First off, didn’t see Stranger With Candy on Monday night. Had to cancel out because I wasn’t feeling too hot, plus MK was ultra tired (she was up really late the evening prior) so we just went back to my place. MK decided to take a short nap but ended up falling sound asleep at about 7:30. I always have stuff to work on, but I just wasn’t feeling it, so I ended up spending the whole night playing games, mostly KOF (I’m still on that kick, as described earlier).
Oh, so I’ve been playing Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (the PS2 build) as well. Anyone who knows me is well aware of the fact that I’m hardly a GTA fan, but LCS features the return of the one redeeming aspect of GTA 3 for me: Chatter Box, which is a fake talk radio show set in the fictional city. So now I completely ignore the missions in favor of simply driving around the city and listening to the radio. Hell, I’ll even observe the laws of the road, by always stopping on red and never speeding, just to make sure nothing happens so my listening goes uninterrupted. And it’s just as awesome now as it was before; Chatter Box is the name of a fake call in show in which totally crazy types call and bitch at the host Lazlo, about such things as cannibalism or the evils of the internet (the game takes place around 1998, so aside from frightened times warning of the evil the world wide web has in-stored for the world, which is rather cute, but there’s a lot of crazy pre-Y2K hysteria, which again brings back fond memories). The only real downside is that there seems to be less of it compared to GTA 3′s. Once again, I’ve never been the biggest fan of the game’s content, but its presentation at times is quite excellent. In fact, I really dig all the fake (or at least no-name) musical content on all the radio stations; I know everyone went ga-ga over the music from the two previous games, since it’s all popular/famous songs from the past, but to me it simply proved that people will buy fucking anything if it has 80′s music in it (as in the case of Vice City).
And I will admit that delivering Chinese food is also fun. Anyway, (coworker) Steve passed along all of Chatter Box from the first game via mp3 format and I can’t wait to pop that in during the next long car trip.
Then yesterday, because Nintendo’s in town, I finally got my hands on the Wii (at least proper like; I did play that Spongebob Squarepants game a few weeks back, but it was a real Wii title). Overall, I really like it! But that’s hardly a surprise… Though its something I’m going to have to get used to, and its definitely for folks who aren’t traditional gamers, meaning those who are might have a steep learning curve ahead.
First up, I tried out tennis in the Wii Sports package. It’s funny how the Nintendo reps insisted that we hold onto the cord that connects the controller to the system (though that will obviously absent in the final version) because people it seems have a tendency to let go of the controller while swing it (I’ve actually heard plenty of stories of Day 1 at E3 of the Wii-mote flying this way and that). So I guess they’re going to produce some sort of wrist strap attachment (instructions for it were in the start up screen). Anyway, it was simple and fun, though I didn’t do nearly as well as Gordon (the head art and layout guy for Nick Mag) who isn’t much of a gamer, but does dabble in sports in real life. And while some of us more traditional gamer types struggled during the home-run derby segment, Gordon was knocking them out of the park each and every time.
Next was ExciteTruck. Can’t say I’ve been terribly excited for the game since first seeing it, but after playing it, it is sorta neat, entirely due to the controls. You tilt the Wii-mote right or left to steer, and it?s not nearly as awkward as it sounds. But once again, as a big time racing fan, I didn’t do all that well with such non-traditional controls, while a guy from Nick Jr who I believe doesn’t play that many racing games kicked ass almost immediately.
Third up was WarioWare. It’s basically the same mega micro-gaming formula, expect with new control mechanism, and as expected, it was totally brilliant. This WarioWare fanboy completely approves (and its easily my number one reason to get the system on day one).
Then there was Metroid Prime 3. As a big-time fan of part 1 (and my blind lust for the series is strong enough to make me overlook all the annoying aspects of Prime 2), I was pretty eager to try it out, especially since everyone loved it at E3. Its funny how the Wii controls brings it a bit closer to traditional FPS controls than the first (which is why so many people absolutely hate it… and precisely the reason why Metroid Prime is the only FPS I can actually play without getting nauseous). But it still works quite well (I can’t say that I got the hang of it, but given time, I’m sure I could get used to it). Though I will admit, even though I’ve been a staunch defender of the Wii’s graphical abilities since day one, and while 3 looks really nice, I did wish the graphics were a bit “more”.
Unfortunately, there was no Super Mario Galaxy of the Twilight Princess for the Wii (double damn). But they did have Elite Beat Agents (the American iteration of Ouendan) and its a totally worthy successor to the Japanese original (though I still have to get it). There other DS games on-hand, but we ran out of time, though Nintendo’s having a “family night” tomorrow in which they’re asking journalist to come by with their kids and the such, so I should be able to give them a try then as well (which is absolutely perfect because Thursdays is when I have custody of my kids).
Afterwards, when I went back to work at SVA, the AC failed school wide, and naturally that made things a humid, sticky nightmare. Later that night was class, and I so wasn’t in the proper mindset to teach. Best of all, only two people showed up! When only one was person was there at 6, I figured I’d just wait till 6:30 for others to appear, and if not, call it a night (my original plans hinged on everyone showing up since I had a group activity lined up). But we ended up just chatting till 6:45 about the cheesy dating sim that I made years back (Heart Breakers, which anyone can check out on my resume page), when one other person showed up, but still with far less people than necessary for my original plans, I had to sorta wing it (my game plan has been off for a while now since I’ve been testing out stuff from the book, plus the field trip two weeks ago, and the holiday last Tuesday hasn’t helped). Originally I was just going to cut things short, but I ended up going the full regularly scheduled time (hey, those two made the effort, so should I). But since I talked most of the time, my throat was killing me (still is).
Oh, I guess I should also mention that… remember how MK is going to Otakon next month to promote her new book? Well I’ll be going to the show as well. Aside from supporting my woman, I’ve heard way too many train-wreck stories to miss out. Such as fellow ICer Balzac’s recollection of the previous show..
-Going to a hotel party and hearing two people get into a 45 minute discussion about “The Mystic Knights of Tira Nog”. Meanwhile some drunk guy kept shouting “HE’S MY FAVORITE CHINK” over and over again. Much Guitaroo Man was played.
-Attentending the game development panel for laughs and getting trailed by a 13 year old indian kid whose parents dropped him off there and “needed a friend”. Ditched in short order.
-Playing “Twinkle Star Sprites: La Petite Princesses” for three hours straight in the game room, and beating the steady stream of competition. Its the type of game that seperates the boys from the smaller, girlier boys.
-Watching two furries fight on all fours over a cosplay prop or something.
-Getting trailed by some insane girl who I couldn’t shake off no matter what I did. Go into the rave? Right behind me. Play Tetris Attack in the gameroom for 2 hours? Watched intently. Witnesses some young kid get yelled at by his parents for running off? Breaks down in tears. I made my escape shortly after and never looked back.
-Until two of her friends somehow notice me the next day and strike up conversation. I was then treated to a half hour explanation of what exactly makes yaoi appealing. Complete with sketchbook pictures.
Speaking of Insert Credit, someone passed along this: Ultimate Ghouls’n Ghosts”>a super wacky promotional video for Ultimate Ghouls’n Ghosts. Though as awesome as it is, I’m staying far away from the game: I’m simply flat out suck at Ghouls’n Ghosts, or Ghosts’n Goblins, or whatever it’s called. The only game in the series that I’m even half-way decent at is the old Genesis version (back when Yuji Naka was still a brilliant young programer with some awesome ideas and not what he is now).
And real quick, on the subject of Sega’s glory days, check out this interview with one the men that made Sega what is today, a true forgotten pioneer, Tom Kalinske. Most interesting part has to be how Sony and Sega almost joined forces to create a console. A Sega PlayStation anyone?!
But back to the PSP, I also found out yesterday (and this is pretty old news actually), that Tokobot, one of the primarily reasons why I haven’t completely written off the idea of owning one, is coming out for the PS2! What the hell Sony? Okay, the real reason is perhaps because the game wasn’t exactly a sales phenomenon (it basically tanked big time in every territory), so Tecmo simply wants to make some money back. But still!
Along with Lumines, I seriously only have one single game which makes me even remotely interested in getting Sony’s handheld, and that’s Exit (okay, that and Ever Extend Extra, but I haven’t exactly heard the best things about it). I would have totally eaten a second Mega Man redux, for part 2, but the first one bombed so hard that Capcom ain’t even bothering. As for the new Sonic game coming out, according to ShaperMC, it plays like crap, and I tend to trust the guy, plus it would explain why NO ONE is talking about the game (then again, everyone really seems to be sick of Sonic at this point). I know that it’s popular to bash the PSP, but man, Sony has so fucked up that system big time.
Though I especially feel like a total idiot for buy PSP games in advance, two of them being Tokobot and Lumines! What can I say… I was afraid by the time I actually got the system, the games I wanted would be hard to find (which is a problem I’m always running into… and once again, I avoid eBay like the plague whenever possible). Though I hear that the PS2 version of Tokobot is a side-story or sequel or something. Can anyone confirm/deny?
Anyway, back to Insert Credit this time, here’s another YouTube video I’ve had bookmarked for a while and forgot to pass along: an absolutely amazing music video created with an old PC-Engine.
And sticking with music from game systems, here’s something that Jason gave me the heads up on. All those wannabe chiptunes musicians now have an alternative to getting Nanoloop or Little Sound DJ or hacking your NES: there’s now a plug-in for GarageBand that emulates the sounds of the NES. And its from the much loved Japanese chiptunes outfit YMCK. Here’s some more info, and best of all, its in English. Though in the end, I have to wonder who accurate the sound reproduction is. Though that’s something which is best answered by someone like Jeremiah…
Over at my current favorite place for new related junk, GameSetWatch (not that’s I’m biased or anything…), comes a head’s up regarding the latest development from the world of GRRRLL gamers. Remember guys, these girls demand to be taken seriously! They’re nut some puny little pushovers, they’ve got swords and guns and shit!
And just because I think its interesting, and thing other might find it as well, here’s a discussion regarding the real Super Mario Bros 2 from Japan.
Finally, I finally found the site of the people that make Tetris-shaped furniture. And… it’s pretty expensive. I think I’ll let MK make them for me as she’s suggested.
