The PMO Weekend Edition Plus
Why the “Plus?” Because it was an insomnia weekend, and I didn’t do any stories, so I’m covering anything that’s gone on over the weekend, PLUS anything thus far today. Enjoy.
- First things first, over at Scans Daily on LiveJournal, I posted a little blast from the past in the form of the 10th Anniversary edition of The Adventures of GamePro. Check it out for nostalgia’s sake.
- Over at Ben’s World of TransFormers, Ben Yee has begun reviewing figures from the TransFormers Classics line, including photo galleries.
So far, it’s just Astrotrain, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and “Rodimus,” aka Hot Rod in the 80s.
If you’re unsure about whether you want to bother or not, Ben’s reviews are pretty good at telling you everything you need to know.
- Newgrounds has an interesting piece up for Weird Al fans in You’re Pitiful, a parody of James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful.” Evidently, Blunt was cool with it, but his record company wasn’t.
And that is why record companies are evil, folks. Anyway, it’s a fun song and video, so be sure to check it out.
- From a reader by the name of Ben tells me that Kingdom Hearts Ultimania has news that Square-Enix is going to be releasing a new version of Kingdom Hearts 2 entitled Kingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix, which includes plenty of new features.
No idea if there’s any plan to release it over here, but I imagine if you’ve held off on this game and can play imports, this might be the one to get.
- Allspark has word that the first full trailer for the TransFormers ’07 movie will be released sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.
And while on the subject of TransFormers movies, they also have linked to IDW’s page for a look at a page from the new comic re-adaptation of the original movie.
As usual, Don’s art never fails to impress me, making the characters come to life, taking the best of both the toy designs and their animated counterparts and and combining them into one awesomely detailed piece of art.
- A little bit of Mega Man ZX news today. I think it’s fair to say that Kyouryuu is someone who’s had quite a bit of a love/hate affair with Mega Man over the past several years, and so it is with that in mind that I link you to his look at the game, as I think it offers the kind of view some people might be looking for.
On a related note, Atomic Fire brings a bit of news concerning the Japanese release of the game’s soundtrack, due on October 27th, and seemingly sporting some pretty nifty cover art.
- Speaking of Atomic Fire and Mega Man, they’ve got some news from the new CoroCoro regarding Ryuusei no Rockman.
I’m still not convinced this is a game that warrants three versions, though.
Makes me curious how the two-version Battle Networks have done over here. One might argue well enough if they’re still doing them, but then that might just be Capcom’s semi-characteristic laziness(not counting Robert Johnson and his boys’ work, keep up the great job, fellas!). Even then, that’s for two versions, nevermind three. I can’t help but wonder if it wouldn’t be worthwhile to have a choice of versions all on one cartridge here in the US…
- Hmm, seems GameTrailers has seen a productive weekend. Some videos of interest include:
Reggie giving the Wii price and release announcement, an on-stage photo demonstration, and a system walkthrough(2 Trailers, 1 Feature), Zelda Wii show floor walkthrough(Feature), and some more Metroid Prime 3)1 Feature and 2 Gameplays).
Here’s hoping that Nintendo keeps the “Fish On!” part. I’d have liked Super Mario Sunshine just a little more if they’d kept “Shine Get!” It’s that kind of thing that becomes legend.
The Metroid Prime look is actually a bit funny as the guide from GT gets a bit frustrated trying to get a door open(you have to be back away from the door before you can grapple it and yank it off. Makes sense to me.).
- IGN has a cool story about an association known as the “Hero Foundry” donating about $600 in comic books and graphic novels to libraries, schools, and hospitals in an effort to get more people reading.
- I love Batman.
I love kittens.
So of course it saddens me that I can’t take part in this, but maybe you can.
- IGN takes another look at Super Mario Galaxy, dubbing it “the Wii’s flagship experience.”
They also check out Zelda, and assess the sword-swinging mechanic, which isn’t 1:1, but “not particularly bothersome.”
- “She said, He said” continues as Next-Gen tries to get to the bottom of the Wii region question.
And evidently, Perrin didn’t just give that line to Wired, as you’ll see near the end.
All the while, Go Nintendo is trying to figure out what GameSpot knows, which seems to be leaning towards a “yes, it is.”
Even Wired themselves are trying to figure out what’s going on, to limited success.
- Go Nintendo also has a link to this local newscast in the UK which takes a look at the Wii, and also a a bit from an interview with Eiji Aonuma on Zelda, stating ?Of course, I like Link in that shape[,] too, and I have no intention to stop producing cel-shaded Link??
- Go Nintendo runs some pricing comparisons to see how Wii stacks up against the competition presented in XBox 360 when you start buying your add-ons.
In the end, it seems that the Wii comes out a bit less.
- Slashdot links to a pair of editorials looking at how it’s come to “Do or Die” for Nintendo in this next console generation.
They also have a link to an interview with a cheater, “shining a light into the dark recesses of a conflicted mind. The article explores why the cheater cheats, and the great excuses they use to be able to look themselves in the mirror.”
- GN and NGCFrance have reported that the Sonic and the Secret Rings website is updated, and showing off some new pics.
Never thought I’d see the day when Sonic actually wears a ring…
- The best game store in Japan?
I am in no way qualified to answer, but it looks good just the same!
- Joystiq brings word that Canadian news website Canoe has interviewed the Super Columbine Massacre RPG creator following the events in Montreal.
The interview is worth watching for the way Ledonne behaves himself. Like watching Marilyn Manson in Bowling for Columbine, Ledonne handles himself professionally with word choice precision; meanwhile, the Toronto Sun columnist being used as the counter, who “tried to play” Ledonne’s game, comes off like the stereotypical out-of-touch old man — because he is.
- Remember that story about EB/Gamestop only taking games as down-payment for a Wii or PS3? Joystiq follows up, revealing that it’s only in Hawaii and Guam, as a test of sorts before expanding it elsewhere.
- Kotaku has an interesting bit of news regarding the poor condition of Lego Star Wars II for the Nintendo DS.
I do so hate it when companies will sacrifice quality all in the name of making a tie-in.
- Extra! Extra! Hobbits Hate Uwe Boll!
- (Don’t tell my wife, but I wish my wedding cake looked like this.)
- Kotaku and various others have linked to this(mirrored due to Digging), a video of the first level of Super Mario Bros. 3, in Lego form!
Google also has it in lower quality, but I don’t think that’s so big a deal. This is really incredible. Would people think of stuff like this if we didn’t have the internet as our grand exhibit hall?
- Wow, I’d all but forgotten about the fighting Senator.
I’m surprised SEGA hasn’t done anything with Eternal Champions lately. We need a fighting lawyer representing you-know-who to kick the stuffing out of.
- Nintendo vs. Sony and Microsoft? No, friends… Toastyfrog reveals who Nintendo’s REAL opponent is.
He also reveals that they both want your mom.
- C3 reveals Nintendo’s decision to make Zelda: Twilight Princess a “T” title.
…nevermind the fact that it’s not Nintendo who decides, but anyway…
- And this has simply been everywhere. If you were planning to pre-order a Wii from Amazon.com… don’t. They sold out within a day.
LBD “Nytetrayn”
September 18th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Woo Hero Foundry!
September 18th, 2006 at 8:49 pm
(6) — Yea, The Zero games restored the X series to quality, and ZX looked to be even more exciting. But as mere handheld games, they are a lot too little and a little too late after what the X series has been put through.
(8) — “The Metroid Prime look is actually a bit funny as the guide from GT gets a bit frustrated trying to get a door open.” REVOLUTIONARY GAMEPLAY AND REWARDING EXPERIENCE THAT IS NINTENDO’S TRADEMARK. Way better than Shadow the Hedgehog.
(11) — But is it just Mario 64, or Mario World 3D? If it’s the former, I can’t be excited.
(14) — biased! They add a memory card to the Xbox 360 packages, even the ones that have the hard drive in it, in which case the memory card is a waste. Also, where is Nintendo’s camera and wireless adapter? The Xbox 360 packages are more expensive primarily because they simply contain more stuff. And nevermind the fact that NONE of those packages for either Wii or 360 are even practical to begin with, who the hell buys 3 controllers and no games with their console at launch? Idiotic.
(15) — The importance of Wii’s success is understood, which is why Nintendo needs to start making good games again. Someone needs to slap Miyamoto very hard if he seriously wants to start porting Gamecube games.
(16) — Sonic wearing a ring? That’s beautiful.
(20) — Funny, because the gang seems to be enjoying the game on its console versions. I guess it just goes to show that whenever a game is released on console AND handheld, then you must stay away from the handheld versions.
(25) — huh, really! Hey I know… Mac should make a new game console!! ‘iCore’ or something. they will make JRPGs… that are american made! Japan will be forced out the console race and it will be down to iCore and Xbox 3! MICROSOFT AND APPLE. oooooohhhhhhh the ironyyyy
(26) — That’s HORRIBLE, Zelda is a franchise for all ages, not to be whored out to a mature image to please the low brow mainstream ignorant dolts who equate ‘maturity’ with sex, guns, and violence. THIS IS THE BIGGEST OUTRAGE SINCE BOMBERMAN ACT ZERO. (which is also rated T for teen fyi)
September 18th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
10. Awesome, but the Batman pic should’ve had him holding a kitten.
12. I’ve given up on trying to figure out whether it’s region-free or not. All I know is, if it’s not region free, I will find a way to play import games, even if it comes down to getting a Japanese system! But the GameCube was SO easy to crack… One question, though. Why would Nintendo deny something like this, if it were true? What benefit would they gleam from telling people their system isn’t region-free when it actually is?
19. How dare they sully Hawaii with a bogus scheme like this. I hope they crash and burn, and BIG. Er, that didn’t make sense… But I hope they pay royally for this terrible scheme somehow. However, they probably won’t.
22. There’s always the opportunity when you re-affirm your vows at some big anniversary? That looks beyond awesome, though.
26. Eh, Nintendo can certainly help influence a rating by altering game content. I remember how they got Final Fantasy Tactics Advance squeezed into a lower age rating by turning a case of alcoholism into just being a dumbass. If they wanted to, they probably could’ve tried for a lower rating. But you know what? I don’t care. Not just because I’m old enough not to be bothered by age ratings, but because I think it’s appropriate. It looks more mature, and if the rest of the content confirms it, then so be it…
September 18th, 2006 at 11:35 pm
egg> 6) I disagree; I mean, Mega Man Zero came out shortly after X5(it was the planned sequel of sorts), and unless you hate X4, there was just a minor slip between that and MMZ with X5 and X6.
15) I don’t know, some GameCube games might benefit. Metroid Prime never quite hooked me, but MP3 has me interested, perhaps because I’ve favored doing my own shooting versus FPS style. If they remade the first two to untilize Wii controls, I’d probably give them another go.
Likewise, Super Mario Sunshine might do a little better with some polish.
Shinkuu> 10) Hells yeah.
22) There’s a thought…
26) Oh, sure, they can influence and tweak, but in the end, it’s still ESRB who decides.
LBD “Nytetrayn”
September 19th, 2006 at 5:54 am
Metroid Prime 3 looks to be the same to the previous 2, and all three games use lock-on so there really isn’t much actual aiming going on.
September 19th, 2006 at 7:23 am
If memory serves, MP3′s is sort of a slight adjustment, and optional at that.
LBD “Nytetrayn”
September 19th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
26. Yeah, of course it’s ultimately up to the ESRB… But I feel like that’s just a technicality. If Nintendo REALLY wanted a lower rating, they would have changed the content to suit it. Not to mention, it’s not like the guidelines are super-secret hidden rules… They could have kept them in mind throughout the entire development process. If they wanted an E for Everyone rating, they would have kept that in mind from Day One.
So yeah. Although it’s technically up to the ESRB, in reality there’s manipulation that can take place. For example, look at Tactics Ogre. The personality quiz you take at the start determines what you get when you start the game. You can just answer however you like and just settle for what you get, or you can get an FAQ, figure out what you want, and tailor your answers accordingly. Either go with the flow or influence your outcome. It’s the same with the ESRB.