[TECH] E3: Gumdrops & Lollipops |
As I write my grocery list for the week, I pause to check over a few items. Let’s see: 1.) milk; 2.) bread; 3.) Slim Xbox 360 w/built-in WiFi; 4.) Assassins Creed Brotherhood; 5.) Kid Icarus Uprising; 6.) eggs; 7.) juice….wait a minute…
Yes it’s the most wonderful time of the year; and no it has nothing to do with the pagan, Fat Tony looking, red and white snowsuit wearing, dude known as Kris K (–“from around the way!”). It is the celebration of all things digitally holy and awesomely superior in the world of video games. Quick Primer: E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) is an annual trade show that debuts the most anticipated hardware & software in the computer and video games industry. It is a place of resplendent wonder where life is perfect—pardon as I wipe away the drool.
My apparent penchant for geek grossness aside, E3 has definitely delivered quite handily this year and continues to make me even giddier with each announcement. I decided to run through the products likely to make a killing at the registers:
1.) Microsoft Kinect (dropping Nov. 4, 2010)
This is at the top of my list simply because I love to flail around like a buffoon while pantomiming a full triathlon meet; complete with Nintendo-Power-Pad-style running in place. No seriously. I think its fun. Kinect (or ‘Project Natal’ for those who recognize it by codename) will create an immersive experience that is pretty much a few, albeit large, steps away from fully interactive, holo-reality (yes I made that up but I have the cool points to do it). I know I might be giving it way too much credit but I can’t help but to think of what ideas this peripheral will spark. Some people may call it a controller-less HD Wii type of setup but I think it’s a little more than that. Want to know why I can say that? Two words: Star Wars. However, I’m afraid that it looks like the gameplay on rails and there isn’t much you’re actually “doing”. It remains to be seen how much actual freedom you have with this game + Kinect. If that’s not good enough (or bad enough….pessimist) for you, then take a look at Dance Central. Cheese Factor times 10.
2.) Nintendo 3DS (Tentative Date: 2011)
Call it fluff, riding the “3D in MAH FACE” wave, or yet another DS that will, inevitably, print money (thanks for that timeless classic, Joystiq); it is a new offering from Nintendo and different from just a ginormous DS (see DSi XL). Quite frankly I haven’t played my DS Lite in over 2 years and there was nothing compelling enough to make me want to purchase a DSi. I’ve sold off a lot of DS game I had for Gamestop trade-in credits (except for my out-of-print Tetris DS [worth $50+]—booyah!). Having no purpose, my DS had been sadly suffering from abandonment as I waited for something different. Waiting for innovation from Nintendo usually pans out well and I think we’ve been handsomely rewarded.
The 3DS offers rich 3D experiences in a handheld, all without the use of those funky 3D glasses. It’s a welcomed aspect because I wear glasses myself and let me tell you—I have a HELL of a time trying to balance the 3D specs over my prescription glasses. (I’m quite sure there’s a rule somewhere that says I shouldn’t be doing that…meh…). Anyways, to help cater the non-spec’d 3D experience to each individual’s eyes, there is a slider control that toggles the strength of the 3D effect from “itsa teeny lil 3D” to “thatsa lotta 3D!” (sorry I had a Super Mario moment). The top screen is the 3D screen, while the bottom is the normal touch screen. In addition to the D-pad is a new joystick style button that should help ease the smoothness of traversing through 3D worlds. Throw in backwards compatibility with existing DS games, full six-axis motion control, stealthy Wi-Fi connectivity, STAR-freakin-FOX (my favorite out of the Big N franchises), and a host of titles—then you got yourself the beginnings of one sweet, empty wallet.
I’ve only really taken small sips of the delightful brew that is still cooking up at E3. Are there any games or peripherals that you are excited about? What do you think about Goldeneye 2010 (Wii) and Metal Gear Solid: Rising (Xbox 360)? Shout, Shout…let it all out!
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