Not a whole lot to report this week, so just don't expect a 'War & Peace' of a Digest.

The most talked-about news of the week has been Satoru Iwata's comments that Nintendo will be trying to come up with new characters to replace stalwarts like Mario and Pokemon. Okay, I lie. There'll be no 'replacing' going along, believe you me. Nintendo would have to be seriously high on some of that Japanese stuff Microsoft were smoking when they deemed their controller comfortable. The fact is that characters like Pikachu, Mario, Samus, D.K and the rest of the crew are Ninty's bread-and-butter franchises, and are far too loved and important to be replaced by anything. Just imagine it, a world without Pokemon!? Nintendo would crash and burn in Japan. So, we'll still be getting the most beloved of franchises', but what Iwata-san is suggesting is that they'd probably be left on the back-burner for a while, while the developers concentrate mostly on new franchises.

This is undoubtedly a good thing. Don't be surprised if Nintendo come up with more 'mature' games for their next console. Of course it is a matter of total indifference to us Nintendophiles whether it's we're leaping about as a fat little plumber, or indulging in some satisfying killing. That's just speculation of course, it probably is unlikely to see GTA-style games coming out from Kyoto. As Iwata-san said himself:

"Don't expect to see Mario shooting any hookers."

The spectral shooter Geist is a sign of sorts of this experimenting with new, more 'mature' ideas. There's a genuine feeling of an upcoming renaissance for Nintendo about with their next console; that Nintendo are aware of their problems (especially with image) and the repercussions in the long-term repeating the mistakes of the past could bring. And rather than shrug them off, they're trying to get them sorted out for the next generation. They know the damage a late launch would bring, and are determined to get a launch in before their rivals, and with the right launch title me thinks. So chances are we'll be seeing less Luigis Mansion-esque launch games, but more mature ones to lure in the casual crowd [Note: I realise the vague meaninglessness of the term 'mature', but for all intents and purposes it's the most convenient word to use]. We Nintendo fans are already sold (I'll be buying the console no matter what games they come up with at launch), but it is the mainstream that Nintendo need to attract. And hopefully the new characters they come up with will oblige.

Usually when a developer goes belly up we all 'have something in my eye', say "It's a sign of the industry" and begin rose-tinted recollections of their best games. But when 3DO filed for bankrupcy this week their was an unusual round of applause from the gaming community, and more than a few champagne bottles opened that were being saved for 'something special'. Honestly, did 3DO really think they could stay afloat with the crap they were pumping out? I cannot remember one good game they made, all I can remember is waves upon waves of shite, irritating Army Men games. Man, those games really did suck, didn't they? When a uninspiring game gets a sequel, it's sad. But when a whole series is made out of those bloody Army Men games, it's just plain damn tragic. What'd they expect, gamers to go "No, I don't want to play the magnificent Zelda, I want to control a bunch of tiny wee toy soldiers in one hell of a tedious game"? Sheesh.

Also in the news this week was Yuji Naka's claim that there wouldn't be a third Sonic Adventure game. I'm not exactly sad at this, as I had the distinct pleasure of playing number 2. A camera that acted as if it was on drugs, awful music, uninvolving gameplay and a tone that was horribly American (I could not stand Sonic's californian 'dude' dialogue), it was if the classic 2D games of the series never existed. Billy Thatcher is far more deserving of their time. Staying with Sega, the weekly comapny-linking didn't let us down, as we caught whiff of a possible partnership (part-ner-ship. Not merger. REPEAT: NOT MERGER) between them and EA. EA could help Sega out in America, and Sega could do the same in Japan. Sounds like a decent idea, but it has to be said; does anyone even care anymore?

A couple of new games made the headlines this week too. Haven: Call of the King is back from the software graveyard, courtesy of Xicat Interactive. Also from the company is Zanzarah: The Hidden Portal. Both fantasyish adventure games, both sounding pretty so-so. There's also Zoids Versus 2 from Tomy, King of the cage from Majesco and (more exciting this one) an RPG from Namco. Any RPG on Gamecube is more than welcome by me, and with Namco behind it there's a good chance it'll be as good as their other Gamecube RPG Tales of Symphonia (which is looking darn tasty at the moment).

I leave you with the news that production of the NES and SNES is being ended. Both cracking consoles, this is not happy news. Looks like it's ebay all the way from now on.

By Conor
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