Analytic Dreamz: Notorious Mass Effect - "MARIO & LUIGI BROTHERSHIP - SALES & REVIEW ROUND-UP"

Episode Date: December 10, 2024

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AnalyticIn this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, Analytic Dreamz unpacks the latest entry in the Mario & Luigi series, Brothership, released for the Nintendo Switch on November 7, 2024. This turn-based RPG introduces players to a nautical exploration of Concordia, a world where Mario and Luigi must navigate and connect islands from their unique ship, Shipshape Island.Analytic Dreamz discusses the significant changes in gameplay mechanics, particularly focusing on the new control scheme where Luigi's actions are now confirmed with B, stirring mixed reactions among fans due to its departure from the traditional A/B split. The introduction of the "Luigi Logic" mechanic, making Luigi's exploration actions automatic, has been received more favorably.The segment covers the game's reception, noting a Metacritic score of 79, signaling generally positive reviews from critics, while fan feedback has varied, especially around control changes. Analytic Dreamz explores how this game compares to other beloved Nintendo titles like "Paper Mario: Origami King" and "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" in terms of puzzle-platforming and exploration.Performance issues, including frame rate drops, are highlighted, suggesting that the aging hardware of the Switch might be showing its limits. This leads into a discussion about the anticipation for the next-generation Switch console and how it might enhance future iterations of such games.Finally, Analytic Dreamz reflects on the game's place in the broader RPG landscape on the Switch, considering its appeal, charm, and where it stands in terms of innovation and memorability compared to recent releases. This segment promises to give listeners a comprehensive understanding of Mario & Luigi: Brothership, its impact, and the future hopes for the series.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Now, one of the things I realized getting into, of course, yet another Mario game on the Nintendo platform. Because if you didn't know, Mario is arguably the most popular video game character ever created. I mean, he essentially runs his own platform. Nintendo is, by all intents and purposes, a franchise and Mario. is unequivocally the franchise player to put it in sports terms so not only that but Mario also helped out the gaming industry whenever it wasn't as popular especially when the Game Boy 3DS in that era was really going on I mean Mario held a lot of gamers down when it came to the amount of just variety and video games that Mario was attached to so anyways

Why do I say all that? For the simple fact that when I was diving into this video game, of course, analytic dreams, I love to get into the numbers and look at just the ultimate litmus scale for the amount of engagement compared to its peers, right? So interestingly enough, Nintendo, unlike Western companies, don't have analytic firms like an MPD group that provides sales for a Sony for a Microsoft. right so in japan well specifically nintendo they don't use third-party analysis for individual game sales so whenever i'm trying to dissect the numbers to give you a litmus scale of how it's performing compared to the other video games on other platforms it's harder because of them keeping certain things like individual individual game data confidential right i don't know if it's a ploy as far as a marketing tactic situation i don't know if they just don't want to focus on real-time sale metrics for its consumers but

as the evolution of technology happens there's going to be less of an excuse for nintendo not to give us in real-time numbers for mario um in luigi brothers ship or just individual Nintendo games, Nintendo exclusive games in general. Because of course, if a game is on all the platforms, then we can look at MPD and then kind of get a gauge as far as PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. But as far as in totality, as far as exclusively for Nintendo, it's harder to get a gauge on how well it's doing. So anyways, of course, you know, doing my due diligence, I put together some things as far

It's just a research I did, which led me to this, to the ultimate conclusion that they are just not transparent at all with their numbers, which makes it a little bit difficult. Anyways, Mario and Luigi Brothership is the video game we're getting into today because it was released November 7th, 2024. And now this game is a turn-based RPG with puzzle platforming elements. And of course, the setting is ocean adventure across an island ship exploring the fictional world of Concordia with Mario and Luigi. Now, I'm not sure if this is a remake. It seems like it's a completely new game and it's not remastering off or anything. And the reason why I say that is because of the graphics. Now, of course, Nintendo's whole flagship model is that cutting corners helps.

in the long run when it comes to your hardware because then if you already have your graphics at a lower level and people purchase it they won't get upset when you consistently offer that lower level graphics time and time again which if you use certain art styles which marion luigi are it's very apparent that it's not as obvious that the hardware is not up to date like a ps5 like an xbox series X. It's very much going in the opposite of what usually you would get from an evolutionary hardware, if that makes sense. So why am I saying all this? For the simple fact that Mario Luigi and Brotherhood does not seem to be getting the best of reviews when it comes to the people playing the game. But as far as the conglomerance that reviewed this game,

I mean, MetaCritic gave it a 79 out of 100. Open critic gave it 79 out of 100. Open critic gave it 79 out of 100 VGC gave it 4 out of 5 stars Eurogamer gave it 4 out of 5 stars IGN said it's mixed feelings but generally favorable I don't know what type of score that is

but essentially this is a hot and cold game depending on who you ask I don't know why but certain elements as far as the gameplay loop is not as intriguing to most people so whenever you whenever you're getting

into actual game mechanics, people are pointing out how Luigi's attacks now require pressing A for selection and B for confirmation to shift from the traditional A slash B split control scheme, which of course is for people who play Nintendo Switch. If you don't play Nintendo Switch, this probably don't apply to you, right? So if it don't apply, got to let it fly. But anyways, fan reception, of course, is mixed like I was just saying. But overall, as far as the statistics, I mean, video game debuted with approximately 63,000 physical units sold in Japan and essentially they compared it to another Nintendo game Bowser Bowser's inside story that sold nearly 200,000

units in Japan at launch so it was basically showing that as a scale a limit scale of what usually Mario IP does as far as spin-offs Mario Luigi Bowser like Peach, what they usually do. Statistically speaking, this Brotherhip game is underperforming just a tad bit. So even though it's not a straight up flop, obviously, I mean, it's still selling a lot. But with the comparison to Bowser and that 200,000 number, 63,000 is a little bit lower than 200. So when you get into the mixed reception from the people playing the game, when you get into overall how Mario is usually a hit every single time they come out the gate.

I'm not going to say it's concerning because if you look at the art style, I mean, one can see why somebody wouldn't be as enticed to play this game versus Mario party jamboree, right? That's a game that's currently, it's not number one because this game just came out. but it's number two on the Nintendo platform. And then obviously you have Zelda, Sonic, and then Sin, Sin Ren, Sin Ron, Kigura Burst. I don't know what that is.

But anyways, that's the top five currently on a Nintendo platform. So when you take into consideration that Mario has two of those top slots, right, then you realize how much of a mammoth that Mario is. So ultimately, what I wanted to point out is that even though this game is essentially not selling like it usually does as far as a Mario new IP game, it still could have some type of longevity life cycle when it comes to the game being a great product because a lot of people are enjoying it, even though it is mixed reception, people are still enjoying the overall game. So when we get into other conglomerates talking about the game, and of course with

this being a turn base, it's probably why it's not as successful as other Mario games in the franchise. But nonetheless, I don't think it's caused to be alarmed or to be like, oh, Nintendo's going downhill. Like, we have to realize that Mario is one of the greatest video game characters of all time, if not the greatest. Like, I always talk about the banner that I put up for my podcast, right? And as far as notorious mass effect, and as you can see right here, Mario is to the left and Fortnite is to the right. So my thinking when it came to showcasing me covering gaming and music is showcasing the biggest gaming and music characters that have impacted their specific industry.

most, which is the title, Notorious Mass Effect. As you can see, Mario is right there. And then, technically, Mario would be number one, but, you know, what type of name is like notorious Mario? You know what I mean? That doesn't not work. So as far as going with Notorious Mass Effect, you know, it's just based off my love for Mass Effect.

And essentially, the rest of the characters are the top tier affectors of the masses when it comes to the gaming industry. Of course, the people you see as musicians are the top tier effectors of the masses when it comes to the music industry. So just a little tip bit, a little side note. If you know, well, if you don't know, now you know. So for the people just tune into the podcast or maybe long-time listeners, hopefully that clears it up for you as far as the banner that I use. And now, of course, analytic dreams video on Spotify to see the video along with the audio. If you missed the example I just put up.

But anyways, so Mario and Luigi have a game. out a game as far as um turn base that's out now only on nintendo so it's not out now on all platforms it's only on nintendo if you have a nintendo switch um don't know when the nintendo switch uh don't know when the nintendo switch two is coming out but another conversation that came up when this game was announced or no when this game launched is the hope for an enhanced version of this video game via the nintendo switch two which Hate to break it to you, but if you're getting a Nintendo for Nintendo Switch for graphics, then you're just entirely in the long, in the wrong train of thought, my brother.

Like, as far as thinking the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to push graphics even to a point where it's like different than the Nintendo Switch 1, I really don't want to set you up for failure like that. So I want to go into too much high expectations. Just be glad that the whole handheld to, I forget what they call it, the little, the thing where you put it, the little dock, the dock that makes it going to your TV. Whatever that transition is, just be glad that it can go from your handheld to that.

That's basically why the graphics look the way it does. And it would never be on the level of a PlayStation or Xbox for the simple fact that that's Nintendo's whole model, is to downgrade certain graphics so that logistically speaking, they can bring back a return on investment with their Nintendo switches. Because if you don't know, Microsoft and PlayStation lose money every time they put out a new console. I don't know if y'all know that.

But the simple fact that they come up with all these super realistic games, like a Last of Us, like an Allen Wig 2, God of War. Like, there's a lot of super intensive games that take a lot of manpower and dollars that takes away from the return on investment as far as when they put out a console. So as far as Nintendo, that's why their motto is to, you know, put cartoony like graphics and then make a profit on the systems that they put out. So that's essentially why Nintendo does that. So hopefully that clears it up for y'all.

But overall, seems like it's a pretty solid game. I mean, it's Mario at the end of the day and Luigi. Can't forget player two, you know, with that being. said, it is a turn-based game. So if you don't like turn-based games, and if you're more of the normal Mario game player, as far as, like, more of platforming versus turn-based and puzzle-platforming elements,

then I honestly can't recommend this game if you're hesitant on turn-based type mechanics. So overall, it does seem like a solid game when it comes to turn-based and puzzle-platforming. elements but if you are used to platforming in the in the regular sense of Mario games then i'll probably wait to the actual um next installment of the Mario franchise so anyways with that being said click my link sure in my bio let me know one of my social medias what do you think about Mario and Luigi brothership as far as totality with sales and if you've played the game what do you think

about it and what is your favorite aspect of Mario and Luigi Brotherhip Thank you.