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VC Friday: Ninja Dragon Games
A trio of games this week on the PAL Virtual Console (all of which would be dead to us if "Ninja Dragon Games" actually existed), including one we totally want, one that will probably be undeservedly overlooked in favor of the one we totally want and, um, World Games (Commodore 64), which we're entirely unfamiliar with.The former, obviously, is Double Dragon (NES), and although we plan to download Technos' landmark game with a quickness, we feel a bit bad for The Last Ninja (Commodore 64), which deserves some attention, if only for its amazing soundtrack. Check videos of all three out after the blue words, and marvel at how barrel jumping looks ... oddly compelling. Double Dragon -- NES -- 500 Wii Points World Games -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points* The Last Ninja -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points* * Only in Europe.
Giant Bomb to watch, evaluate every game-based movie
It's common knowledge that movies based on games are generally awful (much like games based on movies). But for all the internet griping about everything from Dead or Alive to Hitman to anything by Uwe Boll, how many of us are insane enough to want an encyclopedic knowledge of every awful game-based movie ever made?The answer to that question is "at least one" and that one is former Gamespotter Ryan Davis, who has publicly set out to watch every game-based flick as part of "The Giant Bomb Video-Game Movie Experiment." While the project sadly leaves out game-inspired movies like Tron and WarGames and animated classics like Pokemon: Yet Another Insipid Movie, we still have to admire the moxie required to even attempt such a project. Will Davis' determination be enough to see him through? Will his sanity hold out? Find out this summer, only in theaters on the web.
'Is this fun yet?' It will be next week!
Hey, Generic Dudes, guess what? Aksys Games has announced that they are, in fact, bringing the two Technos games found in the ESRB database to the Virtual Console -- along with another one that just happens to be the best game on the Nintendo Entertainment System! River City Ransom. Next week. Five dollars.The week after that, Double Dragon will become available (which would be awesome news if not for OMG RIVER CITY RANSOM SERIOUSLY), and the week after that, Renegade. If you don't have a Wii, you should probably go ahead and buy one now, because it just got its killer app.
Abobo headed to the VC, thanks to Aksys
When they made the deal for Super Dodgeball Brawlers, Arc System Works apparently got the rights to Technos Japan's back catalog. Their name shows up as the publisher of all the Technos games available in Japan on the Virtual Console, including Nekketsu Kouha Kunio. Aksys Games has been the American publisher for every recent Arc game. That would seem to imply that Aksys could publish Technos's games on the American Virtual Console. The fact that it is actually happening strengthens our theory.The aforementioned Nekketsu Kouha Kunio, known over here as Renegade, has now been rated by the ESRB for U.S. release, published by Aksys, along with a Technos game that is more relevant to people who like good games: Double Dragon. Even more relevant: this opens the door for an American release of River City Ransom!
Upcoming MMO movies (and why they'll suck)
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/Upcoming_MMO_movies_and_why_they_ll_suck'; Dorothy Parker once said "The only 'ism' Hollywood believes in is plagiarism." While not technically plagiarism, the practice of mining popular properties of other media is a time-honored mainstay of Hollywood's. Why invent a new franchise when you can adapt one that already exists? Well, if we're talking about translating videogames to cinema, there are at least 3 reasons against that we can think of right away: Street Fighter: The Movie, Double Dragon, and Doom. Oh, and the entire body of work of Uwe Boll.With such a history of failure, why does Hollywood keep banking on videogames as good sources of material? Because it's always desperate for the next big hit, and adaptation is seen as being easier than originality, even though by now it's apparent that it's not quite as simple as it seems. An even better question is: why exactly don't these translations work? What is it about games that makes for poor films? Let's see if we can answer this question and assess the potential success/failure of some upcoming MMO movies.
Virtually Overlooked: Renegade
Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative.We often feature bad games on Virtually Overlooked. A lot of bad games are historically notable or weird enough to enjoy. Sometimes they're just funny.Today's bad game, Renegade, is one of the historically important ones. It's also kind of funny, if you don't have to play it for long. It's the first beat-em-up from Technos, who we'd say we'd follow to the grave if they weren't already there. And, yeah, it's got some tuff boxart.
Wise Fwom Yor Gwave: Some classics we'd like to see resurrected on PSP
We've previously seen Afterburner and Lemmings re-tooled, to make them suitable for our favorite portable. While both of those titles are enjoyable, there is still a ton of gold to be mined from the past, then reshaped into something grand and new. With that in mind, I thought it we'd do a public service, and remind publishers of some of those titles. Here they are in no particular order: Bionic Commando Contra Lunar Streets of Rage Splatter House Bonk Strider Double Dribble Golden Axe Shinobi Out of this World Zombie Ate My Neighbors Those are a few of the titles we'd like to see. But what does our opinion matter? Let us know what games we missed, or what classics you'd like to see resurrected on the PSP.
Double Dragon kicks XBLA in the crotch
Unfortunately, crotch kicking isn't available in Double Dragon, but you get the point. Double Dragon is now available for mass consumption on Xbox Live Arcade. Billy and Jimmy Lee are out to save Billy's poor, gut-punched girlfriend. Lucky for them, Billy and Jimmy are martial arts masters who have also mastered the art of self-resurrection. This arcane power used to cost 25 cents, but now it's as easy as hitting the start button. Should you desire Double Dragon it will set you back 400 MS points.Oh, and we've been critical of the game's enhanced graphics in the past. Having now seen the original, pixelated graphics on high definition screen, we take it back. It's enhanced graphics all the way (unless you feel like cutting yourself on all those jagged edges).
Double Dragon releases to the XBLA tomorrow
We just got word about tomorrow's XBLA release and although it isn't a twofer offering this week, you do get double the trouble. The rumor was true as the original Double Dragon will be released tomorrow with two player local and online co-op, enhanced graphics, and little extras all for a very reasonable 400 Microsoft points. And from what we see in the screenshots, the graphics do look much more polished and smooth, but it could be us. Anyway, we know there are at least a few Double Dragon fanboys out there who want to scream with excitement, so go ahead ... scream until your lungs give out!
Double Dragon kicks XBLA next week?
According to its publisher, Empire Interactive, Double Dragon is headed to Xbox Live Arcade next week. The press release actually concerns the announcement that Empire Interactive is bringing Speedball II to Xbox Live Arcade. A quote from the Clive Kabatznik, CEO of Silverstar Holdings, of which Empire Interactive is a subsidiary, spilled the beans. According to Kabatznik, "Double Dragon will launch next Wednesday, and will be our first foray onto Xbox LIVE Arcade." While we love our futuristic death sports as much as the next gaming blog, the impending release of Double Dragon has us all atwitter. As we've reported before, the game features "enhanced" graphics, but they actually seem less detailed than the original. We'll be sticking with the retro graphics, thanks.How much would you be willing to pay for the classic brawler?[Via Joystiq. Thanks, DJ Dunk]
Castle Crashers GDC '07 impressions
Castle Crashers is a chaotic storm of spinning swords, overly aggressive primary colors and the occasional (but never displeasing) decapitation -- which is why we like it. Though the GDC demo boasts only a few notable changes from previous iterations, it still warrants a look. A long and loving look accompanied by a forlorn sigh and the formation of a gently sparkling tear. One of the most interesting things about the game is the manner in which it draws your attention. It's even a little conflicting, as if two sets of fingers are snapping in your face in an alternating pattern. When you're not trying to spot your character deep within the colorful anarchy of battle, you're adopting a wider view of all the over-the-top action. It's like a tug of war, and one not too dissimilar from the battle between order and chaos that's at the core of the game.
Video: Double Dragon in action
While we know Alien Hominid HD is coming to Arcade this week, barring some freak weather storm, so we get the opportunity to look forward to future titles, or just Worms. But for those of you who are interested in a different title that Wo--- Oh, who are we kidding, if it's not Worms, who cares, right? Well, we're sure that there has to be somebody who falls into that category, so this is for them. We've got a video of Double Dragon, which is suggested to arrive sometime in March. The game will feature the original graphics as well as the enhanced graphics seen in the video. We don't know about you, but we're going to be switching back to the old school look off the bat. The enhanced visual just don't look right. In any case, click the "Read" link to watch the video. So, it's not Worms, do you care?[Via Xboxic]
Peep Double Dragon's XBLA makeover
According to the Netherlands' Xboxworld (via NeoGAF), Double Dragon is headed to Xbox Live Arcade in March, for 400 MS points. Like other aging classics before them, the Lee brothers and foes look to be receiving a visual touch-up. But as is often the case with real-life makeovers (and we're talkin' the scalpels, staples, and tubes kinda makeovers), the "enhanced" look just seems to always miss the mark. Never mind how jarringly flat the characters appear, just look at that "English Tear" sign, it's pristine! This is no longer a rumble through the ghetto, it's a prance around some sterilized ghost town infested with botox mutants. Can we get an "A-men!"?We'd much prefer the time and resources be spent on tuning the online co-op, which continues to be a frustrating ordeal with each XBLA release.
Double Dragon coming to XBLA
UK's OXM is reporting that Double Dragon, the classic arcade beat 'em up, is coming to Xbox Live Arcade. No date has been announced, but it's a safe bet that it probably won't see the light of day this year. Still, overall it's great news for classic arcade fans. The game is set to feature enhanced graphics and Xbox Live co-op play. Let's just hope Double Dragon does co-op better than Contra. (Uh oh, I can't get the Double Dragon music out of my head now.)[Via Evil Avatar]
Rumor: Double Dragon on XBLA
OXM.co.uk is confident Double Dragon is headed to Xbox Live Arcade. Confident enough not to cite a source. Regardless, given XBLA's track record, this rumor is hardly far-fetched.According to OXM, Double Dragon will weigh it at 12.56MB and feature online co-op. As with other XBLA retro entries, the game's graphics are said to be enhanced. No word was given on street date or price. But if Technos' coin-op classic does see release, Scott Wolf's epic can't be far behind.
