• 27Jun 06

  Ready to Rumble

  I went to my local "Real Canadian Superstore (I probably get half of the games I own from there)" a couple minutes ago to pick up a Wavebird.

  

  Most of my friends have one, everybody seems to love them and they're only 30 bucks, so I thought I'd just grab one for myself.  I got home and before I popped it open, I read the back description.  I was stunned.  No vibration.  All I could think of was "why the hell not?!"  Honestly, I cannot imagine playing a game that has rumble functionality and not being able to utilize it.  Imagine playing Shadow of the Colossus without vibration?  Sure, it would still be a great game, but it would be like buying a beautiful HDTV and not buying the right cables to make your games look as good as they can possibly get.

  This got me thinking about one of the many revelations that bothered me when I watched Sony's E3 press conference earlier this year.  The Xbox 360 has a great wireless controller with rumble built in, so will the Wii.  So why can't Sony, a company whose last controller's claim to fame was built in rumble, build a controller that is a step up as opposed to the major step down they have created?  I keep holding out hope that they'll fix this problem, only time will tell.

  Needless to say, I'm going to go return the Wavebird tonight.  But I would love to know what you all think about vibration in video games?  Is it necessary, or just a gimmick?  Let me know!

  • Posted Jun 27, 2006 5:37 pm PT
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• 23Jun 06

  Gender Confusion

  Birdo has always struck me (and many others) as a little odd, but think about it, what in the Mario universe doesn't strike as odd?  I mean, the entire concept of the game is ridiculous, but none of it makes me feel as uncomfortable as Birdo.

  

  I mean, just look at her.  First of all, she's pink.  She's sporting a bright red bow (how it's attached, I'm not sure), jewelry and purple eyeshadow that rivals Mimi from the Drew Carrey Show.  She's about as feminine as you can get.  No, not feminine, that's not the right word for it, a stronger word is required... Ultra-feminine.  That's the best I can do, but it still doesn't do Birdo justice.

  Anyway, as many of you may know, Birdo first made her appearance in Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES.  However, what many of you may not know is that her name was not originally Birdo.  In fact, Birdo was not even originally a "her."  Here is original exert from the Super Mario Bros. 2 manual:

  'Ostro:

  He thinks he is a girl and he spits eggs from his mouth.  He'd rather be called "birdetta."'

  There it is, word-for-word.  My question is, why would Nintendo even do this?  What was their reasoning behind making Birdo (or "Ostro") a dude?  Who made that decision?

  Now, most of those who played the original game probably didn't look at the manual and so, they most likely assumed that Birdo was as girlie as a girl can get.  Nintendo must have noted this, because Birdo has been classified as female for every other game she has appeared in, as far as I can tell.

  Another odd case of gender confusion in video games is "Bridget" from the great fighting game series, Guilty Gear.

  

  Yeah, that is a dude.  There is a good reason for Bridget being so androgynous, but I'll save that for you to explore.

  I feel like both of the characters I've brought up here are made the way they are, not for an especially good reason, but to confuse the gamers who play them.  For instance, most male first-timers to the Guilty Gear series may find Bridget attractive without knowing the truth behind his deceitful appearance.  Nervous laughter generally ensues.

  I'm not sure I have a concrete opinion on this, I just thought I'd bring it up.  If you have any opinion on gender confusion or androgyny in video games (leave your other opinions to yourself please), feel free to leave a comment.  Please keep it tasteful and free of any discrimination. 

  • Posted Jun 23, 2006 12:53 am PT
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• 21Jun 06

  Internet Sarcasm

  I've found out the hard way that sarcasm is apparently difficult to spot on the internet (if you don't know what I'm talking about, check out my latest video: Episode Three), so I've decided to do a second part to my last blog, this time showing you some of my actual favorite games.  It should be up within the week if all goes well.

  • Posted Jun 21, 2006 1:23 pm PT
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