GAMES: The X360 Spring Collection May 13, 2008

So here’s my take on the titles just announced by Microsoft to be part of the spring collection for the XBOX 360 console:

1. Ninja Gaiden II - Didn’t really enjoy the first, but alot of people did, definitely a solid rent.
2. Gears of War 2 - Again, didn’t really enjoy the first one all too much, but alot did, so I figure we all owe it at least a rent to see if it jams our bread.
3. Too Human - Not really too excited about this one, and it seems like only the people who cover games for a living are, rent maybe, but I’ll probably pass unless a friend forces it upon me.
4. Fable 2 - I loved the original, and I hope sincerely that much of the formula remains intact. If you like RPGs or killing shopkeeps to take over a town, it’s a buy.
5. Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts - Apparently far different from the first 2, so I’d advise a rent or at least hope a demo hits before plopping down the cash.
6. Viva Pinata 2 - God… Pass.
7. Penny-Arcade Adventures On A Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode One - Just buy it and you’ll thank me later.

GAMES: Virtual Console This Week… May 11, 2008

This week sees a few VC titles dropping, including: Double Dragon (NES, 1988), Pokemon Puzzle League (n64, 2000), and Renegade (NES, 1988).  The thing that excites me more than these particular title is this line from VIRTUAL CONSOLE News that landed in my inbox:

‘Hi Alexandre, the content of your weekly Virtual Console News email is about to change in a good way. In addition to the weekly Virtual Console game information, stay tuned for information about WiiWare, an upcoming new addition to the Wii Shop Channel where you can download new games directly to your Wii console. The name of the email will also change to the “Wii Shop Channel News.”‘

To be quite honest, I don’t play my Wii all to much anymore, but downloadable titles that aren’t just ROMs of old titles is something that might pull me back, and pull more smaller, indy, developers to the platform, and hopefully, result in some awesome stuff.

Gadget: The NES Controller Coffee Table May 9, 2008

Engadget brings up an interesting scoop on a coffee table(srsly?!?!). This coffee table is essentially a very scaled up NES controller, the best part being that it actually works.

Apparently, ‘Kyle spent months putting this together, starting with a scanned image of his original NES control. This he then simply scaled up, carefully crafting each piece out of MDF and hacking his own wiring onto a broken old controller board. The glass top was the final touch’. [UltraAwsome via Tech Digest]

Hot Tip: GTA MMO in the works? May 9, 2008

Kotaku is reporting that Realtime Worlds, the company behind Crackdown and headed by the man who created the GTA franchise, is currently working on an MMO GTA-style game called ‘ABP’. The rights to the game have recently been bought back from Webzen, a Korean publisher, and the rumor is they plan to build the game and try to sell it to Rockstar so it can be rebranded as GTA: Online. Kotaku’s tip comes from Eurogamer, credited to ‘a credible inside source’.

Heat: May 5th - 11th May 8, 2008

Okay, before I hop into this feetfirst maybe I should intro this. The plan is to make this a weekly post, typically on Monday, the goal of which is too kind of make a quick list, maybe 3 things, that were hot this week.

GAMES: GTA4

6 million copies. $500 million. Numbers don’t lie. Engrossing single player, and some creative gametypes in multiplayer, coupled with the legendary GTA franchise and the good ol’ hooker killing fun that entails.

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FASHION: Bamboo A Spring Line Leather Sneaks

Bamboo A’s leather spring line definately has the style. Good look for the spring, I picked up a set of laceless Black/Tan on White sneaks for $185 CDN downtown and I am definately loving them.

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GADGET: PSP Skype Headset

If you’ve got a Sony PSP (as alot of 20-somethings do), and you’re feeling the urge to Skype it, you’re in luck. (Scoop: Engadget)