No more game consoles, proposes OnLive

Via BBC.

Quite interesting, although I'm not quite sure how this would work. Obviously if you're going to play games online through your TV, you're going to need some kind of interface hardware - controls and somewhere to connect to the internet. It seems to be working, but I wonder if having hundreds of thousands or millions of players online at the same time would complicate things.

And then there are those, like myself, who still like off-line games. True, at home in the States our Wii and XBox 360 are hooked up to the internet, but we rarely use it, as we don't want to pay extra for online content.

Still, an intestesting development.

Gamers!

A recent study showed that, on average, there's a better than 50% chance that you play video games.

Updates

So I'll have a new Jukin' Japan coming out within the next few days. Meanwhile, a few links for your entertainment:

(Video game stuff):

Red Shells 

Get Stuck!

(Memorium):

Remember the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

(Outrage!):

What the hell - they took out "elf," "dwarf," and "goblin." Those pompous bastards.

DK follow-up

Man, I haven't thought about that game in a long time.  I'd just like to follow up Gobbler's post with a thought of my own.

When I consider my favorite games of all time or my favorite game music of all time, I can't honestly say any DK titles make it onto my list.  However, they were fun and well-made games.  I think I've been blocking them out ever since Diddy Kong Racing came into being, although my sister and I did have some good times on the level where you have to fly around and collect eggs. It sounds lame, I know, but you're flying around a volcano and you can either knock eggs away from other players or just steal them from their nest.

But anyway, while I delight in fails (especially epic fails) as much as the next guy, there is an epic WIN in DK Country that I am itching to point out.  DK Country provides the player with the unique, though limited chance, to control a gorilla riding a rhino.  While playing this monstrosity, you are invincible (to my knowledge) and can completely destroy any foes that stand in your path; as it should be.  I mean, what can beat a gorilla on top of a damn rhino?  I think if I saw that in real life I would soil myself.  

I have provided a picture to illustrate my point:

Game Music

I just stumbled upon this. I'm sure there will be some of you who disagree with me on this point, but the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack is probably the most memorable that came out of the 16-bit generation. Still affects me today like it did back when I was a kid, and it's probably just some Japanese dude with a keyboard. Don't make them like they used to.

Master of WTF

So some upfront warnings about this post: it's not related to Japan, it is related to video games, and I may use foul language.  Yes, actually I'm quite sure I will.

So every once-in-a-while the mood strikes me to play an old game. You know - an oldie but a goodie.  Recently I've been playing this old strategy game called Master of Orion.  It was pretty unique for its time, and in some ways is along the same vein as Civilization-type games, but in space.

The game has a little bit of a learning curve, and the graphics are none too special, but that doesn't usually phase me.  After a little online research and toying around, I quickly developed a feel for the interface and how the game works.  Then, all of a sudden, I lost.  I have to say, this is one of the most frustrating, "WTF" losses I have ever experienced.  And I wish I could say it was isolated, but it seems to randomly happen everytime I play this game, so I need to frequently save so that I can reload if it happens (and when I reload the random game over usually doesn't come until later).

So let me paint a picture of the experience:

1. Ah, title screen looks good.

2. Ok, getting into the groove. Have my starting planet and a colony.

3. Hey, things are going pretty well.  Got myself another colony.  No sign of aliens yet.

4. Soon I'll have a whole em- wait, what the hell is this?  "Identify this class of ship"?  How the hell should I know?  Ok, looks like a Banshee?

5.  Another? Geez, I don't know...looks like the Enterprise to me. Ok, how about Dark Star?

6. WHAT? Are you f&*king kidding me?!  I couldn't ID some ships, so I lose?  What the hell kind of strategy game is this?  So, like, a bunch of ships secretly rolled up to my planet and since I didn't know what they were, they raped me?

7.  Oh, so a bunch of guys in robes took over my planet.  Great.  Awesome.

Seriously, this happens to me at random points in my games, and I have no idea why.  I've looked it up on the internet, Wikipedia, and checked out some online strategy guides for the game, and there is NO mention of this phenomenon.  You'd think more people would have complained about or at least noted this shit.

Gah!

Rules of Engagement

Just quickly: It would have made the game difficult, yes, but also more realistic.

Devilish Side-Note

As per requested by Ben, I'd like to mention that I've agreed to start playing Diablo II again with Ben, because I hate myself and using my free time to do productive things. Emmanuel has also agreed to join in, and if anyone else who has the game is interested in joining us, just let me know. It's not going to be a regular thing like WoW was (thank God that's over) - more likely once things get going it'll be a weekendly occurance.

Ninjas +1

So Emmanuel has brought to my attention a little tribute that (if accurate) brings ninjas up one more point. I haven't actually played any of the Ninja Gaiden games since the original Nintendo, but they really do seem to boost ninja popularity..

More to come.

Diverted Attention

So apologies for the slowdown in posting recently. I've been kind of hooked on a couple of games that I recently acquired: Boom Blox for the Wii, and Viva Piñata for the 360. They both appear quite childish in nature at first glance, but are also very fun and engaging. I'm a little disappointed after playing through them for hours, though.

Boom Blox is good for where it counts - it's fun, there's a lot of content, and the multiplayer is there. Unfortunately, all the unlockable stuff is for "Create Mode", where you're able to build your own levels. I tried this feature out, and it's extremely limited. The maximum number of blocks/characters that you can use in a level is frustratingly small. Basically I tried to make a sheep army battling a monkey army and found myself limited to something like 30 characters and very little "space" left for blocks.

Viva Piñata is a great Sim/Management game that I can't believe I let slip by me for so long. Although a little "cute," the graphics are so crisp and colorful (especially on a high-def TV) that playing is a treat for the eyes. My only complaint with this game is similar to the problem with "Create Mode" in BB. In your "garden," you place objects, piñata houses, plants, and piñatas. However, there is a limit on the amount of things you can have down, and it's independent of how "cluttered" your garden looks. For example, there is a limit of 35 piñata at any given time. It doesn't matter if they're small worm piñata that barely take up a small fraction of your space - 35 is 35. The plants and objects work similarly.

Well, expect some more material soon. For now, I just need a little time..

Pirates at Large

They just don't quit. Seems like these days ninjas just aren't able to keep pirates in check. May be that they have their hands full with the in-fightining, though.

In nerdier news (yes, it's possible), here is a look at what World of Warcraft characters do with their free time.

Retro Gaming

Video game break.

Achk, Mine Ears!

I've pointed out some games in the past with voice acting that bothered me, but this takes the cake. I just...I just couldn't stop watching. It's like a train wreck.


Also, IF ONLY.