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Issue 3

What Nintendo Learned From The 3DS 3DS Vs, iPhone News From November

The Big Five of 2011: Top Wii, DS, 3DS and Digital games of 2011

Magazine
Skyward Sword Preview
D e c e m b e r, 2 0 0 8 - I s s u e 2

Art

Big Five

Picture courtesy of brighthub.com

The Handheld Gaming War: 3DS

Opinion
Eli Courey Editor
Editors Note: Besides helping out with Pure Nintendo. Eli Courey is founder and head editor of the fully Apply news site, macdaddynews.com After being the king of handheld systems since the release of the original Game Boy in 1989, Nintendo now faces some competition with Apple's iPhone. While I'm a lifelong Nintendo fan, I'm also a rabid Apple user and editor of MacDaddyNews.com. I'd like to give my insight on the differences between gaming on the Nintendo 3DS and the iPhone, and why I think Nintendo will continue being successful in this market. No one can deny that the iPhone has become a popular platform for game developers. Many popular iPhone games sell for $5 or less, while 3DS games usually sell between $30 and $40. But there is a reason behind the higher price of the 3DS games and that's why I think there will always be a place for Nintendo in the handheld market. While iPhone games are usually fairly simple and focus toward casual gamers, the 3DS has the more in-depth type of games that true gamers enjoy. For example, you won't find anything on the iPhone that comes close to the quality of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D or Super Mario 3D Land. The iPhone user base has become very cheap when it comes to buying games, so in return, developers are creating games with simpler story lines and less content. A game that originated on the DS and then later came to the iPhone is Scribblenaughts. I enjoyed Scribblenaughts for iPhone, but the depth is nowhere close to the DS version. Now this is not always the case when it comes to games available on both systems, but I find it to be that way most of the time. One exception I can think of is GTA: Chinatown Wars, which was released for DS first and now available for iPhone. The DS and iPhone versions of this game are very similar, but the iPhone version cost $2.99 and the DS version is $19.99.

News

continued on page 7

Local

Letter from the Editor

Welcome to the third issue of Pure Nintendo magazine. I really hope everyone who reads this is enjoying it. It takes a lot of work, but I really enjoy producing something in a magazine style. For us here at Pure Nintendo, this magazine style gives us another format to provide our opinions about something we love. I know how it is to be in school, looking for projects to work on to build up your portfolio. Pure Nintendo magazine does have a fallowing. The magazine is getting to the point that I am having trouble keeping up with it. If you, or know anyone, who would like to have magazine work under their belt, we could use your help. We are looking for people in all positions, but what I really need is help with the layout. If you are interested in becoming a layout editor, feel free to email me at james@purenintendo.com. Please enjoy are special end of the year issue of Pure Nintendo magazine. Also, this will be the last issue of 2011. I would like to take some time to thank everyone for checking out Purenintendo.com and Pure Nintendo magazine. It has been a amazing 2011 and everyone here at Pure Nintendo is looking forward to providing the best Nintendo news, to our readers, in 2012.

Top Nintendo Games of 2011

With the 2011-year coming to and end we take a look back at the top Nintendo games of the year. Does some of your favorite games make the list? Head Editor James Higginbotham Top Five List. Best Wii games 5: Xenoblade This is the only game on the list that I have not played yet. Seeing I live in North America.Ben Stitzer made This game the list just by pure hype. I am not saying this game wouldnt make this list by quality, but for me not playing this game, it made the list by pure impact it had on the video game community. 4: Conduit 2 This game received a lot of negative reviews upon its release. For me I really enjoyed the fixes that the High Voltage team made from the Conduit to the Conduit 2. The story was very short but entertaining. The online modes worked well and provided fun. Isnt that what we look for in a game? 3: Lost in Shadow Besides being 3rd on the list, Lost in Shadow could win the award for most over-looked game. Lost in Shadow is an interesting concept in plat-forming games. Instead of a physical character the player plays as a shadow. Being a shadow adds interesting abilities and concept to the game. 2: Kirby Return to Dream Land - Lets be honest, most Kirby games are fun. Kirby Return to Dream Land is no acceptation with it possibly being the best multiplayer game, on the Wii, in 2011. 1: The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword: I am sure everyone saw this game coming in as number one from a mile away. The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword is not just the best Wii game of 2011 but in the running for the best Wii game period. The jury is still debating on that. Best 3DS games. 5: Nintendogs + Cats This game may come as a shock to a lot of people but Nintendogs + cats was one of the best release games for the Nintendo 3DS. Not only did it offer updated graphics, from the previous versions, but amazing 3D, and the use of the AR was a plus. If you were looking for a good game to show off the feature of the 3DS, Nintendogs was the title. 4: Dead or Alive Dimensions For me Dead or Alive Dimensions slightly defeats Street Fighter 4 for best 3DS fighter game. The controls and gameplay of Dead or Alive came across stronger and more natural on the 3DS. 3: Sonic Generations Sonic Generations could possible be the best Sonic game..well since forever! 2: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Probably one of the greatest games off all time, with re-mastered graphics and 3D addedHow can this game not make it on the list? 1: Super Mario 3D Land Much like Skyward Sword on the Wii list I am sure this title would probably be number one on most peoples list. Super Mario 3D Land may offer the best 3D experience out of the 3DS, along with a great Mario feel. continued on page 4

Pure Nintendo Magazine Staff

Owner Justin Sharp Head Editor James Higginbotham Designer Editor Benjamin Stitzer Copy Editor Eli Courey Content Manager James Higginbotham Art work Justin Sharp
Pure Nintendo Dec.. 2011 2

Editor Kevin Klein

Questions

Questions to the Staff

What Is the Wii U? Is it just an expansion for the Wii? I understand the confusion about the Wii U. I myself found myself confused during the announcment at E3 2011. The Wii U is a totally new home system from Nintendo. The system is so much more than a tablet. The Wii U offers high end HD graphics. The argument is how powerful those graphics will be. The short answer, no one really knows. Are you excited for Skyward Sword? Yes, and more yes! I really did enjoy Twilight Princess but it may be my least favorite console Zelda game. Skyward Sword looks to be everything I wanted in the last Zelda game and more. It is very interesting to me the way Skyward Sword goes a little away from the traditional Zelda path. -James Higginbotham Head Editor Its hard to narrow down one thing Im excited for in the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword because Im honestly excited about the whole game. The swordplay and combat look to have an incredible amount of depth and the new item upgrade system has me very excited. Flying is definitely one of my favorite new features in Skyward Sword as it looks to give as much freedom as sailing in Wind Waker, while also providing access to the world below via skydiving. With a brand new origin storyline, a great graphical style, and enhanced swordplay, Skyward Sword looks like it could become of my favorite Zelda games ever. -Justin Sharp Owner

Upcoming Releases
Mario Kart 7 (Dec. 4)

Send your questions to us If you ever have any questions you would like to ask the Pure Nintendo staff, being Nintendo related or us related, feel free to send them to magazine@purenintendo.com

Fortune Street (Dec. 5) Resident Evil Revelations (Feb. 7th) Crushed 3D (Feb. 21) Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nov. 20)

Artwork

Justin Sharp Design

Have Your Artwork HERE

Want to see your artrwok on in the next issue of Pure Nintendo Magazine? Send us your artwork at magazine@purenintendo.com

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3 Pure Nintendo Dec. 2011

News
Top DS Games 5: Captain America: Super Solder This game came as a great surprise to me. I first reviewed and played the Wii version, which came across as well horrible. Lets just say going into the DS version, I had little hope of enjoyment. Out of all the Captain America versions I played, the DS version made me feel like I was control Captain America. 4: Solatorobo: Red the Hunter For those of you who read my review for this game you may be surprised by this placement. A lot about this game annoyed me but at the same time I found myself really enjoying myself as well as having trouble putting it down. 3: Pokemon Black and White - With Black and White we possibly saw the biggest jump in a Pokemon game since the move from the GBA advanced to the DS. Pokemon Black and White offered a new design and battle modes that made this Pokemon game so different. 2: Professor Layton and the Specters Flute This game makes the list on behalf of Pure Nintendos owner, and his wife, who both love this game. It is normally hard to find something wrong with Professor Layton games and the last Specters Flute is no exception. 1: Okamiden I will just put this very simple. Okamiden is just a fantastic game and so much fun. Top downloadable games 5: Bit.Trip Flux (WiiWare) Bit Trip Flux is a great homage to classic arcade style games. This pong type game, with its techno dancing music, will put a smile on your face. 4: Fluidity (Wiiware) Fludity is the best use of a substance, in a game, since World of Goo. Fludity puzzles are fun and the perfect difficulty for everyone to enjoy. 3: Excitebike 3D Classic (eShop) Being the first classic game available on the eShop channel give this game a heads up on all the other 3D classic games that has been released this year. It also helps the fact it was free. 2: Super Mario Brothers (eShop/Ambassador program) To me Super Mario Brothers is the game that takes me back to my childhood. It is nice to have Mario Brothers on the Wii but it is even better to have Mario Brothers with you at all times on the 3DS. 1: The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (eShop/Ambassador Program) Not only did Nintendo offer Four Swords for download but also added extra features to help make the game feel new.

Other staff top picks

Kevin Klein Wii 1. Skyward sword 2. Rayman Origins 3. Kirbys return to dream land 4. Conduit 2 5. Kore Gang 3ds 1. Super Mario Land 3d 2. Ocarina of time 3. Star Fox 4. Pilot Wings 5. Steel Diver DS 1. Okamiden 2. Pokemon black/white 3. Kirby mass attack 4. Professor Layton and the last specter 5. Ghost trick Justin Sharp Top 5 games 1. Skyward sword 2. Super Mario 3d land 3. Zelda ocarina of time 3d 4. Pokemon black/white 5. Star fox 64 3d

Pure NIntendo Dec. 2011 4

News

Top news from the month of November

Did you miss some news from the month of November? Well here are some of the highlights from the month. Nintendo 3DS surpases the first year sales of the DS
With the help of a price drop, the 3DS surpassed the sales of the DS in its first year.

Nintendo announces three special 3DS bundles for holiday.

Nintendo announced three separate bundles for the 3DS; Pink 3DS bundled with Nintendogs + Cats, Red 3DS bundled with Super Mario 3D Land, and a special addition 3DS with Ocarina of Time.

Skyware Sword and Super Mario 3D Land sell well.

-Mario 3D Land has sold over 500,000 copies, making it the fastest selling portable Mario game. -Skyward Sword has sold over 535,000 copies, making to the fastest selling Zelda game ever. -3DS saw a 49% jump in sales the week after Mario 3D Land was released. -In the first 8 months the 3DS has surpassed the first year sales of the DS.

Nintendo 3DS Software update to be release, world wide, by December 8th

After much confusion, Nintendo had announced that the much anticipate 3DS software update will be released by December 8. The update will bring the ability to record 3D videos, new spot pass games, and much more.

Rumor: EA aggressively persuading Nintendo to make Wii U be Origin only

About half way through the month a interesting rumor started to makes its way around the internet. According to sources, EA was aggressively contacting Nintendo to persuade them to make the Wii U support Origin. This was said to be an attempt to combat Steam.

Nintendo makes first-ever appearance at L.A Auto Show

Nintendo took the 3DS and Mario Kart 7 to the L.A. Auto show. Along with the game Nintendo brought along life sized Mario Karts.

5 Pure Nintendo Dec. 2011

Opinion

What Nintendo learned from the 3DS

James Higginbotham Head Editor
Both Mr. Iwata and Reggie have gone on record to admit Nintendo made mistakes with the 3DS launch. In a recent interview, Reggie announced Nintendo was learning from those mistakes and will not repeat them with the launch of the Wii U. What might have Nintendo learned from the mistakes of the 3DS that they are applying to the Wii U? The 3DS was launched with too high of a price point. As I have stated before in recent columns, Nintendo was a little full of themselves announcing such a high price point for the 3DS. A part of that had something to do with us as journalists. We hyped up the 3DS to such a point that Nintendo was trying to ride that hype, that we created, to some extra money. The other part had to do with Nintendos success with the Wii and DS. Nintendo gained this mentality that, Hey we did it twice, why not again. Nintendo has learned, when it comes to video games, excitement does not actually mean demand. As gamers, we have become jaded in our ways. We complain each time game and system prices go up. If core gamers hesitated on the 3DS, what do you expect the causal gamer was thinking? Nintendo has learned from their mistake with the high 3DS price. I truly believe the Wii U will probably be priced around $250- $300. For a new generation system, with that controller, I believe a $50 price jump from the Wii would be reasonable to consumers. I also would not be surprised if Nintendo became very aggressive and lowered the price to $250, matching the Wiis release price. Unlike the Wii and the 3DS, Nintendo has come to the conclusion that it is OK to lose money on their systems at first, which they possibly could with the Wii U at the price point above. The third mistake Nintendo made with the 3DS was a weak software launch. Once again, Nintendo believed that the system itself could carry sales, but they were dead wrong. Like I stated earlier, gamers have become jaded. We all focus on what games are coming more than the system itself. As long as there are good, enjoyable games, we do not care much about the system. I purchased the 3DS at its launch, played it for a few weeks with the two game purchases, Nintendogs and Street Fighter, and then put it down, for the most part, until Ocarina of Time was released. I have heard multiple people voicing their opinions about the 3DS software launch and its lack of quality games. Even people on our own staff have been waiting for this time of year to purchase a 3DS with games like Mario Kart and Super Mario 3D Land. Nintendo will not repeat the weak software sales with it clear they were working personally with 3rd party the Wii U. Ubisoft showed off a great FPS game, as other companies promising to bring their titles to announced so far are Ninja Gaiden, Batman Arkham game. One thing missing from the Nintendo 3DS is just pure speculation, but during E3 round-table, Miannounced that Pikmin has been in the works for the onto the Wii U. I strongly believe Nintendo will have Pikmin or some Mario game. The third mistake Nintendo made with the 3DS was always been a rogue when it comes to development. development in house, with little input from outside for Nintendo until now. During the announcement of elusion that 3rd-parties were a big part of the 3DS. Yes, Nintendo wanted to give the developers a chance over with their games, but the help stopped there. the Wii U. At E3 2011, Nintendo made developers to get things developed for Killer Freaks from Outer Space. As well the Wii U at launch, some that have been City, and some type of Assassins Creed launch was a strong Nintendo title. This yamoto talked about Pikmin. Miyamoto Wii, but now they have plans to move it one key title at the Wii Us launch, be it lack of 3rd-party input. Nintendo has Nintendo normally keeps most of the sources. To be honest, this has worked the 3DS at E3 2010, Nintendo gave the This fact was actually a little skewed. to support the 3DS before they took it

Nintendo will not make this mistake again with the Wii U. Nintendo showed at E3 2011 that they are really looking to 3rd party developers for guidance with the Wii U. Ubisoft and Nintendo held a joint round-table to discuss the Wii U during E3. Nintendo has turned to established online 3rd parties for help with their online structure, and well with the Wii U power and the Wii-pad. The reason we have no clue about the specs of the Wii U is because Nintendo is still working on it. We have heard so many different reports about the specs, probably because there are so many different development packages out there. I do believe the Wii U core development structure is close to being completed, but the exact clock speed, RAM, etc are still being tweaked. Nintendo has sent out these development kits, earlier than normal, to see how much power the system really needs for developers to do what they want to do. Instead of releasing a system and saying, Here it is, work with it. Even with Nintendo seemingly learning from their past mistakes, there is still one mistake that Nintendo may be making. I recently took a part-time job at a retail outlet. With my background, I was thrust into the video game section. Doing what I do here at Pure Nintendo, I have come accustomed to knowing and realizing things about video games, but I forget that others may not know or understand what I have come to understand. What I have become to realize is that people do not fully understand what the 3DS is all about. Just the other day I received this question, What is the difference between the DS and the 3DS, besides the whole 3D thing? What I realized after I was asked that questions is that casual video game consumers are getting tripped up by the DS part of the name. They are concluding that the 3DS is a DS but with 3D. Yes, you can simply describe the 3DS as that, but for those of us who know better, the 3DS is so much more. Many parents, who are the high consumer of game purchases, have no clue about the 3DS, and this has to do a lot with the name. Now lets take a look at the Wii U. Even all of us at Pure Nintendo were not even 100% sure that what we were seeing during the Nintendo E3 2011 press conference was a whole new system. I have also been asked the question in my journeys in life, Is the Wii U just the tablet thingy. People see the word Wii and instantly think its just another version of the Wii like Nintendo has done with so many of their systems. DS, DS lite, DSi, DS XL, and thats just the last generation of handhelds. Nintendo is going to have to make a clear line and separate themselves from the Wii in order for consumers to truly grasp that this system is their next evolution of home entertainment. The Japanese culture is a very proud culture and I believe this will help the Wii U. Nintendo executives, Iwata, Miyamoto, etc (I dare you to name someone else) are very proud of what they do and their honor was a little shaken with the miss-step by the 3DS. Besides the fact that Nintendo lost a lot of money on the poor 3DS launch, I believe they want to re-gain their dominance and respect more. Living in Japan for a couple of years, and covering Nintendo for the past 5 years, I truly feel Nintendo wants to prove themselves and re-establish themselves as the company who everyone is trying to chase down and compete with. I am sure we will see this new aggressive and competitive Nintendo in years to come.

Top Five

The Handheld Gaming War: 3DS Continued...

There are two features of the 3DS that will always cause me to favor Nintendos system over the iPhone for gaming, buttons and dual screens. The iPhones lack of buttons is a huge limitation for games. Some of my favorite games for iPhone like World of Goo and Cut the Rope work great with a touch-only device, but many other games like racing, adventure, fighting and first-person shooters are so much easier to control with actual buttons. Its so annoying to always have to look down and make sure your thumb is still on the virtual D-pad. Plus, your thumbs are taking up a good portion of the screen, sometimes making it difficult to see where you are going. A touch-only device may be fine for casual gamers, but I think most hardcore gamers would agree that physical buttons are a must. While dual screens arent as important to me as buttons, I find it very useful for many types of games on the 3DS. While youre thumbs are taking up half the screen on your iPhone, the 3DS has one screen for the action and another one that can be used for things like a map, inventory, etc. Developers have done a great job at utilizing both screens on the 3DS, and I find it as a big advantage over the iPhone. I think Apple may cause some threat to Nintendo, but I dont feel it is as large as many would like you to believe. While Apple may grab some casual gamers from Nintendo, I dont see them stealing the hardcore gamers. But I think its important for Nintendo to try and maintain the casual gamers they have gained since the release of the DS. Nintendo did a great job at marketing the DS, DSi and DSi XL to all types of people. They didnt only focus on traditional gamers, but also reached out to others with games like Brain Age. Nintendo should do a similar marketing campaign with the 3DS, and maybe highlight the 3DS eShop, which has lots of great games at similar prices to many iPhone games. With the right marketing, I dont think Nintendo will have anything to worry about when it comes to the handheld gaming war.

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7 Pure Nintendo Dec. 2011