Alright, so we all know about Nintendo and their Wii which launched in 2006 (November 19th US, if we want to be specific). Now this past summer we had the announcement of a new system dubbed 'Wii U'. The biggest innovation of Nintendo, the most innovative of all video game companies, is their tablet controller which allows you to play your game on its screen, if you felt like watching TV at the same time.

After pre-review bashes and praises, showing of its potential (E3 Legennd of Zelda demo & Super Mario Bros Mii), the next question that always comes next is

HOW MUCH!?

Now, some people turn out like my friend Fry here and want it due to be Nintendo brand or impressed by its E3 visuals

Nintendo Fanboys and myself

Others scoff at the idea. They either bash Nintendo as "kiddy" or "too family orientated". Now, the Wii U's real purpose is to lure these NEW "hardcore gamers" aka We only play Call of Duty (which you can't argue from a business perspective as it does sell nonstop and to lure those gamers means profit).

 MAJOR FLAWS  for Nintendo was including the Wii name in this new system. The name Wii is already affiliated with crappy motion control and exercise games for old people; so that right there is one factor that hurts them. If they wanted to get a new audience, you need a new name. I have talked to many Nintendo, ex-Nintendo, and non-Nintendo fans and they all have told me the same thing.

"Sounds like an extension of the Wii? Why would I get that?"

Others have told me, depends on the price, as they appreciate gaming more than anything; a fair response. The next flaw is the ridding of Gamecube support (I know new Wii's do not have GC playback ability but come on,  Gamecube playback was a HUGE factor in my purchase and a lot of other Wii fans). With no gamecube support you know that means, no Gamecube controllers which means only the Wii Controller and the Tablet...which isn't the best plan. As an avid Super Smash Bros player I use my Gamecube controller...so what am I to do now? Because the tablet looks to be using a Pad not a Stick, which is uncomfortable in fighting games and the Wiimote is laughable in the game.

Let's look at the factors that will influence our purchase:

• "Comfort-ability" a new word I dubbed. The word generally has to do with the interface of the system and how the Tablet Controller holds up.
• List of announced games and its day 1 week 1 releases. (Ask the 3DS how it faired [although it did sell phenomenally on release day it slowed down like a Looney Tunes cartoon].
• Critic reviews and E3 clips and internet response.
• How Multiplayer games fare
• If your friends are getting it [probably the Call of Duty Factor]
• For the "gamers" who only care about Graphics (although it is appeased Wii U is 1080p)

The weakest factor is the multiplayer aspect; I know a lot of people who don't even purchase games with multiplayer (though that is rare in today's age). Nintendo promises to have a new, better online update network, which I believe, but is there cross-game chat? Will Skype help the Wii and use the Tablet controller and its camera to video chat or play 3Ds type games or leave notes?  The next factor is the friends. Sometimes, you have to influence your friends but in today's world everyone is a follower and if somebody likes and recommends it, the chain continues. This is similar to the "friends" factor, but the critic factor has more power, as they are "professionals" in the word. People don't know how to think, that's a fact and they need others to think for them, that is where myself and IGN helps you guys out. Nowm comfort-ability is hard to determine, as not everyone gets to play the system, hold it in their hands and get alone time with it, so you either go to the store or you take the risk. About 80% you get accustomed right away, othertimes you get frustrated and don't like the "feel" of it (like the Xbox controller); but almost 100% you master the system after sometime, though speed of mastery is key. The last one actually became the most powerful due to 2011, and the games list is going to GREATLY affect all systems release now. People don't want to buy something new to hang it up and say look a Wii U. No, they want to play it; They want to get home, plug it in, and PLAY ALL NIGHT.

It's what we gamers look forward to all the time, new game or system regardless.

Let's look at some questions asked by IGN:

Would you buy the system for just one game or franchise? What would that be? 

Personally, I think this is a yes for many people. Nintendo is hard to buy for JUST ONE franchise (cough* Mario (Super, Kart, Party, etc) , Legend of Zelda, Metroid , The Smash Bros Series, Star Fox, Donkey Kong, Pokemon, etc.) but I know many people who bought a 3DS for KH3D [although they later buy games nobody buys 1 GAME SERIES, it's unthinkable]. Nintendo has more than enough loyal fans to appease them in this aspect.

Potential of Zelda

Is there anything that would be a deal breaker for you? 

A deal breaker for me? Not really I own every Nintendo system and have always loved their work. I mean what would guarantee me past 100% is an announcement of any of these titles: New Mario, New LoZ, New StarFox (similar to 64), and Brawl.

How much are you willing to pay for Wii U? 

Personally I am willing to dish $250...$280 the max. Three hundered is a hefty and dangerous number to start off with. Yes, I know the PS3 was $500 but look at where we are economically right now. In addition, I don't want to spend 300+ on a machine that does seem like an HD extension (with the flaw factors above).

The lowest the system should be is $230 but whatever Nintendo decides is best for them.

Well there you guys, are you thinking of purchasing a Wii U? Does it have potential, or should Nintendo trash can it and make an ENTIRE new system?

Not every game has a protagonist worth remembering...heck I only remember Glover because that's the name of the game....I think. Alright well let's start this list; there is no particular order

1- Cloud Strife

How, not ironic, Cloud Strife is put here....he isn't even my favorite FF character but I'll tell you one thing...he is unforgettable and a part of the Final Fantasy name. (To those wondering Zidane is my favorite, then Cloud, then Noel Kreiss). Be his douchey attitude in the beginning, his life being a lie, his giant Buster Sword, dressing as a woman, or being in the most overrated FF game of all time; everyone knows of Cloud

2- "Super" Mario

Come on....he is the king of all these characters on this list. Mario has become a bigger icon than Mickey Mouse over the past twenty years. No one today wears overalls and if they do; they are automatically associated with this plumber. Mario is Nintendo and his non-stop legendary games just help add to the allure. Did I mention merchandise, TV shows and usual subtle references?

3- Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic, Mario's old rival, until recently his new teammate. Sonic was remembered for his cool, showoffy attitude, and amazing speed; although now he is more ridiculed for his 3D games. Sonic is still a big name in all video games, as he still makes games and appearances, in addition to having 3 old cartoon series and an amazing comic series.

4- Master Chief

Come on....you can't say you don't know Master Chief. Even if you don't even like Halo, Master Chief is what the Xbox is. Chief is his own brand, probably more than Halo, and this seldomly talking character is one badass everyone wants to be.

5- Link (Legend of Zelda)

Ahh Zelda..I mean Link. This guy and his reincarnations have been through so many adventures, it really is hard to count him as multiple people. He is just one Link in the eyes of many gamers; although he always bears a different story.

6- Ryu (Street Fighter)

Ryu....the only character of the first Street Fighter (well along with "Ken" the color palette swap) Ryu is one of the most classic of all characters, and his trademark Hadouken are something nobody will or ever forget.

7- Nathan Drake (Uncharted)

Come on...we all want to be Nathan Drake. Probably the "realest" of all the characters on this list; Nathan lives life on the edge. In addition, he is witty and serious, a perfect mix as he is strong enough for him to be a leader, but always willing to kick it back and help his friends.

8-Samus Aran (Metroid)

Ok...how many of us called Samus a 'him' for the longest time. Heck, when I knew she was a girl I still called Samus a him in her armor. To find out she's a woman is only one thing that is unforgettable about this bounty hunter. Her morph ball, arm cannon, and evil rival all make her more the memorable

9- Zero (Megaman X)

Remember when you first played Megaman X1-4 and you were like...WHO THE F WAS THAT? I WANT TO BE THAT GUY..ZERO HE'S BADASS WAY BETTER THAN ROCKMAN....and when you finally are Zero and use the Z-Sword you're just like jfdklgjdfkl. Yea...he's cooler than Megaman enough said.

10- Sora (Kingdom Hearts)

I know you're thinking why is Sora this high in a not ranked list...well besides being part of an amazing 10 year old Action-RPG series which ties Final Fantasy and Disney together; we as gamers have grown up along with Sora through his adventures. In addition, almost every protagonist has some connection to Sora (Roxas, Ventus, Xion, Vanitas main counterparts) (Namine but more associated with Kairi)

One of my old edits!

Honorable Mentions: (cause im too lazy to write and get more pictures)

11-Ryu Hayabusa

12- Kratos

13- Gordan Freeman

14- Donkey Kong

15- Zack Fair

16- Ratchet

17- Jak and Daxter

18- Strider

19- Megaman

20- Bomberman

21- Conker and Banjo (tie)

Okay...video games are like the weather....we can predict them and how we want to play them and what we want but when the time comes it is totally a different manner. At some stretches there are literally no games out (well that you have in your preferences), other times you can't afford the games you want or you have to wait for the game you really want, and the best of times is when you have TOO many games to play.

We all go through these phases and I'm just putting the scientific, true facts approach to it. When there are stretches of the "Literally No Games" it is most likely to occur during the summer, when gaming is low (see one of my first blogs Summer Gaming is Dead) and/or when you have no money. At this stage you have beaten all the games in your collection, and really do not feel like downloading any illegal games; as nothing interests you or you keep forgetting. So to dampen the pain of you wanting a future release game, you go back to play old games of that series, or you just replay old "omg what the hell I haven't played this in forever...." games. [I forgot to mention there is also the going back to games you were stuck on].

While I did describe their the moment of waiting for games, "The Waiting for a Game Period" is a different class. See, "The Waiting for a Game Period" is a torturous time for all gamers. Yes, you still haven't beat the new games you just purchased, or heck even played some of your new games yet; but your mind and body doesn't care as it wants one game only. Take for example Smash Bros fanatics, I'm sure they weren't jumping for joy when they purchased the Wii, with Wii Sports and Wii Play, heck even Galaxy 1 wouldn't appeal them because they want one thing so bad, it demeans the experience of one game. The key difference here is on the "Literally No Games", you can rekindle your flame for an old game....here you hate everything that isn't Game X.

Finally, we have the "Too Many Games Stage". This stage in my opinion, is the worst. Yes, you have so many games that you don't know what to do or which to start...so most of the time like an ass you try to play all of them. Some of the times you're smart and you play at least two at a time but about none of the time, does a gamer say "Hey...let me play one at a time and enjoy them all" NO it doesn't happen, as us gamers are a impatient bunch. So, with these too many games, you have less patience (meaning you may say screw this game for a while) you do than normally playing one game, as you are trying to beat in a respectable time so A) you can trade them back or B) catch up on your other games you have yet to finish but decided to play this new one. This is like a curse, you are in such a bountiful state of games, that every aspect of one game goes down, unless it is mindblowing.

Right now I am in the last state: I have FFXIII-2 (gotta get the last endings), DBZRB2, Skyward Sword, and I think Dead Island which isn't even open, also I have to finish Xenoblade Chronicles...sigh

What are you guys in right now? Do you agree?

Ahh...controllers...I heard they are pretty important in order to play video games [/end of corny joke]. You know after all this time of playing games for different consoles in these generations, I never once sat back and thought about which controller is my favorite one. I mean, in my categories I am only going official come with the system controllers or  arcade sticks (imported/bought or at an arcade) DEFINITELY NOT THOSE  bullshit knockoff Gamestop controllers.

Going by Sony only one controller really matters and that is the DualShock I mean...it's been around since the PSX/Ps1 days and Sony sees no point in changing it and neither do I. The controller is smooth, the buttons are perfect size, it hardly-ever breaks, and it's smooth.  The L1 L2 and R1 R2 buttons are best on the PS3 and to top it all of its wireless and its battery life is supreme.

The next category is the Nintendo systems: Like I said I rarely remember my NES days so I will start from the SNES. The SNES actually reminds me of Sony's Playstation controller (well its actually the OPPOSITE WAY DUH) as the controller is smooth, its d-pad is precise, it doesn't break, and the buttons...well they never go in. In addition, it's L and R triggers not restrictive and the cable length is pretty good. Next is the Nintendo 64 controller, which many despise but I actually enjoy...I will reveal a spoiler right now I can't let this controller win due to its massive hate or my opinion would be "stupid" lol. The N64 controller though was the first controller with the Control- Stick, it also started the Z-camera button along with its C-Pad and it had an irrelevant useless D-Pad. I do not know why the controller had 3 handles but it actually worked in its favor due to the design of the controller. N64 controllers were a huge step in 3D worlds and I actually still enjoy playing Super Mario 64, Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, and Banjo-Tooie on my N64 controller rather than others. The only problem is the N64 controlelr does not age as well as the SNES controller as the control-stick suffered from Mario Party rotations or constantly holding forward so its stick would be off center.

The Gamecube was next in line and while Nintendo tried to keep the controller N64 based, they also changed it completely with some SNES influences. The C-buttons/pad had become a C-Stick. The D-Pad was relegated to a minor spot (and shrunk) while the control stick moved towards the left hand side. The Z-Button was no longer in the back and the A button grew in proportion while the B-Button shrunk. Nintendo re-added the X & Y buttons although they had really no purpose and the a big change was the L and R Triggers. They were replaced with these giant versions sticking out of the controller which really were uncomfortable compared to the SNES and N64, well more "un-smooth". Overall the gamecube controller did improve on the C-Pad and Analog Stick but still didn't feel like the perfect controller. Now Nintendo, new factoid, was the first to create wireless controllers by introducing the WaveBird. By sacrificing your rumble pack and 2 Double A's you were able to wirelessly anywhere, A HUGE INNOVATION. The Wavebird in addition, although it is the same controller, is considered better than the GC original controller.

Finally, we have the Wii Controller and its Nunchuck and Classic Controller which are all really bad. I mean I can't defend it, as from playing Xenoblade Chronicles and running everywhere (my LoZ SS fans should understand) that the longer you hold up on the stick you realize your thumb is sliding up and you have to readjust yourself. The classic controller must be connected to the damn Wiimote (so you basically have your Wiimote floating-attached) and the Wiimote...well its actually good. All the buttons are in easily accessible places and the buttons are smooth.

Let's go to SEGA; while they may have been out of the game for a while doesn't mean we could ignore their WEIRD controller designs. I never had a Saturn or Master System I did have the Dreamcast, Gamegear, and Genesis. The Genesis...was a unique controller. With its ABC buttons right next to each other and a curved D-Pad it definitely was anti-Nintendo. Unfortunately the controller was only really smooth for a couple of games like Sonic, Vectorman, and Gunstar Heroes. Must of the time it was odd and the C-Button was in an odd place and felt really unnecessary most of the time. I was never a big fan of the controller, but I did abide by it due to my love of Sonic. I believe Sega also had a six-button version of the controller.

The DreamCast...well it certainly was the most unique of all the controllers. Also, it is the only controller to have the memory card slot to go IN THE CONTROLLER not the system. The memory cards had a  screen so it was like a pseudo-tamagochi (think Chao breeding in SA). This controller too, had an irrelevant D-Pad but had a great stick for 3D games. Sonic Adventure 1 & 2, Crazy Taxi, Espn 2K sports games, were all played very well. The buttons were a little high off to the right making a and x the only suitable ones but you learned to adjust. Funny, as odd and big the Dreamcast controller was it still was the best of the SEGA crop.

Finally, we have Microsoft and their Xbox controllers. Xbox had some super-mega huge clunky, odd controllers which really were laughable. Microsoft wanted to basically make a QWERTY key-board of buttons on one controller ranging from the D-pad, 2 sticks, A,X,B,Y, Black and White, Triggers buttons it was like what the ? This controller was only acceptable due to Halo, otherwise it really was laughable. Xbox-team realized that the controller sucked so when we upgraded to the 360, we got a new redesign. No more black and white buttons, 2 R and L triggers, a insanely horrible D-pad, and 2 sticks, that have no wear-and-tear. The 360 controller is the median of all controllers. It doesn't last long, buttons get easily jammed or sticks become nonsensitive faster than any other controller, basically breaks half of the time, but overall a solid controller.

So what would I choose? Well in today's games it is a MUST to have a stick so my winner would be the DualShock 3 from PS3 by default, right behind it would be the SNES controller. Here are my top 5

1- Dual Shock 3 (PS3)

2- SNES Controller (SNES)

3- Gamecube Original (GC)

4-N64 Controller (n64)

5- Xbox 360 (360)

What do you guys enjoy?

OK, so we all know Xenoblade will be coming out here for us North Americans (well some of us have already played it) and we are praying for The Last Story while nobody gives a poop about Pandora's Tower.

I have played both Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story and really while I have marveled at the two games; they really cannot be compared as Last Story blows Xenoblade away. I have written a half game summary for Xenoblade a while ago (its pretty long if you want to scoop for it) and I praised the game for its soundtrack, story, and battle system.

Xenoblade Chronicles uses a type of White Knight Chronicles (PS3) battle system where it is turn based with a fake sense of live-action compared to that of Last Story which is all live-action. In Xenoblade you get a total of 6 party members and each has a different unique "skill" which enables them to have all different Talent Arts (that is what they are called). In addition to that, the attacks range from physical, ether, team, Break-physical, topple and daze. Usually the combination of the 3 former are the key to success to defeating enemies. In my limited play of Last Story you can compare the game to that of Kingdom Hearts but it really is different as one moment I was fighting multiple enemies close range with a sword, to the next I was sniping them and head-shots were critical hits to their HP bars.

Roaming worlds is generally the same, there are no random-encounters so impatient run-through people rejoice. Motion controls only plays a part in Last Story (aiming with your gun and I think swinging your sword [I'm sorry its been a while]) while Xenoblade is all controller based.

Well that's all I can give you for now because I had a limited playthrough a while ago and I can't understand full Japanese so I felt I was cheating myself a game, knowing only 1/10th the language.

I really cannot wait to get my hands on the English-Eastern World copy of Last Story, while Xenoblade was nice, it was a long journey and got very slow at times. The world is huge and the exploration is fun but the battles get very annoying and then you become chained to the same combos over and over its like I'm playing Street Fighter (the bad voice acting didn't help as well).

BUT if you read my review you will understand I gave the game (Xenoblade Chronicles)  much much praise because it deserved it.

What are you guys hoping for? Are you even going to buy the game? Or is the Wii now dust material?