The Rumble Pack Posts

Thursday marked the 9th birthday of what is arguably Nintendo’s least successful console*, the GameCube. Not exactly the most noteworthy milestone, but it’s still amazing to me how quickly that purple lunchbox has been forgotten, even with the four Cube ports built into every Wii. After rediscovering my GameCube library earlier this year, I’ve found a much deeper appreciation for Nintendo’s uniformly excellent software and thoughtful game design. Hell, even without a motion controller, the GameCube period should probably be remembered as the company’s most unconventional and innovative, and last week’s non-event seems as good a time as any to explain why.

*Not counting the Virtual Boy as a console, folks.

Familiar Franchises?

Looking back on the Cube’s launch day, Nintendo’s “big” flagship release, Luigi’s Mansion, was pretty indicative of what owners could expect down the road. Instead of offering running and jumping typical of the Mario franchise, we were offered a cartoony survival horror game with more emphasis on puzzle solving than twitch platforming. Luigi had to clear out his new mansion by sucking up ghosts with a vacuum cleaner, which obviously bears more of a resemblance to “Ghostbusters” than Mario. Suddenly, Bowser was out and Professor E. Gadd was in, much to the chagrin of my fellow Packmates and others.

You don’t need to like the game, but I feel sorry for anyone who isn’t delighted by the Game Boy Horror.

It’s not hard to see why Luigi’s Mansion was maligned by so many, and even this huge fanboy will admit that the game has aged a bit, but it’s still unlike anything that had come before or has come since. The horror sub-genre is crowded with games that take themselves way too seriously — see all of Resident Evil‘s Umbrella storyline — and I still find Luigi’s Mansion to be a lighthearted response to that. For a brief time, Nintendo wasn’t about just giving fans what they wanted; they tried to offer something new, and “new” doesn’t always translate in NPD figures.

We’re coming at ya like greased watermelons! This week, the Rumble Pack is light on game coverage but high on laughs (and death metal). Kaz takes the gang’s first plunge into the surprisingly glitchy Call of Duty: Black Ops, Justin snores through the opening minutes of Vanquish, and Tom brings his Xbox 360 back from the dead, are you a bad enough dude to fix the budget. Plus, She-Hulk struttin’, Kinect Sports, and Hulu Plus bewilderment.

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The Making of Revolution X (Dude Looks Like a Lady)

Justin’s Sonic Boom (Thanks Critical Strike!)

Death Metal Rooster

New York Times “Budget Puzzle”

“She-Hulk”

Now that the Kinect has been released and is presumably sitting in at least a few of your living rooms, I’m glad to hear gamers are starting to take notice of user interfaces and menus for once. Whether we’re talking control-free or not, a well-implemented front end can make all of the difference between a good game and a great one. Rock Band 3 definitely has a great one. We talked a bit about the amazing career goals on the podcast, but I’ve since come to further appreciate the refinements that the third game makes over its immediate predecessor. The leap between RB2 and RB3 should serve as a textbook example of menu design done right, and I only wish that Harmonix had read its own manual while making Dance Central.

Now that rockband.com’s account linking is ready, you can create new playlists wherever you go. You can set up your post-work jams and share with like-minded bandmates.

From the very moment I booted up the game, Rock Band 3 told me that it’s all about the band. While RB2‘s tentacles and familiar tiger had a certain charm, none of those trappings ever screamed rock to me. RB3‘s start-up screen, on the other hand, features my custom band — The Earnest Hemenways* — strutting down the street, itching to play at their next gig. I was able to create decent stand-ins for my girlfriend and I, which instantly creates a sense of ownership missing from RB2. I could do without the repetitive loading screens, but it’s great to see my virtual Angry J flipping through his record collection or visiting the drive-thru. The pre-made, too-hip performers in Dance Central couldn’t hope to match my character’s charm.

This week, the Pack gets “Oprah’ed” on the launch of the Kinect. Justin and Kaz report in on their time with the new peripheral and Dance Central. Tom continues to roll high in the wastes of Fallout: New Vegas, Tony takes a break from learning to save lives to weave some truths about Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Nicolo grills Justin on the ending to Enslaved: Journey to the West and Kaz has a hard time not talking about his new Windows Phone. Rock Band pricing gripes, iPhone gaming, Red un–Dead and more.

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Justin shakes his booty and other parts… (Now with 100% more internet sensation)

The secret origins of “Roundball Rock”

By now, you’ve probably heard enough about this stupid Youtube video I posted earlier in the week. Even so, we’re going to plug it one more time on our own site for posterity’s sake. Enjoy the awkwardness below.

On the eve of the big SCOTUS case, the Pack brings in lawyer/roommate Jeff Kramer from seanparklaw to weigh in on how things might play out over the next few months and why crushing cats is still a cool thing to do. Jeff also introduces “sports” to the gang throughFIFA 11, but where are the Cleveland Crunch? All of the guys are also ready to take the stage in Rock Band 3, thanks to an improved interface and even more plastic instruments. Plus, the Enslaved ending, the freaky-deaky Amnesia, Pure Moods 2 and a new Xbox 360 dashboard.

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Oyez (Check back soon!)

Amnesia

It’s time to set sail aboard gaming’s first inflatable trough. As the Rumble Pack prepares to cruise down the scenic Cuyahoga River, the guys still have time to celebrate this year’s October harvest. Nick takes a cross-country trip in Enslaved, Tom survives the glitches and glamor of Fallout: New Vegas, Kaz makes his last stand in Medal of Honor and Justin gets a sugar rush thanks to Costume Quest and Kirby’s Epic Yarn. Plus, the Wii graphical cop-out, Gilligan’s Island role playing, even more Kinect predictions, Rock Band 3 pre-launch hype, Doc Brown and ZZ Tom.

Relevant Links:

Pre-Order a Game Boat

Phoenix and Daft Punk

HSN Pitches the Kinect

Hope you’re hungry, because this week, The Rumble Pack is bringing the meat. The entire cast has been sliding, skidding and splatting all around in Super Meat Boy, but have the made it out unscathed. Meanwhile, Justin cranks out some lusty spaghetti in Super Scribblenauts, Nick thinks Sonic 4 is the fastest thing alive, Kaz fights a personal war on terror in Medal of Honor and Tony spends time playing with his cadaver and iPhone. Plus, Petter Pepper, the Gran Turismo 5 delay, and Microsoft’s huge Kinect push.

The Rumble Pack’s on fire this week! Justin brings the boomshakalaka this week with EA’s NBA Jam for the Wii. Nobody’s quite sure which versions will end up with which features, but the current dunkathon is pretty solid. Tom searches for a lost puppy in Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, Nick fills out his Castlevania: Lords of Shadows beastiary and Kaz yearns for the mobile achievements of Windows Phone 7. Plus, a Dazzling arcade announcement, Explosionade, favorite television programs, Professor Layton and a tall glass of B & T.