Nintendophiles 11.11.09: The Finale
Posted by Theo Fraser on 11.11.2009
It’s Theo Fraser’s final edition of Nintendophiles, covering the latest on the next Zelda Wii game, the Wii 2’s SD/HD capabilities, the new Zelda: Spirit Tracks trailer, and more Great Nintendo Gaming Moments featuring Star Wars Rogue Leader and Super Mario 64! Come on inside for all that and more!
"We'll meet again. Don't know where. Don't know when." Nothing like a World War 2 song to set the mood for the Nintendophiles finale. Yes, the time has come, and as I mentioned last week, I am stepping down from my duties as 411's Nintendo news reporter to focus on my final year at University, with this week's column being my final instalment. But let's save our tears for another time, as we still have plenty of Ninty-news to cover!
~ Ace Attorney coming to Wii? Having remained a handheld-exclusive property for years, the spiky-haired, finger-pointing, objection-shouting Phoenix Wright appears to be making the transition to the home console market. A German ratings board has listed Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney for the Wii, which was the first game in the series on the DS. It's been a fair few days since the news emerged, and it has yet to be corrected, so it appears we can rule out it being a simple typo. What do Capcom have in store for us? A remake of the trilogy? A WiiWare conversion? It's certainly a surprising turn of events, as the Ace Attorney series is perfectly suited to the handheld; is there any need for a console version?
~ ‘Fragile' is re-branded and headed to the US! ‘Fragile' has been garnering a lot of media attention since its initial unveiling, partly because Xseed Games have remained very tight lipped about the project ever since that time, with relatively little known about it. Now to be known as Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon, the title will arrive on US shores in early 2010. Great news that we'll definitely be seeing it (at one point, it looked like it might end up being a Japan-only thing), but mildly disappointing we won't get it before Christmas, as had been expected up until this point.
~ Tales of Vesperia NOT Wii-bound. Damn those voice actors with their careless tongues! Vesperia was the most recent mothership Tales game, and has been received very well by critics since its original launch on 360 in Japan last August. Naturally, the thought of an impending Wii port got fans very excited indeed. Voice actor Rikiya Koyama made a blog recently, stating that the title was indeed Wii-bound. However...it was merely a mistake. A couple of days later, Koyama updated the blog, setting the record straight by saying he'd meant to put Tales of Graces, the next mothership title which is currently a Wii-exclusive. Graces is looking awesome, but I'm sure there were more than a few disappointed faces after the Wii Vesperia dream was crushed. On the plus side, a teaser site has appeared for a new supposedly DS-related Namco Bandai RPG, which appears to be a new Tales Of title. Although uh...they don't have a great track record for being released outside of Japan.
Miyamoto confirms MotionPlus-assisted Zelda gameplay; may slip to 2011
Credit: Wired
Thought I'd be logical and bulk all the Legend of Zelda Wii stuff together. Let's get the bad news out of the way first. According to Reggie Fils-Aime (‘Sir Reginald', to you and me), we shouldn't expect Zelda to reach stores next year.
Reggie:We haven't committed to Zelda for 2010... so we'll see how that continues to develop.
2010 in terms of Nintendo's big releases will see Sin and Punishment 2, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Metroid: Other M, so one could almost make the case that it's no real loss (*Almost*. This is frickin' Zelda we're talking about here). Nintendo rarely run into ‘development problems' so I wouldn't see the delay as a bad thing (not that Nintendo would ever admit to it being a delay). It's more likely that the company are using the extra time to squeeze the Wii for all its got. I loved Twilight Princess, but if there was one criticism, it'd be that it did start to feel a little stagnant and samey, with few gameplay innovations over previous instalments. This time round, Nintendo need to focus on a ‘catch', something that will revolutionize the series, and the extra development time afforded to the title allows the team time to get the gameplay perfected. Which brings me beautifully to my next point...
We've known for a good few months now that Zelda Wii is to utilise MotionPlus technology, but Shigeru Miyamoto recently took the time to speak in more depth about what to expect and why he thinks it will transform the Zelda experience.
Shigeru Miyamoto:In this [installment of the series], we're using MotionPlus to make you feel much more like you're actually fighting while holding a sword in your hand. In the previous game [Twilight Princess], you aimed at things by pointing at the screen, but this time we'll use MotionPlus to create a much more convenient targeting system and a more pleasurable playing experience.
Despite the absence of the Master Sword in the E3 concept art, swordplay is evidently still the name of the game. However, Miyamoto's emphasis on the game making you feel "like you're actually fighting while holding a sword in your hand" does to a certain extent endorse the claims that the new Zelda in question will in fact be a first-person adventure. It's been talked about time and time again, and would be a radical departure for the series (not to mention extremely controversial. Cel-shading controversy would be seen as a ‘mild irritation' compared to this!), but first-person would truly allow you to fight as if you were wielding the sword yourself. I'm all for taking risks, but is this simply too extreme? It'd piss off a large portion of the fanbase for sure. Have Nintendo really got the balls to do such a thing?
Nintendo in HD? This 720p screen could be a reality
Time for some more Wii 2 talk! This has been somewhat of a weekly occurrence lately; the rumor mill is in overdrive right now. This week it's more than just hearsay, however. Nintendo's Research and Development General Manager, Genyo Takeda, was quizzed about the company's future plans at a recent investor Q&A session, and while the official word remains that nothing has been set in stone, Nintendo are exploring the idea of presenting a ‘dual approach' console with both standard definition and high definition capabilities.
Genyo Takeda: Since our division has been reviewing and developing a number of hardware, we are looking into many different things, including HD and SD. Also included is the review over the systems with which the creators can easily create video games with limited budget and resources. However, we have not come to the stage where we can announce which is the most appropriate means.
Since an increasing number of the TV sets at home around the world are becoming HD today, it will be natural for a machine to be able to generate graphics that people will be accustomed to see on HD televisions. Since the ordinary TV programs are now shifting to HD, moving to HD appears to me a natural flow.
I believe that we should take the most appropriate balance. We are not too much concerned about if the technology itself is the state-of-the-art or rather old-fashioned. If we can find out the most appropriate medium, between SD and HD, and flexibly move around them depending on the game's contents, it will be good, I think.
It's a smart idea to cater to both SD and HD customers, as not only does it not force a customer to have state-of-the-art equipment in order to enjoy the company's console, it also allows smaller developers to continue producing software on a reduced budget, as opposed to having to dedicate huge resources for high def graphics engines. With this in mind, one can assume that WiiWare will still exist in some capacity on the next console, which is terrific news.
Miyamoto added his thoughts on Nintendo's dual approach, producing both SD and HD-capable games.
Miyamoto: Regarding the question of SD or HD, it must depend on each software. For example, we have to ask ourselves if HD is really necessary to develop Wii Fit. Won't HD be better for the games like Pikmin?
That makes perfect sense to me. Why waste a ton of money on HD graphics for something like Wii Fit that simply doesn't need it? Conversely, when a game comes along like Metroid: Other M that requires huge production values, the technology is there to make it stand out from the pack. I'm hoping Nintendo do end up taking this approach; it's definitely viable and makes the most sense business-wise. Yay for Princess Peach in 1080i!
New Zelda: Spirit Tracks trailer shown + Link's latest instrument
Wow, THAT'S how you do a teaser trailer. So at the beginning of the game...Zelda DIES?! Yeah, sure, we all know she'll be brought back to life by the Triforce or something by the end of the game, but sheesh, that's a pretty epic opening. It also provides a very apt reason for the new gameplay addition; something Phantom Hourglass also excelled at.
Graphically not much has changed since the original DS Zelda, and yet it's still right up there as one of the system's prettiest titles. I'm loving the music though, it's catchy and just generally rather pleasing! In terms of gameplay, the trailer shows above everything else that this will be a whole heap of fun. Never before has Zelda herself had such an impact directly on the gameplay, and it looks like a great mechanic.
Something not shown in the trailer that has been making its way round forums and news boards is that of the unveiling of Link's latest musical instrument; the Spirit Pipes. Yes, ocarinas and flutes and wind wakers have been ditched to be replaced by a set of pan pipes. But these pan pipes restore sections of track (‘spirit track'), allowing you to progress further on the open fields. And how do they function? By choosing notes on the touch screen with the stylus, and then actually blowing into the microphone to play said note. Genius! Although you will look retarded if you're playing on the bus.
Great Nintendo Gaming Moments
As it's my final column here at 411 Games, I figured it was only good and proper to bust out a final edition of Great Nintendo Gaming Moments. When I first started GNGM, it was never going to be a finite thing, as I'd always imagined coming back to it from time to time, so of course there will be some glaring omissions; this is in no way a comprehensive compendium of all the incredible moments Nintendo gaming has provided us with over the years. The revelation that Samus is a woman...that time you thought Eternal Darkness had wiped your save file...the transformation from Young Link to Adult Link in Ocarina of Time...the Andross boss battle in Lylat Wars...catching your first wild Pokemon...even the schtup-schtup-schtup sound effect as Mario gets sucked down a pipe. Fantastic moments, each and every one. However, the moments that have been highlighted below have provided me personally with endless amounts of joy and thus hold a special place in my heart.
And now, Nintendophiles proudly brings to you a double whammy of epic proportions, with not one but TWO GNGMs for your delectation. First up, Great Nintendo Gaming Moments #8...The Death Star Trench Run (Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader [Gamecube]).
Quite simply, this ruled, and was easily the greatest level out of any of the Rogue Squadron titles. Aside from being perfectly paced, it gets top marks for being so wonderfully cinematic. Aided by sound clips from the films and the Gamecube's impressive (at the time) graphical horsepower, the whole experience just sucks you in, allowing Star Wars fanatics to live their childhood dreams of blowing up the Death Star. You know what, I'm tempted to erase that ‘at the time' comment; it still looks frickin' good, and beats a heck of a lot of the current crop on the Wii. Considering this was a launch title for the Gamecube, that's pretty damn impressive. Or horrifying, depending on how you look at it.
Anyway, let's take a minute to review the moment in question:
Up next, Great Nintendo Gaming Moments #9...Mario sends Bowser flying (Super Mario 64)
Well it had to be here somewhere, didn't it? Super Mario 64 will forever be considered one of the greatest games of all time and as such absolutely NEEDED to be on this list in some format. It was a tough call between this and the moment you switch on the game and get to play with Mario's stretchy face. I had hours of fun with that. I don't know what that says about me as a person, but whatever. Mario's boss battles against Bowser in Super Mario 64 were joyous occasions, requiring you to get behind Bowser, grab him by the tail and lob him unceremoniously off the platform. The results were immensely satisfying.
What sets this apart from other influential Mario moments is the fact that this simply couldn't have been done on the SNES, and only happened here due to the N64's revolutionary analogue stick, allowing you to control Mario with pinpoint accuracy, spinning him round 360 degrees before hurling his foe off into the distance. It's a ground-breaking moment in Nintendo history, and more than worthy of a place here in Great Nintendo Gaming Moments. Check it out below...
Week Beginning 11/09/09
[VIRTUAL CONSOLE]
~ Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap - 500 Wii Points
The Blurb:Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap is widely considered to be one of the best games produced for the SEGA MASTER SYSTEM. The direct sequel to Wonder Boy in Monster Land, it starts in the final lair of the previous game. This game is the first in the series to allow Wonder Boy to roam freely by using various animal forms, but as with previous games in the series, Wonder Boy can also buy various weapons, armor and items to help him in his quest.
~ Cybernoid [C64] - 500 Wii Points
The Blurb: Federation storage depots have been raided by pirates, who've taken valuable minerals, jewels, ammunition and the latest battle weaponry. You have been commissioned by the Federation to retrieve the cargo and return it to storage within a specified time limit. The pirate craft have activated all planetary defense systems, which you must negotiate along with the pirates themselves. If you fail to reach the depot within the time limit, or if the value of your retrieved cargo is insufficient, you must forfeit one of your Cybernoid ships.
[WIIWARE]
~ Excitebike: World Rally - 1,000 Wii Points
The Blurb: Prepare to face daredevil jumps, crazy obstacles and other racers in the newest installment in the venerable Excitebike franchise, available exclusively on the WiiWare service. Choose from multiple camera angles as you tilt your way to smooth landings using motion-sensitive controls. Compete in races around the world in four championship circuits. Use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to invite friends to a race. Or if you're feeling brave, take on anyone else looking for a match. Feel like tackling a challenge of your own design? Use the intuitive Track Editor to choose from the available obstacles and put together your dream course, then share courses with friends to see whose creation skills reign supreme.
~ Frogger Returns - 500 Wii Points
The Blurb:Frogger Returns takes the heart-pounding challenge of arcade Frogger and moves it into the next dimension. Classic top-down 2-D game play is updated with colorful 3-D graphics, a new perspective, new levels, new enemies and game-changing power-ups. A local multiplayer mode lets you race a friend.
~ Dragon Master Spell Caster - 500 Wii Points
The Blurb: The Dragon Lords have returned to the magical world of Nakiha, bringing ultimate power to whoever controls them. Choose your champion, then master amazing magic and fierce dragon attacks to defeat the rival Champions and their Dragon Lords. Choose from four different paths and decide the fate of the world in the fantastic story mode. Battle your friends in two-player split-screen arcade mode and tailor your tactics with different dragon and rider combinations, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Marvel at the effects of mind-blowing spell collisions. Mix spells and unleash their ultimate power. Control your Dragon Lord and crush, bite and burn your way to victory.
[DSIWARE]
~ Bomberman Blitz - 500 DSi Points
The Blurb: Bomberman makes his downloadable debut on Nintendo DSiWare with Bomberman Blitz. Dive into a classic multiplayer Bomberman experience with eight-player local or online multiplayer using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Hone your skills and learn the maps, then take the battle online. Change map and item preferences for enhanced customization. Delivering unparalleled multiplayer excitement, Bomberman Blitz lets Nintendo DSi users enjoy the addictive fun of Bomberman anytime, anywhere.
~ Electroplankton Trapy - 200 DSi Points
The Blurb: Trapy plankton make sounds as they swim over graceful lines made up of linked triangles. The creatures follow the lines you trace along the water. There are six types of Trapy in all, each with a unique color and sound. All Trapy plankton produce different tones depending on the direction they swim. They produce the lowest-pitched sounds when they swim to the right and produce higher-pitched sounds as their path veers to the left.
~ Electroplankton Hanenbow - 200 DSi Points
The Blurb: Normally aquatic creatures, Hanenbow sometimes use floating leaves to launch themselves out of the water, creating strange sounds and melodies as they bounce off the leaves. Entire schools of Hanenbow have been known to launch out of the water, one after another. As a leaf is repeatedly hit by flying Hanenbow, it gradually changes color. This also alters the sound made by bouncing Hanenbow. When all the leaves turn red, a flower will bloom. It remains unclear why the Hanenbow display this curious behavior.
~ Electroplankton Rec-Rec - 200 DSi Points
The Blurb: Rec-Rec are fishlike plankton that feed on sound waves. They absorb sound waves transmitted through water and use them as a form of nutrition. The sound waves that the Rec-Rec eat are then stored inside their bodies until they have been digested. Once the digestion process is complete, they play back the sounds in perfect four-second intervals. While these sounds are playfully emitted, wave patterns can be seen pulsating on their bodies. Rec-Rec always swim side by side in schools of four. When they swim at different speeds, the frequency with which they emit sounds also changes.
~ Electroplankton Nanocarp - 200 DSi Points
The Blurb:Nanocarp have very sensitive hearing. Using their two ears to sense vibrations coming through the water, these plankton can distinguish sound quality and frequency. They display very interesting reactions to the sound of humans clapping or breathing. Nanocarp are also excellent swimmers. They have a tendency to swim in formations of 16 and react together when they detect sounds. These plankton emit sounds on their own when they sense waves on the water's surface. When this happens, the pitch of sounds they produce changes depending on where the Nanocarp is located.
~ Electroplankton Beatnes - 200 DSi Points
The Blurb:Beatnes are curious plankton with geometrically shaped heads that form vertical strands like seaweed. Their bodies are made up of eight sections, each featuring a distinctive diamond-shaped tail. The sound of a Beatnes can vary wildly depending on which segment of the body is tapped. However, all of the sounds closely resemble the short-wave and triangular-wave sound effects from a Nintendo Entertainment System sound chip. When Beatnes are tapped in time with a rhythm, they continue to repeat the sounds in perfect time for a short period.
The Ultra Combo News Report by Armando Rodriguez has all the details on Halo: reach as well as the Mass Effect 2 Special Edition. It must be National Space Opera Week!
And so we reach the end. Ladies and Gentlemen, the last 3 years have been an absolute pleasure, and I'd just like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your continued support, be it with emails or comments or just showing up to read my crazy ramblings each week.
The opportunities offered to me while working for 411 Games have been nothing short of amazing, with a particular high point for me being the Play.com Live show last April in London, where I was able to get an exclusive look at Far Cry 2. It's times like that the reporter in me completely dies and I become a total and utter gaming geek with cries of "That is SOOO COOL!" And let's not forget the brilliant fun I've had with Nintendophiles, from all the excitement at E3 each year, to the massive surprises such as Sonic and Snake being in Smash Bros., not to mention tracking a game from its inception, blossoming into a classic in the ensuing months before hitting store shelves to much critical acclaim, with No More Heroes being one such title I am proud to have supported from the beginning.
I also feel incredibly lucky and fortunate to be part of a team with such talented and dedicated writers. Dan Owen will be picking up the slack over the next couple of weeks while a permanent replacement is sorted out and as such I am confident my presence will not be missed by you the readers as these guys are absolutely fantastic at what they do, and someone else will step up to fill the gap in the 411 Games food chain. Finally, I must send a big ‘thank you' to Ramon Aranda for being an incredibly kind and understanding boss, especially when it comes to the ‘Theo Fraser Trademark' of getting in my columns about 2 minutes before the deadline. Ramon is definitely the saint of 411 Games!
My name will probably pop up from time to time, as I'm already scheduled to partake in both the Wrestling and Games Year End Awards columns, so it's not goodbye goodbye, but for the time being, take care, and thanks for all the memories!
Posted By: Jimmy (Guest) on November 11, 2009 at 04:04 AM
Sad to see you go, used to really love this column.
Posted By: Jake G (Registered) on November 11, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Good luck my man...thanks for the contributions and we'll see you around!
Posted By: Mr. Ramon (Registered) on November 11, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Cya Theo! It was fun writing against you lol.
Posted By: The Salms (Registered) on November 12, 2009 at 12:18 AM
This column has been great and you are pretty damn good with stuff like this if you ask me. Possibly a shame to see someone else doing this.
Also, imo, the main problem with TP is that it was TOO. DAMN. EASY. Zelda isn't the hardest series but TP was just laughable at times with the difficulty. Especially the final few bosses where you pretty much can't die if you know what to do (even without any of the non-boss heart containers).
Posted By: Big Lantern Ghost (Guest) on November 12, 2009 at 09:43 PM
