Gamertell

It’s a given that not all Japanese games will make it outside of Japan. Some didn’t sell well enough in that country, others were too focused on a certain age group and sometimes they’re just too weird.

At the same time, there are quite a few phenomenal or funny games which should get a worldwide release, but don’t. Sadly, gamers don’t get a list of reasons from publishers or developers as to why we’ll never have the honor of playing a domestic version of one of these titles, but usually it is pretty easy to understand why.

So this week we’ll review four DS titles which will very likely never, ever be released in North America.

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By now, we’ve all heard the news that Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski will direct the big-screen adaptation of thoughtful underwater shooter Bioshock. We’ve already extolled the virtues of the game and it’s filmic possibilities elsewhere, so right now, let’s focus on the man himself. Is Verbinski up to the challenge of making one of the most fully realized game worlds (and cleverest narratives) come to life? Or are we destined for yet another lame game movie night? We check out the director’s earlier film work, his statements on the adaptation, and his gamer cred to make a long-term prognosis.

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Title: Boom Blox
Price: $49.99
System(s): Nintendo Wii
Release Date: May, 6, 2008
Publisher (Developer): Electronic Arts
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Pros: Makes great use of motion controls. Fun, frantic multi-player. Gets extremely additive.
Cons: Not all modes are created equal. Frame rate occasionally chugs along. May be a tad cutesy for some.
Overall Score: One thumb up, one sideways; 85/100; B; * * * 1/2 out of 5

When the Wii was first unveiled, the unique motion-sensing controller led many to believe that it would lead to a boom in creative, original titles. Unfortunately, that has not been the case, and aside from a few notable exceptions (mainly consisting of first-party Nintendo titles), games for the Wii have mostly been rushed ports and budget shovelware. 

That’s what makes Boom Blox so great:  It’s a game that couldn’t be played on any other system and, instead, it plays to the console’s strengths, offering a wholly fun and unique experience.

Click through for the full review…

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Usually I don’t give any of the advertisements a second look, but when I logged in to play Flash Hero (a Guitar Hero-esque Facebook game), a fairly unassuming ad caught my eye.

“ACE YOUR FINALS - $25 - Get access to 45,000 term paper and essays right here!”

So right above a flash game that 13-24 year olds are likely to play is an ad endorsing cheating…

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Check out the gallery: Controversial facebook ad

In case you haven’t heard the rumor/revelation, the new version of Pokemon Diamond/Pearl will be called Pokemon Platinum. Scans from Coro Coro Comic magazine confirm the new DS Pokemon title, which may be out in September 2008 in Japan.

The title Platinum doesn’t really fit among Diamond and Pearl. Platinum is a white-gray metal and diamonds and pearls are precious gems. It’s like one of those games you played in school, where you had to pick out the thing that didn’t belong. There are plenty of more appropriate names for Pokemon Platinum, so let’s look at a few options…

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Facebook may have started as a simple social website, but it has quickly ballooned into an entertainment hub for individuals between the ages of 13 - 30. In 2007 the Facebook Platform was introduced, which allowed users and developers to create unique applications for users. If people add an application to their profile, they are then able to play a game and interact with others who also have that profile.

This has lead to a plethora of different applications available. There are video game arcades, text-based adventures, free gift programs, enhanced message boards for people’s profiles and little quiz applications. Even commercial companies and shows create applications to get users’ attention, including Donald Trump’s The Apprentice.

I’ve tested a wide variety of Facebook applications and have selected the five best and most addictive…

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I can not get over how cool Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts sounds and looks. Banjo and the witch Gruntilda (Grunty) have been fighting for years over Spiral Mountain, and the Lord of the Games has finally had it with both of them. So he’s set up some challenges for ownership of the mountain. If Banjo can complete the challenges, Spiral Mountain is his. If Grunty is able to keep him from completing them, then it’s hers.

The game gets good once you start looking at how challenges are completed. Each one will have a goal, but you can get there however you like. Players can create practically any vehicle they can think of to assist Banjo in his challenges. There are over 100 different contraption components which can be combined in Mumbo’s Motors workshop. If you don’t feel like thinking up custom creations, there will be completed creations available in the game. There will also be multiplayer versus and co-op options. 

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One of the biggest surprises of last year was EA’s Skate, which reinvigorated the skateboarding genre after years of stagnation.  Nintendo DS and Wii owners will finally get to see what all the fuss was about.  Today (May 12, 2008), EA announced Skate It, a spin-off designed specifically for Nintendo’s unique hand-held and console.

The Wii version will allow users to use the remote as a skateboard, mimicking moves and tricks with the motion controls, while the players on the DS will…

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Gimmeswords has used her artistic talents to accomplish an amazing feat, she turns classic Nintendo icons into fashionable jewelry. Using polymer clay, she crafts adorable charms. Her Nintendo earrings (pictured above) were recently featured on Sprite Stitch.

Gimmeswords also runs a Etsy store filled with a variety of video game related jewelry. I couldn’t help admiring her Wiimote/Nunchuk earrings and goomba cell phone charm. She also has quite a few tabletop gaming charms as well, so every kind of gamer is covered. 

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In honor of today’s launch of WiiWare titles, there is no regularly scheduled update to the Virtual Console. I’ll take this opportunity to pine (once again) for a VC release of Majora’s Mask, one of the most innovative (and, in my opinion, under appreciated) Zelda titles of all time. It also happens to be a game I got 75% of the way through, then my N64 broke down - hence the need for the VC treatment. What else are you itching to see on the Virtual Console?

In case you’re wondering, here’s gaygamer’s list of launch WiiWare titles, available now:

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