Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Gamasutra looks at 20 difficult games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/31/gamasutra-looks-at-20-difficult-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/31/gamasutra-looks-at-20-difficult-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/31/gamasutra-looks-at-20-difficult-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Believe it or not, building difficulty into games isn't just about making them more impossible. John Harris over at Gamasutra takes the long route to prove this in an extended look into difficulty in game design. The majority of the feature is spent looking at specific cases of legitimately difficult games, dissecting their design and coming away with lessons learned from each.

Harris concedes that most intelligently difficult games are much older, and typically don't have a "lose" condition. The list includes hair-pulling classics like Defender, Sinistar, and Lode Runner, as well as a few more recent titles like Super Monkey Ball. It's a good read for anyone interested in game design.

John Harris also writes the excellent @Play column for GameSetWatch, which focuses on a long history of games classified as "roguelikes."

JoystiqGamasutra looks at 20 difficult games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defendergamasutragamedesignjohnharrisloderunnersinistarsupermonkeyballFri, 31 Aug 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Favorite franchise?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/wii-warm-up-favorite-franchise/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/wii-warm-up-favorite-franchise/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/wii-warm-up-favorite-franchise/#commentsFiled under:

We've been asking about your favorite entries in big Nintendo franchises (and we probably will again!), but we thought we'd ask a more macro-scale question. What's your favorite franchise on Nintendo consoles? You've got your Mario, Zelda, and Metroid, obviously, but there's also Sonic, Resident Evil, Mega Man, Street Fighter, and years and years of other series throughout history. And don't forget about the comparatively newer series like Super Monkey Ball and Phantasy Star Online!

As for us, it's definitely Castlevania. We have been faithful to Konami's pseudo-horror series since the very start.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Favorite franchise? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>franchisesmariomegamanmetroidphantasystarresidentevilsonicstreetfightersupermonkeyballzeldaMon, 13 Aug 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: The worst controls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/wii-warm-up-the-worst-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/wii-warm-up-the-worst-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/wii-warm-up-the-worst-controls/#commentsFiled under:

Earlier this week, we spent a little time talking about some of the best motion-sensing control schemes offered by Wii games so far -- so it's only fair that we dedicate a little time to the worst that you've experienced since launch. We've managed to avoid some of the games that are supposed to be really awful, but can definitely say that about half of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz definitely left something to be desired (and yet, part of the game was fine). We've heard horror stories however, that many games are far worse. How about you? What's the worst you've tried to suffer through on the Wii? Feel free to get into the gory details.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: The worst controls originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bananablitzcontrolsnunchuksupermonkeyballwiiremoteworstFri, 20 Jul 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today in Joystiq: June 4, 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/today-in-joystiq-june-4-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/today-in-joystiq-june-4-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/today-in-joystiq-june-4-2007/#comments Flickr user Arryl has some rather vicious pictures of what we presume is his cat mauling an innocent AiAi. Poor stuffed monkey. Check out the highlights for today:

News
Three titles join Zelda II's Virtual Console celebration
New games this week: Tomb Raider Anniversary edition
Interview with StarCraft 2 cinematic creative director
Bloomberg: Wii/PS3 gap continues to widen in Japan
Early look at exploration-based indie adventure Aquaria
'Broad new content' on Xbox Marketplace? No kidding!
Saw this coming: Games based on Saw coming
GameTap's free version plays globally
Reminder: Global servers, DLC for Resistance coming June 7th
Play Ninja Gaiden Sigma demo, earn essence in retail release
Sony hiring for God of War team
Gamecock announces DS survival horror, Dementium: The Ward
Time Ace turns clock forward on Time Pilot
Tabula Rasa shows off heavy weapons
Guitar Hero III videos return for second look
Plundr, first location-based DS game, debuts at Where 2.0
Video Games Live to play Kennedy Center in Wash. D.C.

Rumors & Speculation
Pachter: Hey Activision, watch out for Rock Band
Rumor: E3 to bring Smash Bros, Mario Galaxy release dates, Mario Kart Wii to be unveiled
Rumorong: Rein says Gears of War on PS3 is 'bull****'
D&D dev claims PSP can handle MMO, unsure of market

Culture & Community
Exercise bike gets attachment for PSP
Civilization III mod teaches Canadian history
Twilight Princess speed run in under 6 hours
Forty-hour DS charger is perfect ... for somebody
BlizzCon attendees to get beta key for 'upcoming Blizzard game'

[Thanks, laserboyjc]

JoystiqToday in Joystiq: June 4, 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily recapDailyRecapmonkey ballMonkeyBallsegasuper monkey ballSuperMonkeyBallMon, 04 Jun 2007 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[How many labyrinthine games do we really need?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/13/how-many-labyrinthine-games-do-we-really-need/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/13/how-many-labyrinthine-games-do-we-really-need/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/13/how-many-labyrinthine-games-do-we-really-need/#commentsFiled under:

Infendo has taken a snarky poke at the bevy of Marble Madness-y labyrinthine games gearing up for appearances on the Wii, and frankly, we too are surprised at the sheer number of such titles. Super Monkey Ball (obviously) already featured ball-rolling as one of the better parts of an uneven offering, and now three more upcoming games are centered around labyrinth puzzles.

You know, we love rolling balls as much as the next guy, and certainly the gametype suits the console on many levels; the controller and the games-for-everyone theme are both well-supported here. But four games in the first year seems a little excessive. The Wiimote is also really well-suited to pointing and shooting, but we don't need four simple shooting gallery games, either. Sure, each game has different features. In Dewy's Adventure, the "marble" can go vaporous or crystallize into ice. Awesome. Except at the end of the day, it's still all about rolling around from here to there. This is really a pretty simple theme, and there are only so many variations on it. How many labyrinth games are we really going to buy? Does anyone expect to own all of these?

JoystiqHow many labyrinthine games do we really need? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Banana BlitzBananaBlitzDewy's AdventureDewy'sAdventureKororinpalabyrinthMarble MadnessMarbleMadnessmazeNintendopuzzleSuper Monkey BallSuperMonkeyBallWiiTue, 13 Mar 2007 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Tacos, etc.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/03/wii-warm-up-tacos-etc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/03/wii-warm-up-tacos-etc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/03/wii-warm-up-tacos-etc/#commentsFiled under: ,

So the Wii has opened up new gameplay possibilities, new control methods, more immersion, and all that. But, unless the Nunchuk is involved, it's also opened up one of your hands. This has created the possibility for completely immersive snacking, wherein you don't have to stop playing even for a second while you stuff your face full of delicious, crunchy tacos (and, possibly, non-taco food items), totally sabotaging your Wii Sports exercise program.

We want to know-- are you guilty of the crime of convenience? Have you succumbed to a sudden banana craving after picking up hundreds and hundreds of them in Super Monkey Ball? Or have you refrained from eating during gameplay, afraid you'll accidentally transfer some Cheeto dust onto the Wiimote?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Tacos, etc. originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Mar 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballexercisemonkeynintendonintendowiisportssupersupermonkeyballtacotacostacos!warmwarm upwarmupwiiwii sportswiimotewiisportswiiwarmupwwuSat, 03 Mar 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: So how 'bout the games?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/15/wii-warm-up-so-how-bout-the-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/15/wii-warm-up-so-how-bout-the-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/15/wii-warm-up-so-how-bout-the-games/#commentsFiled under:

Many of you are just getting your hands on a Wii (at last!) and others are just settling in for more in depth play on your games, so we figured it was a good time to ask: what have you played? What have you skipped? Which games have you liked most so far?

This particular blogger has only been a little disappointed with Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, due to the controls. Everything else has been pretty engaging. Twilight Princess, Wii Sports, and Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam (skateboarding games are a longtime habit a girl just can't shake) have gotten the most play on this Wii, though we're always happy to throw down on a variety of other games. More recently, it's been extensive sessions of Wario Ware: Smooth Moves. But hey, we figure everyone's got different tastes ... so how about you? Don't be shy -- tell us what you've liked so far!

JoystiqWii Warm Up: So how 'bout the games? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Banana BlitzBananaBlitzNintendoSuper Monkey BallSuperMonkeyBallTony Hawk's Downhill JamTonyHawk'sDownhTwilight PrincessTwilightPrincesWario WareWarioWareWiiWii SportsWiiSportswwuZeldaThu, 15 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercury Meltdown Revolution rolls onto Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/14/mercury-meltdown-revolution-rolls-onto-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/14/mercury-meltdown-revolution-rolls-onto-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/14/mercury-meltdown-revolution-rolls-onto-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ignition Entertainment has announced that the Mercury series of puzzle games will arrive on the Wii next Spring, in the form of Mercury Meltdown Revolution. As it involves you tilting the playing field in order to guide a blob of mercury to its intended destination, it doesn't take any sort of scientist to make the mental connection between the game and the Wii's unique controller. Ignition president (and non-scientist), Paul Robinson, explains that "the original game design was intended for a tilt controller. Now gamers can fully interact with the Mercury blob, navigating through the labs with precision and unprecedented speed."

The press release is quick to note other key features, such as the presence of over 150 levels, "advanced rendering techniques" and most importantly, "state of the art blob physics." Admittedly, we initially read that last one as something else entirely.

JoystiqMercury Meltdown Revolution rolls onto Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Archer Maclean's MercuryArcherMaclean'sMercuryIgnition EntertainmentIgnitionEntertainmentMercuryMercury Meltdown RevolutionMercuryMeltdownRevolutionpuzzlerSuper Monkey BallSuperMonkeyBalltilt gameplayTiltGameplayWiiThu, 14 Dec 2006 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[UK preorders are a go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/uk-preorders-are-a-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/uk-preorders-are-a-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/uk-preorders-are-a-go/#commentsFiled under:

PC World, the self-styled "Largest Computer Superstore" for the UK (we're impressed) has started taking preorders for the Wii -- and they're offering a nice bundle pack. We hope to see similar offerings on this side of the Atlantic, because this is just too good to pass up. The basic console weighs in at £179.99, and there's an option for a Wii with a second controller (but no nunchuk) for £199.99. For those not too savvy with the conversion of currency, don't let those seemingly low numbers fool you -- our pals in the UK are paying nearly $400 in US dollars for the privilege of a console and a second Wiimote.

And then there are the bundles. Super Monkey Ball seems to be the order of the day; it's included in two of the three bundle options on PC World's site. You can choose either Red Steel or Twilight Princess to offset your monkey mayhem, and both bundles include the second Wiimote, and all for £259.99, only sixty pounds more than the console plus extra controller. The third bundle includes Wario Ware: Smooth Moves and Need for Speed: Carbon, as well as the extra controller. PC World promises free delivery with any of these preorders (which is a nice bonus), but doesn't guarantee delivery at launch (which isn't nice at all). Keep us posted on other preorder packs and bonuses, and we'll compare and contrast.





JoystiqUK preorders are a go originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Sep 2006 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlecontrollerEnglandnunchukpreorderSuper Monkey BallSuperMonkeyBallUKWiiZeldaTue, 26 Sep 2006 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Partial Wii launch lineup revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/22/partial-wii-launch-lineup-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/22/partial-wii-launch-lineup-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/22/partial-wii-launch-lineup-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Nintendo WiiAccording to numerous reports, Nintendo Power has confirmed six Wii launch titles:
  • Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Square Enix)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo)
  • Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Nintendo)
  • Rayman Raving Rabbits (Ubisoft)
  • Red Steel (Ubisoft)
  • Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz (Sega)
While this list will surely double -- or even triple -- in size as we draw closer to the console's launch, one game that will likely slip out of the launch window is Super Mario Galaxy. Link and Samus will just have to hold it down until the plumber returns in 2007.

JoystiqPartial Wii launch lineup revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dragon QuestDragonQuestMetroidNintendoRaymanRed SteelRedSteelSegaSquare EnixSquareEnixSuper Monkey BallSuperMonkeyBallUbisoftWiiZeldaThu, 22 Jun 2006 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Monkey Ball producer on DS design challenges]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/13/monkey-ball-producer-on-ds-design-challenges/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/13/monkey-ball-producer-on-ds-design-challenges/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/13/monkey-ball-producer-on-ds-design-challenges/#commentsFiled under:

Eep! Oop!
Let's face it. There are very few things more entertaining than an adorable monkey trapped inside a translucent ball. In fact, watching my monkeys roll wildly out of control through wacky landscapes is one of my favorite past times. I love pushing them down slopes, over hills and through tunnels, only stopping occasionally to taunt them with the promise of a fresh banana. And then there's the bowling... knocking down pins with my flailing monkey encased in a sphere is something I try to enjoy on a daily basis.

I also enjoy playing the game, Super Monkey Ball. You may have heard of it. The DS version, entitled Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll, is scheduled to ship sometime next week. Toshihiro Nagoshi, the game's producer, took time out of his simian schedule in order to update his 1up blog with a few reflections on developing the game's unique control system. Though the game's mechanics seem to be a good, intuitive match to the DS' unique abilities, Mr. Nagoshi notes that adapting it from the previous console versions wasn't entirely a walk in the park.

"It is really tricky to create a solid control system for a user interface. First off, things don't always go according to plan - the execution and functionality doesn't always align with the concept. Often times, what you think is final and complete, isn't necessarily so. And as you work more on the functionality and execution of a concept, the more you end up changing it. So ultimately, that original idea gets changed in the end product."

However, he also feels that the challenge ultimately benefited the game, with the team's trial-and-error approach eventually leading to a more refined control system. According to him, the secret is to always stay passionate and realize that there is always room for improvement. We'll see whether the design philosophy matches the game before the month is over.

JoystiqMonkey Ball producer on DS design challenges originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Feb 2006 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSDS LiteDsLiteNintendo DSNintendo DS LiteNintendoDsNintendoDsLiteSuper Monkey BallSuperMonkeyBallMon, 13 Feb 2006 15:18:00 EST