The Fireside

In the past, I have been salty about the fact that the Nintendo Switch has gotten so many wii u games ported over to it. I understand that the wii u 'failed.' I personally quite enjoy mine and myself and my lady have a decent selection of games on it. So, to us, it wasn't a 'fail.' The wii u was essentially....a half and half, or an in between - it shares things in common with both the wii and the switch, but it just couldn't decide what type of console it wanted to be. This was mostly due to the marketing, also responsible for naming it "wii u." However, I can sort of see why it is. Heck, even trying to figure what games need the gamepad in terms of multiplayer is confusing. It honestly does vary game by game. So, for me as a wii u owner, I kept saying "Why would I want a Switch?? So far it has all the games the wii u does!"After all, we buy new gaming consoles to play new games. That said, because a few people missed out on the wii u'...

So I won't spoil or give anything away here, but I was one of the lucky, or first few, to complete The Trial of the Sword, part of the new DLC for Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I managed to complete it on July 2nd. I didn't do it my first attempt, either. Due to my experience of trying it a few times, as well as how  I play the game, I have general hints to help any who may still be struggling, as well as those who have yet to make an attempt: - practice cooking. I'm sure you know how  to cook, but I'm saying this so you can practice getting the most out of what you put into your dishes, as well as types of dishes. Just remember that a dish can't have two 'effects'. - When possible, use your bombs. This will keep your weapons strong and going. Also, bombs are useful for fighting, as well as knocking over trees. - knock over as many trees as you can. You'll get acorns and apples, which you can later cook with. - thoroughly check each section before moving ...

I've taken a bit of a break from Mario Maker , but lately I started making levels again. I was occupied with reading, Skyrim , and other things. I still am, but I've gotten back into Mario Maker a little bit. I'm almost finished the 'game' I'm making. Currently I have 1-1 - 9-4 posted, and the game will end at level 10-4. So that means I need more stars in order to post 10-1 - 10-4. Here is the start of my game, level 1-1.... https://supermariomakerbookmark.nintendo.net/courses/EE59-0000-0293-6CFA   . Log in with your Nintendo ID, and bookmark it. Alternatively, the code is: EE59-0000-0293-6CFA . Enjoy, check out the levels I have posted, and be sure to star them (if you like them) so that I can upload the final world. And won't THAT be fun and challenging.... I should have those completed by Monday, I only lack stars to upload the final four levels. Please note that none of my levels are 'troll' levels or auto levels.  

    Well, there’s been quite a bit going on gaming wise, so I’m going to do one massive post about all things of interest to me about Nintendo lately. Some you may already know, but alas, here’s ‘the’ spot.

Hey all! Another Mario Maker update! Nothing ‘new’ this time (well, the codes changed). This is, what I like to think of my ‘best of’ or my ‘faves’ of the levels I’ve done (not counting the new set close to Feb. So these may be familiar for those who’ve followed me from the start. Also, pay attention to the naming conventions of the levels. The higher a level is, the harder it’ll be. (example: “D-3” will be quite difficult, as it is the second last level in the ‘game’ of ‘A-1 – D-4’). So I hope you enjoy, and I’ve given a few ‘clues’ in case I’ve made my levels TOO hard. They’re not troll levels, or ‘Panga’ but they can be quite tricky. I hope you don’t lose heart and try to beat them :) So here they are: Super Mario Land: A Tribute [ B2E1-0000-0151-6C3F ] This is a 'remake' of the first level of Super Mario Land , a game not many console only players got to play. The Lost Levels: A Tribute [ D0D2-0000-0151-6D11 ] My 'remake' of The Lost Levels openng lev...

This was announced not long ago, but I hadn’t got around to posting about it. I apologize if anyone here was wanting a pre-order, and is not able to due to ‘limited pre-orders’…those amiibo / amiibo bundles sure do sell quick! Do keep your eyes peeled on Amazon and Best Buy in case more pre-orders open up. Then again, there’s always the game itself, and the amiibo shortly after launch (hopefully…) Anyway, so in their latest Direct, Nintendo announced The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (HD) for the wii u. It will be released March 4, 2016 . Nintendo stated that the amiibo that comes with the bundle (which will also include the soundtrack) will be able to function with the Zelda title they are developing for the wii u. Most likely, other Zelda-themed amiibo as well. [This and Wind Waker came out on the Gamecube but have been upgraded visually, and perhaps more, for the wii u.]. If I remember correctly, you can also use Zelda amiibo wit...

Well folks, here is my latest Mario Maker offering!

Well, it's that time again - more Mario Maker levels from yours truly! Here are the codes for the batch uploaded most recently, and will be replaced on Nov. 20. This time, I went for Mario Bros 1 graphic style. I did 'New' for my 'game', but I wanted to go back to the roots. Also, at this point, no hills etc so my designs work with the original game's look, style and interface anyway, which would work great for Mario Bros. 3, and Mario World . A-1 :3A2F-0000-00D6-AF47 A-2 :46DA-0000-00D6-B02A A-3 :A237-0000-00D6-B139 A-4 :63AF-0000-00D6-B24E B-1 :4CA8-0000-00D6-B312 B-2 :405D-0000-00D6-B434 B-3 :5F47-0000-00D6-B541 B-4 :EF12-0000-00D6-B69E C-1 : 11E1-0000-00D6-B7D0 C-2 :561A-0000-00D6-B8A5 C-3 :D2BF-0000-00D6-B9FD C-4 :16BC-0000-00D6-BBDC D-1 :7E34-0000-00D6-BC91 D-2 :319B-0000-00D6-BD2E D-3 :13A1-0000-00D6-BDDF D-4:4C4B-0000-00D6-BFA3 ...and making a return: (these ones will 'stay' up when I change the levels on...

Ok, so I uploaded the rest of my 'game' I was making with Mario Maker . Sadly, I had to pull down my first set of levels to make way for the 2nd, and last half, of my game. I don't yet have enough stars to have the whole game posted, so here are levels 4-1 - 8-4, with codes and descriptions....look for another post the weekend of Nov. 7, when more levels will go up, and this set will go down. "Into the Mountain (4-1)" : 62AE-0000-00BC-CC2A Mario enters the gigantic mountain to continue his quest.... "Beneath the Mountain (4-2)" : 392A-0000-00BC-CD75 Mario's exploration leads him not only inside the mountain, but under it. In its belly, he must find the exit and beware of the dangers within.... "Like a Dream...(4-3)" : EEA0-0000-00BC-CDB1 This level is very similar to a dream that Mario had a while back.... (and since we can't always remember our dreams to the fullest detail, it's ok that this level is a little different from the ori...

So here are some of my Mario Maker levels that I currently have up! I'll have each set up for about 2-4 weeks to give people a chance to play, but also because I'm only allowed a set number at this point. I'll do update posts (not in this post) of levels / sets as they get updated. "Winter is Coming" [5493-0000-005F-6444]. Yes, it's a Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones inspired level! "Super Mario Land: A Tribute" [1EB2-0000-0061-D94D] The first level of Super Mario Land re-created. "The Lost Levels: A Tribute" [C5FB-0000-0096-EE71] The first level of The Lost Levels re-created. "The Lost Levels 9-1: Maker Remix" [DF33-0000-0096-EE92] 9-1 of The Lost Levels re-created with a few differences "The Surface" [160A-0000-0096-EEBD] Follows 9-1. A level of my own design which hopefully feels like a Lost Levels level. "Classic Castle: Maker Remix" [D5FD-0000-0096-EEEC] A castle level, in the style of...

Last weekend I had the priveledge of demo-ing Mario Maker at Best Buy. The Nintendo reps had their demo configured so in your time slot you could either ‘make’ a level, or play through one. Since I had a couple of questions in regards to game mechanics and small things on the creation side, I opted to ‘make’ a level. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I chose the Mario 3 theme, and made a basic underground level. It was a demo I was doing, so not all the features were present. Some questions were, if I’m building a level in Mario 3 style, but swap it to Mario World , will all the Racoon Leaves transform into Cape Feathers? Can I use Yoshi in game modes that he doesn’t appear in? Things like that. Anyway, I was quite impressed by what I was able to do, and I know I’m going to be spending lots of the time with the tools available at launch. Heck, I have a few ideas [which you may find online once I post them through the game] I won’t do anything too nuts [I was never ...

There's lots coming on the horizon for Mario Kart 8, and Smash Bros U , both on the wii u. First up, is Animal Crossing X Mario Kart 8, the second LDC pack for Mario Kart 8 [I highly suggest getting both packs to get the bonus Shy Guy & Yoshi color swaps). The pack will be released on April 23 , and will feature Villager (male and female), Isabelle and Dry Bowser. There will be more karts 'n' parts, two cups (Crossing and Bell), each having 4 courses each. And, on the same day there's an update for the game which will feature a 200cc mode which will be crazy fast (and allowing for more shortcuts...) and other goodies. For Smash Bros , if you already have both the 3Ds and wii u versions, you most likely have Mewtwo by now. If not, he will coming April 28 , and Lucas will be coming in June sometime. Currently, there's an update for Smash which includes more mii outfits. Some you can also purchase for the 3DS version, as well. I gotta say, my mii fighter in vamp...

Those familiar with the fan community Operation Moonfall know that their goal worked – they wanted a remake / remastering of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, and in Feb, they got their wish. I’m currently playing it, actually. Not at this moment, but that’s my game I’ve got on the go. So this campaign got me thinking. Why don’t I start up a new one? That is of course, unless this happened already. I bring you: Operation Nightfall. What I would like to achieve with this campaign, is get Nintendo to remake The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Now, of course – this would be the next time they do remake or re-master of an existing Zelda game. The reason why I propose Operation Nightfall (the name is an homage to the original Moonfall campaign, as well as another name for twilight) is because I believe that it is in need of a remake. In fact, I believe that it is one of the few, if not only Zelda title that needs to be fixed up. Skyward Sword is great, and I would not ...

Right now, you can submit which fighter you would like to see appear in Smash Bros for 3Ds or wii u as a playable!! you can submit your characters here: https://cp.nintendo.co.jp/us/ Here is my list: - Bomberman - Banjo & Kazooie - Shovel Knight - Tails - Knuckles - Wonder Boy - Vector Man - Earthwork Jim - Rayman - Battletoads I'm sure there's others I can't think of at the moment. Also, there will be some DLC coming soon - new mii fighter costumes, Mewtwo, Lucas...lots is coming!

When I got my N3DSXL close to a month ago, I decided to grab The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for it - it is definitely one of my favourite Zelda titles, I never played / completed the Master's Quest, and it seemed(seems?) that physical copies of the game were getting quite scarce, so I wanted to get it while I could. It feels like I played the game for the very first time again, despite me recognizing parts of the game, or recalling them fondly. [I think it had been about.....close to 15 years since I'd played / beaten it last.] for one thing, the game has never looked better. The graphics are vastly improved over the 64 version - not so 'jaggy', and there's some added effects here and there. And - small detail I'm thankful for - they gave Link his 'missing' sword-sheath (the diagonal brown one across his chest.) I just beat it (100%) the other night, so I haven't had a chance yet to explore the Master's Quest version that got unlo...