No, unfortunately I did not get to play a demo of Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, the latest Spidey game to hit the market. SHH! however did have a demo shown to them and they have written up a pretty extensive and detailed review/preview of the game (pretty much spoiler-free) that you can check out here. Here’s a small excerpt:

Professional gamers guided us through an Xbox demo of the new game and we were stunned at the level of action and detail that’s been rendered in “Web of Shadows.” Not only does Spidey move through the game with all the speed, strength and agility as the real deal certainly would, it also cleverly uses his Spider-sense to ID and target threats and enemies, and gives him startling and dynamic levels of wall-crawling and web-slinging skills in an enormous playing field that makes the player feel like they’re smack in the middle of the New York cityscape where the action can literally go anywhere. It’s as if the player has been dropped in the middle of the most enormous action scene any of Sam Raimi’s movies could come up with. And throughout the relentless battles, Spider-Man retains that classic Peter Parker sense of humor, spouting a running series of quips and one-liners conceived by comic book writer Brian Reed.

Few game announcements have given this robot a preemptive robo-boner by only trailers, screen shots, and game descriptions, but next to Ghostbusters, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows has done just that. This may be the Spider-Man game we have all been waiting for and what Spider-Man 3 probably should have been; or it could be a massive disappointment.

Pass judgement when the game drops on October 21!

This week there were 3 games that came out 2 WiiWare and 1 Virtual Console.

Art Style: ORBIENT (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Explore the universe like never before in Art Style: ORBIENT. Take control of gravity and anti-gravity and carefully maneuver your small star through 50 stages set in multiple galaxies. Collide with other stars to absorb them and make your own star expand in size, or capture the stars in your orbit and have them become your satellites. Space isn’t empty, though, and you’ll have to avoid bumping into obstacles or getting pulled into a black hole. If you feel like relaxing while still being challenged, this is the game for you. Its combination of simple controls, atmospheric sound and unique environment make for an experience unlike any other.

This game looks crazy it’s all about orbits and gravity.  you can see a little game play here. It does look like it could be pretty good; however it is likely to be aggravatingly hard in later stages.  If you like new style puzzle games that game seems to be worth a try.

Bomberman Blast (Hudson Entertainment, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A brand new addition to the Bomberman series is available on WiiWare. Up to eight players can battle online simultaneously via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection. Simple controls make this a great game for family and friends to enjoy anytime. You can trigger new items by shaking the Wii Remote™ controller, creating new levels of Bomberman excitement. You can even take the intensity up another notch by adding your own Mii™ caricatures to the mix. Battle results can be recorded on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Ranking, so you can see how you stack up against others around the globe. This title will prove to be a blast for everyone–from those who’ve never touched a Bomberman game to the Bomberman masters.

This game looks just as fun as the original games.  the benefit of the newer systems is they are all WiFi compatible and this game puts it to good use with online play.  Here is a trailer of the game. If you love the older Bomberman games this game will be a great addition to your library.

Super Turrican 2 (Super NES™, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Violence, 800 Wii Points): As the last survivor of the United Freedom Forces, it is your duty to destroy the Machine’s forces that have devastated the galaxy. Fight through countless hordes of enemies using everything at your disposal. Use weapons and power-ups to fight back the tide of oncoming enemies. Use special abilities like the Energy Wheel and Cyberfist to find secret areas and score extra lives. When your lives and continues are gone, the mission ends. You are the galaxy’s last hope. Are you up to the challenge?

This game is a good old school sidescrolling shooter.  you can see some game play here. I do not know if I would recommend this game over the first game of the series, but I would go as far as to say it is going to be fun if you do get it.

Capcom has done it again, as expected by at least one robot. Me. This game kicks ass!
As most of you know, they took it back to the basics and made a really challenging Mega Man game, with most of the same functions as Mega Man 1. I think this game in ways seems harder then the original except for the fact that you are aloud to purchase extra lives, and energy tanks pretty much whenever you want. Making it harder, but then easier at the exact same time. I would address that as a complaint, if I had the spirit left in me to master another impossible Mega Man game. The fact is this makes it more accessible to more players and so I think it’s a good choice.

Mega Man 9 is the feel good game of the year! –Slugtron

Also if you don’t think it’s challenging enough they are releasing challenge upgrades, so that you can play on hard, and very hard modes. I think it is lame to sell content like that for more money, but I still might buy an upgrade. There is one upgrade for a bonus stage, and at this point that would be the first and only one I am tempted to try.

The story in it is actually pretty rad, rather then Dr. Wily’s robots, you are fighting Dr. Lights robots gone mad. It begins with Dr. Wily on the news saying he has changed his ways and he wants to help, and to arrest Dr. Light. Which happens. It is also a cool touch that when you enter the boss cages there are Dr. Light symbols.

It has a nice sounding sound track. I think some of the weapons are pretty cool my favorite being “Hornet Chaser” but there are others that are pretty lame, “concrete shot” for example.
Just like the first games the bosses seem to have pretty set patterns, and just because you have the weapon that kills them, doesn’t mean they won’t work you.

With the bosses, just like the weapons there are some cool ones, and there are some lame ones. My favorite boss being “Galaxy Man” lamest being “Hornet Man”

Dr. Wily’s stage is difficult, but fun. In my opinion there are a few to many instant deaths. Dr. Wily isn’t that challenging himself (or maybe he is, but I am just that good?) but by the time I got to him I was rejoicing in the fact I didn’t have to continue in order to figure him out. So to sum it up this game is rad, 153 out of 156 stars.

If I wasn’t mandated by the B.S.R.B to stop handing out phony prescriptions, then I would tell sick kids this would cure their cancer!

This week Nintendo released 2 WiiWare as well as 2 Virtual Console games.

WiiWare
Mega Man™ 9 (CAPCOM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Mega Man fans, the wait is over! The classic Blue Bomber that debuted in 1987 is back with the ninth installment in the classic series. It’s a new adventure for Mega Man done in an 8-bit style-graphics, music and gameplay are all like you remember them.

I don’t know what to say but to get this game it’s awesome.  It’s just like the old Mega Man games except that it’s a combination of the first 3 games of the series in that some features from all of them made it in.  I highly recommend getting this game.  It does have some download-able content such as a harder difficulty setting and protoman mode.  this game is well worth the 10 dollars it costs.

PLÄTTCHEN twist ‘n’ paint (Bplus, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): PLÄTTCHEN twist ‘n’ paint is a crazy, challenging puzzle shooter that delivers more than 100 hours of fun, supporting up to eight players simultaneously. Guard the birth of ZeLeLi and free them from the menace of the evil black Shadow Plättchen. Play as one of the countless FantasyMEs and fight as an astronaut, butterfly, car or football against sharks, cowboys, asteroids and skulls in numerous, fabulous fantasy Worlds. Use items and multipliers in combos to fight yourself to the top of the high scores and find the perfect way to solve a level. Go wild in three completely different game modes of PLÄTTCHEN twist ‘n’ paint with more than 300 levels. Twist cooperatively with your friends or compete through many multiplayer modes.

You can see some gameplay here. I do not know what to say about this game it’s a puzzle game where you change the colors of pieces and get rid of them it seems to have some Wii Zapper usage but I am not positive.  If you like puzzle games this game seems at least wierd enough to try at least once.

Virtual Console

Super Dodge Ball™ (NES™, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): In Super Dodge Ball, you take control of the USA Dodge Ball team and travel the world in an effort to become the best dodge ballers around. Step onto playing fields in countries all over the globe and use a combination of normal and super shots to help take down your opponents. But be careful, as some destinations have surfaces that can affect your footing. Manage the team as you think best, and swap out characters with other players that better fit your playing style. Two players can enjoy a head-to-head game or play a spirited round of Bean Ball, a six-character free-for-all. Three difficulty levels are available (Easy, Medium, and Hard); which one you choose will depend on your skill and courage. Do you have what it takes to lead Team USA to the ultimate prize and win the world championship of dodge ball?

Gameplay here. This is a old game based on dodge ball, were the nerds get pelted for fun and teachers are happy to see it.  This is not a game that i would even touch as a child not only because it looks slow and bad but I would rather be spending my time playing Ice Hocky for the Nes.

Vectorman™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): In the year 2049, mankind is forced to abandon an over polluted Earth and seek out other planets for colonization while the mechanized Orbots stay behind to clean up the mess. When the Orbot leader, WarHead, starts blowing a few circuits and causes a war among the mechanical brethren, a sludge pilot named Vectorman is the only one willing to step up and fight him. You’ll morph into a speeding train, a power drill, a mechanical fish and a mighty dune buggy in this action-packed adventure. Equip yourself with weapons, pick up morphs and power-ups to defeat WarHead, and restore peace on Earth.

heres some gameplay. This game is a platform shooter I wasn’t able to play this game ever and looking at the gameplay I do not think I care to it seems okay.  Just not my type of game.  Though if you do like Platform Shooters then i’m sure you will like this game.

This week there were a couple of cool announcements. The remainder of the bosses from Mega Man 9 were shown, Dragon Quest IV came out, and Kingdom Hearts RE: Chains of Memory was announced for the PS2.

Mega Man 9 should be coming out on Monday.  The new boss art work is out and here they are.  Of course it can not be left at that Capcom also announced that they would be releasing a retail like package of Mega Man 9.

these carts contain a small CD with artwork, game information and screenshots.  Capcom is thinking about releasing about 200 on their online store.  and they are releasing some to the press.  Capcom has stated if people are interested in these packages to comment on this page.

play the original game although if it is anything like the original this game is a definite must buy.

This week Nintendo released 2 WiiWare, and 1 Virtual Console games.

WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence, Use of Alcohol, 1,000 Wii Points): Strong Badia the Free is the second of five monthly episodes starring Strong Bad-the self-proclaimed “coolest person ever”-and the rest of the cast from the popular Homestar Runner Web cartoons. When Strong Bad fails to obey the King of Town’s totally unfair e-mail tax, he’s placed under house arrest. Once freed from his wrongful imprisonment, Strong Bad goes on a mission to unite the local warring factions under the Strong Badian flag. Is Free Country USA ready for such an awesome ruler? Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free also has the Videlectrix arcade classic “Math Kickers Featuring the Algebros,” plus all-new achievements, collectibles, costumes and Teen Girl Squad comics. You can even use Strong Bad’s Lappy to send e-mails and pictures to your Wii Friends™. So what are you waiting for? Fire up Strong Badia the Free and get ready to kick some doughy King of Town butt.

You can see a trailer of the game here “Strong Badia the Free.” I really do not know what to say about this game because I cannot find anything thing on it other than this official trailer.  Strong Bad has been pretty consistently funny,  If you like the comedy in Strong Bad then I am sure this is going to be a fun game for you.

Potpourrii (Abstraction Games, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): In the puzzle game Potpourrii, everything revolves around the seasons. For centuries, the seasons have followed a set pattern. But then things start to go awry in the forest. Suddenly it’s snowing while the sun shines and flowers bloom while leaves are falling. Then a strange purple goo appears. The leprechauns are stunned. Even worse, the magic oak of life loses its power. It all turns out to be the fault of an evil wizard. You must help the leprechauns defeat him and restore natural order. To do this, you need to collect seasonal spirits. Pick them up with the spirit cannon, shoot them at the center of the screen, group them and make them disappear. But watch out-they get faster and faster. In short: Potpourrii is a puzzle game that keeps you hooked with its colorful visuals, beautiful effects and easy-to-use controls using the Wii Remote™ controller. Play alone or with a second player, and even use your Mii™ character.

You can see some game-play here. This game seems to be a puzzle game that has the same basic premise as Bust-a-Move where making certain combination’s result in removal of the pieces.  The big difference with this game to something like Bust-a-Move is that the puzzle is rotating in a circle.  I don’t care to play this game, but it could be fun if you like puzzle games.

Virtual Console

This game will punch out your teeth and then 69 your grandma! –Slugtron

Mega Man 2 (NES™, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Widely regarded by fans as one of the greatest action games of all time, Mega Man 2 is the second title in the seminal NES series. With even more stages and robot masters than the previous installment, its sheer size and scope are enough to get any action gamer’s heart palpitating. The year is 200X. Dr. Light’s super-robot, Mega Man, has succeeded in smashing the evil ambition of the nefarious Dr. Wily, and peace reigns over the planet. However, Dr. Wily proves to be a hard man to keep down and has returned with a new army of robot masters in tow to challenge our hero. Can Mega Man save the world again?

This is a great game that everyone should play at least once.  Although if you do not have patients this game will drive you nuts very quickly. Like any old game children do not seem to have patients for games like this anymore.  Here is a little gameplay. In any case This game is awesome and as stated above I say everyone try it at least once.

This week they there where 3 games released 1 WiiWare and 2 Virtual Console.

WiiWare

My Aquarium (Hudson Entertainment, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): With swaying aquatic plants and fish idly swimming about, My Aquarium is a relaxing Wii experience that allows you to enjoy a virtual aquarium in your spare time. Whether freshwater or saltwater, you can select from over 40 popular types of fish, including favorites like the Ocellaris clownfish, the freshwater angelfish and the Asian arowana. You can also create up to six different aquariums and personalize them by adding decorations like seaweed and driftwood. In My Aquarium, you can send aquariums to your registered Wii Friends. The aquariums can even be set with special dates, such as a friend’s birthday, that the fish will commemorate with a dance. Feed your fish and watch them steadily grow from fry to adult. Then, after meeting certain conditions, you can breed them. Another feature will allow you to interact with your fish using your Wii Remote™ controller in fun ways, like “tapping” the glass of your aquarium.

This is an interesting idea for a game it’s like all of the NintenDogs pet type of games where you take care of virtual fish.  the point of this is it’s cheaper than buying a tank and fish and keeping it clean.  so if you like pet games this game could be pretty good.

Virtual Console

Clu Clu Land™ (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Take a deep breath and prepare for a puzzle game set in the underwater kingdom of Clu Clu Land. The greedy Sea Urchins have stolen all of Clu Clu Land’s gold bars and buried them in a series of mazes. As Bubbles, a brave bubble fish, you’ll set out to uncover all of the gold bars in each maze. But you’ll have to be careful: Sea Urchins will relentlessly pursue Bubbles, and there are also dangerous black holes that must be avoided. Bubbles isn’t defenseless, though, as she has the ability to stun Sea Urchins with sound waves and quickly change direction using posts scattered throughout the stages. Not only that, but the locations of the gold bars in each maze form the outline of another object—once you know the object, you’re well on your way to finding the gold. With 20 stages to complete and increasingly complex conditions (like having to pass over the gold bars twice to uncover them), you might just want to bring along a friend for help.

You can see some game play here. It’s a pretty basic puzzle game where you discover gold that are in set patterns like human or submarine shapes.  It seems like it could be good for a single play through but after that it could get pretty annoying.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Set in the Mushroom Kingdom and featuring its cast of well-known characters, this adventure RPG begins with a familiar scenario: Mario™ must rescue Princess Toadstool™ from Bowser™. However, a mysterious new enemy named Smithy soon appears, and Mario and Bowser are forced to fight as allies for the first time in their long history. In the quest to defeat their powerful new foe, they’ll journey across a wide variety of locations (a town of mining moles, a tropical forest, a thundering waterfall—just to name a few) and tackle a mix of obstacles requiring both expert timing and strategy to overcome. Along the way, they’ll gain experience and grow more powerful, while also meeting new characters whose unique abilities will be needed to take on Smithy and his gang. Striking a perfect balance of traditional RPG elements and the action-packed game play Mario is famous for, it’s easy to see why this title has earned “legendary” status.

Okay this is one of the best RPG’s made for the SNES it has a pretty silly story for kids but the battle system is really good with some extra minigames in it like a Mine car game or Yoshi Racing game.  it’s pretty much the best graphics the SNES was able to produce seeing as how it was made as pretty much the last game on the system thats not that surprising.  I’ve played this game so many times it hard to keep track of and I would highly recommend this game to anyone that wants a solidly fun RPG or if you just want a game to play with your kids.

Proton Charging got the exclusive from Sony regarding the future of the Ghostbusters game. It doesn’t sound like they had a hard time finding a publisher. In fact they got to turn away quite a few that didn’t seem like a good fit.

Because of the change of publishers, the release date had to be pushed back. And understandably so. It is simply impossible to get the game published in two months for the original October release date. Not to mention ad space in magazines and on the television. So they are going to make the most of this time to refine the game.

Now strictly rumor on the top two publishers it was weeded down to:

Atari or Electronic Arts Partners

I just received a phone call from GameSTOP informing me my reservation for Ghostbusters has been cancelled. Activision decided not to publish the title this year. They offered to help find the game a new home, but little else has been said.

I was then informed I could be refunded my deposit or move it to another title.

Shit.

I downloaded a few game demo’s from PSN tonight, and I thought I would just say a few things about each game.

First up is “Bionic Commando Rearmed”

This is a direct remake of the original Bionic Command, except for that it is 2.5D HD graphics and they have added something called challenge rooms. The Challenge rooms are basically the same thing as MGS VR trainings, your complete times for each of the challenges are sent to a leader board. The two challenges on the demo were really fun and simple, I can only assume they get better with the full version.  If you got the time, I recommend buying this, at $10 it is cheap and fun.

Next up, “1942 joint Strike”

This is another remake of the original, but it has enhanced graphics (2.5D looks HD quality), more game play, difficulty settings, and options for aircraft and super bombs. I loved this game as a kid, and it is even better now. By the time I finished the demo, I had already decided to purchase it, it is also $10, this is what video games are all about.

Well I hate to admit it, but this game actually seems pretty fun. Sort of a mix between God of War and Soul Reaver. You play a sith apprentice to Darth Vader. Like most things Star Wars, I am going to start out with what I don’t like about it. The first thing I don’t like is that your character looks so ordinary. The next thing I don’t like was the slogan in the game trailer “May the force blow your mind.”
I think if I had more free time I would actually want to play through this game. The controls are deceptively easy, and you get to kill a bunch of people, in a bunch of different ways. (The death animation is nowhere near revolutionary, in fact it is kind of a let down how lame it is.) It seems to be surprisingly challenging for a Star Wars game. All in all it looks good and is fun, I would by it if I were rich and bored.

Last up, and most unfortunately “Hail to the Chimp”

I downloaded this game on a lark. I said to myself, it will be funny to review a demo of a game called Hail to the Chimp. Turns out, it is just stupid and boring, not even worth one laugh. Essentially you pick an animal, and run for president, there are several different mini-games (That are all almost the same, the main objective in all of them is to literally collect clams) and you play them to become president. This is worse then a direct remake of pong, and I say that with a heavy heart. You see my robot father was an Atari 3000.