Nintendo was in town to show off some titles and I was there. Unfortunately, I was there a bit too early; my scheduled appointment was originally 1, but it was pushed back to 2, and I missed the email from my editor about the change. Once again, thanks 1&1 (my web host/email provider) for flaking out yet again when I need something the most!
So I was there, pretty much all by myself, which was kinda cool since I could play whatever I wanted at my own pace. And while I appreciate how the folks at Nintendo know who I am and always let me just play in peace and quiet, without yammering on about redundant instructions and facts, it’s still a bit weird. I found myself asking questions in which I already know the answer in order to just break the silence. I normally ask questions that could be considered a bit “hardball” (which really aren’t, it’s just that most publishers don’t expect the line of questioning the traditional gaming press is known for since they’re all on the west coast, and here on the east is mostly folks from places like Maxim and Teen People) but I didn’t go there this time. I already felt awkward without my editor and didn’t want to feel even more like some guy who’s simply crashed the place to play some games.
Anyway, here’s what I played…
Jungle Beat – I only got to play the bongo-driven action-platformer for a small bit, but thought it was actually pretty cool. I found movement to be far more natural than expected, though I’m certain many will complain that the game would be better if it was playable via a traditional controller (though then it would just be some Donkey Kong Country clone, but not necessarily a bad one). Even though I didn’t play any of the face to face battle sequences, what I saw looked like fun. Though after only five minutes of playtime, my hands were starting to throb (during the winter months, my hands are always a bit sensitive).
Like a few out there, I was eager to try the game since its the first from the much talked about Tokyo studio which Nintendo just established, so expectations and the curiosity levels have been pretty high. Pretty fine first effort actually.
WarioWare: Touched & WarioWare: Twisted – Given that I’m such hopeless fanboy of the first game, I guess its no surprise that I thought both were incredibly fucking awesome, and each gave me a big stupid grin within the first four seconds of gameplay.
I’ve handled the Touched (the DS version, of course) several times over the past few months, and it was nice to finally test drive the final build, but it was Twisted which I most want to try, and I wasn’t disappointed. The movement-based minigames were insanely fun and I’d even have to say that it was actually more fun than the DS one.
One thing I was surprised by was how the motion sensor within the game cart sometimes vibrates (maybe it’s old new and I just haven’t been playing attention). I though it was straight on rumble feature, but it’s just the unit doing its thing, though the extra sensation really complimented the one minigame where you control and electric shaver.
Pokemon Dash – While the controls weren’t that tricky, I found myself having a real hard time keeping up with the other Pokemon when racing. Plus the map was ultra useless since it didn’t show the environment and just the targets. I know that’s the point and all, but coupled with the racing aspects, it made the whole thing almost too busy and difficult. I hate to say this, but I really do believe the game might be a bit too tough for kids.
Pokemon Emerald – Didn’t get too much playtime with this one. I found it funny how none of the reps knew how it relates to the other Pokemon titles: is it more closely connected with the recent Pokemons, Fire Red & Green Leaf, which are actually rehashes of the original Blue & Red, or is it more connected to the first GBA titles, Sapphire and Ruby? Does it work with all four equally? I had the hardest time explaining how I already knew the GBA games can’t interact with the GB/GBC titles, Blue, Red, Gold, Silver, and Crystal (that is true, right?), so I just dropped it.
Starfox Armada – Didn’t expect to be as seriously impressed as I was. I too was a bit weary at first due to those really shaky looking screenshots from a whiles back, but the finished product looks pretty damn good.
I still love the SNES version to death, and have been disappoint be every subsequent sequel (yes, even with Starfox 64). This one felt more or less like 64, but it did have that old Starfox feeling, which is good enough for me (maybe I’m being a tad bit generous due to the last game, Adventures, sucking so badly). Though I was a bit troubled with the controls; I don’t have the game any longer, so I can’t confirm, but could you lock onto a group of enemies before unleashing a shot? Plus I don’t like how both shoulder buttons weren’t used for barrel-rolling (you only used the left shoulder button, then use the stick to dictate right or left). Plus I sorta miss that graphical effect from 64 when doing one.
But I have to say, the music was phenomenal. Again, I’ll always prefer the compositions from the 16-bit original, but Armada does a great job of enhancing the established 64 themes.
… No real shwag this time around, except for a DS notebook. When I showed them the GBA SP notebook which I still had after all these years, they all gave out a very impressed “whoa!” in unison.
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In other news, the latest New York Press has a pretty good article on the recent subway debacle. BTW, anyone who actually believes the MTA’s revised timeframe for repairing the damage, and actually believes it will indeed be fixed in 9 months instead of the originally projected 3-5 years, is a total retard.
Anyway, it talked about the city’s police commissioner and how he believes a homeless person didn’t start the fire and furthermore that there are no such things as communities of mole people or C.H.U.D.S. living beneath the streets. Bullshit. Everyone knows that the C.H.U.D.S. are very real…
And finally, for whoever’s interested, there’s only a few days left to register for my game design class, which starts next week. So if you want to sign up, do it NOW!
