Nintendo Wishlist Vol. 1 - Simian Dreams

Welcome to the first edition of Nintendo Wishlist!

As big a Nintendo fan as I am, I still wish for certain things from the company, particularly at this controversial time. This is not your typical wishlist: most wishlists are filled with things that are already available and desired by the wishlist's creator. This is a wishlist of things I wish Nintendo would do, games I wish it would announce, and so on.

In my first Nintendo Wishlist, I feel I'm asking for a few things that should be well within Nintendo's ability to deliver. Let's take a look, shall we:

• Donkey Kong Country 1, 2, and 3 announced, and then released as soon as possible, for the Wii U virtual console

When I transferred data from my Wii to my Wii U, I had to redownload all of my numerous virtual console and WiiWare games. It wasn't too much of a hassle: virtual console games in particular took very little time to redownload. However, probably a week later, I went to play Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, only to find that it wasn't there. I thought maybe I missed it as I went through the list of games to redownload. Regrettably, that was not the case. The Donkey Kong Country games are no longer available on the Wii Shop Channel. Therefore, the games (which I did pay for, Nintendo, thank you very much) are no longer available for me to play.

Releasing the Donkey Kong Country games on the Wii U eShop would allow me to purchase them at a discount ($1.50) and make them playable in GamePad-only mode. It might also just make me want to forgive Nintendo for this grievous error. But the likelihood of that happening dwindles by the day. This will probably be a sore spot in my relationship with Nintendo for the rest of my life. 

Swords & Soldiers II, thoughts on a genre and a reveal trailer

When I heard that a game called Swords & Soldiers II was heading to the Wii U eShop, it meant virtually nothing to me. The game's predecessor, a WiiWare title called Swords & Soldiers (fancy that), is a real-time strategy game with a big personality. You know, lots of humor and the like.

As generally occurs with a curious gamer like myself, I did a little research into this obscure series, especially after watching this new trailer for S&S II:

As I mentioned above, the two games are of the real-time strategy genre, played in 2D sidescrolling fashion. The only context I have for understanding real-time strategy games comes from sinking hours upon hours into Warcraft II when I was younger and Age of Mythology when I was older. The concept in those games is that the player is in control of entire civilizations, typically on a mission to build up expansive bases of operations, followed by well-rounded armies, which then must be directed to battle and defeat enemies for whatever reason. This all takes place from an overhead perspective.

I get 2D sidescrolling, and I get real-time strategy (at least partly), but getting the two ideas to coexist in my mind is fairly difficult, especially given my unidirectional history with real-time strategy games. But get this: Swords & Soldiers was ported to the Nintendo 3DS eShop, among others, making it really easy to get a hold of in more than one way.

Swords & Soldiers II doesn't have a solid release date yet, not even a timeframe really (2014 probably), but I intend to give the mix of real-time strategy and 2D sidescrolling a shot with its forbear. Full review to come!

Donkey Kong Country Returns, but it's not as welcome as I had hoped - A Review

Back in the SNES days, the three Donkey Kong Country games were pure gold. If there is a gamer out there from that generation who somehow missed out on all of them, I am frankly shocked. Even many of my non-gamer friends can relate dear childhood memories stemming from one or more of the original Donkey Kong Country games.

Fast-forward to E3 2010, when Donkey Kong Country Returns was announced for Wii. I would bet I wasn't the only gamer who became ecstatic over the shiny trailer Nintendo had prepared. However, after finally beating the game, I must say it failed to deliver in more than one way. Read on to find out why.

Donkey Kong Country Returns adopts the simple Wii remote-turned-sideways control scheme that has come to be easily recognized in the Wii's rather extensive library of platform game revivals. As fans of the genre have come to expect, this works just fine, even in the more challenging levels of DKCR.

What I'm not so happy with are the levels themselves. Platforming is a precise art. However, it feels clumsy and imprecise in DKCR due to an abundance of uncertain jumps and a sluggish feel to Donkey Kong's movement. A feeling of inconsistency persists throughout. I admire and praise the fact that each of the game's levels offers something different than the last. But in this way, the game often throws unpredictable and unfair obstacles into the player's face, causing many levels to be an exercise in frustration. Where vine-swinging, barrel-hopping, and mine cart-riding were all extremely fun in the original Donkey Kong Country, the charm has disappeared in Returns.

Speaking of charm, the music in Returns doesn't capture the trait nearly as well as its SNES counterparts. With so much inspiration readily available, one has to wonder how the music in Returns falls so flat.

The worlds in DKCR are pretty generic, particularly the last one. I compare the worlds in Returns to the worlds in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, which I see as being the golden standard in geographic variety. Part of the Donky Kong Country charm comes from the offbeat and often outlandish worlds, like the carnival, haunted, and beehive settings in DKC2. I think Returns missed the mark in that regard.

Though I don't put much weight on a game's visuals, I have to admit I was very impressed with the graphics in DKCR. My admiration only goes so far, however: unnecessary clutter on the game screen often detracts from gameplay in DKCR. While playing, I was frequently left puzzling over where safe platforms were or why I just fell into that bottomless pit because it didn't have the safe platform it seemed to.

There was a definite charm to the short little cut scenes scattered about in DKCR. That's about the only redeeming quality I could pick out in the whole experience. And, as you may have already guessed, it wasn't enough to fully redeem the game.

Conclusion
After devoting so much time to Donkey Kong Country Returns, I wondered whether the original DKC games were actually as good as I seemed to recall. Imagine my surprise when I played the original and it was actually fun! On the surface, DKCR has everything that the original has: vines, mine carts, rhinos, barrels, and the like. What it lacks, on the other hand, is the same spirit and charm. The platforming gameplay, the music, and the settings all drag this game down to what I would call mediocrity, to be perfectly frank.

Gaming deals, good and bad

Let's face it: gaming is an expensive habit.

When it comes to the prices of things, I use a comparison method. For example: I got a decent bike for around $160. A Nintendo 3DS XL system will go for a suggested retail price of $199.99 when it hits this Sunday. Which is the better deal? To me, the answer is clear: the bike!

As you may have already guessed, today's topic is gaming gear and the money we spend on it. Maybe you spent $20 on a $50 Wii game. Or perhaps you spent the full $50 for a game, but it entirely worth that and then some. Allow me to share some of my own gaming deals, good and bad:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword + Gold Wii Remote + Orchestra CD
For a huge Zelda fan like me, the $70 for this package was more than worth it. Normally, Wii remotes go for about $40, so I essentially payed half of that for a special edition Wii remote and a CD of some of the best music I've ever heard. Ka-ching!

Metroid Prime Trilogy
I got this game Used-Like New for $60. Back when it was first released, one could get it brand new for $50. Even with the added $10, this Wii collection turned out to be a great deal.

Rune Factory Frontier
I include this on the list because of the sheer amount of time I've invested in it. I've played Rune Factory Frontier for well over 100 hours, and it was a paltry $20 to buy.

Steel Diver
Now we get to the bad deals. Steel Diver is a first party Nintendo 3DS title for $40. I wouldn't call the game horrendous or anything, but I would say the price should be in the neighborhood of $5 or so. Just sayin'!

Now I would love to hear from you guys! What do you consider to be the best and worst in gaming deals?   

Don't mess with the best! A review of Super Smash Bros. Brawl

It's been the privilege of gamers all over the world to play the Super Smash Bros. series. Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii has been out for a few years now, but I recently bought my very own copy of it (for many years I shared a Wii and a copy of the game with my younger siblings).

Brawl belongs to the fighting video game genre. At it's most basic, it sees up to four players duking it out as their favorite Nintendo characters on one of the many Nintendo-inspired arenas the game has to offer. As players are hit, their damage percentages go up, and the higher the percentage, the farther they fly when hit. A life is lost when they are hit out of the level's boundary.

That's the gist of it. But I'm sure most of you know all about that. Now I want to focus on the gameplay in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The controls work incredibly well and are even customizable. Players can use the Wii remote + nunchuck, classic controller, Gamecube controller, or even Wii remote by itself. From there, the controls can be further personalized and assigned to player names.

Brawl pulls off an incredible feat by creating an unprecedented balance amongst a massive and varied character roster. No one character will give a player an inherent advantage, but you'll find that certain types of characters fit your playing style better than others. When it comes to the line-up itself, you'll find no shortage of great fighters to choose from. From Mario to Marth, from Pikachu to Pit, there's a character for everyone.

On the content front, Brawl is no slacker. When you're with friends, the battles you can create are virtually unlimited thanks to options that alter play mode, time limit, item frequency, and much more. A large collection of arenas adds to the variety, and a level building tool allows players to contribute something of their own to the game's depth. If you don't happen to have a friend to play with, no worries. Brawl also contains an extensive amount of solo modes, one of which is the colossal Subspace Emissary adventure.

Slick menus, smooth-running graphics, and an okay online mode round out one of the best gaming experiences on Wii. In short, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is simply a must-own game for any Wii owner.

Metroid Prime and lots of screaming

I don't like to be horrified. Whether it's games, movies, or books, the "horror" genre is the last I would deliberately seek out.

I wouldn't call Metroid Prime a "horror" game, but it has a distinctly spooky atmosphere about it. It's terrifying, but in a very satisfying way. Does that make sense? Well, what if I just told you that I have screamed, out loud, many times while playing it?

What's the game's secret? It's got to be a combination of a lot of things, including art direction, level design, and music and sound effects. Especially music and sound effects. Just listening to some of the boss themes will send shivers down my spine, no problem. Sometimes you hear things. You hear, but don't see. You move forward a couple of steps, ever so cautious, look around for whatever's making the noise, and still you don't see.

I think atmosphere is the calling card of the Metroid series. I've played a lot of Metroid games, but none boast the same raw, well-defined creepy feel as Metroid Prime. Then again, I haven't even reached the second or third Prime games yet.

Rhythm Heaven Fever: A First

I actually played this game a while ago, and haven't had the pleasure of playing it again since *hint hint*. While wondering what to write this post about, Rhythm Heaven Fever kept popping into my head. Then I realized I haven't written anything on it! Also, because I haven't beaten the game I can't really write a review; this is how I came to the great decision of writing this post!

This game is a great one! It is completely worth a buy! I've only played it for like half an hour and recommend it! It's so awesome right from the start; a way good game for those who have good rhythm in their feet. It was fun and (once I got the hang of it) actually pretty easy on some levels. Of course it gets harder and harder! Some of the levels I could never imagine doing! Then again, if I actually owned the game I think I might be able to!

For my first time playing Fever, I say it was definitely worth it! It was fun and very VERY entertaining!! I think I fell in love when I first saw the trailer for it, and when I actually got to play it! I was so happy and it totally lived up to my expectations!! If you've played Rhythm Heaven Fever why don't you tell me about it? I'd love to know if you share the same opinion as me!

*Side note - Sorry I haven't been posting very often! I'm really overloaded with school right now, as it is getting closer and closer to the end of the school year! Plus I'm on the Student Council and I am doing stuff for that; anyways I am really sorry for the excuses but I'll try to post on my schedule again! Thanks for all your support!

First Impressions: Metroid Prime

Please note: these are first impressions of the game Metroid Prime as found within the game Metroid Prime Trilogy...in other words, this is a Wii game, not a Gamecube game.

Phew! With that out of the way, let's talk about Metroid Prime, a really excellent game! Atmosphere is the calling card of basically any Metroid game, and Prime is no exception. In fact, of all the Metroid games I have played so far, Prime probably has the most engrossing, compelling atmosphere of any. That is one of the first things that struck me as I began the game.

I was further impressed by the controls. I don't know how it feels to play Metroid Prime with a Gamecube controller, but I can tell you that I've never been more thankful for point control than while playing Prime. I'm not very competent at the first-person shooter format, but if every FPS feels as slick and simple as Prime, sign me up, I'll play them all!

Level design in Metroid Prime is also top notch from what I've played so far. The levels are a joy to explore and are teeming with secrets. I have gotten stuck a couple of times, but no situation has been so hopeless that a little bit more poking around didn't fix it.

Complaints? I do get a little nauseous when I need to spin the camera more than 90 degrees. Is that an FPS thing or a Metroid Prime thing? It's not like it ruined the game for me, though, so no harm done!

All in all, I can't wait to keep playing Metroid Prime, and that's when I know a game's a keeper!

Video game graphics: how important are they really?

Graphics are the most talked about aspect of video games. Modern gaming consoles are praised or put down based on their graphical capacity. HD graphics are the standard. If you ask me, these are unfortunate truths. In gaming days past, video games were praised for being fun, not visually impressive. Graphics are not the point of video games. There is so much more to them.

Before I go on, let's get a thing or two straight. First of all, I'm not against powerful video game graphics. I think the improvements that have been made in the gaming industry are heaven sent, and I appreciate them (in fact, I can't stand 2-D Zelda, so the advent of 3-D gaming means a lot to me). My point of view is that today's gamers put too much weight on graphical capacity. Here's why:

Compare a game that had "good" graphics twenty years ago to a game that has "good" graphics today. I predict that today's graphics, just as yesterday's graphics, will be laughable twenty years from now. It's like the world of fashion: we mock the fashions of twenty years ago. Just try to imagine the gamers of tomorrow, laughing at what we consider to be "good" graphics today. Let go of your narrow perspective and recognize the limitless potential of the future! It's not the most realistic or powerful graphics that will go down in history: it's the ones into which thought was put.

 So let's talk about Nintendo. It's no secret that Nintendo's Wii console is less powerful than other systems of its generation. Here's a good question, though: why has the Wii dominated its competition in this generation of console wars? The answer lies within Nintendo's philosophy that the graphics don't make the game; the way the player interacts with the game is what's important. And isn't that what gives the medium its identity? Movies provide endless amounts of the realism that is so vainly sought after in video games. Nintendo is out to make sure that the video game industry never goes without a fresh way to interact with the action on the screen.

And what of Nintendo's graphics? I'm going to use The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword as my example. Even when the game's graphics are praised, a comment about the Wii console is made. "...despite the limitations of the Wii." So what? The graphics in Skyward Sword are excellent on any scale, compared to anything else, limitations or no limitations. They are creative, artistic, imaginative, and expressive, traits that are severely underrated in gaming culture today. Graphics play a part in shaping a game world, and the world of Skyward Sword is rich with detail, despite the limitations of the Wii. The world of Skyward Sword is vibrant and alive, despite the limitations of the Wii. The world of Skyward Sword is one I gladly return to again and again, despite the limitations of the Wii.

Nintendo's graphics may not be the most powerful or realistic out there, but I think that's because Nintendo has got the right idea about video games: that they are a medium defined by the user's ability to take control. I stick with Nintendo because the company has always striven for innovation, leaving menial pursuits like graphical capacity in the background (and thus saving me literally hundreds of dollars on top of that).

First Impressions: Xenoblade Chronicles

A lot of things went through my mind as I played Xenoblade Chronicles for the first hour last night. Were they good or bad? You'll have to read on to find out!

Voice Acting
The voice work in the game is pretty solid. At times it felt like it was somehow disconnected from the rest of the game. Also, I found it rather obnoxious that the same lines would be repeated several times in a row during battle. And the after-battle lines didn't have much variation either. Other than those two qualms, I'm alright with the voice acting.

Game World
I haven't even reached the good parts in the game world that Xenoblade Chronicles creates, yet I already know from the little bits I have been in that I'm in for a treat. Environments are lush and just beg to be explored. There is one reason and one reason only why I want to get back to the game, and it's to set out in a land riddled with secrets to discover.

Battling
Battling is also solid in Xenoblade Chronicles. The method for battling doesn't involve mindless button mashing, I can tell you that. During battle, approaching an enemy will cause your character to automatically attack. However, it turns out to be useful to take advantage of special powers called Arts. That is where strategy comes in. The Art system is easy to use, but has a welcome depth to it.

Other Thoughts
One thing I find irritating about Xenoblade Chronicles so far is the size of the print. I found myself squinting at the screen when I wanted to read tutorial information. I tried to find a way to change that in the options, but it was a no-go. Fortunately it won't be long before I'm through with tutorials, but there are other places where the game is plagued with this minute text. It remains to be seen whether this will detract from the entire game.

Frankly, Xenoblade Chronicles hasn't impressed me a whole lot so far. However, I can honestly say I'm looking forward to playing again. I know the best is yet to come!

How Excitebots: Trick Racing exceeds its predecessor in every way: A Review

Nowhere other than Excitebots: Trick Racing will you find yourself throwing pies into the faces of clowns, knocking down bowling pins, throwing darts, saving butterflies, or hitting home runs...all during already fast-paced, frenetic races. This is the game's defining feature, but does it work? Read on to find out!

Excitebots controls much like its predecessor, Excite Truck, does. The player, of course, holds the Wii remote sideways, pressing the 2 button to step on the gas, using the 1 button to brake, and physically twisting the Wii remote to steer. The game also adds Wii wheel functionality, though I highly recommend sticking with the Wii remote by itself. All in all, this control scheme works. A few advance functions come into play, which I will discuss throughout the review.

As I already mentioned, gameplay in Excitebots: Trick Racing revolves around zany, action-packed racing. Each vehicle in the game has an arm that extends from its back. This arm will be your key to earning stars in a myriad of ways. The game will throw these things at you with little to no warning. It seems harsh, but let me assure you that this works, and it works well. It gives the game a satisfying feeling of spontaneity.

In addition to all of the above, Excitebots has some very pretty graphics. I have to say, I like the graphics in Excite Truck more, but that's probably just preference. Conversely, Excitebots does best Excite Truck in variety: you'll find yourself visiting many more locations this time around, including Tasmania, Egypt, Kilimanjaro, and more.

Where sound is concerned, Excitebots doesn't disappoint. The music is nearly as zany as the gameplay and is just, well...cool, in general. You won't hear any complaints from me in this area!

Little improvements here and there are what really set Excitebots apart from Excite Truck. First of all, the currency in both games, stars, play a much greater role in Excitebots. Stars can be used to purchase new vehicles, color schemes, and trophies, adding motivation that Excite Truck lacked. Also, Excitebot: Trick Racing adds online play to the mix, giving it another leg up over Excite Truck. I would have really liked to see a local multiplayer that supported more than just two players in Excitebots, but alas, I was disappointed.

Conclusion
Excitebots: Trick Racing manages to set itself in a different league of racing games with fast-paced, frantic gameplay and solid controls. It takes the excellent formula of Excite Truck and makes it better in basically every way. The music is quite excellent. If I have to complain about something regarding Excitebots, it is the fact that, like Excite Truck, it doesn't support more than two players for local play. Otherwise, this is a fantastic racing game that I find easy to recommend to any Wii player!    

Now Playing: Week of March 31-April 6

Weekly "Now Playing" posts will begin appearing on the Nintendo Lifeline every Saturday, letting you know what Mary and I are planning to play (and possibly review *winks*) in the coming week. So, without further introduction, let's jump right in:

Holly
Me? I could sure tell you what I want to play, but that list would take up a massive amount of post. What I need to play is Okami. My chemistry lab is over for the semester, which will surely free up time in my schedule. On the handheld front, I'm ecstatic to let you all know that I recently picked up the Gameboy Advance game Golden Sun, to which I'm officially hooked. And I'll most likely finish up Kid Icarus: Uprising this week as well. Excitebots: Trick Racing is my current Gamefly rental, so, in the words of Fi, I calculate a 99.99% chance that I will finish it during the week. In addition to all of that, I hope to play some of my Virtual Console games: Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario 64, Final Fantasy III, Actraiser, and Donkey Kong Country to name a few.

Mary
Mary being even busier than me, she has made a single video game goal for the week: to reach a different ending in Chrono Trigger. You all know how high school is! Sports, friends, family, homework, musical instruments, etc. It's sheer chaos!

And you?
The final question, though, is what are you playing this week?

Nintendo Music: Sea of Serendipity

I was playing Rayman Origins with Mary and my younger sister when we got to this level. As you can imagine, it's water-based. When the three of us stopped to listen to the music we had to suppress more than a few little giggles. This song has got to be the most memorable in this game, standing out amongst tracks that together form a soundtrack that's already fantastic to begin with. If you haven't given Rayman Origins a thought, I suggest you do so right now. And may that thought lead you to buy the game as well! 

Favorite Wii games countdown #1: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

I kid you not, I have now been sitting at my desk for fifteen minutes or more, wondering what I can possibly say about my number 1 favorite Wii game, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Should I talk about the controls? Should I address the complaints that other reviewers may have towards this game? Should I recount the experience it was waiting for this game to be released? There are simply too many possibilities! Perhaps I'll discuss all of the above. Perhaps not. We'll see where the flow takes me.

The Wait
The very first teaser fans were blessed with was this little beauty right here:

Tantalizing, eh?

The web must've exploded! I got little tidbits here and there on the internet, but this occurred so long ago, I wasn't the web nut I am now. I remember searching for the image so I could place it as my desktop background, all the better to admire it.

News about the new Zelda game came very slowly, or so it seemed to me. During this time, it was a lot easier to not think about the game than it was during the months leading up to its release. When the trailers began flowing, I found it increasingly hard to keep my mind off of this game. Some months before the blessed released date, I pre-ordered the limited edition bundle from Amazon. More waiting. Agony! That, however, wasn't nearly as bad as the wait for my copy to come after the game's release. It released on a Sunday: I didn't get my package until the second Monday after.

The Game
I wasted little time in getting started with the game. I had all of my younger siblings around me. We watched the introduction sequences, enraptured. I found myself completely absorbed into the game world from the moment I took control of Link.

That immersion didn't let up through any portion of Skyward Sword. The pacing was great. There was always something to be in awe of. The motion control, in particular, added much welcome change and depth to the whole experience. In short, the game blew my mind.

Honorable Mention: Rayman Origins
I heard a lot of great things about Rayman Origins from a variety of sources, so I knew I would get it eventually. When I saw I could own the game for $30, I jumped at the chance. And I'm glad I did. Rayman Origins has got a lot of things going for it: pretty graphics, tight controls, a sense of humor, and a charming soundtrack to name a few. I recently played this one with a non-gamer friend of mine, and she loved it! If you ask me, that is one of the best forms of praise a game can receive. That said, don't worry all of you challenge-seekers out there! Origins has plenty of that along with accessibility. Just...don't miss out on this one if you have a Wii, okay? That's all I have to say.

A Game I Should Have Played: Metroid Prime Trilogy
Why?! Three well-reviewed games for a mere $50? Why did I think I could miss out on it?! For those of you who don't know, Metroid Prime Trilogy is a Wii game that actually contains three games: Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2, and Metroid Prime 3. All three Metroid Prime games were met with phenomenal praise. All I can do is keep asking myself "WHY?!" If I bought this game now, it would burn a $150 hole in my wallet. That's three times as much as it was when it first came out. I have never played any of the Metroid Prime games. Someday I'll get around to that, but I'm not so confident that it will be in "Trilogy" form. Why, Holly, why?

Favorite Wii games countdown #2: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Link, Mario, Kirby, Star Fox, Samus...every one knows it thanks to the Super Smash Bros. series: Nintendo has a great range of franchises and characters to go along with them, and putting them together to duke it out has yielded monumental results. This isn't more evident anywhere but in the game Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii. Players can choose from various control set-ups: Wii-mote + nunchuck, classic controller, GameCube controller, and even the Wii-mote by itself. Players can choose from amongst a staggering amount of modes, both in single and multiplayer categories. Players can choose fighters from a list that includes the likes of Pikachu, Toon Link, Ganondorf, Captain Falcon, Ness, Sonic, King Dedede, etc.

At even deeper levels, players can customize their control scheme to perfection and assign it to their name. Then it's time to customize the battle itself. Features like stock, time limit, handicap, stage choice, and item types and frequencies are all at the player's command. Finally, the battle actually begins. A huge potential for strategy is inherently built into the gameplay of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, yet newcomers can easily join in on the action. All in all, Brawl has to be the most content-rich, meaty experience on the Wii console.

Honorable Mention: Kirby's Epic Yarn
Yes, I did put Kirby's Epic Yarn as an honorable mention rather high on this list, didn't I? Well, I'm just that impressed by the game's graphics. Realism? What's realism, anyway? Give me graphics into which thought was put. Give me graphics that are so unique, original, and/or creative that they'll outlive even the most realistic graphics as a work of art. Give me Kirby's Epic Yarn, for Pete's sake! Gameplay? Kirby's Epic Yarn has got that too. Love it!

A Game I Should Have Finished: Donkey Kong Country Returns
I can't say that I regret not finishing Donkey Kong Country Returns. However, the game has received praise enough for me to put it at the number 2 game I should have played/finished. Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Country 2 are a couple of my all-time favorite video games. Donkey Kong Country Returns lacked the charm that make those two games so special to me. Not to mention the music. When I have the time (which I never will), I'll finish Donkey Kong Country Returns.

Favorite Wii games countdown #3: Super Mario Galaxy 2

Whew! This list is winding down! And at the coveted number three position, we have the excellent Super Mario Galaxy 2! I'm afraid to say I was one of those people who thought that since we'd already had a Super Mario Galaxy, what could Galaxy 2 possibly add? Oh dear, oh dear...poor thinking indeed. But lesson learned: trust Nintendo to come up with the kind of stuff that is beyond even our dreams.

And all you need to do is ask my brother to know that the added player two functionality in Galaxy 2 is almost as compelling as the player one position. Well, if you ask my brother, he'll say that player two is even better than player one. He was certainly reluctant to take up the player two gauntlet when I first sat down to play the game. We initially thought it would be the same as it is in Super Mario Galaxy, in which player two can freeze enemies, collect star bits by pointing, and then shoot them at enemies...yay. Dave soon discovered, however, that player two had a little more power in Galaxy 2. Yes, he could collect star bits by pointing. Yes, he could shoot enemies with them. Yes, he could freeze enemies (not to mention certain contraptions with ill intent). He could also collect distant coins and bring them to me. Then he could hold those coins until I needed them, or just give them to me right away. Working together in this way turned out to be a highlight of Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Honorable Mention: Mario Kart Wii
There are many things wrong with Mario Kart Wii. It feels unfair at times. I mean, even more unfair than in other Mario Kart games. Or maybe the problem is that the game is too fair to those who are in last place or close to. But here's the thing: the motion controlled steering in Mario Kart Wii is actually pretty great. The addition of motorcycles makes it even better, and the whole thing is rounded off by the ability to pull off spiffy tricks with a little thrust of Wii remote at the right moment on jumps. Also, like all Mario Kart games, MK Wii is a great multiplayer experience.

A Game I Should Have Finished: Okami
I put Okami here because I've been working on it...for weeks and weeks now. It's a beautiful game, literally. It does have fairly good Zelda-inspired gameplay. I've only managed to commit about ten hours to the experience so far, though, in all that time. I'll work on it, I promise!

Favorite Wii games countdown #4: Wii Sports

For those of you who don't know, the game Wii Sports was the original pack-in game for Nintendo's brand-new Wii console. I don't know about anyone else, but this game had me pumped. It was the way Nintendo would show the world how motion control could be integrated into video games.

And I'll never forget the first time I played it.

It was a feeling unlike any I had ever felt. Here was a piece of content in my favorite medium that actually responded to my movement. It did so with polish, for that matter! Wii was a success! And the funny thing is, Wii Sports remains to this day one of the best examples of motion controlled gaming out there. I still play it once in a while, and I'm always surprised at how well it holds up. Long live Wii Sports!

Honorable Mention: Kirby's Return to Dreamland

To at least rent this game was a no-brainer for me. And that's just what I did. I had Mary over on the day that it came. I thought to myself, "What better time to break it out than while I'm playing video games with Mary anyway?" So I played Kirby's Return to Dreamland with Mary and my little sister, Ivy. It wasn't long before I knew I had to use Gamefly's "Keep" feature on this one. Kirby's Return to Dreamland is a great little platformer that is fun for anyone, but will especially charm the young 'uns.

A Game I Should Have Played: Super Paper Mario
The unfortunate thing is that I've never so much as laid eyes on a Paper Mario game before. I have, however, taken the first step towards playing these mysteries Mario RPG things: I have downloaded the game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars onto my Wii console. I'm on my way!

Favorite Wii games countdown #5: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

The list of reasons why I like Twilight Princess so much could go on and on and on and on...but I'll just leave you with these thoughts:

1. Gameplay: Twilight Princess adds just a little bit of motion control to tried-and-true 3-D Zelda gameplay, yet it goes a long way towards immersing the player into the game world like no Zelda before it could. Who can ever forget the feeling of pulling Link's wooden sword out for the first time with actual movement? I know I can't. Thanks to Twilight Princess, we also know that pointing the Wii remote to use Link's items is far and away the best and most accurate way to use projectiles. Gameplay also succeeds in Twilight Princess on the dungeons, enemies, puzzles, and bosses front. Clever puzzles that are not too obscure adorn the dungeons in Twilight Princess. Though some may be a little on the easy side, many, if not all, dungeon bosses are unforgettable combat experiences. All in all, Twilight Princess has got fantastic gameplay going on for it.
2. Presentation: I am still in awe of the graphics in Twilight Princess. Considering it was developed for GameCube, I will always be in awe of the graphics in Twilight Princess. And that story! Those cut-scenes! The attention to detail! Hyrule and the stories it holds are brought to life like never before in Twilight Princess. Cherish it!

I would love to go on, but perhaps I'll save the rest of my comments for a full-fledged review on The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. There's only one other Zelda game that can best this one in my list of favorite Wii games, and I think you know what it is, so stay tuned!

Honorable Mention: Wii Fit Plus

I think everything in this game except for the yoga is a polished success. Some highlights include the obstacle course, golf, skateboarding, bicycling, table tilt, hoola hoop...well, there's a lot more, so I'll just leave it at that.

A Game I Should Have Played: Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
I know very little about this game, but apparently I should know a lot more. Stylish and clever are two words that seem to come to my mind when I recall the few things I've read. Has anyone out there played this one? I'd love to hear what you have to say, so leave a comment!

Favorite Wii games countdown #6: New Super Mario Bros. Wii

If you've been keeping track of my list of favorite Wii games, perhaps you've realized that today's game, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, has officially trumped another great Super Mario game from yesterday, Super Mario Galaxy. I have to say that I do love NSMBW just a smidgeon more than SMG. You see, the classic, side-scrolling Mario style holds a special place in my heart. Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo is one of my childhood (and all-time) favorites. NSMBW is everything great about that classic formula all rolled into one.

And dare I forget to mention the multiplayer! Up to four people can gather for local multiplayer in NSMBW. You wouldn't think it could work, but it does in this game! Players can interact with each other any way they want. You can help your friends by picking them up or giving them jump boosts. Or you can hinder your friends by throwing them at enemies or into lava pits. New Super Mario Bros. Wii has served as a great little social tool for me and my friends on countless occasions. Simply put, it is a must-have for any Wii owner.

Honorable Mention: Wii Sports Resort
This game turned out to be a superb showcase of what Wii MotionPlus could do. Personally, I grew to love sword play and archery as great examples. After playing this game, I feel it's a shame that Wii MotionPlus has gone largely unused since.

A Game I Should Have Played: Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
I gotta tell you the story of my first go at a Wario Ware game. I had this friend in Junior High who had Wario Ware on her GameCube. Well, we played it one day. She let me go through a series of what are called "micro games", and I was phenomenal! I wasn't making any mistakes at all. I kept glancing back at her in between games, hoping to see that she was awestruck at my incredible gaming skills. Before long, however, I began to get suspicious. Something wasn't right about this. Finally I found out that this friend of mine had swapped the controllers while I wasn't looking: she had been controlling the game the whole time.

That and about fifteen minutes of Wario Ware on GBA have been my sole experience with the Wario Ware series. I would love to try out Smooth Moves for Wii some time.

Favorite Wii games countdown #7: Super Mario Galaxy

There's nothing like the Super Mario series on the planet. People thought Harry Potter was a big deal? 15 years of magic, my my! And then it all just...ended. Yeah, it was a big deal, but even bigger and more grand is the Super Mario series! 25 years, with no signs of slowing down, my my! Super Mario Galaxy is a reminder of the power that our favorite red-clad plumber can wield over us, even after so many years.

Who would have thought that Mario and space could fit together so well? Nintendo thought it, that's for sure. And they delivered. Galaxy feels like the Super Mario we're all familiar with, yet it also feels like an entirely new experience. Will the creators of Mario never run out of brilliant game design ideas? The world may never know.

Honorable Mention: MotoHeroz
I can't say I particularly like the single player mode in MotoHeroz very much. But I'll be hard-pressed to find such a good multiplayer experience any time soon. I played it with some friends just last night, as a matter of fact. It's been a long time since I've laughed so hard! The gritty, down-to-earth physics in this game make the interaction amongst vehicles one of the highlights of the whole experience.

A Game I Should Have Played: NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams
I know very little about this game. In fact, I don't even know what genre it's in. I have, however, heard that it's a pretty good game. I'll find out for myself...someday.