Virtual Console Crystal Ball 06/25/07

Another week, another round of predictions for the Wii's VC Monday releases. First a look at what the Crystal Ball saw, vs. what was actually released last week. The prediction was that both World Sports Championship and Bloody Wolf for TG16 would be released, alongside F Zero-X for N64. Well, yippie, I was 2 for 3 last week, as the two Turbo games were released (as we all knew they would be) alongside - surprise!! - NES Open Tournament Golf for, obviously, NES.

Unfortunately, the one I was wrong about was F Zero-X, as North America is still the only region in the world yet to see this release. Weird. Instead of some 64-bit F-Zero we got some 8-bit golf, and not of the Lee Trevino variety (still my fave NES golf game), but one which I wasn't even thinking about at all for VC release yet. I would've pegged at least 2 or 3 other NES games to go live before that one did, but it did, so oh well. So, with the success rate @ 67%, its time to see if we can pad that number with this weeks predictions:


TurboGrafx-16
China Warrior - Hudson Soft

Super Nintendo
Super Turrican - Factor 5

Nintendo 64
F Zero-X - Nintendo


Well there they are, the Crystal Ball foresees these 3 games this Monday. Apparently, the vision of F-Zero-X last week was a little foggy and premature, and was for this week instead, yeah, that must be the case.....elsewhere, China Warrior is a 100% lock (confirmed for June 2007, and this is the last Monday in June, so...), and I have a gut-feeling that the just-ESRB-rated Super Turrican will be the SNES game to end that particular drought (no SNES love since May! WTF?!?) , although I'd love to be wrong and see Pilotwings finally show up there instead (still waiting..).

Seriously, I am almost certain that an N64 and/or (most likely and) SNES game will release, as there have been no SNES games this month yet, and no N64 game since April frickin' 2nd!! That, and there have already been 4 NES games and 3 Genesis games this month already (pretty much hit the quota there), so I'd be very surprised to see another title for either of those two systems hit this month.

Paper Mario is supposedly being released in Japan on the 26th, so there's the possibility that they may do some same-week global release for that title, but I highly doubt it, especially considering that F-Zero is out in every other region already (even AU), and Japan gets things a while before we usually do here anyways. Ahhh, fun. Well, we shall see this Monday!

-Kimo

My DS Lite Cracked

Yep, on the hinge, near the L Button, I have a lovely new little crack. Nothing more than a minor asthetically displeasing situation really, as this in no way interfere's with the funtionality of my DS at all, but still, it kinda sucks.

I mean yeah, I know you don't buy a game system because of how it looks (I may have never owned a Saturn or TG-16 if that were the case, not really the prettiest systems out there...not to mention my woodgrain-paneled 2600!), but a DS Lite is just so damn sexy for a gaming system, that it of course ties into the desire to own one. Nintendo knows that, and have played that angle since it was released, marketing it in a way as the ipod of portable gaming of sorts.

I know I kept mine pretty clean most of the time, I like the nice clean look of a shiny DS Lite, what can I say. So yeah, I guess I can see how this would be a really big deal to some really image-conscious people, but really it doesn't bug me much, although when I see it sitting there in the closed postion its the first thing I see when looking at it for some reason. If anything I'm more mad at myself, and a little bit @ Nintendo, that I broke it, as I think it could've been avoided.

I like to play my DS with it open to the 'first click', that is, not totally flat and open to the 'second click', but with the top screen slightly at an angle. I've always figured that not only is this the optimal way to view the two screens, but it just felt like that was where it was supposed to stop. My wife, on the other hand, has always liked to play her pink DS open all the way to the 'second click', flat-style, and I've always wondered if her DS would show more wear on the hinge over time than mine did.

While playing Planet Puzzle League online the other night, I had decided that I was gonna play with the DS flat on the table for whatever reason. I also just happened to have the case for PPL nearby me on the table as I was about to do this, and I noticed that the DS pictured on the cover appears to be open all the way to the 'second click'. I kinda thought for a split-second there "well, if Nintendo is showcasing that style of DS play on the cover of a 1st-party game, it must not be bad for my DS after all," and I opened it to the second click, something I've only ever done twice before (once when I first tried it then thought I went too far, and once when a friend had opened it that way and handed it back to me), and played for a little bit.

Upon closing my DS after this particular session I noticed the crack. At first I wondered how long it had been there, and why I hadn't noticed it until now. But quickly I realised that "oh yeah, it was just open to the second click. Damn! Did I just do that?" A quick internet search later leads me to believe that yes, I probably did inflict the crack on my DS myslef by opening it all the way, as many others have reported this kind of crack on their white DS Lite's (same spot on the hinge), and some of those reporting the crack have suggested that it was from them opening the DS too far as well.

Time for a recall? No I don't think so, not at all in any way, but it would be nice if Nintendo admitted that there is a small design flaw in their otherwise marvelous little unit. That many other people experiencing the same thing in the same spot, is not likely some random coincidence. Its something that would be nice if they addressed anyways, maybe just as small a gesture as say, recommending that you don't play with your DS open all the way to the 'second click' (I'm 100% certain this is what caused it). That, and I think it would be cool if they didn't actually show the unit being played that way on the figgin' cover of the box (look for yourself here, doesn't it look totally flat?), when its pretty much known now at this point (even if only by a select "lucky" few of us) that this type of playing can cause the DS's hinge to crack.

Just needed somewhere to complain about that, that's all. If this has happened to you, I feel your pain, plus, it kinda helps me forget about it to know it wasn't just me and my own dumb fault (at least I don't think it was). But a the end of the day, who really cares, as it doesn't affect my DS in any way really, so excuse me while I go find a battle.

-Kimo

Virtual Console Crystal Ball 06/18/07

In just over 5 and a half hours Nintendo will update the Wii Shop Channel with the latest in retro goodness. But, what title(s) will be released this week? This is the first of a new weekly feature for this site; the Virtual Console Crystal Ball. Basically, its just me guessing what's gonna get released, but I feel I pick 'em right most of the time, well, enough that I feel like making it a feature. I had meant to post this on Saturday, but y'know, busy busy. So, without further adieu, here are the predictions:

TurboGrafx-16
Bloody Wolf - Data East , and, World Sports Competition - Hudson Soft

N64
F-Zero X - Nintendo


Yep, there they are, my three predictions for June 18th 2007's VC releases. The two TG16 games comes from them both having a release date for the 18th in the VC Wikepedia entry, which sure, may not always be the best source for accurate info, but it'd be hard not to figure its correct, as its been left unchanged for 3 days (usually dates with no sources get deleted quickly if bogus). So, bit of a cheat then I guess for this week, but a big pick in F-Zero-X for N64. I say this is a shoe-in, as the 'ol 64's VC lineup is a little, er, thin, to say the least. I mean even when compared to the number of TG16 games released so far , or even to the number of shooters - merely a genre of games - released for VC so far....or even when compared to the number of TG16 shooters alone released on VC so far! Yeah, we need more N64 games on VC, and I'm sure Nintendo knows this too, and will release F-Zero X this Monday.

That and the fact that it's out everywhere else already but North America, make it a definite reveal for later this morning. Kinda surprised to see it release alongside two TG16 games, but we shall see if Wikipedia prevails. I originally thought only one Turbo game, and maybe a Genesis or NES game ( I won't say which one(s), the Crystal Ball has already spoken), but hey, whatever. Can't say for sure that I won't dl F-Zero someday for some reason, convienience most likely, but I won't be dropping the cash on any of these three, I don't think. I have F-Zero X & a working 64 w/4 controllers in good condition already, with everything unlocked already to boot, and neither of those two Turbo games look appealing to me right now, although Bloody Wolf may be kinda fun to play through, but not 600 points fun.

As for World Sports Competition, I don't even see why this is being released at this point, cosidering the other choices available, even just for TG. I don't see why this is being released at all, frankly, when there are a ton of killer Turbo games waiting in the archives, with others - Air Zonk, Bonk 3, even China Warrior (yes, I know, but nostalgia you see...) - already having been rated by the ESRB, totally ready to go. A puzzling choice indeed....

So there you have it, my picks for today's 3 VC games, games I will be waaaay too busy playing Pac-Man Championship Edition (review coming soon) to even think about. I hope to have the Crystal Ball shined up and ready to predict again by Saturday at the latest for next time. Have a good Monday!

-Kimo

Review: Planet Puzzle League (Nintendo DS)

Wow, its been awhile since I started this blog that I've actually posted anything. Its all in the timing of it really, as I created this blog right in the middle of moving, and that's pretty much consumed all of my time since then (everything is basically still in boxes, even now 13 days after moving in- everything except the gaming systems that is, something that my wife finds 'very interesting', she says ). On top of that, I haven't connected my internet yet (doing everything online on the Wii for now), so this is really the first chance I've had to post anything, anywhere.

The only gaming I've done in the past couple weeks has been in quick, short bursts for the most part, as that's all I've ever really had time for lately. After getting the big move done, I turned my attention to the Nintendo ShortCuts short film contest that I had hoped to enter, which consumed a great deal of my spare (and not-so-spare) time , but before even finishing it I found in the rules that I couldn't even enter (I live in Canada, eh), which was pretty deflating, as I thought I had a great idea. I still hope to finish it and post it on YouTube, and of course here, just for kicks, but the motivation isn't really there right now, y'know? Anyways, when I wasn't doing all that, and spending time with my family of course, I got little game time in here & there.

Sure, the Halo 3 beta got quite a few run-throughs, of course, and ActRaiser got released for VC, so I played a wee bit of that, but it was mostly handheld gaming for me, with Final Fantasy 1 for GBA satisfying each gaming craving I had for the most part, which was fine. Then, right at a good part in FF1 mind you (just got the airship, and was able to class change, finally!), this little game quietly comes out for DS. A little game called Planet Puzzle League, to be exact. My DS has pretty much been with me wherever I go ever since.


Now you may know this game by one of its many other names; Panel de Pon (Japan), Pokemon Puzzle League (N64), or simply Puzzle League (w/Dr. Mario GBA). Or, like me, you remember this game as Tetris Attack for SNES. I used to love playing Tetris Attack, and as soon as I read that it was coming out in a NDS incarnation I began eagerly anticipating its arrival, calling around looking for its availability. Not too much fanfare for this release, and I can't say I understand why, as Nintendo and Intelligent Systems have created one hell of a package with PPL.

Now regardless of what you know this game as, if you know it at all, you must know how addicting, frantic, fun, and deep this game is. This is of course very true for the DS version as well, but everything has been cranked to 11 with the addition of touch screen control here. You've never had speed or control like this before. Sure, if you're a hardcore purist the option to control everything via the d-pad and buttons is there, but there really is no going back once you've played w/touch controls. Now, if you are new to the world of Panel de Pon, you are no doubt wondering what it is exactly that I am talking about moving around here! This is not a 'clear the falling blocks' puzzle game, a-la-tetris, this is more of a 'clear the rising blocks' puzzle game.

The blocks rise from the bottom (it slowly rises up, but you can touch a panel to make it rise a row at a time), and you use the stylus to drag them left or right, to make 3 or more of them link together, vertical or horizontal, and thus clear a line. This is the basic premise, and taken only at that level its an enjoyable little puzzler on its own, but then there's the chaining. As soon as you link the 3 or more blocks, they are highlighted for a second as they are cleared one at a time, left to right or top to bottom, and you can continue to shuffle blocks around while they are, so that pieces on top of them or to the sides fall down to connect to other like-colored blocks, thus creating a combo that you can continue for as long as you have the available pieces on the board (you can't move the rows up in the middle of a chain combo). These combos are not only immensely satisfying to pull off, but in multiplayer games the more you can chain together, the more garbage you send over to dump on top of your opponent. This is really where the meat of the game lies. But more about the multiplayer in a minute, as there are many features to mention about this robust little package.

As a solo affair, you've got choices with PPL. The modes included are: Clear - you go stage by stage of increasing speed and difficulty, trying clear up to a certain line; Time Attack - 3 choices here with Score, Garbage, or Lift Attack to see how well you can do in two minutes; Endless - you can just keep clearing lines to your hearts content, with no real goal but a higher score, and practice; Puzzle - the requisite puzzle challenge, where you have a set number of moves to figure out how to clear the entire screen, early puzzles are ridiculously easy, but later ones are a real swear-at-your-DS-level challenge (unless you cheat and use the hint button. You don't do that kinda thing, do you?); Garbage Challenge - like Endless, with the added bonus of Garbage to clear too. Again, good for high scores and practice; Vs. Com - exactly what is says it is, a battle against the AI , in either Clear, Score, or Garbage Battle, and the mode you'll most likely find yourself playing solo, as you better prepare to take on the world.

That's right baby, the world! Via Nintendo's WiFi Connection you can now battle online, in addition to local wireless multiplayer (single or multi-cart). While online, if you exchange friend codes with another player, you can then have voice chat during your battles. But don't worry, finding a random match has always been pretty quick and easy as far as I've played. The only downside here is the lack of any tangible stat tracking or leaderboards for bragging rights over the internets (the game hasn't even shown up on nintendowifi.com's gaming hub yet). There is the strange-but-I-like-it Birthday Battle that, from what I can tell so far, does rank you, however it ranks you only in comparison to all other players who share your birthday (me: Oct. 23), and the rankings are reset after a few days. Weird, but like I said, I think its great.

It would be even better coupled with actual leaderboards or rankings, but whatever, it really takes nothing away from the game without it in my opinion. If you fear the elite panel masters out there that prey on the noobs jumping online for the first time, don't worry, as there's a Novice mode while online that'll only pair you up with someone else who's selected Novice as well. Of course once you start to get better and win consistently or convincingly, the Novice option is greyed-out and you are left to fend for yourself amongst some really great players. After my very first Novice battle, the option became greyed-out, and so that had me thinking I was just awesome, so I took on all comers, and had my ass handed to me twice in a row. Fast. You'll want to practice, a whole lot.

A good way to do that is through Daily Play, the Brain Age/Wii Sports Fitness style inclusion that gives you three short challenges that you can do only once each day, and are awarded a score for each day, much in the same Brain Training-like tradition. This kind of feature has been finding its way into more and more of the Nintendo-made games I've been playing lately, and I think its great. It encourages you to play at least once everyday, and you really want to beat your previous best scores. Well, I do anyways, but I love this game, can you tell? I would recommend it to anyone with a DS, as it can be enjoyed on so many different levels, and the deeper you dig, and the better you get (at spotting chains ahead of time, setting up massive combos, and the speed required to pull it off sometimes), the more rewarding, and addicting, it gets. Not to mention its just an incredible overall first-party release, as there are many well polished modes to occupy your time in between the aforementioned rocking multiplayer. The graphics are nothing too over the top, but fit the slick presentation perfectly, it really is a well-designed game aesthetically. No complaints there as far as I'm concerned, but then again this game isn't about graphics at all, its the gameplay that keeps you coming back for more, and its definitely first rate.

Another thing to note, this game joins the growing ranks of DS games played book-style, ala-Brain Age. I love this choice (the option is there to switch it to the more standard DS presentation, but book-style is the default), it fits this game perfectly, and I hope that more and more developers include this option in games where gameplay would allow for it (ie; don't need to use the buttons). Personally I think it just feels more comfortable to hold the DS like that, for certain games. I think Ninja Gaiden will really set an example there when its finally released. Bottom line on Planet Puzzle League: Unless you absolutely hate puzzle games, get this game. It has something for just about everybody, is a truly polished title, and if you happen to be a puzzle game fan, this is a no-brainer. See you all online.

- Kimo