So… Nintendo is suing Nyko.

I can’t exactly say that I’m shocked. As anal as companies are about their patents and licensing these days, I’m amazed that third party controllers can even exist anymore.

The backstory on this is that Nyko decided to make something that Nintendo wasn’t making… a wireless Nunchuck peripheral for the Wii-Remote. Personally, I think it was a great idea. That cord is just a giant pain in the butt and kind of defeats the whole point of a freakin’ wireless controller (and it’s REALLY annoying if you have cats…).

So naturally, what does Nintendo do? Files suit saying that the design of Nyko’s add-on infringes on it’s trademarked design… which, granted, it does. But rather than working out a licensing deal with Nyko, Nintendo wants a cash settlement and a cease and desist on sales of the nunchuck.

Of course, it’s wholly possible (and fairly likely) that Nintendo is working on a wireless nunchuck of their own, but in this case, it’s their own damn fault Nyko beat them to the punch. Nintendo has been dragging it’s feet on Wii peripherals for ages now. The thing’s been out for going on two years, and there’s still nothing first party that makes use of the Wii’s USB ports. There’s no external hard drive, no wireless Wii-remote add-ons, and for a long time, there was no USB wired ethernet adaptor from Nintendo themselves, despite the demand for such products.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Wii, but come on Nintendo… get in tune with the current generation of gamers. We were playing on the PSX while the N64 sank into virtual obscurity. The GameCube was great, but the PS2 and the XBOX spoiled us. The PS3 and the 360 have spoiled us even more. Nowadays gamers expect to have the option of expanding their gameplay experience if they so choose, and if the first party doesn’t provide, you better believe a third party will.

I think a large part of Nintendo’s problem is that they have been very first-party centric since the days of the NES. Unfortunately, that mindset isn’t going to fly forever, and suing the people who fill the void won’t make the gamers happy.

That being said, if you want one, you might want to grab it now.

Square Enix has announced that they’ll be having a private party for some of their lucky, lucky Japanese fans in early August. 2400 of them to be exact, drawn randomly from the Japanese version of the Members site. Though I do have an account there, the event will be taking place in Harajuku, so I guess my chances of being invited and being able to go are pretty much slim to none.

But that’s not important… what’s important is that events in Japan that fans are allowed into inevitably mean nifty new goodies making their way onto the internet. And the list of titles that will be showcased is downright droolworthy.

They’re calling the event DKΣ3713 (which is kind of a bizarre acronym, but here’s the breakdown:

Dissidia Final Fantasy
What we know: It’s a fighting game, a la Super Smash Bros. in that it brings together characters from all across Final Fantasy-dom, but differs in that the battle field is fully three-diemsional. Characters can be customized with weapons and equipment and will have individual attack skills available. Dissidia is in development for Sony PSP.

Kingdom Hearts
What we know: Square Enix will be showcasing all three of their Kingdom Hearts titles currently in development (but it looks like KH3 won’t even be making a cameo): Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep (PSP) which is a pequel involving the three characters seen in the KH3 teaser, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS) which focuses on Roxas’ story prior to KH2, and Kingdom Hearts Coded (Mobile Phone) which takes place following KH2 and involves a virtual Sora created from Jiminy Cricket’s Journal.

Sigma (that’s the Σ for you non-math people) Harmonics
What we know: In developement for the Nintendo DS, Sigma Harmonics is an RPG about a student named Sigma Kurogami whose past in inexplicably rewritten. With the help of his friend, Neon, he must return his life to normal.

The 3rd Birthday
What we know: It’s the third in the Parasite Eve series, though apparently not a sequel, but rather the third appearance of Aya Brea. What little information is available about the game implies that the game is significantly different from Parasite Eve 1 and 2, hence the exclusion of the series name from the title. The game will be for mobile phones.

Final Fantasy 7
What we know: Though there is no FFVII remake for PS3 schedule to debut at the party, we will be seeing Advent Children Complete… the Blu-ray director’s cut version of the recent Final Fantasy VII sequel movie, which boasts several additional scenes.

Final Fantasy 13
What we know: It’s comprised of three games, making up the Fabula Nova Crystallis project. Final Fantasy XII, the main game in the series has had the most attention by far, and we’ve seen more of it’s look and gameplay than the other titles. It centers on a floating city called Cocoon, a futuristic utopia built for humans by a race called the Farsi to protect them from the world below and anyone who has come in contact with it. Final Fantasy Versus XII has a much darker tone, and revolves around the young prince of the kingdom in which the last Crystal on the planet is kept, which is under siege by outsiders. Both are headed for the PS3. Final Fantasy Agito XII, on the other hand, is for mobile phones, and involves a school for mages. It has been describes as an online RPG.

According to Wired, both videos and demos will be available for guests, though there’s no mention of which games will be playable. Check out the Official announcement page if you like… though it won’t be much help to you if you don’t read Japanese.

Today’s Hidden Gem: Fatal Frame
Released 2002 by Tecmo for PS2 (and later for XBOX)

To be honest, Fatal Frame isn’t exactly “hidden”… just about anyone who’s a fan of the survival horror genre has at least heard of it… but it’s definitely a gem, and deserves a spotlight. And these days it’s hard enough to find that if you didn’t play it back when it was new, odds are you haven’t gotten your hands on it yet.

Fatal Frame takes place over the course of several days inside the Himuro Mansion in the Japanese countryside - a place where, rumor has it, spirits and ghosts congregate and those who enter may never return. You play as Miku Hinasaki, a young woman who, like her brother, Mafuyu, is sensitive to the spirit world. When Mafuyu and his mentor, along with two other researchers, go missing while investigating the grisly past of Himuro Mansion, Miku sets out on her own to find him.

Upon her arrival at the mansion, she finds evidence of the group as she explores, including the game’s one and only weapon, the Camera Obscura, which had been passed down to the siblings by their mother, and which Miku had last seen in Mafuyu’s possession.

The camera is said to have been the legacy of Kunihiko Aso, an occultist who worked to develop inventions to make contact with the spirit world. Functioning to capture the souls of vengeful spirits, the Camera Obscura is Miku’s only protection from the murderous ghosts of the Mansion.

There is so very much I could say about the story of this game, but that would really just ruin it for those of you who haven’t played it yet, so I’ll stop there.

The game is played primarily in third person view, but switches to first person mode when using the camera. Miku’s actions are very limited (in fact the only things she can really do are run, and raise the camera to attack), which raises the difficultly level of the game pretty significantly.

The object of battles is to photograph the ghosts until all of their spirit energy is captured on film. The better the shot, and the closer you are to the subject, and the higher the quality of the film loaded in your camera, the more damage is inflicted… and when your supply of film is running low, you definitely need to make every shot count.

But perhaps the greatest thing about Fatal Frame is that it is actually… well… scary. The game’s imagery, music, and story all combine to keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s a great game to play alone, in the dark. Preferably on a stormy night. It’s something you have to experience for yourself, because words just don’t do it justice.

Fatal Frame has already spawned two sequels: Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, and Fatal Frame III: The Tormented. The stories of both subsequent games are complete and stand-alone in and of themselves, but all three are ultimately related, most noticeably seen in the third installment which serves to tie all three plots together.

A fourth game is currently in development. Tentatively titled Fatal Frame IV: The Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, the game is being developed by Tecmo and Grasshopper Manufacture, and will be published by Nintendo. It is rumored to be exclusive to the Wii and is due out in Japan at the end of July. A release date for North America has not yet been set, but you better believe I’ll be keeping an eye out for one.

A friend of mine was over last night for a little Wii, and she did something that bugs the heck out of me. She put a game back in the wrong place. And that’s when I realized, I have a problem. I’m WAY too obsessed with the way I keep my games.

I’m sure most gamers out there keep their collection organized, but I think I might take things to the extreme. In the first place, my games are organized, first, by system (in alphabetical order of the console’s name), then alphabetically by title (unless the title is part of a series, in which case series name trumps title… however, system trumps series, so Final Fantasy VII is on a completely different shelf than Final Fantasy XII).

All games absolutely must also have cover art. If I happen to buy a used game that doesn’t have cover art, I will get on the internet and search until I find an image file big enough for me to print out and stick on the case.

I also log all of my games (and game hardware) at time of purchase, with purchase price (sans sales tax), date, and whether it was a new or used title. The log gets updated for both purchases and sales, even though it’s rare that I sell a game (in addition to compulsively organizing my games, I’m also kind of a hoarder…). The result is that I could tell you damn near exactly how much money I’ve invested in games over the past 8 years (but I won’t), and can get a pretty good estimate even further back than that.

And don’t even get me started on the accessories…

So tell me… am I alone, or are other gamers just as picky as I am?

Available on XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3, the latest installment in the Soul Caliber series will be heading to stores on June 29. The PS3 version features the ability to play as the Star Wars hero-turned-villian himself, Darth Vader. The 360 version, on the other hand, boasts the much more adorable Yoda as a playable fighter.

For the first time in the series, online versus mode is offered, as are several other single and multiplayer modes. Also newly added, is the “Soul Gauge” that fills as you attack and allows you to execute special attack moves that weaken you opponent’s armor.

Looking for a PS3? Well, if you can bear the thought of not being able to play your old PS2 titles on it, and don’t mind a few other missing features, you might want to head over to Wal-Mart. According to their Sunday ad (page 4) for this week, they’re offering the PS3 40GB model for $399.99. What’s the big deal you ask? Well, for the time being, you also get a bonus $100 gift card with your purchase. Sure, you’re paying full price for the console, but at least you can get some free games out of it. The offer is also available on their website.

Likewise, Best Buy is offering a free $50 gift card with the purchase of an XBOX 360 system and GTA4. You can also get Call of Duty 3 for free when you buy Enemy Territory: Quake Wars for XBOX 360.

Circuit City’s ad this week offers a free $20 MGS4 strategy guide with the purchase on the game, available in-store only, on Thursday, as well as a 1600 XBOX Live Point Card for $14.99.

Heads up, gamers… this week marks the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Are you heading out to a midnight launch?

PS3 and 360

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots | PS3
Also available: MGS4/80GB PS3 bundle
In MGS4, Solid Snake takes on what is touted to be his final mission in a world overrun by private military companies who micro-manage wars down to the bullet. In such a world, Snake must confront Liquid Ocelot using the latest in weapons and abilities.

Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm | 360
Inspired by the hit TV show, “Deadliest Catch”, this XBOX 360 title puts you in command of a crab fishing boat in the Bering Sea. The game features the ability to choose from 5 real boats and select a crew from a roster of real fishermen featured on the show. Career and Mission modes are available, as well as a selection of arcade mini-games.

Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit | PS3 | 360
The latest in the Dragon Ball Z franchise (and the first available on the 360), Burst Limit is a fighting title from Atari. The game features solo play as well and co-op and vs. modes (which can be played online or off). After each battle, more of the story unfolds, changing depending on the results of the fight.

NASCAR 09 | PS3 | 360
Also available on: PS2
Challenge the best drivers of NASCAR, and learn from Jeff Gordon himself. You can play on your own, or challenge up to 13 other players in the online mode. You can even post your stats and “own the track” to let others challenge your times.

Don King Presents: Prize Fighter | 360
In Prizefighter, you are responsible for managing you boxing career by training, promoting fights, and obtaining the title belt… and of course, actually fighting. The game’s “story” is told in a sports documentary-style narrative.

Wii

Backyard Baseball 2009
Also available on: PS2
The sixth in there series, Backyard Baseball features child-versions of top MLB players all at your disposal for all-American fun. All current MLB teams are represented as are pro players from every team. Unlike a lot of sports games out there, the Backyard series focuses largely on humor, and is targeted squarely at both young and old fans of the sport.

Blast Works: Build, Trace & Destroy
Billed as “the shooter with endless possibilities”, In Blast Works, you are free to create your own levels, ships, and enemies. The side-scrolling shooter supports multiplayer for up to four players, as well as single player mode, and finishing the game unlocks bonus features, like the original Tumiki Fighters game. Content, including user-designed levels and ships, can also be downloaded and shared.

WiiWare

My Pokémon Ranch (1000 Wii Points)
Somewhat similar to Nintendogs, this title can be played as a stand alone game, or in conjunction with Pokémon Diamond and Pearl for DS. In the game, you can transfer Pokémon from the DS game, or build upon the starter set you’re given.

Nintendo DS

Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles
Less a game and more an “interactive digital novel”, in Jake Hunter, you explorer cities, interview witnesses and uncover clues to solve a murder mystery. The game is meant to test deduction and reasoning skills, and offers 3 separate mysteries to solve.

My Fashion Studio
A simulation game in which you are an apprentice in a fashion studio. Your goal is to become the world’s most famous designer by using real-life fashion techniques to created outfits for catalogues, movies stars, and VIPs, all in the hopes of leaving your apprenticeship behind and opening your own studio.

AMF Bowling Pinbusters
Bowling on the DS… well, you knew it had to happen sooner or later. In Pinbusters, you can choose from any of 12 characters and hit the lanes. One to four people can play, either locally or globally on the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection.

Looney Tunes: Cartoon Conductor
Everyone remembers those old Looney Tunes cartoons where Bugs turned orchestra conductor for one reason or another. Now you can relive those memories in Cartoon Conductor. The title is a rhythm/action game that puts you in charge of the music, using the stylus as your baton. As you conduct, the classic cartoon scene plays in time with the music.

PS2

Jeep Thrills
A racing title from Destination Software, Jeep Thrills, in case you couldn’t guess from it’s pun-tastic title, offers gamers the thrill of driving Jeeps. 18 customizable Jeep vehicles and 35 tracks are available to take you offroad all over the world.

I am an admitted garage sale addict. You’ll find me out rummaging though other people’s stuff just about every weekend in the summer. It’s one of my favorite past times in the summer. The unfortunate downside to this is that I’ve consequentially ended up with a whole stack of games I picked up for uber-cheap but just haven’t had time to play and/or finish yet (hey, I work full time… I can’t just sit around playing games all day… I think my boss would frown on that, and the217.com wouldn’t get the new photo galleries I’m working on).

So just for shits and giggles, here’s my list of games I need to play this summer… which, sadly, is longer than my summer reading list this year. That’s probably not a good thing.

1. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
I picked this up after downloading the WiiWare title Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King. I never bothered with it previously, because because even though I’m a huge FF fan, what I saw of the game in previews didn’t look very Final Fantasy-like. But I found it for $2, so I figured I’d give it a shot. This is my current play, and I’m about 3 hours in.

2. Soul Caliber III
I’m kind of behind in this series, given that IV is not really that far from completion… I picked this one up almost a year ago at a garage sale and haven’t even touched it yet.

3. Ratchet & Clank
I grabbed this one for cheap at EB Games when I was going through a massive platformer phase. I really, really, want to play it, but I just haven’t had the time.

4. Jak II and III
I got these a month after Ratchet & Clank because I’d just finished Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy and was curious about where the story was going. I’m still curious, because I haven’t played them yet.

5. Daxter
Daxter came with my PSP… I played about two hours before setting it aside in favor of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (the whole reason I bought the PSP in the first place). I intend to get back to Daxter at some point… it’s kind of a cute, if simple, game.

6. Metal Gear Solid
Believe it or not, I’ve never played any of the Metal Gear games. I found this at a garage sale awhile back but have been hesitant to start a two-disc game due to time constraints… now that summer’s here, this one is getting played.

7. Guitar Hero III
This is more of an “I need to finish it” that and “I need to play it” situation. I’ve put in a good amount of time on it, but there’s still quite a bit I haven’t unlocked, and I have yet to make it through a song on any mode other than easy.

8. Kameo
When I bought my XBOX 360, it came with a handful of games, several of which I’d been wanting to play. Kameo is one of them…

9. Dead Rising
… Dead Rising is another. I’ve been alternating between this and Kameo for a past serveral weeks now.

10. Assassin’s Creed
I had a moment of weakness at EB and bought this one used, even though it was priced a little higher than I would have liked… but I’ve heard good things about it.

11. Saint’s Row
Same shopping trip as Assassin’s Creed, they were having a special… buy two games, get the third free… So I got Assassin’s Creed, Saints Row, and …

12. Destroy All Humans!
… this game, which has been on my buy list for some time now. I rented it way back when it first came out and played a bit, but didn’t have time to finish.

13. Bully
Another garage sale purchase. I rented this the day after it came out, played through a good portion of it, and then had to return it. I wasn’t fond enough of it to go out and buy it right away, but at garage sale prices, I’m willing.

14. Halo 3
This and Halo 2 both came along with my 360… I actually tried this for an hour and wasn’t especially impressed (shooter just really aren’t my thing), but I plan on giving it another chance at some point.

15. Mario Kart Wii
I’ve actually spent more time than I’m willing to admit playing this game, but I’ve still got a lot to unlock. Unfortunately, I’m not a very good driver, so it’s taking awhile.

So there you have it. My backlog of games that I need to get through this summer so I can justify buying new games when they come out later this year. If you have your own list, feel free to share in the comments section. ^_^

Ok, maybe it won’t be the next Wii, but it’s still pretty nifty. If only I were a little more hardware-inclined… and could afford a Roomba…

MGS4 hits on June 12… so be ready at 11:59pm on June 11.

Courtesy of Gamestop.com the list of Gamestop/EB Games stores that will be holding a midnight launch for Metal Gear Solid 4 has hit the net. Champaign is way down there on page 9 of the PDF file, but the EB on Green Street in campus town made the list.

The Best Buy on 2103 N Veterans Pkwy in Bloomington will also be open at midnight for MGS4, but sadly our local one will not.

If you know of any more area stores that are having a midnight launch for the game, the comments section is anxious to hear from you! So prepare to line up on June 11 to Snake (and I will not apologize for that pun) your copy of MGS4 when the clock strikes midnight.