That was a Natal move

Francis — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:47:24 +0000

E3 is on at the moment. It’s a big games show which us gamers get to have new technologies and games banded about and then told we can’t have it for another 6-12 months. I keep a bit of an eye on it for new consoles and what is coming out there.

Nintendo have set the bar high with their Wii console. I have heard many reports that even parents of 60+ are taking up the Wii-mote and getting on the race tracks/platform games/baseball etc. I’ve been mainly wondering though, what the competition will do, ‘cos they was always gonna copy this little hum dinger, even if it killed them.

First on the block is Microsoft’s Project Natal, where they have decided to completely take away the controls and allow you to wave about blindly as you try to beat Asteroth or some such back guy. Anyway, check out the video. My question is, will it work properly? Or will there be holes? In any case, I’m happy with my Wii and the original games. It’s just always good to see what the competition is up to. Let’s see what Sony do now.

Nintendo back at the top

Francis — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:54:05 +0000

Nothing makes me happier than to see Nintendo back in the top of the console charts once more. It’s a happy day. I’ve waxed lyrical about the corporations like Microsoft and Sony coming in and releasing sequel after sequel (I love them, the new graphics etc, but it just lacks the gameplay a lot of the time). It was a sad day to see Sega be dumped at the wayside to make way for the PS2 and Xbox.

Ahhh, the heady days of the 80s, you were either Sega or Nintendo. I fluctuated, depending on which console I could get my grubby hands on. When a new console would come out it was all about what the controller might look like. Sony tried to put paid to that by using the same design for PS1, 2 and 3, but let’s face it, people want new controllers so they can feel special and new.

When the Wii was announced, I have to admit, I scoffed. “A what? A remote?”, I said, “Nintendo have lost it”. But no, I realised that people could get up, swing the remote and play golf, genius. Sony even seemingly panicked and tried to add it to their controls at the last minute (Sixaxis).

I love my Xbox 360, I still play it. But my Wii takes pride of place. Friends who have never even been interested in consoles have drunkenly (or soberly) challenged me to a game of Wii Bowling, and that’s brilliant.

So well done Nintendo, I have no idea where you’ll go from here, but with the DS and Wii in your holster, let the good times roll, carry the flag for the much loved Sega too.

Fran's Blog » Gaming

That was a Natal move

Nintendo back at the top