Sleepy Gamer » DS

Retro Game Challenge Review

Garret — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 07:09:24 +0000

The 8-bit video game era of the late 80’s and early 90’s was an important period in gaming. Where intuitive game design and refined controls were still at very early stages of development. It was a time of cheat codes, Game Genie, and Nintendo game tip hotlines. Most of all, it was a time of rose tinted nostalgia. And although it’s easy to see all the inherent flaws of those games now, it’s hard to forget all the moments of joy they brought.

Retro Game Challenge (or GameCenter CX: Arino’s Challenge, as it’s known in Japan) tries to recapture that magical feeling again by simulating the 1980’s through a series of fictional NES-era (Famicon) games. By some odd twist of fate, you are sent back in time to 1984 to complete a series of game challenges by a Japanese game show host named Arino. The time warp changes your character to a younger version of you and Young Arino is also there to offer guidance as your fellow couch buddy. Each fictional game offers a linear set of 4 distinct challenges ranging from the very easy (beat level 5) to more moderate challenges (score 250,000 points using the same continue). Arino also periodically buys monthly game magazines, complete with helpful tips and tricks, sneak peaks at upcoming games and release dates, and even phony EGM-style game editors like Dan Sock (Dan Shoe) and Johnny England (John Davidson).

New IPs That Desperately Need A Sequel

Garret — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:32:04 +0000

Brand new game series’ are usually few and far between, and good ones are even more unlikely. The current generation has seen it’s fair share of potential new franchises, but many new notables have yet to have produced proper sequels. The cycle of innovation, refinement, then innovation is the foundation that the games industry is built upon. So, here are some recent gems that are definitely worth revisiting.

Dead Rising (Xbox360)

You, trapped in a mall with thousands of zombies and the freedom to use practically anything as a weapon. It’s no wonder we haven’t seen this game concept done earlier. The zombie playground idea could be applied to almost anywhere too. Amusement park, airport, or even a small, open-world town would all be great locales. Throw in a bunch more interactive objects for creative, new ways to kill the walking dead and you’re all set. Oh yeah, how about some online co-op, please?

Zack and Wiki (Wii)

It’s the brilliant, Wii, point-and-click adventure that was a critically success, but a retail failure. Sadly, we probably won’t ever see a sequel any time soon. Some of the later puzzles were down right diabolical, but when you finally did figure it out, that “eureka” moment was pure magic. The cute, lovable animations, the multiple solutions, and the clever use of items and enemies all worked to create an experience that could only be compared to the days of playing an old-school, LucasArts adventure game. More of the same is all I ask.

© garret for Sleepy Gamer, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: DS, pcgaming, ps3, PSP, wii, xbox360

Playstation 3.5? Xbox540? Wii HD?

Van — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:26:49 +0000

Console revisions are nothing new to the gaming industry. A look in history will show us that most successful systems has gone through at least 3 console revisions. Take a look at the Genesis, Gameboy, PS2, and the list goes on. This generation is no different. These changes are made to either reach a new markets, introduce better security, or just to save a couple of bucks. Here’s a general look at what we’ll be expecting this generation.

20GB, 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, 160GB, what next?

Since its November 2006 release, there has been a total of 5 PS3 model changes. Initially, you had the choice of a 20GB or 60GB model retailing at $499 and $599 respectively. Despite the enormous price tag, Sony was still taking a $300 loss for each console sold. They needed a way to bring the price down fast if they wanted more consumers to purchase their platform. In late 2007, Sony introduced the 40GB and 80GB models for $399 and $499. Although that seemed like a much better deal, one key feature was lost… backwards compatibility. The older 20GB and 60GB models, included the PS2 “Emotion Engine” CPU that allowed it to natively play PS2 games. To save manufacturing costs, this CPU was removed from the later models. Thus, the 80GB model only provided limited PS2 backwards compatibility through software emulation, while the 40GB cannot play PS2 games at all. Just recently, Sony announced a newer 80GB and 160GB models to replace the current ones. Like the 40GB model, the new revisions will completely remove PS2 backwards compatibility as well. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to play your old PSOne games.

© van for Sleepy Gamer, 2008. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: DS, Features, ps3, PSP, wii, xbox360