Recently in Videogames Category
Via Vulture
This Super Bowl spot for the upcoming video game Dante's Inferno was rejected by CBS, presumably for the clever tag line "Go To Hell." It's a bit ridiculous that something like this can be jettisoned to the side while Tim Tebow can take the airwaves and push a message by the religious right down our throats. Nevertheless, all controversy aside, the trailer for this game looks pretty cool -- at least from an artistic perspective. It's a hell of a lot more engaging than another round of dancing lizards (which I'm sure we'll see Sunday night).
AT LAST -- it all makes sense now.
Everyone might be watching the Jackson memorial today, but in case you want an alternative, check out this cool Donkey Kong video made with many Post-its and some very bored people.
I was bored today; so I decided to have some fun. What would happen if The Real Housewives headed into the many worlds of Super Mario Bros.?
Pics after the jump...
With E3 wrapping up later this afternoon, I thought we could take a look back at the glory days of the Wii, when the sheer novelty spawned countless YouTube videos of people punching at air and breaking their TVs. Here's one that's been unearthed by m_ruv. It's of yours truly flailing about in the most uncoordinated of ways in some sort of attempt to win a Wii Sports boxing title. I'm not sure if I ultimately emerged victoriously, but if the contest were looking like an idiot, then I surely nabbed a gold medal.
The Los Angeles Convention Center in all its teal glory.
Yesterday afternoon, I headed down to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the video game industry's biggest trade event, the E3 electronics expo — where nerds and businessmen come together in unholy alliance to help each other. Many people may not realize that I love video games, but I do; so every time I get to go to one of these things, I generally nerd out in every possible way. Well, not EVERY possible way. I don't actually stand in line for hours to play demos of Zelda or Halo. But I gawk like none other (until, of course, my weary feet transform my childlike wonder into bitter misanthropy). The point is that I went and took pictures; so here they are.
Next week, the videogame industry holds its annual convention called E3, and after two years of attempting a low-key sort of affair, the organizers have returned to proper form by providing us with a giant, over-the-top experience full of pyrotechnics and flashing lights. I've gone three times in the past, and next week, I'll be heading back again, camera in hand. Excited? Just a tad.
My only problem is that for the past three or four months, I've fallen out of the videogame loop. I'm normally very up on the new releases and gossip, but somehow I've become preoccupied with other fixations (ie. cooking, birds outside my window). So if any of you readers are gamers, let me know what I should be keeping my eyes out for. Also, if any of you are game publishers, feel free to hawk your wares my way. I'm notoriously prone to shilling when given freebies (and similarly prone to bitterness when denied, such as when Konami told me they were "out" of American Idol karaoke games for me to review. How does a publisher RUN OUT of games? I really wanted to unleash my inner Julia Roberts and say "Big mistake. Big. Huge!" but then I realized I didn't have much leverage in that department. Whatever, assholes, you'll regret crossing me!!!)
Anyway, let me know what's up, people. And next week, I'll be sure to have many photos from the geekiest/best thing I do all year.
I know this may be premature, but this new Human Giant-flavored ad campaign by Pepsi may already be my favorite of Super Bowl Sunday. I mean, it's Will Arnett and scallops. How could that not be funny?
Turns out this spot is one of several Pepsi produced and put up on YouTube. I'm not sure which one will air during the big show, but they're all worth taking a look at. Based on this and the three MacGruber-themed ads during Saturday Night Live last night, it seems as though someone in Pepsi's marketing department might actually have a sense of humor...
To check out all the spots, click here.
For fans of Mario Kart 64, this video will be pure bliss for you (even if it is all in French, and even if the sound effects come from a Yoshi cart, not a Mario cart). There's nothing else I can say. It's awesome.
Thanks to J-Unit for the heads up.
Via Jalopnik
In case you haven't seen the commercials, KFC and Guitar Hero are teaming up to help promote each other with a nifty box of Kentucky Fried goodness. I'm hazy about the details, but basically, if you buy KFC, you could be in the running for something awesome like a free Guitar Hero game or something. Read all the details here. In the meantime, if you're interested in starting a cyber band, play with the widget above or make your own. My group's name is She By Shereé. It's all fun times and whatnot. Enjoy!
Dear Mr. a-McCain and Mr. a-Obama,
I'm so mad I could throw a meat-a-ball at you for spending all your a-debate talking about Joe the Plumber. Last time I checked, Joe the Plumber never risked his a-life saving a royal member of the Mushroom Kingdom, and yet all you a-two do is talk about Joe. Joe deserves this. Joe deserves that. You know who's the most deserving plumber? It's a me, Mario!
Eight a-castles I went through, and after almost every a-one of the them, some lady told me I was in the wrong a-one. But did I ever complain? Mamma mia, no! Joe the Plumber though, he's a-complainin' left and right. Let a-me ask you this: Can this a-Joe guy throw fire from his hands? I donna think so. Can this a-Joe guy play every sport in the world, including golf, tennis, baseball, soccer, and several events from the Beijing Olympics? I donna think so. Can this a-Joe guy throw a party so good, they a-call it Joe Party? No, he can't. They don't a-even call him "Super." You a-know why? Because he's a pussy, like my a-brother a-Luigi. Except Luigi actually has balls. And they're shaped like Boo the ghost. It's a-strange.
So here's my a-point, Senators. Next time you a-feel like singling out a member of my profession, make sure it's someone who's stepped on at least one turtle in his life, okay?
Let's a-go!
Mario
Lenny Stals takes a ride in the Mushroom Kingdom
In one of the stranger investigative reports that surfaced this weekend, The Feed writes that Nintendo has banned the name "Hitler" from being used in its online Mario Kart Wii universe, noting that perhaps a ranting, anti-Semitic, fascist mass-murderer might not totally mix with the more affable personalities of Mario, Luigi, and, of course, Toadette. Nevertheless, that didn't stop the good people at G4 from testing the limits of Nintendo's iron fist as they tried to go online with equally, if not more, horrendous dictators and terrorists. Long story short: Pol Pot is a master of the Moo Moo Meadows.
Get the full story here.
And now a moment of inevitability: a video game version of beer pong, creatively titled Beer Pong, is coming to the Wii. I must say I'm quite intrigued, but equally doubtful. Look, if there are two things in this world that I love, it's beer pong and Wii. But together? Seems kind of dubious. After all, isn't half the fun of beer pong... the beer? Yes, throwing balls at cups can be enjoyable, but without booze, it might get tiresome after ten minutes.
Then again, I guess it is possible to drink and play Wii Beer Pong at the same time. The only difference is that you won't have to go chasing after the ball every two seconds. Hmmm... this might not be so bad after all.
Of course, we Dartmouth kids have a whole different (cough, better, cough) conception of beer pong. One that involves paddles and highly involved rules. But that's a discussion for another time and place...
Time to shill again. I've written yet another column for Dipdive, and this one centers on Barack Obama's assertion that videogames shouldn't be raising our children. To that I say PISH-POSH! Videogames can be fine parental substitutions. It's all about finding the right titles. And what titles would those be? Funny you should ask. I have a list of them in the article. Here's the introduction:
Two weeks ago, when Grand Theft Auto IV first hit the shelves, Barack Obama noted that the game would earn “goo-gobs of money” (and yes, that is a scientific term). He also warned that “these video games are raising our kids,” and then went on to say that it was “our” job (not sure if he meant society or just his campaign) to inspire The Kids’ “thirst for knowledge. It’s a noble cause, but as someone whose childhood was shaped by the finer nuances of Pac-Man , Zelda, and the brothers Mario, I took slight umbrage at the suggestion that those of us who partake in pixilated entertainment might somehow contribute to the downfall of society. Granted, gaming nowadays is a bit different than it was in the 80s. Back then, the only learned habits an impressionable youth might come away with would be an unwavering desire to save princesses from apes, turtles, and the occasional fantastical wizard. Needless to say, it was harmless stuff.
The truth is that the youngin’s are always gonna veer towards video games. If Obama wants the next generation to ascend to new academic heights, then maybe he shouldn’t fight the gamers but join them. That’s why I propose a groundbreaking series of games aimed at giving teenagers the visceral thrill of a headshot along with the satisfying rush of The Economist.
Here’s a sampling of what to expect:
Continue reading 'Super Obama Brothers?' »
I could go for less annoying music though.
Award-winning director/producer/writer/mogul Steven Spielberg has set his sights on yet another new endeavor: a videogame for that lovable treasure chest of joy that we call the Nintendo Wii. Up until now, details have been scant, with only the name, Boom Blox, leaking out to the media (I was hoping for something titled Wii Color Purple, but i guess it'll do).
Nevertheless, Spielberg and videogames seem like a match made in heaven. After all, this is the man who brought us nightmarish chills in Jaws; exciting thrills in Jurassic Park; gritty realism in Saving Private Ryan; moving drama in Schindler's List; unmitigated imagination in Minority Report; sweeping adventure in the Indiana Jones saga; and total, unabashed awe in E.T. and Close Encounters.
So with that in mind, behold the first peak at BOOM BLOX!!!!
We've seen Wii bowling, Wii boxing, Wii tennis, Wii baseball, Wii cooking, Wii fishing, and just about any other Wii-gerund you can think of, but none compare to this: WII AGATHA CHRISTIE! I don't know who thought of mixing the titillating joys of this beloved mystery writer with the crowd-pleasing splendors of the Wii, but I say FINALLY. This is probably the very worst idea ever... or the very best. Whatever it is, I may just have to buy it.
Above is the trailer for the game, which tries ever so hard to play like an actual movie trailer, despite the rigid and comical movements of the animations.
According to a British tabloid (and you know how reputable those are), Queen Elizabeth II has become the latest convert to the wonders of the Wii. Allegedly Prince William received the gaming system from his commoner girlfriend, Kate Middleton, and grandma was only too eager to have a go at it. A palace source claims that after a delightful lunch at Sandringham, HM Queen Elizabeth "thought the Nintendo looked tremendous fun and begged to join in." He then added, "GIVE US A KISS, LUV!"
Okay, maybe that last bit didn't happen, but apparently The Queen was a bona-fide whiz with Wii bowling; although, still no word on whether or not she let out a resounding "BOOYAH!" after scoring a turkey. Nevertheless, we know who'll be first in line when Nintendo releases their much anticipated game, Wii Afternoon Tea with Scones.
• Make Way For The Q Wii N [The People via Kotaku]
