It was expected that Nintendo had some big news for E3. Speculation was that it was either a new Zelda or Mario title. But the announcement of New Super Mario Brothers for the Wii brings a whole new way to play this side scrolling adventure.
My first impression is that this is Mario Brothers meets Mario Party. Up to four players can play at one time. You can toss other players to put them either out or in harm’s way. Players can join at any time during the level. At the end of the level, players are ranked based on their score, enemies defeated, and coins collected.
Mario, Luigi, and two Toads are playable characters while others from the Mushroom Kingdom make appearances throughout the game.
There are also new items like the propeller suit that with a shake of the Wiimote will send your character high into the sky. Mario also has the new ability to turn into Penguin Mario.
New Super Mario Brothers for the Wii will be available Holiday 2009. Rating is still pending as well as the price.
I did catch most of the E3 Microsoft press conference Monday. As a casual gamer, I’m most excited about Nintendo’s presser today. But there were a few projects/games mentioned during Microsoft’s address that piqued my interest.
The Beatles: Rock Band
I’m not sure why The Beatles: Rock Band interests me other than it’s a Rock Band title. Sure, I like The Beatles but not a major fan. There will be 45 Beatle songs and an exclusive “All You Need is Love” track for the Xbox 360 version. On stage during the presser was Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono Lennon, and Olivia Harrison. Fans will get to experience The Beatles career first hand as they play through various points in their existence as a band including the early touring days of 1963.
Joy Ride
Take your avatar for a spin in this cartoon racing game. You can customize your car and put your avatar in the driver’s seat.
Final Fantasy XIII
Ok, I admit that I’ve never actually played any of the Final Fantasy game but when I saw this character, I may have to give it a try.
The little chick is just too darn cute! Maybe I should just buy Animal Crossing instead.
Alan Wake
Alan Wake is another type of game that I normally don’t play but the premise hooked me. From the E3 fact sheet:
I was reminded of The Fugitive while watching the press conference. Definitely something to keep an eye out for in Spring 2010.
Project Natal
Project Natal is not a game but a whole new way to play games. Instead of a new type of controller, you are the controller. No longer will you have to use a controller to play games. Just use your movements to control the game. The games looked pretty neat. Project Natal will also have voice recognition, too. You will also be able to scan your own items to use as objects in the game. The video showed a kid scanning in skateboard for his character to use in a game. Really interesting but totally seems like it will appeal to casual gamers. Microsoft looks to be going after Wii gamers with Natal.
So far it looks like 2010 is going to be a good gaming year. Just hope someone has something new to tell us about 2009.
A look at a very comprehensive list of musicians to be featured in Guitar Hero 5.
• 3 Doors Down
• A Perfect Circle
• AFI
• Attack! Attack!
• Band Of Horses
• Beastie Boys
• Beck
• Billy Idol
• Billy Squier
• Blink-182
• Blur
• Bob Dylan
• Bon Jovi
• Brand New
• Bush
• Children of Bodom
• Coldplay
• Darker My Love
• Darkest Hour
• David Bowie
• Deep Purple
• Dire Straits
• Duran Duran
• Eagles Of Death Metal
• Elliott Smith
• Elton John
• Face to Face
• Garbage
• Gorillaz
• Gov’t Mule
• Grand Funk Railroad
• Iggy Pop
• Iron Maiden
• Jeff Beck
• Jimmy Eat World
• John Mellencamp
• Johnny Cash
• Kaiser Chiefs
• King Crimson
• Kings Of Leon
• Kiss
• Love and Rockets
• Megadeth
• Mötley Crüe
• Muse
• My Morning Jacket
• Nirvana
• No Doubt
• Peter Frampton
• Public Enemy Featuring Zakk Wylde
• Queen & David Bowie
• Queens Of The Stone Age
• Rammstein
• Rose Hill Drive
• Rush
• Santana
• Scars On Broadway
• Screaming Trees
• Smashing Pumpkins
• Sonic Youth
• Spacehog
• Stevie Wonder
• Sublime
• Sunny Day Real Estate
• T. Rex
• The Bronx
• The Derek Trucks Band
• The Duke Spirit
• The Killers
• The Police
• The Raconteurs
• The Rolling Stones
• The Sword
• The White Stripes
• Thin Lizzy
• Thrice
• Tom Petty
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
• TV On The Radio
• Vampire Weekend
• Weezer
• Wild Cherry
• Wolfmother
I’ve been thinking lately of selling some product from home, preferably board games. But to do that I would need to host parties to sell items. Here’s one tip I found about hosting home parties that makes a cute way to give away door prizes and get your pens back.
First let me say that I love my pens. Some of my favorite pens are marketing pens, and I never want to part with them. If I bought pens and then passed them out to use at these parties, I would want them back. Buying new pens would be an expense that I just wouldn’t want!
So, what you do is tape a number to each pen. Then pass out the pens at the party. At the end of the party, have the hostess draw a number. The person who has the pen with that number wins a prize. Once all door prizes are given out, this makes for a window to collect the losing pens.
I’m not set on selling products but if I can get in on something for relatively cheap and sell it online, then I might give it a try.
Apparently Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is coming out later this year. While I love Guitar Hero, I will have to pass on this one. Why? Well, I’m not shelling over another $50 for a game that probably should be downloadable content.
I just have a feeling it will be more like Encore 80’s edition that was fun but not worth full price. Aerosmith has some great songs and definitely belong in Guitar Hero but just not sure the game will be that much different to be worth the tag price it will surely have.
Boogie Bunnies is a new puzzle game that is coming this week to Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360.
Players work to keep bunnies together in this Qbeez-reminiscent casual game. Keep those bunnies herded together in this 3D puzzler to keep them out of danger. Pull off the right chain and trigger some bunny dances.
Look for Boogie Bunnies this Wednesday, January 16th.
Tis the season for giving and when it comes to fun gifts, there’s not many that can top a video game. Casual games make a great gift because of their vast appeal and fun game play. Want to give a gift they will truly appreciate? Then take a look at the Romperz Holiday gift guide for casual games. While my list may not contain any romantic christmas gifts, it does contain some of the best casual games we have played this year.
Peggle Deluxe is a fun casual game that reminds me most of pinball. Hours of fun even after you finish the main game.
Cake Mania 2 is the sequel to the popular Cake Mania. This is one of my favorite time management games. Bring on the baking.
Fairy Godmother Tycoon takes the fairy tale world to a whole new level. In this game you must help fairy godmother restore her potion shop and still be viable in the ever changing market.
The 80s Game with Martha Quinn will help those who grew up in the 80s to relive some great memories thanks to this fun trivia game.
Hidden Expedition: Everest without a doubt my favorite hidden object game. The unlockable video content makes this not only a fun game but an eduational one, too.
Good news for fans of rhythm and musical games. Rock Band has gone gold and will be released in the US for the PS3 and the Xbox 360 November 20th. It will be available for the PS2 on December 18th. Rock Band bundle for the PS3 and Xbox 360 will be $169.99 and $159.99 for the PS2. Here are more details about the Rock Band bundle from the press release:
Details on the Rock Band Special Edition Bundle:
· The Xbox 360 version of the Rock Band Special Edition Bundle will feature a wired drum kit, microphone and Fender Stratocaster guitar controller as well as a USB hub for easy plug-in access for all instruments.
· The PLAYSTATION 3 system version of the Rock Band Special Edition Bundle will feature a wired drum kit an d microphone, as well as a wireless Fender Stratocaster guitar controller, which will be interoperable between the PlayStation 2 system and PLAYSTATION 3 system.
· The Rock Band Special Edition Bundle for the PlayStation 2 system will feature a wired drum kit, wired microphone, wireless Fender Stratocaster guitar controller and a USB hub.
· Suggested retail pricing for standalone Rock Band software for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system versions will be $59.99.
· Standalone instrument peripherals for Rock Band, including a wireless guitar option for the Xbox 360, will be available at a later date to be announced.
· The standalone Rock Band software will support a variety of 3rd-party instrument peripherals as well as enable owners to share peripherals with those who o wn the Special Edition bundle.
While a pieceless puzzle may not seem like much of a challenge, apparently you haven’t seen the latest puzzles from Ceaco. Take a look.
I’m enamored with them as we always lose puzzle pieces. Puzzles are great to have around the house, especially during bad weather and power outages. Working a puzzle can help pass the time and take your mind off the conditions outside. What’s great about a pieceless puzzle is that I now don’t have to worry about my two year old eating or losing a piece of the puzzle. Now we can work puzzles with her around without having to constantly shoo her away from lose pieces.
This is another one of those ideas that I wished I had thought of because I can see this becoming extremely popular.
While at McDonald’s the other day, I couldn’t help but to notice a kiosk of GameCube games. Curious I had to check it out.
They had Mario Kart, a snow boarding game, and something else, all were equipped to handle two players. This is the first time I had seen such a thing at McDonald’s.
It was kind of neat to see video games inside a fast food place that were free to play. I can see that McDonald’s becoming a favorite spot of ours especially as Rae gets older since she already enjoys some video games.
