Best of Video Games 2007

Every year, anyone keeping up with video games can sum up the last year with, "This has been a great year for the video game industry." However, with each new step, video games seem to be inching closer to perfection. This year showed a lot of advancement for the industry with even non-video games showing promise. Let's take a look at the greatest achievements for video games - the games and the culture. (Now keep in mind, some of these things aren't exactly brand new, but have been utilized very well within the last year.)

The Best Non-Video Game - "Second Life." Call it obsessive, call it nonsense, or call it incredible. "Second Life" is opening doors left and right for the advancement of all things virtual. I mean, concerts and even conferences are held in SL. Even CNN keeps up a "citizen journalist" blog report for SL. While people scoff at avid SL users (and enjoy a healthy game of "The Sims"), it's hard to deny the impact the virtual world will ultimately have on all things gaming.

The Best Video Game Book - "Scott Pilgrim Gets it Together," the latest volume about Pilgrim, the Canadian twenty-something who lives the life every slacker could dream of (a mysterious girlfriend, playing bass in a rock band called Sex Bob-omb, and fighting off a series of evil ex-boyfriends). The book is a short, fantastic read and is chock full of gaming references. Creator Bryan Leo O'Malley is truly a comic genius when it comes to these books. The latest book, which came out in November, features Scott and his girlfriend, Ramona Flowers, in the middle of the original "Sonic the Hedgehog" logo. Plus, check out this flyer for the third volume. Great stuff. To read more about the Scott Pilgrim series, you could go back into the depths of this blog. I highly recommend picking up every volume of this book. Honorable mention to the classic "I Am 8-Bit."

Best Video Game Film - Here's the thing, faithful reader. I haven't seen any video game movies this year. The contenders for the title (that most readily come to mind) are "Resident Evil: Extinction," "Hitman," and "King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters." Regardless, I'm going to go ahead and call the match for "King of Kong." It's a realistic documentary about the two greatest players in "King Kong" history. Since it's the only movie out of the three that I'm curious about seeing, it automatically wins the vote on this guy's part.

Best System for Your Viewing Pleasure - The PS3. With a nice TV and wireless Internet, you have access to crisp, free trailers for any of your most anticipated films. Also, with a Blu-ray player, even regular DVDs just look saucy on this machine. If you're considering buying a PlayStation 3, think about investing half in the gaming aspect and the other half in the incredible movie experience.

Best System for Your Listening Pleasure - The Xbox 360. See also the last post.

Best Game Soundtrack - "Rock Band." I apologize to any other game in the running, but if you include all of the downloadable content, you're up against a game that has all of "Who's Next" as well as "Flirtin' With Disaster" by Molly Hatchet. Win.

Best Downloadable Game - "Bomberman Live," the most faithful rendition of the Bomberman games to date. Honorable mention to "Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream."

Best Handheld Game - "The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass." With the gameplay of a classic SNES Zelda game combined with the graphics of Windwaker for the GameCube, this game is hard to beat. Honorable mention goes to the Phoenix Wright games...mostly because I'm extremely excited for the "Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law" game. Again, I'm biased due to my lack of PSP.

Best Party Game - "Rock Band." While the "Mario Party" games tried to unite friends against each other in boardgame-like combat, "Rock Band" united friends in pure, unadulterated rock 'n' roll. I've rarely had more fun playing a game (co-op) with two or more people.

Best System to Utilize the Internet - Xbox 360. The PlayStation 3 clearly has great use for downloading trailers and demos, but the Xbox Arcade is quite vast. When it comes to game expansions (see "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero III"), the 360 is king. Honorable mention to the Wii Shop Channel and some of the awesome games utilized therein.

Best Xbox 360 Game - "Bioshock." I actually played this game for the first time last week (since I'm terribly behind on the world anymore). Obviously, the 360 has had a slew of heavy hitters, ranging from "Rock Band" to "Call of Duty 4" to "Halo 3." However, "Bioshock" accomplishes dozens of things that even "Resident Evil 4" wasn't able to. While being one of the most imaginative original games I've ever played, it's also one of the most fun. It's creepy, it's challenging, and oddly realistic for such a suspenseful game. If you haven't taken a plunge into "Bioshock," you're missing out.

Best Wii Game - "Super Mario Galaxy." This game may have had Nintendo's patented terrible ending, it still holds up as the most consistently fun game the Wii has seen to date. And, again, you can read my full review on it here. Fantastic game.

Best PS3 Game - "The Orange Box." OK, so I'll admit, I don't really have much experience on the PS3, so reader, I urge you to disagree with me. "The Orange Box" is simply a combination of the most fun games I've played all year on the system. "Portal" is arguably the greatest puzzle/strategy game of the year, "Team Fortress 2" is a very innovative first-person shooter (and a lot of fun, at that), and "Half-Life 2" is about as epic as they come. Read the reviews at the links.

Best System - The Nintendo Wii. Yes, it doesn't have the whistles and bells that either of the other systems have. Regardless, the Wii is easily more user friendly for first time gamers, the elderly, and others who normally wouldn't be eager to play video games. The control system is innovative, the platform is cartoonish and accessible, and Nintendo has set the system up for endless possibilities (check your weather, check the news, shop online, watch videos on YouTube, the list goes on and on and on). With many new games on the horizon, the Wii has just begun its streak of winning the hearts of children and nerds (and child nerds) everywhere.

For the final category, I narrowed it down to a few video games that I feel deserve to be in the top ten games of the year. Again, I haven't played a very long list of games this year. Regardless, here are the nominees (and yes, I know that there are only two Wii games in the list - however there are many other games for the Wii that just missed the top ten, and my reasons for the Wii as the best system are for more than just the games available).

- "Super Mario Galaxy" (Wii)
- "Rock Band" (360/PS3)
- "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass" (DS)
- "Assassins Creed" (360)
- "Bioshock" (360)
- "Super Paper Mario" (Wii)
- "The Orange Box" (360, PS3)
- "Halo 3" (360)
- "Call of Duty 4" (360)
- "God of War II" (PS2)

AND THE WINNER!

The Best Game of 2007 - "Rock Band." I'm glad that I could include the list of games above as honorable mentions, but it's hard to deny that "Rock Band" is easily the most fun game I've played all year. With four playing possibilities (guitar, bass, vocals and drums) and more and more downloadable content being released, this game has opened up a world of happiness to people like me. Not only that, but that soundtrack includes lady-friendly tracks (for vocals that is, thanks to Courtney Love, Shirley Manson and Karen O). "Rock Band" brings friends together, makes interactive rhythm gaming even more fun, and the game is forming new drummers by the week (that is if they can play it on expert). The songs are fun, which includes the ones that I don't like (I admit, the Fall Out Boy track is even mildly fun to play), and it eliminates all forms of shyness. Truly, "Rock Band" is one of the finest games to come out of this year and one that I'm looking forward to dragging back to college in the coming year.

And just for fun...

The Worst Game of 2007 - "Chicken Shoot" for the Nintendo Wii. Welcome to gamer oblivion, "Chicken Shoot." Join the Hall of Gaming Infamy with "Backyard Wrestling."

Happy 2008 everybody. Should all acquaintance be forgot and all that hogwash. Let me know what your favorites of 2007 are and be sure to tell me how wrong I am therein.

Music on Each System - An Analysis

Yes, it's certainly possible to listen to music on any of the next-gen systems. However, let's see how they all compare.

PlayStation 3 - With the PlayStation, you can upload any of your music directly from CDs and listen to them. However, you can't listen to any of the music while you're playing the game.

Wii - Here's the wild card. Today, MP3tunes.com announced a Wii compatible MP3 locker. This means you can access MP3s that you've loaded onto the Internet (for free) on your Nintendo console. The problem? You STILL can't listen to them while you're in the game.

Xbox 360 - Enter the big winner. You can listen to your iPod on this thing and you can upload CDs onto the thing. Also, you can listen to music while you're playing the game. This console is the obvious winner in the music compatibility category.



And, again, I still haven't forgotten about the rest of your Astley Challenge requests. I'll have it good and done with soon enough. With some of them, I just don't have the games in question. However, with a GameFly account intact, that should be remedied soon.

The Wii - Spying on Your "Bowling Sessions" Since 2006.

Thanks to GamePro.com for the tip. Here's how the story reads.

Man uses Wii calendar to catch cheating wife
by Blake Snow

A returned war veteran uses a Nintendo Wii to confirm the rumored funny business of an unfaithful wife.

A man by the name of Tony (last name withheld) claims to have caught his lying wife by searching the play history of his Nintendo Wii.

Tony, who served a year of active duty in Iraq, had a Wii sent to him while on tour before shipping the console back to the U.S. leading up to his discharge. He arrived home in April 2007 amid reports of his wife's indiscretions with another man. After confrontation, the wife maintained that she had only shared an innocent kiss with the man on a single occasion.

"[In Nov.] I flip through the Wii menu and visit the Mii Channel so I can peruse the many friends that I have created with the guys that I played with in Iraq," writes Tony in an email to GoNintendo. "As I go through the characters, I see there is a Mii that I have not created. It's a guy strikingly similar to my wife's [alleged lover].

"To be sure of this, I went into the Wil Message Board and click on the Calendar option. Through this menu I was able to identify the many nights my wife's Mii and this 'other' Mii Character played Wii Bowling together."

Tony has since separated and filed for divorce.

Wow - that's some Montel Williams business right there. Alert the detectives, there's a new device for snooping in your house!

Very sad, but still, intriguing. What do you think of the story?

Happy Holidays, Everyone

Merry Christmas to all. Hope that Santa was kind to all you gamers out there.

How'd everybody do?

As a Christmas gift to you, I'll try to get an actual profile picture of myself on the blog sometime before the end of the year.

Again, hope everybody had a safe and happy holiday.

And to all a good night.

New This Week...Nothing!

It's a pretty boring week for new releases. Let's face it, the holidays is about pushing discounted old games. Thus, let's take a look at some titles early 2008 will have to offer.

- As previously reported, "Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity" is coming to the Wii on January 8.

- Another title that this blogger is eagerly anticipating is the upcoming "Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law" game for the Wii, PSP and PS2. This game is also set to release on January 8.

- "NFL Tour" looks interesting. The game takes you on an NFL road show tour to gain your own NFL contract. The game is set to release January 8 for the 360.

- "Haze" is a first-person shooter for the PS3, released from Ubisoft and the developers of "Timeaplitters." Here's a trailer - it looks so very good. It's set to release on January 15.

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- "Samurai Warriors: Katana" is my personal hopeful. After bad reviews of "Red Steel" for the Wii, I'm hoping this one will bring home the bacon. This one's also set for January 15.

- "Burnout Paradise" looks incredible. With a whole new format and the song "Paradise City" cited as the theme, the game looks to be a great competitor for the last games in the Burnout series. The game is slated for a January 22 release for the 360 and PS3.

- Also out on the 22 is "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games" for the DS. Could it be better than the Wii version?

-Also due in January (with no set date) is "Bomberman Land" for the Wii and PSP and "Bomberman Land Touch! 2" for the DS. Can Bomberman make another non-360 Arcade good game?

-February 5 is an important date in gaming. Not only will it see the return of Dante with "Devil May Cry 4," but it also slates the return of "Turok." Each game will release for the PS3, 360, and the PC.

- Also slated for a February release (with no set date) is "Assassin's Creed (working title)" for the DS.

- On February 10, the EXTREMELY eagerly awaited "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" will be released.

- Finally, another couple of spicy looking games to be released in the first quarter of 2008 are "Gran Turismo 5 Prologue" for the PS3 and a game based on the hit TV show, "Lost," for the 360 and the PS3.

So what are you looking forward to in the coming year of gaming?

The Wii Tops the "Best Usage of Media" List

What is that, you ask?

Every year, UnderstandMedia.com releases its "Best Of" list to illustrate the best uses of media in news organizations, media companies, and non-professional individuals. According to the report, here are the top three.

1. Nintendo Wii. Videogames aren’t just for young boys anymore. The Nintendo Wii helped spur a revolution among gamers and non-gamers alike by aiming its product to people who don’t typically play video games, like women and seniors. Not only are the games fun to play, but they also provide both low-impact and high-impact exercise for an otherwise mostly-sedentary population.

2. Apple iPhone. Although similar convergence devices already existed in the marketplace, the Apple iPhone is the first device to bring together mobile telephones, music players, and Internet access in a mass market package. The device has revitalized a sluggish PDA phone market and promises to create huge competition, leading to better devices and better services. This will ultimately mean more portable media access for everyone.

3. Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report. Never have politics been so funny, or so mainstream. Thanks to Stephen Colbert’s humorous take on liberal and conservative politics, in 2007 it was actually cool to be interested in politics. This can only mean more young people will get involved in the political system, especially important in an upcoming election year.

Bet that's the first and last time you'll see the Wii, the iPhone, and the Colbert Report on the same list. This one's for you, heroes.

The Holiday Demand - The Worst Enemy of All

I've been interested in what the demand is for the various gaming systems during the holiday season. Thus, I'm looking at jolly old eBay.

The Nintendo Wii - It looks like eBay is teeming with Wiis. Want one? You may be able to get one for $275 + shipping.

Rock Band - Again, looks like it's right in the ball park.

PlayStation 3 - Wow - $100 cheaper for a 20GB model. Go go go!

Xbox 360 - Again, about $100 cheaper. Lots of listings.

If you want one of these, I'd start bidding. Soon.

The Future of Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic Team has been busy necking with Nintendo lately. First with "Sonic & Mario at the Olympic Games" and, as previously reported, in the upcoming "Super Smash Bros.: Brawl." However, Sega and Sonic Team are coming out with another Sonic title early next month.

Scheduled for a January 8 release in North America, "Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity" just sounds like another racing game with a big name. Pretty lame right? Wrong. Check this out - this is the opening video from the game.

Weird, right? It's where Sonic, Final Fantasy and "Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace" all meet. I mean honestly, doesn't that opening shot look like the battle droids all waking up in the new trilogy? Ahem, sorry, back to the main point.

But this game looks interesting. The idea reminds me of "TrickStyle," the Dreamcast game based around hoverboarding (and "Back to the Future," of course).

So let's keep our fingers crossed, everybody. This could be exciting.

Warner/Reprise Records to Release "Guitar Hero III" Track Pack

Ah yes, more songs to choose from on everybody's favorite game involving rock and/or roll.

The men at the top are collectively known as Mastodon, the most impressive metal group recording today (in this blogger's opinion). Why? They unearthed the true, heavy metal
qualities lying within the classic novel, Moby Dick. Outside of Dethklok, these guys are the most metal thing out there today.

That's why I was pleasantly surprised to see that Warner/Reprise Records are releasing their own downloadable content for "Guitar Hero III," including Mastodon's "Sleeping Giant." The pack also includes "No More Sorrow" by Linkin Park and "Pretty Handsome Awkward" by The Used.

There are also three singles being offered.
- "So Payaso" by Extremoduro
- "Antisocial" by Trust
- "Ernten Was Wir Säen" by Die Fantastischen Vier

Those last three are way outside my realm of music knowledge, so hit me with some facts if you know anything.

I'm mildly disappointed in their decisions, however, because my favorite recording artist of all time is on Warner/Reprise Records.

If you can guess what artist it is, you get a blog article of your choosing, compliments of yours truly. Oh, and speaking of which, I haven't forgotten about those of you who haven't received the spoils of your Astley Challenge requests.

Nintendo Issues a Rain Check

So what if your kid's Christmas doesn't look like this? Isn't that a good thing?

According to the Associated Press, GameStop will be selling thousands of rain checks for Wiis at the retail price, $249.99 on December 20 and 21. The voucher would allow the buyer to get their Wii before the end of January.

More importantly, it's something to put in the l'il tyke's stocking.

This is a great step for Nintendo. Compared to Sony's 466,000 PS3s and Microsoft's 770,000 360s sold in November alone, Nintendo has sold 981,000 Wiis (again, this figure is only including last month's sales).

Any takers?

The Orange Box: Review Part 3

At long last, it's time for the end of "The Orange Box" review, with the PS3 edition having released this week.

The game is "Team Fortress 2." Here's a clip (but careful, this clip has some bloody violence in it).

Now if you remember the review of "Portal" and "Half-Life 2," you'll remember that neither game was nearly as cartoony as this one (I actually highly recommend reading both reviews before reading this one, and in chronological order, mind you - that way you'll more readily understand the format of the review...but it's not necessary).

It's actually quite refreshing. With the first two games, you have extremely realistic graphics and an almost entirely interactive environment. With "Team Fortress 2," however, it's just a first-person shooter.

But the options are unlimited! As the trailer illustrates, you have numerous options as to what you can do. You can be a guy who relies on speed, stealth, firepower, flame, or brute force. It's up to you as to what your strengths and weaknesses are.

I'm not very good at first-person shooters, as I've said before, but regardless, this one is a lot of fun.

This game makes "The Orange Box" completely worth it. How worth it, you say?

"Portal" Grade: A
"Half-Life 2" + Expansions Grade: A+
"Team Fortress 2" Grade: A
"Portal" Worth: $25
"Half-Life 2" + Expansions Worth: $50
"Team Fortress 2" Worth (What I Would Spend On This Game): $25
Actual Orange Box Cost: $60
"The Orange Box" Worth: $100!

Wow! "The Orange Box's" actual cost is almost three-fourths of what it's worth to me! You know what that means?

GO OUT AND BUY "THE ORANGE BOX."

More Astley Challenge Requests

So I figured I'd get a few of these over and done with. So here we go.

For Caitlin
A review of "Tetris" for the Game Boy


There really isn't much that you can say about "Tetris." The game is the greatest time waster in history. I mean, if you like puzzle games, meet grandpa.

"Tetris" is backed by a history of hand-changing, different versions, but it doesn't get much better than the original. And in pocket form? Oh, that's just tops.

If you're looking for a sure bet as far as Game Boy games go, pick up "Tetris." It's easily one of the most fun, mind-numbing things in the history of gaming.

For dad
A review of the classic, "Dig Dug"



"Dig Dug" is, simply, the most fun bizarre game (pre-dating "Parappa the Rapper" and the Katamari games, of course). The point of the game? You dig around below the ground, using your weird pump device to explode your enemies.

If you ever considered buying or downloading this game, get to it. "Dig Dug" is just too good for a coherent review or description.

For Tyler
A review of "Custer's Revenge" for the Atari 2600

If there's an example of where video games went wrong (see also the "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" glitch problem), I would start here.

After Atari lost their creative flow and became a corporation, they were ready to do ANYTHING to stay afloat. Thus, they started marketing games aimed toward adults. And, much to my disgust, they created "Custer's Revenge," the most misogynistic, racist, horrible thing I've ever seen in 8-bit form.

To give you an idea, General Custer has come back from the grave to get his revenge on the Native Americans by disgracing their women. Disgusting.

This game is offensive on a layer of levels. It degrades women, Native Americans, and to boot, anyone with an ounce of self-respect. It's probably why the game was banned in most states and was ultimately pulled off shelves.

It's sad to see that people can actually live with themselves after making something like "Custer's Revenge."

And here's a big "shame on you" to Tyler for suggesting it. This will go in the sewer along with "BMX XXX."

The Spike TV Video Game Awards - Results!

So what were the games of the year according to Spike TV and the viewers? Here are the results.

GAME OF THE YEAR
  BioShock

STUDIO OF THE YEAR
  Harmonix

BEST SHOOTER
  Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision/ Infinity Ward)

BEST RPG
  Mass Effect (Microsoft Game Studios/ BioWare)

BEST MILITARY GAME
  Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision/ Infinity Ward)

BEST INDIVIDUAL SPORTS GAME
  skate (Electronic Arts/ EA Black Box)

BEST HANDHELD GAME
  The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo/ Nintendo)

BEST GRAPHICS
  Crysis (Electronic Arts/ Crytek)

BEST GAME BASED ON A MOVIE OR TV SHOW
  The Simpsons Game (Electronic Arts/ EA Redwood Shores)

BEST RHYTHM GAME
  Rock Band (MTV Games/ Harmonix)

BEST DRIVING GAME
  DiRT (Codemasters/ Codemasters)

BEST ACTION GAME
  Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo/ Nintendo)

BEST TEAM SPORTS GAME
  Madden NFL 08 (Electronic Arts/ EA Tiburon)

BEST SOUNDTRACK
  Rock Band (MTV Games/ Harmonix)

BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY
  The Orange Box/ Portal (Valve/ Valve)

BEST XBOX 360 GAME
  BioShock

BEST WII GAME
  Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo/ Nintendo)

BEST PS3 GAME
  Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (Sony Computer Entertainment/Insomniac Games)

BEST PC GAME
  The Orange Box (Valve/ Valve)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
  BioShock

BEST MULTI-PLAYER GAME
  Halo 3 (Microsoft Game Studios/ Bungie Studios)

MOST ADDICTIVE VIDEO GAME FUELED BY DEW
  Halo 3 (Microsoft Game Studios/ Bungie Studios)

Agreement? Disagreement? Personally, I think I have a lot of games to play based on this list.

More Astley Challenge favors to come later.

Call of Duty 4 - the Review

This is my first answer to the call of "The Astley Challenge." This one goes all the way out to J.D. Evans. And the ladies. But mostly J.D. Evans, since he requested this.

To preface my review, the reader should know that although I'm a blogger about video games and that I love video games, I'm not really very good at video games, particularly first-person shooters.

Aside from that, "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" must be in the top ten most intricate video games out today. Joining the likes of "Half-Life 2" and other games akin to its genre, the graphics for "Call of Duty 4" are mind-blowing. From the waves crashing in the water below your helicopter to the smoke that emanates from the bullets crashing against the walls.

But it isn't only the realism in the graphics or the sound quality or even the chilling soundtrack that makes this game. It's the story. Now I could go on to explain all of the details of what's going on in the war and what your character's missions are, but none of that matters. All you need to know is that after a short training session, you are pushed onto the battlefield with Sgt. Price (whose mustache makes one think that he's evil).

This game gives you the impression that it isn't a game at all. It makes you firmly believe that you are in the midst of war. Now I've played some of the "Medal of Honor" games before and I've certainly played many first-person shooters. However, no game has put fear into my system quite like this one. I don't know if it's because I've been playing a lot of "Super Mario Galaxy" lately, but regardless, this game was a rude awakening.

It was fun, don't get me wrong. I couldn't put the thing down. And if you like first-person shooters and war games, buy it. Buy it now! However, this game really brought out my inner-hippie. After so much killing and the thought of somebody shooting at you at any moment, I start to question why I'm there (or why there's war in the first place and why can't we all just get along and a lot of other thoughts you could hear about in The Grateful Dead's "American Beauty").

The game is incredible, but it made me scream in terror once every other minute - an accomplishment only held by two other games: "Resident Evil 4" and "Luigi's Mansion." It just caused a lot of strain on my muscles, one Jimmy Stewart impression (in which I yelled, "Take five, commies!" over and over again), and I kid you not, one bad dream where everybody had the same mustache as the sergeant.

"Call of Duty 4" is in a league of its own. The realism of the thing is pretty mind-blowing. The multi-player is great, the gameplay is addictive as all get-out, and I highly recommend it. But if you've been playing "Super Mario Galaxy," I'd watch "Full Metal Jacket" or something beforehand.

Happy, J.D.?

The Astley Challenge, or, My Work Cut Out For Me

Yesterday, I issued what I affectionately referred to as "The Astley Challenge," encouraging readers to post their review of everyone's favorite video. Here's a reminder.

Ah yes, the elusive Rick Roll. The catch? You have to watch the ENTIRE thing.

Anyhow, as a reward to those heroes who trudged through all 3.5 minutes of the greatest video ever (and posted their review of it), they got to choose what I'll talk about in the future of BTVG regarding video games. And now I have my work cut out for me. Thus, here are the assignments I have ahead of me.

For Tyler - A review of the Atari classic "Custer's Revenge"

For J.D. - A review of "Call of Duty 4."

For dad - A review of the classic "Dig Dug."

For Alex - A review of the upcoming PC game "Spore," although I might have to compromise with a preview.

If anybody else wants to see me review a game of their choosing, talk about an upcoming game, or discuss/review any other aspect of gamer culture, they should step up to the plate for THE ASTLEY CHALLENGE!

Setting the Timer: A Post for Parents

Hey there parents, you know how you can set the parental controls on your satellite dish/cable TV? Well now you can do it with your kid's Xbox 360.


Thanks to Xbox Live, you can download the "Family Timer," which limits the amount of time your child spends on the system. The software will help you monitor the time that your children spend playing the 360.

This is the next step in Microsoft's Family Settings program. You can now monitor which games your kids can and can't play. No more Rockstar for you, little Billy!

So parents (of younger children) - will you utilize Microsoft's Family Settings?

Here's a fact sheet on the Family Settings. May the kid punishment begin!

A two-day late post

So I'm reading my favorite news publication, The Herald-Dispatch, and I find out that there's a video game related story that I MISSED! It was published two days ago.

According to the Dispatch web site, a group of people caused "a disturbance" outside of Best Buy and Circuit City near the Huntington Mall. No injuries were reported, but still - come on people!

Here's the thing everybody: the Wii is great. It's totally great. But like most things, it isn't worth causing a disturbance, or worse, robbery. I can understand causing a ruckus if you haven't eaten in days and then you raid the grocery store with a small, food-deprived army, but even that's only OK if the grocery store has been closed for weeks and an army of grocers are leading people away with pitchforks and torches and stuff. And then your food-deprived angry mob steps in with revolution in mind and tries to overthrow the grocers for some sweet, sweet canned goods. But wait, you remember that you're overstocked anyway because of Y2K, so you boycott the grocery store and don't throw a raid, although other people weren't so cautious, so now YOU'RE being overthrown. But that's all last-resort type stuff. Video games shouldn't do that to anybody (note to self: pitch video game called "Grocery Store 3000").

But it's just a gaming system. If little Johnny or Julie doesn't get a Wii for Christmas, they may be upset, but if you let them know that they will get it, then things will smooth themselves over. Get your kids some available Wii games and an IOU on the system. Don't start a war over the Wii.

In other news, have you ANSWERED THE CALL OF THE ASTLEY CHALLENGE???

Killzone, Too!

Set to be released this February, "Killzone 2" is the one of the most anticipated games of the coming year. And I've got to say, it's awfully pretty lookin'.

New screenshots for the game emerged today. You can check them out here, thanks to rewiredmind.com.

The game will be released for the PS3 only. I'd recommend hijacking a really nice TV for this one.

I haven't played the original "Killzone," probably because it went head-to-head with "Halo 2." However, I'll definitely have to check this one out.

And now...

You know, I could have attributed that to something, but I didn't feel like it. So I have Rick Astley on my blog. So what? What are you going to do about it?

NOTE: If you watch that entire video, you are a hero to the people. If you comment and let me know that you watched the entire thing, with a review of the Rick Astley video, I will write about any (video game related) topic of your choosing (pending its level of appropriate).

Enter the Astley Challenge!

The Future of BTVG!

Here at BTVG (Blog: The Video Game, if you haven't read the top of the site), I've been slightly deprived of a few aspects of the gaming sphere. I don't have any handheld gaming systems, any online connections for my systems (except the Wii), or a PlayStation 3.

However, readers beware, I am now adorned with Xbox Live.

Thus, I'll hit you with the hilariously overdue final installment of "The Orange Box" review soon, complete with my review of "Team Fortress 2." Excelsior!

Spike TV's Video Game Awards Gets Samuel L. Jackson...Again.

You better believe it. Samuel L. Jackson is back this year to host Spike TV's 2007 "Video Game Awards." That is a tasty burger (OK, so I could've made a less obscure "Pulp Fiction" reference, or for that matter, a "Snakes On a Plane" reference, but I've made my decision. Tasty burger. Deal with it).

The show airs on December 9, 9:00 ET. Tune in to see new, never before seen previews of "Borderlands," "Gran Turismo 5: Prologue," "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2," and "TNA iMPACT!" Huh. You can also check out some previews of the new DLC "Halo 3" maps.

Oh, and don't worry, all of your favorite celebrities will be there. Dave Navarro, Kurt Angle, Tony Hawk, Matt Leinart, Tia Carrere, the stars of NBC's "Chuck," Don King, Criss Angel (fifteen minutes are up, man), Steve-O, and a lot of various ultimate fighters/wrestlers/"hot babes" that you probably don't care about. Oh, and Patton Oswalt and Brian Posehn will be there (awesome).

If you want to vote for this year's "Most Addictive Game," head to Spike's website to cast your vote. It's between "Wii Sports," "Guitar Hero III," "The Orange Box," and "Halo 3." You've got some heavy hitters aboard.

Can't wait to hear about the winners. It'll be very interesting.