History repeats itself time and time again.  But repetition is by no means limited to the same medium.

As we progress deeper into the first full year since the backlash over Nintendo’s E3 2008 showing, and the continuing trend of terms such as “hardcore” and “casual” ripple through gaming journalism, I can’t help but remember some history from a little rock band called Van Halen. (Maybe you’ve heard of them?)

And the more I think about it, the more I realize that the Big N has a lot in common with what some consider the progenitor of 80s hair bands.

Both Van Halen and Nintendo got their start in their current industries (music and video games, respectively) in approximately the mid-to-late 1970s.  Both became famous around the mid-1980s and each group had its easily recognizable trademarks.  For Van Halen it was wild finger-tapping guitar style of Eddie Van Halen as well as the onstage anctics of frontman David Lee Roth.  For Nintendo it was the addicting and enjoyable creations of Shigeru Miyamoto as well as the lesser-known strategic business planning of former NOA president Minoru Arakawa.

But more importantly, both groups suffered from a severe backlash by the self-described “hardcore” crowd upon a sudden change in creative direction that expanded their markets.  read more…

If the brief Metroid: Other M trailer from E3 left you hopelessly pondering what the actual game play would entail, don’t feel alone.  You’re not the only one.

As many of you may recall, the official trailer appeared to vary from 2D scenes reminiscent of Samus’s earlier titles, to 3D boss fights, to first-person shooter views from within Samus’s visor, much like Metroid Prime.  Simply stated, it was hard to grasp exactly how the game would control.

But a recent interview posted on Wired’s GameLife column is now stating that the ambitious new Metroid title will indeed return the series’ 2D roots, albeit in a “pseudo 3D world.”

Nintendo’s Yoshio Sakamoto, who has been involved in the Metroid titles ranging from the original NES game to 2001’s Metroid Fusion, confirmed that the new title will bridge the story between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion, and will be “seamless between the cinematics and the actual gameplay.”

Though the interview confirmed the basic game play style, it didn’t go beyond that with Sakamoto keeping closed lips about the ultimate design.  So we’ll still have to wait and see how the 2D and apparent 3D modes pan out in the final version, and how the transitions between the multiple styles.

And if you’re a big fan of the 3D Metroid Prime series, and would love another entry from Retro Studios, Sakamoto says that hasn’t been ruled out either if Retro comes up with an idea to bring a sequel to fruition.  However, Metroid: Other M is planned to be something entirely different.

But with both 2D and 3D entries planned for the Mario series on the Wii, what with New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2, another 3D Metroid wouldn’t hurt either.

If you were inundated with the flashflood of AAA titles at E3 this year – what with all the new Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy and Call of Duty announcements – the trailer for the newest Castlevania title, Lords of Shadow (Xbox 360 and PS3) may have passed you by.

Somehow the title didn’t manage to stay under my radar despite the sensory overload from all the new games and motion peripherals.  I saw the trailer.  And I have a complaint.  Actually, I have several.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am a rabid Castlevania fan. I grew up with the original NES titles and am very familiar with all the series’ change over the years, for better and for worse.

But Castlevania seems to be stuck in a vicious circle of either 1) releasing the latest handheld 2D Metroidvania title, or 2) releasing the occasional 3D God of War clone attempting to masquerade as a 3D Metroidvania title.

So I have to ask:  Where is the innovation? read more…

The Pocket Retro Game Emulator is saddled with a lame name, but the specs sure are impressive and the $99 price-tag is just about right. What’s it do? It plays all games for the NES, SNES, GBA, SEGA Genesis and NEO GEO. Better yet, no third-party emulation software is needed as it can play any and all ROMs you throw at it.  But wait, there’s more! This bad boy can play movie files, audio files, can view JPEGS, read E-books, record your voice and even has a built-in FM radio. That’s a hell of a package for $99.

Want specs? Course ya do!

read more…