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What are you playing: Electroplankton edition
We weren't lying when we said this would become a regular Friday feature like how it originated at Xbox 360 Fanboy. So, another week, another asking. What are you playing? Like we said last week, we recently received Electroplankton and Star Fox: Command. As much as we'd like to say Corneria is saved and currently defended against all ne'er-do-wells, we have to admit that it has been hard to put down Electroplankton. Our favorite gametype in Performance Mode is currently pictured.
Nintendo DS brings home the BAFTAs
Though they were both nominated in multiple categories, Brain Age (aka Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old is Your Brain?) and Electroplankton each picked up a single award in yesterday's British Academy of Film and Television Awards. Electroplankton was acknowledged for audio achievement (color us unsuprised at that one) and Brain Age was named the most innovative of the year's titles by the British organization. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter for the Xbox 360 picked up the nod for game of the year, beating out Brain Age. Trauma Center and New Super Mario Bros. were both nominated as well, but picked up no awards. We're pretty sure that's probably a crime against humanity, but just this once, we'll let it slide.[Thanks, elbono!]
DS gets some love from BAFTA
It's the first time the U.K.'s gaming awards have been in their own spotlight (instead of relaxing in the shadow of the film and television awards), and the Nintendo DS has snared some of the attention. We would expect nothing less. Electroplankton and Brain Age both picked up nominations in multiple categories, and they'll be butting heads (brains?) when it comes to which game is Britain's choice for the most innovative of the year. Trauma Center got a nod as well in the simulation category. We're not sure the other nominees are even worth mentioning next to that one. Too bad there isn't a category for games that make you sweat, 'cause they're just that damned hard at times. Trauma Center has always made us idly wish for a third hand, but we love it like ice cream. Can't say we agree with everything they're doing across the pond, though -- they've got New Super Mario Bros. tagged as a children's game. Oh well. I guess we should all put it down and step away slowly. The winners will be announced on October 5. Check back for confetti and poppers when the DS snags some awards.
Introducing Tenori-On, from the mind that brought us Electroplankton
Toshio Iwai has been busy designing a musical instrument for the future. Dubbed 'Tenori-On,' Iwai's creation is a melding of light and sound contained in a portable matrix of LED switches used to draw musical compositions -- there's even a 2-player mode (with two Tenori-Ons).Reception of Iwai's previous project, Electroplankton, was a mixed bag. But will distancing himself from his 'gaming' identity help Iwai and his latest invention appeal to the mainstream?
Electroplankton creator working on Wii project?
Yes, it is a slow news day.As such, the possibility of Toshio Iwai, the man behind Electroplankton for the DS, commented to Nintendo of Europe that he could possibly get on board with creating a title for the Wii sometime in the future. When asked what his next project for Nintendo was and whether he was interested in working with the Wii or not, Iwai said "I am thinking of it." We realize that this comment could very well shatter your mind, but it's our job to report the most important news in the world.Like I said, kind of a slow news day.
Weird Electroplankton style guitar band
You know, we've been waiting forever to use the term "Electroplankton-esque" in a post. We are now given the opportunity to not only thoroughly abuse the newly-coined description, but to experience one of the strangest (and coolest) bands we've heard in a while. The Six String Sonics / The Six String Stairs (their website can't seem to decide on the official name) are very much in opposition to traditional band setups and instead adopt a group of musicians that are each equipped with a single-string guitar. They make the interesting argument that, because an average guitar has 6 strings compared to the 5 fingers on a hand, a human's creative capability when creating music with the instrument is more limited than it could be. By spreading out the strings between six people, you can distribute the music and obtain more creative melodies. Of course, the next step is to put all these people into a 12 foot gymnasium and throw in giant bass guitars, computer sound mixing and interactive light shows. The end result?Awesomeness. Do yourself a favor and check out the demonstration video, keeping in mind how each of the repeating guitar sounds eventually combine to form a wonderful piece of music. It's positively Electroplankton-esque![Thanks Hudson Pridham!]
Joystiq Review: Electroplankton (Nintendo DS)
"What happens when you combine a microscope, a tape recorder, a synthesizer, and an NES? Electroplankton!" - Toshio IwaiNintendo promised new methods of gameplay, and in turn whole new gaming experiences, when they introduced their Nintendo DS handheld system. Using the touch screen and the microphone to create an interactive mix of sight and sound, Nintendo’s latest title, Electroplankton, is a poster child for their cause, even if it’s not a traditional “game.” While being uniquely suited for the Nintendo DS, it is very much a niche product reflected in Nintendo's decision to distribute the game solely online. For gamers interested in experimental art or music, Electroplankton is probably already on their shortlist of games to buy; but for most others, it might not offer enough to hold their attention long.
Another Electroplankton review
This one's from the crew at Go Nintendo and further strengthens what we already know - this is one trippy musical experience you simply don't want to miss. "Electroplankton is THE most surreal experience I have ever had with a game. It is the most relaxing, yet stimulating experience on the DS, and in ANY game yet."I've always thought that Burger Time was one of the more surreal games out there (giant hamburgers are quite terrifying), but it seems that some of the cute little amoeba things in Electroplankton can even top that. The Volvoice species, for instance, will listen intently as you speak into the microphone and will then repeat your voice back in different tones. You could essentially construct a little choir out of the variations on your voice while you think about the musical implications and what it must be like to have schizophrenia or a multiple personality disorder. This is exactly the kind of game that makes you go "Ahh...so THAT's what Nintendo wanted to do with the DS." Look out for our MetaReview once more sites get their hands on the game.[Thanks Kevin]
Electroplankton = best new reason to get a DS
The guys, gals and (we have to assume) benign robots over at Gearlog have already a posted a short and sweet article about the charms of Electroplankton, Nintendo's wonderfully weird musical toy that's due for release early next month. The author, Carol Mangis, is spot-on when she notes that Electroplankton isn't really a game in the traditional sense, but a rather unique exercise in music manipulation. She may also be correct in calling it the best new reason to buy a DS. She may also be a man. A man named Carol. There are plenty of options to consider here.Of course, we're mostly interested in the game because it'll let us lord over perennially happy little creatures, coaxing them into submission with an iron stylus. That's not quite the inspiration that lead to the creation of the game, however, as a letter from the game's creator printed in the manual is keen to point out. "At different times in his life, he variously used and loved a microscope, a tape recorder, a synthesizer, and a Nintendo NES. These devices were the combined elements that sparked the idea." Well, that settles it. I'm off to play around with a toaster, a clarinet, an egg whisk, a baby seal and my DS in the hopes of coming up with an amazing new concept.
Electroplankton at Target next month
Electroplankton was one of the games that appeared during this year's E3 as a downloadable demo from the veritable Wi-Fi nexus that was Nintendo's floorspace. After grabbing it from their ethereal streams of data, I spent some time with it in my hotel room. And by "some time", I mean a period of clock cycles which seemed to stretch on for an eternity. I was plunged into a world where I reigned as conductor supreme over constantly smiling amoeba-like creatures, gently poking and prodding them to elicit unique sounds and instantly create my own music. Some have expressed unhappiness over Nintendo's current tune, a little ditty that goes along the lines of "For January this release is timed / buy it if you're musically inclined / don't go looking amongst the mortar and the bricks / for it's only available after several clicks / point your browser to Nintendo / listen to Reggie 'cos he says so." No wonder people are so unhappy - it's a really awful tune. It seems that Target agrees, as according to their Get into the Game website, their stores will be selling the game when it releases on January 11th. Though the game may end up just being relegated to Target's website, there's certainly a fair chance that such a mainstream store would end up carrying a title that would have the most success amongst the Nintendogs audience. There's no reason for such a gaming gem to be restricted to online shoppers only - setting the game up on demo stations in a shop's music section would be a great way to market Electroplankton. What do you guys think?[Via 4cr]
