Nintendo really is an enigma. No one can quite figure them out and they continue to surprise gamers around the world with their questionable decisions and just puzzling weird way of doing things.
I guess its part of the charm of their storied existence, or maybe they really are just flat-out crazy. Either way, there’s no denying that Nintendo probably has the strongest first-party lineup and roster than any other company. Games like Mario Kart 8 and the new Super Smash Bros. continue to be cash cows for them even though they haven’t really tinkered much with the formulas. Nintendo will always hold a place in my heart but I just don’t feel the connection most Nintendo fans have with Zelda, Donkey Kong, and the rest of their historic IP’s. Whenever I see a new Mario or a new Kirby, I just dismiss them as cute and nice but never really consider them as must-buy and worthy console purchasing titles.
As someone who just cannot be easily swayed by the usual suspects, year in and year out, I need Nintendo to hit me with some brand new IP’s. If that’s asking for too much, then show me something else worthwhile that isn’t just them going back to the well. They almost did this year, and they almost got me.
Bayonetta 2
The announcement of Bayonetta being bundled with Bayonetta 2 in one package was a pleasant surprise and a very tempting proposition from Nintendo. As someone who did not get to experience the greatness of Bayonetta last generation, this news is very tantalizing and a really smart move by Nintendo. When this was announced, Nintendo had me very close to opening a new browser on my tablet and perusing eBay for Wii U consoles.
Super Smash Bros. Invitational
This was such a nice treat. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did and it just hit home how special video games are and how awesome it is to share with other people. Despite Geoff Keighly’s awkwardness and the over-the-top announcers, the tournament was endearing and filled with surprises and notable guests. Oh, and Reggie trash-talked the runner-up of the tournament, which was surprisingly hilarious and really uncharacteristic of a President of a major company. The game looked great and everyone seemed like they were having a blast; I sure was and I was only spectating.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
The mysterious game formerly known as “X” came into fruition under a new name and officially a part of the acclaimed Wii RPG series, Xenoblade Chronicles. The showing was not particularly great, as I really didn’t learn much from what they showed but given the current state of JRPG’s nowadays, it’s hard not to get excited by this one. It’s too bad this game is slated for a 2015 release because this might have been just enough for me to go there with Nintendo but alas, something else came up that stopped me in my tracks.
No Price Cut
Nintendo had me under their spell for most of their E3 event. I saw many games being promised for release later this year and that Bayonetta deal was too sweet to overlook. Unfortunately, they were just one announcement short of having me pony up for a new Wii U.
They didn’t announce a price drop! It’s not like the Wii U is expensive or anything but as it stands now, with hardly any third-party support and a lackluster lineup of new IP’s; it’s really hard to justify a Wii U purchase right now at that price. I would have enjoyed a price drop of $199.99, which is outrageously optimistic but I would drop that cash so quickly and willingly that I wouldn’t even have to think about it. Maybe a $249.99 price point is much more realistic and I would be fine to pay that too but they need at least one more major game to justify it.
Nintendo had me going and I was on on-board until they abruptly finished their digital event and never even spoke of potential price changes. I believe in Bayonetta on Wii U and I totally buy into the whole Super Smash Bros. phenomenon and the promise of a new Star Fox, but for right now, my Nintendo budget will remain frozen until they can come up with something hot to bring me back.
