When the Wii was released, it was small, especially compared to the behemoth consoles manufactured by the competition. But after the wheel and the zapper and digging out the GameCube controllers, and finding a place for the balance board -- and don't forget, you'll need those maracas, too -- does it feel like the tiny system has grown a little? Is it taking over the living room? How do you manage all the extras?Posts with tag space
Wii Warm Up: Once, it was small
When the Wii was released, it was small, especially compared to the behemoth consoles manufactured by the competition. But after the wheel and the zapper and digging out the GameCube controllers, and finding a place for the balance board -- and don't forget, you'll need those maracas, too -- does it feel like the tiny system has grown a little? Is it taking over the living room? How do you manage all the extras?Hullbreach manages to snag a few users
While we haven't played it ourselves (darn this blogging), we love to hear about this kind of stuff. Ambition projects are few and far between, it seems, so we look forward to December. Why? Well, that's when the final release hits, which will have NPC interaction, asteroid mining and player-to-player bartering.
Has anyone given this a try? Are you finding it to your liking? Or, is it a waste of time?
[Via press release]
A video where Buzz Aldrin doesn't punch someone
You know, maybe we shouldn't make light of an incident where someone accused a national hero of faking one of the United States' most historic events, but we can't help it. If we remember Buzz Aldrin for one thing, it's punching someone in the face. Oh, and his moon landing thing.
Anyway, the above video comes from the meeting between Buzz and Mario we talked about a few days ago. So, if you, like us, were left kind of confused about the whole thing, then check out the video above.
Virtually Overlooked Week: Jason's picks
Growing up with gaming is an interesting thing these days. Many of you are part of the first generation that was quite literally born into a household with a gaming console, as I was. In my experience, if you start off in life gaming hard, you don't stop. Therefore, in the very near future, I will able to ask a random middle-aged man if he wants to go play Guitar Hero 4, and it won't be totally weird.
Who am I kidding? This isn't Japan, and that guy will probably think I am, in fact, totally weird. But man, screw those non-gamers. The hardcore, like you and I, have tons of gaming memories, and thus we frequently long for the games of yore to be released on the Virtual Console. But they have not yet appeased my feral hunger, and thus do I lay these games out in a commanding fashion for Nintendo's minions to take note.
You, of course, may gaze as well.
Who am I kidding? This isn't Japan, and that guy will probably think I am, in fact, totally weird. But man, screw those non-gamers. The hardcore, like you and I, have tons of gaming memories, and thus we frequently long for the games of yore to be released on the Virtual Console. But they have not yet appeased my feral hunger, and thus do I lay these games out in a commanding fashion for Nintendo's minions to take note.
You, of course, may gaze as well.
Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition
Jason: Uh, yeah, I saw it. Thanks, Dave.
David: Good, good. I'll let you get to it, then.
(Jason sighs, and begins to type frantically.)
Alisha: Heyyyyy, Jason, did you see the mem--
Jason: For the love of God, yes. I'm on it.
Alisha: No need to snap, Jason. Sounds like someone has a case of the Fridays.
(Jason mumbles as Alisha walks away. JC and Eric approach.)
JC: I can't believe it. I told those fudgepackers I liked JC's music. Me! I've never despised any form of sensory input as I do those songs.
Continue reading Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition
Upcoming VC releases
Thus far, Nintendo has decided to keep the exact releases of Virtual Console Mondays a secret until the day-of, leaving us gamers biting our nails in mind-numbing suspense. Sega's official website and a major in cryptology have given us three gleaming glimpses in the future.First, from Sega's camp, the classic space-shooter Space Harrier II (1989) will see the light of day next Monday, the 18th of December. Furthermore, on Christmas Day, they'll drop cult-favorite and this blogger's most anticipated VC title, Toe Jam & Earl. Awesome.
From Hudson, their website left the internet-at-large with this little clue:
WHICH GAME COMES NEXT? This one is a doosy. Truly a classic. Here's your first clue:
VGCE0590PG46
Yes, I know. that's freakin cryptic. If no one can figure it out, I may drop another clue tomorrow.
Good luck!
Brilliant minds came together, formulas were solved, chemicals were mixed, and lo, the secret was revealed. VGCE0590PG46 stands for Video Game and Computer Entertainment, May 1990, Page 46. Dig up a couple of old magazine scans, and voilà! The game is Military Madness, a turn-based strategy game with a fairly large following.
Couldn't they have just told us right out?
Like a Phoenix from the ashes: Nintendo World 2006
Okay, so it's not Space World, the legendary Nintendo-only event whose last appearance occurred in 2001. Nintendo's announcement of a new event, however, named Nintendo World 2006, certainly conjures fond memories. The event, which takes place over a mammoth ten-day period from November 3rd to the 12th (and again on November 25th and 26th), will feature hands-on playtime with the Wii and some of the hottest new DS titles. Best of all, it's open to the Japanese public, and completely free. Awesome.
While it's unknown if Nintendo will be making any major announcements at the event, it's understood that they will, at the very least, announce more specific details of the Virtual Console service (read: launch titles) a bit closer to Wii Day. What better place to spring some good news on the unsuspecting Japanese?
(The image is a personal favorite, from digital artist Greg Martin. Check more of his work here.)
No Space World, Mario Galaxy could be available at launch
Over at AMN, Nintendo has confirmed that there will in fact be no Space World event held this year. The person confirming this, Nintendo of America Public Relations Manager Matt Atwood, dashed away speculation that this event would help usher in the launch of the Wii. However, there is good news!
The Twilight Zone: Negative Wii press
You're probably reading Wii Fanboy because, well, you're a Wii fanboy. Or, at the very least, you're mildly enthusiastic about Nintendo's next-generation offering. As such, you might want to brace yourself for the following...ready?NEGATIVE PRESS.
That's right. Some punk over at Arena Magazine had the gall to point out a few problems he had with the system. Let's take a look:
- First off, video games have long been seen as a blessed haven in an otherwise weary day; after coming home from work or school, all some people want to do is to plop down on their sofa and blast a few zombies to kingdom come. The Wii, with its emphasis on motion and energy, may simply require too much effort for many gamers to bother.
- The Wii is effectively shunning gamers with smaller TV sets, since it will be difficult to aim the pointer on a tiny display.
- Many living rooms hardly have the space for a regular console, let alone one where up to four people might have to stand and wildly swing their arms about.
Nintendo's got a new backend
Gamasutra reports that Nintendo HQ has adopted a new software management solution in Aldon Lifecycle
Manager. What this new program allows the bigwigs over in Washington to do is maintain a high level of awareness
throughout different development projects (such as all upcoming Revolution titles) as they go through their
lifecycles. Now, apparently, it won't be the impossibly difficult task of walking over to the development area and
asking the Project Lead where they're at currently. It's now only a mouse click away. Let's hope it helps those at
Nintendo who've been having problems with their TPS reports, also.
