Wi-Philes

E3 is fast approaching us Next Monday will see Microsoft's Press Conference, while Tuesday brings us Nintendo and Sony. Every year, the big three video game companies try to amaze and astound us with big flashy shows and big title games. Last year was an exception, since all three companies were relatively lackluster (I still can't get the sour taste Nintendo left in my mouth). However, this year has brought high-end promises to the table, and while I'm pretty sure no one will hold up to the hype they're bringing, the sequins they'll throw at us will be sure to dazzle.

I really think Nintendo will have the strongest showing, mainly in the fact that they have the most potential to blow us all away. We'll definitely see the Wii Fit Plus set for sometime before Christmas; a summer release is most likely, since more people are looking to exercise in their air-conditioned homes and out of the heat. Wii Sports Resort with Motion-Plus will probably be at the heart of the conference, despite how much I don't want it to be, especially if they give a final release date.

Pokemon Heart Gold & Soul Silver will probably be touted as a major game release, and while I WANT them to release them by Christmas, it'll probably be set for next Spring (a similar release schedule was done for Platinum version). A DSi Virtual Console with GB, GBC, and GBA games would be absolutely wonderful, and I would buy a DSi in a heartbeat if they made one, so I'm having high hopes for one, though I know they probably won't announce one for a long time. While I want Nintendo to release Mother 3 in some form, either a DS compilation of all three Mother games or DSi Virtual Console, I know that it's not likely in any way, shape, or form, since NoA seems to hate the series with a passion. The recent announcement of the Metroid Prime Trilogy sets Nintendo up perfectly for the announcement of a new Metroid game not made by Retro Studios. A DS 2.5D sidescroller seems to be most likely in the event of a new Metroid game announcement. There's definitely going to be most information about Zelda: Spirit Tracks, since the GDC announcement was relatively small and quiet.

Going on to Microsoft, I can't see them announcing anything too big except for more sequels. Last year's Conference had big news about Final Fantasy XIII being cross-platform, and there's no big games on the horizon that could suitably make that leap, unless they want to consider the side games as important as the main series. The biggest thing I could see them doing is announcing an online version of the original Perfect Dark or Goldeneye games with online play; that would push me over the edge to buy a 360 (or the next gen system) as I played Perfect Dark for hours a day back when my N64 still worked. Metal Gear Solid 4 releasing for the 360 is definitely a possibility, but I don't see it happening any time soon.The rumored motion controller will probably be seen and be heralded as the second coming of Jesus by XBox fanboys (the same ones that bash Nintendo's motion controller), although that would definitely ruin the show and Microsoft's image for me.

Sony seems to be in the same boat as Microsoft at E3. They both need to pull something big out of their ass to wow us this year, since there's nothing really big nor rumored about them. Sadly, I think they're really dependent on this year's show to boost PS3 sales, since the sales of the PS3 still haven't dramatically picked up, despite the release of Little Big Planet and Metal Gear Solid 4. Judging by Hideo Kojima's website, though, I could see an announcement of Metal Gear Solid 5 or a spin-off game. Sony will probably just announce a few lackluster sequels, coat it with gold paint (read: pretty graphics with no substance), and call it a day.

Nintendo will probably have the strongest show, and if they don't, then you know ALL three companies have failed miserably. I can only hope for the best, but I'm expecting the worst.

After five seasons, a heartbreaking cancellation, a needed rebirth, and four movies, Futurama is finally over. From what the fans can tell and what the creators have said, the series is officially done. So there's nothing left. No more fan speculation (this didn't stop Harry Potter fans!), no more waiting with bated breath for the next movie, nothing. So where does this leave us? Well, of course; it's time for fan ranting/raving!

I consider myself to be a fan of the series, plain and simple. Maybe I'm not as rabid as other fans, but as a follower of the series since that first episode on March 28, 1999, I've been enjoying pretty much everything the series encompasses, though I definitely divulge in the series' nerd jokes. From Professor Farnsworth's about the quantum finish of the horse race ("Those measurements are useless. You observed them!") to the more not-so-subtle science fiction jokes (remember the "Out of Order" monolith orbiting Jupiter?), I really thought the series had fantastic writing.

As a man for character development and interaction, Futurama was a gold mine for me. Though the cast was smaller than The Simpsons, I felt the main cast had much more depth, which created some actually intriguing and real drama. The episode where Fry gets worms had me teary-eyed by the end when he still tries to play the homophonor. The same thing happened at the last episode of season 5 when Leela wants to see how Fry's story ends.

Better than The Simpsons? It's definitely debatable, but I actually enjoy it more than Groening's earlier work. The Simpsons is definitely better for more recent social satire and commentary, at least when it was in its Golden Age. However, as many fans of the show can attest to, it definitely hasn't been up to par, so in terms of quality "density", so to speak, Futurama is better. It ended when it needed to. Furthermore, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, the characters are deeper. Most of the episodes can be taken by themselves since they had a self-sustaining plot that didn't rely on outside jokes or references to keep the momentum. Knowledge of the nerd world DEFINITELY helped the jokes and enhanced your enjoyment overall, but Futurama just had better plot flow than the Simpsons.

The main thing that stood out for me about Futurama was the intimacy you feel with the cast. They're not much of a family, so they don't have the obvious connection. They're just co-workers. But as the series goes on, you feel the connections and the chemistry between everyone. Plus, it's not forced; the smart writing and good character development keep things real despite one character being a mutant, another an alien crustacean, and another being a crass robot. It just works.

Now, don't get me wrong. The Simpsons is absolutely amazing in its own right. It's smart, funny, and was definitely innovative for its time. It's simply that I enjoyed Futurama a whole lot more. Possibly because of the extreme nerd humor; possibly because of the romantic chemistry between Leela and Fry; possibly because of its social commentary about today's society by looking at it through a 1000 year old lens. I still don't know. It was just extremely enjoyable through and through.

I hate to see it go. I really do. I think that Mr. Groening could do more with the series, even though Bender's Game was pretty crappy. But the time is right. It's better to end in a huge explosion than a faint whimper.