Messages

106

Video Game Chat / Sonic Xtreme - A true video game tragedy?

« on: July 16, 2008, 08:09:31 PM »

Okay, for those who don't know what the dukar I'm talking about, Sonic Xtreme was a Sonic game for the Sega Saturn that was in development hell for years before finally being canceled. Several prototypes were made, and some of the developers were working nonstop for weeks (and endangering their health).

Why all the fuss about this? Because IMO, this game really looked revolutionary, and the fish eye lense - while a bit weird - may have been as unique and groundbreaking as the sphere walking and gravity changing features in Super Mario Galaxy. From the videos I've seen, it just looks plain awesome - and the music is a ton better than the rock and roll garbage we've gotten in current sonic games.

Does anyone else agree with my setiment for Xtreme?

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Video Game Chat / Re: How is Sonic "Cool"?

« on: July 16, 2008, 07:58:49 PM »

Warning: An actual on topic comment is approaching. :P

1. At least Mario is DECENT ENOUGH to wear clothes. Some characters in the Mario Universe do not, but not EVERY SINGLE ONE refuses to wear clothes.

2. Mario is not trying to be cooler then Sonic. Sonic comes out, advertising how "Cool!" he is. If anything, Mario is cooler then Sonic.

3. Sickening cross-species romance that does not let go, at least the Mario games do not continually announce Bowser's issues the entire game.

This fails on all three accounts. First of all, you undid reason number one yourself, because as you stated, some mario characters do not wear clothes. Besides, Sonic is an animal, and animals naturally do not wear clothes. Mario wears clothes because he's a human, and humans are expected to wear clothes in public. Why is this so hard to understand? One other thing: not all sonic characters go around without clothes - look at Amy, Cream, and Eggman.

Reason number two is not Sonics fault. Sonic doesn't constantly go around saying that he's cooler than Mario; it was the Sega marketing reps. that said that in all the obnoxious commercials in the 90's. True, Sonic's generally a cocky character, but that's only been more pronounced in the modern incarnation of Sonic - which we all can agree isn't as cool as classic Sonic.

And number three isn't much of a problem when you consider that most species in the Sonic games look very similar. You're also wrong about Bowser and Peach - in Super Paper Mario, Bowser constantly tried to hit on Peach, and they even got temporarily married, for crying out loud! And don't forget that the Mario series has something that the Sonic series doesn't - gender confused characters and same-sex romance! (At least possibly in Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga)

Anyway, Sonic is cool with me. His games are unique, and even the 3-D games don't try to copy Mario's adventures like certain other cartoon mascots... *coughcrashcough*

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Video Game Chat / Re: Nintendo introduces Wii MotionPlus for Wii

« on: July 16, 2008, 07:42:42 PM »

Wii Sports was nothing more for me than a distraction before I got my first real game two days later. I never even play it now at all. (and for those who are wondering, I didn't get a real game right away because of my extremely limited budget.)

I honestly don't mind the idea of a motion sensor improvement device, since I understand how perfecting new technology takes time. If they pack it in with a cool game, I'll probably buy it eventually. :)

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Video Game Chat / Re: E3 Disscussion

« on: July 16, 2008, 07:37:20 PM »

I've recently heard H.A.M.M.E.R.(time) has been reconfirmed. I'd really love to get my hands on disaster, and it seems to still be in production but they sure are taking a long time. Also, Nibris said they would finish Sadness by Fall '09

If that's true, great! I thought Project H.A.M.M.E.R looked like it had a lot of promise, and if it does get released, I bet it will be a lot of fun. Finally, a beat-em-up that actually uses extensive motion control and does it right! Although, with the Force Unleashed coming to Wii, we may not have to wait as long for that kind of a game. :)

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Video Game Chat / Re: E3 Disscussion

« on: July 16, 2008, 04:25:22 PM »

Well, all I know is that the Super Mario Galaxy Wikipedia article has links to info from Famitsu and Gamespot that really seems to confirm that Miyamato at least wants to make a sequel. Since it's not just info without sources, I'm willing to believe that we may see a sequel within the next two years. :)

Seriously though, I'm really disapointed with how Nintendo seems to be neglecting a lot of its core series in favor of gimmick titles like Wii fit, Wii Music, and others - not to mention allowing the Wii to be a haven for piles of shovelware. I mean, look at how the core series are standing:

Mario - Galaxy, and a sequel, along with all the necessary spin-off titles. No suprise here, but it's still good.
Donkey Kong - The abomination known as Barrel Blast doesn't count, and the rumored 3-D Donkey Kong platformer hasn't been mentioned since the Wii was first revealed. Come on, we need more respect for the Kongs than this!
Wario - WarioWare: Smooth Moves and Wario Land Shake. The latter was a welcome supprise, and I have high hopes that if this does well, we will see more of classic Wario (who I prefer to new wario).
Legend of Zelda - Yes, we get an awesome zelda game. But we only get one - and basically every nintendo system to date has had at least two big Zelda games. Seriously Nintendo, we need something better than Link's Crossbow Training!
Metroid - One awesome game, and nothing else. Yes, Metroid rarely ever has more than one or two games on each console, but the Prime series was so good that I'd love to see more 3-D metroid. Even a 2-D title with 3-D graphics would be cool.
Pokemon - Just Battle Revolution, which was extremely average, even for Pokemon. I want to see more than that and a silly Wii Ware game, Nintendo!
Starfox - Nothing, unless you think that having three star fox characters in Brawl is enough. This isn't good at all.
Kirby - Again, nothing. Where's my 3-D kirby platformer, Nintendo?
F-Zero - Nothing, nadda, nope. How long is it going to be before Captain Falcon starts pwning Samurai Goroh and Black Shadow on the race course again?
Pikmin - Can you say nothing? Grrr, this is getting really tiring!

So, overall, only Mario and his alter ego are getting any great representation. Others like Zelda and Metroid at least have one title, but a console like the Wii needs more than that. Even worse is the fact that a lot of the main series aren't getting any representation at all!

I really wish Nintendo would run the Wii machine like they are running the DS. The Dual-Screen has a lot of gimmick games, yes, but it also has a neverending supply of awesome games as well - plus representation for almost every series listed above. The Wii just doesn't seem to have as many stand out titles or as good representation as the DS, which is really disapointing. :(

111

Mario Chat / Re: What would the next big Mario game be like?

« on: July 16, 2008, 03:40:36 PM »

It was good until the whole "Only use a certain suit in one or two levels" part.  I would much rather have universally practical suits/powerups that make the game easier or are necessary for finding all the secrets than just progressing through the main level...

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You have a point. However, I personally would like a combination of both universally practical suits (like the hammer suit) and suits that only help in certain places (like the frog suit and Boo suit). I mean, even a powerup like the Mega Mushroom isn't useful in absolutely every level - on Stage 1-1 of NSMB it's wonderful, but on stage 1-2 it isn't nearly as much of a help because of the cramped conditions. I think there's a balance - because if every powerup always saved you from death, the games would be too easy. ;)

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Mario Chat / Re: What would the next big Mario game be like?

« on: July 16, 2008, 10:38:25 AM »

Dude, continuity and Mario don't mix.

Technically, yes. However, I think Trainman's thinking more along the lines of "a mario sidescroller with references to a ton of previous mario games." That way, we can have some general continuity without having to make a super-complex timeline of mario events.

Some more ideas along that line would could be: a jungle level set on an island like Cortez's in Paper Mario TTYD. On the beach you could see Rogueport in the far distance, and as you went through the level you'd find the jungle with Putrid Piranhas, the famous rope bridge puzzle, the entrance to the pirate fort, and the pirate fort itself. You could also have a level set on the Isle Delfino, with Delfino Square as a background, Pianta park in the far distance, and Mount Corona looming over part of the level. The ideas are endless!

I think a cool thing to do would be for Nintendo to make a giant mario sidescroller for the Wii that takes elements from the 3-D games and RPGs. You'd have the Mushroom Kingdom as a hub, where you'd set off to all the other worlds - unlocking worlds as you beat bosses and saved villages. In each world there would be a village with a shop, inn, and other buildings. The health system would be a combination of the regular sidescroller system and the healthbar of Super Mario Galaxy. You'd start off full size, but if you lost two points you'd turn into small mario, who isn't as strong as regular mario.

There would be a TON of different powerups and items - including ones from Super Mario Galaxy and NSMB - but only a few standard ones that appeared in every world. Most would only appear in one or two worlds - ie. the frog suit would only appear in the water world, the Boo suit would only appear in Ghost Houses, and so on. Mario would start off with his jump move, but as he earned coins he would be able to buy new moves like the wall jump, ground pound, spin, and high jump. There would be a lot more worlds than in regular mario sidescrollers - I'm thinking at least 12 or 13 - and each would have a large world map with secrets and alternate paths. Oh, and the difficulty would start out easy, but get really hard by the end - instead of always staying around the same level like NSMB.

If Nintendo did a game like that, I would cry tears of happiness. :)

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Mario Chat / Re: What would the next big Mario game be like?

« on: July 15, 2008, 04:27:42 PM »

Well every game should look like or better than galaxy now or Brawl.

Mario Kart Wii- Too much like a desaturated Double Dash (but fun nonetheless.) I think MKWii could've easily looked like Galaxy, at least.

Strikers series- Awesome, actually a concept of time because there are actual shadows and some places are set in the evening, basically. I really, really, hate generic round or dodecagonal shadows under EVERYTHING besides Mario. Also, Mario has a more serious kind of attitude, always looking likes he ****ed/he's a lot cockier, which is cool. (Use that in the next Mario)

I've always envisioned a Mario side scroller that goes like kill-a-guy extreme old-school bringing back everything from the old ones but looking like Brawl (Mushroomy Kingdom, folks) minus the wasteland look. I'd save it for a SMB3 World 2 type thing. Basically, take NSMB, Wii it up, make it cooler, take out those weird, new shell enemy thingies in world 5, and make it about 75 times harder and longer.

Grass is actually blowing in the wind, question blocks glow and illuminate things around them, especially in an evening or night level. In the night it'll be clear enough to see galaxies from SMG or see star bits. You might see Rosalina and the observatory rocket by (don't give me the "she only comes once in 100 years" crap because she's apparently chillin' at Mario's house or the observatory since she's in Mario Kart). Give a sense of time going by!! The smiling clouds in the background should look real and start transforming into cumulonimbus clouds thus turning into an angry face and have a storm happening in the distance (Thank God for SMRPG and MK:SC for bringing them rain for once); have a rainy level for once! The storm could come by and drench you, graze you, completely miss you, etc. When you hit blocks they blow a bit of dust out and crumble to the ground rather than turning into 4 little blocks and falling into the "boyfriend box" (heard from a post long ago). You should see houses, tracks from Mario Kart in the distance, old levels set up in the background, questions blocks and music not blocks floating about in the background (just like the SMW cartoon). Whatever object you're going to encounter on the mini-map (toad house, etc.) should show up in the background when you get to towards the end of the level that precedes it. For example, NSMB- when you go to a warp cannon, the world shown has the corresponding level background for it, which is enjoyable.

Music- All the oldies and some new ones but orchestrated with a beautiful concert feel, i've always like violin parts in mario stuff. do it again!

Tons more ideas, but I've typed too much and forgot some, but you catch my drift.

I would love something just like that - except that if it was 75 times harder than NSMB, it would basically be Lost Levels on a gallon of steroids. I don't think very many fans would play that for more than a few minutes. :P

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Mario Chat / Re: Is Super Mario RPG overrated?

« on: July 15, 2008, 04:23:12 PM »

liked that, actually. SMRPG presumably takes place in a different area of the Mushroom Kingdom than in previous games, so new species and and enemies were invented. I also like it just for the sake that they're original-a small problem I have with Chapter 1 in the first two Paper Mario games is that most of the enemies are the generic Goombas, Koopas, etc. (TTYD did somewhat better, though, with the Bristles and such).

I don't see what's the problem with having goombas and koopas as begining enemies - since they're the lowest of bowser's underlings, they work great as the begining enemies you face.

My problem with SMRPG isn't that it was being original. Paper Mario TTYD managed to be original while staying familiar as well. There were the mugger Piantas, the pirate bomb-ombs, and others like Grubba. They all feel at home in the mushroom world, and I really wish that SMRPG had more familiar species along with the new ones - it really doesn't have that many at all compared to all the other Mario RPG's (excluding Super Paper Mario).

I'm not trying to defend it, but Super Paper Mario took place in a different dimesion than the 'regular' one.

Also, Tubba Blubba wasn't really unique. Have people forgotten about the little guys called Spikes that through spiked balls at you in SMB3? The Clubbas of the PM games resemble Spikes alot

I know - it's just that I didn't like that. And I agree that the actual design of Tubba Blubba isn't unique, but I really like his personality. A big monster that eats ghosts and hides his heart in a windmill is pretty original to me. :)

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Mario Chat / Re: Is Super Mario RPG overrated?

« on: July 14, 2008, 03:43:55 PM »

Yes, we need a Paper Mario game on a handheld - which is why I'm hoping that the rumored Paper Mario DS is for more than just Korea.

On another note, there's actually other things that I take issue with in SMRPG besides the ones I've mentioned. For one thing, I really dislike that there are so many brand new characters in the game that don't even resemble older species. Characters like Croco, Bowyer, Smithy, Mack, and others don't really feel quite at home - and I hate how so many of the enemies are unique to this game. What's with K-9, Frogog, Shadow, Spookum, Starcruster, Snapdragon, Amanita, and so on? Note that this problem is not exclusive to SMRPG - I also dislike that Super Paper Mario had so many weird character additions.

Another problem is that I honestly don't see what's so special about some of the unique main characters. People say that Geno is so cool, but to me he just sounds like an average powerful hero character in all of his dialogue. Mack, Punchinello, and other bosses also are really generic, although some like Bowyer and Booster are a lot better.

Personally, I like the unique characters from Paper Mario a lot better. Goomba King, the Ninja Koopas, Tubba Blubba, General Shy Guy, Tutankoopa, and most of the unique bosses were really cool, and each had a funny personality. :)

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Mario Chat / Re: Is Super Mario RPG overrated?

« on: July 13, 2008, 05:35:45 PM »

The only true thing I dislike about SMRPG isn't the game itself, but the fact that some of its fans are just too loud. I'm not trying to insult anyone, but the whole petition thing about Nintendo remaking SMRPG for the GBA/DS/whatever, the sequel petition...I don't think we really need that stuff. I would like a Virtual Console release, though, just so people who haven't experienced it before can play it.

I totally agree. Even though I said that I think SMRPG is overrated, it doesn't mean that I deny that it has any merrit at all. It should most certainly get a Virtual Console release - just Smash Brothers, Earthbound, and all the other classic games that haven't been released yet.

But a sequel? If they made one, I wouldn't complain, but there are other things that are higher priority for me right now - like a sequel to New Super Mario Brothers. :)

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Mario Chat / Re: Is Super Mario RPG overrated?

« on: July 13, 2008, 11:54:07 AM »

You Really Don't Get The Point.™

Or maybe it's just that you and I have totally different tastes in video games. Which, BTW, isn't bad.

The whole reason I really started this topic was because I was wondering how revered SMRPG is today. I remember reading old mailbags here that kept having people writing in on how SMRPG was the best game ever, and it looks like it's still a lot like that today. I respect people if they like the game so much, but I think it's a bit rude to claim that I don't get the point just because I don't like the game.

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Mario Chat / Re: Is Super Mario RPG overrated?

« on: July 11, 2008, 11:11:26 AM »

It's a good game, but perhaps a tad overrated. However, I think that Geno really is overrated. I find the fans that whine about him not being in SSBB to be rather annoying.

Eh, I'm voting "Somewhat."

Oh yeah, that gets really annoying. I remember reading old mailbags that kept clamoring for the return of Geno - as if he was the greatest Mario character ever. Come on!

In a perfect RPG, level grinding would only come as punishment for those fools who do not follow the rule of RPGs: Kill every enemy you see. Ever. Unless it's inaccessible, like those times you see New Age Retro Hippies and Annoying Old Party Men generate on those clifftops between towns. Most RPGs require more than that, and some are just too easy or, like the Thousand-Year Door, become really easy when you master the battle system.

Well, that's what I do as well. Problem is, when you've killed 20 or 30 of the exact same enemy, you're less inclined to kill even more of that enemy. :\

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Mario Chat / Re: Is Super Mario RPG overrated?

« on: July 10, 2008, 01:55:47 PM »

No, they're not.
You guys should never play any RPGs if you think SMRPG is monotonous. It actually has a very well crafted game engine with great control (unlike Paper Mario's sludgefest) and fighting a squad of enemies hardly takes any time anyway. If you don't fight enemies, how are you going to level up? And why complain about a Much More Fun Than Paper Mario battle system? And how does Paper Mario have a greater variety of enemies per location? (It doesn't. Fighting the same type of enemies in a given area is what happens with all RPGs.)

Sludgefest? Much more fun than Paper Mario? Come on - Paper Mario isn't boring at all! And IMO, the battle system in Paper Mario is simply amazing - the best I've ever played in an RPG. This is partly because it relies totally on strategy and barely at all on luck (and the latter makes battles rely to much on chance and less on sound battle plans), and also because executing attacks and special moves is a lot more satisfying.

Keep in mind, this is my opinion, but I know I'm not the only one who thinks that. ;)

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Mario Chat / Re: Is Super Mario RPG overrated?

« on: July 10, 2008, 07:30:36 AM »

Couldn't that describe pretty much any RPG?

Well, maybe somewhat. However, the Paper Mario series is totally different - there's a ton of fun puzzles in the games, and the enemy fights are a lot more fun, IMO. The main problem I have with SMRPG is that you always end up fighting one or two kinds of enemies in an area, and you fight them a ton of times. When I played the part with the shyguys invading Toad Town and Peach's castle, I fought at least 20 sets of two or three shyguys. All exactly the same - which got very boring.

Paper Mario, on the other hand, has more of variety in the enemy fights - and there aren't as much of them, which makes it less monotonous.

Insert Quote
But keep in mind that Super Mario RPG was essentially the first RPG to require you to do anything for special moves.

True. Actually, I don't really mean that SMRPG is a bad game. For its time, it was revolutionary. I just personally think that it hasn't aged as well as other mario games - with exception to the great storyline.