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[3DShovel]

Mario Kart 8 and Smash are up there for sure. In my opinion, they stand out as the best looking games I've seen this generation (in terms of how visually appealing they are thanks to colour and art). Sure, Mario Kart has some jaggies and whatnot, but it's still a stunning game when seeing it in motion. Smash also looks really damn good and is super crisp thanks to 1080p, however in close-ups it definitely loses a bit of detail. Stuff like that doesn't personally bother me though.

Also, you really can't go wrong with Wind Waker HD. The original game was (and is still) stunning visually thanks to the smart art-style choice. I think the HD version of the game looks better at 1080p than anything Dolphin can do to the original game. That's just my opinion though, I've seen some people say otherwise.

EDIT: Ah, how could I forget Mario 3D World!? That game also looks damn good. Just a joy to look at, and of course, a joy to play as well.

 

[dark10x]

DF's captures are weirdly blown up to 1080p when the game actually renders at 720p.

Not weirdly. I can explain exactly why MK8's shots were captured at 1080p. They were upscaled by the system because I could not switch the WiiU to 720p. Why? I was sent a European WiiU to cover the game with the idea that I could pair my own WiiU gamepad with the system - that turned out not to be the case as the gamepad is region locked like the games (which is why they had to send me a second WiiU in the first place as that was the only version of the game we had access to). So I had to roll with the system defaults and use a pro controller (the system was set to 1080p). Was quite annoying indeed.

Still, there's nothing "off" about the screen grabs. They were simply captured from the systems 1080p output (ie - what most people will see during gameplay). I doubt anyone here has an actual 1280x720 display so either the WiiU must upscale or you have to rely on the TV (which is usually slower).

Yeah, I'm a little confused. I post that I think Mario Kart 8 is the best looking game of the generation, and some random dude, who reading back through the thread apparently has no interest in a Wii U but came into a Wii U-centric thread to Win the War, posts an unflattering screenshot to tell me that I'm wrong.

That's just silly but surely you can admit that image quality IS poor. Doesn't ruin the otherwise beautiful visual design but it is disappointing.

 

[MemoryHumanity]

Mario Kart 8, Pikmin 3 and Captain Toad all look incredible. Shame Pikmin 3 looks so bad in screenshots.

 

[molnizzle]

Sure, Mario Kart has some jaggies and whatnot

Comments like this just blow my mind. A game cannot look good with "some jaggies and whatnot." That's an oxymoron.

 

[Sorceror12]

Not weirdly. I can explain exactly why MK8's shots were captured at 1080p. They were upscaled by the system because I could not switch the WiiU to 720p. Why? I was sent a European WiiU to cover the game with the idea that I could pair my own WiiU gamepad with the system - that turned out not to be the case as the gamepad is region locked like the games (which is why they had to send me a second WiiU in the first place as that was the only version of the game we had access to). So I had to roll with the system defaults and use a pro controller (the system was set to 1080p). Was quite annoying indeed.

Still, there's nothing "off" about the screen grabs. They were simply captured from the systems 1080p output (ie - what most people will see during gameplay). I doubt anyone here has an actual 1280x720 display so either the WiiU must upscale or you have to rely on the TV (which is usually slower).

If you capture screens by pressing the home menu and uploading directly from game to any good image sharing site, the screens will be at their native resolution 720p.

 

[molnizzle]

If you capture screens by pressing the home menu and uploading directly from game to any good image sharing site, the screens will be at their native resolution 720p.

...which is a disingenuous representation of what the game actually looks like, unless you're actually playing on a 1280x720 display.

 

[BGBW]

Comments like this just blow my mind. A game cannot look good with "some jaggies and whatnot." That's an oxymoron.

Yes it can. Something looking good is completely subjective. Also actually playing the game and seeing it in motion, rather than viewing a still up on a PC monitor up close, and at a good viewing distance on a tele and those jaggies are hardly a problem.

 

[JawzPause]

Mario Kart 8, no question. Honestly, it might be the best looking game available on any console at retail right now. (Maybe sans Unity, when it works)

I wouldn't go that far. It's a good looking game but not graphically better than KZ: Shadow Fall

 

[Sorceror12]

Comments like this just blow my mind. A game cannot look good with "some jaggies and whatnot." That's an oxymoron.

It's called opinion. A person can still be pretty even with wrinkles. Learn how to have an opinion and appreciate others.

 

[phanphare]

Comments like this just blow my mind. A game cannot look good with "some jaggies and whatnot." That's an oxymoron.

for you, yes that may be true

obviously others in here have a higher tolerance for jaggies than you do. I think Mario Kart 8 looks gorgeous, jaggies and all. the jaggies are a minor annoyance for me. the lighting, color palette, animations, and frame rate are what do it for me.

 

[dark10x]

If you capture screens by pressing the home menu and uploading directly from game to any good image sharing site, the screens will be at their native resolution 720p.

Ah, but you see, since I couldn't access the settings menu (which requires the gamepad) I could not configure the game for my router either meaning I was offline. There was simply no other way.

Besides, 1080p shots are more representative of what users will see even though I prefer to get direct 720p shots (which I can now, of course).

 

[ugoo18]

Comments like this just blow my mind. A game cannot look good with "some jaggies and whatnot." That's an oxymoron.

Wait what?

That's basically saying that the entire library of 3D console games from the PS1/N64 gen to the current gen have never and will never look good because of jaggies regardless of how prominent or infinitesimal they are?

 

[Mohonky]

Not weirdly. I can explain exactly why MK8's shots were captured at 1080p. They were upscaled by the system because I could not switch the WiiU to 720p. Why? I was sent a European WiiU to cover the game with the idea that I could pair my own WiiU gamepad with the system - that turned out not to be the case as the gamepad is region locked like the games (which is why they had to send me a second WiiU in the first place as that was the only version of the game we had access to). So I had to roll with the system defaults and use a pro controller (the system was set to 1080p). Was quite annoying indeed.

Still, there's nothing "off" about the screen grabs. They were simply captured from the systems 1080p output (ie - what most people will see during gameplay). I doubt anyone here has an actual 1280x720 display so either the WiiU must upscale or you have to rely on the TV (which is usually slower).


That's just silly but surely you can admit that image quality IS poor. Doesn't ruin the otherwise beautiful visual design but it is disappointing.

No one is denying the game has jaggies, and that they are especially present during still images, its more to the point that;

A: The media you captured manages to look nothing like what is representatively shown on anyone elses TV screen (it lacks contrast, sharpness and clarity by comparison)

And

B: you have geordie arguing that despite having never actually seen the game in person, he knows more about what it looks like than people who actually have the game.

 

[Captain Smoker]

I'd say your eyeballs are extra invalid if you don't notice MK8's alising in motion. It's painfully obvious. The game refreshes at rock-solid 60fps which certainly helps, but the lack of AA is still painfully evident – especially if you're used to playing PS4 or PC games.

If you "don't notice" MK8's aliasing while playing then you really shouldn't be commenting on video game graphics. That's like a colorblind person combining about RGB balance.

It's not about valid or invalid, we have the same base reference and I've played enough XBO/PS4/PC games, it's not like your opinion has a higher priority than mine.

It's visible if you stand still, but I don't concentrate on the aliasing while playing the game, nor do I see it while I drive, so if you see it, that's your problem, if I don't notice it, than I have probably luck.

But I'm not that susceptible to aliasing/bad textures/low geometry, I know that other people react more harsh to it. I hate framerate drops & tearing.

 

[dark10x]

Wait what?

That's basically saying that the entire library of 3D console games from the PS1/N64 gen to the current gen have never and will never look good because of jaggies regardless of how prominent or infinitesimal they are?

Yeah, that's just madness.

That's basically akin to saying that every game was ugly until AA was the norm - which was not the case for a long time even on the PC.

A: The media you captured manages to look nothing like what is representatively shown on anyone elses TV screen (it lacks contrast, sharpness and clarity by comparison)

I disagree with you on this. The media I captured was pulled from the WiiU's video output in a lossless format. It looks like they were re-hosted (potentially making them worse) but the original images I posted were completely accurate.

 

[Sorceror12]

can't forget Trine 2.

 

[phanphare]

Ah, but you see, since I couldn't access the settings menu (which requires the gamepad) I could not configure the game for my router either meaning I was offline. There was simply no other way.

Besides, 1080p shots are more representative of what users will see even though I prefer to get direct 720p shots (which I can now, of course).

since geordiemp would rather drag his feet in the mud can you try and explain this for me? I'm not too technically savvy but why does this screen look blurry with the colors muted?

look at Mario and the banana. don't they look blurry? and the mario sunshine star out in the distance too. this screen shot in particular struck me as odd. the game does not look like this.

if I remember when I get home today (which honestly there is a high chance that I won't ) I'll take some screens of this level playing as Mario for comparison.

 

[Violence Jack]

So far, I'd say Bayonetta 2 and Smash. Donkey Kong also looks good (especially underwater), but I don't think the graphics are as dynamic as the first two I mentioned.

 

[molnizzle]

It's called opinion. A person can still be pretty even with wrinkles. Learn how to have an opinion and appreciate others.

It can be your opinion that graphics aren't that important to you. That's fine. But you can't say that a game with bad aliasing has good graphics. Calling something an "opinion" doesn't automatically make it valid.

Example: "I think water is dry. Other people say it's wet, but in my opinion it's dry."

Valid?

 

[BGBW]

Never trust a man whose tag has the wrong order of colours for the diamond button formation.

 

[ugoo18]

It can be your opinion that graphics aren't that important to you. That's fine. But you can't say that a game with bad aliasing has good graphics. Calling something an "opinion" doesn't automatically make it valid.

Example: "I think water is dry. Other people say it's wet, but in my opinion it's dry."

Valid?

You say that yet right before it you also say

It can be your opinion that graphics aren't that important to you. That's fine.

As well as saying

Calling something an "opinion" doesn't automatically make it valid.

You're literally saying he is wrong because you disagree with his opinion yet attempt to impose your opinion as true. That's mental gymnastics of the highest order at work.

 

[phanphare]

Never trust a man whose tag has the wrong order of colours for the diamond button formation.

not to stick up for him because I think he's spouting some utter nonsense

but

 

[dark10x]

since geordiemp would rather drag his feet in the mud can you try and explain this for me? I'm not too technically savvy but why does this screen look blurry with the colors muted?

look at Mario and the banana. don't they look blurry? and the mario sunshine star out in the distance too. this screen shot in particular struck me as odd. the game does not look like this.

if I remember when I get home today (which honestly there is a high chance that I won't ) I'll take some screens of this level playing as Mario for comparison.

Here's the original image from the site.

This is taken from the raw video output on the WiiU when the system is set to 1080p. This is what the game looks like without any artificial enhancements. If this is not what you are seeing on your display then it is not properly calibrated - that simple. A lot of people prefer "pop" and crank up settings to give the impression of more vibrant colors. Of course, also consider the display you're using now - if it's your PC monitor it might appear less vibrant than what you see on your TV due to differences there. The colors are not muted - they are what they are on this track.

 

[Sorceror12]

It can be your opinion that graphics aren't that important to you. That's fine. But you can't say that a game with bad aliasing has good graphics. Calling something an "opinion" doesn't automatically make it valid.

Example: "I think water is dry. Other people say it's wet, but in my opinion it's dry."

Valid?

Nope.

 

[orioto]

It can be your opinion that graphics aren't that important to you. That's fine. But you can't say that a game with bad aliasing has good graphics. Calling something an "opinion" doesn't automatically make it valid.

Example: "I think water is dry. Other people say it's wet, but in my opinion it's dry."

Valid?

There is a difference between IQ and graphics actually, graphics of a game are not only IQ. Yes, a game can look pretty with aliasing, as many games have proven in the last 20 years..

 

[SuomiDude]

Mario Kart 8 looks amazing in motion. I play it on my 1080p 40" tv and there's basically no jaggies at all. It's super smooth, has some nice textures, reflections and shaders and all that stuff. Character models aren't quite as high quality as the rest of the game, but it's a minor thing.

 

[phanphare]

Here's the original image from the site.

This is taken from the raw video output on the WiiU when the system is set to 1080p. This is what the game looks like without any artificial enhancements. If this is not what you are seeing on your display then it is not properly calibrated - that simple. A lot of people prefer "pop" and crank up settings to give the impression of more vibrant colors. Of course, also consider the display you're using now - if it's your PC monitor it might appear less vibrant than what you see on your TV due to differences there. The colors are not muted - they are what they are on this track.

since I'm taking screens through the Wii U browser wouldn't my tv settings be irrelevant?

 

[molnizzle]

(double post)

 

[Nibel]

It can be your opinion that graphics aren't that important to you. That's fine. But you can't say that a game with bad aliasing has good graphics. Calling something an "opinion" doesn't automatically make it valid.

Example: "I think water is dry. Other people say it's wet, but in my opinion it's dry."

Valid?

So for the last decades no game ever has looked good at any point of history? What a absurd definition of 'good graphics'.

 

[ElectricKaibutsu]

It can be your opinion that graphics aren't that important to you. That's fine. But you can't say that a game with bad aliasing has good graphics. Calling something an "opinion" doesn't automatically make it valid.

Example: "I think water is dry. Other people say it's wet, but in my opinion it's dry."

Valid?

Listen, everyone knows the Wii U isn't as powerful as the other consoles. When someone says a Wii U game has good graphics, it's compared to other Wii U games.

 

[molnizzle]

Wait what?

That's basically saying that the entire library of 3D console games from the PS1/N64 gen to the current gen have never and will never look good because of jaggies regardless of how prominent or infinitesimal they are?

Yes, that's what I'm saying. N64 games were impressive at the time because they were the best we had. In 2014, they look like shit. Every single one of them.

Never trust a man whose tag has the wrong order of colours for the diamond button formation.

 

[BGBW]

not to stick up for him because I think he's spouting some utter nonsense

but

It's all about the purple, purple, purple and purple.

 

[olimpia84]

To me both Mario Kart 8 and 3D World look better than anything out there in other consoles so those two get my vote.
Smash may be native 1080 but it doesn't have that outstanding direction that the two games I mentioned have, imo.

 

[dark10x]

since I'm taking screens through the Wii U browser wouldn't my tv settings be irrelevant?

Did you take a shot of that exact spot?

It seems you did not. Go do that and post it. I bet it will look the same.

 

[Ludist210]

For me personally, it's Super Mario 3D World. Honorable mention to Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Mario Kart 8, and Pikmin 3. I haven't played Bayonetta 2 yet (I own it, still working through the first one) nor enough of Smash to make a judgment on those.

 

[ugoo18]

Yes, that's what I'm saying. N64 games were impressive at the time because they were the best we had. In 2014, they look like shit. Every single one of them.

Except that's not what you said

Comments like this just blow my mind. A game cannot look good with "some jaggies and whatnot." That's an oxymoron.

You clearly made a broad sweeping statement that did not specify generational standards at all. Unless you're saying that even the PS4's graphical showcases for example don't look good because of any jaggies that they have?

As i said in my earlier response, you implied that no 3D game can ever look good as long as there are any form of jaggies present regardless of how widespread or localized they are.

 

[phanphare]

Did you take a shot of that exact spot?

It seems you did not. Go do that and post it. I bet it will look the same.

I'm going to try and remember to do this when I get home

It's all about the purple, purple, purple and purple.

ahhhhh, yes indeed

 

[molnizzle]

You're literally saying he is wrong because you disagree with his opinion yet attempt to impose your opinion as true. That's mental gymnastics of the highest order at work.

...no. I'm saying that Mario Kart 8 has objectively bad IQ, which is clearly evident by the aliasing (aka "jaggies").

Whether that bothers you or not is the opinion – but even if it doesn't bother you, it's still there.

It's like when people say "there's no difference between 30fps and 60fps." Uh, yes, there is. Whether you notice or not is subjective, but that's irrelevent. There's a difference, that's a fact. And facts are true whether or not you believe them. =P

Unless you're saying that even the PS4's graphical showcases for example don't look good because of any jaggies that they have?

I'm absolutely saying that. Wolfenstein: TNO was unplayable to me due to the horrible aliasing. I'm currently suffering through the PS4 version of Dragon Age: Inquisition because the PC port is kinda bad, but it looks terrible too.

Infamous: Second Son had the best anti-aliasing I've yet seen in a console game, but it was still far from perfect. Like really far.

 

[Sendou]

I don't know but Pikmin 3 has the best looking fruits!

 

[Thunder Monkey]

That's basically akin to saying that every game was ugly until AA was the norm - which was not the case for a long time even on the PC.

Hell the norm on consoles now isn't even quality AA. FXAA is better than nothing, but worlds away from a super sampled image.

We've got generations to go before we have truly clean IQ, and generations after that before we've cleared up a multitude of rendering artifacts. That's if we don't introduce a hundred more along our tech advances.

 

[Flaare]

It can be your opinion that graphics aren't that important to you. That's fine. But you can't say that a game with bad aliasing has good graphics. Calling something an "opinion" doesn't automatically make it valid.

Example: "I think water is dry. Other people say it's wet, but in my opinion it's dry."

Valid?

Didn't he say ''looks good'' which is not the same as saying ''good graphics''?

Saying something looks good is an opinion... ''looking good'' is defined differently by everyone. "good graphics" are mainly based on the technical implementation of technology which is indeed not an opinion but implemented good or bad.

 

[RaidenZR]

I don't know but Pikmin 3 has the best looking fruits!

And dat juice!

 

[Mohonky]

dark10x is right, it does look asstastic when taken direct feed. Yet, on my TV it looks miles better. No I am not running extra ''pop" on my TV, my TV is a Samsung B650 50" plasma, calibrated with a colour meter with avs709hd, digital video essentials BD and colorhcfr.

 

[blu]

Still, there's nothing "off" about the screen grabs. They were simply captured from the systems 1080p output (ie - what most people will see during gameplay). I doubt anyone here has an actual 1280x720 display so either the WiiU must upscale or you have to rely on the TV (which is usually slower).

Quite a few people here have TVs which can show 720p 1:1 letterboxed. Just saying.

That's just silly but surely you can admit that image quality IS poor. Doesn't ruin the otherwise beautiful visual design but it is disappointing.

I'm sorry, but an upscaled, direct-feed-grabbed, saved as non-native res image with an arbitrary compression is less representative than an fb-grabbed reasonably compressed image. I respect your DF contributions, but this time the article material is not the best representation of the game.

 

[dark10x]

Quite a few people here have TVs which can show 720p 1:1 letterboxed. Just saying.

I'm sorry, but an upscaled, direct-feed-grabbed, saved as non-native res image with an arbitrary compression is less representative than an fb-grabbed reasonably compressed image. I respect your DF contributions, but this time the article material is not the best representation of the game.

His shot was rehosted and does not represent what was in the original piece. It was direct feed from WiiU's output. What more do you want?

 

[molnizzle]

Quite a few people here have TVs which can show 720p 1:1 letterboxed. Just saying.

Nobody does that.

 

[phanphare]

just to put them together

not the exact same spot but obviously the bottom one looks more representative of the game

 

[Ninja Dom]

Let's compare. Has dark10x's shot got shadow in from an unseen aeroplane on the right side?

 

[ugoo18]

...no. I'm saying that Mario Kart 8 has objectively bad IQ, which is clearly evident by the aliasing (aka "jaggies").

Whether that bothers you or not is the opinion – but even if it doesn't bother you, it's still there.

It's like when people say "there's no difference between 30fps and 60fps." Uh, yes, there is. Whether you notice or not is subjective, but that's irrelevent. There's a difference, that's a fact. And facts are true whether or not you believe them. =P

What bothers me as you put it is the fact that you say it's fine if that is his opinion but it is invalid then you turn around and say your opinion however is valid.

30fps vs 60fps is completely different to this. Framerate directly influences the gameplay and performance of the game. The individual might not notice the difference but the difference is still present, it is not a thing open to interpretation it is a cold hard fact that framerate directly affects how a game performs and its gameplay. Visual appeal on the other hand is purely upto the individual, a game with aliasing can still look visually appealing to an individual, you didn't create their eyes or brain.

I'm absolutely saying that. Wolfenstein: TNO was unplayable to me due to the horrible aliasing. I'm currently suffering through the PS4 version of Dragon Age: Inquisition because the PC port is kinda bad, but it looks terrible too.

Infamous: Second Son had the best anti-aliasing I've yet seen in a console game, but it was still far from perfect. Like really far.

That's your opinion on the playability of a game due to aliasing, that does not now invalidate anybody else who finds any of those games visually appealing regardless of their aliasing.

 

[Tesseract]

probably 3d world or smash, imololos