The Elusive Rare Ltd.

You may have heard of Rare, Ltd. Once belonging primarily to Nintendo (creating the Donkey Kong games, "Star Fox Adventures," the Banjo-Kazooie games, "Goldeneye 007," and the incredible classic, Battletoads), the company is now owned by Microsoft. After playing a round of "Donkey Kong Country" recently, I had Rare on the mind. What have they been up to?

Well, clearly, I didn't listen to Griffin closely enough over winter break. Enter "Viva Piñata."


Rare developed "Viva Piñata," a game involving little piñata animals that you have to attract to your new plot of land. It was released in November of last year for the Xbox 360. I never played it - although Griffin said nothing but good things.

But despite their development for Microsoft, it seems as though there's being a backtrack to their old Nintendo habits. A version of "Viva Piñata" will be released for the Nintendo DS, while the tentatively titled "Banjo-Kazooie 3" is in development. The company has also recently released "Diddy Kong Racing" for the DS.

So what's next for Rare? "Battletoads" for the Wii? Come to think of it, where are the Battletoads in "Super Smash Bros. Brawl?"

Coming soon: the BTVG team decides who else should be in "Super Smash Bros. Brawl."

Rock Band: Dated, Priced, and oh-so-nice.

If you've read a few of mine and Evan's posts, you can probably guess that we're huge music junkies - and even bigger rhythm game freaks. It started with Gitaroo Man, a small but perfect Japanese import about a boy and his pet dog-robot and a destiny to save the world with the power of his rocking. We had a brief stint with DDR (of which we will never speak again,) a sweet affair with Frequency and Amplitude, and, of course, ended up with Guitar Hero.

So of course, the news of Electronic Arts' Rock Band coming out sooner and being even cheaper than most industry analysts originally thought is very, very good news for us poor, impatient college kids.

Rock Band will go on sale Nov. 23, (yes, black friday) for the Xbox360 and PS3 for a retail price of $169.99. A version for the PS2 will drop Dec. 10 for $159.99.

You can bet that we will awaken from out tryptophan-induced slumber to travel to the nearest game retailer, fighting the zombie hordes of bargain hunters to get our hands on this inevitable gem.

Hardys Come Alive!

I just got a clue about the latest in PC gaming.

In the autumn of 2008, a series of PC games starring one of the oldest staples in family mystery literature - the Hardy Boys will begin. Step over, Nancy Drew, leave this one to the gents.

Frank and Joe Hardy will find themselves solving puzzles in various environments, with lots of puzzles and "easy-to-use gaming interface." Not much else to report.

NBA 2K8 Soundtrack, Suckas!

It's a little known fact, but I actually really enjoy some hip-hop music (I know that my musical taste is getting in the way of my love of video-games, but I'm still going to talk about it). It's true - I have albums by Ghostface Killah, Kanye West, and the Roots (among others) on my iPod.

I'm also a man who will show his respects for the late, great Jay Dee, also known as J Dilla. J Dilla passed away in February 2006, but left behind a legacy for MCs and producers everywhere.

You must be asking, "Evan, what does this have to do with video games?" Oh, you aren't asking that? Well I'll tell you anyway. 2K Sports announced the "NBA 2K8" soundtrack, including three new J Dilla tracks, featuring hip-hop giants Common, Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, and Madlib.

The game's soundtrack has a lot of tracks hearkening back to the glory days of old school rap. It also has Devo!

Check yourself:

• J Dilla feat. Madlib "The Official (2K8 Mix)"
• J Dilla feat. Q-Tip & Talib Kweli "Lightworks"
• J Dilla feat. Common "E=MC2"
• Run-DMC "Sucka MC's"
• Stone Roses "Fool's Gold"
• Breakestra "Getcho Soul Together Pt. 2"
• Fishbone "Skankin to the Beat"
• Tommy Guerrero "Molotov Telegram"
• Percee P "Throwback Rap Attack"
• Quasimoto "Chrome Dreams"
• Devo "Through Being Cool"
• Quantic "When You're Through"
• J. Rocc "Cold Heat Megamix"
• Cut Chemist "Bunky's Pick"
• Billy Ball & The Upsetters "Tighten Up Tighter"
• The Highlighters Band "Funky 16 Corners"
• A Guy Called Gerald "Hurry to Go Easy"
• Sonic Trip "Energy Play"
• Baron Zen "Turn Around (Peanut Butter Wolf Instrumental Mix)"
• Finley Quaye "Ultra Stimulation"
• G-Love & Special Sauce "Shooting Hoops"
• Ernie & The Topnotes "Dap Walk"
• The Fabulous Jades "Cold Heat"

Are we not men? This is awesome.

The Broke and the Educated

That's right, I'm talking about the college student. Particularly, the college student of expensive video game habit.

We, the broke and the educated, have hit the most heartbreaking time 2007 has to offer. Ladies and gents, we're are on the eve of Wii-geddon. Every Wii game to get excited about has either just been released or is about to be released. Let's take a look.

Out Currently:

• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - the follow up to Samus' last adventure.
• Mario Strikers Charged - Mario + soccer = the latest sequel.
• Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree - Stretch those brain muscles, kids, because you're in for a bumpy ride.

Out Soon:

• Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast (10/08/07) - The ever interesting looking racing game featuring all of the DK gang.
  
• Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (11/01/07) - Another "Resident Evil." 'Nuff said.
  
• Super Mario Galaxy (11/12/07) - One of the most anticipated Mario titles of all time.
  
• Nights: Journey of Dreams (11/13/07) - Released the day before my birthday (hint hint, parents and friends), this game is sure to be an incredible follow-up to the extremely under-rated title for the Sega Saturn.
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (11/20/07) - Together at last! Let's see some crazy Bowser vs. Eggman hurdling competition (although as my roommate Tyler reminds me, we say "Dr. Robotnik" in this house).
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl (12/03/07) - This explains itself. Can't. Wait.

Where all of this is exciting, I just wish I had the money to afford at least one of these gems. Ah well. It's the way it goes. I'm not bitter.

A true guitar hero

I like to spend most of my time gabbing about "Guitar Hero III" and "Rock Band" on this blog. Let's face it, the games are innovative and right up my alley. They combine two of my greatest obsessions: video games and rock n' roll.

But I'd like to illustrate why these games are so important to me. It's the power that is an electric guitar live on stage. Readers, I've found a video from a Van Halen pre-tour rehearsal (from last week).



Oh dear.

And the reformed Van Halen are coming to Chicago, too (despite my lack of funds and inability to get tickets, but that's not the point of the post).

Eddie Van Halen can still shred. He's an older man, but he's proven that despite years of arguments and controversy, he can still pull out an incredible live performance.

So here's to the kings of guitar that are still shredding today - from Page to Van Halen, from Townshend to Richards. Thank you for performing some of the greatest music and inspiring some of the most amazing video-games.

That's right - because when you play "Guitar Hero", you feel like you're as good as Eddie himself (although not really, but it doesn't hurt to ham it up while you're playing).

Next: a post about an actual video-game!

We Are... Mario!

Funny story: I'm in the journalism department of the communications building on Marshall's campus, about to turn in a story to my professor, when one of my co-workers excitedly comes running up to me.

David (my co-worker): Have you been outside today?
Me: No, I teleported here.
David: They turned the outside of Smith Hall into the Mushroom Kingdom!
Me: (dumbfounded silence)

Sure enough, as I walked out of the building, I saw an installation art piece, where two students had recreated popular props from the Mario series. A series of pipes connected the plaza to different buildings on campus, one of which had a piranha plant sticking out of it, a chain chomp was tethered securely to a tree, and everywhere you looked, ? blocks hung from branches.

I've got some pictures on a Flickr Gallery if you're into that kind of thing. It was a really nice exhibit, and gave me a fresh breath of nostalgia on my way to Spanish 204.

My mistake - I apologize, Harvey

So to those faithful readers out there, a few days ago, I said this about the "Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law" video-game:

And it's an action game - so don't be hoping for one of those "law" games. But here's hoping for your favorite Hanna-Barbera characters showing up with their trouble with the law.

Well, faithful readers, I've never been more wrong. It's absolutely a law game. The source, upon which I read the game's genre as "action," was absolutely false. And here is EVIDENCE!



I rest my case (and apologize, once again).

A Prelude to Smash

I can't tell you how excited I am for "Super Smash Brothers Brawl." We at BTVG can't stop talking about it.

However, I must confess, I haven't paid enough attention to the Smash Bros. DOJO website. I just made a discovery that includes the addition of a character from my brother, Justin Minsker's, favorite game of all time.
That's Wright - Dr. Wright from the Super Nintendo edition of "SimCity".

Plainly put: YES.

Well, you can't play as the good doctor. But periodically, he shows up in something called an "assist trophy." This means that from the trophy, a character will pop out and assist you in your battle.

So how does he help?
Once again...YES!

I can't wait.

Wii Zapper bundle with "Link's Crossbow Challenge" announced

Yeah, you read that right. The long discussed Wii Zapper peripheral, a sort of assault-rifle shaped casing which the Wii Remote and Nunchuck fit inside, will be packaged with an entirely new Zelda game. An on-rails shooter, but a Zelda game nonetheless.


The game, which drops into our hot little hands on Nov. 19 for a retail price of - get this - $19.99, will feature the visuals of Twilight Princess with the gameplay of something you'd expect in House of the Dead.

You have my permission to start getting excited.

Avenger - fetch the cover art!

BIIIIIIIRRRRDMAAAAN!!!!

There isn't much known about the game other than its Fall 2007 release, its wonderful cover-art, and the prayers in my heart that Stephen Colbert will do his assigned voices. The game will also be released for the PS2 and the PSP.

And it's an action game - so don't be hoping for one of those "law" games. But here's hoping for your favorite Hanna-Barbera characters showing up with their trouble with the law.

Worms: A Space Oddity (no years in the future required)

Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick would be proud. Well, actually, David Bowie would be proud.

Well, actually, not at all.

But nonetheless, I'm excited. Why? I love "Worms". Now, put them in space, a-sitting in a tin can. Far above the world. Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do.

I'll stop.

Anyhow, "Worms: A Space Oddity" is going to be released in spring 2008 for the Wii. The difference in the franchise will lie in the Wii's unique control system. Also, players will be able to play friends across the world in intense worm battling action. Thanks, THQ!

If you haven't experience any worms games before, you should just check this out.



Because using ninja-like tactics to kill your friends and enemies is way more fun when you're an invertebrate.

"Rock Band" and the new downloadable content

I love music. I love video games. Naturally, the idea of "Rock Band" gets me almost too excited. (See also my rant about The Who).

Well, "Rock Band" and everyone's good friends at Harmonix have announced additional downloadable content. On top of the prior announced release of "Who's Next", the game will also feature the album "Nevermind" by Nirvana, a bundle of songs by Metallica, and everybody's favorite hippie group, The Grateful Dead.

Songs will include "Sugar Magnolia", "Truckin' ", and "Uncle John's Band." I, in the meantime, will be kickin' back with my copy of "American Beauty" and reflecting on how wonderful life is.