Ok, so he's a bit too similar to Bowser, but damn he's a cool character. I just spent all night on the Cube version of PC Genjin (Bonk's Adventure) and fell in love with it all over again. Don't let them fool you. This is not a simple remake of the original with fancy-schmancy graphics. Yes, the first few levels are the same, and the total theme of the game is the same, but this is a whole new Bonk. If you've ever had an ounce of curiosity about the Bonk franchise and what you missed out on with the Turbo systems, pick it up. You won't regret it.
So anyway, let's open up the mailbag before the weekend, shall we?
Hi John,
Just a quick line to let you know that even Italy has had its fair share of shitty "Pop Idol" rip-offs, that go on even today. At least we could put up a credible "Mafia Idol" just to offer something unique, don't you think?
whatever you do, try the Far Cry demo, it rocks almost as much as Halo, even with all his technical issues. Great combat, sumptuous environment, good AI and most of all - a lot of freedom.
just to give you another perspective on the Nintendo DS bitchin'
some rumor floating around says that we'll see a double 3D screen 1980' style (red/blue side by side, if you know what i mean) complete with 3D glasses.
no, it's not a joke, sadly
the real joke is that every screen will be in the vertical position, according to an interview by nintendo. so, fanboys should really shut the fuck up once and for all. I anticipate somebody sayin' that games will be stored on a 8-nanometer disc, as a new counter-piracy measure...
Keep on cookin'
-Alez-
First of all, I'm not going to touch the mafia bit. Lord knows I could piss off some militant Italian who would then put a hit out on my house. No thanks.
I've actually been wanting to try that demo, now that you mention it. Unfortunately, I'm also in the market for a new PC because my home computer has been freaking out on me. I dare not try to run or install anything new until I get it sorted out. Luckily, the executive committee (ie: Christine) has approved the budget for a new laptop so I may be in business sooner than later.
About the DS, my favorite bit of speculation is that it may utilize Sharp's 3D screen technology. Check out this article. It explains how two screens can be used together to create a 3D image. Interesting, eh? Even more intriguing is that it's already been reported earlier that Nintendo had been in discussions with Sharp to use this technology in a "future" handheld.
Eh? Eh?
Ken wants to join the conversation:
Well, I figured I should give you a letter before you move form your humble abode. I mean, I have been sending letters to you and going to GWX ever since it started. Sniff, maybe I am getting a bit overworked of you moving from the "REAL" GWX headquaters, lol. I saw in the fourms chirstine has been stealing Mario and Luigi which had kept you from you Preventing you from completeing the game for abit lol. If she is playing it, it must be good.
I for one about this new thing Nintenod is coming out with look forward to it, I try to keep a positive outlook on all things Nintendo.
Ken
I can see how people have become jaded with Nintendo, but they sometimes don't seem to realize that they sound like sniveling school children. Nintendo wants to broaden the horizons of gaming with this thing, so let's give it a chance, eh?
Oh, and Mario and Luigi? Yes, fantastic.
And now for something completely different:
I just read your review of " CHAMPIONS OF NORRATH " and am VERY excited to get this game!!!! I know that I will spend ALOT of time in these fantasy realms! This world is better than the real one!! PS2 is the best of all the consoles!!!!!! PS2 RULES!!!!
Mark
Hey Mark, I appreciate your excitement, but easy on those exclamation points, my friend. Thanks for being a rube. We all need a little fanboy excitement from time to time.
I'll save the bulk of my thoughts on GWX's shiny new Zodiac for the feature Hilden and I are working on, but I thought it might be cool to throw out a few nuggets.
The Zodiac has quickly become my new best friend. Now please don't take that as a shiny testimonial to the unit's gaming functions. I realize this is, afterall, a gaming-centric site, but the beauty of this thing is that if you don't dig the games, it's got plenty of other functions. Which begs the question, "Why not just buy a friggin' PDA?" Well, smartass, because not many PDAs have the ability to play potentially kick ass games. The ones included with the system are admittedly mediocre and fun for only a moment or two. Despite the fancy graphics, you'll still long for the sweet, sweet simplicity of the 2D sprites provided by that other handheld.
Will the Zodiac suffer the same fate that the N-Gage appears to be doomed to? Sure. Who knows? However, unlike the N-Gage, this thing is really, really cool and actually works well for gaming and it's other functions.
How's that for a novel approach?
I've put in some practice time with the stylus and can finally write more than three sentences in ten minutes. I uploaded a bunch of MP3 tunes and rocked out a bit and then I downloaded Huckleberry Finn and relived some childhood memories. Then, just before I settled in for bed, I had a rousing game of Spy Hunter. It may not set the gaming world on fire, but I'm sure going to enjoy it while it lasts.
If you have any questions about or would like to comment on the Zodiac, send them in via the form at the bottom of the page. We'd love to know what you have to say about the unit and will be sure to use your letters in our feature.
So I'm writing this entry using the Zodiac Tapwave sent us. It's a remarkable unit, though l'm not sure how much writing I'll be doing with it. These three sentences have taken me ten minutes to spell out with the stylus. I suppose I just need a bit of practice.
As a PDA, this thing rocks the party that rocks the partay.
I'll check back soon with game impressions, but let's just say that I'm already more impressed with the Zodiac than the N-Gage. Of course this thing doesn't look like a taco. Tapwave was kind enough to include a wide variety of titles for us to tool around with and while some are less than impressive, a good deal of them show off the system's real potential.
Sorry for the short entry. I need practice. More later.
I spent the greater part of the weekend cleaning out my house and packing in order to get ready for the move. It's amazing how much crap one person can accumulate over the years and I have three garbage cans at the end of my driveway to demonstrate that fact. I also amazed myself at how much video game paraphernalia I've collected over the years. Do I really need a Ratchet and Clank lunch bag or a bottle of wine with the PlayStation logo burned into the side? Sure! Why the hell not? Boxes upon boxes of gaming consoles, games, gaming collectibles... It's a good thing my new house is about three times the size of the one I live in now.
Ginny needs some help:
Frame 2 The Crimon Butterfly, but I do not know how to save the game, could you please help me.
Unfortunately, I've never had a chance to play the game. Luckily, Brendon's all over this one for you.
Brendon: It's actually very easy to save, but you need to know where to look, and the game isn't very good at telling you. All you need to do to save your game is to find any Japanese lamp that glows red. You'll find quite a few of these outside. Just look for any lamps that are lit in red, approach it and press X. Like magic, eh?
I hope that helps, Ginny.
Alessandro wants to get in on the Nintendo DS discussion:
Hi John, just to give you another perspective on the Nintendo DS bitchin' some rumor floating around says that we'll see a double 3D screen 1980' style (red/blue side by side, if you know what i mean) complete with 3D glasses.
no, it's not a joke, sadly
the real joke is that every screen will be in the vertical position, according to an interview by nintendo. so, fanboys should really shut the fuck up once and for all. I anticipate somebody sayin' that games will be stored on a 8-nanometer disc, as a new counter-piracy measure...
-Alez-
I saw a bit of info about the 3D display you mentioned, but can't really say too much about it. It looked to be some sort of holographic display where the game actually jumps off the screen, science fiction style. Is it true? Who the hell knows? If it is, it would bring an entire host of questions, the most important of which would concern lighting.
As I mentioned quite sternly last week, I'm not really going to get myself into a tizzy over the thing until I get my hands on it at E3 this year. I will say, however, that I'm sure I'll be purchasing a DS regardless of what it does.
Speaking of new handhelds, Tapwave finally sent us a Zodiac unit to review, so expect that full feature next Monday in Drunken Gamers. Hilden and I will take an in depth look at the unit and a handful of games, much like we did with the N-Gage a few months back.
