Tales Of The Abyss Trailers Are Another Fine Reason To Snap Up A 3DS

Yes, even if you’ve played the game previously, Namco Bandai’s upcoming remake looks good enough to make me want to go through it all over again. Given that the original can be pricey once you track it down, it’s nice to see the 3DS getting more quality titles fans want to see appear on the handheld whether they use the 3D effect to its fullest or not.

Twisted Metal To Arrive On 2/14/2012, Love, David Jaffe

Thanks to an exclusive video on the PlayStation Blog, we now know when Twisted Metal will arrive on the PlayStation 3. I figured Jaffe was up to something cool based on a few tweets last night/early this morning, so this looks like what his presentation was after all. Having played a tiny bit of the insane multiplayer and seen the amazing Iron Maiden boss battle presentation a few times, I can safely say that the wait will indeed be worth it and TM fans will be in complete bliss (hand cramps and all from gripping those PS2 controllers so tightly). All I’ll say to the dejected significant others reading this is you;d better learn to play some TM, because you’re not seeing your partner for a while once the game ships…

Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Classics Trailer (It’s Art, Alright)

A pair of classics that always get mentioned whenever the subject of games as art pops up, this HD remastering of the two Team Ico titles will please longtime fans of the originals as well as those new to both works. The added bonus of (optional) 3D is another excellent addition that enhances the experience and overall, this is looking to be one of the best deals PS3 owners are getting this year. Now, if only there was a demo of The Last Guardian somewhere on the Blu-Ray. That would indeed be pretty spectacular given the huge interest in the still in development game…

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor WIll REALLY Make You Want A Kinect

As this very cool Gamescom 2011 interview with the game’s producers (decked out in their Army gear) shows, FromSoftware is on track to wow Kinect owners (and skeptics alike) with their upcoming game. Between the retro visual style and influences (the Omaha Beach sequence from Saving Private Ryan springs to mind) plus the fact that yes, you’re controlling a huge walking mech in real time (and without that massive 40 button controller the original SB had back on the Xbox), this one looks like a keeper. It also looks like Kinect is getting a few games hardcore gamers will really want to get their hands on (provided they also manage to wrap their heads around the whole no controller aspect*).

*Well, the game actually DOES require a 360 controller, but you’ll still do the majority of playing without it.

Videogame History Museum Project Funded!

Well, that’s the good news – the bad news is losing Joe Santulli to the West Coast while it sets up the VGHM, but it’s something he’s wanted to do for ages and it’s absolutely fantastic to see him well on his way. Of course, he’ll need to wait until a little storm passes by this weekend before he’s outta here, so that’s a bit more good news. I can’t wait to see how this progresses over time, especially given Joe’s passion for gaming and game history from its beginnings until today’s latest advances. Game On, Joe!

Uncharted 3 Collector’s Edtion Unboxing Video

The game isn’t even out yet, but as unboxing videos are all the rage for these more expensive limited editions, here’s what the Collector’s Edition of Drake’s Deception looks as it’s stripped down to its assorted parts. Very nice indeed (and thanks for Sony for posting it on the PlayStation Blog). I’m more of a standard edition guy myself, but I’d not turn down one of these if it happened to drop on my doorstep.

Sony @GamesCom 2011 (Parts 1 & 2)

Yes, I know PAX is right around the corner (I’m not there this year) and I’m STILL writing stuff about Gamescom? Hey, I’m buried in Deus Ex: HR at the moment, so you get to watch a couple of really nice videos from Sony’s press conference last week until I post my review and free up some time. By the way, so far, it’s a spectacular game…

The Revolution Will Be Televised (Or: I’m Going To Be Pretty Busy)…

I just completed a replay of the PS2 port of the original Deus Ex in record time (well, for me), as my PS3 review copy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution arrived today. Nice. I generally skim through most review guides, but the design plus some of the amusing writing in the guide (sample quote: “DE:HR is not an arcade shooter – there, I said it.”) kept me reading until the end. OK, enough yapping – off to install and play so I can get a review done. This is going to be supremely thrilling, that’s for sure. Oh, PC gfans – skip buying the game at GameStop if they try to sell you an open box without the OnLive code! You’re paying full price for it, so let GS know you should get EVERYTHING that’s supposed to come INSIDE the box.

Happy Birthday, SNES!

While I sold off about 99% of my SNES games to get a PS3 and a bunch of other stuff a few years back, I’ve kept pretty much all of my Super Famicom games simply because there were too many that were never localized for a US release. Sorry for the lousy photo, but all 248 or so are up in a closet in the other room and I don’t have the time to go through them at this point and pick out favorites. This project however, IS on my to-do list once I clear out some space here at the home office and find the time to get the stash down to be photographed (and a few games re-played). I have many favorite games for the system but I absolutely HATE compiling “Top 10” lists, so you won’t get one from me. OK, I’m not that irascible, folks – I just need more time to re-discover some of these games when it’s not so incredibly busy here. It’s absolutely be a LOT more than ten, that’s for sure.

Anyway, Happy Birthday SNES! You’re missed in this era of digital-only releases and mobile games madness, that’s for sure.

Bangai-O HD Missile Fury Gameplay Trailers: A Double Shot Of Treasure Madness

Part bullet-hell shooter, part puzzle game and ALL Treasure 2D bliss (presented in stunning HD), D3Publisher’s download-only Xbox Live Arcade game is a total gem that will thrill shooter fans while giving the Bejeweled crowd something to blow their minds. The game manages to mix in a high level of challenge while offering some truly incredible blasting and quite possibly the largest character sprite I’ve ever seen. As you can see from these incredible videos, this one isn’t easy at all. But it’s definitely a bargain and highly recommended (even if it’s not on a disc).