Friday, December 11, 2009

Dragon's Lair: iPod Touch/Phone

Classic arcade game. Remember the laser disc's. This killer revolutionary game from WAY back in the day can now fit into your pocket!

$4.99 at the App Store

Peace,
Vanilla Assassin

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Retarded Robots?

Usually when you're a kid, going shopping with parents isn't the most exciting to do item on your list. But you know what? Other than having to stand around the boring clothes section at Woolworths and at Kresges, waiting for mom to purchase garments and whatever else, i liked shopping. I remember dad buying a bike at Robinsons for my brother. Actually i can't remember if the purchase was made there. It was so long ago and sadly those three stores are long gone from downtown. Along with the Eaton Centre where women with a hot pair of legs worked the elevators. Those are some of my fondest memories of shopping downtown. Those, and mom deciding to feel sorry for me and giving me a shiny Quarter! I never knew if i would be getting the quarter. Most of the time i did. That currency, adorned with the head of the queen on one side and a moose head on the other was my all access pass to PacMan or Dig Dug Or Donkey Kong Or sorry bro i forgot the game you always played. Either Centipede orGalaxian.


What i'm trying to ask here is, does this still happen to kids nowdays??? Or are kids just retarded robots who will never feel nostalgia when they get older?

Peace,
Vanilla Assassin

Saturday, November 14, 2009

CAPCOM

CAPCOM

Saturday, September 19, 2009

stfj 3.0

stfj 3.0

Monday, August 31, 2009

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box: A review

I've been looking forward to this sequel to Professor Layton and the Curious Village ever since I found out that it would be hitting American shores. Part 2 of the first of two trilogies of Professor Layton titles, the Diabolical Box brings 150 new puzzles and a handful of minigames to the table.

The same gorgeous art style reminiscent of Miyazaki is used and the storyline is very engaging. Level 5 has delivered again with this title and if you're a fan of puzzles you definitely need to pick up this title. One nice touch: you don't have to have played the original game. This title is a standalone and you can start with this one or the Curious Village without any confusion. If you're not familiar with the series let me fill you in. You play as Professor Layton and his apprentice Luke. The Professor teaches archaeology at a university he and Luke solve mysteries on the side using their natural talents at puzzle solving. As you move about the various setpieces you uncover hidden puzzles. Solving them earns you picarats and help move the story along. Puzzles include math puzzles, logic puzzles, matchstick puzzles, word problems and the like. The meat of the game is the puzzles but they're wrapped up in a very immersive over-arcing stageplay.

A few puzzley minigames have been added as well. Each is presented as a puzzle but can only be completed as you collect pieces from each chapter of the story.

Some of the kinks of the first title seem to have been worked out. For example, I found that in the Curious Village some of the puzzles were worded a little ambiguously and I wasn't sure what sort of answer the game required to solve the puzzle. Also, in the first game the memo screen and the puzzle screen were one in the same which sometimes limited you to the amount of information you could doodle and still see. The memo page has been improved with a transparent overlay that gives you the entire bottom screen to scrawl out notes on. Much better.

I also like how Professor Layton is always teaching Luke what how a "true gentleman" behaves in various situations. You can't go wrong giving this game to your kid.

Overall, The Diabolical Box is a hard buy. Interesting puzzles, engaging story, beautiful artwork, immersive voicework; all add up to a hours of enjoyable gameplay.

Wolfenstein RPG (iPod Touch):HAPPY GAMING With Vanilla Assassin













Here comes another killer game for the iPod Touch in the form of Wolfenstein RPG. For all you freaks and geeks who miss that old dingy-awesome Wolfenstein 3D, you'll love this incarnation of the game.
The sound of the doors clanking shut, brought back old memories and so did the maze style levels and the portraits of Hitler on the wall. Only in the RPG version you can punch Hitler's portrait-face to a pulp.
This game is turn based so your enemies have the same amount of movements allotted to them, as you took, i.e. you take a shot, they take a shot.
The fun factor is totally there and the graphics are smooth, chunky and pumped-up compared to the original. Once you look through the controls they become intuitive and work well. There's even a "cross pad" for direction on the screen with which you move around.
I purchased this game for $2.99, which was quite a steal. It could have easily been priced at $9.99.

Any of you iPod Touch or Phone fans out there who are on the fence about this game and have not purchased it, DO IT. NOW.

Happy Gaming,
Vanilla Assassin

Saturday, August 29, 2009

The Catacomb Abyss
















The Catacomb Abyss


"You stand before the gate leading into the Towne Cemetery. Night is falling as mournful wails mingle with the sound of your pounding heart. Equipped with your wits and the Secret Knowledge of Magick, you venture forth on your quest to upset the dark schemes of Nemesis, your arch rival."


If that intro didn't creep you out then I don't know what will. All those spelling mistakes make my heart bleed with confusion.

The other day i dusted off and cracked open and dug deep into the bowels of my gaming vault. What i found was an old game which i haven't played for years. And i mean YEARS! The Catacomb Abyss!


Forget Duke Nukem or even WofenSTEEEN 3D. Before all that, came a little game which was developed by 'id'. I remember the Gadget savvy Gooch let me borrow a floppy and on it was "Comet" and "The Catacomb Abyss".

This PC game was the Daddy of FPS. When I first copied and loaded this puppy up, and realized that i was some sort of mage who can shoot fire from my hands and kill ghoulish zombies while running around in a maze collecting several colored keys and potions, and things were getting VEERY NASTY in the Catacombs, I was hooked. At the time I had never seen a game quite like this. What really scared me in this game was a section of the cemetery called Garden Of Tears. EEESH.


Don't try jacking up your volume because this game DON'T NEED NO MUSAC. All it requires in terms of sound effects is just that, SOUND EFFECTS.


Dare you challenge the great Nemesis as Novice or Warrior? This skeleton has fangs the size of can openers and his head is engulfed in flames. he must be in constant pain because his eyes are a hue of red.


If you can get your hands on this game, give it a shot. Just for old time sake.


Peace,

Vanilla Assassin

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Archives available onsite

Just click the button below to listen to our August 22 show featuring the debut of our Japanese correspondent.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

IN PINBALL NEWS: Zizzle Brings You Pinball

Zizzle, manufacturers of toys such as Jenga and PJ Sparkles bring you some kickin pinball fun!

The Atari themed machine is coming this Christmas season. It combines elements from old hits such as Centipede, Super Breakout, Asteroids, Missile Command and Pong!  For now check out Marvel Heroes


~~Peace,
Vanilla Assassin

IGN Video: Batman: Arkham Asylum PlayStation 3 Trailer - Trailer

IGN Video: Batman: Arkham Asylum PlayStation 3 Trailer - Trailer

Thursday, June 4, 2009

BBC NEWS | Technology | PSP Go console finally unveiled

PSP Go! has been announced.  I'm sorry but it just looks really cheap.  And where is the second analog stick?  I understand this is more like the Gameboy Mini than a true successor to the PSP but why release that before a full featured PSP redo?  I just don't get it.  Either this IS the new full blown PSP or they've released them in the wrong order.  

BBC NEWS | Technology | PSP Go console finally unveiled

Nintendo axed DSi alternative just before launch - SlashGear

What might this look like?  Iwata talks about the DSi that wasn't released.  Apparently they're sitting at Nintendo HQ.

Nintendo axed DSi alternative just before launch - SlashGear

Nintendo To Rivals: What, Us? Worry? About You? - The Channel Wire - IT Channel News And Views by CRN and VARBusiness

Nintendo is flattered by all the attention its receiving from its competitors but isn't worried much about losing their crown.


SERIOUS LUNCH: Conan's new set looks like Super Mario

Serious Lunch has a couple of pics of Conan's Super Mario set.

SERIOUS LUNCH: Conan's new set looks like Super Mario

Miyamoto teases new Zelda Wii title, dishes on Natal - Ars Technica

Been awhile since I've posted.  The radio show is still going strong.  Listen live in the Greater Toronto Area on 93.3 FM Saturday nights at 7pm.  Or catch the live stream at cfmu.mcmaster.ca.

I've rediscovered the BlogThis! bookmarklet so posting will be quick and easy.  Expect a flood of posts again.

Von Kaiser.


Miyamoto teases new Zelda Wii title, dishes on Natal - Ars Technica

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Happy Birthday

Happy 25th Tetris!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Friday, April 24, 2009

Mario Kart Love Song

Friday, April 10, 2009

Life And Level In Studio








Next Saturday 7:00-7:30pm on 93.3 cfmu, Josh and Johnny from "Life and Level" will be joining Von Kaiser and Vanilla Assassin in studio. Make sure you tune in!

http://www.lifeandlevel.com/

Peace,
Vanilla Assassin

Monday, April 6, 2009

Nintendo finding efficiencies

Looks like Nintendo has managed to cut out 45% of the cost of making a Wii since launching the console.  When the little white box was released it was already the cheapest to make and had the lowest sticker price.  A price which they have not yet lowered by the way.  So basically Nintendo has managed to increase their takeaway on each box sold by nearly half since launch.  Now, when the Wii does start slowing down and Nintendo drops the price they'll be in a great position because they'll still be making a lot of coin on each console.

Life And Level Review

So a little while ago i stumbled upon a RAD website which some say is dedicated to either gaming or good ol fashioned torture or a little bit of both.
The premise behind this site is that two psychopaths who make any leather wearing, chain wielding, stiletto wearing Madam look like "Hugs N Kisses" the Care Bear, compete against each other handicapped ie. zapped by two thousand volts of electricity, taped together, or most recently filling themselves with evil medicines that will make anybody crap themselves. The loser is forced to perform whatever the Noob wheel tells him to do ie. sniff spices, use his ass as a dart cushion. You know, birthday party type games from early grade school days.
This site is a mix of education, grossness, pain, terror, romance, suspense, disbelief. Recently i had to cringe when Josh took a toe to his "Sack" while more recently Johnny took some darts to his cheeks. After the darts were removed from his ass, it reminded me of a kangaroo disfigured and mangled in a gruesome porsche accident in a French tunnel.

If you feel like some laughs and cringing, head over to http://www.lifeandlevel.com/
If you throw up or your mind becomes scarred for life don't blame me. Have fun.

Peace,
Vanilla Assassin

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Contest question!

First person to email us the correct answer to the following question wins the NES!  To email us, use the form in the right panel.


Who has been providing the voice of Mario since 1987?

This contest is open to anyone but you have to be able to pick up the prize at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.


Luck Cam In Studio



Saturday, March 28, 2009

Contest!

I apologize for not posting the contest question on time.  I also found out that we weren't being broadcast live over the 'net due to a technical problem.  So to be fair to everyone I will post it after next week's show at 9:00pm.  Blogger is already set to post the question at that time through the autoblog feature.


Thanks for listening!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Vanilla: Come here. I need you. To clean my diapers.

The next installment of the Legend of Zelda has a tite and some video.  LOZ:  Spirit Tracks continues in the Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass tradition of cell shaded graphics.  I will be buying three of these:  one to play, one to display, and one to lay.



Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wii HD revealed. 2011 release

Miyamoto and his posse have revealed a true successor to the Wii.  Slated for release in 2011 this new console is not an upgrade but is instead presented as the next gen console from Nintendo.  Huge news.  Developing...

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

DJ Killface's Resident Evil 5 Review

Dear Von Kaiser and Vanilla Assassin,

I write this letter amidst a pool of unrecognizable muck and a whole pile of burning shells. Am I at war? Yes. Am I scared? Maybe a little. Am I having fun? You bet your pocket-sized dog I am. I’m also shooting at African natives in Africa, but this is no genocide…no, this is a bloodbath of African non-zombies. My partner is Sheva and before you accuse me of being racist. She’s from Africa too.

What I’m talking about of course is Resident Evil 5. I giggled with anticipation as I ripped the plastic covering off the case. It gave me the same high that I get from opening that little blue box from Tiffany’s Co. But the present inside, was more precious than any Tiffany jewel. It was blood. It was guts. This was bliss.

Just kidding! This is like, the WORST African vacation game EVER. There are like, these awful people all over the place and it seems as though they only thing they do is like drool or something. Is this what it’s like in Africa? They’re totally just like, these people with a poor fashion sense and poor hygiene habits. If I was there, I’d totally tell them to take a bath or something, but all I can do is shoot at them. I can’t even spray them with perfume. It’s totally stupid and all they leave is this bubbling mess. I totally got this game thinking that was like, about going a tour of the African savannah with like, my gal pal Sheva. I mean c’mon, she’s got a weird name, this was totally supposed to make me worldly and stuff. My boyfriend keeps telling me that like, I need to get out and see the world, but I don’t think I wanna see it anymore. Everything is like..so UGLY. I wish everything looked like a mall. OMG. There aren’t ANY malls!! What is wrong with these people?! No wonder they all look so bad.

Anyway, the game play in this is varied and isn’t limited to just shooting. There are things you need to push, levers you need to pull, mirrors you need to shift… you get the point. The graphics also deliver and still give the authentic resident evil creep factor even though sometimes you’re in broad daylight. It’s also great to see a game that really plays into its co-op aspect, but doesn’t leave you hanging if you’re playing alone because you have friends or something. I wasn’t too thrilled about not being able to run and shoot at the same time, but you get used to that pretty quick. However, the melee attacks you are able to perform are pretty freakin’ awesome and really make you feel like you’re kicking butt, while saving on ammo. Those are just some of the things that I currently love about the game. I haven’t yet finished it, but I’m sure it’ll deliver. Also, on a fun note, look out for some familiar critters that will make an appearance in this version of the game.

XOXO,

DJ Killface

P.S. Did I like, ever tell you I had personality disorder? My boyfriend totally thinks it’s hot. Although sometimes I like, think he likes the other me more…*sob*

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

The Numbers

They don't look good for Sony.  Tsk tsk.  Why don't they drop the price?  You may as well ask how you get from a banana to a dog.  Oh well.

The Ocarina of Rhymes

Check this interesting mashup using the little Ocarina tune from The Legend of Zelda:  Ocarina of Time.


Edit:  There are actually two and I prefer the second as it features Snoop.

Edit:  It's a whole damn album and it rules.  Just let it play.  Jay-Z!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Latest online offering makes Xbox Live look like PSN

Intellivision has a new online gaming service that makes Xbox Live look dated.  PlayCable allows you do download games to play on your Intellivision video game console. They've even got a celebrity spokesman:  Mickey Mantle!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

First iPod vs DS and now...?

Looks like Apple may be ready to forget the Pippin and take on Nintendo a second time.  Someone with a lot of time on their hands has managed to dig up a Wii-like controller patent that Apple filed.  It's called The Wand.  Could Apple be getting ready to take on the Wii?

Hand-painted Mario shoes

Look like junk.  Just because it's Mario doesn't mean it's good.

What happens when you die?

A couple of companies will take care of your online gamer accounts if you unexpectedly kick the bucket.  So if you're sitting at the keyboard and keel over then Deathswitch will be able to tell all your little dwarf friends in WoW that "Hey man, he died."  Slightly Morbid can also help you inform your Everquest pals that you've shuffled off this mortal coil.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Monday, March 9, 2009

Brandon Crips: An Hero


Hey doodz, I think you'll all remember Brandon Crips; the young lad who took his dad literally when he said "Chill out."  Anyway, looks like CBC is going to be running a docudrama on Brandon and his favorite game:  "Tour of Duty."  Check it out!  Hey, here's a joke for all of you:  Why do they call it Xbox 360?  Because when you see it you turn 360 degrees and die in the snow.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

A Couple Of Little Tricks For PS3's Street Fighter 4

Japanese Voices!
If you want Japanese voices then complete the arcade mode to gain the option to change voices at the options menu.

Gallery artwork
Complete your dude's character combo challenge and you'll be able to unlock that character's gallery menu.

~~ Vanilla Assassin

Vanilla's Interview With Frogger



















This past week i caught up with a special somebody who allowed me to take a few moments out of his busy life to conduct an interview. The following is how it all went down.

Vanilla Assassin:
Good evening Frogger. How are you?

Frogger:
Excellent thank you.

Vanilla:
I appreciate you allowing me the time to talk to you.

Frogger:
Well i have a few moments to spare.

Vanilla:
First of all i want you to know that i am a huge fan of yours. You are a legend in the gaming biz and i can't believe i'm actually here, beside you.

Frogger:
Why thank you

Vanilla:
So Frogger, as a tadpole, what made you decide to star in a video game?

Frogger:
As a tadpole i did not want to star in a video game. As a matter of fact, i did not even know what a video game was. I always wanted to become a Jazz musician.

Vanilla:
Really??

Frogger:
Yes really. It was all actually accidental. You see back in the early 80's Konami was looking for somebody to star in a new game they had created called "Highway crossing Frog". After much search, them chaps happened upon me at a quaint little coffee shop over on the upper east side. What they told me was that as soon as they had seen me, they had made up their minds that i was the perfect frog for their game.

Vanilla:
Wow i didn't know that..You said the game was called "Highway Crossing Frog?"

Frogger:
Ah yes. I thought it was a bit rubbish so i demanded that they change the name to Frogger. After all i am the star.

Vanilla:
That you are. How did you like your time at Sega?

Frogger:
Oh it was fabulous.

Vanilla:
Were you and Qbert friends?

Frogger:
Ah, dear sweet Qbert. He was a bit of a piss. I mean i wanted a snake in my game, so he demanded a snake in his game. I jumped in the game so he demanded that he jump in his game. Those were good times. A little feud of sorts.

Vanilla:
How about Mario?

Frogger:
What about Mario?

Vanilla:
What do you think of Mario's success?

Frogger:
Let me tell you about Mario. I met him a couple of times when we did some work for Atari. I didn't care for him too much. I gave him pointers on what to do. He looked up to me. My game was supposed to transcend time. I was breaking barriers for all those amphibians you see out there and along comes this pissant upstart and takes the spotlight. He was a greedy little man.

Vanilla:
You'll still be second best in my heart Mr Frogger.

Frogger:
Hrmph

Vanilla:
You did some tv work didn't you? 

Frogger:
Ah yes, i did some work on Supercade with Pitfall Harry and Sheldon the turtle. I also starred in an episode of Seinfeld a few years ago.

Vanilla:
How about today? Whats goin on in your life?

Frogger:
Well i'm retired now but i do some bits here and there. I've worked with the folks at World of Warcraft. I was also a fill in for that movie..ohh... "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button". When Brad Pitt was a baby. I was one of the fill ins. I also keep an eye on the many Frogger clones out there.

Vanilla:
Great. Thanks alot for your time Mr Frogger. Like i said you are a legend in this biz. You broke down certain barriers. You paved the way for the younger amphibians. You helped change gaming for the better.

Frogger:
Thank you sir. All the best to you. Cheers.

Episode 6 Link Dump for Feature Story

Tonight we broadcast live at cfmu.mcmaster.ca.  Our Feature Story tonight is the growth of the trade-in biz amongst retailers.


Sauces:


A Boy and His Blob

A Boy and His Blob is being remade for the Wii and you can find a couple of vids of the gameplay here and here.

Uncle Kaiser remembers Lemonade Stand

Hello True Believers!  Tonight at 7pm EST don't forget to tune in to cfmu.mcmaster.ca to hear the Leave Luck to Us radio show LIVE.  Of course you can also listen on terrestrial radio at 93.3 CFMU in Hamilton and Burlington.  Tonight Uncle Kaiser remembers Lemonade Stand.  Download a remake of the game here and play along.

Communist Secret Invasion











So we all agree that Communists and Nazis come from the same shit pile. I havn't thought much about Nazi invasions through video games but i do know of some Communist attempts to molest our emotions through the console. When communists realized that they could no longer rape the free world through nuclear, biological and other popular fads they resorted to more inconspicuous weaponry ,"games".
The first wave of attack came in the form of a game called Tetris. Those sneaky commies used geometry to lead the nice people into a zombie-like state hoping that when all of the nice people became electronically stoned, they could march on in and burn and pillage our cities. My hats off to the Reds. This was actually a genius plan. Most good people in the free world had no idea of how close we were to having to use the evil "Ruble" currency as opposed to our much loved "Rupee".
After playing at least a half hour of Tetris, North Americans, Europeans, Australians and even Japanese staggered around streets in a lazy zombie state with shapes such as squares and erect lines and T shapes and L shapes superimposed over their corneas. Dr Wright explained that if it wasn't for games like Sim City, Zelda and Bomberman, who knows, maybe we'd be eating ladles full of reindeer dung in Siberia.
The second wave of attack came in the form of Red soldiers trying to attack our emotions by becoming lovable characters.
In a recent interview with LeaveLuckTo.Us, Biff Slamkovich told the Vanilla Assassin, that he was forced into wrestling his heart out each saturday night in hopes of catering to the soft spot of a good gamer's heart and tricking him into thinking that a Ruskie communist could be just as lovable as an American. When in fact this was a ploy by the murderous communist government, trying to create an illusion that communists are our friends, not monsters. A Commie MMA fighter by the name of Zangief acknowledged the truth behind Slamkovich's comments. He added that as communists, they had to wear red tights so that North American Liberals would grow a liking to that evil colour, which in a communist politician's mind is one step closer to world domination. In an interview with another MMA fighter Chun Li, we were told that she wore a sexy outfit in hopes of Brits and Yanks falling in love with socialists. A drunken Soda Popinski was too punch drunk to answer our repeated phone calls.
The third wave of attack and is still in play today came in the form of powerful communist technology known as Playstation and Xbox. Vladimir Putin, head of Russia's Department of Torture explains that through the hippy commune theory, by offering Good Gamers soviet gaming technology, these good gamers can be weened away from Nintendo and tricked into the communist idea that we can love multiple gaming consoles. That we don't have to solely support a sinless console like Nintendo and eventually by loving all consoles we will drop our defenses, we will accept the commie notion that it takes a village to raise a child. Finally we will accept the evil truth that if you give communist technology a chance, that you will become like the communist. You will think like the communist. You will eat like the communist and you will brainwash like the communist and you will bow down to your communist superiors. This way they don't even have to drop a single bomb onto the good civilians. 
Even today in this "enlightened age", so many gamers have fallen into this trap. 
Be careful folks. The communist is lurking in games you wouldn't even think they would lurk in.

Peace,
Vanilla Assassin


Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Topps Nintendo Game Pack


Back in the day when it truly was the best time to be alive for gamer. Back when there was something truly magical about video games, came Topps Nintendo scratch cards.

I remember rushing down to Salvages, beside Min A Mart on York and Queen, to buy a cream horn and wagon wheels and pick up a pack or two or three or four Nintendo Game Packs. All you Magic nerds have no idea what it was like ripping open the wax packaging on these cards. I should know cause i used to buy those damn "Magic the Gathering cards" (original prints).

These scratch packs contained three scratch cards and two stickers (if you havn't read the package on the photo yet).
The scratch cards consisted of,  beautiful pictures depicting games such as Mario and Mario2, Double Dragon, Zelda, I remember Punch Out was in there as well.  On the pictures you would find a bunch of circles. You would have to scratch off certain ones to reveal very bad or good things. It was basically a simple little game on cards. If that makes any sense. Problem with us kids was that we would scratch the hell out of all of the circles on each card.











The stickers would say things such as "Mario Madness" or "Hit Me With Your Best Score". Simple slogans for simple times. 
On the back was a detective who would provide you with a secret Nintendo tip.
I used to have so many of these cards. I wish i still had them even though i scratched the hell out of them.

Peace,
Vanilla Assassin

Forumwarz

Are you easily offended? Then don't try this game.

http://www.forumwarz.com/

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Little Big Planet REVIEW

By: DJ KILLFACE

OMG! This is like the cutest game to ever hit my sleek and shiny PS3. *hair flip* Actually, it’s the first game to ever enter its holy body of a gaming machine. Haha, it’s totally like that time I lost my virginity, NOT. I’m totally not like Sarah. Don’t tell her I said that.

Anyway, this game has the super cutest graphics ever and you can totally meet some hotties online, sometimes they’re like 13, but you can totally cougar it up. You go girl! You can even talk to them if you’ve got a Bluetooth set. You can also play online with others from the LBP community and together like totally kick butt on levels with multi-player stages. The stages are challenging. I mean there were times where I was thinking so hard I thought my brain was going to hurt. OMG! I totally forgot. You can totally customize your characters to suit your fashion sense. I made mine look like Lindsay Lohan, but it sucks cause I couldn’t get mine to diet and get skinnier like her. But whatever, at least it doesn’t look like that town bike Paris Hilton. What a hoe bag. Anyway, point is, this game rocks. It totally has some great replay value, you can like, play it again and again and again and...yeah. It is definitely a keeper and not a renter. The fact that you can totally customize your characters depending on the fashion season is a HUGE bonus and the multitude of levels created by the LPB community means you’ll never run out of places to explore. There was like, this one level, where this person totally made this calculator. I still don’t know how to do math, but it’s cool that they did that. Just don’t tell my b/f I said that, he’ll totally think that like, I’m dumb or something.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Vanilla's Retro Reset (Front Line)




Think back to 1985 when games were games and gamers were gamers. In the midst of the 1942's and Ten Yard Fights came a game by Taito, which became the trailblazer, the grand daddy, the predecessor to such games as Ikari Warriors and i think it's safe to say to games like Call Of Duty or even to another old classic Commando.

Front Line.

The graphics weren't much to write home about. But i actually thought it was cute and funny. You're basically a soldier moving up the screen shooting enemies. There were old school looking tanks that you could dive into and drive around in. I don't remember the game having a background tune. The toughest part of this game were the stray bullets you might have missed, only to see them last minute, hitting you in the gut or crotch.
Many of you might call this game.....crap. But personally i would slap this game on a top 20 fave games of all time list. If i had one. What i'd give to toss another Front Line grenade again.

Peace,
Vanilla

The Leave Luck To Us First Quarter Extravaganza Coming Soon

Looking for a free game? Stay tuned for our huge contest announcement coming soon!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Jimmy Fallon wants to mainstream gaming

Jimmy Fallon plans to have guests on to hype new releases in the video game biz.  So when the next Zelda is going to drop then he'll have Miyamoto on.  Why hasn't this been done before in late night?

New Mike Tyson Doc features exclusive interview with King Hippo

AUSTIN, TX—A new documentary titled Punched Out!!: The Mike Tyson Story, which follows the legendary boxer's career from his debut as a challenger to the infamous DREAM FIGHT!! against Little Mac in 1987, will premiere at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Gardening Mama Trailer

Get your trowel and kneepads ready cause Gardening Mama's on her way this April!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Punch Out 2009 Trailer

Totally RAD! The new Punch out is on it's way for the Wii! Can't wait! Apparently it will be a Q2 release. Punch Out is up there with my fave games such as Fzero.

Maybe i'll toss a Punch Out party when i do get it.
BTW. I'm glad Tyson isn't in it.

Peace,
Vanilla

Quickly Remembering The Bulletin Board System

I sometimes think about the days before the internet exploded onto the scene. Simple times when kids weren't afraid of the sun. Simple times when, if you couldn't get together with somebody to play chess you would play mailbox chess. Simple times when playing a round of paintball meant wearing shorts in the fall, grab a bucket of freezing water, fill it with horse chestnuts, stick the bucket of chilled chestnuts in a mutually agreed area, run for the bucket, grab chestnuts and throw them as hard as you can at your victim's exposed legs. Simple times when the BBSes ruled the roost.
A BBS was a computer which ran software that people could log into using a terminal program. Once you were jacked in, you could download programs, chat(multiple phone lines multiple chat), access forums and do all kinds of stuff. If you jacked into a BBS which was considered long distance, you would be charged for it.
Sysops were the people who ran the boards. I still fondly remember the following BBSes: The Wizardry, Eclectus, Dogpound....there's a bunch more reg sites who's name i've forgotten.
The best was when you dialed into a BBS and somebody in your house picked up the phone line, they'd be greeted with that screetchy static sound and then you would lose the signal. You'd yell at everyone not to use the phone again for an hour and then you'd dial back in. Hopefully you wouldn't be greeted by a busy signal over and over and over until finally after 20 mins you were in.

Goodbye BBS, it's been fun.

Vanilla Assassin

Sir Shigeru Miyamoto

Little League World Series Baseball

Originally posted Monday February 9th 2009.



Everyone knows Baseball is a geek's sport. Which is why i think the sport slightly appeals to me. Not that i'm a full blown geek, but i do like geeks. Now i've never played a Major League baseball game that i thoroughly enjoyed. But the carts which i did enjoy thoroughly playing were, Bad News Baeball but better yet, Little League(for the NES). Little League was a ball of fun cloaked in seriousness. I spent many a nights trying to load up the bases and knock homers against the Sandman and the Wii Man and Jimmy.
Recently i chanced upon a game for the Wii called Little League World Series 2008 by Activision. Now it's not what i hoped it would be, but it is fun. The characters are cute. The graphics are good. The fun factor is there and there are girls playing alongside boys. By doing well in the game you can receive power ups that'll help you toss a perfect pitch or a swing a perfect hit. When you pop a ball into the air, a fielder automatically runs for it and if he catches it then you swing your Wii remote towards the base you want to toss the ball to. To run faster you jiggle the remote, FAST-ly.
There's also a tournament you can enter and you can also edit the name of your #1 player to whatever name you like.
This game isn't for the serious tobaccy chewin baseball brute out there. But if you want some feel good, old fashioned baseball fun then give it a shot.

Strike you guys out later,
Vanilla Assassin

Little League World Series Baseball

Originally posted Monday February 9th 2009.



Everyone knows Baseball is a geek's sport. Which is why i think the sport slightly appeals to me. Not that i'm a full blown geek, but i do like geeks. Now i've never played a Major League baseball game that i thoroughly enjoyed. But the carts which i did enjoy thoroughly playing were, Bad News Baeball but better yet, Little League(for the NES). Little League was a ball of fun cloaked in seriousness. I spent many a nights trying to load up the bases and knock homers against the Sandman and the Wii Man and Jimmy.
Recently i chanced upon a game for the Wii called Little League World Series 2008 by Activision. Now it's not what i hoped it would be, but it is fun. The characters are cute. The graphics are good. The fun factor is there and there are girls playing alongside boys. By doing well in the game you can receive power ups that'll help you toss a perfect pitch or a swing a perfect hit. When you pop a ball into the air, a fielder automatically runs for it and if he catches it then you swing your Wii remote towards the base you want to toss the ball to. To run faster you jiggle the remote, FAST-ly.
There's also a tournament you can enter and you can also edit the name of your #1 player to whatever name you like.
This game isn't for the serious tobaccy chewin baseball brute out there. But if you want some feel good, old fashioned baseball fun then give it a shot.

The Sims 3

Originally posted Thursday February 5th 2009



Once upon a time i used to be a huge Sim City fan. I followed the craze into the Sim City 2000 era. BUT, what i did was hop off of the Sim type games ship when, "The Sims" became the in -thing. Somehow i wasn't excited over stacking human bodies on top of each other to create "R Tops".
What i did end up doing was jumping into the whole Animal Crossing culture instead.

This year i have vowed to give The Sims a try. Word in the arcade is that The Sims 3 is arriving on shelves June 2009 for the PC and later in the summer for everything else, including iphones and Macs.

Start scrounging your clams together for this purchase. We all know it'll be a blockbuster of the summer. Just pray they don't empty your pockets by offering us expansion packs.

Peace,
Vanilla Assassin

Air Traffic Chaos

Originally posted  Wednesday February 4th 2009



Wowchah! I havn't been this messed in the head since being Tetrisized back in the day, and i mean WAYYY back in the day when i slept on the sidewalks of Moscow and played Tetris against an old grizzled Soviet...i mean University studen...errr i mean Communist. We played on a trench of mud they called a sidewalk and used pebbles and discarded cigarette butts and spit. You know, all that fun Communist equipment.
Anyway, the other day i picked up Air Traffic Chaos for the DS. Wow, talkin bout head trips. I played this cart all afternoon, all night and while i lay on my back in bed with a goose feather pillow below my head, i kept thinking about which runway is the safest to give planes the all clear to. I kept waking up in cold sweats watching two air liners crash above Tokyo Airport. I KEEP SEEYING DEPARTURE TIMES AND ARRIVALS IN THE THEATRE OF MY MIND!!!
Guide the planes to the proper gates and to the skies safely within an allotted time and you become a Novice, then an expert. Do well and the anime girls will swoon over you, screw up and they turn on you. This game is great. Your basically multitasking, watching an airport from your tower. Constantly following planes in the sky and on the ground. Don't let the sky or the runway fill up with too many planes or you'll have a crash on your hands.
If you want a game to pass time with i would totally recommend buying this highly addictive game if the price is right. I bought it for 24.00 Canadian and it's become one of my faves.

Peace,
Vanilla Assasin

Fatal Frame

Deadly Creatures

The Conduit

Animal Crossing: City Folk

Originally posted Thursday January 29, 2009.


For those of you who own a Nintendo Wii and still havn't bought AC:CF and those of you who have purchased AC:CF but havn't purchased a Wii, go out and make your purchase NOW.

I mean, what is there to do in real life? Work? Eat?School? Get yelled at by people? Spend your hard earned money on things that don't leave you happy? Waste time going on a date and then find excuses to back out of the second date? Watch wars on CNN? Listen to broken political promises? Purchase a tombstone and then you die.

I have a better idea. Leave all that behind and build yourself a town in Animal Crossing: City Folk.
There you can be friends with animals. You can purchase a cozy upgradable home on the beach front or beside a stream or a pond. Forget email when you can receive snail mail from your crazy cute neighbors. Want to build a snowman? Go ahead.

BUT BUT i can't leave the world behind because i'll miss halloween!
No worries, spend Halloween in your town.

You like flea markets? Fear not, instead of the filthy, scuzzy flea markets in the real world, you can participate in a clean flea market in your town and you won't have to take a shower once you go home.

Want to go to the city? Just hop on the bus and take a trip over. Go to the theatre, get your hair done, drop your coin at an over priced boutique. Feel like a coffee? Well, forget Starbucks when you can visit the coffee shop in your town. I bet you never had coffee with pigeon milk.

What else....hmmm...go fishing, catch fireflies and butterflies, dig for fossils. This game is pure gold and full of rad things to do. I wish i had enough space to list them all.

If you liked the previous incarnations of this game for the Cube and DS, you'll love this one. Grab a pair of diapers, attach an IV to your arm and you're all set to leave the real world behind.

Peace,
Vanilla Assassin

Battletoads art uncovered


What a scoop!  Battletoads IS being released this year for the Wii.  This cover art proves it!

We're back!

Alright ladies, we're back home at leaveluckto.us!  


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