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.