the_shpydar

MS didn't ruin Rare. Rare ruined Rare. Or more accurately, all the actually talented members of Rare leaving over the years is what "ruined" Rare.

Well, November 5 is the day Doc Brown fell off his toilet while hanging a clock and invented the Flux Capacitor... =D

@bezerker99
Spider Fighter wasby Activision, and Vanguard was another licensed game.

@darebear
Space Invaders and Defender were licensed games; Pitfall and River Raid were Activision releases (though they did license them to include on the Flashback2).

@JesusSaves
The Swordquest games are not even close to being shovelware, nor was 3D tic tac toe.

@Tasuki
Oy. What he said was that if you buy it, it would make future releases more likely. What is wrong with that? It's common sense. The only way any publisher is going to truly know what's worth releasing is by the sales numbers, not by listening to all of us whine on the interwebs. Fact is, if stuff doesn't sell, why the heck would they keep putting stuff out?

And more generally, i hope everyone relaizes that there's a significant drought on releases this week because Other M is out tomorrow.

Great review. I love this game, it was one of the first games i got for GB back in the day along with SMLand. I agree that another difficulty setting would have been nice, as i've played through it so much that i can usually finish it in under a half hour or so.

And it will launch with Duke Nukem Forever bundled in.
Not happening.

Meh. I'd prefer Ninty stick to what it knows best, gaming.

@slapshot
RE: Sarah Connor ... we can dream my friend, we can dream. Damn that show rocked.

Weak update this week (heh), but i'm not surprised with it being the ending days of summer and Ninty being such that they think gamers actually go outside in the nice weather. =)

@Rally
I do agree with that. Steve is certainly awesome and humble, and comes across as just a genuinely good guy.

And Lol @ "moar" =)

Go Billy.
Yes, he's arrogant. But people need to realize he's not truly as much of a douche as he's portrayed in King of Kong; even Steve has said as much. Billy just makes for a great "villan".

I'd imagine it never got a US release due simply to the old 80s/90s rule of "It's too weird and Japanese-y; it'll never sell".

Umm, no. We'll maybe see another price drop or a different sort of bundling, or maybe even consoles with re-designed Wii-motes with built in M+, but not a "new" version of the Wii.
The handheld half-steps are a different situation.

Although Harvey Birdman is my all-time favorite adult swim show, i'd actually rate the game more like a 5. If you're a fan of the show, it's definitely worth picking up, but otherwise don't. All told, playing through he whole game, including going back through it to see every possible response, joke or comment took 4 hours. It's much less of a game than it is just playing through some episodes -- hence why it is great for fans of the show (plus, i can never get enough of Paget Brewster's hilarious/strangely sexy portrayal of Birdgirl).

Definitely worth the $5-$10 you'll find it priced at if you're a fan; everyone else should steer themselves away.

CREST ON BIRDMAN'S HELLLLLLLLLLLLLMET!!

Cool, i guess i'll finally get around to buying a version of these games; need to have them in my collection if only on principle. Was going to pick up the interactive DVD versions a while back but just never did.

"Meh" perfectly sums up my feeling on this game. And the sequel for that matter; even if it did improve on the first a bit, i'd also rate it around a 6.

Epic. Only way it would be better would be an actual cart release!

Nice. I happen to be playing Monkey Island 2 on XBLA now, and i was looking for some point-and-click goodness for the DS.
(Honestly, how are there not more good point-and-clicks for the system?)

I'll probably post more thoughts in the forum thread, but i picked up Pearl and (though i've barely played it so far) am definitely enjoying it a lot!

@eripmav
You totally deserve a raise; i know i and plenty of others on this site will be picking up this game in part because of all the excellent info you've shared with us throughout the development!

And 700 points is perfect -- if it were 1000, i'd probably think about it or put it off, but 700 is just right. =)

looks over at N64 and GoldenEye cart, which can be easily and cheaply purchased by anyone who wants to play the game

Meh. Don't care.

Wow, a lot of unnecessary negativity towards this game.

When i had first heard rumblings of this game, it sounded very much like a new take on the first Final Fantasy, storywise. I'm definitely down with a new classic FF-style game, so i'll be keeping my eye on this one.

Sentient poo?

Mr. Hankey? HOWDY-HO, KYLE!!

@Tri4ceHolder
Second-gen video game console, and one of the Atari 2600's competitors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellivision

Hmm, strange. What sort of "technical issues" could there possibly be?

Hmm, the DS interface should make for better Intellivision gaming; i'll keep my eye on it.

And just a heads up for Intellivision fans who also have a 360, a number of Intellivision games (and Atari 2600 games) are currently available through Game Room.

I picked this up last week (along with Red Steel 2), and have only put a little time into it so far, but am thoroughly enjoying it. The story/adventure scenes draw you in really well, and it's nice to have a good game that's something "different" than the norm.

Awesome! Floyd is either my #1 or #2 all-time fave band (alternating with The Beatles depending on my mood). Downloading now!

@TG
Agreed. The XL seem to me to be more of a niche release, much like the GBMicro was.

Will probably get this, if only because since i already got the G&W collection, there's absolutely nothing in the Club Nintendo store that i want even a little bit, so the coins will just go to waste.

Ahh, R.O.B. My NES was one of the original sets with ROB, but sadly, my ROB was given away by my dad at some sort of educational convention (he had used it as a general visual aid when discussing robotics). I didn't mind at the time, but i wish i still had it now.

@StarBoy:
I used to play Gyromite without ROB all the time. One of my main methods was to put the controller into the shell piece with the red and blue levers, and use my feet to control it. Kinda nifty.

I've always been curious about the Sakura Wars games; i'll probably pick this up unless reviews are really unfavorable.

Great interview with a great, normal, gaming "icon".

It would be sweet if NL could score an interview with Billy as well (though i don't know how receptive he is to these sorts of things, especially with all the fairly-unjustified interweb hate directed towards him since the film).

I actually remember having the LIFE magazine piece back in the day, long since lost to the sands of time along with my Muppet Magazines, Nintendo Fun Club Newsletters and pocket handbook of Pac-Man tips and tricks ...

omigosh.
Must. Have. Game. NOW!

Great review. Zaxxon is defintely not a game for everyone, and us old timers who played it back in the 'cades will surely appreciate it more. I remember most Zaxxon machines ended up quickly broken by morons who couldn't deal with the stick. And the ColecoVision version -- that was like THE game if you had a Coleco. I remember having the 2600 port, which was actually not isometric, and more like River Raid. Still very fun, put a lot of time into that.

Any word on Zaxxon getting a US release?

If there was any doubt before, it's gone now. Instabuy. I also was raised on the Atari 2600, and tend to have a lot of similar game tastes as you, Sean (well, except for the not liking platformers thing!), so if you're singing the praises I know i'll love it.

Hmm. I'll have to wait and see some actual gameplay, but looks promising.

Same as timp29, How do you address the bathroom issue before a marathon session? Just plan ahead and not drink too much or something?

Also, you seem to be a very positive guy, despite having some unfortunate setbacks in life, both in and out of the gaming arena. What inspires you or keeps you positive to never give up?

Yeah, the vid on the Ninty Channel mentions different pre-installed software -- 2 Brain Training games (math and i forget the other) and the Photo Clock app.

Sweeeeet! Knew the announcement was coming, but nice to have confirmation!

Meanwhile, i just recently started playing DQV on DS (about 12 hours in); have they announced a US date for the DS-remake of DQVI?

Wait, this game has Curling? I didn't realize that, i may have to immediately buy another copy (got one a while ago for my sister's kids).

I love curling. And no, i'm not Canadian, so i realize that's weird.

Yawn. Wake me up when Sony (or MS) comes even close to Ninty's numbers.

Great game, and perfect review, Corb. I'm loving this one. I've already had a great/horrible retro-gameplay moment, where i died stupidly shortly after killing a boss and right after passing by a save point and thinking "ahh, i'll save at the next spot i find".

I'm particularly surprised they haven't put out at least Donkey Kong, particularly with renewed interest in the game from "King of Kong".

Aww yeah! I think i still have 1000 points, so perfect!

And once again, Iwata speaks and i find myself wondering how he stole my thoughts.

By the way, has anyone realized that the "how is that going to look to other people" comment may more likely be referring to "how is THE GAME going to look to other people"? Iwata has said many times (particualrly with resepct to NSBWii) about how watching a game is part of that whole "playing together" philosophy that Ninty has -- like someone who never played Mario before will watch their friend play, then be able to jump in and play too.

As for me, i personally have no desire for 3D gaming (or 3D-TV for that matter) until the Holodeck is developed.

As a Doctor fan, I am simultaneously thrilled and worried. There could be a great Doctor game (and i really like the idea of the Wiimote-as-Sonic Screwdriver idea), but i'd rather they didn't put a game out at all than a poor effort that wouldn't serve the franchise well.

That said, i'd probably still get it regardless. Of course, who knows if there'd be a US release, even though Who has gained significant popularity in the wake of Tenant's run (damn, i still miss him as The Doctor!).

This game was amazing. I still intend to go back for at least one or two more playthroughs. This game nailed the psychological horror feel and that "I must be in a David Lynch movie", which sadly the genre has been moving away from as of late.

I'd reccomend this game to pretty much anyone who's into horror/thriller games. However, if you're one of those players who can't get over the concept of "no combat", then it's probably not for you.