If You’re Having A Lousy Week, Let Ann-Margrock Get You On Your Feet…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Heh. I sat in a Starbucks most of today working and for about an hour during the afternoon I had to listen to two guys sitting nearby talk about old cartoons while the girlfriend of one was completely baffled about why they were so into The Flintstones. By the time they got around to the assorted celebrities and music numbers on the show and one guy hit up YouTube for a few videos (including the one above), I had a few tunes looping in my head until I left for the night. Anyway, from the 1963 episode “Ann Margrock Presents” here you go – if you’re not shaking it around the room, you’re probably not breathing. Enjoy! Hmmm, now I want one of those bird basses or an elephant trombone (I think there’s room in the front closet for one of those)…

Video Game Appreciation 101: PlayStation Evolution (US and Japanese Versions)

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

With Sony getting ready for next week’s big worldwide reveal, their Japanese branch is doing a bit of nostalgic reminiscing on YouTube. Here’s part one of what’s looking to be a fun little series (those quick bits of Japanese PlayStation ads are hilarious and make me wish Sony would devote a channel to the MANY awesome TV ads for PlayStation systems that have been shown there since 1994). Given the console’s huge impact on the gaming scene, I’m hoping we get to see this series show at some point on a Blu-Ray or online in full with additional focus on how the system hit North America in an equally spectacular manner (er, Polygon Man, the whole ENOS campaign and those silly Toshinden “Sofia Says” ads aside).

Thanks to dionisio for the Sofia ad!

Soul Sacrifice Update: More Aural Fixation (Or: There’s An Orchestra in Your Vita)…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Here’s a tiny bit of Wataru Hokoyama’s stirring score for the upcoming (and eagerly anticipated) PS Vita action/RPG exclusive plus some interview time for your listening pleasure. Hey, we’re cultured around here despite the name of the site. Hang around here long enough and that’s me drinking a cold beer with my pinky out in the corner. Anyway, Soul Sacrifice will be out soon, so keep an eyeball peeled for it. Of course, if you’re REALLY cultured, you’d have someone peel your eyeball for you, painful as it may be – it’s the classy way to do things…

BioShock Infinite Columbia/Icarus Trailer 2: The Mystery Deepens (With Candy!)

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Who says Irrational Games doesn’t love you? You get a Valentine’s Day card (belatedly, as I just got around to checking my other inbox, oops!) with your new Columbia video! Anyway, BioShock Infinite is hopefully going to be one of those games where the long dev cycle and loads of pre-release hype make it worth the wait. Hmmm. in looking at that card again closely, I’m not sure I’d want to eat any of those chocolates, especially if they had squishy liquid centers. If Elizabeth has found a way to miniaturize the game’s deadly enemies and dip them in yummy milk chocolate, That might not be a cherry cordial you’re chomping… Ewww..

Well, ladies first, I say…

System Shock 2 (Finally) Available on GOG.com. You SHOULD Buy It. Now.

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Well, provided you own a PC and not a Mac that is, as the game is only compatible with Windows XP, 7 and 8. Anyway, this one’s a true classic, it’s frequently scary as hell and has some fine writing to boot. I still have my original disc version in the collection, but it’s a hell of a pain in the neck to get running from the discs, so this one’s a no brainer purchase. grab this while it’s on sale for ten bucks, turn out the lights and get ready to immerse yourself into one of the best games you’ll ever play, period.

Urban Trial Freestyle Trailer: Trials of A Man on The Iron Horse…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Now available on PSN for the PS3 and Vita, this slick-looking moto game from Tate Multimedia might LOOK verrrry similar to Red Lynx’ worldwide hit, but the gameplay shakes things up a chunk by making stunts a huge part of the fun. I’ll have a review up sometime next week, as I’m just getting around to downloading my copy and there’s an embargo until the 19th. OK, I’m off to check my insurance and go grab a helmet and pads. I’m not as spry as I used to be, so I’m taking extra precautions!

Nintendo Direct 2.14.2013: A Whole Lotta Love Coming Your Way…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

If you don’t get a little thrilled and amused from these Nintendo Direct videos (who can resist Mr. Iwata and his smile, dashing green cap and freshly pressed suit?), you have no heart. Well, maybe you still need some convincing that the company’s direction (they tend to follow their own path rather than go with the flow) is sound and solid. Yes, they’ve had some bumps in the past few years, but their fan base is loyal, broad and by every metric I’ve seen, growing. Some things will take time (Wii U sales are OK, but not Hollywood blockbuster weekend huge), but the company knows that seeds don’t NEED to all sprout and bloom at the same time. Anyway, sit and have a look – then go cuddle up with your 3DS, Wii or Wii U knowing they’re getting a whole lotta first and third-party love (and more to come)…

Star Trek: The Video Game – Making The Game (Part 1): “Deflectors Full Intensity!”

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Here’s the first of a few video peeks at the making of Digital Extremes’ upcoming Star Trek game, which is looking pretty cool. Three years of hard work just might pay off for action gamers as well as Star Trek fans who don’t mind a lot more action than sitting around discussing plot points while a star field zips by in the background. Of course, if this does well, it would e nice to see a deeper more RPG-like experience in the Mass Effect vein. Then again, Bioware’s hit series was in part inspired by the Trek franchise, so it would be a case of taking the crown and passing it around the galaxy for a bit, I say…

Toy Fair 2013: Zeenie Dollz – Or: Earth (Saving) Girls Are Easy (To Like)…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

With all the big toy-themed sites covering almost nothing but the big, hot new products from Toy Fair, there are literally thousands of toys that get little to no love on the show floor from the press. Since I don’t get many invites to the major events (thanks to PR people and companies themselves that want big sites with bigger hits to drive fans into stores on launch days or pre-ordering their products like mad), I tend to dip around the show floor after my big deal appointments looking for quirky and interesting stuff you won’t see latched to a hype train. I’ll be covering a bunch of cool toys for just about everyone in a few columns here, so I may as well start with the last letter of the alphabet and work my way around randomly. Say hello to Zeenie Dollz!

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Drfitmoon Update: February 26 Release, New Camera Angle & More Cool News…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Slowly but surely I’ve been playing through Ville and Anne Mönkkönen’s fine and funny adventure/RPG hybrid, Driftmoon, and can safely say that it’s refreshingly retro as well as just plain fun to play. The game now has an official release date of February 26, 2013 (and it’s gog.com bound plus a few other places!) as well as a much requested adjustable camera angle which works amazingly well. I was against the idea for a while, but noticed that a few friends I showed the game to weren’t keen on the top-down POV even though they liked the visuals quite a lot. The new angle on things is adjustable down to a more Baldur’s Gate-like angle on things and looks great, which should get more people to want to try this one out.

Anyway, I also need to get a review done, so I’ve been avoiding the two mods I downloaded until that’s done. Hopefully, I’ll have that written up sometime within the next week as I’m also swamped in Toy Fair coverage and a bunch of other game previews and reviews. Of course, Driftmoon is next up on the review pile – I just need to finish the game and get to it. Unless it all falls apart past the point I’ve played (and I don’t expect it to at all), this one’s turning out to be one of my favorite indie games so far this year. Back in a bit…