So, i was thinking about what we could conclude after seeing the direct. Not about the news themselves, but what can we learn from the whole thing and the way it was presented. Nintendo policies and goals for the future.
Anyway, this is what i could pull out of my ass.
1º - Square Enix and Nintendo seem to be in a great relationship
This stood out more than anything for me. I mean, look this shit:
- Cloud is in Smash
- Final Fantasy Explorers gameplay, details and Speacial Edition
- Dragon Quest VII remake
- Dragon Quest VIII remake
- Bravely Second (EU had a trailer for it, NA did not)
They could have called it Nintendo-Square Direct if they wanted too. Truth be told, 4 (and a half if you count Cloud is in smash 3DS) of those things are for handhelds, so maybe this love comes from square loving to make/sell handheld games and not really having an option. But still, gives a lot of hope for the future and it is good to see so much support from a third party.
2º - Nintendo will push Amiibos even harder. Like, REALLY harder.
This is the second thing to get my attention, but not for good reasons. I am not really against amiibo or member of the crowd that believes nintendo should be crucified for "physical DLC". (And please, let's not discuss that here or the whole thread will go that way).
That said, at some point it got annoying when they kept interrupting the action to talk about Amiibo. Still, it is undeniable, Amiibos are here to stay and Nintendo believes in them. Good news for the Amiibo-landers apologists i guess. I believe we will keep seeing more, better and maybe (unhappily) essencial amiibos as well as more ways to use them.
- New Wolf/Midna Amiibo
- Wolf/Midna Amiibo will be bundled with TP HD
- Wolf/Midna Amiibo to interact with Zelda U
- Isabelle and Digby amiibos will be limited (This can really leverage the first week of a otherwise not so important game. I mean, in some weeks the figure will cost more than the game)
- In Mario Tennis there is a mode locked for amiibos, which will have a more stronger interaction than the usual "scan the amiibo and get something"
- Shadow Mewtwo Amiibo Card, also limited to the first production run
- Shadow Mewtwo Amiibo Card let's you use him right away (but you can unlock it in the game)
- In M&L Paper Jam Amiibos allow you to create better battle cards than the ones of the game. Not really a problem, since without multiplayer this is more of a easy mode, but maybe a little worrying.
- Gold Megaman Limited Edition Amiibo, because, why not? Doesn't really do anything special, so not really a problem, unless you are a collector.
- Next Amiibo january line-up announced: Lucas, 4 animals (sry, never played AC) and 4 Amiibo Cards
While i think Nintendo was able to walk really close to the line between acceptable and unacceptable Amiibo functions without stepping too far, i do believe they will eventually cross it.
It is hard to talk about non-released games, since you don't know if they have enough content without amiibo. But from this batch, Mario Tennis is the only one that locks something really interesting.
Unless you are collector of course. In that case you are f****d. Limited Edition will be even more common now, it seems.
Or maybe i am reading this wrong, since rares are exactly what move collections.
3º - Nintendo is really pride of Splatoon
Let's go back to the less worrisome news.
- 2 new maps for free (for a total of 8 new free maps since launch)
- 40 new pieces of new gear (for a total of over 80 since launch, plus 27 new weapons)
- An official Splatoon tournament hosted by the Nintendo Treehouse during December
- New Splatnet Website
- Commitment to more updates until at least January
Well, after seeing all those Amiibos, nothing is better than looking to Splatoon and its insane amount of free support since launch. I think it is clear that Nintendo is really happy with it and wants to strengthen the IP. It is indeed a great move, as by any standarts this was a huge success for a Wii U new IP.
4º - Nintendo is trying to keep 3DS strong until the very end
- Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow eShop
- Dragon Quest VII
- Dragon Quest VIII
- Bravely Second
- Final Fantasy Explorers
- Fire Emblem FATES
- Hyrule Warriors Legends
- Mega Man Legacy collection
- Pokemon Super mystery Dungeon
- Yokai Watch
- Paper Jam
3DS is turning 5 soon (Feb for Japan, March WW), a age where handhelds usually start to open space for their successor, and all the talk about NX having a HH module does not help.
But 3DS is going down fighting. Not saying 2016 will be its best year, but it is turning out to be pretty good.
Not only we get what (better be) a very big Fire Emblem, DQ remakes, M&L+Paper and another Bravely, but there is also Project X Zone 2, Ace Attorney 6, Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Tale Ultimate.
Besides the possibility of a Pokemon Z or a Dragon Quest XI coming to the west, since square may actually have to translate it to bring the PS4 version...
Know what, scratch what i said, Grandpa 3DS is kicking some serious ass right now.
