BUBBLE BOBBLE REVOLUTION

By CAPTAIN GORDON EDWARD     September 29, 2006

Another week has gone by and it seems that games are swarming out of the gates now. I suppose with the end of summer, developers are trying to rush the people settling down from their hectic days at school with a solid game. I suppose that it is working for them, considering the Madden game has sold like hot cakes. Will it hold true with other sports games though?

NBA Live 07 (X-Box / 360 / PS2 / PSP / PC) - Another year and just like the NHL, and the NFL, a new version of their game has been released, which allows people to play their favourite teams in basketball. Again this is similar to most of the other games that came before it, but there is still another choice if you do not like this game or franchise.

NBA 2K7 (PS2 / X-Box / X-Box 360) - This is the second choice out there and that allows for people to choose whom they want to support. Sure the games look similar, the teams are as well, but they offer a slightly different experience. I am glad at least the NBA is still open to this, rather than signing it off to one developer. Of course both of the games has updated rosters, but we would be fools to not think that.

Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova (PS2) - But if the regular exercise of football games is not for you, well here is an option to get you up and stomping your feet frantically. This is similar to the franchise system with one out every year, but this one is more acceptable. Since you will still try and keep the beat with you feet, like the other games they have added many new songs to play. I should note that there is something addicting about the game though, and it keeps people coming back for more. I think this will be another solid DDR experience.

Fast & the Furious (PS2) - What can be said about games that are based off of the movies or television shows? Mainly they generally end up as a cheap cash grab. This one is joining a large group of movie games that are being released long after the movie has come and gone. One bad example could be the Path of Neo game, but another good one could be considered the Godfather game. This is game centred on the latest film, Tokyo Drift, so it should be filled with that styled racing mechanic. I think the game will be at the very least fun, but it will suffer the same fate as most driving games... a lack of depth.

Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (NGC / PS2) - Speaking about television shows, here is another prime example of one transcending to the game realm. This one is similar to the Teen Titans game that came out right after their series was cancelled, where you can have up to 4 players on the screen. If the game is anything like the cartoon, it should be a very amusing experience.

Baten Kaitos Origins (NGC) - Baten Kaitos is a card battling game with 3D graphics. The original game was very beautiful, and this game should hold true to that as well. The game takes place 20 years before the original game, and will allow for a lot of the back-story to be filled in. I figure that if you like any card battling games, you will like this one as well.

Mage Knight: Destiny's Soldier (NDS) - Perhaps you are looking for a tabletop experience, while your friends are unavailable. Mage Knight for the Nintendo DS will be the game to play to help you out with that, when your friends are too busy to come over and play.

Just Cause (PS2 / X-Box / 360) - If you were to take Bond to the next level, you would get the game Just Cause. This surreal shooter has you bouncing from vehicle to vehicle, and even to the tail end of a helicopter. The game looks beautiful, and I think it will be a very entertaining game to play.

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (PS2) - Continuing hundreds of years before the Lenneth tale, this saga runs on the same theme. The Valkyrie Silmeria, after a dispute with Odin is reincarnated as a human. The human though now has two souls, which is against the rules, and Odin will not stand by idly. This is an interesting twist for the series, and I can see that this series may continue to be epic.

Mario vs Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (NDS) - Not too much to say about this game, other than there are a lot of toys involved. You will wind them up and let them loose, or collect them from several parts of a level, and then guide them to the exit. It almost reminds me of an old Krusty Simpson's game from the SNES.

Bubble Bobble Revolution (NDS) - Here is a game that I have been waiting for... for what seems like years. I loved the original game in the arcade, and on the NES. I have played it on the PS2 in a compilation of a bunch of older games. I cannot wait to get my hands on it, along with the follow up game Rainbow Islands. There is also a PSP game coming out in the future with 3D graphics, but for nostalgia purposes alone, here is my pick of the week.

Rainbow Islands Revolution (NDS) - Another interesting remake, Rainbow Islands is another platforming adventure. While quite cutesy, it is very addicting. One day I hope to play Snow Brothers again.

Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2 (NGC) - Finally (sarcasm) another Naruto game has been released, and this one follows up to the one on the NGC from last year. The original game was a little short, and had fewer characters, so hopefully this game expands on that experience.

So it seems there were quite a few of the head games released this week. I personally enjoy this time of year, or even closer to the Christmas season because it seems there are hundreds of games to play. There are a lot of great games coming out near the end of the year, and I am having problems waiting for them. All and all though, this is Captain Gordon signing off.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? CaptainGordonEdward@Gmail.com