Monday, August 13, 2012

Goodbye, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon; hello, Style Savvy: Trendsetters

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Nintendo of America revealed earlier this morning that Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon won't be released in this neck of woods until "the first half of 2013."

Although that makes me all kinds of sad, I won't be shedding these salty, bitter tears for long. That's because Nintendo's North American arm also announced release dates for a number of 3DS games that will take the place of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon on store shelves between now and the end of the year.



The question is: Will some of these games also take the place of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon in our hearts and minds between now and whenever that much-anticipated (and much-delayed) title finally hits the streets?

For me, the answer is a resounding "yes." In particular, I'm planning to pick up--and thoroughly enjoy--copies of Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone! (which will be released on Oct. 1), Crosswords Plus (Oct. 1), Paper Mario: Sticker Star (Nov. 11) and Style Savvy: Trendsetters (Oct. 22).



I'll also likely pick up Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (Oct. 28) and Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! (Nov. 5), but I'm not yet sure if they'll be added to my 3DS collection this year or next.

Are any of you also planning to purchase one or more of the above-named games? If so, which ones?

22 comments:

Bryan Ochalla said...

By the way, according to the Art Academy 3DS trailer, the box art for the NA release of this game will ape the look of the Japanese version's box art. Yay!

Also, I can't quite tell if Crosswords Plus will only be released via the eShop or if it'll get a physical/boxed release as well. NOA's list suggests it'll be released in both formats, but the trailer I linked to in this post suggests it'll be eShop-only. Hopefully that's not the case :(

Chalgyr said...

I have to say, I'm a bit bummed by the Luigi news. I was rather hoping for a release around Halloween. :P

Bryan Ochalla said...

Me, too, Chalgyr! You really have to wonder what's going on with this title. Wasn't it originally supposed to be released in the first quarter of this year? It's starting to feel like we've got another Kirby's Return to Dream Land situation on our hands here. (That game was first announced for the GameCube before being delayed over and over again until its release, for the Wii, late last year.)

The only thing that's keeping me from whining about Luigi's delay too much is that a number of both 3DS and WiiU games will be released in its place between now and the end of this year. Also, this means quite a few appealing 3DS titles will be released in early 2013, including Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem: Awakening and Luigi's Mansion.

Unknown said...

That Style Savvy trailer is really trying its hardest to make me not want the game. I think it's the music? Ugh.

Anyways, put me on the list for Style Savvy and Professor Layton! Either than that, I'm not sure... Luckily I have some time to decide ;)

Bryan Ochalla said...

I don't think I listened to the music earlier, Anne. I'll go give it a listen in a minute, though, and let you know what I think.

You're still interested in the game, though, eh? Even though you don't like the music? I commend you, if so!

As I told you yesterday on Twitter, I *just* bought a used copy of the first Style Savvy via eBay over the weekend, so hopefully I'll like it enough that I still go through with the purchase of Trendsetters.

It's funny that you're completely on board the Professor Layton train this time around and I'm still on the fence. I love me some Layton, of course, but I'm a bit burned out on the series at the moment. This may be a game I pick up later on down the road, to be honest...

Bryan Ochalla said...

So, I just listened to the music ... and I don't think it's that bad! Now, I'm not going to go looking for the track on iTunes or anything, but I thought it was acceptable at the very least. To each his/her own, I guess!

Viewtiful_Justin said...

I guess I'm the only one who wasn't shocked and dismayed by the news that Luigi's Sequel wasn't coming out this year. I thought they'd already said, like, six months ago that it wasn't coming out until the first quarter of 2013. Hm. Maybe I was just misinformed the whole time.

And I'd be lying if I said Style Savvy didn't make me smile. I might have to check that out.

Also, still no sign of Animal Crossing, huh?

Unknown said...

Bryan - You bought Style Savvy?! I must've missed that tweet!

I don't know, I think it's the music but whatever it is in the trailer made it seem really long and boring, haha. It still looks interesting, though, so I'm definitely going to check it out!

Oh, you know, Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward also got a release date of Oct. 23rd! I totally missed that the first time I looked over the list. I assume the Vita version should have the same launch date *fingers crossed*. That might be the game I'm looking forward to most... Hm, or maybe Persona 4 The Golden! Anyways, glad to see the good games keep rolling in!

diaglyph said...

No Luigi's Mansion this year makes me very sad ;_;

But I might be ok, since Paper Mario is coming in November (hopefully the game will come out here within the same release period).

I was hoping it would be like: Mario, Luigi, Mario releases, but instead its Mario, Mario, Luigi. And don't forget Mario again on Wii U. Over saturation of Mario I reckon!!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Justin: I think you're mistaking Luigi's Mansion for Animal Crossing. Or you're remembering the last time Nintendo delayed Luigi's Mansion. Originally, it was supposed to be out in 2011 (if memory serves...) -- before being delayed until early 2012. Then it popped up at E3 and NOA said it, along with Paper Mario, would be released during the latter half of 2012.

Animal Crossing is the one that NOA recently said (or at least suggested) wouldn't be released until early 2013. That's about all that's been said about the title this year, though. Hopefully they'll at least give us a localized name/subtitle soon...

Bryan Ochalla said...

Anne: Yep, I bought Style Savvy over the weekend. Can't wait to finally play it :)

I understand thinking the SS: Trendsetters trailer was a bit long, by the way. I would have rather seen more actual gameplay than all of the walking and posing, to be honest. Still, I'm hopeful that the finished product will be engaging.

I'm also interested in Virtue's Last Reward, by the way, but I'm going to hold off on buying it until I've read a few reviews of it.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Igor! Yeah, no Luigi's Mansion this year is a bit of a bummer. Playing that game around Halloween would be perfect, IMO. Oh, well, early 2013 it is.

I think Paper Mario's release will at least partially make up for the lack of Luigi, though. I mean, when has a proper Paper Mario game ever let us down? I'll tell you when: Never! (And, no, I don't consider Super Paper Mario to be a proper Paper Mario release.)

I'm not too worried about an over-saturation of Mario, by the way. I understand why some may feel that way, but I'm OK with lots of Mario as long as the games are good. Also, it helps that I'm avoiding NSMB2 for the time being :)

Adam said...

I hope it comes out halloween time 2013. Doesn't seem like a spring game.

diaglyph said...

Bite your tongue Adam!!!
Don't even suggest such a thing!!!
;_;

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Oh. I guess I must have. Well, color me unsurprised.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, Adam, don't say that! Just buy it in spring, but hide it until next Halloween. I don't want to wait for it any longer!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ah, you beat me to it, Igor. Thanks!

BTW, is anyone else starting to get Kirby GC vibes from Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon? As in, it's going to be delayed, and delayed, and delayed until Nintendo's next handheld?

OK, I really shouldn't have said that...

Bryan Ochalla said...

No worries, Justin! That's what me and my stupidly obsessive mind are here for :P

diaglyph said...

Bite your tongue Bryan!
Don't YOU even suggest such a thing!!

Poor Luigi ;_;

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ha ha! Sorry, Igor. Don't worry, I don't believe Luigi's going to slip to Nintendo's next handheld. I don't even believe it's going to slip until next Halloween. I'm thinking it'll be released in early 2013, as is currently planned.

Melody (Lizzi) said...

I loved Luigi's Mansion on Gamecube and I'll totally buy the new 3DS-version!
Already preordered it on Amazon xD

Bryan Ochalla said...

I've already pre-ordered it, too, Melody! Too bad it was delayed :| Oh, well, there's plenty to play between now and whenever it's finally released...