StarFox Adventures: Dinosaur Planet

By Rob Fahey Published 6 August, 2002

Hands-On - Shinji gets to grips with Fox and company in a murky corner of London

Pick 'n Mix Gameplay

'StarFox Adventures: Dinosaur Planet' Screenshot mar01b

I know, I know, I'll get a new voice soon!

Although I'll endeavour to keep the embarrassing revelations about the game's younger days to a minimum, a little history would not go amiss. Developed by veteran Nintendo second-party codeshop Rare, the game is actually a combination of two separate projects; the next sequel in the classic StarFox series of games, and an entirely new franchise, Dinosaur Planet. Combine the two and you end up with a mish-mash of hi-octane shoot'em'up levels, somewhat more cerebral adventure levels, furry anthropomorphic characters and rather mean-looking dinosaurs.

In the hands of a less experienced developer, this sounds like a recipe for disaster; however, all the evidence suggests that Rare have applied their significant talents fully to StarFox Adventures, and come up trumps. It's hard to tell how close to completion the version we played was; many aspects of it appeared to be fully polished and finished, although in places the graphics were a little rough around the edges. Given that the game will be out within the next few months, it's fair to assume that it is feature-complete, with only a bit of polishing elbow-grease to be applied before it's shrink wrapped and ready to be snatched into the greasy palms of your filthy little paws.

Foxy Lady

'StarFox Adventures: Dinosaur Planet' Screenshot ects05b

She's a diamond [fired -Ed who isn't even here today]

The game starts with a short cutscene of a new character, Krystal, who is a purple-hued fox-girl dressed like something out of Arabian Nights. This, clearly, is the love interest of the game - she's even the right species for Fox - but she's not the stay-at-home type, and the first section of the game involves flying her about on the back of a friendly pterodactyl, answering a distress call of unknown origin. Attacked by an unknown foe, our first taste of gameplay involves shooting fireballs at a giant airship. Once the defences of the ship are subdued, Krystal boards and wanders around a bit, learning some of the control basics of the game in the progress and acquiring a mysterious key before being confronted by the evil General Scales (he's a lizard in a suit of armour with a bad attitude, call it racial profiling if you like but I think it's fair to say he's evil) and summarily thrown overboard after a brief lecture in the geopolitics of Dinosaur Planet.

Landing on the site of an ancient temple which has been attacked by General Scales' forces, Krystal speaks to several of the triceratops who had been guarding the temple, and learns more about the plot of the game. It's here that the third person adventure gameplay of the title really starts to take form, with Krystal solving a variety of textbook third person puzzles, avoiding obstacles, speaking to NPCs and so on. What isn't present is any combat beyond throwing explosive barrels, since Krystal's staff was dropped in the battle with Scales' ship - only to be picked up by Fox later on.

All this running around with Krystal, fun as it is, isn't what people really want from a game with StarFox on the box though. It's not long, then, before we leave the furry minx behind and are greeted by a welcome sight - the Great Fox ploughing its way through space, carrying with it the usual cast of diverse heroes - Slippy, Peppy, Rob the Robot and of course, Fox himself. Missing from the cast is Falco, although his very omission suggests that he's likely to turn up sooner or later and play a rather major role in the game. The Great Fox is on its way to Dinosaur Planet to investigate the rather unsettling way in which the planet is falling apart, threatening to damage the rest of the Lylat System as it does so.

Super Furry Animals

'StarFox Adventures: Dinosaur Planet' Screenshot mar02b

Curiously, this scene is set in the same place we went to play the game

From here, it's straight into some good old StarFox action - at least for about two minutes. A depressingly short section sees you flying an Arwing through a complex asteroid field on the way down to the planet, collecting gold rings to disable the planetary shields as you go. The handling of the Arwing is perfect, and the graphics in this section are great, but ultimately it feels like Lylat Wars with a lick of fresh paint; it's perhaps the realisation that there's only so much you can do with an on-rails 3D shoot 'em 'up that prompted the decision to make these sections into a small part of a larger game rather than a game in their own right. Traditional StarFox fans need not worry; there's plenty more Arwing piloting later in the game, but it serves as a snack between action adventure sections for the most part by the looks of things.

After all of this messing about - possibly as much as half an hour of gameplay if it takes you a while to do the Krystal sections - you're finally treated to a fantastic realtime cutscene of the Arwing landing on Dinosaur Planet. Fox hops out, and after some brief explanation, you're in control. The level of freedom here is quite high; run around and talk to the various dinosaurs in your area, find things to do and accomplish them, upgrade your combat skills; however, there seems to be only one path through the game, so while your level of freedom in the local area is high, the game is ultimately very linear. This is no bad thing if the plot turns out to be interesting, but high quality plots haven't exactly been a feature of StarFox titles in the past, making this one of the more worrying aspects of the game.

Foxo Kazooie

'StarFox Adventures: Dinosaur Planet' Screenshot mar03b

You just can't get the staff these days...

Later sections of the game also include large-scale set pieces - such as the famous sequence with Fox being chased down corridors by a gigantic tyrannosaurus - which will certainly spice up the gameplay. Rare are trying very hard to do justice to some of Nintendo's greatest characters, and are obviously mindful that fans of StarFox are likely to want far more than Banjo Kazooie with shooting sections. Speaking of doing characters justice, it's worth mentioning the voice acting briefly. In the version we saw, the quality of voice acting ranged from acceptable to utterly diabolical; the word after E3 was that Rare planned to bring the acting back to the studio and get some decent voice actors on the case, something which would certainly benefit the game immensely.

One area of the game which is certain to attract equal measure of adulation and criticism is the graphics. Rare has decided to go with a system which renders fur in real-time for the game; a sensible move given the characters in question, but one which is somewhat patchy in its success rate; in places, the effect in fantastic, but elsewhere it can simply look blurry, bringing back memories of the N64. The effect is emphasised by the fact that the developers have used it to render grass and other fur-like surfaces as well as the skin of the characters; if you like the movement and life it gives to a surface, then this seems an excellent move, but if the blur and occasional moiré seen in the rendering as a result annoys you, it may be a major black mark against the otherwise utterly superb graphics of StarFox.

Conclusion

StarFox Adventures: Dinosaur Planet is certainly shaping up to be a very interesting game indeed. It suffers by comparison with the rest of the Cube line-up - there are few developers in the world who can shine when placed against the likes of Mario Sunshine and Zelda - but is still an excellent prospect for the console, and its pre-Christmas launch should be one of the high points for the Cube this year. Whether it will be remembered in years to come as a valuable asset to the StarFox franchise or a noble failure remains to be seen; but for now, the signs are good and the third outing for Fox and company is shaping up to be a worthwhile investment for all Cube owners.

Picture of Rob.

About Rob Fahey

Rob Fahey is a former editor of GamesIndustry.biz who spent several years living in Japan and probably still has a mint condition Dreamcast Samba de Amigo set.

Read more articles from Rob by visiting the Rob Fahey archive page.

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Comments (102) Latest comment 8 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • otto #1 10 years ago

    lol - really enjoyed reading that quick take, alttexts'n'all, nice one Rob! I'm actually looking forward to this one as much as I am to Mario. Mainly because of the, er, foxy, er, vixen. Wrong species though. ;)

  • Merefield #2 10 years ago

    Great Fur!

  • otto #3 10 years ago

    I wonder if it has realistic chest physics?

  • Nemesis #4 10 years ago

    Hoho, there's the tone lowered and we're only 3 posts in!

    ;-)

    I'm also looking forward to this one. Was gonna buy a SNES just for Starfox (remember THOSE days) but decided on the Megadrive and Sonic instead. Bad choice IMO.

  • Pirotic #5 10 years ago

    i have not had any time on star-fox adventures sadly, but i've heard some rather mixed views. i suspect it'll be mediocre like all the other rareware platformers.. make a new blastcorps!

  • Blerk #6 10 years ago

    make a new blastcorps!

    Yeah. And bring back Jetman!

  • Nemesis #7 10 years ago

    Well if you really had to nail it down to a few games on GC, this would come a little down my list.

    Mario and Zelda are the main two in my book, but I'm not in any major hurry to buy everything for The Purple One. If it's a bit of a steamer I'll save my cash.

  • otto #8 10 years ago

    "platinum"... because "matte gray" doesn't sound nice...

    Haven't seen the 'aqua' (light blue??).

  • Nemesis #9 10 years ago

    Yeah I got the purple one!

    Doesn't bother me really, that's the colour I wanted. The black one would need dusting too much! I buy everything in silver if I can, my preferred colour. The Panasonic one looks groovy, but I've got a DVD player already.

    Soon to get a decent Tosh TV too, a couple of Wavebirds and I'm sorted!

  • otto #10 10 years ago

    I must say the purple's my favourite of the lot so far, wouldn't want to swap it. Wish the wavebird was not in that dull light grey. Expecting mine to arrive any day now from Lik Sang... :)

  • brutal #11 10 years ago

    deos the black one come with black controllers?

  • ssuellid #12 10 years ago

    "Soon to get a decent Tosh TV too, a couple of Wavebirds and I'm sorted!" - just add the surround sound system and its gaming heaven.

  • otto #13 10 years ago

    brutal - yes (but the wavebird only comes in light grey)

  • Fizzy #14 10 years ago

    Im gonna be moving to London soon, and I was wondering, where is the best place to import games for my US NTSC PS2 and Xbox?

  • hulahoops #15 10 years ago

    www.goblindirect.com is good...

  • mal #16 10 years ago

    The only import shops I know of is ACE just off Carnaby Street, and CEX near Tott Ct Rd. There are probably a lot more, but I don't buy much stuff imported at all.

  • otto #17 10 years ago

    There must be plenty of choice along the Tottenham Ct Road.

  • #18 10 years ago

    have a purple one aswell. looks much nicer than the black one in my opinion. people complaining about the color being gay.. i tell you, damn insecure twats!

    Hmm.. Starfox Adv. seems nice enough though. Not on my list of stuff I MUST have, but will probably purchase it if it's good stuff. Nice preview Shinji!
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/02 @ 14:32

  • Nemesis #19 10 years ago

    just add the surround sound system and its gaming heaven.

    tis there already! Although the expensive Tosh's come with 5.1DD decoder built into the TV and a couple of optical audio in's and the surround speakers. Just a thought. It's like a rats nest at present under the tele.

  • ssuellid #20 10 years ago

    "tis there already!" - do you have ProLogic 2? Its quite good with some of the GC games.

    "It's like a rats nest at present under the tele."

    Mine was terrible but I've got all the audio and most of the video routed through my amp so there is only a video cable to the TV.

  • Nemesis #21 10 years ago

    No, no PL2; the system doesn't support it. Boo.

    Supports DTS though and Optical digital, so it's wicked with the 'box.

  • ssuellid #22 10 years ago

    "so it's wicked with the 'box. " - since I got my amp I've spent more time trying to find things to blow up on Halo rather than playing the actual game.

  • DaM #23 10 years ago

    I would like a spice (orange) one. I have put off buying one (in my old age I have dropped early adopting in favour of a "critical quality" factor (when I am skint at least! Then you can pick up the few good games on the system second hand)). Like there was no point in buying a PS2 for about a year, as there was nothing worth playing on it. Getting GC for my birthday though, next week. Purple I think. Remember the cool colours the GBA had when it was announced, then the crap ones it was released in? I thought the orange ones were great.

  • Tricky #24 10 years ago

    Nem - which Tosh did u go for? I opted for their best NICAM 32" widescreen (linkage) simply because I didn't need the surround sound etc. (already got it)

    God it is lovely, although it does kind of lord it over the lounge a bit - my lounge only measures 7'x10'
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/02 @ 14:59

  • otto #25 10 years ago

    I thought I wanted a spice one until I saw one in the flesh so to speak. Then I realised I didn't. Oh no.

  • Nemesis #26 10 years ago

    Tosh

    This one. You have to see it to appreciate it, it's quite lovely. I do have a seperate system for sound, but if it's supports DD I might not need that system any more. But it's the unit I like, I did look at the Sony ones and I don't really like 'em.

  • ssuellid #27 10 years ago

    Tricky - thanks for the link. My ancient panasonic is not in their review list. The news on the front page mentions that HKL are releasing a remastered version of "The Killer" on DVD some time soon. Thats made my day.


  • otto #28 10 years ago

    *choke*

    Chri$t almighty, nearly 1500 notes??

  • Nemesis #29 10 years ago

    Yeah, well that's Comet, so knock 500 quid off and you're closer to the real price! Compared to this non RGB Bush TV I have to suffer, anything is better really!

  • Tricky #30 10 years ago

    Yeah Nem - saw that when I went to get mine from Comet (mine was a Comet-exclusive unfortunately, as mentioned in that review I linked) but mine was only £850 and the extra £600 for the one you're linking really couldn't be justified by the slimmer case and surround sound (although the TV being slimmer may have helped with getting the damn thing up to my top floor flat) ;-)

  • Nemesis #31 10 years ago

    Tricky I have this problem to come, 1st floor flat also. I bet the delivery guys hate people like me!

    What I really wanted was a wallmounted plasma, with a flat space is premium. But, starting at 4K I really can't justify it. Although Starfox would look good eh (covers ar£e against Zappage).

    But the slimline Tosh is a 32" screen in the space of a 28" frame, if you get me, so it'll take up the same space as the Bush and it looks looooooovely.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/02 @ 15:28

  • otto #32 10 years ago

    I'm trying to put together a strategy to persuade the missus that we need a wide-screen TV at some point during the next year or so but at that price I can forget it. There *are* decent ones available for around 500 quid I hope??

  • ssuellid #33 10 years ago

    The new argos ad has a widescreen TV with seperate VCR and DVD for either £500, or £600.

    Yes otto you can get a decent TV for £500 - to get a very good one go for last years model.

  • ssuellid #34 10 years ago

    Nemesis is your TV the Tosh that can handle progressive scan but does not mention it anywhere? I noticed it had component video input and I also heard that the new Toshes supported PAL progressive scan.

  • Tricky #35 10 years ago

    otto - check online. You can usually knock £100-200 off the retailers on price (as you already know anyway). It is possible to get 32" widescreen for £500 but not if you want flat screen or 100hz display. Possibly you could get a 28" for around that with flat screen and 100hz but don;t bet on it.

    Nem - don't get me wrong, I think that set looks lovely (very sleek) but I definitely couldn't justify the extra expense. My wallet had a coughing fit when I bought the telly as it was. It needed a glass of water and a lie down on one of the chairs at the collection point before it could get going again :-)

  • Nemesis #36 10 years ago

    Ssuelid, I'm not sure TBH regarding progressive scan....but from what I've read, yes, it does do the S-Video input...but what realistic difference that has over RGB SCART I couldn't say.

    My girlfriends parents actually have one, so I'm gonna sneaksie over and have a look, but the Dad is overly protective of the remote so I'll wait til he's out!

  • Tricky #37 10 years ago

    Ssuelid - The Killer is out on Region 2 in October as a Platinum Edition. I don't have an exact date yet...

  • Nemesis #38 10 years ago

    Tricky, mine too! I have to buy another TV anyhow, so I may as well get the pain over with, spend a little more, and get something I'm going to be happy with. I don't spend out that much, and most of what I do is in front of the TV - consoles, DVD, TV, etc, so I may as well get a decent one.

  • Tricky #39 10 years ago

    Nem - my thoughts exactly. Buy quality and it might just last a few years more. Now, do I actually get an X Box or do I just get a normal DVD player (because if there's one bad thing about my nice new TV, it really does show how bad a DVD player the PS2 really is). The DVD playback I've seen from the X Box is definitely much better than the PS2.

  • ssuellid #40 10 years ago

    Nem - in order, component is the best quality for video, followed by RGB via SCART or SVideo, followed by composite.

    The RGB vs SVideo argument is an iffy area in my case SVideo is just as good as RGB for everything apart from the Sky digibox.

    Component inputs on a TV are pretty rare and thats the input that will/may support progressive scan.

    Tricky - thanks for that.

  • Nemesis #41 10 years ago

    Spec

    Component also then I guess, this is why I want to go and have a proper look at her parents, just to see. Some reviews are for the US version so I wanna be sure...

    Getting into really technical stuff with TV's and audio is dangerous business, it gets expensive REALLY quick!

    As for the PS2, with the DVD playback you're not getting a true RGB SCART picture, you're getting the Sony abortion. RegionX is about 14 quid and will sort it, apparently. I'm guess you're seeing a proper RGB picture with the Xbox hence the difference.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/02 @ 15:58

  • ssuellid #42 10 years ago

    "As for the PS2, with the DVD playback you're not getting a true RGB SCART picture, you're getting the Sony abortion. RegionX is about 14 quid and will sort it, apparently. I'm guess you're seeing a proper RGB picture with the Xbox hence the difference. "

    Play are doing Region X, with a remote and a RGB cable for, IIRC, £18. I ordered one a couple of weeks ago so I could use the PS2 as a second DVD player. The quality is still crap - well under par for even a £200 DVD player.


  • Nemesis #43 10 years ago

    It's not up there with the best is it!

    Still, for a console+DVD it's ok, you get what you pay for. Personally I went from a PS2 to a standalone DVD player and never looked back. But the PS2 plays DVD's ok, pictures not great, but sound can be chucked out via optical digital and that's a plus. Then again, so can the Xbox, and that's got a better picture. Time to sort it out Sony!

    I would say, if you've spent out on the TV, get a dedicated DVD player.
    Edited by 1 at 06/08/02 @ 16:10

  • Tricky #44 10 years ago

    I've got Region X already - makes no difference. On both S-Video and RGB you can still see lot of noise on the picture. And before you start saying that the DVD is at fault or the original film, this was Final Fantasy (I nicked it off me mate to have a gander - not bad... not great, but not bad) and as that's direct from a digital source there shouldn't be any noise.

    As a comparison I fired it up on my Dad's Pioneer DVD player going through his 28" version of my Tosh and there was no noise.

  • Nemesis #45 10 years ago

    I personally would get a dedicated player. The PS2 is ok to start with, but nothing special. Still, if money is no object, I'm sure Denon are happy take your call!

    Edited by 1 at 06/08/02 @ 16:31

  • mal #46 10 years ago

    Crikey, those are big tellies. Stop trying to make me jealous when I've only just bought a new one myself!

    It hasn't got 5.1, or 100Hz, or quite that big but it's about half the price of those that you're looking at, it's got three SCART sockets (RGB in one, no component though) and it can get a decent picture out of the crappy indoor aerial held up with string I was using with my old 14" telly. At the end of the day that's what was important. That and it not being 100Hz so I could still use my lightguns!

    otto: You can get a 28" flat wide telly for 500quid. Mine was in that region and it was a decent make (though not Sony) and came with Dolby Surround built in. I also bought it from my local shops (i.e. not online) for that price.

  • otto #47 10 years ago

    cheers mal

    I'll let the wallet recover a bit first from DVD/holiday/sundries.

  • Nemesis #48 10 years ago

    Isn't there a thing called equity Otto? House must be worth something by now old son!

    Alternatively go contracting in IT. I've got a 5 year plan to pay off the mortgage! (nice plan, won't work)

  • ssuellid #49 10 years ago

    "Alternatively go contracting in IT." - is that still viable? All but a few contractors I know have returned to permanent work - no contracts available.

  • otto #50 10 years ago

    Since my missus persuaded me to start investing a chunk of my monthly wages in index-linked funds I've probably lost enough money to have bought me a plasma TV. :p

  • Nemesis #51 10 years ago

    is that still viable?

    Yes it's still viable, but only just. New taxation has basically f..ked everyone, so they've just gone back into permanent roles, which is mad. My contract keeps rolling, so I'm putting myself in a position whereby I can save alot and cover myself should I need to look for new work, whether that be permie or contract.

    I've got some permie offers, but I'll stick with the contract as long as they keep paying me!

  • Nemesis #52 10 years ago

    I tell yah GB don't get me started! Contracting in the UK is not that fun, I wouldn't be too surprised if the EU stepped in at some point on this whole subject...

    I pay so many different taxes sometimes I wonder about doing it!

  • Nemesis #53 10 years ago

    Seems to me, living in the UK, you get smacked down for taking the risk. Running your own business, being self-employed, if you make any money doing this, they take it.

    So I'm making my money, I'm gonna sell the flat to some London muppet with more money than sense and I'll be off in the sunset with me purple GC and large suitcases of money. Rent us a boat!

  • terminalterror #54 10 years ago

    Sorry to spoil your fun with the TVs, but how many of you have seen a BIG (40 inch plus) plasma screen (or any screen for that matter) that doesn't look really bad and fuzzy up close (anywhere within 5 metres) when running standard resolution stuff (basically all TV, all non progressive scan DVDs and games)?

  • Emma Roids #55 10 years ago

    A bit late in the day for this but if you gonna buy a cube its got to be purple, black ones look like big oxo cubes or a deranged Saturn.

    Oh aye, the game look all reet as well.

  • [Alt][F4] #56 10 years ago

    I love my black Cube.
    There is something wrong with a guy over 20 who owns a purple one for some reason..

  • Alastair #57 10 years ago

    'There is something wrong with a guy over 20 who owns a purple one for some reason..'

    Care to elaborate?

  • otto #58 10 years ago

    [[Alt][F4]] - 07-Aug-2002
    I love my black Cube.
    There is something wrong with a guy over 20 who owns a purple one for some reason..

    Alt, let go of your fear, unleash your inner child, you will be a calmer, more centred person and suddenly women will approach you in the street and ask you for directions :)

  • Gestalt #59 10 years ago

    Hm, and there was me thinking I must have a big tattoo on the back of my head saying "ask me for directions" or something. Problem is, I have a lousy sense of direction and although I can find my way from A to B, I couldn't tell you what any of the roads I used were called. :)

  • otto #60 10 years ago

    It's a fact that if women ask you for directions they secretly fancy you :)

  • [Alt][F4] #61 10 years ago

    RE Alastair;
    No, I dare not elaborate on that; some things are better left unknowned my dear man. The human brain can only take so much :)

    Otto;
    See, that's my whole point Otto;
    The guy with a purple waits calmly on the streets for the lass to make a move, while the one with the black cube takes initiative in his own (oversized)hands :p

    edit;
    (before I get busted by the last sentance, what I meant was he will go to her and ask first.
    I've been here long enough to know how you ppl think :p)
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/02 @ 11:11

  • ssuellid #62 10 years ago

    "The guy with a purple waits calmly on the streets for the lass to make a move"

    Too late, the guys with the purple GC have already got a women. The black GC owners are single, too worried about owning a purple GC because of their mislaid fears concerning their own sexuality. ;)

  • [Alt][F4] #63 10 years ago

    Ooh common, what kinda of a woman would want a guy with a purple cube ? That's almost as bad as if he owned Xbox :)
    What's next, him wearing fluffy slippers ? :p

  • ssuellid #64 10 years ago

    "Ooh common, what kinda of a woman would want a guy with a purple cube ?"

    One that realised that black shows the dust more.

    Or if the bloke lets the young lady choose the colour - which is the ideal catch all if you are worried about what a purple cube will do for your reputation.

  • Super Stu #65 10 years ago

    Ah, I'm late to this thread as my time online has been a bit limited of late :)

    My 2 cents:

    - Sky digi boxes only output composite and RGB, to the best of my knowledge.

    - 100hz.. avoid like the plague, IMHO. I was playing Biohazard (Cube) on my mate's 32" Wega and suddenly realised the picture was all blocky. I just assumed Biohazard looked a bit pap (a shocking assumption, but all I could think of). He then fired up GT3, which I've obviously played to death on my lowly 28" goodmans, and it was blocky as hell too. Thus, I'm assuming the blockyness is due to 100hz. A pretty good assumption, I would say. I gather 100hz also affects tv broadcasts adversely too, in some instances.

    - PS2 DVD playback.. if you don't have a standalone player, the playback suffices. TBH, I haven't noticed any noise on region X'd RGB output. And gents, let's be honest here, I suspect 90%+ of people connect their equipment via composite anyway, so the comparison is only valid for "those in the know" anyway.

    - Nem, if your TV does progressive scan, you deserve a big mallet over the head if you don't kit your consoles up to take advantage of it.

    - purple cube.. my missus bought me my Cube, so it could have been banana yellow for all I cared, so long as I got it.
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/02 @ 11:33

  • Whizzo #66 10 years ago

    Hmm doesn't sound too good if all GC owners have got to discuss about their machine is its colour.... ;-)

  • ssuellid #67 10 years ago

    " Sky digi boxes only output composite and RGB, to the best of my knowledge. " - Grundig ones do composite, RGB and SVideo. I'm pretty sure that its only Pace who don't offer SVideo.

    100Hz - couldn't agree with you more. Its just a botch job most of the time. You get a stable picture but a shed load of artefacts from the coversion from PAL 50Hz. The same is true for a lot of the so called picture enhancements - I've turned them all off on my TV.

    edit. Actually the only sky boxes that output SVideo are: -

    Pace Sky+
    Grundig 2000
    Grundig 3000
    Grundig /2 series

    Edited by 1 at 07/08/02 @ 11:41

  • Super Stu #68 10 years ago

    ssuellid - Indeed. I prefer the picture (which I'll go to great lengths to argue is superior) on my crappy £300 Goodmans than on my mate's £2000 Wega. True, the screen isn't perfectly flat, but is pin sharp (via RGB) compared to this blocky 100hz shit.

    Didn't realise the digi boxes did RGB too. The only display option my Panasonic box (19 months old now) has in the display settings is PAL and RGB. True, PAL technically covers composite and svideo, but I would have thought there'd be a specfic option. Haven't tested it anyway, as my TV is orders of magnitude better in RGB mode.

    Whizzo - discussing colour requires less effort than theorising how one might engineer a table strong enough to hold an Xbox :)

  • Whizzo #69 10 years ago

    a table strong enough to hold an Xbox
    Plus you've got to make sure the Xbox won't topple over and harm a small child! :-P

  • otto #70 10 years ago

    Or if the bloke lets the young lady choose the colour - which is the ideal catch all if you are worried about what a purple cube will do for your reputation.

    My missus hates my purple cube & thinks it's dead ugly for some reason. She makes me hide it when visitors come. Strange woman.

  • Super Stu #71 10 years ago

    Otto.. is your missus a Microsoft fanboy then?

  • otto #72 10 years ago

    Stu - she must be - I think she's european scum in disguise. :(

    change of topic - one for the dads out there: link

  • [Alt][F4] #73 10 years ago

    Purple is ideal colour of choice for women ?
    I really don't think so. My guess would be blue or the upcomming stylish silver. Ask around and you will see. (Keep in mind we're talking about 18+ and not children here)
    However, if you are buying your gf a console as a gift, eather
    a). you have found one that doesn't think 'electronic games are a total waste of time and not worth the price'.
    Hence, hang on to her, she belongs to a VERY rare breed :)
    b). or is a very poor choice of a gift; there are ALOT more appropriate presents that would make her happy and eventually you later that day my friend :p

    As for it(black) accumulating dust, this is greatly exagerated and we are talking about a small cube; how long does it take you to dust it off ? :)

  • Nemesis #74 10 years ago

    Oh my head hurts with all this techy talk. I wanted the TV cos I like the design. It's primarily for DVD's really.

    I got the Tosh info in the post today (very prompt) and it supports component but NOT progressive scan. Only the Strata ones do, so there we go.

  • ssuellid #75 10 years ago

    "Oh my head hurts with all this techy talk. I wanted the TV cos I like the design. It's primarily for DVD's really. "

    - It is a nice looking TV. Well if you get bored its worth turning off the image enhancement bits just to see if they do anything good or bad.

    I've turned off all the image enhancements that my DVD and TV offer and the picture is now gorgeous.

  • Nemesis #76 10 years ago

    Does progressive scan make that much difference?

  • ssuellid #77 10 years ago

    "Does progressive scan make that much difference?"

    Yes, but the big difference is with sources that can output a higher resolution e.g. D VHS, NTSC XBox(supposedly). A DVD player only supports 480p - which is quite a low resolution so the benefits are not massive - less flicker, less artefacts. You can get video scalers that enhance the resolution but then you are in silly money territory.

  • Nemesis #78 10 years ago

    ...expensive, like anything. Multiplied by x 2 if you're in the UK!

    The Tosh will do me fine. I like the look, it handles component, rgb and has 3 scart sockets. DD5.1 decoder inbuild and so on. Can't wait to see what Fellowship looks like on this TV, I played it last night on a cr@ppy Bush (composite) and it looked loooovely.

    I think I'm right in assuming the UK consoles don't support progressive scan (correct me if I'm wrong here) so it's of no real benefit for me as mine are not NTSC imports.

  • ssuellid #79 10 years ago

    " UK consoles don't support progressive scan" - someone said that the PAL version of PS2 VF4 supports PAL progressive scan.

    Your not missing much by not having DTS either. So far the only difference I have noticed is that the rear effects seem louder.


  • Nemesis #80 10 years ago

    See now we have DD 6.1 ES and PL2 coming out. It's a nightmare to follow for the layman.

    My system currently supports DTS and I can't tell that much difference between this and DD, maybe a certain clarity to the rear speakers, but really that's it.
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/02 @ 13:07

  • ssuellid #81 10 years ago

    "See now we have DD 6.1 ES" - thats sort of my next step - adding two side speakers for 7 channel sound. PL2 is quite good and is used rather well in Rogue Leader - it also does quite a good job with TV broadcasts.

  • Super Stu #82 10 years ago

    Yes, but the big difference is with sources that can output a higher resolution e.g. D VHS, NTSC XBox(supposedly).

    I think I'm correct in saying that the Xbox goes all the way up to 1080i (HDTV).

    Apparently, DOA3 is something to behold on a HDTV. This is, of course, where plasmas come into their own, until normal HDTVs become the norm.

  • otto #83 10 years ago

    I've got bog standard stereo fed through my 20 year old amp to my 25 year old fuck-off speakers and it sounds just great.

  • terminalterror #84 10 years ago

    Can't wait to see what Fellowship looks like on this TV, I played it last night on a cr@ppy Bush (composite) and it looked loooovely.


    Aaaaaargh! I really want to get the fellowship of the Ring on DVD now, but I don't want to have to buy it twice when the 4 disk set comes out on nov. 12 (with 30 mins extra footage). Damn voice of reason in my head!

  • Nemesis #85 10 years ago

    Aaaaaargh! I really want to get the fellowship of the Ring on DVD now

    Well I got in with a stinking headache last night and thought 'I'll just watch the extra's disc for tonight' but 10 minutes later I gave in, watched the whole film. The Bridge in Moria still gets to me 4 viewings later.

  • Nemesis #86 10 years ago

    All this talk of hardware, it's an expensive thing for me. So, it's a gradual buildup of kit, starting with the TV. The DD inbuild into the TV doesn't matter to me, at some point I feel I will get something like a Denon system for sound, as these are getting good reviews across the board. The Sony sound system does ok, it sounds pretty good for a 300 quid setup, but it's limiting.

  • ssuellid #87 10 years ago

    "I think I'm correct in saying that the Xbox goes all the way up to 1080i (HDTV). "

    Yes, but you need the advanced AV pack which supposedly is only compatible with the NTSC XBox.

    "Apparently, DOA3 is something to behold on a HDTV. This is, of course, where plasmas come into their own, until normal HDTVs become the norm."

    When I was trying out my amp I sat there watching a load of different plasma screens and I'm not impressed with the picture quality - not for 3K plus anyway.

    Also I have asked several people if plasma screens are any good or suitable for use with consoles and no one knows. Anyone seen one used?


    Nemesis - I recommend the Denon 3802. If your room is quite small then using it with a Mission FS2AV speaker system is ideal.
    Edited by 1 at 07/08/02 @ 13:26

  • DocX #88 10 years ago

    "Also I have asked several people if plasma screens are any good or suitable for use with consoles and no one knows. Anyone seen one used?"

    Sorry I don't know anything technical, but we have a large plasma screen at work for demo purposes, I've seen all 3 consoles running through it, & all I can say is it looks gorgeous...

  • Super Stu #89 10 years ago

    My mate swears by his (haven't seen it, personally). But then having paid £4k for it, I'm sure he would.

    Apparently, he says it makes a shit picture look pefectly shit and is simply jaw dropping for things which take advantage of it (his progressive scan DVD player and of course games which use PS/HDTV modes).

    If you want a technical summary, my missus spake thusly of a £5k Panasonic in a shop window:

    "picture is a bit shit, isn't it".

    Having said that, most shops wire everything through composite, for which they should be shot.

  • Nemesis #90 10 years ago

    Nemesis - I recommend the Denon 3802. If your room is quite small then using it with a Mission FS2AV speaker system is ideal.

    There's alot to be thinking about here, just going into the tech forums is like being in another world! We have some Sevenoaks HIFI shops local, so I think I'll go in there at some point and get some advice.

  • ssuellid #91 10 years ago

    "We have some Sevenoaks HIFI shops local"

    They are usually pretty good and they have a good range of equipment.

    Thanks for the plasma feedback lads - I wonder if the gf would agree that a new TV is a better investment than a honeymoon?

  • Nemesis #92 10 years ago

    I wonder if the gf would agree that a new TV is a better investment than a honeymoon?

    Maybe you could combine both!

    I looked at the plasma screens at the Sony shop down at Bluewater and I think, really, for that kind of money you need to test it out. Space is a real premium in my flat and a wallmounted TV would be lovely, but I don't think the tech is quite there yet. and the Tosh looks the nu7s.

  • brutal #93 10 years ago

    this is message 100!! woohoo.
    *how sad*

    ill get my coat...

  • Ciaran #94 10 years ago

    Starfox Adventures has been out in the US for a couple of days now, and the people from PlanetGamecube don't seem to think it's 'all that'.

    <A HREF="http://www.planetgamecube.com/impressions.cfm ?action=profile&id=496">PGC Starfox impressions 1</A>

    <A HREF="http://www.planetgamecube.com/impressions.cfm ?action=profile&id=497">PGC Starfox impressions 2</A>

    Many other online reviewers drool over it though, so maybe it's some sort of fallout from the whole MS-buys-Rare situation. But still, I think I'll rent it first...
    Edited by 1 at 26/09/02 @ 13:21

  • otto #95 10 years ago

    Interesting. Famitsu panned it as well didn't they?

  • Mr_Sleep #96 10 years ago

    people complaining about the color being gay.. i tell you, damn insecure twats!

    Someone mentioned a few days back that otto has stopped swearing...I see that has been rectified. You do realise that purple is the gay colour?

    -Frankly who cares what colour it is as long as it runs?

  • otto #97 10 years ago

    Mr Sleep - vermin said that, not me! Anyone, all my thoughts on the purple issue may be seen by scrolling up a bit. :)

  • otto #98 10 years ago

    Anyway, about that planetgamecube quick take, I have to say that actually encourages me. His main grumble is that it's too easy. Me, I like easy. When hardcore gamers say something's too easy, that normally indicates a decent but doable challenge.

  • Nemesis #99 10 years ago

    Yeah, they didn't like it huh.

    Check out the IGN review for a different perspective. I think this is gonna be one of those love/hate games.

  • Mr_Sleep #100 10 years ago

    Good point, would you swear a bit, just so I don't lose even more face :D

  • sam_spade #101 10 years ago

    Purple is for players. Sam Jackson wanted a purple lightsaber. So does that make him gay, or is he the coolest MF in town?

  • otto #102 10 years ago

    Mr Sleep, you b*ll&cking t@ssp0t, will you f&ck1n check the name before you bl33d!n accuse someone of being a sweary ar$e? Thanks! You **n*! ;)

  • mal #103 8 years ago

    No problem. I recommend that you hit the grey button on the gamecube, followed by the 'open' button, and replace the disc with something more interesting like Zelda or Beyond Good & Evil. If you don't want to do that, I can't help I'm afraid. I think I got a bit further than that but I got bored with the game only a little further on and I've forgotten what I did.