Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Nintendo To Get DS Renamed, Paper Mario Sequel

Posted by simoniker on from the now-called-the-sd dept.

Thanks to CNN Money for its column interviewing a Nintendo spokesperson on the company's possible strategy for the rest of 2004. Although not giving much away, the article notes official word that: "Though the company has publicly referred to [their new handheld] system as the DS since announcing it on Jan. 20, the plan was never to use that name at retail", renewing "Internet rumors [that] have suggested that system will be called 'Nitro'." The piece also mentions the company is "already planning a second wave of classic [NES] games for the GBA, with a possible launch date of the 2004 holiday season", and elsewhere, GamerFeed confirm Nintendo has announced a GameCube sequel to Paper Mario, an N64 title which was "an RPG-like game that was based on a unique combination of 2D graphics set against a 3D background." Update: 04/02 16:02 GMT by S : GI.Biz has the U.S. Nintendo release schedule for the rest of the 2004, "with Geist, Mario Tennis, Metroid Prime 2, Paper Mario 2 and Star Fox 2 all down for release between October and December."

53 comments

  1. Unique? I don't think so... by RaymondInFinland · · Score: 1, Informative
    ...that was based on a unique combination of 2D graphics set against a 3D background.

    *Cough* Parappa the Rapper *Cough*

    1. Re:Unique? I don't think so... by Bagels · · Score: 5, Informative

      Trust me, it was - the characters literally behaved as if they were made of paper. When Mario takes a snooze, he flutters through the air and between the sheets; when he turns around, he spins like a coin. Some of the bosses looked like elaborate origami creations...

      --
      --- Bwah?
    2. Re:Unique? I don't think so... by Pxtl · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I don't think Parappa deserves the credit - Capcom had a long-standing love affair with 2d sprites on 3d graphics.

      I mean, hell, if we're discussing this concept seriously, how about Doom? Still, paper mario was unique in that it didn't run from its 2dness but actually made it part of its style.

    3. Re:Unique? I don't think so... by DeadScreenSky · · Score: 1

      But Parappa did most of that, too. Whenever he would spin, it would be like a piece of paper stylishly twisting around, etc. Maybe Paper Mario took the concept further, but Parappa characters certainly behaved like they were paper too - it wasn't just a shortcut.

      --
      There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. -- Francis Bacon
    4. Re:Unique? I don't think so... by DeadScreenSky · · Score: 1

      Still, paper mario was unique in that it didn't run from its 2dness but actually made it part of its style.

      And that is exactly what Parappa did, too, way back in 1997. That is nearly three years before Paper Mario came out, which means it undoubtedly started development after Parappa had already popularized the paper look.

      And which earlier Capcom games used that kind of visual style? I am completely drawing a blank. I know newer games like Capcom vs. SNK 2 or Marvel vs. Capcom 2 do it, but I can't think of any pre-Naomi/Dreamcast Capcom games that did back in 1996 or so.

      Doom looked nothing like Parappa, of course - have you even played the latter? :D

      --
      There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. -- Francis Bacon
    5. Re:Unique? I don't think so... by Pxtl · · Score: 1

      Oh, well, for credit for the actual embracing the 2d look with the flat paper thing, yeah, Parappa gets the credit. I'm just sayin that animating sprites over a 3d background wasn't a first for anyone. But yeah, I'd forgotten how exactly Parappa looked.

    6. Re:Unique? I don't think so... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      -- I randomly moderate down people who describe their abuses of the mod and metamod system in their sigs. --

      I am _so_ modding you down first chance I get! Assuming you don't do it to yourself first at least :)

  2. profit by rhs98 · · Score: 0, Funny

    1. Anounce Gameboy DS

    2. Release as Nitro

    3. ????

    4. Profit

    --
    Is it a boat?
  3. Bah by TwistedSpring · · Score: -1, Troll

    "a unique combination of 2D graphics set against a 3D background"

    PHWOAR groundbreaking! Just like:

    Doom
    Duke Nukem 3D
    Hexen
    Rise of the Triad
    Wolfenstein 3D
    Heretic

    And thousands more.

    1. Re:Bah by Doches · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Paper Mario looks a little different from Doom...and it's 2D graphics are part of the design, not an ugly cheat.

    2. Re:Bah by scabb · · Score: 3, Interesting

      A "unique combination". It was unique in the way they combined the 2D and 3D.

    3. Re:Bah by Zangief · · Score: 1

      Paper Mario looks a little different from Doom...and it's 2D graphics are part of the design, not an ugly cheat.

      Yeah, those guys at ID never do anything right...not being able to do full 3D models in one of those all powerfuls 386s, bah.

      Doom: 1993
      Paper Mario: 2000 (in Japan)

      Those kids today have no respect. When Doom came out, it was God on your computer. That "hack" of using sprites was the whole thing that made possible 3D enemies at the time. Textured 3D models for enemies were not factible until much later.

  4. Another Paper? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    Am I the only one that doesn't want to see another Paper Mario? One of them was fine, but this series (Mario RPG, Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi) has showed up in a different form each time until now. Why copy off the N64 version? Why not make it different?

    Ah, I shouldn't be surprised. Most of the first-party sequels Nintendo has made for the GC have been sadly lacking, mostly appearing as incremental updates instead of real sequels.

    1. Re:Another Paper? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      No shit. This is part of the reason why I will not buy or touch a GameCube. All Nintendo knows how to do is constantly revamp and redo and remake all of their franchises from 20 years ago. Sure Mario was cool on the NES and SNES, but I have long moved past that when it was cool and hip 10-15 years ago.

      You can tell that Nintendo really cannot leave the mentality of releasing their franchises over and over with sequels. Take a look at http://cube.ign.com/articles/503/503730p1.html for a good example:

      April 5, 2004
      WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$

      May 10, 2004
      Custom Robo

      June 7, 2004
      The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

      August
      Pikmin 2

      September
      Donkey Konga

      Fourth Quarter 2004
      Geist
      Mario Party 6
      Mario Tennis
      Metroid Prime 2
      Paper Mario 2
      Star Fox 2

    2. Re:Another Paper? by Incoherent07 · · Score: 1

      Oh, and did anyone mention that Paper Mario was not nearly as good as Mario RPG or (at least from what I've heard) Mario and Luigi?

      --
      This is my sig. There are many others like it, but this one is mine.
    3. Re:Another Paper? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      damn, some of those games sound cool. its gonna be a good year.

    4. Re:Another Paper? by Ziffy · · Score: 1

      It all depends on who you ask. Paper Mario is my favorite out of the three, and Mario RPG is my least favorite.

    5. Re:Another Paper? by Rallion · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Uh...yeah...when I get these consistently good games, I just wish they'd do something different for once...

      Wait, no. Nevermind. They're as original as anybody else is, anyway. Really, who's better? Whovever came up with that crazy roll-stuff-into-a-ball game, maybe, if that's really much more original than Pikmin.

    6. Re:Another Paper? by lightspawn · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Am I the only one that doesn't want to see another Paper Mario?

      Just don't look, then.

      Most of the first-party sequels Nintendo has made for the GC have been sadly lacking, mostly appearing as incremental updates instead of real sequels.

      Is there really that much that was missing from the previous versions and can now be added?

    7. Re:Another Paper? by Babbster · · Score: 1
      Am I the only one that doesn't want to see another Paper Mario?

      Am I the only one who owns a Gamecube but didn't go near the N64 for fear of paying US$70 for a new game?

      Paper Mario will be as new to me as any other sequel to a N64 game.

    8. Re:Another Paper? by metroid+composite · · Score: 1
      Paper Mario was the most replayable of the three, provided you're willing to restrict some of the overpowered stuff to get past the low challenge level. It has a system where it was obvious what caused the exact damage numbers, so you could plan out full strategies over six or seven turns. That I haven't seen in any other RPG...or not to the same extent. Also adding to the strategy is the relatively small number of random factors: generally no dodging; it's not random who gets targeted; damage is almost all non-random; turn order is completely fixed. In addition, the vast number of binary choices with drawbacks made things interesting. Mario/Partner can act in either order; the badge setups had a lot of strategy to them; either mario or partner can use their turn to switch partners; sometimes you want to fail an action command to get into a certain HP range. The balance between moves was also spectacular in general (with a few jokes thrown in).
      ...In short, battles seem excessively simple and easy to understand, while still having one of the the deepest layer of strategy I've seen in any RPG (its competition is Final Fantasy Tactics for me; which has the added advantage of being an SRPG probably putting it over the top).

      Mario & Luigi is almost the exact opposite. The story is bizarre beyond bizarre but oddly engrosing. The action and dodging is something you really have to see to believe. The puzzles are better than any other RPG I've played. I...quite possibly had the most fun on the first playthrough of this than any other game let alone RPG, yet I have no real interest in playing it a second time because I know what's comming plot-wise, and once you're good enough at dodging the fights become a joke. Seriously, If you haven't played this, rent it now (you'll probably finish it before returning it too--I've known people to beat all 20 hours in a single sitting their first time through).

      SMRPG is a cheap Squaresoft RPG copying mainly off of the FF6/Chrono Trigger mold, but putting in some CG Mario Characters. Now, I understand this particular era of Squaresoft has rabid fans, but I never really saw the point of playing SMRPG when I could be playing Chrono Trigger or FF6. If you want a totally "tradidtional" "epic" RPG then sure, this fits the mold better than the other two, but I personally don't have all that much respect for the game.

    9. Re:Another Paper? by metroid+composite · · Score: 4, Interesting
      Am I the only one that doesn't want to see another Paper Mario? One of them was fine, but this series (Mario RPG, Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi) has showed up in a different form each time until now. Why copy off the N64 version? Why not make it different?

      First, just because it's paper-style doesn't mean it can't be vastly different from the original. Second, Paper Mario had massively untapped potential. There was a claymation-type thing I saw with paper once--flat world I think it was? You had Goldfish Bowls hanging as picture frames on walls; people slipping underneath doorways; people getting crumpled up and rolling down the street (and Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes did rolling in another way, as well as turning sideways to be invisible); you had people being folded up and put into other people's purses.
      Paper Mario 2 seems to be trying out some of the potential it never used, like Mario folding himself into a Paper Airplane. Hopefully that's not all Nintendo throws in.

      Ah, I shouldn't be surprised. Most of the first-party sequels Nintendo has made for the GC have been sadly lacking, mostly appearing as incremental updates instead of real sequels.

      Mario Kart Double Dash adds a new dimension to things, and from what I've seen is the first Mario Kart game I actually respect. Metroid Prime...that gameplay really impressed me personally and it is new. I've heard that Wind Waker has a swordfighting system that doesn't suck (and frankly OoT was downright limited; Majora's Mask is a reasonable step up with the masks but still meh). Pikmin...no comment needed. Animal Crossing was never released in the US until now.

      So...where's these lacking sequels? If you're referring to Mario Party 23419 those are no longer programmed by Nintendo; Capcom is doing them IIRC.

    10. Re:Another Paper? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest had no randomness whatsoever, either, but the difference is that I feel dirty for mentioning it.

      Speaking of Paper Mario, I missed it the first time around, and a while back I heard a rumor that it might be rereleased for the GameCube. I thought that sounded like a good idea because it came out so late in the N64's lifetime that I probably wasn't the only one to miss out (there was a sadly narrow window of opportunity to buy N64 games before they disappeared from the shelves after the GameCube came out, and they didn't even go to the bargain bins). Was there ever any truth to that rumor, or was it just the sequel that I heard about?

    11. Re:Another Paper? by Mike+Hawk · · Score: 1

      First, just because it's paper-style doesn't mean it can't be vastly different from the original.

      No, its because its Nintendo that it can't be vastly different than the original.

      Their new motto is: Since we are running out of new ways to sell you the same old crap, can we literally just resell you the same old crap?

    12. Re:Another Paper? by Xaymot · · Score: 0

      Nice essay... HA HA HA HA I can totally imagine you with your little Nintendo of America hat fuming at your PC. This website is awesome.

    13. Re:Another Paper? by metroid+composite · · Score: 1
      That was the rumor yes. All we knew for several months was that a game called "Paper Mario" had shown up on the GCN sales release lists in Europe. (Though why Europe is another question). All rumors were based on that one piece of news. For all that time we really didn't know if it was a straight remake or a sequel.

      Though, Paper Mario is fairly cheap on EBay, so that's a solution.

    14. Re:Another Paper? by scabb · · Score: 1

      I liked Paper Mario & Super Mario RPG a whole lot better than Superstar Saga.

    15. Re:Another Paper? by scabb · · Score: 1

      Tuh, it still goes for ~40 over here, and I can get gamecube games new at Amazon for 30.

    16. Re:Another Paper? by scabb · · Score: 1

      Well, movie studios rerelease films on DVD.

    17. Re:Another Paper? by fr0dicus · · Score: 1

      Agreed, and Nintendo above all others are good at making sequels of complex games anyway, Zelda anyone?

    18. Re:Another Paper? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tell you what, Fanboy McDick.

      When YOU create multiple entertainment franchises that can double and redouble their own initial sales by finding new customers for them, I would very much like to see you NOT reaping the profits from these opportunities.

      Until then, I will see nothing wrong with the kids of today being able to pick up the games I played myself when I was their age, on their spiffy new systems. I am not forced to buy these remakes, so why should I care? Hell, why do you?

      Oh yeah, that whole anti-Nintendo thing of yours. How could I let myself forget?!

      P.S. I hear that THPS for N-Gage is going to revolutionize gaming.

    19. Re:Another Paper? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Yeah, the idiots here are the most amusing I've found anywhere.

      Partisan faggots running around waving flags, and their counterparts on the other side doing the same damn thing.



      Yourself, for instance.

    20. Re:Another Paper? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In previous generations, Nintendo invented new series and actually showed innovation. Even during the N64 days, there were games like Mario Tennis, Mario Party, Mario Golf, Zelda Ocarina of Time, and even lesser games like Wave Race and Pilotwings. At that time they were new (okay, the last two were sequels, but much, much improved over their predecessors) and different. What original games has Nintendo made for the Cube? Pikmin and Luigi's Mansion. One good game, one mediocre one. Wow. My point in the original post was: What happened?

  5. If they can do it again... by warmgun · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If Nintendo is able to infuse this new Paper Mario game with the diverse gameplay and humor of Mario & Luigi for the GBA, then the game will sure to be a hit. Also, wouldn't it be nice if they included the original game as a pre-order bonus bonus?

  6. This proves Nintendo is the WCW of consoles by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Nintendo = WCW
    Sony = WWE
    Xbox = ECW

    1. Re:This proves Nintendo is the WCW of consoles by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      urm is that good or bad?

    2. Re:This proves Nintendo is the WCW of consoles by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It means that soon Kazuo Hirai will cut a promo on a Nintendo Nitro game announcing that Nintendo has been acquired by Sony. Afterwards the subdivision will be mismanaged into oblivion.

    3. Re:This proves Nintendo is the WCW of consoles by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That is a retarded comparision.

      WCW was finanically run into the ground by wild spending and some of the worst production staff in the business. Granted, Nintendo might be run into the ground but it won't be the result of something like....oh...I don't know....hiring an NBA basketball player for a wrestling angle and closing down an entire stretch of Atlanta highway for hours to shoot some shitty wrestling footage.

      X-Box = ECW? ECW had no money and was run out of a bingo hall in South Philly.

      The correct anaology is as follows:

      Nintendo = WWF when they were getting their asses handed to them by WCW / ECW at their peak.

      Sony = WCW at its peak.

      Xbox = WCW right when Ted Turner opened his pocket book to kick WWF's ass.

  7. Looking to the past for the future? by Torgo's+Pizza · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This is a serious question. How long can Nintendo keep using past titles and characters as their main source of creativity? Old NES titles being ported to the GBA, sequels to previous titles. Nintendo really hasn't shown anything truly new for a while now in terms of story or gameplay. Eventually this *has* to catch up with Nintendo.

    1. Re:Looking to the past for the future? by Rallion · · Score: 4, Interesting

      They can keep using the same characters as long as the games keep being good. In fact, using the same characters is a damn good idea. People see it, and think, "Oh, I know that guy/girl/thing! The last game he/she/it was in was great!" and even if they don't buy it, they're a hell of a lot more likely to check it out.

      And no, you can't accurately call it 'cheating,' it's just good (and practically free) marketing.

    2. Re:Looking to the past for the future? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pikmin, Animal Crossing, Geist, Wario Ware, Eternal Darkness. You don't see anything new from any of those games? Sure, Pikmin 2 will be coming out within the year, but you can't deny that the original one had a new gameplay idea for it.

    3. Re:Looking to the past for the future? by focitrixilous+P · · Score: 1

      They have done that forever. It works because they change just enough in each sequal to keep it interesting, while keeping the original charm. Most people played the SMB series entire on NES, and many people, myself included, think that SMB3 was better then the original, and much better than SMB2. As long as enough changes between games to make it more then a new set of levels, it works wonders.

      --
      SAILING MISHAP
    4. Re:Looking to the past for the future? by StocDred · · Score: 3, Insightful
      They can keep using the same characters as long as the games keep being good.

      A-fucking-men to that.

      Here's what everybody misses about the Mario franchise. Try to describe Mario for me. Tell me about his life, his backstory, his motivations. The answer is: he has none. He is purely a conduit for the gameplay. When it comes to character, he's as generic as they come.

      And the games still come out first-rate nearly every damn time. That's what counts. Not that he's a cute plumber in overalls, or that he bounces on turtle asses, or that his world is colored in pastels and smiley faces... it's his games that matter.

    5. Re:Looking to the past for the future? by Haeleth · · Score: 1

      How long can Nintendo keep using past titles and characters as their main source of creativity?

      Hey, it hasn't hurt Hollywood yet, has it?

      I'm serious. People play the latest Mario or Zelda in precisely the same way as they watch the latest Bond film, or the latest Julia Roberts vehicle. It hasn't hurt sales yet.

    6. Re:Looking to the past for the future? by ksiddique · · Score: 1

      I don't mind the reuse of old characters--in fact, I love it. I can't wait to see the next Mario/Link/Metroid/etc games. However, I'm not a huge fan of re-releasing old games over and over again. They have Super Mario Bros. for NES, SNES (All-Stars), and GBA. I'm surprised it's not on the 'Cube yet.

      This could be a side affect of me getting old (25). I forget that there are always new gamers that haven't experienced the joys of playing these classic games. As an aside, I was reminded this weekend that there's an entire generation of youth that hear the 1960s Batman theme music and say "WTF??".

      *sigh*

    7. Re:Looking to the past for the future? by BTWR · · Score: 1

      brilliantly insightful.

  8. Tennis by cybermace5 · · Score: 1

    Oooo...Mario Tennis for GC. Though actually, what will the GC version add that the N64 version doesn't have? As a later release for N64, it's pretty much perfection...back in college in 2002, someone's N64 was always on downstairs hooked up to the bigscreen, running Mario Tennis. A GameCube sat there unused for the most part except for the occasional Smash Bros.

    --
    ...
    1. Re:Tennis by M.C.+Hampster · · Score: 1

      Out of the entire list, that was title I'm most anxious for. I actually never did purchase it for the N64, just rented it twice. I rarely purchased N64 games, but I definately will be purchasing this when it comes out for the GC.

      You are correct though as to what they could really do differently. The game was just about perfect. A graphical uprgrade wouldn't hurt, but it's not the most graphically intense game anyway.

      Even LAN support wouldn't make sense because the whole thing takes place on one screen. Perhaps online support? That would truly rock, but isn't going to happen.

      --
      Forget the whales - save the babies.
    2. Re:Tennis by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      what could they do to make mario tennis better? i thought that mario golf was awesome on the 64, but have you SEEN the character models on the gc? they're INSANE.

      not only that, but at 640x480, you will definitely be able to see the ball better...

  9. If they're taking naming suggestions... by RyoShin · · Score: 1

    From what I've heard, 'Nintendo Swiss Army Video System' would fit quite well.

    1. Re:If they're taking naming suggestions... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that would compete well against the Sony Victorianox Portable..

  10. Bleh, I should stop responding individually.... by metroid+composite · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Nintendo really hasn't shown anything truly new for a while now in terms of story or gameplay.

    OH MY GOD! HOLLYWOOD RERELEASED CASSABLANCA ON DVD!! THEREFORE THEY'LL NEVER MAKE ANOTHER INNOVATIVE MOVIE EVER!!

    Seriously though, Nintendo hasn't been making innovative story/gameplay? Umm what are you smoking? Warioware Mega Microgames is the best new gameplay I've seen in several years. Nintendo made Pikmin fairly recently. Nintendo made Animal Crossing. There's plenty of more examples but I grow tired of relisting to this kind of thing over and over. The point stands, they can and do do BOTH things at once. Don't they own more development studios than anybody else? Multitasking is NOT a hard thing for them to do.

  11. How can they improve upon it? Hmm.... by GaimeGuy · · Score: 1

    Well, uh... that's why they're the guys who make us the games. We say "Huh? There's no way to improve upon this game/franchise!" and then they come out with the Super Mario Bros. 3s, the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Times, and the Super Smash Bros. Melees of the game industry. ;)
    In other words, just sit back and wait for the magic to come to you. (That sounded odd. O_o)