[Let’s Talk] Digital vs. physical
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 96 Comments
If you want to buy a game these days, there are two major ways to do so. You can either purchase a physical copy at retailers, or pick up the digital version from a place like the eShop.
Some folks prefer going all digital so that games can be easily accessed. Not having to deal with boxes and clutter might be viewed as another plus. But on the other hand, buying a physical copy means you’ll absolutely have the game forever (assuming the disc doesn’t break), and it’s a way of collecting something tangible.
Personally, I’m somewhere in the middle. I do prefer physical copies, but if a game is only being sold digitally, that won’t stop me from making a purchase. And if I see that a digital copy has received a massive discount, I’ll probably opt for that instead of going the physical route.
Which side of the fence do you side on? Do you lean one way in particular? Do you refuse to buy any games digitally (or vice versa)? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Highlights from last week’s topic: What are you playing? – September 2017
Intelligent Systems: Advance Wars for mobile “not a zero percent chance”, curious if fans are interested
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Mobile, News | 40 Comments
Advance Wars has been dormant for many years. The series thrived during the Game Boy Advance and DS eras, but it’s been a long while since the last entry. The last time Nintendo and Intelligent Systems created a game in the franchise was in 2008, when we saw Advance Wars: Days of Ruin.
As part of an interview concerning Fire Emblem Heroes, TouchArcade asked Intelligent Systems’ Kouhei Maeda about the possibility of a new Advance Wars for mobile. Maeda worked on the scenarios for Advance Wars games back in the day.
More: Intelligent Systems, interview, top
Fire Emblem Warriors devs on Female Robin / Cordelia, Pegasus Knights gameplay, including Fire Emblem elements, more
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in New Nintendo 3DS, News, Switch | 84 Comments
Nintendo Dream kept up with its monthly interviews with the Fire Emblem Warriors developers in its latest issue. Following the reveals of Female Robin and Cordelia, the Japanese magazine spoke with producer Yosuke Hayashi and director Hiroya Usuda.
Naturally the discussion had plenty of discussion about those two characters (including why Male Robin was chosen over Female Robin for the story). Hayashi and Usuda also discussed things like implementing the Pegasus Knights for gameplay and the difficulties there, incorporating strategic elements from the Fire Emblem franchise, and more.
Read our full translation with Hayashi and Usuda below. Previous Nintendo Dream interviews can be found here and here.
Cave Story+ update adding local co-op on September 15
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 8 Comments
A major feature is being added to Cave Story+ next week. Co-op is coming to the game on September 15, Nicalis has announced. It will be possible to play together with a friend locally.
Nicalis shared the news on Twitter, and gave a brief look at co-op in action:
Play #CaveStory+ local 2Player co-op with a friend on #NintendoSwitch September 15th! #OhYeaaah!! pic.twitter.com/FMcSwmekwL
— Nicalis, Inc. (@nicalis) September 8, 2017
More: Cave Story, Nicalis, title update, top
Atooi talks low Chicken Wiggle sales, discount next week, no more 3DS games
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 36 Comments
Mutant Mudds developer Atooi brought Chicken Wiggle to the 3DS eShop last month. Sadly, sales have not been strong thus far.
Atooi founder Jools Watsham discussed Chicken Wiggle’s sales in a new blog post. Below are a couple of excerpts:
More: Atooi, Chicken Wiggle, sales, top
MercurySteam heaps praise on Nintendo, says Nintendo made them a better developer
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News | 29 Comments
Nintendo surprised everyone at E3 in June by announcing not one, but two Metroid games. One of those titles, Metroid: Samus Returns, is just a few days away from launch.
Rather than making the game internally, Nintendo partnered with an external developer on the project. MercurySteam, best known for working on the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow titles, handled the bulk of development. Nintendo was still very much involved, however, and series producer Yoshio Sakamoto played a key role in Samus Return’s creation.
MercurySteam head Enric Alvarez chatted with GamesIndustry about what it’s like working with Nintendo, stating:
F-Zero’s creation inspired by Nintendo of America’s criticism of Famicom Grand Prix and Batman
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 6 Comments
Nintendo delved into the origins of F-Zero in a new interview shared this week to promote the Super NES Classic Edition. It’s only in Japanese at present, though an official English translation from Nintendo is coming soon. For now, Siliconera did translate one interesting excerpt about how F-Zero came to be.
Director Isshin Shimizu, designer Takaya Imamura, and main programmer Yasunari Nishida were involved in the discussion. Shimizu spoke about how Nintendo of America criticized the Japan-exclusive Famicom Grand Prix, which fired him up. That, along with Batman, ultimately inspired the creation of F-Zero.
Here’s what Shimizu, Imamura, and Nishida said:
More: F-Zero, interview, Isshin Shimizu, top
MercurySteam originally wanted to remake Metroid Fusion instead of Metroid II
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GBA, General Nintendo, News | 9 Comments
Next week is the launch of Metroid: Samus Returns. It’s a remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus, which hit the Game Boy many years ago. Nintendo collaborated with MercurySteam on the project. But interestingly, Metroid II wasn’t MercurySteam’s first choice.
Game Informer reports that MercurySteam initially pitched Nintendo on potentially remaking Metroid Fusion. Although series producer Yoshio Sakamoto was impressed with the pitch and their passion for Metroid, he said no to revisiting the Game Boy Advance game. Instead, Sakamoto wanted to remake Metroid II.
Going with Metroid II over Fusion may have been the smarter choice. You can make an argument that Fusion still holds up today, but the team was really able to make significant improvements to Metroid II.
ARMS version 3.0 introducing customizable controls
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 16 Comments
Update (9/8): Added in English version of the video.
Original (9/7): The next ARMS update is coming very soon. During the middle of this month, Nintendo should be releasing version 3.0, which will add Lola Pop. The new character, her ARMS, and the new stage won’t be all though.
On the Japanese ARMS Twitter account, Nintendo reveals that ARMS 3.0 will introduce customizable controls. You’ll also be able to adjust the sensitivity of the motion controls.
Here’s a look:
Big news, fighting fans! #ARMS Ver. 3 will allow you to remap the controls to the buttons of your choice! How's that for flexibility? pic.twitter.com/GdcHe7Zu0j
— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) September 8, 2017
More: Arms, title update, top
Overcooked: Special Edition update out now (version 1.0.1)
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch eShop | 0 comments
The promised update for Overcooked: Special Edition is now live. Version 1.0.1 is out now.
Among other things, the team has improved the game’s frame rate on Switch. Other improvements have also been implemented.
A second patch is already in the works, and will further improve performance.
Read the full patch notes and message from Team17 below.
