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Negative World Podcast 030 - Better Late Than Never
Podcast presented by 
(Editor)
April 20, 2012, 03:53
 


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Believe it or not, we've been working on a new podcast for a while! After some scheduling conflicts and then free-time-to-work issues in general, the new episode of the Negative World Podcast is finally upon us! Better late than never eh!?

Gamewizard65 and Ninsage talk about their latest gaming endeavors while DrFinkelstein laments about his broken Wii.

Then, the crew discusses things like whether or not Nintendo needs to rely on gimmicks, how nostalgia affects our gaming experiences, and finally how our hype for the video game hobby we love changes over time!

As usual, the theme music comes from Negative World's owner and dictator, Zero. The music throughout the podcast is taken from Super Mario Galaxy, it's sequel, and Super Mario Sunshine. Songs from mario games which were intended to elicit a nostalgic response of some kind. ;)

Comment on the topics, the podcast, the guests, the host, etc. on Negative World! Or, be go ahead and post them on Facebook or Twitter instead.

In time... but not tonight... You can find an enhanced version of this podcast with chapters and art at Negative World Podcast Enhanced or on iTunes.

Full list of episodes

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04/20/12, 03:53   Edited:  04/20/12, 13:20
 
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@Mop it up

It's been a week or so but I listened to the podcast a couple of times. I think that DrFinkelstein just said that NWR's reviewer seemed to like the game more than you did (even more than you did?). Just paraphrasing but I think that was the gist of the remark.

Posted by 
 on: 05/02/12, 07:46
It was me, and since I'm rushing off to work, I'll try to remember to return back to reply later.

NWRs review was a bit more glowing and appreciative while yours (if I remember correctly) was just a bit more discontent with the direction they chose. I was kinda on the fence but reading NWRs review made me decide to just give it a shot after no having done so in 4 games.

I wasn't disappointed. I'm sure you're not perceiving it this way but I'm not slighting you at all. Just saying I found it more enjoyable than you in this case while also trying to promote that you have a review up.

Posted by 
 on: 05/02/12, 13:47
@gamewizard65

Oh, haha! That IS a big difference then. Yeah, 27 holes isn't a lot at all.. Thats like, one and a half courses.. You said it was only 5 bucks though?

Posted by 
 on: 05/02/12, 20:45
@DrFinkelstein Well, I think the problem is that you're seeing the score I gave the game as a measurement of my enjoyment of the game, which it is not. There are two sides to everyone, a player and a critic, and balancing them can be tricky. The only thing I don't like is the abundance of luck, but I don't think that's a direct result of the changes. All the new stuff is still welcome even with that, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Mario Party 10 builds on the concepts. The game will soon crack the top 20 of my most-played Wii games, and I've unlocked everything in the extras zone, so it's certainly a game I enjoy. However, as a critic, I recognise that the game has issues, and so I can't let my enjoyment get in the way of pointing out potential problems; I have to consider how others may perceive the game. Ultimately, I'm not the one who decides how good the content is; hopefully, I provided enough information for the reader to make that call.

Even though I think Mario Party 8 is a better game overall, I still think Mario Party 9 is an enjoyable game and a step in the right direction.

Posted by 
 on: 05/03/12, 02:15
Your review, having read it again now since buying it, isn't as negative as I originally might have perceived, but to me, from my point of view, the 7.5 probably concerned me being I'm not looking to get back into Mario Party after so many passes with a 7.5 type game. But we all have our own ideas of rankings and such. Nothing wrong with your score. The following sections from your review were what gave me pause... and most if not all were negated once I read Nintendo World Report's review. Perhaps it was all perception. But for me, Single Player mode is very important in Mario Party so having read your review first, I was quite uncertain I would enjoy myself alone.

Mop it up said:
The Mini Star system is unfortunately where the game begins to fall apart. In most cases, gaining and losing Mini Stars is a matter of nothing but luck. Mario Party games have always had some element of luck, but it never felt excessive; this game brings it to the point of absurdity.

...

This can make everything before the endgame feel pointless, so it definitely helps to have players who will laugh at the insanity.

...

For the single player, there is a Solo mode, which is a series of six games, one on each board. Given the luck-based system, this mode is mostly a chore, and it is unfortunately required to unlock the two secret playable characters.

...

It also has nothing to offer the single player, not that Mario Party ever did.

Either way, I have since discovered that I do enjoy this game, even with the added randomness. I kinda appreciate that. It's only occasionally frustrating in the sense of the Blue Shell from Mario Kart (and I'm not someone who feels threatened by that in the same way others are).

Your review is just fine. It reads from someone having played Mario Party 8, but I read it as someone having not played since Mario Party 5. And in hindsight, having owned MP9 now, that's the difference in perceptions I discussed on the podcasts, probably not that elegantly.

Posted by 
 on: 05/03/12, 03:04
Ah, that makes sense. I didn't think anyone cared about the single player portion of Mario Party games, so I didn't go into any sort of detail about it. Really, there's plenty more I could have talked about with the game, but I felt that making the review too lengthy could present a problem of keeping the reader interested long enough to get through it. Another example would be how you mentioned the 2-3-4 player thing, which, by the way, you can play all the free-for-all games with 2-3-4 players, but the vs. games are 3-4 players only. But, I didn't think my assessment would turn away someone who already liked Mario Party's single player mode, as the last comment of mine you posted indicates that I never viewed Mario Party as a worthwhile single player game. That's a perspective I didn't consider, so if I had discussed it in greater detail, perhaps I could have given the impression that it's still okay if you already liked it in past games.

That said, I actually have played MP9's single player a few times. I still hope to earn over 600 mini stars total, but it'll take some extreme luck.

Posted by 
 on: 05/03/12, 03:18   Edited:  05/03/12, 03:20
@Mop it up

Reading your review again for this thread, I actually liked it even more so. :) Very well written and enjoyable.

Mario Party 1 had a nice 1 player mode in that whole mini-game track thing. But none have really done that since. But I haven't had people to play Mario Party with consistently in many years because all my gaming friends have moved elsewhere so solo mode is a key thing for me. I know I am kinda a rare breed though with these games. Your review was aimed at the broadest audience which makes sense.

Posted by 
 on: 05/03/12, 03:25
@DrFinkelstein

Thanks. I hope I'm not coming off as defensive or anything, I just tend to write in a direct way. And I agree with you that my review doesn't do a good job of painting the picture for a single player, and that's the kind of feedback I was looking for, a way to improve my reviews.

I'm the least familiar with the first Mario Party game, I started the series with MP3, so I don't have the most comprehensive view of their single player modes. Have you tried either of the handheld Mario Party games? Being on a handheld, I believe that they are designed more for a single player, so perhaps you may want to check them out. Though I can't vouch for them, as I haven't played them.

Posted by 
 on: 05/03/12, 03:32
@Mr_Mustache

Yea, its $4.99. And I actually think the game is worth it, I just didn't like how they stated there was 81holes, when its really only 27 and they reuse the same exact holes and only add coins for the medium level holes and then for the hardest level holes there is still the coins but they also add more barriers, ect to make the holes more difficult.

It is a fun little title and overall the presentation of the game is top notch...or at least imo. I recommend it.

I am actually thinking about downloading the other golf game. The only reason I have not cause of the comments made by others on this board complaining about the developer. But from the majority of reviews available, the game gets fairly decent marks. So, Im sure I will like it as well.

Posted by 
 on: 05/03/12, 07:25   Edited:  05/03/12, 07:26
@gamewizard65

I don't know if you said it anywhere else (I didn't see), but have you ever had any disc-based games?

Like I said before, Super Swing Golf is pretty fun, and Mario Golf -- of course -- was always a good time.

Posted by 
 on: 05/03/12, 23:14
@Mr_Mustache

Yea, actually I played the hell out of Mario Golf for the N64. I loved that game. Though for some reason I never bought the Mario Golf game for the GC. Not sure why I passed on that one. That Super Swing Golf sounds really familiar. I know Ive heard of it. Exactly what system was it available?

Posted by 
 on: 05/04/12, 07:42
Both Super Swing Golf games are on the Wii.

Posted by 
 on: 05/04/12, 08:45
@Mop it up

Thanks, I think Im starting to remember now. SSG came out early in the Wii's life and was on disc...right?

Posted by 
 on: 05/04/12, 08:50
Yeppers. December 2006 for the first, I believe.

Posted by 
 on: 05/04/12, 08:52
@gamewizard65

Woops, sorry, just saw this! Like Mop it up said, both games are on the Wii and probably pretty darn cheap by now. They have their own characters with their own skills and stuff, and you can upgrade your person with new shirts and stuff, as well as special balls, special swings, clubs, etc. Too much to quickly post about here. It uses a nice swing mechanic, and beats the pants off of Wii Sports Golf. You earn coins/whatever by doing better, obviously; I think thats what made me think of it.

Super Swing Golf is around $14 on Amazon right now (down from $50).

Posted by 
 on: 05/10/12, 02:14
Considering Mario Golf Toadstool Tour is one of my favorite games ever, I actually quite enjoyed the Super Swing Golf from Dec 2006 or whatever. But I never "beat" it.

Posted by 
 on: 05/10/12, 02:44
@DrFinkelstein

I didn't beat it either. I think I got stuck on the Carrier stage? SO harrrd.

Posted by 
 on: 05/10/12, 02:49
@Mr_Mustache

Actually, last weekend I saw Super Swing Golf at my Gamestop for around $4.99(used).It included orig box and instructions, everything was in really nice condition...although I ended up with 4 other games that I have been wanting. So, Maybe on my next haul I will pick it up. Yea, I know it was only $5. Oh well, I am sure it will still be there next time I go up and if so, I will buy it.

Posted by 
 on: 05/10/12, 10:21
@gamewizard65

Its not the best game ever, but it IS fun. And multiplayer if that factors in at all.

Posted by 
 on: 05/10/12, 23:28
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