I see the chores as the content. That's the content I care about at least. The minimalist narrative sure isn't what's motivating me to get to the end of these titles. The puzzles all require use of an item or ability on the appropriate switch or hole to open the next door, this is true. I think this reductive…

Some people are happy for their video games to just have new content. That's the whole idea behind a "sequel". To take a design formula a person likes and fill it with new sights, sounds, story, and obstacles. I think that if you want a game that doesn't play like a traditional Zelda game... maybe look to a game…

That's what we got in Windwaker. Link had the most expressive face in the world - you could see when he's happy or stressed or determined or whatever else. That cel shaded little kid practically emoted completely off the screen.

It's probably worth noting that the two usurper games that dared to enter the top 20 Japanese sellers that weren't for Nintendo hardware? Dragon Quest and Monster Hunter? Nintendo's made moves to lock those up as exclusives and at present is enjoying having 100% of Japan's top 20 game IP for the century on their…

Real Talk: There are only two options. If you have a PS2, you want DQ VIII. This is Dragon Quest as far as it's gone in the direction of the traditional JRPG. There's never been more storytelling or more rigidly defined characters in the entire franchise. It's EXCELLENT. It adds narrative elements we would…

My favorite game was not mentioned, what the HELL man? Metroid Prime can be found for as little as $10 on Amazon if you're willing to buy it used.

Oh man, this game looks really good to me... I'm a big fan of this sub-genre and my 3DS has been lacking. I've had no 2D Metroid, and the 2D Castlevania that came along was kind of a bust. And Metroid Prime was just impossibly good. It's just that... a lot of the appeal to this genre is in exploring, right? …

Why? Because Pokemon coverage on Kotaku should be for veterans who know everything already and only veterans who know everything already? Because Pokemon coverage on Kotaku should be specifically tailored to the audience that you are a part of?

I'm not certain - I'm afraid I just bought the cart straight up and never messed with the eShop. I checked an IGN list of eShop demos and they didn't have any Mario on the list though.

Mario games are large audience games - it's a priority that they remain easy enough that non-dedicated gamers can jump in and have a good time. Hard levels still exist, but you've gotta go looking for them. Purple comet challenges in Galaxy. The harder second quest in 3D Land. Green Star Challenges in Galaxy 2. …

Yes you can

New Super Mario Bros 2 is exactly what you want. Those games are specifically designed for people who maybe don't play a ton of video games but have nostalgia about playing classic Mario. The levels are well designed and inviting, but not too punishing. The controls are exactly what they used to be. New features…

You might be misremembering. It was a headline a while back that Mr. Aonuma has never been able to complete the original Legend of Zelda. The new ones though? I guarantee he plays through every part of every single one of them many MANY times over. You know, since he's the director. By the time those games leave…

And now we see the down side to Sega locking Sonic into a Nintendo exclusive deal (however temporary). HOW did they think it was a good idea to put a Sonic Team developed Sonic game right up against Super Mario 3D World? Is there anyone on the planet who would rather play the former over the latter?

Is there any competitive fighting game that includes so many elements that need to be removed for the game to be balanced? I mean, what percentage of Melee's roster is competitively viable. 40% less? And you can only play certain stages. And you've gotta turn off items. And god forbid you play the sequel Brawl…

What you say is absolutely true. I think a lot of the folks who weren't as enamored with Prime 3 (and I'm including myself here) got bummed that Prime 3 traded away a lot of the isolation and the experience of going deeper and deeper into a planet. We gain some quality action, we lose that moment of "Oh shoot I'm…

I think Metroid Prime 3 is the exception to the rule here. The game didn't live up to the other Metroid Prime games in terms of narrative or atmosphere, but it's a WAY better shooter than either of the Gamecube games. This is a great game that was best when it was using motion - the grapple beam was probably the…

What do you call it then?

I can't think of many video games set in this part of the world OR this particular transitory time period (the darkening final days of the british empire). What am I missing? This seems pretty original to me.

There has NEVER been a Mario platformer with gameplay anything less than immaculate. They get their controls and motion and physics just perfect. Exactly how they want them to be.