Pookiablo

And where the crap is my message! I let you beat me at Smash Bros, you should love me more!

I'm curious, is it an actual game mode in PGR 3/4? I haven't played them you see. But in PGR 2 it wasn't, rather it was a game that the players online made up and played through the standard race mode. If it did eventually become an actual game mode then that's pretty sweet, means the community got to have something of an impact

Oh man that was awesome (although I did it in PGR2 - such an excellent series. I don't dig the more realistic racing games but PGR is just such great fun, especially in splitscreen mode.

I'd be very interested in reviewing a title for you (would love to nab Goldeneye 64 but I imagine that'll go to someone else). Depending on the final list, I'll let you know what I own. If I don't have it and it's on the VC then I can download it. Of course, if I were allowed some shameless advertising of my own blog at the bottom of my review, that'd be swell (don't ask, don't get!)

I most certainly agree with the comment regarding Wind Waker as a soulless world - there were a few stock characters like that postman and that was it. I know OoT wasn't much better in terms of a "living world" but hell, it's older so it's allowed. And even then, OoT had some pretty memorable characters. The only non-important characters that I remember from WW are the aforementioned postman (and his son?) and that stupid kid with the blob of shit hanging out of his nose that runs after you whenever you get near. MM was certainly the closest to creating a living environment. Anyway, this is off-topic, but to bring it back in, perhaps more interaction whilst doing the hunt would have made it more enjoyable. For example, rather than have to get loads of rupees, Tingle asks you to perform a task for him, ranging from mini-dungeon to your typical collect and deliver quest. I just hope Nintendo are not lazy with Skyward Sword - something (almost) new every step of the way a la Mario Galaxy 2 is most certainly the way to go!

It was shite. One of the few instances where Nintendo chose to be lazy with one of its games. There should have been at least 6 dungeons in its place. I agree with you entirely (especially the exploration in OoT) bit. Let's get married and bring our babies up on OoT and the N64. I'll stop now.

Boo, screw Tumblr, Wordpress is infinitely better! And Halifax sucks donkey dick. That is all.

I seem to recall Company of Heroes for PC doing something like that...or at least according to my imagination it did. Or they just give you a one-time use code with the game that you authorise over the net when you install it. This would screw over preowned buyers though.

Not sure I'd go as far as to say that, but it's much better than previous efforts Ell. I wrote my thoughts on it on my blog the other day. I don't really do numerical scores but I'd give it a 7/10.

Your initial point is exactly the same when it comes to graphical improvement in games, they provide very little in terms of a new experience. 3D is old, it was done a long time ago. Why is motion control misguided? Sure it's far from perfect but it provides a new experience and surely that's what gaming is about. Games sucked last gen on the Cube in particular because they did very little beyond that of what the 64 and PS1 had initially done. This gen, aside from motion controls, we've seen the rise of a more prominent role for online gaming on a home console. I find it difficult to follow your argument against motion controls. It's a different approach of deepening the interactive relationship between the player and the game. As I said earlier, it's not perfect and is in need of refinement. But ultimately it, with improvement, can offer a lot more than standard controllers. It might makes certain in-game activities more tricky or time-consuming but we should be praising this - it adds challenge and as I said earlier, a new aspect of gaming that we must learn to comprehend and master.

I'm curious, where did you get the information about it being ported back from? I'm not disputing it, I was just always under the impression that it was imported one way and then screen-flipped (and the controls-modified) so that the sword was in the right arm rather than the left.

Hello folks, I've recently started a blog, which is found at the link below. It focuses predominantly on looking at the current world of video gaming and discussing its evolution and what the current trends in gaming are. Otherwise, I'll be posting general news, reviews and other titbits of gaming information. It's by no means a perfect blog but I'm hoping it might grow into something a bit more substantial (not a money-maker but having more of a following than at present). I just struggle to find any free time so I have a hard time getting new posts out on a frequent basis. Therefore, I would love to have some fellow writers for the blog, who can contribute on a regular basis for me. I'm not looking for guest writers (although you're welcome if you have something ideal for the blog) but people who can update it on a daily to weekly basis. I'm not too fussy, no need for wonderful qualifications or previous experience (I have none), just an interest and enough free time in which to post frequently, as well as a reasonable understanding of the English language and the grammar & punctuation that goes with it (mine is by no means perfect). So why not check out the blog and let me know if you'd be interested in climbing aboard the Pooki train. (This post is dreadful I know, but I'm tired and hayfever-y). If you're not interested in writing for it (I doubt anyone will be) but want to show your support, why not check it out or follow my twitter! Many thanks! The Gaming Enigma

Yeah, but Red Steel was made by a bunch of retards and not Nintendo. And motion control can be very fun - people go on this argument that a button or stick is "easier" or "more intuitive" as it can do the same thing without the pointless, tiresome hassle of waggling a remote but the point is, it's meant to be different. The challenge itself is in the controls, they work because they add an additional level of depth that require learning and mastery that, if done correctly by the developer, require a much better understanding than simple button-bashing. You need to learn the smallest nuances of the controls in order to master them, something which is not achieved through standard controls. Anything that gets me closer to having to take up actual archery lessons, and hence requires an inkling of skill, is more welcome than some lame cursor on my screen with about as much depth as a 3DS version of Carnival Games with the 3D filter turned all the way down. And why do you people bum Wind Waker so goddamn much? It's a sub-rate Zelda game compared to the 64 versions. I'm just baiting so don't take that last point seriously. But Twilight Princess was virtually identical to previous iterations of Zelda in format, except you had to swing your lazy ass arm around for a few sword fights and point it at the screen from time to time. Plus, you had the opportunity to buy the GC copy but you chose the Wii one. And the TP was a true GC game, it was announced for GC long before any mention of Zelda coming to Wii. And there's just as many people who argue that motion controls worked for TP as there are people who argued against it. The point is, as you righty say, to move on. It will work, it's Nintendo, they've got the controls right for game since Super Mario Bros. for crying out loud.

Well aren't you Mr. Positive! :P

I agree. I think Nintendo seem to be playing it a bit too cautious - they should be doing what Sony did with the PS1 and getting a fuckload of (good/cool) software on board - it worked wonders for Sony and helped to kill the 64, even if 4/5 of it was utter shite (I blame the FMV personally).

Happy Birthday SCG, you epic son of a (cool) gun! (see what I did there...aside from embarrass myself?)

I completely agree - all that crap about the game "unlocking" is a load of baloney. Fair enough, you have to use skill to get them, but virtually every single star involves either a triple jump or long jump. Plus, the typically linear nature of the levels works great in normal mode, but for exploration they're pretty weak.

Has anyone played Escalation mode? I had a game earlier with some randomers and my God it was fun! Although no one was using a mic, we eventually all got the general idea that holding out in one particular room was our best chance. I've decided that Warpath is my favourite character to play as, KA-BLAM! (Love how he still has the explosive tourettes that he had in the original cartoon, although I would've loved to have heard a "ZOWIEE!" at least once) We should get some of us playing it together sometime

True but there's lots that 3D can do to benefit 2(.5)D platforming - the added depth would mean that enemies could attack from the background for example. I don't mind them making another 2D Mario, just as long as it's more fun! The last two were pretty dull compared to the classic games. Although, 4-player was quite fun

Hmm, I'm not so sure...I know SMG2 was almost unprecedented given that it was a direct follow up to the first game but I can't see them eeking the whole Galaxy thing out for another game. Plus, they'll want to provide a new experience, we were wowed by Galaxy the first time, the second time it was still awesome but not as wowing as the first and I think a third would really start to feel a bit samey. Of course, I have no better alternative, lol, so your argument pretty much stands!

I know I've already posted this, but fuck it, it's so awesome it NEEDS posting twice. Everyone buy this game. Even if you don't have an N64. It's one of the most underrated games ever - absolutely epic, from the soundtrack to the challenging gameplay. New Super Mario Bros. Wii doesn't have shit on this 2.5D masterpiece. and... A small taster of this game's perfect soundtrack. Badly needs a VC release.

Fuck yes my friend. You win a thanks!

Word. Nailing some fucker right in the eye with your 1337 bow skillz would be so awesome!

It's a strange one for me. I do think the Wii is a top console and is worthy of being remembered in decades to come. However, I don't remember it for the motion controls, and rather, as you say, some exceptional software, even if it is a little bit too far and between for my liking. Most importantly, it's perhaps the biggest reminder that although Nintendo may make mistakes (hint: Gamecube), it still always has the magic to pull out some cracking stuff. I have to commend their casual title approach too, it's made playing with new or non-gamers a lot more fun. Which leads me on to my next point: Wii has allowed for the glorious return of local multiplayer. I like the fact that people are getting together in living rooms to play Wii Sports or smash it up in a bit of Smash Bros Brawl. I only hope that the new Goldeneye provides a similar experience. I most certainly don't think Wii is revolutionary or the best thing since sliced bread - the only revolutionary console to have ever existed was the Nintendo 64. It did far more for gaming than most people realise.

I'm completely lost on this. Surely, if you need to use it in a jiffy, you just Z-target and press the button and it auto-aims for you like all other 3D Zelda games (unless this has been removed?). Otherwise, I'm sure the game will be built so that areas where you are required to use "quick" free-aim, the game will give you a reasonable amount of time in which to do so. A time which is neither too long nor too short.