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Here come Amazon's Gold Box deals [update 2]
Just a reminder to all you friendly folks in the U.S. -- Amazon is having crazy DS deals today. The retailer kicked off its Gold Box sales awesomely, offering Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for $16.99. If we don't say so ourselves, that is damn sweet. You have until 12am Pacific time to bite on this, but we recommend getting it sooner rather than later because we doubt supplies will last.As for the lightning deals, we've listed them here (with our guesses for ones that haven't been confirmed yet). Keep in mind, these are in Pacific time, and each deal lasts for four hours (assuming they don't go out of stock): 6am-10am: "Will you answer the call?" - Confirmed: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for $18.99 10am-2pm: "Dazzle your unsuspecting friends with your magical prowess." - Confirmed: Master of Illusion for $14.99. 2pm-6pm: "Protect the Earth, destroy the invaders." - Confirmed: Tranformers: Autobots 6pm-10pm: "Your destiny awaits. Experience the power." - (Our guess: Naruto: Ninja Destiny) We suppose that with such an awesome "Deal of the Day," we can forgive Amazon for everything else being subpar. Keep in mind, though, that these are just our guesses. We'll update the post as other sales are confirmed.[Update 1: Master of Illusion was confirmed as the second lightning deal and was added to the post.][Update 2: Transformers: Autobots is the third lightning deal. And, would you look at that -- Master of Illusion sold out. Who would have thought?][Via CAG]
Super Paper price cut
Paper Mario might not be our favorite franchise, but it's definitely a key staple in Nintendo's repertoire. If you don't have the Wii's Super Paper Mario, then, you might want to consider getting it -- especially since Amazon dropped it's price by $10. As per usual, this Amazon price cut is without rhyme or reason (it may be permanent, it may not be), so we recommend taking advantage of it while you still can should this deal interest you.We can imagine, though, that your plate of Nintendo games might be pretty full from some recent releases and upcoming titles.%Gallery-12013%[Via CAG]
Rumor: Paper Mario port on the way
According to (the translated version of) a Ruliweb post about a note in the latest issue of CoroCoro Comic, a DS version of the Nintendo 64 Paper Mario is on the way purple monkey dishwasher. No more information is available than that, but the Ruliweb post says that "More news is expected to appear later." Which is obvious, but, really, if this is true, expect an announcement and official screens within the next couple of weeks.Oh, and allow us to say it first, because you're already getting your commenting hat on: why isn't this Super Mario RPG? We don't know, and we find the decision to port Paper Mario strange, since it's available on the Virtual Console for ten bucks.[Via NeoGAF]
Advance Wars: Days of Reflection
1UP has posted an excellent interview with some of the names behind Advance Wars: Days of Ruin, in which the team reflects on the new direction taken by the game, and explains why many of the changes were made.As well as addressing the new "serious" tone adopted by the game (they wanted to "surprise" people, and also attract sci-fi fans who wouldn't usually play war games), the team also revealed why lead protagonist Will is such an unbearably self-righteous bore why so many features had been left out of Days of Ruin (the game has no unlockable hard mode, no Survival or Combat mode, no dual-screen battles, no War Room, and no opportunity to purchase maps).Unsurprisingly, the reasoning behind said omissions makes perfect sense, and the cuts arguably resulted in the most streamlined, balanced Advance Wars game since the first GBA title. 1UP also opened the floor to members of its community, who made one or two cracking suggestions for the next entry in the series -- an infantry unit equipped with smoke grenades (thereby allowing 'portable' Fog of War) would be a welcome addition!%Gallery-8563%
Card Hero booster packs: gotta catch 'em all on video!
Nintendo just put a video up on touch-ds.jp showing all 130 cards available in Card Hero's in-game store. Within the game, it's possible to purchase "booster packs" of three cards, which can then be opened on the bottom screen. Many of these cards are rare in the game -- that's even rarer than the rest of the cards, which exist only in a game not released in the U.S. (a measure of scarcity in itself, right?)Of course, being a video and not ... a gallery or something, you get more than just pictures of cards. Many of the cards are followed by video demonstrations of their featured characters or actions.
Fire Emblem arriving 386 Dawns late in Europe
When it comes to game delays in PAL regions, there are delays and then there are DELAYS. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, in case you didn't realize, falls squarely in the latter category. Japan received Intelligent Systems' strategy title back in February 2007, which is not much more than a faint dot in our memories. Almost one year later, and Europe is still waiting, while Australia will have to put its feet up until April. Remarkably, there's been a breakthrough on a European date, with Nintendo confirming that the game will ship in the region on March 14th, a.k.a thirteen months after Japan.
Fire Emblem date finally confirmed for Australia
If you live in Australia, the chances are high that you haven't had the pleasure of playing the Wii's year-old Fire Emblem game, Radiant Dawn. Released last year in Japan and last November in North America, Radiant Dawn will finally be heading down under. According to Nintendo Australia's website, Aussies can expect to get the title on April 10th. Unfortunately, there's still no word on a European date. We're hoping that translating the game into an additional few languages won't hold it up for too long, and that Europeans can enjoy the title around the same time as Australians. We'll let you know when we hear something tangible, though. [Via GoNintendo]
2008's Biggest Blips: Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
Developer: Intelligent SystemsPublisher: NintendoRelease: January 21The inclusion of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin on our list of 2008's Biggest Blips has caused us something of a quandary. You see, unlike all the other games on our list, Days of Ruin is already out. Indeed, as you read this text, (we sincerely hope) most of you will have picked the game up, and surrendered to its charms. In other words, there's not much point in us previewing the game, as the majority of you will already know how totally freakin' awesome Advance Wars: Days of Ruin really is.Hence, rather than tell you stuff that you already know, we thought we'd reflect on what a wreckage our social lives have become since Days of Ruin first made its entrance, and ask: are you in the same boat? Has Intelligent Systems' turn-based gem completely devoured your free time, or do you struggle to understand the palaver? Let's find out ... PRESENTING A DS FANBOY QUIZ:How addicted are YOU to Advance Wars: Days of Ruin? 1. A friend politely requests to borrow your copy of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for a weekend vacation, promising to have it back to you safe and sound by Monday. Do you:A. Give your friend the game, and cheerily ask if they'd be interested in borrowing any other titles. B. Reluctantly hand over the cart, but not before making your friend sign a legally binding contract promising that neither the game or your saved data will come to any harm. C. Pounce on them instantly, wrestle them to the ground, and bite clean through their Achilles tendon before getting up and yelling at your prostrate, sobbing friend, "Borrow that, fool!"2. For unavoidable reasons, you find yourself without a copy of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin. Do you:A. Shrug it off and think, "Oh well, as fun as it is, a break from all that sprite-based violence won't kill me."B. Find yourself trying to mentally complete the map that you were heroically defeated on at the end of your last session. Twitch occasionally.C. Start to shake violently, while frantically attempting to stage an impromptu game of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin with whatever comes to hand, be that salt and pepper shakers, bottle caps, cutlery, stray dogs, pensioners, or abandoned military hardware.3. One way to measure addiction is to assess your ability to play Advance Wars: Days of Ruin well; after all, it makes sense that the terminally addicted would be very good at the game. With this in mind, please look at the map below, and then estimate (as honestly as possible) the best result you could draw from this situation. You are the blue army: A. A defeat, but hey, the odds were against you. B. You could hold out for a stalemate. C. A full, resounding victory inside 15 days.4. Your house is ablaze, and you only have time to rescue one item that is precious to you. Do you grab: A. Grandma. B. Your dog. C. All of your 27 copies of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (N.B: you purchased this many as you privately hoped more sales would mean you get a sequel sooner); they don't have their own legs, both Grandma and the dog do.5. Did you have time to complete this quiz? A. Tons! B. I squeezed it in. Just. C. *AFK*Mostly As: You call this commitment, "soldier?" Pathetic!Mostly Bs: Getting better. Stand by for total meltdown of family/social/love life in ten, nine ...Mostly Cs: We can almost definitely be friends. Here's our code: 3351-3155-3025. We can talk about your wussy addiction problems after during 18 or so hours of Wi-Fi battlin'. Now shut up and play.%Gallery-8563% placeholder text placeholder text Back Next up on the docket
DS Fanboy Review: Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
Back in the middle of 2005, a little game by the name of Advance Wars: Dual Strike hit the Nintendo DS. Followers of the franchise's previous entries on the GBA (developed by Intelligent Systems) remember plenty of hours spent, knee-deep in combat with their GBA SP, its body soaking wet with the sweat from their palms. Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is an important entry in the series, perhaps more so than previous installments. For one, it's the first to be compatible with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connect, Nintendo's online matchmaking service for head-to-head battles (and custom map swapping). Another reason why it might be considered the most important installment in the series is the stark contrast in artistic style and game plot compared to past titles.%Gallery-8563%
DS Daily: How goes the war, soldier?
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is proving quite the distraction. Intelligent Systems' strategy game has occupied our DSes for the last few days, with hours of play already racked up. When we close our eyes to sleep, we only see tiny tank and artillery sprites, moving in right angles across the back of our eyelids.As the game also proved to be a popular choice at our most recent Game Night, we're guessing we're not alone in carrying out late-night, under-the-duvet sorties, so what are your impressions so far? Is Days of Ruin better or worse than Dual Strike, or even superior to the excellent GBA games? Are you focusing more on single-player, or fighting campaigns online? And do you miss Grit as much as we do?
Advance Wars: Chart of Damage
The hardcore Advance Wars players among you likely already have all this data committed to heart, but for those of you still figuring out which units are the most effective for a given situation, you might want to have a look at this chart, maybe even print it out and laminate it like we have.GameFaqs poster GipFace drew up this informative table listing the amount of damage a specific unit will inflict on another, minus any modifiers (e.g. terrain, unit level, etc.). You can spot some new changes and develop a few useful strategems for Days of Ruin based on the presented data: Infantry does as much damage as a Tank when up against an Anti-Tank you can take down a Fighter with an Anti-Air/Duster combo build more Seaplanes! Remember what Major Adam Steiner used to always say in the BattleTech cartoon: "Information is ammunition!"
The localization of Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
Gamasutra has an excellent interview up with Tim O'Leary, the man who heads Nintendo's North American localization team, and who helped prepare Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for the U.S. market.O'Leary reveals how feedback from western gamers was a major influence on the new direction taken by Days of Ruin, and describes the various thought processes behind the game's art direction and characters. This leads into a wider discussion regarding the art of localizing games to match different cultural sensibilities, with O'Leary using the likes of Animal Crossing on the GameCube and the Pokémon games as examples.Finally, there's also quite a lot of talk about the inner workings of the Treehouse, the name given to the Nintendo U.S. localization division. Turns out that the localization of Nintendo games is one hell of an intricate process, with every last pixel scrutinized so that it makes perfect cultural sense. All in all, it's a fascinating read, so hit the link below!
Metareview: Advance Wars: Days of Ruin
Intelligent Systems' latest Advance Wars game makes war look like war and not like playing with toys for the first time, breaking a tradition of jovial-looking war games stretching back to the Famicom. Did the risky effort pay off? Is it still an awesome strategy game despite, or because of, the change in tone? To get an idea, we've turned to ... people who have played it!Cheat Code Central -- 92%: It would be hard to imagine Cheat Code Central's Jonathan Marx being any happier about this game, as he finally discovers that Advance Wars games can have narrative: "As you can see, this new world is far more engaging than any of the previous titles. The base story is really interesting, although some of the conversations are still a bit hokey. However, I actually read every bit of dialogue before, during, and after battles. The same cannot be said for its predecessors. Even though the old games were all about great gameplay, it was a pure button mash to get through the mindless interactions. The vast improvement in storytelling has the effect of making the game and battles not only more interesting, but also much more satisfying and meaningful."IGN -- 86%: IGN's review found that the missing content is missed, but that the new additions are still compelling, especially in multiplayer: "Of course, for every feature that has been removed for Days of Ruin, Nintendo seems to have added something new. Units can now be leveled-up as they destroy enemy combatants. Three levels can be achieved, and each tier provides offensive and defensive upgrades."1UP -- 85%: 1UP's Dan Hsu also lamented the trimmed content, but found that online play (of course) compensated, and that the cuts at least showed thought: "Days of Ruin's new units and gameplay change, however, show that the developers are looking for a more sophisticated audience this time around. Both aspects emphasize strategy over firepower; for example, the new Bike unit is basically infantry on wheels, allowing you to capture far-off cities and bases more quickly. The Flare is a good anti-infantry tank, but more valuable are its bright-light rockets that reveal hidden units in the Fog of War. And the Rig (formerly the APC) can still carry infantry, but now can also build temporary airports or naval ports. These new units will force players to use more tactics in their matches."
Too much missing from Days of Ruin?
Unbalanced CO powers and dual-screen battles aren't the only features dropped from Advance Wars: Days of Ruin. Modojo editor Justin Davis played through the turn-based strategy title and found the lack of packed-in extras disappointing: No War Room No unlockable hard campaign No Battle Maps shop No Survival mode No Combat mode No tags/rankings outside of the medals screen Only 12 playable COs (compared to Dual Strike's 25+ COs) Before you rush to our comments section to post, "No sale," note that Justin had a lot of positive things to say about Days of Ruin, claiming that its "strategic gameplay might be the best found in the franchise yet." He went on to laud the game's balance changes and improved Fog of War experience. Also, the War Room hasn't completely disappeared, as you still have the option to play Versus maps, a collection of classic, new, and Trial Mission scenarios, minus the ranking at the end of the battle. And don't forget that you can download maps online! That almost makes up for all off the missing stuff ... Almost.%Gallery-8563%
Nintendo's O'Leary enjoys talking about Advance Wars
Chris Kohler barely needed to ask any questions in this interview with Tim O'Leary, part of Nintendo's Treehouse localization team. It just took the faintest hint of a question about Advance Wars: Days of Ruin to set O'Leary off on a longform discussion of the game's new style and the new gameplay changes (such as new units) that are currently being overshadowed by that style.According to O'Leary, the change in tone (from the bouncier, happier style of the games to a more Linkin Park kind of thing) had less to do with reflecting the harsh reality of war and more to do with players just wanting something different. So, indirectly, you guys sent a meteor to the game's world because you were bored. The change in display, now featuring the map on the bottom screen and info on the top, was a streamlining effort to allow "all of the action (to take) place on a single screen." It's, again, part of refreshing the whole series. Read the full interview for tons more info gleaned from O'Leary's conversations with the game's Japanese developers. We got the feeling that O'Leary may just like Advance Wars.
Days of Ruin official website advances on the internet
It goes without saying that the end of the world won't be a good time. If it's anything like the apocalypse presented in Advance Wars: Days of Ruin, we'll probably spend most of our time crying in a corner while a big, burly man named "The Beast" tell us "tough beans!" If you can handle such harsh words, though, then you should head on over to the official Days of Ruin website. The site, which launched this weekend, has a new video and some old screens, with what seems like more to come.You might also notice that the website lists a January 23rd release date, which is two days later than we expected the game in the U.S. If this date is accurate, we suppose we'll just have to wait a little bit longer for our post-apocalyptic war romp.[Via Advance Wars Net forums]%Gallery-8563%
Euro trailer brings us a step closer to Advance Wars
We don't have long to wait now, but for the legions of Advance Wars fans watching their calendars with a peculiar hunger, every moment without it is agony. Perhaps this latest video footage will serve as a soothing balm for the pain of ticking off every second between now and the game's release. Ah, if only it were longer! Instead, maybe you can flip through our gallery really quickly to create your own sort of stop-motion preview.%Gallery-8563%
Card Hero screens for some reason!
We don't exactly know why a bunch of screens of Intelligent Systems' currently-Japan-only Card Hero showed up on the UK press assets site GamesPress. The game hasn't been announced for release outside of Japan or anything; these screenshots are clearly Japanese (we can tell from the words on them), and GamesPress doesn't really make a habit of putting up information about import games unless there's an announcement.Maybe Nintendo UK just thinks the game looks really neat and wanted to share. Maybe a guy in the office started playing the Japanese version. Who knows? Whatever the motivation, the result is that we've got a load of screenshots in our gallery. %Gallery-10298%[Via GamesPress]
Menu-tacular! Advance Wars screens expose nuts and bolts
Nintendo has fired a volley of fifty Advance Wars: Days of Ruin screens in our direction, a fortnight before the game launches on January 21st. This fresh batch focuses on the title's wealth of options, and it's fair to say that the game is looking as menu-heavy as ever.As well as the title screen, we also get to see quite a bit of the Map Center, some shots of the various Wi-Fi functions (including a reminder that the game will support full voice chat online), and even, uh, what the game's icon will look like as you boot up your DS to play; comprehensive, much?Fortunately, there's also lots of nice fighty-fighty screens, such as the one to the right, so get clicking, future COs!%Gallery-8563%[Via press release]
Advance Wars goodies make us wish the days would go by faster
In case you missed it, you can see from the video above that Advance Wars: Days of Ruin has a much darker style than its predecessors. The gameplay is looking great and we're liking the mature style, especially after hearing some of the reasons behind it.1up recently interviewed Hitoshi Yamagami and Masaki Tawara of Nintendo's Software Planning and Development Department, who shed some light on the darker style behind the game. They decided to drop the light-hearted scenario of the game because they didn't want to depict war positively. The more realistic tone then led to different visuals and a few tweaks to the gameplay. While the fundamentals are the same, Yamagami and Tawara say that Days of Ruin will have a faster pace than before.Because the previous Advance Wars games were great in of themselves, change to the series can seem a little daunting. Still, we like it when developers take risks, and we think the game will be all the better for it. We'll find out for sure soon enough, though, as the game is scheduled to release in a few weeks.%Gallery-8563%
