Grazza

Both are great. I'm not kidding, if there was a Shantae for the Wii U, that would make me buy the system more than anything else I've seen so far. I would get it on launch day, no doubt about it. I'm pretty sure they would stick to sprites, so I'm equally sure they could get it running in 1080p at 60fps too. WayForward are particuarly good at animation, so I'd also love to see how many frames they could pack in. But yes, I recommend both Mighty Switch Force and Shantae: Risky's Revenge, although the former comes with one caveat - it's not so good if you dislike puzzles, as you have to think very quickly sometimes (about which blocks to phase in and out, and the timing of that). But MSF would be good to buy now as it's discounted. Both are criticised for length, but I have got plenty out of each game - MSF for speed runs and Shantae for Metroid-style collecting. One last thing - their composer is a genius, so use your headphones!

Very much agree. Wouldn't be surprised if it's a 4-year handheld. I thought the 1st revision would be dual analogue but a similar size to the original 3DS; then the 2nd revision a dual analogue 3DS XL. Now, though, I really can't imagine a more revised model than this.

I've been thinking about this and I still can't decide whether the excitement outweighs the disappointment, or vice versa. But I'll get to that later... I don't think it was the for the original 3DS (although it would have been nice), but it was for the remake. As some people have said, Nintendo fixed the issue (with the Circle Pad Pro), but the redesign doesn't include the "fix". I honestly find that staggering. Dual analogue is important and useful in almost every genre I can think of, not just FPSes, but platformers, RPGs... anything. Being able to swing the camera around and line it up with Mario, Link etc gave so much more control over the game, made everything more enjoyable and actually allowed for more intricately-designed game worlds. I wasn't too disappointed the 3DS didn't have dual analogue because at least it was a step in the right direction (after the DS; the Wii, on the other hand, was actually a backwards step), but like I say it's all about not including the "fix". Me. And I genuinely think there was a lot of demand for this. Maybe the under-30s don't understand this as much but people become much more prone to eyestrain after 30. The DS Lite was just to small for me, but the DSi XL was a revelation. It solved all the discomfort in a stroke. Also, I checked my DSi XL box and it says the screens are 93% bigger, so the 3DS XL should be fine as well (ie. not look too pixelated). And this is why I'm still excited for the handheld. The decision not to include dual analogue despite the Circle Pad Pro really is one of those classic "Bad Nintendo Decisions"! But it makes me shake my head more than it disappoints me. I'm more thinking "Oh, so they decided to totally forget about it this gen?" Unbelievable, but at least people can still play their Circle Pad Pros (not that any more games will be released for it, I should think). So if it seems like I'm on the fence, it's just because I believe the dual analogue situation is a very bad decision, and yet I know the 3DS XL will, nonetheless, improve every 3DS game I play from now on.

Iwata: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/346121/nintendo-plans-to-attract-core-gamers-before-casual-with-wii-u/ He may not say "core", but every website that reported it (correctly) interpreted it as such. Width = casual, Depth = core. Iwata is not saying the Wii U will be targeted more at the core than now, just more than the DS and Wii. (He would be quite justified in saying they catered to the core with the 3DS.) All I'm saying is that it was very strongly implied. Very strongly indeed. And considering the different way they launched the 3DS/are launching the Wii U, it's hard not to think they changed their mind at some point.

No, I don't want three manufacturers at all. Even if Nintendo's console was the same as Microsoft's and Sony's, it would still be the only one that played Nintendo games and that would be enough of a difference. The Xbox 360 and PS3 are like that for a reason - that is the best form for a console. Nintendo have been forced to differentiate - not necessarily because it's a good thing but because it was perhaps the only way to keep in the market. As it stands, though, it looks like they are going to innovate every generation whether there's a good reason to or not.

I watched the trailer for the new Spider-Man film and was surprised they were telling of his origin again, only ten years since the Sony film. Generally speaking I don't know why they think people need origin stories so much. I mean we all understand Spider-Man by now, don't we? In this regard, though, I can see how they would completely disregard Venom's appearance in Spider-Man 3.

Motion control was a brilliant idea. I'm not saying I like it, because I don't, but it was a brilliant idea. It was always clear what the purpose of it was. Supposedly Nintendo's motion control technology started as a peripheral for the GameCube. Obviously, it launched with a new console instead, but the point is it was always going to emerge as a way to offer new experiences like Wii Sports. And remember, it was designed without the Nunchuk. The Wii Remote itself is a very pure, focused controller. I often wish it had stayed that way, so that the need to retain traditional controls as well had become more clear. The concern I have with the Wii U is that Nintendo seems to think they need a new gimmick every time. If they keep going this way, we'll need a different controller to play every different Zelda. Would it not be better if the Wii U was simply a powerful new console, packaged with both an updated version of the GameCube controller and an updated version of MotionPlus? (Might even be cheaper than the Wii U GamePad too.) That way, developers would know everyone has both. Motion controls could still be used for family games and traditional controls could still be used for Mario, Metroid and Zelda. Just a thought, but that would seem preferable to me.

Yep, but it's not like stretching something over more pixels than it was designed for (like playing Game Boy or DS game on the 3DS). It's more like how you can get 1080p TVs in 32", 50" and all sorts of other sizes. Either way, I see your point. Believe me, Sheikah, I look forward to the day when people realise resolution has an effect on gameplay. I always wanted the 3DS to be a higher resolution - look at how it struggles to run SD ports, let alone HD ones. Let's hope the next handheld is at least SD equivalent.

First of all, it goes without saying that gay men can be very macho, heterosexual men can be very soft and sensitive and vice versa. Secondly, sorry if I don't know you well enough to say this Dazz, but I know from the other threads you are in the process of losing weight. The less fat you have on your body, the more it boosts your testosterone (which is obviously the hormone that makes men masculine). What I'm saying is that, on a practical level, keep up your fitness; make yourself as slim and muscular as possible, because you may find that it makes you feel a lot better just on its own. The third point is that some people are heterosexual, some are homosexual and others inbetween. As Lady Gaga says "Born This Way" and all that. It's really a very fact-of-the-matter and boring subject matter, so if people (like your friend) are obsessed with sexual orientation, it really does say a lot more about them than you.

I've got a feeling this one will be localised. It seems quite broad-appeal really.

It's the same resolution, surely? You'd think that would be a bad thing when enlarged, but from my experience that's really not the case. The increased screen size of the DSi XL made me enjoy it 10x as much as the DS Lite, if not more.

Lovely music in that presentation, especially the tune at around 3:00. It's the "Town - Daytime" music from VIII, isn't it? Absolutely beautiful - sounds like Sugiyama's back to his best. All the stylistic choices in the game seem just right. Nice to see all the favourite monsters such as the Skeleton-at-arms and Atlas. Let's hope for a localisation of the Wii U version and no online fee.

Very exciting, I think, although I do have some reservations: * No charger. Not that I mind buying one, but I will have to do so as I plan to trade in my DSi XL and 3DS (it is good that we'll finally have a machine that is the best of both worlds though). * No big games. No really big games, I mean. No "system sellers" like a Zelda or Dragon Quest (the former is what I bought a DS Lite for; the latter inspired me to buy a DSi XL). I'm looking forward to what's been announced, but hopefully there's something even better on the way. * Lack of dual analogue. The biggest issue, in my opinion. There is no doubt in my mind that dual analogue is a very good thing indeed and greatly enhanced the enjoyment I got from the PS2 and GameCube. However, I had resigned myself to the fact that there would probably never be any Nintendo games on the 3DS that used it... The problem is, how can Nintendo expect Capcom to make and localise games like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter if dual analogue remains just a one-off novelty that happened briefly with the Circle Pad Pro? Like I said though, I am excited about this. I know from the DSi XL that it will be worth buying, even if it's just for Luigi's Mansion 2, Paper Mario, Animal Crossing and my old games. Excellent news!

I looked at my saved games and my 100% completion file is 10+ hours. Shantae has lots of exploring in it and I thought it was worth getting everything. The other two slots are failed speed runs (there is a Metroid-style picture reward system). So, I'm afraid none of them give a good indication of how long it is, but from memory I'd guess at... 4-6 hours, that sort of thing. Another way of looking at it is there is an overworld, three or four dungeons and a similar amount of bosses. Either way, it's worth every penny. Every sound is an aural delight, every sprite is well-animated and every press of the d-pad is crisp and responsive. It's a gem.

Not that I managed to watch this, but yes, the stories that it has produced are better than E3!

Personally, I'm only keeping one item of each type, dropping and selling the others immediately. I'll be sure to spend some money too, thanks RedShell. I've really got into it now. Finished Act I, which had a fantastic boss. Only thing is, Progress = 17%?! Good job I want to play through in all four classes!

Wow, that really is big! What is that Metal Slime sitting on, by the way?

OK, started playing this. It's very Western, which was to be expected, to be fair. The hub town reminds me of Final Fantasy XII, which is not a bad thing but not my favourite either. I've noticed towns in Western/Westernised RPGs are really just plazas with buildings you can't enter and loads of NPCs to talk to. Either way, it's quite a nice atmosphere. I can't expect Dragon Quest every time. The second point is that are loads of ways to get items - Item shops, the Valour shop and Quests - probably too many. What I liked about the demo was that, by completing the Quests, you knew you'd get a significantly better item than you could pick up otherwise. In the finished game, however, that is not necessarily the case. The reward I got for one Quest was not as good as an item I already had, making it unclear which Quests are really worth doing. This game is a deluge of items! You spend an incredible amount of time deciding which ones you want to keep and which ones to sell. Anyway, perhaps I'm just a moaner. I'm not saying I don't like it, but those are my two main impressions so far.

I know you own a PS3. What I'm saying is that I own neither a PS3 nor a Wii U, and I am happy to buy whichever machine it is on. It's not like Twilight Princess on the Wii, which was darn annoying. Square-Enix has never, ever misled anyone about which consoles it would be on. If you are simply saying you wanted both the PS3 and DS versions localised, fair play to you. Get it off your chest. It's just that the title suggests you want a Wii U version. Which version would that be? The DS version with the graphics advanced two generations or the PS3 version with touch screen tacked on? Either would require a fair bit of work. I'm not trying to argue with you, Deku, just trying to understand. Like I say, if something's annoyed you it's good to get it off your chest! I might be. Dragon Quest VIII - Best RPG ever made. Dragon Quest IX - After the frankly terrible decision to put it on the DS, Level-5 worked miracles, creating the best game on the DS and almost making it look like a good decision in the process. Almost. That's good to hear, as Dragon Quest VIII is so massively superior. Honestly, if people haven't played Dragon Quest VIII, I don't think they can appreciate just how much RPGs have failed to live up to it since. Square-Enix cannot put Level-5 onto Dragon Quest XI soon enough, and on the most powerful console too.

Cor, that looks good! On a side note, is it just me or are a lot of games nowadays about clambering over giants?

I admire your passion, Deku-Nutz, but I genuinely don't understand the anger. Ni No Kuni was conceived years before the Wii U. Maybe a port would be a good idea, but I don't think you can ever expect such a thing. For all I know Level-5 (best developers in the world, in my opinion) may have designed it perfectly for the PS3 architecture and it wouldn't necessarily be easy to port it to the Wii U. Who knows? All I do know is that when Square-Enix/Level-5 started this project, the PS3 was the best option. Personally, I am perfectly happy to have to shell out money for a console I don't own. That's what system sellers are all about. I am very likely going to buy a PS3 just for Ni No Kuni. Why would I want to buy a Wii U more than a PS3? It's all about which games you want to play. If someone can make a fantastic system seller then that console deserves the sales. On another note, now Level-5 have finished this, please let them make Dragon Quest XI on the most powerful console on the market (Sony or Nintendo - realistically, it would have to be Japanese)! I want to see how good they can make Metal King Armour look.

Do you think that's because it takes itself quite seriously? I mean, Dragon Quest IX was an immense game and in a way "geeky" if you played it as much as I did but there were so many puns and ridiculous bits in it, it never felt nerdy. Mine arrived today so I'll find out!

I agree. It would actually be odd if Zelda didn't move towards a "continents" system eventually. Sea, large land masses and, later on in the game, flight. Only when they can do it seamlessly though. I wouldn't particularly want another "sky world" that is separated from the main overworld.

2D = fixed plane + sprites 2.5D = fixed plane + polygons 3D = 360-degree movement + polygons There is no term for 3D games using sprites, but then again no one would make one. As for 2D vs 2.5D, personally I think 2D is better as it feels crisper and more responsive. Polygons have always felt a bit "floaty". However, there's no doubt the important aspect with regards to accessibility is the fixed plane.

My take on this is that there are two types of Mario - fixed-plane and 3D. Whether the fixed-plane games are 2D or 2.5D, they are far more accessible to most people than the 3D games. Take Super Mario 3D Land. Whilst a lot of the levels are left-to-right, it is not fixed-plane. It is a fully 3D game. As such, I know a lot of people found it extremely difficult. I'm not saying Nintendo shouldn't make 3D Mario, but it does make sense to bash out a 2D or 2.5D game first for each console, to help the install base. Personally, I'd like 3D Mario to go back to being more exploration-based. EAD Tokyo's three Mario games are extremely difficult and very good games in their own right, but I think they all suffered slightly from being made very accessible (not easy, just accessible). None of them have dual analogue or an interesting hub world to explore. I might be in the minority with this but I think Super Mario Sunshine is the best 3D Mario game as the dual analogue let me nudge the C-stick and keep the camera behind Mario at all times. The gorgeous hub world and zones were all a pleasure to explore. Thirdly, and it might be just me, but I preferred that fully completing the game meant getting all 120 Stars/Shine Sprites, rather than "get to the exit" challenges like "The Perfect Run".