Having reviewed the game for NWR, I agree that DIY is an amazing title. I admit, however, that it took me a while to "get" the game. The game is so vast in its options its very easy to get lost and not get the instructions. It wasn't until I got Showcase that I got the urge to make micro-games and finally understood DIY's system. I've only made a handful of them, but that's because I try to outdo myself with every game, adding more features, graphics and options. I've recreated movie scenes with the game, and its very satisfying to play it on the DS or on the WiiWare version.

It should be noted that the original versus games NEVER hit Nintendo's consoles. Many of Capcom's fighting games went to the PSone instead of the N64, which was superior and could have handled the games better than the PSone. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was a Dreamcast exclusive, then it was ported to the Xbox and PS2, once again omitting the Nintendo console (the Gamecube). So this isn't anything new.

I doubt that there will be a Wii version. The fact that Capcom will be using the Mt Framework engine, which is an HD heavy engine, seals its fate. If they want a Wii version they would have to rework it to fit the console. I think there's a bigger chance of us seeing Tatsunoko vs. Capcom 2 than Marvel vs. Capcom 3 on Wii.

YES! I don't care if people thought the Versus games were broken, the fact that MvC 3 will be a reality next year is a mega, mega win. I want to see what they do with it since they have the great MT Framework and will have the producers of the recent fighting games.

Again, win.

I already read that Jason, and understand what you are saying. Still, I think 5th Cell realize that the first game had problems, but the hype train was already on its way and the sequel could fix a great deal of its problems.

Plus, let's be honest here. Had they focused on basic words, gamers would have complained that the game is shallow because they couldn't summon X word or something like that.

And here I was thinking Ubisoft had released a XXX Rabbids game

I think a funnier joke would have been "Fanboy vision" reviews. These are reviews that have two versions: the first version is the honest, editor review where nothing is held back and the opinion is raw. The second version is the "Fanboy Vision" version where the reader sees what he or she WANTS to read. So, if they want to see a stellar Red Steel 2 review, they just turn the filter on and presto! The review is glowing and magnificent!

The sequel was just announced, and one of its biggest issues, the controls, will be fixed. As for the gameplay, I can't say. But considering that 5th Cell is fixing the controls its likely that the game will be fine tuned as well.

Lukasz: That game had too much freedom. Zelda Wii will be COMPLETELY on rails. The help feature will be on all the time so the game plays itself from the minute you load the game.

But seriously now... Scribblenauts is a fantastic experience. The controls actually add to the challenge! And the fact that I can summon keyboard cat, despite his lack of value, makes it a masterpiece in my book ;) .

BEST...APRIL FOOLS JOKE...EVAH

Nintendo isn't even trying anymore. Just you watch, Other M will be one of the biggest disappointments of the year, and Zelda Wii will be on tracks... ;)

Let's be honest here... Despite what Nick thinks of the game it is still receiving very warm and positive reviews from across the board, earning a 8.8 average at Metacritic, which is an improvement over what the original Red Steel got. So even if Nick confesses that his hatred of the game is so big that he uses it as toilet paper every chance he gets it still won't change the universal perception that Red Steel 2 is one of the best games on Wii. So there's nothing to worry about regardless of what Nick says.

That's true, Jason, and that's what I meant when I posted my comment. I've noticed the pattern in previous years so that's why I assume that this year for the holiday season we might get the "blue ocean" title (Wii Relax with the Vitality Sensor) and the "core" title (which might be Zelda if Nintendo truly commits to its 2010 release).

But Nintendo can be hard to predict sometimes. I am just curious as to what they will announced at E3 since it seems that they are releasing their biggest titles at the start of the year.

See, Mario Kart is based on just the Mario franchise, so it having 24 stages based on Mario levels is understandable, and yet, Sonic and Sega having nine Sonic stages makes sense since Sonic takes top billing here. I'm just surprised that out of all the franchises represented in the game, only Billy Hatcher, Jet Set Radio, Super Monkey Ball, Samba de Amigo and House of the Dead are represented via tracks.

Note that I am fresh from re-playing Sega Superstar Tennis which had one court for each character (Sonic had two, while Gilius and Alex Kidd didn't have characters) and even had courts not represented by a character (like the OutRun stage).

But this is a nitpick, really. Again, just a tad surprised.

The one thing I am loving the most about this game are the cast of characters. You have everything from modern characters to the very obscure, almost forgotten ones. It's too bad that the tracks aren't as varied. Really, why do we need three tracks based on Billy Hatcher? There isn't even a Space Channel 5 track (unless I am mistaken)!

But yes, the game is one of the better Mario Kart clones on the market, one that also happens to be a love letter to Sega fans.

Nick, I suspect Nintendo want these titles out because they are planning on creating a BIG launch for Zelda Wii (if the Fall 2010 release date sticks) and Wii Relax featuring the Vitality Sensor. Then there's stuff like The Last Story and Xenoblade which are pretty big second party stuff that they could release in the mid to late fall season (if NoA decides to release them in the US...)

There's a mistake in the article. You said that the House of the Dead series isn't represented by a character. There is, in fact, a House of the Dead racer, two zombie characters (a giant zombie and his zombie girlfriend). The reason they aren't familiar is because they come from a Japan only House of the Dead game.

Just wanted to point that out.

Regarding the story, Nick, think about this for a second. You are given the green light to create the sequel to No More Heroes. In terms of story you are given two options, write more of the same or try to develop it.

Had Grasshopper and Suda just created more of the same fans would have likely appreciated but critics AND fans would have said that they lacked the creativity to go beyond what was established in the first game.

Desperate Struggle, in my honest opinion, succeeds in making Travis more than just a stereotype character making fun of cliches. Yes, the first game did have moments where Travis is very human (playing with Jeanne, never killed Shinobu), but in Desperate Struggle he grows up and begins to realize that there's more to life than just killing people. The relationship between him and Sylvia may be confusing, but easy to figure out once you analyze it a bit further.

Sylvia is a very conflicting person. Often a bitch, very rarely a caring human being. But Travis's existence in her life creates a conflict of interest, not knowing if she should follow the orders of the UAA, satisfying her own selfish needs to give in into the hands of the man she secretly loves.

Hmmm... I may be onto something here.

My biggest disappointment is that the weapon selection isn't as big or as varied as in the first game. But yeah, this is a great game.

Having reviewed the game for NWR I agree AND disagree with some of your points. I agree that the game's storyline is a tad more serious than the first one, but I feel it's still ridiculous enough that it never gets pretentious. In my review, I compared it to a Quentin Tarantino revenge film in which the character goes on a very personal and deep journey of revenge, but does it in such a ridiculous manner than any hints of serious storytelling gets blocked by insanity and eye candy. Think of it as being the male, videogame version of Kill Bill.

The game does feel a tad easier, but it should be noted that it has multiple difficulty settings, and if the last boss battle is any indication playing the game at a higher difficulty setting should be an enjoyable challenge. Also the extra polish given to the gameplay also makes it that much easier to learn and get into.

I disagree in that the assassins are not as engaging. They are far more ridiculous this time around (I mean...Kevin McDonald has mecha cheerleaders!). I think what you mean is that the game doesn't give them enough presence to make them memorable. In the first game, whenever you entered a ranking match you read the assassin's name along with a creepy shadow of them, perfectly setting the mood and making the battle feel like an event.

I think that with Desperate Struggle Suda51 really wanted to address some of the complains about the first one. You should note that A LOT of people had issues traveling around Santa Destroy, navigating Travis's bike, working to enter the matches and many other things. So the sequel feels more straight forward, apologetic in many ways.

Suda51 and Grasshopper are eccentric game makers, often making games that don't make sense or aren't accessible from the get go. Killer 7 is proof of that. Desperate Struggle may be the first game that actually tries to be easier, more inviting and more forgiving, whereas the first one YOU had to learn its rules and learn to enjoy it. In many ways, we have gotten used to the crazy game design that seeing a more straight forward product out of them feels even weirder.

But I am rambling now. I think it's one of the best games of the year yet.

While I love the whole classic Sonic series I never liked Sonic and Knuckles that much. That said, I thought the lock-on technology was fantastic, and the first time I saw Knuckles in Sonic 2 I nearly passed out in fanboy glee :D

To this day I haven't bothered with it. I heard so many things about control issues that being able to summon keyboard cat wasn't enough to warrant a purchase, much less a try.

If there's one GameCube game that truly deserves a New Play Control re-release is Eternal Darkness. Such an underrated classic. It might appear to be very pretentious, but all of the stories are so well written and so well connected in one huge narrative I can't help but stare in awe at the effort they put into this game.

Luke: I know that the companies promote these games, but their methods of promotion are aimed solely at the fans, the people likely to have their consoles connected and know how to work it.

What I mean is to try and reach an audience that likely doesn't know about these games. They buy the consoles for a specific game and most likely don't know anything about additional games for download.

Take a look at Apple, for example. They constantly promote apps for the iPhone and iPods, selling the idea of downloadable content to an audience beyond the hardcore fans. Because of this the idea of downloading content isn't an alien one. People know how to download an MP3 and how to download or stream a movie via Netflix. If they can do that I am sure they can download a WiiWare, PSN or Xbox Live title. All they need is the push in the right direction, and that push can be provided by the companies.