Video Games

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Left 4 Dead: Xbox 360

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a little rushed, and kind of rudimentary.
The only thing I didn't really like are the lack of variety in the weapons, and the graphics. Neither one makes or breaks the game though in my opinion.
So to sum it up, this game is built for multiplayer over LIVE. If you don't have Xbox LIVE, get LIVE, rent it first, or just avoid it. If you do have LIVE, and you enjoy FPS then this is a must own for you.

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Lips with 2 Microphones: Xbox 360

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a blast and we love it! Even if you decide not to import your own music, there's plenty to purchase online with full lyrics and music videos. Unfortunately, with only 40 tracks on disc, you'll find that if you DON'T add to the library at all, you'll quickly tire of repeating yourself.

Besides the library, the game itself offers a lot over its sing-along competition. The interface alone is super-slick, displaying album art for each song during music selection, and overall the whole experience is tailored for group play. Players can sing simultaneously in versus mode, or take turns with phrases and harmonies in duet mode. There's even a few party game modes (vocal fighters, Kiss, and Time Bomb) which can be activated by selecting them as the songs background video. Spectators can even use the standard controllers to make a verity of percussive sounds (ie "noise makers"), and the motion-sensitive mics can be used to activate a star/point bonus when the gesture gauge fills (much like star power in RockBand / Guitar Hero). And to answer your question, yes, Harmonix has promised a patch which will make the wireless mics compatible with RockBand in the near future. Woo!

My only complaint is an incompatibility that isn't documented in the instructions:
YOU MUST UNPLUG ALL USB MICROPHONES BEFORE STARTING LIPS.

I'll explain. First, don't listen to what other people have said -- the process of syncing both mics is just as easy as syncing a normal wireless controller. We ran into no problems here what so ever. The problem was that, though everything was working fine in single player mode, as soon as I tried to join in with the 2nd microphone, BOTH mics stopped working. Then, when starting over, the first mic, which was working fine before, started having timing and static issues. Additionally, the lights on the 2nd mic never light up, making me think it was either broken or not synced properly. No matter which order I connected everything, connecting a 2nd mic broke the connection with the first. Almost ready to take it all back, I ran across this thread on Gamespot, revealing the following observation:

"It turns out that all my issues stem from the fact I have a USB microphone connected to my Xbox 360. Somehow microphone registration gets all screwy because of that. In my case, I have my Rock Band microphone plugged into the Xbox 360 at all times. The fix is to unplug the USB microphone when you're playing Lips. Apparently this will fix both the 2nd microphone lighting issues as well as the static noise, video and audio out of sync issues, as well as the freezing issues."

My problem EXACTLY. I hope someone out there finds this useful. Happy new year!

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CTA Digital WI-6K Grand Slam 6 in 1 Sports Pack - Nintendo Wii

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a blast and we love it! Even if you decide not to import your own music, there's plenty to purchase online with full lyrics and music videos. Unfortunately, with only 40 tracks on disc, you'll find that if you DON'T add to the library at all, you'll quickly tire of repeating yourself.



Besides the library, the game itself offers a lot over its sing-along competition. The interface alone is super-slick, displaying album art for each song during music selection, and overall the whole experience is tailored for group play. Players can sing simultaneously in versus mode, or take turns with phrases and harmonies in duet mode. There's even a few party game modes (vocal fighters, Kiss, and Time Bomb) which can be activated by selecting them as the songs background video. Spectators can even use the standard controllers to make a verity of percussive sounds (ie "noise makers"), and the motion-sensitive mics can be used to activate a star/point bonus when the gesture gauge fills (much like star power in RockBand / Guitar Hero). And to answer your question, yes, Harmonix has promised a patch which will make the wireless mics compatible with RockBand in the near future. Woo!



My only complaint is an incompatibility that isn't documented in the instructions:

YOU MUST UNPLUG ALL USB MICROPHONES BEFORE STARTING LIPS.



I'll explain. First, don't listen to what other people have said -- the process of syncing both mics is just as easy as syncing a normal wireless controller. We ran into no problems here what so ever. The problem was that, though everything was working fine in single player mode, as soon as I tried to join in with the 2nd microphone, BOTH mics stopped working. Then, when starting over, the first mic, which was working fine before, started having timing and static issues. Additionally, the lights on the 2nd mic never light up, making me think it was either broken or not synced properly. No matter which order I connected everything, connecting a 2nd mic broke the connection with the first. Almost ready to take it all back, I ran across this thread on Gamespot, revealing the following observation:



"It turns out that all my issues stem from the fact I have a USB microphone connected to my Xbox 360. Somehow microphone registration gets all screwy because of that. In my case, I have my Rock Band microphone plugged into the Xbox 360 at all times. The fix is to unplug the USB microphone when you're playing Lips. Apparently this will fix both the 2nd microphone lighting issues as well as the static noise, video and audio out of sync issues, as well as the freezing issues."



My problem EXACTLY. I hope someone out there finds this useful. Happy new year!

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Sony Playstation Portable PSP-3000 Core Pack system - Piano Black

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and with with future updates I suspect it will completely disappear.

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Madden NFL 09 (En Espa?ol / Spanish Version): Xbox 360

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and with with future updates I suspect it will completely disappear.

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Activision Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Bundle ? PS2 (95433)

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and with with future updates I suspect it will completely disappear.

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Kirby Super Star Ultra: Nintendo DS

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and with with future updates I suspect it will completely disappear.

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Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro Console System

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with both of these saving you about fifty to sixty dollars more depending on where you shop. Not to mention if you're smart you'll toss an extended warranty on that other HDD you just bought to cover a failure, raising its price even further. While everything is capable of being covered under one blanket warranty with the pro. It also comes with two free full games, although I'll probably never play Kung-fu Panda.
If you didn't really understand what I'm trying to say here it's that the Pro is the middle child, and usually best bet, in a series of three versions of the Xbox. There seems to be a lot of confusion about them as well so I'll clear that up now...

The Arcade is the basic, plug and play system. It has no HDD to store large amounts of data on, so you can't rip music to it or put pictures on it. Nor is it backwards compatible with the old Xbox games. You also (and most importantly) can't download most content from the marketplace or play the original Xbox games due to the absence of it.
However, you CAN STILL SAVE YOUR GAME among other things thanks to the complimentary 256MB memory card. Although this will only last so long. For example, a single save in Fallout 3 averages me about 4MBs each.
Also, while your standard AV cables are acceptable, you get much sharper and more accurate color from a component or HDMI cable. Neither of which come with this bundle.
And as far as games go, the Arcade leaves much to be desired. Granted, the games amuse for a while, but you can get the same enjoyment out of the demos (most of which are for the same games) that come preloaded on the Pro or Elite, plus if you don't like them you aren't out any money.
Not to mention no headset is included, which isn't a must but is nice when you're online with friends and like to actually articulate just what kind of support you need to capture the other flag.

The Pro comes with that component cable I mentioned, which when run in HD bumps the resolution up to 720p and can also be used with any non-HD TV with that same crisp color and sharp image so long as it has component ports. I'm currently running it on an HD compatible cathode ray tube (old big TV) with no problems. It also includes a wired headset (plugs into the controller), an ethernet cable so it's online ready, the two games, and a 60GB HDD.
The extra forty gigs on this really comes in handy as on the old 20 GB pro bundles you really only had around thirteen after formatting it while the rest was used for system data. The drive is also preloaded with things like gamer pictures for your profile, and some pretty fun demos. I still play Heavy Weapon and Geometry wars a lot myself and will until I buy the full versions whenever I get around to that.
Since it has a hard drive, this also means you have space to download things like movies, demos, game updates, etc. Just like you would for your PC. You can even install a game to your drive and play it from there to cut down on noise and heat since the disc isn't spinning nearly as much. Granted, you're only going to be able to fit five or six games on here at a time depending on how much other stuff you have on there, but I don't usually find myself playing more games than that at once anyway and just delete whatever I haven't used in a while. You can always reinstall it later. :)
You'll probably notice your games running a bit smother too since that drive space allows for disk caching, which takes a bit of strain off the processing units.
All in all a great rounder that seems to be the console of choice for almost everyone, and for good reason.

Last but not least is the Elite. Also called the "New retard edition" by some launch articles, it's basically the just the Pro painted black with a 120GB drive, some free live time (more on that later), and an HDMI cable. I really can't think of any reason to recommend this unless you really like the color black, or hate third party cables, since you can save money by buying a third party cable or used cable separately. And if you REALLY need the space you can always upgrade either of the others with a 120GB HDD later anyway.

That's about it. Other than that they're essentially all the same... None of them have Li batteries in the controllers out of the box, and run on double a's until you pic up a play and charge kit yourself.
The failure rates, although much lower than the launch systems, are still present and even across the board since they all have the same chipset. So make sure you say yes when asked if you want that extended warranty, because while Microsoft offers a standard extended warranty on a "Red Ring of Death" situation, sending YOUR system in doesn't always mean you get YOUR system back. It isn't uncommon for someone to get someone else's refurbished system in return, and I'm unsure of how they handle saved data (if at all).
However, when purchased virtually anywhere else with a new warranty, any replicated failures mean you get a new system on the spot (usually).

So why should you buy this over the more powerful PS3, or weaker but more innovative Wii? To be blunt, power isn't everything and innovation means nothing if all your games are geared for the newly breed or nearly dead.
Despite the fact that the system doubles as a blu-ray player, currently the PS3 is an tool developers aren't using to it's full potential. While games have better lighting effects and can usually run at a high frame per second rate more consistently, I was willing to sacrifice minor graphical prowess for a larger library and wider variety of games that were more appealing to me. And that's what it's all about; the games.
After all it doesn't really matter how many computations per second your hardware is capable of if all it can play is something you don't enjoy.
Which is the same reason I didn't really get into anything on the Wii other than Trauma Center when I it too. Despite its revolutionary control scheme, everything seemed was either a port that was awkwardly shoe-horned into a broken control scheme, or something that while cute, was far to kiddy for me to really enjoy.
The overall flaw is the same problem Nintendo has had for a while now, being that fun interesting games like Resident Evil, Guitar Hero, and even flagships like Twilight Princess are available on other (or previous) systems where they play better, and in return for their renewed success your loyalty is rewarded with regurgitated Poke'mon tripe. Granted you can purchase and play older games for systems like the NES, SNES, or even N64 but that's what free emulators and ROMs are for.
Again, these are just my personal opinions. There isn't anything really wrong with the design of the other systems, their games just weren't for me.
The 360 is not without it's own flaws though. In addition to the ever present (no matter how unlikely) risk of the RROD, multiplayer is not free on the 360, nor is it wireless capable out of the box.
While both are huge detractions since on each other system wireless and online play is supported from the start, not being wireless capable alone wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that the Microsoft adapter costs a c-note new in box, and the other cheaper Linksys ones that were compatible are no longer in production. While there is a sixty to seventy dollar third party unit, it still isn't a huge improvement since you can get the same tech, which does the same thing, for your laptop for about thirty bucks at Walmart. What this is is just a case of Microsoft trying to make more money by locking you to their product.
As far as not being able to access multiplayer without paying fifty bucks a year for a "Gold" (i.e. premium) Xbox live account, it's just asinine. I can understand paying for new content for games, like new maps or guns. I don't have a problem with that. But what Microsoft is asking you to do here is to pay to access a feature you already have, on a game you already own, with the system you already bought, over a connection you already pay for.
Which is really quite tragic since it's the only thing keeping my from giving this a perfect score.

My advice is to look carefully at the library of games for each system and decide what's important to you. Although, if you do plan on playing a lot of games that support multiplayer and are also available on the PS3, you may want to go with that instead to save money in the long run.
However, if you just don't plan on playing online too much in general, the 360 is definitely the way to go.

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Activision Guitar Hero World Tour - Guitar Kit for PlayStation 2

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if this mattered or not. Since I did this in conjuction with the above steps I can't say if this is needed.


11) Insert the disc and turn the PS2 back on. The diagnostics should run and automatically adjust your PS2 to play the game. I was amazed! Mine loaded right up after several previous days of nothing.

12) I checked the settings after the initial load and the Diagnostics and Drive speed reset to normal so it must be a one time run thing. My game has loaded everytime since and I haven't had to re-do the settings at all.

I hope this works for you too!!

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Imagine Interior Designer: Nintendo DS

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if this mattered or not. Since I did this in conjuction with the above steps I can't say if this is needed.





11) Insert the disc and turn the PS2 back on. The diagnostics should run and automatically adjust your PS2 to play the game. I was amazed! Mine loaded right up after several previous days of nothing.



12) I checked the settings after the initial load and the Diagnostics and Drive speed reset to normal so it must be a one time run thing. My game has loaded everytime since and I haven't had to re-do the settings at all.



I hope this works for you too!!

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NinDS - Guitar Hero: On Tour -- Decades

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if this mattered or not. Since I did this in conjuction with the above steps I can't say if this is needed.








11) Insert the disc and turn the PS2 back on. The diagnostics should run and automatically adjust your PS2 to play the game. I was amazed! Mine loaded right up after several previous days of nothing.





12) I checked the settings after the initial load and the Diagnostics and Drive speed reset to normal so it must be a one time run thing. My game has loaded everytime since and I haven't had to re-do the settings at all.





I hope this works for you too!!

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Shin Megami Tensei : Persona 4 - Playstation 2

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if this mattered or not. Since I did this in conjuction with the above steps I can't say if this is needed.











11) Insert the disc and turn the PS2 back on. The diagnostics should run and automatically adjust your PS2 to play the game. I was amazed! Mine loaded right up after several previous days of nothing.







12) I checked the settings after the initial load and the Diagnostics and Drive speed reset to normal so it must be a one time run thing. My game has loaded everytime since and I haven't had to re-do the settings at all.







I hope this works for you too!!

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We Cheer: Nintendo Wii

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if this mattered or not. Since I did this in conjuction with the above steps I can't say if this is needed.














11) Insert the disc and turn the PS2 back on. The diagnostics should run and automatically adjust your PS2 to play the game. I was amazed! Mine loaded right up after several previous days of nothing.









12) I checked the settings after the initial load and the Diagnostics and Drive speed reset to normal so it must be a one time run thing. My game has loaded everytime since and I haven't had to re-do the settings at all.









I hope this works for you too!!

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Activision Guitar Hero World Tour - Guitar Kit for PlayStation 2

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if this mattered or not. Since I did this in conjuction with the above steps I can't say if this is needed.

















11) Insert the disc and turn the PS2 back on. The diagnostics should run and automatically adjust your PS2 to play the game. I was amazed! Mine loaded right up after several previous days of nothing.











12) I checked the settings after the initial load and the Diagnostics and Drive speed reset to normal so it must be a one time run thing. My game has loaded everytime since and I haven't had to re-do the settings at all.











I hope this works for you too!!

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Animal Crossing: City Folk: Nintendo Wii

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I need to hear EVERYTHING in the room. Does it work? Yeah, it works, but personally, I don't see myself using it often. Then again, I don't normally have a quiet room to myself.

Is it a good game? Yes. I think it's the best Animal Crossing yet. The only reason I did not give this game five stars was: there isn't really anything genuinely new that stood out to me. I would have loved to see some kind of new element, rather than the same old "paying your debt to Tom Nook" formula, over and over again. It made starting the game feel a bit frustrating, because I've been through it before.

Don't get me wrong though; after this review, I'm going right back to playing it, haha. It's still a GREAT game, which is definitely worth playing, but I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a little disappointment there, for me.

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Ferrari Challenge: Nintendo Wii

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I need to hear EVERYTHING in the room. Does it work? Yeah, it works, but personally, I don't see myself using it often. Then again, I don't normally have a quiet room to myself.



Is it a good game? Yes. I think it's the best Animal Crossing yet. The only reason I did not give this game five stars was: there isn't really anything genuinely new that stood out to me. I would have loved to see some kind of new element, rather than the same old "paying your debt to Tom Nook" formula, over and over again. It made starting the game feel a bit frustrating, because I've been through it before.



Don't get me wrong though; after this review, I'm going right back to playing it, haha. It's still a GREAT game, which is definitely worth playing, but I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a little disappointment there, for me.

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My Chinese Coach: Nintendo DS

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I need to hear EVERYTHING in the room. Does it work? Yeah, it works, but personally, I don't see myself using it often. Then again, I don't normally have a quiet room to myself.





Is it a good game? Yes. I think it's the best Animal Crossing yet. The only reason I did not give this game five stars was: there isn't really anything genuinely new that stood out to me. I would have loved to see some kind of new element, rather than the same old "paying your debt to Tom Nook" formula, over and over again. It made starting the game feel a bit frustrating, because I've been through it before.





Don't get me wrong though; after this review, I'm going right back to playing it, haha. It's still a GREAT game, which is definitely worth playing, but I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a little disappointment there, for me.

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Active Life Outdoor Challenge: Nintendo Wii

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I need to hear EVERYTHING in the room. Does it work? Yeah, it works, but personally, I don't see myself using it often. Then again, I don't normally have a quiet room to myself.







Is it a good game? Yes. I think it's the best Animal Crossing yet. The only reason I did not give this game five stars was: there isn't really anything genuinely new that stood out to me. I would have loved to see some kind of new element, rather than the same old "paying your debt to Tom Nook" formula, over and over again. It made starting the game feel a bit frustrating, because I've been through it before.







Don't get me wrong though; after this review, I'm going right back to playing it, haha. It's still a GREAT game, which is definitely worth playing, but I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a little disappointment there, for me.

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Carnival Games Bundle

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I need to hear EVERYTHING in the room. Does it work? Yeah, it works, but personally, I don't see myself using it often. Then again, I don't normally have a quiet room to myself.









Is it a good game? Yes. I think it's the best Animal Crossing yet. The only reason I did not give this game five stars was: there isn't really anything genuinely new that stood out to me. I would have loved to see some kind of new element, rather than the same old "paying your debt to Tom Nook" formula, over and over again. It made starting the game feel a bit frustrating, because I've been through it before.









Don't get me wrong though; after this review, I'm going right back to playing it, haha. It's still a GREAT game, which is definitely worth playing, but I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a little disappointment there, for me.

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Goosebumps HorrorLand: Nintendo DS

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I need to hear EVERYTHING in the room. Does it work? Yeah, it works, but personally, I don't see myself using it often. Then again, I don't normally have a quiet room to myself.











Is it a good game? Yes. I think it's the best Animal Crossing yet. The only reason I did not give this game five stars was: there isn't really anything genuinely new that stood out to me. I would have loved to see some kind of new element, rather than the same old "paying your debt to Tom Nook" formula, over and over again. It made starting the game feel a bit frustrating, because I've been through it before.











Don't get me wrong though; after this review, I'm going right back to playing it, haha. It's still a GREAT game, which is definitely worth playing, but I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a little disappointment there, for me.