Dr. Luigi trailer; Year of Luigi will continue!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_HDOXAMnZo

Nice trailer for Dr. Luigi there explaining the various gameplay modes. I wonder what makes it distinctly Luigi though? I mean, Ms. Pac-Man is very distinct from Pac-Man so... ?

eShop back up!

Nintendo Tweeted the following:

"We do not anticipate any further outages of the Nintendo eShop, but will continue to closely monitor the situation."

There we go. Hopefully now everyone can enjoy the discounts.

Christmas sales 2013

Quite a lot of games on sale where you can find them. One of them is Rayman Legends which can be found for under 20 Euro.

eShop scheduled maintence over the 2013 holidays

When you try to connect to the eShop you get an error message containing all the details of the scheduled maintenance. Today for instance,  eShop was online between 9am and 9pm and will now be offline between 9pm and 9am Irish time.

You can also check Nintendo's local Twitter at:

http://www.twitter.com/nintendouk

Get back online eShop! I wanna buy Mario 3!

Seriously! I haven't been able to get on the eShop for a few days now and they just released Mario 3 on it. urgh!

IT Crowd Christmas Special

This was on Christmas Eve and I was lucky enough to catch it. It was lovely! A very nice reunion and it followed with a little documentary about it and the whole series.

Worth it alone for hearing Roy say "I laughed my hole off".

GoNintendo's Week of Nintendo Love feature

Happy Christmas everyone! GoNintendo's been running this feature where they asked various video game culture personalities about their love of Nintendo.

It's a nice thing, yet it's also a sad thing that something like this was actually deemed necessary. We usually don't take any notice of the nauseating marketing from other companies and I usually just blog away here like nothing else in the gaming world matters.

Among the personalities include Jonathan Holmes, Reggie-Fils Aime, Andrew Eisen, Michael Pachter, Smooth McGroove and others.

I think the other gaming platforms are boring and worthless! These guys aren't here to say that though, it's just about love and appreciation of the Nintendo stuff. Might as well enjoy it.

NSMBU & NSLU Christmasy levels

After the desert world head to the mountains! Very snowy up there and it has a lovely atmosphere. You see snowmen and cloudless starry skies everywhere.

Mario 3 in 60 Hz for Wii U and 3DS. Horray!

Just saw the listings for this week's eShop release list. One of the best games ever will be in glorious full speed for us to enjoy!

I gotta keep an eye on Nintendo because recently they released Link to the Past in 50 Hz on Wii U VC. Ouch :(

3DS Miiverse will help sell SEGA 3D Classics thanks to fall-in 3D screenshot sharing

Just noticed that 3DS Miiverse communities popped up for Shinobi III and Streets Of Rage and I've been spending some time browsing through the 3D screenshots that players have been uploading. They look really good! As long as they're the "Fall-in" 3D ones of course. If you're asking yourself why you should pay for these games, looking at these screenshots will help with your decision!

Also, screenshot takers? Please take as many of the "Fall-in" 3D screenshots as possible. I want to look at more lovely SEGA stuff with that effect!

NES Remix looks fab

I've been watching several videos of this celebratory remix of NES game challenges and it looks as fun as Wario Ware and it features a similar notion to the Namco Museum arrangements. I wanna play it!

Here's a great video of Arino playing the game on a Game Centre CX special, along with some young contenders. Lots of shrieking, lots of high-fiving, lots of fun! It's also fansubbed in English. Go watch it!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x18o26n_game-center-cx-nc21-nes-remix_videogames

Hyrule Warriors

Wow, that announcement was a mindblow wasn't it? I haven't played any Dynasty Warriors games before but I bet loads of copies will be sold somewhere. The game itself is looking very nice.

Angry Video Game Nerd Episode 117: Wish List Part 2

http://cinemassacre.com/2013/12/19/avgn-wish-list-part-2/

Ahahaha! And here we have the second part of the Wish List. The Nerd goes into a number of games and there are some good laughs to be had.

I bet the comments section is going to be full of people repeating "IT'S NOOOOT SHIIIIIIIT!".

By the way, another game by that company that's nooot shiiiiit is Bill & Ted's Excellent Game Boy Adventure — its title is an accurate description of the game itself!

Angry Video Game Nerd Episode 116: Wish List Part 1

http://cinemassacre.com/2013/12/17/avgn-wish-list-part-1/

Unusual episode but that's good because it's like the Nintendo Power memories episode!

I remember all those catalogues growing up too and the wonderful games and toys in them. The games cost so much back then too. He also did some Sonic games to fulfill some fan requests.

Nintendo Direct 18 Dec 2013 is on at 2pm Irish time!

Just learned about this new Nintendo Direct! They might talk about Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze and maybe Iwata will hold fruit again. They're probably gonna talk about the new Wii Sports and Wii Fit stuff too.

Wii U eShop now competes with 3DS eShop

We've had this recent update with the eShop. Now the software on these formats directly compete with each other! This might be to the Wii U's disadvantage because the 3DS has had a lot more digital releases due to being out longer. Might be a tiny bit rough for a short while!

AVGN top 10s

Recently there've been postings of top ten Nerd moments of a specified theme being posted on Cinemassacre. I enjoy them quite a lot and I still get to see new new stuff with the fun "James and Mike" play series. I wonder what the next Nerd episode will be?

Regular Show 3DS game OST on SoundCloud

https://soundcloud.com/d3publisher/sets/regular-show-mordecai-and

Still haven't played this game but the music inspires pangs of comparative nostalgia and keeps me coming back to listen to it. I think it'll eventually lead to me buying the game...

Kirby Triple Deluxe for 3DS is coming along very nicely! New gameplay clip!

http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=218743

Oh wow, just have a look! Interesting powerup that enables Kirby to gobble up a Wispy Woods sized tree and what appears to be a sub-game where you're tapping in rhythm to Kirby jingles like Green Greens and Gourmet Race with a King Dedede shaped cursor. It's time to get a little bit more excited about the game!

Miiverse on 3DS is pretty good!

Miiverse is on 3DS now and it even has an offline mode where you can write a post before coming back to an area where you can connect to the Internet. Nice touch!

Just learned about the existence of Murphy's Micro Quiz-M

RTÉ had this quiz show in the '80s that featured all these microcomputers and graphics presented by Mike Murphy. I'm kind of gobsmacked. I saw a clip where one of the prizes was the excellent ZX Spectrum.

Super Dolphin Mode actually makes me want to play 3D Ecco The Dolphin

http://www.siliconera.com/2013/12/10/3d-ecco-dolphin-rebalanced-difficulty-two-versions-one/

Really fascinating interview with the staff here about times before e-mail where they had to fax each other.

Now, I grew up playing Nintendo quality games, so when I got to try Ecco I couldn't stand it. This interview is making me want to try the new version out. It might actually be playable this time. I don't think the awkward bottle-nosing is going to go away but the new mode should help some bit.

Link to the Past 50 Hz on Wii U again :(

Corrected aspect ratio so no borders and there was optimisation in the original release but still. Fuck sake.

I have no time for DKC dissers

Quite a few morons giving out about the Cranky Kong announcement. Even people who don't care either way are joining in just to be part of the herd. Ugh...

Cranky Kong in Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze!

We've seen boxart already but he was just now featured in a gameplay demonstration at the um... event... that uh... I forget but it's not important.

But we get to play as Cranky Kong! He has a pogo stick jump move too like Scrooge McDuck.

He was always known for talking in the games so I have no idea what his personality is going to be like this time round. I do know that he's less cranky in Jungle Climber and DKC Returns so we'll just wait and see if it follows that pattern or not.

21st of February for North America release, now to listen for the Irish release!

Bravely Default is out in Ireland today

I still have to play more of the demo but I did watch a 2 hour footage video from "nintendomination".

I felt discouraged at the start of the video because I felt like it was trying to make me feel feelings that I didn't feel like feeling and that led to me feeling like it was made for angsty teenagers. There was a stage where tears welled up in my eyes when I came across a man who was grieving for a family member he lost, so it worked on me eventually.

Then they obsess a lot about crystals so hey it's one of those games by Square-Enix that survives the original legacy of Final Fantasy.

I got more appreciative of the music when they went into one of the dungeons. It could be a nice enough game to get into.

So I'll try to play the demo myself again to see if I'd like to buy it.

Captain Toad levels are great

These levels in Mario...uh...3D...uh....World(titles are getting confusing) remind me of those old Tomy ball bearing labyrinth games and they're just lovely. I see plenty of comments on Miiverse asking for a standalone game with these.

Reggie Fils-Aime is having a live Q&A Twitter session but you VOTE for questions

I thought for a moment it was about answering everyone's individual questions and I was even thinking up some of my own, but then I noticed every question is previously prepared with its own hashtag identifier and they're coupled into different categories where Tweeters do not ask their own questions but they have to vote by noisily responding with their preferred hashtags.

Why not just answer all the questions then?!

Urgh... of course... it's because it's a social media event.

Instead of a Q&A session, it's a democratic vote...

More like DUMBocratic. lol

ANYWAY... maybe something nice will come out of this noisy bit of noise.

USK rating strikes again, Bravely Default Collector's Edition is latest victim

Have you seen the collector's edition of Bravely Default? The boxart has the HIDEOUS German USK rating on it. Why does it have to be so big and ugly? The PEGI rating is nice and tidy, so what the hell?

Luckily the normal retail version of the game doesn't have that big disgusting snot green USK monstrosity.

Link Between Worlds doesn't force you to re-read what a gathered ingredient is when you restore from a save!

You just collect it like it's an ordinary item! This was another major thing that was wrong with Skyward Sword and it also affected Twilight Princess. They repeated the same message at you when you switched the game back on after a save.

In fact, the text in Link Between Worlds really doesn't interrupt the flow of the game and that's a really nice thing.

Miiverse loves the stamps from Super Mario 3D Land

Most of the posts on this game are either just a mess of stamps in the shape of Mario characters or saying how great the game is.

That's ok of course, because the game is quite lovely! It even has the option to reverse camera controls which means a lot to me, but then, the viewpoint is usually fixed so it's no biggie in this case.

Charlie Brooker: How Videogames Changed the World on Channel 4 right now

Have a look at this! So far all I see is Charlie Brooker and a bunch of talking heads saying things we might take for granted but it'll surely be more satisfying on the games front than the Late Late Toy Show was last night.

...Holy shit I know Robert Florence lost weight but just look at him! He's a completely different man.

EDIT: Watching with subtitles and they're spelling "computer programme" instead of "computer program". I kind of like this.

EDIT: The show's been uploaded here officially: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWbr5z1Uu_U

Horray for simultaneous distribution!

Late Late Toy Show 2013

I got a brief glimpse of a Mario Pez dispenser. Oh well...

Ryan briefly mentioned the console wars being in full force between the Playstation 4 and the Xbox before featuring two girls with smart tablets. Oh well...

They showed all the new home consoles. However, just like last year they just featured them as some kind of a gadget. The PS4 had some kind of robot camera thing, the Wii U had Disney Infinity (in your face Skylanders I suppose) and then it was the Xbox with soccer and then some soccer celebrity appeared. Oh well...

Now for the highlight of the evening!— the ads came on and there was one for Super Mario 3D World! The game came out today so hey, everybody wins!

3DS special Space Harrier and Super Hang On are on eShop now

Hideki Kamiya's favourite. I had a look at these two in the eShop. There weren't any videos, only screenshots where I could see the two games in 3D. Not quite sure about trying them out. They have the Sega Mega Drive logo and everything. Might research them first.

Link Between Worlds has text that's easy to read!

Skyward Sword and Wind Waker 3D had really horrible text presentation. The reddish orange text on the keywords just wasn't legible most of the time and the rest of the text didn't display properly when shown against certain backgrounds. This was particularly appalling in Skyward Sword.

Link Between Worlds has lovely text presentation of a good readable size AND you can press A to fill the box quickly while it's scrolling.

Nice to see Nintendo back on form with this! :)

Now the Wii U is auto downloading Karaoke

Here I was thinking Wii Sports Club was being cheeky.

Folks, be careful about what your Wii U does on the Internet. It could be inappropriate to your interests.

Exploring Hyrule with rented items

Since it's Winter here in Ireland I have to take frequent breaks from playing Link Between Worlds because my hands get too cold to play—so let's blog!

The rental system is beautiful. I got the hookshot, bombs, hammer and other things that enable me to explore the big wide world of Hyrule with ease(apart from the bad guys). Like other Zelda games it's so much fun to find and navigate caves and mazes for treasure. There's a damn fun chicken avoiding sub-game as well.

I've yet to fully judge the impact this has on the plot — I haven't progressed since I started renting — but my belief is that enabling adventure without having to earn it through exposition should be encouraged as much as possible.

Aonuma's Mii coming through SpotPass lately (playing Link Between Worlds)

Be sure to connect online to get Aonuma's Mii again through SpotPass. The last time he was available was when E3 was on. We got nearly the entire company that week!.

So far, A Link Between Worlds is even better than A Link to the Past!

Bold thing of me to say but I'm enjoying it so much! The animation is so smooth and the switch to a painting mechanic is such a cool new feature that I'm willing to believe that the rest of the game will top Zelda 3!

I must note that although Zelda 3 is the favourite of many, it isn't my favourite Zelda(though I do love it to bits).

Link Between Worlds is out today!

Yay! GameStop is selling it for 50 Euro but shop around if you have the time.

Like 3D World, this game is getting some good review scores! That game comes out here next week.

Luminaries Of The Legendary Line? The Seeds Of Salvation? Which one of them means "Dragon Quest VII in Europe for 3DS"?

http://www.siliconera.com/2013/11/20/dragon-quest-fans-heres-glimmer-hope-localized-games/

Urghhh.... more like Trademark Teases Of The Troublesome! I'd love Dragon Quest VII for the 3DS to come out here. I guarantee I'd buy it since I bought all the other numbered DQ games that came out here.

While we're talking about this I'd also like:

-Rocket Slime 3D for Europe
-Final Fantasy Adventure/Mystic Quest (GB VC)
-Dragon Quest I-III (GBC VC)
-A proper Dragon Quest story for Wii U (XI)

Ok maybe one of them is a bit of a big thing to ask but come oooonnnnn Square-Enix!

Angry Video Game Nerd Episode 115: AVGN Games!

http://cinemassacre.com/2013/11/19/avgn-avgn-games/

The Nerd pays a loving tribute — in his traditional style — to the AVGN fan games made over the years and it's a wonderful episode! It promotes the new game that's available, it is genuinely appreciative of the fan tributes (in case you were worried!) and made me interested in them. It also has a very unexpected and classy cameo! Go watch it!

Now I'm gonna go check out the newly created r/TheCinemassacre.

Super Mario 3D World is getting loads of high review scores

Nines and tens out of ten all over the place! If you see anything lower than that, bury it in your kitty litter box.

Sonic Lost Worlds Demo for 3DS and Wii U out this week

Since I already have the Wii U version of the game I'll give the 3DS one a go :)

Wow, Ross can actually focus

He's on fire in the Skyrim playthrough. I'm pretty sure he's wearing the conductor's hat this time.

Actually I know Ross can focus — it's just that he's normally a cheeky SCAMP.

Wii Sports Club downloads itself onto your Wii U

How rude! What if I have zero interest in the game huh?

Oh well, I guess I can see what it's like and then get rid of it later.

Game Grumps know their constellations!

Nice cosy moment in the Game Grumps Wind Waker series where Arin and Dan identified Orion and Ursa Major in the game's night sky—before going on to talk about... something else. They are among the truly cultured :P

It's a good skill to have when you're going on dates. You can go right up close to your date—like, cheek to cheek—and point out a couple of constellations in the night sky.

The other skill is good to have too when you have a gf.

Game Grumps and co. (Steam Train) playing Fortune/Boom Street

I was really happy when I saw that they were playing this! I also felt really bad for Ross when he got the bum deal in everything. It's true about him being a scamp though! Just messing around and everything and not pressing 2...

Suzy is kicking all their asses...

Playable Rosalina confirmed for Mario 3D World!

She has a little swishy move like the spin Mario has in the Galaxy games.

It was a pretty nice Nintendo Direct today! We were given a good bunch of info about Mario 3D World.

Again some people may call them spoilers but I see them as selling points. There are always spoiler warnings like we were given—plus, it's better than some ignorant turd calling it a rehash.

There's a steal the crown thingy in Mario 3D World

How would this work for Peach who's already wearing a crown?

I wonder if it'll be like "Amazing Frog?" on Game Grumps where they chased each other for the crown.

Cool adventure-y ad for Link Between Worlds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoq1H9yLMI

Ahhhh I really like this ad. Exciting and adventure-y and someone even said in a comment section somewhere that it was practically "Raiders Of The Lost Link".

Amazing Frog? seems fun

Watching the Game Grumps play Amazing Frog? today. It's like one big silly toy which gets loads of laughs. I know for a fact that there are many people who couldn't be bothered with conventional video game rules or in-game economics etc. so something like this would be right up their alley.

In a way it has the same spirit and sensibilities as a good Flash game—or Flash toy as I've seen many of those where you just enjoy the interactive-y animated-y simulations.

Game Grumps completed Mario 3 in 29 episodes

Ahh I'm gonna miss the guys playing Mario 3... Generally I find that most waking moments when not playing Mario 3 are spent in longing for Mario 3...

Another great playthrough and I was kind of going nuts when they were in the last Boom Boom castle and they couldn't find the door.

Anyway I could always depend on this playthrough whenever they were doing something crap on Steam Train. (egad, Binding Of Isaac and There's No Time To Explain are ugly ugly fad games)

Luigi version of the arcade Mario Bros. found in Super Mario 3D World!

This is pretty damn cool! It's like when we got the original Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong 64! Nintendo are doing a good bit to ensure this game will be worth every penny!

By the way, I saw this story on GoNintendo and the comment section was full of spoiler complaints. This is not a spoiler! Maybe it'll spoil the mood of Nintendo's competitors this Christmas but not for normal people! This is actually a really nice bonus selling point!

Mario 3D World has playable Captain Toad puzzles

I always thought he was a cool character from the Galaxy games, supporting Mario and Luigi with those little stations and camps. Love that type of character; Skyward Sword had the Goron explorer guy as well.

Anyway there are these little puzzle oriented cubic platform stages where you collect stars in Mario 3D World and they seem like a nice little bonus.

Yes! Super Mario 3D World doesn't have DLC! Let's celebrate!

This needs to be celebrated as much as possible! DLC destroys the value of games and it's an epidemic today.

Thank goodness we have a major release here that doesn't resort to this value killing.

Also, let us celebrate not out of diminished expectations but out of the triumph of quality.

The Regular Show game on 3DS looks pretty interesting!

I've been watching clips of this game over the past few days. Really liking the music and the gameplay looks unspectacular but moreish and no-nonsensical. Might be worth a play.

Gamestop doesn't suck today; NSMBU selling for 30 Euro

Wow that's like nearly half of its original price. It's part of some Halloween promotion thing they've got going as in 2 for 50 or something like that, but man! That's just too good to pass up!

Every DS game should have a sound test with the L and R buttons acting as "Prev" and "Next" in sleep mode

The title says it all really :)

Konami Acrade Classics had this and it was brilliant. Made me unplug from the iPod and into the DS on many commutes!

Game Grumps not doing Wind Waker HD properly, but what a hoot!

What is properly anyway? They're just exploring every inch of the island, finding cool stuff, hanging out and making us laugh lots!

The snotty nose kid and the pigs become highly developed comedy characters through their individual gameplay. It's quite beautiful!

Game Grumps doing Wind Waker HD

Always a moment of joy when they do a game you love!

The red text in the game looks absolutely dreadful and I wonder if they or any of the community will talk about it.

Halloween in New Leaf

Wow, there are loads of Halloween themed stuff to collect; there are masks and items in the Spooky Series as well as the Creepy Series. It also involves lollipops as well as candy.

That's a lot of stuff to collect and the neighbours in disguise aren't complete replicas of Jack anymore—they each have a uniquely deformed Jack look instead. I think that was a nice touch!

Jack chases you as well this time so watch out!

Ace Attorney 5's spelling errors

I'm seeing some tweets about some absolutely horrendous spelling in the new Ace Attorney game. What is up with Capcom?

Still, the worst thing they ever did with text wasn't even the spelling in this game; it was in Ace Attorney 3 where they made a reference to 300, which I absolutely hated.

Just stick to the arguments about stepladders! You don't need to reference shite movies.

Satoru Iwata HOT TENNIS ACTION

In this video, Satoru Iwata plays the latest version of tennis for Wii Sports Club. Why pay when you could just click here to see him in action for FREE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdgTuaAuca4

(That's my go at a UKResistance style blog post :P)

JonTron does Goosebumps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiHvu4RfNNw

Not games but damn it I love the guy. It's a multi-parter as well so he'll be uploading even more throughout Halloween. Yay!

Leif's weed pulling mini-event

This becomes unlocked when you leave weeds grow for ages and yes I haven't been playing this game as much lately!

A weed total appears for you to work with, which is quite handy. You also have a couple of hours to do the event. I'm not sure if there's a prize or anything since I haven't done it properly yet.

I want the next Zelda (Wii U) to have a realistic style, NOT the "Toon" style

I like both styles.

However, since Twilight Princess we've had TWO sequels to Wind Waker and the hard-to-read primordial ooze that was Skyward Sword. Now with the HD Wind Waker, I think it's safe to say that the toon style has had its turn for now. I'm not surprised by it any more.

People liked that Wii U demonstration with the big spider, so how about giving a cool style like that a go?

Now, it doesn't need to be "dark" and Link doesn't need to be an adult. I would like if there were big tits in it but that's just me(Telma fan).

Obviously there's more important things like being able to read the text, not repeating the message about getting bog standard items every time we boot the game up and being able to quick scroll through text like we used to.

Never forget the option to change camera controls too, especially now that the "standard" is backwards to the legacy N64/GC style.

Game Grumps doing a Halloween theme!

Horray!

Last year when they didn't go to Mad Monster Mansion in Banjo-Kazooie I was disappointed but now they have Halloweeny intros and games going on. Go check it out!

So, Wario's Woods NES came out on 3DS VC today

Nearly forgot to post because it's so addictive.

By the way, it's the U.S. version so it has different music.

How Nintendo Fans Deal With Their Backlog

With COMICS!

http://superlark.tumblr.com/post/64847436695/like-a-lot-of-people-ive-sort-of-left-my-mayoral

Here we have a comic about someone putting Animal Crossing New Leaf aside for Pokémon X/Y. Just like many AC stories from players it's very touching and sweet. Have a read! (I especially like the Missile cameo)

I must also mention that this isn't even the first comic drawn about this very specific topic! It's been done at least twice already before this!

Many gamers use backloggery.com with its various filing and statistical tools for their backlogs, whereas these guys make something beautiful and amazing out of it.

This is another reason why Nintendo fans are the greatest! :)

Gushy post of love for Ross c/o Steam Train c/o Game Grumps

Triggered by his "What a hoot." line from the Polaris Monster Hunter 3 teaser.

I dunno if I've talked about Ross before as I have with Danny or anyone else on the show but... damn it Ross I think you're swell!

You might think "aw, Ross" whenever the other guys say "Goddammit Ross!" but he can be a bit of a SCAMP; a bit of a PUP if you like.

Just like all the others he's supremely talented; just glancing at his animation channel briefly tells you that straight away.

Angry Video Game Nerd Episode 114: Alien 3

http://cinemassacre.com/2013/10/21/alien-3-angry-video-game-nerd/

We're in the thick of Monster Madness and James comes out with this video! Seriously though, watch his Monster Madness—the Gamera movies he covered earlier in the month were especially interesting to me. Also featured this year were some Universal and Hammer Mummy and Frankenstein movies as well as the Alien movies. He follows the Aliens movie review nicely with this Alien 3 game review.

Angry Video Game Nerd Episode 113: Tiger Handheld Games

I guess I forgot to blog about this one. The Nerd talks about the massive flood of LCD games that came out in the '90s. This kind of coverage I love because I lived during that time and I was amazed that there were so many. I had some of them myself!

Game Grumps "Best Level Ever" in Mario 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLwP2v5-M_0

Heh heh I haven't watched this yet but I'm gonna try and predict as to what level they're referring!

At first I was like "Best Level Ever? In World 6?" when I read the title; but then I thought "Aha! I wonder if they're talking about the level where you have to fly while holding a Koopa shell!". After all, they were approaching it in the last episode.

So now, let's see if that's it and what antics are gonna take place!

Edit: Yep! That's the episode! They weren't driven insane like on a VVVVVV level or something and they were very very patient as they were getting used to the level's fussiness

Yes I bought a Wii U!

Just confirming it officially!

So hey, Michael Pachter? Don't point your finger at me when you're lashing out at whiners!

Game Grumps in World 5 of Mario 3...

They've completed this already and have moved on but I was kind of hoping Dan would go "whoooaaaa!!!" when they got to the sky portion of World 5's map. *sigh* Ah well, they still had lots of fun, we had lots of fun and we're all still together in enjoying this fantastic adventure!

Sonic Lost World has quick loading times :D

I've been watching some videos of this game and I like the way there doesn't seem to be any loading times! Yes! Nice work already SEGA!

Still need all the info on the DLC situation though.

Mario 3D World and Link Between Worlds has some awesome pr stuff lately

Between all those wowee wow wow images of Mario 3D world and This lakeside artwork of the new Zelda

https://twitter.com/ChandraONM/status/390141154320056321/photo/1/large

I gotta say I'm really enjoying this excitement running  up to the release of these games.

The important thing about Wii VC to Wii U VC discounts

Before and after you transfer from Wii to Wii U you can still buy Wii VC games and then they'll be offered at a discount on Wii U VC.

HOWEVER

If you buy on Wii U VC before Wii VC, there won't be any discount on Wii VC and you'll have to buy it at full price.

Here's one of the important things of note to Europeans:

Nintendo are offering 60 Hz versions of games on the Wii U VC but you don't have a choice to switch to 50 Hz. Therefore it would work better if you buy the 50 Hz game on Wii VC first and then later buy the discounted version on Wii U VC—that is, if you want a choice. Also, so far this only applies to NES and SNES games.

Then again, you really should be able to get every version of a VC game when you buy it whether it's 50 Hz, 60 Hz or even in a different language.

Game Grumps in World 4 of Mario 3

It continues to be a pleasure :) They even do all the levels, including the optional ones because they're having so much fun. That's the magic of Mario 3! Love the part too where Arin makes puns with synonyms of "giant".

Cadbury's Winter Wonderland bar looks like a nice Triforce pattern!

I love it when I get a chocolate bar and it's white and milk chocolate together. Imagine my delight when I come across this bar in a shop:

http://kevssnackreviews.blogspot.ie/2013/09/cadbury-dairy-milk-winter-wonderland-tree-shaped-bar-limited-edition.html

Look at the milk and white chocolate Christmas tree patterns! Looks like the Triforce! Also, very tasty and it never gets tedious to nibble away at it, even though it's that big. Buy it on sight!

A Link Between Worlds Link looks like...

I've been watching new screenshots and footage of the new game in the Zelda series and... wow Link looks really bushy and furry. Massive prominent eyebrows and little stubby arms and legs. All the characters are like little gophers or something or... remember those Troll dolls from the '90s?

It's cool though. It'll be fun playing in this world full of hairy little gnomes.

Game Grumps having an Ask Me Anything on Reddit

This is nice, they have video responses and everything!

It's super nice. I mean, we're reminiscing over when that Mayor Luigi bit happened among other things.

I said it before and I'll say it again: Anyone who's ever been involved with Game Grumps is supremely talented and that proves how strong the brand is!

I blog about them all the time and I can't shut up about them!

Stanley Parable on Steam Train... how pythonesque

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOnxXJyOJ0s

The second thing I like about this episode is the way the narrator calls Ross and Danny and Steam Train by name and even knows their favourite catch phrase!

The first thing I like about this episode is the way it begins with a "toot toot!" instead of a headshot. Danny's been missing from Steam Train for too long!

Nintendo UK has an online store now

http://store.nintendo.co.uk/home.dept

Cripes! This is just the kind of thing I want actually. Do they deliver to the Republic of Ireland I wonder?

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze Dixie Trailer; new music too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VPovBZkLko

Nintendo put up this glorious new trailer! Have a look!

It shows how Dixie's abilities are going to be incorporated and hey, check out the music! Seeing new gameplay footage like this makes me smile and hopeful for the best in this upcoming DKC.

Not so Grump Danny discovers Mario Bros within Mario 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYp0qpfIwPw

Oh and his exclamation when he finds out! Watching someone experience the joys and wonders of Mario 3 warms the heart :)

This playthrough is nothing but smiles and wows for everyone involved. It's a real feel-good playthrough!

October in Animal Crossing New Leaf

I've been falling behind on this game... Meanwhile, Jack appeared with his mission about collecting sweets and scary apparel in preparation for Halloween. I like Halloween in AC so I'll have to stock up on sweeties in order to win as much of the spooky furniture set as I can on the evening.

Game Grumps are doing Super Mario Bros 3! Yes!!

Oh man, I love watching people play Super Mario Bros 3 in 2-player mode; especially if they know what they're doing.

Seeing the Game Grumps do it makes me happy! Danny isn't as familiar with the game as Arin is though.

VVVVVV and Mario Sunshine done... What should Game Grumps do next?

Commenters are suggesting Luigi's Mansion for the GameCube since it's Halloween season and everything. I think that could be a nice idea!

Last October I was disappointed because they were playing Banjo-Kazooie and they stopped just before they got to Mad Monster Mansion.

A Link Between Worlds features a tool hire!

Imagine not having to play halfway through a Zelda game just to get the hookshot! That's the kind of prospect this new feature has and I have to say I kind of like the idea!

Seriously though, I know people who get impatient because they can't get the shovel and the fishing rod straight away in Animal Crossing. This could actually be someone's first experience of using a hookshot in a Zelda game! I'm serious! *scratches armpit*

Latest Super Mario 3D World trailer looks fantastic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUKWKDDDFdc

It was a satisfying Nintendo Direct yesterday and this was the best part!

Go have a look; there's loads of fantastic new gameplay stuff showcased!

Henk Rogers should contribute to a Hiroshi Yamauchi biography

http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2013/10/hiroshi-yamauchi-henk-rogers/

Some valuable anecdotes about Yamauchi from a guy who knew him like few in the games industry ever did. Have a read; it's well worth it.

Nintendo Direct on tomorrow at 3pm Irish time

This one isn't going to sneak up on me like the last one did! Make sure you watch it tomorrow at this time as well.

No doubt they'll have release dates and talk about the 2DS but maybe they'll talk about Wii U bundles and some new stuff too.

Game Grumps (I mean Steam Train) are playing VVVVVV

When I watch Arin and Ross stop at an obstacle in this game and ask "Wait... how am I gonna do this?", it carries a nostalgic feeling. The game is nostalgia inducing in itself to '80s computer platformers but it's also a throwback to the time we'd crowd around the computer and ask each other ideas about how to "get past this fecking level".

Yes Michael Pachter, I'm buying a Wii U

I've a deposit on one of the upcoming bundles.

...and no I haven't been whiny.

Shantae 1/2 genie hero transformation art

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1236620800/shantae-half-genie-hero/posts/611961

Some nice art here. There's also some voting going on for upcoming transformation stuff. The spider girl is cute even though I thought that was a different character. Shantae just looked like a normal spider in the first game.

Recent top 10 Metroidvanias by GameTrailers

http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/ni7h98/gt-countdown-top-10-metroidvania-games

Just watched this and I was surprised to see Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet there. From watching Game Grumps (Steam Train sorry) I was under the impression that it was some kind of co-op escort mission maze spaceship shooter. I never would have thought of it as a Metroidvania. Yet I see it being sold and marketed as so.

I'm not sure about Muramasa either. Whatever you'd call that game I just find it too boring to be in the top 10 anything.

From now on I think I should be very careful when someone uses the word Metroidvania to sell something to me.

Shantae Half Genie Hero is funded, nice!

WayForward's Kickstarter was a success! Not that there was any doubt or anything. I mean, Shantae has a wonderful fanbase and we all want to see more games with her.

Ugh... Wind Waker HD has backwards camera control... but you can change it

Ughh I hate the backwards left/right camera so much. Super Mario 64 set the standard! Why the fuck isn't this legacy standard the default anymore?

However, there's a camera option menu where you can set it back to the proper one. Of course this is labelled "Reverse".

Remember developers, if you're going to do a backwards ass camera, make sure you have the option to change! Otherwise I am not going to buy your game!

ALERT! Sonic Lost World bonus content is DLC only?

I just noticed something that sneaked past me in SEGA's marketing; it's the notion that the special edition of Sonic Lost World for Wii U may not have the bonus content on disc and available; it may be an exclusive download code.

I think I'll hold off on buying the game until I have the full story on this.

Wondering about the traits of the dark Triforce in Link Between Worlds

The Triforce we know of comprises Power, Wisdom and Courage.

What about this dark Triforce that was mentioned in the Nintendo Direct?

Would it have antonymous traits? If so, courage would be fear, wisdom would be... ignorance maybe and power... dark power?

I dunno... it needs a bit more thought!

Yes, WayForward should get a gig developing a My Little Pony game

It isn't just a fantastic idea, it's the kind of gig they're pros at. They've had many years experience working on loads of licensed properties and they're one of the few developers who are able to make a quality video game out of an intellectual property. A job like this would suit them perfectly, like the best fitting pair of shoes you've ever worn.

Hip Tanaka and webcomic tributes to Yamauchi

Here are a couple of nice tributes to Yamauchi:

Here's GoNintendo linking Hip Tanaka's tribute:

http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=212699

two remixes of tracks he worked on in the past, them being the ending themes for Super Mario Land and Metroid.

Then there's this powerfully amazing comic strip:

http://www.castle-vidcons.com/2013/09/19/comic-119-we-shall-endure/

Egad.... I don't know how Matthew Taranto's gonna compete with that one!

Memories of Hiroshi Yamauchi

He died today.

With his passing, we're feeling sad and mournful but we're also reminiscing.

Back in the '90s, I only knew his name from the "Executive Producer" credit of Nintendo games I completed; then, when I started reading game magazines, journalists would often joke about how if you looked at his face too long you would turn to stone; then, there was his eventual retirement and hearing little else about the man except for appearing in lists of "richest people ever" (or whatever).

He's well documented in Nintendo's history so have a look if you want to learn more about his role as head of the company throughout the decades.

Wii Sports Club will have online play

This whole business of licensing for home use is getting very complicated indeed; we have so many details and technicalities surrounding the trial of Wii Fit U and the different payment options for Wii Sports Club that they needed their own Nintendo Direct to explain them. It's a far cry from the first Wii Sports which all came in the box when you bought a Wii.

In any case, if you like online play, rejoice for this new feature in the next Wii Sports installment! There are many other features detailed too so check out the Nintendo Direct for these games which was broadcast today.

Two towns named Sealand in Animal Crossing New Leaf

This evening I went to the dream place to see if anyone uploaded a town they created called Sealand and there were two of them!

Neither town seemed to have much to do with the real-life Sealand but the mayor of one of them said "I will put Sealand on the map!".

Just took a notion to have a look because I think the real-life Principality of Sealand is pretty cool!

A Wii U bundle containing both Mario U and Luigi U? I need to visit Smyths!

http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=212394

Cripes. I just saw this link here... it'll be worth investigating!

Radical Rex looks like an '80s-'90s Hanna-Barbera character

Just watching Game Grumps play [the real cool] Radical Rex. He really does look like something from the Flintstones Kids or something! I was expecting Tom & Jerry Kids in caveman garb to pop out at any second! He even has a skateboard! All he's missing is a pair of sunglasses.

As a kid, I didn't have a game console when the game came out but I wonder if I would've fallen for it based purely on how the character looked?

naaaah....

Shantae and Monster World similarities are coincidental (but co-exist peacefully of course!)

From that interview I linked to yesterday I found that what I previously thought was clearly an influence on Shantae was purely coincidental!

Matt mentions Monster World 4, which also stars a cool girl character. I thought it was Monster World 2 (Dragon's Trap/Dragon's Curse etc) that influenced Shantae! My reasoning of course is the animal transformations, which is a theme that's common to both.

It turns out though that no game in the Monster World series were so much an influence on Shantae as the likes of Castlevania were! Purely coincidental that they had similar themes and spookily so!

Again, go watch the interview! It's really interesting!

Really interesting interview with Matt Bozon by Jonathan Holmes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDQUa_96N7E

I think Jonathan Holmes is sound out! I don't browse his work regularly but when something of his catches my interest, I tend to enjoy it very much.

Matt Bozon then, the guy at WayForward who created Shantae, is someone who's really fascinating. This interview is a good lengthy one that talks about not only the creation of Shantae but the way the company has been really sensible and prolific throughout the years. Definitely worth a watch.

Wii continues to live with more budget re-releases!

Why the heck not! There are some more Nintendo Selects releases on the way. We have:

Super Smash Bros Brawl
PokéPark Wii Pikachu's Adventure
Mario Kart Wii
Donkey Kong Country Returns

We also have a Mario Kart Wii Mini bundle on the way.

I just gotta say I love when this kind of thing happens!

Finally caught up with Game Grumps

Whew... that was a whole lotta watching. I even had to click on the "load more" button there were so many.

A lotta watchin' but a lotta laughin'! They're still goin' strong :)

Game Grump omnibus nearly over.... 6 or so more episodes to go... whew

This super long marathon is going on forever... I lost count of how many videos of these guys I've been watching in my catching up but it's still good fun all the same.

Egad, games like Chuck Rock were terrible.

Catching up with Game Grumps: Suzy and Barry

Finally catching up! It's kind of cool having these two join the fun now and again. It's quite strange though when I see Mario Party 4 under Steam Rolled, since it's not on Steam.

Ever wish Shantae was on a console using console power?

It seems Shantae Half-Genie Hero was made for you if your answer is "Yes!" to this question!

Gotta say, the Kickstarter trailer looks very pretty. The only disappointing thing was that the page mentions Metroid and Zelda influences but nothing about Wonder Boy 3: The Dragon's Trap (or Dragon's Curse).

That may not matter when talking about new audiences... New audiences might like being sold on the song from the trailer, or the genuinely cool protagonist or just how darn gorgeous the game looks.

ScrewAttack.com's brilliant job of covering DuckTales Remastered

This kind of thing is perfect for ScrewAttack to do! They have a couple of great videos about this game; one of them is "5 ducking great things..." and of course the review, which is what fans of the original definitely should watch and is probably one of the few that doesn't complain about the price.

Shantae: Pirates Curse looks like chapter 2

Remember waiting for Risky's Revenge? It was supposed to be chapter based and this looks very much like it and possibly chapter 2 of it.

If that is the case in some respect like design or plot or something then I'm very happy to see it alive!

Another Shantae sequel; a fourth game in the series

The series is getting prolific! Strangely enough it'll be on other formats as well as Nintendo ones. This one will be done in the DuckTales Remastered engine. It is looking lovely!

Pokémon Direct: Bill's PC becomes Bill's Cloud with Pokémon Bank

Just watched today's special Pokémon Direct. Interesting to see there is a cloud solution for storing extra Pokémon!

Senran Kagura Burst: "A little bustier than usual"

I hear this is getting a physical release in Europe. I'm looking forward to it.

A lady at the American publisher for this game said this quote of the characters. She also said it was a complete story.

The prospect of being absorbed in a cosy universe(like in a visual novel) where it's "a little bustier than usual" is something that really appeals to me! I'm often disappointed by in-game worlds that don't deliver on this front, so this is something that's genuinely interesting.

Racist Bassist is a genius creation

Game Grumps came up with this character along with the bummed out drummer. The former would say something racist and then just start playing bass.

I love it! It's risqué, the racist part isn't the point and the only people who would be offended by this would be incredibly stupid people *be-doom-boom-boom-boom*

September! Time to go fishing for salmon in New Leaf!

According to the wiki I'm using, salmon and king salmon only appear in September. Interesting kind of rarity and they don't sell for that much. In any case, get fishing!

Wind Waker edition Wii U and price cut

The price cut will come in handy but Wind Waker won't be on disc—it'll be a downloadable version.

I really don't want downloadable versions of anything that's on a physical disc.

I like the look of the red and white 2DS; some stuff it reminds me of

Here are a couple of things the red and white 2DS reminds me of:

-Cork football team colours
-Polish flag

Stuff I want for a possible 2DS XL

Might as well start thinking about it!

-Bigger buttons
-Faster loading
-Big quality d-pad like on console controllers
-Comfortable enough to hold and use every input instead of "pinching" the corner to use d-pad.


I'm thinking of another point to do with the camera; maybe a lens cap or something.

Nintendo 2DS revealed! It's going to be great!

Oh man, this was quite a surprise! I really want to hold and play one of these things!

I've taken every opportunity to say how much I don't like the 3D effect in Nintendo's customer surveys and now they have this thing that doesn't have it. They can go on about younger audiences and Pokémon fans all they like; this new hardware is also intended for the likes of ME!

I'm making a "Nintendo 2DS" label for this post and ones to follow; I may even phase out the "nintendo 3ds" label completely! Happy days!

Suzy finally joining the Game Grumps... need to catch up again!

I see the latest thumbnails for the videos and I sigh because I'm still aaaaaaaall the way back to the first Trine 2 episode. My Internet has been so bad lately I can hardly watch a thing. I wanna see the fun!

I'd love to play the Wonderful 101 demo...

I can't though as I don't have a Wii U yet. The game came out here last Friday. For now I might as well shop around and see how much it costs. *sigh* ._.

Got all of Redd's Cookie items

It's the last fireworks night of the Summer in New Leaf and I just managed to get all the items you can possibly win from Redd's stall. You can get weird Nintendo toy memorabilia like the Ultra Hand this way.

It was a bit painful to go through the same dialogue just to get a new fortune raffle cookie over and over, but there was a bright side to this process: The Re-Tail was offering extra money for furniture, so in the process of doing all this I actually made a profit!

Only 5 items can be ordered from StreetPassers catalogues per day

Discovered this as I was panic ordering. You see, I'm getting a LOT of StreetPassers in Animal Crossing New Leaf and new houses will soon replace the older ones so I'm trying to get as many of the items I like as I can and now I discover you can only order 5 a day! Yikes! Make sure you look out for this as you play.

Animal Crossing described as the Seinfeld of video games - genius!

I forget what site it was but it was genius! A game about nothing! It's a really good way to describe this game and the rest of the review is one of my favourites in recent memory: They said that the game was "too perfect" whereas games are normally about fixing a scenario that isn't perfect.

Nintendo PR fun - Luigi records voice message

http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=210485

GoNintendo posted this press release from Nintendo which has a link to a recording of Charles Martinet in Luigi mode talking about the retail release of New Super Luigi U.

It's still a bit weird to hear these characters speak more than a phrase but this a nice fun little extra. Have a listen!

Puffy is going to be in Sonic Lost World!

I had no idea who she was until I saw her in the new trailer. Those large smiling lips, breasts, shoulders and eyes... she looks so beautiful!

She comes from the NiGHTS series and I never even noticed her until now.

New Leaf: Other players with different languages

I often StreetPass people from other countries, especially these days when there are a lot of tourists around. I like the way that notifications of them come up in their native language. I also like the way that other static messages you get from New Leaf StreetPassers are in English whereas their personal greeting/quip/etc  might be in their language.

This goes the same for the Dream Suite. I visited a couple of Japanese players' towns and it's cool to see what's in English and what's in Japanese.

I'm getting many more StreetPass hits lately... relay in action?

From the last Nintendo Direct or so they announced special access points where StreetPass signals can rest until someone else comes along. I'm just wondering if this is what's happening on my daily commute as I am getting a lot more hits...

Steamworld Dig - Everyone seems to be going nuts over it

Reviewers are loving this 3DS eShop game, saying it's like Metroid and Minecraft. Seriously I don't think I've ever seen them get this excited about a downloadable game. Might try it out myself at some stage.

You can buy songs in New Leaf

I like this new feature. You have to upgrade the shop to T.I.Y. to do it.

Before, I'd be limited to getting one new song a week. I haven't managed to do that with any version of Animal Crossing except for the Wii one; mainly because it takes well over a year.

Not any more though! Not if we can buy them now handily. The album cover art for each song is a very nice touch too!

Gravity changing Luigi is awesome!

Came across another Luiginary power thingy in Dream Team Bros! This time it's a gravity altering mechanic where you can rotate the gravity in the room so you can walk on the walls and ceilings. Love it!

Interesting items in Dream Team Bros like Hiking Boots

Just came across this cool, weird item in the game where its strength depends on the amount of steps in your 3DS pedometer. If you have a lot then you can do a LOT of damage! Careful though, after midnight the step counter resets to zero so watch out for that.

There are some other cool items too that give you bonus increases if it's your birthday.

Animal Crossing New Leaf becomes my most played game!

I checked the activity log on the 3DS menu and New Leaf is way up at the top.

I kind of knew anyway because my villagers often tell me to take breaks and that I look exhausted!

When you find something you like doing in the game, a single session can last well over an hour. It's just something that happens!

WayForward's Smurfs 2 game seems to be generally described as lacklustre

This is something I was kind of expecting. Thing is, WayForward makes good stuff, so how come stuff like this and Hotel Transylvania end up not being critically acclaimed?

Do they have some kind of set rules for making licensed games?

Clock Luigi is SUPER COOL

Just came across this new mechanic in Dream Team Bros. where Luigi can make time go in slow motion or at high speed. I really like this as I only have to tap the buttons on Luigi's face for slow-mo, normal and high speed. This is great for jumping over big spikes (slow-mo) and running the opposite way on a conveyor belt (high speed).

Really fun effect and it's just tapping, no scrawling! Love it!

Gear grinding Luigi isn't so cool

This is because I don't like scrawling the touch screen and this makes me draw circles for ages on it. It makes me nervous and I feel like I'm scrawling the crap out of the touch screen.

Giant Luigi is coooool

In Dream Team Bros. I just completed the first sequence where Luigi turns GIANT! It was really cool and the 3DS XL gave me so much scope of the landscape and everything... It was like a kaiju battle or something! Pacific Rim, eat your heart out!

The well-dressed Kamiya presents Wonderful 101 on Nintendo Direct

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YfsjehNoJQ

The man is lookin' dapper; bet he'll attract lots of cute babes.

The game is explained in great depth and it would make anyone somewhat curious about it. Have a look.

I like the way he advertises his Twitter account as well.

Dream Team (Bros) in America

This latest installment of the Mario & Luigi RPG series is finally arriving in America. I wonder how they'll react to it?

Actually I'm pretty sure that the gamers themselves will love the game. The weirdo journalists though, I'm not so sure about them. You see, this game comes from a long running and high-quality series. Since the last installment, app culture gained a lot more acceptance among game journalists and they simply may not be used to playing such a good game anymore.

They're delicate, you see, and they might find it upsetting.

Satoru Shibata: Ace Attorney!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctvuh2laNcM

In today's Nintendo Direct, Satoru Shibata is dressed up as Phoenix Wright for an enjoyably amusing moment! The Nintendo Direct presentation itself is just new bits and pieces of info on stuff that we know is coming out. Animal Crossing on Miiverse sounds kind of cool and again, that whole dress-up thing was a nice way to deliver news on the Wright vs Layton game. It's worth watching for that alone! Go watch if you haven't already!

Nintendo Direct August 2013 tomorrow!

Yeah yeah! This is gonna be cool. I'd like some kind of Wii U bundle with Mario or Luigi (on disc of course).

It'll be 3DS news and Wii U news.

Paid off mortgage quickly thanks to beetles

Today in my Animal Crossing town, Reese was paying double for Horned Elephants so I went to the island this evening and hunted out a bunch. I got loads of money for them all and paid off the debt on my house! It might even be better than investing in turnips.

Might be something to think about and tot up the amount of work involved in both activities to see which is better...

Dreamy Luigi vs Bowser from the last game

Yeah, this is kind of a comparable thing: in this game you go into Luigi's dreams, in the last game you go into Bowser. Dreamy Luigi can do all these fantastical things which is cool but I've really yet to see how he could top Bowser as a character from the last game.

Dream Team Bros lives up to the series!

This game is pretty great! I mean, it just oozes with that quality that I love about the others in the series. If you don't have it yet, consider buying!

Sad Hoshi got animated! and in 3D!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWcCLdmkN08

Stop reading this and go watch this right away! It only does a bit of Sad Hoshi but it's good, especially the part where he hopelessly looks out the window at Godzilla.

I've been watching the Sad Hoshi and Mickey Mousecapade episodes over and over during the past few days. It'll be another while before I get tired of them!

Arin thanks Game Grumps fans for accepting the recent changes(Jon leaving etc)

Yeah he wrote a nice message of thanks to us, the fans for continuing to enjoy the show and accepting the changes. You can see it on Reddit.

Here's my opinion!

...Well you know from reading my posts here that I really warmed to Danny and I still love Jon.

Danny and Jon are quality performers on this show and that just goes to show how strong the Game Grumps brand is; there's nobody involved who isn't amazing.

Agetec does some cool stuff on eShop

Every now and again a game will come out by these guys; games that would have the feel of something that's done really cheaply but something that's perfectly suitable. I love things that are done conservatively and do the job without any messing around. (an example of this would be Bill & Ted's Excellent GB Adventure)

One of their latest is Rabi Laby 2. One of my favourites is Magical Whip, a game that's a bit like a cross between Bubble Bobble and Tumblepop and you know straight away by looking at it that it's sensibly done, they didn't do anything too fancy, it's likeable enough and cheap to buy. They've even done Bloody Vampire; a game that's been described as a Metroidvania.

So next time you're on the eShop, do a search for Agetec and check out their stuff.

3 games I want for Wii U now...

Now that Super Luigi and Pikmin 3 are out, I want them as well as Super Mario U. I'd love a bundle deal though (with game on disc). I'm not that pushed at all about Nintendoland.

Pikmin 3 is less than 50 Euro

This is kinda crazy but I like it! Keep charging less please!

Super Luigi seems to be selling at the price at which brand new Wii games used to sell

Ah memories! I don't know if I like the idea of paying 60 Euro for Wii U games. Wii was great and often sold games at nearly 20 Euro cheaper than that. It's kind of like the GameCube days where new games cost 60 Euro as well. The increase in price is because of this "HD" bullshit. I hate it.

Looking at some Smurfs 2 gameplay videos

Like I imagined, it's looking like a run of the mill platformer that's not very remarkable but could still be kinda fun. Collecting things, hopping and bopping on enemies; ok stuff. I still like the fact that it's appearing on Wii after everyone declared prematurely that the console was dead.

Let's be honest: The 3DS' speakers are shit — USE HEADPHONES

I'm playing Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros. and I can't enjoy Shimomura's lovely soundtrack properly because the 3DS' speakers sound tinny. Luckily it's perfect with headphones.

This is a bit of a problem with the handheld though. I suspect some 3DS games are deliberately quieter so that they don't go all tinny.

If you want to experience the worst of tinniness, try that Mirror of Fate game. It adds to the awfulness.

I still don't know if Street Gangs on 3DS VC is at the proper speed

Sorry, I know it's out today.  The trailer for the game seems to play music at a good speed but I don't know if I can take that as an indication. I don't know the game very well and there could be something somewhere I'm missing.

Sad Hoshi no Densetsu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7mFEAyzH0M

Game Grumps invented this amazing tragicomic character in the run of this episode, Sad Hoshi. So lovable, so funny and then... so darkly funny and all round laugh out loud fun. It all started with Ross being sad!

Can't catch tarantula and scorpion in New Leaf... urgh

Hunted for about 2 hours this evening I came across 2 scorpions but they ran off a cliff and I got bitten by the tarantula. I spent the rest of the time trying to find another of either. How do I make them appear more often?

Uh-oh... River City Ransom is coming to 3DS VC under its European name Street Gangs....

I just heard about this coming out this week and I'm a bit nervous. Will Street Gangs play at the proper 60 Hz speed?

Chillaxing with Animal Crossing...

Fishing in Animal Crossing while having a livestream playing of the Wiiviewr July event on is really cool :)

It also works great for the latest episode of Steam Train where Danny and Ross are just making burgers (Space Quest IV part 9).

Game Grumps non-stop laughter in Mickey Mousecapade vid!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-LfKbCR0MI

Oh man, not once did they stop laughing! Arin was doing impressions of bad AVGN rip-offs and making loads of jokes about feces. It's amazing and I laughed my head off too! Check it out!

Shantae's available in Ireland now too!

Shantae and EarthBound released on the same day?! Yesterday was a good day! Remember to check this out on GBC 3DS VC! Go on!

Suddenly, EarthBound on Virtual Console becomes available in Ireland for 10 Euro!

There was a mini Nintendo Direct TODAY where Shibata announced TODAY that EarthBound was to be released TODAY. All of a sudden! Just like that!

So now we can finally officially play EarthBound. Before, I had to play it using stuttery emulators but not any more!

Here's the trailer for it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwF8Jh3B_TQ

My favourite part is where it boldly declares "THE RPG MASTERPIECE — IN EUROPE FOR THE FIRST TIME!"

Heck yeah! Take that, more-widely-revered-SNES-RPGs!

(Seriously though, we've been waiting a long long time for this)

Animal Crossing New Leaf multiplayer is kind of fun

Takes long to load though. Then again that is because I've been playing with people from different countries. It'd be nice to get a local network of 3DS' going to play a nice ol' session of the game :)

The NES sure had a lot of gameshow games... Who knew?

Yet us Wii owners were constantly being told by idiots that our library was just stuff like gameshow games. Harassment wasn't like this in the NES era was it? I only notice now from watching Game Grumps play these old games.

Shantae GBC's coming to 3DS VC this week! (official Ireland debut!)

It'll also be reasonably priced at 5 Euro! Horray!

GameStop: new full price game = 2 of your full price games + 10 Euro

I'm just wondering who would go for a deal like this. I can't think of anyone, other than someone so unbelievably desperate to get rid of their games

Very sweet Game Grumps Animated tribute to John (last hurrah)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTcxtyUhF70

Features other funny stuff but the last bit is just so lovely and sweet. I love the big eyed character design too. Really love it!

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros out today in Ireland; puzzle swap

The game is out here today! Before the rest of the world too so go out and get it if you like the series. There's also a puzzle swap puzzle based on the game that came through SpotPass recently so check that out too.

Game Grumps are doing Zelda 1

Yay! As they're playing they sound like kids discovering it for the first time. T'is a wonderful game and it's always great to watch someone experience it.

In case you're thinking of skipping Civilisation 5 on Game Grumps/Steam Train

Just in case you're allergic to PC games at least stick around long enough to watch the intro.

Exploring Nintendo's Dream Suite towns in Animal Crossing New Leaf

I finally gave the Dream Suite a go after building it a short while back. What drove me to do this was Isabelle tweeting about the official Nintendo dream towns and giving out codes for them.

Of course there are different Twitter accounts for the different regions and each region has a different dream town, which can all be accessed with any regional version of the game:
The American dream town code is 5700–2038–6151
The European dream town code is 7900-2106-3477
The Japanese dream town code is 0000-0100-0017

Now, I've been wondering how this actually works and now that I've tried them all, it seems to me that when you create a dream town it gets uploaded to a server that Nintendo runs and it's then made available for other players to check out and explore.

This of course means that it's service oriented and when this generation of games passes we won't be able to use the Dream Suite any more, so enjoy while the game's hot!

By the way, I got a Reggie design from Wendell in the American town and a Tingle design from the Japanese town. Have a look for yourself!

Watching HCBailly play Zelda 2

Longtime favourite of mine HCBailly is now playing through the tough as nails Zelda 2.

I'm mostly just watching stuff these days. It's far too hot outside to do much of anything. It's 26 degrees celsius but we're just not used to heat in this country.

Anyway HC is doing pretty well. I just finished episode 6 and he hasn't even lost a life yet.

He's also gonna do a Chrono Trigger DS feature soon. Wonderful game and it's the best version there is. I ought to go back and play some of the New Game+ stuff.

Watching some old JonTrons, really warming to Danny

Game Grumps is still really strong and Danny is really funny; himself and Arin are spending almost the entirety of Jackal and Mega Man 2 laughing their heads off.

Meanwhile I'm going back to watch Jon's old stuff. Man, I love his JonTron stuff and I've missed the robot Jacques so much.

I'm also trying to hunt down images and clips of Danny's thumbs; it's the popular topic of many a YouTube comment right now.

Watching some ChuckieDregs, up to episode 6

I was doing some catch up on the episodes of this show I missed. I still like it well enough and the MechaGamezilla segments are really outstanding.

Just thinking if I were to do game reviews, I wonder what the best approach would be? I don't really do reviews.

So.... Project X Zone

This newly released 3DS title is famous for having 2 demo releases on the eShop. I like Ulala but fighting games aren't really my thing. Might give the demo a try.

Take notes Nintendo! Crystal Warriors for Game Gear VC has 2 player option

Not sure what this would do for this kind of game but it's something I'd really like Nintendo to do for their Game Boy catalogue of VC games.

Dream Team Bros. vs 3DS' 3D effect

One thing I've noticed about the 3DS's 3D effect is that when you turn it on its side you don't see the 3D effect at all anymore. You might still see blurriness but no 3D effect.

I wonder how this'll affect Dream Team Bros. since you play it with the 3DS on its side sometimes? (Yeah I know, it won't affect anything of my enjoyment since I don't like the 3DS' 3D effect anyway.)

Balloon Fight got re-released on Wii U VC in full 60 Hz!!

Excellent news! It was the first VC game for Wii U and caused a justified backlash when it was only in 50 Hz.

Really glad that they went back and changed it to the proper speed. Well done Nintendo, and don't ever let it happen again.

Angry Video Game Nerd episode 112: Bill & Ted's Excellent NES Adventure

I spent the whole video waiting for him to mention the Bill & Ted Game Boy game, which truly is excellent*air guitar solo*. I was waiting for him to start playing it and be so surprised that it was so good that some explosion would happen due to some cosmic imbalance with LJN rainbows shooting everywhere.

Game Grumps is still fantastic! Jon left it in good hands

Well I still have to get used to this odd Steam Train thing but Arin and um.... what was his name again... ah DANNY! That's it!

Yeah - Arin and Danny are doing a really nice job. This could be because they're doing Super Mario Bros. 2 and Punch-Out!! (two very strong spectator games) but they're doing very very well and it's still great fun.

I'm gonna go watch some old JonTrons and read some of his tweets. I miss him and Jacques.

GameStop has Game & Wario priced at 60 Euro

NO FUCKING WAY.

Golden Discs on Patrick is open and... no games!

Grand opening with balloons everywhere and staff wearing pink shirts. No games but there are DVDs and music CDs.

It doesn't quite have the HMV feel about it but it could be a very important shop in this upcoming age of DRM.

Crystal Warriors for Game Gear releases on 3DS VC

Now, this is a strategy game so it's not my forté. I honestly have no idea of the difference between this and the Shining Force game that was released two weeks ago on the same format.

In any case it's there and is another choice for you to consider if you like these kind of games.

Jon left Game Grumps :(

Oh nooo! I really liked Jon as the "Not So Grump"! I like Danny as well though.

Jon's going to be doing JonTron and other stuff and that's really cool but...

*sigh*

Just not the same... everthing's new and confusing and Steam Train-ey and is making me go "wh-wh-wh-what's going onnn?!"

Seriously I shuddered when Danny's head and voice appeared. I'll get used to it I suppose. It is a change after watching over 600 videos with Jon's good ol' familiar head.

But hey I do like Danny and I'm enjoying the Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! and Super Mario Bros. 2 videos so far.

Tails Adventure is finally out on Game Gear VC

Yay! I was looking forward to this and now I can get it.

I'll try and play it between the big long sessions of Animal Crossing: New Leaf I've been playing recently.

Golden Discs are moving into where HMV used to be on Patrick Street

Yup. There are signs in the window that say so and there are people inside doing some renovation type work.

Golden Discs never really did much for games but that could be because their branches are usually quite small. If they use both floors of this place then it'll be one of the biggest branches of Golden Discs ever.

I'm looking forward to it!

Puzzle Swap has some new Mario/Luigi U/Xenoblade panels as well...

I got StreetPassed recently with some of these new panels... I wonder my SPers got them?

I also heard there's one with heroines too that has Pauline, Zelda, Peach etc.

The Salesbunny in the StreetPass Plaza shop

Seriously, even if you never buy any of the new games, be sure to talk to the Salesbunny(yes that's its name). It gives you a nice explanation of the games and is just fun to read the dialogue.

StreetPass Squad shmup looks especially interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmscE9fljnw
It's a shmup! The clothes colour of the Miis you StreetPass determine what power-ups you get. Otherwise it plays like any other shmup and even has a lovely Parodius/Twinbee/Fantasy Zone style look to it.

I like the look of the way you can rotate so the powerups aim outwards in different directions.

StreetPass Plaza works fine now; new games Squad, Garden, Battle and Mansion; prices; sales rep bunny

There was another update. Everything works fine now and there's no more freezing when I try to get into the shop section of the Plaza.

What I found there was quite interesting. These four new StreetPass games cost 5 Euro each but are available as a combo pack for 15 Euro.

What was even more interesting was this little bunny Mii that talked to you about the games. It shows you screenshots on its "brand new tablet" and talks you through the whole process and explains the games to you. It also asks you the odd question like whether you like side-scrolling shooters or puzzle games and shows a lot of enthusiasm when you ask about the price straight away.

I won't explain the games here. It's much more worthwhile going to the shop section and have this bunny sales rep talk you through it all. The process was really fascinating!

This new thing came out of absolutely nowhere too!

Edit: According to the Music Player section, this character's name is "Salesbunny"

Mii Plaza has new StreetPass stuff and loads faster

I like the loading faster part! The new stuff I haven't tried though because it keeps crashing on me. I'll have deeper impressions some other time. I don't know about this "buy" thing though...

First job as mayor in AC New Leaf

The first thing I did when I finally became the full mayor was to build a bridge. It'll cost a lot but I have to have more bridges in town! That river just doesn't have enough bridges on it! Pity I'm only allowed 3 extra.

Loving the world of Animal Crossing New Leaf

Today Isabelle told me that someone new had arrived in town and suggested I go meet them.

I went to their place and gave them a nice welcome greeting. It was at that moment that I got that feeling of cosiness and affection for the world in which this game takes place. Up until then I was just enjoying another Animal Crossing game.

A game is really good when it does stuff like this!

Super Mario 3D World at E3 2013.... missed booth babe opportunity?

Since there's a new catsuit power-up it might have been cool to see some booth babes dressed up as that power-up as it appears in the game. It would've been nice! Also, since there's no skin being shown apart from the face, there would be no cause for offence!

Instead we got smart-casually dressed staff wearing furry paws and ears making funny gestures. That's all good at the end of the day and I don't feel too strongly about it.

Nintendo had a great display between the big Donkey Kong, Pikmin models and warp pipe, barrel models. Made for some great promo photography.

How I know Animal Crossing New Leaf is going to be really popular

I bought this game when it got released and on the very same day I got 8 StreetPasses! 8! Never got so many at once before!

One of them was playing the game ALREADY.

The three Zelda games of E3 2013

1. A Link Between Worlds

This game has a brilliant name. I'm delighted they're not calling it "Link to the Past 2" because that's a dumb thing that happens in Final Fantasy games.

2. Wind Waker HD

I love Wind Waker so this is pretty offputting to me. It looks like an average Xbox 360 game with all the dreadful bloom effects. Actually it would probably be the best looking Xbox 360 game ever since it's more colourful than most games on that console.

3. Zelda Wii U

This wasn't shown at all! Though we know it exists since Shigeru Miyamoto mentioned it in a recent interview. Please don't make this look as bad as Wind Waker HD. Make it look more like the demo with the giant spider from a couple of years ago.

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze

Bad name and not feverishly excited about this but it looks attractive and challenging and like it'll be a good quality game. Plus, Dixie's back! She's awesome! :)

Super Mario 3D World is for Wii U, not 3DS!

I really hope there's no confusion with this!

I like the new features! Up to 4-player 3D Mario with Super Mario Bros. 2's characters and abilities such as Peach's float! The catsuit power-up seems like good fun too.

This game is gonna be great. I really gotta get a Wii U. I just gotta.

Nintendo Direct E3 2013 video - new games with long names

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=oSV5uu0E1w4

New 3D Mario and new Donkey Kong Country! They've got oddly long names... though I do like the "World" in the new Mario title.

E3 2013 press conference boredom

Today we have Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft, Sony.... yawn! Massive bores the lot of them!

Not to worry though. Nintendo — the company that actually matters — is having a Nintendo Direct tomorrow at 3pm Irish time.

Loads more Sonic Lost World videos

IGN (again be careful) has a few more videos up with actual gameplay from levels in this new game. They look really good so go ahead and check 'em out!

Keifer Sutherland is now Solid Snake (I know him from Phone Booth)

I don't know an awful lot about Keifer Sutherland except for his role in Phone Booth(which was a great film in the cinema and makes me wish I kept the ticket stub).

His role as a sniper in that movie is very much like a type of character that would appear in Metal Gear and this is further complimented by the fact that his voice over the phone provides great presence to that character, which suits Metal Gear with the codec calls and such.

Now that I look back on that movie and the Metal Gear games I've played over the years I think his character in the movie is a lot like Big Boss.

Trying the "standing up while playing games" thing

http://seanmalstrom.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/the-best-games-are-those-when-you-play-standing-up/

Seán Malstrom had this post which left me curious for a good long while. I used to play games while standing in the arcades too but I don't usually do it anymore.

I do however, have the means to play games while standing up so I tried it, plugging my arcade stick into my Wii Remote while balancing it on the headrest of the armchair I usually play it on. I stood behind the chair and played this way.

Games were still good... my legs and feet aren't used to it though so they're aching right now! Maybe if I keep it up I'll get used to it.

I should try Wii Sports more often too.

New Smash Bros video in upcoming Nintendo Direct

Nice treat for E3 2013. E3 2006 was unbelievable when we saw that trailer and Snake was revealed. I wonder what the hype for the new game will be like? I also wonder if it'll be more fun than the game itself?

My Twitter!

Here it is! (I couldn't fit the whole title)

http://www.twitter.com/irishnintenfan

Here I can make little broadcasts and ask people like Hideki Kamiya fun questions.

Brian Blessed's Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D ad is finally up! YES!

Thanks Nintendo! The ad has been on tv for a small while but now the whole world can see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hz_ojGzpHc

Isn't it great? Donkey Kong Country and Brian Blessed seem to go so well together. He does a few adverts alright but it feels like this one's for us, the fans! Unmistakable as the description says but also with a lot of heart and passion.

It really makes me feel like going all the way to the city to buy a copy, even though I got a free download of the game in the "So Many Games!" promotion!

So... E3 season 2013!

So now that Nintendo are the only actual video game company left the show is all theirs right? But then, they're not going to have a big press conference thingy. That's ok because Nintendo Direct is miles better and has very little chance of misinterpretation. Of course, bloggers will still try to do this with their "impressions" and "7 things you need to know" etc.

As for me, I will tell you to watch the thing. I'll write about it of course but it's important that the actual facts are received "directly" by you from Nintendo.

SEGA, please put Cream the Rabbit in more games

This is a selfish wish but come on! She's a rabbit! It makes sense for her to run fast! She doesn't have the big attitude the others have either and that makes her unique.

Maybe get rid of the Chao.

The upcoming age of DRM will suck

It will be terrible.

Pretty much every game will be a "limited edition" because once their selling period is over, they'll be gone. No way to preserve them when they get abandoned.

We've seen this with mobile phone games and iPod click wheel games and it will continue to happen. What will it happen to next?

Game Grumps play Stretch Panic(aka Freak Out), has female protagonist!

Just thought I'd bring attention to this since the topic of women and games is trending right now.

Anyway this is one of those games that you'd love to see the guys play and react to all the weirdness. Do Chibi-Robo! sometime guys!

Denpa Men 2 is out today too

I like Denpa Men but I haven't played it in a long time. This new one has StreetPass, which I'd like to try. By the way, the first one is on sale now so... Do I buy now while the StreetPass is new and fresh or do I wait until this one gets a discount? Hmm...

Bear in mind I don't know exactly how the StreetPass for this works either. Hmm...

In any case, buy the Zelda Oracles games!

Just buy the Zelda Oracles games tomorrow ok?

Yikes! Imperative!

Coming out tommorow are the Zelda Oracles games which are both brilliant and they connect to each other by passwords which really gives a big scope to the adventure. Also, they're just 5 Euro each! That is a bargain for such original and quality titles!

Sonic Lost Worlds first trailer! PLEASE COME ON DISC/CARTRIDGE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-sIkDWfccU
(be careful, it's from ign's YouTube channel)

Many are seeing a Mario Galaxy influence here and I like that a lot! In fact I think this calls for the Charles Martinet soundbite "Welcome! Welcome new galaxy!".

But please please please let this be available as a packaged retail Wii U disc and 3DS Game Card!

HCBailly now doing second quest of Zelda 1

He handled the first quest really well! Didn't have to use life replenishing medicine or anything! Really entertaining too. Expected no less from the man himself.

But I wonder what the "finale 1/2" in the title is all about? Find out next time!

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D takes up a shitload of space

Over 17,000 blocks! This might be the first time you'll have to delete something to make room on your SD card. And no, it's not worth it. The game just isn't as good as the original SNES and Game Boy trilogies no matter what they do.

Game Grumps just doing 1 video a day until June 11

Shucks.

The Yakuza games on a Nintendo console

The Japanese Nintendo Direct was like a "SEGA Direct" with the blue colour and all. There they announced Yakuza 1 and 2 for the Wii U.

I think that's pretty weird, but then, I haven't played any of those games(not much interest).

Also, the glamour of the creator of those games always strikes me as odd. It's like he comes from a stock photo or something.

He created Super Monkey Ball though so he's cool!

How about the PS4? Is that going to be a failure too?

Sony make nice radio alarm clocks.

Xbox One is going to be a big failure

This thing was revealed yesterday. It might seem premature to declare this but why not. There's just nothing appealing about this thing and I doubt that it's going to improve.

Tomorrow's the last day for Fire Emblem Awakening Free DLC

Remember you have until 23:59 on 22nd of May 2013 to download this DLC for free. If you don't it won't be free anymore.

You have to play a bit of the game before you're able to do it so take note if you're planning on doing this.

This is the European version of course.

Brian Blessed voices the ads for Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D! :D

Granted he can be heard in many ads but this one just seems so appropriate!

It also gets me more excited about the game.

Wish I had a YouTube link for the ad. It also goes on about the promotion where you buy 3 and download 1 free.

Sonic Lost World's honeycomb-like picture

This was the one new game announced in Nintendo Direct that was the most interesting. We only have that one promo image so far. It looks like a common map you'd see in turn based strategy games but obviously it's not of that genre! I'm pretty excited about this because it's been a fairly long time since we had Sonic Colours and that was amazing. I hope that this new game will have the same sensibilities (e.g. no loading times etc)

Super Metroid PAL & NTSC don't seem to be that different in speed

There's a video doing the rounds now comparing the 50 Hz/60 Hz versions of the game. I don't have the link handy but the PAL 50 Hz version doesn't seem to suffer at all with regards to the speed. I guess they did a good job on the optimisation when they first brought it to Europe. I'd say it's fairly safe to buy it on the Wii U VC.

I only know that from looking at it though and as we all know, playing is believing.

New Super Luigi U will be available as a boxed release!

It comes in a lovely green box too. Yes! I wasn't going to bother with it because it was going to be DLC. But now we can buy a boxed version to own forever.

FUCK DLC!

60 Hz NES Mega Man 5 is on the 3DS VC now

How come Super Metroid for Wii U VC has to come out in 50 Hz? The 60 Hz releases like Mega Man 5 here are only going to bully and make fun of it!

Shantae on VC better be a reasonable price!

Shantae's sequel Risky's Revenge was a quality game but it cost me like 12 Euro or something. The original Shantae is being published by Nintendo for the 3DS VC and will hopefully be going for a reasonable price.

Game Grumps are doing Clash at Demonhead!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlUGUZ0qTEE
Wahey! This'll be interesting. They're going to get stuck a LOT.

(By the way, Bus Éireann are cunts for going on strike)

Super Metroid on Wii U VC will be in 50 Hz

Another case of this version of the game being optimised for PAL. Nintendo still aren't giving us the option to choose which version we want which as usual is my main gripe.

Otherwise I don't feel that strongly about it as I've only played this game once. I am interested in it though and I would pay the limited 30cents price no problem.

Bloody Vampare, a 3DS Metroidvania thingy

Heard a little bit about this recent eShop release. It looks like one of those weird DSiWare developers made a 3DS Ware game. I don't really know if it's any good, but it's another weird little curiosity in the eShop jungle.

Kokuga seems a lot like the old HAL Game Boy game Trax

In this game you're a tank in a top down view going in all directions and aiming in all directions which is a lot like the old game Trax. Spiritual successor maybe? Nothing official obviously but look up both games and have a look for yourself. Kokuga seems to be coming out on the eShop soon.

Thanks to Game Grumps, people will finally know what Kirby's Air Ride is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPlkZDSaw6c

Uploaded about 3 hours ago. I haven't watched it yet (buffering) but there's one thing I'm sure of and that is that this will be the first time most people will know what the heck Kirby's Air Ride is.

It was a game that was kind of under the radar and not that great so if anything, this episode is bound to be a fascinating curiosity for many!

Wrecking Crew updates/releases on 3DS VC

I haven't updated it yet because I keep getting the 007-2100 error when I try to load up the eShop.

I heard there's some crazy update like being able to save levels you edited? The cynic in me assumes that it's simply an advantage of the restore point but we'll see.

Andrew Eisen shows the alarming reality of third parties and Wii U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ig7A-eaZA8

I didn't realise it was quite like this. Still, it would be worse if Nintendo was chasing third parties like they were doing when they announced the Wii U.

3DS VC NES titles get updated with multiplayer... why not GB/GBC/GBA?

Recently I got my ambassador updates (or normal releases for everyone else) for some NES games on the 3DS VC which enables multiplayer (and effectively, spectator) mode.

This is nice and all but why not do the same with Game Boy games? That would be so cool because it was unbelievably difficult to find someone to play multiplayer Game Boy games with back in the day that weren't Tetris or Pokémon (and even then it was rare). Also, it is something even most emulator writers don't bother doing so this would actually give 3DS owners a very good reason to buy Game Boy games on the VC!

Game Grumps playing Chulip

First of all I'm still pissed off that Chulip was never released in Ireland.

The lads started playing it recently and I have to say these episodes are super enjoyable. After watching them play Pocky & Rocky, a game that initially puts you in a good mood but often leaves you in a bad one, it's so nice to see them wander around a world that's gentle but unbelievably weird. It's a great one for all the many jokes it's inspiring them to make!

Angry Video Game Nerd episode 111: Toxic Crusaders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcuxGRO1wQA

Well here he is! Back and with a guy who looks a lot like Mel Brooks. This episode was good, different though. Seeing James' face crack up and burst out laughing is really funny in itself!

There's a distinct atmosphere to this episode... it feels like a "jam session" of sorts.

99.8 million Wiis and counting!

Big jump from 99.3!

Nintendo revealed this official figure from their shareholder meeting thingy so it was a little further along than we thought.

Almost there now! Just a little more! :)

Luigi's Mansion 2 multiplayer is better than Four Swords

I got a chance to play this mode recently and it was fantastic! I think the main reason for this is the fact that puzzles work better when it's a guy with a hoover poking around a haunted mansion. Zelda's good for a different reason, exploring a big dangerous world.

Wii U VC first batch of third party games are in 60 Hz

http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=201724

Nice work by Nintendaan and GoNintendo there.

The PR should be telling us this!

GameStop in Cork seem to have Fire Emblem Awakening in stock

In any case they don't have the "Out of stock" sticker on the display boxes anymore.

HCBailly will do Zelda 2 as well :O

Wow he's gonna do this really hard game after he does both quests in Zelda 1.

I just watched the first episode of the Zelda 1 LP and the memories and HCBailly-isms I had forgotten came back :)

He's a master of RPG gems and blockbusters but it's nice that he does the classics too.

HCBailly begins his Let's Play of The Legend of Zelda! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPH4Jh0_5rQ

Ahhhhhh it's been just too long since I've watched HCBailly! He's one of my all time favourite LPers. His LP of Final Fantasy Adventure/Mystic Quest for the Game Boy is my favourite of his and is what got me into watching LPs in the first place. I actually watched that whole playthrough twice and I almost never do that with any LP.

Anyway here he is doing the first Legend of Zelda :) and I've been looking forward to this. I currently have it buffering so I'll be able to watch it in a few moments but I just know it'll be great.

Time to kick back and enjoy the show! See you there viewers! :)

Wii U VC and games that were originally optimised for PAL

This is a big topic and it's kind of started with the release of the PAL version of Kirby's Adventure on the Wii U VC. The feedback I'm seeing from this is kind of mixed. Some bits like the brief cinematics are slower but the game controls and plays just fine. So it's a mixed bag. I didn't mind it the other day when I tried my original NES cart of the game. I think in these cases it's a matter of taste and what kind of mood you're in when you want to play.

This is why I want an option to choose between 50 Hz and 60 Hz, not at the download stage, but at the VC application's options menu. The download itself should ideally contain all regional versions of the game.

Wii U's Virtual Console launches! Opening line-up in 60 Hz!

This is besides the Famicom 30th anniversary titles of course.

The fact that they're all in 60 Hz is glorious. The SNES games still cost 8 Euro and the NES games 5 Euro but hey, back in the old days of the Wii VC you were lucky to get a 60 Hz game at all. When you did it was called a "festival" and they cost an extra 1 Euro.

I don't know the exact list but Super Mario World is one of them. :)

Watching the Pokémon MD Gates to Infinity cartoon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ8h7nSNY1c

It must be nice for a franchise to be so popular! Here we have a nicely produced promotional short portraying the introduction to the game. I can hear some familiar voice actors like Lisa Ortiz in there.

It doesn't have any moments that take place in the dungeons, which is kind of a strange thing to do. Then again, I guess they can sell the game based on the characters themselves and the fact that they're speaking like normal people. (It's all text dialogue boxes in the game obviously)

Demo for Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity out today

I gave this a go and it's alright, about as good as you'd expect a Rogue-like game to be. It has a nice plot about your buddy wanting to build a Pokémon paradise, though you can't skip any of the text or make it fill the box with a press of a button like you can in most games.

It's my first time trying a Pokémon themed Rogue-like. It seems like a nice sub-series and I wonder if it's easier to get into than other games of this kind? I have a feeling that it's much fairer on the player than some of the ones I've played.

Shantae GBC coming to 3DS VC this Summer

This'll be nice. The DSi sequel is great but the original is even better.

Matt Bozon tweeted: "Shantae Virtual Console update: looks like mid June-early July. Will keep you posted!"

Of course this is probably the American VC. I'm sure a European release will follow shortly though and it'll be extra nice for us because the original never came out over here.

I'm getting another free 3DS game with the "So Many Games!" promotion

So Nintendo of Europe has this new promo thing you can see here:

http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Misc-/Nintendo-3DS-So-Many-Games-Promotion/Overview/Overview-750393.html

I already got games free in previous promotions and now here's another one!

It looks like I'm applicable for this one too. I just need to think about which one of these games I'll choose to download for free.

Michael Pachter has to be useful to us for something

So we know he studied law, he works long hours, he answers all these game industry questions people tweet at him, he has a lot of observations about how the game industry is doing by studying sales data and other statistical stuff. We also know that he admits he doesn't get Japanese companies like Nintendo and why they do what they do.

Considering the above, he could be really useful to us for something. He loves answering questions related to things in which he specialises and often praises questions that allow him to explain the things that typically go on (such as what contributes to the retail price of a new game).

I mean really think about it. Just as an example, look at all the stuff in his office. There's that Gizmondo he showed off in a recent episode. He knows the story behind that thing so he could be a contributor to a video game themed museum.

Think up some good hard fast fact-finding questions that he would be able to answer better than anyone else!

Fire Emblem Awakening is out

This'll probably be the most successful Fire Emblem game judging by some reports I've been coming across. Of course it won't be because of DLC, it'll be because it's filling an appetite that hasn't been sated in a long time.

Just listened to "the blender who would recite shakespeare" by Tim Rogers

You know those videos that feature reactions of glamorous looking Japanese women playing horror themed games? I want to watch a video of a woman listening to this essay while she's wearing big noise cancelling headphones. I would look deeply into her eyes with genuine interest.

99.3 million Wiis and counting!

After nearly 3 weeks here's the third milestone of Wiis sold as we try to reach our goal of 100 million! The other day I saw the Wii Mini feature prominently on some store shelves with a 99 Euro price tag. The box itself carries the appropriate notices about the absence of older features such as GameCube compatibility and Internet connectivity. I wonder if it'll get released in the U.S. or Japan?

Link to the Past sequel! More Yoshi!

Still reeling after yesterday's Nintendo Direct. Seriously, go watch it if you haven't already.

I'm thrilled to see a brand new Zelda game! It's a sequel to Link to the Past and takes place in its world. Interesting thing about it is the fact that it's directly top down, meaning you can't see Link's face when he's turning left, right or down. This has to do with the depth perception and the layers he'll ascend or descend during the game. Even Sean Malstrom seems to like it, and he doesn't like anything.

Yoshi's getting a 3DS game sequel as well, so this is another game in addition to the yarn Yoshi that was announced months ago.

But holy shit, EarthBound! Earth! Bound!

EarthBound is coming to the Wii U Virtual Console in Ireland!

This made my day. Standing at a bus stop in the crappy weather, refreshing NintendoUK's Twitter feed from today's Nintendo Direct and this bit of news shows up. WOW!

At long last they're doing something with this! I'm fed up with having to play the game on a shitty stuttery emulator.

Nintendo 3DS Direct tomorrow at 3pm Irish time, Isabelle's Twitter account opens

I'm expecting Animal Crossing New Leaf to take centre stage for this one. Isabelle, the assistant in the game has an official Twitter account that just opened here:

 https://twitter.com/AC_Isabelle

I heard that her official Japanese Twitter was very popular so I guess they're trying out the same thing here. I'll check up on it now and again.

I'd also love to hear about the new Mario and Luigi game that's coming out in a few months!

Kirby's Adventure was always optimised at the correct speed in Europe, so Wii U VC release will be the PAL version

So says this snippet from the press release on this week's Nintendo downloads:

"This is the European version of the game, which was optimised originally by the developer to offer gameplay and music speed similar to the US version. Demos and animations may run at PAL speed. The aspect ratio has been corrected for this release."

That's an interesting development in the world of VC news. Needless to say though I will be scrutinising this release when it comes out on Thursday. Watch this space...

What the hell is Nintendoji?!

I've been watching this clip and I'm utterly confused.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riVLQBRS_q8

It seems to be some dungeon crawling puzzle thing? No fighting or anything, just collecting orbs and..... whatever else? What is it you do? Why's it called "Nintendoji"?

?

It's nicely illustrated with the ancient Japanese things but still...

?

Watching Dillon's Rolling Western sequel videos

Some of these have come out and I've looked at a few. Unfortunately none of them talked about the controls. From the looks of things though it seems that it'll have the same morbidly unattractive control scheme that made me shy well away from the first one.

Fire Emblem Awakening's demo is pretty good

I had a good bit of fun with it. My favourite parts were when I could get assistance from someone on my team in a battle if they were standing next to me and the fact that I could select the attack range from more than one unit at once. Very nice couple of features.

Anything bad? Can't think of much except for the word "defence" being spelled with an 'S' on the character creation screen.

First, Smurfs 2 for Wii and DS, now Turbo Super Stunt Squad!

The revival continues with another upcoming movie licence tie-in, Turbo from Dreamworks.

This is something that'll easily be mistaken as a reference to Wreck-It Ralph but it's about a snail that cam move at top speed. The game itself looks like those Tony Hawk and Matt Hoffman stunt games that used to completely flood the game store shelves (I don't miss that at all).

We're gonna be seeing a lot of teaser stuff now that Summer and E3 are approaching.

The Wii and DS still live! Smurfs 2 by WayForward and Ubisoft coming out for both

This is a nice surprise! Well, no not really. The only new Wii games that come out these days are movie licence tie-ins like Wreck-It Ralph and The Croods, which are both pretty good movies, but probably not so hot games(The Wreck-It Ralph game was only kind of ok). The nice surprise really is that there's going to be a Smurfs 2 movie. The first movie was good. Smurfs themselves looked ugly as hell but the movie was good. Hank Azaria was great as Gargamel and I hope he'll be just as good in the sequel.

WayForward are doing a sidescroller game based off the movie. They did the Hotel Transylvania one as well which I haven't tried. We'll see if either the game or the movie will be good.

Holy shovel Game Grumps!

No this isn't GoNintendo.com's swear word filter, it's the latest episode of Game Grumps and they're playing Shovel Knight!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcP3yp6w7Pw

I wanna play it early too :/

Speaking of GoNintendo, I wonder if anyone there said "shit knight" just to have the filter catch it.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate in stock in Irish shops at last

Could not find a single shop that had it in stock when it was released(other than a bundle deal) but now I see display boxes on shelves. Now's your chance if you want to buy a hard copy.

I'd like Tails Adventure on the 3DS VC

This game came out on the Japanese 3DS VC recently and I'd like it to be made available for us soon. There aren't that many SEGA Game Gear titles on it at the moment so it'll be nice to look forward to this one.

Whoever came up with the idea of the Eerie Staircase in Luigi's Mansion 2 deserves a punch in the jaw

It helps to look at the staircases that aren't lit up before you go venturing up in this long long room. You only have a short amount of time to memorise them before they light up and time and time again you WILL get a ghost appearing all of a sudden to laugh at you and turn the stairs into a slide, making you slide all the way back to the bottom, forcing you to climb the rows of stairs you've already conquered again and again.

It's funny when it happens at first and it's funny now when I think of it in hindsight, but while I was doing it I was just thinking how MEAN it was for the level designer to do something like this!

Don't worry, I'm not going to punch anyone in the jaw for this but I will say that I felt like my time was being wasted.

60 Hz Mega Man 3 is out on the 3DS VC

The 60 Hz loveliness continues. (By the way, I forgot to trumpet 60 Hz Punch-Out!! on the Wii U VC).

For some reason the Americans got this before we did, whereas with the first two Mega Man games we got them first. But there we go. It's available.

Luigi's Mansion 2 is a lovely cosy adventure game

I've been playing this since I bought it earlier in the week :)

I like it a lot. The box itself glows in the dark and has the PEGI spider symbol for fear.

It's fun to go around and try out everything and experience everything.

The most amazing thing about the game is the sound. The sound effects are really satisfying and realistic and hearing Luigi hum the level tune just makes you grin from ear to ear. The noises the ghosts make when they speak sound just awesome.

This is a stark contrast to another recent 3DS release, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate, which has very low quality tinny sound. It doesn't even have the PEGI spider symbol! That's right, Luigi's Mansion 2 is considered scarier than a Castlevania game!

Grant Kirkhope releases Banjo-Kazooie OST for free, my fond memories

Grant Kirkhope has been spending the past two days on Twitter telling people "It's free" over and over. I guess people are finding it hard to believe that such quality music is being distributed like this!

http://grantkirkhope.bandcamp.com/album/banjo-kazooie

Actually, I remember I used to read Rare's Scribes page and they used to give away downloads of their game music whenever fans asked for a particular track. I don't know if they still do that but it was a pretty cool thing to do.

I don't mean to sound coarse or anything but...  I used to masturbate to the theme of Gobi's Valley.

Yup. I was 15 years old when the game came out in Summer 1998 and of course that's one thing a normal healthy boy of that age does constantly.

The music itself didn't make me randy but it was just a very pleasant background rhythm to have while doing it and thinking of the big jiggly bosoms of my female classmates and teachers.

The part in the pyramid where you have to rush through the maze and the music gets faster and faster was particularly effective.

Looking back on that now I just smile fondly :) This is just one memory and I still enjoy the music a lot. I can even tap into the rhythm that I found so pleasant but my hormones aren't that turbulent now! Besides, teenagers usually listen to absolutely miserable music to get them through their tough times and I'm actually quite proud of the fact that I listened to stuff that was so upbeat and actually of very high quality.

Like I said, this is just one track and one memory. I have many others, mostly involving scratching my head looking for music notes, jiggies and jinjos. Thank you Grant Kirkhope!