Gaming I guess

Short week as there isn't much coming out and news wise, there wasn't much other than Zelda isn't coming out in 2015 which leaves a big hole in their Christmas lineup. Nintendo only has two games announced so far that could to really move the needle. Star Fox which has so far been shown off as a smaller digital game and Xenoblade Chronicles X which would mean they would give it 8-ish months between it's Japanese (comes out next month) and Western releases. Though two weeks ago, they did announce their new "development platform" under the NX codename. It's notable that they called it a development platform instead of a new handheld or console which gives credence to the long held belief that their next console & handheld would be one in the same for the most part. Kinda makes you wonder if they will hold off on releasing a Zelda game for the WiiU and create a Twilight Princess situation where the game comes out on the old and next gen systems.

That being said, as for Nintendo as a whole, them finally listening to the shareholders lead to a very nice $5 share price bump (it hit up to $8 but evened out at $19 from $14) as they announced a partnership with DeNA which the West probably knows more as Mobage, one of the biggest names in mobile gaming. Basically, Nintendo will make the games while DeNA will do all the back-end system work. Considering Nintendo's forays into internet, this is the optimal setup. This is a pretty big turn for Iwata, after years of sticking his head into the sand, he's finally noticed the current gaming landscape. Will it save his job? Will it "save" Nintendo? Though it's a positive step, I don't see it. To make it work, they would have to go full bore on mobile. And even then, they're selling to a marketplace that really doesn't know or care about Mario. Only Pokemon is their real ace in the hole for cracking mobile. I personally wouldn't say no to a mobile Fire Emblem game though. I think their stock price is too high but I'm cautiously optimistic on their future, especially if Iwata gets what he deserves (not going to happen with the way he's surrounded himself with yes men on the board).

• ArcadeHero with a nice writeup on Amusement Expo 2015. The whole Predator pinball thing....eeesh

• So yeah, Zelda isn't coming out this year. A sales rep said it also wouldn't be at E3 but well, that came from a sales rep, something no one should trust. Not saying I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't show up but I can't say I've ever talked to a sales rep who knew their elbow from their asshole.

• In your delusional pea sized brain, I could see swatting someone in a competitive multiplayer game but Minecraft? Really? And a 13 year old too boot. I miss the old days of people just cutting off someone's electricity right before something big happens.

• With GenCon having been shit since Hasbro stopped running it, them sperging about the RFRA doesn't surprise me. Shoulda never left Milwaukee.

• So too many people with cash to burn don't remember how bad the Toejam & Earl games were, especially after the second stage.

There isn't much of anything being released this week.

Story of Seasons (3DS) - The legit new Harvest Moon game made by the team who has made almost every other Harvest Moon game (Lost Valley was a Natsume thing). Like all Harvest Moon games, it's all about banging bitches and making paper. Plant some crops, milk your cows and hit on the local girls till you get married and have a kid so you have some free labor. This is back to basics Harvet Moon game which is a refreshing change up. There is some new Animal Crossing style online trading but it's all about reminding you how awesome this series is. I personally really like the series, especially if you skip a few games here and there. Now if Marvelous could make a full featured Harvest Moon for my phone, I'd be even more happy but as is, I've got this game pre-ordered.

MLB 15: The Show (PS4, PS3, Vita) - Your only option if you want to actually play a MLB baseball game. Can't say I'm a big fan of the series as the rhythm over the course of a game never feels right. They've been saying that they're aiming to fix online play but they've been saying that for the last few years. The whole sports genre is just straight up bunk these days.

Toukiden: Kiwami (PS4, Vita) - Eh, it's an updated version of last years decent but not remarkable Toukiden be it this time it's getting a Western exclusive PS4 version of the game. It's mash of musou & monster hunter in a grimdark fantasy setting with giant bosses that inevitably feels very empty. New stuff is 2 new characters, a couple new weapons and crossplay between the Vita & PS4. Personally, unless you need this for the PS4, I'd just buy last year's game which has been in the bargain bin for awhile now.

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posted by Gang of Gaming Morons! at 03:06 PM

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