Episode 631: Nintendo Dislikes Virtual

This is the second attempt at Episode 631, as the previous episode had bad audio, and was boring to boot. This week’s episode features a lot of questionable content, as well as a Dark Souls Gaming Flashback.

The news includes:

  • Surprise Halo Infinite multiplayer launch buckles Steam servers
  • Grand Theft Auto Trilogy back on PC after Rockstar removes ‘unintentionally included’ files
  • Microsoft adds 76 more games to Xbox backwards compatibility
  • Nintendo explains why there is no virtual console on Switch

Let us know what you think.

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Like Wave Race? Wii Sports Resort is Your ChanceLike Wave Race? Wii Sports Resort is Your Chance

Many of us, Wave Race fans have been looking for a Wii wave racing title for a year now with no talk of expanding the franchise. We’ve got a Wii Fit board, we’ve got motion controls, the only thing we’re missing is Wave Race.

Apparently a Wave Race style game can be found in Wii Sports Resort “power cruising” mode. This experience is supposed to be more involved than initially thought and provide us with our Wave Race fix, can that be true?

Every mini-game series Nintendo releases is a stripped down almost-cooked version of a real game. They tend to be a controller prototype to show off the motion control concepts. Why would “power cruise” be like Wave Race in depth when the game is about the entire “Wii Sports Resort” experience. Is every mini-game going to be a full blown title?

If so, this wouldn’t be a “mini” game experience! The entire concept of mini is thrown out the window if the title is really a bunch of mini-games plus a full Wave Race franchise title. Perhaps the “deep” title their talking about is simply a mini-game with a few more buttons and nobs to twist? The big issue with the pack-in mini-games tends to be very basic games with few modes of play, difficulty settings or other options.

(Thanks, Kotaku)

Microsoft Avatar’s and DashboardMicrosoft Avatar’s and Dashboard

Microsoft has come out and validated some earlier rumors about Xbox 360 Avatar’s and their 3D dashboard design. Apparently, this is to build more of a community and bring a bit of the Mii-like influence from the Nintendo Wii to the 360 hardware.

It seems Microsoft is taking some of the concepts from the Nintendo Wii which were poorly implemented due to the lack of any real network community and bring them to live with a more integrated useful system. This proves Nintendo was on the right track but shows off their lack of integration and fear of bringing people together.

“Create, share, and have fun with all of your friends… but avatars are just the beginning. The new Xbox is tailored for the living room. Here we are at the community channel — instead of a list of friends, you actually see them.” (joystiq)

Nintendo’s cute little idea of Mii’s and sharing them with friends was fantastic, a great bullet list feature, but rather useless. Typing in friends codes gets old way too fast and there really isn’t anyway to vocally chat with people on your friends list anyway, so who cares?

Microsoft has proven to know a bit about the community space, has parental controls and a fairly reliable LIVE system for making it all happen. Although Nintendo should look at this with a bit of pride, given duplication is the best form of flattery, they could learn a few things about how to work a community into your console too!

Episode 423: Nintendo NXEpisode 423: Nintendo NX

This week revolves around Nintendo’s upcoming console. Otherwise, there isn’t much to speak of in terms of shocking news. However, there is a lot of it this time around.

The news items include:

  • Stardew Valley multiplayer, console ports confirmed
  • Nintendo NX launching March 2017, new mobile games on way
  • Oculus Rift arrives at Best Buy stores ahead of pre-orders
  • Nintendo won’t sell NX at a loss
  • Classic Sega Mega Drive ROM hacks hit Steam workshop

Question of the Week: “Ever play any console ROM hacks?”