"Because Microsoft is a convicted monopolist, and Apple is not."
You know what? Every time a post suggests a little bit of objectivity, and slightly less hypocrisy where Microsoft is involved (which seems to happen in *every* thread on slashdot) the automatic reply seems to be what you just said.
What is worse is that little sentance almost guarantees a +5 score. I wish slashdot just posted a huge banner on the front page saying "F@CK MICROSOFT" and then banned any posts regarding them; the thoughtful content would be the same.
The mere fact that something isn't illegal doesn't make it more palatable. If two companies employ the same dirty tactics you shouldn't judge them different simply because one succeeded and the other failed. You certainly shouldn't vilify one and worship the other.
Anyways your market share analysis is flawed - Apple dominate the digital music industry (or so we have been told) so this time they are the monopoly.
One example from one movie. I had assumed that people could fill in the rest from their experience, rather than require me to provide a detailed list of every single movie and scene she may ever have been in.
I have always been impressed with the ability of people (generally argumentative idiots) to focus very narrowly on one particular point or sentence and ignore everything else.
Check IMDB for her recent movie history, or just think back on the movie trailers you have seen for her - she has done a lot of movies where I doubt she was cast for her acting abilities.
Of course all those norminations for best actress must be just around the corner right?
Don't most virii just exploit flaws in something or other? I suppose it depends on your definition of virus - but these days it seems all the internet worms spread through security holes. So yeah, perhaps a perfect phone would be immune, but it is desinged by humans afterall... and a large team at that no doubt.
It seems a little silly for her to complain about computer games focusing on her breasts when her entire movie career has done the same... I'm sure everyone remembers that infamous Spiderman scene in the rain (to name just one).
I can't help but feel she just wants some more attention. Same with her recent comments about killing spidey off...
Although Microsoft has stated that they intend to release in 2005, Sony don't seem as keen to do so (and really, with their current sales why would they?). They have announced they will start production, but that means very little, who knows when the console will actually ship.
On the other hand, if Microsoft do ship in 2005, and Sony aren't ready, Microsoft may enjoy huge success with no competition. But say Sony were to release their PSX at the same time as the new Xbox... it might not outsell it, but it will probably still get a bunch of sales - it plays all existing games, has all that added functionality, and happens to look sexy as hell.
I wouldn't be suprised if the delay in the PSX release is just to align it with the new xbox - that way they may hurt the xbox release enough that it doesn't get the critical mass the Playstation and Playstation 2 did.
I really wish someone at intel had anticipated all the lame jokes this is going to cause and killed the project before it began.
Good PR I guess - although you would think that the time and effort that obviously went into this could have produced better results if directed elsewhere...
As a huge fan of the xbox version I am very happy to hear that this is most likely a false rumor - as much as I love Halo I just can't see what they could do with it on the GBA.
We would likely either get something like Wolf 3D or a side-scroller like Splinter Cell, neither of which really sound that appealing.
However one thought that struck me was that if they wanted to, they could go in an entirely different direction with the handheld version. After reading the Halo books (they are better than you would think) and noticing the focus the books have on space battle between human and covenant ships, it got me to thinking that a Halo game similar to Escape Velocity could be pretty cool.
EV is a very fun game, and you could prolly recreate something pretty close to it on a handheld. Anyways, just a thought:D
Oh, and to the submitter of this story, you really come across as a little lame with your huge disclaimer... You realise that more than half of your story was you telling us that you don't like IGN? Either you or the editor should have chopped that.
I know that this isn't a solution to the land mine problem, but I think that it is the single best example of genetic engineering I have heard of; land-mine detecting flowers:
The flowers turn red when planted near a land mine (I think they are normally white) which gives a good indication of where *not* to tread. I think it is a really elegant solution to a very serious problem.
Damned hard, on any difficulty level, and it has 4 of them... Most people I know can barely beat it on easy (called 'Kids') let alone anything else.
It is rewarding however, not only is the gameplay insanely fun, but you unlock some fairly cool extras for each difficulty level you beat it on. That and it is one of the rare games that is enjoyable even while you are getting thrashed by the bosses - you just feel more determined to beat them next time.
Buy it in Australia and pay twice the US rate, even though our dollar hasn't been that low in years. We are paying roughly 50% more than the converted price ($100 AUD for a $50 USD game, which at the current exchange should be $70 AUD).
You can count on the fact that if our dollar had gone down they would have adjusted prices... they didn't lose any time adjusting it when it slid.
I think I have good reason to complain about the cost of a game (although I appreciate the article was focused on US sales).
Anyways I think your argument regarding the increase in game cost and complexity versus the sale price is flawed - there are vastly more games being sold today than previously, so although it might cost more to develop them, the costs are recovered as more copies are sold. Ask EA if they mind their $500 million profit margins...
I realize the parent was going for funny, not insightful (good work mods) - but in reality you can fit much more. I have a 128 meg player and using WMA I happily fit 4 hours of music onto it - with 512 megs I could put 16 hours.
Remember of course that when listening to a portable music player you are generally in noisy environments with bud earphones - and recording at higher quality is just a waste of space, as you really can't hear the difference.
Is it just me, or have they given the new Ratchet a lame, immature and extremely childish subtitle? I really hope it isn't an indication of the type of humor you can find in the game.
It is actually useful as a built in component. Apart from the obvious point that most people need a movie and music player, and so it is nice getting one out of the box; and the other rather valid point that real media is bloated and quicktime extremely slow; you can actually play movies or music from the left pane of explorer (while you are navigating) which I find to be very handy when I am looking for things.
I think what most people are forgetting is that 95% of users appreciate having a bunch of apps bundled with their OS, and it is only the last 5% who complain (but very vocally). Slap Microsoft around for all their underhanded practices, but making their OS more useful isn't one of them.
Of course it is always a personal preference as to whether a game is good or not (I happen to love Halo) but just in reply to three of your points:
#1 The Needler is pretty cool, but rather weak at the same time.
Try playing the game on Legendary. On Normal or Heroic I rarely used the Needler, but on Legendary it suddenly became my weapon of choice - in fact I would go as far as saying it is the most useful weapon to use on Legendary (at least until you get the shotgun).
#2. Because of the weakness of the weapons, the game can become a grenade fest.
I actually think that was part of the point. Grenades afterall were given a dedicated button (unlike most FPS games) and most enemies drop them. I really think Bungie intended grenades to be used more than most games.
Although once you get good with the Pistol, you really won't use grenades much. In multiplayer, a good player with the pistol can take someone down in about 5 shots, from most places on the map (it is very accurate, and has the 2x zoom). Once you get in a game with people who use the pistol, you either have to do the same, or resign yourself to losing.
#3. The single-player levels, as is, can become boring.
True - but anymore than most FPS games? Not many FPS games have a good enough single-player campaign to play through twice; and Halo at least provided co-op to make it more fun.
If they are so keen on making a dark Zelda, why not just make a knock off? Ie a game where you have an extensive overworld with lots of stuff to do and people to speak to, multiple dungeons based around puzzles, various collectable items that let you solve new puzzles and get to new areas of the overworld, etc...
Star Fox: Adventures was basically just that - Zelda but with with Fox instead of Link. I think the recent Sphinx game was similar to Zelda, BG&E was also kinda close, so have been a bunch of games.
Personally I would rather Zelda gets kept by Nintendo and Miyamoto, but if Silicon Knights or anybody else want to make a Zelda-esque game, they should just go right ahead... I'll prolly even buy it.
Which is why the first time you die in any FPS game it sends you back to the start huh?
And why when Mario falls down a hole, he has to begin over from the first level?
Or why when PacMan gets hit by that first ghost, game over for good?
Of course not! All games for the last decade or longer (and most before that) have accepted that players make mistakes and die, and saying it will "ruin the story" if you let them continue is missing the fact that it will "ruin the fun" if you don't...
If you really want to pretend that the story is consistent, do what the new Prince of Persia game does when you die and have the Prince say "No, that isn't how it happened..." as it loads your game.
But you must always keep in mind that the point of games is to be fun. As soon as they stop being that it doesn't matter how great or compelling the story is, because nobody will play them.
Firstly, as nobody would ever want to die, you would find people at level 20 still wacking away at the rats to get that 1 xp, so that by the time they progress to tougher mobs it is just as easy... Part of the fun in an MMO is getting yourself into a situation a little bit tougher than you can handle and hoping for the best:-)
Secondly, what happens the first time your net connection drops? Or you get a power outage? Or your wife/girlfriend/kids/parents demand your attention immediately and you just have to go? Say goodbye to god knows how many hours, days and months of your life...
Quite frankly I doubt anybody really cares. Sure it is nice to get games in good condition and in a box and all, but the games the article is talking about are unlikely to be sold brand new (most are no longer being produce), and if you are buying a second hand game then you often expect things like this.
It isn't like the stores are getting games in good condition and delibrately beating them up; they get the game in the condition it is traded in, and if people aren't willing to buy it in that condition it isn't like they are being forced to.
I certainly don't like the suggestion of stores not accepting bare games in order to teach those people a lesson - if someone is desperately looking for an old copy of a game, do you think they would prefer the choice of mint condition or not at all? I think once they get desperate enough they will buy the game sans box and manual, and be pleased with their purchase...
I'm not saying you are wrong (I really have no idea) but do you have any figures to back that statement up?
My gut assumption would be that the majority of people wanting porn on the internet can find it for free, and that the people who do pay for it would be easily outnumbered by the amount of online shoppers there now are.
For instance last year Amazon.com alone took in over five billion dollars (revenue, not profit) http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=amzn
That would purchase one hell of a lot of porn, and it is only one company...
I wish people would stop complaining about Mario Sunshine, it is actually a great game - better than Mario 64 in my opinion, and very unfairly treated by critics who were expecting some revolutionary step forward from Mario 64. Where was there to go? Nobody really complained that there are a half dozen 2D Marios that all have you doing roughly the same thing, and yet when we get the first sequel to a 3D Mario, they were suddenly expecting something never seen before?
Anyway the water pack idea was brilliant, it solved one of the 2 problems with 3D platformers, that being difficulty controlling the character in 3D (the other problem being camera control, which Sunshine also improved). The addition of the water pack allows characters the ability to hover for a slight moment to better position their character after a jump - something that is often both hard and frusting in all other 3D platformers. Playing any other 3D platformer after Sunshine just leaves you feeling woefully unable to control your character.
Doesn't look that way to me... rather it looks like music is becoming porn. Apart from the obvious recent incident with Janet Jackson, we get the ever so slutty Christina Aguilera, and the increasingly less innocent Britney Spears. Perhaps the singers are just trying to get a foot in both markets;-)
It doesn't really matter that nobody has ever played them, some developers you just take on faith. For instance I think most PC gamers are prepared to buy Blizzard games for the developer alone. I know that I would buy a Bungie game on name alone, and most FPS fans would think similarly of id.
Plus, it isn't like we haven't seen anything of these games, they have been putting out footage of all four for a while now, and additionally two of them are sequels to already loved games.
Finally, contrast this to movies. Everyone drools over trailers to movies, without seeing the movie first (it would defeat the point); and with sequels to movies, everyone looks forward to the second if they have already enjoyed the first. I don't think the original poster is anyones goon...
I know Gamespy like their top 10 lists and all, but they really should go to a little bit of effort to compile them. This most recent list seems to completely miss the point.
As I was working my way through the top 10, I kept expecting to see Animal Crossing somewhere in there, but it was nowhere to be found. It is without a doubt the number one game to enthrall non-gamers. I speak from experience as it rapidly had my mother and my sister playing, and neither of them had ever played a console game before in their lives (and I do own other games from that list).
I don't think many of the games on the list would appeal to people who have never before played a game, although many of them would appeal to casual gamers. I don't see how racing games, fighting games, shooting games, sports games etc... will suddenly appeal to people who weren't interested in playing those games a year ago, five years ago, or ten years ago - they aren't a new idea or genre.
While I can accept that Gamespy have listed some of the best racing games (eg Mario Kart), some of the best FPS games (eg Counter Strike) or one of the best sports games (eg Madden) they have only listed one or two simple and innovative games, that might attract someone who hasn't been interested by the normal fare.
The only four games I see on the Gamespy list that might attract new players is the Eye-toy (although I think that it is something that will only capture attention for a short period of time), Karaoke Revolution, Dance-Dance, and the Sims.
Animal Crossing is a glaring exception - not only did my mother start playing it, but she is still doing so 6 months down the track. However Animal Crossing is not the only exception - there are many other games suited to the list, for example nearly any web-based puzzle game, or new games like Donkey Konga.
Slashdot Mirror
"Because Microsoft is a convicted monopolist, and Apple is not."
You know what? Every time a post suggests a little bit of objectivity, and slightly less hypocrisy where Microsoft is involved (which seems to happen in *every* thread on slashdot) the automatic reply seems to be what you just said.
What is worse is that little sentance almost guarantees a +5 score. I wish slashdot just posted a huge banner on the front page saying "F@CK MICROSOFT" and then banned any posts regarding them; the thoughtful content would be the same.
The mere fact that something isn't illegal doesn't make it more palatable. If two companies employ the same dirty tactics you shouldn't judge them different simply because one succeeded and the other failed. You certainly shouldn't vilify one and worship the other.
Anyways your market share analysis is flawed - Apple dominate the digital music industry (or so we have been told) so this time they are the monopoly.
One example from one movie. I had assumed that people could fill in the rest from their experience, rather than require me to provide a detailed list of every single movie and scene she may ever have been in.
I have always been impressed with the ability of people (generally argumentative idiots) to focus very narrowly on one particular point or sentence and ignore everything else.
Check IMDB for her recent movie history, or just think back on the movie trailers you have seen for her - she has done a lot of movies where I doubt she was cast for her acting abilities.
Of course all those norminations for best actress must be just around the corner right?
Don't most virii just exploit flaws in something or other? I suppose it depends on your definition of virus - but these days it seems all the internet worms spread through security holes. So yeah, perhaps a perfect phone would be immune, but it is desinged by humans afterall... and a large team at that no doubt.
It seems a little silly for her to complain about computer games focusing on her breasts when her entire movie career has done the same... I'm sure everyone remembers that infamous Spiderman scene in the rain (to name just one).
I can't help but feel she just wants some more attention. Same with her recent comments about killing spidey off...
Although Microsoft has stated that they intend to release in 2005, Sony don't seem as keen to do so (and really, with their current sales why would they?). They have announced they will start production, but that means very little, who knows when the console will actually ship.
On the other hand, if Microsoft do ship in 2005, and Sony aren't ready, Microsoft may enjoy huge success with no competition. But say Sony were to release their PSX at the same time as the new Xbox... it might not outsell it, but it will probably still get a bunch of sales - it plays all existing games, has all that added functionality, and happens to look sexy as hell.
I wouldn't be suprised if the delay in the PSX release is just to align it with the new xbox - that way they may hurt the xbox release enough that it doesn't get the critical mass the Playstation and Playstation 2 did.
I really wish someone at intel had anticipated all the lame jokes this is going to cause and killed the project before it began.
Good PR I guess - although you would think that the time and effort that obviously went into this could have produced better results if directed elsewhere...
As a huge fan of the xbox version I am very happy to hear that this is most likely a false rumor - as much as I love Halo I just can't see what they could do with it on the GBA.
:D
We would likely either get something like Wolf 3D or a side-scroller like Splinter Cell, neither of which really sound that appealing.
However one thought that struck me was that if they wanted to, they could go in an entirely different direction with the handheld version. After reading the Halo books (they are better than you would think) and noticing the focus the books have on space battle between human and covenant ships, it got me to thinking that a Halo game similar to Escape Velocity could be pretty cool.
EV is a very fun game, and you could prolly recreate something pretty close to it on a handheld. Anyways, just a thought
Oh, and to the submitter of this story, you really come across as a little lame with your huge disclaimer... You realise that more than half of your story was you telling us that you don't like IGN? Either you or the editor should have chopped that.
I know that this isn't a solution to the land mine problem, but I think that it is the single best example of genetic engineering I have heard of; land-mine detecting flowers:
6 6, 00.html
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,620
The flowers turn red when planted near a land mine (I think they are normally white) which gives a good indication of where *not* to tread. I think it is a really elegant solution to a very serious problem.
Damned hard, on any difficulty level, and it has 4 of them... Most people I know can barely beat it on easy (called 'Kids') let alone anything else.
It is rewarding however, not only is the gameplay insanely fun, but you unlock some fairly cool extras for each difficulty level you beat it on. That and it is one of the rare games that is enjoyable even while you are getting thrashed by the bosses - you just feel more determined to beat them next time.
Buy it in Australia and pay twice the US rate, even though our dollar hasn't been that low in years. We are paying roughly 50% more than the converted price ($100 AUD for a $50 USD game, which at the current exchange should be $70 AUD).
You can count on the fact that if our dollar had gone down they would have adjusted prices... they didn't lose any time adjusting it when it slid.
I think I have good reason to complain about the cost of a game (although I appreciate the article was focused on US sales).
Anyways I think your argument regarding the increase in game cost and complexity versus the sale price is flawed - there are vastly more games being sold today than previously, so although it might cost more to develop them, the costs are recovered as more copies are sold. Ask EA if they mind their $500 million profit margins...
I realize the parent was going for funny, not insightful (good work mods) - but in reality you can fit much more. I have a 128 meg player and using WMA I happily fit 4 hours of music onto it - with 512 megs I could put 16 hours.
Remember of course that when listening to a portable music player you are generally in noisy environments with bud earphones - and recording at higher quality is just a waste of space, as you really can't hear the difference.
Is it just me, or have they given the new Ratchet a lame, immature and extremely childish subtitle? I really hope it isn't an indication of the type of humor you can find in the game.
Well it sold at least 2 million (which is better than many games):
http://pc.ign.com/articles/489/489838p1.html
And Ubi liked the sales figures enough that they are currently working on a sequel...
It is actually useful as a built in component. Apart from the obvious point that most people need a movie and music player, and so it is nice getting one out of the box; and the other rather valid point that real media is bloated and quicktime extremely slow; you can actually play movies or music from the left pane of explorer (while you are navigating) which I find to be very handy when I am looking for things.
I think what most people are forgetting is that 95% of users appreciate having a bunch of apps bundled with their OS, and it is only the last 5% who complain (but very vocally). Slap Microsoft around for all their underhanded practices, but making their OS more useful isn't one of them.
Of course it is always a personal preference as to whether a game is good or not (I happen to love Halo) but just in reply to three of your points:
#1 The Needler is pretty cool, but rather weak at the same time.
Try playing the game on Legendary. On Normal or Heroic I rarely used the Needler, but on Legendary it suddenly became my weapon of choice - in fact I would go as far as saying it is the most useful weapon to use on Legendary (at least until you get the shotgun).
#2. Because of the weakness of the weapons, the game can become a grenade fest.
I actually think that was part of the point. Grenades afterall were given a dedicated button (unlike most FPS games) and most enemies drop them. I really think Bungie intended grenades to be used more than most games.
Although once you get good with the Pistol, you really won't use grenades much. In multiplayer, a good player with the pistol can take someone down in about 5 shots, from most places on the map (it is very accurate, and has the 2x zoom). Once you get in a game with people who use the pistol, you either have to do the same, or resign yourself to losing.
#3. The single-player levels, as is, can become boring.
True - but anymore than most FPS games? Not many FPS games have a good enough single-player campaign to play through twice; and Halo at least provided co-op to make it more fun.
If they are so keen on making a dark Zelda, why not just make a knock off? Ie a game where you have an extensive overworld with lots of stuff to do and people to speak to, multiple dungeons based around puzzles, various collectable items that let you solve new puzzles and get to new areas of the overworld, etc...
Star Fox: Adventures was basically just that - Zelda but with with Fox instead of Link. I think the recent Sphinx game was similar to Zelda, BG&E was also kinda close, so have been a bunch of games.
Personally I would rather Zelda gets kept by Nintendo and Miyamoto, but if Silicon Knights or anybody else want to make a Zelda-esque game, they should just go right ahead... I'll prolly even buy it.
Which is why the first time you die in any FPS game it sends you back to the start huh?
And why when Mario falls down a hole, he has to begin over from the first level?
Or why when PacMan gets hit by that first ghost, game over for good?
Of course not! All games for the last decade or longer (and most before that) have accepted that players make mistakes and die, and saying it will "ruin the story" if you let them continue is missing the fact that it will "ruin the fun" if you don't...
If you really want to pretend that the story is consistent, do what the new Prince of Persia game does when you die and have the Prince say "No, that isn't how it happened..." as it loads your game.
But you must always keep in mind that the point of games is to be fun. As soon as they stop being that it doesn't matter how great or compelling the story is, because nobody will play them.
Interesting? Yes. Fun? No.
:-)
Firstly, as nobody would ever want to die, you would find people at level 20 still wacking away at the rats to get that 1 xp, so that by the time they progress to tougher mobs it is just as easy... Part of the fun in an MMO is getting yourself into a situation a little bit tougher than you can handle and hoping for the best
Secondly, what happens the first time your net connection drops? Or you get a power outage? Or your wife/girlfriend/kids/parents demand your attention immediately and you just have to go? Say goodbye to god knows how many hours, days and months of your life...
Quite frankly I doubt anybody really cares. Sure it is nice to get games in good condition and in a box and all, but the games the article is talking about are unlikely to be sold brand new (most are no longer being produce), and if you are buying a second hand game then you often expect things like this.
It isn't like the stores are getting games in good condition and delibrately beating them up; they get the game in the condition it is traded in, and if people aren't willing to buy it in that condition it isn't like they are being forced to.
I certainly don't like the suggestion of stores not accepting bare games in order to teach those people a lesson - if someone is desperately looking for an old copy of a game, do you think they would prefer the choice of mint condition or not at all? I think once they get desperate enough they will buy the game sans box and manual, and be pleased with their purchase...
I'm not saying you are wrong (I really have no idea) but do you have any figures to back that statement up?
My gut assumption would be that the majority of people wanting porn on the internet can find it for free, and that the people who do pay for it would be easily outnumbered by the amount of online shoppers there now are.
For instance last year Amazon.com alone took in over five billion dollars (revenue, not profit) http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=amzn
That would purchase one hell of a lot of porn, and it is only one company...
I wish people would stop complaining about Mario Sunshine, it is actually a great game - better than Mario 64 in my opinion, and very unfairly treated by critics who were expecting some revolutionary step forward from Mario 64. Where was there to go? Nobody really complained that there are a half dozen 2D Marios that all have you doing roughly the same thing, and yet when we get the first sequel to a 3D Mario, they were suddenly expecting something never seen before?
Anyway the water pack idea was brilliant, it solved one of the 2 problems with 3D platformers, that being difficulty controlling the character in 3D (the other problem being camera control, which Sunshine also improved). The addition of the water pack allows characters the ability to hover for a slight moment to better position their character after a jump - something that is often both hard and frusting in all other 3D platformers. Playing any other 3D platformer after Sunshine just leaves you feeling woefully unable to control your character.
Doesn't look that way to me... rather it looks like music is becoming porn. Apart from the obvious recent incident with Janet Jackson, we get the ever so slutty Christina Aguilera, and the increasingly less innocent Britney Spears. Perhaps the singers are just trying to get a foot in both markets ;-)
It doesn't really matter that nobody has ever played them, some developers you just take on faith. For instance I think most PC gamers are prepared to buy Blizzard games for the developer alone. I know that I would buy a Bungie game on name alone, and most FPS fans would think similarly of id.
Plus, it isn't like we haven't seen anything of these games, they have been putting out footage of all four for a while now, and additionally two of them are sequels to already loved games.
Finally, contrast this to movies. Everyone drools over trailers to movies, without seeing the movie first (it would defeat the point); and with sequels to movies, everyone looks forward to the second if they have already enjoyed the first. I don't think the original poster is anyones goon...
I know Gamespy like their top 10 lists and all, but they really should go to a little bit of effort to compile them. This most recent list seems to completely miss the point.
As I was working my way through the top 10, I kept expecting to see Animal Crossing somewhere in there, but it was nowhere to be found. It is without a doubt the number one game to enthrall non-gamers. I speak from experience as it rapidly had my mother and my sister playing, and neither of them had ever played a console game before in their lives (and I do own other games from that list).
I don't think many of the games on the list would appeal to people who have never before played a game, although many of them would appeal to casual gamers. I don't see how racing games, fighting games, shooting games, sports games etc... will suddenly appeal to people who weren't interested in playing those games a year ago, five years ago, or ten years ago - they aren't a new idea or genre.
While I can accept that Gamespy have listed some of the best racing games (eg Mario Kart), some of the best FPS games (eg Counter Strike) or one of the best sports games (eg Madden) they have only listed one or two simple and innovative games, that might attract someone who hasn't been interested by the normal fare.
The only four games I see on the Gamespy list that might attract new players is the Eye-toy (although I think that it is something that will only capture attention for a short period of time), Karaoke Revolution, Dance-Dance, and the Sims.
Animal Crossing is a glaring exception - not only did my mother start playing it, but she is still doing so 6 months down the track. However Animal Crossing is not the only exception - there are many other games suited to the list, for example nearly any web-based puzzle game, or new games like Donkey Konga.
It will have the side-lighting that the GBA SP sports.
I only wish the thing supported GBA games (it sounds like it won't - esp as it is using a new type of media).