Dare to Play the Game

Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. I’m your host that is kinda down this week. Yes, you read that right, mister game columnist has a a couple of depression issues. Well I turn 31 on the 19th, and to be perfectly honest it kinda sucks. Traditionally my birthdays have not beenvery …uch since it falls right before school (back in my day) and I never made many friends to celebrate it with. So I have a feeling that even though I am married; this birthday will probably be one where I feel the most lonely. Sorry to be a downer folks, but what are you waiting for, to Morgan we go. (that should cheer me up for at least 5 minutes)

That’s me in the corner, that’s me in the spotlight, losing my arm…hrmmm. I wish I could say the person cut out in the picture is me. However, I don’t own anything in tie-dye. Morgan has that look of I know I’m hot, but why is this creepy guy touching me? Seriously, why would anybody wear tie-dye with Morgan? Of course, I’d probably be wearing a videogame shirt, but that at least makes sense! (she is the queen of videogames nevertheless).

For those who can’t wait for the Nintendo Wii’s Virtual Console or for Xbox Live Arcade to increase its library, Sega has just announced what’s potentially the greatest retro collection yet: Sega Genesis Collection for the PS2 and PSP. With over 30 Sega Genesis titles in one pack, the collection is not only a terrific snapshot of what gaming was 15 years ago, but an opportunity for a whole new generation of gamers to experience the titles that once defined Sega as one of gaming’s most revered publishers.
There are the games that birthed franchises that live on today — Sonic the Hedgehog, Shinobi, Phantasy Star, and Golden Axe (which will see a sequel on PS3 and 360) — but also the greats that have for one reason or another long been forgotten — Vectorman, Sword of Vermillion, Comix Zone, or Alex Kidd.

WOOOOO, *does several laps around the office screaming, security tries to usher me outside the building*. This is about the most awesome retro thing since the Capcom Classics collection. This collection will include Phantasy Star 2-4, Golden Axe 1-3, Shinobi 3/Shawdow Dancer (no Revenge though curious), and more! Phantasy Star 2-4 is worth the price along but they throw in so much that it is crazy. Other less appreciated (but extremely worthwhile) games like Sword of Vermillion and Gain Ground will also be part of this package. The only curious things about this package are the inclusion of the Ecco trilogy (silly dolphins) and no sign of the Streets of Rage trilogy (which was a great series of games). The Shining games were also missing, but I have a feeling those will appear in our lifetime in some form. Outside of that, it is the perfect Genesis compilation for your PS2 and PSP. Hopefully it will be made like the Sonic Mega Collection Plus collection and not like the Sega Classics collection (which wasn’t terrible but when you start messing with level design and not just graphics/sound you have quite the little fiasco on your hands). Look for this to hit late October, early November at no more than $30 (probably $20 actually). Mark it down people!

Analysts: PSP Price Cut Soon
Sony may be adding a swift slice to its holiday battle strategy.

This is pretty cool, however I don’t think PSPs will ever be the GBA or DS killer. There is room for two competing handhelds however and that’s what Sony should stick too. A very good start has been achieved with the price lowerage. It would also help if they opened up the system a little bit and actually supported a few more of the emulation projects that are going around (NES, Genesis, Gameboy games, and so forth). It really doesn’t help that UMD is dieing a slow death either. The article goes on to highlight that Vice City Stories is coming out soon. Hopefully this gets a parallel release on PS2 as the original Vice City was always my favorite GTA game. Color me interested, but wake me up when and if they decide to go to $99.

Sometimes I wonder if I played the Genesis games nobody else played or even remembered. I mean I actually liked Powerball, anybody, anybody? Anyhow, this forgotten classic basically threw you in the middle of 50 stages of blasting strategy fun. You started out with three guys (names unimportant), one who was crazy fast with a machine gun, a girl who did a pistol and some grenades, and the last one was a good ole fashioned spear chunker. Throughout each stage you had either kill all the enemies or get everybody to the exit in the time allotted. If your character died, you had a chance to rescue him by picking him up and going to the exit. Also there would be additional characters throughout the contest to pick up and use their vast abilities. Some were vastly useful (a dwarf archer is among the first that you get in the game and he amounted to basically the best spear chunker in the game) while others were good for cannon fodder (basically any of the elementals). However you had to strategize which characters to use on which stages as some made certain stages very easy and some made it near impossible. I am happy to say that I feel most proud in beating this game and look forward to doing it again when this is included on the Sega Genesis collection for PS2 in the fall.

A great game with an unintentionally funny name, this sucker was forgotten in midst of many other Capcom classics that were around at this time. Basically you were Troooojan mannnnnnn (or the main character) and you would go through various stages defeatly all sorts of interesting baddies in your basic side scrolling adventure. You had a sword and a shield (and also kung fun moves if you executed a certain trick) that you would help you get through these foes. This game wasn’t quite as hard as the Ghosts n Goblins series (another Capcom classic), however this was pretty close. It was made for your pleasure (okay that was a groaner). Recently, this was included on the great Capcom Classics collection for PS2 (arcade version). The NES version was basically the same gameplay, however posed a few different and easier challenges along the way.

PS2

Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus
D1 Grand Prix (holdover from last week)
Pirates: The Legend of Black Buccaneer (holdover from last week)

PSP

Payout Poker & Casino
Super Monkey Ball Adventure

XBOX 360

Ninety-Nine Nights

XBox

World Racing 2
Xyanide

DS

Deep Labyrinth
Freedom Wings
Konductra

GBA

Games Explosion (holdover from last week)

Not a bad release week honestly. The major point of interest here is of course Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus. This should be a fine FF offering and hold us off for a while until X whatever comes next. However, since the last two FF games (X and X-2) I held off until they were budget offering, I would suspect to do the same thing again. Also a solid DS lineup this week and Deep Labyrinth should be lots of fun.

Another week, even if it is the most important one. I really would like to do something crazy this Saturday but this will probably not be the case. I always have these dreams of greatness, being the life of the party. Had one on monday night even. But none of that really happens. I mean I’m a little nerdy I guess, but I’m not your stereotypical one. Hopefully I’ll have a story for you next week. Oh, on the video game front; last Friday I picked up Midway Arcade Treasures 3 (PS2) and Rolan’s Curse (original GB) for a song at my local EB. I’m not that big of a racing fan but MAT 3 has been pretty fun. Also Monday at the Circuit City, I picked up major booty in the form of Suikoden Tactics (PS2) for a whopping $10. Insane, now I just need V and II (someday). Take care folks.

As Always,
Kedrix of Aldrianian
(*The Forgotten One*)