I'm pretty smitten with this pair of Splatoon (Wii U) commercials

I honestly don't know what's come over me in the last few weeks. In that time, I've become massively smitten with Nintendo's cartoonish and squid-filled shooter for the Wii U, Splatoon.

Admittedly, I won't be playing it anytime soon--due to the fact that I still don't own the company's latest system--but that won't keep me from slobbering over it all the same.



Actually, for the time being, I'm going to slobber over the commercials shown here, which the brass at Nintendo hope will spur throngs of people to buy their shiny new game.

The one above is, or will be, airing in Japan, while the one below will be shown in North America.



Although I'm overly fond of both of them, I think I prefer the Japanese ad to its North American counterpart. That said, I can understand why Nintendo isn't using it in every region, as it's perhaps too abstract (because it doesn't give viewers much of an idea as to Splatoon's gameplay).

What do you think? Do you like either of these commercials, or maybe even both of them? Also, are you as smitten by this upcoming Wii U title as I am at the moment?

'Bitch, I'm Madonna' (8-bit Remix)

There isn't much "grey area" when it comes to Madonna. You either love her, or hate her.

Me, I love her. Always have, probably always will.

Which should go a long way toward explaining why I'm posting the following "8-bit remix" of one of the Michigan-born popstar's latest songs, the fabulously titled "Bitch, I'm Madonna." (Actually, I believe the official title of this "Rebel Heart" tune is "Bitch I'm Madonna," but I refuse to refer to it in its comma-free form.)



Of course, it's not like showcasing this remix here is a total stretch. The person who produced it was inspired by "classic Nintendo songs," after all.

Plus, its YouTube cover art (or whatever you're supposed to call the imagery that fronts the rest its content) features a pixelated Madonna.

Anyway, check it out if you're a fan, and obviously feel free to ignore it if you're not. Oh, and if you'd prefer to hear version of this remix with vocals (from someone other than the "Vogue" songstress), here you go. (Personally, I think the latter iteration sounds a bit too much like a Kidz Bop recording, but that's just me.)

Impossibly, I'd never seen this crazy Japanese TV commercial for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past before yesterday

Now that I've seen it, I'd really like to know how TV viewers at the time received it. Did they consider it corny or cheesy, as most of us surely would today, or did they consider it kind of cool?

Or maybe the target audience simply reacted to it with awe, which is how I probably would have reacted to it. It did, after all, herald the coming of a new entry in the Legend of Zelda series.



You know what? Now I'm thinking Nintendo of Japan should've made a sequel to this commercial in order to promote last year's A Link Between Worlds. Doing so certainly couldn't have hurt.

See also: 'The Great Gaymathon Review #64: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS)'

If you like Yoshi's Island, you're going to love the Videri String Quartet's take on a handful of that game's classic tunes

In honor of the recent release of Yoshi's New Island, the members of Boston's Videri String Quartet decided to arrange, perform, record and share a medley of tunes pulled from the soundtrack of that game's Super Famicom (or SNES, if that's your thing) predecessor.



The entire composition is so wonderful I can't even point to a particular section as my favorite--although I guess if I were pressed I'd have to go with the quartet's sublime rendition of the game's "castle and fortress" theme. How about you?

See also: 'Raise your hand if you, too, are conflicted as hell about Yoshi's New Island'

Edea's sax-filled special-move theme ('Baby Bird') in Bravely Default is my everything

Seriously, take a listen to it in all its '80s-sitcom-inspired, porn-tastic glory and then try to tell me it isn't the most fabulous tune in all of gaming:



That's not to suggest the other special-move themes that appear in Bravely Default stink, of course. On the contrary, I think all of them are pretty rad. (You can listen to them here, if you'd like.)

Edea's really takes the cake, though, in my opinion. (Even this vocalized version.) Or maybe I should say it takes the cheesecake?

Thanks to my recently completed EarthBound playthrough, I can't get this tune out of my head

I know I've shared this video before, but it's so darn good that I can't help but share it again--especially since it's been bouncing around in my brain ever since I finished EarthBound a couple of weeks ago.



Do any of you have favorite EarthBound tunes? If so, what are they?

Get Lucky (feat. K.K. Slider)

"This is far better than it has any right to be."

That's what one particular YouTube user said earlier today about the following Animal Crossing x Daft Punk mash-up, and I couldn't agree with him (or her) more.



A download link to (a louder version of) the track is included in the video's description, so go here if you'd like to listen to it whenever and wherever your heart desires.

On a related note, is anyone else going absolutely nuts waiting for Animal Crossing: New Leaf to be released in their neck of the woods?

Nearly five minutes of awesome Pokémon doodles

Early last week, I posted a video that consisted of three-and-a-half minutes of awesome Animal Crossing doodles, each of which were produced (using black pencil and acrylic paint) by YouTube user surrounded78.

Well, while perusing the other 90 videos surrounded78 has uploaded to his (her?) YouTube channel in the last seven or so years, I came across the one below, which includes just under five minutes of awesome Pokémon doodles.



As amazing as surrounded78's Animal Crossing creations are and were, I think these Pokémon creations may be even more so thanks to the ones shown at :16, :21, :36, 1:05, 1:42, 1:59, and so on and so forth.

See also: 'Three-and-a-half minutes of awesome Animal Crossing doodles'

In case you're wondering, the text in this Japanese TV ad translates to: 'Bryan, get off your lazy ass and play Contact for Nintendo DS'

While writing up this blog post earlier in the week, I came across the following commercial for the Japanese release of Grasshopper Manufacture's dual-screened RPG, Contact.

For all sorts of reasons--the first glimpse of "the Professor," the Mother-esque graphics, the music--it got my heart pumping.



It also prompted me to slap myself--solidly and repeatedly--for failing to even pop the cart into my trusty DS Lite (true story: I don't like to play DS games on my 3DS) despite the fact that I've owned a copy of the Euro release since January.

I'm going to do my best to change that soon (possibly as part of my "Baby Got Back(log)" series), though, as I have a feeling it's going to blow me away just like another long-overlooked DS title, Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime, did a few months ago.

As if we didn't feel bad enough about Tomodachi Collection: New Life's lack of a western release

Thanks go out to "Occupy White," a member of the Gay Nintendo Gamers Facebook group, for making me aware of the following video, which is a five-and-a-half-minute trailer for Nintendo's Tomodachi Collection: New Life--released in Japan on April 28--that's been translated into English by YouTubers LinandKo.



Since it seems all but certain this 3DS title will remain a import-only affair--much like its DS-based predecessor, which hit the streets of its home country back in the summer of 2009--I'm seriously considering picking up a copy sooner rather than later.

Granted, I won't be able to understand much of what's going on for some time to come, but I'm hoping it and a few other games will help push me along the path to learning Japanese.

Three-and-a-half minutes of awesome Animal Crossing doodles

Just in case you've forgotten, Animal Crossing: New Leaf will be released in North America in less than a month.

That likely sounds like a reasonably short amount of time to some folks, but for me it's still much too far away. The game was first teased during E3 2011, damn it. I want it nooooooooooow!

The only things that are keeping me anywhere close to sane through all of this are New Leaf-centric Tumblrs like bunsicalcrossing.tumblr.com and merongcrossing.tumblr.com.



Oh, and videos like the one above, created by YouTube user surrounded78, who produced each of the 95 (or so) illustrations included within using black pencil and acrylic paint.

My favorites are shown at :25, 1:04, 1:13, 2:56 and 3:05, by the way. Which are yours?

(Via bunsicalcrossing.tumblr.com)

Oh, hey, Capybara Games' Super T.I.M.E. Force is still a thing?

I hate to admit it, but I lost track of Capybara Games' Super T.I.M.E. Force long ago. As such, I was surprised to see a thread about this upcoming XBLA release pop up on NeoGAF this morning.

That NeoGAF thread promised nine minutes of Super T.I.M.E. Force gameplay, by the way, and, boy, did it deliver. Here it is, in case any of you are interested:



The game kind of recalls the great Gunstar Heroes--or even that Konami classic, Contra--with a curious time-altering element thrown in for good measure, don't you think?

Sadly, I can't seem to find a release date (or even a release window) for Super T.I.M.E. Force at the moment, so I'm guessing the folks at Capybara Games have yet to share one.

Here's hoping it hits XBLA sooner rather than later--and with a not-too-steep price tag attached to it.

Five favorites: EarthBound/Mother 2 tunes

As those of you who read this recent post already know, I started playing EarthBound again just over a week ago. I say "again" because I've played this classic SNES RPG on a number of occasions in the past--with the first time occurring shortly after its 1995 release. (I rented it from one of the local grocery stores.)

Although I (believe I) experienced a fair bit of EarthBound during that initial playthrough attempt, I'm pretty sure I've bested that effort during my current one. Regardless, there's no way I'm walking away from the game before the end credits roll this time around.

What are the things that keep me coming back for more (and more and more, if this past week is any indication)? EarthBound's heartfelt story, of course, but also its unique setting and charming graphics. Oh and, last but not least, its amazing soundtrack.

Speaking of which, I'm so in love with this game's soundtrack that I've decided to pen not just one but two blog posts about my 10 favorite EarthBound tunes (thus far). Here are the first five (in alphabetical order):



1. "Boy Meets Girl"--Is there a song that's more emblematic of EarthBound than this one? I'd be hard-pressed to name one. After all, not only is it imbued with a breezy, carefree energy, but it's also infused with a sense of determination--thanks in large part to its ever-present drum beat--and a healthy dose of wistfulness.



2. "Humoresque of a Little Dog" (aka "Buy Somethin' Will Ya!")--If there's a tune on the EarthBound soundtrack that I'll likely never tire of, it's this spirited one. As lovely as the in-game composition is, though, it has nothing on the arrangement performed (above) by YouTube user impathesheikah.



3. "Sunrise & Onett Theme"--Here's another feel-good EarthBound track. This one has a winsome quality to it that really appeals to me for a number of reasons. I also like that it's kind of a call to adventure. None of those traits are all that present in the version included in the video above, but they're definitely on display in the iteration that can be heard here.

Flipnote Studio's coming to the 3DS, y'all!

One of the only reasons I seriously considered picking up a DSi back when the system was the new kid on the portable-gaming block was that it gave owners access to the gloriously creative app known in North America as Flipnote Studio.

Well, it appears an updated version of that piece of digital software will soon be made available to folks who have 3DSes and 3DS XLs.

According to yesterday's mini (Japanese) Nintendo Direct, below, Flipnote Studio 3D will hit the 3DS eShop as a free download sometime this summer.



Beyond that, the big news for me in regards to this release is that it will allow users to export their creations as animated GIFs, a series of GIFs or AVI movie files.

For more information about what's set to be included in this iteration of Flipnote Studio, check out neogaf.com and nintendoeverything.com.

UPDATE: for all of you who'd prefer to understand what's being said in this "Nintendo Direct mini," an English version (published by Nintendo of Europe, it seems) can be found here.

Donkey Kong: Pauline Edition

Looking for a feel-good story to wrap up the weekend? You can't get much better than this one: someone calling himself "Mike Mika" (sorry, I'm not sure if that's his real name or not) recently shared on YouTube a video titled "Donkey Kong: Pauline Edition," which features a hacked copy of Donkey Kong: Original Edition--the one that reinstated the previously MIA cement factory level into the NES version of Nintendo's classic quarter-muncher--that has Pauline save Mario rather than vice versa.

What prompted Mike to make "Donkey Kong: Pauline Edition"? Here's the explanation he shared in the video's YouTube description: "My three-year-old daughter and I play a lot of old games together. Her favorite is Donkey Kong. Two days ago, she asked me if she could play as the girl and save Mario. She's played as Peach in Super Mario Bros. 2 and assumed she could do the same in Donkey Kong. I told her we couldn't in that particular Mario game [and] she seemed really bummed out by that."



Flash forward to Mike being "up at midnight, hacking the ROM [and] replacing Mario with Pauline" in order to produce the title seen above.

Although Mike and his daughter are the only gamers playing "Donkey Kong: Pauline Edition" at the moment, last night he promised that he'd "figure out the best way to share a patch for anyone interested in playing the hack."

See also: 'So, you mean I can stop cursing Nintendo of America now?' and 'Donkey Kong: Original Edition ain't all that' and 'How badly do you want to play Donkey Kong: Original Edition?'

I'm a bad, bad Hikaru Utada fan

I know this isn't completely game-related, but most westerners know of Japanese singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada because of the tunes she contributed to Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II--"Simple and Clean" (aka "Hikari") and "Sanctuary" (aka "Passion"), respectively--so I also wouldn't say it's not at all game-related.

Anyway, the reason I'm a bad, bad Utada (as she's heretofore been known outside of Japan) fan is that I didn't realize until a few days ago that she released a new single, "Sakura Nagashi," which serves as the theme song for Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, in late November.



Unfortunately, only a snippet of the Naomi Kawase-directed video for "Sakura Nagashi" can be found on Utada's official YouTube channel (and above) at the moment, although the entire song can be downloaded from iTunes. (Also, its officially translated lyrics can be found here.)

(Via kotaku.com)

And once again I'm hoping the Animal Crossing-branded 3DS XL is brought to North America

Informal poll: who believes the awesome, Animal Crossing-branded 3DS XL (a few photos of it can be seen here and here) that was released in Japan late last year will see the light of day in Europe or North America in 2013?

Personally, I'm with the non-believers in this case. My main reason: if memory serves, Nintendo has released just two limited edition 3DS models outside of Japan so far (those being the Pikachu-themed XL that recently landed in Europe and the black-and-gold one that commemorated the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda in 2011)--although a third will hit the streets alongside Fire Emblem: Awakening's launch.

Still, that's a pretty bad track record when you consider how many special edition 3DS systems have found their way onto Japanese store shelves over the last few years.

Anyway, I hope I'm wrong, as this particular 3DS XL looks awesome in every way.



Speaking of which, the writing of this post was prompted by the video that can be seen above (and here).

I have no idea what the effervescent guy who serves as its star is saying, of course, but I think his enthusiasm for his new acquisition comes through loud and clear.

(Via apricotsushi)

In the flesh: PINK x WHITE 3DS LL

I wish I could say I filmed the unboxing video seen below (and here), but, alas, I didn't. Who knows, though, maybe I'll be able to make my own before the year is over?

The question is: Will my unboxing video focus on a Japanese or a North American pink-and-white 3DS XL/LL?



Actually, after the pair of "Chotto Nintendo Direct" presentations (this one announced a trio of new 3DS LL color variations, while this one revealed that a number of previously released retail games will be added to the Japanese eShop on Nov. 1) that were broadcast last night, an even better question might be:

Will my unboxing video focus on the aforementioned pink-and-white XL/LL or the just-announced Animal Crossing-branded LL that'll hit store shelves in Japan on Nov. 8?

See also: 'Welp, it seems I'll be buying a 3DS XL a bit sooner than I initially thought I would'

I'm totally buying this 3DS eShop game on Sept. 27 despite its rather terrible name

The game I'm talking about in the header above, by the way, is THE "DENPA" MEN: They Came By Wave.

As for why I'll be buying it despite its cringe-worthy name: It's the North American localization of Genius Sonority's Denpa Ningen RPG, a Japanese eShop release I've mentioned here on quite a few occasions.

Anyway, even if you've never read any of my drool-filled, Denpa Ningen RPG-focused posts, you'll probably want to check out the following trailer for THE "DENPA" MEN, as I think it looks pretty cool:



As mentioned in this post's headline, THE "DENPA" MEN will hit the North American eShop on Sept. 27. Oh, and it'll set you back $6.99.

See also: 'Who wouldn't want to play an RPG with characters who look part Teletubby, part Tingle, part Pikmin, part Mr. Driller and part Mii?'

How desperate am I to get my hands on Animal Crossing 3DS? *This* is how desperate I am to get my hands on Animal Crossing 3DS...

I mean, I'd have to be pretty desperate to watch, a few times over and with bated breath no less, The Bit Block's video analysis of Animal Crossing 3DS' Japanese box art that can be viewed below, don't you think?

Although a few of Josh's comments tripped my trigger, if you know what I mean, the one that really revved my motor was the one that suggested this iteration of the Animal Crossing franchise may include more than one island to explore, à la the first release.



Sadly, it seems all of us schmucks outside of Japan won't be playing this game anytime soon, as Nintendo of America recently tweeted that it would hit the streets sometime during "the first half of 2013"--which of course means it likely won't do so until around June.

Are any of you also chomping at the bit to get your hands on the game that the Japanese will call Tobidase Dōbutsu no Mori (aka Animal Crossing: Jump Out)?