I'm very sorry
about the break last week, but different obligations and a nasty flu
kept me from producing any content for the blog. I hope you can
understand. But now things should be back to normal.
So this
announcement created some waves last week.
For the first time
in history a main line Zelda Game would receive additional content.
And to say the reaction to this was mixed would be an understatement.
Now in this post I won't judge this decision. This will have to wait
until this weeks Thoughtpiece. Instead I want to focus on the past
times Nintendo decided to create DLC for their Games. So here is,
without further ado, the five times Nintendo did DLC right.
5: Super Smash
Bros. for Wii-U/3DS
Now this is a
little bit controversial of a pic because the Game got a lot of flak
for it's DLC and I can see why, but overall I think the DLC for Smash
Bros. was done very well.
Fighting Games are
always a little bit iffy when it comes to DLC. Things that should be
unlockables in the game are often sold instead. Even Smash Bros. is
no exception to that with the countless costumes sold for Mii
Characters. But I'm willing to forgive this because of the huge
amount of content and costumes already present in the basic game.
And while the Mii
Costumes weren't exactly a stellar example for DLC the characters
themselves are. Bayonetta, Cloud and Co. are DLC done right.
Sometimes people tend to forget how much work it is to create a
character from the ground up for a Fighting Game. Looking at those
DLC characters from this angle, I don't think the are overpriced.
Especially those which also include a new stage.
Also most of those
characters play very unique and offer a different experience from the
fighters in the base game. They are also quite well balanced and fit
right into the Meta.
It is clear that
Sakurai and his team did their homework with each and every one of
those DLC characters. They are a lot of fun and if you play Smash
Bros. regularly they are worth their money. And that is what good DLC
is all about.
4: Fire Emblem
Fates: Revelation
I am one of the
loudest critics of Fire Emblem: Fates. The decision to split the game
into two parts still leaves a bitter aftertaste in my mouth, even
though each part is a fully playable game. Also the blatant and
stupid censorship in the title didn't help.
But I'm also the
first one to admit that the game is really, really good. Birthright
and Conquest both tell a great and engaging story and playing them
both gives you a deeper insight into a complicated conflict and
backstory. But what if you didn't choose either, Nohr or Hoshido?
What if you choose your own path? For anyone also asking this
question Nintendo released Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation. A DLC for
the the game that has exactly this question as basis.
Instead of
choosing one of your two families, you instead reject both and head
out to forge your own path. It is an interesting concept and very
well done. It is a completely new game and more than worth it's
money.
3: Hyrule Warriors
Hyrule Warriors
DLC was announced similarly to the Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass.
You got some skins directly and a general outlier of what was
planned, but no specific information what exactly was part of the
DLC. We didn't know which characters would be included only their
number. They repeated this vagueness with Hyrule Warriors Legends and
I can understand that some people are upset about this practice. When
I pay 15$ for a DLC without really knowing what I'm going to get in
return, it will always leave a bad aftertaste. Buying the Cat in the
bag never feels good.
In the End Hyrule
Warriors offered pretty good by the Numbers DLC. Nothing to special
or surprising, but a solid extension of the classic game. But it
didn't truly offer anything new. Now don't get me wrong. Extending on
the main game, adding new characters and adventure maps is fine. And
the the fact that this DLC offering is Number 3 on this list, speaks
volumes. Still I missed something. New Stages or a new Game Mode
would have done wonders for Hyrule Warriors.
But the offering
was still excellent. The new characters often had a fresh approach
and lots of fan favorites got added this way. Also the DLC Maps for
the Adventure Mode played really differently from the original. The
factor that holds this DLC offering back from raising further on this
list is the lack of new stages to fight on. Even the best stages,
like Skyloft, get boring if you have to do them over a hundred times.
So to truly become a excellent DLC Hyrule Warriors would have needed
some more variety in it's offering.
2: Mario Kart 8
Well it was clear
that this game would be on this list and I think many of you probably
expected it to be Number One. And while it didn't quite actually make
it to the top it's still the absolute best DLC in terms of value. For
only 12$ you'll get six new characters, eight new carts and 16 new
courses. The value this DLC provides is just insane. Especially
because the courses are amongst the best in the entire series. Wild
Woods is probably my favorite racing course in any game ever. But
enough about me and my love for that course. Instead let us talk
about why this DLC is so excellent.
Mario Kart 8s DLC
is the epitome of more of the same, which isn't a problem if that
means you'll get more of the best course design in any Kart Racer. It
can't be stressed enough that the new tracks are the absolute top of
the crop. Even the reworks of classic tracks are excellent. Tracks
like Ribbon Road are hardly recognizable with their origins. They
look and feel like completely new courses.
And while the
characters aren't as exciting they still do their job well and the
inclusion of Link opened up the possibility of a true Nintendo
All-Stars Racing in the future.
So while Mario
Kart 8s DLC is truly excellent and is still the absolute Number One
in terms of value, why didn't it take the Number One spot on this
list. Well it's because the DLC doesn't offer anything new. Like I
said earlier it's just more of the same, which isn't a problem, but
DLC should also be a possibility to build on the foundation and
expand to something new. It doesn't always have to be that way, but
if done right, it will result in absolutely amazing DLC.
1: Super Luigi U.
Now some of you
may say that this is just a level pack for Super Mario Bros. U and
with that statement you couldn't be further from the truth. One the
first glance it may seem this way. It is just a level pack for Super
Mario Bros. U offering 96 new courses to complete. And instead of
Mario you can play as Luigi with his unique controls (Higher Jumps,
lower friction). But this is only a very superficial look at this
game. Super Luigi U is much more than just a level pack for the
original. Instead it is a true expansion. Something that uses the
same foundations, but creates an entirely new experience.
You see in Super
Lugi U you'll only have one hundred seconds for each level. This has
a huge influence on level design and on how you approach the stages.
Speed is an essential ingredient of this game. This fact, coupled
with the higher difficulty of the game, creates an entirely different
experience than Super Mario Bros. U, without departing so much from
the core that it becomes an entirely new game.
It is hard to
describe with only words, but the flow of Super Luigi U. differs
completely from Super Mario Bros. U. And that is why Super Luigi U.
is an excellent DLC. It's the perfect way of progressing past the end
of the original. If you've mastered Super Mario Bros. U, you're
prepared for Luigi U. It gives Veteran Mario players a new challenge
and new experience in one package. And because of that it's still my
favorite DLC for a Nintendo Game.
So what are your
thoughts on DLCs in Nintendo Games? Which ones did you enjoy and
which ones aren't worth their money? Let me know your opinions in the
comments below.
And as always
thanks for reading
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