Grazza

@Ike - thanks for all your updates on this game. I've only just read them all, as I forgot this thread existed (I was going to say I didn't know it existed, but I see I've posted in it!) What I really want to know is - How good is this game (especially compared to VIII and IX)? How much are you enjoying it? I know it's an MMO so is going to feel different; I just can't quite get my head round how much it'd compare to VIII, for example.

Regarding Quality of Life, the reason I'm sceptical about that is because Nintendo only takes existing technology and pairs it up with their software/hardware. What I mean is that if Nintendo was a science lab, I'd be excited that they might invent something new; but obviously they're not, so Quality of Life is probably going to be something that you can buy elsewhere in another form. Let's say, for example, that the focus of Quality of Life is going to be "getting to sleep" (I say that because I can think of very little else that it could be.) Calming you down, relaxing you etc. Nintendo might be able to invent a cool piece of software to go with it (in the same way StreetPass facilitates wireless interaction better than I've seen anyone else do it); but Nintendo doesn't have the monopoly on software, processors or the health technology itself. If you really want it, you'll be able to get it elsewhere. That's what I think at the moment, but let's see what it turns out to be. Yeah, I meant to bring this up last night. I don't dislike Pachter but I think he's just plain wrong about this. GBA had A, B, L + R - I just can't fathom how anyone could think that's not significantly better than a smartphone. Has he played Metroid Fusion/Zero Mission, I wonder? They used L for aiming, R to access missiles, A to jump and B to blast - great controls, but you had to wrap your hands around the whole handheld. Not everything can be reduced to an "Angry Birds" type concept - in fact, platformers have been simplified when ported to iOS. If I honestly thought there was $1billion in making a Mario game for smartphone, I'd want Nintendo to do it (just as a cash cow), but I tend to agree with @Serebii that you'd actually have to get very lucky. It was a good video, though, and I do like listening to all three of them, but there's a world of handheld gaming that is too good to lose just because smartphones are the "in" thing.

Yeah, Code of Princess wasn't worth £24.99, in my opinion. On the flipside, this could be if it's as good as Etrian Odyssey... but that's a big "if".

This exactly. I totally agree with those who say Skyward Sword was fresh and innovative. I'd even agree that the motion controls on their own were amazing. Not that I liked them, but I was technically "amazed" - no more so than in Wii Sports Resort, but that's the point really. Something that's amazing on its own does not necessarily tie-in with why we loved Zelda in the first place. The problem for me is that freshness/innovation is not really what's needed - not exactly. Maybe there's another word for it that I don't really have the vocabulary for, but to me the best games are the ones where they seemed like they put 100% effort into making it the best so far. Like Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker - with both of those games it seemed liked they'd sat down and thought about what would be the best overworld, tone, atmosphere, gameplay, controls etc. To me, that sort oft thing is what makes stand-out entries in any particular series, rather than innovation, as such.

I've only recently heard of this game, but apparently it's coming to Europe in Q2 2014. It's a retail title but will be eShop-only in this region. There aren't too many RPGs on the 3DS, and this could potentially be one of the better ones. Anyone know more about it or the series in general? Is it up there with Etrian Odyssey? I should warn you that these videos are suggested 17+. Having watched them, I've honestly not a clue why, but I thought I should say so (also, it's possibly the Vita version - what the differences will be, I don't know): http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/01/atlus_is_bringing_conception_ii_to_europe_as_a_download_only_title

@RedShell - your latest avatar is brilliant (the one with Mario watching the TV). It honestly took me a few minutes to stop laughing at it.

Premium is generally £220 without a game at the moment. I think it'd need to be £180-200 with Mario Kart 8 before they could properly judge its success.

It does at least prove that software can have a big effect though (as opposed to people disliking the Wii U so much they wouldn't buy it under any circumstances). Mario Kart 8 will probably give it a bigger boost, although I still think their biggest problem is price.

Honestly, I haven't understood/agreed with any of their decisions since 2006 when they released Dragon Quest VIII in Europe. That took 17 months though (to translate/localise), so there's still hope for VII.

I'm not a fan either, and I completed it 100% on the SNES. Was OK back in the day, but there's something about it that just irritates me. I don't know whether it's the weird gameplay/controls (eg. the awkward aiming system) or the way levels are collect-a-thons that are so easy to screw up. Probably both. I pretty much agree (although technically I think some of last year's games - Fire Emblem, Zelda, maybe Animal Crossing - are 10/10). What's lacking now is ambition. The 3DS showreel from 2010 was staggering. It was like they were saying "Here's our new handheld; look at what we're bringing to it." Nowadays, though, even Nintendo doesn't seem excited by the 3DS. They don't seem to care how cool a new F-Zero could be, or what the system could do for Samus and her Ice Missiles.

I've completed the main game, so here we go: Etrian Odyssey IV Review Through no fault of the publisher, Etrian Odyssey IV was released at an awkward time for me. This, combined with the fact there were so many other great titles for 3DS last year, meant that until now I haven't given EOIV the attention I might have. This is unfortunate, because it's utterly fantastic. As ever, your task is to build a party of five and explore the game world. There have always been more character classes than you can actually use at any one time, which has gained the series a (deserved) reputation for featuring difficult choices. This has never been truer than in the fourth game. Whereas in previous entries some of the classes were stand-outs (and others not so essential), in Etrian Odyssey IV, every one is incredibly well-balanced. All ten would be extremely desirable to have on your team. The moves, too, are just as well-balanced as the classes. Whereas some RPGs feature a range of very obscure moves, the ones in Etrian Odyssey make much more sense. Survival is less about learning esoteric techniques and more about relying on your wits. Etrian Odyssey IV differs from previous instalments in that it is far less easy to "waste" your skill points, meaning that whichever classes and skills you choose, you'll probably get by. It almost goes without saying that the visual and audio quality is at an all-time high, so too are things like the very fair and transparent skill trees. Unlike the second game, FOEs give EXP again. It's basically Etrian Odyssey evolved in a perfect manner, which brings me to the one (slight) negative. I've said before that I'm not sure an overworld suits the Etrian Odyssey series. The first game was about getting deeper into a labyrinth; the second was about getting higher. The third game lowered the amount of floors-per-Stratum to four (previously it was five), and added an external map. This started adding problems, in my opinion. The first two games were about mastering a Stratum, getting all the enemy drops as you went and then getting to the warp point after the bosses every five floors. Adding external maps/overworlds arguably breaks the focus, as you are always unsure whether to explore that or press on ahead. Etrian Odyssey IV features a handful of external maps (you won't be "exploring" to the same extent as a standard RPG); each one featuring a three-storey "Maze" (apart from the fifth one, which is smaller) and a few single-story "Caves". This isn't a massive problem, but it's questionable. A bigger problem, in my opinion, is the use of your airship on these external maps. To get to some of the Caves, you have to distract the (very powerful) FOEs, which can be a nuisance. The biggest problem I had with the whole game, however, was sneaking into the fourth Maze. This frustrated me so much, if I wasn't a fan of the series I might have given up. But let's get back to the positive, because although there may be a frustrating moment or two, there isn't a dull one. Etrian Odyssey IV requires careful play, but to me that doesn't mean it's slow-paced. I personally found it thrill-a-minute! By the time you have developed and understood all ten classes, it's extremely satisfying. Your Nightseeker might seem unremarkable, for instance, but wait until she attacks an enemy under an ailment! If you need more front row attack, slot in a Bushi and watch the battles go faster. Or, if you're taking a hammering, bring back your Fortress and see how much he/she really does protect the team. It all comes back to the sublime balance I referred to earlier. I'm glad I found the time to play Etrian Odyssey IV (and it's not over yet). As great as Fire Emblem, Zelda and Animal Crossing were last year, this is right up there with them (and leagues above anything else I played). Verdict: By far the best RPG on the 3DS and, in most ways, the peak of the series so far. Score: 9/10 ... Onto the post-game!

Now this is a strange one. I never played it back in the day (probably because I couldn't afford it), but I always assumed I'd like it as it looked fairly similar to Super Mario World. However, I downloaded it for the 3DS and couldn't be bothered to get very far. I'm not saying it's boring or a bad game - there's obviously something to it that people like - it's just that, as a retro game that I hadn't played before, I just didn't "get" it.

Gorgeous sprites. Nintendo, we need a Metroid like this!

How far did everyone get in this? I'm almost at the end of the main story now and haven't been able to put it down. Honestly, it's an amazing game. If it weren't for Zelda and (especially) Animal Crossing, I would never have left this in the first place. I'm having to grind a bit now because I need more attack for the amount of TP I'm using (think I should have developed Nightseeker instead of Fortress), but there hasn't really been a dull moment.

Exactly what I was thinking! I've spent the last three nights drawing the maps in Etrian Odyssey IV! Not that I disagree with @Daft's points though. I agree (although it doesn't have analogue triggers, so it's not actually as functional as a standard pad). The GamePad is not bad as such; it's just very flat and very wide... It just doesn't fit in your hands as well as a great controller can. If I may step in (I must be stupid ), I think @Serebii was saying off-TV play was Nintendo's original reason for making the GamePad (whether that's true or not, I have no idea), whereas what you showed was a video of the concepts they chose to present later on. Therefore, what you presented - even though it was a valid point - did not actually contradict what Serebii said. Anyway, chill everyone. It's a lovely day! :awesome:

Sounds like it could arrive in May... WayForward (Twitter): http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/03/shantae_and_the_pirates_curse_taking_a_couple_more_months_for_finishing_touches

No, I agree! I definitely can't let myself spend as much time on an Animal Crossing again, if I even play one! I'm not normally one to have a backlog of games, but it's built up since New Leaf was released. Glad to finally get back into Etrian Odyssey IV, because it's great.

Well, I got them (the Loach and Spider Crab). Loach was very easy and Spider Crab was relatively easy, although I think I missed a couple. Had a look round my house and still got a flicker of joy at my Sleek bedroom, Minimalist living room and the others - Astro, Modern and Stripe, with the respective soundtracks: Fusion, House, D&B, Bossa and Groove. Sort of sad but satisfying to be done with the game. I think New Leaf will go down as the game that defined the 3DS. It arrived two years into the machine's lifespan, and some of us spent almost a year playing it. It also sat in that peak spot when the 3DS became more popular, most of the machine's other main titles arrived and StreetPass relay made it so much easier to get StreetPasses (of course, some of these are because of Animal Crossing). I also think it went hand-in-hand with Letterbox - a service that was dwindling at the time, but received a boost thanks to AC. It was great to see all @Mike's cool stuff on there. I'm not a fan of online gaming, but New Leaf is the game I've played online more than any other. All help was appreciated, but some people like @RedShell and @Sprout brought their generosity into the game, and it's a massive credit to them. That goes to everyone who helped me collect the furniture I wanted, especially the Sleek set, which I was a nuisance about both here and on Letterbox! New Leaf has been a part of my psyche since it was released, and my real life has actually changed a lot since then. I'm not entirely sure I can justify playing another one, but we'll see! The geek in me would like to see realistic plumbing. For example, let's say it runs along the back of the house, so that's where you put your kitchen/bathrooms! I'd also like to have access to friends' catalogues, so you could order anything that was available to them. Lastly, I would like all rare items (like Bath Tile) to be orderable, even if they were expensive. Basically, I would like it to be even quicker and easier to collect sets. So, here's to everyone I enjoyed this epic game alongside! One chapter closes not only on this game, but on the 3DS itself. Bring on the new ones!

Yep, I loved Metroid Prime Pinball! For all the acclaim Zen Pinball gets (and that's fair enough - I've got both Zen Pinball and Marvel Pinball on the 3DS), I actually got a lot more out of the Metroid-themed game. It's not just the licence (although that helps) - it's the perspective, the boss battles/normal battles and the fact it's vertical over two screens. A great game!

Personally, I got (or am hoping to get): * Bugs * Fish (haven't yet) * Sea creatures (haven't yet) * Fossils * Enough 'Trendy' furniture to fill five rooms and get the Golden House award And I decided not to bother with: * Gracie (fashion check) * Sahara (wanted the Spa set really) * Art * The Rustic furniture (which I'd started on) It was a great game while it lasted, but you can have too much of a good thing.

Nah, I think that would have lost the game its subtlety.

I don't know about still. More like "Turn it on now it's March, ignore the backlash from the villagers and get the last fish". Loach - River, March-May, all day, small Spider Crab - Sea, March-April, all day, very large http://acwiki3ds.wikispaces.com/Fish

Yep, I would like Retro Studios to develop this (hope you don't mind me embedding it): I think Retro Studios are most useful when providing a certain type of game. Either: a) Metroid Prime b) an "Adult Link" sort of Zelda series/spin-off c) Raven Blade (which could take the place of the above)

It might still be Zelda, but it wouldn't be the full experience, especially if those things were removed because of the game's form factor. As it stands, the only reason those things would be removed from Zelda would be a design decision, not because the game couldn't do it (notice how the Mirror Shield/controllable shield was in neither Wii game? Very irritating, and diminishes the experience). Metroid Prime is the opposite of your boomerang/bombs example. Many things aren't in it because they can't be. Besides, I'd argue finding and destroying weak walls (which lead to previously unknown areas) is a core part of Zelda. Yes, you could still have a Zelda without them, but people would quite rightly say an aspect of it had been lost. No one is saying Metroid Prime is flawed - it is an excellent first-person game - just that it's not the whole Metroid experience. Look at the things @Wii listed: Mechanics? Yes, mechanics which allow a certain type of gameplay. During a Metroid game (say, Fusion or Zero Mission), you will see blocks that can't be destroyed with your current abilities. By the end of the game, you will be able to Speed Boost, store the energy, then Shine Spark through walls or ceilings, accessing new areas. You will also be able to Screw Attack through almost anything. We're simply crediting Other M for including this. It may be that people are happy for 3D Metroid to not be the entire experience, to which I'd say "fine". The Prime games are great, and if it means we can have more pure 2D Metroids, even better, but let's see it how it is.

Right, the challenge is on! Thanks very much for that!