Nintendo Direct 4/1 Impressions

Written By Egan Click

Nintendo has been having an uneven year so far.  The 3DS is having a stellar year and it looks like it will keep that pace throughout with such LONG titles like Monster Hunter 4u, Xenoblade Chronicles, and countless other rpgs that take a lot of time to complete.  It also got an new version which is fantastic.  But as a Nintendo Fan Boy, I've felt out of touch with my Wii U.  Sure there are a few eshop games here and there that raise my interests but the two Nintendo published entries (Kirby and Mario Party) did not.  I felt like both those games are already showcased in other games.  There is the Wii U Party Game and Wario for party games (plus a few eshop titles too) and platformers are every where on the console.  So I already went into the Direct hoping for more focus on the Wii U.  I need a game on here that deserves some serious attention and long play sessions. All I'm using my Wii U for at the moment is to chat with my brother while we play MH.  Did I get what I was looking for?

Kind of.



What I got that is actually definitive and hard set were updates to games that I already own.  Some free and others paid content.  Mario Kart's new courses got pushed up a month which is unheard of in game development.  It's coming out on my birthday (the 23rd) and looks great.  Nintendo is also giving out a free update for 200 cc which looks like F-Zero X when you are driving.  So fast and is an easy purchase by me to get the two new dlc packs.  16 new courses between the two and new characters and karts seem like a good buy for probably 15-20.

Also Super Smash is getting updated with two new dlc characters.  Mewto and Lucas.  This is pretty neat but it's paid content.  I might get Lucas and I already get Mewto for owning both copies of the game.  I wish they would add other stuff too like maps and whatnot.  Hopefully that's in the update that comes along with the new characters.



They finally showed this game but with no release date or even time table.  It looks like an anime and I really enjoy both series so this is a must buy for me.  It looks like a turn based rpg but it was mostly a trailer that had little game play segments in it.  Keep your eye on this one.

Mario Maker got pushed into late summer early fall for Mario's 30th anniversary.  Hopefully a demo comes out for me to justify paying 40 bucks for it.  Making levels seems like a fun activity to do with friends but will any of my friends care to?  Probably not.

Yoshi is coming out in the fall and the new amiibos look adorable.  The game looks cute and co-op will be really intimate.  Date night anyone?



Splatoon is getting amiibo support too.  If they pull it off right, this game is looking to drag my Wii U into the summer along with Mario Kart.  4 v 4 third person shooter.  The game play is unique and fresh.  Team work is essential.  Going to make my mouth water thinking about Gears of War - Annex (King of the Hill mode).

Fatal Frame is getting localized and looks really crisp.  Will work perfectly with the game pad because now you can actually take pictures with your controller.  Must buy and will probably scare me out of my pj's.

Some cool looking indies like Starwahl but no dates so nothing worth talking about.  Also virtual console stuff like N64 and DS but I want NEW.

The only thing I really wanted to hear about was localisation efforts on X which is coming out in Japan at the end of the month but nothing.  Same with Star Fox and Zelda and Devil's Third.

There's a new Pokemon freemium game coming out for the 3ds which is going to be in the Rumble series.  Whatever.  I just got the shuffle and it's alright.  It's better then street pass but it's still just time filler waiting for my bro to get on MH.

New animal crossing game where you design houses.  Amiibo like cards are launching with it.  Seems kind of strange.  I love the series but am not really interested in the house design element.

New Fire Emblem that is coming out in 2016 looks amazing as I was expecting.  You are the main character, 2 alternative paths to choose from.  Must buy and will be excited.

Puzzle & Dragons is coming out in May and it's two separate games in a 30 dollar package.  If you like bejeweled or puzzle fighters then this is your type of game.  Reminds me of the customization from Shin Megami too where you can rank up your minions continuously throughout the game.  Going to play the demo before I get more for my 3ds.



Last game I'll mention is Attack on Titan.  I guess this is an anime.  It looks like a 3rd person action adventure.  The thing that really intrigued me is it's 4 player coop online.  Probably a must buy if I can convince one of my brothers to get it.  We will play any coop game.

Final Impressions

+ Variety of games coming out
+ Free updates and reasonably priced DLC
+ Splatoon and Xenoblade!

- Strange gimmicky games for very niche markets. Pokemon Rumble freemium and Animal Crossing
- Not enough Hard Dates.
- Most of this was expected.

Score
7.7