The Video Game Thread

[Paul B]

Akin to the DVD and TV show threads, this is a topic to discuss all things video game. Post what you've recently bought, or what you've re-discovered, and bring up discussions!

I've recently bought Mario Strikers Charged Football. I'm a sucker for any Mario game really, the characters and mad-cap variety are wonderful. Of course this has the added bonus of being online, which is great fun. It gives you more of a challenge than the somewhat dumb AI, and the joy of rubbing it in your friends' faces when you win! It is more than a football game, it has everything that makes Mario what it is. Definitely a solid addition to the Wii, once again showing us how it remains king of the next generation consoles.

I've also been playing N64's Paper Mario on the Wii's Virtual Console. It's a highly enjoyable RPG game, with the added bonus of the Mario characters and more challenging battleplay. Although I prefer its GameCube sequel, I'm really having fun immersing myself in this paper world. With the second sequel coming out for the Wii in September, things are really looking up for the Paper Mario series.

[Bad Ambassador]

I've been playing a bit of Paper Mario on the Wii VC too - not as much as I'd like yet, but it's an incredibly lovely, colourful, charming game. And having seen lots of footage of Super Paper Mario on the new NGamer DVD, I'm gagging to play that too.

Otherwise, I've been faffing around on the Wii version of Resident Evil 4, although I've barely made a dent in it. But being able to use the remote for shooting finally puts an end to all that clumsy aiming in every Resi beforehand.

Nice avatar by the way, Paul! Apparently Mario will be able to turn into a Boo in Mario Galaxy, which should be fun.

[Paul B]

Boo is one of my favourite characters, I love their comedic roles in the Paper Mario series. Surprised you like Resident Evil 4 though, I thought stuff that dark wasn't your sort of thing! I've been thinking about getting it myself, it does look rather fun. Does it make good use of the unique Wii controls?

I didn't know you had a Wii either. What games have you played for it? Any you recommend? I think my favourite so far is WarioWare: Smooth Moves.

[Bad Ambassador]

Boo is one of my favourite characters, I love their comedic roles in the Paper Mario series. Surprised you like Resident Evil 4 though, I thought stuff that dark wasn't your sort of thing!

Hehe, I love dark and grimy stuff - just along with lots of frothy, jolly stuff, to make for a healthy, balanced diet!

I've been thinking about getting it myself, it does look rather fun. Does it make good use of the unique Wii controls?

Yeah it does - it takes a little while to get used to, but when you do it's pretty natural, and makes aiming guns with D-pads and whatever seem like a bit of a chore.

I didn't know you had a Wii either. What games have you played for it? Any you recommend? I think my favourite so far is WarioWare: Smooth Moves.

I sold my own Wii a few months back to pay for tuition fees, but my brother's got one, so I use that. I played Twilight Princess - which is very nice but not as good as the previous Zelda games in my opinion. It feels a bit 'Zelda by numbers', and I preferred the brash, bold style of Wind Waker and the brilliant storyline and doom-laden atmosphere of Majora's Mask.

[Moon-Crane]

Speaking of dark and grimy stuff, are there any plans to produce another Silent Hill adventure on the new consoles?

[Stratman]

I actually just finished Half Life 2: Episode One. What a brilliant game, Alyx is with you for two-thirds of the game and she's a brilliant help. I'm now about to replay the greatest game ever made, the one and only Half Life 2.

[Bad Ambassador]

Speaking of dark and grimy stuff, are there any plans to produce another Silent Hill adventure on the new consoles?

I'm not sure actually - I'd be amazed if there isn't, as it's a fairly popular franchise!

[Moon-Crane]

Probably a bit boring for most, but I saw FIFA 2008 advertised during matches at the weekend. That should mean the next, superior, PES won't be too far away either.

[Stratman]

Here's something interesting. Some guy hooked up a wii remote to his Mac and he's using it to play Half Life 2. I can't imagine playing the game with such a sloppy ass controller, but it's interesting to see what's possible.

[Paul B]

Sloppy ass? I find it to be one of the most comfortable, easy controllers I've ever used.

[Bad Ambassador]

Sloppy ass? I find it to be one of the most comfortable, easy controllers I've ever used.

Mmm. It pisses all over the mouse/keyboard combo, anyway.

[Stratman]

I've never used it, but it's cleary too sloppy when you compare it to the sublime mouse/keyboard combo.

[CatNamedRudy]

I don't play my video game system much in the summer months. I get caught up in a game usually around January.

I have a Gamecube and have thought about getting a next gen system but I decided to don't play it enough to make it worth it.

Haven't played any Mario games since I had my first NES.

[Stratman]

Sloppy ass? I find it to be one of the most comfortable, easy controllers I've ever used.

Mmm. It pisses all over the mouse/keyboard combo, anyway.

Can't do two things at once, eh?

[Paul B]

If you've never used it, you really can't comment. It's very easy. I've never liked the keyboard/mouse combo, that's why I never play PC games like that. Besides, the Wii remote requires you to do two things at once, are you forgetting about the Nunchuck attachment?

[Bad Ambassador]

Can't do two things at once, eh?

Well, I suppose you could argue that the remote/nunchuk are two things - but then, it's a long-standing rule of the gaming world that computer boys like to consider themselves superior, isn't it?

[Stratman]

Nah, I just consider FPS games on the PC superior, vastly superior. Consoles are good for sport and platform games, but you can't truly play an FPS on a console, the control pads make it impossible.

[Paul B]

Metroid Prime seemed to work pretty well on the GameCube. And the Wii remote is basically a mouse, anyway. How much do you really know about it?

[Stratman]

I should note that it would be nice if a console was good for FPS because PC's are divas.

[Stratman]

Metroid Prime seemed to work pretty well on the GameCube. And the Wii remote is basically a mouse, anyway. How much do you really know about it?

I don't know anything about it really, but I could tell just from the video that it was too sloppy for HL-2. I'm sure it works fine for wii games, though.

Here's something interesting, a Quake speed run in under 30 minutes!

[Mayday Malone]

My God, this thread's taken off quick.



(replaying Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2)

[Bad Ambassador]

Metroid Prime seemed to work pretty well on the GameCube. ?

Prime is just fantastic - the controls are a dream. I'm hoping Prime III will be as good!

[Paul B]

I'm surprised by you, BA! I really didn't think Nintendo games would be your thing. Metroid Prime 3 does look fantastic (the motion controls should be fun), although I have yet to complete the 1st game - one thing that really annoys me is the endless backtracking and lack of direction. I've also downloaded the original Metroid for Virtual Console, which is frustrating beyond reason, but fun anyway.

[Bad Ambassador]

I'm surprised by you, BA! I really didn't think Nintendo games would be your thing.

So first of all you don't think horror games will be my thing, then you think Nintendo games won't be either - I wonder what sort of image you have of me!

I *heart* Nintendo, have done for years. When they're firing on all cylinders, nobody can beat them. It's nice to have a games company with a hint of personality, too. Even though they're now far in the lead in both the console and handheld markets they still give off a lovely, fluffy image.

[Pisa32]

I've never had a go on the Wii, but thinking of getting one. Is it recommended that I get one, or does the novelty wear off after a while? I have a Gamecube (I'm in love with the Mario games) but upgrading to a Wii has crossed my mind.