A trip to Yoshi’s New Island?... Yay! + Nintendo sales up + eShop & Humble Bundle deals, Etc.

Sales up… again, because of software? Well… keep it coming!

No need to talk numbers, but increased sales are always a good thing… Nintendo praises Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze & Bravely Default for this boost in February 2014 (and Pokemon X & Y continue their success as well). Why does this matter to me (?)… well… increased sales may encourage (whomever) to increase the software development for both platforms, which increases our options.

Yoshi’s New Island

“There… on the horizon… there are doodle birds, Yoshi’s New Island is near.” [The Crew goes wild]

“No wait Capitan… it’s closer than we’ve thought, Nin-Dems… onward!”

As we pull up on the shore (March 14^th, 2014), we notice Baby Mario playing with dancing eggs, and what do you know… here comes Yoshi(!)… greeting us with 3DS action! I hope that the game comes with more than its fair share of unexpected challenges and surprises (but no underestimations here). The variety of eggs should increase the interest as you progress, including transformations which may exceed 6… but the number of transformations don’t matter as much as their effectiveness in the game.

The unlockable 2-player mini games are a welcome addition, giving us the option of enjoying Local Wireless or Download Play… thumbs up for replay value! I’m not sure of the variety of mini games in the game, but I wouldn’t provide those spoilers even if I had them. ;) Hehehe

Don’t forget that this game is part of the promo program that ends March 31, 2014… if you happen to buy this game and a 3DS or 2DS then you’re eligible for Pokemon X or Y free. If you want the hook up, don’t sleep on the promotion.

Beyond Yoshi’s New Island being available on the eShop, there are also other games now available this week:

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (aka Super Mario Bros 2) | 3DS (Virtual Console)
Galaga | 3DS (Virtual Console)
Bubble Pop World | 3DS (eShop)
Cube Tactics | 3DS (eShop)
Lola’s ABC Party | 3DS (eShop)
WAKEDAS (Demo Version) | 3DS (eShop)
Madagascar 3 & The Croods Prehistoric Party Combo Pack | 3DS (eShop)

All the eShop games below are 50% Off based on the dates below:

SteamWorld Dig | 3DS (eShop) – Ends March 16^th (2014)

Zen Pinball 3D | 3DS (eShop) - March 17^th – March 31^st (2014)
Marvel Pinball 3D | 3DS (eShop) - March 17^th – March 31^st (2014)
Star Wars Pinball | 3DS (eShop) - March 17^th – March 31^st (2014)

Humble Bundle… Sega edition:

Unlock at $1
Alpha Protocol
Company of Heroes
Rome: Total War
Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit

Unlock at $5.99

The Typing of The Dead: Overkill
Binary Domain
Renegade Ops
10 Classic SEGA Genesis Games
Medieval II: Total War

Unlock at $14.99
Total War: SHOGUN 2

I’m not telling developers to give their games away (wouldn't do me any good if a studio goes out of business for giving away non-F2P games that generate zip in profit), but more should really consider a variety of release prices. I support Humble Bundle even if I haven’t had a chance to play the majority of the games I've gained, but beyond the great deals and helping out a charity, it should send a clear message to more developers to switch up their release prices. Full retail doesn't have to be abandoned, and dirty cheap prices don’t have to be ushered in… but a variety of prices would make sense.

Are you bad for gaming? Step back and take a good look… because YOU may be a part of the problem.
More people have decided to abandon gaming… abandon it (why in the hell is this happening? Who is responsible?), the biggest reason some have walked away is based on treatment by other gamers. How screwed up is that? I've talked to multiple gamers and… most were big on multiplayer games, and while there is the option of playing single player games and multiplayer with friends you may have (if they have those games)… some don’t… and dealing with the unpredictable public… hasn't exactly helped.

There are gamers out there that thrive on treating others like crap, and act as if the games they buy… were only developed for them to enjoy (and no one else supposedly belongs… especially noobs).

There is no logic in that, because studios don’t thrive on 1 sale alone. Some gamers have received some horrible feedback via post responses and emails because they are having legit problems with a game someone else happens to think highly of. Consider this a continuation of something discussed in a previous post… because the crap is ridiculous, and one resource that has proved bad in some cases are the forums that some companies shift you to for help.

The forums aren't always the best place to be because defensive fanboys & girls may be lurking about… ready to attack if a game is giving someone problems and they dare speak about it. When it comes to that type of crap, it sends a message to some that says “Even if you have a legit problem… you better not speak out about it or you will pay”.

There have also been posts blaming people for having a select game console (or a console in general instead of a PC), but their opinion doesn't matter… the blame falls on the developer no matter how they slice it (they made the game for the system you bought). There are bad gamers out there that pile on the hate when other gamers try to speak out about legit problems, and it pushes some to the point that some say “To hell with the game” or gaming as a whole.

If you are one of these haters… trust me, the supporters you run away are not considered a victory to the developer, because you’re basically screwing with their profit (and some don’t/won’t listen until it’s too late). In addition to problems that may exist in the game, don’t be one of the ones that exist outside of it.