I’ve decided to start a new section. Flickr Friday: I ♥ Toys Edition. I realized that I’m an admin for the I Heart Toys Group on flick, and I really should be showing off the awesome shots that people contribute to the pool more often. Here is my first pick, and I think it’s fitting to a post-Valentine’s Day photo, and well, Tokidoki and HUGS always rule. If you have flickr, feel free to follow the link and post a comment.
P!ng, tends to share many GREAT photos. Enjoy. ^_^
The folks over at Destructoid have reported that Pop Cap has confirmed: Peggle will be on LIVE!! I thought I’d share these news since, one of the fellows part of the RadioGTN crew is addicted to it. I hope he pees in his pants with excitement. If you haven’t checked this game out, I will admit that you’re really missing out on some innocent excitement. If you have played the game, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.
First a Boom Boom Rocket update is coming on Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow that will add support for DDR mats and 360 guitars. Along with the this cool update is five new songs. They are are free Until December 16th, After that the expansion pack will cost 250 Microsoft Points ($3.13).
the songs are the following:
Sting of the Bumble Bee
Explode to Joy
Sugar High
Eine Kleine Rochtmusik
Cannon in D
I for one really dig the game. Kudos to Bizarre Creations for the free DLC.
Major Nelson is reporting that Halo 3 DLC is coming December 11th, in the form of Heroic Map Pack, They are the following:
Standoff: The symmetrical valley of with its entrenched bases and fields of boulders is ideal for mid-sized objective and Slayer game types.
Rat’s Nest: The vast, labyrinthine passages bring something completely new to the multiplayer experience: an indoor vehicle paradise. Strongly influenced by the Campaign mode, this map is ideal for big team battles.
Foundry: This is the ultimate Forge map. Players can edit every single object in this voluminous industrial warehouse, placing stairways, walls, bridges, and tunnels to create an entirely new play space and build almost any kind of map imaginable.
You get all three maps for the low price of 800 ($10.00) MS points. They are coming just in time for the holidays. Santa… Umm.. Santos is pleased.
Please pardon my little tid-bit located above. I believe I have borrowed this image from thebbps site. I hope no one gets offended. I haven’t had a chance to sit and play Portal since I first played it, which makes me totally sad since I really enjoyed it, but when I saw this I knew I needed to share. I’m all up for plushies and such, and this Weighted Companion Cube is the greatness. I want it already. There is no word on how big it is and when exactly it will be released to the masses, but when I hear word, I shall post some updates. Has anyone else played the game? Have/did you enjoy it?
The Capcom Blog is reporting that the BluRay verison of Resident Evil: Extinction will have a sneak peek of the Resident Evil: Degeneration (CGI feature film). While the movie was complete trash, it should be worth a rent to see the CG new hotness. The BluRay will be in store January 1.
Starting on Dec. 4, all Xbox LIVE members will receive a free system update with a host of new features and enhancements. Included in this update will be the launch of Xbox Originals, which, for the first time, will enable consumers to download and own full Xbox games, such as “Halo,” “Psychonauts,” “Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge” and “Fable,” among others, directly to their Xbox 360. This new service will launch with an array of blockbuster titles spanning the most popular genres from action-adventure to classic role-playing games.
On top of that, members of Xbox Live since 2002 will be receiving 500MS Points for free. Also, as a bonus, all current members of Xbox Live can download the Carcassonne for free starting the 15th!
On one of my many travels in New York City, I can across this ad for How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It seems like somebody at the ad agency was a big fan of GTA. For their sake I hope Rockstar or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named doesn’t see it. You never know what will set them off.
Capcom and Sony have plans to make a full CG BioHazard (Resident Evil) movie. The movie will be named BIOHAZARD: Degeneration and is slated to be released 2008. Let hope it’s better than the current Resident Evil movies and that they at least follow the story line of the games. Press Release after the jump.
Not the real Living Dead but an Ranked Playlist of the Living Dead. Starting on October 31st at 12:01am and ending at 3:00am on November 1st, you will be able to get in the spirit of Halloween by fighting off Zombies in lot of different versions of the Game Type Infection. Here is the breakdown.
We’re using two main versions: Save One Bullet, which is close to classical Infection but with limited ammunition which keeps the Humans from holding off the Zombies forever, and Creeping Death, where the Zombies are a bit slower but shockingly invisible and deadly. Creeping Rockets is a third variant where the Humans are more heavily armed, but the Zombies are tougher too.
On top of that, you will be able to get those pesky single player achievement….Woot! Now that is indeed 27 hours of Zombie-filled, Brain eating fun. Until then check out the cool Halo 2 Zombie Video on top.
Anybody who has played and beat Portal, knows that Cake plays a big part of the strange but awesome story line. Now thanks to UnderDog that found this Easter egg, you can make your very own Portal Cake. The recipe is located in the office above the large toxic waste pit after finishing the final test. There are two flat panel monitors hanging above a desk in the room with yellow text scrolling. It seems like Cake wasn’t a lie after all. The full recipe after the jump.
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
The Way You Move (House Mix) - Outkast
Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles
Rockit - Herbie Hancock
Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
He’s The Greatest Dancer - Sister Sledge
Jungle Boogie - Kool and the Gang
Akiba Drift - Ko Kimura
Always - Amon Tobin
Anytime Soon - Blu Mar Ten
Apache - The Incredible Bongo Band
Arrivals And Departures - LINUS!
Battle Breaks (Downloadable) - DJ Takawo
Better Than Before - Drew Campbell
Breathing More - Larissa Lam
Contra ~Medley Mix~ - NEKOJIRA
Catch It! (Downloadable) - Total Science
Cosmic Cowgirl - Toshio Sakurai
DEAD END - N&S
Do It Right - AFD feat. Ashley
Don’t You Love Me - Andy Caldwell
Dorset Perception - Shpongle
Dynamite Rave (Downloadable) - Naoki
Entry of the Gladiators (Kaz Mix) - Julius Fucik
EternuS - Sanxion7
Fire - Ferry Corsten
Get Up! Give Up! Move On! - The Divys
Gradiusic Cyber (Downloadable) - Taka
Handle Your Business - Starla Marie feat. Coco J
Hey! - Tipsy
Higher Ground - Togo Project feat. ChiyoTia
Himawari (Downloadable) - Riyu from BeForU
I Know You Got Soul - Jason Nevins vs. Eric B & Rakim
I Wanna Be Your Star (Speedy Mix) - Melody & Mezzo
I Wish I Could Be Beautiful - Rithma
In Different Things (USA Club Mix) - Rename
Is It Any Wonder? (Tall Paul Mix) - Keane
jelly kiss (Downloadable) - Togo Project feat. Sana
Let The Beat Hit ‘Em (Classic R&B Style) - Stone Bros.
Lily Funk - Konception
Love Don’t Let Me Go - David Guetta vs. The Egg
Love In Motion - Alien Six
Love This Feelin’ (ZONK Remix) (Downloadable) - Akira Yamaoka
Makes Me Cry (Drew Campbell Remix) - Binghi Ghost feat. Turbulence
Moment 40 (Downloadable) - Moshic
Moving Higher - Contour
Musika Atomika - Syrian
NEMESIS - DJ SETUP
Not Me (Extended Mix) - Sarah Taylor
Put Your Faith In Me (Saturday Night Mix) (Downloadable) - UZI-LAY
Rock The Show - Future Prophecy
Senses - JT.1UP
So Fine - The Freestylers
Somebody In Da House - Steve Porter
Steppin’ Out - Kaskade
Summer Girl - Neverakka
Sunshine In London - The Sunchasers feat. Victoria Pope
The Tide - Noisia
TOE JAM (Downloadable) - Big Idea
Until Forever - Beatdrop
Yoru Funk - oo39.com
There are a few songs i know, Must are new to me. I do love me some NEMESIS - DJ SETUP.
New additions to FLOW! As I share the news of the updates I need to share a bit of information. I personally do not own a PS3, and I really have no desire for it; Grim Santo does, and it was on his PS3 that I very reluctantly played FLOW on. I don’t think the PS3 got turned on for much of anything else, and I believe that FLOW is the longest play time we’ve had on the system. I know this make some PS3 fans cry, but its the truth. Whether this counts as a game or not, I don’t know. I just know that I like the soothing background music and well the look in general was very aesthetically pleasing. Granted its “finale” was a total cop-out, but here’s what Destructoid has to say about new additions:
And now it continues, as an expansion pack for the PlayStation Network title is on its way. As demonstrated by this developer walkthrough, the expansion pack adds a number of new playable creatures (the “Puffer” for instances), as well as new enemies. Also new is the ability to play mix and match multiplayer in the game’s campaign (hold on — there’s a “campaign”?); each player can choose to control and evolve a different creature this time around.
Check out Destructoid for a video. I must admit that I am a little excited about this. yay!
The big “R” is giving you a free video game of your choice… as long as you buy two others at full price. Still, there are a lot of wonderful titles available and if you can’t think of three games you’d like, we won’t tell anyone if you save the receipts and exchange later (I’m looking at you Halo fans)…
I bring news of the world of RedOctane; just in case you weren’t aware, Guitar Hero III is set to be released in October. Oh snaps!! The joy of new music, and apparently a new guitar too. Peep the shot:
According to RedOctane, if you place your order now– which will cost you $99.99– you can get hooked up with free ground shipping! Follow the link to pre-order your tunes! [RedOctane]
How can you enter to win one of these amazing prize packs? It’s easy!
Answer this trivia question:
What is the name of the original Halo multi-player map that was the setting for the internet series Red vs. Blue?
Submit entries, one per person please, along with your first and last name and mailing address to: theBBPS@GMAIL.COM with the subject line reading CONTEST.
Three winners will be selected at random and will be revealed at a later date, the contest is open to everyone around the globe provided they submit entries properly! Entries can be submitted until the contest is updated to be closed!
Gizmodo is reporting that Sony Ericsson is making a Playstation Brand game phone. I guess it sort of makes sense, since Cellphone games have becoming pretty big business. No word if it will be PSP style affair or just be a supped up cell phone. My guess would be the latter.
Amazon really want you to own a HD Movie Player. You can buy a PS3 Console and/or a HD DVD 360 Add-on Player and get 8 Blu-Ray and/or HD-DVD for free. At this point you really have no reason not to upgrade to HD Movie player.
I was checking out the Silent Hill: Origin Demo (It’s great by the way) and I noticed something when I went to the option screen. There is a gray out option called “ACCOLADES”.
It got me thinking. I know Sony is ggoing to Start their own version of Xbox 360 Achievements for the PS3 but what that carries over to the PSP as well. Could Silent Hill be the first game with these? Or is it just there to unlock extra content in the game. Damn if I know.. but It’s interesting.
Last weekend I picked up Picross from Best Buy, but didn’t get a chance to play it until this weekend. I was introduced to Picross through my friend, known to the world of gamers as “PimpSc00by”. She has imported the Japanese version of the game and was non-stop hooked on it. When we hung out, she explained the game and I was set on playing and owning the game myself. She let me borrow her Japanese version, but to be quite honest; it wasn’t a simple game to understand and being unable to read the directions didn’t help. The game was also different from my KiraKira: Music Hour; I would look up the gamefaqs and I’d get through it, this game; I just felt lost. Therefore, my excitement oozed out of me when I found out that the US version came out. Woo hoo!!
So what is Picross?
Picross is a puzzle game, unlike any other puzzle game I’ve seen. The game is full of boards between 5×5 to 20×25 squares that you need to fill in order to create an image. You figure out which boxes are to be filled in by the numbers to the left and top of the board. The easiest mode, including the tutorial start at 5×5 boxes. The Normal mode starts easy and slowly begins to get bigger. So far I’ve made it to the 15×15 board. Other than actually completing the board, you’re also trying to complete it as fast as possible. What do you get when you completely the image in under an hour? An animation of the image you’ve just completed. Shockingly enough, I’ve managed to complete these quite quickly.
There are other modes too. There is fun mode, and the major difference between this mode and the normal mode, is that when you make a mistake the game doesn’t let you know. In normal mode; whenever you shade a square you weren’t supposed to, it places an X on it and adds time to your end time. The added time isn’t cool either, at first it adds 2 minutes, the 4, then 6, then 8 and it continues adding 8. This doesn’t help you finish in under an hour. Anyway, fun mode forces you to be a lot more careful about which boxes you’re shading in.
Finally, there’s the daily picross… this mode however; has more than one activity. It doesn’t just contain the standard picross. The game also keeps statistics on how well you’re performing. I have yet to play this mode, since I can’t stop playing normal mode and making sure everything comes in under an hour… okay, I keep pushing for less than 10 minutes because I’m an overachiever.
The music in the game is simple, but entertaining. I believe that my only complaint really lies in the animations of the image you complete. The images are so pixelated; which makes sense since you’re filling in squares, but it doesn’t help to complete the image and its so wack that it makes you wonder if you really want to work for that animation. Like I said, I’m an overachiever, so I will work for it, but I don’t think its all that.
My recommendations are, if you’re going to get this game; be prepared to be focused. If you don’t do that well, then the game might not be for you. Also, I played this game on a train ride and it took me a while to remember that I don’t have to play with the stylus, I can also play the game with the d-pad. Stylus usage on a train is not cool… while I was trying to fill in my squares the train movement would throw me off and force me to color in some boxes that shouldn’t have been colored. Also, once you get to the higher levels, do the puzzles in color; they add additional sound effects. I love it and you get the hang of it mighty quick.
Taiko Drum Master which is set to be released this summer will be released with not one, but TWO styluses. So the perks keep getting better. First, its a rhythm game, which totally rocks my socks. Second, it features some Super Mario Bros. music and apparently Mario makes a guest appearance too! You can have a Drum Master party since one cartridge support all the players, oh last time I did that was with Elite Beat Agents– even then I think it was with 2 cartridges. And now the addition of the two drum styluses (which by the way have caused an additional $8 charge for the game) I can have plenty of fun.
As the newest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly — the BioShock one, if you haven’t noticed all the love on 1UP this week — hits shelves, the deliciously promiscuous Quartermann has dipped into his sorting hat and come out with a few juicy rumors for you to chew on:
- Looks like PaRappa the Rapper 3 is headed to PlayStation 3, none of those ported PSP nonsense
- Silent Hill 5 is coming to PS3 and Xbox 360, but like its PSP kid brother, it’s by a US team
I can look forward to actually playing the PS3 now (wow, that was filled with lots of hate for the PS3, I’m sorry). Although I didn’t do so well when I did play PaRappa, again the fact that PaRappa will change the PS3’s status from paperweight to an actual gaming system makes me smile.
Humanity’s vendetta against simple (and notably evil) geometric shapes is set to continue its expansion beyond the humble beginnings as a bonus in Project Gotham Racing. Xbox Live Arcade, Vista and mobile phones now find themselves joined in the war by the Wii and DS, at least if the July issue of Nintendo Power is to be believed. A blurb in the magazine (via Buttonbasher) asserts that Geometry Wars: Galaxies will be arriving on both Nintendo platforms thanks to the efforts of “the dev team responsible for Battalion Wars.”
That would imply the involvement of the UK’s Kuju Entertainment, which is apparently hard at work grafting “an extensive single-player campaign” onto the game’s frantic combat. Of course, we fully expect a gripping and operatic storyline to go with it, something along the lines of an intergalactic mathemagician attempting to tri-strangulate vital supply route coordinates. Alas, our expectations are oft set too high. A multiplayer mode and prior versions of Geometry Wars are also said to be included in both packages, expected to materialize this Fall.
It probably wouldn’t be absurd to expect a new Geometry Wars game alongside Bizarre’s Project Gotham Racing 4 either.
Tuesday Brooktown High: Senior Year (PSP)
Dawn of Mana (PS2)
Death Jr and the Science Fair of Doom (DS) Diner Dash (PSP, DS)
Legend of the Dragon (PSP)
Marvel Trading Card Game (DS)
Naruto: Ninja Council 3 (DS)
New York Times Crosswords, The (DS) Odin Sphere (PS2)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (PC, PS2, DS, PSP, XBOX360, PS3, WII)
WarTech: Senko no Ronde (XBOX360)
Blizzard Entertainment today unveiled StarCraft II, the sequel to its award-winning real-time strategy game StarCraft, at the 2007 Blizzard Worldwide Invitational event in Seoul, South Korea. The announcement took place inside the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, in front of thousands of attendees, who received a presentation that included a StarCraft II cinematic trailer and a gameplay demonstration by the development team.
Designed to be the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game, StarCraft II will feature the return of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg races, overhauled and re-imagined with Blizzard’s signature approach to game balance. Each race will be further distinguished from the others, with several new units and new gameplay mechanics, as well as new abilities for some of the classic StarCraft units that will be making a reappearance in the game. StarCraft II will also feature a custom 3D-graphics engine with realistic physics and the ability to render several large, highly detailed units and massive armies on-screen simultaneously.
“With StarCraft II, we’ll be able to do everything we wanted to do with the original StarCraft and more,” stated Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We recognize that expectations are high following the long-running popularity of the original game, but we plan to meet those expectations and deliver an engaging, action-packed, competitive experience that StarCraft players and strategy gamers worldwide will enjoy.”
StarCraft II will include a unique single-player campaign, as well as fast-paced online play through an upgraded version of Blizzard’s renowned online gaming service, Battle.net. In addition, the game will come with a powerful, full-featured map editor that will put the same tools used by Blizzard’s designers into the hands of players.
Blizzard is developing StarCraft II for simultaneous release on the Windows and Macintosh PC platforms. Further information about the game, including details on the single-player, multiplayer, and map-editor features, as well as system requirements, pricing, and availability, will be announced in the months ahead. To learn more about StarCraft II, please visit the official website at www.starcraft2.com.
On top of a bunch of little and behind the scenes updates, this here new dashboard has a few biggies. Integration with MSN messenger (if you’re into that), a new Marketplace blade in the menu, and the ability for the 360 to switch into “low power” mode to download demos, and then shut-off when it’s done (similar to how it charges the controllers)
Here’s the list from the press release:
A richer Achievement notification pop-up will showcase the name of the unlocked Achievement and the gamerscore value without needing to leave the game to check the Achievements list.
Enhanced family settings features for Xbox LIVE communications enable different defaults for video chat and voice chat.
A new Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade lets Xbox LIVE members access the content they seek — whether it is game content or TV shows and movies (available in the United States) — from one place on Xbox LIVE.
Updates to Xbox LIVE Arcade allow owners to quickly see which Xbox LIVE Arcade games their friends are playing and join in the fun. Xbox LIVE members can also compare progress of leaderboard scores and Achievements directly with all friends on their friends list. Expanded Tell a Friend capabilities make it easier than ever to boast about Achievements and high scores.
A new option in Auto Downloads provides faster access to the entire collection of free, trial-version Xbox LIVE Arcade games.
New progressive download controls provide easy access to optimal viewing options by letting people fast-forward, rewind, pause and resume as their video is downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
Extension of the background download functionality will allow owners to set their Xbox 360 console to turn off automatically after downloads are complete.
Racing. Xbox Live Arcade, Vista and mobile phones now find themselves joined in the war by the Wii and DS, at least if the July issue of Nintendo Power is to be believed. A blurb in the magazine (via Buttonbasher) asserts that Geometry Wars: Galaxies will be arriving on both Nintendo platforms thanks to the efforts of “the dev team responsible for Battalion Wars.”
ability for the 360 to switch into “low power” mode to download demos, and then shut-off when it’s done (similar to how it charges the controllers)
