Best of the best

Despite Super Mario Galaxy 2 being beaten in 2010 sales by New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the chubby plumber’s second trip into outer space has earned him five BAFTA nominations including Best Game and Best Gameplay. And if that wasn’t enough to celebrate a handyman who hasn’t actually done his job in 25 years, Mario has been voted the number one video game character of all time by readers of the Guinness World Records (via Official Nintendo Magazine). But the competition was tough featuring the likes of Link, Solid Snake and even Pac-Man.

The debate for the greatest character is always a tricky one due to a number of variables like age, gaming experience and genre preferences. In the past, the hirsute Italian lost out to Gordon Freeman in Gamespot’s search for the best character but in the Guinness World Record list, he came in a number 8. Though one could argue that Mr Freeman isn’t a character per se but a shell for gamers to climb into, seeing the world through his eyes with any form of personality driven by the players themselves. Mario is only marginally more fleshed out but is certainly more adaptable to situations and genres.

How about Link? Should he have been first? At number 2 Link shares Gordon Freeman’s attributes of being a silent protagonist and part of a greatly influential series. The pioneering mechanic of locking onto an enemy in Ocarina of Time has aided a vast number of games and gamers alike. But Mario staring appearance in Super Mario Bros. was one of the factors that saved the video game industry in the 80s when all seemed doomed.

Another name that often springs to mind is Lara Croft. If the questionnaire was asked in the mid nineties, maybe I’d agree with Ms Croft as a suitable opponent. But after too many attempts at reinvention that never quite managed to be what we all hoped they would plus how, as a character, she’s quite shallow, I think her place at number 7 is appropriate.

The list of 50 names also includes some newer personalities like Marcus Phoenix from Gears of War. As much as I love that franchise, Phoenix is more of a poster boy for testosterone than what can be considered number one material. He should definitely be on the list but probably as much as Soap MacTavish of CoD4 fame who was number 12 and equally not a top spot contender. Master Chief is slightly older and came third which to me is a little generous but understandable. Halo is huge and the honoured Spartan is one of the reasons why it grew so rapidly. However, Bungie deliberately kept Master Chief vague and mysterious, again allowing the player to feel more immersed in the role like Gordon Freeman.

My fanaticism with games began with Mario and his games be it platformer, racer, puzzler or party and looks to only continue into the future too. The fondness I have for Solid Snake and the impact his journey has had on my time as a gamer makes me want to argue a case for him being closer to or even number one but for what Mario has given the industry, I think being called the greatest video game character is a fitting accolade. Check out the full list over at the Official Nintendo Magazine site.

Mockery of Super Mario Galaxy 2 tutorial DVD

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Remember that tutorial DVD for Super Mario Galaxy 2? You know, the one that teaches you how to play a sequel of a game which is part of a 20 year plus franchise? Here’s what satirical commentators Mega64 think about Nintendo’s latest form of video game mothering. It’s funny and sad at the same time. Sad because it reminded me that Super Mario Galaxy 2 isn’t out until June 11th over here while others are already playing it and ridiculing the extra content. Curses!

‘Bonus’ DVD with Super Mario Galaxy 2

To make doubley sure that everyone (and I mean everyone), can understand how to play Super Mario Galaxy 2, Nintendo will be packaging a bonus ‘beginners guide’ DVD with every copy. Things like using both controllers at once and basic navigation are all covered which leaves me stroking my chin thoughtfully; why do Nintendo feel that an extra DVD is necessary when this is these are the kinds of mechanics taught to us at the start of all games? I would suspect that the main consumer of the sequel will be those who bought the first game and or are already quite proficient with gaming. It’s commendable that a new audience is being catered for but are those who need this kind of tuition really going to be interested in such a game? It feels a little patronising to me but Nintendo could fill the rest of the DVD with all kinds of Mario goodies turning what is a bit of a joke into a something more desirable. Ironically, the DVD can’t actually be played on the Wii though.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 and its DVD is out June 11th.

{Thanks Cubed3}

Wii lacks system-seller according to Pachter

Whilst having a bit of a natter with IndustryGamers, Michael Pachter of analytical fame spoke of how the Wii’s decline in sales is down to not having a relevant system-seller. Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid Other M are not deemed to be desirable enough to shift Wii consoles much like Halo Reach or SOCOM 4 on their respective systems. He said “The hardcore Wii audience already has a Wii console, so these game launches aren’t likely to be catalysts. This far into the cycle, the only thing that really gets consoles moving is price cuts, and Nintendo was reluctant to cut price last year.”

One reason why Nintendo want to keep the cost of the Wii stationery is down to the fact that it’s still the number one selling console. Sales may not be as high as they once were but they’re considerably impressive for a console this far into its lifespan. The least powerful system is running rings around the powerful opposition and weekly charts are often littered with casual Wii titles. It’s almost as if the Wii doesn’t need that one alluring game as the system itself is what consumers are after. Most if not all come bundled with some form of casual experience that ‘keeps the kids quiet’ for a decent amount of time. The perception of success or failure in videogame sales has dramatically changed in the last few generations and it’s easy to forget how extraordinary the Wii has sold. Pachter is right though. Trains carrying the Wii’s profit maybe a few carriages short nowadays but all Nintendo need to do is release another limited edition coloured console (the black Wii helped give sales a 60% spike) and they could prolong their success for a few more months at least.

Super Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid: Other M and more get European release dates

When I read Nintendo’s press release confirming dates for some of their top titles of 2010 I felt a pang of guilt for neglecting my little white waggle box for far too long. As excited as I am for Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid: Other M, I only remembered this excitement today as both games had completely left my mind. Not sure whether this is a result of Nintendo’s continuation to market the Wii as a toy for non-traditional game players or my already cluttered memory. Quite possibly a combination of the two but either way, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is coming to Europe on 11th June featuring the plumber’s hungry friend Yoshi. Expect it to play like Super Mario Galaxy with a couple of new suits and a dinosaur to ride. That’s not necessarily a criticism though would depend on whether you’re a Mario fan or not. Metroid: Other M has the looser date of quarter three (autumn) 2010 and looks to combine everything that worked from the Prime series with earlier Metroid experiences. Hold the Wii remote sideways to play the side-scrolling 2D elements or switch perspective whenever desired to a 3D view and gameplay. We may even hear Samus speak too as Nintendo promises voice acting but hasn’t clarified who this relates to.

Other worthy mentions are Monster Hunter Tri heading over on April 23rd. If you like dressing up in eccentric armour and joining your buddies online to hack monsters to bits, I’d recommend this game. For no extra cost other than the time spent entering in all those 16 digit friend codes, online hunting has been confirmed for Monster Hunter Tri. Cult phenomenon Sin and Punishment receives a sequel on May 7th called Successor of the Sky. Think on-rails shooting crossed with, well, more on-rails shooting! Just in time to save the poorly managed DSiWare is WarioWare: D.I.Y out April 30th letting us not only play the 70 new micro games within but make up our own too.

A pretty decent list of games for the next couple of months but it does make me wonder what they have planned for the holiday season…