For non-cat people, here's a dog's point of view:

1) I was laying in bed when I heard Master shout "Mother!" After feeling like I hadn't seen her in forever, the mere mention of the word worked me up into a barking frenzy. Honestly, though, I don't know if that means she'll be coming around or not. I'll consult my friends' behinds for further confrimation.

2) Master and I were playing with my favorite toy the other night, and he cruelly decided to pretend to throw it towards my favorite spot- but instead hid it behind his back, which is massive and not at all as exciting as my favorite toy. I was thoroughly bewildered by his actions- did he want me to enjoy this action or not? He then took out my new toy, shaped like a boy in green clothing, and I ceased to care about the previous circumstances.

3) I sniffed around a certain spot, hoping to poop there. After a long period of time, decided that it was the perfect place to do so, as another dog had marked its territory there earlier in the day. However, I then caught a whiff of that same dog's excrement a bit further away, and tore myself from the current spot in search of it. It smelled strongly of dog food, but perhaps there was something else...? An old tennis shoe, perhaps? The urge to poop overwhelmed my curiosity, however, and I ended up forgetting about the previous circumstances, as the prospect of my new green toy took higher precedence.

4) I saw a rabbit in the backyard today- he has taunted me without fail since I first spotted him. Alas, he was quickly devoured by a fox and his remains picked dry by a bird. Master then said something about little Timmy's frog escaping his cage- I hate that fucking frog. The entire affair gave me a bit of motion sickness, which abated only after I gave my own genitals a thorough licking.

In layman's terms:

1) Mother 3 has been rumored for an eventual Western release. It's about damn time.

2) Paper Mario is not looking like an RPG, which is stupid and I hate Intelligent Systems more than anything in the world. Might have Koopalings?

3) Nintendo has something unannounced for this year, whether it's for 3DS or Wii U is anybody's guess. Probably Wii U, though, since that console is desolate.

4) Star Fox is almost done and has lots of motion control. It will likely be panned and we'll never see another game in the series again. And all will be right with the world.

If Star Fox ends up being motion controls required as the "rumor" suggests, that's an instant "No Buy" for me. The motion control fad died for a reason, so if Nintendo's "doubling down" on it, I look forward to Platinum's latest Wii U game selling as poorly as their last 2.

The Star Fox development saga has been this weird push-and-pull between what Nintendo (or likely Miyamoto specifically) wants and what the fans want.  Nintendo is all gung-ho on motion controls and having the two screens going at the same time.  But the reaction from the fans on these "innovations" have been pretty negative.  The graphics have to take a hit for this two screen thing to work but having to constantly switch your focus between them sounds like a big pain in the ass.  Any "hype" for this game seems to be cautious optimism at best.

Who wants Star Fox to play like that?  The fans just want a Star Fox games that doesn't SUCK.  Where is the demand for it to be the guinea pig for wacky controls?  And why pick THIS?  Why piss away the chance to resurrect Star Fox by going with something risky like this?  This is also well past the point where there is any need to try to "sell" us on the Gamepad.  The Wii U flopped.  The Gamepad is finished.  Regardless of how the game turns out it will not turn around the fortunes of the Wii U and thus will not make the Gamepad concept take off like Nintendo hoped.  The time for Gamepad "proof of concepts" was early in the console's life, not now.

I look at something like Paper Mario the same way.  Paper Mario was an RPG for the first two games.  Presumably the fans of Paper Mario liked it as such.  So when Miyamoto goes and sabotages Sticker Star WHO IS THAT FOR?  Obviously not fans of the RPG Paper Marios.  I assume the intent is to attract a different audience.  Same with Star Fox.  Aren't we done with that by now?  The blue ocean audience is gone and they're not going to suddenly get invested in the 3DS or Wii U when those systems are nearing the end of their lifespans.  Make Paper Mario and Star Fox for the FANS OF THOSE SERIES.  I guess I could mention Metroid as an example as well.

Nintendo is supposed to be learning from the Wii U's failures but if they were they wouldn't go with gimmick controls in Star Fox.  I feel like some segment of Nintendo management feels like that old Wii audience is just around the corner to turn everything around if they can just get the right product out there.  Why else would we see so much flip-flopping where something like Tropical Freeze pretty much doesn't use the Gamepad at all (a total flip from the very annoying forced waggle in the Wii DKC) and then we get Star Fox being designed around it years later?  That suggests a schism in Nintendo management between those that want to distance themselves from the Gamepad and those that want to double-down on it so the games flip-flop between the two ideologies.

Though, hey, Mother 3 would be nice!

At least Metroid is still about shooting things.

...I need to take a breath, and think about the other things that are coming out this year. I mean, not Zelda, since that will likely be bumped to 2017. Maybe Pikmin 4, judging by previous comments and what the cats are currently saying.

...Genei Ibun Roku #FE? Is this... currently my most hyped 2016 game?

When asking for new things from Nintendo, please specify that you don't want it attached to old things.


In the cases of Star Fox Zero and Paper Mario: Sticker Star, I think the deciding powers would find it boring to have an iterative sequel. Also, the sales history of the series influenced to be comfortable with shaking things up or trying something different. Specifically in the case of Star Fox, I don't think Nintendo cares as highly about that series as we would like. Specifically in the case of Paper Mario, other Mario games will make up for any slack.


As someone who continues to be interested in seeing developers explore motion controls and second screen applications, I'm eagerly and anxiously anticipating Star Fox Zero. I understand and respect the frustration and disappointment of those who our not interested in what could very possibly be experimental failures.


I don't know. I just think it's more interesting to see weird tries and failures. Though, I guess it speaks to how I care about the Star Fox series. And Nintendo in general, really.

I like experimentation but if you're going to do something out-of-the-ordinary it has to sound enticing to me.

Motion controls aren't a new concept anymore.  So instead of this being some theoretical experimentation where I don't know exactly what to expect, I DO know what to expect and I don't like it.  Nintendo spent last generation experimenting with motion controls (and dual screens as well) and it brought me to one of two conclusions:

1. Either motion controls aren't all that hot or...
2. Motion controls could be good but Nintendo's ideas for what would make them fun are not the sorts of things I find fun.

Nintendo's probably thinking "you move the controller around like you're piloting the ship and it's fun!!!" but I don't find pretending I'm turning the steering wheel or swinging the sword or throwing the ball all that exciting.  I do notice the lack of precision in such a control scheme and find myself fighting the controls.  So I know what Star Fox Zero will be for me - fighting controls that are supposed to provide a thrill but don't turn my crank even when they work.  And it isn't like I need these pantomiming controls to provide me with the escape of playing the game.  I felt like I was Link swinging my sword at enemies decades before Skyward Sword made me actually do it.  Doing it myself didn't make the experience feel any more "real" to me.  If anything it took me out of it because of times where it DIDN'T interpret my sword swing correctly, which was never an issue when I just had to press A.  I felt like I was flying the Arwing in the original Star Fox.  That's the thrill of the game: flying the Arwing and shooting enemies and avoiding dying yourself.  I don't need motion controls to assist that so if that's the big hook there is no improvement in the game for me, only new flaws because of the imprecise controls.

If Nintendo tinkered with the controls with the intention of making them more precise or easier to use or expanding the functionality to allow for greater gameplay depth that would be great.  But their approaches are more the idea that controlling something with movement is more FUN!!! which is pretty one-dimensional and shallow approach.  The concept itself seems tied to the original intentions of the Wii where non-gamers were intimidated by traditional controls and mimicking the motions of the characters on screen would have a lower barrier of entry.  It's to attract beginners for which the concept of just controlling something on the screen is a thrill.

But... if the motion controls are bad... doesn't that mean YOU are the bad controls, Ian...?

You're probably joking, BUT, I find the main problem with motion controls is that they don't usually operate the way they would in a real situation. For example, you don't swing the sword the exact same way you would a real sword. Once I figure out what kind of motions a game wants me to make, I usually have little trouble getting it to work just fine.

Okay, so maybe even motion controls that work well are not as accurate as a digital on/off button. But you know what else is not as accurate as a button? An analogue stick. And like analogue sticks, motion controls open up more possibilities and degrees of control than simple buttons. They're not right for every game (neither are sticks), but there are some that have felt enhanced by them.

I hold my sword out at arm's length at ALL times, Mop. And I swing it by flicking my wrist.

Frankly, I'm a bit insulted.

That series is more about nothing these days.

I personally don't use them, but by all accounts the motion controls in Splatoon are fantastic. I don't know how much of this is Nintendo or Platinum, but maybe they think they've really figured something out. It wouldn't be the wisest choice to make them mandatory for a good portion or all of the game (whatever the rumour is), but I'm more open to the idea than I was a year ago.

With an analog stick it is very easy to not enter any input into it.  If your thumb is not on the stick then you're not moving it so it receives no input.  Motion control is very unique in that there is no clear cut off for when you're not activating it.  Like the programmer can't make the game instantly react to the slightest bit of input because just holding it "still" isn't truly still because you'll be breathing and the controller will be moving ever so slightly.  So the programmer has to guess on a range or speed of movement to determine if you're trying to trigger the controller or just moving into a more comfortable position.  Or doing the "wind up" for the action you're doing.  I remember in Wii Golf having the damn thing swing as I raised the "club" up.  I have to get into position, raise the Wiimote up to start my swing and then follow through.  Usually it worked but once in a while it would get it completely wrong.  As Mop pointed out sometimes you have to not do the natural motion but what the game expects you to do.  What is the good in that?  The whole damn point is to do the natural motion.  Otherwise you're just replacing button presses with specific gestures and adding the problem of the game having to guess when I'm actually intending to make the gesture or not.

Everything else - sticks, buttons, d-pads, triggers, touchscreens, mice, keyboards, track balls, dance mats - they all know exactly when you're triggering them and when you're not.  Motion controls have to guess.

Re: Star Fox Zero

Pretty sure there's going to be an option to disable motion controls (given the source is NCL's Twitter and it's frickin' signed by the president of the company).

BUT you'll still have to look down at the Gamepad to see what you're shooting out, probably.

Except that that tweet's quite old and the cat states Nintendo's "doubling down" on terrible (redundant, I know) motion controls.  ;) A lot can change in a year when it comes to Nintendo giving a **** about giving players options.

Well look what the cat dragged in.

I've liked the ways Nintendo's used gyro-based aiming in the past, so I'm not opposed to basing Star Fox around them, but given the reaction some people have had to those same games I worry about the sales and reception of the game, which could doom this to being the last Star Fox game they ever make, which would be a shame.

After re-reading the third rumor cat, I'm a bit confused and bewildered. It's apparently something that's quite significant, since it could eat up a big amount of time in the latter half of the year despite the 3DS having a lot of RPGs during that time.

What the hell, cats. Just come out with it.

Now I'm worried about Star Fox again. I guess we'll just see what happens. I can't imagine being turned off on it like I was Assault. If I can play this game with satisfying motion thats as good as Splatoon's I think I will be fine.

This was a fun way of rounding up recent rumours. Thank you, cats!

*Thank mew

Yeah I fear Nintendo coming to the conclusion that the series isn't marketable.  Hell, Nintendo is not alone in "learning" the wrong lesson in situations like these.  It's hard to admit fault and if you make low quality releases it is an easier excuse to just write it off as the fans fault for not buying than to admit that you screwed up.  Other publishers do the same stuff.

But Star Fox has been a rigged game.  It doesn't sell all that well but it hasn't had a truly great release since 1997!  And while I can live without Star Fox my real fear is that they apply the same twisted logic to Metroid.  They've already released an outright dud Metroid game and now they're working on a spin-off with no real connection to the series that Metroid fans absolutely shit on at E3.  This is the same path that Star Fox went down.

Just out of curiosity, do you have any solutions in mind for this problem? Aside from the obvious "Don't use it."

Another curiosity question: Let's say, hypothetically, that they can create motion controls that are 100% accurate. Do you think you would enjoy using them?

I'd just like to point out that MyNintendoNews has cited this Cat-Tastic article on a rumor article. http://mynintendonews.com/2016/02/05/rumour-nintendo-doubled-down-on-star-fox-zero-motion-controls/

What's the matter Ian. Cat got your tongue?

100% accurate would be getting close to VR so that would be pretty neat.  Doesn't solve the problem of fatigue so the games need to take that into account.  Can't expect the player to be swinging a sword for hours on end for example.

I think the best solution as is would be to have a button on the controller that you hold down as you do motion control "swings" so it knows you're in motion control mode and are not just moving the controller to scratch your nose or something.  Or maybe you press it to temporary turn it off or hold to turn off or whatever.

Touchscreen controls have some issues too.  No tactile feedback and touching the screen involves obstructing the view of the game itself.  The two issues go hand in hand actually.  With dual screens you can put the visuals in the non-touch screen so that the controls don't obstruct the view but without the tactile feedback the user can't use more than one touch command by feel so they have to look down at the controls and take their view off the game.  Works okay for something like Theatrhythm where the whole touchscreen is one pad area and you can input the commands anywhere on the screen or turn based games where obstructing the view temporarily won't cost you a life.

The morale of the story is that you don't go with control schemes on the basis of how neato they are for marketing purposes (or in the case of mobile to shoehorn a game into a restrictive control scheme just to get product on the platform).  You go with what fits the game.  What will allow the player to feel in control of the game without really even thinking about it because when you're playing a great game you don't really think about the input, you just do it.

If Nintendo really likes this two screen thing for Star Fox then wouldn't the 3DS have made a shit load more sense since the screens are close enough that the player can easily have both in his field of vision at the same time?

I reached out to the cat in question, who said to "check what the boss said".

Kimishima referred to an unannounced Wii U game in the most recent shareholder Q&A that's supposed to have Mario Maker/Splatoon type appeal. That's presumably it.

Please don't encourage him.

Who? The cat?

I can't speak for everyone but I will say this about motion controls, they should have always been optional.For me, even if they were perfect I would never want to use them again. I enjoyed Wii Sports but that was it, it should have been like the Zapper, bundled at launch but always optional. But whatever all it does is pisses me off thinking about that piece of shit. It could have been so much better but whatever.

That would partially defeat the purpose of Star Fox Zero to present two different angles of the action, having the gryo assist in aiming, and having it all be 60 FPS.

Of course, the bigger question would be why would you want that instead of the tried-and-true of switchable third-person and cockpit views. I don't have an answer for that.

And that's supposed to come out this year? We haven't even heard about it. I mean, this is assuming the Wii U is going to die of atrophy before 2017, correct?

Pretty much.