Evilhead

when you play texas hold em all you are doing is betting or folding and it's a lot more challenging than any video game with extremely complex controls. simple games can be difficult.

Yeah damn I've heard that third one SOMEWHERE. Sounds kind of like the theme of "wacky" character in some JRPG.

Well I think we all know what you're saying. Getting a free game or two with your system is never a bad thing, but from a business perspective I can see why the companies stopped doing it. Yes, it costs them a couple bucks to print up a game, and that little burst of joy the consumer gets might be beneficial somehow, but that's a lot of lost software revenue. Who's going to shell out $300 or whatever for a new game console and not buy at least ONE game to play right away? I usually buy at least two when I get a new system. Multiply that by 2 million or however many consoles sell at launch and that's a lot of money. Considering that both Microsoft and Sony are losing money on each system they sell they have to start making that up right away. And if you include a free game, especially if it's a good one, then that's a lot of lost potential sales.

Yes, they are blu-ray disks. People keep going on and on about how they don't need a blu-ray player, but forget that the 50+ gigs of game data these things can and do hold.

When I bought my Xbox it had a couple pack in games. PRG2 which I played for a little bit the afternoon I got it and some other game I never even took out of the case. I bought the system with the packins because it had an extra controller and was cheaper than the special edition Xboxs they had for sale at the store I was at. Awww.... And I thought you blocked me! I guess you couldn't live without your widdle Evilhead. How sweet. And yeah, Sony is getting pwnd by Microsoft right now. 360>>>PS3. Maybe this will change when some games come out, but who knows? They are in danger of losing a lot of the market at this point, but even then the system won't be in danger of flopping completely. There's just too much money behind it.

Here's a translation of the first one. Looks like good news!! Broken Thunder (a.k.a. Thunder Force VI) announced for late April! Before Technosoft closed it doors it released the finale of it's popular Thunder Force series, Thunder Force V. However rumors of the release of Thunder Force VI continued to this day. As Thunder Force V was released, Thunder Force VI was announced for the Dreamcast but Technosoft folded and this came to nothing. However as an added completion bonus for the Dreamcast game SeGaGaGa we were treated to a Thunder Force VI opening movie, which only fed the rumors of the game's release. After that there was much talk of whether or not the game would actually be released, but months and years passed with no news of a release. However, during that time there was a release of some previously completed material, such as this "Broken Thunder" soundtrack, and as the fervor for the game's release was once again ignited, the game's release was formally announced! Even among the disbelievers, shooting fans were completely overjoyed! By the way, by using the title "Broken Thunder" there will be no copyright problems with the Thunder Force name, so it can't be helped that the game will be called "Broken Thunder". However, the content of the game is a direct continuation of Thunder Force V, so feel free to call it Thunder Force VI if you want! This time the developers Factory Noise & AG are releasing the game, with either of them working on the game and soundtrack. But get this: it looks like these developers are made of the original Technosoft staff that worked on the Thunder Force series! So this new addition to the series has it's full pedigree! There were rumors that there would be cutbacks in the soundtrack department but things are looking good! The fans can't wait. However, one point of concern remains as to the platform. There are hopes for a PS2 or Dreamcast release, but due to the monopoly on shooters it might end up on PC. But I say too much! Due to this great announcement of the game we shouldn't worry about which platform it's released for, but just give a big round of applause to Factory Noise & AG for coming through. I'll definitely buy it! I hope they compromise nothing and release a perfect game. I can't wait until April! So it looks like Thunder Force VI is coming out, and it's coming out soon! The second link confirms this as well. I bet you're happy, Coop!

Yeah, I agree with you there. A "killer app" is a game that will move beyond a game that most people will want to pick up after they buy the system to a game that people will buy the system in order to play. Halo is a good example of this. Fortunately for the Wii, I don't think it really needs one yet. The system sells itself. Hell, even my mom wants one. By the time the initial impact of the controller wears off Nintendo will start releasing their big titles that will keep systems moving off shelves. The 360 already has a nice library, but the PS3 really needs that killer app fast. There really needs to be a PS3 game everyone is talking about to gather interest, and I think Sony is really dropping the ball on this one. What was all the whispering of Linux on PS3? I guess you could get it to work for either system, but whichever one does will open will open the door to a huge homebrew world.

By the way, the page basically describes what's available on the preview disc and doesn't really talk much about the game itself or anything related to Thunder Force.

Either way, I don't see how it would impact my choice in buying the system. If they happened to offer a pack-in game I wanted I would buy it, otherwise you could use the same money they are charging you to buy a used game of your choice.

If I had to choose between pack in games and a core system I would always pick the core system. Why should I have to shell out extra money, even if it's half the price of a retail game, for something I probably don't even want anyway? I like to choose what game(s) I buy with my new console, rather than being stuck with some game I may or may not want. What if instead of getting a core PS3 for $599 I have to pay $629 for a PS3 with Madden 2007 or Sonic or some other game I don't want? Sure it's cheaper than buying the game by itself, but It's a waste of money to me.

If you had a link, please post it! Auction prices are still pretty high.

Yeah, I wish. They are still going full retail or slightly less for used systems.

Yeah, having online play would be a HUGE reason for getting the 360 version. Even with the AI as good as it is in recent VF games, nothing beats playing humans. Especially with all the character customizations and rankings and whatnot... I really hope they try to do it.

Um... there already is one.

Hmm, all of those things are done better on the PSP. I was looking for something that actually used the stylus...

Just got it so I'll be playing it this afternoon! My R4 card is jam packed with tons of awesome DS games. Love it! Fans of the Point Blank series should check out Point Blank DS. It's pretty much exactly like the PS1/arcade games except you use the stylus obviously. Works really well though! It's a great pick up and play game. Anyway, I was wondering if there is any homebrew software for the DS you guys would recommend. Not really interested in games since I have more than enough of those (although if there is a homebrew game that really stands out, please do mention it!), but are there any apps or utilities that make good use of the touch screen? Maybe like a cool drawing program or something I'm not thinking of? Thanks.

Yeah, damn you Diablo 2. I want my summer of 2000 back. Anyway, I'd definitely be down but I've already gone through TWO sets of diablo discs, all of which have been mysteriously broken. I think god wants me to stop playing.

Well if you look at the name 'indie' it used to indicate bands that would produce and release albums independently. Bands that released only on vinyl, have very limited runs, or just a low level of distribution were quite underground and there’s still a lot of bands like that today, although it was much more the case 10 years ago. But these days indie rock has become quite popular and even the more obscure bands are on big enough labels for their music to find its way into most decent record shops. So now indie rock describes the sound more than the initial spirit of DIY alternative rock, although the sound can very heavily from group to group. I’d call both Deerhoof and The New Pornographers indie rock although their sound is vastly different. Also, the new Of Montreal album is great. A bit darker than their previous albums due to the vocalist’s recent troubles, but it still has their trademark psychedelic flair. The new Arcade Fire album is fantastic as well. Oh, and for people who are into slightly harder music, check out the Blood Brother if you haven’t already. “Crimes” and “Burn, Piano Island, Burn” are two most excellent albums.

Metal. ROTFLMAO.

I have two 4 gig players (a mini and a nano) and one 1 gig player (a new shuffle) so my playlists are relatively small. But being limited to 1000-1200 songs keeps my iPods fresh. I have about 50 gigs of tunes or so on my computer, but I only put my favorites or current albums on my iPods. It always seems like a good song is coming on and I rarely skip tracks. Each iPod has a slightly different feel since I use my mini as a car stereo, the nano as a general purpose iPod, and the shuffle for snowboarding/exercising. On the two 4 gig players I have generally the same playlist set up: one list with everything, one with hard/loud music, one with generally listenable music with most of the hard/fast stuff cut out, a playlist of current favorites and recently added songs, one list of more relaxing music, and one of just hip hop. The shuffle is mostly high energy songs that go well with snowboarding like punk and hardcore.

I don't find it too surprising. First of all, the DS is insanely popular here. They don't stay on the shelves for more than a day and sell on auction for $200 or so. Not only do most little kids and gamers own it, but it's popular with people who don't normally play games. It's become a bit of a fashion accessory for girls since the lite is so cute. I went out to eat with a few of my friends and THREE of the girls bought DS lites that day. It was funny seeing them all playing games and talking into the DS's mic all through dinner. My girlfriend's snobby super fashionable little sister bought one as well. One of my coworkers, who is a 50+ year old women, bought one to study English. I just got one for my GF since she wants one to study English too. Plus the gap between the regular DS and the DS lite is enough for a lot of people to buy the system twice. I know I did, and I know several other people who did as well. Whereas with the original GBA and all of it's incarnations, if you had one of them it was pretty much good enough unless you are a maniac.

Lately I've been into A.C. Newman, The Thermals, The Blow, Peter Bjorn & John, The Kooks, Deerhoof, Flin Flon, Dr. Dog, The Spinto Band, The Bees, Klaxons, etc.

Yeah, I really appreciate you sending it though! But I just didn't get into it. Maybe I should try out the multiplayer? From what I hear here the single player game was pretty boring compared to the online play. Is Clan OCR still active?

Yeah, Super Princess Peach was one of the first games I got for the DS and I was really dissapointed. I quit playing it after a few worlds, so maybe the later levels are more interesting, but to say it's an easy game is an understatement. You pretty much just walk around and find the three toadpeople in each level. It's like playing a Kirby game that is even easier, and with fewer skills. I would definitely avoid it if you are looking for a challenging Nintendo platformer. Seems those died out with the SNES. Wish I would have bought the flashcart sooner! Now I can check out games like SPP before I waste the money on them.

Yeah, those are all pretty well known and I own about half of them already, but I didn't know there was a MegaMan Battle Network game for the DS! I loved the ones for the GBA so I'll definitely check it out. I bet it would make the battles pretty slick using the stylus the move, etc. And agreed on the Metroid game... I played for a total of like 15 minutes when I got it and got incredibly bored. Never even tried multiplayer, but disconnects and assholes already made games like Mario Kart pretty terrible so I figured it would be the same. I guess if you were playing with a group of people you know it would be cool. I think the best online games for the DS so far are Animal Crossing and Tetris DS.