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Sticking up for Nintendo
Reader jasoncart wrote in to give us a heads up on an editorial over on Ferrago. In it, the author defends Nintendo from its numerous detractors. From the article: "I love Nintendo and make no apology for it. I admit still that they annoy me like no other company in the gaming world. They can be at times simply utterly frustrating, I know that too well, but how shall I put it? Love is true but comes at a price. It's the one that is closest to you that can hurt you most."
Stuck in the past, huh? I'm sorry, but I have enjoyed every single Mario/Zelda/Metroid game that's been released. Each of them have their charm.
The cool thing about Nintendo games using these classic franchises is that almost each iteration introduces a new gameplay mechanic that's not gimmicky, but is actually relevant to the gameplay. That's the thing: with classic franchises, they almost always try to spice it up.
Take the Metroid Prime series (there's 2, so why not call it a series?) for instance. It could have simply been your standard FPS in a power suit. But they actually took everything that made Metroid what it is and converted it to a 3D world full of life and detail. They are easily some the best first-person console games I've ever played. Normally I shy away from FPS on the consoles because of their unnatural feel with a controller. These games were easy to pick up and just start playing.
That's something else Nintendo games are known for. You can just pick up a controller and start playing the game. You don't have to read a 5-pound manual first for all the key-mappings and whatnot. The accessibility of Nintendo games is second to none.
Just because some of their games might have bright colors and happy music does not -- I repeat, NOT -- mean they're just for kids. Super Mario Sunshine had some pretty challenging (in a fun way) moments, as did Mario 64, Super Mario World, and even Mario 3 before that.
Wind Waker was another game that got chastised for its "kiddy" look. If graphics are all you base a game's worth on (DOOM 3, anyone?), then I feel sorry for you. Wind Waker was incredibly fun, despite its cel-shaded look. It was done for a reason, and it fits in perfectly with the theme of the game. Besides, the new Zelda game features a mature Link, which I know I've missed since Ocarina of Time. Hell, since Adventure of Link, for that matter.
The kiddy argument just doesn't fly. I think a lot of people say that because Nintendo is almost synonymous with "growing up". I played the NES growing up, and I still buy every console Nintendo makes. Why? They make great games, and they have yet to let me down in that department, even if they do frustrate the ever-loving piss out of me.
"Apparently so, but suppose you throw a coin enough times. Suppose one day, it lands on its edge."
I can't really explain it either - I just love the game. And I didn't like the Sims at all. Animal Crossing has this weird calming effect on me. Nothing is better after a stressful day than some fishing and bug catching in my town. Its kind of like that imaginary place with all the animals on Mister Roger's Neighborhood. For some reason, it just makes me feel like a kid again when I play it. Its just silly and relaxing and has a surprising amount of things you can do (though I wish there was more). And I really love the music.
I have eventually gotten sort of tired of it, and I haven't played it in months. But overall, I think its one of the most played game in my collection. And believe me, that is really saying something.
I'm really looking forward to the DS version. In fact, that is one of the main reasons I was an early adopter for the DS.
"as far as I know they use linux to code ps2 games didnt you knew that?"
First off, when did Linux become a programming language?
Secondly, what's the point of using open source software when you need to sell your soul to get the SDK? I've tinkered with a lot of homebrewed PS2 software and none of it involved getting Sony's SDK or even "Linux (for PlayStation 2)" as far as I can tell.
"and every geek I know has a soft spot for cool electronics and thats what sony is all about,"
Then I'm correct in assuming you own an HDTV? Either I'm not a geek, or geeks are more interested in fun toys more than they are in "cool electronics." The people who go after "cool electronics" seem to be the ones who slap stickers all over their Honda Civics.
"No offense guys but Nintendo is the Walt Disney of the videogames world"
If Nintendo were Disney, there would be no new games featuring these characters. Instead, they'd be locked in a vault somewhere with Nintendo sueing the crap out of anybody who even mentions their trademarked propeties, and their main source of profit would be from producing games with stories that rip off the public domain. The reason Mario is more recognizable than Mickey Mouse is because Mickey hasn't done anything for the past 50 years or so.
No, in reality we have people complaining that Nintendo is using their old characters in too many new games. Square Enix is the company that wants us to buy Final Fantasy Origins again barely 18 months later. That's Hollywood thinking.
"(in case you didnt knew family games are the ones who make the most money!)"
Which is why the GameCube is trouncing the PlayStation 2 in sales...
" you can even compare them and their business practices to MS at some point."
Which is why the GameCube is trouncing the PlayStation 2 in sales...
Heck, if Nintendo were so similar to MIcrosoft there'd be no point in Gates wanting to buy them. Why "embrace and extend" when you're already there?
"You cringed all over when MS tried to make all windows users pay an annual fee,"
How long ago did the GCN come out? Or the SP?
Again, Sony is the company that seems to be looking for annual fees. Want a PS2 that you can turn off with the remote? Buy a new PS2. Progressive-scan DVD playback? Buy a new PS2. A four-player adapter that works in both PS and PS2 games? Buy a new PS2. It's getting to the point where buying a second PS2 is less a luxury and more an upgrade.
"but you just smiled when Nintendo forced everyone to buy 4 gameboys for a four player game"
Sounds familiar...
Nintendo didn't force anybody to buy four Game Boys because everbody could bring their own, and everybody already owns their own Game Boy.
"when they could have made a cool multiplayer online game instead,"
Instead we got a game with a plot and a storyline, a game without camping, without internet fuckwads, without monthly subscriptions and a game we'll still be able to play in five years. Damn you, Nintendo!
"geek is cool"
War is peace! Freedom is slavery!
Geek is not cool, geek is liking what you like without thinking about whether or not it's cool. Game awards shows on Spike are cool, because they followed all the coolness rules.
"Just to beat some sense to you consider this the DS is a double screened gameboy with a nintendo 64 chip in it. the second screen is a cheap touchscreen from a palm, at the end you are just getting a cheap palm."
On the one hand, you say I'm getting a handheld version of a system I still love. On the other, you say I'm saving money compared to what Palm would be charging for a platform with far fewer games I'd be interested in. Where exactly is the downside in that?
"Why they didnt made a portable gamecube with a mi
From the article:
Which is more mature - GTA San Andreas or Animal Crossing? I bet that nearly every single one of you would say GTA but I disagree with all of you. Yes, even you. Animal Crossing is a far more mature game in many ways.
This is the most insightful thing in the article (which contains some errors -- Nintendo didn't develop the Power Glove, it was just available for their system).
The definition of maturity has become somewhat clouded, what with the MPAA's and the ESRB's ludicrous rating systems. They have caused people to equate violent and sexual content with maturity, which is foolish.
The point of those systems isn't to say that these elements are mature, but that the viewer/player should be of at least this maturity level before being exposed to them. Which itself is awfully condesending to the consumer, but is at least less stupid than the common assumption.
Maturity is not what kinds of objectionable content you put in your work. It is an outlook, a way of being sure of yourself despite what you see, a tendency to look out for others before yourself, the ability to behave rationally, respectfully, thoughtfully. Judge it this way, and I can name thirty-year-olds who might not be considered worthy of playing Grand Theft Auto.
But Animal Crossing rewards all those attributes listed above, while many things in the GTA games, despite all their considerable design strengths, do much to tear them down.
And that is why it's a much more mature game, cartoon animals and all, than GTA.