A few days ago, we finally received official confirmation that Nintendo Directs will continue. But there are plenty of unknowns. We don’t know when the next presentation will air, who will host it, and what it will be about. All of that uncertainty makes for a perfect “Let’s Talk” topic!

If I’m thinking about when we’ll see the next Nintendo Direct, I could see one taking place within the next month. Nintendo could share new information about Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash and Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival – two games we know relatively little about even though they’re due out in a couple of months. Genei Ibun Roku #FE is coming to Japan in December, so it wouldn’t hurt to share an update about that title as well. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to showcase Hyrule Warriors Legends, which heads to Japan in January. Maybe Nintendo could help the news about Star Fox Zero’s delay hurt slightly less by showing new footage. And it wouldn’t be a Nintendo Direct without at least one game reveal!

In terms of a host, that’s where things get slightly tricky. Obviously the person replacing Satoru Iwata has big shoes to fill. I personally can’t see Tatsumi Kimishima, Nintendo’s new president, hosting the presentations. Iwata did introduce Mr. Morimoto during Japan’s Direct in May. Even though Reggie has primarily been featured in the North American broadcasts, could he be the main host? Some have even suggested Bill Trinen as a possibility.

Those are just a few thoughts from me. I’d love to hear what you guys think about the future of Nintendo Directs in the comments below!

Highlights from last week’s topic: Have you picked up Super Mario Maker?

Reiianuo

I had the game pre-loaded, so at midnight I immediately downloaded it. This game is really just an amazing package. Even playing the classic Marios (Original, 3 and World) in HD is very charming. With all the tools and content packed in, it is definitely worth the price of entry. The main portion of the game, community levels, can only get better as more players really learn the ins and outs of stage creation. It’s really great even coming up with one idea or theme for a stage, then spending hours fine-tuning that element into a full stage.

I’m gonna throw my stage codes this way too, as it seems to be the way of the land

They Called Me “Jumpman” (New U style)
3643-0000-001C-D72A
A fairly quick stage, my friend had told me I had made this stage “Impossible.” He didn’t realise the New U mechanics included the air-twirl that extends your jump distance slightly. Which is important.

Come On and SLAM with Mega Mario (Classic style)
076B-0000-003A-DB73

The central idea I had worked around with this stage is that being able to break blocks with mega mario can sometimes be a hazard, but also necessary for course completion. I like the tune for the Ghost House theme in the classic style game too!

LittleLynn

Every time I sit down with this game, I love it more and more. But after trying to set up a boss room for the first time, I’ve realized something I’d like to see in the future if there happens to be updates or DLC (besides more boss options). Maybe it’s just all my years of fiddling with RPG Maker, but I’d like to see event flags. For example: you’re in a small, closed room with a boss. There are no exits. However, upon defeating the boss, a door appears and you can progress (or perhaps it just ends the stage, as defeating bosses usually does).

I say this because while setting up this boss room, I basically had to design it in a weird layout that kinda encourages the player to actually defeat the boss before being able to safely reach the exit… but even then, a determined enough player can (and probably will) still circumvent the boss entirely. It’s a teensy bit frustrating.

That little nuisance aside, I think this is definitely shaping up to be one of my favorites that I’ve made. It’s not ready quite yet, but I’ll definitely share the code here when it is. ^_^

In the meantime, here’s a nifty, new (if somewhat easy) costume-based stage I made:
Next Door in the Haunted Mansion – DA41-0000-0031-5AA9

chancetime

I have picked it up and I’m definitely enjoying it so far. I never played NSMB U or Luigi U so I’m getting used to those styles, but the fact that I’ve got pretty much infinite levels for 4 different Mario games is amazing. Having people enjoy your levels is also really rewarding, putting time and effort into your courses will be rewarded by stars and comments.

For me, there’s only two negatives:

1) We need a proper search system. If you only want to play SMB3 Castle levels for example, you should be able to set parameters to search by.

2) No Desert theme 🙁 GH, Undergound and Castle are all fairly dark levels, so it would have been nice to have a bright desert theme to work with, as well as Pokeys, quick sand and the like.

LordDisco

Yes, and I am loving it! Made 4 levels, and I’m pretty proud of a couple of them. One thing I would change indefinitely right now is the search option, which there currently is not one at all. You can’t search by level name, you can’t search by user name, you can’t search your friends list, and you really can’t search for recently made ones. It’s just popular or play 100-Mario Challenge to play random levels. It’s actually a pretty poor way to get around. N++ actually has an amazing system for created levels, categorized by difficulty, recently made, most popular, made by friends, etc. It’s really nice. If Mario Maker had something like that, it would make it a much better experience.

Here are my current levels (Which the level ID is another thing that is garbage):
– Who is King of the Hill? F285-0000-0012-EA5C
– Why So Short? BD84-0000-0015-51EF
– Mad Funhouse 7643-0000-0017-0DEA
– Koopa Tagteam 55D8-0000-001C-AB64

Hope you all enjoy!

More: highlight, top

[Review] Year Walk

Posted on 9 years ago by Travis(@nintentravis) in Reviews, Wii U eShop | 8 Comments

System: Wii U
Release date: September 17, 2015
Developer: Simogo / Dakko Dakko
Publisher Simogo

Author: Travis

When you first pick up Year Walk, “peaceful” and “serene” are two words that may pop into your head. You find yourself in a quaint, Swedish forest in the winter, with snowflakes falling, the wind gently whispering, and ‘barely there’ atmospheric tones.

The odd sense of warm security you feel in a chilly setting is misplaced, however. Despite the calming, ambiguous way Year Walk opens, your character’s goal to eventually see into the future by partaking in a ‘vision quest’ takes a few disconcerting turns.

What I’m trying to say is that this game is going to rustle your jimmies.

More: Dakko Dakko, highlight, indie, Simogo, top, Year Walk

[Let’s Talk] Have you picked up Super Mario Maker?

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 114 Comments

Let’s Talk #23: Have you picked up Super Mario Maker?

Following its reveal at E3 2014 over a year ago, Super Mario Maker has finally arrived around the world. This is a pretty big release for Wii U. It may very well be Nintendo’s biggest game as a whole this year as well.

Even though Super Mario Maker is a Mario game, it’s quite different than what we’re used to. Nintendo has finally given players the tools to make their own levels. Making things even better, Super Mario Maker offers quite a bit of online functionality so that levels can be played and exchanged with others.

With all of that out of the way, how many of you picked up Super Mario Maker? What do you think of it so far? Are there any changes or additions you’d like to see in future updates? Let us know about your initial play impressions of the game in the comments below!

Highlights from last week’s topic: What are you playing? – September 2015

Stuart

I’m playing Phoenix Wright Ace Attourney Dual Destinies,I barely started and I already got 15 hours of gameplay! lol! Let’s finish before Ace Attourney 6 come out.

On my Wii U,Metroid Prime Trilogy all-the-way,note that I’ve never played any of the Prime games,just a little bit of the first one,so it’s been a whole new expirience for me,and now I see why hey call these games “masterpieces”.

Lord Drieg

Been mostly hunting in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. Managed to attain Hunter Rank 5 so now I’m a little closer to getting Samus’ armor. Also I’ve been trying to solo that Akantor for Link’s Sword. So frustrating!! Other than that, Smash on 3DS, and Shovel Knight to celebrate the amiibo announcement! (So good!) I’ve been wanting to get LBX, so spread some love and if you would, tell me about the game. I’ve been craving a new Medabots/Custom Robo style game and this looks like my fix!

JUr

I found Bayonetta 1 & 2 with a discount, so I’m playing these, they’re truly awesome games and alternating with the evergreen Smash or Splatoon… Also, ready to play a lot of Mario Maker, principally by downloading these awesome courses that you highlight!

TheDonRob

I have been playing a ton of The Binding of Isaac Rebirth. I tried The Binding of Isaac when it first came out on PC, but I guess it just didn’t really take. However, I really really like the Wii U port. Been playing too much, wife is actually getting a bit mad lol. Other than that I have been playing Pokemon Y and Pokemon Shuffle Mobile because I have a Pokemon addition.

Edit: Also, last night I just downloaded Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move. Was kind of hesitant of it being a spin off and all. But surprisingly enough it is pretty darn fun. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and cute mario themed puzzler.

Sam

I have been playing a TON of Little Battlers Experience: LBX since it released. I just really like the combat and customizing mechanics

More: highlight, pokemon go gameplay, top

The hardest Super Mario Maker levels: Travis stumps Dave

Posted on 9 years ago by Travis(@nintentravis) in Features, Videos, Wii U | 8 Comments

For the past two weeks we’ve been profiling the craziest, best, or most creative Super Mario Maker levels. Well the big day is tomorrow, so Travis wanted to put the shoe on the other foot and try to create the hardest level he could. He enlisted the help of his friend Dave to play “Bumpers in the Night!”

That wraps up our Super Mario Maker pre-launch coverage! We’re excited to see what people will be creating as of tomorrow, make sure to forward us the best levels you come across!

More: highlight, Super Mario Maker, top

Amazing Super Mario Maker levels: Disco Fever

Posted on 9 years ago by Travis(@nintentravis) in Features, Videos | 6 Comments

As we prepare for the launch of Super Mario Maker this Friday, we’re highlighting some of the best, craziest, or most creative levels we’ve come across! On today’s episode, we play through a level that will make you realize Mario parties much more than you thought, Disco Fever!

More: highlight, Super Mario Maker, top

Amazing Super Mario Maker levels: Enjoy Mr. Blue Bones’ Wild Ride!

Posted on 9 years ago by Travis(@nintentravis) in Features, Videos, Wii U | 10 Comments

As we prepare for the launch of Super Mario Maker this Friday, we’re highlighting some of the best, craziest, or most creative levels we’ve come across! On today’s episode, we play through the level that will turn your control stick rusty, Enjoy Mr. Blue Bones’ Wild Ride by ProJared!

If you have suggestions for levels we should play make sure to let us know in the comments!

More: highlight, Super Mario Maker, top

Amazing Super Mario Maker levels: The Ultimate Test

Posted on 9 years ago by Travis(@nintentravis) in Features, Videos, Wii U | 0 comments

Leading up to Super Mario Maker’s release on Sept. 11th, we’re highlighting some of the coolest, most creative, or just plain ridiculous levels users have created so far. In this episode, we check out the level “The Ultimate Test” from Michael in the UK.

If you have any suggestions for more levels we should play, just fire them our direction in the comments!

More: highlight, Super Mario Maker, top

[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – September 2015

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 28 Comments

Let’s Talk #22: What are you playing? – September 2015

A new month is here! August has passed, and we’re finally in September. There are just a few more months left in 2015…

Since we’re in a new month, we want to know: what are you playing? Tell us in the comments below! Even though this is a Nintendo-centric site, we don’t want to leave anyone out of the discussion. Feel free to talk about any games on any platform that you’re playing!

Highlights from last week’s topic: Indie amiibo you’d like to see

Killey

Yeah, a Shantae amiibo is a must now, Risky also deserves one. It’s sad that Rare isn’t with Ninty anymore, ’cause any of the Battletoads would have been a great Amiibo too.

Reiianuo

Rusty from Steamworld Dig! Heist is probably too far in development for it, but a Rusty amiibo could be tapped to allow Rusty to be playable in Heist (similar to the Fire Emblem characters in Code Name S.T.E.A.M.). I can’t really think of any new in-game functionality for it, but I’d also love a CommanderVideo amiibo!

LordDisco

Ones I could actually see working with Nintendo franchises really well would be Shantae, Max from Mutant Mudds, Scram Kitty, Juan from Guacamelee, and Gunvolt. I would say Mighty Number 9, but we already have Mega Man and I’m sure Nintendo wants to keep a more positive relationship with CAPCOM (And as of right now, CAPCOM is not happy with Comcept).

I think many of those characters work, because they are all very vibrant, colorful, fun, and each of them have an oldschool NES/SNES feel to them. It doesn’t seem like any of them fall far from the Nintendo mindset, which makes me think they’d all fit in to the amiibo lineup very, very well.

As for me, though, I would go bonkers if they made a Juan amiibo! Could you imagine the list of poses they could use for his amiibo?! The possibilities are just making me joyful!

Wynne Knapman

Shantae all the way! 100% just because I want a figurine of Shantae. …Actually, I’d really like an entire Shantae line: Shantae, Risky, Sky, Mimic, Tinkerbat, and ESPECIALLY Rottytops! *Edit: I completely forgot Bolo!