- Apparently there’s a problem with a small number of PSP’s in Japan, specifically with one of its buttons. You can read the full story here (sorry, but I’m just too lazy to do my own right up), but basically…
About 4,800 Japanese PSPs have been returned to Sony due to problems with the handheld’s square button, according to a recent interview with Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi in Nikkei Business magazine.
Kutaragi acknowledged that the button is less responsive than the others, in part because it’s so close to the PSP’s 480×272 screen. Because there isn’t enough room to put the square button’s detection switch directly underneath, it’s off to the right, making it less responsive–and sometimes causing it to stick.
Nikkei Business reported that, to date, .6 percent of the 800,000 shipped units have been returned to Sony for repair. Kutaragi was unapologetic about the issue: “This is the design that we came up with. There may be people that complain about its usability, but that’s something which users and game software developers will have to adapt to. I didn’t want the PSP’s LCD screen to become any smaller than this, nor did I want its machine body to become any larger.
“The button’s location is [architectured] on purpose,” Kutaragi added. “It’s according to specifications. This is something that we’ve created, and this is our specification. There was a clear purpose to it, and it wasn’t a mistake.”
Offering additional testimony praising the handheld, Kutaragi said, “I believe we made the most beautiful thing in the world. Nobody would criticize a renowned architect’s blueprint that the position of a gate is wrong. It’s the same as that.”
Jesus Christ, what a fucking arrogant asshole. Considering that the square button is a major one… like many action oriented games specifically, in which it’s often the “shoot” button, or in driving games, where it’s often the gas button… plus it’s the one I always rest my thumb on, this is nothing but horrible news.
I’m sure this problem will be fixed, but still, Sony’s attitude is pretty disconcerting.
- There’s been a noticeable increase in “word on the street” kind of stuff floating around the usual places these days, at least the real juicy kind. For example, a trust worthy source at the GAF when it comes to all things Nintendo has said about Mario 128 (I really don’t hear too many people use 1,000 Marios too much these days) that the game, which has been in development for several years now, will see big changes in the camera system. Plus its been inferred that Nintendo is set to really pimp both the new Mario and Zelda games hard, with a “back to basics” spin on both. Seems like they want to win back the folks who were scared away by Mario Sunshine and Wind Waker.
This all makes perfect (business) sense, though there are still many questions. Despite Miyamoto on a few occasions saying so, there’s still no concrete word on whether Mario 128 will appear on GameCube or Revolution (code name for the new console in development). I’m willing to wager GameCube, to make a strong double last hurrah for the system, though many are skeptical and are asking why Nintendo would “throw away” such heavy hitters on a sinking ship. I just see shades of the SNES at work here, since that system got Super Mario World 2, perhaps the best in the entire series, in its twilight as well.
- Plus there’s word that a new GameCube Sonic game at the end of the year. Like many (former) fans of the series, I’ve pretty much had my fill of the series. If Yuji Naka had any clue, he’d go full-blown 2D experience like everyone’s been screaming at him to do for years now (something like Klonoa would be nice). But instead, it’s almost guaranteed to be yet another mediocre 3D title that won’t let you just control Sonic, but force one to utilize his large cast of loser friends.
- Then just the other day was some rumor that EA was going to buy Capcom. This was supposedly said in the latest issue of Famitsu, and was later proven false, but it’s still worth mentioning since, in my eyes, was totally plausible, and still sorta is. As it had been noted just a few days prior, EA had openly expressed in “partnering up with” (translation: buying) a Japanese firm, with a focus on both Konami and Capcom. And Capcom has not been doing so hot for some time now: many of their high profile games have been total bombs… some justified like the abysmal Devil May Cry 2, and some not so, like Onimusha 3. Their catalogue was once something to be envied by all others, but now most of their properties are pretty much worthless. The fact they sold off the rights to Street Fighter… at one point the most popular game on the planet… is evidence enough. Just shows that too many sequels will only hurt. Hell, look at Resident Evil 4; its technically the fourth in the series, but how many Resident Evil games have been released thus far? Almost 20?
Speaking of, Capcom is also reeling from some very poor business decision, with RE4 being another prime example. It’s easily the best in the series, but will many folks be playing it? Not nearly as many if they had released if for the PS2. Granted, that system is getting a version, but that’s next year and by that point no one will really care. Nice to know that the famed Capcom 5 for the GameCube was a total bust. And Killer 7 still isn’t out yet. And I might be the last one on earth who’s still looking towards it.
Anyway, given all the woes that Capcom is experiencing, with maybes more on the way, I’m not counting a possible EA take-over just yet.
- Back in my home state of Washington comes news that a planned Halo 2 tournament that was to raise money of tsunami victims had the plug pulled due to the game’s content. Unfortunate news of course, but I really can’t blame the school.
I have a friend who’s a schoolteacher back home and she tells me that such die hard political correctness has made her job a living hell.
- Here’s a collection of old Metroid comics from Nintendo Power from years back (circa 1994, since it’s based upon Super Metroid and that’s when it came out).
The same person who pointed to these on the GAF also showed off a few select pages from another, perhaps much older, Metroid comic. The Mother Brain featured in this particular comic is based upon the design from the Captain N cartoon, which ran 1989-92ish. There was a Captain N comic around 91-92, so that’s where I’m assuming it’s from. Note that Samus was never in the show…
… Personally, I really like how she looked, even when compared to today (though I always go nuts for her “classic” suit design). Since I’m a nice guy and I don’t want to feel bad for leeching from some personal website, you can check out some of the best pages here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Also on that page of old Nintendo Power comics is a few scans from an old Metroid manga, also produced around the time of Super Metroid. I gotta admit, Chibi Samus is hella cute…
- Tokyopia (a great site that unfortunately doesn’t update nearly enough) just posted a new interview with Mizuguchi. Nothing groundbreaking was revealed, but its a fun read nonetheless. Nice to see the lost Underworld/Fatboy Slim/others version of Rez brought up once again (and I get the distinct feeling that he loves it as well).
- Remember the special edition Resident Evil 4 chainsaw controller? Well it seems that the controller’s manufacturer is well aware of possible problems with getting it on store shelves and possible (more like guaranteed) negative feedback from concerned parents. Their solution? Create their own ratings system for controllers.
- One Nintendo franchise everyone (including myself) would love to see revived is Kid Icarus. Well if they ever do, it should stick to its roots by being a 2D platformer for the GBA, and they need to get this guy to do the art…
- I know this is really old news, but like a lot of things, I was out of town when the news first hit: here’s a top ten list of 2004′s best independent games. I really haven’t gotten a chance to play most of these, since I’m a Mac guy, and to be totally frank, some of these just aren’t my cup of tea if you get my drift.
But I have played Break Quest and it’s super fun.
- Want to know what a game based on the Shining would look like? According to Solid Sharkey…
- And this here is the world’s smallest game of Pac Man.
- Speaking of Namco, and going back to Capcom real quick, they’re teaming up with Namco to produce a game called, oddly enough, Namco X Capcom. The title will mix characters from both companies in one title. And believe it or not, it’s not going to be a fighter but a strategy/RPG.
You can check out screenshots from the latest Famitsu here, here, and here. Special thanks goes to GAF member neo2046 for the scans.
As jaded as I’ve become with these cross over titles from Capcom, this one does have my attention. Pretty interesting choice of characters from the Namco side; nice to see Klonoa, but where’s Heihachi? And pretty boring standard fare from Capcom; Ryu & Chun Li? Boring. Though seeing Regina (from Dino Crisis) after all these years is great.
- One final Namco bit: they just got the rights to Gumby. Can’t wait to play him in Soul Calibur 3!
- Speaking of cross-overs, and onto everyone’s favorite video game punching bag, EA. They’re in the news again (of course) and with Nintendo yet again. Remember how Mario & company are going to be in the Cube version of NBA Street vol.3? Well the Cube edition of the new EA boxing game Fight Night Round 2 will feature the SNES game Super Punch Out as a bonus. I had Super Punch Out back in the day, but I barely spent much time on it. It’s something I still regret to this day (since it’s tied into my decision to sell my SNES collection, but I don’t want to get into that again).
But the fun doesn’t stop there! Also included as a special bonus is Little Mac, the character from Punch Out…
And if that doesn’t creep you the fuck out, just watch him in action.
- Just for the record, I really don’t like talking about EA too much since they’re dominating the news so much these days. We all know they’re taking over the world and I don’t need to be the 8,000,000th person or thing to remind anybody of this. But I will post about something if it’s particularly insane (see above).
Though check out the latest Penny Arcade strip for their most recent jab. I so fucking want that shirt.
