A Video Game Story that the Media Keeps Forgetting About and Remembering

"Hey boss, I've got a story idea."
"What is it, Johnson?"
"There's this game that helps kids lose weight. There's a local kid that lost a bunch of weight by playing this game."
"You're lying. I don't have time for this."
"No, really boss! It's a video game and it's good for kids."
"You've lost your mind!"
"I haven't boss, it's called (insert game title here)!"
"That's brilliant! Why didn't they think of this before?! Run that story immediately, son! We're breaking the story of ages!"

Aaaaaand scene.

I don't mean to be a cynic, but if there's anything that I've learned, it's that video games + anything that doesn't lead to adolescent violence = a miraculous news story of ages. USA Today did a story about Dance Dance Revolution in 2004 about the weight loss opportunities the game provides for younger kids (six years after the game initially came out). Today, The Clarion Ledger came out with an extremely similar story about the game.

Have any of you guys heard about Wii Fit? It's new, it's timely, and it still helps kids lose weight. Why don't you start playing that story before ten years pass?

Again, I apologize for being the neighborhood cynic.

Sonic Unleashed(?)

Looks a lot like the original Sonic platforms for the Genesis, right?


So there isn't an official announcement, but there has been a slew of rumors over the weekend. Sonic Unleashed is possibly making it to Xbox 360, PS3, and the Wii. From the sound of it, no official announcement will be made until E3 or May. It looks like a cross between a next-gen Sonic the Hedgehog and a follow-up to Sonic and the Secret Rings. Either way, it looks intriguing.

Messin' With the Kid

Rumors have been reeling about a new Kid Icarus game for the Wii. Seriously, you can't swing a cat in a video game blog without hitting some more speculation.

Personally, I never played the original game. I'm honestly only interested in the prospect of a new Kid Icarus installment because of how awesome Pit is in Super Smash Bros.

If there are any official announcements, I'll hit you with them - especially if anything arises from E3. But is anybody else hoping for this thing?

SEGA's Take on Iron Man

Say it with me, everybody.

I AM IRON MAN.

Anybody else giddy?

Bomberman Land - the Review

I am a long-time advocate of Bomberman. That cute little guy without eyebrows, toting a white jumpsuit? Oh he's the best. I mean, any character that can make a science out of bombing is admirable - especially if they make it fun for the kids!

Bomberman Land is the perfect kids game. The mini-games are simplistic and fun, while still being challenging. The dialogue and plot in the adventure mode is quite easy to understand if you're just learning how to read. The problem, however, is that I've been reading for quite a long time.

So how does this game differ from the original Bomberman? Well there are a ton of mini-games that are repetitive and aimless, there's an actual plot (although the story is pretty hard to digest), and it encourages you to do more than run around and bomb your friends.

Unfortunately, the classic battle mode is the only thing that really keeps this game interesting. One of the most timeless games in history is probably Bomberman 64. I still play that consistently with my friends. I can't imagine a world where it won't be an entertaining game.

So if your young child wants a game for the Wii, I recommend Bomberman Land. If you're in college and like the original Bomberman, wait until they re-release it for WiiWare later this year.

Grade: C-

Super Smash Bros.: Brawl - the Review

It was 11 a.m., but due to Daylight Savings Time, I thought it was 10 a.m. I looked at my computer screen when it dawned on me that I was an hour late to go to Best Buy and pick up my own copy of Super Smash Bros.: Brawl.

I rushed out the door, jumped on a bus, and waited in tooth-chattering anticipation to run into Best Buy and snatch up one of the few remaining copies. After all, the Chicago RedEye told me that it was going to be a hot commodity.

The bus pulls up next to Best Buy. I run in. I look frantically around. And there it is. An entire shelf full of the game, none of them to have been bought.

Now to the actual review. Sorry for the prosey intro about my internal struggle.

Super Smash Bros.: Brawl, in short, is every nerd's greatest dreams come true. You don't have to pay for online mode, you get to play as Solid Snake, Sonic, or Mario (although you gotta love Luigi in this one), and it's incredibly fun.

Play it with your friends, play it alone, or play it online - this game will be eternally fun. Like Melee before it, this game isn't dated. It just keeps being fun.

There are mini-game time wasters and you may very well fry your brain playing this game for hours and hours, but its worth it. With songs from games in years past and even the classic Donkey Kong level as one of the possibilities, this game is a nostalgic overload.

Plus its really surreal seeing Sonic become invincible from one of Mario's classic stars.

I love this game. I could write volumes about how much I love this game. I could write ballads and love notes to this game. You can use a variety of controls, play a number of characters, and go through the extensive adventure mode without getting bored. The soundtrack isn't even annoying! In all honesty, I wish I wasn't reviewing this game so I could go and play it.

Buy this game - take it in.

Grade: A+

WiiWare - What to Expect

Have you heard about WiiWare? Let me drop some knowledge on you.

WiiWare is essentially an extra facet of the Wii Shop Channel. Taking a cue from the Xbox Live Arcade, it will feature games specifically developed for the Wii (you know, instead of the TurboGrafx 16). The new games will hit on May 12, 2008. And what are these games? Let's check it out.

- Defend Your Castle - The bloody stick figure game of little strategy and lots of death. It's unnecessary, and I would recommend playing it online instead of spending five bucks on it. If you want to play it, check it out here.
- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King - Interesting. Check out the Italian trailer.

- LostWinds - Again, one of the cooler looking things releasing for WiiWare. Control the power of the wind to help a young spirit guide...you know, it just sounds stupid unless you see a picture.

See, there's your little guy, and the blue line is the Wiimote telling him to move - with the power of the wind!

There are only a few examples. Any questions?

Another Waste of Wii Space

Trying to come up with some cool multi-platform ideas, Nintendo has outdone itself with the ridiculously unnecessary Wii TV Guide Channel, released today in Japan (with no current plans to invade Europe or North America, mind you).

"Friends" again?

It's a TV Guide that you can see on your Wii, which also turns your WiiMote into a universal remote (in Japan), so that's kind of cool (in Japan). You can also see what your friends are planning on watching.

Not interested! Keep trying, Nintendo.