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PopCap games casually stroll onto PS2 and Xbox 360 retail shelves
PopCap Games, who you may know from a multitude of casual titles, will soon release two "greatest hits" compilations at retail for PS2 and Xbox 360. PopCap Arcade Volume 1 will be for Xbox 360 and feature Bejeweled 2, AstroPop, Feeding Frenzy and Zuma at a retail price of $30. The PS2 version, PopCap Hits Volume 1, has Bejeweled 2 and AstroPop for $20.The Xbox bundle will save you $10 off of buying those four games from Xbox Live Arcade. For PS2 owners retail is the only way to purchase those titles and $10 is the normal cost for each on XBLA. And before any wise guys get smart, the answer is: No, there was absolutely nothing in the press release about Wii compilations.
TGS07: Neo Geo VC games already obsolete
This announcement from SNK comes in a close second to the Family Trainer in the Weird Wii Game Timing awards. Not even a whole week after the first Neo Geo game was made available on the Virtual Console, SNK is announcing a compilation disc of 16 Neo Geo games for the Wii. 4 Color Rebellion's Vinnk got the news firsthand from SNK, and what you're seeing above is genuine, unfiltered "fanboy glee" from the news. To be honest, we'd be a lot happier to buy a regular compilation disc than to pay $9 per game. We imagine a lot of other people will be as well. It raises a lot of questions, beyond the obvious "what games will be included?" Specifically, why SNK planned downloadable games on the Wii if they're going to sell them on discs as well. Is this for people without Internet access, maybe? Will it focus on game series that SNK wants to bundle together? Does SNK's home games division just not talk to the downloadable content people?
The Mix Tape USB Drive remembers your roots
Sure, the compact disc may have just celebrated 25 years in the biz, but nothing says quasi-old school like a double-sided cassette tape. Granted, it's a bit harder to effectively distribute mix tapes on a format rarely appreciated this day in age, so the Mix Tape USB Drive steps in to deliver your favorite compilations in a modern form without ditching that crucial retro flair. Pricing details have yet to be released, but it's slated to hit the streets next month for those interested.[Thanks, Damien]
A compilation of suggestions
Until today, it had been a very long time since I visited the suggestions forum. I remember the last time well... long long ago, with a character far far too ugly, I posted this awesome new idea: "Why not make some kind of beauty parlor that lets us change our characters' appearance! Wouldn't that be neat?" Little did I know that it had already been suggested lots of times before. It's one of the suggestions they get most often, in fact, but it's still anybody's guess as to whether they'll actually implement it or not.I might have offered up more brilliant ideas, but the fact that I could never get an official Blizzard response there discouraged me. Besides, realizing that my first great idea wasn't all that new made me think "well someone's probably suggested all that before." So today I just poked my head in at the suggestions forum on a whim. I discovered that the only stickied suggestion there, other than the "welcome" post, is a compilation of suggestions designed to help us realize what's been suggested before, and start thinking of something new. It has everything from UI improvements to oft-suggested expansion ideas. It's updated to a certain extent (patch 2.0) and after skipping over the 4 or 5 paragraphs beseeching people not to post their suggestions in that thread, I noticed a lot of the ideas I had were there, as well as some that I'd never thought of before. Below are a few of the ideas which struck me as most interesting:
Retro GC compilations offer Wii owners options
Virtual Console pricing got you down? Not to fret -- there are plenty of GameCube compilation titles available at a budget price. Racketboy recently took an in-depth look at a few of these game sets, offering readers a detailed look at what's included in each ... and some answers to the question of whether or not they're worth your $10. For instance, he reports that the Namco collections play well, but Midway Arcade Treasures seems to feature a few games with below average controls. But even with a few duds, the pricing on most of these sets is just right for gamers on a tight budget who need to get their retro fix.
PSP Fanboy review: Metal Slug Anthology
Most people only read reviews to find out if they should buy, try or avoid a particular game. With that in mind, here's that info on Metal Slug Anthology for those who don't want to read a full review. Buy: If you are a Metal Slug fan or enjoy 2D shooters (ex. Contra). Try: If you haven't played Metal Slug or a 2D shooter before, but enjoy action games. Avoid: If you don't like dated graphics, 2D games or shooters.
DS Daily: Classic collections
After we discussed a well-received collection of retro goodness yesterday, we'd like to talk about the concept on a general level. So many of the reviews mentioned one thing -- the lack of such compilations on the DS. Not everyone thinks that's a bad thing; after all, game collections sometimes seem to exist only to demonstrate the highest levels of suckage to which gaming can aspire. But let's not worry too much about those. Let's focus on the good ones, those game collections that bring out some of your best memories.Also, with the reviews on Konami's latest compilation, it's likely that by this time next year, reviewers will no longer be lamenting the lack of classic collections on the DS. So the question is: what do you want to see? And if it came down to it, would you prefer remakes of single games, like Final Fantasy III, or collections of games (or even mini-games) that leave them just as they were?
Metal Slug Anthology with a 'twist'
Metal Slug Anthology ships for Wii today, combining the series' seven arcade installments into one, and twisting them out with some quirky control schemes.More standardized versions of Anthology will arrive on PSP and PlayStation 2 in the coming weeks, but the Wii offering is the most tempting. Sure it's gimmicky, but it provides a series of unorthodox challenges (mastering each control setting), undoubtedly luring seasoned vets to invest a few more quarters into the franchise -- as if these games weren't hard enough already.
Metareview: Sega Genesis Collection
When we first announced that Sega Genesis Collection was heading to the PSP with nearly 30 games to play on, many of you nearly pissed in your pants. At only $30, the collection is quite a steal, especially compared to Virtual Console prices ($8 for one Genesis game). What did the critics think of this orgy of games? Gamespot (81/100) calls it a winner - "The Sega Genesis Collection is one of the most satisfying, well-put-together classic game compilations to date... Even if you were an avid fan of the Genesis back in its heyday, chances are you never got around to playing a number of these games, many of which are still quite fun and remarkably challenging even by today's standards." Modojo (80/100) also thinks it's great - "This is still a wondrous trip down memory lane, with loads of 16-bit titles to invest hours in all over again. It's almost enough to make you want to go to the flea market and hunt down a lumbering old Sega CD unit. Almost." Deeko (75/100) thinks there's great stuff in a sea of crap - "I'll freely admit that many of the games in the collection are pure garbage, but for the most part, you're getting a wide assortment of games that literally covers the entire Sega Genesis spectrum - with four full length role-playing games to really keep you busy being the creme de la creme!" There's a ton of compilations coming out, but to be honest, it seems like this one is the best of the bunch. Too bad it's missing Streets of Rage.
Zelda impressions recap
A few days ago, Nintendo held a special press event in Redmond (we were invited, but were too busy preventing nuclear war to go) where the media could have a very long, very uninterrupted playthrough of the final build of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. No less than a dozen major gaming sites and publications have already released their in-depth experiences with everyone's favorite kinda-elf, so we've done you the favor of assembling the cream of the crop right here. The overall gist? 1) Don't wait for the Gamecube version, and 2) Holy damn this game is amazing. Of the five listed, we recommend good 'ol Matt Cassamassina's impressions; they're quite thorough.Zelda Impressions from IGN: Matt CassamassinaZelda Impressions from GoNintendo: Raw Meat CowboyZelda Impressions from 1up: Jeremy ParishZelda Impressions from Gamespot: Ricardo TorresZelda Impressions from Planet Gamecube: Steven Rodriguez
Gain Ground, Golden Axe 3 Sega Genesis Collection vids
Two more Sega Genesis Collection videos have been released, and here are more games I have yet to ever play. Actually, I do believe I've played Golden Axe 3 before, but I'm positive I've never even heard of Gain Ground.But never playing most of these games before is exactly what makes me so excited for this collection. I'll be able to revisit these classics on the PSP's big, beautiful screen anytime I want. Sega Genesis Collection will be available Nov. 7. God, I can't wait. See also: Ecco Jr., Shinobi and Phantasy Star IVDecap AttackVirtua Fighter 2, Sword of Vermillion and Bonanza BrothersPhantasy Star 2 and Golden AxeKid Chameleon Ecco the Dolphin and Columns
Electronic Arts announces EA Replay feature details
Earlier today, we showed you a ridiculously long gameplay video for EA Replay's Syndicate title, and now Electronic Arts has released the game's features details.EA Replay will feature: Ad-hoc and head-to-head support for Budokan, Road Rash II and Mutant League Football; Mid-game saves that allow you to stop the action at any time; and Unlockable character collectable cards. While the collectable cards don't do a whole lot for me, I think the ad-hoc and mid-game save features are a very nice addition. However, would it be too much to ask for some infrastructure action?
Road Rash 1, 2, 3 EA Replay videos released
If you're like me and are a huge fan of compilations, there isn't a better time to be a PSP owner what with EA Replay, Sega Genesis Collection and Metal Slug Collection on the horizon. We've already seen several videos of games in Sega Genesis Collection, and now EA has released gameplay videos of Road Rash 1, 2 and 3. I can't wait to get my hands on this game. Road Rash is one of my favorite old-school games. However, I must admit I thought Skitchin' was a far more interesting game, and I wish it were included in this compilation. Oh well, I guess I'll hold out hope for it in EA Replayed Again. Check after the jump to see the other two videos.
More video than you can shake a Wiimote at
It's way too early for anything serious, so let's take a moment to goggle over the dedication of Turpentine, an admin at the Wii Fantastic forums. Turpentine put together a list of 35 different Wii videos from YouTube. It's enough to make us consider getting into voodoo if it'll get November 19 here any more quickly. While you've probably seen a lot of these videos before, it's nice to have so many on one page. It's convenient when that Wii crave starts kicking in.[Thanks, flubba!]
Epyx returns to PSP
The retro compilations keep on coming to the PSP. If the Genesis-era of gaming is still too new for you, then you'll be glad to know that the popular line of Commodore 64 games published by Epyx are making a comeback. Impossible Mission will hit in January and California Games will follow in May. The Last Ninja trilogy will be making a comeback as well. Although these games will be remakes, they won't be 3D:"You gotta keep the gameplay mechanics the same or else it ceases to be the original game and you're only using the game brand to sell games," Kale (System 3 founder) said. "It ceases to be Impossible Mission or California Games or what have you. ... What we're doing is we're incorporating the original gameplay and mechanics and bringing the gameplay up to date."The remakes will also be available on the DS and Nintendo Wii.[Via DS Fanboy]
Sega does what Nintendon't on your PSP
If you're into classic games like me, you're probably eagerly awaiting the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console feature so that you can play not only some Nintendo games, but some Genesis games as well. For those of you Sony fanboys that'll avoid the Wii like its a smelly grandmother, there's finally an alternative: Sega Genesis Collection, a compliation of nearly thirty Genesis games is heading to the PSP. The disc will not only come loaded with the games, but exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. PSP owners can rejoice in knowing that an exclusive wireless multiplayer mode is being created just for them. Maybe it'll even support Game Sharing? (I hope so!) Here's the list of games: Alex Kidd Altered Beast Bonanza Bros. Columns Comix Zone Decap Attack Ecco the Dolphin Ecco: The Tides of Time Ecco Jr. Eternal Champions Flicky Gain Ground Golden Axe Golden Axe II Golden Axe III Phantasy Star II Phantasy Star III Phantasy Star IV Ristar Shadow Dancer: Secret of Shinobi Shinobi III Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Super Thunderblade Sword of Vermillion Vectorman Vectorman 2 Virtua Fighter 2 Whoa... out of breath just reading that list. Visit 1up to see details about all of these classics.
EGM Rumor Mill: RPG Heaven? [Update 1]
Hey, everyone loves rumors. You can usually grab them by the handful at sites like, say, SPOnG, but when you cry wolf as many times as they do, well, it diminishes credibility. EGM, however, have a fairly good track record with their Rumor Mill section, and the newest issue has some delectable bits. First off, Square-Enix is purportedly using the two upcoming incarnations of Dragon's Quest (DQ Joker for the DS and DQ Swords for the Wii) as a gauge to see if the next incarnation of the main series, Dragon's Quest IX, will be released exclusively on the Wii. Though it has a slightly diminished standing in North America, the DQ series is loved by millions upon millions worldwide, an RPG phenomenon second only to the Final Fantasy franchise. If this is true, it's one hell of a victory for Nintendo. We're not done with Square-Enix yet. Second rumor: SE is developing an MMORPG for the Wii based on the Mana universe. While we're not sure if the Wii even has the technical capabilites to run a true MMO (they tend to be very limited without a dedicated hard drive), we still salivate at the possibility. Finally, Nintendo is looking at releasing an Earthbound compilation for the DS. This would include Mother 1, a game never released outside of Japan, the ever-beloved Earthbound itself (a.k.a. Mother 2), and the recent Mother 3, a game well-received in the Land of the Rising Sun. Add touch-screen capabilities, and bam. Million seller. They make it look so easy... And, there you have it. While we must once again stress these are rumors, I'd eat my nonexistent hat if at least one of these three failed to come true. Your feelings, trusty readers?[Update 1: Square-Enix was not the publisher of Earthbound; corrected Rumor 3.]
