Mario Kart Wii: The Review

I was curious about how the Mario Kart games have progressed over the years. After all, I hadn't played one since the seventh grade or so. Mario Kart 64 is probably one of the all-time classic video games of all time and easily one of the best released for the Nintendo 64. I didn't play Mario Kart: Double Dash for the GameCube since my system stopped working. Thus, I was curious to see how this one would work.

I started up the game and decided to kick it off by playing a two-player vs. match, since that's what I'm accustomed to from childhood. The game was extremely frustrating. I was in first place for approximately ten seconds, then I was hit with some kind of flying blue shell, and then I was in 12th place. The person in 12th place managed to edge me out and get into first place with some magic weapon. To say the least, it was unnecessary. I put it down and stopped playing.

The next day, I was bored. My arms inexplicably moved and picked up a Wiimote and turned on the game. I played the game. And then I kept playing. And then I didn't stop playing.

Mario Kart Wii is a lot of fun. Yes, it's sort of a game of chance, and yes, it's very frustrating at times, but it's addictive. I went from despising the game to wanting to own it in about a day.

People have complaints about the Wii Wheel, which I understand. It's just as easy to shove the Wiimote into a Birkenstock and spin that around. Plus, the controls are better if you just use an old GameCube controller. Regardless, it's easy to get the hang of the steering on the Wiimote.

The soundtrack is obnoxious. The character selection is, at times, pretty unnecessary. There are a lot of different characters to choose that at times, it's hard to imagine wanting to play as Baby Mario or Baby Peach or Rosalina (the woman from Super Mario Galaxy).

More than anything, this is just a fun game to play with your friends. The multiplayer potential is awesome. There's nothing better than a room of people screaming obscenities because they've been hit by a red shell when they had a substantial lead. Ahhh...childhood in grown-up form. Thank you, Mario Kart Wii (because there's nothing more magical then someone loudly complaining about getting a banana peel as a weapon).

Grade: B+

Street Fighter to Hit PS3, 360, and PC (and not the Wii)

A new video game store opened in Chicago that exclusively sells retro video games. In the store, they have a SNES set up where you can play Street Fighter II. My roommate and I played it - I chose E. Honda and he chose Ryu. Now if Tyler would've let loose a solid Hadouken, I would've been pretty easily defeated. However, I managed to pin him into a corner with my hundred-hand slap. Thus, I won. That's why I'm excited about the release of Street Fighter IV.

Street Fighter IV will be released for the PS3, 360, and PC (and not the Wii). No release date has been set, but I'm pretty excited about the game. Here are some facts about it that I found from our friend, Wikipedia (who quoted other sources which I looked at and confirmed, so don't judge me).

1 - The game's story arc takes place between Street Fighter II and Street Fighter III.
2 - This game includes all of the original characters from Street Fighter II, as well as Akuma, Dan, and Fei Long.
3 - There are three confirmed new characters. Crimson Viper is some strange spy character from the States, El Fuerte is a luchador from Mexico, and Abel is a French martial artist.
4 - I'm excited.

Video Game More Successful than iTunes (for lame metal band)?

Remember when I told you about Mötley Crüe's stint with Rock Band? Turns out that worked out for the best.

According to the band, their track "Saints of Los Angeles" sold five times better on the game than it did on iTunes, Amazon.com, and other music retail sites.

I suppose this makes sense. On Rock Band, the song is a challenge. It's not a piece of art, but a level on a video game. People are more interested in the game than the Crüe.

Guitar Hero to Jump the Shark

I won't ramble on too much, but Guitar Hero IV, set to be released later this year, will include more instruments, including a drum kit and vocals according to Activision CEO Bobby Kotick (in an interview with Conde Nast Porfolio magazine). Hmm...this all seems so familiar. Perhaps it's because my copy of Rock Band does exactly the same thing.

Has Guitar Hero lost its way? I talked to my roommate Glenn about his appreciation for Rock Band vs. Guitar Hero. He likes both games. We play Rock Band from time to time, but only when we can get the other to play it. It's harder to get into it by yourself. It's definitely not a game that's very much fun when you're playing it alone. Enter Guitar Hero, a game that's fun both when you're alone and with your friends. Glenn prefers Guitar Hero because you can play it solo without feeling like a fool.

Guitar Hero IV doesn't need to be Rock Band II in order to succeed. It just needs to be itself again. People still bought Guitar Hero III in the face of the much-cooler Rock Band and people will still buy Guitar Hero IV. They just need to keep improving their song choice, graphics, and maybe add a couple of motifs in there that players aren't used to. So, people of Activision, get it together. Don't be Rock Band. It's like every sitcom mom ever said to any sitcom son or daughter - just be yourself.

"Bioshock" heading to PS3

There aren't many details, but it has been confirmed that Bioshock is heading to the PS3.

For those of you who don't know, Bioshock is easily one of the greatest games of last year. It's eerie, it's strange, and boy is it fun. It's like an underwater adventure of killing and zombies and strange little girls who you can either save or kill. OK, so you should probably just play it. It's wonderful.

Guitar Hero of War

It's time to rock out to the tune of Poseidon's help in your bloody quest.

PlayStation Underground members received an e-mail saying that on June 5, a God of War for Guitar Hero III will be released exclusively for the PS3. There's no word as to which song it'll be. That's cool and everything, but where's the Parappa the Rappa song pack?

SNL Tries to Make Video Game Jokes

The people at Saturday Night Live understand the vast popularity of video games and are now trying to capitalize on it. The tragedy is how flat the jokes fall. The last two weeks have toted video game jokes on "Weekend Update." Here's an example.

Last night, Amy Poehler gave an example of how Wii Fit makes you go from this (compliments of mens-weightloss.com):


To this:


Where's the funny, you ask? Couldn't tell you.

Video game culture can be funny. It's easy. Futurama did it quite well. I just wish SNL was either A) funny again or B) going to bring back Horatio Sanz.

SEGA Announces Four Upcoming (Violent) Video Games

Today, SEGA announced they have four new games in development. There isn't a lot of information known, but let's look at what we have already.

The first game is called Madworld. This game looks INCREDIBLY violent and is basically a cross between No More Heroes and Frank Miller's Sin City. The game is completely in black and white, other than the bloodshed. But here's the rub - it comes out for the Wii. It's always nice to hear about an incredibly violent addition to the Wii's repertoire. Here's a trailer, but be cautioned that it's extremely violent.

The next game is a Nintendo DS game called Infinite Line. The game is described to be one of the most complex RPG titles the DS has seen. In the game, you can control multiple spaceships at one time. The game also offers over 200 characters to select. I don't know, maybe this game is going to end up giving me the 'too much space on my iPod' problem where I can't decide what to listen to.

The third game is called Bayonetta. The game is directed by the creator of Devil May Cry, which shows great promise. The teaser trailer is below, but again, it's quite violent.

The last game has no name or title or concept or anything - it only has a name behind it. It's being created by Shinji Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil.

So that covers most of the major platforms while still sprinkling in some pretty awesome concepts and names. Can't wait to check out some of these beauties.

Back in Action

Hey everybody. I know I haven't updated very often. I apologize. I just wanted to thank you for checking for updates. Also, I wanted to let you know that now that school's out for summer, I'll be updating far more often.

Hugs and snuggles,

BTVG

A Less Awesome But Still Fun Guitar Hero

Cool?

Yeah, you can play Guitar Hero via widget now. But don't mind me. I'll be over here playing Free Tetris.

Prince William Beats an 18 Year Old at Wii Sports

P'WNED. (Photo from The Telegraph in London.)

That Royal Family just loves Nintendo. So much, in fact, that Prince William was challenged to a game of Wii Sports by an 18-year-old kid during an official visit. The best part? The prince won. Come on, kid, you're 18. You have nothing better to do than play Wii. What's the problem?

I never thought I would be playing Wii on an official engagement.

Translation: "Bloody right I beat you at Wii Tennis! Who wants some? Who's next? I'm going to be the king one day! Ha! What, are you crying?"

Actually, it sounds like he was a pretty good sport about it and good natured, at that. During the game, he turned to the boy and said, "You know you are not allowed to beat me."

What a guy.

New "Ghostbusters: The Video Game" Screenshots!

Get him, Winston! Yes! New "Ghostbusters: The Video Game" screenshots here! I'm having a fit!

The Indie Rocker Guide to Video Games

So you can go to Pitchforkmedia.com and look at the "Guest List" section and find this information, but I decided to compile it for you anyway. P4K's "Guest List" feature is where they sit down with the artist and ask them a specific set of questions: what's your favorite new band, what's your favorite old song, what's your favorite record store, radio station, etc. In essence, it's a way to get to know the people who make the music you love and, as a plus, you find more music this way. One of the questions on the survey is, "Favorite Video Game at the Moment." Here are some of my favorite artists and their favorite games.

Del tha Funkee Homosapien: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Meric Long of The Dodos: Call of Duty 4
John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats: Super Mario Galaxy, Red Dead Revolver
Joe Goddard of Hot Chip: Mario Party, Pro Evolution Soccer
Jared Phillips of Times New Viking: Halo 3 (but otherwise apathetic)
White Williams: Paper Boy
Thurston Moore: Guitar Hero (but he'd rather read a book)
Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age: none
Kevin Drew: The NHL games
Ian Parton of The Go! Team: none
Aesop Rock: Gears of War, God of War 2, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Tim Harrington of Les Savy Fav: Wii Sports
Patton Oswalt: currently sworn off video games
Eddie Argos of Art Brut: Halo (because he writes funny songs about it)
Dan Deacon: Tetris
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem: Goldeneye 007
Ted Leo: Tetris
Panda Bear: Ape Escape
Greg Saunier of Deerhoof: Qix
Girl Talk: NBA Jam
Josh Grier of Tapes 'n Tapes: Sonic Pinball Party
Colin Meloy of The Decemberists: Dark Castle, Snood

Now here's the challenge: pick an artist who you like and play their favorite game or pick your favorite game and listen to the artist who likes that game. Discovery time!