GGS #6: Zombiecast Attacks!!

Happy Halloween to everyone for a very haunted "Game Guy Show(tm)." On tonight's show:

• The mystery behind hex168.com revealed (4:10);
• A chat with Halo-creator Alex Seropian (14:10);
• Prima Strategy for the Condemned (20:18);
  

Plus Top-to-Bottom(tm): Scary Games, an all new One Night Stand(tm), listener feedback, and we announce the winners of our Nintendo Trivia Giveaway.

Thanks to our musical guest Rhansum, check him out at samrhansum.com

Next Week: The Force is with us when we chat with Pandemic about Star Wars Battlefront II and Top-to-Bottm: Star Wars Edition.

GGS #5: So Very Tired

On Tonight's Show:

• The Most Tasteless Game Ever;
• Scott's One Night Stand with Shadow of the Colossus (15:18);
• Prima Strategy Featuring Rachet Deadlocked (20:00); and
  
• Top to Bottom: Franchises (26:00);
  

Plus Listener Feedback and the second chance to win a new Game Boy Micro in our Nintendo Trivia Contest.

As a reminder, here's our Nintendo Trivia. For your chance to win, be sure to send in your answers (gameguy@gameguyshow.com) by October 30, 2005:

What’s the name of the damsel in constant distress, whom Mario and Luigi seek to rescue in the first Super Mario Bros. game for the NES?

What was Mario’s original name and in which game did he make his debut?


What is the secret code in the original Metroid that “exposed” Samus for who she really is?

Which movie did the Super Mario Bros. make their big-screen debut?

What type of animal is Yoshi?

What is the name of Donkey Kong’s love interest?

1. Daisy Kong
2. Dixie Kong
3. Trixie Kong
4. Candy Kong

King Hippo is an enemy from which classic NES game? (full name required)

How many NES systems have been sold since 1985?

1. 40 million
2. 50 million
3. 60 million
4. 110 million

Who played the live action Mario in the Saturday Morning Super Mario Bros. Super Show?!


Kevin Keene was the alter ego of which Saturday Morning Nintendo hero?

Next week, join us for our special Halloween "Zombiecast" where we talk with the father of Halo about Stubbs the Zombie, Zombie survival tips, and more great giveaways to our listeners.

Thanks to The Banner Year for being our musical guest this week . Check them out at myspace.com/thebewhy

GGS #4: The Colossal Show

On Tonight's Show:

Scott's One Night Stand with Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks;

Our Feature Interview with the producer of Sony's Shadow of the Colossus;

Prima Strategy on Jak X Combat Racing;

Plus Top-to-Bottom: Games to Movies Edition;

Nintendo Game Boy Micro Giveaway
Think you've got the chops to be the Nintendo Trivia Master? Enter our contest for your chance to win a brand new Game Boy Micro, a copy of Dynasty Warriors for the GBA, and a copy of the all new Donkey Kong King of Swing for the GBA.

All you've got to do is answer the following trivia correctly, and email your responses into us by October 30th for your chance to win. Make sure you email us your address as well, so we know where to send the goods. Make us proud:

1. What’s the name of the damsel in constant distress, whom Mario and Luigi seek to rescue in the first Super Mario Bros. game for the NES?
2. What was Mario’s original name and in which game did he make his debut?
   
3. What is the secret code in the original Metroid that “exposed” Samus for who she really is?
4. Which movie did the Super Mario Bros. make their big-screen debut?
5. What type of animal is Yoshi?
6. What is the name of Donkey Kong’s love interest?
1. Daisy Kong
2. Dixie Kong
3. Trixie Kong
4. Candy Kong
7. King Hippo is an enemy from which classic NES game? (full name required)
8. How many NES systems have been sold since 1985?
1. 40 million
2. 50 million
3. 60 million
4. 110 million
9. Who played the live action Mario in the Saturday Morning Super Mario Bros. Super Show?!
   
10. Kevin Keene was the alter ego of which Saturday Morning Nintendo hero?
    

Remember, we need your answers by October 30th to be eligible to win. Send your responses to gameguy@gameguyshow.com


Thanks to Ionia for their music for this show- visit them on their website at www.ioniamusic.com As always, thanks to the Minibosses and to Prima Games.

GGS #3: Fantastical Voyages

On This Week's Show:

• Scott's One Night Stand with Far Cry Instincts (9:10);
• We chat with Nintendo about the Fusion Tour, the Nintendo WiFi, and the Holiday Season (15:00);
• Prima Strategy with Mario and SSX On Tour (22:34); and
• Top to Bottom: Extreme Games Edition (31:20)

A very special thanks to United By Sound for being our musical guests. Be sure to visit them at unitedbysound.net.

As always, thanks to the Minibosses and to Prima Games. Make sure to check us out next week when we chat with the US producer of Sony's Shadow of the Colossus, plus more strategy, more One Night Stands, and another Top to Bottom List.

If you've got a band that needs some great exposure, please contact megan@gameguyshow.com and send MP3s of their stuff. We'll make sure to get them on the show- we love promoting indie music.

Let us know what you think by emailing us: gameguy@gameguyshow.com

Review- Ultimate Spider-Man

(Xbox, PS2, Gamecube; $49.99; Rated E10+; activision.com)

(four stars)

Developer Treyarch knows how to make a Spider-Man game. Afterall, they’ve developed “Spider-Man: the Movie,” and the mold-breaking “Spider-Man 2.” “Ultimate Spider-Man” follows the comic storyline of the same name- taking Peter Parker back to high school and gives him all the problems that teens face today.

The storyline picks up after the introduction of arch-nemesis Venom, and follows parallel storylines- allowing players to fill the tights of both Spidey and Venom. Multiple classic Spider-Man villains make appearances in their updated “Ultimate” character design- Rhino, Green Goblin, and Electro all pay a visit. And even Wolverine and the Human Torch make a cameo or two.

The open environment seen in “Spider-Man 2” is continued in “Ultimate,” leaving hours of time-wasting by web-slinging wherever the player feels and picking up side-missions. The story, penned by “Ultimate” author Brian Michael Bendis, is brought to life by the fantastic execution of animated panels that make the game feel like a living comic book.

Because they’re both so similar, if you’re wondering whether “Hulk: Ultimate Destruction” or “Ultimate Spider-Man” is a better purchase, simply go with your favorite hero. Both are solidly quality games and players can’t go wrong either way.

Or better yet, pick one up now and wait for the other to drop to $20 in a few months.

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves

(PS2; $39.99; Rated E10+; slymask.com)

(four stars)

The Thevious Racoonus returns in another successful sequel to an endearing and incredibly well-produced franchise. The raccoon master thief’s big score this time around is recovering the Cooper family treasure which has been appropriated by the nefarious Dr. M.

As always, Sly has his two accomplices: Bentley the turtle and Murray the hippo. This time, your comrades lend more than just moral support as Bentley’s demolition skills and Murray’s aboriginal stealth skills are required to complete their own individual missions.

The Saturday-morning style of the series returns, as does the tongue-n-cheek humor. “Sly’s” series is still be one of the coolest franchises out there because of its witty banter, amusing back story, and comic-styled cinematics

To add to the cool factor, “Sly 3” institutes 3-D levels that allow players to slip on a pair of traditional red-blue 3-D glasses and play through levels like 60’s sci-fi flick. The 3-D levels don’t add any depth or extra challenge to the game, as much as it’s just a unique extra that’s brings a smile to my face. We’re not talking virtual reality here, the objects on the screen will pop out as much as they would in a 3-D comic book. Basic, not revolutionary, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

For all the kids out there that lament to their parents that the only good games out on the market are rated “M,” “Sly 3” proves quite the contrary. At the same time, adults shouldn’t dismiss Sly as only kids’ stuff- developer Sucker Punch knows how to make a game that’s well-balanced, hip, fun to play, and STILL appropriate for all ages.

Review- Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects

(Xbox, PS2, Gamecube; $49.99; Rated T for Blood/Suggestive Themes/Violence; eagames.com)

(three stars)

Continuing on the spandex-clad theme, third-party giant Electronic Arts takes a stab at latest fighting game starring the Marvel Super Heroes. Previously, our Heroes starred in a series of 2-D fighters from Capcom that popped with cartoonish style. Under EA’s command, the Marvels appear in 3-D with a dark, stylized look, compliments of comic super-artist Jae Lee.

Fighting genre purists will poo-poo the universal control scheme that simplifies attacking to a single button. Likewise, single buttons are assigned for guard, jump, grab, and run; and a “super power” modifier button gives a power boost to any of the other buttons. This deviates substantially from traditional fighting games that require players to memorize hundreds of individual button combinations to execute character-specific moves.

The universal controls makes “Nemesis” an incredibly accessible game for anyone to pick up and play. Unlike traditional fighters that can intimidate novices because of their learning curves, New Meat only needs to take a few moments to orient themselves before whooping a ton of tail.

Admittedly, this means that games can be reduced to simple button mashing and an unskilled player can beat the tar out of a skilled, strategic player. But any game that is as easy to learn and fun enough to play to make my wife want to play video games against me is O.K. in my book.

“Nemesis” is built for one-on-one brawling. The single-player campaign is monotonous and, with the exception of boss battles, is reduced to a simple beat-‘em-up. The only real reason to play through the single-player game is to unlock new fighting characters. Most of your time will be better served on-, or offline in versus mode.

Multiple Marvel Heroes such as Wolverine, Spider-Man, Daredevil, and The Thing- as well as villains like Venom and Magneto- are available for unlocking and brawling. The EA-created characters, known as “The Imperfects,” are also available and are as equally skilled as the Marvels; but when there’s a chance to play as a known hero or as a generic villain- the choice is pretty clear. For every Imperfect, there’s an established hero or villain the Marvel universe with the same superpowers that would be more enjoyable to play with. Which only begs the question: Why wasn’t “Nemesis” made with only Marvel Heroes?

Another thing that bugs is the uncharacteristic finishing lines of dialogue after a fight. Both Spider-Man and The Thing use the word “ass,” which is not only completely inconsistent with the character’s history, but makes an otherwise perfect game for younger audiences, inaccessible for those with protective parents.

EA, for the inevitable follow-up: drop the Imperfects, bring in more (even obscure) Marvel characters, and try not to alienate your target audience.

Review- The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction

(Xbox, PS2, Gamecube; $49.99; Rated T for Language/Violence; hulkultimatedestruction.com)

(four and a half stars)

With successful video game translations of the hottest comic-book properties like “Spider-Man,” “Batman,” and the “X-Men,” it’s hard to believe that there was a time when the description “Comic-Book-Based Game” was analogous with “Don’t Buy Me!”

With a game like “Hulk: Ultimate Destruction,” if you didn’t go out and buy this game, I would say that you wouldn’t know fun if it came up and Gamma-kicked you in the purple pants.

In a superhero game, the ultimate goal is for players to feel like they are living the life of that hero. “Spider-Man 2” gave us that feeling by being able to web wherever we wanted to in Manhattan, and as great as “Spidey 2” was, “Ultimate Destruction” tops it. This title does the greatest justice to a comic character the industry has seen to date.

What makes “Ultimate Destruction” so good and distinct from previous Hulk games, is the free-roaming, near-total destructibility of the environment. Building off of (and obviously paying homage to) what was established in “Spider-Man 2,” “Ultimate Destruction” takes the angry, green giant and plops him in the middle of multiple environments to explore and take on missions that further the story of the game, or just play around with multiple side-missions to earn extra experience points that unlock destructive moves.

These side-missions are not only more varied and enjoyable than the ones in “Spider-Man 2,” but are also done with a sense of humor that shows the developers didn’t just make the game, they had a fun time doing it too. My favorite side-mission so far? Police baseball: as S.W.A.T. jump out of a helicopter onto the top of a skyscraper, Hulk bats them into the bay with a lightning rod.

The focus on this game is allowing Hulk to do what he does best: get furious and SMASH! Nearly every object in the game can be picked up and used as a weapon- from buses to lampposts to cows (yes, cows). Hulk can also “weaponize” cars by turning them into steel boxing gloves, or crack open a rocket launcher like a pack of cigarettes and use the missiles to take down choppers. Of course, Hulk retains his ability to jump enormous distances, which allows him to cover the entire city in a matter of a few seconds.

Solid cinematics, great voice acting, big explosions, and the ability to punt pedestrians down city blocks makes this a phenomenal game. The only thing keeping it from a 5 out of 5 score is the fact that not every building can be fully destroyed. Although there’s no need for a sequel, it would be great to have the ability to leave Hulk amidst a city of rubble. Now that would be the “Ultimate Destruction.”

GGS #2: The First Rule of Fight Club is...

On this week's show:

• The lovely Megan Webb co-hosts;
• We talk with Brad Anthony- author of the "Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects" strategy guide (8:30);
• Plus we find out how to get a job as a writer in the video game industry (16:05);
• The best and worst fighting games ever made (19:30);
• My first-impressions of "Sly 3: Band of Thieves" (28:40);

Thanks to Johnny Andrew for the tunes, check him out at myspace.com/johnnyandrew; As always, thanks to the Minibosses for their theme music. Make sure to visit them at www.minibosses.com

Next week:

We'll be talking with Nintendo about the Nintendo Fusion Tour, the GameBoy Micro, and other Mario Goodness; plus we'll be back with more Prima Strategy, a new Top-to-Bottom(tm), and another One Night Stand(tm).