Added a few new titles to the video game library this past week. A couple for the Wii, three for the DS, and a future title was reserved for the PS2. (Perhaps the last great release for the console!)
First off, a few weeks ago, I was able to trade a few games in for a little in-store credit at ye olde Gamestop. Feeling a wii bit generous, and wanting to score some points for whatever future slip-up I might commit, I decided to hand the credit over to my lovely girlfriend. Being a newbie to the world of gaming, she is into lighter, more girl-oriented, fare. She ultimately settled on the DS 3-game pack of Uno/Skip-Bo/Uno Free-Fall. Okay, I'll admit that I was a bit hesistant at first, a little apprehensive, about her picking this game up. I was afraid that she would be headed for a major disappointment. To my surprise, she has come to totally enjoy, perhaps love, the game. So much so that she insisted on buying me a copy as well. (Single-Card download is unfortunately lacking from this title!) After about a week of playing it, I've come to enjoy myself, and the classic Uno gameplay that we've all come to know and love is very much intact. I'm still a little confuses on Skip-Bo, and Uno Free-Fall is like Tetris/Bejewled/Meteos, which is fun. It's a quick fun way to pass the time, which is ultimately what the DS is all about.
Next up we have WarioWare Touched for the DS. As Nintendo games go, the WarioWare title has come to take advantage of the latest technologies that Nintendo might be offering at the time. WarioWare Twisted for the Game Boy Advance took advantage of an in-cartridge motion sensor to incorporate movement into the game. As we've already seen, WarioWare Smooth Moves does the same with the Wii-mote and Nunchuk attachment. So, obviously, WarioWare Touched does the same with the DS and the dual-scree/touchscreen technology. The main theme of the game varies very little from it's previous incarnations. It's still a series of fast-paced microgames designed to keep you on your toes and test your reflexes. WarioWare touched utilizes the DS's stylus, touchscreen, and even the microphone to accomplish your tasks. The animation and the music is as wacky and colorful as ever, making this game truly enjoyable. Anyone with a DS should make this part of their collection.
Next, we have Diddy Kong Racing DS. After countless hours of burning rubber in Mario Kart DS, I was eagerly anticipating the release of another racing game in the same vain. I picked up a copy for both myself and my girlfriend, anxious for some multiplayer action. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed a bit with this title. Perhaps my expectations were too high, basing experience solely on playing Mario Kart. (I never played Diddy Kong Racing for the N64). The game plays a little awkwardly, lacking that sense of urgency that Mario Kart has. But that's not to say that it is a bad game. It's just not the same game as Mario Kart. Diddy Kong Racing tries to incorporate a story into the mix, very loosely so. In order to unlock tracks and races, you must collect ballons. How do you get balloons? By completing missions and coming in 1st in races that are already available to you. One thing I do like about the game is it's vehicle options. There are 3 types of vehicles you can race with: Karts, Planes, and Hoovercrafts. The karts I'm used to, the hovercrafts need so major getting used to, but the planes kick so much ass!! Of all the vehicles, those are my favorite. And, admittedly, the races get progressively more difficult and better as you unlock more and more of them. I've yet to try the Wi-Fi gameplay, but I'm slowly coming around on this one. It's not what I expected, but it is a decent way to pass the time. I'm sure that the further I get along in it, the better it will be. Now, on to the Wii.
Last week Nintendo released Wii Play for the Wii. Billed as a follow up to the in-packaged Wii Sports, Wii Play is a collection of 9 new mini games that are meant to be enjoyed in large groups. This new batch includes: Table Tennis, Nine Ball, Target Shooting, Laser Hockey, Fishing, Tanks, Charge, Pose Mii, and Find Mii. To date, it is the game that utilizes the Mii feature the most. All the little Mii characters that you have created in the console are brought into this game, so you could be playing with very familiar faces. The best game is perhaps the Nine Ball. It utilizes the Wii-mote in a very realistic manner, and it responds quite accurately. I also enjoyed the Target Shooting game, which is a slight twist on the old Duck Hunt. Laser Hockey was a little difficult to control, as was Tanks (Basically you hunt each other with tanks). Fishing was fun, and Charge (Racing while riding a cow! Yes, a cow!) was just silly, but fun. The Mii games were quite entertaining as well. In Pose Mii, you have to pose your Mii character in certain poses to pop bubbles before they reach the ground. In Find Mii, you are given a task, such as "Find the Mii You Are Using", and it is up to you to pick them out of a crowd of Miis before your opponent. The real appeal of this game is that it includes an extra Wii-mote in the cost. (Wii-motes cost $39.99, Wii Play costs $49.99). So basically, you are buying a Wii-mote, and paying $10 extra for a game, which is not bad seeing how scarce it is to find a Wii-mote in stores all by itself. The game is good for what it is, a series of mini games that show off the Wii-motes capabilites. Also, it's a fun time for a group of friends. Not as good as Wii-Sports, but worth the $10 you actually pay for it.
Just yesterday I swung by my local Gamestop and picked up the latest Sonic the Hedgehog game, Sonic and the Secret Rings. Now, my last foray into the world of Sonic was with the Sega Dreamcast, with Sonic Adventures. One of the first games we got for that ill-fated console, I believed it to be graphically captivating. The racing courses were beautifully rendered, and the music was quick and upbeat, very appropriate to the game. There was some elements of an adventure game thrown into the mix, but what Sonic has always been about is speed and racing. So those are the elements that appeal to me the most. There hasn't been a game since the first Sonic for the Sega Genesis that has even come close. Now, this new game for the Wii is being billed as a return to Sonic's roots...his speed. Originally proposed as a rehash of the Sonic game released for both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 (Very poorly received and rated!), the Sonic team instead opted for an original idea. (Thank God!) The central theme that all game developers for the Wii must take into consideration is the Wii-mote. It's innovative design and function are to be taken full advantage off, and as such, an entirely new feel of gameplay is created. Just like Excite Truck, you hold the Wii-mote horizontally to control Sonic, and to move him, you simply tilt the controller left or right. A quick thrust forward allows you to attack enemies. Other than that, Sonic is left freely to do what he does best...RUN! The scenery is beautiful, the music is pumping (If somewhat repetitive and annoying at times), the controls are not as responsive as I would have hoped. But still, this is a vast improvement on those Sonic Adventure games, and a welcome return to the format of the very first Sonic game.
So, while at the Gamestop, I decided to kill two birds with one stone. As I picked up my copy of Sonic, I also plopped down $5 to reserve God of War II for the PS2. God of War was perhaps one of THE biggest and best games to come out of 2006 (Shadow of the Colossus still takes the cake for me, but whatever!). Bloody, action packed, epic, and very mythical, what more could you ask for in a game. You play as Kratos, a warlord who takes on the Olympian Gods themselves, in the ultimate quest to dethrone Ares, and take his place as the new God of War. Having succeeded in that endeavor in part 1, part 2 finds Kratos, even more bloodthirsty than ever, losing favor with the Olympian Gods, and even losing the protection of the Goddess Athena, whom had nurtured and encouraged Kratos in his initial quest. Ultimately shunned and cast back down to Earth, Kratos must now fight to survive, and re-establish his supremacy and his divinity. (Perhaps by taking down Zeus himself?? Who knows!) Come March 13th, the new adventure begins. But to tide us over, we got a free demo with our reservation. It allows you to play most of the initial battle in the game where Kratos takes on a Colossus. The game looks awesome, and Kratos is still the same old bald blood-thirsty motherfu...What, I'm just talking about Kratos! (SHAFT! Can you dig it?) And the upcoming line of action figures look pretty badass as well. 
I took my camera out with me this past weekend, just to see if I could snap some shots of anything interesting. You never know when the situation will be just right for that perfect picture. Anywho...we wandered into our local Target, as we tend to do at least once a week, and were browsing through the video game aisles. Ultimately we came upon the PS3 display area, and as we looked down, what do our humble eyes discover? At least 8, yes 8, Sony Playstation 3. Granted, this isn't the first one I've come across in the stores, but it is the largest amount of consoles that I have come across this far in ANY store. I was so taken aback, that I just had to capture the monumentous occasion.
Afterwards, I decided that it would be a neat little comparison if I snapped a picture of all the Nintendo Wiis that the Target had in stock that same day, at the very same time. (It was about 11am or so). Needless to say, I was not surprised by what I found at the Wii display case. After all we had be through in acquiring one, it was to be expected. This just goes to show you how the laws of supply and demand function in our society. And also that quality, as much as cost, are very important factors.
Do yourself a favor, pick up a Wii or an Xbox 360. A PS3 just isn't worth it at this point in time. The games aren't there to support it. But is you want a BluRay player for less than $1000, by all means, grab a PS3. But it'll be almost a year before the games that will make the PS3 a must-have item start showing up on shelves. Most of the people I know are anxiously anticipating Gran Tourismo 5 and a new GTA game before they drop $700 on a PS3. I believe that the PS2 is where I stop with Sony. (Maybe a PSP sometime in the future). But for now, I am very happy with my Wii. Keep it up Nintendo!
So, just last week I saw my most recent journey into Hyrule come to a bittersweet end. Clocking in at about 60hrs., I was able to defeat Ganon once more, free the Princess Zelda, and bring balance to the worlds of Light and Shadow. It's sad when something you've devoted so much time to comes to an end. I felt it with Shadow of the Colossus, Okami, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. All very satisfying and awe-inspiring gaming experiences. All with characters that you've become attached to, such as Agro the horse in Shadow of the Colossus, and others that you've come to downright despise, like Tingle in the Zelda series. In this game, the character of Midna becomes both a guide and a partner as you travel through the land of Twilight. She is both impish and stuck-up, often sporting a holier-than-thou attitude. But despite that, I grew to enjoy her presence, her sly remarks, and her helping hand. 
It is ultimately revealed that Midna herself is the Twilight Princess that is mentioned in the title, and her true form is both beautiful and exotic. After spending 60hrs. with her in the course of the game, it was difficult to watch her leave at quests end. Hopefully though, this won't be the last time Nintendo uses her in a game. They have something special in this character. Great Game, Good Times...Bring on The Phantom Hourglass!!
More than 20 years ago, the Transfomers were created by Takara in Japan, and released stateside by Hasbro. In what was the direct opposite of today's practices, the animated show was created in support of the toyline in 1984. (Usually, toys come after shows or movies). Those toys, and, to a greater extent, that cartoon show, ignited a phenomenon that, to this day, shows no signs of slowing. 20 years ago it all began with a toy, and a simple concept. Wouldn't it be cool to have a series of robots that turn into everyday objects, and vice versa? (The answer: Yes it would!) I was hooked when I was a kid, as were millions of kids all over the world. We watched the show, we bought the toys. Heck, we even saw the animated movie and read the comics. As time progressed, the toys got more expensive and complex, and the shows became more sophisticated and cerebral. But we never lost our passion. I think I have more than a hundred Transformers in my collection (That is NOT my collection in the picture above!), including the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime. I know that that is nothing compared to the hardcore fans, but hey, that's something to me. Now with news of the live action movie (In theatres July 4th, 2007!), what most fans have come to anticipate is the subsequent toy line that will be released in support of the flick. As we speak, Toy Fair 2007 is up and running in New York, and, much to our delight, the first images of the Transformers movie figures are flooding the net. So, here now, I bring to you the 2 most impressive figures on display:
Optimus Prime:
And Bumblebee:
I can't wait to see the rest of the line in person. But just to whet your appetite, here is a catalog scan that someone has already posted showcasing a few more of the figures we can look forward to. (Jazz still looks kick ass!! He's the one on the far right!)
I remember one Saturday afternoon, must have been almost 20 years ago, I was at our local church's annual carnival. There were rides and games, of course, and plenty of good food to go around. There was also a rummage sale, where locals were selling some of their used goods. I remember wandering away from my mother for a few moments, eying the merchandise. I looked through the bin of toys, naturally, and saw nothing worth spending 50 cents on. On my way towards the exit, I stumbled across the used books section of the store, and decided to look through the inventory. Not much caught my attention, your usual rummage sale fodder (used cook books, bibles, children's books, biographies, etc.). As I was about to return empty-handed to my mother's side, disappointed for not having a new "something" to immerse myself in, something caught my eye. It was a name more than anything. A name that I was slowly starting to become familiar with. Often feeling strange and outcast, I wasn't popular or good-looking, I had 2 things that I used to help me cope with my feelings of isolation and loneliness. TV and books. One strange night, both of those things collided in a little made for TV movie called "It". (Based on Stephen King's novel of the same name).
I looked down at the stack of books, and buried under a few other paperbacks was the name "King". I rescued the book from it's shallow grave, and finally got a good look at the cover and the title, "The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger". The cover itself was dark and foreboding, which I had come to understand as King's style. (Which is what drew me to his writings). Satisfied that I had found a diamond in a pile of coal, I made my purchase and went home happy for having found a new escape, a new world into which I could climb and be a hero (or a villain, depending on how I felt). A hero named Roland Deschain, Son of Steven, last of the Gunslingers.
Almost 20 years, and 7 books in The Dark Tower Series, later I find myself with the same feeling I had back at that rummage sale. After almost a year of anticipation, Marvel comics finally released the first issue of their Dark Tower 7-issue mini-series. For the first time ever, there was a midnight release for a comic book this past Wednesday. Unfortunately, there weren't many comic shops near to me that were participating in the event, so I had to wait until after I got out of work to hit up my local comic shop for my copy. I had no idea how high the demand for this title would be, but apparently the shop had been swamped that day with calls inquiring about it. And to top it all off, their shipment was delayed. So, I spent almost 2 hours just waiting around for their shipments to arrive. When they finally did, the shop owner handed me the first issue out of the box. (I felt special. I know, I'm lame!) It was strictly one copy per customer, which was fine by me as long as I had mine.
The world of the Dark Tower is immense. It is colorful. It is rich in history and back-story. It transcends time and space. It defies logic and relies on faith. There is no life. There is no death. There is Roland, and there is the Tower. There are many characters and many settings in this, Stephen King's master opus. But none more intricate or important than Roland and the Tower. If that is all you know about this tale, it is everything you need to know. Captain Ahab had his whale, Roland has his Tower. Plain and simple. Now, getting to the Tower is where to story lies. The adventures that unfold the characters that we meet, grow attached to, and then mourn when they die, those are all the things that make this series such as masterpiece. The Tower represents the nexus of time and existence. All things revolve around the Tower, and it, in turn, keeps all things turning. As such, Stephen King has, perhaps unconsciously, has allowed the world of the Tower to permeate throughout his other books. Even if you've never read any of the Dark Tower books, if you've ever read a Stephen King novel (Even "It"), then chances are you've at least dipped your toe in the pool of the Tower.
Now, with such a rich fountain of material to draw from, I was anxiously awaiting to find out what aspects of the story would be covered, and what, if any, new material would be revealed. The first issue opens just like the first book does, with a man dressed all in black fleeing across a desert, and a solitary figure (who we later learn is Roland, The Last Gunslinger) chasing after him. It contains elements of books one, The Gunslinger, and four, The Wizard and Glass (which is perhaps my favorite book in the series, seeing how it delves deeper into the Gunslinger's youth and his adventures with his friends, Alain and Cuthbert, both of which who make an appearance in this first issue of the comic book series).
The artwork in this series is visually stunning. The colorist, Richard Isanove, has a rich spectrum of colors, and he uses them well. I first became familiar with his work in the Wolverine: Origin series. Much like this Dark Tower series, the Origin series took place in an earlier time, and established the foundation of one of the greatest characters in comic book history. In that series we learned, along with Wolverine, what his real name was, where he grew up, who his parents were, and, most importantly, when he developed his powers (and the resulting aftermath!) His colors are warm and inviting, usually in the brown, yellow, and orange areas. And, somehow, that enhances the appeal and the allure of the story. In the case of the Dark Tower, these are characters that I've come to know and become familiar with in the course of almost 20 years, so I have a somewhat fixed image in my mind's eye of what they look like, and what their world would be like. Richard Isanove brings MY visions into full color. I couldn't be more pleased that he's involved with this project. After all, it is a GRAPHIC novel, which means that the virsuals are as equally important as the words. (If not more!)
Like I said before, Ahab has his whale, and Roland has his Tower. The Tower, despite it's absence in almost 98% of the story (It doesn't make an appearance until book 7), is very much a major character in this story. Without it, Roland has no drive, he has no purpose or direction. The Tower represents the center of all existence, including Roland's. And it's his Ka, or destiny, to save it. To what ends, you'll have to read the books to find out. Having finished reading the first issue of this new series, I felt comfortable jumping into the shoes of an old "friend". A companion that has seen so many strange and wonderful things. Who has suffered so many losses, physically and emotionally. His world is as familiar to me as my own, yet this is entirely new. It's fresh and it's breathtaking. I look forward to being able to bring you more updates on this series as additional issues are released. Suffice it to say, I highly recommend this to any Dark Tower fans and fans of comic book art in general. It's a good read, visually enthralling, and the beginning to one hell of a ride. Issue #2 in stores next month. Can't wait!
I know it's been a few weeks since my last update, so I decided that what better day than Super Bowl Sunday to type up a Super Blog update. It's been an eventful couple of weeks. We've had to go through the withdrawls of not having my grandma around anymore. But with the bad there have also been some good. My surrogate nephew Joshua celebrated his very first birthday, and of course we were there for the festivities.
It was a typical one-year-old's party with cake, balloons, and kids running around. Josh is just starting to walk around, so he was showing off in front of everyone when it was time to open up the presents. (I'm telling ya, that kid is gonna be a heartbreaker!! Ladies, watch out!) He was so cute just being a baby, and being excited about everything. (Sometimes I wish that we could all go back to those days, when we didn't have a care in the world!) It was a fun time, and hopefully we made it a memorable one, if not to Josh, than at least to his parents. (Love ya Sis!) We had some good food, and we met some good people. Let's do it again next year, what do you say? (But this time without the Chicken Dance Elmo, okay? LOL!)
And just last week my girlfriend finished her residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She is now a full fledged Registered Nurse (YAY!!! We're SOOOO Proud!) It was a nice ceremony, intimate, full of laughter and tears. There were a lot of kind words said about the graduating class, it made me feel proud to know one of those very special people that will be making such a difference in kid's lives, who may otherwise see nothing but dark times ahead. She's a bright spot in my life, and I know she'll be at LEAST that, if not more, for all the kids she cares for. Congratulations, Sweetheart! I know it only gets harder from here, but you'll always have me to lean on. Count on it!
Whew! Now that the serious stuff is out of the way, allow me to geek out for a moment, as I update you on my recent gaming habits for the last couple of weeks.
I continue to be enthralled in the Hyrulian majesty that is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. I believe that I am 50+ hours into the game, and on the final stretch that leads straight to Ganondorf (The main villain of the game, for those of you not familiar with the mythos!) It's been a long and magical journey, I'm almost sad to see it come to an end. But that's why you buy games: to beat them! The last Zelda game, Wind Waker, was such a great game, which is one of the main reasons I was so excited to pick this title up. The animation, the game play (thanks to the Wii and the Wiimote), and the feel are so different from Wind Waker. True, the central story (Save Zelda and Hyrule, defeat Ganondorf) has been the same for every single Zelda title, but the Wii has injected it with new life and vigor, thanks to the innovative game play that the Wiimote brings. Slashing the Wiimote results in Link slashing his sword. (How immersive is that??) But all good things must come to an end, and so must this. A few more days, and a few more hours, and I'll be done with my quest, and once more the thirst will begin for the new Zelda title, The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass for the DS.
Our Wii collection has expanded in the past few weeks as well. Starting with Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Comic Book fanboys have been eagerly anticipating this title since it was first announced. There was a ferverous buzz surrounding it at Comic Con, and screenshots had done nothing but whet our appetites. Game designers had been promising the single largest collection of Marvel comic's pantheon EVER in a single game. Major characters, minor characters, obscure heroes and villains would all lend their talents to the game as you and your friends control 4 men teams of Superheroes in a quest to best Doctor Doom and his Masters of Evil. There are 20 playable characters to unlock, and the game features appearances by 140 total Marvel characters. As with all Wii titles, the Wiimote adds a unique aspect to gameplay, moving the remote in certain ways triggers a character's special attacks or abilities. The game play and style are very similiar to X-Men Legends, but the ability to create infinite combinations of Superhero teams is very new. I'll be sure to focus more attention to this title once I'm done with Zelda, but from what I've played, it is a very entertaining game.
Excite Truck is another title that I've picked up for the Wii. No, at first glance, this game appears to be just another racing game, focusing on trucks and SUVs rather than just cars. And granted, it is that. You unlock courses and vehicles as you go along. Earning trophies and paint jobs for your cars. This game utilizes the Wiimote in a horizontal position, and has you holding it as you would a steering wheel. Now, the actual game play is TOTALLY unrealistic. There are extreme jumps, extreme speeds, extreme turns, and terrain that morphs right before your eyes. The point of this game is to be extreme. The more extreme, the more stars you earn. The more stars you earn, the better your rank, and the more things you unlock. There are awesome leaps from unimaginable heights, and some truly devistating crashes. On all those merits alone, this game is worth just checking out. But what made it a real selling point for me, what has turned a game that was just so-so to adrenaline pumping, is the fact that you can upload your own music to race to. Up to 100 MP3s of your own music can be uploaded to a SD Memory Card and inserted in the Wii. In the game you then have the option to play your own music as you race. (And let me tall ya, there's nothing better than racing to Metallica or Slipknot with these fast and furious vehicles! Although I guess Avril Lavigne would work too! She's soooo tough!) Very fun game, very fast paced. Highly recommend it.
Next we picked up Rayman: Raving Rabbids for the Wii. The initial library of launch titles have focused more on the group/party/multiplayer aspect of the Wii, hence the reason why so many of the games are collections of mini-games rather than full-fledged adventure or RPG games. (With the exception of Zelda and Red Steel). Just like Wario Ware: Smooth Moves, Rayman: Raving Rabbids is a series of silly mini-games (Not micro-games like Wario Ware!), where your entire purpose is to outdo hundreds of Raving Rabbids (Demented-looking rabbit-like creatures) that have taken our hero, Rayman, hostage. The more games he wins, the more plungers he earns (Yes, as in toilet!) and ultimately gains his freedom. The games are fun and quirky, ranging from Disco Dancing to Jumping Rope to Rabbid Hunting with Plungers. As you go along you unlock music and outfits for Rayman allowing for some minor customization, and a way to differentiate your character when in multiplayer mode. It's a good time, silly, and fast paced. It's a crowd pleaser, and sure to be a party favorite.
And last, but not least, I picked up Cooking Mama for the Nintendo DS. This is another quirky game, designed to make the most of the DS's touchscreen and stylus. It is basically a series of culinary themed mini games, where you chop, mix, pour, stir, and fry various ingredients to create up to 76 different dishes. Each dish requires different skills and ingredients, some requiring a single step, and others more than a dozen. This is one of those games that doesn't have much of a point to it, but it's just a good time. The graphics and animations are bright and colorful, the sound is very crisp and entertaining, and it's basically a good way to pass the time. And just like Trauma Center for the DS, this game is making the transition to the Wii come March. So I wanted to get some practice in beforehand.
Well, that is it for now folks. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available. (Meaning I'll try not to wait to long between posts again!) Congratulations to the Indianapolis Colts for the Super Bowl victory, it was well deserved and earned. Although I was leaning more towards the Chicago Bears, but, oh well!
Added a few new titles to the video game library this past week. A couple for the Wii, three for the DS, and a future title was reserved for the PS2. (Perhaps the last great release for the console!)
First off, a few weeks ago, I was able to trade a few games in for a little in-store credit at ye olde Gamestop. Feeling a wii bit generous, and wanting to score some points for whatever future slip-up I might commit, I decided to hand the credit over to my lovely girlfriend. Being a newbie to the world of gaming, she is into lighter, more girl-oriented, fare. She ultimately settled on the DS 3-game pack of Uno/Skip-Bo/Uno Free-Fall. Okay, I'll admit that I was a bit hesistant at first, a little apprehensive, about her picking this game up. I was afraid that she would be headed for a major disappointment. To my surprise, she has come to totally enjoy, perhaps love, the game. So much so that she insisted on buying me a copy as well. (Single-Card download is unfortunately lacking from this title!) After about a week of playing it, I've come to enjoy myself, and the classic Uno gameplay that we've all come to know and love is very much intact. I'm still a little confuses on Skip-Bo, and Uno Free-Fall is like Tetris/Bejewled/Meteos, which is fun. It's a quick fun way to pass the time, which is ultimately what the DS is all about.
Next up we have WarioWare Touched for the DS. As Nintendo games go, the WarioWare title has come to take advantage of the latest technologies that Nintendo might be offering at the time. WarioWare Twisted for the Game Boy Advance took advantage of an in-cartridge motion sensor to incorporate movement into the game. As we've already seen, WarioWare Smooth Moves does the same with the Wii-mote and Nunchuk attachment. So, obviously, WarioWare Touched does the same with the DS and the dual-scree/touchscreen technology. The main theme of the game varies very little from it's previous incarnations. It's still a series of fast-paced microgames designed to keep you on your toes and test your reflexes. WarioWare touched utilizes the DS's stylus, touchscreen, and even the microphone to accomplish your tasks. The animation and the music is as wacky and colorful as ever, making this game truly enjoyable. Anyone with a DS should make this part of their collection.
Next, we have Diddy Kong Racing DS. After countless hours of burning rubber in Mario Kart DS, I was eagerly anticipating the release of another racing game in the same vain. I picked up a copy for both myself and my girlfriend, anxious for some multiplayer action. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed a bit with this title. Perhaps my expectations were too high, basing experience solely on playing Mario Kart. (I never played Diddy Kong Racing for the N64). The game plays a little awkwardly, lacking that sense of urgency that Mario Kart has. But that's not to say that it is a bad game. It's just not the same game as Mario Kart. Diddy Kong Racing tries to incorporate a story into the mix, very loosely so. In order to unlock tracks and races, you must collect ballons. How do you get balloons? By completing missions and coming in 1st in races that are already available to you. One thing I do like about the game is it's vehicle options. There are 3 types of vehicles you can race with: Karts, Planes, and Hoovercrafts. The karts I'm used to, the hovercrafts need so major getting used to, but the planes kick so much ass!! Of all the vehicles, those are my favorite. And, admittedly, the races get progressively more difficult and better as you unlock more and more of them. I've yet to try the Wi-Fi gameplay, but I'm slowly coming around on this one. It's not what I expected, but it is a decent way to pass the time. I'm sure that the further I get along in it, the better it will be. Now, on to the Wii.
Last week Nintendo released Wii Play for the Wii. Billed as a follow up to the in-packaged Wii Sports, Wii Play is a collection of 9 new mini games that are meant to be enjoyed in large groups. This new batch includes: Table Tennis, Nine Ball, Target Shooting, Laser Hockey, Fishing, Tanks, Charge, Pose Mii, and Find Mii. To date, it is the game that utilizes the Mii feature the most. All the little Mii characters that you have created in the console are brought into this game, so you could be playing with very familiar faces. The best game is perhaps the Nine Ball. It utilizes the Wii-mote in a very realistic manner, and it responds quite accurately. I also enjoyed the Target Shooting game, which is a slight twist on the old Duck Hunt. Laser Hockey was a little difficult to control, as was Tanks (Basically you hunt each other with tanks). Fishing was fun, and Charge (Racing while riding a cow! Yes, a cow!) was just silly, but fun. The Mii games were quite entertaining as well. In Pose Mii, you have to pose your Mii character in certain poses to pop bubbles before they reach the ground. In Find Mii, you are given a task, such as "Find the Mii You Are Using", and it is up to you to pick them out of a crowd of Miis before your opponent. The real appeal of this game is that it includes an extra Wii-mote in the cost. (Wii-motes cost $39.99, Wii Play costs $49.99). So basically, you are buying a Wii-mote, and paying $10 extra for a game, which is not bad seeing how scarce it is to find a Wii-mote in stores all by itself. The game is good for what it is, a series of mini games that show off the Wii-motes capabilites. Also, it's a fun time for a group of friends. Not as good as Wii-Sports, but worth the $10 you actually pay for it.
Just yesterday I swung by my local Gamestop and picked up the latest Sonic the Hedgehog game, Sonic and the Secret Rings. Now, my last foray into the world of Sonic was with the Sega Dreamcast, with Sonic Adventures. One of the first games we got for that ill-fated console, I believed it to be graphically captivating. The racing courses were beautifully rendered, and the music was quick and upbeat, very appropriate to the game. There was some elements of an adventure game thrown into the mix, but what Sonic has always been about is speed and racing. So those are the elements that appeal to me the most. There hasn't been a game since the first Sonic for the Sega Genesis that has even come close. Now, this new game for the Wii is being billed as a return to Sonic's roots...his speed. Originally proposed as a rehash of the Sonic game released for both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 (Very poorly received and rated!), the Sonic team instead opted for an original idea. (Thank God!) The central theme that all game developers for the Wii must take into consideration is the Wii-mote. It's innovative design and function are to be taken full advantage off, and as such, an entirely new feel of gameplay is created. Just like Excite Truck, you hold the Wii-mote horizontally to control Sonic, and to move him, you simply tilt the controller left or right. A quick thrust forward allows you to attack enemies. Other than that, Sonic is left freely to do what he does best...RUN! The scenery is beautiful, the music is pumping (If somewhat repetitive and annoying at times), the controls are not as responsive as I would have hoped. But still, this is a vast improvement on those Sonic Adventure games, and a welcome return to the format of the very first Sonic game.
So, while at the Gamestop, I decided to kill two birds with one stone. As I picked up my copy of Sonic, I also plopped down $5 to reserve God of War II for the PS2. God of War was perhaps one of THE biggest and best games to come out of 2006 (Shadow of the Colossus still takes the cake for me, but whatever!). Bloody, action packed, epic, and very mythical, what more could you ask for in a game. You play as Kratos, a warlord who takes on the Olympian Gods themselves, in the ultimate quest to dethrone Ares, and take his place as the new God of War. Having succeeded in that endeavor in part 1, part 2 finds Kratos, even more bloodthirsty than ever, losing favor with the Olympian Gods, and even losing the protection of the Goddess Athena, whom had nurtured and encouraged Kratos in his initial quest. Ultimately shunned and cast back down to Earth, Kratos must now fight to survive, and re-establish his supremacy and his divinity. (Perhaps by taking down Zeus himself?? Who knows!) Come March 13th, the new adventure begins. But to tide us over, we got a free demo with our reservation. It allows you to play most of the initial battle in the game where Kratos takes on a Colossus. The game looks awesome, and Kratos is still the same old bald blood-thirsty motherfu...What, I'm just talking about Kratos! (SHAFT! Can you dig it?) And the upcoming line of action figures look pretty badass as well. 
