What Nintendo Labo Is, and Why You Might Care

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - A new product line from Nintendo.

Yesterday, we gave our live reactions on Nintendo's brand-new product line releasing in three months: Nintendo Labo, presumably pronounced as the “labo” in “laboratory.” Specifically, our reactions to the three-minute introductory trailer. If you didn't watch it (and all you have to do to get up-to-speed is click that hyperlink), Labo, per Nintendo's accompanying press release, is a series of “new line of interactive build-and-play experiences designed to inspire kids and those who are kids-at-heart.” The experiences are a physical kit made of materials like special cardboard, string, and tape, that work with the Nintendo Switch.

Since then, Nintendo has been marketing the Labo as three components: MAKE, PLAY, and DISCOVER. That's how I'll organise this article to explain what the Labo really is. But first, I have some words to say about what people thought Nintendo were going to announce, because I think people's weird expectations have a lot to do with how the Labo was received.

KoopaTV's Sporadic Live Reactions to Nintendo Labo

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - Well... okay.

On Facebook earlier today, Nintendo published this post:

“Tune in here on Facebook or at youtube.com/nintendo at 2 p.m. PT/ 5 p.m. ET to discover a new interactive experience for Nintendo Switch that’s specially crafted for kids and those who are kids-at-heart.” 

So I'm going to write my whole thoughts and expectations on this in tomorrow's article. This one is just Rawk and I live-reacting (at different times) to what is a 3-minute announcement video. Let's just say, in typical Nintendo fan fashion, people (but not yours truly) were hyping this up to be something it was never going to be.

Find out what Nintendo Labo is by watching this and reading our raw reactions:

Missile Scares in Hawaii and Japan; Missile Scares Everywhere

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - You can playfully relive the missile scares caused by the Soviet Union in Soviet Missile Run.

In the span of a few days, the state of Hawaii's emergency alert system issued a FAKE NEWS “this is not a drill” alert that a ballistic missile was incoming, which wasn't corrected for over half an hour. The nation of Japan's public news network, NHK, sent out a FAKE NEWS alert that North Korea has launched a missile at Japan.

With deadly missiles on everyone's mind, we invite everyone to play KoopaTV's new videogame, Soviet Missile Run. It's the genesis of the missile threats you find now.

If you don't play it, then no one will be able to stop the Soviet Union's missile production, and the world may end a lot sooner than you expect. You might look at these FAKE NEWS alerts and then not take them seriously when there is a real missile incoming.

In the event you can't play Soviet Missile Run because you are using a mobile device, then your only choice is to DUCK AND COVER. That's another aspect of life where Koopas have it WAY better than humans, as Bert demonstrates:

Bert is about to withdraw into his shell to save himself from nuclear fallout.
Ducking and covering is actually helpful if you see a flash of light, as opposed to just government propaganda
meant to give you false hope.

If you are going to have a lot more of a personal interaction with missiles, and you're a shell-less human, then once again, I ask you to check out Soviet Missile Run. The protagonist, Varya, is up-close-and-personal with many, MANY missiles. She knows what to do. Learn from her. She has experience with both the CIA and the KGB, back when missiles were flying everywhere.

Do you know what you would do if a missile was flying right at you,
and your only shelter was another missile you were standing on?
Watching Duck and Cover won't help you, so you better play Soviet Missile Run!

One more time: Play Soviet Missile Run right here on KoopaTV, for free!


While Ludwig lacks the guts to jump around from missile to missile and using them as platforms, he has his shell. Most people reading this don't have that, so missile-survival training is critical. KoopaTV is not a substitute for proper civil defence training, though it can be used as an unsanctioned supplement.


The game also is educational on history, which explains current events.
Tulsi Gabbard was affected enough by the missile scare to make it her closing statement in a presidential debate.

Is Sierra Leone A Shithole? The Great People There!

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - We take issue with that man's belief.

Last week, United States of America President Donald John Trump reportedly (according to a Democrat in the room) said that “African countries” are “shithole countries.” (In a discussion about immigration protections for people currently in America.) He also said that immigration protections should be ceased with Haitians.

He has since said good things about Haiti in a tweet, but nothing about any African countries. What, is Africa beneath him?

Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said “take them out.” Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings - unfortunately, no trust!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

There is some debate about whether or not the President actually said “shithole”, but no one is denying the basic sentiment behind the statement — people from economically disadvantaged countries shouldn't come to, and stay in, the United States under the merit-based immigration system proposed by President Donald John Trump. (He prefers Norwegians and Asians.)

We're writing about this, because, as you should know already, KoopaTV's Earth-based headquarters is in Sierra Leone. While the President didn't allegedly name-drop Sierra Leone, I think we can safely assume that he had Sierra Leone in mind, if he really did say that. (Sierra Leone was already the target of an immigration spat that directly affected KoopaTV.) Rather than talk about videogames or something, I think we owe our Sierra Leonean landlords the rent for 2018 one article that serves as a defence against the President's assertions demeaning our adopted country.

Super Smash Bros. Is All That Keeps The Wii U Going

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - And by “going” I mean, “not invalidated.”

Once upon a time I wrote an article bemoaning all of the (downgraded) Wii U ports coming to the Nintendo 3DS. Well, after yesterday's Nintendo Direct Mini (January 11, 2018), now you get that same article but with the Nintendo Switch taking the place of the 3DS.

Of course, in that first article, I wrote that this would happen for Wii U games to “the NX”, but I didn't predict that we would get the unprecedented move on a game released on the Wii U, then ported to the 3DS, and THEN ported to the Nintendo Switch. (That's Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition.)

I think they're just mad that we never nominated Cia for Best Character of the Year in 2014 or 2016, so maybe they think we will in 2018?
The only thing we've done with Cia is write about the Central Intelligence Agency, so...

We also got an announcement for the previously-Wii-U-exclusive Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (now with a FUNKY KONG mode, aka easy mode), and new stuff you can buy for Pokkén Tournament DX, which has already been out on the Switch from its Wii U origins.

KoopaTV's Sporadic Live Reactions to Nintendo Direct Mini — January 11, 2018!

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - A Nintendo Direct so mini, that we need two logs to fill the article up.

Originally, I wanted to write an article mocking all of the outlets that, for weeks, was hyping everyone up on a Nintendo Direct to be released on January 11, 2018, based solely on weird rumours. I wanted to make a lesson about how KoopaTV is the source you can count on not to peddle FAKE NEWS. Internally, I was shutting down any discussion about this would-be Direct by the FAKE NEWS cry.

Well, an hour before Nintendo tweeted this, I wrote in our KoopaTV Discord server:

[8:08 AM] Ludwig Von Koopa: It's the 11th.
[8:08 AM] Ludwig Von Koopa: No Direct announcement.
[8:08 AM] Ludwig Von Koopa: FAKE
[8:08 AM] Ludwig Von Koopa: NEWS

But, yeah, Nintendo tweet:

A Nintendo Direct Mini is here! Take a quick look at some #NintendoSwitch games you can expect in early 2018!https://t.co/OWXTs8pUer pic.twitter.com/Q8d73nbjEr

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 11, 2018

I still think I'm not wrong in saying it's FAKE NEWS (it's a Nintendo Direct MINI, not a Nintendo Direct! BIG LEAGUE of difference.), but regardless, our staff was not prepared for a synchronised reaction log. So you get this weird thing where RawkHawk2010 reacted pretty much immediately after the Nintendo Direct Mini was up, and I took my sweet, sweet time and responded over eight hours later. (Hey, I got a day job.)

You can follow along here, but you'll have to do it twice:

World Health Organisation To Make Code For “Gaming Disorder”

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - On the way for gaming addicts to get the treatment they need.

The dark underbelly of the videogame industry that I've been talking about for years is finally getting some top-level medical recognition. I'm talking about gaming addiction. 

In Trayvon Tyson's Punch-Out!!, we portrayed Chad Joseph as a gaming addict. Years later, I was at risk of lapsing into addiction because of Nintendo's free-to-play games. By the end of 2015, we saw what a full-on addicted guy looks like when he sued Bethesda for his addiction to Fallout 4, which basically ruined his life. (No one seems to have followed the story for what happened to that guy. I'd contact the Russians on it, but I only can voice-act Russian from a script like in Soviet Missile Run, KoopaTV's new videogame.)

So, gaming addiction recognition. The World Health Organisation (WHO)'s publication, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), will include the condition “gaming disorder” for its 11th edition due this year. To qualify for the condition, it appears that you will have to be gaming so much that you put gaming over other life pursuits, despite negative consequences. You also won't be able to control how much you game.

A lot of other media sources stop the story there, but we'll keep going and explain what that actually all means. 

The Big Bang Theory Is TERRIBLE! (Action vs. Comedy Splatfest)

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - Bringing down the whole genre...

Welcome to the first Splatfest of 2018. Splatoon 2 will keep giving us Splatfests for about one and a half more years. What exciting topic will Pearl and Marina bring us for the WORLDWIDE (instead of regional) Splatfest beginning this weekend?

ACTION VERSUS COMEDY, in a movies and TV shows sense.

 
Just to review, this Splatfest asking about genres in movies and TV shows comes after we just had a Splatfest about Films versus Books. (Note: I supported Books.) I guess since Films won, the next Splatfest is themed around what KIND of films you like. ...We had a Splatfest on that, too, on genres: Sci-Fi vs. Fantasy. (Note: I supported Fantasy.)

On that note, that sort of segues into my decision. Let me be clear: I don't even watch movies or TV shows. My lack of knowledge of what even goes on television is why this website is called KoopaTV, even though it's primarily made up of text-based content. That said, my favourite show, ever, that I basically base my life around, is Seinfeld. Obviously, that's a firm comedy show. Meanwhile, I have no strong opinions about any action show or movie. 

However, based on an argument that Team Action captain Pearl made, I cannot support Team Comedy:

KoopaTV's 2017 GOTY Awards!

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - Game of THAT Year 2017... and other categories.

Welcome one and all, to the fitting conclusion to one of the best years in gaming. It was also one of the best years in KoopaTV. We get to talk about what's best for both gaming and KoopaTV (sometimes, those CONVERGE!) in this article!

Quite frankly, I'll be happy just to get this over with, since it's been nothing but arguing all weekend. Very intense stuff behind-the-scenes, believe me.

Follow along with all the items that were nominated by checking out KoopaTV's 2017 GOTY Nominations. We have a policy not to disclose which staffer voted for which game.

KoopaTV's 2017 GOTY Nominations!

By LUDWIG VON KOOPA - And other categories.

These were decided and talked about in our Koopa Keep Discord server. Behold!
 
The déjà vu from years past is intentional. (To be eligible, those running have to start their existence in America from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.)

And just so you remember, that stands for “Game of THAT Year”. That's the KoopaTV touch.

But yeah, this isn't just about gaming, but also ourselves. ‘cause we're art to be recognised and applauded, too. Just to make it clear, we have an “each KoopaTV article may only be nominated once, total.” rule that obviously doesn't apply to the gaming half.

This article is such a rehash of the 2016 one that I just drew over the 6 to make it a 7!