Siliconera writes: "If there's two divisions I absolutely adore at Nintendo, it's SPD3 and Retro Studios. Both are extremely talented at what they do, and both are among the few Nintendo divisions that aren't as restricted by what Miyamoto thinks is or isn't cool / acceptable in a game.
Retro have worked on Metroid Prime as everyone knows. SPD3 are in charge of overseeing the majority of the company's overseas or external projects. The group is credited with overseeing games like Punch-out!!, Excitebots, Batallion Wars and others. The head of SPD3, Kensuke Tanabe, is also credited as Producer on the Metroid Prime games."
"If you're not directly working on the game, go away" - former Retro world artist, Nate Purkeypile
Then there is Microsoft's approach which is just to piss in the wind and 95% of their stuff turns out bad. Developers might like that personally but you'll be out of a job quicker than you know it through badly shipped products.
First party Nintendo titles are held to a specific standard for a reason. It could be argued that both Sony and MS could benefit from doing the same, but you are right with MS nonchalant approach and "it scored well internally" and then putting out something like Redfall. Even Halo, MS' flagship series, wasn't overseen with the fine tooth comb to ensure it was top notch quality.
Nintendo first party games are very rarely duds, let alone non functional ones. You don't get that without a little (or a lot) of micromanaging. Is it annoying? No doubt. Their track record speaks for itself though and you can't deny that.
I think there is good evidence for both sides of that argument, really.
Japan Studio didn't have much oversight and that studio produced pure magic. Financially, it wasn't a cash cow studio, but I sense that anyone who played their games really felt the care and passion for their creation at work. Media Molecule is another one. I personally feel that Sony and Microsoft micromanagement tends to be overly negative. It might work for Nintendo because they're big on making a fun and engaging game first and entice people that way.
Sony as of late and Microsoft for at least two generations now, when they get into the micromanagement, it seems like a profoundly anxious experience.
i dunno if i agree with that.
i think some leeway is necessary to achieve atleast some sort of spectacle.
With the recent release of Dread, it's time to look back on the history of Metroid and rank the best — and the worst.
Best (for me) would be the first Metroid Prime. It was simply amazing the first time i played it. so deep and challenging while also turning the series completely into something that felt new and fresh.
Worst (for me) is most likely Other M. I can appreciate what they were trying to go for but it just felt flat and played out.
Looking at the rest of the list, I never played Federation Force but i have played the rest. Pinball is still one of my favorites to play now and then.
Retro Studios wanted to have Samus explore a non-linear environment in her ship…
On the lowest difficulty level, I can only remember one time when hyper mode was absolutely necessary (some place with multiple winged space pirates). But when I cranked up the difficulty, I found myself using it more often (hyper morph ball rocks).
this guy fails... go play on hyper dificulty and then you can say something!
is the slowest most boring thing ever. it was the wii at max power... sorry, its just true. its considered the best nintendo had to offer. the much ballyhood Conduit sux sak. the only great game on the wii is madworld. and for u mario galaxy lovers, ratchet and clank did all that way before on an earlier generation... wii is the biggest waste of money ever. sav it for the old folks home. they like it after a nice prune whip breakfast.
I enjoyed this game a lot. Hyper mode was used for all the boss fights. But another a-hole complaining.