Mega Cool!

If for some reason you needed proof that God exists and is looking out for us: Mega Man 9 is coming.

That's not the good part. In fact, that's an extremely scary thing.

The good part is that it's not one of the 50 billion Mega Man spinoffs or some crazy, "next-gen" take on the classic Mega Man formula. No, it's the classic Mega Man formula, right down to NES quality graphics.

I'm not even kidding.

The game is a slated to be a downloadable title on WiiWare (no mention of Xbox Live Arcade or PS3 versions. But this news is coming from Nintendo Power, so it's a possibility I guess), so there's a very good chance it's only gonna cost $5 or $10...

This is absolutely mind-blowing and amazing news. A lot of us "classic" gamers have discussed how cool it would be if certain companies took this approach with their classic franchises - say, if Nintendo made "Super Mario Bros. 4" a WiiWare game that was just a straight-up NES game... But I'm not sure I actually expected it to happen. Major, major props for Capcom.

Now, if you need proof that Satan exists, the same Nintendo Power issue revealed that the next Castlevania game (besides Order of Ecclesia on the DS, which looks phenomenal) would be on the Wii. Great news, right? Maybe they'd even do a 2D game like the exciting news above!!!

...but alas, the world is not always a kind place, and Castlevania Judgement on the Nintendo Wii is going to be a fighting game.

Yes. A fighting game. With characters such as Simon Belmont and Alucard.

Now, I DID want Simon in Smash Bros.... But this? This I'm not sure I can stand behind. It just strikes me as a horrible idea, and I have to wonder who came up with it.

Beer Pong... THE VIDEOGAME!

Yes, the Wii game that nobody asked for has finally been announced! Now you can play the popular college game Beer Pong... ON YOUR WII! There's no joke to be made there! None at all!

And that's not all! Developer JV Games is planning on making even more games like this, under the "Frat Party Games" label. As the Kotaku story says, "Frat Party Games: Stomach Pump and Frat Party Games: Date Rape shouldn't be too far behind."

Now, I don't drink, so I could be wrong... But isn't one of the primary draws to Beer Pong, you know... the beer?

Here's the very exciting trailer!:



Look how much fun those people are-- Oh, wait... Most of them look kinda bored, actually. And perhaps stoned. And probably drunk.

The game will be downloadable over the WiiWare service at some point in the future. On that day, the earth will mourn.

GDC '08 Highlights - Part 2

- Too Human: I've been interested in this game for quite awhile now (though not it's entire, what? 10 year on/off development cycle?), and I'm extremely glad to see it finally coming together. Looks like it could be pretty awesome, with a pretty interesting Norse/Sci-fi storyline.

- Fable 2: It's Fable... #2. Mostly they announced an interesting co-op addition to the game, plus a gambling Xbox Live Arcade side game that will net you money in the real game. Neat idea, at the very least.

- Final Fantasy: My Life as King: One of the more interesting titles that will be downloadable via WiiWare at some point (I think March in Japan?), it's like Final Fantasy, but also like a strategy game... Or something. Sounds like it could be addicting for folks like me.

- Mario Kart Wii: It's Mario Kart... On the Wii! Lots of courses, online play, and bikes...

- Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rainslick Precipice of Darkness Episode 1: I really hope this game - with a mouthful of a name - isn't entirely bogged down with super crude language and content like the comics often are, because it looks like a ton of fun. Half point-and-click adventure game, half RPG, it's based on the extremely popular web comic. As I said, it looks great. I'm interested.

- House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return: Mostly this Wii game brings back great memories of beating House of the Dead and House of the Dead 2 and Nicklerama (the arcade where games were a NICKLE TO PLAY!)... I'd like to pick it up eventually and play through it again with some friends, but even the "budget" $30 price point may be too much for such short games.

I think that's pretty much it. GDC is over. Go get some fresh air or something.

Nerf'd

Yes. That's a Nerf gun.

Yes. It is also a blaster shell for a Wii Remote.

It's BOTH.

Crazy? Maybe.

Will I buy it? Oh, totally.

I've been told there there are apparently Nerf-branded games on the way to the Wii as well, from EA. Should make things interesting.

Regardless, it could bring back great memories.