Retrospective
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A Dark Past: An Alone in the Dark Retrospective
Before the "survival horror" of Resident Evil and the foggy streets of Silent Hill, there was the original Alone in the Dark – the granddaddy of the game that hits Xbox 360, Wii, and PC today. It set the course for horror games to come and spawned three sequels that have all led up to Atari's latest stab at creating a next-gen blockbuster.Summon up your courage and join us for a terrifying look back at the series' evolution from perilously pointy polygons to an ominous Old West set and beyond. Don't be afraid – let's get started!
Star Wars Retrospective: Episode V marches off to war
It's been nearly two months since the last installment in GameTrailers' look back at the catalog of games based off of George Lucas' magnum opus. The series returns today with the crackle of blaster fire, the hum of a recently activated AT-AT, the whistle of an armed thermal detonator -- you see, all the games featured in this episode focus on those titles that let you relive the film's major battles. From RTS classics like Galactic Battlegrounds and Empire at War, to the best-selling Star Wars game of all time, Star Wars: Battlefront 2, we can't help but get misty-eyed recalling some of our great galactic campaigns. We just... we lost so many good men on Kashyyyk...
Metal Gear Retrospective: Part Six tries to explain it all
So, we just finished watching the above 20-minute video, which concludes GameTrailers' Metal Gear Retrospective and sets out to methodically explain the Metal Gear story arc. For those who are just joining Metal Gear with the latest installment, it certainly helps to watch. Those afraid of audio/visual presentations can take solace in knowing we've created our own pictorial explanation of what players need to know before starting Metal Gear Solid 4. Now, a group of us are going to go get a drink and relax before we take a three hour quiz Ludwig has set up for us on Metal Gear lore this evening. Lowest scorer actually has to deliver Ludwig's copy to South Africa.
Metal Gear Retrospective: Part Five is all in your hands
GameTrailers sneaks in a fifth installment of its Metal Gear Retrospective, with the latest episode focusing on the portable versions of Snake's adventures. The episode covers the GameBoy's Ghost Babel, along with the PSP's AC!D and the only handheld title part of the MGS canon, Portable Ops.As we all prepare for Metal Gear Solid 4's launch tomorrow, don't forget to check out the other four retrospective episodes. The upcoming final installment in GameTrailers' Metal Gear review will attempt to weave together the whole MGS saga. As incredible as that feat will be, it still doesn't beat the time GameTrailers attempted to explain the Legend of Zelda timelines.
Metal Gear Retrospective: Part Four slithers back to the '60s
GameTrailers continues its Metal Gear Retrospective by going over the events of Metal Gear Solid 3 and what went down in the jungle with Naked Snake back in the '60s. The back end of the retrospective episode covers the events of MGS: Portable Ops., which occurred six years after MGS3. For those who didn't play, it's a good chance to fill in the back story of Naked Solid Liquid Geriatric Snake before Metal Gear Solid 4 releases next week.If you're looking for more, don't forget to check out the other three episodes in the retrospective. You can also learn more about what it's actually like to replay the MGS series by checking out our dear Mr. Kietzmann's b[ack]log.
Metal Gear retrospective: MGS 3
Part four of GameTrailers' Metal Gear retrospective completes the Metal Gear Solid line of games with a look back at MGS3: Snake Eater and MGS: Portable Ops for the PSP. Snake Eater took MGS fans back to the very beginning -- to a time before Solid Snake even existed. The game marked a huge change for the series, not only in setting and time period but also with its gameplay. Snake Eater was the most innovative and most difficult out of the three main games, and is probably the favorite for many diehard MGS fans. With so many memorable moments and a brilliant ending, there's no doubt that this one cemented MGS as one of the best (if not the best) narratives ever told in gaming. Each successive MGS game raised the bar for excellence and we're certain that MGS4 will no doubt raise it even higher.
Metal Gear retrospective: MGS Portable Ops
If you haven't been reading PS3 Fanboy, then you might not know just how crazily Metal Gear Solid 4 fever has overcome our bodies and souls. We've been following GameTrailers' Metal Gear retrospective in anticipation of MGS4, and this time we're bringing some of that excitement to all of you PSP gamers. This time the retrospective takes a look back at something you might have played: MGS: Portable Ops and the game that it was based on, MGS3: Snake Eater.Many of you may have played Portable Ops wanting to continue the story of Big Boss from Snake Eater. Others probably just wanted to get more Metal Gear into their systems after having played the Acid games. Whatever the reason, MGS fans alike were treated to seeing some familiar faces and having a bit of their stories fleshed out. If you haven't played the game, check out the retrospective to see what it's all about. It also looks like next week GameTrailers will be taking a look back at some of the other portable Metal Gear games, so look out for that.
Metal Gear Retrospective: Part Three explores the Big Shell incident
Sure, there was plenty that we didn't like about Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, like the ol' protagonist switcheroo, and the outrageously confusing ending, and the mind blowing amount of endgame dudity (that is, dude nudity) -- but petty qualms aside, it remains one of our favorite PlayStation 2 games, just as the obligatory companion game, Substance, remains one of our favorite Xbox titles. Relive those Big Shell memories by checking out the above video, and ponder what other undiscovered pockets of nostalgia GameTrailers will drill into next week.
Metal Gear retrospective goes back to the MSX days
Retrospectives are both a great and horrible thing. This Metal Gear retrospective by GameTrailers is an excellent way to relive the long-revered franchise. To many, it may come as strange to think that Kojima was ever a troubled developer -- but that's exactly what happened. The original Metal Gear was a last-ditched attempt at saving Kojima's career. The idea of a "sneaking mission" game, where the player isn't encouraged to kill everything on sight was a daring move ... that ultimately paid off. The early origins of Snake's adventures are fascinating to see, as they help ground us for Snake's last adventure -- Metal Gear Solid 4. While this retrospective serves as a fantastic primer, it also details some of the noteworthy differences between the MSX original, and the NES follow-up. Also, find out more about the NES-exclusive sequel, which wasn't handled by Kojima at all.Oh, and why are retrospectives horrible? Because they remind us how old we are. [Via Joystiq]
Keep on Kartin': A Mario Kart Retrospective
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Keep_on_Kartin_A_Mario_Kart_Retrospective'; Nintendo has said it considers Mario Kart Wii a "bridge game" -- a title that converts casual, Wii Sports-playing Wii owners into a more hardcore, game-buying type. For those bridge gamers, this quick retrospective will help fill you in on the history that has made the Mario Kart series one of the most beloved in gaming. For everyone else, it's a stroll down memory lane and a starting point for discussion about your hopes and fears for the impending Mario Kart Wii. Let's roll! -->
GTA through the ages: a retrospective
Certainly, Grand Theft Auto must hold a dear place in the hearts of PlayStation gamers worldwide. Who could've thought that from the humble beginnings of the original PS1 GTA would launch one of the most successful video game franchises of all time? When GTA III debuted on PS2, it was a genre-defining blockbuster, and a system-selling PlayStation icon. Not only did it help define the PS2, it helped define the PSP as well. What will GTA IV bring?Take a step back through time and witness Joystiq's prior offenses of Grand Theft Auto.
Retrospective: Three years with the PSP
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/playstation/50_of_the_biggest_moments_in_PSP_s_history'; Today marks the third birthday of Sony's PlayStation Portable. Our sister site PSP Fanboy takes a look back at the 50 biggest moments in the platform's history. From the worst marketing disaster to what sold 77,777 copies on its first day, everything is covered.
The Star Wars Retrospective: Episode I
As promised, the first of GameTrailers' ten-part series chronicling the history of Star Wars' numerous adaptations to the video game world premiered today. The games discussed in this particular episode are probably before most of our readers' (and our) times -- an era characterized by cutting-edge vector graphics and Speak-and-Spell quality vocal tracks. Still, it's interesting to see the origins of one of the most prolific video game franchises on Earth. Little light on the Lando for our tastes, however -- an oversight we hope they'll correct in Episode II.
Presenting Gametrailers' new series: Star Wars Retrospective
If you were like us, you obsessively pored over every installment in Gametrailers' Final Fantasy Retrospective. Mixing one part nostalgia and one part detailed biography, it was one of our favorite (and one of GT's most viewed) online video series ever. You can understand our elation, then, when we heard they would be doing another retrospective on yet another major facet of geek culture -- the Star Wars Retrospective.Based on the trailer above, we assume it will follow the same format as their first retrospective, chronologically detailing the history of all ninety-some video games that take place in the Star Wars universe -- from the good, to the bad, to the ... well, you know. The first chapter of the ten-part series drops this Saturday -- to help pass the time, why don't you tell us about your favorite midichlorian-infused LucasArts adventure?
One year down: How do the PlayStations stack up?
On the eve of the PlayStation 3's first birthday, the entire team was huddled inside PS Fanboy Headquarters, located deep inside a cavernous mountain off the coast of Bangladesh. There, we were visited by a celestial being who spoke only one immensely insightful sentence: "There is perhaps no greater litmus test for measuring success than to look back at one's past accomplishments."At first, we weren't quite sure what our ethereal host wanted us to do with this incredibly important message. After hours upon hours of internal discussion, we made no headway into uncovering what we believe is certainly the key to finding the meaning of life.With nothing else to do, we began talking about our undying love for the PlayStation 3, but the PS2 and PS1 kept creeping into the conversation until we started to compare the three systems. And now that the PlayStation 3 has just turned a year old, what better time to look back at how it stacks up against the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation than the present?So sit down, grab a hot cup of cocoa and be prepared to be wowed, because some of our findings may surprise you.
SCEA's Kim Nguyen looks at the PS3's first year
Happy Birthday PS3! One year down, nine more to go. Sony's first year in the new video game generation has been a rough one. But, what does Sony have to say about it? We chatted with SCEA's Kim Nguyen, Marketing Manager of the PS3, to find out more.PS3 has struggled quite a bit during its first year of release. Why do you think the games media has bashed the PS3 so much?Looking back on year one, we're proud at how far the PS3 has come and are sure that the future will only be brighter. There were some bumps in the road but that's to be expected during the first year of a platform's lifecycle. Regardless, we are very confident in the future of PS3 given our new hardware and pricing, along with the strong line up of upcoming software titles that will place PS3 in a very strong position this holiday and for years to come.What has Sony done to turn things around?We recently launched new PS3 hardware and pricing and are already seeing strong sales momentum at retail--PS3 sales have increased by 192% over the past 2 weeks at major retailers in North America . We have more than 160 games coming to the platform including 19 exclusives. We also recently launched a new ad campaign, our biggest marketing effort to date, that conveys the overall benefits of PS3 including Blu-ray and PLAYSTATION Network. Again we feel PS3 is in a very strong position this holiday and for years to come.
One year ago: a look at PS3's violent launch
What better way to look at our one year retrospective than to go all the way back to launch? The PS3 launch was a nightmare. With supplies in incredibly short stock, people went a bit crazy trying to secure one. People were shot, and as seen in this video, people were probably trampled too. Of course, once people actually secured a system, they immediately sent it to eBay, trying to mark it up to ridiculous $1000+ levels (one auction went for over $10,000!). To think, a year afterwards, the system is still in third place in the next-gen console wars and is now available for $399. A lot has changed over the past twelve months, and we're certain that the next twelve will feature even more drama and turmoil.
Finality with Final Fantasy retrospective: Part XIII
This week GameTrailers.com ends their epic Final Fantasy retrospective by going over what it takes to make a Final Fantasy game. The rules to create a FF game worthy to be part of the Roman numeral series are pretty loose, but GT does their best to go over most of the minutia required for an installment in the franchise. Crystals vs. spheres, three party members or four, what role should Cid play? These are the hard questions SquareEnix has to sit down and answer before starting a project. Go ahead now and enjoy the last retrospective. If you missed any of the episodes they are linked below for easy reference. If you decide to go on a Final Fantasy retrospective today it'll only take a few hours to watch them all. We're looking forward to GameTrailers' next (significantly shorter) retrospective series tackling ... well, they won't tell us. What would y'all want it to be?See also: Part I & II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI, Part XII
Friday Video: Remake retrospective
There are two things we follow with a special level of interest around here: Final Fantasy and remakes. Thanks to Square Enix, we can even follow them together these days! The latest in Game Trailers' Final Fantasy retrospective series looks at the many remakes in the series and some of the translation issues the franchise has faced as well. Considering all of the upcoming (and past) remake excitement, this is definitely one of the episodes in the retrospective that's worth a watch, and so we've put it in our weekly video spotlight. Check it out after the jump!
Final Fantasy retrospective: Part XII
OK everybody, the Final Fantasy retrospective is almost over, so soak it up while you can. This week, GameTrailer's retrospective episode looks back at all the Final Fantasy remakes. Yes, it takes 14 minutes to go through them all. The most interesting part of this episode is the significant portion of time spent explaining the language translation issues that have haunted the series since its inception. Next week, in the final episode of the Final Fantasy retrospective, GameTrailers will cobble together an original Final Fantasy game from scratch, utilizing the elements necessary for a "Final Fantasy game." This ought to be a joyous bundle of clichés. You know Cid has to be in there somewhere.See also: Part I & II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI
