Happy birthday to me :)

I've been eyeing up (virtually, via Amazon) the quirky PS2 title, Chulip, for some time, so when my birthday came around last week I bought a copy as a gift to myself. It arrived yesterday, but I won't be playing it--or even opening it--until I wrap up New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

I'll share some impressions here after I've spent some time with the title, which may be the weirdest game to hit the PS2 (or any system, really). Don't believe me? Check out this description, taken from Natsume's official Chulip site:

"You and your father have just moved into a rural town famous for an ancient legend. It's been said that whoever kisses underneath the old tree on the hill will be destined to live happily ever after. With your eyes set on a girl living in a nearby pipe, you set out on your quest. Filled with a new determination, you've sworn to yourself that you'll do whatever it takes to kiss this charming little girl underneath the ancient tree and spend the rest of your life with her."

Please note that the object of the main character's affection lives in a pipe. Oh, and he gets her to return his affection by kissing everyone else in town.

Anyone interested in learning more about Chulip should check out the interview (with director Yoshirou Kimura) and review posted to 1up.com around the time of the title's Stateside release in 2007.

What's it like to work in the games industry?

Nick Doerr, a script editor at NIS America, recently answered that question over at siliconera.com. As I've always wanted to work in the industry, and I'm guessing some of you have had the same dream, I thought I'd post his response.

"It’s been a lifelong goal and I’m absolutely thrilled I’ve finally been able to attain it," he said. "I’ve written for most of my life; a few novels, short stories, and even gaming blogs. I guess, coupled with my love for games, this was a sort of destined outcome. Might sound cheesy, but never give up on your dreams. They really can come true if you give it your best effort!"

Doerr also addressed whether his day job keeps him from playing games when he's off the clock.

"Does this alter my gaming habits or my outlook on games? Nope, not really," he said. "I might not play NIS titles as often in my free time, since I’ll be surrounded by them daily, but I still give ample time to my consoles when I’ve got nothing else to do.

"I’ve gained a deeper understanding to the business side of the industry and that’s special, but it isn’t what I’m focused on," he added. "I play games to have fun. It’s just that now I can have fun at work, too, with like-minded people who are an endless source of joy to be around."

Of course, I have to buy a DSi, too ...

In my last post, I mentioned how I've been chomping at the bit to buy a PSP. The problem is, I've also been chomping the bit to buy a DSi.

I want a DSi for three reasons: 1) I love the idea of taking wacky photos of myself, altering them and posting them on my facebook page (I know, I need to get out more), 2) I desperately want to play the DSi Art Style games (especially Boxlife and Pictobits) and 3) I don't want to die without experiencing Flipnote Studio.

I mean, just look at this video:



Can a person have more fun with a portable gaming system? I think not.

I'm a sucker for sprites ...

... especially when they're of the blocky, 8-bit variety. As such, it should be no surprise to hear me say that retro-tinged titles like Half-Minute Hero and Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman! (and the latter's upcoming sequel) have me chomping at the bit to buy a PSP.

That chomping isn't going away anytime soon thanks to the imminent release of yet another retro-styled and sprite-filled PSP game, Classic Dungeon.

According to Anoop Gantayat over at andriasang.com, the title's story "centers on a forbidden land known as Manoakazu. In the center of this world is a mysterious door which takes you to dungeons. Nine (and possibly more) heroes have visited Minoakazu to challenge the dungeon in hopes of having their dreams fulfilled."

Gantayat adds that "combat options include direct attacks with your sword, dash moves, skills and magic. Each character has a job--like knight, mage and so forth--offering different skills and magical abilities.You also have access to jumps, which can be used in order to avoid traps."

That's all I needed to know, really, but if you're the curious sort and want to learn about the game's cool character-customization options, click on this link. (Someone has started a NeoGAF thread about the title, too. You might want to keep an eye on it if you're a dork like I am.)

The official site for Classic Dungeon suggests it will hit Japanese store shelves on Feb. 18. I have no idea when (or even if) it'll be brought to the States--by the folks at Atlus, NIS America or Xseed, maybe?--but I'm hopeful we'll hear something soon.

You're busy playing New Super Mario Bros. Wii, right?

I mean, I know that's what I'm doing--when I'm not blogging. Or eating. Or sleeping.

Honestly, I can't get enough of this game. I can't go so far as to say it has taken over my life, but it certainly has done so more than any other game I can think of in the past few years. Everything about it takes me back to my teens, when my friends and I played the proverbial hell out of Super Mario Bros. 2 and 3 and World.

BTW, all of my favorite moments in New Super Mario Bros. Wii feature this track:



What are your favorite stages and tunes?