Do you still like Nintendo?

[Chibz]

But according to every Wii fan and their mother, graphics aren't that important. So graphical improvements therefore aren't that big of a deal.

Graphics aren't important, that's why the image uses the word AESTHETICS. Every Zelda game has a radically different feel, visually and for game play.

 

[orangeban]

I have to admit, I still love Nintendo. 'Cause so far, all their games have been loads of fun, and a welcome change of pace from the usual, brown, gritty third-person-shooters that seem to spread like fungus.

And the umpteenth Zelda, Mario and Metroid titles are a change how? It's gotten laughable how easily we'll applaud something for being 'different' even if it's damn near the same game we've been playing since 1986.

Well, I think it really needs emphasis the fact that Zelda, Mario and Metroid aren't grey and brown, it doesn't matter if a colourful aesthetic has been done tons, colourful is something that doesn't get old fast. And where they're not innovating in games, they certainly are innovating in controller.

The original Nintendo controller was awesome. The SNES controller was essentially the same with a couple more buttons. The N-64 controller was an abomination. The Game Cube controller wasn't all that different from every other controller at the time. And the Wii-mote...well. It certainly made them them money, didn't it? If it makes money, that clearly makes it a good thing, right?

Oh, where as Sony has innovated so much with their controller by adding... the fetal form of motion controls to them? (though I admit that the Wii-mote is really only the infant form, with the motion+? Probably pubescent child.)

And yeah, the Wii-mote is popular because it said to people who weren't gamers, "buttons scare you? Just swing the remote instead!". And that swinging something is a lot easier than pressing buttons (which is very difficult for someone who's never played games before.)

 

[Caffeine Rage]

I have a real love/hate relationship with Nintendo.

I love that they try to do things different hardware wise. That they aren't afraid to take risks in that department.

That said, I hate that they push out the same games over and over. They make a revolutionary --yes, I know that is a bad pun-- console and the best they can do with it is give their Zelda games waggle controls? How is this different from pounding buttons?

No one really did anything interesting with the Wii's motion controls. Why should I think the Wii U will be any different?

Also, don't get me started with the 3DS. Putting motion control on a handheld that you have to hold in a very particular distance and orientation for the 3D effects to work is just evil.

 

[Frostbite3789]

I have to admit, I still love Nintendo. 'Cause so far, all their games have been loads of fun, and a welcome change of pace from the usual, brown, gritty third-person-shooters that seem to spread like fungus.

And the umpteenth Zelda, Mario and Metroid titles are a change how? It's gotten laughable how easily we'll applaud something for being 'different' even if it's damn near the same game we've been playing since 1986.

Well, I think it really needs emphasis the fact that Zelda, Mario and Metroid aren't grey and brown, it doesn't matter if a colourful aesthetic has been done tons, colourful is something that doesn't get old fast. And where they're not innovating in games, they certainly are innovating in controller.

The original Nintendo controller was awesome. The SNES controller was essentially the same with a couple more buttons. The N-64 controller was an abomination. The Game Cube controller wasn't all that different from every other controller at the time. And the Wii-mote...well. It certainly made them them money, didn't it? If it makes money, that clearly makes it a good thing, right?

Oh, where as Sony has innovated so much with their controller by adding... the fetal form of motion controls to them? (though I admit that the Wii-mote is really only the infant form, with the motion+? Probably pubescent child.)

And yeah, the Wii-mote is popular because it said to people who weren't gamers, "buttons scare you? Just swing the remote instead!". And that swinging something is a lot easier than pressing buttons (which is very difficult for someone who's never played games before.)

That's assuming motion controls are a good innovation, that is the direction of video gaming and not just a money making gimmick that Nintendo appears to have wrung dry and left behind for their new console. Or made to take a back seat instead of being the main selling point. If they are there at all. Because waving around an iPad is a great idea I guess.

 

[Chibz]

Then your only argument is Wind Waker. Outside of that, the 'aesthetic' is the same, just better looking due to all those faster processors. It's called natural progression and one Zelda game broke that. The rest followed it.

Spoiler

Almost every one of the games listed in the below image macro differ greatly as far as gameplay & aesthetics go.

Spoiler

And yes, VASTLY differing gameplay makes a huge difference!

 

[Klarinette]

I've never been hype-y about the newer platforms, really. After the N64, I didn't care as much, mostly because my brother kept getting Playstations.

You asked about the Wii. For me, it's kind of a novelty because I never get to use one. When I do, I don't really care for playing actual games on it. A controller has to be comfortable in order for me to want to do that, and the Wii-mote is not. I'll throw a bowling ball and stuff, but I'd feel weird about playing Mario or something (I honestly don't know what's out for the Wii right now).

As for the 3DS... meh. I've never really felt shaken by the whole 3D thing. I'm the type of person that got a new cell phone recently after my contract expired and didn't bother getting one with a QWERTY keyboard or a touch screen. *shrug*

Also, I've pretty much always been a Sega kid.

 

[TelHybrid]

Heh, at least the games company you started gaming with still makes some good games.

I began gaming with SEGA... *shudders at Sonic 4...*

On topic, you're simply bringing to light the condition of the games industry as a whole. It's changing frantically, and a lot of people are uncomfortable with it.

The 'hardcore' gamers aren't happy with their entertainment medium of choice being opened up to a mass market, as they miss the exclusivity and the idea of something just for them and like minded people.

Not only that, but games companies are struggling to think of ideas to satisfy everyone. As much as it's a good money maker that video games are so mainstream now, it also makes it harder to please their whole demographic, and find a good middle ground.

There's also the problem of how games companies try to put across these new ideas. Let's face it, it's difficult to be original when so much has already been done. Not only that, but taking big risks on new ideas is financially risky, especially with the current state of the economy. Why do you think Activision keep selling a new Call of Duty game every year? It's a guaranteed money maker.

From a money making standpoint, Nintendo are playing it very smart. They're really trying to push the idea that they're more about new gameplay ideas than simply better visuals, which they market really well, and these new gimmicks really attract the casual crowd as they look interesting, new, and most importantly, foolproof. Simple control schemes will always attract a casual crowd. They avoided the problem of the motion sensing fad ending by going back to the 'hardcore' crowd, while still sticking to their new business model.

Personally I'm not a fan of modern Nintendo games and consoles as a rule, but I believe they are really trying to keep gaming fresh, and avoiding the path of set standards.

 

[orangeban]

And the umpteenth Zelda, Mario and Metroid titles are a change how? It's gotten laughable how easily we'll applaud something for being 'different' even if it's damn near the same game we've been playing since 1986.

Spoiler

Someone here posted this in a previous thread. The same is true of Mario and Metroid.

But according to every Wii fan and their mother, graphics aren't that important. So graphical improvements therefore aren't that big of a deal.

Ah, what they mean is graphical technology isn't important, as in faster processers to make ultra-high def stuff. But this is aesthetic improvement we're talking about, which is how nice something actually looks, the colour and everything. Graphics technology is the quality of the paint and paper the artist uses, aesthetics is the quality of what he actually paints.

Then your only argument is Wind Waker. Outside of that, the 'aesthetic' is the same, just better looking due to all those faster processors. It's called natural progression and one Zelda game broke that. The rest followed it.

Fine, I'll lay it out for you:
Original: Basic, a bit styilized and cartoony, top-down view.
Adventures of Link: Side-scroller, less styilized
Ocarina: 3-d, quite cartoony but still quite realistic (for these three read BIG gameplay changes.)
Majora: Not to different from Ocarina, different concept behind mechanics (time travel)
Wind Waker: Major aesthetic change
Twilight: Back to Ocarina-ish visuals, but a lot darker and more realistic, motion controls (sorta)
Skyward: Proper Motion Control, sort of cross between Wind-Waker and Twilight in terms of aesthetic.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

I guess we need to watch this "Jimquisition" to get context on what you are talking about. Gimme a moment.

Well that wasn't worth the time it took to watch it. What an awful show.

Personally I've not had much love for the company. It happened when I started to really notice their pricing models compared to other companies, and just went from there. I don't consider either the 3DS or WiiU to be worth my attention. But I can't help but wonder if, like the Gamecube, a Zelda game will mark the end of a Nintendo console's run.

 

[yankeefan19]

I used to love nintendo, but I haven't played many recent games. Really the only nintendo games I still like are Pokémon and Mario Kart.

 

[Twilightlord]

I don't care for Nintendo, anymore. They used to be great, but they just don't make games that I care to play anymore. Would be great if they had some newer stuff that appealed to me. But owning a wii is about as fun as owning a dog with rabies.

 

[starwarsgeek]

Experimenting with new ways of playing games, keeping the classics alive through the virtual console, and showing everyone the proper way to keep long-running franchises fresh...yeah, I'm a bit of a fan

Honestly, I think the Wii is the best thing that could have happened this generation. I'm glad Microsoft and Sony took the "Technologically superior version of exactly what we did before" route, 'cause there's tons of great games that the Wii couldn't handle, but the Wii and DS kicked off new ways to play games, and the Wii pretty much forced developers to rely on style over pure graphical power.

As for "Operation Rainfall"...I know a lot of people had their hopes up for these games (including me), but Nintendo of America isn't doing this to spite us. If they aren't localizing them, it's because they don't believe they will sell well in the US. I'm a nursing student; they're highly successful business men and women. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume they know business better than I do.

 

[DR3AMCATCH3R94]

its time like this where im happy to still be a teen, i dont have to worry about anything other then school and i can still get excited for new nintendo, even tho i didnt really care about the 3DS cuz i dont care about 3d in general, i honestly cant wait for the next zelda, metroid or mario game to come out

 

[C117]

I have to admit, I still love Nintendo. 'Cause so far, all their games have been loads of fun, and a welcome change of pace from the usual, brown, gritty third-person-shooters that seem to spread like fungus.

And the umpteenth Zelda, Mario and Metroid titles are a change how? It's gotten laughable how easily we'll applaud something for being 'different' even if it's damn near the same game we've been playing since 1986.

Well, you may call me crazy, but I think Nintendo are really good at what they're doing. Sure, the formula for all of their games haven't changed one bit in something like 20 years, but somehow they are still entertaining, which is really all you can ask for. Also, the graphics are nice. Really nice.

Now, if you like to play third-person-shooters and the like, then be my guest and play them all you want. But let's be honest; if you walk into any given game store, you'll find tons of games with brown and "gritty" graphics, all a knockoff of some other game containing the exact same gameplay, just sitting there.

And then there's maybe 5 different games from Nintendo. No less a knockoff from themselves than anything else, granted, but at least there isn't such an abundance of mediocrity among them.

Wait, I forgot about Wii Music...

EDIT: Hey, I just thought of something. I think the reason I still like Nintendo so much is because they only release a new game for a main franchise every five years or so. With the exception of Mario, obviously.

You see, that way the consumers will buy one of their games, finish it, be extremly content, then wait in anticipation for five years until the next game is released. By that time, Nintendo will have had time to carefully construct the next installment, and everyone waiting for the new title (myself included) will be like a starving wolf, basically drooling over the new release and buying it before any of the reviewers have had time to change our opinion.

 

[thejackyl]

As a long time Nintendo fanboy, who grew up with the company (first console was an NES, and I had every console/handheld barring the Virtual Boy, and the rehashes of their handhelds (went from brick gameboy to an advance SP, to the DS)

I remember buying the Wii, but after I bought a few games, I got the feeling that "This would be much better with a standard controller."

Later I bought a 360, and than a PS3, and since I bought the other 2, the only time I even play the Wii anymore is when my nieces and nephews come over and we can have a blast with Wii Sports.

Nintendo is more or less dead to me now. Not even the upcoming Zelda game is interesting me.