OK, E3 = over. Now that we know a great deal about everything, time to sit down and see which one to get. I will simply list each console and handheld and say why to get them, and why not to.
**NOTE: I had originally posted this in the System Wars forum and got completely flamed for some of my reasons. All of these reasons are not my opinion (i.e. using the name Wii as an excuse not to get it). I tried to include the opinions of not only me, but the opinions of the general gaming public.
PLAYSTATION 3
Why to Buy
- Best graphics you can possibly get on a console.
-Tilt censuring will make racing games more enjoyable, mostly because you won't need to buy a freaking wheel controller.
-It's like a supercomputer for your living room.
-You can download just about anything onto it from the internet.
-The controller is just like the PS2's, so you won't have to get adjusted to a new controller.
-Possible Final Fantasy VII remake. DUH.
Why Not to Buy
-600 FREAKING DOLLARS
-It looks like a fax machine.
-The controller's motion censuring rips off Nintendo's idea... and it doesn't even have full range of motion. Only six degrees of fun!
-600 FREAKING DOLLARS
-No rumble feature anymore.
-No game for it looks extremely appealing or impressive. Nice graphics, but nothing new.
Final Thoughts on PS3: What it seems we are getting from the PS3 is all flash and no substance. In a last minute resort, Sony ripped-off the Big N. Also, no game for it looks drastically different from anything we have seen before. However, the fact that it IS a new PlayStation and both the PSOne and PS2 have excellent libraries of games, so I guess we will have to wait and see. Also, the whole using your PSP as a controller is pretty cool, and hopefully we can download FFVII to our PSPs sometime soon. But, come on, 600 FREAKING DOLLARS?
Xbox 360
Why to Buy
-It will have a much larger library of games by the time PS3 rolls out.
-Online service is unmatched right now.
-OBLIVION. Need any other reasoning?
-You can download your old favorite arcade games to your hard drive.
-Will be 200 dollars (maybe even less) than the PS3.
-HALO 3, FOOLS!!!
-UNO for five bucks, lol.
Why Not to Buy
-The power brick is like the size of a Wii. It should so be a weapon in Dead Rising.
-Doesn't have anything innovative.
-So far, only Oblivion really stands out. (Other games are good, but seriously...)
Final Thoughts on Xbox 360: While it may not have the graphical power of the PS3, the new Xbox is still quite impressive. It is out before the rest, already has an outstanding game, and has great online and awesome visuals. Though it isn't very innovative, that isn't really too bad of a thing. Not everyone likes change, so, where do they go? Not everyone will want to shell out 600 bucks or wave their arms in the air like they just don't care. Some people will want to sit on their butt and play Halo 3 'til the cows come home... or at least until their thumbs bleed. Overall, great game machine, but still needs work.
Wii
Why to Buy
-150 to 200 dollars (no flaming, 'cause you know it's true)
-Over 20 years of gaming downloadable
-New Smash Bros. 'Nuff said.
-Innovative new controller.
-Completely silent, unlike the engine of an Xbox.
-Simplistic, allowing everyone to play.
-Wii24Connection allowing your already awesome games to last you even longer.
-Nintendo is becoming less kiddy with new franchises that include big effin' trucks, dude with a giant hammer bashing guys' heads in and saving people from giant lava flows and basically world disasters.
-Exclusive content a-plenty.
-Has rumble, motion sensing, controller speakers and add-ons.
-Extension port makes it possible for every developer to make their game completely unique.
-Completely compatible with all of your GameCube equipment (except maybe Game Boy Player).
-If you don't want to wave your arms about, you can plug in a GC controller or use the classic style controller.
-The return of the Zapper.
-It is the size of about three DVD cases stacked on top of each other, so it can fit where ever.
-WiFi out of the box. No "only 60 GB version gets WiFi" crap here.
Why Not to Buy
-It's name sounds disgusting, hilarious and retarded all at the same time.
-Easy to lose. Or maybe you could just snap it in half, lol.
-Controller might be odd to use for some.
-Lacks the graphical power the 360 and PS3 have.
Final Thoughts on Wii: I am exciting about this thing. The fact that I can play this with anyone and have a good time is great. And if you are still a Wii-hater, let me ask you this: if you had a choice between having access to any NES, SNES or N64 game, having a unique remote that rivals the precision of PC games, has rumble feature, tilt sensors, 3D motion censuring, infinite possibility of add-ons, completely new and unique experiences in not just game play, but audio and internet all for a mere 200 dollars or a PS3 that might not even play some of your favorite PSOne and PS2 games, tilt sensor controller with no rumble, great graphics and unraveling internet support, which would you choose? I mean, come on, you can buy a Wii for every member of your family for the cost of ONE PS3. Or even a Wii and 360. Or a Wii and everything available at launch and still be able to have some extra cash for the same price as a next-gen PlayStation. I mean, I love Sony and all, and adore my PS2, but come on.
PlayStation Portable
Why to Buy
-Best portable graphics around
-Sure beats getting an N-Gage or Gizmondo...
-Plays games, movies and mp3's
-Already has a great library of games and plenty more on the way
-Beautiful screen. Love is so much...
-UMD's are easier to keep track of than game cards.
-Fully compatible with you PS3
-Will be able to download your favorite PSOne games to it.
Why Not to Buy
-If you put it in your pocket, it looks like you are a little too happy to see someone...
-The screen is so beautiful, yet it can be damaged easily
-Lack of second analog stick makes your favorite PSOne and 2 game franchises hard to play.
-You have to go out and buy separate versions of your favorite movies to play them on this thing.
-Most people already have portable DVD players or MP3 players to care about its extra features.
Final Thoughts on PSP: The fact of the matter is that PSP sucked at first, but has grown to become a great gaming machine. It can play games, music and movies and soon will be able to do a billion things with your PS3. Pretty freaking cool. However, turning your favorite game into a PSP version may be harder due to lack of a second analog stick. Games like Daxter and probably the new Ratchet and Clank feel different; although that's not to say they aren't worthwhile. Overall, good machine with great games, just wish you didn't have to get the extra functions for that price tag...
Nintendo DS
Why to Buy
-Two different versions of DS to choose from
-Has critically-acclaimed titles such as New Super Mario Bros., Metroid Prime Hunters and soon Zelda Phantom Hourglass.
-Innovative
-You can play GBA games on it.
-Cheaper than PSP
-Games are cheaper than PSP's
Why Not to Buy
-You can damage the touch screen very easily
-Stylus that comes with the DS seems too small and bigger ones you can buy scratch the screen.
-Graphics pale in comparison to PSP's
-No additional functionality.
-Game cards are small and easy to lose and break.
Final Thoughts on DS: Overall, I enjoy my DS more than PSP. The battery life is longer, charges faster and the games are overall more appealing to me. However, the screen brightness is nothing compared to PSP, and you can not go online with DS outside of battling others. The soon feature of using the DS as a TV sounds cool, plus the Rumble Pak and Play-Yan to play movies and music sound cool, but it would be nicer if they were included in the additional package, or at least be able to purchase in any game store. The Play-Yan is Japan-only, and the Rumble Pak is only included with MP Hunters. On the whole, the DS is fun and innovative, basically everything Nintendo was aiming for.
The following is an idea I have come up withh for a future Revolution title. Tell me what you think.
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Mario Kart GP Revolution is the follow-up to the arcade hit MarioKart Arcade GP. In the arcade game, Namco aided Nintendo, resulting in Pac-Man and friends being available racers. In this sequel for the Revolution, both Nintendo and Namco are back, but another company will sign on to help Nintendo for the next-generation of racing, and who better than who helped Nintendo with the arcade version of F-Zero? Sega, Namco and Nintendo team up to bring Mario Kart to a new level, incorporating old-school racing, arcade style touches and futuristic game play.
The roster includes Nintendo favorites Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, King Bowser, Toad, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Koopa Troopa and Boo. Namco brings back Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and Blinky, while Sega gives us Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles “Tails” Prower, and Knuckles the Echidna. Secret racers will be available including Petey Piranha, Wario, Waluigi (Yes, they are SECRET characters, just for no reaon), and Metal Sonic.
The game will play like standard Mario Kart and have four available modes of play: single play, doubles play, multiplayer and Wi-Fi Connection. Single play allows you to race in grand prix and other races. Doubles play allows you to have two people on the same kart (one operated by a CPU or a human). Multiplayer lets you race against friends. The three modes for multiplayer are same screen, REV to REV, or REV to DS. This means you can race four players on the same screen as yours, up to eight friends within range of your REV’s Wi-Fi, or race a friend who owns a copy of Mario Kart DS and is within range of your REV (obviously this means that Namco and Sega characters will not be available for this mode of play).
Wi-Fi Connection will allow you to race against other Mario Kart Revolution players or Mario Kart DS players. The same rules apply with WFC as they do in multiplayer. All multiplayer game play will feature both single kart and doubles kart.
The courses would be typical Mario Kart fare, but with some added new stages that will incorporate Namco and Sega’s aid in the project. For example, there will be a Pac-Man track, shaped like a classic Pac-Man maze, while there will also be a Green Hill Zone track for Sonic. Additionally, some old Mario Kart tracks will be redone with futuristic touches thanks to Sega. High sped racing much like F-Zero will be available here.
Old items will be here like the mushroom, star, chain chomp and bullet bill (and green and red shells). Bloopers will make a comeback, and Namco/ Sega-specific items will also be featured. Power pellets will enable the holder to ‘eat’ other racers for a little while, turning them into ghosts that will be unable to pick up items. Also, if the racer you ‘eat’ had an item, you now have that item. A ring from the Sonic games will be here, and will be primarily an item magnet, sucking in all nearby racers’ items. The power pellet item wil obviously be a harder item to get. A new feature for the items will be that you can hold up to three items at a time. However, items can be knocked off of your kart if another racer hits you and the longer you hold onto an item, the easier it is for it to fall off.
The game will be rated E for Everyone and sport graphics of high quality.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Better Walking In a Straight Line?
Hey all of you guys out there, it is I once again, ControlFreakZero. (I have now decided to start spelling out the zero, because it makes it seem fancier… and that’s also how I would have spelled it if GameSpot would have allowed more letters.)
Any who, this is my first article, REAL article, since I started up the CFD 2. So, to kick off this new union as of a month ago, I would like to start by speaking about Sonic the Hedgehog. One of the most loved mascots of our time, and the time before that. However, there is a darker side to Sonic… his name is Shadow and he is the reason we are talking about this today. So, without forth ado, let us begin!
For those of you who don’t know, Shadow the Hedgehog is the latest installment is the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and it brings new game play mechanics to the table. Guns, violence and mild language await those who play this awfully new game. Really, it is more awful than new, as most of the ‘new’ mechanics have already been introduced before, just not as a full game.
There was shooting in both Sonic Adventure games and Heroes. Gamma, Eggman and Omega all had guns of which to shoot. However, they were either presented as meshes or built-in weapons, so they weren’t that talked-about. In StH, though, Shadow wields the guns, can switch them out and… well… shoot people. Yes, that’s right. It isn’t as bad as it sounds once you play the game, but the premise of shooting people in a SONIC game and then cussing at them is just odd.
Oh, and yeah, they do cuss. In fact, Shadow will yell “Damn it” every time he gets hit. Sonic will say it. Knuckles will say it. Espio will say it. But at least Charmy the Bee isn’t flying around giving Eggman the finger and saying “F*** you!” to everyone.
Moving on, the entire game plays like a regular sonic title, only slower. You rely less on the spin dash on more on the homing attack, and the weapons are either pretty good (egg vacuum, blaster) or extremely frustrating (bazookas, most swords). Cars and motorcycles are also available, but the camera angle gets irritating and they control like tanks. Additionally, you can take a good, evil or neutral path, but unless you are taking the latter, your allies will be gunning you down no matter what and you will still be able to attack them.
Voice acting seems like an improvement compared to past sonic titles (although Vector is just screwed up and Knuckles and Rouge sounds a little off, too). Basically, the only two things that Sonic fans are going to really enjoy in all this are the CG movies and the revealing of Shadow’s past.
Now, all this may seem like one big review of the game, but it shows how the sonic series is going in the wrong direction.
3D Sonic the Hedgehog Series: In Review
The Good: Fast-paced game play, always great sound effects, jaw-dropping CG animations, large colorful stages, tons of replay ability, lovable cast of characters
The Bad: Spastic camera that has gone to crap since Sonic Adventure 2, less focus on speed in the Adventure games, Dreamcast-like graphics engines, often cheesy voice acting, new mechanics in each installment that make the series drift farther from its roots, the entire name of ‘Eggman Land’, calling him Eggman instead of Robotnik
What I Say They Should Do: Sonic Team needs to get with the program. Look at the ratings the games have gotten on GameSpot since SA.
Sonic Adventure: 9.2
Sonic Adventure 2: 8.6 (I think)
Sonic Heroes: 7.5 (GameCube version)
Shadow the Hedgehog 4.8
Can we notice something here? Now look at the 2D sonic titles that have come out recently. All of the Advance titles plus Rush have all gotten better reviews than Heroes. Now, why not incorporate what they do into a console game? Why not make a 2D Sonic for the consoles? There isn’t anything wrong with 2D games on the consoles. Look at Viewtiful Joe. It is a classic side-scrolled and it has been one of Capcom’s best franchises in recent years. Why shouldn’t Sonic Team capitalize on this? They KNOW 2D sonic games work well, and the thing that they don’t need to worry about with it is the camera, which is ST’s weak point.
Now, if Sonic Team really wants to have guns and cussing in the Sonic universe, then I suggest that they spin-off. Now, I originally thought Shadow the Hedgehog was a spin-off, but it really isn’t because Sonic and his pals are still main characters in it. I suggest that they take the gun-wielding, cursing, violent characters from Sonic, and stick them into their own game. Just take Shadow, Espio and Metal Sonic and put them in a game where they can gun down, curse, dodge bullets and sneak into places all they want. Seriously, that’s what we want if you guys want to stray from Sonic. We want to play through a level with Espio, with guns and shrunken, sneaking into a secret base Metal Gear-style. Seriously, I’m not kidding.
Back to Sonic… stick all the characters you want to into a side-scrolling classic sonic game, incorporate the Heroes team mechanic, but do the thing they did in Sonic Advance 3 where you could choose your team mate. Then, give each character different environmental attributes (ex. Shadow could freeze time, while Rouge could spot otherwise undetectable lasers and such). I think it sounds good so far. Have three characters of your choice put into a traditional sonic level where you could take multiple paths to get a different ending each time (much like in Shadow). I mean, it has all of the things Sonic Team has wanted to put in a Sonic game, stays true to the franchise’s roots and keeps fans happy.
Well, I’d like to keep ranting and putting out my ideas, but I must end this article so you guys can share your opinions on my onion. Be honest now, because don’t think that one day when I’m finished with all my studies that I’m not going to do something with all these collective ideas. And, if my ideas are complete crap, tell me. Which would you rather have: a crappy game made by me or a good game made by me due to YOUR opinions? Last thing we need around here is another 50 Cent Bulletproof on the shelves.
