mikeszekely

I've been bitten by Sony, but not too bad. I didn't get a PS1 until about a year after it released, and that one had overheating issues, but the one I got after it lived up until modern times. As for my PS2, I had one at launch day, and it was fine until recently. This past summer, it was playing MOST things fine, but it'd occasionaly have problems with CD-ROM PS2 games (it was still fine with PS1 games). I wasn't taking any chances, though. I dumped that thing and bought a pre-modded one. Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I'd like to believe that Sony's had enough headaches over QC issues in their computer entertainment division, and that they're working harder to insure that newer PS2 (the slim one comes with a one year warranty instead of the old 90 days), PSP, and PS3 will all be less... fragile. Anyway, before the DS came out, I had no interest in the PSP. It's a slick-looking handheld that mostly plays games I already have for PS2 and movies I don't feel like buying again on UMD, all on a ridiculously short batterly life. But now that I have a DS, and while I'm still far more interested in the DS than the PSP, I am a little more curious about Sony's handheld. I think that, for the most part, the DS will have better and more innovative games... but there are some games (like racing games, for example) that the PSP will just do better. The difference is in my picks for launch games... Feel the Magic for DS, and (I know it's going to miss launch in Japan, but I think it'll make launch here) Need for Speed Underground Rivals for PSP.

Is there anything... radio dramas, manga, novels, anything at all... that gives any details about what happened to Char? I mean, Amuro was starting to get his fighting spirit back, and it's not suprising that he, Astionage, and Bright wound up in Londo Bell (since Londo Bell looks like it was probably comprised mostly of former members of Karaba and the AEUG). But Char... Char vanished mysteriously at the close of Z Gundam, and was probably presumed dead. And Neo Zeon was defeated at the end of ZZ Gundam. So, where was Char during the years between his dissapearance and the events of Char's Counterattack? How'd he go from fighting a corrupt government to head of a military dictatorship? Where/when did he get Sazabi? How'd he wind up with Axis?

I actually didn't care for Stardust Memory. Sure, the animation was great, the mecha were slick, and the battle scenes were fantastic. But it's schizophrenic in terms of story, and it creates more plot holes than it fills. IMHO, a much better Gundam OVA was War in the Pocket. Sure, Alex is the most boringly generic Gundam, the Kaempfer looks like it belongs in another series, and the animation is slightly above TV quality. But it's got one of the most human stories to be found in Gundam. As far as Gundam goes, Z Gundam is by far my favorite, but if you're going to watch it, at least check out the Gundam movie trilogy (although I think the pacing in the TV series is a lot better). I'll second any votes for Escaflowne. And again, as for Evangelion... I'm probably being a little to hard on it. Fact is, I really enjoyed the first 3/4th of the show. The ending(s) are just horrible, though, and even if someone came and did a really spectacular ending, it's still only a decent series. It definately doesn't live up to its own advertising as "the greatest anime of all time." I don't watch a whole lot of anime anymore, though, so I can't really come out and reccomend any other mecha/sci-fi shows. When I do watch anime, it's usually fansubbed comedies.

What? Switch Evangelion to RahXephon and RahXephon to Evangelion in that entire paragraph, and then it would be a true statement I concur. I dissent. Evangelion was a mildy interesting anime about characters that were all mental (but only Shinji in a way that makes you care about him), mecha so lame they had to physically plugged in, and a confusing plot that to this very day lacks any kind of ending that even approaches something that makes sense. Not a bad series, but by far the most over-rated work in the history of the entire universe.

Seriously? Anyone got a screengrab of that?

Without reguards to veritech or Robotech, it's important to realize that there IS a VT in the Macross universe, and VF-1 is NOT a VT. As previously mentioned, VF is variable fighter, and that applies to everything from the VF-1 Valkyrie to the VF-22 Sturmvogel II. VT is variable trainer. So far, there's only one, and that's the VT-1 Ostrich from DYRL. (Yes, I know about the VT-1C civillian variant in Macross Dynamite 7, but a VT-1 is still a VT-1).

What, aside from the addition of ZZ Gundam (and I think Quebely in campaign mode), is the difference between Gundam vs. Z Gundam and AEUG vs. Titans? I loved Feddie vs. Zeon, and I really loved AEUG vs. Titans. If there's a major change here (or a US release), I'd be inclined to pick this up... but if it's a re-release of AEUG vs. Titans with relatively minor tweaks, I'll have to pass in favor of A.C.E.

I heard a rumor (can't remember where) that Half-Life 2 won't make it to the Xbox, but probably the Xbox Next (or Xbox 2 or Xenon or whatever they want to call it). Hopefully, that means that console gamers (like me) can enjoy it without it being hacked down to ugly but without all the bugs and Steam issues some of you guys are running into.

I'm waiting to see if I actually do get raped before I cry rape. I was afraid for the Transformers movie, but then I saw a certain Citroen commercial... now I'm pretty psyched for the Transformers movie, and if Tomino is more involved with the new Gundam movie, then it could be pretty good too.

Too bad in America, we're stuck with "Battle Assault 3 Featuring Gundam SEED." On a side note, does anyone know anything about the SEED game they're making for the DS?

The dollar to yen rate affects it some, sure. But as a rule, videogame consoles are always cheaper in the US. Part of that is because some of the R&D costs have already been absorbed by the Japanese market. Part of it seems to be due to a higher cost-of-living in general in Japan and the willingness of the Japanese consumer to pay equivalently higher prices than we in America would. If I recall correctly, around the time the PS2 dropped to $199.99, it was still selling for the equivalent of $270 in Japan. So anyway, trust me, when the PSP launches in the US, it will definately be cheaper than in Japan.

I'm still not sure I get that. Sears was advertising it for $4.99?

How'd you pull that off?

Well everyone already knows that Sony has games more oriented towards adults whereas Nintendo tends to cater more twards kid friendly games. The DS follows this trend, though it is nice to see they are trying to branch out with games like Sprung, but honestly the PSP is still going to follow the Sony trend to have more adult oriented games. Vostok 7 Nintendo believes in family-friendly games... there's nothing wrong with Nintendo wanting to do than Animal Crossing DS. But that doesn't mean there can't be mature titles on the DS as well. And again, the DS has innovation. Feel the Magic might be short and sweet, but it's also the first game I've ever played where you have to tap, rub, and blow to play. Meanwhile, what's the PSP got? Dynasty Warriors, WipeOut, Gran Turismo, and other games I've already beat on my PS2. Oh, and a Metal Gear card battle game. Whoop-dee-frickin'-do.

Actually, the price I saw for the PSP was $150, just like the DS. nope... in Japan, basic PSP package is 19,800 Yen, the complete PSP package is 24,800 Yen and NDS is only 15,000 Yen. The complete PSP package is about $250US. The PSP bundle deal is just that... a bundle deal. The 19,800 yen price is closer to US $185. So, my bet is that the PSP will launch in the US for $179.99.

I'm not saying the game is innappropriate... that's like saying that you shouldn't make any games about it ever. I just think they failed to market the game tastefully.

I had the same problem with my SP, mostly because I felt the games were flat and kinda sucked. I'm hoping it's not the same for the DS. There's alot more funner games that are coming for the DS than have been available on the GBA so far, and there's alot more flexability. Really though, if you want a more "adult" portable, just wait for the PSP. Vostok 7 What makes the PSP more "adult"? The DS is getting Sprung, a game about a guy trying to score with a girl. The PSP seems to have nothing but a bunch of games I already own for PS2. Well, the DS is bound to have some new and innovative games like Feel the Magic XY-XX, but I don't know how well they'd hold your interest. If you can afford it, and if you're going to sell it if you don't like it anyway, you might as well give it a shot.

I've heard that one went for $220 on eBay, but I don't know... the demand is there, but I think the supply is too. At my store, we had 15 perorders, but we recieved 24 units, with more to come on Tuesday. Then there was my buddy... I told him I'd seen some at Best Buy, so he went just before they closed... and bought two; one for himself, one for his uncle. On a side note, I kinda like Mario 64 better now than I did on the N64. I don't know why. But I've been playing it all night, and I already got 12 stars. I don't think I'll try to find them all, though. I'll probably find enough to beat the game, then sell it.

They may have, or they may not have. They're pushing SEED now, though, so the new Gundam SEED game for PS2 should barely be out before Christmas, with another SEED game coming out for the DS. As for AEUG vs. Titans... Bandai may have held off in favor of the DX version, which should be out in Japan soon.

That be it, thanks Wes! If I do import it, I'll be sure to post a review.

do you hate mice even for fps games??? it is impossible to aim precisely in FPS games without an optical mouse. I don't like mice for FPS. I've dabbled in PC, but I'm a console gamer through and through, and imprecise as it may be, I'm just not comfortable with anything but an Xbox controller S in my hands for FPS.

One of the biggest improvements that the DS brings isn't even hardware... it's packaging. DS games come in plastic boxes about as high and wide as the size of a CD jewel case, although it's about as thick as a DVD box. The box contains your manual, has a slot to hold the DS game chip, and a bonus spot to hold a GBA game. I picked up my DS, and I broke and got Super Mario 64 DS. The system is cool, although it has the annoying habit of shutting off whenever you want to quit Pictochat, or even leave the settings options. Also, it would have been nice if you could have changed how it lays out the buttons for the GBA (I would have prefered a Y=B and B=A setup), although I do like that you can pick which screen to display the GBA games on. Both screens are clear and vibrant in ways the GBA SP could never have matched. When you start the DS, you can also set it to either go right into any games you have jacked in, or you can set it to come up to the main menu. On the main menu, you can select to download from another DS, start a DS game that's plugged in, start a GBA game that's plugged in, or start Pictochat. Personally, I like it to start with the main menu, because I have a tendency to leave games in the system. Right now, I have both Megaman Zero and Super Mario 64 DS in the unit. It's kind of a shame, though, that you have to shut off and then reboot the system to switch between the games, though. Now, the software... Pictochat is definately a gimmick. There is no way I'd have paid more than $5 for it... and I think Nintendo realized that, and hence they included it built-in to every DS. Now, since it's free, it gets a boost in my book. I mean, especially since no one with a second DS is ever within a hundred feet of me, it's almost useless. But, maybe when they come down in price and more people have them, there will be... and then I can IM them! Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt... what can I say about it? I like how the stylus works like a mouse... and the graphics aren't too bad, considering everyone's saying that DS games look like N64 graphics. However, they lack the incredible detail of the Gamecube version, which made you feel like you were really exploring an strange alien world. What's left is a rather bland shooter, and I can definately say I'll pass when the full version comes out in March. Super Mario 64 DS... well, I never liked Super Mario 64 all that much. But I had a Best Buy gift card, and I felt compelled to get some kind of real DS game. It was a toss up between Mario and Sega's Feel the Magic: XY-XX. It was close, but I went with Mario, just because I felt that Mario'd keep me busy longer. In any case, it's basically the Mario 64 you already know... the only real differences are that you have a map on the bottom screen, and you use the stylus to turn the camera. Since you don't have an analog stick, you have to hold down the "Y" button to run (again, Nintendo looses points for not doing the more sensible thing, and having you hold down the button to walk slowly and let you run all the time). Oh, and you actually start the game as Yoshi... but the game still follows the same progression. You still jump into paintings, and the first one is still the one with the Big Bob-Bomb on top of the mountain. The DS has a promising future (at least as far as I'm concerned). The new 2D Super Mario Bros should be out in March, as well as a new Sonic game, Metroid Prime: Hunters, and a few others, as well as a new Megaman Battle Network game, Final Fantasy III, Pokemon Pearl and Diamond, and a new Castlevania. The DS is definately not a purchase I'll regret.

sounds killer.. is the game based on an anime series..? and a...................variable mech in this game??? It's based on Z Gundam. It's a lot better than Federation vs. Zeon. The sub weapons like head vulcans are actually useful, the missions are more interesting, plus the music is better and there are a lot more (and IMHO, cooler) mobile suits. Missions flow better, and you earn points you can use to repair mecha. That way, instead of playing as a GM 99% of the time and using Gundam in maybe 3 missions like in the first one, you can use the "hero suits" from time to time, and near the end of the game, just keep repairing and reusing them. Fans of FvZ should definately check out AEUG vs. Titans (as long as they have a way to play imports). Speaking of imports, there's a mecha title coming out in January... I can't remember the name, but I think it's being developed by From Software, and it has a variety of mecha from a variety of different shows, including several mobile suits from various Gundam series. If anyone remembers what it's called, please let me know, because the game looked great and I definately want to import it.

If you saw some kid, in real life, meow like that one kid in the movie...you wouldn't be a little freaked out in the least? Yeah, I mean, it's not like he's moving his lips or anything. He opens his mouth like a big "O," and the sounds start pooring out. The American version relies too much of special effects and what not. The Japanese version relies on timing and atmosphere.

I'm definately picking one up Sunday. I'll post a review of the system, Pictochat, and the Metroid demo. I'm probably not buying any games yet, though.