Atari, it would seem, is suffering from what is commonly known as ‘The Wario Effect’. This, in essence, is a tendency to look at what Nintendo does that is both innovative and commercially lucrative, then copy the idea. With this in mind, Atari has just announced the forthcoming release of HOT PXL, an ingenious and hip looking new ‘microgame anarchy’ title for the PSP.
The details on the press release are as follows: “HOT PXL comprises 200 deviously crafted micro-games based on a quirky and original story premise and drawing inspiration from street culture and the digital lifestyle.”
It sounds to SPOnG kind of like Wario on DS, but with a bit of a Marc Ecko street 'edge' (for 'edge', read: made up middle-class graffiti/hip hop nonsense parading as authentic street culture from the ghettos of Chelsea and Kensington). Whatever. Micro-games on handheld systems - when done well - are clearly a winner and we have to admit that we do like the sound of some of the 200 games on offer here, which are based on old-skool shoot-'em-ups, pulling tricks on a skateboard or BMX, stage-diving at a concert, or just trying to cross a busy street a la Frogger. You are charged with guiding the central character “...a half-skater, half-nerd named Djon, through a typical day in his pixellated digital world.”
Atari has also committed to supporting the title, giving gamers the opportunity to download new content through an online interface. HOT PXL is scheduled for release around Christmas 2006 and will be on show at E3, so SPOnG will make sure to check it out and let you know what we think. Dude.
The details on the press release are as follows: “HOT PXL comprises 200 deviously crafted micro-games based on a quirky and original story premise and drawing inspiration from street culture and the digital lifestyle.”
It sounds to SPOnG kind of like Wario on DS, but with a bit of a Marc Ecko street 'edge' (for 'edge', read: made up middle-class graffiti/hip hop nonsense parading as authentic street culture from the ghettos of Chelsea and Kensington). Whatever. Micro-games on handheld systems - when done well - are clearly a winner and we have to admit that we do like the sound of some of the 200 games on offer here, which are based on old-skool shoot-'em-ups, pulling tricks on a skateboard or BMX, stage-diving at a concert, or just trying to cross a busy street a la Frogger. You are charged with guiding the central character “...a half-skater, half-nerd named Djon, through a typical day in his pixellated digital world.”
Atari has also committed to supporting the title, giving gamers the opportunity to download new content through an online interface. HOT PXL is scheduled for release around Christmas 2006 and will be on show at E3, so SPOnG will make sure to check it out and let you know what we think. Dude.
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I'll Eat Your Soul 26 Apr 2006 16:31
1/1
Yay for Atari and faux-street stylings. The last time that happened was the retro package for the DS, and we all know what a critical and commercial success that was.
Despite everyone's vast fondness for the company, have they ever done anything decent beyond a handful of arcade/VCS/2600 games back in the late '70s and very early '80s?
Despite everyone's vast fondness for the company, have they ever done anything decent beyond a handful of arcade/VCS/2600 games back in the late '70s and very early '80s?