Most of you don’t like the Wii at the best of times, but there’s been the most unholy level of whinging lately thanks to a certain Doug Cruetz of Cowen Group, who thinks the “Wii bubble could be deflating” – pierced by the wicked thorns of sagging third-party software sales. Or something like that.
Lay your fears to rest, Mr Cruetz – VideoGameTV has a bike pump. A bike pump filled to the nozzle with killer software. I’ve jotted down some pros and cons for each title on the list, partly to maintain the pretence of considered judgement but also because I wanted to make lots of lame jokes.
Monster Hunter Tri (2010 in Europe and North America)
Pros: They’ve actually done the online bit right for a change.
Cons: You might have to pay a monthly sub.
Red Steel 2 (February-March 2010 worldwide)
Pros: New manga-fied visuals, swordplay that isn’t broken.
Cons: Needs lightsabers.
Sin & Punishment 2 (Q1 2010 in Europe and North America)
Pros: Absolute visual lunacy. Tried and true rail-shooting mechanics.
Cons: So uncool you need a makeover, STAT.
Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles (Out now!)
Pros: Dolled-up versions of all the old Resi locations.
Cons: Slow zombies are so 1997.
Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Out now!)
Pros: Probably the prettiest example of 2D interactive art ever published.
Cons: Gets repetitive unless sampled in small doses.
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare