[Game Review] Geometry Wars: Galaxies (Wii)

geometrywarsgalaxieswiiSystem: Wii (Also on DS)
Developer: Kuju Entertainment/Bizarre Creations
Publisher: Sierra
Genre: Arcade Shooter

Judging a book (rather, a game) by its cover can sometimes be a big mistake. I’m sure I’ve missed out on some quality games in my life because I walked passed it on the shelf and thought it looked lame, pedestrian, or not worth my money. Just looking at the case for this game, I would’ve initially passed up on it because it just doesn’t look that interesting. I flip the case over, and it doesn’t really sound that interesting. But luckily, I’m not paying to rent this game (because my esteemed leader Zac just let me borrow it). Continue reading

[Game Review] Dead Space Extraction (Wii)

System: Wii (Exclusive)
Developer: Visceral/Eurocom
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Rail Shooter

I never played the original Dead Space on 360/PS3. It’s not that had no interest in the game, because I definitely did. I drooled at tons of screenshots, lustfully watched plenty of gameplay footage, and read a good amount of reviews. Everything I saw or read about the game definitely tickled my fancy, but for some reason I just never bought or rented it.

So when Dead Space Extraction, the Wii-Exclusive prequel, was announced I had very little interest in the game. Once it was revealed that the title would serve as a spooky and atmospheric On Rails Shooter, my ears perked up and I began developing an interest while the majority of Wii gamers scoffed at the Light Gun Style gameplay, calling it inferior and assuming it would be boring.

Wrong. Continue reading

[Game Review] GT Pro Series (Wii)

boxart_wii_us_gt-pro-seriesSystem: Wii
Developer: MTO
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Racing

Racing games are simple, fun, and give you immediate results. You don’t have to work through a number of complicated levels, with variables that you cannot control. You get a track, a vehicle, and opponents. Its about as straight forward as gaming gets. Nintendo’s Wii offers you the ability to control the action with an actual gaming wheel. So, automatically, you are given a unique gaming experience.

The only problem is that GT Pro Series otherwise plays like it could have been developed for Super Nintendo over a decade ago. The graphics are sub par, and it looks like a 32-bit system. The cars are chunky, bland, and non-descript. The race tracks are basic, and completely barren of any major graphic achievement. The graphics are the game’s major, and truly the only damning weakness. If you aren’t distracted by graphics that barely would’ve been revolutionary in 1993, then you won’t mind this game. Continue reading

Five Nintendo DS Games Everyone Should Own

Now that the Nintendo DSi is available, gamers everywhere are picking up their first dual screen gaming system and diving into the wonderful world of the Nintendo DS. With an overwhelmingly huge library of games, however, it’s easy for gamers to get lost when trying to pick out the right titles.

Below are five titles that everyone with a DS, any model, should own. Keep in mind the games on this list are five of the games that I believe every gamer with a DS should own, not a list of the five best DS games. If you have a different selection of games, feel free to call me an idiot, or, preferably, leave your games of choice in the comments section! Continue reading

[Game Review] Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Wii)

Overview:

System: Nintendo Wii (Also On: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Nintendo DS)
Developer: Krome Studios/LucasArts
Publisher: LucasArts
Genre: Action

A while back, Patrick reviewed the Xbox 360 version of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Because of this, I’m not planning on going too in-depth with my analysis of the Wii game, but I will tell you everything you need to know. If you are more interested in the 360 rendition of the game, check out Pat’s review. Continue reading

[Game News] Need For Speed Nitro Wii Trailer

I just watched this over on IGN and had to share it with you guys. For those of you who don’t know, Need For Speed Nitro is a Nintendo-exclusive addition to the popular Need For Speed series. Nitro features an awesome art style, gorgeous visuals, funky music, and heavily arcade-inspired gameplay which are all showcased in this trailer.

[Game Review] Scribblenauts (Nintendo DS)

Overview:

scribblenauts boxartSystem: Nintendo DS (Exclusive)
Developer: 5th Cell
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Genre: Puzzle / Sandbox

Scribblenauts is the newest title from 5th Cell, the same team behind the clever and creative DS game entitled Drawn to Life, a platformer in which you drew your own characters and lots of your own items.

Their newest title is one of the most innovative and creative game concepts ever devised, which is what helped the game earn the loads of hype and also earned the E3 “Best of Show” award, making it the first handheld title to ever be given the coveted title.

Now that it is finally on store shelves, does Scribblenauts manage to live up to the insane amount of hype it’s garnered? It’s review time. Continue reading

[Game News] Scribblenauts Releases Today, Review ASAP

It’s finally here. Today is the day that Scribblenauts, the extremely innovative DS title that lets players “Write Anything, Solve Everything,” and I am beyond psyched. Since the game’s unveiling I have been watching it very closely, and several months and a ridiculous amount of awards later, Scibblenauts is finally washing up on US shores this morning.

We’ll have our review up as soon as possible, hopefully later today if all goes well, but no later than tomorrow. Right now I’m sitting in my English lecture, listening to the professor babble about hand sanitizer and keyboards or something. I’m far too busy making a list of words to try in Scribblenauts to care about something as trivial as a college education. Psh.

[Game Impressions] The New Nintendo Channel

nintendochannelA new update was released for the Nintendo Channel today, and what an update it is. After installing the new version of the channel and booting it up, I was literally taken aback by how much of an overhaul actually occurred. But before we get into my impressions, here’s Nintendo’s official statement regarding the Updated Nintendo Channel.

NEW-AND-IMPROVED NINTENDO CHANNEL GETS UPDATED FEATURES AND WEEKLY SHOW

Sept. 14, 2009

The Wii™ console’s Nintendo Channel is getting a makeover. On Sept. 14, the channel, which provides users with videos and information about current and upcoming Nintendo products, re-launches with a new look and feel. Some of the upgrades include higher-quality streaming videos, lists of top games that other viewers recommend and a new ability to rate and recommend Nintendo DS™ games.

Current features of the Nintendo Channel will remain, including Nintendo DS demo downloads and an extensive lineup of videos about Wii and Nintendo DS games.

As part of the update, Nintendo Channel will also premiere Nintendo Week, a weekly, hosted series about what’s happening in the world of Nintendo. The premiere episode includes an in-depth look at Mario and Luigi™: Bowser’s Inside Story, an interview with the developers behind the Wii version of Guitar Hero 5, plus coverage of the new Nintendo DSi colors, Nintendo DSiWare games and other surprises.

Nintendo Channel is available free of charge to Wii owners, and can be downloaded by going to the Wii Shop Channel and following the on-screen instructions. For more information about the Nintendo Channel, please visit www.NintendoChannel.com.

Continue reading