3rd Party Showcase (3PS) Archive: Articles 21 to 30

System	Wii
Developer	Electronic Arts
Publisher	Electronic Arts

Contrary to popular belief, Nintendo's consoles have had their fair share of games for grown-ups. But while the belief has been underlined by the lack of an actual iteration of the Grand Theft Auto series (other than brief appearances on the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color), imitators have attempted to fill in the gap. The Godfather: Blackhand Edition from EA gives the Wii a hit of the genre.

Somewhat controversially based on the classic movie, the game version of The Godfather for the PS2 and X-Box was a serious attempt to give Grand Theft Auto a run for its money. Several months later, the X-Box 360 version added several new missions and features. The Blackhand Edition on the Wii retains all of the extras and adds even more missions and features. On top of that, extensive motion-based controls have been implemented.

Of course, being a GTA clone means you've got a lot of freedom to wander around the game's environment. Drive around town, visit shop owners, exert your influence, and develop a reputation. Take down rival families, hire thugs to back you up, and pay-off the cops to turn their heads. There's a lot to do, but as is the nature of the beast, there are a lot of rough edges. While the game provides a variety of gameplay, none of it finely polished.

All in all, the Wii version of The Godfather has a lot of unique content and control to set it apart from the other versions. If you're a fan of the Grand Theft Auto experience, and if you're mature enough for the content, then The Godfather: Blackhand Edition would be a competent member of your Wii family.

Posted by Nester on 8 April 2007

System	Nintendo DS
Developer	Vicarious Visions
Publisher	Activision

There's nothing like cranking up your favorite music and doing a little sidewalk surfing in the warm sunshine of Southern California. However, it's a big world out there. You may not live anywhere near California, and you just might be skateboard-challenged. In this case, you can do the next best thing: pour yourself a tall, cool glass of lemonade, pick up a Nintendo DS, and grab a copy of Tony Hawk's American Sk8land from Activision.

Unlike it's big console brother, American Wasteland, Sk8land sports a stylish cel-shaded look that accommodates the DS's screens. The soundtrack includes a dozen licensed songs--impressive for a DS game. Gameplay consists of a story mode, in which you skate around town and accept challenges from various people; and a classic mode, which functions like the old Pro Skater games.

The touch screen acts as a map, and you can touch various icons to activate special moves. You can also customize your deck by drawing your own designs with the stylus. Furthermore, you can even record your own voice samples for use within the game. Sk8land was also one of the first DS games to go online with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, so you can engage in multi-player with just about anyone around the world. (You may even find someone in California!) It's very cool that the many features of the DS are taken advantage of.

Fans of arcade sports games should be right at home in the American Sk8land. The style has been tailored for the DS, and the gameplay continues the Tony Hawk tradition. The unique features of the system have been cleverly implemented in several ways. Even the skateboard-challenged can enjoy the sport without the bruises. It's like having your own little slice of Southern California right in the palms of you hands.

Posted by Nester on 15 April 2007

System	Nintendo DS
Developer	Leviathan Games
Publisher	Konami

Back in the 80s, you were pretty hot stuff. Your name was revered in the hallowed chambers of arcades. Dorks and nerds bowed to your presence. Your initials graced many a high-score screen. But times change. Games moved into the home, and the remains of the last arcade were found in the Badlands next to a tyrannosaurus rex fossil. But all is not lost. With the help of Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits, you can recapture your glory days and once again become a joystick jock (except without the joystick).

Your DS will be bursting at the seams because this mighty compilation is packed with a whopping 15 classics: Basketball, Circus Charlie, Contra, Gradius, Horror Maze, Pooyan, Rainbow Bell, Road Fighter, Roc'n Rope, Rush'n Attack, Scramble, Shao-Lin's Road, Time Pilot, Track & Field, and Yie Ar Kung-Fu. (Phew!) Within moments, you'll be immersed in jumping, shooting, racing, flying, fighting, quarter-munching nirvana, because each and every game in this awesome package is as arcade-perfect as they come.

But that's not all! Not by a long shot. There are enough options and bonus content to keep your fingers twitching. The screen can be displayed horizontally in either a normal aspect ratio or stretched to fill the whole screen. Some of the games originally ran on vertically oriented monitors, and the DS can accommodate for that by either extending the display to the bottom screen, or you can turn the DS sideways. For the geek in all of us, you can also customize the games by manipulating virtual dipswitches. Now you can finally live your life-long dream of being an arcade operator.

But what about all the young whippersnappers who've never seen a high-score screen in their short, meager lives? Well, first of all, you can wirelessly send 'em any single game in the collection, and they can get a taste of true, hardcore gaming until they power down their DS's. Then you can blow them away with your unbelievable skills via wireless multiplayer. Finally, display your proud achievements by showing them your own saved high scores and recorded replays, and they'll learn to worship you as a classic gaming guru.

So, what are you waiting for? Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits provides 15 games in one package, which is like having an entire arcade in your pocket. The faithful presentation and extensive customization make these golden oldies feel like new again. The wireless features and being able to save your scores and replays will keep the cold sweat rolling down the foreheads of your competition. Arcades may be gone, but you still have a throne to claim. Show them the skills of a true master.

Posted by Nester on 22 April 2007

System	Game Boy Advance
Developer	Treasure
Publisher	Sega

Normally, the 3PS only covers games available for the DS, Wii and Virtual Console. But remember that the DS can also play games from the Game Boy Advance. Most importantly, it can play one of my favorite (and most under-appreciated) GBA games: Gunstar Super Heroes from Sega.

"Bring it on!"

The original Gunstar Heroes was released on the Genesis/Mega Drive in 1993, and it's currently available for the Wii Virtual Console. Fans of the original game will notice many similarities and differences in its successor. Most levels, weapons, enemies, and characters will seem familiar. However, many concepts have been dramatically overhauled, providing an odd contrast to the previous game. In a way, it feels old and new at the same time.

For those who've never played the original game, you're in for quite a ride! It's frantic run-and-gun action at its finest, yet there are constantly new twists being presented to keep the gameplay varied. Whether you're rocketing through the sky on the back of a spaceship, or running through a 360 degree rotating maze, it'll keep you on your toes.

"Absilio Mundus!"

Treasure sure knows how to get the most out of limited hardware! Just as the first game pushed the Genesis to its limits, the sequel has some of the most impressive graphics seen on the GBA, with tons of gratuitous scaling and rotation effects. There's also quite a bit of chaos that happens onscreen, but there's never slowdown. It's very technically impressive.

"Remember this!"

Despite its heritage and critical acclaim, the game sold very poorly. Still, Gunstar Super Heroes is a very worthy successor to a classic run-and-gun. The familiar yet re-imagined gameplay should satisfy fans of the original. The graphics are second-to-none on the GBA, and the presentation is vintage Treasure. In my opinion, it's one of the best ways to fill the GBA slot in your DS.

Posted by Nester on 29 April 2007

System	Wii Virtual Console (TurboGrafx-16)
Developer	Hudson Soft, Red
Publisher	Hudson Soft

The original Bonk's Adventure introduced the world to the lovable little caveman with the giant head. Of course, one good Bonk deserves another, and the franchise continued with Bonk's Revenge from Hudson Soft.

This time, Bonk must go after the evil King Drool III who has stolen half of the moon and kidnapped Princess Za. As in the original game, he'll bump heads with several nasty prehistoric meanies and power-up by eating tasty meat. Once again, Bonk proves that games don't have to be complex to be fun.

The game contains all the evolutions you would expect from a proper sequel. The graphics are more colorful and expressive. The levels are larger and more complex. The challenge has also been heightened from the previous game. Fans of the original should love this one as well.

Even with tough competition from Mario and Sonic, Bonk's Revenge is one of the finest platform games of the 16-bit era. It's fun without being convoluted, yet it improves upon the original. And thanks to DNA cloning technology, the game is now available for the Wii Virtual Console.

Posted by Nester on 6 May 2007

System	Nintendo DS
Developer	Capcom
Publisher	Capcom

Campy horror movies provide an experience like no other. It's fun to get some friends together and riff a bad movie like the pros did on MST3K. Thanks to Capcom, that experience now comes in video game form with Resident Evil: Deadly Silence.

Drive-in totals:

• Exploding zombie heads
• Giant, venom spewing spiders.
• A human-eating plant
• Genetically created mutants
• A monster with an external heart
• Naked zombies
• A man who wears sunglasses at night

When the original Resident Evil was released in 1996, it was groundbreaking. Unfortunately, it's long since been surpassed by several follow-ups, including an excellent Gamecube remake in 2002, not to mention the fantastic Resident Evil 4 in 2005. Deadly Silence is a recreation of the original game.

You'll have your choice between a classic mode and a new "Rebirth" mode. The Rebirth mode is a bit more action-oriented and includes some new touch-screen puzzles. Both modes, however, add some of the convenient functionality from later games, including the quick, 180-degree turns, manual reloading, and instant knife use. There's also a mini-game in which the view switches to a first-person perspective, and you use the touch-screen to slash at zombies and other enemies.

Ah, but what about your friends? Luckily, Deadly Silence includes both competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes over LAN. Just make sure your friends also have copies of the game.

Stay tuned for more on Resident Evil: Deadly Silence right after this message from our sponsor:

Is you skin dry, cracked and itchy? Try new FlakeAway™ medicated cream and it will make your skin feel soft and smooth*. Available wherever cosmetics are sold.

* Side effects include irritation, redness, rotting, and craving for human flesh.

This message brought to you by Umbrella Corp.

The original Resident Evil is considered pretty archaic at this point, so this is definitely one for fans of classic survival-horror games. The Rebirth mode and new touch-screen functionality add some new twists, and the multiplayer modes will let your friends get in on the action. Deadly Silence brings Resident Evil back to the campy horror films that inspired it. It's so bad, it's good!

Posted by Nester on 13 May 2007

System	Nintendo DS
Developer	Konami
Publisher	Konami

Are you a creature of the night? Do you thrive in darkness? Does the arrival of morning seem regrettable? If so, than you may enjoy Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow from Konami.

Dawn of Sorrow follows the Metroid-style Symphony of the Night formula as far as gameplay is concerned, but it's also a direct sequel to Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow from the Game Boy Advance. The graphics and sound are similar in style, but technologically more sophisticated to provide that extra chill down your spine. It also brings back the "Tactical Soul System" from the previous game in which you can capture the abilities of enemies you defeat, but this time it's deeper and more fleshed (rotting, of course) out.

The addition of some the DS's unique features aren't really necessary to the experience, but they add some nice gimmicks to the gameplay. Using the touch screen, you can break away blocks of ice to clear you path. You'll also need to draw special "seals" on the screen in order to finish off bosses. There's also a brief offline multi-player mode, just in case you're afraid to be alone.

No need to dwell in darkness. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is a classic for the DS. This sequel not only improved upon its predecessor, but also continued to refine the classic formula. The touch screen features and multiplayer mode add a few nice wrinkles to the experience. Check this one out! Despite the title, you won't be sorry!

Posted by Nester on 20 May 2007

System	Wii Virtual Console (Genesis)
Developer	Novotrade International
Publisher	Sega

As you can see, this week's feature is about Ecco the Dolphin from Sega. Dolphins, of course, possess great intelligence, and thanks to cutting edge technology, it's now possible to actually communicate with a dolphin. Namely, Ecco, himself, is here to tell you all about his classic adventure.

NinDB: Hello, Ecco. How are you today?

Ecco: Qui, qui, quy, quay!

Translation: I'm quite satisfactory, thank you! How are you?

NinDB: I'm good. Let's talk about your game. For our readers who are unfamiliar with the series, could you explain it?

Ecco: Quay, qui, quay, quy, quy...

Translation: Indubitably! My first game was released in 1993 for the Genesis, and it was an immediate sensation. Various successors materialized over the years, including the sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time. The most recent iteration, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was released for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 in 2000 and 2002, respectively.

NinDB: Fascinating. Now, going back to the original game, please tell us about some of its features and why our readers might enjoy it.

Ecco: Quy, quay, qui, qui...

Translation: Well, it's an adventure game with an accentuation on logical puzzle solving. You'll need to be as sagacious as a dolphin in order to prevail. The exquisite graphics and serene music constitute a very atmospheric experience, and the story is as epic and mysterious as the ocean itself. Keep in mind, however, that it can be an extremely difficult game, even insofar as to provoke frustration, so it's advantageous if you appreciate a formidable challenge.

NinDB: Sounds great! The game is currently available for download on the Wii Virtual Console. Incidentally, what do you think of Nintendo?

Ecco: Qui, quy, quy, quay...

Translation: They concoct wonderful games! However, it's my sentiment that the Gamecube console shouldve retained the name "Dolphin." Or perhaps it's what Nintendo should have branded the Wii. The word "Wii" has a very unfortunate definition in dolphin language.

NinDB: That must be really embarrassing. Thank you for your time, Ecco!

Ecco: Quy, qui!

Translation: It's been delectable!

Posted by Nester on 27 May 2007

System	Nintendo DS
Developer	Square Enix
Publisher	Square Enix

If you've ever played a Final Fantasy game, then you've probably seen a chocobo bird. They're big, yellow, emu-like birds that occasionally pop up in forests or towns. They help you by providing safe transportation, or sometimes they assist in battles. Or you may simply see one wandering across your path. (Why did the chocobo cross the road?) In any event, you'll see them all over in Square-Enix's Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales.

Rather than an epic role-playing extravaganza, Chocobo Tales tells its story with a series of mini- and micro-games. It may sound like Final Fantasy has gone to the birds, but winning these mini-games rewards you with special cards. These cards form a deck, which is then used in card-battle-style boss fights.

The presentation may skew towards the young chicks, but the graphics and music are handled with all the same quality you would expect from the main Final Fantasy games. The interface is entirely stylus-driven, so there won't be any hunting and pecking. Finally, the mini-games and card battles can be played against other members of your flock through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or multi-card LAN play.

Why did the chocobo cross the road? To pick up a copy of Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales, of course! The variety of mini-games will entertain kids of all ages. The presentation is top-notch, complemented with an easy interface and some nice multi-player modes. It may not have the deepest gameplay, but it still beats laying an egg!

Posted by Nester on 3 June 2007

System	Wii
Developer	Midway, JGI Entertainment
Publisher	Midway

After thousands of years of Mortal Kombat tournaments, there had come to be too many warriors, and their strength was becoming too great. Their power would force the universe to tear itself apart. Thus, the elder gods sent a creature named Blaze to host a new tournament in which he would test each warrior and weed out the weak from the worthy. Every fighter in all the realms came to participate and ensure their survival. And so began the epic battle of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. (Sponsored, as always, by Midway.)

As you can expect from any Mortal Kombat game, Armageddon is definitely going to be messy, but on the Wii, it's also going to be physical. While movement is controlled with the nunchuck's analogue stick, and basic attacks are performed with the remote's directional pad, all special moves are done by holding the B trigger and making a particular motion with the remote. It may sound similar to EA's SSX Blur, but unlike Blur, the motions are quick and simple to make.

The same motions are also used for Armageddon's new fatality system. Instead of each character having a unique finishing move (or two), there's a universal fatality "combo" system. Performing a basic, level one fatality is fairly easy, but putting together a full, level 10 finishing move will require speed, coordination, and a black belt in Wii-chuck-do.

But don't start dismembering just yet. There's much more! There's an entire krypt full of unlockables, from extra costumes and artwork, to making-of videos. You can also play the mini-game Motor Kombat, compatible with up to four road warriors. An extensive Kreate-a-Fighter mode allows for almost endless character possibilities. Exclusive to the Wii version of Armageddon is the character Khameleon, as well as the new Endurance mode, which chalks up to your basic survival game. Last, but not least, is the Konquest mode. It plays more like a beat-em-up, not too dissimilar from Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, and loaded with even more unlockables.

Hey, what're you lookin' at? You lookin' for a fight? GET OVER HERE! The motion sensitive controls add a fresh twist to the klassic Mortal Kombat gameplay. Several extra modes and mini-games, and dozens of unlockables, will keep the fists flying! Fighting game fans everywhere will be saying "Armageddon this game!" (Get it?)

Posted by Nester on 10 June 2007