Shawn Vermette

Snackbar Speculator: The next generation

May 2, 2011

Features / Speculator / by Shawn Vermette Make a comment! / Tweet it!

In this special edition, we look at the next Nintendo system and discuss what features it will have.

Next Nintendo console to have an internal hard drive

Now that Nintendo has revealed that they are working on a new console, rumors are swirling over the various features of it. First up is the rumor that Nintendo will finally include an actual hard drive in a console. There haven’t been any guesses as to a specific size for the hard drive, but the mere inclusion of one would certainly be big news.

Gerry Pagan: I’d actually be surprised if the new Nintendo console didn’t have a hard drive, given that even the 3DS has 2 GB of flash memory. 100%



Andrew Passafiume: It seems like an obvious move for them. I’m sure they’ll have a (hopefully) larger focus on downloadable content, including games and demos, so an internal hard drive is the next step. 95%

 


Graham Russell:  Technically there was internal storage in the Wii, so on a purely semantic standpoint, yeah, it’s going to have one. What kind is hard to say. They could try a 3DS model of relying on external cards, but if the rumors of “appealing to the Western hardcore demographic” are true, they really need internal storage, and they need a lot of it. Any less than, say, 60GB would be a disappointment, unless they try for SSD storage, in which case something like 32 might slip by. 100%

Shawn Vermette:  I think Nintendo has seen the amount of money and importance placed on DLC with the PS3 and Xbox 360. They’ve also seen the popularity of their Virtual Console soar beyond their expectations. At this point, I’d be shocked if Nintendo didn’t have a hard drive in their next console. 100%


Controller for next Nintendo console to have touch screen

Next is concerning the actual controller for the new console. Rumors say that the new controller will be similar to the GameCube controller, only with a touch screen in the middle of it. There’s no certainty to the rumors over what it would be used for, just that it will have one.

Gerry: I’m kind of split on this one. If it’s true, I’m sure Nintendo will find some way of making it non-intrusive like they did with the speakers on the Wii remote. But a touch screen? 50%

 


Andrew: Nintendo probably wants to move away from motion controls, at least primarily, so having a more standard controller would definitely help. The potential use of a touch screen could come in handy during certain games, and it could also allow for 3DS connectivity; using a handheld as a controller is something Nintendo’s been focused on doing since the GameCube. If they’re going to have any kind of crazy innovation, this might just be it. 70%

Graham:  The word on this one is that it both has a touch screen and functions as a sensor bar for Wii games. This tiny detail, I think, is an important one. It speaks not to the flights of fancy of a rumor-monger, but to a comprehensive plan for cost-effectiveness and backwards-compatibility. Why? It means these two things: (1) the system will run Wii games, but only as a legacy thing and not because the system itself retains these abilities, and (2) this touch-screen thing is happening, since that’s a move to cut controller costs in other areas. The controller sits on the TV when you’re playing these games, so that makes me think that the system will simply sync with Wii remotes when you want to do these things. It seems to me that, for most, any controller scheme that costs more than $79 would be impractical, so they need to cut it down to fewer things. Could it have a simple gyroscope? Possibly, but it’s likely that games with motion controls will just get you to pull out that legacy device, much like Wii games supported GameCube controls.  90%

Shawn:  A touch screen on a controller only makes sense if you plan on allowing customizable controls using it, and honestly, it kind of makes sense to do that, assuming they can get some kind of tactile feedback for it. Without tactile feedback, I just don’t think it’d work out the way Nintendo hopes, if it is actually in their plan. 65%


Next Nintendo console to be more powerful than the PS3

Lastly is a rumor concerning the power of the new console. The rumors say that in a slight change of pace for Nintendo, the new system will have plenty of power. Enough to make it the most powerful console on the market by a good amount when it releases.

Gerry: This I’d actually like to see. Nintendo’s always been great with the eyecandy when it comes to their first party titles, so seeing a Mario or Zelda in 1080p would be a nice sight. 78% 

 


Andrew: We won’t know until we see it; it’s something that might just edge out the PS3, but the difference won’t be that noticeable. It’s tough to say at this point really. 50%

 


Graham:  The era of advancing graphical ability is largely over. It’s important that I explain: I fully believe graphics will get better and better, as they have, but the law of diminishing returns has started to kick in. Do we really need things to look better than, say, Crysis 2, if that means bloated development budgets and more expensive games? We don’t, and if anyone agrees with me, it’s Nintendo. Affordability is key as PC and iOS development have been racing to the bottom, price-wise. All that said, I think Nintendo will at least match 360/PS3 capabilities, and they should, regardless of crazy new ideas they have. Whether the system will outpace the PS3 is up for discussion, though, since Nintendo loves making a profit from the beginning and doesn’t want to price the system at the high levels the PS3 did at launch. 65%

Shawn:  I think at a minimum, the next console needs to be at least as powerful as the PS3 for it to have any chance of attracting third-party publishers and last longer than three or four years. Nintendo isn’t known for doing what most people would expect them to do, though. 75%

Super Monkey Ball 3D

April 27, 2011

3DS / Reviews / by Shawn Vermette Make a comment! / Tweet it!

Super Monkey Ball 3D is something of a mixed bag. It has a fun (albeit short) main game, a decent Mario Kart clone and a bad Smash Bros. clone. Its saving grace would be its use of 3D, but even that has some problems. 

Past Super Monkey Ball games gave you some pretense of a story, but not Super Monkey Ball 3D. There’s not even an attempt at a story to give you a reason to play through the main game. Instead you are simply tasked with picking a monkey and guiding it through various, increasingly-difficult stages without falling off the edges of the level. There are 8 worlds with 10 levels each to play through. This mode works really well with the 3DS’ 3D technology, as it really helps with the depth perception needed to prevent accidental falling. It works so well that I found myself shifting my head to try to see the level from a different angle, which unfortunately had the side effect of destroying the 3D and causing me to lose a life. In the end, I could only play it in 2D mode because of that subconscious need to adjust my viewing angle. Unfortunately, in 2D mode the graphics aren’t that great.

In Monkey Race, the Mario Kart clone, the 3D works well yet again, and the racing works very much like Mario Kart, complete with random items that can be used defensively or offensively. The only real problem this mode faces is a lack of replayability and variation. There are all of 9 courses in 3 grand prix. That lends itself to being a one-and-done game mode.

The last gameplay mode is called Monkey Fight, and it is definitely a substandard Smash Bros. clone. Rather than be solely about fighting, the 4 player fights focus on who collects the most bananas, which you get by picking them up around the stage, or by beating out of your opponents. The 3D in this mode is just annoying, as is the fighting. I found myself avoiding fights completely, just jumping around the levels picking up bananas from the other monkey fights. That actually served me better than fighting did as far as collecting lots of bananas. Like Monkey Race, it suffers from a lack of variation, as there are only 3 stages available for fighting, and they all have very similar layouts.

The sound design in Super Monkey Ball 3D is mediocre. The sounds are about on par with the rest of the games in the series, almost to the point of being directly ported from previous games.

As mentioned throughout, the 3D is a mixed bag. In some cases it is done very well, but for the most part you’ll likely want to play it in 2D, if you are anything like me. 

If you really, really like Super Monkey Ball games, then this is the launch title for you. Otherwise, you’d probably be better off passing on it for a different game.

Pros: Well-done 3D in the main gameplay mode, main mode is fun and challenging

Cons: 3D has issues at times, no replay value, very little game for the price

 

MLB 11: The Show

April 5, 2011

PS3 / Reviews / by Shawn Vermette Make a comment! / Tweet it!

This year, Sony mixed things up by making more changes to the MLB The Show series than they’d done before. An entirely new control scheme, a new game mode, 3D enabled graphics, and a revamped Road to the Show all pull together for what is arguably the best and most realistic baseball simulator to date. 

This year, Sony decided to try its luck with thumbstick based batting and throwing, and they did a far better job with it than the MLB 2K series ever has. Rather than vary the movement required based on the pitch, they simply made speed and accuracy vary based on speed and straightness of your stick movement. It also factors in the rating of the player when determining how accurate and fast the pitch is. As for batting, simply pull back on the thumbstick to rear back and release it to swing. Pushing it forward gives the swing more power, though, and the angle at which you push it will help determine any pull the ball has. For those who don’t prefer the new control scheme, Sony has thankfully included both of their older button-based options.

The franchise mode is one of the deepest I’ve ever seen in a sports game, and should satisfy almost any fan of sports simulations. You can control everything, from the players on your 40-man roster to the regular season draft. You can control what kind of advertising your team has, how much you spend on scouting, training, and medicine and even what stalls and vendors you have in your stadium and how much they charge. There’s a Rule 5 draft you can participate in, salary arbitration and waiver wires. Anything you can associate with professional baseball is in the franchise mode (except for the steroids and work stoppages). All of this is great and amazing to find in a baseball game, but none of it is new.

The Road to the Show mode is back, this time with more customization than ever, along with a new training point system. After being drafted by a team, you’ll get sent to AA, with the goal of improving both your in-game stats and your overall stats. After each at-bat, you’ll be given points based on how “good” your performance was. For a pitcher, you’ll want to either strike out the batter or get them out with as few pitches as possible for the best scores, while as a batter you want to make the pitcher throw as many pitches as possible, and preferably get on base. Additionally, your stats have changed to allow 60 days of not being worked on before they start declining instead of just 30.

As far as online gaming is concerned, it is largely the same as it was last year. Connectivity and lag will always be a problem for games like this that require such precise timing. A new competitive online mode called Challenge of the Week has been added though, which is quite enjoyable. In this mode, a challenge is posed each week, and players compete in the same challenge for top scores. Real prizes are up for grabs each week and everyone gets one free chance to compete, with extra chances available for 25 cents.

The Home Run Derby is back again, this time with move support. This is a nice added feature for players who’ve been looking forward to showing how good, or bad, they are at actually swinging a bat at major league pitching.

Graphically, MLB 11 is the best-looking baseball game available. The players are very detailed and the stadiums look exactly like the real ones, right down to the smallest detail. This year Sony went an extra step and added 3D support as well, for those of who you own a 3D TV. They also added a third commentator, Eric Karros. Unfortunately, his lines are very sparse, with nearly all the commentary recycled from last year.

While it may not seem like it on the surface, MLB 11: The Show has a number of significant changes and additions that make it worth a purchase for any fan of baseball games.

Pros: Road to the Show is better than ever, franchise mode is very deep and detailed, 

Cons: Online play is still laggy, commentary is largely recycled

 

MLB 11: The Show

April 5, 2011

PlayStation 2 / Reviews / by Shawn Vermette Make a comment! / Tweet it!

The PS2 is pretty much relegated to PSP ports these days, a reversal of roles from the early days of the PSP. This year’s MLB The Show is no exception.

Unlike with the PS3 version, Sony stuck with the button-only control schemes for the PS2, though that doesn’t really mean anything to me, as the buttons are a much more accurate and reliable control method anyway.

The franchise mode is pretty much the same as it always has been. That still means it is one of the better modes out there for franchise or sim nuts. It’s as deep as you would hope for from MLB The Show, though as usual, it lacks some of the depth of the PS3 version. 

The Road to the Show mode is back, though it is nowhere near the quality of the PS3 version. After being drafted by a team, you’ll get sent to AA, with the goal of improving both your in-game stats and your overall stats. After each at-bat, you’ll be given points based on how “good” your performance was. For a pitcher, you’ll want to either strike out the batter or get them out with as few pitches as possible for the best scores, while as a batter you want to make the pitcher throw as many pitches as possible, and preferably get on base. Additionally, your stats have changed to allow 60 days of not being worked on before they start declining instead of just 30.

They added a third commentator this year, Eric Karros. Unfortunately, his lines are very sparse, with nearly all the commentary recycled from last year. Graphically, it looks okay for a PS2 game, though its PSP roots show.

If you’re still sporting a PS2 as your system of choice, then this is pretty much your only option for baseball games. That said, it’s a pretty good option to have.

Pros: Franchise mode is deep and detailed; Road to the Show is as fun as ever  

Cons: Commentary is largely recycled

 

Snackbar Speculator: You shall not (online) pass

April 4, 2011

Features / Speculator / by Shawn Vermette Make a comment! / Tweet it!

In this installment, we look at Star Fox, Mortal Kombat and the Halo remake.

Star Fox 64 coming to 3DS in May

Nintendo is notoriously closed-mouthed when it comes to when their biggest franchises will be released, but according to a recent document released by the Spanish distributor of Nintendo games, Star Fox 64 is coming in May to Europe. Thus, it stands to reason it would come to the US in May as well, right? 

Gerry: Sure, why not. The 3DS could sure use some more games to cover the gaps left on the launch line-up. 50%

 


Andrew: You would think that if any big 3DS title was going to come out in May, it would be Ocarina of Time. But that’s currently slated for June. Nintendo has been known to release some games in Europe before the U.S., so it wouldn’t be all that surprisingly to see Star Fox 64 3D over there before we get it. It’s the kind of thing you think they would announce by now if it were true. Either way, doesn’t seem entirely plausible to me. 20%

Graham: Nintendo was clear about which games would hit the launch window. From what I’ve played, it will be a great version of Star Fox, but it doesn’t make much sense to release it near either Pilotwings or Kid Icarus. I’ll hold out a bit of hope, just because the post-launch 3DS schedule is as barren as it could possibly be.  3%


Halo: Combat Evolved remake coming in 2011

Microsoft has confirmed that they are working on a full-fledged remake of the original Halo for the Xbox 360, but have given no release schedule for it. However, recent rumors seem to indicate it could come as early as this holiday season, putting yet another blockbuster franchise in to an already crowded holiday season.

Gerry: Given a lack of a new Halo release this year,  there should be some pressure to release something new related to the franchise. A Halo:CE remake would certainly be well-received during the holiday season, though I wonder how quickly Microsoft would rush this to fit a deadline. 45%


Andrew: I’m sure we’ll be hearing about a new Halo game soon enough (probably E3 if I had to guess), but I doubt we’ll actually see it this year. I’m sure Microsoft would love to keep people talking about the franchise, so why not reboot the original? With a nice new coat of paint and some online play, it could be a great way to get the Halo name out there again before 38 Studios takes a stab at whatever the next game might be. 80%

Graham: It’s getting a bit crowded for the holiday season, but what’s really missing is something Microsoft can trumpet as a solid system exclusive. Halo would sell like hotcakes and get them through another year without too much talk of a next-gen device, and they already said they’re working on this. It could tank the series if it fails, though, so they may want to give the new guys a generous development cycle.  70%


Mortal Kombat to require an ‘online pass’ for used games

Recently, rumors have been popping up that Warner Bros. is going to adopt the online pass strategy for used games that EA and THQ have created, charging $10 to access online portions of games that are sold used. These rumors also seem to indicate that the first such title would be the new Mortal Kombat.

Gerry: As much as I disagree with this “online pass” policy, the appeal of gaining money off used game sales is tempting enough to get more big name publishers to adopt it. I really hope this doesn’t come to pass, but the odds don’t look too good. 75%


Andrew: It seems to be the popular business move to make these days. I won’t get into whether it’s right or wrong, but big publishers want to do whatever it takes to make sure that gamers hold onto their copies of Mortal Kombat and also that they don’t buy it used. It seems like a given at this point. 95%

Graham: I hate gouging consumers. I don’t so much hate online passes, since they don’t take from anyone who has already paid them. Do what they need to do about used games, yeah? It just creates a problem in the future, but I doubt online play will even be active as far away as I’m concerned about. Anyway, Mortal Kombat. Yeah, it could have it. I have no inside sources, but it make sense, and WB hasn’t shied away from similar tactics in the past.  70%

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