Square Enix seems to have indicated that their classic catalog of games will not be getting the microtransaction treatment so many companies have taken advantage of this generation. Square cites lack of Japanese interest in digital downloads as the reason. The statement was specifically targeted towards the Wii's Virtual Console, but the response makes future releases unlikely for PSN or Xbox Live as well.
Opinion:
It's quite obvious what the reasoning is for this move by Square Enix. They have been doing the remake raping of consumers for years, and it pays off every time for them. Square Enix doesn't want to release Final Fantasy on NES for $5 on VC when people are happily buying the PSP remake with Korean MMO style graphics for $30 a pop.
The real shame here is that we'll probably never see some of Square Enix's harder to find or unreleased in the US titles from years past, as the VC was the first real chance for Square to do this inexpensively and with minimum risk.
I hate to place the blame on consumers, but the Square-centric consumer has been about as picky with their buying decisions lately as swine running to Square's slop filled trough. Really, did anyone really need to buy Dirge of Cerberus, or any Mana game made in the last 10 years?
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The 20GB Playstation 3 dies quietly in North America
Sony today confirmed that the $499.99 version PS3 will no longer be available. Sony's Dave Karraker cited "overwhelming demand" for the $599.99 model during launch for the move to one system at retail.
Opinion- As always, Sony makes a confusing move. Who stands to benefit here, other than Sony? One of the biggest problems people have had with the PS3 is its pricing, and the $500 model becomes even more attractive with the $480 Xbox 360 Elite competing with it. Speaking of 360, Sony seems to have just justified Microsoft's pricing by distancing themselves $120 from Xbox.
Removing options can never really be a good thing, and the "overwhelming demand" statement becomes rather hollow when you realize that the majority of shipments were for the more expensive model. The $500 PS3 was fully featured for gaming, unlike Microsoft's Core package, and I'm sure I'm among many non-PS3 owners who would have chosen the $500 version when software starts coming.
The real question is without the $500 version, does that become a begrudging $600 purchase, or another $600 model sitting on the shelf?
Opinion- As always, Sony makes a confusing move. Who stands to benefit here, other than Sony? One of the biggest problems people have had with the PS3 is its pricing, and the $500 model becomes even more attractive with the $480 Xbox 360 Elite competing with it. Speaking of 360, Sony seems to have just justified Microsoft's pricing by distancing themselves $120 from Xbox.
Removing options can never really be a good thing, and the "overwhelming demand" statement becomes rather hollow when you realize that the majority of shipments were for the more expensive model. The $500 PS3 was fully featured for gaming, unlike Microsoft's Core package, and I'm sure I'm among many non-PS3 owners who would have chosen the $500 version when software starts coming.
The real question is without the $500 version, does that become a begrudging $600 purchase, or another $600 model sitting on the shelf?
EA and Bizzare launch a dud with Boom Boom Rocket.
Let me get this out of the way. Boom Boom Rocket (BBR, get it?) is a shameless attempt to cash in on the recent rhythm game popularity. BBR even yoinks the famous DDR font to give added subliminal connection to potential buyers. Don't be fooled. This is as simple as it gets push the button when it crosses the line gameplay. On top of that, the graphics are very blah, the music is all royalty-free classical style song remixes, and the game is far overpriced at 800 points.
Verdict: 2 of 10- Little to like here, might be okay if you had a 4 year old who wants to play the 360. The high price should turn almost anyone away, though.
Verdict: 2 of 10- Little to like here, might be okay if you had a 4 year old who wants to play the 360. The high price should turn almost anyone away, though.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Review: Yes folks, there IS a good TMNT game out there!
I was a Ninja Turtles kid. The toys, the show, all that stuff. I never thought twice that the concept of amphibious lizards who know karate and eat pizza was ridiculous. Anyway, that series went gracefully into the night, or so it should have. The recent attempts at reviving TMNT fell hollow on today's Pokemon and Hilary Duff infused youth, while also managing to destroy older fans' image of the series, however inaccurate or undeserved.
But wait! Ninja Turtles have always been good concepts for a videogame, right? 4 turtles, four players, lots of beating up enemies and ninja moves! But no, aside from the re-release of the classic arcade game, Ubisoft seemed to have put out a mindless Prince of Persia lite for every home system ever conceived. (they may have forgotten the Colecovision, I'm not sure) Even the DS, which is often like a glittering fantasyland made of licorice whips for good games got a watered down version of the crappy home game.
Is the nouveau TMNT a complete wash? Is there nothing good to sift out of the steaming piles of childhood memories? No, dear reader, for the Game Boy Advance saves the day, with an excellently crafted and incredibly overlooked ninja beat-em-up.
The game basically has two objectives. Kick ass, and move right! Aside from that simplicity, the game does have a good combo and air juggle system using launchers and combo strikes along with roll/dodge moves that adds a lot of depth. Weapons are placed throughout the somewhat repetitive levels. The whole game has a very solid feel to the engine and physics that I haven't seen in this style of game since River City Ransom.
River City Ransom comparisons don't stop there though. Each of the four turtles can accumulate experience points and improve their abilities. Enhancements also can be purchased with money that enemies drop. There is a hub-like overworld from where you select levels, buy upgrades, and play an abundance of minigames with Casey, Splinter, and April. Last on TMNT's extensive feature list is the medals (read: Achivements) for doing things like a 50 hit combo, juggling someone 10 times, accumulating money, and other creative goals.
Sprites are clean, clear, and animation is very expressive. The levels are a bit repetitive, and the game is over before it really should be. It should go without saying, but if you hate these type of beat-em-up sidescrollers, TMNT won't be for you. However, for fans, GBA is by far the best way to go for TMNT gaming this time around.
The game hasn't been very widely shipped and you might have to do some worthwhile searching. (I found mine at a best buy, and have only seen copies at a local department store otherwise, every GameStop/EB and GameCrazy got NO copies in, morons)
I give TMNT an 8 of 10 for the very solid game engine, ample bonus content, and very impressive graphics. It loses points for the number of stages in the game, and lacking classic TMNT villians. (yeah, the movie was too, but that's another problem)
But wait! Ninja Turtles have always been good concepts for a videogame, right? 4 turtles, four players, lots of beating up enemies and ninja moves! But no, aside from the re-release of the classic arcade game, Ubisoft seemed to have put out a mindless Prince of Persia lite for every home system ever conceived. (they may have forgotten the Colecovision, I'm not sure) Even the DS, which is often like a glittering fantasyland made of licorice whips for good games got a watered down version of the crappy home game.
Is the nouveau TMNT a complete wash? Is there nothing good to sift out of the steaming piles of childhood memories? No, dear reader, for the Game Boy Advance saves the day, with an excellently crafted and incredibly overlooked ninja beat-em-up.
The game basically has two objectives. Kick ass, and move right! Aside from that simplicity, the game does have a good combo and air juggle system using launchers and combo strikes along with roll/dodge moves that adds a lot of depth. Weapons are placed throughout the somewhat repetitive levels. The whole game has a very solid feel to the engine and physics that I haven't seen in this style of game since River City Ransom.
River City Ransom comparisons don't stop there though. Each of the four turtles can accumulate experience points and improve their abilities. Enhancements also can be purchased with money that enemies drop. There is a hub-like overworld from where you select levels, buy upgrades, and play an abundance of minigames with Casey, Splinter, and April. Last on TMNT's extensive feature list is the medals (read: Achivements) for doing things like a 50 hit combo, juggling someone 10 times, accumulating money, and other creative goals.
Sprites are clean, clear, and animation is very expressive. The levels are a bit repetitive, and the game is over before it really should be. It should go without saying, but if you hate these type of beat-em-up sidescrollers, TMNT won't be for you. However, for fans, GBA is by far the best way to go for TMNT gaming this time around.
The game hasn't been very widely shipped and you might have to do some worthwhile searching. (I found mine at a best buy, and have only seen copies at a local department store otherwise, every GameStop/EB and GameCrazy got NO copies in, morons)
I give TMNT an 8 of 10 for the very solid game engine, ample bonus content, and very impressive graphics. It loses points for the number of stages in the game, and lacking classic TMNT villians. (yeah, the movie was too, but that's another problem)
360 Keyboard Controller Attachment Rears its Ugly Head
Images of an Xbox 360 keyboard controller with a small keyboard added were quickly removed after posting at GameSpot. This seems to go hand in hand with the dashboard update video shown early last week with MSN messenger functions built in.
Pictures, and also the location I shamelessly abridged this from: http://kotaku.com/gaming/xbox-360/xb...ing-250606.php
Opinion: Few are going to buy this when a real, full featured USB keyboard works fine. (and likely will cost less, if the 120GB HD is any indication) Was anyone really asking for this? Seems that there's plenty of other problems that MS is ignoring to be wasting time on something like this. There's no way the keys are anywhere near big enough to be comfortable to use. Not to mention how much of a pain it'll be to use the normal controller with that tumor-like obstruction sticking out of the bottom.
Brings PTS disorder style memories of the Jaguar Controller back. *Shudder*
Pictures, and also the location I shamelessly abridged this from: http://kotaku.com/gaming/xbox-360/xb...ing-250606.php
Opinion: Few are going to buy this when a real, full featured USB keyboard works fine. (and likely will cost less, if the 120GB HD is any indication) Was anyone really asking for this? Seems that there's plenty of other problems that MS is ignoring to be wasting time on something like this. There's no way the keys are anywhere near big enough to be comfortable to use. Not to mention how much of a pain it'll be to use the normal controller with that tumor-like obstruction sticking out of the bottom.
Brings PTS disorder style memories of the Jaguar Controller back. *Shudder*
Nintendo fesses up, offers replacement Twilight Princess discs
Nintendo is now offering a new, fixed Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess disc for those who have experienced either of the infuriating bugs. The glitchy areas effectively halt your progress in the game, requiring you to do at least 3 dungeons over. Apparently the new disc will fix the problem even with a glitched save, no need to restart the game for the fix to work.
Nintendo's directions:
Write a letter explaining how you encountered the issue, along with name, address, and daytime telephone number, and mail it along with just the game disc (no case) to the following address:
NINTENDO OF AMERICA
ATTN: CS ADMIN
4900 150TH AVE NE
REDMOND WA 98052-5171
My opinion: This is a great move, and even better that it fixes saves already glitched. To go back into the US version code and change for future prints is a pretty stand up move.
It does come a bit late, especially for the many people it's already happened to and had to start over. The glitch shouldn't have been there in the first place, and it's quite strange to see such a bad bug in a high profile 1st party Nintendo game.
I haven't encountered the glitch yet, but from what I've read up on it, I'm fairly close to where it CAN happen. I'll probably be sending in my disc soon, and recommend everyone do the same. What better time than with Super Paper Mario this week to keep you busy until the replacement disc arrives?
Nintendo's directions:
Write a letter explaining how you encountered the issue, along with name, address, and daytime telephone number, and mail it along with just the game disc (no case) to the following address:
NINTENDO OF AMERICA
ATTN: CS ADMIN
4900 150TH AVE NE
REDMOND WA 98052-5171
My opinion: This is a great move, and even better that it fixes saves already glitched. To go back into the US version code and change for future prints is a pretty stand up move.
It does come a bit late, especially for the many people it's already happened to and had to start over. The glitch shouldn't have been there in the first place, and it's quite strange to see such a bad bug in a high profile 1st party Nintendo game.
I haven't encountered the glitch yet, but from what I've read up on it, I'm fairly close to where it CAN happen. I'll probably be sending in my disc soon, and recommend everyone do the same. What better time than with Super Paper Mario this week to keep you busy until the replacement disc arrives?
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