Features - Full Archive 2003-2011

In-depth special features, event reports and editorials.

(All interview-based features listed separately here.)

Special Features
What can console makers learn from Apple? June 1, 2011: Becoming a force in the gaming industry seemed to fall on Apple by accident...
E3 2011 Expectations: Part 2: Microsoft June 1, 2011: With just one week to go, we take a look at what – and what not – to expect from the Redmond camp.
E3 2011 Expectations: Part 1: Nintendo May 19, 2011: As we approach the year's biggest gaming event, we take a look at what - and what not - to expect from the major players.
Why Ubisoft needs to tread softly when it comes to balance in the next Assassin’s Creed June 1, 2011: Our man in….Rome.
Modern Warfare 3: Suppressing Fire June 1, 2011: Shellshock from the Modern Warfare announcement has left me wanting to roll with DICE.
FEATURE: Who are the best companions in FPS games? May 18, 2011: What makes a great buddy on your first person shooting adventures? We take a scientific approach to find out.
Wii 2, realistically speaking: 7 things to be pessimistic about Project Café May 3, 2011: Would it be unjust to think that compromise is lurking just around the corner?
Wii 2: Five ways Nintendo can win back hardcore gamers April 29, 2011: Will the Wii’s successor satisfy old-school Nintendo fans? One fan, VGD's Dylann Bobei, has some ideas about how it could.
Opinion: do rollicking good looks really matter any more? February 7, 2011: Is the game up for champions of technological overload? As anticipation for Next Generation Portable hits fever-pitch, VGD questions the wisdom of pushing the graphical envelope.
Why PETA’s “beef” with Super Meat Boy deserves encouragement, not disdain December 31, 2010: The infamous animal rights group throws down with Team Meat's Xbox Live hit. Gamers are up in arms, but is intolerance the best policy?
The hottest game mechanics of 2010 December 23, 2010: Our pick of this year's virtual nuts and bolts.
Killzone 3 – a beginner’s multiplayer survival guide December 9, 2010: A crash course in Helghast warfare. Beware: hammy voice-acting ahead.
The great GT5 debate: how many cars is too many cars? December 1, 2010: This glass is one-fifth full! This glass is four-fifths empty!
Perfection at any price? Kazunori Yamauchi on learning to let go November 30, 2010: The creator of Gran Turismo 5 talks early years, sleep deprivation and networked futures.
Why all Assassin’s Creed games are flawless, or, Ubisoft’s greatest conjuring trick November 25, 2010: The terrifying secret: it's all a bit meta.
Is Call of Duty’s single player irrelevant? November 9, 2010: CoD games "aren't about" the campaign - so why are campaigns included? VGD plays devil's advocate with Treyarch's Black Ops.
Seven augments you should but won’t get in Deus Ex: Human Revolution November 1, 2010: Thoughts from a recent hands-off demo of the Xbox 360, PC and PS3-bound Deus Ex prequel.
Is Enslaved a slave to “movie game” convention? September 28, 2010: Ninja Theory's game has artistry and imagination in spades, but how much is mere window dressing?
Five reasons HAWX 2 is totally, infinitely better than Halo: Reach September 14, 2010: You're not a sucker, are you?
Is DICE’s ‘something great’ Mirror’s Edge 2? And is it the sequel we want it to be? August 17, 2010: EA's premiere shooter developer has something cooking. What could it be?
Think Limbo’s too short? You’re missing the point entirely August 13, 2010: Edwin addresses the most common criticism of Limbo's morbid masterpiece. Warning: contains major spoilers.
Street Fighter X Tekken: Who asked for it? August 10, 2010: Capcom just can't seem to stop starting fights with other companies. Their latest exercise in pint-spilling is unexpected to say the least. Did you ask for this?
3D Gaming: Developers give the verdict August 5, 2010: Video Games Daily discusses the pros and cons of 3D gaming with the developers of 3D racers and first person shooters.
Kinect: The “secret” formula for awesome controller-free games July 30, 2010: Kinect gaming needn't be the stuff of nightmares. After some serious 'hands off' time with Microsoft's costly peripheral, VGD jots down a few development tips.
The next-best thing about 3DS? Turning the 3D off July 28, 2010: Edwin goes hands-on with Nintendo's handsome new console, finding much to praise and a little (just a little) to criticise.
Opinion: what can Dragon Quest teach Final Fantasy? July 22, 2010: A Tale of Two JRPGs. Why Final Fantasy needs to learn to laugh at itself.
Why PSP can still compete with 3DS June 24, 2010: Nintendo's new baby is making quite the splash, but don't count out Sony's grizzled veteran just yet.
PlayStation Move: ‘platform’ or peripheral? June 22, 2010: Opinion: Move is being marketed as a whole new start for the PlayStation experience, but how much of that is wishful thinking?
E3 2010 – all our coverage in one place June 19, 2010: How we spent the biggest week in the gaming calendar.
Sony’s E3: making a Move on the third parties June 16, 2010: Twisted Metal and Killzone 3 might be the toast of the PlayStation community at present, but Sony's presser was as much about partnerships as it was home-grown games.
Nintendo’s E3: welcome back, guys, we’ve missed you June 15, 2010: Miyamoto and co take time away from casual gaming to deliver the E3 presentation their fans have been dreaming of.
Microsoft’s E3: slow and steady wins the race? June 15, 2010: Microsoft's press conference might have lacked surprises, but the quality and integrity were there.
Opinion: Kinect reveal was for ‘everyone’, just not for you June 14, 2010: Microsoft's first E3 2010 airing of the newly renamed motion technology left much to be desired.
Exclusive: first look at digital game trade-ins May 7, 2010: Behind the scenes with Green Man Gaming, the service that could change the way gamers purchase their games.
Super Street Fighter IV: Community Service April 29, 2010: Producer. Community Leader. European champion. We hear from three important voices on what Super Street Fighter IV means for fighting games.
Emotional gaming: a contradiction in terms? April 6, 2010: Games are capable of yanking the heart strings, but can they truly match the achievements of film and literature? Also: what Pokemon and Heavy Rain have in common.
Exclusivity doesn’t exist, but it’s still ruining gaming March 16, 2010: Thinking inside the hardware box is neither fun, realistic nor productive, so why do we do it?
No more hero-worship? Goichi Suda Interview March 10, 2010: If his games were any more 8-bit you'd have to blow on the disc before putting it into the Wii. We talk pixels and punks with Suda51.
Why do you like White Knight Chronicles? February 7, 2010: And why do you think it's getting panned? An open letter to the role-playing gamer community.
Why it could have been great: White Knight Chronicles February 5, 2010: Level 5's epic but underwhelming PS3 role-playing game could have rocked our worlds. Edwin investigates the game's undelivered promise.
The science of sucking: game design crimes January 22, 2010: A traipse through some of the industry's less exalted moments with commentary from leading developers and journalists.
The DS2 – what can we expect? January 15, 2010: If analysts are to be believed, the successor to Nintendo's wildly popular handheld is just round the corner. Here's our predicted feature list.
Project Natal: what’s the worst that can happen? January 14, 2010: Flash-forward to the grim, unholy darkness of a post-Natal world. Possibly.
Six games that will define 2010 January 8, 2010: Which titles will this year be remembered for? Edwin drops a few hints.
Games of the Decade December 30, 2009: The staff of Video Games Daily complile their ultimate list of the decade's 65 greatest games.
Will FFXIII bring the JRPG back in the West? December 10, 2009: Final Fantasy is back in the headlines, but is it the last and best of a dying breed?
Killzone 2 look-back: sorry, still needs co-op November 26, 2009: As Guerrilla's sometime Halo-killer reaches the grand old age of half a decade, we kick a little post-coital dirt at the sequel.
Killer Instinct 3 fights for Natal outing November 26, 2009: New chat with Rare chief suggests Killer Instinct could make a return... but not with a traditional controller.
Feature: FPS Cult Classics November 19, 2009: With Modern Warfare 2 fever gradually dissipating, it's time to mull over the shooters you might have missed.
Opinion: MW2′s genius shouldn’t blind us to controversies November 9, 2009: Price hiking, airport massacres, Activision's miserly attitude to review code - Modern Warfare 2 has a fair few blotches on its mark sheet. FPS Gamer takes stock.
1-on-1: Modern Warfare 2 vs Left 4 Dead 2 October 29, 2009: Can Valve's grab-bag of southern comfort and zombie goodness overturn Infinity Ward's steamroller of an action blockbuster? Click on for our pre-release feature face-off.
Gaming Idols: Top 50 We Ever Interviewed October 26, 2009: Interviews have long been a strong passion for us at Kikizo. Today, in celebration of our relaunch into Video Games Daily, we name the 50 best interviewees of the site to date.
Feature: The History of First-Person Shooters October 26, 2009: As FPS Gamer clears leather, Kristan Reed turns in the ultimate retrospective: the evolution of the first-person shooter genre from Maze War to Modern Warfare 2.
How to find the Nintendo Building! October 23, 2009: Every Gaijin in Kyoto's top pilgrimage is to the proud white HQ of Nintendo Co. Ltd. Here's how you get there...
The History of First-Person Shooters: Part 5 October 19, 2009: 2006 to present. The "real" next-gen arrives, Crysis blows retinas, Bioshock goes deep, Left 4 Dead reinvents the co-op mode and Infinity Ward washes its hands of the 1940s.
The History of First-Person Shooters: Part 4 October 13, 2009: 2001-2005. The war between console and PC reaches its height, Valve excels itself, World War 2 becomes the setting of choice and Bungie gives birth to a big, helmeted baby.
The History of First-Person Shooters: Part 3 October 8, 2009: 1998-2000. Epic and Valve hit the scene, online multiplayer explodes and important sub-genres begin to establish themselves.
The History of First-Person Shooters: Part 2 October 3, 2009: 1996-1997. The 3D acceleration era gets underway, online gaming is born, the mod scene grows and console shooting hits gold.
Halo 3: the best of Forge October 2, 2009: Manny dips into the cream of Halo 3's user creations.
The History of First-Person Shooters: Part 1 September 29, 2009: The origins of the genre. Maze War, Castle Wolfenstein and (of course) Doom.
ODST special: top 5 rough landings September 23, 2009: Going in hot. We can see your house from here - and we're packing SPARTAN lasers...
The Edit Suite: Worst FPS levels September 16, 2009: Manny Brown confesses his fondness for shiny sphincters.
Screen blitz: Bethesda’s Brink September 15, 2009: Splash Damage coughs up pics of barbed wire, robots, tattoos.
First-Hand with Natal: Why it's a Bigger Deal Than Critics Think June 11, 2009: We present to you our info-packed, first-hand, behind closed doors impressions of Xbox 360's stunning new killer app, chat to Kudo Tsunoda and Peter Molyneux, and explain why some of its critics are really missing the point.
Six Games That Won't Be Worth The Hype Apr 24, 2009: Today's hyperbole, tomorrow's 7/10? Kikizo runs a cynical eye over some of the biggest upcoming console releases.
Killzone 2's Successor Feb 27, 2009: As Killzone 2 finally hits stores today, we take a look at what Guerrilla Games could do next.
10 Ways to Not Get Owned in Killzone 2 Jan 23, 2009: Your pre-release survival guide for Killzone 2 multiplayer, including level blueprints, artwork and hi-res screens.
Gaming in 2009: 21 Things We Missed! Jan 14, 2009: If our list of 50 of the hottest releases, events, unveilings and announcements scheduled in 2009 wasn't enough, thank the internet's gaming forums, friendly publisher PRs and our own grey matter for an additional helping of 21...
50 Hottest Things in Gaming in 2009 Jan 4, 2009: Here's the ultimate list of things to look forward to in your 2009 gaming calendar. This massive preview of the year includes E3 2009, The Reinvention of Atari, the Return of Itagaki, and tonnes of hot games.
Kikizo Relaunch - 10 Year Celebration Aug 1, 2008: We celebrate ten years of online video games coverage today with a relaunched site and hot coverage line-up.
Games to Watch in 2008 Jan 11, 2008: With 2008 under way, we look ahead to pick out some of the promising games due over the next 12 months.
2007: The Year in Games Jan 2, 2008: Join us as we take a look back at all the big stories that made 2007 one of the most exciting yet for games.
The Best Games of 2007 Dec 26, 2007: We pick our best games for the year. How many of them did you play? And what's our overall game of the year?
The Making of an Icon Dec 5, 2007: We interview two game prodigies, Alexey Pajitnov & Henk Rogers, whose fascinating story behind Tetris goes right to the top of NCL - with plenty of twists along the way.
GTA IV Coverage Center May 25, 2007: The next-generation doesn't start until Rockstar says it does, it seems from our first-hand look at GTA IV that you can find here - the first in our series of stupidly detailed first-hand previews.
Square Enix Party 2007 May 21, 2007: Our thoughts and first-hand impressions from Square Enix's annual Tokyo event.
PlayStation Network Exposed! May 17, 2007: It's May 17th, and Sony's ready to let us share everything you need to know about PlayStation Network - detailed coverage including Home, WarHawk, David Jaffe and LBP!
Sony Sells '3.0' at GDC 2007 Mar 8, 2007: The minds behind Rag Doll Kung Fu have been signed up by Sony and the result on PS3 is nothing short of outstanding. Meanwhile, Sony's central GDC announcement confirms PS3's online 'Home'.
Wii: Kikizo's Definitive Review Jen 19, 2007: Two months on, Kikizo brings together Nintendo's number one fans to deliver this comprehensive, unbiased review of Wii - and we're not shy about saying what we mean.
The Year in Games 2006 Dec 31, 2006: We take a look back at the highlights, lowlights and things we'd rather just forget about the past year.
PlayStation 3: Hands-On Feature Nov 18, 2006: As the world's first consumers pick up a PS3, we share our thoughts on the console we've been playing since pre-launch and include a bit of an obligatory photo shoot as well. And this time, we can even mention games...
PS3 Gamers' Day: Full Report Oct 20, 2006: With less than a month to go before the PS3 launch, Sony is promising the event of the decade. We report from the US launch event, with news and impressions.
Tokyo Game Show 2006: Kikizo Report Sep 25, 2006: Sony had to deliver, and Microsoft had to push harder. As TGS 2006 comes to a close, Kikizo brings you this report to see who prevailed, with photos and babes aplenty.
Wii Event Video Coverage Blowout Sep 17, 2006: Satoru Iwata's complete 15-minute English-language presentation, footage of Wii Boxing, Henman and Rusedski playing NoE at Wii Tennis, and much more.
PlayStation 3: HD 720p Videos Aug 29, 2006: For the first time anywhere, we present 12 pristine, 720p PS3 trailers together, including all-new footage of big titles like WarHawk, Heavenly Sword and Genji 2.
EA Summer Showcase '06 Jul 17, 2006: We report from EA's Redwood City event as the company announces new titles and discusses upcoming projects. Detailed coverage including lots of new gameplay videos.
DreamWorks: The Movie Synergy Jul 10, 2006: DreamWorks reveals plans for the future of film-to-game, selling a movie and a game on a single Blu Ray disc, and the first details on Shrek 3 for next-gen consoles.
Hollywood & Games Summit Report Jun 28, 2006: From the people behind Game Developers Conference, the Hollywood and Games Summit in Beverly Hills looked at the riddles of the game-movie relationship and provided interesting insights. Our man in the hills reports.
E3 2006 Ultimate Video Coverage May 26, 2006: Kikizo presents the ultimate E3 video package, with the highest quality coverage of absolutely everything that matters on Wii, PS3, 360, PC, handhelds and much more. Ten hours (and counting) of immaculate viewing inside.
E3 2006 Coverage Index May, 2006: This is the place to check back at for detailed, exclusive coverage of everything that matters from Los Angeles.
Hands-On with PlayStation 3 February 10, 2006: Kikizo presents a detailed, early account of its first-hand experience with a little known console called PS3. Is it looking like a new generational leap, or emotion engine tears? We have some answers.
Kikizo Games' 2005 Review December 30, 2005: So it's been a pretty decent year for games, all things considered, right? It's certainly been exciting one. Kikizo takes a brisk month-by-month look back at 2005.
Xbox 360 - It's Here & It's On November 18, 2005: Our detailed impressions and obligatory photo overload is here, as Kikizo's Xbox 360s arrive. Has it really been worth all the hype? Let's see, in our definitive feature.
X05: Complete Coverage October 7, 2005: Xbox 360 actually exist, and has games to die for. The real theme of X05 was tangibility, as our detailed verdict report explains.
Rev Controller: Video Feature September 30, 2005: Take a look at the Revolution controller in more detail in this little video we've put together.
TGS 2005: Show Report Wrap-Up September 18, 2005: The final word on everything hot at the Tokyo Game Show 2005, with all the stuff that matters! Full feature with pictures.
TGS 2005: Hottest in Years September 16, 2005: As the first day of TGS 2005 comes to a close, we take a look at the day's events and offer our first impressions of an all-round satisfying show.
E3 2005: Ultimate Video Coverage May 31, 2005: Ten hours of simply the best HD E3 video coverage you can find, covering everything on PS3 and Xbox 360 along with masses of handheld and current-gen titles, all-new stuff and some surprises.
E3 2005: Complete Coverage Index May, 2005: Kikizo begins to wrap its coverage of the biggest game show ever with a sarky lookback. Killer interviews and Ultimate Video Coverage still to come!
GDC 2005: Iwata on Revolution March 11, 2005: Nintendo's top man takes to the stage at GDC to discuss Revolution, Zelda, DS and more besides.
GDC 2005: Allard Talks Up 'HD Era' March 10, 2005: J Allard regales GDC with info on Xbox 2 and the future of games. Tonnes of new Xenon details inside.
Girls Aloud: DS Party in Paris! January 31, 2005: Quite possibly the best thing ever: Girls Aloud worked up a lickable sweat on stage at Nintendo's Paris bash. We were at the front.
DS: Paris Event Report January 28, 2005: Report from Nintendo's European launch event in Paris - price, date details and more besides. Includes video download of Iwata's lengthy speech, plus first footage of Mario Kart DS!
PSP: The Definitive Verdict December 30, 2004: After two weeks of intensive handheld gaming, we offer a comprehensive and detailed review of PSP, along with an extensive photo shoot, all-new high quality videos, and market analysis.
2004: The Year in Review December 29, 2004: This year has been one of the biggest the industry has ever seen. Kikizo takes a look back at the year that was in a four-part special.
Can't Touch DS: Final DS Verdict December 7, 2004: We've had a couple of weeks to make our minds up about Nintendo DS - here we present our verdict and discuss the games, with media.
The Babes of TGS 2004 October 25, 2004: You've waited patiently, and finally it's here. The ultimate TGS Babes Feature. Warning: Will make you happy.
TGS 2004: The Kikizo Report September 26, 2004: As this year's Tokyo Game Show comes to a close, we bring you our detailed impressions of the event along with a deluge of photographic fun.
EGN: The Noise is Back in Town September 5, 2004: As the dust settles on Game Stars Live, nobody seems in any doubt that the show, along with trade-only EGN at the same venue, has put the buzz back into London Games Week.
Sudeki: Making Of Featurette June 30, 2004: We exclusively present a "Behind The Scenes" Sudeki video feature, along with a load of direct feed gameplay footage. Hurrah!
E3 2004: Ultimate Video Coverage May 31, 2004: Over five hours of hi-res E3 video coverage, including the hottest games of the show and loads you haven't seen. The best E3 video coverage anywhere - free.
The Babes of E3 2004 May 24, 2004: The hottest California eye candy imaginable. More photos of gorgeous babes than any mere man can possibly handle. Warning - totally sexist.
E3 2004: Complete Coverage Index May 2004: Everything you need from this year's E3 direct from the showfloor in Los Angeles - complete coverage archive. Complete coverage of the news conferences, hands-on playtests, interviews and tonnes of videos!
The Babes of TGS 2003 October 10, 2003: Six pages of gaming girlies from this year's TGS, an assembly of far eastern beauty that will either make or ruin your day!
Tokyo Game Show 2003 September 26, 2003: TGS 2003 comes to a close, and the Japanese games industry is upbeat. Full report and photos galore inside.
X03: Full Show Report September 18, 2003: There was no Perfect Dark, no price cut and no news, period - but there was a perfect beach, and a game line-up of justice. Full report!
ECTS 2003: Full Show Report August 29, 2003: This year's European Computer Trade Show has come to a close. Here we summarise our impressions of what was on offer. PSP news included.
The Babes of E3 2003 June 6, 2003: Check out our archive of all E3 2003 coverage - three hours of video, pre-show news, conference reports, full hands-on show coverage and impressions.
E3 2003: Complete Coverage Index May 30, 2003: Check out our archive of all E3 2003 coverage - three hours of video, pre-show news, conference reports, full hands-on show coverage and impressions.