Live from Star Haven

Two weeks ago, I have made my views of E3 from news and videos of big press conferences.  As a Nintendo loyalist for so many years, I, of course, have awaited for their big news after their huge disappointment last year.  I’ll admit, I did expect Nintendo to show at least one Mario game (besides Mario and Luigi 3, I knew about that one before E3), and yes, I predicted (but not revealed in this blog) that it would be something like New Super Mario Brothers.

Perhaps my hype over Nintendo was more than necessary.  I mean, they didn’t really give a spectacular presentation like Sony or Microsoft did.  I just was hoping for at most two Mario games for the gaming fiscal year, and have Nintendo focus on other franchises (besides Metroid and Zelda since they have been mentioned), especially those that haven’t been touched for years (e.g., F-Zero, Kid Icarus).  I wish they would make another Star Fox game like Star Fox 64 or maybe have one starring team Star Wolf.

Of course, these Mario games are merely sequels of a particular series in the Mario franchise.  In other words, I probably won’t see a game that makes me exclaim, “WOW!”  Yes, New Super Mario Brothers Wii has that four-player action that seems neat (the concept reminds of the Mario cartoons, although it would be better if Peach was a playable character instead of another Toad), but it’s the same game and with more ridiculous power-up suits (bring back the Super Leaf or a Cape Feather).  Mario and Luigi:  Bowser’s Inside Story has two features I like in a Mario game:  RPG style and the use of both brothers.  I guess I’ll have to see how the story goes (a good story makes a good game).

You hear that?  I also love a good story in my Mario games!  In other words, let’s have someone else besides Peach getting kidnapped, have Mario face another villain (or have an existing villain get his/her revenge), or have a dark aspect of the plot (i.e., bringing worlds to an end by a psychotic villain like in Super Paper Mario).  Hey, I don’t mind a Super Mario RPG sequel, or even a remake, like in a Tales of series or Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories style.

I probably won’t play Mario vs.  Donkey Kong:  Minis Strike Back, even though the level creator feature is a neat concept.  As for Super Mario Galaxy 2, after remembering the ending of the first Galaxy game, it does sound like an opening for a sequel.  Just thinking about it has answered my question on how big the Marioverse is.  Personally, I think they should have the gameplay of Galaxy with the setting being the Mushroom World, like Super Mario 64.  Well, perhaps having Yoshi to ride would be interesting to control.

Finally, I probably won’t play Metroid M.  At least, not until I play the classic Metroid and Super Metroid games.  However, with my list of games I should have played growing, that probably won’t happen for a while.

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What do Dragonball Z and Fullmetal Alchemist have in common?  This year alone, they are anime that have been previously released, but are now re-released to adapt closer to the manga version.  Dragonball Z has already been released as Dragonball Kai as Fullmetal Alchemist has been adapted as Fullmetal Alchemist:  Brotherhood.  The two series has been cut down of all fillers and add new footage of stories that have never been animated.

I have already explained briefly on Dragonball Kai, where a lot of fillers have been cut.  For example, on episode 8, the Saiyans, Vegeta and Nappa, have arrived on Earth whereas in the first anime, Gohan would go through his first transformation and starts running amok.  In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, we see Edward and Alphonse on the pursuit of a former military alchemist that works with water and all its forms (a story never shown in the anime), as well as introductions to State military officials like Mustang, Oliver Armstrong, Maes Hughes, and Führer King Bradley in the first episode (in the first series, we see Edward and Alphonse investigating a priest that can perform miracles, which in the new series, it’s episode 3).

Despite the title of this blog, anime remakes may not be the wave of the anime future, but I have a few good ideas of anime that may continue the trend (in no particular order).

1. Yu-Gi-Oh:  The series is basically a card game that has gone out of hand, as well as one of the anime series that was horrendously edited in English courtesy of 4Kids.  If it were redone, the first series (the origin of the Millenium Puzzle and the main cast) would be recolored to the second series’ (and manga) style before airing .  Don’t expect the Orichalcos saga to show up.
2. Sailor Moon:  Much like the Dragonball series, it was practically filler (the “Doom Tree” saga with the alien siblings was never a part of the anime series).  If it were made into a remake, it would probably be a remastered version (HD graphics and sound), airing in about 2012, which is about ten years from its original air date.  Let’s hope “Moonlight Densetsu” won’t get replaced, but the Cloverway English voice actors will.
3. Chobits:  This well-known CLAMP manga series should get a retelling like FMA: Brotherhood.  The anime featured some episodes that never happened in the manga, including the online game and the trip to the beach.  Some of the stories in the anime have also been twisted around from the manga (e.g., Hideki coming from a farm (never mentioned in the manga, Chii’s panties search adventure in the anime instead of Hideki’s brief humiliation of the panties search in the manga).

Of course, if we do this trend of revamping anime to fit its manga adaptation, then it should be for practically all anime (at least the ones that have made an impact in the anime industry).  While Chobits has not made an impact in the USA as Yu-Gi-Oh or Sailor Moon, it definitely fits in the category of anime that should be remade to fit the original manga.

How about you?  What anime, if any, should be remade to continue this ‘new wave’?  Do you think that remaking anime to fit the manga is a waste of money?

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At E3, Microsoft and Sony have jumped in the next best thing in video games that Nintendo has brought originally:  motion controlled-games.  With the Nintendo Wii bringing in a new way of having fun, Sony has brought the Playstation Motion Controller and Microsoft has Project Natal.  Should Nintendo be concerned now that they may be equals with the competition?

According to Shigeru Miyamoto in a BBC interview, the answer is no.  Since Nintendo has always been the pioneer in game consoles (e.g., the concept of the four-button control came originally on the SNES), Nintendo is always conjuring up innovative methods of playing video games.

The author of the blog made his opinion that Miyamoto may be a bit too hasty in his answer.  With all the motion-controlled features Sony and Microsoft announced at E3, Nintendo may no longer be the unique individual they have always claimed to be.  Third-party games could (most likely) look into Nintendo’s competitors to promote their motion-controlled games.  I totally agree with the author’s opinion.  In addition, if Nintendo is working on the next big thing, they are sure taking its time.  This year, it is the Wii Motion Plus, an extension to the Wiimote to enhance controls.  This coming year, it is the Wii Vitality Sensor, a device that measures your pulse as you play a game.  I’m sorry, Nintendo.  I don’t see how a vitality sensor should fit in the gaming industry (rather, it should be used in gaming research).  Then again, Nintendo may be on to something with Wii Fit Plus.

Still, it’s too soon to make judgements on something that is not scheduled to be released until 2010.  So, Nintendo may pull something big some time next year.  I think Nintendo has a good start with Wii Fit Plus.

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Before I continue with my weekly blog schedule, I just had to mention this.  Thanks to Justin for leading me to this.

Conan shows off his new awesome set.
On Friday June 5th, Conan makes a comment on how his backdrop, originally claimed by Serious Lunch, looks like something from a Super Mario Brothers video game.  Apparently, that comment is not far from the truth.
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Finally, the rest of E3 will be summed up, including remaining thoughts on Microsoft.  I got to watch the Microsoft conference and here are some things that have not been mentioned Monday.

1. Tony Hawk has now got a game featuring a skateboard controller.  Just remember, kiddies.  It is not a real skateboard and you’re not going to be the next Tony Hawk just because you can do the tricks like does in his games.
2. Microsoft loves to pile up XBox 360 games, especially those exclusive to the system.
3. Apparently, Project Natal is more than just being a controller.  With the AI game (created by Lion Head, known for Fable 2) known as Milo, players can interact with Milo.  The demo will show how far virtual interaction will feature.
   
   Everyone, meet Milo.
4. It may not be XBox 360 related, but here’s some PC news.  Street Fighter IV will be available on the PC with different graphic filters to view.  I may be tempted to try it out.
5. Also, sposkespeople of Microsoft has held their promise of not giving us boring charts.

And now E3 has come to a close.  Sorry the summaries have been all scattered, both category- and content-wise.   I would like to say, in conclusion, that all three have brought a new game list that I would look forward.  Thank goodness no one has give figure tables (except Ubisoft when discussing their casual market audience).  I also tend to show videos, but hey, it’s all about the awesomeness.  Kudos to the video game market to revolutionize gaming one step farther.  However, when it comes to game systems, I am still undecided.  On one hand, Sony has MAG, Your Shape, and the Playstation Motion Controller.  On the other hand, there’s Project Natal for XBox Live.  For now, until I can afford a new console (though it may be leaning towards the PS3 if you look at #2 on my Sony blog entry), I can settle with New Super Mario Brothers Wii, Metroid M, Mario and Luigi:  Bowser’s Inside Story, or Wii Fit Plus for Nintendo, or Street Fighter IV and APB for the PC. 

But there is one thing I would like to say to Nintendo:  A Wii Vitality Sensor?  You’ve got to be kidding me.  This has got to be the worst idea since Wii Music.  I will keep an eye on Super Mario Galaxy 2, even though I believe a sequel is not necessary.

Sigh.  In these times of economic hardship, it would only be a matter of time before I get a second console.

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Yesterday, I vastly discussed Nintendo’s press conference.  Today, here’s Sony’s press conference that happened yesterday, but due to Nintendo’s huge list and time constraints, it was split into multiple parts.

1. The PS2 is served to bring gaming to everyone with a huge list of family games coming.  Personally I didn’t know PS2 still exists.  Considering that PS2 is one of the best-selling console in history, PS2 is the income for the hardcore PS3.
2. MAG (Zipper Interactive) is the ultimate in action-MMORPG.  Can’t wait to get my hands on that, once I get a PS3.  Heavy Rain looks pretty good, too, as well as Tekken 6, Assassin’s Creed 2 (with help from Leonardo da Vinci), ModNation Racer (creativity like LittleBigPlanet, but with the spirit of Mario Kart), God of War III, The Last Guardian (from the creator of Shadow of the Colossus, you know it’s going to be good), and Dante’s Inferno (rockin’ with the Deathscythe while your opponent bears a cross as a weapon).  Yeah, I got a nice wishlist going on.
3. It’s no surprise that there will be a PSP bundle pack.  This year it’s a game featuring every teen girl’s (and a few Sony conference attendees’) favorite idol, Hannah Montana, accompanied with a lilac PSP.
4. PSP + iPhone size + Wii price = PSP Go.  As the spokesperson for Gran Turismo Real Driving Simulator has said more than once, you could get the full experience in such a small portable system.
5. Snake has returned, box jokes and all, with Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
6. Sony pimps a lot of products via long-span videos!  Well, it’s better than looking at facts and figures, I guess.
7. Mario may be invading the Nintendo market in the future, but now it seems Final Fantasy will carry the same style for PS3. Final Fantasy XIII may be coming next year, but now a Final Fantasy XIV is already in the works and is scheduled to be released that same year!
8. Playstation Motion Controller > Wiimote (at least, from what I have seen so far in the demo).

Come here tomorrow for the rest and Friday for the final thoughts of E3!

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For this blog, I will bring the first part of E3’s Day Two conference.  Well, technically, it’s Day One, where yesterday is day zero.  That’s just plain weird.  Anyway, here’s Nintendo’s conference in a nutshell.

1. They start off by mentioning that “everyone’s game”, and what better way to start their game lineup is New Super Mario Brothers Wii. Seriously, I didn’t expect this.  I thought of a sequel of New Super Mario Brothers, but not in a multiplayer Wii game.  Hey, you can never be too old to play a classic platform like this.
   Ha! I’m a Mario fan. I can’t resist showing you this!
2. Nintendo continues to pimp Mario with games like Mario and Luigi:  Bowser’s Inside Story, Mario and Donkey Kong:  Minis March Again (featuring level design), and, (what’s this), Super Mario Galaxy 2! I don’t think I’m ready for a second Galaxy game, considering that other than riding Yoshi, it seems there’s not much innovation.  Of course, knowing me, I’m going to get it anyway.
3. Yesterday, I learned about Your Shape by Ubisoft.  Nintendo competes, despite Your Shape being on the Wii, using WiiFit Plus.  This time, WiiFit Plus will feature a mini-game touch, including a platform simulation (more Mario references).
4. First, we have Wii Motion Plus with a live demo of Wii Sports Resort from Fils-Aime (I would like to get a feel of Plus to understand the change).  Second, we have DSi having connectivity with Facebook via photo albums, as well as Flip Note Studio, Mario vs Donkey Kong:  Minis March Again, and Wario Ware: DYI.  Now we have Wii Vitality Sensor with Satoru Iwata.  Okay…all Iwata did was talk.  Sounds interesting, but no demo to impress me.
5. In addition to fitness games, RPG games are popular in Nintendo.  Other than the third Mario and Luigi game, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers, Kingdom Hearts 358/2, and Golden Sun DS have graced their appearances in the conference.
6. Ooh, Metroid M, and it looks like it has reached its roots, as well as having a deep storyline in the game.  Could we be seeing Nintendo’s answer to Halo, only with a female hero?
7. What, no Miyamoto in the conference?!?  You think he would be there for New Super Mario Brothers Wii, but noooo!
8. There was talk about Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks and that the demo was available on the show floor.  I don’t understand about a train in a fantasy world like “New Hyrule”, but I guess anything can happen in the Wind Waker world.

Sony’s conference will be coming tomorrow, but for now, how about discussions on Nintendo’s news?

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I am back and for this week only, I will give you some of my thoughts on E3 2009, starting with Day 1.  While I won’t give you details on the press conferences (althought I did manage to see Ubisoft’s conference live), here are some things I have learned today:

1. Microsoft does care about games (especially the exclusive variety), but they like to experiment with interactivity.  A great example is the self-controller known as Natal.

Behold, the future!  Ooh…

Microsoft will also feature the use of Zune to create HD videos, as well as use Facebook and Twitter to interact. Just what we need in E3; more news on how to make your 360 a video phone.

2. Star Wars:  The Old Republic (LucasArts) will most likely be the new World of Warcraft.  Figures that just when get a decent computer to play WoW, there’s a new MMORPG in town that could take the world by storm.
3. James Cameron should be banned from making speeches at E3.  His discussion on Avatar on bringing technological advances in cinema and in gaming was so long winded, it was like watching Titanic.  Yes, I said it.  Titanic was boring.  Even worse, we saw nothing about the game or the movie in video format.
4. Game companies will continue to make useless casual games like Ubisoft’s Imagine series.  At least Ubisoft will also make a somewhat useful fitness game that’s suppose to answer Nintendo’s WiiFit:  Your Shape, the interactive fitness coach.  It may not be a ‘game’, but it does sound something I could use.
5. WiiMotion Plus is pimped out.  Last year, Fils-Amie demonstrated WiiSports: Resort using the new peripheral.  Now, it will be used in other games like Ubisoft’s Red Steel 2 and I assume No More Heroes 2.
6. There is another Rock Band game, featuring The Beatles.  Oh, wait.  That’s not news, but apparently having The Beatles’s surviving members praising the game is.
7. Movies and TV shows will not be the only things “on demand”.  XBox Live will have downloadable games of their hit games in their entirety, from Assassin’s Creed to Lego Star Wars.  As soon as there will be an external drive or a very powerful SD card, we could be saying “Good bye” to compact discs and packaging and “Hello” to free space.
8. APB looks interesting.  Customizable bounty hunters, playing the role of justice where no one else will?  Sounds like my kind of game.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring with Nintendo and Sony.

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I apologize for the lateness of this post, so here it is:

Two Thursdays ago, Justin, Matt 2 and I managed to see Death Note: L Change the World in theaters.  During that time, VIZ media, the company that has licensed many anime series like Death Note, was promoting the third and final Death Note live-action movie.  Fans of Death Note and anime itself (Matt 2 has barely seen the series and Justin has seen up to episode 28 of the anime series) would enjoy this never-before-seen chapter of L’s story after the second movie.  Of course, I won’t go into details of what happens in the second movie, but let’s just say, don’t expect the second movie be a live-action adaptation of the anime, because it isn’t.

Don’t worry if you haven’t seen the second movie.  There are some parts of the second movie that are shown to get the idea of L’s current situation in the third movie.  Plus, if you are familiar with the anime/manga series, then it shouldn’t be a problem.

L Change the World follows L in another case involving an environmental terrorist that wishes to wipe out humanity and preserve the people that can do good in their “new world” by unleasing a disease that is a combination of the flu and the ebola virus.  The introvert detective would have to rely on more than his sweet-fueled brain (i.e., new friends and his physical body) to stop the new threat.

Fans of the English dubbed voice actors would be pleased to hear that the voice actors in Death Note have made their return in the live action movies, and L Change the World is no exception.  Fans of L, while they are intrigued that L does a lot more action (a trait outside of L’s character), will love L’s unchanging charm (i.e., love of sweets and his unexpected sense of humor).  Those who are familiar with the Death Note series will know what happens to many of the Death Note characters, which makes the story a bit emotional.

For the special event, after the movie, viewers would see a special reel on the making of the third Death Note movie, and yes, the reel was dubbed in English during the night the dubbed version was shown.  Viewers would also get a chance to win an autograph from the actor who played L in the movie, Kenichi Matsuyama, by submitting a special code on the film’s website, which I could not find despite me writing the code and the website just as soon as I got home.  I checked the next day and the days following, but nothing.

Anyway, if you are a fan of Death Note, especially the characters, L and Near (yes, Near is in this movie, but I won’t tell you where for spoiler reasons), I suggest seeing this movie.

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