An extract of an interview with Hudson about Alien Crush Returns by WiiWare World:
"WiiWare World: What were some of the challenges you faced in updating a classic title like the Turbografx-16 version of Alien Crush?
Amar Gavhane: Since the last game in the series came out well over a decade ago, it was mainly finding the right elements to add to the game to make it feel modern yet retro at the same time. I feel like we hit the modern mark with the action balls and motion controls, and hit the retro mark with the story, audio, and gameplay itself.
WW: Why was the decision made to add a story mode and boss fights to the game? Was there a concern that the straight-up classic pinball action of the original title might not be enough to satisfy gamers in today's gaming world?
AG: I think that's certainly part of it. Back then, games were highly constrained by memory limits. Nowadays, gamers expect much more from their games. Adding the story mode and boss fights both contributed to the modern/retro feel of the game.
WW: What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to developing for the WiiWare service as opposed to developing a full retail title?
AG: The biggest disadvantage right away is the memory limit. You don't have gigs upon gigs of memory to make a game. At the same time, though, it's an advantage in that you have to really prune down your game to its essential, pure, most fun elements. Other advantages that make WiiWare great are the motion controls and the audience. I know a lot of the long-time gamers/hardcore crowd aren't especially pleased with the games on the platform, but for us, it gives us a wonderful opportunity to reach out to a new audience that is a little more hesitant to spend a ton of money on a very complex game.
WW: How long was Alien Crush Returns in development?
AG: Not long at all, about 8 months.
WW: Did any of the original Alien Crush development team work on or have any input on the development of Alien Crush Returns?
AG: No, it was an entirely new team this time around. That last game was made a loooooong time ago."
Being a hardcore gamer (especially one who grew up in the 80s and most of the 90s) means daydreaming about classic franchises that deserve a comeback. Most receive the sequel or reboot treatment, and some of them come out of nowhere. Games like Excitebike: World Rally and Contra ReBirth were expected, but Blaster Master Overdrive? Here are a handful of surprise games we never saw coming.
John Artest (RunDLC)
PALGN writes: "Welcome to PALGN's WiiWare Review Round-Up. At the start of every month, this article will be dedicated to reviewing the WiiWare titles that have been released during the past month on the Wii Shop Channel, with our verdict as to whether or not they are worth downloading. We realise we have fallen behind from when we originally launched this feature, but with a little reshuffling of responsibilities between staff members, we're confident it will be maintained."
Hudson recently held a press event for the press in San Francisco and Nintendojo was lucky enough to get an invite. While the purpose of the event was to show off Hudson's upcoming releases for 2009, the selection of games would make you think it was a Wii-specific event.
God, I wish Hudson would stop this stupid crap and just get Bomberman 64 on VC already.
