Check out the back of the box for We Love Golf, a Wii exclusive from July 0f 2008.
Notice the character on the far left looks almost exactly like President Barack Obama, behind him is a female character that bares an uncanny resemblance to Sarah Palin, and the example Mii in the bubble at the bottom appears to be modeled after the political comedian Steven Colbert. He is America, after all, and so can you.
These resemblances are most likely mere coincidence, but strange and uncanny none-the-less. I still can’t get over how much that guy looks like President Obama.
If you are interested in learning more about We Love Golf, check out SuperPhillip’s review here.
Two days ago, I wrote a brief piece leaving a link where readers could stream the new Wilco album, “Wilco (The Album)” for free on the bands website and promised a review in the coming days. Sadly, a little more than 24 hours after I made the post, the stream was deleted. Why, I do not know, but what I do know is that it is no longer there.
If anything changes and the album reappears, I will repost the information. But I do know there were at least three people who were interested in the stream, so to you and anyone else who clicked on the link expecting free Wilco goodness, only to find nothing of value at all, I am sorry.
System: Nintendo DS (Exclusive) Developer: Q! Entertainment Publisher: Bandai Genre: Puzzle
There’s no shortage of puzzle games on Nintendo’s dual-screen handheld. Games like Tetris DS, Planet Puzzle League, and Puzzle Quest are leading the genre today, but there is one forgotten gem that floats in orbit just waiting to be rediscovered. This game is 2005’s Meteos, from Q! Entertainment.
Today there is no question about the DS’s two screens and touch screen interface, but back in June of 2005 the majority of people saw absolutely no reason for either innovation. Developers were looking for new ways to use the new hardware and trying to create new games that couldn’t be done elsewhere, often meeting sub-par or gimmicky results.
Enter Meteos, released 7 months after the system’s North American debut. This game shattered the puzzle game mold, strayed away from the industry norms, and managed to create a fast-paced, wildly competitive puzzle game that could be compared to nothing before it and finally brought something to the table that couldn’t have been done on any other system.
Review:
Meteos is one of the few puzzle games out there that felt the need to include a story, and what an epic one it is. The game opens with an insanely awesome CG video that chronicles the dark events that have been occurring throughout the universe.
It turns out that the evil planet Meteo is attacking the rest of the planets in the universe with an endless flow of phantasmagoric, material known as Meteos, and destroying them. After discovering a way to prevent their planets from being destroyed, the alien species that reside throughout the universe band together for a final confrontation with the evil planet, hopefully to destroy it once and for all.
This is where your adventure starts. Traveling across the universe on the Metamo Ark, slowly making your way to Meteo, you must fight off attacks on various planets before your quest to save the entire universe can be complete.
While the story is certainly a fantastic one by Puzzle Game standards, the real point of interest in Meteos is its gameplay. Sure you’ve got your standard rules. Different colored blocks fall from the top of the playing field and stack up until there is no more room for them, in which case the player loses. Mixed in with the blocks are various items that can be used to assist in surviving the merciless shower of blocks. To clear the blocks from the screen, the player must match up three or more of the same colored pieces. This is where the similarities stop.
Meteos is played exclusively with the touch-screen, using the stylus to move blocks only in columns, no horizontal movement is allowed. This makes finding combos much more challenging, though rewarding at the same time. Each planet has its own unique gravitational traits. Some planets have light pulls, some strong, some planets are even played underwater. The game’s physics engine does a great job of creating these unique environments with their exclusive gravitational pulls.
Once three like-colored pieces are aligned in either a horizontal or vertical line, the blocks blacks into the air carrying all blocks that rest on top of them on their aerial adventure. This creates a completely standalone platform that serves as a second playing field. If your platform doesn’t reach the top of the screen and blast into orbit, you must continue trying to fight it off of your planet and back to Meteo.
This can be done several different ways. The most common method to use will be to continue lining up blocks on the floating platform to launch a 3rd platform even higher into the atmosphere. If there aren’t any possible block combinations atop the platform, you create a new one underneath it which will launch up and ram into the bottom of it, giving it the extra boost it needs to make it away from the planet’s gravitational pull. If a platform makes it extremely close to the exit of the play field but still refuses to leave you can simply throw single blocks toward the bottom of the platform to give it a slight boost that could get the floating mass of blocks out of your hair once and for all.
Keep in mind each planet has its own gravitational pull, which forces players to be extremely strategic when fighting off Meteos attacks. Some strategies for removing blocks only work on certain planets, and the player has to constantly alter his or her play style to adapt to all of the unique planets.
The graphics and audio design of this game are equally as impressive and deep as the gameplay. Just as every planet has its own gravitational pull it also has its own unique feel thanks to the visually pleasing backdrops and Meteo block art styles. The CG videos in the game are absolutely gorgeous, and every 2D planet sprite is given its own personality. Perhaps the most visually pleasing aspect of the game is the amazingly detailed and well-imagined menu system which feels like you are operating some futuristic touch-screen computer.
But the sound in Meteos is the icing on the design cake. Every planet has its own brilliantly composed songs and sound effects that give each planet and amazingly unique feeling. Even more astounding is that every song and effect can be unlocked and played in the game’s on-board media player. It’s a simple little toy, but it proves to be a feature that you’ll use often just to hear your favorite song from the game without having to battle for your specie’s lives.
The game’s main campaign is called Star Trip and features the ability to change your home planet, difficulty, or the route you’ll take through the universe. Each route other than Straight offers multiple branching paths you can take through the universe which presents a large level of replayability.
Other modes of play include Simple, Time War, and Deluge. Simple mode is where you’ll pick from the game’s huge multitude of options to create the perfectly customized experience for a single stage play.
Time War offers four different timed high-score based challenges. 2:00 and 5:00 Time Wars challenge you to survive for the designated amount of time while racking up as many points as you possibly can. 100 and 1,000 Meteo Wars task players with clearing the respective amount of blocks from the screen as quickly as possible.
Deluge Mode simply asks you to survive for as long as possible. The game also offers a Tutor to teach you how to play Meteos. I suggest you use it.
Also adding a ton to the games already massive amount of replay value is the Fusion Mode. Here you will use the Meteos you’ve collected through your play-throughs to craft new home planets and characters, items and rare metals to be used in-game, and Sounds which we’ve already discussed. This will provide incentive to keep playing after beating the campaign mode.
One gripe I have is that multiplayer is local only. Meteos would’ve made an amazing online puzzler that could possibly surpass addiction levels of Tetris DS’ online mode. At the very least online leader boards would’ve been nice. The game does offer the ability to beam a demo to your friend’s DS to ensure that any two to four players can compete with only one copy of the game, provided they all have their own system to use. And while there are no online leader boards, Meteos does offer a very intensive stat chart with tons of information.
Final Words:
For far too long Meteos has been an overlooked title. Not many people picked it up when it launched and has even to this day failed to move the vast amount of numbers it should have despite its immense critical success, a fact that is likely the sole reason the game has never received a proper sequel but instead seen only Disney-themed piles of crap that ruin the legendary name the game should have.
If you see Meteos in the used games bin at your local entertainment store, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It is one of the deepest, most satisfying and innovative puzzle games of all time. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Pros
Each planet feels unique thanks to individualized graphics, music, and gravitational pulls
Highly addictive and innovative controls that are tough but rewarding to master
The story is Shakespeare by puzzle game standards
Exquisite interface and presentation
Astronomically high amounts of replay value
Doesn’t leave needle marks unlike most hardcore addictive substances
Cons
No online functions whatsoever take away from what could’ve been an amazing multiplayer experience
There will be times when you want to stab your DS with a big ass sword because you continuously fail
Score: 9.4/10 (Amazing)
Gameplay: 9.5/10 (Addiction, pure and simple) Graphics: 9.0/10 (Stellar presentation, beautiful CG, unique visual style) Audio: 9.5/10 (Expertly composed soundtrack) Entertainment Value: 9.75/10 (Seemingly endless playability is hindered only by lack of online)
I’ve been a BlackBerry guy ever since I owned the 7100 from Nextel. When Sprint and Nextel merged I was finally able to upgrade to a BlackBerry Curve 8330. Since then I have been fully satisfied with everything my BlackBerry has to offer me and have never thought about changing brands.
Until now.
The Palm Pre, exclusive to Sprint. I’ve complained and whined about Sprint not staying up to date with their BlackBerry line, a problem that has actually caused me to consider switching carriers and going over to AT&T for some Bold action, but this burns that idea to a crisp.
The Pre should be released June 6th for $199.99 when you take advantage of the mail-in rebate and purchase a 2-year contract. It has been crowned Engadget’s Most Anticipated Gadget of 2009, and for several good reasons. It’s sleek, compact, and has a touch-screen that doesn’t suck, unlike most LG and Samsung phones out there.
For more news on Sprint’s Palm Pre, head on over to Engadget and check out their slew of articles.
Pretentious music snobs and lack wits desperately attempting to gain music credibility (the author raises his hand) can rejoice, as it has been announced that Radiohead, the most important band in the aforementioned demographics, has begun work on a new album.
According to NME, the band headed into the studio last week to begin recording the follow-up to 2007’s Grammy winning “In Rainbows.” The album is being produced by Nigel Godrich, who has helmed the group’s previous five albums.
Amp Energy has a lot of less-than-average flavors on its hands lately. With the exception of Focus, the best Amp flavor I’ve ever had, the Mountain Dew offshoot just keeps pumping out sub-par flavors. 3 Wide, reported on the other day as the limited edition Amp Energy drink made up of 3 distinct flavors and packaged inside of a collectible Dale Earnhardt Jr. can, attempts to blend three very distinct flavors together in order to create something unique and appealing.
Of course, I decided not to save my can and have it live on some shelf like the majority of people do. Heck, I’ve never even watched a single NASCAR race in my life. And since the only racing I care about is Speed Racer and Mario Kart, I had no trouble tearing into this limited edition can to see if the liquid inside was worth defiling the collectible container or not.
Review:
When I first heard of Amp 3 Wide. And after opening my can of Amp and getting a nice, strong whiff of what was inside, my opinion didn’t really change much. It has a scent that is very similar to the original drink, which I’m not too fond of. It also retains its ability to flood your mouth with saliva. Upon deeper aromatic examination you’ll be able to notice the individual scents in the drink, most pronounced is Berry with a slight Orange hit. The Lime is buried somewhere deeper inside.
When taking my first sip of 3 Wide, an eruption of different flavors took place in my mouth. At first it was overwhelming to have the three distinct flavors swimming around my mouth at once, as they are all equally balanced. The following sips yielded a far more pleasurable experience. Each flavor can be pointed out on your pallet and focused on, or you can open yourself up and lose yourself in the whirlpool of Berry, Orange and Lime.
Amp has never had a great kick, and this is no exception. With the same list of ingredients that are a huge step below the competition, 3 Wide puts out the same weak kick as every other Amp drink, which is really disappointing since this drink is so tasty. The weak kick is really the only thing keeping it from being successful. That and the fact that it’s only available for a limited time. That sucks.
Another thing that I hate about all Amp’s, this one included, is the high price tag. $2.39 is way too much to spend on a drink with an Energy Blend that is years behind its competition. This one is an exception of course, due to the fact that it is extremely limited in supply and availability. And the Dale Earnhardt Jr. can extends this promo item beyond energy drink collectors and into the realm of NASCAR fans as well. There is no doubt in my mind this will make Amp millions, and I’m going to buy a couple more to drink and hold on to. But if this were a regular drink, I would hesitant to recommend you drop the cash for it.
Final Words:
I really don’t understand why Amp decided to make what is, with a few exceptions, the first good drink it’s introduced to the market in some time a limited edition beverage. It has a unique taste with distinct flavor that appeals to the hardened vet and is accessible enough to get the NASCAR fans addicted. I’m gonna miss this one when it’s gone, and I recommend you all pick up at least two. One to drink, and one to hold on to.
Pros
Unique scent
The 3 distinct flavors are perfectly balanced
Dale Earnhardt can helps it appeal to more than just energy drink addicts
An awesome energy drink collector’s item
Cons
Weak kick, as usual
It’s only available for a limited time
Score: 8.3/10 (Great)
Aroma: 8.75/10 (Makes your mouth water) Taste: 9.25/10 (Delicious, flavors blend wonderfully) Kick: 6.5/10 (The same weak Amp kick) Value: 8.75/10 (Would be pricey, but it’s a collectible)
It’s been an overly long wait for American Gamers to finally get their hands on the Virtual Console release of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, possibly the most under appreciated Zelda title aside from Windwaker. This gem originally hit store shelves for the Nintendo 64 way back in 2000 and was one of the last hurrah’s for the 64 cartridge king. Because it released so late in the system’s life, sadly, many gamers failed to pick up a copy, depriving themselves of one of the greatest adventures of all time.
This legendary game finally being released to the Virtual Console also marks two truly grand events. First off, it celebrates the 300th retro release on Nintendo’s download service, making the Wii the only place to be for all of your old-school gaming needs.
Second, Majora’s Mask’s release means all applicable Zelda titles (NES, SNES, N64 entries) have been released onto the Virtual Console. To celebrate this, we are going to bring you reviews of every single entry onto the Virtual Console starting with the timeless original making our way to Majora’s Mask.
A few weeks ago, we ran a review of live show by Alt-rockers Wilco. For those of you craving new studio material prior to the June 30th release of their seventh studio album, simply titled “Wilco (The Album),” you can stream the new material for free on the band’s official site. I will attempt to give a few listens and post an official review sometime by the end of the week.
Butterfinger Buzz is a limited edition King Size candy bar loaded with 80 mg of caffeine — the same as the majority of energy drinks on the market. I found them at my local video rental store when picking up my copy of Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop to review, in hopes it would get me through a night of zombie-slaying while waggling my Wiimote.
I know what some of you are saying, though. Candy and Caffeine? Didn’t we try that with those horrible Vojo Energy Mints a while back?
Caffeinated candies are certainly nothing new, but finding good ones can prove to be hard work. Caffeine is a very bitter-tasting substance, and adding caffeine to things is never a good idea if you can’t balance the flavors properly to cover it up. Even Jolt Gum and Snickers Charged, two of the best caffeinated candies on the market, have a noticeable bitter bite when held in comparison to other gum’s or chocolate bars.
Butterfingers have always been my favorite candy, though. Nothing beats the smooth texture of its creamy chocolate coating that covers the crunchy core composed of a crispy combination of compact peanut butter and sugar that crumbles in your mouth with every satisfying crunch. Take that Butterfinger B.B. slogan! “Crispety, Crunchety, Butterfinger BB’s!” ain’t got nothing on me!
Upon primary visual inspection, everything that I loved about the original seems to be intact with the Buzz. The only difference I was able to notice was that the core of the candy was a much darker orange color than its mother.
Now it’s time to test the taste and texture. Texture first, of course. You see, my absolute favorite thing about Butterfingers isn’t the way it tastes, but rather picking the crunchy substance out of your back teeth and sucking the chewed up chunks off of my finger. I know it sounds disgusting, but getting a huge chunk of leftover Butterfinger out of your molars is one of the most satisfying feelings I know.
A+! The Butterfinger Buzz manages to retain nearly the exact same texture as the original bar. And knowing that the Buzz is packed full of caffeine makes picking those slimy crisps out of my molars much more satisfying.
But does Butterfinger Buzz beat the bitter bite that’s plagued-caffeine cramped candies since the very beginning? While there is a slight bitter flavor detectable amongst the pure delight of peanut butter and chocolate, it is very, very subtle.
If you were to give it to a friend who didn’t know it was caffeinated, I doubt they would notice anything different about it at all. It has the same delicious flavor and texture as the original candy bar with the least noticeable bitter taste out of any caffeinated candies I’ve ever tried, especially caffeinated chocolates.
The only thing about the Butterfinger Buzz that really bothers me is the fact that it is only available as a limited edition candy. And I mean very limited. So limited in fact, that it should have been yanked from store shelves at the end of April, but supplies lasted long enough for the promotion to bleed into May. If you really want one of these you need to high-tail it to the nearest 7-Eleven or video store and see if you can’t secure your own bar. That or the internet.
Final Words:
The Butterfinger Buzz is easily the best caffeinated candy bar I’ve ever had. The bitter flavor added by the caffeine is hardly noticeable unless you are looking for it, it retains the same taste and texture that makes the original Butterfinger such a popular favorite, and it has the same amount of caffeine as most energy drinks on the market.
If you like Butterfingers and energy drinks, this is for you.
Pros
80 mg of caffeine…
… That you can barely taste!
Same taste and texture as the original
Cons
It’s promo time is already over, good luck ever getting to taste this exquisite candy
Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing)
Taste: 9.75/10 (If you liked the original you’ll love this. Caffeine is barely noticeable) Kick: 9.0/10 (Candy that kicks your ass into a higher gear than any other chocolate out there) Value: 8.5/10 (Slightly more than a regular King Size, 80 mg more caffeine!)
Check it out right here on Everyview, the much anticipated Mother Marathon brought to you by the legendary Saints of Gaming themselves, TheSpeedGamers. I recommend watching it on their website instead of here so you can watch the commentator feed and participate in the chat, but if you don’t care about any of that then stay here and save their servers from exploding.
Notice the character on the far left looks almost exactly like President Barack Obama, behind him is a female character that bares an uncanny resemblance to Sarah Palin, and the example Mii in the bubble at the bottom appears to be modeled after the political comedian Steven Colbert. He is America, after all, and so can you.
I know what some of you are saying, though. Candy and Caffeine? Didn’t we try that with those horrible 
The only thing about the Butterfinger Buzz that really bothers me is the fact that it is only available as a limited edition candy. And I mean very limited. So limited in fact, that it should have been yanked from store shelves at the end of April, but supplies lasted long enough for the promotion to bleed into May. If you really want one of these you need to high-tail it to the nearest 7-Eleven or video store and see if you can’t secure your own bar. That or the internet.