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Aah... Remember the good old days...
I am writing this in a VERY brief moment of despair. I fear that the glorious days of fun and addictive gaming are coming to an end. I came to this dreadful conclusion when I first heard about the next generation psx (PS2), and to light the fuse on the bomb, Nintendo is moving on too. Oh yahoo, hi-res graphics smoother than an ice cube sliding down a greasy pane of glass. But the sad thing is, games are meant to be played, not to be watched.
My first console was my beloved NES. I played for hours attempting to finish Super Mario Brothers 3 and The Legend of Zelda. I was about eight years old and I couldn't be parted from it...that is, until the Super NES was released. Feeling suicidle when my mum uttered the words: "No, you can't get it," I settled for playing the "old" one, and not the "super one". Then one day the world was treated to the ultimate console, the playstation. "Cool I thought, "I'm definately getting that". Thankfully, I didn't. Although it looked incredible for its time, the controller felt uncomfortable, the buttons weren't responsive and the games weren't great (at frist).
Okay, now for a summary of that.
1. NES-loved it.
2. SNES-looked better, played the same.
3. Playstation-looked the best, played the worst.
Do you see a pattern emerging? Improving technical specs, worsening gameplay? But then the N64 came along and brought a whole new channel of gameplay. Maybe it was the analogue stick or the multiplayer or 3-D Mario, but whatever it was, it worked. Now I think that is or is very close to the pinnacle of innovation. Basically, I’ve given up on innovation when it comes to computer games. I think now, I can only expect someone like Nintendo to take Innovation to the next level.
Anyway, back to the point about addictive gaming. To make more sense of this, take two games like Bust-a-Move 2 and Rogue Squadron. BAM2 has simplistic 2-D graphics and gameplay that could cure a drug addict. Rogue Squadron is one of the best looking games on the N64, but has boring gameplay and proves to be an inferior game to bust-a-move. The expansion pack improves graphics, but doesn’t improve gameplay in any way.
So if Nintendo’s next console follows the trend of the Playstation and can’t maintain their playability in future games, they are going to learn the hard way that gameplay rules, graphics help. But if they manage to improve gameplay as well, bring on the next nintendo!
However, after saying all this, I think that the future looks bright. For instance, the Playstation 2 has brought us some good games like Time Splitters. Also, the Dreamcast has FINALLY brought us atleast one good game-Shenmue. If these soon-to-be prehistoric consoles can have success then the Gamecube certainly can.
I am writing this in a VERY brief moment of despair. I fear that the glorious days of fun and addictive gaming are coming to an end. I came to this dreadful conclusion when I first heard about the next generation psx (PS2), and to light the fuse on the bomb, Nintendo is moving on too. Oh yahoo, hi-res graphics smoother than an ice cube sliding down a greasy pane of glass. But the sad thing is, games are meant to be played, not to be watched.
My first console was my beloved NES. I played for hours attempting to finish Super Mario Brothers 3 and The Legend of Zelda. I was about eight years old and I couldn't be parted from it...that is, until the Super NES was released. Feeling suicidle when my mum uttered the words: "No, you can't get it," I settled for playing the "old" one, and not the "super one". Then one day the world was treated to the ultimate console, the playstation. "Cool I thought, "I'm definately getting that". Thankfully, I didn't. Although it looked incredible for its time, the controller felt uncomfortable, the buttons weren't responsive and the games weren't great (at frist).
Okay, now for a summary of that.
1. NES-loved it.
2. SNES-looked better, played the same.
3. Playstation-looked the best, played the worst.
Do you see a pattern emerging? Improving technical specs, worsening gameplay? But then the N64 came along and brought a whole new channel of gameplay. Maybe it was the analogue stick or the multiplayer or 3-D Mario, but whatever it was, it worked. Now I think that is or is very close to the pinnacle of innovation. Basically, I’ve given up on innovation when it comes to computer games. I think now, I can only expect someone like Nintendo to take Innovation to the next level.
Anyway, back to the point about addictive gaming. To make more sense of this, take two games like Bust-a-Move 2 and Rogue Squadron. BAM2 has simplistic 2-D graphics and gameplay that could cure a drug addict. Rogue Squadron is one of the best looking games on the N64, but has boring gameplay and proves to be an inferior game to bust-a-move. The expansion pack improves graphics, but doesn’t improve gameplay in any way.
So if Nintendo’s next console follows the trend of the Playstation and can’t maintain their playability in future games, they are going to learn the hard way that gameplay rules, graphics help. But if they manage to improve gameplay as well, bring on the next nintendo!
However, after saying all this, I think that the future looks bright. For instance, the Playstation 2 has brought us some good games like Time Splitters. Also, the Dreamcast has FINALLY brought us atleast one good game-Shenmue. If these soon-to-be prehistoric consoles can have success then the Gamecube certainly can.
I agree with you. It is gameplay that counts and how well the game plays rather than how good the graphics are. In a perfect world, the graphics would be amazing and so would the gameplay.
Nintendo are getting there, the N64 was the first big step and I hope that the Gamecube will have better gameplay combined with better graphics.
Anyway, this is my all time favourite game.
Mario Bros. 1983.
This was made before the Super Mario Bros. scrolling screen.
This is the start of the Koopa Troopers and the blocks which Mario headbutts.
It is a multi-player arcade game. The first Mario game that Miyamoto worked on and it shows. Every game he has worked on has been a classic. On the N64 - Zelda. The Best Game Ever it was called by every N64 owner who had it.
In this game anyway, Mario had to headbutt the platforms that the Koopas were standing on to knock them into their shells. Then run along and give them a kick so they flew off the screen.Even though it was a simple game, it was very difficult to play. Once he was running full speed it took the whole of the screens width to stop, which meant you sometimes crashed into turtles. Its main strength was the simultaneous two player mode. You still had to finish the Koopas off, but there was always the dash for the coins and power ups. The multi player was both co-operative and versus. This is my favourite game. Classic.
Nintendo are getting there, the N64 was the first big step and I hope that the Gamecube will have better gameplay combined with better graphics.
Anyway, this is my all time favourite game.
Mario Bros. 1983.
This was made before the Super Mario Bros. scrolling screen.
This is the start of the Koopa Troopers and the blocks which Mario headbutts.
It is a multi-player arcade game. The first Mario game that Miyamoto worked on and it shows. Every game he has worked on has been a classic. On the N64 - Zelda. The Best Game Ever it was called by every N64 owner who had it.
In this game anyway, Mario had to headbutt the platforms that the Koopas were standing on to knock them into their shells. Then run along and give them a kick so they flew off the screen.Even though it was a simple game, it was very difficult to play. Once he was running full speed it took the whole of the screens width to stop, which meant you sometimes crashed into turtles. Its main strength was the simultaneous two player mode. You still had to finish the Koopas off, but there was always the dash for the coins and power ups. The multi player was both co-operative and versus. This is my favourite game. Classic.
Aah... Remember the good old days...
I am writing this in a VERY brief moment of despair. I fear that the glorious days of fun and addictive gaming are coming to an end. I came to this dreadful conclusion when I first heard about the next generation psx (PS2), and to light the fuse on the bomb, Nintendo is moving on too. Oh yahoo, hi-res graphics smoother than an ice cube sliding down a greasy pane of glass. But the sad thing is, games are meant to be played, not to be watched.
My first console was my beloved NES. I played for hours attempting to finish Super Mario Brothers 3 and The Legend of Zelda. I was about eight years old and I couldn't be parted from it...that is, until the Super NES was released. Feeling suicidle when my mum uttered the words: "No, you can't get it," I settled for playing the "old" one, and not the "super one". Then one day the world was treated to the ultimate console, the playstation. "Cool I thought, "I'm definately getting that". Thankfully, I didn't. Although it looked incredible for its time, the controller felt uncomfortable, the buttons weren't responsive and the games weren't great (at frist).
Okay, now for a summary of that.
1. NES-loved it.
2. SNES-looked better, played the same.
3. Playstation-looked the best, played the worst.
Do you see a pattern emerging? Improving technical specs, worsening gameplay? But then the N64 came along and brought a whole new channel of gameplay. Maybe it was the analogue stick or the multiplayer or 3-D Mario, but whatever it was, it worked. Now I think that is or is very close to the pinnacle of innovation. Basically, I’ve given up on innovation when it comes to computer games. I think now, I can only expect someone like Nintendo to take Innovation to the next level.
Anyway, back to the point about addictive gaming. To make more sense of this, take two games like Bust-a-Move 2 and Rogue Squadron. BAM2 has simplistic 2-D graphics and gameplay that could cure a drug addict. Rogue Squadron is one of the best looking games on the N64, but has boring gameplay and proves to be an inferior game to bust-a-move. The expansion pack improves graphics, but doesn’t improve gameplay in any way.
So if Nintendo’s next console follows the trend of the Playstation and can’t maintain their playability in future games, they are going to learn the hard way that gameplay rules, graphics help. But if they manage to improve gameplay as well, bring on the next nintendo!
However, after saying all this, I think that the future looks bright. For instance, the Playstation 2 has brought us some good games like Time Splitters. Also, the Dreamcast has FINALLY brought us atleast one good game-Shenmue. If these soon-to-be prehistoric consoles can have success then the Gamecube certainly can.
I am writing this in a VERY brief moment of despair. I fear that the glorious days of fun and addictive gaming are coming to an end. I came to this dreadful conclusion when I first heard about the next generation psx (PS2), and to light the fuse on the bomb, Nintendo is moving on too. Oh yahoo, hi-res graphics smoother than an ice cube sliding down a greasy pane of glass. But the sad thing is, games are meant to be played, not to be watched.
My first console was my beloved NES. I played for hours attempting to finish Super Mario Brothers 3 and The Legend of Zelda. I was about eight years old and I couldn't be parted from it...that is, until the Super NES was released. Feeling suicidle when my mum uttered the words: "No, you can't get it," I settled for playing the "old" one, and not the "super one". Then one day the world was treated to the ultimate console, the playstation. "Cool I thought, "I'm definately getting that". Thankfully, I didn't. Although it looked incredible for its time, the controller felt uncomfortable, the buttons weren't responsive and the games weren't great (at frist).
Okay, now for a summary of that.
1. NES-loved it.
2. SNES-looked better, played the same.
3. Playstation-looked the best, played the worst.
Do you see a pattern emerging? Improving technical specs, worsening gameplay? But then the N64 came along and brought a whole new channel of gameplay. Maybe it was the analogue stick or the multiplayer or 3-D Mario, but whatever it was, it worked. Now I think that is or is very close to the pinnacle of innovation. Basically, I’ve given up on innovation when it comes to computer games. I think now, I can only expect someone like Nintendo to take Innovation to the next level.
Anyway, back to the point about addictive gaming. To make more sense of this, take two games like Bust-a-Move 2 and Rogue Squadron. BAM2 has simplistic 2-D graphics and gameplay that could cure a drug addict. Rogue Squadron is one of the best looking games on the N64, but has boring gameplay and proves to be an inferior game to bust-a-move. The expansion pack improves graphics, but doesn’t improve gameplay in any way.
So if Nintendo’s next console follows the trend of the Playstation and can’t maintain their playability in future games, they are going to learn the hard way that gameplay rules, graphics help. But if they manage to improve gameplay as well, bring on the next nintendo!
However, after saying all this, I think that the future looks bright. For instance, the Playstation 2 has brought us some good games like Time Splitters. Also, the Dreamcast has FINALLY brought us atleast one good game-Shenmue. If these soon-to-be prehistoric consoles can have success then the Gamecube certainly can.