Nintendo: No More Balance Patches for ‘Super Smash Bros. for Wii U’

Although plenty of gamers enjoy Super Smash Bros. competitions within the comfort of their homes, the title has slowly begun to branch out into eSports. Over the past two years, for example, popular fighting game tournament EVO has included the Nintendo published and developed title in its line-up.

However, if a recent message from Nintendo holds true, then the most recent Super Smash Bros. for Wii U might not have as much eSports appeal. According to Nintendo, the most recent balance patch for the game was the last they plan to release, leaving the game’s current roster as is in terms of viability.

This isn’t just some PR message from Nintendo either, but comes straight from series director Masahiro Sakurai. As Sakurai explains, continuously balance patching Super Smash Bros. would result in an endless cycle of patches. So, rather than tweaking characters throughout the life of Super Smash Bros., Sakurai and his team have decided to draw the line here.

“If we were to do something like tweak characters’ customized special moves, then there’d be no end to it.”

Obviously, this isn’t the kiss of death for Super Smash Bros. in the eSports scene, but it will make the game less viable. Most fighting games receive regular balance patches throughout the year, in an effort to make as many characters worth using as possible. Sure, there will be favorites, but every EVO event usually features the resurgence of a new character either in Street Fighter, Injustice, or Super Smash Bros. The Ice Climbers from Brawl, for example, made an impressive showing at a recent EVO event.

That isn’t to say Super Smash Bros. is the type of franchise that sees those types of patches, but some thought Nintendo might make a more concerted effort towards giving the game eSports viability. Then again, up until a few years ago they were against EVO streaming Super Smash Bros. at all.

But while Nintendo is done with balance patches, they are by no means done with Super Smash Bros for Wii U. Rather, as Sakurai explains, the focus now turns to online play, and making that experience as smooth as possible. Good net code is another key to a great fighting game experience, arguably more than balance patches even.

Should issues with balance arise, like a single character becoming too overpowered, Nintendo is not against stepping in with a hot fix. However, those issues would need to be, in their words, “glaring.”

How do you feel about Nintendo calling it quits on Super Smash Bros. balance patches? Are there any characters that you currently consider overpowered?

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Source: Event Hubs

Follow Anthony on Twitter @ANTaormina

Nintendo: No More Balance Patches for ‘Super Smash Bros. for Wii U’

First Gameplay Footage of ‘The Legend of Zelda’ on Wii U Hits

2014 has been a whirlwind year for Nintendo fans. While sales of the company’s Wii U have still managed to miss the mark, blockbuster titles like Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. have proven that the house of Mario still knows how to make fantastic games on its hardware. While many fans have been busy digging into the contents of both aforementioned games, fans are still waiting for a brand new entry in The Legend of Zelda franchise to arrive on the platform.

Nintendo finally pulled the curtain back on its next big foray into the world of Zelda during E3 2014, but fans were treated to a simple trailer rather than actual gameplay. During the first ever The Game Awards, however, the Big N finally showed off the immense open-world that awaits Link and his fellow adventurers in the impending Wii U installment.

During the brief hands-on session, series creator Shigeru Miyamoto and franchise producer Eiji Aonuma demonstrated just how massive the world featured within the new game is. Utilizing the Wii U GamePad to showcase the map, it was quickly made apparent that fans are in for one of the biggest worlds ever featured within a Zelda title.

Given the scale of the game itself, Aonuma has added a number of new additions to keep fans engaged. Enemies, wildlife, fruit trees, mountains and more are scattered about the path that separates players from their next dungeon, and the new ability to set beacons will help casual and veteran users get to their intended destination with little interruption. Heck, even Epona is programmed to completely avoid trees – a fact that Nintendo really wanted to drive home during the brief pre-recorded trailer.

The visuals for the game itself look very promising (and familiar to those that have already played through Skyward Sword), but it’s the vastness of the in-game world that easily has the most appeal. Admittedly, the ability to launch from Epona and utilize Link’s bow and arrow in midair is also a tantalizing maneuver, but it’ll be interesting to see if Nintendo plans on limiting that attack’s use so as to avoid spamming and overuse.

Hyrule is looking large and in charge on Wii U.

There are still a great number of details that Ninty has yet to confirm about the new Legend of Zelda for Wii U, but details should be arriving in the new year. For now, however, there is still the recently announced The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D to look forward to in the first half of 2015 and apparently a new Star Fox title on the Wii U shortly after that.

How do you think the new The Legend of Zelda game is looking? Are you looking forward to vaulting off the back of Epona in a slow-mo, bow-happy fit of joy? Get at us in the comments!

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The Legend of Zelda is set to arrive on the Nintendo Wii U in 2015.

Follow Riley on Twitter @TheRileyLittle for more news on The Legend of Zelda for Wii U, as well as everything else in gaming.

First Gameplay Footage of ‘The Legend of Zelda’ on Wii U Hits

Is Nintendo Planning To Bring Old Games To Mobile?

Recently, Nintendo has been going against trend. The company, normally known for pushing technological innovation whilst being more conservative in terms of new business practices, has revealed new ventures that seem to go against its traditional strategies. Amiibo, Nintendo’s answer to Skylanders and Disney Infinity, allows players to unlock additional content in compatible Wii U and 3DS titles via collectible figurines. It’s even been revealed that non-Nintendo characters like Mega Man and Sonic will be available in the third wave of Amiibo figurines.

That’s not the only change, either. Mario Kart 8, which became the fastest-selling Wii U game of all time, had a free DLC pack that tied Nintendo’s racing franchise to the Mercedes GLA. The DLC, which made its way to North America after its initial run as a Japanese exclusive, was a surprising move from a company that likes to keep business and intellectual properties in-house. Now, there could be even more cross-company business from the gaming granddaddy.

It’s been revealed that Nintendo has filed a patent to bring Game Boy titles to mobile devices. The patent, which can be found at the US Patent Trademark Office website, was filed in June. The patent describes a software emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Colour and Game Boy Advance titles that could be used on mobile devices. That’s not all, though: the patent also suggests that the emulator could be used on a digital personal assistant, or even in a back-seat display for airline or train use.

It would be a move in line with the recommendations of analysts, and a welcome decision for gamers who would like to access the classics on smart phones without resorting to illegal emulator apps. Such a move could also open up classic Nintendo titles to a new generation of young players. Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter has previously suggested that Nintendo should “exit the hardware business” and embrace mobile technology, and has even gone as far as to say that Nintendo could “Dreamcast itself” with the Wii U.

However, this patent is not proof of any of Nintendo’s future plans. It is, in fact, an updated version of a patent that Nintendo applied back in 2012. Instead of a patent for an upcoming move from the company, it could simply be Nintendo solidifying its position on the rights to Game Boy emulation if the time comes for them to invest in other devices. A pessimistic view could be that this is even be the first steps of a clamp-down on the current trend of illegal third-party emulators.

Such a move would certainly fly in the face of other comments from Nintendo and its partners. Speaking recently, Pokémon Producer Junichi Masuda stated that mobile ports were not going to happen any time soon, and that the only reason to move to mobile would be to solve “some kind of problem.” Meanwhile, the recent sales figures of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and Super Smash Bros. for 3DS suggests there is life in handheld devices yet.

What do you think? Would a move to mobile devices be wise for Nintendo? Or do you think the smart move is to keep Nintendo properties in-house? Let us know in the comments.

Source: USTPO (1), USTPO (2)

Is Nintendo Planning To Bring Old Games To Mobile?

Cool Custom & Production Error Nintendo Amiibo Figures

The Amiibo hype is real. Nintendo’s new toys-to-life category that launched last week alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is off to a stellar start, with plenty of gamers commenting on the scarcity of certain Amiibos on NeoGaf and other online forums.

But what’s really getting some Nintendo fans talking are the Amiibos that, whether on purpose or by accident, have been modified to look a little different than what the Big N intended.

Some Amiibo fanatics have gone to great length to customize their figures in order to give them a unique look. Behold the following creations by “ChibiSilverWings”

Dark Link

Villager with Blood Stained Shovel

NeoGaf has a long thread with more pictures.

One Nintendo fan who altered his Samus to look like she was wearing the famous light suit from the Metroid franchise commented that it took him 10 hours to complete the customization. Now that’s dedication.

It’s pretty clear that Nintendo has a hit on its hands. Other NFC toys like Skylanders and Disney Infinity may have arrived to market first, but the passion that some Nintendo fans seem to have for their favorite characters suggests Amiibo could allow Nintendo to catch up fairly quickly this holiday season, provided they can keep making them fast enough.

And it’s not just fan-made customizations that are getting headlines in Amiibo-world this week either. One potentially very lucky Best Buy shopper picked up a Samus Amiibo that looks… a little different.

The buyer, Adam Truesdale, originally posted this pic to Reddit and then confirmed to Gamespot that he purchased the Samus on the right in the above pic that is outfitted with a second blaster.

Truesdale said he almost opened it up and started playing with it until a friend pointed out the problem. Truesdale told Gamespot he is keeping the Amiibo sealed for now, and that’s likely a good financial decision.

Other NFC toys like Skylanders have a history of skyrocketing in value if something unique or different is found on a model that makes a specific toy more rare than other ones on the market. Unique gold and silver colored Skylanders or ones that were only given away at trade shows like E3 have gone on eBay for thousands of dollars.

It’s not clear just how special this Samus model is just yet, but there’s an excellent chance that an Amiibo with a unique production error like this could potentially be worth a lot of money in the collector’s market.

Have you customized your Amiibo or found another odd production error at a store near you? Let us know in the comments.

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Sources: NeoGaf, Gamespot

Follow Jason Gallagher on Twitter @MuckrakerJG

Cool Custom & Production Error Nintendo Amiibo Figures

Latest Wii U Update Adds Amiibo Support

It won’t be long until gamers are pummelling famous Nintendo characters (and a handful of third-party all-stars) in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Yes, the fan-favorite fight franchise looks to be making its definitive debut on the Wii U, but along with it comes the arrival of the Big N’s toys-t0-life initiative, Amiibo.

In anticipation of the figures’ impending arrival later this November, the house of Mario has released another update for its current home hardware. This downloadable update does a couple of things, such as further add to the stability of the system itself, but the coup de grace comes in the form of support for the aforementioned Amiibo figurines.

According to the official Nintendo website, fans will now be able to do a number of different things to their new Nintendo-themed collectable once they have one in their possession. Options such as registering an owner for an Amiibo toy or even deleting information stored on it are available right under the System Settings option on the main menu.

Changes to System Settings:

Amiibo Settings has been added to System Settings. Amiibo Settings allows users to register an amiibo owner and nickname, delete data written to an amiibo by supported software, or reset an Amiibo

Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

With Nintendo ramping up to make Amiibo an integral part of its business strategy going forward, it’ll be interesting to see what other uses and types of support the highly collectable peripherals gain in the future. With titles like Mario Kart 8 and Hyrule Warriors adding support for the specialty toys, it’s obvious that Ninty intends for Amiibo to stay.

There are still many more Nintendo characters allegedly set to debut in this experimental line of playthings in the coming months (presumably rounding out the entirety of the Super Smash Bros. roster in the process), but there will undoubtedly be new lines of Amiibo making rounds in 2015 as well. With other titles like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, the next line of toys can’t be far behind.

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Amiibo will be arriving alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U on November 21, 2014.

Follow Riley on Twitter @TheRileyLittle.

Source: Nintendo (via Gematsu)

Latest Wii U Update Adds Amiibo Support

‘Super Smash Bros.’ Wii U Bundle Spotted on Amazon UK

Gamers are now closer than they’ve ever been to the Super Smash Bros. franchise making its long awaited debut on the Nintendo Wii U. Despite the series only making its first ever portable appearance on the 3DS this past October (selling incredibly well in the process), fans are awaiting what many people are assuming will be the definitive version of the beloved all-star fighting game.

Since Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is planned to be the biggest system-seller this Holiday season, it’s odd that Nintendo has yet to introduce a bundle featuring the aforementioned beat ‘em up and the hardware it’s releasing on. While consumers have been crossing their fingers in anticipation of a bundle, it looks as if one could be on the way – if a recent listing on Amazon UK holds any truth.

As spotted by GoNintendo, the online retailer claims that a ‘Smash Bundle’ will be up for grabs, but fails to provide a picture of the package anywhere on its site. Amazon UK also claims that the rumored bundle will be arriving on December 5, 2014, which was the old release date for next Super Smash Bros. title in Europe before the game’s release date was moved up by the Big N.

It’s entirely possible that this is a mistake on Amazon’s part, which is something that’s happened in the past. That said, it’s odd that the retailer has yet to take down the bundle, nor has Nintendo taken the steps to inform gamers that this listing isn’t accurate. Still, it’s odd that Ninty wouldn’t announce a bundle of this calibre during the recent Super Smash-centric 50 Fact Extravaganza that recently aired, or even the latest Nintendo Direct that unveiled The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D.

Whatever the reasoning, fans are likely to soon learn whether or not they’ll be able to pick up the fabled bundle sooner rather than later. Given the fact that the company released a special Smash-themed Nintendo 3DS, it’d be odd if Nintendo didn’t follow suit with some kind of limited edition Wii U bundle at the very least.

Are you waiting to see if Nintendo will release a Super Smash Bros. Wii U Bundle? Would a package like this entice you to get a Wii U? Get at us in the comments!

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Super Smash Bros. is currently available on the Nintendo 3DS and is scheduled to launch on the Wii U on November 21, 2014.

Follow Riley on Twitter @TheRileyLittle for more news on Super Smash Bros., as well as everything else in gaming.

Source: Amazon UK (via GoNintendo)

‘Super Smash Bros.’ Wii U Bundle Spotted on Amazon UK