How Can Nintendo Possibly Right the Wii U Ship? Let's Discuss.

The Wii U is not doing well in sales across the globe. There is just little enthusiasm for the system, despite this week seeing some excellent titles released for it. While I am not in the category of people asking for a time of death for the system, I do believe that the window of time to turn around the Wii U is slowly but steadily closing. This article delves into possible ways Nintendo can fix the current sales problems with the Wii U, whether through new tactics or even new management.

First, Nintendo cannot possibly ask for a successful console without support. They need to be proactive with getting third-parties back on board. I doubt Western third-parties will have an interest in the Wii U ever, even if it was the most powerful console on the planet. However, what about Japanese support? Why is there such a huge lack of Japanese titles and third-parties for the Wii U? If Nintendo can encourage third-parties to develop games for their struggling system, then perhaps another issue that the Wii U has will be helped.

That issue is the subject of long droughts. Nintendo seems to be having trouble with HD development. It's totally new to them. Games that were supposedly launch window titles like Pikmin 3 and The Wonderful 101 still have no release date. It's absolutely mind-boggling how Nintendo was so ill-prepared, despite having over a year since the system's E3 2011 debut to finalize software.

A more extreme suggestion to turn around the Wii U's fortunes would be a price cut and rebranding. However, as history as shown, a price cut alone does nothing long-term for a system's sales. There needs to be a steady stream of games to facilitate continued growth. It is my belief that Nintendo needs to deliver a price cut this holiday season when the Wii U's heavy hitters and the consoles from Microsoft and Sony possibly arrive. This one-two punch could help create a sustained amount of growth for the long-term instead of simply having Wii U sell well for a month and then drop to current poor levels.

Included with the price drop I would want to see a much better marketing presence. The Wii had commercials on a myriad of channels here in the United States around launch. The advertisements for the Wii U? Not so much. I would want to see mall tours like the Wii had with multiple demo units for the Wii U allowing consumers both in-the-know and out-of-the-know to try out the system. That did wonders for the original Wii. Why hasn't it been done more with the Wii U?

There needs to be a message to the less savvy consumers out there that the Wii U is a brand-new console and not just an add-on to the Wii. Games like Wii Fit U will help in appealing to this market, but if Nintendo thinks that they are going to recapture the highly fickle market that bought the original Wii Fit in droves, they are mistaken. I think that audience has gone towards smartphones and tablet gaming.

Perhaps my most extreme suggestion, though, would be completely new management. It was telling at E3 2011 when the reaction towards the Wii U wasn't a fevered or overly excited one. Already there were questions regarding whether the Wii U was just an additional controller to the original Wii. Nintendo had an entire year to possibly change the name, get better support, create new games, and correct the errors from that E3 presentation. However, E3 2012 came around and the presentation was an equal disaster-- maybe even more so because it was the second failure of a coming-out party for the Wii U at an E3. Nothing was done to correct the abysmal path the Wii U was heading down and is currently experiencing now.

Despite all of the talk Satoru Iwata, current president of Nintendo, said about Nintendo "learning its lesson" with the Nintendo 3DS's launch, the Wii U suffered the same exact problems as their handheld: too high of an asking price, a lack of compelling launch software, and a huge drought soon after. Incompetence, thy name is Nintendo. What is the excuse for this? How unprepared and stubborn were Nintendo with the launch of the Wii U? Do you the different branches of the company even communicate? I adore Mr. Iwata and his developer-first stance with the company, but there comes a time when even after his success with the Wii, it's time to cut him loose. Under his leadership he has botched both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U launches. Something has got to give, and Nintendo's stockholders will make that clear very soon.

The sales of the Wii U are incredibly pitiful, and the sad part of it is that many saw this fate for Nintendo's console coming a long ways back. While it's easy to play armchair analyst concerning what would make a console do better, I do not envy Satoru Iwata and the rest of Nintendo's current position. I can only hope, as many gamers do, that Nintendo rights the Wii U's problems.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Wii U, 3DS) Launch Trailer

Monster Hunter may be a niche franchise, but that isn't stopping Wii U owners from getting excited about the newest iteration of the game, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. This game offers cross-play capabilities, online play for the Wii U, and handheld play for the Nintendo 3DS, to take your monster hunting anywhere you go. Check out this launch trailer for the game below.

20 Cheap PS3 Games You Can Buy for $30 or Less

A couple of weeks ago we at SuperPhillip Central posted a list of twenty cheap Wii games for $20 and under. Today we're doing the same for the PlayStation 3, but this time it's twenty cheap PlayStation 3 games for $30 or less. The PlayStation 3 happens to be our favorite high-definition platform of this past generation, and with all of the excellent games for the system, both first and third-party, it is easy to see why. This list of twenty games is for the frugal gamer in all of us, and it couldn't be at a better time with the current economy. Now, realize that this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of games. There are plenty more titles you can get your grubby little paws on for less than thirty dollars. In fact, after you have read our list, we encourage you to find and post other games that are quite cheap to purchase.

Disclaimer: The games listed here and linked to other sites had prices that were $30.00 and under at the time of this article's publication. SuperPhillip Central cannot be held responsible for increased prices that make a given game over $30 after the fact.

God of War III (buy here)

While the prequel to the God of War trilogy, God of War: Ascension, just released last week, if you've somehow come late into the franchise, why not look into how the series got its start? God of War Collection contains both God of War and God of War II on one disc, and the conclusion to Kratos' story, God of War III is an impressive beast too. The series' staples are here: high octane melee action, magnificent set pieces, and clever puzzles. What it all makes is a terrific way to cap off the trilogy.

InFAMOUS 2 (buy here)

The original InFAMOUS can also be found for under $30, but InFAMOUS 2 takes everything that players loved about the first game and makes it exponentially better. Return to the role of Cole MacGrath as he enters a new city to explore, New Marais, with full superhero-like powers intact. InFAMOUS 2's morality system allows you to choose how you play through the game's rather lengthy campaign and see one of two endings. When you're not doing that you can craft and share your own missions with other players. All this for around $20, and you have a must-buy at this point in time.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (buy here)

The third game in the Uncharted series takes Nathan Drake to wooded chateaus, military air fields, shipyards, sinking cruise ships (worse than even a Carnival cruise!), forsaken deserts, and everywhere in between. The addition of multiplayer brings a new level of mayhem into the mix, meaning that once you have mastered the extensive single player journey, you can hop online and start taking it to friends and total strangers around the world.

Uncharted Greatest Hits Dual Pack (buy here)

Two of the most entertaining titles of this generation available in one neat package? If you haven't already looked into these titles, then you obviously must waiting for an engraved invitation. Unfortunately, you will be waiting for a long time. What I can offer you, however, is the knowledge that the first two Uncharted games are excellent action-adventure titles that are one part Indiana Jones and one part Tomb Raider. You throw these two franchises into a mixer and you get Uncharted. For less than $30, this dual pack is a no-brainer. While Nathan Drake hunts for lost treasure, your treasure can be playing these two games.

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (buy here)

Both Ratchet and Clank have had a few stumbles recently with games that haven't been the greatest. Nonetheless, why dwell on the present when we can dwell on the past with one of Ratchet and Clank's grandest adventures that brings them through an adventure with the fate of time and space in their two pairs of hands. The arsenal of weapons for Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is immense, and so are the areas and planets the duo explore. A Crack in Time is a superb entry in the franchise, and one every platformer fan should play.

LittleBigPlanet 2: Special Edition (buy here)

Speaking of games that every platformer fan should play, LittleBigPlanet is a series of creative games that sparks the imagination of each player it comes in contact with. The cheap LittleBigPlanet 2: Special Edition comes with $35 worth of bonus content, including Disney/Pixar costumes, extra levels, and PlayStation Move content. This is all in addition to the already 50+ levels of platforming fun available. It all adds up to one excellent bargain that even those without a creative bone in their body can enjoy.

Rayman Origins (buy here)

One of the greatest 2D platformers ever, Rayman Origins hit platforms a couple of years ago with little fanfare. It was only until it started reaching bargain bin prices that people began to take notice. Michel Ancel and his team really crafted one phenomenal platforming adventure that up to four players can share together. Like Valkyria Chronicles, Origins has its own sensational art style and graphics engine allowing the cartoon worlds of Rayman to be seen in their most impressive glory. If you have yet to play Rayman Origins, now is the time to do so!

Valkyria Chronicles (buy here)

Tactical RPGs are always full of ways to flex your strategic muscle, and the PS3 exclusive Valkyria Chronicles puts it into overtime. With over 100 characters that you can freely customize, a unique means of participating in combat, and 30+ maps to battle on, Valkyria Chronicles is one mean game. Not only does it play remarkably well, but it also looks absolutely delightful thanks to the graphics engine tailor-made for the PlayStation 3.

Killzone 3 (buy here)

The fight against the Helghast gets even more intensity with Killzone 3. This sequel sees improved features such as the ability to carry two primary weapons, better melee combat, and an increase in the types of vehicles you can commandeer, including the awesome jet pack. For those like me who love pointing and aiming more than dual analogs, you can use the PlayStation Move to pick off foes with ease. In addition to all this, Killzone 3 sports some of the best FPS multiplayer on the PlayStation 3. Now's the time to bring the fight again to the Helghast... and for a low price, too!

Saints Row 2 (buy here)

Return to a much larger Stilwater with Saints Row 2. The sequel makes everything bigger and better. This open world juggernaut rivals that of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto effort this past generation, and that's because Saints Row 2 doesn't take itself too seriously, it has a bevy of customizable options, and it possesses multiplayer for two friends to wreak havoc and total destruction around the city streets of Stilwater. Saints Row 2 is one of the better open world sandbox games out there, and playing it is believing.

Batman: Arkham City (buy here)

A sensational superhero game, and quite frankly one of the best ones ever made, Batman: Arkham City also sports an open world structure to it for Batman to explore the crime-filled streets of Arkham City. The story features a wide array of heroes and villains from the Batman universe including the Joker, Catwoman, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, the Riddler, and so many more. You never know who you're going to run into next. That makes you want to keep playing through the game, but that isn't the only reason to do so. No, the excellent combat and gameplay makes you feel like you're Batman. Something few games have been able to accomplish.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 (buy here)

The general consensus towards Final Fantasy XIII was that the game was a bit of a let-down, full of linear corridors in the form of dungeons and a lack of towns to visit. Final Fantasy XIII-2 remedies many of the problems of its predecessor and creates a time-traveling adventure worthy of the Final Fantasy name. While the game does not reach classic Final Fantasy levels, it holds its own in a modern era. From recruiting monsters to your cause to the multiple endings the game contains, Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a competent and capable entry in the long-running Final Fantasy franchise.

Mirror's Edge (buy here)

Mirror's Edge is one of those titles that a lot of gamers are clamoring for a sequel. That's for good reason, too, as the game is an exceptional one that has players performing feats of parkour-- running along rooftops, scaling walls, and leaping across wide chasms. Mirror's Edge features plenty of platforming puzzles, intense chase sequences, and other forms of terrific gameplay that gets the adrenaline pumping and the heart pounding as well.

3D Dot Game Heroes (buy here)

For a series that is so heralded, few have tried to imitate The Legend of Zelda series. Well, 3D Dot Game Heroes goes right for the nostalgic heartstrings with its 8-bit art turned three dimensions, and an adventure that is more similar to the original Legend of Zelda. 3D Dot Game Heroes has players journeying across an overworld map, defeating monsters, visiting towns, exploring dungeons, battling bosses, and acquiring new treasures. It's perfect for the old school gamer that loves them some Zelda.

Sonic Generations (buy here)

Coming off the stellar Sonic Colors for Wii, the Blue Blur is back with a brand-new adventure that spans two generations, Classic and Modern. Both offer their own brand of platforming fun that takes the Sonic the Hedgehog series from its former mediocrity to all-new heights. Seamlessly intertwining 2D and 3D gameplay, Sonic Generations is a fantastic reminder of why many of us still love the blue hedgehog. From Green Hill to Planet Wisp, the game will have you (mostly) smiling from beginning to end.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (buy here)

Ratchet returns and Clank is back with him in the duo's first foray on the PlayStation 3 and in high-definition with Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. The game comes with a whole horde of new high-powered weaponry that levels up in strength and use as they are utilized. Tools of Destruction is the start of a new story that stretches across this game, Quest for Booty, and A Crack in Time, delving into the origins of Ratchet, the last known Lombax in the galaxy. This entry of the Ratchet & Clank series is perfect for beginners to become accustomed to the characters of the series and is definitely worth a play.

Journey Collector's Edition (buy here)

Journey by itself is a fantastic game, but when you add Flower and fl0w into the fold, you get a package of games that is undeniably stellar. Not only do you get three games, but you also get bonus content in the form of a 30-minute documentary about Journey, the soundtracks to all three titles, and a trio of mini-games from thatgamecompany. This is all for under $30. If that's not enough to entice you, perhaps the free month of PlayStation Plus will.

Heavy Rain: Director's Cut (buy here)

More an interactive experience than a full game, Heavy Rain consists of numerous quick-time events and choices for your character to make as the two of you progress through the intriguing story. The inclusion of multiple endings means that Heavy Rain is the type of title that you will want to play through several times so you can see how many different ways the tale includes. The game is a wild ride with numerous twists and turns that will have you engaged from beginning to end.

Gran Turismo 5 XL Edition (buy here)

The ultimate driving simulator Gran Turismo returns with a complete version of its fifth installment, full of all of the updates of the vanilla version right on the disc, and $20 in bonus content. The series is known for its realistic handling of all of its multitude of motor vehicles and machines, and Gran Turismo 5 is no different. Race on real and fictional courses as you vie for the number one spot, giving you more money to purchase even more of the 1,000+ rides the game possesses. Gran Turismo 5 is the type of title that will have you playing for eons as it holds myriads of content. The low price of admission is just the icing on the cake.

Grand Theft Auto IV & Episodes from Liberty City: The Complete Edition (buy here)

While in retrospect a good portion of gamers believe that Grand Theft Auto IV is one of the most overrated games of this generation (and perhaps of all time), it is still worth playing, in my opinion. The Complete Edition, which contains the vanilla version of Grand Theft Auto IV in addition to   the episodes The Lost and the Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, makes for a tremendous value. You really have to appreciate the world that Rockstar North created with this iteration of Liberty City. With essentially three unique games to play in one package, there's little to lose and a lot to gain by trying The Complete Edition out.

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That wraps up our list of twenty games. As stated in the introduction, there are no doubt other games we didn't even list that we'd love to see you guys out there come up with. Post other games under $30 that we left out of our list in the comments section below.

SPC's Favorite VGMs - Double Dose of Sorrow Edition

Nothing like SPC's Favorite VGMs to dabble in a double dose of sorrow for a lovely March day, no? Today we have two tracks with the word "sorrow" in them. They bookend the other three VGMs for this edition. We have music from Golden Sun, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam, and Paper Mario: Sticker Star.

v336. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) - Sorrow's Distortion (Spell of Sorrow)

The final entry in the Castlevania trilogy on the Nintendo DS was also the hardest of the three games. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia fused the old-school difficulty of older games and the more modern Metroid-style gameplay of more recent games to create one fantastic experience. Whether you know this song as Sorrow's Distortion or Spell of Sorrow, I think we can all agree that this theme gets one in the mood for vampire-slaying action.

v337. Golden Sun (GBA) - An Adapt's Home ~ Vale Theme

The primary hero of Golden Sun, Isaac, calls Vale his happy home, but when tragedy strikes, he must venture outside Vale's boundaries with friend Garet on an epic journey. The theme of Vale is very homely and suitably so. The pan flute gives an earthen vibe to this satisfying theme.

v338. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam (PS3, 360) - Breakthrough in Your Fate

Dynasty Warriors as a series, and games of its ilk, are given a lot of grief for their repetitive nature. Some folks like myself just enjoy them as pure comfort gaming. We don't mind the endless hacking and slashing. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam combined two great things: Dynasty Warriors and the manga/anime Gundam franchise. It was a marriage that spanned three games across the HD twins.

v339. Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS) - Snow Rise

There is no doubt in my mind that the greatest soundtrack from the Paper Mario series is this one, Sticker Star. The melodies are memorable, the themes are catchy, and even though the game did not live to the series's normal standards, it was still great fun. Snow Rise is one of the better songs in the game with its jaunty melody and piano accompaniment. Winter might soon be disappearing, but we can still enjoy what's left of it with this song.

v340. Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii) - Sorrow

We cap off this doubly sorrowful edition of SPC's Favorite VGMs with Sorrow, a boss battle theme from Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. The game featured a wholly new scenario, content from Resident Evil 2, and content from Code Veronica (where this remixed song comes from). The strings and choir make for a truly sensational sounding and dramatic tune!

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The conclusion of another edition of SPC's Favorite VGMs has been reached. No worries if you grow sad that they won't be back until next Monday, as you can listen to every VGM ever spotlighted in the VGM Database.

400th Review! Metroid Prime (Wii) Retro Review

After nearly five years of service, SuperPhillip Central has reached its 400th review. We couldn't help but celebrate with what is rightfully considered one of the greatest games of all time, Metroid Prime. Here is our review.

The Girl With the Golden Touch

Metroid is a legendary franchise and one that has created many imitators. However, few have ever reached the levels of greatness that Metroid as a series has obtained. While many Metroid fans find the greatest height of the franchise being the Super Nintendo's excellent Super Metroid, others find the first fully 3D Metroid game, Metroid Prime, as the best Samus Aran has to offer. This reviewer sides with the latter argument. Metroid Prime isn't just the best Samus Aran has to offer, it's simply one of the best games in modern gaming history.

Metroid Prime begins with Samus Aran investigating a Space Pirate frigate in the quiet of space. The crew had been decimated by the experiments being manufactured on board. Inside the ship she uncovers a grotesque Parasite Queen, one such experiment gone awry. After defeating it, she comes across a genetically altered version of her nemesis, Ridley, who quickly retreats and heads for the nearby planet of Tallon IV. As Samus retreats from the then-self-destructing frigate, she makes chase in her Gunship of the new Meta Ridley creature. Little does Samus know that there's more to Tallon IV than meets the eye.

Samus is on the scene.

If you are unfamiliar with how the Metroid series works, let me enlighten you. The Metroid series is built on exploring areas and uncovering new abilities through power-ups. By finding new power-ups and gaining those new abilities, you are able to access previously unreachable areas, thus being able to explore more and more of each series's games. That's generally the crux of how Metroid works. Metroid Prime gives players for the first time a fully 3D world to explore instead of the typical side-scrolling 2D action the series is most known for.

The world is incredibly well put together. Tallon IV is a living, breathing world full of things to see, do, and discover. You really feel like you are on a mysterious planet-- a bold new world. Tallon IV is split up between multiple areas: you have the Tallon Overworld; the footprint of the Chozo tribe, the Chozo Ruins; the underworld of Tallon IV where molten magma and blazing beasts call their home, the Magmoor Caverns; the eerily tranquil and icy areas of the Phendrana Drifts; and the radioactive quarries of the Phazon Mines. Each area is connected by elevator from one area to another, and each area has multiple elevators. With all of these areas you might think that getting lost is easy. Thankfully, it's not too terribly bad, despite the addition of a new dimension. Metroid Prime has its own fully rotatable map with every room and hallway having its own name. Uncovering map stations allows you to reveal the lay of the land. Rooms in blue are not yet entered while orange rooms are. Meanwhile, save stations allow you to obviously save your game, and are routinely placed in convenient locations around Tallon IV.

Tallon Overworld is the main hub 

of Metroid Prime.

Samus Aran has a lot of her abilities from past games such as the Morph Ball that allows her to curl up into a ball to squeeze through narrow passages, the Space Jump that allows her to perform a double jump, and the Power Bomb that grants her the ability to blow up certain walls that would otherwise be impenetrable.

I'm getting cold just looking at this screen!

In addition to new abilities, Samus can gain new beams. From icy shots of arctic cold with the Ice Beam to the intense heat of the Plasma Beam, these can be cycled through by holding the + button on the Wii Remote and then holding the pointer over the desired beam to select it. Outside of beams, an important part of exploration comes through obtaining different visors for Samus to utilize. For instance, the Thermal Visor allows Samus to obtain heat signatures within pitch black rooms while the X-Ray Visor grants Samus the ability to see through walls and uncover hidden goodies. Without these visors, journeying through the perilous Tallon IV would be next to impossible.

A big part of discovering the back story to Metroid Prime is done through the Scan Visor, which allows Samus to scan objects, items, and enemies. Nearly everything in the game can be scanned. These scanned items go into Samus's log book where players can read up on the history of Tallon IV, the Chozo, various enemies, Space Pirate data entries, and much more at any time. Players can honestly go through the game without knowing much of anything regarding what is happening if they don't bother to read the various scan information around Tallon IV.

Discovery is indeed an important part of the Metroid franchise, and it is remarkably well done in Metroid Prime. As new upgrades are acquired, new areas are able to be entered, opening up new sights and sounds for Samus to see and hear. Hidden in the game are an immense amount of helpful expansions. These increase the amount of missiles, power bombs, and health Samus can hold. In order to obtain that often heralded 100% completion percentage, not only do all of the expansions need to be found and received, but all of the pages in Samus's log book must be filled through scanning the necessary objects and enemies.

Perhaps something that will turn off some players is the copious amounts of returning to previously explored areas. You will be backtracking a lot in Metroid Prime, and while that is an accepted part of the genre, some players may get tired of trekking through old haunts just to reach one new room. That said, Metroid Prime limits needless backtracking to a great degree, and it's one of the better examples of the genre archetype to be had. One other issue that relates to backtracking is a quest that needs to be done at the end of the game. That is, twelve Chozo Artifacts must be found before you can reach the final area of the game. Their locations are given in cryptic hints, and they require returning to past areas to find them. Again, this is something that might drain the enthusiasm of some players.

Tallon IV's so dangerous that even the 

plants are trying to kill you.

The planet of Tallon IV is full of interesting (and dangerous) creatures. Each can be scanned to get details about the proper way to dispose of them. This is no truer than with Metroid Prime's colossal bosses. Each has their own patterns and ways to defeat them, from gigantic rock monsters to Phazon-powered omega-level Space Pirates. The boss battles themselves are entertaining, and some are downright challenging too. Generally each boss is the last thing in the way of Samus acquiring a brand-new power-up or even better, a brand-new suit.

Stop, rock, and roll.

While we're on the subject of combat, the Wii Remote and Nunchuk are the tools of your trade to eliminate the threat to Tallon IV. By pointing at the edges of the television screen, you move the camera around (i.e. Samus's viewpoint). In correlation with the analog stick, this is how you move around. Aiming is done by locking on to foes (though locking on isn't necessary, it's quite the help) and pointing carefully with the Wii Remote. While this method of control is not as entirely accurate as a keyboard and mouse combo, it is better in precision (and much more fun in this reviewer's opinion) than dual analogs. As for every other control input (curling into Samus's Morph Ball, firing missiles, and so on), everything makes sense as to how it is performed and situated on both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.

Show this baddie who's boss.

Metroid Prime still astonishes with its graphics. Little touches like steam fogging up Samus's visor and rain droplets tinkling down her armor make for impressive sights. Then there are the big touches like the gorgeous environments (Phendrana Drifts is one of the most beautiful places in a Nintendo game) and the well designed enemies and bosses that make for some sensational sights (and fights). The music is a series of remixed Metroid classic themes and entirely new compositions. It is a mix of music that makes for a marvelous soundtrack. It perfectly fits with the feeling of being on an alien planet.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger of Space Pirates.

It is simply amazing how well Nintendo and Retro Studios have managed to transplant the gameplay of the Metroid series from its 2D roots and place them into 3D so splendidly. The level of polish and attention to detail is just enormous, and you can tell that Metroid Prime was crafted as a labor of love between developer Retro Studios and publisher Nintendo. Although it has a first-person perspective and there is plenty of shooting, those looking for Nintendo's answer to Halo are better suited to look elsewhere as Metroid Prime is Metroid through and through with all of its backtracking and exploring. With the addition of Wii Remote controls, the best version of this game can now only be found on the Nintendo Wii.

[SPC Says: 9.75/10]