Hardware and Software

I picked up my shiny new Aqua Blue 3DS this afternoon and spent the evening wearing down the battery. When I first opened the box, I knew right away that a 3DS Lite is not far off.

The system is a bit box and the proportions of the "lid" vs the "base" are a little off. The body could definitely be a bit more slick. I love the telescoping stylus, but the placement is strange. The Start and Select buttons are also in a strange position underneath the touch screen. It's way too easy to mistake the Power button for the Start button in the middle of a game and loose all your data. I love the home button and the menu/channel system.

One of my favorite things is the note pad. I love the idea of taking notes in games by exiting really quick and going right back to it. The Mii channel has the some facial features as the Wii version, but the camera creation of a Mii never seems to work very well. I was very impressed with the AR cards and I'm looking forward to diving int those more.

I picked up Steel Diver and Pilotwings Resort and I'll post more thoughts on those tomorrow.

Thoughts on a More Coagulated Team

Victini hit a rough spot after the 5th gym, when it seemed like everywhere I walked it was raining. I pulled out Krokorok again, taught him Bulldoze and rode him out through the cave filled with Electric types. Outside, there's another town and a person who uses Heart Scales to teach moves - a staple of the series. Vicitini learned Searing Shot via Heart Scale - Sp Atk Fire move with 100 damage and 100 accuracy. Brilliant.

Zoroark is shaping up to be a fine Pokemon - kind of the antithesis of one of my all time favorites: Umbreon. Oh, and that Lucky Egg item is a must-use. It's grinding made easy.

I was beginning to doubt Zebstrika, but romp in the rain and Discharge restored my faith in the little guy. Even though his Attack is pulling away from his Sp Atk, he's still very capable with both.

Vanillite evolved and learned Ice Beam, so far so good with this delicious monster. Ducklett evolved into Swanna as well, but I put him away in favor of a fortunate trade that I stumbled across.

So some kid in Japan really wanted a Darumaka, but I guess couldn't seem to catch one (or wanted on with an English name). So he was willing to trade his lv 1 Axew for a female Darumaka. Done and done. Now at lv 38, my new Dragon type is kicking a lot of ass while I explore around using Surf. There's a lot of ground to cover that is not necessary to complete that game, which I like a lot. The more exploration the better.

Moving Right Along

I've neglected posting as much as I thought I would, but I've been caught up in other projects.

I've been putting together makeshift teams to work my way through the 2nd and 3rd gyms, as well as catching everyone I can along the way. I want to catch Pokemon with neutral natures, which proves difficult. Needless to say, I do a lot of saving and resetting.

My Pignite and Throh did the job against the 2nd gym, which is comprised of Normal types. In the forest ahead, I completed my collection of monkeys and did some training with Pansear, Pignite, Pidove and Woobat because the 3rd gym leader uses Bugs. Pidove finally evolved at lv 21, and Woobat evolved via friendship. Pansear learned Flame Burst at lv 22 - a very useful Sp Atk Fire move. But I put all the monkeys away when I found out they evolve by using a stone on then. I'll come back to them when I decide at what level to make them grow. It may end up being sooner rather than later, since their stats are nothing to write home about.

The foursome of aforementioned Pokemon were more than capable of taking out the 3rd leader. Although, after much deliberation, I think I will abandon my Pignite for the event Pokemon, Victini - a much more capable Fire/Psychic type. I'll see how he develops and make a final choice later.

For now, I'm trudging through the desert, looking for Pokemon to add to my collection and preparing for my next gym bout. The dex it starting to come together, so I'm starting to see who evolves into what and how many steps they have.

I think I'll stick with my Electric zebra for a while, as well as Victini. I want to pick up Zarou after this next gym if possible, and I hear there's a Dragon type somewhere in the game. I must have. Other than those four, I'm still seeking a capable Water Pokemon as well as a final member, but I don't expect to have a final team until close to the end of the game.

Full review on the site after the weekend.

Black and White

So far so good with the fifth generation of Pokemon. I decided to start with Tepig, who is turning out to be a capable Fire type. I almost restarted the game when I received on with a Bold nature, which lowers Attack and raises Defense. But since I had already downloaded the Mystery Gift to obtain the event Pokemon, I think I'll tough it out. Even with a Bold nature, his second form's standout stats are his Attack and Sp Atk, but everything else is quite well-rounded. He learned Flame Charge, which is a good physical Fire move that raises Speed.

I'm catching everyone I can with a neutral nature so that I can get accurate accounts of how their stats develop. I'm making an exception for Pansage, a Grass type that some dude gave me before the first gym. Since the first gym is whatever type I'm weak to, I assume that this gift Pokemon is whatever type that completes the rock-paper-scissors loop. Pansage has a Lonely nature, which raises Attack and lowers Defense. He was very useful against the gym leader.

I also did some training with Blitzle, an Electric type Zebra. She has good Attack, Sp Atk and Speed, and learned Shock Wave, a familiar move.

I'll post more thoughts tomorrow on some other trainees as well as the second gym.

GDC 2011

Nintendo is not known for making big splashes at GDC, but with the looming launch of the 3DS, I think we all knew that they'd have a few things to say.

May will the the month for all of the online content to hit the 3DS, including the eStore, which is what I'm most excited for. I love the idea of downloading handheld classics available to me anywhere without a cart. The Netflix streaming impressed me as well, and I'm anxious to see the quality of the streaming. I could see myself streaming Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs while at work, resting my DS on the computer. Let the slacking begin.

I'm a little disappointed that we did not get a release date for Kid Icarus, but they did throw a little old-school love our way with a June release for the remake of Ocarina of Time. I've been playing through a lot of the older Zelda games (and you can find some thoughts on those on the site) which makes me even more excited to play the one that is most highly acclaimed. I have not played it in almost 5 years.

I was super shocked that they announced a Mario game for the 3DS at GDC. I'm not surprised that there is one, and I have my fingers crossed for a November release. It just seems like Nintendo holds onto those announcements until 3DS, whereat I'm sure we'll hear more details.

They hype train is rolling.

Month of the DS

The DS is going out with a bang in March 2011. First Radiant Historia proved to be radiant indeed to close out a slow February. Next, Pokemon gets an all-new installment without Zubat and the acclaimed Okami gets a sequel. That's one hell of a big 3 to send the dual-screened handheld that could into the sunset.

I'll be taking the review for Pokemon while Wes tackles Okamiden. I'll also try to squeeze in some reviews for Pilotwings and Street Fighter for the 3DS before the month ends.

Also look forward to a new Jon and Carlos show mid-month, the Nintenshow at the end of the month and 4 Nickel Film podcasts starting the second week of March. Lots of great stuff to talk about on all fronts.

But we'll start the great content today with a review of Unknown and a DVD quickie. Later tonight, check out a look back on Wind Waker and a new itouch review from Wes.