E3 2013 : An Opportunity To Be 2nd Best

After Nintendo announced it cancelled its big yearly opening event at E3, opting to quietly court stockholders and premium monied media at the event, you'd think they would be at a great disadvantage at E3. Thankfully it seems Microsoft is riding into E3 ready to save Nintendo, XBox One held high as people flee Microsoft's newest self destructive console.

But really, to be saved by a maniacally suicidal company hellbent on nickel and diming themselves into bankruptcy, if Nintendo fails to at least beat Microsoft at E3 this year... then boy are they in trouble, because right now SEGA could jump back into the console battle (SEGA Spectrum maybe?) and they could easily overcome Microsoft... So Nintendo should have no problem at least second best.

And they don't have to do very much. Release a batch of good games for the 3DS and Wii U,  announce good online content for both... and avoid every pitfall Microsoft fell into, which shouldn't be too hard if Nintendo doesn't lose touch with reality and rally behind Microsoft and their war against their own customer base. That includes the death of used videogames and rental services, 24/7 online requirement, and the inability to trade or loan  games with friends... for starters.

All Nintendo has to do is keep doing what they're doing, and they should come in second best this E3... which, all in all, isn't all that bad, given the situation with the Wii U and all that. Stay tuned.

Travelling Nintendo : The Updated Setup

In the past I have spoken of the travelling pack, the setup for hitting the road for Nintendo buffs... usually for reasons of evacuation during disaster events. Of late I have amended my travelling pack guide and made the following changes.

- From small shoulder slung bags I changed my emphasis to large shoulder slung messenger bags. I have been plumbing the depths of a local thrift store group that worked out of my local school for inspiration, settling on a multi pouch style of messenger bag, with compartments for your handhelds and games and charging cords and a large central pouch for food and drink and incidentals for the trip.

- I started preaching the virtues of a first generation Game Boy Advance being in your set, noting the need for one device powered by easily replaced physical batteries (when plugging in to recharge is not an option). Of course you will also have to invest in a clip on light source for this resistant beast, but given the handhelds range of gaming content it's alright to make do with a weakness or two in exchange for longer more sustainable potential in the long haul.

- The philosophy of travelling with multiple handhelds. A GBA and a 3DS... possibly also an older DS Lite. Simply because charging wise the most efficient is the GBA (be it the SP with over a dozen hours of charge at full, or the original with replaceable battery charge) followed by the DS Lite, and finally the 3DS. One of the most damning things about new tech, the more advance it is the quicker it consumes energy.

- Speaking of charging I have advanced my theory on the Nintendo multitap from GameStop (allowing you to charge a GBA SP or DS, DS Lite and DSi or 3DS all at once. Not only do I think you should own this if you also have an MP3 Player and tablet you should own multiple chargers. The plug on this can adapt to recharge any device that plugs into a USB slot on a PC, so you can't have enough of these plugs for charging I assure you.

For me I am working on a travelling pack pack for study and research with a GBA GBA SP, DS Lite and 3DS. Game wise I am still working on different recommendations lists, but that is a topic for a future Travelling... stay tuned.

Ponderance of the Day : Nintendo 3DS

When Nintendo releases the Video Recording App, and if Nintendo hasn't already crippled and handicapped the App? Who is going to start using it by using it to dupe TV shows and Movies onto the 3DS for personal viewing, or for private swapping between friends for viewing?

Nintendo Hawaiiana September 2011

For the first month of Nintendo Hawaiiana I teach you how to love your $250 3DS, even if it seems that Nintendo is having a hard time loving us back.

October 2011 is the full pre-review of the NES Virtual Console release for Ambassador Program members on September 1st.