Previews: May 2007 Archives

Santa Cruz Games in collaboration with Pipeworks Software are set to bring back Godzilla back onto gaming TV screens worldwide, and with a roar.

Since the Godzilla films had been officially put to sleep in 2004 to try and renew interest in the franchise, it did not mean the same could be said about the gaming adventures of Tokyo’s favourite green giant.

A total of 23 familiar faces (+ two new characters) will be on the menu to wreak havoc across the globe where familiar territory will provide the games backdrop and selectable areas. One of the areas is rumoured to be Sidney - an area best remembered in Godzilla: Final Wars where both the original Godzilla and his unpopular American namesake duked it out. The 23 monsters (+ new characters) will be categorised into 4 different factions: "Earth Defenders", "Aliens", "Global Defense Forces" and “Unknown”. Even though the monsters will be affiliated with their faction they will still have their own individual agenda in the storyline of the game.

Godzilla: Unleashed is being made specifically to be played by the Wii control system, giving this Monster Mash a more exclusive establishment on Nintendo’s wonder console. Godzilla: Unleashed is set for an Autumn release, and we'll cover it once it's ready. After the last film franchise, for us it's a case of 'the only way is up!'

It's not too much to say that today marks a genuine landmark in the life of the modern gamer, for today is the day that new gamers everywhere get to 'go online' and play a game against real people through the internet for the very first time.

For some, this really will be a whole new thing. Not every Wii gamer is all pinged up on their ninja home PC network of fragging glory. Whilst a proportion of gaming is all excited this week over the pending release of Starcraft II, the fact remains that much of Nintendo's current audience probably have never heard the word Starcraft, much less own at it.

Mario Strikers Charged presents an easy concept for gamers to pick up and play that is directly competative (there are few people who don't understand the most basic concept of football/soccer) and yet fun for all ages. In the simplicity of it lies the secret of modern gaming; why it can appeal to Granny as easily as myself or my Dad ... or kid brothers who were practically raised with a SNES joypad in their hands.

Today, I'd encourage you to pick up Strikers Charged if you already have a Wii. If nothing else, join the foray into this new modern era of gaming spearheaded by the mighty DS. If it's not your cuppa tea, there's always eBay! We'll have the full review as soon as we're done invading Nintendo House ...

EA looks set to make their mark in vocal and rhythm gaming in the form of the much hyped title Boogie. Even though as we discovered in an earlier article, the characters will be the ones singing and dancing - not you the player. At least at this stage ...

Boogie will be an exclusive title for the wii and will use the wii-mote for the moving aspect of the game, whilst the addition of a USB microphone will provide the vocal capability for some compelling karaoke fun. Should Singstar be shaking just yet? It's early days.

Boogie also features:

- Story mode (adventures with the Boog family)
- Multiplayer mode (both competitive and co-operative play)
- Character customisation
- 10+ selectable backgrounds and 40+ songs to boogie on down to.

We'll be interested to see what comes of the USB mic and if this game can bring singing to the Wii in a convincing form. More on this exclusive Wii title as we get it!