Nintendo 3DS XL unboxing and first impressions

Remember when I said I most likely would not get a Nintendo 3DS XL system? Well, I kinda did. See for yourself:

Strangely, the box is about half as big as the one the original 3DS came in.

The smaller box is a hint that the Nintendo 3DS XL doesn't include a charging cradle.

I was frankly shocked at how big the system actually was. It's massive!

Having owned both models of the Nintendo 3DS system now, what do I think of the upgraded XL version? In short, I love it. It solved all of the problems the original had that bugged me. The original had a strange reflective quality in the surface area surrounding the top screen. Problem solved. The stylus fit into a slot on the back of the original system. Problem solved: the stylus fits into a more convenient side slot on the XL. The top flap of the original stuck out over the bottom slightly, earning it the embarrassing nickname "muffin top". Problem solved. The boxy shape of the original dug into one's palms terribly. Problem solved...mostly. The XL is definitely more comfortable to hold than the original, but I still get the hand cramps at times.

I know many are disappointed that the Nintendo 3DS XL system doesn't have a built-in second analogue. If that bugs you, then go ahead and do your thing. I don't find it bothersome at all. I could complain about one or two things, though. These are minor issues, though, so keep that in mind. The XL is fairly heavy. I didn't expect much else, but it does feel a little out of balance that way. Also, I think the 3-D effect takes a hit because of the XL's low resolution. Turning the 3-D on makes a notable difference in the graphics...to me anyway. Fortunately I prefer to play in 2-D anyway, so no big deal.

Overall I think the Nintendo 3DS XL is superior to its smaller counterpart. I can honestly say I'm glad I made the upgrade.

First Impressions: Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

In preparation for the release of Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance, I have been frantically trying to catch up in the Kingdom Hearts series. A few weeks ago, I was about 10 hours into Kingdom Hearts II, but playing through it was a very slow process: I thought the combat uninspired and the storyline stale.

So I'm afraid to say I quit. I hoped that the two Kingdom Hearts entries on Nintendo DS would impress me.

Enter Kingdom Hearts Re:coded for the Nintendo DS. I'm glad to report that Re:coded is a really excellent RPG.This may seem strange if you know the game's basic story: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Jiminy Cricket are trying to repair Jiminy's journal from the first Kingdom Hearts adventure. To do so, they enlist the help of a digital Sora. The player will traverse all the same worlds that are in the first Kingdom Hearts game.

In theory, it may seem kinda lame, but rest assured Re:coded and the original Kingdom Hearts are far from the same game. Button-mashy combat that is a staple of the series is present in Re:coded, but a variety of other play styles are thrown into the mix with pleasing results. A well-designed platforming stage at the end of Traverse Town is one such example. My favorite gameplay deviation has to be the turn-based battle system in Olympus Coliseum.

Re:coded has really impressed me up to this point, so I can't help but be optimistic about Dream Drop Distance.

First Impressions: Metroid Prime

Please note: these are first impressions of the game Metroid Prime as found within the game Metroid Prime Trilogy...in other words, this is a Wii game, not a Gamecube game.

Phew! With that out of the way, let's talk about Metroid Prime, a really excellent game! Atmosphere is the calling card of basically any Metroid game, and Prime is no exception. In fact, of all the Metroid games I have played so far, Prime probably has the most engrossing, compelling atmosphere of any. That is one of the first things that struck me as I began the game.

I was further impressed by the controls. I don't know how it feels to play Metroid Prime with a Gamecube controller, but I can tell you that I've never been more thankful for point control than while playing Prime. I'm not very competent at the first-person shooter format, but if every FPS feels as slick and simple as Prime, sign me up, I'll play them all!

Level design in Metroid Prime is also top notch from what I've played so far. The levels are a joy to explore and are teeming with secrets. I have gotten stuck a couple of times, but no situation has been so hopeless that a little bit more poking around didn't fix it.

Complaints? I do get a little nauseous when I need to spin the camera more than 90 degrees. Is that an FPS thing or a Metroid Prime thing? It's not like it ruined the game for me, though, so no harm done!

All in all, I can't wait to keep playing Metroid Prime, and that's when I know a game's a keeper!

First Impressions: Xenoblade Chronicles

A lot of things went through my mind as I played Xenoblade Chronicles for the first hour last night. Were they good or bad? You'll have to read on to find out!

Voice Acting
The voice work in the game is pretty solid. At times it felt like it was somehow disconnected from the rest of the game. Also, I found it rather obnoxious that the same lines would be repeated several times in a row during battle. And the after-battle lines didn't have much variation either. Other than those two qualms, I'm alright with the voice acting.

Game World
I haven't even reached the good parts in the game world that Xenoblade Chronicles creates, yet I already know from the little bits I have been in that I'm in for a treat. Environments are lush and just beg to be explored. There is one reason and one reason only why I want to get back to the game, and it's to set out in a land riddled with secrets to discover.

Battling
Battling is also solid in Xenoblade Chronicles. The method for battling doesn't involve mindless button mashing, I can tell you that. During battle, approaching an enemy will cause your character to automatically attack. However, it turns out to be useful to take advantage of special powers called Arts. That is where strategy comes in. The Art system is easy to use, but has a welcome depth to it.

Other Thoughts
One thing I find irritating about Xenoblade Chronicles so far is the size of the print. I found myself squinting at the screen when I wanted to read tutorial information. I tried to find a way to change that in the options, but it was a no-go. Fortunately it won't be long before I'm through with tutorials, but there are other places where the game is plagued with this minute text. It remains to be seen whether this will detract from the entire game.

Frankly, Xenoblade Chronicles hasn't impressed me a whole lot so far. However, I can honestly say I'm looking forward to playing again. I know the best is yet to come!

First Impressions: Kid Icarus Uprising

Let me just start out by saying that Kid Icarus Uprising, for the fairly short time I've played it, has blown my mind. Never, in my wildest dreams in a million years, would I have expected to like this game as much as I do so far. I already can't wait to get back to playing it.

But let's slow down and rewind. Back to the moment when I first powered up the game. The first thing I did was watch the opening video in 3-D. This was the first indication that I was in for a treat. The graphics were stunning, and the 3-D was impressive. After this video, I touched through into the menu. One thing that struck me once I had a profile up and running was the large amount of buttons to press. I've only played in single player mode so far, but it's exciting to know that there's much more to discover in the game.

About the actual game, though. I have to say that I started out disliking the controls. They're simple enough: the circle pad moves Pit, the touch screen aims his weapon, and the R button shoots it. In practice, it takes a bit of coordination to use them. But that's all you need to master them: practice. Once I had the controls down, the game turned into a ton of fun. And, as the opening sequence suggested, the stereoscopic 3-D graphics are absolutely phenomenal.

I have to say, I'm not a fan of touch control in general. But the use of touch in the game Kid Icarus Uprising is spot-on. I haven't experienced any discomfort from these controls. From my limited play time so far, I heartily recommend this game. Am I alone? Let me know what you think of the game so far in the comments!

Tales of the Abyss: First Impressions

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...!