cordonbleu

Wow, Everyone involved from a Government level down seems thrilled, I think this ones a definite goer. Now if only Village could take an interest in good old NSW, perhaps a new revitalised Sydney Town/Colonial based type of theme park. There wont be any issues regarding the animal welfare at all, see Village Roadshows's Sea World for their own welfare precedent.

If it wasn't for Mario, where would GAMING be???

I have a REAL car, i don't want a driving simulator, how boring. So wonderbus, you enjoy your simulator then, it's coming for PSP (surprise surprise), have fun driving! And yes, the DS is similar in DESIGN to the Game and Watch titles Nintendo made in the early eighties, but thats where the similarity ends. Nebuchanezzar, thats not a good thing at all in my opinion, simply because its simply glossing a poor overall package. For information on the success of the Nintendo DS' launch, go here- http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=7050 - apparently it's been the biggest console launch in Australian history, Wow.

Yeah wow, Gran Turismo, I really love taking turns all day, it's really imaginative and fun to drive real cars, never done that! If I wanted a decent racer, I'd get Forza on Xbox, true it's not tested, but whats the difference, you drive, or you drive... I personally don't see anything that the PSP will bring to the table thats impressive enough to say, 'yeah thats worth getting' and im definately not interested in flaming a system for any reason other then it's shortcomings, of which the PSP's are numerous. As I said though, probably will get one, only for GTA though. The DS is getting some heavy marketing from Nintendo Australia, which is quite unusual, I suspect the system will do well here, as will the PSP no doubt. The Gamecube is slow in Australia, but not nearly as slow as the Xbox is in Japan, which is a shame, cause I like my Xbox, and Gamecube. The DS isn't about taking over a sector of the gaming industry, thats not what Nintendo's philosophy is. Nintendo's philosophy is on expanding the Gaming industry. Getting new people to become gamers, and catering to a broad base of consumers, who otherwise, may not have ever wanted to play videogames. The DS is the beginning, new markets are being opened, widening the demographic to which games appeal. Sony as the dominant player should be seen as dangerous to clever gamers! And the reason for that is, at the top of their game, instead of being an innovator, and creating new gaming methods and implementing them with their leadership, they instead try to improve on a formula, and take over. So in the end, you will be driving pretty cars in Gran Turismo 23, on Playstation 7, and gaming will be in the same stagnated swamp/racetrack if you like. Instead of offering an impressive piece of gaming innovation, they have pretty much taken a GBA, beefed up the graphics, added a clock radio, and wolah, you have the next best thing to sliced bread!

Haha, I should feel annoyed about it hey. I knew that GTA would eventually release on the Xbox, and that buying the PS2 for one game was a bit extravagant, but I just couldn't wait, even knowing that the experience on Xbox would be ten times better then PS2. I will probably pick it up again when it's released on Xbox, and sell the PS2, theres nothing on that system that interests me, it's all just generic crap. Gazza, as for watching both screens at once, I personally find it really fast paced in some aspects of some games, yet quite redundant in some others. What I mean is, that, for example in Warioware, some of the mini-games its imperative that you take notice of both screens, but in Mario64, you really only concentrate on the top screen. You should love the System though. What I'd like to know is some of your anticipation levels for the PSP? How high is it? AND WHY? I've looked at the US Launch games, which will likely reflect what launches here, and also what is in the pipeline for the system, and I can honestly say there is nothing there thats interesting! AT ALL! However, when GTA on the PSP comest Oz Side, I guess i'll be laying down the cash! DOH!

What I think you, and people like you fail to realise is that the Nintendo DS is a completely new and innovative way to play games. It sets a new benchmark in not only portable gaming, but gaming in general. I considered myself a console only gamer, but the features of the DS that I have experienced are unlike anything you can experience with a home console, And I definitely haven't on my Xbox, Cube or PS2, which I incidently only just purchased for GTA-SA. Further Steve, why on earth would you have an Xbox AND PS2? The two consoles are so similar software wise that it's a waste of money (if thats an issue) to have those two. You would have been much better off with an Xbox and Gamecube, simply for the larger variety of games you could purchase, such as Metroid Prime, Eternal Darkness, Zelda, Geist and Resident Evil, which are Gamecube only, and Xbox for Fable, Halo, Rockstar Games, and Rare games.

I'd definitely get Warioware, it's such an intuitive and entertaining title. It's like videogaming Crack. As for Mario, i've played it on the 64 before, the title looks awesome on the handheld, and further, once you get used to the controls, it's simply a masterpiece. The minigames in Mario alone could have been released as a standalone title. Further, the included demo of Metroid Prime Hunters shows the true capabilities of the system in 3D First Person Shooters, and for a game thats months from completion, all I can say is WOW! As for the system itself, it just emits an aura of quality and fun. The touch Screen is sensitive, and the gaming style is truly unique. As for battery life, I got my system, let it fully charge then played it non-stop nearly for 13 hours before it needed recharging, quite impressive. Ergonomically it's comfortable, but after around 4-5 hours of solid playing, you can get a little sore, but you would have to expect that. If you are still undecided because of lacking software, there are several top notch titles coming soon, including but not limited to -10 March Project Rub, from SEGA- if you like Warioware, then this is for you. -24 March Polarium, from NINTENDO- One Line puzzle game, looks addictive. - March Need For Spped Underground 2, From EA - March The Urbz Sims In The City, From EA - April Yoshi's Touch & Go, from NINTENDO - 2005 Another Code, from Nintendo, fans of Monkey Island type games will love this one. - 2005 Pac Pix, from Namco draw then control Pacman. And these are just a few of the titles I will be getting myself, and def not a complete rundown. So in essence, yeah, I really like My DS!

Got it today with Mario 64 and Warioware, Absolutely love the system! you will not be let down with it at all.

The complete concept of the theme park is not known, however it's themed areas are time based as written. 1850's, 1950's, 2050's. The events arena, Golf Course Accomodation etc are all understood to be outside of this part of the plan. This project has been on the cards for a few years now, and obviously, with the closure of Wonderland, new opportunities must be getting taken up by the business developers. PICTURA was going to be on 39hectares of land, and only 62million dollars was to be spent. The project has ballooned to 180hectares, and $250million. When Wonderland announced its closure the developers commented on how Wonderlands closure was a big bonus to their business plan, not a detrimental one. Further, before Wonderlands closure, with a small 62million park, there was limited intention to have big thrill rides. With the new budget, obviously this theory has changed. No plans have been released as of yet. Further to other conversations I have seen on these boards about a new Park in Sydney, this will be it. Land in Country NSW is much cheaper, for example, wonderlands land price was $52million, 180Hectares in Goulburn, will barely scratch the surface of a million dollars!, and further, Dreamworld is as successful as it is, and it was built in the middle of nowhere, so distance is no objective. If it offers the thrills, entertainment and fun, people will go. This is a positive.

Hey guys, thought provoking what they may spend all that money on isn't it. From the GOULBURN POST, www.yourguide.com.au under GOULBURN GRAND THEME By LOUISE THROWER Sunday, 8 August 2004 FUNDING for a massive theme park planned in the Murrays Flat region will come from an overseas finance company, according to the proponents. Salpaf Pty Ltd marketing director, Reg Templer, told the Goulburn Post that all of the $250 million required for the development intended for a 180ha property, 12km north of Goulburn, would come from an overseas finance company with an office in Australia. He declined to name the company. The park, originally pegged for a 39ha Duck's Lane property in South Goulburn, would include 105 businesses set across three eras - the 1850s, 1950s and 2050, 500 accommodation units to be operated by an international hotel chain, an 18-hole golf course, convention centre, events arena and wetlands. The total project would employ some 2000 permanent staff, according to Mr Templer, and have a strong emphasis on waste and water conservation. He expected to settle on the Murrays Flat land in a few months. Mr Templer said whereas the company had removed plans for an events arena at the Ducks lane site, due to noise concerns, it had been factored into the Murrays Flat land because of the larger area available and its relative remoteness from other houses. Asked about the timeframe for the development, Mr Templer said: "When we build it, we'll build it. We will not be releasing details until we advertise the contracts nationally." Benefits would flow for Goulburn but due to the project's size and nature, some work would have to be done by outside contractors. The company had wanted to build a similar theme park in South Australia some six years ago and while the Olsen State Government was initially receptive to the proposal, according to Mr Templer, the company faced council objection. With a change of government, the scheme was put up once again but didn't get past "a junior public servant." "We pulled the pin and said we would prefer to talk to a more responsive council," he said. They turned their attention to Goulburn "for a lot of reasons," one of these being its location and carried out market research on aspects such as employment and education. Salpaf has compiled a business plan for the project for its financial backers, Mr Templer said.