Bring Back the DK Crew

It's been thirteen years since Nintendo and Rare released Donkey Kong 64 on the Nintendo 64. For me it is arguably one of the best games (because Rare pretty much did everything right) to have been released on the console and it would be awesome to see the whole DK Crew making a comback (don't worry K. Rool I miss you too, plus I already talked about how awesome it would be to do a Nintendo HD remake of the first one here). This is one of those games that would best fit the Wii U, both graphics wise and game play wise. The motion controls in the Wii U controller would allow the developers to some impressive stuff like turning the controller to evade attacks and play notes on the touch screen to use each Kong's instrument. Gyroscope for aiming but also for possible use with characters in certain situations like Lanky's boss battle in the water or with Enguarde the Swordfish. The full use of wii-motes would allow the multiplayer to be top notch with accurate aiming. If this banana were to mature one day, watch out for my pineapple canon.

For the actual game itself though, I would like the rebirth to both stay true to the original for character usability, so only still be able to use DK, Diddy, Lanky, Tiny and Chunky. But on the other hand, add more sidequests and other Kongs to interact with. Cranky, Candy, Funky and Snide were perfect catalysts for continuing collecting as many bananas, coins and blueprints as you would, so why not bump up the list to include more interactive players. Also, bring back Troff and Scoff. I don't know how many times I've been frustrated by being one banana short of opening the door to a boss battle, but the game would have been the same without them (like Navi in Ocarina of Time).

When it comes to location, I would 100% want for all the original levels to be included, or more simply put, I would like the whole DK Isles to be in the game but also add a completely new island to explore too. There are many ways this can be produced through the story line. King K. Rool is back to conquer the DK Isles with a new ship or Cranky Kong has accidentally develop a portal that leads to somewhere unknown (cliche but it always works) or even someone new has kidnapped the Kongs and you must team up with K. Rool to save them.

Time to start crossing my fingers this gets made. Nintendo, you know you want to do a sequel.

Epic Mickey 2

So Epic Mickey 2 has been announced and I'm so happy!!! I loved the first game game and even have two posters up in my room along with having the special edition of the first one. Anyways, this game is going to continue the tradition of darkness and having your choices affect the rest of the game. What I'm actually pretty excited about is that this game is going to be part musical and your choices will also affect what songs are played throughout the game. Epic Mickey 2 will be coop between Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky rabbit. The game is going to be released in Fall 2012 on the PS3, 360 and Wii. Can't wait.

Wii U

I'm a huge Nintendo fan, (now to be clear, I'm not a crazy huge fan as I don't own every Mario and Legend of Zelda game to have been released since the inception of the NES) and I'm pretty much willing to follow them almost wherever they decided to go. I own the Wii, DS and 3DS. At a point in time, Nintendo was the king of graphics. Anyone who plays a Nintendo 64 game today, like my two favorites: Donkey Kong 64 and Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, will admit they still continue to look great. So it does bring me some considerable sadness to see Nintendo forcing themselves into the HD world. Anyone who bought a Wii, even from day one, knew that they bought it for the experience and not the graphics.

But now it's 2012 and not 2006. Nintendo is playing hardball on this new console and I like it. But at the moment everyone needs to be on the same exact page, the Wii U is an upgrade of the Wii. HD graphics, new controller (but Wiimotes are still compatible which is a HUGE plus for Nintendo) and the inclusion of HDMI. Now that we have this out of the way, lets get to the big questions.

Price
This console is going to be set at a pretty high price on launch day. There is no way Nintendo is going to repeat their mistake of pricing the Wii at $250 this time around (and let's not even talk about the $250 3DS launch price). To my estimates, the console will be priced around $300-400. I am 100% willing to pay the $400, anything higher than that would really make me question if the investment for a Wii U is actually worth it. The Wii U controller is not an iPad 3. But on the other hand, $400 is completely worth the price for owning a Legend of Zelda game, regardless if it's a launch day title or five years from now. On top of all of this, imagine Nintendo gets into the whole HD remake scene. The possibilities would be endless: Donkey Kong 64 HD, Banjo Kazooie HD or even Mario Party HD. (Lets be honest people, after Mario Party 3, every mini-game has just small variations of each other.)


Games and Franchises
One of the things that makes this console so attractive is the list of franchises that could crossover (and I mean pretty much every single franchise, even Psychonauts 2 whenever it gets developed). Assassin's Creed III has already been confirmed to appear (maybe even as a launch title?). I'd like to assume that the majority of games will probably be released and advertised as PS3, 360, PC and Wii U from now on. But lets get real here, no one is going to buy a Wii U for an Assassin's Creed or a Call of Duty or a Final Fantasy Versus XIII (which continues to look amazing and I don't see why it wouldn't be released on the Wii U now). The selling demographic, which I include myself in, is Nintendo fans who want to see their favorite Nintendo franchises in HD: Mario, Legend of Zelda, Kirby, etc. The only non-Nintendo game I'm really looking forward to go through its evolution on the Wii U is Epic Mickey. People complain about the camera as if it was E.T. for the Atari but it is easily one of the most underrated games of 2010. These are all games I would buy day one without a doubt, but at the end of the day, the ONLY game I'd really buy the Wii U for is the new Super Smash Bros. game. I bought the Wii for Brawl and wouldn't miss the opportunity to get this new one too. Plus the proposed cross play between the 3DS and Wii U makes the game just that much more appealing. More disk memory means hopefully the largest character roster ever. (Nintendo, you better not bring up some DLC bs. What has made all the SSB games fun til this day is the countless hours needed just to unlock certain characters. Mr. Game & Watch, I'm talking about you!)

Final Thoughts
I'm going to buy the Wii U but if it's over $400 then Nintendo better give me some free games or a discount off of launch day titles because if not, I'm going to have to pass it up and wait for a price drop. The only two games/franchises I'm looking forward to buying is Legend of Zelda and Super Smash Bros, but if Warren Spector would like to create another exclusive version of Epic Mickey or have Epic Mickey 2 on launch day, then count me in. The only deal breaker for me to not buy the console would be if it just didn't work at all, as in not turn on or not read games. So until Nintendo gives a release date, I will wait attentively for E3.

DIE!!!!!

So a good friend of mine, Allan Rivas, did this comic strip and I thought of sharing it with all of you. You have to admit, it's pretty damn funny.

KINGDOM HEARTS DREAM DROP DISTANCE!!!

So I finally found the new trailer on youtube and here it is. Notre Dame comes out as a level. Is that not sick or what.

"The Last of Us" Trailer

Here it is, like I said, the trailer for "The Last of Us." I'm so excited.

The Last of Us

So one of the games premiered today at the Spike Video Game Awards was "The Last of Us" by Naughty Dog (Jak and Daxter, Uncharted). The trailer looks amazing and so does the game. I can't wait for it to come out. I'll post up the trailer as soon as it appears somewhere on YouTube.

The Begining of It All

I was around 5 years old when I first play the original Legend of Zelda (pictured above) and from the beginning just fell in love with the game. There are so many great things that stand out about the game like the fact that you could throw your sword if you have full hearts, the bow and arrow and what the series is famous for, dungeons. This game was my start with video games and the introduction of my favorite video game character of all time, Link.

The Great Sea

Before going to bed, I want to post this song because to me it stands out within the Legend of Zelda series. This song is off of the Gambecube's Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, every time I hear this song it gives me strength to never look down and keep fighting and keep trying hard in school, work, life (because as some of you may know by my twitter profile, "all of your hopes and dreams never meant shit"). Link never gives up trying to save his princess (obviously the awesome Princess Zelda). It is Legend of Zelda's 25th Anniversary, so this song is dedicated to you Nintendo. Keep changing video games for the better. Good night and good luck.

The Lost Woods

Well Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword came out today and in its honor, I'm putting "The Lost Woods" up on my blog today. This is one of the catchiest songs in the whole Legend of Zelda series. Check it out.

LEGEND OF ZELDA!!!!!

So a couple of weeks ago, Nintendo had a symphony perform Legend of Zelda songs at The Pantages theater in Hollywood. This is video of when they recorded the main title song for the 25th Anniversary cd. Mind blowing.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

So the newest Kingdom Hearts game, Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance, is going to be released on the 3DS, but that isn't necessarily what excites me. It appears that Square Enix is going to continue expanding the list of Disney characters and worlds featured in the Kingdom Hearts series. The newest addition released so far, Notre Dame. From there, who knows who could make an appearance. Plus Neku from The World Ends With You is crossing over. I'll probably buy a 3DS around the time of the release of this game just to play it (and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D). Hopefully Nintendo releases a special edition version like Sony did with the PSP and Birth by Sleep. Sadly, there is no North American release day yet.

Crash Turned 15

So today is Crash Bandicoot's 15th birthday. If you don't know who he is then you must have lived in a hole during the 90s. He was Sony's Playstation mascot during the years of the PS1. Happy Birthday Buddy.

Lego Video Games

I love Lego video games because they're hilarious and very fun to play. Up to now, I had only beaten Lego Star Wars: The Complete Series and Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4. So in the past two weeks I've bought Lego Indiana Jones and Lego Pirates of the Caribbean. I'm enjoying both games very much. I plan to buy Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 in November.

Greatest Game of All Time

I love this game to death. The original Legend of Zelda (yes the NES game) is what got me into video games. Now remember, I'm 19 so that game was out already for 11 years by the time I was 4. My uncle had a NES so that's how I played it. Since then I've been a huge Link and Legend of Zelda fan. For me, no game will ever top Ocarina of Time.

Release Date?

According to Best Buy, Nintendo's Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is being released on September 25th. If this is true, this is a lot earlier than originally expected.

Final Fantasy XIII

It's been a while since the last time I played Final Fantasy XIII, I'm pretty sure since last summer, but I completely forgot how amazing the game looks. The image above is an actual screenshot from gameplay. It's so life like and reminds me of PIXAR movies

Done and Done

Beat Uncharted too. Very happy about that. I will try to become a perfectionist and get EVERYTHING but no guarantees.

Gotta Stay Alive

So for the past 3 days I've been playing Uncharted 2. At first I was iffy about playing the game since it never really appealed to me, but I finally fell to the pressure to play it as it is a Naughty Dog game (makers of Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter) so I knew it was going to be a great game. So far I've loved it and got to admit I'm hooked. I have about an hour to finish the game. Can't wait to see how it ends and looking forward to Uncharted 3.