iPod Touch 5th Generation Chit-Chat

I have to admit it.

I love my iPod Touch.

The first one I purchased was the 4th generation model, a couple of years ago on launch. I have used it pretty much every day since. It still runs smooth, it just received the iOS6 update and apps continue to flood the device. The 4th generation iPod Touch was essentially, an iPhone 4/4S, without the contract. Sure the camera wasn't as good, nor did it receive the same CPU love, but that didn't matter. You had access to all those beautiful apps, the same as the ones arriving on the phone.

I find the iPod Touch line to be the best, entry level Apple product. Sure it's a bit pricy, but you can't deny the value and level of quality of the device.

Again, it literally is an iPhone without the contract and that's why I love it. We all know about the "Apple Tax". Especially, with the iPhone itself. I just don't want pay the premium to get the phone and be locked in a contract with a device that has an annual update.

Argh.

Today, we have the arrival of the iPhone and iPod Touch 5th generation. New CPUs! New cameras! Big Screens! Plus, some sweet new colors!

Once again, the iPod Touch impresses. Now with the ability to purchase it with your choice of hardware color, makes it a fashion accessory. A smart move by Apple and they will sell gazillions of them because of that.

I'm most excited about the larger screen. As a gamer, this is the most important part. Thumbs on the tiny-er, older model took up too much real estate of the screen. Now, there is room to breath. Room to see the beauty of games in all their glory. Plus, hands are less cramped. Hooray!

Yes, I have one on pre-order direct from Apple. A blue one, if you must ask. Look for a review of the device in October.

Cheers!

Sony PlayStation TGS 2012 Hardware

Sony PlayStation TGS 2012 Hardware

Plus: How To Help Sony Sell More Hardware

TGS has been rocking Japan and the rest of the world for several days now. Among all the excitement, Sony thought it was best to release a 3rd  rebuilt, revision of the PS3. Obviously, aimed at cost saving measures, the new PS3 is thinner, lighter and now features a top disc loader, much like the final PS2 redesign. It does look slick.

Problem is, the Nintendo Wii U will be launching very soon. One would have thought that this valiant new design was to provide consumers with a lower priced PS3, in time for Nintendo's next big launch.

Nope. Not at all.

The new system will launch at the same price as the current hardware.

Oh, great.

Next we have a couple of very sexy looking PS Vita's. Gorgeous red and blue models, which look delicious enough to eat. These are Japan exclusive models for the moment and will hopefully be released in the West at some point in the future. These exciting new Vita's will also be priced the same. For now, we will receive a heavenly white Vita here in the west, packed in with Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation.

Lovely.

Now here comes the PLUS part of the article: How To Help Sony Sell More Hardware.

I don't how things retail out in the East. The Vita appears to be doing very well in Japan. However, speaking as a dude from the West, specifically from Canada, just lower the price of your entry hardware.

Please. Sony. Lower your hardware prices.

Your hardware is awesome. It should be in more users hands. Especially, the Vita which is the best damn portable gaming machine ever. Consumers are to distracted by under $200 hardware such as the iPod Touch and Nintendo 3DS. They are ignoring your hardware due to it's high entry price.

There, the article is now over. I'm getting off my soap box and go play some Madden NFL 13 on my Vita.

End of Line.

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Early Memories

Summer 1989.

Tim Burton's Batman exploded the modern era of the merchandised franchise. The Ghostbusters hit the big screen a second time. The NES ruled people's home as Mario and Link captured everyone's imaginations. The Commodore 64 was a hugely popular home computer, everyone I knew had one.

If there is one magical element about the video game industry in the 1980's, was the radical developments in arcade/home console/portable gaming technology. Things just got bigger and more impressive. The 8-bit era from the Atari 2600 to the NES and Sega Master System where awesome gaming machines.

Then in the summer of 1989, Sega would launch the 16-bit Genesis in North America. Never before had a video game console delivered a near arcade perfect experience at home. Oh, yes I remember playing Altered Beast, Afterburner, Outrun and Golden Axe many a time at friends houses. We where blow away by its power. The games where awesome. Mickey Mouse's Castle of Illusion and Michael Jackson's Moonwalker kicked ass.

Then Sonic arrived. Everything changed. The heated 16-bit wars began in all their awesome glory.

Summer 1991. Sonic The Hedgehog blew my mind. Before him, everything was slow. Nothing had ever been as fast, shiny, colourful nor as majestic as him.

I still remember playing the game for the first time. I went over to my buddy's house for lunch one hot summer day. Dave had a Sega Genesis and fairly decent collection of titles. He had just got Sonic The Hedgehog and I was excited to play it.

The advertising for Sonic was huge. Televisions commercials, print adds and word of mouth where impressive. I was pumped up to play it my first time, to say the least.

We fired up the television and entered Sonic's world.

Wow!

What an experience. The speed blew me away. It played fresh, new and most importantly, fun.

Oh nostalgic memories. The glory of exciting new times indeed. Thanks Sega for some of the most memorable of good times!

RIP MGS Online

The online gaming experience has shut down today. I played Metal Gear Solid Online numerous times. It's unique gameplay, modes, teams and humor, made it stand out. It was successful in translating that MG style of gameplay in an online experience.

It originated with MGS3: Subsistence. Later, the PSP's Portable Ops games expanded and made it better. Next, MGO would march forward and win over legions of fans.

Continuing the legacy is MGS: Peace Walker included in the HD Collections. It's smaller, yet robust gameplay features is a ton of fun and shouldn't be missed.

Here's to MGO! Years of fun will be fondly remembered. You will be sorely missed.

Drops of Mobile Gaming for the Week

 A minor blog post but very important.

This week we'll see the release of Gravity Rush and the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection for the PS Vita. On the Android side of life, Max Payne Mobile is finally released with Rockstar Games Social Integration. Sweet!

I love my mobile gaming! Yes, I am aware that I have done some crazy editing with the titles of each release. I'm just so darn happy about this week! ;)

End of Line......

Metal Gear Solid E3 2012 Rundown

E3 2012 is finally gone. Until next year, old friend. *sniff*

I was surprised that Hideo Kojima of Metal Gear Solid and Konami fame, didn't make an appearance during the Sony press conference to show off Metal Gear Rising: Revengance. He's done so previous times in the past.  However, he still attended E3. Reveiling more of Revengance and the Vita's HD collection of MGS games.

Revengance looks amazing! The tag team of Kojima Productions and Platinum Games, has resulted in one of the most exciting action games, ever. Raiden finally looks bad ass as he slices his way threw, well, absolutely anything. Sadly, the only negative about the game is that it isn't coming out until 2013. *sniff again*



The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection for the Vita looks equally impressive. It's nice to see the titles go beyond just porting the games. They have implemented Vita controls in one shape or another. Plus, Transfarring returns. You can transfer saves between the PS3 and Vita versions of the collection. Plus, you can do this easily via cloud saving, which BTW, is friggin' sweet!



Finally, CVG has an exclusive interview with Hideo Kojima about the future of MGS, social gaming and Kojima productions. Enjoy!

E3 2012 Post Impressions

E3 2012 arrived with excitement but has left many with a sense of disappointment. looming over the festivities, is the inevitable drop of new next generation hardware. Sadly, we'll have to wait.

Microsoft's press conference only had a handful of exclusives, from the not surprising Halo and Gears of War franchises. Sony's seemed to have dodged the PS Vita all together. Finally, Nintendo should have knocked the ball out of the park with it's upcoming Wii U. Instead, they disappointed it's legion of fans.

Focusing on Sony, which I like to do, I found this year's E3 press conference uninspiring. Except, for a few exclusives.

Let's get this out of the way. Beyond: Two Souls and The Last of Us looked amazing! These brand new IPs brought excitement to E3. Microsoft nor Nintendo, did not have anything of the caliber of these titles on the show floor.

My favorite part of the whole E3 experience, is the Assassin's Creed III double whammy on Sony consoles. Exclusive content on ACIII for the PS3. An exclusive Vita title called ACIII: Liberation. Plus, the ability of the two games to communicate to each other to offer additional content and rewards. These games both look awesome! I can't wait to play them.

On top of that, Sony and Ubisoft have a sweet PS Vita bundle arriving on the games launch date on October 30th. Including the game, a 4gb memory card and a crystal white Vita system, the bundle is sure to lure current and future owners of Sony handheld console.

Oh my! It's looks so sexy!

Started Playing Mass Effect 2

Last post focused on my non-playing of MA2.

Guess what?

I finally did!

Damn! It is awesome stuff! Great looking as well. I can't believe this is the same studio who did the Dragon Age series, which I dislike very much.

Can't wait to play some more. However, the backyard deck calls me. The sun is gorgeous outside. Hmmm... It's beer time. Mmmmm....

Could Sony Be Investing In Cloud Gaming?

In 2 days we'll find out.

Last night, I wanted to play Mass Effect 2. Never have. Ya, crucifix me for taking this long to do so.

So instead of playing, a 10 to 15 minute installation occurred followed by a half a gig download of some EA/Bioware additional content. Finally, a game update was also available for download.

I still haven't played Mass Effect 2.

Now if Sony invests in cloud gaming for us, all I had to do was fire up the game from their servers and Shazaam! I'm playing and not waiting.

Cloud gaming is the Netflix for gamers. On demand gaming. No installation. No updating. No waiting. It is an additional form of content distribution. If Sony goes with this, then they will be able to deliver content in all avenues.

Retail. Direct Download. Cloud Streaming Gaming.

Make it so Sony.

Konami E3 2012 Pre-Show

Konami.

The company name always brings a smile to my face. When I was a kid, growing up in the 80's, the arcade classic Frogger was always a treat. Next, Contra. Oh... Contra. I would play that forever with my buddies in elementary school. Then Metal Gear came out and the rest is history. Konami is one of the rare video game development studios to remain consistent. A certain quality over quantity mentality has always remained with them.

Today, E3 2012 is just around the corner and you can start enjoying the excitment right now. Below, is embedded the Konami E3 2012 Pre-Show. So sit back, watch and relax. You'll get updates on their mobile games to the Zone of Enders HD Collection to Metal Gear Rising: Revengenace. Which BTW, looks amazing!

Sony Tablet S Cradle & Keyboard Max Excitement

I am pleased with my Sony Tablet S. It's wedge shape design, at first throws people off, that is until they get it in their hands. It's unique and very user friendly hardware design wins people over.

London Drugs recently had a sale, which deeply discounted the tablet's cradle and Bluetooth keyboard accessories. So I made the plunge and I'm really happy with the purchase.

One could live without the extra goodies, but I found myself enjoying the experience even more. Writing became much more elegant, alongside surfing the internet. There are cradle specific apps such as a clock and photo gallery, adding some nice extra value. You can also connect your AC adapter to the cradle and let the tablet charge in the base. Nice! The keyboard is simply awesome. Productivity increased and at ease.

I recommend the accessories, providing a sweeter tablet experience.

Pac-Man/Star Wars/Alien/My Birthday's :)

May is full of important birthday's.

Pac-Man celebrated his 32nd on May 22. Star Wars celebrates it's 35th on May 24, alongside yours truly. Finally, there is Ridley Scott's classic Alien, which debuted in theatres 33 years ago on May 25.

Yes, it is this time a year, I find of great happiness.

Those two icons have been a huge part of my life. Great times, fandom and entertainment galore.

So if you have or haven't played a round of Pac-Man, do so today. The same goes for Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and Alien. I really don't care if you watch the original theatrical edition on DVD or the super duper explosive editions on Blu-Ray, both bring happy feelings to myself.

Enjoy the good times! :)

Sony Tablet S Android ICS/Gaming Update

Ice Cream Sandwich for the Sony Tablet S, arrived in "The Great White North" 2 weeks after it's official U.S. launch. The new OS is simply amazing.

Everything about it is slicker, cleaner and a heck of a lot sweeter to use. I've added a few widgets to my main screen from a simple Wi-Fi on/off button to a Twitter feed window. Very nice stuff! Apps are now grouped in special folders, making the experience nice and clean.

I've taken a few panoramic shots with the camera and found it to work very slick. Heck, I've even synced a PlayStation Dual Shock controller to the tablet. Now that's a gamer's dream!

The added value of ICS is incredible. An OS that sneaks up behind Apple's iOS with amazing results. Now I'm curious about the upcoming Jelly Bean Android OS, supposeldy coming this fall.

As for gaming, I purchased EA's Mass Effect: Infiltrator and Gameloft's Gangstar Rio: City of Saints. I've only played a little bit here and there, but what I've experienced is delicious!

Looking into the future, Sega's Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode II and Rockstar Game's Max Payne are aimed for a June release. Thankfully, that's just around the corner. I can't wait to play them both!

Max Payne Feels the Pain

I finished the single player campaign for Max Payne 3. What an adrenaline rush! From start to finish, the game is pure gold. The action, cinematic presentation, to narrative, to pure gameplay control, this game delivers.

Is it to early in the year to start handing out game of the year awards? Nah! Hell! Why not?!?

If you haven't played MP3, you need too!

As for the status of original Max Payne on Android, Rockstar Games has commented that it is still being tweaked and pinched. It will be arriving hopefully in June, for the nearly 4000 different Android devices on the market.

Wait! What? Nearly 4000 Android devices?

Yes, there are officially that many of them on the market. So it's understandable that Rockstar would spend a little extra time and make the highly anticipated game available for as many as possible. It makes more users happy and makes Rockstar a little more money. I don't mind the extra wait. However, I still can't wait to play it on my Sony Tablet S.

Canadians Recieve A Sony Ice Cream Sandwich

2 weeks after it's American launch, Android 4.0 has arrived for Canadian Sony Tablet S owners.

The tasty Ice Cream Sandwich update features a slicker interface, direct SD card access, a panoramic photograph mode and much, much more. Everything just looks, feels and runs better. The interface simply rocks!

So what r u doing? Update ur baby now! Jump into ur tablet settings and apply a system update. ;)

Canadians Have To Wait For An Ice Cream Sandwich

"Great job sony, Ice cream sandwhich is awesome. I didnt expect this much new improvements/features. Feels like I got a new tablet. Thanks!" - Anonymous, Sony Blog, Comments

On Thursday, April 26th, The Sony Blog announced that Android 4.0 was available for the Sony Tablet S. This of course, meant that the U.S. was recieving the much anticipated updated OS. Not so here in Canada.

I know there are plenty of people out there who would love to flip Sony the bird. Believe me, I'm just as frustrated as everyone. However, I believe this has to do with the Canadian cellular service guildlines, laws, BS, ect.

In fact, a number of mobile devices, such as Motorola and Samsung, have yet to receive the latest Android OS in "The Great White North". Sadly, they have waited longer than we who own the Sony Tablet S.

Why you may ask? Tablets appear to be categorized as "mobile" devices, placing them in the same bunch as cell phones. This places tablets, even those with just wi-fi, under a more strict guideline practice.

Crap. This sucks.

What can we Canucks do? Ride it out. I believe Sony, Samsung and Motorola infact, have to battle it out with the big bear on this one until their updates can roll out.

Yes, crap indeed.

What's Up? Updates!

See that picture on the left? Doesn't that just make you happy?

It sure does!

The blogging and the twitting have been slow recently. I'm afraid life, baby, sleep, work and taxes have taken up the majority of my time. However in May, things will turn up here.

So what have I been playing?

New games such as Unit 13 on the PS Vita.

Retro games such as Max Payne, Namco and Midway Arcades on the iPod Touch.

Plus, big blockbusters such as Grand Theft Auto IV: Tales of Liberty City on PS3.

As for the future of this blog, expect a Pac-Man retrospective podcast. I recorded one which didn't turn out so well. Then I got down with a spring cold of plenty of coughing and more coughing. Followed by more coughing.  The Pac will be the next podcast which I am very excited to do!

Keep playing! ;)

PlayStation Suite Open Beta

Sony's PlayStation Suite has an "open beta" right now. Users, developers and anyone with curiosity, can start work on apps and games under the program. When finished, the goodies will be loaded onto the PlayStation Network Store. Allowing devices that support the "PlayStation Suite" to access the content. Devices include the latest Sony phones, tablets and Vita.

Exciting stuff!

Check it out for yourself. ;)

Mobile Gaming Recent Adventures

When you have a 1 year old baby, the family television becomes a childrens programming reciever 90% of the time. Other baby responsibilities involve being on the go most of the time. So my gaming hobby has become very focused to portable gaming devices. I play my PS Vita and N3DS plenty, but as of recently most of purchases have been on the mobile front. Let's take a peek. :)

iOS - With trusted iPod Touch 4 at my side, these recent games rock... HARD!

Soul Calibur

The Sega Dreamcast launch classic is now with me wherever I go. Hooray! Remastered in HD and playing not to bad with a touch digital input, it remains a favorite. I'm not the biggest gamer of fighters, but Soul Calibur remains an easily accessible game, unlike the Street Fighter series. This app is a bit on the pricy side at $14.99 but it is worth it. The soul still burns!

Pac-Man Games

Namco may have released the previous game at a premium, but this is an exciting budget release. Pac-Man Games is a time based marathon of arcade classics from Pac-Man to Galaga to Dig Dug. The clock ticks as you max out your score, battling for supemecy on worldwide ranking boards. Only $2.99 and worth every penny.

Modern Combat 3

Oh Gameloft, you dastardly devils. Notorious for their blatant ripping off of franchises. However, they're recent portfolio has hit a stride of quality gaming. If you ever wanted a portable Call of Duty Modern Warefare 3 in your pocket, this is the closest you're going to get. Much like MW3, America is under attack from the Ruskies and you gotta stop it! Fun stuff excities and begs for real twin stick control... from like a real life contrroller. Not touch controls.

Max Payne

Rockstar Games classic for $2.99. Download this right now. Looking great with all the bells and whistles of the original release, Rockstar continues quality at incredible value. Controls can be a little cramped. However, one of your morning coffee's will cost more than this. So, yeah. Get it now. It'll help jack ya up before MX3 comes out.

Android - My Sony Tablet S has been recieving plenty of love from these gaming delights.

Small Street

The recent craze of "Sim Tower" games has resulted in plenty to choose from. Glu's Small Street is an entertaining take which has the user develop a street. Buisnesses are built as small folk cruise around on taxi rides to destinations. Fun free stuff!

Dungeon Hunter 3

I love me this series, from iOS to the PS3 to the Vita. Dungeon Hunter is a stable of Diablo-esque killing mosters and snatching loot. Oh Gameloft, again you evil empire. It's free to play, so you might as well try it out.

Six Guns

I'm on a Gameloft roll. Did you like Red Dead redemption? Did you ever want it on the go? Well your in luck because, surprise! Gameloft got you covered dog! Free. Yeah you know you want it.

Let's Golf 3

Hot Shots golf is my favorite golf series. Guess what? You know who made a clone. It's a fantastic clone and it's free.

Super Monkey Ball 2 Sakura Edition

I combination of new and greatest levels from previous SMB games, a gamers delight utilizing the gyros in your tablet. Goofy challenging fun! Thank you Sega!

There you have it. From the pricey to free, lots of joy can easily be found on mobile gaming devices.

Stay thirsty my friends! ;)

Pac-Man Movie... Smile Time! ;)

The blog has been Pac-Man focused recently. Let's keep it up, shall we?

This beautiful video is done by the fine folks at Steelhouse Digital. What can I say but WOW! It's amazing! Bitchin'! Awesome!

It will bring a smile to your face!

Umm.... Could we just make this movie please? Pretty please? ;)

Official Website: Project Yellow Sphere