Messages

1451

General Chat / RE:Massive Blackout

« on: August 16, 2003, 10:07:31 PM »

Wassup kiddies, glad to know  I wasn't alone.

I was just reading an article on how Dead Phoenix got cancelled (Nooooo...) And the power just went. First I thought it was a fluke, but after being filled in that this was no oridinary blackout, I prepared for the worst. At least the water was still running, so it wasn't impossible...

I lived on a diet of untoasted bread and my dad whipped out the propane grilled and had some pork.  At night, my GBA SP came in handy as a makeshift flashlight as well as source of entertainment. I did a bit of reading during the daylight hours and some walking, though the humidity was almost unbeareable.

I'm in the Metro Detroit area (As I stated probably a dozen times) and I believe it was around 34-36 hours till the lights came back on. I heard that the politicians were first playing the blame game (U.S accused Canada and Vice Versa) But George Dubya called Jean Chretin (Canada's Prime Minister) To apologize. I also heard some theory about a Nuclear plant in Lansing (Michigan's capital) went haywire, causing the mayhem.

Thankfully, Chaos and Anarachy was averted. I expected to lock my doors and sleep with a baseball bat, but the people in general stayed calm. Guess people can be rational too....

1452

TalkBack / RE:Nintendo Targeting China

« on: August 16, 2003, 09:52:13 PM »

(Off topic)
Yay! I'm back after nearly 36 hours with no lights, no electricity (Big Blackout in the NE U.S and Ontario). But Good Old GBA kept me sane (And lots of reading during the daylight...)

(On Topic)
My underlying assumption was that the Chinese were including when targeting their Asian markets. Scrap that one I'spose. But you'd think they'd (officially) enter that market earlier because its only one sea away! It'd be interesting how it would affect world sales, as mentioned earlier its nearly hack proof.

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TalkBack / RE:Game Concert in Germany on August 20th

« on: August 11, 2003, 08:13:00 PM »

Looks like the trend of Video Game Orchestras are catching on. It'll be interesting for the Violin section to play the theme of Wind Waker and Hua Xa(?) from Shenmue. (Sega, are you listening??)

Will it be a matter of time before such Events take place in the U.S.A? I can see it happening at Carnegie Hall; though it'd nice if they'd hit up the Detroit Opera House but that's another story...

1454

TalkBack / RE:Sakurai Article Translation

« on: August 10, 2003, 08:05:15 PM »

Straight from the horse's mouth, Sakurai's off into the great unknown. And if he's still writing for Famitsu, then readers will get a play-by-play. Though its a shame he didn't go into the specifics of why he left, perhaps it will give away trade secrets?

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TalkBack / RE:Famitsu Weekly Update

« on: August 10, 2003, 07:58:35 PM »

All you gotta do is show it off to your friends, and they'll be heading to the nearest store. Well it might not be that emotional, but at at least you'll get a "whoa."

Though now I get the impression that this is more like Legend of Mana from Playstation. It was a decent game, as it allowed you to create your paths, but the story was disjointed and compared to Seiken Desentsu 3, it didn't do it justice.

As a solo gamer, it leaves me with a more grim face. I have no one to play four swords with, let alone show this off. But I'm sure it'll have some great gameplay to keep me busy (That Moogle who accompanies you better have some spunk!) and it will tell a story that only Square(Enix) can tell. Now all we can do is wait....

1456

TalkBack / RE:$ega?!

« on: August 07, 2003, 09:02:09 PM »

I gotta thank those who came out for Sonic DX, even though it was a wishy-washy port. Its a shame Sonic can't stay exclusive to Nintendo, as he's been getting a lot of love over there, but you gotta bring home to the sushi hmmm? Here's to Sonic Heroes giving him the respect he deserves. And can they PLEASE start pushing their best stuff around (Panzer Dragoon, Jet Grind/Jet Set Radio and Shenmue) to a console that can bolster sales? I might have to pray for that one...

In another interesting trend, both Sega and Nintendo are starting to release Quarterly reports as opposed to yearly. Is it to calm investors and the public? To reassure itself?

1457

TalkBack / RE:Sega Enters the Music Business

« on: August 07, 2003, 08:51:41 PM »

And as Always, U.S and European gamers will have to import. But I guess this a more culturual thing, I don't see Sega of America trying to cut deals with unsigned bands/groups to get game music and exposure. The Japanese are better at that. One example is a track I heard for Final Fantasy Cyrstal Chronicles (Its somewhere on IGN, can't remember what else) where they have an established vocalist for the soundtrack, try getting some U.S diva to that!

But if Sega can afford that, that means things are starting to look good for Nintendo's former Rival. Will Sonic start rapping anytime soon?

1458

TalkBack / RE:Kirby Creator Quits

« on: August 06, 2003, 08:36:13 PM »

Hmmm...what's the body count of big-wigs leaving their companies? Here's my count:

All four co-founders of Blizzard North; the ones who make Diablo on PC (Not really Nintendo related but still...)

Okamoto-san from Capcom (Street fighter 2 and others)

Masashiro Sakurai, HAL

All stressed that they want to follow their brains, while their respective companies want to follow the money trail. No offense to Kirby, but the Smash Brothers franchise has both creative and finacial potential, milk that one instead.

[Nintendo doesn't want Britons to import Advance Wars 2, instead "asking" them to wait the the rest of the year for their version to come out.]

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TalkBack / RE:Nintendo Shuns Euro Imports Again

« on: August 03, 2003, 09:00:55 PM »

Nintendo doesn't want Britons to import Advance Wars 2, instead "asking" them to wait the the rest of the year for their version to come out.

When Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire were released in the States on March 17, Nintendo of Europe wasn't all that happy about the relatively high amount of imports finding their way across the Atlantic.  Nintendo issued cease and desist letters to infringing retailers that offered Nintendo's GBA games as imports, and for the most part, the situation was resolved.

However, with Advance Wars 2 just recently released in North America, Nintendo is once again worried about a high amount of imports, that it claims will hurt the official launch of the game, and the sales of retailers who sell the game legitimately.  The UK arm of the company is again "asking" retailers that offer imports to knock it off, or suffer the concequences.

Advance Wars 2 is set for release in Europe in the late fall, where as the US version was released on June 24.  

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TalkBack / RE:Eidos Interactive's New Look

« on: August 02, 2003, 08:04:52 PM »

Sometimes being simple and basic is all you need when designing a logo. Its not bad, but it does'nt wow me either.

As Marsbarrow stated earlier, Eidos will get its act to together. They've already took steps by handing Tomb Raider to Crystal Dynamics, the ones behind the Soul Reaver series. Seeing as Angel and Darkness got bashed, its time that Lara got some better treatment. I still don't know how she got that much hype, perhaps because of twin pistols that match her....mammaries??

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TalkBack / RE:EA to Predict Next Generation Console Launch

« on: August 01, 2003, 07:07:11 PM »

hmmm... I guess once you're the top publisher in the U.S, you think you can start talking the talk eh?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't Nintendo and Sony ALWAYS released their consoles in Japan first then hit Stateside? Microsoft is the exception of course, but I think EA's out of line here. They may be on top now, despite the downsizing, restructuring, merging, and some big-wigs going on their own in this business, but that can change in a while.

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TalkBack / RE:More Details on Sega Restructuring

« on: July 30, 2003, 08:17:52 PM »

I think a general consensus (I can only speak for myself) is that Sega one of the best devolopers out there; its just they don't have any business sense. Their track record speaks for itself. Now I'm hoping that this restructuring will be the first of many good moves, but their past is a ghost you can't ignore.

This is the third time I've mentioned this, but hopefully Yu Suzuki will use his studio to complete his epic Shenmue. Why stick him in a studio where he deals with movie conversions?  

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General Gaming / RE:Official Nokia N-Gage Discussion

« on: July 30, 2003, 08:02:00 PM »

I've mentioned this a while back, but its hard to make comparisions due to the fact that N-Gage launch games were far from complete when showed back at E3.

If Nokia is really serious about N-Gage, then they need something like what Halo did with the XboX: offer a ground breaking game at launch, and you can only get it on that system. Right now, Sonic N is not enough, and I'm not gaga over Lara Croft. Its going to need GOOD exclusives to start gaining ground.

But Nokia is doing some promotions and lots of trash talking. I believe one of their PRs said that Game Boy's for kids, a grown man looks goofy with a GBA on their hands or something to that extent. That new magazine Stuff Gamer is backed by Nokia, giving it some publicity and will do some more trash talking.

Despite its technical marvels, its gonna need some games to complement it. Microsoft is dead serious on staying in the console wars. Is Nokia serious about their Handheld endeavors? If they stay around for at least 2 full years, then maybe, just maybe I'll give them a look. But they also have a phantom opponent (Not that Phantom): The PSP. That sucker might just make N-Gage its &#!$

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TalkBack / RE:Two-Thirds of America Play Videogames

« on: July 30, 2003, 07:38:35 PM »

*Scratches head till there's no dandruff.* ewwww....

Anyway, I'm left in the dark here.  Maybe its just too good to be true, all the info is scattered around, leaving me in a stupor. I'm gonna guess they sampled casual and hardcore gamers alike, and they'd love to see Zelda? Even good  old Donkey Kong got some play, probably because of the DKC re-release? As Ian Sane said earlier, then where's the lovin'? The numbers aren't showing it. I'm surprised that Halo didn't make the list, but oh well can't complain hmm?

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TalkBack / Sega Development Teams Reorgainization Details

« on: July 24, 2003, 02:36:16 PM »

Typos aside, Sega may be on their way back out of the proverbial gutter.

In slightly unrelated news, for those who follow Shenmue and are dying for more; it probably now seems plausible(Yu Suzuki has his own studio, Shenmue is his life's work, hmmmm...). Rumors that Shenmue III may go multiplatform because of XBoX's lackluster sales (Take it with a grain of salt though but still..) so who knows? I can see GC owners all over this; it seems to be their type of game.

Its odd that Visual Concepts wasn't mentioned. Or is it because they are an American division and they are left to their own devices?

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TalkBack / GameCube Price Drop in Australia

« on: July 23, 2003, 02:13:16 PM »

hmmmm... What to make of this?

I'm sorry for the Aussie gamers in a way, it seems that retail chains, and salesman in these chains are just dropping Nintendo like... droppings. But who's really to blame? The consumers for not buying? Nintendo of Australia for not doing enough promotions?  I remember a story where such chains such as Ebgames push XboX and PS2 just because it also has DVD capabilites. Seems kind of...shallow. What about the games? Push the Games!!

Its all messed up. What do Aussie gamers think of this?  

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TalkBack / Nintendo Product Update

« on: July 23, 2003, 01:53:05 PM »

AHHHHH! No Final Fantasy for 03? I guess it can't be helped. Asking for this title right after the Japanese release seemed too convienient anyway. Looks like they have some localizing to do....

But its nice to know other top tier titles will come out for the rest of 03.

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TalkBack / Stuff Magazine Announces Stuff Gamer

« on: July 18, 2003, 06:54:26 PM »

Ok ok ok. I can on for days about this.

First off, I'm sorry if any one hear suscribes to Maxim, Stuff, FHM (For Him Magazine.) but its like this: They are a big looooong, joke from the table of contents to the ad index. Aside from the occasional worth-reading article, they write mounds of G-A-R-B-A-G-E. These are the folks who don't even consider Soccer (Football for everyone else) a real sport, despite every nation of the world having it as pastime. 2nd, the ladies who are on these covers; most of them are either too chicken, or don't have the 'goods' to grace Playboy or Penthouse. Shania Twain on Maxim's cover? Get bent.

Last and most important: The games. These are the people who will say until their dying breath that Nintendo is kiddie. Not even GBA reviews, no SP, nothing. Not to mention their reviews are ass-backwards. Postal 2 getting rave reviews? Eat my shorts! N-Gage is desperate for hype, because the GBA will smoke it like some sticky-icky. Don't count on them for GBA reviews, do count on them to try to bury GBA while Final Fantasy Tatics and Mario Advance 4 make record sales. Meanwhile N-Gage will be lucky to push half a million units by years end.

Gamecube Reviews? It'll be a miracle if the Metal Gear Solid remake gets mentioned. While Viewtiful Joe goes on to be a holiday hit, what are they gonna spotlight? Tomb Raider for N-Gage.

[The huge video game industry has outgrown the basement and mall arcades," commented Munk] That is true.

["And it has outgrown the spotty-nerd profile of existing video game magazines] That is an insult to all gaming magazines, who live for this stuff (Even if sometimes their biases get in the way).  Game Informer, the Official PS2 and XboX magazines (and unofficial), even Nintendo Power can't take this sitting down.

That's all the venom I have to spit for now. But believe me, there's plenty more where that came from!

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TalkBack / Famicom 20th Anniversary GBA SP

« on: July 15, 2003, 05:36:48 PM »

Just had to chime because we're getting some interesting feedback.

I mentioned this earlier when the Coffin Case and Red and Black GBA for Boktai was coming out, and I was confused at the target audience. It seems for every top tier Japanese GBA title, there's a special edition GBA to go with it. I ask again, who are they aiming for? Those die-hard fans with enough Yen in their wallets? Or for those who were on the fence, but once [insert game here] comes out, they say "Yep, Imma getting the GBA now!"? Some goes for GC, but to a lesser extent (Pearly White GC w/ Final Fantasy CC, mmmm..)

This time, its the exception as this GBA is dedicated to the Famicom, and its a giveaway, you can't buy it (Though I'm certain there's gonna be somebody who will sell it on Ebay and there will be somebody who will pay top dollar for it) NOA did something akin to this, remember the Platinum GBA? Any one know how that turned it out? I'd like to know, though when GBA SP was announced, that Platinum GBA didn't look so good anymore...

If I was a betting man, I'd bet that NOJ might release a limited edition SP with a Super Famicom theme to it in the future. But we'll have to wait and see.

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TalkBack / Batman and Mulder to Voice XIII Characters

« on: July 15, 2003, 08:59:39 AM »

It seems they're brining in a cast from various parts of the entertainment industry. A few months ago, they made a press release that Lady rapper Eve would contribute and now 2 television personalities that shaped pop culture. Who's next?

As far as gameplay, I believe they announced this as a launch title back in 2001, and they just kept delaying it. Hopefully the delays will result in a stylish FPS. But one must wonder how much cash they're throwing around to get their voice talent...

1471

TalkBack / Midway Confirms NARC for GC

« on: July 11, 2003, 07:18:53 PM »

ahhh yess NARC. You'd have to remember the 80's well to know that one. Kind of makes me feel old...

It seems they've missed one location to add some authenticity to the title: The Central American/Columbian reigion. Oh well, you can't please everyone hmmm?

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TalkBack / Soul Calibur II Gets a European Release Date

« on: July 10, 2003, 07:18:05 PM »

At least Namco and Nintendo are making the effort to crank this title out in PAL terrortories. If they didn't Europeans and Australians would import like there's no tomorrow (If they haven't already), and you know what Nintendo thinks about importing...

On a side note, I'm still bummed that this title is coming out when most of the kids will be back in school, thus they'll be unable (myself included *sniff*) to give it full attention. Study for that quiz or SC2....what to do what to do??

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TalkBack / Sega Development Teams Reorganizing

« on: July 09, 2003, 07:37:04 PM »

Its good to know that Sega is helping Sega out, though that possible Namco merger....well never mind, its in the past.

I doubt teams such as Amusment Vision and Sonic Team are going under, they've been bringing home the sushi. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Smileabit (The minds behind Jet Set Radio future and Panzer Dragoon Orta I believe) went under, which would suck since those were 2 good reasons to own and XboX and they had poor sales (Again I'm assuming Orta bombed so don't quote me on this one.) Visual Concepts (The ones behind the NBA NFL NHL 2k series) have more or less fused with ESPN recently, so that won't be going away anytime soon (Though for GC it doesn't matter since they dropped support anyway!)

Sega hasn't made too many good business descisions, but this one is a step in the right direction. I want my Shenmue 3 and 4 before I'm 30 dammit!  

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TalkBack / SN Systems Developer Survey

« on: July 09, 2003, 07:21:01 PM »

If you wanted to stretch some logic, PS2 has been around a little longer, devolopers know their way around and are familiar with the bumps and turns that is PS2.

While GC is easy to program,  a lot of developers outside of Nintendo are smoking crack and really have no excuse in making sub-par games. Rogue Squadron 2 was cranked out in 8 months, and it was a polished game. Capcom made some eye popping graphics with Resident Evil 1 and 0, beating some cinematics on PS2. Rare's first and last game for Gamcube Star Fox Adventures too had some jaw dropping visuals as well.  But for those games that are coming out on every system, they use the PS2 code which is hard to begin with and try to translate it on GC, resulting in some rough edges. Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance is an example.

The reason XboX edged out GC might be because A) its nearly a PC(easy to program right?), it just has some propietary technology and B) it offers Power and the space to go with it (9 gigs baby!).  Though its kind of funny Genesis beat out SNES, even Saturn got some play and that sucker virtually had no 3rd party support!! So take this survey as you will, kind of like the other survey where even kids considered Nintendo too "kiddie".

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TalkBack / London Games Week

« on: July 09, 2003, 06:59:09 PM »

I checked the list for who's going to speak at the GDC-E, and and I'm somewhat surprised that Nintendo, Capcom, even Sega are noticeably absent from the list. But I guess this really more about European gaming, not gaming from Japan or North America. XboX and Nvdia are being strongly represented, Sony has a decent number, though ATI (Maker of GC's Graphics and possibly its successor) were few and far between.