Kid Icarus Uprising First Impressions

Back when the 3DS was announced and they were showing launch titles, the only game that really got me wanting the system was Kid Icarus Uprising. It turned out that I would have to wait a year before the game came out. By then, what excitement I had felt about the title initially had died out. I bought it release day but have just opened and started playing it this weekend.

The biggest criticism I heard about the game over the past months was its control scheme. I had heard from different sources that it was game-breaking and an object of hatred. The most positive comment I heard about the controls was someone saying "they're ok once you get used to them."

Well, about 3 hours into the game, I too can say the controls SUCK. The air battle is fine, but when you are fighting on the ground, get ready for frustration. You basically have to use the stylus in your right hand to move the camera, which is very imprecise while also moving Pit with the control stick. As long as enemies are some distance from you, the system works pretty decently. But when you are up close and personal, things get messy fast. When you are facing a moving enemy up close, it becomes almost impossible to turn the camera fast enough to keep up with the action, so you just find yourself attacking blind.

Another problem is with the dash move. In order to dash, you have to quickly flick the stick. So you have to stop moving, lift your thumb, and then flick, which breaks up your movement. It's really annoying. They needed the dash move on a button.

As for story, the plot of Uprising is about as compelling as a Mario game. You are fighting against Medusa. That's it. Any background or exposition is handled by conversation with the goddess Palutena as you are fighting or flying. There are no cutscenes or catch your breath moments. It's like the staff didn't even respect the story enough to let the action stop to let you take it in. You just keep on moving. Sky battle, land battle, sky battle, land battle...rinse repeat. Nintendo have been allowed to milk their franchises for so long and have such a fanatic fanbase, that they don't even NEED to have storytelling in their games. It's kinda sad.

I guess one thing I can say about this game is that so far it is pretty easy....even the boss fights. So I'll keep playing for now. But when the difficulty of the game and the difficulty of the controls meet to form a barrier, I will probably quit.

Oh Nintendo 3DS, Hast Thou Fallen So Low?

So I bought a new 3DS XL last week and was satisfied enough with it that I probably won't be using my regular 3DS that much. Especially since you can't share data between the two systems. If you want your digital games and your playtime and records on the XL, you have to delete it off your 3DS. So dumb. One system anchor. So I was looking to trade in my 3DS.

I looked on Amazon and they were offering around $100 for a used 3DS. I just assumed Game Stop would be about the same. So I took it to Gamestop this morning and boy, was I in for a shock. The manager said "I can give you $40 for it." WTF?  I replied "Are you sure that's not for the DS Lite?". He doublechecked and yes, $40 in cash or $50 in trade was correct. I was pissed at that point and said "I'd rather give it away to a homeless person."

They are selling that system used for $150. So for every 3DS that is traded in, they make a $110 profit. Actually, more than that because with trade-in, its more than likely some, if not all, of that money is going to be spent in their store. I felt so angry about it.

The funny thing was that the person that was in line in front of me had asked the manager if he played Diablo and he had answered no because "he was a Christian and he didn't play occult games, especially a game with a name like that!" So here's this pious Christian complaining about the devil and yet he's trying to rob me blind.  Jesus would be tearing up that store like he overturned the money lender's tables.

So now I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my 3DS. Might sell it on Ebay, give it to someone, or even keep it since it's so conveniently sized. I do know that my conscience wouldn't feel right to ever sell it to Gamestop so they can rip off some poor schmuck like me. Don't buy their used shit. For $20 more you could get a NEW 3DS! Actually just keep your DSi. I hardly ever use the 3D to play a game.

I feel like everytime I go into a Gamestop from now on, there will be a look of disgust on my face.

Current 3DS System And Game Deals

Just wanted to update everyone on current specials different online and brick and mortar stores have on 3DS systems and games:

Amazon:

*If you purchase a 3DS system, you get a $25 credit toward 3DS game purchase.
*Buy a 3DS game, save $10 on a second 3DS game
*Order a 3DS console, get a free select accessory
*Trade in a DSlite= $50, DSi= $75, DSi XL= $100

(Full list price if you bought system and 2 games, $330. With deal= $295+ you wouldn't have to pay tax+you get a free accessory)

Toys R Us:

*Buy one 3DS game, get 2nd 50% off

Gamestop:

*Offering same trade in deals on your old DS's as Amazon

Walmart:

*Same trade in deals as Amazon and Gamestop (offer only good in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas)

Best Buy:

*$10 Gift card when you buy two 3DS games

Target: (I'm only listing them because their deal is so AWFUL)

*Trade in for retarded people DS=$20, DS Lite= $30, DSi= $40, DSi XL= $50

--So I guess the best deal if you're buying the system and 2 games without a trade-in is Amazon. If you are just buying games, Toys R Us is the place to go. If you are going to trade in an old system, I'd do it at Gamestop (I wouldn't trust mailing in anything to Amazon), then go buy my 2 games at Toys R Us.