Wi-Philes

So I was at LA with no computer and no access to internet cafes so I was pretty much lost on news. It sure would have helped to know that SEGA had made a Sonic Tech Demo at their booth that I could have watched and I wouldn't have decided at the last minute not to watch the SEGA Theater video. (because E3 was ending in an hour and I wanted to play some games one last time)

Anyway some cool stuff happened, met some folks from the internet, almost met some celebrities and actually met some.

Now most of you have heard details on pretty much every game, but I'll throw some more opinions into the bin.

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Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - In this game you were served with 4 levels of goodness.

Town - I liked this one but I didn't do that much, the "herding-goats" wasn't really fun at all. The environments were amazing though, along with the facial expressions. Later on you do fetch quests and stuff and I didn't really know what to do, I did do some sword training, that was fun.

Horse Combat - In this one you slash monsters while riding Epona, and try to beat the boss. After hitting the boss several times you play a game of Joust. It took me a while but I was able to beat this one without much problems.

Forest Temple - If you like red monkey's rear ends, you'll love this one! Actually in this demo you get to try out the combat and I must say it's really cool. It's pretty much Wind Waker but it fits well in this game. You also try out the wind boomerang, an interesting device. I didn't get that far in it, but hey, want to save some for the final game eh?

Forest Temple Boss - At first I sucked horribly at this one, not knowing what to do and then dying. I tried again the next day and then I figured it out, and won! I was so happy. This plant like boss requires you to use your Wind Boomerang to it's full potential, targeting bombs and bringing it to one of the creature's mouths. Then eventually the big monster comes up and you just repeat until you win.

All in All I think this will be the best GameCube game, I don't know about best game ever, but it'll be up there.

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Shadow the Hedgehog - This controversial title created some intense division in the Sonic Community. Now, Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes have done the same things, but this one's even stranger. Shadow with a gun isn't something that most Sonic purists will enjoy. Shadow having his own game in general isn't something that most Sonic purists will enjoy. (and before anyone gets offended, I'm tied best Sonic fan with NightsB here)

The demo gives you four levels to choose from.

Westopolis - I didn't this one, too linear and too slow. This is mostly where you can just combat enemies till your heart's content. This game me a bad impression on the game.
Ruins - I liked this one more, prettier and actually was kinda fun. Like with Sonic Heroes this game tends to be frustrating so at first you will die a lot. There's lots of stuff you can do here but it's also kind of long.
Forest - Take Green Forest from Sonic Adventure 2, add some Lost Jungle from Sonic Heroes and you have this level. This one's also long and pretty frustrating.
Boss - Take Big Boom Boo from Sonic Adventure 2 and then add Biolizard from the game game, and throw in Sonic Adventure 1's Egg Viper and you have this boss. Shadow the Hedgehog returns to the boss styles of Sonic Adventure 2 as opposed to the uninspiring Sonic Heroes bosses. This big creature has it's eye as the weak spot. You have one gun you can use to shoot about 1/3 of it's power. But mostly you have to wait for some enemies to appear, hone in on them and then hit the eye, then repeat till you win.

Like with recent Sonic games on the levels you are graded on your score from A-E and you are graded on how long it takes you to beat a boss, also from A-E.

Overall if you're a Sonic fan who collects EVERYTHING Sonic you won't be wasting much by purchasing Shadow. If you hate Heroes, stay away. If you moderately like Heroes, just rent.

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Sonic Gems Collection - Sonic Team finally listens to requests for Sonic CD and Sonic the Fighters rereleases and they got one.

Sonic CD uses the American soundtrack. Sonic Team is not really consistent on what extras they put into their games so I can't write off them having the Japanese soundtrack but I doubt it. The controls work well on GC and there's no loading times like on the Sega CD and the PC versions. There was no slowdown that I noticed too. I recommend picking Gems Collection up just for this. Unless Gems Collection is over $30 in price.

It was the first time I played Sonic the Fighters and it's neat. The music is cool and the graphics make me miss the Sega Saturn. Again, controls are fine, worth getting Gems Collection for. It's fun.

Also confirmed was Sonic R but that wasn't playable. Who knows what else is in this collection? Will Sonic Arcade be there? Knuckles Chaotix? Sonic Shuffle? Maybe even Sonic Jam? A man can dream you know.

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Sonic Rush - As you can see I played a lot of Sonic. This is identical to the Sonic Advance games, except with a new character who I did not play with, Blaze the Cat. You can use a new move that lets you dash at high speeds instantly with the push of a button as long as you have enough energy. Unfortunately you can do most of the level simply by holding right, but eventually they get you going left, and that's good in more ways than one.

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Mario Kart DS - Just wanted to say I was so close to getting first place on my first try but I got second :( I didn't play again.

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Super Mario Brothers DS - I know I'm getting the name wrong but that's OKAY. This game will bring you back to the days of Super Mario Brothers 3. This IS a good game. New twists and suprises await. Also, huge Mario rocks. I played this on multiplayer, and won! But I had a head start, to be fair. But I was also good with items.

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Nintendogs - Not really my kind of game, but it was cute. Couldn't really get the voices to work. Maybe my sister will try this out. I'll stick with real animals.

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Super Mario Strikers - It should be a crime to like Mario sports games, but what can I say? This is a suprisingly very good game. One player is too easy though, won 3-0. Didn't play multiplayer. Will rent this one.

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Odama - I couldn't get the mic to work, and I don't think Yuji Naka could either. While in line for Zelda on Thursday I saw him playing it (took a picture which I will upload later). Didn't get to meet him but it was cool to be near him. He walked my way but ignored my hollers and waves. I could have left the Zelda line and followed him, but I wouldn't have left the line if Jesus Christ walked by.

Er wait back to Odama, it's okay for a pinball game, didn't get very far, probably missed the fun stuff.

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Batallion Wars - At first I didn't think this game looked very good but actually it's neato. Shoot things and it's not difficult.

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Fire Emblem - Dig the FMV cutscenes. Fire Emblem was an awesome GBA game and this one looks to also be a winner.

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Mario DDR - What can I say? It's DDR. It's Mario. It's fun. The Dr. Mario one is great for beginners. I should know, I did very good at it. Yet then I sucked at another song I tried, with the ghosts.

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Game Boy Micro If it's less than $50 I'd give it a shot. Just stick with your GBA or GBASP. If you don't have a GBA. And the micro's around $40 get one.

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I think you've had enough of my stuff for now. I'll continue tommorow.