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More so I'd imagine. And this generation the 360 seems to be the worst (best?) for it. Regarding the Gamecube having no games (or at least games I was interested in) for long periods, I would say the Xbox was just as guilty (I can't speak much for the PS2 because I didn't buy one until 2005, and so had five years worth of back catalogue to choose from). Since I had both a Gamecube and Xbox (and the PC) I was never exactly without anything to play.

They used a different type of media to help prevent piracy, or so I heard. I don't recall ever hearing about pirated Gamecube games (although I'd be surprised if they never existed), but I have heard about pirated Wii games.

I don't see how anyone could say they've changed completely when they're still making the Zelda, Mario, Metroid, etc. games. It may be the simpler stuff like Wii Sports and the upcoming Wii Fit that's selling the console the most, but as a 'veteran gamer' I don't feel left wanting for games that suit my taste ...well, no more than usual that is.

I wasn't disappointed with the Gamecube, so there's nothing to make amends for as far as I'm concerned. I think the Gamecube is the stronger of the two, but since it has come and gone, and the Wii is still a very young platform, that's not a fair comparison. But, comparing the first twelve months of both consoles, I think the Wii has had the better start.

I loved Gears Of Wars' graphics when it first came out, but I don't think they've aged that well. I tried the game again when I got an Elite and I was quite disappointed by the graphics. I'm currently playing through the PC version, and that doesn't look all that great. I could say the same for Unreal Tournament 3 as well. BioShock looked good though. I guess it comes down to what they do with the engine, rather than what the engine can do.

I knew it was used for the second game (when I said they should have stuck with the original Halo engine I meant an un-updated one) but I didn't know it was used for the third - that might account for some of the technical issues Bungie have talked about since the games release. But at least the latter was made for a hardware platform that could do the update justice! It wasn't just the cutscenes in Halo 2 though, the game had an ugly look overall. It didn't ruin the game for me though, the terrible level design did that. Does it? Since we don't know exactly how the Wii compares with the Xbox (there's been lots of different specs banded about but nothing concrete from Nintendo as far as I'm aware), I don't know if it could. I think memory would still be an issue at the very least.

Not really. Halo 2 pushed the Xbox beyond its technical limits (or beyond Bungie's abilities in optimisation?) and the result was really rather ugly. The pop-in was terrible, and the bump-mapping suffered because of the machine's limited memory. They should have stuck with the original Halo engine, it may not have been as sophisticated but it had a cleaner more visually pleasing look to it.

I would hardly call Mario Galaxy mediocre, or Metroid Prime 3, Twilight Princess, Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition, and Excite Truck for that matter. They're some of the best games I've played this generation. The other two consoles may be more powerful, but that power is mostly wasted on graphics than utilising it to bring anything truly worth while to the gameplay. Take Ratchet & Clank on the PS3 for example. It's a good game, but strip away the detailed visuals and you're left with little more than a PS2 game.

No I wasn't being sarcastic, I loved Excite Truck!

Two more to add to that lake of great games: Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition and Excite Truck.

After what was said in one of the video clips at 1UP I was expecting the Manta to be really difficult to control, but I found it really easy. I've only done the first one though, perhaps the second one is a lot harder? I loved the ball rolling. That was equally as easy, but a lot more fun. I also really like spring mario too.

Did some guy from a talent agency knock on your door soon after and ask if he could be your manager?

Galaxy is better than Halo 3, but Crysis is better than Galaxy.

Costume play.

Don't worry about it. I love the game but I also find the camera and controls a little disorientating at times. Stick with it and you should get better. I'm on 60 stars so far, so it hasn't really impeded my progress.

I think the VGA cable was released only in Japan.

It's a shame Freeloader can't be made available as a downloadable channel on the shopping channel, that way they could just keep updating it every time a new firmware messes it up. Nintendo would never allow though I don't think.

Well, I didn't get my copy from Gameplay today. Also, in the completed orders section in my order history on their site, Galaxy is highest on the list, above Crysis which was sent out today, suggesting it was the last game they sent out. It's annoying that they've lied about when it was sent, or so the dispatch dates and the order they appear in the completed section suggests. But I suppose I shouldn't complain. If it comes tomorrow that's still a day before release.

1, Crysis 2, Super Mario Galaxy 3, Mario Kart Wii 4, Little Big Planet 5, Fable 2

I can't remember exactly when, it was a few weeks ago now though.

Since they moved their deliveries have become a little less predictable. It can take longer now for them to arrive.

Gameplay 'claims' to have sent my copy now too. It seemed to have totally skipped the whole being picked stage.

Mine's had the " - " instead of an actual dispatch date for weeks now!

A new Jedi Knight game for the Wii could be great. It was always the best series of games for lightsaber combat, and coupled with the Wii remote it could be breathtaking! I'd really like to see Quake III Arena made for the Wii too. Failing that, there's the browser-based version that Id are working on - provided Opera can run it, that is.

I didn't rush it, at least it didn't feel like I was rushing it - until the storyline kicks in proper, then I picked up the pace a little. I'm not sure how long it took me, does the game clock you? If so I'll check. A guesstimate would be, 10 to 12 hours? EDIT: my diving time is 14:09:55, longer than I thought then!