Messages

1

General Gaming / RE:FIX your game cube READ DISK ERROR problem (Repair Guide Inside Post)

« on: September 10, 2003, 07:24:09 AM »

nope, don't have a digital camera.  something's destroyed with the spindle, because when i do put the cd hub back together (wings, ball-bearings, and all) it doesn't grip the cd firmly.  the result is that it scratches the games a little on start-up (i've just been testing with bloody roar )  i tried putting a washer underneath to lift it a little, but i guess it puts the gd-rom to far above the laser to read.  anyway, it plays the games for 20min and shuts off like it was doing before.  are you completely sure this is a spindle problem?  it seems like it would be heat related, or something else to do with timing.  anyway, i talked to nintendo and even though i have that hub completely off they'll still give me a refirbished for $75.  just need to put a little money away for that now.

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General Gaming / RE: FIX your game cube READ DISK ERROR problem (Repair Guide Inside Post)

« on: September 08, 2003, 07:39:57 AM »

yeah, i definately must have broken off those comma shaped things underneath the spindle.  my problem was had to do with one of the wings that helps hold up the cd, and so it wasn't sitting level.  now that i've completed screwed over that spindle, i'm wondering if i can find a replacement.  maybe not a gamecube spindle, but one from a cd player (etc) that i could sit down on that column that the 'eject cd' pushbutton attaches too.  i'll keep you all updated.

any contributions of broken cd players greatly appreciated

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General Gaming / RE: REPAIR MY GAME CUBE WORKED!!!

« on: September 06, 2003, 02:12:37 PM »

dude, that's your site.  your profile name matches the name on the site.  very lame.

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General Gaming / RE: FIX your game cube READ DISK ERROR problem (Repair Guide Inside Post)

« on: September 06, 2003, 02:08:52 PM »

ok, here's where i am.  i have three main peices:
1. the "cd-pop" button that attaches to the shaft
2. top peice of housing that button slides into
3. bottem peice of housing

i've also got 3 ball bearings, and three little wings.  i saw your in picture arrows pointing to what looked like the wings.  was it pointing to those, or something underneath them?  i can't get the damn thing back on, and i'm wondering if what i call the wings slide and lock, or if it's some part i already broke off.

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General Gaming / RE: REPAIR MY GAME CUBE WORKED!!!

« on: September 06, 2003, 01:58:49 PM »

please tell me it was the 'disk cannot be read' problem

6

Reader Reviews / Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack

« on: August 02, 2003, 09:47:47 AM »

HANDS-ON: SPACE CHANNEL 5

despite the mixed press i'd read on space channel 5: ulala's cosmic attack, i decided to give it a play. what i found was an extremely entertaining game that somehow managed to keep the fun and style from its console counterpart. a remake of a game that appeared on the late dreamcast, space channel 5 follows the journey of space reporter ulala. her mission, to uncover the truth behind the sudden alien invasion and boost her show's ratings in the process. who could blame her?

GAMEPLAY
to save hypnotized humans and zap their alien captors, the morolians, ulala must out dance anyone who stands in her way. this is done by exactly reproducing the alien's dance steps to an identical beat. while tedious, the task is not impossible and actually quite fun. those who spent any time with the dreamcast version should have little trouble with the timing constraints, and anyone uninitiated to the series should expect a 30 min learning period to adjust. difficulty comes from a variety of places: tempo changes, which weapon to use, and long move combinations to name a few. the game starts off easy, and ramps up around the 3rd and 4th levels. the game seems to be aimed towards a more adult than child audience.

GRAPHICS/SOUND
considering the task at hand, to create a beautiful 3d game on a handheld, the artwork is a mixed bag. characters look as if they've been rendered in high-res 3d, scaled down, and just plopped on the gba. the result being jagged edges and choppy animation. backgrounds are better, but barely match perspective with the characters; something they didn't change from the dreamcast version. on the positive side, the colors are vibrant and the art stylish. the music is also exciting; an amazing job was done translating the score for the gba. if anything i just wish there was more!

OVERALL
from the moment you turn on the gba the production value is apparent. from the cut-scenes to the soundtrack, much effort was spent reproducing the dreamcast version. while the art isn't dynamic, the style is unforgettable; easily comparable to parappa. as a port the game shares not only the strengths of the original, but also the weaknesses. the play-time is unusually short and the moves scripted, severely hindering the shelf-life. luckily, there are plenty of save slots for quick access to your favorite levels. souly because of the titles length i wouldn't recommend a purchase, but a rental definitely.  

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: Super Mario Advance- How do you think it will end up?

« on: July 31, 2003, 08:09:08 PM »

i think i'll just hold my breath on 'super mario sunshine' to arrive on the gba 7.

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: Will Nintendo EVER go online?

« on: July 31, 2003, 08:45:18 AM »

i just hope they avoid that whole online subscription crap.  when dreamcast started, you just got online with whatever service provider you wanted.  the game companies ran the servers (like chuchu) and the players didn't have to pay another dime past buying the game.  i can understand pso needing a subscription, but i really don't want to see a repeat of this 'x-box live' buisness.

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Nintendo Gaming / RE:Why not a Viewtifull Joe Advance?

« on: July 31, 2003, 04:25:43 AM »

who said something about metal slug?

if you're looking for a game to hold you over till someone gets smart and ports metal slug, then check out ct special forces 2.  it's pretty good, and has a lot of same gameplay elements.

ct special forces: back to hell

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: The Sims (GBA Version)

« on: July 31, 2003, 04:20:18 AM »

how deep is a handheld version really going to be though?  i hope it's 128Mbit.

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Nintendo Gaming / sweet sweet pokemon pinball

« on: July 31, 2003, 04:18:06 AM »

just lately i've been playing the japanese version of "pokemon pinball ruby and sapphire."  apparently (not that i've played it,) there have been a lot of improvements sense the first pokemon pinball.  for those of you who haven't gotten into the series i'll explain it like this: dinky pinball + catch 'em all = still fun.  basically, through a series of events

1. light up get
2. activate 'get' mode
3. hit the bumper 3 times
4. nail that pokemon

you can collect pokemon.  it's random, as in the real pokemon games, and so you'll have repeats.  every time you collect 3 you'll battle a bonus character, which are really just bosses.  they're probably the fastest way to rack up points.  the game also allows you to collect coins, visit the pokeshop, upgrade your pokeball, and evolve pokemon.  it's fun, not incredibly easy, and has good control.  unfortunately though, the depth and entertainment are quickly fading as i go for that 200 mark.  i'm on 72 right now