Site chat today at 8pm EST

Another site chat has come and there has been some interesting things happening with support for the 3DS and developers.Among that and other things we will talk about in the chat today at 8pm EST.

Hidden Gem In Plain Sight

In the wake of the “Wii has no games” stereotype, there is a term I see used a bit too often. A “hidden gem” is a game that was overlooked at release, and then later discovered by enthusiasts to be a game of rather good quality. There have unfortunately been a number of titles on Wii that are underappreciated, but that doesn't make them all hidden gems. It depends on the circumstances for each individual game.

As an example, I've witnessed No More Heroes be labeled as a hidden gem. From what I recall, this game received some hype around its release, as well as favourable reviews from many sources. It may not have quite reached a million copies sold, but it did receive a sequel, indicating it was not only a profitable venture but performed well enough to warrant a second outing. If you ask any Wii enthusiast for game recommendations, chances are, this one will be listed. In fact, I'm sure the lot of you have at least played it. Does this sound like a game that nobody heard of and later discovered?

Compare that to a game like, say, Tornado Outbreak. Ten bucks says you never heard of this game and think I'm making it up. It released quietly onto shelves without anyone taking a notice, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a review of it anywhere. Its packaging probably didn't help matters either; the cartoony artwork typical of shovelware titles belies the excellent game underneath. No one bought this game and no one ever mentions it in the same breath as recommendations. It's a shame that this game still remains to be discovered.

No More Heroes is not a hidden gem because, even if it didn't reach its sales potential, lots of people heard about the game, regardless of whether or not they bought/played it. Tornado Outbreak is a hidden gem because, even today, I haven't come across anyone else who's so much as heard the name, besides the one Wii enthusiast crazier than I who pointed it out to me. Now, games don't need to remain unknown to be hidden gems; the status is typically past tense. Some examples of that include Little King's Story and A Boy And His Blob, both of which received little attention around launch but soon became known as quality games.

“Hidden gem” is not synonymous with “underappreciated” as it is sometimes used. While the game can't still be hidden if people know about it, it was once largely unknown to a majority of people, then later attracted a following. The term refers to where a game originated, and though that means it was underappreciated at launch, it doesn't make it the same thing; even games that receive some attention can be underappreciated, but they were never hidden.

Site chat at 6pm EST

Me and Sage are in the chat right now and among other things we are talking about the Operation Rainfall and what we are doing for it.

Are You Part of the Operation?

Well, it's mid-July. Operation Rainfall's mail-in campaign is in full force. I've started sending mine and used my own twist on the mail-in items.

Observe...



It's not the best photo (I took it on my DSiXL), but what we have hear is a plastic knife with "XENO" written on the blade. Then the page of a Nintendo Power (that I had doubles of) which talked about next month's story, so I made it "the last story." And finally, my pride and joy, I made a fold-out Eiffel Tower out of a cracker box and wrote "Pandora's" on it!

On my letter, I told Reggie about our site and how we've had less to talk about and play lately. I also traced the GameStop/Best Buy giftcards I received for my birthday and told Reggie that they are waiting for these games when/if they get localized!

So, I'm doing my best. What are you doing to help?

Site chat at 8pm EST

Once again Wednesday has come along. So it is time for another chat. Only real major thing that happened has been the EA purchase of PopCap.

Site chat at 6pm EST

Well another chat day has come and I kinda want to talk about the gaming media and its problems. I found a blog post yesterday and posted it on the forums in the Culture of gaming section. Main points is makes is how the gaming media can be hypocrites and just look out for themselves. Main think I want to talk about is the things that need to be changed.Mainly for the page hit articles and the way they use peoples comments to go towards their own agenda.

Greetings from The Berkshires

Hey gang,

Just wanted to drop a line and say "hello!"

Check out that awesome panoramic shot I made using my DSiXL! ... and Photoshop, obviously.

So, I'm still in the Berkshire's with Amy's family until tomorrow evening. I probably won't be back in time for Sunday's site chat but I'll certainly try to be.

All I have to say for now is ...

• I love the DSiXL ... it's so bad.
  
• I hope these rumors from Operation Rainfall are true!
  

Talk to you all soon!

Xenoblade and The Last Story heading to the US?

Well according to a source at Nintendo according to Operation Rainfall the localization of Xenoblade is complete while The Last Story is being worked on for release. The Xenoblade localization was finished about a month ago.Operation Rainfall has noted that NOA hasn't officially announced these titles yet for North American release yet.No word on the final of the 3 games Pandora's Tower about getting to the North America shores yet.

Also in other Xenoblade news the European release has been bumped up 2 weeks from the previous September 2nd release.So now it plans to be released on August 19th.

Site chat today at 6pm EST

Well once again a Sunday comes and it is nearing time for the Sunday chat. Probably the most newsworthy thing that happened this week was that Pandora's Tower is coming to Europe in 2012. So at this time there has been Xenoblade Chronicles,Pandora's Tower and The Last Story is heading to European territories. So far there hasn't been any announcements for the three titles for North America yet. Other then that topic I think we will play some games in the chat and just kick back and relax.It is the weekend after all.

Odds 'n' Ends

• It's my birthday on Monday. The rumors are true; having fireworks each year on your birthday doesn't suck. Today, I used some birthday checks that arrived early to purchase a shiny, Bronze DSiXL! I've wanted one for a long time but didn't have the disposable income to justify it. I know it's just a big DS (I don't much care for DSiWare or the camera), but the screen is so nice! And it fits it my hands better. And I flippin' love the location/style of the volume and power buttons. Also, the d-pad, shoulder and start/select buttons feel better too.
  
  So, yea, I guess it is a major upgrade for me!
  
  I kept my black DS lite because I don't think the $40(?) trade in is worth the sentimental value. We've been through some good times together! ... so very many Pokémon.
  
  
• I know one of the employees at a nearby GameStop. I brought him 10 copies of this flyer from Operation Rainfall. He said he would cut 'em up and leave 'em out for people. It's one of the busier GameStops in the area so hopefully it helps just a little bit! You should do the same in your area!
  
  
• In the early days of this website, I used to spend a lot more time pointing out the faults of mainstream gaming media. An easy source for media faux-pas has always been Kotaku.com. Eventually, I was able to break the cycle and just stopped visiting that cesspool all together.
  
  However, some respectable sites I frequent still relay Kotaku's "stories" for god knows what reason. So recently, I came across these two gems and wanted to give my quick responses ...
  
  "Gamers, Let's Stop Hating Each Other"
  
  You know, I completely agree with the underlying sentiment of this article. Too bad it comes from a site that has spent years cultivating the very hatred discussed in the article!
  
  Which Wii Game Did GameStop Refuse to Accept for a Trade-In?
  
  This next article comes from part-time (very small part) journalist and full-time moron, Stephen Totilo. The article is only one paragraph so, go ahead and give them a hit and read the thing.
  
  Back? Good.
  
  So, the story was about a GameStop's incomplete computer records, right? Then how come Stephen closes by inviting his readers to "Insert your own jokes about Wii games below...." ?
  
  Looks like his position as full-time moron won't be jeopardized any time soon.
  
  I know I'm preaching to the choir, but we need to get the word out that gamers deserve more mature, unbiased journalism!! If you frequent sites like those, speak up! The silent majority just needs brave souls to lead by example. So, any small thing you can do is a big help!!