Stoop Scoop

After taking a really loooooooooooong hiatus, I am back posting.  I have not had much time to post in the past months.  Look for upcoming entries on some cool stuff!

Stay tuned!!!!

~~Mike

Last week I was at Best Buy looking to buy some Christmas gifts for my family.  So I was just perusing the numerous aisles of the store and I went to the section that had the Wii games in it.  I thought to myself that I have not purchased a Wii game in a while.  Mainly because Modern Warfare 2 came out a little while ago.  So anyways, I saw that there was a new Mario Bros game out.  So I said, well maybe I will pick it up and see if it was any good.  I was hoping that the game would bring back some of the nostalgia of the previous games.  All I have to say is wow, it sure did!

As soon as I popped in the game, I was absolutely amazed how they were able to make a new game, but keep the old school style of the game.  You first start out in the princess castle and it is her birthday, then she gets taken away by bowser and put on a flying ship (yes, another ship).  The first level starts out reminicent of the very first Super Mario Bros. game.  Then it proceeds to take a new form from there.

They have introduced a new way to get to the star levels (yes they are in this one as well).  There are three large star coins hidden in each level.  Some are easier to find then others.  If you collect every star coin in the game, then that opens up the star levels.  I have not reached the star levels yet.  I am guessing since the game has been modeled after the other ones, then it will be similar to Super Mario World for Super Nintendo.

There are a few new things that are very significant in the game.  First, you can have up to four players on each level.  This is pretty neat, but it is also cumbersome because you have four players on the screen and also all of the enemies.  It is hard to follow your character with everything else on the screen.  There are a couple of new power ups you can get.  There is a suit that you can get that has a propeller on it so you can fly.  I like this suit because you have a better advantage of getting all of the star coins with it.  There is another one where instead of Mario throws fireballs, he throws ice balls.  This enables you to freeze enemies and then you can break the ice block and eliminate them.

So far in the game, I have not been let down.  There are plenty of hidden ways and items you can get.  I am very happy that Nintendo has taken their time with the game and made it a very worth while game to purchase.  I am having so much fun with it, and I am sure that I will continue to be impressed with it as I progress along.

Leave questions and comments below, I will be sure to read them!

Mike out!

When you think of the top video game console, do you immediately of the Play Station 3 or the XBox?  Most people that I know who are hardcore gamers, are very, VERY biased when it comes to choosing a gaming console.  Some people think that the XBox 360 is the end all bee all of the gaming console world.  There are some people who think that the PS3 is it.  There are several diffrerent factors that contribute to the best console.  Lets list the large ones:

Online connectivity:

The connectivity of the console is the main ingredient in the direct success of the console.  With the huge influx of gamers logging on the console to kill maim or to have fun every day.  The advent of the online gaming community has greatly shaped the way that games are produced.  The success of the game is greatly hinged on the online connectivity and gameplay.  Everyday it seems that the big two contenders, xbox and ps3, are going back and forth to see who can add the more features.  One day xbox will come out and announce that last.fm and facebook are going to be available on the console in the next update.  Then ps3 will come out and announce that they have ps3 home, a total online community.  It seems that the add ons are endless and so is the competition.

Integrated Components:

What can I get for my money?  How can I maximize my dollar for goods?  These are the two big questions that pop into my mind with I buy anything, not just electronics.  The more stuff that I have to buy after the initial cost of the console, is a negative for me.  When I have to go out and buy a wireless adapter to be able to connect with the internet, it makes me irritated.  So thats all I have to do shoot some zombies with my friends right?  Nope!  With xbox, you now have to spend another 50 dollars to get the xbox live membership to be able to play with your friends.  That just makes me angry.  So for an initial cost of about 500 dollars, you can connect with your friends on xbox.  Now, once you are there, it is awesome.  This is really when your value for dollars really starts to even out.  With the ps3, everything is integrated and the online community is free, but environment is nowhere near the intensity of the xbox.

Value:

Now, like explained in the other section, value is very important.  The more you get for your dollar is better.  It is simple as that.  I think that is the most important rule.  You need to take all of the pro and cons of each console into account and weigh them up.  Which one has what you want.  Its all about what YOU want.  Don’t let anyone tell you, “Well you will want to play music online and check your facebook, blah, blah, blah”.  If you want the ability to play blue ray movies then choose a ps3, or you may want to have a wider range of online communities, then choose an xbox.  It is must to have what you want.  Make your dollar work for what you want to do.

The wide range of options that are put in front of you is great.  The task of sifting through the choices and making your selection is daunting.  The number one thing that you want to ask yourself is, “What do I want?”  If you can adhere to that one principle, then you will be golden.