• 23Jun 09

  Another Year, Another New Console (Xbox 360)

  Almost exactly a year after buying my PSP, I've finally entered the next (current) generation of gaming with my spankin' new 360. I had almost lost faith in Microsoft's console brand after the lackuster support of the original Xbox, which could still produce hit games if the less powerful PS2 can keep cranking out games. I was even contemplating switching my brand loyalty to Playstation and getting a PS3 instead, but after much thought and debate, I've decided to stick it out with the Green Giant. With this console generation predicted to last until 2013, that would put the 360 roughly mid-way into it's cycle. With four years left, give or take, Microsoft still has plenty of time to right wrongs comitted just one short console cycle ago.

  For starters, we Xbox 360 owners DO NOT need to be included in the "casual gamer" craze that the Wii has inspired. That includes the upcoming "Project Natal." Wii-type games in 1080p are still Wii-type games. Please utilize the feature mapping in ways that are more complex than ping-pong. The potential for the technology is unlimited, so why waste it making more of the same? The "Burnout" demo was dope, as it involved seperate movements (steering and pedals) without any controller in sight. That is what we want.

  Second, keep the exclusives coming. The GTA expansions, as well as exclusive retail titles, keep consumers leaning toward the 360. Multiplatform games seem to look better on the 360, so why not take it a step further and monopolize the license? If MGS4 landed on the 360 instead of the PS3, that would have been a death blow to Sony. It's almost guaranteed that former Playstation-only titles such as Tekken and Final Fantasy will sell better on the 360. I'd advise Microsoft to use these as reasons to slap on "Only On Xbox" sticker on the box art.

  Third, multiplayer on Xbox Live needs to be free. Sony has offered no-charge multiplayer since the PS2, So M'soft should follow suit. They already make a killing off of DLC and XBLA, so a little customer appreciation would be... appreciated. Hell, even the Wii, DS, and PSP have free multiplayer, so XBL Gold seems greedy.

  Enough of the faults. The House that Bill Built is making improvements. The aformentioned exclusives are added incentive to "go green." The new Xbox Experience is leagues better than the old "blades." The graphics are finally deserving of the title of "next gen." Games from 2007 and earlier were as visually appealing as the later batch of Xbox games. developers are finally coming into their groove. As of now, Microsoft has the better console. Both the Wii and PS3 are in desperate need of a price drop. Three years is long enough for the Wii to have the same price tag, and 100 bucks off of the current price will get the PS3 in more homes. If you want a good balance of features and value, currently the 360 is where it's at.

  • Posted Jun 23, 2009 12:31 am PT
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• 17Jun 08

  Stop The Presses!!! I Bought A PSP!!!

  A year ago, I never would've thought I'd see the day where I actually purchased a Sony product and liked it. As a matter of fact, a few blog posts down, I was talking about how much I liked the DS more. If Sony hadn't released the new model with video out, I'd be saying the same thing still. The original PSP was simply alright in my eyes. It was heavy, the analog stick sucked, and it had very few quality titles. Each of those concerns have been erased in a year's time.

  Before I go any further, I am in no way disavowing my DS or saying it is less of a system now that I have a more technologically advanced handheld. It still offers a control mechanism that can't be rivaled and games that entertain like no other. It may be true that I haven't used my DS for anything but an alarm since I've bought my PSP, but when my urge to get in a few levels of CoD4 returns, I'll rest easy knowing that I can get that fix only on the DS. Also, in case either system goes the way of HD-DVD, I'll be safe. Ha ha ha!

  I've never really been an early adopter. I got my Dreamcast in 2000, my first Xbox and GBA in 2002, Gamecube in '03, DS in '06, and PSP in '08. See the trend? I always give the systems at least a year to work the kinks out (and drop in price.). Even the DC had quality titles by that time in its lifecycle. The PSP is coming into the same groove as it's console brethren. Redesigns can drive sales and put consoles in hands. All the ones that succeeeded (besides the Xbox) went through at least one hardware change. The PSP's was drastic enough to convert this skeptic.

  The biggest change, video-out, is the first one I will discuss, as it is the main reason I, and many others, decided to invest in a PSP. It allows the PSP itself to output whatever is on the handheld's screen to be tansfered to a tv after holding the screen button for a few seconds. The dashboard fills ythe screen completely, but gameplay (which requires component cables) does not, even after messing with the HDTV's settings. I can't see why not, as it's not an aspect ratio (16:9) preservation issue. It doesn't hinder the experience that much, but making use of all 46 inches of the tv would've been nice. I haven't seen UMD movies to see if it has the same problem, but either way, GTA:LC looks quite nice when blown up over 10 times, and Tekken: DR is the perfect multiplayer game to impliment the feature while playing The PSP acts as a controller with its screen off, which makes for a very home console-ish experience.

  Another big change is the doubled RAM. The worst part about the original PSP is the time it takes to load a game and restart a level. It still exists, but it is nowhere near as bad as it used to be. You can toggle the option on and off, but I can't see why anyone would ever turn it off. ALso im proved is the battery charging time, which requires about a little over an hour to fully charge. I've seen seen both models charging side-by-side, and the difference is staggering. You can also use the old battery to increase battery life in the new model, but I haven't seen how that affects charging time, but it most likely increases it.

  Other details have been improves that you may not immediately notice, but having the opportunity to have both the 1000 (my cousin's) and 2000 (mine) versions to compare, I can assure that the buttons have been raised and the nub has been altered to be more like a stick. It helps playability a lot. With each firmware update, the buttons and XMB gain new uses and features. The slim PSP offers the ability to place phone calls using Skype, which is a feature exclusive to this model. Also exclusive is the ability to charge the handheld via USB. There are numerous other features I have yet to discover, but the ones I've given already shopuld be reason enough for anyone who has been holding out to buy a PSP.

  The features that already exist in both models are pretty cool, too. Networking features and web browsing are built into the console instead of specific and seperate games or hardware. The ability to play movies and music all depends on whether you have a memory stick and what size it is. A firmware update even added the ability to play copy protected content, such as the kind that Amazon Unbox offers. RSS feeds and internet radio can also be played with certain firmware. While I'm on the subject, new features are always being added and vulnerability removed, via the update proceedures discussed on Sony's website. Instalation is relatively easy, but follow the instructions or risk bricking your system.

  Like I said earlier, the PSP is not a replacement or "better" than my DS. Sony fanboys have brought such a stigma upon the products and people who own them that I, like many of you, had a chip on my shoulder when it came to all things Playstation. I still feel that the PS2 was an underpowered exclusivity monster that took some of the most promising games from the Xbox and GC. The PS3 is still at least fifty bucks too expensive. All those things still ring true, but my opinion of the PSP has changed. If you want an alternative play style and added features from what the DS offers, purchase a PSP Slim, and vice versa. Handheld gaming has room for both to co-exist.

  • Posted Jun 17, 2008 12:25 pm PT
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• 6Jun 07

  Hardware Review: Games n' Music For The DS

  For some odd reason, there's no hardware database on GS similar to how the games are situated, so here's my impromptu review of a product picked up on a semi-blind buy. The PSP's multimedia capabilities are one of it's most touted features, which is retarded seeing as how it's supposed to be a gaming machine. To fill in the void, thoseBritish blokes over at Datel have came up with an aparatus that offers what the DS lacks out of the box. Have they created the ultimate multimedia field leveler? Yes and no.

  I'll start with the good, because it outweighs the bad and it'll soften the blow of the negative aspects. This is a diverse little gadget. The package comes with a Nintendo DS card-like "dummy cartrige," which acts as a passthrough for an included microSD card. A word of caution; the microSD card more than lives up to it's name and makes the DS card look like the Indian Ocean. The one in the box is 128MB and is upgradable to 2GB. You'll have more than enough room to take advantage of the features. Also, if you're like me, you'll find yourself deleting some of the preloaded media on it. The exact content varies from each batch produced, but mine came with a trailer for Shrek 3 and 25 homebrew games. It's up to you to provide the content after that, with space for movie files, games, and music. Also included is the USB adapter for the microSD card, a manual, and software to convert the movies. The process is as simple as one click. After that, you'll drag and drop into the labeled files on the card.

  Once inserted into your DS, the Gamesn' Music card bypasses your regular menu even if you don't have auto-start enabled. It operates off of a simple proprietary interface, which makes exclusive use of the touch screen. After that, you can pick from each folder, similar to an i-Pod and have all of the features Sony fanboys won't stop trumpeting. The access to homebrew is very cool. The commmunity is larger than I thought and there's a lot of stuff out there. The menus to control the videos and music are simple, and when playing music, the screen automatically shuts off to conserve battery life, which is pretty neat. Thanks for lookin' out, Datel. Wanna pay my rent while you're at it? The ability to playyour own videos on the go is also pretty cool.

  On the downside, when converting movies, you'll have to keep the setting of low quality, as the DS's RAM is too low to handle anything higher. The movie will skip beyond watchability if you try to convert at a higher quality. The same goes for audio files. You'll have to keep it at a maximum of 112 kbps or risk scratched- a%# CD quality sound. It really sucks, but on the DS's tiny speakers, you can't tell the difference.

  All in all, the device is good for it's price, which should set you back thirty bucks or less, contrary to the forty dollar MSRP. It's not perfect, but it gets the job done. It'll get Sony Cronies (patent pending on the name, by the way.) off your back. A little.

  8 out of 10

  • Posted Jun 6, 2007 10:47 pm PT
  • Category: Games
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