Comments on: Preview: Nintendo’s 2013 Lineup

By: Mel

Mel — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 16:45:47 +0000

@SN: Yes they were, but does that necessarily mean this course is viable? Will it be enough going forward? I guess if they can find a way to squeak out a margin then they can go on for a long while. They’ve proven pretty good at that.

By: Ethan 'Ethos' Pipher

Ethan 'Ethos' Pipher — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 15:14:50 +0000

@Jafar – That appears to be the common sentiment, and it makes sense to me. But for me, I’m too impressed with Zelda from even a developer standpoint to not be excited for the new release in (probably) 3-4 years time. I’m replaying Skyward Sword and, unlike Twilight Princess which sours with multiple playthroughs, it is impressing me all over again. From a business standpoint, Nintendo is baffling and frustrating, but their software developers have rarely been stronger on their flagship franchises.

That being said, I entirely understand people having no interest in a new title in all of Nintendo’s franchises because they are so intensely familiar. In fact, if Caileigh didn’t already own a Wii U, I really do think it would take either the new Zelda or a Galaxy-esque title for me to buy one. Or a great deal like the one Lusipurr came across.

By: Jahan 'The Legendary Zoltan' Honma

Jahan 'The Legendary Zoltan' Honma — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 14:04:00 +0000

There are a few games that sound fun but how many more will there be in the future that are worth buying? If I have Windwaker HD, the next new Zelda they release will have to be insane for me to want to play it. They’ve got Monolith which is totally appealing on the RPG front, though.

By: Ethan 'Ethos' Pipher

Ethan 'Ethos' Pipher — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 12:42:36 +0000

@Gyme – Oh, in that capacity we’re in absolute agreement. Same with SN’s earlier comment. Reiterates why I was not only disappointed, but surprised that the “3D Mario project” was Super Mario 3D World.

By: SiliconNooB

SiliconNooB — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 07:09:33 +0000

Maybe Nintendo really were resigned from the outset to treat Wii U as an afterthought – they certainly seem to be putting first class effort into creating desirable 3DS software.

By: SiliconNooB

SiliconNooB — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 07:05:42 +0000

@Mel: The N64 and GC were both profitable for Nintendo. The only way they’re going under is if something calamitous happens to their handheld division.

By: James 'Gyme' Pagel

James 'Gyme' Pagel — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 04:04:33 +0000

@Ethos: The problem with having games that incite the “I’ve played this before” reaction is that it doesn’t drive console sales. The Wii U is in dire need of sales and suddenly Nintendo has forgotten how to make a system appeal to the non-fanboy audience. As good as these games may end up being, I will stick to their SNES counterparts and save myself the money of buying a Wii U.

By: Lusipurr

Lusipurr — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 00:13:32 +0000

What a backwards company. So many ways to make money, so many easy ways to sell consoles, so many innovative and unique approaches–and instead they make 3DS games that you can play on your television, and new HD versions of Gamecube titles.

The Wii U is being squandered, and it is a sadness to behold.

By: Mel

Mel — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 23:18:39 +0000

Nintendo’s console viability is often discussed, usually in the negative. And from what I can see, I tend to agree. When was Nintendo ever really a successful console force? Over seventeen years ago with the NES and SNES? When theirs was the de facto standard? The Wii was an anomaly propped up by casual grandmas, the exact kind of people who won’t upgrade their hardware. And, shock, they didn’t.

Nintendo needs to figure out what it’s trying to realistically offer in the console space. A smattering of Nintendo standouts with some offbeat third party ports and exclusives? It can ride out another N64/Gamecube, maybe another two. But this can’t go on forever, even with the success of the handheld market. And baring a dramatic shift in their company practices or another casual-gadget-magnet like the Wii, then I don’t see how they’ll break out of third rank or how they can keep justifying their performance.

By: Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor

Julian 'SiliconNooB' Taylor — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 19:02:01 +0000

A lot of the Wii U games look fun, really fun, but they also look utterly unremarkable. There is nothing there [save for perhaps X] that is likely to surprise anyone.

Most of this stuff we can already play on the 3DS.

The Wii U needed another creative interpretation like Galaxy, because right now Nintendo just look to be re-purposing handheld titles.

By: Ethan 'Ethos' Pipher

Ethan 'Ethos' Pipher — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 15:04:41 +0000

I don’t mind that so much. I mean, if Nintendo was the only player in the game, I would mind, but “more levels of tight gameplay and clever level design” isn’t a bad thing to me. Because I’ve played it before, yes, and it was fun, and I’d like to play more.

Still, and I’ve mentioned this before, it’s confusing and disconcerting to see Nintendo play it so safe at a time when they really need to be taking risks to get back in the game. Or maybe I’m wrong and falling back on safe and recognizable franchises is the only thing that will keep them afloat.

Even a combination would be welcome. That’s why I was disappointed that the Mario Galaxy team was working on Super Mario 3D World. That game will be a blast, but Galaxy (and especially Galaxy 2) took a familiar name and concept and did something really creative with it. Strange that they’re not trying to use a name like Mario to try and sell the concept of the gamepad. Anyway. Yes. Lots of sequels. Wonderful 101 was the only new IP there out of 8 titles.

By: James 'Gyme' Pagel

James 'Gyme' Pagel — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 01:56:23 +0000

As nice as it is to see the 2013 lineup loaded with familiar faces, my first thought for each of these titles is “I’ve played this shit before”.