3rd Party Showcase (3PS) Archive: Articles 41 to 50

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

Ever since video games began moving into the home, they have attempted to simulate their old arcade counterparts: pinball machines. Some have been more successful than others, but the fact of the matter is that it’s difficult for a digital game to recreate pinball’s analog mechanics. However, for years Hudson Soft’s Devil’s Crush has been considered one of the best video pinball games, not because it’s an accurate portrayal of pinball, but because it did things that could never be done in real pinball.

The world of Devil’s Crush presents you with a ghoulish table three screens high, but you’ll find more than the standard bumpers, kickers, targets, and saucers. Instead, you’ll encounter a realm where monsters, lizards, druids and guards patrol the board. You’ll be able to crash through gates and destroy tombs, unleashing more foul beasts. The dragon will breath fire, the skull will laugh at you, and the sleeping maiden in the center of the table will reveal an unsettling surprise for those who are foolish enough to wake her up. This is living, breathing pinball that simply would not be possible on a real machine.

That’s not to say the physics of the game don’t do a pretty good job of simulating actual pinball. The play is smooth and quick whether you choose the “Slow” or “Fast” ball speed. The graphics are reminiscent of the gothic imagery you usually see in a Castlevania or Ghouls ‘N Ghosts game, and the music is just excellent. Even though there’s only one song for the main table, it takes a long time to get old.

Staying faithful to its roots, the main goal is to score points, and the game has no shortage of ways to accomplish this. There are six very challenging bonus rooms you can access, and beating them yields huge bonuses. It will take several hours of play to figure out many of the game’s subtle scoring methods. If you happen to be a pinball wizard, maxing out the score counter at 999,999,999 will reward you with a small ending of sorts. More likely, though, you’ll have to use a cheat password to see it.

Devil’s Crush is actually the second in a series of pinball games from Naxat Soft. The first was Alien Crush, released on the TurboGrafx 16 and also available for the Virtual Console. A Japan-only follow-up, Jaki Crush, came out for the Super Famicom. Devil’s Crush, itself, was ported to the Sega Genesis in a slightly altered form and renamed Dragon’s Fury. Most fans seem to agree, however, that Devil’s Crush is the one to play.

It’s great that the Virtual Console allows some of these more obscure classics to be easily available again. Devil’s Crush provides an engaging fantasy pinball experience. The play is challenging yet addictive. If you like pinball, going for high scores, or just bowling over goblins, then download this game and prepare to get crushed!

Posted by Nester on 17 February 2008

System	Wii
Developer	Grasshopper Manufacture
Publisher	Ubisoft (U.S.), Rising Star (Europe), Marvelous (Japan)

Psst! Hey, buddy. Yeah, you. Over here. You look like the enterprising type. I think I got just the job for you. I want you to keep an eye out for the one they call Travis Touchdown. He's a real slick customer, and he's the star of the game No More Heroes.

Y'see, it all started when he won a beam katana off of eBay, and he inadvertently took out an assassin named Helter Skelter. As it turns out, old Mr. Skelter was ranked as number eleven in the United Assassins Association, which instantly put Mr. Touchdown on the chart. But, y'see, that got 'im into the game, and he decided he wanted to be number one. And his only method of achieving that ambitious goal was to take out the top ten, one by one.

But that's not the whole story. It's money that makes the world go 'round, my friend. Contracts for these assignments have to be bought, so Mr. Touchdown cruised around Santa Destroy on his motorcycle looking for odd jobs to pay the bills. They ain't glamorous, but they pass the time.

What's that? You wanna know about Mr. Touchdown's fighting style? Normally that kind of info would cost ya, but you got an honest face. You see, the controls are pretty traditional, but under certain circumstances, the Remote's motion sensitivity comes into play. Say, you might stun and opponent and get the chance to pull some wrastlin' maneuvers. Or you can use finishing moves that are, shall we say, a little excessive. It's not as frivolous as it sounds. In fact, you might even find it satisfying.

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. There's a guy named Suda 51 who they say is runnin' this show. He was the brains behind a little game from a few years back on the Gamecube called Killer 7. You'd know his style anywhere. No More Heroes uses the same cell shaded graphical style, and it's filled to the brim with sharp satire and extreme violence. It really lends personality to the experience. Just keep the kids outta the room while you're playin'.

I think you know what I'm sayin' here. No More Heroes is a truly unique gaming experience. It's got lots of action, a big city to roam around in, lots of mini-games, and a slick style. You'd do well to give this one a look. Just watch your back. Mr. Touchdown don't take no prisoners.

Posted by Nester on 9 March 2008

System	Nintendo DS
Developer	Team Ninja
Publisher	Tecmo

So, you have chosen to study the ancient arts of the ninja? It is an honorable endeavor, but one with many challenges. It requires the utmost focus, discipline, and mastery of the DS stylus. Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword can help you in your training.

You must help the legendary ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, recover all eight of the Dark Dragonstones and rescue his student, Momiji, from the Black Spider Ninja Clan. This tales is told through comic book-like scenes, and your journey will take you through 13 chapters.

Now, hold the DS stylus with your fingers. Concentrate. Focus your energy. This is how you must play the game. You hold the DS sideways like a book, and almost every move is controlled via the touch screen. Point at the screen where you want Ryu to move. Slash enemies to make Ryu attack them. Tap the screen to throw shurikens. Combinations can make Ryu jump and perform devastating maneuvers like the Izuna Drop. Press any button on the DS, and Ryu will block enemy attacks. The controls are intuitive and responsive.

But this is only the beginning. If you succeed in your quest, you will unlock higher difficulty levels. Practice hard to raise your score. Through the ancient method of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, you may post your scores to an online leader board.

Ninja Gaiden has not appeared on a Nintendo system for many years. In the old days, there was a trilogy of games on the NES that are currently available on the Wii Virtual Console. In 2004, the series was reborn with Ninja Gaiden on the Xbox, and ported to both the Xbox 360 (as Ninja Gaiden Black) and PlayStation 3 (as Ninja Gaiden Sigma). A sequel is due for release exclusively on the Xbox 360. Dragon Sword is a side-story that takes place between these two games.

You are getting better, my young student. It takes great responsibility to be a master of the stylus, but the ease of use makes it accessible to just about anyone. Higher difficulty levels and online leader boards will help you to improve your skills. Ryu is counting on you to help him find the Dragonstones, but you will be successful if you focus and become one with the DS.

Posted by Nester on 18 May 2008

System	Wii
Developer	Clover Studio, Ready at Dawn
Publisher	Capcom

Capcom’s Okami was one of the most critically acclaimed, yet overlooked titles of the last generation. Clover Studio, the same developer behind the Viewtiful Joe series and God Hand, created Okami as an action-adventure game with a design similar to The Legend of Zelda series. Now, developer Ready at Dawn has ported the underrated title to the Wii giving a whole new audience a chance to experience it.

You play as Amaterasu, a white wolf who is actually the sun goddess. You have been called upon to rid the land of an evil curse that drains all life. This quest will take you all across the ancient Japanese landscape and through many vast and tricky dungeons. Ultimately, you must face the evil demon Orochi who is responsible for the curse.

One of the most notable aspects of the game is that the graphics are presented in a beautiful and striking cel-shaded style that mimics Japanese watercolor paintings. This is accentuated by Amaterasu’s ability to use a “Celestial Brush” in which you turn the screen into a canvas and paint various shapes and lines across it to cast magic spells. These spells can be used for manipulating the landscape, such as cutting down trees or creating lily pads on water. They can also be used to attack enemies. In all, 13 spells can be learned throughout the game.

The Wii version of the game uses the motion control of the Remote for the painting, but some would say it’s a little more difficult to make steady strokes. And although the graphics are a little sharper and the colors are a little bolder in the Wii version, it doesn’t quite recreate the paper parchment look of the original PlayStation 2 version. However, it does support true widescreen and 480p progressive scan.

Okami is a vast, beautiful, and captivating experience. It didn’t sell well when it was originally released in 2006 on the PlayStation 2, and Clover Studio shut down the following year. But this is a game that deserves to be noticed. If you’re a fan of the Zelda games, then consider playing Okami. It’s an adventure worth having.

Posted by Nester on 8 June 2008

System	Wii (WiiWare)
Developer	Frontier Developments
Publisher	Frontier Developments

One day on the isle of Mistralis, a young boy named Toku discovered a special stone. As it turned out, it was one of seven shards in which was trapped the essence of the wind spirit, Enril. The story of how Enril came unto this predicament shall not be told here. But what must be known is that the land of Mistralis is in grave danger. Balasar, the spirit of the sun and moon, has been gathering power to take over the island. It is up to Toku to find and restore all seven shards of Enril, as well as discover the identities of the other ten elemental spirits, so that Balasar's evil scheme shall not come to pass.

Frontier Developments' LostWinds, a launch title for the WiiWare platform, is a charming and engaging adventure game that cleverly utilizes the Wii Remote. The game is played from a side-scrolling perspective, and you take control of Enril's powers of the wind. By moving a cursor on screen, you can create drafts and gusts to manipulate the environment, attack enemies, or help Toku reach distant platforms. The Nunchuck is used for controlling Toku, himself.

As you explore the land, solve puzzles, and discover treasures, you'll gain extra wind powers. In turn, these powers will help you to access previously unreachable areas. It is also possible for a second player to join in with another Remote and assist you in your quest. However, the experience is a brief one, and this tale is merely the first of what may be many chapters.

If you seek a wondrous adventure game at a budget price, look no further than LostWinds. 'Tis a stylish game that makes excellent use of the Wii's motion sensitive controls. It is conveniently available through the Wii's Shop Channel for a mere 1,000 points, and it will provide you with a quick gust of entertainment. Heed the winds and go forth! You must help Toku keep Mistralis safe!

Posted by Nester on 22 June 2008

System	Nintendo DS
Developer	Square Enix, Jupiter
Publisher	Square Enix

Nester: I've been training an assistant to help me with the 3PS, and for this article, I've decided to take him for a run-through. His name is Tobe. Say hello, Tobe!

Tobe: Whatever.

Nester: Today, we'll be talking about The World Ends With You from Square-Enix. Tobe, tell our readers what makes this game interesting.

Tobe: Well, there's some kids, and some experience points, and you scream into the microphone, and I think there's some bad guys or something.

Nester: I think what Tobe is trying to say is that The World Ends With You is a very unique take on the RPG genre. Everything from the art style, to the setting, to the premise, and even the game mechanics provide a fresh experience.

The graphics have a great, hand drawn comic book style that is reminiscent of Sega's Jet Set Radio series. The music is also very cool, featuring rock and hip hop styles.

Tell them about the story, Tobe.

Tobe: It has one.

Nester: The game stars a boy named Neku who has lost his memory.

Tobe: That's unique?

Nester: But, you see, Neku is dead, and he discovers that when you die, you're forced to play what's called the "Reapers' Game." If you win, you get a second chance at life. If you lose, you're erased from existence.

The game takes place in modern day Japan in the Shibuya district. As a ghost, Neku is able to roam around without being seen. He can read people's minds, and even influence them to a degree. Neku can also equip different brands of clothing. Wearing the more popular brands of a particular area enhances its benefits. He also has to fight enemies, which makes interesting use of the DS interface. Tell them about that, Tobe.

Tobe: Some stuff happens, and you push some buttons and scribble on the screen, get hand cramps, and look like a moron.

Nester: Tobe, did you even research this game like I asked you to?

Tobe: Sorta.

Nester: You fight reapers in both the real world, or "Realground," and the "Underground," which is the afterlife, but you do it at the same time via the dual screens. A character in the Realground fights on the top screen, and you control him/her with the directional pad and buttons. Neku fights in the Underground on the touch screen using touch controls. It can bit a bit confusing at first, but it's very innovative, and it could not be done on any other platform.

So, if you're tired of traditional RPG conventions and are interested in something a bit more stylish and avant garde, The World Ends With You is definitely a game you should check out. Right, Tobe?

Tobe: Hey, didn't you say I'd get a reward?

Nester: No, I said writing the 3PS is its own reward.

Tobe: You believe that? What a sucker! Why don't you write about Mario or something? At least Nintendo makes it. Third-party games blow.

Nester: Tobe, you're fired.

Tobe: Whatever.

Posted by Nester on 10 August 2008

System	Wii
Developer	Rockstar Toronto
Publisher	Rockstar Games

What're you lookin' at?! You want a fat lip or something? Hey, your shoelaces are untied--Made you look! Ha, ha, ha! Don't be so gullible! Why don't you go home and play video games, like Rockstar Games' Bully: Scholarship Edition for the Wii. It might even be educational.

You play as this kid, Jimmy Hopkins, who's dropped off at a boarding school called Bullworth Academy while his mother and stepfather go on a yearlong honeymoon. They're gettin' a little hanky panky, if you know what I mean!

Er, as I was saying, Jimmy's got free run over the school grounds, and he's got the same problem as you: he's always running into the wrong people at the wrong time. But since you're new here, I'm gonna cut you a break and give you some advice: try not to miss your classes. They'll make you smart, raise your stats, and help you deal better with the different cliques.

The classes are taught in the form of mini-games. For instance, music class plays like a rhythm game, and biology class is similar to a game of Trauma Center. Some of them can even be played in a two-player mode.

Bully was originally a PlayStation 2 game. The Scholarship Edition adds new missions, characters, classes and unlockables. The Wii version even has those fancy motion controls, so you can look like an even bigger dork while you're playing it than you already are. Still, the Wii version was praised for being a quality port rather than some laughable, piece-o'-junk shovelware. Seriously, when publishers do that, it's about as funny as a screen door on a battleship.

So, I recommend you pick up this game as soon as possible before I give you an atomic wedgie. If you enjoy sandbox games, like Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series, then hey, you got nothin' to lose! It's got missions, mini-games, a good story, and all that cool stuff. You seem like a smart kid, so check it out!

Now make like a tree, and get outta here!

Posted by Nester on 28 September 2008

System	Wii
Developer	EA Los Angeles
Publisher	Electronic Arts

In a world where blox are stacked high, it's up to you to grab, throw, and blast! From the director of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and the publisher of Medal of Honor Heroes 2, get ready for Boom Blox!

It's a puzzle game unlike any the world has ever experienced. Featuring four different play modes, and over 400 mind-blowing levels!

In Adventure and Explore modes, you'll follow the exploits of the zaniest cast ever to appear on your home screen! Throw various objects at towers of blox to topple them to the ground! Use a multitude of tools to grab blox and carefully remove them from their places of rest, but try not to disturb the delicate balance of the structures in which they lay, or the consequences could be devastating! And take aim and blast key blox for the single purpose of total destruction!

In Party Mode, the stakes have never been higher! Take on another player in the most intense competition of all time! Or work together for the most explosive action yet!

Then, get ready for the ultimate challenge! Create Mode lets you make the most incredible, intense, and downright amazing levels you can imagine! Experience the emotion as you share them with your closest friends over WiiConnect24. Then, hold on to your remotes as the action heats up and blows you away!

X-Play's Rob Manual calls it "the new big party game for the Wii...five out of five!" "A+...the best use of the Wii yet...Buy this game!" raves 1up.com's Nick Suttner. And GamePro's Emily Balistrieri calls it the "one title that truly does qualify as a 'summer blockbuster.'"

Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts present Boom Blox! The power is in your hands!

Now playing on a Wii console near you.

Posted by Nester on 12 October 2008

System	Nintendo DS
Developer	5th Cell
Publisher	THQ

Ready! ...Aim! ...WAIT A MINUTE!

Before we get going, I want to tell you about the game Lock's Quest by THQ. It's about a young fellow named Lock who's an aspiring "archineer," and he gets wrapped up in a quest to find his missing younger sister and defeat the evil Lord Agony.

It's a strategy game that's like an updated version of the classic arcade game Rampart. Like Rampart, there are two phases to the gameplay: a build phase and a battle phase. Each phase lasts a specific amount of time, and all you have to do is survive until the end.

In the build phase, Lock has to build walls, gates, cannons, and basically set up a fort in order to hold off enemy forces. Lock can also use raw materials to build new types of weapons and traps.

During the battle phase, dozens of clockwork soldiers invade the playfield and start chipping away at your defenses. Luckily, Lock can actively repair damaged walls during battle. Not only that, but he can even engage enemies in melee combat.

Almost the entire game is controlled with the stylus, which makes it quick and easy to get things done. There's also a two-player mode, but each player will need a copy of the game.

It's surprisingly engaging and tense, and it's worth a look. Especially since it's a somewhat lower profile game that crept in under the radar. While it's considered to be more for kids, it proves that just because a game is made for kids, it doesn't have to be brainless and dumbed down. But really, I think anyone could enjoy it, so check it out. If word gets around, it could catch on and spread like...

FIRE!

Posted by Nester on 9 November 2008

System	Wii (WiiWare)
Developer	2D Boy
Publisher	2D Boy

What a mess! Yuk! Just look at all the goo! Imagine living in a world filled with this stuff. It might be a lot like 2D Boy's World of Goo, available for the WiiWare service.

The goal of the game is to get a required number of blobs of goo to a pipe at the end of the level. Easier said than done! Luckily, there are several types of goo that each have their own properties. Some can be stretched out in more ways than others, some can float, some can catch fire, and so on. You'll need to be clever to figure out some of the sticky puzzles that are presented to you.

The game features a realistic physics engine, so the messy structures you build will need to be balanced, or else you'll be knee-deep in glop. Other objects in the game behave with the same realism, which makes the gameplay more intuitive, addictive, and nerve-racking. Don't get sloppy!

With the leftover goo you accumulate, you can build a tower in the World of Goo Corporation mode. The height of your tower is compared with those of other players around the world via WiiConnect24. While there's no direct online multi-player mode, you can play through the game with up to four players locally. It requires a lot of cooperation, however, so find some friends you work well with, or you'll be up to your neck in goo!

Ew, gross! Things are getting out of control here! World of Goo has been highly acclaimed as one of the best games available for the Wii. It's available for 1500 Wii Points, which may be a little pricey for a WiiWare game, but quite a bargain compared to lesser retail releases. The puzzles are challenging and highly addictive. Be sure to check it out!

But first, clean this mess up!

Posted by Nester on 16 November 2008