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Here a question.
How long do people think the N64 has left to live?
With games like Perfect Dark, Zelda: The Continuing Sage, Turok 3, A Resident Evil game, Top Gear Rally 2, and a bunch of other wicked games this year. How long will the N64 live for? Specially with the PS2 and Dolphin on the horizon how much longer can the N64 last?
Cooky
How long do people think the N64 has left to live?
With games like Perfect Dark, Zelda: The Continuing Sage, Turok 3, A Resident Evil game, Top Gear Rally 2, and a bunch of other wicked games this year. How long will the N64 live for? Specially with the PS2 and Dolphin on the horizon how much longer can the N64 last?
Cooky
Page:
Nuclear strike is another example of EA’s excellence.
The game is set in the jungles of Southeast Asia, where the player is given over 15
different vehicles to complete his mission. This means that you’re not confined to the
air any longer. Besides the choppers, you get to crash through rivers and trees with a
wide variety of tanks, including an M-1 Abrams. And if that doesn’t appeal to you, a
hovercraft has been added as well.
Along with the huge parking lot of extra vehicles, EA has also tuned the graphics. The
ground levels look extremely cool and the explosion effects are great.
However, at its heart Nuclear Strike is the same game as Soviet Strike, only with
better graphics and a wider variety of vehicles. Hopefully EA won’t fall into the trap
its sports division has, releasing the same game year after year with minor
improvements.
The game is set in the jungles of Southeast Asia, where the player is given over 15
different vehicles to complete his mission. This means that you’re not confined to the
air any longer. Besides the choppers, you get to crash through rivers and trees with a
wide variety of tanks, including an M-1 Abrams. And if that doesn’t appeal to you, a
hovercraft has been added as well.
Along with the huge parking lot of extra vehicles, EA has also tuned the graphics. The
ground levels look extremely cool and the explosion effects are great.
However, at its heart Nuclear Strike is the same game as Soviet Strike, only with
better graphics and a wider variety of vehicles. Hopefully EA won’t fall into the trap
its sports division has, releasing the same game year after year with minor
improvements.
i write this partly in response to both fogmaster and speaker, and partly to invoke further responses from anyone out there who wishes to agree or disagree, which is after all what these discussion forums are for.
i do actually reckon that in terms of its product life cycle, the n64 has gone over the crest of the hill and is heading down the other side. this is why we see fewer games released and less shelf space devoted to it in the shops. but, doesn't neccessarily have to be a bad thing.
what n64 owners still have to look forward to in terms of releases is a string of top quality titles. so much so in fact that it may get to the stage where every new release is a must purchase. in the past, you could have gone 20 games without finding one which you just had to have.
the next year will be a time of high quality games (perfect dark, excitebike, eternal darkness, zelda gaiden), cheap bargain buys and eager anticipation of the dolphin. n64 owners still have a hell of a lot to be happy about.
i do actually reckon that in terms of its product life cycle, the n64 has gone over the crest of the hill and is heading down the other side. this is why we see fewer games released and less shelf space devoted to it in the shops. but, doesn't neccessarily have to be a bad thing.
what n64 owners still have to look forward to in terms of releases is a string of top quality titles. so much so in fact that it may get to the stage where every new release is a must purchase. in the past, you could have gone 20 games without finding one which you just had to have.
the next year will be a time of high quality games (perfect dark, excitebike, eternal darkness, zelda gaiden), cheap bargain buys and eager anticipation of the dolphin. n64 owners still have a hell of a lot to be happy about.
I believe that this game will sign the end of all N64 games, this will then make way for the New `Dolphin`. When this game makes it onto the shop's shelves and the masses flood through the doors to get a copy of the latest title, it is then that they will know that Rare has made the right desicion in keeping this game back a few months longer. If you think about the long term capabilities of this game then you will understand.
GOLDENEYE (why do we love it?)
Goldeneye was and still is one of the most realistic and most fun games to have been pluged into a N64 console, everyone will agree, whether they are or not a N64 owner, they will tell you that this is a great game, they will tell you that there has never been a more action packed, fully life like game on the N64! I bet you loved it how before you shot a guard with a sniper rifle (single player mode)you would wait until they had finished scratching their bum or getting rid of a fly above their head! This brings that ounce of realism that isn't conciously noticed but makes it seem like you are actually part of the game.
Now that `Perfect Dark` is entering the earths gaming orbit, we don't really know what to expect, new multiplayer, more detailed single player levels!, more characters to shoot, and more amazing WEAPONS! We are lucky to own a N64 console because now you will be able to experience what will become one of the greatest game to have ever walked the walk! Even though the game is only simple, it only needs one cartridge, unlike the ps needing maybe two or three cd's to run one game! and even though this game has nothing special to offer once you have completed the game,.......every time you switch on your N64 you will find yourself slipping Perfect Dark or Goldeneye (if you have it) into the black hole in your sacred black box.
This is because you love it, you love your N64 and could never think of buying a ps, if you have read some of the bad comments written by some of the ps owners! anyway I know that when you buy a N64 cart you expect quality for you money, and excellent gameplay, and I assure you, that you will get every penny's worth with this new title!
If you don't buy it then their is something very wrong.
Write me your comments, please.
GOLDENEYE (why do we love it?)
Goldeneye was and still is one of the most realistic and most fun games to have been pluged into a N64 console, everyone will agree, whether they are or not a N64 owner, they will tell you that this is a great game, they will tell you that there has never been a more action packed, fully life like game on the N64! I bet you loved it how before you shot a guard with a sniper rifle (single player mode)you would wait until they had finished scratching their bum or getting rid of a fly above their head! This brings that ounce of realism that isn't conciously noticed but makes it seem like you are actually part of the game.
Now that `Perfect Dark` is entering the earths gaming orbit, we don't really know what to expect, new multiplayer, more detailed single player levels!, more characters to shoot, and more amazing WEAPONS! We are lucky to own a N64 console because now you will be able to experience what will become one of the greatest game to have ever walked the walk! Even though the game is only simple, it only needs one cartridge, unlike the ps needing maybe two or three cd's to run one game! and even though this game has nothing special to offer once you have completed the game,.......every time you switch on your N64 you will find yourself slipping Perfect Dark or Goldeneye (if you have it) into the black hole in your sacred black box.
This is because you love it, you love your N64 and could never think of buying a ps, if you have read some of the bad comments written by some of the ps owners! anyway I know that when you buy a N64 cart you expect quality for you money, and excellent gameplay, and I assure you, that you will get every penny's worth with this new title!
If you don't buy it then their is something very wrong.
Write me your comments, please.
Do me a favor. Close your eyes...let your mind wander back, before the 64 bit revolution. Keep going...now you're passing by the 32 bit madness of a few years back....don't be afraid...let it flow...there you go, slowly passing those two giants of days past, the 16 bit SNES and Genesis...we're almost there... it's up ahead a little... ah, here we go...that ancient machine of lore, the Nintendo...and what's that I see?...the little man running around bumping into things?...and his brother?....
AHHHHH....when Mario and Luigi were infants, when their only concern were pesky turtles, when they spent their days doing the one thing they were born to do ----- Plumbing.
Somewhere along the line, someone took those lovable little Italians and transformed them into ridiculously shameless charicatures of themselves. Their mustaches beefed up, their bellies filled out, and their accents thickened into a hearty tomato sauce, the kind that mama used to make. And then they were dropped into go-carts.
Mario Kart 64 is a remake of the SNES version, with the added firepower of the new system. Indeed, the power of the N64 lends itself to smooth graphics and pretty pictures. Gameplay is another matter, however, and it is in this area that the N64 has been struggling. Games such as Cruis'n USA and Shadows of the Empire failed to break through the haze of fancy graphics and didn't deliver the goods. Mario Kart manages to put some excitement into the system, but not enough to save it from mediocrity.
The idea is simple. Take a slew of overexposed characters from the Mario universe, throw 'em in "karts" (lawnmower engine powered), and watch 'em go!! The gang's all here: Mario, Luigi, evil Wario, Yoshi, Bowser, Princess Peach, Toad, and even that old arch-enemy Donkey Kong are included. You can choose to be any racer, the differences being slight. Three carts are lightweights, they are fast, but weak. Mario and Luigi are the middleweights, the best balanced in terms of durability and speed. The three heavyweights are a bit slower but can plow through traffic with ease.
The format is simple as well. You can race in any of several modes (single race, time trials, grand prix, vs., battle). The object, obviously, is to win in the shortest time possible. To aid you in your mission are power up items such as turtle shells that pummel your opponents, invincibility stars, turbo charged mushrooms, slippery banana peels, and lightning bolts. You can get these items by driving over Item boxes which are randomly distributed across each track. You don't know what item you'll get - just have faith in the powers that be.
There are 16 total tracks, divided into 4 separate "Cups": Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, and Special Cup. The tracks gradually get more difficult as you go. To continue racing for a trophy in each Cup, you must place at least 4th. Points are awarded based on placement; at the end of the Cup tourney, you can win the gold, silver, etc....
The controls are basic - gas, brake, turn, slide, yawn. There is a difficult to learn "mini-turbo" turning technique to add excitement, but it's hard to pull off and isn't THAT much fun...
Graphically, the N64 continues to kick butt. The racers look great and drive smoothly. There is almost no pop-up, a definite improvement over other N64 racers like Cruis'n USA. The backgrounds, unfortunately, are fairly boring. In fact, the beginning tracks are very boring looking, though the more complex tracks have, well, more complex graphics. Most of the power is put into smooth texture mapping - you won't find any breaks in the action.
And action there is. There's not a whole lot of strategy involved; maybe a well-timed lightning bolt or a banana booby-trap. But the best part of the game is the frenetic energy of whipping around turns at breakneck speeds. Er, okay, so the speeds aren't quite breakneck. And you don't really "whip." For the most part, just haul some Mario ass.
So the graphics are pretty good, the controls are easy, the action is fast paced: what's the problem, you ask? Simply put, the game feels pretty bubblegummy. It goes from "cute" to "puke" in a matter of minutes. Perhaps I'm spoiled, as I've recently had the honor of experiencing the far-and-away best game for the N64 right now, the amazing Turok. Mario Kart 64 is really just a souped up version of the SNES game with added graphical power. No new ground is broken, or even scraped.
This isn't a bad game. This isn't a good game, either. Frankly, what you see is what you get - kinda dorky, outdated characters thrown into an average cartoon racing game. Oh yeah, you'll also get some pretty painful Italian stereotypes... nothing that a "large-a plate of-a pasta" won't fix!
AHHHHH....when Mario and Luigi were infants, when their only concern were pesky turtles, when they spent their days doing the one thing they were born to do ----- Plumbing.
Somewhere along the line, someone took those lovable little Italians and transformed them into ridiculously shameless charicatures of themselves. Their mustaches beefed up, their bellies filled out, and their accents thickened into a hearty tomato sauce, the kind that mama used to make. And then they were dropped into go-carts.
Mario Kart 64 is a remake of the SNES version, with the added firepower of the new system. Indeed, the power of the N64 lends itself to smooth graphics and pretty pictures. Gameplay is another matter, however, and it is in this area that the N64 has been struggling. Games such as Cruis'n USA and Shadows of the Empire failed to break through the haze of fancy graphics and didn't deliver the goods. Mario Kart manages to put some excitement into the system, but not enough to save it from mediocrity.
The idea is simple. Take a slew of overexposed characters from the Mario universe, throw 'em in "karts" (lawnmower engine powered), and watch 'em go!! The gang's all here: Mario, Luigi, evil Wario, Yoshi, Bowser, Princess Peach, Toad, and even that old arch-enemy Donkey Kong are included. You can choose to be any racer, the differences being slight. Three carts are lightweights, they are fast, but weak. Mario and Luigi are the middleweights, the best balanced in terms of durability and speed. The three heavyweights are a bit slower but can plow through traffic with ease.
The format is simple as well. You can race in any of several modes (single race, time trials, grand prix, vs., battle). The object, obviously, is to win in the shortest time possible. To aid you in your mission are power up items such as turtle shells that pummel your opponents, invincibility stars, turbo charged mushrooms, slippery banana peels, and lightning bolts. You can get these items by driving over Item boxes which are randomly distributed across each track. You don't know what item you'll get - just have faith in the powers that be.
There are 16 total tracks, divided into 4 separate "Cups": Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, and Special Cup. The tracks gradually get more difficult as you go. To continue racing for a trophy in each Cup, you must place at least 4th. Points are awarded based on placement; at the end of the Cup tourney, you can win the gold, silver, etc....
The controls are basic - gas, brake, turn, slide, yawn. There is a difficult to learn "mini-turbo" turning technique to add excitement, but it's hard to pull off and isn't THAT much fun...
Graphically, the N64 continues to kick butt. The racers look great and drive smoothly. There is almost no pop-up, a definite improvement over other N64 racers like Cruis'n USA. The backgrounds, unfortunately, are fairly boring. In fact, the beginning tracks are very boring looking, though the more complex tracks have, well, more complex graphics. Most of the power is put into smooth texture mapping - you won't find any breaks in the action.
And action there is. There's not a whole lot of strategy involved; maybe a well-timed lightning bolt or a banana booby-trap. But the best part of the game is the frenetic energy of whipping around turns at breakneck speeds. Er, okay, so the speeds aren't quite breakneck. And you don't really "whip." For the most part, just haul some Mario ass.
So the graphics are pretty good, the controls are easy, the action is fast paced: what's the problem, you ask? Simply put, the game feels pretty bubblegummy. It goes from "cute" to "puke" in a matter of minutes. Perhaps I'm spoiled, as I've recently had the honor of experiencing the far-and-away best game for the N64 right now, the amazing Turok. Mario Kart 64 is really just a souped up version of the SNES game with added graphical power. No new ground is broken, or even scraped.
This isn't a bad game. This isn't a good game, either. Frankly, what you see is what you get - kinda dorky, outdated characters thrown into an average cartoon racing game. Oh yeah, you'll also get some pretty painful Italian stereotypes... nothing that a "large-a plate of-a pasta" won't fix!
Any self-respecting gamer has experienced Quake II on the PC. Even if you haven't played the game itself, you've likely stumbled upon a different game based on the Quake II engine. The online fragfest of Quake II has taken the Internet by storm, with more clans, skins, and newsgroups than you can count. It has certainly earned its place in gaming history.
The key word there, however, is history. Quake II initially came out back in 1997, when the Macarena was at the top of the charts and the president's sex life still had some shreds of privacy. In the video game arena, two years can be a very long time.
Unfortunately, time has not been kind to the one-time king of the fragfest. With dated graphics, weak AI and a disappointing single-player experience, this game just doesn't cut the mustard. It pales in comparison to other first-person shooters for the N64, which is sad considering that Goldeneye came out before the PC version of Quake II.
The idea is as standard as it gets. An evil alien race called the Strogg is attempting to eradicate every living being on Earth. You're a Space Marine sent in to infiltrate and destroy the Strogg homeworld. The fate of the Earth rests in your capable trigger finger. In a nutshell: go kill things.
There are 2 main ways to play - Single Player and a host of Multi-Player game styles. The single player experience leaves much to be desired. The entire game has been altered from its PC counterpart, with entirely new levels and objectives to meet. However, it is still primarily a corridor-based shooter, so you get the same textures repeated over and over again. Levels are not particularly interesting nor memorable and mission goals are very easy to satisfy. This is a linear game - you always know where you need to go, and the only real task is to get there in one piece.
Standing in your way are a few bad guys. Emphasis on 'few.' Quake II includes a whopping 12 enemy types, though several of these are just upgraded versions of each other. Plus, you'll only see 2 bosses. This leads to a VERY repetitive experience.
Your weaponry is as potent as ever, including the shotgun, railgun, grenade launcher, hyperblaster, and the ever-offensive BFG10000. This is one area that Quake II has always excelled in, and the N64 version is no different. The weapon balance is excellent and you'll end up using just about everything.
Graphically, Quake II falls way short of the mark set by other first-person shooters on the N64. Unlike the uncanny realism of Goldeneye or the RAM enhanced smoothness of Turok 2, Quake II offers very little to impress. Enemies are polygonal, but horribly animated. Movements are incredibly jerky and awkward; at times it seems that whole chunks of animation were left out. Blood flows out in big, ugly pixels. While the game claims to detect expanded RAM, it's barely noticeable. This game looks more like original Doom than it should.
The sound is equally uninspiring. The enemies grunt to inform you of their presence, but that's about all you'll hear from them. The music is also precisely what you'd expect from an N64 game - weak and ambient.
Where the single player game fails, however, the multiplayer shines. There are several multiplayer options. Deathmatch is the famous kill or be killed affair, Fragteams is the team version of Deathmatch, Flagwars is a capture the flag style game, and Deathtag requires you to hold on to the flag for as long as you can before getting fragged. This adds much variety and is a step above the somewhat unsatisfying multiplayer in Turok 2.
Quake II has the same high-quality multiplayer level design you'd find in the online version. The weapons are plentiful and the layout of most levels is smart and fun. You can play against up to four of your friends, though the four-way split screen is a little too small. In general, however, multi-player is the game's biggest saving grace.
In the end, we have a game that really didn't need to be made. It can't compete with the few other first-person shooters on the N64, even though it's the most 'recent' one. Die hard Quake fans should stay away, and the rest of you should just go play Goldeneye some more. This one belongs on the PC.
The key word there, however, is history. Quake II initially came out back in 1997, when the Macarena was at the top of the charts and the president's sex life still had some shreds of privacy. In the video game arena, two years can be a very long time.
Unfortunately, time has not been kind to the one-time king of the fragfest. With dated graphics, weak AI and a disappointing single-player experience, this game just doesn't cut the mustard. It pales in comparison to other first-person shooters for the N64, which is sad considering that Goldeneye came out before the PC version of Quake II.
The idea is as standard as it gets. An evil alien race called the Strogg is attempting to eradicate every living being on Earth. You're a Space Marine sent in to infiltrate and destroy the Strogg homeworld. The fate of the Earth rests in your capable trigger finger. In a nutshell: go kill things.
There are 2 main ways to play - Single Player and a host of Multi-Player game styles. The single player experience leaves much to be desired. The entire game has been altered from its PC counterpart, with entirely new levels and objectives to meet. However, it is still primarily a corridor-based shooter, so you get the same textures repeated over and over again. Levels are not particularly interesting nor memorable and mission goals are very easy to satisfy. This is a linear game - you always know where you need to go, and the only real task is to get there in one piece.
Standing in your way are a few bad guys. Emphasis on 'few.' Quake II includes a whopping 12 enemy types, though several of these are just upgraded versions of each other. Plus, you'll only see 2 bosses. This leads to a VERY repetitive experience.
Your weaponry is as potent as ever, including the shotgun, railgun, grenade launcher, hyperblaster, and the ever-offensive BFG10000. This is one area that Quake II has always excelled in, and the N64 version is no different. The weapon balance is excellent and you'll end up using just about everything.
Graphically, Quake II falls way short of the mark set by other first-person shooters on the N64. Unlike the uncanny realism of Goldeneye or the RAM enhanced smoothness of Turok 2, Quake II offers very little to impress. Enemies are polygonal, but horribly animated. Movements are incredibly jerky and awkward; at times it seems that whole chunks of animation were left out. Blood flows out in big, ugly pixels. While the game claims to detect expanded RAM, it's barely noticeable. This game looks more like original Doom than it should.
The sound is equally uninspiring. The enemies grunt to inform you of their presence, but that's about all you'll hear from them. The music is also precisely what you'd expect from an N64 game - weak and ambient.
Where the single player game fails, however, the multiplayer shines. There are several multiplayer options. Deathmatch is the famous kill or be killed affair, Fragteams is the team version of Deathmatch, Flagwars is a capture the flag style game, and Deathtag requires you to hold on to the flag for as long as you can before getting fragged. This adds much variety and is a step above the somewhat unsatisfying multiplayer in Turok 2.
Quake II has the same high-quality multiplayer level design you'd find in the online version. The weapons are plentiful and the layout of most levels is smart and fun. You can play against up to four of your friends, though the four-way split screen is a little too small. In general, however, multi-player is the game's biggest saving grace.
In the end, we have a game that really didn't need to be made. It can't compete with the few other first-person shooters on the N64, even though it's the most 'recent' one. Die hard Quake fans should stay away, and the rest of you should just go play Goldeneye some more. This one belongs on the PC.
Hello. Meesa Jar Jar Binks. Meesa no tink there be enough Jar Jar in Menace Phantom movie. Meesa know that youssa love meesa and want meesa around all de time. Who cares that Meesa is offensive to some people? Meesa have a right to be. Meesa even have Jedi friend who kick your assa if hurt meesa. Meesa introduce Star Wars: Episode One Racer to youssa. Meesa no like name of game. Meesa tink that game should be called Jar Jar Racer because meesa so popular. Meesa like to take time to sing song about meesa. You like song. It goes like . . . AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!
(Suddenly, Sebulba jumps from out of nowhere and tears Jar Jar's floppy ears off and drags him away into the darkness . . . And there was much rejoicing.)
Thanks, Sebulba. By now, all of you readers have experienced the new Star Wars movie in some fashion or another. From beach towels to coffee mugs, from toothpaste to Legos, Star Wars is everywhere. So, it comes as little surprise that the movie would spawn not one, but two video games (the other being Star Wars: The Phantom Menace for the PC.)
In Star Wars: Episode One Racer, we see the dark underbelly of the Republic take form in the numerous pod racing leagues around the galaxy. For those of you who haven't seen the movie (all two of you), one of the best scenes involves the nine-year old Anakin in a deadly high speed race, piloting the Star Wars equivalent of a roman chariot. Gee, I didn't get to risk my life like that till I was twelve . . .
As hinted at in the movie, many other planets in the Republic condone pod racing for gambling purposes. It's your job to take on the role of one of the podracers, some of which were in the film. As in any racing game, the goal is to come in first. Placing in the top three gets you money, which can then be used to upgrade your pod. Not surprisingly, the tracks are broken into three groups: amateur, semi-pro, and Galactic. Unfortunately, you never get to race Ben Hur . . .
The graphics in Racer are really neat. After being so disappointed with Wipeout 64, it looked like the N64 couldn't handle the high framerate without a significant amount of pop-up. Well, the folks at Nintendo proved us wrong. As long as you have the RAM expansion pack, the graphics in Racer are great. There are at least 21 racers in the game, each with their own pod. On top of that, there are 25 different tracks, each one different - not just mirrors of each other. Even with all this, the framerate is impressive. You really get the sense of speed with Racer as you zoom through canyons and over volcanoes.
The sound is also fantastic. From the taunts, screams, and mumbles of the other racers to the great rendition of the bar music from the first Star Wars movie sung by Watto (the junkyard dealer), the music is authentic. Since sound quality is a major drawback to the cartridge based system, this is a refreshing change. If it's one thing the folks at LucasArts know how to do, it's sound.
What would a console racing game be without multiplayer? In Racer, you can challenge your best friend to a pod race and see who has the reflexes of a Jedi. Using the traditional split-screen setup, there is little or no framerate loss when racing a friend. In order to maintain the framerate, however, the designers opted to use a little bit of pop-up. Console gamers are used to a small amount of pop-up, so this isn't that much of an issue.
The biggest drawback to Racer is how easily your pod explodes. It's rare to be able to finish a race without crashing at least once. Unfortunately, the crash graphics are some of the worst in the game, and you're forced to watch it over and over again. The result of all this carnage is that the game seems much more arcade-like. You can crash multiple times and still win a race. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, I'd enjoy the game more if I could finish a race without getting destroyed in a cheap-looking blaze of glory.
All in all, Star Wars: Episode One Racer is a pretty good game. With fast action and a good two-player split-screen, it's sure to entertain most Star Wars fans. The constant crashing will frustrate some gamers, but so did Jar Jar. Let's just thank Nintendo for not putting him in the game.
(Suddenly, Sebulba jumps from out of nowhere and tears Jar Jar's floppy ears off and drags him away into the darkness . . . And there was much rejoicing.)
Thanks, Sebulba. By now, all of you readers have experienced the new Star Wars movie in some fashion or another. From beach towels to coffee mugs, from toothpaste to Legos, Star Wars is everywhere. So, it comes as little surprise that the movie would spawn not one, but two video games (the other being Star Wars: The Phantom Menace for the PC.)
In Star Wars: Episode One Racer, we see the dark underbelly of the Republic take form in the numerous pod racing leagues around the galaxy. For those of you who haven't seen the movie (all two of you), one of the best scenes involves the nine-year old Anakin in a deadly high speed race, piloting the Star Wars equivalent of a roman chariot. Gee, I didn't get to risk my life like that till I was twelve . . .
As hinted at in the movie, many other planets in the Republic condone pod racing for gambling purposes. It's your job to take on the role of one of the podracers, some of which were in the film. As in any racing game, the goal is to come in first. Placing in the top three gets you money, which can then be used to upgrade your pod. Not surprisingly, the tracks are broken into three groups: amateur, semi-pro, and Galactic. Unfortunately, you never get to race Ben Hur . . .
The graphics in Racer are really neat. After being so disappointed with Wipeout 64, it looked like the N64 couldn't handle the high framerate without a significant amount of pop-up. Well, the folks at Nintendo proved us wrong. As long as you have the RAM expansion pack, the graphics in Racer are great. There are at least 21 racers in the game, each with their own pod. On top of that, there are 25 different tracks, each one different - not just mirrors of each other. Even with all this, the framerate is impressive. You really get the sense of speed with Racer as you zoom through canyons and over volcanoes.
The sound is also fantastic. From the taunts, screams, and mumbles of the other racers to the great rendition of the bar music from the first Star Wars movie sung by Watto (the junkyard dealer), the music is authentic. Since sound quality is a major drawback to the cartridge based system, this is a refreshing change. If it's one thing the folks at LucasArts know how to do, it's sound.
What would a console racing game be without multiplayer? In Racer, you can challenge your best friend to a pod race and see who has the reflexes of a Jedi. Using the traditional split-screen setup, there is little or no framerate loss when racing a friend. In order to maintain the framerate, however, the designers opted to use a little bit of pop-up. Console gamers are used to a small amount of pop-up, so this isn't that much of an issue.
The biggest drawback to Racer is how easily your pod explodes. It's rare to be able to finish a race without crashing at least once. Unfortunately, the crash graphics are some of the worst in the game, and you're forced to watch it over and over again. The result of all this carnage is that the game seems much more arcade-like. You can crash multiple times and still win a race. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, I'd enjoy the game more if I could finish a race without getting destroyed in a cheap-looking blaze of glory.
All in all, Star Wars: Episode One Racer is a pretty good game. With fast action and a good two-player split-screen, it's sure to entertain most Star Wars fans. The constant crashing will frustrate some gamers, but so did Jar Jar. Let's just thank Nintendo for not putting him in the game.
After the destruction of the first Death Star, the rebels found that they had no time to rest. Though the Empire lost its most fearsome weapon, it was far from helpless. Imperial troopers attacked rebel bases, Tie bombers disrupted supply lines, and Star Destroyers made quick work of many brave rebel pilots. In this time of conflict, Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles (the only pilot to survive all three movies) saw the need to form Rogue Squadron, an elite band of pilots ready to serve wherever they're needed. Will Rogue Squadron make a name for themselves, or will they simply be a footnote in history?
Such is the plot of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (not to be confused with Rouge Squadron, which is a division of Mary Kay Cosmetics). The plot falls somewhere between the original Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. For those of you attempting to follow George Lucas' strange timeline, this is a prequel to the sequel to the original, which is a sequel to a movie that hasn't even been made yet, nor have its two prequels. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
All joking aside, the designers of the game seemed to be a little confused about where in the timeline they were making this game. Considering the constant references in the manual to scenes in The Empire Strikes Back, it would have been better if they had just said, "Fly an X-wing - it'll be fun."
Graphically, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron tests the limits of the N64 console. X-wings, Y-wings, Speeders, and other ships are all rendered in beautiful detail. The polygons are tight and the frame rate is nice. In fact, to totally enjoy this game, it is recommended that you buy the N64 expansion pack. It tightens the graphics and makes gameplay even smoother. Of course, those of you unwilling to expand will still find a very pretty game.
In the movie industry, few films had more effect on movie theater sound than Star Wars. Never fear, dear reader - the sound in Rogue Squadron is just as invigorating. The N64 is often criticized for poor sound and speech, but you wouldn't know it here. Plenty of voices flesh out the missions, including a fairly decent Luke (not Mark Hamill. . .he's busy as the Joker in Batman). Background music is authentic and fits the mood. Hearing a Tie Fighter scream by you, with its lasers strafing your hull, is a sound to behold.
Beautiful graphics and sound aside, Rogue Squadron is a lot of fun to play. Understand one thing, however; Rogue Squadron is very much an arcade game. Fans of the PC legend X-wing vs. Tie Fighter will be disappointed that there really aren't that many flight sim aspects to the game. For the console enthusiast, however, this game is almost a dream come true. The designers heard everyone say that their favorite part of Shadows of the Empire was the first Hoth level, so they made an entire game out of that concept. Not a lot of depth, but a heck of a lot of fun.
Although the control is a little wily at first, gamers who have gotten used to the N64 controller should have no problem with this game. You can pilot numerous craft including an X-wing, a Y-wing, an A-wing, a V-wing, a Speeder, and maybe even a certain modified Corellian freighter. Each ship has a small variation in control, but not enough to cause problems.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks. All missions take place on planets. Considering that most of the fighting in the movies was done in outer space, many gamers will be severely disappointed. Though there is a bonus mission where you assault the Death Star, the game always has a definitive up and down.
On top of that, there is no multiplayer at all. This game is strictly one player. While that is great if you are on your own, your friends might get a wee bit bored sitting around waiting for their turn at the wheel. With the high frame-rate made possible by the expansion pack, this could have been a fabulous split screen game.
All in all, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is a fun arcade game that all gamers will enjoy. Unfortunately, it lacks both the depth and the multiplayer that would have made this a truly great game. For fans of Star Wars and fast paced action games, this is a sure bet.
Such is the plot of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (not to be confused with Rouge Squadron, which is a division of Mary Kay Cosmetics). The plot falls somewhere between the original Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. For those of you attempting to follow George Lucas' strange timeline, this is a prequel to the sequel to the original, which is a sequel to a movie that hasn't even been made yet, nor have its two prequels. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
All joking aside, the designers of the game seemed to be a little confused about where in the timeline they were making this game. Considering the constant references in the manual to scenes in The Empire Strikes Back, it would have been better if they had just said, "Fly an X-wing - it'll be fun."
Graphically, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron tests the limits of the N64 console. X-wings, Y-wings, Speeders, and other ships are all rendered in beautiful detail. The polygons are tight and the frame rate is nice. In fact, to totally enjoy this game, it is recommended that you buy the N64 expansion pack. It tightens the graphics and makes gameplay even smoother. Of course, those of you unwilling to expand will still find a very pretty game.
In the movie industry, few films had more effect on movie theater sound than Star Wars. Never fear, dear reader - the sound in Rogue Squadron is just as invigorating. The N64 is often criticized for poor sound and speech, but you wouldn't know it here. Plenty of voices flesh out the missions, including a fairly decent Luke (not Mark Hamill. . .he's busy as the Joker in Batman). Background music is authentic and fits the mood. Hearing a Tie Fighter scream by you, with its lasers strafing your hull, is a sound to behold.
Beautiful graphics and sound aside, Rogue Squadron is a lot of fun to play. Understand one thing, however; Rogue Squadron is very much an arcade game. Fans of the PC legend X-wing vs. Tie Fighter will be disappointed that there really aren't that many flight sim aspects to the game. For the console enthusiast, however, this game is almost a dream come true. The designers heard everyone say that their favorite part of Shadows of the Empire was the first Hoth level, so they made an entire game out of that concept. Not a lot of depth, but a heck of a lot of fun.
Although the control is a little wily at first, gamers who have gotten used to the N64 controller should have no problem with this game. You can pilot numerous craft including an X-wing, a Y-wing, an A-wing, a V-wing, a Speeder, and maybe even a certain modified Corellian freighter. Each ship has a small variation in control, but not enough to cause problems.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks. All missions take place on planets. Considering that most of the fighting in the movies was done in outer space, many gamers will be severely disappointed. Though there is a bonus mission where you assault the Death Star, the game always has a definitive up and down.
On top of that, there is no multiplayer at all. This game is strictly one player. While that is great if you are on your own, your friends might get a wee bit bored sitting around waiting for their turn at the wheel. With the high frame-rate made possible by the expansion pack, this could have been a fabulous split screen game.
All in all, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is a fun arcade game that all gamers will enjoy. Unfortunately, it lacks both the depth and the multiplayer that would have made this a truly great game. For fans of Star Wars and fast paced action games, this is a sure bet.
Once upon a time in the shimmering land of 8-bit Nintendo, there was a fat little boy in a green outfit named Link. He lived in Hyrule and when evil reared its ugly head, he explored the land, collecting heart containers, fighting dodongos and octorocks. As it turned out, it was all about a powerful artifact called the Triforce, which Link saved when he defeated the evil Ganon.
Twelve years later, the N64 is king, and game guru Shigeru Miyamoto returns to design The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This is actually the 5th Legend of Zelda game (not counting Gameboy), and what is it like? Well, you play Link, but you're not fat anymore. Ganondorf (a combination of Ganon and Tim Conway?) threatens the land of Hyrule and Link must get the Triforce before Ganondorf does. You must explore, collect heart containers, and fight dodongos and octorocks. Sound familiar? Well, aside from the 3D graphics, much of Zelda 64 will set off the deja-vu alarm in the back of your brain. And it's great, like an old friend coming home.
The graphics are the one part of the game that is totally new. All the locations in Zelda are totally 3 dimensional, like Mario 64 only much better. The N64 is a 3D workhorse, and Zelda proves it with great textures, lighting, tons of little environmental effects, and smooooth framerates with no slowdown. Faces, the toughest graphical challenge on 3D characters, are fantastic in Zelda. Characters blink, look around and change expressions with surprising grace.
However, the most impressive part graphically is 'Hyrule Field', the largest single 3D environment I've seen on the Nintendo. It really gives you a feeling of open exploration and freedom. Unfortunately, there is only one such area in the game, but the one is awfully impressive.
The lack of FMV, the bane of cartridge games, is nearly solved in Zelda with 'movie' sequences rendered on the fly. The little movie segments really do look as good as the movies in some PlayStation games.
The sound is good for the Nintendo, but not great in the larger scheme of things. No CD music means MIDI tunes that range from fair to terrible. There are a few sampled voice noises, and the environmental noises (crickets, birds, running water) are perfect. Many of the sound effects, like the noise when you solve a puzzle, are taken directly from the original 8-bit title. Retro, baby!
Like the original, gameplay is about 75% action to 25% RPG. Control is sharp and precise. Most of the time, it plays like Mario 64, but with a smarter camera. There is also a battle mode where you (and your camera) focus on one particular enemy. This is useful during combat and works well.
Perhaps the strangest thing about the control is the lack of a jump button. You need every button on the controller for other options. If you run at a ledge, however, Link will automatically jump. This works better than you'd think, but it is still really weird not being able to jump whenever you want.
Aside from running around and hitting things with a sword, there are some simple puzzles and a fairly straightforward storyline. Your fairy friend (yes, you do get one after all) will keep you on track with occasional helpful advice. While you can wander pretty far off track, the plot is still quite linear and the fairy makes sure you don't go too far astray.
The RPG elements are pretty slim, like the original Zelda. You collect heart containers to gain more life, and there are 4 swords and 3 shields to collect. There are a number of useful items and objects as well. And some, like the different masks, aren't necessary to completing the game.
Later in the game, you even get to play as an older version of Link (it is called Ocarina of Time, after all). He's taller and stronger, and can use different equipment and weapons. This is a nice change, particularly when you are getting too used to playing as the same little boy.
All told, there are about 70 hours of gameplay in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This is great; it's nice and long. Game Revolution does have a walkthrough if you get too frustrated, but I recommend against it. Nothing is that hard to figure out and if you keep at it, you will enjoy the game for longer and really get your money's worth.
Length, however, does not equal depth. At first the Zelda seems too much like a child's game. Things are cute, cartoony and simple. Zelda is definitely geared for a younger audience than Final Fantasy VII, for example. As you play, it does show quite a bit more depth than you'd guess from first impressions, but never gets very complex. This is really a flaw with the cartridge format. Without a CD, you just have much less potential data to work with.
Of course, this is great news for younger gamers or parents worried about giving their kids games that are too mature. For us older gamers though, Zelda still tastes a bit like baby food at times.
That aside, The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is terrific. As childish as the game sometimes looks, even adults become quickly hooked. While playing, the hours slipped quietly by without my noticing. I also developed a small audience just watching me play. Well… they were talking, too: "Turn left here. No, left. Are you sure? What is that thing? Jump on the box." Sigh.
Zelda is easily the best RPG for the N64, and a must buy for N64 owners this year. It's very cool, and there's really nothing to compare it to. Get it for your kids, get it for yourself (or just pretend that you're getting it for your kids…).
Twelve years later, the N64 is king, and game guru Shigeru Miyamoto returns to design The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This is actually the 5th Legend of Zelda game (not counting Gameboy), and what is it like? Well, you play Link, but you're not fat anymore. Ganondorf (a combination of Ganon and Tim Conway?) threatens the land of Hyrule and Link must get the Triforce before Ganondorf does. You must explore, collect heart containers, and fight dodongos and octorocks. Sound familiar? Well, aside from the 3D graphics, much of Zelda 64 will set off the deja-vu alarm in the back of your brain. And it's great, like an old friend coming home.
The graphics are the one part of the game that is totally new. All the locations in Zelda are totally 3 dimensional, like Mario 64 only much better. The N64 is a 3D workhorse, and Zelda proves it with great textures, lighting, tons of little environmental effects, and smooooth framerates with no slowdown. Faces, the toughest graphical challenge on 3D characters, are fantastic in Zelda. Characters blink, look around and change expressions with surprising grace.
However, the most impressive part graphically is 'Hyrule Field', the largest single 3D environment I've seen on the Nintendo. It really gives you a feeling of open exploration and freedom. Unfortunately, there is only one such area in the game, but the one is awfully impressive.
The lack of FMV, the bane of cartridge games, is nearly solved in Zelda with 'movie' sequences rendered on the fly. The little movie segments really do look as good as the movies in some PlayStation games.
The sound is good for the Nintendo, but not great in the larger scheme of things. No CD music means MIDI tunes that range from fair to terrible. There are a few sampled voice noises, and the environmental noises (crickets, birds, running water) are perfect. Many of the sound effects, like the noise when you solve a puzzle, are taken directly from the original 8-bit title. Retro, baby!
Like the original, gameplay is about 75% action to 25% RPG. Control is sharp and precise. Most of the time, it plays like Mario 64, but with a smarter camera. There is also a battle mode where you (and your camera) focus on one particular enemy. This is useful during combat and works well.
Perhaps the strangest thing about the control is the lack of a jump button. You need every button on the controller for other options. If you run at a ledge, however, Link will automatically jump. This works better than you'd think, but it is still really weird not being able to jump whenever you want.
Aside from running around and hitting things with a sword, there are some simple puzzles and a fairly straightforward storyline. Your fairy friend (yes, you do get one after all) will keep you on track with occasional helpful advice. While you can wander pretty far off track, the plot is still quite linear and the fairy makes sure you don't go too far astray.
The RPG elements are pretty slim, like the original Zelda. You collect heart containers to gain more life, and there are 4 swords and 3 shields to collect. There are a number of useful items and objects as well. And some, like the different masks, aren't necessary to completing the game.
Later in the game, you even get to play as an older version of Link (it is called Ocarina of Time, after all). He's taller and stronger, and can use different equipment and weapons. This is a nice change, particularly when you are getting too used to playing as the same little boy.
All told, there are about 70 hours of gameplay in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This is great; it's nice and long. Game Revolution does have a walkthrough if you get too frustrated, but I recommend against it. Nothing is that hard to figure out and if you keep at it, you will enjoy the game for longer and really get your money's worth.
Length, however, does not equal depth. At first the Zelda seems too much like a child's game. Things are cute, cartoony and simple. Zelda is definitely geared for a younger audience than Final Fantasy VII, for example. As you play, it does show quite a bit more depth than you'd guess from first impressions, but never gets very complex. This is really a flaw with the cartridge format. Without a CD, you just have much less potential data to work with.
Of course, this is great news for younger gamers or parents worried about giving their kids games that are too mature. For us older gamers though, Zelda still tastes a bit like baby food at times.
That aside, The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is terrific. As childish as the game sometimes looks, even adults become quickly hooked. While playing, the hours slipped quietly by without my noticing. I also developed a small audience just watching me play. Well… they were talking, too: "Turn left here. No, left. Are you sure? What is that thing? Jump on the box." Sigh.
Zelda is easily the best RPG for the N64, and a must buy for N64 owners this year. It's very cool, and there's really nothing to compare it to. Get it for your kids, get it for yourself (or just pretend that you're getting it for your kids…).
Okay - I admit to having watched more than a few episodes of the Pokemon cartoon, but what strikes me about the series (and feel free to agree with me) is that most episodes are centered on making fun of the dumb Pokemon. And I'm all for that! Forget the fact that the show is just a commercial or how whiny that Ash kid is... Pokemon is all about making fun of the weak.
Speaking of weak, Poke-ndo (the company formerly known as Nintendo) has brought forth another entry to the Poke-palooza. Pokemon Stadium is an N64 rehaul of the original Pokemon, offering better graphics and straight up matches. Instead of static images, you can watch the Pokemon duke it out in rendered detail. Included are a whole gauntlet of challenges, Gym Leader Battles, multiplayer options, and several Mario Party-esque mini games.
The selling point of Stadium (here on out, I'm referring to the game as Stadium; one can only say Pokemon so many times before their head starts to hurt) is that it's an extension of the Game Boy game. By using the nifty transfer pack included with each copy, you can take your Gameboy Pokemon and bring them to your N64. There's even a way to reorganize the Pokemon in your Game Boy. Those of you without the Game Boy game will have to settle for the "rental" pokemon included with Stadium. Functional, but it's just not the same as using the Pokemon you've raised.
According to that wacky and mean Pokemon cartoon, Pokemon speak by saying their names. Despite their limited vocabulary, this speech impediment serves to give the Pokemon personality. Shamefully, I find this funny. Funnier still is why these trademark voices were left out of Stadium. Instead of hearing Jigglypuff sing its little song or PoogleyDoogleyPuss (note: fictitious Pokemon. Cannot be caught...or can it?) shout its wicked battle-cry, you get the same beeps and noises found in the Game Boy game. How hard would it have been to stick those voices in?
And you know what else they should have put in? Subtitles. Loads of subtitles, including such quaint phrases as "Who's your daddy?" and "Say my name!"
But instead, you get an irritating announcer. Really irritating. For example, you take a step away from the game to, say, write a game review. The announcer starts shouting, "Hurry up trainer!" "What's the matter, trainer?" I'll tell you what's the matter... there's no pause button! And I'm stuck listening to the lousy announcer and re-mixed Pokemon music over and over. Urrarrgh! Thankfully, you can turn that damn announcer off.
Despite the lack of voices, the Pokemon still exhibit personality in spades through the character graphics and animations. These aren't the most jaw-dropping graphics out there, but they perfectly capture the look of the individual Pokemon.
Better still are the animations. The Pokemon bounce around, leer at one other and dance in cartoon quality animation. They even have cute death animations! Unfortunately, in contrast, the backgrounds are empty and boring.
The focus of Pokemon's one player Game Boy game has always leaned more on the side of exploration and catching Pokemon. Once you've developed a high level Pokemon like Mewtwo, there's a tendency to just use that to blow away your opponents. On the Gameboy, the game becomes a rote level building exercise.
But in Stadium's many challenges, your Pokemon don't have that level advantage; your digital opponent's Pokemon will always have higher levels. Matches become less about statistical advantages and more about understanding the skills and weaknesses of the different Pokemon. By re-centering the game on its original elemental "paper-rock-scissors" system of checks and balances, the game becomes focused on strategy and gains a lot of depth.
For instance, you have to fight a Raichu. Rock-type Pokemon are strong against electrical Pokemon. But this Raichu has been equipped with a surf attack, allowing him to easily kill off rock Pokemon. Figuring out how to approach the problem with the right selection of Pokemon and the right moves during the game is the crux of Stadium's strategy.
But after awhile, despite the many challenges, it just feels like more of the same. Am I replaying this Gym Leader over and over because it's fun, or just because I want the all-hallowed status of Pokemon Master?
A partial attempt at adding something different is the 9 button mashing mini games. Despite their simplicity and similarity, these games are fun. Where else can you find a game devoted to sushi? You control a Lickitung using its big tongue to grab at the sushi floating by. The Lickitung cry like little schoolgirls when they accidentally consume wasabi. And all the while, the computer yells out unintelligible Japanese phrases. Good, weird stuff.
Stadium should be thought of as an add-on to the Game Boy games. If you don't have the Game Boy version, you are missing out. Stadium complements the Game Boy versions, offering you a different angle of the Pokemon gameplay. The problem is that it becomes repetitious.
After you've seen all the pretty animations and fought through your fair share of challenges, there's nothing more to it - unless you play Pokemon religiously. Only then will you keep playing the multiplayer battles, go back through the challenges, and find yourself logging hours at the mini games. It goes without saying that if you hate Pokemon, stay far, far, far away from this one. Poke-fanatics, on the other hand, will look past the many weaknesses and love this game.
Speaking of weak, Poke-ndo (the company formerly known as Nintendo) has brought forth another entry to the Poke-palooza. Pokemon Stadium is an N64 rehaul of the original Pokemon, offering better graphics and straight up matches. Instead of static images, you can watch the Pokemon duke it out in rendered detail. Included are a whole gauntlet of challenges, Gym Leader Battles, multiplayer options, and several Mario Party-esque mini games.
The selling point of Stadium (here on out, I'm referring to the game as Stadium; one can only say Pokemon so many times before their head starts to hurt) is that it's an extension of the Game Boy game. By using the nifty transfer pack included with each copy, you can take your Gameboy Pokemon and bring them to your N64. There's even a way to reorganize the Pokemon in your Game Boy. Those of you without the Game Boy game will have to settle for the "rental" pokemon included with Stadium. Functional, but it's just not the same as using the Pokemon you've raised.
According to that wacky and mean Pokemon cartoon, Pokemon speak by saying their names. Despite their limited vocabulary, this speech impediment serves to give the Pokemon personality. Shamefully, I find this funny. Funnier still is why these trademark voices were left out of Stadium. Instead of hearing Jigglypuff sing its little song or PoogleyDoogleyPuss (note: fictitious Pokemon. Cannot be caught...or can it?) shout its wicked battle-cry, you get the same beeps and noises found in the Game Boy game. How hard would it have been to stick those voices in?
And you know what else they should have put in? Subtitles. Loads of subtitles, including such quaint phrases as "Who's your daddy?" and "Say my name!"
But instead, you get an irritating announcer. Really irritating. For example, you take a step away from the game to, say, write a game review. The announcer starts shouting, "Hurry up trainer!" "What's the matter, trainer?" I'll tell you what's the matter... there's no pause button! And I'm stuck listening to the lousy announcer and re-mixed Pokemon music over and over. Urrarrgh! Thankfully, you can turn that damn announcer off.
Despite the lack of voices, the Pokemon still exhibit personality in spades through the character graphics and animations. These aren't the most jaw-dropping graphics out there, but they perfectly capture the look of the individual Pokemon.
Better still are the animations. The Pokemon bounce around, leer at one other and dance in cartoon quality animation. They even have cute death animations! Unfortunately, in contrast, the backgrounds are empty and boring.
The focus of Pokemon's one player Game Boy game has always leaned more on the side of exploration and catching Pokemon. Once you've developed a high level Pokemon like Mewtwo, there's a tendency to just use that to blow away your opponents. On the Gameboy, the game becomes a rote level building exercise.
But in Stadium's many challenges, your Pokemon don't have that level advantage; your digital opponent's Pokemon will always have higher levels. Matches become less about statistical advantages and more about understanding the skills and weaknesses of the different Pokemon. By re-centering the game on its original elemental "paper-rock-scissors" system of checks and balances, the game becomes focused on strategy and gains a lot of depth.
For instance, you have to fight a Raichu. Rock-type Pokemon are strong against electrical Pokemon. But this Raichu has been equipped with a surf attack, allowing him to easily kill off rock Pokemon. Figuring out how to approach the problem with the right selection of Pokemon and the right moves during the game is the crux of Stadium's strategy.
But after awhile, despite the many challenges, it just feels like more of the same. Am I replaying this Gym Leader over and over because it's fun, or just because I want the all-hallowed status of Pokemon Master?
A partial attempt at adding something different is the 9 button mashing mini games. Despite their simplicity and similarity, these games are fun. Where else can you find a game devoted to sushi? You control a Lickitung using its big tongue to grab at the sushi floating by. The Lickitung cry like little schoolgirls when they accidentally consume wasabi. And all the while, the computer yells out unintelligible Japanese phrases. Good, weird stuff.
Stadium should be thought of as an add-on to the Game Boy games. If you don't have the Game Boy version, you are missing out. Stadium complements the Game Boy versions, offering you a different angle of the Pokemon gameplay. The problem is that it becomes repetitious.
After you've seen all the pretty animations and fought through your fair share of challenges, there's nothing more to it - unless you play Pokemon religiously. Only then will you keep playing the multiplayer battles, go back through the challenges, and find yourself logging hours at the mini games. It goes without saying that if you hate Pokemon, stay far, far, far away from this one. Poke-fanatics, on the other hand, will look past the many weaknesses and love this game.
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