Grazza

Not for us, no, only Japan. It'll be early 2011 in Europe, I'm sure.

Yeah, me too, I just can't resist. I'm thinking of buying Uncharted, Disgaea and Wipeout. Quite honestly, if the web browser is up and running, that might be enough!

Well, I won't call myself competent, but it says it's a launch game here: http://uk.ign.com/wikis/ps-vita/PS_Vita_Games_List

Yeah, it was brilliant, my favourite Star Fox. It taught you how to play it every step of the way. With Lylat Wars, I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know what was going on at all, despite doing the training mission. Actually, it's putting me off buying this, although I am tempted as it looks great. I have a funny feeling I'll put more effort into learning how to play this than I did with the Virtual Console version.

I'm glad you confirmed that, because I couldn't find the option in DOA, but turning the slider off does seem to have the desired effect. I had assumed doing this in Zelda and Pilotwings just turned the screen into 2D mode (and not the game), but maybe it does both. Anyway, I'm not going to get into an argument with mr paul about it, because I just like to see all that lovely processing power used to its full potential, there's nothing more to it than that. The rest was purely speculation. Yes indeed, I was very surprised at that. Considering none of the Wii U demos were real games, I'm not sure they showed many new games at all.

What I'd really like to see is Nintendo putting more effort into making sure their own games run better in 2D. In Street Fighter IV, you can turn the 3D off via a menu and double the framerate to 60fps (you can turn it off via the Slider as well, but it doesn't improve performance).

Great post by tapedeck about immersion. If I think of the games that have immersed me the most over the years, they would probably be: Link's Awakening Landstalker Wind Waker (plus the N64 Zeldas) Dragon Quest VIII It's less to do with graphics and more to do with a true vision being properly portrayed. Anyway, it's funny to think that all we really need at the moment is turbo-charged versions of the current consoles. More RAM, faster processors etc. If we had the current level of graphics, but everything in 1080p and at 60hz, that'd be enough for me for ages. However... I can also see a breakthrough technology that makes the current consoles seem way underpowered, such as holograms. If holographic displays became popular, then we'd soon need much faster processors, much bigger formats etc. Really, current consoles just need to be perfectly suited to 1080p HDTVs. The moment that changes, there'll be a case for much better ones.

These made me say wow. Made with a torch/flashlight and a long exposure, they are pure genius, I think: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2033274/Incredible-pictures-dinosaurs-created-air-flashlight-camera.html

Have you ever completed Super Metroid, Fierce Link? I agree about the wall jumping. It took me ages to learn that. Absolutely ages. And yes, I couldn't disagree with your comment about signposting either. It's a great game, but I enjoyed the GBA Metroids more. I was expecting something massively above both of them, but I didn't think that was the case. Great sprite animation though. It's always great to see what the SNES could do! Oh, please can we have a 2D Metroid on the 3DS?

You've hit the nail on the head there. In the artwork, yes his hair is blonde, but the image also has very heavy shading, thus providing the necessary contrast. The in-game, pastel-type shading couldn't provide enough contrast to show yellow hair. Also, there is the matter that this is supposed to be an older Link. Blonde hair signifies youth, it doesn't last all that long.

Both of those were popular though. All I keep hearing is "I don't like 3D DSes", although I concede most of that is just fashion and following the crowd. I agree that the 3D itself is good-quality, but not the sweet spot. That's very small indeed. Hmm, maybe I didn't think this through. OK, I could see one of two things happening: a) A 3DS XL. Future games would still use 3D, but the 3D would be less emphasised (yes, I could see them removing the Slider, despite what they said in Iwata Asks). The problem with this idea is that, as you say, a larger parallax barrier would be even more expensive, and even though I've always thought the 3DS needed a bigger screen, I don't see how this type of model would reverse the system's rather negative image. b) A DS 3 (ie. the 3DS without 3D). Future games would still run on the 3DS, but be turbo-charged 2D games. If they did drop the parallax barrier, that would enable them to have a much brighter screen, and sell it for less money too. Actually, there's a 3rd option: c) A DS 3. Games would be made with 3D in mind, and would run in 2D or 3D on the original 3DS, and in 2D on the DS 3.

In my opinion, Link's lips only look weird in the middle-left picture. He looks like he's puckering up!

I agree, it looks absolutely fantastic, a 10/10. It's the first games machine I've ever thought looked literally perfect. Graphics are as good as one could possibly want on a handheld at the moment, the screen is as big and high-res as is practical for one and there's no compromising with the controls. Every single button or stick you could want is there. Unlike you, I'm actually more excited about the hardware than the games at the moment. I want a Vita, but I don't know which games to buy!

Maybe turned off as default and without the 3D slider, yes! I could see a machine with the 3D effect having to be activated via a menu-based, digital means, rather than an external, analogue one. Take away the "3D" from the name and I could quite easily see that happening. I could also see most games after Super Mario and Mario Kart not using 3D. The original 3DS would still play them.

I'm going to confess that I do quite like wasps. I think they're much-maligned. They only sting if you bump into each other (ie. they think you attacked them) and it doesn't hurt much anyway. Looks like I'm too late to convince Rummy though. I suppose it's different if you're protecting your family, but my attitude to creatures in general is "let them be".

Yep, but I'm afraid I know more than one person who believes it. The oddest thing is they just can't comprehend the idea of turning the 3D off. I don't think the new design would be available until next year anyway. A 3DS XL 12 months after launch wouldn't be too bad, in my opinion. I wouldn't be too put out. I get the feeling they want to sell off the original stock, then begin to sell a model they can make more money off/sell for a cheaper price. Of course, I may be completely wrong.

Got four StreetPasses today, but also noticed a couple of things about the 3DS: * No one in real life actually calls it the 3DS - they call it the 3D DS. The name seemed brilliant at the time, but I think it was too clever for its own good. * Mud sticks. I was talking about the 3DS when a woman confidently informed me "They make you feel sick and give you headaches". I said "Nah, they're great, and you can always turn the 3D off". She looked at me like I was talking a foreign language and replied "Well, that's what I heard on the grapevine". I'd be amazed if Nintendo don't show off a redesign on Sept 13th, put it that way.

Probably neither ahead nor behind, just mental. Sometimes I do wonder whether you have to be a little eccentric to enjoy it. Sounds more like Bob, although I don't often watch panel shows.

There comes a point when technology becomes "good enough". The limitations of all the previous generations were clear, however enjoyable the games were. The Xbox 360 and PS3, however, are probably the first consoles that really seem like they don't have any serious limitations. The proof is how long this generation has lasted, with no real appetite for Xbox 3/PS4. I also get this feeling with the 3DS. With its sharp PPI and impressive graphics, it is simply "good enough". That's not to say I won't welcome more powerful consoles and handhelds, but it is now the job of developers and publishers to show us what can be done. I believe the Wii U will have this "good enough" feeling. That's not to say there won't be a new generation started that leaves it behind, but the Wii U should be well-equipped to just feel right from the beginning.

Thing is, I'm not shocked by that stuff, but comedy is more about alluding to things. Like Rik Mayall scouring the corridor, breathing on his hand and disappearing into the bedroom, actually! Quite. I remember we all used to enjoy Bottom and discuss it afterwards.

Yes, he's certainly my favourite character ever, of any kind. I'm Alan Partridge is my all-time favourite programme, although I think Bottom may just beat it for pure belly laughs. I love them both though! Consistency is the a hallmark of a truly great character like Partridge. The character is so developed that you can imagine how he'd act in any situation. Also, I think the '90s comedies mentioned in this thread got the balance right between being daring, but still quite classy. Yes, there would be a rude bit when necessary, but they never tried to be offensive or vulgar for the sake of it.

I may not be female, but trust me on this: no girl, NO girl is going to care what Pokemon fans think of you! You have to step back and see how ridiculous that type of argument is. No hobby is too geeky as long as YOU can put it into context and see it for what it is - entertainment, not a way of life. If you think Pokemon is really important, the girl will pick up on that and I suppose it might put her off. If, however, you just think Pokemon is a good game and you like running a website on it, I doubt that would put her off. Also, rejection isn't that bad. It stands to reason that anyone who approaches you is (probably) interested in you, whereas not everyone you approach will be interested in you. It's just simple odds. If a girl gives you the cold shoulder, the trick is not to think "I'm awful", but to just realise that there are all sorts of reasons for it - she might have a boyfriend, she might not want a boyfriend, you might simply be a bad match. It doesn't mean you're unattractive or anything.

Couldn't agree more. Bottom and Red Dwarf were big parts of my teenage years. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen anything funnier than Bottom. Outrageous but still somewhat classy and intelligent. Like most '90s comedy, these two BBC2 sitcoms aimed quite high. Then we had Shooting Stars, which should be seen in the context of Britpop and TFI Friday. Same goes for The Fast Show (although they're both genuinely good in their own right). My favourite '90s character of all is Alan Partridge. I've never identified with anything as much as the sitcom "I'm Alan Partridge" (1997), with its portrayal of a bored but agreeable existence in East Anglia. It's like they read my soul. Blame my memory. No. As loathe as I am to explain comedy (you either get it or you don't), the joke here is that Angelos is asking about something only he knows about, but is himself unaware of how obscure it is.

Sounds like she just got cold feet. I mean, 3 and a half hours? I really doubt she'd talk to you for that long if she didn't find you somewhat attractive, but then maybe I'm just anti-social. To be honest, it seems to me there's a huge difference between who girls find attractive and who they actually want as a boyfriend. I've had loads of girls who I know liked me quite a lot, then when they break up with their boyfriends they go frosty as heck and give me the complete cold shoulder, making it obvious that I should avoid them.

Yeah, it started in 1993, and that's just Shooting Stars. Their sketch shows were earlier than that. I suppose it's a '90s thing. Ah, I love the '90s.