Next Generation Fails: It has been approximately six months since Gamecube and X-Box came out to compete with the PS2. But sadly, both systems are having a hard time competing with the Sony powerhouse. Even in Japan, both systems are at the bottom of the barrel, not too far away from the Sega Dreamcast, which is still actually selling. PS2 is blowing away all the competition. Why? Well, because they are smart. X-Box had Halo and nothing more. Yes, Raw was nice, but PS2's Smackdown was better. Gamecube had Rogue Squadron and nothing else. It is time they stopped dealing with children's games. Both systems need to stop coming out with retreads of previously released PS2 titles. Neither seems to know what they have gotten into and while PS2 maintains a lock on new and interesting titles, Microsoft and Nintendo have failed to grasp what the market is all about.
THQ Obtains License for Captain America, Punisher and Nick Fury: The days when running through a game and killing one guy after another without any real strategy has ended. So, there is no need for a Punisher game. On the other hand, there is no need for another stealth Metal Gear title, so there is no real need for Nick Fury. Has there ever been a need for a Captain America game? Actually, unless he is fighting the Red Turban in a battle against Afghanistan, a game featuring Captain America and a flying shield is not all that interesting to me. Guess THQ dropped the ball when it came to supping up their lineup.
Kingdom Hearts: Square has teamed up with Disney to create a Final Fantasy-like Disney Adventure that will make Walt Disney proud. This looks to be a rather interesting and beautiful title filled with wonderful animation and characters from both the Final Fantasy and Disney franchises. This is an RPG title of the greatest proportions and it is not totally for kids, which is something I really enjoy hearing. Now, I don't play Final Fantasy games at all and I never touch Disney licensed titles, but I may actually pick this one up. What does that tell you?
Shinobi is Coming Back: Sega is bringing back Shinobi to the PS2 and I for one couldn't be happier. This was an awesome title that was filled with action and cunning wit. With today's technology, this game is sure to look better than ever, contain action and stealth similar to Tenchu and hopefully maintain the humor that made the previous Shinobi titles such big hits. Now, if they can only bring back Double Dragon or Bad Dudes.
Myst III Coming Out for the PS2: Remember Myst for the PC? Remember how it was complicated and not worth playing? Remember how it sucked? That's all I have to say.
Three Titles to Really Look Out For: A New Medal of Honor title is coming and I hear people saying how it is better than Metal Gear Solid. The previous titles were awesome and I liked them more than Metal Gear Solid, too, so I am anxiously awaiting this title. Robotech is coming out and while I am not a fan of mecha-based videogames, memories lead me to hope this Jet Grind Radio inspired looking title stays true to the historic animated series I loved as a kid. Mortal Kombat is back. I have faith that this game will be better than the last few titles, but will improvements be good enough to have it beat out Virtua Fighter 4, Tekken 4 or Soul Calibur 2. Well, we'll soon see.
Superheroes That Work: The movie Spider-Man ruled and the videogame based on the movie kicked ass! It seems like Spider-Man has changed the way we look at superheroes in videogames. So, saying that, I surely hope that the newest Wolverine title from Activision proves to be better than the lackluster X-Men titles we have had to deal with as of late. Screenshots look good, but will the gameplay follow suit? This is a title I am very weary of, but hopeful for.
Movie Tie-Ins Suck: Spider-Man was an exception, but most movie tie-ins suck. Look at Blade. Actually, don't. Activision is releasing a title based on the Minority Report and it looks like crap. Although some company magazines will never go so far as insult titles to be released for their systems, I will go one step further and say that the Terminator adapted title will need all the help it can, because it looks like crap, too. I just hope the third sequel is not that bad.
Shenmue 2 News: Finally, Shenmue was the only real reason to get the Dreamcast, but the long awaited sequel will not be coming out for the doomed system. It has been announced that the title will be coming out for another soon-to-be-doomed system, The X-Box. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come for the Microsoft videogame system without a heart. Now, if their marketing personnel could only get a brain.
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