Posted on 9 years ago by Kirara Koneko(@KiraraKoneko) in Features, Game of the Month | 15 Comments

Author: Kirara

Mario Kart as a franchise has been around for a long time– twenty-three years to be exact. Although that seems like awhile, it really isn’t for a series from Nintendo; they have a history of creating franchises that are able to stand the test of time. In 1992 when Mario Kart had its debut on the Super Nintendo, it was dubbed Super Mario Kart. Fast forward twenty-three years and we now have Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U, and after five games for home consoles – three on portable, and even three in the arcade released in Japan – I think it is safe to say that Mario Kart has been a successful franchise. But what if it wasn’t Mario Kart? What if, instead of basing the game initially on the Mario series, it was simply Nintendo Kart or even Smash Kart? Is that something that would have seen as much notoriety then as it could today?

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Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Interviews, Wii U | 11 Comments

The news of Legend of Kay’s revival was unexpected, to say the least. It originally launched for the PlayStation 2 back in 2005, and ended up as more of a niche platformer for the console. Yet now the game is back in a remastered format for Wii U and a few other platforms, thanks to Nordic Games and developer Kaiko.

Nordic recently announced that Legend of Kay Anniversary is slated for spring. With the title’s launch coming sooner rather than later, we caught up with Kaiko’s Peter Thierolf for an interview. We asked Thierolf about why Legend of Kay is returning after so many years, what sort of improvements are being implemented, how it will play on Wii U, and more.

Read on below for our full interview.

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Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Wii U | 13 Comments

Let’s Talk #5: Your thoughts on Mario Kart 8’s new DLC and 200cc mode

Mario Kart 8’s second wave of DLC has finally arrived. Players now have access to eight additional courses, three new characters, and four more vehicles. Plus, let’s not forget the new 200cc mode that can be obtained through the latest update! Given all of the new content that Mario Kart 8 has added, it seems like the perfect topic for this week’s Let’s Talk.

Unlike previous Let’s Talks, I don’t have much to say about this one… yet! That’s largely in part because I just haven’t had any time to give the new DLC a go yet. I’m hoping to change that sometime this weekend. That being said, I absolutely love the courses in this latest DLC batch. Ribbon Road might be my favorite based on what I’ve seen due to all of the little details.

How many of you have gone hands-on with the new DLC? What’s your favorite track? How are you liking the new characters? Have you tried out 200cc yet? Would you be interested in seeing even more Mario Kart 8 DLC? Sound off in the comments below!

Last week’s topic: The future of 3D Mario games (highlights)

Vigilante_blade

I personally want a Super Mario 64 more open game. While I think there is some merit in Super Mario Galaxy, (apart from the Wiimote controls), I quickly grew bored of the extremely linear level design. Besides, I think it’s been a while since we had a 64-style Mario game.

sonicfan1373

I think we need a balance between linearity and exploration. I think that is one of the things Super Mario Sunshine did well, at least conceptually. Much of the shine collecting occurred in a walled garden setting, whereas there were also linear courses (albeit they were somewhat dull).

I would not mind something like that in future Mario games, having exploration based worlds where you collect stars by completing missions, collection red coins, searching for hidden coins or star parts, and competing in races but also having these worlds connect to more linear courses that really test your platforming, though unlike Sunshine’s somewhat dull courses these could be more like courses from Super Mario 3D Land/World or Galaxy.

FrostedFireFly

I don’t want another Galaxy game because I think the Galaxy mechanic would lose it’s wonder after a 3rd game. I’d still buy it if they made one though, but I’d prefer they didn’t.

I don’t want another 3D World either though… The games felt fun, but extremely underwhelming, making it not really feel like a main Mario game in the series. A sequel to Sunshine would be nice but if possible, I want a completely new Single Player experience using a newer mechanic for the overall game perhaps.

I doubt it’d happen, but I’d like a new 3D Mario game that mixes it’s elements with the Super Mario RPG game back on the Snes… Yeah I guess you could say I just want a new Super Mario RPG but imagine jumping around like you can in Galaxy in actual inhabited Mario places. Have you seen the villages used in the background for Mario Kart 8 tracks!? Why can’t we explore a world like THAT in video games???

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Posted on 9 years ago by Jarop(@gamrah) in Features, Game of the Month, Wii U | 8 Comments

For all of the fresh and welcome adjustments Mario Kart 8 brought to the series, there was one mode that saw a massive set of changes much to the dismay of many: Battle Mode. Doing away with the iconic arena stages prevalent in previous entries, Mario Kart 8 opted instead to re-use existing tracks to create somewhat of a joust around the courses, an unwelcome change to many fans. Combine that with the initial lack of a mini-map, the implication for couch co-op with a twelve-player cap and the fact that the tracks were larger and more open than ever, many fans felt that Nintendo had missed the mark when it came to capturing what the Grand Prix’s little brother was all about. Battle Mode has undergone a number of changes over the eight entries in the franchise. We’ve seen the size of the arena grow from two to twelve, the addition of bikes and countless other tweaks to the original inclusion back in 1992, but is the shift in focus really to blame entirely on Mario Kart 8? What should Battle Mode in a modern day Mario Kart even look like anyway?

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Posted on 9 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in Features, Podcast | 0 comments

Once upon a time I mentioned how Comcast played a role in canceling one of our podcasts because they made Laura’s internet go away. This week, another American corporation has disrupted our regular flow of feces-like podcasting content to you, but thankfully Xcel Energy’s mishandling of my electrical power only succeeding in delaying the podcast rather than outright canceling it. It’s an exciting show though, because Laura is back in Minneapolis so we’ve recorded our first in-person show since episode 103! Here are today’s chapters:

Shenanigans

1) Opening
2) Picture of the Day
3) Game of the Week: Super Mario Land!

What we played

4) Laura’s a’rumblin’. (Pokémon Rumble World)
5) Story of Sadness. (Story of Seasons)
6) Story of Seasons Spoilers Skip-Mark
7) Shepard is not a smart man. (Mass Effect)
8) ProPay develops new Streetpass games for Laura.
9) Donkey Kong Country 2 vs. Super Mario World, a retrospective featurette.

Shenanigans Redux

10) Freetures (the only free part of the podcast)
11) Donkey Kong Country 3 musical interlude

Listener Mail

12) Mario & Luigi is good?
13) New 3DS transfer process and other woes.
14) Are cinematic games taking over? Will they always suck so bad?
15) Comedian corner.

Shenanigans Finale

16) Super Mario Land Quiz
17) Ending sequence and staff roll.

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Posted on 9 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Features, Game of the Month, Wii U | 40 Comments

The illustrious Mario Kart is a series that’s been around since SNES and has touched the hearts of millions across the globe with its simplistic-yet-addictive and sometimes-competitive gameplay. We’ve seen the series grow exponentially in features and gimmicks with each new generational entry, but there’s always been one thing in particular that they’ve all had in common that was causing the series to dwindle in its excitement and keeping it from its full potential: speed.

Now, just to be clear, I’ve always loved and will continue to love Mario Kart. It’s held a special place in my heart since I first played it as a child on the Nintendo 64, but as I’ve grown and watched it evolve with each new entry, whether handheld or console, my interest in Mario Kart began to tank, specifically after Double Dash!!. I didn’t have any animosity towards the series (except for Mario Kart Wii) – it’ll always be in a league of its own – but as I began to delve into other racing games across various platforms, quickly becoming one of my favorite genres, it was hard to go back to Mario Kart expecting an immersive, adrenaline-fueled experience games like Burnout, Need for Speed, Extreme G Racing, or F-Zero would give me. After a while, even games that had the same power-up/items mechanics it had like Wipeout, Blur, Split/Second and, in a more obscure sense, Twisted Metal started to feel superior to Mario Kart. I’d still go back and play Double Dash!! and 64 from time to time with friends, but despite the merriment of the occasion, I couldn’t play more than twenty minutes at a time before wanting to go to sleep. The excitement was lost for me. I preferred to watch from a distance.

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Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, Just a Chat, Wii U | 0 comments

There was lots of Nintendo news this week, including the announcements of Monster Hunter Stories and Project X Zone 2. Brian and Daan talk about both of these games, along with the new Mario Kart 8 DLC tracks, Smash Bros., and more!

Stuff:

Brian’s Twitter
Daan’s Twitter

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Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Giveaway, Wii U | 6 Comments

Update 2: Latest winners announced! Congratulations to NintendCoo, TheOfficialBert, and thecerealwizard.

Update: Our winner is in! Congratulations to 1upGoomba.

The Mewtwo festivities aren’t over though! Thanks to Dingledots and an anonymous giver, we have three more codes (2 3DS, 1 Wii U) to hand out. Enter the Wii U giveaway here, and the 3DS giveaway here.

Reader mrsujano was kind enough to give us a Mewtwo DLC code for Smash Bros. Wii U. That means it’s time for a new giveaway!

Entering is very simple, though you’ll need a Twitter account. We’ll choose a random winner based on those who are following us on Twitter and re-tweet this post. It will be a quick giveaway, as we’re choosing a winner tomorrow.

Good luck!

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Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 97 Comments

Let’s Talk #4: The future of 3D Mario games

3D Mario platformers have done quite a bit since Super Mario 64 launched for the N64 back in 1996. We’ve seen Mario leap into paintings, explore a tropical island, and even travel through space. Super Mario 3D World, the series’ latest entry, also allowed for four-player multiplayer for the first time in a 3D Mario game.

So what’s next? Where do new 3D Mario games go from here? That’s the topic for this week’s Let’s Talk!

If I’m being completely honest, I’d want to see Super Mario Galaxy 3 above anything else. I absolutely adored the Galaxy games on Wii, and would be very interested to see what Nintendo could do with the idea on another console.

That’s not to say I’m against other possibilities! Actually, I’d also be open to another game like Super Mario 64. I feel like a lot of people would love to see a sequel to that game, or something that follows a similar sort of path.

The one thing I absolutely don’t want is another game like Super Mario 3D World. I did like Super Mario 3D Land on 3DS (a lot!), and thought World was pretty good. But now I’d like for Nintendo to move on from that overall type of game.

And now it’s your turn! Where do you want to see 3D Mario platformers go from here? Do you have any ideas for new titles? Sound off in the comments section, and be sure to check out some of your highlights from last week’s topic below!

Last week’s topic: Which Wii games do you want to see on New 3DS?

IndigoRift

If Kirby’s Return to Dreamland happened, I might consider purchasing it. Otherwise, if the Wii game isn’t something that’s hard to find, I really don’t care to see any ports. They need to catch up on N64 and GCN first.

mofi

Something that allows for short intensive bursts gameplay wise. I don´t know maybe Galaxy, MadWorld, Muramasa or something like that

Hexodious

If they make a port of Pandora’s Tower and The Last Story, then i’ll buy the New 3DS in a heartbeat.

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Posted on 9 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in Features, Podcast | 1 Comment

What an episode have we got for you here today on this episode of the show on our website. If you like Donkey Kong Country 3 you should skip listener mail because Jack gets incredibly critical of it, going so far as to call it a game Rare must have developed during their bathroom breaks. Still, Austin has impressions of Affordable Space Adventures, so that should make up for it. Unless he’s right.

I suspect he is. Here are today’s chapters:

Shenanigans

1) Picture of the Day.
2) Game of the Week: Zoda’s Revenge: Star Tropics 2!

What we played

3) Austin needs no qualifications for space adventures. (Affordable Space Adventures)
4) Jack dedicated himself to tears. (MOTHER 3)
5) Austin walks through the valley of the shadow of death (Super Ghouls n Ghosts wrap-up)

Shenanigans Redux

6) Freetures (Because they’re free)
7) Mighty Switch Force music break

Listener Mail

8) Donkey Kong Country 3 is Rare’s “bathroom break” game, according to Jack.
9) Would we be down for more clay?
10) Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Halo DS, and more: Our favorite cancelled games.
11) Why is Art Academy for Wii U taking so long?
12) Diarrhea-like random questions.

Shenanigans Finale

13) Zoda’s Revenge QUIZ QUIZ
14) Ending fanfare

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More: Affordable Space Adventures, highlight, Mother 3, podcast, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Zoda's Revenge: Star Tropics II