Here we are, only a couple of weeks away from the launch of the Wii U. Naturally, this has led me to take a little bit of time to sit back and reflect on this last generation of games. And thinking about it, the Wii has had one problem which stood out above all others ever since that November 19th launch six years ago, and it is that…
Tag Archives: Wii
Building a Better Mario Kart: What I Would Change
Much as I love Mario Kart, it’s not perfect, and I feel that SEGA’s Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing has overall managed to surpass it as a more enjoyable, more competitive, and overall more skill-based experience. The sequel, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, is coming in November, and looks like it will have the unique position of beating whatever Nintendo comes up with next to the Wii U.
Some are saying that the “transformed” system is a “rip-off” of what we saw of gliders and underwater movement in Mario Kart 7, though the differences should be very clear. In volume 282 of Nintendo Power magazine, Sumo Digital Executive Producer Steve Lycett stated that they felt they had an “excellent foundation” with Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, but could do more than merely racing on land.
What I Love in Mario Kart
As mentioned at the end of my previous post, I really enjoy Mario Kart. More than anything, the characters, vehicles, and tracks tend to stand out for me. Here are some of my favorites.
Now you're driving with power!
As noted before, playing as R.O.B. was one of my favorite parts of Mario Kart DS, and Rosalina was fun in Mario Kart Wii. In Mario Kart 7, I tend to use my Mii a lot, just as I often use my Avatar when I’m not using Shadow in ASR. Just don’t think I’d rather play a racing game with all Miis or Avatars; playing as myself among these casts of great characters is part of the fun, and it just wouldn’t be the same without them.
Oh, and I also like using Waluigi on occasion. I don’t care what the haters think, he’s fun! Especially when you play “in-character” and ham it up during your wins and losses. Yes, I speak from experience.
Super Mario Kart Turns 20: Looking Back
Will I ever get a tribute up on time? Probably not on this site. Still, one day late (by a short margin) is better than never, I suppose.
Today’s honor is the 20th anniversary of the release of Super Mario Kart in North America (with Japan’s coming out only a few days prior). And this seemed like a good opportunity to share some memories of the game, and perhaps the series as a whole.
The Nintendo Download – 6/21/12
Curious about the latest downloadable titles for Nintendo platforms this week? Then head over to the Toronto Video Game Examiner to see what’s available and how how much it will cost you.
The big highlight this week is Double Dragon II for the Wii Virtual Console. With Double Dragon Neon just around the corner, this release makes some sense as some publishers seem to like capitalizing on the impending release of new games with old ones. The weird part, of course, is that as far as I can tell, there is no plan for a Nintendo release of the title– just PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade.
Maybe the Wii U will get it? At least, assuming it does well… early reports haven’t been so hot on it so far. We’ll just have to see!
Is Bowser Kidnapping Peach Really What We Want?
The similarity between the four New Super Mario Bros. titles is “intentional,” says Producer Takashi Tezuka in an interview with GameSpot.
“That similarity in the visual style and the control style is all intentional. The things we feel like we’ve already promised the gamer is that Peach will be kidnapped by Bowser, and Mario will move from left to right. We know that’s what people are expecting! [Laughs] We know that there are all types of Mario games, as you said. So for us, with the New Super Mario Bros. series, we don’t really need to mess with it. This is what people want.”
Reading this, I felt a sense of… irritation. Granted, Official Nintendo Magazine‘s take removed the laughter, which changes the tone slightly as they proclaim at the top of their article that “According to Tezuka, his team are giving fans what they want. A 2D platformer in which Peach is kidnapped by Bowser.”
Given the nature of these interviews and how some parts can easily be misunderstood, especially when filtered through other sites, I wonder if I might be reading too much into this, if perhaps he was joking about certain similarities between the games. Despite this, I have decided to run with my initial thoughts.
“What the fans want is a 2D platformer where Peach is kidnapped by Bowser.”
But do they?
Do they really?
Nintendo Power Vol. 279 – June 2012
I mentioned the current (as of this writing) issue of Nintendo Power a couple of days ago when I was talking about Simon Belmont’s appearance in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate, and I figured that perhaps I should mention it again here, if only because I have a review in it (Ketzal’s Corridors, if you were wondering).
The June 2012 issue is on sale now at newsstands, and bears the cover seen at right featuring Trevor Belmont (the subscriber covers get Simon, so you know I’m pleased). In addition to the Mirror of Fate coverage, there is a second Castlevania article looking at the good, bad, and ugly things from throughout the series (and not just on Nintendo’s platforms).
It’s rounded out by an article featuring essential Wii titles (of which I have many, but not all) and a nifty look at the characters from the upcoming Wii game The Last Story. Some neat behind-the-scenes info there about how they developed the characters.
You can check out a preview of the issue here.
The Nintendo Download for 6/14/12
You can check out this week’s Nintendo Download titles at the Toronto Video Game Examiner. I even managed to tie it all together with a wedding theme! How? See for yourself!
The stand-outs this week are Mega Man X2 (got that to support Mega Man, despite owning three other copies), Donkey Kong Jr. (already got that as a Nintendo 3DS Ambassador), and Mad Dog McCree, which– if it’s anything like the iPhone version released earlier this year– I would strongly advise you to stay away from, especially as they’re charging even more for it on the Nintendo eShop!
The Examiner/Slide to Play/MMN Revue for Tuesday, August 16th and Wednesday, August 17th
Whoops, forgot to post yesterday’s…
From the Canada Nintendo Examiner:
Straight Shooting with the Canada Nintendo Examiner – 8/16/11 – Sonic Generations, Nintendo Selects, WWE ’12, The Legend of Zelda, and… that’s it, really.
Straight Shooting with the Canada Nintendo Examiner – 8/17/11 – More Sonic Generations, Metroid, WWE ’12, Operation: Rainfall, and plenty more.
From Slide to Play:
Save Yammi Review – Do you like Cut the Rope? If so, then I’ve got a game for you…
From The Mega Man Network:
Art Up with Art Buster – It’s here!
Dr. Wily’s Revenge Slated for Europe eShop September 15th – It’s coming!
Ben Bates Handling Art Duties for Third Mega Man Comic Story Arc – This ought to be good.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
The Examiner/Slide to Play/MMN Revue for Thursday, August 11th
From the Canada Nintendo Examiner:
The Nintendo Download – 8/11/11 – Super Adventure Island II and Avenging Spirit, ho!
Straight Shooting with the Canada Nintendo Examiner – 8/11/11 – Mario & Sonic, Metroid, Kirby: Mass Attack, Nintendo’s history, Super Mario 3D Land, The Legend of Zelda, Balloon Fight, and more!
From Slide to Play:
Awesome Saucer Review – Kind of cool, but not as awesome as they’d have you believe.
From The Mega Man Network:
3DCreative Magazine Cover Counts Down to Zero – Some pretty wicked renders.
Capcom Sends E-Mail to Mega Man Legends 3 Contributors for Mementos – Did your Devroom design get selected? Then at least you get a consolation prize– don’t miss it!
Mega Man Double Pack on its Way to PlayStation Portable? (Updated) – Yes… yes it is. But it’s just Mega Man Powered Up and Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X for $15.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”