Not too many people wrote a musing last month. In fact, almost no one did. I’m going to blame it on a combination of the holidays, and the topic being too cheery — I think we get the most participation when I give you something to complain about. So, this month, I’m doing just that. The start of 2011 gives us an opportunity to look back at 2010 and remember everything we didn’t like about it....
Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman!was just recently announced as changing from a retail release to aPSN-only downloadable title, and whether that’s a good thing or not, it’s hard to say at this point (I personally enjoyed it on the PSP, as it seems a good fit for a portable title). NIS America noticed that a lot of people don’t understand what they are seeing when it comes to the gameplay, so they’ve released aseries of videosto attempt to help illustrate just what’s going on with all this digging around in the dirt....
This is usually the part of the article where I bemoan the fact that everything seems to be cooler in Japan, but I’ll spare you today as I’m too busy being jealous to elaborate. It seems that sometime last year, Nintendo invited a small number of students at the Nintendo Game Seminar to create experimental titles for the DS, which were going to be free to snag later down the line from Japan’s download stations....
All right, I’ve just about had it with Sony and Microsoft’s bullshit. Their little verbal fencing matches were fun at first, but now it’s just getting old. Old and lame.GamesIndustry.bizhad a word with Xbox boss Neil Thompson, and of course, he jumped at the opportunity to sling mud at the distinguished competition. Here’s a couple of quotes from Thompson when asked what he thought about Sony’s delay with the European PS3 launch:...
I love theCooking Mamagames for both the DS and the Wii. Sure, they’re casual games that boil down to really simple control gestures, but there’s something about the style and character that I find addictive. Plus, I’m drawn to bitchy/crazy women! Nowmy favorite fiery-eyed demon cookmakes her way back to the stove inCooking Mama World Kitchen. This Wii game has a freshly overhauled graphics system, sporting shiny new 3D graphics. Of course, you’ll still use the Wii Remote as your kitchen utensil, choping and frying up a storm....
RememberCastle of Illusionfor Sega Genesis? That game was a graphical wonder back in the day. I made everyone that came over look at it. If someone didn’t like it, I swore not to talk to them anymore, much like how I still won’t talk to people that stir their food before eating it. Disney filed a trademark for the term for use with video game cartridges, discs, and software, saysSiliconera. Maybe Disney is planning on a remake, or maybe a digital re-release....
While we weren’t particularly impressed by theTerminator: Salvationthird-person action game that recently hit consoles, this might be more our speed — a full arcade cabinet, gun peripherals and all. Reader Malovane sent over these snaps of a prototype cabinet for along-rumoredTerminator: Salvationgame. The cabinet — which is playable at an undisclosed test location — features two guns, and a “sneak preview” version of the full game. The title is developed by the guys who brought the hyper-popularBig Buck Huntergames, Play Mechanix, in conjunction with Raw Thrills; no word if you’re able to shoot terminators in their mechanical lungs....
Last week we dropped the bombshell thatzombies would be includedin Treyarch’s World War II shooter,World at War. The above video shows the zombies in action. Notice the beautiful shuffle, the moans, and the wondrously creepy glowing eyes. It is almost as if these huggable creatures are hungry for human flesh or something. As mentioned previously, zombies will only be included in a special cooperative mode earned after completing the entirety of the single player campaign....
This is it. The partnership you’ve all been waiting for. On May 17 Nintendo and the American Heart Association are going to make an announcement in the city of New York. What this announcement will be is shrouded in mystery. A mystery so thick that only wanton speculation could follow — and so it shall. It’s pretty obvious that this will have something to do with Nintendo’s ever expanding focus on getting people off their couch....
This is one of those stories where I really wanted to put Captain Obvious up there — especially since I already went to the printed money well once this week — but I just can’t because this seems to actually not be obvious to some people. So, here goes: A representative from Nintendo has stated to CVG that the company won’t stop producing games for the old DS because there’s a new handheld on the way....
I don’t think you’re too worried about that, are you? I’m not. I’m ready to move on. The 3DS is so shiny and new that it’s hard to look at the DS anymore. But if you’re still wanting to do that bland old 2D thing even after the 3DS comes out early next year, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata brings good news. “We have no plans to immediately cease any activities for Nintendo DS,” Iwata said in a recent briefing....
I was actually in the midst of working onthe third episodeofConstructoid(which is all about women in games and in gaming) when I heard this on the radio. It made me smile from ear to ear, particularly the part about Bayonetta. 17-year-old Jessica Cernadas sums up my thoughts on the character perfectly, and she does it in just one sentance. I have a lot to learn from her. Anyway, hit the jump for an embed of this well produced little snap shot of what gaming is like for teenage women today, courtesy of NPR....
Woah, look atthatthing. That’s Nyko’s “Metal Pedal,” compatible withRock Band1 and 2 drums, as well asGuitar Hero World Tour’s kit. In addition to it being “heavy duty,” it has a motherf**king skeleton on it, guys. And you can’t much more metal than a skeleton. That’s just one of the many new products the accessory manufacturer will be bringing to CES next January. Also on hand will be their new “Charge Station Quad for Wii,” a 4-port controller dock and charging station for Wii Remotes....
