Topics

101

Announcements / Sorry about the Errors!

« on: February 28, 2003, 02:43:56 PM »

Well, we tried to put another stick of RAM in the server today, and starting having these errors.  Unfortunately, there was a delay getting the RAM removed, but everything should be nice and stable again now.  Unfortunately, that means no more RAM.  We're going to see what we can do about figuring out how to fix the problem, but for now, we should be without problems (aside from possible slowness) for the time being.

Thanks for your patience!

[Did you find WrestleMania X8 for GameCube disappointing? If so, put your mind to work and tell THQ how to make the game better!]

102

TalkBack / THQ needs your help to help shape WrestleMania XIX

« on: February 25, 2003, 05:57:01 PM »

Did you find WrestleMania X8 for GameCube disappointing?  If so, put your mind to work and tell THQ how to make the game better!

THQ is asking for WWE fans to help out, and give constructive feedback to help shape future WWE Wrestling games.

Specifically, they want to you to rank the importance of certain features in wrestling games, which features you liked best in SmackDown: Shut Your Mouth (for PS2, if you played it), What you thought of certain new features in the game, and what you'd like to see most in the future.

Oh, and they also want to know what game you thought was the best wrestling game of all time.  And yes, WWE (WWF) No Mercy is on the list.

What are you waiting for?  You don't get a chance like this every day.  Get over to THQ's website and tell them what you want.

[Rumors are swirling that stores are running out of Bonus Discs and that Nintendo is ending the pre-order campaign. What's going on?]

103

TalkBack / What's going on with Zelda Pre-Orders

« on: February 25, 2003, 02:43:25 PM »

Rumors are swirling that stores are running out of Bonus Discs and that Nintendo is ending the pre-order campaign.  What's going on?

We've heard for the past week and a half all of the rumors and complaints from gamers and retailers alike that Nintendo is ending the pre-order campaign for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and that retailers like GameStop have run out of the bonus disc and are being told not to expect any more.

We've contacted Nintendo on the matter, and have been told in no uncertain terms that Nintendo is NOT cancelling the pre-order program.  We repeat ... Nintendo is NOT cancelling the pre-order program.

However, this was not intended to be an indefinite program, and is supposed to be limited to pre-orders ONLY.  As a result, it is entirely likely that once the pre-order discs at a retailer run out, that they will not be getting any restock.  While Nintendo will not comment further, we have reason to beleive that Nintendo only ever intended to make the bonus discs once, and once they are gone, there won't be any more.  In other words, it's "while supplies last".

What does this mean to you if you haven't pre-ordered yet?  It means that you need to get going.  These discs aren't going to last forever.  Your best bet is to avoid a store like GameStop that is already claiming to have run out of the discs and focus on either large stores like Toys 'R' Us and Best Buy, or chains like EB that are smaller than the GameStop chains.  Online stores seem to still have stock, but that can be risky, since you won't know until you receive it.

It's worth noting that as of Monday, all mention of the pre-order bonus disc was removed from Zelda.com, and replaced with the following statement:

"The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker preorder offer has been an incredible success! Due to overwhelming demand, it is possible that the special The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Master Quest Bonus Disc may no longer be available in your area."

More on this story as it develops.

104

Announcements / Let the Moderators do their jobs

« on: February 21, 2003, 10:15:27 AM »

We're getting pretty tired of seeing people responding to threads questioning why the thread isn't locked yet, or telling users that they've screwed up.  It's unnecessary.  In case you hadn't noticed, we're pretty responsive here, and there's rarely anything going on that we're unaware of.  If you have a complaint about a thread/message, use the "Report this to a Moderator" link, and we'll take care of it.  There is no need for you to address it publicly yourself.  And if we wanted to get technical about it, it would be considered both posting off-topic and flame-bait, and is itself against the rules.  It would be kind of ironic to get banned yourself for pointing out something that would get someone else banned, huh?

Thanks.  

[PGC Reader Mickey was kind enough to send us some scans of his pre-order bonus for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Check them out!]

105

TalkBack / Pre-Order Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire, get change back!

« on: February 18, 2003, 11:58:44 AM »

PGC Reader Mickey was kind enough to send us some scans of his pre-order bonus for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire.  Check them out!

Gamers that pre-order Pokemon Ruby or Sapphire from participating retailers will receive special holographic collector's coins as a bonus.  While not quite on the level of two free games, these coins are pretty cool.

Thanks to reader "Mickey" for sending us these scans!  Make sure you get your pre-orders in soon!

[When they aren't torturing a poor GBA SP by setting it on fire, they're DISMEMBERING IT! Oh, the humanity!]

106

TalkBack / Inside the SP

« on: February 15, 2003, 02:39:59 PM »

When they aren't torturing a poor GBA SP by setting it on fire, they're DISMEMBERING IT!  Oh, the humanity!

How on earth did Nintendo cram the Game Boy Advance into this smaller size?  Lik Sang was determined to find out, and find out they did.

There are some nice revelations to be had.  First, the slick little baby-blue Lithium Ion battery is self contained and should be replaceable should it fail.

Second, this thing is SMALL.  OK, so that's not really a "revelation", but what are you going to do?

So what does it look like?  Head on over to Lik Sang and find out.

[If you just spent $150 on an import GBA SP, what would you do? These jokers SET THEIRS ON FIRE!]

107

TalkBack / Game Boy Advance SP "Crash Test"

« on: February 15, 2003, 02:29:51 PM »

If you just spent $150 on an import GBA SP, what would you do?  These jokers SET THEIRS ON FIRE!

Update: Lik Sang has pulled the "crash test", due to the outcry from customer who had yet to recieve their GBA SP units, while Lik Sang was destroying one.  Turns out that the SP that Lik Sang set on fire was already defective, so they decided to have a little fun, and their customers didn't appreciate the joke.  Spoil sports.  Lik Sang has informed us that once all of the SP units they have in stock are shipped out to pre-orders, they will post the "Crash Test" again.

In the meantime, we suggest that you do check out the "Inside the SP" story instead, as there are a lot of wonderful pictures of what the SP looks like NAKED!

Every time a new console or handheld is released, there are jokers on the Internet that want to see how much punishment it can take.  Doesn't look like the Game Boy Advance SP is going to be any different, as the folks at Lik Sang have taken the Game Boy Advance SP to the next level.  That is, if that next level happens to be the raging infernos of HELL.

Needless to say, don't try this at home.  First of all, that's a lot of money.  Second, fire burns ... not just the SP, but probably YOU, too.  Lastly, I'm pretty sure this isn't covered under Nintendo's stellar warranty service.

There are several downloadable videos of these guys torturing the poor GBA SP, and you'll need DiVX to view them.  And may God have mercy on their souls.

108

Announcements / Thread Subscriptions and Free E-Mail

« on: February 14, 2003, 12:24:40 PM »

If you are registered using a free e-mail host and are subscribing to several popular threads, you should HIGHLY consider having the subscription notices sent to your Private Message box on the Forum, rather than your e-mail address.  While this does require you to turn on your Private Messages box, you can easily ignore anyone sending you unsolicited message with the Ignore feature.

We're getting several bounce-back messages that people have reached their mailbox limit, and it's only going to get worse as the traffic here increases.  It's easier on your e-mail, and easier on our e-mail server.  

Thanks for your consideration!

[THANK YOU!]

109

Announcements / Seriously ... e-mail is really fixed this time.

« on: February 12, 2003, 11:40:16 AM »

First, I want to say THANK YOU!  Thank you for being so incredibly patient and bearing with us while we worked the last few bugs out of our systems.  As it turns out, it was a fairly obscure DNS problem that was causing our e-mail failures, and those problems should now be resolved.  We have sent a few test mails to users who have been helping us out, and they have been received.  Now it time to have the rest of you try again!

If you did NOT receive your initial Forum password (or changed your e-mail, which sent a new password), goto this page and enter the e-mail address you registered with.  If you have NOT registered yet, please use the "join" button on the menu to get registered.

REMEMBER, a valid e-mail address is REQUIRED for you to use the Forums, and if you try to change your e-mail address, another random password will be sent to you.  If you try to give us a fake e-mail address, you'll be locked out of your account permanently.  

110

Announcements / Faster? GOOD.

« on: February 07, 2003, 01:33:11 PM »

We've made a few tweaks to our server confirguration, including installing a compression utility to reduce the amount of data that needs to be sent out when you request a page.  If you've noticed that the server went from a slow crawl to practically being ON FIRE, that's the compression at work.  All modern 4.0+ version broswers should support the compression and those that don't are served uncompressed pages.  There shouldn't be any issues (aside from a small hiccup when the services were restarted), so if you notice anything out of the ordinary, feel free to send me a Private Message.

On a side note, this is going to make Planet GameCube as a whole significantly faster as well.  Enjoy!

[You asked for it, you got it! We're now hosting our very own Forums! Go get your new Forum account NOW!]

111

TalkBack / Announcing the ALL NEW Planet GameCube Forums!

« on: February 07, 2003, 10:55:59 AM »

You asked for it, you got it!  We're now hosting our very own Forums!  Go get your new Forum account NOW!

It's been a long time in coming (back), but they're finally here.  We seem to have gotten some of the last little bugs worked out, and we're now ready to unleash <a href="http://www.planetgamecube.com/forums">our new Forums[/url] on the world!

The new Forums are different from ezBoard in many ways, so you're bound to be disoriented at first.  Make sure to take time to look around and read some of the posts before you jump into the fray ... many of your likely questions have already been answered.  Most importantly, make sure you read the Rules and the FAQ so that you're aware of what kinds of things will have your access removed.

We're still going to be making changes to the Forums as we come up with ideas, so be prepared for cool surprises and updates!

112

Announcements / New Emoticons!

« on: February 06, 2003, 02:32:58 PM »

By now most of you will have noticed that the Emoticons/Rating Icons got a bit of an overhaul.  In addition, there are BRAND NEW emoticons you can use.  When you start or reply to a thread, click the "symbols" link at the bottom to see all the new ones available to you.  And of course, they're available on your drop-down emoticon list.

This is just the start of the neat new things we have planned.  Stay tuned.  

[Q: Why do you keep locking my thread?]

113

Announcements / Why do you keep locking my thread? About Polls.

« on: February 04, 2003, 06:49:18 PM »

Q:  Why do you keep locking my thread?

A:  Probably because the question you're asking is a poll.  Anytime you ask random people to give you the title of a game, based on some criteria, with little background information ... it's a poll.  This means that asking "What game should I buy?" or "What's a good *genre* game?" is a poll, and WILL be locked.

Q:  So how the hell am I supposed to know what game to buy???

A:  Here's my suggestion, and it works very well for me. Make a list of the games YOU already enjoy. Check out some reviewers online, and see what games they've reviewed highly. Find a reviewer who's reviews most closely parallel your own, and use them as your barometer for what to buy.  If all of that fails, go rent the ones that look interesting to you.  Only YOU know what games YOU are going to enjoy.  (On a side note, learn to be an independent thinker.  It's great that you want to make a good purchasing decision and are looking for infomation, but a random sampling is not the best way to get it.  There are a lot of websites on the internet devoted to giving you the information you're looking for.  Use them to help, but you've got to go with your own gut.  If all else fails, you have to try the game to be sure!)

Q:  But I REALLY want to know everyone else's opinion!

A:  Then find a more constructive way to ask your question, and put some THOUGHT into it.  Start a conversation, talk about games you enjoy, what qualities you think comprise a good game, feelings that these games give you.  LEAVE IT AT THAT.  Don't ask for other people's opinions.  

Q:  Don't ask for their opinion?  Then how am I going to get them?

A:  Because when you post a new thread in a forum, the fact that you're starting a conversation and inviting other people's opinions is IMPLIED.  There is nothing more redundant than asking for someone opinion on a message board designed to ask that question for you.  The fact that you've posted it asks the question "What do you think?" for you.

Q:  Thanks for setting me straight, Rick!

A:  No problem, now get in there start a thoughtful conversation!  

114

Announcements / New Forum FAQ online!

« on: February 04, 2003, 09:41:30 AM »

In an effort to educate our users, we've posted a Planet GameCubeForums FAQ on the website.  It's always available by the new "faq" link on the Menu Bar.

You "old timers" might remember this as the Forums Etiquette post from the ezBoard Forums.  Regardless, while not following these "rules" probably won't get you banned intially, if you start annoying other users because you can't conform, you'll likely be banned as a result.

Play nice.  

[The wacky GBA hardware add-ons continue to roll on out ...]

115

TalkBack / Smartmedia-based video/music player for GBA

« on: February 04, 2003, 08:52:39 AM »

The wacky GBA hardware add-ons continue to roll on out ...

A company called am3, funded by Toshiba, Imagica, and Bandai, are set to start test marketing in May a device for the Game Boy Advance (and Game Boy Advance SP) that will allow you to replay video and music files stores on SmartMedia memory cards.  Thay plan on a full-scale release in the Fall.

If the information we have is correct, it seems that AM3 plans on selling both recordable SmartMedia (which you can put anything on), and SmartMedia which will have pre-recorded (and presumably, protected) content.  It looks like protection will be in place to ensure that even content recorded by users (through the use of a special adapter) will not be able to be shared with other users.  They also plan to offer pre-recorded SmartMedia card through kiosks in convenience stores.

The compression/decompression algorithms are stores on the media, not in the adapter, and will take up some of the space on the cards.  The codec is written specifically for the ARM7 CPU in the GBA, but no specifics on the technology are available.  A 32MB SmartMedia card can hold up to 24 minutes of video, and 5 hours of audio.

Eventually, the company hopes that this technology can be used for study aids, advertisements, museum guides, digital comic books, and the company does indeed plan on expanding the device into the United States in the second half of 2003 and Europe in 2004.  They will officially announce the device for the North American market at E3 in May.

Pricing appears to be a bit vauge, but they appear to be offering the device and one SmartMedia card for about $40.  Blank 32MB SmartMedia cards will be around $28, with a  CD-ROM packed with content available for about $60.

[If you've got an Indigo or the new Platinum Cube, prepare for disappointment ...]

116

TalkBack / Game Boy Player available ONLY in Black

« on: February 04, 2003, 07:32:59 AM »

If you've got an Indigo or the new Platinum Cube, prepare for disappointment ...

In what has got to be one of the most baffling decisions we've seen, Nintendo has chosen to release the Game Boy Player add-on for the GameCube in Jet Black ONLY.  Both EB Games and GameStop are both listing only the Black model available for pre-ordering.  There may be additional colors after the initial launch, but if you have to have one on the first day, Black is all you can get.

In Japan, Nintendo is releasing the Player in all of the colors available, including Spice Orange.  Importers will need a modded unit in order to use the Player, because while the hardware will work on a GameCube from any region, the included Boot Disc is expected to be region-locked like like all other GameCube software.

Of course, if you want to import, our partners at Video Game Depot will be happy to hook you up.

[It's now offical, Metroid Prime 2 is in development. But will Samus be playing Volleyball?]

117

TalkBack / Metroid Prime 2, official!

« on: February 04, 2003, 07:14:01 AM »

It's now offical, Metroid Prime 2 is in development.  But will Samus be playing Volleyball?

It's been fairly widely known that Retro Studios went right back to work after their Louie Award Winning Metroid Prime was released, and we were told that it was to be a sequel to Metroid Prime.  Now Nintendo has made it official, as the game is now listed on thier website.

No details are known at this time, and we don't know if Prime 2 will pick up after the first Prime game, or if it will continue the story line started in Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance.  All that is certain is that you won't be seeing Samus spiking a volleyball any time soon.

So what does this mean for Retro's other projects that were shelved in order to emphasize on Prime?  It's hard to say at this point, as apparently the entire company is again focused on the sequel.

We'll have more details for you as soon as we can dig them up.

118

Announcements / Subscription Links fixed

« on: February 03, 2003, 02:50:50 PM »

If you've had any problem with subscription links being incorrect, the problem has now been resolved.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention, WindyMan.  

Subscriptions sent by both e-mail and Private Message should work properly now.  I highly recommend that if you want to subscribe to a thread, that you use the Forums Private Messaging, rather than e-mail, since you can generate a fair amount of e-mail traffic in highly-trafficked threads.  

119

Announcements / Forum Rules Clarified/Updated

« on: February 03, 2003, 02:04:16 PM »

Just a heads up for all of you ...

The Forum rules have been updated and clarified, mostly to remove some of the redundancies and clarify a few salient points.  It would be wise for you all to check them out again, as your continued use of the Forums implies your agreement to abide by said rules.  

One point with which you need to be aware is that you are not to link to any graphic or media file that is not contained on your own personal webspace.  To do so is bandwidth theft, and PGC will not be responsible for stealing the bandwidth of other websites.  This is not a new rule, but again, a clarification of existing rules.  Just because you CAN link to an image doesn't make it OK.  Also, many sites will replace the graphic you are "leeching" with a different graphic, and these images can often be pornographic or objectionable in nature.  Of course, if this happens, it is YOUR fault, and you will be banned.  

120

General Chat / General Chat Guidelines

« on: February 03, 2003, 10:52:44 AM »

You're pretty much open to discussing anything you want in General Chat, but due to the firestorm it tends to create, there are still a few topics that are completely off-limits.  Any threads discussing these topics will be deleted, and any threads that degenerate into a discussion of these topics will be locked.  Anyone that REPEATEDLY starts or engages in a conversation discussing these topics will be banned.  This is your warning, there will not be another.

The off-limit topics are:

* Religion
* Politics
* Nationality
* Sexual Orientation
* Mothers  

I will also point out that these rules are no different than the rules of the Forum itself, and this is simply a reminder.  Any questions?  I didn't think so.  Carry on.        

[In eerie similarity to the Challenger disaster nearly seventeen years ago, Columbia falls apart 38 miles above Texas during re-entry.]

121

TalkBack / BREAKING: Space Shuttle Columbia Destroyed

« on: February 01, 2003, 09:48:51 AM »

In eerie similarity to the Challenger disaster nearly seventeen years ago, Columbia falls apart 38 miles above Texas during re-entry.

If you're having a wicked feeling of Deja Vu this morning, you're not the only one.  Nearly seventeen years to the date the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in the early morning hours in front of a startled nation.  So many people are wondering if they were watching a history reel when confronted with the news this morning that the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia met the same terrible fate.  Many of the circumstances are different, but it is a tragedy of similar proportions, nonetheless.

We'll leave the details to the regular news sites ( CNN, MSNBC, Yahoo News ) but our hearts go out to the families of the crew of Columbia, and to everyone else affected by this terrible accident.  God Speed, Columbia.      

[Fully poseable doll, er ... ACTION FIGURE.]

122

TalkBack / Samus Action Figure!

« on: January 31, 2003, 11:05:25 PM »

Fully poseable doll, er ... ACTION FIGURE.

For those of you wanting your very own pocket-sized Samus Aran, wait no longer! for just $13.95, you can have your very own Samus Aran action figure from the fine folks at Die Cast Express.  It's officially licensed, and comes with a collector's card and codes for some of the Metroid games.

Want to see what she looks like?  Well, you're going to need to get over to Die Case Express to see it!

[Major internet "worm" took down many web servers running SQL last night. Details inside ...]

123

TalkBack / What the heck is going on?!

« on: January 25, 2003, 05:54:35 AM »

Major internet "worm" took down many web servers running SQL last night.  Details inside ...

If you noticed that many of your favorite websites were out of commission or unreachable in the wee hours this morning, then you witnessed the effects of a major SQL virus that's been spreading like wildfire.

The gist of it is this ... servers running Microsoft SQL Server that are open to the internet (mostly web servers), have a vulnerability that was used to create a virus that infects these machines, then connects to other machines the same way to spread itself around.  This one appears to have been started at one infected machine which has been sending bad packets out, flooding 5 of the 13 main "nameservers" on the internet.  (A nameserver is what allows you to reach us by typing "www.planetgamecube.com" instead of our IP Address.)

Regardless, we're back up now.  Thanks for being patient with us.  

If you're curious about what happened and want to know more, in addition to the Yahoo link above, you can find more information at Slashdot and at CNN.

[For a limited time, you can get one of four titles free with your GameCube purchase. Plus, new additions to Nintendo's "Player's Choice" line!]

124

TalkBack / Buy a GameCube, get a free game!

« on: January 17, 2003, 04:29:03 PM »

For a limited time, you can get one of four titles free with your GameCube purchase.  Plus, new additions to Nintendo's "Player's Choice" line!

Starting on February 9th gamers that buy a GameCube at $149.99 from participating retailers will get one of four titles free.   Buyers can choose from Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 0, Star Fox Adventures or Mario Party 4.  

The program is scheduled to end in May, but if the response is positive, it wouldn't be unheard of for Nintendo to extend the program into the Fall.

The free game is likely in retaliation to the stiff competition Microsoft's Xbox is proving to be, with recent news that Xbox has pulled ahead of Nintendo in worldwide sales.

In addition, you will now be able to get three of Nintendo's major sellers for a low $29.95.  Luigi's Mansion, Pikmin and Super Smash Bros. Melee are all added to Nintendo's list of hit titles to be offered at a discount.

[Limited Edition Game Boy Advance SP's are on the way, and you'll never guess what game it's for ...]

125

TalkBack / Limited Edition SP units already?

« on: January 14, 2003, 08:51:25 AM »

Limited Edition Game Boy Advance SP's are on the way, and you'll never guess what game it's for ...

According to the Official Final Fantasy Tactics Advance website, there will be a limited edition "Pearl White" Game Boy Advance SP package released in Japan the same day as the standard version (February 14).

This limited edition unit comes with Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, the Pearl White GBA SP, A FFT-A premium wrist strap, and a FFT-A carrying case.

Pricing is set at 18,300 Yen, which is about $150 US.  Expect the price to be at least 50% higher for a limited edition unit imported from overseas.

We'll have more information as soon as we can dig it up.