News - Rockstar announces Manhunt 2 for Wii, PSP, and PS2
Posted by
Josh Freund
at 02:58:12 PM EST on 2.6.2007.
When
Rockstar's gory kill-or-be-killed
Manhunt title was released in late 2003, it sparked a lot of controversy, specifically overseas, where the game was often banned or classified with the highest (most mature) possible content rating. Here in the US, however, there wasn't nearly as much fuss raised about it, at least not in the mainstream media.
With today's announcement of a sequel for the PS2, PSP, and Wii, it's safe to say that the controversy could be much bigger this time. That's right -
Manhunt 2 is going to be released on the Wii. With the system receiving a lot of mainstream news coverage and often being promoted as "family-friendly," the release of a game like this is sure to generate a lot of negative attention (just think about the ways the Wiimote and nunchuk could be used to make players feel more in control of the killings).
Manhunt 2 will be the first title by the newly formed Rockstar London studio, which is working on the game along with Rockstar North (the creators of the first
Manhunt). The Wii version is being developed by Rockstar Toronto, the studio responsible for
The Warriors.
"With Manhunt 2 we have tried to create a game that stays close to the original concept of chilling suspense and stealth, whilst pushing the game design and storytelling forward," said Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games. "We are also excited to have our newest development team, Rockstar London, working on the title alongside our two established UK studios, Rockstar North and Leeds."
Besides the fact that we at GAF didn't expect a sequel to
Manhunt at all, we certainly didn't expect it on the Wii.
Manhunt 2 will be available this summer, and we're guessing it will carry a big fat M rating from ESRB.
Contributions by Richard Brownell
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usurper 2.14.2007 at 08:57:31 PM
What you may be implying isn't true. It isn't illegal to sell M rated games to underage people (try as the legislators might) just as it isn't illegal to let underage people into R rated movies.
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eggmanimn 2.13.2007 at 03:37:22 PM
It's illegal to sell 18 rated games to a 21 year old? I didn't know that.
Nintendo's fanbase is everyone. People need to get that through their thick skulls.
And weren't you leaving or are you just having fun trolling before they ban you?
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citizengeek 2.13.2007 at 12:15:46 PM
Haha, as if this game will sell on the Wii. I mean, it's illegal in most places to sell a game with an 18 rating to what Nintendo's fanbase are.
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pixy misao 2.12.2007 at 02:41:53 PM
Either way, if you are warned a potential problem with electronic devices before you begin using them, the company is usually not liable for any damages you may incur upon yourself nor your belongings.
And I'm glad you brought up the ESRB, remember that the ESRB is the viode game industry policing itself. Despite all the frivolous lawsuits by people like Jack Thompson, not one video game in history was found legally to blame in any incident. Heavy Metal was once thought to be "the devil's music" now the only people who say that are religious and political fanatics. When we stop trying to scapegoat forms of entertainment for our own problems, then we will truly begin evolving as a species.
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terpfen 2.12.2007 at 07:39:04 AM
"I'm pretty sure Nintendo did actually get sued despite the manual clearing stating that people with a tendency for seizures should limit their gameplay."
I'm pretty sure the warnings are the result of the lawsuit.
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shippoyasha 2.11.2007 at 11:25:31 PM
I don't really see how they can protect their assets necessarily more or less so with the disclaimers. Disclaimers never really seems to help much even with such types of disclaimers as the ESRB rating system.
I think the game-screen warnings are obstructive and unnecessary. Other DS and Wii games made by the 3rd party don't always have the disclaimers and it's perfectly fine that way.
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usurper 2.11.2007 at 09:31:08 PM
I'm pretty sure Nintendo did actually get sued despite the manual clearing stating that people with a tendency for seizures should limit their gameplay.
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pixy misao 2.11.2007 at 09:29:50 AM
The disclaimers are simply Nintendo covering their assests against lawsuits. Unfortunately they still happen, but with all the warning labels Nintendo has a nice legal foundation to stand on in any situation. But they have nothing to do with a game's content, which Nintendo allows total freedom nowadays. A few years ago a game called BMX XXX was censored on PS2, but left as is on the Gamecube version. Blame Hiroshi Yamauchi and the US branch of Nintendo for the past... that's all over now.
Japanese games have had violence and sex in them since their inception, only in the US and Europe did changes occur to "protect us". The US finally caught on that video gaming can be an art form, but Europe and Australasia continues to censor and ban games like the recent (but actually quite tame) Rule of Rose.
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shippoyasha 2.9.2007 at 05:20:43 PM
Talking about the game itself, I think the reason why the the Wii games are lumped with PSP and PS2 titles is that they are distinctly last generation in their system power. So it only makes sense that they make games in that niche.
With the 360 games, they're lumped with the possible port/co-releases with PS3 titles and PC games for example. It's just natural as I see it.
Though in a way, we still have yet to see the totally original titles for the Wii outside the DS franchises and some other established brand (obviously, Nintendo) on the system. But I don't think Nintendo still cares one way or the other for the 3rd party with the Wii. They're making profit with it anyway.
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shippoyasha 2.9.2007 at 05:12:41 PM
"Nintendo goes with what they percieve as the wider margin trends"
Errr. No they don't. They have constantly tried to mold the gaming demographics to their liking and it pretty much drove away the 3rd party after the SNES. Nintendo had a history of censoring or limiting the types of games that were available on their system and were pretty huge control freaks about it. Their recently disclaimers in the beginning of games and DS/GBA shows a part of that mindset. They might be trying to change their "Disney of gaming" mindset a bit, but not by much.
"Its been what 15 years since MK1? MK2 was uncensored on SNES. So why all the surprise a decade and a half later?"
Because Manhunt is probably one of the most violent games created in the last few years. Get on with the program, man.
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dmgice 2.8.2007 at 03:45:05 PM
Nintendo goes with what they percieve as the wider margin trends. Remember that the very second issue of Nintendo Power had a decapitated head. Nintendo got such a thrashing from your parents over that cover that they tip toed around controversy for a while. It got worse as things went along. Eventually, the tide of business demanded a change from censorship policies of the past. Simple as the drop of a dime.
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terpfen 2.8.2007 at 12:53:20 PM
"Nintendo did show some concern about the violence of games on its platform"
Only to use as a business tactic against Sega.
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darc requiem 2.8.2007 at 07:33:46 AM
Mduo the SNES was 4th generation console, we are on the 7th generation of consoles right now. Its been what 15 years since MK1? MK2 was uncensored on SNES. So why all the surprise a decade and a half later?
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jesusfreakdk 2.8.2007 at 03:39:25 AM
I don't really understand what issues you guys have. Just because a game is released on a console doesn't mean every console owner is forced to purchase it. All I see this is an attempt to expand the Wii's userbase, as there are people who enjoy playing this type of game. Same goes to some of the more "mature" games that have been coming out. It's good to see Nintendo getting more 3rd party support.
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nas4 2.7.2007 at 09:36:42 PM
I didn't really want to point out the obvious. But, that's why it's called the Wii. Coz its for everyone. An yes everyone does include having M rated games. So really, what's the debate about?
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mduo13 2.7.2007 at 07:27:49 PM
I think the surprise is still warranted because in the past (mostly the 16-bit days), Nintendo did show some concern about the violence of games on its platform, such as Mortal Kombat, which had some altered fatalities. Between that, and the deal with friend codes for online play, Nintendo seems to be avoiding the stigma that's associated with, for example, the Playstation "Pornable" (god I love that line) right now.
I think the difference is that with Gamecube, they were so desperate to dispel the "kiddie" image that they didn't try to fight things like BMX XXX. In the SNES days, they weren't desperate, so they could risk negative reactions for the sake of protecting their marketability (especially to the then-younger videogame demographic).
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mrsinister 2.7.2007 at 01:46:11 PM
I wonder how the WiiMote will be used to make kills in the new instalment of Manhunt....
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x51 2.7.2007 at 01:15:20 PM
Seriously, the Wii is getting a lot of games gamecube never got... The Godfather, Scarface, Driver Parallel Lines, and now Manhunt 2. Even Far Cry Insticts (though it suck on Wii). It's strange how the Wii is expanding the market... family friendly console with more M rated games than GCN?? haha fine by me, I excited to see this though.
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ecureuil 2.7.2007 at 08:52:10 AM
cutriss - Rockstar London are making the PS2/PSP games in conjunction with Rockstar North. The London studio is new and this is their first project.
Their Toronto studio is making the Wii version. They're most famous for the PS2 version of Max Payne and The Warriors.
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darc requiem 2.7.2007 at 07:35:59 AM
60fps Nintendo has actually been the most lax when it comes to censoring third party titles as of late. BMX XXX, a terrible game BTW, was completely uncensored on the Gamecube. The PS2 version was heavily censored and the X-box version was somewhere in between. Conker's Bad Fur Day on N64 was less censored than the X-box remake.
Also what changes did they make to the GBA version of FF4. I have played the censored version FF2 US, translated Japanese version via emulator, and I own the FF4 Advanced for GBA. The only thing I noticed was that they added back the "Spoony Bard" reference during Edgar and Tellah's battle. Tellah still calls Edgar a bastard like the Japanese original but once the game goes to the battle screen he calls him "Spoony Bard" via battle chat.
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Another kiddie game for kiddie consoles!
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60fps 2.7.2007 at 03:19:53 AM
I played the original Manhunt for the first time last year and impressed with it's stealth gameplay. It was simple but took skill and felt very convincing and real.
I do think Nintendo does care what third parties make. Even if it was years ago that they censored games like Mortal Kombat at one time. They have recently also made small changes to FF4 on GBA and Tales of Phantasia. I also remember when the original Conker was released on N64 the ad was played only after Midnight just because that was the only ad space Nintendo bought for it.
Even though more recent games seem to have the same level of freedom of censoring as Sony and Microsoft(greater in some cases like BMX XXX and Conker) it can't be denied that Nintendo favors a Disney like image that is aimed at everyone which would include children.
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dapper swindler 2.7.2007 at 01:14:49 AM
So much to say here...
1) Manhunt is one my most favorite games ever. But I think I'm the only one who felt that way. Good to see a sequel.
2) How many times do we have to go over this. Nintendo makes "all ages" software because it has the widest demographic and thus yields the highest profits, but they DO NOT CARE what third parties make for their console.
3) Nekofrog is exactly right and was brave enough to say it here. It is disturbing to see multiplatform games coming out for the Wii also being on PS2 and PSP instead of 360 and PS3 - or better yet, no multiplatform at all.
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dkg 2.6.2007 at 11:44:36 PM
It's NOT A PORT. It's being developed at the same time and by a different studio (hopefully meaning a ground up build for Wii ersion). Besides, does it really matter anyways?? Who cares as longs as it turns out to be a good game.
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cutriss 2.6.2007 at 10:15:12 PM
I can't find any information to say that Rockstar London has done anything prior to this project, so given that Rockstar Leeds has done the PSP games thus far, it seems reasonable to conjecture that Rockstar London may be a Wii-centric studio.
Meaning that this is the first of what may be several Wii games from that branch.
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nas4 2.6.2007 at 10:07:03 PM
Im excited. I enjoyed the first game (although flawed) very much. Near the end of the game when the pig man was chasing you was very intense. I think that was the most intense game I had ever played. I will deff get this for the Wii when it comes out.
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70m 2.6.2007 at 10:00:03 PM
To say I'm surprised to see this going to the Wii is very misleading. Sure, it's unexpected. Then again, Fils-Aime had said in interviews that he was trying to push for mature content to be included on the system in addition to the family friendly games. It's not that each game has to be for everybody, the system is for everybody and to have Manhunt and other mature games add to the diversity of the Wii's library is a very good strategy towards meeting that goal.
I think the most surprising part of this news is that the Wii version is the only now-current-gen version announced. While nekofrog's worry does come to mind, it is likely that the Wii is just easier/cheaper to develop for.
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palafox 2.6.2007 at 09:59:37 PM
And to mudo13... yes the PS2 is a machine that has surpassed every expectation, sorry for Sony sacrificing the PS3 in that move...
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palafox 2.6.2007 at 09:57:31 PM
More market expansion for Wii, the arrival of this game doesn't mean the Wii is a bad or violent machine... only if people buy it, well they have the decision. I think this is good news, especially for those people (ehem sony) who say Nintendo is for kids... now what will you say... I don't say Sony is for kids for KH series...
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ecureuil 2.6.2007 at 09:46:10 PM
Manhunt got a lot of bad press for its violence, but, as with all Rockstar games - there was actually a quality game underneath it all. Manhunt is still one of the best games to do stealth, and it was a really tense affair that I found to be very rewarding to play.
And as such, I'm looking forward to this one.
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armageddion 2.6.2007 at 09:31:21 PM
I can see a trend coming in as a small wave, and if everything goes according to Nintendo's plans, well I think that wave will ultimately be a tsunami.Guys ROCKSTAR is on a Nintendo home console, just a matter of time before the rest of the 3rd parties wannabe jump onto the NON-kiddie Wii system. GTA on the wii, I can see it possible so long as we all remember what the dev's are in for and I mean the MONEY.I'm all for more adult games, let's face it most of us played since we were like 7 years old and that was over 20 years ago. Since the Wii is so big on parental control then I would be glad to see some "AO"(AdultOnly) rating games beyond the "M".
~Arm
(Not impressed with Vista)
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sgt. baker 2.6.2007 at 08:54:53 PM
Interesting, it almost looks like it's going to be more like a survival horror game than action.
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questworld 2.6.2007 at 08:38:44 PM
I personally never saw the appeal of the first game. I can%u2019t say I%u2019m excited but Rockstar making a game for the Wii? Interesting. It surely gives me hope for other titles that I%u2019m far more interested in that never made it on the Cube. Who would%u2019ve thunk it. As for %u201Cmature,%u201D well, when I want %u201Cmature%u201D it%u2019s not a GTA game that%u2019s going to do it for me. No, when I say I wanted mature, it%u2019s more of games like Final Fantasy (maturity in story and character development%u2026 like a good novel), or MGS or RE games (with blood, yes, but with depth in story as well and not necessarily violence in a gratuitous fashion, and at least I%u2019m fighting off terrorists or hoards of demons/undead). That%u2019s more of my thing though I%u2019ll see how well Rockstar works on a Cube/Wii system.
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thehawk 2.6.2007 at 08:12:49 PM
Manhunt's a bit grisly for my tastes, but other people should consider this a good sign.
I would like to think this would shut up the "Nintendo's too kiddy" people, but I know that Resident Evil 4, Eternal Darkness, and others didn't seem to cut it for them either.
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cutriss 2.6.2007 at 07:57:15 PM
The GameCube didn't launch with any mature games in the lineup. The Wii had at least two.
Say what you will about Red Steel, but it was probably the third-most-important game in the Wii launch lineup (behind Wii Sports and Zelda). It may not have gotten critical acclaim, but it was widely marketed, the ads were good, and people did buy it. If Nintendo manages to shake some of that stupid "kiddy stigma", then Red Steel will probably be pointed to as the start of it all.
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ttfp 2.6.2007 at 07:11:01 PM
I hope this effort to get adult rated games on the Wii isn't shortlived, like the GameCube. There's only so many cutesy games I can take...
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soul4ger 2.6.2007 at 06:41:07 PM
Xbox 360 did just fine its first year with a lot of PS2/Xbox ports and a handful of original games. I don't have any issue with the Wii doing the same.
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shooter_mcgavin 2.6.2007 at 06:30:23 PM
It would be cool if I can use my Mii as the characters in Manhunt! :)
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drk 2.6.2007 at 05:58:13 PM
I really disliked playing the first one. It wasn't a bad game, I just felt like I had no control in being a god damn homicidal maniac. You know, the serious kind... not the fun kind.
However... a Wii version? I'm all for this. Call it morbid curiosity, if you will. Grandma's gonna love it.
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jaws 2.6.2007 at 05:52:54 PM
The WII machine power is similar to Xbox and PS2?.... I mean, never the WII can compete with 360 power?.
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drumlord 2.6.2007 at 05:40:24 PM
nekofrog: I don't find it disturbing. I'm typically not excited about any port. But I'm particularly glad to not see things like Gears ported to Wii. It'd look like crap.
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narj 2.6.2007 at 05:28:01 PM
ecureuil: i hope that you can hold the wiimote and nuchuck like a rope and you kill somebody that way lol.
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ecureuil 2.6.2007 at 05:21:18 PM
Hopefully you'll be able to garrotte people with the remote/nunchuk. That would be fun. :D
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narj 2.6.2007 at 05:20:42 PM
hope this game sell very good so w are going to have more games like this.
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i kick tits 2.6.2007 at 05:09:04 PM
This better be good.
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mikey 2.6.2007 at 05:07:41 PM
drumlord - "Much like the DS being an "N64 port machine" I don't think this fad will last long"
Yeah, I don't know where people got that idea from. The only real ports before the recently released Diddy Kong Racing DS were Mario 64 DS, Ridge Racer DS, and Rayman DS. That's not bad for an entire library so far. Not to mention I own all of those, and will soon own DKR DS.
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bidingtime 2.6.2007 at 04:49:42 PM
It makes perfect business sense - the two consoles are obviously closer together in terms of power than Wii is to 360 or PS3.
In the future it could be an issue because developers may not be willing/able to scale 360/PS3 projects "down" to Wii once the older systems go off the market. That said, PS2 and PSP will be available to be Wii's "sister" platforms for at least another year, and the way things are going, Wii could become the platform of choice by that time anyway.
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nekofrog 2.6.2007 at 04:38:33 PM
Does anyone else find the trend disturbing of having Wii ports of PS2 and PSP games, but not a lot of PS3 and 360 ports?
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terpfen 2.6.2007 at 04:25:07 PM
I guess Rockstar figured out a way to use the Wiimote to simulate throat-slitting.
Jack Thompson's gonna LOVE this.
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dohhyulittle 2.6.2007 at 04:02:52 PM
Of course i think Rockstar will treat the Wii properly.
But i think 1up yours had a valid point when you get companies like EA and Ubi blanket porting.
Im just saying dont be surprised if and or when you start seeing "now on PS2/PSP and Wii"
And really its a smart business model, with the huge install base of the PS2 and the growing install base of the Wii.
In conclusion good potential for companies, more possibilty of being bad for gamers.
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drumlord 2.6.2007 at 03:52:55 PM
dohhyulittle: I think 1up put a bit too much of an emphasis on that, probably because of having advance knowledge of games like this. Much like the DS being an "N64 port machine" I don't think this fad will last long. Also, the Wii version is being handled by a separate studio, so the degree of "port" in this is unknown. Could be sharing of most of the game, sharing of art assets only, or somewhere in between.
Either way, Nintendo forces companies to do Wii-specific control schemes and Sony forces companies to do more than a straight port for PSP games, so it's certainly a different situation than the ports we saw on PS2/GC/Xbox.
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dohhyulittle 2.6.2007 at 03:37:50 PM
"New games still being announced for PS2? Sounds like the console might have a little life in it yet, unlike its successor so far."
Your surprised?
This is EXACTLY what they talked about on the 1up podcast, the port triangle and cash cow of PSP/PS2/Wii
Expect more of the same from companies like EA and Ubi.
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joesteele 2.6.2007 at 03:32:09 PM
wait:
Remember when Reggie said he was in negotiations with Rockstar over bringing some of their games over to the Wii? I hope this isn't the only fruits of those talks.
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mduo13 2.6.2007 at 03:27:30 PM
New games still being announced for PS2? Sounds like the console might have a little life in it yet, unlike its successor so far.
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winky 2.6.2007 at 03:21:59 PM
Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
What does toups think of this?
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bidingtime 2.6.2007 at 03:21:47 PM
Looking foward to beating virtual people with my Wiimote later this year.
...
Not really, but this is big news for Nintendo.
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eggmanimn 2.6.2007 at 03:02:00 PM
Manhunt was a very....odd game. I almost felt dirty playing it. Almost. If we get motions to saw through a guy's neck with piano wire, I'm all for it.
What else has Rockstar Toronto done? I didn't even know Rockstar had other sections.
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