By Miguel Lopez

　　All right, my people, thanks for making this week a bit more interesting (albeit busier). You guys gave me a warm reception, and your questions were both informative and interesting. However, Shane will be back on Monday, so you will be all his after today. Tell him how much you've missed him: [email protected]. You can send questions there, too. Thanks, and peace to all of you.

　　08/24/2001

New skin

　　-Tonya Edwards

　　C'mon. It's great that Nintendo flipped the script visually. Think about the way that Zelda's visuals evolved after they first appeared on the SNES after two more-or-less similarly toned installments. This here is a similar situation, and from these early accounts, it seems like it will redefine the series' visual design just as radically as Link's Awakening did.

　　Personally, I'm very excited about it. I'm always down with developers painting with light in new ways, and while this doesn't exactly seem to come from out of left field, it's refreshing when compared to games at large. And they're technically magnificent to boot. And I'm sure all of the folks from back in the day will spot all the references to classic Zelda in the Space World video: hexagonal hollow logs, overhead views, and so on. I can't wait to see more. In the meantime, peep an artist's rendition.

Game space

　　I have a question that I was hoping you guys could answer for me. I work at a K-Mart (don't laugh, college isn't free), and in the electronics department, we have three glass cases--one for PlayStation, one for PS2, and another for N64 and the two Game Boys. There is also a case for accessories. In November, two new systems are coming out. Where will retailers find the room for these? I remember thinking the same thing when Dreamcast was launching, and what happened was, like a lot of stores, mine just tossed the games into the back of the accessories case (which by the way still had Gamegear and Sega CD games in it). Doing this I felt was one of the reasons we stopped stocking Dreamcast games even before it was announced that they were going to halt production. Now, granted, Microsoft and Nintendo probably have more pull than Sega does (or did), but I don't think they have enough to change a major retailer's layout. Does this mean a store must decide which system it should support? PlayStation and N64 are still popular, so I don't think they will stop supporting those systems just to make room for new ones (we still sell more PSOne games than PS2). This not only applies for retailers but also independent game stores and also small video rental stores that might not have enough room for two new systems, especially two that are being released days apart with a more sizable launch library than in the past. Thanks in advance for any help you can give on the subject.

　　-Mike

　　You bring up a good point, man, though I've definitely seen some merchandizing, in my day. I've been in a Walmart that had PS2 boxes stacked (no joke) next to laundry detergent. Granted, K-Mart isn't so heavy on the retail-warzone tip as Walmart is, but I'm sure you guys will be able to manage some kind of workable configuration. Be mindful of OSHA regulations, however, lest the cost of next-gen compliance seem too high for your company's canny investors. And there's no faster way to quell a next-gen revolution than through retail Armageddon.

Guess

　　When will you guys get any news on SoA2? I know it's in the making (at least in Japan), but you haven't got any news yet. What's up with that? And, if you do have news but are just holding out, do you know if it's going to be on the next-gen consoles (I'd like to think so)? Thanks in advance, and peace.

　　-DJ Vyse

　　We have no news to report, but it definitely is coming to a next-generation console, if by that you mean the PS2, GameCube, or Xbox. If we're to take Sega's talk about its multiplatform strategy to heart, then we can assume that all three will eventually get it. One, though, will be getting it exclusively, at first...

For the sake of gravel

　　Hi, and thanx for posting my letter. I've been a reader to your website for the past couple of years now, and just wanted to ask you a question regarding Mario's transformation on the GameCube. I am very disappointed by the news I heard regarding Mario Sunshine being the sequel to Mario 64. Everybody thinks Mario 64 is a great game, and probably the best game ever made, but I think differently. To me, Super Mario Bros. games, such as Mario 3 and Super Mario world, are extremely better and more fun than Mario 64. I admit Mario 64 was the first truly 3D platformer, but come on--it's not as fun as Mario World's colorful, enjoyable worlds. I mean, come on--does Mario 64 have anything to do with the other pervious games? The world is different, there are no Koopa kids, no Luigi, or anything else to do with the other games. Since when did Mario ever have to collect stars to pass a freaking level? Mario was about bashing blocks and beating the crap out of the Koopa kids, not jumping into paintings and racing a silly penguin. I hope Mario Sunshine includes all the things I mentioned that the past old-school Mario games have had, and I really hope King Koopa has a better personality in this game than he had in the 64 version. Nintendo should really bring back the old-school quality of the Mario franchise. I'm not saying "don't bring anything new to the new Mario games," and I do think the graphics are very good in Mario Sunshine. Just have some of the stuff that made the old-school Mario games more enjoyable than almost any game out there.

　　-Mario fan!!

　　Yeah, we feel for you, man. We miss the days when bricks were destructible and Luigi was a palette-swap. Still, though, don't you think that Nintendo is responsible for building upon the mechanics it established with Super Mario 64? I mean, it already has, of course, but wouldn't you like to see the fruit of what its developers learned throughout the past five-odd years? I agree with you, though, about bringing back some of the classic game elements. Splintering brick would look marvelous on the GameCube, and given the recent advances in game design, it is now possible to implement such radical mechanics. Nintendo, though, seems to have its own plans--did you dig that crazy glass contraption on Mario's back? I didn't know those were legal in Japan...

El Doradon't

　　The Spot,

　　I forgot in my other e-mail:

　　Whatever happened to El Dorado (the Dreamcast RPG series) being published in the States? I think that with Amano character designs, creative 2D visuals, the very innovative "chapter"-style game series, and progressive story with multiple characters, this game is one of the most interesting RPGs to come around in a long while. Seems like I read that it would be published by some "as of yet unspecified" company for US audiences.

　　About the new GameCube Zelda, I think that it was rather unprofessional for all of the other gaming websites to post "bootlegged" screenshots and movies. I had to see them anyway, though. I'm glad that at least GameSpot stuck to Miyamoto's wishes.

　　-Ryan

　　El Dorado Gate coming to the States is pretty unlikely, sir. According to people who have played it, it was a very interesting take on the typical console-RPG narrative, so it sucks that we'll never have access to a semi-coherent localization. There's no shortage of RPGs, though, so you'll likely live. And thanks for the props, though it was pretty hard to resist not posting those movies after seeing them for the first time...

Using us

　　Love the site, been using it for several years. I just read through the latest edition of The Spot and found a letter that seems to have a common theme with a lot of other letters: not being able to afford a system but still wanting to be able to play all of the games on the one system they do buy. Well just the other day, I was over at a friend's house who happens to be a Japanese anime freak and saw an edition of TokyoPop lying on the coffee table. I picked it up and started leafing through it, and lo and behold, I came across an article discussing Sony's upcoming PS3. It states that it will be released in Japan in first quarter 2003. But what was so surprising is what they are claiming it is capable of doing. Supposedly, they have developed a technology that will allow them "lateral capability." Basically they said it will allow you to play any type of game on a compact disc. They listed PSOne, PS2, GameCube, XBOX, Dreamcast, PC, and I imagine they might throw in systems like the Saturn. They also said that they have already patented the process and are close to working out the legal issues at least in Japan anyway.

　　So what do you think about this? Is it possible that they are already very close on having this ready? What will this mean for the video game industry if they come out with it first and they are the only ones who can even use it in their system? Is this good or bad for the video game industry?

　　-Matt

　　While I definitely feel that this is the way things will ultimately go, I somehow doubt that a major corporation like Sony will be the one blazing the trail. The process for doing so wouldn't be too difficult, either--all that would have to be included is a hard drive and a whole bunch of emulators. As for them monopolizing that sort of technology, rest assured that it is not possible--even if they have a patent on their proprietary software, it's relatively easy to develop something just as functional.

　　Are you sure you read correctly? Incidentally, does your anime friend keep absinthe in his house?

ASCII rules

　　It seems to me that the GameCube controller isn't very good for fighting games, especially because of the d-pad. What do you think? Do you know if any other kinds of controllers will ever be released for it, because it doesn't look like the current controller would be good for games like Soul Calibur 2. Thanks for answering my question.

　　-Anonymous

　　I'm with you as far as fighting games in general go, though I don't think that we'll have much trouble playing Soul Calibur with the GameCube controller. If you remember, its layout in the arcade was more similar to an SNK fighter's than anything else. As such, the standard two-by-two or three-by-three button layout isn't really necessary. As for Street Fighter, though, ASCII had better come up off of some fighting pads, lest there be a whole bunch of alienated Ryus sitting in front of purple cubes all over the world!

People have good taste

　　Hi guys!

　　Well, I'm writing again to ask if there are any plans to make any sequels for these games:

　　--Vagrant Story

　　--Omega Boost

　　--Einhander

　　I hope this time you could answer me. Thanx, and keep your site up...it's the BEST one out there!

　　-Ben

　　Hey man, we're here for you. Sorry, but none of those games have any sequels in the works, which is pretty weak. Well, Omega Boost was kind of weak, I thought, so that's no loss, but Einhander and Vagrant are definitely worthy of second offenses. In Vagrant's case, I'd love to see a new version with a decently functional interface; however cool it was, the first one required way too much inventory switching between battles, which often were only seconds apart.

Radicals indeed

　　In Wednesday's edition of The Spot, it was stated that there seem to be no "radicals" supporting the gaming industry against censorship legislation. I've found such a group.

　　It's called GamePAC, and has been around for a few years. They can be found online at http://www.gamepac.com.

　　-Lentra

　　Wow, I stand corrected. Everyone must support this group, without a doubt.

For life!!

　　What's up, guys?

　　I was in my local Babbages store just looking around, and I was surprised to see that Microsoft has Xbox stuff everywhere. I saw the box that it comes in, and they even had the launch games already on display (empty cases though). I decided to ask about preorders. They were not taking preorders but they had a list that read, "We will call you when we get them in."

　　There were about 200 names on that list for the Xbox. The GameCube list had only about 60 or so. Now I was really curious. So after the guy standing outside stopped trying to sell me bootleg Dreamcast games, I went to Boomerang's and Software Etc. and got the same results. Can we consider this proof of life for the Xbox. What do you guys think?

　　-Andre

　　However much the Xbox's presence may seem to overwhelm the GameCube's, at this point, you haven't seen anything yet. In terms of advertising budgets, the Xbox has $500,000,000 to play with. That's half a billion dollars. Ask yourself: What can you make the Taco Bell dog do for that kind of money? I don't want to know. Anyway, Nintendo, on the other hand, has $75,000,000. So you can bet that you're going to see a whole lot more Xbox ads than GameCube ads. And regardless of whether the games Microsoft is pushing are any good, this will really help the company's chances of establishing itself. So yeah, we think the Xbox has a pretty good chance of doing it.