Today is


"...Now we hear that some publishers are intending on raising the price of games in the future. I say Hell NO! We should not take this laying down...."





Two Cents: March 2005 Edition
    [April 4, 2005]

Editors Note: The following article is an editorial opinion and is just an opinion. The article does not represent the view of the site nor all of its staff. 

The videogame industry is as fluid as the ocean. Every month there is something that is announced or brought to the attention of the public that become important and change the dynamic of the industry. Most of the time those announcements have either a positive or negative impact on the industry and with that there are those whom have strong opinions on those announcements. Like many of you I have an opinion and here you can hear mine. I will talk about the big news for the month of March 2005 that tick me off, for these are my 2 cents. March is a month that features St. Patrick's Day, Spring Break and this year, Easter. Was there a lot to enjoy about March 2005? Read on to find out....

Namco Pulls the Blades over our Eyes
 RELATED STORIES: Namco Announces Soul Calibur III

Leading video games publisher and developer Namco Hometek Inc. announced today "SOULCALIBUR(R) III," the latest installment in its celebrated weapons-based fighting franchise, is scheduled for release exclusively on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system in 2005. Featuring three all-new characters, a groundbreaking character customization system and original gameplay modes, "SOULCALIBUR III" continues the storyline of legendary fighters in pursuit of the all-powerful Soul Edge.

Ain't this a kick in the groin? When Soul Calibur II came out in the summer of 2003, it sold very well on the GameCube thanks to the inclusion of Link from the Legend of Zelda games. In fact it sold more than its PS2 and XBox counterparts. That is why it is hard to understand why Namco would decide to make SCIII PS2 exclusive. One would assume there is nothing but money involved. Although we shouldn't get upset that money is involved... how else would Link have gotten into SCII? The only thing we can do is hope that this is only a timed exclusive. It just doesn't seem fair, PS2 gets Tekken and Soul Calibur? Where's the justice in that?

I also have another issue, what is with Namco and its naming conventions? Soulcalibur III? Hasn't it ever heard of separating words and capitalizing? I refuse to acknowledge it as one word, I shall always refer it to Soul Calibur. Back to SCIII, I think its a stupid decision and one decision that I bet (and hope) will come back and bite Namco in its collective rear end.

Anticipated Releases for the Month of March

March was a month full of a wide variety of releases. We got to duke it out with the best professional boxers on the planet with a bit of Little Mac thrown in. We got to beat it to the thugs of the jungle with our favorite Kong, baby-sit an infant with a big hat, race colorful looking rodents and defeat pirates as someone with no limbs. We also got to enjoy some handheld mini-games and travel through time shooting bad guys and engage in a little black ops.

EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2 (GCN)
Packing in stunning graphics and exciting new gameplay features, players now have the ability to control the power and speed of their punch via the new EA SPORTS(TM) Haymaker punch mechanic. Utilizing the innovative analog Total Punch Control feature introduced in last year's hit game, players can now add extra power to each punch for that satisfying one-punch knockout or increase damage on their opponents with each devastating hit. Taking the excitement and intensity of the game to the next round, fighting and boxing fans will truly feel the impact of their punches as they unleash fearsome blows to their opponents.

Also new to the series is a unique create-a-champ option, an extensive career mode and the EA SPORTS(TM) Cutman. Instead of the typical non-interactive cut-scene between rounds, players can take control of the corner cutman and use his tools to reduce swelling and damage on their boxer's face. Gamers can also take the match online(a) and duke it out with friends across the country with Xbox Live(TM) and PlayStation(R)2 online. For Nintendo GameCube(TM) fans, EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2 will include the classic boxing title, Super Punch-Out!!(TM).

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (GCN)
That tap-tap-tapping you hear is the sound of the most innovative video game control system to come along in years. Get physical with Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, made exclusively for Nintendo GameCube, by using a pair of bongos to control the game action. Mastering the game requires good timing, bongo abilities and a love of bananas.

Donkey Kong seeks to gather as many bananas as possible while exploring vast jungle kingdoms and battling a variety of enemies like warthogs and giant birds. He'll visit volcanic peaks and snowy mountains while hitching rides with a variety of swimming and flying friends. At the end of each stage, players earn a bronze, silver, gold or platinum crest, depending on how many bananas they have collected. The more crests they collect, the more levels open up.

Yoshi Touch & Go (NDS)
Yoshi and Baby Mario are about to embark on another wild adventure, this time on the Nintendo DS!

Using the Nintendo DS system's two screens and touch-screen capability, you'll have to help Yoshi guard Baby Mario and guide him to safety. On vertical-action levels, players must use the stylus to draw clouds on the touch screen to protect Baby Mario from enemies and lead him to Yoshi. On horizontal side-scrolling levels, players must use the stylus to look out for Yoshi as he gallops across the countryside. On top of all that, Yoshi Touch & Go (temporary title) also features two-player wireless play.

Pokemon Dash (NDS)
Pokémon Dash is the first Pokémon title to appear on Nintendo DS, and it races onto the new handheld with an innovative flair. Your goal is to guide Pikachu from one Poké Ball checkpoint to the next by sliding the stylus across the touch screen. Pikachu races across land, sky and sea in a heated competition to beat other Pokémon to the finish line.

Rayman DS (NDS)
Even with no arms and no legs, Rayman is one of the most recognizable videogame characters around the world. The fearless and friendly Rayman heroically arrives on the Nintendo DS to defeat the pirate terror that has enslaved his world.

The Rayman series is well known for its diverse gameplay. In Rayman DS, the limbless hero can run, jump, ski, swim and fly with his helicopter hair. Rayman can also tame objects and devices in his world to surf on lava, ride whirlwinds and fly on a rocket.

TimeSplitters Future Perfect (GCN)
Produced by EA Partners and developed by Free Radical Design Ltd., TimeSplitters Future Perfect marks the return of the critically-acclaimed console first-person shooter franchise.

Featuring innovative "meet and assist yourself" gameplay, TimeSplitters Future Perfect challenges players to team up with past, present and future versions of themselves as they battle their way through an action-packed story spanning more than 500 years and loaded with the series' trademark humor.

Mario Party Advance (GBA)
Mario Party Advance takes all the fun of the home console game and puts it in your hands. All-new mini-games and a host of Professor E. Gadd's incredible Gaddgets -- unique trinkets, toys, detectors and tricks like the Lip Disguise-o-matic that let you play tricks on your friends, test your compatibility and much more.

Discover the 60 mini-games as you play through the single-player game boards. Earn coins as you play the mini-games, use those coins to unlock Gaddgets, and link up with your friends to duke it out in a two-player battle game, or trade Gaddgets, mini-games and coins to share the party fun.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (GCN)
The year is 2008. Citywide blackouts ... stock exchange sabotage ... electronic hijacking of national defense systems ... this is information warfare, which has become the most dangerous threat to global stability. To prevent these attacks, you must infiltrate deep into hostile territory and aggressively collect critical intelligence, closer than ever to enemy soldiers. You are Sam Fisher, the NSA's most elite black-ops agent. To achieve your mission you will operate undetected, kill at close range, attack with your combat knife, shoot with the modular SC-20K rifle and use radical suppression techniques such as the inverted neck snap. Work alone, or enjoy the thrill of cooperative multiplayer infiltration missions, where teamwork is the ultimate weapon..

So that's it for the month of March. See you next month as we tackle the news of the month of the first full month spring.