[Review] Adventures of Pip
Posted on 9 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Wii U | 2 Comments
System: Wii U (eShop)
Release: June 4, 2015
Developer: TicToc Games
Publisher: TicToc Games
Author: Dennis
In the HD world we live in, we’re spoiled by the copious amount of pixels that deliver us vibrant colors in a sequence of images on our TV screens and phones. Each pixel helps support the next, all the while providing a fragment of whatever is being displayed – regardless of resolution. In the Pixel Kingdom, those who have more pixels live in luxury. The other “low-rez” inhabitants live basic, humble lives. After a terrible attack threatens those with many pixels, all watch in absolute terror except for one that was bound to save the day. A single pixel. Enter Pip.
More: Adventures of Pip, highlight, TicToc Games, top
[Just a Chat] Humble Nindie Bundle, Japanese Nintendo Direct
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Just a Chat, Videos | 1 Comment
This week’s Just a Chat puts the focus on two topics. Brian and Daan talk about the Humble Nindie Bundle, as well as the imminent Japanese Nintendo Direct.
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[Let’s Talk] Do you prefer playing alone or with others?
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 11 Comments
Let’s Talk #10: Do you prefer playing alone or with others?
There are two very different ways to play games. Way back in the day, is wasn’t as easy being able to play with a friend, but now that online play is being incorporated into more and more games, it’s become a very tangible option. Of course, quite a few games offer local multiplayer as well – notably titles made by Nintendo.
So what side of the fence do you site on? Are you more of a single-player gamer? Or do you prefer getting in your gaming fix by playing with others? Perhaps you sit somewhere in the middle. Do you have any memorable experiences playing alone or with friends with a particular game? Regardless of how you feel, be sure to let us know in the comments below!
I’ll kick off the discussion with my own thoughts.
Honestly, I’ve always been more about the single-player experience. I really enjoy getting immersed in a game, and the genres I enjoy the most are typically about playing alone. Platformers, adventure games, RPGs… those are right up my alley. Shooters, fighters, racers, party games, etc. focus more on multiplayer, and tend to be experiences that I’m not a huge fan of. That isn’t to say that these are defining rules. Super Mario 3D World, for example, does have a pretty big multiplayer component despite being a 3D platformer.
Even in multiplayer-centric games though, I’ve generally played through the single-player aspects much more than multiplayer. Take Smash Bros., for instance. Tons of people enjoy playing that title with friends, but I haven’t dabbled with the multiplayer much since Super Smash Bros. on the N64. The same even goes with something like Splatoon, which places the emphasis on online play. I see myself playing more via the campaign versus the multiplayer modes.
I do want to mention that I’m not against multiplayer gaming at all. Actually, it can be quite fun! Back when we did Game Nights with Mario Kart Wii and other titles, those were some pretty good times. It might be neat to bring that back one day.
Highlights from last week’s topic: What is your favorite Nintendo franchise?
Auragar
The Legend of Zelda. Best series. One of my top favorite series overall.
saltypop
This is tough. I’m going to go with Pikmin though. I’ve always loved the idea of exploring our world as a little person. And better yet they’re aliens so it’s all different to them. I love hearing what they have to say about our objects and fruits and even giving them new names, i.e. Strawberry is called “Sunseed Berry”. Oh and the gameplay is really fun.
Lolo
This is kind of personal, but my favorite series is the kirby series. Back in the early 90s, my dad was looking for game for me for my gameboy. Usually I would play mario games but he bought me kirbys dreamland for the gameboy. I looked at the game in disgust when I first saw it, so my dad played it first. I watched how much he sucked at the game, and I watched all the cute enemies walk into him, throw bombs in his face, until he died over and over and over. He let me play, and I enjoyed the game…it was different, and I felt the need to avenge my dad and beat the game. So I reached the end, and I finally meet the main bad guy of the game, King dedede. I honestly was puzzled as to why this Daffy Duck impersonator in robes with a hammer was the final boss. After fighting him, I was in awe at how he fights you like if he was another kirby, since he knew kirbys moves. I yelled in my room in shock when dedede sucked me in and spit me out, I yelled “HEY!! That’s what I do!”. I was especially shocked by how he could jump so high to hit kirby if you’re flying to get away. I had never seen a boss that acted like the hero…it was groundbreaking to me as a child. Since this game I was after my dad to get kirbys dreamland 2, and when he got it, I was very happy. I loved the animal buddies Rick, Coo, and Kine…and I wish for them to return someday. Dreamland 2 taught me, that not everything is what it seems. I honestly thought King dedede was at it again, and I never understood why he was sleepy when I fought him. I would beat the game countless times, puzzles at the one eyed black thing at the end of the credits, saying “that’s so stupid, why name all the characters, and then put a question mark for this one eyed black thing I have never seen”. To me it was stupid how the game ended that way. I never understood the deal behind the rainbow drops, but several years later when I was 9, I got them all. Then I faced king dedede again. I was officially scared when I beat dedede, because the game’s usual ending was changed. I watched the rainbow drops purify dedede from being possessed by the one eyed black thing that was always unnamed at the end of the game for me. It was then I realized, games can have an alternate true final boss and ending. This game was no longer cute, it was scary for me. But it made me realize that King dedede wasn’t always to blame for bad things to happen. It taught me that a character can’t always be labelled as a villain for just doing bad in 1 story. Which is why King dedede became my favorite character. He is funny bird that likes to be King, even if no one agrees that he should be. He surprised me as a child and made me laugh when I would race with him in gourmet race. Things like the gourmet race and the ending to kirbys adventure reminded me that even if someone does a bad thing, they aren’t always responsible for if something bad happens, and they are always capable of doing good.
Since my childhood, I have played though all the kirby games. I will conclude with this. A grew up with an older lady in my neighborhood, in recent years. Her grandaughter had a mother that along with her room mate, abused her. This granddaughter now lives happily with her grandmother I know. I introduced to them kirbys return to dreamland and they loved the game. This older lady, even though I am not related to Her, has taken me in like one of her children. Because if kirby I introduced to her, she loves play video games with her granddaughter. would you believe she has 100% on her own time games like snowpack park wii and animal crossing city folk? I was amazed. Together, we love kirbys return to dreamland (mario is too hard for her), because you can play as a team and its easier on the players than other games. She loves to play as King Dedede, and she loves to give enemies a “headache” with her hammer, I love that haha. She labels King dedede as “our buddy” because of how funny he is and how helpful he can be in the adventure.
If you don’t believe me, I have some videos of us playing. A 3 part kirby game of us 3 playing.
So this why I love the Kirby series and I eagerly await more of them. So I will conclude with this fan art I drew for my “grandmother”.
http://unclelaurence.deviantart.com/art/Kirby-and-his-friend-King-DeDeDe-365987290
FireFrog
I love almost every Nintendo franchise but the one that is my favorite and that I can always go back to its Yoshi. The Yoshi games are so calming imaginative and all around fun to play. They are great platforming games with tons of elements and mechanics that make it constantly enjoyable. Yoshi’s Story is actually my favorite in the series because of how crazy fun and innovative it is. I’m more excited for Woolly World than any other game right now.
shaw98
The main Super Mario series. Many people forget that Mario has a main series because of how many spin offs he has. I love all the main Mario titles except for Mario bros 2 both Japan and U.S.A. What I love about the mario franchise in general, is that even the spin offs are masterpieces. Usually spin offs are simple cash ins on the main series but Mario makes his spin offs so good to.
Update: Winners – [Giveaway] Splatoon amiibo 3-pack, Vector Assault
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Giveaway | 15 Comments
Update: Our winners are in!
Splatoon: Lunar_Radiance
Vector Assault: Exy, LordDisco
Congratulations to all! Prizes will be sent out soon.
Our Nihilumbra giveaway officially ended today, but we’re definitely not done with giveaways as a whole. In fact, we’re now kicking off two new ones!
Over on Twitter, we’re giving away a Splatoon amiibo 3-pack. Just make sure you’re following us and re-tweet this post.
Right here on the site, we have two copies of Vector Assault to share. Leave a comment below telling us about your favorite dual stick shooter. Note that you’ll need a North American Wii U console in order to redeem the code.
Winners for both giveaways will be announced next Friday (May 29). Good luck!
[Review] Splatoon
Posted on 9 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in Features, Reviews, Videos | 9 Comments
Splatoon is officially launching in just a matter of minutes, so we’re giving this one final bump!
Finally we’ve come upon the day when Splatoon reviews are allowed to be posted. Here’s a 15 minute video with a whole lot of what I thought about the game; would you believe me if I said this was edited down from a thirty minute video? I could seriously make a 60 minute video about this game honestly. Maybe I will someday.
Our complete video review is below. Hit the break for the summary, recommendation, and rating.
A look at Splatoon’s neater details – Plushies are cute, connecting everything together
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Features, Videos, Wii U | 0 comments
Over the past couple of weeks, Austin has been playing the heck out of Splatoon. The game has a bunch of neat details, and he’s picked up on a few of them that fans might be interested in.
Our fourth and fifth videos (last ones!) explore a neat single-player touch, plus a look at how the world of Splatoon is connected together. Check them out below.
A look at Splatoon’s neater details – Paying attention to Miiverse
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Features, Videos, Wii U | 1 Comment
Over the past couple of weeks, Austin has been playing the heck out of Splatoon. The game has a bunch of neat details, and he’s picked up on a few of them that fans might be interested in.
Our third video takes a look at Splatoon’s interesting Miiverse usage. Give it a look below.
A look at Splatoon’s neater details – GamePad conveniences, committing to a world
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Features, Videos, Wii U | 9 Comments
Over the past couple of weeks, Austin has been playing the heck out of Splatoon. The game has a bunch of neat details, and he’s picked up on a few of them that fans might be interested in.
We’ll be featuring the neater things in Splatoon over the next few days. Austin highlights the first couple below.
Look for our review of Splatoon tomorrow!
[Just a Chat] Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon, new Art Academy, Nintendo World Championships, more
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Just a Chat, Videos | 2 Comments
I’ve been sick and Austin isn’t around to edit audio, but Just a Chat must go on! In this week’s episode, Daan and I talk about the announcements of Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon and Art Academy: Atelier, plus the Nintendo World Championships, Nintendo’s hiring of “Bowser”, and the Splatoon Iwata Asks.
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[Let’s Talk] What is your favorite Nintendo franchise?
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 44 Comments
Let’s Talk #9: What is your favorite Nintendo franchise?
Nintendo has created a ton of franchises over the years. We’ve seen IPs like Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Kirby, Star Fox, Kid Icarus… just to name a few. There are so many series out there that it’s tough to choose a favorite. But that’s exactly what I’m asking of you this week!
This week’s Let’s Talk is very simple. I want to have a discussion about our favorite franchises. What’s your favorite? Why do you enjoy it so much? I’m curious about your absolute favorite series, but you can name a few runner-ups as well. Sound off in the comments! You’ll find a few thoughts from me and highlights from last week’s Let’s Talk down below.
Choosing a favorite Nintendo franchise is incredibly difficult since Nintendo has a bunch of well-known and great series to choose from. At the end of the day though, I’d probably have to go with Zelda. I’ve previously talked about how Ocarina of Time truly jump-started my interest in gaming, and my experience with it is a big reason why Nintendo Everything exists today!
There’s a lot to love in Zelda. The epic adventures. The variety of art styles. The different types of gameplay. For me, there’s very little that beats riding Epona across Hyrule.
I do want to mention that I have a ton of love for other Nintendo franchises. If I were to rank them, Zelda would be first, followed by Mario, and then Metroid. Mario… well, not much explanation is needed there! It’s an absolutely classic franchise that can resonate with just about anyone. I started with the Metroid series late – Metroid Fusion was my first experience with the franchise. But I never looked back, and have loved both the 2D and 3D entries.
Highlights from last week’s topic: Your thoughts on Splatoon
Exy
I had my worries in the past that they’re not doing as much as they should to promote it, but they should be credited for identifying their internet fanbase and getting to them where it counts. Tumblr in particular is big on the game’s aesthetic and characters, and they’re actually using their Vine account for the first time since 2013 solely to promote this game. Before last month, they had only two Vines, both half-heartedly promoting the Wii U, but now there’s a good amount of videos on it all dedicated to Splatoon. They’re really going all out on the internet front getting this game known. Pity about those American television commercials though…
timfletcher1983
I’ve read a lot of complaints about the game pad being necessary to play online. I have to admit, I was a little concerned too, given I use the Pro Controllers almost exclusively with the relevant games that support it. However, the gyro + analogue stick controls of the game pad were absolutely, surprisingly comfortable when playing for 1 hour during the Splatoon Global Testfire. I gave it a good go, then turned motion control off to see how I’d fare with the typical analogue stick controls, but I have to say I preferred the gyro + analogue combo; it seems far more accurate.
I wonder though how this might fare for longer periods of playing. No doubt, the game pad may get a little heavy over time, and I still had a lot of tweaking (and skill development) to feel like I had the hang of it 100%. Nonetheless, I was super pleasantly surprised – two hands on the game pad make for some seriously accurate and timely aiming – much more than those one handed Wii remote motion aiming days.
Ant M.
I for one am REALLY excited for this game after getting my hands on it. It’s a new spin on a genre that DESPERATELY needed one & a polished one at that. That game feels SO good! Everything about it feels fluid and works together to make you feel immersed in the gameplay from the controls down to the sound design.
