Month: February 2016

Pokémon Sun and Moon announced, Red, Blue and Yellow to be compatible with Bank

Posted on by astyahla

Today’s Pokémon Direct was largely a retrospective of the series since its Japanese debut on Feb. 27, 1996. However, The Pokémon Company announced the next core games in the series during the presentation. “Pokémon Sun” and “Pokémon Moon” will be released simultaneously worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS during the 2016 Holiday season. It has been confirmed that the games will take place in a new setting and introduce new Pokémon, implying that these will be the first Generation VII games, as hinted at by the recent reveal of the Pokémon Magearna.

Very few details about the games are available. First of all, the games will be playable in Chinese for the first time, with both traditional and simplified options available. This in addition to the seven languages previously offered; Japanese, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Korean. Furthermore, “Sun” and “Moon” will be compatible with “Pokémon Bank,” the online storage application released in 2014. This will also allow players to transfer their Pokémon from “X,” “Y,” “Omega Ruby” and “Alpha Sapphire.”

In more surprising news, the Virtual Console versions of “Pokémon Red,” “Blue” and “Yellow.” will also be compatible with “Pokémon Bank,” finally solving the problem of being unable to transfer Pokémon from the first generation to modern games. However, there are some limitations. While the Game Boy games will be released tomorrow, Feb. 27, 2016, “Pokémon Bank” will require an update to add compatibility with “Red,” “Blue,” “Yellow,” “Sun,” and “Moon.” Furthermore, Pokémon deposited from the Generation I digital re-releases cannot be transferred to “X,” “Y,” “Omega Ruby” or “Alpha Sapphire,” only to “Sun” and “Moon.” The release date for the update is to be announced.

Milestone Anniversaries abound in 2016

Posted on by astyahla

It was only last year when Nintendo celebrated the 30th anniversary of “Super Mario Bros.” Yet this year there are at least three noteworthy series hitting a milestone.

The first and most visible celebration is “Pokémon’s” 20th anniversary. This being one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises, they are going all out to promote it. For starters, two new games are set to be released worldwide in 2016. First, “Pokkén Tournament” will be released worldwide on Wii U on March 18. This fighting game from the creators of “Tekken” sees a handful of the series most recognizable creatures enter more intense battles than have ever been seen before. In addition, Pokémon Go will be released in early 2016 for iOS and Android. This augmented reality based app allows players to find and catch Pokémon in real world locations. They will also be able to connect with other players to battle and trade. In addition, there will also be an accessory called Pokémon Go Plus that notifies users of in-game events through a multicolored LED and vibrations. It will connect to the users phone via Bluetooth.

In addition to the new games, Nintendo will also re-release “Pokémon Red Version,” “Pokémon Blue Version” and “Pokémon Yellow Version” on the Nintendo 3DS  eShop on February 27, exactly 20 years after the original Japanese release of “Pocket Monsters Red and Green Versions.” Unlike other 3DS Virtual Console titles that have been stripped of their multiplayer features due to the lack of a link cable, the “Pokémon” titles will keep the ability to trade and battle with others using the 3DS wireless features. Nintendo will also rerelease a special New Nintendo 3DS with both Red and Blue preloaded and face plates of Charizard and Blastoise as they appeared on the original box art.

Meanwhile, Nintendo will be distributing various event Pokemon throughout the year. Each one will be available from the 1st to the 24th of each month from February to December and is obtainable in “Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.” Gamestop is currently offering serial codes for Mew while supplies last. The remaining event Pokémon are Celebi in March, Jirachi in April, Darkrai in May, Manaphy in June, Shaymin in July, Arceus in August, Victini in September, Keldeo in October, Genesect in November and Meloetta in December. Darkrai, Arceus and Genesect will be available through serial codes from Gamestop, while the rest will be obtainable through the Nintendo Network.

“Pokémon” is not the only series to celebrate a milestone this year. 2016 also marks the 30th anniversary of “The Legend of Zelda.” While there is not as much fanfare at this point, Nintendo has three “Zelda” games set to be released before the year’s end. First, “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD” will be released on Wii U on March 4 in North America and Europe, and on March 10 in Japan. Originally one of the last major games on the Gamecube and a launch title for the Wii, the Wii U version of the game offers more than just a visual upgrade. On normal mode, the world is arranged like it was in the Gamecube version. In the new, more challenging Hero Mode, the world is flipped 180 degrees like it was in the Wii version, and you will take double damage. In addition, amiibo functionality has been added. By scanning the Link or Toon Link amiibo, you can refill your quiver with arrows anytime you wish. The Zelda and Shiek amiibo will completely restore your health anytime. The Ganondorf amiibo, on the other hand, will make you take double damage for the remainder of your play session. This will also stack on top of the Hero Mode damage multiplier, potentially making a single hit spell certain doom. The new Wolf Link amiibo will open a new challenging dungeon called the Cave of Shadows, which features several floor of enemies that can only be challenged by Wolf Link with no hearts available. Fortunately, once per attempt, you can scan the Wolf Link amiibo again to heal yourself. If you beat the dungeon, you will receive the Colossal Wallet, which allows you to carry up to 9,999 rupees, and you can save a record of how many hearts you had when you finished the dungeon and restore that amount on subsequent scans. Said data can also be carried over to “The Legend of Zelda Wii U,” which is due for a 2016 release.

In addition to the Wii U games, “Hyrule Warriors Legends” will be released on March 25. It is a re-release of the Wii U game, “Hyrule Warriors” for the Nintendo 3DS. It has all of the content of the Wii U game, plus five new playable characters: Tetra, the King of Hyrule and Toon Link from “The Wind Waker,” the Skull Kid from “Majora’s Mask” and Linkle, a original character who believes she is the current incarnation of the hero. The game will be able to connect to the Wii U version to unlock the new characters in the original game.

While no attention has been given to it so far, “Sonic the Hedgehog” will also celebrate its 25th anniversary this year. No official announcements of any celebrations have been made, but at least two games are scheduled for release. “Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice” is due out sometime this year for the 3DS. Meanwhile, “Mario and Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games” will be released on Nintendo 3DS on March 18th in North America, April 8 in Europe and April 9 in Austrailia and on Wii U later this year before the actual Olympics start.

Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam review: Great on paper and in execution

Posted on by astyahla

System: Nintendo 3DS

Publisher: Nintendo

Number of Players: 1

ESRB: E

Mario is best known as a platforming star, but he has also had some excellent RPGs as well. With two ongoing RPG series, “Paper Mario,” which is largely on consoles, and “Mario and Luigi” which is exclusive to handhelds. Both series are well known for comedy, so it seems like the two would go well together. Such a crossover is the premise behind “Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam.”

What started as a cleaning day at Peach’s Castle turns into another adventure for the Mario Bros. when Luigi knocks over the book containing the Paper Mushroom Kingdom, causing many of its citizens to spill out into the world. However, this also includes Paper Bowser, who after initially butting heads with Bowser, teams up with his flesh and blood counterpart to kidnap their respective Princess Peaches and take over the Mushroom Kingdom. Fortunately, there is not two, but three heroic plumbers to stop them, as Paper Mario joins Mario and Luigi on their adventure.

Despite the crossover, the game is primarily a Mario and Luigi title, with each brother takes action with a different button. This time a lot of the team up moves require you to hit the “A” “B and “Y” buttons in quick succession. This includes burrowing into the ground, folding Paper Mario into an airplane to cross wide gaps or hammering something with enough force to break solid rock. Fortunately, jumping gaps does not require this input, as you can have all three brothers jump at the same time with the “X” button, which also allows you to charge up a dash.

The battle system is very similar to “Mario and Luigi: Dream Team.” Mario and Luigi play out as they do in “Dream Team’s” real world, but have some new Bros. Moves, which are special moves that have the two team up. Paper Mario has much less health and weaker defenses than the other two, but makes up for it with the ability to make copies of himself which can take damage for him. As long as at least one copy remains, his health will never go down. The more copies you have, the more damage Paper Mario will be able to do, by being able to jump on the enemy more times in succession or hammer more enemies at once.

In addition, Paper Mario can trigger Trio Attacks that can do more damage, but the more powerful ones have more of a learning curve than the stronger Bros. Attacks do. Notably, more of the Trio Attacks have a chance of missing altogether than the Bros. Attacks do.

Despite this, the battles feel a lot easier than those in “Dream Team.” When enemies attack, a crosshair appears at the feet of the character being targeted, requiring you to jump or use the hammer to defend against them as usual. While this does help indicate who is gong to be attacked, it is still plenty difficult to dodge attacks consistently.

The game also introduces Battle Cards. Every turn, you draw a card from your customizable 10-card deck. To play a card you need a certain amount of Star Points, which are generated by successful attacks. Each card has a different effect, each of which is activated without using a turn. All of this adds an additional layer to combat.

However, one recurring problem purists from past games in the “Mario and Luigi” series is that it is easy to get pinned down once Mario or Luigi goes down. When one of them is knocked out, the other runs over to protect him from further harm. Due to carrying him unconscious brother on his back, defensive maneuvers take longer to execute, making it that much more likely the other brother will be taken out as well. Paper Mario on the other hand never does so, so he his always freed up to dodge to the full extent of his abilities. Fortunately, the new Double 1-Up Mushrooms revive two brothers at at the same time getting them back in the fight. But like standard 1-Up Mushrooms, the restore a pitiful amount of health so the brothers can easily be knocked out again. It does not help that bosses tend to take several turns in a row when they run low on health.

Meanwhile, the game offers new Papercraft Battles, which replace the giant battles of past games. The papercrafts involved are essentially giant robots that you have to charge at to knock over, than have the Toads carrying the papercraft throw it at the fallen enemies to finish them off. The developers keep offering new aspects to the battles which keep them from getting old. There are five of them, so they never feel like they overstay their welcome.

While the story is predictable, there is a lot of amusement to be seen in the interactions between the characters and their paper counterparts. For example, Bowser and Paper Bowser may work together, but it is clear they barely tolerate each other. Bowser Jr. and Paper Bowser Jr. on the other hand become the best of friends. The humor in the game is still intact, with some very amusing writing. The two series even combine to completely decimate the fourth wall, as everyone knows how the usual Mario story goes and points out every plot point. While the lack of new characters is disappointing, the writers did a great job fleshing out the personalities of previously flat characters such as the Koopalings or Toadette. This part is the highlight of the game as it helps show the characters as a new light.

However, a few things keep the game from being the excellent crossover I was hoping for. The game world feels smaller than any of the previous “Mario and Luigi” or “Paper Mario” games. As a result, there is too much backtracking involved. In addition, the game forces you to take on quests to advance the plot, especially ones that require you to rescue Paper Toads. A lot of them are arbitrary and clearly were in there just to make the game longer. For example, one quest requires you to get to a certain point with in a time limit, but the game throws you in to scripted battles that you are not allowed to run from. The timer does not stop during battle either. Worse, a lot of the battles are against weaker enemies. If a far more powerful shiny paper enemy is randomly inserted into the group, you will fail the quest. These frequently cause all progress to grind to a halt.

Despite these faults, “Paper Jam” is a great game. It just is not the phenomenal crossover that I had anticipated.

Score 8.5/10