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E3 Update
The idea of StarCraft on the N64 has
caused a rollercoaster ride of response.
The initial idea of the PC hit coming to the
Big N was met with great enthusiasm as
visions of marines, zealots and zerglings
battling it out on our home consoles blazed
in our minds. But upon further review, the
idea of a split screen two-player mode
and the inevitable downgrade from PC
quality graphics lead some to be more
apprehensive about the game. As it turns
out, all of those responses would be
appropriate.

An initial look at an incomplete version of

StarCraft was bittersweet. The controls
were intuitive with the c-buttons
functioning as "hot keys" to command
your troops to build, patrol, hold ground,
etc. Of course, different units have
different command options so marines
can't build and SCVs can't patrol.
Selecting a build command for an SCV
would open up a menu that allows you to

select the type of structure you want.
Attacking was as simple as selecting your
unit(s) with the A button and the analog
stick, moving the cursor over an enemy
and when it turns red, hitting the A button
again. Nice and simple. The version we
saw had a load of cheats turned on, so
marines, firebats and other units were
produced almost instantly so you could
send them into battle.

However, StarCraft suffered from a
low-resolution fuzziness that was just too
much to ignore. Individual units are barely
recognizable and if it wasn't for their
specific voice responses you might not
have any idea what guys you're
controlling. Marines engaging zerglings
look like blue and gray blobs bumping into
red and purple blobs. We can only hope
that the current graphics are only
temporary and that they will be smoothed
out and polished by the September release
date -- perhaps with the help of an
additional RAM Pak-dependent high res
mode.

June 15, 1998 Update
Only days before E3 '98, Nintendo
surprisingly announced that it had
acquired the exclusive console rights to Blizzard's StarCraft.

The recently released PC hit is a follow-up to Blizzard's successful
WarCraft franchise, combining overhead strategy gaming with incredible
graphics, plenty of action and a heavy dose of humor.

By many considered one of the best real-time strategy games ever,
StarCraft puts players in charge of three space-dwelling races:

Terrans -- Human settlers with a high tech arsenal of weaponry,
bunkers, tanks and stealth fighters
Protoss -- A psionic alien race that combines the battle skills and
attitude of Klingons with pylon driven technology
Zerg -- Primitive, bug-like aliens that breed and evolve on a carpet
of purple puss. What's not to like?

StarCraft leads players through 30 do-or-die missions for domination of the
universe. Players battle in space, on planetary surfaces and within
installations in a universe that unfolds a piece of the whole narrative with
each ensuing mission.

Tailored specifically for play on Nintendo 64, the new version will include
new levels to explore, new modes of play and the introduction of new
troops in battle. Since the original is played with a mouse, the developers
will also have to come up with some neat menu and control tricks to keep
the game's fast pace. The game will also make use of the RAM Expansion
pak for sharper, faster graphics.

For multiplayer action, players will be limited to a split-screen two-player
mode that includes a cooperative mode.

StarCraft 64 will be co-branded by Nintendo and Blizzard,and is slated for
release this year. The Nintendo/Blizzard agreement ensures N64
exclusivity for StarCraft -- which means no PlayStation or Dreamcast
versions for now.
Chairman of Nintendo of America, Howard Lincoln commented: "We're
thrilled to be bringing one of today's hottest PC game titles to Nintendo 64
fans across the country, as well as strengthening the appeal of Nintendo 64
to older game players in the 18-plus demographic."

Outlook
Realtime strategy games are uncharted waters for the N64. With
StarCraft, Nintendo has snatched up the biggest and possibly best of the
PC titles. The only problem we see is how the game's multiplayer options
can be done justice on a console. Still, good news for every N64 owner
who doesn't have an expensive PC or network setup at home. Stay tuned
for more.

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Page Updated Mon Jun 14, 1999 9:42pm EDT