PixlBit

Hey, everyone!  Happy 2015!

While I haven't been gaming as much as I used to, and consequently lacking video game related topics to talk about, I have been loyally chipping away on the Wii U.  Mario Kart 8 is still my most-played game, however I did purchase a couple games over the past month: Wii Sports Club and Super Smash Brothers: Wii U.

Wii Sports Club was a long term impulse buy for me.  After trying out the 72-hour demo (24 + bonus 48) the online play had me hooked.  Not having online play included with the Wii version just killed me at that time.  It made no sense.  Well, maybe it did in a weird Nintendo kind of way, encouraging in-person fun and lively living room parties as opposed to lonely quiet wifi sessions.  Either way, I would have played the crap out of it then, and now that it's here I had to have it, following through on a 8-year old demand.  I also like the fact that I could purchase passes for the sports I want to play ($19.98 for Tennis and Bowling) instead of full price for the entire game.

Smash U was a pure impulse purchase for me.  I had no intention of getting this game, at least at full price.  That was until I discovered a Nintendo themed podcast that kept praising the game.  Over and over I listened to gamers gush over this game.  It was infectious.  I was a good boy in 2014.  Very disciplined.  Didn't buy many games.  Buying  Smash would be my reward!

I haven't had much time to play Smash, but I like it.  I'm more of a D-pad fighter controller kind of guy, so I'm struggling a bit with the Wii U Gamepad's sensitive analog LS (running when I want to walk, stuff like that).  That's okay.  I'm in no rush to complete this game.  The plethera of unlockables will be discovered and consumed slowly and carefully while I choose fighters to master and opponents online to dominate.

Smash Wii U enthusiasm, though, shouldn't, nay, CAN'T exist without a touch of Amiibo fever.  The decision was made simultaneously:  I will buy Smash U, and I will buy 3 Amiibos.  I picked up Mario and Link (characters that appear in more games, hopefully allowing Amiibo connection to more games), and Yoshi for my sister.

Overall, I like Amiibos.  Although a basic concept in theory - an overglorified microchip communicates with the console, unlocking exclusive features - after buying a few, holding them in my hands, seeing how nice they look, and yes, hearing enthusiastic podcasters boast about their complete collections, I felt the urge to have them all.

I know I'm not going to do it, but it would be soooooo cool to have the entire collection.  I'm a little late to the game.  2 waves of Amiibo releases have come and gone, with preorders for rare figurines in the upcoming 3rd wave already sold out.  There is no way I could complete a collection without paying above market value for the rare pieces.  If I was commited to the cause since release day, though, I just might have done it.  And I might have gone beyond that... some of the rare Amiibos are selling above 400% retail value.  

On one hand I'm upset about the tactic of limited edition products.  There isn't enough to go around.  And on the other hand I understand and appreciate it.  While perhaps not the intended causality, throwing "endangered" characters into the mix stokes the passion for "saving" them.  Want a limited piece?  Better buy it right away, or it will be "extinct" forever.

At any rate, the accumulative price for collecting all these figures is too high for me to take seriously.  I just can't afford it.  Oh wait!  is that a Wii Fit Tainer figure I see?  How much!?  Gimme gimme gimme!!!