[When was the last time you were REALLY excited to get a system?]

The only systems I was excited about getting to own when they were originally on sale, i.e. not those retro systems bought since, would be the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, Atari Lynx and Sega Dreamcast. I only really saw the likes of GameCube, Xbox, Wii and PS3 as a means to play the current games of the era and although I like them they don't seem to elicit the same joy.

[Silly logo observation...]

It was based on the prophetic dream of some Sony exec who saw that Sony would turn gaming upside down. And so they did. Third place is now first, second is still second, and first is now third. I call miracle.

So cruel but oh so funny!

[What PS3 games are you currently playing?]

I was just getting into Resistance 2 and MotorStorm Pacific Rift then I bought Guitar Hero III at a knock-down price and have since become so hooked I've now also bought Guitar Hero World Tour, Guitar Hero Aerosmith and Rock Band as well as a Union Jack faceplate for the Les Paul guitar controller!

[Street Fighter IV]

I'm not a fan of the series by any means but after having read/seen so much about this game I couldn't resist pre-ordering it a week or so ago when I saw it on sale at a great price. Please let it be as good as the reviewers are already stating...

[House of the Dead: Overkill]

I received the Collectors Edition plus the official Hand Cannon light gun cradle a couple of days ago (UK) and have been enjoying the game immensely. It has an "18 certificate" here in the UK which isn't surprising given the bad language, e.g. the third word uttered in the opening sequence if "motherf***ker"!

 

The option to turn off the cross-hair is a small but nice addition which works well enough given its the Wii Remote being used as a light gun. Maybe its not as razor sharp as using the GunCon on PS1's Time Crisis/Point Blank but its fine by me. Overall, I'd say its by far one of Wii's best titles and definitely worth owning.

[Fever Pitch Soccer]

I love sensi, I usually play it on the genesis. I really tried to like it on the jag, but like dcrip said the controls just dont work on this port.

I'd sure like to get a Genesis pad adapted for use on my Jaguar to verify whether the fault lies with the d-pad on Jaguar's controller simply not being suited to the game or if its related to poor coding with Sensi's conversion job to Jaguar.

[AWESOME online retro game for PC or Wii]

How do you play these webbased games on the Wii? Do you need to download a Wii browser or something?

 

Thanks for the link.

Put simply, if you're fairly new to Wii then to download and install the necessary Opera browser/Internet Channel its going to cost you 500 Wii Points for the "privilege".

 

Here's Wikipedia to explain all.

[Fever Pitch Soccer]

Sensi Soccer on the Jag would look like an NES game if it weren't for the colors... Everything is ridiculously small.. It's like playing ANT soccer...

...erm, but that was the point! Having small sized players on screen allowed for a far greater visible pitch area making the game far more playable in that a greater number of the other players are visible on screen at any one time allowing for the planning of greater passing moves/opportunities. The seminal Kick Off series (ST/Amiga, not the crappy console conversions) also adopted a similar approach which benefitted the gameplay significantly. Even now when playing the latest current-gen PES/FIFA games many owners choose to zoom out the camera view to achieve the same effect which by the same token reduces the graphical detail visible to the eye but the sacrifice is totally worth it for the gameplay advantages it brings.

 

I'm not for one one moment denying Sensi's graphics are extremely basic but the look of the players and their animations do have a certain charm of their own.

 

To put the game into perspective in the pantheon of the greatest footy games of all time think of how gamers are either PES or FIFA devotees nowadays and how entrenched they often are in support of their favoured series. Well, it was exactly the same in the early 1990s whereby many were either committed fans of Sensible Soccer or Kick Off but rarely both. I guess if you ever get the chance to play Sensi on ST/Amiga/PC then please give it a go as once you get a hang of it and its nuances you'll likely look past those primitive graphics to discover one of the most playable games ever made, especially in two-player.

[Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, yes or no?]

I voted "no" because as good it was on Wii compared to the PS3/360 versions due to it being developed separately, released a little later and crucially being designed from the ground up with Wii's controller in mind it does have a few minor flaws. These should no doubt be ironed out for this year's update. The again, the minor issues are certainly not deal-breakers and it maybe worth picking up if its at a really low price.

 

I'd say the best solution in terms of having the best current-gen footy games is to buy FIFA '09 on PS3/360 (forget PES 2009 on PS3/360 as Konami still shockingly need to get their act together this generation) and then the next PES update for Wii once released.

[Fever Pitch Soccer]

Sensible Soccer is commonly acknowledged as being one of the finest footy games ever made and to this day has legions of admirers, especially in Europe and even more so in the UK. However, this is largely in respect of the PC, ST and Amiga versions. I'm a huge fan of the original "Sensi" games, peaking with Sensible World Of Soccer (PC), and own versions of it for Jaguar, Mega-CD and GameBoy and used to own versions for PC and ST. What pretty much unfortunately ruins the game on Jaguar is the lack of control via the controller's d-pad. I'm not in any way seeking to rag on Jaguar's controller, I'm merely stating that this particular game just doesn't function/play as it should. Whether its because of programming issues with the game or any other factor, I do not know. Its obviously not related to any lack of processing power as the Mega Drive, PC, Amiga and ST versions all play better, i.e. the on-screen players are properly controllable.

 

I've never played Fever Pitch Soccer but from pretty much everything I've read and from the videos I've seen it looks a very mediocre effort. Then again to be fair playing both FIFA '95 and ISS Deluxe in 2009 is a rather painful experience too imo.

[leading british soccer club joins sony in exclusive sports content on PSP]

My team Aston Villa are still placed above the Gooners in the EPL. Wooot!

 

Interesting that its Arsenal though, i.e. the happy coincidence of them having previously been sponsored by Sega for the shirt logo back when Dreamcast was still going.

[Finally bought a ScatBox]

I placed a couple of bids for this auction but bailed well before it reached that final price. Congratz to you though!

[Tempest 2000 Jag vs Saturn]

Here's an old article by Jeff Minter himself reviewing and comparing Tempest X3 for PlayStation to Jaguar's Tempest 2000 - Link

 

EDIT:

Here's what Wikipedia has to say,

 

"Tempest 2000 was ported to PC's running DOS, Macintosh, Sega Saturn and PlayStation game consoles, the latter version with several changes to the design under the name of Tempest X3. Interplay released a Microsoft Windows version later.

 

The DOS version contains optional AdLib and Roland MT-32 versions of the music. The Windows version is rendered in higher resolution, and has some unique glitches, like registering bonus level scores incorrectly.[citation needed]

 

The Sega Saturn version, programmed by High Voltage Software, uses a limited amount of sound channels, causing thin sound.[citation needed] The third type of bonus level has been completely removed.

 

Tempest X3, the PlayStation version, has updated graphics and sound. However, the following gameplay differences from the original version were identified by Jeff Minter himself in a Usenet post:[citation needed]

 

* The "AI Droid" only follows the player, instead of acting autonomously. A new, "Super AI Droid" powerup rectifies this somewhat, but it takes a very long time within a level to acquire it.

 

* Pulsars now move slowly around the top of the Web if they reach it (rather than electrifying the whole top edge the moment they arrive).

* The Particle Laser is no more effective than the normal laser against Spikes (in the original, it destroys them very quickly).

* Some of the harder, "sticking point" webs have been removed from the game entirely.

* Entering the name "YIFF!" on the highscore table will activate a secret mode, allowing the user to choose to play the original Tempest 2000 game; however, any high scores made in this mode are not saved, the music (wave-captured from the original modules) is muffled and the effectiveness of the Particle Laser against Spikes is not restored even in this original mode.

 

The Playstation version of Tempest X3 includes support for Namco's rotary neGcon analog controller.[citation needed]

 

Jeff Minter himself returned to the genre with Tempest 3000 and again with Space Giraffe.[citation needed]"

[Nintendo DS Paddle Controller]

I bought one on Japanese import along with Arkanoid DS and Space Invaders Extreme shortly after it was released and have been extremely impressed with it so far. I have the silver one as the white one to match my DS Lite was sold out at the time. It sticks out a little from the system as its also designed to work on the original model DS but its no inconvenience. All I wish for now, in my dreams maybe, is for Tempest 2000 or a variant on it to be released on DS which is compatible with the Taito Spinner controller as that game would be utterly sublime imo.

[Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix = Avoid]

Now if you'll excuse me I have to play a *REAL* fighting game. I'm thinking Mark of the Wolves or Capcom Vs SNK2

Excused, sir! Dreamcast rules!

[A 7800 movie]

Given Midway's current financial woes perhaps the rights to the Gorf IP maybe available soon enough - Link

[Soon-to-be (new) Jaguar owner is NOW a Jaguar owner!]

The Jaguar rocks!!!

Word!

[New Sega console question]

Me, I'd buy it, period. What is the general opinion here?

Same opinion as you!

[New Sega console question]

Sega has always had cutting edge hardware but just a shitty marketing scheme. I'd buy a new Sega in a heartbeat.

Huh? Their marketing of Genesis / Mega Drive was initially quite good in the West and then fantastic once Sonic The Hedgehog arrived on the scene! To steal away that amount of US market share from Nintendo with its all powerful NES was an incredible achievement.

[Wipeout HD]

Wow, that photo mode sounds great! I also wasn't even aware of the soundtrack functionality. I'm gonna have to start making sure to read game manuals more often...

 

As for the online mode, the level of the competition can be pretty fierce but given that I haven't really played a Wipeout game intensely since Wip3out on PS1 and I generally seemed to finish in the middle-order of the Venom-class races I entered its not too scary!

 

Yep, this game is simply stunning.

[Motorstorm Paradise Island]

I've played it a few times. I'm a big fan of arcade racers but I'm not feeling it with Motorstorm (or, so far, it's sequel). Still seems to me to be a tech demo in search of a game. There's just something missing. No heart, no identity. I'm liking the Pure demo a hell of a lot more. Maybe not graphically as technically superior, but there's a lot more imagination with the track design. And, on the subject of track design, I'll take Wipeout HD over either.

Wow, someone who agrees with me!

 

I played the MotorStorm: Pacific Rift demo and whilst its all good and fine I just didn't see enough or have read enough since to make it a must-have title given that I already own MotorStorm.

 

I was also highly impressed with the Pure demo and bought that instead. Among several reasons, what impressed me was the handling of the ATVs compared to the handling of the various vehicles in MotorStorm.

 

Unfortunately I've yet to actually play Pure for three reasons:

1. Only so much time is ever free to play games

2. I cannot not be playing the stunning Wipeout HD which imo is the best PS3-exclusive so far

3. Any time left over has been spent monkeying about on Wii's remake/update of Samba de Amigo.

[Looks the Dreamcast will soon have ANOTHER new shooter under it's belt]

Thanks for the link! I've just paid for the pre-order and shall be looking forward to playing it.

[Wipeout HD]

I downloaded the full game about an hour ago. Has anybody else done so yet?

 

My first impression is that its an absolute AAA stunning title. Super smooth and slick with its 60fps 1080p graphics, top tunes and superb handling. I've had my PS3 from launch day and own several games that I'd rate highly but this is the first game that stands a chance of making me love it. Oh, and the online mode has no discernible lag whatsoever. Simply awesome.

[ULTIMATE BRAIN GAMES PROTOTYPE FOUND!OMG!]

What a sad thread.

 

Buddies, stop crapping your pants.

 

DCRIP, DC sucks

 

viMaster for president

 

 

Good thing I stopped by here today

Waste of time I stopped by here today

[Space Invaders Extreme! (BUY IT)]

I've got it for DS with the Taito "spinner" controller which is awesome. It can also be used with the new DS Arkanoid game.

Have you played the Arkanoid game yet? I'm considering importing the spinner if it's good too - I hate to import it just for Space Invaders.

Yep, I totally adore Arkanoid DS. Its second only to Mario Kart DS in my collection as the most played game for that handheld.

 

The renowned Retro Gamer magazine reviewed it in last month's issue and only gave it 50-something percent which I was utterly appalled at. OK, its not without its faults such as many of the levels having quite a narrow playing field and the graphics are fairly functional but the playability is so fantastic that I'll switch it on for a quick go and still be on it over an hour later. It plays absolutely fine with the d-pad although I've not tried it with the stylus yet. Taito's spinner controller just adds a bit of panache to the overall experience as it obviously more closely simulates the controls of the original Break Out coin-op.

 

I ordered my spinner controller from Play-Asia also when it first came out. I wanted a white one to match my DS Lite but as that colour was out of stock everywhere at the time I went for the silver one over the pink one . With DS Lite it sticks out a few mm but its still a secure fit. I may have said this before elsewhere I think but all my gaming prayers would be answered if Jeff Minter ever ported Tempest 2000 or an update of Tempest for DS utilising the spinner controller.