Bits and pieces: Random game ideas volume 4

I hope all you Americans out there had a great Independence Day!



As always, my brain is going nuts 24/7, spewing out random crap at such a rate to make one's head spin. Once in a while, though, something good does come of it, such as a couple game ideas. Here they are, with laughably bad Photoshop images accompanying them.

Mario Hockey

First of all, there's the idea of Mario Hockey. Now, I'm pretty sure I wrote about this somewhere before, but it surely wasn't in as much detail as this will be. Anyways, the game would be just what it sounds like: A standard Mario/sports crossover along the lines of Strikers, Baseball and Hoops. Like those other games, the sport would be significantly spiced up with the addition of many Mario items, power-ups and craziness. As you can see from the above picture, I'm thinking of items such as Bob-ombs, banana peels and Koopa Shells would join the fray, along with a few rink hazards. Holes in the ice? Random ramps? Perhaps even randomly-falling Whomps?

Just imagine the chaos. There you are, the famous plumber himself, dashing towards the opposing team's net. A Snifit comes out of nowhere, charging at you with a speed-boosting mushroom. You quickly toss out your only item, a banana peel, causing the speeding foe to spin out and fall into a hole in the ice. You keep going, dodging flying shells, exploding Bob-ombs, and various other obstacles. Finally, you reach the net. Bowser stands as goalie, staring you down as he prepares to roast you with his fire breath. You quickly charge up your special shot (A la Strikers), pull back your stick and slam it right between the big reptile's legs. Score one for Mario's team.

Seriously, wouldn't this be great? And just imagine how certain items could affect the rink, too! Bob-ombs causing those pesky holes in the ice, Bowser's fire breath melting the rink's surface into a temporary puddle (It would re-freeze over a few seconds), and even slamming into the ice so hard to make it crack and form a ramp. The possibilities for a Mario Hockey are mind-blowing, and I really hope some developer is busting their ass on this right now. I need the hectic, Mario-fueled ice hockey now, man!



As you are probably aware, a DS game by the name of Pokémon Dash was released back in 2005. Another bit of common knowledge is that this game sucked dramatically. Really, I rented this, and even the standard $8 fee felt like a rip-off. Dash was very close to ending up in last year's Three worst DS games article. It was that bad. The sad thing is, though, the concept was pretty great. Racing with Pokémon? Hell yeah! Nintendo has the technology. They can rebuild this. And thus I propose Pokémon Chase.

Like Dash, Chase would be a racing game starring, of course, Pokémon. The similarities just about end there, though. Instead of being restricted to playing only as Pikachu, players would be able to select from a wide variety of race-ready Pokémon, such as Rapidash, Tauros, Mightyena, and Houndoom. Also unlike Dash, every usable Pokémon in Chase would have it's own special abilities, speed, jump height, and level of maneuverability. For example, a Tauros would be able to knock opponents aside and run very, very fast, but it would have a terrible turning radius and wouldn't be able to jump very well. Rapidash would be quite the same, but would instead have a Flamethrower-like ability enabling it to scorch and slow down its foes temporarily.

Instead of Dash's scattered checkpoint-style gameplay, Chase would be a more straightforward racer like Mario Kart. As in Kart, each track would have its own theme of sorts, each of which mirroring a location in the Pokémon world. There could be a race atop the mountain surrounding Indigo Plateau, a circuit involving the Cycling Road, and perhaps even one taking place on a series of connected rooftops high above Saffron City. I can see so much potential in a completely re-vamped Pokémon racer, and it would be amazing if someone were to make this game a reality. For now, though, I suppose I'll just need to get my Pokémon fix separate from my racing dosage. But getting both at the same time... Wow.

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The Duck Has Spoken.

Bits and pieces: Random game ideas volume 3

Huh, this is the 250th post... How about that. Also, short article tonight- er, this morning. Sorry 'bout that.

And if you want to check out the previous editions of "Random game ideas", here ya go.

Every now and then I get an idea for a game that just isn't complex enough to warrant an entire post. I keep these ideas in storage, so to speak, until I flesh them out enough. Here's on idea I feel is ready to be posted.

A sandbox-style LEGO game

I love creating things, I love video games, and I love LEGO bricks. What better way to combine them than a 3D LEGO game? The player is given an infinite amount of bricks to work with, and they can just build to their heart's content. That's really all there is to it.

This would work great on the Wii, of course. Here's how I picture the controls working:

Wii Remote

Pointer: Move block around
A button: Place block
Press and hold B button: Pick up already placed brick
Release B button: Place brick
D-Pad (Any direction): Delete held brick

Nunchuk

Analog stick: Move around the "map"
Z trigger + Analog stick up: Push brick further from player
Z trigger + Analog stick down: Pull brick closer to player
C button: Enable "fly mode"

The controls really would be that simple. As for the "fly mode" I mentioned, that would allow the player to move around the map freely in all directions, including moving up into the air and flying through already placed bricks. This would enable the player to look at their creation from every conceivable angle, as well as help them escape if they accidentally build themselves into a corner.

There would also be several preset models for beginners to work with and become accustomed to. They could freely add on to and take away from these models, giving them a great starting point.

Now, I'm aware of programs available online such as Blockland and LEGO Digital Designer. But there are quite a few problems with each of them. First of all, Blockland has only very simple bricks available due to it not actually being licensed LEGO software. It also has somewhat of an adventure feel to it instead of being a pure free-building program. As for LEGO Digital Designer, there are several camera problems, such as it not letting you freeze the camera at particular angles. It also has a very basic player interaction mode, as it is intended to be a program for LEGO users to build a set and send for the pieces within it. They wouldn't want this program to offer too much interactivity, or else players may find the virtual version is good enough, and decide to not purchase the pieces to build it for real.

Which I suppose is a bit of a problem when it comes to the LEGO game idea I've written up. The LEGO company probably wouldn't want to license a virtual LEGO building product, as it may detract from sales of their actual LEGO sets. Sure, to me there's nothing like actually building a model and holding it in my hands, but some people may be happy with a 3D, computer-generated model.

On the other hand, people not happy with a 3D model could decide that LEGO products are right for them and proceed to collect them. I guess it does kind of depends on who you're talking about.

Regardless of the probability, I'd still really like for this software to become a reality. It'd be really cool to build a 3D LEGO model and walk around in it as if you were one of the LEGO people. Opening doors, climbing stairwells, exploring hallways, all built by your own hand... There is a certain aspect to it unavailable in the real world. I suppose I shall only be able to dream for now...



So, what do you think of this? Would you buy a sandbox-style LEGO game? Do you prefer to build with real LEGO bricks? Do you have any suggestions on how to improve on my idea for a LEGO simulator? Do you really not give half a rat's ass about LEGO products whatsoever? Well, have your say in the comment section, or in this forum thread.

The Duck Has Spoken.

Bits and pieces: Random game ideas volume 2

Okay, short article tonight, folks. Wait a sec, it's morning... Nonetheless, here's another Bits and pieces article.



Another Cing mystery game

You may not know Cing by their company name, but they are the developers of Trace Memory/Another Code and Hotel Dusk: Room 215, two very good mystery games on the DS (Although the former is rather short). They have a great talent for using everything a console has to offer. With the DS, they've used the touchscreen, the microphone and even the clamshell design to their advantage. In one scene in Hotel Dusk, they even exploit a flaw with the DS design, and force you to touch two places on the lower screen at once (Took me ages to figure that one out...).

The possibilities with the Wii are even more amazing. The Wii remote and the Nunchuk could be used in tandem for pinching, lifting and grabbing motions, and in many more ways than I can even imagine. Heck, they'll probably figure out a way to integrate unplugging the Nunchuk! I don't at all doubt Cing's abilities, and I'm positive they'll find a way to use the Wii to it's fullest if they decide to develop for it. But, as of now, they are busy working on the life-sim King Story with Town Factory and Marvelous Interactive. I'm confident their ingenuity will add greatly to this title, and I eagerly await it's release.

But beyond King Story, I look forward with just as much anticipation to their inevitable Wii mystery game...

Ace Attorney (Formerly known as "Phoenix Wright")

This is pretty much a no-brainer, especially when considering the all-important investigative stages. Instead of merely tapping an object and selecting ways to analyze it, Ace Attorney Wii could take full use of the Wii remote, allowing the player to poke and prod the potential evidence in whatever way they wish. Such interactions could reveal something tucked inside of an envelope or maybe even find a secret button in a stuffed doll. Of course, there would be a meter of sorts on screen during this time, which would fill a little bit every time you touch the evidence. Depending on what is done to the evidence, the meter may fill up more or less. If the meter is ever completely filled, you will be accused of tampering with evidence, and repercussions could include inability to present said evidence or even being ejected from the crime scene.

The game could also take advantage of the Wii's comparatively gargantuan amount of horsepower, and add in things such as voice acting, special effects and even full 3D crime scenes. The characters, however, should retain their two-dimensional appearance, but perhaps their animations could be neatened up a little, perhaps even to the point of anime quality movement. Yes, Ace Attorney would be a perfect fit for the Wii, and I can only hope that Capcom thinks the same thing. If I don't see a Ace Attorney Wii by the end of the console's lifespan, I will be very, VERY angry. And you will not like me when I am angry...

So then, there's a little article for you guys. This is pretty much the equivalent of "filler" on a webcomic, but, just the same, it's better than nothing. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

The Duck Has Spoken.

Bits and pieces: Random game ideas

I've had a few ideas for games floating around in my head for a while, but none of which are fleshed out enough to warrant an entire post. So, I figure I may as well slap 'em all together! Enjoy!



Paper Mario DS

Paper Mario has been on every Nintendo home console since the N64, but never has he graced a portable system. I think this is the time to change that! I say Nintendo should bring the paper plumber to the small screen! Or rather, "screens".

Now, I'm not talking Super Paper Mario-style gameplay here, though. I'm suggesting the classic RPG Paper Mario make a return! This would be very well suited for the DS, due to the game's minimalist art style.

Also, the wave of RPGs on the DS seems to be slowing down a little as of late. Paper Mario DS would be the perfect thing to fill this void! Stylus controls would speed up battles significantly much like in Pokemon Diamond/Pearl. Tap a command, and it's done. There could also be touch-controlled puzzles, a field in which Nintendo has yet to fail us. And besides, what's an RPG without a puzzle every now and then? In a word: Boring!

Animal Crossing Wii

Yes, I'm aware this has already been all but confirmed. However, I still have a few ideas to toss out there! Control ideas!

Anyone who's played an Animal Crossing game for more than 6 1/2 minutes knows there are many, many different tools and interactions at your disposal when in town. How would these translate to Wii? Here are my thoughts.

I'm sure that most of us have spent hours tinkering with our stuff in the game, seeing what can be interacted with and such. But, to do so, we merely just tap A and watch. But with the Wii remote, this could become a much more interactive experience! Say you have a Jack-in-the-box (Not the burger joint, smartass). In that case, you'd hold your Wii remote horizontally (As if holding the handle) and make circular motions with it to simulate turning the crank until the Jack pops out. Then, to reset it, merely jab down with the Wii remote to push the Jack back in and close the lid.

This seems all pretty pointless, but imagine if you didn't know what motion to make! You could have an item for months before you figure out how to activate it! In fact, you may never know some of your stuff could even be interacted with! This opens up a whole new level of exploration, as well.

And how about when you meet a new villager for the first time? You could literally reach out your hand and shake their paw! Again, minor, but still pretty darn cool!

Then, of course, we have the obvious choices, such as digging, cutting down trees and swinging the bug net... Yeah, that's about all that needs to be said there!

So then, there are two very flimsy game ideas. Hey, I already told you they weren't fleshed out! Sorry, pal, no refunds.

The Duck Has Spoken.