Slashdot Mirror

Matt writes "It seems Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has once again spoken out, in a talk to the Japan Economic Foundation, and GameCube Advanced has the highlights. Iwata downplays online gaming, citing the example of a PS2 golf sim which outsold its online counterpart [is this Minna No Golf Online, aka Hot Shots Golf Fore!, versus its prequel?] Also, Iwata speaks about Nintendo working with other non-Japanese companies (saying 'We are now holding negotiations with major Western game developers and will be able to conclude a deal by the end of the year if things go smoothly'), and about takeover speculation regarding Bandai [vague talk of 'a closer relationship'.] In addition, he warned again that the status quo in videogames is in jeopardy... 'We are facing a critical situation, in which the number of game players will decrease unless we change tack', Iwata said."

Thanks to Tokyopia for pointing out the Japanese debut of a novel based on cult PlayStation 2 title ICO, as created by "Japan noir" author Miyuki Miyabe. There's discussion of the book's contents over on GameFAQs, with a reader explaining the plot as involving "the village Ico comes from, their rituals and beliefs, and the birth of Ico... [and then includes] the game part... then an epilogue about what happens to the two [after the game]", and noting "It sounds like [Miyabe] asked for permission to write the novel", as opposed to vice versa. The discussion also warns the book shouldn't be confused with an Italian-language non-fiction analysis of ICO from Ben Mottershead, due out in September.

Thanks to Tokyopia for their article arguing that music may be more important than graphics for the most enduring videogames. The author, apparently a "a renowned game music composer who would rather remain nameless", argues: "In going back to look at a few rare [older] videogames that still [have lasting value] today, it struck me that the graphics have almost always dated horribly, but the music - almost without fail - still succeeds. At worst, old music elicits a smile. At best, a full on emotional connection that really enhances the game." He then references Sega's NiGHTS Into Dreams and Namco's Ridge Racer Type 4 as titles which benefit from this connection, concluding: "Over time, a game's graphics will inevitably be relegated to being the mere nuts and bolts of the experience. The basic structure around which the all important game play is wrapped. But the music? The music is our emotional connection. It's the experience. And it plays forever."

Thanks to Tokyopia.com for their in-depth impressions of Konami's Winning Eleven 7 for PS2, the latest in the highly acclaimed soccer game series. The reviewer is disappointed that "..while the summer has been filled with a flurry of high-profile transfers, none are actually in the game. So David Beckham still plays for Manchester United", but loves the "different and fresh dynamic" which still has many rating it higher than its main rival, EA's FIFA series. Japanese gamers seem to like Winning Eleven, too - the latest software sales figures, courtesy GamePro, show that it sold a massive 600,000 in its first week, three times as many as a still-impressive debut for Final Fantasy:Crystal Chronicles.

Thanks to Tokyopia.com for their article showing a massive Tokyo skyscraper with Space Invaders projected on the side of it, as part of Taito's celebrations for the 25th Anniversary of the all-time classic shooter. The special Anniversary Edition is being re-released for the PlayStation 2, and the remake has some interesting features: "You are in a 3D room... [and] can adjust the camera... [to] have the view you would have probably had if you were actually sitting at a real table top. While you play you can hear sounds coming from the other machines in the room." Special editions of the game also come with a classic tabletop controller, as Slashdot Games reported a few weeks back.

Thanks to Tokyopia.org for posting their spoiler-free post-game impressions from Silent Hill 3, the 'survival horror' PS2 title from Konami that's already been released in Japan and Europe, and is out in the U.S. on August 6th. The piece says that "The third game combines the tone and feel of the first game with the stronger emotional intensity of the second", but reassures on the creeping nature of the in-game horror: "Don't worry: the game hasn't devolved into cheap monster-jumps-through-window style gimmicks, a la Resident Evil. It's a more subtle 'shocking' and 'directness' than that... the pieces of Silent Hill 3 build slowly towards a sort of incoherent panic. The tension rises bit by bit.. [until] the player.. snaps and goes on a blind, unthinking rampage of running and shooting in cathartic self-defense."

Cacophanus writes "There's a rather comprehensive review over at Tokyopia for Sega's upcoming release 'Dennou Senki Virtual On Marz' for Playstation 2. It is worth mentioning that the game isn't released in Japan until this Thursday (29th), so have a gander on how the latest (non-Sega hardware) incarnation fares, especially considering that the game lacks any TwinSticks (the regular interface for the series)." There's a good fansite for this cult mech one-one-one fighting/action game series at Virtualon.net, too.

Cacophanus writes "There's a rather comprehensive review over at Tokyopia for Sega's upcoming release 'Dennou Senki Virtual On Marz' for Playstation 2. It is worth mentioning that the game isn't released in Japan until this Thursday (29th), so have a gander on how the latest (non-Sega hardware) incarnation fares, especially considering that the game lacks any TwinSticks (the regular interface for the series)." There's a good fansite for this cult mech one-one-one fighting/action game series at Virtualon.net, too.