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Rare making Live Arcade title
CVG reports that a recent issue of Edge magazine mentions that Rare is working on an Xbox Live Arcade title. The original title is reportedly under the direction of Nick Burton, who has previously worked on Starfox Adventures and Kameo: Elements of Power. Burton is heading up a ten man team to create the title. There isn't much more information available at this point, though it's a safe bet that the game will be colorful and quirky. While Rare's recent track record has been spotty, Viva Piñata proved that Rare can make an addicting game when they set their minds to it. Here's hoping the mystery Live Arcade title is up to snuff.[Via Joystiq]
Metareview: Diddy Kong Racing (update 1)
No doubt, Diddy Kong Racing has been in the spotlight for the last couple of months, due to some excellent features and the promise of repeating the success the game enjoyed on the N64. With custom-track creation and countless other wonderful features, we've waited long and patiently for this game and hopefully the majority of reviewers out there won't find the game as lacking as the below two have: Nintendo Power (75/100) finds that the game has some appeal, however maybe not as much as it needs: "Like its predecessor, Diddy Kong Racing DS has a Mario Kart game to compete with, but also enough unique features to make it a kart-racing contender." [Mar. 2007, p.87] GameSpot (67/100) says that the game might just have too much to do: "Diddy Kong Racing DS is a decent racer with plenty to do and some interesting new content, but the seemingly endless amount of tasks you must complete to enjoy all of it may irritate anyone who simply wants to race." IGN (71/100) tells us that the online rocks, but isn't enough to carry the game: "Diddy Kong Racing's a good product with some first-generation blues dragging it down. The fantastic online and customization focus offset some of the clunky items that made it into the design...but don't think we're going to turn a blind eye to the stupid stuff." [Update: Added another review score]
DS releases for the week of February 5th
We haven't had a lot of excitement when it comes to weekly releases lately, but this week makes up for it. Count 'em -- we've got three new titles this week that all look pretty good in their respective genres. Now the only problem is coming up with enough money to support our habit. They never talk about game-buying in those anti-drug ads, but we'll tell you ... sometimes our need for new games makes us consider knocking over the occasional convenience store. Not really. Please don't call the cops. We don't handle enclosed spaces too well. This week in the U.S. Diddy Kong Racing Lunar Knights Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 For the rest of the world, check after the jump.
Edge: Rare working on original XBLA game
According to a news article on CVG, the latest issue of the UK's Edge Magazine contains mention of Microsoft-owned developer, Rare, working on a new and original Xbox Live Arcade title. Holding the reins of the mostly mysterious steed is one Nick Burton, who was previously involved with Starfox Adventures and the more recent Kameo: Elements of Power. Burton is collaborating with a team of ten others on the unnamed game which may or may not feature disturbingly proportioned, anthropomorphic characters.
Fresh new DKR screens
Thanks to the folks at GameSpot, we can now get a good look at Diddy Kong Racing. We're talking up close and personal, because they've put out a truly epic flood of screens from the upcoming enhanced port ... so many, in fact, that it's almost as good as playing it ourselves. You'll notice we said almost. Nothing really compares to the fun of crushing our enemies and seeing them driven before us, but we do like a pretty picture now and again. We've included several after the jump, and there are still more over at GameSpot.
Custom track creation in Diddy Kong Racing
For all of you Diddy Kong cravers out there, an interesting video depicting custom track creation has hit You Tube and it, as expected, looks freakin' awesome. we won't hold you up any longer with pointless gibberish (see: this sentence), so just head on into the post and check out the video! Do it! Do it now! See also: Diddy Kong Racing gets put under the microscope Racing it up, Diddy Kong style [Via Aussie-Nintendo]
Today's hottest game video: Diddy Kong Racing
A GameTrailers clip of Diddy Kong Racing for the DS gets our nod for today's video pick. Will this upcoming driving game displace Mario Kart as the favorite DS racer? The trailer doesn't give us a lot of hope, with Diddy Kong seeming fairly similar to the previous game. At least DS kart fans will get more tracks and a choice between titles. Watch the video after the break.
Friday Video: Balloon touch a go-go
Hotel Dusk may have dominated most of this week, but one of the biggest videos we saw this week was dedicated to a non-adventure game. Yes, sometimes we do take breaks from pointing and clicking. So what tempts us away? Racing. Definitely racing. And Diddy Kong Racing DS is definitely going to pull us away from adventure gaming, and that's why this video is in the spotlight this week. It's not the best quality, but it works nicely with some of the other footage we've seen. Check it out after the jump.
Diddy Kong Racing gets put under the microscope
A rather lengthy video for the upcoming Diddy Kong Racing DS has hit the internet and showcases several different aspects of the game experience. In showing the character selection screen, map functionality and racing carnage (planes FTW), the video does a wonderful job of bringing back some fond memories of the N64 title. We're looking forward to this, who else is with us? See also: Racing it up, Diddy Kong style
Gates: If you want to play online, get an Xbox
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/gaming_news/Gates_If_you_want_to_play_online_get_an_Xbox'; In the first part of an informative interview conducted by Mercury News' Dean Takahashi, Bill Gates responds to the suggestion that Nintendo's Wii may come out on top thanks to its unique controller and cheaper price tag. "Look at the graphics," he says. "Look at Nintendo's execution in terms of online capability. We have this thing that nobody has ever seen before. When you say to your friend, hey let's play online, you say then you have to buy an Xbox. That's what 10 million people say."When peer pressure isn't selling Xbox Live, Gates points out that endeavours like cross-platform Vista gaming and IPTV are pushing the online service forward. However, he also believes that "Nintendo did some things right," going on to mention Microsoft's acquisition of Rare and the "huge success" that was Viva Piñata. Though many critics believe the game is a return to prominence for Rare, its lacklustre sales may lead others to agree with Gates for the wrong reason -- "Nintendo did some things right" by selling the developer when they did.Be sure to check out the rest of the interview for some interesting tidbits on the Xbox 360's IPTV, the continued absence of a larger hard drive and how Sony "didn't know what they were doing" with the Cell processor.
Rumor: Microsoft buys Capcom, Ninty fans weep?
Is Capcom going the way of Rare? That would be a devastating blow to Nintendo fans, who gobble up Capcom's offerings (and those of their subsidiaries) like so much sweet, sweet chocolate. Rumors of Microsoft snatching up Capcom have been rumbling since November, but now we're hearing it a little too frequently for comfort. There are a number of Capcom games already headed toward Nintendo platforms -- for the DS, there are too many to count. But if this excruciatingly tragic rumor is true, what happens after that? Will getting Capcom games on Nintendo systems become a struggle ala Rare? We hope not, but buying up the things that make the competition good has long been a staunch Microsoft strategy ....
Racing it up, Diddy Kong style
You might have noticed that there was a conspicuous hole in our look at some of this year's most exciting games. Whither Diddy Kong Racing, you asked, tear-streaked faces turned up to the sky as you shook your fists in rage and dismay. Okay, maybe we're a little dramatic, but it was missing, and here's why: we wanted to take some time to get intimate with Diddy Kong without the pesky interference of so many other droolariffic games. After Rare went to the dark side, we never thought we'd feel the shining spotlight of their love again, but it looks like they've come crawling back for a piece of the DS, and all may be forgiven. Even though Diddy Kong Racing DS is an enhanced port of the (beloved) N64 game, the mere fact that it's happening makes it a contender for this year's single most interesting game.
Phil Harrison on Rare's decline
On his Newsweek weblog, N'Gai Croal posts a brief exchange with Sony's Phil Harrison from October. The previously unpublished question asks Harrison's thoughts on why Rare has slid into irrelevance. Croal posted the question and answer because of the recent news about Rare's creators leaving the company.Harrison does his best to remain diplomatic about the Microsoft-owned company and avoid the question. However, he alludes to Microsoft executives and corporate culture possibly disrupting Rare's style, although he also wonders if Rare's already secretive nature and inward focus hid industry trends from the company.Is there any hope -- or reason to hope -- that Rare rebuilds itself? Or since its founders have left, should we just dust off our GoldenEye carts and reminisce?
Splitsville for Rare
Two of Rare's founders have called it quits with the company, and the internet is all abuzz with talk of Rare ... and Nintendo. Microsoft bought Rare back in 2002, and the devs carried one of the most-hyped launch games for the 360, but it's still the association with Nintendo that lingers when people mention the company. So it's not surprising, particuarly with Diddy Kong Racing just around the bend for the DS, that people have begun to speculate about what happens now. All anyone knows right now is that Chris and Tim Stamper left Rare for "other opportunities." That doesn't begin to answer any of the questions about what this means for Rare and Microsoft, or Rare and Nintendo, or even just the Stampers themselves. What led to the departure? Rare's last few efforts, while at times critically acclaimed, have not exactly brought home the bacon, and the situation surrounding E3 2004, DS dev kits, and Microsoft's denials make it seem as though there might have been a disconnect between the development company and their new bosses. We'll keep an eye on this story as it develops -- if it develops -- and what it might mean for Nintendo.
Rare's brothers in charge call it quits
Two of Rare's three founders, Chris and Tim Stamper, have decided to pack their bags and head for greener pastures. While some may assume that this departure is the result of Viva Piñata's undeservedly low sales and a string of games that failed to live up to their potential -- Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero -- Microsoft assures the world that the brothers are "simply leaving to pursue other opportunities." Studio veterans, Mark Betteridge and Greg Mayles will take over the roles of Studio Director and Creative Director, respectively.Viva Piñata was quite an achievement, fellas. 360 Fanboy wishes the Stampers nothing but the best.[Via Joystiq]
Rare founding bros bounce, vets fill in
Four years after their studio was acquired by Microsoft, Rare co-founders Chris and Tim Stamper are calling it quits. Microsoft has denied speculation that the brothers' departure is due to poor sales of Viva Piñata or the string of generally disappointing titles since the $377 million buyout. Exactly where the Stampers will land next has yet to be disclosed.Rare veterans Mark Betteridge and Gregg Mayles will take over as studio director and creative director.
2007 sees Kameo on the big screen?
Kameo was a mixed bag, even for a launch title. The game was beautiful, it played reasonably well, but there was just something missing. The characters lacked spark and the world was perhaps a little too saccharine. Still, it was a decent first effort and it was sure as hell a sight better than Grabbed by the Ghoulies, Rare's first Microsoft effort. It looks like the lukewarm reception was enough for Microsoft, as a Kameo movie appears to be in the works, according to IMDB. The director listed is Sunmin Park, who most recently had a hand in the anime feature, Sky Blue. We haven't watched the film, but Siliconera reports that it was a beautiful, though somewhat empty experience. Wait a minute, beautiful but empty? It's almost a perfect match! The only other bit of knowledge we have is that the film is slated for 2007. Anyone think Kameo is worth the ever increasing price of a movie ticket? [Via Siliconera]
Viva Piata, the most overlooked game this year?
Simon over at Game Set Watch wrote up an article explaining his reasons for why both the media and online communities haven't pushed Viva Piñata into the mainstream. Ultimately, Viva Piñata hasn't yet reached its mass appeal, yet garners not only great reviews, but praise from those who give it a chance. If you haven't noticed, all of us at Fanboy Towers enjoy the game and some are even mildly addicted. We feel the problem may be that Viva Piñata is just so hard to explain, hard to get its point across, and hard to market. It offers so much, has so many intricacies and appeals to such a wide audience ... it's difficult to package their gaming message into one nice box. Just another good read and if you haven't picked up Piñata, buy it with all the money you get from returning those crappy Christmas gifts.[Via Digg]
Eight-bit collectors are ob-NES-sed
When most gamers talk about rounding out their collections this holiday season, they're probably thinking of about picking up some bargain priced PS2 or Xbox games. For an elite group of obsessive NES collectors, though, it's all about finding decades-old 8-bit games that are not always so bargain-priced.MTV's Stephen Totillo profiles some of the people who have made it their goal to collect all 700+ NES games in their original boxes. Between them they've sold everything from PS3's to T-shirts to fund a quest that can easily run into the thousands of dollars. Rare games like Stadium Events or a gold Nintendo World Championship cartridge can demand hundreds or even thousands of dollars by themselves.The most interesting part of the story is what these collectors do with the games once they have them. Collector Jason Smith has played all of his 700+ games for at least 15 minutes, while Omegathon winner Luke Armstrong only tried a few dozen of his carts before giving up. That might seem like a colossal waste, but as Totillo correctly points out, "if one amasses the world's greatest stamp collection, one doesn't then mail a bunch of letters."
Viva Piata: candy coated crack
360 Fanboy blogger, Dustin Burg, laid his hands on Viva Piñata a few days ago, and my rental copy showed up yesterday. Having finished blogging for the day, I popped the game into my 360. I did nothing else for two hours straight. I only stopped because my wife came home and we were going to dinner. When we got back from dinner (coincidentally, it was Mexican food), I showed Viva Piñata to my wife. Now, we play a few games together -- mostly dungeon crawlers and puzzle games -- but for the most part, I am the gamer of the house. Still, she loves The Sims and it shares many similarities with VP. She started playing at 7:00 and did not set the controller down until nearly 11:00. The urge to do "just one more thing" is a quality that Viva Piñata absolutely nails. Whether it's meeting the mating requirements for a species, building that house, or just planting seeds, you will always have something you need to attend to. Once you've done that, you'll remember that other thing you wanted to do, and so on and so forth. So, let this be a warning for those who haven't picked this up, and those who want that perfect game for the casual gamers in your house: Viva Piñata will claim your soul and your 360. Remember that before you hand the controller over to someone else "just to try it out."
