3DS eShop Deals - 3/28: Natsume Sale/Resident Evil/Sega 3D Classics Sales, $10 EOU, $8.49 Mutant Mudds SC, & More!

[FriskyTanuki]

Here's your one-stop thread for all of the newest deals for 3DS eShop games.

All deals end at 9 AM PT/12 PM ET on the day listed.

Select Nintendo Wii U and 3DS eShop titles available to purchase as an eShop code from Nintendo.com! Some of the links below offer this.

On Sale

3D After Burner II - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/4

3D Ecco the Dolphin - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/4

3D Game Collection - $4.99 - 16% Off - Ends 3/31

3D Gunstar Heroes - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/4

3D Outrun - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/4

3D Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/4

3D Space Harrier - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/4

3D Streets of Rage - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/4

3D Streets of Rage 2 - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/4

3D Super Hang-On - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/4

4 Elements - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 6/30

A-Train 3D: City Simulator - $9.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Aqua Moto Racing 3D - $3.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? - $4.99 - 83% Off - Ends 4/18

Azada - $2.99 - 50% Off - Ends 6/30

Azure Striker Gunvolt - $9.99 - 33% Off - Ends 6/1

Big Hero 6 Battle in the Bay - $9.99 - 50% Off - Ends 4/18

Brave Tank Hero - $2.49 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Castle Conqueror Defender - $3.99 - 20% Off - Ends 3/31

Classic Games Overload: Card & Puzzle Edition - $14.99 - 50% Off - Ends 4/4
Crazy Kangaroo - $0.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Darts Up 3D - $0.99 - 67% Off - Ends 4/21

Disney Frozen: Olaf’s Quest - $9.99 - 50% Off - Ends 4/18

Epic Word Search Collection - $5.99 - 25% Off - Ends 4/4

Escape From Zombie City - $2.79 - 30% Off - Ends 3/31

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl - $9.99 - 67% Off - Ends 4/4

Etrian Odyssey Untold 2: The Fafnir Knight - $39.99 - 20% Off - Ends 4/4

Fantasy Pirates - $0.99 - 67% Off - Ends 4/7

Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove 3D - $9.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove Mini - $1.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Glory of Generals: The Pacific - $3.99 - 42% Off - Ends 3/31

Goosebumps: The Game - $19.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/18

Gotcha Racing - $2.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley - $14.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning - $14.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Harvest Moon 3D: The Tale of Two Towns - $9.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX - $29.99 - 25% Off - Ends 4/4

Hazumi - $1.99 - 33% Off - Ends 3/31

Hidden Expedition Titanic - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 6/30

Hometown Story - $9.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in Suburbs #1 - $3.99 - 50% Off - Ends 4/7

Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai - $6.70 - 25% Off - Ends 4/14

Jewel Quest 4 Heritage - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 6/30

Jewel Quest 6: The Sapphire Dragon - $4.99 - 16% Off - Ends 6/30

Johnny's Payday Panic - $1.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

League of Heroes - $2.49 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Luv Me Buddies Wonderland - $12.90 - 48% Off - Ends 5/15 - NEW

Luxor - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 6/30

Monster Shooter - $1.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Mutant Mudds - $4.49 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge - $8.49 - 15% Off - Ends 4/16 - Cross Buy - Owners of Mutant Mudds Only

Mystery Case Files Dire Grove - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 6/30

Mystery Case Files Ravenhearst - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 6/30

Mystery Case Files Return to Ravenhearst - $3.99 - 33% Off - Ends 6/30

Ninja Battle Heroes - $2.10 - 29% Off - Ends 3/31

OlliOlli - $3.99 - 60% Off - Ends 3/31 - Cross Buy

Parking Star 3D - $1.99 - 33% Off - Ends 3/31

Pick-A-Gem - $1.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Pix3D - $1.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Quell Reflect - $2.79 - 30% Off - Ends 3/31

Rage of the Gladiator - $2.99 - 57% Off - Ends 3/31

Reel Fishing 3D Paradise Mini - $1.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Reel Fishing Paradise 3D - $9.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D - $4.99 - 75% Off - Ends 3/29

Resident Evil Revelations - $4.99 - 75% Off - Ends 3/29

Runny Egg - $1.39 - 30% Off - Ends 3/31

Rytmik Ultimate - $9.99 - 44% Off - Ends 3/31

Secret Agent Files: Miami - $4.99 - 38% Off - Ends 3/31

Secret Mysteries in New York - $2.99 - Ends 6/30

Smash Cat Heroes - $2.79 - 30% Off - Ends 3/31

Soccer Up 3D - $1.99 - 33% Off - Ends 4/21

Soccer Up Online - $2.99 - 25% Off - Ends 3/31

SpeedX 3D - $1.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

SpeedX 3D Hyper Edition - $0.99 - 67% Off - Ends 3/31

SpongeBob HeroPants - $9.99 - 67% Off - Ends 3/30

SpongeBob SquarePants: Plankton's Robotic Revenge - $9.99 - 67% Off - Ends 3/30

Stella Glow - $39.99 - 20% Off - Ends 4/4 

Toys vs Monsters - $0.99 - 75% Off - Ends 4/7

Van Helsing sniper Zx100 - $2.99 - 55% Off - Ends 4/7

Yumi's Odd Odyssey - $9.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Cross Buy Games
Dragon Fantasy: The Volumes of Westeria - $9.99
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars - $19.99 - Opposing Platform's Code on Receipt
OlliOlli - $9.99
Woah Dave! - $4.99
Xeodrifter - $9.99

 

[Mixer236]

Played about a half hour of Trozei last night, seems competent. I never played the first so I can't speak to how they compare, but it seems pretty deep and I'm guessing it has a decent amount of stages... For $8 you can do a lot worse.

 

[slidecage]

Played about a half hour of Trozei last night, seems competent. I never played the first so I can't speak to how they compare, but it seems pretty deep and I'm guessing it has a decent amount of stages... For $8 you can do a lot worse.

what i dont care for it Does not even tell you how to get the different pokemon in each stage its like you have to GUESS how to make them show up

not sure why they call it BATTLE its a basic match 3 game

 

[BobbyTastic]

I prefer physical copies whenever possible, unless the digital is drastically cheaper.

Understandable. It's about another year until MH4U hits the states so I'm sure it'll see a sale between now and then.

Really enjoying Trozei. Really fun, fun to collect the Pokemon, and it's super fast paced. Glad I got it (twice actually - for the wife's 3DS as well!)

Played about a half hour of Trozei last night, seems competent. I never played the first so I can't speak to how they compare, but it seems pretty deep and I'm guessing it has a decent amount of stages... For $8 you can do a lot worse.

That's good to hear. I'm in no hurry to get it since it isn't the game of the century or anything, but I'll keep it on my wishlist.

-snip-

Since apparently I can't give any more "positive votes" today because I gave too many out.. *like* Thank you for the informative post. I guess we should expect the DLC to go on sale alongside the game from now on (which knowing Atlus will be every other week sooner or later)

 

[UcanSUKtheFAC]

dang, this sale just brought to light that the eshop for 3ds has been very slow with new quality releases lately. Anything notable coming out soon? For the few games worth having in this sale, I already own.

 

[BobbyTastic]

dang, this sale just brought to light that the eshop for 3ds has been very slow with new quality releases lately. Anything notable coming out soon? For the few games worth having in this sale, I already own.

Well, Yoshi and Yumi's Odyssey just came out. Conception 2's out in April, Kirby and Mario Golf are in May, and between now and then that baseball game's supposed to come out. Other than that, I can't think of anything aside from Smash, Persona Q, Prof Layton x Phoenix Wright and MH4U, but those aren't any time soon.

http://www.ign.com/games/upcoming/3ds

Here's a good list. ^

 

[Slermy]

I think Dream Radar should have been updated to work with X&Y, myself. Otherwise, I think I used it 5 times max, then forgot about it.

I used it to farm evolution items, and to collect Pokémon as trade fodder. I agree 100% that it should have been updated to work with X & Y though.

dang, this sale just brought to light that the eshop for 3ds has been very slow with new quality releases lately. Anything notable coming out soon? For the few games worth having in this sale, I already own.

Kirby, Mario Golf, off the top of my head. What genre are you looking for?

 

[Jesse_Dylan]

I used it to farm evolution items, and to collect Pokémon as trade fodder. I agree 100% that it should have been updated to work with X & Y though.

Kirby, Mario Golf, off the top of my head. What genre are you looking for?

Do we know yet if Mario Golf will have the RPG elements of the GBC and GBA versions? Just tell me the truth. I'm tired of pretending I saw Elvis.

 

[BobbyTastic]

Do we know yet if Mario Golf will have the RPG elements of the GBC and GBA versions? Just tell me the truth. I'm tired of pretending I saw Elvis.

Very likely. http://www.neoseeker.com/news/24665-mario-golf-world-tour-adds-singleplayer-castle-club-everyones-a-golf-pro-starting-may-2/

Also, is anyone else kind of excited for Rusty's Real Deal Baseball just to see how you can haggle for better deals on the minigames? Surely some other CAGs are into that sort of thing.

 

[MSUHitman]

I wish there was a demo of the Shin Megami games & Code Princess as even though I love Persona, I did not like SMT IV & don't want to blow $20 on something I won't like.

 

[mrsamsa]

Really enjoying Trozei. Really fun, fun to collect the Pokemon, and it's super fast paced. Glad I got it (twice actually - for the wife's 3DS as well!)

My sentiments exactly.

 

[DNukem170]

The best thing about Dream Radar was being able to delete it, redownload it, and get a new Kami trio.

 

[Cao Cao]

I had no idea SMTIV had DLC... I just got that game, but I haven't started it yet. Do you know how long the sale will last?

There's no date listed, but it'll probably last until March 31st like the rest of the Atlus sale. Don't worry about it though, as the story-related DLC is all end-game/post-game superboss stuff.

Since apparently I can't give any more "positive votes" today because I gave too many out.. *like* Thank you for the informative post. I guess we should expect the DLC to go on sale alongside the game from now on (which knowing Atlus will be every other week sooner or later)

Yeah, while I was doing research on the original prices, I found out they did this the last time they put SMTIV on sale (Back in November, 25% off). Looks like whenever SMTIV goes on sale, all of the DLC (the ones that are not already a dollar) goes on sale for the same rate.

Do we know yet if Mario Golf will have the RPG elements of the GBC and GBA versions? Just tell me the truth. I'm tired of pretending I saw Elvis.

Last month's Nintendo Direct confirmed the Castle Club (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvQvHMuM_Fg) single-player mode. It's sort of an RPG-lite mode, where your Mii's stats are determined more by your equipment. Judging by the video, you still have a area to run around in with your Mii, tournaments to enter, and training mini-games.

 

[antlp89]

Played a little bit of Trozei and I enjoyed what I played. Seems like a fun little puzzler to have on the go. Great for pokemon fans. 

 

[utopianmachine]

what i dont care for it Does not even tell you how to get the different pokemon in each stage its like you have to GUESS how to make them show up

not sure why they call it BATTLE its a basic match 3 game

I'm with you. I have played the game a little bit, and it sucks that you don't know how to get the rarer Pokemon. I think I got one for scoring over 3000 points in a stage and getting an S rank. They don't even tell you afterwards what it was that unlocked the Pokemon so you can try that option on other stages. I imagine at some point, we'll be able to Google how to get the different Pokemon, but for the moment, that just makes blind playing.

 

[Mixer236]

Someone actually agreed with slidecage?! :lol:

I'm only joking, utopian... It's actually a valid complaint. Although, all Pokemon games do this so I'm not exactly surprised.

 

[UcanSUKtheFAC]

Well, Yoshi and Yumi's Odyssey just came out. Conception 2's out in April, Kirby and Mario Golf are in May, and between now and then that baseball game's supposed to come out. Other than that, I can't think of anything aside from Smash, Persona Q, Prof Layton x Phoenix Wright and MH4U, but those aren't any time soon.

http://www.ign.com/games/upcoming/3ds

Here's a good list. ^

Kirby, Mario Golf, off the top of my head. What genre are you looking for?

Yeah I'm looking forward to some of those. I was more referring to small eshop exclusives like mutant mudds and crashmo.

 

[BobbyTastic]

Yeah I'm looking forward to some of those. I was more referring to small eshop exclusives like mutant mudds and crashmo.

Well, Mutant Mudds is on Steam, but I get what you're saying. The only "big" eShop exclusive coming up is Rusty's Real Deal Baseball next month.
Anything else will be after the next Nintendo Direct. I have a feeling they're saving all the good stuff for E3 and focusing on the Wii U for now.

Retro City Rampage: DX is technically exclusive to eShop though and that just came out.

Edit: As noted below, Shantae, Denpa Men 3, Mutant Mudds 2, Azure Striker: Gunvolt, The Saber Rider and the Star Sherrifs and Shovel Knight are also set to come but they don't have release dates and Shovel Knight just got delayed again.

 

[CAiNiACprime]

Do you guys think its reasonable to expect a Harmoknight sale any time soon?

 

[Mixer236]

Do you guys think its reasonable to expect a Harmoknight sale any time soon?

Hard to say. It's never been on sale before and Nintendo's big eShop exclusives haven't really seen much sales anyway.

I'm not saying never but my guy gut tells me no.

 

[BobbyTastic]

I'm not saying never but my guy tells me no.

Your guy, huh? Is he a Nintendo insider? Can he talk to my guy?

Edit: I figured, was just teasing.

Do you guys think its reasonable to expect a sale on any first/second-party Nintendo title any time soon?

FTFY and no. Just save yourself the weekly disappointment and assume it'll never happen. The only reason I check into the new sales weekly is for the off-chance a good third-party eShop title will see a sale (Phoenix Wright, Rhythm Thief, RE: Revelations, etc.). Also, Harmoknight is a Game Freak title and I don't think Game Freak even knows what a "sale" is.

 

[Mixer236]

Your guy, huh? Is he a Nintendo insider? Can he talk to my guy?

Bahaha, that was supposed to read "gut". I don't know any Nintendo Reps. :lol:

 

[Mixer236]

I suppose that's what I get for posting from my iPhone. Heh.

 

[Jesse_Dylan]

I suppose that's what I get for posting from my iPhone. Heh.

I've made that same typo several times on a full keyboard as well!

 

[nitrosmob]

I really want to support Yumi's Odd Oddysee or whatever it's called but 30 bucks is a hard pill to swallow. I tried the snes and psx versions I believe and were great fun games. Just came out at a bad time when Second Son came out and Witch and Hundred Knight and Deception 4 are coming out. I do really want it and sadly at 20 would be an instant buy....I want to buy it to show that we want these type of games but not sure yet. I'll wait a bit for now.

 

[Slermy]

Yeah I'm looking forward to some of those. I was more referring to small eshop exclusives like mutant mudds and crashmo.

If you're excluding PC, Shovel Knight is soon, and looks incredible. Later, the third Shantae game is due out as well.

Do you guys think its reasonable to expect a Harmoknight sale any time soon?

I've been waiting for one, but I doubt it'll go on sale anytime soon.

 

[Jesse_Dylan]

I really want to support Yumi's Odd Oddysee or whatever it's called but 30 bucks is a hard pill to swallow. I tried the snes and psx versions I believe and were great fun games. Just came out at a bad time when Second Son came out and Witch and Hundred Knight and Deception 4 are coming out. I do really want it and sadly at 20 would be an instant buy....I want to buy it to show that we want these type of games but not sure yet. I'll wait a bit for now.

Be careful with Witch and Hundred Knight. I have a suspicion it is not a very good game.

Is Yumi's Odd Odyssey the American title for Umihara Kawase? Or is that something else and still coming? I have never heard of this Yumi game and know nothing about it.

 

[BobbyTastic]

Be careful with Witch and Hundred Knight. I have a suspicion it is not a very good game.

Is Yumi's Odd Odyssey the American title for Umihara Kawase? Or is that something else and still coming? I have never heard of this Yumi game and know nothing about it.

Are you sure you're not just thinking about Witch & Hero?

And yes, it's the American title for Sayonara Umihara Kawase (the third one). -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umihara_Kawase#Sayonara_Umihara_Kawase

 

[Jesse_Dylan]

Are you sure you're not just thinking about Witch & Hero?

And yes, it's the American title for Sayonara Umihara Kawase (the third one). -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umihara_Kawase#Sayonara_Umihara_Kawase

Thanks!

No, I like Witch and Hero, although I am not under any delusion it's a good game.

Went and had a look at the Witch and Hundred Knight reviews. Wow, all over the map! Guess that's better than it getting straight up panned. So maybe it's not a bad game after all, but it seems like it may be difficult to know one way or the other without actually playing it.

 

[Slermy]

Yeah, that's the American title.

And Witch and the Hundred Knight is supposed to be bad?  (

 

[Jesse_Dylan]

Yeah, that's the American title.

And Witch and the Hundred Knight is supposed to be bad? (

I had only read some mixed reviews of the Japanese version, so I still had decent hopes for it, but after reading the IGN review, my hopes were dashed. However, there are some quite positive reviews of it as well, some middling, and some more very negative ones. I don't recall seeing a game in recent memory with such mixed reviews.

 

[BobbyTastic]

I had only read some mixed reviews of the Japanese version, so I still had decent hopes for it, but after reading the IGN review, my hopes were dashed. However, there are some quite positive reviews of it as well, some middling, and some more very negative ones. I don't recall seeing a game in recent memory with such mixed reviews.

Eh, don't put too much stock into major reviewers (IGN, GameSpot and the like), their opinions are often tainted. If the reviews are all over the place, it's probably a love-it or hate-it game. In that case, if there's a demo available you should try it. If not, find the smaller-time reviewer you find yourself agreeing with 90% of the time and see what they have to say.

 

[Kirin Lemon]

Eh, don't put too much stock into major reviewers (IGN, GameSpot and the like), their opinions are often tainted. If the reviews are all over the place, it's probably a love-it or hate-it game. In that case, if there's a demo available you should try it. If not, find the smaller-time reviewer you find yourself agreeing with 90% of the time and see what they have to say.

A review, by definition, is subjective. People always accuse these sites of being "tainted" (okay, so there was actual evidence of this with GameSpot a couple years back), but that's generally just the insult people lob at them when the game they like gets a bad review. I don't understand why people discount review scores - it's just one person's opinion, but it's a valid opinion and helpful in making a purchase decision.

 

[Jesse_Dylan]

A review, by definition, is subjective. People always accuse these sites of being "tainted" (okay, so there was actual evidence of this with GameSpot a couple years back), but that's generally just the insult people lob at them when the game they like gets a bad review. I don't understand why people discount review scores - it's just one person's opinion, but it's a valid opinion and helpful in making a purchase decision.

Not only that, but a review generally does a pretty good job telling you in writing why it got a certain score. I pay less and less attention to scores these days, but I can usually tell from the text if I'm going to agree or disagree with a review.

That said, insert here my whine about how IGN and Gamespot used to be so awesome and how they're now run by children.

 

[DNukem170]

Actually, companies have withheld other products or bonuses from the bigger review companies if their game reviews lower their Metacritic score.

I usually go for user reviews anyway.

 

[BobbyTastic]

People always accuse these sites of being "tainted" (okay, so there was actual evidence of this with GameSpot a couple years back)

And you think that was an isolated incident and that it doesn't still go on? It does. Gaming PR people and the bigger professional reviewers, are often cozy enough that reviewers often receive free swag, free flights, free hotel rooms and free meals (no joke). It's absolutely a problem in the industry, the line between reviews and advertising are often blurred by the bigger sites which depend on invites to the biggest gaming events (they can and have been blacklisted in the past).

Nevermind reviewers just being outright paid off. See -> http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/01/stealth-marketing-microsoft-paying-youtubers-for-xbox-one-mentions/ and http://www.polygon.com/2014/1/21/5332790/ea-pays-youtubers-to-feature-battlefield-4-need-for-speed-rivals for examples as recent as TWO months ago. And I can bet you it doesn't stop at just the small-time YouTube reviews.

In fact, IGN now has a program where they'll "re-review" a game. I wonder how the re-review candidates are decided.

And as DNukem170 said, there's definitely precedent here. Not to mention that the major sites have ads for the bigger games (which is why the thing with GameSpot happened, the reviewer wrote a bad review of a game that was currently a banner ad for the site).

Here's some more reading material, if you're interested:

http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Publisher-Admits-Game-Review-Scores-Heavily-Influenced-By-Trips-Parties-Swag-48395.html

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/311363/video-games-review-scandal-metacritic-uncovers-drops-crooked-publication/

 

[Jesse_Dylan]

I agree with what you guys are saying, but that has to do with overrating a game, not underrating one.  

 

[BobbyTastic]

I agree with what you guys are saying, but that has to do with overrating a game, not underrating one.

Well, yes and no. Think about it, if 80% of games get an overrated score, and 20% don't. Wouldn't that make the 20% underrated as it would raise the standard for what's considered a "good" game (the high % is hyperbole, but you get my point)? I agree that nobody really pays to have bad reviews, but there are plenty of other biases that cause a game to get a lower score than one could argue it deserves (social-related issues, niche genre, even level of skill) but that falls into the subjective area where I suppose one can't be TECHNICALLY faulted for that (though a professional reviewer SHOULD be able to look past that, but you acknowledged that when you called the reviewers children), as opposed to financially incentivized reviews.

But yeah, I was more addressing the typical comment that those who think that major review sites are somewhat tainted by publisher favours, as conspiracies only touted by tinfoil hat wearers.

Note: I never said that all their reviews were crap or anything, just "not to put too much stock into them as they are often (not always) tainted".

 

[breakfuss]

Oh, man. I thought the conspiracy bullshit was limited to the PSN thread. Why put so much effort in trying to discredit someone because you didn't like what they had to say? It's pointless and a waste. They are opinions. Nothing more or less.

Actually, companies have withheld other products or bonuses from the bigger review companies if their game reviews lower their Metacritic score.

 

[BobbyTastic]

Oh, man. I thought the conspiracy bullshit was limited to the PSN thread. Why put so much effort in trying to discredit someone because you didn't like what they had to say? It's pointless and a waste. They are opinions. Nothing more or less.

You could just read what I wrote, I did post a bunch of legitimate links. Enough to prove that it's not just a bunch of "conspiracy bullshit". I mean hell, I didn't even single out a particular review or reviewer, just the overall attitude.

They are opinions but they are PERSUASIVE opinions that have a noticeable impact on game sales. That's what the big deal is, their opinions have weight, and the reviewers need to take responsibility for that.

Edit: If you don't think that what DNukem said is legitimate, take a look at this. -> http://www.cinemablend.com/games/PS3-s-PlayStation-Home-Gets-Kotaku-Blacklisted-3081.html

You'll notice you can't find a single article on this by IGN, GameSpot and even the original Kotaku piece on it is removed. -> http://www.gamespot.com/forums/system-wars-314159282/sony-blackballs-kotaku-25416628/ Notice the link inside to the Kotaku article is now dead.

That's on GameSpot but only on the FORUMS, but it was posted by a moderator, so that gives it some sense of legitimacy.

 

[Kerig]

Do you guys think its reasonable to expect a Harmoknight sale any time soon?

A week after someone in this thread buys it, it will go on sale. Who's gonna take one for the team?

I already bought Cave Story and Steamworld Dig at full price to unlock their sales, someone else needs to buy HarmoKnight and Pushmo.

The exception to that rule is Phoenix Wright. That will only go on sale after EVERYONE in this thread buys it at full price.

 

[FriskyTanuki]

Nevermind reviewers just being outright paid off. See -> http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/01/stealth-marketing-microsoft-paying-youtubers-for-xbox-one-mentions/ and http://www.polygon.com/2014/1/21/5332790/ea-pays-youtubers-to-feature-battlefield-4-need-for-speed-rivals for examples as recent as TWO months ago. And I can bet you it doesn't stop at just the small-time YouTube reviews.

I don't think Microsoft and EA taking advantage of the incredibly raw arena of Youtube Let's Players, where no general guidelines have been established about this sort of stuff, really says anything about editorial sites that do reviews since the Youtube monetization thing emphasizes this sort of thing. They wear their heart on their sleeves in video form, which is what makes many of these people so appealing to their fans but also makes them easily exploitable by publishers and developers for now until the people managing all of these channels thinks credibility is more important than "Straight Cash, Homie".

Edit: If you don't think that what DNukem said is legitimate, take a look at this. -> http://www.cinemablend.com/games/PS3-s-PlayStation-Home-Gets-Kotaku-Blacklisted-3081.html

You'll notice you can't find a single article on this by IGN, GameSpot and even the original Kotaku piece on it is removed. -> http://www.gamespot.com/forums/system-wars-314159282/sony-blackballs-kotaku-25416628/ Notice the link inside to the Kotaku article is now dead.

That's on GameSpot but only on the FORUMS, but it was posted by a moderator, so that gives it some sense of legitimacy.

The reason for this is that most news editors don't really have interest in writing about the plights of other sites if it doesn't also affect them, especially way back then, so maybe that has changed a bit now with the way that news is done. News editors generally just get their news from tips, press releases, and what they find while perusing Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and many other sites out there that posting about controversies another site has with a publisher.

I'd appreciate not shitting up this thread with all of this conspiracy stuff, so please take it elsewhere if you guys wish to keep discussing it.

 

[Mixer236]

A week after someone in this thread buys it, it will go on sale. Who's gonna take one for the team?

I already bought Cave Story and Steamworld Dig at full price to unlock their sales, someone else needs to buy HarmoKnight and Pushmo.

The exception to that rule is Phoenix Wright. That will only go on sale after EVERYONE in this thread buys it at full price.

But I did buy HarmoKnight... Way back on release.

I think you guys would have been better off buying it back then instead if waiting for a sale for over a year. Lol

 

[BobbyTastic]

I'd appreciate not shitting up this thread with all of this conspiracy stuff, so please take it elsewhere if you guys wish to keep discussing it.

Understandable, I knew when my feed told me you posted, that I should be ready to say "sorry for shitting up your thread" (the actual words in my head, it's kinda funny you said that verbatim). I was just defending my opinion from people who wanted to paint it as tin-foil nonsense, did not mean to derail.

I agree in the sense, that I doubt professional reviewers are actually given money directly, but it's more a sign of their (the publishers) willingness to try to influence the process (via perks and the like). But that's the last thing I'll say on the matter.

 

[antlp89]

I've decided to completely ignore any game review/most previews for games that I know I'm going to buy anyways.  I think I heard cheapy mention doing this on the cagcast and so far  it's been immensely more enjoyable playing games. 

Like another CAG already mentioned, game reviews are simply opinions. I think people give too much respect to big game site review scores when they really don't mean shit if you personally end up loving or hating the game.  

I've found that these previews/reviews only serve to spoil the (good or bad) experience you will eventually have with a game and for me personally it's not worth it.

 

[amusedtoe]

Do we know yet if Mario Golf will have the RPG elements of the GBC and GBA versions? Just tell me the truth. I'm tired of pretending I saw Elvis.

I sure hope so. Never picked up Mario Tennis on 3DS because the reviews all said it was perfectly solid but pointless because there wasn't anything but the tennis.

 

[Jesse_Dylan]

I sure hope so. Never picked up Mario Tennis on 3DS because the reviews all said it was perfectly solid but pointless because there wasn't anything but the tennis.

Same! I'm worried the RPG elements are just going to end up being a Mii Clubhouse (which sounds similar to some stuff Mario Tennis had in it--not that I'd know since I never even tried it).

 

[TheLongshot]

A review, by definition, is subjective. People always accuse these sites of being "tainted" (okay, so there was actual evidence of this with GameSpot a couple years back), but that's generally just the insult people lob at them when the game they like gets a bad review. I don't understand why people discount review scores - it's just one person's opinion, but it's a valid opinion and helpful in making a purchase decision.

I discount review scores because they are a poor way to judge a game. It doesn't tell me if I'd actually like it. Personally I rather have the positives and negatives listed out in a review, and I'll judge from that.

 

[BobbyTastic]

I discount review scores because they are a poor way to judge a game. It doesn't tell me if I'd actually like it. Personally I rather have the positives and negatives listed out in a review, and I'll judge from that.

I really really really don't want to continue "shitting up the thread", but I have a thought on this. I am spoilering it so it is quarantined and can be ignored, feel free to PM me all the reasons you disagree if you actually read it.

Spoiler

I completely agree, scores have stuck around because they're used for the purposes of marketing by big review sites. That is why sometimes a score will not properly correlate to the critique in the review (inflated numbers). And why you see numbers plastered everywhere during commercials/ads/even on box art! It's also for those who are too lazy to actually read full reviews and just want quick, easy numbers to look at. The numbers are also the main focus on publishers as they're what affect Metacritic scores (that decide bonuses and such), for that very reason.

Edit: Haha, I thought I was in for a chewing out when I saw you replied, Frisky. What a relief.

 

[FriskyTanuki]

I picked up Jett Rocket II to have something different to play on my 3DS and it's an okay 2D/3D platformer that has odd controls that don't work as well as they should.

 

[FriskyTanuki]

There are some new deals for today:

Petz Fantasy 3D - $14.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Rabbits Travel in Time 3D - $14.99 - 50% off - Ends 3/31

Rayman 3D - $14.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Rayman Origins - $14.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars - $14.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D - $14.99 - 50% Off - Ends 3/31