PixlBit

Posted on 10/21/2016 at 04:08 PM | Filed Under Blogs

In regards to 2D vs 3D Mario, 3D Land and World both topped NSMB2/U. Granted Land and 2 were by a small margin, but I feel that may be telling of the NSMB longevity. People bought the DS one because of how long it had been since a 2D Mario while the Wii one offered something new with 4 player co-op. 2 and U didn't have anything new while 3D Land offered a new take on the series and World offered 4 player co-op with different characters each with their own strengths and weaknesses. I think the real key is a balance between accessibility and freshness. I love the Galaxy games, but they were hard for younger and more casual gamers to wrap their heads around as opposed to NSMBW, which is why I think that game did better. Same goes for why Sunshine is one of the lower selling Mario games. I feel if the new Mario can have a very simple yet fresh new mechanic, then it will succeed.

Besides, Mario Kart vastly outsells both 2D and 3D Mario on average so them getting one of those out quick matters more.

Posted on 10/21/2016 at 04:12 AM | Filed Under Blogs

I think having one console could help that with their diminishing returns on games too, as well as their gimmick. They won't be focusing on how to change their games since this one is about convenience, not new control inputs. Look at BotW for instance, it started as a Wii U game but uses none of its gimmicks because it's on NX too. The next Mario meanwhile will be all about Mario which will mean no Star Fox Zero style disasters. Meanwhile having just one console means not just no ports but possibly fewer filler games. Just one Mario Kart, Smash Bros, and Mario Sports period, which also means they can take their time more on these games. Nothing like Mario Tennis Wii U where it was beyond skimpy on features. And no putting two similar Yosh, Marioi or Kirby too close together. They can put one of those devs on those games while the other can try an older IP or something new and original. While the portability is cool, the idea of just one Nintendo console is what really has me drooling.

Posted on 10/21/2016 at 02:52 AM | Filed Under Blogs

I'm optimistic for two reasons. First, while many of your points on 3rd party support are valid, you mostly approached it from the Wii U angle. From the 3DS angle on the other hand, there's going to be plenty to love. It had very strong 3rd party support there, to the point where it lived in a bubble where your otherwise valid points on Square and Capcom by some miracle somehow don't exist while Atlus, Sega, and Xseed also made top notch games for it.

Second, your points on Nintendo would be spot on if it were still splitting console and handheld development. But by focusing on one platform, this could be exactly what they needed. Think of the 3DS and Wii U in 2013 and 2014, pretty much the only two years the latter was relevant. Now imagine all those games on one machine. That's huge for two reasons. First they can put many more games on the thing to avoid droughts. Second, it means no Wii U to 3DS ports and vice versa, every game will be new. I know we'll see bumps down the road, but those factors have me optimistic until we get more info. 

But seriously, if this thing can run PS4/XB1 level games without a mandatory install that's reason enough for me to buy one.

Posted on 10/20/2016 at 01:07 AM | Filed Under Review

Great review. I finished Human Revolution recently, and while I liked it, the game left me exhausted after each play session so I think I'll wait on this and if I do get around to it will go guns blazing. I love stealth, but feel these games are too long for a stealth game. Prefer a 6-8 hour experience except with MGS3/5 and The Last of Us.

Posted on 10/16/2016 at 05:13 PM | Filed Under Feature

2005 GOTY is Jade Empire. That was the beginning of my long love affair with Bioware and still probably remains their most unique game. Combat was simple but stayed fun the whole game and the world was such a unique mix of fantasy, steampunk, and kung fu. 

For Chrono Crossing, it's definitely when Knights of the Old Republic 2 reveals Darth Sion. It built up that you were being hunted in the first space station (which has some very strong Bioshock vibes) and once I saw what the Sith leader looked and sounded like, I was rushing as quick as I could to get the hell out of there.

Posted on 10/15/2016 at 06:13 PM | Filed Under Blogs

I'm just waiting for you to replay Uncharted 2 and 4 close together and admit I was right. I don't see you admitting RotTR is better than 4 though even though it is and remembers it's a video game. Also play ReCore. It's a very you game.

Posted on 09/27/2016 at 09:43 PM | Filed Under Feature

We need more of these guys

Stage Select: Psychonauts- If I'm not the hero anywhere, I'd have to figure out what I'd want to do as my normal person job. And I'm betting a psychiatrist in this world would be a pretty fun and interesting job. Instead of talking out problems, I'd just go inside someone's mind and explore their inner thoughts until I figured out how to fix everything. Feel like that would be a pretty fun and rewarding job.

Chrono Cross 2016: Elite Beat Agents- Ten years later and I still pick up this game every now and then. And haven't beat it. The game's as tough as it is addicting and its style is so charming and hilarious that I don't care how half the songs in this game are awful.

Posted on 09/27/2016 at 07:19 PM | Filed Under Blogs

My favorite N64 game is either Ocarina or Majora's Mask. Not that big on the system or this gen overall because a lot of games have aged very poorly, but the Zelda games were so far ahead that even though they aged so much they're still great. Also enjoyed the Banjo games, Star Fox 64, and Paper Mario.

Posted on 09/25/2016 at 11:23 PM | Filed Under Blogs

I think each is fun in their own way, but Ema wasn't as good in Apollo Justice. She's much better in Spirit of Justice

Posted on 09/25/2016 at 06:29 PM | Filed Under Blogs

XB1- ReCore

PS4-Dragonball Z season 4 (that thing is mostly a Blu-Ray player now for me)

Wii U- Pokken Tournament

3DS- DKC Returns-Which is mostly ignored for Ace Attorney 6 and SNES games

Vita- I'm pretty sure FFX is still in there. I really should get back to that game.