Portables' Versions of Console Games

Well, we've all done it before. We've all, at one point, played a portable version of a console game. If you haven't, or you think you haven't, then you may actually be surprised. There are quite a few games that are either ports or sequels onto portable consoles. Star Wars: Battlefront is an example. There were the two console versions, then they made a version for the PSP. While the PSP version was deemed bad due to the terrible controls, it did show that portable consoles could do something. Similar to the Game Boy Advance ports of SNES games, like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Super Mario World. Another example that I know of would be the Trackmania Series. For those who don't know what it is, it is an arcade racer (Point "A" to point "B" in the shortest amount of time, but the cars can't affect others in this game's case), and its portable version was a great version, in which it had three of the seven environments and the famous level editor it is well known for. Then we have the Call of Duty franchise and its two additions onto the DS. They were quite good, in their own right, for a portable game. Now, the main question we all need to know is that if this activity should be encouraged. Well, what I specifically mean about having a Console game on a portable is that the console one came first, then they made the portable one based off of the console one, not like releasing them both at the same time (Such as movie games). Well, for starters, the visual capabilities of portable consoles are starting to increase significantly (speaking of the DS and PSP), and storage space for portable consoles are also starting to increase as well. Now, would it be fun to have the same exact same game on both console and portable? No. However, a lot of people are on the go, and don't always have time to be playing games. Perhaps that is one reason why The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass was put on the DS (or maybe the DS was long overdue for a Zelda game...or at least not have it on a console). Plus, production budgets are much cheaper having it on a portable than on a console, so that can also be considered another positive. Having sequels on the portable consoles is also a nice tactic that some companies use, but it may be a good thing or a bad thing in some occasions? So, is it really a good idea to have portable consoles like the DS and the PSP base or port games off of consoles? Well, like I said, it just depends on what it is and how it is executed (Phantom Hourglass used the touch screen controls, so that was a positive). So, there's no real base line in general, but there's a line for which games can be on a portable and go with us everywhere and which ones are not worth the AA batteries and are much better at home on your big screen TV (of which I don't own).

Happy Thanksgiving & Black Friday

First, I'd like to wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving. I'd figure I'd make a post about 12 hours before the big Macy's parade.

However, its Black Friday that really gets gamers, even though not many stores do things for gaming. The only game thing I found was a DS Lite at Wal*Mart, yet nothing so far from Gamestop, EB Games, etc. Then again, it seems almost like Black Friday each day with the whole used games concept. I'm not advertising stores, but if the gaming industry wants a major comeback, they should try Black Friday for a chance. Maybe something on XBOX Marketplace or something would be awesome. Then again, console prices dropped big time. So, I guess we shouldn't whine too much, and be thankful they dropped the price of something...

Nintendo and Sony's Worst Nightmare

Well, we've all heard of the console wars. However, we can all start to formulate Nintendo and Sony's worst nightmare. It isn't Microsoft. In fact, it is Microsoft's worst nightmare in the computer world as well. No, it isn't homebrew or piracy (but they're quite a large foe as well), but rather Apple. When you honestly think about it, the Apple computers have almost no games on it (or the cheap little games that Apple calls games that appear on Windows and Linux as standard games). However, I'm not talking about Apple and its lack of games. I'm rather talking about Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch.

For starters, the iPhone/Touch are superior in multimedia such as video, photos, music, web, etc. Plus, they have an app store with over 100k apps. In addition, the iPhone has Internet access on AT&T's 3G network (of which I'm not a fan of). Even though the DSi and PSP can do these things, the iPhone/Touch does these things a lot better. However, the DSi and PSP have way better games, though. Most of the stuff on the iPhone/Touch is mainly basic games that look cheaper than what appears on the DSi Store.

Plus, the DS does way better at the touch screen than the iPhone/Touch, as demonstrated in Phantom Hourglass. The only touch screen win the iPhone/Touch has is that the touch screen is compatible with touching multiple spots at the same time. If you try this on the DS, it will think it is the edge of a massive stylus that is half the size of the screen. Of course, the DS and PSP also have D-pads as well, which enables the use of a more classic feeling that the iPhone/Touch cannot emulate. I'm actually not much a fan of using touch screens with fingers, especially with keyboards. I would rather prefer buttons or joysticks, something that a touch screen significantly lacks.

The DS's Greatest Misunderstanding

The DS is perhaps one of the most unique systems ever released with its touch screen, microphone, and dual screen system. However, for some reason, it is the racing genres that make use of the dual screen design, which is actually a good thing. The typical racer has a cluttered HUD with speed, position, damage, map, weapon, etc. The dual screen is actually underrated because it clears it up. There are some games that take away the HUD for space, but you must typically stand still to see it. However, the player must constantly alternate at looking both screens, and it can do a significant number on both the graphics card and the processor, especially where polygons are present on both screens, such as boss battles in Phantom Hourglass. Still, the DS is a great console that is unappreciated by gamers and the 3rd party, just like the N64.

Minigame Surplus?

Honestly, what is up with all of the mini-game games on the Wii? Plus, why are they all the exact same thing? I know, the third party hasn't liked Nintendo since the Nintendo 64, but, don't you think they would want to give them a second chance? It is these things that scare away the hardcore gamers to the Xbox360 and PS3. I mean, the 360 and the PS3 have better visual capabilities and a larger capacity, but that is really no excuse to diss the Wii. One of the only reasons Nintendo is still classified as a hardcore/family company is due to the first and second party. However, there are still games like Final Fantasy and Residient Evil that help out the cause. However, the 3rd party should not be scared or anything. I'm just saying that if the 3rd party acted like the 1st party by producing more hardcore games and such.

2.5D vs. 2D

Yes, these two game types are in fierce competition. The classic 2D side scroller with games such as Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, etc. with all of its sprites and such on consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Nintendo DS, etc. However, in our new age of polygons and textures (well, not that new), sprites have been suffering a trend of becoming obsolete by new technologies, such as creating 3D models to go on flat 2-dimensional planes. A good comparison would have to be Super Mario Bros. and The New Super Mario Bros.

The original game for the NES had nice flowing sprites, but each sprite took up quite some space. In New Super Mario Bros., they had live-rendered polygon-filled models, of which didn't take as much space, because it was simply one model and the game specifying how it should bend and morph. However, in more modern games with high-polygon models and high-resolution textures, simple high-resolution sprites actually sounds better. However, it depends mainly on the resolution and quality of the game. If it is something like The Legend of Zelda: Four Sword Adventures, then you would want to have 2D mainly to have a larger over world and also be able to work with the Game Boy Advance. However, it could have also been in 2D to maintain the style that was achieved in the original game and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. Of course, a 3D version of the game would have worked if models from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker were used. So, it mainly depends on what the producers are aiming for when it comes to making the game. It also helps to achieve a certain art style or animation technique. Some want a fluid and cartoonish look, while some want a more nostalgic look in the modern era.

Petman's Mind Store

OK, yes, I really did open up a store. No, it isn't one of those kiosks you find in the mall (But it's like it), for I don't have the money for that (Why did you think I opened it up in the first place?). Instead, I've opened up a CafePress store for your viewing pleasure. I don't mind if you don't purchase anything, but its just something I made out of the blue. Yes, this is a promise that more things are coming back. So, without further ado, I present to you my store.

http://www.cafepress.com/PetmansMind