Talkings of a Tyrant

Xbox 360 this! Xbox 360 that! Xbox 360! Xbox 360! Mario Kart DS Xbox 360 shortages? NOOOOO!

This brief summary of the past 2 weeks in video gaming news is brought to you by:
Tyrantmizar: Cranky Pessimist

Seriously, Xbox 360 and its shortages have been the only thing anyone is talking about recently (expect for MattG at Press The Buttons. He actually has been talking about Mario Kart DS about as much.) Guess what? I don’t care about the Xbox 360!

Well… I guess I do care a little. But I’m certainly not going to get one now! It is far too expensive, and I’m patient! I’ll wait until it is at least down to $150 dollars. That sounds reasonable.

The only reason to buy one now is for the holidays, and Microsoft’s carefully planned shortage is just encouraging people to buy! buy! buy!

Yes! I do believe that Microsoft planned this shortage. Who else would benefit from it? It started with small rumors several months ago that never stopped. Then people panicked and pre-ordered all the Xbox 360s, causing real shortages. The thought that the Xbox 360 is soooo popular that it is selling out makes more mainstream people panic even more and buy out the rest.

The result? A “shortage” on Microsoft’s hands, and with it the general feeling that everyone in the US is getting an Xbox 360 so you should buy now.

Excellent work, Microsoft. Flaunt your wealth. Prove that you are willing to go to any extremes to beat Nintendo and Sony. You might actually make a profit from the Xbox line (for the second time ever).

I got a Nintendo DS and Mario Kart DS today!

Played it for about 4 hours straight…

That should give you a clue as to how fun it is.
I will bet money right now (not over the internet) that this game will become a cult classic. Absolutely fun and addictive.

The control is superb. They managed to create a system where you can have precision control with a d-pad. The button layout is mostly logical (of course, I’m still getting used to a Nintendo DS) and works well.

The character balancing is excellent. No character is really better or worse than any other. You can use anyone and win the match, if you use them correctly.

The level design is superb, with excellent dynamics and layout. Secret passages, floors that move, enemies and obstacles galore - wonderful!

I can’t even put into words how absolutely addictive and fun this game is! It is certainly worth all $35 dollars!

I’m getting a Nintendo DS… soon! (Soon! Soon! I keep telling myself that but I haven’t yet)

But seriously, I’m getting a Nintendo DS soon for 4 reasons:

1. Mario Kart DS: A game that has gotten great reviews even though it hasn’t been released yet? Sign me up! Being the first game to have true wi-fi capabilities, I’ve got to get it. Release date: November 14, 2005
2. Animal Crossing: Wild World: The original Animal Crossing was awesome, but you had to play it at home. Now you can play it almost whenever you want! And you can visit anyone’s home in the world! Release Date: December 5, 2005
3. Metroid Prime Hunters: I enjoyed the two Metroid Primes, so this should be cool. I don’t really know. I’ll have to try it out. Will be wi-fi. Hopefully (or rather, hopefully!) will be like a portable shooter. Sounds fun. Release Date: Q1 2005
4. Meteos: I’m a sucker for good puzzle games. I don’t know much about it, other than it has gotten good reviews. I’ll rent it from my local video store. Release Date: Already Released!

All of these (a DS, too) add up to about $270 (ouch!) If I were to get an Xbox 360 it would add on another $400 (full version) for $670. Who knows how much a Nintendo Revolution or the Nintendo Wi-Fi adapter costs, so it will be even higher than that!

I probably won’t get them all at once…

… or so say the reviews. I’m definitely getting it.

I was completely addicted to the original Star Wars Battlefront, and this one sounds the same, but better.

I’ll post a review of the game this weekend.

Xbox.com has been resigned with the Xbox 360 in mind. It’s shiny.

I like Xbox.com a lot more now. Before it was bulky and poorly designed. All of the information I wanted was hidden away! Now the site is easy to navigate and much more informative.

The homepage is especially well done. They seem to have gotten a much better idea about what is relevant news to people.

3d screenshots must really be kicking off. The Accessories site has a adjustable screenshot, the old Xbox360.com (it now redirects to Xbox.com) was packed with adjustable screenshots, and a few games for Xbox 360 have rotating-view screenshots.

The new Xbox.com is simply all-around better. Microsoft is now starting to put a serious amount of funding and effort into the Xbox systems.