• Tag Archives GCN
  • Spy Hunter

    ‘Spy Hunter’

    [PS2 / XBOX / GCN / GBA]
    [USA] [MAGAZINE] [2002]

    • GamePro, May 2002 (#164)
    • Midway attempts to breathe new life into the classic arcade staple, retooling it as a third-person-shooter-slash-driving game

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/159599029452/vgprintads-spy-hunter-ps2-xbox-gcn-gba

    The original Spy Hunter was one of my favorite games on the Commodore 64 so I was pretty excited when this remake came out. The original Spy Hunter was released as an arcade game by Bally/Midway in 1983 with ports to various game systems and computers (including the Commodore 64) soon to follow. The new Spy Hunter was released in 2001 by Midway for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube and Game Boy Advance so pretty much every system out at the time. I had the GameCube version but I don’t think there were any significant differences between the different ports.

    The new Spy Hunter had the same basic theme as the original but obviously with much more advanced graphics and a 3D third person point of view instead of the directly overhead 2D viewpoint of the original. Overall, I would say they did a pretty good job updating the game yet keeping the original spirit intact. The music is similar, the weapons are the same, and they added a third mode for the vehicle. In the original your car could transform into a boat when appropriate but the new game adds motorcycle to the list as well.

    A sequel of sorts, Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run was released for the Xbox and PS2 in 2006. It starred Dwayne Johnson (aka “The Rock”) and was supposed to be based on the movie of the same name. Plans for a movie based on Spy Hunter go all the way back to 2003 but the movie has been in development hell going through multiple writers, scripts, directors and actors but development has been continuing. The last update I saw was November 2015 so who knows…

    Another remake was done in 2012 for the PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS. I’m not familiar with that one but it did get positive reviews.

    The above ad is from the May 2002 issue of GamePro.





  • MLB SlugFest 2003

    ‘MLB SlugFest 20-03 – ‘We Call it SlugFest for a Reason’’

    [PS2 / XBOX / GCN] [USA] [MAGAZINE] [2002]

    • GamePro, July 2002 (#166)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/159606642340/vgprintads-mlb-slugfest-20-03-we-call-it

    Today and even back in 2003, most baseball games and sports games in general had become simulation oriented with the goal of being as realistic as possible. While there is certainly a large audience for such games, absolute realism isn’t always what is desired.

    The MLB SlugFest series of games takes your typical baseball video game and adds a few arcade touches to it in order to make it a litte more exciting and fun. MLB SlugFest 2003 was available for the GameCube, PS2 and Xbox and it added several touches to your typical baseball simulation. By default, it shortens games to seven innings so that games play a little faster (though you can still play a full 9 innings if you want). When pitching, you have four pitches to choose from and can aim at one of nine points in the box but all pitches are strikes. This also has the effect of shortening the game and adding a bit of an offensive tilt to it. The pitcher also has the option of intentionally hitting the batter. This can decrease the impacted hitters stats but it can also cause that player to catch on fire which temporarily gives him unlimited turbo. Each player’s turbo meter can be used for a few different purposes. it can be used to “clear out” defensive players. Essentially charging them while base running with the goal of knocking the ball away from them so they do not get the tag. Defensive players can use the turbo meter in an attempt to prevent this. The turbo meter can also be used to run faster etc. Hitting is as simple as pitching. You simply select the spot you are aiming for and time your swing.

    This game generally got positive reviews and the graphics were as good as other sports games on the market at the time. The sound is also great and even includes humorous commentary. Those looking for the most realistic baseball experience will probably want to look elsewhere but for those simply looking for a fun baseball game, this is definitely one. There have been several sequels including MLB SlugFest 2004, MLB SlugFest: Loaded and MLB SlugFest 2006.