A Night with Mario Galaxy 2

I must admit that I was a bit leery of Mario Galaxy 2 leading up to it’s release date. I mean this is basically just Mario Galaxy with new levels right?  That was what I thought at least until a took a look at Craig Harris’ review at IGN.com. He gave it “A PERFECT 10″? A miss-load no doubt. After having refreshed Google Chrome 2 or 3 times with the same result it had finally sunk in. Just weeks after proclaiming on the Nintendo Voice Chat podcast that Nintendo Fans shouldn’t Mario Galaxy 2 to be the first Wii game to receive a perfect 10 he did the very thing he said he wouldn’t.

With my interest pique’d I decided to race out and pick up a copy of the game to see for myself. I was still cynical though. I mean it looks the same as Galaxy 1, the controls are the same, the intro is the same… How could this possibility by better than the classic original. But I’ll tell you this, by the time I reached Mario’s “Faceship” I was convinced. This game has the makings of a true masterpiece. I don’t know how Nintendo does it, but somehow a game that looks and plays the same as the original feels downright “fresh”. And that was before I even found Yoshi. Once you start messing around with Yoshi you realize once and for all that the Wii remote and nunchuck combination offers new opportunities in gameplay. I don’t think that Yoshi would have worked in 3d without the pointer.

I’ll have more on Mario Galaxy 2 once I’ve completed my first playthrough. But so far it’s very very promising.

Can the 3DS’s 3D be turned off?

One of the key questions about Nintendo’s upcoming 3ds system has been answered. Satoru Iwata recently held a financial conference call from Japan and revealed that the 3d effect can indeed be turned off. He also mentioned that the 3d effect will be stereoscopic, much like what was used for popular hollywood movie Avatar. One area of improvement though is the fact that the 3ds will not require glasses which is a huge plus for the system.

So those of you who hate 3d with a passion have nothing to worry about with the 3ds.

“Everyone” invited to Wii Party

I really wanted to not cover games that have casual appeal on this website but when Nintendo makes it I feel like it’s still interesting to us hardcore Nintendo fans. So here’s what happened. Today Nintendo unveiled a new franchise in the “Wii Something” line of games called “Wii Party”. The announcement came out of Japan this morning so details at this point are sparse.

I have posted the pictures that Nintendo released below.  It goes without saying that this is another mini-game compilation like Wii Sports and Wii Sports resort. No indication was given on whether this game will support Motion Plus but I think it’s pretty safe to assume that Nintendo will try to use this game to increase the install base for the Motion Plus adapter.  We’ll have more on Wii Party likely during E3.

Hands on with Mario Galaxy 2

Craig Harris at IGN recently went hands on with Mario Galaxy 2 and they were nice enough to provide the following photos of Luigi in action.

Renegade Kid continues hot streak

IGN has reviewed Dementium Ward 2 by up and coming developer Renegade Kid. The game is considered to be a step up from Dementium Ward 1 but not quite up the high standard set by first person shooter Moon. I’d check out the game but to tell you the truth I’ve never been able to get into shooters on the DS due to the control scheme. I have a hard time moving, aiming, shooting and jumping while holding the stylus in one hand and holding the ds in the other hand. Hopefully the 3DS has the analog stick as is rumored. I’m really looking forward to Renegade Kid’s next project which should see a spike up in graphics on the 3ds. Moon 2 anyone??

Here’s the full review at IGN for those interested. http://ds.ign.com/articles/108/1087641p1.html

The Regginator talks up 3DS

In a televised interview with CNBC the head of Nintendo of America Reggie Fils-Aime commenting on the company’s upcoming handheld system the 3DS.

Here’s what Reggie had to say.

“We’ve mentioned that this coming E3, in June, we’ll be showcasing a new 3DS with 3D capability in a handheld product. We think the consumer is going to be very interested in that news,”

Reggie also responded to a question about whether consumers would be willing to “pay up” for a new system that could carry a heavy price tag.

“Well, we certainly do, and again as long as you provide great new experiences and great value we’ve seen in this category the consumer is willing to participate,”

Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast

The good old boys over at IGN have recorded another episode of the Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast. It is one the the least memorable podcasts they have recorded since the new regime took over management of the Nintendo team over at IGN. Craig returned from holidays this week, they call Matt when he was out for fast food with his family, and answer some  reader questions.

The most interesting part of the podcast is when Craig addresses rumors that the 3DS will be launching as early as October this year. Craig thinks it’s coming out this year. Sweet!

http://wii.ign.com/articles/108/1087439p1.html

Black Nintendo Wii Bundle

It’s been rumored off and on since the Nintendo originally debuted the Wii wand controller is a variety of trendy colors. And on May 9th it will finally become a reality, we’re getting a bad@ss Black Wii system. But the pesky question of ”why we should care?” still  remains.

If you’re a hardcore Nintendo fan like myself you likely picked up a Wii system on launch day or shortly thereafter and really have no need to pick up a second system. I mean if Mario Kart allowed for system link play it would be pretty bad @ss, but that capability doesn’t exist this generation. I can’t see to many Nintendo fans switching systems. Es specially with the issue of how to transfer your downloaded games from one system to another. It’s simply not worth it for a color no matter how cool black truly is.

What’s really interesting to me is that right now they are bundling it with Wii Sports Resort and a MoPlo (Motion Plus Adapter). I feel like the crowd that is interested in a Black hardcore looking system would have preferred that Nintendo had waiting and bundled it together with Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid: Other M, Pikmin 3, or Zelda. When it comes down to it I think they will do more bundles in the future and this (bundle) might be a move to increase the motion plus install base so that they can go Motion Plus exclusive on Zelda Wii.

That’s all for now kids/children!

If you’re interested in a new Wii Amazon.com always has the best prices and offers free shipping on this product.

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