NINTENDO

Epic Mickey: The Power of Two *Epic

Mickey: Power of Illusion »Mario Tennis
Open •Kid Icarus: Uprising •Xenoblade
Chronicles •The Last Story
APRIL 2012
ell SUBSCRIBER EDITION
 OTATO OCARINA $44.95
e, octave +2), includes Songbook/Tutorial/Serenades, Lullabies, Minuets

OTH OCARINA $99.95

eetallic lustre glaze.
|, Songbook Tutorial,
J Myth with original songs

DRAGONTOOTH

SPEARHEAD OCARINA $19.95.

6 Holes with 2 thumbholes (octave --3)
Comes as a beaded necklace ‚ *
and Songbook/Tutorial

_ Plenty of other ocarina styles,

songbooks, holsters, carrying case
video tutorials and demos at
www.songbirdocarina.com

IPPING INFO
ing & Handling $6 - $8 (1 - 2 weeks for delivery)
Shipping $12 -$14 (2-5 biz days for delivery)
ка We also ship FedEx for super fast delivery

. Order via our Website

= „ or call Toll Free: .

- Easy To Play
iB - Ceramic Flute
aa - Songbook/Tutorial Incl
N ‫و‬‎ “: - Minuets, Serenades, Req
CA 90028.
POWER CONTENTS- APRIL 2012
Double ‎‫ ا‬и“
Feature 40 »
Get your paint and M "T
thinner ready! | @
Mickey and Oswald da
are back in
two wondrous
Epic Mickey
sequels—Epic
Mickey: The Power of
Two for Wii and Epic
Mickey: Power of
Illusion for Nintendo
3DS. We've got
interviews, exclusive
details, and more.

The Strongest
ink 52
Celebrate 20 years
of The Legend of
Zelda: A Link to the
Past with 20 reasons
why it might be the
best Zelda game of
them all.

Making a
Racket 58
You'll be all set to
join Mario on the
courts once you get
the Scoop оп Магіо EPIC MICKEY:
THE POWER OF TWO

Tennis Open for

Nintendo 305.

Nintendo 309:
The First-Year
Report 64
The Nintendo 3DS is
now one year old!
Get the expert
analysis of how the
system performed
over its first 12
months.

D сеен |
MARIO TENNIS ОРЕМ 58 NINTENDO 305: THE FIRST-VEAR REPORT. 64

APRIL 2012 1
 CONTENTS- APRIL 2012
D PARTM NTS |
оа
GAME INDEX
Pulse 4 2 Fast 4 Gnomz (WW)

40-in-1 Explosive Megamix (DW)

Power Up i Assassin's Creed III (Wii U)

Battleship (Wii, DS, N3DS)

Download Box Pusher (DW)

BurgerTime World Tour (WW)

Previews Devil Training (N3DS)
Battleship 39 Dillon's Rolling Western (N3DS)
Heroesof Ruin 36 Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (N3DS)
Kingdom Hearts 3D:
Dream Drop Distance 38 Epic Mickey: The Power of Two (Wii)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D 39 Etrian Odyssey IV (N3DS)
Fatal Frame: Deep Crimson Butterfly (Wii)
Power Profiles 70 Flipper 2: Flush the Goldfish (DW)
Fun! Fun! Minigolf Touch! (N3DS)
Playback 74 Go Series: Undead Storm (DW)

Reviews 77 Heroes of Ruin (N3DS)

Kid Icarus: Uprising (N3DS)

Kid Icarus: Uprising 78
Major League Baseball Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (N3DS)
2K12 83 7
М The Last Story (Wii).
Shifting World 83
Spirit Camera: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
The Cursed Memoir 82 Major League Baseball 2K12 (Wii)
Xenoblade Chronicles 84
Mario Tennis Open (N3DS)

Community Maru's Mission (VC)

Narc (NES)

Next Month Newton vs. the Horde (WW)

Pokémon Black Version 2 (DS)

Pokémon White Version 2 (DS)

Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney (N3DS)

Resident Evil: Revelations (N3DS)

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D (N3DS)
Shifting World (N3DS)
Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir (N3DS)

Strider (VC)
Super Mario Bros. (VC)
Transformers: Prime—The Game (Wii, DS, N3DS)
Unchained Blades (N3DS)
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (VC)
Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)

DS - NINTENDO DS POWER UP
DW = DSIWARE DOWNLOAD Ш
N3DS = NINTENDO 3DS PREVIEW J
NES = NINTENDO FEATURE Ш
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
PLAYBACK
SNES = SUPER NINTENDO
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM REVIEW E
УС = VIRTUAL CONSOLE
Wii = wii
KID ICARUS: UPRISING wiiu = Wiiu
WW = WiiWARE
2 NINTENDO POWER
 EIL N

LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER

JUNE 5-7, 2012

E3 is the world's most important annual gathering

for the video game industry.

REGISTER NOW at ЕЗЕХРО.СОМ

епїегїаїптепї
software
association
»

ЕЗ is a trade event and only qualified industry professionals may attend.

No one under 17 will be admitted, including infants. Visit www.E3Expo.com for registration guidelines.

© 2012 Entertainment Software Association

тшеу

WORLD EXPO
 1ST LOOK:
i, everyone! This is Dr.
Albert W. Wily, reminding
you all to contribute to
my Kickstarter fund!
KID ICARUS: Those robots ain't gonna
44 UPRISING make themselves! OK,
rdum
ninemuliplayer not really; А | Fools! As
usual, it is 1, The Hoff, and
I'll be responding to your
questions and comments
once more. There's no

Proving Em Wrong и Gameplay!

ory!
y Worlds!
special letter request this
month; we got so many
great responses to Vol.
_ Chris Slate 275's question that it's
going to take two issues
MESES MARCH 2012
to run them all.

Oh Yeah, Uh Huh,
Daisy!
Zelda FitPlus? I screamed when I saw that you
Гат a personal trainer, runner, featured Princess Daisy in the Star
and obsessive Zelda fan. The Power section of the March issue!
exercise-game craze that came As a die-hard Daisy fan since the
with the Wii technology is great GameCube, its great to see her in
and all, but I'm hoping it's just the the spotlight for once instead of
tip ofthe iceberg. Skyward Sword being snubbed behind that...lesser
and its introduction of the stamina princess. Frankly, I'd love to see
meter wasa great example of the her in the next Super Smash Bros.
fact that even Link gets tired! Think game as a playable character,
of all the miles he runs, blocks bringing her spunky tomboyish-
he pushes, and ladders he climbs ness to a series that needs more
within each game. | don't know females anyway! Ultimately,
how Nintendo will do it, but | want though, Nintendo needs to give
the full Zelda workout experience her a game all her own, revisiting
within the next 20 years, or | the exotic worlds of Sarasaland.
will be one disappointed gamer! Thank you so much for featuring
—THUNDERBIRD her; you've done a great service to
I think the most crucial part would the world! —xAviER б.
be having Navi as your trainer, if You're very welcome! Obviously,
she seems demanding now, just we love Daisy, too. But purely ina
imagine how pushy she'll be when friendly way; we wouldn't want to
she's whipping you into shape. incur Luigi's wrath, after all.

Countdown to Saddle-Sore
Oblivion In Volume 276, Josh G. asked what
you guys look like and you guys
1 can't wait until Virtue's Last left a picture with all of the staff
Reward (formerly Good People as Yoshis. But if you guys were
Die) comes out! I'm waiting until it Yoshis, Mario would constantly be
comes out to get a Nintendo 3DS, riding you guys and you wouldn't
solreally hope that the world have time to review games!
doesn't end before then! That'd —AMENBO
kind of suck. -momo You might be surprised at how
Yes. If the world were to suddenly many work hours we've lost
come to an end, missing out on thanks to Mario jumping off our
CHRIS SLATE EDITOR IN CHIEF that game would totally be the backs to safety while we fall help-
worst part, wouldn't it? lessly into pits.

4 NINTENDO POWER
 Pulse

|just want to thank you on behalf of

myself and all of the die-hard "Xeno"
game fans for the incredible cover-
age you are giving to the upcoming
Xenoblade Chronicles for the Wii.
| was absolutely ecstatic when I
first heard the news that a release
date was announced for this widely
acclaimed game! Thank you, Nintendo
Power, for your support of this game!
—ТІВМО55 “~

is the kind you get in a box, or if

it's made from scratch with real
Out of curiosity, how and when cheese, milk, and butter. Either After reading your newest issue, |
do you guys choose the game to one would fit what we've seen of have to agree with your Dodongo
be showcased as the cover story Neuse's work, but as an insight Dislikes, which talked about cheat-
of each issue? Is there a queue of
games you plan to cover? If so, you
into his personality, I'd like it if you
could make it clear which one was
ers on Maka Wuhu in Mario Kart 7.
Maka Wuhu is one of my favorite DON’T HASSLE
should definitely make sure Animal
Crossing and Darksiders II are in
meant. —LEWANUT
To find out the answer to your
Courses, but it's a shame to see
people online abusinga cheat on
such a good racetrack.
THE HOFF
You're a filthy liar! | don't
that queue! —RHINOBOT inquiry, we went straight to the
We usually do have a selection source. Here's what Alex had to —META ZEKROM think you're man enough to
of major games lined up that ay: "If you're talking about eject Chris Slate into space.
we're considering for covers, тасаго! nd cheese, thei For that matter І don't
but ultimately it's decided in the is only one worth disc ssing, and even think you have the
same way we decide everything that is Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. I noticed in your March 2012 issue technological know-how. Do
a fist fight, a dance-off, or by But as i grow older, the boxed that you removed RollerCoaster you even know the math and
y throwing projectiles at a stuff, while still nice, doesn't Tycoon 3D from the Game physics needed to actually
dartboard. quite cut the mustard, so I prefer Forecast. What happened? launch a human being into.
a nice artisanal restaurant mac —SCOTT 6. space from Earth's surface?
and cheese. Lately, the S'mac We removed RollerCoaster Tycoon 1didn't think so! Unless, of
from The Red Room in Santa Cruz, 3D because we expected that it course, you do know how and
In the December issue's Power California, has been the reigning would be in stores close to the you actually did, in which case
Profile, Alex Neuse's favorite champion, but their quality has time you got the issue. However, l invite you to prove it! Thank
food was listed as macaroni and only recently started going down- the game got delayed, so it's back you. That is all. CLozeopn
cheese. What you failed to tell us is hill, and I am now on the prowl for n the list. You can check out our The Hoff says: How dare you
whether the macaroni and cheese a new fave." ew on page 41. question the authenticity of
my claim?? lm not entirely
sure i should dignify this with
aresponse, but if you want
some proof, here you go:

In Gerudo's Fortress in The Legend of

Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, |rolled into
acrate up against the inside wall of the
fortress, and guess what was behind it? A
poster of Link from Skyward Sword! Why
would the Gerudo keep a poster advertis-
ing their escaped prisoner on the wall of
their own fort? АМО
Well, Skyward Sword takes place many
years before Ocarina of Time. Could the
Gerudo have ге! ctfor the hero from
that era? Either t at or Nabooru's crush
onLink is even worse than we thought.

APRIL 2012 5
 NINTENDO

EDITOR INCHIEF Chris State

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Steve Thomason
SENIOR EDITOR Chris Hoffman
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Justin Cheng
| got Super Mario 3D ART DIRECTOR John Seeger Gilman
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chris Imlay
Land and | was so CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Rebekah Lane
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Hollander Cooper,
Patrick Cunningham, Carolyn Gudmundson,
obsessed with it that Andrew Hayward, Casey Loe, Cody Martin,
Nathan Meunier, Randy Nelson, David
| had a dream about Oxford, Phil Theobald, David Wolinsky
COPY EDITOR Candace Cunningham
LICENSING MANAGER Frances Wall Jha
it. |was а Koopa and BUSINESS
| was walking and VICE PRESIDENT, MEDIA
Ursula Morgan, umorganf@futureus.com
VICE PRESIDENT, SALES &
Mario stepped on me. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Nate Hunt, nhunt(afutureus.com
| did not enjoy being NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF SALES.
Isaac Ugay, iugay(afutureus.com
SALES DIRECTOR, EAST COAST
that Koopa. —RUPPEE Thomas Lundell, tlundett@futureus.com
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER
INSPECTOR Brandon Wong, brandonwongfafutureus.com
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER
Stacy Gaines, sgainesfafutureus.com
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER
Jen Doerger, jdoerger(afutureus.com
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Heidi Hapin, hhapinfafutureus.com
Have you ever had a dream about
avideo game? PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Michael Hollister
PRODUCTION MANAGER Larry Briseno
My video game-inspired dream and then Sonic and Link came. woman being chased by two little SENIOR PRINT ORDER
was about Wario Land 4. | played Link, for some reason, joined the dogs in a parking garage, all as COORDINATOR Jennifer Lim
PRINT ORDER COORDINATOR Linh Chau-Ward
the role of Wario when | escaped Piranha Plant army, and Sonic Phoenix Wright watched with a
CONSUMER MARKETING
the old pyramid after defeating joined Mario. Link soon knew the smile on his face. He could have at MARKETING&SALES DEVELOPMENT
the Golden Diva. When | was a safe downside of being evil when he least chased them away by shout- DIRECTOR Rhoda Bueno
eCOMMERCE & FULFILLMENT
distance away from the crumbling was eaten by Sonic. Sonic was ing, “Objection!” CBoBBYM255 DIRECTOR Lisa Radler
CONSUMER MARKETING
pyramid, the black cat turned into then eaten by Mario. Mario was DIRECTOR Stephanie Blake
Princess Shokora, but instead of then eaten by a giant Waddle Dee Tetris. My whole life I've had NEWSSTAND DIRECTOR Bill Shewey
kissing me on the cheek, she gave who was eaten by a Piranha Plant. dreams about Tetris. FUTURE US, Inc.
me a long, passionate kiss on the I'll never forget that crazy dream. —DRAGON BREATH 4000 Shoreline Court,
Suite 400, South San
lips! Best dream I've had in years! —BAT BRAIN Francisco, CA 94080
—SCOTT H. After having played Skyward www.futureus.com
I had a dream that |was in a Sword every day for two weeks CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Rachelle Considine
lonce had a dream where Sonic scene from Casino Royale, playing straight, |dreamed I was flying VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
John Sutton
and friends came to London for poker against Geese Howard. around in the sky near Skyloft, VICE PRESIDENT, INTERNET & MOBILE
PRODUCTS Mark Kramer
the 2012 Olympic games. They After Geese muttered something except that | was just flying on my GENERAL COUNSEL Anne Ortel
came up to the rickety old house unintelligible, the guy next to own, with no Loftwing to help me. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Eric Buksa
they were gonna stay at and me whispered, “He's bluffing! He It was more like skydiving. Lots of FUTURE PLC
30 Monmouth St., Bath, Avon, BA1 2BW, England
Classic Sonic rang the doorbell already said that in Fatal Fury.” other people from Skyloft were Tel +44 1225 442244 | www.futureplc.com
and said, "I'm waaaaaitiiing." Geese must have overheard, NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN: Peter Allen
skydiving with me-l remember CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Mark Wood
Then he and Modern Sonic began because he slammed his fist Karane specifically-and every GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR: Graham Harding
arguing about how annoying that down on the table and shouted, time it looked like we were about Nintendo Power Customer Care
РО. Box 5770, Harlan, ІА 51593-1270
line was. Knuckles just wanted to “I said that in Fatal Fury Animated to hit the ground, it turned into 1-866-941-8368
For Subscription Problems Only!
get inside because it was a cold Adventures!!" —ALT another layer of clouds, with more nintendopowerlücdsfulfillment.com.
http://service.futureus-inc.com/
night. When the pretty blonde sky and clouds underneath. We REPRINTS: For
reprints, contact Reprint
Management Services, 717.399.1900 ext. 100
hostess came out they all magi- Although I've had many weird casually traded skydiving tips as Game trademarks and copyrights are property of
cally moved from the porch to video game-inspired dreams, I'd we fell, like it was totally natural theirrespective owners, TM, @, the Nintendo 05
logo and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo.
the lawn. As soon as Shadow saw have to say there's one that really to be free-falling through endless © 2012 Nintendo.
ISSN: 1041-9551
her he kinda twitched and started takes the cake. | once dreamed layers of clouds. It was awesome!
Nintendo Power magazine is published by Future
repeating, "Maria" in his dramatic that |was a morbidly obese —KIWI KENOBI US, Inc. underanofficial licensing agreement with
Nintendo of America Inc. Future US is a wholly
voice. Knuckles had to explain that independent company from Nintendo, andthe
opinions and views expressed in this publication are
Shadow was a robot and dragged solely those of the magazine's writers and do not
represent official communication by, or on behalf.
him off to fix him, all with Shadow of, Nintendo.
still saying, “Maria.” Then | woke
Up. —TATLTAILS
Official
I dreamed that there was a war
going on between Mario and
Bowser's new army of Piranha
Plants. The Piranha Plants
gobbled up all of Mario's friends

В NINTENDO POWER
 NINTENDOPOWER,
COM/POLLS.

DOES THE ES
Weenie rt
maxor
F WHICH ANTAGONIST MOST DESERVES TO BE IN A STARRING ROLE? E ОС
Team Albert Revolver
Bowser Ganondorf Rocket Dr.Wily — Fawful Wesker Ocelot М. Bison
mum Em uu Em п ш ш 10:70
an пи uH uu a a
ЕС EN uH uu u и
om an a и ш
um Li a a п
ЕЧ i Е VES: 28%
ЕН ЕС a
ЕН mu a a
ии on a a

(ЯЛЇЛИП$
Mv
ЇЙЇ
ADAM
56%
PERISHED WHO WOULD BE THE
BETTER MONARCH?
King Hippo (Punch-Out!)
IFYOU COULD REVIVE AND FIGHT WITH
PREHISTORIC CREATURES LIKE IN FOSSIL
FIGHTERS, WOULD YOU?

m Yes, King Slender (Pro Wrestling)

43% No. Sounds
Dangerous.
HOW DID YOU FIRSTPLAY THE LEGENDOF
ZELDA: ALINK TO THE PAST?

SADLY, I'VE NEVER

PLAYED IT THE SUPER MARIO RPG
CHARACTER DUE FOR
A COMEBACK:
WHAT IS THE COOLEST WEAPON
FROM THE ORIGINAL MEGA MAN?

SUPER NES
GAMEBOY ADVANCE
THUNDER BEAM | |.
Thunder Beam 12% • Fire Storm 17% « Rolling Cutter 12% + Ice Slasher smithy
VIRTUAL CONSOLE Hyper Bombs 12% Magnet Beam 5%, Super Arm

8 NINTENDO POWER
 за
SPECIAL The Ultimate Guide to

NINTENDO 409 SYSTEM

ion
SECRETS
REVEALED!

10
тор _
GAMES.
RATEDМ
ESSENTIAL
DOWNLOADS
PG. 52

UPCOMING
HITS!
P6. 64 00.38
709 9' 3904

Game trademarks and copyrights are properties of their respective owners.

Nintendo properties are trademarks of Nintendo.
€ 2012 Future US, Inc.
DOWER
UY” L
RUP
Wy NN
М
<<
MR
FOWE A UT
ЎҚ SS
MMos
=

=а cӘм

Dive Me
Liberty or
Give Me
Death
Assassin's Creed Ill
explores apair ofnew
frontiers:theAmerican
Revolution and Wii U.
THE THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD BATTLE
between the Templar and the
Assassin's Order will come to a
head later this year on the Wii U
console. Ubisoft has revealed the
first details of Assassin's Creed
Ill, and it’s sounding like the most
ambitious entry in the series yet.
You'll be transported to the
cities of Boston and New York
during the late 1700s, and explore
the Revolutionary War from the
perspective of Connor, the half-
Native American protagonist, as he
works with George Washington and
Ben Franklin to unravel conspira-
cies and plunge a hatchet into the
domes of his opponents.
But that's only two-thirds
of it. Accordingto Ubisoft, one
third of the game will leave the
Cityscapes in favor of a massive,
open countryside where Connor
can hunt animals, climb trees, and
track his fleeing Templar targets.
He'll also be able to dual-wield
weapons and assassinate enemies
onthe run, addingto the hectic
ballet of death that is Assassin's
Creed. HOLLANDER C.

10 NINTENDO POWER
 POWER UP

Back in Black (and White)

Pokemon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 are heading to the Nintendo DS.
NINTENDO HAS SHAKEN up the traditional Pokémon release schedule by Version 2 will be released this fall, both for Nintendo DS. Outside of that,
announcing a pair of numbered follow-ups for Pokémon Black Version and virtually nothing is known about the two games except that each features a new
White Version instead of a traditional third variant along the lines of 2009's variation of the Pokémon Kyurem as its cover model: Black Kyurem for Pokémon
Pokémon Platinum Version. Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Black Version 2, and White Kyurem for Pokémon White Version 2. —cASEY L.

WWA MN 0D

New Evidence Getthelatest clues about Professor

Layton vs. Ace Attorney.
EVER SINCE it was announced more than a year ago, Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney has been one of the most intriguing titles for the Nintendo 3DS
handheld—despite the fact that the game hasn't yet been confirmed for North America and that few details have been revealed. Recently, however, we
had the chance to speak to producer Hironobu Takeshita of Capcom to track down some info about this promising crossover. (And for more of Takeshita’s
insights, check out our Power Profiles interview on page 70.) —cHRIS H.

NINTENDO POWER Where did the idea we discuss every aspect and split Professor Layton parts by Level-5; How is development on
for the Professor Layton vs. Ace up responsibilities: Ace Attorney graphics are by Capcom, program- Professor Layton vs. Ace
Attorney crossover come from? parts are dealt with by Capcom, ming by Level-5; and so on. Attorney proceeding so far?
HIRONOBU TAKESHITA Capcom It's been a while since we announced
received a proposal directly from thetitle, but we are making steady
president [Akihiro] Hino of Level-5. progress and look forward to your
Both companies examined the continuing anticipation and support!
proposal and decided to go ahead
on the collaboration. Isthereany reason we haven't
heard about a North American
How does the collaboration release of Professor Layton vs.
between Capcom and Level-5 Ace Attorney? (A lot of the fans
work? over here are getting restless!)
The game is being developed by I'm afraid | can't provide any
staff members at both companies. details about that at this time,
Our corporate cultures and but we are very grateful for the
attitudes are quite different, so support of all our fans.

APRIL голе И
 “Last” Hurrah
spellcasters to back up the game's
sword-swinging hero. The dun-
geons and overworld areas of The
Last Story aretightly designed—like
levels of a linear action вате--апа
full of clever enemy placements
and battlefield gimmicks that
offer multiple ways for players to
Xseed is bringing Hironobu Sakaguchi's
The Last Story to Wii in North America, proceed. The battle system is so
robust that it can even support a
2012 IS PROVING to bea great Europe, and the North American Nintendo DS. But Sakaguchi was variety of online missions in which
year for Wii RPG fans. Monolith version is expected to use the same stung by criticism that he was still players can use the characters and
Soft’s Xenoblade Chronicles is set well-received localization. relying on last-gen game design, equipment they've earned in the
for release on April 6, and when The Last Story is the newest and he vowed to create something single-player game.
players set down their controllers brainchild of Hironobu Sakaguchi, more progressive with his Wii debut. The RPG elements can be
after that lengthy adventure, who designed, directed, and/or The result is an RPG that borrows found in the vast hub town of
another RPG epic will be waiting produced all of the early games heavily from third-person action Lazulis Island, which is filled with
in the wings. In the February in the Final Fantasy series. After games, offering a battle system secrets and side quests, and
22 Nintendo Direct broadcast, leaving Square, he established a with real-time elements that in the conventional systems of
Nintendo of America’s president, small studio named Mistwalker, include stealth, use of cover, the gaining levels, equipping gear, and
Reggie Fils-Aime, announced that which designed two RPGs for the abilityto fire acrossbow in first- upgrading weapons. The game
The Last Story would be coming to Xbox 360, as well as Away: Shuffle person mode, and a party full of also features a large cast of likable
North America this summer, cour- Dungeon, the never-localized support characters who serve in
tesy of third-party publisher Xseed. ASH: Archaic Sealed Heat, and the hero's mercenary troop, and
The game has already launched in both Blue Dragon games for the their frequent battle chatter and
individual subplots provide a strong
sense of party camraderie.
The Wii console hasn't previously
been home to a great RPG library,
but Nintendo and Xseed are
certainly making up for
lost time now. Check
back next month, when
we'll take a deeper
look at Sakaguchi's
surprising answerto
the question of how
best to evolve the very
genre he helped create.
—CASEY L.

A WINNER IS...
New StreetPass
Mii Plaza puzzles.

12 NINTENDO POWER
 POWER UP

Prime Tim
Activision rolls aut Transformers: Prime—The Game on Wii,
Nintendo 305, and Nintendo DS this fall.
YES, IT MAY be aimed toward a younger audience, but
CG-animated television show Transformers: Prime is nonethe-
less an entertaining program for longtime fans of the robots
in disguise. (You know, people like us.) Each week you get
to see Optimus Prime and the Autobots square off against
Megatron and the Decepticons. Now you can actually take
part in this conflict in Activision's Transformers: Prime-The
Game for all three current Nintendo systems.
We know that Now Production (NowPro) is handling
the development duties on the Wii and N3DS versions
while Altron tackles the DS edition. Both game-makers
are familiar with working on licensed properties: NowPro
made Bakugan Battle Brawlers for Wii, and Altron has
developed several SpongeBob SquarePants and Phineas
and Ferb games for the DS.
Although we don't have any other details at this moment,
you can expect to learn more about Transformers: Prime—
The Game in the coming months. —JUSTIN C.

Nicktoons take on baseball's be

— Z7 ТОР NICKTOONS

чо».о

NINTENDO

ер Š ew ballparks and ате modes includi

2DAond 30.me.
30 mode for ages 7+. See bad howdown, Frosty Inc uding.
Teeze Toss and more.

NINTENDS SDs

ET PLAT recs xd stiri A igh ese. 2 Ploy, e 24 Ply o ond lr rci Svr rl бо andor пм odes Teen rr Ie © 201 Viro tmo c Al Rene ае No d
im; Danny Phantom, Nickelodeon Invader Zim, TUEFPuppy, SpongeBob SquarePants. Planet Sheen, Ren & Stimpy, Nickelodeon Avator: The Lost Airbender, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius, and oll related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International, Inc SpongeBob
‘CreatedbySlephen Hillenborg. TU.FFPuppy and Danny Phantom created by Buch Hartman. Major League Baseball trademarks ond copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc Visit MLBcom. COMLBPA -Official Licensee, Mojor League Baseball Players,
Visit Не Players Choice on the web at uncNLBPloyers com. All other marksand trademarks are the property of their respective owners,
POWER UP

Mega Man: Year Two

Find out what's in store for the Blue Bomber as the Mega Мапсотис book enters its second year of publication.
There's never a dull moment when you're one of video gaming's most recognizable icons. In
we expect Mega Man to be
the first year of Archie Comics's monthly Mega Man series, the titular blue hero has survived
involved with over the next 12
the action-packed events of the first two Mega Man NES games, saved his "sister" Roll from
months?
the clutches of evil Robot Masters, proved his creator's innocence, and thwarted Dr. Wily's
We've got a lot of things cooking
ambitions no fewer than three times. Best of all, the adventure has been told through excel-
behind the scenes, and we're
lent writing, dynamic art, and plots that are true to the source material—overall, it's been a
going to start approaching the
fantastic adaptation of Capcom's fan-favorite franchise. So what's next for Mega Man and
continuity in a way that's going to
company? To find out, we checked in with series scribe (and also the writer of Archie's Sonic
surprise some die-hard fans, but
the Hedgehog comic) lan Flynn. —cunis н.
will ultimately make for a stronger
NINTENDO POWER What sort narrative in the long run. We're
of lessons did you learn about the goingto get a new villainous force
Mega Man property during the to give us a break from Dr. Wily, and
first year of the comic? we'll start singin' the Blues. Overall,
| knew it was a huge you can expect a Super Mega Man
franchise, but I didn't realize how Adventure.
huge! I had a lot of fun mapping
out the stories and their intended Have you and your editors
(and potential) interconnectivity considered going outside the
through the main series, the Game four-issue-arc format—say,
Boy series, and the numerous expanding an arc to eight issues
offshoots, both classic and obscure. when need be? It seems like you
have to cram in a lot when you've
What was your favorite part of got eight Robot Masters and a Dr.
that first year of storytelling? Wily battle to fit into four issues.
Getting to introduce Rock's It's something we're definitely
transformation into Mega Man. The aware of and considering. The four-
story of one little boy taking on all issue format allows us to produce
the problems in the world is such a the trade paperbacks at a quick and
moving piece of fiction. AII this time affordable rate, and we want as
it was packaged in eight bits. Who many people to be able to enjoy this
knew (aside from the Mega Man Series as possible. But like you said,
fans, of course)? four issues and eight Robot Masters
(plus a Wily castle) makes for some
How will things be changing as we quick pacing. We'll be messing
enter the comic's second year? around with that formula in “Year
We're going to be switching up Two." It's still a very new series, and
the way we approach the stories so it's open to experimentation.
somewhat. We'll be exploring the
world of Mega Man a little bit more What sort of challenges are you
and giving some focus to other encountering due to adapting
characters from the series. games that follow a rather
specific formula, and how are
So far there's been а fairly strong you overcoming them?
emphasis on Mega Man being In the first year it wasn't too
conflicted about his powers. Is terribly hard. The entire year fits
that going to continue or will under one theme, with certain
we see him coming to grips with dangers appearing and evolving
himself? into the final confrontation of Mega
It's something he'll grow into. He'll Man #12. The first arc was a simple
never truly be at peace with having enough origin story, the second a
to destroy his own kind, but as time bit of a world-building breather,
passes he'll come to understand and then the third arc was Dr. Wily's
who he is and what he has to do to reprisal. It does feel a little same-y
protect the greater good. at points, but that's helped by the
cohesive theme. From here, the
What sort of adventures should scope of the games gets larger and
 Man's world.
Personally, | like the adaptations
CAPCOM
alittle more. World-building and
ISSUE 15
addingtoMega Man's mythos
is fun, but I like the challenge of
"making sense" of the games.
Snake Man's stage is going to be
one such challenge.

Should we expect more original

characters and storylines going
forward?
Some, yes, but | don't want to go
overboard. The new characters
will be bringing elements to the
series that are currently lacking.
Who can challenge him besides Dr.
Wily? Where are the humans he's
sworn to protect? Why is there only
one female Robot Master? Stuff
like that.

Speaking of original characters,

is Gil Stern's design and color
[Above] The cover to Mega Man #12, which
scheme inspired by Bob Copper
concludes the adaptation of Mega Man 2, was
from Mega Man Star Force?
inspired by NES-era box art. [Right] Mega Man
Ben Bates—brilliant artist that he
teams up with Pharaoh Man in issue #15.
is—did the designs for Gil off of a
basic concept | wrote up. You'd
have to ask him what he was think-
ing. (Personally, | hope you're right,
because that would be awesome.)

given how light and What made you choose Pharaoh Proto Man's been teased for a
loose it is at this point, Man as one of that arc’s central while, and based on the cover to
I think most fans will characters? issue #15 we assume he'll finally
allow us the “artistic As part of an effort to build up show up soon. What can you tell
license” to give them the world around Mega Man, | us about his debut? And will he
a different—but want to show Dr. Light actively be Proto Man or Break Man?
loyal—retelling of the collaborating and working with his | can't wait for us to get to Proto
game stories. contemporaries. We'll be seeing Dr. Man. The story of how he goes
Cossack in the arc, and who better from Blues to Proto Man to Break
What's the reason to accompany him than the coolest Man is fantastic, and we want to do
for going into an of his creations? it properly. | can't spoil anything
original arc before beyond that!
jumping into the What is the difference to you
next game, and what between adapting a game story So, as hardcore Mega Man fans,
will fans get out of and doing an original story? Do we have to ask: what was the
thestory? you prefer one over the other? deal with Mega Man using the
We want to flesh out With the games, the main questions Leaf Shield to defeat Bubble Man
Mega Man's world | have when approaching it are in issue #9? In the game it harm-
a little bit. Where "How does this make sense in a lessly bounces off of him!
we get more freedom to play with are all the humans the robots are non-video game world?" and *How The running gag | picked up on
that formula. supposed to serve and protect? Is is this going to be told as a story?" when doing research for the series
everyone comfortable with these as opposed to a FAQ with pictures. was Bubble Man was laaaaame.
If you continue to tackle Mega humanlike, emotive machines? How do we spin “Ог. Wily is back What could be a worse way to go
Man’s adventures in the order Does Dr. Light hold a monopoly again with more robots" in an than your nonweakness?
they were released, Mega Man: on advanced robot designs? When interesting, organic way?
Dr. Wily’s Revenge shouldn’t be does Dr. Wily find the time to build With original stories, the main Do you have any plans to show
too far off. What are your plans his robot army?! By breaking things question is “How does this add to flashbacks of Dr. Wily and Dr.
for an adaptation of that game? up with original content, we can the mythos?" People want their Light working together in their
I've got a different approach in explore all these questions without Mega Man, and I want them to younger days?
mind for the Game Boy games and falling into the trap of “Меда Man bejust as entertained with the I'd really like to do that at some
how they might tie in with Wily Wars fights eight robots and Dr. Wily" new material as they are with the point. Hopefully Capcom will be
and the Stardroids. It’s not going ad nauseam. That works great for adapted material. A lot of thought OK with it. They've given us a ton
to mesh 100 percent perfectly with the games, but not so much fora (and anxiety!) goes into making of creative freedom, but at the
the established game timeline, but monthly comic book. sure the new elements fit into Mega end of the day we have to respect

APRIL 2012 15
 POWER UP

^ TheStory So Far
If you haven't been following the first year of
Mega Man’s comic-book adventures, fret not.
Archie has conveniently compiled t he initial 12
issues into three handy volumes for your read-
ing pleasure. Mega Man Vol. 1: Let the Games
Begins (containing issues # -4) and Mega Man
Vol. 2: Time Keeps Slipping (containing issues
355-8) are available now, and Mega Man Vol. 3:
The Return of Dr. Wily (contai ning iss ues 49-12)
will be available at he end of August.
WILY’

Г
Ф PP,LP
how they want their properties in whatever direction you've we should be on the lookout for? given to the Robot Masters. Can
portrayed. So we'll see! wanted? Oh, sure, but hunting them down is you give an example?
As | said, they've been very open half the fun. | won't spoil it for you. When writing the finale to the third
What's it been like working with with how we approach the Mega arc, | played some of the Wily Castle
Capcom overall? Have you had Man mythos. They're really giving Do you have a personal favorite 2 tracks. It really helped in giving a
the freedom to take the story me a lot of room creatively. In Robot Master? sense of oppressive urgency while
return, I've been tryingtohonor Guts Man. I never get tired of Guts still being upbeat and driving the
that by staying true to the Man. action.
franchise. It's been working out
really well so far. You've said that you've some- Arethere any characters you're
times used level theme music especially looking forward to
Are there any upcoming cameos to inspire the personality that's including?
Proto Man, as | mentioned. I really
want to sink my creative claws into
Quint and explore his potential.
And of course there's Bass, because
I'm a sucker for "evil counterpart."
You might say writing that type of
character is my forte.

Please tell us about your plans

1 $ for Mega Man's Soccer!
T ©)
== 4 ZAG
^
Yes, I've got an idea on how I want
to approach Mega Man's Soccer. I
[Above] Design sketches of an all- a 10 don't know when we'll get to it, but
new character. [Below and right] it'll happen.
и w (o. key л 95
Uncolored pages from issue #13.
Р, Finally, we know that there have
been lots of requests, so are you
ci ready to commit to a Mega Man X
comic yet?
5 If folks want to see it happen, they
УУ, H)
V need to write in to Archie Comics
and Capcom and tell them how
much they want it. Show your sup-
port, and who knows what might
happen?

Bonus Question: Which Mega

Man X boss name is worse:
Duff McWhalen or Metal Shark
Player?
Duff McWhalen is brilliant and I
shall hear nothing to the contrary.
(Granted, Tidal Makkoeen is cooler.)
Metal Shark Player...his design is
kinda nifty at least, right?

16 NINTENDO POWER
“ITS DANGEROUS ТО GO
ALONE! TAKE THIS.” . OLD MAN, THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, 1987

© 1987 Nintendo.
р тһе дала af zeda and aa
i lo Роми
SUBSCRIBE TODAY: www.nintendopower.com/speak trademarks of Nintendo.
 Direct from Kyoto
Japan’s latest Nintendo Direct broadcast was packed Etrian Odyssey IV, the follow-up to
Atlus's trilogy of hardcore Nintendo
with big news for Japanese DS, N3DS, and Wii owners. DS dungeon-crawlers. But this
installment needn't be
WHILE THERE were plenty of quite so challenging as its
announcements in Nintendo of predecessors; it includes
America's late-February Nintendo a casual mode that
Direct broadcast, the program tones down the series's
couldn't come close to matching the legendary difficulty.
length and breadth of the nearly Other features include
hour-long version prepared for 3D-modeled enemies
Nintendo's Japanese audience. anda new version of the
For the Nintendo DS, company sea-exploration minigame
president Satoru Iwata gave a closer from Etrian Odyssey
look at Pokémon * Nobunaga's Ill, this time featuring а
Ambition, the outlandish crossover hot-air balloon.
that adds Pokémon to Тесто Koei's Iwata also teased a
long-running series of simulation new N3DS collaboration
games. The Nobunaga's Ambition between Capcom, Sega,
franchise is based on Japan's and Namco Bandai; no
16th-century wars of unification, but details of the game were
since this entry is straying just a wee revealed, but there was
bit from actual history, it’s instead a cryptic promise that
set in the Japanlike fantasy world you'll never be able to
of Rance, which feuding warlords guess what it is—so why
scheme to conquer. The strategy bother trying?
elements have been simplified a Iwata wasn't so vague
bit for casual audiences, and the when it came to discussing
combat now takes place on an anew N3DS entry in the
isometric battlefield where teams company's famous Brain
of Pokémon are commanded by Age: Train Your Brain in
historical samurai warlords. It’s Minutes a Day! series.
just off-the-wall enough to sound The new title will focus
completely awesome. new two-player mode. on concentration and memory,
For Wii, Iwata finally lifted the There was plenty of news aspects that apparently require
veil on an untitled Fatal Frame for Nintendo 3DS owners, as amuch tougher training regimen
game that was promised over a year well, including closer looks at than those in the previous Brain Age
ago-Fatal Frame: Deep Crimson Nintendo's Fire Emblem: Awakening, games. Accordingly, series host Dr.
Butterfly, a remake of 2003's Fatal Marvelous's Rune Factory IV, Kawashima was shown with devil
Frame: Crimson Butterfly for the and Square Enix's Dragon Quest horns, and the game is code-named
PlayStation2 and Xbox. The Wii Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D. "Devil Training." The official title
version of the cult-hit horror title has Butthere were also several new will be announced in advance of the
upgraded graphics and features a title announcements, including game's summer release. —cASEY L.

PHOENIX ON FILM
If you're a Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney fan, then you've
probably already heard about the live-action interpreta-
tion of the popular Nintendo DS series that recently hit
movie theaters across Japan. Those of us on the other side
of the Pacific will have a chance to see the film when it
comes to North America this summer. Based on the events
of the first Ace Attorney game, the movie stars Hiroki
Narimiya as Phoenix Wright, Takumi Saitoh as his rival
Miles Edgeworth, and Mirei Kiritani as Phoenix's client/
assistant Maya Fey. The subtitled film will be screened
exclusively at the Anime, Manga, and Music (AM2) conven-
tion held June 15-17 in Anaheim, California. —cHRISH.

|| answers | 310) #:3UOIOHVH 3146) 9:39V03AV

126 е4513
18 NINTENDO POWER
What
we were writing about way back when

аü
ја!
z
ш
E
mV 303 Tangram,
PUE
2

en years ago the

Dragon Ball Z phenom-
enon was out of control.
Just about every other
ettertoNintendo Power
was from a rabid, wild- ‘Gre:
eyed fan who was willing Jus
0 do anything to get
his hands on a new DBZ
game. Infogrames satis-
ied those demands with
In April 2007 Nintendo
he release of Dragon
Power provided an
Ball Z: The Legacy of
exclusive first look Hulkamania was run-
Goku, an action-RPG
at the Wii version of ning wild on the cover of
or Game Boy Advance.
Super Paper Mario. the April 1992 issue of
But the spiky-haired
Originally conceived as Nintendo Power, broth-
ighter wasn't the only
a GameCube game, this er, when Hulk Hogan,
one making a splash;
unique platforming/RPG the Undertaker, and
he world's most famous
hybrid enabled players other wrestling super-
secret agent made his
to switch the perspec- stars exploded onto
GameCube debut with
tive from 2D to 3D at the the Super NES in WWF
James Bond 007 in
press of a button. Mario Super WrestleMania.
Agent Under Fire.
was not the cover star, Most of the other games
however; that honor featured in the issue
went to the supercute were pretty forget-
characters of MySims, table (aside from Super
marking the debut of
the popular Sims series
Smash TV), but a spread
on the ill-fated Super AVAILABLE АТ
on Wii. Pokémon Pearl NES CD-ROM add-on
and Pokémon Diamond was rather illuminating.
Versions were featured, Considering all the talk
as well. of "full-motion video"
AND OTHER FINE STORES
inthe article, maybe
it's for the best that the
peripheral was axed.
 STAR
POWER

20 NINTENDO POWER
 "|might be small, butl'm
a g00-getter! |can play
_ With the big blobs!”

APRIL 2012
 Producer Masachika Kawata:
5 Revealed ase thoughts on Resident Evil:
Revelations and the triumpha |.
5 dfe as impr ambitious as would be about how the BSAA got of these past enemies would have
which ull the bells, started. This meant the time setting worked within the framework of the
console was already determined for us, Revelations story. Ultimately, since
as during the development of RES we had [famed anime screenwriter]
we'd already laid out the details and Dai Saito penning the story for us, we
decided that the BSAA was founded didn’t want to impose a lot of story
—STEVE T. between the events of RE4 and RES. and setting restrictions that might
Since the BSAA was first introduced water down his style. Using a new vil-
be a key part of the story due to
in RES, users don’t know as much lain was the best way to let him write
it being set at the time the BSAA
about it as other organizations in with the freedom he needed.
[Bioterrorism Security Assessment
the series, so it was very appealing
Alliance] was founded. They're part
to go into more detail about it with An abandoned cruise ship proves
ofthe "original 11," a name given to
Revelations. a highly effective setting for
members present from the founding
creating a sense of unease in the
of the organization. Unlike Chris, Jill
What made you go with Il Veltro player. Where did that idea come
had not been used as a main charac-
as the game’s villain rather from?
ter in recent Resident Evil titles, so it
than Umbrella, Tricell, or some When you need to set your game in a
seemed good to focus on her. Using
other previously established dark, damp, enclosed space with no
Jill also dovetailed with our intention
antagonist? way out, there aren't really a great
to bring the series back to its horror
At this point in the timeline, Umbrella many options. The ship setting also
roots, as | think female characters
is already gone, and if Tricell were allowed us to have free-movement
For the first are particularly well suited to
behind it all there would be inconsis- swimming sections that show off the
time in the series, Revelations horror titles. Audiences (both male
tencies with the RES story, so neither 3D really well.
hasan episodic structure and female) seem to project more
reminiscent of a television series. vulnerability onto female characters
What was the impetus for that? than male characters in horror
MASACHIKA КАМАТА | think situations, as seen in any number of
it was Resident Evil 5 producer Jun horror movies.
Takeuchi who came up with the idea
when we discussed before develop- Did you always intend to set the
ment started what we could do to game between Resident Evil 4
make Revelations unique. and Resident Evil 5 or did the
team explore other possibilities
There are four playable characters inthetimeline? And ultimately,
in the game, but players spend the why did you choose to set
most time with Jill. Was there any Revelations between those two
particular reason you wanted to installments?
make her the main star? The first thing we decided about
Chris and Jill were always going to the story for Revelations was that it

22 senno ромен
 reaction when you first heard
about that accessory, and how
deep into Revelations's develop-
ment were you at the time? And
do most members of the develop-
ment team prefer to play with or
without it?
My first impression of the accessory
was that it expands the possibilities
is why we didn't include co-op and ofthe Nintendo 305. | also thought
instead developed the game as a that by providing something larger to
single-player experience. grip, it might be popular in the West.
We fine-tuned Revelations so
Jill's sections are reminiscent of that it could be enjoyed without the
the franchise's survival-horror Circle Pad Pro, but we also supported
roots, while the other sections the accessory in order to appeal to
Speaking of which, Revelations and release. Some might say that tend to be more action-heavy, à la a broader user base, in particular
has some of the best stereoscopic having partner lessens the tension Resident Evil 5. What do you think players who enjoy a lot of first-person
3D we've seen on the Nintendo because it’s not as frightening as that mix brings to the game, and shooters. A lot of our staff members
3DS. What's the secret to being alone, but we wanted partner was it something you pursued use the Pro, but those who are used
implementing effective 3D on the sections to provide a baseline so intentionally from the beginning? to classic Resident Evil controls
handheld? that you really would be frightened One of the concepts for the game was tend to play without it. I think this is
Revelations uses the 3D as more when you get split up and have to to make it like a serialized TV drama. also true of a lot of Japanese fans,
of an into-the-screen effect rather go it alone. Then when you find This led us to create an ensemble 50 perhaps that's just a difference
than having things popping out your partner again, you relax and piece of the kind that hadn't been between Japan and the West.
all the time. This gives players a the tension is eased, so if we hit you seen in the RE series, so the game
visceral sense of being trapped in with a surprise enemy attack the has a variety of characters who are What's your favorite stage to play
an enclosed space. A lot of the fear tension goes through the roof again. each in a different kind of situation. in Raid mode and why?
in Resident Evil games comes from Hence you get separated as the Some sections, such as Keith and The Ghost Ship, because it lets you
exploring an environment where story progresses, and if the game Quint's, may seem out of place in a explore the Queen Zenobia in its
you don’t know what lurks around were two-player then we wouldn’t horror game at first glance. But going entirety. You get to feel like you're
the next corner, so our goal was to be able to control when you were back to the theme of tension and Chris or Jill, wandering around the
make players feel that the corner alone and when you weren't. This release | mentioned earlier, switching abandoned ship.
was really there, looming in front to Keith and Quint provides a release
of them and almost daring them to sothatthe tension is heightened Do you have any expert tips for our
come closer. when you return to playing as Jill. readers regarding Raid mode?
We also took great care to vary Action-heavy sections also provide You can reload in an instant by using
creature color and lighting in order release from the tension of having agrenade explosion to cancel the
to enhance the 3D effect, like when very little ammo and barely making lengthy reload animation. First, drop
white Oozes come lurching out of the it through fights with enemies. | a grenade at your feet, and then start
darkness toward you. think having this balance between reloading before it explodes. When
elements makes the game more the grenade explodes, the reload
We really like what the Genesis satisfying for the player. animation will stop and you'll grab
Bio-Scanner brings to the game. your weapon in both hands, but the
How did that idea come about? This is the first time we've seen a reloading will have been performed
Genesis was originally going to brand-new, full-fledged Resident anyway. You can use this trick in the
be limited to the beginning ofthe Evil title for a handheld. How did main game as well, but it's more use-
game, but we decided to expand the development experience differ ful in Raid mode, where you can buy
its use to the whole game. As from making an RE console game? grenades at the shop. The same thing
a survival-horror title,ammo Hardware differences are a fact of goes for dodging while reloading.
and herbs are hard to come by game development, and |don’t just Also, this is a little microtrick,
in Revelations. Having access to mean between home consoles and but the bullets in your gun are
Genesis throughout the game keeps handhelds. While we wanted to take replenished between stages. So once
the game from becoming too dif- full advantage ofthe great features you've killed all the enemies in a
ficult, and|think scanning
for items of the Nintendo 3DS, we didn't treat stage, don't bother reloading, as your
adds somethingto the gameplay Revelations as "just" a handheld current clip will be full anyway when
and the horror atmosphere. game, or use the fact that it was on a the next stage starts. This can help
handheld platform as a justification you save a little bit of ammo at the
An Al partner accompanies the for allowing it to be lower quality end of every stage.
player throughout almost the than any other RE game. I think the
entire game. Why not include a high praise we've received from Have you given any thought to
two-player co-op option for the users and the press shows that we creating DLC for Revelations? If
main story mode? succeeded in this. we can make a request, we'd love
In the course of designing tosee Barry Burton in Raid mode.
Revelations, we asked ourselves In the US, Revelations is the first I'm aware of how popular Barry is in
what horror really is. We came to the game to take advantage of the the US, so he's definitely a possibility
conclusion that it'sallabout tension Circle Pad Pro. What was your if we do create any DLC for the game.

Арип. 2012 23
“It’s a console quality game
on a handheld device, and it
offers a ton of replay value."
— Destructoid
 $can these cards with your
Kid Icarus: Uprising game and
watch them come alive!
Collect and battle with hundreds
of other AR Idol cards.
For details visit
hidicarus.nintendo.com

Comic Mischief
Fantasy Violence
Mild Suggestive Themes
 |
|
1X | КАШ
\ ЛТ
i | M
The Mega Man X D-Arts action figures ofX (full-armor version) and Zero аге | A E^
designed for hardcore Mega Man fanatics. Made by Bandai and distributed by | a
| i
Blue Fin in North America, these figures are extremely articulated and include
multiple hands and faceplates. Each figure costs approximately $40.

Sonic's 20th anniversary may be over, but

you can continueto celebrate with these
action figures based on Sonic’s nemesis, Dr.
Robotnik (aka Dr. Eggman). Choose from clas-
| sic Dr. Eggman (with two Eggrobos) or modern
| Dr. Eggman (with two Egg Fighters).

T A | Qa vin
ЛЕ bh.
Молам 1 тт
A Ja VALL TUI Ub
1 Ws d
You'll always know where your keys are thanks to the Super Mario Galaxy 2 keychain collection from Banpresto and
Global Holdings. Choose from Mario, Boo Mushroom, Bee Luigi, Bee Mushroom, and Bee Mario.

26 NINTENDO POWER
 POWER UP

NINTENDO 305
GAME FORECAST—
Naruto Shippuden Tomy TBA
Action*

READERS’
he Amazing Activision 6/12 Aliens: Colonial Sega BA
Spider-Man Ninja Gaiden* Tecmo Koei TBA Marines
Angler's Club: 03 2012 Assassin's Creedlll Ubisoft ТВА

MOST
aper Mario* Nintendo TBA
timate Bass atman: Arkham City Warner ۸
Fishing3 Planet Crashers Ignition М?
ros.

WANTED
Animal Crossing* ^ Nintendo ТВА rofessorLaytonand Level} ТВА
the Mask of Miracle” arksiders HO A
attleshi Activision 5/12 Killer Freaks from Ubisoft A
uzzler World 30S Ubisoft ТВА
uter Space Vote for your favorites at
BloodRayne: Majesco ТВА
aving Rabbids 5* Ubisoft ТВА
The Shroud EGO City Stories Nintendo - TBA www.nintendopower.com/polls
oulder DashXL3D Giant A hythmThief&1he Sega 5/2
Metro: Last Light HO ۸
mperor's Treasure NINTENDO 30S
A BoyandHis Blob Majesco ; TBA Ninja Gaiden Ill: ecmoKoei TBA
ollerCoaster Atari 5/12 azor's Edge
arnival Games Wild Take-Two A үсооп30
West30 ikmin* Nintendo ۸
Shin Megami Atlus TBA
Chevy Camaro: Storm City ТВА ensei: Persona* Super Smash Bros.” Nintendo TBA
Wild Ride i
Sudoku Premier Majesco ТВА
Chocobo Racing 30* Square Enix ТВА dition КИ Paper Mario”
Onira* Konami ۸ Super Robot* Namco TBA E Luigi's Mansion?
Bandai
Tash-Gity GP Rocket TBA
Super Smash Bros.* Nintendo ТИ
E Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream
de Blob 2 THO BA Drop Distance
ragon Ball* Namco ۸ ransformers; Activision FALL12
Prime—The Game [ГЇ Animal Crossing”
Bandai
ragon Quest* Square Enix TBA
Virtue's Last Reward —Aksys 2012 El Final Fantasy*
VS-robo Rocket TBA
nasty Warriors* Тесто Koei TBA
WonderWorld Majesco ТВА
isney Epic Mickey: Disney ALL12 Amusement Park
owerof Illusion
‘trian Odyssey" Atlus ۸ Wii

Final Fantasy* Square Enix TBA The Amazing Activision

Spider-Man
Fractured Soul: Ignition SUM12
attleship Activision 5/12 КЕ The last Story
вер Voi ekken* Namco TBA
isney Epic Mickey: Disney FALL 12 Bandai E Skylanders: Giants
undam* Namco BA The Power ofTwo
Bandai Tom Clancy's Ubisoft TBA E LEGO Batman 2: DC Super
eroesofRuin Square Enix SPR12
Karaoke Joysound ^ Konami 2012 host Recon Online Heroes
he Last Story Xseed SUM 12 [ГЇ The Amazing Spider-Man
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Square Enix 2012
ream Drop Distance EGO Batman2: Warner — SUM 12 he Amazing Activision 6/12
C Super Heroes Bros,
[ГЇ Menin Black
Spider-Man
EGO Batman 2: Warner — SUMI?
C Super Heroes Bros. Menin Black Activision 5/12 Battleship Activision 5/12
E60 City Stories Nintendo 2012 Skylanders: Giants Activision FALL 12 EGO Batman 2: Warner — SUMI?
Transformers: Activision FALL12 C Super Heroes Bros.
ion's Pride: Majesco ۸
Adventures Prime—The Game Men in Black Activision 5/12
in theSerengeti Young Justice: Legacy Little Orbit 2013 Pokémon Black Nintendo FALL12
ovelyLisa 30 Tomy A Version 2
uigi's Mansion2 Nintendo 2012 Pokémon White Nintendo FALL12 КИ Batman: Arkham City
Version 2
Mahjong 30: Warriors Giant A E Ninja Gaiden lll
of theEmperor Sesame Street: Warner TBA Razor's Edge
Elmo's Musical Bros.
Mario Tennis Open Nintendo 5/12 Monsterpiece E Tekken’
Martha Stewart Majesco ۸ Transformers: Activision FALL12 E Darksidersll
Prime—The Game
Men in Black Activision 5/12 E LEGO CityStories
Young Justice: Legacy Little Orbit 2013
Monsjer4x4308 Ubisoft ۸

RED TEXT = GAMES ADDED THIS MONTH. * TENTATIVE TITLE NOTE: RELEASE DATES OFTEN CHANGE. ALL NINTENDO 305 SCREENSHOTS HAVE BEEN CAPTURED IN 2D MODE.

дени 2012 07
nau WIIJAD
TONNINM

теChains AreOff!
Unchained Blades is slated t
 DOWNLOAD

те Statue ају
b

МЭМ

FOR FANS OF Japanese ВРС5,

Unchained Blades seems to have it
all. Not only does it boast all of the
staples of the role-playing genre
(including anime-style character
designs, turn-based battles,
expansive dungeons, and deep
customization options), but the
game is a collaboration of epic
proportions, featuring talents that
have been involved with series such
as Final Fantasy, Lunar, Xenoblade earn when you level up) to unlock stat
Chronicles, and more. For atime it boosts and new abilities.
looked like this dungeon-crawling But that's barely scratching
adventuré for the Nintendo 3DS on the planet—just so Fang him. Of course, doing so the game's surface. In addition to
system might not make it to North can kick his butt and take won't be easy, and Fang teaming up with those playable
America (it was released as a retail the title for himself. Offended quickly learns that—like characters—known as Masters—you'll
product last summer in Japan, by his arrogance and the fact that he it or not-he's gonna need amass followers to aid you. After
where it went by the name of doesn't want to have a wish granted some assistance. Before long you've weakened an enemy in battle,
UnchainBlades ReXX), but luckily (which is why most creatures seek you'll meet up with other characters you'll be able to *unchain" it with
who also desire to visit the goddess,
\
Xseed Games has plans to release * an audience with the goddess),
the title in downloadable form Clunea strips Fang of his strength, including Tiana (a phoenix princess
through the Nintendo eShop. transforms him into his preadult who yearns to put her old life behind
Set in a fantasy world populated humanlike form, and hurls him to the her), Hector (an adult golem prince
by monsters and creatures of legend, planet's surface far below. who's afraid of getting married),
Unchained Blades begins with you Despite being a pompous jerk—and Lapis (a white mage from the medusa
in control of Fang, emperor of the make no mistake, he is one—Fang just clan), Mari (a young Mandrake girl),
dragons and the self-proclaimed might be as tough as he says he is, at Niko (a ditzy girl from the Spirit
most powerful being in the world. least from a mental standpoint. Once Fox clan), and Lucious and Sylvie
Fang, accompanied by a handful of he comes to grips with his situation, (siblings from the Reaper clan who
underlings, enters the holy Temple he decides that he's goingto find specialize in swordplay and black
of the Skies, barges in on the away back to Clunea, force her to magic, respectively). Each character
mysterious and omnipotent Goddess grant his wish of having his dragon has particular strengths and powers,
Clunea, and demands that she tell form restored, and then defeat her in and you'll be able to customize them
him the name ofthe strongest person battle as retribution for messing with by spending Skill Points (which you

you
them

Арип. 201229
 DOWNLOAD

Unchained Blades's greatest claim to fame might be the number of

famous creators who are contributing to the project. Here's who
some of them are and why you should care.
Pako (character designer for Toshiyuki Kubooka (char-
Fang): Pako is known for his acter designer for Niko):
work on Sega's long-running Kubooka’s work can be seen in
Shining game series. the Lunar RPGs, as well as hit
Japanese game series
Suu Minazuki (character
Id@lmaster and the classic
designer for Lapis): He's
anime Giant Robo.
the writer and illustrator of
the fantasy/comedy manga Kazushi Hagiwara (char-
Heaven's Lost Property. acter designer for Clunea):
Hagiwara is the creator of the
Eichi Shimizu & Tomohiro
long-running fantasy manga
Shimoguchi (character
Bastard!!
designers for Lucious): This
duo is responsible for the Nobuo Uematsu (main
manga Linebarrels of Iron. theme composer): This is the
guy who composed the bulk of
Kumichi Yoshizuki (char-
the musicfor the Final Fantasy
acter designer for Sylvie):
series. 'Nuff said!
Yoshizuki is the artist for the
manga Someday's Dreamers, Tsutomu Narita (composer):
which has also been adapted One of Narita's most recent
into an anime. works is the soundtrack to Wii
RPG Xenoblade Chronicles.
Shinichiro Otsuka (charac-
ter designer for Hector): Takashi Hino (scenario
Fans of the Summon Night writer): Hino was previously a
RPG series should be familiar writer for Game Arts's classic
with Otsuka's designs. Lunar and Grandia games.

Sunaho Tobe (character Toshio Akashi (event pem were

er e
designer for Mari): Tobe designer): Like Hino, he
previously worked on Atlus’s helped write Lunar and
PSP title Hexyz Force. Grandia. <а

2 З,
A
- ; living structures known as Titans.
These labyrinthine, multilevel,
ГРЗ i » first-person-view dungeons (which
A make effective use of the handheld
well-timed button presses as circles be ready to rapidly mash buttons lackey in a good mood. Happy follow- system's stereoscopic 3D) quickly
overlap one another, after which the when a follower engages an enemy ers are more effective followers! ramp up in difficulty and are packed
foe-turned-follower will join your one-on-one, and to quickly press Considering the challenges you'll with adversity to overcome—such as
entourage and can be assigned to the correct button when one of your be facing, you'll need all the help one-way passages, and floor traps
any Master. Followers help in many Master characters jumps in with a you can get. To receive an audience that inflict damage on your party
ways; when you attack or use a skill in special attack. But having followers with Clunea, you must enter and when you step on them. The random
battle, there's a random chance that is a give-and-take relationship; if reach the cores of gargantuan enemy encounters, naturally, get
your followers will unleash attacks you want them to fight for you, you'll
oftheir own, and when enemies need to give them some attention in
strike, your followers may leap out to return. After battles or upon entering
absorb the damage or deflect the hit. town, a follower may ask you a
There are also special skills that you question and you'll have to answer
can use only when you've enlisted with the “most charismatic” response
followers that possess certain (from a list of four) to keep your
elemental affinities.
Furthermore, there are special
army-versus-army clashes—known
as Judgment Battles—in which your
fate is in your followers’ hands. In Oh. you po r thing! Quick,
these fast-paced rhythm-game- hide over ۴
there!
inspired fights you'll primarily need
to press various directions on the
Control Pad as arrows scroll across
the screen, but you'll also have to

30 NINTENDO POWER
 DOWNLOAD

[Left] The Titans are absolutely

huge. This isjust the
first one!

beneficial effects on every member

of your party.
When you're not fighting for
survival in the depths of a Titan,
you'll have the chance to kick back
and relax in town. Here you'll be
able to rest and recuperate at the
inn, buy goods (including weapons,
armor, and supplies) at the store,
and craft dozens of types of items
in the synthesis shop using sundries
you've acquired while exploring the
dungeons. Additionally, you'll be able
to take on side quests at the local
tavern, thus earning rewards for
accomplishing tasks such as slaying
tougher the deeper you proceed into even three screens. in fear). When things get especially a certain type of enemy, excavating
each Titan; as is typical for this type Fortunately, you have a few tricks rough you'll want to call upon your a specific kind of ore, or gaining a
of RPG, you'll have to take advantage up your sleeve, as well. Large enemy Burst Skills. Fueled by a meter that particular number of followers.
of your foes' weaknesses if you don't groups are typically controlled by a increases as you give and receive As you can tell, Unchained Blades
want to suffer a humiliating defeat. powerful leader; defeating him will damage, Burst Skills are powerful provides a lot to see and do, and the
Making matters even more challeng- cause a Union Break, which inflicts character-specific techniques that. adventure is absolutely massive.
ing is the fact that you occasionally status ailments on other enemies typically inflict massive punishment The game features more than seven
have to face so many enemies that in the vicinity (causing them to on every foe in sight or bestow chapters, each of which should
they'll surround you, spanning two or freeze, for example, or to recoil contain 10 to 15 hours of gameplay.
Considering the game's roots asa
retail product, it’s no stretch to call
it the most involving, ambitious
eShop title yet. The only downside is
that you might have to wait a while
to play it; the release date is still
undetermined. —curis н.
 S ODOOOOQ

=
TN Tc ИТ.

sü0ü
Eu

Greed Is Good
titles. Wario's goal is—of course—to
swipe as much treasure as possible
from a band of pirates. Pilfered
coins can be hoarded, thrown at
enemies, or spent on bonus games
in an attempt to earn even more
cash. To aid him in his fight against
his scurvy foes, Wario can find
helmets that grant him the ability
to smash through blocks, breathe
IT TAKES A pretty strong personal- of that game's sequel. With its fire, and fly. Even when not wearing
ity to steal the spotlight from impending release on the Nintendo ahelmet, Wario can charge into
Mario, but that's exactly what hap- 3DS Virtual Console, we're looking enemies, pick them up, and toss
pened when Wario hijacked Mario's forward to reliving the first time them around. There are multiple
series of portable games right players could control that lovable endings that depend on how much
out from under him. Introduced scoundrel, Wario. treasure you collect, and you can
as the main villain in Super Mario Although it's a platform game, bet we'll tryto see them all when
Land 2, the gassy, garlic-munching the mechanics are quite a bit differ- Wario Land arrives in the near
king of greed became the star ent from the previous Mario Land future. —PHIL T.

GOOD NEWS, TV junkies: you can

now stream a variety of shows and
movies to your Wii console via the
Hulu Plus service. As with Netflix,
getting access to Hulu Plus's wide
array of programming isn't free—
it'll cost you $7.99 a month (and you
must have a broadband Internet
connection). Fortunately, new
subscribers can get a one-week Wii Menu
free trial by visiting www.hulu.com/
plus/wii.—4usTIN c.

32 NINTENDO POWER
 DOWNLOAD

nats DOWNLOAD

а (09

а Zelda-inspired feeling when opened.

Dillon's Rolling Western has a few
minor shortcomings-there's no way to
tell how long you have until sundown,
for instance, and the side quests/
characters tend to repeat with dif-
ferent dressings—but it's still a great
it's as tough as they come and doesn't Nintendo eShop offering. Hopefully
DILLON'S ROLLING WESTERN hold your hand. Ifyou forgo the we'll see more from Dillon and Russin
manual, you'll pretty much have to the future. —pavip о.
PUBLISHER: NINTENDO GENRE: ACTION-STRATEGY PRICE: $9.99 " ы
figure out everything for yourself.
Ittakes a thick skin in order to make it spent in each, and those days are divid- Plus, there are lots of decisions to
on the frontier. Fortunately, few skins ed into multiple parts. When the sun make regarding limited resources: will
come thicker than Dillon's, Nintendo's is out you'll establish gun towers and you use your money to fortify the city
newest hero and the star of Dillon’s watchtowers, perform side quests, and gates, or invest in guns for your tower?
Rolling Western. make other preparations. When the You have only so much timeto decide,
As the strong, silent armadillo, sun sets, the Grocks come out and it’s and you can't have itall. But when you
you're joined by a chatty squirrel side- up to you to deal with those that your succeed, it's very satisfying.
kick named Russ as you make your way towers can't by using Dillon's unique Complementing the strategic action
from town to town, helping the locals style of rolling-and-punching combat. isa Wild West setting—a relative rar-
protect their herds of Scruffle Hogs The primarily touch-screen controls ity in video games. The plains of the
from the carnivorous stone monsters are especially effective in battle, where frontier are a pleasure to roll through
known as Grocks. Doing so involves not swiping in different directions sends thanks in no small part to the fitting
only setting up protection for the town Dillon rolling through one enemy after music, and the environments keep you
in tower-defense style, but also getting the next. It’s fast, frenetic, and fun. on your toes with rogue Grocks and
hands-on with the approaching enemy. On the surface, Dillon's Rolling mines that change locations each day.
The game spans 10 towns, with Western might look like child’s play, There are also ruins scattered about,
hree days of progressive difficulty but this is no game for greenhorns; filled with treasure chests that elicit

é
md.

A 0200 ce
Recommended

APRIL 2012 33
 EVALUATION STATION

ee

MARU’S MISSION
E GAME BOY
10.00 yards 1991
JALECO/HAMSTER

FUN! FUN! MINIGOLF TOUCH!

E: ACTION
$2.99

SHIN'EN MULTIMEDIA SPORTS $4.99 ere are few games with

n odder structure than
PESI
Its enthusiastic title might seem a little odd, but Fun! Fun!
Minigolf Touch! is really just that: a portable minigolf game that's
re
ш
is. The bizarre power-ups
overpowered, certain
SUPER MARIO BROS.
pretty darn fun. You can use either touch-screen controls or the NES OF ELE 1985 PUB NINTENDO
ollected weapons can't be PLATFORMER PRICE: $4.99
Circle Pad and A Button to make your strokes; personally |found
sed until the end of the
sa
it most comfortable to aim with the Circle Pad and then swing
‘age, you can occasionally No matter how old it gets or how many times
with the stylus. The title's charming appearance and simple
=4alkonthe ceiling, and CUNT it's rereleased, you can't say no to an all-time
gameplay initially lure you in, and each cup’s diverse mix of
olding down the jump button great like Super Mario Bros. This is the game
minigolf courses keep you addicted. There’s also a slew of content
lows you to float offscreen that introduced players to warp pipes and
to unlock with the coins you earn from tournaments, including
nd over any obstacles. Super Mushrooms and ushered in a new era
additional competitions, trick-shot challenges, and a setting for
actor in some weird glitches, of gaming. Ifyou didn’t already receive this
8-bit sound effects. I'd say that the game is a hole-in-one, but |do
nd you're left with a game title for free as part of the Ambassador Program, then it should
wish that there was an option to replay specific holes rather than
= at's more curious than
gos
nsv jump to the top of your download queue; that’s doubly true if
having to cycle through an entire сир. --сору м.
entertaining. —рни т. you've never experienced this classic before.
Grumble Grumble &

DSiWARE OSiWARE OSiWARE OSiWARE

атт Level: 044

90/4

BOX PUSHER GO SERIES:

PUBLISHER: COSMIGO UNDEAD STORM
GENRE: PUZZLE
PUBLISHER: GAMEBRIDGE
PRICE: 500 POINTS/$4.99
GENRE: SHOOTER
PRICE: 200 POINTS/$1.99
As its title suggests, Box
Pusher is a puzzler of the On the plus side, Go Series:
push-one-or-more-boxes-to- Undead Storm delivers lots

FLIPPER 2:
40-IN-1 EXPLOSIVE
MEGAMIX designated-targets variety. of zombie-shooting action,

FLUSH THÉ GOLDFISH

e gameplay is utterly competent partner Al, and
PUBLISHER: NORDCURRENT
GENRE: ACTION standard, but the quality solid controls. On the negative
PRICE: 800 POINTS/$7.99 ofthe execution is notable; side, the visuals are plain ugly
PUBLISHER: ENGINE SOFTWARE GENRE: PLATFORMER PRICE: 500 POINTS/$4.99
appealing visuals, a control- and the gameplay is quite
The Megamix franchise
able camera (for altering Flipper 2 is a weird hybrid between a platformer and WarioWare. limited. Despite some varied
advances an intriguing theory:
the perspective shown on the As you move to a new screen, you have a split second to press the weapons and enemies, the
there's strength in numbers
upper screen), an "undo" bar action button in the proper fashion, or you're doomed. It's a novel action becomes very monoto-
for games that suck. Here,
or rewinding moves, mul- concept, but itonly half works. With zero warning before each nous after you've defeated a
40 games that suck-many
tiplayer support, and- most screen, you'll frequently die before you realize what you should few waves of enemies; boss
of which fall into the "dodge
impressively—a level editor have done. This turns the game into a memorization exercise, and battles are the only interest-
stuff" category—cling together
spice things up nicely. That that's not much fun. The main character, which is heavily inspired ing part. Luckily, the budget
so that they might punish
said, it’s still...box-pushing. by Earthworm Jim, also straddles that fine line between homage price helps partially offset
anyone unwary enough to buy
—PATRICK C. and rip-off. рни. т. such flaws. —curis н.
them. —PATRICK C.
Grumble Grumble

34 NINTENDO POWER
 DOWNLOAD

NINTENDO 051 DOWNLOAD

Wii VIRTUAL CONSOLE

STRIDER
PLATFORM: SEGA GENESIS ORIGINALLY RELEASED: 1990 PUBLISHER: SEGA GENRE: ACTION PRICE: 800 POINTS

CD Originally a Capcom arcade title,

Strider is certifiably insane. It's
walking on the ceiling, clashing with a pirate named
Captain Beard, experiencing zero gravity, riding
as if the developers took every atop brontosaurs, slaying pterodactyls, or facing
ridiculous idea they could think a boss who attacks you with deadly piranhas. (The
of and tossed them into a single enemies would make for an awesome line of action soundtrack. The game is fairly short and there are a
game. One moment you're bat- figures.) All the craziness is supported by lightning- few parts that feel cheap by modern standards, but
tling little robots in furry Russian hats, and the next fast action (you've gotta love slicing through Strider is nonetheless an absolute blast. Check it out
you might be fighting a giant mechanical gorilla, enemies with your blade), responsive controls, and discover why it’s considered one of the finest
running full-tilt down an exploding mountainside, excellent 2D visuals, and an eclectic but superb games of its era.

WiiWARE WiiWARE ALSO AVAILAB LE

con

ј
2 FAST 4 GNOMZ NEWTON VS.
PUBLISHER: QUBICGAMES THE HORDE
GENRE: PLATFORMER In addition to the games
PUBLISHER: RADIATIONBURN
PRICE: 500 POINTS
GENRE: PUZZLE reviewed on these pages, a
сй b VN pair of DSiWare titles is now
PRICE: 500 POINTS
Given its title, it’s fortunate
77 : wA available in the Nintendo
that2Fast 4 Gnomz is inten- Creating traps to crush
eShop and the Nintendo
tionally silly; the game's start zombies may sound appeal-
BURGERTIME WORLD TOUR
DSi Shop. (200
informs players that their ing, but Newton vs. The
Points/$1.99) is a visual
quest requires the collection Horde completely fails in
PUBLISHER: MONKEYPAW GAMES GENRE: ACTION PRICE: 1,000 POINTS puzzle game that challenges
of a princess and...socks. The its attempt to be a physics-
players to identify differ-
socks are а ridiculous conceit; 1would imagine game designers fear creating a new title based based puzzle game. Not
ences between photos taken
everyone knows that platform оп ап arcade classic and ending up with something less fun than only are most levels poorly
at various locations through-
games force you to collect the 30-year-old predecessor. Sadly, that's what happened here. designed, but your kill quota
out the Land of the Rising
something. Here, players The level layout, where stages are built on a cylinder, works, can usually be filled by
Sun. The game features 150
able only to jump or deploy a but the camera is zoomed in so close that it's near impossible to skipping the trap setups
photos and three difficulty
chute-rack up socks as they see enemies when you climb the game's many ladders. Combine and chucking light bulbs
levels... Also on offer is
hurtle automatically through that with the horrendously sluggish controls, and you'll suffer at the undead creatures.
(200
levels. As you might expect, many needless deaths. Given BurgerTime's heavy emphasis on Cumbersome controls,
Points/$1.99), an education-
the action grows tedious twitch gameplay, these problems are rather severe. Perhaps to glitchy physics, and taste-
al program designed to help
quickly, but those who enjoy compensate for these issues, you now have the ability to jump less sphincter jokes are only
youngsters with their spell-
level memorization might like over enemies, but this just eliminates challenge instead of adding a few of many issues that
ing via five alphabet-based
the exercise. patrick С. technique. —рни T. plague this title. copy м.
activities and an easy-to-use
touch-screen interface.
R
Z
APRIL 2012 35
О АМ R 2

« SS
: S
2 Р 7

ARE
ХУ
О

ll
ЎЎ

S
у\

* } Ё Ё Á
„а | 4 ar АҢ | ў? 5
ао NE, үү / „ана! y ‫و‬‎ LUC а .
X ` D]
E й С if j Jl
y i TM го AW
| Nal $ к “ A

Маке your enemies eat lead or а knuckle sandwich.

 PREVIEWS

IN OUR PREVIOUS coverage of action-RPG

Heroes of Ruin, we tested the sword-wielding
Vindicator (in Vol. 269) and the magic-em-
ploying Alchitect (in Vol. 275). For our third
hands-on demo, we got a chance to riddle
enemies with bullets using the pistol-packing
Gunslinger and bash baddies in their faces with
the fist-swinging Savage, the final two playable
characters of the game’s fearsome foursome.
More than that, though, we got to start the
game from the very beginning, allowing us to massive turtles and crabs, as well as little imps. with the blades attached to his firearms. As
test out the character-customization options. With the Savage you have to get up close and with the Savage, leveling up unlocks skills
After selecting a character, you can modify his personal, tapping B to punch enemies. You can in two other trees—in the Gunslinger’s case,
skin tone, hairstyle, hair color, and the color of also hold B, then release the button to unleash wildcard and Commando.
one of his articles of clothing (you can alter the a spinning attack. At this early stage, the Savage Successfully traversing the cave and reaching
hue of the Gunslinger’s cape, for example). It’s has only one skill: Meat Hook. He throws a hook the boat at the end allows you and the formerly
not an especially robust customization system, ona chain, allowing him to stun enemies and shipwrecked survivors to continue on your way
but it gets the job done. pull them toward him. This is one of his Hunts- to Nexus. It’s in this metropolis that the game
Once you've finalized your hero’s appear- man skills, but leveling up grants you access to proper begins—you can buy and sell loot and
ance (you cannot make any changes later), you the Ravager and Maniac skill trees. take on a wide array of quests. Of course, your
get a little backstory for your quest. A century The Gunslinger requires playing with the most important mission is to save Ataraxis. It’s
ago the world of Veil was ravaged by war—until complete opposite approach, hitting enemies not an easy task, but you can get help from some
great beasts put an end to it and established from afar rather than letting them get in your human allies, as Heroes of Ruin supports up-to-
cities across the land. Shortly before Heroes face. His initial skill, Blaze Wave, serves as a four-player co-op via online or local wireless.
of Ruin begins, one of these beasts, a sphinx great example of his long-range play style. —4USTIN C.
called Ataraxis, falls under a curse. Who- With this Saboteur attack, the Gunslinger fires
ever can cure him will earn a huge reward, so off several shots in an arc, setting some bad- PUBLISHER: SQUARE ENIX
mercenaries from far and wide make their way dies ablaze in the process. Should an adversary DEVELOPER: N-SPACE
to Ataraxis’s city of Nexus in an attempt to vie get too close, the Gunslinger can slice them RELEASE: SPRING 2012
for the bounty. The game's four protagonists
have their own reasons for trying to collect
the reward, but regardless of which character
you choose, the story starts out the same:
some sort of ginormous cephalopod attacks
the boat you're on, and you and the rest of the
survivors wind up on the shore. Unfortunately,
it's no safe harbor; all kinds of deadly creatures
abound in a nearby cave—and you are tasked
with fighting your way to the boat on the other
side in order to save everyone.
[Above] Character customization isn’t
This coral-ridden cave serves as а nice appe-
limited to stuff like hairstyles—equip-
tizer to the hack-’n’-slash feast that awaits you
ping loot also alters your appearance.
in the rest of the game. Here you face off against

Арип. гола d]
 PREVIEWS

MC тү

[Above] Both Riku and Sora a ck and ready for action

(Note: Allscreensare taken from e Japanese ve n of the game.) se; `

KINGDOM HEARTS 3D.

DREAM DROP DISTANCE
rop everyining.
SINCE OUR MASSIVE look at sadness and sleep. Only then will longtime fans too). Through our moves and attacks. Additionally,
Dream Drop Distance last issue, they become Keyblade Masters seeing his side of the story, per- the game features acrobatic
we've learned some intriguing with the ability to defeat Xehanort haps Xenahort will become less new attacks and a meter called
new plot details that have us (who's apparently been revived of a one-dimensional villain. And the Drop Gauge. That gauge not
entranced once again by the since the events of Kingdom he's not the only Organization XIII only determines when you'll
magical crossover world of Disney Hearts II) once and for all. member making a comeback; fan- switch control between Riku and
and Square Enix. The lore of Parts of the story are told favorite antihero Axel also seems Sora, but also adds a strategic
the Kingdom Hearts series through flashbacks from Xeha- to have a new lease on life. element in the form of status
may be tricky to follow, but \ nort’s perspective, which helps The story is important, but boosts that augment the next
keeping up with the story fill in previous story details and it’s not all there is, of course. hero you control.
certainly pays dividends this characters’ backgrounds—espe- Dream Drop Distance’s fights are All-new worlds brimming with
time. Heroes Sora and Riku cially helpful for newcomers to fast-paced, real-time affairs that Disney magic, and what seems
face their toughest challenge the series, who may be afraid are similar to those in previous like a gripping struggle between
yet as they go through the of feeling lost (although it’s a games but sport quite a few new good and evil? We can’t wait to
trials of the Mark of Mastery welcome refresher even for twists. Creatures called Dream fully immerse ourselves in Dream
to awaken worlds trapped in Eaters now fight alongside Sora Drop Distance’s vibrant adven-
and Riku, and you ture. CAROLYN 6.
can collect
T ’em all and PUBLISHER: SQUA
train each one to EE DEVELOPER: SQUA
Е 3 unleash powerful RELEASE: 2012

rf”
SRE,
ПОЧ. e

38 reno power
BATTLESHIP
Inspired by the upcoming movie, which is in turn based on
the classic board game, Battleship is a military-strategy
title cut from the same cloth as the Advance Wars series.
Naturally, the emphasis is on commanding naval vessels
of various sizes and strengths—including patrol boats,
cruisers, frigates, destroyers, submarines, and (of course)
battleships. However, the enemy fleet is a bit more exotic—
they're alien craft controlled by invaders from another
world. Regardless, you and the enemy will face off in 30
turned-based strategy missions, moving units into posi- А
tion, capturing harbors, and unleashing long- and short- [Below] Like in the Battleship board game, units come in different sizes. Bigger units make
range weapons until only one side is left standing. Six easier targets, but they boast better defense and offense, as well as other benefits.
different officers will provide various bonuses to the ships к: üi Um
under their command, along with unique special abilities
that can turn the tide of battle. Additionally, you'll be able
to engage in first-person-view ship-to-ship duels, using fun : ^ UB CIUS
real-time actions to sink the enemy craft. —cHRIS H. ; Y QU but only
веебег
rangeKoepitata
distenceand
shootfrom afar
PUBLISHER:
ГЛ ПОНОВ vci opg;
RELEASE:

ROLLERCOASTER
TYGOON 3D
For the first time in eight years, the acclaimed theme-park
simulator is back. But this isn't just RollerCoaster Tycoon's
first portable outing; it's also the series's debut on a
Nintendo system. You'll learn all the tricks of the trade in
ls Coaster Story mode, where you're cast as a kid who aspires
[Above] You'll get to manage many to become an amusement-park manager and rollercoaster
attractions, not just rollercoasters. designer. Each scenario has you improving already-existing
ШЕ — 078 parks, whether you’re constructing additional coasters
or attracting enough guests to accumulate a profit goal.
You can also import rides you've built in the title’s Coaster
Creator mode in order to fulfill mission objectives. But in
case managing someone else's attraction isn't your thing,
there's also a Park Sandbox mode, in which you're given
a whopping plot of land and infinite funds to create your
dream park. Whether you decide to build gentle joyrides or
daunting deathtraps, you can test-ride all of your coasters in
first-person stereoscopic 3D. сору M.

PUBLISHER: A
Ши DEVELOPER: N
RELEASE: М

APRIL 2012 39
 Double Feature:
Mickey and Oswald return to save the day in not one but two Epic Mickey sequels!
THERE WAS A TIME when Mickey Mouse could legitimately include “video game star" on |
his considerable list of credentials. Those days had begun to seem a distant memory until
Warren Spector and his team at Junction Point jump-started the mouse's lagging career
with Disney Epic Mickey. The game was acritical and commercial success, and now Mickey
looks to continue his comeback with a pair of brand-new installments in the Epic Mickey
saga-The Power of Two for Wii and Power of Illusion for Nintendo 3DS.

BY STEVE THOMASON PUBLISHER: DISNEY INTERACTIVE DEVELOPER: JUNCTION POINT (Wii), DREAMRIFT (N3DS) RELEASE: FALL 2012 |wans|
40 NINTENDO POWER
 sure we reflected that in gameplay."
Friendly rivalry notwithstanding,
thetwo can also lend each other a
helping hand. If one character falls in
battle, the other can revive him. Only
when both heroes kick the bucket will
you have to restart from the previous
checkpoint.
Even during solo play, Oswald
remains an integral part of the expe-
rience as an Al-controlled partner.
“He's with you every step of the way,"
explains Spector. "And l've got to say,
the team really stepped up. His Al is
pretty darned good. He genuinely
does helpful things." Beyond that,
the lucky rabbit's constant presence
brings a heightened energy and
personality to the proceedings. He
often stole the show despite limited
screen time in the first Epic Mickey,
so we're happy to see him figure

y: The Power of Two

more prominently in the sequel.

"The response from fans has been In addition to his remote control, vous. "There is 'griefing' in the game," Despite the aforementioned flood
overwhelming," says Spector while Oswald possesses a couple of unique confirms design director Chase Jones offan mail about the original game,
looking back on the original Epic abilities that further differentiate with a laugh. "Mickey and Oswald Junction Point recognized there
Mickey. “I've never received so him from Mickey. He can spin his ears have this great comical relationship were certain shortcomings that need
much heartfelt fan mail about a like a helicoptertohover midjump, inthe story, and we wanted to make to be addressed. Foremost among
game." That's impressive given the for example, or detach one of his
veteran developer's extensive body arms and use it like а boomerang. As
of work, which includes such all-time bizarre as the latter may sound, it's
greats as System Shock and Deus actually a nod to Oswald's classic car-
Ex. Offering a boldly creative take toons, in which he would pull himself
on Disney history, unique paint- apart in all sorts of bizarrely useful
and-thinner game mechanics, and ways. (If you haven't seen those
a "playstyle matters" approach to old shorts, do yourself a favor and
choice, Epic Mickey obviously struck trackthem down.) The most obvious
a chord with players. function of the “boom-arm-rang” is
The Power of Two retains those to retrieve items from afar, but as we
core elements and adds what observed during our demo, it's also
Spector tells us was the number-one useful for smacking Mickey upside the
thing fans wanted from a sequel: head if player two is feeling mischie-
cooperative play. While one person
controls Mickey, a second player
can hop in at any time and join the
fun as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. As
before, Mickey wields the power of
paint and thinner with his magical
brush. Oswald, on the other hand,
brandishes a remote control that
can emit bolts of electricity. The
device has a variety of applications,
from activating all sorts of different
machines around Wasteland to short-
circuiting themechanical Beetleworx
so they fight alongside our heroes
(similar to how Mickey can use paint
to befriend Blotlings). What's more,
should mouse and rabbit "cross
the streams" of their respective
powers, the potency of Mickey's paint
orthinner will be amplified. Such
teamwork can erase or befriend even
the toughest foes in record time.

APRIL 2012 a
 FEATURE

ensuring that the choices you make

have lasting and meaningful
consequences. "When all was said
and done, the lack of persistence
was the thing that most disappointed
me with the first game,” Spector
admits. “Your choices really didn’t
matterasmuch as they could have.
We're working very hard to make
sure that’s not the case this time.
Persistence is hugely important ina
game where playstyle matters.” The
most basic example of that comes
when you make the effort to paint
or thin everything on a level. Not
only will there be repercussions for
doing so this time, but those changes
will remain even after you leave
the area. Your decisions also have
enduring ramifications on how the
denizens of Wasteland respond to
you, and even affect what Mickey is
“I thought about games like able to do. The mouse will actually
Mario and all of the Japanese gain or lose abilities based on how
RPGs that I'd played over the you interact with the world, though
years," he recalls. "They have Junction Point isn’t ready to divulge
what |call ‘bark’ text. And specifics on that just yet.
so | said, 'Let's do that.’ We
used the real Disney voice
actors. So it's really Mickey. After detailing co-op play and
It's really Donald. And they did discussing how his team was going
amazing stuff with grunts and to improve upon their previous
groans and squeaks. But in effort, Spector showed us the
[the sequel], every character beautifully rendered intro cinematic
Says every word, and it's for The Power of Two. It opens on
magical. Obviously you can Oswald and his fellow Wastelanders
get more emotion out of a line cheerfully working side by side
them was the camera. Spector points the improvement we saw during our of dialogue than you can out of even to rebuild their home after the
outthat the mix of platforming and demo was dramatic. The camera the most effectively acted grunt." To events of the first game. Suddenly
adventure-style gameplay presents does a much better job of following accompany the official Disney vocal amassive earthquake strikes, and
aunique challenge when it comes Mickey's brush and framing the talent for the established characters, in the ensuing chaos Oswald finds
to providing the ideal perspective, action than it did in the first game—so Junction Point secured Frank Welker himself face-to-menacing-face with a
as does the player's ability to erase much so that we felt compelled to asthe voice of Oswald and Cary Elwes Beetleworx. Just then, the villainous
entire portions of the environment. manually adjust our viewpoint on as Gus the Gremlin. The studio also Mad Doctor from the first Epic Mickey
"But we can do better," he insists. only a couple of occasions. enlisted award-winning comic-book swoops in on his flying machine and...
"We've made hundreds and hundreds The second big change is that all writer Marv Wolfman to help pen the breaks into song.
of changes. We've worked with ofthe dialogue will be fully voiced dialogue and contribute to the story. “We're doing the first-ever musical
Nintendo directly and they've given this time around. Spector admits that Finally, Spector and his team comedy game,” effuses Spector.
us great feedback." Indeed, even the decision to forgo voice acting in want to do a better job of living up to That's certainly not a statement
atthis early stage of development, the previous game was a mistake. their "playstyle matters" mantra—of we expected to hear during this

[Left] Each hubin The Power of has a train statio!

12 NINTENDO POWER
——
 visit, but the Mad Doctor's highly
entertaining number sells us on the
idea immediately. In it, he claims to
have seen the error of his ways and
offers to help Wasteland's citizens
battle an impending threat. Oswald is
won over by the doc's performance,
as well, and elects to join forces
with him. Less convinced are Gus
and Ortensia (Oswald's girlfriend),
who thus summon Mickey back to
Wasteland for help.
But first, our hero must take
a detour to retrieve his magic
brush. That leads to Yen Sid's
lab, which serves as the site of a
Fantasia-themed tutorial, complete
with marching brooms and familiar
"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" music.
It also introduces the game's new
physics engine. At one point Mickey
reaches a series of floating globes
in the middle of a large chasm. Only
the bottom halves of the globes
can be erased, but doing so causes
the top halves to fall. Mickey can projectors and traversing 2D levels head blocking our path, for instance, inconveniently throughout town,
then paint the bottoms back in and based on classic Mickey cartoons. we rolled a ball onto a pressure- and recovering one of them requires
use the newly flattened surfaces as Atthe beginning of The Power of sensitive panel and set off a series of use of the new Fairy sketch. As in the
platforms to cross the chasm. Though Two, those projectors are offline events involving a mechanical turtle, previous game, sketches are sort
arudimentary example, it illustrates due to the earthquake, so Mickey a hamster wheel, and flying pies. The of like spells that allow Mickey to
how physics will play a bigger role in has to use the DECs to get around. constant background activity really summon the corresponding subject
the game's puzzles. These underground passages were makes these levels come alive, and for a variety of purposes. The Fairy
From there, our demo leaps cobbled together by the gremlins hardcore Disney aficionados will get sketch causes its target to float,
ahead to a new type of area called (the real-life brainchildren of author a kick out of trying to identify the which in this instance enables us to
Dahl Engineering Corridors. In the Roald Dahl) using forgotten Disney various relics. (We spotted a Chip retrieve the pump from of a pool of
first game players would travel memorabilia, and as a result they're portrait, as well as the whistles from thinner. (During our first attempt to
between the different regions of sort of like giant Rube Goldberg Steamboat Willie.) As for the projec- use the sketch, we accidentally hit
Wasteland by jumping into film machines.;To knock down a giant doll tors, Jones promises that they will go Goofy, causing him to humorously
back online eventually and provide a hang upside down in midair.)
whole new batch of cartoon-inspired Once all three pumps are in place,
2D levels. "And they're done in a the thinner is drained from OzTown
different way to support Oswald and Goofy gives us a unique pin for
being there," he teases. our efforts. Pins return as a special
Our time with The Power of collectible and a nod to the real-life
Two concluded in OzTown, which pin-hunting phenomenon at Disney's
was one of the hubs in the original theme parks. “But we're taking the
Epic Mickey. Things have changed concept a step further this time,"
quite a bit since then as the burg's Jones hints. He also explains that
residents have banded together to we would have received a different
spruce up
the place. unfortunately, reward for taking Prescott's
their efforts have been temporarily shortcut, but that supercharging
interrupted due to a flood of thinner one of the pumps would have
caused by the earthquake. Mickey caused thinnerto spray all over the
can lend a hand by placing sump surrounding homes.
pumps near the source of the flood, Though brief, our return visit to
but he has a couple of options as Wasteland was a blast and left us
to howto go about that. Gremlin anxious to see what else The Power
Prescott points out that Mickey of Two has in store. The folks at
can get the job done much faster Junction Point established a solid
by retrieving justone pump and foundation with the first game, and
supercharging it. Animatronic Goofy they seem to be building on it in all
thinks that's too dangerous and the right ways. “Now we can take
recommends gathering all three things to a whole new level in terms
pumps and running them at normal of quality and depth of story," says
speed. Though it'll take a bit longer, Spector. "It's about taking all the
we decided to follow Goofy's sugges- things we did well in Epic Mickey and
tion. The pumps are scattered rather doing them even better."

M NINTENDO POWER
Interview: The Power of Two
Asa huge Disney fan, do you

Of Mice and Rabbits

ever find yourself having to
resist the temptation to bring in
popular characters or elements
that don't really belong in
Wasteland?
That's a really interesting question.
There may be no game developer that we enjoy interv ing more than Warren Spector. It's not really a temptation. It's
After checking out The Power of Two, we chatte rith Junction Point's affable creative kind of a frustration, | guess. I love
director about co-op play, the future of Epic Mic and...Suikoden? characters like Donald and Goofy
and Pluto. And Scrooge! Scrooge
following the gameplay progression is my favorite Disney character. So
we planned in advance, butinterms it's frustrating that this is a world
of the story, it's certainly going where they don't fit. But they don't
to change. That's for a variety of fit. So the question sort of unasks
reasons. It's partly because teams itself.
do their best work when they're The interesting thing-l've
creatively and emotionally invested. talked about this before and it's
So for me to dictate, "Well here's something that a lot of developers
the story you're going to tell in the do-is that we don't just make a
second game" is just stupid. They game story; we create a world
come up with better ideas than I beforehand. With Deus Ex, | knew
ever could anyway. So we use my what was happening on the moon,
ideas as a starting point and then | knew what was happening in
the team goes from there. Africa, | knew what was happening
in Mexico... Players never went
We love that The Power of Two to any of those places, but it
is going to be a musical comedy. informed what happened in the
Will that element be integrated game. In the same way, the world
into gameplay at all? of Disney Epic Mickey is far more
The musical numbers will be than just Wasteland. It's broken
incorporated into the story. They're up into three worlds. There's
vital to the way we communicate Wasteland, there's the toon world
story and the way we reveal how where Mickey starts the game,
characters are feeling. But we and then there's the *real" world.
thought we were taking a big There are references to audiences
enough chance just adding songs to and animators and Walt Disney.
a вате. Integrating them into the The Wastelanders don't quite
minute-to-minute gameplay would understand all this stuff. They
have been...not risky, exactly. We're understand the toon world. That's
not scared of risk! No, integrating where they used to be. But nobody
songs into gameplay would have really understands the real world
made The Power of Two a very dif- and what its impact is. So there is
NINTENDO POWER After your team ofthe game. And then, let's not talk
ferent game, and we weren't quite this other part of the [game] world
completed the first Epic Mickey, about the third game, but you can
ready to make that leap. Yet. that we haven't explored yet. Who
was the plan always to work ona probably use your imagination and
sequel next or did you consider figure out where this is going.
other projects? Likewise, with the soundtrack |
WARREN SPEGTOR Whenever I start thought, “First game: let’s do some
thinking about something, there’ s а really amazing, dynamic music.
process I go through. The end result Second game: let’s introduce some
of that process—so far-has never songs. Third game: we're not going
been that there’s just [one] game to talk about.” [Laughs]
| want to make. | think in terms of And I don't want to go into too
magical threes. So Epic Mickey, like much detail about the plotline that
every other thing I've done, started I conceived. It's not that | wantto
out as a trilogy. | went into this with keep secrets. It’s that | could tell you
a three-part story. | had an idea that the story and it wouldn't matter. The
in the first game we were goingto reality is that |have never seena
reintroduce Oswald to the world and three-part story | conceived actually
remind people that Mickey could be realized the way | intended. So,
ahero. In the second game we were for instance, the second Deus Ex
going to make Oswald a playable game, Invisible War, was nothing
character. Now that you know who like the second Deus Ex game |
he is and you presumably care about originally envisioned from a story
him, let's allow you to be him for a standpoint. The teams I've worked
while—but not asthe central figure with have been pretty good about

Арип. голе
 knows if we ever will? Wink, wink, it's what | wanted to do. [Laughs] Have you given any thought to a interestingly, Peter [Ong] flew out
nudge, nudge. I don’t tend to think much about Wii U version of the game? here and showed us a pitch for a
But there is this toon world what the competition is doing or We've certainly thought about it. game that involved painting and
where cartoon characters like whether І need these bullet points It's a really interesting piece of erasing on the bottom screen of
Mickey and Donald and all the rest on the back of the box. | couldn't hardware. Unfortunately, we were the N3DS with action-adventure
live. Their cartoons are just their care less about that stuff. But I already too far into development platforming on the top. And I just
lives. They don't even realize that look at co-op gameplay these days, by the time it was announced. So sortofwent, "Huh. Think this was
they're cartoon characters. The and | don't see much co-op. I don’t there's just no way we could get it meant to be?" [Laughs]
tragedy of Wasteland is that all see systems that really force—or out by the time Wii U launches. I Then we started talking about
those characters are forgotten and even encourage- players to work mean, who knows what's going to what a Mickey game could be like,
rejected and they know it. But they together. Co-op gameplay is typi- happen in the future? But for right and he said, “You know, І really
have that self-awareness and that's cally | do eight points of damage now, there are no plans. There is all wanna do a fortress that grows
an interesting thing to play with. with a graphic that looks like a sorts of fun stuff we could do with and changes as you explore the
They're tragic but self-aware, as fireball and you do eight points of that controller, though. world and as you save different
opposed to the characters in toon damage with a graphic that looks characters." And I said, "Whoa,
world, who are happy and loved like a bullet. And I just thought it How did the partnership with whoa, whoa. You're talking about
but have no self-awareness. Which would be interesting to try to make DreamRift on the Nintendo 3DS Suikoden here!" That's one of my
one's better? a co-op storytelling experience title come about? favorite Japanese RPGs. And I told
Now, we will never talk about this where you're going through a story We knew we didn't have the internal him that every design document
[in the games]. This is all below the together with someone. Working capacity—or expertise, frankly—to | have ever written for the last15
surface. But | love playing with stuff together, you can really have a do a Nintendo 3DS game. I've said years has had the Suikoden fortress
like that. | love the fact that some different experience than you can it before and I'll say it again: I'm a [concept] in it. And it's always the
player out there might some day have in single-player. big Nintendo fan. | love Nintendo first thing I have to cut! And he said,
think back on this and go, “Wow, stuff. After | saw the N3DS for the “Me too! You're the first person
you know, when | was 12 | played When playing the game yourself, first time at E3, I described it as who's gotten the reference!"
this game that made me think do you tend toward the paint/ the coolest thing in any category of So it was that kind of easy
about self-awareness and tragedy helpful approach or thinner/ thing I've ever seen at E3. [Laughs] collaboration from the start. 1 told
and stuff." In a game that's just mischievous route? So I really wanted to do an him yesterday that he reminds me
totally fun to play and jump around I can’t be mischievous even when | N3DS game. I'd been working with of myself 30 years ago. It's crazy.
in. So all that stuff is a foundation want to be! І have to hope we have some folks at [Disney's offices in] | don’t know if he would agree,
for great storytelling. It's all in plenty of testers taking the thinner Glendale, and | just said, "Let's go but so far it's been great. He's got
there. Maybe we will explore it route, because I'm way too lawful- find some great N3DS developers amazing ideas and a terrific team.
explicitly someday. | don't know. good for that. Frankly, I'm glad and see if we can get someone | feel like I've sort of been able to
thinner makes me uncomfortable. who's interested in making an Epic plus his ideas and he’s been able
You mentioned earlier that you That means the game is allowing Mickey title for N3DS." DreamRift to plus some of mine. So it’s been
had the idea to introduce co-op me to learn something about was one of several developers that а close collaboration, and | think
in the second game when you myself. It's not just about how to seemed worth talkingtoand that it’s goingto result in an interesting,
were first conceiving the series. solve this puzzle, or how do | beat expressed some interest. And once unique game that’s very different
What was the impetus to make that monster. How you behave, with you start looking at track records... from the console versions. | think
that a linchpin of the sequel? Mickey as your avatar, says as much mean, Henry Hatsworth and you kind of have to adapt your
The reason it was so important to about you, as a person, as it does Monster Tale are terrific games. gameplay to the strengths ofthe
do co-op...well, cutting to the chase, about Mickey. Ilove that. So we got in touch with them and, device you're on. And DreamRift
has been masterful at that
top-screen/bottom-screen
interaction. They do that better
than anyone else.

We know you're not ready to

spill the beans just yet, but
is there any chance you can
give us a little hint as to the
nature of this new menace
threatening Wasteland in The
Power of Two?
Well, there are these new things
out there called Blotworx that
might play a role. But, really, the
best answer I can give is just to
say, "Things are seldom what
they seem." You never know who
you can trust...

is mystical cosmos is where Mickey retrieves his brush at the beginning of the game. Painting in all of comets and
asteroids will cause a Mickey-shaped constellation to appear, which you'll be able to see from other areas of the game.

MB senno power
 ‘DOUBLE FEATURE

Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion

Mickey's familiar bounce attack.
But the paint-and-thinner concept
from Epic Mickey also plays a
central role.
As you progress through each
Just in case The Power of Two and takes place sometime after eventually draw the characters they
level, icons representing various
isn't enough to satisfy your inner the events of the original Wii mimic into the castle and trap them
objects—from cannons to floating
Mouseketeer, Epic Mickey is also game. But-in one of the most there. (We're not quite sure how
platforms—appear on the bottom
comingto the Nintendo 3DS. Under inspired and unexpected twists in that works, but then again, we're
screen. By tapping an icon, you can
development at DreamRift-the recent memory-it also serves as a no sorcery experts.)
pause the action and attempt to
studio responsible for last year's follow-up to 1990's beloved Castle Meanwhile, Mickey is enjoying
paint the object into existence or
acclaimed Monster Tale—the of Illusion for the Sega Genesis. As alovely day in toon world when he
erase it from your path. Creating
handheld offering is a completely Ong points out, Wasteland is a place hears that Minnie has been spotted
an object requires you to trace its
different experience from its con- for discarded elements of Disney at some mysterious castle that just
outline with the stylus, and in some
sole counterpart. “When we started history, so it only makes sense that materialized in Wasteland. Our
cases, the more precise you are,
talking to Disney, one of the first the eponymous castle would end hero doesn't know the particulars
the better the results. If you paint
things they said,to our delight, was up there. Pulled along for the ride of the situation, but he rushes
a flawless cannon, for instance,
that they wanted something origi- is the evil witch Mizrabel (the main to the castle nonetheless. What
its projectiles will damage only
nal," recalls DreamRift co-founder villainess from the Genesis game), follows is a platforming adventure
Mickey's foes while passing harm-
and Power of Illusion director who's none too pleased with her that impressively melds its dual
lessly through the mouse. If you
Peter Ong. "They didn't just want new address. To get back to the sources of inspiration. Castle of
do just an OK job, the cannonballs
a port of the Wii title. They wanted toon world, she hatches a scheme Illusion's DNA is readily apparent
will pose a danger to everyone, and
something that suited the Nintendo that involves manifesting illusions in the hand-drawn visuals and
should you really mess things up,
3DS and took advantage of it in the of popular Disney characters
they'll hurt only Mickey. To erase
fullest manner possible." within the castle and stealing
something, you have to cover it
DreamRift's game is set іп the their essences. A side effect of
completely with thinner (again via
established Epic Mickey universe that process is that the illusions
the stylus) before your meter runs
dry, atask that involves speed more
than precision. In addition, you'll
earn sketches throughout the game

Арип. 2012 4]
 that allow you to create and place
their corresponding objects as you
see fit (though you can bring only
alimited number of sketches into
each level).
It's an interestingtake on
the Epic Mickey franchise's core
mechanic, and one that plays to
the strengths of both hardware
and developer. Before creating
Monster Tale, many of the folks at
DreamRift-including Ong—worked
on Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling
Adventure. This team has demon-
strated a real knack for dual-screen
gameplay, and judging by our early
demo, they've got another winning
concept on their hands. comes to graphics." are in plain sight, whereas others Between levels, you can return
Lending the presentation even are carefully hidden or need to be to Mickey’s fortress and visit its
MAGIC KINGDOMS greater appeal is that every level is painted. Every character you man- occupants. Each has aroom that
DreamRift’s other great talent lies based on an animated Disney film. age to save will take up residence starts out pretty barren, but the
in crafting beautiful hand-drawn According to Ong, the stages will їп a fortress that Mickey uses as his characters gradually upgrade
visuals, and Power of Illusion is draw from Disney's full library-from base of operations—a nod to the their abodes as you complete side
no exception. The sprite work and classics like Sleeping Beauty to con- long-running RPG series Suikoden. quests for them. Helping Scrooge
animation are fantastic, and as temporary stuff like Tangled (though "Warren and I have always been McDuck find his lucky dime, for
with many 2D games on the N3DS, he’s quickto point out that those huge fans of the Suikoden games," example, helps transform his room
stereoscopic 3D brings an incredible specific examples may not make the says Ong. "It's funny; the first into a facsimile of the money bin's
sense of depth to the multilayered cut). Most of our demo took place time | came down to meet him, I office from DuckTales. Beyond the
backgrounds. That last point may on The Jolly Roger—Captain Hook's brought up thefortress idea and aesthetic improvements, characters
be what excites Ong most about ship from Peter Pan. Of course, it’s he immediately said, ‘You know occasionally express their gratitude
Nintendo’s newest handheld. “Being alljust an illusion—Mickey is inside what? That sounds a hell of a lot with practical rewards like new
an old-school gamer, parallax the castle the entire time, and on like Suikoden.’ And I said, ‘That's sketches or health-meter upgrades.
scrolling basically pleases me more occasion, you'll catch glimpses of exactly what the inspiration was Epic Mickey meets Castle of
than any fancy graphic effect in any its hallways and chambers through for it!’ It's something I've tried to Illusion and Suikoden;
we didn't
polygonal game I’ve ever seen,” he imperfections in the facade. get it into every game [I've made], see that one coming. If what we've
exclaims. “And the way it’s enhanced You'll also spot an assortment and now we're finally doing it. And played thus far is any indication,
by stereoscopic 3D isjust the great- of famous Disney characters (or with the world’s greatest library of though, the formula could prove as
est thing in the world to me when it illusions of them, anyway). Some characters, no less.” brilliant as it is unexpected.

48 NINTENDO POWER
 Power ofIllusion
Will Oswald play a role in the

aster of Ill
game at all?
Oswald is responsible for calling
Mickey back to Wasteland and set-
ting him on his way into the Castle
of Illusion at the beginning of our
story. Oswald will be instrumental
er and creati the collaboration with Warren throughout the game in helping
ain on nis stud Spector and Junction Point Mickey to complete his quest within
t jeen a dream come on this project? How much the castle.
back-and-forth is there and
genre I've dealt with, there has what kinds of feedback do they What lessons did you and your
always been a reason to refer to provide? team take away from the devel-
Castle of Illusion for research in We have the utmost appreciation opment of Henry Hatsworth and
the interest of making the best for the amount of trust that Warren, Monster Tale that you've been
game possible. It feels as if I've Disney, and Junction Point have able to apply to this project?
been preparingtomake [Power of placed in DreamRift by believing With both Hatsworth and Monster
Illusion] my whole life. in our ability to make this a great Tale, the core members of our team
game. I've dreamed of making at DreamRift were able to explore
In terms of the levels, will there anew game about the Castle of the ability to create innovative
beany callbacks to Castle of Illusion since I was a child, but gameplay mechanics that leveraged
Illusion? (We're especially being realistic, |had never dared to the two screens on Nintendo's
partial to that lovely purple think that might actually happen. handheld to a rare degree. With each
sunset in the third level.) Now that | have miraculously been of those games, we were faced with
I love that sky in the third level as given that chance, I can’t begin to a healthy dose of external skepticism
well! There is so much amazing convey how thankful | am to Disney. regarding the central gameplay
imagery in the original game that Warren and the folks at Junction mechanics because they were so
we are drawing from for inspira- Point have been amazing to work unusual and utilized the hardware in
N Where did the tion. Our goal is for people who with. The opportunity to connect а unique manner.
idea come from to createa played Castle of Illusion to feel a with someone like Warren who has Having executed Monster Tale
follow-up to Castle of Illusion? familiarity from the original game, an enormous amount of experience and Hatsworth to great critical and
PETER ONG As a boy, my ritual was to while at the same time we would in making games has allowed us to audience reception, it has allowed
beat Castle of Illusion on the Sega like to take the incredibly imagina- hit the ground running. our team to approach a new game
Genesis at least once every day. tive and artistic approach of the It has truly been a pleasure to centered around yet another crazy
It was one of the most formative first game and explore it further in share thoughts between both stu- gameplay concept with even more
games (and even experiences) of order to give a more intimate look dios to the betterment of the games confidence. We are bringing the
my life. So much so that I've drawn inside the castle. Fortunately, our we are each working on. Although knowledge from our past games to
upon Castle of Illusion with every art director, Michael Veroni, is just both are unique games that stand make an experience on the N3DS that
game I've worked on throughout as big of a fan of Castle of Illusion on their own, every chance that we takes full advantage of the system.
my career as a professional game aslam. have to correspond with each other
designer for more than a decade. leads to ideas that can make for a What would you say are the
No matter what type of game or Can you talk a little bit about stronger game. biggest differences between

BD senno rower
 FEATURE

Exactly
the property you're dealing with from early classics all the way up to
what effect the different substances will have on foes is still to be determined.
actually enhances and elevates cherished modern hits. We believe
a gameplay design to the next it’s important to honor the full
working on those original IPs and of game creation based on how they level. We realized that in a game range of Disney's rich history of
an existing property like Epic are dealt with. which focuses on having the masterpieces.
Mickey? What are some of the After we finished making Monster player take part in the process of
unique challenges and opportu- Tale, |had a discussion with our creating art, that activity becomes What are your plans for boss
nities involved with each? co-founder and technical director, much stronger when the playeris battles in the game?
Looking at our core team’s past Ryan Pijai, regarding what we'd painting something that he or she One might guess from our prior
games, we've historically thrived on like to make next. Based on that already has a strong connection games that we absolutely love doing
making original properties, and this conversation, we excitedly rolled with. Disney's library of the most boss battles! The bosses in Power
is our first game within an existing straight into prototyping a system universally beloved characters, of Illusion will use attacks involving
universe. We always knew it would for the N3DS that allows the player to stories, and environments makes illusions in a surprising manner.
take something special for DreamRift paint objects on the bottom screen, for such a serendipitous combina- In each boss encounter, the player
to tackle an existing property for the which then change into beautiful tion with DreamRift's game-design will go head-to-head with a familiar
first time, and this partnership with images that become an interactive sensibilities thatwe sometimes Disney villain courtesy of Mizrabel’s
Disney happens to be the perfect part of your gameplay environment. have to pinch ourselves to remind power over illusion.
situation for us to do so. We were very interested in making us that this opportunity isn't too
The biggest differences we've a game with that central mechanic, good to be true. Will the soundtrack be unique
encountered between working on even though we hadn't yet discussed to Power of Illusion? If so, who's
an original property and an existing it with anyone outside of DreamRift. Your team obviously has an composing it and what approach
universe are the prior awareness of From our first discussions with affinity for 2D side-scrollers (as are they taking?
the property by the audience, and Disney regarding bringing the do we). What is it about making | can't mention who is composing
the need to maintain the integrity Disney Epic Mickey universe to the those types of games that it yet, but the soundtrack will
of a pre-existing universe. Both of N3DS, it was immediately clear to appeals to you? draw inspiration heavily from the
these factors can be perceived as DreamRift that this was a one-in-a- There's something about musical approach found in Castle of
either a positive or negative aspect million kind of opportunity...where 2D-perspective gameplay Illusion and the Disney Epic Mickey
that's very appealing to us as universe, while also capturing the
game-makers. | really enjoy the feel of the respective classic Disney
directness in these types of games, environments.
with which it's possible to explore
pure game design. At DreamRift we Do you have any plans to take
have a love for classic games, and advantage of the system's
we also believe that the principles StreetPass or SpotPass func-
found within those games can be tionality?
applied to do so much more. We We don't have any information to
want to evolve games further to share at this time.
make new experiences rather than
replicate
the past. Finally, is there anything else
you'd like our readers to know
What's the process for choosing about the game?
which Disney films you'll turn All of us at DreamRift consider the
into levels for Power of Illusion? chance to make Disney Epic Mickey:
This has been one of the most Power of Illusion to be the absolute
difficult things for us to do, but highest honor and privilege. We can
what a nice problem it is to have! only hope that our immense pas-
We wish we could do them all! In Sion and commitment to the game
choosing which Disney films to will come across to those who play
represent in the game, DreamRift's it, and that some part of the joy we
goal is to achieve a good range felt playing the original Castle of
across the different eras of Disney, Illusion is captured.

APRIL 2012 51
 The

Twenty years after its North American

7 release, here аге 20 reasons why
The Legend of Zelda: ALink to the Past
just might be the best Zelda game ever.
When it comes to Nintendo’s Legend
of Zelda series, everybody has their
personal favorites. Many stand by The
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as
the best entry—we’ve even made that
assertion in this magazine on multiple
occasions. Many consider Link's latest
outing, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward
Sword, to be the pinnacle of the
franchise, while others cite The Legend
of Zelda: Majora's Mask for its unique
three-day cycle or the original NES
game for starting it all. In short, there
are pretty good reasons why any Zelda
game could be deemed the best. But
as we were playing Super NES classic
The Legend of Zelda: A Linkto the Past
to celebrate 20 years since its North
American release, we noticed that the
case for it taking the cake is awfully
strong. To commemorate those two
decades since the debut of one of the
16-bit era's greatest titles, here are our
top 20 reasons The Legend of Zelda:
A Link to the Past could be considered
the best Zelda game of them all.

BY CHRIS HOFFMAN

52 NINTENDO POWER
 41. The
Rainstorm
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the
Past opens amidst an ominous
downpour that immediately estab
i lishes a mysterious and melancholy
Thai Res 9, à mood. Despite the technological lim-
К, Puer |ч позната e itations
of the era, the pitter-patter
M Ё 1 p of the rain, the crashing of thunder,
and the splashi f droplets on the
screen made the rainstorm seem
so real that it gave us gooset S
back in the day—and, to be honest, it
still does now.

«2. An Emphasis on
ПП
ај
Storytelling
Certainly, previous Zelda games had stories to them, but A Link
avg been шаі іт. Бог 5
to the Past took the narrative
to new heights. Characters are
full of personality and have plenty to say, and there are plot-
о the, ЕИ МИ driven reasons for Link to venture allover Hyrule, collecting
el Now till Й ~ pendants and rescuing maidens. Eventful twists, character
1 ed deaths, and the first hint of Ganon's backstory reallym.
Link to the Past feel like the legend it was meant to Бе

— gs
Link's spinning sword attack is just plain fun. No magic meters or
360-degree joystick spins are required—just briefly hold and release the
attack button and you get one of the most useful and enjoyable techniques
in Zelda series history.

A. Pieces of Heart
There have always been health-extending goodies to find and collect in the
Zelda series, but the Pieces of Heart introduced in A Link to the Past really
provide an excuse to search every nook and cranny of Hyrule. With 24 pieces
in all (18 in the Light World and 6 in the Dark World), the sense of reward
through exploration was taken to new heights, and the concept has lived on
in nearly every subsequent Zelda game.

APRIL 2012 53
 you into the world of A Link to the
Past. Though they seem simple,
being able to pick up pots, chop
down shrubs, wade through shallow
water, and trudge through waist-
high swamplands (among other
actions) add a subtle yet powerful
realism to Link's adventure.

r Cuccos
Did I really just see Link get defeated
by а swarm of Cuccos? It's very
possible. This is the game that
taught Zelda players the hazards of
poultry abuse. If you don't know it's
coming, it's highly surprising—yet y Zelda firsts, including the initial appearance of the Master Sword (at least by
wildly entertaining—to see Link get that name). The sword of evil's bane has gone on to become a crucial story element in many subsequent Zelda games,
assaulted by the chickenlike birds if and when you obtain the powerful blade in A Link to the Past you can practically feel its power resonating through
you make them feel your blade one the controller. Furthermore, the scene in which Link attains the sword—highlighted by forest animals scurrying out
time too many. The trend of penal- of the way as Link approaches the weapon, and mist dissipating from the Lost Woods once he pulls it from its resting
izing gamers for such unnecessary place-is both beautiful and memorable.
roughness continued in other Zelda b d
games, but it started here.

Je =

7. Pegasu
The “putt-putt-putt” sound effect
and telltale clouds of dust can
mean only one thing—Link’s got
his Pegasus Shoes on and you'd
best get out of his way. Admittedly,
summoning the bird with Link's flute
is a faster way to travel, but it's not
nearly as satisfying as charging
up the Pegasus Shoes and plowing
through every enemy and plant in
sight. The footwear can even be
used to smash certain walls. We're
still waiting to see the Pegasus
Shoes make the jump to a polygonal
Zelda title.

54 NINTENDO POWER
 THE STRONGEST LINK

9. Fighting Agahnim with the Net

The Zelda series is full of little Easter eggs and neat tricks. One of our
favorites (and one of the earliest) is the ability to deflect the evil sorcerer
Agahnim's attacks back at him—and thus defeat him—using Link's bug-catch-
ing net. If you're an evil mastermind with magical powers and ambitions for
world domination, there can't be many things more embarassing than that!

10. APerfect Mix of

Puzzles and Combat
Brain-teasing puzzles and sword-swinging combat are essential parts of
the Zelda experience, but A Link to the Past, arguably, balances those two
components better than any other game in the series. The mix is close
to flawless, especially in locales such as the Eastern Palace, the Tower of
Hera, and Turtle Rock. It probably has a lot to do with the classic overhead
perspective; since you can easily see Link's surroundings at all times, you
can quickly and effortlessly move between fighting foes, pushing blocks,
activating switches, and the like. 4.

vot Worlds of Light and Dark

Exploring one world is fun, but exploring two is amazing. In the first of many
innovative gameplay hooks in the series, A Link to the Past allows players to
jump back and forth between the regular Light World version of Hyrule and
asinister Dark World version. Not only is it just plain cool to see how the two
worlds differ—such as discovering that the Light World's serene Kakariko Village
has been replaced by the Dark World’s Village of Outcasts—but clever differ-
ences in the layout of each world allow players to warp from one to the other
(and back again) to reach new areas and uncover secrets. The result is one of the
series's most useful, involving, and compelling play mechanics.

12. Bunny Link >

The first time you wander into the Dark World, you find that Link has
‘Tint
world, hut
been transformed into a helpless bunny! Admittedly, it’s not so great to
temporarily lose all your abilities, but he’s just so darn cute!

APRIL 2012 55
 Almost every dungeon in A Link to the Past is enjoyable to play, but the Palace of Darkness is possibly the best. Despite being the first
dungeon Link encounters in the Dark World, it's full of tricky obstacles (including teleportation tiles, sealed passages, unlit rooms, and
retractable barriers) and boasts an interesting multitiered design. The battle against the boss, the Helmasaur King, is pretty intense.

14. The Hookshot

| am д
| |!
The Zelda series is full of cool items,
but our all-time favorite has to be
the Hookshot, which was introduced
in A Linktothe Past. Not only does
it let Link clear wide gaps and grab
distant items, but it can be used as
a powerful offensive weapon. The
Hookshot makes the boss battle
against Arrghus (which takes place
in the dungeon where you acquire
the Hookshot) especially satisfying,
as you use the device to pull apart
hus's protective barrier and
Rack it to pieces.

ja 290 $5 За

looks tikellfcangtintas
(Rp Gale (0.

15.The Music » Though generally adventurous

and fun, A Link to the Past has its
As is typical for the series, A Link to the
Past has a fantastic soundtrack. The emotionally poignant momentsas
Super NES's enhanced audio capabilities well. One of the most powerful is
were harnessed to put a rousing twist when you unexpectedly encounter a
on Koji Kondo's ever-catchy Legend of flute-playing boy who's been trapped
Zelda overworld theme, but perhaps the in the Dark World; he sends you on
game's greatest musical contribution was ashort quest to recover his instru-
the introductionof “Zelda’s Lullaby" and ment, but as soon as you bring it
"Great Fairy's Fountain Theme" (which back to him, the lad evidently passes
is also encountered on the file-select away as the Dark World's influence
screen). Both pieces have gone on to transforms him into a tree. Left hold-
become recurring classics, and we can't ing the flute, it's up to Link to bring
imagine the Zelda series without them. the sad news to the boy's father.

56 NINTENDO POWER
 THE STRONGEST LINK

м.
a 19. The Mythology
17. Timeless of the Golden Land
Visuals The Golden Land—a magical parallel
dimension that houses the Triforce—is
As much as we like the Zelda games, we
a pretty inspired idea. The Golden Land
have to admit that some of them, visu- 5.
mirrors the heart of whoever holds

18. The Average Middle-Aged Man

ally speaking, withstand the test of time
the sacred artifact, which means it is
better than others. (For example, we
a paradise when the Triforce is in the
were quite happy to see Ocarina of Time When you see a guy in the wilderness sitting next to a sign that tells you
hands of someone pure, but it becomes
get a graphical upgrade last year.) But to leave him alone, you really don't have any choice but to try to get his
warped and twisted when the Triforce
thanks to its highly detailed hand-drawn attention, do you? When you do so—which is accomplished by messing
is under the control of one with evil
sprite-based graphics, A Link to the with the sign—the supposedly “average middle-aged man" follows you
motives. Though the Golden Land (also
Past has a charm that makes it nearly as around until you leave the area. Though this seems like nothing more
known as the Sacred Realm) appears
impressive to look at today as it was two than quirky fun at first, you eventually learn that this weirdo actually
in later games, this is the only one in
full decades ago. serves a gameplay purpose.
which it’s fully explorable.

«20. The Ending

The ending of A Link to the Past is, quite simply,
one of the happiest and most fulfilling finales
we've ever seen. True, there's something to
be said about the sad, emotional, or dramatic
moments from the endings of other Zelda games,
but it's quite gratifying to see Hyrule restored
to its former glory and so many tragic fates
reversed. Sit back, relax, and enjoy-you've
earned it.

ON THE OTHER HAND On the last few pages you’ve seen 20 good reasons why The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past might
be the best Zelda game ever. For argument’s sake, here are three reasons why it might not be.

хех

1. FIGHTING THE СТАМТ MOLDORM 2. PAYING THE MONKEY 3. THE DIGGING MINIGAME
Getting defeated by a boss is unpleasant. Normally if you want to get someplace in a Zelda It seems like every Zelda game has one Piece
But getting knocked into a pit and having to game you have to rely on your items and your wits of Heart that's a real pain to get. In A Link to
restart the boss fight is just plain annoying. tofind the proper route. But shortly after entering the Past, it's the one obtained via the digging
And that can Парреп--оуег and over and over the Dark World, you encounter a door that can be game in the Village of Outcasts. The location of
again-if you're not careful while fighting the unlocked only by paying Kiki the moneygrubbing the Piece of Heart is completely random, and
giant Moldorm in the game's third dungeon, monkey. Not only is it unintuitive by Zelda stan- although you may dig it up quickly, chances are
the Tower of He dards, but Kiki's fees—which run you а minimum of you'll have to play the minigame many, many
110 Rupees-are tantamount to robbery. times-at 80 Rupees per attempt, at that.

APRIL 2012 5]
 BY PHIL THEOBALD

BB ınrenoo rower
MARIO TENNIS games have ap-
peared on many of Nintendo's
recent systems, but the series has
actually been around since 1995,
when Mario's Tennis debuted on
Virtual Boy. The main draw of that
original game was its 3D graphics,
so it's appropriate to see the series
return to its roots, so to speak,
with this upcoming release for the Nintendo 3DS handheld. Of course, in-
your-face visuals aren't all that Mario Tennis Open has to offer. Nintendo
is going to great lengths to make sure this title delivers a rich multiplayer
experience and is just as accessible for beginners as for tennis pros.
The game itself is, well, tennis. You computer opponents until you reach off you go. Both of these modes can effectiveness depending on the situ-
know how the sport goes—after all, the championships. Keep winning be enjoyed in singles and doubles ation, and if you charge your shot
people have been smacking balls and you'll open up new and more- play; in the latter, the computer (by holding down the proper button)
back and forth on the screen since challenging cups. Exhibition mode is controls your partner in addition to before you swing, your return volley
electronic games were invented. perfect for when you simply want to your two opponents. will have more “oomph” behind it. If
There are two main single-player play a quick game. You choose your Performing well requires you to you don’t want to worry about which
modes to choose from: Tournament character and a court, decide on take advantage of the various shots shot to use, however, you can press
and Exhibition. In Tournament your opponent, select the number of available to you. Shots such as a lob, the X Button to execute a “simple
mode, you play your way up the sets and games you wish to play, and a drop shot, and a slice all vary in shot,” which automatically selects
bracket by competing against

SCREENSHOTS HAVE BEEN CAPTURED IN 2D MODE.

APRIL 2012 59
 the best shot type. In addition,
colored circles called Chance Areas understand. The screen is divided
often appear on the court when into different-colored sections, each
the ball is coming your way. If you one labeled with a shot type. A quick
position yourself on the Chance Area tap is all you need to make your
and use the type of swing that cor- character swing his or her racket. Of
responds to the circle’s color, your course, if you're a traditionalist, you
swing will be much more effective. can still perform all of the shots with
Before you hit the court, however, the system's face buttons.
you'll need to decide how you want To go along with the new
to play the game. Asthis is the first touch-screen controls is a gameplay
Mario Tennis title for a touch-screen enhancement that takes advantage
game system, Nintendo has
provided tactile controls designed
for younger players and those who
have not yet experienced such
a fast-paced sports game. The
touch-screen controls (dubbed
the Shot Panel) are very easy to

60 NINTENDO POWER
 ingthat the N3DS automatically
turns off its 3D capabilities while
in Dynamic View, as the frequent
movement of the system would
disrupt the stereoscopic effect.
As much fun as the Mario Tennis
series is to play solo, it's even better
with a group of friends. Luckily,
Mario Tennis Open has lots of
multiplayer options. Two players can
compete in singles matches, and
up to four can join in for a doubles
contest. In addition to the standard
local multiplayer, Mario Tennis Open
rom-the sim, supports Download Play, so friends
can get involved even if they don't
own the game. There is also the abil-
ityto play online for the first time
in the series. You can opt to take
on people from your Friend List, of
course, but you'll also be able to do
single-player online matchmaking
and compare your performance with
others on the leaderboard. There's
even StreetPass functionality:
Passing by other people who have
played Mario Tennis Open will cause
ofthe N3DS system's gyro sensor. shifts behind your character. From ball is approaching, leaving you their Mii characters to visit your
Holding the system flat forces the this point of view, you can aim your free to choose your shot and aim it game. When they do, you'll be able
camera into a mostly overhead shots by simply moving the system properly. Not having to worry about to play a quick match against a CPU-
view of the court-typical for tennis left and right. While playing in this reaching the ball means casual controlled version of them.
games. If you put the N3DS in a ver- Dynamic View mode, your character players will especially benefit from With its innovative control
tical position, though, the camera will automatically run to where the this mode. It's also worth mention- options and extensive multiplayer
offerings, Mario Tennis Open should
appeal to just about everyone. There
are even special tennis-themed
challenges that you can indulge in
when you want to take a break from
the regular action. We've always
enjoyed the Mario Tennis series,
and we're excited to finally take
our game online when Mario Tennis
Open arrives later this spring.

SCREENSHOTS HAVE BEEN CAPTURED IN 2D MODE.

APRIL 2012 81
 Tennis Masters
What advantages do you feel the gyro
controls offer over traditional controls?
HT: I think they provide a new gameplay experi-
ence, and one that feels more like being a real
tennis player. Also, when you play with the gyro
controls, it's easier to shoot for the corners.
To learn more about the creation of Mario Tennis Open, we went right to the
source: the game’s producer and lead designer, Hiroyuki Takahashi of Camelot,
There have been a few Mario Tennis titles
and co-producer Toshiharu Izuno of Nintendo. The pair answered our questions
now. What are the challenges in making a new
so deftly that we’re convinced they would make great doubles partners.
entry in the series feel fresh without straying
too far from the original concept?
during the creation of the game. HT: As | mentioned before, the Nintendo 64
version was simple, while the GameCube version
Why did you decide to offer touch-screen offered a much more entertaining experience.
controls for choosing shots? Do you feel That was a change that we liked, but it's hard not
thatthis might make the game too easy for to wonder if maybe we focused a little too much
experienced players? on making it entertaining.... That by making that
HT: Advanced players may feel that the game aspect so prominent, we lost sight of what made
controls have been simplified to some extent. But tennis inherently interesting as a sport.
Hiroyuki Takahashi Toshiharu Izuno we didn't want moves like lobs and drop shots to If you play Mario Tennis Open, I think you'll
be available only to players who had mastered feel that the experience we've gained from
the controls—we wanted everyone to be able developing those games has been put to good
NINTENDO POWER What was your underlying phi-
to use them. |think that by making these shots use. I believe we've succeeded at drawing on
losophy in designing Mario Tennis Open when
easier to use, we've made it possible for anyoneto the strengths of the past Mario Tennis games,
compared to previous Mario Tennis titles?
challenge highly skilled gamers. and matching those strengths to the hardware
HIROYUKI TAKAHASHI The theme for this installment
features of the N3DS.
is “Back to Basics.” The first game in the [main,
At what point in the game's development did
post-Virtual Boy] series, Mario Tennis for the
you decide to incorporate gyro controls? Considering the two different views in the
Nintendo 64, captured what was fundamentally
HT: Drawing out the charms of the hardware Бате dynamic and traditional—is there
interesting about tennis. Then, in the GameCube
is something that | consider to be a duty of onethat you hope that players will use more
version, it transformed into a more Mario-
developers in positions like ours. And so, when often? Why?
flavored version of tennis that fans of the Mario
we develop software for the N3DS, we explore HT: Since players are able to seamlessly switch
series could enjoy. For this game, while we did
all sorts of possibilities. The gyro sensor proved between the Top View and Dynamic View modes,
build off of some aspects of the GameCube
to beone of the most effective. Of course, it took my hope is that instead of committing to one or the
version, our goal was to go back and capture
a great deal of effort to get the gyro controls to other, players will instead switch between them as
the core essence of the Nintendo 64 version. Of
where they are now. best fits their needs and play style.
course, when I say “backto basics," | don't mean
TI: When you hold the hardware vertically, you
that we've simply reverted to the style of the
play with gyro controls and the dynamic camera.
Nintendo 64 version; | mean that we've built off
Set the unit horizontally again, and you can play in
of that style to make for an even more enjoyable
Top View mode with the Circle Pad. So it's not just
tennis experience.
the perspective; you can also change the control
TOSHIHARU IZUNO Our first request to Camelot was
scheme midmatch. | hope players will put both
thatthey try to make the gameplay feel closer to
modes to good use.
the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis in aspects
like character controls and the way the game
This is the first Mario Tennis title to incorpo-
employed the core tactics of tennis. We also asked
rate online play. What challenges did you face
that they use the controls of the Nintendo 3DS to
make for a game that even new players could intui-
tively pick up and play, and to make a competitive
experience that anyone could enjoy. |think [this
interview] will provide a good understanding of
the ways in which we approached these challenges

B2 wivrenoo rower
 MAKING A RACKET

to make our games be the ones that transform

casual players into true game fans. Achieving
that requires a great deal of trial and error in
aspects of the game design such as the interface.
That's something we're always working on, and
we will continue to do so in the future.

Is there an equivalent to the Power Shots

from Mario Power Tennis in this game?
WT: There's a shot you might call a “mini Power
Shot.” By delivering a well-timed shot with either
your own hit or the Chance Areas that appear as
the game progresses, it’s possible to unleash a
decisive shot.
TI: The equivalent is the back-and-forth of a
high-speed rally. And we hope you'll enjoy the
exhilarating feeling of the remade powered-up-
shot mechanic.

In the past, portable Mario Tennis titles have

when introducing an online mode? How did when playing online if one player is using featured an involved, RPG-style single-player
you overcome these challenges? touch-screen controls while the other is using mode. Why does this game not feature such
HT: It requires a great deal of effort to develop traditional controls? amode?
online-play modes. They're also difficult to WT: It will probably be the newest players who will HT: This version may be for a handheld system, but
debug, and it elongates the entire development feel most comfortable with the touch-screen con- we approached it like a console title. With aspects
schedule. Since we were developing the overseas trols, while the longtime Mario Tennis fans will be like download matches and online matches made
versions of the game at basically the same time, more used to the button controls. So ultimately, possible by the hardware, the game has a feature
the schedule ended up growing even longer. l expect that the different control schemes will set more similar to console games.
While of course the development staff worked allow both types of players to compete against Another reason is that the game's cast
hard to make everything happen, the directing each other on a more level playing field. includes Mii characters in addition to characters
staff shouldered the heaviest burden. from the Mario family, which are difficult to work
What challenges are there in creating a sports into an [RPG] scenario. It didn’t feel right to have
When developing a game with such a strong game that will appeal to people who don't already-existent Mii characters appear in an
online component, how do you ensure that normally play sports games? original storyline.
the experience is just as involving for those HT; This is something we've been wrestling with But there are RPG-like elements in the form
who will play only single-player mode? ever since we developed Mario Golf. For example, of costumes. | hope people will enjoy collecting
HT: I think the online and StreetPass modes pro- in my case, I've been playing sports like golf, ten- the various costumes to customize their own
vide a good sense of the breadth of the game all nis, and baseball since way back. So as a player characters and expand their abilities.
by themselves, and | hope that a great many play- of sports games, I'm always dissatisfied when I
ers will choose to experience them. Of course, we play games where | feel that I'm unable to put my Are there any advantages that developing
strived to make sure that players could get plenty real-world sports skills to use. games for the Nintendo 3DS platform offers
of enjoyment out of the single-player content There are all sorts of categories of people over developing for Nintendo DS or Wii?
as well. There's plenty of unlockable content, who don't usually play sports games. There are TI: I would say the biggest is the platform's
like new costumes, that should make the single- people like me who play real sports, people who impressively well-realized ability to bring people
player mode a fulfilling experience. like watching sports but aren't good at playing together. It supports StreetPass at the hardware
them, and so on. We want our sports games to be level, and its Mii and friend functionality work
Are you concerned about balance issues played by as many people as possible, and strive beautifully with the game's online modes. And
of course, the stereoscopic 3D is quite effective
at allowing players to feel immersed in the game
and judge the position of the ball.

How do you decide which characters should

be included in the game, both as the default
characters and the hidden characters?
TI: We consider this internally at Nintendo, and
then explore various options with Camelot before
making a final decision. There are some char-
acters who are only introduced as you progress
through the game, so please look forward to that.

If you could introduce another Nintendo

character (not from the Mario universe) into
Mario Tennis Open, who would it be? Why?
HT: Characters from the Pokémon series, like
Pikachu, might be a good fit. Ithink that might
bea good way to get new players interested in
the game.

SCREENSHOTS HAVE BEEN CAPTURED IN 2D MODE.

APRIL 2012 63
 NINTENDO SDS.

Ni

NINTENDO 905:
THE FIRST-YEAR REPORT
It's been a wild, fun-filled year for the Nintendo 308. We evaluate
the system’s performance since its debut last spring.
BY RANDY NELSON & CHRIS HOFFMAN

hat a difference a year makes. A little over 12 months ago the Nintendo 3DS system
was released in North America, and while it took the stereoscopic-3D handheld some
time to find its footing, all indications point to the system being a worthy follow-up
to the Nintendo DS. In fact, the N3DS recently shot past the 4.5-million-sold mark in
the United States—that’s nearly double what the DS sold in its first year. To commemorate
the occasion, we're taking a look back at the highs (and lows) of the system's first year and
evaluating how the N3DS has performed in nine key categories. Without further ado, let's see
how Nintendo's newest portable fared.

ВА enne power
First-Party Support
After launching with Nintendo-published offerings that included nintendogs + cats, Pilotwings Resort, and
Steel Diver, the N3DS went without a release from the Big N itself for three whole months. The drought was
finally broken in June by The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D; most gamers can agree that the remake of
the classic Nintendo 64 adventure was given new life in stereoscopic 3D—and that it brought new life to the
N3DS system.
It was another three months before a second N64 remake-Star Fox 64 3D—hit, and it too proved to be more
than a mere port. The first-party floodgates really began to open in October, though, when Tetris Axis hit,
followed by at least one major Nintendo title each month through the holidays.
The N3DS is now home to both new Super Mario and Mario Kart games, along with entries in some other
major franchises, including Pokémon. It's a far cry from where things stood a year ago, and the uptick looks а: Return to HOME Menu
to be continuing apace with major releases lined up for 2012, including Kid Icarus: Uprising (see the review on
page 78), Luigi's Mansion 2, and Mario Tennis Open (see the feature on page 58). [Above] Trading puzzle pieces
with other players is both
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, rewarding and addictive.
Star Fox 64 3D, nintendogs + cats, Pilotwings Resort
Swapnote
wc: EXGELLENT AN] G 9 Tanke:
wuz here !
3 1/19/2011 Wed
г га
E

Community
Never before has a Nintendo
system encouraged so many
players to get together. From
gaining extra power-ups in Super
Mario Land 3D via StreetPass
to exchanging messages over
Swapnote, the system offers
numerous reasons to engage
with fellow users. Even the act
of sharing Mii characters has
been turned into a game with
the built-in StreetPass Mii Plaza
(which contains the incredibly
addictive Find Mii and Puzzle
Swap activities). In addition,
Nintendo has made great strides
with online community features
by tying friend codes to the
system (rather than requiring a
different code for each game)
and allowing you to see what
your friends are up to at any
given time. We'd still love to
see StreetPass used in more
games, however.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Swapnote, StreetPass Mii Plaza
RATING:

VERY GOOD

Арип. 2012 DB
 Applications
The Swapnote message-sharing
program is fun, but overall
the nongame applications on
N3DS in the past year haven't
especially wowed us. The Netflix
software was the biggest addi-
tion to this category, and while
it's a nice extra, the application
is plagued by long startup times
for movies and shows. Nintendo
Video is cool in concept, but
the offerings are limited and

Third-Party Support often not very compelling;

it has a way to go before it's
really a key part of the N3DS
The N3DS has had fairly strong third-party support from the outset in terms
experience. And where are the
of sheer quantity of games—although early on, not all titles on offer
full-length 3D movies? They
were top-tier. A trio of strong showings at launch—Super Street
have yet to materialize beyond
Fighter IV 3D Edition from Capcom, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon:
Tekken: Blood Vengeance—and
Shadow Wars from Ubisoft, and Ridge Racer 3D from Namco
that's only available as part of
Bandai-significantly outshone most other titles. In the following
the Tekken 3D Prime Edition
months, however, very few third-party games were released
game. There's a lot of room for
and others got delayed. Fortunately, highlights such as Tecmo
creative, enjoyable applications
Koei's Dead orAlive Dimensions and Capcom's Resident Evil:
on the system; hopefully we'll
The Mercenaries 3D provided some much-needed oomph before
see more in the future.
other quality products (including Sega's Sonic Generations,
Namco Bandai's Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy, and NIS RATING:

NEEDS
America's Cave Story 3D) arrived in time for the holidays.
Things have gotten even more promising in 2012. We've
already seen two major third-party releases—Resident Evil:
Revelations from Capcom and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
IMPROVEMENT
from Konami-hit stores, bringing console-quality experi-
ences
to the handheld.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition,

Resident Evil: Revelations, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater
ЛЕТНИХ
3D, Sonic Generations, Dead or Alive Dimensions

«c VERY GOOD
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D

+ E E Menu Like us on Facebook.

5 eus : Sure, Nintendo Video is in 3D,

The M-rated Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D is another example of a top-tier third party release. but the content is a mixed bag.

66 NINTENDO POWER
 NINTENDO 309: THE FIRST-YEAR REPORT

Online
Gameplay
Only one game has fulfilled
the promise of the N3DS as an
online-gaming machine in its
first year: Mario Kart 7. From
its solid racing experience over
large distances to its clever
communities and ghost-sharing,
[Above] Strategy games on N3DS are few and far between,
Mario Kart 7 has given us
but at least Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is a quality effort.
hope for the system’s online-
multiplayer capabilities.
Ridge Racer 3D
Unfortunately, some of
"о
the biggest multiplayer titles
released in the past year-such
as Super Street Fighter IV
3D Edition, Dead or Alive

Use of Hardware Dimensions, and Tekken 3D

Prime Edition—had highly

Features
touted online components but
underwhelmed in that regard,
suffering from severe lag and
Nintendo has done a great job of showing off just not making the most of the
[Below] For a palm-sweat-inducing example of the action
the key feature of the N3DS: its glasses-free system's potential. We'd like to
genre, look no further than Sega's Shinobi.
3D. Easily the best example so farisSuper see more publishers use Mario
Mario 3D Land, which not only looks amazing Kart 7 as an example of quality
Shinobi
but delivers some new types of gameplay and online gaming moving forward.
level designs thanks to the effect. Even when
it’s been incorporated into existing titles and HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
hasn't changed the gameplay (such as in The Mario Kart 7
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Star
RATING:
Fox 64 3D), the effect has looked great.
Third-party publishers have been less
NEEDS
IMPROVEMENT
driven to fully utilize the 3D aspect (in fact, a
few titles—such as Shin Megami Tensei: Devil
Survivor Overclocked—almost fully eschew
3D visuals), but many games that have used it
have looked superb. Dead or Alive Dimensions,
Resident Evil: Revelations, and Metal Gear
Solid: Snake Eater 3D are all absolutely eye-
popping due to their use of stereoscopic 3D.
Software Diversity
Since its launch, the N3DS has received plenty of support
The system's other features haven't been
in the action, adventure, and platforming categories, with
implemented as consistently, but in the first
games such as Super Mario 3D Land, Shinobi, Cave Story
year we've seen some solid use of gyro-sensor-
3D, Sonic Generations, and Star Fox 64 3D. There have
based motion controls, augmented reality,
been a handful of racing games as well (most notably Mario
and the built-in cameras. One example of
Kart 7 and Ridge Racer 3D), and the system has become
excellent gyroscopic controls is in The
an embarrassment of riches where fighting games are
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D,
concerned, playing host to top-notch titles such as Tekken 3D
in which you can greatly improve
Prime Edition, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Il, WWE AII Stars,
your first-person aim via motion
Dead or Alive Dimensions, and Super Street Fighter IV 3D
controls. The photo-based camo in
Edition. Unfortunately, a few categories remain tragically
Snake Eater 3D is a lot of fun, as well.
under-represented. For instance, in the RPG genre, only
Augmented reality has the most room for
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked, Tales of the
improvement; though the system's built-in AR
Abyss, and Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns have been
Games collection is a showcase, we're waiting
released so far, and all three of them are ports. In addition,
for more major releases that take advantage of
strategy games and first-person shooters have yet to make a
this promising capability.
splash on N3DS-there has been only one of the former (Tom
Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars) and none of the latter.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Super Mario 3D Land, The
The system could use a few more quality sports titles, too;
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, AR Games,
we expect Mario Tennis Open to begin leading that charge.
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D

«c VERY GOOD erc: SATISFACTORY

apni голе BI
 Th е N|
П је П (|
0 3D9 ш of ee и Swords Anniversary. ^

eshop
The good news is that the Nintendo eShop is packed with
loads of great games. In fact, some of the best titles
available on the system hail from the eShop, including
Pushmo, Mighty Switch Force!, VVVVVV, and Mutant
Mudds. The selection of Virtual Console games has
also been strong, providing hits such as The Legend
of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX, Super Mario Land 2: 6
Golden Coins, Metroid II: Return of Samus, Donkey Kong,
and Mario's Picross. The recent launch of demos for
retail games has made this part of the N3DS even more
indispensable. The bad news? The eShop remains fairly
difficult to navigate. The ability to simply browse an
alphabetized list of titles would be nice.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Mighty Switch Еогсе!, VVVVVV,

Mutant Mudds, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
DX, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Mario's Picross
n was a fantastic game that, unt
RATING: VERY 0000 February 20, was available for free for all Nintendo 305 and Nintendo DSi own

Value
It seems like Nintendo is constantly giving N3DS owners more bang for their buck. Sometimes
it's new Puzzle Swap puzzles, and sometimes it's entire free games such as 3D Classics
Excitebike and The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition. And there's also all
the software that's built into the system, such as Face Raiders and AR Games. Not bad for
$169.99—and the upcoming lineup of games only helps makes the handheld even more
enticing. Even if you bought an N3DS back when it was $249.99, Nintendo has made that early
adoption worthwhile by offering 20 free Virtual Console titles (via the Ambassador Program),
many of which aren't available for purchase by general audiences.

[Above] Mutant Mudds is an excellent downloadable RATING: EXCELLENT

game that makes great use of stereoscopic 3D.

Mighty Switch Force! | s — А

ү i id gamma
Super Mario Bros.
bx!

305 syste
but the sys
The High Road is Low it some might call a questiona proposit
Nintendo gamer shouldbe caught without. Ar
Don't be fooled by the simple graphics. VVVVVV is far, the future looks even Е
arguably the finest Nintendo eShop offering.

68 NINTENDO POWER
 ш тз т]с > о = ш

CONTENT RATED BY
ESRB

© 2006 ESRB. All rights reserve

 Power
Profiles

November 10, 1968

Hyogo Prefecture,
Kobe City, Japan

Producer, Capcom

Creating Zack & Wiki:

Quest for Barbaros’
Treasure; produc-
ing numerous other
Capcom projects

Sushi

Monster Hunter 3 (Tri)

G, Professor Layton
vs. Ace Attorney

Hironobu Takeshita
CHRISTI
BY
ILLUSTR
EMPEDO

10 censo rower
 0 you like Capcom games? If so, you've surely played the Speaking of classic and kept available for
work of Hironobu Takeshita, a Capcom veteran of nearly Capcom properties, we future generations?
20 years. Originally part of the sales and promotion were big fans of Mega Yes, I think it's very
group, Takeshita took on the mantle of producer in the Man 9 and 10. Arethere important. Classic games
late 1990s and hasn't looked back. In one way or another, any other series that have simple rules, but are
he's been involved with nearly every popular series in the you'd like to see get also very strategic. They
company's portfolio—from Breath of Fire to Mega Man to asimilar old-school take patience to com-
Street Fighter to Resident Evil-and he's introduced the treatment? plete, but the sense of
world to original properties such as the award-winning Ghost Trick: First of all, І really satisfaction one gets from
Phantom Detective and the criminally underappreciated Zack & appreciate hearing you doing so is unparalleled. |
Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure. Though the types of games are were fans of those games. believe that experiencing
often diverse, the result is usually the same: fun and excitement for I'm also a big fan of them! the joys of the classics
players all over the world. Personally, I'd like to see allows us to deepen our
Commando return in a love for video games.
NINTENDO POWER 1 started out working in kid's face it made me want really old-school style,
How did you originally sales promotion—visiting to keep doing my best at with multiplayer. Are you still interested
get into the video game retailers, introducing my job. in making a Zack &
business? them to our products, and Come to think of it, Wiki sequel? If so,
HIRONOBU TAKESHITA researching their selling How did you make the you've been involved what would it be like?
A friend invited me to situations. | experienced move from sales toa with a number of Have you given any
several video game firsthand how much producer role? compilation and old- consideration to what a
companies' explanatory anticipation users had for When Capcom first school projects; is this sequel could be like on
events for job-seeking our products when | saw introduced the producer something you havea Nintendo 3DS?
graduates like myself. I the preorder numbers for role, people were being particular passion for? I have a great deal of
joined Capcom after taking the Super NES version of considered from both the Do you prefer the old interest in doing a sequel.
and passing their entrance Street Fighter Il and the development and business style of games to big- It's one of several IPs that
examination. lines of people waiting sides of the company. budget modern games? | want to return to. As for
to buy the game. | also At the recommendation | think |may have a Nintendo 3DS...it would
When you were a kid, remember being at a game of my superiors, | was preference for old-school be fun if people could
what did you want to be Store on the day Mickey's among the candidates for games. It might be play and solve puzzles
when you grew up? Magical Quest was promotion, and as | was because of my experience. together.
1was into historical relics released on the SNES. This interested in the role, | There is ascale and
such as Moai statues and little elementary-school made the move. volume that can only be What lessons did you
Egyptian pyramids, so I kid walked in and said, realized in a big-budget take away from your
thought it would be cool to "| want Mickey!" That Breath of Fire III was game, and | think that's experience on Zack &
bean archaeologist. made me very happy! The your first game as a pro- one of their main appeals, wiki?
thinking at the time was ducer, but we haven't but | would have to say The importance of
Were you a big gamer that Disney games were a seen much of the series that | like more-personal, cooperation and coordina-
and Capcom fan prior hard sell. Mickey's Magical lately. Have you given experimental games made tion with staff outside
to starting with the Quest was well-reviewed, any thought to bringing by smaller teams. Such Japan. We cooperated
company? Soljust wanted to get that franchise back? games have a degree of very closely right from
Yes. |was а big fan of it into the hands of our That title means a lot to freedom and silliness—in the beginning of develop-
arcade games such as customers, and seeing me, as it was the first the best possible sense of ment, from discussion
Vulgus, 1942, Commando, that kid made me feel like game | worked on as the word—and that’s what | of concepts to research
1943, and Final Fight. we'd succeeded. After producer, and the first love about them. during development, sales
that, |was so grateful to time Capcom challenged meetings, and so on. They
What kind of things did everyone that bought a the RPG genre. If |had the Do you think it’s really helped us out when
you do when you first Capcom game, and every chance, I'd love to revisit important for classic we were stuck or had con-
started with Capcom? time | remembered that the franchise. games to be preserved cerns, and it was because

Though not shown here, the first game in which Takeshita was listed in the credits was Street Fighter Il: Special Champion
Edition for Sega Genesis. He received a special thanks for suggesting the product’s Japanese name: Street Fighter II’ Plus.

CAPCOM’S GOLD MEDAL ВЕШ BREATH OF FIRE IV ZACK & WIKI:

CHALLENGE '92 ATION 2000, PLAYSTATION QUEST FOR BARBAROS' TREASURE
1992, NES PRODUCER 2007, Wii
SALES &PROMOTION PRODUCER

APRIL голе Tl
 action games I've worked 1 would like to be involved me they were big Breath Capcom in the early days
on. One ofdirector Shu's inthe celebrations if I get of Fire fans. They have of the company. I learned
greatest talents is in а chance. We had a Web not only made me happy agreat many things from
creating characters like show to celebrate Mega and encouraged me to working with him.
Sissel, who have such Man's birthday when we continue in my work, but
individuality and humor. announced Mega Man given me a memory that Whose works in other
If the fans show a lot of 10, so it would be nice to I'll cherish forever. forms of media, such
strong support, they may celebrate with the fans like as film or literature,
have a chance to meet a that again. If you weren’t making do you most admire or
new Sissel sometime... games, what do you enjoy?
How have things think you'd be doing? 1adore the Japanese
What are the differ- changed in the gaming Нтт...1 always wanted animated series Space
ences between working industry since you to have a job related to Battleship Yamato. | can't
on existing series and started? fun, play, and making wait to see the remake
working on original This industry constantly people happy, so I think I'd that's coming out this year
titles? Do you prefer changes with the advance be doing something like and see what they've done
one over the other? of technological innova- working
for a theme park to update it!
Working on new titles tion. Development keeps or making toys.
really enthuses me, and getting bigger and bigger What is your favorite
| want to work with my in scale, and home and When you're stumped hobby or pastime?
staff to continue to release portable consoles are by a particularly dif- | like going for drives,
innovative new IPs, and getting close to being ficult problem while watching movies, and
ofthis close cooperation to see those titles loved
that we could announce by many users over a long
the game with confidence. period of time.
Overall, І realized how
important it was to have You've been involved in
allies like this, and not just alotof different fran-
in development. chises and genres. Is that
something you actively
We thought Ghost Trick seek out or is that more able to visually reproduce creating a game, what's eating good food, among
was quite extraordi- ofa coincidence? anything we can imagine. your process for work- other things. Last week,
nary. But from your It’s mostly coincidence, I think that beyond ing through it? 1 went to see the Ace
point of view, is there but I'm glad I had the improved visuals and Teamwork is very impor- Attorney movie with my
anything you would chance to work on so many network features, there tant in game development. wife. It was a lot of fun to
have done differently if different things. Working will be changes that we When I come up against a see Phoenix Wright doing
you'd had more time? on something new means haven't even been able to problem, the first thing I his thing up there on the
Director Shu Takumi's there are lots of things I imagine yet. do is consult the team. We big screen! Next week I'm
script was so fun that if don't understand at first, may not always succeed, going to a favorite Italian
I'd had more time, |would and it's a lot of hard work, What aspect of creating but by working together restaurant in my neighbor-
have liked to make the but it's so challenging and avideo game do you we can bring our experi- hood. And soon I'm going
game longer and to include there are so many new enjoy the most? ence to bear on the next to see sumo!
more of his story ideas. discoveries that І can learn For me, there's simply challenge.
alot, which makes me nothing like the feeling of If you could have one
How would you compare happy. happiness that 1 get when What other games or superpower, what
Sissel to other charac- someone who has bought game creators do you would it be?
ters you’ve worked with? Capcom has some big and played one of my most admire or respect, 1would like the ability
Doyou think we'll be see- anniversaries coming games tells me that they and why? to travel through time. |
ing any more of him? upfor Street Fighter enjoyed it. That’s when Noritaka Funamizu, who loved H.G. Wells's The Time
I like that his charm comes and Mega Man. Would I feel glad to Бе а game used to be my boss. | Machine as a kid. It would
from his dialogue, which you want to be involved developer. For instance, have a lot of respect for be great to travel to the
is very different from the in celebrating those Iwas recently in France, him, as he was one of the distant past and visit the
kind of cool characters in anniversaries? where many people told most important people at far future!

je eiZielje jetgee À

WE LOVE GOLF! MEGA MAN 9 MEGA MAN 10

2008, Wii 2008, Wii 2010, Wii
PRODUCER PRODUCER PRODUCER

Т2 „емсс ромен
 Sur
шоо
e,

C) 2006 ESRB. АИ rights reserved. ЕЈ = = ш 0 [a со Q 2

 PLAY
HACK
REVISITING THE CLASSICS wmn mumuljununusuunnuzuununuzzunuzuz:s g
И] © ш
o о
m
-“
о
ч "Winners
don't use
drugs!"

"WOME
HADTHEOUTS... UNTILNOW"

LPS
Dr. Spike Rush

JOIN THE TEAM

Not content to stay confined
toa video game, Narc
Шонай Heri
protagonist Max Force
E] made the leap to animated
R: ACCLAIM
entertainment on the “Power
RARE/WILLIAMS
Team” segments of the
AUGUST 1990
early-’90s television pro-
16, 22
gram Video Power. Alongside
2,000
heroes from other Acclaim-
published titles—including
verybody knows that drugs knight Kuros from Wizards &
1 are bad. But back in the '80s Warriors, basketball player
and early '90s, it wasn't Tyrone from Arch Rivals,
enough for parents and ad Kwirk the chilled tomato
campaigns to tell you to stay away from his self-titled Game
from drugs. Nope; back then, there D 4 T
Boy adventure, and famous
was a war on drugs, and that war monster truck Bigfoot from
came to the forefront of the video the game of the same name—
game known as Narc. Max Force fought evil with
Everyone on Kwak Street is a criminal of some sort, and every one of
Originally a side-scrolling arcade the aid of the “totally hip”
them is gunningforMax Force. Get the missile launcher ready!
title from Williams/Midway, Narc gamer Johnny Arcade. A few
taught players to "Just say no!" in Narc enemies also appeared
the most visceral way possible: by ammo and discarded contraband. enemies was reduced. In addition, on the program; the game’s
having them visit the seedy side of To call the action over-the-top the arcade version’s four-button evil crime kingpin, Mr. Big,
town to eliminate the dealers and is an understatement, but you interface had to be reconfigured was the show’s main villain,
other villains by any means neces- could implement nonviolent for the two face buttons of the and he was aided by his two
sary. Controlling Max Force (we tactics, as well: by walking right NES controller. On the other hand, flunkies, “Hypoman” Dr.
don't know if that's a code name or up to the most common foes you the quarter-munching difficulty Spike Rush and “Dumpster
if the dude's first name is Max) and, could arrest them, thus earning level remained; you couldn't even Man” Joe Rockhed.
in a two-player game, Hit Man, it more points than if you'd simply continue without entering a
was up to gamers to battle through defeated them. secret code.
crime-infested streets, slums, and Though the NES version of Narc on the NES wasn't what
hideouts, blasting enemies with Narc retained all the levels and you'd call great, but it nonetheless
machine guns and turning them co-op action of its coin-operated did a decent job of delivering
into chunks with rocket launchers. counterpart, a few concessions the arcade experience at home.
On occasion you'd hop into your were required. The realistic, Perhaps more important than Joe Rockhed E
specially enhanced, fully armed high-resolution, digitized graph- the gameplay, however, was
Porsche convertible and teach ics of the arcade game had to be Narc's powerful socially conscious
the bad guys a lesson in reckless substantially simplified (which cut message: don't do drugs, or some
driving, and all the while you'd down the brutality as a result), dude will probably blow you up
need to be on the lookout for extra and the number of onscreen with a missile. —cHRIS H.
Mr. Big

E. HAVE A FAVORITE CLASSIC GAME YOU'D LIKE TO SEE REVISITED?

14 NINTENDO POWER WÊ | Send us your requests—we'll consider them for a future installment of Playback. nintendopower@futureus.com
gf couldhe "n
COMIC HEROES

ој МОУТЕТНЕ Com,
NE IC STORIES <=,
ne cu ASSETS VOR T
;THER

: с ДИСАЌИ ЈА 7
ue aKLOCK CHF
ARLOCT IREСО! AIC 2 ANZ
WRITE à Ра з
1 ў "e
\ pue
2 ir 4 4

COMIC HEROES ISSUE 2 ON SALE NOW

WWW.COMICHEROESMAGAZINE.COM
SS
NS NS NSS NSMS MS
N WN
77 СА 7 7 7

SSS ` QA~w SS4 Wy wy, Uff

А 7 ГЛ {$ Р Qa
SS
OO 7 2

NN
RR SSSS
Lens

%
7 YY
Г 7 ММММ 7 Г Р 7 7 2
А

Р Q>Ð 7 С 7 /“<
NS SS
NSГ NSS NWS
2 77 7

IN THIS
SECTION
INTENDO 3DS
ID ICARUS: UPRISING
P9.78
IFTING WORLD pg.83
SPIRIT CAMERA: THE
IRSED MEMOIR pg.82

Wii
MAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALL 2K12 ра.83
XENOBLADE
CHRONICLES р;.84

1
WwW
77

U
SS\
SS\
UW fy
ГР
V
Gf

Pit's back, and he's better than ever! Turn the page
to find out why we think Kid Icarus: Uprising may
j he the best Nintendo 305 title yet.

APRIL 2012 Т
 REVIEWS

accomplish this goal, Pit is assisted

by the goddess of light, Palutena.
Although she mainly serves to pro-
vide explanations and exposition, the
goddess is never dull-the rapport
between her and Pit is fantastic. The
optimistic, earnest, sometimes-dorky

Here's Lookin
Pit contrasts well with the nice-yet-
slightly-sarcastic Palutena. In fact,
Pit's banter with all the speaking
characters in the game is great. This
is due in part to the solid voice acting,
but a lot of credit is owed to the

at You, Ки
script; it is humorously self-aware,
making references to the original
Kid Icarus (the main characters note
that enemies and items look less
pixelated than they did 25 years ago,
for example) as well as more-recent
Nintendo-published titles. | did feel
like | might have missed some of the
visual gags, however—such as when
KID ICARUS: UPRISING Myths and Monsters for „© Palutena shows you what Medusa
Boy). I'm very happy to say looked like in the NES game—because
“Sorry to keep that Pit's latest exploit is more those images appear on the bottom
you waiting!” than worth the wait. screen, and you'll likely want to focus
Pit says when Uprising is a direct sequel to the on the top screen's action. Beyond
he dives into the fray as Kid Icarus: original Kid Icarus, but set 25 years the genuinely funny bits, the story
Uprising begins. And although it has after the NES classic, reflecting the holds several surprises, but |won't
been four years since we last saw the approximate amount of real-world speak of them for fear of spoiling
angelic hero (in Super Smash Bros. time since that game's 1987 release. things for you.
Brawl), this statement is more likely Once again Pit is tasked with facing The plot isn’t the only surprising
an acknowledgement of the more the armies of the Underworld and thing about Uprising; the gameplay
than two decades since Pit's last taking down Medusa (who has been
solo adventure (1991's Kid Icarus: Of revived somehow). To help him

ТВ nınrenoo power
 REVIEWS

4, Thanatos Unde;

Angel-Land Idol
Acquiring trophies was part of the appeal
of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and a similar
eature exists in Kid Icarus: Uprising.
Called idols, the collectibles give you
All of the chapters start off with
polygonal modelsof characters, bad-
ап on-rails flying sequence remi- dies, items, and locations to view, as well
niscent of Sin and Punishment:
Star Successor, so you have to
0,
JP as some information on the individual
focus on hitting targets and subjects. Idols can be obtained in the
dodging incoming fire. But Pit dol Toss mode by using eggs; each egg
can fly for just five minutes at a
time—after that, his wings burn
ГР you toss unlocks a random idol. You can
is deeper than it initially seems. up like Icarus's wax-and-feather earn eggs by playing the game or you can
The basic controls appear simple:
you move about with the Circle
wings from Greek mythology. Before
Pit can crash and burn, Palutena 7Г purchase them with Play Coins. However,
Pad, aim with the stylus, and shoot places him on the ground. The a cooler way to L idols is by using
with L. Holding down L gives you terrestrial-combat controls are he Nintendo 3DS system's camera in
machine-gun-like rapid fire, but you mostly the same as the flight-combat
can charge up a shot by releasing ones (you still primarily use the Circle
conjunction with the AR Idol Cards. (In
Landthen pressing it again when Pad, touch screen, and L Button), addition to the cards bundled with this
the reticle changes. The reticle also
changes when enemies get close,
butthere are more complexities to
them. Because you can move about
ГР
7
issue of P, there are six included with
which tells you that you can employ a freely, you use the touch screen to the game. That said, there are supposed
melee attack. (Some enemies can be direct not only your reticle, but the to be hundreds of cards in all. For more
defeated only with melee strikes.) camera as well. A small movement
information on how they'll be distributed,
check kidicarus.nintendo.com.) When you
view the cards on the top screen of the
Р
х“ 305, characters will pop up out of them,
SS andif you place these AR idols face to
face, an option to make them fight ap-
pears on the bottom
+ screen. The battles
ren't terribly involved—you don't do any-
thing but watch the combat unfold—but
it’s a cool idea nonetheless,
o and it gives
you a little more motivation to collect all
he AR Idol Cards.

APRIL 2012 19
 REVIEWS

on the touch screen allows you to

pinpoint targets; a large flick of the
stylus moves the camera. Similarly,
holding the Circle Pad in a particular
direction allows Pit to saunter that
way, whereas a quick movement
[Below] When he's on the groun
onthe pad allows him to dash (hold
can drive vehicles such as this tank.
down the pad after dashing, and he'll
run until he's exhausted). This is one
of the only parts of the game in which
I had an issue—occasionally when |
would try to reposition Pit slightly
while walking on a narrow platform,
I would accidentally make him dash
off the side.
I also had to get used to employing
the wide array of self-buffing and
enemy-harming powers, which are playing at higher difficulty levels.
available exclusively when Pit's on Despite having a couple of minor
the ground. You can use them by issues with the controls, once | got
tapping icons on the touch screen accustomed to everything | found imagine, if you're a lefty using the game and provides incentive to
or by pressing down on the Control them to be ideal for a third-person Circle Pad Pro accessory)—even play through them again at higher
Pad (left and right on the Control shooter such as this. if many of the stages aren't difficulty levels. See, Uprising has a
Pad allows you to select powers). In I highly recommend using the particularly lengthy. That said, the novel difficulty—or, as the game calls
the heat of battle, it can be easy to stand that comes bundled with the relative brevity of the gorgeous levels it, intensity—system that ranges from
forget that you have these abilities at game, as holding the Nintendo 3DS (seriously, some of these locales look 0.0 (easiest) to 9.0 (hardest) and can
your disposal-although powers can system with one hand can be quite jaw-droppingly spectacular) makes be modified in increments of 0.1. The
become indispensible when you're taxing on your arm (more so, | would them perfectly paced for a handheld standard intensity is 2.0, which gives
you a sense of how difficult the game
can get if you decide to give yourself
achallenge. Why would you do that,
you ask? First, meeting or surpassing
the required intensity unlocks
Intensity Gates in the levels, giving
you the opportunity to obtain better
weapons. (You also get superior item
drops in general at higher intensi-
ties.) Second, a higher intensity
means you have the potential to earn
more hearts, the currency in this
game, than you would otherwise.
Before you start a stage, you can
bet hearts at the Fiend's Cauldron
in order to play at a higher intensity.
(You bet nothing if you play at 2.0,
and you have to spend hearts if you
play at anything lower than that.)
Successfully beat the level, and you'll
be rewarded; fail, and you'll have
to pay. On the plus side, you won't

80 NINTENDO POWER
 REVIEWS

three Daybreak parts that

appear on the battlefield.
Finding them all lets you
unleash a devastating
one-hit-kill weapon. It’s
similar to the Dragoon
from Super Smash Bros.
Brawl, another Masahiro
lose much progress if you die, as the it. There are nine types Sakurai-directed title.
checkpoints in this title are plentiful. through the levels, but sometimes of weapons-blade, staff, claws, Free-for-All is fun, but |ended up
Of course, having powerful tools the shop has things you haven't bow, palm, club, cannon, orbitars, playing Light-vs.-Dark more often. In
at your disposal helps even the odds, found elsewhere. And even if you and arm—each with pros and cons. this mode, the team members ona
and you can use hearts to purchase think you already have a particular Bows, for example, are great for particular side—Light or Dark, natu-
new armaments. Sure, you can find weapon, the stats may be completely long range, whereas clubs are better rally—share one life gauge. When
weapons in chests as you progress different in another instance of suited to close range. There's enough that gauge is depleted, the next team
variety that you should be able to member that dies assumes the role
find a type that works well for you. of Pit (if playing on the Light side)
You can sell weapons to get or Dark Pit (if playing on the Dark
hearts, but sometimes you'll instead side). The game is over when either
choose to fuse several weapons in Pit falls, so you end up defending
anattempt to make a better one. your side's Pit while attempting to
Weapons reach a plateau, though, dispatch your opponents. Adding
so it’s a good idea to acquire new, another layer of strategy is the fact
stronger ones when the time comes. that you can select any of the weap-
Fortunately, in addition to spending ons from your arsenal to use in the
hearts to buy armaments, you can battle. It's a risk-reward proposition:
get new ones via StreetPass. You can you have a power advantage with a
take any weapon in your arsenal and stronger weapon, but the stronger
create a gem out of it. StreetPassing the weapon you equip, the larger the
allows other players to obtain your chunk of your team's life bar that will
gem and you to get their gems. You be eaten away if you die.
can acquire weapons out of the gems So not only does Kid Icarus:
you collect, fuse gems together to Uprising have an epic single-player
make a different arm, or simply con- campaign, but it also includes two
vert gems into hearts. This means entertaining multiplayer modes.
that regardless of what you choose Furthermore, the game takes
to do with the gems you receive, advantage of nearly all the features
you'll always benefit from Uprising's unique to the Nintendo 3DS, from its
StreetPass functionality. stunning stereoscopic 3D visuals to
When you do encounter other the cool AR Card Battles to the abil-
Kid Icarus: Uprising players, you ity to trade weapons vía StreetPass.
should definitely try multiplayer. This game has everything but the
There are two game types for both kitchen sink, and in that respect it's
online and local-wireless play: alot like Super Smash Bros. Melee
an up-to-six-player Free-for-All and Brawl. And like those titles, Kid
mode or a three-on-three game Icarus: Uprising is a masterpiece.
of Light-vs.-Dark. The former is an —JUSTIN C.
every-man-for-himself deathmatch
in which you can play against both PUBLISHER: NINTENDO
human- and computer-controlled DEVELOPER: PROJECT SORA
opponents. Adding a wrinkle are the ESRB: EVERYONE 10+

APRIL 2012 8l
 {remember Something heard in the house,
something about the diary of faces.

curses than just that ofits memoir.

Physically interacting with the pos-
sessed diary certainly adds realism,
but at times the experience can feel

Caught on Film
gimmicky. Sure, it has its share of
creepy content, but for the most
part the surprises are pretty tame.
It doesn't help that it's impossible
to play in the dark—even in a well-lit
room I had occasional trouble
getting the camera to register the
book. It's also a shame that the
SPIRIT CAMERA: THE CURSED MEMOIR Using the handheld's stereoscopic campaign lasts only about four
camera as the Camera Obscura, hours, though the unlockable
When you allows you to identify and defend most of the time you'll either be "Story Mode (Extra)" does provide
purchased a against spirits—and a mutilated searching
for spirits in familiar sur- additional plot details and a higher
Nintendo 3DS diary (which is the same as thetitle's roundings or inspecting the spectral level of difficulty.
system, you probably weren't aware included 16-page AR book). The diary for clues to end your curse. You probably won't be scared out
that it could allow you to expose the book is your link between reality and The setup sounds a little clichéd, but of your seat, but Spirit Camera is a
supernatural. With the handheld's the residence of an entity known as the story's unexpected revelations fun AR game. The extra modes are
camera fashioned as a ghostbusting "the Woman in Black," who turns should hold your attention. More amusing, as well. One lets you fight
device, Nintendo's augmented- those in possession of the diary into ofthe plot is revealed as each page aghost that bears a friend's face,
reality game Spirit Camera: The ghastly abominations bent on trap- comes to life, leading you to clever and there's an on-rails-shooter-
Cursed Memoir beckons you to ping people within the journal. riddles or exhilarating engagements style minigame in which you film
reveal and conquer the invisible with vengeful wraiths. spirits within a haunted house. If you
horrors that haunt ourexistence. Although the battles can enjoyed the system's preinstalled
Set within the universe of Tecmo be simple, every encounter AR Games, consider this a title worth
Koei's Fatal Frame series, the story has you excitedly scouring investigating. —CODY M.
of Spirit Camera begins with the your environment with the
mysterious arrival of apackage that handheld to photograph and r3 PUBLIS NINTENDO
contains the Camera Obscura—a defeat the specter. LOPER: TECMO KOEI/
special photographic device that Unfortunately, Spirit NINTENDO
Camera bears more TEEN

‫جوف‬
ч Play with me, play with me!
If you can't answer me, heh heh heh...

82 NINTENDO POWER
 WIT
ЧН
neu
ЦА

Shift Happens
is unnecessarily difficult due to a lack of identifying
landmarks, and there are areas late in the game that
Just give me more
rely on pure trial and error to overcome. (There really
puzzles to. com-
should have been a way to scroll the play field so you
plete and more
could look for hazards.) To make matters worse, the
hats to collect, and
Vil be a happy N3DS owner.
SHIFTING WORLD stages have no checkpoints, so you're thrust back to the
beginning of the level when you die. It's disappointing
Sometimes it takes only а few small to see such a promising title held back by problems that
5 issues to derail an otherwise-great could have been easily fixed. —cHRIS н.
I'd like to be able to
a game. Shifting World is a perfect
stream full-length
example. For the most part, it is a lot of fun. The core PUBLISHER: AKSYS GAMES
z 3D movies to the
play mechanic of “shifting” the world—which rotates DEVELOPER: FISHING CACTUS
P» Nintendo 3DS. Oh,
the environment 180 degrees and turns solid areas into ESRB: EVERYONE
and | want a new Metroid game.
open spaces and vice versa—is мегу cool and makes for
Is that too much to ask?
some unique platforming packed with creative level
designs and cerebral challenges. There are no weapons
to use or enemies to fight-just you, your jumping ability,
I'd love to see
and your world-altering powers (and instant-death
some more 3D
spikes, of course); platforming fans should enjoy the
Classics added to
purity of it all. A few wrinkles are added as you proceed
the eShop. If Super
through the game—most notably the ability to change
NES titles like Super Metroid
the environment from 3D to 2D, thus letting you interact
and The Legend of Zelda: A Link
with background elements—but the focus never strays
to the Past were remastered
from the title's compelling main hook. Unfortunately,
for N3DS, | think I'd squeal with
the game does indeed have flaws. The biggest is a jump
excitement.
command that becomes unresponsive if you press it
right when you start moving, which proves annoying at
best and fatal at worst. Additionally, level navigation
As great as the
system's first year
has been, hopefully
developers start
offering more crazy, experimen-

Bush League
tal titles; stuff like Elite Beat
Agents and The World Ends with
You that helped define the Ds.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2K12

The exclusive back out as the ball approaches
5 licensing the plate. All that movement is
a contract that incredibly distracting and makes
2K Sports has with Major League it more difficult to read the pitch.
Baseball is set to expire at the Rosters are horribly outdated,
end of this season, and given the and with the game’s complete
shameful quality of MLB 2K12, lack of online functionality, Miami Marlins; the club formerly
that’s not a moment too soon. they'll forever stay that way. known as the Florida Marlins is
Every facet of this game feels Commentators frequently still listed between Detroit and
sloppy and half-hearted. When misstate the situation on the Houston. I could go on and on, but
you're at bat, for instance, there field, player models regularly you get the picture. --5ТЕМЕ T.
are only two camera options. One clip through each other, and the
is set ridiculously far back and the developers couldn't even bother PUBLISHER: 2K SPORTS
other zooms in when the pitcher to re-alphabetize the team menus DEVELOPER: 2K CHINA
starts his windup, then zooms in response to the newly renamed ESRB: EVERYONE

APRIL 2012 83
 EU

as expertly designed as the field

areas, full of alternative routes and
satisfying gimmicks.
Exploration is rewarding as well
as entertaining: the game lavishes
experience and ability points on
and caverns. The many tiers of players for discovering far-flung
XENOBLADE CHRONICLES traversable surfaces make for a landmarks, and there are plenty of
not something that was crafted to confusing automap, but the valley scattered items that can be used
With its sweeping fit the mechanics of the game or the is full of towers and spires that can to complete the game's simple side
c О vistas, engaging narrative needs of your adventure. be seen from what feels like miles quests. The world teems with mon-
a premise, and Xenoblade's areas aren't superfi- away, allowing players to use the sters, but they're rarely aggressive
clever battle system, it takes only a cially vast-they're legitimately fun same skills they'd employ to orient and are easy to avoid when you'd
few minutes of gameplay to under- to explore. The extremely talented themselves in reality. Dungeons are rather wander than fight.
stand why there was so much inter- level designers at Monolith Soft When you do choose
est in a North American release of have peppered the maps with to fight, you'll find that
Xenoblade Chronicles. The game intriguing landmarks to lure just as much of the
may not be perfect, but it's bold, explorers off the beaten the path, developer's effort has
ambitious, and wholly successful at and have designed complicated been lavished on the
using today's console technology to vertical elements that force players real-time combat sys-
offer a deep RPG experience—not to travel not just around, but over, tem. Each party member
merely a pretty one. under, and through the terrain. has a unique set of
The game's greatest achieve- For example, one area is a sloped, abilities, allowing play-
ment is the scale of its setting. snowy valley laced with natural
Unlike many modern RPGs that land bridges that crisscross from
stitch together a series of dioramas cliff face to cliff face, and tunnels
and call it a world, Xenoblade that bore through the surrounding
Chronicles features a massive, mountains to lead to hidden ponds
contiguous landmass
ona scale rarely seen
outside of online games.
The story follows a
linear progression,
but there are always a
dozen waysto get from
point A to point B, and
the world feels like a
wild and natural place,

Bl senec power
 Fashion show

are equally intuitive but feel a

whole lot fresher. For example,
players can run up to their com-
rades and press a button to revive
them from status conditions like
sleep and paralysis, and instead of
resorting to healing and blocking
ers to craft different battle plans to stay alive, weaker characters
with each three-character team. can use abilities to make them
For example, you can have your seem like less of threat to their
heartiest allies focus on causing opponents, diverting attacks to
distractions while your team leader their comrades instead. Combat is
delivers devastating backstabs, deeply strategic but also viscerally
or you can use a trio of characters thrilling, with midbattle prophecies
whose abilities can be combined that give players a heads-up when a
to hit foes with a chain of progres- teammate is about to die, but only a
sively debilitating status conditions. few seconds to prevent it. The lone
The game dispenses with many of hitch is that bad camera placements
the established conventions of RPG often disrupt your cleverly laid
combat-you can't guard, and there plains, and against larger groups of
are no items or magic points—and foes, heavy slowdown can mess up
replaces them with mechanics that your timing.

дени голе ВО
 that music "can ma the
ood game and a bad
ector Tetsuye akahashi hired six com
rs (includi 2 longtime collaborator Yasunori
c fincliic

o Shimomura of Kingdom
t the exact right artist for
; 90 pieces of mus
4
јо Power
so they cracked open
their Encyclopedia
of Anime Clichés to
pad the narrative
with a bunch of silly
subplots and trite
complications. A so-so
If the three pillars of agood RPG game feels like a classic fantasy localization doesn't
are exploration, combat,
and story, epic, charting a hero's journey up help matters; the voice
Xenoblade Chronicles scores big the body of a god, whereas the cast does a great job, but the overly about the game's central story, but
wins in two out of three but can't second half focuses on the world's literal script translation leads to lots each new event scene is as likely
quite pull off the trifecta. The story complicated mythology, including a of awkward dialogue, and the lip to induce a cringe as it is to elicit
is strong in a lot of ways: it grabs series of twists reminiscent of direc- movements don't always sync up to excitement or intrigue.
you right off the bat with a power- tor Tetsuya Takahashi's past works, the English voices. (Players do have The problem of burying good
ful, emotionally engaging opening. Xenogears and Xenosaga. That's all the option of playing with subtitles ideas under layers of needless
The setting—it takes place on the well and good, but the writing team and the original Japanese voices.) content is an oddly prevalent one in
bodies of two fallen gods- is unique apparently decided the game would The subplots and dialogue never Xenoblade Chronicles. For example,
and fascinating. The first half of the need a lot more story than that, get so bad that you stop caring the game has a number of strong

86 NINTENDO POWER
character-customization systems: that adds nothing but tedium to items, you have to do
you can upgrade arts as you see the experience. The game's cities So twice. It gets old
fit, learn skills from skill trees and are another example: I love their fast.
other characters, equip a wide massive scale, and I don't mind The side-quest
variety of arms and armaments, spending 30 or 40 minutes in each system is another area
and slot gems into your gear to add city talking to everyone to add their in which the develop-
additional abilities. The system names to the game's affinity chart, ers opted for quantity
would have been perfect if the see what goods they're willing to over quality, although
developers had stopped there, but trade, and fill my quest log with in that case they didn't
they decided that instead of just their side quests. But the game ruin a good thing by going too far, asatisfying experience. Buried
finding the gems, players would goes a step too far by adding a since there's barely anything good amidst the hundreds of fetch quests
collect ingredients from mining day-and-night cycle and having about it at all. The game has nearly is a handful that are actually kind
spots and defeated enemies, and different people appear at different 500 side quests, but the vast major- of interesting, but even those tend
forge those components into gems times of day. So every time you ity of them boil down to “КИ three to hit a wall when you need to find
in an unnecessarily complicated want to make a pass through the of this monster" or"collect three of an obscure item that's randomly
and time-consuming minigame city to find new quests and trade this item." The quests are sent into dropped by an obscure enemy that
an in-game quest log that quickly the quest description won't tell you
grows to an unmanageable size, how to find.
and even if you were determined Fortunately, Xenoblade
to complete all the quests, the Chronicles has so much going on
descriptions wouldn't tell you where that it's easy enough to ignore the
Ф Select Ants to find the enemies or items you things you don't like. If you're not
GB Change Target need. If you explore widely and interested in pursuing side quests
aren't afraid to pick a fight now and and talking to city dwellers, there
then, you'll complete most of the are still plenty of items to collect,
quests without even realizing that achievements to earn, and optional
you're pursuing them—not exactly high-level monsters to fight, all of
which offer rewards of their own.
Xenoblade Chronicles has a ton of
content, and you can easily spend
80-100 hours in its world, even if
you're picking and choosing what
you want to do.
While most other Japanese RPGs
are still slavishly adhering to a
20-year-old gameplay template,
it's thrilling to see a game attempt
50 many unconventional things
and get so many of them right.
«59 Chang Target Xenoblade Chronicles isn't just a
J [ мое Camera y,
breath of fresh air in a genre that
has grown stagnant-it's a high-
capacity oxygen tank packed with
enough fresh air to keep RPG fans
breathing for months. —cASEY L.

PUBLISHER: NINTENDO
DEVELOPER: MONOLITH SOFT
ESRB: TEEN

APRIL 2012 87
 REVIEWS ARCHIVE tendo 3DS Rd 4.0 WarnerBros. 270 E10+ SuperMario 9.0 Nintendo 273 E
ШЗ SCORE. PUBLISHER Vol. ESRB
Ace Combat: 7.5 NamcoBandai 273 T Manhunters Super Monkey 7.5 Sega 266 E
Assault Horizon Harvest Moon: 7.5 Natsume 272 E Ball 3D
Legacy The Tale of Two Super Street 9.0 Capcom 266 T
Asphalt 3D 6.0 Ubisoft 266 E10+ е — — FighterIV
Bit.Trip Saga 8.0 Aksys 21 E E E Ди 30 Edition
BlazBlue: 8.5 Aksys 268007] Y ^ Tales ofthe Abyss 7.0 Namco Bandai 275 Т
5 Я The Legend of 9.5 Nintendo 268 Е10+ Tekken 3D 75 Namco Bandai 276 T
Continuum Shift11 Zelda: 0 н m
Captaini America:
i 5.0 Sega 233 T ofсаала
Time 3D Prime5нEdition А
Super Soldier Tetris Axis 7.5 Nintendo 272. Е
CST NEUTRO сја 262 10+ LEGO налу potter: 7.0 Warner Bros. 274 Е10+ Thor: God of 6.0 Sega mod
Punch Time
Explosion LEGO Star Wars Ш:
. 8.5 LucasArts 266 E10+
Thunder
Tom Clancy's 8.0 Ubisoft 266 T
А The Clone Wars Ghost Recon:
CaveStory 3D 8.0 NIS America. 273 Е10+ Madden NFL 6.0 Electronic 266 E ЕРДЕ

ШАШ
"
Тү) 23 FIO Football
Mario & Sonic at 7.0
АП»
Sega 25: €
TomliClancy'sil 5.5 Ubisoft 267 T
Cooking Mama 4: 5.0 Majesco 23 E the London 2012 SplinterCell3D
Kitchen Magic olympic Games Transformers: 4.0 Activision 270 E10+
Crush 3D 70 S 275 E10 n i Dark of the Moon-
TE i * Mario Kart7 9.0 Nintendo 274 E
Cubic Ninja 4.0 Ubisoft 268 E б К Stealth Force
Dead orAli 9.0 Ti Koei 267 T Metal Gear Solid: 9.0 Konami 276 M Edition
E
Dimensions ‫ا‬‎ ; Shake Eater
Michael 3p —5.0 Ubisoft
Jackson: 2з 10+ WWEAlStars 7.5i THQ 274 T
Deca Sports 5.0 Konami 21 E The Experience
Extreme Nano Assault 7.0 Majesco 273 E10+
Doctor Lautrec 6.5 Konami 272 Е10+ Nikoli's Pencil 6.0 Konami XE
and the Forgotten Puzzle
A ПЕ үй. 1j
во 3.0 Ubisoft 271 м ninfendogs cats, ТО MiN -260 E Thewdyentüresof 549: UE an EO:
| 25 ТО ОЕ Order Up!! 6.5 UTVignition 275 E Tintin:
TheGame
Dual Pen Sports
FaceRacers:Photo
70 Namco Bandai 21270 E10*E
4.0 Majesco
расмап&бајава
Dimensions
7.0 Namco Bandai 269 10+ гурут
паре ны.
ncm
elltale
ss
Finish Pac-Man Party 3D 4.5 Namco Bandai 273 E -
FIFA Soccer 12 7.0 EASports 212. E Pet Zombies 5.5 Majesco р T

ТЕШИ Sm ке соати 2. : Pilotwings Resort 8.0 Nintendo 266 E MORE Dn:

а Pinball Hall of 7.0 Crave 268 E10+ H
Gabrielle's Ghostly 5.5 Natsume 21 E Fame: The Williams OE FUTURE:
Groove aD Collection 3D 3
Pokémon Rumble 7.5 Nintendo 273 Е There's
alotto like about
Blast _ Back to the Future. The
MORE ON: Rabbids Travel 6.5 Ubisoft 267 E А storyisexcellent (although
RESIDENT EVIL: in Time 3D ® not without
afew holes),
REVELATIONS Rayman 3D 8.0 Ubisoft 266 E the puzzles are fun,
and the voice
d £ Reel l Fishing
Fishi 6.0 Natsume 269 E inzi issome ofthe best I've heard
acting
I've been excited about Paradise 3D
in ages; getting the original actors for
the Mature-rated Resident Resident Evil: The 7.5 Capcom 269 M Doc and Jennifer is an especially nice
Evil: Revelations since Mercenaries 3D
touch. Sadly, the entire game seems
its announcement, so my i il: .0 Capcom
like it’s going to come crashing down at
expectations were pretty high. After
any moment. It’s plagued with frame-
playing it, |was not disappointed. Not Ridge Racer 3D 8.0 Namco Bandai
only does this game have impressive Samurai Warriors: 7.0 TecmoKoei 266 T rate issues and excessive load times,
3 т Р ј i d th herky-j
visuals, but it also feels like a Resident hee m 9:9 Rt eid riis m i
Evil title should in terms of both Shin Megami Os Alls brun 2 СТЕ eus
а Tensei: Devil Behind all that is a fine adventure
atmosphere and controls. (The latter is Survivor 3 Е
game (especially for fans of the classic
especially true when you're using the
> Overclocked films), but you have to look hard to find
Circle Pad Pro accessory.) —JUSTIN C. Shinobi 7.5 Sega 23 T ip emu
The Sims 3 7.0 Electronic 266 T à É
Arts
The Sims 3 Pets 7.5 Electronic 3 Т
Arts
SonicGenerations 8.0 Sega 274 Е
Spider-Man: 6.0 Activision 273 T
Edge of Time
SpongeBob 7.5 THQ 267 E
SquigglePants
Star Fox 64 3D 8.0 Nintendo 271. E
Steel Diver 8.0 Nintendo 266 Е10+

88 NINTENDO POWER
 MORE nn: PokéPark 2: 5.5 Nintendo 276 E Dragon Quest 7.5 Nintendo 265 T
Wonders Beyond VI: Realms of
RAYMAN ORIGINS Rango 5.0 Paramount 266 Е10+ Revelation
From vibrantly detailed Rayman Origins 9.5 Ubisoft 273 Е10+ Dragon Quest 7.5 Nintendo 271 E
environments to excellent Rhythm Heaven 8.0 Nintendo 276 E Monsters: Joker 2 \
3 Y Fever Fossil Fighters: 8.0 Nintendo 273. E
level design, everything " Champions
about Rayman Origins is RID SOTHO PETE VRE
s Rune Factory: 8.0 Natsume 272 E10 Ghost Trick: 9.0 Capcom 263 T
absolutely astounding. And not only Tides of Destiny ^ Phantom
is the soundtrack catchy, the entire Detective
game seems to keep to its rhythm.
Although playing with one friend isa ГГ
blast, I can't wait to experience this MORE On:
Dee ае SKYLANDERS: 7
7

SPYRO'S ADVENTURE
fa While working on last
^ 55165 Skylanders:
Giants feature, |
ended up hooked on the origi-
nal Wii game. It may not be terribly complicated, but it's perfect for
Sua MEI Ter | want to chillout, run around, and collect loot.Of course, Skylanders also
БЙЗ eee 3e speaks tomylove ofcooltoys,soI'm finding myself spending way too
ешш
Cars 2: 70 Disney 269 E10+ much money on the figures thatApaccompany the game. Does anyone have N
The Video Game 6.0 Crave
Cartoon Network 274 Е10+
a Legendary Spyro that they're willing to sell cheap? —PHIL T.
Punch Time
ExplosionXL
Centipede: 6.5 Atari 273 Е10+ i je i
infestation
Conduit 2 7.5 Sega 266 T ү —
BON =ФП HO remi
Rise of the d
3.5
А
rem 5
270 E10
Disney Universe 4.5 Disney 273 E10+ spider Mal .0 Activision 223 T Manhunters
Driver San
Francisco 4.5 Ubisoft m T САУ
SpongeBob 7.0 THQ 266 E Harvest
The Moon:
Tale of Two 8.0 Natsume 22 E
Epic Mickey 8.5 Disney 263 E SquigglePants E TownsDS
FIFA Soccer 12 8.0 EASports 22 E МО Мао 9,0: intends 202. ДЕ Kingdom Hearts 8.0 SquareEnix 263 E10+
Fishing Resort 7.5 Xseed 273 E Thor: God $5 Sega 3: T Re:coded
Fortune Street 7.5 Nintendo 274 E of Thunder Ы 8 3 Kirby Mass Attack 8.0 Nintendo 271 E
Go vacation 10 Namco Bandai 273 £10* Tiger woods 8.5 Electronic — 266 E KungFuPanda2 4.5 THQ 268 E10+
Green Lantern: 4.0 Warner Bros. 270 E10+ PGA Tour 12: Arts LEGO Battles: 7.5 Warner Bros. 267 E
e The Masters Ninjago
‎‫رت‬ ‫کچ‬ " poT nipS 4 0.7 stropSK2 662 E OGEL ratS sraW :lII 0.8 strAsacuL 662 E
Kr SRM ee еШ UE Transformers: 3.0 Activision 270 Е10+ The Clone Wars
Dark of the Moon- Naruto Shippuden: 6.0 Tomy 264 T
KungFuPanda2 2.5 THQ 268 Е10+ Stealth Force Shinobi Rumble
LEGO Harry 7.0 Warner Bros. 274 Е10+ Edition Plantsvs.Zombies 9.0 PopCap 264 Е10+
Potter: Years 5-7 TRON:Evolution- 6.5 Disney 263 Е10+ i
Thelegendof 95 Nintendo 274 E10+ Battle Grids ШШШ IER с972 ЕДН
ү di H VirtuaTennis4 8.0 Sega 267 E specter
wort " i i
" я Wii Play: Motion 7.5 Nintendo 268 Е10+ Rango 7.0 Paramount 266 E
LEGO Pirates of 7.0 Disney 268 E10+ Worms: 70 THQ 264 Е10+ НЕ 5.5 THO oe
the Caribbean:
T Battle Islands 5 д
The Video Game WWE "12 6.5 THQ жї т Shin Megami 8.0 Atlus 276
LEGO Star Wars Ill: 8.0 LucasArts 266 E10+ : Tensei: Devil
The Clone Wars WWE All Stars 6.5 THQ 266 T Survivor2
LostinShadow 8.0 Hudson 263 E10+ XMenDestiny 25 Activision 273 Т Solatorobo: 9.0 Xseed 271 E10+ `
MaddenNFLI2 — 7.0 Electronic 271 E Red the Hunter
Arts H Spider-Man: 5.0 Activision 273 E10+
Mario
&Sonicat 7.0 Sega 273 E Nintendo DS Edge
ofTime
the London 2012 ШН SCORE PUBLISHER, Noi Esae Thor: God of 6.0 Sega 267 Е10+
Olympic Games Aliens: Infestation 8.0 Sega 272 T Thunder
Mario Party 9 8.0 Nintendo 276 E ATV Wild Ride 7.0 Destineer 264 Е Transformers: 3.0 Activision 270 Е10+
MarioSportsMix — 8.0 Nintendo 264 E Bejeweled 3 8.5 PopCap 24 E БИШЕ Be]
EK 6.0 Nintendo 269 E Camping 5.0 Majesco 2H E расе Е S
Files: The Mama: Outdoor : - NN
Malgrave Incident Adventures TRON: Evolution 6.5 Disney 263 El0+
NASCAR 2011: 3.0 Activision 269 E Captain America: 3.5 Sega 270 Е10+ X-Men Destiny 2.0 Activision 273 Е10+
The Game Super Soldier
de Blob 2 8.0 THQ 265 E

APRIL 2012 89
|ғянром | OSPLAY PHOTO CHALLENGE

FANDOM
The details onthis cake are
astounding. Check out that sig

The Саке Waker

the edible canvas. Her work on
the cake-based tree is especially
noteworthy due to the intricate
markings on the trunk and
individual leaves. “When you're
a hardcore fan of something,

Set sail on the buttercream seas. КАААС бананаae

it's fun to recognize all the little
details that other people don't
to include Nintendo's beloved have a clue about," she explains.
THIS AMAZING The Legend of self-taught Harvey created the franchise in her most special day, "It was so much fun to make."
Zelda: The Wind Waker-inspired stunningly accurate confection but let the baker work her own She's since also designed
wedding cake comes from almost entirely from cake, icing, magic with the design. Using a Zelda-inspired cupcakes and a
Tracey Harvey, the 24-year-old and buttercream—only the couple of round sponge cakes Super Mario cake, among other
proprietor ofLittle Cherry internal supports andfigurine as the base, Harvey created this video game-themed creations.
Cake Company in Rossendale, toppers are inedible—using beautiful tribute to the 2003 We hope to see more of her work
Lancashire, England. Working screenshots and gameplay videos GameCube classic, including a turning pixels into pastries in the
from her home kitchen, the she found online. ton oflittle details all around future. CANDREW H.
 TAKE
your best
SHOT

VOLUME 275 '5 THEME: THE YEAR 2012

PHOTOGRAPH FROM GAGE L.

ABOVE and BEYOND

Got art, cosplay, case mods, etc.? Send them to us
via email to community@nintendopower.com
or via snail mail to Nintendo Power/Community c/o
Future US, 4000 Shoreline Court, STE 400, South
San Francisco, CA 94080. We'll print the best stuff!
 Seeing all the Kirbys displayed like this really makes us appreciate hi
FANDOM
much work Jessica Hickey put intot endeavor. It’s truly impressive!

Many нато
KIRBY’S UNIQUE ABILITIES allow fighting franchise.
him to takeon the skills of swal- The project spanned a year and tion," she admits. "I think by that most insane.” Finally she injected
lowed opponents, and in the Super a half during Hickey's final year in point, my boyfriend was wondering alittle personality into each plush
Smash Bros. games that also means college and her student-teaching. if | was the one who was insane." with the colorful hats inspired by
wearing a hat inspired by a copied The idea came from her boyfriend, With the whole project planned classic Nintendo characters as seen
foe. But in the able hands of Jessica and while it initially seemed absurd, from the start, Hickey tackled it inthe Smash Bros. games.
Hickey, a 22-year-old teacher she took on the task in the hopes likeanassembly line, working Mario, Pikachu, Samus Aran,
from Branford, Connecticut, the of finally completinga full set after on crocheting the pink bodies Solid Snake, and 40 others are
pink puffball transformed into 44 five years of crocheting various before embroidering the facial represented in the set, and
plush toys, each wearing one of plushes. “I wanted to challenge features-the most time-consuming once it was completed, Hickey
the familiar hats from the beloved myself in both skill and determina- part, which she says drove her "the almost couldn't comprehend
what she had accomplished.
"| kind of looked at them in
shock for a while, not believing
| actually finished them,” she
claims. “Honestly, it felt almost
bittersweet to have them all
done.” If the upcoming Smash
Bros. game for Wii U introduces
fresh fighters and Kirby hats, it
may be back to the assembly line
for Hickey! -ANDREW Н.
 FANDOM

Mario
Mapmaker
FANDOM

Painting by Pix ctitrh timt

ARTHAS THE amazing ability to transport a viewer to another

my life,” he explains. “With my point in his life. Erik Baxter of Sheffield, England, knows
paintings | want to re-create the this-that's why he spent half of 2011 crafting this cross-stitch
ALOVE OF 16-bit-era pixel art is
pure form ofthe pixel art and set of Super Mario World's opening map screen.
what drew Austin lvansmith, a Los
the characters in an environment a "Once I'd started, it got hard to put down!" gushes Baxter. He
Angeles-based designer in the
player would see within the game, really threw himself into it, staying up late and even bringing it
video game industry, to take ona
framing it in a way which would with him to friends' houses so he could keep plugging away at
job as director at WayForward-the
not compromise the feel of the this enormous undertaking.
studio known for crafting pixelated
original but also giving the painting With this, his fourth Mario-related cross-stitch, he knew he
heavy-hitters hits like Shantae,
aunique feel all its own." had to outdo himself. Using computer programs to enlarge
Aliens: Infestation, and Mighty
Drawing out agrid of half-inch a copy of the pixelated screen so it resembled a cross-stitch
Switch Force. So it only seems
squares and plotting out each pattern, he was able to replicate the design with a needle and
natural that his affection for blocky
hand-painted pixel for the Super thread. Baxter reflects that the hardest part of all was match-
virtual artwould spill over into the
Mario World tableau sounds ing the colors so the result looked authentic.
real world. After being inspired by
like painstaking work, but the Baxter isn't sure when he'll have enough time to outdo
pixel-art fan creations he stumbled
end result is simply fantastic. himself again, but he predicts, “If |were bonkers I'd consider
upon in the pages of Nintendo
Ivansmith's subsequent depiction [doing a cross-stitch] map of Hyrule.... That might have to wait
Power, lvansmith set out to craft his
of Shantae from Risky’s Revenge till I'm old and in a home." —pavin w.
own pixel paintings, starting with
is equally vibrant. His next project
ascene from his favorite game,
in the works is a group character
Super Mario World.
portrait from Super Mario Bros.
"Art has always beena partof
2, and he hopes to
eventually tackle Super
Metroid. We're envious
of what his walls must
look (ке. --МАТНАМ M.
 FANDOM
have been both a blessing and

What to Feed Your

a major challenge. Bearinmind
that Zelli has no background
in baking or cooking, so in a
sense, games—and not Cooking
Mama!-are teaching her how to
become a wizard in the kitchen.
The recipe that's given her the
biggest challenge to date was the
Kingdom Hearts II sea-salt ice
cream, but even that she was able
to get right eventually.
One of Zelli's tastiest recipes is
undoubtedly the peanut cheese
bar from EarthBound, which was
one of the items most requested
ANYONE WHO'S EVER SAID his 1-Up Mushrooms," explains of a video game. Everyone has to by her readers. Because she
video games can't teach you zelli. “1 had wanted to start a eat, even the hero if he wants to hadn't played EarthBound before
anything has obviously never gaming blog for a while, so continue on his journey.” undertaking the recipe, the odd
been to Daniella Zelli's sublime decided I'd just combine the two And true to her word, Zelli has snack was a bit of a mystery to her.
blog, Gourmet Gaming (www. and see where things went.... Food been posting a new recipe every But once she figured it out, she
gourmetgaming.co.uk). It's a in games is a part of the humanity Wednesday. The Nintendo ones became a fan—hopefully enough of
repository of real recipes for one to go back and play that Super
imaginary dishes served up in NES classic.
games. And of course, you can't Whether she's played a
write about games without includ- particular game or not, though,
ing Nintendo, and in its first few her process is the same, she
months of existence the blog has tells us: "I'll often research the
featured a number of NES- and traditional versions [of similar
Super NES-game-related recipes. dishes] first and see what kind of
"| realized that food in games basic techniques or ingredients
can be really iconic, like Mario and might be required and then I'll
tweak and add new things to make
it how | want. The research is a very
important and time-consuming
step—baking in particular has a
rigid science to its roots if you
want the final result to be edible.
You can't just start adding random
amounts of eggs and flour and
hope for the best. The same goes
with cooking and combining
We don't know about you, but looking at these pictures ism of these tasty treats, flavors. Certain tastes will just
‘ooking them foryours: aniella Zelli posts all the recipes on her site,www.gourmetgamin, never go together."
When asked whether she thinks
her dishes have the same mana-
restoring or leveling-up abilities
as their game counterparts, Zelli
notes that spicy foods, like Kirby’s
curry from Super Smash Bros.
Brawl, actually make her feel
“quite powerful." —pavip м.
 from hot-glued cardboard strips
and newspaper, and used clay for
various details. Several layers
of paint and fabric cover the
body, while the mask-perhaps
the most essential part of the
re-creation—employs a similar
cardboard and newspaper base,
which was covered in sand and
paint and then adorned with clay
and feathers made from paper
and pipe cleaners.
WHEN IT COMES TO Metroid- Vol. 272. nearby Rosemont. “То add some Marzullo estimates that she
inspired cosplay, the obvious Inspired by Cattell's creation, flare to the cosplaying world of spent about $100 on materials
choice is Samus Aran and her Gioia Marzullo decided to dig even Metroid, | decided | was going to to bring this Luminoth to life.
iconic suit of armor-and we've deeper into the series lore for step out of the shadow of one of She next plans to create her own
featured several great homespun her Luminoth cosplay creation, Nintendo's greatest characters," Golden Torizo, though hopefully
costumes in these pages. But which captures the look and feel she explains. it'll hold up a little better than
the many Metroid-series entries ofthe species first seen in Metroid Doing so required nearly a year her previous creation when
offer other worthwhile subjects Prime 2: Echoes. The 17-year-old and a half of work, including the worn to a convention. "If anyone
for cosplayers, such as the Torizo Chicago native decided to create scrapping of an original prototype finds a missing Luminoth toe on
boss from Super Metroid, which the costume after seeing a dearth for being too bulky to fitthe the streets of Rosemont, that is
reader Daniel Cattell nailed with of non-Samus cosplay at the uniquely proportioned character. mine," she concedes.
his 16-bit rendition profiled in Anime Central convention in Marzullo created the upper torso —ANDREW H.

HERRERA
BENNY
PHOTOS:
 NINTENDO POWER
(ISSN 1041-9551) is
published monthly except
bi-monthly
inJanuary/
February, by Future US,
Inc., 4000 Shoreline Court,
Suite 400, South San
Francisco,CA94080.
Phone: (650) 872-1642. Fax
(650) 872-2207. Website:
www.futureus.com.
Periodicals postage paidin
San Bruno,
CAandat
additional mailingoffices.
Newsstand distributionis
handled by Time Warner
Retail. Subscriptions: One
year basic rate(12 issues):
US: $19.95. Canada:
US$27.95. Canadian orders
must be prepaid. Canadian
price includes postage and
GST (GST #R128220688).
PMA #40612608.
Subscriptions
donot
include newsstand specials.

POSTMASTER: Send
changes
ofaddress to:
Nintendo Power,POBox
5770, Harlan, IA 51593-
1270. Standard Mail
Enclosure
inthefollowing
editions: None.Ride-Along
Enclosure
inthefollowing
editions: None. Returns:
Pitney Bowes, PO Box
25542, London, ON N6C
682, Canada. Future US,
Inc.also publishes @
Gamer, Crochet Today!,
Your Knitting Life,MaclLife,
NOL. 218 Maximum PC, The Official
Xbox Magazine,
PlayStation:TheOfficial
Magazine, PC Gamerand
Windows:
TheOfficial
Magazine.
Entirecontents
copyright 2012, Future US,
Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole orin
partis prohibited. Future
US, Inc. is not affiliated
with the companiesor
products covered in

IT MONTH
Nintendo Power.
Reproduction
on the
Internet
ofthearticles and
pictures in this magazineis
illegal without the prior
written consentof
Nintendo Power. Products
named in the pagesof
Nintendo Power are
trademarks of their
respective companies.
PRODUCED IN THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
It’s an embarassment of riches for RPG fans. Hot on the heels of
the awesome Xenoblade Chronicles comes the Wii console’s next SUBSCRIBER CUSTOMER
SERVICE: Nintendo Power
potential role-playing masterpiece: The Last Story from Final Customer Care, P.0. Box
5770, Harlan, 1A 51593-
Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi-and we'll have an in-depth 1270. Online: www.
nintendopower.com/
look next month. Speaking of Final Fantasy, expect news on that customerservice. Phone:
1-866-941-8368. Email
franchise making its rhythm-infused debut on Nintendo 3DS. NINcustserv@
cdsfulfillment.com.

BACK ISSUES: www.

nintendopower.com/shopor
by calling1-800-865-7240.

REPRINTS: Future US, Inc.,

4000 Shoreline Court,
Suite 400,South San
Francisco,CA94080.
Phone: (650) 872-1642. Fax
(650) 872-2207. Website:
www.futureus.com.

96 NINTENDO POWER
AS ‎‫ا‬

pemo 2:
==
MARIO ШШЕLL
БЕ

THE
OFFICIAL
NINTENDO
MAGAZINE

» FIRST
REVIEW!

am

кзтзесшя
поя
j штишти
Ў шон
cence
BURG SS
экшн
All-New
Pokémon!

We salute the games, controllers, codes,

and even the boxes behind the system that started it all!
 the"world' of
game development!
ProjectFUN Summer Workshops engage students in grades 5 and higher in the arts and
Sciences by immersing them in the tools and techniques of today's high-tech careers.

ш Video Game Programming

B Game Design
m Art, Animation, and
Multmedia Prodouction
2 Robotics and Electronics

See what our Summer Workshops

are all about at our Preview Day
events on Saturday,

April April

1 14
Attendees receive a

$150.00 discount
on any one Summer Workshop.
To sign up, visit
projectfun.digipen.edu/previewday

Learn more at projectfun.digipen.edu

Project a” DigiPen
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
 Маче WAN KONE) Бу

<EIROMAG-
OUT Cel TS UO presene с/аѕѕіс маео дате magazines SO (пак
they аге по lost permanently:

People'interested'in helping outinany capacity;

please м5 05 акгекотад5.сот.

NO profitis таае їгот SX ѕсапѕ, Nordo TEUER VULP S)

амаиаБ!е USN е publishers: themselves:

І NOW) соте асго55 anyone sellingireleases;/from

115 51е, ріеаѕеа (aXe SUSY XIE (пет апа Кој
о E 05 LONI

Thank you!