Um...Sure, You Can Do That: Completely Non-sexual Edition

The founder of Domino's Pizza has said he would like to found a religous based town, where all porn and contriceptives would be banned (story: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1671484). He has even gone as far as to call the town "God's Will."
As this post's title suggests, I highly doubt it would succeed, at least in the long run. The story suggests that such a town would be impossible to found, since porn, despite its restrictions to non-adults, is still protected as free speech.
Even if this doesn't stop the town's founding, the idea of not having condoms and birth control pills would just send the youth, or even those who just like the idea of sex without unexpected suprises, out of the town.
I hope this doesn't pass. I already don't like the idea of "red state-blue state," I would hate to have actual geographic centers of ideology, even within one's own religion. I can't think of a worse thing then having "red towns-blue towns," where conservatives have to go to one place and liberals another because the laws are based on ideology.
I like the idea of diversity, and not just superfisial diversity. We need not to seperate into our own camps, but to come together and debate and find the real answers.

Politicians Being Just A Bit Too Bold

With all the anti-videogame legislation, one would think that would be the limit of stupid use of money to defend a state law/faint a political position. Well, now we have got a worse case then that.
A South Dakota bill would ban almost all forms of abortion, and it's on the way to the Govenor (story: http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/wireStory?id=1651458). The bill even had the main sponsor in the form of Democratic Senater Julie Bartling. One reason that this bill was put into place was the recent Bush appointments of Judge Roberts and Alito to the Supreme Court.
Umm...good luck with that. If it somehow gets past the Govenor (either with his/her approval or with a over-ridden veto), I doubt it would even pass through one level of the courts, even less making it to the Supreme Court.

Actually, as I was researching this, this isn't that new. Wikipedia notes that in 2004, a similar bill was passed, with a executive veto. Here is the part in the article (found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dakota#Politics).

"For example, South Dakota is considered one of the most politically anti-abortion states in U.S. In 2004, a law to completely ban the practice passed both houses of the legislature but was vetoed by the Governor due to a technicality. The state's Legislature passed five laws restricting abortion in 2005, and a 2005 state task force reccomended that the legislature ban all abortions and challenge the constitutionality of Roe v. Wade. In February 2006, HB1215 which would outlaw abortion in all forms except that to save the life of the mother was passed in the House. A similar version was passed in the Senate on February 22nd and will be sent back to the House to reconcile differences before being sent to the governor."

By the way, Wikipedia also has a good article on Roe v. Wade (here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade). If you're wondering my opinion on the pro-choice/pro-life debate (which I find ironic that neither camp really uses the word abortion, despite that being the center of the debate), I actually agree with the ruling on the case.

World's Worst in Videogame: Professional News Edition

As a journalist-in-training, I am completely apalled that ABCNews did this. An earlier story said that Pictochat, the imbedded chat program on the Nintendo DS, could be used by pedophiles to pick up kids (story: http://news.spong.com/article/9678

). Every gamer knew there was a problem with the story because Pictochat can't go online, it can only go over a wireless LAN.
Well, it was revealed that the writer of the story knew of this, and chose to ignore it (story: http://news.spong.com/detail/news.asp?prid=9690&cb=0.7831036). As a journalist in training, I do understand that sometimes one has to investigate into things that they don't understand, but it still is one's responsibility to make sure they understand all facets of the story, or at least as much as they can get into within that timespan.
It just makes it worse that the writer not only interviewed someone who would know, but called back to double check the information AND STILL chose not to include it.
It also makes things worse as the editors should have noticed something missing. Did they take the information on faith?
So ABCNews, you get the Worst in Videogames Award for excellence in bad journalism.

Zelda/Revolution Features Confirmed?

It's been long rumored that the upcomming Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess has bonus features when played on the Revolution. A few sites have said that Reggie, in a recent interview on Spike TV, confirmed such features (example: http://www.nintendojo.com/infocus/view_item.php?1140462383).
However, if you actually watch the interview (here: http://gonintendo.com/?p=931#comments)

, you will see that it is more likely that isn't the case, at least at this point. He said it was a good idea, but it sounds more like it isn't in the game, but doesn't say explicitly that it will/won't be in the final package.

Also, I just would like to say that these clips shows that Spike TV has outdone 90% of G4's programing alone.

NSA Wiretaps Won't Be Investigated?

Reading the New York Times front page, the House has agreed to investigate the NSA controversy, but possibly not the program itself. Instead, there is talk of looking at the law involved to see if it needs to be changed.
Wait a sec. The NSA, presumably under the directive of the President and/or his administration, broke the law and the constitution (see 4th Admendment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_states_consitution#Fourth_Amendment). Yet, Republicans are caving into Bush's pressure to change the law rather then investigate wrong-doings. What is the point of seperation of powers?
I only read this on the New York Times. The press seemed to be so wound up on "Cheney shot a man in the head" case that they put this in the back burner.
I do hope Republicans actually investigate the NSA domestic wiretaps in themselves, and not the law. The FISA court has already shown to be historically favorable to granting wiretaps, I highly doubt we need to change the law. People need to know that they weren't wiretaped, and that such wiretaps weren't put up by flimsy evidence (a possible reason why no warrents were obtained on these). This is a case where transparency is much better then secrecy. Also, congressional Republicans need to show that they aren't Bush's lapdogs.

UPDATE: ABCNews has reported that Bill Frist said on CBS's "Face the Nation" that he believes that not only the law is good as is, but also standing by Bush's claim that the program is completely legal (story: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1639748).
Let me remind everybody that the law in which Bush and his administration has been citing was the resolution to go to war, citing the vague "any force nessisary" clause. From what I have been hearing, between the bill that created FISA and the cited laws, courts would rule with FISA since it is far more specific.
It's unfortunate that the current political environment always seems to have a "with us/against us" type of policies, especially within one's own parties. I just would be good to explain to everyone, Democrat and Republican, that from the information that has been leaked, this program is illegal and shouldn't be in place. There just is no excuse for not at least looking into the legality of this program, even less to change the law to make it legal.

To Trade Up or Not: Nintendo DS edition

I haven't really wrote about the new DS Lite that is comming out in the next few months (probably summer). I believe I now have the information to determine whether to sell my old DS (the one that came with Mario Kart DS) and get the new iPod...I mean Lite version.
I originally thought of not doing it, since WiFi games like Mario Kart DS have profiles that are linked to that specific DS. Another blog asked if it was possible to correct this, and appearently a little known feature can transfer the original DS's profile and information to the new one, but would also reset the old DS to factory settings (here: http://nintendo-centrum.blogspot.com/2006/02/ds-lite-vs-wifi-games.html).
So it comes down to design and expense. The DS Lite (DSL from now on) is smaller, and would probably feel more comfortable for first person shooters, where one would use their thumbs rather then the stylus. And let's face it, it does look much better. It also has a much brighter screens then the current model.
On the negative, the GBA slot is not as large, which means any GBA carts would stick out. Some of the other things are still unknown, like if the shoulder buttons are still as awkward as the current ones. I have also heard that GBA games have a minor problem with the even brighter screen.
However, I fear that cost would be an issue. While the US price hasn't been announced, the Japanese price is around 140 US dollars. Knowing Nintendo's unwillingness to subsidize their systems, I think it would probably launch at the $150 price point. Even if they released it at the current $130 (without a packed in game), they are phasing out the original design (story: http://www.nintendojo.com/infocus/view_item.php?1140368058). I wouldn't be suprised that the original DS's price would be dropped, either officially or unoffically, to $100. Which, in turn, would mean that the medium price at EBay would be lowered. Even now, looking at a search of EBay, the system could be bought for under $100 easily, some even offering games as well.
So additional money would have to be spent to upgrade. Considering that the differences between the original GBA and the GBA SP models had more sigificant differences, I would have to say unless you absolutly have to have the most current model, just save the money and get another game. The only reason to upgrade is that Nintendo included better compatability with routers, and you have a router that just isn't working with the current model.

Capcom: The Best & Worst in Gaming

Well, this past year, Capcom released the best game to come along since Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Then this year comes about, and we get more of the same, mostly.
The first game we got this year was the port of Resident Evil for the DS. Not Resident Evil 4, not even the Gamecube version of the original. No, we got a port of the original PSX version. Although it's all there, with a new mode that includes exclusive DS features, it still is the same thing we saw ten years ago. I could not even concieve getting this game, mostly because after playing RE4, the old games just suck. Going back to the old crappy camera system is just horrible. The only control change they did was the 180 turn. Couldn't they at least do the analog control seen in Mario 64DS?
Now their Gamers Day (story: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3148152) featured a mix of old and new, but mostly stuff we seen before in one way or another.

Okami, the most original title on the list, has been at the past two E3s. Only one thing comes to mind: Why isn't there a DS version of this? I'm not even asking for a Revolution, because the DS has you interacting directly with the screen. Even on the PS2, I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out, whenever it comes out.

The two 360 titles, Dead Rising and Lost Planet, do sound good in concept, although not entirely original. Reading the previews certainly does leave a good impression. However, I just doubt that either game will be released any time soon.

Then the PSP is getting more then its fair share of ports and remakes. The most original title is Mega Man Powered Up (Rockman Rockman in Japan), with the ability to make custom levels. But it still is Mega Man, a series that only changes with each spin off.
Then all the others are ports of something or another. This month, Street Fighter Alpha 3 was launched. As an owner of the GBA version, I will say it is a great game, but reviews of the PSP version say it is hindered by the hardware (mostly an ackward directional pad).

It was this mix of new games and ports that just makes Capcom the epitome of the industry. Only one game varies from convention (Okami), while the rest just tries to be good or easy money. Nothing bad from the former, but everyone would like to see their games transend their genre.
Mostly, Capcom just needs to stop rehashing and porting. It was old on the NES.

Um...I Didn't Do It!

Well, as the Daily Show put it, Cheney shot a man in his face (amusing show, by the way). In actuality, it probably wasn't in his face, but I doubt that he would like to be shot anyway. To make things worse, MSNBC reported that he suffered a "silent" heart attack (story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11340558/)

. This is just not his day.
The press had a problem with this in that it took the White House 22 hours to report it. I can understand their need to delay the news about this, since this is terrible news and probably need to get as mcuh info as possible. Scott McClellan, however, was in his usual stance of not saying anything, even for things which he should obviously know, like if Cheney has a proper licence (which he didn't, but I won't fault him since it was a new program). I think McClellan has the most lax homework policy ever, since he doesn't need to.
Unless this was a very negligent event, the news networks are making too much of this. Yes, a man was shot (in his face), but aren't there more serious things to monitor?

A Half Life Series?

No, it isn't anything on the television. At DICE, Valve announced that the previously announced Aftermath expansion pack is now Episode One (actually, shouldn't it be Episode two?), as the game will now be episodic, as per Sin Episodes. This means that each pack will be shorter, but cost less and probably get into number of expansions that Sims 1 and Everquest has gotten. All of this, you guessed it, is online only.
I, for one, don't like this. I tend not to buy anything online, and don't like the idea of digital only media. It took four hours for me to download the Half Life 2 demo; one half hour for the entire game (plus Counterstrike Source and Half Life 1 Source) from a DVD. Also, am I one of the few people who actually like to go to the store to buy stuff. Then again, I just like walking/driving anyway; buying things is just a good excuse for me to do so.
Also, I prefer to buy one package. I tend to wait until the tail end just so then I can get every expansion and the main game in one package (although I did make an exception for Half Life 2 after playing it at a LAN party). I won't buy any series on iTunes because there's no packages. I will buy series DVD's, because I can get a season in one package. Television is only good since you're only paying the cable bill; you're not paying for each program. I doubt radio, television, or even podcasts, as a recent example, would have their respective popularity if they had subscription fees for them.
I do hope that Valve has two options: buy single episodes or multple/all episodes; if only so I can get the latter.

Review: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

The DS follow up to the successful Superstar Saga, Mario & Luigi marks the fifth RPG staring Mario, this time doubly. The story starts in the past, when Mario, Luigi and Peach are only toddlers. Shroobs, evil alien versions of the toads, invade the Mushroom Kingdom. In the present, Peach test drives E Gadd's (someone who I wished never appeared in any other game other then Luigi's Mansion) time machine, unknowingly porting directly to the invaded Kingdom. The elder Marios now partner up with their young selves to ward off the invasion and (once again, for the millionth time) save the Princess.

Graphics: Almost everything is done in 2D. The art direction is actually pretty good. Not much to say, since it is done mostly right and as expected.

Sound: Alike of Mario Kart, I was suprised by its quality. Mario and Luigi talk mostly in some form of Simish, but do occasionally mutter actual words, mostly in reference. Peach gets a similar treatment, but doesn't have as much screen time. E Gadd is the only other one with a voice, but resembles something from the Banjo games. Isn't it time for actual dialog, Nintendo? It works for the humor in this, but I still would like to hear more from our characters then random laughs and phrases that come from Ewoks.

Control: You use the pad to select/move, and the buttons correspond to a specific character's action, often context sensitive. It doesn't get too confusing, since most of the time you'll be in direct control of one set of Bros. at a time.

Gameplay: Here is where Mario & Luigi set themselves apart in the world of RPG's. The overworld isn't anything new, although when the Bros. are seperated, the top screen is used for the babies while the bottom screen for the elders. Mostly it is used with one set activating buttons while the other actually move. Otherwise, the action isn't much different then what we saw out of Mario RPG on the SNES.
The battles, on the other hand, are far different then what we see out of normal RPG's. Each attack, whether yours or the enemy's, has a minigame type feel. Mario/Luigi/babies' normal attacks are fairly quick, with only a jump or hammer. But the Bros. Items activate a much longer, and often single-thumb twisting, game. Enemy attacks has you dodge attacks, sometimes countering, thus damaging, enemies.
This works to make a fast pace for the battles, where one can't relax. Since health is often low in comparison to other RPG's, you can't really just sac a turn. It puts up plenty of variety in battles.
The second screen...well...doesn't do as much. It is used about 20% of the time and is inventive when used. But most of the time, it has a random wallpaper up that doesn't serve the gameplay until that 20% hits. While it is a good philosophy of not using something unless actually needed, more should have been done with it.

Overall, it is a fun game. Those who don't like RPG's due to the lack of action will love Partners in Time. It will suprise you when you first play, but the game will feel short, which is the major problem with it. If you don't mind that problem, go ahead and get this game. If anything, get this game for the leet Bros (the only moment where I can say it is better to have text vs. voice dialog).

Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Control: 10/10 (how can they screw it up?)
Gameplay: 9/10
Personal rating: 8.5/10
Buyability: 4/5

Rove's Threatdown

As reported on Countdown, Karl Rove has said that any Republican that talks against the NSA wiretap will get on a list in which the White House won't support for upcomming elections.
Lets face it, when Rove, in speaking for the Bush Administration, has to threaten (throwing another attack on dissent) on his own party, you know they're in trouble. It also is a terrible move, since people still remember the blacklisting that happened during the McCarthy era (see Wikipedia bio: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy).
It also is troubling to find paralells between the controversy in 1978 that created FISA and the current one. The major one, as the New York Times pointed out last week, was the defense. The Nixon White House gave the same defense, national security, as the Bush White House has.
While I highly doubt Bush would be impeached for this (unless the Democrats get a large majority in the Senate), this won't bode well for his career.

New Guild in WOW, E3 Won't be Bootylicious, and a great rant

Blizzard has decided to ban a gay/lesbian friendly guild in World of Warcraft (story: http://www.wowinsider.com/2006/01/28/political-correctness-gone-mad/). Their rule citation may be off, citing: "Harassment - Sexual Orientation" because of solicitations for people to join the guild, but I can still see why they will want to ban such a guild. It would be akin to having a Liberal or Conservative Only guild, once that is up, the other will come up and there just won't be peace. I do have no doubt that some anti-gay guild will pop up at some point, although I do hope it won't gain any popularity whatsoever.
But someone in the Dreamstation.cc podcast pointed out that MMO's are a social place as well as gaming. I wouldn't mind having such guilds listed above around, just as long as they don't get too discourtious or ruin the game for others.
Then again, I don't play WOW, but I sure do like its coverage.

Then there's the ESA, who decided to start enforcing rules for models, aka booth babes (story: http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=24247233). I'm actually rather neutral on it. On one hand, it is the ESA's show and they can do whatever they want. I don't think it is a negative or positive thing, just different.
There is a debate going on whether these models should even be at E3. I'll just point out that these models are there to attract people to their booth (as in why they're called booth babes). While babes don't have much to do with gaming (like they do with cars), it certainly is a sound stratagy.

Last night, I did not watch Bush's speech. The reason: I simply had something better to do, eat dinner. I did, however, catch a good rant on Countdown, which you can view here: http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/002814.html#002814.