Ode To 3DO.

Yes, Ode to 3DO, the system that never took off. Here is a brief history of the next generation system. 3DO was founded in 1991 under the name SMSG, Inc. One of the co-founders was Trip Hawkins in a partnership with a few well-known companies including AT&T, MCA, Time Warner and of course, Electronic Arts. 3DO launched the console in October of 1993. The system was highly promoted and was on the cutting edge of the wave of new technology to hit with a CD based video game system. It was a whopping $700 to own one of these bad boys at release date. Damn, that's more then what the new PS3 is reported to sell as. With such a high price, the game sales did not pick up, along with owners having to drop a lot of cash (I found as high as 250 PER GAME) in order to play. When the Playstation 1 was announced in '94, all hope was lost of this console ever making it a household item because of the supremecy of Sony. Too bad, so sad. Everything wasn't crap though, after 3DO sold its next-gen console named M2, the company went to being a 3rd party developer and released some awesome titles like Army Men, High Heat Baseball, and Might and Magic. In 2003, the company filed for chapter 11 and was sold to companies like Ubisoft, Microsoft and Namco. I actually have a friend who still has a 3DO, and one day we broke that thing out and played Way Of The Warrior. It's kind of like a Mortal Kombat looking game with good graphics for the time. I just remember playing the game not for the gameplay, but the soundtrack was White Zombie and I thought that was the coolest thing ever. If you want to pick one up, I saw a few of them for sale with games on E-Bay for like fifty bucks and other games that sold as low as eight dollars for titles like Gex and Road Rash. 3DO was on the right track in marketing and showing the world something new, but high prices and lack of dedicated gamers drove this company out of business. Right now, I plan to pick one up sometime, just when I get some funds.

Cleaning Is Awesome.

While cleaning out my closet today ( took maybe 20 minutes) I found the following:

Copy of Halo for the PC

Warcraft

Warcraft 2

Warcraft 3

Copy of the original Half Life

A controller for my PC

Life is grand, and they'll all be on E-bay even though I won't get much for them, but cash is cash and I'll take it.

Broke? Soldat Is Clutch.

One day after coming home from class, I decided to make myself some food and watch TV. After about five minutes of fiddling around in the kitchen, I start to pick up on a thump of a wall being punched and obscenities manifesting from my room. I was just guessing that my roommate was playing the challenges on God Of War (some are impossible) but when I walked in, I was taken by surprise. "You gotta play this dude," is what my roommate said. I asked him what the hell kind of game would cause him to have so much emotion, and the answer was Soldat. Soldat can only be described as a mutant of other best-selling games. It combines a side view from Worms, the guns and fast paced action from Counter-Strike, and the brutality from the Quake series. It is totally free, and after a short download and figuring out the location of the keys, I was knee deep in opponent's bodies while firing a XM214 Minigun and listening to some death metal provided in game. Pure goodness to say the least. Soldat offers seven game modes like CTF (capture the flag) deathmatch, and team match. It also offers intelligent bots for when you're playing alone and dedicated servers when you want to slap a friend around. With over 18 weapons and 42 different maps, Soldat is definitely worth checking out if you are low on funds and want to experience something new. Tell me what you think. Later.

PSP V.s. Nintendo DS

With the release of both Sony and Nintendo's portable game system, it is only natural that they will be compared, so here goes.



PSP-
This little guy, released in the beginning of 2005 was an instant hit. The commercials were hilarious, which is always a good thing, and the sleek hand-cradling design made me want one instantly. With the options to store data on a memory card and watch movies and wireless internet capabilities, PSP sounded even better then most thought. With the release of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, PSP looked to be the victor over the DS. More adult themed games were sent out for the PSP rather then the DS. The Universal Media Disks (UMD's) can back over 1.8 GB of digital data and are not so costly when it comes to games, around 45$ each which is about the norm. The ability to buy movies for the PSP have made layovers and bus rides much easier for the masses. The rechargble battery is a must nowadays, and the player can get ten to fifteen hours out of a four hour charge. With everything from movies to surfing the web to holding pictures and movies, the PSP was designed for some serious gameplay with a broad audience. The only way that the system falters is that there is no cover on the LCD screen so it gets scratched easily and cases are a pain to buy/ put away every time. Retail price: $249.99




Nintendo D.S.- This is nintendos one step up from the game boy. Equipped with dual screens and a stylus, the DS is geared more toward a younger audience. The console does come with some addicting games such as New Super Mario World and Advance Wars, which are aimed for younger children but can still be enjoyed by the Nintendo loving older generation. The there are games for the young and only young generation, like Nintendo dogs, no thank you. Games are still cartridges but cost about the same or a little less then PSP games. DS is also equipped with a microphone for voice recognition, and multiple users can play the same game just using ONE cartridge. DS also hosts wireless connections, but I am actually not sure but doubt there is any internet. DS is a sturdy machine, but with the release of the new DS lite, which is slimmer with more battery life, many people have traded in their DS's and either bought a lite or attempt to stick it out when they know there is a better machine out there. In addition, DS should have thought about finally crossing over to disks instead of less dependable cartridges. If there were a few more adult game released for the system such as they did with Resident Evil, then there is a good hope that DS will be selling many more units. Retail Price- Regular- $149.99...DS Lite $159.99


So I want your comments, be the judge and let me know which one you think is the superior machine.

E.B. is The Devil.

Back when I was younger, I used to go to places like Electronics Boutique and trade in some of my older, played through games for ones I hadn't owned yet. Looking back on it, it was such a bad idea to trade in anything with them to try and get money. I remember trading in Max Payne 2 (gritty 3rd person shooter) which was a great game and they gave me a whole thirty cents for it. I couldn't even buy the junkiest Snes game for that (When they were selling them, but they stopped *tear*) I think combined with four other games I traded in, I made a whopping eleven dollars, Yee-Haw.They don't give back money based on how good the game is, but rather how long it has been out and the demand for it. 2 weeks later when I went back to look around the store, MY game, the EXACT one I traded in, was priced for $17.99. Are you kidding me? E.B. is making quite a killing when they give me back such a dismal amount and sell it to some sucker for so much more. From then on, i've decided not to even step foot in there unless to check around for what is in demand. If you're sick of getting jack for your trade-ins, I suggest Ebay. For that same game, I could get from five to twenty dollars for it, and the buyer pays shipping too. Even if I sold it for .99 cents and the shipping was five dollars, I'm not coming out as bad as if I went to E.B. Plus I don't have to drive to Putnam or the mall, but just down the road to the post office to make the sale. Even more, I have competitive prices from sellers and the ability to look at anything, not just what the store has at that time. So if you are cleaning out the attic and find some games, put them on Ebay and make some cash, or better yet, just mail them to me, that would be cool too.

Gears Of War Makes Every Other Game Look Like Garbage.

Seriously, do I really even need to say anything more to induce a length of drool to leak out from the corner of your mouth? Begin counting down until this shooter dubbed Gears Of War hits the shelves and we all see a new wave of technology in shooters. The developer named EPIC Games unveiled a hands-on demonstration at this years E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) that shocked crowds because of the jaw-dropping design realistic images that were created. This is a fast-paced shooter about facing off against creatures that waged war against mankind. Rounds go bursting off as if they were actually part of the room as your character named Marcus Fenix fights to save his squad from what only can be described as giant ugly apes with guns. I cannot wait to test out the shotgun, which was only described to smash skulls and send anything straight to the ground. It gets better. A chainsaw, which is ATTACHED to a machine gun will be a primary tool to rid the land of enemies. I cannot wait until I get to rush groups of foes with a rusty chainsaw for myself. The gameplay stands out on the Xbox 360 mainly in part to the beautiful graphics and an option to play online via Xbox live. There was also a discussion about disgustingly addictive multiplayer modes, (including storyline co-op) which I am looking forward to. I for one will definitely be one of the masses who fights to get this title on release day, which is still TBA. Once something comes up, you'll know the day I do, which is hopefully soon because this game has the potential to be the best thing since Goldeneye in the FPS (first person shooter) department. It is coming, and hopefully you are ready for it.

Scroll Down!

I got a working copy of River City Ransom so you can experience what I'm talking about if you never played it before, and even for you who have and just want to relive something astounding. So go scroll down, find the link and an awesome game shall be your reward. I'm sorry but I have to make you work for it, it's down there somewhere. You understand right?

Violence Caused By Absent Parents, Not Games.

Question: If I'm playing Grand Theft Auto and bring down an entire block with a hail of bullets, steal a car and dump it into the bay, and pick up a hooker, does it automatically mean that I am going to do this in real life without consequence? The short answer is no, and the longer explanation is not a chance. Video game companies such as Rockstar (GTA series, Warriors) has without a doubt received hundreds of lawsuits from parents claiming that, "Your video game has corrupted my son/ daughter's values and made him/her steal a car/ beat up the homeless etc." These are the types of claims that I absolutely hate, all these parents trying to make a profit where nothing is deserved and try to pass off the blame so they are not held responsible by the law. It makes me physically ill that there are actually people out there who do this. There also seems to be a shocking coincidence between kids playing violent video games they shouldn't be and parents not being there to supervise them because they think Xbox is a fine babysitter (and cheap too!) That is, until something goes wrong. You may think many kids who do what they see in games had good households and it was the Playstation's fault. Video games don't make you do ANYTHING except have a good time and a great break from reality. It's when the person takes what they see in the game and try to make it into real life is where all the problems start. Seriously, what do you think is going to happen with an unsupervised teenaged kid who gets angry and cannot control their emotions? Nothing good. So watch your kids and explain to them why they can't do these things in real life. In addition, take a look at that rating on the box before you buy it and if that game with a mature rating doesn't suit your 13 year old child, don't get it for them. I for one don't want to hear about another game fueled fatality because a parent didn't explain the difference between real and fantasy world before it was too late.

Old School List.

Since it is true that Old school games are in their own category, I've decided to throw some of them up here because they are indeed awesome in their own special 16-bit way. Back in the day, these games sold because of the great gameplay and story and not because of just buckets of blood and gore as we see today.

>1.) That's right, less then one. River City Ransom (Nes)- I would buy ten copies of this game so I would never fear about breaking them from the excessive amounts they would be used. This is the game that started everything awesome as we know it. Two guys from a gang try and get this chick Roxie back and lay down pain to kids in the form of Garbage cans, chains, rocks, just about anything. Best part was, this game taught me that if you beat up someone, they would magically transform into money (Kidding somewhat.) If you have never played this game, I strongly urge you to download an emulator so you can experience River City ransom for yourself. P.s. If you have a copy of this game somewhere, I'll buy it.



1.) Super Mario Bros. 3 (Nes)- Many games today couldn't top this game and all its might. I remember playing this game for hours and hours as a seven year old because going to school was just a chore.

2.) Goldeneye (N64) I don't think I need to say any more then just the name for you to agree that everything about this game is a perfect 10.

3.)Zelda (Snes) Just so much to do and only 24 hours in the day. This game was so addictive that I could just seriously watch it for hours without ever getting bored. Link may have been a little girly looking, but that sword made it alright.

4.) Road Rash (Sega)- This is what you get when you combine motorcycle racing with beating down people. I loved co-op mode, where one player drives and another hits people with chains but I don't remember if it was on this platform, but rather PS1 or something. Regardless, gotta love a game named after an injury.

5.) Final Fantasy III (snes) The near beginning of a series that is still gaining momentum to this day with the release of FFXII sometime soon, I hope. This game had everything from a strategic RPG to an incredible storyline that enthralled players for hours upon hours.


Yeah so my Xbox hasn't been getting much use lately so I think I'm going to go boot up Halo 2 and beat it on legendary..again. Later.

Before I forget, Top 5.

I had a lot of time to think about nothing but games today, especially while building a grill (bad idea), so I decided to give you my top 5 favorite games right now so you can think about yours now.


1.)Dynasty Warriors (Xbox, PSP) Every single game delivers exactly what it says with a great soundtrack and brutal combo moves that are extremely addictive. Also takes forever to fully accomplish.

2.) Earthbound (Snes) This game defined how good games should be. Great concept, superior story, and hours of entertainment. Couldn't ask for anything else out of an R.P.G.

3.) WWF Royal Rumble (Snes) I set the world record on this game like a month ago, and still practice every now and again. Even though it may be short, it is still a great competition game, along with NBA Jam.

4.) The Warriors (Xbox) Rockstar showed me something else besides Grand Theft Auto, and the classic movie of gangs wrecking each other in the 1970's could not have been brought out better. There are so many ways to complete this open-ended game and awesome bonus features after completion make this a timeless game to play again and again.

5.) Blitz: The League (Xbox) I always played Blitz in the arcade when I was there, and the N64 versions did not see that much attention. Midway definitely brought this game to a new light, and it has some of the best bone breaking moves I have ever seen. 35$ right when it came out, it was an obvious buy and probably killed a month and a half of boredom and doing homework.

Sweet, my copy of Daxter came in for the PSP, I'll let you know how it goes, if I ever come back that is...

Hi There.

So yeah, my name is Brian, and don't you LOVE that picture of me on norwichbulletin.com? Oh wait...There isn't one, what a shame. I guess I am going to have to put up my own. Anyways, yeah, there is almost 3 grand worth of implements in my room to play video games on. The hardware home right now are the Xbox, PSP, PC, SNES, NES, Dreamcast, PS2, and I'm sure there is a Gameboy floating around there too. So hmmmm yeah, let's get started. This is the part where you comment and then the kid who wakes up at 2p.m. i.e ME answers whatever YOU want. It's like talking with a D-List faceless celebrity and actually getting your gaming questions answered at the same time, what a service to the community! Ok, ranting, need to stop. I love to A.D.D. out sometimes, it's an activity of mine. So, what I want YOU to do, the loyal, awesome, cool, gorgeous reader to do is ask me a question about games....Anything at all because all I'm going to be doing is playing Dynasty Warriors on PSP until I get some feedback.


P.S. Here's a cute little picture of me eating some Kitty-kitty. (It was delicious)

If you think I ate that cat.....It's still alive I swear. (Too tiny still)