kisrael

It's amazing how grating the loadtimes were. I wanted to like this. I was hoping it was finally a decent deathmatch on GC. Luckily, Time Splitters 2 came out not too long after. I tried to like it, but it just comes across as bad, frustrating but not in a good way. And the story I always tell is my cousin was dithering over what game I should get him for his bithday on the way to the store and laughed when I said "you decide in the next 5 minutes or YOU'RE GETTING TUROK!!!". Even to this day, Turok is our joke threat when we can't decide what game to play next...

I think I've shied away form PC gmes ever since my university got that shiny new Internet in the dorms thing, and all the freshman with their brand spanking new PCs would whip my but on my rusty ol' 486/66 in Duke Nuke'em 3D...I'd almost hold my own til the water-based level, then suddenly it was a world of 2 FPS hurt. Consoles are just reliable. I bought a new PC last year, middle of the road, and I was surprised at how choppy Quake III demo looked on it, since I'm sure in many ways the PC should be better than my DC...

Oops, oh yeah. Actually, I couldn't find a few of my favorite titles as I perused my collection, that was one of them. Could be. Not into sports that much, my cousin might have more to say...his N64 broke, sometimes he brings over this ancient version of Madden with this really goofy repetitive titlescreen music. Doot doo doot, doot de doot, doot doot dootdoot doot... I do like Blitz though. True, N64 was noticeable for its lack of proper RPGs. (And of course couldn't do FMV in any respectable way, though otherwise I think the cart format was a plus, not a minus.) To me, "action RPGs" like Zelda are a different breed than say, Final Fantasy whatever. Some other thread was asking about "Zelda like RPGs for GB", and said the discerning factor is boring turn based combat vs. Zelda's much more interactive, and I think that nails it. I want to like a game like FF7, but a few random monster encounter battles and I'm bored and frustrated to tears.

N64 had its share of innovative and niche titles, like Blast Corps and Space Station Silicon Valley. It also had many innovations later copied: 4 controller ports (which Sony still doesn't get, unlike DC and XBox), the return of the analog stick, the rumble pack. It had all these months or years before anyone else. As for games, the N64 had the "best in class" for many genres: FPS: Golden Eye, Perfect Dark Racers: Mario Kart, Diddy Kong Racing Party: Mario Party Series Action 'Puzzle':Pokemon Puzzle League 3D Platformer: Mario 64, Conker, DK64 Realtime RPG: Zelda:OoT and MM Brawler:Smash Bros Tank Game: BattleTanx and its sequel (still looking for something as good on a current platform!) Star Wars:Rogue Squadron (and previously SotE) Multiplatform: Blitz 2000, Micromachines Shooter: Star Fox Puzzle Solvers:Space Station Silicon Valley, Blast Corps Sports: Mario Tennis, Mario Golf For 4 player gaming, it was undisputed champ. I think a previous poster was right though; first party games by Nintendo can almost be bought on sight and you know you're getting a great game. Everything else was a mixed bag. As a N64 fan who then got a PS1 late, thinking he'd pick up tons of great cheap games, well....all they had was the mixed bag. (there was some guaranteed quality, GTs and FFs, if you like those, which to be fair I didn't. And Arcade Paks. And I got the system partially to get "Unholy War", I'm a Star Control/Archon fanboy from way back)

above. That's getting pretty disturbing. Many things are done better on the Xbox. PERIOD. The Xbox usually does get criticised on here so what? I have yet to see one Xbox fan jump in some sort of Nintendo or PS2 thread and start getting all pissy about the systems or games. Quit playing the martyr. On this thread, Xbox fans have been just as obnoxious or more so than anyone else. The statement "there is nothing special that isn't done better elsewhere" was misguided. Most consoles have one specialty or other. All consoles have their exclusive titles.

No offense, but your point wasn't proven. I think a claim, even an questionable claim that "Nintendo always blows them away at E3", is less obnoxious than "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA". That's not gentle laughter, that's antagonistic mocking. Honestly, I haven't read reviewers who were excited about it. They said it was a slapped-together looking deathmatch demo only, ok gameplay, empty-feeling arenas. It's not Xbox prejudice, it's just not that generally exciting for most folks; if you think it's all that, then post here or in a new thread and say why.

My condolences... Just kidding. An interesting experiment, I'm glad I finally got to try one at New England Classic Gamers. Still, I think the form factor is just too awkward, and the choice of garish red too questionable...

It's not quite as simple as that. I know of at least 3 system advocates on this group who claim they bought a system but haven't been that impressed by it; Foxy Cleopatra (and "owns" is still kind of a dumb phrase, and I don't think she used the term "begging the question" correctly) says she got a PS2, then an Xbox and "began to realize how much Sony really ripped me off", MacGurl claims to have all the systems and the Xbox sits unplayed, I myself got a PS2 a little late, and thank goodness for GTA3 and GTA:VC, otherwise it would've been a waste. I think people do tend to get emotionally invested in systems though, usually but not always the first one they get. It is funny that there aren't any diehard PS2 fans speaking up here. I know sales aren't "everything", but if I were a big Sony fanboy, I'd be pretty amused by this squabbling for "second place".

Eh, I think people have been saying "the sky is falling" when it comes to the modern games scene for a while now. I think where we're at is pretty normal for this stage in the major system's lifespan, kind of a "midlife crisis" if anything. I think there are still a good amount of good games coming out, but not as many as when there's an upcoming system launch.

Yeah, but the way they're drawn nowadays is a bit different, the styling of Optimus Prime and what not. After I wrote that one thing, I remembered the one person who wrote "we have all 3 but Xbox sits unplugged." But I'd say on this thread, the Xbox contigent has been a lot more obnoxious.

I didn't even think this was a war Right, not "War"; "Uno". (har har) I went back and read some of the comments about Nintendo; despite enthusiasm for Rebel Strike, Mario Kart, and F-Zero, the consensus seems to be that it was a pretty lackluster showing for Nintendo. I hate the stealth/"realistic" tactical combat genres. Dull as dishwater to me. I'm really intrigued by that Transformers title; (though for nostalgic reasons I wish it used only the 80s designs for the robots) Is it not slated for US release? You know, I really hate the term "owns". What was so bad about "rules"? I mean, if the other systems are so weak online (which they are), why would Microsoft want to own them anyway? (yeah I know where the term comes from, online gaing smacktalk, but I don't think it makes nearly as much sense out of that context.) You're right. they are acting "hungrier" than either of the other systems. BUT, it still seems like a super high shovelware/solid hit ratio to me, just like in the old PS1 vs N64 days. I don't think it's fair to say it's acceptable to hate Microsoft but not dislike Nitendo here...I think a lot of people just resent the "hate" in general. There have been more people with a friendly "hey, all the systems are alright", have their own strengths and weaknesses...but it seems that a few fans (mostly of the x-box) can't accept that much praise for the competing systems.

Wait, that's the colors of UNO, isn't it? And to be fair, this isn't a System A vs. System B flame war. It's more System A vs "A B and C are all pretty good, though I like B a bit better".

"Quantity is its own quality" --Lenin. And it is, to a certain extent, true. Still, it comes down to the exclusive titles, and all 3 systems have experiences you won't get on the other systems.

You were laughing at someone who said "Nintendo blows them away at E3, that's pretty clear from your comments. PS2 is kicking both of our system's asses saleswise, and their premier exclusive line, GTA, stands up VERY well against Halo and Rogue Leader.

Maybe it was my fault for the title of the thread and all... but I'm really not a big RULEZ!!!!/SUX!!!! kind of guy. All of the systems are very decent right now. 20 inch screen? I'm sorry.... Seriously, wasn't Splinter Cell the one where they really did cut down the shadow and lighting effects for the other systems? Some of the comparison screenshots were really noticable, whole parts of the architecture had to be dumbed down because of the engine.

Yeah, you have a point. I don't agree with your first sentence, but overall, GBA connectivity seems way overhyped. I don't know if they do it to sell more GBAs, or more GCs, or what. I'd like to get a GBA someday, because of Metroid Fusion and a few other titles, but I'd rather get that thing that turns a GC into a GBA...except then I can't use the tie-ins. Actually, I think for some time now Nintendo's reputation is based on making great games that continue their existing franchises more than coming up with new lines. New series are added only slowly; Smash Brothers a few years back, Pikmin.

Honestly--and you have to take my word for this--it's not what you said but how said it. I'd feel about the same way if you were using "HAHAHAHAHA" style laughter in support of my view. (Though I'd be somewhat less likely to post about. Seriously, BWAHAHAHA is only one step above saying "'Nuff said" to try to pre-emptively "win" a discussion. I admit Nintendo has done some stuff wrong, and GameCube is tracing the footsteps of the N64....which isn't an entirely bad thing; hour per hour, I'd say N64 has given me more gaming goodness than any system I've ever owned. And X-box, crappy black case and initially HUUUGE Dreamcast ripoff controllers and all, is doing some things right. Even though Halo is the ONLY game I've seen for it that I can't get on my GC or PS2, they're the only real contendor for network play (frickin Time Splitters 2 for PS2, grr) and in side by side comparisons of the same game, it has an edge graphically. No, Moron, it's like this: Rogue Squadron Sequel > Halo 2. Mario Kart Sequel > Some crappy if pretty ninja running around game. So, for me, Nintendo at E3 > XBox at E3. for Rebel Strike vs Halo 2...part of that's a matter of personal taste, and we'll have to see how well the third person running around levels work. But I've always been into the series for putting me at the controls of "real Star Wars" fighters. Unlike you, I don't think that the opposite view, thinking Halo 2 being better than Rebel Strike, is a "laughable" opinion worth making smartass condescending remarks about.

Really, it wasn't that funny in the first point. Like, at all. And the followup point about "hey, how can you say it 'sounds' funny on a message board when it's all WRITTEN" was even dumber. I still stand by my original point, Nintendo w/ Rogue Squardon 3 and Mario Kart DD is more interesting by far to me than X-box w/ Halo 2 and Ninja Gaiden (the latter of which seems really dull; maybe I was too burnt by Shinobi, which also looked good but played extremely mediocre.) And while I'm not the one who said "Nintendo always blows them away at E3" I don't think it's a ridiculous statement; with its history of REALLY well established and popuplar games, Nintendo doles out the big titles that catches the absolute attention of many gamers, fanboy and non-fanboy alike.

Is it just me or does excessive sarcastic laughter always sound really stupid on message boards?

I have no game industry experience, but some software development...and I'd guess development costs, staff salaries, are a huuuge part of the overall budget. At least half I'd guess. And except for little gimmicky games, those costs are fairly fixed, if you sell 2000 or 50,000.

I wouldn't blame Eminem himself for this. And I doubt it will be a success. Hell, it'd be hard enough to whip up sufficient "fan appreciation" to play this kind of game for free on a website.

That's a good point. Legions of kids now have the net (like gamefaqs chatrooms) rather than just the sears catalog to go on. Also, some argue that the crash is overstated. I'm not sure how much of a dip arcade games took, if it's just console only, but a lot of people just started playing games on Home Computers, where games were more sophisticated and piratable. At this point, the PC vs console market is rather mature. And arcades are already dead. So given the premise that people never really stopped playing games, and probably never will, then consoles seem poised to retain their dominant place and unlikely to suffer a crash. A slowdown, maybe.

One noticeable lack is non-Graphic RAM. Like take GTA3 or Vice City; the reason you have so much car disappearance and general non-permanence is directly tied to the machines lack of RAM. I imagine the PS3 versions of GTA will feel a lot more like a consistent 'world' than the previous renditions. There's always room for improvement in the graphics, but I think we're at the point where it's no longer a stopping point for a new game; designers can make pretty much anything they can imagine, just not quite as prettily as they might hope.

Frustrating in a different way are the PC games that won't work because my computer is too new...I wouldn't mind firing up my machine for a game of Wing Commander one or two or the like. Actually, I think one company makes an emulation package for PCs that make it act like an old DOS PC, memory management and sound blaster systems settings and all. More powerful than just trying something like MoSlo and hoping it works.

Good golly, did you read the gameplay description? There are six different types of puzzle modes in the game, including memory match and sliding puzzles. and later The game will be the first in a new brand of titles using proprietary technology that scrambles full-motion video into various puzzles. When they say puzzles, they don't mean cool puzzles like Tetris Attack and Dr. Mario even. This sounds like it'll be on the level of that one Mario Party 4 minigame, where you have to assemble a jigsaw puzzle of an animation that's going on. Seriously, the lameness of this concept is a magnificent blackhole-esque void that risks drawing us all in and crushing us into a thin paste.