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Post by Nester the Lark on Jan 2, 2007 11:21:02 GMT -5
Personally? I think you should go for anything not covered by NinDB. That would be easiest for me, since all I have to do is check NinDB. Of course, that means FFVA qualifies since it isn't on NinDB... yet.  Now, should I keep the feature as 3PS #7, or should I consider it a special bonus feature and make a new #7? |
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Post by Fryguy64 on Jan 2, 2007 12:08:21 GMT -5
It is on NinDB....... I just haven't written anything yet  I'd say revise number 7... keep this one as "1.5 Party Showcase" and move on. I have quite a few to catch up on. Good thing I've set up a nice little Features area for the 3PS to live... in the shiny new layout I've been working on! |
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Post by Nester the Lark on Jan 2, 2007 18:39:19 GMT -5
All right. This week you'll get a new #7 and #8!
I can't wait to see the new layout! I feel that seeing the 3PS on the site will validate my work.
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Post by Nester the Lark on Jan 6, 2007 11:34:34 GMT -5
3PS #7
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
System: Wii
One of the more notable launch titles for the Gamecube was the original Super Monkey Ball. Based on an arcade game, the object was to roll a ball with a monkey in it through an obstacle course in order to reach the goal. This was accomplished via tilting the entire playfield, causing the monkey ball to roll downhill. It’s a simple concept, but mastering the more advanced courses was as difficult as trying to avoid dirty puns in this write-up. The series has gone on to have several sequels and spin-offs across multiple systems, but the monkey ball has rolled full circle with the Wii launch title Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz.
The original controls were as simple as tilting the control stick. It couldn’t be simpler. Actually, it could. With the Wii remote, just tilt the whole controller in any direction and the playfield corresponds. It’s so simple, even a monkey can do it. However, the developers have also introduced a couple of new gameplay wrinkles. Now you can make your monkey ball jump with a tap of the A button, and you also have to take on some boss battles.
There is also a larger emphasis on the multi-player mini-games. 50 of these are included. Some are better than others, and a few are barely worth playing at all. None-the-less, you’re sure to find at least a few that you and your banana blitzing buddies will keep coming back to.
The studio that developed most of the games in the series used to be known as Amusement Vision. This was the same team responsible for F-Zero GX on the Gamecube (and the AX arcade version), as well as the Sega classic Daytona USA. They know their racing games, but put a few monkeys in balls, and they go bananas!
This new edition of Super Monkey Ball is yet another great showcase for the Wii, and a very natural use of the remote interface. Featuring both a solid single player experience and a variety of multi-player options, it works as either a party game, or just a good time minding your own monkey business. With this game, you’re guaranteed to have a ball!
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thores
Bubbles
Kirby and Pikachu: BFF
Posts: 581
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Post by thores on Jan 6, 2007 11:43:07 GMT -5
Did you even play this game? A lot of people I know are saying Monkey Ball for the Wii blows, especially in the multiplayer front.
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Post by kirbychu on Jan 6, 2007 14:29:21 GMT -5
...Did you even play this game?
I'm gonna go ahead and quote the review from Nintendo Magazine:
"If you plan to buy at least one more Remote you could do a lot worse than to get Banana Blitz too. While the single-player experience can be shallow, this game really shines in multiplayer. 81%"
The moral is, stop listening to other people and form your own opinions.
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Post by Smashchu on Jan 6, 2007 18:04:10 GMT -5
Did you even play this game? A lot of people I know are saying Monkey Ball for the Wii blows, especially in the multiplayer front. Makes up for with good single player. Some minigaames are good, but most aren't to memerable. |
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Post by Nester the Lark on Jan 6, 2007 22:43:32 GMT -5
Do I have to re-write #7 again? Sheesh, some people are so hard to please...  Once again, I do not play every game I feature. (Though, it is a great excuse to get a GameFly subscription.) If I didn't play it, I check out review scores at places like Metacritic and Game Rankings. As long as the reviews aren't too horrible, I can do a write-up. It also helps if the game has some special significance. Also, I don't consider my write-ups to be reviews in the traditional sense. They're more like summaries to let you know what the game is about, what its stand-out features are, and maybe little bits of trivia about its legacy. Kind of like an introduction or a primer for people who may be interested in "getting into it." If anything, I try to make the write-ups more like the blurbs on the back of game packaging. They're meant to be as much for entertainment value as for information. If you want real reviews, check out those sites I mentioned. My job is to spread awareness. |
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Post by kirbychu on Jan 7, 2007 6:42:43 GMT -5
I wouldn't re-write it. Monkey Ball is a good game, and I haven't seen a bad review for it anywhere. Some people will just hate anything, y'know? |
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Post by Nester the Lark on Jan 7, 2007 12:02:34 GMT -5
3PS #8
Mega Man ZX
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
System: DS
Those mega busy bees over at Capcom have certainly been mega prolific when it comes to producing Mega Man games. The series is reaching its 20th anniversary in 2007, and there are around 50 unique releases in the franchise. Sequels, spin-offs, remakes, compilations, and reinventions galore make for a very impressive games-to-year ratio. “Market saturation” has no meaning to Capcom. Mega Man ZX is the latest reincarnation of the mega franchise.
While Mega Man has diverged into adventures, RPG’s and sports over the years, ZX continues the side scrolling tradition of the series’ roots. Story wise, it’s a sequel to the Zero series, which, in turn, was a sequel to the X series. But despite its traditional action-platform gameplay, ZX still manages to have a few new tricks up its mega sleeve. Following in the footsteps of Metroid and Castlevania, ZX takes more of an explorative approach, allowing you to wander around one large game world rather than separate levels. Capturing extra abilities from boss robots in classic Mega fashion allows access to new areas. And as in the previous examples, it makes for a compelling experience.
Despite that the game all but ignores the unique features of the DS, and that most of the vocal work is still in Japanese; the presentation is still pretty slick. There are several animated sequences peppered throughout the game, and the graphics are as clean and sharp as classic 16-bit Capcom games. Mega cool!
In true Capcom fashion, there is sure to be a mega load of Mega sequels, and hopefully we’ll see this new series evolve. But this is where it begins, and it’s off to a mega start. If you’re a fan of Mega Man, Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, or action-platform games in general, then power up your Mega Buster and check out Mega Man ZX.
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thores
Bubbles
Kirby and Pikachu: BFF
Posts: 581
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Post by thores on Jan 10, 2007 0:04:06 GMT -5
...Did you even play this game? No, I didn't. But I'm not reviewing the game either. If you're going to give a title praise (or disdain, note that I said I heard the game sucked instead of straight up saying that it blew chunks), then I'd expect you to actually play the game beforehand. Especially when it's a title that's gotten reviews as mixed as Banana Blitz. And I didn't say that I hated the game, but thank you for putting words in my mouth. I was just suprised that he gave the game a strong reccomendation when the majority of the reviews I've seen have ranked the game anywhere between "decent" and "craptastic". The "did you even play this game" was me being curious. Was he one of the (apparent) minority that played the game and really enjoyed it, or was he just compiling this review from research he'd done on the subject. Since then I've found out it was the latter, which is fine, now that he's stated the purpose and tone that these articles are supposed to achieve. If you're going to chide me for making assumptions, then maybe you should stop making them yourself first. |
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Post by Fryguy64 on Jan 10, 2007 4:15:06 GMT -5
Thores.... shut up.
Corey did not have a go at you. His reply to your comment was well thought out and reasonable. He didn't make digs at you. You have no right to react in the way you did in your last post. It was completely uncalled for.
The point of the third party showcase is to raise awareness of third party games, just like the point of NinDB is to raise awareness of all Nintendo games from around the world. That doesn't mean him or me has to buy and play to completion every single game we write about.
Corey, who is an unpaid writer for a non-profit website, and me who is also an unpaid webmaster for the same, do not have to pour our money into the games we write about. I buy a lot of Nintendo games, but bugger it if I can buy them ALL - at least immediately. And there's no way we can find the time to play them all.
Outside of a lottery win, that's not going to happen. You can't have expectations of people over and above what they have promised themselves. That's a good general rule for life.
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Post by kirbychu on Jan 10, 2007 6:03:32 GMT -5
Actually, I think he was talking to me there, Fryguy. Although... And I didn't say that I hated the game, but thank you for putting words in my mouth. ...I never said you did. Thanks for putting words in mine. I was just suprised that he gave the game a strong reccomendation when the majority of the reviews I've seen have ranked the game anywhere between "decent" and "craptastic". The "did you even play this game" was me being curious. Was he one of the (apparent) minority that played the game and really enjoyed it, or was he just compiling this review from research he'd done on the subject. Who are this apparent minority? Every review I've seen has ranked this game at least above average (ONM: 81%, IGN: 8.4/10, Gamespot: 8.3/10, to name a few). Your post seemed to be based on hearsay, which is a dangerous thing to make assumptions on. After all, how many people you know said that Wind Waker was a terrible game, when all they'd actually done was look at a screenshot? A lot, in my experience. |
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Post by Fryguy64 on Jan 10, 2007 6:19:23 GMT -5
Everyone calm down. You're arguing about Super Monkey Ball for crying out loud. Don't you people have better things to do?
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Post by kirbychu on Jan 10, 2007 6:32:03 GMT -5
Everyone calm down. You're arguing about Super Monkey Ball for crying out loud. Don't you people have better things to do? ...Not really. I have about six hours until work, and... I'm fairly bored, to tell the truth.  I'm not really arguing. Hell, I doubt I'll even end up getting this game. I just find it confusing that, thought the game has mostly great reviews, these reviews are apparently a minority. Though I'm starting to think the gaming community as a whole makes less and less sense every passing year. Already I've seen people declaring that "everybody" says Twilight Princess is the worst Zelda game so far. |
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