Hall Pass

Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) are best friends who have a lot in common, including the fact that they have each been married for many years. But when the two men begin to show signs of restlessness at home, their wives (Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate) take a bold approach to revitalizing their individual marriages: granting them a "hall pass," one week of freedom to do whatever they want...no questions asked. At first, it sounds like a dream come true for Rick and Fred. But it isn't long before they discover that their expectations of the single life-and themselves-are completely, and hilariously, out of sync with reality.                           

Nintendo 3DS to launch with 18 games

(Credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo expects 18 games to be available to U.S. customers when its 3DS portable-gaming device launches next month.
The lineup of titles hitting store shelves on March 27 will be highlighted by Nintendo's own Pilotwings Resort, an airplane game, as well as Nintendogs + Cats, which will allow gamers to take care of puppies and kittens from the device. All of Nintendo's games will retail for $39.99.
In addition, Capcom will be launching Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition on the 3DS next month, and Electronic Arts will be offering up The Sims 3 and Madden NFL Football. Sega fans will find Super Monkey Ball 3D, while Ridge Racer 3D will be available to racing fans.
Ubisoft will have the largest third-party presence when the 3DS launches, offering four games, including Rayman 3D and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars.
Nintendo's 3DS is one of the more anticipated gaming releases this year. The portable allows gamers to play 3D titles without the need for special glasses. At a press conference last month, Nintendo revealed that the portable would go on sale for $249.99 and hit store shelves on March 27. It also said at the time that some of its more popular franchises, including The Legend of Zelda, would be made available in the launch window.
Nintendo echoed those sentiments this time around, saying that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, and a new title in the Mario Kart series were on the way. However, it would only say that those titles would be made available at some point in 2011.
All told, Nintendo said that it expects to have 30 games available to customers by early June.
It should be interesting to see if consumers will respond to 3DS games the same way they have responded to DS titles, namely by opting for Nintendo games over third-party releases.
Last month, Nintendo revealed that 11 of the top 20 best-selling games in the U.S. last year were available to the Wii or DS. Nine out of those games were published by Nintendo. Three out of the five most popular DS games in Japan last year were published by Nintendo or Nintendo-owned companies.
The issues third-party game companies have had selling their titles on Nintendo platforms has not gone unnoticed. EA CEO John Riccitiello went so far last year in an interview with IndustryGamers to say that Nintendo isn't always looking out for the best interests of its third-party partners.
"It's not lack of trying," Riccitello said in the interview. "They start the morning thinking what's best for their own intellectual property."
Whether or not that's true is up for debate. But by the looks of things, several developers, including EA, seem keen on capitalizing on the 3DS sooner rather than later.

Drive Angry

Milton is a hardened felon who has broken out of Hell intent on finding the vicious cult that brutally murdered his daughter and kidnapped her baby. He joins forces with Piper -- a sexy, tough-as-nails waitress with a '69 Charger, who's also seeking redemption of her own. Now, the two of them are hot on the trail of the deadly leader of the cult, all while being pursued by an enigmatic killer who has been sent by the Devil to retrieve Milton and deliver him back to Hell. Caught in a deadly race against time, Milton has three days to avoid capture, avenge his daughter's death, and save her baby before she's mercilessly sacrificed by the cult.                      

Samsung Galaxy S accessories

So, you've just decided you'll be picking the Samsung Galaxy S over the HTC Desire and the iPhone. Good for you. The best news now is that you might have some spare change, but before you go blowing it on something extravagant like over-paying on your mortgage, you might want to think about how you can maximise the use of your new Android toy.
You see, there are mobile phone accessories and there are mobile phone accessories and if it's mobile phone accessories that you're after, then welcome to the right place. Here are the very finest, the selected, the best Samsung Galaxy S accessories on the planet today.

Screen protector (£15.97)

Yep, it's an obvious one, but if you don't look after your nice, pretty 4-inch Super AMOLED, then your phone's not going to be good for much. Scratches will ruin the interface over time, and they also don't look too clever when they're getting in the way of the latest episode of Mad Men/Top Gear/Eastenders/Britain's Funniest Budgerigars (delete where applicable).
There are quite a few on offer out there, but on the whole it's worth spending the extra cash to get one that works. We are, essentially, talking about a condom for your tool and the requirement is to keep it as sensitive as possible while also well protected. As far as the Samsung Galaxy S goes, the InvisibleSHIELD seems to give the best results - largely because it's actually not just a screen protector, but a full body wrap for your phone. It's not exactly a cinch to get it on but, once in place this military grade urethane, which was once used to coat the leading edge of helicopter blades, will leave your device both highly usable and as well protected as a US marine - on duty and when headed off base for a little R&R.

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Phone case (£10.47/£17.95)

Of course, there's nothing wrong with the more traditional approach of a phone case. It might sit a little bulkier in your pocket but the bonus is that, when you come to actually use your device, there'll be nothing between your finger and the screen. There's enough different types and flavours of phone cover out there to last you a life time, but the best of the bunch are the wet suit that is the £10.47 FlexiShield Skin and the leather smart £17.95 Krusell DONSö pouch.

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Desktop Dock

Nothing quite says "look at my sexy superphone" like a desktop top dock, even if it's just you listening. As the branded writing on the back suggests, this is the official dock of the Samsung Galaxy S and there's even a dedicated Desk Home application to go with it. It'll switch brightness levels from day to night and provide one-touch access to Daily Briefing, alarm clock, music, pictures, movie gallery and local weather so that you can always stay up-to-date with activities. You can also use it to charge and synch. Price and availability arriving soon.

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Mobile phone insurance (free?)

Exciting, this isn't but it is the third way of looking after your superphone and it means you can carry it around naked as the day it came off the production line. The best news is that, if you have a bank account, there's an excellent chance that gadget and mobile phone insurance is already thrown in without you knowing. It will require you to register your items though, so the best thing to do is call your people up and find out if you're covered.
If not, try your home contents insurance. It's also highly likely you might be covered here as well. If both of those draw a blank, then CUSC foneGuard is a good option and comes in at around £5 per month.

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Spare battery & charger

We all know that smartphones just aren't built to last an entire day of heavy video playback and that's going to be an issue on long journeys, or even if you have a regular commute in your life. So, do yourself a sensible favour and pick up a spare battery. While you're at it, you may as well get the official Samsung spare battery charger/carrier, otherwise you'll just have to keep switching batteries into the back of your handset to get them up to top power. Price and availability coming soon.

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Spare battery & charger

 (£83.77)

With Froyo bringing the ability to house your apps using expandable storage on the Galaxy S in September, you're going to need some extra space to squeeze on your music and films as well. Right now, the biggest you can buy is a 32GB microSD card, so treat yourself and go all the way. Once inside, that could max your storage up to a whopping 48GB.

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Phonak Audeo PFE 022 + Mic headphones (£100)

You can stick with the in-the-box headphones if you must, but do so in the knowledge that you're crippling the audio pleasure you might otherwise be getting on your Samsung Galaxy S. Plus, in a set like the trusty Phonak Audeo PFE 022 + Mic headphones - quite a mouthful - not only will a world of rich bass you never knew existed suddenly open up, but you'll also be able to use them as a hands free kit as well.

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Vehicle Dock

You know the drill. It's a cradle with sucker and, because it's made by Samsung specifically for the Galaxy S, it fits just right and all the gaps are in the best places for you to access the buttons and ports you need. Pocket-lint tip: If the sucker doesn't agree with your windscreen, try a little spit between the two. Of course anyone catching you licking your car window might think you're a bit strange.

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10-in-1 mobile phone tool kit (£10.47)

Having a screwdriver set to get access to the innards of your mobile is proper geeky stuff but, then, that's why you're here. The kit contains all the tools you could ever need to carefully remove the bits and pieces of your phone and put them back together again. There's even a pair of tweezers to make sure you don't get your greasy prints over everything or start bashing other components out of place. The best part is that they're good even after you replace the Galaxy S with the Universe Super S Megaphone or whatever comes next.

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Samsung WMG1602 Wi-Fi HD streaming device

Samsung were pretty vague about exactly how the Samsung WMG1602 Wi-Fi HD streaming device would actually work and what form it would take, but the purpose of it was clear. It will enable users to "stream movies, music, and photos directly from a Galaxy S smart phone to an HDTV". The only strange thing is that, as far as we're aware, the Galaxy S can do that anyway given its DLNA credentials. So, all we can assume is that this gadget will make it easier to do, once it arrives on the Samsung store. Either way, it sounds like a winner.

Best android apps

Recently Android Market reached a Milestone of 50,000 apps in the Market Place. Although it’s from an Un-official source, but still Androlib can’t be way too wrong. Google decided to not to react to this news but it’s really nice for all the android owners. Still far behind it’s counter competitor, but the growth is mind blowing and it’s all too good for Android.



And with over 60% of Free apps on the Android Market, it’s much more pleasing.
Now with such a huge no of Apps it’s hard to find the best among them for your needs. So, i decided to review most of the similar apps. Will keep you posted bout those. For now I’ve complied a list of Must have android apps for your Xperia X10. And all of them being Free makes it even more tempting.
When browsing Android market here in India where i can view only Free Apps, I stumbled across few apps that took more than 50% of the time share i spend on my Xperia X10. In short i can’t live without those apps on my phone now.
Here is a must have Top Ten Android Applications for your Xperia X10. 1. Handscent SMS



Well, as i do a lot texts with my phone, so i wanted a better messaging app than the stock android sms app. Although the Stock android SMS app does the job pretty neatly but i wanted something more, like bubble style sms or the chat style sms.
And i searched the Android Market for it and found two apps that could well satisfy my needs, Handcent SMS and ChompSMS.
But digging deep into both of them made me stick to the handscent SMS. For more info bout the Handcent SMS you can watch my Somewhat immature review bout it here. Latest Version : Handcent SMS 2.9.37
Author Website : Handcent SMS


2. Astro File Manager



The most basic and important feature missing in the Android system is a File Manager. There are a lots of apps in the market which offers you different ways to manage your files on your android device. But the most classic File Manager on Android is the Astro File Manager. It does almost all the jobs of a File Manager form cut,copy paste,move, rename, zip, image viewing, etc. The Big Plus to it is the ability to install and uninstall apps that are not from the market. ( Outsourced Apks ).  Latest Version : Astro File Manager 2.3
Author Website : Astro File Manager for Android





3. Swype



Well, does the name tell you all bout it? If it doesn’t then you’re seriously missing out something really cool on your Xperia X10. You must have heard a lot bout the Xperia X10 keyboard issues which was there in the Firmware R1FA014 and was significantly reduced in the Firmware upgrade for Xperia X10 with R1FA016.
So, eventually people tend to ditch the standard keyboard of Sony Ericsson on Xperia X10 and look out for alternatives in the Android Market. And trust me there are some fabulous alternatives in the Android Market ranging from Keyboard with skins to T9 keyboards. ( Will touch upon that in detail in some post later, let me know in comments if you want me to! )For now, this alternative is the one you should try out. The first reaction of everyone i showed it to, was like “thats freaking amazing man!”
It does take keyboard input to another level by their patented technology of swyping across the alphabets to type the word. Like if you want to type, Gadgets, just touch the alphabet G and drag your path through the letters a,d,g,e,t and s. to get it registered. It works really quickly and does wonders to your typing speed even if you are new to touch screens.  Latest Version : Swype 1.25.16
Author Website : http://www.swypeinc.com/
QR Code : Not Available as the program is in beta and you download it from the author’s website. 
4. Free Advanced Task Manager



Although you’ve a wide variety of task managers, this one does the job perfectly and without any errors on the Xperia X10. With android having all the background apps always running might considerably eat your battery and hamper your experience with the device. Hence, it is highly recommended to use this app on your xperia x10. but please exclude the default apps from sony ericssion as some of them contain important plugins for the Timescape and Mediascape to work properly. In-fact Timescape widget will stop updating if you kill all the apps. So, be careful. Latest Version : Free Advanced Task Manager V1.6.1
Author Website : Free Advanced Task Manager


5. Gesture Search



Well, Google recently launched their new app with gesture searching capabilities on the Android Market. It was first only for Android 2.0 and above but they later optimized it for Android 1.6 as well and Xperia X10 owners got lucky.
This one is a great app and lets you reach your contacts, songs, pictures, etc in style.
I use it daily and it works quite quickly on the xperia X10. Guess if it’s next version could recognize the Numbers as well and that would rule out any other smart dial app on the market.  Latest Version : Gesture Search V1.1
Author Website : Gesture Search V1.1


6. Google Maps



With Google Maps announcing the Turn By Turn navigation for Android 1.6, Xperia X10 Owners are once again in luck and it becomes the most hottest application for your Xperia X10 now.
Even if you don’t have Turn By Turn Navigation for your country, you can enjoy this app, and it won’t let you down.
Another highly recommended app for your Xperia X10. Although, this comes pre-installed on your Xperia X10, but still this would make it to the top ten list. And if you’ve updated it to the Latest Google Maps V4.1.1 version, do it now.  Latest Version : Google Maps v4.1.1
Author Website : Gesture Search V1.1


7. DroidLive Lite



So, Finally FM comes to Xperia X10 and that too in style.  The most cool looking Streaming Fm Player on Android. I was blow up the interface of the app. And it does provide you with lots of FM Stations world wide. It is powered by SHOUTcastRadio.
The streaming is quite nice. So, the whiners who don’t like Xperia X10 just because X10 doesn’t have a Fm, give this app a try and you might fall in love with the Xperia X10.  Latest Version : DroidLive Lite v2.0.6
Author Website : DroidLive Lite v2.0.6


8. Where’s My Droid



Ever thought what would happen if you somehow forget your Xperia X10 somewhere and it gets stolen. Well, this is not ultimate app for your stolen Xperia X10 like the Wave Secure app is. But this does a pretty good job if someone is trying to trick you up. Or if you tend to keep your phone somewhere in your house and forget where it is. This app makes your phone Xperia X10 ring loudly even if it is on silent on receiving a code word in the message. Quite cool, isn’t it? So, go download it now.  Latest Version : Where’s My Droid v2.6.0
Author Website : Where’s My Droid v2.6.0


9. Dolphin Browser



Although, i would never like to find an alternative for the default browser on my Xperia X10, but this one does some functions. It’s gesture thing is quite nice with the tabbed browsing makes the whole experience really enjoyable. Although Dolphin browser is famous for it’s Multi-touch capabilities and it’s default nature of supporting Pinch Zoom. but as i’ve said before, X10 doesn’t support Multi-touch, so we might never experience that feature of this app.  Latest Version : Dolphin Browser v1.2.99
Author Website : Dolphin Browser v1.2.99

10. Barcode Scanner



Some of you might be wondering of what to do with those weird looking doted symbols after each Android App i Listed? Well those are the QR codes of the apps, which is similar to Barcodes and you can use this app to scan these codes or any other bar codes to find relative information bout the product or whatever it is. This is pretty cool app and is really quick on the Xperia X10. There are a few contenders which offers nice additions to what this app offers. ShopSavy is a nice alternative to this app and you might like to try it out as well.  Latest Version : Barcode Scanner v3.22
Author Website : Barcode Scanner v3.22

Samsung’s Remarkable Android Phones: Galaxy 3 & Galaxy 5

Samsung has come up with two groundbreaking revelations. This refers to the official unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy 3 I5800 and the Samsung Galaxy 5 I5500. These two are the smart phones with the trendy Android-power in them. Some of the best technologies and features include, Samsung’s TouchWiz 3.0 UI as well as A-GPS. To add to all this, the phones come with an internal storage space of a whopping 170 MB and there’s more, it will run on the latest Android 2.1.
The Galaxy 5 makes it a good buy for its lovely style, in spite of being an Android phones which are generally regarded as bulky. Its 2.8 inch QVGA display makes it perhaps one of the smallest Android phones that were ever available in the market. The screen uses the capacitive technology and along with it, a 240x 320 pixels, sports native resolution. The phone has a great camera with a fixed focus. The camera comes with an excellent LED flash and is 2 mega pixel. It has a dual band width with 3G (900/2100). To add to all this, it comes with a 2.1 Bluetooth with EDR and a WiFi b/g. It has a five directional D-pad.

Now for the features of the Galaxy 3, it has a display of 3.2 inch WQVGA. It has an auto focus camera of 3 mega pixels. Along with that, it comes with a Bluetooth 3.o and WiFi b/g. It not only has a D-pad that is five directional, but also has four keys that are touch sensitive. It has got a Micro USB port along with a 3.5 mm jack.
Customers of Europe and Asia can get the Samsung Galaxy 3 15800 from July 2010. While on the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy 5 15500 phone will be available to the customers of Europe, Latin America, Australia SEA, SWA, China as well as EMEA on the same month.
Details regarding the price of these two phones have are not yet available. As soon as it is available, customers can be assured of being updated about it.

Unknown

Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife (January Jones) suddenly doesn't recognize him and another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. Ignored by disbelieving authorities and hunted by mysterious assassins, he finds himself alone, tired and on the run. Aided by an unlikely ally (Diane Kruger), Martin plunges headlong into a deadly mystery that will force him to question his sanity, his identity, and just how far he's willing to go to uncover the truth.                    

Google adds video editor to Honeycomb

Google CEO Eric Schmidt speaks at Mobile World Congress 2011.

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET)

BARCELONA, Spain--Google today unveiled Movie Studio, a new application for the upcoming Honeycomb era of Android tablets that lets people edit videos.
The software, which Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt announced during a speech here at Mobile World Congress, is designed to expand on a phone's abilities to capture imagery.
With it, people can combine still images and videos to create broader video that can be shared online. People will be able to add musical soundtracks, fade to black at the end of the video, and add effects like the Ken Burns-style panning so common on Apple video software.
The software requires Android 3.0, the tablet-optimized version of Android set to debut soon with Motorola's Xoom tablet.
"When you play with Honeycomb, you'll get the sense of beauty and power we have with the new interface," Schmidt said. "I just really love it.
Android releases proceed alphabetically, with Gingerbread being the present version for phones and Honeycomb soon to come for tablets. The "I" version of Android will marry elements of both, Schmidt said.
He also said Google likes a six-month development cycle for Android. With Gingerbread released in late 2010, that suggests the sequel should arrive in the second quarter of this year.
Google's biggest Android rival is Apple, which makes not only the iOS mobile operating system but also the iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches on which it runs. Google has outflanked the iPhone with Android on cheaper phones that, though not always up to the full potential of Android, still are a big improvement over earlier-era smartphones.
Perhaps not coincidentally, however, rumors surfaced this week of a smaller, cheaper iPhone.
"Beyond helping address a potential saturation challenge, we believe that the possible introduction of a lower-priced iPhone is strategically important for Apple, and we are surprised the company hasn't introduced a lower-priced offering previously," Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi said in a research note today. "We believe that Apple's ultimate intention is to be the dominant smartphone vendor globally, and that the company has market share aspirations that are akin to its iPod business (rather that its Mac business, where it faces a sticky Wintel platform.)"
Competing with Microsoft
Google faces another rival in the newly paired Microsoft and Nokia, trying to create a third ecosystem to rival iOS and Android. With Windows Phone 7, Microsoft is trying to steer a middle course between the locked-down control of Apple with iOS and the free-for-all near-chaos that is the Android realm.
Indeed, in the big picture, Schmidt listed Microsoft as the company's top competitor.
"No question, our strongest competitor is Microsoft," Schmidt said. "They have a strong advertising model. They have the cash, the scale, the brand, and the reach to do good and amazing things."
Facebook, on the other hand, is not a problem at present, Schmidt said.
"Facebook appears to be additive," Schmdit said. "Facebook users use Google more. There's no evidence they're hurting our ad business. At this point we think Facebook is zero to net positive."
He left unsaid other aspects of the competitive reality, though: Google has been trying furiously for years now with little success to come up with services that match Facebook as a place where people congregate and share information online.
Regarding Nokia, Schmidt said the door is still open for the Finnish phone maker to join the Android realm. "We would have loved it if they'd chosen Android," he said.
Google has another operating system effort under way besides Android: Chrome OS. This is a browser-based project that runs Web apps rather than the native apps found on personal computers and Android.
It's possible someday it will merge with Android, Schmidt said.
"Don't force technology to merge when it's not ready," he said. "Wait for them to be ready."
Answering audience questions, Schmidt acknowledged fragmentation is something of an issue for Android programmers who want their apps to run well on multiple phones. But, he said, an antifragmentation clause and the Android Market dynamics will keep companies from straying too far.
The antifragmentation clause requires members of the Open Handset Alliance to include mandatory Android interfaces that software needs. And straying too far also will mean that apps aren't available in the Android Market--and no carriers want to miss out on the Android ecosystem, he said.
Moreover, he added, Android 2.3 will smooth over differences.
"We've released Gingerbread, which in a month or two everybody will upgrade to. At that point everybody will be on a common platform, which should address a lot of your concerns," he said, perhaps optimistically presuming that older phones will get the upgrade.

Apple unveils subscription service in App Store

'When Apple brings a new subscriber to the app, Apple earns a 30 percent share,' Steve
Jobs said in a statement today. (File photo.)

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Apple launched a subscription service at the App Store for magazines, newspapers, videos, and music bought through its App Store.
In a move that goes a long way to addressing concerns of many in the magazine and newspaper sectors, Apple said today that publishers will be allowed to set the price and the length of the subscription term. The processing of payments will be Apple's job and handled within the App Store. Apple will collect 30 percent of the revenue.
"Our philosophy is simple," Steve Jobs wrote in a statement. "When Apple brings a new subscriber to the app, Apple earns a 30 percent share. When the publisher brings an existing or new subscriber to the app, the publisher keeps 100 percent and Apple earns nothing.
"All we require," Jobs continued, "is that if a publisher is making a subscription offer outside of the app, the same (or better) offer be made inside the app, so that customers can easily subscribe with one-click right in the app."

Apple should become a significant channel and this might reduce pain. If Apple brings a customer to app it gets 30 percent. When publisher brings new or existing subscriber, Apple gets nothing. That is an advance."

--Chuck McCullagh, publishing consultant

The iPad has proven to be a popular media-consumption device and magazine and newspaper executives are typically excited about the tablet's appeal as an e-reader. But to get their content on the iPad, some in the newspaper and magazine sectors are dissatisfied with the money Apple once offered--a 30 percent cut forever. They were also unhappy with the amount of control Apple would exercise over subscriptions and user data.
But this latest offer from Apple is more publisher friendly, said Chuck McCullagh, a former senior vice president with the Magazine Publishers Association of America.
"Apple should become a significant channel and this might reduce pain [for publishers]," McCullagh told CNET. "If Apple brings a customer to app it gets 30 percent. When publisher brings new or existing subscriber, Apple gets nothing. That is an advance."
But McCullagh, who is now a consultant and advises magazines on their digital strategies, also still sees some sticking points. Apple's requirement that publishers must offer the same subscription for the app as it does out of it, could "bump into the common publisher practice of selling subscriptions at different prices across [distribution] channel's," McCullagh said. Some of those channels include the publisher's Web site, direct mail and newsstands.
Apple said this is the same digital-subscription billing service that the company recently launched with The Daily app, created by News Corp. for the Apple iPad.
In that case as with the latest announcement, Apple is giving subscribers the option to provide personal information, such as name and e-mail address, to publishers. This won't meet the needs of the publishers, McCullagh said, adding that publishers don't want third parties overseeing their relationship with readers.
Apple said that the relationship between the publisher and the App Store isn't exclusive. Publishers can sell subscriptions on their own site or offer free access to existing customers.
Subscriptions can be weekly, monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, biannual, or annual.
Publishers must provide their own authentication process within the app for subscribers who have signed up for service outside the App Store, according to Apple.

Vanishing On 7th Street

When a massive power outage plunges the city of Detroit into total darkness, a disparate group of individuals (Christensen, Leguizamo, Newton) find themselves alone. The entire city’s population has vanished into thin air, leaving behind heaps of empty clothing, abandoned cars and lengthening shadows. Soon the daylight begins to disappear completely, and as the survivors gather in an abandoned tavern, they realize the darkness is out to get them, and only their rapidly diminishing light sources can keep them safe.

                     

N.O.V.A. 2 iPhone Review

The original N.O.V.A. laid down a marker: this is what hardcore gaming on the iPhone can be like. Of course, a lot has changed in the year since Gameloft's sci-fi – some might even call it Halo-esque – shooter. Archetype proved that the iPhone can handle manic matches. Infinity Blade set a new benchmark for visuals. And Gameloft's own Modern Combat 2 was a bang-up shooter that strode beyond N.O.V.A.'s jumping off point.

And so N.O.V.A. 2 doesn't have that same initial pop. Greatness is no longer the exception because there are so many excellent iPhone games on a monthly basis. But even if that means N.O.V.A. 2 isn't a defining 2010 game, it's still an incredible ride and one of the best shooters for the iPhone. Kal has been recalled to active duty. There is some mumbo-jumbo about a human-alien alliance that Kal must protect, but it's all just a backdrop for N.O.V.A. 2's prime focus: shooting things. Whether it's corrupted soldiers, aliens, or robots, almost everything in N.O.V.A. 2 deserves to be blasted. Now, there's a reason why N.O.V.A. is compared to Halo. Gameloft obviously picked up on the flow and structure of Bungie's franchise. There are big set pieces strung together by small skirmishes and corridor shootouts. It's a still-effective formula, as you always look forward to the next huge moment, but the in-between stuff is never dull.

Enemies in N.O.V.A. 2 are pretty bright. Even hulking robots know to seek cover or draw your attention so a partner can flank your position. This means you cannot just stand out in the open and shoot. You also have to seek cover or master strafing techniques. With gyro controls, that's much easier to pull off because you can use your thumbs to move and shoot while aiming through tilts. Regular controls on older devices are totally functional, but the gyro controls cannot be beat. Between the precision of the gyro and N.O.V.A. 2's useful aim assists, you will pull off some great finesse shots with your ample weapon catalog.

I cannot leave out, though, my minor gripes about the crowded screen. Yes, you can customize your controls but there are almost too many things going on for your fingers – especially without any physical buttons. Weapon selection, reloading, grenades, special powers, jumping, shooting, running, pausing – you can only attach a few of these to muscle memory. It's difficult not to have to look at the buttons to find them in some situations, and if you glance at the wrong moment, it can be deadly.

Mech cockpit

N.O.V.A. 2 also includes vehicles. The bike is a neat addition, but the giant mechs you can hijack and use to wipe out entire approaching forces are the real gas here. When you climb into the cockpit of a mech and look out across giant arenas and hordes of aliens, you get a real feel for the scale of N.O.V.A. 2.

Speaking of scale, Gameloft upped the online component of N.O.V.A. 2 as well. Now, up to 10 players can participate in online matches. (N.O.V.A. 2 supports local multiplayer, but I suspect the majority of players will go for it online.) Oddly enough, N.O.V.A. 2 only uses Gameloft Live for matchmaking right now. I had hoped to see Game Center integration, but it's missing. There are multiple modes beyond traditional deathmatch, such as capture the flag and the killfest InstaGib. Like Modern Combat 2, Gameloft added a persistent persona for N.O.V.A. 2 where you gain experience for extra ranks and perks.

Multiplayer madness

Already, N.O.V.A. 2 is heating up. I'll be curious to see how things shake out when thousands of players cram the servers, but right now the lag is completely under control. The maps are nicely designed, too. My favorite so far is an alien temple with a lava floor that swallows up those not sure-footed. It's the smoothness and full-featured multiplayer that really puts N.O.V.A. 2 over the top. Even though I like the campaign of Modern Combat 2 more than N.O.V.A. 2, this is a great multiplayer game with lots of action.

Closing Comments

N.O.V.A. 2 is a stunning shooter that should not be missed, especially if you were a fan of the original. Everything has been improved, from the inclusion of the monster mechs to the 10-player online matches that work without hiccups. While it works on older devices, playing N.O.V.A. 2 with a Retina display and gyro is the way to go. The controls are smooth, which helps so much when the action gets furious. While there can be no doubt that N.O.V.A. 2 takes a lot of cues from Halo, there are far worse games to lean on for inspiration. Grab it.

Best nintendo 64 games of all time

Whether you agree with Nintendo's philosophies on game design or not, there really is no arguing with the fact that the company makes some of the best software in the world. Five years ago Nintendo proved this when it released its new 64-bit console alongside the Shigeru Miyamoto designed Super Mario 64, a 3D platformer that outlined the way 3D games are made even now. Five years later, the pioneering effort remains one of best titles in existence.
Since that time dozens and dozens of other great games have graced Nintendo 64. We've seen the arrival of unsurpassed first- and second-party efforts -- be them from Nintendo itself in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Wave Race 64 or developer Rareware in GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie and Perfect Dark. And we've seen spectacular third-party contributions too -- games like WWF Wrestlemania 2000, Resident Evil 2 and Rocket: Robot on Wheels. While Nintendo 64 will never be remembered for sheer selection of software (only 230 titles released thus far compared with more than 800 on Sony's PlayStation), it could very well be remembered for the most quality games.
With this in mind IGN64 set out to compile a list of the 25 best games to ever appear on Nintendo 64. The selection process we used was totally straightforward and honest, but most of all simple in nature. We threw our rating system out the window, disregarded the software's impact on the market when it was initially released, and rated everything based on how it fares in the current marketplace. That's it. What you see is what you get and there's nothing else to consider.
Note: Bear in mind that our list does not take into account unreleased software like Eternal Darkness or still-import games like The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. IGN64 will construct a future list that encapsulates upcoming software.
In the meantime, here is our full list of 25 games:


#25. Harvest Moon 64
Synopsis: Many N64 owners lobbied long and hard for Harvest Moon 64 to come to the US and when Natsume released this charming game at the end of 1999, it grabbed a lot of attention over the Holidays. It was unique to say the least, and copies of the game were hard to come by early in 2000. There was more stuff to do in this game than your average Rare platformer, but this proved to be Harvest Moon's hook. Keeping up with the variety of daily tasks in HM64 was an exercise in patience and persistence. There's nothing else like it on the N64.
Aaron Boulding's Take: Harvest Moon was by far the best farming simulator on the system, but it makes the Top 25 thanks to some of the richest and most addictive gameplay I've ever come across. The big head graphics, isometric point of view and poor audio elements were all forgotten once my first crop of potatoes came in, and that's all that matters. There wasn't any shooting, puzzle solving, or even jumping in Harvest Moon, but with all of that farmwork to be done everyday, who would have time for all of that nonsense anyway? It wasn't fast, it wasn't frantic, it was, however, chock full of something we at IGN like to call "fun." You haven't experienced happiness in a videogame until you've won Karen's heart.


#24. Rocket: Robot on Wheels
Synopsis: First-time Nintendo 64 developer Sucker Punch Studios jumped onto the scene with a highly original 3D platformer called Rocket: Robot on Wheels. The design philosophy behind the title is simple -- rather than build the platformer around the main character, the software house opted instead to focus on the interactivity of the 3D environments he travels. To that end, Rocket employs an advanced physics engine which allows the main character, a lovable unicycle-based robot named Rocket, to travel and experiment with colorful, platform-esque worlds with realistic gravity and inertia.
Matt Casamassina's Take: Rocket is one of the most underrated games for Nintendo 64 and it's really a shame because the game really does advance the platformer genre with great main character control, well-designed 3D worlds and fun puzzles. But even more, there is an enormously impressive physics engine powering this game that allows for a truly realistic sense of gravity and inertia, and interactivity between objects. Every object has its own set of lifelike attributes that must be "weighed" into consideration when solving puzzles. Can Rocket stack certain objects on top of each other or will everything become too heavy and fall over? Can the robot latch onto objects as they fly through the air and use them to travel across to areas that can't otherwise be reached? It's all in the puzzle solving.
This is a really well balanced little platformer that absolutely deserves to make the Top 25. It's too bad though that most Nintendo 64 owners haven't realized it.


#23. Mario Golf
Synopsis: When the whole Nintendo gang got together and jumped into a golf game, who knew it would be one of the most addictive sports games of summer 1999? Camelot's attention to detail on this Nintendo published title --heckling during someone else's turn is great stuff-- made what could've easily been a lame experience, a whole lot of fun. To get more life out of Mario Golf, there were extra characters available in the Game Boy Color version, a nice advantage this game has over other golf titles.
Aaron Boulding's Take: There are more golf titles on the N64 than hockey sims (Gretzky doesn't count) so Mario Golf had to earn its place on our list. It gets major points in my book for pick-up-and-playability even though it borrows heavily from Hot Shots Golf. The learning curve was a lot steeper than you'd expect from such a fruity looking game, and believe it or not I actually took some tips from this game onto the course with me. Any game that allows you to heckle should always be on a Top 25 list somewhere.


#22. Space Station: Silicon Valley
Synopsis: The wacky team from DMA Design has created an equally off-the-wall product in Space Station: Silicon Valley, a 3D platformer of sorts that puts players in control of a variety of different robotic animals. All of the madness takes place in the future as a Space Station housing the creatures glides steadily on a destruction path towards Earth. The unique title encourages players, as a robotic chip, to jump into the bodies of these cyborg-animals in order to accomplish various missions.
Matt Casamassina's Take: Silicon Valley, like Rocket, is one of the 3D platformers that most Nintendo 64 owners seem to have overlooked for no good reason. The game features 30+ levels of remarkably well put together missions that have players doing everything from jumping into the bodies of hovering sheep to taking over farting rats in order to solve puzzle-based challenges and advance. The action is odd; in the opening level, you actually get a bonus for positioning a clueless sheep underneath a spaceship's rocket booster, where of course you power the sucker up and roast the poor animal. Sure, it's odd and even questionable behavior, but it's ingeniously hilarious too.
At the end of the day, Silicon Valley is a 3D platformer that you can pick up and play without worry of tedious collecting and formulaic puzzle solving. It controls great, looks solid, and is a crack up -- and original designs like this should be embraced.


#21. Blast Corps
Synopsis: Back in 1997, Blast Corps served as an important reminder that not everygame had to be a sequel to an existing franchise to pack mass appeal. Puttogether by British second-party developer Rare, Blast Corps is almost likea nostalgic trip back to the heydays of the NES or the time of Robotron andMissile Command. The game puts players behind the controls of current andfuturistic destruction machinery with the objective of clearing a path foran out-of-control nuclear missile carrier. Released to very little mediahype on March 24, '97, Blast Corps quickly won the hearts of N64 owners byoffering a well-rounded combination of destructive gameplay and intelligentpuzzles, topped off with a rocking soundtrack and good graphics.
Peer Schneider's Take: I actually bought Blast Corps for the secondtime just a few months ago (someone borrowed my first copy and never gaveit back, but I can't remember who...). While the graphics are a bit datednow, especially when compared to more recent Rare titles, it still remainsone of my favorite Rare games of all times. Unlike Diddy Kong Racing,Donkey Kong 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, there is nothing else like Blast Corps onN64 -- or any other console, for that matter.
Although the game is a tad too short, Blast Corps's strength lies in itssheer gameplay variety. None of its eight vehicles are alike, but all ofthem have one thing in common: a steep learning curve. Learning how tocontrol the Backlash dumptruck is one thing -- mastering it is anotherstory entirely. If you haven't played Blast Corps in awhile, pick it upagain and see if you can beat the Diamond Sands railroad tracks levelwithout breaking a sweat. I get tense just thinking of the alarm buzzerthat sounds every time the missile carrier gets close to a building... Addto that some of the best bonus levels around (the shuttle sequences weretruly inspired) and you've got one of the most explosive action titles onthe console to date.
Blast Corps continues to show that there is still room for originalgameplay mechanics beyond the "but-now-it's-in-3D" sequelmania that hasbefallen many console game developers in recent years.


#20. Jet Force Gemini
Synopsis: One of the more difficult gaming experiences to be had for Nintendo 64, Rare's Jet Force Gemini is a third-person 3D action-shooter set to the backdrop of an entire galaxy in a war engulfed future. Players control Juno, Vela and Lupus the dog through tons of beautiful 3D environments plugging enemy after bloody enemy in order to save groups of kidnapped "Tribals" and retrieve spaceship parts. JFG also features a semi-cooperative mode for two-players, and various deathmatch battle options for up to four gamers.
Matt Casamassina's Take: Jet Force Gemini is one of Nintendo 64's best action games, and yet it's also one of the most frustrating. The game has a wonderfully original style mixing cartoony characters and over-the-top violence -- and it works. In JFG, it's not uncommon to run into groups of gun-wielding insects, zoom in on them with your sniper, and pick their heads off one by one. Of course, it wouldn't be a Rare game if their noggins didn't explode in a bloody mess spilling green bug slop everywhere. But while gore plays a big part in JFG, the title is hardly limited to it. Complex and varied level design coupled with a whopping amount of enemies to destroy ensure the action never slows to a standstill, but the Rare design -- the collection of dozens upon dozens of well-hidden Tribals in an effort to extend replay value -- does get on the nerves. All things said and done though, JFG still has no trouble whatsoever making the Top 25 as its one of the most refreshingly original games to hit the console -- even if it does have a few drawbacks.



#19. NHL '99
Synopsis: MBL Research did a bang up job on NHL '99. The development team did the best job of bringing the rowdy fun of 16-bit EA Sports hockey to the N64 and many hockey fans were finally able to relax and enjoy a hockey game worthy of their attention. Yes it was a port of the previous year's PlayStation NHL game, but when you give a starving man a cracker it's going to be the best cracker he's ever had. With all due respect to both Eddie Murphy and MBL Research, NHL '99 took advantage of the N64's capabilities well enough to provide a robust and full hockey game regardless of the other drivel that had appeared on the N64 to that point. You had the full license, you had all of the arenas, you had all of the rules and regulations of hockey, of course. More than all of that however, you had the nonstop hockey action that had been missing from the N64 library. There were 3D players, but with the overhead perspective it didn't really matter, all you needed to see was the man with the puck and your opponent's goal. Hockey is a game that's best played from a top down perspective, even if that isn't the best way to show off a system's 3D capabilities. What we did get in NHL '99 was plenty of speed and a perfect balance of hockey realism and arcade thrills rolled into one outstanding game.
Aaron Boulding's Take: Not only did the guys in the movie Swingers get it right in regards to the inclusion of fighting in the Genesis NHL games ('93 had it, '94 didn't) but they inspired me to pick up NHL '99 immediately and dig into it like the rabid skeptic that I was. The game stood up to every criteria for greatness that I had. With hockey I don't need a lot of extra features, create-a-pucks and bells and whistles. I need a nice responsive turbo button, some bone jarring checks and a realistic one-timer mechanism to see me through. The C-down button was a little tough on the thumb, but being the hockey veteran that I am, I played through the pain because turbo and power checking is just that important to me. Since the automatic deke move hasn't been in a NHL game for a good six years, setting up for a clean shot was that much more important. The one-timers didn't happen as often as I would've liked, but the extra challenge made me enjoy it even more. An enjoyable, well designed sports game can never be too difficult. NHL '99 was all that and a red-flavored sno-cone.


#18. All-Star Baseball 2001
Synopsis: Ten years from now, when we look back on all of this, Acclaim's legacy on the N64 should be limited --for their own good and ours-- to Turok and the marvelous All-Star Baseball franchise. You know you've put together a realistic baseball sim when readers send in comments like "Why can't I steal signs from the catcher with my third base coach?" or "Are they going to include fan interference in the next game?" ASB first dazzled us back in 1998 with its truly next generation graphics and animation. Baseball games, by nature, are limited and narrow in scope, but that's all the more reason to make your game look and move as well as possible. By the time the 2001 version rolled around, ASB had been refined with a ton of options and spruced up gameplay. ASB 2001 had the most flash and depth, so it's the definitive baseball game on the N64.
Aaron Boulding's Take:: Unfortunately, the bad continued with the good as that annoying statistics bug and some baseball no-nos (double switch anyone?) found their way through every version of All-Star Baseball including this most recent one. Despite these obstacles, I still found myself strangely hooked on it once I got a final copy of the game in my hands.
Believe it or not, this is one of the few baseball games, where I actually enjoyed playing defense more than being up to bat. Give me Pedro Martinez and I'll throw a complete game 1-hitter any day of the week. That's much more fun than hitting five home runs in one game with Sammy Sosa. The batting interface in ASB 2001 should certainly be considered among the videogame innovations that came to life on the N64.
ASB '01 was written off by many as simply more of the same old baseball, yawn, yawn, blah, blah. As we said then, the game of baseball hasn't changed so if you can get anything new and substantial out of your new videogame, then the mission's been accomplished. And if nothing else, the final edition of ASB had such detailed stadiums you could even read the fake Budweiser and Coke signs at Turner Field. That's as American as it gets.


#17. Mario Kart 64
Synopsis: Depending on who you ask, Mario Kart 64 is either one of the greatest racers to hit Nintendo 64 or one of the console's biggest let-downs. Many would argue that the single- and multiplayer modes present in Super Mario Kart are superior to those in the 64-bit version, and while we can certainly sympathize, Mario Kart 64 still offers one of the best multiplayer experiences to be had on Nintendo 64. Like its predecessor, the title is once again a kart race featuring classic Nintendo mascots. This time around players can race as everybody from Mario himself to Luigi, Bowser, the Princess, Yoshi, Donkey Kong and Wario. Mario Kart 64 features a good selection of straightforward single-player levels that allow players to sabotage computer controlled opponents on the roadside with various power-up bonuses. The title also sports an addictive multiplayer mode in which up to four players can battle against each other through several arena-style environments.
Matt Casamassina's Take: The single-player game in Mario Kart 64 is fun. There are lots of different levels to race through and each one has its own unique theme. The power-ups are a nice addition as you can really knock opponents out of position with a well-placed shot to the back. The graphics, even by today's standards, are simplistic and cartoony, but colorful and polished all the same. It all comes together for a solid little racing experience.
But Mario Kart 64 simply wouldn't be on our list if it wasn't for the game's fantastically addictive multiplayer mode. The simple truth is that it's still one of the best multiplayer games to be had for Nintendo 64 thanks to some classic Nintendo gameplay mechanics, balanced controls and power-ups, and well-designed battle arenas. Once you've whipped around a corner as Mario, triggered your Star Power, and rumbled through three friends in your path, you'll be hooked -- guaranteed. And your friends will be too. We popped the game back in for the purposes of the Top 25 and ended up playing it for hours. Time sure can fly when you're having fun.


#16. 1080 Degrees Snowboarding
Synopsis: You didn't think we'd forget about Nintendo's snowboarding game, did you? The EAD developed 1080 Degrees Snowboarding was somewhat of a surprise when it debuted for Nintendo 64 in 1998 as Nintendo only announced the title was in existence six months before it released. Just ask Boss Game, which had spent a good amount of time working on Twisted Edge Snowboarding only to be informed by Nintendo that 1080 was in development, and in fact would release first. 1080 Snowboarding is, obviously, a snowboarding game. It features six courses and eight playable characters, a half-pipe, trick challenges, licensed Lamar boards, a two-player cooperative mode and more. It's got all of the options and extras one would hope would be included for a game of this type, of course. It's a Nintendo game and we'd expect nothing less.
Matt Casamassina's Take: 1080 Snowboarding is still the best snowboarding game available on any console (though EA is looking to dethrone it with its PS2 SSX -- the verdict is still out). What makes it so spectacular are the same aspects that solidify so many Nintendo games as classics -- indescribably tight control and a feeling that the activity of snowboarding, the sensation of it all, has truly been captured. Everything from the way snowboarders slide out and kick up trails of icy snow as they speed along to the way the wind screams by players as they slide downhill -- it just feels right. And from a visual standpoint, 1080 has really gone the extra mile. Think great draw distance, top texture design, amazing particle effects (you'll swear the snow is real), realistic boarder animation, and even a fancy little lens flare effect -- all with a solid framerate.
Just the thought of a Dolphin sequel makes me giddy.


#15. Resident Evil 2
Synopsis: After way too long Capcom's "survival horror" series makes its Nintendo 64 debut in form of Resident Evil 2 -- a port of the PlayStation original. Raccoon City has somehow fallen victim to a zombie outbreak and it's up to you as either police officer Leon Kennedy, or Claire Redfield (sister to Chris Redfield from RE1), to find out what's going on. The adventure, which takes place in 3D using pre-rendered backgrounds, drags you through spooky crash sites, abandoned buildings, experiments gone wrong and more -- all the while battling undead monstrosities, solving puzzles and, most of all, trying to stay alive. Lots of weapons and other gadgetry allow for some truly disgusting mayhem. RE2 for N64 is exactly the PlayStation game of the same name with a few new EX files that reveal more details about the overall franchise storyline -- it's even got FMV.
Matt Casamassina's Take: While it's true that Resident Evil 2 for N64 is just a port of the PlayStation game, that doesn't make it any less spectacular. Capcom enlisted the expertise of developer Angel Studios for the translation and what a job the company did. Not only are all of the FMV cut-scenes from the 32-bit original included (and that's a lot of full motion video, the way), but so are all of the audio samples and pre-rendered backdrops -- all thanks to a hefty 512-megabit cartridge and some serious compression techniques. In fact, Angel Studios even made some improvements; RE2 N64 runs in high-resolution mode for example. This time already looked amazing for PlayStation and it's even prettier for Nintendo's console.
On the play side, RE2 is one hell of a great action-adventure -- arguably the best of the series, and that translates perfectly to N64. The analog stick is used to control the characters through loads of spooky backdrops blasting zombies to pieces and solving obscure puzzles. It's a game that delivers a light back-story and lots of slasher movie, jump-out-and-go-boo scares. And trust me when I tell you that if you play this game alone you're going to be too unnerved to walk down a dark hallway afterward.
Easily one of the best gaming experiences to be had with your N64.


#14. Madden NFL 99
Synopsis: The first "real" Madden offering from EA Sports, Madden '99 is certainly the prettiest and probably the most functional football title on the N64. It had the full NFL license, a major improvement over the unbearable Madden 64, and the exquisite Madden gameplay we've come to expect from that sacred franchise. This was the Madden game that defined NFL football on the console. Excellent graphics, tons of NFL detail and a wonderful new franchise mode made this the best console football game until NFL2K showed up. Both Madden 2000 and Madden 2001 have the same Blitz inspired player models that just don't stand up to the solid, flesh-and-bone players and well animated players from '99. The framerate in '99 was the worst of the group but nowhere near bad enough to take away from the enjoyment of the game.
Aaron Boulding's Take: Madden '99 proved to be the alpha and omega of NFL football on the N64. Nothing against the newer versions or Acclaim's Quarterback Club series, but the only thing that holds M99 back nowadays is the outdated roster, otherwise I'd still be wearing it out. No PlayStation version could stand up to the marvelous look and beautiful animations of Madden '99. You can actually see the fabric of the jerseys twist and ripple as the players move and the tackles looked very effective. Besides all of this, that game was tough. Damn tough. The running game was only for the toughest console coaches, and that only made the passing game that much tougher. The defensive AI always, and I mean always, took away the sidelines, so with no out patterns and no running up the middle you had to be pretty crafty if you wanted to put points on the board. Super difficult sports games, may not be something today's gamers can enjoy, but hardcore gamers and Madden veterans should have an appreciation for this best version on the best console.


#13. Ridge Racer 64
Synopsis: Namco's classic Ridge Racer franchise hits Nintendo 64 at long last as Ridge Racer 64, a semi-port of sorts complete with new tracks and cars, a four-player mode, a brutally fast sensation of speed and an all-new gameplay mechanic to boot. Though in fact the game wasn't developed by Namco itself, newcomer NST (NOA's internal studios) has worked a little magic of its own to keep the powerslide-based formula of the series intact while offering a new style of play too. RR64 features "nine" tracks -- which, in actuality, amount for three courses with three variations of each. It also features 25 cars, many of which are not playable at first and must gradually be unlocked. This is an arcade racer to the very core.
Matt Casamassina's Take: Like Resident Evil 2, Ridge Racer to N64 has been a long, long time coming. And like RE2, though the N64 version has not been developed by the franchise's original creator, the end product does not suffer at all. NST has done a wonderful job making a super-polished, blazing fast incarnation of the Ridge Racer series. The company has also dashed in a bit of innovation with a remarkably well designed new gameplay mechanic that enables players to use full 360 degree powerslides to zip around sharp turns without losing speed. Once you've played RR this way, it's very difficult to go back to Namco's formula, and don't get me wrong -- I love the original design too. The name of the game is speed and RR64 has more than you'll be able to handle. There are times that you'll wish the action would slow down a little bit, in fact.
RR64 screams along with a solid framerate and with an impressive visual look too. Environments are colorful and detailed, and while vehicles are decidedly low in polygon-count they still come off all right. Throw in a fun multiplayer mode, three levels to race through (one original) with variations on each course, 25 cars to unlock, and even a great little music soundtrack and it's not hard to see why this game makes our Top 25.


#12. WWF Wrestlemania 2000
Synopsis: It only added some WWF spices to a tried and true wrestling formula left over from previous WCW games, but WWF Wrestlemania 2000 still stands as the best wrestling game anywhere. Period. The Aki/Asmik engine, complete with its floaty limbs and horrible collision detection, has the very best animations of any wrestling game. Being able to tell the difference between a Rock Bottom and a Chokeslam is important to WWF fans and Wrestlemania came through with flying colors. The Create-a-Wrestler feature is one of the deepest and best character editing features in any game, wrestling or otherwise. You could make believable likenesses of just about anybody you know, provided they have faces like wrestlers. The WWF flair only strengthened the appeal of this game. Only Wrestlemania brought you the People's Elbow and Rock Bottom and permanent People's Eyebrow like you wanted it. The people spoke with their wallets at the end of 1999. Wrestlemania sold 1 million copies in just about two months.
Aaron Boulding's Take: Even with a new game on the horizon that promises to be better, I still get excited about Wrestlemania 2000. It's still the one game, even with all of the new N64, Dreamcast, PC etc games around the IGN offices, that I play when I don't know what I want to play. Not only do I still create update versions of my custom wrestler, but I make what I feel to be appropriate versions of all of my favorite WWF superstars. In my world The Rock goes off the top rope all the time. Wrestlemania 2000 gave me the WWF in the best possible way until I can get to some custom storylines and feuds on the next generation systems. Besides it's good for putting the IGN Wrestling guys in their place when they get too uppity.


#11. Super Smash Bros.
Synposis: Super Smash Bros. literally came out of nowhere. Onlythree months before its scheduled Japanese release, Nintendo announced thatsecond party developer HAL was putting the finishing touches on a fightinggame starring some of its most popular franchise characters. Starring 12Nintendo mascots, including Mario, Luigi, Fox, Legend of Zelda's Link,Metroid's Samus, Pokémon's Pikachu and Jigglypuff and even Captain Falconfrom F-Zero, Super Smash Bros. proofed once and for all that Nintendo couldtake on any genre -- and deliver a spectacular game. Despite NOA's initialhesitations ("Nintendo mascots fighting each other?") , the game wasfinally release stateside three months later and became a huge hit.
Peer Schneider's Take: Talk about an underrated game! Super SmashBros. literally came out of nowhere. Some critics blasted the game for itsshort single-player game, but anyone with more than one controller (andsome friends) was able to look past the shallow one-player mode to discoverone of the best multi-player games for the console.
All the action takes place on one screen, from a zoomed out third-personperspective more reminiscent of old-school platformers than traditionalfighting games. The premise is as simple as the controls. Beat up youopponents and knock them off the fighting platform to score a point. Themore damage your opponents sustain, the farther you can throw them. Apartfrom the quick, but explosive mayhem that ensues when more than one playerhas at it, the game manages to bring back many fond gaming memories bybombarding players with familiar items, power-ups and many classic tunes.Price of a Super Smash Bros. cartridge: $39. Pricetag for four Nintendo 64controllers: about $100. Hearing the Zelda Overworld theme kick in whilethrowing Pikachu off Hyrule Castle: Priceless.


#10. International Superstar Soccer '98
Synopsis: It's the non-licensed game with Carlos Valderrama on the cover and it's the very best soccer game to ever hit the N64. International Superstar Soccer '98 surpassed the several FIFA licensed game by EA Sports thanks to excellent and silky smooth gameplay and control. You had to suffer through fake superstars like "Romano" in place of Ronaldo, but this sequel to ISS64 had the same charm of the original, plus a whole lot more. You had more teams, more pitches, more options plus an improved create a player feature. There wasn't much wrong with ISS64, but little additions like head tracking and a more sophisticated AI brought soccer home in the best way. The nonstop action of real soccer (and hockey for that matter) lends itself to videogames better than most sports and ISS'98 capitalized on this by forcing the gamer to learn the intricacies of "football." Sure you could try to go one-on-one every time you got the ball, but you'll be a lot more successful if you involve your teammates in a well planned attack. If you want the best soccer experience on the N64 top to bottom, International Superstar Soccer '98 is your cartridge.
Aaron Boulding's Take: ISS98 did soccer the way it was meant to be done. I consider myself a fan of the beautiful game so it was difficult to get over all of the made up players, teams and facilities, but when you have such solid control and realistic gameplay, you realize ISS captured the real beauty of the game. I genuinely got excited and felt proud when the announcer gave an account of my goals and defensive prowess. The crowd went crazy, the players celebrated and all was right in the world of soccer videogames when ISS'98 came out. This International Superstar Soccer game fixed many of the things that were wrong with ISS64 (the player editor feature was brutal) and threw in some extras that really made the game more addictive. More than anything, ISS98 allows you to score goals in more realistic ways than any other soccer game. Whether it was a beautiful dissection of the defense by well-coordinated passes or an ugly trickler that meanders by a downfallen keeper, all of the goals in ISS'98 were believable. You just had to earn it. The side to side perspective and surprisingly effective camera movements could've been applied to many sports games on many systems.


#9. Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Synopsis: Ubi Soft brings its 2D platformer franchise into the third dimension in Rayman 2: The Great Escape, one of the best titles to grace Nintendo 64, and somewhat of a surprise at that. The game pits players as the one and only Rayman, a stylized cartoony character who lacks any joints. Rayman embarks on a grand quest to free his home world from enslavement by a threatening army of robotic pirates. To do that, he must battle through more than 45 platformer-esque levels collecting power Lums and saving his friends from certain destruction. Rayman 2 is much more linear than a platformer like, say, Donkey Kong 64. The game features colorful, vividly detailed graphics and lots of easy bonus areas for those skilled enough to unlock them. Like in so many platformers, there is plethora of puzzle solving elements too.
Matt Casamassina's Take: Rayman 2 is one of my favorite games for Nintendo 64 -- hands down. Developed overseas by Ubi Soft France, the game captures the wonderful cartoon style present in the previous 2D Rayman incarnations, and draws it all to life in vividly detailed 3D worlds. Everything from the way characters animate -- smooth and silky -- to the outrageously beautiful environments the game serves up -- filled with colors, painstakingly crisp textures, transparencies, lighting effects, layering and more -- is near flawless in design. It's right up there with Banjo-Kazooie from a visual standpoint.
But thankfully Rayman 2 is not just a pretty exterior. The gameplay mechanic powering the title is deep, clever, and addictive too. The game is relatively linear in nature so there isn't really a central hub and 15 different directions for Rayman to go -- and it works all the better because of it. Players won't have to waste time figuring out where to go next or collecting tedious amounts of necessary items -- they can just run with the amazing 3D worlds. But while the game is definitely more linear than some of Rare's efforts, that doesn't mean it's not deep. Rayman can execute a number moves from a helicopter spin (in order to float across chasms) to a power blast that renders enemies useless. In addition, there is a notable puzzle element that has players figuring out ways to advance to areas, beat characters and enemies and so on. And finally, Rayman 2 features all sorts of different gameplay styles -- players will have to ride rockets through pirate ships, slide through tunnels, run from chasing monsters, helicopter spin through entire levels, outrun cannon fire, and so much more.
In the end you've got a platformer with outstanding graphics, amazing control , classic gameplay mechanics and a ton of variety. You can't ask for better than that.


#8. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
Synopsis: When N64 owners found out Acitivision was bringing a version of the truly remarkable PlayStation game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater to the N64, there were intense mixed feelings. We didn't want yet another substandard port of an outstanding PSX game. We wanted and were fortunate to receive, thanks to Edge of Reality, arguably the best version of the breakthrough skateboarding game. With the exception of a few minor features (video walls etc.) everything that made Tony Hawk so fun made it to the N64 game. The biggest difference was that it looked better. No jumpy, pixelated skaters this time around. The N64 game featured smooth, crisp riders rolling and sliding around sharp environments with only the occasional dip in framerate. The c-buttons were a bit tougher on the fingers when you tried some higher level tricks and combos, but that's all part of a days job for a hardcore gamer. If you knew nothing about skateboarding coming into this game, you would know plenty about this urban activity by the time you were done. Even the outlandish music grew on IGN64 after awhile.
Aaron Boulding's Take I can sum up my opinion of Tony Hawk through my feelings of jealousy. Matt was always, and I mean always, playing the darn thing in the weeks after Tony Hawk came out. Granted, he was always playing the same character on the same level over and over and over again before playing it repeatedly some more. With that said, I enjoyed my limited time with Tony Hawk tremendously. The design, control and mechanics were so rock solid and enjoyable that there were times when I thought I was playing a Nintendo published title (1080 Snowboarding anyone?) at times. That's quite an achievement for a third party developer porting another third party developer's game onto one of the more difficult systems to develop for. Tony Hawk is flat out one of the best games on the N64 because of one thing: pure fun. The career mode challenged me with a nice steady deliberate learning curve and plenty of rewards. The free skates ate up hours of my free time in the blink of an eye. With all of the great games we have access to around the IGN offices, Tony Hawk on the N64 was the dominant title around here this past spring. But then again, Matt didn't put up much of a fight either.


#7. Banjo-Kazooie
Synopsis: Recipe for Banjo-Kazooie: Start with Nintendo's Mario 64. Now remove the fat Italian plumber and replace him with a bear/bird duo that cannot be separated. Sprinkle in generous portions of huge, colorful 3D worlds textured so well that there be no doubt about Rare's graphic ability. Now add loads upon loads of items that must be collected or rescued -- everything from musical notes to Jinjos, happy little guys. Marinate while stirring in clever puzzles and unique British humor. Add in great dynamic music and boil.
Matt Casamassina's Take: You have to wonder what Rare smokes before it comes up with its mascot characters. When the developer's 3D platformer Banjo-Kazooie was first unveiled many E³s ago, the gaming world was, well, surprised to say the least. A bear and bird duo and Mario 64 style control? Okay. Characters that fart out speech and a bird that poops eggs out of its arse? Sure. While there was a certain amount of doubt regarding the sanity behind the development of the title, there was none about the execution. Banjo-Kazooie looked amazing when it first debuted and it played even better.
For the purposes of this article, I popped Banjo back into my N64 and was hardly surprised to see that it has not aged a bit. Even now, years after its initial release, it's one of the most amazing platformers -- no, games the system has to offer. Imagine Mario 64 style mechanics with new additions here and there and a visible finesse that no 64-bit title has matched yet. It can be said that Banjo is unoriginal and that might very well be true, but it's still a platformer masterpiece. Impressively gigantic worlds, lush backdrops, comical characters, satisfying puzzles, top control, ingeniously clever level design and fun boss matches -- it's everything you'd want out of a platformer.


#6. Wave Race 64
Synopsis: Two months after Super Mario 64 dazzled US gamers with itsnearly flawless 3D platform gameplay, Nintendo unleashed what would becomeits best racing game to date. Wave Race 64. Developed by one of EAD's mosttalented teams, this latest masterpiece by legendary designer ShigeruMiyamoto showed that there was still plenty of room for growth in thecrowded racing genre. Up to two players get behind the controls ofYamaha-licensed jet-skis and try to beat eight totally unique watercourses. Add to that realistic sound effects and ground-breaking watereffects and you've got an instant Nintendo water racing classic that hasyet to be dethroned.
Peer Schneider's Take: There are few games that manage to define agenre -- and remain the best game in its class for many years. Wave Race 64is a combination of ambitious 3D graphics, incredible physics, finely tunedcontrols and impeccable track design. Even after more than three years, Ihave yet to play another jet-ski game that "feels" this good. The firsttime you pick up Wave Race, you will most likely have a hard time gettingto grips with the unusual physics. But once you learn the controls, youwill be able to pull off stunts, turn on a dime, submerge your jet-ski andjump over obstacles. While I could spend a long time just plowing throughthe training level doing flips and barrel rolls, the game really starts toshine in the Championship Mode.
Unlike in most racers, each track doesn't only look different, it alsofeels completely different. Thanks to the dynamically generated waves, aride on a calm lake plays nothing like a race through a stormy shipyard. Asif the wave conditions weren't enough, many tracks also feature changingelements, such as tides and opening pathways. Though the selection ofcourses is a bit limited by Nintendo's standards (it should be noted herethat most other racers in 1996 featured between one and four tracks bycomparison) , the game easily made up for the limitations with achallenging stunt mode and some cool secrets. All in all, Wave Race 64 isan experience not to be missed. Let's hope Nintendo hasn't forgotten aboutthis great franchise and will let us "follow the dolphin" again in the nearfuture.

#5. Excitebike 64
Synopsis: IGN64's pick for best racing game on Nintendo 64, and one of the best titles for the system period, is Left Field Productions' Excitebike 64. The name might sound familiar to you because Excitebike goes way back -- all the way, in fact, to the days of the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Like the classic game of the same name, Excitebike 64 is a dirtbike racer. It features 20 tracks include indoor and outdoor courses, stunt areas, uphill climb challenges, licensed bikes and riders, a four-player multiplayer mode, and outstanding graphics. It really is exactly as you'd expect -- Excitebike in 3D.
Matt Casamassina's Take: The original Excitebike debuted in 1981. It was a 2D side-scrolling racer. The game was extremely simplistic in design, but it felt great, allowing players level out their bikes in mid-air to prevent crashes, strafe through different lanes, and catch huge air. Left Field has really looked to the classic title for inspiration, and this really shines through in Excitebike 64's design. Sure, it's a 3D dirtbike racer complete with a unbelievably superb physics engine that delivers a crazy sense of realism and over-the-top arcade thrills at the same time. Sure, it all comes to life in glorious 3D with brilliantly detailed graphics constructed of top-notch texture design, beautiful 3D environments and models, fluid animation, particle effects, an impressive draw distance, and with a framerate that is generally very smooth. Sure it's got loads of eye-popping tracks, an uphill climb mode that will have you addictive, a multiplayer soccer mode, desert tracks, and even the original Excitebike included as a bonus. And trust me -- all of the above comes together to solidify Excitebike 64 as one of the deepest racers to hit any videogame system -- PC or console -- ever. But even more than the wonderful graphics and never-ending well of options, this game feels marvelous. Only after you've hit a jump just right, soared a cross a chasm and straightened your bike out before landing without a loss of speed -- all with a feeling of control so very reminiscent of the original Excitebike -- will you understand why Excitebike 64 was picked over Nintendo's own Wave Race 64 as our favorite racer on the console.


#4. GoldenEye 007
Synopsis: It's the one that changex things forever. Not only was the N64 blessed with one of the best games of all time, but videogames in general took a new direction when Rare brought GoldenEye 007 to the home console. It became the definitive first-person shooter for consoles thanks to an outstanding storyline, sound and stunning realism. The control scheme for GoldenEye still hasn't been faithfully reproduced in any other game, with one notable exception of course. The game hit nearly two years after Pierce Brosnan first took over the James Bond mantle and made many N64 owners enjoy the movie in an entirely different way. Perhaps GoldenEye's greatest impact was its introduction of multiplayer deathmatch on the console. The thought of playing a console game where your buddies sitting right next to you are controlling the enemies rather than some hopelessly inefficient artificial intelligence was an idea whose time had come and GoldenEye was the well crafted result. Its importance is undeniable. Its place in history is secure. GoldenEye was "cool" where other top N64 games to that point could only aspire to be "neat."
Aaron Boulding's Take: True Story. Late Summer 1997.
Peer: Hey have you heard about this game GoldenEye?
Aaron: Yeah, that's that shooting game right?
Peer: Yep. You should check it out. It's pretty cool.
Needless to say, Peer has a knack for the understatement. "Pretty cool" describes the way you could zoom in and examine the weapons in GoldenEye. The way bullet holes would stay in the wall for bit after shooting it is "pretty cool." Everything else about GoldenEye was damn freakin' ass-kickingly awesome! This game ate up more of my time over a period of about six weeks than any other game ever did. I remember trying to herd Natalya through the Control level for a week straight. I remember chasing after 006 on the damn cradle with my pistol at least a thousand times. At the age of 24, I remember being so addicted to the game that I took my N64 and GoldenEye cart on vacation with me, just so I could continue progressing through the game. I didn't even do that when I was a wee lad.
GoldenEye turned me back into a hardcore gamer by re-igniting that fire that burns in all of us when we get our hands on a game that exceeds our expectations and satisfies the soul. Sure, a certain Ms. Dark has come along and improved on everything I loved about 007, but there is no feature, add-on or tweak that can compete with the novelty of that first all-new refreshing experience I had with GoldenEye. You never forget your first time.


#3. Perfect Dark
Synopsis: Only George Lucas' return visit to family friendly fun on spaceships could compete with Perfect Dark as the most anticipated release of 1999. Unfortunately for us, Perfect Dark, forfeited its '99 bragging rights, but we'd be lying if we didn't admit that this Rare masterpiece lived up to the hype and delivered exactly what it promised. With the "recommended" help of the 4MB Expansion Pak, Rare squeezed so much more out of the GoldenEye engine that PD comes across as an entirely different experience top to bottom. Every trail that GoldenEye blazed, was paved, lit and fitted with carpool lanes by Perfect Dark. The sound, control, number of options, graphics and even framerate are all noticeably improved in this game. The storyline, while unfamiliar is brought to life by outstanding cinemas and surprisingly good voice-acting. Shooting, with some snazzy new weapons we might add, is still the primary focus of the game, but with all of the tasks and puzzles to get through, you'll have to use your brain as well as your trigger finger to get by. It is in this way, that Perfect Dark, pays the ultimate respect to GoldenEye. Rare took so many steps to differentiate this game from it's three year old predecessor, but the one thing that is consistent over both games, is the extraordinary depth and rich gameplay. If you didn't play GE, you might have a hell of a time learning how a game like PD thinks and what kind of behavior is rewarded.
Going through all of the options in the multiplayer component, could be a minigame itself. Honestly, IGN64 still hasn't finished tinkering with all of the settings that are available to us, because we figured it was important to actually play the game at some point during the first three weeks of its release. Once again Rare has revolutionized console first person shooters with the various simulant personalities and difficulties. The bottom line is Perfect Dark is right up there with Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time when it comes to getting the most out of the N64.
Aaron Boulding's Take: I can't devote the amount of free time I want to Perfect Dark and that bugs me. Perfect Dark is one of those games that makes me hate my job because an hour spent playing any racer or platformer is an hour I don't get to put into PD, and that just isn't right.
If I didn't discover a single new thing in Perfect Dark, beyond all of the modes, guns, characters and options I've unlocked so far, I'd be completely satisfied with this game. I've narrowed my favorite gun down to a about eight finalists and I honestly don't think I'll ever have a clear cut favorite. I've heard that the game is not intended to be finished on Perfect Agent difficulty. I've also heard that the Dark simulants don't so much play with you as exact revenge on behalf of every Russian soldier, Datadyne operative and Skedar soldier you've ever killed. This game is so fun that I'm intent on beating Perfect Agent several times and smoking a team of eight Dark sims before I die. No other game has fostered such sadistic behavior in me before. You have to love a game that can cause you to feel so dirty, yet so fortunate at the same time.


#2. Super Mario 64
Synopsis: Nintendo's most cherished mascot character of all time, Mario, made his 3D debut with the launch of Nintendo 64 in 1996 -- and what a debut it was. The fat Italian plumber who had previously starred in so many remarkable 2D platformers headlined Super Mario 64 -- a 3D take on the platformer genre. The fact that even four years later Super Mario 64 is so high up on our list of the Top 25 N64 games is a testament to its brilliant design. Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto and team worked their magic on the title to bring gamers more than 15 giant levels of jump-and-run action, plus all sorts of bonus missions, an intuitive control scheme, a pioneering 3D camera system and more. It was amazing when it first released and as we write this now it's still amazing.
Matt Casamassina's Take: A common question asked when referring to upcoming next-generation software is, "Will it be as big of a jump as Super Mario 64 was over everything else?" And that really speaks loads about how original and revolutionary Nintendo's 3D platformer was, and to a certain extent, still is. It's a game that you can immediately pick up and play and be wowed by. Colorful 3D worlds, a simplistic, cartoony look and clever little puzzles will remind gamers of 2D Mario games past, and so will the extremely tight control scheme, allowing for precision analog movement and a selection of moves that includes everything from triple-jumps to butt-stomping. Everything about Mario 64 has a certain polish about it -- and it's a polish that still impresses four years later.
Call it what you will -- a sign of the quality of competing software or the ultimate testament to Nintendo's unsurpassed game-making -- Super Mario 64 is still the best platformer available on any console.


#1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Synopsis: Nintendo drags its Zelda franchise into 3D in the form of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Perhaps the most ambitious game ever embarked upon, Zelda was developed by a team of more than 200 and over a time period of three years. The game features a promised 40 hours of gameplay across vast 3D worlds interacting with different characters, unraveling a storyline, and solving traditional Zelda-esque puzzles. Players will watch the heroic Link grow from child to adulthood, learn new abilities, make new friends, learn magic, kill bosses, and travel through time -- and that's just a portion of what the title has to offer. Zelda 64 is epic -- and it's Nintendo's golden game.
Peer Schneider's Take: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remains one of the best console games ever produced. Though I'd still give the nod for best Zelda title to Link to the Past on the SNES, Ocarina of Time is one of the rare titles that gets better the longer you play it. Like all Zelda games, it starts off slow, giving players plenty of time to familiarize themselves with the controls and the environments. As you explore your surroundings, you gather more and more items that will help you on your quest -- and then, before you know it, the adventure really sucks you in. The moment I stepped into the Forest Temple -- which is without doubt one of the best game levels of all time -- this game had me hooked for good. The graphics, the haunting score, the intuitive camera control, the varied puzzles and wide-open environments are just as impressive as the flawless implementation of the game's many tools and items. Sleep? Who needs sleep?
This game must have been a tester's nightmare. There are so many things to do, so many places to explore, it's a true feat of game design and programming that it all gels together to form an enjoyable, continuous quest. While the story is secondary to exploration and action, beautifully composed cutscenes make sure that things never gets boring. And once you lay eyes on the final boss, you instantly know that this is the true climax of the game -- the ending just has to be a low-key denouement that wraps things up, but still makes you crave the next Zelda game even more. Luckily, Nintendo has got next installment in the series ready for release this November. I suggest you reserve a copy of Majora's Mask right now. And remember to take the next three days off.
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the best Nintendo 64 game on the market and will be remembered as one of gaming's finest moments.