AndrewTS

1up posted the VC titles set to be available at launch: .

I liked the movie, but it's getting major King Kong backlash--good movie that had ridiculous advance hype, and that along with the long running time resulting in people calling it shit. Yet, I'm pretty sure some of these same people will defend The Hulk to the death.

It would appear not: http://wii.ign.com/articles/738/738362p1.html It's also noticable that it appears both the component cables and the A/V cable appear to connect to the same port, instead of having separate digital/analog outputs like the Gamecube. It's well known the Gamecube component cables don't work on the Wii, either.

"Play itself" or no, I hated the demo's battle system and I hated KOTOR, so I guess it's me.

http://www.konami.com/Konami/ctl3810/cp201..._the_2nd_runner Konami's doing a reprint, apparently only available from their website. Even if you hate shooters, mech games, and Hideo Kojima's typical pretentious crap--seriously, go buy it. It's approximately 100x times better than that thing that came with the MGS2 demo, and it's a fantastic, fun, beautifully-controlling action game.

While Nintendo giving me something at launch I wouldn't otherwise get is nice and all, it isn't that "big" really. Something "big" would be a game that completely obliterates my low expectations of what the system can actually do, powerwise, and Nintendo has already said that probably ain't going to happen. Even they are downplaying its power.

Yeah, there's only going to be, like, 10 million copies made I bet. Has anyone who has gotten an, um, "advance" copy vouch whether the combat and gameplay is improved over the terminally uninteresting demo that was bundled with DQ8? Penny Arcade's spirited jab at it would indicate no.

Thank you, although it was peppered with my unpopular opinions about GoW. What part "shocked" you, though? That I didn't just rip into it? I purposely attempted to avoid breaking down the game by graphics, sound, etc. in favor of the most important aspect, gameplay. However, since production values/cinemas were such a strength for the game, I couldn't let it go unmentioned. The sound is, incidentally, rather decent. However, there aren't any incredibly intense scores or overly memorable tracks I can think of off hand. So I'd say solid, gets the job done. Some overblown, "epic" sounding music in places. The cinemas have a lot of ambient stuff, and the in-game music (which mostly crops up during battles and) is okay but drowned out by the fighting. Most of the non-battle, point-a-to-b areas of the game are almost completely silent except for sound effects. I decided to write one up after I read a pathetic Game Informer review (virtually the only one out) that told me virtually nothing about the game. I'd say that even though I'd only rank it average or slightly above, I really did enjoy the game despite its faults. However, I'd be disappointed if I purchased it.

I rented the game, and beat it already. The game isn't just another Spyro title, but a claimed "New Beginning"--a reinvention of the story/series, much like the recent Tomb Raider Legend. The unappealing, rather hideous box art seems to scream a huge angst-fest to boot. While there's a bit of that, it's more well done than I expected. The game is from Krome Studios, best known for the Ty the Tasmasian Tiger games, which are known for not being well known or played by anyone. It's a game with Spyro in it, and most of the basic play mechanics are carried over, but it's a totally different game than the PS1 classics, or the PS2 titles. It's also relatively limited. Except for the High Plains, you're looking at narrow, constrained levels. It's like if Mario 64 was followed up with Wario World. It's combat, combat, combat, and the occasional bit of platforming thrown in between more combat. However, there isn't that much actual thriling gameplay to be found. The fights are just packing peanuts for the game's already brief running time. The game is totally linear, too, unfortunately. No central hub world is to be found. You beat a level, usually getting a chance to master the element you just discovered, head to the next level, repeat. Combat does get better/more fun later on, but the game is flawed and problematic on many basic levels. For example: the zillions of cannon fodder baddies....can block. You'd think, with Spyro routinely getting surrounded, he'd have some sort of block move, because so much of the enemies' retialation have invincibility windows. Nope, no such thing. No energy barrier, no ability to cover yourself with your wings. So you have to rely on evading. Sadly, the evading is a bit too slow. With all of the enemies you'd think there would a simple and efficent lock on/target switching ability. No such thing. It doesn't work that way. It "locks on" to one enemy, apparently the closest one, but you float off the ground and move way too slowly. It doesn't allow a quick and simple sidestep/strafe/backstep. Also, the camera has major problems--early on you'll end up getting attacked from behind easily. With the extra firepower you get later on, it isn't such a problem, but so much of the game seems to have annoying quirks designed to overcome the games shortcomings--such as the infinite lives to make up for all the cheap deaths you'll suffer from. The game is average at best, with great production values, but falls way too short in the very basics where it counts. However, where the game is at its very best are the cutscenes. Seriously, this is a game where I, typically one ot complain at having an overload of cutscenes in my games, like to see more. Elijah Wood is Spyro himself, doing a top notch excellent job (the game has an interview available when you beat it). His major co-stars are Resident Annoying Sidekick Sparx, voiced by David Spade (and surprisingly, I still find an E-10 David Spade amusing, and sometimes really funny. The major standout is Gary Oldman as Ignitus (a guardian dragon who serves as Spyro's mentor throughout the game). The voice cast also features a number of experienced voice actors/actresses, including Cree Summer, Corey Burton, Jeff Bennett, Kevin Michael Richardson, Phil LaMarr, and Vanessa Marshall. The cutscenes are so good most of the time, you get to the point where you think, "oh crap, I have to play the game now." Well, you don't necessarily feel that way all the time. However, when I got to Dante's Freezer, the game got *really, really* bad. That level is a neverending stretch of the same looking sections, same looking enemies (that never improves very much, either), that just keep coming and coming with no end in sight. The level was such a ridiculous slog fest, it reminded me of how much I absolutely hated God of War. (The way the upgrade system works, the Fury Attacks, the way the melee attacks feel, the combos--a lot of it gave me a major GoW vibe). That game at least had a workable block feature, though. Most of the rest of the game is still a major slog, but the level design gets better, and there's more to keep you amused. The lighting skill is extremely useful--using the telekinetic properties to repeatedly toss enemies off ledges sure as heck beats fighting each one. New Game + is available once you complete the game, allowing you to use all your acquired powers from the start. The game has a lot of charm, wit, humor, and relative freshness going for it. However, if/when there's a sequel, they really need to tighten up the basics big time. Yet, the large blocky shadow of Insomniac's Spyro games loom large over this, just like with the past two Vivendi Universal titles.

Kotaku is reporting that Sony has dropped its PS3 Japanese launch estimates from 100,000 units to 80,000 units. No cuts announced for the US, but with less than 3 weeks to go--don't be surprised if a similar announcement crops up.

You could wait the 2 weeks and buy the US English version (assuming you're in the States)...

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/top/sony-blee...eath-209729.php http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3901

Actually, the stained glass window areas--knock yourself out. However, playing Proud Mode relieves you of having to complete Jiminy's Journal, so I'd recommend that.

Gamespot has essentially confirmed the region lockouts for PS2/PS1 games. http://www.gamespot.com/pages/profile/show...p;user=James_Yu Ghey in the ass, Sony.

But, it gives you another good excuse... Eric, nothing like that will happen. Another good exuse for what? And I have no worries about hardware problems from a Nintendo produced console. Except for the NES cart slots, and the Gamecube DRE, and the rare DS dead pixels (which most stores seem to cut their losses on by using them as display units)... Nintendo is more nice about replacing/repairing them, though. And the warranty on the Nintendo is 1 year, not 90 days. Most of the Wiis will go to the big box retailers, supposedly. Plus, probably more Wiis will be shipped than the preorder estimates would indicate.

The premium is $599, but supposedly it's one core for every 4 premiums, unless that's changed.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3154684 SILENT BOMBER!! JUMPING FLASH!!! SOME OTHER GAMES!!! I think everybody knows I love Jumping Flash, but Silent Bomber is fantastic too. Terrific original gameplay, pretty good graphics for the same, cool music, spot on control, and hilariously awful dialogue. If you can't find a PS1 copy, totally download it if you get a chance.

For that rebuttal Lik Sang can lik 50% of my nuts. Now we know the real reason for the PS3 shortage. Each one runs on a haunted baby orphan's heart.

I was hoping for more wit to be found in there. Hyspace kills those crappy profiles.

Yeah--I really doubt region free is happening. Lik-Sang responds--maybe for the last time: http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/lik+sang/liks...-too-210369.php It's pretty funny. It's a 94% drop in profits to be precise. The current guesstimate is that Sony is going to post a $839 million dollar loss for the fiscal year.

PS3 1st gen graphics =ing 360 2nd gen doesn't really mean much either way. Especially when so few of these games are PS3 exclusive. Xbox being the undisputedly superior HW powerwise didn't make it the #1 console, either. Well, as I mentioned--Wii is not really going to give you all those high-powered franchises like xbox 360 and ps3 will do so well. That is the biggest downer for me. I need to decide what system I'll play Assassin's Creed on. Wii60 is looking like an attractive option at this point. But I don't have to choose until Ubi's fiscal 2007 (game's been pushed back). Gamecube Twilight Princess is coming to US brick and mortar stores. Joystiq posted a story on OMFGREMOVEDFROM EBGAMESTOPINVENTORY that put it in doubt. However, that's because preorders are no longer being accepted, plus Joystiq is stupid.

Like I said--play it first. We know how PS3 plays. Just like the PS2. Which played just like PS1 did with the dual shock. The SIXAXIS motion control won't be a factor for a long time. However, if I get you correctly, you'd be a lot happier over the Wii save for a lot of the overbearing fans, which is understandable. The PS3 likewise would be a lot nicer if Sony themselves didn't say something stupid/pompous/incorrect/blatant lie 3 times a week every week for the past year and a half.

Yes, I'm shocked Wii vids from an official Nintendo site look more "fun" than an amateurish vid of people playing a sports game on PS3. On a standard controller, sitting on their asses. They're not playing it in a *new and innovative* way! J/king. The Wii will (and needs to) take on a life of its own once experienced. So get the kiosks out there Nintendo, and let's see what you have to offer. And as much as I'll buy and play the hell out of it, Zelda is not the way to do it. Besides, these are all Japanese people playing. This whole "casual gamer" allegation isn't really correct. Remember, Nintendo isn't after casual gamers or necessarily hardcore gamers. They're after the Brain Age gamers. They want your mom, Downhome, and if you come along so be it. It's expected they have the Nintendo faithful already. I can't help but notice the LCD widescreen TV in that living room. I wonder if these people jumped through all the hoops necessary to get the Wii component cables.

Nope, it's always been that way.

Region-free is more of a retailer thing than a Sony thing. The way I understand it, different regions have different costs for games. So if everything were region-free, customers would natually want to go for the cheapest item available. Especially considering the boom of online buying, it's eaiser to pay 40 bucks for a game in Australia than it would to spend 60 on the same game in America, for example. Or even simpler, once I'm done with a game, I can just mail it to my friend overseas so that he does not have to pay for it. Retailers could support region-free hardware, but they choose not to because this method makes them money. I mean, just think if Final Fantasy 12, for example, was available on a region-free PS2 (it was released months ago in Japan). Lots of people would have already played the game or bought it online, and specifically, not from a retailer. That ticks them off. Now PS1 and PS2 games that are no longer being sold being unplayable on a PS3? Got me there, unless of course, they want gamers to pay up to download it or buy a future PS3 collection. The thought sickens me, really. I never asked for an explanation for it--I already know how/why it works. However, Sony said "region free for gaming" a long time ago. Now it's "region free for PS3 games, tough luck on PS2/PS1 import games." Look for "region free for PS3 first party games" next week, and "region free on some limited titles" later on. Of course there's going to be a major catch or three.