Steak + Babies / Lions = E10 rating

Scribblenauts is set to be one of the most creative and open ended games to date. With all this creativity the ESRB was sure to find something they disagreed with. This is their summery of the game :
"This is a puzzle game in which players navigate a series of traps, puzzles, and enemies to collect stars scattered throughout the colorful levels. Players have the ability to summon different objects by writing/typing in the word (e.g., bike, spaceship, lion) and watching it come to life. If multiple words are entered in a sequence, different whimsical scenarios can be triggered: a bicycle can be used to jump over a baby; a bulldozer can clear away a shark; and cabbage can be fed to dinosaurs. Players can elect to summon “cartoony” versions of bats, bombs, guns, and flamethrowers. These types of items can be used to destroy objects or even other summoned items (e.g., a club can be used to hit an animal; steak can be attached to a baby to attract lions; rockets can be lobbed at a man). These triggered animations are minimally depicted and are usually accompanied by popping, musical sound effects; bright, star-shaped flashes; or small puffs of smoke. If players wish to, they may type in the word vomit, which causes a beige-colored lump to appear on the screen."
So, basically, this statement has insured the first thing I do when I get the game is attach a steak to a baby in order to attract a lion. Also, it makes me wonder how many diabolical things i can do with this game. If I summon a baby and a dingo... will the dingo eat it?? *evil smile*

O-Games Announces Hurry Up Hedgehog Coming June 16, 2009!

Watch out! The hedgehogs are out! 

Twain Harte, Calif. — May 20, 2009 -- O-Games, a new publisher of family, social and sports videogames, and part of Oxygen Interactive Software Limited, announced today that Hurry Up Hedgehog™ is coming to the Nintendo DS™ handheld device on June 16, 2009. Race, creep, jostle and out-maneuver others in this captivating multi-player brainteaser for all ages! 

“Hurry Up Hedgehog is a fun and exciting puzzle and pursuit game for the entire family,” says Greg Lanz, General Manager of O-Games. “Lead your family and friends through the garden as you dodge hazards, outsmart your friends, and use creative ideas to race your hedgehogs to victory!” 

Hurry Up Hedgehog Game Features: 
· Based on the popular German board game Igel Ärgern, also known as Egelrace 
· Enjoy single DS multiplayer and multi-card multiplayer for up to 6 players 
· Six graphic locations 
· Five different ways to customize your rules, which allows for 32 unique ways to play 
· Stylus control throughout the game 

Rated “E10+” for Everyone by the ESRB, Hurry Up Hedgehog is a family friendly videogame that will bring a puzzling race to each home as you traverse your hedgehog through the garden. For more information about O-Games and Hurry Up Hedgehog please visit: Hurry Up Hedgehog. 

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About O-Games
Based in Twain Harte, California, O-Games is a subsidiary of Oxygen Interactive Software Limited. O-Games is a publisher of videogame entertainment products for the major console platforms including Nintendo Wii™ system, Nintendo DS™ handheld device, Xbox 360™ videogame system from Microsoft, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Game Boy® Advance, and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. 

About Oxygen Games™
Oxygen Games boasts a broad range of fun & sociable titles to capture the imagination of the casual-console games audience. With the focus on all major console platforms, Oxygen’s games are based on mainstream lifestyles and interests, whilst delivering contemporary content featuring sports, music & well known personalities. For more information please visit www.oxygengames.net  

Press Release via Email

G/S Remake footage.

Hey all Delio here. As a follow up to raith's post about the Gold and Silver remakes here is a nice Youtube video showing a bit of gameplay from it's premier on Pokemon Sunday.

Anarchy Heads to DS

We're only three weeks away from the release of Rockstar's latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, GTA: Chinatown Wars, and the company has finally released some gameplay footage (embedded above). Fans of the franchise are finally able to see how the DS's unique capabilities are taken advantage of and just how beautiful the game looks. Taking innocent lives and causing chaos has never looked so sweet!

While I'm on the subject of GTA, Rockstar has also shown they have every intention of promoting the game through TV commercials and a van tour leading up to its March 17th release. Die hard GTA fanatics can head out to one of the 52 scheduled stops to try out the game before it drops. Those lucky enough to go can even score some free bonuses like Rockstar bags, posters, stickers, etc. The dates of the tour can be found here. One of the stops is literally 20 minutes or so from my house, so expect lots of pictures and impressions. Screens, wallpapers, and videos of the game can be found here.

Tecmo Scores Another Touchdown.

REVIEW: It's been nearly 20 years since developer Tecmo released an entry in its now retro Tecmo Bowl series. Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff stays true to the basic concept of football, but also breathes new life into the series and the idea of an alternative to the juggernaut that is Madden. The addition of super abilities, cutscenes, customization, and Wi-Fi play are all welcomed features that enhance the overall experience. This title is sure to keep the player entertained without the hassle of having to know much about football.

Graphics: The entire game is basically an SNES title, which means everything is 16-bit. While this is a look I welcome in certain instances like this one, I can't help but wonder how it would have looked with better detailed players, environments, etc. The use of strictly sprites is a total throwback to satisfy old fans of the franchise or those who dig retro games. The cutscenes are a colorful addition and provide a bit of satisfaction when you score, create a great defensive play, etc. With all of that said, look elsewhere if you want to see what the DS is capable of when pushed to its limits.

Audio: The new score of music that the dev has added is one of my least favorite parts of the whole game. It feels like there aren't very many new tracks, causing them to become repetitive, and as a result, they're just plain out annoying. After you've heard them a few times it'll start to get on your nerves that there aren't more songs. None of them are particularly catchy, which I think is something that is key with video game music: a tune that is stuck in your head afterwords or moves you emotionally. It is a football game, so the music should motivate you or get your adrenaline pumping, which it fails to do. There is one good side to this though-- the original Tecmo Bowl music is an unlockable. I immediately switched to the old score as soon I got it, and I recommend anyone who buys this game does the same.

Controls: Taking a cue from games like Phantom Hourglass and Dragon Ball: Origins, everything can be controlled with the stylus. That includes things like player movement, menu navigation, and stat adjustment. In game the top screen showcases a virtual scoreboard and the touch screen displays all the action on the field. Using the stylus for menus is fine, but I soon realized using it to move your players is less than ideal in a sports game. The problem comes in when you pick a play and are trying to locate an open receiver on the field-- with your hand covering essentially half of the screen. It's just so much easier to use the button combinations to execute your plays, that way you can see everything on the screen clearly. It works fine for navigating the many menus in the game, but it feels like a case of "let's throw touch screen in for the hell of it!" Simply put, not every game needs to use the touch screen, use it for the things that improve the gameplay, not hinder it. However, the simplicity of the button combinations allow for anyone to jump right into the game and enjoy it.

Gameplay: Exactly what you'd expect from a Tecmo Bowl game; simple, yet addictive. The diversity of the modes help entertain multiple audiences. "Quick Game" allows for players to play in quick, short bursts, whereas "Season" lets players keep playing through a full schedule of games. And for those who want to take their team online, there's WiFi multiplayer with either registered friends or random players. Tecmo has also added the ability for you to edit every player's speed, power, control, accuracy, etc. On top of that you can name your own team, name your players, choose from a set of team logos, change your team colors, and fully edit your playbook. The customization adds a ton of replayability and die hard fans coming back to make their team the best. Skill Points are acquired by doing well in "Season" mode, and used to increase a player's unique ablities. For instance, you can make your QB throw a high speed pass, let a WR dive 2 yards after he's tackled, or allow your RB to juke around an opponent. Acquiring these skill points give players an incentive to play through "Season" mode and let them use their skills against friends or strangers over WiFi.

Judgment: Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff is definitely worth the price of admission ($30). And it's always nice to have another 16-bit game, in an age of gaming where graphics are arguably everything. The addition of customization options and WiFi play provide a reason to come back and play a little football everyday. Minor gripes are that the audio becomes annoying quickly, and the AI can be frustrating at times. Neither are a deal breaker, but it's good to keep them in mind when deciding to purchase this game or not. I specifically recommend it to fans of the past installments, football fans, and those who are tired of buying the newest Madden every year. Tecmo Bowl fans can rejoice because the franchise is back in a great way, and I'm stoked to see what Tecmo is cooking up for the Wii version! This entry in the series gets an A-.

And the Kick is Off...

PREVIEW: That's right, a sort of reminder for a little game coming out soon, and no, it's not Animal Crossing. You might ask, why cover Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff and not Nintendo's next blockbuster? Simply put, it takes a lot for me to get excited about a DS game; the last game I picked up for the handheld was Advance Wars: Days of Ruin. That's pretty crazy considering that this will put an end to a 10 month absence of buying DS games. And now I'm here, to give you just a little taste of why I'm stoked to play 2D football again.

I guess I might as well start off by admitting I'm an addict; I love football. Over the past 8 years or so it has become my favorite sport hands down. My world has become totally encompassed with just about everything relating to football. Every Sunday you'll find me with my brother or Dad, sitting in front of the TV, watching games all day. Recently I've become a stat fanatic, rattling off the best performances of the weekend. It's just something that will never change now-- I can only imagine what the NFL will be like when I have kids (the horror!).

Hopefully that gives you a better idea of where I'm coming from and why I'm talking about the new installment of Tecmo Bowl. One of the biggest draws to this game is the amount of customization it offers. You will be able to choose from various team colors, create emblems, name your players and cities, and handpick your special abilities. Players will also be able to compile a complete playbook; picking plays from whichever team(s) they want. But the biggest feature that Kickoff boasts over its previous installments is the inclusion of wireless multiplayer, as well as Wi-Fi matches. (There is even an option to trade players with friends over Wi-Fi.).

With only 3 days till launch, what more can football fans ask for? And the truth of the matter is, you don't even have to be a football fan to enjoy Tecmo Bowl. It takes football makes it into a simplified game so that anyone can enjoy it. Many oldschool gamers consider it one of the best games of all time. This new iteration is clearly aimed at that same audience of players who can still enjoy 2D gaming, in an era of gaming where graphics are essentially everything. If you enjoyed past entries of the series, it's a definite day one purchase. And if you've never played one before, you're missing out on some oldschool fun. You can expect a full review some time later this week. It's time to dust off your DS and pick up the pigskin, as Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff rushes into stores on November 18th!

Nintendo DS Contest by Kiwibox

Hey guys! Yes.. I am still alive. I have been busy with classes and work. I recently checked our email and saw that Sean from Kiwibox sent us an email about a contest they are holding.
The grand prize for the contest is a pink Nintendo DS and a copy of Animal Paradise. Four lucky runner-ups will each receive a copy of Animal Paradise.
Entry to the contest is completely free so I encourage you guys to check out the contest. Click the link below to check it out.
Animal Paradise Dream Pet Contest

Possible Wifi in Guitar Hero: On Tour!!??

Yeap it is indeed possible. Noone saw it coming but it may indeed come. I recently got an email about 5%off forwww.redoctane.com and in it is a black Nintendo DS Headset. It could just be for the Silly "ROCK ON "shoutout as blowing doesnt really work aswell for a headset. But more than likely, Headset = Online chatting!