
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing about A Link Between Worlds before it was released, but now that I've had a chance to play (and beat) it, I'd definitely put it right alongside its predecessor (A Link to the Past).
Who's to say the same won't happen with Yoshi's New Island and YI?
I'm not saying that's assuredly going to be the case, but we won't know one way or another until the game is released and we've played it through to the end.
What I'm willing to say now, though, is that I can appreciate some of what Nintendo's clearly trying to do with this game's aesthetics, especially. The game is supposed to look as though it was made by artists using colored pencils, chalk, etc., and at the moment I've got to say I like the idea of that.
Anyway, here's hoping there's a fun-to-play game sitting behind those visuals...
Woof! That's a long comment, Igor :)
ReplyDeleteOne reply I have to you that I hope you'll read: I really would suggest trying out the original Punch-Out!!, at least, at some point. Don't think of it as a boxing game, because it isn't. Rather, it's more of a puzzle game. Or at least it's part boxing game, part puzzle game.
I have NO interest in boxing games--or most sports games, period--but I've loved every Punch-Out!! game I've ever played (which is three of them--for the NES, SNES and Wii).
The baseball game mentioned here is much the same, actually. Yes, it's a "baseball game" in that it involves baseballs and bats and pitchers and catchers, etc., but that's about it.
In reality, it's almost a rhythm game. Or at least a timing game.
Just remember this: it was made by the same folks who made the Rhythm Heaven/Paradise/Tengoku games.
Hello again, Sam! Oh, yeah, I've had little interest in either the original Bayonetta game or Bayonetta 2 for some time now--mainly because I don't like button-mashing beat 'em ups--but I have to admit the last few trailers for B2 makes it look like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteI also really like that Pokemon Battle Trozei seems inspired by Puzzle and Dragons, by the way. Regardless, I'm planning to pick it up on day one, as I love portable puzzlers.
What makes Punch-Out!! so much more inviting than other boxing games is its keenly responsive control. You press down, your character ducks. You press left or right, your character dodges. Your character responds instantly to every tap of the D-pad and buttons, which makes the action feel clean and crisp. Most other boxing games make you feel like you're controlling a tank... powerful, but frustratingly slow and awkward. It makes a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteWhat's this about "wasting resources?" :) What are those people talking about?
ReplyDeleteYes, there's that, too!
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think I want to know, Michael. I'm guessing they mean they should be making other racers instead? Or do they mean they should be making other *games* instead?
ReplyDeleteI assumed they meant the characters, but it seems efficient to me, they've already got the HD models (I have a suspicion that Nintendo's been recycling the same character assets since SNMB Wii or Mario Galaxy) so just plopping 'em into carts should be an easy 8 characters.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'd like to see some more Wario characters, but if we start pulling from Wario Ware then there's no end to it, might as well just make a whole new game out of it. ;D
You're probably right, Michael. Regardless, who cares? I can't say I'm all that stoked these characters will be appearing in the game, but they are unique to the series, so it's hard for me to get too hot and bothered about it.
ReplyDeleteAs for your call for Wario Ware characters, etc., I'm actually one of those folks who'd love for Nintendo to make a "Nintendo Kart" game at some point, so maybe they should off on Wario Land/Wario Ware characters until then?
Is that something you'd be interested in, by the way? A Nintendo Kart game that features characters from series other than Mario?
It isn't something I'd thought about, but it certainly doesn't seem like a bad idea! I think I'd appreciate it more from a "fan service" aspect than Smash Bros tbh, I think race tracks could be more interesting for re-purposing each Nintendo "world." Really that wouldn't be a bad idea for Mario Kart, even without other racers, just drawing on more Nintendo titles for courses would be pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can see why they've yet to do it, in a way, as they likely worry it would take away from the Mario Kart brand, etc. But I think they could get away with it if they, say, released a Mario Kart game at the beginning of a particular system's life and then released this "Nintendo Kart" a few years later. I know I certainly wouldn't remind that!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with you 100 percent that I would appreciate such a game more than I would Smash Bros. Of course, you're talking to someone who's never really been able to get into the Smash Bros series. I've tried twice now, and it just isn't my thing, I guess.
You know what else I'd find intriguing, if done well? A Nintendo-made game that apes Konami's old Wai Wai World games for the Famicom. In other words, Nintendo's version would be a multi-faceted platformer that features characters from a number of its series. Could be a lot of fun, I think, although I'm sure it would produce a lot of eye-rolling on the Internet, too :)
I guess the Internet kinda beat then to that, what's that Indie game where you can play as all those different NES characters in each others' games? :) People certainly took to that! Actually there's that Nintendo Remix game on WiiU, I wonder if that might towards that direction at some point?
ReplyDeleteI feel sort of silly thinking "here are more ways for Nintendo to re-use its properties!" xD Hasn't Miyamoto mentioned working on some secret new project?
Oh, yeah, I'm with you in wanting Nintendo, in general, to explore new characters and IPs and such, but I also think they could be more creative about using their existing properties. Why does it always have to be Mario Kart and Smash Bros.? Why can't it be something else?
ReplyDeleteI was seeing people complain that Nintendo is wasting time on making koopalings
ReplyDeleteNot sure if I've mentioned this to you before, but when Bayonetta first came out I dismissed it as some "14yo fantasy" silly woman beat em up game and completely ignored it until Nintendo announced they are funding Bayonetta 2.
ReplyDeleteI then decided to check out the game.
I was pleasantly surprised! Sure it is a beat em up game (very reminiscent of Devil May Cry, which should be no surprise since they created the first one!) but I really got into the character designs. The overt sexuality is really a parody and the juxtoposition of Bayonetta sounding posh yet having a potty mouth just made it ridiculous yet extremely funny at the same time! (and I would say its the best voice actor in a game!!)
I would definitely suggest giving it a go.
I did find the game rather challenging, so I just played the whole game on Easy. I didn't really care about getting the top score etc.
Why does this not surprise me?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Igor! I've been meaning to pick up the Xbox 360 version of the original for ages due to recommendations from other folks I know. I may yet do that this year...
ReplyDeleteI think I prefer the design of Bayonetta in the sequel to be honest. The short hair is a bit more fetching, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI played through the first Bayonetta on the Playstation 3. I realize it wasn't the idea format for that game, but it was still entertaining. Couldn't stand playing it on anything but the easy mode, though... all the other difficulties stomped me flatter than a penny.
Huh! Although I like the short hair well enough, I definitely prefer the longer hair--and it seems like I may be in the minority there. Oh, well!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, glad to hear you found the first one fun, Jess. I've heard that a lot by now, though, so maybe I should stop being surprised by it.
Well, dumb people, mostly.
ReplyDeleteSuper Mario Bros. 3 was probably my most hotly anticipated game of all time. I waited MONTHS to play it, even after it was released, because I couldn't afford to buy it and the rental store's copy was always out. When I finally got my hands on it, man, it was pure bliss. I loved the idea that Bowser had kids- and a whole lot of 'em!- and I wanted to see them in more games. I STILL want to see them in more games, which is why I'm so happy they were included in Mario Kart 8. I can't even fathom why people would call their inclusion in the game a waste... who the hell else from the Mario series would you put in the game? I mean, geez, the Mario Kart games have Mario and Luigi in diapers, and they've been playable characters for over a decade. You can't tell me there's not room for the Koopa Kids.