Google Receives the Morph Ball Upgrade

I think Google may have ripped off one of Nintendo's greatest gaming characters special abilities and put it in logo form. Behold the incredible similarities.

      

And for those of you that don't recognize the ball on the left, it is from the Metroid series of games starting on the NES and most recently on the Wii. She upgrades her Morph Ball throughout the games to different abilities and colors.

It does make me wonder though, if Google is as powerful a company as it is and it's just now getting the Morph Ball upgrade, what happens when it gets the Power Suit or Varia Suit upgrades? Only time will tell.

Metroid Prime Trilogy Comparison: Final Day

Bosses
In Metroid games, there is one thing that really sticks with you. No matter how great a puzzle is, it is rarely remembered over a great boss fight. Boss fights, in Metroid games, are essentially a puzzle on their own, a puzzle that can kill you. Every time you encounter a boss you need to determine its weaknesses and decide how to defeat them. There are great boss fights in each of the Metroid trilogy games but none compares to the greatness that is Quadraxis. This is a boss that actually made use of the Echo Visor in a meaningful way. The visor is used in other instances in the game, but this is one of the rare times that it actually made sense.

First of all you need to take out the four-legged spider creature by the knees. Once you get it down to the ground you tear away at its armor until the body of the system separates from the legs. The body then flies around receiving sound frequency data from the legs. Until you destroy the sound frequency signal, using the visor, the body is invulnerable. The body is too high in the air for you to reach from the ground so you must use the Morph Ball to crawl up the legs, still resting on the ground at a 45° angle, and boost ball off to attach to the floating body. From here you drop bombs in certain locations on the body. This is a boss fight that could not be done in any other game.

Final Standings:
1) Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Quadraxis, Morph Ball-only boss)
2) Metroid Prime (Metroid Prime, Meta Ridley)
2) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (1st Meta Ridley, Gandrayda)

Overall
For all of you out there that may be sick of these Metroid comparisons, this is where it all ends. We've compared bosses, graphics, weapons, suits, and many other Metroid-esque features. MP is the most influential of the Metroid games, MP2 has the best boss fights and suits, and MP3 has the best graphics and controls. So how do you decide which of the three trilogy games is the best all around game. Well, what it really comes down to, is the best balance and overall impact. MP may not have had the best scan system of the three, the best weapons, or the best graphics but the trilogy would not exist without it. This is as good a transition from 2-D to 3-D as it comes and we owe it all to the greatness that Metroid Prime.

One last thing that needs to be mentioned is the character model used for Samus. In this regard, MP is far, far superior to that of MP2 and MP3. If you need to see for yourself, please see the images below. MP Samus is the image on the top and the cartoony looking Samus from MP2 and MP3 is on the bottom. Enjoy.

Final Standings:
1) Metroid Prime (Balance and Innovation)
2) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Compilation of everything)
3) Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Wonderful Bosses)

Metroid Prime Trilogy Comparison: Day 4

Suits
In all Metroid games, including the trilogy, Samus can don mulitple different suits giving her varying attributes and abilities. But one of the coolest parts about any Metroid game is the way the heroine looks while weraing the different suits. MP starting the beauty off with a very attractive looking Varia Suit. Complete with extra large shoulder pads and a shiny looking tan and yellow color scheme Samus was ready to go. She then lost her cool looking suit and got a gross looking thing. She later got a slick looking black and silver looking suit with some Phazon corners. MP3 also had some cool looking suits, well, at least sort of cool looking. None of the suits in MP3 were really all that crazy looking to be honest, mostly just the same ol' same ol' with a slowly darkening color scheme.

MP2 is where the real beauty comes shining through. Not only do the suits in MP2 look far more unique and original than the other two games, but without them it would be impossible to survive in about half of the MP2 universe. The suits in MP and MP3 are vital, yes, but not near as vital as the suits in MP2. Above you will see two images of the Light Suit, the most glorious looking suit in the Metroid series.

Final Standings:
1) Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Light Suit)
2) Metroid Prime (Phazon Suit - Unlockable Metroid Fusion suits)
2) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Graphics
There's more to graphical comparisons than just pushing the limits of polygons and textures; the art design is also an important concept. When comparing the art direction of the three different games, there are a few things to mentions: impact and immersiveness. The art direction in MP was the game with the most impact on the series, you can tell that by the way MP2 and MP3 look. MP2 is a slight step up, but MP3 is the game that really polishes the art design with multiple planets and brings you into each world.

When it comes to pushing the graphical limits, I'm talking polygons here, MP and MP2 are no competition for MP3. In fact, the number of polygons are decently close to that of the other two games but the textures are double the resolution. So all around the game is sharper and more detailed. Not to mention the game runs in progressive scan, as does MP2, and widescreen.

Final Standings:
1) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
2) TIE - Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime Trilogy Comparison: Day 3

Weapons
Weapons are a major factor in the Metroid universe because there are typically only a few different options. Each weapon has it's own unique abilities and features. Unlike so many other first person view games, the weapons in Metroid games actually play a part in puzzle solving as well as combat. In MP and MP2 the weapons system is different from MP3. In the first two games you must use the C-Stick to switch weapons, much like the D-Pad is used for visor switching. In MP3 each weapon upgrade is "stacked" onto the preview weapons so there is no need for switching. This is a nice feature when it comes to battling multiple types of enemies at a time. To add on top of this is the feature that MP3 offers to use the grapple beam to assist in combat, thus, doubling it as a weapon.

Another major advantage to "stacking" weapons is how it effects doors. Doors are opened in Metroid games by shooting them and this is handled in a few different ways in each of the three games. First thing to mention is the fact that MP and MP2 force you to open doors with different types of weapons. This is obnoxious when trying to quickly run through the world because you are constantly switching weapons just to open doors. MP3 limits this issue. In the end though, the weapons really come down to how they are used in each game. The weapons in MP and MP3 are extrememly similar (both have ice, fire, and explosive weapons) and MP2 has very different weapons (light, dark, and combo) but is limited by ammunition. The difference really comes with the utilization of the weapons in each game. And requiring weapon changes to open doors and restricting weapon usage with ammunition are the two major factors.

Final Standings:
1) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Freeze Missiles and Fire Beam, stacked weapons, Hypermode)
2) Metroid Prime (Fire, Ice, Plasma)
2) Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Light, Dark - limited ammo)

Upgrades
The upgrades, in all honesty, are really what moves a Metroid game along. Without discovering a new upgrade it would be impossible to progress in the game. Or rather, if you had all the upgrades from the beginning the game would be over extrememly quickly. MP was somewhat limited in upgrades compared to the other two simply because they only had so much they could add in the first 3-D iteration of the franchise. To be honest, there isn't a single upgrade in MP that isn't available in one of the other two. So in terms of sheer numbers, MP is lacking.

MP2 added a few neat additions to the missiles by allowing you to lock onto multiple enemies at a time and adding the Screw Attack, but MP3 upped the ante again by making missiles freeze enemies and objects. Really, MP3 is a compilation of the upgrades from MP and MP2 with a few additional ones. Aside from the Gravity Suit (there was no water in MP3) and Power Bombs, there is nothing that MP3 doesn't offer that the other ones do. MP3 does, howevever, offer up a few new upgrades. There is the use of Samus' ship in combat and puzzles and the use of the Grapple Beam in combat and puzzles. And let's not forget Hypermode, the mode that allows Samus to use Phazon as a weapon.

Final Standings:
1) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
2) Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
3) Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime Trilogy Comparison: Day 2

Puzzles and Level Design
One major factor of the Metroid series is the puzzles. There are a few different types of puzzles typically in the form of first-person view, morph ball, and bosses. I will be touching on bosses later this week so today I will only be discussing the other two types. All three Metroid games in the trilogy sport the Spider Ball, an upgrade that allows you to stick to walls on a pre-determined track, but only MP2 and MP3 added the Boost Ball feature to allow large jumps between tracks. So in regards to morph ball puzzles that feature alone added more creative morph ball puzzles to the later two games.

In regards to first-person view, it really comes down to the different visor and weapon options and the overall level design of each game. Depending on the visor and weapon combinations you have there will be different puzzles. The X-Ray Visor coupled with the Nova Beam in MP3 allowed some neat situations because it allowed you to see and shoot through objects. The Light/Dark World level design in MP2 turned out not to be the best fit for the Metroid series. In a game that often requires you to revisit areas multiple times it is often very difficult keeping track of multiple rooms twice (one for each world).

Finals Standings:
1) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Boost and Spider Ball, no Light/Dark)
2) Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Boost and Spider Ball)
3) Metroid Prime

Originality
This should be a pretty obvious one considering the core gameplay and visual mechanics remained the same in all three Metroid games. When MP first came out there was some fear from the Metroid fanbase that the transition from 2D to 3D wouldn't be so smooth. Since the release of MP there have been three Metroid Prime games released (counting Metroid Prime Hunters for the DS) so the fans were definitely pleased. Everything from the edges of the visor being visible to the drops of rain that hit Samus' visor, the fans were impressed. The transition from Super Metroid to Metroid Prime has been compared to the Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past to Ocarina of Time transition. It is that good.

MP2 was also a splendid game but, in the originality department, failed to make any real impact. In fact, the whole Light/Dark World could be regarded as a step back in originality if you look at Link to the Past released for the Super Nintendo. There were new features, weapons, and visors but there wasn't anything quite as ground breaking as the brand new control scheme or the new motion controls found in MP3.

Final Standings:
1) Metroid Prime
2) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
3) Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Metroid Prime Trilogy Comparison: Day 1

First of all let me apologize to anyone out there that may not enjoy or care about the Metroid series because the rest of this week will be a comparison of the past games in the Metroid Prime trilogy. Throughout the week I am going to be comparing my personal beliefs as to which of the three Metroid Prime games is the best in certain categories. I will touch on things such as graphics, enemies, weapons, and puzzles. Today I will be discussing controls.

Controls
The one thing that really sets Metroid apart from other first-person games, in the control department, is the option to lock-on to enemies. The much loved Z-targeting system, initially conceived in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, allows you to lock-on to certain enemies and strafe around them. In MP and MP2 when you are locked onto an enemy every shot that is fired is directed towards that enemy. MP3 offers a slightly different take on the lock-on by allowing you to aim independently of your targeted enemy. This is extremely helpful later in the game during the more intense battles against multiple enemies. MP3 also allows you, due to the differing Wiimote controls, to strafe without having to target an enemy. This is a huge benefit when trying to cruise around the environments.

To add to the brilliant control setup that is the Metroid series, MP3 added some context sensitive situations involving the Wiimote. Rather than coming to a door and pushing "A" to open it, Retro Studios implemented various motion-based activities. There are times you must twist, pull, turn, and lift various levers or knobs to open or adjust doors and switches. And it all happens at a 1:1 ratio to your real life movements. Perhaps the best addition to the controls in MP3 or it's predecessors is the IR aiming that the Wiimote allows. You are free to look up and down as well as left and right similar to how you control a cursor with a mouse and keyboard.

Finals Standings:
1) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
2) TIE: Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Visors
Visors play a large role in the Metroid Prime games, especially if you are a gamer who cares about the story. In order to gain the most out of the story you must use Samus' Scan Visor to scan the surroundings and read more information about the history of the planet and characters. In addition to the Scan Visor there are multiple other visors, some unique to each game. MP has the X-Ray Visor and Thermal Visor, MP2 has the Dark Visor and the Echo Visor, MP3 has the X-Ray Visor and the Command Visor. You will see the X-Ray Visor from MP below.

I find both the Dark Visor and rarely used Echo Visor to be pretty lame and uneventful when compared to the other options MP and MP3 offer. Both of the X-Ray Visors have simliar effects but based on appearance alone I prefer the look of MP's X-Ray Visor to that of MP3. One feature that the X-Ray Visor in MP3 has is it allows you to see through enemies bodies and determine weak points where you zoom in and take them out from the inside. That leads us to a comparison of the remaining visors: Thermal (MP) and Command (MP3). I personally find the Command Visor to be more appealing in regards to originality but in terms of total usefulness the Thermal Visor is superior. The Command Visor is only useful in rooms with no ceiling whereas the Thermal Visor is useful in any room. In the end, I must give the nod to MP3 for creativity and a new feature for the X-Ray Visor, but only by a tiny margin.

Final Standings:
1) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
2) Metroid Prime
3) Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Metroid Prime 3 Finishes an Incredible Trilogy

It's the little things in Metroid Prime 3 that really get to me. Well let me correct that, it's the little things in the entire Metroid Prime trilogy that get to me. From the beginning of Prime seeing the raindrops splash on your visor to the end of Prime 3 (I won't ruin it for you) I have been extremely impressed. Yes, there are major things in the trilogy such as incredible morphball puzzles, a genuinely unique way to control a first person game, and potentially the best boss fight of all time in Quadraxis, but it's the little things that make me truly love these games.

In the image below you will notice four blue lights, they look like little bars, at the top of Samus' visor. These little blue lights will change over time as you play the game to allow the user to know the battery power of your remote. You never have to leave the game by pressing the Wiimote's "Home" button to check on battery level, it checks that for you inside the confines of the game. No more breaking the fourth wall.

It may have taken me a while to figure this out but I was happy when I did. After playing through Metroid Prime 3 I noticed a set of four lights at the top of the visor screen that made no sense to me. When my roommate played the game two of the four lights were always blue with an occassional change to a single yellow light. The next night I was playing the game and noticed that my top lights were always set to a single yellow light with no flicker to any other color.

The last two Metroid games had a danger meter on the visor so initially I thought that's what this was. After another hour of playing the game the light changed to a red light with a battery warning a few minutes later. Then it hit me, Metroid is such an incredible game at immersing you in the environment that it even tells you when you (the player) is running low on battery. If you run low on battery, so does Samus. It's a simple thing, and most likely meaningless to some, but I found it to be an incredible added touch.

It is official, the Metroid Prime games are the most immersive games I have ever played. This was just the final straw I needed to make me see that.

Metroid or Love

My copy of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption came in today, I got a call from the roommate and it's sitting on my desk at home, but there is a problem. Tuesdays are typically reserved for real life activities (i.e. girlfriend) but today Metroid came out. What more do I need to say really? The predicament gets even worse when the girlfriend informed me that she wouldn't be upset if I stayed home and gamed rather than hang out with her. This, to most, would actually create a quick solution, "stay home and game." But those out there that actually love their wives or girlfriends know that it's really not all that simple.

I am lost. To game, and potentially not see her for a few days form now, or hang out with her and not get to play Metroid for another week (due to scheduling and weekend trip plans). What should I do?

P.S. This is the 100th post to the Game Gym blog. Congrats to anyone who's read the blog at all during that time.

Metroid Prime 3 is Getting Noticed, Why Didn't Hunters

There are a few things I have noticed recently while reading up on gaming news prior to the release of the new Metroid game. And the major thing, along with the fact that the game should be awesome, is that other developers are actually taking notice of the way Metroid plays rather than ignoring it like they did with Metroid Prime Hunters. Now let me give you a little bit of history on this subject. Metroid Prime Hunters came out for the DS in March of 2006 with the best FPS controls that any handheld has ever seen. Not only does the game control like a dream but the game had some really well implemented online features too. There was voice chat, a rivals system, and multiple games modes to choose from. Since Hunters came out and sold just over a million copies I figured other developers would start pumping out FPS games on the DS with similar features and controls. But I was wrong. Since that games released there have been zero FPS games released for the DS and only one game with voice chat over WiFi Connection (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl).

Recently there have been a few interviews with various game developers that are currently making FPS games for the Wii. There is EA Canada making Medal of Honor Heroes 2 (with 32-player online multiplayer) and there is Demiurge doing the bulk of the development for Brothers in Arms for the Wii. In both interviews they have been asked about Metroid Prime 3 and they have both agreed that the game is influencing the way they control their new games.

IGN: Have you been following Metroid Prime 3? Because people have been saying it really nails FPS controls on the Wii.

Reed: We have absolutely been following it. Every time the tiniest bit of press about Metroid would come out we'd grab it and we'd ask Gearbox and Ubisoft to talk to Nintendo and see what information we could get about what they were doing.

This can only be good news for us gamers, considering Metroid controls wonderfully, but it makes me wonder why this hasn't happened with the DS Metroid. The next DS FPS is Call of Duty 4, one of my more anticipated games for the holiday, and it looks great. But why did it take over a year for this to happen?

Metroid Prime 3 to Use Wii Codes for WiiConnect24 Features

I found this over at the Nintendo Forums and I got pretty excited. Apparently Metroid Prime 3 will draw from your Wii Address List and not require separate Friend Codes for the exchange of tokens. Basically the tokens are a way to allow your friends to know how much you have accomplished in Metroid Prime 3 and to what degree. For example, if you kill 50 small enemies in a room you may be rewarded with a red token (small reward) but if you kill the final boss in under 2 minutes on the hardest difficulty you could receive a gold token (high reward). This is sort of an "achievement" system similar to the Xbox 360. The best part, however, is the fact that you don't have to insert more 12 digit numbers for the WiiConnect24 features to work.

If you watch the Gametrailers preview at 4:45 seconds it shows the page for exchanging tokens, after that it shows your friend roster and says "Friends in black currently have a save file for MP3" so does that mean it's looking in your Wii adress book and at your friends data to see if they have saves? I hope so! I don't wanna keep using different FC's for every game." Click here to see the video.

Metroid vs Super Mario vs Smash Bros

In honor of the great (or at least we all hope) Metroid Prime 3: Corruption coming out next week I thought I should do a little research (and I use that term loosely) to see which of Nintendo's big games will sell more this year. With Nintendo claiming this month to be the month of Metroid I figured there would be no better time to compare Metroid Prime 3 to Mario Galaxy and Smash Bros Brawl. According to the popularity of Google searches, Super Mario is a far more important and searched brand. Somewhat unfair though due to the fact that "Super Mario" could easily be connected to a game like Super Paper Mario or New Super Mario Bros for the Nintendo DS.

In the end Metroid is the weakest of the brands and, in all reality, will most likely sell far fewer copies than that of the other two. But who really cares if it sells less than those other behemoths if the game ends up being as fun as it's past games in the series.

Control Metroid Prime 3 with your DS?

So it's already been proven that the DS can not only be used as a controller for the Wii but with the most recent hands-on impressions of My Word Coach over at IGN the DS is a very fast and accurate controller interface for the Wii. Now imagine this potential controller option for one of the most anticipated games of the year, Metroid Prime 3. For anyone who hasn't played the well conceived Metroid Prime Hunters, the game controls really well. It is by far the best implemented control scheme for FPS games on a portable system (not that they're very common on portables but still). So my thought here is how cool it would be to use the stylus and the DS to control Samus on the Wii. The game would control just like it does on the DS but you would be playing Prime 3. Now obviously it wouldn't be a required control scheme, that would just be stupid, but the thought that it could be possible could be a neat way to showcase the DS to Wii connectivity. Am I alone here or does anyone else think that would be cool?