Wii U: The Next Nintendo Monster or Too Little Too Late?

The Wii U had probably one of the most confusing yet amazing announcements in gaming history. E3 2011 everyone knew that the then "Project Cafe" would be revealed to the world. When Nintendo let off the Wii U bombshell the gaming world was split. Was this the next big thing that will smash Microsoft and Sony to the ground? Or was this too little too late?

Well the answer is still unclear, a few factors have caused this:

• The unclear reveal (some of the public thought this was a Wii peripheral)
• Up to now it looks like the Wii U will only be slightly more powerful than the PS3 (The next Sony and Microsoft Outing will probably be out of Wii U's league)
• The 3DS trouble of 2011 (This has not only caused concern for the Wii U but it has caused concern for loyal Nintendo fans)
• Slide pads no analogue sticks (Slide pads seem mediocre for a console of the next generation)

 So the Wii U seems up in the air at he moment but it should be made clear that the console is still in development and changes will more than likely be made.

However all is not lost the Wii U has a few tricks up its sleeve:

• The amazing 3rd party support (The list of 3rd party games announced is outstanding)
• The controller to turn the game industry on its head again (The controller adds a new dimension to gameplay)
• Nintendo Network (Nintendo are getting into the online gaming stranded with the brand spanking new  online network)   
• Zelda Wii U looked superb! (This is really self explanatory)

 

What do we need to see E3 2012:

• A name change. (Nintendo has hinted and we all want it)
• A strong launch window.
• Amazing 1st party games. (One thing Nintendo won't let us down)
• The Wii U to be cheap. (HD gaming at a affodable price)
• Alot of Nintendo magic.

To answer the question of this article... I don't know! Its still up in the air. All I can say is look forward to E3 2012!

Super Mario 3D Land

Intro


Regardless of the rocky start the 3DS has suffered in its first few months into its life, it has been a fantastic year for the 3DS. Like most Nintendo products, the Italian plumber mascot is always available to pick up the sales of any console the big N throws in our direction. Before this game was released excitement always surrounded this game for two reasons; 1. It is developed by the same team behind the amazing Galaxy series, 2. It has the dearly missed tanooki suit from Mario Bros. 3. So is this a match made in heaven? Or is this dream like combination a recipe for disaster?

Graphics


Artistically the graphics really bring it all back to basics and gives the essence of old school Mario. Unlike the previous Main Mario games this game is not set in space or in a tropical island its the good old Mushroom Kingdom, and the Mushroom Kingdom has never looked so good. In terms of the levels they are packed with weird and wonderful things to look at, however the backgrounds are plain but you will more then likely notice.

Technical graphics are amazing! This game has the best graphics on the 3DS for 2011. If you have a keen eye you may notice some blur but this will not effect you. All the colours poured in is very impressive the main graphical achievement this game has achieved is the 3D effect. Seen as though this also effects the Gameplay I will talk about it there but for now all you need to know is that it is awesome.

Sound


When does Nintendo let the mustache mascot down with a poor sound track? I'll tell you never! Super Mario 3D Land is no exception, the music is catchy as hell! The funky jazzy music is played on the calmer levels and is so catchy that I have found myself humming the song in awkward situations! The tense epic music of Bowser's castle helps the player keep on his or hers toes. Like with the art styles the music gives an old remixed feeling.

Cartoon sound effects are in this game to (and a number of Mario games) and it really does add to the charm. As tanooki Mario hovering you can hear the sound of Mario's feet struggling to stay in the air. Mario Jumping has Mario expressing his own amazement with a trademark Yahoo!

Control

The controls are very flexible, you have a choice on how you want to play and you have to mess around with those quite annoying options that you have to in most games. Feel like the B button is not the way forward in making Mario jump? Then use the A button instead! This not only allows for fluent controls but it also makes the game very easy to pick up.

The position of the games camera reminds me very much of Mario Galaxy, at times the game will be positioned in a typical 3D platform fashion and then it it change into over head shot and then into 2D platform. The camera really does clash all aspects of Mario together to make something wonderful.

Gameplay

Wow! This game is fun! This game truly feels tailored for the 3DS and it shows in its gameplay.The levels are full packed but are completable in a matter of minutes. This is perfect if you are on the bus to work/school etc. This is what is needed in a portable game the ability to give a fun, challenging and engaging levels that are also short.

What also makes this game feel like a game only playable on the 3DS is the 3D effect. This is the first game that uses 3D to change the actual gameplay. Not only is it easier to stomp on Goombas, but jumping on to precise platforms is also a delight in 3D. Some areas are more or less only doable in 3D, some rooms have a star medal and the path is only in view in 3D. Its odd but really awesome.

Power ups are core to this Mario game especially. Unlike previous Mario games, a health bar is not in sight it is more like Mario Bros. Normal Mario has 2 hits before death, small Mario has one and fire, tanooki and boomerang Mario have 3 hits. This simple but effect system really brings that old school Mario feeling back.

Lastability

The games first 8 world will take round 5 to 7 hours to finish, once complete the special worlds are unlocked and will test the most advanced Goomba stomper and will last absolutely ages. Along with that and the possibility of downloadable content in the very near future this game will indeed last.

Verdict

This is the most innovative, fun and simple Mario game available. Outdoing most Mario games this is on par with Super Mario Bros. 3 and Mario Galaxy 2. Mashing all the main Mario games has truly paid off.

10/10 

Rayman 3D

Intro


Rayman 3D is the newest remake of Rayman 2: The Great Escape the amazing platform game from Ubisoft that was released for the Dreamcast, Nintendo 64 and PC 12 years ago. Back in the day Rayman 2 was a big player in the platform war, so big he was even considered a rival to Mario. Ubisoft has in the last decade forsaken the limbless chap and only given him one original game and several Rayman 2 remakes. So how is this remake? Has Ubisoft done justice to its old mascot? Or have they done a quick job for a quick buck and gone back to Assassins?

Graphics


Artistically the game starts off very nice the first few levels are set in a jungle that is bright and full of life. That is what you need in any platformer is nice mixture of colours. Then you finish the early levels and the bright and giddy platformer becomes all doom and gloom. The art style would of been way better if everything was not dark. Darkness is not what you need in these types of games. It does make you think "Rayman one had wonderful art whats going on?.

Graphically Rayman 3D is just the Dreamcast ported to the 3DS, it does not push the 3DS limits at all. Due to this been a Dreamcast port the full environment is square and pointy. In terms of smoothness the game runs very nice with no frame rate issue. The 3D on Rayman 3D is quite poor is over powering but you will just see two Raymans and the 3D does not help the gamplay in anyway.

Sound


Some of the music is very catchy and is a joy to hear then other times no music is present. Has Ubisoft meant to do this to add drama and tension I really don't think so, to put it bluntly I think they have just been lazy. Sound levels are terrible, some music is so quiet you'll turn the volume all the way up to full then boom! A insanely loud song will come on destroying your ears. Like I said good songs are present but they have been put in the wrong place you may be running around in a gloomy dark pirate ship while listening to a upbeat song!

The audio is very annoying the majority of sound effects is Rayman always running out of breath when he is running or climbing. Footsteps are quite effective when they work! I never knew on occasion Rayman likes to run like a ninja!

Control

As you expect the circle pad controls Raymans movements is quite nice and slick. Press the B button to jump and press B again to hover. Press the Y button to shoot and hold to charge. These are simple and easy to get around. Take the controls underwater and its a nightmare you use 2 buttons you have not used in the entire game to swim! A to go down and X to go up that and the circle for movement its confusing in practice and often you lose direction of where you are going and then drown.

The one factor that effects the entire game is the camera, what angle you see the character can effect the entire control of the game. Unfortunately this is god awful, the bad camera angles knock the control way off and if you have such a bad angle you can't take it anymore tough luck because the majority of the time the camera button does not work.

Gameplay

If you excuse the bad controls, sound and mediocre graphics the gameplay Rayman 3D is not too bad. they may be no multiplayer or street pass functionality but underneath the grit lies a very fun game. Blasting robot pirates to oblivion and swinging on purple lums is undeniable fun. The bosses are really fun (if you excuse the awful controls) and you can tell why back in its day this games was incredible.

The first level has Rayman and his answer to Luigi Globox escaping captivity of the robot pirates and in a mad dash get separated. Adding the to the task of finding his best friend he is also given the goal of rescuing Ly the fairy and then learns he has to collect 4 masks to stop the robot pirates. For an old platformer this game does have a good story behind it,

Lastability

If you can get ignore the sloppy controls and actually manage to finish the game you will be able to do it in about 6 to 8 hours. After your first playthrough you'll have no motivation to play again, with no bonus or difficulty increase you will more than likely put the game down and move on to Mario.

Verdict

Ubisoft have once again released a poor version of a great game, this could of been amazing. This is a really lazy port and this really does no justice for the 3DS. If your a Rayman fan just get out the old consoles and play, if your new just wait for Rayman Origins to come out on the 3DS in a few months.

5/10

Mariokart 7

Intro


Nintendo has followed the same pattern in the consistency of releasing Mariokart games, a new Nintendo console a new Mariokart game. What makes this edition of Mariokart special is that it is not only developed by Nintendo EAD. The legendary games studios behind the magnificent Metroid Prime has helped Nintendo release this game before Christmas 2011. Has this game been rushed? Has Retro studios helped or hinder the game? Or is this the best Mariokart game of the series?   

Graphics

Artistically the characters look the same as they always have, you won't see any difference with the same characters from the Wii's edition. This is fine as a slight redesign of Mario's costume would probably throw allot of people. 

Graphically the game is absolutely outstanding. Unlike the DS version Mariokart 7 does not suffer from pixelation. All the character of the 32 tracks are emphasized by the graphical capability of the 3DS. The colours the backgrounds is lovely one particular track Daisy Hills is filled to the rim with colours you can see the reflection of the track in the water and you will be gliding past varied air balloons. 

If fantastic graphics is not enough to please your eyes you will be glad to hear that the games has a fantastic frame rate. You will be lobbing your green shell and swinging your tanooki tales in an impressive 60 frames per second. Translated into English "Mariokart 7 is very smooth". To put the nail in the "doubt Nintendo's graphics" coffin, online gameplay is still runs at 60 frames per second.

In terms of graphics Mariokart is slightly above Mariokart Wii.

Sound

The music is all MIDI and Nintendo is very good at using it in very creative ways, however you wont find songs that stick in your head like "Song of Storms" from Ocarina of Time. The music does fit very well to the  tracks and if you play the old tracks you get more or less the same song from the older games witch is great for nostalgia. In most Mariokart games the music is never brilliant or bad so once again Mariokart still has standard music. Maybe Mariokart Wii U will change that in the next few years.

The Audio is awesome! It really makes up for the average music. The sound of the engine adds some realism to an unrealistic world. The screeching of the tyres when drifting makes you feel like a bad-ass when you succeed in a perfect drift. This been Mariokart not all the audio is realistic the feared blue shell sores through the air like a jet then crashes into the 1st placer making a fantastic crash that can be heard through out the mushroom kingdom!

     

Control


Mariokart 7 is not good enough to have one type of controls! The crazy racing game comes with the standard controls you all will be use to. The second controls  now utilize the 3DS gyroscope to turn you 3DS into its very own steering wheel.

The standard controls are very simple and very easy to get around. The slide pad makes turning very fluent and accurate and you hold the A button to accelerate. The only problem with holding the A button (along with most Mariokart games) is that holding the A button causes thumb ache. Hold the R button to to drift and preform tricks and the L button to use items.

The gyro controls are very much like using the Wii remote on Mariokart Wii but with a twist. If you wish to use the gyro control you have to race in 1st person and it seems very odd. The gyro controls was a good idea in theory but if you want the most enjoyment use the standard controls.

Gameplay

The main part of the gameplay is the Grand Prix you can choose to race in three difficulties (at the start) and then choose to from 8 cups to race. Each cup consists of 4 races and you earn more points the higher you place in the race the if you earn the most points from the races you win the cup. Grand Prix has 4 cups that have new tracks in and 4 cups that hold retro tracks. This keeps the game fresh and appeals to new and old fans.

The new addition of gliding and racing under water really makes the gameplay unique its a great feeling flying over someone to gain 1st place or taking a short cut in the depths of the water.

Two other modes that where rip to shreds by reviewers all over the world is back. The Balloon battle and coin battle are back and better then ever! Balloon battle's purpose is to use items to destroy the opponents  balloons and defend your own. Coin battle is more or less the same except you collect coins. these games are really fun but even more so on multiplayer.

Items are important in all aspects of gameplay in Mariokart 7 and so with most new kart games new items appear. Fire flower allows you to shoot fire balls at your opponents until you run out of power. The Tanooki tail allows you to swipe your rivals and defend against shells. The lucky 7 is given to you when your down on your luck and 7 random items are given to you to fire upon racers ahead of you. The new items enter Mariokart with ease and makes the gameplay exciting.

Lastability

The game will last you a few hours if you have no friends with Mariokart 7 and no online. If you do you can build up hours upon hours. Mariokart 7 is the best online game on the 3DS at this point in time. quick loading times and the never ending competition will have you hooked. Streetpass will make a copy of your Mii and using your stats on every race you have done will send people your ghost. Then you get other peoples ghost to race at your leisure. This game can last from a few hours to hundreds.

Verdict

If you have a 3DS this is a must have the hours of gameplay you can get is unbelievable. Nintendo EAD and retro studio have made the best Mariokart game with very little amount of time. 

9/10