I am starting to see a little more consistency from the rated titles coming out of the ESRB each week. For the second week in a row, we saw 37 titles get rated. Unfortunately, the quality does not appear to be keeping up with the quantity, as the DS and Wii platforms once again had several questionable titles get rated. The Next-gen systems were again lacking in overall numbers, but have the potential for several good titles to emerge. Finally, my weekly title of shame was a no-brainer, as not only is it an unnecessary title, but completely contradicts the spirit of the current marketing blitz for its platform.

Nintendo, what are you doing? Are you not able to work with your devs to come up with any fresh titles (that are good) for your platforms? I mean, you had a combined 16 titles rated for the DS and Wii, yet around half were sequels, rehashes for VC or the continued milking of “franchises”. Did we need more My Little Pony (DS) and Pet Adoption (DS) games? I won’t bash you for Kirby 64 and Space Invaders on the VC (or will it be WiiWare?), but Air Traffic Chaos (DS) and Major League Eating: The Game (Wii) don’t appear to be concepts that you hope to build a powerhouse franchise around.

It was a bit of a mixed bag for the Xbox 360 and PS3 this week, starting with both having NASCAR 09 (retail) and Bionic Commando Rearmed (XBLA/PSN) get rated. In addition, the PS3 had Suikoden and the Xbox 360 saw the retail titles Spectral Force 3 and Deadliest Catch Alaskan Storm as well as Asterix at the Olympic Games. Not sure if Asterix is slated for XBLA or retail, but it appears to be retail. This week’s group of games seems to have boom or bust written all over it. If EA spiffs up NASCAR with better technology, it could be a solid play. If the Deadliest Catch game can capture the magic of the television series, than it could be a sleeper hit. If Suikoden and Bionic Commandos stay true to form, then they will be solid if not great. And Spectral Force 3 looks like it may be able to fill gamers RPG cravings if it lives up to its potential. I will be looking forward to several of these when they become available.

An easy choice for the Title of shame this week, as Publisher Mastiff has unleashed Major League Eating: The Game for the Nintendo Wii. I mean really, will we be using the Wii remote to simulate dunking hot dog buns in water so they go down easier? I spent some time looking at screens and the specs on this game and came to the conclusion that it will probably be a stinker. I mean really, a competitive eating game? Isn’t Nintendo pushing hard to shed the image of fat lazy gamers by marketing games like Wii fit that are designed to make us healthier? Oh well, I guess money trumps image every time…







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Asterix at the Olympic Games
Atari, Inc.
Ever...