A pretty big Nintendo Direct happened recently, and in this episode of The Wired Fish Podcast, we talk about it.
The Wired Fish Podcast S4 – Episode 8
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If New Super Mario Bros. Is Platform For Experimentation, Then…
Back when I first played New Super Mario Bros. on the DS in 2006, the idea of playing a new, 2D-platformer Mario Bros. was pretty damn cool. While the rest of the gaming world continued to move in 3D, Nintendo looked to its roots to bring forth a new Mario game for its handheld. 2D Platforming was going to make a comeback, and the advent of XBLA, PSN, WiiWare/eShop, and Steam helped facilitate that comeback. The indie dev scene mostly used 2D platforming as their go-to style for their games, adding new wrinkles into the mix. Some told a story about heartache using a time travel mechanic. Another used ultra-difficulty to tear out our hair. Most recently, the clone of Mario made a name for itself with a “twist” mechanic in its new game.
And so I look at Nintendo and its New Super Mario Bros. series. Nintendo has chosen this series as their platform for some of their experiments. With these experiments, the good ones would be carried over into future, non-Mario games. So what have they done so far, and what can they do in the future?
Bethesda Announces The Evil Within, Hachi Reminds Himself to get a Tetanus Shot
Fun fact: this was originally the subtitle to that CG Final Fantasy movie from a few years back. OH, HISTORY SLAM, TAKE THAT, SQUARESOFT’S LONG-DEFUNCT FILMS DIVISION!
Source: IGN
For a while now, Shinji Mikami, the man behind Resident Evil (among other things) has been teasing his new game, previously code named “Project Zwei”, because Mikami likes English like we like syphilis.
The announcement came through this morning that the project is in fact a survival horror game called The Evil Within. It’s being billed as “A return to TRUE survival horror” and “The perfect blend of action and horror.” The game is to be published by Bethesda Softworks and is being developed by Mikami’s studio Tango Gameworks. Continue reading
The Wired Fish Podcast S4 – Episode 7
Welcome one and all to Episode 7 of The Wired Fish Podcast S4. In this episode, we talk about the sudden and unfortunate demise of LucasArts. Next, we tear into the comments made by now-former Microsoft creative director Adam Orth.
Timestamp of contents after the break.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Will Have A Special Edition As A Standard
So Shin Megami Tensei IV was announced for North America two weeks ago. Nintendo Direct was this morning. Put both together and you got… more SMT IV news! This time around it’s about the Special Edition that’ll come with all first-print all first print copies of the game. It will come with the game of course, along with a Soundtrack CD, Artbook/Strategy Guide, and a slip case for it all. Looks like Atlus is paying attention to what XSEED for The Last Story.
For those wondering why the game was $50 dollars instead of $40, this is why, and this is pretty damn sweet. Still wondering if we’ll be getting that SMT IV 3DS XL (god what a mess of initialisms). Also, it’s now official that it will release on July 16th.
[via Nintendo Direct, 34:28 mark]
A Link To The Past Sequel Announced For Nintendo 3DS
The very last announcement for today’s Nintendo Direct came from the Regginator himself. He called back to how he views A Link To The Past as his favorite game of all time (it’s my second favorite Zelda game, behind Wind Waker). With that in mind, he showed off a new game that’ll take place in the same Hyrule as depicted in A Link To The Past, this time with 3D graphics. Gameplay and movement is the same as it was in A Link To The Past (and Phantom Hourglass/Spirit Tracks minus the stylus control). Sporting his classic Brown/Green tunic from the original game, Link will traverse the land of Hyrule in oldschool fashion. However height will now play a bigger role than before. On top of this, Link can become a 2D picture on the wall and turn corners that he wouldn’t be able to otherwise. Think Sideways NY, but with a lot more Zelda.
Currently Nintendo of America hasn’t chosen a name for this sequel, but Nintendo of Japan is currently calling it Triforce of the Gods 2 (referencing ALttP’s Japanese name). Will it be called A Link To The Past 2, fall prey to the punny A Link 2 The Past, or will we get an entirely new subtitle? The game will be made available for the 3DS around the holiday season of this year.
Earthbound Is Now U.S. Virtual Console Bound!
Sorry for the pun, but it had to happen. Late this morning, Satoru Iwata in the latest Nintendo Direct announced that Earthbound will be headed to the North American Wii U Virtual Console by the end of this year. This news came as a result of North American fans practically bombarding the Mother 2 Miiverse with pleas of a U.S. release when it launched in Japan in March.
Earthbound (known as Mother 2 in Japan) was a commercial flop when it launched back on the SNES, leading Nintendo to ignore markets outside Japan whenever games in this series popped up. This also lead to Earthbound 2 (aka Mother 3) never getting launched here either. However, the series has gained a passionate cult following, clamoring for some kind of release in this series. It also helped that Ness, the main character of Earthbound, was something of a mainstay in the Super Smash Bros. series and helped give exposure to the game he came from (like Marth and Roy for Fire Emblem). Some, including myself, want to get into this game to see what all the hubbub is about. Unfortunately, the asking price for the cartridge alone is well into the $100+ range online. Maybe those assholes can lower the price now.
No word yet if the music will be changed since many fans believed it was the many music samples that prevented a re-release in the U.S. But now, more of the U.S. can finally play an RPG that some call one of the best RPGs of all time.
[via Nintendo Direct 4.17.13 around the 23:13 mark]
3DS Nintendo Direct Scheduled For This Wednesday, 10AM EST, 7AM PST
Nintendo announced that they’re be airing a new Nintendo Direct this Wednesday. It’ll be starting at 10AM EST/7AM PST. The focus will be on the 3DS. Will we be seeing new games on the horizon. Will we have new info on Shin Megami Tensei IV‘s U.S. release? We’ll get those answers this Wednesday. So mark those calendars!
And Europe, you’re getting a Nintendo Direct too. It’ll start at 3PM GMT.
3DS-Focused Nintendo Direct Coming This Wednesday [NintendoWorldReport]
Gamer Review: Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
Not every kiss begins with K…
- Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
- Release Date: March 20th, 2013 (24th in America)
- Developer: Next Level Games
- Publisher: Nintendo
Ahhhh, remember the early 2000’s? Gods, those were heady times. The Dreamcast went under with the arrival of the PS2, Microsoft was throwing its hat into the world of console gaming with this nifty thing of theirs called “The Xbox”, and games were poised to explode into mainstream culture as never before.
And here comes Nintendo, with their little purple Picnic Basket of a console. But in a break with tradition, they launched, not with a new Mario game (that would come a bit later, with the…divisive, Super Mario Sunshine), but with a Luigi game. A Luigi game featuring him sucking up ghosts with a vacuum cleaner. Huh. Regardless, Luigi’s Mansion is a fondly remembered part of the Gamecube’s launch window, and has lain dormant as a franchise for a number of years.
Until now. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon features the return of ol’ Mr. Green to the world of Ghostbusting, with all the flashlight shining, specter catching and treasure seeking you can want. Almost more than you can want, actually. But his return also heralds the arrival of one of the 3DS’ most unique little gems, one that evolves its predecessor, and yet still feels nostalgic at heart…
Footage From Cancelled Mega Man X Reboot Surfaces
Some time last week, it was revealed that Armature Studios were working on a gritty reboot of Mega Man X. Armature Studios is comprised of former Retro Studios employees who left after Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Now given that pedigree alone, it’s a shame that their MMX game, codenamed “Maverick Hunter”, got the boot. I mean, these are the Metroid Prime guys. They turned a revered 2D action/adventure game into an FPS that had a good blend of action, platforming, and atmosphere — all staples of the Metroid series. Plus, like Mega Man, Samus had a pea-shooting armcannon and it stayed a pea-shooting armcannon in the transition. The game was in good hands.
Then you look images of the game they were making. And then the footage that’s leaked online. All I can say is, it’s probably a good thing that Maverick Hunter was cancelled.
The Fighter Blocks While The Sorceress Casts in This Duo of Trailers
The release of Dragon’s Crown draws ever closer in Japan, so Atlus will be putting together videos detailing each of the individual characters players can choose from. Starting with the Fighter, he seems to be the go-to person if you want a balanced character with attacks and defense. That shield of his can protect allies who might be in harm’s way. Take for instance the scene in 0:27. The Fighter stands in front of the Sorceress (more on her after the break), blocking enemy attacks while she casts some magic against the enemy. Alongside some sick combos, Fighter also has some good crowd control in the form of a shoulder tackle. If things get to hectic, the fighter can tackle an enemy, sending them flying across the screen and away from him (and probably to another ally that can properly deal with it). Fighter’s also got an attack that’ll bring surrounding enemies to a crumple state, giving him some room to breathe.
The Wired Fish Podcast S4 – Episode 6
Ahoy Fellow Fishes to another Wired Fish Podcast! In this episode, look back on the Skullgirls Indiegogo campaign and get hyped up for its success. Not only did Skullgirls meet many of its goals, it also meant that Mane6, the developers of the C&D’ed Fighting is Magic, get to use the Skullgirls engine for their new fighting game. After that, we delve into the small, niche, and indie gaming scene and wonder how these guys are doing so well compared to the AAA scene.
Timestamp of contents after the break.
Newsbreak: Arkham Origins Announced, Hachi Prepares to Become The Night…Again.
Find out the REAL story behind Big Boss and the founding of…whoa, wait, wrong series…
Source: IGN
In a move that will surprise no one with a basic knowledge of series-milking, Warner Bros. announced the development of Arkham Origins, the latest in the critically and fanbase beloved “Arkham” series of Batman videogames. Precious little information is available at the moment, other than the fact that it will take place before either of the other games, starring a younger, more inexperienced Batman just arrived in the city and on the lookout for love and meaning in his life after the accident.
I may be lying about that last part, but it is totally a prequel.
Art Blogger Breaks Down Dragon’s Crown’s Various Influences
The moment we laid eyes on Vanillaware’s upcoming Dragon’s Crown, we were absolutely floored by how beautifully detailed and stunningly animated the game was. Once again, Vanillaware’s expertise with 2D animation would be on full display, and this time in HD. With each trailer I posted here, I described to the best of my knowledge what I was seeing. And by best I meant “one the surface, what am I looking at.” However one art blogger, Richmond, took it one step further to analyze the various influences Dragon’s Crown had on display.
For his analysis, he watched the most recent trailer for the game (which now has an English version) Just to summarize a few of the many things he covers, much of what influences Dragon’s crown comes from Disney Cartoons, Greek mythology, sculpture, and architecture, Judeo-Christian motifs, Renaissance paintings, classic films, and Conan The Barbarian. He even analyzes things many might overlook, like an emblem on a knight, the parchment around the sword that’s stabbing a ghost knight, and even that other buxom sorceress. If you’re an art nut and/or wondering what makes this game tick, go on and read Richmond’s article over at Art-Eater. He’s also got something for you fighting game fans out there.
From Mickey Mouse to Jesus, This Dragon’s Crown Trailer is Full of Epic Homages [Art-Eater]
Newsbreak: Dynasty Warriors 8 Confirmed For International Release, Hachi Starts Counting Seconds
Ooooh, my “Flaming Chinese Man” collectible is coming in the mail!
Source: Koei Warriors
In the most exciting news I’ve heard since sliced bread was used to power that Haitian dirigible (oh, you didn’t hear? Pay attention…), a producer over at Koei made it officially known that Dynasty Warriors 8 (known as Shin Sangoku Musou 7 in Japan, because of…reasons that would take a bit of doing to explain) will be releasing here in the US and in Europe. And it’s sooner than I anticipated, coming to us on July 16th. Continue reading
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