Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, disappointing ramen, creme brulee, or paying homage to Juan Epstein, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
Nintendo has confirmed that the Wii U will be released in time for the 2012 holiday season. I know that a lot of you were down on the Wii and the Nintendo 3DS, but it’s my civic responsibility (not really) to check if you’re at all interested in picking up a Wii U. So how about it?!?
If you’re already on the hook, please tell me why you’re set to pick up a Wii U. If you’re definitely not buying it, please tell me what you don’t like about the system. If you’re taking the wait-and-see approach, please tell me what features and/or games you’re waiting for.
I'm very much wait and see. I'm not really a Mario guy, and most of the 3rd party launch titles that have been announced so far are already out on other systems (or soon will be). I also expect it'll be a while after launch before we see a Zelda game.
Frankly, the new "features" don't really grab me as anything more than "Nintendo's new gimmick." I'm kinda sick of gimmicks. Give me games I want to play, and I'll dive in. Otherwise, don't waste my time w/ "gimmicks."
It would need to release by September at the latest for me. I have too many other obligations and gifts to give during the last quarter as is.
You'd think that after seeing Apple release products at varying times that companies would take notice and realize that consumer electronics can sell year round even during a recession.
To be fair, Apple is a pretty extraordinary company and it has several top products to space out — tablet, laptop/desktop computers, phones, etc. It has to stagger its products throughout the year so each has a chance to shine. Also, the 3DS was Spring release and the Vita will be a Winter release.
Perhaps it just paints the stigma in my head that Nintendo or its American partners still think that their bread and butter $300+ console sales are from parents. Also Sony wanted the Vita out during Christmas but it didn't work out.
If I were a game console manufacturer I'd fixate on tax refund season and the 2nd half of September. College kids getting their student loans and tax refunds.
Don't travel companies fixate on those time slots already? Well, tax refund season at least. Perhaps that competition costs too much to go up against.
I don't know. I've never used a travel company. If so, good for them.Sent from my iPhone 4
I've never used one either, but around this time through tax season I tend to see a lot more commercials for vacation spots and travel agencies. Could be coincidental since it is also the start of summer vacation time, but that timing also works out well for getting back a tax refund.
A "winter" release? Hah! Not in Ohio, that much is for sure. You know what the temperature is here? 60 degrees.
that's a good point, as, if I am interested in the Wii U, the chances of me being able to purchase it during the holidays is very unlikely.
my interest in this system is still up in the air though because I don't feel like I know anything about this system. I'm not expecting to really learn enough about Wii U until there is a working demo I can use.
Will the Wii U have games that have achievements?
Nah, I'm just kidding (maybe). I never paid for my Wii since my (then girlfriend) bought it for me on launch day, but I did play about a dozen games on it and my overall thoughts on it were pretty "meh." I just wasn't "wow-ed" by any of the games I played even though I enjoyed some more than others. The arbitrary waggling of the controller for the most basic of moves (especially when those moves could have easily been mapped to a single button) wore out it's welcome pretty fast. Granted, I still want to play Mario Galaxy 2, New Super Mario Bros., and Skyward Sword. This way, I can see if the Wii really has improved in it's twilight years.
Nintendo's Wii was more marketing than substance. Nintendo was riding high on the whole "immersion" thing and what they failed to realize was that you can't half-ass immersion and that's exactly what the Wii does. Immersion has two components to it: Action and Reaction. The Wii has the first one down with the waggling, flailing, and shaking, but it fails to have any meaningful reaction aside from some rumble feedback. It's hard to feel immersed in a racing game when the racing wheel isn't affixed to anything, or when your movements are too fast for the sensors to pick up that all precision gaming goes out the window. True immersion can only happen when a game gives me a reason to physically (and instinctively duck) when people start firing bullets my way. Until then, it's all a gimmick and very clever marketing.
That aside, the only case I can make to get the Wii U (right now) is if it is kid-friendly, then I would consider. If my son is going to grow up being exposed to video games, then some Sesame Street Elmo game for small children would be something that I may buy for him and/or for the whole family to enjoy.
For right now though, it's not looking likely that I would buy one.
-M
Did you just say the A-word?
I don't "dislike" achievements – it's a pretty good idea. Still, I can't help but blame achievements for killing my soulmate…
Cheat codes.
I grew up with cheat codes! Back in that one geography-based game where Luigi had to save Mario (for once), I wrote down all the codes on the back of my ruler at school so I wouldn't lose my place. I found Missing No. in Pokemon Blue and copied my Ho-oh (Lv. 100, mind you. KOs a LV 100 Blastoise in one hit) in Pokemon Gold. In Star Wars: Battlefront 2, I can use cheats for infinite ammunition and invincibility to NOT get killed every ten seconds and run around the field like I was some sort of super-trooper (DO NOT START SINGING).
When achievements came around, cheat codes "died" because that would defeat the purpose. Now, I'm code-less and have to put up with my best buddy's murderer being the popular guy. It's almost sickening.
It's a valid argument, but ultimately, I think that developers killed cheat codes since they are the ones that call the shots.
Also, there are games out there like Grand Theft Auto, The Sims, and Plants vs. Zombies that have cheat codes and achievements, so the argument of a game having either "one or the other" is null and void. These games I mentioned, the cheats either do not affect the ability to get a listed achievemets or have the achievements disabled when a cheat code is enabled.
The truth of the matter is that it takes extra work and effort to make an achievement system in harmony with any chat code programming, so the makers of the game decide to spare themselves of the hassle and just do one or the other or the one that is required.
I understand that that truth does not negate your argument, but I would simply like to illustrate to not blame the system, but blame the people instead.
-M
I don't blame achievements as much as I blame the people who created and popularized them, causing the need for a change regarding cheats. And even though there are some games that have a half-and-half system, they seem to be the minority. Every year, cheat codes seem to become even more uncommon, and it's sad to see such a piece of gaming history die off.
If you think back to "the old days" (retro, if you will), you will notice that cheats weren't seen so much as a way to beat the game easily as a secret to be had. If you knew about a game's secret, it was like being a part of some special circle and made the experience that much more exciting. Nobody acts like that anymore, and it's frustrating.
Probably not for me.
BUT I am getting the Galaxy Note. Can't decide if I want the International version with the 1.4GHz Exynos without LTE or the AT&T version with 1.5GHz Snapdragon and LTE. Both Dual-core obviously. Any advice from anyone????
I flipped a coin for you and it landed on "AT&T version with 1.5GHz Snapdragon". That coin is currently sitting in a vending machine.
The Snickers bar I traded it for was delicious.
-M
Thank you. The AT&T version costs me a contract and $300, the international version is $740 currently.
Also just started using vending machines at school (I normally don't have change but they take credit cards now) and I am addicted to Animal Crackers. I used HATE them
Since you don't play games I'd probably say the ATT version. That Qualcom chip should more than handle the HD screen and eventual ICS update you'll get or ROM.
ICS is another concern with AT&T. Who knows when they will make it available. Ihaven't even attempted to put a ROM on my Skyrocket because it runs so well. The major drawback of that is that Carrier IQ is on this phone,
I have 2 upgrades available on my account, so I may just go that route
I'd have to see what sort of 1st- and 3rd-party games are available first. If anything like Metroid: Other M or Sonic Unleashed shows up, I'm calling it quits. Too much shovelware for my tastes already.
If they have a launch LoZ title yes. I saw a video on IGN of the demo they have to show it off and I love it. Especially how they clean up the HUD; dealing with weapons and maps was in the controller screen. It was pretty sweet but I'll most likely wait on those. I hardly buy consoles at launch I wait until they get a good gaming library first then dive in.
I dont really know anything at all about the system, other than its purported power and ridiculous controller
It's about as powerful as an underclocked version of this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N…
Pretty unimpressive if you ask me.
Not picking on you, just was on newegg in another tab and remembered something I read about the supposed chipset in a Dev kit new xbox which is only moderately more powerful than Wii U.
It's okay, im not smart enough to get the joke anyways.
Can we go back to talking about sports? I actually feel like i can hold my own there.
How about them Hornets? WTF is up with the Magic? If Howard doesn't play I don't think they can score over 30.I still think it's Chicago v OKC in the finals. I'm pulling for Brady on Sunday.Sent from my iPhone 4
What a jinxing mofo! >:0
The playoffs will be hard to predict, simply because it's all going to come down to injuries. The shortened season and aggressive schedule are beating up a lot of players.
I hope Brady snaps his leg on an icy curb a la Brian Leetch sometime between now and Sunday.
No way, Smartguy. Heat all the way to the Finals (again). Suck it, haters. This is actually the one sport where I can afford to be arrogant (since no one here is from Dallas). I do agree that Oklahoma is a likely contender for the title, but I wouldn't count out San Antonio or Dallas just yet.
I think that in the Eastern conference you are going to see a lot of similarities from last year. The Heat, Bulls, 76ers, and Falcons will all make it to the playoffs. The Celtics will not be competitive enough and the Pacers will be my "wild card" pick.
-M
P.S. @The Hornets…. start Tebowing
Again, I think this season is unusual in that luck with (against?) injuries and how coaches manage minutes are more important than normal. Let's see who's healthy when the playoffs start.