Playing on the Go

Word comes by way of PSP Fanboy and every other blogger on the web not being productive at work that the PSP is now at 3.70. Other than a numerical progression, the new update provides for a plethora of new options. Many of which aren’t just simply playing tag with the modders this time, which is always a plus.

PSP Fanboy does us the pleasure of laying down the law for us this go round.

* You can now set custom themes in [Theme Settings] under [Settings].
* Support has been added for assigning buttons in [Remote Play].
* A scene search feature has been added under [Video].
* Sequential playback is now supported under [Video].
* Simultaneous playback of content under [Music] and [Photo] is now supported.

Some of those are just fine, especialy considering the last one, whether or not they are truly useful or not. But truly cool is the custom themes option. A feature common to 360 users, but one certainly welcome to PSP owners. Namely those who bothered to pick up the recent redesign. Rare is the day that Sony pulls off something welcome, but friends, today may well be that day.

sony, psp, firmware

After the mind blowing and baby making release of the newly redesigned PSP, the system gets some huge megaton… Wait. No.

The marketing geniuses at Sony decided to give you absolutely nothing new and fanciful in return for purchasing that new PSP. You know, it may seem at times that I have a bias against Sony, but it’s not that. I wish them nothing more than the best. But I can’t simply sit here and give any praise to the company when there simply isn’t anything to give said praise to. Aside from God of War releasing for the PSP in around a year, there really isn’t much to say of the aging system. Honestly, GoW is mostly a “thank you” to those who have stuck around with the system more so than a game driven to upheave sales. It’s sadly disappointing.

The DS, however, gives us plenty of cheer this week…

* Jam Sessions
* Pet Luv Spa & Resort Tycoon
* Drawn to Life
* Spelling Challenges and More!
* Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco

Most of that may seem like kiddie fare, but Drawn to Life is an innovative and immensely fun title worth checking out. My hopes for Sony releasing a new similar game for PSP has not died. Yet.

sony, nintendo, nintendods, psp, newgames, drawntolife

While UK’s Official Nintendo Magazine may be now publishing the retraction, they aren’t fooling anyone. They just let the info slip much too early. The supposed information that should exist, which they claim that doesn’t, is simply this. Mario Kart on the Wii, in addition to hosting sixteen player at a time races, will also feature dramatic recreations of some of the awesomely wicked Mario Kart DS courses. The original article used the wording that “classic DS tracks will be recreated with Wii graphics.”

Considering the fact that some of the DS courses were some of the most creative of the series (think the Pinball stage), no one will be complaining.

mariokart, wii, ds

You too can receive the mysterious thing, once Adult Swim’s Harvey Birdman makes his first video gamish appearance. That man in the suit, that cat with the beak, Habeas Corpus, that sort of thing. You know. Honestly, if you’ve never seen the show, you won’t understand a bit of this and are probably better off finding something else. But if you have, oh boy, you’re probably in for a treat and a half. It’s basically a more adult (and funnier) version of Phoenix Wright. It’ll hit the PSP on November 13th and is only the beginning of Adult Swim themed offerings from Capcom. One based on Aqua Teen Hunger Force hits later.

Word to Capcom and Adult Swim, we’re still waiting on those Space Ghost and Sealab 2021 games.

adultswim, psp, harveybirdman

Not a lot to speak of at all this week. Hopefully we can just consider it the calm before the storm, with bigger and better days coming quickly over the horizon. Nay, there’s not much interest worthy, unless you are interested in picking up Worms or Garfield. That’s it. Although, there’s something to be said of the gross commercialization of what was once an awesome comic cat. Maybe Bill Watterson was really onto something when he refused to let Calvin and Hobbes appear in anything other than a daily comic strip. But that’s a topic for another day and another blog.

PSP
Worms: Open Warfare 2

DS
Worms: Open Warfare 2
Garfield: Nightmares

nintendods, sonypsp, garfield, worms

Last week, I picked up the uber popular title on the day of release, and I’ve only recently felt as if I’ve played through the game enough to give it a coherent review. Word of advice to the wise, many sites reviewing the game have seemingly rushed through the game in order to review it. Not possible with this game, as you may know if you’ve played through the first. One of the largest reasons being because the game opens up puzzles over time, namely over so many given days.

Considering this “game”, of which it can only be loosely defined as, there are a number of qualifiers that you have to fulfill in order for you to really enjoy it. If you don’t pass one of them, it may not be for you. But if you cross these hurdles, it’s awesome. The first barrier that may be in front of you is answered in whether or not you consider yourself to be part of the “casual game” craze that has hit the industry over the past year or so. If you’ve enjoyed games such as Wii Sports or Big Brain Academy, you’ll in all likelihood love the Brain Age series. The second is a little more traditional than that, considering that this game is indeed a sequel. Once you start it up on your DS for the first time, there’s really not a whole lot that’s visually new. The music and sound effects are noticeably different, making me subconscious of the fact that this is actually a different game than the one I am already accustomed to. But aside from the puzzles which we’ll get to next, this is basically the same product. If you tired quickly of the first or found any drawbacks, they aren’t very likely to be addressed in this sequel.

But this isn’t to say that there isn’t new material in Brain Age 2, that’s far from the case. Most of the puzzles are very fresh, not to mention noticeably tougher than those in the first installment of the series. Apparently the development team assumed that you’ve fulfilled the basic requirements of the first and that you are ready for the next level. And that’s very refreshing. One of the hardest of which is a challenge in which you have to constantly subtract a certain number or rush to do math problems that have the last part of the equation marked out in front of you. Seriously, the first game looks like a cakewalk compared to this one.

However, it does suffer in that some of the puzzles are obvious rehashes of previous ones. Such is the case with the game where you have to track the position of the runner. If Brain Age really has taught you to be smarter, you’ll quickly realize that this is the “House Party” game from the first game in a different format. Thankfully though, there are only a few of these are obviously re purposed content. But in fairness, features from the first have been improved. Voice and handwriting recognition still isn’t perfect, but noticeably improved. It’s only certain phrases and characters that the software will have trouble with, but it handles 90% of the input it is given just fine. And honestly, for a twenty dollar hand held game, it does pretty darn well.

If you do fall under the prerequisites of the game and had fun with the first, this is certainly for you. If not, just wait until Phantom Hourglass for your next DS purchase. It’s probably more up your alley if this whole “getting smart” thing just isn’t for you. In the end, it’s only fair to give Brain Age 2 two seperate ratings because there are really two separate audiences. For the first that the game is mainly for, I give it a 8.7 out of 10. For the second that may only have a passing interest, it gets a 7.5. Were this the first game of the series, each rating would get an additional point. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual user to make the decision of the worthiness of this game. As the warning screen that hits you each time you start the game explains, individual results may vary.

nintendods, brainage

Undoubtedly, the stir this week will be caused by the newest Metroid game for Wii. Which, by all accounts, unofficially starts the Holiday publishing rush that all consoles should be seeing the effects of within a short period of time. Hopefully, that wave should reach the handhelds soon, as there really isn’t all that much to report this week aside from yet another incarnation of Tiger Woods PGA Golf. Which, despite how good of a game it probably is, still tends to remind me of the 8 bit golf game that Bart Simpson got in place of the Mortal Kombat ripoff he really wanted. Oh well. All the new ones for the week lie below.

PSP:

* Brunswick Pro Bowling
* Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes
* NHRA Countdown to the Championship
* Dead Head Fred
* Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08
* Monster Hunter Freedom 2

Nintendo DS:

* Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08
* Garfield: Nightmares
* Turn it Around
* I Spy Funhouse
* Professional Fisherman’s Tour: Northern Hemisphere

newgames, tigerwoods, pga, golf, simpsons, nintendods, psp

Today’s Friday Travel is more or less a way for those who aren’t attending the event featured today to be jealous. That would include yours truly. Had air travel not been as questionable and as expensive as it currently is, perhaps it would have been within the realm of consideration.

Existing since 2004 when Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, alternatively known as Gabe and Tycho, sought out a public gaming convention that gave equal attention to computer, console, and tabletop games. No such show existed, so with the branding of their ridiculously popular web comic, one was born anew as Penny Arcade Expo within the Seattle Washington area.

If anything, PAX, as it as known in shorthand, has become Dragon Con Northwest for Gamers. While it sufficiently and fully covers the topics that it advertises exceptionally well, it also ventures into other areas. Music, for example. Video game cover bands such as The MiniBosses and other geek musicians such as MC Frontalot, Optimus Rhyme, and Boba the Fett himself MC Chris have attended the con. Larger companies have made notice as well. In past years, the show has gained the support of top tier sponsors such as Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony. As covered earlier this week, these companies have grown fond of the show enough to preview upcoming games there. A tradition previously reserved exclusively for shows such as E3. However, Penny Arcade marked the first time that the public at large could officially do such things without going under the guise of a fake journalist. E For All is simply a mockery in this regard, PAX founded this ground.

The show this year promises to be the biggest yet, with keynote speaker and Geek Warlord Wil Wheaton delivering top branding as well. Big showings are expected as well, notably a full demonstration of the upcoming Rock Band. This all sounds awesome, right? But here’s the bad news. It’s this weekend. Far too late for you to go to at a whim unless you happen to live in the Seattle area. However, the iron is hot for next year. Should you want to attend, now is the time to make plans for next August. It’s becoming insanely popular and will mostly tend to favor those who plan well ahead of time.

pennyarcade, pax

Perhaps you’ve seen this commercial airing on prime time TV in the past week or so. I caught it for the first time last night, and quite honestly, it freaked the holy living crap out of me.

I can not really decide if this is genius marketing based on the fact that it gives you a sample puzzle to solve or on the basis that this is quite possibly the most overtly subliminal commercial I’ve ever seen. Whichever is the case, it doesn’t matter. Brain Age 2 is out. As such, it’s my official duty to ensure that you are informed concerning the topic. First, is it good? It looks that way. According to the IGN review, which gave the game a 8.0 (as if it matters), everything good about the first game returns in new form. Not to mention the fact that handwriting and voice recognition is drastically improved. Next, it is entirely possible to get this game for a relatively dirt cheap price. For instance, Circuit City has it for fifteen bucks. If you decide to venture out and browse around online, chances are you might be able to find it even cheaper from an off kilter and attention hungry online retailer.

nintendods, brainage2

I highly frequent Digg.com, mostly because of the wealth of offbeat information, and specifically related to this site, the rate of gaming news. Users don’t update the site with gaming news on a continual basis as sites such as this or others like it are prone to do, but if there is big news to be had, it’s always fine to expect to see it on there first if indeed the site is your first stop on the innerweb.

That said, the users who have a high rate of promoted stories seem to be wont to submit stories about companies and ideological subscriptions that they are loyal to. Which usually tend to be related to companies such as Nintendo, Apple, or even presidential candidates such as Ron Paul (which is a topic for another site altogether). It’s just a generally accepted fact, or should be, that you are more likely to see a story about Nintendo linked to as opposed to one about Microsoft or Sony. Case in point. Nearly every Virtual Console release or Nintendo Wifi Connection announcement is promoted to the front page. Should every similar bit of news related to the PSP or XBox 360 be promoted similarly, these announcements would visually and continually dominate the front page, leaving almost no space for any other news of any kind. Of course, comments left on these stories are usually indicative of the conflicts of interest concerning these topics. You’ll find the fanboys praising Nintendo’s every move, and then you’ll find the seasoned 360 veterans who casually pass off the news, reminding everyone else that they’ve had better features on their system for quite some time now.

That leads into the obvious question. Why? Why do these moves by Nintendo naturally garner more press than the further strides that other companies have already made. There’s not one simple concrete answer, nor should one really be expected. Firstly, Nintendo has played the game very cooly. They seem to be self aware that they have been left behind when it comes to online functionality and market each step forward as if this is the first time the industry has seen such a thing. To Nintendo loyalists, it truly is. The way they marketed games such as Mario Kart DS a few years ago played very well to the main demographic it was seeking. Nintendo WiFi was new for the DS then, and DS owners jumped all over it. The second bullet is comparable to the first in that Nintendo loyalists have been conditioned to treat each online enabled announcement as “Megaton”. It isn’t simply a ho-hum affair as with the PSP or 360. Each new announcement is a bombshell.

Thirdly, and lastly for the purposes of this article, is probably the most important point. Each Nintendo IP has gained a certain mystique by not going online. Bear with me here. The release of Phantom Hourglass will mark the first time that a Zelda title has gone online. A huge step for fans of the series. Also, a true Mario title has never gone online. However, there are rumors and whisperings that Mario Galaxy on Wii may have select WiiConnect24 features. This would also be equally huge. Nintendo has basically assured themselves that once a core IP makes the jump to online, both fanboys and press will cover it very, very closely.

Is it fair in relation to other companies who are way ahead of the game? No way. But the same marketing approach that befuddles and frustrates fans of the company is what keeps Nintendo in the forefront. Should Nintendo have been as outright as they with the Wii and DS, it’s likely that each wouldn’t be the top seller as of now.

nintendo, online, wiiconnect24, wificonnection, zelda, mario

After being shown privately time and time again to the ever unappreciative gaming press, Twilight Princess will finally be on display to regular folk and peasants alike on the floor of the Penny Arcade Expo. This will be the first (and probably last) time that the general public will be able to test out the game until it hits retail on October 1st. Of course, not that it matters. Stamp any Zelda related material on any Nintendo box and fans are going to pick it up no matter the content. Case in point, Tingle’s Rupy Colored Flavorland or whatever the hell that fine atrocity is. Further Nintendo showings at PAX rest below. Be sure to pay them a visit if you’ll be visiting the friendly suburbs of Seattle in the coming week.

* The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
* Brain Age 2
* Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol
* DK Jungle Climber
* Flash Focus

[via dsfanboy]

Good Morning! That sun sure is bright, isn’t it? I haven’t seen you in three days! You rascal, you! Now, read what I have to say very closely. I want you to look through all of the games below. They are all coming out this week! And that includes Brain Age 2! Hoo Hoo Ha Ha!

Nintendo DS:

Brain Age 2
Operation Vietnam
The Settlers
I Spy Funhouse
Turn it Around

PSP:

Brunswick Pro Bowling
Ghost Recon 2: Advanced Warfighter
Dragoneer’s Aria
Jeanne D’ Arc

nintendods, psp, newgames, brainage

Should you ever find yourself in the desolate land of the NYC, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself in the vicinity of Times Square sooner or later. Whether you are a first time tourist or seasoned New York visitor, all roads eventually lead to the crossroads of the world where it would seem all of pop culture has vomited upon one solitary spot. If you are already that seasoned vet and are reading this blog, chances are you’ve already been to the place in feature today. If not, make sure that you set aside the time to check out the Nintendo World store in that fair city. Not only is it a fine store in of itself, but it’s also a mecca of Nintendo as well as video game history altogether.

Once you enter the store, you’ll be subjected to the same sort of fancy advertising and consumerism that you would come to expect in any given Best Buy or specialty retailer, but delve a little deeper and you’ll soon find a plethora of history. Featured items include everything from the famous Gulf War I Game Boy (which still works), as well as some of the cooler exhibits you can see. To give you a taste of the place, in later 2006, Matt Casamassina of IGN gave what is probably the best YouTube tour of the palace of love below.

Of course, the store has changed somewhat in a years time. Gamecubes are lesser, while Wii’s are in more abundance. Of course, the store, as seen above, is also an archive of Nintendo products. Not only what you are sure to have seen already, but practically ever alteration possible of past products.

In summary, while it may be the ambition of every fan to attend an event such as E3, the Nintendo World store can be considered a branch location of that type of lunacy. Make sure to make it a destination should you ever visit Manhattan. If you’ve been there but have not ventured into the location, shame on you.

[images via flickr user spike55151]

travel, nintendo, nintendoworldstore, gba, wii

As the biggest pomp and circumstance of the week is concerned with Madden 08, many handheld owners may be wondering just what the hell is going on when it comes to mainstream media coverage of the yearly incarnation of said football game. It would seem that the portable version of the game is not getting the call the next day, as many of the other honeys on the bigger consoles are seeing all the love in nationwide circulations.

Look no further, player. (And in this context, the term truly is ambiguous.) Reviews of these versions of the game are slim, but they do exist. IGN was one of the first to the gate with the PSP review of the game, giving it a half interested shrug at 7.7. Meanwhile, GameAlmighty and VGT have also taken a look at the DS version, giving it a similar 7.1 and 4/5, respectively. So in summary, it would seem that the game is …. “allright”. Nothing spectacular. The PSP gets the nod of approval by way of offering an almost true portable version of the bigger brother, while the DS is noteworthy in offering some unique modes such as paper football.

Not that any of this really matters. By now, EA is working on ways to telepathically deliver Madden 09 to you so that the console will be your brain.

psp, nintendods, madden, nfl, football

You likely saw the post the other day describing the recent patent applied for by Nintendo, now it seems that this bit of news may have just been the tip of the iceberg to something much bigger. Apparently, the New York Post is reporting that Apple has taken issue with the plans that it looks Nintendo is making, supposedly finding too many similarities with their iPhone. That publication would have you believe that Apple is building a small army of would be gamers by installing similar features as described in the Nintendo patent within the iPhone.

Honestly, this love / hate relationship between the two companies has been a fanboy wet dream in some shape or fashion for around a year or two now. Ever since the DS Lite was released, messageboard and talkback lurkers have compared its design as akin to the iPod. Which, really, in this bloggers opinion is the same as comparing a Ford to a Toyota on the basis that they both have four tires and a steering wheel. Basically, it’s a stretch. Should you have believed similar internet chatter, and should the New York Post have picked up on that meme, Nintendo and Apple would have merged by now. Giving us a lovable and friendly company of technological cuteness.

But it’s not gonna happen. All this amounts to is a sensationalist newspaper digging around on the innerweb for news it can publish to make it seem hip. If it actually does happen, you’ll hear more credible information from a more credible source.

nintendo, apple