Video Games – Page 14 – Colin McMahon

Nintendo Announces the Year of Pikachu – Solves all Financial Troubles

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Bellevue, WA – April 2nd, 2014 – The Pokémon Company and Nintendo announced today, via secret Nintendo Direct, that the Year of Pikachu had begun. With this announcement came the unveiling of multiple exciting projects from Nintendo, including Pokémon U: an all new 3D-interactive Pokémon adventure designed exclusively for Wii U; Pokémon Snap 2: the sequel to the surprise-hit 1999 Nintendo 64 rail-shooter, also exclusively for Wii U; and the Pokédex App: a phone and 3DS app designed to allow consumers to take exciting Pokémon selfies.

Tsunekazu Ishihara looks excited as the Year of Pikachu gets underway.

“We really just decided to stop beating around the bush,” said Tsunekazu Ishihara, CEO of the Pokémon Company. “We received a call from [Nintendo President] Mr. Iwata saying, ‘all right, Microsoft and Sony have had their fun’, let’s go ahead and win this thing.’”

“Get ready to graduate to the big leagues with Pokémon U, we’ve brought the best-selling formula from the handheld series onto your Wii U. Gone is the need for two versions, every Pokémon in existence – plus one hundred brand new additions – will be present in this game. With U, think ‘Universe’, meaning the option online multiplayer will be included as well. Now, Pokémon fans across the globe can discover the secrets of Pokémon games and can collect, battle, and trade with each other immediately – all for the first time on a Nintendo console!”

Screenshot from the totally real game, Pokemon U. — Screenshot from the totally real game.

The Nintendo Direct showcased footage of two people battling each other – each from the comfort of their own living room. The Wii U gamepad is reported to function as the new Pokédex U: a device that trainers will take with them as they explore the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Kalos regions. The gamepad will also utilize its camera feature, allowing players to photograph their faces to create their own miis to serve as their Pokémon trainers. No release date was given.
With the spotlight on Pokémon U, Nintendo of America President, Reggie Fils-Aime appeared to announce the next game, Pokémon Snap 2.

“In 1999, lightning struck,” Fils-Aime began, “I mean who could have guessed it? Pokémon Snap was so much better than Pokémon Stadium – and we made a few sequels to that. Well, my body is ready and so is my camera. For the first time ever, players around the world will be able to travel the world of Pokémon, taking photos with their Wii U gamepad and uploading them to the Miiverse. This time Professor Oak won’t get to be the only judge as your friends and family will have the ability to rate every picture you take. I am very excited to announce Pokemon Snap 2, available exclusively on the Nintendo Wii U eShop – today.”
Retail price for Pokemon Snap 2 was revealed to be $19.99 USD.

The Wii U gamepad will function as a camera for a believable gameplay experience.

In the closing moments of the Nintendo Direct, images flashed on screen. Reggie Fils-Aime with a Psyduck, Satoru Iwata with a Charizard, and Tsunekazu Ishihara with an Entei. Shigeru Miyamoto then appeared holding a cell phone. He snapped a selfie – only to have it appear behind him – featuring Pikachu on his shoulder.

“In this Year of Pikachu, everyone will be able to be a Pokémon master,” Miyamoto declared proudly. “When we first announced we were exploring mobile apps, people panicked. I am delighted to assure our fans today that Nintendo will only be using this technology to further the spread of our beloved icons. The Pokédex App is the first part of that plan. Using your phone, or Nintendo 3DS system, you will be able to take a ‘selfie’ of yourself with your favorite Pokémon by your side. Choose the type and pose; you can even have it performing an attack. The Pokédex App will be available soon – and we are delighted to announce that it will be free.”

And example of a selfie that will highlight the app.

These three exciting announcements took the show today at Nintendo Direct, but several other upcoming features were teased for a later date, including:

A summer release date for Super Smash Bros. Bout (formerly Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. for 3DS)
A summer release date for Bayonetta 2.
A late-spring release for the Nintendo eBank: a new service that allows Nintendo fans to back up all electronic purchases to a secure Nintendo website.
A future Nintendo Direct for June 11th, when phase two of the Year of Pikachu will be unveiled.

The Nintendo Direct closed with a statement from Satoru Iwata:
“We at Nintendo would like to thank our fans for their patience with the start of the Wii U and the Year of Luigi. We know it has been a slow start but now, with the Year of Pikachu, we are confident that shockingly good days await us. There is no better game library than the one controlled by Nintendo, we are confident that we will be able to bring you the unparalleled best in terms of first-party games. Or you could re-buy The Last of Us for $60 more dollars this summer. Totally your call.”

Satoru Iwata, who totally deserves to remain in charge of Nintendo, doing an awesome job of announcing the Year of Pikachu.

More information can be found at http://nintendo.com.uk.ja.nebraska/LateAprilFoolsDayPrank/Seriously?WhoPutsOutSomethingonthe2nd?

Happy April Fools Day everyone, sorry my prank this year is kind of sad (this would be such a wonderful announcement if it was real – and Nintendo holds the full ability to make it so). I had intended to publish yesterday but had to postpone due to a minor surgery (totally fine, no need to worry). The benefit of that was that today’s article was written with the magic of painkillers! Don’t know if it was fun to read, but it sure as hell was fun to write.

A brilliant part of the Year of Pikachu marketing campaign.

10 Video Game Universes that Telltale Should be Exploring that Would be More Interesting than Borderlands

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Telltale Games might be the equivalent of HBO in the video game series. That analogy could be a little poor, I do not think Telltale has the money or the fame of HBO, but they do have the best stories. Their game, the Walking Dead Season One is the best adventure game in recent times and could be a contender for the best ever. And Telltale has not stopped there. Since their explosion back into fame (after the abysmal Jurassic Park: the Video Game, which will be seen very soon), Telltale has expanded. They are currently producing two story games with two more on the way. The Wolf Among Us( from the Fables universe) is currently unfolding like an excellent crime novel with the player joyfully inhabiting a sheriff who happens to also be the Big Bad Wolf, and the Walking Dead Season Two continues all the gut-wrenching, no-winning scenarios that made the first game have such an impact. Later this year, Telltale will expand with a Game of Thrones adventure that will no doubt be filled with the sex, betrayal, and political intrigue that makes the show worth watching and the books worth reading… Telltale is also making a Borderlands adventure game…

Now I’ve never played either of the Borderlands games but I have seen enough of them to gleam that that is not a series known for its story. It is known for quirky characters and quirky guns and shooting said quirky characters with said quirky guns. Fun, to be sure, I look forward to playing them one day (I love the song that begins Borderlands 2), but I feel that Telltale is wasting their potential in terms of source material. The following are ten video game universes that would make for better fodder for choice-driven adventure games:

10. Earthbound

I’m not going to say much more about this one since I already touched upon it in an earlier article. Needless to say, Earthbound is one of the most charming role-playing game experiences to be found in earlier gaming, and it is a sad fate that it has vanished from the modern video gaming world. Since Nintendo seems to rather suicide to revival, I wish they would give the license to Telltale. At least we could finally hear Ness and Lucas brought to life, outside of punching noises.

Imagine how rich this universe would look in 3D.

9. Jade Empire

That’s right, forget Mass Effect and Dragon Age, Bioware’s worst original series would still make for better story fodder than Borderlands. If I were to describe the Jade Empire universe, I would liken it to a poor man’s Avatar: the Last Airbender. Nevertheless, there is sufficient mystery and mythology to make a worthwhile game. Heck, maybe Telltale could finally make the “philosophy” system into actual philosophy, as opposed to light side versus dark side.

Two philosophies: in one, you help an old lady cross the street, in the other you murder her and her family. Sounds like legit life perspectives.

8. Star Wars

Speaking of light side and dark side: come on. I know this is technically cheating (Star Wars is a film universe first) but there is such a rich history of Star Wars games that I feel it counts. From Knights of the Old Republic to the adventures of Kyle Katarn, Telltale could pick any time period they wished without impairing the story options. They could even set it during the prequels and give audiences the first good prequel plot (that’s right, I went there – go cry, George Lucas).

It has been too long since the last Jedi Knight game. — It has been too long since the last *Jedi Knight* game.

7. Warcraft

I’m going to blow your minds real quick: Blizzard already made a Warcraft adventure game. No, I’m not talking about World of Warcraft, I’m talking Warcraft Adventures. Never heard of it? That’s cause it was never released. Now, Blizzard games are great in every area except one: story. What’s the one thing Telltale excel at: story. Sounds like a happy marriage to me.

Man, the art design for Warcraft Adventures looked amazing. — Man, the art design for *Warcraft Adventures* looked amazing.

6. Prince of Persia

Assassin’s Creed has replaced Prince of Persia in terms of gameplay, no question. However, if one were to play the first modern Prince of Persia game again, one thing would become apparent: there’s a story there. Not just that but it’s great, it has compelling characters and a time travel mechanic that would be very interesting to incorporate into a choice-driven adventure game. Prince of Persia has no future against Assassin’s Creed, but maybe if the series were to change its identity, it could re-attract its fan base.

5. Wolfenstein

What better backdrop for an adventure game than World War II? What better World War II series than Wolfenstein? What better name for a main character than B.J. Blazkowicz? I’m not kidding, that’s his name. It’s supposed to be a serious game. Awesome.

Mecha Hitler cannot be in enough video games.

4. Dungeon Keeper

EA has done wrong by Dungeon Keeper. This newly released mobile game: they can go fornicate themselves with an iron stick. Dungeon Keeper, the first game in particular, was one of the most in-depth sandbox games ever made. Despite the fact that none of your minions talked, they all had a personality. Imagine if they did talk and you played a wonderful adventure game as the bad guy?

3. Saint’s Row

I know, you’re saying what? Let me explain: this would be the parody game, the game to mock all other adventure games. Saint’s Row has already established itself as the parody series, have you seen the intro to Saint’s Row IV (it’s amazing). Telltale is at the height of the adventure game market, meaning they have earned the right to poke fun at themselves and the industry. No better way to do that then getting personal with the Third Street Saints.

I feel that this could be the title for the game.

2. Oregon Trail

Think about it, think about what made the first Oregon Trail game so amazing. Anything could happen: someone in your party could get sick, bit by a snake, or drowned in a river crossing. You could lose the trail for a few days or get helped by Native Americans. You could shoot so many animals (SO MANY). Now imagine an Oregon Trail game where you got more direct control of your party and they were all flushed out characters. Oh, and your choices dictate if you survive or not: bitchin’.

Shoot all the buffalo. How fun (and sadly historically accurate).

1. Bioshock

Why should Ken Levine get to have all the fun? Irrational Games is gone but Bioshock can live on. It was the story that made those game so memorable in the first place. Who better to continue the legacy than Telltale Games?

Maybe Telltale will prove me wrong and Tales From the Borderlands will be riveting. I hope it is. They will be able to take all the credit (or all the blame) for whatever story they come up with though. Maybe that was the point of it all along.

The Year of Luigi Began With a Whimper and Ended With Even Less

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Nintendo: seriously? From the creators of the Mario series, the Legend of Zelda series, the Metroid series, The Donkey Kong series… I could keep going (point is – they make great games) comes… “The Year of Luigi.” For those out there not following current news in the video game industry, things have not been going well for Japan-based video game developer and publisher, Nintendo. The once mighty console maker has taken a backseat since the release of the Wii U (actual name) in late 2012. Maybe the company knew they were being pushed out of the limelight, why else would they select Luigi to headline a year?

I feel this photo represents both Luigi and Nintendo at the start of 2013. Ready to just fall. — I feel this photo represents both Luigi and Nintendo at the start of 2013: ready to just fall.

Let’s talk about Luigi real quick. He is Mario’s brother. You know you’ve got a strong character when his best definition comes from comparison to another character. He’s not Mario… he’s the other one. The “Bros.” part of “Mario Bros.” Luigi is probably the most famous “player 2” character in video game history… but he’s still “player 2.” He’s the guy you make your friend play as. Sure, Luigi has had his own games. His first came in 1993 with Mario Is Missing! Yes, in Luigi’s first game he still was not part of the title. Was Mario Is Missing! any fun? It was an educational game that was not Oregon Trail, I do not feel the need to say more.

Since then, Luigi actually has appeared as the main star of a couple of entertaining games (some of which were released in the past year). The highlight has to be Luigi’s Mansion, the atmospheric launch title for the Nintendo Gamecube that, once again, had Luigi tracking down his brother (Mario needs to learn how to share the spotlight). Okay so one good game and in a history of being overshadowed; great role model, Nintendo.

The Year of Luigi began in February of 2013 with a Nintendo Direct that announced both the year and, what would be, the only game of the Year of Luigi worth mentioning, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. Luigi would finally get his long-awaited sequel and… maybe a couple of other games? It was supposed to be his year after all.

"Look, I put the hat on. What more do you really expect from us?" — “Look, I put the hat on. What more do you really expect from us?”

Well, let us count, in the Year of Luigi, Nintendo officially released four games (not including the previously mentioned, Dark Moon) for Mario’s sidekick. They were New Super Luigi U, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Luigi Bros. (a hidden game in Super Mario 3D World), and Dr. Luigi. Yeah, even in his year: Luigi still cannot escape Mario. Really it is even less than it appears.

New Super Luigi U was a gloried expansion pack for New Super Mario Bros. U. Nintendo decided to add-on a full new 82 courses (because the worlds in New Super Mario Bros. U were just so memorable) and just subtract Mario from the equation. Hey, at least he isn’t in this “Luigi” game. It was a game that few, outside of diehard fans, could be excited about.

Then there is Mario & Luigi: Dream Team. It is good but seriously? SERIOUSLY?! Not only is Mario in the title, he’s first. It’s a Mario Bros. game, end of story.

Yes, it certainly looks like Luigi is front and center here. Oh look, I didn't know this was a Princess Peach game too! — Yes, it certainly looks like Luigi is front and center here. Oh look, I didn’t know this was a Princess Peach game too!

Luigi Bros. barely warrants mentioning. Again, it is a mini-game tucked away inside of Mario’s latest offering: fantastic. I bet that does all kinds of wonders for Luigi’s self confidence.

I guess that leaves Dr. Luigi. If you’re thinking: “Hey, didn’t they make a Dr. Mario game like, twenty (yes we’re old) years ago? What is this, a remake?” Yes, and yes. Dr. Luigi is essentially a prettied-up Dr. Mario for the Wii U. On the plus side, it does include an entire new mode that alters the formula considerably. I know I should be sarcastic here but I actually really like these types of games. It’s sad that this is my second favorite game of the Year of Luigi, but it wasn’t a bad little game.

I don't believe that man has ever been to medical school. — I don’t believe that man has ever been to medical school.

Nintendo, ladies and gentlemen. At least you can say they were true to Luigi’s legacy. All anyone has been able to talk about in the past year is the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. Nintendo has faded away to the sidekick, with only one thing really worth mentioning: the 3DS (seriously, that is an awesome handheld with a never ending supply of quality titles).

The Year of Luigi ended on March 18, 2014 (a full year since the February Nintendo Direct). It is now the Year of… anything? Nintendo has been quiet. They are a company in turmoil right now that desperately needs to convince the video game industry that they know what they’re doing. Apparently they are keeping the Luigi-like mentality of making such an exit that no one will even be aware that they’ve left.

Nintendo could announce it was the year of Pokemon and Pokemon U was becoming a reality... but I think that is giving them way too much faith at this point. — Nintendo could announce it was the Year of Pokemon and make *Pokemon U* a reality… but I think that is giving them way too much faith at this point.