WiiU Controller's potential for Success/Disaster

The WiiU controller was unveiled a couple months ago and we still are quite confused as to what its going to do alongside the WiiU system. The controller showcased its technological capabilities, but didn’t really dab into what it will do to our video games, our favorite franchises, and our favorite genres of games. And while I don’t have the answer to any of those questions, I can pretty much give opinions and predictions.

First off, the specs:
• Built-in accelerometer, gyroscope, speakers, front-facing camera, sensor strip, microphone and a 6.2 inch (15.7 cm) 16:9 resistive touchscreen
• Two Circle Pads and one D-pad
• Stylus
• Select, Start, Home and Power buttons
• A/B/X/Y face buttons, L/R bumper buttons and ZL/ZR trigger buttons
• Controller sync button

Let’s look at a few more images of the WiiU controller.




And now, let’s predict whether the controller will help/hurt certain games, franchises, genres of gaming.


Category #1: Mario
Predicted Verdict: Hurts

This controller is a bit too mighty for Super Mario, as he is a simple plumber engaged in forever-simple games that can usually be learned in a few minutes. Our fondest memories with older Nintendo systems usually involve Super Mario, and jumping and running your way through colorful levels. With that massive screen in the middle, it makes the controller a lot wider. Mario’s appeal was its simplicity. Platform games never need an extra screen, don’t let anybody else tell you different. Look at the Mario Bros. games, they are among the best is history and needed just a couple buttons. That screen? Waste of space—if you plan on playing as Mario.


Category #2: Zelda
Predicted Verdict: Helps

Zelda has always been more of an adventure game and less a combat game. While Zelda combines action and adventure with usually flawless precision, this game is far more exploration/adventure based to nearly a point of it being an RPG. As a matter of fact, some gamers out there do classify this as an RPG. That extra screen gives plenty of potential to the Zelda franchise, as you can use this screen for maps, for configuring items, for searching for hints, for fun interaction with people you meet along the way, and much more. You may think we’ve exhausted all the ideas for this franchise—this controller can honestly open the door to some new and clever ideas.


Category #3: Metroid
Predicted Verdict: Hurts

The new controller can help Samus and the Metroid brand, but this all depends on whether Samus will be 2-D or 3-D. If Samus is going to eventually hit her 2-D stride (this idea was dabbed upon with Metroid: Other M) then this new controller will not help in the least bit. The only potential I see is for maps—and its not enough of a reason to made the controller wide enough to toughen the fast reflexes sometimes required for 2-D Metroid games. If Metroid reverts back to full-fledged 3-D like in the Prime days, then it can definitely help with maps, weapon selection, and moving the fangled thing around searching for clues and details about her environment. That might justify the screen—but Metroid to me works best with simple controllers, and a simple adventure into a vastly unknown atmosphere.


Category #4: Pokemon
Predicted Verdict: Helps

This controller and Pokemon were meant to be together. Pokemon was never a fast-paced franchise, but instead a franchise built on strong and very lengthy RPG adventures full of items to collect, monsters to find, and quests and adventures to fulfill. With the extra screen, you can modify your Pokemon team without displaying what you have on the screen—making for some awesome 2-player action. You can use the screen for maps, the Pokedex, organizing items, gambling at the casinos, trading with others, altering the looks of your Pokemon, sending/receiving messages from other trainers, making phone calls, and just too much more for me to place in this already-long paragraph.

Category #5: Kirby, Donkey Kong
Predicted Verdict: Hurts

See category #1. These are simple franchises that only need simple, small controllers for fast-paced action, fast-paced reaction, and a simple pick-up-and-play experience.


Category #6: First-person shooters
Predicted Verdict: Hurts

None of the XBox 360 gamers want to hear this, but I speak the truth: The Wiimote is hands-down the best controller configuration for shooters in the history of gaming. If you could work the sensitivity within the movements of the Wiimote, you could have made an assortment of shooters that feels better and plays better than shooters done with regular controllers. But, only ONE Wii game got the configuration correct: Metroid Prime 3. This vastly underrated game amped up the action and proved to the world that the Wii can make great shooters given the right amount of effort. WiiU’s controller will obliterate everything they got right the past generation by giving us a fat controller that removes all realism and freedom of movement offered by the Wiimote. Thank goodness the WiiU is backwards-compatible.


Category #7: Star Fox
Predicted Verdict: Helps

Imagine controlling your airwing with the WiiU controller, making it like the wheel of the ship, and then using the back buttons to launch your fire. Then use the touch screen to check up on your friends and use the extra buttons for more heavy artillery. Then use the circle pads to alter the camera of the game and get a good look of the environment around you. Star Fox can definitely benefit from this.


Category #8: Mario Kart
Predicted Verdict: Helps

While I am a racing purist, preferring the classic controllers to race against others, the WiiU controller can instantly be turned into a driving wheel, and all you need are the back-shoulder buttons to drive and apply the brakes. As long as it can fix the small glitches that the WiiWheel experienced, then Mario Kart will be a heck of a good time on the WiiU. Potentially.

Category #9: Fighting Games
Predicted Verdict: Disastrous Hurt

Look at the controller. Now try to picture yourself creating a 7-button combo while holding that controller. That's all the evidence you need.


Bottom Line: The WiiU controller is definitely a hit-or-miss piece of hardware that can make the upcoming Nintendo system or completely destroy it. On one hand, you have to hand it to Nintendo for trying to introduce different ways to play the game, but at the same time some already-awesome ideas are sacrificed and risked. It was a pure miracle that the Mario Galaxy games were borderline-flawless, because the revolutionary Wiimote was not meant to interact well with platformers. Maybe all we gamers want is a simple SNES-like controller? Maybe the focus should be on improving the software?

Either way though, this controller isn’t all bad news. While some genres might be reckoned and tarnished (with fighting games suffering the most), some classic franchises like Zelda, Star Fox, F-Zero, and especially Pokemon can enter a new realm of quality if the controller and all the new features are utilized correctly. Only time will tell if this indeed happens, but one thing is certain: the WiiU controller is about to turn the Nintendo universe topsy-turvy.

P.S. One sequel that NEEDS to happen with this new controller:







Pokemon Snap 2.

Nuff said.

The Price Cut Heard Round' the Gaming World

Back in 1995, Nintendo released a system that would propel the company into new heights---of utterly miserable failure. The Virtual Boy was a mess right out of the gate, up until the very end. The launch was poor, the marketing was awful, the system was a mess, there wasn’t enough software, the potential was not utilized, and it was losing money---without any competition whatsoever. They say the suicide rate during the years of 1995 and 1996 were the highest in the 90s (that may or may not be a lie). Nintendo didn’t give it much of a chance because they didn’t see light at the end of the tunnel—therefore eliminating it immediately in terms of shelf life. One year after its release, Nintendo cancelled the system, denounced the system, and pretty much all but butchered the reputation of its creator, Gunpei Yokoi (Who invented the Nintendo Game Boy mind you).


In one of the greatest cases of history repeating itself (up there with the 27 Club and the Chicago Cubs), the Nintendo 3DS stumbled right out of the gate. Because of a poor launch, poorer marketing, lack of software (have they released games yet?), and an inability to separate itself from the shadow of the Nintendo DS, the 3DS has been an utter mess with weak sales, weaker reception, and very little hope in the future. Ironically, the 3-D aspect of the system became more of a turn-off then a selling point as our love for 3-D is depleting rapidly. The Virtual Boy suffered a similar fate when we gamers in the 90s realized that virtual reality gaming is a technological advancement that we just don’t actually want. Ever.


The Nintendo 3DS was inches away from becoming the new millennium’s Virtual Boy. While nothing will ever top the failures of the Game Gear and the Neo-Geo (*insert maniacal laughter*), the 3DS was on a path of quick destruction with the PS Vita on its heels. The PS Vita was offering ITouch-style gaming with the Sony touch—pun totally intended. And with the similar $250 price tag, Sony was ready to deliver a heavy blow and potentially even take over the handheld market. The last time Nintendo did not own the handheld market: 1988. Let’s put this in perspective: Derek Jeter was 15. Little Mermaid and Lion King had not come out yet. The Sega Genesis has not even come out yet.

Nintendo was inches away from losing, and losing big.


And then came the price cut.



Nintendo announces that the 3DS took a price cut, and not just a tiny-usually-$50. Instead of $250, the Nintendo 3DS will sell for $170. And not only that, but those whom already bought the 3DS for the ridiculous original price get an astounding 20 free video games. Check that, 20 free video games. Can I repeat it one more time? 20 free games. I don’t think in the history of gaming has either of the Big 3 offered such a delicious prize for getting a system early. 10 free NES games and 10 free GBA games. Just look at part of the GBA lineup:

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Metroid Fusion
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$
Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Four of those five were among the greatest handheld games in the history of Nintendo. This price cut does more than just save the 3DS—but it allows for a new way to market the product, gives Nintendo a chance to slowly release their exclusive titles without panic, and makes the PS Vita seem much more expensive by becoming 80 bucks cheaper. All the momentum Nintendo had lost has suddenly gained a bit as Star Fox, Mario Kart, Super Mario 3D, Kid Icarus, and more are headed towards the holiday season with a much cheaper system. But the price cut has also shown the gaming world a baffling conclusion: Nintendo is losing faith in their new handheld.

The 3DS has potential of being something special, but it really hasn’t utilized its abilities. The 3-D aspect is an extremely overrated and overstated aspect of the system. Before the price cut I was going to write about how unless Nintendo changed its marketing or perhaps even changed the name of its new system (Nintendo DSX? Nintendo DS2? Nintendo DDD? Nintendo This-Will-Be-Better-Than-PS-Vita?) it was heading down the Virtual Boy road. And just ask SNK, Sega, Nokia, and Bandai, Nintendo doesn’t want to go down that path….again.

This handheld has the potential of nearly PS3-like graphics. This new system can connect online much quicker, can download old-school Game Boy games, and is backwards-compatible. It is practically a super-powerful version of arguably the most successful system in the history of gaming. Nintendo needs to adopt this angle because the 3-D angle is not working, will not work, and will never work again. In two years, 3-D movies will be a mere thing of the past, as we hit our peak during the Avatar phenomenon.


Bottom Line: The 3DS was on the path towards failure (Virtual Boy II jokes were ready to arrive from bloggers and columnists everywhere) before Nintendo threw it a lifeline with a heck of a price cut immediately after its launch and right before the holiday season---and the upcoming competition’s arrival. The decision to reward the current owners while providing a far cheaper price to a system in need of help came at the right moment, the exact right time, and under the perfect circumstances. Moments like this prove why Nintendo is still #1, but moments like this also prove that not everything Nintendo touches turns into gold.

This system is extremely powerful and can really deliver wonderful hours of gaming for years to come—but the software needs to start charging in and the 3-D feature needs to be downplayed down into a whisper. While most bug Nintendo for using their franchises too much, the brand actually has left many franchises in the dust and the 3DS is the perfect opportunity to revive them. The 3DS is the perfect opportunity to take all the elements that made the DS great and improve and expand upon it. And for a moment it looked like the chance was going to be lost, but the price cut is going to breathe new life into this handheld.

Nintendo, don’t drop the ball…again.






Bring me my 3-D Earthbound !!!!!!

Why Nintendo Needs to Mario Kart 64ify its next Mario Kart

Pre-Article Note: This is a retread of an old 2010 article that still holds true today as we see the next Mario Kart coming out in the coming months for the 3DS, and eventually the next Mario Kart on the WiiU sometimes next year (pure predicting). While critics will never admit it after giving the N64 version the weaker scores in the franchise, Mario Kart 64 remains the best of the Mario Karts, and if we honestly were to polish some of the gameplay, A.I., graphics, and glitches, we would have a solid-solid racer. Mario Kart 64 has the best tracks, the best items, and hands-down the best Battle Mode in the history of video games.







The Mario Kart franchise has become a major success story, which each installment outselling the previous entry in both the handheld and in the console department (with the exception of Double Dash, but let’s all pretend that didn’t happen). Mario Kart Wii has now become one of the top-selling games of all-time, and the top racing game in history. Mario Kart DS has been on the best-seller list for over 230 weeks, raking in over 18 million in sales. So yea, Nintendo will not be going bankrupt anytime soon. However, I am still keen on my Mario Kart 64. To this day, I still prefer this version to all the other ones, with Mario Kart DS literally inches away at second place. The only reason Mario Kart 64 still wins is because of the superior battle mode and track design. This article is now dedicated to all the reasons why I personally (despite all the critics disagreeing from second one) prefer the N64 installment, and how the Mario Kart saga can improve by taking notes from this article (and from the amazing racing game of 1997).



The very first and ultimate reason for Mario Kart 64’s surprise success back in the day was the simple, yet engrossing Battle Mode. Revolutionizing multi-player for years to come, Mario Kart 64 showed the world that four players can play at the same time and indeed have an excellent time. All it took was four stages, items, and a decent frame rate, and our Friday nights were set. But starting from Mario Kart Double Dash and on, they complicated things, they slowed things down, and tried expanding upon perfection. Mario Kart DS required for you to blow on the balloons, and allowed you to steal balloons (limiting the suspense and turning it into a big game of tag). Then there is Mario Kart Wii and it requiring for you to work on teams. Really? Just make a bunch of stages, allow a bunch of items, don’t expand the options, and we are set. Mario Kart 64 was simple, which made it is accessible to beginners and veterans. The Battle Mode should be the same way. There is yet to be a single battle mode in any game that can top the infamous Block Fort---and that stage was simplistic brilliance.



An interesting aspect about Mario Kart Wii is that none of their courses were that lengthy. In Mario Kart 64, we had Wario’s Stadium, Royal Raceway, Rainbow Road, and DK’s Jungle Course. These four levels were not only entertaining, but they were an amazing test of your endurance. These courses also guaranteed that if you are last at the halfway mark, you can still manage to catch up to the top (without the use of infinite cheap items, but that’s another tale). The next Mario Kart should benefit from more of these nice long courses. While a race that takes 24-hours would be exaggeration (Gran Taurismo 4 anyone?) I’d love to see more Wario Stadium-like levels.



Continuing in the conversation about courses, we need more levels that does not contain any actual silly obstacles (like baddies, pipes, moles, etc), instead be courses that test your true abilities as a driver. Yes, Mario Kart is about the items, but I propose that some levels (the tougher ones) mix things up a bit by not offering items; just offer some nasty curves, crazy turns, and tricky routines. Mario Kart 64 did not contain item-free levels, but did contain some nice obstacle-free-it-requires-true-racing-skill-to-conquer tracks like Mario’s Raceway, which used to be the basis of a time trial contest back in the day. Sometimes, we just want a nice race, similar to how Mario Golf sometimes offered actual golf courses as opposed to those that are obstacle-ridden. Finally, the Yoshi’s Valley course design should be used much more often. While it was frustrating, the fact that you don’t know who is leading the race until the finish line is actually crossed was quite a clever maneuver by the producing team, and it’s a shame we don’t see it occur in Mario Kart Wii.




The biggest current issue we have is the item chaos that has occurred in the later installments. No longer does skill win races, a major dosage of luck has overwhelmed the franchise. Back in Mario Kart 64, the AI was faster than you, but didn’t have the overhaul of items that the AI in the Wii version have. In Mario Kart 64, you never saw the purple shell, and never saw the top 4 opponents with super stars or red shells up the wazoo. In the Wii however, you can be first and second place suddenly has a lightning bolt. You can be in first and for some odd reason everyone behind you has a red shell or a blue shell, ready for usage. You can drop from first to last in a matter of seconds, and it makes things extremely frustrating. Mario Kart 64 did rely on some luck, but you needed skill to muscle past the 150cc class. And what about Super Mario Kart? Even harder, and the opponents used nothing more than bananas, feathers, and green shells.



Mario Kart 64 was the most balanced in terms of items and what you can receive. This balance needs to be restored. The first four positions should be limited to the smaller and weaker items, and this should apply to the AI. And then we should remove some of the totally unfair items, like the bullet bill and the blue shell. The purple shell back in the Mario Kart 64 days was indeed avoidable with luck and pure skill---the blue shell offers you no hope, and then blows you up. You lose five to seven seconds of driving thanks to the item that you can never avoid. And for goodness sakes, can we please bring back the disguise bombs? The red bombs are too obvious and stand out like a sore thumb. I missed the Mario Kart 64 block bombs, in which anyone can secretly plant in a cluster of item blocks.

As a matter of fact, I missed the effects of the items in Mario Kart 64. Mario Kart 64 was the only MK version in which when a person gets hit with a red shell, they don’t do the nearly pointless flip over; they blow up. Games with more explosions are more exciting, this is a hypothesis away from being scientific fact. The green shells used to be more devastating too, with you flipping over multiple times rather than once. The purple shell dethrones the blue shell because it can take out more than one racer on its way to first place, adding some more mayhem. Finally, block bombs are BOMBS and should be treated as such. The super star used to allow you to mow through people. Not so much now, its limited to mere flipping over. The lightning used to cause more havoc back then, because you can run over people, turning them into Warner Brothers-like caricatures.



In the chaos that is Mario Kart 64, one of the most essential skills you can develop is when to hold items, and when to throw those items. However, in Mario Kart Wii, you can no longer hold green shells, or red shells, or bananas for that matter (unless it’s a bunch---and the bunch is a smaller number than it used to be). The next Mario Kart needs to come back with this. Part of the unfair cheapness of Mario Kart Wii is that there’s no way you can defend an incoming red shell attack. Back then, holding your green shell or banana saves you for just a little bit longer. All of this may seem trivial, but if it were all pointless banter, than I wouldn’t be preferring to play from the 1992-2000 Mario Kart saga (Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Super Circuit) over the 2001-Now Mario Kart generation (Mario Kart: Double Dash, Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii).

Bottom Line: Mario Kart is a huge success, but can be so much better if they bring back all the little whimsical fun details that made Mario Kart 64 a runaway smash hit and a part of Multi-player Hall of Fame. I miss the longer courses, I miss the insane explosions, and I miss the simplicity of it all. All these extra vehicles, extra statistics is peeling away at the arcade appeal of the entire franchise. Nintendo in my opinion should go back to the basics, before they tried adding depth to a series that will never be as deep as your modern-day racers. Yes Mario Kart Wii and (especially) Mario Kart DS have their high points and qualities, but (in my humble opinion) they still lack when compared to the N64 version. Remove the cheapness, being back the devastation of our items, and up the ante on the course design, then I am sure the next Mario Kart will be a great one as well as become a successful entry.

If Apple Goes off to War...

So with the eighth generation fast approaching and technology ever-changing, there has been one company that seemingly remains one step ahead of the curve. The reputation of Apple has been phenomenal, as its fanbase remains one of the strongest, harshest, and most loyal from any company this side of Disney. But with competition getting heavier and nastier and then even the consoles potentially trying to hack away at its profits (See: 3DS, XBox Live Marketplace, PS Vita) one must ponder what Apple’s response might be---if they make one.

Granted they do make a great fortune and I don’t see them dipping into red ink anytime soon, one has to ponder what their reaction will be once the next-generation systems become even more interactive, even more powerful than computers, and even more accessible to the mainstream public than ever before. One has to ponder just how Apple will react once PS Vita and their touch-screen heavy/ITouch-like games slam into the market this holiday season. I am by no means a business analyst nor am I someone who can predict the big moves by companies. But I have to ask: what were to happen if Apple jumps into the Console Wars?

What would happen if Apple were to not just attack the handheld market, but the console market as well? The console market can guarantee you profits up the ying-yang if done correctly. But can you imagine the firestorm that would rampage if Apple announces a system to fight the PS4, WiiU, and XBox 720? It was hard enough deciding between three systems that each delivered a slew of spectacular games this previous generation. What about a fourth competitor? One that would definitely stand out from the rest? I think this is what it would look like:



(Stole the concept image from this Blogger)

The name would be simple. IConsole. Hmmm, that might not work, how about the IGame? Alright, moving on. The specs would be similar to that to the competitors, but would run like a Mac. In other words, it will be a console that can run graphics like the best of them, but will feature a lot of options usually done on computers. For example: the IGame would have ITunes, IMovie, and the Safari. With ITunes in the console, you can customize musical playlists to suit your needs as you are playing certain video games. How awesome would it be to be able to play some classic rock while downing enemies in Call of Duty? The ITunes allows you to customize soundtracks for each video game you have on the hard drive—and allow you to download music from the video game to the ITunes if you like the soundtrack so much.

If you want to revive Guitar Hero, this is the way to do it. Imagine Activision releasing a one-time-only Guitar Hero video game with an ever-expanding playlist of music which you can purchase directly from the ITunes Store. Better yet, with a certain feature, you can preview music (and also play the song once) to make sure that you’ll want to download it to listen to it—and once in a while play it in Guitar Hero. Title? IGuitar Hero. Alright, these names are not working out. With the IMovie feature, you can record the video games you are playing and edit them for submission, helping the underground community of gamers that enjoy publishing videos about their gaming skills and tribulations. And of course they wouldn’t make it online without Safari, which would come automatically with every Apple console.

This is where the IGame would create a heavy blow to the industry: the software. The ITouch and IPhone have been successful because their multitude of apps and small video games carry a very small price tag. The success of Angry Birds has nothing to do with its quality but a lot to do with its price tag and pick-up-and-go attitude. It’s basically this generation’s Tetris. Tetris is an amazing game, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a game that holds very little weight, instead relying on its relentless replay value. Now, the IConsole would have less full-length video games when compared to the competitors, but will instead rely on a gajillion smaller games and applications to carry the weight and replay value of the system itself. In a tougher economy, smaller video games can definitely help the pockets without sacrificing much fun. XBox Live Marketplace is the best example of a series of games that are fun, cheap, doesn’t take much data, and still makes the XBox 360 an enjoyable system.

The IConsole will depend heavily on gamer’s investments towards smaller games. XBox Live (And on a smaller scale, the Virtual Console) worked out because of its linking to the past. Apple if they were to enter the console market and be a success must manage to please the audience with its abundance of apps—which has crossed over 300,000 for IPods, ITouches, and IPads. And then they have to find a way to get their hands on older classic games that have stood the test of time. And Apple already is very good friends with some very big companies—Disney of course being one of the big examples. Imagine Disney digging back to its vault and unveiling its entire lineup of old-school Disney games.

Imagine Apple getting their hands on old-old games made by now-defunct companies Atari, Midway, Acclaim, Tradewest, and many others. They could virtually revive at least half of the 8/16-bit library of games. I am sure that alone would be enough reason to warrant a purchase. So the question is can a system survive by having a library that mostly consists of $5-$10 games? Can this be the first successful console to rely mostly on downloadable content? It can be like a cheaper version of the PS2, many good games, and overall over 2,000 games to eventually be able to choose from.

Now of course this is what will make or break the IGame: third-party support. Now, if you remember correctly, the only modern-day debut system to thrive on first-party content was the original Nintendo. The original Playstation survived because of flawless third-party support, the original XBox relied strictly on Halo and barely survived, while Sega didn’t take off until its sophomore system came out. The IGame needs to be friendly to all third-party companies, as we’ve reached a point in which there is minimal favoritism/honor /pride amongst the smaller pieces in the gaming war. Long gone are the days in which companies were picking sides in the Genesis/SNES days. So Apple usually has been good with working with other companies, so I can definitely see XBox 360-like support for the IGame. And that spells bad news for everyone else.

Of the four competitors in the Gaming War, the IGame would look the coolest of the bunch. Its user-friendly interface, user-friendly online capabilities, and slick, sleek look would make it a hardcore’s dream come true. And with already a massive built-in audience that seems to buy anything that Apple throws at them, you can expect a great launch. Arguably, of the Big 4, the IConsole would have the best launch. Its staying power however depends on how well the competition responds and how well they can handle the system’s lasting appeal. But I am sure they can spit out a few clever apps in between major releases.


Bottom Line: This article is pretty much pointless, because creating a console to compete in the already-devastatingly-deadly console market would be nothing short of pure adrenaline risk. But can you imagine Apple jumping in and fighting the Microsoft system for some market share? It would not only be another department where Apple can make money, but it would be retaliation towards Nintendo and Sony taking on Apple in the handheld market. If Apple were to jump in, I would picture a powerful computer-like system (in terms of memory and processing power) with plenty of third-party support, thousands upon thousands of little cheaper games that can make/break Apple, and a variety of Apple products that would give the console experience a little Mac touch. While it wouldn’t happen, I can see me (and others) buying an Apple system.


I am pretty sure their launch title would be an enhanced version of Angry Birds 2.

16 Gaming Projects I Would Love to See

Pre-Note: This is a re-tread from an article back in April about what were to happen if the borders between gaming companies were to fall down, allowing for certain companies to tackle certain franchises they couldn't before. While nearly all of these will never occur, it is fun to think what were to happen of the boundries and limitations were eliminated.


This generation of gaming has been great not only because it has delivered a slew of memorable and incredible games, but has also given us a slew of wonderful gaming companies bringing out their very best material. But, what would happen if more gaming companies would work together and better yet, exchange some of their franchises just to see what the results would be? What would happen if Nintendo got their hands on some Microsoft products, and vice versa? What would happen if Bungie gave the Halo franchise to someone else? What would happen if Final Fantasy gets taken over by somebody else?

Since I am extremely bored on a Monday night, I have delivered a list of 16 interesting scenarios which would pit a certain gaming company making a game usually held by someone else. Now, pretty much all of these scenarios are impossible to pull off because of copyright infringement and competitive borders, but it doesn’t prevent me from dreaming, right?


Gaming Crossover #1:
Perfect Dark 3 by Retro Studios
Retro Studios’ Resume: Metroid Prime 1-3, DKC Returns
Usually Done by: Rareware

Retro Studios is one of the best second-party companies out there, with a flawless track record by delivering a heavily underrated trilogy known as Metroid Prime, and then reviving the seemingly-doomed franchise of Donkey Kong last December. So, why not attempt to save another franchise with so much potential it makes the jaw drop that there’s been only one good installment? Perfect Dark pits a beautifully deadly woman in a futuristic world full of conspiracies and aliens. The original N64 masterpiece mixed in excellent FPS gameplay with plenty of hip stealth action while topping it off with great multi-player. Retro Studios has already mastered the technique of mixing shooter action with exploration, and can definitely provide the necessary boost to save this ship.


Gaming Crossover #2:
F-Zero DXGP by Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Resume: Gran Turismo Franchise
Usually Done By: Nintendo

F-Zero’s absence from the Wii and from the Nintendo DS is nothing short of baffling and inexcusable. This series of games is not only fast and furious, but contains a good dosage of strategy as each character boasts different machines that contain different attributes and speeds; and when you select the character you can choose whether you want to accelerate throughout the race or depend on pure top speed from the getgo. Polyphony is already known for creating beautiful gems of racing games with heavy realism and strategy. Imagine transferring these abilities to a futuristic racer. Add the heavy sense of speed and next-gen graphics and you’ll have a frustratingly fun tough-as-nails installment of the most underrated racing franchise ever.


Gaming Crossover #3:
Final Fantasy XIV by Camelot
Camelot’s Resume: Golden Sun, RPG versions of Mario Golf and Tennis on the Game Boys
Usually Done by: Square Enix

Let’s be purely honest: the last good Final Fantasy game was part 10 which was way back in the PS2 days. Ever since it’s been pure downhill from there, as Square has lost all its magic touches from the 90s. So why not give another company a chance to do a variation of the Final Fantasy brand? Camelot is known for their excellent handheld role-playing games as well as their good sports titles, so why not give them a shot at crafting their first console RPG? Their ability to crank out spectacular graphics and music from a handheld remains underrated to this day, as we can only imagine what they can pull off with PS3 graphical capabilities.


Gaming Crossover #4:
Sonic the Hedgehog 5 by Nintendo
Nintendo’s Resume: Um......we all know that one
Usually Done By: Sega

Let’s face it: Sonic is doomed. He has not been in a good console game in over a decade, and the only increments of his Genesis magic can be found in re-releases and in the handheld. So give another company, one that is well-established as the best in platform gaming, a shot at Sonic. Nintendo has cranked out at least 7 of the best platformers ever, ranging from Mario 64 to Mario Galaxy to Mario World to Yoshi’s Island. I would love to see what Nintendo can do here, whether they would try to re-create Sega’s environment or create a totally new one similar to Mario Galaxy. Imagine orchestrated mixes of Sonic stages.


Gaming Crossover #5:
DJ Hero 3 by Harmonix
Harmonix’s Resume: Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero 2, Rock Band
Usually Done By: Activision

Harmonix started the musical gaming revolution with Guitar Hero, and then after a while switched sides with MTV Games purchasing the little company that could. And after the revolution died and Activision killing off anything Hero, it’s about time MTV Games put their touch on the franchise. The reason why I’d love to see them try is because unlike Activision, MTV Games kept the value of their games up by constantly releasing new downloadable material, giving Rock Band endless replay value. Imagine every week, new remixes by the top DJs in the planet. Just might save the music game industry.


Gaming Crossover #6:
Super Mario 128 by Media Molecule
Media Molecule’s Resume: Little Big Planet Franchise
Usually Done By: Nintendo

Unlike almost all of Nintendo’s main franchises, I’ve had no gripes with their treatment of Super Mario. From the smash-smash hit New Super Mario Bros. Wii to the spectacular Mario Galaxy games, the Wii has had a lot of wonderful moments of gaming involving the plumber. But....Little Big Planet has opened up a new era of competition with their clever platform games and their great level creator feature that despite its minimal flaws is a revolutionary step in gaming. So, what about incorporating the creative level design and extra goodies of Planet into the Mario series? That could send Mario in a vastly different, but very fun direction.


Gaming Crossover #7:
The Pokemon Fable by Lionhead Studios
Lionhead’s Resume: Fable series
Usually Done By: Nintendo

Unless you don’t read any of my material, you would know that I have had major plans with the darn franchise for the past couple of years. Potential is extremely high, and nobody has been even close so far. Lionhead Studios can turn it in the right direction with the entire good/evil/rule/be ruled style of gameplay, which you can dictate your life and your quest is altered depending on certain decisions. I could have put Zelda instead of Pokemon, but that’s gaming blasphemy. Either way, I think choosing your life in the Pokemon world would make the game more effective rather than a linear goal in a non-linear world.


Gaming Crossover #8:
Star Fox Reloaded by Bungie Studios
Bungie’s Resume: Halo Franchise
Usually Done By: Many Companies

Star Fox has been tweaked by Nintendo, and then Rareware (ugh) and then Namco (Double Ugh). It has been nearly 15 years since a good Star Fox game, but I can guarantee you if you give the series to Bungie they can weave out a gem. While my gripes with Bungie has been lack of focus on single-player, they have been more than excellent in terms of the overall presentation and multi-player, two things Star Fox has been lacking since the N64 days. Throw in the mild non-linear gameplay mechanics of the early Star Fox games and mix it in with stunning visuals, and we have ourselves the Star Fox game that gamers have been begging for. P.S. Star Fox 64 for the 3DS makes me mad, why not create an original title?


Gaming Crossover #9:
Metal Gear Cell by Ubisoft
Ubisoft’s Resume: Splinter Cell Franchise
Usually Done By: Kojima Studios

Gaming blasphemy here, why on earth would anyone not known as Kojima work on Metal Gear Solid? Simple, because its time to see a fresh take on the series. I for one would wonder just how the makers of Splinter Cell would treat Snake if they got their hands on the series. Would it still have the heavy use of storyline and cutscenes? Or would it become more direct, more stealth-based, and less focus on character development? Snake is a great character, but sometimes waiting 20-25 minutes for a scene to end to get back to playing becomes tedious. Ubisoft can fix that.


Gaming Crossover #10:
Super Smash Brothers feat. Capcom by Capcom
Capcom’s Resume: Marvel vs. Capcom 1-3, Capcom vs. SNK, X-Men vs. Street Fighter
Usually Done By: HAL and Nintendo

Just imagine this: the best of Street Fighter and Capcom taking on the best of Nintendo characters. Imagine the best elements of Smash Brothers and combine it with the best of the Camcom brawlers. What would the hybrid feel like? Would it even work? Not sure, but the opportunity of Ryu fighting Super Mario and Chun-Li fighting Samus would be undeniably awesome. Capcom can work on perfecting the fighting controls and perfecting the hyper-combo system (something not done very well in Brawl) while Nintendo can bust out their presentation skills with their musical scores and relentless attempts to make this game as heavy on replay value as possible.


Gaming Crossover #11:
NBA Jam Charged by Next Level Games
Next Level's Resume: Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out
Usually Done By: Multiple Companies

This recent NBA Jam had some of the magic from the arcade classic, but was missing that next-gen touch. We are in a gaming world in which you can nearly fully recreate the experience of playing/participating in a high-stakes sports match, brick for brick. Next Level on the other hand delivered a fantastic presentation with Strikers Charged, with its loud and chanting audience, its loud and rampant sound effects, and sinister pacing throughout the matches. This type of extreme sports magic is just what NBA Jam needs to truly rise up into the powerhouse it used to be. EA can't provide that spark, but already-proven Next Level Games certainly can.


Gaming Crossover #12:
Mario Kart Burnout by Criterion Games
Criterion's Resume: Burnout franchise, recent Need For Speed installments
Usually Done By: Nintendo

Picture Mario Kart with the intensity and explosiveness of Burnout. Now THAT would be pure mayhem worthy of day-one purchase. The Burnout franchise is known for stellar graphics, beautiful animation, intense gameplay, and of course, the crashes. Mario Kart is known for its multi-player fun, and also its simpler approach to racing games. Why not give Criterion an opportunity to intensify an already-fun franchise? Imagine the speed of Mario Kart now...might be too much for the average gamer.


Gaming Crossover #13:
Bond 23 by Rockstar
Rockstar's Resume: Grand Theft Auto series, Red Dead Redemption
Usually Done By: Too many to count

Many companies have had their hand and opportunity to give their spin on the Bond franchise in consoles. Of course, the defining and best example came from Rareware, which delivered the excellent Goldeneye 007. But with Rareware no longer being the same, why not give one of the better-known mature companies a shot? You know, the one that revolutionized gaming with Grand Theft Auto? Giving James Bond the sandbox/extremely mature edge can definitely give the famed spy the game he's always wanted--complete with car chases, womanizing, intense action, spotless presentation, and the ability to choose your path to catching the bad guy.


Gaming Crossover #14:
Metroid Reach by Bungie
Bungie's Resume: Halo Franchise
Usually Done By: Many Companies

Metroid is the one franchise Nintendo has not been afraid of handing over to other companies. Intelligent Systems, Retro Studios, and Team Ninja have all worked with Samus, with different results. Systems created her best adventure, which is Super Metroid. Retro Studios took home a great trilogy with Prime, and Team Ninja.....well.......yea... Next up however should be Bungie. While my stance on Halo is a bit mixed, Bungie can definitely deliver an epic space quest full of action and exploration, while mixing in beautifully epic music and an intense presentation Samus hasn't seen since the original Prime. They kept Master Chief a mystery most of the time, so I am sure Bungie can do the same to Samus--let her guns do all the talking.


Gaming Crossover #15:
Metroid: Evil by Capcom
Capcom's Resume: Resident Evil franchise
Usually Done By: Many Companies

Giving Metroid another look, why not give the franchise to Capcom, specifically the division behind the Resident Evil series? Can you imagine Metrioud getting that extra hint of horror not experienced since Metroid Fusion? If there is a company that can pull off a pure-fire one-against-the-world subtle horror game, it would be Capcom. Mixing Samus in a Resident Evil 4 world (Minus the extreme violence) can result in something sinisterly beautiful.


Gaming Crossover #16:
Banjo-Kazzoie Returns by Nintendo
Nintendo's Resume: ()Insert Classic here()
Usually Done By; Rareware

Banjo-Kazzoie was one of the reasons why I thought the N64 was far superior to the Playstation. But, Rareware and the bear-bird duo has seen better days as the quality of the company and the franchise has dipped to rock bottom. I would love to see Nintendo have a shot at it though, as I am sure they can deliver some classic gameplay we have not seen in over a decade. Banjo was known for massive worlds full of obstacles and goodies to collect. Nintendo is now known for creating beautiful universes. Put two and two together---and we have potential success story.

Anybody have other recommendations? use your creativity and speak away.

How Pokemon Can Rock Your World

Pre-Note: This article comes from a 2009 article I wrote in my original blog. I believe it still holds true today, and I still think this can really eliminate the competition and truly have a stranglehold in the RPG industry. A fella can dream, right?


Grand Theft Auto. Super Mario. Pokemon. Halo. These are four of among the biggest gaming franchises in the entire planet. They all rake in millions upon millions of dollars with every new release. GTA IV and Halo 3 both made over $300 million dollars within the first couple of days. Super Mario is a franchise that has sold over 201 million copies, a number that franchises can only wish of reaching. Then there’s Pokemon, a franchise that has peaked over 186 million copies sold. Only one of these four big beasts of gaming has yet to even come close to reaching its full potential, want to guess which one?


The Pokemon franchise is the definite answer, six ways to Sunday. Now, don’t get me wrong, the Pokemon franchise has spawned some of the better games to ever come out (Red/Blue/Yellow, Gold/Silver, Pokemon Snap) but Nintendo, Game Freak, Genius Sorority, and HAL each have worked on the phenomenon, and all have not put forth any major effort to evolve the franchise into something special. Last time there was such a jump gameplay-wise was when Gold/Silver improved upon everything Red/Blue had and added much more. With their day/night system, a major sense of realism was added to the games.

Nintendo has a franchise that can craft one of the greatest, if not the greatest, video game of all-time. If you took the world of Pokemon, and expanded it to the levels of Fable, Elder Scrolls, and World of Warcraft, then we have instant masterpiece just waiting to be released. Expanding Pokemon into the console world and expanding it even further into MMORPG status would be any gamer’s dream come true. The possibilities are pretty much endless. Here’s how my dream Pokemon game would be:


Let’s start with the facts. The day/night system is added, and so is a day/month system. All the Pokemon are here, and so are all the worlds that had been explored over the years. This title is NOT for the handhelds, it’s much too big to be contained in any ol’ DS system. No, Pokemon V will be a Wii or a Wii2 title. The game is purely 3-D, with all the lovable Game Boy places being updated with more dimensions.


Pokemon master wanna-bes, get ready, because this isn’t your old daddy’s Pokemon game. No, there are dozens of badges to collect, and you need some of these badges to compete in the tournaments that are scattered all over the place (You know, Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh) throughout the year. It’s no longer hitting a few badges then facing the Elite Four, this time you have to show your worth. Sometimes getting all the badges isn’t enough; you have to win multiple major tournaments in order to have the opportunity to face the Elite Four.


Entering every tournament costs money, which means not only do you have to train, but you have to beat many trainers to earn the dough. Then to enter the larger tournaments, you have to utilize your money well; otherwise, you can never have the chance to hit the big leagues. The biggest tournament of them all (non-online, but we’ll get to that later) happens once a year, and costs the most money and has strict requirements. Only the truest trainers can compete.


Let’s say you beat the gym leaders, won the tournaments, and took on the Elite Four, what now? Well, in this installment of Pokemon, you can work your reputation up to a level in which you can build and host your own gym. Or if you want to, go through the rigorous training to become one of the Elite Four. Let’s say that after winning nearly all, you want to do something different. Have no fear, because there is life after battling.


Pokemon Snap introduced you to a new career involving the pocket monsters, which is in photography. After fighting for so long, maybe you want a more relaxing job working for Professor Oak. Armed with a camera, you can walk around and take pictures of Pokemon (common and rare) to bring back to Oak. You can hit the snowy mountains or dive into the deepest oceans to catch every Pokemon in action. Maybe there are some Pokemon legends that need photographic evidence and your job is to prove that certain ones do exist. How’s that for some potential major exploration? Maybe you want to work for the Pokemon Center and become a doctor. With this job, you must heal the wounded, and sometimes that involves some Trauma Center-like surgery.

Gotta Catch Em’ All is still the catchphrase that lingers. Another option is that you can become a Pokemon collector; and try to find every last Pokemon that exists. You can sell some ultra-rare ones for money and work your way up. Use this money to purchase a house and prettify it. Go on the hunt for ultra-rare Pokemon (like Mew) before someone else can nab it. You can start up a business by selling rare and powerful Pokemon to rookie trainers or those that need more help. So much to do outside your average “become the master” realm.



Of course, what awesome RPG would be complete without the ability to step into the dark side? I think Pokemon should give you the option to whether work against Team Rocket, or work for them. Imagine that, wearing the black, causing chaos, and still attempting to win tournaments with the evil reputation. Imagine instead of trying to win badges, you take over the gym or try to steal them. Your Pokemon’s stats change a bit because they are being influenced by the dark side. You can work your way up the ladder of Team Rocket Headquarters and soon see yourself right underneath Giovanni. Or, you can form your own little league of baddies and become rivals of the more powerful Team Rocket.


Now we’ve come to the fun part, online. Imagine all this, online with other users. Imagine a massive Pokemon world full of trainers waiting to fight one another. Imagine online tournaments featuring people from around the world occurring at different parts of the year. In this online-exclusive world, you can try to win tournaments for more money and bragging rights, trade Pokemon and items with other people, visit other people’s homes and drop off messages at their mailbox, battle trainers in other countries or better yet all join together in a big outing at the casinos to try to win special items and special Pokemon. Better yet, compete for best photos online, compete to try to find certain Pokemon before anyone else (Legendary Pokemon, legendary birds, etc.).

Of course, limitations are present, there’s no question. Let’s say Nintendo were to attempt such a game, how many CDs would that require? Have no fear, because there’s a solution to this. Loosely stolen from an idea made in IGN, the next Wii can INCLUDE this Pokemon Elite game. Imagine that, no CD, no software purchasing at any store. You buy the Wii2, it comes with the game embedded within the system. Connecting online would be easier, the game will suffer from minimal loading, and the game itself stores its own memory without mixing in with any other save data. Surprising that after all these years of gaming, not a single company has attempted this technique, embedding an entire video game within the system as a nice perk from the getgo. And then you can upgrade the game by downloading patches from the Wii2Ware. All this is just crazy enough to work.

Bottom Line: I have very little against the Pokemon franchise, but boy if masterminds were to work together and figure out where to progress the series, the limits are extremely high. All that I pointed out is do-able, and this has all been proven with massive games like Fable and Elder Scrolls. The issue is, is Nintendo willing to step up to the plate and crank up the maturity in Pokemon? After all, this game would definitely be rated “T,” and would definitely not be for the little tykes. Yet if Nintendo does step up to the plate and offer all this in one package, it would easily rank as one of the greatest games you’ll ever have the privilege of experiencing---and with online, it would be the gift that keeps on giving.



Then again, imagine turning on the Wii system, loading up the game, and racing to enter a tournament that is occurring tomorrow at 6:00 P.M.? And your first opponent happens to be a slick trainer from Buenos Aires Argentina, a punk whom you’ve trash-talked with for a week despite the 3-way Pokemon trade you did with someone from France.

Imagine turning on the game, and continuing your quest to capture a Silver Mew, the latest Pokemon discovered by a photographer that was randomly taking pictures of Lapras inside a cave. Imagine turning on the game to try to take a snapshot of your 200th different Pokemon species, allowing you to enter a brand new area that not even trainers can explore.


These examples of what the next Pokemon game could present, they can make any fan of game drool with delight. Not only would it be one of the deepest, most engaging experiences out there, but it would propel the franchise and Nintendo into unbelievable heights. A brand new community of gamers would emerge, and a new potential obsession would emerge from all this. World of Warcraft would look like a mere fad when compared to a Pokemon game that runs in real-time, runs in 3-D, and has an exclusive world strictly for the online community. Who knows, maybe someone at Nintendo will read this and will enforce this on the developers.



A fella can only dream, right?

All right, my dorkiness limit has been reached. Time for bed.