I have fond memories of the times when I lugged my old Game Boy around with me, a pack of four AA batteries, the crappy AC adapter as a backup source, and a collection of the classics. I would then proceed to feverishly play Super Mario brothers in the car, in the mall, and even on the crapper. Difficult parts you could not get by would cost you lives and eventually, it would bring you all the way back to the beginning of the game. You could say this was frustrating but it definitely made the game more challenging and rewarding.
A huge debate questioning the difficulty of games broke out a few months ago on Double True. I for one agreed that games now a days were getting a tad easier with the many options (infinite lives, etc) or cheats you could implement. Nintendo now takes this one step further by allowing users the option to use a secret “Help” feature. This option will be built in to future Wii titles – an option that allows the computer to take control of the game and help the user get by difficult parts just by a click of a button. The company argues that this option will allow the younger audience a chance at having a fun experience.
I however see this “Help” feature as a tragedy. Kids around the world (or big newbz) will not get to experience the rewarding feeling of capturing an Onyx with a regular poke ball, jumping to the top of the flag pole at the end of a Mario level or killing that bad guy in Ninja Turtles.
Brian
Yeah just want to point out that there hasn’t been much information about this “help system” from Nintendo. And it’s not going to be in everything, but it will be in the Wii New Super Mario Bros. It’s basically just watching a gameplay video walkthrough. It works in 2D Mario because Mario is about reflexes and timing moreso than figuring out where to go or what to do in a level, can’t really “spoil” Mario or make it easier by knowing where to go.
I think the issue has been a bit blown out of proportion by Kotaku (mostly Crescente’s fault) and other major gaming blogs.
It has been confirmed though if it is activated, you can’t save, so it’d be like watching someone else beat the level for you which is something I did when I was young, especially in the NES days.
Personally I think it’s a good idea for introducing new gamers to Mario, if indeed it is used in a 2D Mario game, and it doesn’t really affect the “hardcore” crowd either.