Zelda: The Music

I have been humming the heroic main theme of the Twilight Princess for days now. It may also be known as the Hyrule Field theme. Or Link's theme. Either way, it's badass. While it is true that in the 50 or so hours you are enjoying the newest Zelda you will only hear the original NES Zelda melody a couple times (which is certainly not enough), this new song for Link is outstanding. And so is the rest of the music. So far, Nintendo has only released seven songs from the game's soundtrack. Luckily, my favorite one (besides the flamboyant Malo Mart song) is among them:

http://www.ds-gamer.nl/images/uploads/zelda2.mp3

The other tracks can be found here.

Buying Games Twice

UPDATE: I don't know why I wrote this. I was merely thinking out loud...err, thinking out loud with my fingers. Read at your own risk.

There are a select few games that I love so much that I actually bought them twice, you know, just in case something happens to the original copy. Some people buy movies twice - I have Star Wars on VHS and DVD. Is that so wrong? Here is a list of the games that I have double dipped, along with the reasons why:

Zelda - I have the two Zelda games for NES, and they still work. I have A Link to the Past on SNES, and it still works. I also have the two Zelda games for N64. But when I pre-ordered the Wind Waker, I was given a bonus disc with Ocarina of Time and OOT Master Quest for GameCube. It was awesome to play the Master Quest with a GCN controller and at a higher resolution. Then the Zelda Collector's Disc was being packaged with new 'Cubes, so I eBay'd that sucker - which includes the NES Zeldas and the N64 Zeldas. Then ALTTP came out for GBA. And now my head is spinning and I own two copies of most of my favorite Zelda games.

Mega Man - I have a bunch of Mega Man games on NES, but I pounced on the Mega Man Anniversary Collection for GameCube as soon as it came out. But once it was released on Xbox, I realized I wanted to fork over another $20 just to play it with a different (read: better) controller. I love NES Mega Man games...especially when I am drinking.

Mario - I am a sucker for ports. I bought all the Super Mario Advance games, and I love playing Mario 64 on my DS. And you can bet I'm going to be buying all the classic Mario games again on the Virtual Console when I get a Wii.

Only time will tell what other games I will be buying again, but I have a feeling my copy of Halo 2 is going to spoil at some point...

GAMEDAR: Wii

For today's "games on my radar," I'm looking at the list of games that I want (yes, I make lists of games that I want), and the first thing in the Wii section is the LAN adapter. It would be nice to have a fancy Wi-Fi connection in my house, but for the moment, we are still tied down with those pesky Ethernet cables. In fact, we don't even have a router - I have to switch the cable every time I go from PC internet connection to Xbox Live...which wouldn't be a problem if the 360 had a web browser, but that's another rant. Today I want to talk about the Wii, and the upcoming games that I want to insert into my Wii. Not that I have a Wii. Because I don't...yet.

Excite Truck - It's the only game on the list that is currently available on the market (Wii Sports is included, so that's a given, and I already got Zelda for the 'Cube). As far as launch titles go, Excite Truck is the one I want the most - far beyond my desire to shoot carrot juice into the masks of "Rabbids" and quietly move around my mother's china in Elebits. Excite Truck is arcade racing the way it should be: course powerups, rockin' tunes, motion-sensing control, and unlockables out the ass.

Wii Play - This minigame collection is more of a reason to create and fall in love with the Mii version of myself: one minigame is all about manipulating your Mii in various poses and positions DDR style. Plus it includes a shooter minigame that is very reminiscent of Duck Hunt (but not enough - there's no asshole dog or orange Zapper add-on [yet]).

Metroid Prime 3 - One thing it seems the Wii controls were designed for is first-person shooters, and this will be the first first-party game to use that control scheme. If history is any indication, whatever is done on a Nintendo console is always best done by Nintendo themselves. Plus, this is a Metroid Prime game, so it'll rock.

Sonic and the Secret Rings - Journalists that have demoed this game say it's the best 3-D Sonic game yet. I haven't really enjoyed a Sonic game since Sonic & Knuckles (Sonic Rush was just OK in my book)...and Jesus, do I love good Sonic games...

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Because I want to kick more ass with Twilight Princess Link. Plus, there are LOTR-style "whispers in the dark" that the Sonic pals and Mega Man will be playable characters!

Super Mario Galaxy - I loved Super Mario Sunshine, but there are a lot of haters. Let me guarantee now that there will be absolutely no haters of Mario's real debut on the Wii.

No More Heroes - Killer 7 is probably the most insane game I have ever played. The cutscenes were mind-blowing, and the story was head-exploding (yes, they are two different things). And I simply can't wait for the next game from Suda 51.

Zelda Review

I'll try to make this brief. Twilight Princess is not a perfect game...but it is indeed the greatest game ever. And it is not great simply because of the puzzles, or the combat, or the exploration. While all of Twilight Princess' elements are superb, it has an overall sense of fun that is unmatched in every other single-player game out there.

Apart from a slow beginning (see post below), the pacing is incredible. Just when things start to feel repetitive, you are (insert surprisingly fun activity here). Whether it's fishing, exploring caves, snowboarding, swimming, flying, traversing a dungeon (each dungeon is a complex, expertly designed work of art) or simply riding the plains of Hyrule on Epona, this game is pure gold to seasoned gamers. Everything that was great about Zelda has been improved in Twilight Princess.

Zelda: Initial Thoughts

Well, I finally tracked down a copy of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the 'Cube and to be honest, at first I was a little disappointed. The first couple hours involve a very feminine Link farting around in a small town where all the men look like women and all the kids look like mongoloids. Actually, there are two guys who look like men, but one of them definitely has down syndrome. And none of them can talk! Of course, they can all type and move their lips at the same time. Good thing I got this for the GameCube, otherwise I'd be ranting about NEXT-GEN VOICE WORK and how it is pretty much required in modern-day games if you want your characters to converse.

Ugh. After exploring the town and meeting its ugly citizens, I saddled up on Epona, the trusty steed. Again, a bit of a let down. The horse in Shadow of the Colossus is way better - Agro is easier to control, has more realistic animations, and is more lifelike in general than Epona. In fact, come to think of it, it's the same for Link vs. Wander. Link just doesn't look and feel as realistic as the wanderer...and at first, he certainly doesn't dress as good. With Link looking like the anime version of a Hanson brother and Epona acting like a spoiled horse with arthritis, I found myself wishing I was playing The Wind Waker instead.

But, I knew that this was still Zelda and I was still in for a treat if I stayed the course. About 3 hours in I finally met Zelda herself, found a worthwhile sword that wasn't made out of wood, and received the classic green outfit - and the Zelda adventure I thirsted for finally began. After playing for about 7 hours, the best way I can describe this version of Zelda is with math: a modern-day remake of Ocarina of Time+Lord of the Rings+Okami. Oh, and that equals awesome.

Dream Sequels

Sometimes a killer sequel comes out and totally blows away your expectations because it expands and enhances on what made the original game so great. For example, look at Super Mario Bros. 3. On the other hand, a sequel can be very disappointing (Super Mario Bros. 2). But the worst kind of sequel there is - is no sequel. Here is a list of my "dream sequels" that I don't think will be made anytime soon, but I will always have a little place in my heart on reserve for their arrival.

NiGHTS Into Dreams: This old Saturn game is screaming to be sequelized into a modern day game. Even though it was a somewhat simple rail shooter, it was still unique in many ways. Come on, SEGA. If you won't give us a sequel, at least give us a remake (or even a port!).

Eternal Darkness: This under-appreciated GameCube game had such a thick plot and such eerie environments that once you start to go insane, the game becomes an experience not easily forgotten. If you haven't played it, there's an insane meter that rises every time you see an enemy, and it can only be lowered by performing a finishing move on that enemy. Silicon Knights has said they want to re-visit this franchise in the future, but don't expect it anytime soon, as they have to make the lukewarm Too Human trilogy first.

Legend of Zelda - The Wind Waker: Those of you who never played GameCube's Wind Waker are probably rolling your eyes right now, but that's merely a sign of your sheer ignorance. The Wind Waker is one of my favorite Zeldas - not only were the graphics beautiful and stylized, but the sound effects, character designs, and music were just as cartoony as the visuals, and surprisingly fitting. I'll never forget my first time through, sailing the seas of Hyrule and exploring each little island with childlike glee. I want Zelda to return to this style in the future, and the Phantom Hourglass does not count. I want this puppy on Wii.

Monkey Island: Some gamers are saying the adventure genre is dying or already dead. To me, adventure games are like Rock n Roll, THEY WILL NEVER DIE! And my heart will never forget Guybrush Threepwood. It's about time for another entry in the series - but it must be from series creator Ron Gilbert and in 2-D form. So basically, it's never going to happen.

Geometry Wars: There are a lot of potential titles for this game. Geometry Wars 3. Geometry Wars Even More Evolved. Geometry Wars Retro Evolved Evolved. Maybe that's why this game hasn't even been announced yet - Stephen Cakebread could be having trouble deciding on the sequel's title. I know this one will happen, but I don't know how soon. Hopefully it will drop alongside PGR 4 sometime next year. If not, we might not see this one for a while.

Mortal Kombat: If Midway ever decided to return to digitized actors in a 2-D arena for the Mortal Kombat franchise, it would be one of the best decisions Ed Boon and co. ever made. Don't get me wrong, I loved Armageddon. I'm a sucker like that. But once Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 dropped on Xbox Live Arcade, I haven't even touched the 'more advanced' Armageddon. With today's system's graphical capabilities, just imagine how cool the Sub-Zero freeze could look in a new 2-D Mortal Kombat game.

Lumines: Imagine a Lumines sequel that let you completely design new skins. This would involve creating songs (choosing loops/sound effects), designing blocks and backgrounds, and then uploading them online to share with your friends. Gamers could even vote on the skins (YouTube style)!

Elder Scrolls: Oblivion was absolutely great, but it could have been so much better. Imagine it having face mapping like you see in Rainbow Six: Vegas. Imagine it having an online component - what if you could battle your friends' characters in the Arena? What if there were ships and zeppelins like in Warcraft 2? What if you could create a flying character? What if it didn't make your Xbox 360 hiccup every 10 minutes and freeze up every couple of hours?

Shadow of the Colossus: I am never going to get a PS3. Well, scratch that - I would only buy one if I could get it for $300 or less, and I can almost guarantee it's never going to happen (at least in the next 5 years). This is why I am bummed that a sequel to Shadow of the Colossus, while inevitable, is almost certainly going to be PS3 exclusive. A next-gen version of this game would be absolutely insane.

Hopefully every single one of these games will release on a platform near you in the near future, but I'd be surprised if more than one or two of them actually came into fruition by the end of 2007.

GAMEDAR: Xbox 360

I want to tell you about some upcoming games on my radar that I think you outta be aware of. Today I'll look at the future of the Xbox 360.

Halo 3: Yeah, the obvious one. I'll spare you my fanboy speak and keep it short. I played the first Halo's multiplayer daily for about a year. I played Halo 2 online every day for about two years. I am only left to assume that I'll be playing Halo 3's multiplayer on a daily basis for three years - it will be that good. I can also tell you for a fact that the single player campaign will be among the best single player campaigns ever.

Lost Planet: If you haven't played the demo yet, you don't have a 360 yet. Third person action, mechs, giant insect alien baddies, and a plot that I don't give a shit about. This one will have the strong one-two punch of great single player and equally great multiplayer. (edit: no, Lost Planet actually sucks - who knew?)

GTA IV: Next-gen Grand Theft Auto!

Guitar Hero: Coming to 360 with a new badass controller, online co-op(?), and downloadable tunes. No, it ain't wireless...but I don't have an endless supply of AA batteries. Plus, REAL electric guitars even have wires.

Bioshock: Just watch the trailer on YouTube.

Mass Effect: Next-gen RPG from Bioware? They're returning to the sci-fi realm? Where do I sign up?

Army of Two: Buddy game with excellent graphics and great promise. I'm thinking it will be like a mix of Gears of War and Rainbow Six: Vegas.

Virtua Tennis 3: I have wanted this ever since I last put down the Dreamcast controller for Virtua Tennis 2. I'm salivating already.

Alan Wake: Moody adventure game from Remedy, the guys behind the Max Payne games. This game has awesome potential, but it has recently been delayed.

Resident Evil 5: Nothing new has come from the Capcom camp about this game for over a year, but I do know it will have the same control style established in the sublime RE4.

Assassin's Creed: New IP from the Prince of Persia team - "medieval period piece or sci-fi?" The answer is BOTH!

Half-Life 2: This classic FPS is being released on 360 featuring superior graphics, the first two expansions, and hopefully some online multiplayer. Valve is still claiming that the $60 package will include Team Fortress 2 and Portal, but that just sounds too good to be true.

Project Offset: This one is a long way off, but it is set to rock your fantasy pants off. If you liked Oblivion, this game will probably make you uncontrollably vomit pure joy. It is only rumored to come to 360, which means I need a new PC.

Zelda: To Wii or Not to Wii

This has been a dilemma in my mind ever since Nintendo announced that Zelda would be a launch title for the Wii. Don't get me wrong - I really want a Wii, but there is no rush. I'm just a student trying to finish college and I don't have time for a job right now so $300 for a Wii+Zelda is sounding a little steep. Plus, there are over 70 people in front of me on the Wii reservation list at my local EB Games.

As much as I want a Wii, I want Zelda even more. And it ships next week for a system I picked up back in 2001. Both versions are playable on the Wii. Should I roll with the new?

The Differences: The obvious difference is the controls. The Wii version also has widescreen mode, but I have a standard TV. The problem here is that whichever version I get, I will have to stick with that version for LIFE. This is because the two versions are mirrored - they are horizontally opposite. Shiggy did this so Link would be right-handed on the Wii version, as most people will be waving the sword with their right hand. Link has always been a leftie. Other than that, no major differences.

The Dilemma: I'd like to aim the Wiimote when I use the bow & arrows or the hookshot and I'd like to cast my line and reel it in with the Wii controls. However, I don't really care about shaking the Wiimote to slash my sword. I played the Wind Waker and I loved it. Never did I wish I could magically aim my projectiles. Also, you get C-stick camera control on the Cube version. The game was originally designed with Link being a leftie, and I'd like to think that this is the version that the artists and designers meant for us to play (Nintendo flipped Zelda late in the game's production).

The Decision: Most reviewers said "Don't cheat yourself! Accept the new Wii controls! You will get used to them very quickly!" However, early previews of the 'Cube Zelda praise the ability to manipulate the camera (an ability that has been established ever since Ocarina of Time). As much as I'd love to control Link with the Wiimote, I think I'm going to be playing Zelda well before I buy a Wii. I'll still get to enjoy the Wii controls with other games that are more appropriate for them, such as Tennis or Baseball. TRADITION!

Sony: the Door to Door Salesman

Why am I always reminded of Stan from Monkey Island when I hear from Sony? Sony says all of my DVDs are worthless because they aren't Blu-ray. Sony says that if I want the new PLAYSTAION 3 (Sony also said I need to write that in all caps), I must purchase a Blu-ray player with it...even though I have a 21-inch TV and virtually no income. However, Microsoft gave me the choice whether to buy their version of the next-gen DVD player, and their console is $200 cheaper because of that.

Sony says rumble in controllers isn't a big deal. Sony is wrong. About a great. Many. Things. Return of the Jedi references never felt so at home.

Let's talk about games. I know that most launch games aren't very special or even very polished. Halo and Super Mario 64 are a couple rare exceptions. But looking beyond the PS3's launch lineup still leaves much to be desired. Most of the best games coming out in 2007 for Sony's console will also show up on the 360: Resident Evil 5, Assassin's Creed, Half-Life 2/Portal/Team Fortress (edit: now Half-Life 2: Orange), Grand Theft Auto IV, etc. Even Armored Core 4 is headed for the 360. Metal Gear Solid 4 is probably the only 'big one' that will be PS3 exclusive (at least for 2007), and personally I think it'll eventually make it's way to Microsoft's white console.

Sony says I need an internet browser. Sony says they have a better online service than the well-established Xbox Live. Hey Sony, go ahead and transfer my XBL friends list over to your online service. Wait, doesn't that mean that all of my friends have to buy $600 PS3s? See if you can transfer my gamerpoints and achievements while you're at it.

Bah humbug, Sony. I laugh at you.

GAMEDAR: Games on my Radar

Ah, my first ever blog post. Unless you consider a photoblog a blog. I've done that before. And it was a whole lot of writing, because each picture I posted was the equivalent of 1,000 words. But this post is still my first real written blog post. I hope you like video games.

I want to tell you about a few yet-to-be-released games that I'm looking forward to. Today I'll focus on upcoming releases for the Xbox Live Arcade.

Looking at what Microsoft has chosen to release on XBLA recently, it would seem like they are still the only next-gen console on the market (actually they are the only next-gen console readily available for purchase at your local "EB Gamestop"). But alas, competition has arisen, and Microsoft seems to have gotten too comfortable on its ever-melting throne of ice. November 8th's Wednesday release was Contra, featuring online co-op. Too bad it sucks. The following week the PS3 and Wii popped out of the womb, and Microsoft released Defender. Yes, that old ass Defender. They obviously could have had a much stronger release for XBLA. The following week there was no game release, just a patch for Texas Hold 'Em. A patch shouldn't substitute a real game on the dying XBLA Wednesdays trend. Nor does a new theme deck for UNO. Back to actual games, last week Microsoft released Small Arms. I'd rather just play its much more sophisticated parent, Super Smash Bros. Melee. There are, however, some upcoming titles that deserve to be excited about.

Mutant Storm Empire: A well established franchise for Xbox Live Arcade, this is the third game in the Mutant Storm series, and it looks to be the best. Let's not forget that unlike movie sequels, video game sequels usually improve and expand on what made the original game so great. This is a top-down shooter that controls like Geometry Wars, but you ain't blastin no squares in this puppy. Giant alien slugs, worms, crabs, and ... things attack you from all sides, and this time around you have TWO parallel laser blots to shoot them with. But you also have to watch out for environmental hazards. The best thing about this game will be the seamless level progression and the co-op, which will hopefully be ONLINE co-op (the only kind co-op that really matters nowadays).

Space Giraffe: Do you like the interactive Xbox 360 music visualizer? Do you like Tempest? Do you like Rez? Were you looking forward to GameCube's canceled Unity? Do you like drugs? If you answered yes to any of these, you'll most likely love Jeff Minter's upcoming Space Giraffe. This is one trippy shooter, from the guy who most likely invented the word trippy. Upon downloading this game sometime in spring 2007, you will be bombarded with sights and sounds from out of this world, while trying to control a giraffe-esque character that has to GET NADS*!

*Minter says the word "nad" will be replaced in the game's final version for a more family friendly word like "powerup." That's also what he initially thought about the wacky title, which he has admitted is here for good.


PORTS:

Sonic the Hedgehog High Speed: This is the first Sonic game, but they've implemented the spin-dash that didn't arrive until Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Worms: Glorious 2-D Worms online on your Xbox 360. Need I even say "need I say more?"

Castlevania Symphony of the Night: A port of the hard to find PS1 classic, but now with leaderboards and achievements!

There are plenty of other original games to be excited about (Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers), as well as the obligatory coin-op classics (Asteroids, Metal Slug, Paperboy). But how about hitting the competition a little harder these days? Let's get the big ones out the door first, how about it Microsoft?