aspro said:

I hope the later released U's have the 5GB patch built in or come with an update disc.

That would be half my monthly internet allowance (assuming I could even download a file of that size).

Keighly was wrong and the rest of the internet followed his lead. It should download in less than half an hour on a good connection but everyone tries it at the same time and the servers bogs down.

Dvader said:

Damn MiiVerse is really cool when there are a bunch of people on. Some of the stuff these guys draw is incredible. I am beyond hooked on Nintendoland. It is like a crazy Nintendo themed arcade all about getting high scores in a wide variety of games. Nintendoland is the game to get, screw the rest.

Weird as I thought it would be the last game you would be into.

Foolz said:

Gamingeek's Wii U impressions/comments>the rest of yours'. And he doesn't have the console.

LOL.

Just a point again on Zombi U as I am miffed of the criticism this game gets on its visuals. The game was introduced at E3 as Killer Freaks from Outer Space. It was flipped mid-way through development so the actual game has only had about 12 months of development on SDKs that weren't even complete or optimised - even a couple of weeks before E3 this year. They did most of it with 60 people that expanded to 100 late in development and had to make launch. The game is somewhere near 20 hrs long, it's medium budget (i.e lower than Far Cry 3, Watch Dogs, AC3 etc)  and does not have a focus on graphics as the devs and Ubisoft execs have said. They have had to make a 20 hr game with limited budget, time and resources on unfinished hardware. Considering off of that, are you really suprised that some textures are not super detailed here and there? I think they've done a pretty good job all things considered.

Dvader said:

Holy shit, Nintendo has miiverse ninjas on the lookout. Dont post anything about your username on other sites or they shut you down.

WTF is this?

edgecrusher said:

I think I got severely fucked over.....I didn't die for a long time, then went through a door and got gangraped by 4 blazing fast zombies. dead. Then I became the girl, and instead of letting me catch my breath, my sae house was overrun with like 20 zombies.....fucking dead within a minute.

LOL they must have done that deliberately as a joke.

edgecrusher said:

The Remote worked really well for Metroid but I honestly never feel totally comfortable using it...even though the Gamecube controls weren't as good, they were more comfortable to me.

I think they could use the Gamepad in some genius ways for Metroid...obviously scanning. And now that they have a pad with dual analog sticks, you could also move and aim at the same time like normal.

I really like the wiimote in MP3 but I think the U pad could be used in intesting ways. I guess I prefer wiimote but I think they should use the u pad - it is the main selling point of the console and it might mean - off tv play. Metroid in bed.

Ravenprose said:

Six hours into Epic Mickey 2, and I discovered only ONE AI glitch.

Despite this minor problem, the game is an absolute blast so far. There's LOTs of cool stuff to find, and the side-scrolling levels have multiple paths, which leads to different treasure.

Thanks for this.

travo said:

Last night, I had a crazy session of Paper Mario with some of the best puzzles I've ever seen in a PM game.  The puzzles are so good, plus the ton of secret areas.  It's miles above the Wii version.

travo said:

Um, GG!  You forgot Paper Mario!

Sounds good, I will probably pick this up now but its launching at an awkward time for me. I'm getting back into the 3DS now -  I guess I'm as guilty as everyone else, you don't play a console and feel down on it. Turns out if you actually buy and play the games you'll probably like it. Shame the price hasn't come down on Icarus or NSMB 2.

Nintendo PR is kinda crappy, they are actually downplaying a few aspects of U that people were worried about.

• PR: Wii U does not upscale Wii games - yes it does
• PR: Wii U will not run U games off SD cards - yes it can
• PR: You can't use the pad mic for in game voice chat - but you can if you plug in the right headphones with mic, like cheap ass cell phone headphones.

Joystiq:

ZombiU - 4.5 / 5

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/19/zombiu-review/

New Super Mario Bros. U - 4.5 / 5

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/new-super-mario-bros-u-review/

NintendoLand - 4 / 5

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/nintendo-land-review/

Batman Arkham City: Armored Edition - 4.5 / 5

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/18/batman-arkham-city-armored-edition-review-wonderful-toys/

Scribblenauts Unlimited - 4 / 5

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/18/scribblenauts-unlimited-review/

So this is nice, Nintendo Everything review of Zombi U. They were quite skeptical like the rest of us before playing it.

NE said:

I’m willing to bet that you’re in the same place I was before actually playing the game: convinced that it was an average game with a cool concept, and that was “good enough” for you. Trust me though– if you like the concept of a true, difficult, atmospheric survival horror game positively brimming with intensity, you must pick up this game.

I’ve been playing ZombiU constantly over the last two days, and when I first started out I considered myself nothing more than certifiably intrigued. A couple of hours in, and I went from intrigued to impressed. A few hours on top of that and I was enthralled. Add an hour or two more and I found myself legitimately surprised that I was enjoying the game as much as I was. I had read in so many places that at best it was “fun-but-flawed”, and I had damn-near convinced myself that such a label was “good enough”, and very admirable for a launch title.

When it comes down to it though– and I do NOT say this lightly– I’ve ended up thinking that ZombiU is one of the best survival horror games I have ever had the immense pleasure of playing.

ZombiU is a finely crafted survival horror game, and perhaps one of the best in the genre I’ve ever played. If you’re a fan of these sorts of things and you’re not buying ZombiU because of review numbers or the opinions you read on the internet, I urge you to reconsider. You will not regret it.



Buy this game if…


You enjoy survival horror, as it was meant to be.



Don’t but this game if…


You prefer upbeat action games to slow and technical shooters.

I am picking up Hitman Absolution today, along with Adventure Time for the 3DS. Then, I will pick up The Walking Dead **after hearing about GME's and Aspro's (?) interest in it** on December 4^th, then I am absolutely done for 2012. No more. More than enough!

Zombi U: State of the reviews so far - update (latest reviews bolded)

• ONM: 92%
• Eurogamer: 9/10
• Joystiq 4.5 out of 5
• Venturebeat 88%
• Digital Trends 8.5
• PCGamer 8.4
• CVG: 8.4
• Polygon 8/10
• Destructoid: 8.0
• EDGE: 7
• Gamesradar 3.5 stars out of 5
• IGN: 6.5
• Gametrailers 6.5
• GameInformer: 5
• GameSpot: 4.5

I'm not a fan of IGN, Gameinformer and Gamespot. I like Gametrailers in general.

Destructoid I expect them spectacularly under or overate with every review so a solid 8 rings as more trustworthy from them.

Greg Miller did the IGN review, so it makes sense to me that its bad. On a personal level and feel free to disagree - IGN and Gamespot used to be my top 2 gaming websites on the internet and now they are at a state where I barely trust any coverage they have of games. IGN still does some good videos though. Strange that the IGN guy who was so positive on Zombi U in the preview just before launch didn't even get to review the game and had it passed to Miller. I would like to see what he thought instead.

ONM Why ZombiU has received mixed reviews:

ZombiU has split opinion. From 4.5 out of 10 to 92%, Ubisoft's survival horror game has been on the receiving end of some negative and positive reviews which has confused many Nintendo fans who just want to know if they should buy it or not. But why has it polarised opinion?




Looking at the review scores, you can see a split between the American and UK reviews. I have yet to see a single negative review from a UK-based publication or website. Edge gave the game 7 out of 10, CVG awarded it 8.4 and Eurogamer 9 out of 10. If you subscribe of Official Nintendo Magazine and have read the review or seen our summary in our best Wii U games article, you'll know that we gave it 92%.




Yet look over the other side of the pond where ZombiU is actually out now and it's a different story. IGN went with 6.3, Gamespot gave it 4.5 while Game Informer thought it deserving of a 5 out of 10 review score.




I'm not going to say that these reviewers are wrong (I'm not in the business of criticising the work of members of my own profession - it's a bit rude) and everyone is entitled to their own opinion but one common criticism has focused on the cricket bat. IGN, for example, said that killing zombies with the cricket bat becomes a chore while CVG commented: "there's something brilliantly English about smacking a pinstriped, bowler hat-wearing London banker with one."




CVG's reviewer added that a few more would have added variety to the excellent melee combat. We presume he's talking about melee weapons in general rather than a variety of cricket bats. Although wouldn't it be fun to choose from different bats? A Duncan Fearnley or a Gray & Nicholls? I think I'd go for the Gray & Nicholls - those ridges on the back would do some damage.




Gamespot also said the world was uninteresting. That's our capital city you're talking about, pal! Joking aside, it does make you wonder if the game had been set in New York and you had to pummel zombies with a baseball bat, would the reaction have been different?




Despite being made by Ubisoft Montpellier, ZombiU is very English. Not in a quaint Professor-Layton-cup-of-tea-and-cake kind of way, you understand, but it's set in London and the Prepper (your mentor) speaks in a thick Yorkshire accent. It's gritty, too - like the sort of low-budget horror movie we do so well.




But the mixed reviews can't be down to cultural differences can they? After all, US-based website Destructoid gave it 8 out of 10, its reviewer writing: "ZombiU is awkward, ugly, crawling in its pace, and often nonsensical with its narrative... and I remember when horror games weren't ashamed of any of that, even actively exploiting it to create alienating, frightening atmospheres that stuck in a players' memories and made them too spooked to want to take another step forward."

Admittedly the person who wrote that is British but it is a crucial point and it brings me to the question of whether you should buy ZombiU or not. The mix of review scores seem to me to be a result of what people want from a horror game. Those who find it uninteresting might not appreciate the slow pace and tense atmosphere.




I'd say you should consider what you want from ZombiU before you buy it. If you want an action-packed horror game where you're gunning down zombies every five seconds, ZombiU might not be for you. There are plenty of action-packed blockbusters on Wii U at launch - buy Assassin's Creed 3 or Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 instead.

ZombiU is different and in an attempt to be realistic, it has gone back to the early days of slow-paced survival horror in which you really had to struggle to survive. ZombiU is all about survival - you don't have to kill every zombie with a cricket bat - do that and you might get a bit bored. Instead, you have to make it to your destination without getting bitten.




That may mean you have to shove a zombie away and it might mean that you have to use your ammo wisely along with your radar on your Wii U GamePad, so that you only need to use bullets when absolutely necessary. Yes, it might also mean that you have to bludgeon a brain dead policeman with a cricket bat, but equally it could mean that you have to flee, running away from the zombies to survive. Even then you may be grabbed by member of the Queen's Guard as you attempt to escape from an air vent. I'm feeling a bit tense even writing about it and that's what ZombiU does to you.




So if you want a survival horror game that dares to be different, you should consider buying ZombiU

Looks better on Wii to me. Brighter anyway. Also if you can put your TV in 4:3 it will look better but if what Wired says is true U upscales to 720/1080p and your TV wont let you 4:3 it then. SDTVs FTW

DmC demo, the moment of truth.

In about an hour I will see if one of my favorite franchise is still worthy of its legacy.

travo said:

I've T is in BLOPS2?

Gameindustry said:

Wii U hardware review round up

Reviewers are cautiously optimistic, while some retailers have actually discounted Wii U software


The launch of a new console provides a moment of clarity and reality after months of pre-release hype and speculation. The future of the Wii U is still wide open, with much depending on Nintendo's ability to improve the system's software, release compelling games, and convince third party publishers to support the console with impressive software. Some things are already happening, though, which may give some indication of the Wii U's future prospects.


First of all, the Wii U is already sold out at retailers across North America, according to reports. Over 2500 units have appeared on eBay already, though, at prices from $400 to $500 as some early buyers attempt to cash in. This sounds like there's solid demand, yet it's not as fevered as the demand for the Wii after its launch in 2006. The (then) $250 Wii console was selling for well over $1,000 on eBay well into 2007, and it was many months before supplies caught up with demand for the Wii.


Something unprecedented has occurred during this new console launch: Two major retail chains are offering discounts on Wii U software. This has never happened before at the launch of a new console, according to industry veterans. Toys R Us is running a sale: Buy one Wii U title, get the next at 40 percent off. Target is running a similar sale: Buy two Wii U titles, get the third at 50 percent off. Those prices mean the retailer is essentially giving up all profits on the software it is selling. Does this mean these retailers are trying to attract hardware buyers for the Wii U? Or are the retailers just concerned that Wii U software isn't going to sell all that well, and worry about being stuck with hard-to-sell inventory?


“It's going to be a tough retail season, and given the increasing Black-Friday driven shopping culture, this is a tactic designed to ensure that the store in question is the primary shopping source for the Wii U,” said Scott Steinberg of TechSavvy Global. “If they get you in the door to buy Wii U software at a discount, chances are you're going to do all your Wii U shopping at that specific retailer.”


"If they get you in the door to buy Wii U software at a discount, chances are you're going to do all your Wii U shopping at that specific retailer"


Scott Steinberg


The retail struggle in a soft game market is more intense this year than ever before. “This is certainly a first in history, and it points to the state of the retail and set-top console market,” said Steinberg. “In the past you would never see retailers discounting premium launch software for a console system. In most cases it's an opportunity to mark prices up. But I struggle to remember the last time a console launch had so much software available.”


Michael Pachter, senior analyst with Wedbush Securities, agrees that this promotion is being driven by the needs of retailers rather than any perceived weakness in the Wii U. “Keep in mind that they don't have many Wii U hardware units, and that the total shipped to the US is probably well under 1 million for the launch, so their risk is that they sell 100,000 or so titles at no profit,” Pachter said. “It's a loss leader to drive traffic. I don't think it's a signal about the health of console sales at all.”


The Wii U may be sold out for the moment, but the early buzz on the console is mixed. Some reviewers gave the console an Incomplete, since many of the Wii U's features were unavailable until a last-minute firmware patch was delivered just before launch (too late for reviewers). Others liked the Wii U, but almost all reviewers agreed that the full potential of the Wii U remains to be unlocked. None of the launch titles seemed to be destined for classic, console-defining status similar to Super Mario Bros. or Super Mario 64.


The Wii U is in limited supply for the moment, but the true test of its selling power will come when you find it easy to walk into a store and buy one. The competition looks daunting; both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 will be available this weekend for $199, which includes a 250 GB hard drive and several games. That's an advantage of hundreds of dollars over a Wii U (counting the cost of software) that's roughly equivalent in graphics power; the PS3 and the Xbox 360 have robust libraries of software (many at lower prices for classics or used software) and proven online communities and extensive arrays of entertainment, low-cost downloadable games, and other features.


The Wii had two distinct advantages at launch; it was half the price of competing consoles (though it lacked the processing power and HD output), and it had a unique, easy-to-grasp interface with the Wiimote motion control. The Wii was readily understandable by anyone in the family, regardless of prior game experience. Grandma could grab a Wiimote and bowl or play tennis readily.


"Nintendo has set up the Wii U for failure"


Dan Hsu, GamesBeat


The Wii U, by contrast, lacks both of the Wii's advantages. The Wii U is more expensive than the PS3 or the Xbox 360, yet it offers no clear graphics advantage. The GamePad has a daunting array of buttons and sticks as well as a touchscreen interface; Grandma will not pick this up as easily as a Wiimote. The interesting possibilities of two-screen gaming require time and explanation or demonstration, and it's not clear yet that two-screen gaming alone is a reason to spend over $100 extra on the Wii U versus competing consoles.


Those who already own a PS3 or an Xbox 360 may not feel compelled to buy a Wii U unless they are huge Nintendo fans. Right now the Wii U's advantages are more potential than actual. When an amazing Zelda game comes along, or a Donkey Kong Country, or some other title that takes amazing advantage of the GamePad, then you'll see the hardcore gamers line up to get a Wii U.


For those who don't already own a console system, or perhaps only own a Wii, the situation is more complicated. The Wii U is much more capable than a Wii, but also more complicated. Families with a limited budget will probably also look at the possibility of getting a tablet like the Kindle Fire HD, the Nexus 7 or an iPad Mini - all of which can be had for less than a Wii U. Tablets may not offer the same immersive gaming experiences as consoles, but casual gamers won't know or care about that. What they will see is that tablets can do many useful things for the family, and are completely portable, and have thousands of free games and other apps. That's a powerful indirect competitor for often limited family budgets.


The story of the Wii U won't necessarily be told this year, as Nintendo may well be able to sell all the Wii U systems it can supply to retailers. The picture will get clearer next year as availability of the hardware increases and additional games become available.


"Wii U has major potential and if Nintendo plays their cards right, the system can become a major player, especially once the media capabilities and game options are fully stocked"


Dan Milano, ABC News


The following Wii U review roundup provides a summary of what both mainstream media and gaming media are saying about the Wii U:


New York Times: “I have no idea what the Wii U augurs, or whether it will permanently alter how we play, alone or together.”


USA Today: 3 out of 4 stars. “Until we see Nintendo Network fully functioning with the TVii service and additional games that take advantage of the GamePad, it's hard to say whether Wii U recaptures the console magic.”


ABC: “Wii U has major potential and if Nintendo plays their cards right, the system can become a major player, especially once the media capabilities and game options are fully stocked.”


Time: “The Wii U already feels like a much more robust and fascinating idea, one that shows even more promise, in my opinion, than the Wii did in 2006.”


Polygon: 6.5 out of 10. “We are cautious and indeed, somewhat pessimistic, about what the future holds for Nintendo's new system. The Wii U is poised to deliver the same thing Nintendo always has, but we're still waiting to see if it can deliver more.”


1UP: “All in all, Wii U won't blow anyone's mind with its hardware capabilities, and it will definitely annoy hardcore A/V fanatics with its lack of output options. The system's horsepower puts it on par with current consoles, which will be true for... a year, probably.”


GamesBeat: Editor Dan Hsu feels that “Nintendo has set up the Wii U for failure.” He cites the initial price, the fact that the hardcore content is all old, there's no killer app, and the Pro controller buttons aren't properly placed for hardcore gamers.


CNET: No rating yet. “Despite its unique dual-screen presentation, innovative GamePad controller, and ambitious Nintendo TVii service, the Wii U still has a lot to prove.”


Engadget: “Without Nintendo Network, Miiverse, Nintendo TVii, or any streaming / on-demand video content -- not to mention promised backwards compatibility -- the Wii U doesn't compete at all with even last-gen consoles (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 just became last-gen, in case that isn't clear).”


Kotaku: “Give it a month or three. Wait until the "launch window" closes at the end of March and the likes of Pikmin 3, Lego City Undercover and a slew of interesting download-only games are available.”


The Verge: 7.0 “I don't know which future awaits the Wii U. But until it's obvious, I'm not buying one.”