Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS) - Review

To say that it's been a long time coming for a new Dragon Quest Monsters game would be a gross understatement. Fans of the series have long waited for a new release and Square-Enix has finally answered the call and brought us a brand new Dragon Quest Monster offering in the form of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker for the Nintendo DS system. Unlike the original 2-D Gameboy titles, the new DS version sports a fully 3-D cel shaded world full of monster scouting goodness. While the visuals have changed dramatically, the basic premise of the game still remains intact. Your job is to explore the many islands in the game scouting and collecting the many monsters along the way. You can then level these monsters up giving them special skills and then breed them with other monsters to form even greater and more powerful species. And with over 200 monsters in all, that leaves you with a lot of scouting and breeding to do in order to finish the game's many challenges. I can personally vouch for this since I've logged over 100 hours on the game already and I'm still trying to get one more "X" class monster for my team.

It's worth noting that those looking for a straight-up RPG experience will most likely find the constant monster scouting and leveling up a little tedious. This game requires a lot of time and even more patience in order to finish. That's not to say that there's not a lot of storyline going on, it's just not a big part of the game and doesn't have the type of plot that many of today's epic rpgs feature. In all honesty, it doesn't really need it anyway as fans of this series already know what to expect and already know what these games entail. The game basically features several islands, each with increasingly more powerful monsters in which you can do battle with for experience and also scout and add to your monster collection for later breeding. Each time you breed a new monster it will inherit skills from its parent monsters. You then have to level the monster up to at least level 10 before you can breed it again with yet another monster. It might sound redundant but given the sheer number of monster combinations you'll never know what monster you're going to get next.

Monsters are rated based on a class system that begins with the weakest monsters at class "F" and works its way up to the most powerful super monsters at class "X." You're going to have to put in some serious time and effort if you hope to ever breed a class "X" monster as they require many specific breeding combinations not to mention countless hours of leveling up. So you can see why I spent over 100 hours on this game in order to get 3 class "X" monsters. And let me just say, they kick much booty.

Visually the cel-shaded look of the game is gorgeous on the DS. The world of Dragon Quest Monsters has never looked so crisp and realistic until now. Each island has its own distinct look and theme to it and you'll never be at a loss for new scenery. The main island in the game, Domous Island, is the hub of all of the islands and is a breathtaking spectacle to behold with its gorgeous buildings and monstrous waterfalls. And the monsters have never looked so good as well. Each monster features a huge amount of detail and all monsters have their own unique animations and attack variations. It's clear that the development team put a lot of time and energy into making this the best looking Dragon Quest Monsters game ever. Things we could only dream of with the classic Gameboy Color titles are now brought to life with the power of the Nintendo DS.

The music in the game is also pretty incredible. Fans of the series will immediately recognize many of the tunes throughout the game as they're basically update remixes of the originals. Even the battle music and leveling up tunes are brought directly from the classic Dragon Warrior Monster titles. Each island also features its own song and during the nightime hours the music completely cuts out and all you can hear is the sound of wildlife and crickets chirping in the background. It's a very realistic effect when you see it in action. There's no voice acting in the game as many had speculated there would be, but it's a very slight omission and really doesn't affect the game play experience in the least.

As I said above, the game play in the game is very standard and reminiscent of past Dragon Quest Monster titles. You explore the areas laid out before you gathering up monsters as you go. Each new island increases in difficulty and the monsters slowly become more powerful and aggressive. That's why the emphasis in the game is on breeding and leveling up your crew of monsters. If you want to compete with the bigger and stronger monsters, you'd better be prepared to put the time in to better your own group. This leveling up is fairly slow and tedious during the first hours of the game, but as you reach newer islands you'll be getting more experience points that will make leveling up much faster and easier. This is when you can really start breeding and leveling your monsters in a hurry and also be able to capture the stronger monsters in the game. In fact the closer you get to the final island, the better the game gets. And there's nothing like putting together that perfect team and just crushing the other monsters and monster scouts in the game in battle. It's very rewarding and a huge amount of fun.

The combat system is still very simple and straightfoward. You can attack as well as use skills and special items you acquire throughout the game. You can even just select "Fight" and let the game carry out your monster's attacks. Or if you want to have more interactivity you can select your individual monster's battle commands. The game basically lets you decide how much control you have over your monsters. The dungeons in the game range from rediculous easy to fairly difficult near the end. A lot of the difficulty depends on how much time you spend breeding and leveling up your monsters. If you do your job the game remains pretty standard as far as difficulty goes but if you get lazy and try to rush through the game too quickly you'll get obliterated by the monsters in many of the areas and dungeons. It can be a very humbling experience indeed.

At the end of the day, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker is the game all Dragon Quest Monsters fans had hoped for. It's got all of the trademark characteristics that made the original titles so beloved and the 3-D look of the game really brings the entire experience up to date. With over 100 hours of game play you'll get your money's worth out of this one for sure. It might not offer the rpg depth some gamers are longing for, but if you're a fan of this series, this is the game you've been waiting for. One of the best DS games to date and a worthy addition to the Dragon Quest Monsters series. All I can say is, "It's about time!" (RATING: 9.4/10)

The Dynastic Hero hits the Virtual Console this week!

Hudson will release The Dynastic Hero on the Virtual Console on Monday, December 3 for a price of 800 Wii Points. This is basically the Sega Genesis title Wonder Boy in Monster World with slightly better visuals and music. If you already own Wonder Boy in Monster World, it might not be worth picking this up, but if you don't have either I'd recommend you check into this fantastic side-scroller/RPG title. The US version on Turbo CD goes for over $400 on ebay the few times it actually shows up on there so $8 is a bargain. I'll have a full review up on Virtual Turbo on Sunday night. Until then you can click on the cover art above to visit the game play video on You Tube.

Corbie's Top Picks of 2007

Well we're now getting close to the end of 2007. It's been another great year for gaming. We've now seen both the Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii systems get a year under their belt and while their game libraries are still limited, we're finally beginning to see some top shelf titles for each system. The portables had a strong year as well, and Nintendo's DS system continues to build steam year after year. Below is a look at my top 10 game picks of 2007. And judging from some of the games being released next year, it's looking like 2008 might be even better.

1. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - This was a no-brainer for me. I worried that my unusually high expectations might be dashed when this game was finally released, but I haven't enjoyed a platformer this much since Banjo Kazooie on the Nintendo 64 system. Super Mario Galaxy is reason enough to drop the $250 for a Nintendo Wii system. We might have had to wait for awhile for the game, but I think most will agree that the wait was well worth it.

2. Blue Dragon (Xbox 360) - Here's an RPG that I was heavily anticipating ever since I first bought an Xbox 360 system. This three-disc monster really delivered and it's become one of my favorite RPGs as of late. I love the traditional turn-based combat system and the characters are pretty original as well. Couple all of this with a fantastic musical score and what you have is a must-have RPG for Xbox 360 owners.

3. Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS) - This one was another long-awaited title that I have absolutely fallen in love with. It's everything you could ask for in a Zelda game and the unique uses of the touchscreen feel right at home inside this game's play control. The cel shaded visuals are crisp and colorful and the music features a lot of classic Zelda musical tracks that sound better than they ever have. This one is easily the best DS title to come out this year and a worthy addition to any Zelda fan's game library.

4. Minna no Golf 5 (PS3) - I don't normally include import titles in my Top 10 lists, but this one is just too good to leave out. No word yet on a US release but those who own a Playstation 3 system should definitely look into this outstanding golf title. This is easily the best Hot Shots Golf game ever created, and unless Minni no Golf Portable 2 for the PSP this December is over-the-top amazing, Minna no Golf 5 should stay on top of the Hot Shots Golf list for the time being.

5. Ratchet & Clank Future (PS3) - Insomniac really outdid themselves with their first Ratchet & Clank offering for the Playstation 3. This game is everything a next-gen platformer should be and more. Gorgeous visuals and a step back to the platforming roots of the early Ratchet & Clank titles make this a must-have for Playstation 3 owners. To me this is the first really solid reason to own a Playstation 3 console. There have been some great titles, but this is a game that will make you wanna own a Playsation 3.

6. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS) - As most readers of my blog know, I've been all over this game for the past week. 100+ hours and counting. Dragon Quest Monster fans are going to love this new title. It takes all of the great features of the past Dragon Quest Monster titles and updates it with full 3-D visuals and a wealth of new monsters to scout. Be forewarned, there's a LOT of leveling up required to play through this game, but those who love this style of game play will find a long gaming experience with this one.

7. Eternal Sonata (Xbox 360) - A unique RPG that's not quite as epic as Blue Dragon but more than makes up for it with its endearing characters and charm. The game features a very "Tales of" like battle system but executed in a full 3-D environment. It might sound unusual, but it really adds a nice level of interactivity and strategy to the combat portions of the game. Geogeous cel-shaded visuals and a very traditional musical score make Eternal Sonata an RPG for anyone that can appreciate something a little different.

8. Jeane D'Arc (PSP) - This strategy title came out of nowhere for me and really blew me away with its unique design and engrossing storyline. It's nice to see a developer try some new techniques within the strategy game genre. The RPG overtones also give the game a more open feel and gives the player a little more of a feeling of interaction than most strategy titles offer. One of the best original PSP titles out there and yet another reason to pick up a PSP system.

9. Super Paper Mario (Wii) - Being a huge fan of the previous Paper Mario titles I was anxiously awaiting the new Wii entry, especially given it's unique 2-D into 3-D level design. While the game wasn't quite as good to me as the first Nintendo 64 Paper Mario title, it was a unique step in a new direction for the series and a nice addition to the very limited Wii game library. There are still some of the RPG elements found in the previous Paper Mario titles, but now the game also puts a lot more emphasis on the platforming and problem-solving portions of the game. Think of it as a more platforming version of the original Paper Mario game.

10. Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles (PSP) - After many years of fans clamoring for its release, the previously Japanese-only Castlevania title Dracula X: Rondo of Blood finally made its North American debut. Konami gave the game a complete 3-D visual update as well as a completely remixed musical score. As a nice bonus they also included Symphony of the Night and the original PC Engine version of Dracula X as unlockable treats. The widescreen of the PSP makes the perfect canvas for this amazing Castlevania experience and it's given my PSP quite a workout this year. Maybe someday I'll actually be able to completely finish it.

Questions & Answers #1

I get a lot of questions from people who read the blog so I thought I'd take some of the more commonly-asked questions and do a little question and answer session. I've put aside some of the more popular questions over the past few months and if you guys like this article, I'll try to do more Q&A write ups in the future. If you have any questions feel free to email them to me or post them in the comments section below. I'll always try to answer as many as I can get to.

Which of the current video game consoles is your personal favorite? To be perfectly honest, I love all three. Whatever console the game I'm currently playing is on is normally what I consider my favorite console. I don't really have any singular loyalty to any one game console. I enjoy having all of the current game systems no matter what company produces them.

If you were dropped on a deserted island and could only have one of the current game consoles, which one would it be? If I absolutely had to choose just one, I'd probably go with the Nintendo Wii. So far the games have been fantastic and the Virtual Console allows me to play a lot of the classic titles I grew up with. But it would be one tough choice.

What's your favorite game for each of the current game consoles? There have been some outstanding games already on all three consoles, but if I had to pick one for each, here's how it would go. Xbox 360 - Blue Dragon, Playstation 3 - Ratchet & Clank Future, and Nintendo Wii - Super Mario Galaxy.

Which portable game system do you prefer? Nintendo DS or Sony PSP? Much like the consoles, I wouldn't want to be without either one. There's no denying that the Nintendo DS has had one outstanding game after another, but at the end of the day, I still generally prefer the Sony PSP overall. I love both, but if I had to choose only one, it would be the PSP.

What's your vote for Game of the Year for 2007? It's been a great year for the consoles, but to me this one is no contest. Super Mario Galaxy is one of the best games I've ever played and it wildly exceeded every expectation I had for it and then some. Games like this don't come along too often and it's been a huge cog in the success of the Nintendo Wii and will continue to be for some time. At least until March when Super Smash Bros. Brawl hits store shelves across the country.

What's your favorite game system of all time? This is an easy one. The Super Nintendo system is and will most likely always be my favorite game console. It was the first game system I ever imported and it was worth every penny. I still play my Super NES system more than any other game console I own.

What game do you consider to be the greatest game ever made? Another tough question. I'd have to go with the original Super Mario Bros. for several reasons. To start with it's one of the best video games ever made and it's also the game that's responsible for kickstarting the gaming industry back into high gear after the dreaded video game crash of 1984.

What classic game would you most like to see on the Wii Virtual Console? There are a lot of Super NES and TurboGrafx-16 games I've got on my VC wish list, but I'd have to go with Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals as the one game I'm most looking forward to on the Virtual Console. Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG would be next on the list.

Which RPG series do you prefer? Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest? I love both series, but I've pretty much always preferred the Dragon Quest titles over the years. Maybe it was because I played Dragon Warrior before I played Final Fantasy on the NES I'm not sure. I think Final Fantasy X is the best game from both series, but I still prefer the Dragon Quest titles as a whole. How's that for confusing? : )

What do you consider the best and worst video game system controllers of all time? The best would have to be the TurboGrafx-16 Pad. I love the feel of it and the d-pad is the best out there, especially for shooters. The Super NES and Playstation controllers would be my honorable mentions. As for the worst controller, the prize would have to go to the Mattel Intellivision controllers. Those gold discs were hell on the hands and the button on the side were so hard to press you couldn't tell whether you had depressed them most of the time. Honorable mentions go to the Atari 5200 controllers which didn't self center and didn't last more than a week and the Nintendo 64 controller which was also pure garbage.

I'll do another round of questions this weekend so if you have a question, send me an email or post it in the comments section of this post. I'll get to as many as I can.

Ys coming to the Virtual Console

According to this month's Nintendo Power magazine, Hudson has three CD titles next up on the Virtual Console release list. The titles include: Ys Book I & II, The Dynastic Hero, and SimEarth. Ys Book I & II has long been highly regarded within the RPG community and it's one of the best RPGs out there. Also on tap is the release of The Dynastic Hero which is a slightly upgraded version of the Sega Genesis game Wonderboy in Monster Land. Fans will be excited about its release as the original US release goes for in excess of $400 on ebay the few times it actually shows up there. SimEarth is the Turbo CD version of the classic simulation title. These are supposedly the next three TurboGrafx-16 Virtual Console releases, but no official word on whether all three will arrive in December yet. I'll post more information as I get it.

My Dream Team

I just finished beating Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker and I had to show off my team. This team not only blew through the final Infern Island dungeon like it was Candyland, they also blew through the X Rank Tournament in Solitaire's Challenge. I think I over-leveled them up which did take a little flair out of the end of the game, but it did produce one hell of a team of monsters. And for those who are wondering which of these monsters is the best...it's the Psaro. He's BRUTAL! I'll have a full review of the game up in a day or two. And after 75 hours of playing time, I have a pretty good idea how the game is. : )

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #1 - Banjo Kazooie

Banjo Kazooie is what I consider to be one of the finest video games ever made and certainly the best platformer on the planet. For those who don't know, Rare even considered developing an updated version of this original for the Xbox 360 but later decided that fans were more interested in Banjo Threeie than a remake. The Banjo development team had already even began work on the Banjo Kazooie remake when they changed their minds and began working on a third installment in the series. I love Super Mario 64 as much as the next guy, but the reason my Nintendo 64 system is still hooked up here in my game room is for this game and this game alone. I've played through this game from start to finish more times than I can even count and I'm about to run through it again as soon as this holiday rush of game releases slows up. Banjo Tooie was a good game, but there's nothing like the original when it comes to platforming goodness. To set the record straight, Rare has said that Nintendo has the rights to release the original and unchanged Nintendo 64 version of Banjo Kazooie on the Virtual Console if they choose to and I can't see any way that it won't happen, at least eventually. It was and still is one of the most popular Nintendo 64 titles. But any future Banjo titles will of course be released on the Xbox 360, which is fine by me since I think it's the perfect platform to bring out a brand new Banjo adventure. Until then, I'll be playing the Nintendo 64 original and hoping it comes out on the Virtual Console so I can finally pack up my Jungle Green Nintendo 64 system once and for all. If you've never played Banjo Kazooie, you should be absolutely ashamed of yourself. It's platforming at its finest.

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #2 - Super Mario Galaxy

You had to know that this one was coming. I haven't been this impressed with a game in a very long time. Even with the extremely high expectations I had for this game, it's exceeded them in just about every way possible. Great visuals, outstanding and challenging level designs, and some of the best 3-D platformer controls I've ever experienced, you just can't deny that Super Mario Galaxy is everything gamers had hoped for and more. I've already logged more than 20 hours on the game and that's unusual for me during this time of year when so many games are being released that I'm having to review. If ever there were a reason to own a Wii system, Super Mario Galaxy is it. As I said in another post, this game will sell a million Wii systems all by itself. I know that many Nintendo fans are really looking forward to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but it's going to have to be one hell of a game to beat Super Mario Galaxy. If you haven't tried Super Mario Galaxy out yet, hit your local Gamestop and try it out on the demo kiosks. Or better yet, get your butt out there and track down a Wii system and see what all the fuss is about. Super Mario Galaxy get's my vote for Game of the Year hands down.

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #3 - Super Mario Bros. 3

It's no small wonder that Super Mario Bros. 3 is one of the biggest selling games of all time. I went to see the movie "The Wizard" four times just to see the ending where they showed Super Mario Bros. 3 in action. At that time, this was the most anticipated games of all time and gamers across the world couldn't wait to get their hands on this one. I stood in line at Kay Bee Toys in the mall for 3 hours while they waited for their shipment to arrive. Then we had to wait while they unboxed the games and stacked them up nice and neatly. Which is why it's such a shame that I knocked the stack over as I approached the counter. Hey it really was an accident. Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Super Mario Bros. 3 was pure platforming fun and featured some of the best level designs the Super Mario series had ever seen up until then. Super Mario World was a great sequel, but I don't think any of the 2-D Super Mario titles ever came close to Super Mario Bros. 3 in terms of overall quality and fun. This game is legendary for a reason and it deserves every bit of praise it receives and then some. If you've been in a coma or trapped on a deserted island for the past 27 years and haven't played this amazing game go find it now and see what the fuss is all about. And if it's been awhile since you've tackled this masterpiece, it was just released on the Wii Virtual Console. Might be time to run through it again just for old time's sake. The absolute pinnacle of NES gaming in every sense of the word!

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #4 - Crash Bandicoot

After scoring minimal success on the 3DO console, upstart game developer Naughty Dog took the video game world by storm when they released their first 3-D platformer on the Playstation system and made their unique marsupial Crash Bandicoot a household name. While Crash Bandicoot wasn't a free-roaming 3-D platformer, the game still allowed far more range of movement than any platformers had up until then. The control was tight and responsive, and Crash Bandicoot offered a serious challenge for the even veteran gamers. In fact, I spent many hours with the game before I was finally able to achieve a 100% completion percentage. Some gamers feel that Crash Bandicoot hasn't aged as well as some of the other fully 3-D platformers like Super Mario 64, but I still love this unique game because to me it was where the whole 3-D platformer craze really began. If you've never played the original Crash Bandicoot, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. It's even available for download on the Playstation 3 Store for $9.99. A small price to pay for greatness. : )

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday. I plan on stuffing myself pretty good tomorrow and watching a little football. I'll still find time to post #4 on the Top 10 Platformers list as well. Anyone want to take a wild guess what #1 might be? : )

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #5 - Super Mario 64

What can you say about Super Mario 64 that probably hasn't been said hundreds of times before. This game single-handedly redefined the platforming genre and kicked off a wave of 3-D platformers that are still a staple of gaming today. This game was the reason I was standing at the doors of Toys R Us at 9am the day the Nintendo 64 system launched. I even took a week's vacation off from work just so I could have a full 7 days of Super Mario 64 goodness. I enjoyed the remake on the Nintendo DS, but there's just something about the good old original that brings back so many great memories. This game had great visuals, a beautiful soundtrack, and some of the best game play the Mario series had ever seen. The only real downside of this game was having to play it with that awful Nintendo 64 controller but that's a subject for another day. It's no small wonder this game is still so highly regarded, even all these years later. If you want to see one of the games that's responsible for the way we play 3-D platformers today, check out Super Mario 64. Games like this don't come along very often.

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #6 - Klonoa

The first time I saw screenshots of this game I thought it was the goofiest looking game I'd ever seen and couldn't imagine that it would ever be worth playing. But as usual, temptation finally got the best of me after hearing so many good things about the game in reviews and I broke down and bought it. As it turned out, it was one of the best platformers I'd ever played. The unique 2.5-D game play and gorgeous backdrops made playing the game a real treat. Although the game is over-the-top cute, there's so much charm and personality strung throughout the game that it's hard not to love the overall style of the game. This game didn't sell very well and supposedly large quantities of the game were destroyed and buried in a landfill (ala E.T. for the Atari 2600) thus making it very scarce and priced pretty high on eBay nowadays. Namco is rumored to be considering releasing it on the Playstation 3 store so maybe soon everybody will get a chance to try a really brilliant platformer that most people missed the first time around. If you've been considering picking the game up on eBay but were afraid the game wasn't worth the high price tag, you can rest assured Klonoa is one of the best platformers ever made and easily worth the $50-$60 it goes for on eBay. A classic in every sense of the word.

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #7 - Super Mario World

The Super Famicom was the first game system I ever imported early from Japan. After playing Super Mario Bros. 1-3 on my NES, I just couldn't wait the 6 months until the US Super Nintendo was coming out. It was expensive, but so worth it once I fired up that system and began playing Super Mario World. In that six month period, I didn't buy another game for the Super Famicom. It's just as well as I couldn't put down Super Mario World long enough to play anything else anyway. Super Mario World took all of the great level design and platforming game play from the previous Super Mario Bros. games and turned them into a brand new Super Mario adventure that is still one of the best ever made. Lots of hidden levels that let you go go back and try to locate the secret keys and alternate exits, not to mention the super-challenging Star Road levels. I feel ashamed to put this one so far down on the list, but as I said before, these ten games are so close together, it was almost unfair to actually rank them. If you haven't played Super Mario World lately, you might want to run through it again and see once again why this game is such a legendary platforming title. In fact, I'm playing through it again right now myself. : )

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #8 - Conker's Bad Fur Day

Now here's a platformer you can really sink your teeth into. Many thought Rare had lost their collective minds when they announced that they were giving their upcoming Conker game a "Mature Makeover." Crude humor became a staple of the game and while this would lead one to believe that Conker's Bad Fur Day is nothing more than a gimmicky platformer, the truth is the game is honestly one of the best platformers ever made. I mean how many games do you get the opportunity to toss rolls of toilet paper into the mouth of a giant steaming pile of crap? There was a lot of crude humor throughout the game and some racy language, but when it was all said and done, Conker was every bit as solid and enjoyable a platformer as anyone could have hoped it would be. The game was a little high in difficulty in certain parts of the game, but anyone that's played the game knows how much fun it is. The remake on the Xbox was decent, but it just didn't have that certain spark the original N64 version had. If you want to experience a fantastic platforming experience and aren't easily offended, give Conker's Bad Fur Day a try. At the very least you'll get a hearty laugh out of the whole thing.

Nintendo Wii - One Year Later...

Most people who follow gaming knew that after the enormous buzz at E3 which featured 4 and 5 hour wait times in line that the Nintendo Wii system was going to come out of the gate fast when it was released. Not only was the Nintendo Wii difficult to find at retailers during the launch window, it's still difficult to find even now one year later. Nintendo brough an entirely new method of play control to the table with the Wii system and it's obviously won many people over this past year. Maybe it's the cheaper price tag and maybe it's this innovative control method that's made it so popular and vaulted Nintendo back to the forefront of the gaming console war. Most likely, it's a combination of the two coupled with several killer game releases.

First Nintendo released their first killer app in Metroid Prime 3 Corruption in August to a rousing success. As if that didn't further push sales of the Wii system along they released Super Mario Galaxy this month which has proven to already be the most successful Wii title to date as far as sales go. About the only thing holding Nintendo back in the slightest right now is their lack of supply to meet the intense consumer demand for their Wii console during this holiday shopping season. If Nintendo can get the consoles out to retailers, it's pretty much a no-brainer that they'll sell like crazy between now and Christmas. As if all this good news wasn't enough, Nintendo still has what will probably end up being their most popular game release still coming during the first quarter of 2008 in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Talk about a killer 1-2 punch with Super Mario Galaxy and then Super Smash Bros. Brawl to follow.

Sony's already got an uphill battle on their hands and it's not going to make things any easier with Nintendo Wii sales still going through the roof. Microsoft's Xbox 360 is still chugging along and has turned into quite a well-rounded game console complete with one of the best online gaming services on the planet. This is really the one area of the Wii that Nintendo is going to have to address in the very near future. They really need to get their online gaming service up and running in full swing if they want to keep their momentum moving along. Other than that, Nintendo is probably more popular in the gaming world right now than they've been since the Super Nintendo days and they are showing no signs of slowing down whatsoever. (2007 RATING: 9/10)

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #9 - Kameo

Now I realize that labeling Kameo: Elements of Power a platformer might be pushing it a bit, but it's my list and my rules. : ) I waited many years to finally play this game and truth be told, seeing it on the Xbox 360 demo kiosk in Walmart is pretty much what convinced me to get an Xbox 360 system in the first place. Not to mention an LCD HDTV. I played this game for months and I just recently ran through it again and I must say, this is one outstanding game from start to finish. Gorgeous visuals, a beautifully orchestrated soundtrack, and some of the best character and level designs of any game I've ever had the pleasure of playing. If ever there were a game to usher in the next-generation of platformers, Kameo was it. You can pick this brilliant game up now for under $20 and it would be a bargain at three times that. Not only will you get a hefty dose of platforming throughout this game, but the character transformations give it a serious amount of variety in the game play department as well. Until Banjo Threeie hits the Xbox 360, this will likely remain my favorite platformer on the system as nothing else comes even remotely close.

Playstation 3 - One Year Later...

It's hard to believe that it's already been one year since the Playstation 3 system made its US debut. We had lines outside of retailers days before the system launched, people driving by and shooting at these people with BB guns, and money grubbers on eBay trying to sell these precious Playstation 3 systems for in excess of $5000. Tis the season of giving, indeed. Of course it wasn't long until the launch craze died down and the $500 and $600 price tags began to really sink in with consumers. And thus began the first year of Sony's Playstation 3 console.

Over the course of the past year Sony has made about as many changes to their console as humanly possible. First they quietly discontinued the 20GB model. Then they made everyone think they were dropping the price of the 60GB model by $100 when in reality they were actually discontinuing that model as well and were replacing it with a $599 80GB model. Then news came that Sony had removed the Emotion Engine chip that allowed Playstation 2 backward compatibility and that Sony were now going to release a 40GB Playstation 3 model for a mere $399. Whew! Sony obviously realized that in order to reach the average consumers during the upcoming Christmas holiday shopping season that they were going to have to get the price down to a more respectable point. Now we'll see if this little plan will actually work.

We've seen a few of the big name Sony titles, like Heavenly Sword, reach consumers, but sales of these games and Playstation 3 systems still hasn't jumped up enough for Sony's liking, especially given the fast-selling Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 systems. Sony's still got a long road ahead of them and 2008 will likely prove to be an important year for Sony and their Playstation 3 console. They've got the price down to a consumer-friendly level and now they need the quality game titles to kickstart sales a bit. Sony's in unfamiliar territory at the moment and with no signs of Nintendo or Microsoft slowing down, they face an uphill battle. 2007 wasn't a great year for Playstation 3 but Sony remains optimistic and insists 2008 will be a much better year for Playstation 3 owners. We'll see. (2007 RATING: 6/10)

Corbie's Top 10 Platformers #10 - I Ninja

I-Ninja has to be one of the most underrated platformers in video game history. I-Ninja is available on PC, Playstation 2, Gamecube, and Xbox systems and can still be found around the net for less than $10. Believe me it's a small price to pay for such an outstanding platformer. I-Ninja uses a quirky type of humor to carry along the storyline, and there are some absolutely hilarious moments throughout the game beginning with you accidentally severing your Sensai's head at the start of the game. It just gets better from there. There's a ton of variety in the game play area as well. Not only do you get to hack-n-slash your way through the game's many levels but you'll also get to ride on a giant sphere and take control of a giant robot as well. There's even one level where you get to scoot along on a powder keg complete with a trail of gunpowder. The bosses in the game are spectacular. Not only are they well-designed, but each boss feels very unique and almost like they're not even from the same game. The entire way the boss levels are played changes with each new boss and gives the game a constant change of pace. About the only complaint I have with I-Ninja is that it is a bit on the short side. You can go back and try to perfect the game and get all of the sword and belt upgrades which is a lot of fun if you didn't get enough on your first trip through the game. If you somehow missed this outstanding game the first time around please do yourself a favor and pick it up. It will likely make a fan out of you like it did me. Maybe someday we'll see a sequel or remake because this little gem deserves another chance.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Spooky Top 10, I've decided to do another one. This time it's going to be my Top 10 Platformers of all time. I'll be adding a new game each day until we reach #1. And I can tell you ahead of time, #1 is NOT a Mario title. : ) You'll just have to wait and see!

Paladin's Quest review now up!

Just uploaded the Paladin's Quest review on SUPER-NES.COM. There were a lot of requests for this one. I haven't played through Paladin's Quest in more than a decade and after spending some playing time on it this week, I now remember why. There are very few RPGs I've played over the years that are as bland and uninspired as this one. But to each his own. If you like it, more power to you. Enjoy the review. Next up is another Super Famicom import review since I'm still getting a lot of emails about them. I'm not saying which one so it will be a surprise. : )

Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii - One Year Later...

Well we're coming up on the one year anniversary of the US release of the Sony Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii systems. The Playstation 3 launched on November 17, 2006 and the Nintendo Wii launched two days later on November 19, 2006. On those days, I'm going to take a look at how far the systems have come during their first year in the console race and see whether or not they've lived up to the enormous amount of hype surrounding them during their launch this time last year. Anyone remember the lines outside of retailers? People getting shot at with BB guns? Ebay sellers charging $5000 for a Playstation 3 system? I'll talk about all that and more. : )

Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - Review

Well it's the moment you Wii owners have been waiting for. Super Mario Galaxy is finally available here in the US. Most stores, including the Gamestop store where I had the game reserved, didn't get the game in today and told me I'd have to wait to pick it up tomorrow. Being the impatient person I am, I decided to get on the phone and call about 9 game stores in the city. Finally, the Walmart store on the far west side of the city had the game in stock and I drove all the way across town to pick it up. So was all that trouble really worth it. You'd better believe it. I've been playing video games for the better part of 27 years and after spending about 10 hours with Super Mario Galaxy I can safely say that it's one of the best video games I've ever played. It's been a very long time since I've been this genuinely and pleasantly surprised by a game, but there are few words to describe just how outstanding Super Mario Galaxy truly is. But for those who want to know more, I'll try.

The first concerns on most gamer's minds has to be the control system used in the game. While the innovative Wii controls have been a lot of fun so far, many wondered how this new style of control would work inside of a Super Mario platformer. You can all rest easy. Not only has Nintendo made splendid use of the Wii control system, they've also managed to pull of some other miraculous feats as well. Controlling Mario is accomplished using both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck attachment. There's nothing too radical here, other than shaking the Wii Remote or Nunchuck to make Mario perform a spin attack. The Wii Remote is also used to move a star pointer around onscreen that allows you to grab onto certain objects and pick up Star Bits. There are even some mini-game levels that allow you to tilt the Wii Remote to steer Mario along as he surfs on top of a Manta Ray. I won't give anymore away, but trust me, the entire control scheme just fits like a glove and never feels the least bit forced or "tacked-on." Everything from level design to the actual play control is everything you'd expect from a Super Mario title and the way in which the game automatically controls the camera for you is astounding. It's not 100% perfect, but it's damn close and also proof that it can be done when developers put enough time and thought into it. If ever there were a game to truly show off the Wii controls, this is it.

Early on we've seen a lot of Wii games that look like nothing more than slightly revamped Gamecube offerings. Super Mario Galaxy is about to change all of that. The visuals in this game have to be seen to be believed. They might not be of quite the quality of an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 title, but they're proof that the Wii is a much more powerful visual beast than many once thought. Everything is bold and vivid and really comes to life in full 16x9 widescreen glory. Trust me, you won't have any trouble knowing that this is not a Gamecube title from the moment you fire the game up. The music is also worth talking about as Nintendo has really made good use of the Dolby Pro Logic II sound capabilities of the Wii. The orchestrated music is fantastic and the moving sound effects give the game a very realistic and spacious sound in all of the various surroundings. While Nintendo has once again left out any real voiced dialog, there's enough personality with the sound effects to more than make up for this slight omission. If you've got a good HDTV and surround sound system you're in for a real treat with Super Mario Galaxy. This is what we should have been seeing and hearing in Wii games all along.

I could spend a month talking about the many wonderful things found in Super Mario Galaxy, but I honestly want to wrap this review up so I can get back to playing the game. It's one of those games that calls your name out when you're not playing it. Super Mario Galaxy is definitely what I consider to be Game of the Year, and it might very well be the Game of the Decade as well. Very seldom does a game this outstanding come along so we should all treasure it while we can. It might have taken a year to get the game out to Wii owners, but the extra development time was obviously well worth it. If you don't have this game, drop what you're doing and go get it now! This game will sell a million Wii systems all by itself. (RATING: 9.9/10)

Do Re Mi Fantasy (Super Famicom)

I've always been a huge fan of platformers and the 16-bit era had an incredibly large number of quality offerings. Somehow I missed this little import Super Famicom gem the first time around but was lucky enough to discover it just recently. Do Re Mi Fantasy is one of the most charming and playable platformers I've had the pleasure of playing in years. It's also got a very unique visual and musical style that sets it apart from the many other platformers on the system. If you want to know more about the game, click on the box art to the left to visit the full review on super-nes.com. If you're a platformer fan there is absolutely no excuse for this game not to be a part of your game library. It's really fantastic.(RATING: 9.0/10)

Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - Preview

After an agonizing wait, Super Mario Galaxy is almost upon us. With just a few days until the US release of the game, I finally got an hour to sit down with the game and play without people standing over my shoulder waiting to play and it's made me realize just how outstanding this game truly is. Everything you could want out of a Super Mario Bros. game is intact and there are some great game play innovations that come with using the Wii Remote and Nunchuck attachment. It's clear from the moment you begin playing Super Mario Galaxy that you are playing a game that will likely go down in history as one of the greatest video games ever made. It's honestly that good.

You begin the game with a brief tutorial. It's not much, but you get to chase bunnies around until you catch all three of them. Then it's on to the regular game. The game starts out with Mario only being able to jump but quickly begins introducing you to his many other moves including his spin attack. Moving Mario around is done using the analog stick on the Nunchuck. You make Mario jump using the "A" button on the Wii Remote and you can make Mario perform his spin attack by shaking the Wii Remote around a little. There are a ton of other moves Mario can make use of, but I'll let you experience those on your own. Even with the really high expectations I've had for Super Mario Galaxy, the game has exceeded them in just about every way possible. This is one of the best games I've ever played in my 28 years of gaming and this game will sell a million Wii systems all by itself. Nintendo couldn't have picked a better game to kick off the holiday shopping season with. I'll be at Gamestop the morning this game is released and I'll have a full review up soon after. (RATING: 9.9/10)

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker - Impressions

Now this is more like it. Having waited all these years since Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Tara's Adventure, I was quite anxious for a new Monsters game and this one has delivered. Not only is the game now in 3-D and feaures cel-shaded visuals, but the overall scope of the game has also increased dramatically. So far the game has been a lot of fun and many of the monsters and sound effects should immediately look and sound familiar to fans of the Dragon Quest Monsters series. Even the leveling up sound is the same. It was also nice to see that the coffin function is still in place where if one of your monsters is taken out in battle he turns into a coffin. I've put about 3 hours into the game so far and it's just as much fun as ever. You no longer toss meat at the monsters, instead you use a Scout Ring to try to impress monsters you would like to capture. Sometimes you're impressive enough and other times the monsters attack you instead. A lot of it seems to do with how leveled up the monsters currently in your party are. It's safe to say that if you've enjoyed any previous Dragon Quest Monster titles that you're going to love this one. I'll have more when I've had more time to play the game. (RATING: 9.1/10)

Minna no Golf Portable 2 (PSP)

For those of you who don't already know, Clap Hanz and Sony are getting ready to release Minna no Golf Portable 2 in Japan on December 6th. This is the long-awaited sequel to the first Minna no Golf Portable game that launched with the PSP in Japan way back in 2004. It's been a long three year wait, but the wait is almost over. The game features 12 brand new courses. That's right, 12! There's also a new group of characters as well as tons of new accessories to win in challenges and tournaments. The biggest new feature of Minna no Golf Portable 2 is the online game play. This was one of the few knocks against the original PSP title and hopefully this will appease those who've long called for an online tournament system to be implemented, much the way the new Playstation 3 Minna no Golf title features. I've already got mine reserved at Play-Asia so I should have it on the 7th or 8th of December and I'll have full impressions then once I've had a chance to put some playing time into it.

Xbox Live Arcade - Switchball

Xbox Live Arcade fans are in for a real treat with today's Marketplace release Switchball. Switchball has a slightly similar feel to Marble Blast Ultra, but Switchball adds puzzle-type elements to the mix. For instance you'll have to change the material your ball is made out of at times in order to progress through the level. Sometimes you'll need to morph into a metal ball in order to move heavier objects, yet you'll have to turn around and morph back into your regular ball in order to keep from breaking through the cloth areas of the level. You'll also have to move certain objects like wooden crates in order to roll across them from a ramp above. It's the challenge of figuring out these little tricks and puzzles that make Switchball so hard to put down. Visually the game is amazing, and there are even some nice lighting effects thrown as well. I loved Marble Blast Ultra, but so far I'm enjoying Switchball a bit more as it has a little more variety in the game play department. This one comes highly recommended. (RATING: 9/10)

Virtual Console Releases Announced!

Well it's a secret no more. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) is finally coming to the Wii Virtual Console. I guess Nintendo is warming everybody up for next week's release of Super Mario Galaxy. Super Mario Bros. 3 is widely considered to be one of, if not the best video games ever made. If you've played it you obviously know why. Also on tap for the Virtual Console today are Alien Soldier (Genesis) and Power Golf (TurboGrafx-16). Alien Soldier is a great action title from Treasure, but stay away from Power Golf. The streaky play mechanics in the game render it pretty much unplayable. Enjoy the VC releases today and get that Wii ready for next week!

Christmas in November

You read right. This year Christmas for gamers is coming in November, not December. While there are a few solid releases in December, November is the month that will likely bankrupt gamers around the US this year. There might not be any console launches like we saw last year at this time, but the sheer amount of money all of these games will cost you will likely make you wish it was only a console you had to buy. I've already crossed a few people off of my Christmas list to free up some money for games I want. Whoever said it's better to give than to receive never played Super Mario Galaxy. I've already reserved quite a few games for this month and I'll be posting impressions of them all on the blog as I pick them up. Here are the games I've reserved so far:

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (Wii) - November 6
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS) - November 7
Mario & Sonic: Olympic Games (Wii) - November 7
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - November 13
Contra 4 (DS) - November 14
Soul Calibur Legends (Wii) - November 21
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (DS) - November 21
Atari Classics Evolved (PSP) - November 21

It was tough to narrow the list of all of the releases this month down to these 8 titles, but that's about all the old wallet can handle this month. I guess it's only fitting that the Wii kick a little ass this month since it hasn't been shown a great deal of love lately. I'll be posting a lot to the blog this month about these releases as well as a few more surprises thrown into the mix. Thanks again to all who visit the blog. I hope everyone enjoys the holidays.

Forgotten Favorites - Dragon Warrior Monsters

After reading that Dragon Warrior Monsters was not a regular Dragon Warrior rpg, I quickly dismissed it as yet another gimmicky product to cash in on a popular game's name. It wasn't until I walked into a Walmart store while I was out of town on business that I picked this game up simply because I had brought my Game Boy Pocket system along with me but forgot to bring along my case of games with it. The game selection in this small Walmart store wasn't very good and of all the games the only one that halfway interested me was this one. There are very few games that truly surprise me, but I don't think I put this game down for weeks. It's also been the main reason that I've kept a Game Boy system around all these years so I could still play it. Dragon Warrior Monsters has a certain addictive quality to it that makes it a blast to play, even for hours at a time.

While there's not really an RPG type flow to the game, the monster breeding portion of the game is where it's at. Trying to obtain the mystery monsters through absolutely mammoth amounts of breeding made the game so difficult to put down. Every time you'd obtain a super-powered monster, you'd want to go at it again to try to get another one. It took me more hours than I'd care to speak about in order to get the Zoma, Deathmore Final Form, and GoldSlime, but it was well worth it once I saw what they were capable of in the arenas. If you've never given this classic Game Boy title a go, do yourself a favor and check it out. And then pick up the upcoming DS title Dragon Warrior Monsters: Joker when it hits store shelves on November 7th.

Super Famicom Games

I realized today that not only have I neglected the super-nes.com web site for a long time, I've done the same thing with my Super Nintendo collection as well. I've got a few imports, but I was recently turned on to some new titles that I wasn't aware of, so I ordered several of them this afternoon. The Super Famicom games I ordered are: Do Re Mi Fantasy, Magical Pop'n, Majyuuou, Ganbare Goemon, and Super Genjin 2. I also picked up a Super Game Boy 2 adapter since I've wanted one for some time. Now I can get rid of my old GBA SP since these older Game Boy titles are the only reason I've kept the old system around anyway. I'll have some impressions of these Super Famicom games once I get them in next week and I'll get reviews of them up on super-nes.com soon as well.

** Since Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker is coming out next week for the Nintendo DS, I'm going to do Forgotten Favorites of the first two Game Boy Dragon Warrior Monster titles over the next two days as well. **