• 5Jun 09

  E3 Evaluation

  Well, E3 2009 has come and gone, and let me say, I was honestly excited by what I saw from Nintendo for the first time in quite a few years. Normally the only things that catch my attention at E3 are the games launching on Sony and Microsoft's platforms, as Nintendo has become notorious for its underwhelming E3 shows. The last time I really saw anything interesting out of Nintendo's E3 booth was when they debuted Twilight Princess. When was that? 2005? Geez, that's way too long ago.

  But, Nintendo broke that streak this year, BIG TIME! I just had a feeling coming into this that a new Wii Zelda game would be announced. I just had that feeling, you know? It's been about 3 years since Twilight Princess now, if I recall correctly, and you can't just keep putting out handheld titles. We were due for a new console Zelda. Needless to say, I am more than excited to hear confirmation about the game, even if we still know...next to nothing about it, other than the fact that it will be similar to Twilight Princess in its 'mature' approach to things. Still... New Zelda in 2010! (Tentatively!)

  But the Zelda announcement was actually the last of the big news to come from Nintendo Land. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that there will be a Super Mario Galaxy 2 releasing for the Wii this year. I don't think Nintendo has ever released two major Mario games on a single console before. They must recognize that the Wii is not doing very well with 'serious' gamers these days, and want to provide them with something to come back to the fold.

  What's that? You don't think Mario is any good for 'serious' gamers? Pah! Anyone that thinks the first Super Mario Galaxy was anything short of amazing is off their rocker. SMG is, without a doubt, one of those titles that makes me proud to call myself a Nintendophile. Not just that, it makes me proud to be a gamer. That, my friends, is one of the greatest platformers of all time, and probably one of the greatest games EVER. Period. With Nintendo's track record of attention to detail, I don't doubt for a moment that the sequel will be any less fantastic.

  Also, worth mentioning, Nintendo announced a New Super Mario Bros. game for the Wii. That's right, two big Mario games for the Wii! Admittedly, I don't know how excited I am for this one just yet. New Super Mario Bros. on the DS was a great game, very reminiscent of the classic 2D Mario games. However, if this Wii edition is nothing more than a port with added multiplayer functions, I think I can pass on it. Games that focus on multiplayer just aren't going to cut it for me these days.

  Lastly, but probably most earth-shattering of all, was the announcement of Metroid: Other M. That's right. Nintendo announced new games in ALL 3 of their biggest franchises. Being a Nintendo fan does not get any better right now! Other M looks to be a very interesting entry in the Metroid series, to say the least. While Retro Studios handled the stellar Metroid Prime trilogy, this game will be developed by Team Ninja (of Ninja Gaiden fame). This move will probably scratch some heads for a while, but I'm going to speculate that Nintendo just wanted to take the series in a new direction, rather than risk overdoing the first-person style of the Prime games. As such, it looks like Other M will be a fully 3D third-person game. I recall that's what the first Metroid Prime was originally going to be before they altered it into what eventually hit the shelves. It was only natural that they would return to this concept. Needless to say, the game looks amazing at this early stage. It definitely looks like a Team Ninja game, with startlingly realistic graphics (far beyond what I thought the Wii was capable of), and fast-paced acrobatic action which looks right out of Ninja Gaiden. This obviously doesn't guarantee the game's greatness, but it is encouraging!

  So, there are great things on the horizon for the Wii once more. These last few months have been depressing. All I've had to look forward to is The Conduit and the Resident Evil ports (And if those don't turn out well, I'll just end up getting the GameCube editions anyway after a long waste of time!). Now I have quite a lot more to drool over and save up cash for! Viva la Revolution! I mean, Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

  • Posted Jun 5, 2009 4:17 pm PT
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• 12May 09

  Still Retro

  Well, me and my fiancee, Rebecca, finally moved into an apartment a few weeks ago, and last weekend we went back to my parents house for a bridal shower my mom threw for us. Naturally, we got a lot of great stuff that we're going to need around the apartment for married life, but seeing as how this is a gaming blog, I'll spare you the stories of hand towels and cutlery.

  While I was there I picked up the old N64 and brought back the Game Boy finally. It's been forever since I played either and I'm looking forward to reliving some old favorites. As of yet, we don't have the Wii hooked up because the only TV we have right now is an old 12-incher from Becca's college days. (We didn't even bother with my old TV. At least hers is a combination DVD player. Mine was a VHS player. Ouch.) Sometime in the near future a friend of my sister's is going to hook us up with one of his old flat-screen TVs, a 30-incher I believe. For the time being, this little thing will be just fine the N64, single-player at least.

  I also got to thinking about my loyalties to Nintendo. Of course, I'll always be buying their consoles as long as their first-party titles remain as stellar as they are. But the lack of third-party support really irks me. I don't think I can afford to have two current-generation consoles at the same time, but if the current trends continue, I'll at least consider it. Another option is to look backward. The PS2 was immesely popular, and had an enormous library of quality games. Maybe I should pick one of those up sometime. They're pretty cheap now aren't they? Just thinking of all the games that would become available to me makes my mouth water. Metal Gear Solid, Devil May Cry, God of War, maybe even the Jak & Daxter and Ratchet & Clank games. That could be expensive all on its own...

  • Posted May 12, 2009 11:16 am PT
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• 6Apr 09

  Retro Gaming is Cool!

  Over the last month or so, I made a killing with video games. Admittedly, most of the titles I bought were not new by any means, but I am happily finding out that old games can be just as good as the new ones.

  First I was at Best Buy, and it was there that I bought the only new game in question. I got Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, and almost didn't have to pay for it. I used two Reward Zone gift certificates to purchase the game and a DVD ("Choke"). The certificates should have covered the entire purchase, but because of some B.S. logic, I couldn't use the second one because the purchase had to exceed the value of the card PRIOR to tax being applied. So I had to pocket my $10 gift certificate and pay $10 and change.

  Then I went to Gamestop to redeem my $25 gift certificate (courtesy of www.utalkback.com) to get some old GameCube games. I walked out with Splinter Cell, Geist, Second Sight and Enter the Matrix, and still had $1 and change on the card! How's that for a steal?

  Lastly, I made a trade with a guy I worked with for his old Game Boy Color, Game Boy Pocket and four Game Boy games (Donkey Kong Land 2, Driver, Wario Land and Baseball). All I gave up in exchange was one lunch at Gorilla Burrito (our local small-town knock-off of Chipotle)! He also gave me his old carrying case, and while I'd like to forget the disgusting extra he had stashed away in there, I still think I got a good deal.

  I haven't had a whole lot of time to play most of these games, but so far Splinter Cell is fantastic! Long live retro gaming!

  • Posted Apr 6, 2009 11:47 am PT
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