The Nintendo Basement – Your source for everything Wii, DS & Retro Nintendo

Welcome to TNB’s extra special E3 wrap up! I am your host, Mr_M, henceforth to be known as ‘The Other Other M’!

Alex: I’m Quatters, hereafter known as Alex.

Matt: And I’m PrattP, finishing out the three amigos. I’ll be referred to as Matt further on!

The Other Other M: Gentlemen, let me explain the rules: the game we’re playing today, inspired by various sporting talk shows, is known as ‘Good Call, Bad Call’. The rules are simple: one person makes a statement regarding Nintendo’s E3 show. The other two people must declare it a ‘good call’ or a ‘bad call’ and explain why. This should hopefully result in an E3 wrap up that’s actually fun for us to write (and you to read)!

Matt: Rules understood!

The Other Other M: Okay, if we’re ready, I will begin with a question regarding Nintendo’s biggest franchise! New Super Mario Bros for the Wii, unlike the DS version, WILL be a true classic! Good call, or bad call?

Alex: Bad Call.

Matt: Good Call. Only because it’s hopefully going to be a lot better than NSMB DS ever was.

The Other Other M: Alex, would you like to elaborate before we move on?

Alex: First of all, two Toads. Sorry, but I just don’t like Toad and with multi-player there will be a constant war over who gets stuck with Toad. Second, auto-play. I’m not a fan of this. Where goes the sense of accomplishment? Where goes a beautifully designed difficulty curve of prior Nintendo games? Finally, it seems like almost all the Nintendo franchises have been moving to a far more casual front and they’re almost abandoning the more hardcore players. I think NSMB Wii will have appeal for casuals, but people who have played through the older games will find it lacking. However, I hope I’m proved wrong.

The Other Other M: Interesting… okay Matt, your turn!

Matt: Continuing with the Mario theme, Super Mario Galaxy 2 will simply be a cash-in on the original. Good call, or bad call?

Super Mario Galaxy 2! Now with added Yoshi.

Alex: Good Call.

Matt: Well, at least someone agrees, I’ve found not a lot do. What makes you think it is just a cash-in Alex?

Alex: It’s been released very shortly after the original. There’s normally quite a break between the Mario games so you have to wonder how much development time is being put in. Also, it’s being released alongside NSMB Wii which I find a little weird, it makes you wonder which game will get the lion’s share of development! I do hope it’s NSMB as I prefer the 2D Mario games. Your thoughts?

Matt: Yeah well honestly similar opinions there. I think Nintendo know it’s almost offending the series’ past, but we’ll all still buy it because… it’s Mario… and Galaxy 1 wasn’t too bad. They’re definitely riding on the back of its success, much like Mario rides on the back of Yoshi in-game… (that’ll be the first and last shoddy pun I promise)

Alex: I’m all for Yoshi, he was a great edition in SMW and I was not happy with his exclusion from NSMB.

The Other Other M: Hmm, that’s a tough one, but I’m going with bad call. Nintendo never really ‘cash in’ with their Mario platformers. If Shiggy (Shigeru Miyamoto) says they’re making a sequel to Galaxy for creative reasons, you know he’s telling the truth. I think there’s a temptation to call it a cash-in, because there’s never been a sequel to a 3D Mario platformer yet. Still, I have faith that Shiggy has a heap of good ideas that will make Galaxy 2 a far better game than 1, or in some people’s opinion, the game that 1 was supposed to be!

Alex: I do hope it’s a better game, SMG was too pedestrian, too easy and too linear for my liking.

Matt: I actually didn’t mind it myself, but I can’t help but think this is really going to be more of the same. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I think we’re all craving something new and different that doesn’t involve ‘baby partyz’ on the Wii.

The Other Other M: Now that’s a good call! So Alex, do you have an issue you’d like to raise?

Alex: Well my favourite Mario games are SMB3, SMW and SMW2: YI. All of those games did have a certain amount of exploration to them. SMG and NSMB both were very linear games, which while more similar to SMB1, I liked the direction they went with the games I mentioned. Also more suits! I love the huge amount of different suits in SMB3 and quite frankly want to see many, many more! But as you said Matt, I don’t think SMG2 will bring much more new to the table from SMG.

The Other Other M: Moving on from Galaxy then. What’s on your mind Alex?

Alex: New Zelda. Obviously. I’m wondering what they’ll do with them. It had been stated that there would be a Wii specific Zelda after Twilight Princess was released, and now with the image, it does tell us a little about the new game and the direction it looks like it’s going to take. I’m excited.

The Other Other M: So you’re excited about the new Wii Zelda? I say, good call! Why? Because it’s Zelda! This is really the first Zelda game being designed from the ground up for Wii, so regardless of what direction they take, I look forward to the end results.

Matt: I absolutely shamefully am still yet to play Zelda: TP, so there’s not much I can say to diss this announcement, without receiving a whole heap back in return. So yes, bloody good call, bring on Zelda! (and finally give me an excuse to go out and buy TP).

The Other Other M: You’re actually not the only one who hasn’t played TP. =D

Alex: I have played TP, but it never really gripped me. I just couldn’t get into it. Being a huge Zelda fan and finished almost all of them I’m really looking forward to Zelda Wii. And Spirit Tracks too.

The Other Other M: If there’s nothing else to add regarding Zelda, I have a statement of my own, which I know at least one of you would love to discuss! I think Nintendo made a huge mistake by not having Monster Hunter Tri as the centrepiece of their third party Wii line up. Good call, or bad call?

Alex: The best call. Monster Hunter is enormous in Japan. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G was the largest selling game in Japan last year by quite a lot. Not only is MH Tri coming out in August, BUT there’s also a black Wii coming out at the same time with a MH Tri package. Plus it also leaves us non-Japanese MH fans who are craving a new game in the dark on release. They really should have had some MH presence as it will also help sell the Wii to the more hardcore market.

Matt: Good call! I want more Monster Hunter!!

Wii Sports Resort is coming. No one cares. Good call, bad call?

Alex: Good Call. I want to see a Wii Sports 2 which is similar but contains far more depth, but with all the interesting games coming, I probably wouldn’t buy it anyway.

The Other Other M: I’m going to disagree and say bad call! I do care about Wii Sports Resort, because it will be a great showcase of what Wii MotionPlus can do. Also, I like the sports they’ve included- a jet skiing game from the makers of Wave Race, a fencing game, and more! If anything, I was disappointed that Wii MotionPlus in general wasn’t showcased at E3.

Alex: But will it really show how good Wii MotionPlus is? Wii Sports hardly utilised the full potential of the Wiimote and hence there’s my scepticism. It will sell millions though.

Matt: Well it better, it is Nintendo’s product after all.

The Other Other M: I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see. Alex, got an E3 related statement?

Alex: More Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, they still won’t get it right. Good Call/Bad Call?

Matt: To be honest? I don’t even care. There are too many Final Fantasy’s already. Seriously, when will enough be enough? If anything, they should change the name, because it’s anything but the FINAL fantasy.

Alex: Final Fantasy Trivia, it was named that as Square were going bust and it was going to be their “Final Fantasy” but ended up saving the company. But I’ve always seen potential in the CC games, they’ve just never realised it. However as for FF in general, FFIX was the last great game and FFVI is still the best.

The Other Other M: Okay, I haven’t played any of the Crystal Chronicles games, so I’ll just take a guess and say good call. How many CC games have there been so far? Three? Four? And you’re saying they still haven’t got it right? FF games always seem to be evolutions as opposed to revolutions, so I’ll assume that trend will continue.

Alex: There has been 1 GCN game, 2 DS games and 1 Wii game so far!

The Other Other M: Well as an outside observer, it seems like if they haven’t got it right yet, they never will. If someone who’s played the games wants to correct me, hit the forums and let me know.

Okay, seems like my turn again! Away from games and onto peripherals- the Wii Vitality Sensor! Unveiled at E3, this is just another lousy gimmick that will be forgotten within months. Good call, or bad call?

Alex: Good Call.

Matt: Good call. I’m sick of spilling out money for one-use peripherals.

Alex: Peripherals do need to be multi-use. Or, need to come free with the game so you don’t feel like you’ve wasted your cash.

The Other Other M:Is it true that someone had a heart attack while playing Wii? Maybe it’s a response to that… like when McDonalds’ puts nutritional information in plain sight so obese people can’t sue them.

Alex: I think that’s an urban legend. It’s not that stressful playing Wii Fit.

Matt: Haha yeah. “Wii Vitality Sensor: So you don’t die while playing games.”

Alex: What advertising!

The Other Other M: The only stress from Wii Fit is realising you wasted money on Wii Fit!

Matt, whenever you’re ready.

Matt: True that! So Wii Fit Plus? More money wasting?

Alex: Agreed.

The Other Other M: Good call. What can they really add that wasn’t in the first one? If they come out with some revolutionary new game model I’ll be very impressed, but at the moment it just seems like a cash-in.

Matt: So what’s the tally now? 3 cash-in announcements, 1 thing worth waiting for?

Alex: Well NSMB I could go either way on. I definitely rate it over SMG2.

The Other Other M: There are more things worth waiting for that shall be discussed soon.

The Wii Vitality Sensor - to make sure you don't die while playing games.

Alex: Dragon Quest IX, greatest DS RPG?

The Other Other M: I’m inclined to say bad call. Not because there’s anything wrong with DQ, but because there’s so many brilliant RPGs on the DS already! As such, it may be one of those things we can’t really judge until the game is out.

Matt: I agree with you there, M. I’m not really anticipating anything on the DS, bar one huge thing, that I’ll get to in a minute!

Alex: I’m excited for DQ9. There have been lots of great DQ games over the years and it looks like DQ9 will continue that tradition.

The Other Other M: I’m not denying that, I’m just saying that with such stiff competition, it might be best to wait for the game before making those declarations!

Alex: Touche.

The Other Other M: So, back to me, and my favourite Nintendo announcement of the show (as if you couldn’t tell by the name): Metroid: Other M! Based on the trailer and interviews, Team Ninja was the right choice for a Metroid game. Good call, or bad call?

Alex: Good Call. It looks interesting so far, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Matt: I’m a little bit excited. I want to hear more though!

The Other Other M: But do you think Team Ninja was the right choice to reboot the franchise? Or too early to tell?

Alex: Too early to tell.

Matt: I dunno, Team Ninja have done good things, and bad things. Again, as soon as we hear more I think we’ll know for sure.

The Other Other M: Fair enough. Your turn Matt!

Matt: Yep, finally. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (DS). Game I absolutely cannot wait another second for, as it will be the most awesome game yet on the DS. Good call, or good call?

(Spot that? You can only have one answer.)

Alex: Bad Call. I’ve always found the KH games far too simplistic. Very much a “my first RPG”.

Matt: That’s a harsh call, may I ask what KH games you’ve played?

Alex: Only the first, but the others I’ve watched gameplay footage and they don’t seem to stray too far from the same formula.

Matt: Well to be honest, that’s your problem. KH2 was just incredible, and it was what made me go back and finish 1. 1 was only playable for the story, in my case anyway.

The Other Other M: If the statement is ‘it will be the most awesome game on the DS’, then I say BAD CALL! Why? Firstly, because there are heaps of awesome games I don’t have room to write, and secondly, there was another DS game at E3 called ‘Scribblenauts’ that could make a claim to that throne. Kingdom Hearts on DS- could be good, but best? That’ll take a special effort.

Matt: I agree with that statement, I am of course biased because I love the series. It will be the best for me, but for everyone else, seems not.

The Other Other M: Yep, we’re clearly looking elsewhere for our ‘best DS game ever’. Alex, it’s your turn!

Alex: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor. The DS is ready for more mature games. Good/Bad Call.

The Other Other M: Good call. Of course the DS can have more mature games! Why shouldn’t it?

Alex: I think it should. There are many mature DS owners, hence why I’m glad to see a SMT game come to the system. Another one of those series I’m a big fan of.

The Other Other M: Dementium 2 was also announced at E3, so clearly developers are willing to bring more mature titles to DS.

Matt: See, is it going to be 3D?

Alex: Polygons but 3/4 view.

Matt: Yeah see that may work. Anything that attempts to do mature 3D on the DS just loses it for me. Visually, the DS lacks, so 2D works best in my opinion.

Alex: Agreed.

The Other Other M: Hmm, polygons, mature titles… a perfect segue into another E3 announcement for the DS that may have slipped under the radar! C.O.P: The Recruit, a Grand Theft Auto style game from Ubisoft in full 3D! I think it could actually be good! Good call or bad call?

Matt: I haven’t read into it, but it sounds really… forced. And cliché. I dunno, it’s hard to look forward to, for me anyway. No real appeal from the get go.

Alex: Bad Call. If you stack all the bad GTA clones together they reach the moon.

The Other Other M: Haha, a huge seal of disapproval for The Recruit! Matt, anything else you wish to bring up?

Matt: Mario vs Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! is coming to DSiWare, and personally, that’s the direction I want the service to be heading in, content wise. Do you guys hold the same opinion?

Mario vs Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! coming to DSiWare.

Alex: Yes. With storage capacity and download-only services becoming more prevalent I do see it happening more and more. But I think the big games will still have solid cartridges for now.

The Other Other M: Yes, good call! I’ve mentioned this a hundred times in my blog and the forums, but original games targeted at hardcore gamers is what will get me interested in the DSiWare store. Training games? Sudoku? We’ve had enough of those! Give us real games to download!

Alex: Games will eventually stop being so delayed and be released on time like movies. Idiotic optimism or a realistic proposition?

The Other Other M: To answer this, we’d have to figure out why games are delayed in the first place, and then figure whether or not those things will change.

Alex: Some is sheer refusal to release games on time. Super Smash Bros. Brawl for example. Why did it take six months to get it in Australia? The US got it soon after Japan so there’s no translation issues there. What brings this up is Mario RPG 3. It’s been out for ages in Japan, on Play Asia taunting me, and we’re still waiting for it here.

The Other Other M: I would say ‘idiotic optimism’, if not for the fact that there were also heaps of movies that got severely delayed, or never released.

Matt: Yeah I dunno, it’s just Australia’s appeal as a market I think. If we were helping the most in regards to raking in the cash for the big companies, we’d be the priority when it comes to releases. But because of our population and attitudes towards games in general, we get the rough end of the stick most, if not all the time. For things to change, our market has to first. But if it doesn’t (which it won’t, not in a hurry anyway), things will stay as they are.

Alex: Ahhh, but it’s not just us. We get lumped in with Europe who also suffer.

Matt: But even combined, are we as large as the US/Japanese markets?

The Other Other M: Of course not!

Alex: Not the US, the US is around 40% of the total game market I believe. However, Europe is bigger than Japan!

The Other Other M: Really? I never knew that.

Matt: I didn’t know that either. But even so, the advantage they have is games are often made there.

The Other Other M: An issue that’s bothered us for years, and looks like it won’t be resolved in the near future unfortunately.

Okay guys, the closing statement: Over the last year, Nintendo copped a lot of criticism for their focus on casual gamers with games such as Wii Music and Wii Fit. It was said that Nintendo did not care about the ‘core’ gamers. Well, Nintendo responded with announcements such as Galaxy 2, Other M, NSMB Wii, and many more! I say, if this E3 didn’t win back the jaded core gamers, nothing will! Good call or bad call?

Alex: Bad Call. SMG2, Heart Monitor and Wii Sports Beach Resort were very casual focused. NSMB Wii, Other M and Zelda however did show some light.

Matt: Good call. Even though a lot of our opinions were largely negative, on the whole Nintendo did an alright job. They’ve tried to recognise the ‘core’, (which I think is a stupid term, but that’ll have to wait for another rant some other time) and even though failed in some aspects, they’ve brought it home nicely. I’m certainly looking forward to at least playing some of the titles announced, so with that, bring on the rest of 2009/10. It’s definitely a good time to own a Nintendo system.

Alex: DS has been good to own for the last five years! But yes, things are definitely picking up for the Wii.

Matt: I agree once again there!

The Other Other M: Even though I used it earlier, I agree that ‘core gamers’ is a stupid term. But that’s a discussion for another time. And I agree with Alex’s sentiments regarding the DS! In closing, I think that despite some early hiccups, this round table discussion has been a huge success! We really should do it again sometime!

Alex: It’s a good idea to get more dialogue rather than individual rants on games. We should do it again.

Matt: And if we do, consider me in. Thanks guys! Thanks to everyone reading also, hope you enjoyed our opinions!

The Other Other M: Thank you Alex and Matt for being such good sports! (Wii Sports perhaps?) Until next time, this is The Other Other Other Other Other Other Other Other Other Other Other Other  M, saying goodbye and good gaming!

Alex: Goodnight all!