Messages

13351

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Oh...no it can't be...it can! the DS SP!

« on: February 28, 2005, 01:32:48 PM »

The Gameboy Color came out in what ... '95?  5 or 6 years after the original GB came out.  It was due for an upgrade.  But if a new DS comes out that has games that can't be played on the regular DS many people will be pissed (including myself).

Plus, the way the article was written, it made it seem more like an design update (a'la Gameboy Pocket to Gameboy or GBA SP to GBA) and not a new system (GB to GBC, GBC to GBA).

[nemo_83]

13352

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Oh...no it can't be...it can! the DS SP!

« on: February 28, 2005, 11:32:42 AM »

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Originally posted by: nemo_83
they could put at least one real analog stick on the DS, or a small track ball so we don't have to worry about a broken stick

That's not really the same thing as upgrading from a GBA to a GBA SP.  The hardware and control methods are the same between all GBA models.  If you added a analog stick or a track ball, that would kill the possibility of playing any games that were designed with it specificially in mind on a regular DS.

13353

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Next Gameboy

« on: February 28, 2005, 11:28:56 AM »

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According to Spong.com (not sure how reliable they are)

That's sig worthy.

13354

TalkBack / RE: Phoenix Unveils Market Research Results

« on: February 28, 2005, 09:44:23 AM »

I can.  

Monday through Thursday I typically start playing at 7 PM (after dinner) and stop at 9 PM (when my wife gets home).  Saturdays I typically play for an additional 2 hours.  I usually don't play on Fridays or Sundays.  So I play for 2 hours per day, five days a week.

13355

General Chat / RE: Where PGC readers go to bitch about everything

« on: February 28, 2005, 08:44:03 AM »

I thought about it long and hard and I only have a few things I hate about Nintendo.

(1) I hate how Super Mario Brothers 2, 3, World and Yoshi's Island were released as four separate GBA games at full price.  They really should have been released either as a compilation or for $20 each.

(2) Even though I respect Nintendo for not doing this, I kind of hate it that they refuse to kick Sony or Microsoft when they're down, even though Sony and Microsoft have no problems running their mouth about Nintendo.

(3) I'm not a fan of Nintendo's press releases, but I wouldn't say I hate them.

(4) I hate how television advertisements for games include almost no actual in-game footage.  Even cut scenes would be better than the stuff that's out there now.  Although, I can't really fault Nintendo for doing this because very few games have much in-game footage.

13356

TalkBack / RE: Phoenix Unveils Market Research Results

« on: February 28, 2005, 08:31:13 AM »

Actually Bill, I believe I read that it's lower for GameCube than for Xbox or PS2, but I don't have any numbers to back that up.

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I question the validity of the data. When someone (or more likely an online poll) asks me how many hours per day I spend playing video games, I generally don't answer. If I'm compelled to answer, my answer will be a poor estimate at best.

Rize, I can't say for this exact study, but generally the interviews are done in person (or at least via mail), not via the Internet.  This is because it's commonly known that Internet polls do not have a high amount of integrity.  If the study was done right, the participants get paid a nominal amount for their troubles.  This is because is someone's getting paid to do something, they're more likely to put more effort into it than if they're not.  This also holds true if the study was done in person, even if no monetary incentive is given.  

[Don'tHate742]

13357

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Probably fake pic of a Rev development kit

« on: February 28, 2005, 07:59:40 AM »

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Originally posted by: Don'tHate742
Even if it is true......does this pic help us any? Nope, except for telling us that the REV is in the hands of the developers (but we're smart enough to guess that, aren't we )

If legit, it tells us that there definately is a HD.

13358

General Chat / RE: Where PGC readers go to bitch about everything

« on: February 28, 2005, 07:55:35 AM »

I hate that Ian Sane hasn't posted here yet.

I hate how no one's taking this thread seriously.

I hate how I'll have to continue reading about people's gripes in other threads that have nothing to do with the topic.

13359

TalkBack / RE: Walk of Game Unveiling at GDC

« on: February 28, 2005, 07:46:56 AM »

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Stars honoring Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario, Link and Sonic will be unveiled on March 8th

I demand a crappy cartoon show for Shiggy!

13360

TalkBack / RE: Nintendo DS Download Service Revealed in Japan

« on: February 28, 2005, 07:43:00 AM »

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I was saying from my experience no one plays demo discs that much, and hardly anyone purchases a game because of them.

My sentiments exactly.  Demo discs rarely sell games.  They're nice to have, especially if you can get them several weeks or months before the full game is released, but as a selling tool, their power is diminishing.  Because there are so many previews/reviews/in-depth coverage, etc on just about every single game available, most people can decide which games they will like and which they won't just by doing a little research on the Internet.  Demo discs might have been useful tool several years ago, but they've been replaced by cheaper, readily-available means.

13361

TalkBack / RE: Phoenix Unveils Market Research Results

« on: February 28, 2005, 07:29:44 AM »

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So what I want to know is can we use this data to convince third parties to support the Cube?

Doubtful.  Third parties look at sales history when determining which systems to make games for.  The amount of play time matters very little.  In theory, a publisher doesn't care whether you play the game for 50 hours or 50 minutes--just so long as you buy the game (and the sequel) it's all the same to them.

Unfortunately, this report (or at least the five paragraph summary) doesn't get into which games are being played.  Are gamers playing the same game for two hours per day, or are they playing multiple games?  Are they playing games for the first time, or replaying old favorites?  Are they playing single player games, or are groups of friends getting together every night for multiplayer?  All these questions might be answered if you're willing to shell out two grand for the full report.

13362

TalkBack / RE: Phoenix Unveils Market Research Results

« on: February 28, 2005, 02:11:40 AM »

This doesn't explain why GameCube owners spend more time playing video games.  And while I know you were joking Bill, it doesn't prove anything.

First off, it doesn't say whether that time is spent playing GameCube or not.  It just says owners of the system spend more time than non-owners.  Is this because they're playing GameCube?  Or is it because the more "hardcore" you are, the more likely it is that you own multiple consoles, thereby adding GC to your arsenal?

Second, assuming that the extra time is spent playing GameCube, does this mean that you play more games because you own a cube and there are better games available?  Or do you own a Cube because you're hardcore, and therefore play more games regardless?

Third, (and this one ties into the first one) I wonder how the figures compare between single-console owners and multi=console owners?  Again, if you own a GameCube, PS2, and an Xbox, chances are you'll play more video games than someone who owns just one of the consoles.

This doesn't really answer a whole lot.  Then again, if it did, why spend money to read the full report?  Anyone want to go in on the full thing with me?  I think PCG as a whole needs to buy one.  I have $20 to chip in.

13363

TalkBack / RE: EDITORIAL: Choose Your Weapons

« on: February 27, 2005, 04:41:43 AM »

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Huh? What? How did this guy even know about the PSP? Why would he consider buying one?

Out of curiosity, does your friend know that the PSP does not play DVD's and it does not play PS2 games?  There seems to be a common misconception amongst non-gamers who think that the PSP is just a portable PS2.

13364

General Chat / RE: The simpsoms and Futurama

« on: February 25, 2005, 11:41:11 AM »

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Futurama is better than The Simpsons. But it will never come back. At least not on Fox. Maybe on Cartoon Network though...

I believe Cartoon Network approched Groening about making new episodes, but they couldn't afford them.

13365

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Killer 7 delayed... again

« on: February 25, 2005, 10:59:15 AM »

From the Gamespot Preview:

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We weren’t surprised to hear that the game features a unique control scheme that we're pretty sure no one really expected. You'll use the GameCube controller's buttons for movement. A will move you forward and B will change your direction 180 degrees. Combat is initiated by holding the right trigger and using the analog stick to aim. The A button will then let you attack and the B button will let you quickly lock onto one of your foes.

That sounds ... interesting.  I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around how well that will work.  It seems simple enough in theory.

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While we all know the killer seven that are referenced by the game's title, the demo showed off at least one other persona in Harman's head: a young woman named Samantha. In one of the many twists the game throws at you, Sam comes across as your basic caregiver when you interact with her as Harman. However, when Harman is comatose (which appears to happen when his mind has shapeshifted into one of the others) Samantha turns into a freaky dominatrix type who does some pretty naughty things to him while he's out.

Um ... what?

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The styles we saw ran the gamut from traditional anime-inspired cutscenes to in-engine cinemas that took a more traditional approach to telling a story. (Well, as "traditional" as showing one of Harman’s female personalities getting off on his comatose body gets, anyway.)

... Moving right along ...

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We saw several different types of enemies which had to be scanned to uncover information on how to kill them

There's still no word on how exactly you scan enemies?  Is it like in Metroid Prime?

Killer 7 certainly has my attention.  I'm looking forward to finally knowing more about this game.

13366

General Gaming / RE: PSP w/ a 50GB internal harddrive!!? iPod killer??

« on: February 25, 2005, 10:45:36 AM »

Yikes.  I would never buy something like this.  I'd much rather have seperate systems that play video games, movies, music, etc.  If I owned something like this, I'd be scared to leave a padded room for fear of breaking it.

Plus, can you imagine how big the PSP would be once you added a 50 gig HD?

13367

TalkBack / RE: Dirty Harry Coming To Next-Gen Consoles

« on: February 25, 2005, 07:53:57 AM »

I'll wait for Bullitt, thank you very much.

13368

TalkBack / RE: Nintendo DS Download Service Revealed in Japan

« on: February 25, 2005, 07:52:10 AM »

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This is cool but I don't like the fact that demos only last as long as the system is turned on. I like having the ability to keep the demo. I like having the ability to play when I want at my own pace. This doesn't allow for that.

What about demos for games that don't have levels, such as Yoshi Touch & Go?  If a demo is released that you could keep for as long as you wanted, there would be little incentive to purchase the game.

I'm going to have to agree with Hostile and say stop complaining.  Those little game carts cost money.  Nintendo doesn't like to give up money.  Most companies don't.  Plus, what are the chances we'll see widely available PSP demos?

Speaking of which, does anyone have any idea how much a DS cart costs to manufacture relative to a GBA cart, a PSP disc and a GC/PS2/Xbox disc?

13369

TalkBack / RE: EDITORIAL: With Great Power ...

« on: February 24, 2005, 10:54:11 AM »

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I mean, Half Life and Doom may be impressive, but do they really have a "Holy S***!!!" factor?

Doom 3 doesn't.  At least not on my graphics card.  But I was truely impressed by Half-Life 2.

EDIT:  With all this talk about Half-Life 2 not being possible on current consoles, wasn't there something going around about a port for Xbox in the works?  Did that get canned or something?

[Jonathan says:]

13370

TalkBack / RE: Love Me Four Times Baby

« on: February 24, 2005, 10:51:41 AM »

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Jonathan says:Even now, I'm skeptical about Geist. It hasn't been shown since last E3, not a single screenshot, and it needed a lot of work back then. If it is coming out this soon and Nintendo plans to hype it up at all, they need to get started quickly and show us some amazing stuff.

Nintendo?  Hype?  Are we thinking about the same company?

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And once again Nintendo is doing the simultaneous release date thing with the GC and GBA.

Ian - I've been told Nintendo likes to do that to save on shipping costs.  It makes sense, actually.  With the rising development and publishing costs, and the small margins (with GBA games, especially) if you can save a few bucks by shipping as many items together as possible, I say go for it.

13371

General Gaming / RE:XBox 360 Revealed?

« on: February 24, 2005, 07:56:24 AM »

Now KDR, that's simply not true.

13372

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Hey bought ds today ( i'm in australia )

« on: February 24, 2005, 07:49:41 AM »

It sounds like you have a dead pixel.  You can either return it for a refund/exchange or call Nintendo and they'll replace it for free.  (However, from all the bad things I've heard about Nintendo Australia, you might be best off exchanging it.)

13373

TalkBack / RE: FIFA Street Ships

« on: February 23, 2005, 08:08:19 AM »

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Joking aside, I think the next logical game would be NHL Street

Since there's no NHL this year, I could definately see this happening.  I heard rumors that there won't be a regular NHL game for 2005.  With no updated rosters, what's the point in buying the same game you got last year?

13374

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Strange DS peripherals

« on: February 23, 2005, 07:56:05 AM »

Foolish - I doubt you could twist for 9 minutes and get an hour's worth of power.  The charger has a limited capacity.  I'm guessing you'd have to twist for three minutes, three different times at twenty minute intervals.

13375

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Wario Ware Touched Demo Out Now!

« on: February 23, 2005, 07:54:22 AM »

I think the 'lack of variety' comments were in regard to the micro-games being grouped by how you beat them, rather than by the aesthetics (like the first one).

For example, in the original you had sports, sci-fi, weird, etc.  and on some of them you had to press a button at the right time, or trace a path, or button mash as fast as possible, etc.  In Touched, the games are classified by how you beat them; i.e. rub, poke, trace, blow etc.  This can potentially lead to playing the same game over and over, just with different aesthetics.

Note:  I haven't played this game yet, so I could be way off.  This is just the info I pulled from the reviews I read.