Assorted Mushrooms

1. Pics: You’re probably used to seeing retro… but are you used to seeing UK retro?
2. Pic: Marvel: Always what you want. And by you, we mean them.
3. Blogging: Made-up obscenities. Sometimes I like them. “Slag” being a favorite. But other times…
4. Article: So, where the hell are our Thundercats figures, anyway?
5. Video: Of all things to find on Capcom*Unity, a Friends/Superfriends mashup was not one I’d have expected.
6. Article: IGN looks back at the history of Captain America’s many looks.
7. Article: With systems like the Xbox 360 and PS3, and WWE now in HD, IGN’s guide to HDTV might be handy sooner than later.

Video Power

1. Blogging: I wish I could test-run a Capcom game before it’s released. Then maybe I’d get some cool stuff to top off the experience, too.
2. Pics: Anagrams are fun.
3. Editorial: There are 365 days in a year. Will 2008 be the year that publishers begin to act like it?
4. Newsbit: Looks like games are finally art somewhere.
5. Video: Wow, look at the time! We’re about 1/12 of the way through 2008. So what better time for ScrewAttack.com to look back at their best moments of 2007?
6. Blog: A new developer’s blog from IGN takes us into the world of Ninja Gaiden II.
7. Article: GameDaily looks back at Sonic, in anticipation of his Smash Bros. debut.
8. Interview: Iwata Asks volume 7, the final part for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, looks at what makes the game a “once in a lifetime experience,” and what it was like creating the original pre-Nintendo character game.
9. Pic: Japan’s boxart for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is kind of neat.
10. Newsbit: Ok, a wireless nunchuck, that made some sense to me. But this… I don’t know, is it me, or is it starting to get a tad goofy?
11. Pic: This model of the Gradius II Vic Viper? Love it.
12. Pic: Mario character Kewpie dolls, on the other hand, scare the bejeezus out of me.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Newsbit: The Japanese Encore Jazz figure is coming, and will not only get a new face (due to mold degradation of the old), but a companion as well, in the form of… Laserbeak?!
2. Pics: New pics of an assortment of Japanese TransFormers, including Trans-Scanning, Encore, Revoltech, Henkei (Classics), and more.
3. Newsbit: What better TransFormer to receive a bust than the bustiest one of all?

   …ok, that really just doesn’t feel right.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Newsbit: The New Kids on the Block are back? But… but they aren’t new… or kids… and they were on the block 20 years ago!

   Not that I really care, but can you really call it a comeback?

2. Newsbit: GameSpite once more brings us this week’s new releases in DVD releases and those for video games.
3. Newsbit: “1,500 Mexicans Needed for Dragonball Flick”

   Um…

Video Power

1. Newsbit: The Smash Bros. DOJO!! starts off this week’s updates with more a whimper than a bang, as Sakurai goes back over the different modes contained in the Vault.

   Tonight, we get the starting lineup of songs.

   And for the really curious who can’t wait, here’s the opening to Brawl, which reveals at least two unannounced characters.

   Me? Yeah, I watched. As I figured that any hidden characters revealed here would be known to me long before I ever got to unlock them.

   More videos reveal “Cooking Navi Song Gameplay”, an Assist Trophy montage, sticker gameplay, a trophy collection montage, and Smash Ball gameplay.

   And Go Nintendo has more, with the starting roster and stages, plus some spoilers, though “nothing major.” They also have a link to the American manual, character confirmations, DK’s story, Olimar Kirby, and the character select screen.

2. Newsbit: Nintendo’s strongest, the million-sellers, have been revealed.
3. Newsbit: Please, Nintendo, for the love of God, don’t bring back snaking for Mario Kart Wii. Why ruin a perfectly good experience?

   At least Boo might make up for it… wonder what that means for the Boo item, though?

4. Newsbit: GameSpot’s credibility has been a bit… rough, as of late. Could a new editor-in-chief turn things around, or will his work be marred by the transgressions which came before him?
5. Newsbit: Who ever thought the day would come when we would see Jack Thompson defending a game? All while declaring war on another, no less.
6. Newsbit: Fox’s “sex”pert Cooper Lawrence tries to atone for her misdeeds, but does anyone care? Also: Sock puppet expressions.
7. Newsbit: In case you’ve forgotten, here’s the rest of the crap surrounding Mass Effect and Fox to date.
8. Newsbit: If HD-DVD should falter, what will Microsoft do? As it happens, they’ve been looking at Blu-ray all along.
9. Newsbit: Speaking of which, Blu-ray lasers are becoming cheaper to produce– could a price drop result?
10. Newsbit/Video: Added to Virtual Console this week: 1080 Snowboarding. Wow, that’s it?
11. Newsbit: From Game|Daily, it sounds like Animal Crossing and Kirby are Wii-bound this year.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Reviews: New Movie toy reviews from BWTF today, including Rescue Ratchet, Jungle Bonecrusher, and Thundercracker.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Video: Behold, the Top 10 Movie Monsters! You want to see this, if only to answer the question… is the Cloverfield monster on the list?
2. Video: Turns out that, in nature, many of the animals are very, very rude in their dialect, and certainly not safe for work.
3. Video: Google Maps: Too close for comfort.
4. Video: Kenner, circa 1980: “Hey Ernie, we’re thinking of adding a figure of Yoda into our Empire Strikes Back toy line, but we’re just not sure if the kids will want him.”

   “Well, Bert, why don’t you just give him a snake? That’ll make him sell!”

5. Video: Before she gave any thought to jagged little pills, Alanis Morissette was telling people You Can’t Do That On Television!
6. Video: A 170 cm car. A 171 cm parking space. Can Japan’s champion car parker make it through?
7. Blogging: The 5th turtle looks at some other kinds of famous turtles from around the world.
8. Blogging: MAD stats.
9. Blogging: Would you vote for him?
10. Article: Toy News International takes us on a tour of Korean toys from the 70′s and 80′s.
11. Reviews: IGN looks at the sixth Naruto box set and more in this week’s Anime Review Roundup.

Video Power

1. Video: Loading.Ready.Run. gives their take on the whole Mass Effect/Fox controversy.
2. Video: Despite the strike, a new The Simpsons aired last night, focusing on the 90′s in a fashion that only a retcon could allow. And part of it included an appearance by one famous Blue Blur.
3. Blogging: Press The Buttons delves into a mystery I’d long forgotten: That of the picture in the instruction manual for The Legend of Zelda wherein Link is offered by the old man a choice of a wooden sword or boomerang.
4. Article: This week, Racketboy’s Retro Gaming looks into overlooked music mixes, of the MIDI variety.
5. Videos: More Virtual Console videos on GameTrailers for Tennis, Space Harrier II, and Super Castlevania IV.
6. Video: ScrewAttack.com reminisces about Arkanoid, and a controller I had no clue even existed.
7. Article: IGN takes an idea I had it and executes it before I have the chance in their History of Ninja Gaiden, which I will not read, as I still plan to do mine anyway. But feel free.
8. Article: Metal Gear is the home to a number of kooky commandos and other wacked-out warriors. Game Daily picks out the seven strangest.
9. Article: Games Radar has had it up to here with saving damsels constantly in distress. Here are seven they’re willing to let rot.

   Interesting enough, despite being on the title graphic, Peach didn’t make the list.

10. Interview: Parts five and six of the Iwata Asks Super Smash Bros. Brawl series are up, talking about added features and new music.
11. Article: GamerHelp examines the Top 10 most inept video game villains, including a few favorites.
12. Video: Anyone else remember the Nintendo Ultra 64 prototype controllers?
13. Pic: These are some nice crocheted mushrooms… check out the one on the left!
14. Video: Something seems familiar about this… was it posted before? Well, just in case: Super Smash Bros. Brawl video set to 300 music.
15. Newsbit: Did YOU know?
16. Site: Christian Cage, video game journalist.
17. Site: Enter Co-optimus, a website dedicated to cooperative gaming.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Ok, so a hectic schedule put me off-sides here for a couple of days, but we’re back!

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Pics: Out-of-box images of Movie Jetstorm and Wingblade have surfaced.
2. Newsbit: Botcon.com has updated with a PDF of their new brochure for BotCon 2008, featuring a theme of “Shattered Glass” which has the potential to be pretty cool.
3. Newsbit: For $70, you can get a Movie 2-pack from Wal-Mart.com, featuring Megatron and Nightwatch Optimus Prime.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Newsbit: As Jessica Alba prepares to become a mother in real life, it seems she’s interested in expanding that role into the third Fantastic Four movie as well. Lucky for her, there’s already an established precedent, and so the move would be rather natural.
2. Newsbit: Want to work for a toy company? Well, from the sounds of things, you could do a lot worse than Mattel, who’s named in the Top 100 Best Places to Work.

Video Power

1. Newsbit: Rumor, maybe? I’m not sure exactly how to mark this, but it doesn’t sound good, anyway. The Mega Man ZX series may just be shy of a third title. Worst part is the whole “ignoring America” part that seems to come natural to them in these situations.

   I ever mention how surprised I am we’re getting Bionic Commando, considering?

2. Newsbit: Word from the Smash Bros. DOJO!! is that we’re finally getting Virtual Console demos, albeit in a rather strange, roundabout, and perhaps limited way.

   Interesting to note that Earthbound/Mother 2, a game without a VC release, is featured on the Japanese site, alongside a SFC version of Fire Emblem.

   Elsewhere, Japan has Wii demo kiosks now, and they’re loaded with Brawl. You can see some videos of these early encounters here.

   Plus, GameTrailers has the second part of their look at the New Challengers to appear in Brawl.

   And presumably to prevent spoilers (let’s all have a laugh at that one), the Brawl Player’s Guide has been delayed as well.

3. Newsbit: In other Virtual Console news, it sounds like the SEGA Master System is joining the fun.
4. Newsbit: It happened in Japan already, and seems to be poised to happen in total: The Wii is ready to eclipse the number of GameCubes sold through the latter’s lifespan.
5. Newsbit: After falsifying testimonies of the content of Mass Effect, Fox claims to have attempted to invite EA onto their programming, only to be denied by EA– or at least ignored.

   EA says they just aren’t interested. And for good reason.

6. Newsbit: The DS is getting a new color: Cobalt Blue/Black.

   I still need to get a Crimson/Black, myself…

7. Newsbit: Good to hear that No More Heroes seems to be selling well on this side of the ocean.
8. Deal: Ok, now I really need to make my move to get Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations… wait, that’s probably just in the US.

   Sigh.

9. Newsbit: Strange… I wonder why No More Heroes gets not only a later release date in Canada, but different boxart, too.
10. Newsbit: Bad news, Pokefans: The Pokemon Center is closing at the end of the month.
11. Newsbit: Oh, good, the new Turok game is going to have a patch so you’re not rewarded for killing your teammates any more.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Newsbit: Dang. Word is that Bludgeon was being planned for the Titanium line. Maybe next time… maybe Classics 2.0.
2. Review: Following the review of Beast Wars: The Ascending #3, BWTF has now reviewed the fourth and final issue.
3. Article: IGN kicks off their new “Annoying Character of the Day” feature with everyone’s favorite rhyming robot, Wheelie.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Video Review: Wondering about the new Rambo movie? James “Angry Nerd” Rolfe shares his thoughts.
2. Interview: And IGN talks to Stallone himself about his latest.
3. Video: Here’s a word of advice: When reporting on birds, never look up.
4. Video: If only my shots in Mario Strikers were this accurate.
5. Comics: From the Official TMNT Web Site comes word that the first seven issues of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 4 are available for free, legal download at WOWIO. Unfortunately, there’s a surprising number of hoops you have to jump through:

   WOWIO is currently only available for U.S. residents and to sign up for their free downloading service (limited to three books per day) you’ll need a private e-mail address (i.e. you can’t use major providers such as Google, Yahoo, G-Mail, etc.), a scan of a personal I.D. or a valid credit card. See their site for more details.

   Also unfortunately, as it says, it’s US-only. Damned international copyright laws.

   We’re looking into international options to provide the books for free download to everyone outside of the U.S., but due to the complexities of international copyright law, we may not have much success on that end. If all else fails, we’ll post low res JPGs of the issues on our site like the issues from Volume One (currently linked at the bottom of the Comics page).

   Huh, why not just do that in the first place?

   The plan is to post issues #8-14 in February, issues #15-21 in March and issues #22-28 in April. In May, all-new issues will begin with TMNT #29, and from there, a new book will be posted as often as Peter, Jim and Eric can complete them!

6. Blogging: Speaking of the Turtles, ever wonder where Armaggon came from?
7. Article: IGN looks into the past, present, and future of that other big mech franchise, Macross.
8. Video: Who says that Japanese people, customers even, never loseWeight Exercise their temper?

Video Power

1. Blogging: Capcom: Bring you the very best in character names.
2. Interview: Capcom continues their series of Harvey Birdman interviews with X the Eliminator.
3. Blogging: Capcom’s Ace Attorney website has a new update to the developer’s blog, with more to come. Check it out if you love Phoenix Wright and his crew.
4. Pics: Who would ever imagine that there would come a time when we would be able to gaze upon The Most Stunning Punch-Out!! Artwork?
5. Newsbit: In addition to the other fallout of Fox News’ Mass Effect slander-fest, it seems viewers with Amazon.com accounts decided to take some action of their own.

   She’s taken back what she said, but too little, too late?

6. Interview: On a related note, Geoff Keighley talks to GameDaily about his appearance.
7. Video: And X-Play‘s Adam Sessler has his say as well.
8. Video: GameTrailers has added a video of the Virtual Console version of the Japan-only game Devil World, a title I had no idea Miyamoto had a hand in.
9. Article: In anticipation of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, IGN pits Peach vs. Zelda in a “chick fight” with commentary from Mario and Link.
10. Videos: And, the ten best Halo 3 fan videos are…
11. Article: Games with gas? That’s one piece I think I’ll definitely pass on, thanks.
12. Article: You know you suck at gaming when…
13. Poll: GameDaily wants you to decide whether their list of celebrities are nerds or nor.
14. Review: Guess EGM doesn’t like Endless Ocean very much… despite the 8.0 from 1up.

    I guess the message here is: If it doesn’t try to kill you, it’s not a real game. Or something.

15. Video: Looks like the Earthworm Jim videos have been taken down. What’s Go Nintendo posting now?

    Sonic Underground.

    At least now you can view it before you decide whether or not to buy it… if you haven’t already.

16. Video: But not all Earthworm Jim videos are gone… regretably.
17. Pic: The evolution of Nintendo… Populous style.
18. Pic: Too good.
19. Pics: Interesting Zelda-themed NES… I don’t hate it, mainly for the Link figures of unknown origin, but otherwise… could use work. An actual setting from the game realized in 3D might be neat.
20. Interview: Looks like God of War creator David Jaffe still isn’t sold on Super Mario Galaxy, citing Ratchet and Clank as being better.
21. Interview: Yahtzee reveals all about making Zero Punctuation.
22. Article: There’s much to discover in Super Mario Galaxy… but have you found these 71 things?
23. Interview: Iwata Asks part 4 about Super Smash Bros. Brawl is now available online, and goes into some detail about the amusing origin of the Subspace Emissary storyline and game mode, as well as who worked with Sakurai to create it.
24. Newsbit: Some new features of L the Prologue to Death Note for the Nintendo DS. Man, I wish these would come out here already!
25. Newsbit: An interesting method of tracking down the rightful owners of a Wii.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Pics: Trans-Scanning Optimus Prime looks alright, I guess. A little more “ShellFormer” than I’d like, though.
2. Comic Preview: The Official TransFormers Collector’s Club has a preview of the upcoming TransTech-themed comic for you to partake in.

   For those who’ve forgotten, TransTech is what would have been the successor to Beast Machines, except that one bombed, and so we got the anime era instead. Whether this new “TransTech universe” adheres to that same background or not, though…

3. Newsbit: Also, the Club has revealed the first wave of Classics 2.0, coming this fall.

   Deluxe sized figures are Sunstreaker, Prowl, and Tankor (better known as Octane). Joining them in the Ultra price range is Onslaught and Powerglide. They also showed an image of the upcoming Sunstreaker figure (the picture is for Club Members Only).

   Wow, sounds like Powerglide got an upgrade. And with Prowl in the mix, can BlueSilverstreak and Smokescreen be far behind?

   In addition, there are plans for a new Nightbeat and the long-awaited Seacon set.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Newsbit: Looks like the maker of the Thomas the Tank Engine wooden railway toys has agreed to a $30 million settlement over the whole lead-paint deal. In addition, there’s the promise of refunds/replacements, free toys, and new quality controls.
2. Newsbit: The WGA has taken animation and reality TV off the table in their ongoing negotiations. Too bad for those writers…
3. Newsbit: Just cannot wait to see Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3… D?

   Plus 3-D re-releases of the original two movies… sort of makes me glad that I held off on buying them before, if this pans out to be worth it.

4. Interview: Shia LaBeouf talks a little about Indiana Jones IV… and a little TransFormers 2 on the side.
5. Newsbit: With Heath Ledger dead, how will this affect his future movies?

Video Power

1. Newsbit: Solicitations for Sonic the Hedgehog #187, Sonic X #31, and Sonic Select vol. 1 can be seen now on Archie’s blog. If you can get in, that is.

   If you’re like me, and only get “Problem loading page,” you can check them out here.

2. Newsbit: The bonus item for Apollo Justice? Not a stylus, not a plushie, but a neat Apollo Justice keychain! What better way to “object” to someone borrowing your keys? Or conversely, if you want them to use your keys, you can just point it at them and say “take that!”
3. Videos: An interesting update at Smash Bros. DOJO!!, as a 4-player test battle between Kyoto and Tokyo (ever notice the two are sort of anagrams?) has been recorded, showing the performance of a connection of about the same distance as Las Vegas is from Los Angeles.

   GameTrailers, meanwhile, provides a second match.

   Of course, living in Toronto with the bulk majority of my friends being Stateside (or perhaps a further distance than the cities named above), I hope the connection still holds up. Fortunately, I think it was said somewhere that Brawl is a little more deliberately paced than Melee, so hopefully that helps.

   As a bonus, here’s five minutes of more varied Brawl footage. GameTrailers shows off the Home Run Contest, with a nice day-to-night-to-day effect going. There are also two new Japanese TV spots.

   Still want more? Seems someone must’ve gotten ahold of the full version of the Brawl “Angel Island” theme from Sonic 3.

4. Video: In case you weren’t sure about this week’s release of the Super NES version of Super Street Fighter II on Virtual Console, now you can see it in action.
5. Newsbit: Bravo to EA for calling Fox’s asses out on this ridiculous Mass Effect story that’s been circulating.

   So what happens? Fox blows them off.

   You know, I bet if Fox isn’t willing to work with this, Warner Bros. or MSNBC might be more interested…

6. Newsbit: Meanwhile, the shrink who appeared as the driving force of the segment has had her book bombed with bad reviews, conversations, and taggings.

   On a related note, gotta love Game|Life’s screengrab. I wish I’d thought of that.

7. Newsbit: I hate the fall that video game manuals have taken. Once upon a time, so many of them were awesome, almost an experience outside of the game itself. Then, things began to change…

   Contra 4 has acted heavily in favor of classic booklet design, and it appeared No More Heroes was set to follow… but dammit all, it was only to be in Japan.

   Damn you, Ubisoft, you cheap bastards!

8. Newsbit: Reminder for all you Xbox Live folks out there, don’t forget your free download of Undertow.
9. Offer: Joystiq has a deal where you can get one free year of EGM.

   But it’s only for US readers. Nuts to that. NUTS, I say.

   …I’ll just have it sent to my dad’s. He’ll read it, I’m sure.

10. Newsbit: A bit of awesome that I hope we get to see is Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw’s three shorts produced to present winners at the Game Developers Conference.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Video Review: The Angry Video Game Movie Nerd brings us his thoughts on monsterdom’s latest, Cloverfield.
2. Blogging: From jackscarab: Warren Ellis approves Anonymous.
3. Pics: More TMNT action figure concept drawings. Fans of Krang/Utroms may want to take a look.
4. Video: Lewis Black discusses The End of the Universe. Or so I’m told. Damn clips still won’t play for me.

   Anyone else have this problem?

5. Blogging: Dilbert author Scott Adams speculates on how children might think about their future careers if they knew the full reach of what was available. An interesting idea. Took me 25 years from the womb before things started making any sense as to what I wanted to do.

   Well, no, that’s a lie. But my high school in the sticks wasn’t much help in regards to the path I wanted to take.

6. Video: Wild west stylings meets modern day drama in High Noon.

   Just because the West isn’t quite so wild anymore, doesn’t mean there aren’t still heroes.

7. Article: There’s nothing more badass than a one-man army, and with the new Rambo movie on the way, IGN figured this was the best time to assemble the ten best movies.

Video Power

1. Reviews: Comics Bulletin has a pair of nice reviews for Sonic the Hedgehog #184 and Sonic X #28.
2. Newsbit: Gaming retail, the deadliest game?
3. Blogging: Does anyone know just what the hell the Smash Bros. logo is?
4. Video: Mario is on the run from a bellhop in hot pursuit, but why?
5. Poll: Solid Snake vs. Rambo: Who would win?
6. Article/Video: IGN continues the look back at their ten-year history, in video and text formats.
7. Review: EDGE gives its thoughts on No More Heroes, calling it “the game that Suda 51 and GHM have always threatened, but never quite delivered.”
8. Article: Though not always the most popular part of gaming, there have been a great many peripherals through the years, and now GameDaily takes us on a tour of the greatest.

   #9 is the one I still want to try, and #4 I still need to find.

9. Article: On the less pleasant front are the ten ugliest game characters you’ll ever not want to see.
10. Article: Games Radar takes a look at the legacy of one Radiant Silvergun, why it still commands £100, and what more games can do to learn from it.
11. Article: What were the boys in marketing thinking when they came up with these eight insane officially-licensed products to promote their games?

    Waitasec… I liked the Nintendo Cereal System! Well, the Zelda half, anyway. Ironically enough.

    …and the Mario Puppet Kooler… I wanted that after seeing it in Nintendo Power once.

    Oh, and… um, you might want to avoid the “Pleasure Reading” segment. If only for the last line.

12. Interview: The latest Iwata Asks continues the inquiries of Super Smash Bros. Brawl creator Masahiro Sakurai, and looks into the modes of Versus, Co-Op, and Share.
13. Newsbit: See? Iwata knows that the core gamers still need love.
14. Article: Someone wrote a piece regarding a gaming habit I’m often guilty of myself (though not always): hoarding items and never using them. Do you do it? Any ideas for what developers can do to break gamers of the habit?
15. Video: Yet another adjustment to Super Mario Fusion: The “Spartan Sphere” Power-Up!

    I do wish they’d gone with what are, in my opinion, the superior Mario sprites from Super Mario Advance. But the funniest part, besides Spartan Mario being able to stomp the Covenant (which was said before that Mario could not) is hearing the Invincible Mario theme, and then knowing that an ass-whoopin’ is coming.

    Oh, and I guess this makes the Hammer Suit the Mushroom Land equivalent of the Sword, huh?

16. Pic: For fair and balanced coverage of the console wars, you can trust The Onion to tell us which Wii games are selling best.
17. Article: It brings a tear to my eye to think about Arcades: A Dying Breed In America.

    …what is WRONG with people?!?!?!?!

18. Video: This week on Zero Punctuation, Yahtzee burns The Witcher.
19. Interview: Want to know more about the 2D lovefest known as Bionic Commando Rearmed? Then check out the interview with Producer Ben Judd.
20. Newsbit: When teabagging invades real life, you know that’s the makings of a problem. Here’s to hoping that the victims don’t find where the Sniper Rifle is stashed.
21. Anecdote: Just when you think that EA might have better customer relations than Microsoft, then comes a story to make you think again as one person faces difficulty getting a box that fits his Rock Band guitar to send back to EA.

    Or does it? Read on to find out.

22. Newsbit: One Japanese store thought ahead when they put up a life-sized Haruhi statue.

    But who got the honor of applying the solution?

    “Dude… you’re taking a long time with that…”

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Pic: An image has popped up of the Premium series Movie Megatron in his box. Now you know what to look for.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Newsbit: In an unbelievable bit of news, Heath Ledger is dead. RIP, Joker, RIP.
2. Newsbit: Come now, you didn’t think they’d even CONSIDER releasing a Speed Racer movie without some toys to back it up, did you?
3. Newsbit: Or Cloverfield, for that matter?
4. Newsbit: GameSpite brings us this week’s latest DVD releases.

Video Power

1. Coupon: No More Heroes is out now! And God, I wish I could get it. But, for those of you who can, here’s a coupon for EB Games/GameStop you can print out and use for 10% off, though I doubt it’d work in Canadia. Oh, sure, you could probably get one of the other games out this week… but why would you want to?
2. Newsbit: Available this Thursday: The Devil May Cry 4 demo, on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

   Pfft. Demo? For a sure-to-be hit game? How absolutely absurd. Right, Nintendo?

3. Newsbit: Not to be outdone, a Metal Gear Solid 4 demo should be along shortly, too.
4. Newsbit: GameSpite brings us the latest in video game releases: Besides No More Heroes, the week is good with Burnout Paradise, Advance Wars: Days of Ruin, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games for the DS, Endless Ocean, and… um, One Piece: Unlimited Adventure.

   Oh well, those are still good odds.

5. Newsbit: March is when you can get Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters for the PS2 that you probably own, rather than the PSP that you probably don’t.
6. Rumor: Q: Is Ninja Gaiden II going to be released on the PlayStation 3, as revealed in the newest EGM magazine?

   A: No.

7. Newsbit: Maybe the Game Boy isn’t dead yet.
8. Newsbit: You know me, I don’t think much about what analysts usually say. But this one did interest me a little. Michael Pachter says that the Wii will loseWeight Exercise its momentum when the PS3 reaches $300, in about another year.

   Be interesting to see if it does indeed drop that far. On the other hand, what’s to stop the Wii from dropping in response?

9. Newsbit: Maybe releasing it in white will help?
10. Newsbit: Still don’t care about analysts, or EA Sports, or that the sales seem to be dropping a bit. I’m only posting this for the attached picture.

    Have a nice day.

11. Newsbit/Music: Smash Bros. DOJO!! brings us two updates tonight: The first is “Mushroomy” Kingdom, a stage based on the first level of the original Super Mario Bros., but a little grimmer now:

    The kingdom you once knew has turned to ruins over the long years, and it is now your battlefield.

    You’ll get to enjoy a wide range of familiar structures. Also, since the stage slowly scrolls sideways, battles here will require you to come up with a very different strategy for winning.

    And on occassion, selecting this stage will take you to 1-2 instead. I can’t wait!

    The other update complements the first, giving us the Super Mario Bros. “Ground Theme.” Interesting… should be neat to see how the two work together. Hopefully, 1-2 will sport its own remix…

12. Newsbit: Can you imagine using your DS to guide you through Disney World? It could become a reality… and how cool would that be? Almost be like being inside a game itself.
13. Newsbit: “Fan-made Charles Barkley RPG sees full release.”

    I simply do not believe there is anything worthwhile that can be added to that.

14. Newsbit: Congrats to 1up’s former newshound Patrick Klepek for getting on board at MTV Multiplayer.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Blogging: Simon Furman talks up the release of the new TransFormers Spotlight: Blaster comic.
2. Pics: Some promotional goodies have come forth for the TransFormers HenKei toys, apparently the name for the Japanese Classics. Included among them are the makings of a manga of sorts.
3. Review: BWTF takes a stab at Beast Wars: The Ascending #3.
4. Video Interview: Just saw this posted on YouTube, an interview with the voice of Arcee and voice director of TransFormers for many years now, Susan Blu.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Video: Have a balloon problem? Well then, maybe a Jack Russell terrier is your solution.
2. Video: Ok, Marge… tell me ALL about it.
3. Blogging: Following up on a bit of message board conversation, I decided to write up my thoughts on a direction I’d have liked to see Spider-man take in the comics.
4. Newsbit: Of all things to base an action figure on…

   On sale now, folks.

5. Comics: Ok, so while I do think that Calvin and Hobbes is a little overrated (shut up), I do have to admit that Calvin’s dad never ceases to amuse me.

   Speaking of which… whatever did happen to Calvin and Hobbes, anyway?

6. Reviews: IGN reviews the latest batch of anime releases, for your pleasure.

Video Power

1. Reviews: No More Heroes is FINALLY here, and it’s done pretty well with reviewers, including GameTrailers’ video review.

   X-Play has one, too, scoring it five out of five.

2. Pics: In further celebration of No More Heroes‘ release, have a little Travis Touchdown cosplay.
3. Interview: Street Fighter Devotion has an interview with the CEO of Sota Toys, makers of those cool– you guessed it– Street Fighter figures, among others (including what would’ve been an awesome Mega Man Zero figure).
4. Blogging: And now, a word from Capcom USA’s Finance department.
5. Muzac: Word from Heatman over on The Mega Man Network is that we now have some new tunes for your perusal, so enjoy!
6. Article: I knew that there were a lot of changes made between the Super Mario All-Stars and Super Mario Advance 4 versions of Super Mario Bros. 3, but it seems there were more than I thought.
7. Opinion: Another piece on that whole silly concept of letting people try a game before they sink $60 into it. How silly is that? That’s so silly.

   Anyway, this one is mostly tips for developers to make the demo the best experience it can be… insofar as making you want to purchase the whole thing, anyway.

8. Video: In honor of the new Rambo movie, the Angry Video Game Nerd returns to rant about Rambo games of the past, including the Zelda II knock-off for the NES and the Master System travesties. To say nothing of the idiotic naming scheme of the movies.
9. Video: Adventures of Lolo 2 for the NES came to Virtual Console earlier this week, but at the time, there was no accompanying video. In case that’s what you were waiting for, here you go.
10. Blog: IGN is now hosting a developer blog for Bionic Commando.
11. Article: While Nintendo’s trying to figure out if Game Boy still has a place in the market, Game Daily looks back on the history of the handheld that helped change how we play.
12. Interview: The newest Iwata Asks is available, continuing the line of questioning with Super Smash Bros. Brawl creator Masahiro Sakurai.
13. Article: It’s amazing what movies wind up having games based on them, no matter how much they don’t deserve it.

    Fun fact: my dad mapped out Platoon for the NES and donated the maps to our local video rental store of the time, so that people who would rent it would have a clue as to what to do.

14. Article: Here’s a subject near and dear to my heart, which I love to complain about whenever given the right opportunity: worthless video game release dates, and why they cannot be trusted.

    Magazines, DVDs, books, comics, CDs, you can usually count on to be in stores day and date. Video games? Yeah, right. If you’re lucky.

    Sadly, this isn’t about that, though, and rather simply touches on the way titles will slip from one announced, missed release date to the next.

15. Article: PS2? Dead? Hardly.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Newsbit: Could it be true? Masterpiece Grimlock? Sign me up if it is!
2. Pics: Some new images of Premium Movie Optimus Prime, including close-ups of the head and sword.
3. Pics: Plus, pics of several other Premium figures, including Bumblebee, Barricade, Jazz, Blackout, Ironhide, and Battle Damage Voyager Optimus Prime.
4. Pics: And as if that weren’t enough, some comparison shots of Animated Megatrons, one from the Battle Begins two-pack, and the other being the Voyager version.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Video: WWE has now debuted in HD, and last week, DX had a few comments regarding the transition. (Might have to use IE to view, I did.)

   …I wish I had HD.

2. Newsbit: Remember the C.O.W. Boys of Moo Mesa? Looks like they’re hitting the comeback trail.

Video Power

1. Newsbit: Smash Bros. DOJO!! kicks off the week’s updates with the shared Final Smash of Zelda and Sheik, the Light Arrow.

   And inadvertantly(?), they let slip the identities of three unannounced characters in the game.

   Today’s update reveals a very unique addition to the items in the Pokemon known as Manaphy. This should be very interesting indeed…

   Plus, a new chapter of Iwata Asks, this time focused on… well, you figure that one out.

2. Newsbit: New to Virtual Console this week are Adventures of Lolo 2 for the NES and Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers for the Super NES.

   Has anyone bought all these Street Fighter II downloads yet?

3. Newsbit: Now is the time to cast your vote for the best Xbox Live Arcade games of the year, with winners to be announced at the Game Developers Conference in February.
4. Newsbit: The Guitar Hero III Wii replacement discs should be heading out in February.
5. Rumor: Could Factor 5, developer of Rogue Squadron and Lair (among others) be working on a Kid Icarus game for Wii?

   I really am unsure how I feel about this.

6. Video: SEGA has revealed a new trailer showing off some of the Superstars in SEGA Superstar Tennis, with much love to the oldschool Sonic fans near the end.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”