Worthy of its own thread!

[Cuddly Knife]

Geometry Wars Erupting on Wii, DS
One of the finest shooting games ever is getting the Nintendo treatment.
by Daemon Hatfield

May 21, 2007 - A year and a half after the launch of the Xbox 360, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is still arguably the best content Xbox Live Arcade has to offer. The blast fest represents the epitome of pick-up-and-play satisfaction. Until now, the holy experience of playing Geometry Wars was exclusive to Xbox and 360 owners, but it looks like Nintendo fans will get to see what all the hubbub is about soon enough.

The latest issue of Nintendo Power reveals that Geometry Wars: Galaxies is blasting its way to the Nintendo Wii and DS. The game is taking Geometry Wars "in a new direction" by expanding the title with an extensive single-player campaign and multiplayer modes. Kuju, the team behind Battalion Wars, is handling development.

Each platform will utilize its unique traits to enhance the shape-shooting action: the Wii version will feature motion controls and the DS will use the touch screen. Geometry Wars: Galaxies will be exclusive to Nintendo systems. Oh, and purists need not be worried about the new additions to the game -- the original Retro Evolved will be included, as well.

Expect Geometry Wars: Galaxies to explode this fall. Holy Jeebus. Exclusive to Nintendo systems. Not even Xbox Live will have this one.

[Gadfly2317]

I'll probably be picking up both versions.

[Cuddly Knife]

IGN's little preview says a little bit more:

Geometry Wars DS and Wii Details
New campaign mode to add depth to cult Xbox Live Arcade shooter.
by Rob Burman, IGN UK

UK, May 25, 2007 - Vivendi Universal has officially announced that it's bringing the excellent Xbox 360 Live Arcade shooter Geometry Wars to Wii and DS this Autumn, along with a new mission mode and multiplayer.

Coming to Nintendo consoles under the guise of Geometry Wars: Galaxies, this latest instalment has plenty of exclusive features, including a campaign mode which sees you travelling between solar systems to take out the enemy ships. Alongside this new mode are new weapons, enemies and gameplay types.

Galaxies is also the first Geo Wars to feature a multiplayer, which includes a co-op mode, hot-seat battles and a traditional versus mode - which is all extremely exciting. Plus, if you buy both versions of the game you can use a Wi-Fi link between your DS and Wii to unlock new content.

Although development is being handled by UK-based Kuju Entertainment, Geometry Wars's original creator Stephen 'Cakey' Cakebread came up with the prototype Wii controls before handing the project over.

Bizarre's Ben Ward said: "We found at least 2 different methods which worked really well. We've prototyped on the DS too with similar success, so we're confident that the games will play superbly on the new platforms and will avoid the trap of adding a new control method just for the sake of it." Nintendo needs to get off their fat asses and hook us up with online gaming. Hell, at this point, I'd be satisfied with even just leaderboards. The DS already has it, so that could be a deciding factor on to which I want to pick up, if they were to include online action, that is.

[Cuddly Knife]

Sierra producer Roger Carpenter talks to us about his team's plans for the Wii and DS versions of Geometry Wars.
By Staff, GameSpot
Posted May 25, 2007 5:01 am PT

Geometry Wars, previously the reserve of Microsoft platforms, is headed to Nintendo's DS and Wii later this year. Since it was only recently announced, very little is known about the new game save for its title, Geometry Wars: Galaxies. Anxious to find out what Bizarre Creations and Kuju have planned, we wasted no time getting in touch with the games' producer, Roger Carpenter, who had more good news for us than we'd dared hope.

GameSpot: So, Geometry Wars for the Wii and the Nintendo DS, why did you decide to take the game to those platforms?

The new screenshots don't tell us much….

Roger Carpenter: Geometry Wars is a game that appeals to both the hardcore and the not so. It doesn't need a supercomputer to run it; all it needs is enough bang to make it look cool and have some great controls...step forward the Wii and DS. They also provide a great home-and-away solution for the new game, which we think will take GW to a new audience.

GS: We've heard that the games won't simply be ports of the Xbox Live Arcade game, and that they'll feature a single-player campaign. What can you tell us about that?

RC: It's a bit soon to go telling all, but compared to Retro Evolved, Galaxies is huge. It expands on the "universe" of Geometry Wars in a natural and logical way, introducing stacks of new gameplay. Think solar systems and planets, and you'll get some of the principles. Both Bizarre Creations and Kuju have been beavering away to create some very cool new stuff. And just in case you're wondering, we will have plenty of online leaderboards!Effin-A, YES!!!

GS: And multiplayer support, how is that going to work?

RC: Both platforms have two-player multiplayer. Wii is all on one console. DS uses Wi-Fi, with game-share. Right from the get-go, [/b]everyone knew that multiplayer was a must-have, so that's what you'll get--at least four modes, including one exclusive for each platform.[/b]

GS: Will the craft, weapons, and enemies in the Nintendo games be the same as those seen in Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved?

RC: The ship has become a bit of an icon, so that's going to stay as is. Everything else is getting a bit of a shake-up; familiar foes will endure, but there'll be new enemies, weapons, and a healthy number of totally new "things," too.

GS: Will the Wii and DS versions of Geometry Wars: Galaxies be compatible with each other in any way?

RC: With GWG, we've set out to design one game experience that works equally well on both systems (rather than two separate games), and we've thought of quite a number of ways to reward players for playing both. As far as I know, it's pushing the link between the two systems further than any other game out there.Hmmm. I usually don't like this kind of stuff. What if I don't want both versions? That means I'll miss out on some features. Never liked this from the GCN and GBA. D'OH well.

GS: Both the Wii and the DS have unconventional control systems, and neither can really support the dual-analog controls used in the XBLA game. How do you plan to use the Nintendo consoles' respective controllers? Will the Wii version support the Classic Controller?

…except that this is still Geometry Wars.

RC: Honestly, it never crossed our minds that either platform would have a problem...and they don't. We're going to provide a number of variations, but the Nunchuk (move) and remote (direction of fire) of the Wii works brilliantly, and so does the stylus on the DS. I'd even be as bold as to say the Wii control method could challenge XBLA GW: RE scores. We've had some pretty impressive ones already.That is really bold, since it I can't see it really being any better than the simple dual-analog + trigger control for the 360. This game isn't one that requires precise aiming.

GS: And how will the DS game take advantage of the handheld's dual-screen setup?

RC: We use the second screen, whichever one it is, to enhance the gameplay and feedback to the player.

GS: Will the Nintendo games feature something resembling the XBLA version in addition to their new modes?

RC: Is Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved included? Yes it is. All there, all 100 percent of it, untouched and as excellent as ever. We'll even let you game-share it to as DS friend if you like...even if you own only the Wii version!Wah?!

GS: And finally, when can we expect to see Geometry Wars: Galaxies in stores?

RC: It's going to be out in good time for the holidays.

GS: Thanks for your time.

RC: No problem, nice to have a bit of Britsoft to shout about.

[Glockstar]

GameSpot got some quality hands-on time with the game and filed their report. Sounds sweet! I'm not going to post the article (it's 2 pages) but will provide the link (http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/geometrywarsgalaxies/news.html?sid=6173341&om_act=convert&om_clk=multimodule&tag=multimodule;picks;title;2).

[Gadfly2317]

This will help with my "360 envy"--I've really wanted to play this title. I believe there's also a DS version in the works; from what I've read of the game seems a good platform for it as well.

[Cuddly Knife]

I was reading a preview for both systems, and while they say the game controls swell for both systems, the DS actually seems a bit easier to manage your ship and shoots. They say the Wii takes a bit of getting used to, but is still excellent in control.

[Cuddly Knife]

Hands-On With Geometry Wars: Galaxies
Day Two: We dive deeper into Galaxies.
by Bozon

June 29, 2007 - When Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved hit the Xbox Live Arcade, it defined Microsoft's download service. The game showed off exactly what was needed for simple, destructive fun, and set a precedent for Xbox's arcade content within the first months of the system's release. Now that Wii is on the rise, Geometry Wars is again looking to set the bar high for Nintendo's console, and though the game won't be hitting Wii in downloadable form, it's also getting one hell of an overhaul, as Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved looks to springboard off its original design into a full, retro-inspired experience.

Geometry Wars: Galaxies isn't just a lazy port of the Xbox Arcade game over to Wii; quite the contrary, in fact. Galaxies is about taking what was started in Retro Evolved, and running with the design, giving the entire game a "galaxy" theme for level selecting, and more than 60 game types within this neo-arcade world. In the worlds of the game's developers, "Retro Evolved was like a demo for Galaxies," and we're starting to see that, as we had a chance to go hands-on with the more robust, more defined, and more innovating Galaxies for ourselves.

For anyone that doesn't know the world of Geometry Wars, it's really quite simple. Players plop into a rectangular arena armed with (classically) and dual analog controller. The left stick moves your craft in any direction, and the right stick fires in any direction. Aside from that, it's about staying alive in any way possible. Enemies of all shapes and style come at you from all angles, and you'll need to use your twitch reflexes and hardcore wits to blast the hell out of them, earning points, extra lives, and enemy-decimating bombs along the way. Think of it as Smash TV or Total Carnage on crack, as Geometry Wars moves at insane speeds, and offers more enemy fodder than any game of its kind.
Nothing like a gravity field to screw with your mojo.

Since IGN UK was kind enough to give us all their impressions of Geometry Wars: Galaxies just yesterday (the hands-on can be found right here), we'll try to touch on a few sections that they didn't cover, or go a bit more in-depth in our personal experience. For starters, the new galaxy system for level selection is pretty sick, and the first time you open it up it's really a bit overwhelming to see all the different levels, solar systems, and planets orbiting around. It initially reminded us of the Star Fox 64 level select… if Star Fox was going for a more realistic "galaxy" theme. As you select each level the camera zooms in and shows the solar system and then planets. Once selected, the planet will unfold into a grid, and you'll get to blasting. Great presentation all around.

As far as the actual game options go, there'll be over 60 types of "grids" to play on, each of which is essentially a reinvention of the Geometry Wars world. The development team is taking this opportunity to draw inspiration from older 80's style games, so you'll see Galaxies bring out classic designs such as River Raid, Asteroids, Defender, Space Invaders, and the like. There's even one called "maze mode" that seems to be some sort of shooter take on Pac-Man. Obviously the designers won't be going with these names for the final version, but the fact that such impressive classic games are getting nods in Geometry Wars is something special. We had a chance to play the Asteroids-like level, and it was awesome. Just a little something for you retro junkies to think about for the long months ahead.

Aside from that, there's at on of added gameplay depth this time around as well. IGN UK touched on the drone power-up, which is basically a mobile turret that follows your ship around as you progress through the game. Think of it like a smarter, AI-controlled "Option" from Gradius. Even better, this drone can be upgraded as you along, giving it different behaviors, different fire styles, or the ability to have it actively search out a specific unit you hate battling. You can go even further by adding more drones to your ship, or actually absorb the drone itself into an energy shield if you want to run-and-gun all by your lonesome.

The co-op mode, though local-only, can be played throughout the entire Galaxy mode as well as the original "Retro Evolved" game, so even though you won't be linking up to friends across the world you'll have an entire world to explore via co-op, including every level normally assigned to single player. Leaderboards also sound pretty promising, as every level in the game will have a worldwide ranking in it, and though the ability to add friends isn't available we can already image message boards starting Geometry Wars Ranking Tournaments web-wide. Over 60 grids, the classic game, and co-op… we expect leaderboards to be absolutely huge.

And for anyone worrying about the Wii control (set primarily as a laser-pointer of sorts), fear not, as the Wii Classic Controller can also be used in place of Wii IR. We're down with the IR for the most part, though it's admittedly harder to use than classic dual analog (at least for me personally), but once Sierra confirmed that Classic Controller support was already in there, we were sold 100%. Wii is all about control, and sometimes control was perfect before motion came around. Obviously we like to see developers make a motion-controlled effort, but in the case of Geometry Wars it's literally like trying to fix something that not only isn't broken, but is damn near perfect. We'll play with the IR, we'll try to get used to it, but it's always great to know you can fall back on the old Classic Controller when need be.

As a final little nod to the DS, Geometry Wars: Galaxies for Wii can transmit the previously Xbox Live Arcade "Retro Evolved" game over to Nintendo's touch handheld, so even if you don't want to spring for both versions of the game you can still play the DS version in its classic form. We had a chance to try it, and the game currently downloads in about 40 seconds.

When we first played Geometry Wars on Xbox 360, we were instantly hooked. Now that the franchise is on its way to Wii, we couldn't be happier, as the design is getting a complete overhaul for Nintendo's console, complete with far more modes, over double the amount of enemies (10 from the original game, plus 12 new ones), and a unique upgradeable "drone" unit to help kick the crap out of baddies. There's far more in Galaxies than we ever expected the Wii version to have, and we're dying to play more. Sierra, sneak us a copy. We promise not to tell anyone… Niiiiice

[Glockstar]

Wait, what'd he say?

Wii is all about control, and sometimes control was perfect before motion came around.

:mad2:

I was gonna say... I just couldn't wrap my head around the Wii-mote being used to control the fire. Dual-analog sticks was perfect - it was what it was all about!


I also don't like the sound of the way the DS version is to be played. It sounds Metroid Prime Hunter-ish. Where you're gonna have to hold the system with one hand - your left hand - while pressing down on it, controlling your fire, with your right hand. Doesn't sound comfortable. Sounds awkward.

[Cuddly Knife]

I have more of a problem with having to use the d-pad for ship control than the thumb-nub for shooting. With the analog stick, you have total flow, but the d-pad is 8-way control. You have to have killer control of your ship to avoid the swarms that eventually come your way, and you can't get that from a d-pad for this game. The small screen could also be a negative. No, it'll be the WIi version for me all the way. Of course, I'll DL GWE onto my DS from my Wii, just to try it out.