Drew asks, I was just wondering if the Monster S-Video Cable would be

compatible with N64. I assume it should be since the N64 and GameCube use the

same cables, but I would like to be reassured by a professional before

purchasing it. Also, if it is compatible, would you recommend purchasing one to

hook up an N64 to an HDTV? The graphics are sort of blurry with the standard

composite, so I want to try to clean them up a little. Thanks.

Mike H. Says:

Click here for the review of the Monster S-Video cable

in question.

After pulling out the 'ol N64 equipment to be positive, sure enough, it seems to

be working without a hitch on the N64.

S-video cables are a mixed bag with previous generation games. Game artifacts

(particularly choppy edges) are sometimes more noticeable on N64 and PlayStation

games when using s-video cables because the cable picks up flaws more easily.

But I think the positive outweighs the negative, and if you're looking for more

enjoyment out of older hardware, go for it.

The cable itself is a quality product. Some folks don't like paying the premium

price that Monster Cable products sell for (in this case, $30-$35). There are

other cheaper S-video cables on the market that are adequate, including

Nintendo's own cable, but if money is no object, then their GameCube S-video

cable is the best choice of the bunch.

Nug asks, Is the Game Boy Advance SP's pluspad the same tiny size of the

GameCube and GBA's pluspad? Also, is the SP's width more or less than that of

the Game Boy Color?

Billy Says: I knew I should have brought my Game Boy Color. I

had almost everything else there with me.

If I'm eyeing everything up correctly, I'd have to say that the D-pads are equal

to the GBA, and that the size, width wise, of the GBA SP is a little wider than

a GBC.

Too be quite honest, I didn't even notice. The D-pad felt fine.

Chip asks, I've had a lot of difficulty finding information about VGA

adaptors for GameCube. Do they make any difference graphically? Are the a good

investment for the average gamer looking to use their PC monitor as a second

setup?

Rick Says: There are precious few VGA boxes or cables to be

had out there, but you might have some luck importing a Japanese D-SUB cable

that has been modified to hook up to your monitor. They're cheap, and get the

job done. All the other solutions are lousy, and range from expensive to highway

robbery.

Still, what's the point. Sure, you could play your games in high-res, and that's

cool ... but really, GameCube games were MEANT to be played on your Television

screen. Unless your PC monitor is larger than your television, stick with your

TV.

TYP Says: The modified D-SUB cable for VGA use will only work

with games in progressive scan. You'll need a TV capture card or some sort of

line doubler/secondary VGA adapter to play interlaced games. However, unlike Mr.

Powers, I believe progressive scan can really make a difference in some games

and is worth a few inches. If I didn't use a laptop LCD, I'd consider buying one

for myself.

Shawn asks, Is Konami ever going to step up to the plate and send GameCube

owners home? All we've gotten are Yu-Gi-Oh and Disney Sports. What's up with

their support?

Billy Says: I'd have a better answer than, "Konami doesn't seem

to care about GameCube," but I really don't.

Japan is getting Winning Eleven (FINALLY), which is probably the best Soccer

title to grace consoles. There is a Yu-Gi-Oh title in the works as well for

GameCube.

But yes, we feel your pain. It's frustrating that all Konami brings to the

Nintendo GameCube plate are Disney games, a weak US soccer title, and a poor

winter sports title.

The impressions Konami gave our staff at E3 last year was they felt GameCube

owners were kids, and that titles like Contra belonged on the PS2 or Xbox.

So basically I don't have a good answer for you except for the above. Hopefully

Konami will turn around.

Mike Suzuki Says: Unfortunately, Konami seems to be pretty

comfortable with throwing a few Disney and soccer titles at the GameCube. I

believe they should be unveiling some of their 2003 lineup soon. Hopefully

there'll be a few pleasant surprises so that a Nintendo platform that doesn't

have the word 'Advance' in it will see some good games. I wouldn't be too

optimistic, though, as Konami's enthusiasm for the Cube has been pretty

non-existent so far. Still, stranger things have happened in the last year...

Trin asks, I was wondering if you could clarify the Ikaruga situation. Last

week, several magazines reported that it was canned for the Cube in America, but

it seems to be on the big list that Nintendo released to your site. What's going

on?

Rick Says: Well, if it was canned, they did a lousy freakin'

job of it, considering it was just released in Japan. I can't imagine they'd can

the US release of the game so close. Then again, the US market never saw Sin &

Punishment either, despite rave reviews.

TYP Says: I'm sure those magazine reports were mere

speculation. I'd trust Nintendo's list -- it cites a publisher, after all!

Billy Says: Ikaruga isn't canned in the US. Those were just

rumors. I've confirmed this with NOA. Ikaruga will be released stateside.

Mike Suzuki Says: Um, no. As everyone else has said, Ikaruga is

still coming out in the U.S. There's very little to translate as a lot of the

menus are in English so it'll be a pretty straight forward job for Infogrames to

localize it. In fact, they're probably testing it now and just need to put the

final touches on it.

AlexanderAlza asks, I read your article on how TNN is trying to put together

some sort of video game awards show, and it immediately conjured up memories of

this pathetic excuse for an awards show I saw years ago on cable.  The name of

it escapes me, but man, was it ridiculous!

It was hosted by two very respectable icons in the world of interactive

entertainment, Leslie Nielsen and Jonathan Taylor Thomas.  I recall them giving

out several awards, most of the categories were for PC games.  I also recall

them having little montages with about .02 seconds of Nintendo game footage in

them.  I believe Super Metroid was nominated for something but failed it win its

category.  There were also several honorable mentions, such as when Leslie

Nielsen decided to give props to, and I quote, "the sonic hedgehog."

How do you think this awards show will go down? Will it get the respect it

deserves or will it be a flunky like awards past?

Rick Says: The problem here is that the INDUSTRY doesn't care

about televised awards shows. By the time one of these shows airs, the game is

already out of date and off shelves, negating any sales boost the positive press

would have garnered.

Sorry, but an awards show like this is bound to either suck, or be out of

date... and likely both.

Daniel Says: I don't think the problem is that things would be

out of date, but that it would lack the star-power of other shows. It would be

pathetic to see the "fashion police" or whatnot judge Miyamoto's outfit while

he's walking down the red carpet. Overall, there are only a handful of designers

that even hardcore gamers would recognize. Gaming just doesn't allow you to

connect to creators the same way movies and music do. There's no televised

Authors Awards Shows either.

Billy Says: Yeah, you can pretty much bet this will be a weak

awards show. Who made TNN some video game expert is beyond me. If there's going

to be an awards show, it should be on TechTV. I vote out G4 because I watched a

days worth of their programming and they know as much about gaming as TNN does.

There are real video game awards, but those have too many geeks in it to be

broadcasted on TV. It's a real shame too. Those I'd watch.

Mike Suzuki Says: Um...I'm expecting very little from this. I

might watch it, but I get the feeling it'll be painful viewing. As Billy

mentioned, there are actual video game award shows (at the D.I.C.E. Summit and

at the Game Developers Conference). I was able to catch last year's Developer's

Choice Awards at the GDC and it was pretty cool, but it's definitely something

that would really only appeal to the hardcore gamer. Casual gamers (i.e. most

people who play games) would probably be geeked out.