Features
Remix Showcase: Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask Medley
In 1998 Nintendo released the decade defining Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time which has one of the most recognizable soundtracks in video game history. In 2000 Nintedo released its successor Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, utilizing the 4 MB RAM Expansion Pak the game has a smoother framerate as well as more detailed textures and lighting, but the music is where things get more interesting ...
Remix Showcase: Final Fantasy VI Aria di Mezzo Carattere
Back in 1994 the Super Nintendo Entertainment System was at its height when Squaresoft released Final Fantasy VI. The game carried one of the most revolutionary pieces of music written at the time being an operatic theme. So advanced, in fact, that the Sony developed SPC700 sound chip couldn’t actually produce a vocal track. This remix maintains the spirit of the original piece while pushing...
Which genre could Nintendo use for their next IP?
Nintendo is ubiquitous with platformers (there’s no getting around it) and they have most of the other genres covered, such as the RTS (Pikmen) and RPG (Mario & Luigi series). But there are a few genres which are under represented by Nintendo such as an old school point and click adventure or a top-down hack and slash in the vein of Diablo in which item management could be made a lot sim...
Which Nintendo IP could turn fortunes around for the Wii U?
So the Wii U has two Mario Games, Pikmen 3, Game & Wario, Wind Waker HD, Wii Fit U/Wii Party U and the newly released Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and still things look bleak for the fledgling console. The good news is Nintendo games generally have low first week sales, but push copies over a longer period than other first party titles. The bad news is long term sales are not going to ...
Which Nintendo IP should try changing genres?
Nintendo is working with Tecmo-Koei to have The Legend of Zelda made into a Hack and slash game and Retro reinvented Metroid as a First person shooter. What other Franchises could jump game styles and still retain their core ideas? Maybe Fire Emblem could become a standard JRPG in the vein of Suikoden with its multitude of characters and would still have some strategic elements of the previous gam...
A darker side of a Legend of Zelda
Isn’t it strange how a series which follows the same formula through multiple titles and is still one of Nintendo’s major accomplishments, this series is the Legend of Zelda. But now this blueprint is becoming a bit stale, Link always starts in a forest, then travels to death mountain (or its equivalent) and then finishes with the water temple. A major plot point happens and you have t...
Why Mario needs to take a short retirement
I know Mario is extremely popular all over the world and Nintendo puts Mario on the box to sell games, but seriously with Super Mario 3D Land/World, New Super Mario Bros 2/U, Mario Kart 7/8 and Mario Tennis/Golf on this generation already, we have got to be reaching saturation point for the portly chap. I don’t mind Mario being in Smash Bros. Because the game isn’t centered around him....
Should Nintendo create a hybrid console?
Given the Wii U is not doing so great and the 3DS is selling very well Nintendo could try a hybrid machine. This might not be such a bad idea, having a console you can place in a docking device at home which links into your T.V. and charges the unit. Then you could detach the console and take it with you on your travels. Sounds great, plus having a single platform means all of Nintendo’s pro...
Should Retro studios return to the Metroid series?
I was thinking this over the last few days wondering what Retro Studios will work on after Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze. I know many people want Metroid Prime 4 and I do too but how about Retro works on a new Starfox game. A series I think could do with a reboot because the storyline for that game license is getting out of hand due to it being passed around without a consistant developer. If Ninte...
Is a Majora’s Mask remake in the works?
The legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is a very contested entry in the series, some say its a much superior game then Ocarina of Time while others claim that the N64 classic is still the greatest Zelda tale ever told. I think Majora’s Mask is a much more experimental Zelda title and is a better game for it, with its constant three day routine and the continuous reminder of impendi...
Will Monster Hunter 4 see a life outside Japan?
Hmm, Monster Hunter, one of those franchises which divides people who live outside Japan, who idolise this series on par with Dragon Quest. Monster Hunter had continually struggled on PS2 due to the lack of a solid internet infrastructure and on the PSP where the controls made it uncomfortable to play for more then 30 minutes due to cramp. Capcom then made plans to create a third entry on the PS3 ...
What Hyrule Warriors needs to succeed
When I heard that Nintendo and Tecmo Koei were developing a Dynasty Warriors like game set in the Zelda universe I immediately watched the preview trailer shown in the latest Nintendo direct and got very eager to play this game, having loved the Warriors series on playstation 2. The main fear I have is all the trailer showed was Link as the playable character. I seriously hope that other character...