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Top 5: Licensed Games That Don't Stink
Apparently, happy is the new angry (Uggh, I apologize; I hate the "X is the new Y" phrase as much as anyone). While the Angry Video Game Nerd series continues to grow in popularity, a legion of imitators -- err, "inspirées" -- have arisen from the depths of YouTube. While most appear to simply swap "Angry Video Game Nerd" with a few synonyms and reduce the effort, quality, and obtainable entertainment of the video, one manages to make the formula something completely his own. Alaskan native Derek, AKA lophatjello, has created the "Happy Video Game Nerd." While the self-explanatory premise may sound eye-roll-inducing, one would be hard-pressed to ignore his passion for the retro games he highlights after watching a video of his. And that is a quality which I value greatly: unbridled passion and optimism for gaming. We're too often deluged by a flood of pessimism and jaded cynicism from the gaming world. Very recently, Derek covered the NES semi-classic Ducktales. He labels it as a "kick-ass licensed game." This is a notable statement, as conventional gaming knowledge tells us that a license is often indicative of a terrible game. While there are always exceptions to rules, I feel confident that most who are reading this post can agree that licenses are too often a kiss of death. Yet the HVGN is correct; Ducktales is a pretty awesome licensed game. Here, in my humble opinion, are the Top 5 games based on popular film and television. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
Top 5: Multiplayer Experiences
As someone who writes on the Internets, I do a lot of reading as well. As just about any successful author will advise, if I want to be a better writer then I should be reading as much as possible. Thus, I tend to spend a good amount of time scouring the gaming websites and reading commentary from just about anyone. I wouldn't insult anyone by pointing out flaws in their work (as I'm host to many of my own), but it is sufficient to say that there is great diversity in the quality and other general attributes of gaming commentary. One source that I do consistently enjoy comes from GoNintendo's head honcho, known as RawmeatCowboy. Equal parts Nintendo fan and beard enthusiast, RMC has a passion for gaming unmatched by nearly anyone else in the entire industry. Whereas some journalists and commentators may give off an impression of jaded cynicism, this particular blogger is a bundle of video game-loving joy. Though he's not quite the wordsmith of a Jerry Holkins, his joy and optimism transcend any potential criticism. And after all, that should be the reason we play video games: for happiness. Stepping away from worshipping his shrine, I'll get back on target. In a recent post, RMC discusses offline multiplayer via a get-together involving several friends of his trying out Guitar Hero: World Tour. He states that multiplayer is more enjoyable in person than online, and I find it difficult to disagree. That is not to say that online multiplayer is garbage; quite the opposite is true. Aside from the obvious pragmatics of not always being able to round up a few friends to play a game you enjoy, there's the global aspect behind online gaming. Though I've been battling people online via chess years before any major console had such capabilities, the enormous power of the technology didn't register with me until very recently. As I was connecting to an online race in Mario Kart Wii, the identification of racers on the globe really hit home. Realizing that I was simultaneously connecting with individuals from Japan, China, Germany, and England was strangely beautiful. Despite the fascinating global implications of such connections, I remain a bit of a luddite in that I don't think there's anything better than having your friends in the same room with you while fighting with or against each other. Here's the Top 5 ways we recommend that you enjoy such opportunities. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
Free Radical asks us to vote on TimeSplitters 4 platform
Free Radical, the folks behind the TimeSplitters games and former Rare employees responsible for GoldenEye 007, have tossed up a poll on their website asking one and all which platform they'd like to see TimeSplitters 4 release on. We all know it's coming, they know we know and now are asking us which system we prefer? At the time of writing this post, it looks like more people would like to see the thing release on PS3, but the system isn't winning by that much.If you want TimeSplitters 4 on Wii, we'd suggest you head over there and make your voice heard. If you don't know what TimeSplitters 4 is, then we suggest you play all of the previous games or, in the least, the best title in the series. We just hope the new game still has a level editor.Oh, and they also have some artwork up on their site, featuring a cat on wheels and one hot chainsaw-toting nun.[Thanks, hvnlysoldr!]
XBLA GoldenEye sitting in 'no man's land'
GoldenEye on the Xbox Live Arcade. We've heard the rumor, have even seen it in action, but til this day, nothing has come close to releasing. And from the looks of things, a GoldenEye XBLA release probably isn't going to happen.Talking to videogamer.com, Rare's senior software engineer Nick Burton acknowledged the GoldenEye development difficulties they've gone through saying that "it's incredibly hard to solve because there's so many licence holders involved. You've got the guys that own the license to the gaming rights now, the guys that have the licence to Bond as an IP, and there are umpteen licensees." Burton further explained that Rare doesn't have control over the project anymore and that it's in the hands of licenesee holders, making it almost "locked in this no man's land" of development hell. Long story short: GoldenEye XBLA is vaporware, turning out to be nothing but a sparkle of a dream of hope and nothingness. Got it?[Via Joystiq]
Video: GoldenEye 007 running on Wii 'Homebrew Channel'
The inventiveness of the homebrew scene never ceases to amaze us. Take for instance the above video. What you see in it is, in fact, GoldenEye 007 for Nintendo 64 running on a Wii with the "Homebrew Channel" installed.The poster of the video states that he was able to get the game ROM working with the emulator used by the Virtual Console version of Sin & Punishment. He gives no details on how he managed the feat, mentioning only that the game works "for the most part" with occasional slowdown and a broken borked save system. Hopefully Nintendo will see this video and, rather than simply order it pulled offline, realize just how much people really want a proper Virtual Console release of the game.[Via Wii Fanboy]
Homebrewer hacks GoldenEye to run on Wii
Sit down if you aren't and don't start taking a sip of something before you click the play button on the video above: someone managed to get GoldenEye 007 to run on the Wii. As evidenced above, the title can be emulated on the Wii, but not in perfect form. There are still some issues with saving and frame rates dipping here and there. But, all in all, pretty impressive and manages to only strengthen our desire to have this one show up on the Virtual Console.[Thanks, trefox!] The homebrew community has been hard at work creating wonderful experiences for you to enjoy with your Wii. Did you know about homebrew game Masteroids? Or how about the shmup OpenTyrian? Outside of games, people have been using the Balance Board to come up with some really neat stuff. Keep up with the homebrew scene by staying current with our Homebrew category!
New screens from aborted XBLA GoldenEye 007
First off, GoldenEye 007 is not coming to the XBLA. We repeat, it is not releasing to the XBLA now or ever. Gots it? Goods. Let's get to the fun.Yesterday, British magazine Xbox World 360 released it's "highly anticipated" March issue which was supposed to feature an exclusive look at GoldenEye 007 for the XBLA. Which it technically does, but early reports hinted at GoldenEye still being on track and in development. But that isn't the case. Xbox World 360 does have a four page spread featuring the now-revealed-to-be aborted XBLA GoldenEye port which was being developed by Rare. Their article includes a few exclusive screenshots (like the one above), how the game was improved going from the N64 to the 360 as well as quotes and comments from both Rare AND Microsoft. The same Microsoft who said they never spoke with Xbox World 360. Meh, no matter. If you're interested in torturing yourself and knowing what could have been, pick up a copy of Xbox World 360 and drool over the two new screenshots they posted. So sad ... no prettified GoldenEye for us.
Microsoft: No plans to release XBLA GoldenEye
We don't have to wait for Wednesday's big Xbox 360 World reveal, because Microsoft is already putting the nail GoldenEye 007's coffin.Last week, we told you about British magazine Xbox 360 World claiming they had some "never-seen shots and hands-on details" on GoldenEye 007 for the XBLA, making it seem like the game was in development. But after digging a little deeper and running a few updates (okay, a LOT of updates), we finally settled on the idea that GoldenEye was still sitting at a "canceled" status. And we were right. Microsoft confirmed with Eurogamer that "the story in Xbox World 360 is based entirely on rumour and speculation" and that they "do not have the necessary rights to release GoldenEye on Xbox Live Arcade." Sadly, no XBLA GoldenEye for us as wipe our hands clean of this disheartening story and call it a day.
Rumor: Video surfaces of XBLA GoldenEye 007
We'd like to direct your attention to the embedded YouTube video above. This video is somewhat special. Special, because it's rumored to have been uploaded by an employee from Rare showing off an in-house build of what GoldenEye 007 would look like as an Xbox Live Arcade game. You know, because there have been numerous rumors of an XBLA version being worked on. But the video is very controversial. Controversial, because nobody can be 100% sure that it's real or fake. The improved textures, framerate and gameplay lends itself to being real, but some say it could be a l33t programmer doing a ROM hack. You'll have to ponder this one and analyze the picture evidence. Real or fake? We dunno, but we thought this video was worth your attention. That is all. Good day.[Via N4G, Thanks Karl]
