ART S The M
'Sega Soccer Slam' the latest score for GameCube
ichigan Daily - Tuesday, April 16, 2002 -11A
By Matt Grandstaff
Daily Arts Writer
With Nintendo's last console, the Nin-
tendo 64, garners either loved or hated the
Melee" have been the system's only saving
grace thus far. Fortunately, with Sega's lat-
est contribution to the system, "Sega Soc-
cer Slam," it appears that garners will not
need to rely solely on Nintendo for great
system. For the latter, gamers
showed great distaste with
the system because high-
quality games were few and
far between. On the other
hand, gamers who loved the
system were pulled in by its
great first-party multi-player
games like "Goldeneye 007,".
"Mario Kart 64" and "Super
Smash Bros."
So far, Nintendo's latest
SEGA SOCCER
SLAM
Nintendo GameCube
Sega
party games.
Influenced by great arcade
style games such as "NFL
Blitz" and "NBA Street,"
"Sega Soccer Slam" brings
over the top game and
addicting gameplay to a
sport that many Americans
show no interest in. But
rather than trying to promote
. its game with big name soc-
cer players (OK, there isn't
as the Sub-Zero and. the Toxic, along with
imaginative comic book-like characters
including the overwhelming El Diablo,
sexy-temptress Lola and the brainy Nova,
Sega's game is bursting with fun-filled
personality.
Adding to the atmosphere of "Soccer
Slam," the game's animation is better than
any sports game currently on the market.
In addition to providing beautiful charac-
ter designs and levels, the game's frame
rate is like a baby's butt ... silky smooth,
but at the same time explosive.
While "Soccer Slam" provides great
visuals, the game's biggest selling point is
its flawless gameplay. Using a four-on-
four format similar to Midway's "NHL
Hitz," the game will change the way you
look at soccer. Rather than being slow
paced, as expected from soccer games, the
pace of "Soccer Slam" is more like a child
with ADD. Combining an easy to use pass
and shoot system with various- powerups,
special kicks and attack moves, "Soccer
Slam" is easy enough for beginners to
enjoy while providing deep depth for those
who want more out of the game.
On a down note, "Soccer Slam" is a lit-
tle shallow in the game mode department.
Featuring season and tournament modes
that can be completed in a weekend,
gamers playing by themselves might
decide to do just that instead. For social
gamers, however, "Soccer Slam" will pro-
vide endless hours of entertaining soccer
fun. Allowing up to four players, the game
can be put in the same breath as other
classic multi-player games of the past
such as "Super Smash Bros. Melee" and
"Mario Kart 64."
system, Nintendo GameCube, has contin-
ued the trend of its predessor as games
like an updated "Super Smash Bros.
such a thing in the States), Sega's game
triumphs instead with the use of fictional
teams and players. Featuring teams such
Courtesy of Sega
Hitting a bail with your head? That's crazyl
'Spot is
nice mix
of comedy
and sports
By Ryan Blay
Daily TV/New Media Editor
Golf on TV is boring. More bor-
ing then televised baseball or
women's Division III basketball.
It's a fact. But one quartet is
attempting to make a golf tourna-
ment not featuring Tiger Woods
appear fun. This is the Murray
clan.
With "The Sweet Spot," the four
Murray brothers - Bill, John, Joel
and Brian -- create the MBGA, or
Murray
Brothers M
Golf Asso-
c iation.
Traveling THE
to Wiscon- THE
s i n , SWEET SPOT
Jamaica, Sundays
California at 10 p.m.
and Flori-
da, the Comedy Central
"tour" fea-
tures the actors (and former cad-
dies) taking one bad shot after
another, giving "helpful" tips to
viewers at home and doing general
odd stuff. Random shots of
bikinied girls dancing brings to
mind "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-
In," while Bill Murray of course
makes viewers harken back to
"Caddyshack," one of the all-time
great comedies, sports-related or
otherwise.
While Bill Murray does have the
title of creative producer and
brings in the star power, Joel and
John are the co-creators and co-
executive producers. Each Murray
brother is allowed to let his oddball
humor shine between mulligans
and impersonations of Dorf.
In the style of "Happy Gilmore,"
the brothers are trying to defeat the
notion that golf is an elitist sport. It
can be a good time for the amateur
golfer with a handicap in- double or
triple digits. Thanks to Comedy
Central, this innovative show has a
spot (albeit a late timeslot) where
the brothers can let their hijinx run
the program.
Courtesy of Comedy Central
Funniest man alive. Period.