My latest thoughts on the WiiU are that I really like most of the games (Wind Waker, W101, Mario 3D World). Therefore, I like the system in spite of the hardware. The gamepad is nice for off TV play, but I prefer the Pro Controller. On the other hand, I like the PS4 and Vita partially because the hardware is so well designed.

What's funny is that Mario 64 was more "open-world" and had more innovation than this new Mario World.

Really? While I liked WW's art-style better, I liked Skyward Sword way better as a game.

3D World isn't a true 3D game. More like 2.5D game.

Edit: slop beat me to it.

The only real Zelda is a top down Zelda, damn it!

A Super Smash Bros.-centric Nintendo Direct will premiere on Tuesday, April 8th at 6 PM.

(Hey, that's my fiancee's birthday! Guess I won't be watching live! )

I really enjoyed Twilight Princess. Haven't played Skyward Sword yet. And I mean a Mario 64/Sunshine/Galaxy-esque game.

I'm thinking we will get a few more character details, maybe a stage or two, and a release date.

Never finished TP on the Wii because of the awful Motion controls. I really should pick up the Cube version but I keep holding out waiting for an 'updated' version.

Refurbished Deluxe w/ Nintendoland: $200

http://store.nintendo.com/webapp/wcs...tegoryId=70706

Do it. I tried playing through the Wii version twice, despite the weird controls and the flipped universe. Picked up the GCN version and loved it (and finally played through the whole thing)...

What we learned about Smash Bros. today:

1) 3DS this summer. Wii U this winter.
2) Both 3DS and Wii U will run at 60 fps.
3) 3DS stages will be oriented around locales we've seen in handheld releases. Wii U has a console orientation, natch.
4) 3DS has an exclusive "Smash Run" competition mode where players pick up power-ups in a dungeon that influence the battle at the end.
5) There are "For Glory" and "For Fun" modes so hardcore players don't have to deal with casual players and vice versa. The rules, power-up availability, and the like can vary between the modes too.
6) Tons of new characters! Too many to list, but you can find recaps on the usual gaming sites.
7) Nintendo will institute temporary bans for 'bad behavior'

I'm shocked that the 3DS version comes out first. What incentive is there for a non-WiiU owner to get one?

Is the 3DS version online by itself? I know Monster Hunter had some convoluted system where you had to go online via the WiiU...

The stages are different, so I don't think there could be any sort of cross-play.

I can't decide if Nintendo is making a mistake, if they're banking on fanatics buying the same game twice, or if they're acknowledging that this isn't going to be a system seller for the Wii U.

I don't mean cross play (though that would be cool) I mean can you play online with the 3DS version (against other 3DS's)? Because Monster Hunter 3DS forced you to connect to the WiiU to go online.

Everything I'm reading makes it sound like 3DSes can compete directly. I don't know why Capcom did it that way, but I can't think of any first party 3DS titles that require jumping through those hoops.

For those of you with Super Mario 3D World there's an easy way to max out your lives
Some of you have probably already done it but if not
Go to the game's second level , near the beginning throw a turtle shell between the two small cliffs with the clear pipe
The shell will get trapped and bounce back and forth.
Jump onto the shell and 1UPs like you wouldn't believe
I had to do it twice to max out
the first time my time ran out
You'll know it's maxed out when the lives have three crowns by it instead of numbers
Around 1200 lives

Isn't that the same trick as in the original Super Mario Bros?

Yeah but less effort needed in this one

I use the spot in #4. It's not the fastest, but it gives you more room to pull it off.

The word from the March NPD numbers is that the Wii and Wii U combined didn't break the 100,000 console mark. Expected, given the lack of new games, but still...

I still think it's too expensive. I'll even admit, there are a couple games I wouldn't mind playing on Wii U (the new DK game, Mario 3D World, maybe even Mario Kart), but no way would I pay anything over $150 - $200 to do so. Especially since it's getting crushed in sales performance and the last gen tech, Nintendo has to be working on getting another console out in the next couple years.

Game and Wario is $15.99 at Best Buy right now: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/game-wario-nintendo-wii-u/5772237.p?id=1218692959287&skuId=5772237&st=categoryid$pcmcat274600050017&lp=6&cp=3

I'd post the similar deals for Scribblenauts Unlimited and Scribblenauts Unmasked if I weren't on my phone!

It's been sold out all morning. Most stores don't even have it available for store pickup either. Such a bummer.

Got around to 100%ing New Super Mario Bros U.

On to Super Mario 3D World...loving it so far, has a nice SMGalaxy feel to it. It's amazing how hours can go by playing these titles.