Not all images are from Mutant Mudds, but one is inspired by it.
Coffee Beans Mutant Mudds Deluxe released today on the Wii U and is available to purchase from the eShop for $9.99. The game was developed and published by Renegade Kid, and has an ESRB rating of "EVERYONE" with "Mild Fantasy Violence" listed as content for parents and gamers to be aware of.
I purchased the PC version of Mutant Mudds last year when it released, and you can read some of my impressions of that version HERE. Bean 1 (our oldest son) started playing the PC version, after watching me play it, and considering his age he is pretty good at the game using mouse and keyboard controls.
I was planning on buying the Wii U version today so he could play it with a more standard controller and button layout (like what he's used to with the Mario games); plus, I really enjoyed the PC version and wanted to play the new levels added to the Wii U version.
I saw that Renegade Kid was doing a contest giving away copies of the Wii U game. It was a drawing/art contest, but they even made it possible for a "non-artist" like myself to be able to enter, giving us an option to create a digital image or collage using existing images.
Did we win one of the contest giveaways? Brew yourself some coffee, and hit the jump to see the image I created (if you missed it already) for the contest, and a video of Bean 1 playing one of the levels in Mutant Mudds Deluxe on the Wii U!
Coffee Beans
May the 4th, was it with you? If you didn't sleep all day, I hope that your Saturday, May the 4th of 2013, was an eventful day! While there were no Star Wars video games played in the Coffeehouse on May the 4th, there was at least one Star Wars movie watched (Episode III), and Bean 1 and Bean 2 ran around in the backyard for a little while with some Star Wars gear. (Which, one of them may, or may not, be in the picture above. It probably depends if you ask me, or Mrs. Coffee.)
Speaking of Star Wars video games, there were at least six retail Star Wars games released for the Wii and at least three Star Wars games released on the Wii's Virtual Console service, from my count. We own three of the Wii retail Star Wars titles, but only two of them have been played.
The game-play "Force" (if you will!) was very strong behind the Wii Star Wars retail titles, with each of them now having more than one million "Total Hours" of game-play reported. But, which Wii Star Wars retail game does the "Force" appear to be the weakest with, resulting in the lowest amount of replay value? Brew yourself some coffee, and let's take a look at the least played Star Wars Wii retail game based on the average hours reported "Per person".
Coffee Beans
April was a busy month for gaming around here, and while the amount of coffee consumed in the month stayed the same, the number of blends brewed in the month was pretty low from previous months. There was no April Fools post, like one in a previous year, but there was a debut data report, a WiiWare Wednesday post, and even one of my more rare opinion pieces!
If you only skimmed occasional posts here in April, here's what you may have missed:
1) Do you enjoy playing darts? You might want to download the free WiiWare demo for Dart Rage and try it out, and you can see its official U.S. Nintendo Channel data report, HERE.
2) Want a highly rated Wii fishing game? If you own a Wii or even a Wii U, you should check out Fishing Resort. Its official Nintendo Channel debut data report, HERE.
3) Was Xenoblade Chronicles good? Apparently so, and it had a solid number of hours reported over its first year. You can read its official Nintendo Channel data report, HERE.
4) How many hours can you expect to play Red Steel 2 before beating it? You can see the average hours reported "Per person" for the game in its official Nintendo Channel data report from last month, HERE.
5) Have you been interested in getting a Kirby game, but wanted to know how many hours you could expect? If you own a Wii or Wii U, I would suggest starting with Kirby's Adventure from my short time with the game so far. See how much the Wii version was reported to have been played since it released, in its official U.S. Nintendo Channel data report posted last month, HERE.
6) Yes, I covered a darts game and a fishing game in April, but I also covered one of the Wii's best racing games (my opinion, I know) where you could play darts and fish randomly, DURING races. If you skipped ExciteBots: Trick Racing, you can see the average hours you might expect from the game, HERE.
Now, what coffee(s) did I consume and games did I play in April, even seeing the credits roll in one? Brew yourself some coffee (seriously, wall of text below!), and let's take a look!
Coffee(s) Consumed
This is short, and simple. During April we only brewed up Maxwell House Gourmet Roast coffee. We did go through one full container of it in April though, and the second container which we bought in April is about empty. Mrs. Coffee enjoys the blend a lot, and I think it has a nice, solid, flavor as well.
Games Played Assassin's Creed III - Why did the colonists win the Revolutionary War? One going theory is because they threw a tea party, and chose coffee as their drink of choice during the war instead. The very first night I played Assassin's Creed III, I noticed a coffee reference in the game and even took a picture of it. I don't remember another coffee reference in the game, but that doesn't matter. I ended up putting a good number of hours into the game in early April, and on April 14th I tweeted the following out:
Credits now rolling in Assassin's Creed III, on the GamePad! 90%+ of the game played on just the GamePad. @ubisoft @nintendoamerica#WiiU
— Scott (@CoffeeWithGames) April 15, 2013
Speaking of putting in a good number of hours into the game, I'm a little confused on what my play time with the game actually was. My Wii U's Daily Log channel shows one number, while my save file shows two different times (I didn't notice this until today). You can see in the image below two times shown on my Assassin's Creed III save file, as it appeared after I beat the game:
39 hours, or 20 hours? Which one was it?
I did leave the game paused/on quite often, so being near 40 hours overall doesn't surprise me (the Wii U cut off several times due to the game being paused for an hour). I just wonder if the 20 hours shown are more of a direct reflection of when I was actually moving in and playing the game? I thought that perhaps my play time was around 15-20 hours when I had completed it, before even looking at the time(s) on the file. Overall though, I enjoyed my time with the game, and it offers a lot of content (notice in my save file image, I finished the game with only 37% of it complete). LittleBigPlanet - Bean 1 really enjoys this game, and laughs hysterically when certain things happen in it. It could be Sackboy falling in a hole, getting pounded by something in the level, or just racing vehicles in levels and watching them make jumps. I am volunteered by him to play some of the levels every now and then, and this is how I ended up playing LBP in April. I didn't play it a lot, but I did beat a few of the levels when I would randomly sit down to play it. I'm not sure how much we have really progressed in the game, but I do enjoy it when I play it. Nintendo Land - Bean 1 and I played some matches of Animal Crossing: Sweet Day, Luigi's Ghost Mansion, and Mario Chase. We also attempted a few rounds of Metroid Blast, so he could start learning the controls in that mini-game as well. Bean 1 played Donkey Kong's Crash Course on his own, and I showed him a trick (a few months ago) to get around the blowing in the microphone aspect, which results in hilariously loud "GO! GO! GO! GO! GO! GO!" phrases at the Wii U GamePad. It works, and if you don't like blowing into the GamePad's mic, or have little kids that may run out of air quickly, just teach them to talk to it loudly. Bean 1 also played Yoshi's Fruit Cart, and is incredibly good (for his age!) at Pikmin Adventure! I think Nintendo Land will continue to be a slow burner for us, with some months where it's played a lot, and other months perhaps not at all.
Rabbids Land - Last month in my March Brewed post I asked, "How many hours does it take to unlock all the mini-games in Rabbids Land?" I already had more than 10 hours of play time logged for the game, but still didn't have all the mini-games unlocked. Well, I unlocked the rest of the Rabbids Land mini-games in early April, and my current play time is now 12 hours 21 minutes. Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed - I'm making some slow progress in this one, but still really enjoying the game. I'm working my way through the game's career mode and unlocking new tracks, and leveling up some of the racers in the game (slowly, but surely). Toki Tori 2 - I ran out to Best Buy in early April to grab a Wii U eShop card. Why? We had some saved up Best Buy Reward Zone coupons, that almost covered the price of the eShop card, which I planned to use to grab Toki Tori 2 and other Wii U eShop games. I did end up getting Toki Tori 2, but without having to use my eShop card! I have enjoyed my short time with the game, and some of the puzzles I have encountered so far are incredibly well designed.
Do you know the names of these characters?
Trine 2: Director's Cut - If you have played Trine 2, you may remember how the levels in the game have hidden items scattered about. After I finished the game's main campaign (saw the credits roll) a few months back, I had been going back and attempting to find the items I had missed in the different levels. In April, I found all of the hidden map pieces, and finally unlocked the Wii U's exclusive level! World of Goo - Bean 1 can start this one up on his own, and he is even beating some of the levels in it. I played some levels in the game with him watching, and I'm not really sure how many more levels we have left (if any), because we have reached one, and I'm not really sure what to do in it. It's gotten a good bit of play time though, and was well worth the price of admission I paid for it, which I think was around $1.
Mario Kart DS - I don't how many times I played the different mini-games in this one during April, but it was a good bit. One thing I am learning though, Bean 1 will probably soon be able to beat me in a race! He's doing power-slides, finishing first in many races, and even completing entire cup races in first. Having Mario Kart on the go is a nice option for him in the car, and it's gotten a lot more play time these last few months from Bean 1 (and I) playing than it ever did in the many years before. Mario Kart Wii - We have had Mario Kart Wii in our collection for a few years, like Mario Kart DS, but I think because of Bean 1 the game has actually been played more recently, than the past years combined as well. I really enjoy just listening to the music in some of the levels, and I think Moo Moo Meadows is probably my favorite track right now because of its tune. Bean 1 is pretty good in this one, but the items in the game are pretty ridiculous. He'll often be in 1st place approaching the finishing line in the last lap, then get hit with by a Spiny Shell ( the evil blue shell!), sometimes followed up by consecutive hits from Red Shells. He sometimes gets frustrated when it happens, because he's understanding finishing the race in different places gets different points now, and I get frustrated for him when I see it happen! I really hope Nintendo balances Mario Kart U, more than Mario Kart Wii.
New Super Mario Bros. U - I beat the last level in New Super Mario Bros. U, again, in April because Bean 1 had attempted it a few times on his own. We usually run around in the game just playing random levels now, and Bean 1 actually enjoys running around the world map, launching from the cannons randomly placed around it. We started playing some of the "Challenges" and "Boost Rush" levels under the game's "Play with Mii" section, and even Mrs. Coffee attempted a few of the Boost Rush levels. How many hours have we played New Super Mario Bros. U? According to our Wii U's Daily Log channel, our play time is currently 30 hours 13 minutes, over 20 "Times Played". If you finished the main campaign of New Super Mario Bros. U, have you found yourself going back and playing the game more? Super Mario 64 - I still haven't finished this game! We have collected 20+ stars though, and the file has not yet been deleted, so we are making some progress. Bean 1 enjoys running around the castle and different levels, and can even complete a few of the hunts for stars in the levels. This one seems to be a slow burner for us, played pretty randomly, but we definitely enjoy it when its played.
Kirby's Adventure - I never owned Kirby's Adventure on the NES, but I can remember watching a friend play it. When Nintendo put Kirby's Adventure on sale for only 30 cents to help promote the Wii U's Virtual Console service, I bought it the first day it became available. I think that Kirby's ability to suck up an enemy and copy its power is really awesome. I have really enjoyed my time with the game, and Bean 1 has enjoyed playing the game as well. Here is a video (again) of him playing in a few of the levels:
Kirby Mass Attack - This is a new one that is now in our collection! With how much Bean 1 was enjoying Kirby's Adventure on the Wii U, I took advantage of an Amazon.com sale on Kirby Mass Attack last week and grabbed it for him for just $12.72. Not only have Bean 1 and I played the game, but Mrs. Coffee has as well. So far, we're enjoying the game and the touch screen mechanics haven't really given Bean 1 any trouble. Seeing how well the touch screen controls work in the game (from my time with it anyway, not sure if the later stages represent any problems?), I think it'll be interesting if Nintendo releases a Wii U Kirby game like Mass Attack, where the GamePad's touch screen is the main (or, even only) way of controlling the game.
The quick "Instant Coffee" list of games (also including demos) I played in April is: Super Mario 64, Assassin's Creed III, World of Goo, Rabbids Land, Toki Tori 2, New Super Mario Bros. U, Mario Kart DS, Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed, Mario Kart Wii, LittleBigPlanet, Kirby's Adventure, Trine 2: Director's Cut, Kirby Mass Attack, Fat Princess, Rayman Legends Demo, Rayman Legends Challenges App, and Nintendo Land.
Questions Did any of you perhaps get a new game in April, like how Kirby Mass Attack joined our collection? If so, what game(s) did you get, and have you enjoyed it?
As always though, what games did you play in April (even if not necessarily "new"), and coffees did you consume during the month?
Coffee Beans Kirby's Adventure was originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System on May 1, 1993 (almost 20 years ago!). The game was re-released through the Wii's Virtual Console service on February 12, 2007 for 500 Wii Points ($5), and just last week Kirby's Adventure was released for the Wii U's Virtual Console service on April 17th. You can currently buy Kirby's Adventure on the Wii U's Virtual Console, at an incredible introductory price of only 30 cents!
For parents (and gamers) wondering if Kirby's Adventure is appropriate for younger ages, the game has an ESRB rating of "EVERYONE" with "Comic Mischief" listed as content to be aware of.
If you own a Wii or Wii U and haven't played Kirby's Adventure, how many hours can you expect from the game? How many U.S. Wii owners have game-play data reported for the game through the Nintendo Channel? Brew yourself some coffee, and let's take a look at the official U.S. Nintendo Channel data for the game!
Coffee Beans
March saw several new Wii U releases, the most in quite a while actually. I mentioned some of the new Wii U games that released in March, HERE. While I ended up not buying any of those, yet, all of them have landed in my current "Wish List".
If you only skimmed posts or stopped by only occasionally in March, here's what you might have missed:
1) One reason I find Call of Duty: Black Ops 2's multiplayer addictive, HERE.
2) What is the most played Mega Man game on the Wii, based on Total Hours reported? You can read that report, HERE.
3) Why you should never give up in a Black Ops 2 online multiplayer match, HERE.
4) What is the Wii's most played Need for Speed game, based on Total Hours reported? Find out HERE.
5) What are current Wii U trade-in values, for both the Basic Set and Deluxe Set? Find out HERE.
6) A new feature, done twice in the month, Movie Magic Monday! If you like dragons, you might like this one. If you're a fan of Alice in Wonderland, you might find this one interesting.
7) ZombiU has been patched! You can see the full patch notes and details I gathered on the ZombiU patch, HERE.
Now, what games did I get around to playing in March, and what coffees helped me make it through the month? Start brewing yourself some coffee, and let's take a look!
Coffee Beans
Ahoy, me hearties! Sid Meier's Pirates! released for the Nintendo Wii on September 28, 2010 with a MSRP of $39.99. The game was developed by 2K China, Firaxis Games, and Virtuous and published by 2K Games. It received an ESRB rating of "Everyone 10+" with "Alcohol Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes" listed as content for gamers and parents to be aware of.
***Avast ye!Are ye looking for details on the Wii U and PS3 booty giveaway? Aye? Check me "Caffeinated Thoughts" section below! Savvy?***
A description for the game reads, "Overflowing with intense pirate action, Sid Meier's Pirates! features a treasure chest of gameplay riches, including the traditional mini games from the classic original such as Sword Fighting, Ship Combat and Dancing, as well as two brand new Wii exclusive mini games Bombardment and Lock Picking. In addition, the Wii version offers exclusive character and ship customization options."
How many hours have U.S. Wii pirates reported pillaging the seas in Sid Meier's Pirates! since the game released almost 2 years ago? Batten down the hatches, brew yourself some coffee, and let's take a look!
Coffee Beans
How does a 3 year old beat Super Mario Bros. World 1-1? Skip to the "Caffeinated Thoughts" section below to see the video play-through. Super Mario Bros. was originally released for the NES system in North America in 1985. It was re-released on the Wii's Virtual Console on December 25, 2006 at a price point of 500 Wii Points, which is $5.
The Virtual Console release of Super Mario Bros. was given an ESRB rating of "Everyone" with no content listed for gamers and parents to be aware of. I guess jumping on Goombas and Koopas and shooting them with fireballs can't be described in a proper context?
How many hours have U.S. Wii owners reported trying to rid the Mushroom Kingdom of Bowser and his minions in Super Mario Bros.? Brew yourself a fresh pot of coffee, and let's take a look!
Sorry Mario, but your coffee is in another castle?
Coffee Beans
Mario has a history of visiting castles, but often leaving them in worse shape than when he enters them. Super Mario World is a perfect example of this as Mario not only goes in and removes certain castle residents, but he then destroys most of the castles making sure the residents can't return.
We have been playing Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and Super Mario 64 a lot over the last month and seeing many castles in the games. Bean 1 says things like, "Let's go to the castle!", or "Mario goes to the castle!", or "We beat the castle!". Anything to do with the castles seems fun for Bean 1, and he really enjoys playing/watching the castle levels in the Mario games.
Perhaps the castles in Mario is what influenced me to finally drink coffee from a castle. What do I mean by "drink coffee from a castle"? Brew yourself some coffee, and then take a look!
Coffee Beans What happens when you start playing through Super Mario Bros. 3 with your three old son? Soon, he learns to move around the map and enter levels. He then starts to make slow progress in levels as he learns the importance of jumping, and that Koopas and Goombas are not your friends.
What happens when we complete World 4? The Princess gifts us the "P-Wing" and it is stored in our inventory, where I forget about it like the other items there.
After playing World 5-1 a few times with him watching, he decided he wanted the controller and I went to make some food for Bean 2. As I was preparing the food just a few yards away, I heard a sound coming from the television that caused me to look over. What did I see? Keep reading in the Caffeinated Thoughts section below to find out!
Super Mario Bros. 3 (SMB3) was originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, NES, on February 9, 1990 in the U.S. SMB3 was re-released for the Wii's Virtual Console on November 5, 2007 at a price of 500 Wii Points, which is only $5.
The game was developed at Nintendo's EAD studio, and while it originally released before the Entertainment Software Rating Board's rating system was around, SMB3's Virtual Console release has an ESRB rating of "Everyone" with no content listed for gamers or parents to be aware.
How many hours have Wii owners reported playing Super Mario Bros. 3's digital release for the Virtual Console in the U.S., since it released? Brew yourself some coffee, and let's take a look!
Bean 1, since he can't use a 3DS, volunteered to drive the hype train.
Coffee Beans
When Game Stop started taking pre-orders for the 3DS back in December, I made a quick trip down to the store closest to my house on December 27, and put $50 down to reserve it. Just today, I went back by that store and canceled my Nintendo 3DS pre-order.
Reserve receipt on left, 12/27/10; cancel receipt on right, 3/29/11...same associate both times.
Now, why did I cancel my 3DS pre-order? Well, there are few reasons, and here they are:
