Rosalina Joins Super Mario 3D World!

Rumors have been circulating the Web that Rosalina, who first debuted in Super Mario Galaxy back in 2007 for the Nintendo Wii, was an unlockable character in the upcoming Wii U title Super Mario 3D World. Rest assured, those rumors can finally be confirmed, as our beloved galactic princess is indeed, a playable character!

She has the same abilities as Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Princess Peach, such as fire and cat suits! A little Luma follows her, much like in Mario Kart Wii. She has a spin attack, which is quite similar to Mario's spin attack in the Super Mario Galaxy series.

Super Mario 3D World is scheduled for release very soon! November 22. Retail price is $59.99.

Differences in Wind Waker HD

Hello! As many gamers and Zelda fans know, the limited edition Wii U bundle set containing the digital download of Wind Waker HD (and the Hyrule Historia digital download) recently came out on the 20th! My mother preordered it for at the beginning of this month as an early birthday present, and what a magnificent present it was! The system is simply splendid and for almost $50 cheaper than the original deluxe set, this was money well spent.

The gamepad design is beautiful. It has the Triforce and Hylian language written all on the sides, similar to that of the 3DS design.

The actual Wii U console design is... well, non-existent. It's quite lacking. It's a basic black, much like the original deluxe system. I would've liked to have seen Zelda designs on this since it is a limited edition, but whatever.

As for the differences in the game, here's what I see compared to the original:

• By pressing the Select (-) button on the GamePad, you can play the game on your GamePad screen! Very convenient for someone who needs to use the T.V.
• Tingle Bottle replacing the Tingle Tuner -- you can send things to message boards
• You don't need to assign the Wind Waker baton to any key-- you just push up on the gamepad
• You also don't need to assign the Sail to any key-- just press A
• You can swipe with the touch pen on the game pad as well as use the analog stick to conduct the Wind Waker
• There is no longer that little scene that shows Link playing the song you just played. Rather, it cuts straight to whatever it is the song you played, such as if you played the Wind's Requiem, it would cut straight to choosing the wind direction, once you play the song once during gameplay.
• You can move the game pad to see through the Pictograph, use the grappling hook, boomerang, etc.
• Some dialogue has changed (ex: Forest Haven figurine guy)
• Auction house on Windfall Island-- auction to wind the Swift Sail
• Sunken treasure on Seven-Star Isle
• Automatically get Deluxe Pictograph by fulfilling Lenzo's photo requirements-- no need for firefly from Forest Haven
• You can take more pictures using the Deluxe Pictograph - 12 instead of 3
• Deluxe Pictograph will tell you whether the picture is "good" or not for showing to the Forest Haven figurine guy
• 40 Joy Pendants to Mrs. Marie awards you Treasure Chart #45, not the Hero's Charm like in the Gamecube version
• Music was redone
• New side quests
• Plant Town Flowers on Windfall Island by purchasing them from Zunari
• Forest Water is 30 minutes instead of 20 minutes (timer shown on GamePad)
• On the map, it shows Makar or Medli's face (depending on which temple you're in) so you know where they are
• When you defeat the game, you have the option of saving the new game on a different file. This way, it doesn't overlap your previous game file,
• Also, when you're done the game, you unlock the "Hero's Mode"- same concept as in Skyward Sword

The differences aren't THAT noticeable, or make the gameplay any different, but it definitely enhanced the game and fixed the "flaws" from the original game. The HD does make the game so much more attractive looking, especially in darker areas such as the Earth Temple. The graphics look a lot sharper and crisper.

If you would like to buy The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD Limited Edition Wii U Bundle Set, click here! Get it while supplies last! A review of the game will be added within the week.

EarthBound is FINALLY Released to WiiU Virtual Console!

Finally, after months of waiting--or years, for previous MOTHER 2/EarthBound fans--the time has come! I own a hard copy of the game for the SNES, but this won't stop me from purchasing a digital copy. I am very excited that EarthBound can be played legally by people all over the world. If you are interested in RPGs, I highly recommend this game. The characters, story line, music, and dialogue are all very engaging and entertaining; you won't be disappointed.

The game is up for $9.99, which is more expensive than most SNES games on the Virtual Console, but Nintendo explains that "[we] set prices in the Nintendo eShop and Virtual Console on a game-by-game basis. Different games will be offered at different prices." Evidently, the high price didn't seem to bother fans as the game currently ranks at #2 on the best seller's list. Nintendo knew how much fans wanted this game and jacked up the price accordingly.

Be sure to buy the game today!

Source: Nintendo News

GAME REVIEW- Animal Crossing: New Leaf

In case you guys didn't know, I have been obsessively playing the latest installment in the Animal Crossing series- New Leaf! I attended the Animal Crossing event June 8, 2013 that was at Nintendo World and it was pretty awesome! They had all of these cut-outs of the characters and they also had a photo booth where you could get your picture taken! You were able to purchase the game a day early. It was extremely crowded (the line to enter the store was 'til the end of the block) and you had to wait a while, but I think it was well worth it!

Anyways, let's get to the review of the game itself. It is the fourth installment and for the Nintendo 3DS. Yes, the game IS in 3D. Unfortunately, I get motion sickness easily and my eyes get strained from the 3D, so I never use it. The game's objective is still the same as the previous game, but there are some changes! For one, you're mayor of the town, which means you have say and control over what gets built! Of course, that also means you have to satisfy your neighbors in order to build anything. When you first start off the game, you get to choose the layout of your town, which is really nice because I know I was annoyed at some of the layouts in the previous game. You also get to choose the placement of your house AND what your house looks like! That is, after you pay Tom Nook $10,000 to move out of your tent.

There are some new shops located in the little market place above the train tracks. When you first start off, there's a photo booth, the museum, Nook Homes, the post office, Able Sisters, and Nooklings convenience store. However, once you start living in your town long enough and start spending some bells, more stores come in, such as a gardening store.

The exterior of my house so far!

As mayor, you have a lot of duties to attend to. You have to make sure your neighbors are satisfied with you and you have to make sure you continue to please them by engaging in either Ordinances or Public Works projects. Both require you to pay a hefty sum in which none of your neighbors will help you donate. As mayor, you should be laying down the law and forcing them to pay; if you want it, pay for it! Unfortunately, you can't do that.

One new feature is a getaway trip to an island. At the island, you can participate in little mini-games and earn medals so you can buy tropical furniture, hats, wallpapers, and carpets. You can also rent equipment so you can catch some bugs, fish, and even go deep sea diving! It's quite fun and this is where you'll be spending a good portion of your time as the bugs and aquatic creatures here can give you a lot of money.

Heading to the island! Kapp'n sings a cute little song that's different every time you go.

Deep sea diving with a wet suit!

Crab diving mini-game!

My favorite part of the game is the fortune cookies you can buy at the Nookling store. Although you can only buy one a day and they cost play coins instead of bells, they're still a lot of fun! You get a rare item based on the fortune! When I tried it the first time, my fortune was this:

This is a quote from the Happy Mask Man in Majora's Mask, my favorite Zelda game, and right away I knew what I would receive:

Tada! Majora's Mask!

There are other items too. I received the Red Pikmin headgear as well as the Varia Suit from Metroid and the Mushroom Mural, which is basically the background in the first level of Super Mario Bros.

Overall, I would have to say this game is one of the better installments of the Animal Crossing series, not that any of the previous ones were terrible. I still like the original, but this one is probably my second favorite. It was overly-hyped up but for a good reason and I think you should definitely buy it if you own a 3DS or plan on buying one! They even have a special bundle set where you can get the Animal Crossing 3DS XL with the game installed! It's a little hard to find though.

Overall Game Rating: 5/5

 

TO BE RELEASED: Sequel to A Link to the Past?

That's right, a sequel to the Super Nintendo game A Link to the Past in The Legend of Zelda franchise. I was shocked that they would make a sequel to that game, considering it was released in Japan in 1991 and in North America the following year. I can't complain though, as it is my favorite Zelda game.

It looks eerily similar to the Moldrom in the original, doesn't it? :)

The game is to be in both 3D and 2D, much like Super Paper Mario for the Nintendo Wii. Link can switch to 2D mode and almost become a hieroglyph of some sort, as evident by this GIF.

I am excited to hear more about this game. I can't wait to see more footage and pictures as well as the release date and story line! Oh, and of course the title of the game... :)

CONFIRMED: EarthBound To Be Released to Wii U Virtual Console

I cannot even begin to explain my excitement for this. I have been an avid fan of EarthBound (or better known as MOTHER 2 in Japan) for years now. While I own a hardcopy of the game itself for the Super Nintendo, I know a lot of people who can't afford to buy one themselves (and let's face it- emulators simply don't cut it). All the better to buy a Wii U! EarthBound has already been released to the Japanese Virtual Console a couple weeks ago, however it is finally confirmed that it will be released to North America as well as Europe by the end of the year. Here's to hoping Nintendo will finally realize how big of a fanbase this game has (and will make an excellent Holiday gift!).

Just because it failed once, doesn't mean it'll fail again. Besides, Nintendo will end up making a profit in the end, especially because this is a digital download and not a physical copy that will be sold in stores.