Control Issues: Where The Wii U Could Really Slip Up At Launch…

Posted on September 15, 2012 by geelw

No, I’m not talking about how well the new GamePad works or anything similar. I’m talking about the fact that Nintendo (of America, at least) isn’t releasing that innovative new controller as a standalone purchase on the same day as their new console. Wait, what? Yes, indeed… and I think this is some sort of wacky first for a new console launch.

Of course, a bit of official spin cycle counterpoint makes it all better, right? Well, in my opinion… not really. On the very different (but related) subject of why there weren’t dual controller games at the NYC press event and aren’t going to be additional GamePads on store shelves at launch, Nintendo of America President and CEO Reggie Fils-Amie noted in a great GamesIndustry.biz interview published yesterday:

” The reason you don’t see games with two GamePads [at this event] is the technical ability to make two GamePads work was delivered to publishers after they started this current round of development. So you’ll see those two GamePad experiences at a later date; when those games are coming, that’s when we’ll make a separate GamePad available.

Look at it this way: when we’re preparing for launch, I need to make consoles and I need to make GamePads, and I need to put them together in a box to sell at retail. And if I’m using my inventory assembling GamePads that don’t support any games in the marketplace, all I’m doing is reducing my available inventory to sell on launch day.”

Really? Argh. You had me at hello, Reggie (yep, I’ve already pre-ordered a Wii U). But then you hit me on the head and tried to toss me in the trunk after taking my wallet. Ouch. That’s not how it’s supposed to work with a new console – particularly one that’s so important and innovative…

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Nintendo Wii U Preview Event: About An Hour of Playing With Power

Posted on September 13, 2012 by geelw

In case you missed it earlier, here you go, the press event in its entirety. Pull up a seat, put on that gamer grin and check out all the new software and services coming your way through the Wii U. There’s a lot of stuff left unanswered on a few fronts, but I’m betting even the nayest of the naysayers will be silenced as all is revealed over time. The only thing that concerns me is I understand that new touch screen GamePad won’t be sold separately. This means that Nintendo is eating a LOT of that cost for the console and yes, you’d better be REALLY careful with that new controller….

Update! Wii U Launch/Launch Window Release List

Posted on September 13, 2012 by geelw

Amusingly enough, no sooner than I post that Wii U article below, I get an email with a complete launch/launch window listing. For those not swimming in gaming lingo, the term “launch window” is a rather broad one that includes games on the way within a few months of a console’s release. In this case, the Wii U launch window is defined as the period beginning Nov. 18, 2012, and ending March 31, 2013. Also note that this list doesn’t include a few titles shows as just in development (Bayonetta, for example).

Got it? Good! Now onto the GAMES! Er, List! Games list that is. As in, it’s below the jump.

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Wii U on the Way. November 18 Is the Day.

Posted on September 13, 2012 by geelw

Let’s keep it simple: The Wii U is coming. North American launch date: November 18 (Europe, you’re up November 30). Two different models: $299 for a Basic white system: a console with 8GB of memory, one GamePad, AC adapter, sensor bar, and HDMI Cable. $349 nets you a black console with all of the above, but 32GB of memory, a copy of Nintendo Land and to push digital a bit more, a promotion that allows buyers of the more expensive system access to a rebate system for purchases made online. Guess which one I’m recommending. Bet on black, kids. YES, the console is indeed backward compatible with current Wii titles (but forget about GameCube functionality, something missing since the Wii was streamlined into its current incarnation). WIll the console support standard RCA jacks for those who still aren’t set up for HD? Probably, but I’d imagine you’d want to poke around Nintendo’s site to double check (use the first link above, of course)

There’s also TVii, a function I personally will never use, but one Nintendo is targeting at those millions of more connected users and consumers who love watching their favorite shows in a more social manner (I call it “Distracted Viewing” but hey, people seem to love doing this, sooo…):

Anyway, there will be a raft of games on the way from the launch onward, notably some amazing exclusives as well as titles Nintendo-only fans will be thrilled to see- but those (well, SOME of them) are below the jump…

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Got Kids? Prepare For A Moshi Monsters Moshlings Invasion on DS & 3DS

Posted on September 8, 2012 by geelw

If you’ve got wee ones around ages 6 – 12 who are online savvy and enjoy a bit of allowed and supervised social game time, you’ve probably heard of Moshi Monsters, one of the latest (and hugest) virtual pet worlds online today. 65 million registered users is nothing to sneeze and and now Mind Candy is taking the fun to Nintendo DS and 3DS systems on October 30, 2012 with Moshi Monsters: Moshlings Theme Park, which looks to be one of those interesting hybrid games that lets players interact offline while also granting them access to new online content through a few fun means.

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Scribblenauts Unlimited Lets You Make That Obscure Object of Desire A Playable Thing

Posted on August 31, 2012 by geelw

I want a Wii U for plenty of other reasons, but Scribblenauts Unlimited is making me want one even more just to see how well the Object Editor works. Since you can create “anything” you like, I’ll be poking around in some old books just to see what sort of ancient devices i can bring to life and how the game responds to my brain thinking too much. Eh, if anyone can make it work, it’s the team at 5th Cell… I can’t wait to dive in. Even though this is coming to PC as well, I much prefer the longer distance a living room, TV and new controller provide, but I won’t stop you PC-only gamers from enjoying the game on whatever rig you’re planning to play it on…

Nintendo Power Shuts Down: The End of an Era, Despite Me Ignoring It (Mostly)…

Posted on August 22, 2012 by geelw

Amusingly enough, I didn’t much care for Nintendo Power back when it launched in 1988. I wasn’t a big NES fanboy and I knew the mag was a house organ designed to pretend anything Nintendo was the best thing since sliced bread. Being system agnostic, I’ve always disliked this sort of thing when it’s that biased against other platforms, so it was quite easy to stick to my guns. Sure, Nintendo was the company that pulled the game industry out from the grave back with the successful launch of the NES in 1985, then created the dedicated portable gaming market with the original Game Boy in 1989, but that didn’t mean they (or any other game company) could always ignore other platforms that had games of equal or better quality.

Despite Nintendo’s instant deity status among millions, initially, I wasn’t too impressed with the NES because I’d played Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Popeye, and a bunch of the other classic arcade ports to death (in actual arcades) and didn’t see the need to do so all over again, no matter how good the games were. Stubborn (and stupid), wasn’t I? OK, maybe I was a tiny bit biased as well, as I somehow had little to no trouble playing some Sega Master System and later, Sega Genesis arcade ports. Ah well, nobody’s perfect, right? I did come around to the joys of the NES and later, SNES once I got my paws on Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior, Wizardry, The Bard’s Tale and a bunch of other RPGs I wasn’t seeing on any Sega platform, but that took a few years longer than it should have…

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New Super Mario Bros. 2 3DS TV Spot: Nintendo Does It Again (Again)

Posted on August 7, 2012 by geelw

To me, it’s simply amazing that Nintendo can crank out a new Mario game that’s basically an old Mario game with some funky tweaks plus a few innovations every so often and make a mint every single time. Any other publisher that does this gets called all kinds of names and sand kicked in their faces by the more jaded critics and gamers alike out there. But Nintendo seems to have a pretty solid lock on what their fans want to see, so thanks are in order somewhere, I suppose. Of course, if you hate Mario games, your thumbs went into your eyes before you read this, right?

Natsume Online Store Summer Sale Is On, So Go Farm Up Some Bargains!

Posted on July 26, 2012 by geelw

If you’re a fan of Natsume’s family-friendly lineup of Harvest Moon or Rune Factory games for the Wii, DS, 3DS, PS3 and/or PSP, want to do some Reel Fishing or have a few cool Adventures to Go, this big blowout sale is most definitely for you. Head on over and check out the lineup and definitely snap up what you want fast, as the company is giving away a cool premium item you won’t find anywhere else. Hmmmmmm, at these prices, there are a lot of excellent buys here as the majority of Natsume’s titles are super heavy on replay value. I guess I can finally get to see the differences between Afrika for the PS3 and Animal Kingdom: Wildlife Expedition for the Wii as they sound like exactly the same game bit with huge graphics differences.

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two Update: A Little Bit About Storytelling…

Posted on July 25, 2012 by geelw

Here’s a new look at more on Disney Epic Mickey 2’s production, this time a quick peek at what it takes to put together the game’s story elements. This one’s on course to be even better than the first game in every aspect, so I can’t wait to see how it’s turned out. Hopefully, all these videos will appear on the retail disc so people can see that it takes a great deal of work to get a game like this into out hot little hands. As i always say, it’s all about respect, people…