You're missing the point - at no point did they say "If you liked GTA and Tony Hawk, you'll love Spider-Man." This new Spider-Man game does BLEND elements of each of those games: the free-roaming, open ended city (GTA) and the simple, intuitive and fun play controls, including tricks and the like (Tony Hawk).
Of course it's not as good as Tony Hawk. Of course it's not as good as GTA. It's not even close to being the same game as either of those two - it's a completely different experience and in it's own right, it's a lot of fun to play.
Having played the game for some time, it's apparent this isn't one of those "good" games you'd want to play. A 3 might be a big harsh, as there are some pretty poor games you can buy now (Showdown: Legends of Wrestling for example, which was released a day after Driv3r, is a great example of a TERRIBLE game).
There's a huge list of reasons why this game is poor including, but not limited to: mediocre graphics, poor physics, bad controls (particularly on foot), bad AI, and boring, repetative gameplay.
Still, take these reviews with a grain of salt - they SHOULD be harsh. They should pick out flaws and nit pick. Yes, a game is ultimately all about having fun, but there are a lot of things that impede that present in this game. I know of a couple of people who say they're having fun with the game, but to say it's "good" would be a reach.
The problem with these things is that they're severely overpriced. $19.99 for a direct port of a game that is 20 years old isn't a good bargain, as far as I'm concerned. Particularly when you look at some earlier re-releases like "Super Mario Deluxe" for the Game Boy Color. Not only did it contain the original SMB, but it also had the "Lost Levels" entirely playable. Today, you can buy that game used for less than $20.
It's a great idea and while I'd love to support Nintendo on these classic games, it's just a completely unreasonable proposition. It's also kind of insulting.
Ninja Gaiden is an amazing game in many, many ways. Sure, it's also extremely difficult, but not for the right reasons. In many areas, it is indeed the camera that would put you in comprimising situations that would often lead to high levels of frustration. There were some other obnoxious things I encountered (ie, not being able to change weapons or even use health items while an enemy's health meter was draining, oftentimes leave you wide open for an attack - wtf?).
I'm sorry, but I think it should be the goal of someone who creates a game to make it as much fun for everyone interested in that particular genre as possible. Making even the easiest mode extremely difficult really can kill the enjoyment level for many players (and I know for a fact it did). To those who are looking for a challenge, that harder mode would have been available.
In every interview I've read, Itagaki comes across like a pompous ass, too. How he can say things like "It was too hard, I made it harder" or even, when faced with questions regarding camera issues, deny it...that's just unreal.
Sony isn't trying to compete with Nintendo in the hand held market and that's the point. It's NOT just a portable gaming system - it's meant to be more.
Whether or not this is going to work in the long run remains to be seen, but I for one don't see what the big issue with it playing movies is. So it's added functionality - who's to complain?
As for the DS...I think it's going to be a flop and it'll have nothing to do with it's "competition." But that's just me.
Fully expect me to buy one.
Looks like Nintendo dropped the ball on this one. Awhile ago, they announced a wireless link for the GBA, one that would ship with their forthcoming Pokemon remakes, Leaf Green and Fire Red.
The catch: this wireless adapter will ONLY work with games that support it (such as Leaf Green and Fire Red). It will not be backwards compatible with older multiplayer games, which I'm filing under the "lame" category.
This Majesco peripheral seems to do just that, however. Why Nintendo couldn't have just worked up an all around wireless device such as this is beyond me.
For what AOL instant messenger does, it does it rather well. So well in fact, that I'd venture to guess it's one of the, if not THE most used one on one messaging service today. Is it the best program? No. Is it highly stable and functional in every way that I expect it to be? Yes. Does everyone and their mother use it? Surely.
But still, why am I not surprised that there are already a few messages posted re: having to install it. You know, being a nerd is one thing, but that doesn't mean you can't have and communicate with friends who aren't (ie, people who use AIM).
It's a funny thing, I thought the price drop would have a profound effect on sales at my store - for $149.99 you get the system itself, a hard drive, and built in ethernet vs. the $179.99 + $99 + $34.99 package you'd have to pick up in order to get a comparable PS2 deal.
But I haven't seen it at my store and I was told candidly by the MS rep in my area that neither has she. Someone from Sony echoed her sentiments, saying the people she has spoken to haven't indicated a large jump in sales, either.
You're mistaking the lack of product for a demand. My store receives a very small amount of Gamecube product because it doesn't sell like their Xbox and PS2 counterparts. For every 4 copies of a Gamecube title we get that's multiplatform, we'll get at least four times that many on the Xbox and PS2...because that's where the demand is.
This is an effin' joke. My store hasn't received ONE Gamecube system since mid-December when we sold out during the holiday. Not one. Neither have any of our other stores for that matter.
High demand during the holiday season is only half the story and in fact, it's a very skewed perspective. Why can't you find any Gamecubes? BECAUSE NINTENDO HAVEN'T SHIPPED RETAILERS ANY IN CLOSE TO THREE MONTHS. It's ridiculous to paint a picture like there's still this mad rush to buy Gamecubes, because that's simply not the case.
On the regular, I'm still selling Xbox and PS2 systems AND also being restocked on these items. I'm sitting on a number of used Gamecubes, of which I sell every now and then.
This isn't a knock on the Gamecube, but this story is absolutely ridiculous and total PR bullshit. By the same token, let's go ahead and say Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga for the GBA is the biggest selling, most popular game of the past three months because well, I haven't had but three copies, tops, sent to my store from Redmond, Washington in that time frame.
This spin makes me sick. I am, however, receiving a whopping FOUR platinum Gamecubes later this week. Yes, FOUR! Thanks, Nintendo! Limited edition color my ass.
Bottom line, Nintendo is notorious for under shipping and barely, if not at all, meeting demand.
I can't talk for company wide, but these older games definitely did not make up anywhere NEAR 5-10% of sales. According to my last sales mix, it was far lower than that. There is still a demand for these games, but not enough to make it profitable. The company can use the resources it spends on those games and consoles and use them more wisely.
I can't speak for all stores and much of this has already been touched upon by everyone else, but I can't seem to shut up so...
In the case of older games (which includes N64 titles - maybe you've lost track of time, but the system launched well over 5 years ago), they don't get traded in with the boxes and the instructions to begin with. In fact, the cart themselves often times look like the owner stored them in a ditch in their backyard - literally. Dirt caked, labels peeled, etc. It's ridiculous the condition of the games I see float through my store, both old and new generation titles.
Another issue is space, as some have already pointed out. As it is, there's hardly any room to keep loose cartridges on the sales floor, much less boxes two to three times their size. A lot of people don't realize this, but most stores don't have some vast amount of storage space off the sales floor to hold all of this stuff. For instance, used Game Boy Advance games often DO arrive in their original packaging, manuals and all. Unfortunately, in my store in particular, there is simply no room to store these things. I can't deny that it sucks for the customer, particularly collectors. But it's not in my store's best interest to keep every box and manual that gets traded in or sold to us.
On the rare occasion that a mint condition NES/SNES/GENESIS game does come through, we do indeed keep the box and manual, but this is rare. For instance, a mint copy of Super Metroid rolled into town and it was a reason to celebrate indeed.
Finally, as far as him touching on the rumor of some places not taking back games/consoles/accessories for Dreamcast and older games...my store in particular stopped taking those games back as of today, actually. Other stores will carry them, but I'd expect to see them phased out in the near future. So it looks like Ebay and smaller, more specialized shops for that kind of thing.
Personally, I'd like for Nintendo to do something completely unexpected. Sure, you could argue that the announcement of the DS was "unexpected" and in a way it was.
But at the same time, Nintendo doing seemingly idiotic things (read: most decisions they seem to have made in the past who knows how many years) is the only I think you can really expect from them these days. I'd like for them to get me excited about their products rather than having me scratch my head wondering just what the hell they were thinking.
I can count the number of games I'm interested in that are coming out for the GCN in the next few months on one hand. What's up with that?
Monster Force ruled! Haha. Reminded me a lot of Zombies Ate My Neighbors. And yeah, I haven't seen a new copy in any store, but we did get a used copy at my store and it's just been sitting there. Very lonely. I'll push it for you, because it really was a neat little game.
Not only has Gamestop "shifted" it's N-Gage inventory, but Target stores have apparently stopped selling N-Gage units altogether. Or at least they will be (I haven't been to a Target since I was given this info).
Word is all that stuff will be going back to Nokia on their dime. Sounds expensive.
...they need to do far more research before picking up games - $50 is NOT a small purchase for most people, so it would make sense to be knowledgeable of the product you're purchasing. This means reading reviews, previews...whatever. If you're still hesitant, rent it, play the copy your buddy bought...whatever.
The problem with returning opened, new games is that retailers have to and do turn around and sell that same game as new. Technically, the game is no longer "new," therefore there's some slight "dishonesty" going on there - which is why there's actual LAWSUITS pending (which is why I know at least one big video game retailer changed their policies) re: this practice.
Rent it, try a friends copy, buy it used where applicable (most places that sell used will take back a used game for the full refund price within 7 days). In general, people just need to know what they're getting into. You're buying something, not renting it or borrowing it.
Maybe you're right, but can you, or anyone else for that matter, explain why the NES/SNES/GB/ETC controllers have buttons that have the "B" on the left and the "A" on the right? I mean, what the hell. You talk about intuitive, but the last time I looked at the alphabet, "A" came before "B!" Same goes for the X and the Y. I mean...snuh?
My PS2 hasn't worked well since day one; in fact, DVDs have skipped and jumped and completely stopped since I owned the thing. It's my fault for not sending it to Sony ASAP, but that's not the point.
I understand what you're saying, though. My point is: I wouldn't recommend anyone buy a PS2 without an extended warranty. Heh.
You've GOT to be a Sony plant. The PS2 DVD player is of extremely poor quality. In fact, the PS2 hardware, at least models from the first 2 years of production are so shoddy that it's ridiculous. I'm a manager at a video game store and at least once a day I have people coming in either:
telling me their PS2 is broken, can I fix it?
telling me they need a lens cleaner for the PS2 - they're getting disc read errors! Surprise!
buying a new PS2, because their old one stopped working.
Now, granted, there are plenty of systems that are working just fine. But the number of systems that DON'T work is way too high for me to be fine with you saying the "Playstation2 DVD is great."
Hell, my PS2 doesn't play DVDs, PS2 games, CD-ROMs, audio CDs, or PSX games anymore...now that's great.
That's the thing though - you don't HAVE to pay multiple monthly costs for much on the PS2, save for Everquest right now. Everything else is plug in and go. What's hurting their online presence is that they're not hyping it enough, a problem they look to be changing in the next year or two.
There's no doubt that XBox live is a slick thing. It's flashy and MS has even convinced a bunch of people that their system is the ONLY way to play a console game online. With EA not backing them, it's gonna put the hurt on 'em, though. We'll see what happens.
Ugh, this entire thing makes me sick, this article in particular. How anyone could defend this thing is beyond me.
First of all, the price. Yes, it's a phone, it plays games, it's an audio player but...it doesn't do anything of these things exceptionally well. In fact, it does all of these things pretty half assed. At $300, no thanks. I find it also pretty insane that the author of that piece even dares to speculate that the PSP will be launched at that price tag. In fact, Sony reps have publicly said it would be competively priced to the current GBA SP. One even hinted to me PERSONALLY that she wouldn't be surprised if they matched the price of Nintendo's system.
Lastly, the games...having read the press release and the FAQ packet that Nokia sent out...are they trying to generate excitement about this product or what? They're more effectively turning me off. A whopping 30 games will be out by the end of this year for the N-Gage. Another whopping 40 are planned for 2004. OH YAY. And at $30-40 a piece, per game...how about...NO.
Until I actually get my hands on one, I'd like to try to refrain from judging, but based on the facts I've been given, I don't see how I could possibly be interested in this thing. And unless Nokia flat out hands me an N-Gage, I doubt I know anyone stupid enough to shell out $300 for one.
Slashdot Mirror
Of course it's not as good as Tony Hawk. Of course it's not as good as GTA. It's not even close to being the same game as either of those two - it's a completely different experience and in it's own right, it's a lot of fun to play.
Having played the game for some time, it's apparent this isn't one of those "good" games you'd want to play. A 3 might be a big harsh, as there are some pretty poor games you can buy now (Showdown: Legends of Wrestling for example, which was released a day after Driv3r, is a great example of a TERRIBLE game).
There's a huge list of reasons why this game is poor including, but not limited to: mediocre graphics, poor physics, bad controls (particularly on foot), bad AI, and boring, repetative gameplay.
Still, take these reviews with a grain of salt - they SHOULD be harsh. They should pick out flaws and nit pick. Yes, a game is ultimately all about having fun, but there are a lot of things that impede that present in this game. I know of a couple of people who say they're having fun with the game, but to say it's "good" would be a reach.
Back ordered? No way! My store has TONS of them (Gamestop), especially for the PS2! It's probably just your area - it's a cool little game!
It's a great idea and while I'd love to support Nintendo on these classic games, it's just a completely unreasonable proposition. It's also kind of insulting.
Ninja Gaiden is an amazing game in many, many ways. Sure, it's also extremely difficult, but not for the right reasons. In many areas, it is indeed the camera that would put you in comprimising situations that would often lead to high levels of frustration. There were some other obnoxious things I encountered (ie, not being able to change weapons or even use health items while an enemy's health meter was draining, oftentimes leave you wide open for an attack - wtf?).
I'm sorry, but I think it should be the goal of someone who creates a game to make it as much fun for everyone interested in that particular genre as possible. Making even the easiest mode extremely difficult really can kill the enjoyment level for many players (and I know for a fact it did). To those who are looking for a challenge, that harder mode would have been available.
In every interview I've read, Itagaki comes across like a pompous ass, too. How he can say things like "It was too hard, I made it harder" or even, when faced with questions regarding camera issues, deny it...that's just unreal.
Sony isn't trying to compete with Nintendo in the hand held market and that's the point. It's NOT just a portable gaming system - it's meant to be more. Whether or not this is going to work in the long run remains to be seen, but I for one don't see what the big issue with it playing movies is. So it's added functionality - who's to complain? As for the DS...I think it's going to be a flop and it'll have nothing to do with it's "competition." But that's just me. Fully expect me to buy one.
The catch: this wireless adapter will ONLY work with games that support it (such as Leaf Green and Fire Red). It will not be backwards compatible with older multiplayer games, which I'm filing under the "lame" category.
This Majesco peripheral seems to do just that, however. Why Nintendo couldn't have just worked up an all around wireless device such as this is beyond me.
But still, why am I not surprised that there are already a few messages posted re: having to install it. You know, being a nerd is one thing, but that doesn't mean you can't have and communicate with friends who aren't (ie, people who use AIM).
It's a funny thing, I thought the price drop would have a profound effect on sales at my store - for $149.99 you get the system itself, a hard drive, and built in ethernet vs. the $179.99 + $99 + $34.99 package you'd have to pick up in order to get a comparable PS2 deal. But I haven't seen it at my store and I was told candidly by the MS rep in my area that neither has she. Someone from Sony echoed her sentiments, saying the people she has spoken to haven't indicated a large jump in sales, either.
PS1 compat in the PS2 is software emulation, too, so this isn't surprising.
You're mistaking the lack of product for a demand. My store receives a very small amount of Gamecube product because it doesn't sell like their Xbox and PS2 counterparts. For every 4 copies of a Gamecube title we get that's multiplatform, we'll get at least four times that many on the Xbox and PS2...because that's where the demand is.
The boxes clearly still say "limited edition" on them, son.
This is an effin' joke. My store hasn't received ONE Gamecube system since mid-December when we sold out during the holiday. Not one. Neither have any of our other stores for that matter.
High demand during the holiday season is only half the story and in fact, it's a very skewed perspective. Why can't you find any Gamecubes? BECAUSE NINTENDO HAVEN'T SHIPPED RETAILERS ANY IN CLOSE TO THREE MONTHS. It's ridiculous to paint a picture like there's still this mad rush to buy Gamecubes, because that's simply not the case.
On the regular, I'm still selling Xbox and PS2 systems AND also being restocked on these items. I'm sitting on a number of used Gamecubes, of which I sell every now and then.
This isn't a knock on the Gamecube, but this story is absolutely ridiculous and total PR bullshit. By the same token, let's go ahead and say Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga for the GBA is the biggest selling, most popular game of the past three months because well, I haven't had but three copies, tops, sent to my store from Redmond, Washington in that time frame.
This spin makes me sick. I am, however, receiving a whopping FOUR platinum Gamecubes later this week. Yes, FOUR! Thanks, Nintendo! Limited edition color my ass.
Bottom line, Nintendo is notorious for under shipping and barely, if not at all, meeting demand.
I can't talk for company wide, but these older games definitely did not make up anywhere NEAR 5-10% of sales. According to my last sales mix, it was far lower than that. There is still a demand for these games, but not enough to make it profitable. The company can use the resources it spends on those games and consoles and use them more wisely.
I can't speak for all stores and much of this has already been touched upon by everyone else, but I can't seem to shut up so...
In the case of older games (which includes N64 titles - maybe you've lost track of time, but the system launched well over 5 years ago), they don't get traded in with the boxes and the instructions to begin with. In fact, the cart themselves often times look like the owner stored them in a ditch in their backyard - literally. Dirt caked, labels peeled, etc. It's ridiculous the condition of the games I see float through my store, both old and new generation titles.
Another issue is space, as some have already pointed out. As it is, there's hardly any room to keep loose cartridges on the sales floor, much less boxes two to three times their size. A lot of people don't realize this, but most stores don't have some vast amount of storage space off the sales floor to hold all of this stuff. For instance, used Game Boy Advance games often DO arrive in their original packaging, manuals and all. Unfortunately, in my store in particular, there is simply no room to store these things. I can't deny that it sucks for the customer, particularly collectors. But it's not in my store's best interest to keep every box and manual that gets traded in or sold to us.
On the rare occasion that a mint condition NES/SNES/GENESIS game does come through, we do indeed keep the box and manual, but this is rare. For instance, a mint copy of Super Metroid rolled into town and it was a reason to celebrate indeed.
Finally, as far as him touching on the rumor of some places not taking back games/consoles/accessories for Dreamcast and older games...my store in particular stopped taking those games back as of today, actually. Other stores will carry them, but I'd expect to see them phased out in the near future. So it looks like Ebay and smaller, more specialized shops for that kind of thing.
Personally, I'd like for Nintendo to do something completely unexpected. Sure, you could argue that the announcement of the DS was "unexpected" and in a way it was.
But at the same time, Nintendo doing seemingly idiotic things (read: most decisions they seem to have made in the past who knows how many years) is the only I think you can really expect from them these days. I'd like for them to get me excited about their products rather than having me scratch my head wondering just what the hell they were thinking.
I can count the number of games I'm interested in that are coming out for the GCN in the next few months on one hand. What's up with that?
Monster Force ruled! Haha. Reminded me a lot of Zombies Ate My Neighbors. And yeah, I haven't seen a new copy in any store, but we did get a used copy at my store and it's just been sitting there. Very lonely. I'll push it for you, because it really was a neat little game.
Plus, monsters rule.
Not only has Gamestop "shifted" it's N-Gage inventory, but Target stores have apparently stopped selling N-Gage units altogether. Or at least they will be (I haven't been to a Target since I was given this info). Word is all that stuff will be going back to Nokia on their dime. Sounds expensive.
The PSP, last I heard, was set for a simultaneous US and Japanese launch Winter 2004.
...they need to do far more research before picking up games - $50 is NOT a small purchase for most people, so it would make sense to be knowledgeable of the product you're purchasing. This means reading reviews, previews...whatever. If you're still hesitant, rent it, play the copy your buddy bought...whatever.
The problem with returning opened, new games is that retailers have to and do turn around and sell that same game as new. Technically, the game is no longer "new," therefore there's some slight "dishonesty" going on there - which is why there's actual LAWSUITS pending (which is why I know at least one big video game retailer changed their policies) re: this practice.
Rent it, try a friends copy, buy it used where applicable (most places that sell used will take back a used game for the full refund price within 7 days). In general, people just need to know what they're getting into. You're buying something, not renting it or borrowing it.
Maybe you're right, but can you, or anyone else for that matter, explain why the NES/SNES/GB/ETC controllers have buttons that have the "B" on the left and the "A" on the right? I mean, what the hell. You talk about intuitive, but the last time I looked at the alphabet, "A" came before "B!" Same goes for the X and the Y. I mean...snuh?
My PS2 hasn't worked well since day one; in fact, DVDs have skipped and jumped and completely stopped since I owned the thing. It's my fault for not sending it to Sony ASAP, but that's not the point.
I understand what you're saying, though. My point is: I wouldn't recommend anyone buy a PS2 without an extended warranty. Heh.
You've GOT to be a Sony plant. The PS2 DVD player is of extremely poor quality. In fact, the PS2 hardware, at least models from the first 2 years of production are so shoddy that it's ridiculous. I'm a manager at a video game store and at least once a day I have people coming in either:
Now, granted, there are plenty of systems that are working just fine. But the number of systems that DON'T work is way too high for me to be fine with you saying the "Playstation2 DVD is great."
Hell, my PS2 doesn't play DVDs, PS2 games, CD-ROMs, audio CDs, or PSX games anymore...now that's great.
That's the thing though - you don't HAVE to pay multiple monthly costs for much on the PS2, save for Everquest right now. Everything else is plug in and go. What's hurting their online presence is that they're not hyping it enough, a problem they look to be changing in the next year or two.
There's no doubt that XBox live is a slick thing. It's flashy and MS has even convinced a bunch of people that their system is the ONLY way to play a console game online. With EA not backing them, it's gonna put the hurt on 'em, though. We'll see what happens.
Ugh, this entire thing makes me sick, this article in particular. How anyone could defend this thing is beyond me.
First of all, the price. Yes, it's a phone, it plays games, it's an audio player but...it doesn't do anything of these things exceptionally well. In fact, it does all of these things pretty half assed. At $300, no thanks. I find it also pretty insane that the author of that piece even dares to speculate that the PSP will be launched at that price tag. In fact, Sony reps have publicly said it would be competively priced to the current GBA SP. One even hinted to me PERSONALLY that she wouldn't be surprised if they matched the price of Nintendo's system.
Lastly, the games...having read the press release and the FAQ packet that Nokia sent out...are they trying to generate excitement about this product or what? They're more effectively turning me off. A whopping 30 games will be out by the end of this year for the N-Gage. Another whopping 40 are planned for 2004. OH YAY. And at $30-40 a piece, per game...how about...NO.
Until I actually get my hands on one, I'd like to try to refrain from judging, but based on the facts I've been given, I don't see how I could possibly be interested in this thing. And unless Nokia flat out hands me an N-Gage, I doubt I know anyone stupid enough to shell out $300 for one.