Newsgroup: it.comp.console.playstation
Titolo: The best of E³ 2002  [insaider] LOL

GameCube Best of E3 2002
Samus, Link, Mario and Fox make an unbeatable team.
May 29, 2002 - The Electronics Entertainment Expo 2002 has come and gone,
and with it our first detailed glimpses at some of the software that will be
wowing gamers this holiday season and beyond. Nintendo was predictably a
force to be reckoned with, coming to the show with the motto 'Game Giants'
and pointing to such popular franchise sequels as Super Mario Sunshine,
Metroid Prime, Legend of Zelda and Star Fox Adventures.
The cast of AAA stars was complemented beautifully by a host of excellent
third-party software from such contributors as Electronic Arts, with James
Bond 007 NightFire, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Eidos with
TimeSplitters 2. Namco previewed the next in its Pac-Man series and Capcom
was on board with the hugely anticipated Resident Evil 0, one of the
prettiest titles on the floor.
If there were any disappointments on the Nintendo side, it's that there were
no real surprises. Sure enough, the company unveiled 1080 White Storm in
video form, and finally named its developer officially as Seattle-based NST.
Also, Wario World made its debut to pleased players. But informed readers
already knew about these offerings, and there was no big secret waiting in
the wings.
All in all though, E3 2002 was one of Nintendo's best and most powerful
showings yet. As proof, the majority of critics would agree that the event
belonged to GameCube. And so, without further hesitation, read what most
impressed the die-hard Nintendo-centric.
Please note that the following nominees and winners were chosen after
specifically playing the GameCube versions of each product on the E3 2002
show floor. By our guidelines, if a particular title was not playable for
Nintendo's next-generation console, it was automatically disqualified as a
potential award winner.
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Best GameCube Game
Metroid Prime
Developer: Retro Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: November 18, 2002
Click here for all of our stories on Metroid Prime
Far and away the most impressive new GameCube title at E3 2002 was Metroid
Prime. The first-person adventure from developer Retro Studios successfully
capitalized on the classic franchise's formula to bring gamers a combination
of old-school exploration mechanics with a first-person view. Perhaps more
eye-popping still, a manually controlled option enabled players to morph
into Samus's metal ball whereupon the camera would pan back to
third-person -- a seamless transition only outclassed by the switch back
into first-person mode.
Retro Studios defied all of the odds to deliver gamers a truly 3D take on
the Metroid series. Snippets of unplayable footage showcased Samus rolling
into a ball and riding up canyon half-pipes to gain access to high up areas,
as well as rolling along magnetic tracks, exploring gargantuan and wide-open
icy peaks, and looking up into a dark, rainy environment.
Tight control. Gorgeous graphics. First and third-person views. Lots of
exploration and upgrade possibilities, mixed with shooter and action
elements. An ambient art style, moody music and everything running at an
unchallenged 60 frames per second. Game of Show today. Million-seller this
holiday.
Runners up:
The Legend of Zelda
Mario Sunshine
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Best GameCube Adventure Game
Metroid Prime
Developer: Retro Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Release date: November 18
Click here for all of our stories on Metroid Prime
As usual, the most difficult aspect of these awards isn't deciding which
games are the best in their respective categories, it's figuring out which
categories they belong in. While many would lump Metroid Prime under the
first-person shooter genre, we feel that its overall design and play
mechanics warrant its place instead in the adventure category. With that,
it's clearly the best pick of E3 2002.
Metroid Prime beats out other high-profile adventure genre entries such as
Legend of Zelda, Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, and Resident Evil 0,
with its seamless blend of first- and third-person adventure play styles.
From rolling into a ball to solve puzzles or gain access to new areas to the
platform jumping, first-person shooting and boss fights, and more, Prime
feels like a fully reborn Metroid game for the next-generation. A major
accomplishment.
Runners up
The Legend of Zelda
Resident Evil 0
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Best GameCube Platform Game
Super Mario Sunshine
Developer: EAD, Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: August 26, 2002
Click here for all of our stories on Super Mario Sunshine
There were a lot of superb GameCube platformer titles at E3 2002, including
everything from Rayman 3 to Wario World and Vexx, but none so fun as the
return of Nintendo's plumber in Super Mario Sunshine. The title, which
featured a visual presentation that proved too bright and undefined for some
gamers, made up for any graphic shortcomings with classically tight control,
polished play mechanics and huge worlds to explore. As Mario, players could
walk, run, jump and flip -- the usual, but using the mascot hero's new
gadget, it was also possible to fly in short bursts with a water-controlled
jet-pack, spray foes with liquid, hang from wires, tip-toe on tight-ropes,
and much, much more.
As games become more and more technically advanced, we sometimes forget that
we play them first and foremost because they are fun. Super Mario Sunshine
is the perfect example. It's old-school platforming at its very best, with
enough new twists and turns mixed in to keep everything fresh. Outstanding.
Runners up:
Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc
Wario World
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Best GameCube Shooter Game
TimeSplitters 2
Developer: Free Radical Design
Publisher: Eidos
Release Date: September 2002
Click here for all of our stories on TimeSplitters 2
Surprised? Don't be. The GameCube version of TimeSplitters 2 happens to be
one of the most polished first-person shooters we've played in quite some
time. The title, developed by Free Radical (a team that includes
ex-GoldenEye 007 members), has not coincidentally attempted to mimic much of
the play styles and environments from Rare's classic spy-shooter. As a
result, the E3 2002 demo levels took place inside a military base and near a
silo, and featured similar weapons and more to GoldenEye. But beyond the
similarities, TimeSplitters 2 had improvements, including a silky smooth 60
frames per second fluidity -- even in multiplayer mode.
With unparalleled tight control, a huge selection of weapons and options,
fast-moving, big locales and a great multiplayer mode to boot, TimeSplitters
2 was our clear choice as the best first-person shooter of E3 2002. And
indeed, there was some very stiff competition.
Runners up:
James Bond 007: NightFire
Die Hard: Vendetta
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Best GameCube Extreme Sports Game
Aggressive Inline
Developer: Z-Axis
Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment
Release Date: August 29, 2002
Click here for all of our stories on Aggressive Inline
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 seems the obvious choice to win this genre, but the
simple truth is that at E3 2002, we had much more fun playing the demo of
Aggressive Inline. The 9.4 rated PS2 product is already shaping up to be an
improved GameCube title, with a revamped framerate and enhanced graphics.
Aggressive Inline delivers a mix of inline skating with fantastical locales
and situations. Gamers can play as a voluptuous Britney Spears look-alike
complete with breasts that animate via a real set of physics. But there's
much more to the game than breasts. The play mechanics in place are polished
and brilliantly entertaining, with a clear emphasis on long grinds. Blended
with giant-sized environments that morph and change in-game, players won't
soon get bored, and in fact are likely to spend hours just experimenting and
tricking.
Z-Axis has definitely come into its own with Aggressive Inline. It's now
playing at full level with the big boys of the extreme sports genre -- and
players everywhere should be thrilled.
Runners up:
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Dave Mirra XXX
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Best GameCube Sports Game
Madden NFL 2003
Developer: Tiburon
Publisher: EA Sports
Release Date: Fall 2002
Click here for all of our stories on Madden NFL 2003
EA Sports' Madden NFL 2003 continues in the tradition of the football
videogame series, bringing players a hardcore simulation on the popular
sport. Up and running beautifully on GameCube hardware at E3 2002, this
year's game was silky smooth, and sporting more visual improvements than
ever, including a new and enhanced animated crowd, background environments
such as a setting sun, and more. The play, meanwhile, is as tightly sewn as
ever, serving up tons of playbooks and options, and precise, realistic
controls with a clear sense of weight and physics.
Perhaps the greatest new addition, and certainly the one that stands out
most in our minds, though, is the inclusion of not only a play creator, but
an entire create-a-playbook option. With this, players can literally draw
and map their favorite plays and then use them against an opposing team --
it's an awesome feature and one that's bound to extend replay value.
An already great franchise gets even better.
Runners up:
NFL2K3
Disney Sports Soccer
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Best GameCube Role-Playing Game
Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Release date: Fall 2002
Click here for all of our stories on PSO Ep. 1 & 2
The RPG lineup for GameCube wasn't exactly epic at E3 2002, but there were a
few gems in the rough that were exciting to be sure. Of course, topping the
list was Sega's Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2, a game that was running
online at Nintendo's booth using the GameCube modem. It was the first time
the US public could witness the modem in action, and what a perfect game to
demonstrate its abilities.
Players could participate in a four-way online fest, going from city to
forest in PSO as a team, and fighting enemies, gaining experience and money,
and more. Using the PSO keyboard, it was even possible to type message to
participants and have them type back -- very interesting indeed.
With a few extra levels to boot and a more polished visual look, Sonic
Team's GCN version of PSO looks to be the best yet. Very exciting for RPG
fans.
Runners up:
Lost Kingdoms
Gladius
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So there you have it -- each game winner in all of the major genre classes
of GameCube titles. Beyond specific genre standouts, though, there were
others -- games that pushed the visual and audio boundaries, and also pieces
of hardware that are sure to make the play experiences better in the not too
distant future. Our picks below:
Best GameCube Graphics
Star Fox Adventures
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: September 30, 2002
Click here to read all of our stories on Star Fox Adventures
Rare's third-person action-adventure has made several appearances at past
E3s, both for GameCube and N64, and every time it resurfaces, it somehow
looks prettier. The latest incarnation of the game boasted vast, detailed 3D
worlds complete with beautiful, crisp texturing, wonderful particle effects,
slick character models and animation, and much more. When main character Fox
swims through water, clear refractions and reflections are noticeable, and
when the hero interacts with the local shopkeeper gamers will be wowed by
the facial animations present. It's an all-around technical standout.
Runners up:
The Legend of Zelda
Metroid Prime
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Best GameCube Sound
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
Developer: Silicon Knights
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: June 24, 2002
Click here to read all of our stories on Eternal Darkness
Silicon Knights' Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem was disappointingly
shown only in demo form at E3 2002, which prevented some players from going
hands-on with many of the title's compelling intricacies. But going into a
private booth Nintendo set aside for demonstration purposes, attendees could
at least go fully ears on with the title -- a good thing as ED boasts one of
the better audio experiences to be had on any console.
Complete with Dolby Pro Logic II tweaked sound effects, beautifully
orchestrated music, top voice acting and ambient production values, Eternal
Darkness proved to be an absolute joy to listen to.
In less than a month, gamers will know what we're talking about.
Runners up:
Metroid Prime
Star Fox Adventures
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Best GameCube Hardware
WaveBird
Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: June 10
Price: $34.95
Nintendo's wireless controller is easily one of the best peripheral releases
in years. The device, which enables players to have at it from more than 10
feet away, and indeed much greater distances by our own experiments, works
flawlessly, even with four players. We tested the controllers at great
length, quite literally, and came away totally pleased.
A big cheers to Nintendo for finally helping in the ongoing fight to
eliminate wires from the living room. Given that two AA batteries will
provide more than 100 hours of play time, we couldn't be happier about going
unplugged in June.
Be sure to head over to our lovable sister-site IGNpocket for more show
winners, including a ones for best connectivity and design. Click here for
the scoop.
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There they are -- the GameCube winners all around. Readers will want to tune
in tomorrow for IGN's picks as a whole, including the big prize, ultimate
Game of E3 2002. We'll see you then.
Nintendo Rulez aggiungerei io... ed in più...
...fusion
--
Ciao by Giorno
"The day you were born, you were born free.
That is your privilege."

>Cut
Bravo volevo farlo io ma non avevo voglia.......

 ...fusion
non l'hanno nemmeno nominato, sti infami...
fusion

> non l'hanno nemmeno nominato, sti infami...
notoriamente gioco per gamecube, guarda 
pocket.ign.com
 testa di ragno e'
dappertutto

 e' dappertutto
all is full of Fusion
fusion