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1076

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 132

« on: February 09, 2009, 10:41:59 AM »

I sort of missed Chrono Trigger in the SNES era (I was a sophomore in college in 96...yes I'm that old), and I didn't have the time or money for it.  Once it came out on the PSOne, and I just couldn't get very far into it without losing interest.  The load times on that Playstation port series really turned me off. 

In a way, I'm glad of that, because I'm really enjoying CT DS, and I'm experiencing Chrono Trigger for the first time.  Perhaps it's just because I'm very used to JRPG games from that era, but I've loved the experience so far.

It does feel unique compared to a lot of JRPGs I've played, mostly because of the moderate freedom it gives to you in how you want to play the game.   For intance, there aren't many games that make you lose the main character and give you the option to revive him or not.  I actually wonder if this instance helped spread the rumours that you could revive Aeris in FF7?  It's not perfect by any means, but I've had more fun with this than with the FF IV and FF VI DS remakes I've played recently; that's probably because I have Final Fantasy burnout, though.

I'm also a sucker for Akira Toriyama's art style, I was one of those geeky kids who actually caught the old  Dragon Warrior/Quest cartoon that was aired over in the west briefly before being deemed to violent.   I've had a soft spot in my heart for the art style, even if half of his characters look like his other characters in Dragonball.  Consequently, this is why I also love playing the Dragon Quest remakes as well.  I'm eagerly awaiting DQ V.

I <3 SMRPG as well.  So much so that I bought it immediately after showing up on the VC, even though I my backlog hasn't permitted me to go play it again yet.  It's still one of my favorite RPGs.

1077

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #2: Luigi's Mansion)

« on: February 09, 2009, 10:06:27 AM »

Here are some initial thoughts.  Sorry if it's too long.

In terms of graphics, Luigi's Mansion has aged very, very well, especially considering that it was a launch title for the Cube.  I love the effects of Luigi's flashlight, and the colorful, glowing, ethereal quality of all the ghosts, which, oddly, are probably the most bright and colorful element of the game.  Aside from the boos, they all sort of reminded me of the Haunted Mansion at Disney World for some reason.  The object physics also deserve some mention... I love the way that you can pull tablecloths and curtains with the vacuum; very few games still bother with this sort of thing. 

There is mild Mario-type dry humor lightly sprinkled throughout the game, such as the Gameboy Horror, some of the game's diaglog, and some of the easter eggs hidden in the mansion.   I smiled when I tried to vacuum off the movie screen in the Projector Room and was rewarded with an image on the screen that showed a Boo and red text that said "Get out of here!"  I went around in the mansion just inspecting things with the Gameboy Horror; once when I looked at a toilet in the washroom, Luigi's response was, "Boy, those boos sure built a realistic fake mansion."

The game also oozes character and charm.   I love the little touches they added, such as the shaking in Luigi's hand as he opens a door to an unfamiliar room, Luigi's icy breath when he is in a haunted area (a reference to the Sixth Sense, perhaps?), or the subtle changes in Luigi's expressions and gait when all the ghosts in an area have been defeated.  Who hasn't smiled at least once when they hear Luigi shakily humming or happily whistling along with the game music?  I also love that you can choose to have Luigi call out for Mario, though I was disappointed when I found out that didn't really serve a purpose in the game.  Anyway, that's why I still love this game, despite it's flaws: you can tell that it was carefully designed and crafted.

The controls are a mixed bag.  On one hand, capturing most of the ghosts, such as the normal mansion ghosts, and the ghosts from the paintings, feels great.  This seems to be because you can sort of lock onto the ghosts with the vacuum, and you have to sort of pull back on the control stick in order to capture them.  It sort of gives you the feeling that you are really struggling with the ghosts.  On the other hand, when that locking mechanism is downplayed, I found that controlling Luigi's vaccum with the C-stick was a bit sluggish and inaccurate.  This was particularly evident to me in the fight with the third boss, Boolossus; I had more trouble than I should have in aiming at all the boos floating around, at least when there weren't as many targets to shoot.  Also, capturing some of the boos hidden throughout the mansion could be a real pain since that locking mechanism didn't work as well on them; I often found myself struggling to aim the vaccum in the right direction before they slipped into another room.   This probably just means I suck at using the vacuum.

On the whole, Luigi seems a bit stiff, slow, and very grounded.  This is a problem when the game seems to sell itself as being in the Mario universe, particularly given that, up to that point, fans could usually expect a Mario-style game to launch with each iteration of Nintendo hardware.  Mostly, in a Mario style game you can expect to run, jump around, and explore, but Luigi's Mansion just couldn't live up to those expectations given the way it was designed.  Before I read the previews and early reviews of the game, I was hoping for something more along the lines of an extended Haunted House in Mario 64, albiet with more puzzle solving.  This was all the more sort of a thumb in the eye for long-time Luigi fans such as myself, because we're the nerds who had wanted to be able to play as Luigi in Mario 64.  We finally got a game featuring Luigi, and it wasn't exactly what most of us wanted. 

All that being said, I wish that Nintendo would release a sequel to this game with motion controls or add the existing game to the New Play control! series.  I think it would have been a good fit, but I'm not sure how well it would sell.  I'm sure there are a lot of Wii owners who never experienced Luigi's Mansion that would buy it, though.

1078

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 132

« on: February 05, 2009, 12:32:45 PM »

You guys are pumping these out more quickly than I can listen to them.  I love it, though!  This episode and the remainder of 131 should get me through my workout today.

1079

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #2: Luigi's Mansion)

« on: February 03, 2009, 09:57:01 PM »

I bought a used copy a few months back, and I've got an old Wavebird ready to go.  I'll get started on this tonight or tomorrow.

1080

Podcast Discussion / Re: POLL: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #2)

« on: February 03, 2009, 09:48:11 AM »

A good number of Nintendo games can be beaten in a matter of a few hours during the first time through; difficulty can influence the fun factor, but there isn't always a direct correlation. 

Luigi's Mansion is short, and it did really need more gameplay depth.  I still thoroughly enjoyed it at the Gamecube's launch, and it's still a game that I'm looking forward to replaying.  SGnG, by comparison, was pretty forgettable for me.  I rented it once, played it awhile, and found that it was about as interesting to me as a jelly stain on a lampshade.  There were much better platformers in the SNES gen.

When it is eventually selected, I intend to add a little more to the discussion than trolling the actual game discussion thread, as I see that you are already busy doing.   

Edit: Lindy, I love that avatar.  My wife and I saw that episode of It's Me Or the Dog; hee-larious!

1081

Podcast Discussion / Re: PODCAST: Radio Trivia: Podcast Edition - Episode 45

« on: January 23, 2009, 10:26:15 AM »

Looking forward to it, TYP.  I don't leave positive comments often enough;  when a new Radio Trivia is in my podcast backlog, it usually gets bumped up to the top of the queue.

1082

Podcast Discussion / Re: POLL: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #2)

« on: January 23, 2009, 10:24:02 AM »

It's nt my first choice, as I always found it very difficult.  If SGnG is selected, then I'm game.

I've already said this, but I'm looking forward to this feature.  I hope it sticks around.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: POLL: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #2)

« on: January 21, 2009, 08:01:14 AM »

I'd love to play Metroid II, but i don't have a working Gameboy anymore.  The screen bit the dust some time ago. 

Luigi's Mansion for me.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Chrono Trigger DS

« on: January 19, 2009, 10:55:19 PM »

Thanks, I'm enjoying it thus far.

I just got to part where I found Robo in 2300 A.D.  The music sounds oddly, but hilariously familiar.

Did I just get Rickrolled by my DS?

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Chrono Trigger DS

« on: January 16, 2009, 11:18:50 AM »

I just finally got this, and I'm getting ready to play through it for the first time ever.  Can't wait!

1086

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #1: Dynamite Headdy)

« on: January 15, 2009, 09:43:36 AM »

Due to a currently crushing overtime schedule at work and the demands of being a dad to a 15 month-old, I probably won't be able to participate this week.   Here are some games I'd like to see considered on the curren or a future poll:

NES:
1. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
This is my favorite of the old-school Castlevania games. 

2. Super Mario World
I picked this because SMB3 is on the list; SMB3 is still my favorite among the mario games because of all the insane power-ups and numbers of levels within the worlds.  There's also something about SMW that shines; I really loved the freedom of movement and "floatiness" of Mario in this game.   At least from what I can remember, the levels were significantly fewer in number, but the level design was a bit longer and more complex.  Anyway, I wish that NMSB had drawn it's inspiration from one of these games instead of the orginal Super Mario Bros. 
It would be interesting to hear other people's opinions of SMW as it compares to SMB3.  I read somewhere where Miyamoto regretted that SMW was a little more rushed than it should have been.

3. Luigi's Mansion 
I've been thinking about dusting off my copy of this anyway.  I'll admit that my interest in it was sparked after reading IGN's blurb about wanting a sequel.  I'd agree with them on this, it was a very pretty, impressive launch title, though I wished the experience had more depth or length.  It was still a very beautiful game.

3. Beyond Good and Evil 
I got this years ago but lost interest early on for some reason.  I've still got it in the backlog and would like to give it another chance.

I looked on amazon, and unfortunately it seems to be more difficult and expensive to find a gamecube version of this game. 

4. Sin and Punishment
Would this count since it is still relatively new to those of us who don't import?  This is selfishly motivated...  (I haven't played it yet, but it would give me a good excuse to get it on VC)

This being said, I'm excited about hearing this new segment on the podcast.  I love retro discussions.  It's hard to believe I played a couple of these games half a lifetime ago.

Edit:  I'd second/third the votes for Majora's Mask, Mario Sunshine, Perfect Dark and Goldeneye.  I wish I still had the means to play the latter two.  I rue the day that I sold my N64.

1087

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo to Help Promote Dragon Quest X

« on: December 16, 2008, 10:29:18 AM »

I think Nintendo wants to continue to repair those inroads it lost with Square in the 90s.

I still think this is awesome news, and a great fit for Nintendo both in terms of marketing and art style.  Dragon Quest is still a behemoth in Japan, and probably wouldn't require much in the way of expensive marketing (in Japan) anyway.  It sort of fits with Nintendo's low-key advertising style.  Outside of Japan, is a tougher sell, but maybe they don't care as much; there's not much in the way of competition with other RPGs.

Dragon Quest VIII was easily one of my favorite RPGs of the last gen consoles, and I'm loving DQ IV DS so far; buying IX and X are both no-brainers for me.   

1088

TalkBack / Re: PODCAST: Radio Trivia: Podcast Edition - Episode 43

« on: December 12, 2008, 12:38:29 PM »

Just listened to this while running software tests this morning.  This episode really had some great game music.  I had no idea that the score from game 5 was that epic-sounding; it certainly didn't fit my preconception of the game!  This actually interests me even more in trying the game if I can still find it; I've had it on my Amazon wish list for a while.

Game 2 will also hold a special place of awesomeness in my heart.

I actually remember renting and playing game 3 a few times.  I got far enough to see the scenes in question, but it was ambiguous enough that a naive kid like me ( I was pretty young at the time) didn't get what was going on at first.  In reality, what they showed was really no worse than the subtext that could be read into the healing houses in The Adventure of Link, though it's doubtful that Nintendo intended that in the game.  But, who knows? 

Other than that, I remember the game actually being pretty fun, but difficult.  Some of the elements look dated, but some levels of the game were probably a little ahead of their time, such as the maze sections.  I looked the game up on wikipedia, and I also noticed that many of the different acts also were titled after famous films/works of literature.

1089

TalkBack / Re: PODCAST: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 124

« on: December 12, 2008, 12:16:34 PM »

Shyguy beat me to it!  Congrats Lindy, and best wishes to you and your soon-to-be signifcant other. 

1090

TalkBack / Re: Dragon Quest X Coming to Wii

« on: December 10, 2008, 09:33:42 AM »

I'm absolutely thrilled by this news.  I loved Dragon Quest VIII, and I'm glad that IX and X are both coming to systems that I own.

1091

General Gaming / Re: Afrika Coming to the USA thanks to National Geographic

« on: December 04, 2008, 09:36:45 AM »

This game makes me kind of wish I had a PS3.  My wife grew up in both Kenya and S. Africa; I believe she'd love the game. 

1092

TalkBack / Re: PODCAST: Radio Free Nintendo: Ocarina of Time

« on: December 03, 2008, 10:46:02 AM »

I loved the part where Jonny sounded like he was responding to the voices in his head where he said something, and then he said "Yeah".

When you learn to quiet your mind, you too will be able to hear the ghost of Jon Lindemann (tip: if it tells you to buy a PS3, it's probably Lindy, anything else...maybe consulting a psychiatrist would be in order).

I just got finished with the show last night.  I loved it, and I regret that some of the discussions were lost.  Hopefully, next time, you guys can use your proton paks on the ghost of Lindemann to capture his dialogue, so the rest of us who aren't so psychically attuned to the spiritual plane can hear him. 

Thanks to Greg for a great idea.  I love the episodes where you guys have reminisced about old gaming experiences, and if any game deserves a whole episode, OoT is it.  As the opportunities present themselves, I'd love to hear more "retrospective" epsiodes in this vein.  Maybe I'm so interested in talking about old games, because, I, like others, have been disappointed in Nintendo's Wii software offerings for 2/3 of 2008. 

I'm a few years older than most of the guys on the panel (probably significantly older than some of them).  I played my first Zelda game when I was in junior high; Ocarina came out when I was in college.  In a way, Ocarina of Time was poignant for me because, in a sense, I felt that I had sort of grown up with Link.  I'd agree with much of what was said about the console follow-ups to OoT.  I'll expand those thoughts in a letter to RFN when I get the time.

I have special memories of all the Zelda games, really.  My dad played the original LoZ alongside me during my childhood; though he's never been very good at video games in general, I was able to help guide him through to the end.  (We shared a love of anything in the fantasy genre, so playing Zelda together was a lot of fun.)  My grandmother also shares that interest;  she inherited one of the grandkid's SNESes, and she took an immediate liking to A Link To the Past.  I think she still plays it to this day, and she has claimed to be able to beat it in 3 hours.  I've never seen her do it, but I don't doubt her.  Unfortunately, neither of my previously-mentioned forebears were willing to make the transition to 3-D gaming; so they haven't touched any of the newer Zelda games in the last few years.   

On the bright side, I have a young son (though still too young to play games), and another child on the way;  I look forward to sharing future Zelda memories with them, hopefully.  I do hope we get a few more generations of Zelda before Nintendo decides to retire the series.

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TalkBack / Re: PODCAST: Radio Trivia: Podcast Edition - Episode 42

« on: December 02, 2008, 10:01:28 AM »

Cool.  I finally got to listen to this now that I'm back from the Thanksgiving holidays, and I really enjoyed this one.  Please keep it up!

TYP, here's just a bit of useless, unimportant, but maybe fun trivia.  I watched the animated movie that you mentioned in this episode (around game 4) many times growing up, but that's because I was such a fan of the source material.  It was originally released in '77, and the company that produced it was Rankin/Bass.  This is the studio that brought us those (horrific?) stop-motion/animated Christmas specials such Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, etc.  Here's something even weirder: the animation studio hired by Rankin/Bass to make said movie was Topcraft (an division of Toei Animation); several of the Japanese animators in that firm that worked on this movie went on to work for Studio Ghibli.  I found this out when I noted that there were several things about the art in Thundercasts cartoon series that reminded me about this movie; after doing a little digging, I found out that Topcraft was involved in the production of Thundercats as well. 

Also, if it makes it easier, my screen name is actually pronounced soon'-doo-los...not that it matters.  It's the English equivalent of a word used several times throughout the original Greek New Testament, meaning "a fellow servant, one who serves the same master with another."  I'm a professing Christian, and had heard it used elsewhere, so I kind of like using it as a screen name.  Plus its a name used by Sundoulos World Motor Sports. 

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TalkBack / Re: PODCAST: Radio Trvia: Podcast Edition - Episode 41

« on: November 19, 2008, 04:07:37 PM »

I don't always leave comments in the feedback on these episodes, TYP, but just wanted to let you know that I look forward to each installment.  It's a very nice diversion, and I really enjoy getting that nostalgic feeling when I hear music from an old game that I enjoyed!  Please keep it up!   I will try to leave a review on iTunes soon.

1095

TalkBack / Re: PODCAST: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 118

« on: October 21, 2008, 11:36:27 AM »

Some people upthread were right; there did seem to be many instances of people talking over one another this episode. 

I enjoyed the episode, though!

I'd have to say that there is nothing about the DSi that I find particularly compelling; but, it probably will give me occassion to buy a DS Lite once the price drops a bit.  Like Crimm, I only have a DS fat.  I haven't wanted to spend the money to upgrade yet, but I'm notoriously cheap.

Given that Nintendo was pleased with the sales of Sin & Punishment for the Wii, then I do have to wonder why they haven't chosen to release Earthbound.  It's a baffling decision, really, since the series has had a somewhat vocal and dedicated fanbase.  It's almost a cult.    I imagine that if Earthbound were released on the VC, many of them would probably buy the game (even though they've already played it) just on the hope that it would encourage Nintendo would finally release Mother 3 here.  Just IMHO, though.

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TalkBack / Re: PODCAST: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 117

« on: October 17, 2008, 10:44:33 PM »

Sorry to hear about your lousy week, Crimm.  Thanks for all the hard work.  It's appreciated!

1097

General Gaming / Re: The Starcraft mega thread - Rising from the ashes.

« on: October 14, 2008, 12:33:45 PM »

I only found out about the trilogy-expansions this a few minutes ago.  I'm not flying off the handle, but my initial feeling is one of disappointment.  Especially since I'll have to wait until 2011 to play the single player campaign of the Protoss.  Since the original Starcraft has lived for a decade on it's multiplayer, the decision to place so much emphasis on the single player campaigns is a bit puzzling.

As others have said, this does raise a lot of questions about the nature of the multiplayer.  In the first game, one purpose of the single player campaign was to train the player in the use of the different units for each race.  It would seem that Zerg and Protoss players will have much more steep learning curves in multiplayer if a tutorial campaign is not available to them at the outset.

Will the multiplayer experiences be different for all three games? Will people who don't own all three versions still be able to play against one another in a basic version of multiplayer?  I'm very interested in finding out the answer.

Some smart guy weighs in.

It's interesting.  On a later entry he makes the argument that Blizzard is setting us up for an eventual MMO announcement.  I tend to agree.

1098

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Do you have any questions about Tales of Symphonia Dawn of the New World?

« on: October 10, 2008, 09:59:00 AM »

What prompted the decision to make sequel in the world of Symphonia?

Are there any plans to continue to bring future Tales games to the Wii?

How many monsters can be active members of your party at one time?

Are some monsters more difficult to recruit than others?

Are there any advantages to recruiting as many monsters as you can?

Are the skits voiced in the English version of the game?

1099

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Do you have any questions about Tales of Symphonia Dawn of the New World?

« on: October 10, 2008, 09:52:37 AM »

Oops...accidental double post.

1100

TalkBack / Re: PODCAST: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 117

« on: October 09, 2008, 05:06:57 PM »

I enjoyed the podcast, good sirs, as usual...even if it was a shorter one.

Hopefully, the techincal gremlins won't perform a hat trick this week.