Do the Mario

This weekend, I had the pleasure of striking another game from my Hall of Shame. This time it's Super Mario Bros. 3.

I remember many games I played as a kid but this is one I recall more than others. For this game was hailed as the greatest of it's day. It was the game every NES had to have and everyone had to play. I myself didn't have a NES but my brother had a friend who did so thus I was able to see, and eventually play, this game of near monumental reverence.
Yet it is only years later through the Virtual Console, that I'm able to play SMB3 and see it through to the end. So what did I think of it?

Well, firstly I tell a lie: I didn't see it all the way through: I used the infamous Warp Whistles to skip the worlds 5-7 and take the fight straight to the last world with a bundle of power-ups in tow. But that counts: I trounced Bowser and saw the ending - and believe you me it does make a lot of difference getting there yourself as opposed to seeing someone else do it.
But what of the game itself? Well the legendary reputation of this game does carry an enormous amount of intimidation with it but I still had fun with it. It's interesting to see implementation of the open world map and the mini-games but, in a way, it does some rather quaint seeing as many other games have added mini-games and non-linear approach many times since. It's interesting to see new features to the Mario series added but some have left me wondering why they haven't reappeared since (Hammer suit anyone?).

And then there is the difficulty: I've often found the Mario games to be quite fiendishly tough when they want to be and SMB3 is no exception. The lack of a save feature is infuriating particularly when using a continue essentially forces the payer to go back over levels they tried so hard to get through - and, more often than not, on the hope of never repeating again. Indeed I encountered the same problem I had with Super Mario World: I had trouble with the tough levels that by the time I got to Bowser I defeated him in one go thus rendering the whole encounter one big anti-climax. Indeed, I'm beginning to wonder that if the minions give the hero more trouble than the Big Bad, then he isn't much of a threat...

Still I enjoyed playing SMB3 and it was good fun. It certainly has a level of addictiveness and, despite my grumbling about the difficulty, the challenge was one to rise up to. So yeah: Super Mario Bros 3 is one game that certainly holds up years later and I'm glad to have finally beaten it.

Now if I could only get my hands on Super Mario Galaxy.......

Degeneration (no.7)

And now we reach what could be the conclusion of this series. And where else could we go to but the current generation?

Nintendo Wii
Whilst I got my PS2 when the sixth generation was shuffling to an end, I was aware of the arrival of the next generation. Although I was far more concerned with my PS2, I did however become aware of the developments within the new generation: The hardware failures that plagued the 360 and the PS3 snubbing off backward compatibility. With such foolish moves, neither option seemed appealing to me. And then came along the old warhorse Nintendo: They came forward with their new console and the promise of having their old games from their previous consoles available for download. And from that moment on, it was all over for me. Of course there was some nonsense about motion controls but what did I care?



In fact that pretty much says it all for my experiences with my Wii: All the games I got for it were all for the Virtual Console (as well as a few Gamecube titles too). Sure I have a few Wii games sitting on the shelf but the number of games, and the hours spent playing them, is far outpaced by the ratio of games/hours invested in the Virtual Console. It may sound peculiar to have my eyes focused on the past but what do I care? Many of the games I downloaded for the Virtual Console are all games I enjoyed before or some that I missed out on the first time around. My goal to hunt down the IGN 100 best games got a shot in the arm and to have those games preserved and readily available is a coup to Nintendo. In fact I swear I’m not the only one who got their Wii just for the sole purpose of playing Virtual Console games (even if Nintendo seem reluctant to admit it).

But I’ve said plenty about the Virtual Console before in this blog so what about the actual Wii console itself? Well, take away the Virtual Console and all that’s left is an abundance of mixed feelings: Sure Super Mario Galaxy and Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess have held up well but beyond those two one would be hard-pressed to think up a game that defined the console. Indeed much of the Wii games were either shovelware, total tripe or split opinion (ie Metroid Other M, Super Smash Bros Brawl and Super Mario Galaxy 2). Were the developers even trying?

As for the motion controls, I’m not sure I see the point. Whilst it may have worked, Wii Sports being one such example, it does take away one of the fundamental connections between player and game. Jumping around to play games can be fun but it’s still no substitute for lounging on the couch with controller in hand. I heard Nintendo aren’t interested in competing with Sony and Microsoft in the hardware stakes so instead they’re looking to try new ways to play games. An admirable intention yes but I’m far from calling it a successful one.
So in the end, the Nintendo Wii, for me, is pretty much the thing that played Virtual Console games. So I guess this is where the long term affair with Nintendo ultimately led to: Eyes on the past glories with little concern to anything new on offer. So whilst the Wii may have kept Nintendo afloat it would be interesting to see what they come up with next. Sure I don’t have high hopes of the Wii-U but Nintendo have proven there is still life in the old dog yet. So what will do they do now?

Xbox 360
So with the Nintendo Wii being used for anything but Wii games how did I feel about the rivals? Well my long-time love with Playstation came to an abrupt end with Sony fiercely decreeing the PS3 to be non-backward compatible. And, like any spurned lover I packed up shop and moved away, never looking back once. So where to then? Well, to the third contender.



I still had my games I got to use on Kathleen’s Xbox so the gravitation towards the 360 seemed somewhat natural. Due to fracas over the hardware failures and the Red Ring of Death, I was skeptical at first but then along came a little came called Dragon Age Origins – and in an instant, whatever reservations I may have had, were immediately cast aside.

So yes, the 360 was my console of the seventh generation. As well as Dragon Age Origins, other games I enjoyed on the 260 included Rock Band 3, Red Dead Redemption and Mass Effect 1+2. All great games in their own right but one thing I truly loved were the online capabilities of the 360. Sure the Wii had Virtual Console games ready for download but the 360 had the possibility to befriend other 360 users, dashboard decorations, lists to compare achievements and a wealth of DLC/expansions for games. And there were the achievements: An opportunity to provide evidence of doing something cool. I was skeptical at first as the achievements meant nothing beyond bragging rights but damn, it never gets dull comparing achievements with friends and gloating over the ones they haven’t got.

Conclusion
And that’s pretty much my lot on the seventh generation. True there isn’t a really lot to say about it as we’re still in the middle of it (for however much longer) but it is interesting to see that this is the conclusion (for the time being at least) of a journey that began over two decades ago.

I have grown up with gaming and it’s been interesting to see points of my life occur alongside the history of this medium. It’s is also interesting to see how gaming has evolved and which gaming technology has endured the test of time – more so when one considers that this is a field where things grow obsolete at such a breathless, and indeed alarming, rate.

True I may have been flexible in my loyalties but what do I care? Yes it can’t be denied that gaming loyalties are something you’re stuck with for life and must be defended to the end, but I disagree. You see, my gaming loyalties are to the games themselves – no better exemplified than my constant jumping from Sega to Nintendo to Sony and Microsoft. If a game looks good and shows promise then I will play it – why should I miss out? I don’t recall it being a law that you must like one or the other.
So do I like Sega, Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft? Answer: Yes.

Anyway, to wrap this up it’s been fun writing out this little recollection. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Until next time….

Wii can do it 2!

Apparently it's official: Nintendo have a successor to the Wii heading our way: Project Cafe Thus I present some thoughts on the matter:

- With a new console (reportedly more powerful than the 360), it's fair to say that the eighth generation of consoles is on the horizon. After all, it's been five years which, as history has proven, is the usual time for a new one. Strangely, I thought this current one would be lasting longer than before: We have HD, we have awesome visuals that probably aren't going to get any better, we have stacks of games available and we have embraced the potential of downloaded material. Where can we possibly go from here?

- I must admit I was surprised by the announcement of a successor: I would've figured that Nintendo would abandon the console concept altogether in favor of putting all their weight behind the 3DS. But it would appear not...

- Backwards compatibility is fine with Wii software but is that it? What about the Gamecube games i have? What about the Virtual Console titles I downloaded (of which they've been plenty)? I like how the 360 is arranged with profiles and how it recalls everything downloaded to the hard drive. This system it seems set to be implemented into the new Xbox (when/if it comes...) without too much trouble.
So how would Project Cafe this effect my DLC for my Wii?

- And while we're talking about the Virtual Console, how about expanding the concept? I want to see Saturn titles appear. Nintendo can't really deny (as much as they'd like to) that the VC has been a key asset in the Wii's success and there's no reason to discontinue it. Indeed with the competition catching up, in the form of the PSN and XBLA, Nintendo would be a fool to abandon this idea.

- And if the Wii is starting on the way out, does this mean we'll finally see a drop in price for Super Mario Galaxy? >:(

Ultimately though it's too early to form an opinion on Nintendo's new beast so most of this is speculation. And I doubt such a large corporation would pay any attention to grumpy bloggers like myself.
Oh well....

Showing one's age

I use my Wii almost exclusively for the Virtual Console (and I swear I'm not the only one who does so). For me, it is the means of catching up on stuff that I missed out on the first time around - Indeed adulthood certainly makes way for a whole lot more freedom than one's teen years.

However, it is interesting to note that looking back, some games that may have seemed ace at the time haven't really aged well. The greatest offender here is Super Mario 64. Now, I've played Super Mario 64 many times and actually find it quite enjoyable. I recall when it was released it was universally praised and many people crediting it (and even now) as being the game that took the then new technology of 3d environments and made it fun. HOWEVER! Looking back at it now, the problem of the crummy camera functions are glaringly obvious - Indeed, this has been such a problem you have to wonder how Nintendo, who have prided themselves in game design, could have gotten away with it. And how many people can overlook this problem to, then and now, dub Super Mario 64, the Greatest Game EVAH.



Indeed, it is interesting to consider how many games can be loved on their initial release only to be condemned (with venom) years later. The backlash is interesting indeed, exhibit the kind of betrayal one would think they are dealing with Marcus Brutus, Benedict Arnold or Judas. Sure nostalgia may play it's part but I don't buy that: Nostalgia only provides a positive experience that people are trying to find every since but as such an experience is a unique one, such a quest is a doomed mission. And if the first few games one plays had such an important part in one's perspective I'd be playing the Commodore 64 version of Double Dragon over Beatles Rock Band but this is not the case.

It is interesting to note how many games have staying power within an industry where everything moves so quickly: Technological advancements get developed quickly and, as such, gamer's attention is quite limited and fickle. I still enjoy games from obsolete consoles (give me Secret of Mana over any recent JRPG any day) and for good reason: They work. They have great ideas, attention to detail, efficient design and a technical spark that makes the game enjoy a lifespan far longer than it's parent console.

It makes me wonder what people ten or fifteen years from now are going to think of the games going around at the present time. Compare Super Mario Galaxy to Super Mario World: they may look like they've come from different planets (pun most certainly intended) but that's fifteen years of technological advancement right there. So when you consider Gears of War 2 you have to wonder what things are going to look like in in 2025.....