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New PS3, Wii, 360 Downloadables Announced

360 gamers have Lost Planet to look forward to this week, but PS3 and Wii owners have things to smile about as well. Today's virtual console game releases feature the Hudson classic title Dungeon Explorer, as well as the shmup Gradius and the sidescrolling shooter Soldier Blade. PS3 owners will get six great downloadable titles sometime 'in early 2007', courtesy of Midway and Sony Online Entertainment. "The six games announced in the deal are Mortal Kombat II, Gauntlet II, Joust, Rampage World Tour, Rampart, and Championship Sprint. Sony Online said those titles were chosen specifically for their multiplayer components, as the company is adding online play for all six." Update: 01/08 22:32 GMT by Z : Oops. Missed Ms. Pac-Man on XBLA this week.

124 of 151 comments (clear)

  1. PS3 Demos are Great So Far by Dr+Kool,+PhD · · Score: 1

    Gran Turismo HD and Motorstorm demos are both outstanding, I spent a couple of hours playing each. Also Tekken 5 is available for Japan and Hong Kong accounts (USA users can create a new user account to download). About $15 USD for the download, it's definitely worth it if you can get passed the non-English menus.

    1. Re:PS3 Demos are Great So Far by fistfullast33l · · Score: 1

      I agree. All of the demos are fun at least for the small part that you can play them. I downloaded the GripShift demo last night and am looking forward to playing it when I get home from work today. And even F1 is great, but I really want to get better at racing without the aids.

    2. Re:PS3 Demos are Great So Far by Total_Wimp · · Score: 1

      Does anyone know the status of steering wheels for the PS3? I saw that Gran Turismo will take a few logitech steering wheels, but I haven't checked if they're PC wheels or proprietary to the PS3. Also, I haven't seen a steering wheel option in any of the other demos.

      TW

    3. Re:PS3 Demos are Great So Far by Duds · · Score: 1

      Wait can I just check something here. They're charging $15 for demos?

      I mean to be fair they charged us UK people $50 for the demo of GT4 (by calling it "Prologue" rather than "demo") but sheesh!.

      Please tell me I'm wrong.

    4. Re:PS3 Demos are Great So Far by Khuffie · · Score: 1

      $15 is for the full version of Tekken 5. Demos are obviously free :)

    5. Re:PS3 Demos are Great So Far by Duds · · Score: 1

      Just checking, like I said they've done this to us before.

    6. Re:PS3 Demos are Great So Far by Total_Wimp · · Score: 1

      Demos(Motor Storm): Free
      More advanced demos they refer to as "concepts" (Gran Tourismo): Free
      Classic games(Crash Bandicoot): about 6 bucks
      First run downloadable games(GripShift for PS3): about 10 bucks
      First run on store shelves(Resistance): about 60 bucks (obviously)

      I've played all categories, plus a bunch of PS2 tiles, and they're all fun. I love the new stuff, like Resistance, but why not play the old stuff and the demos too?

      I can see how some people might think it's a waste to spend $600 to play old games, but I see it more as versatility. If I bought a fancy high-end, stainless steel oven, I'd expect it too do a great job cooking a delicate souffle, but I'd be pretty disappointed if it wouldn't also bake a Betty Crocker cake mix.

      I think all the consoles have this kind of service now, and I'm quite happy this is the direction the industry has gone. We're going to get a lot of variety out of our systems instead of just being directed to the store to pay $60 for everything.

      TW

  2. Re:Still can't find a Wii though... by Oz0ne · · Score: 1

    Same problem here. Though for some reason the target nearby regularly has a handful of PS3's available.

  3. Argh!! by WidescreenFreak · · Score: 4, Interesting

    WHY is Nintnedo delaying the release of Super Mario Bros. 3 and more N64 titles in favor of a lot of the old 8-bit games that (let's face it) not many of us are waiting for? Compatibility problems? Artificial inflation of demand? Not that this list for the VC is all that bad -- hmmm.... Gradius -- but I'm not really looking to spend more Wii points just for the sake of spending Wii points.

    Mario, Mario, wherefore art thou a game that Nintendo dost sit upon?

    --
    The Overrated mod is for reversing inappropriate, positive mods, not for voicing disagreement with a post.
    1. Re:Argh!! by kannibal_klown · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Some of those games were released as Gameboy Adv or Nintendo DS games. So they have the fiscal dilemma: release a game for $3-$5 USD when they are still trying to sell those games for $20-$30 elsewhere.

    2. Re:Argh!! by HappySqurriel · · Score: 5, Insightful

      To maximize the interest in the Wii Shop channel, and to maximize their profit on each game, Nintendo is being very careful not to release too many of their biggest games at a particular time. If Nintendo releases one of their major classic titles every 6 to 8 weeks you will likely download it, play it until you complete it or get bored, check out the Wii shop channel every week for 4 to 6 weeks (and possibly buy 1 or 2 lesser known games), and when they release their next big game the cycle continues. If every game was available from the start, or they released too many big games at once, you'd likely buy a bunch of games and not look back at the Wii shop channel for months (or possibly years).

    3. Re:Argh!! by maynard · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I care about the 8-bit releases. I'll probably spring for a Wii once the old NES standard Bionic Commando becomes available. If only for my own nostalgia. There are lots of great 8 bit games out there. Hey Nintendo, want to make me happy? How about an Atari 800 emulator too? I'd love to play Necromancer again...

    4. Re:Argh!! by twistedsymphony · · Score: 1

      yup... I had bought Super Mario 64 DS as a christmas gift, then when I saw it had been released on the Wii VC, I returned the $30 DS game and got a $20 Wii points card + some other stuff. Super Mario 64 not only plays better on the Wii it's only $10. Meaning the rest of the points could easily be used for something else.

    5. Re:Argh!! by Purity+Of+Essence · · Score: 1

      As much as I liked it "back in the day", Necromancer is not as good as you remember it. Four player M.U.L.E. on Atari is another matter ... and the single best reason to get a Dreamcast.

      --
      +0 Meh
    6. Re:Argh!! by maynard · · Score: 1

      I have to admit, I haven't played Necromancer in a loooong time... but I do have fond memories. I have a couple of 800s sitting in my basement, as well as a 5200. But the floppy drives (and God help the disks) are in bad shape. The 5200 does have a Star Raiders cart that I enjoy from time to time. Though the controller on that thing is hideous. One thing that's annoying about these old gaming systems is that they don't play well with modern HDTVs - especially the old Atari stuff, because many programmers would manipulate the scanline directly and assume a phosphor delay on the CRT that often doesn't exist any longer. *shrug*

    7. Re:Argh!! by Aladrin · · Score: 1

      I remember when I first played Bionic Commando, I thought it was the HARDEST game. I could only get about halfway through. (I found out how far later. At the time, I thought I was only a little ways into it.) A decade later, it was pretty easy, of course. It will definitely be on my 'buy' list for the VC.

      Others on my list: Super Mario Bros 2 and 3, Ghostbusters (1, not 2), and another game that I forget the name of, but played incessantly. (I'll know it as soon as I see it... It was something about a knight and ghosts. Kind of a side-scroller, but not really. Grr.)

      --
      "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
    8. Re:Argh!! by Chris+Burke · · Score: 1

      For the NES, Ghosts and Goblins, and for the SNES, Super Ghouls and Ghosts. The one where your default weapon was a lance that you threw, and if you got hit your armor fell off leaving you in your underwear. In particular Ghosts and Goblins was one of the most evil games I can ever remember playing.

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    9. Re:Argh!! by maynard · · Score: 1

      I hate to admit this but Alien vs. Predator was a freak'n amazing game. I've got that, along with a pile of old snes carts. And the snes, which still works great - it took one hell of a beating and never broke!

    10. Re:Argh!! by Aladrin · · Score: 1

      I already looked into that one, because I thought the game started with a G... But it doesn't seem to be it. I know I found it once as a ROM on the net, but that was like 5 or 10 years ago now.

      Another one that I REALLY like is Blaster Master, the original one. I dunno why, but I spent forever with that game.

      --
      "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
    11. Re:Argh!! by Andrew+Kismet · · Score: 1

      Ghosts and Goblins sprang to mind, but... are you talking about Gauntlet? That has too many damn Ghosts. VALKYRIE NEEDS FOOD.

    12. Re:Argh!! by i.of.the.storm · · Score: 1

      I'm thinking about getting the DS version because I've heard the graphics are actually better, there's some new content, and it's portable. I've yet to get a Wii, but my DS is happily replacing it for the time being. Of course, before that I've got Final Fantasy III DS and Tales of Symphonia for Gamecube lined up, and then Zelda when I do get a Wii.

      --
      All your base are belong to Wii.
    13. Re:Argh!! by LKM · · Score: 2, Informative

      Some of the models have more polygons on the DS version. On the other hand, the DS does not seem to do texture interpolation, which leads to moire patterns. Also, the N64 version had better analog steering. On the other hand, you get the minigames on the DS version, as well as a somewhat different story...

      I wouldn't say one is definitely better than the other. Get both :-)

    14. Re:Argh!! by Aladrin · · Score: 1

      Nah... Gauntlet was a different style. I already have it for the 360 anyhow. I always used to play the blue valkyrie, so the 'Blue valkyrie needs food badly' has rung through my head for the last couple decades. heh.

      --
      "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
    15. Re:Argh!! by steveo777 · · Score: 1

      Could be Wizards and Warriors. Or one of it's iterations.

      --
      This sig isn't original enough, it's time to come up with something witty...
    16. Re:Argh!! by Aladrin · · Score: 1

      YES! That's the one! Thank you!

      --
      "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
    17. Re:Argh!! by shoptroll · · Score: 1

      Agreed. There's enough little changes in the DS version to make it worth taking a second romp through the game. The four characters behave differently enough that there is some interesting choices to make in terms of who you use for a given level (although there are hats in the levels that allow you to temporarily change to a different character). The minigames are fun, but unlocking all of them can take some time if you don't know where to look.

      --
      Insert Sig Here
    18. Re:Argh!! by NonSequor · · Score: 1

      They're using virtual console releases to pad gaps between the release dates of highly anticipated Wii games. Expect to see the big virtual console titles released during months when there aren't any good Wii games being released.

      --
      My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.
  4. Re:ot: wii forecast channel by zarthrag · · Score: 1

    I keep plenty of room around my wii, and wiiconnect24 doesn't generate a whole lot of heat - it's at least cooler than my AP. Just leave it on, you ought to be fine ^_^

    --
    Why can't all fpga/microcontroller manufacturers just release free optimizing compilers???
  5. Re:I predict by Total_Wimp · · Score: 2, Interesting
    That sony will charge a mere $400/title for these downloadables.

    Actually it's kind of a nice price. I got Crash Bandicoot for the PSP for about 6 bucks and Grip Shift for the PS3 for about 10 bucks. I'm glad all the new consoles are offering downloads like this. It probably doesn't make sense to sell a disk consisting of a single old game for a cheapo prices, but it makes a hell of a lot of sense for a download. I pay more for two people to eat at Burger King than I did for Crash.

    TW
  6. Almost never heard of.... by Fozzyuw · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Dungeon Explorer, as well as the shmup Gradius and the sidescrolling shooter Soldier Blade

    Well, i've never heard of Dungeon Explorer or Soldier Blade, but DE seems like an interesting game, I might download that one. However, I'm still waiting for my Baseball Stars and Tecmo Super Bowl. =) I already got my Toe Jam and Earl, but I'm still crossing my fingers for Metal Warriors and waiting for Super Mario World (SNES).

    Boy, Nintendo is surely making a killing on these (expensive) download games ($5-10 for what? Converting a ROM?)

    Cheers,
    Fozzy

    --
    "The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth." ~1984 George Orwell
    1. Re:Almost never heard of.... by Rydia · · Score: 1

      And for testing, and royalties for non-nintendo system games.

    2. Re:Almost never heard of.... by elcid73 · · Score: 1

      It was an old game on the Turbo Grafix-16.

      Most people haven't even heard of the console let alone the games :)

    3. Re:Almost never heard of.... by seebs · · Score: 1

      Dungeon Explorer? I think that was a gauntlet clone for Sega CD, or something similar.

      --
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    4. Re:Almost never heard of.... by 7Prime · · Score: 1

      Not to mention ESRB ratings... which costs time and money.

      --
      Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
    5. Re:Almost never heard of.... by LKM · · Score: 1

      I bought Dungeon Explorer (it's already out in Europe). It's basically Gauntlet. It's kinda fun if you're playing with other people - mainly for its badness. It's definitely not a good game by current standards. Buy it if you often play with two or three pals. Don't if you don't.

    6. Re:Almost never heard of.... by LordKronos · · Score: 1

      Plus, I would bet that most people are getting their Wii points through a store rather than direct from Nintendo, and I have to imagine that the store gets a cut of that.....(searches).... according to this website retailers pay nintendo $17 for a 2000 point card.

    7. Re:Almost never heard of.... by Fozzyuw · · Score: 1
      Plus, I would bet that most people are getting their Wii points through a store rather than direct from Nintendo, and I have to imagine that the store gets a cut of that.....(searches).... according to this website retailers pay nintendo $17 for a 2000 point card.

      I've seen a Wal-Mart selling a 2000 point card for $21.99. I scawfed at thinking they're that stupid. At least other stores sell them for $19.99.

      Cheers,
      Fozzy

      --
      "The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth." ~1984 George Orwell
    8. Re:Almost never heard of.... by Fozzyuw · · Score: 1
      I bought Dungeon Explorer (it's already out in Europe). It's basically Gauntlet.

      Yup, I downloaded it last night. I can see it being more fun with others, but it's pretty crappy even by most action RPG standards. It reminds me a lot of Gauntlet, right down to monster generators.

      Cheers,
      Fozzy

      --
      "The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth." ~1984 George Orwell
    9. Re:Almost never heard of.... by Boogaroo · · Score: 1

      I've seen the same 2000 point card somewhere(wish I could remember) for $24.99. Ouch!
      With prices like that, I'd bet that the store will only sell a handfull of them.
      Pennywise and pound foolish.

  7. Preventing cannibalization; emulator bugs by tepples · · Score: 2, Interesting

    WHY is Nintnedo delaying the release of Super Mario Bros. 3

    Because Nintendo is still selling Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 for Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo DS's GBA compatibility mode.

    and more N64 titles

    Nintendo is selling N64 titles on the Nintendo DS.

    Compatibility problems?

    Could be part of it. I've read reports of sound being off. If the emulator used for NES games in Virtual Console is anything like the emulator used for NES games in Animal Crossing Population Growing for GameCube, then it appears that bug-for-bug compatibility isn't Nintendo's first priority. Specifically, the "killed by spark" sound on emulated Balloon Fight isn't nearly as buzzy as the sound on the NES cartridge version; it's more like a hum. If Nintendulator, Nestopia, and FCE Ultra on a comparably powerful PC (PIII 866 MHz, 128 MB RAM) can get it right, then why can't Nintendo's own emulator? Furthermore, Nintendo wants to avoid the problems that Konami has had where the two players on Contra for Xbox Live Arcade have got out of sync.

    1. Re:Preventing cannibalization; emulator bugs by StocDred · · Score: 1
      Because Nintendo is still selling Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 for Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo DS's GBA compatibility mode. Nintendo is selling N64 titles on the Nintendo DS.

      I agree with your sentiments, but that reply is a tad flip. The GBA version of SMB3 was released in October 2003, hardly a sales threat to a VC release and not even a blip on the DS scene. And the only N64 game on the VC - Super Mario 64 - was already released for the DS anyway! Looking at the DS library, I don't see a lot of straight N64 games on the DS that people would want on the Wii... as far as ports/sequels go, it's mostly SNES-style stuff (Castlevania) or new games with N64 graphics (Starfox Command).

      And then there's all those awful $20 NES retro-releases for the GBA... several of them are already on the VC, and I'll bet that by this time next year, ALL of those retro-releases will be on the Virtual Console. So Nintendo doesn't seem too terribly concerned about the GBA/DS stuff creating a sales conflict. They seem more interested in releasing everything twice (or more) in hopes you pay for it both times.

      The point is that distributing the games on a weekly trickles creates anticipation. It sucks, but that's marketing for you.

    2. Re:Preventing cannibalization; emulator bugs by El+Gigante+de+Justic · · Score: 1

      This made me think of one interesting point. There have been at least 3 slightly different version of most of the NES Super Mario games: the original NES version, the GBA version and the SNES version included in Super Mario All-Stars (along with Mario the Lost Levels). So, is Nintendo more likely to release the original versions ($15 for the 3 games), the enhanced SNES version ($8 for the 3 games) or some new version which includes enhancements from the GBA version ($8-10?). They really don't have to worry about the ability to save since VC has a built in save state ability, but the ability to have multiple saves on each game from Super Mario All-Stars could be appreciated by households with many gamers.

    3. Re:Preventing cannibalization; emulator bugs by 7Prime · · Score: 1

      Probably all three... why not? Many Mario afficianados would gladly buy all versions of SMB3. No reason to only release one. However... I don't see any plans to bring GBA games to the VC (although I'm sure it and GB/GBC are probably already built into the emulator), so it'll probably be some time (if ever) before we see Super Mario Bros. Advanced 4 (SMB3 for GBA) on the VC. I do wonder whether they'll asshole us and split up Super Mario Allstars into 4 different games. SMB3 is virtually an SNES game in style and gameplay, and the SMA version makes the game almost identical (from the standpoint of era) to Super Mario World, which they will probably eventually sell for $8. So, why not simply sell them individually? Maybe it's not worth it, for the bad press they'll get (VC isn't a billion dollar industry, afterall).

      Currently, they're keeping it all REALLY simple. You're not seeing any additional features, any game changes/updates in the slightest. I bet that down the line, we'll see online multiplayer... multitap emulation (Secret of Mana... wooohooo!), not to mention, they've not said, either way, whether or not they'll be releasing Japanese-only games over here, which would be VERY nice.

      --
      Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
  8. Turbo Grafix-16 by elcid73 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...you were ahead of your time with your color handheld game that took the same credit card sized game cartridges of as the regular console. I'll wax nostolgic about how I used to play Dungeon Explorer until the wee hours of the morning- on a quest for Natas.

  9. Re:Still can't find a Wii though... by ILikeRed · · Score: 1

    I got mine the first day (almost did not wait) and got the 8th to last unit - but still have not been able to get a second nunchuck!

    --
    I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress -J Adams
  10. True, but... by WidescreenFreak · · Score: 1

    That's very true and I'm not ignorant of that fact; however, there are a number of games, particularly in the SNES and N64 lineup, that I'm sure people are aching to purchase -- not including those who are aching to get their hands on a Wii, of course. (Maybe I should rephrase that. Anyway...) Considering the rather large library of games for those two systems alone, it's staggering that they're still holding out. It's not that SMB3 would be the only game that people would buy or that it has the highest demand of all of the games. But I believe that SMB3 would be one of their biggest VC sellers, which could then be used as that much more capital that can be applied to the conversion of other titles that are also in high demand.

    I'm at least fortunate that I still have an N64 that works just fine with about ten games for it, but that includes Mario 64, which is the only N64 game available on VC. So, I have no interest in purchasing the Wii version unless my N64 completely craps out. And for games that I don't have on the N64, I'd be more apt to purchase a VC version of an N64 game than a 10+ year old cartridge that could have gone through who-knows-what abuse from its previous user(s).

    --
    The Overrated mod is for reversing inappropriate, positive mods, not for voicing disagreement with a post.
    1. Re:True, but... by dagamer34 · · Score: 1

      What I'm thinking is that Nintendo is waiting for a much more established amount of consoles before releasing big games. If you just got a Wii a year from now and SMB3 were available, do you think that you'd buy SMB3 or a lesser known title instead? Nintendo's trying to create some breathing room for titles that aren't necessarily "must-haves" so that when those particular games do come out, other publishers have made some money. Plus, some games are no brainers as promotions. Randomly bundle a copy of SMB3 with Super Mario Galaxy and you can bet that game would literally be flying off shelves faster than you can say "Mama mia!".

  11. Re:ot: wii forecast channel by Purity+Of+Essence · · Score: 1

    If your Wii is overheating, it is defective. If your Wii is defective, don't be surprised when it doesn't work right. Get it replaced, or send it to me if you are unhappy with it.

    --
    +0 Meh
  12. Re:I predict by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Four HUNDRED not four DOLLARS. ...Do you work for Verizon?

  13. Re:True, but... The VC is a long term proposition. by trdrstv · · Score: 1
    That's very true and I'm not ignorant of that fact; however, there are a number of games, particularly in the SNES and N64 lineup, that I'm sure people are aching to purchase --

    You know they have to space out the goods. Considering they stated 1-4 downloads every week (despite Christmas having 5, I won't fault them for that :-> ) for around 10 VC games a month think about what that means. It may not seem like alot now, but 10 games a month = 120 games a year for a console with a 4-6 year life span (until we get WII or Wii mark 2) that is a HUGE amount of games.

    Wii will continue to see more games that utilize the Wiimote sideways (NES, Genesis, Turbo-16) since the user doesn't have to buy additional hardware, the files are small, and the back catalog is greater. I expect something like 1 N64 game per month, 2 or 3 SNES, and the rest for the NES, Genesis, Turbo-16.

  14. Re:Still can't find a Wii though... by necro2607 · · Score: 1

    Yeah, I managed to pick up an extra nunchuck & wii remote through Amazon, but now they are sold out as well.

  15. Gauntlet 2 eh? by Leviance · · Score: 1

    Good to see Sony is getting at least one good game on their machine. I loved playing Gauntlet 2 back when I was 6 with my brother.. We got up to around level 200 before we realized the game never ended. Pissed us off royally.

    Too bad I won't be buying a PS3. At least I can dig up the old NES sometime and play it ;p

    Green Elf, your life force is running out!

  16. Re:Some quality spin there by Kalriath · · Score: 2, Funny

    I especially liked how they barely mentioned the 360 releases. Everyone knows that Sony is god.

    --
    For a site about things like basic rights, Slashdot users sure do like to censor "dissent".
  17. No turbografix for Australians by kn0tw0rk · · Score: 2, Interesting

    As the original system was not released here :( I'm not sure why Nintendo wont release the games to Australian users. Any ideas?

    But you can get the games by changing your region to UK and then download. But the consumer shouldnt have to do that.

    --
    See my art -> http://herbevore.deviantart.com
    1. Re:No turbografix for Australians by trdrstv · · Score: 1
      But you can get the games by changing your region to UK and then download. But the consumer shouldnt have to do that.

      I had no idea you can do that. Do the Wii points still work? I'd be interested in picking up Fire Emblem from Japan... (with a US Wii)

    2. Re:No turbografix for Australians by Chuck+Chunder · · Score: 3, Informative

      Yes the Wii points work. The manual does warn that you may lose your Wii points by changing regions but so far that has not happened (I have "moved" to the UK twice, once to get Bomberman and once to get R-Type).

      Just to be safe I wouldn't do it if you had a lot of Wii Points in your account. There doesn't seem to be a discount for buying Wii Points in bulk so there is no reason to buy anything other than the smallest amount anyway.

      --
      Boffoonery - downloadable Comedy Benefit for Bletchley Park
    3. Re:No turbografix for Australians by Duds · · Score: 1

      That's not the reason. The UK never got the TG either yet apparently we get the games.

    4. Re:No turbografix for Australians by Mursk · · Score: 1
      What's worse is that, apparently, PAL games downloaded through the virtual console run in 50Hz only:

      http://www.pro-g.co.uk/news/06-12-2006-4221-1.html

      --
      "This thing does science so hard, you say, 'I've never seen that much science.'" -Sam
  18. Re:Some quality spin there by DarkJC · · Score: 4, Informative

    What? The downloading feature has definitely been used, for PS3 specific games, PS1 games released for PSP, game demos, and more. I'm not sure where you're coming from.

  19. Re:Still can't find a Wii though... by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    Well, at least I finally found some spare controllers. At the local Fred Meyer - not on the shelf, but behind the service desk (you had to ask them).

    Wasn't there an interactive map of where Wii consoles are (posted on slashdot a week or two ago)? Why not use that? And try places like Best Buy and K-mart too.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  20. Anybody download Dungeon Explorer... by mzs · · Score: 1

    that played it on an original TG16? Military Madness was a mess when you got to larger levels, slow scrolling with the sound cutting out. I want confirmation dorm someone before I d/l DE that the emulation is better than in military madness.

  21. Re:Some quality spin there by pl1ght · · Score: 2, Informative

    Yeah...been downloading arcade and demos and etc since day one release. Been playing Gran Turismo HD and Tekken 5: DR from their download service. Not sure what the OP is saying.

  22. Wii Comparison by SinGunner · · Score: 1

    Just out of curiosity, how many games do you guys have over there? In Japan we had 49 on the virtual console last week. I'm pretty sure we've had Gradius a long time. I'm not sure how many we have now.

    1. Re:Wii Comparison by crossmr · · Score: 1

      We're basically getting hosed with random stuff and the occasional big title. Japan seems to get everything first.

    2. Re:Wii Comparison by 7Prime · · Score: 1

      Eh, Japan has Link to the Past and Mario Kart 64, and maybe one or two other games. Now, both of those I would download in a HEARTBEAT, and I'm kinda upset that they still haven't released them here (there were many rumors of MK64 being released today, but obviously, that didn't happen). But aside from those, we've got pretty much the same lineup.

      I'm wondering that it has something to do with the fact that the GameCube was much bigger over there, so more people have the controllers to play SNES and N64 games. Releasing SNES and N64 games will sell a LOT of VCCs over here in the US, since adoption of the Wii by people who didn't have GameCubes is a lot bigger. VCCs are in incredibly short supply right now, so selling huge N64 and SNES titles would not sell ANY VCCs, and many fewer people would be able to play them. I was lucky in that I got a VCC at launch, and I also had a GameCube, so I have 4 Wavebirds sitting around... so I'm hungry for SNES and N64 games... but I guess I'll have to wait for another month or two, until VCCs start sitting on shelves.

      --
      Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
    3. Re:Wii Comparison by Mr.+Hankey · · Score: 1

      Just having returned from Japan, there also seemed to be more games outside of the virtual console. I could have picked up as many controllers as I wanted. Joshin Pit, Midori and Yodobashi camera all had them in stock. Out of the electronics stores I visited though, only Yodobashi-Umeda had the power supplies which is what I was after. I brought the US Wii along for my niece and nephews to try out, and of course the Japanese games wouldn't play on it so I could only look at the games that may never make it here.

      Incidentally, and even more off topic, we were far luckier with the DS as it's region-free. The dictionary app was an excellent purchase for me, and my wife picked up an English TOEIC preparation program. DQM: Joker isn't bad either, if you like pokemon-style monster fighting/RPG games. I wonder if it'll ever come stateside; as it is, it's entertaining Japanese reading practice if nothing else.

      --
      GPL: Free as in will
    4. Re:Wii Comparison by crossmr · · Score: 1

      Didn't they also have Super Mario Bros before North America? I seem to recall seeing shots of it online in Japan a couple weeks before it was out here?

  23. Re:True, but... The VC is a long term proposition. by El+Gigante+de+Justic · · Score: 1

    That is a huge amount of games, but when you figure that the combined library of N64, NES, SNES, Genesis and TB16 games (plus any additional platforms they may add later... maybe C64?) is far more than 480-720 games, they could speed things up a bit. For a lot of games, there's no point in holding off 3-4 years to release them. Most of the top-shelf games should come out in the first 12-18 months, if not sooner. I think the main delay in a lot of the iconic games like Mario 2 and 3, Super Mario World, Zelda 3, etc, is that they have all been rereleased for GBA within the last couple of years, and Nintendo would probably rather save those for months in-between the big first party releases, like Metroid Prime 3 and Mario Galaxy. What I would really like to see on the VC is a bigger mix of game styles, for example, it would be cool to see at least 1 RPG a month, along with all those platformers and puzzle games. Even though they've stated they don't plan on using the VC to bring over games never released in NA, I'm hoping they reconsider and bring over some of those that have had fairly large fan-followings in emulation circles. I would definately pay for an official release of Seiken Densetsu 3, and there are a bunch of other Square Enix games we never saw over here like Bahamut Lagoon and Dragon Warrior/Quest 5 and 6 (and they should release the earlier ones for NES as well).

  24. Re:Still can't find a Wii though... by TheSacrificialFly · · Score: 1

    try nintendo.com, they have remotes and nunchucks in stock, plus a flat $5 shipping which is nice.

  25. Re:Still can't find a Wii though... by shades66 · · Score: 1

    I keep being told by Game (UK Highstreet game store) that come feb there will be loads of wii's available or if I want I can find out at 8:30 if they are due any in that day (They keep getting the odd 2 or 3 every few days) and then wait until they are delivered which could be any time of the day the only problem having a job and my boss won't be too impressed if I don't turn up (and they won't let you reserve one as apparently that won't be fair to others that come in asking for the machine!!?!?!). On top of that I have had zelda & wii-play on order from play.com since october and they still haven't had the stocks to despatch them !

    --
    ---- There are 10 types of people in the world. Those that understand binary and those that don't
  26. Portability vs. permanence vs. resolution by WidescreenFreak · · Score: 1

    I don't have a DS and I'm really not inclined to get one just for those games, although my daughter does have a GBA.

    The problem with your argument (not that it's an argument, but anyway...) is that at least the DS and GBA are portable. The Wii is not. Anyone who has both a Wii and a DS/GBA need to decide for themselves which features are more important - the portability and expense of the DS/GBA with a small screen and lower resolution or the low cost but higher resoluion and permanence of the Wii.

    The two really are not in the same market. I can't take the Wii with me on a car trip or a waiting room or other places where a DS/GBA can be used, but I doubt that the GBA/DS would look anywhere near as good if connected to my 55" 16:9 TV via component running at 480p. So I don't see why recent releases of those games on DS/GBA should be a factor on whether or not to release them on the Wii.

    --
    The Overrated mod is for reversing inappropriate, positive mods, not for voicing disagreement with a post.
    1. Re:Portability vs. permanence vs. resolution by 7Prime · · Score: 1

      Well, it still will cut into GBA cart sales. Many people are getting the classic games on the GBA/DS because they can't get them on any other (legal) platform.

      Remember, the DS isn't just a portable platform, anymore, it fills a bit of the roll for a full-sized console as well (especially since it can do things that other full sized consoles can't). Quite a few people are getting DSs as their MAIN platform, which means that it WILL compete with the Wii in some cases... this is one of them.

      It is ironic that the only N64 game they've released is Mairo64, of which was also released on the DS. I would have thought something like MarioKart64 or Ocarina, something that hasn't been released on a handheld recently, would be the best choice. Although, MarioKart DS is virtually a port of MarioKart64 with new tracks, and there is already a working Wii compatable version of Ocarina (GameCube version), so neither of those are probably the best choices either. Still, Mario 64 was a very strange choice.

      --
      Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
    2. Re:Portability vs. permanence vs. resolution by Total_Wimp · · Score: 1
      Remember, the DS isn't just a portable platform, anymore, it fills a bit of the roll for a full-sized console as well (especially since it can do things that other full sized consoles can't). Quite a few people are getting DSs as their MAIN platform, which means that it WILL compete with the Wii in some cases... this is one of them.

      This is probably the main reason we don't see TV out ports on the DS and the PSP (a lot of people have bean clambering for a PSP TV out). They'd be more (cannibalistic) competition for the set-top consoles.

      I think the Wii has less to worry about because of the different unique controllers of it and the DS, but it would make a whole lot of sense to many more people to not buy a separate box if they could play their handheld on the big screen. I could definitely see the PSP cutting into PS2 sales for some people who would otherwise have both.

      TW
  27. Rampart by MilenCent · · Score: 1

    Ah, online Rampart at last, after all these years!

    I still wouldn't pay $600 for it, though.

    1. Re:Rampart by Maserati · · Score: 1

      It's not a system-selling feature, but adding online play to old multiplayer games is a Good Thing. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Joust wound up with a small but fanatical following online, I've been dragged into multiplayer matches and they turned into grudge matches very quickly. If I end up with a PS3 I'll probably pick up a couple of these. If Sony is smart (heh) they'll show you how many people are only currently while you're shopping for downloads (these days, that'd be patentable).

      How cool a gig would it be to update an old game and add a big feature ?

      --
      Veteran, Bermuda Triangle Expeditionary Force, 1992-1951
  28. Midway Classic Collections by Taulin · · Score: 1

    Midway has already put out several collections that include those games. I believe they are out for PS2 and Cube, so if the PS3 and Wii are backwards compatible, I don't understand why people are excited about titles like Guantlet 2 and Rampage since you can already get them for your system, and not waste HD space. I love retro gaming on my new 360, and can't wait to get the other systems, but if they are in a collection, I opt for that. The only problem with the 360 is its crappy compatibility, but I heard the Wii and PS3 are really good about that making those collections even more worth while in my opionion.

    1. Re:Midway Classic Collections by hurfy · · Score: 2, Informative

      Fair warning on midway collections....

      Skip the PC versions :(

      Starforce infested and sucky sucky controls. No steering wheel recognition for race games, no joystick for joystick operated games, etc. Annoying interface and bloated install. Very cheesy port of a port, some shareware ripoffs are better done. Maybe #1 was ok, but #2 sucked and #3 was worse.

      At least these guys can't possibly do any worse with the d/l games.

    2. Re:Midway Classic Collections by 7Prime · · Score: 1

      Wii/GameCube yes... PS2, no way... I bought the Sonic Collection for PS2 (because it included a bunch of GameGear games), and boy was I dissapointed, all the emulations were screwed up, sound was slow and out of sync, and I remember the GameCube version being completely flawless. I don't know about the Midway collection, but I've heard about other PS2 classic collections having problems, before.

      --
      Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
    3. Re:Midway Classic Collections by Total_Wimp · · Score: 1

      This is a great point. Lots of people screw up emulation. I got two different collections for the PSP (Midway and I forget the title of the other) , one was great, the other had issues.

      You have to think about how you're going to do this stuff with wide screen displays, different controls, etc. Thoughtful translators will take the original ROM and tweek it ever so slightly for those factors, like putting score displays on the side for wide aspect ratio. They'll give you the same tweaks, and maybe more than were available in the cabinate. The other folks will just throw a ROM on a disk and claim the job done.

      TW

  29. Re:I predict by Total_Wimp · · Score: 1

    I just reread my post. I didn't mean it in the way you took it, but I can see how it could look that way. When I said, "actually, it's kind of a nice price," I was referring to the actual price, not the "price he gave. oh well.

    I'm sure one of the three next gen consoles will have "the best" download service and one will have "the worst," but I just think it's cool that whatever you got, you should be able to download classic and new games for a good price, directly to your hard drive from the internet. It means they all kind of got it right.

  30. Re:Some quality spin there by Kris_J · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I'm coming from TFA:
    The first titles from the deal should be made available in "early 2007." Sony Online Entertainment also hinted that this would be only the beginning of the company's downloadable PS3 offerings.
    I read that as "no release date, in fact no downloadable games yet for the PS3 at all". I don't have a PS3 and since it isn't out locally nor do any of my friends, so I guess, yes, you could say I was uninformed, but that's why I ended with a question mark.

    Anyway, that's still the Wii's release vs the PS3's announcement with no firm release date.

  31. meh by DaSH+Alpha · · Score: 1

    don't care until there's free downloadables for the Wii...

    1. Re:meh by Krakhan · · Score: 1

      Well, there is the Opera browser for it that's available for free right now. I'd take a look at it, it's pretty neat for stuff like Youtube, Flash Games and such. However, it's a bit of a pain for browsing large discussion threads in slashdot, and for typing as well.

      However, hopefully there is some firmware update that will become available that will support forms of wire(d|less) USB keyboards. Then I'll actually be able to surf the web on a nice 40" TV. :)

  32. Re:I predict by The+One+and+Only · · Score: 1

    Did you get any of the Burger King Xbox 360 games while you were there? They're like 9 bucks.

    --
    In Repressive Burma, it's not just your connection that dies. slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=314547&cid=20819199
  33. An idea for Nintendo... by Bones3D_mac · · Score: 3, Interesting

    How about a trade-in program so those of us with the original NES/SNES/N64/Sega/NEC game cartridges can exchange the old physical game carts for their Wii virtual console counterparts? That way, these aging game carts can be collected at a centralized location and recycled (as in real recycling, not the "sprawl the toxic parts on the ground of a third world country" type). They could also offer such a service to recycle old consoles as well, and then credit the user 500-1000 points for each console they send in.

    15-20 years worth of games/consoles adds up to one hell of a lot landfill space.

    --


    8==8 Bones 8==8
    1. Re:An idea for Nintendo... by Pitr · · Score: 1

      Um... it's called Ebay. ;)

      --

      --Not to be worried, Pitr fix.
    2. Re:An idea for Nintendo... by Duds · · Score: 1

      Or they could actually let those of us who don't like emulation and actually prefer to play the game as designed have them rather than destroying parts of history just so you can get some money off a shit version of a game you already own.

      If you have the original carts, you could, you know, PLAY the original carts.

    3. Re:An idea for Nintendo... by geminidomino · · Score: 1

      Limited entertainment center space, man! Switchbox + PS2 + GCN + Xbox + N64 + Wii + DC + SNES... I don't even have room for my Genesis/SegaCD or my old toaster-NES! Have a heart, man!

    4. Re:An idea for Nintendo... by meringuoid · · Score: 1
      How about a trade-in program so those of us with the original NES/SNES/N64/Sega/NEC game cartridges can exchange the old physical game carts for their Wii virtual console counterparts?

      Let's see if I have this straight. In exchange for the 500 Wii points it costs to download Zelda, you propose that I hand over the cartridge? The gold one? The one that sells secondhand at the same price I bought it for some fifteen years ago?

      The phrase 'cold dead hands' springs to mind from somewhere.

      --
      Real Daleks don't climb stairs - they level the building.
    5. Re:An idea for Nintendo... by Duds · · Score: 1

      Then since you already legally own the games in this scenario, play them all on that xbox.

      If you're going to play emulated versions you might as well at least do it without paying a 2nd time and without destroying the old carts.

      I'm biased of course since the versions Nintendo foisted on the UK of these games almost univerally run 20% slower than they should do.

    6. Re:An idea for Nintendo... by walshy007 · · Score: 1

      you'll find the real cartridges are worth more in good condition than any of the virtual console downloads if you've chosen good games to invest in.

      years ago family decided to give away old nes games etc, and I've only recently tried to get some of the classics back, $70 for a used nes is the cheapest I can find... $15-20 per game...

      probably worth your while to find a game collector to sell to.

    7. Re:An idea for Nintendo... by tyroney · · Score: 1

      Too bad the VC games are tied to your specific console. If it were to give up, you would have permanently lost your collection.

  34. Re:I predict by buffer-overflowed · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Yea, those mean mean Sony haters.

    Nevermind that Slashdot has long been a bastion of Nintendo(lots of mid-20s -> early 30s tech people), and people who *dared* to buy the gamecube and to a lesser extent, the N64, took endless levels of shit for it just about everywhere from the exact same types of people that post the limited amount of pro-sony stuff on the tech sites. Add in a couple enormous missteps by Sony, the fact that this is principally an American site and America loves underdogs(which sony is not) and falls from grace(current Sony), and there's not a lot of love to spare for the company outside the people who honestly don't care about the whole scene(and are just exhibiting the engineer trait of being contrary for the sake of being contrary), and the diehard idiots.

    Sony, and their fanbase, really brought it on themselves. So either quit your bitching or uncheck the games section until the Summer, by which time it should have all completely burnt out(it already mostly has).

    --
    The key to the enjoyment of pop music is to replace any instance of "love" with "C.H.U.D."
  35. Re:ot: wii forecast channel by Karma+Sucks · · Score: 1

    Right. Turn it off and set it to standby then come back and tell me how much heat it generates. :)

    When it's on, the fan cools it down. When it's on standby the fan is off but the machine is still working so generating heat. When it's off then there is no fan and no heat.

    I don't want my machine to be permanently WiiConnect24 anyway.

    --
    (Please browse at -1 to read this comment.)
  36. not defective, by design by Karma+Sucks · · Score: 1

    In standby mode the fan is off but the machine is still working, so generates heat. It's by design and I don't like it. So I have WiiConnect24 activated, but not when it is off. Weather channel should still work.

    --
    (Please browse at -1 to read this comment.)
    1. Re:not defective, by design by MysticOne · · Score: 1

      No, I think yours really has something wrong with it. With WiiConnect24 activated and on standy, ours isn't even warm.

  37. Re:Still can't find a Wii though... by 7Prime · · Score: 1

    Fred Meyer??? Where you at, man? I'm in Fairbanks. I thought Freddy's was limited to Alaska; or is it all of the Pacific Northwest?

    Anyway, I picked mine up here at launch: there were 100 hundred at the store I was at, and 90 at the other one. It was 25 below that day and they reopenned at midnight. I got there about 10:40, and thankfully, they openned the doors and let us in the entry at a little after 11pm. I grabbed a VCC and Twilight Princess, and then a second Wiimote about 5 days later... but no Wii stuff seems to last more than 12 hours on the shelves. I hear they got a shipment of 30 Wiis the other day and they sold out in a matter of a few hours. I've never even seen a nunchuck, VCC, or Wiimote since. It's like launch, but every single day!

    I'd heard about how PS3s are being found on shelves in many stores, and I thought that this phenominon was isolated to the lower 48, but I was wrong. The same Freddy's where 30 Wiis are being snatched up in a matter of hours has had about 3 PS3s sitting on the shelf for over 4 days (according to the sales reps).

    --
    Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
  38. Re:Some quality spin there by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

    But the PS3 downloads have been shipped!

  39. Re:True, but... The VC is a long term proposition. by paedobear · · Score: 1

    They refuse to release VC games in a non-fucked up format in Europe - apparently they'll only let you experience games the way they were the first time - so there's no chance of newly translated games coming out...

  40. Re:True, but... The VC is a long term proposition. by 7Prime · · Score: 1

    I agree with what you're saying, especially about RPGs. I'm dieing for them to finally release some epic games. Although, there's a good business reason for them NOT to release them, which is that RPGs are usually a full-time deal, once you start playing them, you're more often then not, not going to touch other games for a good 30 hours (in the case of many SNES RPGs, that is)... and that possibly means Wii games. So, currently they're more inclined to release short, arcade-style games that won't interfere with sales of new Wii games. If they were to release, say Chrono Trigger or FF6 (the latter of which you won't see for a VERY long time, due to it's comming release on the GBA), they would likely see a fairly steep decline in sales of Wii games. I hope I'm wrong about this, as I'm a huge RPG gamer.

    As for a 6th console, I'd put my money on the Saturn, since it's only about half the power of an N64, and Sega seems more than happy to have their name on the VC. C64 is a bit too obscure, me thinks. My question is, is the Wii powerful enough to emulate a DreamCast? I'd LOVE to finally be able to replay a version of Grandia II that doesn't SUCK (ie: PS2 and PC versions). Also, why not original GameBoy/GBC? The GBAs life is almost over, and original GB games aren't compatable with the DS or GBA Micro, so it's not as if they're going to cut into sales at all. MAYBE they're planning on releasing a GameBoy player for the Wii, but even if that were the case, I'd highly doubt they would see any sales due to GB/GBC games.

    A few other things: all those consoles may have over 1000 games, but how many of them are good enough to sell? MOST video games are shelf warmers; think about how many GOD AWEFUL classic NES games there were. If you take only the games that are at least somewhat marketable, you're going to get a lot less. However, I think their ratio of top games is still annoyingly low. Do they really expect that the VC will still be a big thing in 3 years? Maybe... but if they don't release more games than they are now, people aren't going to be able to pay attention for 3 years. I don't think they should be trying to make money off of VC games, it's mostly just an incentive to buy Wiis. If, a year down the line, they have a library of, virtually, every known game on those 5 consoles, people are going to be buying Wiis simply for that... right now, VC isn't going to generate a lot of sales, because people don't really know what the future holds for it... not that Nintendo needs ANY more sales, right now. Maybe that's the thing, they're going to hold back VC games until they actually have Wiis to be sold.

    --
    Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
  41. Re:A chance to not play them again! by 7Prime · · Score: 1

    Yeah... since Nintendo seems so distracted by the VC that they can't do anything good anymore.

    Oh wait, they just released Zelda: Twilight Princess... scratch that.

    --
    Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
  42. Re:True, but... The VC is a long term proposition. by El+Gigante+de+Justic · · Score: 1

    One problem with either Saturn or Dreamcast is that the size of a download would be much to large. Internal flash on the Wii is 512 MB. Dreamcast discs could be up to 1GB. While it's a possible that the download for an emulator would be possible, the problem is that the games are not readily available, as most resale stores don't carry them anymore. I think we'd be more likely to see some sort of Saturn hits collection released by Sega than any downloadable Saturn or Dreamcast games.

  43. Re:True, but... The VC is a long term proposition. by Wdomburg · · Score: 1

    C64 is a bit too obscure, me thinks.

    The C64 still holds the crown as the best selling personal computer of all time. At about 30 million units (not counting the backwards compatible C128) it's certainly less obscure than the TG/16.

    (Never owned one myself. I was in the Apple II camp. :)

  44. Re:A chance to not play them again! by Duds · · Score: 1

    To be fair though, that's about the 15th Zelda game, it's not VERY new ip.

  45. Re:True, but... The VC is a long term proposition. by LKM · · Score: 1

    They can't release all games on all of these consoles. Nintendo doesn't hold the rights to most of these games. There's probably quite a bit of licensing and behind-the-scenes discussions/negotations involved.

  46. Re:Wouldn't pay $600 for it. by Duds · · Score: 1

    Then it's a good thing it costs less than a hundreth that then.

    Saying the game costs $600 because the console does it like me claiming it costs me £5500 to drive to work in the morning because that includes what I paid for the card.

  47. New titles by remmelt · · Score: 1

    I'm guessing you're in the USA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Virtual_Conso le_titles_(North_America)
    SMW will come out shortly. Lots more games for you than for us poor Europeans though...

    Also: SMB3! Duck Hunt, probably with the Wiimote as the gun? Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country...

    1. Re:New titles by xalres · · Score: 1

      Duck Hunt would be pretty cool. When I first got the system and took a look at the remote I started thinking about the possibility of someone making a gun casing for it. Maybe have a little lever action dealie that would hit the B button when you pull the trigger on the grip. I don't know why, but I would find it hard to aim without a pointer if I wasn't holding it like a pistol.

      --
      If whales learn how to use weapons we're all screwed!
  48. Ownership vs Lease by remmelt · · Score: 1

    The downloaded games aren't your property. When Nintendo decides it's over for you or changes the fine print or whatever, you're no longer able to play the game. If you sell the Wii, the games are gone. They're non-transferable, you're not able to back them up (I think?), you can't sell them on eBay.

    Conclusion: cartridges own VC games.

    PS. I just bought SMB and it totally rocks!

  49. Re:Wouldn't pay $600 for it. by geminidomino · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Then it's a good thing it costs less than a hundreth that then.
     
    Saying the game costs $600 because the console does it like me claiming it costs me £5500 to drive to work in the morning because that includes what I paid for the card. If there's absolutely nothing else on the system that he's interested in, then yes, Rampart online does cost him $606.

    Just like DarkAlex's 302OE-b cost me $154.
  50. Midway Collections on PSP is broken by LKM · · Score: 1

    The PSP version is pretty much broken. Rampart on the PSP is unplayable since the cursor moves so fast. Don't buy it.

  51. Re:Wouldn't pay $600 for it. by Duds · · Score: 1

    That's an unlikely scenario, especially as there are many cheaper ways to play Rampart.

    You could write off every game on the system as not being worth $600 but in reality the system costs is spread over all those $10-$60 games that ARE worth those prices.

  52. Re:I predict by Total_Wimp · · Score: 1
    Sony, and their fanbase, really brought it on themselves. So either quit your bitching or uncheck the games section until the Summer, by which time it should have all completely burnt out(it already mostly has).

    Translation: Stop crying, you just brought it on yourself. If those kids are too mean, just don't play with them.

    Dad? I didn't even know you read Slashdot. How's mom doing?

    I thought things would changed now that I've grown up, but I guess it's more of the same. Do you know where I could have insightful conversations with fair and thoughtful people? How about that girl with the "great personality," mom was always saying I should go out with? I know there has to be somebody out there. I should try the Kiwanis with you and mom? Do they talk much about tech? Sigh.

    TW
  53. Re:I predict by Total_Wimp · · Score: 1

    I hate replying to my own post, but I wanted to add that I sincerely believe a very large part of the Slashdot community brings, "insightful conversation with fair and thoughtful people," to their posts. The people who don't bring this style of conversation tend to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb, so it can sometimes feel like Slashdot has a problem instead of the individual posters.

    It would be nice if the modders tried a little harder to root out mean-spirited posts, but I don't think they always recognize them, especially if the bulk of the poster's comments track with their own thoughts. If I believe that product X is flawed, I might have a tendency to see a rant about product X as passing on good info, rather than just being a rant. Being mad about something doesn't necessarily make you a "troll" or your post, "flaimbait" either.

    I'm not sure if anything can, or should be done about this. I'm guessing "not civil," "personal attack," or "mean-spirited" mods would cause more problems than they would help. You can't force people to be nice. But it sure would be helpful if they tried harder to be nice all on their own.

    TW

  54. Re:I predict by Thansal · · Score: 1

    Actualy this is SOE bashing. Remember, EVERYONE can get behind SOE bashing!

    hehehe.

    I admit, I don't like sony products atm (though I do plan on buying a PS2 soon). However I have disliked SOE for a very long time, and for many good reasons (they tend to destroy most things they touch).

    What interests me is that these games are coming from SOE, I am rather sure that the PS is not under the wing of SOE, so why are they making games for it? (instead of continuing to piss of their MMO players :P)

    --
    Do Or Do Not, There Is No Spoon, There Is Only Zuul. Everything in the above post is probably opinion.
  55. Re:Still can't find a Wii though... by DaveTuck · · Score: 1

    Why not just give it a few days/weeks and try again, or look around online for one. Not having this console for a week or 2 isnt going to kill anyone, and is it really worth spending a night on the street?

    --
    Launch each 'sig'.
  56. Re:I predict by Total_Wimp · · Score: 1

    Nice. Great point. Though I don't think games developed as advertisements quite compare with classic game, I can't help but think that the two combined point to a very good trend in the gaming industry.

    It's not good to have all your content priced at $50 to $60. Hollywood movies did awesomely well on DVD primarily because they were affordable. Putting out more affordable content is going to get more people buying more games instead of having libraries of 3-5 games like a lot of people do.

    An inexpensive console, like the PS2 is now, nearly doubles it's price with just two first run games and only five "Greatest Hits" titles. For a whole lot of households, that's a very large burden. There were many times in my life where $50 represented big money, and even $20 made me think. Getting games into the price range of fast food will get a lot of people with modest incomes buying content more often, because they'll have that much spare money more often.

    BTW, the version of GripShift I got was a brand new version for the PS3, not a classic game. I think both are important, but I think the ability to get out new stuff in this price range, even like the Burger King Xbox games, is especially good for the industry.

  57. Re:True, but... The VC is a long term proposition. by Sketch · · Score: 1

    However, they would have to license titles from each game manufacturer individually...and there were a lot of them, since there was no need to make a licensing deal with Nintendo like there was with a NES/etc. I'm actually surprised they have a few third party titles in there, I figured they would have stuck to Nintendo licensed games at first (other than the other companies they presumably made licensing deals with - Sega and I assume the TurboGrafx16 people). My only question: where's Metroid?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Virtual_Conso le_games_(North_America)

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  58. Re:Wouldn't pay $600 for it. by tbannist · · Score: 1

    Not quite true, that'd be true if there were nothing else on the system he's interested AND there never will be, which seems "unlikely" at best.

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  59. Re:Some quality spin there by Total_Wimp · · Score: 1

    Lots of old PS1 titles for the PSP. One semi-big first run PS3 title (GripShift). A few smaller first-run titles like Blast Factor and Sudoku(sp?). A lot of demos.

    The demos are nice, and free, and I've been having a hell of a good time with GripShift. Although they have a "wallet" unlike as I've heard others state, you don't have to pre-buy in $50 or $100 increments. You can put just as much in your wallet as you need to spend for the one transaction and you can do it at the time of the transaction. You can give them your credit card for single transactions or they can store it, your choice.

    TW

  60. Re:Still can't find a Wii though... by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    Fred Meyer??? Where you at, man? I'm in Fairbanks. I thought Freddy's was limited to Alaska; or is it all of the Pacific Northwest?

    Seattle - they're in a number of states nationwide.

    I hear they got a shipment of 30 Wiis the other day and they sold out in a matter of a few hours. I've never even seen a nunchuck, VCC, or Wiimote since. It's like launch, but every single day!

    I'd heard about how PS3s are being found on shelves in many stores, and I thought that this phenominon was isolated to the lower 48, but I was wrong. The same Freddy's where 30 Wiis are being snatched up in a matter of hours has had about 3 PS3s sitting on the shelf for over 4 days (according to the sales reps).


    I've seen quite a few stores in Seattle with PS3 consoles, but doesn't look like people want them - the Wii consoles sell out as soon as they hit the shelves. Luckily, the games are in good supply for both systems.

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  61. Re:Some quality spin there by Kris_J · · Score: 1

    My brain knows that Sony installed a rootkit on its customer's computers. My brain knows that when the PS3 is released in Australia, it will cost around A$1,000. My knows that Sony puts software on their laptops that's purely designed to lock you into first-party batteries. Frankly, Slashdot is easy on Sony.

  62. Re:Wouldn't pay $600 for it. by geminidomino · · Score: 1

    Not quite true, that'd be true if there were nothing else on the system he's interested AND there never will be, which seems "unlikely" at best.

    It might seem unlikely to you. I personally doubt anything will ever warrant those prices for me, and consider it unlikely that anything will come out on it that I'm interested in. All the must-have series that prompted me to get the PS2 have either ended (Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver) or been driven into the ground (Final Fantasy, MGS) in the PS2 generation. I doubt I'm the only one.

  63. Re:Wouldn't pay $600 for it. by MilenCent · · Score: 1

    Except, to play this online version of Rampart, I would have to buy a console because it's only for the damnable PS3, a system that there is nothing else for it I'm even remotely interested in playing, bunky.