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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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!