Rock Band Wii

As some of you may have known, Rock Band Wii was released last Sunday. There was a lot of questioning surrounding why this version was released so late, June, instead of November like the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, or December with the PS2 version. Although that is not totally clear, it does not make a lot of sense. The instruments on the Wii version hardly differ from that of the previous games, except for the fact the drums are white and wireless. The fact remains, the Wii version is lacking quite a lot that the PS3 and Xbox 360 ones had to offer. There is no wi-fi and no weekly new downloads. Still, the developers have tried to solve this by selling a Track Package which includes 20 songs for $30 that can be sued with Rock Band. Still, the question remains of should Wii owners buy it, or wait for Guitar Hero World Tour?

The game play remains similar to the previous versions. The graphics match the PS2 version. Still, you probably won’t care when you have two people shredding away on guitar controllers, one person pounding away at a plastic drum set, and one person rockin away on the microphone (which is not wireless). Other faults from the Wii version include that the guitars from Guitar Hero 3 do not work with Rock Band Wii. That means you’re stuck with the Rock Band guitar of debatable quality. Other than that, the Wii version lives up to its previous success on the other consoles. Still, Guitar Hero World Tour offers all that Rock Band doesn’t, and more, so personally, I am going to make the decision to wait for World Tour.

Spore Creature Creator

In the “I want that game when it comes out” list, you can see I have the game Spore listed. Spore, from EA and Maxis is a game that has been delayed year after year. Finally, the much anticipated release is scheduled for September 7th in the states. The game’s basic idea is evolution of a creature based on your imagination. You take your creature through the cell, creature, tribe, civilization, and space stages through different goals. The huge thing about Spore the developers wanted to point out is the fact you can design everything in the game from the actual creature to buildings to plants to vehicles. The Spore Creature Creator is simply the Creature Creator available for download to get you started on building your creatures now versus the fall.

The creator is incredibly in depth and can basically build anything you can imagine. The creator gives you a clay blog and you have absolutely infinite possibilities. You can start with the spinal cord, bending it, stretching it, shrinking it, and making it larger in size. You can add arms, legs, hands, feet, mouths, and eyes, each in any quantity or style. Your creature’s diet is determined by the mouth, carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore. There are also many tweaks you can add to each feature. There are also accessories you can add to your creature.

The free trial download contains about ¼ of the parts found in the actual creature creator, which you can buy for $10. If you sign up for a Spore account, you can email photos of your creations to friends and also record videos that can be directly sent to Youtube.

The developers continue to prove that Spore is a game of creativity as well as a combination of RPG and RTS games. For more info about Spore visit spore.com. You can also download the trial of the creature creator at the same site.

Info from ign.com and spore.com. Images from spore.com.

iPhone 3G

Okay, a little delayed, but here is my preview and opinions on the new iPhone 3G. Also, you can check out my friend Kevin’s review, although he is quite anti-apple, at funknowledge.blogspot.com.

The new iPhone, although almost everyone knew it would have 3G and GPS, was still an extremely hyped keynote on Monday, June 9. Held at the WWDC (World Wide Developer’s Conference) the keynote obviously had a lot to do with development of apps. I’ll do a review of those and some of the new features for the new iPhone coming out on July 11th.

First and foremost, the new body of the iPhone. The casing is now a full plastic and comes in black on the back. The price has also been cut to $199 for the 8GB version and $299 for the 16GB, which also comes in a white casing. The iPhone 3G feels even better in your hand, according to Steve Jobs.

Next, new features. As plainly seen from the name, the new iPhone will feature 3G for wireless data downloads. Tests presented by Jobs at the keynote shows that 3G is over 3X as fast as the Edge network, and nearing Wi-fi speeds. New iPhone users will love faster web and email access with speeds like these. Also, iPhone 3G will include GPS integrated into the Google Maps application, making it an amazing navigation device. Also, the new App Store which will act similar to the iTunes Wi-fi music store and will sell the 3rd party apps for the iPhone, more on that later. Lastly, the iPhone 3G will include accessibility to a ton of more languages.

The main focus of the iPhone 3G seems to be to make it more accessible for the enterprise. Apple had a whole video prepared of many companies discussing how well the new software (iPhone 2.0) was so easily integrated into their network. The software has compatibility with Microsoft Exchange, which will let business not have to switch any other tech. Jobs also discussed in much detail about how business can keep certain apps within their own network.

Jobs also discussed the success of the developer’s SDK and went into deep discussion on the App Store. Developer’s name the price of their apps, and can even distribute them for free. Apple keeps 30% of the sales. The new iPhone 2.0 software can also be used on the iPod Touch and will be sold for $10.

Still, even a second generation device can’t achieve perfection, and neither does the iPhone. Here’s a small list of the problems as generated by C/Net. “Unfortunately, we hoped for an even larger bundle of features in this round. Apple still leaves multimedia messaging out of the mix along with voice dialing and video recording. We still don't understand why Apple can't include these basic features, many found in even the cheapest and simplest cell phones. We were also hoping for a landscape keyboard, the capability to cut and paste, Flash support for the Safari Web browser, expanded memory, and additional Bluetooth profiles. Apple, you left us hanging in a big way. It's also disappointing to hear that the dock is now sold separately for $49, but we suppose that helped cut the price. No, you don't need the dock, but it's nice to have. Even the power adapter and the SIM card removal tool that now come in the box won't make up for its loss.” ~Cnet’s Kent German.

So, the final question remains, should you buy it? If you do not yet have an iPhone, this seems like a perfect opportunity to gain a new device if you don’t mind the small lack of nit-picky features. If you have an iPhone, you will definetly by angered by the GINOURMOUS price cut, so if you want to take advantage of it go ahead, but keep in mind that if you’re not going to take a large advantage of the new hardware features, it might not be worth it, because you can still get the software update in early July.

Guitar Hero World Tour

Yes, that's right, Guitar Hero Aerosmith hasn't even arrived and here is Red Octane and Activision getting us pumped up for Guitar Hero World Tour!!!!!!!



Since not much is known about this game, this post will simply be a small preview of the game's new features. It will be launching for the Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, and Wii and, like Rock Band, have guitar, bass, drums, and a microphone. No actual gameplay videos have been released so no one knows if that will be similar to Rock Band as well.

The drum kit will slightly differ from Rock Band. Instead of the four drum pads, it will have three, but don't worry. The yellow and orange are two symbols elevated above the actual drum pads! The bass pedal stays where it is, so now the drum set is even more realistic than Rock Band. In total, six things to hit/crash/beat/stomp on and the pads even sense how hard you hit them. The harder you hit, the louder the note.

The guitar will also get a makeover, with a sweet new black face and what looks to be similar to the solo buttons on the Rock Band guitar. Not much has been release about the microphone. The game will also feature extensive online play including the ability to have four friends at your house, as one band, against another four people, online, in a battle of the bands mode.

There is an expected fall release with big expectations, so let it be that Guitar Hero World Tour be one to remember.

Info from Crave blog, from Cnet, and guitarhero.com. More info also at guitarhero.com including videos and images for your own eyes.

Nintendo Channel

Yes, that's right, the Nintendo Channel, one that has finally come out and has all the features you could ever want! (yeah right.) Although that may not be true, this channel offers some features that Wii owners have been waiting for quite some time now. If you don't have it yet, do a Wii system update and download it from the Shop Channel.

 

The Nintendo channel is a video-based collection of all Nintendo games created for the Wii, DS, Virtual console, and Wii ware. It's weekly updated video list includes anything from TV game ads, to informational videos, to exclusive interviews. You are greeted by a simple digest video that highlights some of the new and popular videos of the week's new selections. The "blue-circle" theme gives a very Wii-ish feel to that and the straight forward menus are clear and easy to navigate. 

The channel also includes a recommendation feature where people can search by categories such as solo or multiplayer, casual or hard-core, rating, system, and gender/age. The information these categories are based on comes from people who fill out a form in the review section. Any game in the Nintendo Channel data base that has been played for more than an hour on a Wii can be rated in the categories listed above. The system works pretty well, except for the fact that the Nintendo Channel database is somewhat limited. A game like Okami (review coming soon, LONG article, AMAZING game), a third-party game developed by Capcom is not included in the list. I find this disappointing because most people know somewhat of all the Nintendo games, but its the third-party ones that need to get more mention and publicity. 

Other sections include the ad section, where you can get ads for new games to your Wii message board. Yes, finally the Wii has joined today's newest technologies (email, IM, text messaging) in the fact that you can get spam! Another neat thing I noticed was the purchase feature. On a specific game's page (includes basic release date, ESRB rating, cover art, any videos about it, etc. info) there is a purchase link that launches the Wii Internet Channel to a site where you can actually buy the game from your Wii! 

Lastly, my favorite. Although you have to allow Nintendo to see what games you've been playing and for how long (basically, the "Today's Play Time" on your message board), you can get exclusive downloads of demos of recent DS games from your Wii, to your DS! This is similar to the DS Download Stations at any game retailer, but in the comfort and privacy of your own home. So far, the demos seem to be advertising the more casual games such as Brain Age and Nintendogs, so as to extend that category of gamer's knowledge of games they might like. 

The Nintendo Channel has a lot of promise for a weekly updated channel with info on all the latest and soon to be release games. In the future, I hope for demos of Wii games too, as well as an extended game list. 

Info from: me through experience

Pics from: Nintendo.com

Wiiware

Nintendo's new Wiiware serviced launched yesterday, May 12th with six new games for the wii. Wiiware is a service Nintendo launched to allow more third-party developers to create games for the Wii. It's accessed through the Wii shop channel as a download so they don't have to deal with the whole creating the game case and disc and all of that. The new six launch titles are: Square Enix's Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, Frontier Development's LostWinds, XGen Studios' Defend your Castle, Nnooo's Pop, High Voltage Software's V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack, and Gameloft's TV Show King. Nintendo eventually plans to have over 100 Wiiware games, but this is it for now. My guess is they will have weekly releases like for the Virtual Console. Hopefully, we'll see some games we would've never suspected would make a console, and maybe we'll see some really memorable ones, only the future can tell.

Pics and Info from the crave blog at cnet.com

Pinball Hall of Fame: Willams Collection Review

Throughout the gaming world's attempt at pinball videogames, none have completely delivered, until now. Williams Pinball brings back 10 tables from the 70's, 80's, and 90's with a truly authentic pinball experience. 

Okay, let's start with the control scheme. You use the Wiimote and Nunchuck for this game. The right and left flippers are controlled with the B button and the Z button respectively. The plunger is operated via the control stick on the nunchuck. Those are really all you need to know, all the other buttons do minor actions (2 is camera scheme, shake the controller for a tilt, press control pad for a nudge). It works very well, and although the nunchuck might be unecessary (the Wiimote on its side may have worked, too) it still provides for fun gameply. 

Now that's said, I can get into detail on the tables. As previously stated, the game has 10 different tables from a variety of time, giving you everything from basic fields to mutliple flippers and ramps every which way. A complaint I have is that the new tables tend to outshine the old ones because they are so basic. While the last four or five are full of ramps and crazy multiple flippers, the old ones only tend to have bumpers and drop targets to hit. Still, the new ones are exciting and bring back those long lost memories of playing pinball with a bunch of friends.

To do's in the game include matching goals for each table which take a lot of talent. Multiplayer modes include freeplay and tournament mode where you get points for your score at the end of a table. The game also includes instructions which give you every detail on how to score points and includes the original flyers for the machines. It's really a fabulous collection of everything you would ever want to know about these selected pinball machines. I'd give the game a definite 8 because of some lack of graphic power and some outshining tables, but otherwise it makes a really solid pinball experience.

 

Guitar Hero: On Tour (Guitar Hero DS)

As I've said before, I'm a guitar hero fan, but no guitar hero playing for any player will prepare them for Guitar Hero: On Tour for the Nintendo DS system. Yes it's true, they are developing a guitar hero DS. Before I explain how it will work, check out these pictures for a reference:

Using details from the top picture, we see a new guitar hero fret buttons attachment which will slide into the game boy port. You will hold the game on its side like in Brain Age and the notes will come down the left screen. To strum, you can use your stylus, your finger, or the new included guitar hero pick stylus to pluck the strings on the touch screen. You will also touch the whammy bar on the touch screen for that effect.  As you can see, only four fret buttons have been included, so no insane moving up and down the frets on expert songs, but the game is still expected to be challenging. Also note this attachment will work on both new and old DS systems.

The track list is going to be one of the most diverse in a guitar hero game ever. With over 20 songs including "Spiderwebs" - No Doubt, "All the Small Things" - Blink-182, "Do What You Want" - OK Go,    "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" - Jet, and "We're Not Gonna Take It" - Twisted Sister. Also, a Nirvana song will be included and include other songs from genres such as classic rock, alternative and pop. 

The usual career mode is back, with 6 characters to play, and two new to the series. Battle mode is back from Guitar Hero 3 and co-op play can be done with a direct DS link, so no Wi-fi over the internet. Although slightly different from what we've seen from past Guitar Hero games, Guitar Hero: On Tour should provide a new twist to DS owners on a familiar series. So prepare your rocking spirit to go on the road with Guitar Hero: On Tour on the DS June 22nd (yes, the day Rock Band Wii comes out).

Images and Info credit Wikipedia and Nintendo Power volume 228

Mario Kart Wii

I don't know how many times I've read this, but here I go on about it. On the heels of the super popular Super Smash Bros Brawl comes Mario Kart Wii. It seems now that Nintendo's big name game series have finally all made their debut on Wii. Here they are in a nutshell:

Zelda: Twilight Princess

Mario (plat-former): Super Mario Galaxy

Paper Mario: Super Paper Mario

Metroid: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Super Smash Bros: Brawl

Mario Kart: Mario Kart Wii

Does this mean a 2nd Wii generation is on the horizon? Please note that Twilight Princess and Super Paper Mario were originally going to be released as gamecube games, and not built for the Wii base up, Metroid was the first from this list to do that. I for one can't wait to see what a complete Wii Zelda will be like (I'm hoping rumors for a 2009 release coming soon).

Yes, all that is very nice but the game I want to preview in this post is:

For those of you who don't know, the Mario Kart series is a Nintendo-ified, Mario-ified racing game. You get to pick from a selection of characters that hail from the Mario universe in increasing numbers from game to game. Although it may seem like it, the game is not about strategic racing, but rather using items and mini-turbos to bust up your opponents. Mario Kart Wii features a couple of new features and some taken from Double Dash (game cube) and the DS version. I simply compiled a small list for those anticipating this game.

• Along with the ability to race of Karts, you can race of bikes. The differences are as follows: Karts, better charge-up on turns, slower turns Bikes: Ability to do wheelies to get speed on straights, sharper turns
• 32 tracks with a combination of new and old (although reviewers report the new outshine the old)
• Ability to pull of wicked stunts on small bumps and large death-defying jumps. 
• Ability to race as your Mii along with 17 mario characters
• New items, some inspired by old games
• Online racing and battle mode
• WiiWheel attachment to use as a wheel (think Wii Zapper) that makes racing more realistic (you can also stay with a gamecube controller
• Instead of 8 racers, you get 12! (Battle mode too, it gets hectic)

Well, that's my summary of Mario Kart Wii's new game features. Also note Nintendo Power gave the game a 9 out of 10 for being perfect but not as revolutionary as some Wii games and not as packed as Super Smash Bros Brawl. Feast your eyes on these screenshots for the next couple of weeks as April 27 approaches.

The Kart selection screen, looks nice and clean. Plus color schemes for each character.

Wi-fi, in Japanese! Lot's of Mii's on the track today.

Like I said, some uber tricks on big jumps.

Here it is, Peach's other side, a biker chic. 

Also, check out my Mario Kart Wii event tracker at the very bottom (it wouldn't fit anywhere else) of the page. It provides regularly updated info with images, news, tips, and features. 

(Images courtesy of ign.com, information Nintendo Power)

Legend of Zelda Movie!

Hoax or not? The choice is up to you but it did make the headlines of IGN. Based on the trailer, it seems to follow a combination of Twilight Princess and Ocarina of Time. Rainfall (the production team) does say only a year from this date, April 1st. Check it out:

http://movies.ign.com/articles/863/863492p1.html