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Episode 244: Party of Five

by Michael Cole, James Jones, Greg Leahy, Jon Lindemann, and Jonathan Metts - May 22, 2011, 1:05 pm EDT
Total comments: 40

It's E3 preview time!

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With a couple of weeks to go before the big E3 show and the debut of Nintendo's next console, Michael "TYP" Cole joins the RFN foursome to preview gaming's biggest event. But first, New Business! Greg scores a copy of the original Bangaioh for N64, and we also check in on his very first play-through of Final Fantasy 3/6. James has a few comments on Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars, the 3DS strategy title that may not be as good as you've heard. Continuing on the Transcontintental Chrono Train Express, Lindy battles pink robots (possibly with the help of Yoshimi) and searches for the Sun Stone. TYP revisits Yoshi's Island and, with Greg's help, compares the SNES original to its GBA remake and DS sequel. Finally, Jonny shares a heartwarming anecdote of cooperating with our friend Syn4ptik in a game of portals.

With TYP on the show and soon celebrating his 10th visit to E3 (just short of Jonny's 11th), we had to take this opportunity to knock out the annual RFN E3 Preview. Greg takes over hosting to guide us through his own discussion notes, as we analyze and speculate on Nintendo's plans for the show. It's a huge moment for 3DS, which must move beyond the launch window blues and establish itself as a major platform. There may not be a great quantity of Wii games coming down the stream, but the new Zelda is sure to be a huge presence, and there may be some RPGs announced, too. Most exciting of all, we know that Project Cafe will be shown and playable at E3, and our panel of experts lays down bets on just what, and how much, will be revealed. Check back in just a couple of weeks to laugh at our ignorance and innocence!

Listener Mail will return next week, so be sure to send in your questions and comments about the show or any gaming topic -- this web form makes it easy. We'll also have the first part of RetroActive, focusing on the multiplayer side of Perfect Dark. It's available on both N64 and Xbox Live Arcade, and you can connect with other RFN fans at the official forum thread. Don't forget to leave your comments on the game there, because we'll read some of the best posts on the air!

This podcast was edited by Greg Leahy.

Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can purchase their newest album, Done with the Devil, directly from the record label, Amazon (CD) (MP3), or iTunes, or call your local record store and ask for it!

Additional music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is copyrighted to Nintendo, and is included under fair use protection.

Talkback

ShyGuyMay 22, 2011

My body is ready.

syn4aptikDave Mellert, Associate EditorMay 22, 2011

Looking forward to finishing Co-op with you, Jonny!


Regarding the developer commentary in Portal 2: I love it but it is just too sparse.  There are a couple of instances of only one or two points in a fairly large area, and there are no saves allowed in commentary mode.  So you really need to have a good chunk of time set aside for what amounts to a modest amount of commentary.  The stuff that is there is great, though.



CericMay 22, 2011

Quote from: syn4aptik

Looking forward to finishing Co-op with you, Jonny!


Regarding the developer commentary in Portal 2: I love it but it is just too sparse.  There are a couple of instances of only one or two points in a fairly large area, and there are no saves allowed in commentary mode.  So you really need to have a good chunk of time set aside for what amounts to a modest amount of commentary.  The stuff that is there is great, though.

I agree with this.  The commentary where it is is great but they should let you play through and save with it on after you beat the game once and an option to have it just go on.

AVMay 22, 2011

Heres a thought Jonny.


Kid Icarus is to 3DS


as


EARTHBOUND is to NEWii


Just imagine how excited people would be if Retro Studios is developing Earthbound on the next-gen system

ShyGuyMay 22, 2011

Because it needs to be done:

Jonny - Neve Campbell
Lindy - Matthew Fox
James - Scott Wolf
Greg - Lacey Chabret
TYP - Jennifer Love Hewit

SarailMay 23, 2011

Mmmm... Lacey. ;)

Killer_Man_JaroTom Malina, Associate Editor (Europe)May 23, 2011

May I just say that Greg is a real champion, not only for recording each show at obscene hours of the morning and editing every week, but also for sketching the notes for all the feature discussions. If I were you, I'd have mutinied by now.

I think the crew was right on the money with the 3DS predictions. With the eShop going live hours earlier, Nintendo should treat the 3DS portion of the show like Launch 2.0 - not in those explicit terms, of course, but obviously, the 3DS, despite breaking a few Day 1 sales records, isn't doing too well, and I think a large part of that can be attributed to people looking at the line-up and thinking "for $250, there's not really anything I'm excited for right now." That means that they won't waste time with graphs and charts like they did with the first E3 after the Wii's release; it needs to be all out games, games, games, in order to convince the sceptics that they want this new handheld and not the NGP, which is being shown off that same morning. And the fact that the eShop launch was seemingly pushed back so deliberately to the day before the conference indicates that it might get a little more than a fleeting mention.

As for the new console, considering that one of the few details Nintendo gave was that it would be playable at E3, it would be remiss of them to be stingy with what they show and what people can get their hands on. Otherwise, they would run the risk of underwhelming, as you discussed. So while I don't expect an enormous blow-out of information and game announcements, there has to be enough to see and play that people come away with a proper impression of the console, as opposed to coming away confused and unsure of what it's all about.

One thing I would find absolutely hilarious is if, after all the talk about the idea of a screen in the controller and all the rumours surrounding that, Nintendo show the console and the big new feature is something completely different.

TrueNerdMay 23, 2011

Duke Nukem Forever is coming out before Pikmin 3. Just think about how ridiculous that is. Let's hope Pikmin 3 comes out before StarCraft Ghost.

noname2200May 23, 2011

Thanks for the heads-up about Goldeneye's price on Amazon!

KisakiProjectMay 23, 2011

So they need to put highlights from the press conference on the E shop.  3D trailers all the way.  though I'm still gonna pimp my conspiracy theory you are gonna be able to stream the press conference on your 3DS form home just cause 2D trailers lack the pizazz of seeing it on the 3DS screen.

Retro DeckadesMay 23, 2011

Hating on Spartan: Total Warrior? That's unfortunate--I quite enjoyed that game. It can be a little repetitive, but slicing through hordes of baddies can be quite enjoyable, too. Of course, I didn't know anything about the developer behind it, or their history, so I went in without any real expectations. In fact, I think I will send in a listener mail about such a subject.

ShyGuyMay 23, 2011

Spartan Total Warrior was the best 3D brawler released for the Gamecube.

I'd go with Return of the King, by a long shot.


That, and Viewtiful Joe.

Mystic Heroes.

Wait, what was the question?

SundoulosMay 24, 2011

FF VI is my favorite of the old-school Square RPGs. 

There's one thing about Final Fantasy VI that I've never liked; the game encourages excessive grinding, especially since they tied learning new magic to a point system that is earned by defeating enemies.    This is especially true for the two Blue Mage -type characters in the game, you have hunt down a number of enemy-types to maximize their potential attacks. 

Also, I remember wishing that some sort of limit had been placed on the magic each character could learn.  If one were willing to work at it, they can basically give each character the same huge set of magic spells, including the most powerful spells among them.  I suppose that this would be breaking the game in a way, but it was still disappointing that you could choose to give the characters the same unlimited magical skill set.

ShyGuyMay 24, 2011

I would consider Viewtiful Joe 2D or or 2.5d

I had forgotten about Mystic Heroes. That's a hard game to find. I rented it once but that is the only place I ever saw it.

oohhboyHong Hang Ho, Staff AlumnusMay 24, 2011

Back on the N64, for GE and PD I always played with right hand on analogue aim and left on D-pad movement. The a/b were pretty seldom used and were only a thumb flick away. It gave me the next best thing to dual analogue before dual analogue.

In down under and across the ditch it's "350+ US for a 3DS and hmm, not much going on here". An extra game might be nice, but it doesn't fix the inherent price disparity in not-America. I can wait and they aren't getting out of those warehouses.

SundoulosMay 24, 2011

\The only reason I had to purchase the 3DS at launch was a fear that I wouldn't be able to procure one later in the year (say, around the holidays), but the launch lineup certainly wasn't strong enough to convince me to make the purchase.  A launch-window Mario Kart or Smash Brothers game would have made that difference.  I think that it's still conceivable that we could see Mario Kart sooner than later.

In a way, I think Nintendo's typical silence about coming software has hurt them in the area of 3DS sales.  Now more than ever, Nintendo needs to come out swinging with an emphasis on software because, really, even though I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Nintendo fan, I've become far more cynical about their software development and support of new systems than I was back in 2006.  To be honest, I've felt a little burned with the lack of online support, in general.  For example, I'm not even an Animal Crossing fan, but when I saw what they did (or rather, didn't do) with City Folk back in 2008, I think part of me died a little inside.

NWR_KarlKarl Castaneda, Contributing EditorMay 24, 2011

All I'm gonna say is that I leant my 3DS to a guy at work about a month ago and I have no inkling to ask for it back at the moment. I was going to get the Legends demo when the eShop launched, but now that's not looking like it's going to happen, so meh. I'll wait until Kid Icarus.

That being said, I fully expect this E3 to be awesome for 3DS.

leahsdadMay 24, 2011

I noticed quite a dislike for Steel Diver on this episode, and the last one with TYP. 


Am I the only one who loves this game?  I'm still on the last level, which is friggin hard, but still, I've been having a blast playing it.


Personally, I think Greg should really give it a try.  It seems more up his alley more than anyone else, given his affinity for side/vertical scrolling shooters.

CericMay 24, 2011

Quote from: leahsdad

I noticed quite a dislike for Steel Diver on this episode, and the last one with TYP. 


Am I the only one who loves this game?  I'm still on the last level, which is friggin hard, but still, I've been having a blast playing it.


Personally, I think Greg should really give it a try.  It seems more up his alley more than anyone else, given his affinity for side/vertical scrolling shooters.

But was it ever difficult enough that you thought about Sacrificing your First Born to get through?

I liked Steel Diver...

It's not amazing, but it's a cool game.

CericMay 24, 2011

Quote from: NWR_Neal

I liked Steel Diver...

It's not amazing, but it's a cool game.

Didn't you talk about Steel Diver in one of the Newscast Episodes?

Quote from: Ceric

Quote from: NWR_Neal

I liked Steel Diver...

It's not amazing, but it's a cool game.

Didn't you talk about Steel Diver in one of the Newscast Episodes?

No doubt! Though read my review for my more organized thoughts on it. There's something alluring about the game's setup that I like. The content feels lacking, though, and it's so slow paced.

CericMay 24, 2011

Quote from: NWR_Neal

Quote from: Ceric

Quote from: NWR_Neal

I liked Steel Diver...

It's not amazing, but it's a cool game.

Didn't you talk about Steel Diver in one of the Newscast Episodes?

No doubt! Though read my review for my more organized thoughts on it. There's something alluring about the game's setup that I like. The content feels lacking, though, and it's so slow paced.

I'm fairly sure I read it when I heard you talk about it on Newscast, which is how it normally happens.
Here's the Review if anyone is interested: http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/25949
I feel it could have used some pictures.

Chocobo_RiderMay 24, 2011

choo-choo!! Lindy cracks me up.

Another fantastic episode.  Responses...

1. The single-player campaign is the primary reason I bought GoldenEye.  I was not disappointed.

2. I really dig the Pokémon movies.  They are a great way to enjoy the mythos behind the games without having to watch 600+ episodes! ^_^

3. It is really amazing to think how far the Kart franchise has come.  It has truly become one of the series I HAVE to play.

4. I'm very glad Nintendo doesn't show things until they are close to coming out.  Even waiting this long for Kid Icarus has been rough.  Other companies tease products and then spend 2-4 years saying "we're working on it! we're working on it!" - so annoying.  Yes, I know Nintendo has exceptions like Pikmin 3 and Skyward Sword.  But still, they are just that, exceptions.

5. I feel like last year a ton of games were announced for Wii/DS and then we got them.  Why would it be so crazy for that to happen again?

6. I wanna see DQX!!

7. Nintendo has to talk to the gamers at E3.  The Today Show only needs sound bytes to relay to its audience that does not watch E3.  That only takes a few seconds of stage time to accomplish.  But gamers watch E3, you gotta make 'em happy.  Last year Nintendo understood that which is why THIS was the result.

8. Lindy - I hear ya on the shrinking market of handheld games.  My experience has been that high-quality portable gaming has become a lot MORE important in my life.  Where as, I have yet to hear someone mention the "juggernaut" of phone games and cite anything besides Angry Birds.

I know millions of people might be playing millions of different games, but I'm just not sure there is a business model there.
... I guess we'll see.

9. My hopes for the Project Cafe control method are that the new touchscreen controller will be used for "traditional" gaming much like the CCPro is.  Also, I'm really hoping the 3DS can be used as a Project Cafe controller.  It would save me the price of a second controller and help justify my future 3DS purchase!

WiimotePlus handles motion control games. Done.

10. Greg, thank you for acknowledging the foolishness of wanting Sakamoto banned from future Metroid projects.  The execution of Other M was questionable, but I'm pretty sure the "father" of the franchise should be involved with it for as long as possible.  And yea, the characterization surprised (shocked/pissed off) a lot of Americans, but I believe that, in Japan, where there were mangas that introduced Samus' backstory, the Japanese were more prepared for Other M's content... and sales reflected it.

11. The panel mentioned hopes that Nintendo would "take 3D seriously" on the 3DS.  What would that involve? Doesn't it seem like, just with motion control, when done well, it's because of quality game design, but when they focus on any one technological aspect it tends to come off as a gimmick and is ignored as such. Agree? Disagree?

happyastoriaMay 24, 2011

@ NinSage

I love reading your responses.

@ Jonny

You're so right about Metroid! I tried so hard to get into it and I simply can't; the game is not for me, but it's strange how it's always considered one of Nintendo's top 3 franchises. I guess it's like the Mother games -- the few people who play them are really, really loud about how great the games are.

Different strokes for different folks.

As I've mentioned before, probably in the Super Metroid episode, that is a series that I didn't latch onto until adulthood, even though the original Metroid was probably one of the first video games I ever saw and played. Metroid II was actually the first one I owned, and I bought that to play on my Game Boy Color around early 1999. Between Prime and Fusion, I developed a new respect for the gameplay that spurred me to go back and play Super Metroid again. By the time Zero Mission came out, it had bloomed into an obsession.

So, my recommendation for all non-lovers of Metroid is to try it again some other time. You might just discover the hook.

I never liked Metroid until a few years ago. My first experience was with Metroid II (in hindsight, a very poor choice), which I couldn't understand. I bought Fusion, which I played through a lot of, but mostly just playing right from the guide, and got stuck on a boss and gave up on it. I rented Metroid Prime and I hated it. I ended up preordering Metroid Prime 3 purely because I wanted to play with the pointer controls, and bought Super Metroid on the VC when it came out a week before MP3 because of its reputation. I immediately fell in love with it, and really enjoyed Corruption, and then got the Trilogy disc when it came out. Jonny's right: keep trying it from time to time. It just might eventually click with you and become one of your favorite series, like it did for me.

CericMay 24, 2011

Quote from: NinSage

...
10. Greg, thank you for acknowledging the foolishness of wanting Sakamoto banned from future Metroid projects.  The execution of Other M was questionable, but I'm pretty sure the "father" of the franchise should be involved with it for as long as possible.  And yea, the characterization surprised (shocked/pissed off) a lot of Americans, but I believe that, in Japan, where there were mangas that introduced Samus' backstory, the Japanese were more prepared for Other M's content... and sales reflected it.
....

I would have bought the Manga or comic for backstory.  Shame that they didn't do that here.

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

As I've mentioned before, probably in the Super Metroid episode, that is a series that I didn't latch onto until adulthood, even though the original Metroid was probably one of the first video games I ever saw and played. Metroid II was actually the first one I owned, and I bought that to play on my Game Boy Color around early 1999. Between Prime and Fusion, I developed a new respect for the gameplay that spurred me to go back and play Super Metroid again. By the time Zero Mission came out, it had bloomed into an obsession.

So, my recommendation for all non-lovers of Metroid is to try it again some other time. You might just discover the hook.

I didn't get into Metroid till Fusion.  I'm not a fan of aimless wondering.  I really enjoyed the Prime games.  Though if they didn't have the lore entries and all the character data and like I probably would have like them a lot less.

Mop it upMay 24, 2011

I'd say that if you played Metroid on NES or Metroid II on Game Boy and didn't like them, try one of the other titles. The first two games in the series have aged terribly and absolutely do not hold up compared to every other entry in the series.

I've played games about The Western Front that were faster than Steel Diver.

And I'm not talking about Cambrai, I'm talking Verdun.

Chocobo_RiderMay 24, 2011

I owned a GameBoy before I owned a NES so Metroid II was my first Metroid experience.  It is the black sheep of the series (or was before Other M!) but I loved it.  Still do.

Funny, when I was a kid it took me months and months and months to finally beat that game.  I played it again in college and it took me 2 hrs and 59 minutes.  Crazy.

@ happyastoria

Wow, thanks buddy.  Just callin' 'em as I sees 'em ^_^

@ Ceric

The manga were fan-translated into English and put online.  I can get you the link(s) if you'd like.

CericMay 24, 2011

Quote from: NinSage

I owned a GameBoy before I owned a NES so Metroid II was my first Metroid experience.  It is the black sheep of the series (or was before Other M!) but I loved it.  Still do.

Funny, when I was a kid it took me months and months and months to finally beat that game.  I played it again in college and it took me 2 hrs and 59 minutes.  Crazy.

@ happyastoria

Wow, thanks buddy.  Just callin' 'em as I sees 'em ^_^

@ Ceric

The manga were fan-translated into English and put online.  I can get you the link(s) if you'd like.

Linky Linky.  I still have my original NP's with the Metroid Comic they did.  Loved it.

Chocobo_RiderMay 25, 2011

Quote from: Ceric

Linky Linky.

Here are the ones you want ...

Samus' "official" backstory,
Vol. 1: http://metroid-database.com/manga/listing.php?vid=19
Vol. 2: http://metroid-database.com/manga/listing.php?vid=13

There are several other manga but they are unofficial.

Keep in mind, if you didn't like Samus' portrayal in Other M, you won't like this much better.  However, if you have the presence of mind to not only notice when Samus is acting like a scared wuss, but also notice when she's acting like a bad-ass bounty hunter, then you'll do just fine.

I'm 100% certain there is a torrent online that contains the entire 2-volume set in one easy to read CBR file.  But, I didn't want to get in to torrent linking on the forums for fear of divine retribution. ^_^
Should you decide to pursue the internet's seedy underbelly of torrents, keep in mind that one of the chapters is mysteriously out of order.  I believe it is the first chapter of volume 2 got stuck at the end of volume 2 due to a naming error of the CBR's inner files (CBRs work just like ZIP files... probably because they are essentially ZIP files ^_^).

Enjoy!!

jrlibrarianJeffrey Trewin, Associate EditorMay 25, 2011

Being my birthday today, I decided to relax and actually try to play through Chrono Trigger after I got home from school today. 5 hours later, I just beat the Masamune battle. I got to the Lavos final fight in my earlier playthrough, but never was strong enough to actually beat him. So yes, I have progressed farther in Chrono Trigger in one day than Jon has in possibly a year.


Also, just ordered Mega Man Zero Collection, Retro Game Challenge, and FF: 4 Heroes of Light with a birthday gift card. Looking forward to playing those when they eventually arrive. I would have also picked up 999, but the other 3 (well, 6 really) games ruled out over this one. Maybe next time if I can find it for cheap enough.

Zero Collection is very fun, FF: 4 Heroes of Light enjoys kicking you in the head (but is awesome).

Chocobo_RiderMay 27, 2011

FYI: As part of my new performance piece, "John Lindeman: To Have and To Hold Off on Playing," I finally started playing Chrono Trigger DS last night!

CericMay 27, 2011

Quote from: NinSage

FYI: As part of my new performance piece, "John Lindeman: To Have and To Hold Off" I finally started playing Chrono Trigger DS last night!

Thats how I would done that.  When are we going to see the Interpretted Dance Routine of Cat helmet Hate?

jrlibrarianJeffrey Trewin, Associate EditorMay 27, 2011

As of now, Giga Gaia went down hard today. Should get to the Mammon Machine fight tonight, if I have some free time.

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