Last week, Nintendo did one of them Nintendo Direct things where they tell you about some new games coming up. It’s the first proper one they’ve had since Satoru Iwata died, so it was going to be interesting to see how things might change. Iwata’s replacement, Tatsumi Kimishima, didn’t make an appearance but then, he doesn’t strike me as the sort of person to get involved with silly shenanigans in the same way Iwata did and Reggie and Satoru Shibata do. Speaking of which…
Despite there being no Iwata, it was similar to previous Directs. It focussed on games out between now and the end of summer, which explains why there was no mention of the Wii U Zelda game. Some thoughts from me about the content follow, but do bear in mind that I watched the Europe Nintendo Direct which differed slightly from the US and Japan versions. And not just that it ran 17% slower but in slightly higher resolution. Ahaha! It’s a PAL/NTSC joke, see.
Things I Liked in the Nintendo Direct
Hyrule Warriors Legends (3DS)
Obviously. The original Hyrule Warriors is my most played and one of the most enjoyed Wii U games, and now I’ve had a chance to play the 3DS demo (released on the eShop just after the Direct), I can see I’ll love this too. It’s not as good graphically, although on a New 3DS it isn’t far off (I suppose it helps that the Wii U version is hardly the best looking game ever). It supposedly has all the Wii U content, plus a load of new things and several new characters. Not only that, the new characters in the 3DS game will unlock in the Wii U game too, with a code you get with the 3DS version. Biggest game ever. The only slight snag is the 3DS game isn’t multiplayer, or at least, isn’t with just one copy of the game.
Super Mario Maker additions (Wii U)
Save keys to open doors! The keys, and the pink coins to gain a key, additions to Mario Maker will allow loads more creativity, as well as purpose to explore levels. Previously, user created levels often had “find the hidden lives!” type design, which was fun but ultimately pointless. Replace the lives with pink coins, and now it’s necessary to find them all in order to complete the level. Tie it in with puzzles, the timer, or some difficult jumps, and it’ll be amazing.
Paper Mario Colour Splash (Wii U)
A new Paper Mario was rumoured, and it looks incredible. It’s so colourful, and providing it’s more like The Thousand Year Door than the 3DS Sticker Star, I think it’s going to be great.
Rhythm Heaven Megamix (3DS)
It’s a best of compilation of the series, but in fact that’s not a bad thing for me as I’ve not actually played any of them. Why this is, I don’t know, especially as I own at least one of them. From the video it’s a rhythm action Wario Ware, which frankly, sounds brilliant.
Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 (3DS)
The first game was one of my favourite 3DS titles of last year (although even better was the 8bit style companion game Mighty Gunvolt), and this looks like more of the same. That’s fine with me! I do hope there’s a Mighty Gunvolt 2 though.
Star Fox Zero (Wii U)
No, I haven’t put this in the wrong section. I’ve never been a big fan of Star Fox. Even back on the SNES it was impressive for the time but Starfighter 3000 was a much better game. The N64 one was dull, and the others barely registered on me. So why, after a new game was announced (and publicly slated) in a series I’m not interested, am I suddenly gagging to play it? Because at this Nintendo Direct it looked fun. Less emphasis on the things people didn’t like int he original reveal, like gamepad controls and fiddly picking stuff up and carry-quests, and more exploring and flying and branching paths and BLUE SKIES.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE (Wii U)
It’s literally pronounced “Sharp Eff Ee”. I’ve no idea what’s going on in the trailer, but it looks incredible. Some sort of dancing game Pop Idol JRPG with Fire Emblem characters? What? YES.
Shibata Dancing
He did the “Yo-Kai Watch dance”. Oh god.
And Things I Didn’t Like so Much
Yo-Kai Watch (3DS)
I don’t know. It doesn’t look fun to me. I thought it would appeal, given the subject matter and stuff, but it looks like a boring version of Pokémon, which – lets be fair – is pretty boring in itself really. Isn’t it?
Monster Hunter Generations (3DS)
No Wii U version? Then like Monster Hunter 4, no sale. Sorry, but I’ve played 3 on both the Wii U and 3DS and I just can’t get on with the 3DS version. I do have a New 3DS with all the extra buttons and knob, but still – I prefer my Monster Hunting on the big telly.
SNES Games on the New 3DS Virtual Console
In theory, I’m all for this. In practice, Nintendo have released them at a price higher than the Wii U versions of the same games, and even though I already have them bought on both my Wii and Wii U, and on the same account as the one my 3DS is tied to, there’s no cross-buy discount. And I can play SNES games on my New 3DS anyway, without guilt as I’ve already bought the games numerous times. Make these £2-3 each cross-buy, Nintendo, and I’ll buy the lot. £7.19+ each? Nope.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force (3DS)
This is looking better than it did before, but how it looked wasn’t the main issue. The main issue was, it isn’t a Metroid Prime game – and that’s what I want. So no.
Lots of eShop Games
Which I’d applaud, but so many of them are old now. Super Meat Boy is so ancient that it’s pretty much retro itself. Pinball Arcade? Old. Mousecraft? Free rental on PS+ and terrible. PixelJunk Monsters? Awesome, but old. Futuridium? Free rental on PS+ and terrible. Oddworld New ‘n’ Tasty? Waaaay overdue. Mega Man Legacy? I’ve already bought all the games on the VC. There are a few gems, but the rest is too little too late.
If you missed the Nintendo Direct completely, you can see it here:
