*For the first time ever, I really got to thinking about Natal (I know, welcome to last June, right?). I mean, I've given the new controller some thought before, but just today I really imagined actually owning the thing. I officially don't get it.
No buttons? At all? How the hell is that going to work?
Now, I'm not the biggest fan motion controls in general; most of my favorite Wii games involve only occasional motion controls, or no motion controls. Having a big button to press under your thumb is just such an instant, thought free control method. I can't imagine in ever being replaced by a completely motion-controlled system.
For games like that soccer goalie demo thing and a Katamari game, I could see the Natal working great, and maybe they'll make some sort of one-or-two button controller to go with it for more traditional games. That's something I could get behind. In the meantime I just don't see how Natal is going to work with the games I play.
I know this sort of Natal-confusion is old news, but I just wanted to throw it out there to see if any of you smart people can make me feel better about "The future of gaming".
* Are you excited for this week's soon-to-be-posted "games of the week" weekly post? I sure am.
Here's a sneak preview- I mention how I'm pretty confused by Sony's "modern day" first party line up. Why did Sony abandon all of it's PS1 era IPs? Hasn't Sont seen how successful Nintendo has been with reviving their classic franchises? Don't they see that guys like me who grew up on Jumping Flash, Parappa the Rapper, and Ape Escape are now grown up, brimming with nostalgia-lust and excess cash?
The fact that my favorite part of MGS 4 is
that dream sequence, and that I spent more time with Jumping Flash 2 and UmJammer Lammy last week than I ever wanted to with InFamous and Uncharted 2, should tell Sony something. A lot of long time gamers like myself in the 28-35 age bracket may be more interested in the way they used to make games that the Hollywood style stuff they're putting out these days.
Start by making a Smash Bros' style crossover featuring Somy IP from the past ten years. That will sell millions, and re-introduce people to all the old Sony IP people have forgotten about. Then branch off from there with new Parrapa, Ape Escape,Jumping Flash, and Gitaroo Man games, and watch the PS3 reach a whole new demographic.
Not gonna happen, right? Ah well, at least I have the Last Guardian to look forward to.
* So, Snake and Sonic made a guest appearances in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. To return to favor (maybe) Sega has made quite a few exclusive Sonic games for the Wii and DS, including that crappy Mario and Sonic Olympics crossover series.
As for Konami... they got nothing. I know that Sony is funding the forever-in-limbo Metal Gear Solid movie, but does Kojima have blow off the Wii entirely? Why not port Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker to the Wii? As much as I enjoyed the PSP demo of that game, I'd probably enjoy it a lot more on my TV with a Shattered Memories-style graphics bump and pointer controlled aiming.
Or how about a remake of the first Metal Gear for the Wii? Even if it just got the ReBirth treatment on WiiWare, that would be better than nothing. A full retail release utilizing the Metal Gear Solid 3 engine would be better, but beggars can't be choosers.
If Resident Evil games sell on the Wii, and if Konami is willing to remake Silent Hill on the Wii, is it so crazy to think that the little white shat box could get some sort of Metal Gear game as well?
Am I the only one who'd like to hear Hayter voice Snake's in his original adventure?
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probably relaunching MGS2 and 3 for Wii could work. I mean, they did so with Twin Snakes on the GameCube, right?
Or even better, how would it be to remake the old classics like the NES original and the sequels before MGS that were only released on Japan? One can dream.
As for Sony on it's franchises, that is a reason of why I love Nintendo. They see that something worked out and keep it into their family, it creates identity and reputation towards the developers and publishers, it also gives the fans something to enjoy for a while as bigger projects are on the way. i know I just described the way fans get the bone thrown at, but it really does the job. Sony has made so with some franchises as Parappa and Ape Escape, but they have not made a noteable remark.
I want to hear Hayter voice Snake in EVERYTHING.
"MetaalllL Geeeeeearrrrrr..."
Also, I'm looking forward to hearing something about MGS: RISING someday, as I thought a game featuring Gray Fox would be the greatest thing ever. Three VR missions of Ninja-Death-Kill just didn't cut it, no pun intended.
Metal Gear Rebirth could be great!
I really don't get what you have been playing, because every Wii game I've played used motion controls and buttons seamlessly and equally. It's been proven to work.
I personally love the fact that Sony is committed to new IP. I mean, how can you really complain that they have the balls to launch a console with a bunch of new (and good) IPs?
But I must admit, I would love to see some of the older series revived. PaRappa the Rapper was the shit.
Oh, and as for MGS on Wii, I think the problem is Konami remembers how shitty the sales were for MGS: The Twin Snakes on the GameCube. Sure, they didn't even develop that game, but they sure as hell probably lost some money on it.
It was a really great remake and nobody bought it. So there is always that to consider. Who knows?
I came for Holmes, stayed for the Jumping Flash. Then I started playing it, because it's that amazing.
@Mk
Little King's Story: no motion whatsoever, and it's perfect for it.
You seem to have his misconception that everyone wants motion controls because you do. No, we don't always want it all the time: sometimes it's nice to kick back and relax with a traditional control method.
It's shitty to say "yeah well you bought the Wii, so you're stuck with motion controls: if you don't like it, sell it". Motion can be good, but so can regular controls. Holmes and I are the same way, as are thousands of other potential consumers, so they give us what we want. It's as simple as that.
Didn't Kojima say he wanted to do a Metal Gear on the Wii? I second your idea for Metal Gear Rebirth, personally -- That'd be perfect.
@ mkshiranui- Yeah, most of the Wii games I've played have used motion controls and button presses together very well. That's why I don't get Natal.
@ EternalDeathSlayer- You could be right abou Konami being gunshy about the Wii because of Twin Snakes, but if so, that would be silly. The Wii has what, twice the install base of the Gamecube? Plus, remaking a game like MGs that fans practically worship was a losing proposition to begin with. You'd be better off trying to remake Psycho.
As fo Sony's new IP, I have really mixed feelings. I like LittleBigPlanet, and understand the appeal of Uncharted and Resistance, but I still feel like they are seriously missing something lately.
I think that what it boils down to is they really don't make "Japanese" looking games on their home consoles anymore, or at least, not lately. I think that if the PS3 had new Japanese-y IP, or if it had its own Patapon and Loco Roco games or something, then I wouldn't be missing the days of Gitaroo Man and Jumping Flash so much.
I know that for some reason, Japanese developers these days feel like they need to start making "only western friendly" games, but I'm getting sick of all the "virtual-leading men in virtual-action movies" games.
Give me that bat-shit insane Japanese feeling again, Sony!
@ Magnalon- *Bro knuckles*
Also, did you know Jumping Flash 2 is on PSN now? I love it!
@ Pedro- I don't know if Kokima has said such a thing. He did say a while back that the PS3 is like a movie theater, the 360 is like a DVD player, and the Wii is like TV, or something like that.
The last thing I heard him say that vaugley related to Metal Gear is that he thinks a Western dev could remake Metal Gear 1.
I'd be quite happy if that happened, on the Wii or otherwise.
Like ED said, Sony is playing a great game with new IP's. Rather than run the risk of IP's running into stagnation, they release new IP's each successive generation, and I love them for that.
They allow their first party devs the opportunity to work on new projects, and if they want to, the old IP's. The perfect example is Insomniac games. Rachet and clank have been around since 2002, yet Insomniac games made Resistance am much more bloody and 'mature' game than R+C. But not once did Insomniac decide to halt R+C, even after having a successful new IP on their hands. Sucker punch, after doing inFamous, a fairly successful new IP, are probably working on a new sly cooper game, as it was confirmed rather smartly on a cinema listing in inFamous. The sly cooper series haven't been around for years. Though Naughty Dog is keeping mum about a PS3 Jak and Daxter, there have been rumours that they are totally committed to Uncharted 2 so could not do a Jak game, but were looking into creating a new one after they finished U2.
We must remember that Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, two of the biggest mascots they had, were never actually owned by Sony, but Universal. Sony part/fully owns Naughty Dog and Insomniac games, and struck a exclusivity deal for the games, but after that ran out, Sony made universal change the devs so the games could come out on other consoles. Sadly, both mascots soon ran out of steam because they were put in the hands of mediocre devs who couldn't design games nearly as well as the former devs, so the popularity of the mascots nosedived.
The other thing that new IP's have paid off for them, bith resistances have sold over a million copies each (I think 3.67 for R1, 1.67 for R2) and Uncharted sold over 2.4 million copies, and the second one will be a huge holiday hit. Heavenly Sword, whilst being a slow mover, sold over a million copies as well. Sure, they don't sell like mario games, but to say they haven't sold well or very well is absurd. 3.67 and 2.4 milliion is a hell of a lot of units. In fact, little big planet sold over 2 million. All of the numbers were taken at VGchartz. Aprt from inFamous, all of Sony's console exclusives sold over a million.
Hell, warhawk sold like hotcakes and has thousands log into it each week, years after it has been released. I'd say warhawk is a new game rather than a remake.
As gaming gets more popular, people will want more Hollywood-esque games, awesome games with quality game play, and Sony recognizes that market and caters to it well. Yes, I too would like to see a return of a few obscure Sony IP's like Parappa the Rappa, the demand is high among the passionate gamer crowd, but the public? I don't think so, and whilst that saddens me. However I'd rather Sony pump cash into a new Ip or a existing popular one than sink cash into a franchise that has lost it's popularity among the public, and dare I say, among gamers.
Also, there was a Parappa the rapper game for psp, wasn;t there?
Also, the thing is they have managed to give the plasation 2 new mascots in the form of Nathan Drake and Sackboy,which is very hard to do in a space of three years.
I'll stop rambling on now, simply, I agree they should make more of the old IP's, but what they are doing right now I cannot fault, the vast majority of gamers love the new IP's, and it's financially successful for Sony. I don't think there is a need risking a lot of cash on old, somewhat forgotten IP's.
Oh, and mad props for mentioning a Sony style SSB, that would be AWESOME. :)
@Mushman
I want a third party brawl where Capcom, EA and Konami are together in it. I can see it now, Megaman VS Faith VS Alucard VS Goemon
@Monodi
ooooooooh, that would make me drool with delight, damn good thinking, my fellow gamer. Thinking about it, why isn't there more cross published games in the industry? The movie industry (mainly Hollywood) always outputs films that has a multitude of movie distributors working together, and it works for them fine.
I too want a game like the one you are describing, it would be brilliant having it on all 3 major consoles, and handhelds as well.
Ah, the dream of the multi-publisher crossover.
The closest we've come if SNK Vs Capcom, Namco X Capcom, that weird Konami/Hudson/Transformers game that came out in Japan, and of course, Brawl.
I think it could happen some day. Personally, I'd want for the game to go whole hog with Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft getting involved as well. Put the game out on all three consoles and I don't see how they could complain.
@Holmes
Oh I can see it now
"THE PS3 VERSION IS BETTER BECAUSE MARIO'S FIREBALLS ARE IN HIGH DEFINITION"
"NO THE WII VERSION IS BETTER BECAUSE YOU CAN MOVE MASTER CHIEF'S GUN WITH THE WII MOTE LOL PWNT XXDDXDXDXDXDDXDXDXDXDDXFTUSFIGHFDFGID"
@Holmes
Wanted to add: I didn't like the inFamous demo either. I ended up renting it though, and its surprisingly more likable than the demo suggests. Still might not be your thing, but the demo lacks something. Context I guess.
Also, Cole & Pikachu VS Alex Mercer & Kirby. Priceless.
keep dreaming. i will too.
i think natal will be an utter failure and the next joke for 2 years. waggle meet waving, waving meet waggle, but only when the lights are on.
Also noting on Natal, I feel that it sounds just way too good to be true, I mean, you checked the trailer right? I feel most of that will be a glitchy as heck, my game design teacher is also having similar points of view about it.
As I said, Natal is going to be interesting. At least it will allow Nintendo to get to work on the Wii's descendant without interruption.
Monodi, I hadn't thought that a multi-platform game would spawn a fanboy fight, but if anything that makes me want MORE multi-platform titles, not less.
@mkshiranui
Fanboys like to start a fight by any reason. Remember inFAMOUS VS Protoype? There was no real reason to put the wire on that one, they just threw the first rock because one of them was exclusive
There are a couple of ideas thrown around at the MTV Multiplayer blog that really got me -- a skeptic of Natal -- excited. Myst and Viva Pinata? That ish could be hot.
During Sony's TGS press conference, an Ape Escape title was displayed on a list of games that will support the Sony Wand.
It would be great to see more wacky IPs revived, even in a download-only context. I highly doubt that Sony has the cojones to sell an updated or new Jumping Flash title at full price.
And 1UP is running a cover story on a new Konami retro revival starting tomorrow. All speculation leads me to believe that it is a blowout for Castlevania ReBirth, but there is always hope that it is Metal Gear ReBirth ...
I agree about reviving old IPs, but I really like all of their new IPs. They should continue to come up with original cool games like Uncharted, but also bring the occasional throw back. I think right now they have the PS3's capabilities in mind. They want to show it off. Considering they haven't made a Jak game for PS3 is probably because that cartoony look was appropriate for the PS2s limited Gigaslaps and Waggasluts (technical terms). Now a more realistic art style looks amazing in the Uncharteds. Thus, why you see games like daxter and ratchet for psps. They fit the systems capabilities very well.
Now I would like to see a really smooth high def sprited game on the PS3. Like, say they remade Metal Gear with hand drawn sprites.
@Brainderailment
A hand drawn sprite MGS by the hands of Ashley Wood should happen for the Wii. A few years ago, before MGS4 was released, Kojima was being interviewed about the game and mentioned wanting to work on other platforms, including the Wii.
He said that MGS4 was built for PS3 hardware, and he believed it was some sort of "dream machine" that could handle anything. This is what lead to the game being delayed till 2008; he had to work with undetermined constrains.
Anyways, to get back on point, it looks like he's a man of his word so far, making games (albeit not exactly exclusive) for the PSP and 360 as well. But, for whatever reason he hasn't touched a Nintendo console since the Gamecube (if you could even call that 'touching'), with the exception of Brawl.
Now, as much as I love MGS (and that's a deep-seeded love, my friends), I would much rather he be working on a completely new IP or ZOE3. He's got other talents, he just needs to put them to work.
Yes Jonathan, the Wii has a much bigger install base. Of casual gamers.
So I still think they're scared. I also do think that it's still possible they'll take the risk, just based on development costs alone. The Twin Snakes was a high quality production for it's time, whereas a nice looking Wii game is still much cheaper to make than an Xbox 360 or PS3 game.
So I'm not ruling it out, but I'm sure they have a reason they haven't made a MGS game already. I figure that reason is bad memories. Hopefully I'm totally wrong and they're already developing something.
I'd buy it.
BTW, totally off topic, but have you ever played the Toy Story game for the Wii? I'm afraid to spend 50 bucks on it if it's not easy enough for a 4 year old to figure out. There isn't much info on the game and I don't know anybody who owns a Wii besides my little brother and myself.
Eh, I have had more than enough MGS on my Wii with Twin Snakes. I really do not get the appeal of this series. Any enjoyment I get out of it could be experienced through youtube.
@ EDS- Yeah, you know, I wish there was a way to know how many "casual" gamers and "hardcore" gamers there were on each console. That said, it's clear that "hardcore" 3rd party games don't sell as well on the Wii.
Still, CoD 4 and Force Unleashed both managed to more than a million copies each. That's not as much as they sold on the 360/PS3, but it's still "a profit deal".
Since the market is so wide open for a MGS game on the Wii, as there are really no games of that type on the console, I'd imagine that it could sell enough to make a good amount of money. That is, of course, if the game was actually good.
In my world, a good game has a good chance of selling no matter what console it's on. I may be wrong about that, but if so, I don't want to know.
And I haven't played the Toy Story game on the Wii yet, but if I hear about it at all, I'll let you know.
Haven't got anything to add so I just voted it up. I love these blogs.
Metal Gear Rebirth would be awesome