Grand Theft Auto III - Sony Tablet S - Review

A surprise and a delight. The king of open world crime returns in a solid release, ready to take over your mobile device!

Not so long ago, Rockstar Games announced that GTA3 was going to be re-released as a mobile title for it's 10th anniversary. As quickly as it was announced, it was out on the digital market. I believe what surprised us the most was that it was the "complete" game as opposed to a scaled down, mobile experience.

All of the missions, music, characters and radio stations remain intact. Everything is here. Included are some impressive touch controls which where a big concern, that is until you've played it.

This game is simply amazing. It plays awesome. Liberty City is completely intact. Graphics have been polished, smoothed and converted to HD. As I mentioned, all of the music stations are here. There is such a simple joy cruising around the city in a stolen ride, and exploring the massive space of Liberty City with a ton of music at your disposal. All of the game's voice work has also survived it's mobile conversion. Rockstar spared no expence and this release is a true celebration of the classic.

I was a huge fan of the original 2D GTA games. So it was such a delight to play Chinatown Wars on my iPod Touch. However, I am even more delighted to play a full 3D GTA title on mobile devices. We thought it was impossible. Rockstar proved us wrong.

Once again, Rockstar Games releases a triple-A experience for all of us to enjoy. GTA3 is out now on the latest Android and iOS devices, for only $4.99!

Happy 10th anniversary Grand Theft Auto III! You've never looked better!

Sony Tablet S is Operational!

Well I finally got myself into the tablet biz. During Christmas shopping deals extravaganzas, I was able to get a hold of a Sony Tablet S for a pretty good price.

How much?

I won't reveal. However it was a far cry than an iPad.

Do I like. Oh, I like.

I have to admit. I've been looking at reviews and opinions since it's release in mid-September. Word was very positive. Even with Sony being out of the gate last with a tablet, they designed a very pleasing, revolutionary design. It's comfortable wedge shape form, allows ease of use for productivity. It's form also allows for comfortable enjoyment of entertainment. Especially reading, it feels like holding a book instead of a piece of tech. I love the SD card slot. The Android Market could use a little more content, but it is coming.

Look forward for apps and game reviews specific for the device right here on this blog!

Cheers!

Sonic and GTA Smash Mobile Gaming Today

Today is a very big day for mobile gaming.

Both on the Android and iOS platforms, will see the arrival of two classic games from two big franchises from two different eras of gaming. A new era of console to mobile gaming is now here.

First off, Rockstar Games and the return of a huge franchise. Grand Theft Auto III is a classic. The first GTA game to go 3D, it set the standard for open world adventures. It expanded upon the steps taken with Sega's Shenmue titles, with fantastic results. This new mobile edition celebrates the game's 10th anniversary and is only available for the most up to date mobile devices. The 32-bit era adventure retails for $4.99.

Next up, the gaming legend himself. The return of the king. Fresh off the success of Sonic Generations, Sonic CD arrives on the Android Marketplace and Apple's App Store.

The blue blur is in top form, in what many still call his greatest 2D adventure, Sonic CD was the killer app for Sega's ill-fated Genesis/Mega Drive CD hardware add on. The fanbase for Sonic CD is huge and early buzz on this new edition is monster.

I love me some Sonic, especially some Sonic CD. It's awesome to see the title finallybeing released into the hands of everyone. Now they can experience something very special.

Sonic CD retails for a meesly $1.99. There is now no excuse to not own this16-bit classic.

Mobile gaming grows bigger and bigger on a daily basis. However, it was always the question about quantity over quality that plagues the arena. However with EA's Dead Space and Bad Company, Sega's Sonic CD and Sonic 4 and Rockstar Games with Grand Theft Auto III, have proven that quality and great gaming can exist in an ever growing market.

Metal Gear Solid: Rising Unveiled

MGS: Rising has a new name, a new direction and a new developer.

Metal Gear Solid: Rising is now called Metal Gear Rising: Revengence.

The stealth/action title is now an action/adventure.

A secondary team within Kojima Productions was developing it, however duties have shifted to Bayonetta developer Platinum Games.

I personally like all of the changes. As a spin off of the main Metal Gear series, it's nice to see a heavy emphasis of action/adventure with Platinum Games at the helm. Of course, the game is being over seen by Kojima Productions and by the main man himself. I'm definitely looking forward to it more now with a fresh focus, than it's original unveiling when it was simply a stealth spin off.

In Less Than A Week Vita Launches In Japan

December 17th. Vita. Japan. Uncharted. Little Deviants. Oh, my.

Those lucky Japanese gamers. Heck, it is for them that Sony's PSP is a huge success. So why not reward them with the Vita launch?

In a related note, mega video game news media site IGN.COM has now transformed their PSP channel into a VITA focused site. All of the previous PSP content will be hosted there. Check it out at -

http://vita.ign.com/

I am so excited for the launch. Expect a ton of information, news and views on that launch right here. There maybe a podcast as well focused on it. ;)

Pope Benedict Loves His Sony Tech

Well this is pretty sweet.

Pope Benedict XVI is lighting up the holiday Christmas tree in Umbria via his Sony Tablet S. Awesome!

The Sony Tablet S has had an impressive amount of positive word and reviews from the tech industry. I personally want one. However, it looks like the beloved Pope beat me to it!

The Associated Press story is posted below.

The Associated Press

Date: Wednesday Dec. 7, 2011 4:18 PM ET

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has illuminated a huge Christmas tree lighting display in Umbria by tapping on a tablet computer from the comfort of the Vatican.
 
Benedict brought the "tree" to life Wednesday with a Sony Tablet S, thanks to a wireless connection with the local electric grid. In reality the "tree," billed as the world's biggest, is a display made up of nearly 1,000 lights on a mountainside in Gubbio. It is 450 metres by 750 metres and covers an area of 130,000 square metres, or just under 30 soccer fields.

The 84-year-old Benedict has embraced new technology: Earlier this year, he tweeted for the first time and put the Vatican's news information portal online by tapping on an iPad.

Podcast 02 - Sonic's 20th Anniversary

Celebrate Sonic The Hedgehog's 20th Anniversary with a discussion of the exciting history and present day adventures of our blue hero.

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Podcast Homepage

Team Ninja is Working On Hot Shots Golf!

This caught me off guard.

It appears that Team Ninja is working on the Hot Shots Golf title for the PlayStation Vita. Holy crap! That is cool!

Hot Shots is Sony's first party golf series, which has existed all the way back in the PlayStation 1 days. I particularly love the PlayStation Editions, they are fun stuff with playful character designs, fun gameplay and colorful golf courses to play in.

I was looking forward to series outing on the Vita. However, now I want it even more! :)

Podcast 02 Coming Soon

I just recorded a second podcast. It is a retrospective show on Sonic The Hedgehog's 20th Anniversary. It was recorded on a road trip and is around a half hour long. The history of Sonic over 20 years is really, really vast. Spanning from games to cartoons to comic books to toys to ect. and ect. I could have easily done a 2 hour show, but that would have been overkill.

To think about it, I didn't even mention the Archie comic series, which has been rocking along at over 200 issues now. That is incredible, for any comic book series these days.

Expect the podcast very soon, in a day or so. :)

Snake's Future Adventures

This year, Zelda and Sonic celebrated anniversary's with new games released, musical concerts and a ton of toys galore. Oh the happy celebrations!

What other BIG franchises out there have birthday extravaganzas? Why Metal Gear of course.

Released in Japan, in the summer of 1997, Snake's first adventure was a MSX title. The MSX was a Microsoft, Japanese/European computer with impressive tech underneath it's hood. In North America, Snake would debut in the summer of 1998 on the NES. I loved playing this port not only on the NES but on my PC-DOS as well. Snake would dodge the entire 16-bit console experience and it wasn't until Metal Gear Solid on the PS1, was his official North American return.

Yes, I know about Snake's Revenge. It's an unofficial NES sequel which was playable, yet left a sour taste for fans.

Metal Gear Solid changed a lot of lives. It legitimized video games as a narrative delivery experience. Only the player was in control. This game blew me away. It continues to be one of my favourite game's of all time.

Today, the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection is out for the PS3 and X-Box 360. Peace Walker is awesome. Transfarring is sweet. Life is good.

What plans does creator Hideo Kojima have planned for his fanchise's 25th Anniversary? Only time will tell.

Expect a Metal Gear retrospective podcast early in the New Year!

PS3 4.00 Firmware is Live. Updates for Vita!

PlayStation 3 firmware update 4.00 is live. Among the various updates is the big one. That is, updating your PS3 to be communication device for your Vita for game, movie, photo and save game storage/transferres. Holy crap! Sweet! Sick! ;)

Gamer Win Hands Down Podcast 01

My first episode! I discuss Sony's most excellent X-Mas overview with their brand new PlayStation branded 3D monitor. Plus, PlayStation 3 and PSP overview galore

Podcast Direct Link Download

Restarting In The Name of Peace

Kojima's epic Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection is now available in stores. The package contains the full explosive campaigns of Metal Gear Solid 2, 3 and Peace Walker. It also contains tons of extras including MGS 2's  VR Training modes and Peace Walker online multiplayer modes. Plus, the original MSX games that started it all Metal Gear 1 & 2.Next year is MGS 25th anniversary and this collection is a fantastic head start for the celebration.

Exclusive to the PlayStation 3 edition is "Transfarring", the ability to play Peace Walker in 1080p HD with Dualshock support on your PS3 and send you save to your PSP to play on the go. One could use a current PSP save and play it on the PS3, yet there is no access to trophies.

To unlock trophies, you must start a game and a save file on your PS3. Then "Transfarring" back and forth from one system to another will result in trophy unlocks. So I have started a brand new game and found it to be, of course, awesome stuff. Peace Walker is a fantastic game that every gamer should play and own. It definitely provides a sneak preview of the Vita's abilities, which we in North America won't discover until the end of February.

Damn, Peace Walker is one iof my favourite games of all time. Go play it now! :)

Dimensional Visions

During Sony's E3 2011 press conference, it was unveiled that an affordable, 24inch 3D monitor would be unveiled latter in the year. By mid-November that promise became reality.

The $499, Playstation branded monitor is an incredible site to behold. It even packs in one of the most impressive 3D demonstrations with Motorstorm: Apocalypse.

I'm happy with the monitor, with it's impressive 24inch vision of crystal clarity. I recommend it highly. Even with the package's omission of a remote control.

Sonic CD Arrives Early For Gamestop

Sonic CD is one of the most beloved 2D adventures of the blue hedgehog's. A classic which was sadly not played much back in the day, due to the poor acceptance of the Sega CD add on for the Genesis / Mega Drive.

As part of Sonic's 20th Anniversary celebration, Sega will be re-releasing the title on every platform imaginable. It will be available in December.

Gamers purchasing Gamestop's new line of Android gaming tablets will have Sonic CD right now, alongside several over great titles like Dead Space pre-installed. Sweet!

On top of the great news, Tails is now a playable character in the game. Not featured in the original release, this extra I'm sure will delight Sonic fans. :)

Sonic's Generational Adventure

You really should buy this game.

Playing it, I've had a contant stupid grin on my face.

Sonic Generations is the accumilation of 20 years of Sonic's adventures from the original 16-bit Sonic The Hedgehog to the Wii's Sonic Colors. It's colorful, beautiful, challenging and joyous. An amusing narrative wraps the dimmensional crossing of "classic" Sonic with "modern" Sonic as they battle an evil that theatens all.

Besides A hefty main quest mode, where all main levels contain a "classic" and "modern" take, there are dozens and dozens of side missions to compete in. The transition between the two different gameplay styles is surprisingly smooth. The level design is awesome. It's fun and challenging stuff, embodied by gorgeous visuals and audible delights. Those visuals. Yeah. The joy of candy bright colors representened in heavily detailed HD worlds. It's something of a lost art this generation.

The season of hard hitters is now. Batman: Arkham City and Uncharted 3 is out now while the next Elder Scrolls adventure launches just around the corner. Don't pass up Sonic this holiday season. It is the return of classic 16-bit joy right alongside Sonic's modern age grand adventures. It will put a smile on your face. ;)

Sega Times

Last week saw the release of House of The Dead: Overkill for the PlayStation Move. Just in time for Halloween the updated shooter includes tons of new goodies including two full new levels. I'm spending Halloween playing this delight with my family, after we watched Hobo With A Shotgun. Which BTW, is awesome! ;)

The launch of Overkill had me pick up a few more Sega treasures including Super Monkey Ball and Aliens: Infestation for the DS/3DS. More great stuff!

Tomorrow is the big day. An anniversary title for a blue hedgehog which is getting huge word of mouth buzz. :)



- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Batman Returns Is Awesome

It's been 10 years since I watched Tim Burton's follow up to his classic blockbuster Batman. The release of Batman Arkham City, brought a Batman renaissance of pop culture interest and craving.

Burton's Batman Returns was released in the summer of 1992. The tone of the film remained the same from the first. Yet, everything else was fresh and new. Two classic villains. A tragic tale of a misunderstood monster. A sexy feline villainous. Dark humor. Great action. However, like most film goers in 1992, I was disappointed of the follow up. It was to diverse and unique. I wanted a direct follow up. One that was very similar to the first. Yet Burton and his team had the talent to bring something different. Heck, even the season changed from the first film's summer to the sequel's winter to make it environmentally diverse.

Watching Batman Returns today is a delight. It's the rare film sequel that is exciting, different and engaging. Keaton returns in top form. His Batman remains quiet, cool and yearns for a little more humanity in his tragic life. DeVito's Penguin is tragic, hilarious and very unique of any interpretation of the villian. Finally, Michelle's portrait of Catwoman is dead on amazing and ferociously sexy. Her screen presence is strong and visually striking. Yeah, when I was kid in the early 1990's and saw her on the big screen, I fell in love with her amazing performance. She looked gorgeous in that cat outfit on top of that. ;)

Today, much like the past, we have the Hollywood sequel machine. A equals B. Part 1 insert to Part 2. Yet, in the summer on 1992, Warner Brothers gambled once and paid off in time a sequel which captured Burton and Batman fans alike.

Rejoice and enjoy. If you haven't watched Batman Returns, you owe it to yourself.

- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Assassin's Creed For iOS, EH?!?!

I love Assassin's Creed. It's a cool mixture of history, fact and fiction interfaced with some of the best game play this generation. I've played every game in it's library from the next-gen titles to the PSP exclusive to the iOS adventures.

I was poking around Apple's App store for any further adventures of Altair or Ezio and to my surprise, there was!

Exclusive to Canadian Apple App store shoppers, Ubisoft has released a free game entitled Assassin's Creed: Rearmed. Once again, it is a free and exclusive to Canuckers like myself. What I gather is that the adventure is a multi-player game. I have yet to fire it up. If it's anything like the previous iOS titles, we are in sure for a treat! ;)

Your Gaming Life Will Change February 22, 2012

In 4 months, the gaming industry will be shook up. The previews have been huge. Word of mouth has been astounding. The line up of titles is impressive. On top of that, we have a brand new Uncharted title available at launch.

It is the PlayStation Vita and it will change your life. Simply put, the Vita is a console in your pocket. With old, current and new ways to interactive with entertainment. It features a gorgeous 5-inch OLED screen, which has to be seen to be believed.

February 22nd, 2012 is only 4 months away. I can't wait.

A Post 65 Million Years In The Making

Sup Dawgs!?!?

It's been a while since my last post. Life got busy. A new career started after school finished. I'm trying to juggle the new job with a side business, alongside my family and a little baby. Busy. Busy. Busy some more. Alas, I still find time to play games, drink beer and watch football. My Green Bay Packers, as of this writing are still undefeated with a 6-0 rating. Hell yeah! Arron Rodgers is the man. Hooray!

What have I been playing? A little bit of this and that. Gran Turismo 5 had a recent huge update and I hit the road with a beautiful retro Camero. Damn. GT5 is a beautiful looking game. Sega's Vanquish is awesome! It just screams classic Sega. You have to own that game! I picked up Lego Star Wars: The Clone Wars for my PS3 and PSP. This game just rocks! Tons of fun! Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is classic. Beautiful, mysterious and grand, you spend your time rebuilding Rome as you unravel the secrets of the Templar's. Finally, yes I had to get it. Batman Arkham City is just awesome.

So what is coming up? Sony is releasing an affordable 3D PlayStation branded monitor mid-November. Hmm... Tempting! Sonic Generations hits store shelves November 1st! Hell yes! Big Daddy Boss and Snake return in HD with the Metal Gear Solid Collection in November 8th. Uncharted 3 and Assassin's Creed: Revelations arrive in November as well. Yes! Yes! Yyyeeessssss!!!! It really isn't fair, there is so much greatness arriving in such a short time.

BTW, thanks for your visits and hanging in there when nothing was posted. Cheers!

Sonic's Generational Release Soon!

Oh my! All the Sonic luv going on around here. There's great stuff to enjoy, it is time to celebrate!

The big event title, Sonic Generations will officially launch in North America on November 1st. This will be the PS3/X-Box 360 version of of the epic.

Down the pipeline, a 3DS and PC version will hit retailers as well.

If that isn't enough celebration, rumor has it that a PlayStation Vita and Nintendo WiiU editions are in development as well.

All I can say is... Sweet! Time to eat me some chili dogs. ;)

- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Celebrate Sonic On iOS

Sega knows how to celebrate. They are one of the few software publishers who know how to party it up and release great content. Especially for a certain celebratory Hedgehog.

They just recently released an official Sonic The Hedgehog 20th Anniversary App. Currently only available on Apple's App Store, it features news, wallpapers, info on games and much more.

The best feature? A simplistic, addictive touch game entitled Sonic The Sketchhog. Featuring hand drawn, sketch graphics this little gem even features leader-boards and Gamecenter connectivity.

The price for such nirvana? Nuthin'. Nada. Zip. It's free.

I recommend you download it right now. :)

Madden Bowl 2011

For all your viewing pleasure, here is GTTV's Madden Bowl 2011 featured on Spike TV.

Happy Madden Day!

Madden Out Now!

Last night around 10:30pm, Madden NFL 12 tackled the Apple's App Store. Today, it arrives on store shelves for you favorite video game console. The digital PSP edition should hit today's PSN update as well.

Enjoy!


- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Madden NFL 12, Hours Away

In less than 24 hours, Madden NFL 12 will be released. What can I say but I am jacked up! Updates to the game are not huge, however they are numerous. Plus, the game's presentation is mirrored like the big HD television presentations. This includes NFL Network style camera shots. It looks amazing.

Off the bat, I will be purchasing the digital editions of the game for the PSP and iOS. They will hold me over greatly until I acquire the PS3 edition. This will be accomplished via a Sports Illustrated subscription, which should be available by mid-September. Check out SI.COM for their current NCAA deal, it'll give you an idea about the upcoming Madden NFL 12 subscription. Why am I doing this? Simply because for the price of the game, I'll receive a year of Sports Illustrated in my mail box. It's nice to receive something else besides bills.

Those who are curious about owning a portable Madden and who don't own a PSP, should seriously consider the brand new bundle from Sony. It includes a PSP-3000, 2 gig memory card, Madden NFL 12 and Need For Speed: Shift on UMD for $159.99. It may also help sooth the non-vita North American launch this holiday season. *sniff* Remember you can purchase PSP, PS1 and Mini's for your PSP on the PSN and this content is usable for your Vita. Think of it as building a library today, for your future awesome tech.

BTW, did you watch the August 26th pre-season match between the Packers and Colts? It was awesome stuff! The final 45 seconds of the game is why I love football.

Enjoy the pigskin!

- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Uncle Steve Steps Down

Steve Jobs has resigned as Apple's CEO under undisclosed reasons. Apple fans shouldn't be to heart broken, he will remain on the board and play a "Godfather" type roll.

As a testament to his and Apple's influence on the industry, I'm writing this post with my iPod Touch. Heck, half of my posts on this blog have been posted utilizing this delightful piece of technology.

Apple's future will be interesting without Steve at the helm. However, the modern era computing innovators will be flying high for a long time.

Here's to Uncle Steve and his brilliant vision. May his step down come with great rest and relaxation. Funny thing is I don't think he will. He has more great ideas brewing in his mind. ;)

- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Sonic CD Coming Soon

A true gaming treasure will hit the PS3, X-Box 360, PC and iOS platforms very soon, Sonic CD is legendary.

Originally released ages ago, for the ill-fated Sega CD, the game sadly wasn't widely played. Until now.

Many would argue that it is the greatest Sonic game of all time. Personally for myself, Sonic 2 is the best but CD is way up there! Expect a November/December release for the much anticipated title.

- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Sony Support Rules

I love my Sony Playstation line of entrainment. They support they're software and hardware, non-stop.

Whether it is SingStar to the PSP, both not the biggest hits in North America. It did not matter.

You see unlike other video game companies, they introduce a product and support it to the bitter end. So if you find me talking a lot about Sony on this blog, it is for a simple reason. They care about their product and the users utilizing it.


- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Achtung! PS Vita Spec Sheet Released!

Sony's impressive showing at Gamescom 2011 included the release of final spec data for the future of handheld/mobile entertainment. The press release information below includes hardware data alongside social networking connectivity, which is key to success for any portable device this generation.

In particular, I will point out one interesting element. The Vita will contain 512mb of main memory ram alongside 128mb of VRAM aka video ram. This is in comparison to the PS3 which only contains 256mb of main memory ram and 256mb of VRAM.

Wow!

It's awesome to see Sony prep this baby up for it's "10 year life cycle" and not sacrificing hardware for cost. The more news I hear about the Vita, the more I want my hands on one! ;)

Now all we need is definitive launch details, which should arrive at TGS 2011.

** Official Sony Press Release Data **

Social networking functions:

Facebook
Facebook is a social utility that helps people communicate more efficiently with their friends, family and coworkers. The company develops technologies that facilitate the sharing of information through the social graph, the digital mapping of people’s real-world social connections. Anyone can sign up for Facebook and interact with the people they know in a trusted environment. Over 750 million active users visit Facebook each month.

Foursquare
foursquare is a location-based service that helps users explore the world around them. Using PS Vita, users can “check in” at the locations they visit to meet up with friends, and share information about places. Users can also collect virtual badges for exploring new places, and can earn points to compete against friends.

Skype
Skype is software which enables people to communicate with others around the world using Internet-connected devices. Skype has more than 170 million average monthly connected users (for the three months ended June 30, 2011). Users of PS Vita will be able to use Skype to make free calls to others on Skype, as well as low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles virtually anywhere in the world.

Twitter
Twitter instantly connects people everywhere to what’s most meaningful to them. At the heart of Twitter are short messages called Tweets, which are 140 characters or less in length. Users can follow celebrities, friends or other people they find interesting to discover what’s happening around the world.

Vita spec list:

Platform Name
PlayStation Vita

Model number
PCH-1000 series

CPU
ARM Cortex-A9 core (4 core)

GPU
SGX543MP4+

External Dimensions
Approx. 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection)

Screen
Touch screen – 5 inches (16:9), 960 x 544, Approx. 16 million colors, OLED
Multi touch screen (capacitive type)

Main memory
512MB

VRAM
128MB

Rear touch pad
Multi touch pad (capacitive type)

Cameras
Front camera, Rear camera

Frame rate
120fps@320×240(QVGA), 60fps@640×480(VGA)

Resolution
Up to 640×480(VGA)

Sound
Built-in stereo speakers
Built-in microphone

Sensors
Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), Three-axis electronic compass
Location
Built-in GPS (3G/Wi-Fi model only)
Wi-Fi location service support

Keys / Switches
PS button
Power button
Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)
Action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square)
Shoulder buttons (Right/Left)
Right stick, Left stick
START button, SELECT button
Volume buttons (+/-)

Wireless communications
Mobile network connectivity (3G/Wi-Fi model only)
IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1×1)(Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode)
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (A2DP/AVRCP/HSP)

Slots/Ports
PlayStation Vita card slot
Memory card slot
SIM card slot (3G/Wi-Fi model only)
Multi-use port (for USB data communication, DC IN, Audio (Stereo Out / Mono In), Serial data communication),
Headset jack (Stereo mini jack) (for Audio (Stereo Out / Mono In))
Accessory port

Power
Built-In Lithium-ion Battery
AC adaptor
Supported AV content format

Music
MP3 MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer 3, MP4 (MPEG-4 AAC), WAVE (Linear PCM)

Videos
MPEG-4 Simple Profile (AAC), H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High/Main/Baseline Profile (AAC)

Photos
JPEG (Exif 2.2.1), TIFF, BMP, GIF, PNG

Vita Power! Launch 2012 *sniff*

GamesCom is just around the corner, with TGS following a month later. These two massive game industry events will finally unveil Sony's launch plans for the PlayStation Vita.

Early word has it that the powerful handheld will not launch in the West until 1st quarter 2012. *sniff* Insert crying here...

I purchased a 32gb Apple iPod Touch for $319.99 before taxes and I got every penny of usage out of it. The Vita is designed the same way. It will browse the internet, read PDF files, watch movies, listen to music, have an Android app store, social networking features, two 5 mega-pixel cameras and brand new ways to interact with your gaming experience. Starting at $249.99 for a Wi-Fi only model, this is an awesome value. Also included is the Vita's 5-inch OLED touch screen allowing users to watch beautiful video content and read books with more clarity, providing a tablet like experience. Except of course, more portable. :)

Again back to the portability. The handheld is the same size as a PSP-3000. They are portable my friends, more than you think so. Yes, even more portable than an iPad or rival tablet.

This is a console my friends. It does more than a PlayStation 3 or X-Box 360 and is nearly as powerful. Some users won't need to purchase a gaming box to have a "console like experience", the Vita does it for you and you will have it with you 24/7. That is what Sony is providing gamers, a console in your pocket.

The delay of the launch sucks. I give you that. However, extra development time for Uncharted and other launch titles will benefit. It will launch in Japan this holiday season and it will provide Sony with much needed feedback for western launches.

I can't wait to get my hands on one.

Our Way Or The Highway

It's definitely wake up time for the video game industry. Old players such as EA and Sega have been investing in mobile gaming for the iOS and Android platforms. Some spectacular results have occurred with the like of Dead Space and Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing. 3rd parties have awoken to the lure of easy, .99 cent gaming. The era of the debate of quality, great gaming would never appear on these platforms is near an end. There are great games and great value to be had.

I'm a little worried about the attitudes on both sides.

For investors, gamers and news journalists who write off console/dedicated portable gamers as a non-profitable concern is a joke.

Then at the other end of the spectrum, for Nintendo to completely write off mobile cell phone gaming as a future option is dangerous for them.

It appears to be rare that a company like Sony has gone full force into both arenas. You can have your PS3's and your Vita's alongside your PS certified phone and tablets.

I believe the market is big enough for the both of them.

- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Happy 25th Samus!

Nintendo's Anniversary celebrations for some of the video game industry's biggest franchises are flat. Donkey Kong came and went. Mario's birthday last year, came in and out with a whimper.

They are attempting something of a Zelda celebration this year with musical concerts. However their attempt at reaching fans online, where most gamers are, is again flat and uneventful.

Amongst the beloved franchises, this year marks Metroids 25th anniversary. So, here's to one of our fravourite franchises and to it's star, hottie Samus.

Happy Birthday babe!

Changing Your Background

I own a HP Windows 7 Netbook. She's over a year old now and I picked her up on sale for $199.99. It's one of the easiest reasons why I still don't own an iPad. Apple's touch device is phenomenal. However, it's $620 price tag for the 32GB Wi-Fi model keeps me at arms length. We'll see in the future what the iPad 3 will offer, that may be my breaking point in a purchase.

Back to my Netbook. The model I have has a gig of RAM, 140gb hard drive, SD card slot, 3 USB ports, VGA out and much more. So, for $199.99 it was a huge value for, well, a huge value. I love it.

My only disappointment is an odd decision for Windows 7 Starter operating systems, which dominate the Netbook market. A user can not change the desktop's background from it's hypnotic Windows fair.

Now you can. Head over to Windows SevenForums and download the Oceanis change background program and you're ready to rock and roll.

Have fun!

Nintendo President Gets Spanked

I like Satoru Iwata. Back in the day he was an artist at Nintendo, contributing to the Zelda and Mario series. He helped create the Kirby series. This was before he became president of HAL in the 1990's, who are responsible of the Pokemon series of games. Finally, the early 2000's saw his rise to become the head of Nintendo after the dreaded Hiroshi Yamauchi left the company.

The point is, Iwata worked his way up within the company. He was literally there at Nintendo's video gaming beginning. He knows what it's like to be at the bottom. He has game design experience. He understands what a gamer wants, or we thought so.


His two biggest success was expanding the gaming market by utilizing touch and motion technologies. The industry needed that kick in the ass. My Grandmother owns both a Nintendo Wii and DS because of this. It made gaming easier and more attractive to everybody.

Today, is a different story.


The Wii has ran it's course. The hardcore community has moved on. The Nintendo 3DS sits on store shelves, with a gigantic price cut that happened less than six months after launch.

Like I said last post, I can not recall any piece of tech that has had it's price drastically cut in recent years. I'll also include their E3 2011 press conference that highlighted a piece of new gaming tech(the Wii U) that not only confused gamers and journalists but was demoed with, well, tech demo pieces instead of actual games. The successors to Iwata's greatest hits, appears to be gimmicks instead of groundbreaking new ways to game. The 3DS has the 3D and the Wii U has an extra screen, kinda like the DS for televisions.


Today, news has come down the line that Iwata has now had his pay cut in half. I don't think we have to worry. It doesn't mean he'll have to move into a dumpster anytime soon. He was making around 2 million dollars a year.

Source: Kotaku

3DS Cautiously Optimistic

Nintendo dropped the bombshell today. On August 12th, the 3DS will drop to $169.99 from it's gigantic and painfull $249.99. This will happen less than six months from it's launch date. There has been no electronic tech gadget in recent memory that has done this. It echos of desperation from Nintendo and will reward first time buyers. The giving doesn't end there.

Users who purchased the system from launch or recently with it's humongous, original price tag will receive 10 NES and 10 GBA classic titles while be enrolled in an ambassador program, which is a just a nice way of saying "thank you" to early adopters. This will begin on September 1st.

What can I say? It's the right thing to do for a system which is crawling.

As wonderful this announcement is, it still doesn't address the fact that there is barely anything to purchase from here on to holiday 2011. As an early adopter myself, the 20 free titles are welcoming. Yet at the same time, I own many of these, multiple times over in fact on other Nintendo hardware. They sooth the sore but do little to heal the long time wound. We purchased the system for fantastic new exciting 3D games and they ain't coming out.

Source: Nintendo

Football Demos The Future

The NFL season is saved. Players and owners have shook hands and buried the hatchet. The next 10 years are safe. Thank God the drama is over!

Amongst other positive announcements, EA's Madden 12 will be out for every single platform on the planet at the end of August. To help tide the fans over, a demo will be available on August 9th.

The teams featured? Why only one of the biggest and oldest rivalries in sports history.

The Packers and da Bears!

The demo will feature the NFC Championship game of last season. Now that is awesome! The Packers are my favourite team and to have the Super Bowl Champions featured is a treat. I can't wait to play it!


- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Where the heck are those 3DS games?

Luckily, a title I was looking forward to has been release. Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions is a satisfying gaming collection featuring 6 titles at a whopping $39.99. Wow!

You see that is the problem. The price is just to damn high. All of these titles would be perfect to give Nintendo's 3DS Shop a great boost while pricing the titles proper.

This is the first game I've purchased in a long time. Looking at upcoming game lists, it's pretty quiet. So where are those games?

Kotaku asks the very same question. Check out the URL below.

http://m.kotaku.com/5824847/where-are-the-3ds-games

- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Sega's Great Releases On iOS

Sega is a staple of the gaming industry. Their revolutionary games and consoles helped shape the way things flow today. In particular, their Dreamcast hardware was light years ahead of it's time with hi-resolution graphics, unique abilities via the VMU(can you say WiiU?) and out of the box online gameplay/Internet web surfing. Game franchises such as Sonic, Phantasy Star, Chu Chu Rocket, Samba de Amigo, Space Channel 5 and Shenmue have influenced and inspired many great franchises today.

With all of this great gaming legacy, wouldn't it be great to have a little taste of that on the go? Just a little taste?

Luckily Sega has delivered a number of great gaming goods on the go for your iPod Touch, iPad or iPhone for great prices.

Let's start with Chu Chu Rocket. The first online, worldwide multiplayer console title is now home on iOS. Featuring everything that was great about the original DC release, the game feels like it was specifically built for touch interfaces. Beautiful graphics, catchy melodies and full of fun! Fun! Fun! At $2.99 you have to add this to your gaming library.

Next up is the big blue blur. His 20th birthday this year is celebrated with a great number of anticipated releases and fanfare. Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing is the stuff of crazy kart action. Those yearning for Mario Kart on Apple's products have their prayers answered via Sega. Sonic's racer is plenty of awesome! Featuring a ton of tracks and karts based off of Sega's beloved franchises, this is a gamer's dream. You wanna know the best part? It plays amazingly well and is just as great as Nintendo's beloved franchise. Fantastic stuff!

Sonic also appears in Sonic The Hedgehog 1, 2 and 4. Featuring a very responsive d-pad, the games fill your heart with retro fun. Ahhh! Them Genesis days. *sniff* Sonic 4 is the beloved hedgehog's recent HD action adventure which was also released for consoles. It's nice to have a little Sonic action on the go. Especially when they are awesome classic adventures like these.

Rounding out the Sega love, a number of Genesis classics such as Golden Axe, Phantasy Star 2, Streets of Rage and Gunstar Heroes are available from .99 cents to $2.99. There is plenty more, check out the App Store for the full library.

Happy gaming! Sega's got you covered. ;)

It's Still Thinking

Last night, I fired up my Dreamcast with happiness and joy. Games such as Crazy Taxi, Power Stone, Soul Calibur, Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 were played in delight.

The console now 12 years of age, has glorious content still worthy of today's masterpieces.

So today, Kathy and I have our DC VMU's in pocket as Chao's go on glorious adventures.


- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Sega On iOS

This is a quick post, before the real fun begins. Sega's Golden Axe 3 is on sale on iTunes for a limited time for 99 cents. The fun will begin soon enough with an article about Sega and their iOS adventures.

- Posted using my iPod Touch. Happy 20th Sonic!

Just A Great Opening

Bioware and Black Isle Studios contributed plenty of memorable gaming delights back in the day with their Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale sagas. Those games are essential playing for any RPG fan. Posted below is the opening for the first Icewind Dale game. I love this. It's beautiful, awesome and most importantly... EPIC!

So What Have I Been Playing?

My wife and I are first time parents. We find our selves playing mountains of mobile games as opposed to console fair. I carry with me an iPod Touch and PSP-GO most of the time.


On my PSP-GO, I have been playing Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow and Resistance: Retribution. Peace Walker is possibly one of my favourite games of all time, it's worth picking up a PSP just to play it. If you haven't played it, you must. Oh, you must!


On the iPod Touch, the delights of Dead Space, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and Dungeon Hunter have been keeping me busy. Dead Space on the Touch is simply amazing. EA has done an amazing job bringing some of their biggest franchises to the iOS with spectacular results. Dead Space is a must have and a crowning achievement for the mobile device.


I honesty have a huge library of mobile games for either device. Sales come, purchases are made. Big titles launch and more purchases are made. Especially, iTunes store 99 cent game sales. Yikes! Lots of games get bought! ;)

3DS Games Be Cancelling

Over 4 months on the market, one would think the 3DS would have found it's stride and be home to a few wonderful and exciting adventures. Too date, the system appears to be dry. Nintendo has been slow delivering software, with their future lineup consisting of remakes and sequels. I was really looking forward to a new IP from Nintendo to really show off the hardware and be a great bragging rights title for owners of the system.  Nope.


It also saddens me when a big title like Resident Evil hits the mobile device, one I was really looking forward to and receives the most lukewarm reviews and responses from the industry. Kotaku reports about the cancelling of several 3DS titles from developers. On top of them is Sega's Crush 3D. The title is completed and is being held until February 21st, 2012. Wow. BTW, Crush is a phenomenal game and is available for the PSP and can be easily purchased right now on the PSN.


Even the launch of the 3DS Online Shop has been disappointing. The cataloge and pricing appears to be problematic. A recent example is the 3D remake of Namco's 29 year old Xevious is available for $5.99. Yet, on iOS and Android devices, one can purchase great new titles such as Dead Space, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and Dungeon Hunter 2 for around the same price.


Not all hope is lost. A couple of titles have perked my interest. Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions appears to be great fun and has been receiving positive previews. It contains 6 titles ranging from the original arcade games to brand new re-imaginings.

Here is the big one. A certain blue hedgehog turned 20 this year. To help celebrate, a 3DS specific version of Sonic Generations will be available in November alongside the big console version. The buzz has been incredibly huge and I can't wait to get my hands on it!


The 3DS is a young system. Yet, Nintendo has had experience with 4 different DS models over the years and all have been successful. However, will that success affect the course of the 3DS and be home to a ton of 3rd party shovel-ware and a small handful of great titles? Only time will tell.

Transfarring Playing The Wii U Station

The official PlayStation blog, recently had a great discussion with Hideo Kojima about the upcoming Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. Which will include Metal Gear Solid 2, 3 and Peace Walker.

This collection will include remastered versions of those titles featuring 1080p HD graphics, trophy support and dual analog controls. Peace Walker will also be Kojima's first "transfarring" title, which will be able to transfer your save data from the portable PSP edition and big console PS3 version of daddy Snake's big adventure.

Kojima also states that future titles from his studio, will be able to play back and forth from your PS3's big television screen and also be taken on the go with your PS Vita portable device. Sony displayed a similar intent with a future RPG being developed for both systems by showing an impressive E3 2011 demo of live play of jumping back and forth from a PS3 to Vita. These innovations will be available this November with the release of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and the rumoured PS Vita release.

Watching Nintendo's E3 2011 press conference, I felt the "Big N" went off the rails. Fanboys screamed in joy for a new console with zero demoed games displayed, including no price, launch titles or launch date confirmed. Hooray. A system who's key to fame is an additional screen during play, which we have experienced before with GameBoy Advance to GameCube connect-ability and with the Nintendo DS line.

I know that the Wii U and it's special controller/second screen will be far more advance than those examples. What I am getting at is, during E3 and what was demoed and forged within reality right now, can't the PS3 and Vita already do what the Wii U can and more?

Justin Richmond of Naughty Dog, seems to think so.

Sources:

The Official PlayStation Blog

PlayStation LifeStyle

Mobile Gaming Is Huge

I've been a mobile gamer all my life.

It started with my beloved Coleco Pac-Man tabletop to Nintendo's GameBoy to Sony's PSP. Today, I have 3 platforms I do the majority of my gaming, they are mobile. The above mentioned Sony PSP, Apple's iPod Touch and Nintendo's 3DS.

On the horizon, the much anticipated PlayStation Vita is looming. It's unveiling at E3 2011 was met with much enthusiasm and fanfare.

Why?

It boiled down to price. It's the same price as an 8-gig iPod Touch and 3DS. Simply, it is only $249.

The PSP was a huge success for Sony, even if the media wouldn't like you to believe.

During E3 2011, the PSP platform has sold over 70 million hardware units worldwide. In Japan in particular, the system continues to outsell Nintendo's DS line.

PSP was a definite success for Sony and a learning platform for the company. All of the data from hardware to software to price, all of those growing pains have been gathered, calculated and the result is the Vita.

The controls look revolutionary. The screen appears to be delicious. Connectivity with the PS3 looks impressive. It's current lineup of ongoing developed titled is solid.

In one word, as a definite mobile gamer, the PS Vita looks,

"EPIC!"

A New Beginning

My first post.

Testing...

One...

Two...

Three...

;)