Andy

So, my family is considering upgrading our wireless router. The one we have right now is an older 2.4GHz Linksys model that runs at 54 Mbps. This is the model we're currently considering. We live in an average sized home in a rural area with decently thick walls. There's about 3 walls between my wireless router and my bedroom (where my Wii U and other game systems tend to be). Any suggestions?

How tough are you?

Okay, so I'm pretty sure that a lot of us would very much like to see a new Metroid game in the Prime style (but not necessarily part of the Prime story line) on the Wii U rather early in the consoles life cycle. There has also been a very positive reaction to talk of the inclusion of online multi-player modes included in the game when the topic has been brought up. Now the big question is: what kind of online multi-player modes would fit in a Metroid game?

I've been brainstorming on the topic for a while; and I've came up with a few ideas that I would like to present to everyone here.

First, I would like to talk playable characters. My idea(s) center around two types of characters. First off is Bounty Hunters. Bounty Hunters would basically be equipped with Samus's armor and weapons, with unlimited ammo on beam weaponry and the ability to use missiles, Morphball, Morphball Bombs, Power Bombs, Screw Attack, etc. The second type of playable character would be a Galactic Federation Soldier (GFS for short). These guys would play a bit more like a traditional FPS character, with a bit of a Metroid Universe twist. They would have weaponry with the same effects as Samus's beam weapons (Power, Ice, Plasma, Wave, etc); but usually not quite as powerful, and with limited ammo. They can also find and grab weapons such as Missile Launchers in order to emulate/make up for the lack of some of the Bounty Hunter's other abilities. In the sake of fairness, Online matches would likely have to be limited to the options of Bounty Hunter only; GFS only; or, in team based battles, having one or two players serve the role of Bounty Hunter while everyone else takes the role of a GFS.

Second, lets talk about maps. I can see the maps for the multi-player mode being based on locations from the game, and possibly other Metroid games. They would have the same feel, consisting of many cavernous rooms littered with enemy creatures that will try to get in your way during the match.

Now, to get into actual gameplay modes. Of course you'll have your basic free-for-all, survival, and team based battle modes, which is pretty common in most modern day multi-player modes.

Another mode I feel would work would be one inspired by Light-vs.-Dark mode in Kid Icarus: Uprising. If you've played Kid Icarus: Uprising, you likely have a good Idea where this is going. (If you don't please refer to this video: )
Basically just replace the fighters with GFSs and Pit and Dark Pit with Bounty Hunters (Samus and Dark Samus?), and insert more Metroid style gameplay and level design, and you have a good idea as to what I'm going for here.

Next up is an idea I like to call Bounty Hunting mode. Basically, you would be on a mission to destroy a monster(s), which could vary from having to kill several weak enemies to having to hunt down a boss creature. You could either compete to see who can fulfill the requirements first, or work together to take them down.

The last idea that I have thought of is something I would like to call "X-zone". Basically, when this option is activated, any creatures you encounter (with the exception of Metroids) could turn out to be an X parasite copy. Bounty Hunters would be able to absorb X harmlessly; but GFSs, on the other hand, wouldn't be so lucky. If they come in contact with an X, it will invade them, kill them, and then clone them. However, GFSs can defend themselves against X parasites, using a weapon that would appear when the "X-Zone" option is activated; which would basically be a beam that uses a blast of Metroid DNA to take out X. Extra ammo for this weapon could be found by defeating Metroids.

If a GFS player is X cloned, he will not be respawned until the X clone is defeated. In order to keep the player from being bored, they would follow the X, but of course having no control over it. In order to keep players from instantly knowing if a team mate has been X cloned (unless they were right there when it happened), features such as voice chat may have to be disabled when this mode is in effect, with either prewritten messages (think Monster Hunter: Tri), typed communication (odds are you'll be able to use a USB keyboard with the Wii U like you could with the Wii, or a virtual keyboard could show up on the controller like with Monster Hunter Tri), or a program that converts spoken words into on-screen text (though we all know how reliable that could be). My reasoning for this is that it would be far more obvious that your team member has been X'ed if he/she suddenly stopped replying in voice chat, than if the system can somehow provide text based responses when conversation is aimed at the player who has been X cloned.

Now this next part I'm not quite sure if the technology is here for yet, but I do think it would be rather cool, and add to the overall effect of the X if it can. What if the system could memorize part of your gameplay style; and imitate it to a degree when you get cloned by an X parasite. It would really force the player's team mates to pay close attention to see if anyone is doing anything to suggest that someone may really be an X trying to sabotage the rest of the team; and it would fit in along side of the X's ability to absorb the knowledge of their pray.

So, any (constructive) criticisms? Anything you'd like me to explain a bit further on? Ideas of your own? Do you think any of these would actually work in an online Metroid game?

There's a leak from Japanese magazine Anatao Damasare that Nintendo will be adding a new service to the Wii U virtual console tentatively titled "WiiDemand". The service would provide downloadable Wii, GameCube, Dreamcast, and Saturn titles to the virtual console. This is a rather big rumor, and could be an early April Fools joke (the fact that it was posted a day early having me kinda on the fence), so take this with a grain of salt or two.

Source:http://www.digitalso...m/news/708.html

According to the leak, these would be the launch titles for the service:


Nintendo Wii
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - This adventure for the Wii console marks the first time a second 3-D Mario game has arrived in the same console generation. In the game, Mario rides his trusty dinosaur companion, Yoshi, to new stars and the fantastic worlds found there. This 3-D platforming adventure provides longtime video game fans with a fresh round of out-of-this-world challenges in the style introduced in the critically acclaimed original.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword marks a turning point for The Legend of Zelda franchise. The introduction of full motion control enabled by the Wii MotionPlus accessory synchronizes player movements with Link's actions while offering the most intuitive play control of any game in The Legend of Zelda franchise to date.
Wii Sports Resort - Tennis (1-4 players): Players grab the controller like a racket and swing - the game will register forehands, backhands, volleys, lobs, slices, spin and power depending on how fast the user swings and at what angle. Don't worry about moving around the court to get to the ball - the game automatically moves players into position. Baseball (1-2 players): Grip the controller like a bat and swat fastballs out of the park in a home run derby. Timing and bat speed will make all the difference between going yard and whiffing, so keep an eye on the ball and swing for the fences. In the two-player game, one player pitches and the other bats. Golf (1 player): Step up to the tee, hold the controller like a golf club and swing naturally to smack the ball onto the green. The harder players swing the club, the farther the ball will fly, so be sure to take some practice swings before going for the pin. After reaching the green, line up putts carefully, practice the stroke and try to hole out.
Monster Hunter Tri - Living the life of a hunter need never be a solitary experience with the option of split-screen mode where two players can hunt co-operatively or form a team of up to four hunters via the game's custom online Wi-Fi mode. Even solo players do not have to face Monster Hunter Tri's challenging quests alone as they will be ably accompanied by Cha-Cha, an AI hunting partner whose skills will prove invaluable. New items, weapons and armour sets will be also available to assist the hunters as they embark on the most epic Monster Hunter adventure to date.
Nintendo GameCube
Super Mario Sunshine - When Mario, Peach, and an entourage of Peach's loyal Toad friends set out for a tropical vacation on lovely Isle Delfino, they're in store for much more than a relaxing holiday. A mustachioed maniac has mucked up the entire island, and Mario is accused of committing the crime. Armed with a hi-tech water cannon called FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device), Mario sets out to clean the island, clear his name, and solve the mystery of the villainous vandal. With new enemies, moves, and surprises, Super Mario Sunshine offers plenty of challenges.
Super Monkey Ball - Call your friends and warn your neighbors, it's time to have a ball! Go bananas with 90+ stages, multi-player madness, and 7 cool ways to play! Equal parts "party" and "game", Super Monkey Ball could be the most "well-rounded" game you've ever played!
Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes - Solid Snake debuts on the GameCube in Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes. This game revives the first two Metal Gear Solid games--Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty--and combines their best features into one unique experience. You are Solid Snake--a spy called out of retirement to infiltrate an Alaskan nuclear base. During your mission, you'll discover secret military projects and surprising details about your past. Stealth is usually key to a successful mission, but if all else fails, you have a vast arsenal of weapons--including a silenced pistol, a rifle, guided missiles, and a sniper rifle--to dispose of your enemies.
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem - This horror story spans generations, so you must relive the blood-soaked history while conjuring spells, solving puzzles, and slaying supernatural beasts. Whether you're creeping around as the Roman Centurion, Cambodian villager, or any of the other characters, the psychological thriller will challenge you to use your mind as well as your might. The story is historically based and features many significant real-world events and locations, including the blood-soaked fields of the Somme, the jungle-ridden temples of Angkor Wat, the deserts of Persia, and the haunted vales of Rhode Island.
Sega Dreamcast
Jet Grind Radio - Join a graffiti crew, stamp your territory and protect it from rival taggers, but watch out for the angry cops!
Cannon Spike - Far into the future, a rogue group of terrorist robots wreak havoc on the world and it's citizens. The Anti Robot Squad Special Forces has been created to overthrow these radical robots. With an arsenal of weapons and high-powered Motor Boots, you must lead a courageous legion of seven members through multiple levels of robotic terror, huge bosses and other evils. Prepare yourself for the ultimate in speed, strategy and firepower.
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 - The realm of Phantasy Star Online has increased. Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 includes all of the original content, and expands the world with more levels, more features, and more evil to combat. Master the Ultimate Difficulty setting, survive the Challenge Dungeon, and reign as the champion of Battle Mode. The evolution of the original revolutionary gaming experience continues.
Seaman - Now that you have obtained your own Seaman egg, use the faithful recreation of Dr. Gasse's laboratory to follow in his footsteps, uncovering the secrets of the Seaman. When the Seaman egg hatches, the adventure begins...
Sega Saturn
NiGHTS into Dreams - Immerse yourself in an unparalleled 3D flying experience. NiGHTS truly delivers an amazing virtual world of dreams -- filled with unbelievable real-time effects, fantastic creatures and nightmarish monsters.
Guardian Heroes - Much more than just a beat 'em up, Guardian Heroes is the perfect blend of action and adventure. Hack, slash and burn through hordes of androids, zombie warriors and goblins as you select your route through over 30 gripping levels, or battle it out in frantic 6-player mode with over 45 characters to choose from!
Virtua Cop - You're a cop. Putting your life on the line is your job. Staying alive is your challenge. Split second decision making, timing and lightning fast reflexes are what it takes in this adrenaline pumping game of cat and mouse. Dirt bags pop out of virtually every hiding place with their guns aimed, cocked and ready to shoot - you!
Fighting Vipers - Electric fences. Barb wire cages. No-mercy skate punks. Axe-wielding rockers. Rollerbladers who take the term seriously... Fighting Vipers is street fighting in its rawest form. Furious, wall-to-wall combat brought to life with a visual intensity and relentless game play so superior, so brutal beyond comparison, nothing can prepare you for what you've got coming. NOTHING!

As you all (or at least most of you) should know, today is April Fools day. On April fools day, a lot of game sites like to post fake rumors/news as a joke. Here is a thread for rounding up any rumors (preferably ones related to the Wii U) that we can confirm are fake, or we can be very sure they are.

I'll start us off with one from Nintendo Enthusiast, stating Retro is working on both a New Zelda in collaboration with EAD 3, and a new Sci-fi centered ip. http://www.nintendoe...lda-and-new-ip/