Thursday, January 15, 2015

I may be a bit miffed with Nintendo at the moment, but I'm still looking forward to a mountain of upcoming 3DS games

There's no question Nintendo of America irritated me and a lot of other North American gamers during (and after) yesterday's Nintendo Direct.

Did the company irritate me to the point that I'm considering giving up on its 3DS system? Of course not. In fact, I'm as smitten with Nintendo's second dual-screen handheld as ever--if my ever-growing list of pre-ordered games is any indication.


For instance, I've had three North American 3DS games--Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (due out on March 13), Etrian Mystery Dungeon (April 7) and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (Feb. 13)--pre-ordered for some time now, and the same can be said of two upcoming Japanese 3DS games, The Legend of Legacy (Jan. 22) and Theatrhythm Dragon Quest (March 26).


I actually had Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (Feb. 13) pre-ordered until last night, but I canceled it after I had a not-at-all-awkward heart-to-heart chat with myself about the fact that I've only put a few hours into MH3U so far and, as such, I really shouldn't buy its follow-up until I can be sure I'll give it the attention it deserves.


And then there are all of the North American and Japanese 3DS titles I'd pre-order in a snap if I were allowed to do so, like A-Train: City Simulator, Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX, Lord of Magna (assumed to be the North American title of Marvelous' Kinki no Magna), Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition and the just-announced fourth game in the Rhythm Tengoku series.


Finally, there are two Japanese 3DS RPGs that I'm hoping beyond hope will make their way to our shores at some point in 2015: Bravely Second and Final Fantasy Explorers.

How about you? Are you looking forward to a bunch of 3DS games, too? If so, which ones?

29 comments:

TheGameroomBlitz said...

I'm irritated with Nintendo too, and probably would have been even if they had released the smaller >New< 3DS on these shores. You KNOW how I feel about these stopgap systems! Having said that, I'm sure I can scrape some enjoyment out of my recently acquired 3DS XL. I find myself doing more drawing on it than anything else, but you know, maybe they'll give us something cool this year that'll take my fingers off the stylus and put them on the circle pad.


Also? I love the concept of a Pastry Maker class in Bravely 2. It doesn't sound especially practical in a fight, but at the same time, I'm sure you could easily knock someone out with a day-old baguette.

Chief said...

I'll be getting this on sale and adding to the glorious backlog.

Zach said...

Glad to see I'm not the only one that has to confront myself about impulsive pre-orders. ;)

As you know, I'm also really excited about Majora's Mask! Ah! So cool! But, one thing I've been previously inconclusive about was whether or not I was gonna get in on Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (which is pretty tedious to type out), until yesterday's Direct. I know it won't play a huge part of the game, but the fact that I can stick any of four Fire Emblem characters into the game is REALLY enticing for me!


I know Intelligent Systems is really wonderful and I've never had a sour experience with any of their games (except Super Paper Mario...........................), but for whatever reason this game has just not clicked with me! I'm very sure once I play it I'll change my mind, but until then the excessive patriotic symbolism and steam-punk theme are still going to cause me to question whether or not that's true. Steam-punk is one of those things that can be really cool if done well or be the worst thing in the world, and the USA is cool but like... I dunno it's just not my cup of tea. I'm really hoping that the gameplay (the concept of which sounds wonderful) helps me get over that. It'd also be rad if the story was good? It seems to be obviously more comical than other games of theirs like Fire Emblem, but hopefully it'll be of a subtler, tasteful humor like Advance Wars? I dunno? Does that make sense? I have a lot of feelings about this game but I don't know what to say about it!


....If anything, it'll be great to play as Lucina again. :)

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, Jess. Never change :)


What games do you have for your 3DS XL at the moment, BTW? Surely you have something to play on it?


If you need any recommendations, please ask. You know I don't mind blathering on about my favorite games.


As for Bravely Second, I am *loving* the weird classes that have been introduced for it so far. Cat Herder and Pastry Maker? Yes, please! I'm going to rock both, no question--assuming the damn game is brought NA.


Oh, hell, who am I kidding? If need be, I'll pick up the JP version, but I *really* do not want to do that...

thegaygamer.com said...

You're planning to get every game I've mentioned here, Chief? Well, I guess you'll have a lot to play once you come back from your hiatus!

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, I hear you RE: Code Name: STEAM, Zach. I nearly canceled that pre-order as well yesterday, but IS' involvement kept me from doing so.


My main issue with the game is its use of color, I'm slightly embarrassed to say. I realize the game's designers went with this palette so the game could be a fully "steam punk" affair, but it's not all that easy on the eyes, is it?


Other than that, though, I like the looks of it and its gameplay, which is another reason why I decided to keep my pre-order intact.


Here's hoping IS comes through again and we both end up happy we bought the game :)

Zaphod65 said...

I'm definitely getting Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Majora's Mask, and STEAM. From what I read yesterday, it sounds like MH4U is getting a real demo to bring in new players instead of that openly hostile abomination they put out last time. If you want to skip 3 and go straight to 4, I'll offer you gaming absolution. lol

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, yes, you're definitely right about MH4U getting a demo, Terry, as I just got some codes for it! I'll have to download it and give it a try this weekend. Anyway, it's nice to hear that you're buying Majora's Mask 3D and STEAM, too!

Zaphod65 said...

[Frantically checks e-mail]
No demo code for me yet. Here's hoping I'm in the next wave. lol

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh! If you need one, let me know, as I got three extras along with the one intended for me!

Zaphod65 said...

That would be great. I checked and I had my e-mail offers setting turned off. lol

thegaygamer.com said...

I'll send you a code via Twitter DM, Terry, if that works for you?

Zaphod65 said...

That would be great, thanks. :)

thegaygamer.com said...

You're welcome. Enjoy ^^

Franggio Hogland said...

I actually had Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (Feb. 13) pre-ordered until last night, but I canceled it after I had a not-at-all-awkward heart-to-heart chat with myself about the fact that I've only put a few hours into MH3U so far and, as such, I really shouldn't buy its follow-up until I can be sure I'll give it the attention it deserves.

Heresy! People gather the torches!!
Well not really :) Anyway, we have pretty much the same pre-orders. I like you more and more Bryan :) Well except FuRyu's game. It looks absolutely amazing yes but this is coming from Unchained Blades(wasted potential) and Exstetra(maybe someone somewhere liked it). It's hard for me to believe that this will be anything else than something pretty, extremely pretty. Hoping I'm wrong though. Please come the time where you can tell me I was wrong :)

thegaygamer.com said...

I know, Franggio. I know. I'm planning to pick it up at some point, though, don't you worry. Given my current backlog and the little amount of time I've put into MH3U so far, though, I just couldn't justify buying it now.


As for Legend of Legacy, although there's every possibility that it's going to suck just like every other FuRyu game, one thing that gives me hope is that this game was made by a different team of people than Unchained Blade and Exstetra.


Regardless, though, you'll know I'll report here what I think of the game--good or bad. Here's hoping it's good, though!

Franggio Hogland said...

oh I did not know that. Well well, my interest suddenly rose ^^

Lewis Packwood said...

I reckon it's time to cut your losses on MH3U and go straight onto MH4U - the new game looks like a huge improvement on the previous one, plus the fact that it's online on 3DS means that it'll be easy to find people to hunt with.

Can't believe they're not launching the new 3DS in America - seems like an odd decision. Not everyone wants to lug around a big 'ol XL after all. Or maybe they'll be launching a new 'XXL' alongside the XL in the States?

thegaygamer.com said...

Really, Franggio? You hadn't read/heard before now that Legend of Legacy was being made by a lot of the same people who made Square Enix's SaGa series? Well, you've heard/read it now :)

thegaygamer.com said...

Hey there, Lewis! Although that may be the route I take eventually, there's no way it's happening near the launch of MH4U. I have too many games to play at the moment, and in February my gaming time is going to be devoted to Legend of Legacy, Majora's Mask 3D and the DS games I'm supposed to play as part of my "A Decade of DS" series. So, MH4U will have to wait. For how long, I have no idea, but at least a number of months.


As for us North Americans not getting the smaller, cover-plate-enabled New 3DS, yep, it blows. I do hope NOA will release it eventually, but if they don't, well, I guess I'll either have to go without or buy a Japanese one. What are you planning to do in this regard, if anything?

Lewis Packwood said...

Well, I'm actually upgrading to a new 3DS XL from a regular-sized 3DS - mostly because of MH actually, which can be difficult to play on the small screen (although most other games are fine). I actually prefer the form factor of the smaller new 3DS though, and the cover plates are a grea idea.

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, so this will be your first experience with an XL-sized 3DS? Interesting! I hope you like it. I've very much enjoyed the time I've spent with my non-New 3DS XLs so far--to the point that I have a very hard time going back to my OG 3DS. Which color N3DS XL did you buy, BTW? Or did you nab one of the LEs?

Lewis Packwood said...

I've preordered the MH4 limited edition - the regular colours are a bit dull I think! The mechanics of transferring all my stuff over to the new machine have already been causing me some headaches though: https://amostagreeablepastime.wordpress.com/2015/01/16/the-new-3ds-will-require-some-hoop-jumping/

Franggio Hogland said...

Honestly no. Thought a few people had joined up that had worked with SaGa prior to this. Like they where trying to ride a few names. But saw FuRyu and just turned around. But so many people in my feed is really looking forward to it so it has been impossible to ignore. So yes, now I have checked out some of the articles and I feel a bit silly. I guess I judged the book by the cover and ran for the hills ^^

The hills aren't far away though and I'm just sitting on the slope waiting for someone braver than me to take the plunge :D

thegaygamer.com said...

Well, Franggio, you're in luck, as I have a copy of this sucker pre-ordered and I'm just waiting for the folks at AmiAmi to ship it :)

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, yes, I've heard of those headaches. I'm not entirely sad I won't be experiencing them anytime soon, I have to admit. Anyway, good for you for nabbing the MH4U LE!

diaglyph said...

I thought it very strange that you guys are only getting the New 3DS XL. But I guess it seems XL must be the big seller in the US for them to decide that (it could also simply be that they won't be able to provide enough smaller size New 3DS with plates, and it will come later in the year).
I don't think I'll get Majora's Mask straight away, though I will get it. I gave up on it during the N64 era, so I'll give it another go on the 3DS (I may find it easier to play, like I did OoT).
Monster Hunter - I have no interest. I tried the demo, found it boring. I need a story. MH is just a monster grind fest.
Puzzle and Dragons - I'm very likely to get this. It has a puzzle quest vibe which I like.
Codename STEAM looks interesting and i like how the Fire Emblem amiibo are supported in game (and the characters look nice in the art style too).
Xenoblade 3DS - in the Directs the game looks kinda terrible. I came across an off screen video of the game and was relieved to see it is not as bad looking! Also I can't wait to see it in 3D! I have found in some games the 3D kinda acts like anti-aliasing. Will be interesting to find out if it will include the japanese voice track, but I have a feeling it won't. On a technical point I reckon it might be the largest game on 3DS (as in capacity in the cartridge).
Xenoblade Chronicles X - I soooo can't wait for this on Wii U!! The game looks fantastic :)
Fire Emblem - the realistic trailer got me confused lol I thought it was going to be about SMTxFE!! But it's very cool a new Fire Emblem is in the works.

thegaygamer.com said...

Hey there, Igor! Yeah, it will be interesting to see how NOA treats the smaller N3DS. Like you, I wouldn't put it past them to release it down the road, although I also wouldn't be surprised if they passed on it.


As for Xenoblade 3DS: I agree with you that it looks far better in motion than I would've thought. Still, I'm not really interested in it. If I want to play it, I've got a copy of the Wii game sitting in my basement, and that's enough for me.


I think Xenoblade Chronicles X looks great, too, but I'm not sure if I'd pick it up if I had a Wii U. I'm just not into the style of gameplay this series (and its ilk) offer, I guess.


BTW, I also thought the realistic portion of the Fire Emblem 3DS trailer meant that we were finally going to get a glimpse of SMT x FE. Which meant, of course, that while I was happy in the end to hear that we're getting another FE game for 3DS, I also was sad that we weren't getting some concrete info on the Wii U game.

apricotsushi said...

After chatting with you, I decided to preorder Legend of Legacy as well! I'm excited for a ton of stuff, but Puzzle and Dragons should be a lot of fun too. As I mentioned on Nichiest, I've had a lot of fun with the iOS version.


Also can't wait to try Majora's Mask for the first time! I hope you do decide to play MH4U at some point regardless of the fact that you haven't played much of 3U, as I think it's a lot more fun and easier to get the hang of if you have friends helping you through it! And I would definitely love to play with you ;)