Nintendo Should Revive the Gamecube Controller with Smash Bros Wii U

Super Smash Bros Wii U and Mario Kart 8 are the two premier titles Nintendo is set to launch on the Wii U later this year. In case you haven't heard, the Wii U isn't exactly selling all that well. Nintendo was forced to cut their sales estimates by more than 6 million for the system.

Many have written articles with recommendations for "saving Nintendo" and "turning around the Wii U," but I'd like to take a moment to pose another idea. No, this won't save Nintendo or reverse the fortunes of the Wii U. It would, however, serve as a small gesture of goodwill to long-time Nintendo fans who've supported the company through difficult times: the should release a collector's edition of Super Smash Bros Wii U and bundle it with a redesigned, Gamecube-esque pro controller.

Collector's editions are somewhat rare, although not totally uncommon, for Nintendo. Most recently, we've seen special editions with Zelda titles. They went all-out on Skyward Sword for the Wii, releasing a special edition bundle including the game, 25th anniversary soundtrack (also with the standard version), and a Zelda-themed Wii Remote Plus.

For Wind Waker HD, they packaged the game with a custom Ganondorf figurine.

They also bundled a standard Wii controller with Wii Play and released the Metroid Prime Collection with a steel case and an art book. So it wouldn't be totally outside the realm of possibility for it to happen with Smash, yet it would be a first for the Smash series.

Perhaps I'm just being selfish regarding the controller choice, considering the Gamecube controller is probably my favorite of all-time. Additionally, I've only known Smash with a Cube controller. Of course I played the N64 original, but Super Smash Bros Melee is when the series really took off. The game worked to perfection with the controller, feeling as if every detail had been designed with the controller in mind. Nintendo must have agreed as they elected to enable a number of controller options for the next iteration: Super Smash Bros Brawl.

Unfortunately, the Wii U dropped the Gamecube compatibility of its predecessor and thus, the Gamecube controller ports. Therefore, Nintendo would have to create a complete new controller design to work wirelessly with the Wii U. To be honest, it saddens me that Nintendo went away from the Cube controller design in the first place. With a few tweaks to the triggers and the d-pad, they would have found a classic design with staying power, similar to what we've seen with Sony and Microsoft's controller. Instead, they chose a new design with their Wii Classic Controller and now the Wii U Pro Controller, and in the case of the latter, a design strikingly similar to that of their competitors.

In terms of design, I would use the same body as the Wavebird controller. The coloring would be all black with a subtle Smash Bros Wii U logo at the bottom center. I would also make the d-pad slightly larger, re-design the top z-button and add another to the left, and tweak the triggers ever so slightly to give them less travel distance and slightly more responsiveness when you press them down, but leaving that satisfying "click" at the end. Of course the center would need to be redesigned with a plus/minus button and also the home button. This would be me my ideal design, but there's now way I'd complain even if they just released the exact same controller. 

Let's be clear, the Wii U Gamepad and the Wii U Pro controller will be fine options for Super Smash Bros Wii U, but I'm not sure it will feel perfect on either of those. There are also attachments sold online (like the one here) that allow players to use the Gamecube controller on the Wii U, essentially turning it into a Wii Classic Controller - but not a Wii U Pro Controller. And the difference is significant being that some games do not support the old Wii Classic Controller as an option (ex. Mario 3D World does, Wind Waker HD does not). Given their history of supporting every input imaginable, one would think that Smash Bros Wii U will support the classic, but there's no way to be certain. So even if Nintendo doesn't make an updated Cube controller as I'm hoping, it's still possible the die-hard Smash fans will still be able to use our old Cube controllers. 

A move like this certainly isn't going to reverse Nintendo's fortunes with the Wii U, but I do think it would go a long way toward enticing fans of the Gamecube classic to return and play the latest edition of Nintendo's brawler...just how they remember it. Oh and if they really wanted to send the fans into a frenzy, they could finally announce the launch of a Gamecube Virtual Console to coincide with the controller's release.

The Sad Realization Of Being An Adult Gamer

As long as I'm living and physically capable, I will be a gamer. Unfortunately, we only have a limited amount of time here on this earth. Many of us choose to spend part of that time with games. They provide us an escape, help to relieve stress, and provide entertainment. The problem today? There are too many good games. As I look back on many of the games I've missed, I came to the sad realization: I will never be able to play every good game available. I may not even be able to play ever great game available. For someone who has a passion for games, this is a sad thought indeed.

Currently, I own PS3, Wii U, 3DS, Vita and a handful of legacy systems including the original NES, SNES, and Gamecube. I also have an iPhone, which of course supports a plethora of new and innovative titles as mobile gaming continues to grow. The PS4 and Xbox One also loom on the horizon. Perhaps I've inadvertently rebelled against my parents and the philosophy they instilled in me growing up: one console, one handheld. They never understood the point of having more than one console and although I can think of plenty of reasons they're wrong, I have to say I'm starting to appreciate the idea that less is more.

I recently started playing the game Demon's Souls for the first time. In case you aren't familiar, it's a game notoriously known for its extreme difficulty and unforgiving checkpoint system. It's a nod to old-school games from a time where save points and checkpoints didn't exist. Demon's Souls is a game you could easily obsess over thanks to its intricate weapon, magic, and faith system. Certain enemies have specific weaknesses you can exploit if you have the right weapon. You can sacrifice armor for a character with more quickness. In short, it's a game I would have spent hours playing whenever I was a kid. Back then, you had to make every game count. Now I'm older and control my own finances so it's easier to plan accordingly so I can purchase the games I want.

If you're a young gamer? Enjoy the heck out of the time you have to play any game you want. Even better if your job allows you to play games for a living. As for the rest of us, we'll have to consider all the factors for our future console purchases, the games we buy, and how much time we spend with a specific title.

Metroid Prime is the Greatest Game of All-Time

There's no better way to kick off a new gaming blog than to discuss my favorite game of all time: Metroid Prime. While not a popular choice for best game of all-time, the first-person adventure is certainly one of the most critically acclaimed titles in video game history. The original Gamecube title has an astonishing 97 metascore on metacritic.com, which would be tied for 2nd if metacritic included legacy platforms in their all-time rankings.

Metroid Prime released in 2002 from the relatively unknown Retro Studios. Many longtime Nintendo fans were just a tad enraged when they learned one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises had been given to an up-and-coming studio, not to mention the longtime 2d series would not only be going 3d, but also 1st person. Early screenshots and preview builds of the game did nothing to quell those fears. Sensing the game wasn't shaping up as they'd hoped, Nintendo and Retro started meeting more often. While we'll likely never know the exact details of what happened in those meetings, Nintendo cancelled Retro's other projects and everyone focused solely on Metroid.

When the game released, critics were blown away. Not only did the game play well as a 1st person shooter/adventure, Retro took Metroid from 2d to 3d flawlessly. The series retained its sense of exploration, isolation, and epic boss battles. I remember picking up the latest copy of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) and flipping through until I found the Prime review. I had hoped for a silver award, maybe even a gold, but what I found was almost unthinkable: three 10's and EGM's prestigious platinum award.

From the moment you pop the mini-DVD into little purple cube, you'll realize the game sets itself apart in a big way. You're treated instantly to a sleek menu accompanied by a wonderful score; Metroid Prime exudes polish from the very first menu and until the final credits roll. At the time of its release, Metroid Prime was the best looking game on a console. Period. Yes, that includes the more powerful Xbox system, which of course featured Halo: Combat Evolved. Prime wasn't just good; it excelled on so many levels. I could go on for pages about what makes Prime great, but I'll try and highlight three reasons why it's my personal favorite game of all-time.

1.) The Boss Battles: Every gamer loves a good boss battle and Prime is chock-full of them. The best boss fights are those when you face seemingly insurmountable odds. A creature far more powerful than yourself, yet you have the ability to outsmart it by exploiting a particular weakness. I will never forget the sense of awe when battling Meta Ridley, Thardus, and even the Parasite Queen in the game's opening sequence. The music, the sequence of events leading up to it, and the fights themselves are just astounding. 

2.) The Sense of Isolation: This is one area where many modern games fail. The original Dead Space did an excellent job of making you feel completely alone and isolated; however, other games like Resident Evil have slowly turned into more action-oriented games. While Prime has plenty of action, you play as a bounty hunter who is very much alone. This is made completely evident from the moment you investigate the Space Pirate frigate Orpheon. The other locations Samus visits throughout Tallon IV continue to illustrate the isolation and how alone you are. Even so, you're never bored or left wondering where to go next. From the ice-capped Phendrana Drifts to the underground Magmoor Caverns, you'll always want to push forward and explore even more of the beautiful planet.

3.) The Little Things: Part of what makes Prime so great are the tiny details. The way Samus can see her reflection in the visor when a large light flashes or the way it fogs up when she enters a room with disconnected pipes. My personal favorite is the heat that rises from her arm cannon after you fire off a few bursts in quick succession. Prime is loaded with these unique touches. And speaking of loading, it's almost non-existant, which is unheard of for a disc based title. Prime hides its loading in very subtle ways through the use of locked doors and moving elevators. In fact, you'll never see a single loading screen for the 10-15 hours you spend behind the visor.

If you've never played Metroid Prime, do yourself a favor and find a Gamecube (or a Wii) to play it. The first game can be had for fairly cheap on eBay and Amazon. Even better if you can find a copy of the collection with all three Prime titles; although finding a copy for a decent price may prove difficult. What's more surprising is the following sequels, Metroid Prime 2 Echoes and Metroid Prime 3 Corruption, are equally as good. Every Metroid fan has a preference, but the original Prime will always have a special place for me because it did something incredibly unique that had never been done before. Although it released more than a decade ago, Metroid Prime remains my favorite game of all-time.