So many mysteries surround this GameCube poster spotted in the 2.Akt bar in Zurich, Switzerland. Why was the poster stuck behind the mirror and a clock? What was on the rest of the poster? How long has it been there? The world may never know.
Metroid Prime designers Mark Pacini (lead dev), Jack Mathews (game engineer), and Todd Keller (art director) have left Retro Studios for “unknown reasons”. The trio developed the entire Prime trilogy, and has been with Retro from the beginning. Rumor spread fast that the three had left due to Retro being shutdown, but IGN has confirmed that the developer will not be closing their doors. Thankfully Retro has stated that they will continue to work as a 1st party Nintendo dev and put all effort into Wii software.
It’s sad to see these three brilliant game developers leave a company like Retro, but I don’t think we’ve seen the last of them.
Since the Wii, Nintendo has cut worldwide manufacturing for their previous consoles ingenious Gamecube controller. Since then Wavebirds can be seen going on ebay for $50+ used, mainly due to Super Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Kart Wii’s cube controller support. Thankfully, Nintendo is beginning to manufacture GC controllers once again, this time in Wii white color to please the overall wii presentation. In addition is a longer cord (three meters), and a welcome price point of 2,000 yen ($20).
As of right now, Nintendo is only planning to stock them on shelves in Japan, but don’t be surprised if you start seeing them pop up around here in the next couple months.
We’ve enjoyed the fruits of Nintendo’s labors in the West for over 20 years, but there are still some games we haven’t been able to play. Here are the Top 3 Game Series that Nintendo still hasn’t released outside of Japan.
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I’m currently playing Super Mario Advance 4 (SMB3), which is great, but I wish I could play it on my TV.
In my effort to consolidate consoles and still play every Nintendo game in 2006, I hastily got rid of my black GameCube after Wii launched. I’m now regretting it–I want a Game Boy Player.
In any case, how much you wanna bet the next DS will feature a Virtual Handheld that sells back catalog Game Boy titles just like Virtual Console does for home games? Wait for it…
“The perfect game.”
Our community often scoffs at the concept. Many argue perfection is unattainable, a Utopian mirage no game developer could ever reach. No game is entirely unblemished; there is always room for improvement, we argue, and there is always a flaw worth criticizing.
It almost seems an unwritten rule of gaming. The words of a writer who describes any game as “faultless” should be read with a certain degree of incredulity, particularly if s/he bestows a perfect score upon said game. Quite simply, there is no such thing as a “perfect 10.”
And as we scrutinize textures and analyze frame rates, reaching beyond the realms of practicality to invalidate perfection and justify a 9.6 review score, an irritated wave of antagonism toward sequels slowly spreads throughout our community. Speaking of unwritten rules, it is almost as if gamers are beginning to treat franchises as they would a passionate fling at the office.
The first time was great, and the second time was even better. But beyond that, things just start to get boring.
Nintendo has sold more than 20 million Wii consoles worldwide since launching its motion-controlled sensation in Nov. 2006. The system has become a global phenomenon, and over the next few months, it is likely Wii will eclipse the total worldwide hardware sales of Nintendo’s last console, the ill-fated and underappreciated GameCube.
What took GameCube six years to achieve, Wii will have surpassed in less than two. But negative connotations stemming from GameCube’s relatively disappointing sales should not necessarily be reflected upon its software. Despite its smaller market share, GameCube hosted some of the best exclusive titles of the last half-decade.
Given Wii’s remarkable sales figures, it seems safe to assume that many Wii owners missed out on GameCube. Fortunately for gamers incognizant of the satisfaction to be found within tiny purple cubes, Wii is compatible with all GameCube software. Landmark GameCube releases from years gone by can be played on Wii and enjoyed by players who may have never had a chance to experience them.
On Saturday’s edition of Infendo Radio, Blake and Scott discussed this topic when listener Paul phoned in asking for their GameCube recommendations. Their guidance is included in this list of the best GameCube games for ‘Cube-deprived Nintendo newcomers.
IGN brings word today that Factor 5, once critical of Wii’s paltry graphics, is now making an unannounced Wii game without using GameCube tech.
Not only did Factor 5 work with Nintendo to develop GameCube’s audio solution, but it pushed the console harder on a graphics level than just about every other studio, Nintendo included. Bearing that in mind, fans can rest assured that whatever the company’s new Wii game is, it’s a safe bet that it’ll look good and push the hardware.
Rogue Squadron II for GameCube was one of the most polished games of last generation. I’m confident Factor 5 will make the Wii hardware sweat as well.
I’m not sure if it was the GameCube’s sales figures that dictated this, but it seems like a lot of first party Nintendo games only got one entry on that console. Pikmin and Metroid being the few exceptions, mega-hits on the GameCube like the Smash Bros, Super Mario, and Mario Kart franchises seemed to be primed for at least one sequel. Was this a quality control choice by Nintendo? Were these titles too sacred?
Now we have Wii. In just over a year, this new system has sold nearly as well as the GameCube did in six. Early in its life, the system has already gotten Zelda, Super Mario, and Metroid games. Smash Bros Brawl is out next month and Mario Kart is just around the corner. Will any of these flagship titles get another chance to shine during the Age Of Wii? Do we need another Smash Bros game in a few years?
What to make of this news? Gamasutra has a bunch of pie charts up today comparing the distribution of ESRB rated games for this and last generations’ consoles. By the looks of these charts the Wii, when compared to the GameCube, looks like a Chucky Cheese’s game room. Meanwhile the ‘cube is Studio 54 in the 1970s. (more…)
FROM GAMES RADAR: “We sat down with the boss of Sonic Team USA, Takashi Iizuka, at the Wii Flat in London yesterday to quiz him on his new game, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams on Wii - and he revealed an interesting fact about the game’s development. Turns out that of all the four control methods available, the development team all play the game using GameCube controllers.”
Next-Gen has published an interesting feature that examines Nintendo’s failed attempt to simplify and expand gaming even before the Wii. “How’s that?” you ask. With the unique button hierarchy of the GameCube controller (a controller I still believe is the best ever). An excerpt:
All and all, with its “ergonomic” controls, the GameCube was a step in the right direction. Many of the design ideals now embodied by the Wii began here. The only problem was, though the direction was right, the step wasn’t anywhere nearly large enough. The lesson: if you’re going to shake things up, better to make your own new space than to try to reform what’s already there.
Many don’t realize just how many Gamecube games have 480p and/or 16:9 widescreen support. Nintendo and other publishers never really promoted the higher resolution due to the general population’s lack of proper HDTVs. Now a few years down the line and we find ourselves with shiny, new HDTVs. Conveniently, almost 200 Gamecube titles will output at 480p. We’ve compiled a list of GC games that have progressive scan and/or widescreen. Better pick up some component cables…
His red cap expresses more than words are able. The fact that “his” name is not necessary information, and that a mere description of his headwear floods the mind with fond memories - punctuated, of course, by a gleeful “Woo hoo!” - is proof enough.
Mario defines gaming.
Nary a single one of his adventures has been ill-received by critics over the years. His entertaining romps through the Mushroom Kingdom are celebrated events for gaming faithful, and production values and quality of the highest order are expected of each entry in the series.
But in 2002, Nintendo updated the classic Mario gameplay formula with a new look resulting in one of the most controversial games and clear opinion splitters in the company’s storied history.
Let’s take a look back to when you booted up Metroid Prime for the first time. You might of had doubts that Nintendo would be able to convert the series into the third dimension. But when the opening cinematic began showing a shaky video feed of a modernized metroid while accompanied by an even eerier, but epic soundtrack….you knew that this was going to be good.
The introduction to a game is a very important element that in a way prepares you for your upcoming tasks. All three of the Prime games intros have accomplished that sense of an epic Sci-Fi flick that will slip you a few hints. Contributing to the Month of Metroid, I have combined all three intros of the trilogy for your viewing pleasure.
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