Waves of heat

>>Street fights, ninjas, tennis stars
and presidential primates make
their way to your console

JAPANESE HEROES: Ninja Gaiden II

by ERIK LEIJON

The video games industry during the summer is starting to resemble the movie business, since every few weeks there’s a new record-setting blockbuster hitting the streets. In previous years, publishers might have saved these titles for the holiday season. Dare we call it Christmas in July?

In June, two of the biggest Japanese heroes make their triumphant debuts on next-generation consoles: Ninja Gaiden II (X360/Microsoft) and Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3/Konami). There’s no doubt both big budget titles will feature jaw-dropping cinematic cutscenes, but the real question is who would win in a fight: the knife-throwing ninja Ryu Hayabusa or the aged but deadly super spy Solid Snake?

BRING ON MARIA: Top Spin 3

Justine Henin recently retired from the WTA circuit, and it’s doubtful top player Maria Sharapova will be grunting her way to Uniprix Stadium this July, so Top Spin 3 (X360, Wii, PS3/2k Sports) might be the only opportunity to catch either tennis star this summer. The game also includes retired legends Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg.

Speaking of b’s, Battlefield: Bad Company (X360, PS3/EA) is the console-ized version of the manic, anything goes, PC war shooter. Rogue game publisher Gamecock will finally be releasing the animal kingdom political caper Hail to the Chimp (X360, PS3). Don’t try to pass pork barrel legislation with someone who throws his own faeces.

THE NEXT PRESIDENT? Hail to the Chimp

Soul Calibur IV (X360, PS3/Namco) will finally bring online play to the epic sword slashing fighting game series this July. More noteworthy is that later this summer, the original 1999 Soul Calibur will be hitting XBox Live Arcade. Suddenly, my Sega Dreamcast doesn’t seem as cool anymore.

In a surprising reversal of fortune, fighting games are well represented in 2008 compared with recent years, as Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix will be released on XBox Live Arcade and Playstation Store. It’s an enhanced version of the 1993 arcade game, with new, hi-res graphics.

Is Zune too late?

SLEEK, STYLISH, PLAYING CATCH-UP: Zune

Nearly two years after launching in the United States and seven years after rival Apple’s iPod reshaped the music industry landscape, Microsoft is finally wading into the Canadian portable music pool with the Zune, a sleek, stylish digital media device that largely does what the iPod’s been doing.

With Microsoft’s successful foray in video gaming with the Xbox brand and the upcoming Zune—coupled with the cloudy future of Vista—Microsoft has been making the transition from designing buggy software to flashy hardware. Zune perfectly encapsulates the existential crossroads of its creator—since the device is equally practical and fashionable, whereas the corresponding software designed for your PC borders on unusable.

The Zune will arrive in Canada in four-GB, eight-GB and 80-GB formats. Since the 80 GB isn’t that much more expensive than the two runts, there’s really no reason to settle for a smaller model. The screen is large and vibrant, making it ideal for watching videos in addition to music.

iPod users may be confused by the touch-sensitive thumbpad, but I had an easy time scrolling through my 10,000+ song collection. Buyers can outfit the metallic base with a Zune Original art design, which gives every Zune a personal touch. A few famous Canadian artists have created their own laser-engraved Zune Original artwork.

The only real issues with the Zune are compatibility related. It doesn’t work with Macs, and neither does it play mp3’s legally purchased on iTunes or other sites. For reasons likely pertaining to Canada’s lax copyright laws, the iTunes-equivalent Zune Marketplace will not be launching until later this year, meaning Microsoft is actively encouraging Zune users to continue stealing music.

The Zune software for managing files on PC doesn’t allow for quick song info edits, so those who like their collections organized will be infuriated with the slow speeds. The most helpful new feature is the wireless sync, which allows your Zune to grab music files from your PC collection wirelessly.

For PC owners who don’t own a current iPod model and don’t mind the short battery life, Zune is an extremely versatile digital media device that should impress even the most fanatical Steve Jobs supporter. Otherwise, Zune doesn’t represent another music revolution.

Available June 13 in four-GB ($140), eight-GB ($190), 80-GB ($250)

Waves of heat

>>Street fights, ninjas, tennis stars and presidential primates make their way to your console

Is Zune too late?

>>Street fights, ninjas, tennis stars
and presidential primates make
their way to your console