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190°

The Excitement for Mario Kart 8 sheds some light on Nintendo’s Wii U Problem

Iran White writes:

Today, is all about Mario Kart 8. The game where for the first time it seems, rather than contriving 'surprise' (as Nintendo has been falling into a deeper and deeper pit in their attempts to create), they're simply giving gamers what they want, with no nonsense attached.

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SpiralTear3658d ago

This is an interesting article.

Nintendo has always been a company that makes their innovation an upfront deal. They loudly announce that they're trying something new, and as a result, the innovation can feel very forced and intimidating, hence the "gimmickry" label.

Mario Kart 8, from what I can gather, uses its innovation in much more subtle ways, like anti-gravity tracks and great, colorful stage design. It's a quieter progression, one that's very out of character for Nintendo, but welcome nonetheless. Games that use their design innovatively instead of just the hardware are much more impressive in my eyes, like A Link Between Worlds' more open-ended design or Super Mario Galaxy's multi-dimensional use of perspective.

I'm interested in that idea and Mario Kart 8 seems to keep the balance of tradition and progression going, without making its innovations sound off like loud sirens.

DarthZoolu3658d ago

Now if only they would give the hardcore crowd a more mature Zelda and Metroid, then drop a full fledged online pokemon game for WiiU I could convince my friends to get one also.

wonderfulmonkeyman3658d ago

Metroid Prime was plenty mature, and Zelda games have always been timeless regardless of art style.
I don't think maturity is the issue here.

TitanUp3658d ago

i think i would actually buy a nintendo system if those things became reality.

zelda with voice overs/dialogue would be awesome.

crazypsycho69730523658d ago

I always thought that Twilight Princess was a step towards a more mature Zelda game. Metroid and Pokemon are both franchises that feel very stale to me. I would love to see new games out of these franchises but they will have to innovate. As for Nintendo obviously flaunting their future releases abilities I think they are just trying to make the user aware of what they are like. Look at how much time they spent telling people that the WiiU is not another Wii and people still think it is the same thing as the Wii.

truechainz3658d ago

it makes me wonder why you bothered to even reply to him because it wasn't really a response and you seemed to completely miss the nuances of his comment

DarthZoolu3658d ago

If they were making games that gamers wanted they're system would be selling more. They need to drop games that gamers can't resist. Zelda need to rival Skyrim and Metroid needs to rival mass effect. I can't figure out why Nintendo is making the biggest AAA titles in the industry. Nintendo was Bethesda before anyone knew Bethesda. Zelda Metroid and Pokemon should all have $50million budgets minimum.

AKR3658d ago

Metroid Prime really set the 'mature' tone. A game doesn't have to be M rated to be dark. Infamous SS for instance isn't M-rated; but you sure can't lump it in the casual crowd.

Zelda Twilight Princess and Majora's Mask were just down-right creepy. Not something you'd expect to see your little cousin or sweet old grandmother playing.

DarthZoolu3658d ago

Mature as in how complex and difficult they are. I need more detail. Mature plot with vast worlds.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3658d ago
wonderfulmonkeyman3658d ago (Edited 3658d ago )

While I do agree with all of that, I still think that the "louder" innovations are a necessary part of what makes Nintendo who they are.
Many of them take getting used to before a gamer really comes to see the benefit of them, and that's something that has been giving Nintendo a really hard time.

I still personally believe that they could make these louder innovations take off with the right advertisement campaign, though.
It's a fact that hype sells these days, after all, and the Wii U is the only one of the three without a big hype push so far, outside of Smash Bros.
Nintendo needs to start doing some prime-time TV advertisments of the system and its games, with a catchy new tag-line for the system.
Something like "Come Get U Some!" or something similarly bold and out-going.

UnceasingElias3658d ago

Nintedo needs to do this to as doing so will make us buy watchdogs on wii u instead of ps4.

UnceasingElias3658d ago

I agree with you. You dont need uniqe hardware to make innovative games. It just makes it easier. What the gamepad offers in this game is not revolutionary but it improves the game. I dont expect more.

Knushwood Butt3658d ago

Colorful stage design is innovation?

I think I've heard it all.

SpiralTear3658d ago

In today's industry it is.

chronoforce3658d ago

A Link Between Worlds' more open design is taken directly from its 23 year old predecessor, hardly what I would call innovation.

SpiralTear3658d ago

I think the basis of using classical game design in a modern environment constitutes as innovation, because let's face it: no idea is truly 100% original, especially in the games industry and even more so in TODAY's games industry.

People innovate in different ways and sometimes it's using an already established practice in a different context. Innovation is a very contextual concept; even a century-old idea can be new if performed the right way. It's not about doing something that's never been done (because that's impossible), but it's about making it SEEM like it's never been done.

A Link Between Worlds used the original Zelda's ideas and made them appear new, because the series had made rather stagnant progression over time, and people loved it. They said it was the direction they wanted the series to progress, even after following the pretty successful template of Ocarina of Time for 15 or so years. It was an old idea made new.

randomass1713658d ago

@chrono

Good memory. But at the same time, who would remember that? That feature felt very new in the game, IMO.

Neonridr3658d ago

and a good chunk of the people on this website were too young to appreciate A Link to the Past because they were too young.

Sure it might be borrowing from that game, but then again it should as it is a direct sequel to that game. However, the introduction of the 2D elements which allow Link to enter walls to traverse the map is definitely a new gameplay mechanic.

randomass1713658d ago

@Post

You know, this is why I always find myself coming back to Nintendo at some point or another. People say they make the same games over and over, but I don't think that's true at all. I think they, as you say, subtly modernize and progress their design. They keep the formulas that made them popular while trying some new twists. This Mario Kart has the added bonus of looking absolutely gorgeous, especially since the Wii U is starving for better looking games.

Knushwood Butt3658d ago

Rainbow Road is pretty colorful. Innovation in gaming since 1992.

Knushwood Butt3657d ago

So, using that logic, where does that leave Limbo?

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3657d ago
Realplaya3658d ago

To be honest the Wii U has suffered at the hands of the internet.
For every positive article they receive online there are 5 negatives. If they are going to turn around brand negativity They need to channel there inner T Mobile and go bonkers with the promos and pushing the messages. Here are two commercials.
Remix the old Wii Commercial where they show up at houses in Mario themed go kart and say Wii would like to play with U hand the game pad to players and play Mario Kart.

The second one have people form the shape of the game title shouting Wii U Wii U as clips of the game is being showcased online and local.

That right there would be nostalgic and it would catch attention.

randomass1713658d ago

Wouldn't mind seeing that at all. Dunno why Nintendo is so slacky with marketing. I miss seeing all the Wii commercials. They were often entertaining and they got the point across about the new console.

Skate-AK3658d ago

Can't wait for this to come out. It is going to be so much fun.

BattleN3658d ago

I thought fun is secondary to grafix tho..

randomass1713658d ago

And Mario Kart 8 has both great fun and great graphics. ;)

Neonridr3658d ago

@BattleN - not if you are a Nintendo fan. Seems to be only the case when you are looking at the Nintendo camp from the other two sides.

BattleN3658d ago (Edited 3658d ago )

@Neonridr nearly reported you thinking it was a reply :(
While others are batting over who's console has the better specs we Nintendrones will be having a blast playing quality games! lol I own a 360 also but Microsoft sucks at quality even tho there capable of creating great content they just fail in execution of it!

80°

Nintendo's Massacre Of The 3DS And Wii U Is Finally Complete, Regrettably

Hanzala from eXputer: "The cruel hammer of Nintendo has fallen. Farewell, 3DS and Wii U, you surely brightened my life and many others; you won't be forgotten."

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280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

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purple10112d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref12d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde11d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197211d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville11d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218311d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos11d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
isarai12d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref12d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan12d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197212d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref12d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde11d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197211d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197211d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier11d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto11d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto11d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
Hofstaderman12d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts11d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts10d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

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80°

Looking Ahead: The Lingering Questions About the Next Mario Kart

VGChartz's Mark Nielsen: "10 years. It’s been almost 10 years since the last mainline release in the Mario Kart series. Mario Kart 8 came out for the Wii U in 2014 and became the best-selling game for the system by a sizeable margin, and later pulled the same magic trick on the Nintendo Switch under the stage name Deluxe. All in all, it's sold nearly 70 million copies over the last decade and is still selling like hot cakes to this day, so it’s no wonder Nintendo has been in no rush to replace it. However, with rumors of a new system being just around the corner, and reports a few years back that a new Mario Kart is indeed under way, it seems the era of 8 might very well be drawing to a close. It’s an exciting prospect to be sure, but after two Nintendo systems with Mario Kart 8 at their heart, a lot of questions remain about how Nintendo will choose to follow it up."

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Yi-Long14d ago

I hope they just keep building on Mario Kart 8; Add a track-creation tool, and probably open it up to more Nintendo IPs with new tracks and characters, so Metroid, Punch Out, Starfox, Animal Crossing, etc etc.

gold_drake14d ago

there wont be a new one until the switch 2 comes out.

nintendo needs their bangers early on