Nintendo Lifeline

Enjoy this Pushmo puzzle, will you!

2012-03-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

I already shared this puzzle in an Infendo post, but in case any of my readers who don't also read Infendo are interested, here's a Mutant Mudds Pushmo puzzle for you to enjoy!

If you haven't already gotten the game Pushmo for your Nintendo 3DS system, then know that I can't give this game enough praise. Try it out for yourself today!

So ya wanna know about video game genres? Let's start with the platfomer!

2012-03-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

When I first subscribed to Nintendo Power magazine many years ago, I was an ardent gamer, yes, but there were a few terms that frequently came up in the magazine that I didn't have a clue about. Most of them related to video game genres in one way or other. FPS, RPG, platfomer...what?!

Nintendo's most famous franchise being Super Mario and all, I thought it prudent to begin with the category that Super Mario belongs to: the platform genre. Even though we all know what a platform is, the idea of a platform video game is a little vague. Why can't Mario games just be "save the princess" games or something like that? Well, video games are different from other mediums because they can be controlled, right? So video game genres revolve around how the games are controlled. Platform games involve platforms. The player controls the character and uses jumps or other forces to land on platforms and avoid pitfalls. It's really important that platformers have some way for the player to jump at will, otherwise you'd be hard pressed to correctly identify a game as a platformer.

And, really, it's as simple as that. Super Mario games are of the platform genre. Some other examples include Rayman Origins, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Kirby's Return to Dreamland, and Mutant Mudds. Play a platformer for yourself today!

Tales of the Abyss: First Impressions

2012-02-29T13:00:00.001-07:00

Released February 14th, Tales of the Abyss for Nintendo 3DS is actually a port of a PlayStation 2 game. It's an RPG in which the player takes the role of Luke, a young man of 17 whose spoiled, bratty demeanor might just mask a gentle heart. And that, my friends, is probably the best part about this game. I mean that in a good way! Luke is far from perfect, making him one of the most endearing characters I've ever been acquainted with. It only helps that the voice work for him is some of the best in the game, standing out amongst a few really poor jobs.

Luke is joined in an epic quest by a slew of other characters: Tear, straightforward and reasonable (and rather boring); Jade, a powerful fighter; Ion, whose well-being holds the fate of the world in the balance; Mieu, a banished, but-sorry-for-his-actions monster called a cheagle; Anise, powerful despite her young age; and Guy, best friend of Luke, knowledgeable and powerful even though he has a phobia of girls. The interaction amongst these characters and the various enemies who roam about is the best thing about this game.

As is probably common in RPGs such as this, gameplay takes a hit in Tales of the Abyss. Combat is painfully repetitive, yet the player must engage in battles quite often to level up sufficiently. Sound familiar? It should if you're an RPG fan. I just wish...!

Boy or Girl?

2012-02-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

Maternal Instinct?

I have to admit I have questions about Yoshi. Is it a boy or a girl? Yoshi lays eggs but has a counterpart, Birdo. Personally I think he's a boy! The more that I think about it the more confused I get. It really doesn't make sense. My theory is that when Yoshi first appeared in the game Super Mario World in 1990, it was a girl. This is why it (I feel so cruel calling Yoshi an it) could lay eggs. Though when everyone decided romance was better than friendship, Birdo entered the picture and suddenly Yoshi was one of the guys!

Then again Yoshi still kept, and still does, laying those eggs. Another example of Yoshi being a girl is the game Yoshi's Island. No man could suddenly take up a baby that was stranded and decide to help it get back home. This is a maternal extinct. Yoshi is a very complex and confusing character of the Super Mario series. I think we all know Yoshi is a boy, but then again there's still some speculation! What do you think? Boy or girl?

Nintendo news round-up and my thoughts

2012-02-24T13:00:00.002-07:00

Club Nintendo offers game downloads for coins
I know, I know...old news. But, hey, I never even mentioned it on my blog. Yes, Club Nintendo has been offering game downloads as rewards. These downloads are actual DSiware, WiiWare, and Virtual Console titles. They change every month and are surprisingly cheap at 100 or 150 rewards points (or coins). Some samples include Super Mario Kart, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, and Dr. Mario Online RX, none of which are available anymore. Until February 29, you can snag Mario Party 2 for Wii or Art Academy: First Semester for DSi, each at 150 coins. As for my thoughts? I think this tidbit of news speaks for itself. I don't need to tell you how AWESOME it is.

Game demos grace the Nintendo eShop
I guess it was kind of a big deal that gamers could download and play demos for Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Resident Evil: Revelations. Since this trend began, demos for Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D and Nintendogs+cats have also become available. I only tried one: Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. I suppose I'm getting kind of old for colorful, simple minigame collection-type games, because it bored me nearly to tears. And that's about all I can say about these game demo things.

Hulu Plus available on the Wii system
I really like this news! Even though I'm not a Hulu Plus member, I think it's great that the Wii has gained this crucial ability. The only problem? Well, the Wii is nearing the end of its life. Isn't it, I dunno, a little late for something like this? Better late than never, I suppose.

Nintendo Direct 2-22-12 video explodes with news...watch out
As you can see from the full Nintendo Direct 2-22-12 video above, the first bit of great news regards the Nintendo eShop title Dillon's Rolling Western. It's now available! I haven't downloaded it yet, but I hope to do so eventually thanks to this great review on Infendo! We've known for a while that Kid Icarus: Uprising is going to come with a little pack-in: a Nintendo 3DS stand, which is featured in the video. This being the first time I have mentioned it, these are my thoughts: it's an odd accessory, but if someone out there finds comfort from using it, great! Next, we have a release date for the long-anticipated Mario Tennis Open for Nintendo 3DS: May 20. The only tennis game I've ever played was Wii Sports tennis, so I can't say I'm particularly excited about Mario Tennis Open. We'll see what happens! April 6 is the official North American release date for Xenoblade Chronicles. Oh, and I pre-ordered the game, so that's the happy ending to that story!

And finally, the Wii game The Last Story is headed to North America. Um...I can't imagine why this is such a big deal, because even in all my internet travels, I haven't come across much information about this game. It's an RPG from the creator of Final Fantasy. Yep. I hope everyone who has been clamoring for The Last Story enjoys it!

Why Rhythm Heaven Fever is everything a rhythm game should be: A Review

2012-02-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

Piano lessons since age 5, band and choir during high school, dance lessons, guitar lessons, jazz band...yeah, you could say music has been a big part of my life. My first encounter with the rhythm video game genre came in the form of Guitar Hero II on PlayStation 2. I was probably 14-ish.

The first Rhythm Heaven game for Nintendo DS, paired with the game Samba de Amigo for Wii opened up my mind to the fact that Guitar Hero and Rock Band aren't the only rhythm video games out there. And they certainly aren't the best.

Rhythm Heaven Fever is the best rhythm game I've ever played. And, hey, I've played my fair share of Guitar Hero. In Rhythm Heaven Fever, everything just comes together in one solid package.

So what is the Rhythm Heaven formula? The player takes part in a variety of rhythm-based activities, each with its own original tune. In Fever, only two buttons are used for this: A and B. This places wonderful emphasis on the music and gameplay. The game isn't bogged down with gimmicky peripherals or imprecise motion control, yet it has a richness to it. This may be due to the copious amounts of sheer charm. While one game will have you high-fiving monkeys from the second hand of a clock, the next might have you playing badminton at an altitude of 8,000 feet, all to the beat of an infectious song. I can assure you that each and every activity in Fever will tickle your giddy nerves in some way.

Fever is set up in a way that promotes maximum satisfaction. What do I mean by this? Well, I'll start with the basics. You'll unlock a single mini-game at a time by getting a rating of at least "OK" on the previous game. The games come in columns of five, the final one being a remix of the first four. Remixes are the greatest challenges of the game, but they form the backbone of what turns out to be an excellent, balanced difficulty curve.

Fever also has a great rewards system. Normally, there are only three simple ratings to achieve on a particular song: Try Again, OK, or Superb. An OK rating will get you past a song, but Superb will earn you a medal. Medals "buy" in-game extras like "Endless Games" and "Rhythm Toys". You can also earn a perfect score on a game, but only when the game grants you the opportunity. Earning perfect scores is not the easiest task, especially considering you only get a limited amount of tries when the opportunity arises. If you miss an opportunity, it will open up again eventually, but perfect scores unlock music and humorous reading material. Unlockables are not offered on a neat little platter to the gamer's face, which fuels a drive to play new games and even replay old favorites. It's a deeply satisfying format.

Rhythm Heaven Fever does offer a two-player mode. However, only a fraction of the main collection of mini-games make their way to this portion of the game. In addition, online function is non-existent in this game. To me, however, these are two minor issues that are more than compensated for in the rest of the game. And with a nifty entry price of $29.99, it's not likely I'll find a bigger bang for my buck in a long time.

Conclusion
Rhythm Heaven Fever gets a Superb rating from me. It offers a simple, uncluttered control scheme and interface to place more focus on what matters: the music, the beat, the rhythm, whatever you want to call it! It does it all with style and a satisfying rewards system. The two-player modes lacks, but at least it's there! Though it lacks any kind of online features, Rhythm Heaven Fever is a can't-miss experience on the Wii console.

Of polls, blog rolls, and other such things

2012-02-21T13:03:00.001-07:00

I just want to point out a few little changes I've recently made with the blog. First of all, we have a couple of new pages. I thought it prudent to have pages specifically for Nintendo's current generation of consoles, so check out the "Wii" and "3DS" pages when you have time. Next, we have two crucial additions to the sidebar, the first being a weekly poll. This week's question is "which Nintendo hero/heroine is your favorite?" So what are you waiting for? Cast your vote now!

The new sidebar blog roll is what I really want to highlight. Each of these blogs have authors who've been a great support to my insignificant little blog with great comments and even links to my posts on their sites. In addition, they're all phenomenal blogs, support or no support. To all you authors of other blogs: thanks!

What does the Pokemon series need?

2012-02-20T13:00:00.001-07:00

So you're curious about what the Pokemon series needs, are ya? I would only assume as much: you are reading this post, after all. Nothing is wrong with the sales of Pokemon games. As always, they tend to be instant best-sellers.

Since the series doesn't necessarily need help, what does it need? I'll end the suspense for you: the Pokemon series needs another adventure similar to Pokemon Colosseum. Gasp!

As I discussed in my review of Pokemon Colosseum, this Gamecube gem does a lot to break free of the typical Pokemon formula. The storyline sees the player controlling a former gang member who turns over a new leaf, instead focusing his efforts on fighting said gang. Having stolen the Pokemon "snagging" machine from his old hideout, he has the ability to capture other trainers' Pokemon. Whoa, right? You can already tell that the storyline is entirely engrossing. It really is. Pokemon Colosseum may be a little rough around the edges, but I think it added something invaluable to the series: a little bit of darkness. Not too much, of course: it's still a children's series, after all.

I would love to see another home console outing in the Pokemon series that follows the trend Colosseum began. Gale of Darkness (Colosseum's sequel) disappointed me because it substantially down-played the mature appeal of Colosseum. Battle Revolution (for Wii) didn't even excel at what it's sole focus was: battling.

What does the Pokemon series need? An epic home console entry that mixes things up, adds a darker tone, but maintains core Pokemon principles: collecting Pokemon, battling to level them up, and so forth. What direction would you like to see the Pokemon series take?

Nintendo Music: Peach's Castle

2012-02-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I present my new favorite arrangement of the classic Super Mario Bros. theme! Nothing beats the charm of the original, of course, but this arrangement has a charm of its own. It played on the Peach's Castle stage in the original Super Smash Bros. Yes, I played this game, I loved this game...all before I could really appreciate the music, however. I've never heard anything so deliberately bouncy as this song! Hope you enjoy it!

GameBoy Advance Ambassador games: First Impressions (part 2)

2012-02-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
I hope that Minish Cap will assist me to find the passion for top-down, 2-D Zeldas that I know is somewhere in me! From what I've played, I know the simple fact that the 2-D Zelda experience has really improved since the original Legend of Zelda on NES, and that alone is quite comforting.

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
I have really enjoyed this game...mostly for its story. But that story is enough to keep me interested! Sacred Stones is what you call a tactical role-playing game: in other words, the player commands a party on a grid-based map to complete an objective. My limited experience with tactical role-playing has generally been a negative one, and Sacred Stones is no exception. So yeah...kinda on the fence with this one.

Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
This game is classic Kirby at its best! Not that I've had a lot of experience playing Kirby games, though. Still, I have loved every cute little moment of this game so far!

Warioland 4
If ever there was a game that actually made me think, "Wow, I'm kinda tired of all these stinkin' platformers," it's probably this one. A person can only handle so many different takes on the formula!

Well, that's it! Are there any games in the Ambassador collection you particularly like?

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T18:45:00.001-07:00

Valentine’s Day is the day of love! You can share love with anyone - even your cat - or anything. Although some choose to share it with their cats; I choose to share it with other humans, and what better way to share your love with nothing other than video games? Instead of taking your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, or even your best friend whom you are in love with out to dinner why not sit down and play a couple of rounds of Super Smash Bros? Calm down for once, just enjoy the simplicity of video games! Maybe even let them win a few rounds!

GameBoy Advance Ambassador games: First Impressions (part 1)

2012-02-13T13:00:00.001-07:00

F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Yikes! Ya know, many of the racing games of yesteryear just didn't age well. I believe this is one of them. I think that can be attributed partially to the D-pad based control scheme...and the 2-D graphics. Yeah, racers are probably better off in 3-D. All I know is I wouldn't pay for this game.

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
How did I miss out on the original Yoshi's Island in my youth?! It's a flippin' sweet game! Stay tuned on this one for sure!

Mario Kart: Super Circuit
I actually have this game in GBA cartridge format! To be brief, I've never liked it...at all...in the slightest. If the original Mario Kart on Super Nintendo is anything like this one, I'll stay far away.

Mario Vs. Donkey Kong
I haven't played this one much, but what I've seen, I've liked...a lot. It's kind of a combination of platforming and puzzle-solving. I can't wait to have time to play more of this little gem!

Metroid Fusion
Another title I have an actual cartridge of! I love playing this game on my GBA SP. But the D-pad and face buttons on the Nintendo 3DS system are, to be quite frank, a pain to use. They're too stiff or something. That aside, Metroid Fusion is an excellent game.

Warioware, Inc. Mega Microgame$
Apparently this title introduced the brilliant concept of microgames. It works, and works well. Obviously there isn't going to be a lot of meat to this kind of game, but it's a much-appreciated diversion.

Six down, four to go! Look forward to part 2 in this series in a couple of days!

Metroid II: Return of Samus and the way to bring a franchise to the handheld realm

2012-02-10T13:00:00.003-07:00

It was many months ago when it occurred to me that the missing link in my Metroid journey could possibly come to the Nintendo 3DS in the form of a virtual console release. The game, of course, is Metroid II: Return of Samus. I would have discussed this one a lot earlier if I had been given the chance. It's not like I could wait for it, so I went from Metroid to Super Metroid.

So here we have Metroid II: Return of Samus, released for GameBoy in 1991 and for Nintendo 3DS virtual console in 2011. Not all game franchises have such a smooth transition to a handheld as this one. And I think Metroid II serves as a great example of how that transition should be made. Simplifying the original so the gameplay remains the highlight, making the objective easy to remember, and maybe adding something the original didn't have to make it worth playing. Metroid II only had one problem: save points were far and few between, and that can be the undoing of a handheld experience. However, the virtual console remedies this problem in one fell swoop.

I look forward to playing some more Metroid in the near future!

Be a pro Zelda player in no time with these tips and tricks

2012-02-08T13:00:00.001-07:00

Frankly I have very little experience playing 2D Zelda games, so keep in mind that this guide applies a lot more heavily to 3D Zeldas. With that pitiful introduction, let's proceed with some tips and tricks:

Master the Control Scheme
The foundation of any Zelda game lies within its control scheme. Fortunately, most Zeldas start out with some kind of simple quest or series of tasks that do an excellent job of easing the player into the controls and the overall feel of the game. The key is to use that introduction to your advantage. Take this time to just move around the game world and use all of the basic functions until you feel like you have a good grasp on the basics. Learn the interface backwards and frontwards. Make sure you know where all of the buttons you'll need to use are and what they do. Simple as that.

Explore
If you're in a hurry to win the next boss, to get to the next plot twist, or to just beat the game, then you're missing out on around 52% of the Zelda experience. That 52% is exploration. Trust me when I say that Nintendo has created some amazing worlds for you to explore in Zelda games. Not only will you familiarize yourself with these fantastic realms when you explore, you're also bound to come across hidden treasure, obscure secrets, and fulfilling side quests. Heart pieces will certainly aid you in the main quest, and collectibles can often be exchanged for a myriad of helpful items and upgrades.

Solving Puzzles
The dungeons in any Zelda game are simply packed with puzzles and brain-teasers galore. Getting stuck on a particularly tough obstacle is quite common for even the most seasoned Zelda player. The first trick is to never give up! There is always a solution. Think logically: what needs to happen in order to get past this obstacle? Is there fire in your path? Is there a high ledge that you need to reach? More often than not, your next goal will be clear...you just need to find a way to reach it. If you have the dungeon map, check it for hints, but don't rely too much on it. Once you've thought the problem through, try a variety of things, starting with what seems most logical. Use all of your items if you must, focusing on the item you acquired last. Never give up!

Fighting Enemies
Many enemies are simple enough to take out with a few sword swings. But some enemies take a little more patience or analysis. The first hint I can give you concerning enemies is this: there is an obvious distinction that will let you know whether your advances are doing any damage at all. Rely on both sights and sounds to know if your strategy is working. The second hint is to exploit the enemy's weak point if your basic sword moves don't seem to be working. Use your items, especially against dungeon bosses. Analyze the enemy's movement and attack style: does it move slow or fast? Is it obvious when it's about to strike? If so, be sure to dodge it, or use your shield if it's not too powerful an attack. Don't be discouraged if you die once in a while. It does take practice. Before long, you'll be practically invincible.

Three Steps For Your Dungeon Crawling Efforts

Once you have entered a new room, familiarize yourself with it. Don't do anything rash until you have a good grasp on the contents, shape, etc. of the room. You don't want to jump off a seemingly harmless ledge only to realize you can't get back up again.
Take out any enemies. It's a lot nicer to explore a room without having to worry about some sneak attack. Some enemies respawn after a time, but that generally means they won't bother you too much anyway.
Search for key features. Oftentimes, the switches, torches, etc. that you'll be dealing with in a particular room stand out a little bit or might even look somewhat out of place. Seek out these features and find out why they're there or how they work.

And with that, I take my leave. I hope you learned something, whether you're a Zelda newcomer or a series veteran. Good luck on your great adventure!

Why Pushmo is the eShop title everyone needs: A Review

2012-02-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

I'm not a puzzle game aficionado on any scale, but the clever concept that the puzzler Pushmo delivers seems really unique to me. Unique, but simple and surprisingly addictive. It goes like this: the player pushes and pulls sequences of blocks in order to create a pathway to the goal, be that a staircase of some kind or a level platform that extends far enough to reach it. Mix in a pinch of platforming, and Pushmo already has great potential.

Fortunately, that potential is met. Hundreds of puzzles at varying difficulty levels will keep even the most sharp-witted player busy for hours. The ability to actually create and share Pushmo puzzles through the use of QR codes maxes out the game's replay value.

And get this: Pushmo ends up offering up a lot of challenge, so I'm invested in the experience; however, the frustration is somehow left out in the process. In fact, I find the gameplay to be both soothing and stimulating. Can you hear the Hallelujah chorus?!

Like I said, I'm no puzzle game expert, so it's a testament to Pushmo's simplicity, accessibility, and addicting nature that I'm giving it a full recommendation. It belongs to any decent Nintendo 3DS collection.

The Creative Core of Video Games

2012-02-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

I am proud to present you with my first writing submission in the creative writing class I'm taking!

The joy of video games is to have control over larger-than-life abilities. So maybe it’s cool to watch such things in movies or read about them in books, but video games boast something that movies and books just don’t have: user control. And this, my friend, is why video games are crazier, zanier, and even stranger than what you’ll encounter in any movie or book.

Take Super Mario, for instance. I mean, the guy’s a plumber! And a fat one! Yet his jump is inhumanly high. Do we tend to take that for granted? Of course we do! Who thinks about that anyway? It’s too much fun to control him to worry about anything else.

Believe it or not, that’s only the beginning. Where do most of Mario’s adventures take place? Why, the Mushroom Kingdom! I’m a Nintendo gamer. Mushroom Kingdom sounds perfectly logical to me. Then I get thinking about it…so this slightly chubby plumber traverses a world of fungus in order to save the princess. Yeah, maybe it seems a little strange to me now. Don’t even get me started on the whole plumber/princess romance. It gets even odder when Mario’s brother is thrown into the mix.

Goombas. Koopas. Cheep-cheeps. Toad. Piranha Plants. You thought I had run out of weird things to list, didn’t you? Meet the denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom! A goomba is a little mushroom creature with a perpetual scowl—it will harm our intrepid plumber if given the chance. A koopa is a turtle-like being whose sturdy shell can be used by Mario after he jumps on its head. Cheep-cheeps are colorful fish that can both swim and fly. Toad is the little guy you meet at the end of the castle: he’s got stubby little feet and a large round head. Piranha plants are enemies with large mouths and many sharp teeth that reside within…warp pipes?

I suppose the concept of warp pipes makes sense, as Mario is a plumber, after all. Mario games milk that concept for all it’s worth. They lead to secret areas. They house hidden dangers. Sometimes they move. Mario makes plumbing seem cool and even clean.

How did all of these oddments develop into the most well-known video game series in history? It’s because all of these oddments lend themselves to clever ways to control the action on the screen. “Well, we need our character to jump higher than any human possibly could, so why not make him a plumber?” “It would make sense if he could defeat enemies by jumping on them.” “If he jumps on this turtle’s head, it would retreat into its shell, after which he can use the shell as a weapon.” Video games are about interaction, so to choose an imaginative setting allows great gameplay ideas to develop.

Nintendo just decided that video games can and even should be as over-the-top as the imagination permits. That is the creative core of video games.

How Mutant Mudds joins the ranks of great eShop titles: A Review

2012-02-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start with a bold statement indeed: Mutant Mudds could not have been accomplished properly on any non-3D platform. There, I said it. It really is wondrous to behold in sweet 3D. You may have already guessed by now that I'm starting this review by going over Mutant Mudds' presentation. As you can hopefully see from the image on this post, Mutant Mudds presents an old-school, pixely graphical style. It just happens to work like a charm, especially with the 3D turned on. The added depth of 3D actually adds to and places even more emphasis on the 2D glory of the thing. In short, these graphics are colorful, appropriate, and not overdone. Lovely!

The gameplay in Mutant Mudds is equally impressive. As I mentioned in my first impressions post, you the player will take control of a young boy with a small set of skills: these are thankfully limited to jumping, hovering for a limited time, and firing what I imagine to be a pretty intense squirt gun in 40 levels of platforming action. This simplicity is reminiscent of video games past, when controllers themselves were limited. It is a refreshing approach in a gaming world in which 10+ button functions need to be memorized in order to play anything.

Level design in Mutant Mudds is pretty stinkin' good, but I think it could have been better. I mentioned above that the 3D effect in this game really lends itself to the 2D graphics, but now I would like to rave over the use of 3D in the levels themselves. Our intrepid hero can utilize special jump pads that actually propel him into different layers of 3D depth. This is undoubtedly the coolest use of 3D I've yet encountered. That's the "pretty stinkin' good" part of Mutant Mudds' level design. What I meant by "could have been better" is that there isn't a lot of variation within the levels. Also, I really lament the lack of checkpoints in the levels as well. Checkpoints would have lessened the pain of dying many, many times over in one level (which began to feel like the blow of a blunt blade after a while) while still keeping the challenge intact.

So it might not be the best game for the easily-frustrated (like me, I regret to say), but Mutant Mudds has earned a place amongst the best the Nintendo eShop has to offer. Are you planning on picking this one up?

Video game withdrawal

2012-01-31T13:00:00.026-07:00

My ONLY salvation through this terrible time in my life - Music from Video Games!

So obviously I didn't post last week. This is because I had nothing to post about (and I had no way to get to a computer)! The reason I haven't had anything to post about is because of the fact that I HAVE NOTHING TO PLAY! I am currently in withdrawal - video game withdrawal, that is. I am always bored, am always looking for something to do! So I go to my awesome cabinet and looked at all of my games. THERE IS NOTHING TO PLAY!

I was in the mood for something exciting and awesome and out of this world (not the game Out of This World: that game is creepy)! I could find nothing. I haven't played anything at all in the last two weeks of my life. Those weeks have been very very dark weeks. I get home from practice and I have nothing to do, so I actually do something productive! I miss spending hours playing games, trying to figure out where to go and the perfect strategy!

When I finally decided on a game that I wanted to play I couldn't even find it! It turns out that my sister took it with her when she moved! That was my game! Now I am sitting here writing this and am thoroughly depressed because I do not have anything exciting to say about my Nintendo adventures . . . I feel as if I have failed.

If you have any ideas of games I might be able to play, do tell! I own a Super NES, GameCube, PlayStation, DS, and Nintendo 64! Please help me!!

My first (and last) impressions of BIT.TRIP COMPLETE

2012-01-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

I can't really say that I hated Bit.Trip Complete for Wii...okay, yes I can. I just didn't catch the drift, I guess. But seriously, take my opinion with a grain of salt, because I only played three of the six games. This is how it went:

I played a lot of Bit.Trip Beat, which has the player use motion to control a vertical paddle on the left side of the screen to deflect oncoming pixels. It was okay, but I just didn't ever connect with it. I like a game that you have to invest yourself in. Beat was challenging, yet it was almost like it was too simple or something. I found myself simply staring at the screen with a dazed expression on more than one occasion.

Next I gave Bit.Trip Core a shot. In it, the player controls a plus-shaped laser that can fire in four directions in order to shoot pixels coming in from all directions. I got a headache trying to follow what was going on, so my time with this one was quite short.

Finally I played Bit.Trip Runner. I thought this one would appeal to me the most, so I skipped I think two others to see if it would redeem the game in my eyes. It did to a certain extent. Runner has some great platforming gameplay. The fact that I got frustrated towards it was actually a good sign. It means I was invested. As fun as Runner was, however, it didn't make up for what I saw to be a lackluster experience otherwise.

Like I said, however, I didn't actually play all of the games in this collection. Give it a chance, and maybe you'll find this game suits you better than it suited me.

Mutant Mudds: First Impressions

2012-01-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

A little game called Mutant Mudds is the eShop game of the week. I spent a good portion of the morning playing it, so let's dig into my first impressions!

Mutant Mudds is a seemingly simple platformer that actually offers more depth than meets the eye. I mean that quite literally in at least one way: the levels feature 3 layers of 3-D depth that the player will find himself changing amongst throughout the game. This turns into a brilliant way to show off the Nintendo 3DS system's stereoscopic 3-D. It's a great-looking game.

The gameplay is pretty slick as well. Our character can jump and hover for a few short moments, as well as wield a simple gun to take out the game's primary enemies: mud blobs. The game starts out relatively easy, but soon the difficulty ramps up, providing a very satisfying challenge.

If there's one problem I can already identify in this game, it's a very minor one: sometimes the screen doesn't show enough to prevent the player from getting a cheap hit to the face or taking a few blind jumps once in a while. As far as I can tell, however, this doesn't take much fun away from the game at all. It's just a blast to play.

Expect a full review soon!

The many game series I have little to no experience with: Part Two

2012-01-25T13:00:00.005-07:00

Part two of my awesome montage! Thanks Lindsay!

In continuation of Monday's post, here are some more video game series that I have little to no experience with:

It seems relevant at this time to mention that I never did play through the first Luigi's Mansion game. Why is it relevant? I should think it's obvious! A second entry is headed to the Nintendo 3DS this year! I think I did play Luigi's Mansion a tiny bit once, many years ago. Well, I don't remember a dang thing about it! Therefore, I'm afraid I have little excitement about number two. Perhaps that will change someday soon!

In a similar vein, Kid Icarus was an NES game that never made it into the family collection, yet has a highly-anticipated return to glory slated for this year as well. I've never been tempted to get the original on Virtual Console because of its reported difficulty. A short fuse like me must take care in her video game choices!

You could call Mega Man another important series that I have missed out on, couldn't you? It's also another series that I don't know much about, despite all of the things I've read. So you control Mega Man? And you fight your way through a bunch of levels? And then you fight bosses and obtain their powers permanently? And...well, I got nothin' else. What I need to know is which title is a good entry point into the series *hint hint*.

Well, I've run out of time and room, but I'll leave you with a few other series that I haven't played: Contra, Ninja Gaiden, and Castlevania. And with that, this short blog series has come to an end! Have I listed some more that you believe I need to play as soon as humanly possible? Let's hear it!

The many game series I have little to no experience with: Part One

2012-01-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Awesome montage courtesy of my buddy Lindsay!

I was looking at my label distribution for this blog, and here are some interesting stats: "legend of zelda" has been attached to 49 posts, "gameboy" only 1, "super mario" a little better at 29, "sonic" only at 2.

This led me to the topic of today's post: that there are many great game series I have yet to play, or have played very little of. Final Fantasy is a great example. The "final fantasy" label belongs to only 2 posts, both of which are Mary's. I can't help but be bothered by the fact that Square Enix publishes most of today's Final Fantasy games on PlayStation, but that doesn't mean I should ignore the early titles on NES and SNES! Someday I'll play them for myself.

Next up we have the Dragon Quest series. I don't know much about this series, nor do I have a single post with it as a label (until now). Funnily enough, this is another big Square Enix series. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I imagine it's somewhat like Pokemon. Other than that...I got nothin'.

Professor Layton earns a spot on this post as well. I think I know the premise behind this series. The player steps into the role of Professor Layton, solving a variety of puzzles to unlock the story...or something like that. I've never had much of a desire to step into this series, so convince me otherwise, by all means.

F-Zero is the big Nintendo one I haven't really had a lot to do with. Well, I did attempt to play F-Zero: Maximum Velocity because it was one of the ten free GameBoy Advance games for Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors, but...I hated it, really. I know I didn't give it much of a chance, but there was nothing accessible about it for a newcomer like me.

Wow, I can still think of a lot more series, and this post is pretty packed already. It's settled then: this will have to be a two-parter! Look forward to part two this Wednesday!

Are there any game series on this list you think I should play ASAP? Let me know in the comments!

What are you playing this weekend?

2012-01-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

No, it's not Nintendo. We're not that strict here!

Weekends are great, especially for gamers who have things like school and work during the week. I'm planning on watching Hugo at the theater in the next town tonight. Tomorrow, however, I look forward to getting as much Okami, Kingdom Hearts II, The Legend of Zelda, Kirby's Adventure, Pushmo and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask in. Oh, and then there's the Mario Kart 7 Infendo community night at 7:00 PM US-Eastern time (that's 5:00 PM for me). What? You don't think I can do all of that? Yeah, you're probably right, unfortunately.

Anyone else feeling overwhelmed with games that are begging to be played this weekend? Anyone not feeling overwhelmed with games that are begging to be played this weekend? Well that's exactly what the comment box is for! Let us know!

What kind of a Zelda fan are YOU?

2012-01-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

There are two kinds of Zelda fans in this world. Those who prefer the top-down, 2D style as epitomized in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past; and those who prefer the 3D style as brilliantly demonstrated in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Each style is vastly different from the other, and Zelda fans tend to be split on the subject. Top-down, 2D Zeldas are characterized by grid-like maps and fairly linear gameplay. 3D Zeldas, on the other hand, are characterized by wide open spaces and gameplay that takes advantage of the full 360 degrees of motion. I think the difference is quite clear, so let's get to the real question: which kind of Zelda style do YOU prefer? Let us know in the comments!

Me? It's an easy answer for me: 3D Zelda trumps top-down Zelda any day of the week. What are you going to do about it?

But seriously...leave a comment anyway. Defend your opinion!

Pure awesomeness

2012-01-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

This song has to be my favorite! It just hypes me up to the point where I'm just messing around so I can listen to it longer! When I first went into Gerudo Valley I wanted to do everything I could to stay there longer. This score made me feel like a secret agent while sneaking around their camp. It was so much fun to get caught and then do everything all over - just because of this music! Do you have a favorite Zelda song? I do!

Why New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a can't-miss Wii title: A Review

2012-01-16T13:00:00.003-07:00

I love having old material to resurrect on my blog, simultaneously saving me a little bit of time! Like this Samba de Amigo review before it, please enjoy this article I wrote for the March 10, 2010 issue of the Lariat, my old high school newspaper:

I am highly aware that many MHS students now own a Wii. So I no longer feel like I'm writing to myself when I review Wii games. For this review, I wish to write about one game that I consider a must-have for all Wii owners. This game is called New Super Mario Bros. Wii (NSMBW), which was developed by Nintendo and released for Wii on November 15, 2009.

NSMBW takes the structure of the oldest Mario games and adds new play options and power-ups, better graphics, and more. The player traverses a total of eight themed worlds, each with a collection of courses, which showcase an enormous variety of different plat-forming concepts. The variety increases as new power-ups are acquired, or even when more players join in. Yes, you heard me right. NSMBW takes the Mario series to the next level by adding a super-fun, multi-player option to the classic formula. Work co-operatively or competitively by jumping on each other's heads, picking each other up, and eating each other with Yoshi. Picking up a comrade can be the key to a secret area, but it can also be a way to throw a teammate into a lava pit or an enemy. The interaction among players is active and fun.

If there's one fault I can find in NSMBW, it's the difficulty of the game. Though I do not have much of a problem with this, I can see the possibility of frustration as some play through the game. Despite that, however, NSMBW is easily one of the best games I've ever played. Whether you want to have a good time with friends or tackle the game solo, NSMBW has you covered. If that doesn't convince you to get this game, think about this: how can you even go wrong with a new Mario game that simply resurrects and improves upon all the great game-play concepts that eventually defined Nintendo as the best game developer in the world?

Not my proudest achievement on any scale, but then you could also say that my whole senior year in high school wasn't a great achievement either. Eventually I'll probably follow this up with a decent review. Cheers!

Why The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will go down in, well, legend: A Review

2012-01-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

Zelda.

The legend was born more than twenty-five years ago. In those twenty-five years, this groundbreaking series has perhaps brought more innovation to the industry than any other. The Nintendo 64 classic, Ocarina of Time, is often lauded as the best video game of all time, and is still revered today for its immense contributions to video games the world over.

Today I'm here to tell you that that bar has risen. Meet The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Exclusive to the Wii console, Skyward Sword has brought us one step closer to a utopia of gaming. How? With expertly implemented motion controls that draw the player into the game world like never before. After all, control is what sets video games apart from other media.

In Skyward Sword, one-to-one sword motion is possible thanks to the Wii MotionPlus accessory. And it works like a charm. I particularly like that it takes more than just a button-mashing fest to take on enemies: now combat is a puzzle in and of itself. The added motion capabilities also translate well to the use of items in the game. You'll find that one item in particular, the beetle, is used quite a bit in this game, due to its amazing capacity for clever puzzle-solving (not to mention the joy it is to control it).

Skyward Sword also goes a long way towards creating a simple, accessible interface. Many casual gamers are frightened away from "hardcore" games like Zelda because of the complex combination of buttons, etc. that are required to play. I believe Skyward Sword is the simplest Zelda yet in terms of control, and that's a huge step in the right direction if you ask me.

Much of what defines any given Zelda game is the world it creates. Skyward Sword has presented what I think is the best world yet in any Zelda game. It has a continuity that I think Twilight Princess lacked. There is meaning and purpose to every place you visit, and with every successive visit you make. Exploration (an important trait in any Zelda game) is at its best in Skyward Sword, with treasure and secrets to be found both above and below the clouds.

Skyward Sword's aesthetic is another source of the game's appeal. Whether the graphics are powerful or not is the wrong question to ask. They may not be technically powerful, but the creativity and imagination evident in them is what sets them apart and gives them a power that even the most realistic graphics can never achieve.

Nintendo has done it again with Skyward Sword. They make changing the face of the game industry look easy. My conclusion? Get this game. Period.

Why Mario Kart 7 is my favorite Nintendo 3DS game: A Review

2012-01-11T13:00:00.037-07:00

Have you played a Mario Kart game before? Good! Then you already know everything there is to know about Mario Kart 7 gameplay and controls, and you can skip this next paragraph:

I gather you don't know much about Mario Kart 7, because you are now reading this paragraph. Well, here's the idea: the player takes to the race track as one of the many familiar (or unfamiliar) characters from the Mario universe on a kart (hence the title of the game). These aren't ordinary race tracks, however. Based upon locales from the Mario universe, they vary in zaniness about as much as the colorful cast does. With the madness of item use added to the mix, any Mario Kart experience is destined to be quite a fun time.

So what does Mario Kart 7 add to the tried-and-true formula? I'll give you the list from least to greatest: first, there are propellers that allow the karts to take the race underwater. It's a great feeling, but doesn't add a whole ton gameplay-wise. Second, gliders that allow certain periods of flight within races are activated at every blue jump pad. This adds a little bit of strategy and fun. Finally, MK 7 introduces a few online features that are new to the series. These are what I really want to emphasize. You've got your basic online races with players from around the globe. You've got the usual friend-to-friend mode. Then you've got the online communities. Setting up community nights with friends is a snap. Even more fun is the potential for joining racers from larger interest groups like blogs. You may already know that I'm talking specifically about the Infendo Mario Kart 7 community. This makes for virtually endless replay value.

But none of this would matter if Mario Kart 7 didn't play well. And, if you ask me, it plays better than any other racing game or even Mario Kart game out there. Infuriating blue shell encounters aside, this game nails gameplay and control. I simply can't get enough of it. Get a Nintendo 3DS, get connected to the internet, and get this game. 'Nuff said.

Endings to games

2012-01-10T13:00:00.012-07:00

I, Mary, have finally finished my very first Legend of Zelda game! This is a huge accomplishment for me; this is because I have never beaten a Zelda game! Let me just say I'm happy that my first Zelda game was Ocarina of Time! Obviously I can't get over that I BEAT A ZELDA GAME! Sadly, I only beat this game with the help of two things: Ammon and YouTube. Pathetic I realize, but I will eventually try beating a game without the help of those two things; after all that's one of my New Years Resolutions right?

So I beat this game and I watch the ending. Nintendo totally swindled all of us of a truly good ending. Personally I sort of hated this ending; the reason for that is that it was exactly like the beginning. So *SPOILER ALERT* Link beats Ganon and gets sent back in time by Zelda. Link goes back and guess what? Nothing is going to change. Link fixed the future, but in the past he's still practically as weak as before. Ganondorf is still going to chase Zelda, she's still going to get taken by Impa, and everything is going to be exactly the same.

Think about it, how is changing the future going to change the past? Sure Link comes back with the Triforce of Courage, but doesn't that mean that there's two Triforces of Courage in his time and none in the Adult time? There are way too many questions to be answered. If anyone reading this can make any sense of the ending, please help me and all those who are also very confuzzled.

I guess it's also okay since there are more games to Zelda and it just goes ON and ON, still that should be no excuse!

*SPOILER FINISHED* Anyways I guess what I'm saying is that the ending to a video game is VERY IMPORTANT! If the ending isn't good then you feel as if that whole game was a total waste. If you feel it's a waste you won't play it again, you just wasted a bunch of money, and you'll tell other people not to buy it! If you ever want to make a game make sure that the ending totally rocks, or else there will be angry mobs at your front door.

The Pokemon series' lack of story...and why I admire that

2012-01-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Zekrom's got a pretty mean AR attack. I feared for my life.

Role-playing games. RPGs. Whatever you want to call them. What are they? Why, they're games in which the player controls a party of characters that level up, collect items, earn currency, upgrade gear, and fight battles. Yes, the Pokemon games are classified as RPGs. Did I forget to mention one thing RPGs are known for? Ah, yes: story.

In this here post, you can find out what my stance is on stories in video games. In short, I appreciate story, but not at the expense of great gameplay. Going off of that, I think many video games out there rely too heavily on some complex plot, sacrificing fun or meaningful gameplay in the process. I'm not gonna lie: the Pokemon games tend to have very weak plots. In a genre that places an emphasis on story, that is a pretty bold design choice. But in so doing, the Pokemon games show us gamers that it's not about the destination: it's about the journey. Play one today...I really like Diamond version for the Nintendo DS.

A StreetPass tag turned pen pal

2012-01-06T13:00:00.011-07:00

How about a friendly game of Mario Kart 7?

It only takes one willing friend to make the free Nintendo 3DS application Swapnote fun. Just ask my new Swapnote pen pal, SKY. Our favorite past time is playing against each other in Mario Kart 7, so a lot of our Swapnote exchanges are us trash talking each other (he's better than me, by the way).

But this is not a story about Mario Kart 7. It's not even a story about Swapnote. It's a story about how the StreetPass function of the Nintendo 3DS system brought two gamers together for not-so-friendly competition and general conversation.

This is how we look after most races.

We tagged each other several months ago (in the waiting room of the orthodontist, apparently), and I didn't think twice about it until SKY himself discovered my online exploits and recognized the correlation between a StreetPass tag and the blogger whose post you are currently reading. Long story short, SKY and I are now N3DS pals who play Mario Kart 7 together and Swapnote back and forth about various Nintendo topics.

And, like I said, SKY is a very good kart racer. After allowing my head to inflate to about twice its normal size from kicking butt in the Infendo community, he came with needle ready. Online records report that we are even at 6-6 after several races and a few battles. I savor the challenge: it pushes me to be better! Here's to even more fun in the future!

Looking ahead: Nintendo's 2012

2012-01-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Games
When thinking about the games coming out this year for Wii, one title and one title only comes to my mind: Rhythm Heaven Fever. Out February 13 (yeah, I was quite wrong before), it's sure to assist with the Wii console's final struggle as the world makes way for Wii U. And at a mere $29.99, this is one game I won't be missing out on!

The future of the Nintendo 3DS system is another story. 2011 saw the portable gaming device gathering steam that shows no signs of stopping in 2012. RPG fans should get excited about Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance and Tales of the Abyss. Roller Coaster Tycoon 3D could prove to be a decent little port of the PC series. Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure will likely jump in from nowhere to steal gamers' hearts. Oh, and there's always the growing list of what are sure to be hard-hitters: Luigi's Mansion 2, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Animal Crossing (name not final), Paper Mario (name not final), Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, and Resident Evil: Revelations.

What I'll Be Playing
At this very moment, I have an infinitely long list of games, old and new, to play. I beat Super Mario Bros., so I would like to move on to Super Mario Bros. 3 (I'm not brave enough for number 2). I received the well-reviewed Okami (Wii remake) for Christmas, and it's simply calling out to me. I'm not sure if I'll ever manage to get away from Mario Kart 7 long enough to take the cartridge out of my 3DS. The downloadable Pushmo is a strong contender in the fight for my time. Oh, and there's those ten GameBoy Advance games I downloaded for free recently. I'm actually working on another entry into my Metroid series with Metroid II: Return of Samus...if I can find time to play it. Kirby's Adventure for the NES rounds out the formidable list. Wish me luck!

What will you be playing or looking forward to in the year 2012?

New Years Resolution

2012-01-03T13:00:00.037-07:00

Whereas most people have a resolutions list for their life (as in, how to make it better), I have come up with a Nintendo New Years Resolution list! Here it is:

Beat Ocarina of Time
Play at least one game of NCAA
Play all of the games in my SNES collection
(This one isn't my proudest) Beat an RPG without cheats OF ANY KIND! (Little brothers included)
Beat all video game RPGs that I've started, gotten really far in, and stopped playing BECAUSE IT'S TOO STINKING HARD!!

Yes these are all of my resolutions. I will try very very hard to at least do half of them! (Yes I realize there are five of them, which means I'll do one halfway through . . .) Wish me luck! I wish luck to all of you who are also brave enough to come up with a resolution list and stick to it, be it Nintendo related or not!

2012 Lifeline Awards: Winners

2012-01-02T15:24:00.000-07:00

Despite a lot of rough spots, 2011 was a great year in the world of Nintendo. The Nintendo 3DS system may have had an uneasy launch, but by the end of the year, it became a great little gaming system with a growing library of instant classics like Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. And dare I forget to mention that 2011 was the 25th anniversary of gaming's best-known adventure series, The Legend of Zelda? Fans enjoyed game releases, epic music, and more in celebration of this industry-shaping series.

And, as I promised, the Nintendo Lifeline wants to take a look at some of the best things Nintendo games had going for them during the year. Drumroll, please. These are our winners!

Best Overall Game
Nominees: Super Mario 3D Land, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Mario Kart 7, Wii Play Motion, Star Fox 64 3D, Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, and Lost In Shadow

Winner: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Stunning graphics, compelling motion controls, polished gameplay, breathtaking design...Skyward Sword had everything going for it. Nintendo has this game making business down, don't they?

Best Overall Graphics
Nominees: Super Mario 3D Land, Star Fox 64 3D, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Steel Diver, and Lost In Shadow

Winner: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

It was hard for me to play games with any kind of graphics other than colorful or whimsical ones after playing Skyward Sword. Nintendo has the best graphics out there purely because they work with limitations in ingenious ways.

Best Get-up
Nominees: Tanooki Mario, Ghirahim, Metal Mario, and Kirby Hat

Winner: Tanooki Mario

Why? It's functional and fashionable! And nostalgic. And it works well in the game. You know.

Best Method of Travel
Nominees: Loftwing, Tanooki Tail, Cannon, Propeller Block, By Shadow, Submarine, Arwing, Horse, Hang Glider, and Customizable Kart

Winner: Customizable Kart

I really enjoyed coming up with the nominees in this category. I did not enjoy choosing just one. But I chose the customizable kart from Mario Kart 7 for a couple of good reasons: first, driving in your customized kart makes up the bulk of the game. Second, collecting coins on the tracks in order to unlock new parts is pretty compelling. And third, it's a fun challenge to customize just right for optimal kart performance that plays on your strengths and that looks good too. Oh yeah!

Best Use of Stereoscopic 3D
Nominees: Super Mario 3D Land, Steel Diver, Nintendogs+cats, and Pilotwings Resort

Winner: Super Mario 3D Land

You know, when I think about it, the odd-sounding title of this game makes a lot of sense. It really is a land of 3D. Er...a 3D land. Anyway, the 3D does become an important aspect in this game.

Merry Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Ping Pong sort of counts as a video game...sort of.

Merry Merry Merry Christmas!! I hope that your stockings were filled with video games a plenty! Sadly I did not receive any types of video games. . . Instead my video game Christmas present was to finally beat the Water Temple on Ocarina of Time. I couldn't play throughout last week because I just had too much school work!

Anyways I have had a lot of fun getting better at this game! I do so love my little brother Ammon for helping me throughout this game. . . sometimes. I hope that you guys got your stockings full of awesomeness!! Now I'm off to go and play ping pong!

Having trouble adjusting to post-Skyward Sword life

2011-12-26T13:00:00.001-07:00

Yes, this means a review for Skyward Sword is on the way! I just have to write it...

That's only one aspect of post-Skyward Sword life. The other, of course, has a lot to do with video games. After finishing Skyward Sword, I thought it might be a good time to pick up what will be the next time-sucker in my life: Kingdom Hearts II for PlayStation 2. So I popped the game in!

..........................................

Nintendo, I thank you. Thank you for making games with creativity and imagination.

I nearly fell asleep trying to play the first hour or so of Kingdom Hearts II. I'm sure the game will draw me in later with compelling combat, but those graphics...they try to be realistic, only to bore me to death after playing within the vibrant world of Skyward Sword all this time.

Well, I played through most of Twilight Princess before Skyward Sword arrived, so perhaps that game would satisfy my hunger for adventure! It sure did! Only...

"WHY WON'T THIS SWORD SWING THE WAY I WANT IT TO!? Oh, yeah...no more one-to-one control..."

As you can see, my life was forever changed the moment I took on the challenge of saving the world in Skyward Sword.

Merry Christmas, Nintendo fans!

2011-12-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Christmas is in two short days! I hope you'll all get a video game or two. I hope even more that you'll remember to keep the true spirit of Christmas with you. Merry Christmas from all of us here at the Nintendo Lifeline!

Game Trailer: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

2011-12-21T15:00:00.001-07:00

Posting about that old Nintendo Power DVD got me all sentimental, so today I'm sharing with you the very trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess that will always live on in my memory because of it. In later years, I would come to realize that this first look at the game did not reflect what the final product would be. Still, it was undoubtedly a tantalizing look into the next masterpiece in the legendary series. Enjoy the trailer!

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

2011-12-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

The case in which this game is held!
Holly has what's supposed to be in it.

This be the very game itself!

To say the least, I love this game. The reason why I couldn't post last week is because I spent all of my free time playing this game. I've logged about six or seven hours on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and am currently at the water temple. The sad thing is that I, Mary, do not own this fabulous game. No, it is Holly who owns it and let me borrow it! Of course I didn't get it for free, I had to give her a game too. The game I let Holly (hahaha Holly like as in Christmas holly, and Mary as in, well, you know) borrow, and soon to kick my butt at, is Mario Kart Double Dash!!

Yes, I think I have been converted! This game has made my "top ten best video games ever" list, and no I did not just make it up! Anyways, this game totally rocks my socks off! The music, goodness I cannot get enough of it! Not to mention Sheik is like the coolest person ever! Sadly I believe she would be cooler if I didn't know who she was. This is the disadvantage to having a little brother who plays video games like his life depends on it.

Speaking about my little brother, Ammon is his name, he is very frustrating. Ammon has already beaten this game, so he likes nothing more than to watch me play and tell me what to do! It drives me bonkers! Sometimes you want to struggle to find out what to do! So if you are a little brother or sister that has beaten a game before an older sibling, please don't tell them every step of every little thing! It gets very frustrating!

By the way, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hope you get lots o' video games!

A chapter from my Nintendo history

2011-12-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone has a history. And if you're reading this, you must have some history with Nintendo. Well, allow me to share a chapter from my own Nintendo history:

This story comes from when I was a wee lass in the eighth grade. I grew up with video games, you see, and, of course, I was still playing at 14 years old (obviously; after all, I'm still playing at 20). At this time, I was actively involved in the activities that were available on Nintendo's official website, which were actually quite different back then compared to today. It was only natural that I should come across the special offer of three free issues of Nintendo Power magazine if I were to register a Nintendo product.

Thus began my history with Nintendo's official rewards program, Club Nintendo. I'm not sure it was called Club Nintendo back then. In fact, I'm not even sure it was a rewards program yet. But I got my free issues of Nintendo Power magazine. One of them came with a DVD that featured trailers of many highly anticipated DS and GameCube games. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is one example. Basically, the whole thing filled me with wonder.

A month or so later, I encountered an unexpected desire to sort out my priorities. I decided video games needed to go. In this pursuit, I got rid of at least a few things: my three issues of Nintendo Power and that awesome DVD. I was essentially disowning Nintendo as a hobby. Can you imagine how long that lasted? I don't remember exactly, but it wasn't long before I desperately wished I hadn't given away those mags. I don't even want to think about what else I may have chucked that I don't remember.

So there you have it. The story of how I almost eradicated Nintendo from my life.

Top Five 3DS Games for the Holidays 2011

2011-12-16T09:00:00.001-07:00

The Nintendo Lifeline welcomes today's guest columnist, Sean:

2011 has been a great year for 3DS fans in terms of newgames. Now that the holiday season is in full swing, you may be wondering whatgames to get the 3DS enthusiast in your life. There are certainly plenty ofexcellent games to choose from. So, you might be feeling a little overwhelmedby all your options. Don’t worry. You can narrow down your choices by checkingout the five 3DS games that are certain to please any handheld gaming fanaticthis holiday season. Here are the five 3DS games that will make the bestholiday gifts this year:

1. Aliens: Infestation – This side-scrolling game challengesplayers to defeat the xenomorphs, an evil species of aliens that have takenover the world. This game is inspired by the Aliens film series and includes all the weapons from the movies.Players get to use flamethrowers, smart guns, and rifles to try to defeat themenacing xenomorphs.

2. Mario Kart 7 – Fans of previous Mario Kart games willlove this new version. You get to race on tracks from older games and some newtracks with impressive graphics. Players also get to race underwater with thehelp of a propeller that’s attached to all of the karts.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D – This isprobably the most popular 3DS game that came out this year. It’s a remake of anoriginal game made in 1998 with better graphics. Zelda fans will love beingable to carry this game around on their 3DS.

4. Star Fox 64 3D – This is another remake of a popularNintendo 64 game. It’s a scrolling shooter game set on a group of imaginaryplanets. The object of the game is to stop a mad scientist from destroyingeverything. This is a pretty challenging feat, which will please gamers who arelooking to play a relatively difficult game.

5. Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition – This edition of thepopular Street Fighter games takes things to a whole new handheld level. Youget to choose from 35 different characters to fight with, and you get to fightother players around the world when you connect your 3DS to a WiFi connection.

So, consider gifting the games above, and make the holidaysspecial for the 3DS lover in your life!

Author’s Bio: Sean is a guest post writer on the subjects of3DS games, retro video games, and locating an HP coupon for your holiday gift.

By the way, I beat Super Mario Bros.: A Review

2011-12-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Is there a video game more iconic than the original Super Mario Bros.? The NES classic gave form and character to gaming's most prolific mascot, Mario. It showed us that even the simplest of tunes can stick with us for an eternity. It taught us how to search for secrets and hidden paths. Really, it defined much of what video games could and would be in years to come.

But after 26+ years, does this game still hold up? With the help of simple, yet fun, gameplay, the answer is a resounding yes. As Mario, you traverse eight worlds that are each split into four levels, the last of which is a castle of sorts that ends in a boss fight with the Koopa King (Bowser). Sounds simple enough, right? The gameplay revolves around using Mario's incredible jumping ability to stomp foes and clear gaps. Sure, it's a little rough around the edges and you'll most likely experience a handful of cheap deaths before your journey's through, but there is a surprising amount of depth to be found along the way.

After playing this game for weeks and weeks and weeks, I felt like I gained some actual skill at it. It's a great experience in general. If you haven't already, I suggest you put down the meager $5 to download this game onto your Wii console. You won't regret it.

Looking for a great multiplayer experience for under $20? MotoHeroz has got you covered!

2011-12-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

I recently downloaded a demo for the WiiWare title MotoHeroz. I had been following the game closely since its announcement because it seemed half-way decent. At first, the demo didn't impress me. Then I tried out the multiplayer mode with my brother...

I downloaded the full version then and there! The game's racing/platforming action is perfectly suited to the chaos and madness that gamers expect from a good multiplayer experience.

But before I get ahead of myself, allow me to provide a little bit of information about the game: MotoHeroz is a kind of side scrolling racing game with a platforming twist. The player takes control of an off-roading buggy and moves forward and backward through grass/desert/ice-themed levels to reach the goal. A key component of the gameplay is the ability to angle your vehicle while in the air: you don't want to tip over, and sometimes a well-placed landing can give you the speed you need to pull ahead.

This equals a racing style that can be both fast and slow, which inevitably leads to a gritty and exciting game to play with friends. It just feels real, somehow. If you don't want to take the leap and pay the $15 for this game, download the demo and give the multiplayer a shot. I can promise it won't disappoint!

Join Infendo's official Mario Kart 7 community!

2011-12-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

I realize my readership isn't stinkin' huge, and I don't expect you guys to all have a Nintendo 3DS and a copy of Mario Kart 7. So instead of creating a Mario Kart 7 community for the Nintendo Lifeline, I'm inviting everyone (who can) to join the Infendo community, because it was a little more logical to do it that way:

Community Code: 20-1691-6700-3942

Can't wait to see you there! Oh, and we're having a community night this Saturday, December 17 starting at 7:00 p.m. US-Eastern time. Be sure to find out when that is in your timezone!

How I got Lost In Shadow: A Review

2011-12-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

The atmosphere that the Hudson Soft-produced Wii title Lost In Shadow creates is remarkable. The game's premise is simple, yet compelling: the player takes control of the shadow of a nameless boy to reach the top of an enormous tower in order to reunite shadow and body. Here's the catch: as a shadow, you are confined entirely to other shadows that make up the environment.

This makes for some brilliant gameplay that revolves around the interaction of light and shadow. The puzzles force players to correctly utilize the ability to move real-world objects, rotate the game world, and shift light sources, all of which alter the layout of the shadows. Simple sword-based combat adds a touch of variety to the platforming gameplay.

Unfortunately, this game suffers from one major issue: poor pacing. The levels never seem to get much harder, and both the combat and the puzzle-solving become stale after a while. The visuals, though quite fetching, also lack desperately-needed variety as the game progresses.

All said and done, I don't know if this game justifies a purchase, but a rent is certainly well-deserved.

2012 Lifeline Awards: Nominees

2011-12-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time again. The time when we look back at all of the best moments of the year. The purpose of the Lifeline Awards is to celebrate the best moments in the world of Nintendo. First, however, I feel it necessary to offer this disclaimer: I will never have the time or money to try every worthwhile game in any one year, so my experience is quite limited. The Lifeline Awards are for entertainment and reflection only.

That said, here are the categories and corresponding nominees:

Best Overall Game

Super Mario 3D Land (N3DS)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (N3DS)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
Mario Kart 7 (N3DS)
Wii Play Motion (Wii)
Star Fox 64 3D (N3DS)
Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition (N3DS)
Lost in Shadow (Wii)

Best Overall Graphics

Super Mario 3D Land (N3DS)
Star Fox 64 3D (N3DS)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (N3DS)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
Steel Diver (N3DS)
Lost in Shadow (Wii)

Best Get-up

Tanooki Mario (Super Mario 3D Land)
Ghirahim (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
Metal Mario (Mario Kart 7)
Kirby Hat (Nintendogs+cats)

Best Method of Travel

Loftwing (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
Tanooki Tail (Super Mario 3D Land)
Cannon (Super Mario 3D Land)
Propeller Block (Super Mario 3D Land)
By Shadow (Lost in Shadow)
Submarine (Steel Diver)
Arwing (Star Fox 64 3D)
Horse (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D)
Hang Glider (Pilotwings Resort)
Customizable Kart (Mario Kart 7)

Best Use of Stereoscopic 3D

Super Mario 3D Land
Steel Diver
Nintendogs+cats
Pilotwings Resort

As you can very well tell, there isn't a whole lot of variety in either my categories or the nominees therein. You'll also notice that the "Best Method of Travel" category easily packs in the most nominees of all, so my advice is that you take all of this with a grain of salt. Please feel free to give your favorites shout-outs in the comments, because I will certainly take them into consideration as I decide the winners. Check back in early January for the results!

Xenoblade Chronicles is coming to North America! Yay?

2011-12-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

Say hello to Xenoblade Chronicles, North America! What do I know about this game? Not much. Just that the Wii exclusive was released in many parts of the world, but not North America for whatever reason, and that a fan-made organization called "Operation Rainfall" pushed for the North American release. Nintendo of America has officially announced a release for the game sometime in April 2012. For now, the game will only be sold through Nintendo's online store and Gamestop.

So lets take a look at this trailer! First of all, if I were to get this game, it would probably end up as the most violent game I've ever owned...according to the ESRB descriptors, that is. I'm just glad it's not M-rated, because that would completely eliminate the chance of my getting it. Why do I mention this? It brings to mind the most basic conflict that comes up with this release: is there an audience for it? I'm guessing most of the people who really wanted the game already imported a European copy.

But then there are people like me. I might just get this game now that it's more readily available. I like RPG's okay, and this one has gotten stellar reviews, including a lot of perfect scores.

I'm pretty conflicted about this, so time will tell!

Oldies - Nintendo 64

2011-12-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

I think that it's time to look back at the good ol' times of the Nintendo 64. With its great game library, playing this station is for sure one of the bests! I have a number of 64 games but by far my favorite to play is Harvest Moon. With its awesome music and the fact that you can pick who you marry and then have a kid with them (who never ages past 2, I swear!) this game is just an example of how awesome the Nintendo 64 truly is.

Lately with all of the new stations coming out (DS, Wii, Xbox Kinect) everyone forgets about the better things in life. What happened to family, friends, school, and old Nintendo stations? Now everything is about how good the graphics are, or how swift the motion control is. Did developers forget how nice it was when all you had to do was stare at the screen and push a couple of buttons?

I think the 64 is kind of like a loving grandparent. No matter how old they are you'll still love them and respect them always. Sometimes they can even teach you a couple of things. Well that just about wraps it up for me! Go and play some of your old stations again and forget about the new, even if it's just for a day.

Video games and snow

2011-12-05T15:00:00.002-07:00

This won't be the last of the winter snow.

A chill in the basement, a heavy coat, a car that won't start...yep, just a typical winter morning in my little southern Utah town. The chilly season has begun. With it, I can't help but think about the many, many Nintendo games that feature snow or ice areas.

Think about any Super Mario game from Super Mario 64 to the present and you undoubtedly remember some of the ice/snow levels in them. Can you really be surprised that that's the case? The unique features of ice provide for a compelling platforming environment. Right now I'm specifically thinking of New Super Mario Bros. Wii and the penguin suit, which brought ice-based platforming to a new level of fun.

"Ice? Fun?!" you may be thinking. Hey, I don't like ice much myself, but one thing is certain: it adds much-appreciated variety to video games. So how about you guys? Do you like or dislike the inevitably slippery ice levels of today's platforming games? Go ahead and let us know in the comments!

Poll: Who is the ultimate Nintendo villain?

2011-11-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Let's settle this once and for all! Who is the ultimate Nintendo villain?

Thanks!

2011-11-29T13:00:00.014-07:00

This one is for you Holly!

I'd like to dedicate this post to our very own Holly! She's the one who is amazing and in charge of this whole set up! She's one of the funniest people I know! I love that woman! I hope that everyone reading this realizes just how hilarious and awesome she is! Even if you haven't met her in real life, well, you should just understand how cool she is from her posts.

I'm way jealous of Holly! She has the coolest game right now! I want to go and watch her play it like way way bad because I know she'll totally just take that game down! So Holly, this post is dedicated to you and all of your awesomeness!

Underway in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

2011-11-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've ever done an impromptu post like this one since I adopted my strict posting schedule months ago. However, I thought I should let you all know that I finally got my copy of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. I'm a busy woman, but rest assured every spare moment of my time shall be spent playing this game, so look forward to a review in coming weeks! In the meantime, you can enjoy the unboxing photos I took. I know there isn't much, but I wanted to get playing right away!

Why Star Fox 64 3D came as a pleasant surprise: A Review

2011-11-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago, I downloaded the original Star Fox 64 onto my Wii. Let me just say, it wasn't very user-friendly. It throws you into the action without the smallest trace of a tutorial or even a simple mission to ease you into it.

I was much more impressed with this year's Nintendo 3DS remastering of the N64 classic. I made it through the main adventure easily enough without even practicing in training mode. And the fun factor was consistently strong. Pulling off moves like somersaults, barrel rolls, and U-turns will never feel more slick in a video game. And for those of you looking for more of a challenge, there are alternate routes to find that lead to more difficult levels.

I've never been a big shooter fan, but this game may have converted me. Definitely a must-play.

How The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker is held back from brilliance: A Review

2011-11-23T15:00:00.002-07:00

If only. IF ONLY! If only Wind Waker wasn't bogged down with a tedious, monotonous traveling system. Oh, it's a great game, make no mistake. True to the spirit of the Legend of Zelda, it has a compelling plot and plenty of puzzles to solve. But that darn Great Sea! I found myself actually dreading to come back to the game when the prospect of moving from island to island loomed before me. As beautiful as that music is, as stunning as the graphics are, I just don't want to sit there with a controller in my hand and no reason to use it.

That said, this really is a great game beyond what is a rather major issue. As I said above, the music is really well done and the graphics are a timeless work of art. At the end of the day, it really is a must-play. It's just that darn sea...

Video games = stress reliever

2011-11-22T15:00:00.002-07:00

My extensive video game collection that helps me relieve stress!

Are you ever totally swamped with homework? Or are even having problems with family, friends, and for you lucky ones boyfriend/girlfriends? I know I sure do! I know I'm only 15 but right now my life is like a - insert video game reference -! One of my teachers is just asking for too much in too little time, me constantly having to study for my permit test (which I passed on my first try!!), and basketball (which I will sometimes play Varsity) my life is getting pretty dang stressful! So what do I do when my life is going off of the deep end? I play an easy, but challenging (if that makes any sense), video game!

The stress reliever of video games is a great one. For a few hours I get to completely forget about all of the papers that are due, the tests that have to be taken, and even basketball and I'm able to just enjoy my video game! Of course when I am stressed and need relief I don't want to play a very challenging and stupid game. That just makes it all not even worth it. What I play is something simple, relaxing, and of course it has to have a good soundtrack. What totally fits this description? Mario, Donkey Kong, and any sort of fighting game. What's a better way to get rid of your stress than beating people up . . . not in real life of course. Anyways, if you ever get really stressed and need a break just take up a simple video game! I would recommend not playing an RPG just because they can get really frustrating! I mean that's what you are trying to get away from the first place right?

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving! Use Black Friday to its fullest and GO GET SOME VIDEO GAMES!

Why you would be mistaken to think that Super Mario 3D Land is "just another 3D Mario platformer": A Review

2011-11-21T15:00:00.053-07:00

Let's face it: new entries in the Super Mario series are just so different from the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES. What? That's obvious, you say? Whoops. My mistake! There is a world of difference between today's Super Mario and the Super Mario of yesteryear. After 25 years, there are going to be some changes!

And yet, I think there are more similarities and continuity within the Super Mario series and its entire history than the average Joe realizes. Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS system packs that 25-year history into one solid package, and then adds to it...all with stunning aplomb.

If you're one of the many who are skipping this one because it's "just another 3D Mario platformer", let me help you make up your mind: firstly, the use of stereoscopic 3D in this title is superb. If the player opts out of using it, he/she will miss out on a slew of mind-blowing effects exclusive to this entry in the series. Secondly, this title combines the best of classic 2D Mario action with the smoothness of modern 3D Mario action to create a whole new style of play.

You just can't miss out on this game, no matter how convinced you are that there's nothing special about it. Trust me, it's special.

First impressions of Super Mario 3D Land

2011-11-18T15:00:00.002-07:00

Controls: They feel pretty slick, but I have and always will dislike the four alphabet buttons on the Nintendo 3DS. Firstly, they're too small. Secondly, they don't feel comfortable to press in the slightest. It's a shame, but I can't deny it takes something away from the game.

Gameplay: Nintendo, I just love you! Even after 25 years, your Super Mario games have the freshest gameplay ideas I've ever encountered! This is what really makes the Super Mario series so special.

Sound: So far, all the songs I've heard are simply remakes from previous Mario games, but I'm sure there will be a great variety as I travel through all of the levels.

Graphics: I love the 3D effect in this game! I'm not losing my sweet spot with the slightest of motions, even with the 3D turned all the way up. It's a nice change from previous attempts on the system.

Nintendo Music: Main Theme Medley

2011-11-16T15:00:00.001-07:00

I cheated. I listened to a majority of the tracks that will be on the Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony CD, which will be included free with the first production line of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. The Nintendo Video application for Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo Channel for Wii have both seen special sneak peaks of today's musical selection: The Legend of Zelda Main Theme Medley.

This arrangement features great variety! It starts with mystery that blends effortlessly into epic grandness, which then gives way to a soft, reflective moment. The song finishes with a majesty that surpasses almost anything you'll ever hear.

Enjoy it!

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: A First

2011-11-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had the pleasure of playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the first time (see what I did there?). I gotta say it was really fun! Holly and I usually get together and play video games, talk about video games, or watch things that have to do with video games. This time she suffered through me playing Zelda. Holly sat there giving me hints when I needed it! Through her help, I beat the first ending guy!

Of course, this all happened on 11/11/11! It truly was a magical day! I had very high expectations for Ocarina of Time, just because of what other people say about it. Luckily what they say is true! There is so much mystery only in the beginning of the game! I can't wait until I get to play it again! I told Holly if I started to play it now I'd never leave her house. Now I am just constantly thinking about it and want to play it again! I give this a five star rating and I've only played the beginning!

Your roadmap to the site

2011-11-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

If you have been following my blog from the beginning, you are a very lucky person! You've seen how the site (and my writing) has evolved over the past eight months. It was a difficult beginning. I changed the design of the site at least five times. I struggled to find a logical way to keep the blog updated and still have time for outside activities. I worked to turn the site into a user-friendly experience.

While I'm waiting for my copy of Super Mario 3D Land to arrive, I would like to highlight a couple of the pages on this site. The first is the Reviews page, which is pretty self-explanatory. My library of game reviews isn't expansive, by any means, but I'm always actively working to obtain and play a variety of games for review. Of course, if you would like me to review a specific game, you can find the contact information at the bottom of the About the Authors page of this site. About the Authors also contains basic facts and trivia on myself and Mary, the blog's only other contributor. Finally, there's the Features page. Some of the main categories are Picks of the Week, Music, Comparisons, and Firsts.

I only wish to provide easy ways for my readers to find what they're looking for, so I hope you'll explore the site in whatever fashion suits you best. As mentioned above, you can always let us know what you like about the blog and what you think we could improve by using the contact e-mail at the bottom of the About the Authors page.

Actual gaming content is pretty dry for me at the moment, but this is undoubtedly the calm before a storm of great Nintendo-developed games, beginning with Super Mario 3D Land. Keep tuning in: your patience will pay off!

Nintendo Music: Underwater Theme

2011-11-11T15:00:00.002-07:00

I had to bring this song up at some point. I've been playing the original Super Mario Bros., from which the original rendition of this song came. This, of course, is an arrangement of the original. You'll notice the three distinct styles of the song as it progresses, beginning with the original "bleepy" version, moving into an orchestral version, and finishing with a, ah, "barn-raisin'" version.

Thinking about it, perhaps there was more reason behind this set-up than meets the ear. If you've ever played level 2-2 of the original Super Mario Bros., you may remember that the song didn't, well, flow back into itself very smoothly. Once the cycle was done, there was what I like to call a jolting rest before it started again abruptly. The style shifts in this arrangement can be called nothing but unexpected and even jolting.

Think about that! And have a great gaming weekend!

4 great games coming this holiday and why I recommend them

2011-11-09T15:00:00.001-07:00

Will your games be coming in packages this season?

The "holidays" start when we begin enjoying Halloween candy and end sometime after New Year's, when it makes us sick just looking at all the left-over goodies. In between, we eat what seems like a never-ending flow of candy and baked goods.

In addition, the holidays never fail to see that gamers all over the world get a hearty supply of video games. Wii and Nintendo 3DS owners are not exempt from that, so here are 4 up-coming games for you to consider this season:

Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)
Out this Sunday, it's the latest installment in what is undoubtedly Nintendo's (and gaming's) most successful franchise. That is the first and most obvious reason why it will be a must-buy for N3DS owners. That said, players can expect brilliant platforming madness, power-ups old and new (read: Tanooki suit and boomerang suit), and even practical uses for stereoscopic 3D. Don't pass this one up!

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
One short week after Mario jumps onto store shelves once more, Nintendo will pump out what is sure to be the company's biggest hit of the year. Mark November 20th on your calender as the release of a game that has been in the making for literally years. The reasons for getting this are too numerous to count, but here's a quick summary of what's in store: one-to-one sword action thanks to the Wii Remote Plus, a story that promises to explain the origins of the iconic Master Sword (and then some!), what is sure to be a stellar soundtrack, a larger quest than in any other Zelda (estimated 50-100 hours to complete), and, of course, the dungeons, puzzles, enemies, and gameplay that come packed into every Zelda game. Seriously, don't miss out on this one. You'll regret it.

Mario Kart 7 (3DS)
Are Mario Kart memories of some sort not ingrained into the heads of every Nintendo fan alive? New courses, new items, better online capabilities, hang gliders and water jets, customizable karts, and more await in this installment of the popular series. The game hits stores December 4th.

Rhythm Heaven (Wii)
This one comes out ~~the day after Christmas (what's up with that, anyway?)~~ February 13, 2012~~, but it still fits into the "holidays", because, like I said above, the holidays don't end until after New Year's~~. Catchy music, quirky gameplay, and a whole lot of personality characterized the Nintendo DS installment of Rhythm Heaven, so why should the Wii title be any different? I look forward to more information before the game's post-Christmas release!

What makes a video game great?: Sound

2011-11-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't noticed, I really like music. I find that music in video games tends to be more exciting or more emotional (either way) than your typical pop song. Music is a vital element in video games. It adds an absurd amount of immersion to the overall atmosphere. Take the Nintendo 64 game Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The wide open spaces of Hyrule Field are accompanied by a robust, adventurous tune, while dank dungeons echo soft, sometimes creepy, songs with atmospheric noises.

There isn't a genre that benefits more from a solid soundtrack than the rhythm genre. Duh! When deciding which of the many Guitar Hero games to get, the track list is the first thing to look at. When deciding whether to get Just Dance 2 or Just Dance 3, the track list was of utmost importance to me. Choosing to get the Wii game Samba de Amigo was largely helped by the promise of a robust soundtrack.

When considering "sound", however, music is not the only element. Sound effects also play a large part in video games, even if that part is easy to overlook. Can you imagine playing a Zelda game without the sound of Link's footsteps, or without the chink-chink, click-click, clank-clank, or BOOM! of his weapons? Yeah! That's what I thought!

Got any other examples of superior sound in video games? Mention it in a comment!

Here's one gamer who is more than a year late

2011-11-04T15:00:00.000-06:00

Don't you just want to play this?

Nintendo fans have great cause to celebrate this year: it's the 25th Anniversary of the Legend of Zelda series! This really is a big accomplishment. Firstly, 25 years is ancient on the video game industry timeline. Secondly, it's kind of a big deal that this video game series has been so consistently good over a period of 25 years. Think about it!

Fans have undoubtedly been doing fun things to celebrate all year. So what have I been doing, you ask? Well, I bought a Nintendo 3DS back in March. I played Ocarina of Time 3D. I bought a couple of Zelda-related downloads. I'll play Skyward Sword when it comes out later this month, of course. Let's just say that the list of what I haven't done is a lot longer than what I have done.

Truth be told, I'm still workin' on celebrating last year's special occasion: the 25th Anniversary of the Super Mario series. I'm going to beat every Super Mario game made! And the game I'm up to now is (drumroll, please) Super Mario Bros. for the NES! Nope, I've never beaten that game, and even after a week of playing it, I can't get past World 6. What can I say? The controls throw me off. Happy weekend, readers!

Nintendo time is family time

2011-11-02T15:00:00.000-06:00


Yes, this is every last member of my immediate family, and then some.

I think gaming runs in families, particularly big ones. Every large family I know plays games. I have 8 siblings. Mary, our other contributor, has 14 siblings. I could name two other families, one with 8 kids, the other with 9, who play video games.

Each of these families have older members. With 9 kids, there's going to be a pretty large age gap in between the youngest and the oldest. That gap is 20 years in my family. So, yeah, my oldest brother was around when Nintendo brought video games home with the Nintendo Entertainment System. Is that not a reasonable explanation as to why video games are a continuing tradition in the households of large families?

But that's not really the point I wish to convey in this post. Considering the above, it stands to reason that video games could provide crucial family bonding time in these households. Well, I'll just go right out and say it: video games do provide crucial family bonding time in my household. Memories that stand out to me from my younger years include playing Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, Mario Paint, Mario Kart 64, and Mario Party 2 with my family. Now, years later, the video game legacy lives on with me, my three younger siblings, and games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii, Super Mario Bros. Wii, and more. We even revisit classics like Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario World, thanks to the Wii system's Virtual Console.

I'll end on this ironic note: my parents are the sole members of the family who have no interest in playing video games with the rest of us.

Taking State!

2011-11-01T15:00:00.001-06:00

This is one of the coolest pictures, I believe!
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

I have to tell you guys a secret . . . OUR VOLLEYBALL TEAM TOOK STATE! I'm just so pumped about this!! To add to that, it was on my birthday! It was the best birthday present ever! What's cool is the fact that everyone thought that the team we were going against was going to win! That's right, we were the underdogs! That reminded me about all of the video games I've played where you play as the underdog. Guess what? I couldn't think of any!

Not a lot of video games have underdog stories. I really can't think of any! Donkey Kong - no, they like rule the jungle; Zelda - not really; Final Fantasy - some of them are sorta underdogs. I just don't know! I guess in the Nintendo world people just don't think that underdogs can make it! The main character has to have some sort of background that makes them mysterious in some way! Anyways I was just super happy about winning state! Me being only a Freshman and all, I didn't get to play, but at least I was able to be on the bench with my team! Well HAPPY HALLOWEEN YOU GUYS! Hope it was awesome and you got sick from candy!

Nintendo Music: Wind Scene

2011-10-31T15:00:00.000-06:00

I love music because, like many other forms of art, it has the ability to produce feelings in the human being. Oftentimes, these feelings cannot be described in words, so music is its own beautiful kind of language.

Today's music selection comes from the SNES game Chrono Trigger. It is a great example of a piece of music that creates a feeling that is hard to nail down. Not to mention it augments the feeling that the actual game is portraying at the time it's played.

By the way, in addition to having awesome music, this game is just an overall amazing experience. Enjoy the tune!

Why Wii Play: Motion might be worth your money: A Review

2011-10-28T15:00:00.000-06:00

Wii MotionPlus is an under-utilized accessory, without a doubt. Frankly, I can see why. The thing needs to be calibrated to start with, and that initial balance is quite fragile besides.

But when the player gets past those two minor gripes, a rich gameplay experience awaits. Wii Play: Motion packs a variety of cool motion-based activities into an admittedly small package. Some are better than others, but all have something to offer. Many can even be played with multiple people, so bring on the party with this game!

If you could make use of another MotionPlus Wii remote, the $50 for this game and the pack-in is definitely worth it. And...I guess that's all I have to say!

Does anyone remember that one Wii remote function...?

2011-10-26T15:00:00.000-06:00

It's the Wii remote speaker!

There were a lot of things to be excited about when the world was learning what the revolutionary Wii remote could do. Motion and point sensing capabilities were chief among those. The remote would also be wireless and have the rumble function. But there was one other thing...ah, yes! A built-in speaker!

The sound quality of this built-in speaker was so poor, we muted the volume after the first month or two of having a Wii, never to turn it up again. The sound was particularly obnoxious in my favorite Wii game to date: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

We're all excited about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. I have been for literally years. But it only just occurred to me that the game's remote sound effects might actually sound good. Only time will tell!

Are there any Wii games you have played that effectively use the built-in remote speaker?

Books into video games?!

2011-10-25T15:00:00.000-06:00

The first book in the Keys to the Kingdom Series!

They have made movies into video games and video games into movies. Who skipped the step of making books into video games? Had it never occurred something was missing? It should go books to movies then to a video game! I mean imagine how awesome that'd be! Since it's a video game they could follow it to the book exactly! With movies they only have, what, two hours to fit a whole book into? Well unless your Breaking Dawn or Harry Potter that is. Why would you have two parts to a movie anyways? I mean it's just a scheme to make more money! Wait, this isn't what this is supposed to be about that. Anyways I think an awesome book to be turned into a video game would be . . . uh . . . to tell you the truth I don't have one.

Now that I think about it I don't read very exciting books, so I really have no clue as to what book would be a good video game! If you have any ideas, please tell me! Wouldn't it be so cool though? I mean man, oh, man!! They could get it like completely right! Anyways, this subject is really sorta narrow to talk about! Not much here just the fact that they could make it exactly like the book! So exciting!! Wait I have one! It's Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix! That'd be so awesome! It's a pretty legit book! Anyways if you have any ideas for books that'd be good video games tell me! I wanna know these things!

Here's what my trip taught me about video games

2011-10-24T15:00:00.003-06:00

What a great trip I had this last weekend! I didn't go into much detail in my thank you post, so I'll let you know now: I went on a three-day trip to the historic Hole-in-the-Rock trail. I don't think you want me to go into too much detail, so I'll just say that it included a lot of rough off-roading.

So what did the trip teach me about video games, you ask? If you haven't already, take a look at the video above. I've never had a knack for creativity: I'm jealous of people who can come up with great ideas for video games, even if they never see the light of day. But can't you see something like this making a pretty good video game? Some of the most intense racing experiences are really slow ones. A realistic off-road racing game would force the player to move quickly, but not so quickly that the vehicle tips, because that would mean a lot of lost time. I found that a lot of skill and concentration goes into maneuvering a vehicle on this kind of terrain, and I think a video game would benefit from using that concept.

If that made any sense, congratulations. It's a powerful skill to interpret other peoples' gibberish. For your entertainment, here are some other images from the trip:

One of our many vehicles climbs a rock. Going down won't be so easy.

See what I mean?

Some of the scenery around our camp in the morning.

An ATV tackles one of many tough spots.

We also brought along some special types of ATVs we call Razors.

Tough spots are really no problem for the Ram, but it was slow going.

The Cherokee probably had the most trouble, but it made the trip just fine.

Some more ATV action.

In the distance you can see the actual hole in the rock.

A look at Gray Mesa from inside the Cherokee. Pretty flat.

A big thanks to all of our readers

2011-10-21T15:00:00.006-06:00

I shall be gone on Friday when this post will (hopefully) be published, so today (Wednesday) I'm scrambling to get something prepared...nothing profound is coming to me, so I just want to take some time to thank all of my readers. A special thanks to my parents, who read every single post even though they don't like video games in the slightest. A huge thanks to my brother Dave, who has been surprisingly supportive of the blog, commenting, sharing to Facebook, and +1-ing posts. A thanks goes to all of you who read the blog because you actually like Nintendo. I also appreciate all of you who liked the blog's Facebook page, even though you only did it to support me and Mary. And thank you Mary! Life in high school is crazy, but you still manage to contribute your personality to the blog once a week. It's not an easy task!

Finally, I'd like to thank the Academy.

Nintendo Music: Spirit Tracks Opening Theme

2011-10-19T16:30:00.002-06:00

Give this song a good listen, it's only a minute long...don't you just want to go on an adventure after hearing this! Oh, wait! You can go on an adventure after hearing this! It's easy: just go pick up The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for Nintendo DS!

About the song, though...how can you go wrong by starting a song with that iconic Zelda theme music, anyway? It's almost as if it's saying, "Hey. This game is gonna be great...you're in for a real treat." But not every Zelda game can depend on the original theme song for its music, and the Spirit Tracks opening theme sets itself apart quickly and in amazing fashion. Oh, and wait until you get the actual game: chugga-chugga sounds from Link's in-game steam engine add a lot to the tune. I suppose you could check that out right here on this YouTube video if you don't plan on getting the game (shame on you, if that's the case!).

Sorry Guys

2011-10-18T15:00:00.005-06:00

Hey guys sorry about this. I have just been working on a paper this whole week and haven't really had time to write anything good for the blog. My mind is stuck in proper grammar, serious mode. Everything I write doesn't sound like, well, me. So I'll leave it at this awesome trailer for Final Fantasy XIII!! One of my favorite FF games.

What makes a video game great?: Plot

2011-10-17T15:00:00.005-06:00

Hey, don't mock the picture! A plot has to include characters, doesn't it?

Last time on "What makes a video game great?" I discussed an aspect that is exclusive to video games: gameplay. Gameplay doesn't apply to books, movies, TV, or music. In this post, however, I want to cover something that is prevalent in almost every medium out there: plot.

There is a delicate balance of gameplay and plot in video games. You don't want a game to sacrifice gameplay for the sake of the story. Likewise, it's hard to get into a video game with no story, even if the gameplay is fun. The first example I want to demonstrate is the game Wii Sports Resort, which I recently experienced for the first time. It effectively shows off the enhanced capabilities of the Wii MotionPlus accessory, so it relies heavily on gameplay as opposed to plot. Does is suffer from lack of plot? My answer is yes. Yes, it does. There's no final goal in that game: nothing to look forward to. Sure, the player can get pro status in every sport, but what good is that? I think the game would benefit from story-related tasks. For example, Showdown mode in the swordplay sport sees the player battling hordes of enemies in 10+ levels. What happens when all the levels are completed? You get a stamp (I think). A stamp? Yay. I feel like I should have rescued the princess after going through all that. Do you see what I mean?

But that doesn't mean video games can't get overpowered by the sheer amount of cut-scenes. I can't say I've played any that suffer in such a way, but I know they're out there!

Nintendo's hard-hitters (Zelda and Mario, basically) tend to hit a good balance of gameplay to plot. Even the original Super Mario Bros., as simple as it seemed, had a cohesive plot. The Legend of Zelda series has always been story-driven, but not at the expense of great gameplay.

So, once again, there you have it. Feel free to argue with me about anything you read in this post! I welcome the comments.

My current fantasy...

2011-10-14T15:00:00.000-06:00

I'll be starting this post with a little background on myself (I hope you like me enough to enjoy it!): I've been graduated from high school now for over a year. I've spent the time since living with my parents (and younger siblings) and taking general education classes from the college 20 miles away. This May, I'll be leaving here to attend Utah State University at Logan, UT.

We got the family Wii for Christmas 2006, the year the system debuted. Because the Wii is a family system, I can't very well take it with me to school. This is where my current fantasy comes in: I want my own Wii. And at $150, I think I found my dream bundle. It's a black system with the standard Wii Remote Plus. The included game is New Super Mario Bros.Wii, which easily fits into my top 5 favorite Wii games of all time. Call me crazy, but here's how I know this is the bundle for me when there are so many other choices out there: it also comes with a Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack CD. It's the delicious cherry on top of the cake. That's it, I've made up my mind! You're the bundle for me, Wii!

(Important note: this particular version of the Wii system has no GameCube compatibility. Don't worry about me, though, I care not!)

The Kingdom Hearts series and how Wii U could improve it

2011-10-12T15:17:00.000-06:00

As I said on Monday, getting a PlayStation 2 in order to play a childhood favorite, Kingdom Hearts, was worth it. Don't assume for a second that Kingdom Hearts is even close to the same league as Zelda and Mario, but it's a pretty decent RPG. The player takes control of Sora, who is joined by Disney's Donald Duck and Goofy in a quest to find his lost friends. The trio explores a myriad of worlds, most of which are based upon famous Disney franchises.

There's your basic premise. The original Kingdom Hearts game debuted on PlayStation 2 and was followed by many more entries, many of them on Nintendo platforms. Kingdom Hearts II also graced the PlayStation 2 system, and the next big entry will be Kingdom Hearts III on an undecided platform. All we know is that it will happen.

So you can't very well blame me for hoping that the Wii U will be that platform of destiny. I think the system's touchscreen controller could add a ton of ease to the Kingdom Hearts battle system. There are three available options to the player as he battles: attack, magic, and item. Do you realize how hard it is to stop mid-battle in order to cast a magic spell or use an item in Kingdom Hearts? It's not fun, so it becomes quite easy to ignore magic and items throughout the game. But just imagine that Wii U touchscreen controller in your hand...magic spells and items can be assigned to slots on the touchscreen, so it's as easy as tapping the right icon on the screen. Oh joyous day! Please bring Kingdom Hearts III to Wii U, Square Enix!

Super Mario Sunshine: A Review

2011-10-11T15:00:00.000-06:00

One of the greater Mario games, I have to admit. Filled with adventure, plot twists, and plain old hardships I give this game 5/5 stars. First you start off with Peach, Mario and Toad all on a plain heading towards Isle Delfino. Things happen when you get there and you get blamed for them. Turns out someone has been wearing your face and doing bad things . . . hmmm I wonder who that could be? Anyways what happens is you either go to jail or clean up the town and get back the Shine Sprites. Oh whoops forgot to tell you what those are! The Shine Sprites have been scattered all over Isle Delfino because they got scared off. What you have to do is simple, get them all back.

Well not all of them. The minimum you can get is 49 although all together there are 120 sprites. You have six boards to go; in each board there are eight sprites. It's really quite a fun game! One surprise is that Peach doesn't get taken until the middle of the game! I know it's a hard pill to swallow. Shall I tell you who steals her? Bowser Jr. (Baby Bowser? I don't know! I'm pretty sure it's Bowser Jr. though) big surprise there. Well I guess there sort of is, huh? I mean it wasn't Bowser so there's a little originality.

He steals her because Bowser told him that Peach was his mom (O.o how did Bowser pull that one off? Might as well be saying, "Hey if you say banana really slow it sounds like gullible"). Throughout the game you only see Bowser once, and that's at the end. He is the last ending guy you beat, and I have to admit the last battle lacks something. It's a little too simple for my liking. I guess the level to get there is a pain in the tush so that makes up for it. Anyways this game is full of awesomeness! They even fit Yoshi in it, although I hate all the levels that you have to use him in. So I stay with my 5/5 stars for this game! Go and pick it up to play it!

Is it true?

2011-10-10T15:00:00.000-06:00

First of all, I'd like to extend a big thanks to everyone who voted on my latest poll, which is now closed. The question was "Holly got a PlayStation 2. Believe it? Or not?" There was a total of 14 votes that were split 50/50.

Why would I ask this question? Because anyone who knows me at all knows that I'm a huge Nintendo loyalist. I hope that attitude comes through on the Nintendo Lifeline. I'm not suited for the first-person shooter-heavy Xbox library. And I'm not tech-y enough to plunk down $500 for a PlayStation 3 (the price is down to $250 at this point, though). Nintendo is where my comfort zone is. It's where Mario and Link are, and that is often all I need.

So the question is, did I get a PlayStation 2 or not? Sharp-eyed Nintendo Lifeline readers may (or may not) have noticed that a few days before the poll closed, I added PlayStation 2 to the list of video game consoles I own on the "About the Authors" page of this site. Yes, I got a PlayStation 2. But it's not because I wanted to expand my horizons: it was almost entirely for the sake of nostalgia. One of my older sisters had a PS2 when I was young, and I remember one game that seemed so cool to me at the time. That game was Kingdom Hearts, and a huge series sprouted from it that continues to this day. Since the original got pretty good reviews, I thought the $100 for a PlayStation 2 system might be worth it. Let me just say, it was worth it. But that's for a different post on a different day. Perhaps this Wednesday. Perhaps not. Anyway, have a great day!

I ain't got nobody...to play games with!

2011-10-07T15:00:00.014-06:00

"Race against a friend in the new local wireless mode!" Do you realize how many times I've read this or something like it on the backs of game cases?! Too many times for my liking! Why is that, you ask? Why, I don't have friends to play with over local wireless connection, that's why!

This option generally occurs in DS games. Mario Kart DS, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, New Super Mario Bros., Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days...these are some examples I have personally encountered. In many instances, local wireless play can be enjoyed with a single game card, but the experience is a lot more comprehensive when each participant has a copy of the game. My younger sister owns a DS, so we find mild enjoyment in playing Mario Kart DS in the limited single game card mode.

But gaming as a hobby occupies only a small niche here in my little community. I have lots of friends: but few, if any, have interest in video games. Even the handful who do share my interest don't tend to own the same systems and games as me.

That's what multiplayer Wii games are for, I suppose. Even my non-gamer friends have found appeal in Wii Sports and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. So have a great weekend and play lots of social games! I, on the other hand, will be busy playing intense single player games like Kingdom Hearts and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.

The thrill of the new

2011-10-05T15:00:00.000-06:00

One of my very first posts on the Nintendo Lifeline was called Metroid and the Thrill of the New. I thought it would make for a great experiment to play the Metroid series for the first time and then to chronicle my impressions on the Nintendo Lifeline (the last Metroid game I covered was Metroid: Other M over a month ago). The concept I really wanted to stress in that post is the idea of experiencing something for the first time. As it happens, that point didn't come through as strongly as I wanted it to. So this is my second chance.

I don't recall what it felt like to discover that Shiek is actually Princess Zelda in disguise (sorry if that spoiled it for you, but I should think everyone knows that by now!) I was what, 5 years old at the time? But I do recall the feeling of experiencing similar plot twists in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess when I played that for the first time. It's an unrivaled, albeit rare, sensation. So enjoy it while you can! When you begin a new adventure, whether through books, movies, or video games, take time to stop and appreciate the new feelings, experiences, and even difficulties that come your way. You only get one chance to experience that video game for the first time!

Mario Kart Double Dash - Rainbow Road

2011-10-04T15:00:00.000-06:00

If you're playing the hardest level on Mario Kart there has to be good music. This is the level that you will practice the most. The one level that you have to win to get a gold trophy! So the music has to be un-annoying and has to have the power to make you keep playing. This totally does it! You want to play this board just because of the music! Now now don't lie to yourself. We all know the only reason anyone plays video games is for the music!

What makes a video game great?: Gameplay

2011-10-03T15:00:00.000-06:00

I've decided to begin a series called "What makes a video game great?" All video games have aspects, such as sound and plot, that are evaluated in reviews. Players expect certain standards of quality in these areas. Each post in this series will focus on one of those categories, beginning with today's topic: gameplay.

What is gameplay? It encompasses the game's controls and how elements like puzzles, obstacles, strategy and other challenges are implemented. Perhaps no other genre benefits from solid gameplay more than the ever-popular platformer. Thus, I will call upon my recent experience with Super Mario Galaxy 2, as it is a near-perfect example of superior gameplay.

The controls in Super Mario Galaxy 2 are simple to learn and fun to execute, the first sign of great gameplay. No one wants to spend an hour just learning which button does what, and when buttons can or cannot be used. Three simple mechanics can get you through the bulk of Super Mario Galaxy 2: moving Mario with the analogue stick, jumping with the "A" button, and shaking the Wii remote for a spin attack. Moves like back flips, wall jumps, and long jumps open up the entirety of the game, and are a joy to master.

But I've spent too much space discussing controls. The way these controls are used to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles is gameplay in action and is much more important than the controls themselves. This is where incredible feats of creativity take place. Super Mario Galaxy 2 excels in this arena. Even after 25 years of Super Mario, the creators are still able to find new and unique ways for players to execute old and familiar moves. The concept of varying gravity fields alone yielded numerous gameplay wonders in both Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2.

So there you have it. What other games do you think deserve honorable mentions for gameplay genius?

Do you wanna know how to get the most out of your games? We've got the answer!

2011-09-30T15:00:00.002-06:00

In light of my recent "no screens" week (I know, lame name), I'd like to point out a few thoughts I've harbored for some time now. These thoughts revolve around the idea that video games can only be enjoyed to their full potential when life continues and functions as normal outside them.

If I could, I would spend my whole life playing games, watching movies, eating, and sleeping. No matter how blissful that lifestyle would be, however, it's just not an option. Some people give in to these lazy, self-indulgent ways, but even then it's far from bliss. Inescapable consequences such as bad health and low self-esteem result. No, a happy lifestyle is a balanced one.

My current roles include employee, student, family member, and friend. I love to play games, but a play session that lasts 'til 11:30 at night yields several unwanted consequences. It can negatively affect each of those important roles. It's a vicious cycle!

Compare that to a day during which I take care of all of my priorities, get a solid hour of video games in, then go to sleep at a decent hour. In which example am I going to have the most fun playing video games? I think the answer is clear.

Now that you know the key to getting the most out of your video games (and other entertainment, for that matter), I hope you'll go and implement it! Although, it's funny I should post this at the threshold of a new weekend, 'cause weekends tend to be an exception...okay, okay, enjoy your weekend and play lots of games, then you can exercise good judgment!

Game Trailer: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

2011-09-28T15:00:00.000-06:00

This one has been out for a while, but it really struck me as a well-made trailer. First of all, that music! It's the orchestral arrangement created specifically for the 3DS remastering of Ocarina of Time. Isn't it nice? Of course, a good trailer makes the footage fit the music in an engaging way, and this trailer has no problems with that. It manages to do a great video game justice in two short minutes. Now all that's left is for you to go get the game. Oh, and if you haven't done so yet, click here to vote on the "Would Holly get a Playstation 2?" poll. Have a stupendous day!

Girls and games

2011-09-27T13:00:00.019-06:00

See isn't love just great? What girl wouldn't want this?

Look at all of the video games we play, there's always at least some romance. For example, in The Legend of Zelda, Link saves Zelda because he is totally crushing on her (it's so OBVIOUS if you haven't noticed). Then you have all of the Mario games. Mario and Peach are Nintendo's greatest couple, though I hate to admit it because personally I like Luigi and Daisy better. I think that the Nintendo world has realized this and that's why they have put love in everything. Love is in, I think, every single one of the Final Fantasy games! Even some of the fighting games I have they have a little insert with two people, who have or do like each other! The Nintendo people have figured us out, ladies. They now know why we are addicted to video games.

I mean think about it! Nintendo RPGs are like books, the only difference is you get to make the decisions. The one thing I think is really weird (that, actually, I just noticed when I was writing this) is that we usually play as guys. So we make the guy go for the girl. Weird. At least we get to choose how the guy acts towards the girl. We usually make him act how we would like to be treated. Yep, that's why that happens, that's why we are always the man. Though it would be cool if we were a girl, RPGs with girls as main characters are never as cool! Maybe when I'm older I'll make one with an awesome heroine and a crazy love story, but it will still have some awesome fighting action too!

Well since it seems I have gotten as off topic as I want to be I think that I'll just end this here. See you guys next week!! Now go and play some awesome video games with lots-o'-love!

Hello again, video games!

2011-09-26T15:00:00.003-06:00

The following was written with pen and paper in the very depths of my no-screen week:

Wednesday
The whole "no screen" thing is getting hard today. I wonder what the point is. My eyes don't feel any better than usual. Having to look at screens during classes makes it all feel worthless; a waste of time.

Ha! Funny I should call it a "waste of time", because playing video games until 11:30 at night seems a waste of time, if you ask me. For once, I'm getting to sleep at decent hours. I read a novel in less than 24 hours. This is no waste!

6:34 p.m.
The temptation to play a video game or watch a movie is overwhelming, but I intend to see this through.

Saturday
Wow! It's the last day! Tomorrow I can watch movies, check my e-mail, and read all of the posts I missed on my favorite blogs. The end is so near! And to think, I didn't believe it would ever come. I didn't do half bad!

I expected to prepare more comprehensive coverage during the week, but, alas, nothing profound came to me. At least one good thing came of it: I rediscovered a love of reading that I lost somewhere in high school.

Nintendo Music: Melty Monster Galaxy

2011-09-23T15:00:00.003-06:00

Does music get any more epic than this?! Booming brass, smashing percussion, and energetic strings combine to give Super Mario Galaxy 2's Melty Monster Galaxy an atmosphere of immersive adventure and fun.The music is great, the level is great, the game is great. I suggest you go pick it up right now.

Note: if things have gone according to plan, I should currently be looking forward to Monday, when I can finally pick up video games again. Join us on that day for a special anti-video game post! I kid, of course. It'll be a must-read, though! Don't miss out!

Infendo Wednesday: Video games are a skill!

2011-09-21T15:00:00.002-06:00

Can video games be considered a skill to be learned and practiced? Anyone who has gone their entire life without picking up a controller, then finds one thrust into their hand suddenly can probably answer that question. This and more discussed in this week's Infendo post.

See you in a week, video games!

2011-09-19T15:00:00.004-06:00

I'm going on vacation for a week! Well, that's partly true. I'm taking a vacation from screen time for a week. That includes video games, internet, movies, and TV. I spend a lot of time doing those things each week! All of the posts you'll see here on the Nintendo Lifeline over the next week have been prepared in advance, except Mary's.

Why am I doing this? It's partly to prove that I can. It's also for my poor eyes. Sometimes it's hard to tear myself away from a good video game and, before I know it, it's 11:30 at night. It's time to give my eyes a break!

Can I do it? I don't know...what do you think? No Chrono Trigger for a week. No Zelda for a week. No Wii Sports Resort (great game, by the way) for a week. It'll be a challenge, for sure! Here's hoping I have it in me! See you in one week...you won't want to miss it!

Giant AR Card: A Club Nintendo review

2011-09-16T15:00:00.000-06:00

I don't expect many of my readers to be big enough Nintendo fans that they frequently use Club Nintendo, but I regard my precious Club Nintendo coins as very valuable. You don't just spend them on anything!

Today's Club Nintendo item is the recent Giant AR Card. I simply jumped at the chance to get this one for 200 coins. You've seen my regular AR photos: little Mii's on my desk, little Nintendo characters at school. But if you're a regular Nintendo Lifeline reader, you've also seen glimpses of what the Giant AR Card can create: a giant dragon coming to life on the back lawn, a giant Mii rushing down the stairs. (For all that and more, visit this previous post.)

Now that you have an idea of what this thing is, let's get down to business. First of all, this card is even bigger than I originally expected. Sometimes it's a little too big. To get it to register with my Nintendo 3DS camera, I've used a rickety ladder and the top of a high deck, among other things. Don't get me wrong, though: the size is great. Best part about it. There is something valid to dislike about the Giant AR Card, though: it is painstaking to get it to register because 1) it's too floppy and 2) it catches glares all too easily. As if it wasn't tedious enough to set up the regular-sized AR card, this one is even more difficult to work with. But if you can get past that, it's quite fun to mess around with.

So is the Giant AR Card worth 200 of your precious Club Nintendo coins? Well, if messing around with augmented reality appeals to you, definitely. If not, the added frustration might not be worth it. Have a great week, and spend those coins wisely!

Infendo Wednesday: A new way to rank games

2011-09-14T15:00:00.000-06:00

Click here to check out this week's Infendo article, which explains one of my ideas on how media (video games, in this case) could be ranked.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest: A First

2011-09-13T15:00:00.004-06:00

So I finally got my hands on DKC 2! Well I gotta say I loved it! I mean it kept to the original pretty well but it also went off on some of its own stuff. I liked that a lot; every game has to have its own attraction to it. It can't just ride off of the first game, contrary to some peoples' beliefs. Of course a question that I was asked by Holly was: Did I like the first or second one better? Ooooh, tough decision!

Well, as of right now, I definitely like the first one better. Heck I probably always will, though I do have to admit the second one is growing on me. I love how it is its own game! I just can't get over it!! I thought that it'd be a lot like the first but boy was I wrong! Sure it has a new character but there were other things too! Some things were missing (like Candy Kong at the save points) but they still kept some other things (like Diddy Kong and Funky Kong) and of course they added new things as well (like coins to collect).

All in all I was really happy with this game. There was one thing that sort of threw me off though. It was the graphics of the game. I don't know if it was because I was playing it on the Wii or if they were just strange; the point is, I didn't like them. Somehow they were too different from the first one. I don't know why! On the bright side I can now say I have played all four of the Donkey Kong Country's. The first one is definitely the greatest in my mind, but hey, maybe that'll be different in the future!

The tragic story of my first GameBoy

2011-09-12T15:00:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I wonder why I've stuck so firmly to Nintendo all these years. Some of my earliest video game memories involve the Super Nintendo, then the Nintendo 64. The NES didn't come until after both of those, if I recall correctly. Unlike most other hardcore gamers, I was by no means "born with a controller in my hand." Heck, my first go at Ocarina of Time was disastrous.

But there was something that bridged me into the world of video games: the Pokemon animated series. Yep, I blame it all on that cartoon show. It was a revelation to me that the cartoon actually stemmed from the best-selling GameBoy games, Pokemon Blue version and Pokemon Red version. That was when I knew I had to get a GameBoy. When that dream became a reality, the GameBoy Color had already hit the market. I got a beautiful GBC with clear purple casing for Christmas one year. The one game I got to go with it was SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost Spatula. I struggled with that game, though my neighbor beat the whole thing in about an hour.

It was only a matter of time before I had the money to get Pokemon Gold or Pokemon Silver. Before that time came, however, "it" happened. I left the system on the bleachers in the gym during PE one day. About half way down the hall afterwards, I realized I had forgotten it. I ran back quickly to retrieve it, only to discover that it was gone. Stolen, most likely. I was in fourth grade at the time, and not brave enough to go to the principal's office for help recovering it. To this day, I wonder what happened to that beloved GameBoy Color of mine. Could it still be out there somewhere? Pokemon FireRed, a GameBoy Advance game, would be the first Pokemon game I enjoyed. Have a great week, and take care of your small electronics!

Strange new world: The RPG genre and me

2011-09-09T15:00:00.000-06:00

I know a thing or two about the RPG genre! I've played Pokemon since I was ten! Other than that...well, who needs more?

My line of thought was somewhere along those lines before I played a little game called Chrono Trigger. RPG's, where have you been all my life! That's what my new thoughts are.

But before I get ahead of myself, let's go over the meaning of "RPG" first. RPG stands for role-playing game. A "party" is almost always key to the RPG formula. Leveling up is also a necessary ingredient. Battles must be fought. These can be turn-based or action-based. In a turn-based battle, each active character can choose how to act, then the battle proceeds, generally with the fastest character attacking (or not attacking) first. Thus, a certain degree of strategy is involved in turn-based battles. Action-based battles, on the other hand, play out much like battles in any action-adventure game. In fact, "Action RPG" is its own sub-genre.

I hope that at least gives you the gist of it. Back to Chrono Trigger! What a spectacular game! I must acknowledge Mary as the one to whom I owe the finding of this game. The question that remains now is this: is the RPG genre for everyone? Absolutely not! And I'll tell you why: many gamers want that quick burst of gameplay, which comes from a Mario platformer, or a Star Fox shooter, or a Wii Sports party-er, or a Mario Kart racer. There's a great deal of complexity in RPG games! And, oftentimes, there's a degree of drag to them as well. It was hard even for me, a big Pokemon fan, to accept the foreign RPG style of Chrono Trigger (What? I can't catch 'em all in this game?! Ludicrous!). But the bare-bones truth is, RPG's provide deep, rewarding experiences that are worth all the trouble of learning all there is to know about them. So dig a little deeper, and maybe you'll find that there's an RPG fan in you after all!

Infendo Wednesday: How goes your Master Quest?

2011-09-07T15:00:00.001-06:00

Click here.

This week's Infendo article, titled "How goes your Master Quest?", asks readers to share their experience with the ultra-challenging unlockable quest in Ocarina of Time 3D. Enjoy!

Video games into movies!

2011-09-06T15:00:00.001-06:00

So this isn't the real trailer for FF7 Advent Children but who cares! It's freakin amazing! A lot of people made their own trailers for this! That's how strong its following is.

Imagine, you've been playing a video game and have gotten way into it. A few days later you hear about a movie coming out of that exact game! What do you do? Personally I'd freak out. Heck I already did when Final Fantasy VII Advent Children came out! It's so awesome when a video game becomes a movie! Surprisingly a lot of video games do that. I'll have you know contrary to popular belief the Pokemon game series came out before the cartoon did. Really quite surprising isn't it?

With those type of video games it doesn't really baffle me. With video games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, well that's a different story. Mortal Kombat got three movies from just a normal old fighting game. No real story line at all. I think Street Fighter is even crazier though, they got a whole series. I mean it's just insane! Actually personally I think Mortal Kombat has more story line than Street Fighters (game wise movie wise . . . lets just say nothing can beat Street Fighter).

Another one is Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life. This one only has two movies, but six games. The movie is currently the highest-grossing video game adaption movie in the U.S. and only falling second worldwide behind Prince of Persia. So what makes all of these video games legible to be made into movies? An awesome story line, cool characters, and of course an immense following of people. Personally I think that the following is the most important. I mean even if the game is stupid, if people are making petitions and sending things to the, uh, CEO guy (the guy who is in charge okay?) and just all in all being crazy they'll most likely get a movie.

Of course sometimes since the game is just so awesome, *cough* Final Fantasy VII *cough*, they just decide to make it into a movie because they know it'll get a way positive response. So if you want a game to become a movie then it's most likely not going to happen unless it has a crazy following or if its name starts with an F and ends with a roman numeral. Just kidding, there are a lot of games that aren't super big that are movies. Some like: Animal Crossing, Like a Dragon, and Tekken. See I bet you don't even know what those are, well maybe Animal Crossing but that's it! I guess the point I'm trying to make is . . . wait, I don't even know what it is. Oh well! It was fun finding out all of this stuff anyways! What game do you want into a movie? Go do something about it!

Poll: Holly got a PlayStation 2. Believe it? Or not?

2011-09-05T15:00:00.002-06:00

Do you believe it?

A weekend guide for Nintendo fans

2011-09-02T16:00:00.000-06:00

Wednesday was a big day in many ways for Nintendo fans. So maybe this is old news, but if you have gotten lost in all of the Nintendo goodness that happened, let the Nintendo Lifeline help you find your way through it this weekend!

First, a special Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword bundle was announced. The first shipment of the game will include a bonus 25th Anniversary Symphony CD, all for $50. Upgrade to $70 and the game comes with a special limited edition gold Wii remote Plus. Pre-order your preferred package on Amazon today!

Next, 3DS Ambassadors are now able to download the ten free NES games promised a few months back. Here follows a list of the games and my impressions so far:

Super Mario Bros.: How can you go wrong with the original Super Mario Bros. for the NES? Okay, the gameplay might have aged a bit, but this classic can still be fun today. It feels pretty good on the 3DS, but it is admittedly not as comfortable as the sideways Wii remote set-up.

The Legend of Zelda: I've never understood why the original Legend of Zelda was so innovative back in its time. Perhaps that's because it is anything but innovative at this point in time. But, in celebration of the series' silver anniversary, I'm willing to give it more of a shot than I ever have before. Stay tuned!

Yoshi: Puzzle games never seem to make it into my gaming libraries, but they probably should, because I have enjoyed the heck out of Yoshi, a simplistic NES puzzle game. This game is definitely the hidden gem in this group of NES freebies. When this game is released for the general public, the $5 should be worth it.

Donkey Kong Jr.: I haven't had much time with this game, but I don't like what I've played so far. The action is slow, the gameplay is boring, and the controls are iffy.

Metroid: I've talked about this game before, so you should just check out this post to get the full picture. In short, this is a great game. Go for it if it's free, and consider it even if you have to pay the $5.

Other free games for Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors include Wrecking Crew, The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Balloon Fight, Ice Climber, and NES Open Tournament Golf. I'll play those a little more in order to provide more coverage on them in the future.

Finally, I want to include instructions on how Ambassadors are to download these games, because it's a fairly complicated process: 1) Go into the Nintendo eShop from your Nintendo 3DS menu screen. 2) Scroll all the way to the left in order to find the Settings/Other icon and select it. 3) Scroll down to the Your Downloads button and select it. 4) Scroll down until you find the ten free games and select Redownload on the first one. You'll have to repeat steps 2-4 multiple times in order to download all of the games.

Have an amazing Labor Day weekend!

Change is in the air for the Nintendo Lifeline

2011-08-31T15:00:00.001-06:00

Life gets busy. And if it doesn't, maybe it's time to rethink your life.

But anyway, I'm just here to briefly cover a change to the Nintendo Lifeline schedule. Because I also write for Infendo (it's probably hard to know that, since I haven't contributed in so long), I'm directing Wednesday Nintendo Lifeline posts to my latest Infendo posts. It just so happens I have one prepared for you, my loyal readers, today! Click on over to check it out!

CLICK HERE NOW.