• 29Aug 12

  In Defense of an R/S/E Remake

  The idea of a Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire remake seems to be quite a polarizing one. In a world where apparently nobody's allowed to just be neutral to the idea, which side do you stand on? Are you pro R/S/E remake or anti R/S/E remake? For those of you who have cheated by reading the blog title, my stance on the issue is clear: Why would any Pokémon fan not want a remake?

  Typically remakes take the original game, improve the graphics, add in some new areas/content, and maybe remix the soundtrack. And while that may be the only real justification a remake needs, Pokémon games dont just get remade --they get updated as well. A 3DS remake for Ruby and Sapphire would have all the standard fare and more. In glorious 3D!

  A lot has changed for the series since the sepia-toned days of 2003. For starters, all of the new Pokémon introduced in generations four and five (possibly six?) would be available. Heart Gold and Soul Silver nailed the formula by allowing players to obtain these recent additions at any time through trade. Taking your favorite Sinnoh Pokémon on a campaign through Johto is a very real possibility, and the same idea could easily be applied to our remake in question.

  Another big addition to the series in recent years is online play. The ability to battle and trade online played a big part in reigniting my love for Pokémon and its inclusion in any Hoenn romp would be welcome to say the least. I'd be remiss to mention internet play without mentioning competitive play, which is looking a lot better since generation three, and with Black and White's Rotation and Triple battles as part of the package, players wont be hard pressed to find a battle type that's right for them.

  We're still at the tip of the iceberg here. There have been plenty of other important updates to the formula since the original Ruby and Sapphire, including but not limited to the fourth generation physical/special split as well as Black and White's implementation of seasons. While they're at it, they could fix some of the original's problems, such as their baffling decision not to implement the day/night cycle.

  Maybe its just me, but I love the idea of taking my Sandile down a moonlit Hoenn road and having a rotation battle in the snow. And of course, Gamefreak can always add entirely new ideas to the game as well.

  "B-but, Pixel!" you say. "I can already GET the Hoenn Pokémon in the games I already have! IN YOUR FACE!" Alright, calm down. If the only reason you play Pokémon is to complete your Pokedex, then you don't have to buy it.

  "Is that a joke?!" you enquire. "I'd even be able to send Pokémon from the original games into the remakes! Ridiculous!" Am I the only one who thinks that's awesome?

  "O-oh yeah?!" You blurt out. "Well there are, like, way too many Pokémon games already and stuff! Give it a rest, Gamefreak!" Eh, the remakes give Gamefreak more time to work on the next gen, not to mention balance the competitive aspects mid gen by giving the Pokémon new moves. At least its not quite an annual thing like Call of Duty, and again, nobody's forcing you to buy anything.

  Now that that's out of the way, on to the big question: Do I think it'll happen? Well, all I can really go on is Gamefreak's history, and from that I can conclude that it's likely. The remake will be relatively easy money for Gamefreak, and theres really no reason why they shouldn't make them. Theres clearly some fan demand as well. On the other hand, nobody saw a direct sequel to Black and White coming, so perhaps Gamefreak is trying to break away from business as usual. Who knows?

  At any rate, I think it should happen just so we can stop arguing about it.

  -

  So, are you for or against an R/S/E remake? Do you think it'll happen? Anything in particular you'd like to see happen with it?

  Discuss!

  • Posted Aug 29, 2012 1:25 am GMT
  • Category: Editorial
  • Tag
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Digg
• 5Jun 12

  Nintendo's E3 Conference 2012: Nintendo, I am Disappoint

  Show Pros: Pikmin 3 looks great - Reggie's body still ready

  Show Cons: Pacing problems - Mostly devoted to things we already know - Boring

  Pikmin 3

  The show starts right off the bat with the only thing worth seeing. Even though we've known of the game's existence for a while now, it was nice to finally see some footage. The game looks nice and I'm definitely interested despite having only limited experience with the series. I only wish the rest of the show could have followed suit.

  New Super Mario Bros. U

  Another one we've known about for a while... yes, New Super Mario Bros. Mii is unsurprisingly making an appearance as a full-fledged game. What can I really say? I'm sure it'll be fun. The backgrounds look nice. They're reusing that terrible main theme again. The flying squirrel suit looks weird. Yeah.

  Wii U Fit and Just Dance 4

  Firstly, Nintendo, are you serious? Sometimes I wonder if Nintendo even understands who actually pays attention to E3. Yes, I know that these titles have sold well in the past and have helped move units, but these are simply not the titles hardcore gamers get excited about. I would think Wii Fit would reach more of its target audience appearing on Good Morning America of something.

  Lego City

  Again, I don't see many people being overly excited for what looks to be a fairly standard, by the numbers entry in the Lego franchise with no surprises whatsoever. I've never really been interested in the series and this hasn't done anything to change my mind.

  Batman Arkham City

  While obviously a well-received game, getting excited for an enhanced port is a hard sell. As someone who never played Arkham City or the original game, what would have impressed me is seeing them bundled together. For what it is though, the game seems to be making adequate use of the Wii U gamepad.

  3DS Presentation

  In keeping with the apparent theme of the presentation, nothing really new is shown here. I know there's going to be a separate 3DS conference, but they could have at least revealed one new game, right? 'Cause that would have been exciting. To make matters worse, all three of the games they bothered to show were Mario games. As for relevant information on the titles, I guess NSMB2 emphasizes coin collecting more than past games in the series and Paper Mario uses Stickers found in the game world as special attacks.

  Nintendo Land

  Obligatory mini game collection. I think it has some potential. The Luigi's Mansion minigame certainly looked fun. It doesn't quite look like it'll be worth fifty, or heaven forbid, sixty dollars, but it would make a lot of sense as a console pack in. It's kind of ridiculous that this is treated as the big end-of-the-show reveal though.

  Closing Comments

  You know there's a problem when Reggie uttering that now iconic phrase is seriously a highlight of the show. I could have left after the New Super Mario presentation and not missed a beat, which is even worse considering how early in the show that was. There were of course more games shown than those above, but I think that my inability to think of something to say about them is perhaps even more telling.

  There may be a silver lining to all of this. If Nintendo is using our reaction to the show to determine the Wii U's price, then I think we're at least looking at a cheaper console.

  Overall, there was simply nothing to get excited about. Will I buy a Wii U? I'm sure I will. If nothing else, it's looking like there'll be a fine selection of titles at launch. But I'm a fan girl. This was Nintendo's opportunity to convince the masses, and they missed it.

  • Posted Jun 5, 2012 12:16 pm GMT
  • Category: Rant
  • Tag
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Digg
• 9Apr 12

  1st Party Characters I'd Like to See in the Next Smash

  I was just minding my own business, enjoying my Xenoblade (Which you need to go out and buy if you haven't already) when Jakor1 comes along with his Roster Maker and now all of a sudden Smash Bros. is all I can think about. Of course the most polarizing aspect of Smash Bros. discussion would easily have to be the new character additions. No fan is going to have the same list of characters they'd like? That's what makes talking about it so fun!

  

  I personally think Bowser Jr. would be an excellent addition to the cast. Ever since his introduction in Super Mario Sunshine Bowser Jr. has had a pretty big role in the series and I'd like to see that represented here. If nothing else, it would be interesting to see Bowser's moveset on a smaller, speedier character.

  

  I'm sure Paper Mario would make an interesting addition gameplay wise, but mostly I just really like Paper Mario on the N64. I like to imagine him using his Hammer to attack and turning himself into a paper airplane to recover, and I'm sure that between TTYD and Super Paper Mario the developers will have no shortage of ideas.

  

  A fan favorite request. Whether the character is owned by Square or Nintendo seems to be up for debate, but either way I'm sure they could make room on the roster for Geno.

  

  Starring in one of my favorite games of all time, Donkey Kong Country 2, I would love for Dixie Kong to be a part of the next Smash Bros. I could see Nintendo getting a lot of mileage out of Dixie's hair twirl and I think she'd be a lot of fun. Maybe she could even use her guitar!

  

  What's interesting about this addition is that he's drastically different in all the games he's appeared in. Between a king, a pirate, and a mad scientist his moveset possibilities are nearly endless. If I had to choose only one version I would definitely choose his pirate incarnation, but I imagine K. Rool's design would get an overhaul similar to Pit's in Brawl.

  

  Twilight Princess' Midna would be an interesting addition to the cast. With her magical abilities (which admittedly could have been fleshed out more in Twilight Princess) she has the base for a good set while leaving the developers room to be creative.

  

  Another fan favorite request, Vaati has starred in The Minish Cap as well as the Four Swords games. I actually don't have a lot of experience with this character as I have yet to complete any of his games, but he seems cool from what I've seen and I do love his design.

  

  After playing a bit of Uprising I've really come to enjoy Palutena's character. Not only that, but I love her design. I'm really not sure about her combat capabilities, but if the Ice Climbers can fight I'm sure they work with a goddess.

  

  I remember back in my NSIDER days that this was quite a polarizing suggestion. While obviously nobody from Animal Crossing is likely to be much of a fighter, I still say they could make it work. When I picture Nook in Smash Bros., I see him tossing Axes from a sack as well as using a shovel to attack.

  

  Here's one I'd like to see promoted from assist trophy status. Little Mac has starred in three games now, and his battle prowess is impressive. So of course I think he deserves a chance to prove himself in the Smash Bros. arena. I think the only thing holding Little Mac back is that boxing is a little pedestrian by Smash Bros. standards, but regardless I think he could be a fine addition.

  

  Another promoted unit. One of the three main characters of the first localized Fire Emblem; Lyndis is a strong sword fighter from the sacaean plains. Fire Emblem has never had much in the way of special techniques, so the developers would likely have to improvise a bit with her moveset. However Lyndis is great with a bow and arrow, which should help vary her options. This would likely make her the only Fire Emblem character with a ranged attack.

  

  Obviously I don't have a lot of experience with Krom myself, but I do think it would be cool if they pulled a Roy and used Krom as an advertisement of sorts. Maybe this time we could actually have the game in question localized for North America.

  

  When looking for a suitable Pokémon to represent the Johto region, Scizor came to mind immediately. Any 4th generation competitive battler likely has a lot of experience with Scizor; after Platinum gave it access to Bullet Punch it was nearly on every team, and rightfully so. Scizor has also been featured in the Smash Bros. games in the past as a Pokeball summon.

  

  To me, Blaziken seems like a perfect fit for Smash Bros. As a starter Pokemon he's well known and very popular, not to mention he has the perfect build and fighting styIe. With the addition of Speed Boost Blaziken has become the first starter Pokémon to be cIassified as an Uber. For the Pokemon illiterate, this means he's considered too powerful for standard play by the top competitive battling authority.

  

  The unofficial counterpart to Lucario, Zoroark would be a fine fit for Smash Bros. As well as being the first 5th gen Pokémon revealed, Zoroark also has the honor of starring in Master of Illusions, so if nothing else Gamefreak seems to think highly of him. It would be interesting if they could make use of Zoroark's ability to change its appearance as well.

  

  The Operation Rainfall Three

  Of course I would love to see some love for Shulk, Zael, and Aeron! It's always exciting when new games (and perhaps even new franchises) can be featured in Smash Bros., and Shulk and the gang would be a great fit for the games. I could be biased.

  
  

  
  

  • Posted Apr 9, 2012 1:57 am GMT
  • Category: Games
  • Tag
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Digg

See Previous Blog Posts »