Messages

[Team XLink prepares to transfer users to the next iteration of its tunneling software, which includes GameCube support.]

2901

TalkBack / XLink Kai Tunneling Software Nears Public Launch

« on: February 26, 2004, 07:00:30 PM »

Team XLink prepares to transfer users to the next iteration of its tunneling software, which includes GameCube support.

Warp Pipe isn’t the only GameCube tunneling software reinventing itself.  As you may remember from our exclusive interview back in November, Europe-based Team XLink is providing its own GameCube (and Xbox) tunneling software, named XLink Messenger, which will let GameCube owners play LAN-enabled games online.

After months of toiling and beta testing, Andy “TheDaddy” is excited to announce the official transfer from the current XLink Messenger to an advanced beta version of Kai.

Sup crew,

I've done with a big project at work, and its full steam ahead here.. ground up rewrite of the win32 UI is in progress, as well as polishing off the 0007 engine for the other crews (UnleashX (dfunked edit: UnleashX are a group of guys who make a homebrew XBox dashboard, similar to Team Avalaunch)has now asked for the Kai spec - which, of course, I happily accepted  )

Check this bitch out (she's not done yet)

For more information about XLink, be sure to check out their website and official Kai forums.

[Nintendo's Japanese website reveals which games it will display on the 19th.]

2902

TalkBack / Nintendo Announces World Hobby Fair Presence

« on: January 09, 2004, 04:52:23 PM »

Nintendo's Japanese website reveals which games it will display on the 19th.

Nintendo will be showing off its multiplayer muscles at this year's World Hobby Fair, starting January 19th in Osaka. Nintendo will promote the already-released Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and Mario Party 5 with ongoing competitions. Winners will earn stamps in order to redeem special Nintendo prizes. Attendees can also compete against others in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Plus, the GameCube sequel to the 4-player GBA game on display at E3 last year. Three different modes will be on display; the winner after all three modes will take home a Link figurine in the style of The Wind Waker. The game's three modes are Hyrule Adventure, which looks and plays like A Link to the Past with four players, Navi's Trackers, which is a scavenger hunt aimed at younger players, and the as-yet-unseen battle mode.

Gamers at the show can also try out the upcoming Kirby Mirror for GBA, with its four-Kirby cooperative gameplay. Nintendo will also be promoting and selling eReader Cards for Rockman EXE 4 (Mega Man Battle Network 4), Mario Advance 4, and F-Zero: Falcon Tradition at the show. Three F-Zero GX cars will also be avialable to download to a GC memory card.

The World Hobby Fair will visit Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo, and Fukuhar. For more details, see Nintendo's: Japanese site.

Reply Here

[Game developers can now recommend games for Game Developer Conference's big awards show.]

2903

TalkBack / GDCA Nominations Commence

« on: January 07, 2004, 05:23:22 AM »

Game developers can now recommend games for Game Developer Conference's big awards show.

Nominations Open for 4th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards

<small>Recipients to be Announced at 2004 Game Developers Conference

SAN FRANCISCO - Jan. 7, 2004 - Nominations are open for the 4th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards, the most prestigious honors in game development.

Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 23, 2004. All those directly involved in the development and design of videogames are eligible to nominate at www.igda.org/awards.

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) will present the awards on March 24, 2004, at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Jose, Calif., the world's largest conference and exposition dedicated to video game development and related industries.

"All the recognition we've received so far pales compared to the Choice Awards," noted Ubisoft's Splinter Cell team, a previous award recipient. "Acknowledgement from fellow game developers and from the industry tells us we've done something important beyond commercial success, something that will be remembered, and something that helps advance the genre and the art form."

The Game Developers Choice Awards categories focus on rewarding and recognizing innovation and excellence in the art of making games - regardless of genre, platform or delivery medium. Awards will be given in the following categories:

Game of the Year

Rookie Studio Award

Original Game Character of the Year

Excellence in Audio

Excellence in Game Design

Excellence in Programming

Excellence in Visual Arts

Excellence in Writing

Game Innovation Spotlights

Lifetime Achievement Award

First Penguin Award

Maverick Award

IGDA Award for Community Contribution

"Developers know first hand all the sweat and tears that go into making groundbreaking games," said Jason Della Rocca, program director, IGDA. "Having them nominate their peers, and watch fellow developers receive the recognition is only fitting."</small> Reply Here

2904

General Gaming / RE:2 cubes in less then 6 months? (Official "My GameCube is broke thread")

« on: February 25, 2004, 06:27:48 AM »

My GameCube died on Friday (right after Radio Trivia, actually).  Description of problem:

When I turn my system on, the fan turns on and stays on.  The power light flashes on for a second.  There is no A/V output.

Since it is modded for JPN gmaes, Nintendo wouldn't repair it (even for money), so I've sent it to NCS for repair.  They charge $30 + shipping TO them (cost me $10)--the same price as their GC mod.  They said they couldn't guaruntee a fix, but they say they can fix "most" problems.  I suspect a fuse burned out, as other systems act similarly when this is the case, so I have high hopes.  NCS did an excellent mod job on my system 2 years ago. I'll keep you guys posted.

$40 sure beats $130+ for a new modified GC, or Nintendo's $70 service charge for systems out of warranty.  

[Preorder Pokémon Colosseum and get a special bonus disc!]

2905

TalkBack / Pokéspecial for Poképreorder

« on: December 24, 2003, 07:53:02 AM »

Preorder Pokémon Colosseum and get a special bonus disc!

Nintendo fans who preorder Pokémon Colosseum between February 9th and the game’s release on March 22nd will receive a bonus disc full of Pokémon goodies.

Besides giving players a preview of the GameCube game, the bonus disc will contain footage of the upcoming Pokémon movie, Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker. Most importantly, players will be able to download their very own Jirachi from the bonus disc to their copy of Pokémon Ruby or Sapphire on the GBA! Whether or not the preview of Pokémon Colosseum is playable or not is undetermined.

Reply Here

[People like Silver. People like Black. Why not buy both?]

2906

TalkBack / Platinum & Onyx Dual Color GBA SP Announced

« on: December 18, 2003, 04:54:04 AM »

People like Silver. People like Black. Why not buy both?

DID YOU KNOW?

<small>Nintendo Announces New, Limited-Edition, Two-Tone Game Boy Advance SP

December 18, 2003 - To celebrate the best year in the 14-year history of the Game Boy® video game system, Nintendo announces a new, limited-edition, two-tone version of the popular Game Boy® Advance SP. These special models, available starting Feb. 9 at an MSRP of $99.99, will have Platinum bases with Onyx lids, for a silver-and-black look that's sleek and unique.

"With more than 40 percent of Game Boy Advance SP players over the age of 18, the system is enjoying an expansion toward an older demographic," said George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "It's easy to see how these celebratory silver-and-black versions will appeal to an older audience. And with a limited supply, they're likely to become collector's items."

November proved to be another monumental month for the Game Boy® Advance. The Toy Retail Sales Tracking Service (TRSTS) reports that the Game Boy Advance sold more than 1.3 million units. To put that in perspective, that's more than 50 percent more Game Boy Advance units sold in November than PlayStation 2. As the hottest-selling game system in the world, total U.S. sales for Game Boy Advance in 2003 are expected to top 8 million.</small>
<IMG SRC="http://www.planetgamecube.com/media/hw018013796.JPG" ALT="Platinum and Onyx SP">

Reply Here

[Acclaim and BattleBorne strike a deal and announce that they will actually reveal their next-gen game in January!]

2907

TalkBack / Mysterious Next-Gen Title in the Works

« on: February 24, 2004, 10:19:47 PM »

Acclaim and BattleBorne strike a deal and announce that they will actually reveal their next-gen game in January!

ACCLAIM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. ENTERS INTO EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL PUBLISHING AGREEMENT WITH BATTLEBORNE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Next-Generation Title to Be Announced in 2004

GLEN COVE, NY, December 22, 2003 - Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ.SC: AKLM), today announced that it has entered into an exclusive global publishing agreement with Reno-based developer BattleBorne Entertainment, Inc. for their soon-to-be announced video game for the next-generation gaming systems. Comprised of former members of the celebrated Fallout 2, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon teams, BattleBorne is currently utilizing the critically acclaimed Snowblind Studios technology and their own proprietary tools to develop the game.

"We are very pleased to enter into this publishing agreement with BattleBorne," said Rod Cousens, Chief Executive Officer of Acclaim. "We're confident that consumers will be equally excited when we unveil the game next month on our web site."

"Acclaim's aggressive and forward-thinking approach to the industry made them the obvious choice to work with," added James Kosta, President of BattleBorne Entertainment, Inc. "BattleBorne has been hard at work on this title since 2002 and we believe that our technology, combined with that of Snowblind Studios, is going to impress everyone who sees the game."

[Nintendo and Panasonic say good night to the Japan-only DVD-GC hybrid.]

2908

TalkBack / Panasonic Q Discontinued

« on: December 17, 2003, 01:41:56 AM »

Nintendo and Panasonic say good night to the Japan-only DVD-GC hybrid.

Those interested in importing a DVD/GAME Player Q should do so immediately. Panasonic recently announced that it will no longer produce its Q DVD/VCD player, also capable of playing Nintendo GameCube games. This move is likely due to the product’s slow sales, especially after the standard GameCube price drop.

The Qs currently in stores, which retail for 34,800 yen ($324), are the last ones available.

http://www.planetgamecube.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=7357

[Get your bootleg Game Boy Players right here!]

2909

TalkBack / Advance Game Port Now Available

« on: December 17, 2003, 04:14:51 PM »

Get your bootleg Game Boy Players right here!

DATEL ELECTRONICS ADVANCE GAME PORT FOR THE GAMECUBE

<small>Clearwater, FL - December 17, 2003 - Datel Electronics, the world's leading developer and manufacturer of video game enhancement products, has announced the release of Advance Game Port, the newest addition to their line-up of GameCube gaming accessories.

   Advance Game Port transforms any GameCube console into a Game Boy Advance compatible gaming system, allowing gamers to play GBA games, including Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, on their Television. With a simple plug and play interface and no hardware installation, Advance Game Port is the easiest way to play GBA games on the big screen.

   "Advance Game Port is the ultimate accessory for GameCube gamers looking to play GBA titles," says Doug Parsons, Managing Editor of Datel Design & Development, Inc. "With GBA titles appealing to older gamers enjoying re-released classic SNES titles and younger fans playing monster and card collecting RPGs, Advance Game Port is the perfect solution for all GameCube owners looking to expand their gaming options."

   Advance Game Port comes complete with a cartridge docking station that connects easily through the GameCube memory card port.

   Advance Game Port joins other Datel products such as Action Replay, PowerBoard and Ultimate Codes in an exciting line-up of accessories that will make the GameCube gaming experience complete.

   Advance Game Port is available now with an MSRP of $29.99.

   Visit www.codejunkies.com to learn more about Advance Game Port, and other exciting products from Datel.</small>

http://www.planetgamecube.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=7358

[Acclaim secures the exclusive videogame rights to "The American Dream" in its upcoming wrestling game, Showdown: Legends of Wrestling.]

2910

TalkBack / Dusty Rhodes Exclusive to Showdown

« on: December 18, 2003, 01:09:16 PM »

Acclaim secures the exclusive videogame rights to "The American Dream" in its upcoming wrestling game, Showdown: Legends of Wrestling.

‘THE AMERICAN DREAM’ DUSTY RHODES IS ‘TAKING CARE OF BIDNESS’ EXCLUSIVELY IN ACCLAIM ENTERTAINMENT, INC.’S ‘SHOWDOWN™: LEGENDS OF WRESTLING™’

Unparalleled Wrestling Supercard Intensifies in Anticipation of Title’s April 2004 Release on Next-Generation Gaming Systems

GLEN COVE, NY, December 18, 2003 - Wrestling fans with a thirst for nostalgia will once again have an opportunity to see “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes drop his trademark “bionic elbow,” as Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ.SC: AKLM) today announced that it has exclusively signed Rhodes to appear in SHOWDOWN ™: Legends of Wrestling™ . The video game is currently under development with Acclaim Studios Austin and is scheduled for release in April 2004 across the next-generation gaming platforms.

“We’re excited to add one of wrestling’s greatest champions, ‘ The American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes , to our expanding dream roster of wrestling legends,” said David Knies, Brand Director for Acclaim. “Through SHOWDOWN’S™ era-based Career Mode fans can relive ‘The American Dream’s’ rise through the 70’s and 80’s and recreate his classic feuds and battles against some of the biggest names in the history of professional wrestling.”

“When the legend becomes reality, make the legend into a game,” added “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes . “‘ The American Dream’ returns to the ring like no other, baby! There’s only one ‘ American Dream ,’ one bull of the woods and that’s me, Dusty Rhodes . I’ve held championships all over the world and it’s an honor to be part of this roster and to work with Acclaim. Make no mistake about it daddy, this April my ‘bionic elbow’ will be dropped on all comers and we gettin ’ funky like a monkey.”

First-ever images of “ The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes as a virtual wrestler in Acclaim’s SHOWDOWN ™: Legends of Wrestling™ can be seen at www.legendsshowdown.com . Fans can visit the site and register to become part of “ The Legends Legion ,” a free membership that qualifies them to receive ongoing email updates highlighting the latest gameplay and talent announcements. The SHOWDOWN™ site also provides visitors with exclusive product information and free downloadable desktop wallpaper.

A three-time National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Heavyweight Champion, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes wrestled professionally for over 30 years and is still one of the most recognizable names in the history of the sport. Dusty Rhodes’s career also includes several behind-the-scenes successes, most notably his tenure as an executive producer with Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS) and his formation of TurnBuckle Championship Wrestling (TCW), a new wrestling franchise.

SHOWDOWN ™: Legends of Wrestling™ will be available in April 2004 across the next-generation systems at suggested retail process to be determined. For more information on this game, please visit www.legendsshowdown.com .

[Konami takes another stab at licensed anime franchises.]

2911

TalkBack / Konami to Make GBA Shaman King Game

« on: December 18, 2003, 12:56:35 AM »

Konami takes another stab at licensed anime franchises.

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Signs Agreement to Develop "Shaman King" Video Games

New Los Angeles-based Operation Continues to Build Repertoire of Licensed Content

    LOS ANGELES, CA - December 18, 2003 - Leading Los Angeles-based videogame publisher, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) (CEO: Kazumi Kitaue), announced today that it has secured the licensing rights to develop videogames based on the internationally acclaimed anime series, "Shaman King"(tm) (by Hiroyuki Takei) for the North American and the European regions. The company will publish games based on "Shaman King" starting with one for Sony PlayStation®2 and one for Nintendo GameBoy® Advance. The games are slated for release in North America in summer 2004 and 4Kids Entertainment (President and CEO: Alfred R. Kahn) will be responsible for the licensing program for this title. The games will also ship in Europe, coinciding with the launch of the animated TV series.

    Having earned widespread industry accolades for previous anime-licensed titles such as "Yu-Gi-Oh!"(tm) (by Kazuki Takahashi), the celebrated studio Konami Computer Entertainment Japan Inc. (President: Motoyuki Yoshioka), will develop the new "Shaman King" videogames.

    "Shaman King follows Yu-Gi-Oh! as the second franchise that we have licensed from Shueisha and developed into videogames for the North American and the European markets. We are very proud to be expanding our licensed game catalogue and anime content with the addition of the popular Shaman King series," said Mr. Kitaue, Chief Executive Office at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Our mission is to listen to our consumers and deliver entertainment appropriate to the target markets. At KDE, we plan to continue to acquire licensed properties that resonate with our consumers, such as we have done with Yu-Gi-Oh! and now with Shaman King."

    "We are pleased to initiate the first phase of our licensing program for Shaman King with the introduction of new, exciting video games from Konami," said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 4Kids Entertainment. "The animated series is one of the featured programs on the FOX BOX, and we expect the successful rollout of the video games to support Shaman King's growing popularity. This agreement also strengthens our relationship with Konami, a global leader in the development and production of video games worldwide."

    In 1998, "Shaman King" was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump," which is distributed by the Japanese book publisher, Shueisha. It has since sold over 20 million comic books in Japan. "Shaman King" made its U.S. debut on FOX BOX(tm) in September 2003 and is currently featured in the monthly U.S. comic magazine "SHONEN JUMP".

    "Shaman King" follows the story of Yoh Asakura who might look like an average student, but behind his laid-back appearance, he holds an amazing secret. Yoh is a shaman, one of the chosen few who can communicate with ghosts and spirits. When Yoh teams up with the ghost, Amidamaru, he begins his incredible quest to be crowned Shaman King in the Grand Tournament held only once every 500 years!

    "Shaman King" for PlayStation®2 blends the elements of strategy, battling and role-playing games (RPGs) to deliver an exciting gameplay experience for players of all ages. Gamers will battle against numerous enemies and a nefarious organization that plans to stop the Grand Tournament from taking place.

    "Shaman King" for Nintendo Game Boy® Advance thrust players into an exhilarating side-scrolling adventure where gamers will use Yoh's inherent ability to control ghosts and spirits in order to defeat his enemies.

    Konami will showcase the "Shaman King" videogames at the Jump Festival held in Japan at the Makuhari Messe on December 20, 2003. A playable version of the PlayStation®2 game will be on display and a video of the GBA version will be shown at the booth.

    4Kids Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive agent for Shaman King, representing merchandise licensing rights worldwide (outside of Asia) and television distribution rights in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

[The folks behind the TimeSplitters series set their sights on all consoles.]

2912

TalkBack / Free Radical Announces Second Sight

« on: February 24, 2004, 12:30:39 PM »

The folks behind the TimeSplitters series set their sights on all consoles.

"SECOND SIGHT" COMES INTO VIEW

NOTTINGHAM, UK -- 24 February 2004 -- Free Radical Design, developer of the highly successful and critically acclaimed TimeSplitters series announces their latest game, Second Sight.

Combining an immersive thriller storyline with paranormal psychic abilities, stealthy exploration and intense shooter action "Second Sight" redefines the standards for action adventure narrative and gameplay (for PlayStation2, Xbox and Gamecube).

"like he's ever getting out - he's a psycho killer."

John Vattic awakens from a coma in a sinister US medical facility where he has been subjected to traumatic surgery and experimentation.

His body and mind are broken, he doesn't know his name, he can't remember his past, all he knows is that his only hope for survival is to escape and unravel the mystery that has led to his imprisonment.

Finding fragments of the past reveals his previous involvement in a covert military mission investigating psychic research in Siberia...

... A mission that went horribly wrong.

... A mission that empowered him with awesome psychic abilities which can devastate the people and world around him.

Haunted by flashbacks, tormented by his powers and gripped by the fear that he may have been somehow to blame for what happened in Siberia, John Vattic begins searching for survivors from the failed expedition and uncovers a fatal chain of events leading to a sinister conspiracy and sickening abuse of power.

David Doak, Director of Free Radical, says "Second Sight realises our ambitions to create exciting fresh IP and innovate in a new genre. It brings together great gameplay and a compelling story - everyone at Free Radical is really excited about this one."

Steve Ellis, Director of Free Radical, says "Second Sight marks an important step in the expansion of Free Radical. The company has grown to two talented teams, developing two great original products. We've come a long way in 5 years."

Development of Second Sight will be completed shortly, with an anticipated worldwide release later in 2004.

Special thanks to professional666 for the tip.

[Game 1: Final Fantasy Adventure (GB)]

2913

Podcast Discussion / Radio Trivia Results for 2/20/2004

« on: February 20, 2004, 07:19:33 PM »

Ulanshad conquered the chatroom’s technical difficulties and won tonight’s trivia session, which featured songs from Kid Icarus, Final Fantasy Adventure and Fire Emblem, oh my!


Game 1: Final Fantasy Adventure (GB)

Points to: SimBen, ulanshad

Q: In Final Fantasy Adventure (GB), what is the name of the robot in the tower?
<ulanshad> marcie


Game 2: Mr. Nutz (SNES)

(No points awarded)

Q: Who published Mr. Nutz for the SNES?
<ulanshad> Sofel


Game 3: Kid Icarus (NES)

Points to: Mikemn, Tavir, Berto2K, Smak, FFantasyFX, MarioLinkSamus

Q: Who is Kid Icarus trying to save in this game?
<Kentop> palutena


Game 4: Fire Emblem (GBA)

Point to: Br26

Q: Which character joins your party in the second side-quest, and what is that character’s purpose in your party? (SPELLING COUNTS FOR NAME)
<Smak> Merlinus, Transporter?


Game 5: Judge Dredd (SNES)

(No points awarded)

Q: Pushing X does what?
<NikJam> send to prison



-----FINAL RESULTS-----

ulanshad: 3

Smak: 2

SimBen: 1

Nikemn:1

Tavir: 1

Berto2K: 1

FFantasyFX: 1

MarioLinkSamus: 1

Kentop: 1

Br26: 1

NikJam: 1
 

2914

TalkBack / RE:Happy Birthday, TYP!

« on: February 16, 2004, 07:47:29 PM »

RPA means Rubish Picture Attachment.  e.g. your picture of Billy.

2915

TalkBack / RE: Happy Birthday, TYP!

« on: February 15, 2004, 03:39:54 PM »

Thanks, gang!  Sorry I haven't been online recently!  I'm now 20 years old!  I'm scared.

RPA's, KnowsNothing?  This isn't Rare's web site, you know.   Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Also, my roommate and I have yet to figure out what that freaky Quizno's thing IS.  I say it's a stomach or a pig, but I'm not sure.

[Cheat death soon on a GameCube near you!]

2916

TalkBack / Judge Dredd Coming to Consoles in March

« on: February 05, 2004, 11:37:37 AM »

Cheat death soon on a GameCube near you!

EVOLVED GAMES BRINGS JUDGE DREDD: DREDD VERSUS DEATH TO NORTH AMERICAN GAMERS

First-Person Shooter to Ship for All Platforms in March

Fort Lauderdale, FL (February 5, 2004) – Publisher Evolved Games and developer Rebellion® announced today that the legendary Judge Dredd comic book character is coming to life in Judge Dredd: Dredd Versus Death. The first-person shooter will ship for all of the console gaming platforms as well as for PC in March, 2004.

“Judge Dredd: Dredd Versus Death will bring this heroic character to life like never before,” said Daniel Kearns, Sales Director of Evolved Games. “This fast-paced FPS will offer gamers all the action, weapons and effects they crave with a unique comic-book style element that will set it apart from the crowd.”

Judge Dredd: Dredd Versus Death takes place in the futuristic 22nd century, where society is on the verge of anarchy and only a select group of elite “judges” can keep Mega-City One under control. Players take on the role of Judge Dredd, one of the city’s top judges who vows to clean up the streets by any means necessary. But when a break-out at the city’s penitentiary unleashes a group of evil judges on to the city streets, Judge Dredd’s plans for stability take a deadly turn.

Judge Dredd: Dredd Versus Death is first-person shooter action featuring a huge arsenal of deadly weapons to help combat the city’s scum throughout 11 chapters and more than two dozen levels of gameplay. Over 50 unique characters including zombies, crooks and demons challenge Judge Dredd on his quest. Multiplayer action allows up to 4 players to battle it out in split screen mode.

For more information on Judge Dredd: Dredd Versus Death please visit www.dreddvsdeath.com.

2917

TalkBack / Nintendo Sponsors DigiPen Professorship

« on: February 05, 2004, 11:28:43 AM »

This article's TalkBack thread can be found here.

[Yusuke’s trusty spirit gun blows up in his face.]

2918

TalkBack / Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective Review

« on: February 10, 2004, 06:24:50 PM »

Yusuke’s trusty spirit gun blows up in his face.

Review by Michael "TYP" Cole

The year is 1993, and Yu Yu Hakusho is all the rage in Japan.  Yusuke Urameshi is the coolest ruffian around, and his red-haired ally, Kurama, is the biggest ladies’ man in the anime industry.  Multiple high-profile videogame companies are pumping out game after licensed game, including a quality fighting series from the masters at Namco.

Fast forward to early 2002.  Cartoon Network begins airing a North American localization of Yu Yu Hakusho, dubbed by FUNimation (the same company behind North America’s Dragon Ball shows).  Yusuke has since gained a significant following in the states; naturally, Atari’s Yu Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective for the GBA was sure to follow.

Sensory Sweep and Screaming Games’ Yu Yu Hakusho is the quintessential licensed fiasco, and is among the worst games I’ve ever played.  The game gives players control over Yusuke and his friends as it progresses through a loose reenactment of the television series’ first 25 episodes.  Most of the time, the player roams around uninspired, recycled environments, picking fights with anything that moves: obviously, only punks roam the streets during siesta.  To complete a mission, the player must usually find one or more items and reach a designated area, using his spirit compass as a guide.

The bulk of the game is its combat, which consists mostly of throwing punches and using longer-range spirit attacks.  The game’s battle system is feeble.  Intelligently-placed attacks are all but useless because of poor collision detection, and there’s significant lag when using spirit attacks.  Usually, the most effective strategy is to repeatedly punch your enemies until they EXPLODE into glowing orbs of experience point goodness.  Major battles play almost identically, in part due to the game’s abysmal AI: most bosses tend to stand in one place and shoot long-range spirit projectile attacks or mindlessly chase the player in an attempt to pummel him with melee attacks. When the player progresses far enough, he can switch to new playable characters with their own attacks and stats, but they all feel almost identical.

Levels are almost completely devoid of challenge.  The player is usually free to roam about the environment, which is either simplistically linear or frustratingly open in design.  The most grueling missions are collect-a-thons, where players must comb a monotonous city in search of items or enemies.  The linear missions’ puzzles never evolve beyond cliché switch-and-door couplings in complexity, turning this adventure game into little more than an overhead brawler.

The game does have its more memorable moments.  Sometimes the developers incorporate aspects of an episode’s battle into the game’s counterpart.  Also, during two missions, players must also master three simple mini-games taken from the anime that test Yusuke’s reflexes, timing, and endurance.  Although hardly well-implemented, these battles and mini-games embrace a gleam of inspiration from the source material and help break up the rest of the game’s dismal monotony.

Considering the game’s license is its only draw, Atari should have at least focused on accurately representing the television show; but, like the rest of the game, the story’s presentation is thoroughly dull.  The plot flows like a low-budget clip show—only those familiar with the anime could ever follow the GBA game’s rendition.  Most of the story takes place in-between missions, where characters talk to each other in dialog boxes displayed over static backgrounds.  The developers integrate dialog from the television show, but they make little to no effort to introduce the characters properly or tie dialog together in a coherent fashion.  For instance, after a battle in the dark, your defeated enemy refers to a “cheap trick” Yusuke used in the TV show to claim victory, but the game makes no attempt to include the actual trick—planting a lit cigarette on Yusuke’s rival to track his movement—into the battle itself.  The significant deviations from the show’s plot will also annoy the game’s target audience.  Multiple battle and plot segments are omitted, and the storyline is often tweaked to make room for more uninteresting missions, going as far as to change the ending to accommodate an anticlimactic final battle.

Atari’s Yu Yu Hakusho on the GBA is an insult to gamers and anime fans alike.  With its charismatic cast and open-ended, special-agent plot device, Yu Yu Hakusho is a prime franchise for videogames, but judging from this rush job, the developer and publisher don’t seem to recognize this.  Hopefully Atari will wise up and pay more attention to game mechanics and presentation when making its next Yu Yu Hakusho videogame.


Pros:

Exploding humans!

Official in-game artwork of the main characters

Cons:

Boring brawler gameplay

Clumsy controls and collision

Neglectful disregard for the anime

Horrible sound

Significant level design bugs

Graphics: 4.0

Although the game contains quality official artwork and decently modeled 3D characters, no care has been given to the level environments.  Scenery is stale and repetitive.  On the plus side though, humans die realistically!

Sound: 3.0

The game’s generic (and unsynchronized) punching noises are accompanied by a slim, uninteresting, and repetitive soundtrack likely composed in the span of a few hours.  Come on Atari!  You could have at least used the main theme song!

Control: 4.0

This game’s combat system could have been ripped from Bebe’s Kids.  Its clunky short and long-range attacks would frustrate gamers, were the gameplay more challenging.  Characters respond decently to D-pad input.

Gameplay: 3.0

Some of the game’s battles and mini-games are bearable, but most of this GBA game is duller than a rusty nail.

Lastability: 1.0

Not even the developers wanted to spend much time with this game.

Final Score (Not an average): 3.0

Only a Yu Yu Hakusho collector will find any intrinsic value in this game.  No gamer or fan of the series should ever have the displeasure of experiencing this prince among shovelware.

[Bringing scary eyes to Game Boy Advance systems around the world!]

2919

TalkBack / Yu-Gi-Oh Ships to North American Retailers

« on: February 10, 2004, 12:12:45 PM »

Bringing scary eyes to Game Boy Advance systems around the world!

KONAMI SHIPS YU-GI-OH!(tm) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT 2004 FOR NINTENDO GAME BOY(r) ADVANCE(tm)

Highly Anticipated Videogame Prepares Fans for the Ultimate Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament

REDWOOD CITY, CALIF. - February 10, 2004 - Konami Digital Entertainment - America, a subsidiary of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced it has shipped Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 for the Nintendo Game Boy(r) Advance to retail outlets nationwide. The official videogame for the 2004 Yu-Gi-Oh! videogame tournament, and the sequel to last year's popular Worldwide Edition Tournament game, Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 delivers the ultimate card battling game with more cards, more decks and more tactical strategies.    

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 features over 1000 cards, the ability to create three different dueling decks, and more than 25 popular characters from the hit animated TV series and comic book. Utilizing updated rules from the top-selling Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 captures the excitement of the game as players bring their real-life card battling strategies to the world of videogames. As a bonus for the card collecting fanatics, Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 comes packed with three limited edition Yu-Gi-Oh! cards: Fairy King Truesdale, Kinetic Soldier, and Slate Warrior.    

Players can begin training now for the card battling tournament taking place this summer. The U.S. finals event will commence in late summer with the winners moving on to battle the best in Europe and Japan. More details about the 2004 world tournament will follow soon.  

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 is rated E for Everyone and is available at an SRP of $34.99.

To learn more about the Yu-Gi-Oh! games, please visit: http://www.konami.com/usa

2920

NWR Feedback / RE:News Pages

« on: February 07, 2004, 10:12:25 PM »

Back when we designed our current layout, we made the executive decision to seperate user comments from the news stories.  Although we here at Late Night...er...PGC want our site to have a strong user community, we felt a fully-integrated talkback on our site would be too much of a distraction.  I know I don't like seeing "MAN thaz sukz I hat u s0ny xbox rulz" at the bottom of an otherwise professional story.  If memory serves me correctly, GameSpot used to have such a feature, but they tore it down--probably for the same reason.

That being said, I haven't found the reader responses on the same page to be very distracting.  I guess we just have better forum members!  Perhaps I'll push for a reevaluation of such a "Recently Heard" feature in the future...

2921

Podcast Discussion / RE:Radio Trivia Results for 2/6/2004

« on: February 07, 2004, 09:43:43 PM »

Glad you enjoyed the game, Caliban.  And thank you for playing it safe when you felt uncertain about the rules...much appreciated over "OH, you PM the guesses now?"

I must admit, I thought it was a pretty fun night myself ;-)  Maybe the ENgage party will become a regular part of Radio Trivia!

EDIT: salfe.  heh.

2922

Podcast Discussion / RE: Radio Trivia Results for 2/6/2004

« on: February 06, 2004, 08:04:25 PM »

I caught that typo, but apparently I fixed it on the wrong copy (in Word instead of in the forums)

[NikJam]

2923

Podcast Discussion / Radio Trivia Results for 2/6/2004

« on: February 06, 2004, 07:07:53 PM »

With Star Trek in the background and random Conan O’Brien impressions, Radio Trivia was happening tonight!  There were obscure songs from well-known games and well-known songs from obscure games, but after four tie-breakers against Arrow and Mikemn, NikJam took the trophy!


Game 1: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64)

Points to: PS2stink, Arrow, Lorg

Q: Who created Kirby, Nintendo’s foremost pink puff?
<NikJam> Masahiro Sakurai


Game 2: Mole Mania (GB)

Point to: Mikemn

Q: What is the name of Muddy Mole's Wife?
<Mikemn> maggie


Game 3: Secret of the Stars (SNES)

(No points awarded)

Q: What have the People of Winds been turned into?
<Arrow> dogs


-----HALFTIME-----

Super Mario Bros MariosTropicalParadise OC ReMix (Dr. Fruitcake)

-----HALFTIME-----


Game 4: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GC)

Point to: NikJam, bario

Q: In LoZ: The Wind Waker, which character’s name roughly translates from ancient Greek to “Blessed”?
<Kentop> makar



Game 5: James Bond Jr. (NES)

Q: Who is your arch nemesis in James Bond Jr.?
<ulanshad> SCUM Lord


TIE-BREAKER: Arrow, NikJam, MIkemn

Tie-breaker 1: The Tick (SNES)
(No correct guesses)

Tie-breaker 2: Super Smash Bros. Melee (GC)
(All correct)

Tie-breaker 3: Top Gear (SNES)
(No correct guesses)

Tie-breaker 4
<NikJam> mario party 5


-----RESULTS-----


NikJam: 2 + Tie-breaker

Arrow: 2

Mikemn: 2

Lorg: 1

PS2stink: 1

Barrio: 1

Kentop   : 1

Ulanshad: 1
 

2924

NWR Feedback / RE:What happens to old topics?

« on: February 05, 2004, 12:51:13 PM »

You can fix this "problem" in your profile settings, actually.  Under "Personal Options", change the value in the field "I would like to see the last _____ days of topics when I enter a category".  I'd just set it to some high value, since old threads don't really get in the way.  Mine's set to 9000.

2925

TalkBack / RE:The Planet GameCube 2004 Louie Awards Talkback Thread

« on: January 31, 2004, 12:37:04 PM »

Bah.  Wario World is still the real Most Disappointing game of 2003!