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New Cave Story screenshot would be lovable even without the puppy
Ah, now this is what the new site design is all about: the ability to post jaw-droppingly gorgeous Cave Story screens at near-full resolution. (To see it in fully full resolution, click on the image!) This latest screen of the WiiWare version of Pixel's delightful game, posted on developer Nicalis's site, features new sprites for two of the game's creatures: a puppy, and ... that skeleton thing, which we bet has a name. (According to the leading Cave Story fansite, it is called a "Skeleton".)In the accompanying post, programmer "Tiffany" says the game is "close to done", hints at some secret Wii stuff (the DLC, or possibly even more), and says something that should be the cause of relief among the entire Cave Story fan community: "One of the more obvious bugs from the initial port was a notable sound bug – you know "bleeding ears" and all–which I am currently working on. We promise to get it right!" They're going to get it right.%Gallery-33861%
Brace yourself for a new Cave Story sprite
Following the post about DLC, Nicalis has now officially come back to blogging, and by "blogging" we mean "teasing us regularly about Cave Story". And, as they return to their schedule, we now find ourselves back in our weekly ritual of thinking dreamily about Cave Story in response to the posting of a new sprite from the game.This time, it's Curly Brace, who protects a group of Mimiga children and eventually joins protagonist Quote on his journey. The new sprite looks pretty great to us, but one Nicalis blog commenter classifies her new appearance as "fattie". We guess ... that one shaded square in her midsection is now white? And now she's totally fat?%Gallery-33861%
Life is worth living: Nicalis confirms new Cave Story DLC
After a lengthy hiatus, Cave Story WiiWare developer Nicalis has posted a new entry on their development blog, confirming two delightful pieces of information: The lack of blog updates does not signify cancellation of the game, and DLC! Blogger "ara" said that the developer "... received enough e-mails demanding it that we're doing our best to include some new surprises in the WiiWare release." Nothing specific about the new content was divulged, but it's new Cave Story and we're having a hard time imagining how this news could get any better. We can only hope that this is new Pixel-developed, or at least Pixel-approved, material.%Gallery-33861%
Cave Story videos are almost great
These videos of the Cave Story remake (best viewed at IGN in full resolution) clearly depict a work in progress. They'd better! The new graphics look very promising indeed, and the game looks appropriately smooth in motion. But the music is still janky (though not as janky) and every sound effect is rendered as loud white noise.It's really distressing to have the usually delightful Grasstown stage marred by weird sound effects -- not to mention the occasional escape of text from the confines of the text box. We're giving Nicalis the benefit of the doubt, mostly because we want to make sure to continue sending good, happy thoughts their way. Cave Story requires your happy thoughts to live! %Gallery-33861%
Cave Story's robot less blocky, but still blocky
How do you draw a more detailed sprite of a guy who's basically a bunch of rectangles anyway? That's the dilemma Pixel faced with this Cave Story character, Malco the friendly, explosives-loving robot. Pixel has done an outstanding job of adding definition -- and a mandible -- to a character who seemed impossible to detail. With that new jaw of his, he could destroy some gum base.According to the blog entry accompanying this sprite, IGN will have new direct-feed videos of Cave Story tomorrow. Presumably, this will be our first look at the new artwork in motion!%Gallery-33861%
One very worthwhile Cave Story screen
Cave Story remake developer Nicalis has been spreading exclusive content around the web, turning our daily news crawling into a delightful Cave Story scavenger hunt. The latest release is this screenshot found on WiiWare World, featuring the updated, redrawn graphics.We have feared that the increased definition in the sprites and environments would change too much of Cave Story's unique look, but Pixel knows what he is doing. The new look is more detailed, but still retro -- it just looks like somebody sharpened the focus.If you haven't tried Cave Story yet, don't worry about waiting for the WiiWare version. Play the freeware game now. You'll be ready to start again when the Wii game comes out.%Gallery-33861% We're not going to stop talking about Cave Story any time soon. You may as well read up on it and join the discussion!
Cave Story on WiiWare adds save slots for multiple plays
Tyrone Rodriguez has updated Nicalis's blog with the image above from Cave Story. As you can imagine, it informs us all that the game will have up to three save slots, allowing for multiple people to enjoy what is sure to be one of the most fun WiiWare titles yet. Just one of the many updates being done to the WiiWare version of the game, we're glad this is the case because a game like this deserves to be shared.Oh, and if you haven't already, be sure to read our interview with Tyron Rodriguez right here.%Gallery-33861% We're not going to stop talking about Cave Story any time soon. You may as well read up on it and join the discussion!
Wii Fanboy Interview: Nicalis' Tyrone Rodriguez talks Cave Story
Tyrone Rodriguez is the man largely responsible for making the upcoming WiiWare version of Cave Story happen. He got in contact with Daisuke Amaya, aka Pixel, seeking to collaborate on a commercial port of the freeware hit. They eventually decided on WiiWare, and now Rodriguez's company Nicalis is working with Pixel to port and update the classic for a new console.When the official announcement came out, we sent a few questions about the development of the new version, the changes being made, and the future of Nicalis and Cave Story. We've posted the interview after the break. If you'd like to see the current state of WiiWare Cave Story, you can see two gameplay videos, as well as another interview done by GameTrailers, here.%Gallery-33861%
Top 5: Biggest Tear-Jerkers
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Top_5_Biggest_Nintendo_Tear_Jerkers'; The video games as art debate is a ridiculous sham. It seems that many who fall on the "games are not art" side have rarely or never played a video game, often a product of an older generation. If your only experience with video games is hearing news reports about 7 year olds beating up hookers in Grand Theft Auto, then of course your view will be ignorant and bigoted. But that doesn't give critical validity to start creating arguments against that with which you are very unfamiliar. I know surprisingly little about Somalian Islamic Literature, which is why I don't make inflammatory statements about it. To suggest that any video game is incapable of being art is remarkably narrow-minded. Television and movies choreograph all characters' actions and responses, leaving the viewer as a mere canvas on which the creator's views and reactions are imprinted. Though it's often that a viewer connects with a character and draws individual interpretations, their failures and triumphs can always be placed on the choices of the individual. With gaming, however, the connection can be just as deep, and to some, deeper. When our character fails, we grumble. When our character succeeds, we rejoice. Don't like the outcome? Well, then, you should've done things differently, dummy. While I'm not suggesting that games are better than film, they are simply different and arguably just as valid as high art. At a primitive level, it's not uncommon to punch the sofa in anger after failing a gaming objective. Just the same, it's nearly expected to vocalize with triumph after conquering the same obstacle. Emotional response does not automatically equal art, but creating something which vents one's senses and emotions and appeals to those of others certainly is. Different than stubbing your toe or finding 20 bucks in the street, gaming situations were carefully orchestrated to provide an experience which is dependent on the gamer to interpret. Why should emotions such as fear, love, and sadness be excluded from gaming? Making my way down from my soapbox, I'll say that perhaps the most intimate display of emotion is crying. Here's the Top 5 moments in gaming that seem to get me every time. SPOILER ALERT: I hate having something ruined just as much as you do, so I'm giving a fair warning right now. This list contains spoilers for several high profile Nintendo titles. None are from the Wii (excluding the Virtual Console), but I will say that the fifth item refers to the WiiWare-bound Cave Story. If you haven't played the game and plan on purchasing it (which you definitely should!), please skip to number four. 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.
Cave Story site open for exploration
The official website for the WiiWare release of Cave Story has opened, featuring faithful-looking screenshots (also in our gallery!) and a special, upbeat message from Pixel. A message, by the way, that lends further evidence of the WiiWare game's use of the Aeon Genesis fan translation. If they're named right there on the site, their work is probably in the game! The music, by the way, is "Moonsong" and it's a very ... MIDI arrangement.There's also a link out to an official blog maintained by producer Tyrone Rodriguez, in which it becomes clear that Rodriguez and Pixel are in frequent contact about the project. Pixel even sent Rodriguez the hand-drawn birthday card seen above!Our favorite part, however, is the wallpaper page. The selection of wallpapers is different for every user, but they're all wonderful! %Gallery-33861%
Wii Warm Up: Huzzah!
Okay, you guys have probably figured out that a couple of Wii Fanboy staffers are enormous fans of Cave Story. I happen to think that it's completely brilliant, and a better game in terms of presentation, control, music, level design, story, and characterization than just about anything else -- and yes, that includes games that are sold for money. Judging from these off-screen videos, the WiiWare version (developed by Nicalis, home of Knytt creator Nifflas! How perfect is that?), is quite faithful except for the music. We'll have to wait before judging that too harshly. In any case, Pixel is getting my money. I still hope he's involved in this port in some way.Are you guys up for paying money for a formerly free game? What do you hope to see in the "expanded content?" Is anyone out there just discovering the original game as a result of the announcement of the WiiWare version?
Project Blinkenlights presents "Stereoscope," and you're invited
A massive spectacle is brewing in Canada. From the 4th of October through the 12th, the two towers of Toronto's city hall will become grandiose pixel displays with the help of Project Blinkenlights. Dubbed "Stereoscope," the installation will use wirelessly-controlled lights placed behind the windows of the building to generate the pixel art. This project adds to the growing list of large-scale interactive light installations executed by Project Blinkenlights... it also happens to be as Mac-friendly as they come, thanks to some help from our friends at The Coding Monkeys. When we talked to Martin and Dominik at WWDC, they hinted at their involvement in this project. They stayed pretty tight-lipped about it, stating only that it would be "big." Now they've unveiled a simulator for Leopard and a mobile version for the iPhone [iTunes link] which allow users around the world to watch in realtime as the exhibition unfolds. Beyond that, they had a hand in creating some of the tools which allow users from all over the globe to generate and contribute their own animations for the event. I've been playing with both the desktop and iPhone simulators, and I'm duly impressed. The iPhone version -- with smooth, touch-based navigation and amazing 3D rendering -- is definitely not to be missed (especially since it's free). This event would be big enough if it stayed in Toronto, but Project Blinkenlights and The Coding Monkeys have made it possible for users around the world to take part in the spectacle. Check out the gallery for more shots of the iPhone version of the simulator in action. %Gallery-33502%
Cave Story on WiiWare 'this holiday season' with new 'content and features'
Tucked inside a press release straight from Nintendo of America comes the downplayed news that Cave Story – the Japanese freeware cult-classic – is coming to "Wii this holiday season" via the console's often dubious WiiWare service.But it's not just a straight port, oh no. The indie Metroidvania title will have "new, exclusive content and features created only for the WiiWare version." No word on what those are, what Cave Story will cost or, really, when "this holiday season" it'll be available to play. But, hey, if you've got a "computer" at home, you can play it today. Without waiting. Or paying "money." Download Cave Story (1.5MB)
Cave Story coming to WiiWare this year
Okay, we thought we had seen the best possible announcements out of Nintendo. Sin & Punishment 2. Punch-Out!! We were so spectacularly wrong. Buried unassumingly in Nintendo's press release about the conference is confirmation of a WiiWare release of Cave Story.If you're not familiar with Cave Story, we're very sorry. Also, it's a freeware PC game created by one designer named Pixel; we happen to think that the tile-based action/platformer is the best example of the "Metroidvania" genre ever created -- better than Super Metroid, better than Symphony of the Night. And now it's going to be on WiiWare by the end of the year with "new, exclusive content and features created only for the WiiWare version."We desperately hope it's Pixel himself doing all the creating, but in any case, this is the best news ever and we're going to go roll around on the floor.
How WipEout maintains 60fps and 1080p
Maintaining 1080p and 60fps is no easy feat. In fact, many games in this generation can barely pump out 720p graphics, as seen by upscaling tricks used by titles like Haze, Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV. However, WipEout HD is one of the few games that maintains 1080p at a silky smooth 60fps. How were they able to do that?Inside the Digital Foundry once again examined the pure pixel count of WipEout HD. What they found is interesting. The game does, for the most part, run in full 1080p. However, when the action becomes too intense, the game will downscale the resolution. It appears the PS3 figures out exactly what resolution the game needs to run at frame-by-frame to ensure the game's 60fps count is never broken. "Rather than introduce dropped frames, slow down or other unsavoury effects, the number of pixels being rendered drops and the PS3's horizontal hardware scaler is invoked to make up the difference. It's an intriguing solution that works with limited impact on the overall look of the game"It appears the lowest resolution WipEout can render in is 1280x1080, which is still a 50% increase over 720p. The end result is something gamers, regardless of their AV tech knowledge, can truly appreciate.[Thanks, kzin!]
Huzzah? Cave Story may be headed to WiiWare [update]
This is definitely the best possibly-fake news we've heard in a while. Apparently, Doukutsu Monogatari (Cave Story) creator Pixel has asked everyone developing ports of his masterpiece (including the PlayStation 3 Linux version) to stop their work.According to Amigaworld.net, who reported on the cancellation of the Amiga OS4 version, the reason for the cutoff of port projects is that Cave Story is planned for release on WiiWare. The implication here is that this version of Cave Story will be official and Pixel-approved (or, ideally, Pixel-developed). We hope this is true, because we would love to play Cave Story on the Wii, and we'd love to give Pixel some money for the privilege.[Update: Amigaworld redacted the previous statement. Apparently it's all some kind of misunderstanding.][Via Indie Games]
Microsoft Research thinks telescopic pixels will rival LCDs
The boys and girls at Microsoft Research are getting set to publish a report detailing a competing (and in their perspective, superior) technology to replace the LCD monitors we've grown to know and love heart with reservations. By using pixels that boast "a pair of mirrors to block or transmit light," displays could theoretically be created which are "faster, brighter, and more power efficient than liquid crystal displays." Dubbed telescopic pixels, the devices would be able to turn off and on in under 1.5-milliseconds, which is quick enough to put "red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes behind each pixel." Furthermore, these pixels are way brighter than those used in LCDs, which means users would see less power draw and be able to view the screen more easily in direct sunlight. Sounds solid from here, but could you not humor us with a release time frame or something?[Via TG Daily]
More pixel counting: Haze runs at 576p
It appears that many games this generation aren't meeting the 1080p HD standard that Sony set on PS3. Heck, many games aren't meeting the standard 720p HD resolution, either. For example, Grand Theft Auto IV runs at 640p on PS3. While these kind of shortcomings don't impact the overall visual fidelity, many gamers are still up in arms about these missing pixels.Haze is the next game to fall under the careful watch of videophiles. The recently released demo, when scrutinized, is shown to be running at 576p. Free Radical's Derek Littlewood confirmed to Ripten that the final game also runs in a lower resolution. "That's where we ended up with for Haze ... but I don't understand why people care whether there's 20 pixels, 50 pixels, or 100 pixels more."Other games, like Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 on Xbox 360, have used lower resolutions to improve overall visual effects. It should be up to every gamer to decide, with their own eyes, whether or not the lowered resolution has created a diminished visual experience for Haze.[Via Digg]
The dirt on Cave Story DS, Cave Story-engraved DS
Praised by almost everyone who's played the freeware PC title, Cave Story is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the "Metroidvania" genre, a polished action platformer embellished with endearing characters and a catchy soundtrack. No matter how many times we're reminded of the fact, it always astounds us that the game was designed and developed by a single programmer, Daisuke Amaya, or Pixel, as he's more commonly known. As you might should know, homebrew developer Ravenworks has been working on a DS port for Cave Story. As it turns out, however, Pixel doesn't own a Nintendo DS, so it would be unlikely that he'd be able to play the port once it's completed. In fact, he hasn't owned a handheld or home console since the Nintendo 64! Isn't it a crime nowadays for gamers in Japan to not own a Nintendo DS?To keep Pixel out of jail, Ravenworks and the rest of the "All Things Studio Pixel (ATSP)" LiveJournal community raised $410 and put together a care package of handheld treats as a "thank you" for the DS-less developer's work. Here's everything the group purchased and sent: Onyx Nintendo DS Lite system (laser engraved with Cave Story characters and a message that reads, "Thank you") R4 cart with 2 GB microSD (for playing Cave Story DS! and perhaps DS development one day?) DS carrying case Mother 3 Game Center CX So, how did Pixel take to the package? You can read his reaction, as well as the community's reasons for picking those two particular games for their offering, past the post break! We also used this effort as an excuse to catch up with Ravenworks on Cave Story DS's progress. %Gallery-22693%
Counting pixels: GTA IV runs at 640p
Picking up the PS3 version of GTA IV, so you can get as many pixels onto your TV as possible? Well, that's apparently not what's happening. According to the pixel counters at the Beyond 3D forums, the PS3 version doesn't run at 1080p. Heck, it doesn't run at 720p. Rather, it runs at 640p -- still enough to be "HD," but far from the "full HD" experience Sony usually touts.Pixel hunters were enraged when it was discovered Halo 3 ran at a lower resolution on Xbox 360 than advertised. However, should people stay away from the PS3 version? Probably not. Many Beyond 3D users note that in spite of the lesser resolution, the superior effects of the PS3 version gives it the visual edge: "the PS3 version looks nicer IMO. Everything just blends in nicely and makes a seamless contrast between front objects and background objects," noted forum user Nebula.[Thanks, ClarkyCat!][Update: PS3 runs at 640p. Xbox 360 does run at a higher resolution: 720p.]
