One Duck's Opinion

Evolving One Duck's Opinion

2008-08-21T00:11:00.004-04:00

I'm not sure how to put this, so I hope you understand what I'm about to say. One Duck's Opinion is going to be changing a little. Before you freak out, allow me to say that I will still write, I will still give my opinions, and I will still review and comment on video games.

What's going to change is the formerly narrow subject pool. From this day forward, One Duck's Opinion will no longer be almost entirely about Nintendo. As I've said before, my two main gaming platforms are Wii and PC. Thus, One Duck's Opinion will start to feature more coverage and discussion of PC-related news and reviews. Again, I will still talk about Nintendo, but computer-centric articles are going to be added into the mix. Adding a little RollerCoaster Tycoon to the Super Mario, some Half-Life 2 to the Metroid. Well, not literally, of course. Those combinations would make terrible cross-overs.

I don't wish to alienate any of my established readers here, so if you are angered or upset by this change, please let me know. It's just that I have changed a lot over the last fifteen months, and I feel the blog has to evolve with me. I hope you can all respect and accept this change, as it is something I feel I have to do. As of late I've been playing almost nothing but PC, and it's beginning to occupy my mind more than Nintendo and their games. I still have a love for the consoles made by Nintendo and the games available for them, of course. I still play my DS and Wii just about every day. It's just that the computer in my bedroom is starting to take up a larger slice out of my gaming pie.

If this change meets with negative reception, I'll reconsider, I assure you. I don't want to disappoint anyone out there who likes the blog in its current form. As for now, though, I feel it's a necessary change. I hope you can all accept this happily.

One Duck's Opinion will return this Friday with a brand-new review and renewed enthusiasm. Well, I will, at least. Until then, I hope you all have a great time doing whatever it is you do. This is PsychoDuck, signing off.

Yeah, I suppose you saw this coming.

2008-08-19T02:52:00.002-04:00

No article today. Oh dear. Sorry, I guess. I don't know, saying sorry means to little now, considering how many times I've said it. I dunno about this schedule deal anymore... I gotta think about some stuff. Something on Wednesday is a target for me, so keep an eye out, I guess.

The Duck Has Spoken.

Poll #53: "What do you think of Pokémon Platinum?" results, banner

2008-08-18T23:55:00.004-04:00

"It looks amazing!" 7 votes (25%)
"Could be fun" 9 votes (32%)
"I don't care all that much for it" 3 votes (10%)
"Enough freaking Pokémon already!" 4 votes (14%)
"I don't know" 1 votes (3%)
"Wait, there's a Pokémon Platinum now?" 4 votes (14%)

Well, that's a majority of positive votes. I suppose I can't blame those who voted negatively, though. Pokémon isn't for everyone, and there sure is a lot of it...

Hey, look at this banner! Yes, I finally managed to make something this week, and I tried something a little different (In more ways than one). First of all, this banner has nothing to do with Nintendo. It's all about Team Fortress 2, folks! I really, really love me some Team Fortress 2. Probably the best online shooter I have ever, EVER played. Also, check out what I did with the site name. I thought that was an interesting idea. Really blends in with the image, without standing out. I always found that to be a problem, but that isn't the case today!

Alright, that just leaves the matter of this weeks poll: "What do you think of Nintendo's upcoming Wii releases?" If we narrow it down to the games with release dates, that leaves just Mario Super Sluggers and Animal Crossing: City Folk. Not very much, huh? Just be happy Nintendo isn't the only company developing for the Wii, and also be glad that third parties are starting to step up their game.

New article may or may not be up tonight. If not, I'll make a post saying I'm lazy and terrible at keeping schedules.

The Duck Has Spoken.

Dr. Mario Online Rx review

2008-08-16T00:05:00.012-04:00

Developer: Arika
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: May 26th, 2008
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Mario has taken on many different jobs over the years. From his base occupation of plumber, Nintendo's mascot has also been a soccer player, tennis star, kart racer and even a toy factory tycoon. None of these jobs would have been possible, though, had it not been for the NES title Dr. Mario. This was the first Mario game ever to portray him as something other than a plumber (Excluding his "Jumpman" persona in Donkey Kong), and it paved the way for many genre-breaking games starring everyone's favourite Italian plumber. Dr. Mario is a very important title to the history of Nintendo, and it finally made the transition to WiiWare in Dr. Mario Online Rx.

Dr. Mario Online Rx is just like any other Dr. Mario game. Each level sees the good doctor (Or the player's Mii, if desired) tossing pills into a bottle-shaped playing field to destroy the primary-coloured viruses. The gameplay is quite simply, really, just like any puzzle game should be. Just match up four or more of the same colour in a row (Vertically or horizontally, but not diagonally), and it disappears. Those four can be any combination of viruses and pills, too, so it's possible to take out multiple viruses in one hit, as well as just destroy some junk pieces that are lying around.

To maneuver the pill into position, it can be rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise, and move left or right as it slowly descends. There is no way to move a pill upwards, so thinking fast is key. If players don't move quickly, the pills will pile up. A full bottle means game over, so be attentive!

Those little buggers won't be smiling for long...

Every single-player round starts off on a level of the player's choosing, and the higher the level, the more viruses there are to be destroyed. The player can only select levels on a chart from 0 to 20, although beating level 20 does lead to 21, 22, 23, and so on. Eventually, the amount of viruses added to each level gets to a limit, and the only remaining factor of increasing difficulty is stamina (Although players can increase the falling speed at the options screen, but not during a game). I can hardly beat level 17, so I shudder at what playing fifty levels-straight of the exact same brutal difficulty! My eyes and hands would surely disintegrate (In that order, too)!

Each level has a preset high score, and one of the goals (Other than survival) is to surpass it. Getting a high score depends heavily on setting up combos. When destroying a virus or spare pills, any capsules left out of the match-up will fall to the bottom of the jar. If enough pills fall onto a like-coloured target further down in the bottle, the object will be destroyed immediately, thus creating a combo. In fact, if it weren't for space constraints, it would be perfectly possible to set up an infinite combo.

Basically, that's the entirety of Dr. Mario right there. Just keep tossing those pills in and fighting off the viruses, wash, rinse, repeat. Nothing ever really changes other than the virus count, so that's kind of a bummer. I though it'd be cool if your pills started to speed up in the higher levels, but that just isn't so. Although, after voicing my concerns on difficulty earlier, perhaps it's best for my sanity that this doesn't happen.

Also present in Dr. Mario Online Rx is another variant on the game called Virus Buster. Originally a bonus game in Brain Age 2: More Brain Training in Minutes a Day, Virus Buster is like a simplified version of the basic Dr. Mario formula. Instead of moving the pills with the D-pad, they instead have to be grabbed with the Wii remote's pointer and A button. The pills are rotated by holding the cursor over them, and tapping either A (Clockwise) or B (Counter-clockwise). This can be a bit of a problem, though, seeing as the A button serves two functions. While holding the button grabs the pill, tapping the button rotates it. Accidentally grabbing a pill when meaning to rotate it can mess you up pretty easily. As if it weren't hectic enough in Dr. Mario!

Virus Buster makes its console debut in Dr. Mario Online Rx

Virus Buster increases the difficulty each level in a manner similar to Dr. Mario, but with one minor addition. In Virus Buster, several pieces begin to fall at the same time when a certain amount of time passes. Up to three pills can fall at once, requiring quick reflexes in order to succeed.

Another minor change is the ability to grab and manipulate falling debris. This adds a new level of strategy to the game, allowing players to quickly scramble to salvage all they can of their combo leftovers. A pretty neat little evolution of the game, and I certainly welcome it.

Generally, the gameplay in Virus Buster is pretty solid. However, I have noticed one minor glitch. It is very possible to drag a piece through a solid line of pills and viruses, pulling it over to the other side of the obstruction. While not game-breakingly bad, it's an annoying little quirk that shouldn't have been present in the final version. It kind of removes some of the challenge when a pill can merely be swiped through a tower of objects. Still, I'm surprised to see it in the final release.

Ultimately, I still prefer the original Dr. Mario heavily over Virus Buster. It's still nice to see a new take on a classic, though, and I applaud the developer for giving a good try.

Dr. Mario and Virus Buster still use the same basic presentation of the previous titles, except with cleaner 3D models making up the doctors and viruses. The pills and viruses in the playing field itself are still nothing more than sprites, although they are incredibly crisp and lively, especially with Virus Buster's enlarged display. The 3D main screen and milestone animations are really clean, too. Overall, Dr. Mario Online Rx is a very good-looking puzzler.

If there's one video game song that has really stuck with me over the years, it's the Dr. Mario main theme. That catchy little tune constantly surfaces as I hum during my daily chores. Thankfully, the original soundtrack and more from the NES game have returned in Dr. Mario Online Rx, completely remixed and just downright amazing. The game includes four catchy tunes to choose from, each one with its own medical-themed name: Chill, Fever, Sneeze and Cough. Personally, I'm a "Chill" kinda guy. Can't go wrong with a classic!

A little less fantastic, though, are the sound effects, which never amount to more than standard puzzle game fare. Blips, bloops, and a few garbled yells from the viruses are all you really get. Despite the simplicity, though, I can't really think of anything I'd change.

Some of my fondest gaming memories are of playing Dr. Mario on the NES with my family, and I got to relive those glory days again through Online Rx. The multiplayer is basically the same as the normal game, but with one minor twist. When players pull off a combo, blocks corresponding to those destroyed descend upon the other player's screen. For a two-piece combo, two blocks will fal, and then three for a three-piece combo, and finally, four for a four-piece combo. However, any combo larger than that doesn't attack the opponent any more than a four-piece combo would. You can still show off your insane Dr. Mario skills, but your opponent will feel no additional blow (Other than a psychological one).

Multiplayer: Good, clean, frantic fun.

There are two ways to win a round of multiplayer Dr. Mario: Clearing all the viruses on your half of the screen, or by causing the opponent to block the top of the bottle with pills (Just like losing in the single-player game).

Sadly, the four-player mode from Dr. Mario 64 is absent in Online Rx. Only two players may battle it out at once, which is a bit of a drag. Two player is still fun, but having four would be a blast.

Virus Buster also has its own multiplayer mode, but unlike the standard game, it is cooperative. Players instead work together on one bottle to destroy all the viruses, and teamwork is definitely key here. Also, unlike Dr. Mario, Virus Buster supports up to four players. Call the parents, it's a virus-busting party!

Virus Buster opens the door for four players to get in on the fun.

Finally, players can also take the battle online with Dr. Mario (Pretty much a given due to the "Online Rx" in its name), fighting against both friends and strangers from all around the world. The ranking system in Dr. Mario Online Rx is much like that of Mario Kart Wii. Each player starts off with 5000 points when they first go online. Each win adds points, and each loss takes away points. This helps determine match-ups in game, making it so you always face people of a similar skill level.

I've experienced nothing but perfectly smooth, lag-free gaming in all the time I've played Dr. Mario online. Connecting is quick, finding opponents is a matter of seconds, and the battles start almost immediately after you find someone to play against. Impressive, especially for a WiiWare release. Dr. Mario Online Rx definitely scores some big points in this department.

I think it's somewhat silly to even ask how long this game will last, but, it's a necessary part of the review. The simple answer is, I've been playing practically this exact same game for almost my whole life, and I never get tired of it. Having it on the Wii is just so much more convenient than resurrecting my NES. And now, if nobody else is home, I can still find an opponent online. Dr. Mario Online Rx is sure to be one of my most-played WiiWare games, if not my most-played Wii game altogether. You just can't beat the classics.

SUMMARY

Gameplay: 9.0/10
Dr. Mario has always been a favourite franchise of mine, and now I get to enjoy it all over again. I just love this puzzle design, and it never seems to get old. And Virus Buster, while it has its flaws, still manages to bring something fresh and fun to the Dr. Mario formula. Online Rx is a winning package in my books.

Graphics: 8.0/10
Everything is just so bright and crisp in Online Rx, although the majority of the graphics are still two-dimensional and sprite based. The 3D doctors and viruses flanking the play field are very nice touches, though. The pills and viruses in-play look even better when magnified in Virus Buster, making Online Rx pretty good-looking for a puzzle game.

Audio: 8.25/10
All original songs from past Dr. Mario games make a return in Online Rx, newly remixed and just as catchy as before. While the music is fantastic, the sound effects never go beyond anything you'd expect from a standard puzzle game.

Multiplayer: 9.3/10
Everything to do with multiplayer in Online Rx is an absolute blast. Playing against a friend, working with your family or pummeling some sap across the globe, it's all just so much fun. The only real problem I have is the lack of four-player Dr. Mario, which would have been a great addition. Otherwise, Dr. Mario's multiplayer is flawless.

Longevity: 9.7/10
I've been playing Dr. Mario nearly my whole life, and there's nothing stopping me from carrying on this legacy with Online Rx. It's an amazing upgrade of one of my favourite puzzlers ever, and I could definitely spend a whole day playing nothing but this.

OVERALL: 9.3/10
Dr. Mario Online Rx is a fantastic puzzle game in almost every way. From playing alone to fighting a friend to destroying some dude in Europe, Dr. Mario is a blast no matter how I look at it. Virus Buster adds a bit of variety to the mix, and while it could use a bit of polishing, it's still a welcome addition. Online Rx is sure to be a staple of my gaming habits for a long time.

Discuss This Article On The Forums

What kind of gamer am I?

2008-08-13T23:44:00.005-04:00

As of late, a whole lot of classifying words have been flying around. Hardcore, casual and mainstream seem to pop up more than any others. Looking at all these different groups and their descriptions, though, I can't figure out where exactly it is I fit in.

"Hardcore" generally refers to one who prefers action, gripping stories and awesome graphics over much else. However, the hardcore gamer also tends to avoid games like Animal Crossing and Picross, two titles that get so very much playtime out of me. Thus, I am not a "hardcore" gamer.

"Casual" usually entails buying games only now and then, as well as gravitating towards the simpler and more pick-up-and-play titles. While I enjoy many games intended for the casual gamer, I buy and play video games far too often to be considered one. That means I'm not a "casual" gamer, either.

"Mainstream" gamers tend to play a lot of shooters and action games, titles with instant, violent gratification and plenty of grit. While I enjoy games like these from time to time, I also enjoy so many other classes of virtual entertainment. So, I can't be a "mainstream" gamer.

What does that leave? There is no real term that refers to the type of gamer that I am. I play all sorts of games, from shooters to social simulators to strategy games. From Team Fortress 2 to Animal Crossing, I do it all. What does that make me?

Looking at all the words in the English language, I can't seem to find one that, when combined with "gamer", describes my playing habits. For a while I considered the title of "True Gamer", but I felt that to be stuck up and elitist. I also thought that maybe "Just-For-Fun Gamer" would work, but that sounded too much like a casual gamer. No combination of words seems to describe the kind of gamer that I am.

Looking at it all, I'm beginning to think that this whole classification deal is pointless. No two gamers are truly alike, and thus, no groups or classes of gamers can be decided. To me, the words "casual", "hardcore" and "mainstream" mean very little. Wii Sports, The Conduit, Super Mario Galaxy, they're all the same to me. They're all just games. And us...

We're all just gamers

Discuss This Article On The Forums

What else could Nintendo have in store for the Wii?

2008-08-12T01:18:00.006-04:00

It's after 1 AM, and I'm only just now starting to write. Not my best scheduling ever.

At any given time, Nintendo has literally dozens of games in development. As of this writing, we know of only twelve or so. What else could they be working on? Here are a few of my guesses.

First off, I'm almost positive Nintendo has a new Star Fox in the works. Both Shigeru Miyamoto and series creator Takaya Imamura have spoken about a Star Fox Wii in the past hypothetically. Really, it's a no-brainer that this game will happen. Just look at that control scheme! The Wii remote is a natural fit for flying the Arwing, and I'm somewhat surprised to have not seen anything yet. Perhaps it will use the Wii MotionPlus? That would explain the drought of news so far.

Next, I'm thinking that a new Excite Truck is on the way. There's too much potential in this game to just not have a sequel. It had a few problems, yes, like a limited, two-player-only multiplayer and no online at all, but the potential was amazing. I'm sure Nintendo is thinking the same thing, and a sequel is almost certainly at least in the planning stages. This, too, could take advantage of Wii MotionPlus, allowing for more precise and accurate steering, as well as some new tricks. Man, now I'm really pumped for this... Make it happen, Nintendo!

With the recent news regarding Kuju developing another Wii game, thoughts of Battalion Wars 3 immediately surfaced. I love the Battalion Wars series (Published by Nintendo), and the second title proved just how well the franchise fits with the Wii control scheme. A third game developed by Kuju looks like a good bet, and the MotionPlus could definitely become a part of it. I can just imagine the amazingly-precise aerial combat controls... It's official: This needs to happen.

I'm thinking that another WarioWare game may also be in development. Just imagine, Wario's insanity mixed with the Balance Board... Totally nuts. Pack the Balance Board in with the game, and you've got a winner. Standing on one foot, leaning to avoid projectiles, and even stepping off the board at the right time are all possible uses for the Balance Board, and I can see them fitting in very well with the WarioWare formula. I'd honestly be more surprised if Nintendo isn't working on this.

Another Metroid also seems pretty likely. Corruption proved just how amazing a first-person shooter could be on the Wii, and I doubt Nintendo would just use that formula once and then leave it to die. Sure, Retro may not be behind it this time around, but the potential is too great to go ignored. The controls in Corruption were just so darn amazing, I want to experience them all over again, and then some. I just know some more amazing uses for the controller could be thought up. Nintendo surely won't let this opportunity pass them by.

So there you have it, five possibilities for upcoming Wii games. I'm nearly positive at least three of these will appear on the Wii sometime in it's lifespan. The only question now is when.

Discuss This Article On The Forums

The Duck Has Spoken.

Poll #52: "How much do you want The Conduit?" results, no new banner

2008-08-12T01:09:00.003-04:00

"I want it a whole lot!" 14 votes (42%)
"I sort of want it" 8 votes (24%)
"I'm not really too keen on it" 5 votes (15%)
"Looks like crap" 0 votes (0%)
"I don't know" 1 vote (3%)
"What the heck's The Conduit?" 5 votes (15%)

Well, the majority of people who actually know what The Conduit is seem pretty interested. Can't blame them, really, what with the amazing graphics and huge potential. Also, High Voltage really "gets" the Wii, so it will be quite interesting to see what they manage to deliver.

There is no new banner today. Why? Well, nobody submitted one, and I can't think of a single good idea. Not one. I tried making maybe six different banners, and they all sucked. Oh well, I suppose having this one up for one more week won't hurt.

Finally, as for this week's poll, the subject is "What do you think of Pokémon Platinum?". Personally, it looks like the most updated of any "third" Pokémon game so far. A brand new, messed-up dimension, mini-games, an updated story, a crazy new Battle Frontier, and a whole lot of really impressive 3D graphics. Seriously looks like one hell of a game.

New article will be up in a little bit!

The Duck Has Spoken.

Nintendo crossovers we'll never see

2008-08-08T23:58:00.010-04:00

No, I don't really think any of the below crossovers are a particularly good idea. Well, except for maybe Chibi-Robo... Otherwise, it's all bull crap.

Marvel vs. Capcom, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and Drawn to Life: Spongebob Squarepants Edition. These are just three of the many video games crossovers so far released or conceived. So many of these "worlds collide" video games are so insanely out-there that it's amazing they were ever even thought up. Sometimes they seem to just pick two random franchises and see if they can be slapped together. Well, whether or not that's how these games come about, that's exactly the approach I took here. So, without further ado, I present three insanely out-there game crossovers featuring Nintendo franchises, complete with phony synopses. Enjoy.

Chibi-Robo is back from the park and heading home once more in Chibi-Robo: Katamari for the Nintendo Wii. Strange happenings are now taking place in the Hoshino household, and little Chibi-Robo is sent straight to Japan for his next adventure. All over the country, for no apparent reason, anything resembling a cleaning tool is disappearing. There isn't even anything left for the little robot to use as a tiny broom! With this catastrophe taking place, Chibi-Robo is placed in the Hoshino family household to clean up as well as he can, while simultaneously keeping a robotic eye out for any bizarre happenings.

Poor little Chibi-Robo does his best to clean up, but sadly, he simply cannot work all that efficiently without a proper tool to clean with. Noticing the little robots troubles, Mutsuo Hoshino cries up to the heavens in an appeal to the King of All Cosmos. However, the royal family is on vacation in Prague at the moment, and can't be bothered to help. The King feels bad, though, and sends down one tiny Katamari to the Hoshino household, only this time the Prince doesn't come with it. A tiny little note is attached to the Katamari, far too small for any of the Hoshino family to read, so Telly Vision reads it out loud to the household. It says that Chibi-Robo can use this Katamari, but with a catch: Each ball of trash he collects must be sent to the King to be properly disposed of. The little robot thinks this is a fair deal, and sets off to use his new tool.

In Chibi-Robo: Katamari, the objective is to clean the Hoshino household as thoroughly as possible. Problem is, the Hoshino family is a very sloppy one, with food, garbage and various other litter constantly being dropped onto the floor. This is no match for the Katamari, though! As the ball grows, so does its gathering ability. Soon enough, it's big enough to pick up animals, people, and even entire buildings. Nothing is safe from the cleaning power of the Katamari!

Chibi-Robo: Katamari features a huge cast of lovable characters, as well as several returning personalities from the two franchises. What could happen when Funky Phil meets the Origami Kid? Play to find out!

Chibi-Robo: Katamari is being cooperatively developed by Namco Limited and Nintendo, and is expected to be released between next Tuesday and January 27th, 2063.

Bullet Bills meet .45 caliber Magnum rounds in Grand Theft Kart. A joint production between Nintendo and Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Kart looks to bring together two of the most well-known franchises in the industry together in a true battle royale on the Nintendo Wii.

Niko Bellic has grown tired of Liberty City. He's seen everything there is to see, stolen every car worth stealing, and killed all who deserved to die. Riding his motorcycle to wherever the road takes him, he winds up in the Mushroom Kingdom, land of superhero plumbers and fungal townsfolk. It should go without saying that Niko doesn't exactly fit in with the local crowd, and noting a lack of strict law enforcement, he decides to do whatever he pleases. This doesn't sit too well with a certain Italian plumber, and things soon turn sour. The pudgy tradesman challenges Niko to a series of races to determine who gets to stay and who must leave. And so begins the next installment in two of the largest franchises in all of gaming, a clash of culture, ESRB ratings and art styles, in the biggest game of ~~2008~~ ~~2009~~ ~~2012~~ whenever Nintendo decides to finally release it.

The gameplay is simple, yet addictive. Players get to choose from dozens of vehicles, from Mario's trademark go-kart to a cement truck Niko carjacked on the freeway. Mario Kart's signature item system makes a full return, with brand new items such as exploding Yoshi eggs, descent-slowing umbrellas and rocket launchers joining the fray. While using items effectively does lead to a better standing in the end, it doesn't sit too well with the newly-established Toad police force. While the use of items such as Koopa shells, banana peels and Bullet Bills is A-OK by their "For the Sake of Comedy" by-law, more violent weapons such as Desert Eagles, steel baseball bats and rocket launchers leads to an increase in the player's heat level. If things get too hot, you've got two choices: Try to avoid the police in a fast-paced, mid-race chase, or dash over to Monty Mole's Auto Shop and get a new coat of paint to fool the cops.

Another key feature in Grand Theft Kart is free-roaming gameplay between races. Drive and walk about the Mushroom Kingdom, stealing karts, shooting Koopas and robbing Item Shops as you please. Beneath this cheery layer of happiness, though, lies the true evil of the Mushroom Kingdom. Niko slowly becomes privy to information regarding Kingpin Bowser's secret underground mushroom ring, and hears of plans to overthrow the Toadstool family's rule. Players can choose to take either side in this turf war, working for or against the evil Bowser and his many, one-hit-to-kill henchmen.

Grand Theft Kart is a huge step forward for both of these franchises, and it's thanks to the brilliantly messed-up minds at both Rockstar Games and Nintendo that this game will one day become a reality. Just don't expect it any time before the apocalypse.

RED and BLU meet GREEN in this Wii-exclusive version of Valve's critically-acclaimed Team Fortress 2. A simple farm hand, Link finds himself thrust into a bizarre new universe, full of modern weaponry and a mercifully low amount of high-pitched fairy yammering. He has no idea how he got here, his mind totally devoid of any memory regarding this inter-universe detour. Stumbling around in a confused state, Link finds a pair of teams killing each other. Apparently, the two teams are workers from two different companies: One team is from a construction firm (Builders League United, or BLU), while another is from a demolition contractor (Reliable Excavation and Demolition or RED). This paper-thin cover slowly gives away to the truth: Both companies are secret organizations bent on eliminating the other. They've been at this for years, when, shortly after Link's arrival, another company appears: GREEN. This company seems to be interested only in absorbing other organizations into its mega-corporation, and the truth explains all: The name GREEN stands for Ganondorf's Relentless Evildoing Enhancement Network. He plans on taking over the world in a whole new way this time: Corporate domination.

What can Link do in this situation? It's quite simple: He must fight alongside either RED or BLU, battling against both the opposing company and GREEN's evil plans. He takes the role of a class exclusive to the Wii adaption of Team Fortress 2: Handheld weapons expert. His assortment of weaponry features many Zelda mainstays, such as the bow and arrow, the Hookshot, and, of course, the Master Sword. His method of fighting requires getting up close and personal with his targets to be truly effective, which sets him apart from most other classes in the game. Playing well as Link won't be an easy task for Team Fortress 2 veterans, but once players figure him out, it's sure to be a blast.

Zelda Fortress 2 is unique in a way, in that it only has that basic premise to hold it together. There never really is any official face-off with Ganondorf's forces. Instead, Zelda Fortress 2 is a huge online first-person shooter, with crazy over-the-top animations and a bizarre sense of humour. Each player has their own unique set of taunts, from the spy's butterfly taunt ("I'm going to gut you like a Cornish game hen") to Link's Hookshot taunt ("Well excuuuuuuse me, princess!"). While the story element may be entirely disposable in the Zelda timeline, it's sure to still be one heck of a fun departure. Hey, you wanted something new with your next Zelda, didn't you? Here ya go, then.

If the development process of both Team Fortress 2 (Announced in 1998, released in 2007) and Nintendo's notorious delays are any indications, we should expect to see Zelda Fortress 2 hit store shelves sometime after the next couple billion years, with at least one dramatic graphical overhaul in the interim. Quality takes time, people!

I hope you all enjoyed this journey into the flaming pit of my overactive imagination. If any of these titles were to be released, I'd surely explode with surprise. That being said, I think I'll be avoiding the next few Nintendo conferences, just to be safe...

Discuss This Article On The Forums

The Duck Has Spoken.

Underused features of the Nintendo DS

2008-08-06T21:57:00.012-04:00

A pseudo-sequel to last year's Underused features of the Wii

The Nintendo DS is chock-full of features, but some of them go relatively unnoticed by developers. Here are three such features which I feel deserve far more attention.

The first underused feature I'll be mentioning goes by a few names. Slot 2, GBA slot, and expansion slot are its three most common titles. I prefer to call it "untapped potential". To date, only six official peripherals have been released for this slot: The Rumble Pak, the Face Training Camera, the Guitar Hero: On Tour controller, the Arkanoid paddle, the Slide Adventure Mag Kid controller and the memory expansion needed for the Opera web browser, all but one of which only works with a single piece of software. But so much more could be done here! Imagine some sort of motion controller, or an analog controller add-on. Maybe even an expansion similar to the Nintendo 64's Memory Expansion Pak, enabling more complex DS games to be made.

I can't think of any good reason why anything truly great hasn't been officially released for Slot 2. The potential in that tiny little port is quite amazing, really, and it's a shame to see it go underused.

It's also disappointing to see so little proper use being made of the microphone. And by proper, I don't mean blowing into your DS to put out a candle or anything. No, I mean vocal input. The first DS game to make good use of this potential-packed feature was Nintendogs, and since then very few games have come close to matching the pet simulator's voice-command technology. I would have loved to yell "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" in Pokémon Diamond, but no, that just couldn't happen. Of course, I'd probably only do it once, get bored and go back to standard input, but hey, it's the principle of the thing! At least I can still yell "OBJECTION!" in my Ace Attorney games. Thanks for that, Capcom!

Of course, the other huge part of the Nintendo DS' vocal input technology is online voice chat. Sadly, I can only think of two games that use this: Pokémon Diamond/Pearl and Metroid Prime: Hunters. Come on, people! It's built right into the DS, how hard can it be to implement?

The final underused feature I'll be mentioning today is somewhat of a minor one compared to the two listed above: Closing the DS to affect gameplay. As far as I can tell, this first became a form of input in Trace Memory (Another Code outside of North America), used once about halfway through the game. The only other example that comes to mind is closing the lid on a pot in Konami's Lost In Blue, released back in 2005. Since then, I don't think a single game has taken advantage of this unique feature. Why not? This unconventional input can add loads of immersion to a game! A few WarioWare-like uses I can think of are closing the screen to crush bugs, to go to the next page in a newspaper (Open and close), and perhaps even to press a leaf into a book. Sure, these are all sort of gimmicky, but mixed with the right environment, they'd easily be a whole lot of fun.

So, there you have it. Three underused features of the DS just begging to be utilized. Come on, developers, work these into your games! I know it can be done!

Can you think of any other features of the DS that need to be used more? Feel free to speak your mind in the comment section, or in this forum thread.

The Duck Has Spoken.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney review

2008-08-05T12:50:00.006-04:00

Without even thinking of it, I basically just recycled the first paragraph of my Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney review in this article. Oh well.

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: February 19th, 2008
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
ESRB Notes: Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violent References

If you were to try and think of a profession that would make a great video game, chances are, you wouldn't think attorney. It seems Capcom thinks differently from us, though, since they decided to make Gyakuten Saiban for the Game Boy Advance back in 2001. The game was a huge hit in Japan, spawning two critically-acclaimed sequels. When the DS came out, Capcom smelled money and ported the first game over to Nintendo's new console. With the crazy amounts of success the series received in Japan, Capcom thought it was time to introduce the rest of the world to this quirky new series. The response around the world was incredible, with the now-named Ace Attorney series becoming a huge hit. The second and third games also received ports on the Nintendo DS, both of them just as fun as the first.

Problem was, there were then no more Gyakuten Saiban games to import or remake. What was Capcom to do? The answer was simple: Build a new Ace Attorney from the ground up for the Nintendo DS! And thus, the story of Apollo Justice began.

Speaking of story, the writing in Apollo Justice is just about as sharp as it was in the first three games. The cases are full of twists, many of which are sure to catch players off guard. If there's one downside, though, it's that some of the new characters aren't quite as interesting as those from the past games. It's been seven years since the events of Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations, meaning many of the familiar faces have moved on with their lives. Larry Butz, Lotta Hart, Maggey Byrde, and many of the other characters series-long fans have grown to love are absent.

Sadly, while many of the new characters are well-written and likable, none of them are quite as interesting or notable as the well-established personalities from the Phoenix Wright saga. It's understandable, though, as it's really hard to improve on the amazing cast from the original series. You can't blame Capcom for falling short of the incredibly high level of character quality established in previous titles.

Trucy, you're adorable, but... You're just not Maya.

To me, one thing that really stood out in Apollo Justice's story-telling is how much foreshadowing there is. It's incredible how much of the first three cases returns in the fourth and final chapter, undoubtedly beating out any Phoenix Wright game for weaving together several separate stories so perfectly.

Being a defense attorney, it's Apollo's duty to defend his client and prove them innocent. In every case but the first, this begins with an investigation phase. During this time, the player can question witnesses, talk with their client, and even go hands-on with the investigation. Much of this phase revolves around finding evidence and presenting it to the right person to coax them into talking. Sure, it's a little unrealistic in that a lawyer never does this sort of thing in real life, but let's not let realism get in the way of fun.

Time for frog lady to meet with Justice!

The game being made ground-up for the DS really shows through in the investigation phase. Several investigative maneuvers such as copying footprints and dusting for fingerprints are now handled by the touchscreen, much like they were in the fifth case of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. Far more interesting than simply reading a description of the item that says "Bears Bob's fingerprints". Of course, that does still happen sometimes, but at least we get to have some fun once in a while.

There's no real problem with this advanced form of evidence gathering, but the lack of time we get to mess around with it sure is. Dusting for fingerprints and getting plaster molds of footprints only happens in the second case, which is a pretty big disappointment. I would have liked to see this higher level of interactivity spread throughout the game more evenly, instead of only experiencing it once or twice in the entire course of the game.

In addition to dusting evidence for prints, players can also investigate a 3d representation of the object to look for clues. Sometimes the most important part of a piece of evidence must be discovered with a hands-on investigation! Finding a drop of blood on an object can change the entire case, so close scrutiny is key.

Once the investigation is through, the real battle begins in the courtroom. The court proceedings in the Ace Attorney world are quite different from that of our law system. It's not so much an organized trial at some points as it is an all-out war, with evidence and testimony serving as ammunition. Certainly far more interesting than what we see in real life!

Certainly a lot more colourful a prosecutor than what you'd see in Law & Order.

The main part of any trial is the cross-examination. It's at this point that the player gets to pick apart the witness' testimony, exposing lies and inconsistencies in pursuit of the truth. The trials are undoubtedly the main attraction in any Ace Attorney game, and they're just as incredibly fun in Apollo Justice as they were in the Phoenix Wright titles.

One new feature exclusive to Apollo Justice is the "Perceive" function. Available only during trials at certain points, the player can focus in on the witness and detect tension. If the witness tenses up during a part of their testimony, the player can press them on that particular phrase and point out that they were subconsciously admitting to a lie. This tensing up can be represented in many ways, such as the witness fiddling with an object they have, sweating, or just a minor twitch. It's a lot like detecting a player's "tell" in poker, figuring out when they're bluffing about having a really good hand. In this game, though, the stakes are far higher than money. Justice hangs in the balance!

However, it seems that the cases aren't quite as difficult on the whole. While the first case is somewhat hard considering how early it is in the game, the overall difficulty is a little lower than past titles. For much of the last case, I could figure out what to present and where to do it on my first try, never earning a penalty. In fact, I think I had more trouble in the first case!

That's not to say that game's a cakewalk, though. There are still some pretty difficult sections. It's just not quite as difficult as some of the previous games.

One of the first things any Ace Attorney veteran will notice when playing Apollo Justice is how much cleaner the graphics are. Benefiting from the DS' increased horsepower, character sprites are much cleaner, and the additional frames in character animations are a huge improvement over the original series' more clunky animation.

Klavier's air guitar solo is a great example of Apollo Justice's improved character animations

In the third case, there's an amazing concert pre-rendered entirely in 3D. The quality of the animation is pretty good, and the video compression is hardly noticeable. Capcom really went the extra mile making this scene. The scene is available on Youtube if you want to see it, but I recommend just waiting until it happens in-game. Seeing it in context is so much more amazing than simply watching it online.

As expected, the music in Apollo Justice is catchy and well made. Several tunes from the Phoenix Wright trilogy have returned, some of which with a few little alterations. And of course, the trademark "OBJECTION!" yells are back, re-recorded with the new voice actors.

Of course, there's also a song played over the aforementioned concert. There are no words, but the melody is great. If the Gavineers were a real band, I'd likely be a fan.

When I first heard that Apollo Justice only had four chapters instead of five, I was a little disappointed. However, in the end, the incredible length of the chapters more than makes up for this. Chapter four was at least two chapters worth of gameplay. As for whether or not I'd play it again, I'd be working on my second play through right this minute if it weren't for the fact my sister's playing it now. As soon as she's done, though, I plan on jumping right back in. Sure, I may know which characters are lying and where to present evidence, but it would still be great to experience the story one more time.

SUMMARY

Storyline: 9.0/10
The cases are just as creative as they were in the original trilogy, with more twists and turns than a pretzel factory. However, most of the new characters just aren't as likable as the cast of the first three games. I just hope that we get some more interesting people occupying the inevitable sequel.

Gameplay: 9.5/10
Investigating and defending are as fun as ever, although compared to the Phoenix Wright games, Apollo Justice is a little on the easy side. Dusting for prints and using plaster to gather footprints is a welcome change of pace, however it only really pops up in one case. Still one heck of a great game, though.

Graphics: 9.25/10
I absolutely love the art style in all the Ace Attorney games, and with that being said, I was incredibly pleased with how Apollo Justice turned out visually. The occasional 3D parts are all very good-looking as well, and that one concert scene is just stunning.

Audio: 9.0/10
The Ace Attorney games have always been a pleasure to listen to, and Apollo Justice is no exception. With amazingly well orchestrated background music and the trademark "OBJECTION!" flying out of my DS speakers, I can safely say that Apollo Justice is a real treat for the ears.

Longevity: 9.0/10
Despite having only four cases, Apollo Justice still lasts just about as long as any other Ace Attorney title. Even though, after your first play through, you'll know what evidence to present and where, it's still worth another go just for the great writing.

OVERALL: 9.0/10
Apollo Justice is yet another worthy entry in the Ace Attorney series. The incredible writing and plentiful twists really pulled me in, making me unable to put it down until I discovered the truth. If you want a good, thinking-man's game, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is the right game for you.

Discuss This Article On The Forums

The Duck Has Spoken.

You know how to tell if I'm back?

2008-08-05T01:39:00.003-04:00

It's quite simple, really. There's a delay! Yep, nothing tonight. I've got the article about halfway done, though, so it should be a cinch to wrap it up tomorrow. As for now, though, I'm incredibly tired.

I will go straight to bed. I will not pass Go, I will not collect $200, and I will continue to be a lazy jerk. Good night!

The Duck Has Spoken.

Poll #51: "What do you think of third-party software on the Wii so far?" results, banner, back in business

2008-08-04T21:43:00.005-04:00

Just as I promised, folks, One Duck's Opinion is back in action, right on schedule. So then, poll results!

"Fantastic!" 0 votes (0%)
"Good" 8 votes (26%)
"Okay" 9 votes (30%)
"Bad" 10 votes (33%)
"Terrible!" 2 votes (6%)
"I don't know" 1 vote (3%)

Can't say I'm at all surprised with this turn out. With crap like Ninjabread Man, Far Cry: Vengeance and Alvin and the Chipmunks clogging Wii displays at local Wal-Marts, it's pretty obvious that a large amount of the third-parties are doing very little right on the Wii. To those that actually seem to give a crap, I salute you.

I'm not exactly sure why I made this banner. I needed something quick, and this sort of just happened. Uh... Enjoy, I guess.

Finally, there's the matter of this week's poll: "How much do you want The Conduit?". High Voltage is really proving that third-parties can make awesome Wii games, and I'm highly anticipating the release of their sci-fi shooter. However, not having it anytime soon isn't exactly killing me. I want it, but I'm not desperate.

New article coming up in a bit!

The Duck Has Spoken.

Time for a break

2008-07-29T00:39:00.004-04:00

Sorry to spring this on you guys out of nowhere, but I won't be writing at all from now until next week. I've been thinking of taking a week or so off since about Wednesday, and I finally decided to do it.

Why do I see fit to take a break? Well, to start, I've been totally mentally drained the last little while. I get like this every now and then, resulting in lackluster articles and missed updates. After thinking about how I've been feeling lately, I decided that it would make more sense to take a break than to push myself and pump out crappy articles. Thus, One Duck's Opinion will be going into a brief hiatus.

What will I be doing with this time? Mostly, I'll be sitting back and giving my brain a mini-vacation. Even though I only write three times a week, I'm thinking about the next post almost every single day. Stress is not my friend!

I'll still be online, checking out the poll's progress and moderating the forum. You'll be able to find me at all the usual places, I assure you (Yes, I have "usual places"). I'll be here, but I won't be updating.

When I return next Monday, I'll have a review ready for you to kick things off again. Until then, keep on gaming, folks. See y'all again on the fourth of August!

The Duck Has Spoken.

Poll #50: "What do you think of Animal Crossing: City Folk?" results, banner

2008-07-28T19:06:00.004-04:00

Wow, the fiftieth poll! If only it weren't for my internet and my brain dying on several occasions, we could have gotten to this point weeks ago! Oh well, it's still a landmark. Anyways, results ahoy!

"I can't wait to play it!" 25 votes (67%)
"It looks kinda cool" 8 votes (21%)
"Meh." 3 votes (8%)
"I don't like it at all" 1 vote (2%)
"I'm not sure" 0 votes (0%)

Animal Crossing: City Folk looks to be just as big of a time sucker as Wild World and the original game were, if not more so. It seems I'm not the only person eagerly anticipating its addictive grip, as 67% of voters voted "I can't wait to play it!". Honestly, I think that's the largest percentage any poll option has received in the history of the blog. Hooray for Animal Crossing!

This week's banner comes to us courtesy of the insanely inventively-named forum member Psychogoose. His description is probably more accurate than anything I could have thought up: "Embrace the dark side!"

Finally, the subject of this week's poll is "What do you think of third-party software on the Wii so far?". Personally, I think some of them are doing an okay job, but a whole whackload of them seem to be putting hardly any effort into their games. Overall, it's not they aren't doing too bad, but the quality could be a lot higher on the whole.

Alright, that's it for now. Tonight's article will be up in a little while.

The Duck Has Spoken.

Shadow with a gun, Sonic with a sword... What could be next?

2008-07-26T00:26:00.008-04:00

As everyone with an internet connection is now well aware of, Sonic will be returning to the Wii next year. Thing is, he won't be alone. No, Sega thought it necessary to give Sonic a huge freaking sword to help do the job. Because, you know, it's not like he couldn't fight without a weapon. He's only the fastest thing alive.

Of course, this isn't the first time a Sega character has packed some weaponry. The infamous Shadow the Hedgehog game from 2005 featured Sonic's angst-ridden co-star Shadow wielding a gun and trying so hard to be bad-ass. This got me thinking: What if other normally weaponless characters decided to change things up?

Well, Mario is a plumber, after all, so it would only make sense that he'd have a wrench on him somewhere. Yet, for some reason, Mario's never even touched one in all his years in videogames. I wonder why that is? Perhaps Nintendo isn't so keen on their star character beating enemies to death with a plumbing implement. Could get kind of messy.

Sure, Olimar usually has his Pikmin to do all the dirty work, but really, it's foolish to depend so heavily on weird little plant dudes. With all the tiny little objects he finds on that strange planet, you think he'd turn one into a weapon of some sort, just in case he gets separated from his battalion. So why not a push pin? The little captain could surely wield something as small and lightweight as that. Of course, stabbing Bulborbs would probably lead to a far higher rating than the series' standard E for Everyone. Those guys would almost certainly do a lot of bleeding.

The Rabbids have grown tired of their humour-based weaponry. The world is learning to defend against their plungers and fly-swatters. Now, it's serious. The Rabbids have decided to fight fire with fire. Using their industry connections with Builders League United, the Rabbids have secured several dozen flamethrowers for their world-domination scheme. Because if there's one thing that goes well with idiot rabbits, it's lots and lots of fire.

Although the chances of any of these weapon pair-ups happening are slim, the hilarity that comes from imagining them is immense. The day I see a Rabbid wielding a Team Fortress 2 flamethrower is the day I can die a happy man.

Discuss This Article On The Forums

The Duck Has Spoken.

Animal Crossing: Wild World review

2008-07-23T23:00:00.008-04:00

So, City Folk was finally announced. Seems like the perfect time for a Wild World review to me!

Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: December 5th, 2005
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

On the Gamecube, I was absolutely in love with Animal Crossing. Initially purchased on a whim, it quickly became one of my favourite games on the console. There was just something fun and engaging about interacting with a virtual village and doing virtual chores to pay off a virtual mortgage. I know, it sounds incredibly boring in writing, but really, Animal Crossing was one hell of a fun game. You can imagine how excited I was to hear that there was going to be a DS sequel, and it was the number one item on my Christmas list that year. On Christmas morning, I finally got my hands on the sequel to one of my favourite Gamecube games. I pop it in my DS, turn on the system, and the rest is virtual history.

The story in all Animal Crossing games is a strange one, in that it hardly exists at all. As the game begins, you play as a young boy or girl striking on their own. Sitting in the back of a taxi, you just enjoy your ride and chat with the driver for a bit (What you say determines your appearance, and the location of your house). When you finally arrive, you realize you don't have nearly enough case to pay off the mortgage on your new home. The local store owner and real estate agent Tom Nook takes you in to work for him in order to pay off the debt. After a while, all the work he needs you to do is finished, and you're let go from the job. Thing is, you still have a bunch of debt to pay off. This is where the game truly begins, and the story basically ends.

You see, Animal Crossing: Wild World, as well as the preceding Gamecube title, is not a typical game at all. There's no monster battles, no guns, no jumping from platform to platform, and no designated objectives. It's simply a relaxing alternate reality for the player to enjoy. Sure, you've got that mortgage hanging over your head, but there's no real rush to pay it off. Nook's not going to send in two muscle-headed gorillas to break your knees or anything. Animal Crossing: Wild World is an incredibly laid-back, relaxing distraction from the hustle and bustle of the real world, and you get to play it your way.

So, what is there to do in Animal Crossing: Wild World? Furniture collecting, bug catching, fishing, digging for fossils, chatting with the locals, or tending to your flowers. Really, it's quite the vast selection of activities, and taking care of your garden is habit-forming. Miss just two days of watering, and your garden begins to wilt. Keep on it!

Fishing: Just one of the many things to do in Wild World

I suppose that's part of what makes this game so addictive. If you put it down for too long, some of the things you've worked so hard to maintain may go away. Your favourite neighbours may move away, weeds will sprout up everywhere, your flowers will die, and cockroaches will overrun your house! There's always something there to keep you coming back.

One of the "core" aspects of Animal Crossing: Wild World is the player's house. Like a car buff's prized 1968 Dodge Charger, the player's house is like the crown jewel of almost any town. Arranging furniture in creative ways, collecting and placing entire furniture sets and impressing the house-rating Happy Room Academy are all landmarks worthy of bragging about.

Of course, you're not going to impress anyone with that piddly little house you get at the beginning. No no, you've got to pay off your debts first! Once that's through, Nook will upgrade your house, and then through another exorbitant bill in your face. After you pay that off, you get another upgrade, then another bill, and so on until the biggest possible home is yours for the decorating.

The amount of furniture to choose from is so vast, you're likely to change your decor often. From robots to snowmen, Asian to countryside, there's bound to be at least one furniture set for you. According to my Wild World player's guide, there are 562 different pieces of furniture in the game. That's 562 different 3D models all crammed onto a DS game card. Now that's a feat worth mentioning!

In addition to furniture, there are several other items to obtain in Animal Crossing. Wallpaper, flooring, shirts, tools, and a whole lot more! Wild World even lets you customize your character with hats, masks, mustaches and glasses. It's insane how much they managed to fit into this game!

Playing dress up has never been so easy! (Or so non-embarrassing)

Another aspect of the game almost too expansive is how many neighbours there are. Unless I made a mistake just now with my quick headcount (This player's guide sure comes in handy!), there are 143 different neighbours in Wild World! Almost astonishing is how many different types of villagers there are. Tigers, wolves, squirrels, dogs, pigs, rabbits... A total of 31 different types of neighbours! To further differentiate each character from another, there are six different personalities such as jock, grumpy, lazy and snooty. Furthermore, each neighbour tends to have their own little hobby, such as collecting certain types of furniture, having an obsession with fossils, or being a total fashion lover. It's kind of funny with conflicting traits collide, such as cranky old bears that are total suckers for the hottest new fashion. The variety of neighbours is astounding!

I don't know what it is about this game that makes it so damn fun. Somewhere, deep within that little game card is something that keeps me coming back. I've had this same town running since December 2005, and I wouldn't dare let it die! Well, not more than once... Or twice... Okay, so I've ended up abandoning it from time to time. Still, something weird keeps drawing me back to this, even if it's been months. Something buried beneath all the weeds and cockroaches begs for me to return. Plus, there's no way I'm letting Punchy move out! No way in heck!

As you read above, there are tonnes and tonnes of 3D models in this game, with a grand total doubtlessly over one thousand. With so many different objects to be rendered, it's amazing how high quality they all are. For a 2005 DS game, Wild World is quite the beautiful title.

Every piece of furniture is incredibly well detailed

I can't think of a single thing wrong with how Wild World looks. It's truly a magnificent-looking game, and the graphics still stand the test of time over two years after the initial release.

Ah, the music of Animal Crossing... Probably the second most calming thing in the game next to watering flowers. From the soft tunes of late-night strolls to the awesome beats of K.K. Slider (The local musician), the sounds of Wild World are music to my ears. I have an entire playlist on my computer comprised of nothing but K.K. Slider MP3s. You just haven't heard video game music until you've heard K.K. Slider.

The sound effects in Wild World serve their purpose, but I suppose they don't really do anything all that spectacular. However, the way some of them are used is interesting. Hear a strange ticking or buzzing noise? Chances are, there's a bug nearby. Does the sound of croaking fill the air? There's a frog in that pond! The audio cues for some of these things are great. It makes bug catching and fishing so much more engaging, requiring expert use of both sight and hearing in pursuit of the big one.

While it's lots of fun to spend time interacting with your new-found virtual pals, the real fun in Wild World begins when you and your real-world friends play together. Through either local wireless or the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (Yes, there's friend codes. Get over it already), you can visit your pals and check out what's going on in their neck of the woods.

However, while visiting far-off towns can be fun, it does get somewhat stale after a few trips. There's not much to be done with your pals online other than chatting. You can set up little bug- or fish-catching tournaments, but that gets pretty boring really fast.

On the bright side, though, multiplayer visits can lead to neighbour exchanges. If you or your friend has a villager that feels like moving in town, they just might migrate over.

Sharing the game card with someone else actually makes the experience a little worse in my eyes. See, unlike the original game, players don't each get their own house. Instead, players are forced to share one building among each other. Even with the biggest possible house, it just doesn't feel like there's enough room for more than one person. Thankfully, if one of your wants to move out, that's entirely possible. Players can migrate from one game card to another (Local only, of course). So if your little brother really takes a shine to Wild World, he can pick up his own copy and move his character from your game into his new town. A great feature, but it still doesn't change the fact that there should have been one house per player. I would have gladly accepted a few less new items for separate housing. I'm just glad that multiple homes are making a return in City Folk.

As I said earlier, something keeps dragging me back to Wild World. I don't know what it is, but it's resulted in me playing this game on and off for over two years. Not many games can say they've kept a players attention for that long! Wild World is definitely one heck of a long-lasting game, and I'm sure to spend the next little while playing the crap out of it.

SUMMARY

Storyline: 9.0/10
To be fair, Wild World doesn't really have much of a storyline. Really, it's more of a premise. However, without that little shred of story, none of this game would be the same. Humans moving into a town occupied by animals, paying off loans to a raccoons, and buying clothes from hedgehogs... Definitely unique, and insanely charming.

Gameplay: 9.4/10
Animal Crossing is one heck of a unique series. It somehow takes the mundane tasks of weeding and makes it fun. It's like a secondary life, yet the obligations are, in some crazy way, entertaining to fulfill. Run around for days collecting fruit and fish? Sounds boring, but in reality, it's just so darned addictive.

Graphics: 9.6/10
If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: Wild World is an insanely great-looking game. The models are detailed, yet cartoony. The world is vast, yet lag-free. And the sheer volume of 3D models crammed in is mind-boggling! Seriously one of the best-looking DS games ever.

Audio: 9.3/10
Even though the songs have no real words, I can play at least three different K.K. Slider songs in my head. The background music is calming and fun, too, yet not nearly as memorable. As for the sound effects, they do some amazing things while not being all that remarkable on their own. I never thought of hunting bugs by sound before, but now it's one of the main things I pay attention to when tracking down my next quarry.

Multiplayer: 8.3/10
Visiting other people's towns online is interesting, but once you get there and look around, there's not much else to really do. Still, seeing what some people have done to decorate their homes and towns is really an activity itself. The big problem with multiplayer, though, is how the developer handled card-sharing. One house? Come on! Surely it would have been possible to put in separate houses!

Longevity: 9.8/10
When I first got Wild World, I played it constantly for about two months, after which I played it every now and then. After not playing it for a while, I picked it right back up and dove into my little town. Over the last two years this pattern has repeated, probably leading to Wild World being my most-played Nintendo DS game. Definitely a title worth playing again and again and again.

OVERALL: 9.2/10
Take this rating as you will, folks. When it comes to Animal Crossing, it seems people either love it or hate it. I, for one, am of the former group. As for you, figuring out where you stand may not be easy. Think about it for a while: Do you enjoy unique and quirky? Do you not mind a little repetition? Do you tend to collect things in games? Are you looking for a relaxing departure from the hectic reality of life? If you answered yes to these questions, then perhaps Animal Crossing is right for you. The only real way to find out is to play. As for me, I love it to death! City Folk, here I come!

Discuss This Article On The Forums

The Duck Has Spoken.

Letters to the industry 2

2008-07-23T00:04:00.006-04:00

Not the article I was planning on doing. That should be available for your viewing displeasure tomorrow. As for now, try to enjoy this.

To: Sega
Subject: Sword-swinging hedgehogs

So, I saw the scans and details regarding Sonic and the Black Knight. It looks like you're really putting some effort into the content of this game, and I really appreciate that. The problem, though, is the premise... Sonic with a sword? He's the fastest thing alive, people! He needs no weapon but his insane speed and agility!

I will admit that the game looks fun, possibly even more so than Unleashed, but still... Sonic with a sword? What's next, NiGHTS wielding a crowbar Gordon Freeman-style? Actually, that might be kinda cool...

The point is, I really don't believe hedgehogs and weaponry mix all too well. Need I mention Shadow the Hedgehog? Didn't think so, as I'm sure it's permanently stapled to your cubicle wall with the words "NEVER AGAIN" scrawled on it in blood.

To: Nintendo
Subject: Mario is Missing

So, I'm really excited for Animal Crossing: City Folk and Wii Sports: Resort, but... Where's the main man gone? Not a single game with Mario in it has been released since Dr. Mario Online Rx, and after Super Sluggers, the big guy's future looks pretty barren. I'm very surprised to not see any word on another New Super Mario Bros., or even the next Mario Party. What's the deal?

Of course, I'm not at all considering you'd abandon a character as iconic as Mario, but it's just so incredibly weird to not have any word at all on more than one upcoming title with the pudgy plumber in it. Well, at least Wario Land: The Shake Dimension looks solid. Sure, it's not Mario, but it will still be a blast, I'm sure.

PS: What happened to Disaster: Day of Crisis? If I hear that's been canceled, I'm sending Weegee after you!

To: Electronic Arts
Subject: This is Spore-ta!

I've been a big fan of the Spore idea ever since I first heard of it, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the final copy. However, I also have a few concerns to voice.

One, please don't bombard us with tonnes of add-on discs right out of the gate. That sort of thing may fly with Sims 2, but when it comes to Spore, please leave well enough alone. Well, unless one of the discs includes a "Blocks penis-headed animals", in which case I'd be camping out for it.

Second, if Will Wright wants to delay it, let him! I know this isn't a concern of any sort right now, but I'm just tossing that out there in case a situation like this arises in the future. If Will says it needs more time, give it more time. Do not question The Will Wright!

Alright, so I guess that's all that truly needs to be said about Spore. One minor note on a slightly different topic, though: Please just give the Wii real sports games, and not this "All Play" crap. I applaud you for trying, of course, but... Wait, were you even trying?

To: Nintendo EAD
Subject: Animal Crossing: City Folk

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you

PS: Thank you

To: Readers
Subject: Guess what?

You can discuss this article on the forums if you please. Or the comment section, too, if that's more your style.

The Duck Has Spoken.

Poll #49: "What do you think of the Wii MotionPlus?" results, banner ARTICLE DELAY

2008-07-21T21:24:00.007-04:00

"Awesome!" 24 votes (50%)
"Could be cool" 14 votes (29%)
"I don't know" 3 votes (6%)
"I'm not too keen on it" 1 vote (2%)
"Another freaking peripheral?!" 4 votes (8%)
"What's Wii Motion Plus?" 2 votes (4%)

I really think that Wii MotionPlus could bring along the second wave of Wii madness, as well as lengthen the Wii's lifespan by a year or two. It's just a pity that the third-party developers were so in the dark about it.

Along with Wii MotionPlus, another project announced last week was Animal Crossing: City Folk. As you can probably assume, I'm incredibly excited about this. To honour this announcement, I have made the following banner. BEHOLD!

In keeping with the celebrations, this week's poll is "What do you think of Animal Crossing: City Folk?". Of course, I don't really have to say anything here. You already know what I'm voting.

New article in a little while!

EDIT: Sorry, folks, but that new article will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm really trying to make this one great, and writing at a quarter past 3:00 AM sure isn't going to help make that happen. I'll resume writing tomorrow, and it should be completed by the evening. Again, sorry for the delay. I assure you, though, it will be for the best.

Now, to get to sleep before my legs collapse while sitting. Yeah, I'm that tired.

The Duck Has Spoken.

No article tonight

2008-07-19T01:44:00.001-04:00

Sorry, folks, but I just won't be able to write anything for tonight, or should I say, this morning. It's simply too late for me to be able to concentrate. I really, really hate when I have to miss an update, but it just isn't happening today. I tried to write something, but it just wasn't coming together at all. So then, I apologize for not having anything to post. On the bright side, though, I do have a good idea for Monday, and I'll be sure to do my best in bringing that idea to you in a timely manner. But for now, it's late, and I need my sleep. Again, I apologize.

See you all on Monday.

The Duck Has Spoken.

One Duck's Opinion

Evolving One Duck's Opinion

Yeah, I suppose you saw this coming.

Poll #53: "What do you think of Pokémon Platinum?" results, banner

Dr. Mario Online Rx review

What kind of gamer am I?

What else could Nintendo have in store for the Wii?

Poll #52: "How much do you want The Conduit?" results, no new banner

Nintendo crossovers we'll never see

Underused features of the Nintendo DS

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney review

You know how to tell if I'm back?

Poll #51: "What do you think of third-party software on the Wii so far?" results, banner, back in business

Time for a break

Poll #50: "What do you think of Animal Crossing: City Folk?" results, banner

Shadow with a gun, Sonic with a sword... What could be next?

Animal Crossing: Wild World review

Letters to the industry 2

Poll #49: "What do you think of the Wii MotionPlus?" results, banner *ARTICLE DELAY*

No article tonight

Poll #49: "What do you think of the Wii MotionPlus?" results, banner ARTICLE DELAY