Action video games
Video games have always been about action. Anyone who was raised on Atari, Intellivision and Nintendo knows the joy of adventure as encapsulated in early titles from Pitfall to Joust. Later entries to the field included releases such as Sonic the Hedgehog and the Final Fantasy franchise, and today the legacy continues unchecked with a bumper crop of new titles designed to quicken the pulse. If you have come online in search of raucous thrills and creepy conquests, you will not be disappointed with the latest action video games.
The main reason: today’s consoles. Gaming has always been about speed, visuals and story, and today’s latest platforms offer all three in abundance. From the HDTV output of bleeding edge products like the XBOX 360 and PS3 to the uncommon interactivity of Nintendo’s blockbuster Wii, action has never found a more comfortable home in our living rooms. Better video cards, bigger memories and integrated hard drives are leading the charge toward a level of immersion no one expected 20 years ago.
One of the biggest titles for action of the silly variety is Nintendo’s latest release for its popular Wario series – WarioWare: Smooth Moves. Continuing with the nefarious entrepreneurial exploits of Mario’s self-seeking alter ego, WarioWare continues the tale of its eponymous lead character’s quest for video game domination. Part puzzler, part action, this game affords Wii-owners all the fun of slapping people in the face via Bluetooth. Already a hit, its renown is growing ever greater as more Wii consoles become available by the day.
On a more traditional action trajectory, Raven Software’s new Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for Playstation 3 offers precisely what fans of the comic giant’s stable would expect: pure battle and adventure. A massive world with gorgeous environmental graphics explores every nook and cranny of the Marvel universe, innovating as it twists the strands into a cogent whole. Whether you want to play as Mr. Fantastic, Wolverine or Captain America, your powers and abilities match up nicely with the extensive literature. Even if you have never opened a comic in your life, there’s still plenty to love in this epic quest.
Not to be outdone, the XBOX 360 offers an action game in the horror genre. Dead Rising tells the story of Frank West as he levels thousands of zombies and other grisly goons inside a suburban shopping mall. Dazzling environmental touches mix with camp and humor here to create a brand new look from Capcom, birthplace of the wildly popular Resident Evil franchise. The story is more than just a shoot ’em up, however – committed attention is rewarded with strong narrative and an overarching sense of character.
Getting your hands on action titles is easier than ever thanks to the rise of online gaming portals. Instead of driving around town and poring through the store shelves, today you can grab a title in seconds with a few clicks of the mouse. If you are the type who wants to sample the goods before committing, you may even want to look into rentals for your action jones.