An Unchained Universe

Anyone who's ever owned a Nintendo system, starting with the DS, knows well about the horrors of Friend Codes. A 12-character string of random digits that are unique to every game you play, and have to be entered for every single one of your friends for every game. Now Nintendo's been known for being kid-friendly and (sensible) people can see we're the coming from with this system, but for most people (aka those who aren't small children) it only makes adding friends more a hassle than a delight.

The 3DS has made things marginally better at present, with a friend code unique to each system instead of each game copy. Entering in a line of digits is still troublesome but only adding it once for each friend is much better. (And it allows you to use any username you want, instead of having to add arbitrary numbers/characters to it. No more names like xXxName3248xXx!)

Well, now Nintendo's upcoming WiiU console will bring things one step further by allowing users to befriend strangers in the Miiverse who share similar tastes in games. Friend codes are still in place some way, but from the looks of things it seems that a simple button press is all that's needed to add a guy with the same taste in Japanese Rhythm Games to your Friends List. More importantly, it'll hush all those naysayers banking on Nintendo's child-centric security system, because now it's easier than ever before to add random people with phalluses in their profile picture.

The full word on the matter from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata:

Also, on Nintendo platforms up to this point, in order to become friends with people on the same system (specified people with whom you could exchange data), you were required to mutually enter numbers called “Friend Codes.” This was set in place in order to prevent negative gameplay experiences caused by a few people who might derive pleasure from anonymously harassing strangers, so that games could be played without that worry. On the Wii U, you can become friends with people who share your tastes through the Miiverse, so increasing the number of people to enjoy games with is its critical mission.

He doesn't really go into how you'd add them this way or even under what circumstances Miiverse will allow you to do so, other than that they have to "share your tastes." (Which is, in retrospect, supported by the Miis congregating around specific titles in images like the one above.) As with a lot of other unknown details about the WiiU, I expect more information as November 18th looms ever closer.

Ally Or Traitor?

Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward, the sequel to highly-acclaimed Visual Novel 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors on the DS, was released in North America this Tuesday. Anyone who's played the first should certainly look into getting the next game; for those of you haven't tried 999, I strongly urge you to give it a a go. (Unless you're adverse to reading, in which case I pity you because you're missing out!)

You can read more for my thoughts and analysis on the English animation above.
Beware of spoilers for 999 if you choose to continue.

Poll Sunday: Blades and Bows and Clubs, Oh My!

Due to real life complications I should have seen beforehand, Poll Monday will be changed to Poll Sunday.
Each poll is still open for seven days, though!

This week: Best Kid Icarus Weapon Class?

No matter how diverse a player is in playing style in Kid Icarus: Uprising, everyone has a preferred weapon type. From the ranged speedster set-up of Orbitars, to the brutal melee focus of Arms, each class has significant differences from the rest. Of the nine, which one do you value the most?

3 NDS Games That Need Sequels

The DS was a monster of a handheld. Everything, from its seven-year reign of the market, to the humongous library of titles it has, and the fact that people nowadays still confuse it with its 3D-capable successor, speaks volumes about the impact it had on gaming.

Maybe I'm just too young - and therefore older handhelds didn't leave as big a mark on my gaming career - but I wouldn't shy away from saying that the DS was the best handheld gaming device to ever grace our beloved planet. (And I pray I'm not the only one with such an opinion.) The dual-screen design, to me, was ingenious (and would supposedly pave the way to the concept of the WiiU) which, combined with touch controls, allowed for cleaner-looking games that played in a newer, more intuitive way. Not only that, but it also received the greatest third-party support of a Nintendo system since the SNES, only rivaled by this gen's 3DS and WiiU. In fact, when I picture some DS games, Ace Attorney, Trauma Centre and Final Fantasy IV spring to my mind quicker than New Super Mario Bros. or Metroid Prime Hunters!

There was just something about the DS that gave third-party developers the incentive to experiment with games in a way they haven't done on a Nintendo console in years. Some new series were big hits, like Professor Layton, Scribblenauts, and Ace Attorney as I mentioned above. Others weren't quite as successful even among the enormous DS audience, either because they were too obscure, too niche, or both. If they did poorly, they often didn't receive sequels - truly a stab in the heart to each game's cult following. Here, I'll detail some of the best original titles from the dual-screened developer's system and why they deserve another instalment.

Don't Default Yet

A generous Japanese blogger received the Collector's Pack for Bravely Default: Flying Fairy just recently and shared some photos of their treasure. (More of which you can see by reading more below.) They look gorgeous, but I can't help but be disappointed that Bravely Default still isn't confirmed for a localization - the 3DS is in serious need of RPGs in the Western market.

However, Tomoya Asano of Square Enix has urged the fans to "keep talking about it on Facebook and Twitter" and what do you know, some fans have already started localization groups on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. Maybe if we make enough of a commotion, Square Enix won't bravely default on the rest of the world.

An Outbreak In Europe

Let it be known that I envy Europe deeply for getting this bundle exclusively; ZombiU is no doubt the must-have title for the WiiU at launch. But North America will be getting Nintendoland with the Pro Bundle, which is another game I would have gotten eventually anyway.

AR Recollection

These are a couple old photos I took using the 3DS's AR Card viewer, last year when the system was still new and I didn't have many games to keep me occupied. Looking back at them now, I feel the urge to play around with it once more...

Poll Monday: Swords!

Some of you may have already noticed the newest widget on the right: a poll! Every week, the votes will be tallied and a new gaming-centric question will posted up. The results of each poll will be recorded in a tab page, "Poll History," which will be up shortly. For now, get voting!

This week: Which sword is best?

The Master Sword A legendary blade blessed by the goddesses, it has accompanied Link on many of his adventures. Though it is initially sleeping within a temple or forest, the boy in green will inevitably wield it in a final face-off against Ganon and other lords of darkness.

The Falchion A divine sword born from the fang of Naga as her final gift to humanity before her death. Marth uses its legendary dragon-slaying powers to vanquish the dark dragon Medeus.

The Monado Said to have been wielded by the Bionis itself, it is the sword prophesied to protect all life on the titan during its time of greatest need. Shulk now utilizes it and the clairvoyant power it grants in the war against the Mechon.

The GamePad Is The Future

Yes, it's that special time that comes about every five years: a new Nintendo console launch! This would encourage a universal hurrah from gamers across the globe, but after the Wii (and arguably the 3DS' abysmal start) people have grown skeptical of the gaming giant's newest ventures.

Personally, I wouldn't blame them. While I adored the Wii's motion control and believe it to be a revolution instead of a gimmick, there's no denying that most developers implemented them poorly into their games. The result was a mountain of shovelware that companies cashed in on because "ooh, motion controls are cool and make up for lack of effort."

Take Some Pointers From These Guys

Impressive! The original characters in the background add a sort of ominous feeling, juxtaposed with the four protagonists we've grown to love striking some epic poses. There's no better way to get two fanbases riled up than that. Although Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney has yet to have a localization confirmed, here's hoping one will be announced soon. (Lest the fans object to Level-5's localization policy.)