Despite the GameCube's many bells and whistles, the coolest Nintendo system is still the clunky, gloriously primitive 8-bit model. In fact, the bands on the Nintendo Fusion Tour are dead ringers for some of the old gray lady's infamous games. The members of St. Louis scream machine Story of the Year are like the plucky, plumbing Mario brothers, persevering after years of local gigging to save the princess and defeat Bowser -- er, earn radio success with "Anthem of Our Dying Day" and raves for their onstage energy. New Jersey riff rattler My Chemical Romance channels the shadowy vampire shadings of Castlevania on its doom-punkish Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Anberlin also explores the darker side of life with its sweeping, jagged affectations, equal parts Sense Field brood and Legend of Zelda labyrinthine darkness. Angsty UK emo-metalheads Lostprophets, however, come off much like Mega Man VI. The little blue dude's antics and monster-bashing are enjoyable but entirely derivative.
