Game Review: TrackMania DS
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Posted on March 6th, 2009 by
In a week or two, Atlus will be coming out with the US release of TrackMania DS. I got a chance to play with the game and found a somewhat simple racing game that was greatly improved through the judicious use of several genre-bending features. In addition to standard racing, there are platforming, puzzle, and even freeform track design modes.
Call of Duty World at War
Posted on March 4th, 2009 by
Call of Duty World at War, and its appropriateness are the most frequent questions I get for Ask GamerDad at WhatTheyPlay.com (a new one is coming, promise). The reason why is simple, this is a series with pedigree AND this is a series the kids like. The only problem is, it was definitely made for adults and adults only. Here’s why –
Street Fighter IV
Posted on March 2nd, 2009 by
Sorry I’ve been MIA for a bit but – well, Street Fighter IV came out and I’m only human. See, Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior hit arcades while I was just going about leaving High School. Arcades had become passe, most had already closed, and most people who played coin-ops (which were still superior to home console games) had to suffer the din of bowling, disco skating, miniature golfing, go-carting and giant furry animatronic rat-things warbling bad folk music and hocking cheap pizza – deep breath – in order to have the honor of playing that old Galaga machine or the latest in side scrolling beat-uppery.
Game Review: Blue Dragon Plus (DS)
Posted on February 28th, 2009 by
Blue Dragon was one of the Xbox 360’s first beloved role playing games. Now you can play the sequel on your Nintendo DS. Same characters? Yup. Same settings? Yup. Same music? Yup. Same gameplay? Nope! While the first Blue Dragon game was a typical Japanese turn-based battles RPG, the DS sequel is a portable-friendly strategy RPG, similar to other titles like Heroes of Mana or Final Fantasy Tactics.
Game Review: X-Blades (360, PS3, PC)
Posted on February 24th, 2009 by
Ayumi is a no-nonsense treasure hunter who works alone, aside from her trusty blades, that it. When she uncovers a map to some ancient ruins rumored to hold a powerful treasure of the gods, she gets more than what she bargained for. Now she must fight her way out of the ruins and learn some new attacks and magic spells along the way as she battles the forces of an ancient sealed evil. And maybe she’ll get some treasure, too.
Game Review: Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection (360, PS3)
Posted on February 21st, 2009 by
Don’t let the name fool you, there’s more than just Sonic on this great collection! This is a compilation of around 40 or so 16-bit Sega Genesis console titles, with some unlockable 8-bit Sega Master System and arcade classics thrown in for good measure. With tons of extras and features, plus a low price tag, it’s a must-have collection for classic game fans.
The Games of Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection
Posted on February 21st, 2009 by
Boo, Sonic! I just don’t care much for that blue hedgehog. Why couldn’t it have been called Tails’ Ultimate Genesis Collection? Or Opa-Opa’s Ultimate Genesis Collection? Flicky’s Ultimate Genesis Collection? What about Ulala’s Ultimate Genesis Collection? Those Sega characters are way better than Sonic, I think. Yeah, I know why they named it after Sonic, for marketing reasons (and wisely so). Anyway, if you want to know why I’m not Sonic’s biggest fan, and learn about all the classic goodness in his Ultimate Genesis Collection, just keep on reading!
Game Review: Loco Roco 2 (PSP)
Posted on February 17th, 2009 by
The sequel to one of the most beloved PSP games is finally here! The blobby Loco Rocos’ planet is being invaded yet again by those nasty Mojas. But this time, the Mojas have a new weapon: a special song that, when sung, puts everyone into a deep blue funk. Now it’s up to the Loco Roco blobs to beat those mean ol’ Mojas again and make the planet happy once more. The Loco Roco can chase away your blues, too! Just read the review:
My Trials in Retro Game Challenge
Posted on February 14th, 2009 by
Hey everyone! You’re not gonna BELIEVE what happened to me! I’m in big trouble! Last night I was playing Bikini Zombie Slay…er, I mean, I was playing Animal Crossing, yeah, Animal Crossing, and then all of a sudden, this giant floating head named Arino came on the screen! He sent me back in time to the 80’s and turned me into a little boy! And the only way I can get back to the present is to play a bunch of made-up 8-bit retro games and pass Arino’s challenges in them. I know that seems hard to believe, especially since you’re reading this blog now. What I did was handwrite this message back in the 80’s and mailed it to a friend in the future with instructions to post this on my blog when blogs get invented. I hope this works!
RPGWatch: The Whole Game in My Hand #12 (Part 2)
Posted on February 12th, 2009 by
Continuing my coverage of handheld RPG’s from the last three months of 2008 over at RPGWatch, I take a look at the PSP and select iPhone releases. This article covers nine games – six for the PSP and three for the iPhone. Of the PSP games, one is a PSN port of an early PSx game and one is a strategy game, which means that even in the traditionally busy holiday schedule the PSP closed the year with a light offering. more…
