Have you tried Wade Hixton's Counterpunch on the GBA? Supposed to be in the same spirit as Punch Out. Never tried it myself, so I couldn't say how it is. Maybe it would give you some satisfaction.
The actual platform is largely irrelevant, which is why these things are frequently sold as loss-leaders. An obvious historical example is the Atari Jaguar; technologically superior to other consoles in its day, it tanked because nobody would license games to Atari after they sued every game developer on the surface of the earth.
I don't think you can solely blame the Jaguar's failure on the lack of games. Granted, if it had decent games it would have had a shot. But, good God man, look at the controller. It's like a prototype Intellivision controller. Plus, who daisy-chains controllers together? Innovations these were not.
There was another door game I can't remember the name of, but basically it was space-based where you would roam around the galaxy, trading different goods to various places, killing enemy ships, and at times being in turn killed. Anyone remember what that was called, I'd love to find it online at some telnet-based BBS:-)
Funny, I thought the point n' click interface was the death of Sierra games. Reduced the near-infinity of possible player actions through pop-up text entry down to a few meager icons.
I had the same sentiment as you. I slowly lost interest in the games as they became so simple that you just moved the mouse around the environment until it flashed the needed input (e.g. arrow turns to tongue in SpaceQuest so you select the tongue "tool" and click on the spot you were just shown). I do remember the hard times of figuring out the intracacies of the text parser, but for whatever reason I enjoyed that more. Maybe we all just had more patience back then. Patience and a desire to type dirty words into the computer and get a reaction.
Too bad Daniel Shore isn't involved. I would love to hear him talk for 4 minutes about a game and say absolutely nothing in the process. Amazing every time.
If the big feature they have is that the game's character can e-mail you a form letter then the game is in even worse shape than I ever imagined. They don't talk about innovative gameplay at all, but they were sure to show off how Duke can write you an e-mail probably telling you to "keep it real!"
This "feature" should be a late addition in the final production or something a programmer added on their lunch breaks, not something to show off.
Agreed! This was THE major hype put forth by Microsoft at the big "debut" on MTV and it permeated other presentations and campaigns. Sure, they touted the graphics, wireless controllers and other features, but they kept coming back to this. They tried to get us excited about buying a Mark Ecko shirt for your Tony Hawk character and in the process spelled out that this is how Microsoft and third-party developers could really make money on this new system.
Also note, that there's no reason for the price of the overpriced doo-dads to decrease in price if they don't sell. It's not like merchandise. If they put something on the server and it just sits there, it's not costing them to warehouse it and it won't show up as inventory on their SEC filings, so why would they care to get rid of it? Sure, the few kb of room cost SOMETHING, but not as much as the employee cost of typing in a new, reduced price.
The UK's February release schedule is just as bad, but it ALWAYS HAS BEEN. This isn't news for Chrissakes. Every year, the industry suffers a massive downturn in February. Christmas shopping covers Nov/Dec, then January sales cover January, then February has...well, a bunch of crappy Gameboy Advance compilation packs and sod all else. Then March perks up as everyone prepares for the Easter/Summer holidays...
FYI - They are comparing this February to last February. Earnings are always compared to the same period in the previous year(s) to eliminate the seasonality factory. Anyone comparing a period of sales/earnings to the period just prior has an agenda or has no clue.
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Have you tried Wade Hixton's Counterpunch on the GBA? Supposed to be in the same spirit as Punch Out. Never tried it myself, so I couldn't say how it is. Maybe it would give you some satisfaction.
...and I am again proven wrong.
I don't have any numbers or references, but I had always heard/read that the original Metroid wasn't a big seller either.
I had the same sentiment as you. I slowly lost interest in the games as they became so simple that you just moved the mouse around the environment until it flashed the needed input (e.g. arrow turns to tongue in SpaceQuest so you select the tongue "tool" and click on the spot you were just shown). I do remember the hard times of figuring out the intracacies of the text parser, but for whatever reason I enjoyed that more. Maybe we all just had more patience back then. Patience and a desire to type dirty words into the computer and get a reaction.
"Pick nose" in Hero's Quest... oh the hilarity!
Too bad Daniel Shore isn't involved. I would love to hear him talk for 4 minutes about a game and say absolutely nothing in the process. Amazing every time.
We're definitely being adversly affected down here by all of the harmful emissions Oklahoma keeps sending our way.
/End of required OK bashing by Texan.
Here's the Nintendo press release about the NES Classic Series showing that games will have an MSRP of $19.99.
This press release is worth reading to see how NOT to write a press release. It is terrible!
I'm sure zelda is selling for $20 at gamestop used b/c it is in somewhat high demand and they have stopped making it. The kids, they like the zelda.
I just saw that down the page too. Pretty dang official.
From the linked to Gameasylum page: "Finally, an image of the classic pad has emerged. It's up there at the top. Looks alright."
That's all that was said at that link, besides someone commenting that they are awesome for getting a world exclusive.
I'm thinking I need to see something more official before I believe this photoshop looking picture is real.
I was performing a service for people as clueless as me.
DOLT FOR HIRE! E-mail me!
Then it sounds like you're saying, "ennui," which would be a bad association for any product.
You can play the original on the Maxis website:
http://simcity.ea.com/play/simcity_classic.php
An old company can fail too. Being around a long time does not give them a ticket to profitable quarters and increased sales.
I just think it's a silly point to make when the competition is Sony and Microsoft, no fly-by-night startups by any means.
If the big feature they have is that the game's character can e-mail you a form letter then the game is in even worse shape than I ever imagined. They don't talk about innovative gameplay at all, but they were sure to show off how Duke can write you an e-mail probably telling you to "keep it real!"
This "feature" should be a late addition in the final production or something a programmer added on their lunch breaks, not something to show off.
Plan A: Sell video game console with games nobody in market is interested in.
Plan B: Sell video game console with games people in market are interested in.
Plan B+: Sell video game console featuring the game all the kids are playing, Galaga!
Agreed! This was THE major hype put forth by Microsoft at the big "debut" on MTV and it permeated other presentations and campaigns. Sure, they touted the graphics, wireless controllers and other features, but they kept coming back to this. They tried to get us excited about buying a Mark Ecko shirt for your Tony Hawk character and in the process spelled out that this is how Microsoft and third-party developers could really make money on this new system. Also note, that there's no reason for the price of the overpriced doo-dads to decrease in price if they don't sell. It's not like merchandise. If they put something on the server and it just sits there, it's not costing them to warehouse it and it won't show up as inventory on their SEC filings, so why would they care to get rid of it? Sure, the few kb of room cost SOMETHING, but not as much as the employee cost of typing in a new, reduced price.
They'll issue new maps that you don't NEED to buy either. If you think 10 included maps is a rip, you shouldn't buy the game in the first place.
Not everyone was a business major.
I agree that the use of points is a good move, but let's be sure to not give Microsoft credit for what those genius carnies have been doing for years.
Should read "Omniscient". Sorry. Taking too much of my Bad Vocabulary Fairy Dust.
Please provide us with your source of Industry Omnipotence Fairy Dust.
FYI - They are comparing this February to last February. Earnings are always compared to the same period in the previous year(s) to eliminate the seasonality factory. Anyone comparing a period of sales/earnings to the period just prior has an agenda or has no clue.
This just in: People who don't pay for their games also don't like to pay for subscriptions!