Central City Census - December 2012

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Last month, the results were ruined by Blogger going down and subsequently not even mentioning that their polls were a problem. Well, I said "goodbye, Blogger" and "hello, Polldaddy." Not only do you get a more detailed look at the results, but it is presented in a cleaner way. Without further ado, let's see what the Central City Census's results for November are!

By the end of its life, how many units do you think the Wii U will sell worldwide?


The question posed was SPC reader theories on how well the Wii U will sell in its lifetime. The most popular answers were less than Wii but more than the 360, and more than PS3 but less than 360. I'm sort of stunned that there were so many who voted less than 20 million units. That is astounding. Either we have a lot of people who aren't familiar with history, or we have ten people doing wishful thinking. Regardless, let's look at what December's Census is going to ask.

'Tis the season to be getting gifts from friends, family, and other loved ones. The Central City Census for December simply asks if you plan on receiving a console or handheld as a gift this holiday season, and if so, which one(s). Poll will close at the start of 2013.

Review Round-Up - October-November 2012

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The obtuse nature of many of the puzzles
gave Sticker Star an 8.0 out of 10.

Because I had so few reviews for October, I decided to combine the Review Round-Up months of October and November together. Now, we have eight reviews to reexamine, starting with Kart Krashers, a delightful arena-based driving game from Big John Games. Then we continued the downloadable game party with Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword (8.5) and Family Tennis 3D (7.0). The last review of October was Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone, which earned itself an 8.5. Two more digital releases got reviews, Spot It! Mean Machines (7.0) and Johnny Hotshot (5.5). Finally, two big 3DS games were given verdicts: Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (9.0) and Paper Mario: Sticker Star (8.0). Next month we might see some Wii U reviews among other interesting titles. Please look forward to those!

Kart Krashers (DSiWare) - 7.25
Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword (3DSWare) - 8.5
Family Tennis 3D (3DSWare) - 7.0
Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone (3DS) - 8.5
Spot It! Mean Machines (DSiWare) - 7.0
Johnny Hotshot (3DSWare) - 5.5
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (3DS) - 9.0
Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS) - 8.0

The biggest mystery was how the Professor 
Layton series continues to amaze.

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Nintendo 3DS Edition

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We are returning to the normal routine of my favorite VGMs where we listen to songs from five different games rather than just one. This week is a special Nintendo 3DS-themed edition. Three of the games on this list might just make it on the Best Soundtrack category for my end of the year award show. From Mario to Pit from Kid Icarus, the 3DS is represented well this week.

v251. Super Mario 3D Land (3DS) - Special World 8 Crown


A play-through of Super Mario 3D Land might make you think the game is short and easy. That might be true for the initial eight worlds, but then you unlock an additional eight, much more challenging worlds full of remixed and entirely new levels to try out. By getting all star coins, beating the game as both Mario and Luigi, and reaching the top of every flagpole, you unlock a final difficult level.

v252. Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS) - The Chaos Vortex


If someone were to tell my Game Boy-playing younger self that future handhelds would possess the power to have their games contain fully orchestrated music, I would probably not have believed it. But here we are with Kid Icarus: Uprising among other titles. The Chaos Vortex is a chapter near the end of Uprising. If I had to tell you might favorite part of this terrifically tense track, it would come right here when the bold brass blares with a recurring melodic phrase from the game.

v253. Mario Tennis Open (3DS) - Penguin Iceberg


There was much in the way of diverse opinions for Mario Tennis Open. I happened to enjoy the game, but others did not. That's just fine. However, I think we can all agree that Motoi Sakuraba's soundtrack for the game was sensational, as evident by this example for the Penguin Iceberg court. It's a perfect theme for the upcoming winter season.

v254. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy (3DS) - Shining Glory


Continuing with the orchestrated goodness, Shining Glory from the under-appreciated Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy wastes no time engaging the listener with its brass, strings, and choir. Imagine taking it to the skies and participating in intense dogfights as you battle for your life.

v255. Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS) - Warm Fuzzy Plains


The final VGM volume of this special Nintendo 3DS edition is from the most recently released game, Paper Mario: Sticker Star. The soundtrack for the game might just be my favorite from a Paper Mario. Warm Fuzzy Plains features guitar, brass, piano, and hints of the Super Mario Bros. theme.

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Another edition of SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs is in the books. Next week I will showcase five more themes from video games you may or may not know. Until then and as always, scope out my VGM database for every VGM ever spotlighted.

Exactly How Does the PlayStation Vita Have "No Games?"

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A common statement among some gamers is that Sony's struggling handheld, the PlayStation Vita, lacks software, even going as far as saying it has zero in the way of competent games. Of course, a lot of these people are simply trolling (These people could stand to read this article.), but the idea that the Vita is starving for content is simply a falsehood. I would like to back the falsehood statement with some games that prove that the Vita does, in fact, carry a rather robust library of software.

Persona 4 Golden


The highest-rated Vita game on game review aggregate sites, Persona 4 Gold is a port of the PlayStation 2 classic. Players mix, match, and use the titular persona characters (of which there are 150 varieties) in battle as they traverse dungeons and towns and progress through an engaging story. The addition of two new characters, hundreds of lines of fresh dialogue, and high-definition visuals make for a port that is definitely worthy of adding to one's Vita collection.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss


Nathan Drake returns in this prequel to the PlayStation 3 Uncharted trilogy. While the lack of any form of multiplayer hurts the title some, the single player of Golden Abyss has been expanded with new locales, set pieces, and characters to get to know and like. The use of Vita system features like the touch screen controls make for a novel approach to gameplay. Sony Bend has done a splendid job bringing yet another one of Sony's prized first-party properties onto the small screen with Uncharted: Golden Abyss.

Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational 


The goal of the Hot Shots Golf series has always been to provide an accessible golfing experience to players while still keeping the depth of the sport. Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational is no different in this department. The sixth mainline game in the franchise, World Invitational offers tons of replay value with its single player, challenges that unlock new balls, clubs, and costumes, and online multiplayer tournaments that help you test your golfing prowess against the world. An incredibly capable addition to the Hot Shots Golf series, World Invitational's new MSRP makes it quite a steal.

WipEout 2048


Another game meant to serve as a prequel, WipEout 2048 (2048 being the year the game takes place in) brings the fast-paced and intense racing game to the PlayStation Vita, and uses many of its features such as tilt, touch, and voice controls. WipEout 2048's multiplayer allows eight players to jet through the gorgeous futuristic tracks online, and in some cases, play with PlayStation 3 players via Wipeout HD. In addition to that, there is also cooperative play for missions. There's a ton of challenge and speed with WipEout 2048, and for the racing fan, it is at the top of the mountain on Vita.

Assassin's Creed III: Liberation 


Taking the Assassin's Creed III name and creating a side story for PlayStation Vita owners, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation stars, for the first time in franchise history, a female protagonist. If you have been worrying about the Assassin's Creed experience not being transported well to a portable, rest easy-- you'll be doing all the same running on rooftops, stealthily stabbing enemies, and earning chain kills, just like Liberation's bigger, more popular brother. What Vita owners get is yet another title to add to the list of worthy games to the Vita library.

Gravity Rush


Formerly a PS3 project before its development was shifted over to the Vita, Gravity Rush is quite unlike any other game out there, much less for the Vita. One of the obvious primary mechanics of the game is the ability to control gravity-- walk on walls, send the heroine Kat careening into enemies, and other fascinating feats. The RPG elements add another dimension to the game, with such concepts as leveling up and optional bosses. Gravity Rush isn't a perfect game, but its positives far outweigh any faults it possesses.

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale


Speaking of Kat, how about we go to a game that will feature character in DLC form? PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is one of the first of many "YOPO" games. This acronym stands for "You Only Pay Once." However, it only works if you buy the PlayStation 3 version. (Thanks to Ken S. for that clarification!) Both versions have cross-play, so PS3 owners can duke it out with Vita owners, and vice versa. No matter which popular PlayStation character you choose-- whether it be Kratos, Sackboy, Nathan Drake, Ratchet, or whoever else-- you're bound to have one heck of a party.

LittleBigPlanet PS Vita


My favorite new IP of the past generation hits the Vita, containing all new story levels and content. With the front and rear touch screens on the PlayStation Vita, level creation, a profusely popular feature of the franchise, has become less troublesome and much more streamlined. While you can't import levels from the console versions of LittleBigPlanet to the Vita version, already there is an immense catalog of impressive levels by some creative level creators. If you need a game that will boost your own level of creativity, look no further than LittleBigPlanet PS Vita.

New Little King's Story


While this game is only available via download in North America, New Little King's Story is still a great game. It is essentially a remake of the Wii cult classic, Little King's Story, only given enhanced features. One such feature are the improved visuals, showcasing a less childlike look. As your little king, you try to conquer neighboring kingdoms, gathering resources, hiring citizens to battle alongside you as you vanquish bosses and baddies, and expand your own kingdom. If you can stand the quirky gameplay, New Little King's Story brings enough that is new to the table that makes it a worthwhile Vita title.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz


It seemed perplexing how Sega could continue to mess up a winning formula with several poor Super Monkey Ball games, such as Banana Blitz (not to be confused with the game I'll be talking about, Banana Splitz), Step & Roll, and Super Monkey Ball 3D. Well, now it seems like Sega and the Super Monkey Ball series has got its groove back with Banana Splitz, a Vita exclusive. The traditional rolling Aiai and friends through progressively more difficult and twisted courses, trying not to fall off as you go for the goal, is present and accounted for. It's a welcomed return to form, for sure!

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While the PlayStation Vita is not overflowing with quality games, it does have several serviceable and outstanding games in its library. These are just ten of such titles, and there are many more I neglected to mention. Hopefully this list will make some of you out there who are eager to claim a specific system lacks quality games quiet down. Oh, heck. Who am I kidding? Gamers will be gamers...

We're Getting Close! Status of the NEW Website!

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Well, I've been quite busy over the past few weeks. I've had a lot of ups and downs while putting together this new website, but the launch is so close I can taste it. It looks like a Friday/Saturday launch will happen this week! But first, here are some of the things you can expect.

Organized Menus:

For those that don't follow me on Twitter, what's wrong with you? OK, had to get a Reggie reference in there, but seriously, follow me on Twitter. I've already posted some teasers on Twitter, and now it's time to lay some on you here.



I will have professional looking and organized drop down menus on the new website. As you can see above, you will be able to scroll over reviews and then pick by console. You will be able to do the same with news and miscellaneous content as well. This will make navigating content much easier on the new site.

Organized Reviews:


Menus aren't the only thing with a little more organization. This time, reviews will be much more accessible. No longer will there be the ridiculously dated method that you see here. Now you can choose a console and then choose reviews from tables. You can sort by title, genre, publisher, and rating.

Forums:



Just implemented today, the forums! I've teased having social features/forums before, but forums will be the only feature of the two making the launch. Conversations are separated in forums made by the admin (me), but you can throw your hat in and create topics and have discussions to make the forums a big success. You will need to sign up for an account with the website to use the forums.


Edited Reviews:

I have edited and posted all 64 reviews that were posted here on Play Nintendo on the new website! All 64 will indeed be ready for the launch!

New Content:

I will hopefully have some new content ready for launch, and that will be part of my focus going forward this week. A Xenoblade Chronicles review and a surprise eShop review will make the cut for sure.

Hmm... That's not enough. Miscellaneous Content is something that I intend to post on the new site as well. I will start with an article looking at my favourite wrestling matches from MONDAY NIGHT RAW.

A short, yet satisfying weekly feature called Screenshot OTW! will be there this week as well. I will be asking you to e-mail your own screenshots and caption (whether they be from Steam or other means), and my favourites will make the feature.

I will also be doing a feature called that highlight the greatest, funniest, most intelligent YouTube Comments. We all know that some funny and brilliant comments make it to YouTube and I spend way too much time on the site not to capitalize in some fashion. Will likely be a weekly feature, and will likely look for tips here as well. Have on ready to go!

UPDATE:

I may nix the misc content, I've been thinking and it may be for the best. I feel like I am biting off more than I can chew and should focus on video games. Providing Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and PC news will be a lot of work, so I may stick to video games. Expect the Screenshot OTW! feature to stick.


Would you participate in some kind of User Content feature?

I'd really like to do something with user content. I want to make it a streamline process in which you can just post your review, article, video, etc and it go right to the site. Is that something you'd want? I'd also like to highlight the best user content from the week/month/year and feature it on the main slider. Sure it's being done on a lot of websites these days, but maybe if you're interested I can look into doing something similar.

Finishing Touches:

I'm going to be finishing the layout, widgets, new content, etc. as the week goes by.
Not really much more to say. Stay tuned, official website launch announcement coming later this week.

SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs - Shake It Up Edition

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Wario and his garlic-breath self are entering SuperPhillip's Favorite VGMs this week. Today I am highlighting a severely underrated and overlooked Wii game, Wario Land: Shake It! aka Wario Land: The Shake Dimension. We're gonna shake what our mamas gave us, so if all of your preparations have been completed, let's begin!

v236. Wario Land: Shake It! (Wii) - Launchpad Labyrinth 


Let's kick things off with a Latin flair. The main melody consists of the Wario theme, also used in Stonecarving City. Stonecarving City just so happens to be the main theme for the level while Launchpad Labyrinth is used for Wario's escape. It's a piece that makes you wanna make a pit stop for nachos and guacamole on your way to the goal.

v237. Wario Land: Shake It! (Wii) - Gurgle Gulch


We have an upbeat piano-filled piece for the escape theme of Foulwater Falls, the third level in Wario Land: Shake It! Not only is the piano the main melody, but it is also the bass line. This is one of my favorite songs from the game.

v238. Wario Land: Shake It! (Wii) - Run-Down Pyramid


The piano returns for a lighthearted and jaunty theme that takes you through a pyramid at nightfall. The level the song is featured in has vehicles that roll along tracks. You control them by tilting the Wii remote ever so carefully as not to make them derail and crash to the ground below.

v239. Wario Land: Shake It! (Wii) - Savannah Valley


The orange sky is home to a glistening yellow sun in Savannah Valley, a level of the second world in Wario Land: Shake It! This track is rather calming, relaxing, and mellow. My favorite part comes in right around 1:42. It seems a fellow YouTube commenter agrees!

v240. Wario Land: Shake It! (Wii) - Windbreak Bay


We go from relaxing to uptempo with this theme for the final submarine level in Wario Land: Shake It!, Windbreak Bay. Each submarine level is auto-scrolling and features at most three paths to travel down. They all lead to the same place, but some house more treasure and riches.

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That concludes this spotlight on Wario's Wii platforming adventure. Next week we will feature another game for one edition. Until then and as always, take a gander at my VGM database for all of my favorite VGMs.

SPC Soapbox - 11/13/12 Grand Theft Auto V, Wii U's Price, and the Irrelevant Press

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There have been some interesting pieces of news that I could not talk about in full length. That is where the SPC Soapbox comes in. Once more I have three topics I'd like to broach about, including my main desire and what I like so far of Grand Theft Auto V, whether Ubisoft's CEO's comment about the Wii U's price is founded in reality or not, and why I think that when it comes to Nintendo, the majority of the gaming press is no longer really as relevant as they think they are.

Grand Theft Auto V hopes and wishes

Grand Theft Auto IV was one of the most undeserving games to give high praise to. It was also very controversial how day-one reviewers had to play the game with Rockstar employees watching them at some sort of special press event, and they could only play the game for a relatively brief period of time. It doesn't help that reviewers in retrospect started mentioning why the game wasn't so great afterwards.


Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was my first and my favorite Grand Theft Auto game. The world of San Andreas was remarkably ambitious. It was incredibly massive for a PlayStation 2 and then Xbox game. I loved the settings, from Grove Street to the Strip at Las Venturas. The fact that Grand Theft Auto V will be returning to San Andreas in some regard has me totally stoked. Hearing that the world is larger than that of Red Dead Redemption has me positively enthralled. It's going to be amazing, especially since instead of large rocky deserts to traverse, we'll have metropolises, which interest me much more in exploring. Additionally, the thought of having three main characters to play as intrigues me greatly. The possibilities are infinite for how the story and gameplay will work out, but the potential for failure is also there.


One of my main problems with GTA IV was the replacement of realism over the wacky fun of past games. The title grew to be a chore as well, and compared to the Saints Row trilogy, it was just neutered in the entertainment department to me. So my paramount wish for the fifth mainline game in the Grand Theft Auto franchise is for the return to some oddball fun and zaniness. However, at the same time, the more missions like Four Leaf Clover, the better too. There needs to be a balance between realism and crazy.

I am without a doubt excited to enter the sunny shores of Los Santos once more. I can imagine riding down the streets of Vinewood with the top down in my shiny red convertible, passing by pedestrians and accidentally running over several hundred of them. Grand Theft Auto V is yet another blockbuster planned for the absolutely packed 2013 gaming year. Here's hoping it satisfies rather than disappoints!

Is the Wii U's price too high? Ubisoft's CEO says so.

Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, recently made it known to the press that he is unhappy with the price of the Wii U. Of course, that is the typical take from a third-party on any platformer that many message board users will use as a talking point on how the Wii U is objectively overpriced. Nonetheless, you see, the higher the price of a console, it seems likely that the less games will be bought by consumers. In a perfect world, the Wii U would be free, so Ubisoft could sell the most games at launch. However, the world obviously does not work that way. Nintendo has already made mention that they are losing money on every Wii U sold, so Ubisoft and its CEO will sort of have to deal with the price right now.


For all Mr. Guillemot cares, Nintendo could take even larger losses on the console just as long as his company's games sell well. It's not really that selfish of a position if that were his stance, as it makes sense in Ubisoft's perspective, but considering Nintendo's stock price and fortunes have fallen within the past couple of years due to the dying off of the Wii, the slow start to the 3DS (which Nintendo also sold at a loss initially), and the exchange rates of the yen, making the Wii U cheaper would have sent Nintendo down an even more dangerous road.


Some people say the Wii U is just souped up Xbox 360, or an Xbox 360 and a Wii duct-taped together as it were. However, I don't know of any Xbox with a more advanced controller than the Wii U GamePad. Well, unless you make the argument that the human body is the controller for Kinect. Sure, that's plenty more complicated than any piece of tech! Regardless, having a bright screen, being able to play games on the GamePad itself, using near-field communication, using gyro for movement, and having what basically amounts to a Swiss army knife in the form of an essentially traditional controller makes for a higher price tag. I can't make any statements on the power of the actual system because 1) We don't really know the details until someone opens one up, and 2) My knowledge of tech is limited as it is. However, I feel the GamePad and the boost in visuals that I've seen compared to what the Wii could produce, the amount of storage, and for the Deluxe package, the bonus Nintendo Land game, make for a system that is worth the price.

How the Western gaming press is irrelevant when it comes to Nintendo

I mentioned this somewhat in my piece last week on the immaturity of the gaming industry, particularly the West. However, let me go into greater detail. It is my opinion that a lot of the Western gaming press is ambivalent towards Nintendo (when I say "gaming press" from now on, it will be meant as the majority and not all). The company doesn't play by the Western gaming press's rules, they march to the beat of a different drummer. The press seems to show contempt, especially after being made fools of when the console that they deemed dead on arrival outsold its competitors in a grand fashion. This failed analysis by the press made them look quite incompetent.

Nintendo has sort of wised up to the perception they have from the Western mainstream gaming press and have started creating avenues to completely bypass them. Enter Nintendo Directs and Iwata Asks segments. No longer does Nintendo have to give information to the press that will just be editorialized and communicated incorrectly by the press. Nintendo can simply give information straight to their fans without a third-party interfering. So it's no wonder why the gaming press has what I perceive to be contempt for Nintendo. The company plays by its own rules, it gives out necessary info on their schedule, and they directly give fans news now, making the mainstream press almost, if not completely, irrelevant for Nintendo coverage.


At that same token, it's important for Nintendo to hold a strong relationship with the press, and I feel that they do that. If going over the heads of the press to give information directly to the company's fans makes journalists bitter, these journalists will just have to deal with it, or maybe, just maybe, improve how they cover the company.