N-Query

That's right: five whole days in a row.

A Stretch

I am very concerned. This new information about no tru 16:9 is bad. Does this mean if my television does not support the Zoom function while in progressive scan, I will see a stretched 16:9 picture on my 16:9 TV. Do you know if tvs automatically can detect if the prog scan pic is in 16:9, automatically zooming. If not Boooooobooooooboooooo. Or is there a zoom function in RE4, becasue my dvd player can zoom, just not my TV. Thanks, later.

Matt responds: It's not as bad as you think. If there's no zoom function on your television the game will simply run in letterboxed style with the "black bars," as the kids like to call them. The picture itself will not be stretched so don't sweat it. You can simply tell observers that you're an arty-farty type who only runs his games in letterbox and they'll believe you because they're not too bright and don't know any better. Trust me, I do it all the time.

2005 Lineup

I was taking a look at the release dates list today and I was wowed by something. I knew the fourth quarter would be loaded with Metroid Prime 2, Paper Mario, POP 2 etc. but the beginning of 05 has even more going for it on the cube with RE4, Star Fox 2, Killer 7, Starcraft:Ghost, Timesplitters 3 and Mortal Kombat. My question though, do you think all of these titles will actually release on time? Also how about that June release date for Zelda. I'd be willing to put money that it gets pushed back to the fourth quarter for the holiday season.

I've also started up a tin can drive for frangoat, so I hope you'll publish this letter.
Ryan

Matt responds: Yeah, I do think all of the first quarter games will release on time early next year. I don't believe that Zelda will ship in June for a second. I'm with you on that. Don't expect it until late next year.

Yeah, the first half of 2005 is looking pretty damned good for GameCube owners and Zelda alone will make the second half acceptable. And by then we'll have some Revolution details to get us hyped and ready for the next console. It's a pretty exciting time. I remember the transition from Nintendo 64 and it was very cool. Here's hoping the one from GameCube to Revolution kicks just as much ass.

Cow Killer

So, as I was watching the amazing RE4 trailer, I happened to notice a cow standing around in the village. And the first thing I thought was, "Can you shoot the cows?"

So, can you?

Matt responds: Finally, a very, very important question. I have to tell you that this was a gnawing concern of mine when I first played the demo so many months ago, and it didn't take me long to discover the answer. I'm happy to report that you can shoot and kill the cow in the game. Further, you can kill birds and chickens, too. And the best part is that killing the animals is rewarding; you'll earn extra cash for Leon, among other goodies.

You can slice, pistol shoot or shotgun the cow, if you like. I tried all three for varying results. An up-close blast from the shotgun drops the stupid animal in one fell swoop. It'll just collapse. I have to try a grenade, but that's on today's agenda. I should probably do it before I head off for my weekly visit to the psychiatrist, in fact.

To see the cow die, simply click here and scroll down. There'll be a movie called 'cow killer.' Click on it and enjoy.

Okami

I just watched the video interview with Atsushi Inaba on Okami, and was overcome with joy when hearing that they want to take the game to other platforms. I've been in love with this game since I first saw the screens and read about the concept, but was extremely let down when I found out it was only planned for the PS2. Can you please, PLEASE, PLEASE try to confirm any plans to bring it to the good, ole 'Cube? The world would make just a little bit more sense with this beautifully artistic game on the little lunch box.

If you don't bug Clover Studios or Capcom until they give you a straight answer, I'm afraid I will have to assemble the all-powerful army of Frangoat, GameCube Masta, and Four-Headed Yamauchi, under the leadership of Reggie, to come after you.

Matt responds: Yepper. I'm on it. Have been. Actually, I was bugging Capcom for months about getting a GCN version of Okami confirmed well before Inaba suggested that Clover might bring it to other platforms. I think it'll happen sooner or later. After all, Viewtiful Joe, a very stylized, unique game, sold very well on Nintendo's platform. There's no reason that Okami couldn't perform just as well.

That said, right now Capcom isn't confirming anything. The official word from the US branch is: "Currently development is focused on the PS2 in Japan." So we're all just going to have to wait it out for a bit longer.

And for those of you who have no idea what Okami is or why you should be excited about the prospect of it coming to GameCube, click here to see it in action and be amazed.

What Do You Take Us For?

I have been closely following RE4 for a few months now, and then something hit me. Are the videos on your site displaying graphics with A/V cables or component cables? Please tell me. I'm "distressed."

Matt responds: Any game video I put up is first captured using component cables. I haven't used S-video or -- gasp -- RCA, in more than a year. No offense to anybody who still plays games using RCA cables connected to their 1950s black-and-white relic of a television, but we're in a brand new millennium here and I just wouldn't feel right using ancient wiring and technology.

[Prepares for hate mail along the lines of: "My cablez r just fine!1 I don't see teh big fuss about high definission ! screw it!!!!!!!11111 my gamez look purfect teh way thay r!"]