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NWR's End of the Year Awards 2016

Top 3 Retro Re-releases of 2016

by Bryan Rose, Donald Theriault, and Matt West - December 27, 2016, 10:47 am EST

Classic games can still bring us much joy many years later.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the first cross-console Legend of Zelda game, Nintendo and Tantalus made the wise decision to trim Twilight Princess down slightly. By removing some of the Tears of Light, and shortening some of the tutorials, it created a leaner adventure that allowed the interaction between Midna and the transforming hero to shine. The addition of Amiibo support, and the knowledge that it would end up carrying in to the next Zelda title, Breath of the Wild, also brought new life and challenge to the sprawling adventure. Even the act of controlling Link is novel, thanks to most players experiencing the original as a launch title for the Wii with its motion controls. The end result: the definitive version of perhaps the most underrated (except by doctors) Zelda game in history. - Donald Theriault


2. NES Classic Edition

For those who grew up without a NES in their video game library, this year gave those neglected a few a second chance with the NES Classic Edition. Thirty of platform's most memorable games were brought back to life with the new retro system, complete with HDMI support and save states. It may be hard to find this holiday season, but the NES Classic Edition is a terrific reminder that at one time, we were all playing with power. - Bryan Rose


1. Pokémon Red / Blue / Yellow (3DS)

What more can be said about these games that hasn’t been said already? Nintendo, Game Freak, and the Pokémon Company kicked off the series’ 20th anniversary by finally adding the original trio of games to the 3DS Virtual Console. It was the first release in what would be a strong year for the franchise… maybe its best since these games launched in the west back in 1998! In hindsight, this really was the perfect way to get the Poké Ball rolling.

One of the most successful Virtual Console launches in recent memory, Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow were downloaded by thousands of fans across the globe upon launch. Nostalgia and love for the games that started it all were likely the biggest contributor to these sales, as per usual, but these particular Virtual Console releases were a little different than others. First of all, it was announced that players would be able to eventually send their RBY Pokémon to the Pokémon Bank application for storing. Because of the limitations of the original Game Boy hardware, this is something that had previously been impossible, and only Pokémon from the third generation onward could be brought into the current iterations of the series through transfers. While we still haven’t gotten that Pokémon Bank update, it’s coming sometime in 2017. The second thing that was made possible in these Virtual Console versions of the games is wireless trading, as the 3DS doesn’t have a link cable accessory like the Game Boy did. For collectors and competitive players, these two additions to the original games were huge.

Outside of those updates, though, lies a core game that still holds up today. This writer played through each one of these games separately, and cherished every moment of them. It was like stepping into a time capsule, and seeing the roots of a series that has grown in many ways throughout the years. While they can be a little rough around the edges sometimes, training, capturing, and collecting the original 151 Pokémon is just as fun in 2016 as it was in 1998. For these reasons, Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow stand alone as our #1 retro release of 2016.- Matt West

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Talkback

ShyGuyDecember 26, 2016

It was a light year for games, but Nintendo public relations executed well on the three big stories of the year.

KhushrenadaDecember 27, 2016

Here's hoping I win NWR's Best Poster again this year to make it a perfect 10 years in a row. Fingers crossed!

Moderators aren't eligible.

fred13December 27, 2016

The Switch reveal really got me excited

fred13December 27, 2016

Regarding Twilight Princess HD (Which I bought my son for Christmas) what does this last part mean?
"most underrated (except by doctors) Zelda game in history."
I don't understand the "except by doctors" Does Dr. Metts hate this game?


OedoDecember 27, 2016

I think he means the opposite. Jonny reviewed the Wii version of Twilight Princess for the site way back when it first came out and gave it a 10.

ShyGuyDecember 28, 2016

...Yarn Poochy?

Yes, Yarn Poochy. I want to hug it and squeeze it and love it to bits, and I'm a cat person normally.

StratosDecember 29, 2016

Quote from: Khushrenada

Here's hoping I win NWR's Best Poster again this year to make it a perfect 10 years in a row. Fingers crossed!

Quote from: Shaymin

Moderators aren't eligible.

And here shall be marked as the moment that Khush realized his downfall. The only reason he was given mod powers was so we could dethrone him as the year's Best Poaster.

KhushrenadaDecember 29, 2016

Quote from: Stratos

Quote from: Khushrenada

Here's hoping I win NWR's Best Poster again this year to make it a perfect 10 years in a row. Fingers crossed!

Quote from: Shaymin

Moderators aren't eligible.

And here shall be marked as the moment that Khush realized his downfall. The only reason he was given mod powers was so we could dethrone him as the year's Best Poaster.

Downfall? More like soon to be greatest triumph!

This is just like how MegaByte was made staff to keep him from winning Radio Trivia! Well, I think it's time to take a stand against these oppressive rules. I'm boldly willing to proclaim that I think the entitled should be even more entitled and that to everyone who has should more be given. I say, it's time to stop the oppression of moderators on this forum by the common forum user. For too long have the moderators and their contributions on these forums been dismissed and looked down upon.

Just look at all the abuse that's  been given!

And that's just towards one obscure moderator named Khushrenada who hardly even posts on these forums! There isn't enough room to post all the derision given to moderators who actually are prolific. I don't know how the users Insanolord and UncleBob even cope with the level of abuse they see.... being thrown at this Khushrenada fellow. They must be so heartbroken.

So, in the words of the famous forum patriot Bob Marley, I say it's time to get up and stand up because you've got to fight for your right to party! It's time to break down this moderator segregation and make staff eligible for prizes and awards starting with this non-existent but suddenly vitally important trophy. I have a dream! I have a dream that one day this forum will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all posters are created equal." I have a dream that all posters will one day contribute on a forum where they will not be judged by the rank of their forum privileges but by the content of their posts! So, if 2016 has been a disappointing year for you, here is your chance to make something positive out of it by breaking down the moderator barrier of ineligibility towards winning and demanding that this Khushrenada be named NWR's Best Poster 2016 for the 10th year in a row.

KhushrenadaDecember 29, 2016

On a different note, while I don't want to take on a roll of armchair editor, I am bugged about the one paragraph for the NES Classic Edition.

Quote:

For those who grew up without a NES in their video game library, this year gave those neglected a few a second chance with the NES Classic Edition. Thirty of platform's most memorable games were brought back to life with the new retro system, complete with HDMI support and save states. It may be hard to find this holiday season, but the NES Classic Edition is a terrific reminder that at one time, we were all playing with power.

I believe the proper rendering of it should be as follows:

Quote:

For those who grew up without an NES in their video game library, this year gave those neglected few a second chance with the NES Classic Edition. Thirty of the platform's most memorable games were brought back to life with the new retro system, complete with HDMI support and save states. It may be hard to find this holiday season but the NES Classic Edition is a terrific reminder that, at one time, we were all playing with power.

fred13December 29, 2016

I've almost bought Federation Force several times, but never quite pulled the trigger. I'd have to buy 2 copies because I'd want to play with my wife so the money is part of why I still haven't done it.
I think we'd enjoy it, but where it was designed for 4 player how fun is it with just 2?

SorenDecember 29, 2016

MPFF ahead of Pocket Card Jockey? C'mon...

KhushrenadaDecember 29, 2016

Well, I guess this means Star Fox Zero and Paper Mario: Color Splash are going to be the top two. No way is it Pokémon Sun/Moon or BoxBoxBoy with a chance of spoiler by Kirby: Planet Robobot or Tokyo Mirage Sessions.

fred13December 30, 2016

I don't understand the hate for Star Fox Zero. I've really enjoyed it, and I've had several people come over and want to try it and about 1 in 10 hates it.

Mop it upDecember 30, 2016

I'm a bit surprised to see Federation Force in the top 5.

SorenDecember 30, 2016

So not a single Wii U game. Not TMS or Paper Mario. But Federation Force. Ok.

yoshi1001December 30, 2016

Quote from: fred13

I don't understand the hate for Star Fox Zero. I've really enjoyed it, and I've had several people come over and want to try it and about 1 in 10 hates it.

The whole "new-ish take on a franchise is despised by fans" seems to have been a running theme for 2016. Maybe it needs to be like figure skating and we throw out the top and bottom 10-20% of Internet reaction.  ;)

ejamerDecember 31, 2016

Wow.  Would have never guessed the NWR Top 5 of 2016 in a million years. It's wildly different than what I would have picked and none of the games selected would have made my list at all, even though the number one game isn't a surprise.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions probably would have been #6. Really, as far as the staff discussion (and even the staff/Patreon nominating process) went, the only question was how would the top 5 or 6 games be ordered. Pokemon seemed to be the clear winner, and FE:F, Picross, MPFF, PCJ, and TMS were our obvious potentials after that.


I think 2016 was kind of a weird year and the variance in top Nintendo game lists of the year shows that.

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterDecember 31, 2016

The real tragedy here is the lack of Kirby: Planet Robobot, AKA the true 2016 Game of the Year.

Quote from: pokepal148

The real tragedy here is the lack of Kirby: Planet Robobot, AKA the true 2016 Game of the Year.

That was like #7 or #8.

KhushrenadaJanuary 10, 2017

Honestly, though, if one is to be objective about it, Pokémon Go was the biggest Nintendo-related news story of 2016. The Media was covering that thing on air for a couple weeks and it was conversation at work with plenty of people who are complete non-gamers. As gamers, sure, we are more excited about the Switch but no one has brought it up or talked about it at my work nor has there been any news stories covering it in the general media that I saw. You don't see the Switch reveal inspiring Song of the Year candidates like this gem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfc42Pb5RA8


In other news, while I'm slightly disappointed that I wasn't named Best Poster for the tenth time in a row, I can't disagree with your final selection since it encompasses the equality I was protesting for earlier. For those too lazy to read the article:

Quote:

NWR's Best Poster of the Year - Everyone

Rather than single one individual as has been done in the past, the recent protests by so many forum members demanding representation for their efforts and work on these forums has caused us reflect on how divisive this award can be. Moreover, one post, while appealing to one individual, may not be judged as favorably by another because we all have different viewpoints. In a year that has already been very divisive, it seemed tiring to further add to that notion so in a spirit of appreciation and community bonding, this year's Best Poster award goes to every poster who takes the time to stop by our forums and participate on them whether a little or a lot. Every post is important since you never know what may spark a sudden flurry of activity or may be the diamond in a thread of coal. Thank you all and hope to see you all at it some more in 2017. - Anonymous

That's nice. Very heartwarming.


And since I'm part of "everyone" that means I'm also the Best Poster of the Year! 10 years in a row, baby! Unprecedented domination. Khushrenada, you devious devil, you've done it again!

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJanuary 10, 2017

Quote from: Khushrenada

Honestly, though, if one is to be objective about it, Pokémon Go was the biggest Nintendo-related news story of 2016. The Media was covering that thing on air for a couple weeks and it was conversation at work with plenty of people who are complete non-gamers. As gamers, sure, we are more excited about the Switch but no one has brought it up or talked about it at my work nor has there been any news stories covering it in the general media that I saw. You don't see the Switch reveal inspiring Song of the Year candidates like this gem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfc42Pb5RA8


In other news, while I'm slightly disappointed that I wasn't named Best Poster for the tenth time in a row, I can't disagree with your final selection since it encompasses the equality I was protesting for earlier. For those too lazy to read the article:

Quote:

NWR's Best Poster of the Year - Everyone

Rather than single one individual as has been done in the past, the recent protests by so many forum members demanding representation for their efforts and work on these forums has caused us reflect on how divisive this award can be. Moreover, one post, while appealing to one individual, may not be judged as favorably by another because we all have different viewpoints. In a year that has already been very divisive, it seemed tiring to further add to that notion so in a spirit of appreciation and community bonding, this year's Best Poster award goes to every poster who takes the time to stop by our forums and participate on them whether a little or a lot. Every post is important since you never know what may spark a sudden flurry of activity or may be the diamond in a thread of coal. Thank you all and hope to see you all at it some more in 2017. - Anonymous

That's nice. Very heartwarming.


And since I'm part of "everyone" that means I'm also the Best Poster of the Year! 10 years in a row, baby! Unprecedented domination. Khushrenada, you devious devil, you've done it again!

You realize you have to share that title with every single spambot that has posted in the past year right?

KhushrenadaJanuary 10, 2017

Hey, I wanted to keep the title from becoming diluted but Shaymin was the one who invoked the "staff can't win" rule leading to this compromise. Plus, it's only the spambot posts that don't get deleted which would count and Lace Wigs is a Forum Classic Post so it's not like spambots are totally doing it wrong. I'd feel more sorry about the people whose posts are worse than the spambot posts. Not me, though, I'm too busy celebrating as Best Poster since it "still counts."

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