pitchingmoundideas

[pitchingmoundideas]

NEW PROJECT: Disney Sports Spectacular 

Hey there everyone. Once again, it’s been a long time. The blog has been neglected as life has come up to distract me from writing all these ideas that float around in my head, but since I finally have some downtime, I want to announce my first real idea project; a collection of pages based around one giant video game pitch I want to showcase. 

Introducing my 2nd idea based on the worlds of Disney: a crossover sports/party game titled Disney Sports Spectacular! What is it? Well in simplest terms, imagine Mario Sports Mix/Superstars, a compilation of various different sports that iconic characters can play together. But this pitch takes it to the logical extreme!

The game contains five different sports to play. Football, Soccer, Tennis, Baseball and Golf. Not only does each sport feature unique gameplay, modes & rulesets, and even stadiums, but it also features unique rosters per sport. While a few characters are shared between all five sports (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pete) the rest of the roster between sports is wholly unique. In total, I plan to have over 100 playable Disney and Pixar characters. Of course, I will be excluding Marvel, Star Wars and FOX characters to focus on the pure essentials from Disney and Pixar’s film catalog (this also means no TV characters, I want to focus purely on movies and Mickey & Friends). Characters are split into five different types; Balanced, Speedy, Powerful, Technical and Weird. These classes are available in every sport except for Golf, where a different type of character typing will be available.

There’s also DLC planned to expand the roster and stadium count even further, but we’ll get to those in due time. For now, this is mostly an announcement of what’s coming. Additionally, this idea is envisioned as a Nintendo Switch exclusive, so i’ll be using that as reference for gameplay and controls. And no, it isn’t a reboot of Konami’s Disney Sports Network series. However... I do have plans for that as well. 

Check back to this page later as i’ll gradually be including links to the 5 sports pages as they come up!

[pitchingmoundideas]

THQ Nordic’s Nicktoon game re-releases: Ideas (Part 1)

Well it’s been a while hasn’t it. I didn’t plan to leave this blog behind for this long, but I do plan on reviving it with new stuff whenever I can! And i’ve been thinking a lot about something recently that I thought i’d finally give my two cents on. 

So back on March 21, 2018 THQ Nordic and Nickelodeon announced a partnership to bring back classic Nicktoon based games on modern consoles, with on shelf information “in the coming months” and listing 16 different shows they’ll be pulling from. And so far, we’ve had radio silence on the matter. With Comic Con and Gamescom coming up I have a feeling we’ll hear more about these soon but for now, I wanna share some ideas for the different ways they could re-release these games: via HD Collections!

With so many games based on so many shows there’s a lot to go through, so if I come up with more i’ll make a follow up post to this. The only rule is that i’m pulling from games based on the shows THQ Nordic listed. Anything on console and handheld is fair game.

Spongebob Squarepants: Heavy Iron Collection

Starting off with the most obvious and heavily requested re-release even before THQ Nordic got their hands on the Nick license. Spongebob is one of my favorite Nicktoons and has had MANY games since his 1999 debut. But some of the best were made by the California based Heavy Iron Studios. The incredible 3D collectathon Battle for Bikini Bottom, the not as good but still really fun spiritual successor The Spongebob Squarepants Movie, and lastly the 10th anniversary tie-in game Spongebob’s Truth or Square. 

Having all three of Heavy Iron’s games bundled together in one package would give fans easy access to some of the most underrated platformers out there. Hell Battle for Bikini Bottom HD alone would sell like hotcakes (or Krabby Patties in this case). The Movie Game and Truth or Square may not have reached the heights of that first game, but are still fun and charming 3D adventures that any Spongebob fan can enjoy. It would even be really cool if Truth or Square was a special edition that included the PSP exclusive levels w/ respective collectables (Squidward’s Talent Show and Ambush at the Krusty Krab) alongside all the content from the console version. 

Tak: Juju Trilogy

Another severely underrated series of 3D platformers, the Tak games developed by Avalanche Software (who would later go on to work with Disney) were a very unique case among Nicktoon games in that they weren’t based on a cartoon or movie! Instead, they were completely original adventures made from the ground up for video games. The Tak series has since become fondly remembered for it’s lush worlds, colorful characters, hilarious dialogue, and atmospheric music. And the time has finally come for Tak to make a comeback!

This HD Collection would put the focus on remastering the original trilogy by Avalanche. Tak and the Power of Juju, Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams, and Tak: The Great Juju Challenge would all be included. Some features that i’d love to see would be having more unlockables for 100%ing Tak 1 (instead of just storyboards and concept art, maybe some music and models?), a level select or at least some way to revisit levels in Tak 2 without starting a new file, fixing the various bugs and graphical issues in Tak 2, and online multiplayer for Tak 2 and 3. It’s a lot to ask for but who knows! It may happen. In any case i’d just be happy for these three games to get bundled together so more people can notice them. And also help us wash the taste of that TV show reboot out of our mouths finally. 

The Fairly Oddparents Two Pack

Despite The Fairly Oddparents running for 10 seasons and being one of Nickelodeon’s most popular shows, Timmy and his godparents have barely made a mark with video games of their own. In fact, only TWO games have ever been released on consoles based on the show. So why not bring them back? The Fairly Oddparents: Breakin’ Da Rules and The Fairly Oddparents: Shadow Showdown were both developed by Blitz Games, and are both 3D platformers with a similar setup. Timmy runs around levels collecting stars in order to grant wishes, due to his Fairies being hindered either by force or by a mysterious villain. 

Both of these platformers may not take long to beat, but they’re a very fun ride all the while. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll recognize levels in both games based on episodes and locales from the show, and tons of classic characters show up. If you grew up and enjoyed the pre-Poof/Sparky/Chloe era of the show, you’ll love these games. Bringing them both back would not only allow Timmy and his fairies to get back on consoles, but also give fans of the older era of the show something to enjoy. Plus we’d get to see some of the best cel-shading out there in HD!

Nicktoons: United Collection

To round off my first collection of collections, here’s one that would make a lot of fans happy. While kids today see the Avengers unite on screen, kids in the 2000s had a different kind of all star crossover in the world of video games with the Nicktoons series (known as Spongebob and Friends in Europe). The first three games were all developed by Blue Tounge Interactive, while the 4th and final installment was handed over to Griptonite Games. Over the four (console) games, nine different Nicktoons crossover: Spongebob Squarepants, Danny Phantom, The Fairly Oddparents, Jimmy Neutron, Tak and the Power of Juju, My Life as a Teenage Robot, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Rocko’s Modern Life and Invader Zim. The handheld versions feature additional shows with Catscratch and El Tigre. Even more Nicktoons cameo in Attack of the Toybots as collectables. 

This HD Collection would include the main home console versions of all four games, Nicktoons Unite, Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island, Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots, and Spongebob Squarepants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom. These 3D Platformers/beat em ups may vary in quality, but are very popular amongst fans of the Nicktoons and are actually very unique amongst most crossovers in that they actually share continuity. Events from one game are referenced in another, characters remember each other and become closer with every game, Volcano Island returns, etc. Having all four games in one pack would unite the entire saga together and possibly fix many of the original issues these games had. Mainly that horrible save glitch in Globs of Doom, PLEASE fix that. 

[NOTE: The picture on this section is not my game lineup, I simply used it for reference material]

[pitchingmoundideas]

Super Smash Bros. Character Suggestion 03: PICO

Name: Pico Universe: F-Zero First Appearance: F-Zero (1990, SNES) Latest Appearance: F-Zero Climax (2004, GBA)

We’ve been off for a while, but it’s time to head back to some new Smash Bros character suggestions! This time around I decided to toss my hat into the ring with a character from the forgotten gem of a racing franchise, F-Zero! 

It’s been a LONG time coming for this series to get a newcomer to join Captain Falcon, but who? The series has dozens of racers to choose from, all with varied looks and personalities. Some want Samurai Goroh to make the upgrade from assist trophy, many want the dark and mysterious Black Shadow from X-onward. But for me, i’m going with a character that like Cap and Goroh has been around since the beginning, and actually has in-universe knowledge that makes him a perfect candidate for smash: The Poripoto Soldier and supposed hit man, PICO!

Who Is He?

Pico first appeared in the original F-Zero as one of the four playable racers alongside Captain Falcon, Samurai Goroh and Dr. Stewart. A mysterious alien racer, Pico is a member of an unnamed turtle like species. Aged somewhere in his mid-120s, his past is mysterious and unclear, always changing with every F-Zero game (the best example would be his homeworld being Death Wind in F-Zero, but Toritz 3 in F-Zero X). His vehicle is known as the Wild Goose.

A veteran who used to be a soldier for the Poripito Army’s Special Fighting Unit, having carried out many dangerous missions, he currently works as a hit-man and assassin, seemingly traveling the galaxy for his next pay alongside F-Zero racing. He’s aggressive and erratic, but manages to keep a cool head when the time comes and a job must be done. Most that mess with him usually don’t survive. He is also disliked by general F-Zero race fans due to having caused an accident on the track from his reckless driving, however this never stopped him from continuing to drive in said reckless ways. 

Why Pico?

Pico is a character that i’ve never seen suggested for Smash, which is odd. Like Samurai Goroh and Black Shadow he has in-universe skills that would make him perfect for a fighting game like Smash, and he’s also somewhat iconic, having been of the original racers from F-Zero on SNES. He’s also a very unique character appearance wise. A green alien with a beak, long head and turtle like shell with a high pitched voice and an “off his rocker” personality. 

Lastly (and most obviously) it would finally give F-Zero a 2nd representative in Smash Bros. Captain Falcon is great but he seriously needs someone to join him, and if Nintendo themselves won’t give F-Zero love with a new game, maybe Smash Bros can help.

How Would He Play?

Pico is a very unique character compared to Captain Falcon. Using a mix of long range army weaponry and his own powerful melee attacks, Pico is a beast at all angles though best up close (with melees) and from far away (with his special moves). In terms of air game he’s somewhat weak, not having a traditional recovery move. His own erratic behavior also plays into his general playstyle, with strange body movements and varying strength that would make him one of the more interesting “power” characters in Smash. But onto his special moves!:

B: Dual Pistols- Unlike Cap, Pico actually has a few moves that he’s preformed within F-Zero itself! For his standard special, Pico whips out a pair of pistols that he quick fires at opponents. While traditional bullet-based guns in his home game, Pico instead uses laser guns for the more E rated Smash. The pistols act similarly to Fox and Falco’s Blaster and Mii Gunner’s Laser Blaze, dealing fast attacks with a bit of knockback. Pico can fire up to six blasts at once before having to wait and let his guns cool down. While firing, players can tap the control stick left and right to make Pico quickly turn around and change where he’s firing, surprising opponents from behind. 

Side B: Sniper Rifle- Another move pulled from F-Zero GX’s pilot profiles, Pico takes out a sniper rifle (once again a laser one) and gets into position, before firing a strong blast forward at opponents. The Sniper is slow, as Pico needs to actively charge it up for a few seconds (by holding Side B) before firing. As it charges, players can position a reticle on nearby fighters by moving the control stick to decide who to shoot, which is where Pico will aim his gun to fire. This offers a bit of strategy to decide who you want to target, as a strong enough snipe can send players flying. One downside to this move is Pico having to sit still as he charges and aims, leaving him wide open to attacks from others. For those that don’t want to charge, a simple tap of Side B will cause Pico to quick fire a Sniper Laser, which does less damage but can be used to slowly build damage.

Up B: Grenade Toss- The first of two original specials in Pico’s arsenal, this move has Pico toss a grenade up into the air, hopefully landing to blow up nearby any unlucky fighters. If the grenade manages to hit someone in mid-air it will instantly explode, while if it misses it will sit on the ground for a few seconds before exploding. While acting similarly enough to Snake and Sheik’s grenades, Pico can specifically aim his. By either tapping or holding Up B, Pico can toss the grenade close or far away from him, letting him set up an attack by luring an opponent near one that landed or trying to hit someone mid jump. Additionally, Pico does a short hop when he tosses a far away Grenade, giving him a very small bit of recovery. 

Down B: Shell Drop- Another original move (that Pico would supposedly use while in the army), this special sees Pico jump high into the sky before dropping down Shell first onto enemies. Acting similar to other ground pound special moves (though mainly Bowser’s), Pico’s is quite strong and can even bury people if he manages to land square on top of them. If preformed in Mid air, Pico will simply drop straight down, while when preformed on the ground he will high jump first. This, in a way, is both his strongest recovery option as well as his worst, as if players miss they will fall straight into the abyss. 

Final Smash: Wild Goose- Pico’s F-Zero vehicle, gifted to him by the General Repeat of Death Wind with a focus on combat as a special unit in the Polipoto military. For Pico’s final smash, which at first glance is a “clone” of Captain Falcon’s, the Wild Goose zooms in from off screen with a battle cry from Pico, with any racers hit landing on a futuristic race track (though a different one from Falcon’s). Suddenly, a large amount of F-Zero cars fly at the player in a massive pile up, exploding and crashing into people. Pico zooms by and drives away, laughing maniacally at the accident he just caused. This Final Smash is actually a stronger variant of Blue Falcon (doing double the damage), and is a reference to an event from F-Zero GX’s backstory. 

Anything Else?

Entrance Animation: The Wild Goose slams to a halt onto the stage, with Pico jumping out 

Victory Pose 1: Pico preforms a variety of flips while shooting his Dual Pistols, before firing one last shot at the camera. He then blows the smoke coming off the gun.

Victory Pose 2: Pico throws down a grenade which causes an explosion. When it clears, we see him walking off into the distance.

Victory Pose 3: Pico hops into the Wild Goose, closing the cockpit and saying “I have some assassinations to take care of!” before zooming off.

Up Taunt: Pico laughs maniacally, asking “Who can stop me?”

Side Taunt: Pico points out his finger, saying “THIS will be an easy kill...”

Down Taunt: Pico swings around his pistols like a gunslinger before re-holstering them.

Victory Theme: The same as Captain Falcon’s, which is a cover of the theme that plays when you win a race in F-Zero GX (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPtIOxdAclY)

[pitchingmoundideas]

Disney: Battle Giants

Here’s a random idea I came up with in the middle of the night that I thought could actually be pretty cool. Disney has never really made a crossover fighting game with their characters, as they usually feel it’s too violent for them. But what if... it wasn’t the real Disney characters? But rather, other characters modeled after them? For this idea, i’ve crafted a 3D fighting game where MECHA modeled after classic Disney and Pixar characters do battle; this, is Disney: Battle Giants!

Story: In the near future, Mecha Fighting has become a globally televised sporting event. People gather across the planet (and surrounding solar system) to see the greatest pilots in the world do battle in their various robots, called D-Giants, to claim the grand prize in the Battle Giant Tourney. However, this year, a mysterious group of pilots and mecha have appeared with dangerous methods and a sinister goal. To stop them, the various Battle Giant Tourney fighters must duke it out to see who’s behind it all, and save the universe in the process. Our main protagonist in the story mode is Chris Yensid, an 18 year old who becomes the youngest fighter in the tournament with his homemade, steampunk style D-Giant Mickey: Model-1928.

Gameplay: The gameplay of Disney Battle Giants plays similarly to 3D fighters like Tekken, Soulcalibur and Fighting EX Layer/Street Fighter EX. Players battle it out on a 3D plane in their mechas, to be the last man or woman standing. It’s a six button fighter, with 2 punch buttons (Light and Heavy) and 2 kick buttons (Light and Heavy), as well as a Super button and Weapon button. Before battle, every pilot can choose a special weapon (they have three each, but only start with one with the others having to be bought via the Shop) to bring with them into battle, which acts similarly to assists in other fighting games. These weapons have their own meters, and can even be leveled up the more you use them. Super Buttons are used to activate super moves, with every fighter has multiple supers, once again similar to the Vs. series, with their super meter filling up as you fight. Sidestepping is also an option, allowing players to avoid attacks and move around the field swiftly. 

Characters: Disney Battle Giants has a total of 35 playable characters; 20 starter, 5 unlockable, and 10 DLC. Each fighter is a mecha, known as a D-Giant, based on a different Disney or Pixar character, with various original pilots controlling them. These pilots have their own unique stories, and comment/talk during the fight. To learn more about the individual fighters, click here. [will be updated later with links to separate posts with profiles] 

Starter

Mickey: Model-1928 (Pilot: Chris Yensid)

Donald: Model-1934 (Pilot: Ivan Malcolm)

Goofy: Model-1932 (Pilot: Art Webb)

Lightyear: Model-1995 (Pilot: John Allen)

Elsa: Model-2013 (Pilot: Eveline Rich)

Beast: Model-1991 (Pilot: Eric Zothan)

Wazowski: Model-2001 (Pilot: Mamiko Ayu)

Hercules: Model-1997 (Pilot: Faust Jorges)

Incredible: Model-2004 (Pilot: Clark Stone)

Godmother: Model-1950 (Pilot: Bette Paxton)

Mulan: Model-1998 (Pilot: Abigail “Abby” Rosenthal)

Stitch: Model-2002 (Pilot: Jameel Rouge)

WALL-E: Model-2008 (Pilot: Stefan Automa)

Skellington: Model-1993 (Pilot: Alexa Ravencroft)

Ralph: Model-2012 (Pilot: Billy Weiss)

Kaa: Model-1967 (Pilot: Coco Bernini) 

Baymax: Model-2014 (Pilot: Yang Kim) 

Dwarf: Model-1937 (Pilot: Kyle Werks)

Merlin: Model-1963 (Pilot: Sir Richard Archden)

Joy: Model-2015 (Pilot: Amy Dale)

Unlockable

Maleficent: Model-1959 (Pilot: Clarice Meloda)

Hook: Model-1953 (Pilot: Norman Gomez)

Scar: Model-1994 (Pilot: Shaka Zane)

Ursula: Model-1989 (Pilot: Demona Noire)

Jafar: Model-1992 (Pilot: Kabir Bodhi)

Downloadable Content

Standalone/Single fighter

Drossel: Model-2008 (Pilot: Archibald Penn)

Disney Pack

Heffalump/Woozle: Model-1977 (Pilot: Jezebel Fox)

Quasimodo: Model-1996 (Pilot: Sylvestre Kalman)

Kida: Model-2001 (Pilot: Okono Rosé)

Pixar Pack

Flik: Model-1998 (Pilot: Bobby Steel) 

Merida: Model-2012 (Pilot: Leslie Dougal)

Ernesto: Model-2017 (Pilot: Ricardo Sanchez)

Live-Action Pack

Tron: Model-1982 (Pilot: Kevin McCuller)

Davy Jones: Model-2003 (Pilot: Oran Blair)

Maximilian: Model-1979 (Pilot: Vlad Reagan)

Modes: 

Story- Experience the epic, cinematic story of Disney: Battle Giants! In between fights, players will see a global story unfold involving the various pilots of the giant robots and their personal struggles. The main story revolves around Chris Yensid and his homemade D-Giant Mickey entering the Battle Giant Tourney, along with his friends Ivan and Art. But the mysterious Shadow Society of dangerous terrorist-level Mech Pilots threaten their world... and their only chance at victory! The story is split into chapters, similar to NetherRealm games. 

Arcade: Climb the ranks and reach the top against a serious of opponents! In this classic mode, players can climb arcade ladders of various difficulties and battle opponents before facing the final boss, Maleficent: Model-1959 and seeing a unique ending for your character. Each difficulty ladder features a different amount of fights with gradually increasing difficulty. (Easy- 6 fights, Normal- 8 fights, Hard- 10 fights, Expert- 12 fights).

Versus: Duke it out against a friend or the AI in a single match! Players can play a single match, either against the AI or with a friend in local versus. Amount of rounds, enemy difficulty, round time, etc. can all be adjusted to your liking.

Training: Practice your skills with customizable settings! Here, players can practice against the AI with various adjustable peramaters.

Mission: Try out various trials for each of the fighters and learn combos! In this mode, every fighter has 10 combo trials each that players must complete. They gradually get more complex as you climb the trials, with bigger and more powerful combos to learn. In total, counting DLC fighters, there are 350 different Missions.

Online Vs.: Go online and face players from around the globe! Here, players can hop online to play online fights against players both regionally and globally. Casual matches are available, as well as ranked matches, where players wins and losses affect their online rank. Lobbies, leaderboards, spectating and even online tournaments are also supported, with players able to truly customize their online environment.

Shop: Buy new things to customize your D-Giants, new weapons and objects for the Museum! Here, players use in-game currency earned by fighting to buy various things, including titles for your online license, additional colors for the D-Giants, additional weapons to bring into battle, etc. 

Extras: Explore the D-Giant Museum, filled with bonuses! The D-Giant Museum is a place filled with collectables players will slowly earn by buying them from the shop or unlocking them normally by playing the game. Character Models and Animations, concept art, voice lines, music, stage backgrounds, etc. can all be viewed at your pleasure. 

Options: Adjust the game’s settings to your choosing! Here, you can customize the game’s various settings to make sure your play experience is perfect to you and your TV.

Other Details:

The game is/will be available for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC

Ariel, Rapunzel, Queen of Hearts, Horned King and Dumbo were all considered to be re-imagined as playable mecha, but were scrapped. They are being considered for a potential sequel

A complete edition, entitled Disney Battle Giants: Level Up Edition was released following the end of the game’s DLC plans

[pitchingmoundideas]

Mario Party: The 64 Years and Mario Party: The Gamecube Years

Alright here’s my first non-Smash Bros related idea on this tumblr, and it’s one that’s been saved for a long time. So 2018 will mark a big milestone in Nintendo history, and that’s the 20th Anniversary of the Mario Party series. That’s right the first game released on the Nintendo 64 in Japan way back on December 18, 1998, and the series is still going strong to this day with 10 main console games and various handheld and arcade takes. 

But Mario Party has “gone downhill” to most people since Hudson Soft was bought out by Konami. In stepped ND Cube, who changed the formula completely with everyone in cars, having minigames played at different times, etc. With every new release it seemed the games got further and further away from what fans enjoyed. 

So it got me thinking, this year is a very important celebration for a series all about partying, we need something BIG to celebrate. So what if Nintendo made a pair of HD Collections for the Switch of all the past Mario Parties fans know and love?

The Collections themselves 

The Mario Party HD Collections consist of seven total games, split across two releases.

Mario Party: The 64 Years, includes Mario Party 1-3, all originally released for the Nintendo 64. 

Mario Party, the game that started it all in 1998. Featuring six playable characters (Mario, Luigi, Wario, Peach, DK and Yoshi), and 50 minigames, the story revolves around the six heroes battling it out in a series of adventures to see who can be considered the “super star”. Outside of the main Party mode of 8 boards, players can also explore a Mushroom Village themed menu to access various mini game based challenges, buy new Board Effects and alternate dice blocks, and other bonus distractions

Mario Party 2, the first sequel released one year later in 1999, and improved pretty much everything. All six characters from the first game return, in a new storyline involving everyone fighting to get a Theme Park named after them. Every board offered players a new costume to wear, from Pirates to Wizards to Spacemen, and many new minigame types were added (including Battle and Duel) for a total of 65, a mix of new and returning games. Items were also introduced here, allowing players to spend coins on objects that could turn the tide of a game. 

Mario Party 3, the final in the N64 trilogy, released in 2000. Waluigi and Daisy make their debut as new characters, as well as new original NPCs like Tumble and the Millennium Star. The story this time revolves around Mario and friends being sucked inside a magical toy-box by the Millennium Star, a powerful object born every 1,000 years, who tests them to see who is truly worthy of possessing him and becoming Superstar of the Universe. Alongside a classic party mode of six boards (which includes players now being able to hold 3 items at once), a new DUEL Mode makes it’s debut, with six of it’s own boards designed for two player vs and featuring RPG elements like partners and health bars. 71 minigames are featured, all of which are completely new.

Mario Party: The Gamecube Years features 4-7, all originally on Nintendo Gamecube.

Mario Party 4, the first installment of the series for the Gamecube, released in 2002. All eight characters from the previous game return, in a much more lighthearted plot involving everyone celebrating the player’s birthday in the Party Cube and earning presents. Fully 3D boards are introduced, as well as new items (mainly the Mega and Mini Mushrooms, which are heavily focused on to access new areas and disrupt opponents). Players now have the option to Pair Up in Party Mode, and with 60 minigames offered, you can even create custom minigame packs.

Mario Party 5, released in 2003, changed up the series. DK was removed as a playable character, now hosting his own space on boards to reward players (an opposite of Bowser). In addition three new characters (Toad, Boo, Koopa Kid) make their playable debut for a total of 10. Items have been removed in favor of the new Orb system, which has players use various items and abilities from capsules/orbs to effect themselves or opponents in a variety of both positive and negative ways. Story wise, the game is set in the Dream Depot, a dream world hosted by the Star Spirits from Paper Mario, who invite Mario and friends over, but must soon stop Bowser who wants to conquer the dream worlds for himself. Lastly, 77 new and different minigames are on offer.

Mario Party 6, released in 2004, wasn’t as drastic a jump as the previous game. Toadette is added as the only new playable character, alongside everyone from 5 returning, in a storyline involving the conflict between the Sun (Brighton) and the Moon (Twila) which Mario and the gang try to put a stop to. In this game, every Party Mode board has day and night variants, which swap every 3 turns, changing up the layout and adding new areas and gimmicks to make players strategize in new ways. This game supported the Gamecube Mic, letting players play special minigames and modes with their own voice! 82 minigames are featured, five of which require the Mic.

Mario Party 7, was the final Gamecube game, released in 2005. Birdo and Dry Bones appear as new characters, while Koopa Kid is removed back to an NPC role. In this story, Toadsworth invites Mario and his friends onto a globetrotting Cruise vacation, but due to Bowser not being invited, he plans to ruin their vacation with a revenge plot. The biggest new addition into MP7 was the 8 Player Deluxe Cruise mode, letting eight players duel it out in teams across specially designed minigames and modes. Mic support also returns to play special minigames when players land on the designated Mic Space. In total, there are 88 minigames. 

The Features!

Overall, both Collections have access to most if not all the same general features. All seven games have enhanced visuals and sound for the modern generation including optional widescreen, with the 64 Years even having the option for a 90s TV look. Players also get access to a PARTY MUSEUM across both collections, letting players peek into the development process of the seven titles with concept art and documents. The Museum also includes a Sound Test that lets you listen to the game’s classic tunes and voice lines. A Model Viewer is even included for people to get a closer look at boards, players, items, etc. As for the seven games themselves, all their original modes, content and features are all fully included. 

All of the Nintendo Switch’s various control styles and play options (TV, Tabletop, Portable) are supported, letting anybody make and hop into a party with their friends and family. It also means seven classic Parties on the go! Overall multiplayer across the seven games can be done either off the same system or with wireless play in Portable/Tabletop Mode. 8 Player Mode in MP7 is still supported, letting people bring their own Switches over for wireless play (with 2 players on each Switch), or off the same system by syncing their controllers. 

However, the biggest new feature by far, is the long requested ONLINE MULTIPLAYER. All Seven games now fully support online, with various options available to create a party of your choosing. 

With Friends: With this option, players can get together with their Switch friends online and fully customize a party to their choosing like it would be in local play. What specific board, turn order, minigames included, etc.

With Anyone: This option has various different areas letting players choose their specifics for an online party with random people. What region do you want to search in? (Local, Regional or Worldwide?) Do you want a short party, or a long party? Do you wanna play a minigame mode instead? Etc.! Players can also create custom lobbies, similar to Mario Kart 8, so players can make a party for other people to join and search for. They can even be locked behind codes if you so desire. 

Players have a Profile they can customize with unlockable titles and various visual looks, that others can view when checking you out during or after a Party. It contains various information relating to both your offline and online player history across the seven games (such as favorite characters, boards, minigames, amount of wins and losses, etc.). 

And if a lobby is full, Spectating is available, letting others tune in to watch some live MP action. Once spectating, you can cheer for your favorite player and even bet on who you think will win the current minigame or overall party. Correctly winning bets doesn’t do much, though it does get you a special badge on your online profile saying how many Party Winners you’ve correctly predicted. 

Lastly, the Nintendo Switch Mobile App is even supported! Using the Party Hub, players can set online parties for the future and invite friends, or even save/create Lobbies for playing with random players all while away from your system. Player Profiles of both friends and random people you’ve partied with can also be viewed via the hub. And once you’re playing, you can use it for voice chat! The app also lets players play the Mic Minigames featured in Mario Party 6 and 7. In a fun bonus feature, the Hub even syncs with the game’s Sound Test, letting you listen to the 7 game’s soundtracks in an iTunes-style music playlist. 

[pitchingmoundideas]

Super Smash Bros. Character Suggestion 02: EXCITEBIKER

Name- Excitebiker Universe- Excite First Appearance- Excitebike (1984, NES) Latest Appearance- 3D Classics: Excitebike (2011, 3DS)

My next character pitch for Super Smash Bros on Nintendo Switch is my choice for the game’s Retro character! Since Melee, every installment of the Smash series has added in a new character from the retro age (Ice Climbers, Game & Watch, Pit, ROB, Duck Hunt), so I thought i’d throw my hat into the ring with my own choice.

He/She hasn’t had a fully new game since the Wii, but with a port on 3DS and various cameo appearances and references as recent as Mario Kart 8 and Super Mario Maker, I think it’s Excitebiker’s time to shine once again!

Who is he?

Not much is really known about the racers of the Excite series. Ever since the original on NES these intrepid racers have always kept their helmets on, never really saying a word but always showing their personality with various tricks, stunts and victories. In every game they’ve even taken different forms, from cartoony designs in the original and World Tour, to a more realistic look in Excitebike 64, to being replaced by Mario characters in the Japan exclusive remake Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium. 

Outside of motorbike racing, there’ve also been two more titles in the Excite series: Excite Truck, which has racers in a more grounded yet bombastic setting with large trucks, and Excitebots, which went back to a more silly approach with animal themed robotic vehicles not just racing, but also playing various minigames such as pie throwing, bowling and soccer. 

Why Excitebiker?

I’ve already stated that I wanted Excitebiker as my big retro fighter, but why? Well it’s for a number of reasons. 1, I feel like the Excite series has enough of a legacy to get bigger representation in Smash. The original NES games has been ported numerous times, and was even included on the NES Classic Edition, so the franchise is still fresh enough in everyone’s minds. Plus the DLC racetrack themed after it is included within Mario Kart 8 Deluxe from the get-go.

2, he was actually REALLY close to being in Smash before! During Melee’s development, Excitebiker was one of five different NES-era characters considered as a new fighter (Alongside Ice Climbers, Balloon Fighter, Urban Champion and Clu Clu Land’s Bubbles). Ice Climbers famously won, but the Biker was dropped due to the team finding difficulties figuring how he’d move and jump during the fight. But now with Bowser Jr., a vehicle fighter, in Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS, and the advancement of time and technology, I think the development team may find it easier to make him now than ever. 

Plus it would make him the second Assist Trophy to get an upgrade into a playable character, following Little Mac.

How would he play?

Similar to Bowser Jr, Excitebiker is a vehicle fighter who would never get off his/her bike. Many attacks take advantage of basic bike functions and movements as well as the Biker’s own helmet and fists, with jumping done via bursts of smoke coming out of the bike’s exhaust pipes. This smoke could possibly even hurt players due to it’s strength and dirtiness? The Biker’s pummel animation has him slam his helmet into the opponent as he holds them with one hand, before throwing them away by holding up his wheels to the opponent and revving up (essentially driving ON opponents which sends them flying).

But let’s get into what really matters, those special moves and final smash! 

B- Mud Slick: Mud is a recurring obstacle in the Excitebike series, something you never wanna drive through as it’ll slow you down and spin you out for a few seconds. In Smash, the Excitebiker swerves forward and splashes a puddle of mud ahead of him! The mud does around 5% damage but is stronger if the enemy is close to the Biker. In an interesting twist, the Biker’s tires actually get dirtier the more he drives around the stage, which charges up the Mud Slick to be an even larger puddle with more damage (comparably about the same as a fully charged Oil from Game and Watch)! Once you use this charged slick, or if the Biker gets KOed, the dirty tires reset, so you’ll have to drive around for a bit to build back up.

Side B- Dash Panel: The Excitebiker zooms forward from a Dash Panel, which like their home game increases his/her speed tremendously. Similar to Wario Bike and Spin Dash, this move makes Excitebiker dash with enough force to hurt opponents by ramming into them. They can even jump from a boost, though it’ll remove the effect once they lands.

Up B- Trick Jump: A ramp materializes in-front of the Biker, which they use to make a speeding jump high into the air! After the jump players can wiggle the control stick around to spin and preform some ariel maneuvers for some extra flair (and damage to anyone who happens to be close enough). The initial jump and landing is also able to hurt opponents, though it won’t do much damage (around 5-10%). 

Down B- Hyperspin: This one’s a trick pulled from the real world! For their down special the Excitebiker preforms a Hyperspin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UtgFyqoaro), a stunt preformed by kneeling on the right side of the bike, with the bike lying on the ground, and feathering the gas to spin around on the ground. This special acts similar to other spinnning attacks like Link’s Spin Attack and Luigi/Dr. Mario’s Tornadoes. The spin is quite strong, able to knock back enemies alongside hurting them.

Final Smash- Excite Racers: The ultimate celebration of the Excite series, the Excitebiker loudly honks their horn before a crowd of other Excitebikers zoom across the screen! Anyone they manage to hit will be taken away to a stadium racetrack, where your Excitebiker, followed by other Excitebikers as well as the Excite Trucks and Excitebots, SLAM into the opponent, running them over and smacking them around with their size and speed before the action cuts back to the stage with everyone caught sent flying with their newly built up damage. It acts similarly to Blue Falcon and NES Zapper Posse.

Anything else?

Entrance Animation: The Excitebiker pulls up to the starting gate and awaits the battle. The gate actually falls once the announcer says “GO!”

Victory Pose 1: The Excitebiker stands adopt the First Place pedestal, jumping happily with a trophy in their hands

Victory Pose 2: The Excitebiker drives past the camera preforming a wheelie before spinning to a stylish stop

Victory Pose 3: The Excitebiker is seen kneeling down, giving repairs to their bike with various tools scattered about

Up Taunt: Excitebiker hops off their bike and looks around, wiping sweat off their brow before hopping back on

Side Taunt: Excitebiker stands on their bike and fists pumps 

Down Taunt: Excitebiker honks their horn, with a random cartoony sound playing

Victory Theme: The theme that plays whenever you get first place in Excitebike (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDZL08V5CEA)

Series Symbol: A Chequered Flag

BONUS: Home Stage

EXCITEBIKE STADIUM (from Excitebike)

The stadium all players know and remember from the original Excitebike on NES, Excitebike Stadium is filled with adoring fans and a retro 8-Bit aesthetic (similar to 75M and Duck Hunt). This pic by NES--still-the-best shows a good idea of what the stage would look like.

Inspired by the custom stage feature of the original game, the stage’s layout is randomly generated, and uses various elements like ramps, raised road, and mud that slows down players. Various 8-Bit Excitebikers will occasionally zoom through the stage, acting like the cars on Mario Circuit and Onett. They do pretty big damage, so watch out for the warning and try to avoid them as best you can. 

Music:

Excitebike Medley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30im_ZzhdcM&list=PLBA578B1FDC8FFA3C) [Remix]

Excitebike Retro Medley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30im_ZzhdcM&list=PLBA578B1FDC8FFA3C)

Kyoto (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4d9Nr7bAeg)

Houston (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ4PCfP9DDY)

Track Editor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRq2ZT0VZls)

Credits (Excitebike World Rally) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt5aQOZvG40)

Main Theme (Excite Truck) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg7jE3i77Qc)

Main Theme (Excitebots) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ESCmnonQww)

Sunset Valley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6XQEh3XqSQ)

Title (3D Hot Rally) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DklAlK37sc [Returning Remix]

Famicom Medley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQZ_QpGIOR4)

[pitchingmoundideas]

Super Smash Bros Character Suggestion 01: GIEGUE

Name- Giegue (Giygas) Universe- Mother First Appearance- Earthbound Beginnings (1989, NES) Latest Appearance- Earthbound (1994, SNES)

Starting off my wishlist/ideas of new characters for Super Smash Bros on Nintendo Switch, it’s a new character from the MOTHER franchise. Nintendo’s cult RPG trilogy has only been represented by heroes Ness and Lucas so far, so I think it’s due time someone new joins the fight. But who? Well since the original Mother (now known as Earthbound Beginnings) still needs a playable rep, most would go to the main hero Ninten. And while I would love to see him, he’s way too similar to Ness. So I decided to go a bit more... unorthodox, for my choice. Someone who you’d never expect to join the battle but also makes weird sense. Which is why I want the main villain of the first two games, GIEGUE, to make his debut.

Who is he?

Giegue first appeared in the Famicom game Mother, where he appears as the final boss and main antagonist. An alien from an unknown part of the galaxy with immense psychic power, he was raised by a couple known as George and Maria from an unknown age after their abduction in 1906. Two years later, George escaped back to Earth with the knowledge of PSI causing Giegue to eventually invade the planet 80 years later to make sure humanity had no knowledge of psychic power. Thanks to Ninten and his friends, as well as the lullaby his adoptive mother Mary used to sing, Giegue retreated promising that one day, he and Ninten would meet again.

Sometime later Giegue, now known as Giygas, witnesses his defeat from a boy named Ness via an Apple of Enlightenment. In a future where he rules the planet, and not wanting this to happen, he traveled back through time 10 years to prevent this from happening. Wielding vast cosmic power, Giygas is a threat to the universe itself, and spread his evil influence throughout Eagleland and recruiting Ness’s neighbor Porky to his side in the process. Eventually Ness and his friends traveled back in time themselves in robot bodies to fight and defeat Giygas within the Cave of the Past and the Devil’s Machine. Defeated by the heroes with help by the prayers of Earth (and the player), Giygas breaks down into nothingness, his dark future erased from history.

Why Giegue?

I’m sure a lot of you are utterly confused right now. Why Giegue, of all characters? Not Masked Man? Or another party member from the trilogy? Well at first, I never thought of this character to be in. I knew about Giygas and his horrors way before I even played Earthbound for the first time, and barely knew anything about his appearance in Mother 1. But after seeing a few suggestions from other fans it all clicked.

Smash Bros needs more villains! In Smash 4 there were really only 3 true villains (Bowser, Ganondorf, King Dedede) and a few anti-heroes (Wario, Dark Pit, Meta Knight) so Giegue would be one of the two best bets for a Mother series villain. Hint hint at who you might see later on Pitching Mound~ Not to mention his utter weirdness and obscurity is a perfect choice for an off the wall character.

How would he play?

This artwork by JNRedmon (https://jnredmon.deviantart.com/) is a pretty good idea of how Giegue could look and play in Super Smash Bros. 

For his special moves, they’re each inspired by attacks and elements of Giegue/Giygas in Earthbound Beginnings and Earthbound.

B- Inexplicable!: “You Cannot Grasp the True Form of Giygas' Attack!” Giegue releases a shockwave around him that stuns nearby enemies for a few seconds. The move can also be charged, allowing for a bigger shockwave that, while it takes longer to activate, causes people to outright fall asleep instead of just get a quick stun. Side B- PK Rockin’: Ness’s Signature Attack in Earthbound that Giygas also happens to use in his final battle. This move acts similar to moves like Din’s Fire and Explosive Flame, which has Giegue unleash a large flying projectile across the stage that he can very slightly control. Eventually, the move will “explode” into a cloud of colors (resembling the screen effects in Earthbound) that hurt opponents. Up B- 4th D-Slip: Being an alien with the ability to travel through space and time, it only makes sense for Giegue to take advantage of this maneuver from Earthbound Beginnings. Giegue creates a rip in reality, complete with psychedelic colors inside, which he hops through into another rip further away. This move acts similar to most teleporting moves like Mewtwo’s and Zelda’s, and if you happen to be near where the exit Slip happens, you’ll take some damage. Down B- Alien Capsule: Giegue retreats into the capsule he was held within in Earthbound Beginnings. While inside, Giegue himself is immune to all attacks, but the shield can easily be damaged and eventually broken by other fighter’s attacks or items. Once this happens, Giegue will enter a dizzy state and he will be unable to summon the shield again for a short while. If this move is preformed in Midair, the capsule will plummet to the ground, hurting any players on it’s way down. Final Smash- Devil’s Machine: Giegue disintegrates from the battlefield, seemingly vanished. Suddenly the background becomes covered in red and black, and Giygas in his Earthbound form appears. With the press of a button Giygas will scream, causing damage to all fighters. Additionally while Giygas is on screen, fighters will succumb to a variety of random effects (similar to Luigi’s Negative Zone). After about 15-20 seconds, Giygas will disappear similar to his defeat animation from Earthbound, with Giegue coming back together on stage.

Giegue’s standard attacks consist of various slashes and whips with his tentacle-like arms and long tail, with grabs having him force choke opponents with his PSI power. Height wise Giegue is significantly taller than Ness and Lucas, standing around the height of Lucario and Mewtwo. Overall he is a very lightweight character due to his body, similar to Kirby and Jigglypuff, while also not as heavy as someone like Mewtwo. 

Anything Else?

Entrance Animation: The eye-like orb from the Devil’s Machine is on stage, opening to reveal Giegue materializing out of it

Victory Pose 1: Giegue faces away from the player, screaming as he unleashes a burst of red energy

Victory Pose 2: Giegue sleeps within his alien capsule, before opening his eyes and looking menacingly at the player

Victory Pose 3: Giegue opens a 4th D-Slip and stares at the player before teleporting away 

Up Taunt: Giegue enters an embryo like position, floating in place

Down Taunt: Giegue spins around, with a familar 8-bit noise in the background (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlSJmqmwoII)

Side Taunt: Giegue puts his tentacles over his face, before pulsing with red energy

Victory Theme: A remix of the first few seconds of Giygas’ Intro theme from Earthbound (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6wyrjH1jrs)

BONUS: Home Stage

MT. ITOI (from Earthbound Beginnings)

The final dungeon of Earthbound Beginnings, and easily one of the more memorable parts of the Mother saga, Mount Itoi. 

The stage’s layout is decently large, taking place on a rocky plateau overlooking the mountain itself, taking it’s design from the famous Mother commercial though now with a visible path up the mountain that resembles the actual dungeon layout from Earthbound Beginnings. Occasionally the clouds will even part, to reveal Giegue’s spaceship resting on the mountaintop. Various rocky columns and floating metal platforms can be found on plateau, with an overall size similar to Big Battlefield. 

Mt. Itoi’s main gimmick is the robot EVE, who appears as a stage boss. EVE will occasionally peek in on the fight, and if a player manages to find and hit a hidden switch on the stage, she will activate and join your side by attacking opponents with swings of her arms and firing lasers from her eyes. Like most stage bosses she can be attacked, and with enough hits will go down in a smokey blaze in a callback to her defeat in Earthbound Beginnings. If she is KO'd, the player who KO'd her also gets an extra point (similar to Ridley on Pyrosphere).

Music:

Mt. Itoi (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nc83W2Hrsk) [Remix]

Giygas Medley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z4LTs2LcG8) [Remix]

Sanctuary Guardian (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVcyZ_TtLhI)

Otherworldly Foe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrvbsNlOtoA)

Fourside (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h8q9aCxw0g) [returning Remix]

Monkey’s Delivery Service (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5Ff0fJDTVo)

Unfounded Revenge/Smashing Song of Praise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2xuX8TmjjU) [returning Remix]

[pitchingmoundideas]

Welcome to Pitching Mound!

If you’ve found this blog, CONGRATULATIONS! 

What exactly is this place? Well it’s mainly an idea board of sorts! I’ve always been a creative guy, coming up with ideas for video games and all sorts of other nerdy/geeky/weird things since I was a kid. So instead of keeping them all locked away in my brain, sharing with those who asked, I decided to bring them ALL to life here.

As for why it’s called Pitching Mound? Well, what do you do when you try to sell someone on your idea for something? You’re Pitching it to them!

Also i’m probably gonna have a majority of this blog dedicated to Super Smash Bros ideas, as the new game is coming out (as of this writing) and I have a LOT of ideas for who and what I want to see. But I have way more than just Smash on the mind, so i’ll try to fill this place out with some cool stuff (and my submission box will be open, in case you have a Pitch of your own you wanna share!).