A chapter from my Nintendo history

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.

Augmented Reality: a photographic history

The following photographic history represents my progression in learning how Augmented Reality can be used effectively. Therefore, the photos are in chronological order by date. All were taken by the use of the Nintendo 3DS system's Augmented Reality function.

The first photo I took using AR! This image demonstrates an effective, albeit unintended use of background objects such as the mouse and notebook.

Mii characters can also come to life on real-world surfaces. Additionally, they can assume a slew of poses at the press of a button.

I haven't used the Graffiti tool since this was taken, but my first swing at it wasn't half bad!

A miraculous image that squishes all of my family members together with a certain degree of clarity.

I endorse this particular issue of Nintendo Power magazine.

One photo in a series that captures the idea of the game Save Mii!

It's not just the built-in AR Games application that projects video game images into the real world. This example comes from Nintendogs+cats.

Probably my first attempt to create an image with a humorous premise in mind. Does it look like the Mii on the left has just kicked the Mii on the right to the ground?

The image that originally adorned my "About the Author" summary. It has recently been changed to accommodate my new haircut.

This photo signifies my very first StreetPass encounter, which was arranged beforehand. I've had three more chance encounters since.

Nintendo Lifeline author Mary represents the retro gaming scene with posts that revolve mostly around the 16-bit era.

Say hello to this beast of an AR card! My youngest sister kindly consented to appear in the image to show the size of the card.

This shot captures a life-size Mii as it hurries downstairs to get some much-needed peanut butter from the pantry.

We recently payed a fortune to have this stone dragon adorn the lawn in the back yard.

My youngest brother and his friend casually look on as the stone dragon comes to life right before their eyes.

A scene that captures some of the beauty that awaits those who take the AR fishing challenge.

ANNOUNCEMENT! Thanks for making it through my photographic history! Beginning this Monday, posts on the Nintendo Lifeline will be published at 3:00 p.m. MST on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, as opposed to 1:00 p.m. MST. A minor, insubstantial change, I know. Have a splendid weekend, and don't forget to like us on Facebook by finding and clicking the appropriate button on the sidebar to the right!

Three reasons to pick up this month's issue of Nintendo Power magazine

1. Cover Story
Take one look at that cover and you already know why this is a must-have issue of NP. In case you missed the memo, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a legend in the video game world. A masterpiece. The pinnacle of game-making as we know it. Next month, Nintendo 3DS owners all over the globe will have the privilege of experiencing this work of genius all over again, in full 3D. Don't miss the in-depth coverage Nintendo Power has to offer!

2. A Guide to Kick-Start Any 3DS Owner's Experience
This issue of NP includes a short buyer's guide to Nintendo 3DS cases, five essential tasks to get started, tips on effectively using StreetPass, info on four must-own launch titles, tricks to get the most fun out of AR Games, and more. My favorite feature? The opportunity to collect the Mii iterations of select NP staff members by the use of QR codes printed right into the magazine. Plus, no Nintendo fan should miss out on the chance to receive a very special Mii...but why ruin the surprise! Find out who it is for yourself! 

3. A Celebration of the Zelda Series' Silver Anniversary
Can you believe the Zelda series is 25 years old? I'm not even that old yet! It's hard for me to believe that video games have been around for so long. This issue of Nintendo Power continues to reflect on the things that made Zelda into what it is today.

Happy reading!

The Nintendo Way (continued)

5.       Nintendo Power magazine has been my constant companion since March 2006. There’s not a source I trust more for Nintendo news, previews, and reviews. NP has broadened my horizons, letting me in on games that are a perfect match for me, but that I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. A great example is the rhythm game Samba de Amigo for Wii. At a mere $20, this easily makes my list of the top five best values. The game-play revolves around the idea that Wii remotes can be used much like maracas. I can’t go into detail, but I love this game. It also opened my eyes to the fact that the rhythm genre of video games extends beyond Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Imagine that!

4.      Nintendo’s vast history is more accessible now than ever before through Wii. That’s right; number four is all about old-school! Thanks to the Wii system’s Virtual Console, I own games like Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Mario Party 2, Donkey Kong Country (numbers one, two, and three), Star Fox 64, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Metroid. I put Metroid at the end for a reason: this is how the Virtual Console feature has really impacted me as a gamer. The Metroid series is one of the big Nintendo juggernauts. It was only a few months ago that I decided I wanted to be a part of this series. I spent a whopping five bucks on the NES original. Boy was I impressed! I never thought I could enjoy NES classics like I enjoy Metroid.

3.       The Super Smash Bros. series highlights another great Nintendo feat: that is, the gargantuan roster of characters and all the fantastic worlds they inhabit. It just so happens that each Super Smash Bros. game thus far has managed what seemed impossible: to bring this enormous number of characters together in a most perfect way. The Nintendo “family” includes such figures as sweet, innocent Kirby, charismatic Captain Falcon, determined Pokemon Trainer, sweet-but-sassy Princess Peach, and slightly dorky Ness, to name a few.

2.      Creativity and originality are indispensible traits in video games. (Or at least they should be.) Nintendo titles and systems have them in spades. Take the most basic series in Nintendo history: Super Mario Bros. Let’s see, there is a Mushroom Kingdom, pipes that warp the player to different locations, enemies with names like Goomba, Koopa, and Shy Guy, a plumber as a protagonist, a dinosaur/turtle…thing as a villain, and a kidnapped princess. Do you see where I’m going with this? How do all these wacky elements combine to create the best-known, most widely-played video game series of all time? Who knows? But it’s great, isn’t it? Nintendo has demonstrated again and again the willingness to try new things.

1.      From casual to hard core, from age 7 to 77, Nintendo games cater to every player’s needs. Do video games get more casual than Wii Sports? I’ve got friends, who had never touched a video game before, to play Wii Sports back in the day (or back in 2007 anyway). It seems it’s becoming the fashion now-a-days to consider an M-rated, explosion-littered, kill-everything-in-sight game to be “hard core”. Well here’s my idea of a hard core game: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. A plot with depth, characters with motives, music with thought, a spot-on control scheme that includes the perfect balance of motion-controls to button presses, and cleverly-designed dungeons…the story is driven by emotionally-charged cut scenes; the characters bring the player to wonder who the true enemies and allies are (*cough*Midna*cough*). It easily takes 30-50 hours to complete this game, depending on the time spent pursuing optional, but extensive side quests. Wii Sports and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess are just two examples of the variety offered by Nintendo.

That concludes my list of the top ten reasons to love Nintendo. So join me as I offer my opinions on Nintendo games, embark on the journey of the Metroid series, and ponder on all the joys and hardships that come with being a gamer.