Teppo Holmqvist

Reggie said that we would see first online games in Q2. Quite logical, as Mario Strikers Charged and Battalion Wars II are perfect fodder for spring season.

I will start comprehensive testing with my own titles when my Freeloader arrives from PA.

It's really hard to recommend anything without knowing what kind of games you prefer? Are you, for example, interested about japanese rhythm games? Shooters? Action stuff?

Considering that DMC3 didn't really sell that "well", DMC as series can't be really considered killer app or main reason why lots of people bought PS2. Killer app is something that moves over 6 million units** on the retail market. But it's true that DMC has strong presence on the net and very vocal fanbase. You must also understand that Virtua Fighter hasn't never been that big seller outside Japan. West prefers Tekken over it for some reason (I think that it's mainly because Saturn failed). * It moved only about 2.5 million units, but you really can blame DMC2 for that. ** Some last generation examples; Gran Turismo, GTA, Buzz games, Smash Bros, Brain Training, Gears of War, Halo.

Well, consider this.... nearly all last generations screenshots were in resolution that was impossible to all three consoles.

Another possible choice is to use HDLoader if you have fat PS2. HDLoader is free application that allows you to run games using PS2's networkd adapter and harddisk.

REZ was extremely rare until last year, when group of programmers* got really brilliant idea. They started to buy rights to re-print rare games. That's why you have been able to see copies for Rez, Skies of Arcadia: Legends, Cubivore and few other rare games for reasonable prices. New copies are completely indistinguishable from originals, and that has pissed some collectors off. * I don't remember company's name, but there was article about them in gameindustry.biz

For platformers, here is few choices with that you can't really go wrong: * Sly Cooper series * Jak & Dakter series * Ratchet & Clank series * Rayman 2 & 3 For multiplayer experience: * Crash Nitro Kart (poor single player, but terrific with four players) * Timesplitters 2 * Pro Evolution Soccer * Tekken Tag Tournament * Smackdown vs. Raw For dance mats: * Dancing Stage Fusion * Dancing Stage Max (Warning: It's really bitch to unlock songs)

Heh, snarky. But, yeah, VC games are only licensed to you. Before you start complain how it is unfair and etc., that is how actually all programs are sold. Why is that? About thirty years ago when first commercially viable, mass marketed programs came to market, those who wrote laws had serious dilemma. The problem was that program is purely abstract product that makes copies of itself always when it is run. This raised serious questions like who has actually ownership to these copies? It may sound pretty trivial to us, but it was serious issue considering how copyright laws should be implemented. Solution was following; Instead of buying *rights* to program, you actually buy license to *use* program. If you read any modern EULA, you will notice how the company claims full ownership to the program and all its copies, and you are only licensed to use software under certain terms (like not distributing copies of it). Hilariously, even all consoles since Dreamcast have this claim, basing it on BIOS that is needed to run any software on the platform. So basically when you bought your C64 game, you were actually paying for the media and right to use software inside the media, even though there wasn't any notification about this inside product. In the beginning only "serious" programs (such OSs, database engines etc.) had EULA with them. EULA made clear what claims customer had to the program, and guaranteed that customer knew his rights. And when legal problems arise, customer couldn't say the he didn't know, as all his rights were in EULA and before installation he had agreed to follow them. In late 90's nearly every software started to have EULA attached to them in way or another (either on the installation or on the manual). Of course, there has been serious problems with whole licensing concept, as legislation drags behind the progress. For example, certain big software houses have even tried to prevent re-selling their products and stamp out 2nd hand market. It's also sick that even music business has started to put EULAs into their CDs*, claiming that you don't even have right to make MP3s for your own use from it without their permission. * After all, music is stored to CD in digital form, turning it into software...

Yeah, and TBH, MK:A's online mode isn't really that great. Main problem is that game has some easily exploitable tricks that borderline cheating.

Yup. It's somewhat ironic that it took me about 10 seconds to understand what made games crash, and yet Datel couldn't foresee it.

All right, now that Nkarafo proved right what I excepted, I explain why some games don't work directly with new Freeloader. As you probably know, PAL Wii's Cube bios is based on its latest version, the infamous Pearl White Cube bios. Pearl White's bios was custom-tailored to block certain ways to use homebrew and play backup games with Cube. Freeloader and Action Replay stopped also working, as both use unlicensed software with hacked libraries to work (in fact, Freeloader contains some boot code from Crazy Taxi, heh). USA and Japan did never got any console that would use new bios, as Nintendo didn't simply manufacture new cubes during console's last year. Let's fast forward year ahead. Nintendo Wii was coming and Nintendo's engineers decided to use latest possible cube firmware to each region's Wii. This would ensure that everything would work way like it should. Unfortunately, this meant we got short straw once again. Our Wii's were fitted with Pearl White bios, and Freeloader didn't work. To solve this problem, Datel printed new Freeloader discs that were made speficially for certain region. Now bios saw Freeloader as normal PAL-game and booted correctly. What Datel hadn't excepted, however, was that some games had rather fucked up code, that checked disc's region *again* after booting. Bios has Freeloader's (PAL) region on its memory and it represents it to game. Game naturally can't understand what it sees as situation like this should be impossible. Game inputs error message and crashes. When you boot your old Freeloader / Action Replay with new Freeloader, bios region is set again to value that works with all games. The bad news is that, yes, you are forced to use your old Freeloader with some games. Good news is that Datel can fix this easily in new version. Unfortunately it doesn't help us who have already ordered new version.

Nostalgia and childhood memories are always strong forces when we are discussing about old games. Nothing surprising there. I know dudes who think first Metroid was pinnacle of the series, and after that everything went downhill. Many old gamers have also romantized Kid Icarus, and when it finally hits VC, I'm pretty sure that there will be many disapointed faces, especially amongst them who never played it durings its hey-day.

On the positive side, it tells that Pokemon Battle Revolution's fucked up online mode should be special case, not the norm.

Try following: boot your old Action Replay or Freeloader with new Freeloader and look if it helps. I have already good theory about this problem... and if my theory is right, we are pretty much screwed when it comes to certain games.

But still you continue repeating same complains everytime something new comes to VC... You can blather how if Nintendo would sell more games if they cut prices to half, but more enough to get more profit than selling at current point? I doubt it. VC has quite limited appeal as most (especially younger) gamers aren't interested about old games if they aren't free. Period. It's always about zomg hot graphix what VC games won't ever deliver. And those who are interested are mostly willing to pay current prices. And VC games *do* have benefits: - You can actually find title without scourging Ebay, jumble sales, etc. - You can get ESD even on country where games wouldn't be normally shipped without very expensive postages (i.e. Mexico, Brazil, Iran, China). - You can access games that were never readily available (i.e. Turbographx games) - Save states - N64 games do look better - You aren't forced to juggle between several consoles (I have seven on single input, and yes it does get little tedious). - No risk of losing your copy. If you lose your copy, you can get your new one from VC store for free. - No need for additional storage space. For example I know one guy who has 80 Genesis games. He doesn't even have enough space for them, so he actually keeps them in a box in garage. Shame really. - Wireless and comfortable classic controller. Are these benefits worth asked price? Well, for most of the target group, yes.

You should find some at least in Jeux France and IGN, I think.

Wii itself is very, very quiet, but the drive gives annoying click sound always when it starts to read. This is especially annoying when you come to main menu.

Sure, everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but I sure as hell don't need to agree with it.

Yeah, that's main reason why PS3 is flying off the shelves and nobody buys Wii. Oh wait... I can't understand how you people still complain about VC prices. You can always vote with your wallet, don't buy VC games*. If there won't be demand, prices will get lower. And because price haven't gone down, I'm assuming that demand is there. * But don't even try to blather anything about roms and fighting against system, because that is plain fucking stupid and isn't really suitable for anyone who is over 13 years old.

A) Well, you swear wrong. Combat sequences actually have more much details on characters and have more complex effects. B) JRPG strategy genre hasn't never been that heavy on graphics and flashy effects. C) Fire Emblem games have always recycled graphics from previous games if it is possible. This shouldn't be surprise to anyone. D) You must understand that this is Intelligent Systems's second "true" 3D game and they don't really have that much experience on that side. P.S. Constant complaining about Wii's horsepower tends to get bit annoying, especially as nothing won't change it. If you don't like Wii, there is always other choices.

February in Japan. It's hard to say when it comes to west, as it took over 13 months to localize PoR. PoR had over 1000 pages worth of text, and I don't think that Goddess of Dawn will have less text.

Recent scan has Wiimote as one controller option.

Why FE would need nunchuk at all? I mean, FE needs precisely three buttons; one action button, one cancel button and one to access menus. Pointer can be used to select units on the screen and show place where unit should move.

Quite correct. Turbo edition was indeed answer to so called "Rainbow Edition", bootleg SFII: CE that had features like adjustable speed, new moves*, possibility to execute special moves mid-air and new color palettes for all characters. * Such as Chun-Li's hadouken