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I went into town today, and in GAME they had a Gamecube with Super Mario Sunshine. I didn't play it (have before, plus my mate's just bought it) but there was half a dozen kids standing around the kiosk, waiting for their go. And forget those 'Nintendo is for kidz, yo' jokes, these people were all aged sixteen and up...talking about how cool the game is, and how funny those "Woo-hoo! A-ha! Wow-ay!" things are. Then I caught myself, and realised these people could have been out buying cigarettes and watching films where Shannon Elizabeth takes her top off, but they were waiting for their chance to control a fat American-Italian plumber with a big moustache and a water-hose strapped to his back. Strange, no?
Well, get used to it guys. Because this is the Season of the Furries.
Super Mario Sunshine is probably the best 3D platformer of all time, ahead of Super Mario 64...but I've always maintained that the third best is Spyro: Year of the Dragon. It never made me question my (somewhat overwhelming) masculinity, despite the fact I would rather spend a few hours as a big purple dragon talking to fat bears in suits than watch Eastenders. Spyro was always said to be a little too kiddy, a little too bright and brash...but with its many mini-games, playable characters and levels, not to mention decent replay value and a mean learning curve, it won me over. Spyro's next game is coming out next month, the first outing on the PS2...and, seeing as how I loved the first, it's as good as bought, right? Wrong. Insomniac, makers of Year of the Dragon, are not developing Enter the Dragonfly. Instead, they're making another platformer that's looking great - Ratchet and Clank.
It's looking very much like "Jak and Daxter, only not rubbish" with its...um...furry character and his...well...non-furry sidekick. You get to travel over different planets, and use guns and stuff. Nothing we've seen before, but then Spyro didn't break any new ground. It was just a really good game...and hopefull, Ratchet and Clank will be the same. Of course, both will sell shedloads - platformers are very popular, and one established brand and one new, exciting title won't have to do much to get into your shopping trolley...but with the current trend, "we're gonna need a bigger basket".
As well as Spyro and Ratchet and Clank, the PS2 has another couple of above-average platform games heading its way: Ape Escape 2 and Sly Cooper. The former is the sequel to the superb PS1 monkey-em-up, and is already going down a right treat in Japan, being hailed as on a par with Lord Mario Sunshine itsself (but with so many monkeys on one little disc, of course it's going to be popular!)...and another interesting one is Sly Cooper. A sort of platformy stealthy cel shaded thing, this sees you sneaking about, retrieving some stuff for some reason (as per usual in platformers). It's not very long, but it's won the hearts of many an American PS2 owner, with its loveable lead character...one of a new breed of fuzzy-wuzzy mascots. They're all the rage. They're the new sniper rifles. The new standard for all games - an adorable animal of some description, covered in fur. Another perfect example is Blinx, the time-warping, goggle-wearing cat in Blinx: Time Sweeper for the X-Box. This is Bill's big platforming adventure, and brings in everybody's favourite fourth dimension, time...but it also finally brings in a suitable mascot for Microsoft. That annoying paperclip was never going to promote the brand but now, as soon as you see that ginger tabby, you'll think of XBOX.
Every platform seems to want a platformer...and a platformer with a hairy hero, at that. Sonic IS Sega, and Mario IS Nintendo, and in turn those two are as recogniseable as Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse. You could argue that having a mascot is unneccessary; after all, the Playstation had huge success up against both Sonic AND Mario...but then, who honestly didn't try to tap in the 'Lara Croft naked' code in Tomb Raider 2? Unfortunately, even the most casual of gamers are bored of Ms Croft after (soon to become) six outings, and what is about to become two films, and so Sony needs a main man (or woman, for that matter - most of these darn platform things are sexless, anyway) for small children to buy plush toys of. Microsoft won't go far with the big console Bill Gates PC Windows Money Money image either, and anything save drug abuse and child prostitution would be a step in the right direction...
So they're taking it out on everybody that isn't six years old. Surely you don't need an obnoxious twelve year old dressed up as a rabbit and his annoying, '100% zany' hologram sidekick to have a good game? Come on guys, I appreciate how you all need figureheads for your consoles, but does it have to be so blatant?
You're just lucky that Super Mario Sunshine is one of the best games ever, that Blinx is the most original next-gen game ever, and that Sly Cooper is the most charming game since Ico...
Thanks for reading.
-El Blokey
Well, get used to it guys. Because this is the Season of the Furries.
Super Mario Sunshine is probably the best 3D platformer of all time, ahead of Super Mario 64...but I've always maintained that the third best is Spyro: Year of the Dragon. It never made me question my (somewhat overwhelming) masculinity, despite the fact I would rather spend a few hours as a big purple dragon talking to fat bears in suits than watch Eastenders. Spyro was always said to be a little too kiddy, a little too bright and brash...but with its many mini-games, playable characters and levels, not to mention decent replay value and a mean learning curve, it won me over. Spyro's next game is coming out next month, the first outing on the PS2...and, seeing as how I loved the first, it's as good as bought, right? Wrong. Insomniac, makers of Year of the Dragon, are not developing Enter the Dragonfly. Instead, they're making another platformer that's looking great - Ratchet and Clank.
It's looking very much like "Jak and Daxter, only not rubbish" with its...um...furry character and his...well...non-furry sidekick. You get to travel over different planets, and use guns and stuff. Nothing we've seen before, but then Spyro didn't break any new ground. It was just a really good game...and hopefull, Ratchet and Clank will be the same. Of course, both will sell shedloads - platformers are very popular, and one established brand and one new, exciting title won't have to do much to get into your shopping trolley...but with the current trend, "we're gonna need a bigger basket".
As well as Spyro and Ratchet and Clank, the PS2 has another couple of above-average platform games heading its way: Ape Escape 2 and Sly Cooper. The former is the sequel to the superb PS1 monkey-em-up, and is already going down a right treat in Japan, being hailed as on a par with Lord Mario Sunshine itsself (but with so many monkeys on one little disc, of course it's going to be popular!)...and another interesting one is Sly Cooper. A sort of platformy stealthy cel shaded thing, this sees you sneaking about, retrieving some stuff for some reason (as per usual in platformers). It's not very long, but it's won the hearts of many an American PS2 owner, with its loveable lead character...one of a new breed of fuzzy-wuzzy mascots. They're all the rage. They're the new sniper rifles. The new standard for all games - an adorable animal of some description, covered in fur. Another perfect example is Blinx, the time-warping, goggle-wearing cat in Blinx: Time Sweeper for the X-Box. This is Bill's big platforming adventure, and brings in everybody's favourite fourth dimension, time...but it also finally brings in a suitable mascot for Microsoft. That annoying paperclip was never going to promote the brand but now, as soon as you see that ginger tabby, you'll think of XBOX.
Every platform seems to want a platformer...and a platformer with a hairy hero, at that. Sonic IS Sega, and Mario IS Nintendo, and in turn those two are as recogniseable as Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse. You could argue that having a mascot is unneccessary; after all, the Playstation had huge success up against both Sonic AND Mario...but then, who honestly didn't try to tap in the 'Lara Croft naked' code in Tomb Raider 2? Unfortunately, even the most casual of gamers are bored of Ms Croft after (soon to become) six outings, and what is about to become two films, and so Sony needs a main man (or woman, for that matter - most of these darn platform things are sexless, anyway) for small children to buy plush toys of. Microsoft won't go far with the big console Bill Gates PC Windows Money Money image either, and anything save drug abuse and child prostitution would be a step in the right direction...
So they're taking it out on everybody that isn't six years old. Surely you don't need an obnoxious twelve year old dressed up as a rabbit and his annoying, '100% zany' hologram sidekick to have a good game? Come on guys, I appreciate how you all need figureheads for your consoles, but does it have to be so blatant?
You're just lucky that Super Mario Sunshine is one of the best games ever, that Blinx is the most original next-gen game ever, and that Sly Cooper is the most charming game since Ico...
Thanks for reading.
-El Blokey
Haha, thanks for the glowing praise.
It's just Jak and Daxter really grated after a while, and where Mario is funny and Sonic is cool, others are just...well...there.
They're all trying to hard.
It's just Jak and Daxter really grated after a while, and where Mario is funny and Sonic is cool, others are just...well...there.
They're all trying to hard.
Good stuff, Mr. Blokey.
I agree that this year the games industry seems to have an urge for loveable and furry creatures, and there's certainly no shortage of fans ready to play as their new bear/monkey/other furry various thing character.
Platforming games don't seem to exist without the cute, furry and adorable creature any more, but personally, I don't think that's a bad thing. You'll enjoy the game more if you're playing with a character that you enjoy playing as, rather than playing as a character that bored the life out of you and makes you want to jump out of the window.
As I said before, good stuff, El blokey, you continue your 'a topic nearly every day' scheme, and yet again, I had an enjoyable read. Well done! :-D
I agree that this year the games industry seems to have an urge for loveable and furry creatures, and there's certainly no shortage of fans ready to play as their new bear/monkey/other furry various thing character.
Platforming games don't seem to exist without the cute, furry and adorable creature any more, but personally, I don't think that's a bad thing. You'll enjoy the game more if you're playing with a character that you enjoy playing as, rather than playing as a character that bored the life out of you and makes you want to jump out of the window.
As I said before, good stuff, El blokey, you continue your 'a topic nearly every day' scheme, and yet again, I had an enjoyable read. Well done! :-D
I went into town today, and in GAME they had a Gamecube with Super Mario Sunshine. I didn't play it (have before, plus my mate's just bought it) but there was half a dozen kids standing around the kiosk, waiting for their go. And forget those 'Nintendo is for kidz, yo' jokes, these people were all aged sixteen and up...talking about how cool the game is, and how funny those "Woo-hoo! A-ha! Wow-ay!" things are. Then I caught myself, and realised these people could have been out buying cigarettes and watching films where Shannon Elizabeth takes her top off, but they were waiting for their chance to control a fat American-Italian plumber with a big moustache and a water-hose strapped to his back. Strange, no?
Well, get used to it guys. Because this is the Season of the Furries.
Super Mario Sunshine is probably the best 3D platformer of all time, ahead of Super Mario 64...but I've always maintained that the third best is Spyro: Year of the Dragon. It never made me question my (somewhat overwhelming) masculinity, despite the fact I would rather spend a few hours as a big purple dragon talking to fat bears in suits than watch Eastenders. Spyro was always said to be a little too kiddy, a little too bright and brash...but with its many mini-games, playable characters and levels, not to mention decent replay value and a mean learning curve, it won me over. Spyro's next game is coming out next month, the first outing on the PS2...and, seeing as how I loved the first, it's as good as bought, right? Wrong. Insomniac, makers of Year of the Dragon, are not developing Enter the Dragonfly. Instead, they're making another platformer that's looking great - Ratchet and Clank.
It's looking very much like "Jak and Daxter, only not rubbish" with its...um...furry character and his...well...non-furry sidekick. You get to travel over different planets, and use guns and stuff. Nothing we've seen before, but then Spyro didn't break any new ground. It was just a really good game...and hopefull, Ratchet and Clank will be the same. Of course, both will sell shedloads - platformers are very popular, and one established brand and one new, exciting title won't have to do much to get into your shopping trolley...but with the current trend, "we're gonna need a bigger basket".
As well as Spyro and Ratchet and Clank, the PS2 has another couple of above-average platform games heading its way: Ape Escape 2 and Sly Cooper. The former is the sequel to the superb PS1 monkey-em-up, and is already going down a right treat in Japan, being hailed as on a par with Lord Mario Sunshine itsself (but with so many monkeys on one little disc, of course it's going to be popular!)...and another interesting one is Sly Cooper. A sort of platformy stealthy cel shaded thing, this sees you sneaking about, retrieving some stuff for some reason (as per usual in platformers). It's not very long, but it's won the hearts of many an American PS2 owner, with its loveable lead character...one of a new breed of fuzzy-wuzzy mascots. They're all the rage. They're the new sniper rifles. The new standard for all games - an adorable animal of some description, covered in fur. Another perfect example is Blinx, the time-warping, goggle-wearing cat in Blinx: Time Sweeper for the X-Box. This is Bill's big platforming adventure, and brings in everybody's favourite fourth dimension, time...but it also finally brings in a suitable mascot for Microsoft. That annoying paperclip was never going to promote the brand but now, as soon as you see that ginger tabby, you'll think of XBOX.
Every platform seems to want a platformer...and a platformer with a hairy hero, at that. Sonic IS Sega, and Mario IS Nintendo, and in turn those two are as recogniseable as Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse. You could argue that having a mascot is unneccessary; after all, the Playstation had huge success up against both Sonic AND Mario...but then, who honestly didn't try to tap in the 'Lara Croft naked' code in Tomb Raider 2? Unfortunately, even the most casual of gamers are bored of Ms Croft after (soon to become) six outings, and what is about to become two films, and so Sony needs a main man (or woman, for that matter - most of these darn platform things are sexless, anyway) for small children to buy plush toys of. Microsoft won't go far with the big console Bill Gates PC Windows Money Money image either, and anything save drug abuse and child prostitution would be a step in the right direction...
So they're taking it out on everybody that isn't six years old. Surely you don't need an obnoxious twelve year old dressed up as a rabbit and his annoying, '100% zany' hologram sidekick to have a good game? Come on guys, I appreciate how you all need figureheads for your consoles, but does it have to be so blatant?
You're just lucky that Super Mario Sunshine is one of the best games ever, that Blinx is the most original next-gen game ever, and that Sly Cooper is the most charming game since Ico...
Thanks for reading.
-El Blokey
Well, get used to it guys. Because this is the Season of the Furries.
Super Mario Sunshine is probably the best 3D platformer of all time, ahead of Super Mario 64...but I've always maintained that the third best is Spyro: Year of the Dragon. It never made me question my (somewhat overwhelming) masculinity, despite the fact I would rather spend a few hours as a big purple dragon talking to fat bears in suits than watch Eastenders. Spyro was always said to be a little too kiddy, a little too bright and brash...but with its many mini-games, playable characters and levels, not to mention decent replay value and a mean learning curve, it won me over. Spyro's next game is coming out next month, the first outing on the PS2...and, seeing as how I loved the first, it's as good as bought, right? Wrong. Insomniac, makers of Year of the Dragon, are not developing Enter the Dragonfly. Instead, they're making another platformer that's looking great - Ratchet and Clank.
It's looking very much like "Jak and Daxter, only not rubbish" with its...um...furry character and his...well...non-furry sidekick. You get to travel over different planets, and use guns and stuff. Nothing we've seen before, but then Spyro didn't break any new ground. It was just a really good game...and hopefull, Ratchet and Clank will be the same. Of course, both will sell shedloads - platformers are very popular, and one established brand and one new, exciting title won't have to do much to get into your shopping trolley...but with the current trend, "we're gonna need a bigger basket".
As well as Spyro and Ratchet and Clank, the PS2 has another couple of above-average platform games heading its way: Ape Escape 2 and Sly Cooper. The former is the sequel to the superb PS1 monkey-em-up, and is already going down a right treat in Japan, being hailed as on a par with Lord Mario Sunshine itsself (but with so many monkeys on one little disc, of course it's going to be popular!)...and another interesting one is Sly Cooper. A sort of platformy stealthy cel shaded thing, this sees you sneaking about, retrieving some stuff for some reason (as per usual in platformers). It's not very long, but it's won the hearts of many an American PS2 owner, with its loveable lead character...one of a new breed of fuzzy-wuzzy mascots. They're all the rage. They're the new sniper rifles. The new standard for all games - an adorable animal of some description, covered in fur. Another perfect example is Blinx, the time-warping, goggle-wearing cat in Blinx: Time Sweeper for the X-Box. This is Bill's big platforming adventure, and brings in everybody's favourite fourth dimension, time...but it also finally brings in a suitable mascot for Microsoft. That annoying paperclip was never going to promote the brand but now, as soon as you see that ginger tabby, you'll think of XBOX.
Every platform seems to want a platformer...and a platformer with a hairy hero, at that. Sonic IS Sega, and Mario IS Nintendo, and in turn those two are as recogniseable as Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse. You could argue that having a mascot is unneccessary; after all, the Playstation had huge success up against both Sonic AND Mario...but then, who honestly didn't try to tap in the 'Lara Croft naked' code in Tomb Raider 2? Unfortunately, even the most casual of gamers are bored of Ms Croft after (soon to become) six outings, and what is about to become two films, and so Sony needs a main man (or woman, for that matter - most of these darn platform things are sexless, anyway) for small children to buy plush toys of. Microsoft won't go far with the big console Bill Gates PC Windows Money Money image either, and anything save drug abuse and child prostitution would be a step in the right direction...
So they're taking it out on everybody that isn't six years old. Surely you don't need an obnoxious twelve year old dressed up as a rabbit and his annoying, '100% zany' hologram sidekick to have a good game? Come on guys, I appreciate how you all need figureheads for your consoles, but does it have to be so blatant?
You're just lucky that Super Mario Sunshine is one of the best games ever, that Blinx is the most original next-gen game ever, and that Sly Cooper is the most charming game since Ico...
Thanks for reading.
-El Blokey