I remember playing The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition on my 3DS back in 2011 and simultaneously texting some friends eagerly looking for a time to get together so we could tackle the game together as it was truly meant to be played. I remember even more vividly my disappointment when I saw that …
With each new flagship iteration of Mario’s 3D adventures, you can sense Nintendo’s master designers dreading those four little words escaping the player’s lips. From Mario 64 to the latest (and best) example, Super Mario 3D World, the mustachioed plumber’s console titles have adhered to a strict regime of fresh, introducing unique concepts in one level , developing and building on mechanics and ideas only to scrap them at the flagpole, sometimes never to be seen again, no matter how successful. It’s a well-documented philosophy, and one that has bled into to other franchises, not only helping keep a 100-stage game from going stale, but also a 30-year old series. Unfortunately this excellent way of thinking did not apply to the only same-system Mario sequel since the NES: Super Mario Galaxy 2.
2013 has been an interesting year as far as gaming has been concerned. Not only have there been some new and interesting games as well as sequels to popular franchises, we have also seen the release of new gaming consoles — both big and small. The Sony and Microsoft juggernauts have unleashed their new machines …