This and That...

Just a few weekend blog type things to discuss. First up, I have finally finished my review of DemiKids: Light Version. Check it out here:

DemiKids Review

I found the game to be rather boring and I really wanted it to end at some point. However, I always believe that if I am going to review a game, I had better review it properly. Therefore I did manage to slog my way through to the ending but that certainly does not mean that I enjoyed it.

That leaves my unfinished review pile down to just 2 games, Lufia - The Ruins of Lore and Mario Golf Advance Tour. Lufia I really hated. It took me two attempts to finally manage to get through it and when I did I found that my team was in no shape to take on the final boss. Rather than spend another 5 or 6 hours building up my characters to do so through monotonous level building, I let myself slide and consider the game done enough to review.

Mario Golf Advance Tour on the other hand has me so frustrated as of late that I don't even feel like continuing on with it. Sometimes I see friends or people in movies duff a golf shot and toss their clubs into the water or break every last one of them in a fit of frustration. Let me tell you, if there was some way to digitally destroy golf clubs in Mario Golf, I would be out a mint. The problem is that some days I play amazingly but some days I couldn't hit the green if my life depended on it. The other day it got me so frustrated (and believe me, I am usually a rather calm individual) that I am completely turned off of playing anymore. Perhaps this is why I do not play sports games (heck, even Stuntman didn't frustrate me to this level).

Anyway, it is time to hunt for a new GBA game, but I am almost thinking of holding off until the DS comes out. A brand spanking new DS with the Mario 64 remake (which is sounding better and better) may be just the cure I need to begin enjoying my rather lackluster portable gaming as of late...

Comments (0) | Permalink | Lee Babin | 10.17.2004

Metroid Prime 2 Echoes

I finally received my Metroid bonus disc from Nintendo after weeks of anticipated waiting. I had almost begun to think it would not come (since I had received it from registering enough Nintendo products), but lo it finally arrived in my mail about a month ago.

Sadly, even though I had waited and waited and waited some more for it, I didn't even have a chance to fire it up. Until yesterday night that is! I found myself with about 45 minutes of free time (an anomaly in my busy schedule!) and I had two choices. I could either a) finally watch that DVD that came with EGM two months ago, or b) finally get in a little demo time. I chose the latter.

I was not disapointed with my decision. As a side note, I really do believe that Nintendo loves its fans. Everything about this disc screams quality. Sure, the art gallery is only about 40 pieces of art, and yes, I don't see the reasoning behind a trailer AND a preview (what's the difference? other than the preview being cooler). And the "history" thing certainly could have been expanded (though the music was awesome). It just all feels so POLISHED though that I can't resist it.

Anyway, I began playing the Demo itself and remembered why I enjoyed Metroid Prime so much. In fact, it turns out I had somewhat forgotten just how much I love it! The game is so personal, for some reason on a 57" widescreen HDTV, it actually feels like I am Samus (despite my being male!). I love turning off all of the lights and carefully, step by step, proceeding through the dank, lush environments, never knowing when a space critter might erupt out of the groud, or a pack of space pirates might ambush me from on high.

All in all I came away from the demo feeling very much as though I HAVE to buy the sequel when it comes out (interesting piece of marketing Nintendo; lesser publishers, take note). I haven't managed to make it through the whole demo yet (45 minutes is only 45 minutes after all), but from what I have seen it is pretty much the original Metroid Prime with new features and a new story with brand new environments (and who is complaining?).

To sum up, I love you Nintendo!

Comments (0) | Permalink | Lee Babin | 10.14.2004

Back from Balmy Regina!

It has been a hectic long weekend. Me and the wife headed out to Regina, which is about central Canada for those wondering, to visit the family. While me and the old lady had a great time out there we sadly did not get to see a good portion of the family. Oh well, there were definitely some highlights including amazing food at my grandparents, Dianne's first attempt at highway driving (she has a lead foot, I'm so proud!), tons of thanksgiving leftovers (yes, we celebrate it in October in Canada), and getting my arse handed to me in the Links cup in Mario Golf Advance Tour.

Now that I am back, I once again resume my fanatical interest in everything that is gaming. So I begin perusing my regular haunts and what do I see? First off, another reason to be jealous of the Japanese, closely followed by a rotten feeling in my gut that I will never be able to afford all of these games. One way or the other though, I have to find a way to pick up this game, especially with this offer for the soundtrack. I am such a sucker for video game soundtracks (heck, I am listening to the Katamari Damacy game rip as I write this.

Anyway, it is good to be back and blogging strong. You know you are a game nerd when you are gone for 3 days and you find yourself missing your PS2...Well, off I go to ponder where I can find some extra work to buy me some extra games!

Comments (0) | Permalink | Lee Babin | 10.12.2004

Page: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47]