Here’s a nice free game for the iPhone called Astronut. The point is to get your spaceman across the finish line of each level while avoiding various obstacles. Here’s a short gameplay video:
I would give the game an 8/10, but I haven’t played the premium levels yet. If you’re interested, download the game here.
Here’s a quick video overview of a game called WackyLands Boss for the iPhone. I picked this up about a week ago, and so far it’s great. A lot of the game hinges on unlockables and customization, which is great because it gives you an incentive to keep playing.
It’s only $0.99 in the app store, and you’ll get hours of gameplay. I’d give it a solid 8.5; the experience is unique and pretty addicting, but gameplay can get a bit repetitive. Be sure to check it out.
Donkey Kong is one of the most recognizable, furry faces in Nintendo’s crew–heck, he was the first villain to face off against Mario. But unfortunately, he hasn’t truly lived up to his name since his platforming days on the Super Nintendo (ok, DK64 was good too).
Lucky for us, that’s all about to change. Thanks to Retro Studios, the geniuses behind the rebirth of the Metroid series, DK and his barrel-busting pal Diddy are heading back to the treetops for another go in Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Wii.
Fans of the franchise will instantly recognize the game’s unmistakable feel. There are bananas galore, more blast barrels than you’ll know what to do with, and of course you can collect K-O-N-G in every level. Even old animal friends like Rambi (pictured right) will make an appearance and help you along your way. Did I mention that the soundtrack is perfect too? 
But even though Retro is going for throwback, the game still looks new and well-polished. I think that old fans of the SNES titles will appreciate a lot of the subtle references, but that overall it will feel like a new experience.
According to those who have played the game, it’s going to be tough. So long-time fans, don’t underestimate what this reboot can do. If you don’t have much experience with the Donkey Kong franchise, don’t be deterred; it’s a colorful run-and-jump game that’s fun for any age, and it’s something that everyone should experience.
The release date for Donkey Kong Country Returns is set for November 21. This one should be in everyone’s library. Until then, this trailer should tide you over:
xbox.com
We’ve heard what the critics have to say about Microsoft’s Kinect project and its debut on the Xbox 360. And while there are still a few bugs to work out, it looks like Microsoft isn’t going to stop at gaming.
According to Kotaku, Microsoft is looking a the bigger picture with Kinect in terms of voice recognition and body mapping. Kinect Creative Director Kudo Tsunoda wants us to look forward to a world where computers can understand and interact with their users. He makes the point that right now, any voice-recognition technology has to be activated, or that it isn’t always listening. Instead, Microsoft’s long-term goal is to integrate everything so that you’re constantly plugged in.
The Next Step
Putting vocal commands in computers is the next logical step, and with Kinect Microsoft already has the framework to do that. Plus, they can enter the multitouch field without the actual touching. This way they can bypass the main issue that Apple is having with integrating iOS with it’s computers: reaching out to touch your computer screen is awkward. Maybe Steve Jobs should have jumped on the Kinect technology when he had the chance in 2008.
I think that we’re going to see a big struggle in the coming years to integrate technologies–i.e. television, gaming consoles, cell phones, computers. We’ve already seen Microsoft broaden their market share with the Windows Phone 7, plus they just opened their first retail shop in Minnesota’s Mall of America, right across from an Apple Store. That means that Microsoft is copying Apple’s business model, and it looks like it’s working.
To read the rest of Brian Crecente’s insightful post on the future of Kinect, head on over to Kotaku. What do you think? Will we be yelling commands at our computer screens within the next 5 years, or is it just a pipe dream?
xbox.com
On Thursday the Xbox finally entered the realm of motion-controlled gaming with the release of Kinect. For those of you who don’t know, Kinect is a camera that senses where your body is in space, allowing you to use it as the controller. It also has a bunch of other cool features, like voice commands and facial recognition (this video from G4 is a nice breakdown of what the device can do, and I’ve also included it at the end of the post).
Needless to say, gamers have been excited about this since it was announced in June of 2009. But then Microsoft dropped the bomb: a $150 price tag for Kinect, and $50 per game. It seems like kind of a steep charge considering that you’re paying for what seem to be fairly shallow and gimmicky games. So is Kinect worth the expense? Let’s see what some news sources are saying about it:
Wired Says…
Essentially, that Kinect is flawed. While it’s a glimpse into the future of gaming–or the future of tech–the concept just isn’t completely fleshed out yet. They note that it feels unimpeded in comparison to the Wii and Playstation 3, which both use controller-based motion controls, but that it “needs lots of improvement before it advances from nifty gimmick to fully functional hardware.” Check out the full review here>>
Kotaku Says…
That Kinect offers a novel way to experience video games. But the question remains: is this just a gimmick, or can it be integrated in to real games? Kotaku also points out that Kinect did not launch with any power titles (i.e. Wii Sports), and that cost will deter a lot of gamers. In the end, they echo Wired: Kinect is the future, it’s just not fully cooked. Check out the full review here>>
IGN Says…
Don’t bother, yet. While IGN admits that using Kinect is a completely unique experience, they chastise it for complicated setup and lag issues. However, they make the important point that Kinect’s intended audience, casual gamers, won’t be judging it as harshly. It’s fun, but it’s not $150 fun. Check out the full review here>>
The Verdict
Play it at a rich friend’s house. While Kinect may be really, really cool, there’s no need to drop that kind of money on it just yet. Only time will tell if it becomes the must-have Christmas gift of the season, or if it integrates well with more professional titles, but until then, we can wait.
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