Archive for the ‘Games’ Category
Round Two: 3DS Takes on 2012 no comments
2011 hasn’t been the best of starts for Nintendo’s latest handheld development, the “revolutionary” 3DS. As the first console to start utilising no-glasses 3D, hopes were high for this instalment of portable gaming, but initial sales figures were disappointing and it has taken the 3DS some time to start climbing back up to the top of the pile. Now Nintendo is not only faced with the task of competing with the smartphone and tablet gaming markets that have plagued the 3DS since its release, but must also present a viable challenge to Sony’s upcoming mean machine the PS Vita if the 3DS is to stay afloat as a respectable handheld.
The main task for Nintendo has been to learn from their initial mistakes when the console first arrived on the scene. The starting price was an issue – £269.99 was a lot to pay for a handheld console, 3D or no 3D, and that opinion was reflected in the improved sales figures the instant that Nintendo lowered the selling price to £159.99 just four months after launch. The initial run of games released was disappointing, lacking in any hard-hitting new franchises or familiar Nintendo classics – much was promised, but little delivered. Now, however, Nintendo is finally following through on these promises with the recent releases of Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario Land 3D. 3DS sales in the USA increased by a huge 325% in one week following the release of the latter, and there’s more to come with the likes of Fire Emblem, Luigi’s Mansion 2, Resident Evil Revelations and Monster Hunter hopefully on the horizon having been showcased at a press conference in September. Nintendo seem to be putting a lot of faith into a strong catalogue this year in order to bring them up to par with the Vita and their other competitors.
A hugely popular franchise in Japan, the release of Monster Hunter Tri G on the 3DS shows publisher Capcom’s continued loyalty to Nintendo.
However, focusing on the games alone won’t be enough for the 3DS to compete with the high functioning internet capabilities of smartphones and the gaming controls of the Vita. In an attempt to remain level, Nintendo’s system updates for the console have introduced the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Video, with an upcoming update set to include a 3D Video Recorder that might keep players interested, for a while at least. As for gaming capability, the “Slide Pad” accessory has already been released in Japan but to general player scorn. This plastic sheath slides onto the 3DS, adding a second analogue control stick on the right hand side to assist with certain upcoming titles such as Resident Evil. Unfortunately this accessory just looks way too much like an attempt to compete with the Vita, which already has two built in analogue sticks, one on either side of the console.
The Slide Pad has already received criticism for its tacky quality and need for an AAA battery.
The future of the 3DS still seems questionable at this point in spite of a surge in sales and an improved catalogue of upcoming titles. With the Vita already released in Japan and coming to the US and Europe in February, we’ll just have to wait and see if Nintendo’s handheld can continue to hold its own. It would be a terrible shame for Nintendo to fade from the handheld map, considering that for many years its Gameboy and subsequent follow ups dominated the entire market. For now, let’s just be glad that some truly classic Nintendo titles are finally available on the platform: take a look at the Super Mario 3D Land trailer below.
- Kat Humphries
Sources and further information:
Nintendo 3DS Slide Pad Official And Arriving In December – geeky-gadgets.com
Nintendo 3DS sales up 260 percent, future looking brighter – inquisitr.com
Nintendo conference points to a bright future for 3DS – officialnintendomagazine.co.uk
Zelda: Skyward Sword And Super Mario 3D Land Sales Soar in U.S. – siliconera.com
Nintendo 3DS: Monster Hunter Tri G To Be Released Fall 2012 In Europe – wiiordie.com
Sega Ultimate Genesis Collection for IPhone no comments
The best thing about iPhone and iPod Touch is the availability of literally thousands of applications on iTunes Store. You can find any application you need, from business and finance to entertainment and leisure. You can also find thousands of games for Apple’s amazing gadgets, and the one we are going to discuss in this article is Sega Ultimate Genesis Collection.
Who can forget the joy of playing Space Harrier II, Sonic the Hedgehog, Golden Axe, Ecco the Dolphin, and Shining Force? These classic Sega games are just too good to forget; some are even part of our childhood experiences, igniting eternal love for games and gaming itself. Yes, you can now relive the experience of playing these games on your iPhone and iPod Touch by purchasing the Sega Ultimate Genesis Collection.
The only catch is that you will have to pay more for additional games. There are tons of popular Sega games available — with more to come in several weeks — but they are not exactly sold as one package. You can get Space Harrier II in the starter package, but other games are available for extra costs. Aside from this minor disadvantage, Sega Ultimate Genesis Collection is simply too good to miss.
There are also rumors that Sega will sell these games in bundles, with more affordable price tags and additional great games included. In the mean time, get your favorite titles and start playing right away. The control and user interface are highly intuitive, allowing you to enjoy playing these games on your iPhone nicely.