Hey Wikipedia! Get Your Facts Stra… Oh, Nevermind…

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For the record, Oh, mighty but overrated and often unreliable source of “information” that too many people rely on for “facts”: THIS adventure game/RPG hybrid on the left is NOT at all THIS pretty solid port of a great PC-Engine shooter on the right. Two different games, two different developers and hell, two different genres if you really want to get overly fussy about it. Someone needs to fix this (and more, as I’d bet this is’t the ONLY thing on that site with a lousy bit of lazy behind it…

Are We Headed For A Data Daze? Maybe.

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Is the big new (or not so new if you’ve been following this stuff) push to charge consumers for data usage coupled with the elimination of “unlimited” plans going to cripple mobile and soon enough, console gaming in the future? I think so, specially for any users on a budget. Imagine your ISP capping the amount of data you can receive just because they can introduce these plans based on what amounts to a guessing game that traps some into paying more simply because they enjoy their hobby. Granted, I’m betting most users will pay through the nose (when you’re hooked, you’re hooked)… up until their service providers start charging them for storing and streaming data over their usage limits. Well, I’ll just sit back and wait to see what happens, but I expect a lot of virtual protesting to start popping up in a few ways at time marches onward… Of course, I probably don’t know what I’m talking about, but I also don’t see these bills going DOWN any time soon…

“Retro” Review: Data East Arcade Classics

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Platform: Nintendo Wii

Developer: G1M2

Publisher: Majesco

# of Players: 1 – 2

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: B+

The word “retro” is in quoted in the title above for two reasons, one being the Wii isn’t exactly a dead system (well, depending on who you ask) and two, I didn’t  get the chance to review this collection at all when it was first released back in 2010. It’s getting a good look now because a friend who got a Wii for his kids a while back but has never played anything on it himself saw this in a closeout bin and as he’s an ancient fan of arcade games, he practically ran over some slow shoppers poking around in that bin to grab a copy. Anyway, no one was injured in that incident, so it’s all good. However, I also grabbed a copy and ended up getting some cramped fingers and sore thumbs from spending too much time reliving some great memories. Data East Arcade Classics packs in 15 games from the now defunct coin-op company that range from great to so-so and while some key titles that probably should have been on this disc are missing, it’s clear that this was supposed to be the first in an ongoing series. While the lack of certain key titles from the era and any sort of difficulty adjustment keep this from being flawless, it’s still recommended as a trip down memory lane or as an introduction to some really fun games for the kids.

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Burning Questions (Ouch): So, Why Isn’t Outernauts ALSO On The Vita?

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I’m just asking a pretty obvious question, as Sony really NEEDS something like this free Facebook-only game (which just so happens to be created by the folks behind some of the company’s key first-party titles since the days of the original PlayStation). The way I see it, Outernauts could be expanded onto the Vita as a budget-priced game and/or PSN perhaps as a bigger and more fleshed out version tailored to the handheld’s strengths. Between the addictive monster collecting and fun battle system PLUS the possibility for exclusive content (like character skins from certain popular Insomniac games), I’m just shocked that this project wasn’t considered as more than a “one site that’s not PSN” deal. Between this oopsie move and Ubisoft’s interesting looking Ghost Recon social game also not making an appearance on the Vita, you have to wonder what’s up with SCEA’s plans for the handheld’s future in terms of getting people to play all sorts of unique game experiences on the thing. I’m just saying that to me it’s a no-brainer that these two games (and more) should start popping up for those of us who dislike Facebook these days for any number of good reasons, is all…

You’re NOT Going To The Olympics, So You May As Well See What You’re Missing (Sort Of)…

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Nope, I’m not going to London either, but thanks to Sega, we all get to see these flybys from their upcoming London 2012 – The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games, coming to consoles and PC soon enough. Of course, I don’t think I’ve watched an entire Olympics since Mamo Walde won the Marathon. Then again, that was what, 1968? I forget. Anyway, Sega produced a few of these slick trailers (which look really spectacular), but I’m just posting these two, as like you, I’m not planning to watch (or more precisely, planning to MISS) this year’s Games. I might track the game down at some point, but it’s not too likely, as sports games and I don’t get along much unless there are explosions and maybe some cars bumping into each other. Not both at the same time, though. That wouldn’t be much of a sport, right?

LEGO Batman 2 Is Going To Be Absolutely Great, But There’s Just One Thing Missing…

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I’ve been thinking about this from the moment I found out how big the game was in terms on scope and amount of playable characters and after talking with a few people who feel the same way, well here you go. Sure, this will probably be the best-selling Lego game to date and TT Games has done a STELLAR job all around. That said, where’s the SERIOUS Batman/Justice League game in the vein of Arkham City? Imagine all that large and lovely real estate to roam around in and all that fast-paced action with a ridiculous number of regular looking (non-LEGO) DC characters? Heck, the dev team and publisher went to all the trouble to get tons of voice talent and cook up a bigger, much more coherent storyline this time, so I’m betting a lot of DC fans are probably on the same wavelength. OK, memo to WBIE, DC and TT – get to work on something like a Justice League Heroes follow-up that will appeal to those folks who somehow aren’t quite sold on another LEGO game (no matter how fun and awesome it is)…

Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs Trailer: Not A Sequel, But An Equal (And Then Some)…

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The definition of insanity? It’s not Far Cry 3’s jungle sprawl and overkill, but something like Frictional Games and thechineseroom’s upcoming collaboration. Dear Esther was a haunting masterpiece from thechineseroom that’s worth a buy for the visuals alone, but the innovative gameplay is also a draw. As far as Frictional goes, if the progression they’ve shown in their previous games (Fiend, the Penumbra Trilogy and Anmesia: The Dark Descent) is any indication, horror game fans will be in for some sleepless nights and days where they’re looking over their shoulders for things sneaking up from behind. This should be interesting (to put it mildly)…

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Update: Peter Cullen IS Optimus Prime Again…

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And all is good in that way fans of the show would want it to be in the case of one of the key character voices. Frankly speaking, the game is looking so polished and excellent that they could have gotten Gilbert Gottfried to to ALL the voice work and it would still be worth paying full price for. Hmmm… that gives me an(other) crazy idea (dot, dot, dot).

Memo to Activision: maybe think about giving Gilbert a call and hell, get him to narrate the TV commercials while you’re at it. I know people who bought a Shoedini just because he was the voice talent in that infomercial. Or maybe not. Hey, I’m entitled to feeble attempts at both humor and dipping a toe into some PR person’s day to give them a chuckle from time to time…

Gravity Rush Is In Stores Now. If You Own (Or Want) A Vita, It’s A Must-Buy.

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It’s almost too bad the Vita didn’t launch with this title, as it’s a new IP that introduces a character any gamer will love as well as shows off what the system can do quite well. Thankfully, this trailer shows off some of those cool things quite nicely. I’ll try to jam in a review at some point this month, but no promises, as it’s a bit hectic at the moment. For now, however, I’m absolutely recommending you check this one out if your Vita has been feeling lonely or you’re thinking about the system and want another definitive killer app that’s pure fun from the moment you pick it up and start playing…

Family Matters (Back In A Bit)…

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Hey folks – my normal post a day plus routine is slowing to a stop for the moment, as I’m currently filling in for a relative who has been taking care of another. As soon as things get back to some sort of normalcy, I’ll be back in a bit with regular updates…