Archive for October, 2007
Oct
30
Posted under
.0 Shows,
Podcast,
XBL Radio 
A very special show of XBL Radio:
You’ve come to know and love them. They have been a part of your Tuesdays. They have warmed your heart, your soul, and your earbuds. However all good things must come to an end. Except for their constant bitching and moaning. So tune into their farewell show to hear why they had to take a break.
All this plus:
A Game review over Stranglehold,
and a Kid Pix over Hot Wheels.
The Marketplace Minute,
and our final log off.
Hope you enjoyed the shows, if not then your off my friends list…
(MP3) Direct Download ver 55.0
Right Click here (and save as… for best download experience).
–Duration 00:58:09 (Stereo) 96Kbps (40.30MB)–
Ehhh… Subscribe, shmubscribe.
Posted by The Other Guy 1
Oct
29
Posted under
Game Releases,
Mr B4,
Nintendo,
Wii 
I just got the chance to do something pretty exciting this weekend, and i wanted to share my experience with all of you.
I recently visited my local Gamestop store, where I saw a demo station with a Mario Galaxy playable demo. After I asked the clerk to help me set up the demo, I put the nunchuk in one hand, the Wiimote in the other, and got a chance to play one of the most fun games, if not the most fun game that the Wii has to offer. When my demo ended, needless to say, amazing does not even begin to explain this game. This was the most fun that I have ever had playing a Mario game. Here are my first impressions based on the demo.
Controls(A): If you think it’s going to be a difficult game to play because the Wii mote and nunchuk, you’re wrong. The controls here could not be any easier, and should only take a few seconds to master. You move Mario around with the nunchuk, shake the Wii Mote side to side to attack enemies, climb up vines, and jump into warp stars. By pointing the Wiimote at the screen, you can collect little star pieces, shoot these at enemies to stun them with the B button, and click on blue stars to pull yourself from place to place. Other than that, A is to jump, and that’s about all you really need to know in order to be successful in this game. Mario games have always been easy pick up and play games, and there is nothing different here.
Sound(B): There is nothing too groundbreaking here as far as sounds go. The Wii Mote makes a “ping” noise when you jump into a warp star, a “boing” noise when you shoot star pieces at enemies heads, and a “whoosh” noise when you do a spin attack. And thats about it. Everything else is status quo from mario games in the past, coins make the same sounds when you grab them, when you get a star, the Wii Mote says “You got a star”, and when you hit enemies, they make the same noises they did when you hit them in Super mario 64, that squishy kind of noise. Even though the sound effects are not groundbreaking, they are still cool to hear from time to time, and add a fun factor to the game.
Gameplay(A): All of the controls I explained to you add some interesting effects to the gameplay. The boss battles alone make full use of your capabilities with the Wii mote, but I won’t spoil anything for you, I will let you experience that on your own. Other than just platforming elements, there are mini-games from time to time that add a little bit of variety to the gameplay. One, I will tell you about, is a mini-game where you point the Wii Mote at your screen, and feed a creature a certain amount of star pieces by shooting them into his mouth. There is also another part where you click a series of blue stars with your Wii Mote to try and pull yourself to the levels main star. Levels are easy to manuever around in, just jump in one star, and it takes you to another area, then rinse and repeat the process. Everything else is simple platforming, solving a few puzzles, fighting boss fights, etc. It’s fun to play, and will have you engrossed in the experience in a manner of minutes.
Graphics(A): For a Mario game, these are best graphics I have ever seen. Level designs are unique, colorful, and beautiful, and mostly make you move in a full 360 degrees of motion. Some levels make you return to those side scrolling elements form the old days, and pull it off very nicely. Enemies still look cartoonish, but it’s what you have come to expect out of mario game at this point. Mario himself, looks about as good as the Wii could possibly make him look, but looks pretty close to how he looked in Mario Sunshine, which is not too much of an improvement.
Replay Value( B+): I would have given this game an A for replay value if there was something else other than the second player being able to use a Wii Mote to help you collect little star pieces and hit enemies with them, and just collecting the big stars in each level. Other than that, I am thinking that this will be like Mario 64, and once you are done collecting all the stars, that is it, and the only replay value you will have is playing it all over again.
Overall(A): My conclusion, from what I have played so far, is that this will be a game that we will never forget. The creativity of the controls, the unique level design, and exciting boss fights will make this the most in-depth mario game to date. I will be looking forward to picking up this game, and I hope you do the same.
Until next time gamers, this is B4 signing off.
Take Care,
B4
Oct
25
Posted under
TOG 
He has been with XBL Radio from the start. However as with all good things, this too must end. TOG (as we know him around here) has come to a pivitol point in his XBLR partnership. He had to choose between Family and Football or Friend Requests and Frequent Late-Nights. Its hard to do a podcast, be a gamer, and still have time to enjoy your other hobbies. As most of you know TOG is quite a Bike rider. This and his 1 year old Son bites into a shrinking personal time. So he made a decision and XBLR will have to respect it. He has been an asset to the Staff and will always be remembered as the Inspiration for the XBL Radio Podcast!
That said: I may plan to carry on. However I choose not to do a one-man show. So if interested send me your inquery. I will get back with you. Until then; enjoy XBL Radio (even in it’s new form).
Oct
22
Posted under
Console Crimes,
Game Releases,
Mr B4 
I could not beleive this story the first time i heard it, and I thought I should share it with you.
According to this article I found on gamerevolution.com, the creators of the game “Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising”, Perpetual Entertainment, made the announcement for the cancellation of this game on Oct. 9th. And by doing this they put the game on “Indefinite hold” (or canceled) due to prolonged development and realigned studio goals. And exactly a week after its cancellation, a website named the Consumerist reported on Oct.16th that Gamestop and EB Games were still taking preorders on this game.
Does this mean that we should trust our local Gamestop and EB Games stores on knowing the release dates of upcoming games, or should we seek another source? Could this have just been a mistake made in either stores database, or are they secretly trying to take your money, even with the knowledge of a game being canceled? I will leave the decision to you. But I am just giving you something to think about the next time you visit a video game specialty store and want to reserve a game.
Until next time my friends, this is B4 signing off.
Take care,
B4
Links to Sources:
http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/view.php?id=3319
http://consumerist.com/consumer/gaming/ebgames-taking-permanent-pre+orders-for-canceled-game-311532.php
Oct
22
Posted under
GUI J,
Podcast,
Steve519 
Get the Gamers Pub episode 5 here—> (Direct Download)
Support the Podcast Nation podcasts.
Oct
20
Posted under
MrCarpalTunnel,
XBL Radio 
Recently I was involved in recording Live on Live, a gamers roundtable here at XBL Radio, and the topic “Is the Live Arcade falling short?” came up. It made for an interesting conversation. However the topic ended up in a united decision: The Arcade isn’t what it should be.
Just today I came across this article online :
GameTap, Turner Broadcasting System’s “broadband entertainment network” will hit 1000 games available to subscribers on Nov. 15. A good portion of the games are new titles, while a majority are classic games you can’t normally play without dragging out the old consoles from mom and/or dad’s attic. GameTap also keeps a pretty solid list of free games available for non-subscribers .
Meanwhile computer owners can endulge in emulator add-ons. Usually giving the user the ability to play thousands of retro-arcade titles. And let’s not forget about all of the other sites that offer “free to member” gaming:
Free to play addictive and fun.
Games and prizes. Free membership required.
Known as Uproar a place to play for free online.
Addictive puzzle games and tourneys.
Tied to you MSN account.
Now I’m not trying to diss the Live Arcade; I’m just posing the question why US gamers would pay 10 to 15 bucks on average for one arcade title. Is it co-op play? Is it the hi-def graphics? Or is it the Achievements? Whatever it is I am losing interest. And most of my Online Friends seem to feel the same way. So whats the solution?
Here is my remedy. The word Arcade implies a nastalgic feeling of the Aracades of old. You remember; the time when a roll of quarters was all you needed to pass the day away. Why not offer the same with many of the Arcade titles on Live?
Examples
Convert the POINTS into tokens: One token per play. And just like days of old you would have to add credits if you wanted to continue after your lives are up. This would bring back the feel of the Arcade. It would also enable more gamers to enjoy a variety of titles and achievements. And if you’re truely compelled to play offline, make the game still available to purchace.
Have varied/different pricing: Let’s face it, some games are worth more than others. However MS seems to think that pricing is simplistic. 800 and up for good games and 400 for crap. (Yes I said it CRAP-Games you shouldn’t be buying in the first place) Why not let the buyers dictate the Marketplace. If the game truely is regurgitated pixels, why not sell it as such. I would like to think most of the vintage games (Frogger, Pac-Man, Defender, Galaga, etc…) are not worth more than a game like Geo Wars. Pricing should reflect that!
And finally Reward your Fanbase: I think this goes without saying. There are many of us who whould gladly pay more per year to get more from their online gaming service. Those “Gold” members should be priority number one. Thus why not implement a “GOLD PLUS” package. Think of it as a privledged member card where if you pay a nominal fee you have access to the Arcade. This would mean (while signed into LIVE with the PLUS members gamertag) you can play everything. A true Arcade! It seems to work for GAMETAP.
Now keep in mind this is just my observation. However I really want to know how you feel. Which method, or name your own, do you think would satisfy our Arcade desires. Because if our only reward, as LIVE members, is a free game like YARIS, we are definitely running on empty!
Oct
18
Posted under
TOG,
XBL Radio 
It’s almost time for us all to dress up and head out into the neighborhoods for those tasty sweets. Yes that’s right it almost Halloween, the scary time of the year.
That got me thinking, which games are the scariest games to come out in 2007? Did BioShock (360, PC) keep you in shock, what about Vampire Rain (360). Did it rain down the pain? FEAR (PS3), did you have to play with the lights on? Don’t forget Lair (PS3), The Darkness (360, PS3), and Folklore (PS3). If there are any that I forgot let us know and don’t forget to pick.
Posted by The Other Guy 1
Oct
17
Posted under
XBL Radio 
This is one of the reasons it’s called “your radio”. We’ll be recording this Friday night with a whole new group of gamers for some fresh opinions about the world we game in. If you have some news, issues or gossip that’ll make good topics, then post ‘em here. Not only is your support appreciated, it’s what helps us thrive.
Random XBL Message…
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PLUS: -The 360 FriendSpot SPOT -Useless Tips and -The Marketplace Minute. Also find out why Canada brings out TheOtherGuy in TheOtherGuy.