Category: Archive

  • The Gamer’s Conscience 12.11.02

    “Quality Control.” A few things may come to mind when you read this particular phrase. Among some of my hip-hop clientèle, it may refer to the Jurassic 5 album of the same name, marking the final exodus of Charlie Tuna from his other act, Ozomatli (over which this author sheds no tears). It also may…

  • 411 Games Rumor Down-Lo 12.10.02

    411 Games Now Hiring Pankonin realizes that most of the staff sucks and is looking to change that. Just the fact that you are reading this column displays a certain sense of taste, so if you have writing skill to go with it, why not apply? No digging up message board rumors and being generally…

  • Review: Rygar

    Rygar System: Sony Playstation 2 Genre: Action Release: November, 2002 Rygar was an enjoyable, if formulaic action platform game for the NES, and actually also appeared in an enjoyable game on the Atari Lynx as well. With the recent wave of remakes of games from 10-15 years ago, Tecmo decided to resurrect the game and…

  • Review: Rachet And Clank

    Ratchet and Clank System: Sony Playstation 2 Genre: Action/Shooter Release: November, 2002 Insomnia made their name by developing the Spyro the Dragon series for PS1, which went on to have two sequels and sell millions of copies worldwide. But like Naughty Dog did with Crash Bandicoot, Insomnia has given away its prized franchise and started…

  • Review: Shinobi

    Shinobi System: Sony Playstation 2 Genre: Action Release: November, 2002 Sega is having some trouble as a third party developer. Some of its big franchises are easing nicely into their new homes on other consoles (Sonic on Gamecube or Crazy Taxi). But many of the niche games are selling poorly, and the Sport line was…

  • Review: Blinx The Time Sweeper

    Blinx The Time Sweeper System: Microsoft Xbox Genre: Action Platform Release: November, 2002 It’s amazing to think that Microsoft has only been in the video game console business for about a year, because its presence in the industry has been so pervasive and the marketing machine is in full effect. But beneath all the hype…

  • Review: Spyro: Enter The Dragonfly

    Spyro Enter The Dragonfly System: Sony Playstation 2 Genre: Action Platform Release: November, 2002 Sony had two major mascots during the lifespan of the first Playstation. While Crash Bandicoot was the more recognizable mascot character, Spyro The Dragon carved out quite a niche for himself as well, with three beautiful, enjoyable adventures that catered to…

  • Review: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (Microsoft Xbox)

    The latest installment in the now decade-old Mortal Kombat series reinvents the series and gives the give of gore to a whole new generation. Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance System: Microsoft Xbox Genre: Fighting Release: November, 2002 Mortal Kombat burst onto the video game scene in 1992 with motion captured graphics and gory fatalities, giving Street…

  • 411 Games Rumor Down-Lo 12.03.02

    I can remember my first encounter with Dragon’s Lair, and yet I can’t remember my first kiss (and that was only a month ago, when I went visiting Jason Masters, and only his mom was home.) “¢ Robert Florence (411 Bleep Street 11.29.02) “¢ (411 DOWN-LO ONLINE 12-03-02: BEGIN TRANSMISSION…) Hi, I’m Bebito Jackson, and…

  • 411 Games Rumor Down-Lo 11.26.02

    (411 DOWN-LO ONLINE 11-26-02: BEGIN TRANSMISSION…) Hi, I’m Bebito Jackson, and my mandible strength was deemed legendary by the classical Greeks! According to last week’s 411 Games Interactive Countdown, WWE Smackdown!: Shut Your Mouth was your number one pick. *pat on the back* Good for you! Though, who would have thought a wrestling game would…

  • 411 Games Rumor Down-Lo 11.19.02

    (411 DOWN-LO ONLINE 11-19-02: BEGIN TRANSMISSION…) Hi, I’m Bebito Jackson, and I’m phoning it in today. My computer is completely screwed up, so doing this wasn’t all that fun. Thus, no sixteen paragraph opening. No snide remarks on anyone who works here at 411 Games (Jason will take care of that tomorrow.) No reader feedback…

  • 411 Games Rumor Down-Lo 11.12.02

    (411 DOWN-LO ONLINE 11-12-02: BEGIN TRANSMISSION…) Hi. I’m Bebito Jackson, the least respected columnist at 411 Games! Well wait, maybe not the least respected. Robert Florence still works here right? I’ve been wondering what the general response has been to my column thus far. So how about if before we get down to business, I…

  • 411 Games Rumor Down-Lo 11.05.02

    (411 DOWN-LO ONLINE 11-5-02: BEGIN TRANSMISSION…) Looks like your favorite videogame site, 411 Games *thumps up, smile with teeth showing*, is going through a bit of restructuring. This affects my column apparently, seeing as how I’ve been moved again (I know it’s a shock). No more Mondays. I’ll be on every Tuesday now in the…

  • Review: Ty The Tasmanian Tiger

    Ty The Tasmanian Tiger System: Nintendo Gamecube Genre: Platformer Publisher: EA Games Release: October 2002 Electronic Arts is the biggest third party game publisher in the world today. A good portion of their empire is built on the back of EA Sports, where Madden and NHL sell millions each year and largely dominate the sports…

  • Review: ToeJam & Earl III: Mission To Earth

    ToeJam and Earl 3: Mission To Earth System: Microsoft Xbox Genre: Platform Release: October 2002 When ToeJam and Earl was first released on Sega Genesis in the early 1990s, it was totally new and unique. It followed two aliens, ToeJam and Earl on their quest to find pieces of their broken spaceship. Encompassing a cool…

  • Review: Gungrave

    Gungrave System: Sony Playstation 2 Genre: Shooters Release: October, 2002 Since transitioning into a third party game publisher, Sega has continued its tradition of mixing mainstream games that are guaranteed to sell huge (Sonic, SegaSports) with a strong library of niche games that appeal to hardcore game players. Games like Jet Set Radio Future for…

  • Review: Contra: Shattered Soldier

    Contra: Shattered Soldier System: Playstation 2 Genre: Shooters Release Date: October 2002 2D gameplay died a fast death at the hands of Sony’s Playstation. Sega’s Saturn was built as a 2D machine with 3D capabilities tacked on late in its development, and the inferior 3D games on the Saturn doomed that machine. Since Sony’s rise…

  • 411 Games Rumor Down-Lo 10.29.02

    (411 DOWN-LO ONLINE 10-29-02: BEGIN TRANSMISSION…) Hopefully I’m done having my column bounced all around. Doing so many of these so close together is killing me. I enjoy it though so I’ll be shutting up now. I need some rest thus today will be the no frills edition of the Down-Lo. What that means I…

  • 411 Games Rumor Down-Lo 10.24.02

    Ok, let me just re-enter my password again. Dumb Down-Lo’s been acting up lately… Username: 411bebito Password: *********** Uh-huh. Awww, there we go. (411 DOWN-LO ONLINE 10-24-02: BEGIN TRANSMISSION…) Bebito here! Did ya miss me? Of course ya did! Ahhh, it feels good to finally get some quality gaming time with my new mistress: Sly…

  • 411 Games Rumor Down-Lo 10.21.02

    (411 DOWN-LO ONLINE 10-21-02: BEGIN TRANSMISSION…) I’m sure all of you already know who I am *crickets chirping in background*, but for the two or three who don’t allow me to introduce myself. This is Bebito and I am a gaming gossip whore. First off I know EVERYTHING. Don’t ask me how I know… I…