Nintendo Direct 1/23/2013 review

Well I was going to do a break down of the Nintendo Direct from yesterday but sadly it got late and I didn't have time to. I will see if I can give a bullet point of what was announced.

• Miiverse talk, official feeds from people in the business and YouTube vids links for game hints. Will have user created groups. Smart phone app.
• Two Wii U system updates, Spring and Fall to improve load times of games and between menus
• Wii U Virtual Console coming after the spring update. This will have NES and SNES titles but I believe it said it would not be the full catalog that the Wii has right away. These will have Miiverse integration, off screen play and a big surprise to me was you can configure the button inputs to almost everything you want. Controllers include game pad  classic/pro controller, Wii Remote and Wii U pro controller. Prices will be the same as they are on the Wii and will include a discounted rate if you already bought and transferred those games from your Wii to your Wii U.
• There will be a 30th anniversary for the Famicom. There will be one NES or SNES title for the next 7 months ( 1 month at a time )and those will be at a special price of $.30. Games are Balloon Fight, F-Zero, Punch Out, Kirby' Adventure, Super Metroid, Yoshi, Donkey Kong. At the end of the month they will go back to regualr price.
• Pikmin 3 will allow you to use the Wii U gamepad as a camera to look around through the eyes of the Pikmin to take pictures of the game.
• Wii U will have closed communities so you can support and challenge your friends.
• Starting in March we will see First party releases like: Lego City Undercover, Game and Wario, Wii Fit U, and the wonderful 101.
• News regarding Bayonetta 2.
• Super Smash Bros for 3ds and Wii U to have screen shots shown at E3 2013.
• New 3D Mario and Mario Kart Wii U game to be playable at E3 2013
• Wii Party Wii U shown. I think this is the first game to let two people play off the same Wii U gamepad. From the choppy feed I watch earlier it looked like a fooseball type game. 
• New Yoshi game with the style of Kirbys Epic Yarn. We have been hearing rumors for a while now but this visual style was a surprise to me. 
• A Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei crossover game.
• Legend of Zelda Wii U talked about but too early to show any footage. Visual style will be different from what we saw of the demo footage at E3. They are exploring changing things in the series such as having to play the dungeons in a certain order. They also are looking at playing Zelda by yourself. To me this hints at maybe a multiplayer aspect of Zelda. I had a talk with natetnu early today and came up with this. What if they did an asynchronous multiplayer where you played at different times of a time line ( like young and adult link or just alternate time line ) and what one player did would affect the others game world. This is just my thoughts and no way confirmed or hinted at.
• Legend of Zelda Wind Waker HD remake with off tv play and improved gameplay and controls. Miiverse integration
• New RPG from the creators of Xenoblade Chronicles, no name but some say it might be a sequel.

I wish I had the time to watch all of this again and give a better description but you can watch it here if you would like to see if I missed something you would like to hear since I just hit some of the points that I could remember. The 7 games that will be released for $.30 will be a perfect way for me to play some games I didnt play back in the NES and SNES days. I hope you can join me in playing through them. Also do not forget to vote on our next game to play on the main page in the upper left hand side. What was your favorite announcement from the Nintendo Direct 1/23/2013? Good night all.

Nintendo Direct- 1/23/2013

     New Nintendo Direct coming up tomorrow at 9am EST, Wednesday 1/23/2013. You can watch it here: http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct . I have been hearing rumors back and forth that this will be new game announcements, new information about games already announced, that this will be only first party games with third party information coming at a later date and the latest rumor would be the Wii U Virtual Console service. Let's take a look at that for a moment shall we? What could this mean? What will this include? What will this exclude. I saw this rumor off of Twitter from Nintendoworldreport.com http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/33089 . I also hopped over to my favorite Nintendo news blog and RMC also was posting it as a rumor, http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=194686 . Well let's get my number one wish out of the way. Off screen ( Wii U gamepad ) play. Playing a few Wii games lately on my Wii U I really understand what a great feature this is. Meaning I miss being able to this this. Now that that is out of the way we are left with the question of if this is true then will we be able to transfer our Wii Virtual Console purchases over to the Wii U. I for one hope so but I am afraid Nintendo will not do this. The Wii did not have an account for your purchases based off an user name. This was done by console. Now maybe they have a SD move utility like the 3DS or like the Wii to Wii U had and this could be fixed. I guess we will see. I won't be buying VC games over just to have on the Wii U but maybe I would enjoy a few titles I didn't pick up in the past. Wii the Wii U have all the VC games on it or will it be limited to just a few releases like on the 3DS? It might be a separate library like the 3DS. These games I would guess have to be re-licence to be released on the Wii U most likely and I also wonder if they will have to re-rated on the ESRB to be released and both costs money. Best case is we will see the full library that the Wii had which includes: Commodore 64, NES, Sega MasterSystem, TurboGrafx-16, TurboGrafx-CD, MSX (Japan only), Sega Genesis,  SNES, Neo Geo, Nintendo 64, and Arcade. Now rumors are saying that we could see Gamecube support on the Wii U based on the Neo gaf screen cap from the links I posted earlier. I say this is fine with me. There are plenty of great Gamecube games I never got to play. Digging a little deeper I did find a quote when I was looking for a list of the Wii VC systems. The quote says, In a July 2011 interview, Nintendo's Amber McCollum stated that select Nintendo GameCube titles would be made available for download on the Wii U console via the Wii U's own Nintendo eShop.^[29] Current Virtual Console titles, however, are not available directly from the Nintendo eShop, and cannot be played natively. At this time, Wii U users are required to purchase or download Virtual Console titles via the Wii Mode app using the Wii Shop Channel. You can check it out yourself at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Console#Wii_U . I found that quote to put a little more true to the rumor that we will see a Gamecube announcement tomorrow. As I was writing this wouldn't it be cool for a split screen VC? One person plays on TV with Wii Remote, Classic/Pro controller, Wii U pro controller and the other person uses the Wii U gamepad or they can use one of the other controller inputs and the Wii U gamepad is just a feed for his screen. You can send me a check Nintendo for this great idea :). EDIT- Just thought maybe this will explain why some games like Donkey Kong country and I think Sim City was removed off the virtual consoles. Maybe we will get updated games for Wii U VC.
     Other things that would be great to see more demos announced, An increase on your Wii U friends list, More apps built into TVii like Xfinity, Netflix and HBOgo, and ESPN so I can stop using my Xbox 360, Pikmin and Wii Fit U release date, Super Smash Bros information, Mario Kart Wii U information, Zelda info, Metroid, or dare I say Star Fox? Another cool thing would be more 3DS and Wii U interaction. Be that  both being able to play the same game multiplayer, using the 3DS as a controller or being able to play Monster Hunter on your Wii U then syncing your game on your 3DS and taking it with you to play your same save file. I bet I am forgeting some things that I knew they would talk about and I am sure some things I have said already have been announced. I am sure I will be let down with what ever is announced tomorrow since even half of these would make an amazing E3 conference. Come on Big N prove me wrong and wow me......

Got something to add, throw in your two cents and then tune in tomorrow at 9am EST to see how right or way wrong we were.

E3 2013 rumors. A must read.

Well I had this ready to post on 12/10/12 but forgot to post it. Well here it is

Here are some crazy rumors regarding leading up to E3 2013.

Source-
http://dualpixels.com/2012/11/29/rumor-behind-the-scenes-with-first-party-hardware-and-third-party-softwear-next-gen/

Recently Dual Pixels has received word from Geno, the guy who delivered us the rumors that came true about Castlevania and the Kingdom Hearts HD collection, about Next Gen. This statement talks about the next-genPlayStation, XBOX, some of Nintendo’s plans for upcoming E3, and more.

PLEASE NOTE: I got this rumor about month ago and have been waiting to see if anything changed. I have not gotten any updates on this rumor yet, but please notice that this could all change from a very small percentage to quite erratically. We do not claim that this rumor will be 100% true, but we do see truth in this. So please keep in mind that in the end it will not be 100% true, but it could.

IN A NUTSHELL this could all be true right now, but all of it could change tomorrow because THATS how gaming development works. I am not in any way, shape, or form retracting my statement. The reason that I put this up is because I see truth in this, not so I can spread fake things just to get people excited.

[Several Spelling Errors Fixed In The Synopsis Below]

– All three major players are going to play very aggressive hard ball starting in Summer 2013 right before E3. Both Sony and Microsoft are attempting to court in developers to next gen engines in attempt to starve Nintendo and mobile developers. However Nintendo is banking on the argument that the other two jumped too soon to upgrade, with only the top-tier of the triple A studios such as Infinity Ward, Crystal Dynamics, ect only having next-gen level technology with most being stuck on very advanced Unreal Engine 3 level tech.

– Nintendo is hoping to play it’s cards right with new hardware add ons and a huge first party push next year where they will reveal games for both holiday 2013 and 2014, a total of 1/3rd of their internal development software. Nintendo has also been shopping around for third party developers where instead of buying them outright, either funds projects or their marketing/localization to make them exclusive or feature packed for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS. Expect more projects like Bayonetta 2 to be announced next year including a partnership that will cause huge shocks when it’s announced even worse than Bayonetta 2. My sources do not think it’s the wildly talked about Devil’s Third being a Wii U exclusive because most people have been buzzing about that and Nintendo is “keeping it extremely close to its chest”.

– Nintendo’s core first party line up for E3 will be the next 3D Mario game that will be out by Holiday 2013, a next Zelda adventure for the Nintendo 3DS, a double dose of Kirby with the return of Tilt ‘n Tumble for Wii U and Kirby’s Pop Up Pannick for Nintendo 3DS, a new HD Yoshi’s Island game, Donkey Kong Land Returns for Nintendo 3DS, new Fatal Frame for Wii U, the new Retro Studios title which may or may not make Holiday 2013 and two new IPs.

– There was a pitch at Retro Studios for a new Metroid game that I have no idea if was scrapped or if it was made into a full game. I do know the pitch was an FPA like the Prime games and it took in between Other M and Fusion. It was suppose to deal with an entire planet that in a conflict between the good guys and the Space Pirates caused a fracture in time that allowed half of the dead planet to come back to life including the dead Chozoo colony. It was suppose to deal with the mystery of the Chozoo, Samus upbringing and that the Chozoo were more war like than imagined. It was also suppose to feature Wii Motion Plus control along with two player co-op with the new Chozoo partner on the gamepad, allowing more crazy exploration and puzzle solving. Being isolated, together was the theme. Multiplayer is also planned. Besides working on that internal next-gen engine for Wii U and a smaller team for Donkey Kong Land Returns, we know that some of the pitches included an entirely new IP based around the GamePad, a revival of Raven Blade and a reboot of Mach Rider.

– Mainline 3DS Pokemon game needs roughly two more years before it’s released. Uses a full 3D engine and will have a story dealing with a world wide crisis. A new Pokemon type will be introduced (has not been done since Gold and Silver) and while not as many new Pokemon as in past gens older Pokemon will get new abilities and forms. Will maximize the Nintendo 3DS use of 3D, StreetPass and online connectivity. The first NFC game for Wii U will be a next gen Battrio game coming out in all regions.

– Sony is near the middle end part of their Project Orbis, their next generation PS4. It will not be called Playstation 4, teams have started to call the final name as Omni. Omni will reflect their new hardware and content delivery philosophy. Omni will be “very capable” of doing modern day graphics compared to a Direct X 11 level of technology like Unreal Engine 4 and Frostbite 2. Compared to Wii U, it is better, but not the biggest leap in the world according to developer friends of mine. The key is the Omniviewer, a thin, lite and slick head mounted autosteroptic display that can track the users head and presents a 360 image view with semi transparent AMOLED screens. This can turn any TV into a 3D TV, as well as add extra augmented reality information outside of the TV screen. One application from an entertainment perspective seeing movies in 2k, 4k or IMAX resolutions as their original size where you have to move your head to look at the full picture being displayed. Can also synch with the Vita. The new controllers whether it’s the Dual-Moves or the Classic DualShock will have pulse sensors in the grips for biofeedback gameplay. Plans are a Basic Unit with 160 gigs and just the system with controller at $350-$399 and one with the Omniviewer and a pack-in game for $450-$499. Aims are for a September 2013 launch.

– Omni is also part of their philosophy with the new OmniCloud, the new version of Gaikai [Gaitai Spelling Error Fixed]. This service will not only cloud stream PS1, PS2 and select PS3 games to Playstation Certified devices but will also allow every digital and retail purchase to have access to a copy on the cloud. Basically, you buy one game, you can use it on any Plyastation device. Direct hardware Backwards Compatibility will be available by a $70 – $99 dongle that is plugged into the Omni that contains a PS3 on a chip with Cell to run games.

– Known first party games in development for Playstation Omni are: Next Gen Uncharted, Next Gen Siren, The Boydguard, Wipeout Omni, Bump In the Night, Killzone 4, Gran Turismo Prologue, Next Gen Media Molecule, Omni Fitness.

– Microsoft is the most vague out of all of them. It’s slated to be the most powerful out of all the next gen consoles about 4 to 6 times more powerful than Wii U and 2 to 3 times more powerful than Playstation Omni. The project has gone through many name iterations and will not be decided on until shortly before it’s E3 unveiling. Microsoft is also running into manufacturing issues and developers not having games done on time so instead of delaying the launch to Summer 2014, they are thinking of “soft launching” it Holiday November 2013 and then have a full blow out in the summer. All units will come with Kinect 2 built in which can track up to four people, all objects in the living room, clothing, face structure and fingers. It can also understand different voices and has its own PPU. In 2014, Microsoft will introduce the “LiveWall”, a omni-projection unit that will allow game environments to be projected nearly 360 degrees around the user. Using Kinect 2, they have two demos of one that is a battlefield RTS and one that is a kung fu game with guys attacking all around. The LiveWall can also project different images on the wall, so people can play different games on different walls. Microsoft is prepared to champion this unit as a cheaper and more effective alternative to wearing a “goofy stupid VR headset” to combat Sony’s Omniviewer while Sony is going to point out the low resolution quality and the lack of privacy. The system is going to be very expensive in the $499 range so Microsoft is planning on using a remolded X-Box Live (Possibly renamed X-Box Life) to offer a Pro (Gold) subscription two or three-year contract to sell the unit at $300 – $399. The final goal with the tech is to shrink the system on a chip down enough so it can be put into tablets, PCs and Smart TVs so that all devices are X-Box ready.

– Known first party XBox Next games: Halo Trilogy Remake, Chief Samurai by Rare, Project Gotham Racing, Kinectimals 2, Rise, Carnival Park, Fable 4

– Ni-Oh is being completely remade from the ground up in Unreal Engine 4 exclusive for PlayStation Omni. A special Dynasty Warriors 8 will be released on Wii U and Vita, while a special Dead or Alive 5 will be release on Wii U and Playstation Omni later in 2013. Team Ninja also plans on making a side-scrolling remake of the NES Ninja Gaiden game for Wii U eShop, PSN and XBLA.

– Capcom is going to bring a voice command/dynamic slash version of Monster Hunter to the new X-Box. Ninja Theory is also pitching Capcom an Onimusha sequel for Wii U/Omni/XBoxNext as a “Ookami with guts”. Ono after looking at Platinum Game’s relationship is investigating a similar deal with Nintendo to publish Darkstalkers 4: Rebirth as a Wii U exclusive since Capcom is still reluctant to finance it. Sengoku Basara will get current and next gen re-releases at the launch of Next Gen systems. Capcom is also working with Splash Damage to make a new IP FPS for next gen consoles. A special edition of Resident Evil 6 called “Final Hope” will be release with bug & gameplay fixes, new sequel sinario DLC with one involving Claire, modes, asymetrical gamepad play, off TV gamepad play and an HD port of Resident Evil: Revelations. The next Resident Evil Operation game is in the works for PS3, 360, Wii U, Vita and Omni called Terrestrial Fear.

– Square Enix is preparing to bring biofeedback zombie hunting game Judecca to the Omni at launch. Agni Philosophy tech will be shown off as a unique IP game that will be out for Omni/XBoxNext in 2014. Crystal Dynamics plans to resurrect the Legacy of Kain franchise in 2014 built with the Unreal 4 engine. Sleeping Dogs will get an internally made sequel made with an updated engine on Wii U/360/PS3/Vita. Lord of Vermilion for Wii U is planned to use NFC cards. GunSlinger Stratos is planning to come to Wii U and Omni, with the possibility of an XBox Next release.

– Namco-Bandai is working with Sakurai to get a fully working demo at E3 for Smash Bros. Sakurai really took to heart the complaints about the single player game and the online game. He is solving this by making the single player very deep this time done by the Tales series people and is planning to have a Network Beta of the game for download the day of Nintendo’s E3 show. This way they can beta test online for about one year before they ship the game. Star Trek will come out with it’s movie version for Wii U/PS3/360 and have a special version with post movie game content for Omni at launch. Soul Master, a weapon based spin off of the Soul Calibur series for Kinect 2 is being made as well as a special edition of Soul Calibur 5 for Wii U and Omni. Pac-Man VS is planned to be brought over to Wii U eShop and Ouya. Dragon Ball ZENKAI Battle Royale is also looking to being ported over to Wii U and PS3. New IPs are being developers by smaller teams for Wii U, Omni and X-Box Next.

– EA is working with Playground Games with guidance from Chriterion to make an open world racing franchise in the vein of Diddy Kong Racing as their answer to Activision’s Skylanders series. Aimed at older kids and teenagers, NFC enabled cars and performance enhancers will be scannable and will intergrate Origin and social functions like Facebook, Twitter and the like. Will be release on all platforms current (Wii, 360, PS3), handheld (3DS, Vita, iOS NFC, Android NFC, Windows Phone 8) and Next Gen (Wii U, Omni, X-Box Next, Ouya). EA while limiting the budget will also bring Pulse and Battlefield 4 to the Wii U. Three new IPs for Wii U, Omni and X-Box Next are also being developed on.

– Activison has two teams working on Modern Warfare 4 with Infinity Ward making the Omni/Nextbox version a launch title using (or similar tech to) Unreal Engine 4 and  Treyarch working on Wii U/360/PS3/Ouya editions. The Bungie IP will be at E3 2013 even though it won’t release that year and will be hugely ambitious, revealing that the game engine that is so scalable it works on mobile all the way to souped up PCs. It will feature an open world, third person adventure shooting MMO-like game where the players mainly drive and create their own stories, factions and missions with in the game world, a true sand box. This world will be cheap to free to enter and will have it’s building blocks microtranactioned to gain profit.