The Switch is here (almost)

So how did you like the presentation?
Overall I think it was good, not outstanding or perfect, but still very good. It gave a clear view of the vision they have with the Switch and even though there could have been more, it showed us some games to look forward to. And if you didn't expect crazy things it was hardly a disappointing event. So far Nintendo never has shared the hardware specifics of their consoles before launch, so I didn't expect them to do it now. Generally the biggest ''problem'' of the presentation was the rumors preceding it. I saw some reactions of disappointed people about the rumored RabbidsXMario RPG, which wasn't shown (and probably never was real). So people are disappointed that something that didn't actually exist wasn't shown. But I digress.

Another, albeit smaller, problem was the location. I know Japan is the home of Nintendo and with the concept of the Switch probably the most important market, but the Japenese are very reserved people. And it showed during the event. The audience hardly generated any Hype and Hype is what sells consoles these days. Just take a look at the PlayStation 4 and it's launch line-up.

But before I rumble on to long about this presentation, let us take a look a the information we got.

The Console:

The Nintendo Switch will launch on the 3^rd of March Worldwide for a suggested retail price of 299.99$. For us in europe this will most likely mean that it'll cost 299.99€. The purchase will include the Switch Console, a TV Docking station, the left and right Joy-Con Controller, an HDMI-Cable, and AC-Adapter to load and the Joy-Con Strips for better grip. It will also launch in two versions with different colored Joy-Cons.

The Vision for the Nintendo Switch is for it to be a Home Console Gaming System that gives you complete freedom of choice on how you want to play. You can play in TV-Mode or just take it with you as a handheld. Or us the build in stand to put in on a table and combine both worlds.

And while we didn't get any technical details we at least got the information that there will be no region lock and that the battery life will differ between two and a half and six and a half hours, depending on which game you play. For example while playing Breath of the Wild the Battery is expected to last three hours. Also we got the confirmation that you can load the Switch via the AC-Adapter while you play. Something that was a given honestly.

Now for the first damper of the presentation. The Nintendo Switch will be the console were free Online Gaming ends for Nintendo customers. Just like with the competition Online Services will cost you a fee for the Nintendo Switch. After a trial period this will start in Fall 2017. But of course it will also offer you several perks, which weren't shared during the presentation. Instead the unveiled them on their website.

• A new dedicated smart device app will allow you to connect your phone to the switch, set up lobbys and voice chat and invite your friends to play with you.
• You can download one NES or SNES game each month and they will have added Online Play.
• Special discounts and offers for digital games and content.

So all in all Nintendo will offer a similar package to the PS+ and X-Box Live services. Personally I would have preferred if the service would've been optional, but sadly it will be mandatory if you want to play online. Anyways so far the have stated nothing about the price, so hopefully it won't be too high.

Something that's going to be free however is local multiplayer. If you so desire, and have enough friends, you'll be able to connect up to eight Switch consoles for local matches.

Joy-Cons:

Now let us talk about the real star of the Show. The Joy-Con controllers. Everything they shown about them sounds amazing and has really sold me on the Switch. Even more so than the ''Main''- Concept of playing however and wherever you want. Being able to attach and detach the Joy-Cons to suit your gaming needs is awesome.

The Joy-Cons will come in two varieties with distinct features.

The Right Joy-Con will feature the well known Y/X/B/A set of buttons as well as a home button. Both Joy-Cons also will have a control stick, as well as two shoulder buttons. What differentiates the right from the left is the NFC Reader build into the right controller. So you'll still be able to use your Amiibo with the Switch.

The thing to get excited about, however, is the build in motion tracker camera. The right Joy-Con features a sensor, which can detect shapes and distances. For example it can differentiate between Rock/Paper/Scissors. This offers some cool new possibilities and hopefully, as opposed to the Wii-U Gamepad, they're going to use them.

The left Joy-Con isn't as exciting. It will also feature the same amount of buttons as the right, but instead of a Home - there will be a Share button.

Both Joy-Cons can be used as a fully functional controller separately. The Joy Con Strap helps with that because it increases the size a little, as well as gives them prominent shoulder buttons.

Now for the last exciting Joy Con feature. Rumble HD and Motion Control. Yes Motion Controls are back with a vengeance. As someone, who quite enjoyed them on the Wii, I don't have a problem with that. But I also acknowledge that it could be a hassle. Luckily with the Joy-Cons you don't have to use it. You can use them as regular controllers, but some games will be designed elusively with Motion Controls in mind. But it doesn't have to be forced into each and every game.

The new Rumble HD feature allows for much more precise feelings. In the presentation the explained it as such. The Joy-Cons can emulate the feeling of a Glass filled with ice cubes. You can even feel how many ice cubes are in the glass or if water is poured into it.

And lastly there will be different colors of Joy-Cons available.

Games:

Now let us head to the most exciting, and for some most disappointing part of the presentation. Games. There weren't a ton of exclusive games shown and the launch window is still pretty much without confirmed launch, but Nintendo stated that there are already 80+ Games in development for the Switch. And it seems at least the Japanese Deves are fully behind the console. But first let us take a look at Nintendos own games.

First up we have the Wii Sports of the Switch, which is called 1,2 Switch. This game will launch alongside the console and I wouldn't be surprised if it is included with every console.

It is a two player dueling game utilizing the Joy-Cons. Judging on the trailer there will be several ways to duel. From a classic Wild West Shootout to Fencing to Magic Duels all the way to a Rock Out.

One thing they put a lot of emphasis on was the fact that for this game you don't have to look at the screen. Instead you're focused on your opponent. This could (and should) increase the social component.

This game gives me the vibe of a Warior Ware style experience focused on multiplayer. Lots of quick and easy to grasp minigames, which don't take longer than a couple of seconds to play. I think tht game has some potential to be a Party Hit. At least you can use it to quickly get smashed if the loser always has to take a shot.

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The next game was described with having depth, challenge and replayability. Arms.

Arms is a fighting sports game, which provides a unique mix between boxing and shooting. Your characters have extensible Arms. So it's a boxing match with a lot more reach.

Arms is controlled with one Joy-Con in each hand. It works similar to boxing in Wii-Sports, but the Joy-Cons are much more precise, so it allows for more varied Gameplay. Also your character is truly mobile. You can use Dashs and Jumps for unique maneuvers.

Arms will feature local and online multiplayer battles against friends and strangers.

Playing more will unlock higher level techniques, so you'll have some long term goals.

I'm not sure if Arms will truly take off, but it looks like a quick an fun multiplayer game and it will launch in Spring 2017.

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Now let's start with the big ones. Like I speculated (and hoped after the initial Switch trailer) the game shown there wasn't an enhanced Splatoon Port, but instead Splatoon 2. It was pretty clear that after the huge success of the first one Nintendo would quickly want to develop a second installment.

Judging from the trailer and the News we got so far it seems to be a consequent Sequel.

Turf War is still the number One sport in Inkopolis and as such will be the center piece of the game once more. It will feature new Stages, Weapons, Special Weapons and Clothes. Also the Inkling customization has been extended as well.

There is a new set of weapons, which you can Dual wield, increasing your mobility, but most likely decreasing your accuracy.

You can connect up to eight Switches for local multiplayer or play online from the comfort of your own home.

Just like with the first Splatoon after its release in Summer 2017 Splatoon 2 will get free Weapon and Stage Updates as well as online events. Yes Splatfests return (most likely).

Expect a Trailer watch over the course of the Weekend.

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And now for the even bigger one. It looks strange and it proves that Mario truly has no limits. Super Mario Odyssey takes the worlds most well known Plumber on a Journey to unknown Worlds. While the Sprixie Kingdom in Super Mario 3D World was far away from the Mushroom Kingdom, but still recognizable, some of these truly look outlandish in a Mario Game. Who would have every thought of seeing Mario in a big, somewhat realistic looking city?

Super Mario Odyssey will the first time sine Mario 64 and Mario Sunshine that you'll be able to explore big, open courses in a Mario game. And it looks really awesome.

Also it seems your side kick this time will be your own hat, which comes to live. In the trailer we already see some unique use of it, and I'm sure there is a lot more to come.

Super Mario Odyssey will launch during Holiday Season 2017.

And I hope I'll get the trailer Watch for this ready by today.

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Xenoblade Chronicles 2 seems to be a direct successor to the original Xenoblade Chronicles. As much as it pains me that we most likely will never get the answers to Xenoblade Chronicles Xs cliffhanger, I can't help but to get excited for this game. The strong anime style of the characters may need some time getting used to however.

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Just like many speculated, and was the logical choice, we'll get a Fire Emblem Warriors on the Switch. Nothing so far information wise, but the Fire Emblem Series offers enough characters and possibilities for this, so I'm looking forward to it.

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And now for a quick overview of the third parties. Like I said the Japanese developers seem to be fully on board with the Switch. Square Enix will be bringing Dragon Quest 10 and 11 to the console. As well as Dragon Quest Heroes 1 and 2. There will also be a new IP called Project Octopath Traveler, which sports a pretty unique presentation and has me quite intrigued.

No word so far on Final Fantasy However.

Atlus will be bringing a new Shin Megami Tensai to the Switch, but development has just begun, so it may take a while. Also we in the Wet will have to wait even longer for localization I'm sure.

Sega will support Switch and the new Sonic game will be coming to it.

Suda 51 announced that Travis Touchdown, the protagonist of the No More Heroes series, will return on the Switch. This got me pretty excited because the two No More Heroes games rank among my favorites on the Wii. Also the translator during this part of the presentation was hilariously overwhelmed.

On the western side we finally got the confirmation that The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim is going to launch on the Nintendo Switch. Also EA is supporting the console (for now) and the next Fifa will launch on the Switch.

Overall there seem to be many ports and new games in the works for the Switch, as illustrated by the overview video during the presentation. Altough we don't have definitive release dates for all of those yet. 

Now the last to games are Nintendo exclusives again. First let us start with a game that wasn't shown during the initial presentation, but got a trailer afterward. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an enhanced port of the excellent Wii-U Game. It features new Characters and a completely overhauled battle mode with new Items. I'm a little bit surprised that it won't be available at release but instead launch on the 28^th of April, but it seems Nintendo wants to stretch out its game releases across the year.

However or me, who already owns the game on the Wii-U, they have to show some new course if they want me to buy it again.

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And now finally we can talk about Zelda. Albeit very briefly. The game will launch on the 3^rd of March as a Nintendo Switch launch title. Als Nintendo confirmed that the Wii-U version will launch at the same day. We also got a new, absolutely breathtaking trailer, which I will of course produce a Trailer Watch for, so I hope you'll look forward to it.

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The Verdict:

As I initially said the Nintendo Switch presentation was good. Not overwhelmingly great, but not bad either. It gave us a overlook of the console and if you took a look back of other console unveils by Nintendo, you also weren’t disappointed. So far they have never shared information about the power of their products, and there was no indication that this time would be any different.

But the online reactions did show the problems of Rumors, which I talked about in last weeks Thoughtpiece. People had expectations of something that wasn't real to begin with, and now because Nintendo didn't show off those imaginary things, they are disappointed.

But even though it was a good presentation and we got a lot of information, it was still lacking in some departments. Only providing information about the paid online services on their homepage is a stupid move and the launch looks pretty lackluster right now. It's Nintendos job now to give us more information about the launch games in the coming days because as of now we only have 1,2 Switch and Breath of the Wild confirmed.

Still I'm very much looking forward to the Switch and hopefully my financial situation will allow me to buy it on Day 1.

What are your thoughts about the Nintendo Switch and it's games? Were you satisfied with the presentation or did you find it lacking?

Let me know your opinion in the comments.

And as always

thanks for reading.

Sources: Nintendo Switch Presentation

Nintendo Switch Homepage

Goodbye Wii-U

This is it. Soon we'll get the full picture about the Nintendo Switch and in only two months time we get to hold the new console in our hands. And with this the time of the Wii-U comes to an end. Nintendos sixth Home Console leaves a torn legacy behind. But I would be hesitant to call it a complete failure. But I also don't want to paint the picture of the console to rosy. The Wii-U failed in many regards, but not in all. So today I'd like to take a look back at it's History, the good and bad parts and where it succeeded.

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A Brief look back:

The Wii-U was announced at e3 2011 and garnered a lot of interest, but also confusion. The presentation didn't make it evidently clear that this was the successor to the Wii. Instead it seemed more like an accessory. This problem would stick to the Wii-U for its entire life cycle.

On stage many 3^rd Party developers promised to support the Wii-U with their games. A promise which wasn't fulfilled as we know now.

The Wii-U finally released on the 18^th November in the US, on the 30^th November in Europe and lastly on the 8^th December in Japan.

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The Problem Child:

Let us start with a negative point first. The Name. There is just no way around it, but the Naming of the Wii-U was a pretty huge fail and played a big part in the problems the console had with the Casuals. The Idea behind it was for it to be an extension of the Wii Brand. If the Wii was about We, then the Wii-U should be all about you, the hardcore gamer. You don't need to be an marketing expert to see that this is a dumb concept. Or maybe you need to. Because marketing experts came up with this.

To the surprise of no one the naming fell short. Many people didn't realize that this was a completely new home console. I worked at a store during that time and I often got the question why you'd have to pay 300€ (or even 350 for the premium version) for the Wii-U, when the Wii was only costing 150€. Most casual customers didn't understand that it was a new console.

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Another problem was the price. It became apparent pretty fast that the Wii-U won't be getting a huge 3^rd Party support. With that the mainstream gamer was lost as a customer. Today you can't succeed if you don't provide Fifa, Madden, Call of Duty and Co on your platform. Without casuals and mainstream gamers only the Nintendo faithful remained. But there was another chance for the Wii-U. The life as a secondary console. Nintendo offers experiences you can hardly find on other platforms. And many gamer still long for those experiences, but they don't want deny themselves the 3^rd Party games. But with a lower price I'm sure many people had bought the Wii-U just to play Mario Kart, Smash Bros. and Co.

Also Nintendo completely misread the market. While the GamePad is a great idea, it was not an intuitive smash hit like the Wii-Mote. Just because people now use Tablets in their everyday life, they don't automatically get the concept behind your system. This together with the lower power, compared to it's competitors, was the final nail in the coffin of the console.

The last problem of the Wii-U, which was a result of the previous ones and bad sales, where the software droughts. With absolutely zero third party support for most of it's lifetime Nintendo alone couldn't provide a continues stream of games. The Wii had a similar problem with most high profile 360 and PS 3 games not releasing for it, but the lower technical threshold allowed small and medium sized projects to be realized for the console. The HD graphics of the Wii-U made this impossible. Even Nintendo themselves were surprised with the amount of work HD development demanded. This only furthered the software problem.

The Wii-U had some very glaring issues which kept it from succeeding, but it was not all doom and gloom with the console. So just like the life cycle of the console will end with High Point in Zelda: Breath of the Wild, let us now look at the positives.

Redeeming Qualities:

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While the Wii-U had many problems, some of them had also some positive effects. And while I overall would have preferred a good 3^rd Party support for the console, the absence of Assassins Creed (after the initial two years), Fifa and Co. also allowed the Indies to breath. Because of this the Wii-U has a great selection of Indie games. The games in general are a a high point of the console, and I'm sure that in the future we'll look fondly back at the great classics the Wii-U provided.

Another good aspect about the software droughts was that it forced Nintendo to step out of their comfort zone a little. Hyrule Warriors, Tokyo Mirage Sessions#FE, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Splatoon... These games would have been unthinkable on the Wii, but because they had to provide the software for the U basically alone we got this unusual concepts to enjoy. And with Splatoon it brought us the first big new Nintendo IP in over 10 years and a smash hit.

Apart from the software, which was sparse but excellent, we also got the only console with free online, which is something that shouldn't be underestimated.

And the last positive thing about the Wii-U is something that isn't directly tied to the console. But I think the lack of success coupled with the NFC reader build into the Gamepad led to the creation of Amiibo. Nintendo needed to think outside the box, because their console business wasn't earning them profits. Because of that they needed other ways of generating revenue. And Amiibo were the perfect solution for this.

Now the use of the Figures in actual games is still kind of lackluster most of the time, but even if you don't use them they're still very well made collectables.

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Sadly the good didn't outweigh the bad and so overall the Wii-U has to be called a failure, even though I thoroughly enjoyed the offering the console provided me with.

What are your thoughts on the Wii-U? Did you buy it? Or didn't it offer enough to justify a purchase? Let me know in the comments.

And as always

thanks for reading

Top 5 Nintendo Games everyone should play

Over the course of the last 30 years Nintendo has left its mark on the Game Industry. I think we all can agree on that fact. Big N has created and defined genres. They made mobile gaming popular and lead the leap into 3D. Many of us grew up with Nintendo Games, but even for those who didn't it can be an interesting experience to go back and take a look at those defining games from the past.

And it's safe to say that no other company has as many of those games under its belt as Nintendo. So today I want to introduce you to the five games from Nintendo that everyone needs to play. This games defined their Genre or brought it to the next level. And even today you can see their influence in the modern gaming industry.

But before we take on those five defining games, let me first present you some honorable mentions that didn't make the cut.

Donkey Kong Country: This Game brought the graphics of 2D Plattformers to a new level and ushered in the age of rendering. Coupled with excellent Gameplay this secured Donkey Kongs immortality.

The Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past: What the first Zelda Games started A Link to the Past perfected. Let a stranger play the game and watch him become a Zelda Fan.

Super Mario Bros.: The Game that saved the Video Game Industry. It is so iconic that even your grandparents probably know who Mario is.

Metroid Prime: After Mario and Link Samus was the last big Nintendo character, who jumped into the 3D Age. But by God what a Jump it was. Even today this game looks good and plays phenomenal.

Yoshis Island: The Perfect Jump'n' Run (This Opinion may be subjective)

So now that we have the honorable mentions out of the way, let us jump right into the list.

5: F-Zero GX

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On the Super Nintendo F-Zero started the Genre of High-Speed future racing. On the N64 it took it to the next level. And on the GameCube it perfected it. This Game is hard and it's unforgiving, but god damn is it good. It's not considered as one of the best racers ever without a reason.

F-Zero GX marked the first collaboration between Sega and Nintendo after the end of their Console War.

F-Zero GX introduced a Story Mode to the series and also further upped the already high challenge level of the games. It is probably the hardest racing game you'll ever play. But it's also a damn good one.

Even though only a handful of players may be able to complete it, I recommend everyone to at least try it. Even today it looks good with varied course design and a feeling for speed you won't find anywhere else.

If you enjoyed Fast Racing Neo on the Wii-U you need to play this game. It is one of the fastest and best racing games out there and set the standard how such games have to look and play.

Sadly the genre has seen better days, but that is no reason to not appreciate this classic. In fact it's quite the opposite.

Star Fox 64: Lylat Wars

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It's testament to a games quality when even its own successors are only retelling of the Original. With Star Fox Myamoto proved again that he can create great games in about every genre and with Star Fox 64 he pushed the genre to perfection.

“Do a Barrel Roll” isn't iconic without a reason.

Star Fox 64 was simply groundbreaking. From the intense Dog Fights to the open mission structur and several different vehicles to control This Game was pure Arcade Feeling at home. Also the gameplay was polished to perfection. The Graphics may seem pretty outdated today, but the core is still as good as in 1997.

During a time were there was hard competition Star Fox managed to become the got to game for space fights on console. And while some fans lamented that it never escaped its Arcade roots and became the grand Space Opera it could have, this focus on the basics has made the game a timeless classic. And the 3DS remake is even better.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

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You don't get called the best Video Game of all time and don't appear on this list. After Mario showed the world how to excel in 3D Link was next to prove himself. With a Link to the Past the team had perfected the 2D experience, so there was a huge pressure on them for Links first fully 3D adventure.

And the knocked it out of the park from the get go. Even more so than Super Mario 64 Ocarin of Time defined how such games had to look and work. From RPGS to Action Adventures to Open Worlds. The influence of this game can be felt everywhere. Ocarina of Time set so many standards... it's mind boggling how Nintendo did this on the first try.

By todays standards Hyrule may seem small but seeing the endless seeming Hyrule Field stretch out before you as a kid was a feeling that can't be described. For the first time you truly had the feeling of an endless world do explore. No restricted courses or levels, but a truly open field and the adventures awaiting you. This giant world coupled with eight huge dungeons made this game the adventure of a lifetime.

And even today it holds up really well against current game releases. The combat still is as good as 1998 and while the graphics are clearly outdated the Nintendo 3DS remake did a great job of updating them.

Ocarina of Time is (one of) the best game of all time and even if you're not a Nintendo Fan you owe it yourself to play it.

Super Metroid

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For many people the era of the Super Nintendo was the absolute High Point of Video Games. Many series put out their best outings. And while I personally prefer the Prime games I have to admit that Super Metroid is probably the best Metroid title. It is pure 2D perfection and most certainly the best Super Nintendo Game of all time.

Samus third adventure is a guide book in how to design a interconnected world. It's level design is simply incredible. Planet Zebes is one of the most coherently designed worlds in the history of video games next only to Dark Souls Lordran. Just watch one of the many great speedruns of Super Metroid to truly understand the greatness of it's world building.

But the technical side of the Planet Zebes isn't the only thing admirable about this great game. The Atmosphere created is still one of the greatest gaming experiences I ever had. It's hard to put into words, but I've never felt as alone as I did exploring the depths of Zebes. It's a testament to this games greatness.

And now for the final part that cements Super Metroid as one of the best games of all time. Samus Aran. After the first two games gave us a rought outline of what the legendary Bounty Hunter was all about, Super Metroid cemented her legacy. Even though the atmosphere surrounding you was threatening you never felt helpless. You always have the feeling that you're in control. Even with the sparse tools available in 1994 they managed to nail the characterization of Samus through Gameplay alone.

Super Metroid is a game that everyone has to play at one point in their life. It is the kind of game that you can play again and again and still gain something new each and every time.

Super Mario 64

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Groundbreaking is the only word that can describe the feeling of turning on your N64 for the first time and stepping into a new era of gaming. This game was the first cornerstone that left an everlasting imprint on future game design. The use of a dynamic camera and 360 degree control were simply groundbreaking. While many other games failed their transition and some even claimed it to be impossible, Mario nailed it on the first try.

Today it is hard to understand, but many things that are standard nowadays have been introduced by this game. It defined how games had to look and play in a 3D space. You can let anyone pick up the controller and he will get the game in a couple of minutes. Even today it still plays fine and is a lot of fun, even though the graphics have taken quite the hit.

Super Mario 64, even more than 20 years after its initial release, is still one of the best 3D Platforming games you could play. It is a piece of gaming history that you simply should not miss, if you appreciate the industry.

So what Nintendo games do you think are must plays for any fan of video games? What groundbreaking games would you recommend? Let me know in the comments.

And as always

thanks for reading

Lost & Found: There's no such thing as a Nintendo

Hello and Welcome to todays episode of Lost & Found.

Today we take another trip down memory lane with an interesting poster Nintendo of America produced in the early Nineties. And with early Nineties I mean 1990. During the last glory days of NES and with the SNES just around the corner Nintendo was the dominating force in the video game industry. And so for parents, who didn't know any better, every video game console was a Nintendo.

I'm sure your parents made the same mistake at least one. I know mine did. Even nowadays Nintendo is still the synonym for consoles. It still happens that a mother wants to buy the new game for her sons ''Nintendo'' and then it turns out to be a PlayStation 4.

Well without further ado here is the poster:

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It's an amusing look into past and a funny remainder that even though many things change, some still stay the same. And now if you excuse me, I'm going to play Doom on my Nintendo.

And as always

thanks for reading

The Rumor Mill

Only eight days to go. Only eight days and we (hopefully) have the full picture about the switch. On January 12^th Nintendo holds and event, where they aim to answer all questions surrounding their next console. And there are a lot of questions. From the actual Power to the battery life to the games support.

We are on a sort of final stretch with the Switch and naturally all the Leaker, Insider and Rumor Provider are getting kind of nervous. If Nintendo truly delivers and answers all questions surrounding the switch, coming next Thursday they won't have much weight to pull anymore.

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The rumor situation surrounding the Switch has grown to absurd heights. That can't be denied. Over the course of nearly two years every small blip of miniscule information has been reported on. One could think that the Switch has to be the best god damn thing that was ever created. The Hype surrounding it is unreal.

I thought it would slow down after the initial unveil in November 2016, but one glimpse at a Nintendo News site right now proves me wrong. Rumors about the hypothetical Zelda release, the unannounced Mario & Rabbids Crossover or even a new Metroid Title are dominating the news scene. People like Laura Kate Dale or Emily Rogers, which I don't doubt have some insider information, are trusted unanimously. Rumors have mostly replaced actual news.

Of course this is also Nintendos fault. Their restrictive news policy with the Switch created this environment in which Rumors could flourish unchecked.

Today I want to take a look at rumors, how they affect the coverage and us gamers. What is the implication this Rumor mayhem has for the future of Nintendo and it's information policy?

You know I heard...

A Rumor is first and foremost just that. A Rumor. Nothing proven. Nothing concrete. But in the face of no other news, it is often taken as face value. People are hungry for information, any information. The longer you deny them this, the hungrier they get. Until they start to ''devour'' anything. That is the basic problem with the Switch. It was announced way too early.

It is a given that each console manufacturer starts to work on the next generation of consoles the moment the actual releases. Sony is probably working on the PlayStation 5 as we speak. We all know this fact, but the difference between the PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch a year ago, is that one was real, while the other was (and is) still hypothetical. The moment Satoru Iwata announced the NX as the successor to the Wii-U, it got real. It also marked the end of the Wii-U. From there on it's days were numbered.

The People always crave new, and so the focus shifted from the Wii-U towards the future and the NX. The problem that arose from this was that Nintendo was unwilling to support those focus shift. To them the announcement of the NX was a short statement to calm long term investors. In 2015 their focus was still firmly on the Wii-U. They were unwilling to shift it, even though they had already done it.

From this the one and a half year radio silence on the Nintendo NX was created. And during this years several other actors stepped in to fill the peoples need for information. They created a dependency on rumors and Nintendo was unwilling to do anything about it. So instead of information from Nintendo and their analysis the News were filled with rumors and the discussion of those. Slowly rumors started to become facts in the minds of many readers.

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If you take a look at a rumor article nowadays it's discussed as if the information came from Nintendo directly. Taking these articles with a grain of salt has vanished completely. Trust but Verify has been replaced by Listen and Believe, if you allow me these short outburst into GamerGate terminology.

This is a huge problem ,because it creates expectations of things, that were never real to begin with.

“I heard the Switch only has 2 Hours of Battery Life.” “What? That Succks. Well they just lost a customer.”

It is a sad truth that a conversation like this has probably happened thousands of times in the last months.

In todays fast world we just don't have the time to wait for actual information or confirmation. People have lost their patience. Of course, and this has to be said again, Nintendos unwillingness to provide Information or wait with the announcement of the NX only helped to create this situation, but right now the customer is the only one capable of pulling himself out of this.

The dependance on rumors and the weight we give them has created a new set of problems that are able to threat a game or console before it even releases or in extreme cases even before it's officially unveiled.

And the harbingers of this demise are...

I know a Guy...

Larua Kate Dale... Emily Rogers... Everyone visiting a Nintendo or Gaming Newssite in the last couple of months knows this names. Even though one of them is only a anonymous twitter account these two people are the main source for Nintendo News nowadays. At least you could think that.

Now first of all let me make this clear. I don't think badly of those two, nor do I intend to devalue their work. They both have provided us with information when Nintendo was unwilling to do so. I also don't doubt in the slightest that they have insider contacts, which provide them with information. Their track record is too good to be pure guesswork.

But I also think that, in the last couple of months, they did more harm than good. They have been wrong nearly as much as they were right, which is understandable. They probably don't have contacts in all the different divisions of Nintendo. And most of the time they heard things from a guy, who heard things from a guy, who heard...

So there is bound to be some misfires.

The Problem is that even those misfires have huge consequences. Let's take a look at the most recent rumor.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wild will release at Switch Launch in North America, while it will miss it in Europe and only launch in June or even later there.

This is a megaton for every player in Europe. A true kick in the balls. And the outrage here has been quite big already. Problem is that it may not be true at all. People get upset and angry and even if it proves to be untrue those feelings don't vanish so easily.

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It is a fact that we treat Laura and Emily as extremely trustworthy. If they announce something on Twitter it's on every gaming site in a matter of seconds. In a way they have earned a status were they can create news. And with that they have a lot of responsibility resting on their shoulders. And with rumors that have such huge and possible negative implications as a Zelda delay, they should take extra care to make sure it's not a misfire. Just shrugging it of with the notion that sometimes you're right and sometimes you're wrong, doesn't do it.

The unwillingness of Nintendo to provide actual information has placed those Leakers and Insider in a position of power. And now they have to act accordingly, or they damage the very concept that is their life blood.

Wish Fulfillment...

It is a fact that we all have expectations towards a game or console from the moment it is announced. The more vague the announcement is kept, the wider the margin for projection is. For example we still don't know what you can actually do in the new huge world in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Apart from the Shiekah Shrines of course. So this leaves a huge space for speculation and wish insertion.

Wouldn't it be cool to hunt huge monsters? I'd love to go treasure hunting all across Hyrule. Man I'm really looking forward to all the side quests they packed into the game.

Rumors help to fuel those hopes and wishes. They create expectations which often can't be fulfilled, because what you expected was never real to begin with.

Most humans are positive creatures. So it's only natural that we gravitate towards rumors, which align with our hopes and wishes. This, however, can create a sort of dependency, the end results of which we can now see with the Switch. People have already made up their mind on how the Swtich has to be like, and the huge amount of rumors surrounding the console made it easy to pick those, which support your view the best.

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If we customers want more information from Nintendo and demand more responsibility from lLakers, then it's only fair to take a step back and look at our own flaws. We need to be more critical and less fanboyish. Even if a rumor supports all our hopes and wishes for a new game, we should still remain skeptical. Treat rumors as what they are. Rumors. Not news.

I hope you enjoyed this little rant/excurse into the world of rumors, and I would like to hear your opinion on this whole situation. Are you ok with it, or do you also think it has gotten massively out of hand. Whatever your opinion is, tell me in the comments.

And as always

thanks for reading

Top 5 Nintendo Games of 2016

It's a New Year, yes it is!

I hope all of you, my dear readers, had a splendid New Years Eve and a good start into 2017.

During my christmas break this year I took the time to replay some games from 2016 and reflect on the Year. And while I think gaming wise the past year has been generally good, as a Nintendo fan it was quite rocky. The Wii-U support reached a new low and even the 3DS is slowly declining. There were some very enjoyable experiences on both consoles, but it's a sad truth that there were time periods in which I didn't turn on my Wii-U for several weeks.

But with 2017 officially started and the Switch on the Horizon the future looks bright for Nintendo. So today I wanted to look back at 2016 one last time the only way it makes sense. With a Toplist about the Five best Nintendo games of the last year.

Yes this is the arbitrary games award show, which everyone does around this time. So I hope you enjoy my pics.

5: Paper Mario: Color Splash

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A game that got a lot of hate from the community from the get got managed to pull itself into the Top 5 Games of the year? This means this year was truly terrible... or maybe the game wasn't so bad after all. Color Splash has some very obvious weaknesses, but during my playthrough I didn't mind them, because this game has also a lot of charm. The only true complain I have subjectively is the endless stream of Toad NPCs instead of a diverse cast.

Objectively you also have to criticize the battle system and the general simplicity of the game, but this doesn't deprive the game of its fun.

Paper Mario Color Splash is a good game. It's not outstanding and it's weaker than Thousand Years Door, but it is still a good adventure game.

Especially the music and level design are top notch. It's a lot of fun to explore the different stages of the game. The handcrafted paper look of the series truly shines in HD.

If you can overlook the shallow combat system and the copy pasted Toad NPCs you'll find Paper Mario to be a game with a lot of charm and thought put into.

Maybe the path to a truly great new Paper Mario lies somewhere in the middle. Fans should be more open to changes, but at the same time the developers shouldn't forcefully try to fix what isn't broken. We don't need another Thousand Year Door, but a new game that carries the spirit of the GameCube classic, while also stepping forward. Also, an that can't be denied, we need Paper Mario to return to its Roleplaying roots.

Until then we have an enjoyable experience in Color Splash, that doesn't manage to reach the same heights as it's predecessors, but is a good game nonetheless.

4: Fire Emblem Fates

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And now to a truly great game that would be deserving of an even higher place on this list, if it wasn't for one huge hiccup.

If you're lucky enough to own a Japanese copy of this game, you can ignore the following criticism and put Fates as the number 2 on this list. As for the rest of us. Fuck Censorship.

Fire Emblem Fates has become synonymous for Nintendo (especially Nintendo of Americas) desire to remain child friendly at all costs. And in the process they butchered the translation of this great game. I don't want to recount the whole drama surrounding this release, but by inserting political messages and memes into the translation they made Fire Emblem Fates worse. It is a saddening example of translators hampering the work of the creators. And it is also a reminder that Nintendo doesn't value it's customers as much as it should.

But on the other hand it's also one of the best tactical RPGs of the last years. Since Awakening the Fire Emblem series rose from the Ashes like a phoenix. It's unique style of tactical and round based strategy makes it a worthy pic for this list. Fire Emblem Fates is a great game. Which makes it all the more painful, that I couldn't enjoy this game during it's release. (I only played it second hand by borrowing it from a friend.)

It tells a great and deep story about two vastly different kingdoms at war. And while having two Versions of the game to experience both sides of the story may leave a bad aftertaste, both, Conquest and Birthright, are excellent games with a lot of content.

If Nintendo did have more confidence in its consumers and products this game could have competed for the Numer One spot on this list. Sadly they thought otherwise. Even though I'm sure the West would have been ready for petting your Anime Waifu...

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3: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

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Yes your eyes are not deceiving you. Number 3 is a remaster of a ten year old game. It is a great game with a Metacritic of 95 (96 for the GameCube version), but it's a remaster nonetheless.

The remaster is technically sound and it is a clear visual improvement over the original. The Colors don't look as washed out and the world looks more vibrant and alive. Everything looks crisp and detailed. So in that department the remaster was a full success. And as opposed to Wind Waker HD Twilight Princess HD even offered some new content. Granted it was only a cave of ordeals especially designed for Wolf Link, but it still was quite enjoyable. And the fact that you can safe your result on the Wolf Link Amiibo and then carry it on to Breath of Wild to summon him as companion there, even makes the whole thing worthwhile.

Twilight Princess HD generally uses the Amiibo quite well. Especially the Ganondorf one. Using him will strengthen all monsters and increase the damage they deal, coupled with the integrated Hero Mode, which doubles the damage of all monsters, this creates the most challenging Zelda experience since Zelda 2.

Apart from these changes Twilight Princess HD is the same game as the original from ten years ago. It's still the biggest Hyrule to date, and even though the Overworld often feels empty, I always greatly enjoyed exploring it. The Dungeons are high quality, as you'd expect from a Zelda Game. But while the Story was obviously planned to be much darker than in previous Zelda games (and it is) it lacks some of the impact Majoras Mask had. Also Ganondorfs involvement is rather half handed and it feels like has been tacked onto the end.

But apart from theses small flaws Twilight Princess is a great Zelda game, which will provide you with hours upon hours of entertainment. And Twilight Princess HD is the best possible version of the game.

2: Tokyo Mirage Sessions#FE

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When this game was announced it didn't think much of it. I had never played Persona and wasn't to big on Fire Emblem either. And after it's long development I had already mostly forgotten about this game. But when it finally surfaced with a trailer it immediately got my attention. The unique blend of Japanese Pop Culture and classic Fantasy RPG was quite interesting. It was also batshit crazy Japanese, but that was part of its appeal. Sadly this game was also damped by some Censorship, even though it wasn't as bad as with Fire Emblem Fates because the dialogues were left mostly alone. Still it was another reminder that Nintendo doesn't truly care about their adult customers. Changing revealing outfits did greatly diminish the appeal of a game mostly centered around the Japanese Idol Scene.

But apart from these censorship issues I hardly found anything to criticize with this game. The Story is unique and fun, and perfectly fits the Idol theme. And it's surprisingly epic at the end. Especially the characters, though they are quite stereotypical, are very enjoy- and likable.

The only thing that is bothering me about this game is that there is too little side content... in a way. There are lots of side quests and stories to uncover, but apart from that there is not a lot to do. Persona games often have a plethora of mini-games or activities to simulate the normal every day life of it's protagonists. This is something I missed with Tokyo Mirage Sessions#FE.
However I don't miss it very much, because the game is just too much fun. Especially the dynamic battle system, which, even though its round based, feels very intuitive and direct through the great session mechanic. Also it's quite hard and you have to keep your enemies strengths and weaknesses in mind at all times.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions#FE was a treat. It's a very Japanese game. Something we don't get too see all to often on the Wii-U. It was a breath of fresh air in a year that desperately needed it and I can wholeheartedly recommend it. And if the censorship bothers you, try to find a used copy as I did.

1: Pokemon Sun/Moon

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It was quite obvious that these games would claim the Top Spot. Sun/Moon created and unbelievable Hype and they delivered. In a year with some very huge disappointments it's great to see a game delivering on it's promise. Some even go as far as calling Sun/Moon the best games since the series debut. And while I would put Gold/Silver/Crystal above them, it's hard to wholeheartedly disagree. Sun/Moon are just that good.

After 20 years GameFreak truly shook up the Pokemon Formula without completely revamping it. The games felt new, but also familiar enough for old timers to feel immediately at home.

There are some good new Pokemon Designs and especially the Alola Forms of older Pokemon are great.

Presentation wise these are the best looking Pokemon Games so far. It's clear that the 3DS is at its limits, but it is certainly worth it. Never before has the World of Pokemon felt bigger.

The Formula shake up did wonders. Traveling across the four Islands, completing diverse Insel challenges and fighting the four Island Kings is much more rewarding than simply going from Arena to Arena.

I can't give these games higher praise than to say that I truly felt like a ten year old again, while exploring the Alola Region. And from the record breaking sales of the games it looks like I'm not the only one. All I can say is well done GameFreak. Pokemon Sun/Moon are the best Nintendo Game of 2016 and for me they are also the best overall game of this past year.

So what Games did you enjoy the most this last year? Anything that truly blew you away? Or was the year overall disappointing?

Whatever your opinion about Nintendos past year is, let me know in the comments.

And as always

thanks for reading