Added: 04.04.2015 17:00 | 22 views | 0 comments

The scene: it's right after

I knew Lucina and Robin, the Fire Emblem amiibo, were coming for months. I had already missed out on Marth and Ike the first time around, because I was so swamped with life things that I missed pre-order windows. I eventually shrugged it off, thinking, "I don't need to spend $26 on these when I bills to pay." Right? RIGHT?

Back to the present. The morning after the Nintendo Direct I walk into work at nine. My desk neighbor, editor Peter Brown, tells me that GameStop pre-orders for the new amiibo start at noon. He already has the GameStop webpage open to the amiibo section.

As for that second point of blame, that's us. We did this. We did this to ourselves and we love it. We rail against Nintendo and retailers for squeezing us out of buying these toys, and we readily do it again and again and again. We allow this to happen. We stand in pre-order lines for hours, huffing and puffing about the wait and how we took off work to wait the entire time. We crazily refresh websites for hours, crashing an entire company system with our hunger for tiny Charizards. The amiibo fever exists because we make it so, passing it along to one another like kids on the playground pass mono. Stop placing your lives on hold to pre-order a plastic figure the size of your middle finger. That figure won't put bacon on the table or keep you warm at night. Stop waiting in lines for hours and just go to the store to get them when it's convenient for you; don't feed the hysteria.

But back to me. At 3 p.m. I gave up hope that I would get my Lucina and Robin amiibo. When Justin told me he was planning to get up at 4 a.m. for the Toys R Us online pre-orders, I sadly responded that I would not be joining him. In one day I had caught amiibo fever and completely burned it out, discouraged and disgusted at myself.

The day after the amiibo fiasco, I am exhausted. I don't own any amiibo and I don't know that I will ever consider purchasing one ever again, even if I think it's a cool addition to a game I own. I can't bring myself care as deeply as I know other people do, because the heinous, enthusiasm-killing atmosphere surrounding the amiibo market has driven me away.

Nintendo is limiting its amiibo market by limiting access to the amiibo people want; that's a lot of sad fans and a lot of dollars lost. People want certain amiibo because they love certain series, because Nintendo has created something that they enjoy and adore and they want to deepen their connection to that franchise. By deliberately making fans fight for a chance to buy an amiibo, you're dividing the community and your audience.

So please: don't get so riled up over amiibo. Although if anyone bought an extra Lucina, I will happily take it off your hands.

Added: 03.04.2015 3:18 | 11 views | 0 comments


"Fire Emblem fans hit the jackpot today as two major updates in the most recent Nintendo Direct were directly related to the Fire Emblem Franchise and its future."

Added: 03.04.2015 2:59 | 24 views | 0 comments



Amidst all of the announcements for new games during yesterday’s Nintendo Direct press event, the Big N also spared some time to discuss a few old games, specifically a set of four that are now available through the Wii U Virtual Console.

Added: 03.04.2015 1:26 | 13 views | 0 comments


Nintendo lifted the veil on some upcoming announcements, but the big news will come at E3.

Added: 03.04.2015 0:17 | 12 views | 0 comments


Hardcore Gamer: Behind marquee titles and surprise spinoffs is substantial subtext waiting to be analyzed, and we'd like to invite you to come with us and do just that. Let's dive in.

Added: 02.04.2015 22:43 | 8 views | 0 comments


Nintendo's Direct revealed that the new Fire Emblem will have several different price points. Peer and Jose break them down and try and figure out what it means for the US release.

Added: 02.04.2015 20:00 | 16 views | 0 comments




Mario Kart 8's second DLC pack will release on April 23, Nintendo CEO and president Satoru Iwata revealed during yesterday's Direct broadcast.

This add-on bundle of Animal Crossing-themed digital goodness includes a whopping 8 new tracks, as well as new characters. Soon you'll be able to race as the Villager, Isabelle, and Dry Bowser.

Added: 02.04.2015 18:00 | 14 views | 0 comments




To borrow a phrase from Satoru Iwata, the latest Nintendo Direct (posted above for your viewing pleasure) was like a box of chocolates; you never knew what you were going to get.

Nintendo bombarded us with so many announcements in a span of 48 minutes that I wouldn't blame anyone for being absolutely confused as to when everything would be releasing. While I could have done without half of the amiibo-related announcements, the new 200cc class in Mario Kart 8 and the upcoming Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition have me giddy with excitement.

Added: 02.04.2015 14:33 | 31 views | 0 comments



Nintendo recently held a Nintendo Direct session where they rolled out tons of new content coming out for the Wii U, along with new DLC for Mario Kart 8. The second major DLC pack contains new racers, two new cups with eight tracks, and all new vehicles and Mii costumes thanks to Amiibo support.