Saturday, November 27, 2010

Happy birthday to me (for real this time)!

Yep, it's finally my birthday. Yay!

It's been a great one so far, thanks in part to my husband and my parents--who not only sent me a copy of Kirby's Epic Yarn but also sent me the money that was used (a few days ago) to buy a Twin Famicom (and a select few Famicom games).

My sister-in-law added to the greatness yesterday by sending me a birthday package that included a ton of candy (I've got a *bit* of a sweet tooth) and a copy of Art Academy for the DS.


I've had my eye on this edutainment title since it hit the streets late last month, so I was enthralled when I opened said sister-in-law's package (that sounds dirty) and saw it staring back me.

I haven't played it yet--Kirby's Epic Yarn still has a hold on me--but I plan on getting to it as soon as possible.

See also: 'I've been called a lot of things ...'

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all of the American gamers who visit this site: Happy Thanksgiving!

I know you're going to eat for most of the day, but are you going to play a few games too? I am! I'm going to start with Kirby's Epic Yarn, I think, and then switch over to Animal Crossing: City Folk.


Fingers crossed that I'm able to fulfill Franklin's (above) need for silverware while I also rid my town of all the weeds that (surely) have popped up since I last played the game.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

I don't want it to end

Well, I've played Kirby's Epic Yarn for about seven hours so far--over the last week, not just today--and I have to say I'm enjoying the hell out of it.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I'm enjoying it more than any other Wii game I've played this year. (I'm especially fond of the snow world, by the way--with "Cozy Cabin," below, being my favorite stage of that world.)



The problem? In the seven hours I've played the game, I've made my way through about 90 percent (or more) of its stages. I haven't perfected every one of those stages yet, of course, but even then there's no denying the game is going to end soon--and I'm not ready for it!

Anyway, the good news is that I'll write up impressions or a review of some sort shortly after that happens.

See also: 'Happy (early) birthday to me :)'

I've been called a lot of things ...

... but "Twin Famicom owner" isn't one of them. Until now.

Yep, I finally broke down and bought a (red) Twin Famicom. I haven't received it yet (I only bought it--via eBay--a few hours ago), but when I do I hope it's as clean and unscathed as this one:

Sharp Twin Famicom

I nearly spent my birthday money on an Xbox 360 instead--I can't get the recently released Costume Quest and Pac-Man Championship Edition DX out of my head--but I figure I can pick one up sometime next year (especially if the system sees a price drop).

Anyway, I'll be sure to snap a few photos of my new acquisition--and share them here--after it arrives.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

'And that's what this game is ... you're inside their thoughts ...'

Calling all MMO fans: One of the guys behind Flickr (Steward Butterfield) is about to launch a new one, called Glitch, and, boy, does it look weird.

Don't take my word for it; check it out for yourself:



I'm not entirely sure what's going on in the teaser trailer above, so I'll just nod in agreement with the folks who suggest it's going to be like "Farmville mixed with Maple Story."

Glitch will launch in early 2011, according to its official site, though impatient MMO-ers can sign up here for access to an alpha build of the game.

Raise your hand if you'd like to play a game as a Russian nesting doll

The folks at Double Fine are busily readying their second downloadable gem (with their first being last month's Costume Quest), according to the crew at IGN.com.

It has me tingling (in a good way) for two reasons: 1) it's set in 1930s Russia and 2) it puts gamers in control of matryoshka (or Russian nesting) dolls.

I'd highly recommend watching the following teaser trailer if that description has you tingling, too.



The game--titled, appropriately enough, Stacking--is expected to hit both PSN and XBLA next spring.

Tee hee

While searching for a Parodius screenshot last night (for my PC Engine blog), I came across the following TV commercial (for the 1992 Famicom port of Parodius Da!).



It made me giggle, so I thought I'd share it here.

By the way, according to the always reliable commenters on YouTube, the gist of the commercial is that Octopus, Pentarou, Twinbee and Vic Viper race into their local game shop looking for a copy of Parodius Da! only to be told by the sales clerk that it's already sold out.

Monday, November 22, 2010

OK, I take it back

I'm pretty sure my eyes glazed over when Super Mario Bros. Crossover first came to my attention. Oh, I could understand why the fan-made creation might appeal to some gamers, but it didn't appeal to me--at all.

Then I saw the following video, which highlights the impending inclusion of Blaster Master's Sophia the 3rd in this (seemingly) ever-evolving title. (He/she/it supposedly will be added to the game later this month.)



If you're as behind the times I am and you have yet to play the fabulous concoction that is Super Mario Bros. Crossover, check it out here.

(Via tinycartridge.com)

Well, *now* what am I going to do?

I've said on a few occasions that if the following image (created by by Stuart Colebrook) ever made the transition from design to t-shirt I'd buy it in a heartbeat.


Well, it's currently available (for $18 a shirt) at threadless.com (here's a direct link)--so I guess I'd better go get my credit card, eh?

See also: 'Spooky' and 'Yep, another t-shirt'

I'd definitely buy one of these if I were a button-wearing kind of guy

If you're a fan of The World Ends With You (and who isn't?), you've got to check out the BokuButtons Etsy shop.

I can't decide which $1 pin I like more--the Joshua one below (buy it here) or this Neku one.


The BokuButtons folks also have pins featuring characters from the Pokemon and Zelda series. (They had a sickeningly cute Professor Layton pin on display yesterday, but it seems to be gone now. Drat!)

(Via tinycartridge.com)

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Happy (early) birthday to me :)

Ever since my husband and I moved from Madison, Wis., to Seattle, my parents have sent me a special care package in advance of my birthday. It usually includes a card, a few small presents--a book, a game--and a nice, big check.

Well, said care package arrived yesterday--a week early. Being the impatient person that I am, I opened it right away. My favorite present? A copy of Kirby's Epic Yarn (below).

Happy birthday to me :)

I've only played the first few levels of the game so far, but already it has charmed the pants off of me. (Not literally.) I'm especially in awe (and in awwwww) of the yarn-based Kirby's cute transformations--which include a car, a parachute, a sub, a tank and more.

See also: 'Kirby's not just yarn ...'