SmashTv
Latest
PS3 review of Cash Guns Chaos dampens hope
We were once excited for Cash Money Guns Chaos, but it appears our hopes were for naught. IGN reviewed the PLAYSTATION 3 version of Cash Guns Chaos and they don't have very nice things to say: "Smash TV worked because it constantly switched up enemy and power-up types in quick 30-second rooms that would branch out into all-new areas immediately afterward. But Cash Guns Chaos doesn't do that."There might be hope for the PSP version, but I doubt it. Considering how this is one of the first games that will let you play PSP versus PS3, I had much higher hopes for it.
Joystiq hands-on: Cash Money Chaos (PS3)
Some of the smaller games at last week's Sony Gamer's Day interested me most; I'm always a sucker for a fun game idea over flashy graphics. Maybe developers with smaller budgets solve problems with creativity instead of money.The day's initial presentation featured a quick glimpse into Criminal Crackdown, created by David Jaffe and his team. He described the game as a cross between basketball and a demolition derby; players drive around cell-shaded levels trying to pick up the criminal and deliver him to jail. If an opponent's paddy-wagon holds the criminal, another player can attack them, stealing the criminal.Criminal Crackdown looked like a fun game to download and play with friends, but it wasn't available to try. Instead, another downloadable title, Cash Money Chaos, caught my attention. This quirky title felt fresh, even with its close resemblance to Smash TV. The Sony rep showing the game wouldn't draw the comparison himself, but he wasn't surprised when I made the Smash TV connection.Cash Money tossed me into a pit to dispatch never-ending groups of attackers. The overhead perspective gave a big view of the brightly-colored baddies; every time I shot one, splotches of blood and piles of money spilled out. Initially, the blood made me uncomfortable; it didn't seem to fit the fun-house atmosphere. However, I quickly overlooked it and concentrated on the mounds of cash, like a true patriot.
New Cash Money Chaos details revealed
Earlier last month, we learned the first details of Cash Money Chaos, Sony Online Entertainment's new SmashTV clone game show shoot 'em up, and even saw an video interview with gameplay footage. But before we go any further, I think we need to clear something up. Players won't take the role of Elvis, as previously reported; instead, they'll have the option of controlling Sonny, Cher, Ike or Tina. Yeah, I know it's disappointing not being able to control The King, but isn't Cher the next best thing?IGN's Jeff Haynes recently had the opportunity to preview an early version of the game, and he gives us some fresh details. The game has more than 50 different episodes (or levels); Each episode consists of three rounds; Five episodes will complete a season, and at the end of a season, players must face a boss; Players will be able to use 12 weapons, including a shotgun or laser; The game will feature three difficulty levels; Players can replay levels by using the Rerun mode; and Controls are almost identical to SmashTV (firing directions are mapped to the face buttons). Jeff said the game controls very well and can handle "dozens of enemies and projectiles on screen without any slowdown."Cash Money Chaos appears to be shaping up pretty well, and if you're a fan of similar games, you should find yourself right at home.(Via IGN)
Cash Money Chaos video interview
Gamespot has a new video interview with Cash Money Chaos' lead designer. While the video doesn't offer any new info on the game, it does provide plenty of in-game footage of the game's bloody carnage. The designer compares it to Smash TV and Robotron, but with a crazy alien 70s game show feel. Keep this one on your radar: it'll be a mere $30 when it launches in Q1 2007, and it'll feature 8-player online infrastructure play with stat-tracking.
Xbox Live Arcade titles coming to retail [update 1]
Steam isn't the only digital distribution service offering games up in delicious digital bits; Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade has been selling kids Geometry Wars crack for $5 a hit ... just to get you started. So it should come as no surprise that, like many of Steam's games, some of Xbox Live Arcade's will be coming to retail as well. According to Next Generation, "Peter Moore is pushing to extend the Live Arcade brands to retail, arguing internally that original games like Geometry Wars, retro hits like Smash TV and casual games like Hardwood Hearts will extend Xbox 360's appeal to non-hardcore audiences."I know where they're going with this: around half of the 360 owners aren't on XBL, yet they might want to jam on some Joust. Thing is, the whole idea is that some of these games, which had their retail heyday 20 years ago, made the jump online to cut distribution costs and bypass the limited retail interest. Ultimately, Microsoft will need to cherry pick games whose retail prospects would make the move worthwhile. That means more Geometry Wars, less Smash TV.[Via Evil Avatar][Update 1: A tipster claims MS released the following info to retailers today. The $39.99 package, which will be dubbed Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged, will include XBLA superstar Geometry Wars, along with Texas Hold'em, Wik, Bejeweled 2, Outpost Kaloki X, Hardwood Backgammon, a free 1-month Gold membership, 100 free Microsoft bucks, and should be available in early September. Thanks, Loki.]
