3DS Impressions: Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition

The Good: The 3D mode with the 3/4 view is really fun. It really brings a whole new perspective to the game. I honestly wouldn't mind if they included this mode in a console version of the game (Arcade Edition, I'm looking at you). The graphics and animations (for the CHARACTERS) are all there. This game is fully featured as well, training mode, combo challenges, wireless multiplayer for local and internet. This game is stacked. Also, if you turn off the 3D, you get a 60fps fighting experience on a handheld. That is amazing.

The Bad: With those amazing character graphics comes terrible stage graphics. The lively stages on PS3 and 360 are simply dead on the 3DS as the stages do not move...at all. It doesn't affect game play, but it sure doesn't improve the ambiance. Oh well. Still a highly recommended game.

It's A Multi-Dimensional Universe

My complete launch-day haul. Street Fighter, Pilotwings and Ridge Racer

Sunday was the big launch day for the Nintendo 3DS here in America. I've been excited for this machine since it was officially unveiled last year at E3.  Here are my thoughts on the machine so far.

3D EFFECT:
I think the 3D effect is great. Everyone I've showed it too was pretty blown away by effect as well. The slider is a great way to manage the effect though. Some of the games are very distorted if the slider is all the way up. That being said, I rarely bring the slider less than halfway. I've played the system for over 7 hours on day one and have had no ill effects from the 3D...no eye strain at all and no head aches. I've read a LOT of complaints online from people getting headaches within minutes. I guess I'm lucky in that it seems to have no affect on me.

CONTROLS:
First of all the circle pad, is a great alternative to the analog nub. It's comfortable and grippy and very responsive. My only complaint is there isn't two of them on the system. If there was one under the four face buttons on the right, this  system would open itself up to TONS of games I'd like to see, but alas, Nintendo never really gives us everything we'd like to see. The D-Pad is solid and responsive as well. I wish it was a little bulkier though.

SYSTEM FEATURES:
• The 3D camera is really fun. The added depth can make even the simplest of compositions stand out. I'm constantly seeking out new places to take cool 3D photos.
• The AR games are interesting. I've played around with them a little and they're pretty trippy.  I've taken pictures of Nintendo characters hanging with my Star Wars action figures. Users have already found a way to take this to the extreme, let's see what developers can do.
• Pedomoter and Street Pass. I'm not really sure how often I'll ever get to see everything Street Pass has to offer as I live in a somewhat remote place, so I don't know how likely I'll come into contact with another 3DS. We'll wait and see. What is cool is the pedometer included in the system rewards you with coins the more steps you take in a day. I decided to to put the system in my pocket as I rode my stationary bike today. 40 minutes and 10.6 miles later, the game credited me with 3,337 steps. :) Pretty cool. Though I'm not exactly sure what I can buy with the coins I earned.

Anyway, so far, I'm really enjoying the system. Tomorrow I'll write another blog talking about the games I bought with the system.

Nintendo & Capcom Need To Get With The Times

According to this, Nintendo is keeping to the old formula of tying your digital purchases to your system. Sigh...while this is actually expected of Nintendo, it is disappointing. In a world with Steam and X-Box Live, one would hope that Nintendo can see the advantages of allowing your digital content be tied to your ACCOUNT rather than your system. But what else is new right? I mean, Nintendo can be very revolutionary with it's decisions as they created the DS bringing a new plateau to portable gaming, They created the Wii, revolutionizing the way (for better or for worse) gaming is seen in the home and up next is the 3DS...being one of the first true glasses less 3D electronic devices to hit the market. But when it comes to the details they are so archaic. It's strange how a company can at once be so forward thinking and so behind the times.

In other news, I am very disappointed in Capcom. I read this article from EDGE online. So some of your characters have been leaked online to the fighting game community? Oops. Trying to cover it up? Not gonna happen. Even though they say it wasn't their intention to get these people banned from YouTube, flagging their videos as copyright infringement is dirty pool. These are the same people who helped bring the fighting game community to it's current renaissance. These are the same people providing content to the world to help people like me improve at Street Fighter. Capcom is basically punishing people for being a fan of Super Street Fighter IV.  Shame on you Capcom. 

Under Construction

Hang on, this blog is under serious reconstruction. Everything you see here is likely to change. Move along...that is all.

Links

• Of all the games I'd like to see made into movies, The Sims wasn't even on the list. Mass Effect? That totally makes sense.

• From Monday Morning QB:
At 5:14 p.m. ET on Sept. 21, on their 28th offensive possession of the season, the St. Louis Rams invaded the red zone of an opponent for the first time this season.

• You should be buying Mega Man 9 this week. (Or next week for XBLA.)

• Hey Ash Whatcha Playin'? - Team Fortress 2

That's all for now. Watching to see if Heroes is worth a damn this season.

E3 2008 or 'How My Wallet Will Be Raped This Fall'

So E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo is about to start this week and today was the Microsoft's Keynote Address. Here are my picks for the most interesting news and games announced today.

Nintendo Announces Wii MotionPlus
"Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo's commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone."

Final Fantasy XIII Confirmed for X-Box 360
Can you hear the sound of a million fanboys crying out in terror?

Fable 2 Confirmed for October
Honestly, I never thought this game was coming this year. Let's hope it lives up to the hype...of Fable 1.

Microsoft Rips off Nintendo Miis Microsoft Unveils New 360 Dashboard, Avatars


Microsoft and Netflix Partner for Movies
If the movies are free, this is totally awesome. I'm assuming it's not in HD though.

Resident Evil 5 Dated, Online Co-Op Confirmed
The first (and really only) example of the co-op in use in the video already surpassed any game play mechanic in the entirety of Army of Two. I know, I know, that's not saying much.

Portal: Still Alive Announced
Exclusive to X-Box Live? I think that's a timed exclusive if anything. Steam users will revolt if not.

Gears of War 2 Dated
November 7th. Cool.

Saving the best for last...
Rock Band 2 Setlist Revealed

Click the link for the full list...here are my favorites:

• "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette
• "So Whatcha Want" by Beastie Boys
• "E-Pro" by Beck
• "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
• "Down with the Sickness" by Disturbed
• "Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran
• "Everlong" by Foo Fighters
• "PDA" by Interpol
• "Mountain Song" by Jane's Addiction
• "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World
• "Anyway You Want It" by Journey
• "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas
• "Our Truth" by Lacuna Coil
• "Float On" by Modest Mouse
• "Drain You" by Nirvana
• "Alive" by Pearl Jam
• "Lump" by Presidents of the USA
• "Testify" by Rage Against the Machine
• "Give it Away" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• "Give it All" by Rise Against
• "Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups
• "Today" by Smashing Pumpkins
• "Spoonman" by Soundgarden
• "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
• "Chop Suey" by System of a Down
• "Master Exploder" by Tenacious D
• "Pinball Wizard" by The Who

Personally, I think this is Harmonix's best lineup of songs for a game. I seriously can't wait for this. Plus it's also coming out September 15th.

More tomorrow.

The Importance of Batman?

The summer movie season is well under way. Iron Man came and surprised the hell out of me. Indiana Jones took us for another fun adventure and The Happening...happened. Now the movie at the top my list is The Dark Knight. The sequel to my favorite “comic book” movie of all time Batman Begins. But this seems to be no ordinary sequel. Buzz around the net from early screenings is that this movie is simply a 'Masterpiece.”

Check out Dark Horizon's reaction:

“It really isn't a comic book movie, this feels more like a great Michael Mann movie - literally a film of "Heat" calibre.“

First Showing has this to say about the film:

“Not since Lord of the Rings: Return of the King five years ago in December of 2003, did I walk out of the theater so moved, so amazed, and so extraordinarily impacted by the movie I had just watched.”

Return of the King is, in my opinion, the single best movie in the past decade. I have never been as awestruck after a movie. To compare The Dark Knight to Return of the King? Wow. I was excited, but I never expected this. So are all these people blowing smoke? Part of me wants to not believe the hype and lower my expectations. It's just another summer movie sequel...a good time, but ultimately not a life changing experience. There must be something to these reactions. It's not an isolated incident. Perhaps Christopher Nolan has put together a great film. Could this movie be good enough to garner some important Oscar nominations? Okay, maybe THAT's pushing it. I'll try to keep my expectations in check, but this is absolutely at the top of my list.

In any case, at least Robin won't be joining the franchise anytime soon.

Christian Bale Rules Out Robin For Batman 3 (and beyond)