2004 Year in Review: Part Two

2004 was quite a year for gaming. Im not sure I ever remember a year when so many big name titles came out. Most of the time more games were coming out than I had money for. Once again, Nintendo takes top spot as game publisher. There still isnt another company out there that can match them in terms of quality. They even managed to have a lot of quantity too, although because of it I think they let a few stinkers slide in.

Ive played a lot of games this year…and last year too, so make note that I may mention games that didnt come out this year, but that I spent a considerable amount of time with. With this Ive become even more certain of my conviction that Nintendo is the best game producer/publisher there is.

I primarily buy Nintendo made games, however, Ill also pick up 3rd party games that seem cool. The thing is, they never match that ‘Nintendo’ feeling. These 3rd party games are usually fun, but I end up trading them in soon after I buy them, whereas with a Nintendo game I keep it because I know I will want to go back and play it someday. Games that have fallen into this category recently were Tales of Symphonia, Billy Hatcher, Gladius, Second Sight, Klonoa 2, Final Fantasy X2 (yeah, I play a few PS2 games from time to time) and James Bond: Everything of Nothing.

As I mentioned, there have also been some crappy games made by Nintendo recently. Games that I either returned, or never got because they werent up to snuff like Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Custom Robo, Pokemon Colosseum, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, and Wario World Plus a few 3rd party game like Baten Kaitos, Viewtiful Joe 2, and X-Men Legends.

Then again, there were a bunch of great games that came out, but I just didnt have money for them. Im still planning on picking up Zelda: 4 Swords, Wario Ware Inc., Burnout 3, Ico, and possibly 1080 Avalanche.

So, with that out of the way, let me present my favorite games that I played this year.

[GameCube]

Pikmin Website

Ill just start with the best. Pikmin 2 takes the crown. Not only is it the best game of the year, but possibly my favorite Gamecube game ever. With the time limit of Pikmin removed, this sequel transported me to a world I never wanted to leave. Its a beautiful place where you can feel close to nature and relax. Then again, you can round up your army of Pikmin and seek out great treasures.

The graphics, although not significantly improved over Pikmin, are cleaner and crisper. Also, I have to mention the opening cinema. This is the first in-house Nintendo game to really have a great cinema aspect. Sure, Camelot has some nice GC openings, and Rare did some cool stuff back in the day, but this is the first time Nintendo itself has really done a CG intro….and its great. Unlike the Super Mario Sunshine intro, the Pikmin 2 one is of the highest quality. Its beautiful, engaging and funny.

Throw in the fact that there are more kinds of pikmin, tons of hidden items, and a multiplayer mode and you can see why this game is so fantastic. The only thing Im hoping for now is a portable version of this game. Pikmin DS….I want it now!

For your viewing pleasure, here are some Pikmin 2 desktops:
Pikmin2_01 Pikmin2_02 Pikmin2_03 Pikmin2_04 Pikmin2_05 Pikmin2_06 Pikmin2_07 Pikmin2_08 Pikmin2_09 Pikmin2_10 Pikmin2_11 Pikmin2_12 Pikmin2_13 Pikmin2_14 Pikmin2_15 Pikmin2_16 Pikmin2_17 Pikmin2_18 Pikmin2_19

Paper Mario Website

Another sequel that totally blew me away was Paper Mario 2. Here again we see that Nintendo knows visual style. Screw the nay-sayers, Wind Waker was gorgeous and so is Paper Mario 2.

PM2 is my kind of RPG. Im not really into leveling up characters and finding every weapon and kind of armor. I like to have an interesting story with a compelling battle system. PM2 has both. I like well written dialog, be it serious or funny. I like memorable characters, a long adventure and plenty of cool side quests. PM2 has all of these.

PM2 shows that Mario is still one of the coolest cats around. His quiet adventurous (almost samurai like) attitude makes him instantly likable. I also enjoy how each consecutive Mario game introduces new characters into the universe. We also get to see the other side of Peach and Bowser which is cool and amusing. Luigi also makes a funny appearance in the game.

PM2 rocks. It may start of a little slow and a little too much like the original, but it soon takes off and becomes its own game. This is easily the best RPG Ive played all year, and probably the best RPG on the Gamecube.

Paper Mario 2 Wallpapers:
PaperMario2_01 PaperMario2_02 PaperMario2_03 PaperMario2_04 PaperMario2_05 PaperMario2_06 PaperMario2_07

Metroid Website

Here we are with another sequel. Sequelitis? Well, not if the games are this good.

I honestly havent put much time into the single player part of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes because I decided I should go back and beat the first game. I have played some of the multiplayer, and while fun, I dont really think it is all that great or necessary.

From what I have played of the single player mission, it seems just as good, if not better than the first game. Ive already noticed that the graphics are better. At first glance they may seem identical, but Echoes definitely has better textures and more geometry. Also, this game is a lot harder. I cant imagine how tough its going to be once I get into it. The art style is just as atmospheric and intense although I dont like the new menu system as much.

All in all, another great entry into the Metroid series and a nice ‘mature’ game for the Cube.

Check this previous post for some Metroid Wallpapers:
Blasting Through The Holidays

Here is a review of a cool Samus Figurine and a funny picture of a Samus costume:
Samus Toy
Samus Costume

Donkey Konga Website

The award for most involving game goes to Donkey Konga. I havent been this physically involved in a game since Track & Field for the NES.

Donkey Konga really is fun. The graphics may be overly simplistic, and at times I wish I could somehow add more music or make my own soundtrack, but its all about pure gameplay enjoyment. The bongos themselves are awesome too. Incredibly well made and responsive…I just love to bang on them.

Also, as Ive stated before, my girlfriend loves this game. We still only have one pair of bongos (the other set is supposed to arrive in a few days) but we have had fun just switching off. Im betting that the multiplayer is going to be great, although I know she will beat me everytime. But avoid the mini games…they suck.

MGSTTS Site

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes was a game that I almost returned, but stopped myself because the cut scenes are so awesome. Dont get me wrong, the game is cool, but after I beat it I didnt feel a huge urge to go blazing through it again. Im sure I will at some time though. The story is a bit too campy for me, but the action and suspense is cool. This one is purely because I want to be a graphics whore.

Metal Gear Solid Comic Publisher Website
Metal Gear Solid Artbook (zip file)

(Illo by my friend Mike Jungbluth)
Splinter Cell Site

Now Splinter Cell is my type of stealth game. Sam Fisher could take Snake any day. I just love sneaking around and offing people in this game. I really feel like Im a secret agent when I play. The graphics and pacing are amazing. The story in Pandora Tomorrow is much better than in the first game. Although the Gamecube got gipped on the multiplayer, its not a huge loss. Ive played the game on my computer and the multiplayer is fun, but not the main reason I love the game.

In the end I would have to say that Splinter Cell is probably the most immersive game Ive played in terms of making me feel like Im the character.

Oh, I also picked up the Splinter Cell novel the other day. Mixed reactions on this one. Im only about halfway through, but I dont like the fact that its written from Sam Fisher’s perspective. When I think of Fisher I think of someone who is gruff and wouldnt write anything down. I believe they made it this way so that you feel like you are Sam, because the view in the game is first person, but it just hasnt clicked for me. Plus, having Sam dictate what is going on makes it seem kind of cheesy and like he is bragging. Ah well, Ill have to see how it turns out. Too bad Tom Clancy did write it, but instead farmed it off to someone else.

Finally, for the Cube Id like to mention a few things I bought for it. I bought both the LAN card and the GBA Player and have enjoyed both. Ive obviously gotten more use out of the GBA Player and it is excellent. Defintely worth it. The LAN has been fun too. Ive used both XLink and Warppipe to play some Mario Kart DD online. Even though Im not that great I have a perfect record online, haha. Anyone want to challenge me?

[DS]

The DS was probably the most exciting thing for me this year. I followed the annoucements and speculation from day one and dreamed about getting my hands on one. I was even almost too broke to get my DS on the first day, but I scrounged and did it. I have to say that I am totally impressed with the hardware. I love it. The screens are beautiful, the buttons and stylus are just right, and the touch screens sensitivity is perfect. The microphone works great (used with Feel the Magic) and the hinge is nice and sturdy. All in all, Nintendo made a great handheld.

My first DS had a dead pixel. That was the first time I had ever gotten a piece of Nintendo hardware that had something wrong with it. I exchanged it for a second one and now this one has a slightly darker backlight on the bottom screen than the top. It really isnt that noticable, but Im going to exchange it anyway (hey, I bought the warranty).

I picked up Super Mario 64 DS and Feel the Magic. While I have been enjoying Mario, I have to say Im a little let down. I remember playing Mario 64 on my big TV and getting totally sucked in and loving it. On the small screen I dont get that feeling. Its not the screen size though, which is fine, its simply the fact that I have played this game before and my memories keep interfering with my enjoyment. Oh, and dont listen to people complain about controlling the game, its fine. Works great.

Feel the Magic ties with Katamari Damacy for my most bizarre game of the year. Feel the Magic is fun and has certainly shown me what is possible with the DS. I absolutely love the art direction in this game. I could watch a whole movie that looked like this. In the end though, I think Feel the Magic is mainly a great introduction to whats possible with the DS. Sega really took advantage of the system in a few months and made an entertaining game. Congrats and thanks to Team Sonic.

My top game for the DS has to be Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. When I first got my DS I played the demo for a bit and forgot about it. However, when my brother came into town we played First Hunt a lot and it was awesome. This is the way to control a console FPS. The controls are excellent and you know that if you win or lose its because of your skill level.

First Hunt also shows what the DS is capable of in terms of visuals. It really does have some great graphics. Lots of geometry and good lighting, plus some nice models. The audio is also great. Very moody. Basically this demo did what it set out to do; show of the DS and make people want the final game. Im sold.

Its going to be a very good year for the DS. Hopefully it doesnt get over shadowed by the PSP, because the DS has so much more to offer. What this little guy can do for gaming is going to be awesome. Just when I was getting bored with gaming and crabbing about how everything was starting to stagnate, Nintendo does it again.

American DS Site
European DS Site

[GBA]

Start Mayhem Site
Classic NES Series Site

I actually spent a large amount of time playing Gameboy games this year. Whether it was on my SP or my DS it seemed like this was really the first year I got into portable gaming. Sure, weve had Gameboy’s since they came out, but my brother was really the only one who played them.

Boy was I missing out. On the whole, I think I had more fun playing portable games than anything else. In fact, loving hand drawn animation, I really love all of the 2D games on the GBA. Im actually a little worried that once the DS and PSP are firmly rooted we will see far less 2D games.

Mario & Luigi Site

Mario & Luigi was my favorite GBA game this year. If you read why I liked Paper Mario 2, youll have a good understanding of why I like M&L. The graphics are great, the writing is funny, the adventure is really long, there are tons of cool locales and characters…and you get to play Luigi! Finally! No stupid Mario’s Time Machine or Luigi’s Mansion. Finally we get to control him after so many years. Its always nice to take the lanky fella for a spin.

Speaking of controlling Luigi, this game has some nice controls. At first they were pretty difficult to use, but I soon adapted and love it. Basically the A button controls whoever is in front and the B button controls whoever is in back. It may seem gimmicky in the beginning, but it really works.

So, if you want a long and entertaining RPG on the GBA, grab this. Its not a traditional RPG like FF: Dawn of Souls or even Golden Sun, but I think its a lot more fun.

A few Mario & Luigi Wallpapers:
M&L 01
M&L 02
M&L 03

Metroid Zero Mission has to be the best video game remake I have ever played. Although, since gaming has really only been around about 20 years, I guess there shouldnt be too many remakes anyway. This game is a gameplay mix between Metroid and Super Metroid. The general game is the original Metroid, but on steroids. The graphics now resemble those found in Metroid Fusion and the audio reminds me of Super Metroid, both very good things.

An awesome action game, period. Once you start playing this you wont put it down. This is everything a Metroid game should be. Hmmm, looks like Samus was kicking some ass this year.

Previous Metroid coverage:
Blasting Through The Holidays

Mario vs DK Site

Well, whats this? Another remake. Yup, I guess this was the year for sequels and remakes. However, MvDK isnt as good as the orignal (Donkey Kong for Gameboy), sadly. Its fun, for sure, but just not as good as the Gameboy classic.

I think it comes down to two things. One is that while the graphics are pretty, they just dont have the charm of the original. Secondly, the controls are not as tight. Mario feels a little loose in this game. Certainly not something Id expect from Nintendo.

However, its still on my top list of games, so all my crabbing isnt really that bad. Its a great and challenging puzzle game that just doesnt quite reach the standards set by its predecessor.

You know the drill by now:
MvsDK 01 MvsDK 02 MvsDK 03 MvsDK 04

If you read all of this, thanks! It has been a fun year for gaming and Im enjoying doing this site. Id also like to mention Super Smash Bros Melee and Katmari Damacy as other games that gave me much enjoyment recently. Lets hope 2005 is just as cool!