Category Archives: Games

[Game Review] The Godfather: Blackhand Edition (Wii)

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the-godfather-blackhand-editionSystem: Wii
Developer: EA Redwood Shores Studio
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Adventure

The thought of The Godfather as a video game initially scared the bejeezus out of me. Too often games are based on movies, and they SUCK. I’ve played too many shitty Spider-Man games, along with The Da Vinci Code (which is the WORST game I’ve ever played) and I’ve always felt conned. They got me interested so easily, by basing a game on a character or storyline I could have expectations for. And they always let me down. Not so with The Godfather.

What they do with The Godfather is take the rough outline of the story you’re familiar with,  then change it up to better suit the gaming experience. You get to create your avatar, and develop it into someone the Corleone family can trust and rely on. And it’s quite fun to work your way up the ranks. You start off as some street punk eager to make a name for yourself, and then you end up doing jobs with Sonny, working with Michael, really cementing yourself within the Corleone family. Continue reading →

[’09 Holiday Buyer’s Guide] Nintendo DS

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With the recent introduction of the DSi, many people are going to be wishing to find their first (or second… or third) Nintendo handheld underneath the tree this year. Many people are going to be completely new to the world of dual screen gaming. Many are finding a renewed interest in the platform. And many people are hardcore veterans who’ve had a DS in their pocket since the days of the phat.

Whichever demographic is on your wish list, we’ve got you covered with our holiday buyer’s guide. We cover everything from games to gear in this quick yet efficient list. Continue reading →

[’09 Holiday Buyer’s Guide] Nintendo Wii

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Nintendo is sitting pretty as this generation’s industry leader, and the recent fifty dollar price cut is only helping bring even more gamers into the wonderful world of Wii. So whether you are picking the system up for a loved one or are a seasoned Wiiner chiseling a yearly list to Santa, we’ve got more than a few things to look for this holiday shopping season. Continue reading →

[’09 Holiday Buyer’s Guide] Xbox 360

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Each year Microsoft’s console giant, the Xbox 360, racks up more and more flagship titles. With the slew of new games being released in this year alone, it can be a bit difficult to decide which ones you want to see wrapped up under the tree. I’m going to give you my list of the 5 best titles for Xbox 360 this year as well as a short list of essential titles and downloadable games worth your hard drive space, as well as a list of worthwhile accessories.

If you have anything you’d like to add or if you’d like to make any suggestions to other readers, feel free to leave your ideas in the comments section below! Continue reading →

[Game Review] Manhunt 2 (Wii)

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manhunt_2_wii_box_artSystem: Wii (Also on PS2, PSP, PC)
Developer: Rockstar Toronto/Rockstar London
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Genre: Stealth/Action

I’m a video game elitist. I’m picky about the games I play, and I’m extremely particular about games I enjoy. Oftentimes I feel like games are TOO complicated and complex for me to enjoy. I get lost, and not in the good way, between missions and tasks and side missions and side tasks that I never feel like I’m progressing enough in the game to warrant the amount of time I invest into the game. You fly through the first couple of missions, feeling good, and then all of a sudden you end up between 30% and 60% completed before you really hit the wall, where the game becomes a chore rather than entertaining.

Manhunt 2 centers around Danny Lamb, an escapee from a mental hospital, and his pursuit of the truth. Now, I didn’t play Manhunt so I probably missed a lot of backstory because of that, and perhaps that actually allows me to enjoy the game enough for what it is. I have no expectations from the previous game for the sequel to live up to. Continue reading →

[Game Review] Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

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modernwarfare2System: Xbox 360 (Also on: PC, PS3)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
Genre: First Person Shooter

To be honest, I never picked up on the Modern Warfare craze until about a year ago, I played a few system link matches with my younger brothers and some friends and I was hooked. Naturally I opted to get Modern Warfare 2, which dropped last Tuesday (Nov. 10th), and I cleared my schedule for the day to play it.

Seasoned veterans of the original Modern Warfare will rejoice with the newest installation. The same fast paced, globe spanning ops of some of the worlds best special forces units holds up in MW2. You play now as Army Rangers, or Task Force 141, which is a fictional super group of soldiers that stomp the face’s of global terrorists into dirt. Which is awesome. Continue reading →

[Game Review] New Super Mario Bros. Wii

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System: Wii (Exclusive)
Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: 2D Platformer

New Super Mario Bros Wii is the first new 2D Mario platforming game in 18 years to grace home consoles. That’s right, believe it or not, gripping your SNES controller with sweaty palms and dry eyes was the last time you played an original 2D Mario platformer on a television set. Time flies.

New Super Mario Bros Wii is a follow up to 2006’s best-selling New Super Mario Bros, which was released on the Nintendo DS. Bearing the same moniker, there are obviously some very obvious similarities between the two titles. The Wii rendition is not, however, a remake of the original New Super Mario Bros on the DS. This game is, as I’ve already stated in my opening paragraph, a completely original and unique 2D platformer. I can’t stress that enough, as I overheard one of the idiots at Gamestop tell a customer that they might as well not buy the game if they’ve played the DS version, as the games are identical. I hate stupid people. Continue reading →

[Games] No Midnight Mario Launch Party at Gamestop, Try Wal-Mart

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For all you hardcore Nintendo fans out there who can’t wait until sunrise tomorrow morning to get their hands on New Super Mario Bros. Wii will be disappointed to know that Gamestop is not having a midnight launch party for the highly anticipated game, likely because they are too busy prepping for a midnight launch of Assassin’s Creed II.

All hope is not lost, however, as good ol’ Wal-Mart will be releasing the game at midnight at the majority of its stores across the nation. While you’re there grab some cheese balls and a few cases of Monster, because it’s going to be a long night of platforming fun.

We will have our review of New Super Mario Bros. Wii up as soon as possible, so keep checking back.

[Game Review] Excitebike: World Rally (WiiWare)

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System: WiiWare Exclusive
Developer: Monster Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Racing

Way back in 1985 Nintendo released the original Excitebike on the Nintendo Entertainment System. The then-revolutionary dirt bike racer featured simple controls and addictive beat-the-clock arcade-style gameplay that grabbed hold of gamers and simply wouldn’t let go. The title was met with both critical and commercial success, and is to this very day one of the most beloved NES titles.

Monster Games, the developers for both critically acclaimed spiritual successors to Excitebike, Excitetruck and Excitebots, has taken the formula for what made the original such a smash hit and applied it to Excitebike: World Rally, the newest addition to the Excite lineup of games. Does the 24 year-old formula manage to hold up to today’s standards? Continue reading →

[Retro Game Review] Kaboom! (Atari 2600)

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I’m not a player of modern video games, which is likely why I’m so soul-crushingly unpopular on this video game review site disguising itself as a haven offering “a view for everything.” Aside from not being able to afford modern systems, when I have found myself playing modern games, I find them to be too complex for their own good. So much detail is focused on graphics and intricate storylines that it almost seems irrelevant whether or not the game is fun or not. They make me nostalgic for older games which didn’t possess the eye-popping, visual “wow factor” of modern systems and had to get by on simply being fun.

Luckily for cry-baby cynics like me, hell bent on griping about the horrors of modern technology, games like Kaboom!, a staple of the Atari 2600, will always be around. Continue reading →