Editor/Founder:
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Did you ever wonder were the blocks came from when you play Tetris? From a plane dummy! Well, according to this t-shirt they do, anyway. The blue shirt comes in various sizes and if you want one, it’ll just set you back $20. Head over to glennz to order it.
Cool Stuff is a feature of /gamer. Know of any geekarific creations or cool products which should be featured on Cool Stuff? E-Mail us at slashgamer@gmail.com
Sega has trademarked a new Super Monkey name, which was discovered by siliconera. According to the trademark, which was filed in Europe, the game will be called Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll.
Obviously the registration doesn’t specifically mention which system it will on, but the name Step & Roll would suggest it would take advantage of the Wii Fit Balance Board.
It’s been awhile since I played a Super Monkey Ball game. Actually it could have been all the way back in 2002 when Super Monkey Ball 2 was released for the Gamecube. I did love the game but honestly, the series has changed much since it debuted. Maybe with the introduction of the Balance Board I’ll try it again.
Plus, I need to dust off that accessory, it’s been awhile since I used it.
Who says Google employees are not videogame fans? When Google-Street view was released awhile back, employees of the company decided to cosplay and a few were even spotted dressing up as Zelda characters, which can been seen in the street view feature. This past Earth Day, Google redesigned their logo on the search page which commemorated the appreciation for the planet. In that same design, we discovered the TriForce hidden in the image.
Today happens to be the 25th anniversary when Tetris was created by Alexey Pajitnov, in the USSR at the Academy of Science in Moscow. Thanking his achievement, Google has redone their logo for the day, celebrating the ‘birthday’ of the famous videogame.
Check it out up top.
Braveheart was a historical-drama film that was released in 1995. The film was recognized as the year’s best film when it won best picture at the 68th Academy Awards, and was nominated for additional six. The moral of the story is about how important freedom is, and what the cost some must endure in order to make sure they experience it.
That said, gamegym deiced to use the level editor from Boom Blox to recreate a famous scene from the film. What you get is a entertaining look from a different perspective from the great movie. I dunno, there is something about seeing Mel Gibson being played by a blocky dog-thing.
Watch the video up top.
via:gonintendo
When I first heard about Critter Crunch, it was during an award ceremony for mobile games at GDC 2008. A fellow colleague of mine, was big it mobile gaming and he was all about this puzzle game. So, much he thought it was the best game that year for the mobile phones. It wasn’t until months later when I got to try it out for myself for the iPhone, I then realized what he meant — this game is addicting.
Like most good games in this particular genre, Critter Crunch is a simple concept. The point of the game is about feeding animals, but making sure it follows the food change. Basically, little organisms are supposed to eat bigger ones, and so on and so on. The more you feed, the bigger the creatures get — causing them to explode and creating a chain reaction.
Now, Critter Crunch is being remade for the PlayStation Network and will be available soon for download. The title will feature updated graphics and animations, 1080p output, trophies, and online multiplayer.
This is one game to look out for and if you own a iPhone, check out the demo in the app-store. You’ll get a better understanding of how the game mechanics work.
Gametrailers has put up a video of Boom Blox: Party Bash, which they record off a TV as they were playing the puzzle game. Obviously, the second installment is nearly identical to the first game which came out last year and for me, was the best game on the Wii for 2008.
To say I’m excited for the next Boom Blox would be an understatement and if you haven’t played it yet, I recommend checking it out. Until than, watch the footage of gameplay up top.
I have said this over and over. I really believe Boom Blox is easily one of the better games to come out in 2008. Not just for the Nintendo Wii, but the gaming industry as a whole. So, to say I’m excited to play the sequel, Boom Blox Party Bash, would be an understatement.
Today, EA has confirmed the date when the second installment will ship into stores and it is only a few weeks away. On May 19, 2009, Party Bash will be available to Wii owners. Thank god actually, because I think my Wii was chocking to death from all the dust it has been collecting.
After the Jump, check out new screens. (more…)
As you probably know, the five year-old Saw movie is finally getting a video game adaption. The game was originally going to be published by the now obsolete company, Brash Entertainment. Since that time, the survival-horror has been picked up by Konami, who have already dabbed their hands into the genre with the Silent Hill franchise.
Up top is a video showcasing, for the first time, actual gameplay. Not only that, we finally get some details about the gaming version of the horror series.
We already know the story for the Saw game will be told between the first two movies, and will reveal unanswered questions from the films. However, the producer of the title John Williamson, has talked a little more about his new game. He said, “It’s [the game] one-third exploration, cause it’s a survival-horror genre, one-third mini-games and puzzles because it’s in Jigsaws world and it will be one-third combat with the other people that are trapped in this world.”
The game also looks like light will play a major role in gameplay. For instance, Mr. Williamson talked about how the main character will have the ability to use different light sources. For instance, maybe the player finds a torch, which will light the room around him. However, if you run the fire would distinguish. The same player could choose to use a flashlight, if he runs it’ll work just fine, but it’ll only light up a small portion of the room/halls.
Overall, the game is looking far better than I originally thought it would’ve. Not because I dislike the Saw franchise, which I don’t. I didn’t think much of it because I pre-judged, and it’s just causes the game is based off a movie… Which is 5 years old, now.
Telltale Games has released a number of highly entertaining point-and-click titles such as the Sam & Max series, Bones, Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People and CSI: Hard Evidence. Their next adventure is a grand one, as they tackle the pop culture smash, Wallace & Gromit. Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures is set to be a four part, episodic series that will take you right into the mischievous doings of the absent minded, cheese loving inventor, Wallace, and his intelligent witty pet and life saver, Gromit. This grand adventure begins on March 24th, 2009 on PC and Xbox Live, and will continue in May, June and July of the same year. The whole series includes characters new and old to the Wallace & Gromit legacy with a brand new story, mishaps and conflicts. Your job is to assist the duo in locating solutions to their problems.
The series starts out with Episode One: Fright of the Bumble Bees. We begin in the main duo’s home on West Wallaby Street in the early morning, with Wallace requesting Gromit to assist him in getting out of bed and making some breakfast. The opening of this game is a rather entertaining and quick puzzle to assist you, the player, in getting atoned to the controls and keystrokes needed to work through the adventure. The controls flow rather well, with the occasional character moving toward a direction you would not like it to, but not to any extent of ruining the value of the title.
From the introduction portion of the game, you jump right into an intriguing story of Wallace finding himself running behind on paying some bills. On top of this, a local store owner is extremely upset with Wallace because his cheese sniffing invention destroyed his shop. With the shop owner being made aware that Wallace is getting into the honey business, he requests that Wallace supply him with 50 gallons of honey before the day is over. Desperate to resolve the issue, Wallace, resorts to whatever quick solution he can whip together, without any thought of consequence.
The story develops extremely well and will keep you drawn in with each scene not being too long; yet still working your brain well enough to remain a challenging puzzler. There is plenty of spoken dialogue, which is key to this title, as is most point-and-click titles. If any spoken dialogue is present that is not part of moving the story forward, it is there for a reason: To give you clues. There are a handful of items that are interactive but are not accessible, but I believe these items and areas will play a significant roll in the remaining three episodes.
The environment and characters are very well rendered. The detail and grand use of color flow smoothly to make an eye appealing presentation. From the interior of the house, to the exterior to show West Wallaby Street, the sites add to the entire experience. There is always something to interact with in every screen to assist you in hitting your game completing goal.
The voice acting, audio effects and music score are top notch. Unfortunately, Peter Sallis does not reprise his role as the voice of Wallace, but, the backup voice fits as a near perfect replacement. The rest of the voice acting cast do a fantastic job at making the remaining characters show their personality and role in the story. The music score throughout the title keeps an upbeat, happy go lucky feel, yet not overpowering where you feel you’d have to turn it down from annoyance. It is a well balanced soundtrack that sets the mood in each scene to perfection.
Complete with its well rounded story, solid audio editing, stunning visuals, and even the slight cliff hanger ending, Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures: Fright of the Bumble Bees has left me wanting more. This title should fair well with old and new fans alike.
/Gamer score for Fright of the Bumble Bees: a respective and earned 9 / 10
Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures: Fright of the Bumble Bees is available today for download on the PC and Xbox Live Arcade.
Tetris is consider by many; the greatest puzzle game of all time. Some might even argue it IS the greatest video game. Since the was introduced in the mid-80s, countless versions have been made for the PC to mobile phones and millions of copies have been sold. The game is easily one of the most successful franchises out there today.
Now, if you click here, you can play the world’s tiniest version yet. Not only that, it should take you hours to actually loose. Because the blocks are not only small, but you can use the whole web browser as space for the game.
Hardcore Tetris fans should love it, I for one couldn’t last more than a few minutes. I realized this would take WAY to long!
To play: Use the arrow keys to move left to right. The up and down keys move the angles of the blocks. The spacebar speeds up the blocks.
Last year, I thought one of the best games to come out for the Wii was Boom Blox… You know what, scratch that — it was probably one of the best games overall. The game pretty much had everything, excluding online play. But the single player experience to the multiplayer, the game was a blast and well worth my money.
The first month or so, word was coming out that the game wasn’t selling as well as EA had originally hoped for. Although, overtime that started to change — but initially I was nervous that I wouldn’t see a sequel. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case, the puzzle game sold well enough for EA to to warrant a second installment. Last month the publisher announced that Boom Blox: Bash Party was indeed headed to the Wii and today we get to drool over the first trailer.
The next chapter in the series looks to focus more on the multiplayer aspect — hence the name. Not only that, it seems like its going to use environmental situations. For instance, an underwater level is available, where the blox will be hard to push. Also added is a space level, where nothing will slow down when hit and includes anti-gravity.
Check out the new trailer above.
One of my favorite games released on the Wii was Boom Blox. When I first picked up the Spielberg game, I spent countless hours tipping over blocks and throwing monkeys and chicken into the air. It wasn’t perfect, but it was incredibly fun; as well as addictive as hell. To me, the title is easily one of the most underrated games sold in this generation.
That said, I was fearful I wouldn’t see another version — generally when something is labeled underrated, it means it didn’t sell so well. So, I wasn’t sure if EA would attempt to create a second installment. Thankfully, EA is giving it a go one more time. In a press release, Electronic Arts announced “Boom Blox Bash Party” for the Wii. The game, which still includes Steven Spielberg in the development process will “showcases new block types, including: virus and conveyor blox, new blox shapes, such as: cylinders and wedges, and new tools that will make for even more destructive fun.” It’ll even feature FREE downloadable content made by us gamers.
We also include two screenshots in this post from the game. As you can see, the game features worlds that will take place underwater as well as space. We’re guessing those environments will utilities ‘real-time’ physics, which should be a blast for a game like Boom Blox. After the jump, read the full press release. (more…)
When the DS debuted a few years ago, one of my favorite games to come out on launch day was Sega’s Feel the Magic. The game played a lot like Wario Ware, where the player would do quick tasks to complete a mini game. The title also had a basic story, where the main character was trying to go out with a girl.
One of the mini-games included was to have the player scream into the DS’s microphone and say “I Love You” over and over. The guys over at Mega64 decided to take that game premise and see if it works in real life. Apparently, it doesn’t…
I don’t care what hardcore gamers say, I love the iPhone. I truly believe the potential of the device is enormous. Even though we’ve only seen a handful of good games, that doesn’t mean the phone can’t produce classics. Heck, we’ve even seen a few of them — Rolando not only is awesome for the phone, but just an awesome game in general.
Kloonigames in partner with Hudson, is set to bring another classic to Apple’s phone. Crayon Physics Deluxe looks to completely take advantage of the touchscreen feature as well as the power of the phone. The point of the game is a lot like a previous game already released in the App Store. We’re talking about Trace; the point of that game was to draw a bridge over a series of landscapes and get the character walk across it safely. It was fun stuff, but not very deep.
Crayon Physics Deluxe takes the same concept of drawing something and having it interact with the world. But instead of just a guy walking from one end to the other, they made it far more in-depth. The game utilizes a physics engine; when you draw something, it will act according to the physics of that world. For instance, if you draw a giant circle, the game will recognize it as ‘heavy,’ then if you drop it, it can move things that are lighter than it. The puzzle title also looks to be a crap load deeper than that. Don’t believe me, check out the trailer up top.
Offworld is reporting that Crayon Physics Deluxe will be available in the App Store in a “matter of weeks.” We’ll let you know when it shows up.
This is a first, EA is being a giving company during the holidays. Well, they are kinda are. The publisher is giving away cheats to only Boom Blox owners. Enter these names using the virtual keyboard:
Pandoras Blox: Unlocks all levels in the game
Tool Pool: Unlocks all the toys in Create Mode
Nonstop Props: Unlocks all the props in Create Mode
Critter Litter: Unlocks all the characters in Create Mode
Remember back in the day when codes were the hot things. Hell, they had TV shows, and magazines, along with books that were dedicated to just unlocking features. Man, have the times changed or what?
Also, if you possess a Wii, but you don’t own Boom Blox — why!? The game is really one of the best games for the system.
