"Canine weary" Friday

I was all ready to do a couple of posts today (lord knows there are a few issues I wanted to touch upon), but being a Friday and all, I'm just dog tired. Hopefully the weekend will give me some rest, and then I'll fill next Monday with a mess of posts.

Retro sprites FTW!

To say I am excited for Smash Bros. Brawl is an extreme understatement. I played Super Smash Bros. Melee to death; I've played 30-minute battles with my old college roommates end after end just to accumulate times and stats to unlock all the extra stuff, unlocked all characters and trophies, and, with the help of friends, completed all the missions in the game.

So, you can imagine how torturous it is to see one tidbit revealed each weekday at the Smash Bros Dojo site. Being a veteran of the game's style, the majority of these small updates doesn't make me jump for joy. But now and then, the smallest things are getting me antsy - like yesterday's update of sprite assist tropies, which used Excitebike as an example.

And I thought Game and Watch was a pretty cool 2D character in Melee...now we're talking about laying the smackdown with a 2D retro sprite from way-back-when!

How much pwnage is that?

What would be great is if one of the cyclists fell off his bike, got on again, and was the last person to dole out damage. And if that last bit of damage knocked a player out of the game. That would be purely awesome. There's one thing that I'd like to see Nintendo do, and that is to do a better pause/replay function. The last game was pleasantly nice with the ability to pan the camera around and take pictures, but that required a 4th controller who wasn't playing to just take pictures. C'mon, I want to see full replays. Like Halo 3 replays.

The pen IS mightier than the sword

It has been a pretty dry spell for the Nintendo DS, and if Zelda: Phantom Hourglass didn't release this week, I would've forgotten it altogether.

All you need to know is this: performing a spin attack is as easy as drawing a circle.

What are you waiting for? Get the game now!

...If you know what I mean

Nintendo's protective "jacket" for your Wii-mote is...well, insulting. Whether you're a grip pro or a palm sweater, please use the Wii strap! How many other TVs, lamps, and people's heads will suffer until people understand the sheer simplicity of tethering your controller to your wrist?

Now that this anti-slip jacket is out (and free, for existing Wii owners), the Wii strap doesn't look so stupid now, does it?

Thanks to Nintendo, you now have a rubber for your Wii.

Y'know, for protection...in case it tries to penetrate your TV.

Violently, and without warning.

At least you can now give it to your woman, knowing that it's covered.

And she'll appreciate the protection.

So no matter how much she sweats, you can be sure it won't slip off.

Whew, is it getting hot in here?

My video game roots turn 30

This was my very first video game system, and it turned 30 this month! Wow...does that mean I bought this system in its 9th or 10th year since its release?? That would be unthinkable today!

I didn't have much games to play with this system, but the ones I played weren't bad at all - Missile Command, Q-Bert, Vanguard, Combat...but the one I remember most was Pac-Man. And I'm embarrassed to say that I thought there was an actual end to the game, leaving me to play for countless hours on end. Deception, thou art thy name...

Happy 30th, Atari 2600. Without you, I wouldn't have gotten Gameritis.

There should be a "does spouse know you have a blog" node

It's scary how accurate this chart is. Maybe scarier is the fact that I'm willing to post this on my own blog. So, if you find me suddenly blogging more, then I have definitely "stopped playing." (Thanks Miguel!)

And I'm still on my first life!

If you have a full case of Gameritis like I do, I'm sure this has happened to you before. You play a huge chunk of gameplay that you wouldn't want to suffer through again, and then suddenly you have to go somewhere that requires you to turn off everything. You frantically look around for a save point, but no luck. What do you do?

Well, the situation arose for me during a hefty playtime of Metroid Prime 3 during the weekend. I was hoping to get an hour of good gameplay before I had to leave the house, which I wasn't expecting much to happen. Turns out I killed off a mini-boss, found some upgrades, and explored a large chunk of the area. So obviously, to counter all these good things, karma decided to slap me in the back of my head and not reveal to me any nearby save stations for me to log my progress.
There are only a couple of options available to me in the short amount of time I had left:

1. Play a little more longer to find an existing (but further) save station,
2. Leave the system on while I'm gone for 2 hours, then return to continue playing, or
3. Turn off the system and redo everything all over again.

I had exhausted option 1 a while ago, and option 2 can result in VERY BAD THINGS that I'd hate to go through again...which only left option 3. Painful as it was, I turned off the game. Sorta like ripping off a band-aid really fast.

Personally, I think save points outlived their existence as a useful tool and become more like an extra chore to perform. I'm talking about the solitary, glowing points on the map where the only purpose is to save and that's it. I'm not saying that they should be done away - they should be disguised to something more practical, or make it something that can be done anytime, anywhere. Lots of other games have done this without any complaints, making the gaming experience more streamlined and realistic. I mean, what in real life is a save point?

I guess, in a ironic twist, you can call a blog a person's own "save point." Wow, how weird is that? Oh, hey look, there's even a "save now" button to save a draft of my post.

Okay, time for me to beat this workday "level."

TGIF, video games, and cats

It's Friday. And I'm tired. Probably because I'm making slow but steady progress in the two games that are currently occupying my time. What will you guys play this weekend?

I need to find a good crockpot to sleep in...

Next-next-next-next-next gen consoles

Never before has the progress of technology screwed people over as much as this year alone. It's roughly assumed that technology nowadays can become obsolete at an average of six months, and this generation's console wars is no exception. Now, more than ever, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony want all your video game bucks, and anything goes.

But, what's going on with these new console releases? There's paperwork proof that a new PS3 model may exist for future sales, and some rumors of a new Xbox 360 system coming out by Christmas? Are they trying to annoy us? Well, if they are...mission accomplished, assholes.

So what's the count now? Sony has had four unique systems (20GB, 60GB, 80GB, and the upcoming 40GB), and Xbox 360 has five (Core, the upcoming Core HDMI, Professional, Professional HDMI, and the Elite). And here I thought releasing two different systems at launch was ridiculous enough.

The whole "different-flavor-of-the-month" systems gave me a spin when I was contemplating an Xbox 360 purchase. When I wanted one, the Elite came out. While I was figuring out what the hell "HDMI" was, The Professional system with HDMI came out. Before I consider a purchase, are you done yet, Microsoft? Are you sure?

In the end, they're just making enhanced clones of their own systems and selling them under the same name. Which is absolutely brilliant on their part. Why, you ask? Because then they can claim that their system sold X million units, when actually it's the sum of sales from each different sku. Are the people with Core 360 systems and 20GB PS3s pissed? Probably. Did they sell their systems to get money to buy a better one? I wouldn't put it past them. Was this figured into final sales? You bet your bippy it did.

And what are the differences? Disk space? Different ports? Couldn't they just release some base system and sell add-ons? I would've bought regular hard drive expansions if given the option, or perhaps an extra adapter to use different cables. At least I'll have the ability to control where my money's going, instead of investing it all in one lump sum toward one of four different consoles.

Nintendo has only one Wii out, which is doing great all on its own. The problem, though, is that it lacks the cool accessories that can push its competition level up to the big boys...like a USB keyboard, or external USB hard drive compatibility.

All bitching aside, I just want a new console. Is that too much to ask?

Note: Sorry for today's image. I sorta took out the frustration from this post on the picture.

If video game reviews could talk...

Ever since Zero Punctuation started on the Escapist, I've been going to the site every Wednesday for Yahtzee's take on the victim...er, I mean video game of the week. It's a nice break from reading the same, boring, stuffy reviews I see everywhere. I'd even say it's constructive criticism...if you call ranting a video game review in a British accent for 5 minutes "constructive"...which I do.

I mean, the average web surfer (points to myself) takes collectively 5 minutes tops when reading a review, that's it. I really don't take the time to take in all the carefully edited text, with all its "overall" and "however" points...I read what I want, and then chuck it to the trash like moldy leftovers.

Zero Punctuation practically does it all for me, seasoned with English wit and vulgarity. And we all know when it comes to wit and vulgarity, British comedy is the best. Below is one about the console wars that I didn't noticed until today, but all of his reviews are worth watching at least once.

Playable art - Manifold

Manifold is an extremely short diversion, but the concept's pure and simple - using gravitational anomalies, you navigate your player to the exit. Despite killing only a half hour of my time, the game, in the end, is extremely artsy and relaxing.

Hyping...to the EXTREME!!

I heard Halo 3 is coming out today. Call it a hunch. Heard the game's good, too, which I'm sure it is. Really. I'm just not wetting-my-pants-in-anticipation excited. It's another game's release, and on a system I currently don't own at the moment, so forgive me if I don't exude the giddiness of a high-school girl.

Everything I said above is in all honesty - there is no sarcastic or belittling tone to it whatsoever. I'm just, all in all, not as insane as other fans of the game. And insane they are, lining up for the game for its midnight release.

The one thing I don't get, however, is all the promotion that came out of it - the Halo 3 system, the Halo 3 Zune, and the Halo 3 Mountain Dew drink?? Isn't it just a game??

True, over-hyping a game is nothing new in the industry...but is Mountain Dew now for the "extreme" AND hardcore? Is the Halo 3 gamer drinking this while playing Halo 3 on his Halo 3 system, and then listening to music on his Halo 3 Zune? All while wearing a Halo 3 outfit?

Excuse me while I "Halo 3" hurl.

The "classics," all in one classy controller

So I finally bought a classic controller. I wasn't doing too bad with just the Wiimote and a few NES titles, and the only N64 title I have I was just using the GameCube controller for. But, when it came down to getting Super Metroid (SNES), neither controller would cut it for me.

I guess this is as "Dual-shocky" as Nintendo will get, with its classic controller sporting the dual analogs side by side. Tried it out on Mario Kart 64, with decent results. It's more comfortable than playing with the GameCube controller, and it feels a bit more...well, classic. Still sucks that the Wiimote needs to be attached to it, but it's still not so bad.

But all in all, I'm looking forward to more SNES titles to come out. Any day now, Square Enix
...any day.

Snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!!

The second-to-biggest news this week at the Smash Bros Dojo site is the addition of Snake from Metal Gear Solid into the roster. After seeing the images of Snake in action, however, I think they should've came with some caption setting up the moment.

"What's that you got there? A 'Super Scope'? Well, lemme introduce you to this!"

"'Fire Emblem' has nothing on my game, you got that??"

"Surprise! It's-a-me...Snake!!"

Now, if he got health from gnawing on other players, that would be awesome.

The "MySims" Show

I've never been much of a fan for The Sims. The idea of wasting your life playing a game about making a life is, by my standards, the very definition of irony. A second definition of the word can be found here, too...aside from their weird variations for living.

I mean, if you're gonna play a game where your character interacts with a community of other similar characters, it's more relaxing when it's something not quite so realistic. From certain popular MMORPGs to odd, candy-filled towns, people enjoy it more when it's something that they can say "what if" instead of "hey, that's me playing on the computer!"

EA took a page from Animal Crossing this time around, though, and made MySims for the Wii. The major draw from this game has got to be the "super-deformed" characters that walk around. Sure, they're suppose to be humans, but we take it less seriously when they're "super-deformed." Like Verne Troyer.

The one thing I wished they implemented was online support. How could they release a Sims game without online support? I would've enjoyed visiting other people's towns and hung around, or the very least offer some sending of presents to other characters on other Wiis. Instead, your character's stuck living by himself, talking with pre-set neighbors. Where have I seen this before?

This post shouldn't have been written

First of all, my apologies for the last post. For some stupid reason, Blogger thought that yesterday's post was a Wednesday's post, when actually it was a Thursday's post. And it wasn't a draft copy or anything, so I don't know how they screwed that up. But, for the record, the previous post was a Thursday's post.

Don't worry, I'll have more than one post today to make up for their error.

Domestic abuse and Wii

The interactivity in Metroid Prime 3 makes me feel all more energetic playing the game - more so than my normal laid back slump with my thumbs making the only movement. I just got the grappling hook and started latching on and yanking off pieces of doors, fragments, and other objects with the nunchuk attachment with finesse. And the Wiimote is awesome for the free aiming; no more holding down the right trigger to aim!

But, ever since I got my HDTV, I've become more aware of the dangers that can occur. I'm pretty safe playing my Wii. I use my Wii-straps at all times, and make sure everyone else does the same...but thoughts of the worst that can happen to my TV still linger.

Not only that, but in general you're swinging around two pieces of plastic. The last thing I want to do is to cast my grappling hook, only to knock my wife in the back of the head. I don't want to explain to officers that I was playing a video game when I smacked my spouse. That would be a stupid reason to get arrested for.

Scan first, shoot later

I love exploring new game worlds as much as the next gamer, but shouldn't there be some logic when deciding whether to kill your enemy or analyze it? In fact, in all Metroid Prime games, this has been an odd issue - in order for an enemy to be completely analyzed, you need to scan it properly. Which takes time. Time that's not paused while the enemy wonders what the fuck you're doing just staring at him while he pumps you full of plasma shots and grenades.

Don't get me wrong - the scan visor in Metroid Prime 3 is absolutely cool, allowing me to manually search for a back story to the main story via idle consoles that happen to have progressive information relevant to my current situations. I just rather use it on something that's not running towards me with the intent to kill.

If any games maintain enemy stats, they're usually recorded almost as immediately as the first confrontation. Rogue Galaxy is a perfect example, where all you need to do is kill the bastards and it's in your battle log.

I guess it's practical to know what you're up against in a fleeting moment to know its weaknesses. You know what's a better way? SHOOT AT IT! If their body doesn't get damaged, then it's not a weakness!

Maybe have the game autoscan the enemy, or perhaps give me enough time to look up the enemy's weak points before it comes barrelling at me with guns blazing. I just don't want my first instinct in battle to "Sherlock Holmes" the drooling beast while it lunges for my jugular.

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go...I wanna be "Corrupted"

Okay, I give up...for now. I gave it the good ol' college try, but I think I'll have to shelve Metroid Prime 2 and put it on hiatus for now. Metroid Prime 3's draw of Wii-controlled aiming is making my hands itch to no end, and I desire to utilize my newly-repaired Wii as much as I can.

It's not like I don't like the game's format. Having two maps that are mirrors of each other, with slight variation is certainly not a new concept in video games, nor is it one that I wouldn't want to be involved with - it's literally twice the amount of gameplay.

I think the main reason that made me stop was that I was playing a GameCube game on my Wii. Sure, the component cables and progressive scan mode make playing the game all the more awesome, and I don't think I can return to my composite-connected GameCube to continue the light-dark fight.

It's just that...I'm playing a GameCube game on my Wii.

I feel like I did a great injustice to my Wii's triumphant return to my household by playing a game that I should have played (and finished) on my older TV. It's not like I wanted to not play the game; I just wanted to play it in order, so that I wouldn't be in the dark about anything.

Sorry, Echoes...but I need to get my waggle on.

They grow up so fast...

My living room is my domain. It's a treasure trove of treats for my eyes and ears, and I take care of it constantly. And I make do with what I got; if I had just an endtable, I'll make it an endtable with a TV on it, and organize all my media devices in the best possible setup. And, in fact, that was my setup...until now.

This weekend, I assembled a nice TV stand that was given to us as a gift (Thanks, Che!). The instructions weren't exactly Ikea-simple, but the process was relatively effortless and, in the end, we have a glorious TV stand, which you see below.

Unfortunately, I don't have a "before" picture of my TV setup, but "before," my Wii and PS2 were both on the floor. Now, they grace the sides of my HDTV, like guards to the throne. And most of my DVDs and games are off the floor and fill my bottom shelf, like lowly peasants. And my kingdom's a nice, sleek black.

I'm so proud...like father proud. Except my child's a living room.

P.S. Yes, yes, I know...I have no PS3 or Xbox 360. Yet. Thankfully, with my newly acquired space, that possibility is much more open. Mmmmmm, space......