Ones to watch for in August

[ringsyde]

Here are some videogames I've had the chance to try out, and I think they are well worth the purchase:

INCREDIBLE HULK: ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION - The amount of destruction is mind-blowing, and you really feel like the Hulk.

WWE DAY OF RECKONING 2 - The move to make Smackdown the Madden of wrestling games has started. This game felt a lot like Smackdown HCTP, and the fatigue factor makes this a thinking man's wrestler. I tried to power past a hated WWE star, but got my a$$ handed to me because I blew up early and sucked wind the rest of the match.

ADVANCE WARS: DUAL STRIKE - Screw NINTENDOGS, METEOS and the new Mario. This is the game the DS was made for. Even if you've never played the GBA versions, you can dive right in and take it to the Black Hole Army. The dual screens allow for secondary battles to take place and be monitored while your primary battle ensues, and they can help you cripple the enemy without distracting from your main fight.

All of these games are due out next week. I'm only getting two, but I'm truly torn as to which ones. ADVANCED WARS is a bonafide system-seller of the highest order, but as a wrestling fan and Hulk superfan, I want these two as well. I agree with most reviews that Hulk is the best licensed superhero game ever made, and I was pleasantly surprised to see YUKES step up and try to listen to the fans with DoR2.

Whatever I decide, the videogamers out there should try to get all of these titles.

[Chris Ingersoll]

ringsyde said:

Screw METEOS

Those, sir, are fightin' words!

I will, however, give AWDS bonus points for actually using the two screens in a way that few other games (if any) have dared.

EDIT: My choices are easy, since I'm not a Hulk fan.

[Thad Killian]

Ringsyde...
I have been able to play Mario Baseball and Ultimate SpiderMan...MB is okay if you like that kinda thing but Ultimate Spidey is Awesome!

[ringsyde]

I'm excited about Ultimate Spiderman, even though I hate the cell-shaded graphics system they're using. The game looks to be faithful to the source material.
Provided you haven't signed a confidentiality agreement, what can you tell (us) about the gameplay?

For the record, many developers and studios make game testers and guest testers sign confidentiality agreements that prevnt them from going online or into the public spectrum to speak about games. I recently had the opportunity to play an outstanding X Box 360 title, but because of such an agrement (and because the project heads know where I spend my internet time), I can't say much of anything.

[Adam Smasher]

I can't wait for the Hulk game! It's the one I've been dreaming of, finally a Hulk game all bout DISTRUCTION! HAHAAHAHAHA!
Weird but true story, I was talking to my brother and his girlfriend one day about other sports they could do a mario game of. Soccer and Baseball where the two we all agreed they should make. THE NEXT DAY, I read about the upcoming release of Mario Superstar Baseball and Mario Soccer. How odd is that? Can't wait for them though.
And m wife caught a glimps of the NintenDogs adds, now she id demanding one. Ugh.

[Thad Killian]

Check out Geist...awesome!

[ringsyde]

I've been playing the INCREDIBLE HULK: ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION game, and all I can say is WOW!! This game is so freaking addictive that it's hard to put down the controller. The reviews were right; the supreme satisfaction of feeling like the Hulk and doing whatever the Hulk does is awesome!!

[Chris Ingersoll]

Eh, I don't think that the Hulk is as cute as Shadow, my black lab Nintendog.

[ringsyde]

No . . . but he'd mollywop that damned dog in a heartbeat!!

[Chris Ingersoll]

I don't think even the Hulk in his ragiest of rages would mollywop a cute widdle puppy.

[ringsyde]

IGN.com has the official review of WWE Day of Reckoning 2 up. They give it an enthusiastic 8.5 out of 10.

I'll say it again; this is one of the few wrestling games out there that is worth the money, and it comes complete with a fairly recent roster and a great Legends roster.

[Chris Ingersoll]

The temptation to use Hassan to win the world title would be tempting if I didn't know that DoR 2 has the same type of "Story" mode as the last one.

[Chris Ingersoll]

ringsyde said:

ADVANCE WARS: DUAL STRIKE - Screw NINTENDOGS, METEOS and the new Mario. This is the game the DS was made for.

Eh, I gotta say that after plowing through the tutorial missions (which I really didn't need until the Tag Battle stuff showed up -- I survived and completed both AW and AW2), I'm not getting the "this is what the DS was made for" vibe. I actually prefer using the cursor and buttons to the stylus as far as control goes, and the second screen hasn't done much for me yet (although admittedly I'm only 10 missions deep).

It's every bit the awesome game as its predecessors, but not what I'd call the exemplary use of the system's capabilities that both Meteos and Nintendogs are.