Nintendo nerds gather once more to discuss the topics they love most!
DrFinkelstein finally returns to the podcast he helped conceive! It is a decision he may yet regret, as it apparently shattered all of the convictions he had about Achievements in games!
What the smerd!? We explore the seedy world of gaming magazines, specifically Nintendo Power, and wonder if they have their use still, in a world where games don't have codes or obtuse design anymore. Are Nintendo Power writers still not allowed to say anything nice about the Genesis?
Pandareus thinks it's a good idea to analyze Mario 3DS based on 4 screenshots and a logo. The crew for today's podcast is a weird bunch. "Floating blocks are cool"? What?
Finally, GameDadGrant decides to talk about the differences between Nintendo's handheld and console strategies. The crew gets off-topic and decides to mock each other for the DS model they use or for not having played Link's Awakening (a character flaw that many will be able to solve once that game is available on the Virtual Console service!).
As usual, leave your comments on the podcast, its host, its guests and its topics in this very thread! Or, be a weirdo and post them on Facebook or Twitter instead.
The only legit argument I've seen against achievements/trophies is that sometimes developers half-ass them and put them in to artificially lengthen the game through collect-a-thon tasks or what have you, but to me even that's a stretch. Lots of devs do that regardless, they just give you an electronic award for it now.
If you're new to them and are annoyed that your friends have a higher score or whatever, I assure you that's a feeling that can be there at first but the longer you play on a system with trophies the less you care about your overall level. I'm sure there are exceptions, but largely it's a novelty and I don't think that many people are competing at this point.
I'm with hallows though on checking peoples' trophies. I could give a **** what their overall score is. For all I know he's an unemployed rich high school kid who has nothing on his schedule but gaming time. But when he kicks my butt in Marvel vs. Capcom (which people always do), I like to look at their profile and see he's nearly platinum'ed Street Fighter 4 and Super Street Fighter 4, he's on his way to do the same in MvC, and he's barely touched like five other games under his profile. I can then safely assume, OK, this dude is for real at fighters - and that trend happens a lot.
If a guy is being cheap, they tend to have a lot of Madden and shooter trophies, and honestly not a whole else.
On my friends lists I like to compare, see what kind of games they like and how much they've played them.
Another great podcast, always a pleasure to listen to.
As for the topics:
Achievements: As an ex-PS3 player (I still own one but haven’t touched any of its games for over a year), I thought the concept was pretty cool at first. I was proud of all the trophies I earned, and the trophies truly forced me (being the OC kind of guy I am) to collect them all. I got platinum on Dead Space (and Prince of Persia, I think).
But the desire to acquire all the trophies made my games become quite a chore, and I started to enjoy my games less and less. I would start looking up guides or gamefaqs to ensure I didn’t miss any trophies on my first playthrough.
If Nintendo does implement a universal achievement system on their next console, I hope it’s a modified form of what’s on PS3 and 360, with that Nintendo twist that will make it distinct.
Nintendo Power: I have been a subscriber since 1993 and have never missed an issue since. I have gone back and ordered a lot of the back issues as well, going back to the one with Dr. Mario (NES) on the cover! I personally love the media and will always prefer having my copy in my hand. Nintendo Power has seen some huge improvements and I never regret any year I have renewed it.
Mario 3DS: I like how everyone broke down and shared their love for the Mario games, and how the Mario games are still very relevant to the industry, and still some of the best games money can buy.. There simply aren’t any ‘pure’ platformers out there anymore, especially any matching Mario games’ quality (level design, play control, sense of wonder and accomplishment, and so forth).
Handheld vs. Console strategy: It’s interesting to see how Nintendo handles these two aspects of their business. I really wish there were a secret formula Nintendo could apply to get the same level of third party quality support seen on DS transition over to the Wii market. We’ll have to wait and see what the next console will bring.
Other: Loved the music transitions between topics! I’m a sucker for that kind of stuff. Loved the great enthusiasm for all things Nintendo especially from smerd and GDG (I got you two guys mixed up sometimes while listening).
BTW, does the title of this episode make sense for anybody?
I do not get the title, actually... Hot for a rotund Mario... chubby Mario, portly plumber, um... ?
@Pandareus Also, I think you’re doing quite well as the host, providing good insight and keeping the flow moving along. I’m sure I would probably not do much better, at least you don't draw any blanks and have a lot of good video game knowledge in that head of yours!
So, did you say English is not your primary or first language?
And @DrFinkelstein, great work at the end there, it really made me smile.
Thanks roy! haha. It would have been cleaner but besides my nail being long and messing with me, the cord from my headphones was draping dangerously close to the strings and I was trying to avoid it hitting them and messing me up. but alas, I got the point across.
Woohoo, thanks for commenting on the topics, the podcast and the podcasters! It's what makes the whole endeavor worthwhile.
As for the title... yeah, I guess I was aiming for the fact that we're all super excited for a 3D Mario. And Mario is fat. And in 3D, he's just gonna look fatter. Or something. I dunno.
Haha, not really compliments, maybe I hoped for reassurance, but really I took everyone's silence as confirmation... I'll improve, honest! Getting a good night's sleep before a podcast recording will help I'm sure...
How much to you miss claymation? I used to love their drawings so much in Nintendo Power. It was replaced by..something a long time ago. I miss that stuff.
@Mr_Mustache No, I don't have the Mega Man 2 issue:
I'll have to check my collection when I get home tonight, but I'm still missing a bunch of the old issues. Maybe I should just go ahead and complete my collection.
There are some AWESOME drawings in this one. I don't know why I think they're that good, haha, but I heartily enjoy them. I think theres an awesome illustrated Mega Man II poster, too!
I had lots of fun doing this podcast. Great conversations, nice transitions, nice wrap up. I can only see these podcasts getting better and better as time goes on. I even threw in the corny "wondering if you still have the Power" opening line in there for good measure haha. I was supposed to keep going with that and end with: "have the Power....of He-Man" but I forgot.
I finally listened to this one, and it was quite good!
My experience with Nintendo Power is similar to many. My first issue was back in January 1991 (Volume 20 with Mega Man 3), which came with the free copy of Dragon Warrior, then I stopped my subscription in December 1996. I did resubscribe for a couple years from 2005 to 2007, and found the magazine to be pretty good. In a pretty stupid move, I threw out all of my old NP magazines many years ago. Luckily I still have all of my old EGM's from the 90s.
Also, just like DrFinkelstein I've been rocking the DS Phat for all these years. I don't mind since I play it 95% of the time in bed before I go to sleep, so I don't need a brighter screen.
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