Treasure Trove: Mad Gear

I've already mentioned the awfulness that was e-for-all 2008, but there were a couple of redeeming experiences there. One was a tiny partial-booth tucked away in the back far-right corner of the hall, Mad Gear.

Mad Gear is a privately-owned import and vintage games seller, kinda like Play Asia, but smaller. I had the pleasure of chatting with the shop's owner, ???, who was able to provide me with plenty of good recommendations based on my gaming preferences.

There were plenty of great things to look at, try out and purchase at Mad Gear's booth, including mint-in-the-box Famicom, Super Famicom, Sega Master System, Saturn, Game Gear, PC Engine and various other games. I made two purchases before leaving the booth, but believe me, had my wallet not been so light, I would have walked away with much, much more.


My two purchases included Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie for Super Famicom and a rare NES Metroid soundtrack mini-disc, released as a promo for the Gameboy Advance NES Classics series in Japan. Both are in outstanding condition, and I plan on making future purchases from Mad Gear with great confidence. Be sure to check them out!

E-for-all, or n-for-none?

Despite warnings all over the industry that it would be a joke, last year's e-for-all gaming event was a pretty decent event. The first of its kind, e-for-all is an open-to-the-public gaming expo, not unlike E3 (which is an industry-only event) or Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), except smaller. I attended last year's event at the Los Angeles Convention Center with some skepticism, and was pleasantly surprised by what I found there.

This year, e-for-all is back, and I went again, meeting up with my brother and one friend. What did we encounter? A whole lot of nothing.

We entered the L.A. Convention Center South Hall at 10:36 am, concerned that we were running late and might end up waiting in some long lines both at the doors and the booths inside. We couldn't have been more wrong. As we approached the outside entrance, it felt like a ghost town. No lines, no crowds of avid gamers eager to see what's next for the industry, no outdoor booths featuring energy drinks and new gaming peripherals. Nothing.

We passed Staples Center on the way there, and a modest line had formed outside its doors, formed mostly by middle-aged women waiting for something or other; the line was longer than any we saw inside e-for-all. I joked at the time that there must be Laker Girl tryouts going on inside, and given the demographic of the people in line, that would have been more entertaining than almost all of the exhibits we saw in the South Hall that day.

Last year, as we hesitantly entered the South Hall, we didn't know what to expect, and were overwhelmed on entering by the massive booth put up by Nintendo. EA had a good sized booth, as did Activision, THQ, Ubisoft and Namco. There were smaller booths featuring a host of other developers and publishers, various merchandise booths, tournaments, contests and other fun stuff. E3 it wasn't, but it was definitely fun.

This past week, upon passing through the doors, we encountered an atmosphere equivalent to some convalescent homes. I nearly expected an orderly or nurse to approach and whisper, 'Shhhhhh'. Underwhelming was the order of the day.

The odd thing is, I had been reading up on e-for-all during the months leading up to it, and hardly expected this. While Nintendo had recently revealed they would not be attending, along with Activision and some others, I had read confirmation that Sony and Microsoft would both be present, as would EA, Ubisoft and several other major publishers.

Apparently, I was in error. No Microsoft, no Sony, and the handful of major developer's booths we found were primarily host to games that have already been out for months, if not years. Sure, Ubisoft had a whopping four kiosks dedicated to Far Cry 2, and four more for Tom Clancy's Endwar, but aside from the Gears of War 2 booth, there was very little to whet anyone's gaming appetite for the upcoming holiday season.

Yes, there were highlights; I tried out Shaun White Snowboarding on the Wii at the largest booth in the hall (Target), and Mushroom Men was playable at a little lounge dedicated to indy game development. But other than these and the tiny little booth in the far back corner selling quality vintage and import games (props to you, Mad-Gear!), we found very little of interest.

Will e-for-all return next year? I'm doubtful, but if it does, there will need to be a cavalcade of awesomeness to lure me there.

Legos and The Dark Knight? I'm THERE!

Ever since Lego Star Wars was released a few years ago, the runaway success of combining ABS plastic building bricks and popular character franchises to create fun yet challenging pick-up-and-play video games has been undeniable. Lego Star Wars II: The Classic Trilogy, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga and Lego Indiana Jones have all sold hundreds of thousands of copies across multiple platforms, and each release has had many gamers, old and young, salivating for more.

I'm happy to report that Lego Batman is no exception. And if you know me, that means a lot.



As something of a Batman aficionado, I pride myself on the modest collection of Bat-stuff that I own, from Pez dispensers to limited edition figurines. But one of my favorite areas of my tribute to the Dark Knight is my Batman Lego sets, which started appearing on store shelves last year. These are some of the coolest Lego sets around in my view, and they include a variety of awesome vehicles and excellent minifigures.

Naturally, when Lego Batman: The Videogame was announced, I was delighted. I already spent countless hours playing through both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, along with both of my sons, but as a Batman fanatic, nothing could compare to playing my all-time favorite character in Lego form.



UPS: Developer Traveller's Tales (TT) has stuck to the tried-and-true formula that made the previous Lego titles successful. Run around in an enclosed (but not tiny) 3D environment as your favorite Lego character, beat up on badguys, break stuff made of bricks and build various items and vehicles to solve puzzles and eliminate obstacles. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Additionally, TT has improved on some gameplay elements from previous titles as well. In Indiana Jones, your character lacked a Lightsaber, which left them open to attacks from projectile weapons, and without any effective blocking combat could get pretty frustrating at times. In Lego Batman, while still not armed with a laser-sword, Batman and Robin both wield Batarangs, which can be locked onto up to five targets on screen and then released. These can stun or eliminate enemies, as well as destroy some objects, often helping solve puzzles. Thus, you can enter an area populated by gun-wielding enemies, lock-on and buy yourself some precious time to close the gap between you and them.

Also new to the series are the 'Tech-suits'; Batman and Robin are well known in comics for the use of gadgets and technology to aid in their crusade against crime, and Lego Batman keeps this tradition alive with Tech-suits. At key points in each level, you will find glowing areas on the ground, indicating that you can build a Tech-suit station there. Once built, the station will allow Batman or Robin (depending on the emblem the station displays) to swap their current outfit for another. These enable special abilities such as Magnetic Boots (walk on metal surfaces), Hazard Suit (immunity to fire and toxins) and Glide Cape (my favorite), which allows Batman to glide across gaps or down to lower areas. Better still, while Batman or Robin wears a Tech-suit, they still retain all the other abilities they previously had, including their batarangs, grapple guns and combat skills.

Batman and Robin can 'grapple' enemies when they are close; pressing the 'Z' button (on Wii) causes them to grab the nearest enemy and hold him up by the collar. Pressing 'B' after this will result in a slam to the ground or punch to the head. Another awesome improvement is that enemies go flying in all directions when they are hit or kicked. It's purely cosmetic, but so much fun to watch!

Various other improvements include better collision detection, shorter load times and minor graphic tweaks.

Lego Batman is also the first Lego Franchised game that has you playing as a villain in half of its levels. There are fifteen Batman and Robin levels, and fifteen villain levels, for a total of 30 (not counting bonuses). To put this into perspective, both of the original Lego Star Wars games and Lego Indiana Jones included only 18 levels (again, not counting bonus levels).

DOWNS: A couple of the same issues that plague the previous Lego games are present in Lego Batman. Sometimes the environmental models don't show depth very well, so it can be easy to jump from a platform and miss the next one entirely. Goals or solutions to puzzles can be obscure at times, which can lead to frustration, especially for younger players. These are minor gripes, but nuisances nonetheless.

RECOMMENDATION: BUY, BUY, BUY! Okay, I'll settle down, but seriously, if you liked the other Lego titles at all, pick this one up. If you've got kids and you are looking for a fun way to play along with them, Lego Batman is the solution. If you're a freak, like me, you'd better not still be reading, but on your way to buy Lego Batman today.

Quick Reviews

Alrighty, in an effort to catch up on the backlog of stuff I have played and NOT written about, I'm going to post several very brief reviews here:

1. LEGO INDIANA JONES (Wii, XBOX 360, PS3, PS2, PC)
Ups: More great Lego fun, with simple, straightforward gameplay that most kids can jump in on, but adults can still enjoy. Levels based on the first three films, with a little bit of artistic liberty taken here and there, great vehicle gameplay (but no levels exclusively for vehicles), TONS of characters (who knew there were so many?) and some awesome humor. Add a few cool bonus levels, collectibles and awesome drop-in/drop-out co-op free play and you've got a winner.

Downs: No vehicle-only levels, combat can get tough when lots of gun-toting baddies show up, and I encountered a glitch that has prevented 100% completion.

Recommendation: BUY! If you have kids, or even if you just dig fun games, this is a surefire fun-fest. If you like Indy, it's even better.

2. Wii Fit (Wii)
Ups: Simple, easy-to-use entry level fitness software that will help anyone get off the couch and get moving. Think Wii Sports but with a BMI/Weight tracker, virtual trainer, many more options and a ton of fun. The Balance Board, included in the $90 title, works beautifully and is already being supported in many games yet to come, including Shawn White Snowboarding, Skate It, Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party and more.

Downs: If you are looking for a serious work-out, Wii Fit doesn't 'Fit' the bill, but can augment your regular regimen. Also, I wish there were a 'playlist' option, allowing you to set up a series of excersizes in sequence, without returning to the menu. Ah well, maybe Wii Fit 2.0...

Recommendation: Get it if you want some motivation to start a light to moderate fitness routine, and for some good ol' family fun. If you don't see yourself working out regularly with it, save your $$$. Hint: my wife and kids love it.

3. Okami (Wii)
Ups: This port of the PS2 Game-Of-The Year from 2006 is a beautifully crafted Zelda-like single player adventure. It draws from Japanese mythology for its story and incorporates a unique brush-painting visual style that I've never seen in another game. It adds widescreen and 480p support to the original, as well as Wii-remote gesture controls in places where it makes sense.

Downs: Single player only, so this is for the 'hardcore' gamer. Brush controls can take some getting used to, but are great once you get past the learning curve.

Recommendation: Hardcore gamers and Zelda fans, this is a must-buy. Okami is every bit as inspired, engrossing and beautiful as any Zelda game, and better than some.

Well, there's a few to keep you busy for a while! More to come later...

BOOM! Here come da Blox...

Much of the gaming world's press, bloggers and pundits agree that the Wii has really turned the market on its ear. Unique controllers, an emphasis on innovation over high tech system architecture and a steady stream of triple-a blockbusters this past year have all helped set the little white box apart from other console offerings.

But beyond all that, the very different nature of some of the games offered on the Wii have been the primary selling point. Wii Sports, packed right in with the system here in the U.S. has redefined what a sports game can be, especially as an entry-level introduction to gaming in general for an otherwise standoffish mainstream demographic. Add titles like Wii Play, Wii Fit, Carnival Games, Mario Kart, etc. and you get a whole new category of games: CASUAL.

While many in the 'Hardcore' gamer demographic have been a bit panicked over the emergence of the 'Casual' gamer, there are a few titles that I have observed successfully appeal to both crowds. Electronic Arts' Boom Blox, produced by none other than Steven Spielberg, is one such game.

See, after trying the Wii out alongside legendary Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto (some would say the 'Spielberg' of gaming) at E3 2005 (I believe they played Wii Sports Tennis), good ol' Steve-O was inspired to come up with a game idea or two of his own! As he used the Wii Remote to swing at a tennis ball, throw pitches, etc. he felt something familiar, something from childhood. He later told people that he recalled building block structures as a kid and then knocking them down with a ball, and hence, Boom Blox was conceived.

UPS:
Boom Blox is a delight to play; don't let the simplistic premise or vague box art fool you, this game is really fun! There are a number of modes, but the basic idea is that you throw a ball of some kind (there are several) at block structures. This seemingly childish concept has been taken to the nth degree, however, with different kinds of blocks (some explode, some shatter, others simply vanish), different challenges (how few throws will it take to destroy this structure? How many points can you get with two throws?) and even a clever story mode.

There's also multiplayer in Boom Blox, and that brings me to what is perhaps the most engrossing quality of the game. I've mentioned that several non-gamers in my family have been won over by the charms of Wii Sports in the past, but Boom Blox has captured the few anti-game holdouts that were still unconvinced. I've never seen anything like it; my wife, my brother and sister in law, my father in law... all of them ASKING to play Boom Blox with no prompting from me! The multiplayer games all echo the single player modes, but up to four people can take turns trying to score the most points by knocking blocks off of a stack, pulling them out of a structure (think Jenga, but even more fun) or a slew of other modes.

DOWNS:
Boom Blox has a bug or two; your cursor will occasionally freak out, mostly in multiplayer. It's not a deal-breaker, but an infrequent nuisance. I also wish EA had had the foresight to make multiplayer available for more than four people; almost every mode is turn-based, so you can even pass one remote around, but when your living room has five or seven people in it, and only four can participate, it's a bit of a downer.

VERDICT:
I recommend Boom Blox to ANYONE who owns a Wii. You will love it, your friends and family will love it, your kids and the other kids in the neighborhood will love it... On second thought, if you don't want your house full of visitors all the time, for pete's sake, don't buy Boom Blox!

The Latest and Greatest!

As I have been 'on a break' (sorry Ross & Rachel) from posting, I've accumulated some games to write about, so I thought I'd start with a list of some of my new faves!

1. Boom Blox - This game has been getting RAVE reviews and TONS of attention from the press and blogs, but hasn't been selling well at all (depending on your point of view). I picked it up on day one and haven't looked back. I'll be posting a Quick Review later.

2. Lego Indiana Jones - Awwww yeah... I loved me some Lego Star Wars back in the day, and this game ups the ante. I can only imagine that Lego Batman will be even better.

3. WiiWare! So far I've downloaded Dr. Mario and Lost Winds, two of the better-received titles on the service. Expect reviews of both.

4. Dr. Layton - On the DS front, I've really been enjoying this quirky puzzle game. No, not falling-blocks or colored-bubbles puzzles, but mind bending brain teasers! Really great stuff, and a totally well put-together package!

There's much, much more, but I'll save it for later!

The Experiment Continues...

So, it's been a LONG time since I posted anything here! Work, Family stuff, and just a generally busy life have kept me from staying with it, so please accept my apologies, if you are among the very small readership here!

Now, I am determined to get back to it, at least on some level. Keep checking back here for some great stuff!

Yet another awesome Brawl video

So, yet again someone in Japan who is already playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl (jerkwads) has been kind (jerky) enough to post some video footage. This time, a montage of every character's final smash move.

It's pretty interesting to view each one in succession; some are just downright brutal, while others seem only nominally mean. I tell ya right now, the Smash Ball is going to change the way I play this game for sure!

If you don't like SPOILERS, don't view the embedded video below. Otherwise, click play and enjoy!

HOLY PREVIEWS, BATMAN!

Computer and Video Games has a sweet preview for Lego Batman, one of my anticipated titles of next fall, for obvious reasons. Click on over for a decent read and some great screenshots!

FREAKIN' AWESOME SMASH BROS INTRO!

Okay, everyone and their mother and her hairstylist has already posted this, but I can't resist. See, my most anticipated Wii game ever released in Japan today, and there are new videos of it posting all over the net. That's right, Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii is on the streets in Tokyo and all over the land of the Rising Sun, and someone was kind enough to send Gametrailers.com the intro movie, which is epic.

Previous installments of Smash Bros. had a single player mode, but the story-driven mode in the new game (directed by__ of Final Fantasy fame) looks positively inspired. There are a few secret character spoilers as well, so if you don't want to know, JUST DON'T GO!

I've embedded the video below, or you can link over to Gametrailers for a really pretty version!

ANTICIPATION: Fable 2

Welcome to Anticipation, our weekly feature about future games we are looking forward to!


Fable: for quite a while before its release on the original Xbox, 'Project Ego' was the source of much rumor and speculation, as well as the occasional conference room speech by Peter Molyneaux, the title's creator. Molyneaux had already impressed the gaming world with such excellent 'god games' as Populous and Black & White, as well as a variety of sim titles like Theme Park and The Movies, and many watched in anticipation as he touted the incredible list of featured ideas in his new pet project.

When Fable arrived on the scene, I had partaken of the green Kool-Aid and purchased an Xbox, despite every Nintendo-fanboy molecule of my being screaming in objection. The cold, hard reality was that my beloved Cube, awesome though it was, lacked certain games in its library that intrigued me, and Fable was one such title. I picked it up on day one, and plunged deep into the virtual fairy tale that had so many talking.

I spent many hours playing Fable (though I never quite finished it!), and truly, there were some impressive features at play here. Extensive trading systems, side quests, interactive NPC's, aging, tatoos, hairstyles, armor, weapons... it got a bit dizzying at times! But while I found much to admire about the game, it was definitely lacking a few of the promised features, and the core gameplay just seemed pretty mindless. I guess I was pretty spoiled, having enjoyed the Legend of Zelda games, which are the closest comparable title to Fable I can think of. Still, there was so much potential in the fundamental idea behind Fable, and I guess that I hope to see some of that potential realized in its sequel.

I watched a great video demonstration online once, given by Molyneaux at last year's GDC. I'm sure you know the one; the Hero is walking in a forest along a road, and his dog accompanies him. Molyneaux goes on to demonstrate the amazing interactivity and AI that the dog possesses; it automatically defends the master, knows whether you are using a ranged or melee weapon, attacks the enemy it is best suited to defeat, etc. Some great stuff, and all of it just one small part of the bigger picture!

The enhancements to graphics, sound, effects and, I hope, combat should all come together to result in one impressive final package, not to mention new levels of world immersion. Features like full-scale towns, family development and the early industrial age setting are also welcome additions. So, come Spring, you can bet I'll be choosing Good or Evil once again on a whole new level.

Bionic Commando Petition

Capcom recently announced a new, 3D Bionic Commando for XBOX 360 and Playstation 3, but today there was also a remake of the original side-scroller for NES, which will be a downloadable game on XBLA and PSN! I've posted a trailer for the re-make, which looks impressive to say the least.

For those of you who are strictly Wii gamers, there is a petition online to get these two games made for Wii as well. I became aware of it via GoNintendo, and you can sign the petition here.

I remember Bionic Commando as one of my all-time favorite NES games. It took the play mechanics of Metroid, Megaman and Castlevania and threw in a new twist; the protagonist has a bionic arm that can extend outward to grab items, stun enemies, swing from ledges and more. This mechanic set the game apart from almost everything else out there, and really nothing has matched the concept since.

I'm a dual-console guy myself, so if this doesn't hit the Wii, I'll still get a chance to play, but the idea of lashing out with the grapple-arm using my nunchuck or wiimote's motion sensing ability is very appealing...

Here's the trailer for the 3D next-gen game:



And here's the one for the XBLA/PSN remake of the original NES title:

Subjective - Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

Subjective is another one of our weekly features where we discuss the art direction or the visual style of a game in general.

Most games that have come out in recent years seem to just be about how realistic the graphics can be and game play usually seems to come in at a distant second. Gears of War comes to mind in that category. The graphics are about as detailed and as crisp as you could get, but the whole game looks the same; just gray with a little green for the areas that might have grass in them.

Whereas a game like Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune in my mind rivals the detail of Gears of War, but it has so much color added into it.

Yes, most of the areas take place in the jungle with a lot of foliage and dirt, but the developers seem to have taken that extra step to make the grass and the leaves look as green as they can be, the dirt actually looks like dirt. The water effects in this game are top notch, even if you roll around in the water the effect it has on Drake, to me, is unrivaled.

As far as the indoor areas are concerned, they’re all pretty unique; almost every room has a different texture and color to it and the overall design of the areas seem different.

It’s nice to see a developer like Naughty Dog take the time to make each area fresh and almost never will you run down a path in the jungle or in a room that looks like they just copied and pasted, then add a couple touch ups.

First 4 Figures Samus Aran statue

Matt Cassamassina of IGN just posted to his blog that he was sent a Samus Aran Varia Suit statue from First 4 Figures. The swine.

I went to First 4's website and checked it out; they are still available, and at only $99, I'm sure one of you fine readers wants to get me one for my birthday... right? Also of note is the upcoming Samus' Gunship from Metroid Prime: Echoes.

ANTICIPATION: Advance Wars: Days of Ruin

Is it just me, or does every game around have a subtitle these days?


If you aren't familiar with the Advance Wars series, you are probably not a portable gamer, or just don't care much for strategy titles with slightly quirky, anime-inspired casts. Either way, I think you're missing out!

Allow me to familiarize you: Advance Wars first debuted on the Gameboy Advance and introduced what on the surface appeared to be a simple turn-based military strategy game. You command a small army of infantry, tanks, helicopters, bombers, etc. and try to either eliminate all enemies or capture their HQ. Unlike strategy titles like Starcraft or Command and Conquer, however, everything is done in turns. Think chess, but with far more pieces and much more complexity.

I was hooked the moment I tried the first Advance Wars, and naturally became a sucker for its sequel, as well as the first title on the DS. Each iteration has added new units and features, building on the simple gameplay and subtle tactics one can enjoy in th previous versions. Dual Strike, the DS version (of course), added the use of both screens to survey two simultaneous battlefields, as well as the use of multiple commanders for each army. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention one key thing; CO's, or commanding officers, help you manage your army, but they also add a special ability to the mix. Some can repair some damage to all units, others increase firepower or movement range. There are even some that cause adverse weather conditions to suddenly appear! So much for chess... unless the Queen can call down lightning.


The next version of Advance Wars, subtitled Days of Ruin, will hit the store shelves next week, and it looks very promising. Each version so far has maintained a continuing story to keep the gameplay moving along, and at the end of the last chapter, the entire world was devastated by meteors. It is in this post-apocalyptic setting that Days of Ruin begins, and changes the tone of the game from all previous versions.

Days of Ruin adds new kinds of units, such as motorcycle recons and anti-tank artillery, as well as new strategy features, such as units that can counterattack (before, your unit would simply attempt to defend themselves while the enemy took his turn). The new darker look and feel of the game is a welcome breath of fresh air, even though I liked the old cartoony style just fine.

Needless to say, I'm very excited to see this one when it arrives! I'll be picking it up on day one, so hopefully I can get a review up not too much later. Find more out about Advance Wars: Days of Ruin here.

See some awesome Advance Wars Lego creations here.

Multi-Pass: Wario-Ware: Smooth Moves

Yet another new feature, which you will see returning every week! Multi-Pass is our take on multiplayer games we LOVE!

I recently took a trip up to my hometown of Santa Barbara, CA, and visited family and friends during the Christmas holiday. Both of my brothers (and all of my immediate family, in fact) live there, and we often get together with a friend or two to play some Halo, or Mario Kart, etc.

I don't own a ton of Wii titles that offer up compelling 4-player experiences at this time, so I rented one that I now intend to buy: Wario Ware: Smooth Moves.


Yeah, WarioWare games are weird, odd, quirky and just barely this side of sane, but boy are they fun! I had played the single player mode of this game shortly after Wii's launch, but never got around to trying the multiplayer, which allows up to 12 player participation requiring only one remote (eat that, Halo 3! Just kidding, I still love you, baby!)

I set the Wii up and we got right into it; the really fun part was watching the looks on my brothers' faces as they and a friend of ours tried to play each microgame, not to mention try to understand it! At first they were struggling with the concept, because they hadn't played the single-player mode to get accustomed to the weirdness, but soon they had warmed up and we were all laughing at ourselves.

Few party games offer up the silly, zany combination of fun and originality that this one does, and I can pretty safely say that almost none accommodate 12 players! So, stretch, breathe deep and pass that remote! I've got a virtual nose to pick!

On The Download: Galaga '90

On the Download is our weekly feature on Virtual Console, XBOX Live Arcade and Playstation Network games.

I think I've already posted a bit about my love for a good scrolling shooter, so it should surprise no one that I have a couple of these on my Wii's VC. The one I've given the most play-time, however, did surprise me!

I first stumbled across Galaga '90 when I was attending Santa Barbara City College, and a long break between classes conspired with a rainy day to force me indoors for a couple of hours. The school had a modest arcade adjacent to the cafeteria, and I wandered in to see if there was anything new (I had already spent time dumping quarters into Cabal previously). What I discovered was a remake of one of my fondest arcade classics, with the kind of addictive gameplay that keeps you coming back for more.



Galaga '90 improves upon the formula used in the older titles in several ways; there are stages that actually scroll, for one, and new enemies that bring a broad variety of challenges for another. Perhaps my favorite aspect, though, is the TRIPLE SHOT! You may remember that in the original Galaga, one could allow a certain type of foe to 'tractor beam' your ship into captivity, then if you successfully killed that enemy off, your captured ship was added to the current one to allow double-shots. This kind of ship modification was unprecedented at the time, and continued on in even more elaborate form with games like Gradius, R-Type and Raiden.

But in 1990, the simple awesomeness of redeeming a captured ship to add a THIRD shot was enough to keep me happy! Add some sweet graphical polish and sound effects, and Galaga '90 is a surefire winner for any classic sh'mup fan.

Guitar LUST!

Nyko, maker of wonderful peripherals, has unveiled their 2008 lineup, and they have included a very nice looking Guitar Hero controller, called the Frontman, for PS3 and Wii. Pictured above, the axe in question is modeled after a Fender Telecaster (my favorite electric model) and has the very awesome natural wood colored buttons on the fretboard.

The PS3 version will work with both GH games and Rock Band, and run $60, where the Wii version will retail for $50.

I know what I'm gonna want for my birthday...

ANTICIPATION: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Welcome to ANTICIPATION, our weekly feature on games soon to come...


Okay, so I'm probably teeing-off both Bane and Boombalad by posting a feature on this particular upcoming title, but hey, it's MY blog, after all, and I can't think of a game I am anticipating more right now!

All three of us were among the privileged few(thousand) who were able to attend E-for-All in October, and believe you me, the first game we made a beeline for upon entry was Brawl. I can safely say that we were all very impressed, and are thirsting for more playtime with this excellent upcoming, er, brawler (sorry).

So, a little backstory is in order, I think. See, I'm from the Atari generation (yeah, I'm that old), and I was already post-college age when I got an N64. I loved the system, despite its flaws, outrageously expensive cartridges and incredibly slow release schedule, but few games would prove my loyalty worthwhile like Super Smash Bros. I mean, the game had it ALL! Mario, Donkey Kong, Pikachu, Samus, Link and more, all duking it out for dominance in a no-holds-barred, knock-down-drag-out fight for supremacy. Throwing and/or using items, playing in environs from many of my favorite classics... And I had never played a fighting game like THIS! My past fighter experience was mostly tied up in Street Fighter II and its various iterations on the SNES, so this frantic, don't-you-dare-blink style brawl was unprecedented!

But, when you really boil it down, Smash Bros. was little more than a crazy beat-em-up with no story to speak of, average graphic presentation and little depth. Why did it catch on so well? Why did so many guys (and girls) become completely and utterly engrossed in it for months (years, really) after its release?

I believe it simply comes down to two things: an all-star cast and simple control scheme.

Smash Bros. was not your run-of-the-mill fighter, let alone your average Nintendo game! The mere thought of pitting guys like Mario and Link against each other in the same game was every fanboy's dream come true, and in this title we had a parade of characters from all kinds of heavy-hitting franchises. And Nintendo was smart about it, too, because every one of them played just differently enough to keep consistent with their diverse game backgrounds. Samus with her speed, weaponry and maneuverability, Pikachu with his small size, charged attacks and obnoxious teleportation and Kirby... oooh, Kirby! That guy could really make me mad.

And gone was the Down-Right-Up-PUNCH! complexity of trying to pull off combos and special moves! Instead, flick the analog stick in a direction, along with a tap or press of the A or B button, and you've pulled off one of several unique attacks. Really, Smash Bros. proved something that Nintendo has more recently been demonstrating on a larger scale with the Wii: simple controls can be really fun if they are done right!

So, with all this going for it, no one was surprised that the sequel, Smash Bros. Melee, became Gamecube's number one hit. Once again we were treated to a cavalcade of Nintendo characters, only more of them came to the party this time. More locales, more items, improved graphics and sound, and even some new play modes for single player. Melee took everything great about the original and turned it up several awesome notches.

Now, we are mere weeks away from release of Brawl. It looks to surpass its predecessors in every way with the addition of online play, tons of modes, custom level editing, new characters (SONIC! OMG, SONIC!) and who knows what else! Let me just say that if you are a Wii owner and you are not yet a Smash Bros. Brawl fan (or worse, if you are still staring at the screen and saying, 'What is this guy raving about?), do yourself a favor and check it out here.