Graphics: 4/5 Excite Truck doesn't really have too great of graphics. The game runs amazingly smooth with absolutely no signs of framerate drop ever, but the graphics don't do it. We all know the Wii has no graphical power like the PS3 or 360, but Nintendo can do better.
Sound: 3/5 Terrible. The terrible generic guitaring in this game is simply annoying, and the trucks sound pretty crappy. Good thing there's a sound setting.
Control: 4.5/5 This game really shows the Wii's controlling capabilities again. You turn the Wii-mote sideways, and twist it all around to play the game. It may be strange at first, but it is hella addicting - it's like playing an arcade racing game at home.
Fun: 4.25/5 Excite Truck is really one of the best launch titles for the Wii. Although the game has little depth and most people will complete the game fairly quickly, it is great nonsensical fun. This game is best played only a few races at a time - but it is still fun to even watch, making this a good party game. ( Although multiplayer is only 1-on-1 matches with no A.I. ) Excite Truck should definitely be the game of choice for any little kid getting a Wii, or anybody for that matter, that just wants to have a great new experience.
4.25/5
Friday, December 29, 2006
Game Review ( Wii Sports - Wii )
Graphics: 3.5/5 Nintendo obviously made the graphics like this on purpose, but they really aren't even sharp. The graphics are a little blurry, uninspired, and pretty bland as well as uninteresting.
Control: 4.5/5 Most of the games are spot on controlwise, which really shows off the Wii's reactant speed. If you know how to play the sport, you play it the same way on the Wii, and it's just as effective.
Sound: 3.5/5 The sound is pretty sad. You really can't hear much, and when you do, it's just little rhythms that were put into the game. Nothing terrible, and nothing interesting.
Fun: 4.25/5 Wii Sports is just a great game - and it comes free with your Wii. You can train yourself in each of the five sports ( baseball, boxing, tennis, golf, bowling ) and even find your fitness age. The best games are definitely baseball and bowling, but tennis is also fun. Golf is okay once you get used to the funky controls, but boxing is just aggrivating, since it really doesn't do what you want to when you want to. Overall, Wii Sports is still a great game that can entertain nearly anybody of any age.
4.25/5
Control: 4.5/5 Most of the games are spot on controlwise, which really shows off the Wii's reactant speed. If you know how to play the sport, you play it the same way on the Wii, and it's just as effective.
Sound: 3.5/5 The sound is pretty sad. You really can't hear much, and when you do, it's just little rhythms that were put into the game. Nothing terrible, and nothing interesting.
Fun: 4.25/5 Wii Sports is just a great game - and it comes free with your Wii. You can train yourself in each of the five sports ( baseball, boxing, tennis, golf, bowling ) and even find your fitness age. The best games are definitely baseball and bowling, but tennis is also fun. Golf is okay once you get used to the funky controls, but boxing is just aggrivating, since it really doesn't do what you want to when you want to. Overall, Wii Sports is still a great game that can entertain nearly anybody of any age.
4.25/5
Game Review ( Rainbow Six: Vegas - 360 )
Graphics: 4/5 The graphics of Vegas are good in some areas, not so much in others. For instance, the animations look good, the enviroments for the most part look good, but the overall graphics around those areas are just bland and uninteresting. However, when you play this game in single player, the game looks much better. It's hard to understand - maybe the graphics were downgraded in online play to prevent a lot of lag?
Sound:4.5/5 RSV has some great sound. The guns all sound different, and the frag grenades and bullets can be heard from accross the map. Although there isn't much else to be heard, it sounds great; even the little things are noticed. When you step on paper and glass, the noise is heard.
Control: 4.5/5 This game can be hard to control for beginners, but most FPS fans will learn to play this game quite quickly with little to no hassel at all. What makes Vegas so unique is that you can hide behind walls, as well as lean out to make attacks. Nice.
Fun: 4.75/5 Although the graphics, sound, and control aren't quite perfect, the game damn near is fun-wise. There are several ranks that you can get up by playing a lot of matches to unlock several things including camoflauge, armor, and guns. The maps for the most part are really fun to play, which adds to the experience. But even though the game is called Vegas, few maps are actually inside of a casino, which is kind of depressing. Either way, this game is great. Offline is decent, but online Co-Op is a blast, since you can play with 3 other friends, and the online matches are hugely entertaining. This is one of the finest FPSs you can buy, and it's right on your 360.
4.75/5
Sound:4.5/5 RSV has some great sound. The guns all sound different, and the frag grenades and bullets can be heard from accross the map. Although there isn't much else to be heard, it sounds great; even the little things are noticed. When you step on paper and glass, the noise is heard.
Control: 4.5/5 This game can be hard to control for beginners, but most FPS fans will learn to play this game quite quickly with little to no hassel at all. What makes Vegas so unique is that you can hide behind walls, as well as lean out to make attacks. Nice.
Fun: 4.75/5 Although the graphics, sound, and control aren't quite perfect, the game damn near is fun-wise. There are several ranks that you can get up by playing a lot of matches to unlock several things including camoflauge, armor, and guns. The maps for the most part are really fun to play, which adds to the experience. But even though the game is called Vegas, few maps are actually inside of a casino, which is kind of depressing. Either way, this game is great. Offline is decent, but online Co-Op is a blast, since you can play with 3 other friends, and the online matches are hugely entertaining. This is one of the finest FPSs you can buy, and it's right on your 360.
4.75/5
Friday, December 22, 2006
Game Review ( Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved - 360 Arcade )
Geometry Wars became freakishly popular in Project Gotham 2 for the Xbox, and has been remade and thrown into the 360 arcade. My review.
Graphics: 4.5/5 I can't help but love these graphics. Sure there is nothing much to look at, but the colors look sweet, the explosions look amazing, and the game looks like fireworks galore. This is one part of the game that really draws you in.
Sound: 4/5 There isn't much to be heard. Crappy menu music is annoying, but actually, the in-game sound isn't too terribly bad. Not the game's high point, but it fits the game's style.
Control: 4.5/5 This is a unique way of playing. You use the left analog stick to move, and the right analog stick to shoot and maneuver fire. Unique, and cool.
Fun: 4.5/5 Geometry Wars is really an excellent game from the 360 Arcade. It only costs 400 MSP, and it is a hell of a lot of fun to play. Online multiplayer would be nice, but you can still upload your scores on Xbox Live. Geometry Wars is hard and certainly has a learning curve, but with the low price it costs and the fact that it is so addicting just makes this a game that shouldn't be missed by anyone with a 360.
4.5/5
Graphics: 4.5/5 I can't help but love these graphics. Sure there is nothing much to look at, but the colors look sweet, the explosions look amazing, and the game looks like fireworks galore. This is one part of the game that really draws you in.
Sound: 4/5 There isn't much to be heard. Crappy menu music is annoying, but actually, the in-game sound isn't too terribly bad. Not the game's high point, but it fits the game's style.
Control: 4.5/5 This is a unique way of playing. You use the left analog stick to move, and the right analog stick to shoot and maneuver fire. Unique, and cool.
Fun: 4.5/5 Geometry Wars is really an excellent game from the 360 Arcade. It only costs 400 MSP, and it is a hell of a lot of fun to play. Online multiplayer would be nice, but you can still upload your scores on Xbox Live. Geometry Wars is hard and certainly has a learning curve, but with the low price it costs and the fact that it is so addicting just makes this a game that shouldn't be missed by anyone with a 360.
4.5/5
DVD Review ( The Simpsons: The Complete Ninth Season )
Finally here at last, The Simpsons: Season Nine has been released on DVD! This is one amazing season that features even more great episodes from the series. Here's my review.
----------
[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
[*] The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson: 4.5/5 Barney binge drinks after having to be a designated driver one day at Moe's Tavern. Homer Simpson receives a notice saying that his car is illegally parked in New York, and after driving all the way to New York, finds it parked between the World Trade Centers. With the boot still on his car, he drives him and his family home.
Fly vs. Fly: 4/5 Bart uses a transporter to try to become a "Superfly", but becomes nothing but a tiny house fly.
Easy-Back Coven: 3.5/5 In 1649, Marge gets accused of being a witch; this section reveals supposedly how Halloween first started.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[*] The Cartridge Family: 5/5 Homer takes the family and the crowd riots because the game is so boring. Homer, fearing for his family's safety, decides to purchase a gun. Homer does inappropriate things with the gun, and Marge tells him to throw it away. Not listening, Homer stores it in the refridgerator, and Bart finds it. After Marge moves out with the kids, Homer visits her to tell him he's done with the gun. After Snake holds up the motel, Homer takes out his gun to scare Snake off, and Marge takes the gun away from Homer then throws it away - or so Homer thinks.
Bart Star: 4/5 Since the news believes Springfield's children are getting fat, many parents send their children off to play football. Homer becomes coach and gives Bart special treatment, but who really is the star of the team is Nelson. During a game, the police come to take Nelson away, but Bart claims he is Nelson, letting his team win the championship.
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons: 4/5 At a Springfield bachelor party, Apu gets several dates. Soon, his mom sends an envelope with a lotus flower to indicate it's time for the arranged marriage with Manjula. Apu, no having a wife, lies to his mom and tells her that Marge is his wife. Meanwhile, Homer moves to the retirement home. Marge gets sick of Apu pretending he's her husband, and it is revealed to Apu's mom. The arranged marriage is held in the Simpsons' backyard, and Manjula and Apu get married as planned.
Lisa The Skeptic: 3.5/5 Lisa protests the building of a shopping mall, and digs up what is said to be an angel. The skeleton dissapears and reappears on a hill with a message of the end of the world at sundown. Nothing happens, though, and it is found out to be a set-up by the builders of the new mall.
Realty Bites: 3.5/5 At a prison auction, Homer buys a car that belonged to Snake. Meanwhile, Marge gets a job as a realestate agent with help from Bart and Lisa. Being too honest, she does terribly at her job. With her job on the line, she sells a house to Ned and Maude Flanders that was a murder site without telling them about it. Eventually, Marge tells the truth, the Flanders's don't care, but Homer and Cheif Wiggum crash into the house, ending the episode with the Flanders moving back next door to the Simpsons.
[*]Miracle on Evergreen Terrace: 5/5 Bart, impatient to get his gifts for Christmas, wakes up one morning and burns the tree down accidently. When the family wakes up, he comes up with the lie that a burglar stole the gifts and tree. The townspeople decide to pitch in and help the Simpsons, but after the snow melts, and Bart confesses, everyone finds out Bart is the one who set the thing up, and the townspeople get back at the Simpsons by stealing everything they own.
All Singing, All Dancing: 3/5 The Simpsons flashback to episodes where characters from the show sang songs.
Bart Carny: 4/5 Bart gets a job at a carnival, and meets Cooder and his son. One day when the family was away, Cooder and his son were boarded up inside the Simpson house. Homer makes a deal saying if he can throw a hula hoop onto the chimney, he gets the house back. Homer fakes throwing it onto it, and while Cooder and his son weren't paying attention, darted back in the house and locked the door.
The Joy of Sect: 4/5 Homer joins a religious cult, and soon everyone in town is. Everyone is found of "the Leader" but no one actually knows who he is.
[*] Das Bus: 4.5/5 In this "Lord of the Flies" parody, school kids fall off a bridge and land on an island having to live for themselves. Meanwhile, Homer starts a computer fixing and improving business.
The Last Temptation of Krust: 4/5 Krusty goes on a comedic tour and gets no laughs. Krusty soon meets guys who let him be in commercials for the Canyonero.
[*] The Dumbell Indemnity: 4.5/5 Moe meets a girl, and while on a boat ride, has Homer wreck his old car so he can get money. While in jail for doing so, Moe has to decide whether to bail Homer out, or take his girlfriend Renee to Hawaii.
[*] Lisa the Simpson: 4.5/5 Lisa worries that her days of being smart were numbered and gets worried. Meanwhile, Apu turns the Kwik-E-Mart to the Freak-E-Mart. Homer proves that Lisa won't get stupid by showing that only the men in her family are dimwitted.
[*] This Little Wiggy: 5/5 Marge sets up a "play date" with Ralph for Bart, and they soon become friends. Bart gets the master key from Chief Wiggum, and tries to get into an abandoned prison.
[*] Simpson Tide: 4.5/5 Bart gets an earing to be cool, and Homer gets a job in the Naval Reserve.
[*] Girly Edition: 4.75/5 Bart and Lisa fight to be the better news anchor.
Trash of the Titans: 4/5 Homer allows all garbage to be dumped in Springfield.
[*]King of the Hill: 4.5/5 Homer gets buff thanks to McBain, and Homer is asked to climb the Murderhorn, and does, to impress Bart.
Lost our Lisa: 4/5 Lisa goes to an exhibit and Homer goes out to find her.
Natural Born Kissers: 4.25/5 Homer and Marge try to spice things up after a bad anniversary.
----------
The Simpsons: The Complete Ninth Season is a good season. Not nearly as good as early ones, but still okay. There are a lot of pretty bad episodes, though - more than there are excellent ones.
4/5
----------
[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
[*] The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson: 4.5/5 Barney binge drinks after having to be a designated driver one day at Moe's Tavern. Homer Simpson receives a notice saying that his car is illegally parked in New York, and after driving all the way to New York, finds it parked between the World Trade Centers. With the boot still on his car, he drives him and his family home.
Fly vs. Fly: 4/5 Bart uses a transporter to try to become a "Superfly", but becomes nothing but a tiny house fly.
Easy-Back Coven: 3.5/5 In 1649, Marge gets accused of being a witch; this section reveals supposedly how Halloween first started.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[*] The Cartridge Family: 5/5 Homer takes the family and the crowd riots because the game is so boring. Homer, fearing for his family's safety, decides to purchase a gun. Homer does inappropriate things with the gun, and Marge tells him to throw it away. Not listening, Homer stores it in the refridgerator, and Bart finds it. After Marge moves out with the kids, Homer visits her to tell him he's done with the gun. After Snake holds up the motel, Homer takes out his gun to scare Snake off, and Marge takes the gun away from Homer then throws it away - or so Homer thinks.
Bart Star: 4/5 Since the news believes Springfield's children are getting fat, many parents send their children off to play football. Homer becomes coach and gives Bart special treatment, but who really is the star of the team is Nelson. During a game, the police come to take Nelson away, but Bart claims he is Nelson, letting his team win the championship.
The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons: 4/5 At a Springfield bachelor party, Apu gets several dates. Soon, his mom sends an envelope with a lotus flower to indicate it's time for the arranged marriage with Manjula. Apu, no having a wife, lies to his mom and tells her that Marge is his wife. Meanwhile, Homer moves to the retirement home. Marge gets sick of Apu pretending he's her husband, and it is revealed to Apu's mom. The arranged marriage is held in the Simpsons' backyard, and Manjula and Apu get married as planned.
Lisa The Skeptic: 3.5/5 Lisa protests the building of a shopping mall, and digs up what is said to be an angel. The skeleton dissapears and reappears on a hill with a message of the end of the world at sundown. Nothing happens, though, and it is found out to be a set-up by the builders of the new mall.
Realty Bites: 3.5/5 At a prison auction, Homer buys a car that belonged to Snake. Meanwhile, Marge gets a job as a realestate agent with help from Bart and Lisa. Being too honest, she does terribly at her job. With her job on the line, she sells a house to Ned and Maude Flanders that was a murder site without telling them about it. Eventually, Marge tells the truth, the Flanders's don't care, but Homer and Cheif Wiggum crash into the house, ending the episode with the Flanders moving back next door to the Simpsons.
[*]Miracle on Evergreen Terrace: 5/5 Bart, impatient to get his gifts for Christmas, wakes up one morning and burns the tree down accidently. When the family wakes up, he comes up with the lie that a burglar stole the gifts and tree. The townspeople decide to pitch in and help the Simpsons, but after the snow melts, and Bart confesses, everyone finds out Bart is the one who set the thing up, and the townspeople get back at the Simpsons by stealing everything they own.
All Singing, All Dancing: 3/5 The Simpsons flashback to episodes where characters from the show sang songs.
Bart Carny: 4/5 Bart gets a job at a carnival, and meets Cooder and his son. One day when the family was away, Cooder and his son were boarded up inside the Simpson house. Homer makes a deal saying if he can throw a hula hoop onto the chimney, he gets the house back. Homer fakes throwing it onto it, and while Cooder and his son weren't paying attention, darted back in the house and locked the door.
The Joy of Sect: 4/5 Homer joins a religious cult, and soon everyone in town is. Everyone is found of "the Leader" but no one actually knows who he is.
[*] Das Bus: 4.5/5 In this "Lord of the Flies" parody, school kids fall off a bridge and land on an island having to live for themselves. Meanwhile, Homer starts a computer fixing and improving business.
The Last Temptation of Krust: 4/5 Krusty goes on a comedic tour and gets no laughs. Krusty soon meets guys who let him be in commercials for the Canyonero.
[*] The Dumbell Indemnity: 4.5/5 Moe meets a girl, and while on a boat ride, has Homer wreck his old car so he can get money. While in jail for doing so, Moe has to decide whether to bail Homer out, or take his girlfriend Renee to Hawaii.
[*] Lisa the Simpson: 4.5/5 Lisa worries that her days of being smart were numbered and gets worried. Meanwhile, Apu turns the Kwik-E-Mart to the Freak-E-Mart. Homer proves that Lisa won't get stupid by showing that only the men in her family are dimwitted.
[*] This Little Wiggy: 5/5 Marge sets up a "play date" with Ralph for Bart, and they soon become friends. Bart gets the master key from Chief Wiggum, and tries to get into an abandoned prison.
[*] Simpson Tide: 4.5/5 Bart gets an earing to be cool, and Homer gets a job in the Naval Reserve.
[*] Girly Edition: 4.75/5 Bart and Lisa fight to be the better news anchor.
Trash of the Titans: 4/5 Homer allows all garbage to be dumped in Springfield.
[*]King of the Hill: 4.5/5 Homer gets buff thanks to McBain, and Homer is asked to climb the Murderhorn, and does, to impress Bart.
Lost our Lisa: 4/5 Lisa goes to an exhibit and Homer goes out to find her.
Natural Born Kissers: 4.25/5 Homer and Marge try to spice things up after a bad anniversary.
----------
The Simpsons: The Complete Ninth Season is a good season. Not nearly as good as early ones, but still okay. There are a lot of pretty bad episodes, though - more than there are excellent ones.
4/5
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Game Review ( Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 - 360 Arcade )
I was pretty excited when I saw Mortal Kombat downloadable in the 360 arcade, so I bought it.
Graphics: 3.5/5 What has changed? Nothing. It looks exactly the same as it did.
Sound: 3.5/5 The same sound as well. If you played Mortal Kombat 3, you've heard it here.
Control: 3.5/5 It feels a bit strange on a 360 controller... but not too bad. It's still hard to do some of the combos and fatalities.
Fun: 3.5/5 UMK3 is a fair game. Its best feature is definitely the online play, but a fan of the series will like this game a lot. The most annoying thing though is the A.I. in single player. It will piss you off - I can tell you it will be difficult beating the game. UMK3 is sort of worth the 800 MSP - What keeps this from being mediocre is the fact it has some fun online play.
3.5/5
Graphics: 3.5/5 What has changed? Nothing. It looks exactly the same as it did.
Sound: 3.5/5 The same sound as well. If you played Mortal Kombat 3, you've heard it here.
Control: 3.5/5 It feels a bit strange on a 360 controller... but not too bad. It's still hard to do some of the combos and fatalities.
Fun: 3.5/5 UMK3 is a fair game. Its best feature is definitely the online play, but a fan of the series will like this game a lot. The most annoying thing though is the A.I. in single player. It will piss you off - I can tell you it will be difficult beating the game. UMK3 is sort of worth the 800 MSP - What keeps this from being mediocre is the fact it has some fun online play.
3.5/5
Game Review ( Galaga - 360 Arcade )
I'm sure everyone knows by now that Galaga has been put on the 360 Arcade. Here's my pointless review.
Graphics: 3/5 Sure, they're in HD, but they look almost exactly the same as they did back in the day. There is really no improvement.
Sound: 3.5/5 The same as they used to be. The game sounds like it did in the arcade, there is no change at all here.
Control: 4/5 Controls like it used to - go figure. You can fly your ship left and right by using the D-pad or the left stick. Nothing too bad in this department.
Fun: 4/5 The game is Galaga - it was fun, it is fun. The thing is, not much has changed. You can upload your score to Xbox Live, but that's about the only new feature. No Co-Op, and the only real reason to keep playing is to get on the leaderboard, and keep trying to beat your own high score. All-in-all, at 400 MSP, it's not a bad buy, and anyone would like this game - even though nothing has changed.
4/5
Graphics: 3/5 Sure, they're in HD, but they look almost exactly the same as they did back in the day. There is really no improvement.
Sound: 3.5/5 The same as they used to be. The game sounds like it did in the arcade, there is no change at all here.
Control: 4/5 Controls like it used to - go figure. You can fly your ship left and right by using the D-pad or the left stick. Nothing too bad in this department.
Fun: 4/5 The game is Galaga - it was fun, it is fun. The thing is, not much has changed. You can upload your score to Xbox Live, but that's about the only new feature. No Co-Op, and the only real reason to keep playing is to get on the leaderboard, and keep trying to beat your own high score. All-in-all, at 400 MSP, it's not a bad buy, and anyone would like this game - even though nothing has changed.
4/5
Game Review ( Frogger - 360 Arcade )
Frogger has some-what recently been put onto the 360 Arcade, and is available for download. My review.
Graphics: 2.5/5 They enhanced the graphics from the original version, but instead of looking more cartoony, they added more realistic enviroments; and they look damn bad.
Sound: 3/5 The sound is kept to a minimum. You really only hear some background music, and a few sounds when you die. That's about it.
Control: 3.5/5 You use the D-Pad or left stick to move, and at times it's unresponsive. Sometimes you will jump once and it will jump twice. The controls are pretty frustrating for being so unbelievably simple.
Fun: 3/5 The bottom line is this game is nit-picky. When you return a frog to its home, you have to jump at EXACTLY THE RIGHT MOMENT, or you will lose a life. It really takes away from the fun. Also, you will find yourself accidently over-jumping and to your death. Another thing that drags the game down is that although it does feature online play, there is never anyone on to play with. My recommendation: You might want to stay away from this game unless you're addicted to improving your gamerscore.
3.5/5
Graphics: 2.5/5 They enhanced the graphics from the original version, but instead of looking more cartoony, they added more realistic enviroments; and they look damn bad.
Sound: 3/5 The sound is kept to a minimum. You really only hear some background music, and a few sounds when you die. That's about it.
Control: 3.5/5 You use the D-Pad or left stick to move, and at times it's unresponsive. Sometimes you will jump once and it will jump twice. The controls are pretty frustrating for being so unbelievably simple.
Fun: 3/5 The bottom line is this game is nit-picky. When you return a frog to its home, you have to jump at EXACTLY THE RIGHT MOMENT, or you will lose a life. It really takes away from the fun. Also, you will find yourself accidently over-jumping and to your death. Another thing that drags the game down is that although it does feature online play, there is never anyone on to play with. My recommendation: You might want to stay away from this game unless you're addicted to improving your gamerscore.
3.5/5
Saturday, December 16, 2006
The #1 Game Available For The Wii, PS3, and 360.
Now that all the next generation gaming systems are out, it's time for me to tell you which game I think is the best for each.
Wii: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: This is a no-brainer. Getting raving reviews from launch, this game is the most popular of the rest of the Wii launch titles. Featuring a compelling story, an all-new Hyrule, nice graphics, and by making great use of the Wii remote, this is surely the number one Wii game available right now.
Honorable Mentions: Rayman Raving Rabbids, Madden NFL 07, Excite Truck
PS3: Resistance: Fall of Man: This is also a no-brainer. No PS3 launch title came close to the excellence of Resistance: FoM. Resistance features impressive 20 vs. 20 online matches, nice next generation graphics, and some sweet gameplay.
Honorable Mentions: NHL 2K7, NBA 2K7
360: Gears of War: Gears of War is one hell of a popular game, and it is sure to sell a lot of 360s. Gears of War successes by showing off unbelievable graphics no one has seen on a home console, while also including amazing online play, which feautres 10 maps, as well as co-op mode. For the 360, Gears of War is definitely the game to get.
Honorable Mentions: Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas, Call of Duty 3, Viva Pinata
Wii: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: This is a no-brainer. Getting raving reviews from launch, this game is the most popular of the rest of the Wii launch titles. Featuring a compelling story, an all-new Hyrule, nice graphics, and by making great use of the Wii remote, this is surely the number one Wii game available right now.
Honorable Mentions: Rayman Raving Rabbids, Madden NFL 07, Excite Truck
PS3: Resistance: Fall of Man: This is also a no-brainer. No PS3 launch title came close to the excellence of Resistance: FoM. Resistance features impressive 20 vs. 20 online matches, nice next generation graphics, and some sweet gameplay.
Honorable Mentions: NHL 2K7, NBA 2K7
360: Gears of War: Gears of War is one hell of a popular game, and it is sure to sell a lot of 360s. Gears of War successes by showing off unbelievable graphics no one has seen on a home console, while also including amazing online play, which feautres 10 maps, as well as co-op mode. For the 360, Gears of War is definitely the game to get.
Honorable Mentions: Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas, Call of Duty 3, Viva Pinata
DVD Review ( Friends: Season 5 )
Seasons 3 and 4 of Friends were a bit of a dissapointment for me, and since this show is supposed to be great, there is nowhere for this show to go but up.
----------
[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
The One After Ross Says Rachel: 4/5 Ross tries to get back with Emily; Monica and Chandler try to continue and hide their secret relationship.
[*] The One With All The Kissing: 4.5/5 Chandler kisses everyone before work after kissing Monica; Phoebe gets irritated by the gangs London stories.
The One Hundredth: 4/5 Phoebe gives birth to triplets; Joey gets kidney stones; Rachel tries to get Monica a date.
[*] The One Where Phoebe Hates PBS: 4.5/5 Joey gets a job on PBS; Phoebe tells everyone how much she hates PBS; Monica tells Rachel she's dating someone "un-named" from work.
[*] The One With All The Kips: 4.5/5 Chandler and Monica go on a secret vacation, but tell everyone they have business trips; Ross prepares to tell Rachel that Emily doesn't want Ross to see her anymore.
The One With The Yeti: 4/5 Monica and Rachel mistake a hairy neighbor for a Yeti; Ross gets rid of all the furniture in his apartment.
[*] The One Where Ross Moves In: 4.5/5 Joey and Chandler let Ross move in with them after Ross' relationship with Emily falls apart; Phoebe has a relationship with a health inspector; Rachel is convinced that Danny is using mind games to seduce her.
[*] The One With The Thanksgiving Flashbacks: 5/5 The group remedies about their worst Thanksgivings.
[*] The One With Ross's Sandwich: 4.5/5 Joey gets sick of keeping Monica and Chandler's relationship secret; Ross gets mad at someone at work for eating his turkey sandwich.
The One With The Inappropriate Sister: 4/5 Rachel thinks twice about Danny after noticing he has a strangely close relationship with his sister.
[*]The One With All The Resolutions: 4.5/5 For 1999, each person decides to do something new for the year; Rachel finds out about Monica and Chandler's relationship from Joey.
[*]The One With Chandler's Work Laugh: 4.5/5 Ross goes out with Janice; Monica learns that Chandler acts much different around his boss and has his own "work laugh".
The One With Joey's Bag: 4.25/5 Rachel helps Joey with an acting gig by giving him a "man bag"; Phoebe's grandma dies.
[*]The One Where Everybody Finds Out: 5/5 Phoebe learns about Monica and Chandler's relationship and tries to have them admit it before she does; Ross tries to get Ugly Naked Guy's apartment.
The One With The Girl Who Hits Joey: 4.25/5 Joey dates a girl that abuses him; Ross offends everyone in his apartment building accidently.
[*]The One With The Cop: 4.5/5 Phoebe finds a badge at Central Perk and acts as a police officer; Monica is in one of Joey's dreams; Ross buys a couch but has trouble getting it up the stairs.
[*]The One With Rachel's Inadverent Kiss: 4.5/5 Rachel accidently kisses her boss; Monica tries to prove to Phoebe and her boyfriend that her relationship with Chandler is hotter than Phoebe's and Gary's; Ross meets a girl in his apartment building that Joey was trying to meet first.
The One Where Rachel Smokes: 4/5 Rachel smokes to get more benefits at work; Ben gets offered an audition for a soup commercial.
The One Where Ross Can't Flirt: 4.25/5 Joey gets cut out of Law and Order, but tries to cover it up to his grandma; Ross fails at flirting with the pizza delivery girl.
[*]The One With The Ride Along: 4.5/5 Ross, Joey, and Chandler are invited for a ride along in Gary's under cover cop car.
[*]The One With The Ball: 4.5/5 Ross and Joey throw a ball for 2 hours, but then Chandler and Monica jump in and get to 10 hours; Phoebe learns Gary wants her to move in with him; Rachel buys a "cat".
The One With Joey's Big Break: 4/5 Joey gets a chance in a movie outside of Las Vegas, but doubts his success because of Chandler's unfriendliness.
The One In Vegas (Pt.1): 4/5 Chandler flies to Las Vegas to tell Joey he's sorry; Chandler finds out Monica had lunch with Richard.
[*]The One In Vegas (Pt.2): 4.75/5 Rachel and Ross's pranks get out of control and they get drunk; Chandler makes a bet with Monica - a big bet.
----------
Friends: Season 5 is definitely the best season since season 2, and possibly the best yet. It isn't worth a 5/5, but it has a load of fantastic episodes, and very few bad ones. If there is one season of Friends that really shines in its first five years, i'm sure most people would say season 5.
4.75/5
----------
[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
The One After Ross Says Rachel: 4/5 Ross tries to get back with Emily; Monica and Chandler try to continue and hide their secret relationship.
[*] The One With All The Kissing: 4.5/5 Chandler kisses everyone before work after kissing Monica; Phoebe gets irritated by the gangs London stories.
The One Hundredth: 4/5 Phoebe gives birth to triplets; Joey gets kidney stones; Rachel tries to get Monica a date.
[*] The One Where Phoebe Hates PBS: 4.5/5 Joey gets a job on PBS; Phoebe tells everyone how much she hates PBS; Monica tells Rachel she's dating someone "un-named" from work.
[*] The One With All The Kips: 4.5/5 Chandler and Monica go on a secret vacation, but tell everyone they have business trips; Ross prepares to tell Rachel that Emily doesn't want Ross to see her anymore.
The One With The Yeti: 4/5 Monica and Rachel mistake a hairy neighbor for a Yeti; Ross gets rid of all the furniture in his apartment.
[*] The One Where Ross Moves In: 4.5/5 Joey and Chandler let Ross move in with them after Ross' relationship with Emily falls apart; Phoebe has a relationship with a health inspector; Rachel is convinced that Danny is using mind games to seduce her.
[*] The One With The Thanksgiving Flashbacks: 5/5 The group remedies about their worst Thanksgivings.
[*] The One With Ross's Sandwich: 4.5/5 Joey gets sick of keeping Monica and Chandler's relationship secret; Ross gets mad at someone at work for eating his turkey sandwich.
The One With The Inappropriate Sister: 4/5 Rachel thinks twice about Danny after noticing he has a strangely close relationship with his sister.
[*]The One With All The Resolutions: 4.5/5 For 1999, each person decides to do something new for the year; Rachel finds out about Monica and Chandler's relationship from Joey.
[*]The One With Chandler's Work Laugh: 4.5/5 Ross goes out with Janice; Monica learns that Chandler acts much different around his boss and has his own "work laugh".
The One With Joey's Bag: 4.25/5 Rachel helps Joey with an acting gig by giving him a "man bag"; Phoebe's grandma dies.
[*]The One Where Everybody Finds Out: 5/5 Phoebe learns about Monica and Chandler's relationship and tries to have them admit it before she does; Ross tries to get Ugly Naked Guy's apartment.
The One With The Girl Who Hits Joey: 4.25/5 Joey dates a girl that abuses him; Ross offends everyone in his apartment building accidently.
[*]The One With The Cop: 4.5/5 Phoebe finds a badge at Central Perk and acts as a police officer; Monica is in one of Joey's dreams; Ross buys a couch but has trouble getting it up the stairs.
[*]The One With Rachel's Inadverent Kiss: 4.5/5 Rachel accidently kisses her boss; Monica tries to prove to Phoebe and her boyfriend that her relationship with Chandler is hotter than Phoebe's and Gary's; Ross meets a girl in his apartment building that Joey was trying to meet first.
The One Where Rachel Smokes: 4/5 Rachel smokes to get more benefits at work; Ben gets offered an audition for a soup commercial.
The One Where Ross Can't Flirt: 4.25/5 Joey gets cut out of Law and Order, but tries to cover it up to his grandma; Ross fails at flirting with the pizza delivery girl.
[*]The One With The Ride Along: 4.5/5 Ross, Joey, and Chandler are invited for a ride along in Gary's under cover cop car.
[*]The One With The Ball: 4.5/5 Ross and Joey throw a ball for 2 hours, but then Chandler and Monica jump in and get to 10 hours; Phoebe learns Gary wants her to move in with him; Rachel buys a "cat".
The One With Joey's Big Break: 4/5 Joey gets a chance in a movie outside of Las Vegas, but doubts his success because of Chandler's unfriendliness.
The One In Vegas (Pt.1): 4/5 Chandler flies to Las Vegas to tell Joey he's sorry; Chandler finds out Monica had lunch with Richard.
[*]The One In Vegas (Pt.2): 4.75/5 Rachel and Ross's pranks get out of control and they get drunk; Chandler makes a bet with Monica - a big bet.
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Friends: Season 5 is definitely the best season since season 2, and possibly the best yet. It isn't worth a 5/5, but it has a load of fantastic episodes, and very few bad ones. If there is one season of Friends that really shines in its first five years, i'm sure most people would say season 5.
4.75/5
Thursday, December 14, 2006
iHome Boombox Vs. iLive Boombox
If you haven't read my reviews yet for the iHome and iLive boomboxes ( search internet for the pictures of the ones I reviewed ) then this is the place to start. Here's my review of both boomboxes; squaring off to see which is the better deal.
iHome Cost: Roughly $179 normal price ( Got mine for $75 )
iLive Cost: Rouch $129 normal price ( Got mine for $65 )
The iHome is better than the iLive because: Weighs less, has a handle unlike the iLive, better made, speakers are a bit clearer, better radio reception, no antenna, much better backlit screen ( easier to read), much better remote control, and it's smaller.
The iLive is better than the iHome because: It costs less, has FM and AM radio, has the ability to play CDs, looks better.
As you can see, the iHome is MUCH better than the iLive. The iLive has the CD player, but who needs a CD player when someone has an iPod? What's the point of the CDs? The iLive also has the AM radio, but who listens to AM radio anyways? Nobody really listens to ANY radio station now-a-days whether it be AM or FM! Also, the iLive may look better, but the iHome is a very simple design, it's very lightweight, and made much better. Probably the biggest problems I encountered with the iLive were probably when the radio just randomly quit working, and the remote that came with it rarely worked; I had to keep pressing the button on the controller to make it work. However, on the iHome, the remote control was quick to respond with the boombox, and it worked quickly and clearly every time.
It isn't right really comparing these two boomboxes giving that they have quite a big margin in price difference, but for the slim $50 ( or however much more you buy it for ) more spent on the iHome, you get a MUCH better boombox overall. If you can't decide which to buy someone you know ( or even yourself ) definitely get the iHome over the iLive boombox.
iHome Review: 5/5
iLive Review: 3.5/5
iHome Cost: Roughly $179 normal price ( Got mine for $75 )
iLive Cost: Rouch $129 normal price ( Got mine for $65 )
The iHome is better than the iLive because: Weighs less, has a handle unlike the iLive, better made, speakers are a bit clearer, better radio reception, no antenna, much better backlit screen ( easier to read), much better remote control, and it's smaller.
The iLive is better than the iHome because: It costs less, has FM and AM radio, has the ability to play CDs, looks better.
As you can see, the iHome is MUCH better than the iLive. The iLive has the CD player, but who needs a CD player when someone has an iPod? What's the point of the CDs? The iLive also has the AM radio, but who listens to AM radio anyways? Nobody really listens to ANY radio station now-a-days whether it be AM or FM! Also, the iLive may look better, but the iHome is a very simple design, it's very lightweight, and made much better. Probably the biggest problems I encountered with the iLive were probably when the radio just randomly quit working, and the remote that came with it rarely worked; I had to keep pressing the button on the controller to make it work. However, on the iHome, the remote control was quick to respond with the boombox, and it worked quickly and clearly every time.
It isn't right really comparing these two boomboxes giving that they have quite a big margin in price difference, but for the slim $50 ( or however much more you buy it for ) more spent on the iHome, you get a MUCH better boombox overall. If you can't decide which to buy someone you know ( or even yourself ) definitely get the iHome over the iLive boombox.
iHome Review: 5/5
iLive Review: 3.5/5
Hardware Review ( iHome Boombox iH30/31 )
The iHome Boombox ( Style H30/H31 ) is one hell of a boombox. Its normal price is about $180 but I got it for an amazing price of only $75 at Kohls.
The quality of the speakers is pretty good. It has decent bass, and you can hear the music well, and this baby gets LOUD. But, much like the other boombox I reviewed, there is distorting noise in the background from the speakers. Not terribly annoying, but it's there.
There is also an FM radio on this boombox. The reception is great, and it doesn't even have an antenna. It does take a few seconds to read the signals, but once the station is in, it almost always sounds great.
The look of the iHome Boombox is what I'd call different. It's a pretty plain design, but it does look a lot better in black. There are two round speakers, and there is a case that you put your iPod behind in the middle. It looks, to me, more girl-ish, but it is pretty good looking I guess.
Overall, this is one AMAZING boombox for your iPod. It has good sound, it was for me a freakishly good deal, the remote control that comes with it works very well and is very responsive for the most part. This had to be the best overall boombox out there for the daily iPod user.
5/5
The quality of the speakers is pretty good. It has decent bass, and you can hear the music well, and this baby gets LOUD. But, much like the other boombox I reviewed, there is distorting noise in the background from the speakers. Not terribly annoying, but it's there.
There is also an FM radio on this boombox. The reception is great, and it doesn't even have an antenna. It does take a few seconds to read the signals, but once the station is in, it almost always sounds great.
The look of the iHome Boombox is what I'd call different. It's a pretty plain design, but it does look a lot better in black. There are two round speakers, and there is a case that you put your iPod behind in the middle. It looks, to me, more girl-ish, but it is pretty good looking I guess.
Overall, this is one AMAZING boombox for your iPod. It has good sound, it was for me a freakishly good deal, the remote control that comes with it works very well and is very responsive for the most part. This had to be the best overall boombox out there for the daily iPod user.
5/5
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Hardware Review ( iLive Boombox )
I was at Kohls and I saw this on sale for $60 ( originally priced at $120. ) For an early Birthday present, I got this.
The iLive Boombox comes in two colors black and white, and both feature: FM/AM Radio, side subwoofers, ability to listen to CDs, iPod mini/nano/stands, iPod shuffle output, and more.
The sound quality of the iLive Boombox is OKAY. When you put your iPod in and listen to the music there is a little bit of slight background noise, almost like static, when you play any song at any volume. It's not too terribly annoying, and at $60, the quality is damn good. Also, you can turn the bass up a fair amount ( not much, but a little bit. ) The volume can also BLAST out of this thing, so loud I'd get cops coming to my door if I had it up all the way.
I do have problems with it, though. For one thing, the blue back-lit screen is HARD HARD HARD to read unless you are looking directly at it, and the FM/AM Radio tuner on my iLive Boombox only detects one radio station. Even when I keep changing radio stations, it still only detects the one. It was working fine at first, but then quit out. I don't know if this is common, but it doesn't really matter. No one would buy this thing for the radio.
There is also another problem I have. The remote control is very unresponsive to the boombox, and 60% of the time won't even read what button I'm pressing so I'll have to press it numerous times. Very annoying. The last tiny problem I have is with the remote itself. The remote is rounded on the top, and flat on the bottom. For me, it just gets me confused and I sometimes hold the controller upside down. That's a minor problem, though, when compared to the other flaws.
All-in-all, the iLive Boombox is just SOMEWHAT worth the price. If you see this at $120 and consider buying it - think twice... it's really not at all worth it... but at the price of $60, the iLive boombox may seem more appealing. It looks great, works decently, and is pretty sturdy.
3.5/5
The iLive Boombox comes in two colors black and white, and both feature: FM/AM Radio, side subwoofers, ability to listen to CDs, iPod mini/nano/stands, iPod shuffle output, and more.
The sound quality of the iLive Boombox is OKAY. When you put your iPod in and listen to the music there is a little bit of slight background noise, almost like static, when you play any song at any volume. It's not too terribly annoying, and at $60, the quality is damn good. Also, you can turn the bass up a fair amount ( not much, but a little bit. ) The volume can also BLAST out of this thing, so loud I'd get cops coming to my door if I had it up all the way.
I do have problems with it, though. For one thing, the blue back-lit screen is HARD HARD HARD to read unless you are looking directly at it, and the FM/AM Radio tuner on my iLive Boombox only detects one radio station. Even when I keep changing radio stations, it still only detects the one. It was working fine at first, but then quit out. I don't know if this is common, but it doesn't really matter. No one would buy this thing for the radio.
There is also another problem I have. The remote control is very unresponsive to the boombox, and 60% of the time won't even read what button I'm pressing so I'll have to press it numerous times. Very annoying. The last tiny problem I have is with the remote itself. The remote is rounded on the top, and flat on the bottom. For me, it just gets me confused and I sometimes hold the controller upside down. That's a minor problem, though, when compared to the other flaws.
All-in-all, the iLive Boombox is just SOMEWHAT worth the price. If you see this at $120 and consider buying it - think twice... it's really not at all worth it... but at the price of $60, the iLive boombox may seem more appealing. It looks great, works decently, and is pretty sturdy.
3.5/5
Friday, December 08, 2006
DVD Review ( Friends: Season 4 )
Friends: Season 3 wasn't a very good season, in my opinion. It had some good episodes, but overall, it was dissapointing. I'm hoping Friends: Season 4 will be a little bit better.
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[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
The One With The Jellyfish: 4/5 Monica is stung by a jellyfish and Chandler helps her; Ross and Rachel almost go back out.
The One With The Cat: 4/5 Phoebe finds a cat that she believes has her mom's spirit; Joey and Chandler get robbed.
The One With The Cuffs: 3.5/5 Chandler tries to break up with Joanna but she doesn't understand; Monica loses a nail in a dish of food.
[*]The One With The Ballroom Dancing: 4.5/5 Joey dances to keep Rachel and Monica from being evicted; Chandler tries to "quit the gym".
The One With Joey's New Girlfriend: 4/5 Chandler hits on a girl that he doesn't know is Joey's girlfriend.
The One With The Dirty Girl: 4/5 Ross finds out his girlfriend doesn't clean her house; Chandler buys a present for Kathy.
[*]The One Where Chandler Crosses The Line: 4.5/5 Chandler has to choose between his best friend and his girlfriend.
[*]The One With Chandler In A Box: 4.5/5 Chandler stays in a shipping box; Monica invites Richard's son to her Thanksgiving dinner.
The One Where They're Going To Party: 4/5 "Gandolf" says he'll pary with Ross and Chandler, but then bails out, so they have a party with Joey; Monica choses between being partners with Phoebe or being a chef.
The One With The Girl From Poughkeepsie: 4/5 Chandler sets up Rachel with a guy he works with; Monica hires Joey just to fire him to get more respect at work.
[*]The One With Phoebe's Uterus: 4.5/5 Phoebe agrees to carry her brother's baby; Chandler asks for help on women; Joey gets a job at Ross' museum.
[*] The One With The Embryos: 4.5/5 Phoebe gets pregnant; Ross creates a game that determines Chandler and Joey giving up their rooster and duck if they lose, or Monica and Rachel giving up their apartment if they lose. Watch the episode to see what happens.
The One With Rachel's Crush: 4/5 Rachel gets a crush on a customer; Chandler doesn't like that his girlfriend simulates sex on stage; Monica tells everyone she has to be the hostess.
The One With Joey's Dirty Day: 4/5 Joey doesn't have time to take a shower after a fishing trip; Rachel sets up Ross and Emily; The girls take Chandler to a strip club.
The One With All The Rugby: 4/5 Ross tries to impress his girlfriend by playing rugby; Chandler runs into Janice and tries to avoid her.
The One With The Fake Party: 4/5 Rachel throws a fake party; Phoebe craves meat.
[*] The One With The Free Porn: 5/5 Chandler and Joey discover a porn channel and leave it on 24/7 so they don't somehow lose the channel; Phoebe reveals she has triplets; Monica helps Ross come out and say he loves Emily.
[*] The One With Rachel's New Dress: 4.5/5 Phoebe can't choose to name one of the triplets Joey or Chandler; Rachel discovers Joshua is afraid of farm animals; Rachel is caught in lingerie at Joshua's parent's house.
[*] The One With All The Haste: 4.5/5 Monica and Rachel switch apartments with Joey and Chandler again after they give tickets to Joey and Chandler to a Knicks game; Ross asks Emily to marry him; Rachel pretends she doesn't care Ross and Emily are getting married.
The One With The Wedding Dresses: 4/5 Monica wears Emily's wedding dress; Chandler takes Joey to a sleeping clinic.
[*]The One With The Invitations: 4.5/5 Ross invites Rachel to the wedding, but she decides not to go. This is a somewhat flashback-y episode.
The One With The Worst Best Man Ever: 4/5 Joey loses his wedding ring as the best man; Phoebe gets a baby shower.
[*]The One With Ross's Wedding: 4.5/5 The gang goes to London for Ross's wedding, and a lot of stuff happens there.
Season 4 is much like Season 3. It features a quite a few boring episodes, but it also has some excellent episodes. Episodes near the end of the season are what makes this season a bit better than season 3, but Friends: Season 4 is a bit of a dissapointment.
4/5
----------
[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
The One With The Jellyfish: 4/5 Monica is stung by a jellyfish and Chandler helps her; Ross and Rachel almost go back out.
The One With The Cat: 4/5 Phoebe finds a cat that she believes has her mom's spirit; Joey and Chandler get robbed.
The One With The Cuffs: 3.5/5 Chandler tries to break up with Joanna but she doesn't understand; Monica loses a nail in a dish of food.
[*]The One With The Ballroom Dancing: 4.5/5 Joey dances to keep Rachel and Monica from being evicted; Chandler tries to "quit the gym".
The One With Joey's New Girlfriend: 4/5 Chandler hits on a girl that he doesn't know is Joey's girlfriend.
The One With The Dirty Girl: 4/5 Ross finds out his girlfriend doesn't clean her house; Chandler buys a present for Kathy.
[*]The One Where Chandler Crosses The Line: 4.5/5 Chandler has to choose between his best friend and his girlfriend.
[*]The One With Chandler In A Box: 4.5/5 Chandler stays in a shipping box; Monica invites Richard's son to her Thanksgiving dinner.
The One Where They're Going To Party: 4/5 "Gandolf" says he'll pary with Ross and Chandler, but then bails out, so they have a party with Joey; Monica choses between being partners with Phoebe or being a chef.
The One With The Girl From Poughkeepsie: 4/5 Chandler sets up Rachel with a guy he works with; Monica hires Joey just to fire him to get more respect at work.
[*]The One With Phoebe's Uterus: 4.5/5 Phoebe agrees to carry her brother's baby; Chandler asks for help on women; Joey gets a job at Ross' museum.
[*] The One With The Embryos: 4.5/5 Phoebe gets pregnant; Ross creates a game that determines Chandler and Joey giving up their rooster and duck if they lose, or Monica and Rachel giving up their apartment if they lose. Watch the episode to see what happens.
The One With Rachel's Crush: 4/5 Rachel gets a crush on a customer; Chandler doesn't like that his girlfriend simulates sex on stage; Monica tells everyone she has to be the hostess.
The One With Joey's Dirty Day: 4/5 Joey doesn't have time to take a shower after a fishing trip; Rachel sets up Ross and Emily; The girls take Chandler to a strip club.
The One With All The Rugby: 4/5 Ross tries to impress his girlfriend by playing rugby; Chandler runs into Janice and tries to avoid her.
The One With The Fake Party: 4/5 Rachel throws a fake party; Phoebe craves meat.
[*] The One With The Free Porn: 5/5 Chandler and Joey discover a porn channel and leave it on 24/7 so they don't somehow lose the channel; Phoebe reveals she has triplets; Monica helps Ross come out and say he loves Emily.
[*] The One With Rachel's New Dress: 4.5/5 Phoebe can't choose to name one of the triplets Joey or Chandler; Rachel discovers Joshua is afraid of farm animals; Rachel is caught in lingerie at Joshua's parent's house.
[*] The One With All The Haste: 4.5/5 Monica and Rachel switch apartments with Joey and Chandler again after they give tickets to Joey and Chandler to a Knicks game; Ross asks Emily to marry him; Rachel pretends she doesn't care Ross and Emily are getting married.
The One With The Wedding Dresses: 4/5 Monica wears Emily's wedding dress; Chandler takes Joey to a sleeping clinic.
[*]The One With The Invitations: 4.5/5 Ross invites Rachel to the wedding, but she decides not to go. This is a somewhat flashback-y episode.
The One With The Worst Best Man Ever: 4/5 Joey loses his wedding ring as the best man; Phoebe gets a baby shower.
[*]The One With Ross's Wedding: 4.5/5 The gang goes to London for Ross's wedding, and a lot of stuff happens there.
Season 4 is much like Season 3. It features a quite a few boring episodes, but it also has some excellent episodes. Episodes near the end of the season are what makes this season a bit better than season 3, but Friends: Season 4 is a bit of a dissapointment.
4/5
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Wii Launch Review
THE CONSOLE
As everyone knows, most of the Wii games are controlled by use of the very innovative controller. The unofficially named "Wiimote" is held in your right hand ( Or left, doesn't matter ) while the "Nunchuk" is held in your left. ( Or right. ) You control what's on screen by doing movements with your hands.
Other things worth noting about the Wii is that it is completely backwards compatible with the Game Cube. On top of the Wii there are 2 memory card slots, 4 Game Cube controller slots, and the tray for the Game Cube games. Nintendo has also finally joined the Online race by offering a free online service, with the ability to purchase games via its Virtual Console, where you can download any NES, SNES, N64, Sega, etc. games available online. Also, the Wii features Wii Sports, which lets you play Baseball, Bowling, Tennis, Boxing, and Golf.
THE LAUNCH
The Nintendo Wii launched in North America on November 19th, 2006 ath the price of $249.99. In its first 8 days of release, Nintendo has already sold 600,000 consoles. ( About 200,000 more than the PS3 as of now 12-7-06 ). The games that came out during launch and shortly thereafter for the most part didn't get raving reviews, except of course The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Although the Wii didn't have many "must have" launch titles, Nintendo has already confirmed Super Smash Bros.: Brawl to be released sometime in 2007. Also, Mario Kart is also highly likely, seeing how Nintendo has released a version of it on every console and handheld ( excluding Gameboy Color ) since the Super Nintendo.
Overall, the Wii launch was a good one. Although there were shortages, ( Like there usually is during a console launch ) Nintendo had quite a few Wii's for quite a few consumers compared to the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 launches. The Wii is definitely a great console that had a nice launch compared to most companies. Nice job, Nintendo.
4/5 Launch
As everyone knows, most of the Wii games are controlled by use of the very innovative controller. The unofficially named "Wiimote" is held in your right hand ( Or left, doesn't matter ) while the "Nunchuk" is held in your left. ( Or right. ) You control what's on screen by doing movements with your hands.
Other things worth noting about the Wii is that it is completely backwards compatible with the Game Cube. On top of the Wii there are 2 memory card slots, 4 Game Cube controller slots, and the tray for the Game Cube games. Nintendo has also finally joined the Online race by offering a free online service, with the ability to purchase games via its Virtual Console, where you can download any NES, SNES, N64, Sega, etc. games available online. Also, the Wii features Wii Sports, which lets you play Baseball, Bowling, Tennis, Boxing, and Golf.
THE LAUNCH
The Nintendo Wii launched in North America on November 19th, 2006 ath the price of $249.99. In its first 8 days of release, Nintendo has already sold 600,000 consoles. ( About 200,000 more than the PS3 as of now 12-7-06 ). The games that came out during launch and shortly thereafter for the most part didn't get raving reviews, except of course The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Although the Wii didn't have many "must have" launch titles, Nintendo has already confirmed Super Smash Bros.: Brawl to be released sometime in 2007. Also, Mario Kart is also highly likely, seeing how Nintendo has released a version of it on every console and handheld ( excluding Gameboy Color ) since the Super Nintendo.
Overall, the Wii launch was a good one. Although there were shortages, ( Like there usually is during a console launch ) Nintendo had quite a few Wii's for quite a few consumers compared to the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 launches. The Wii is definitely a great console that had a nice launch compared to most companies. Nice job, Nintendo.
4/5 Launch
Monday, December 04, 2006
DVD Review ( Friends: Season 3 )
Friends: Seasons 1 and 2 were really good seasons, and season 3 is just as good.
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[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
The One With The Princess Leia Fantasy: 4/5 Monica tries to get over Richard; Rachel pursues Ross' fantasy.
The One Where No One Is Ready: 4/5 Ross has to wait for everyone to get dressed for an important night at the museum.
The One With The Jam: 4/5 Monica makes jam to get over Richard; Joey injures his arm; Phoebe dates her sister's stalker.
The One With The Metaphorical Tunnel: 4/5 Chandler scares Janice to show his commitment; Phoebe pretends to be Chandler's agent; Ben plays with a Barbie.
The One With Frank Jr.: 4/5 Phoebe attempts to learn more about her half-brother; Joey tries home improvement; Ross makes a "freebie" list.
[*]The One With The Flashback: 4.5/5 A flashback 3 years to the past and where the gang was.
[*]The One With The Racecar Bed: 4.5/5 Monica gets the wrong bed; Joey catches Janice kissing her ex-Husband; Joey teaches an "Acting for Soap Opera" class.
The One With The Giant Poking Device: 4/5 The gang makes a chopstick poking device to poke the Ugly Naked Guy to see if he is dead or alive; Phoebe is scared of going to the dentist; Monica bangs Ben's head.
[*]The One With The Football: 5/5 Monica and Ross get competetive in a game of football when the gang goes to the park to play on Thanksgiving.
[*]The One Where Rachel Quits: 4.5/5 Joey sells Christmas trees; Rachel quits from Central Perk; Ross breaks a little girls' leg.
The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister: 4/5 Rachel gets a job interview; Monica has a noisy neighbor; Chandler gets drunk and doesn't remember which one of Joey's sister he screwed.
The One With All The Jealousy: 4/5 Ross gets suspicious of Rachel and Mark; Monica dates a man with unflattering poetry.
[*]The One Where Monica And Richard Are Just Friends: 5/5 Monica and Richard become friends; Rachel and Joey read eachother's favorite book; A man teaching Phoebe how to play sports has his nuts exposed.
The One With Phoebe's Ex-Partner: 4/5 Chandler dates a woman with a wooden leg; Phoebe's singing partner wants to get back with her.
[*]The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break: 4.5/5 Rachel and Ross "take a break" because of Ross' jealousy.
The One The Morning After: 4/5 Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey hide in a room while Ross and Rachel fight; Ross sleeps with the girl from the copy place.
[*]The One Without The Ski Trip: 4.5/5 Chandler starts smoking again; Rachel invites everyone but Ross to go skiing.
The One With The Hypnosis Tape: 4/5 Chandler tries to quit smoking; Monica meets a millionaire; Frank tells Phoebe he plans on marrying a 44 year old.
[*]The One With The Tiny T-Shirt: 4.5/5 Ross demands Rachel gives the stuff he gave her back.
The One With The Dollhouse: 4/5 Monica gets a dollhouse from her dead aunt; Rachel tries to get Chandler to dump her boss.
[*]The One With The Chick And A Duck: 4.5/5 Chandler and Joey adopt a baby chick; Ross helps Rachel.
The One With The Screamer: 4/5 Rachel dates a guy that screams a lot; Phoebe is on hold on the phone.
The One Will Ross's Thing: 4/5 Ross discovers an abnormality on his skin.
The One With The Ultimate Fighting Champion: 5/5 Chandler has a boss that greets him strangely; Monica's "boyfriend", Pete, attempts to be the Ultimate Fighting Champion.
[*]The One At The Beach: 4.5/5 The gang goes to a beach house so Phoebe can meet her Mom and Dad's friend; They play Strip Happy Days; Ross and Rachel have feelings for eachother again.
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Season 3 of Friends is, overall, an OKAY season. It has some really great episodes, and some surprising guest stars, such as: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Elizabeth Daily, ( Voice of Tommy Pickles on the kid's show Rugrats ) and more. Friends: Season 3 is certainly not the best season of Friends, but is has some really great episodes. A season not terrible, not great, but worth buying for sure.
4/5
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[*] Indicates a "Season Great"
The One With The Princess Leia Fantasy: 4/5 Monica tries to get over Richard; Rachel pursues Ross' fantasy.
The One Where No One Is Ready: 4/5 Ross has to wait for everyone to get dressed for an important night at the museum.
The One With The Jam: 4/5 Monica makes jam to get over Richard; Joey injures his arm; Phoebe dates her sister's stalker.
The One With The Metaphorical Tunnel: 4/5 Chandler scares Janice to show his commitment; Phoebe pretends to be Chandler's agent; Ben plays with a Barbie.
The One With Frank Jr.: 4/5 Phoebe attempts to learn more about her half-brother; Joey tries home improvement; Ross makes a "freebie" list.
[*]The One With The Flashback: 4.5/5 A flashback 3 years to the past and where the gang was.
[*]The One With The Racecar Bed: 4.5/5 Monica gets the wrong bed; Joey catches Janice kissing her ex-Husband; Joey teaches an "Acting for Soap Opera" class.
The One With The Giant Poking Device: 4/5 The gang makes a chopstick poking device to poke the Ugly Naked Guy to see if he is dead or alive; Phoebe is scared of going to the dentist; Monica bangs Ben's head.
[*]The One With The Football: 5/5 Monica and Ross get competetive in a game of football when the gang goes to the park to play on Thanksgiving.
[*]The One Where Rachel Quits: 4.5/5 Joey sells Christmas trees; Rachel quits from Central Perk; Ross breaks a little girls' leg.
The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister: 4/5 Rachel gets a job interview; Monica has a noisy neighbor; Chandler gets drunk and doesn't remember which one of Joey's sister he screwed.
The One With All The Jealousy: 4/5 Ross gets suspicious of Rachel and Mark; Monica dates a man with unflattering poetry.
[*]The One Where Monica And Richard Are Just Friends: 5/5 Monica and Richard become friends; Rachel and Joey read eachother's favorite book; A man teaching Phoebe how to play sports has his nuts exposed.
The One With Phoebe's Ex-Partner: 4/5 Chandler dates a woman with a wooden leg; Phoebe's singing partner wants to get back with her.
[*]The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break: 4.5/5 Rachel and Ross "take a break" because of Ross' jealousy.
The One The Morning After: 4/5 Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey hide in a room while Ross and Rachel fight; Ross sleeps with the girl from the copy place.
[*]The One Without The Ski Trip: 4.5/5 Chandler starts smoking again; Rachel invites everyone but Ross to go skiing.
The One With The Hypnosis Tape: 4/5 Chandler tries to quit smoking; Monica meets a millionaire; Frank tells Phoebe he plans on marrying a 44 year old.
[*]The One With The Tiny T-Shirt: 4.5/5 Ross demands Rachel gives the stuff he gave her back.
The One With The Dollhouse: 4/5 Monica gets a dollhouse from her dead aunt; Rachel tries to get Chandler to dump her boss.
[*]The One With The Chick And A Duck: 4.5/5 Chandler and Joey adopt a baby chick; Ross helps Rachel.
The One With The Screamer: 4/5 Rachel dates a guy that screams a lot; Phoebe is on hold on the phone.
The One Will Ross's Thing: 4/5 Ross discovers an abnormality on his skin.
The One With The Ultimate Fighting Champion: 5/5 Chandler has a boss that greets him strangely; Monica's "boyfriend", Pete, attempts to be the Ultimate Fighting Champion.
[*]The One At The Beach: 4.5/5 The gang goes to a beach house so Phoebe can meet her Mom and Dad's friend; They play Strip Happy Days; Ross and Rachel have feelings for eachother again.
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Season 3 of Friends is, overall, an OKAY season. It has some really great episodes, and some surprising guest stars, such as: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Elizabeth Daily, ( Voice of Tommy Pickles on the kid's show Rugrats ) and more. Friends: Season 3 is certainly not the best season of Friends, but is has some really great episodes. A season not terrible, not great, but worth buying for sure.
4/5
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Game Review ( Big Bumpin' - Xbox / 360 )
This is one of the three games available at Burger King from November 19th to December 24th. They cost $3.99 with the purchase of any value meal. The game comes in an Xbox 360 style box, and includes a free 48 Hour trial for Xbox Live.
Graphics: 4/5 The graphics yet again look great for such a low budget game. The reflections look good, and the arenas do too.
Sound: 4/5 The music is surprisingly decent for having little sound. The in-game bumper car sound is nice, and the arena music is pretty good. The announcer is annoying, though, since he constantly repeats himself.
Control: 4/5 There is nothing to complain about with the controls. Just move around, and use boost (A). This is a damn simple game to control. Anybody can play it.
Fun: 4/5 Offline, this game is just about mediocre. The TERRIBLE A.I. makes a not-so-good game even worse, and it just isn't very fun, but online with people that actually make use of their headset, it's a blast. The best game mode in this game online is definitely hockey, which is very fun. The price of this game makes it even more worth buying. Definitely buy this game if you wanted to try out any of the 3 BK games. This one is definitely the best. Although some people don't talk in the online matches, when people do, it makes this game very fun. You won't be playing it for a long time, but you will play it for about a week.
4/5
Graphics: 4/5 The graphics yet again look great for such a low budget game. The reflections look good, and the arenas do too.
Sound: 4/5 The music is surprisingly decent for having little sound. The in-game bumper car sound is nice, and the arena music is pretty good. The announcer is annoying, though, since he constantly repeats himself.
Control: 4/5 There is nothing to complain about with the controls. Just move around, and use boost (A). This is a damn simple game to control. Anybody can play it.
Fun: 4/5 Offline, this game is just about mediocre. The TERRIBLE A.I. makes a not-so-good game even worse, and it just isn't very fun, but online with people that actually make use of their headset, it's a blast. The best game mode in this game online is definitely hockey, which is very fun. The price of this game makes it even more worth buying. Definitely buy this game if you wanted to try out any of the 3 BK games. This one is definitely the best. Although some people don't talk in the online matches, when people do, it makes this game very fun. You won't be playing it for a long time, but you will play it for about a week.
4/5
Game Review ( Pocket Bike Racer - Xbox / 360 )
This is one of the three games available at Burger King from November 19th to December 24th. They cost $3.99 with the purchase of any value meal. The game comes in an Xbox 360 style box, and includes a free 48 Hour trial for Xbox Live.
Graphics: 4/5 For what it is, its low budget, and its cheap price, the graphics I guess you could say look very good. The character models look pretty decent, and the enviroments look fair. The framerate holds up very well offline, and damn good online for the most part.
Sound: 3.5/5 Not much to experience. There are some taunts you can use when you're racing, you can hear the pocket bikes racing around, and that's just about it.
Control: 4/5 Drive around with the right trigger, B to boost, and X to use items. That's about it. The game isn't too terribly hard to control, but it can be frustrating when attacked and you spin out.
Fun: 3.5/5 The offline mode of this game is terrible. The tracks take what seems forever to finish, and the A.I. is unbelievably stupid. Online, though, is pretty decent. You can play with up to eight players on five levels. All-in-all, this game isn't that great. The items used in this game are damn annoying, the sound is ... none, 80% of the characters are random people with random names, and the fact that when you join a game online that is in the middle of being played and you can't play or even watch until the race is over is just terrible. For $4, you really can't go wrong. This is a really good game to play for one or two days, but after that, there's no reason to come back.
3.5/5
Graphics: 4/5 For what it is, its low budget, and its cheap price, the graphics I guess you could say look very good. The character models look pretty decent, and the enviroments look fair. The framerate holds up very well offline, and damn good online for the most part.
Sound: 3.5/5 Not much to experience. There are some taunts you can use when you're racing, you can hear the pocket bikes racing around, and that's just about it.
Control: 4/5 Drive around with the right trigger, B to boost, and X to use items. That's about it. The game isn't too terribly hard to control, but it can be frustrating when attacked and you spin out.
Fun: 3.5/5 The offline mode of this game is terrible. The tracks take what seems forever to finish, and the A.I. is unbelievably stupid. Online, though, is pretty decent. You can play with up to eight players on five levels. All-in-all, this game isn't that great. The items used in this game are damn annoying, the sound is ... none, 80% of the characters are random people with random names, and the fact that when you join a game online that is in the middle of being played and you can't play or even watch until the race is over is just terrible. For $4, you really can't go wrong. This is a really good game to play for one or two days, but after that, there's no reason to come back.
3.5/5
Game Review ( Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - 360 )
Graphics: 4/5 The cutscenes ( especially the one at the beginning ) are unbelievable. They look freakishly realistic. The in-game graphics, though, are not as good though the characters look excellent, they don't look to 360ish. They do look alright, though. The framerate holds up, and it makes for a pleasent experience.
Sound: 4/5 The Marvel characters sound nice, and the villans do as well. However, nothing is too spectacular worth noting.
Control: 3.5/5 This game isn't too hard to control, but it does take some time, and the uncontrollable camera angles are somewhat distracting. You use the D-Pad to change your character ( You can have four at a time ) and you have to do some button combinations to attack. Sometimes you'll forget what button you need to press, but it's not bad.
Fun: 4/5 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is really a good game. You can play as Captain America, Spiderman, Wolverine, Thor, The Thing, Mr. Fantastic, Elektra, Daredevil, and several more, including unlockables. It will take a long time to level everyone up, though, since you can only have 4 players out at a time. Either way, anyone can jump in and play, and a fan of Marvel will love this game. There is also Xbox Live play, which also adds to the experience. Even though this game is repetetive when you play it for awhile non-stop, it is still a great 360 game that anybody can sit down and enjoy the game without even bothering with the power-ups and level-ups.
4/5
Sound: 4/5 The Marvel characters sound nice, and the villans do as well. However, nothing is too spectacular worth noting.
Control: 3.5/5 This game isn't too hard to control, but it does take some time, and the uncontrollable camera angles are somewhat distracting. You use the D-Pad to change your character ( You can have four at a time ) and you have to do some button combinations to attack. Sometimes you'll forget what button you need to press, but it's not bad.
Fun: 4/5 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is really a good game. You can play as Captain America, Spiderman, Wolverine, Thor, The Thing, Mr. Fantastic, Elektra, Daredevil, and several more, including unlockables. It will take a long time to level everyone up, though, since you can only have 4 players out at a time. Either way, anyone can jump in and play, and a fan of Marvel will love this game. There is also Xbox Live play, which also adds to the experience. Even though this game is repetetive when you play it for awhile non-stop, it is still a great 360 game that anybody can sit down and enjoy the game without even bothering with the power-ups and level-ups.
4/5
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