"E3 Most Looking Forward To" Retrospect

A couple of days ago, I had an article about what I was most looking forward to at E3, and now in retrospect, I would like to see how those dreams of what was going to happen held up.

3. Star Wars Battlefront

I was REALLY hoping to see gameplay, and what I got was only kind of gameplay. The trailer was basically a bunch of people at DICE saying how they all love Star Wars and this new Battlefront is a game made by Star Wars fans for Star Wars fans, and blahblahblah, a bit of "early in-game footage" and a lot of shots of people in the original locations where the original Star Wars trilogy was shot.

DID IT LIVE UP TO ITS EXPECTATION?

NO

2. Halo 5: Guardians

Just like Star Wars Battlefront, I was hoping to see some gameplay, I mean that would only make sense, right? They had a teaser trailer last year, so why would they have another one this year? Well I don't know why, but they totally did. The trailer showed Master Chief doing a bunch of stuff we've already seen him do throughout his previous campaigns, and then at the very end of the trailer, it shows that mysterious Spartan watching Chief on a whole bunch of TV screens. Making him Master Chief's... GUARDIAN

DID IT LIVE UP TO ITS EXPECTATION?

NO

1. Legend of Zelda Wii U

Now, for Legend of Zelda, it had a bit more slack than the other two. This was it's first E3, so I was anticipating a teaser trailer, and then it had an actual trailer, albeit not with gameplay footage, but I at least got to see what the game looked like. The art style chosen is an interesting one, as it appears to be that of Skyward Sword, but toned down, and I have to say. I like it. It works, he doesn't look human-like, but he's not Skyward Sword derpy. Also in the trailer, Aonuma talked about how huge the game was, and it most certainly is. It's massive and I can't wait to see more, whenever that may be.

DID IT LIVE UP TO ITS EXPECTATION?

YES

Nintendo Digital Event Happenings

The Nintendo Digital Event this morning packed a lot of stuff into a small amount of time, but the majority of the news was great. A lot of stuff happened. Actually, too much happened and I don't really care about some of it, so here is what I cared about: (to see the complete list of games announced at Nintendo's Digital Event, hit up e3.nintendo.com)

• A new third-person shooter for the Wii U was announced called Splatoon. It looks like a hell of a lot of fun, and I will be for sure getting it very near release, which is the "first half of 2015"
• Nintendo's NFC figurines thingy was named Amiibo. There will be 10 figures for you and me at launch, which is Holiday 2014. It will be compatible with Smash Brothers and will be eventually incorporated into Mario Kart 8, Mario Party 10, and more.
• A new game called Mario Maker is coming out in the first half of 2015, which will allow users to create and edit their own Super Mario Bros. levels, spawning koopas, goombas, pipes, and pretty much every Mario-related thing that you could think of. Courses can be then played in either the original Mario Brothers graphics, or you can switch to the HD graphics of New Super Mario Bros. U.
• Hyrule Warriors was given a pretty new trailer and they announced Midna from Twilight Princess as a playable character. This game will be hitting shelves on September 26th of this fine year of 2014. And, I am still split on how I feel about this game. It's cool because its Legend of Zelda, but... I'll probably just get Legend of Zelda Wii U.
• CAPTAIN TOAD GOT HIS OWN GAME AND IT'S CALLED CAPTAIN TOAD: TREASURE TRACKER AND I WILL DEFINITELY BUY THIS THE SECOND IT IS AVAILABLE WHICH IS HOLIDAY 2014
• There is another Mario party coming out, for Wii U. This installment is the 10th, thus it is called Mario Party 10. Up to five people can play, where four players play as Mario and his gang, and the fifth player plays as Bowser. It's pretty wild because some of the mini-games pit the gang against Bowser in a 4v1, and it certainly looks plenty interesting. It will be available in 2015, so I've got plenty of time to decide whether I want it or not.
• Yarn Yoshi now has an official name: Yoshi's Wooly World. Yoshi is now composed of yarn, but the core mechanics appear unchanged. Yoshi can trail eggs behind him to throw at enemies, but some eggs now have special abilities, like when you throw one, it leaves a walkable trail behind it. And there is many more abilities, and it looks like plenty of fun, although I'll need more time to decide if its a game for me. The game will be ready to buy in the first half of 2015.
• Sonic Boom didn't receive a trailer, and I'm not really sure what all is new with it, but it's still a thing. Also, it comes out this November. I will not be picking it up.
• Kirby and the Rainbow Curse was announced and has a 2015 release date and to be frank... it looks kinda awful. The game revolves around the gimmick that Kirby is a little clay ball, and to move him the player must draw lines on the GamePad to roll him around. If you happen to lick the gimmick, just get Ivy the Kiwi?, it's three bucks at GameStop.
• Legend of Zelda Wii U was officialy revealed with no release date or anything. Some pictures were shown and for some reason, the trailer isn't on Nintendo's E3 site, but if you want to view it, it is here. The game features a massive open world and plenty of puzzles, I'm sure, but we might even have to wait for next year's E3 to get some real news about this game.
• Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire was given a release date of November 21, 2014, and I am definitely picking this up on release day. The remake of gen 3 features the same graphics engine X and Y used and new "primal devolution"

The following two links will go to two Wii U games that are very popular, apparently, but I have no opinion on or feel like talking about.

• Bayonetta 2 comes out October 2014
• The "X" game revealed last year is now named "Xenoblade Chronicles X" and comes out 2015

I'll post more later today about other E3 stuffs, so stay tuned.

Quack Attack Trailer has Arrived

I've been talking about it for quite some time, and now it is finally here. Quack Attack. My five minute show that discusses all of the latest Nintendo happenings. The video I have published is just a trailer, but I will have an official Quack Attack up by the end of the month, so look forward to that! Below, I'll put the link to YouTube, so watch it up and anticipate that first episode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrtbpbHRYBQ

Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire News

So while I was caught up in Mario Kart, those Japanese magazines were hyping Pokemon without me. Basically there are mega evolutions for Swampert and Sceptile (and Diancie) now too, and there are Pokemon called prehistoric Pokemon, where you devolve them to become their prehistoric selves. This is the case with Groudon and Kyogre. Also, these games will be at E3, so make sure you watch E3!

Prehistoric Groudon and Kyoge on the Box Art

New Mega Evolutions

Franchises I want to see at E3

I've already told you the games I am most looking forward to at E3, but there are some other games I want to see but have not yet been announced. To see my list of games I want to see, scroll down a bit. And now, three franchises I want to see at E3 (that hev not yet been announced to be at E3)

1. Metroid

Poor Samus Aran. She hasn't had an outing since 2010 with Metroid: Other M, and even that was a little underwhelming. But I really think that it needs to come back, hardcore. I mean Retro Studios is free again, now that they've finished Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, so... don't make another Donkey Kong, make another Metroid. Because they do that REALLY well. Honestly, I wouldn't even mind an HD treatment for Metroid Prime. Just give me Metroid on the Wii U and I'll be a happy camper.

2. Paper Mario

Paper Mario had a new game for the 3DS in 2012, but he hasn't had a proper outing since 2004. Paper Mario has been around since the Nintendo 64, and then he has had games on every console since (and the 3DS), so it only seems natural we'll see him sometime. But I don't want to see another overused gimmick, like in Sticker Star. I want an honest-to-goodness Paper Mario game. If you want to know what that means, play Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door. It is a masterpiece. Actually, it is the greatest game I have ever played. And, just like Metroid, I would even be willing to take a Thousand Year Door HD remake. Or, y'know, just put GameCube games in the Wii U Virtual Console...

3. Kid Icarus

Kid Icarus also had a 3DS game in 2012, and it was awesome. To this day, it holds up as one of the greatest titles in the 3DS game library. So, this one isn;t about making another good one, it's about making another one in general. The Wii U could solve Kid Icarus Uprising's worst problems; unnatural controls to name the primary contender. And Pit getting the HD treatment would be glorious.

I'm sure Nintendo will thrill and excite at this year's E3, and I really like the line-up they have so far, but if any of these titles make it, I will be ecstatic. E3 is June 10-12, and you should check out Nintendo's website too: www.e3.nintendo.com

Also, I am THIS CLOSE to getting videos to this blog. So stay tuned. See you later, duckling enthusiasts.

E3 Most Looking Forward To

With E3 fast approaching, there is sure to be some fantastic games being showcased, both previously unannounced and games we have known about for a year. Below are my top three games that I am most looking forward to.

3. Star Wars Battlefront III

     Although EA has a hand in making this new Battlefront, I'm sure it will be very impressive nonetheless. Although, there are some very big shoes to fill in continuing this franchise, but at E3, we the fans are going to see some gameplay, and that will be huge for determining the success of this game.

2. Halo 5: Guardians

     Fans were nervous about how 343 would treat the Halo franchise, and now everybody has seen them deliver with Halo 4. And even now, 343 is promising new weapons and enemies yet again. So Halo 5 is shaping up to take all the success of Halo 4 and improve that even further. It will truly be  pleasure to see some gameplay this E3.

1. Legend of Zelda Wii U

     And the easy number one spot, the newest installment of the Legend of Zelda franchise. Not even a teaser trailer has been released yet, but even if there isn't gameplay at E3, this game still takes the number one spot. A massive open world has been promised for this game, and seeing the land of Hyrule in HD will truly be an amazing experience.

E3 is June 10-12, so check it out!

Mario Kart 8 Review

I got it, played it, and was very impressed with it. That is the most condensed form of my review possible. Now if you want me to elaborate, read on.

I picked it up at 10:00 a.m. the day of launch and proceeded to play it until 5:00 p.m. the next day, only stopping for bathroom and applesauce breaks. So yes, I have played the game enough to judge it. Just throwing that one out there.

The game's graphics and sound are absolutely amazing, and even with the recent test that confirmed that Mario kart 8 did not run 1080 p, the game still has the same resolution of Battlefield 4 on XBOX One. The sound is live orchestra for the most part, and from the stages to the selection screen, all of the music is absolutely perfect and wonderful to hear over and over and over again.

Grand Prix is your typical Grand Prix, you race four tracks, and win. Pretty simple, huh? Well in Mario Kart 8, the COM racers seem to have gotten a bit harder making getting all 3-star rankings on all of the cups more of a hassle than before, but its all worth it to get that little 3-star icon next to your name when you race online.

Now for the online functions. As Wii U is the only console left to offer free online play, people have said that that leads to poor quality online, and that is certainly not the case here. Every time I've played online, I have not once had a communication error or had any trouble racing smoothly with my friends or strangers. Now for the friends aspect online, you can create a lobby for just your friends, and you do have voice chat, but as soon as the race starts, the voice chat goes out and comes back after the race. Although I do see how listening to your friends shout some colorful words after getting hit by a spiny shell in the 3rd lap wouldn't be very representative of Nintendo's peaceful online scene, I do wish I could talk to my friends during races. But that is my only complaint for online, however I do have just one more complaint. Let's head over to the roster...

As Buzz Lightyear would put it in his internet-famous meme:

And I have to agree with Buzz here. Although Baby Mario and Baby Luigi are actually in Mario games, Baby Peach and Baby Daisy have no right being in any video game. And I was even fine with them until... Baby Rosalina. NOT THAT MANY PEOPLE LIKE ROSALINA, WHY WOULD YOU MAKE A BABY HER? Because Nintendo fucking hates you, that's why. Also, who the hell came up with Pink Gold Peach? Really? Some guy at Nintendo: "Hey, maybe we should bring back Dry Bones! Maybe Diddy Kong?" Some other guy who is hopefully fired now: "Nah. Lets add one more baby character and a Metal Peach... no, wait... PINK GOLD PEACH!" And everyone just agreed with him? Seriously, where is Dry Bones and Diddy Kong? BECAUSE THEY ARE IN GAMES AS WELL. And I love the Koopalings, but I bet Bowser Jr. is pretty upset he was ousted for them...

Overall, the game rocks (minus the stupid roster and the chatless online with friends) and Mario Kart TV is a blast to watch and use. The game's gyro controls are more precise than MK Wii, so it's much more fun to play. The course design is clever and fun to race on, the retro courses all have been perfected and updated to now include flying, underwater, and anti-grav sections of their own. It's really a great game and I really think that all of you should get it. And yes, it is even worth getting a Wii U for. Just promise me something, will you? If you see Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, or Baby Rosalina on the track, please DESTROY THEM for me. Thanks.

Edit: How could I have forgotten those damn coins? P.S. the item balance is awful. If you're first, the majority of your items will be coins, which cannot be used to defend or attack, merely add 2 coins to your coin count. Already at 10 coins? Well then you just got fucked over you fucking bitch. Also, I've been in dead last (12th place) and gotten a green shell and at the same time, 2nd place gets a Crazy Eight, Dear Item god, 2nd place probably needs that star less than I do. But seriously, its really bad. But still a good game. Good day.

Edit again: Item balance is awful fine. There are plenty of instances where people way ahead of you will be gifted with better items than you but such is life. Not game-breaking.

95 out of 100... stupid babies.