It’s that time again! We have a new mailbag for you this week, and we answer your submissions on the Everybody Votes Channel, painting games on the Wii, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, and of course, the obligatory Super Smash Bros. Brawl questions. There are more questions, too! It was a stuffed bag this week, so head on past the break to read the rest of the mailbag.

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Does the staff at The Tanooki use the Everybody Votes Channel regularly? What are your records?
- rickytheleaf

Joey: When the Everybody Votes Channel first came out, my roommate and I really got into it, and the two of us checked it on a daily basis. As time has passed, however, I find myself using the channel less and less. I hardly ever used it over this past summer, and I currently only check it a few times a month. Last time I checked, my percent accuracy for the polls was at about 85 percent.

Michael: I used to, but lately I haven’t been. I think I’m much more likely to use it when I’m actually playing the Wii. I’m playing through Final Fantasy XII right now, plus I’m about halfway through The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. It’s a cool program, but it’s not something that I look forward to when I boot up the Wii, it’s more of an afterthought.

Matthew: Let’s all take a moment to blame my internet provider. The modem/router they installed is not compatible with any current system. When I called to complain, they told me that they are “not responsible for their products not being compatible, because as long as the internet itself works, it’s my problem.” They also stated that they are not responsible for some versions of Windows if they are not compatible. Hilarious. They will also charge $50 to have someone come out to switch it out with another one.

But no worries, the internet speed over here has been awful for at least 5 days out of each week (1-3 Mbps instead of 20Mbps), so I will get my way in the end. Then, and only then, will I be able to answer your question without blasting my ISP.

Christian: I don’t use it so much anymore. I just voted on some of the new ones after reading this question, and checked through my voter data. I’ve voted in 43 polls, but predicted in only 21 of them. Of those, I’ve correctly predicted 20 (a 95.2% accuracy). I have 360 Points as to how “tuned in” I am, with my strengths being in thoughts and personality, and experience to a lesser extent. I’ve also been put at 220m from popular opinion, though I don’t know what the norm is.

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So maybe i’ve overlooked Nintendo saying something about this, but i’ve never been able to realize what the little clicky button on top of the Wii Classic Controller is for. It is right in the middle between the left Z and right Z and seems to move the back of the controller open as if something could be added here or as if it is for a docking station….? I was wondering if anyone else ever thought of this and if it is for a possible add on? Thanks!
- Sean

Christian: Nintendo has never said anything official about that button and the slots it opens up. Obviously, no actual data ports or charging ports are involved, so many have speculated that it’s obviously there in case Nintendo ever wants to release a clip that attaches the Wii Remote to the Classic Controller so that it’s not awkwardly dangling about. Some have even gone so far as to make their own. It’s clearly for something unreleased and that may never be released, but like the grooves on the side of the Wii Remote, it offers endless possibilities for cosmetic or practical peripherals. That is, if there ever really is a market for them.

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Hey Tanooki,

Wassup guys hows it going? Any way thats not the point. What I wanted to ask in the mailbag is what do you guys think of the possiblity of KOTOR3 comming out for the Wii? I have my own theories and such about the possibilities, but I wonder what you guys think about it. If you do your research a little bit you can see that it is entirely likely for it to happen.

Sincerly
One of the first Tanooki members,
Sean
aka Yoruleiscool

Christian: I wouldn’t say “likely,” but it’s possible. Before we can hope for a Wii version, however, we have to hope that LucasArts wants to get the game done anytime soon. Both BioWare and Obsidian, developers of KotOR and KotOR2 respectively, have a much larger presence on PCs, simply because developing for PC platforms is the forte for both companies. Obsidian would be the likely candidate to make the game, as BioWare is now owned by EA. Unfortunately, Obsidian has less experience developing for consoles that aren’t based on a PC architecture. Contrarily, they’re also quite busy with some games for the PlayStation 3 (among other platforms).

LucasArts has also been slow to move over to the Wii camp, but they’re shifting. They’re becoming increasingly aware of the potential any Star Wars game has on the Wii, and that’s good news. Since KotOR3 hasn’t been announced and as a result neither has its intended platform, you can bet someone around LucasArts is thinking KotOR3 could have a lot of selling potential on the Wii, if they haven’t all figured that out already.

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I just saw the review of MLB Power Pros (a good review) make it to the front page. I was just wondering if we non-staff (but still-dedicated) members of the Tanooki could ever get a chance to write a review for games and have it posted? I love to write, and have submitted a few to the Review forum, but I think you guys should take those reviews and post em as news, with the author’s permission, of course.

Keep up the good work, guys!
- drktrpr1

Christian: Here’s the thing about that. We haven’t set up our site-wide standards for reviewing games. (We were supposed to discuss this as a site at some point within the last two months, but haven’t gotten around to it.) As such, there is absolutely no consistency among the few reviews we’ve done thus far, and we’re extremely hesitant to write any more until we figure that out. Unless we share those rating standards with all of you, it’s unlikely that there would be consistency in reader reviews. If we were to post any reviews like that, despite the overall quality of the review, the site would be bashed by our industry colleagues and readers for the lack of consistency and validity.

If you or anyone else really wants to write for us, I’d suggest applying to join our team. Of course, our biggest priority right now if finding writers to help with the daily news, but unless we specifically send out rejection letters, we hold onto all applications for a time when we think it might be appropriate to add what we think you have to offer.

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I got to thinking today about when the wii first came out and everyone thought that both a lightsabre game and a harry potter game were ideal, but i recently thought about a paint brush. I really wish Capcom would port Okami, but that doesn’t seem to be happening so Nintendo ought to make a new Mario Paint…and this time it wouldn’t be packaged with the extra controller that made it so pricey.

Also, i check lots of forums and websites, but the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicals series for Wii and DS has seemed to drop off the face of the earth…any news, or anything on this?
- Sean

Michael: Mario Paint is a lot of fun, but I think Nintendo is kind of doing all of the Mario Paint-type programs in an assortment of different titles. We’re getting Wii Music, which I’m really looking forward to now, and I’m sure it won’t be long before Nintendo releases a more fleshed out paint program.

As for Crystal Chronicles, some games go through down times ahead of a rush of news. Think back to Metroid Prime 3, or Galaxy for that matter. We’ll most likely be seeing a rush of news in the weeks coming up towards the release date.

Christian: Mario Paint might make a nice WiiWare game, but two painting games might already be on the way - one’s in limbo and the other hasn’t actually been announced. Most of us have heard of Bob Ross: The Joy of Painting, which had been confirmed for both the DS and Wii. The game’s future is uncertain, however, as the game has been shifting developers. At this time, Bob Ross, Inc. has not given any new information as to the game’s status or who the new developer might be.

Mercury Games’ Jason Harman revealed last month that they might go ahead with a Wii-based title similar to their game, Paint by DS. The game is essentially a coloring book (for big kids!) that allows you to use the DS as a paintbrush to mix colors, paint, and create masterpieces. A Wii version would be different, as the company realizes the differences in not actually being able to touch the screen. This console version has not yet been announced.

As for the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles games, Ring of Fates for the DS has been out in Japan for some time now, and the game was last set for a release in the United States sometime after this fiscal year. Since the game is out in Japan, the international release shouldn’t be too far behind. It’s not on Nintendo’s release list, however, because the game won’t come out outside of Japan before April.

And yes, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers has dropped off the face of the earth. For now. We’ll still hear about it in the future.

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What’s more upsetting to you guys: Brawl being delayed until next year, or no solid release date for Crystal Chronicles (an originally planned launch title)?
- Zak

Matthew: Neither. As a lifelong gamer, I have grown to accept any game delay that has been thrown my way. In fact, I have started to even embrace these delays. More often than not, highly anticipated games are delayed to just give the developers the neccessary time to make the game perfect. In the case of Brawl, it makes me all warm and fuzzy to know that the developers care enough to spend those few extra months to assure that our seven year wait was well worth it.

Christian: Six years and two months, Matt. Anyway, remember that both titles were originally hoping for a Wii launch debut, but these are the types of games that the companies know they can’t rush and that they have to get right. These aren’t some experimental games on the side made with the intention of making some quick cash, these are Super Smash Bros. and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles games.

Michael: I personally don’t mind that we don’t know much about Crystal Chronicles, it makes it that much easier to wait for it. However, Smash Bros. is an entirely different animal. We know almost too much about the game already, and now they’ve pushed it back a couple of months. That’s the kind of thing that I get upset about. It’s like they’re holding out in front of us and teasing us by pulling it away everytime we go to grab it.

Matthew: Nobody likes a nitpicker, Christian. I’ll expect an apology once Brawl is delayed again.

Joey: I’m probably going to give a handful of Final Fantasy fans a stroke right now, but in all honesty I have never played a Final Fantasy game in my life. Personally, I really am not a big RPG person, and Pokémon is probably the only stat-building based game that I have the patience to sit down and play for extended periods of time. Because I most likely will not be buying Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers when it does come out, I personally am not affected by the fact that it still does not have a set release date.

However, I am absolutely stoked to finally play Brawl on the Wii, and at first I was quite upset that Nintendo pushed back its release until February. Now that some time has passed, I realize that this delay will probably be better for everyone in the long run. As much as I want to play Brawl as soon as possible, I also have very high expectations for this title, and I am willing to give Nintendo a bit more time to make the game perfect.

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This is directed towards Christian, since I know he’s played it, but can be answered by all…

In honor of the upcoming release of Radiant Dawn, who’s your favorite Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance fighter? Personally, I’m fond of Nephenee and Jill, they both have excellent strength, skill, speed, and defense stats.
- drktrpr1

Christian: Jill and Lethe are great fighters, and I love using them, but I probably like them more for their personalities - especially Lethe’s attitude - and how they change throughout the game. As for my favorite ones to use in battle (aside from the obvious Ike), I’d have to go with Nephenee, Soren, and Geoffrey. All three can be amazing, on the field provided you take the time to level up the former two. Soren becomes a very powerful sage despite the hit to his speed once you start obtaining better spells, and Nephenee is just an all-around great unit who’s well worth the time to level up and promote.

I actually didn’t use Geoffrey much on my play-through of Normal Mode, but he a valuable asset when I went through Hard Mode. Of course, you get him pretty late, so Oscar was my primary Paladin up until that point. Both are great, in case anyone is wondering.

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The recent delay for Smash Bros. may have everyone crying and writing hate mail to Sakurai, I think this gives Nintendo ample opportunity to push sales of Mario Galaxy, and polish up new characters that are yet to be revealed. We know Sakurai expressed wishes of two or three third-party characters. Now there’s two. So for the readers out there, who do you think is the last third-party character. (Megaman is a given, be more creative)
- Chris K.

Matthew: I like the way you think, Chris. I have always felt that Brawl stole Galaxy’s thunder, especially with Sakurai’s daily updates, but the delay should get people aboard the Galaxy hype train.

As for the next third-party character, I have two words for you: Leon Kennedy. Resident Evil 4 was one of the main reasons (if not the reason) why the Gamecube was able to stay afloat during the majority of 2005. The extraordinary Wii release of RE4 has also helped to usher in a new wave of people to appreciate the beauty of the greatest game of this decade (that’s right, I said it). So why shouldn’t Leon Kennedy receive a nifty lil’ spot on the roster.

I love Mega Man far more than the next person, but his offerings to the videogame world have been lacking ever since Mega Man X3. I guess my runner-up would be Master Chief.

Joey: My fingers are crossed that a character from the Resident Evil franchise makes it into Brawl. Specifically, I think Leon S. Kennedy or Albert Wesker would be perfect additions to the Brawl roster. I realize that the Resident Evil games are rather dark when compared to Super Smash Brothers, however, considering that Solid Snake has made the cut, anything’s possible.

Also, it’s no small secret that Nintendo and Capcom have a fairly good business relationship. For a long time the Resident Evil series was Nintendo-exclusive, and Nintendo had even handed off a few Game Boy Zelda titles to a development team at Capcom. The history between the companies makes it even more likely that one of Capcom’s characters will claim that final 3rd party slot.

Michael: Actually I’m not sure. I would like to see some FF love from Smash Bros. but it seems highly unlikely. I was thinking that they could have the same kind of character as the Pokemon Trainer. It would be the player commanding his party. White Mage, Black Mage, Fighter, and Thief? Any combination of different characters would be a lot of fun to play as, possibly as a four man Ice-Climbers-ish fighter team. Or, as I aluded to before, you could just switch out whichever party member you wished to fight with ala the Pokemon Trainer.

Christian: I see it as being decided by whichever third party company can sweet-talk Sakurai the best. In which case, here are the possibilities:

• Ubisoft: Rayman or Prince
• Square Enix: Chrono, Sora, or FFIV character
• Namco Bandai: Pac-Man or Tales character
• Capcom: Mega Man
• Hudson: Bomberman

If Sakurai is sticking strictly to no more than 4 third party characters in the game as playable characters, expect to see no more than one representative per company. Konami already has Snake and Sega already has Brawl. For the companies listed above, I listed the most likely characters based on what properties the company owns, and which of them are most Smash-friendly. These are also the companies that have a strong bond with Nintendo right now, but other options include Disney’s Rallen and Vivendi’s Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon.

Of course, our opinions aren’t the only ones. Chris wants to know what readers of The Tanooki think and what you’d like to see. Let us know!

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Whew! That was a full mailbag this week. Keep the submissions coming, and we might have to go weekly! You can send in your submissions here. Until next time, we’ll see you around!

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