Gaming setup #2

While playing on a nice large HD TV is very nice, the huge thing occupies our living/dining room, and is facing my wife while she's busy. While I respect her space and kindly refrain myself from playing games in her presense (long story short, I just enjoy her company), there ARE two TVs in my house.

So I decided to set up my ol' slim PS2 to the second screen and voila - gaming station #2! While it's not HD, it DOES sport component cables, so the quality still looks crisp.

Sure, I have a PS3 that's backwards compatible and I'm grateful to have luckily scored one that does, but it sometimes becomes a chore to switch between the two types of games. Having to set up the virtual memory card, change to the right controller settings, and with my slew of PS3 games to play...seperating them is probably a good thing.

Plus the new station is in a seperate room. Bad news? It's the bedroom.

No worries. I'm far from being the jerk that plays games in bed all night. Like 13 years far.

Zero Punctuation sound-off: 2.5D Hoedown

This week's Zero Punctuation is more centered around the concept of 2.5D and its implementation into games. Frankly, they could've just labeled them as "3D-platform sidescrollers," but I guess that is a bit long. Yahtzee also talks about the game Splosion Man and Trine, though I'm surprised he didn't mention Shadow Complex.

Anyways, I'm sure it's NSFW, so enjoy!

Batman: Arkham Asylum is here.

Apologies for the blurry picture, but this game is finally in my hands. From not even giving it the time of day to my renewed view of it during E3, I slowly expressed interest to Batman: Arkham Asylum. Now, with exclusive Joker challenge maps and a free ahead-of-time Dem Bones challenge map, I'm all set to immerse myself into this DC universe!

LittleBigWater opens beta applications

Little Big Planet has always been consistent with costume updates, the occasional level packs and other useful tools, but the next update plans to add another element to those creative levels - the element of water!



Now YOU can get a chance to apply for their Beta testing of this new element here. Give it a try and save yourself from sticking blue stickers all over the place to make that ocean level by using the real deal!

Gameritis...now with PSN Portable ID!

What better way to mindlessly inform random strangers of my less-than-steller gameplay progress than to post my PSN Portable ID on my site?

Well, there's my blog in general, but this is more compact and elegant.

Anyways, this brings some color at least to the blog. Maybe this'll start a trend...the weird text-only placard right below that "Gameritis" title is a bit worn. I should probably spruce things up a bit around here.

And if you want to get your own, check it out here...because I removed the original link below mine. What, you think I'd let Sony use my PID to shill their link?

Zero Punctuation review: Silent Hill 2

Call it a fluke, call it mercy. Call it what you will, but I presume that Yahtzee, for one reason or another, wants to show the world that he is not just a heartless gaming bastard and whips out a game that he admires as his review topic for today, Silent Hill 2. Despite his praise, Yahtzee still jabs his own beloved game with appropriately witty comments, but through it all he wants to show the world that there are good games out there, and that he CAN say nice things once in a while.

Well, nice until he sticks in a penis joke.

NSFW, so enjoy!

Flipnote Studio released!

Who doesn't recall making their own flipbook when they were young? Making something seemingly static and flat, only to see it animate before your eyes when you flipped the pages exposed me to my first lessons in animation. Heck, even "sharing" your creation often involved marking the corners of a textbook, in hopes that the next owner will discover your "contribution."

Well, Nintendo's Flipnote Studio (Moving Memo in Japan) is set to bring back that sensation, sans paper or ruined textbooks. Released the end of last year in Japan, this free app is finally released in the US, allowing users to use the touch screen to create, frame by frame, their own short little flipnote animation.

With the DSi's touch screen, making an animation is as easy as drawing. Using the D-pad, you can quickly add the next frame or go into the menu and adjust your tools. You can even adjust the speed at which your creation animates, and insert more frames between existing ones when necessary. The app even uses the DSi camera to help create frames, granulating images for use in the app. You can also use the mic and add annoying sounds to key points in your animation. And you don't have to worry about size constraints, since this app can save your animations to your SD card as well.

And even if you have no creative bone in your body, you can check out Flipnote Hatena, which will connect your DSi to the internet and access other people's creations straight to your DSi. And when you DO create your own flipnote, you can upload it yourself to the site and share with everyone else.

Thankfully, my prayers have been answered - this version of Flipnote Studio IS the updated version of the app that was released in Japan. The updates include the ability to copy and paste (realized faster than iPhone...HI-YO!), layers, new brushes and pens, image scaling, and some resolved connection issues to Flipnote Hatena.

If you've been waiting to get the most out of your DSi purchase, then you need to download the free Flipnote Studio app.

Zero Punctuation review: The Conduit

Is there any Wii game that Yahtzee believes to NOT be marred by the system's control scheme? Is there any Wii game that can live up to Yahtzee's expectations? Is there no justice to the Wii game review in general?

Well, The Escapist doesn't care, so they threw The Conduit into the Yahtzee pit of misfortune.

There are times when I'll laugh at Yahtzee for his jokes. And then there are times that I laugh at him for his ignorance. This is the latter. Well, okay...a little of the former, but the majority at the latter.

I found some faults at the fact he neglected the highly-customizable controls and multiplayer all together just to get his jollies in. But what can you do with a man that has to make a living testing out ALL games that get tossed at him with no choice? Just let the guy rant - it's what he's being paid to do anyways.

It's Wii, so you know it'll be NSFW, so enjoy!

Vacationing in Wii Sports Resort

One of the few games I enjoyed the most during my time at E3, Wii Sports Resort is finally here with its Wiimotion Plus goodness. Playing it is much like the first time I played Wii Sports, except now there's a 1:1 motion capture ratio, which makes swordplay possible and extremely enjoyable.

How enjoyable? How about "muttering-cheesy-lines-while-taking-out-your-opponent" enjoyable? In the Swordplay Showdown mode, you're faced with countless Miis to take down in small hoard groups, and you can't help but feel like a Jedi with the Force as you take down each and every one - it's THAT enjoyable. I still don't get tired of saying "watch your feet" as I trip them up.

This and the other game that really stood out during E3 was their Table Tennis game, which almost accurately captures every top and back spin I put on the ball. I say almost, since it seems to not react quite so quick when I decide a last-minute changeup. But other than that, the game is quite accurate in recreating the advance fun one can have with a ping pong ball.

Of course, there's the classic Bowling that I've loved last time back, and Archery is fun to play. But what really took me by surprise was Basketball, and now natural it was for me to get into it. The game even had a 3-on-3 mode, which got the core mechanics of the game down, all except the running-around-the-court feeling.

Nintendo was right - this is a good place to spend a Stay-cation. Now, to get a second Wiimotion Plus and get my wife to join...

Zero Punctuation's 100th review: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

It's hard to believe that Yahtzee has reviewed 99 games thus far, making his review of Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood his 100th.

I'm just surprised no game developer has stopped developing games because of his reviews. It would've cut his tramplings down a notch, that's for sure.

But please enjoy this review for all its worth, and stick around for the full version of their theme song, in all of Yahtzee's glory. NSFW, of course. Enjoy!

Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?...Finished!

At 6 hrs, 30 minutes, and 49 seconds with 777 Prinnies left, Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? can be finally added to the games I've finished. Don't let the short playtime fool you. It's only short due to the numerous attempts I've tried and failed at completing the game.

As a platformer, the game's unrelentless at knocking you down at every turn, with enemies appearing at exactly the wrong place at the wrong time. The boss battles themselves can be as challenging as the levels themselves. And with only less than 8 minutes to complete each level, and 3 minutes to take down the bosses, the term "speed run" takes on a whole different meeting.

But beating the game is only part of the game. There are still countless medals to obtain, lots of background music to collect, and opportunities to play levels at varying difficulties. And, to tell you the truth, I actually look forward to blowing up more Prinnies.