It's a good thing I ordered it online!
Before the game came out I asked a couple of shops if I could preorder the game and they looked at me funny, thinking it was for the PC. Natural mistake I suppose, considering it's about typing. Anyway alarm bells went off in my head and I ordered it online instead.
I looked up a thread on boards.ie and it seems that other Irish Nintendo Fans are having no luck finding it in Dublin even. Yikes. Another thing, if you're ordering it online make sure to order the English version. Different countries have different versions of the keyboard and also have their own names for many of the Pokémon. This would affect the pacing and difficulty of many of the levels I'd imagine so localisation must've been a very big project for this game.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Pokémon Typing: All silver medals achieved!
It took ages but I finally got all the silver medals! The game gets unbelievably hard in some stages. Just remember when you're trying this out for yourself that accuracy begets speed!
One method I have though is to look at the following Pokémon while I'm typing the present one. That's what finally got me a silver medal in the Tab stage.
One method I have though is to look at the following Pokémon while I'm typing the present one. That's what finally got me a silver medal in the Tab stage.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Pokémon Typing is getting really difficult
I've gotten all the bronze medals in the game and now I'm after the silver ones... Some are ok to get but some are really tough, especially the Tab endurance stage. I'm struggling so badly to get 50 Pokémon. The score table is all in the high 40s but I just can't push past the last couple!
The game has to be a git then and throw FARFETCH'D in my path near that milestone, apostrophe and all.
You know something else? It's getting much colder these days so my hands just turn numb with the cold during a session and it's annoying when I can barely move my fingers then.
The game has to be a git then and throw FARFETCH'D in my path near that milestone, apostrophe and all.
You know something else? It's getting much colder these days so my hands just turn numb with the cold during a session and it's annoying when I can barely move my fingers then.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
I want Snatcher on Wii! (or Wii U) Part 9
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-09-27-kojima-its-my-job-to-push-the-industry-forward
Here's a passage from the above interview with Hideo Kojima regarding Snatcher:
"Personally I love adventure games and I would love to create additional chapters in the Snatcher or Policenauts series, but unfortunately from a business perspective it is quite hard to make that work, and I feel it's my job to push the industry forward, so I don't think I could really make it."
That's fair enough. What I've been going on and on about for years though is my wish for him to get behind putting the Mega CD Snatcher on the Wii (or Wii U) and maybe for it to be treated like "Snatcher: The Final Cut". I've never thought of asking for any additional chapters or sequels.
The article above also more than alludes to Kojima getting a chance to become involved with Silent Hill. If we can look past all the diplomacy and PR speak, I think he could make the best Silent Hill game ever!
Here's a passage from the above interview with Hideo Kojima regarding Snatcher:
"Personally I love adventure games and I would love to create additional chapters in the Snatcher or Policenauts series, but unfortunately from a business perspective it is quite hard to make that work, and I feel it's my job to push the industry forward, so I don't think I could really make it."
That's fair enough. What I've been going on and on about for years though is my wish for him to get behind putting the Mega CD Snatcher on the Wii (or Wii U) and maybe for it to be treated like "Snatcher: The Final Cut". I've never thought of asking for any additional chapters or sequels.
The article above also more than alludes to Kojima getting a chance to become involved with Silent Hill. If we can look past all the diplomacy and PR speak, I think he could make the best Silent Hill game ever!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Completed Pokémon Typing's story
The story is a small but nice part of the package and it's all presented in talking head dialogue between Paige Down and Professor Quentin Werty. Since it's small it doesn't feel intrusive but it adds something to the world and the levels you go through to the end. It's nice. It can be completed in 2 hours if you're good at typing.
Also when you've completed the final story level you get the credits where you can type the names of all the people that appear! Hurry before they scroll off the screen! Quite tough to do as well as there are a lot of Japanese names there.
Also when you've completed the final story level you get the credits where you can type the names of all the people that appear! Hurry before they scroll off the screen! Quite tough to do as well as there are a lot of Japanese names there.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Pokémon Typing is too good to be called edutainment
Because edutainment typically sucks. There are some notable exceptions but normally they just have bad cg, are just plain unimaginative and not fun at all. When they're good though they're Pokémon Typing.
Pokémon Typing works well as an arcade game. It's like a rail shooter, only with typing and it's got high scores and combos and boss battles. Typing of the Dead by SEGA had a release in Japanese arcades and the cabinet had two keyboards. Nintendo could very well do the same.
Pokémon Typing also works very well as a Pokémon game. Now, there's none of that turn based battling and levelling up, you're just simply there to catch them by typing their names, which is probably one of the purest instances of the tagline "Gotta Catch 'em All!". Also if you're a Pokémon fan you have an advantage because the Pokémon appear before their names do, giving you a chance to type their names in faster and achieve higher scores.
Another reason why this is one of the best typing games out there is because of the world it takes place in and they way you explore it. You see, the world map is shaped exactly like a keyboard and the places are named after the keys on which they're located like "Semi-colon Cavern" for example. On the map screen you type the key of the area you want to enter for the character to immediately go there. Very clever and imaginative.
Of course if you like the benefits of edutainment then this will not only help sharpen your skills, but it'll also make the practice really fun too.
Pokémon Typing works well as an arcade game. It's like a rail shooter, only with typing and it's got high scores and combos and boss battles. Typing of the Dead by SEGA had a release in Japanese arcades and the cabinet had two keyboards. Nintendo could very well do the same.
Pokémon Typing also works very well as a Pokémon game. Now, there's none of that turn based battling and levelling up, you're just simply there to catch them by typing their names, which is probably one of the purest instances of the tagline "Gotta Catch 'em All!". Also if you're a Pokémon fan you have an advantage because the Pokémon appear before their names do, giving you a chance to type their names in faster and achieve higher scores.
Another reason why this is one of the best typing games out there is because of the world it takes place in and they way you explore it. You see, the world map is shaped exactly like a keyboard and the places are named after the keys on which they're located like "Semi-colon Cavern" for example. On the map screen you type the key of the area you want to enter for the character to immediately go there. Very clever and imaginative.
Of course if you like the benefits of edutainment then this will not only help sharpen your skills, but it'll also make the practice really fun too.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Pokémon Typing is awesome!
I got this game today! I'm very fond of how that little keyboard looks and that stand for the DS is invaluable. Typing to the 3DS XL's huge screens doesn't feel weird at all. The little keyboard itself takes a little getting used to but the keys are well defined, even though my fingers just fit them. I would rank the keyboard as not being quite as comfortable as your normal keyboard but much better than a laptop's keyboard. You also have the option of using the touch screen.
To me typing is generally a fun thing to do. I enjoy typing games a lot and the world of Pokémon is well suited for this activity. In fact the game rewards you with having Pokémon knowledge because it shows you the creature before its name and typing it accurately straight away gives you more points. Typing a succession of prompted Pokémon correctly gives you combos. There are also some boss battles and rare Pokémon you have to quickly type because the chance to catch them is quite brief. Ho-Oh for example took me a few tries because you have to type the hyphen as well and quickly.
I say "catch" but you're really "studying" them, catching a record of them with a special study ball really. The world map is literally a keyboard with placenames like "Semi-colon Cavern" and the characters are puns on keys as well such as Paige Down and Quentin Werty. That is a very nice touch!
I'm really enjoying this! Maybe something like it should come to the Wii U as well. I'd like it.
To me typing is generally a fun thing to do. I enjoy typing games a lot and the world of Pokémon is well suited for this activity. In fact the game rewards you with having Pokémon knowledge because it shows you the creature before its name and typing it accurately straight away gives you more points. Typing a succession of prompted Pokémon correctly gives you combos. There are also some boss battles and rare Pokémon you have to quickly type because the chance to catch them is quite brief. Ho-Oh for example took me a few tries because you have to type the hyphen as well and quickly.
I say "catch" but you're really "studying" them, catching a record of them with a special study ball really. The world map is literally a keyboard with placenames like "Semi-colon Cavern" and the characters are puns on keys as well such as Paige Down and Quentin Werty. That is a very nice touch!
I'm really enjoying this! Maybe something like it should come to the Wii U as well. I'd like it.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Just completed NSMB2!
Finally did it! I got the sparkly star on my file as well which is pretty nice :)
I also got another sparkly star on my file for collecting all the star coins too. I'm now trying to get more and more extra lives because I heard you can get another sparkly star that way too. I've over 900 at the moment. I now know that there's incentive to getting so many. It's effectively at the cost of ever reasonably seeing the game over screen but there's at least a small reason to get so many lives.
The ending credit sequence shows Mario carrying Peach back to the castle. It's interactive and you have a chance to collect all these coins flying around while you do it. Maybe she could've helped by means of her floating abilities? I guess it's more romantic this way but we are used to doing so much more!
I also got another sparkly star on my file for collecting all the star coins too. I'm now trying to get more and more extra lives because I heard you can get another sparkly star that way too. I've over 900 at the moment. I now know that there's incentive to getting so many. It's effectively at the cost of ever reasonably seeing the game over screen but there's at least a small reason to get so many lives.
The ending credit sequence shows Mario carrying Peach back to the castle. It's interactive and you have a chance to collect all these coins flying around while you do it. Maybe she could've helped by means of her floating abilities? I guess it's more romantic this way but we are used to doing so much more!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Nintendo Gamer demonstrates Pokémon Typing and the keyboard!
Nintendo Gamer lives in video form! I should visit the website regularly as they have a good online presence. Anyway they have a good demonstration here in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kbT2Vr8AzQ
Chris Scullion is one of the newcomers. I never knew he was Scottish. Anyway he does a good job of showing Pokémon Typing here for anyone curious about the game or the keyboard. He also connects it to an iPad which is a good demonstration of its versatility. It's everything you wanted to know and more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kbT2Vr8AzQ
Chris Scullion is one of the newcomers. I never knew he was Scottish. Anyway he does a good job of showing Pokémon Typing here for anyone curious about the game or the keyboard. He also connects it to an iPad which is a good demonstration of its versatility. It's everything you wanted to know and more.
Friday, September 21, 2012
La Mulana is out on WiiWare at last and it doesn't have shitty DLC! Yes!
I just saw Nintendo Life's revew of the game and they gave it a 10/10. I was delighted to read that there wasn't any DLC! Yes!
If you don't know about the big long development process of this game it was because of crappy pointless DLC that this game was delayed so much and also why Nicalis eventually refused to publish it. I can tell you right now that they would've published it long long ago if only the developer didn't bother to even think of ripping us off with DLC in the first place.
Now that the game doesn't have DLC it actually has some worth. Horray!
If you don't know about the big long development process of this game it was because of crappy pointless DLC that this game was delayed so much and also why Nicalis eventually refused to publish it. I can tell you right now that they would've published it long long ago if only the developer didn't bother to even think of ripping us off with DLC in the first place.
Now that the game doesn't have DLC it actually has some worth. Horray!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Kirby Star Stacker and Kirby's Dream Land 2 errors in Anniversary collection booklet and what it could mean! (European release?!)
http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=186002
Have a look at this link. Here the folks are concerned about the two titles missing from the 3DS Virtual Console even though the manual says "Available as a Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console title." under each entry. Now even though both of these games aren't there yet, the folks reasoned that they could yet be and since those statements are chronologically neutral, they'll become correct when those games release on the North American Virtual Console. We can also take this to mean that they are guaranteed releases.
Now here's something I'm going to do: I'm going to delve deeply into this and speculate that those statements are also significant to European Kirby fans. How? Well you see, those two games are already on our Virtual Console so I am going to take this to mean that those statements apply to us, and if they apply to us then that could mean that the Kirby Collection could be coming out over here yet!
This is where the speculation ends and now to resume regular service:
Nintendo, please bring this collection out in Europe!
Have a look at this link. Here the folks are concerned about the two titles missing from the 3DS Virtual Console even though the manual says "Available as a Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console title." under each entry. Now even though both of these games aren't there yet, the folks reasoned that they could yet be and since those statements are chronologically neutral, they'll become correct when those games release on the North American Virtual Console. We can also take this to mean that they are guaranteed releases.
Now here's something I'm going to do: I'm going to delve deeply into this and speculate that those statements are also significant to European Kirby fans. How? Well you see, those two games are already on our Virtual Console so I am going to take this to mean that those statements apply to us, and if they apply to us then that could mean that the Kirby Collection could be coming out over here yet!
This is where the speculation ends and now to resume regular service:
Nintendo, please bring this collection out in Europe!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Pokemon Typing gets review scores in the 80s
The first couple of reviews for this game are out. Official Nintendo Magazine and Nintendo Gamer gave it scores in the 80s.
All part of the hype! We may not see many reviews for this game. We will definitely however see this game in future top 10 lists of games that are unusual in some way and blog commenters will go "whoa".
I'm really looking forward to this game and I hope I'll be able to get it if everything goes according to plan :)
All part of the hype! We may not see many reviews for this game. We will definitely however see this game in future top 10 lists of games that are unusual in some way and blog commenters will go "whoa".
I'm really looking forward to this game and I hope I'll be able to get it if everything goes according to plan :)
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Ad for Retro Game Master DVD release for America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=xC-x0JXmWSw
I know it's for America but it's a very nice ad that would make anyone smile. It's a pity the DVD is a "best of" rather than a true chronicled compilation.
I find it annoying when DVD publishers do that, especially with old cartoon shows. For example "<insert cartoon character here> goes to the beach and three other stories" would be one DVD when they could fit much more and in the correct sequence.
The DVD for this show isn't announced for here. The first game didn't come out here either and the second game didn't even come out in English. If I had the chance I would buy localised releases. It's a lot of trouble to be a fan of things like this!
I know it's for America but it's a very nice ad that would make anyone smile. It's a pity the DVD is a "best of" rather than a true chronicled compilation.
I find it annoying when DVD publishers do that, especially with old cartoon shows. For example "<insert cartoon character here> goes to the beach and three other stories" would be one DVD when they could fit much more and in the correct sequence.
The DVD for this show isn't announced for here. The first game didn't come out here either and the second game didn't even come out in English. If I had the chance I would buy localised releases. It's a lot of trouble to be a fan of things like this!
Monday, September 17, 2012
I'd love to be able to play Virtual Console games on the Wii U Pad :(
I think Nintendo should do some work on the Virtual Console so we'd be able to do this. I mean come on! Just look at the Wii U Pad! It looks like the ultimate Game Boy! Wouldn't it be fantastic to have that kind of support??
Sunday, September 16, 2012
New Super Mario Bros. 2 World 5-6
I got a great laugh at the end of this stage during the mega mushroom power-up. I was actually able to knock down the flagpole! Then Mario looks at it before shrugging it off, doing a strong man pose and shrinks back, uttering a line I haven't heard him say before and walking away to the next stage. Nice touch! :)
Edit: It seems that you were able to do this in the first NSMB too! Oh well, you learn something new everyday I suppose!.
Edit: It seems that you were able to do this in the first NSMB too! Oh well, you learn something new everyday I suppose!.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Delicious NSMB U trailer from the Wii Preview event :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQHa4qindfE
The graphics look so nice and everything just makes you want to grab it and play it!
Also the princess doesn't get kidnapped this time, rather the Mario Bros and the toads get thrown out. My favourite part is when they get up and Mario points off into the far back distance where everything is happening. It's great. Best case for the Wii U yet!
The graphics look so nice and everything just makes you want to grab it and play it!
Also the princess doesn't get kidnapped this time, rather the Mario Bros and the toads get thrown out. My favourite part is when they get up and Mario points off into the far back distance where everything is happening. It's great. Best case for the Wii U yet!
Friday, September 14, 2012
Is Bayonetta any good?
Now that Bayonetta 2 is going to be a Wii U exclusive it might be interesting to try out the first one as I've never played it. Ah well it mightn't matter.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wii U previews and Nintendo Directs
Each of the three big regions today had livestreaming events all about Wii U. The American one wasn't fantastic but the European one was very enjoyable and informative. I think that's because Reggie had an audience of game journalists whereas Satoru Shibata was presenting a Nintendo Direct so he was talking to us the fans and customers directly.
There were other factors that made it better and it had a much better effect on me; I was even starting to become interested in upcoming titles I wasn't previously interested in! That's powerful stuff right there.
I think Reggie should do a Nintendo Direct to summarise all the new information and trailers that have come out. Who knows, there might be a chance for more in the final days up until release.
There were other factors that made it better and it had a much better effect on me; I was even starting to become interested in upcoming titles I wasn't previously interested in! That's powerful stuff right there.
I think Reggie should do a Nintendo Direct to summarise all the new information and trailers that have come out. Who knows, there might be a chance for more in the final days up until release.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Wii U Preview Nintendo Direct for Europe on tomorrow
So U.S. fans are getting an event tomorrow and so are we. Satoru Shibata the NOE president sent out a swapnote announcing it. It'll be on at 3pm Irish/UK time broadcasting from NOE's official website. I'm looking forward to this!
I kind of hope they announce the Kirby Anniversary collection for Europe as well...
I kind of hope they announce the Kirby Anniversary collection for Europe as well...
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Even Capcom gets confused over the Ace Attorney series
Recently someone spotted a piece of fanart on Capcom's site. It was supposed to be for Ace Attorney 3 but instead it was apparently a fanmade cover of a non-existent installment. This kind of mix up is a serious problem with the Ace Attorney series - I speak from personal experience over the years when shops kept selling me the wrong installments and now Capcom is all mixed up.
The problem is that the cover artwork for these games are all very similar and in our localisations, the titles aren't numbered; instead they have a subtitle and a sub-subtitle. This muddles shops up even more because it makes the sub-subtitle text microscopic on the game cart's label and shops often seperate the box and the game itself.
There are other factors that exacerbate the situation, such as a spinoff, its unlocalised sequel and a later installment coming out before an earlier one in Europe. It's worthy of an AVGN style "Chronologically Confused" video!
The problem is that the cover artwork for these games are all very similar and in our localisations, the titles aren't numbered; instead they have a subtitle and a sub-subtitle. This muddles shops up even more because it makes the sub-subtitle text microscopic on the game cart's label and shops often seperate the box and the game itself.
There are other factors that exacerbate the situation, such as a spinoff, its unlocalised sequel and a later installment coming out before an earlier one in Europe. It's worthy of an AVGN style "Chronologically Confused" video!
Monday, September 10, 2012
How do you get the K in world 3 level 4 of Donkey Kong Land 1? I finally know.
When I was a kid this frustrated me to no end. Even TOTAL! magazine's walkthrough had an apology in the middle of it where they couldn't find it. Now thanks to YouTube walkthroughs of the game I finally know:
Immediately when the level starts jump up to the left. There's a barrel there that shoots you above to where you can find the K.
I remember wasting so many hours and batteries trying to get it from the other side because there was a trail of bananas and thought that the spiky tyre had something to do with it. But that was only for when you were coming down from above. Unbelievable.
You'll see it in this video at 7:17:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xpu-4Z_ug8&feature=relmfu
Immediately when the level starts jump up to the left. There's a barrel there that shoots you above to where you can find the K.
I remember wasting so many hours and batteries trying to get it from the other side because there was a trail of bananas and thought that the spiky tyre had something to do with it. But that was only for when you were coming down from above. Unbelievable.
You'll see it in this video at 7:17:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xpu-4Z_ug8&feature=relmfu
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Bought the final Nintendo Gamer issue today
So I guess that's it. No more Nintendo Gamer. The magazine has a few farewell features and the puzzling "on sale 30 Sept" at the very back, whatever that means. Looking at those Super Play covers they have is nostalgic. I never got Super Play but I remember seeing the covers and I always used to see them advertised in "Total!", the magazine I used to get, which was also a great unofficial Nintendo magazine. Whenever I saw the Super Play covers I always avoided them because I always saw Wil Overton's anime style artwork as being for older kids. Hmm..
More reminiscing soon :)
More reminiscing soon :)
Friday, September 7, 2012
We never had anything like Howard & Nester
American fans are reminiscing about Nintendo Power. Howard and Nester used to be a big part of that. It was a comic in the magazine and looked pretty fun. I would've loved to have had something like that in the magazines I bought growing up.
Brawl in the Family have a special tribute to it which is pretty nice (it's number 435) and there's a special unseen installment that Howard Philips is revealing bit by bit which you can see on blogs like Gonintendo.
In our official Nintendo magazine, which was called Nintendo Magazine System, we had a letters page where a cartoon seal would answer them, which was inspired by the Nintendo Seal of Quality.
Though I wonder if Wil Overton, the guy who illustrated Super Play and now the final issue of Nintendo Gamer, could have made a comic strip? It could've been fun.
Brawl in the Family have a special tribute to it which is pretty nice (it's number 435) and there's a special unseen installment that Howard Philips is revealing bit by bit which you can see on blogs like Gonintendo.
In our official Nintendo magazine, which was called Nintendo Magazine System, we had a letters page where a cartoon seal would answer them, which was inspired by the Nintendo Seal of Quality.
Though I wonder if Wil Overton, the guy who illustrated Super Play and now the final issue of Nintendo Gamer, could have made a comic strip? It could've been fun.
Ace Attorney 5 announced for 3DS and Europe
Actually it's been announced for years but it's only now they've been quite serious in talking about it. In any case it's definitely coming out in the U.S. and Europe for the 3DS.
I hope they go one step further! I hope they release it for the Wii U as well! Because unlike the rereleases of the other games in the series on WiiWare, The Wii U is more capable of DS functionality - It's got a microphone and an extra screen after all!
I hope they go one step further! I hope they release it for the Wii U as well! Because unlike the rereleases of the other games in the series on WiiWare, The Wii U is more capable of DS functionality - It's got a microphone and an extra screen after all!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
So, Nintendo has re-trademarked Wave Race
Some people are speculating that it might signify a new entry but I would like to speculate that they're just planning to re-release the original Game Boy version on the 3DS Virtual Console.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I love the Game Grumps
Two guys on YouTube have this channel where they play games and talk and laugh and joke all the way through. Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/user/gamegrumps/videos
One of the guys made that brilliant Metal Gear Awesome cartoon and the other does other videos where he has an amazing cyborg parrot and kind of looks like Master Higgins.
Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/user/gamegrumps/videos
One of the guys made that brilliant Metal Gear Awesome cartoon and the other does other videos where he has an amazing cyborg parrot and kind of looks like Master Higgins.
Check it out!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Tak Fuji's response to fans love of Mystical Ninja Goemon
Tak Fuji posted this on his twitter in response to our feedback:
"Thanks for so many HOT messages about our classic IP. I will take them seriously and hope I can do something extreeeeme to thank your love."
I guess he really likes that word. What does he mean by hoping to do something to thank our love though? What could a Konami producer like him do? hmmm? hmmmmmmmm?
Enough talk, time to use my extreeeeme Irish Nintendo Fan powers to broadcast a message:
Dear Tak Fuji and to all concerned at Konami, I would like to purchase a new Goemon game for a Nintendo system please :)
*whoosh!* There it goes!
"Thanks for so many HOT messages about our classic IP. I will take them seriously and hope I can do something extreeeeme to thank your love."
I guess he really likes that word. What does he mean by hoping to do something to thank our love though? What could a Konami producer like him do? hmmm? hmmmmmmmm?
Enough talk, time to use my extreeeeme Irish Nintendo Fan powers to broadcast a message:
Dear Tak Fuji and to all concerned at Konami, I would like to purchase a new Goemon game for a Nintendo system please :)
*whoosh!* There it goes!
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Grrr I want Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition to come to Europe!
I just saw the American boxart for it and it's a lovely vintage wood carving and it has all the titles of the compiled games in a pattern on the cover too.
I really want it! Nintendo please bring it out over here in Ireland!
I really want it! Nintendo please bring it out over here in Ireland!
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