Super Metroid PAL & NTSC don't seem to be that different in speed

There's a video doing the rounds now comparing the 50 Hz/60 Hz versions of the game. I don't have the link handy but the PAL 50 Hz version doesn't seem to suffer at all with regards to the speed. I guess they did a good job on the optimisation when they first brought it to Europe. I'd say it's fairly safe to buy it on the Wii U VC.

I only know that from looking at it though and as we all know, playing is believing.

Super Metroid on Wii U VC will be in 50 Hz

Another case of this version of the game being optimised for PAL. Nintendo still aren't giving us the option to choose which version we want which as usual is my main gripe.

Otherwise I don't feel that strongly about it as I've only played this game once. I am interested in it though and I would pay the limited 30cents price no problem.

Giving Metroid 1 a serious go

I've been playing Metroid lately and I've gotten further than I have with any previous attempt. I just got the Screwattack ability and I am tearing through enemies who'd normally be a pain.

I'm playing the 3DS VC version and I'm drawing a map as I play with the Game Notes feature. It's quite handy and I have a colour choice between black, red and blue so I'm doing black for the paths and red and blue for the doors. I wonder if the choices available aren't a coincidence? :)

My impressions so far, well, I find the game to be awesome in the proper sense of the word. It makes me feel scared, tired and like it's too much to handle but I still feel like an intrepid adventurer and that's a really good feeling. The labyrinth in which the game takes place has all these tunnels that often look the same and often connect to each other which makes it something you couldn't really commit to memory straight away and to even draw the map as you play makes me anxious because I'm afraid of messing it all up.

Mind you, it's not as overwhelming as trying to draw a map for the Duncan Factory in Earth Bound Zero. The map in Metroid is like being in a hospital you've entered for the very first time. The space pirates are basically giant bugs right? Well, they've built this labyrinth in the same way colonies of real life insects build all these crazy looking networks of tunnels underground. Just imagine trying to navigate them as a human.

Weird Starfox/Metroid rumour going around

There's this absolutely bizarre rumour going around that Starfox and Metroid are going to have a crossover game. It's too bizarre and ridiculous to like. I mean what would that be like?

Is it going to do something really stupid like link the awful Falco to the Chozo? Urrrghhh.

Metroid 1 updates today on 3DS VC

I haven't played this much. I've yet to complete the game or get very far in it actually. Of course if you're a 3DS ambassador like I am then you get a free update on this thing. I know for one thing it doesn't affect high scores so it might be fine for restore points in this game.

Things Alison Whitney could do and would be great at

Listen to me go on! Like I'm some expert or fanboy. I shouldn't really pretend to be either, just thinking here.

She would be good for some kind of family entertainment like a sitcom with a laugh track. I'm actually thinking that she would be brilliant in some kind of Jim Henson production with muppet-like creatures around. Those shows suit everybody, not just kids. If she were to do something like Sesame Street I can imagine her being like Elmo's cool auntie.

I thought a good bit about her doing Samus Aran for some kind of Metroid feature. I think Alison has an unusual quality but it's different to what I picture Samus' unusual quality being like. Considering her portfolio you'd think the most Samus-y thing she could do is promote the latest Metroid game while wearing the suit without the mask and then do one of Samus' moves with a cheesy but amusing special effect.

I imagine the closest to being Samus you could be is to study Daryl Hannah's character in Blade Runner(or maybe even Splash!). I wonder if Alison could do that?

Imagine if Studio Ghibli did a Metroid feature? That would be interesting, and they're known for making movies starring the kind of females you could make plenty of comparisons with Samus Aran.

I told you I'm not an expert! I just deviated and went talking about video games.

Ok how about this: Alison has something different about her. I can't imagine a lot of other women doing Nintendo Week as well as she did it and whatever it is that she had, it's a valuable asset.

What is Metroid Other M all about?

So far it sounds like it's about a girl who had a falling out with her clique and now she's trying to get back with them after she lost her baby.

Giving Metroid Other M another go!

Or rather, a proper go since I just watched the cutscenes last time I put it on.

It seems weird, but not Metroid weird. A different kind of weird. Like an ill fitting jumper kind of weird.

#5 of 10: Metroid (3DS NES Ambassador)

I've never beaten this game or have gotten very far in it. It's also the game Nintendo is most generous about giving away in promotions and the like. I have it 4 times over now(not joking).

It's still hard as hell. Runs at a good 60Hz speed of course and as for controlling with the circle pad, I rolled into a ball by accident a couple of times so that might be reason for concern. It didn't happen anymore after that though.

I finally get to try out the DS Rumble Pak

On a whim I thought I'd get Metroid Prime Pinball(it was really cheap) and see what the included rumble pak was like. Very few games support it - the most recent being Last Window which I'll have to try sometime with it.

So far though I find the thing just gives blips and bips of rumbles. It's hard to put into words but I suppose it's like in a real pinball table when you feel the ball belting off of everything it feels like a tiny knock. So I guess it's good for Metroid Prime Pinball. Must also try it with other games too like Mario & Luigi Partners in Time.