PixlBit

I think you're painting the Wii with a pretty wide brush, Esteban. There's no debating that the Wii has changed gaming forever, as did the DS. Motion controls and touch inputs are now standards in this industry and that's thanks solely to what Nintendo has done with both of their systems.

Bottom line, Nintendo doesn't make the games that the hardcore wants. They won't disagree that Nintendo's games are great, but they are simply not what the market is looking for. Don't get me wrong, Nintendo has far from perfect execution, but I can't say they are any better or worse than Sony and Microsoft. At least Nintendo keeps things interesting and throws all sorts of shit at the wall until something sticks. Sony and Microsoft don't do that and I don't think they are in a sustainable model for a growing market.

Like any business, change and growth is important, and neither Microsoft nor Sony have exhibited an ability to do so. They sell at a loss only to recoup years later, turning a small profit and subsequently dumping that right into R&D of their next system. That's a bad business model.

Nintendo (clearly) understands what makes a good business, though this year it's clear that some of their success caused them to lose sight of the goal. As for the Wii U, I'm excited, but like you said, I think it's a futile attempt.

The fundamental problem is that the casuals are gone and the hardcore doesn't give a shit about Nintendo. Nintendo *thinks* they can grab hold of the hardcore - they can't. The best they can do is prevent their own fans from buying other consoles by offering as much hardcore stuff as possible on the Wii U. That's not a good business model, but it's one that gives Nintendo complete control. As always, they'll bank on the hardware, they'll make the best games, and they'll continue to occupy that niche until their next breakout success.

I know the Wii gets a lot of hate, but I'd say the Wii had the most games I loved over the course of this generation. So many overlooked masterpieces that the hardcore ignore because it's on the Wii or uses motion control. The myopic views of the hardcore make me sick as a true enthusiast of gaming.

I did play quite a bit of Mario Kart Wii and discovered that most of the depth came from the bikes, specifically one of the bikes that seemingly controlled terribly. It had the weirdest of the drifting mechanics, but could take turns on a dime and was fast, way faster than the rest of the bikes.

Instead of snaking, you'd constantly pop wheelies, but I just didn't like it. It wasn't quite as deep as snaking and though it encouraged analysis of the tracks, I don't think it allowed for quite as many options. In any event, I did play through the entire game and took on many of the staff ghosts. It just wasn't for me. For what it's worth, I think Mario Kart 7 is the better game (compared to Wii).

In any event, yes, options are a long time coming to the Mario Kart series and quite frankly, seven entries deep it shouldn't have to be requested.

Hey Michael, thanks for the awesome comment. Just had a chance to read through it all and hopefully the podcast guys can get to some of these discussion points in upcoming episodes.

As for the music, that's Andy McKee. He's a personal favorite of mine and an amazing musician. He's also a gamer and the break music (not used in this episode) is from a song called Samus' Stardrive.

Jeez Sony, you're really doing a great job of unselling me a Vita.

As I've read about the final boss fight more and more, I realize that I played it "wrong." I didn't use the Skyward Strike at all and instead dodged and swung until he was dead. It was over quite quickly with this technique. Being that I went about it this way, I really hated it. It felt like an anticlimax, despite how absolutely bad ass Demise was. I might have to go back and give it another go with the proper techniques and see if I enjoy it more.

I like the list though, I'd say many of my top 10 are the same, albeit in a different order. Lanayru was amazing the first time through and the Koloktos fight was awesome, especially once you got his sword. Skykeep was an incredibly ingenious dungeon and completely unique, as you've stated. Those are probably my top three. The chandelier scene in the Pumpkin bar was also awesome, Matt needs to do a Misadventure on that scene alone.

This is true, it will be tough to discover such depth in another Mario Kart game via a different mechanic. I'd be more than happy with a return of snaking, just as an advanced technique of sorts. As it stands, I don't think the current configuration will have much life beyond the online matches, which aren't really my cup of tea anyway. I'm sure I'll be exchanging ghosts with my brother again, but it definitely won't be the same.

Hors d'oeuvre - Mozzarella en Carozza

Soup - None, I don't like soup

Fish - Maine Lobster or Blackened Tuna, depends on the day

Meat - Filet Mignon (as if there's another choice)

Main - I'll use this for a pasta dish - Linguini, Chicken, and Broccoli or Penne Vodka w/ Chicken

Salad - None, don't really like it either

Dessert - This is a tough one, probably Apple Pie & Vanilla Ice Cream, maybe German Chocolate Cake or even Chessa's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, Warm

Drink - With Dinner, Sam Adams Octoberfest or Jack & Coke, With Dessert Coffee w/ a little milk

All that being said, I'd probably explode about halfway through that meal. Way too much food.

Deathsmiles was a great game. I wanted to write a review on it, but never got around to it. That is a much better game than this one. I need to pick that game up at some point in the future, before you can't find it any more.

Hey Angelo, saw you were from Amsterdam, small world! Chessa and I moved to FL a couple years back from Albany, NY, but we spent time out in Amsterdam often. Chessa's parents have a little place off of Lake Sacandaga.

In any event, great news on Xenoblade. It's a shame that there had to be so much drama for it to get released here, but I'm glad people will finally be able to get their hands on it.

Welcome Jinkoku! We're looking forward to hearing more from you for sure.

Thanks for your comment on our AC Revelations review, my wife (Chessa), is going to be responding soon!