Gluemeat

Let it be known: I am waiting for the arrival of Nintendo’s new Wii console with great pulse rising thoughts. It has even come to me reserving one at my local Toys R Us. I’m number fifteen on the list. Yes, I reserved it even though Nintendo hasn’t confirmed the price yet and even though there still isn’t a confirmed launch date set. I can live with your accusing stares, you know. I’m comfortable like that. Also, I type in my underwear.

Of course, rumours, hearsays, and danglies of information have been plaguing the Internets for months, especially concerning which titles which will be available once launchtime comes around. Some publishers have began confirming what they will be serving up alongside the Big N’s shiny new console and NWizard.com has compiled a list of said confirmed titles. Total? A whopping 27 games are expected. That’s a lot, the most of any console launch in history. Best thing is that the number could still grow till then. Holy flippin’ teapots!

To parry the smell of burning holes in my pockets, I took the time to look at the list and prioritise. After all, I must look at this with the level-headedness of a man my age who has certain responsibilities to ascertain first. It’s not like I’m still in university and can blow my cash on video games instead of other stuff like, oh I dunno, food.

Avatar: The Last Airbender
Publisher: THQ
Based on the manga-esque Nickelodeon cartoon which airs in Canada on YTV. I never got into it and neither has my son. I’m very weary of cartoon video game adaptations.
Will I buy it? No

Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Publisher: Ubisoft
World War II flight squadron dogfighting game, complete with 38 era-accurate aircraft which can be played in single or multiplayer missions. If there’s online play, this could be a lot of fun. Otherwise, meh.
Will I get it? Unlikely

Blitz: The League
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Sports game
No more NFL liscence for this one, which is supposed to expose the dark underbelly of a pro football league, complete with controversies, lifestyles, and corruption. Ah, yes: the ever-present need for EDGINESS.
Will I buy it? Unlikely

Call of Duty 3
Publisher: Activison
Genre: War game
It’s another round of first person shooter infantry squad missions in the WWII setting. Boring.
Will I buy it? No

Cars
Publisher: THQ
Based on the Pixar/Disney feature where you basically, um, race cars. I don’t like car race sims. Apparently not as bad as some might think for a liscenced game.
Will I buy it? No

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
Publisher: Atari
A fighting game mixed with RPG elements, 100 playable characters, 15 different environments, 9 game modes. Could be fun for a weekend!
Whill I buy it? Unlikely, but I’ll definitely rent it

Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors
Publisher: Square Enix
Longest title ever. I’m a bit done with this type of RPG myself, but I’ll concede that it looks promising for the RPG crowd.
Will I buy it? Unlikely

Elebits
Publisher: Konami
You go around the world tossing stuff right, left, up and down with the Wiimote as you collect little energy creatures called Elebits. I have seen the videos and it looks like way too much fun. Right up my alley.
Will I buy it? Definitely

Excite Truck
Publisher: Nintendo
The “sequel” to the venerable Excitebike, substituting the dirtbike for an off-road truck to get your mad stunts fix. Also, one is expected to hold the Wii’s remote like a steering wheel to make it work. Looks like a blast.
Will I buy it? Probably

Far Cry
Publisher: Ubisoft
I’m not a fan of FPSs unless they have some very strong story elements and/or offer something completely new. I’ve never played Far Cry, but I’ve heard a lot of positive things about this jungle adventure. Also, it’s from Ubisoft, a publisher I trust.
Will I buy it? Maybe

GT Pro Series
Publisher: Ubisoft
I hate car race sims.
Will I buy it? No

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
Publisher: Square Enix
Another episode in the Gamecube’s own Final Fantasy series. Looks nice qnd cutesy, but, as I said for Dragon Quest Swords, I’m done with this type of game.
Will I buy it? Unlikely

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Publisher: Nintendo
It’s a Zelda game. There’s also amazing graphics. Plus, it’s a Zelda game. Then there’s the Wiimote functionalities. And it’s a Zelda game. What a no-brainer.
Will I buy it? Only if the sun rises that day

Madden NFL 07
Publisher: Electronic Arts
This might entirely be interesting due to the Wiimote functionality. I’ll definitely be giving it the once-over. Maybe even the twice-over. With a couple of drinks in me, I could even go for the thrice-over.
Will I buy it? Maybe

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Publisher: Activision
It’s every comic book fan’s dream: pick your favourite super-heroes and put them in the same team. You can apparently even customise team logos, names, and vehicles. This will be a hit if gameplay isn’t too clunky and the storyline is bearable.
Will I buy it?

Metal Slug Anthology
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Six Metal Slug games rolled into one? Eh, why not?
Will I buy it? Maybe

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Publisher: Nintendo
The only first person shooter game I ever loved was Metroid Prime. Corruption will bring to a close the greatest video game sci-fi series ever. I hope they don’t kill off Samus at the end. There’s a huge feeling of closure around this game. It’s got me worried.
Will I buy it? Definitely

Monster 4×4 World Circuit
Publisher: Ubisoft
Monster trucks tear it up and smash stuff around, with Wiimote functionalities galore. Depends just how much you can smash stuff up.
Will I buy it? Unlikely

Need for Speed: Carbon
Publisher: Electronic Arts
I hate car racing sims.
Will I buy it? No

Open Season
Publisher: Ubisoft
Another CGI cartoon movie video game adaptation with all the annoyances that accompany those types of games.
Will I buy it? No

Rayman Raving Rabbids
Publisher: Ubisoft
This is actually the most intriguing Rayman title I have ever seen. It looks to be absolutely hilarious. I already want to smack those annoying rabbits around. However, I’ve been burned on Rayman games before, so I’m going try it out first.
Will I buy it: Maybe

Red Steel
Publisher: Ubisoft
The swordfighting aspects of this first person shooter intrigue me a great deal. I can just see myself swinging the Wiimote around like I’m something special. I’m hooked, I just need to know if it’s anything of a good game.
Will I buy it? Maybe

SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
Publisher: THQ
Another cartoon adaptation. I really don’t like that genre, the games are always sub-par. However, my son is a Spongebob fan. It might slide into my home on those grounds alone.
Will I buy it? Probably

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
Publisher: Sega
I love the Super Monkey Ball series, and the Wiimote just sweetens the deal. This should be crazy-mad fun. The whole family is going to love this one.
Will I buy it? Definitely

Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam
Publisher: Activision
It looks like a really fun game, and again the Wiimote will add some interesting functionalities on a franchise which, let’s face it, is getting pretty tired. Also: online play.
Will I buy it? Maybe

Trauma Center: Second Opinion
Publisher: Atlus
Are you kidding me? Performing surgery from within the comfort of my windowless, soundproof bunker home has been my lifelong dream!
Will I buy it? Definitely

Wii Sports
Publisher: Nintendo
Nintendo’s collection of little sports games to feature the Wiimote’s capabilities is going to be a winner. I’m sure of it.
Will I buy it? Defninitely

So let’s tally:
No: 5
Unlikely: 6
Maybe: 6
Probably: 3
Definitely: 5
Only if the sun rises: 1

So that’s nine games which could be potentially entering my home, with six on the fence. I better call Visa now.

This entry was posted by Mike on Monday, August 14th, 2006 at 2:13 pm and is filed under Video Gaming. Stay fresh on your flaming needs by following responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave your own response, or trackback from your own site. YEAH