Toronto Thumbs

Toys
Kre-O Transformers: Bumblebee (and a Contest)

This is another post for those of you that like to get your holiday shopping done early; or maybe you just like buying cool toys (we don’t judge*). In any case, this is a pretty neat set that I had a lot of fun putting together, taking apart, and putting together again!

I haven’t played with LEGO in a long time; not the LEGO that I grew up with, anyway. Recently, I have been using Duplo more than anything else, trying to teach my kiddo that it is okay to build things that aren’t shown on the box – not that there is anything wrong with sticking to the plan, of course. Modern building sets are much different than they used to be. On one hand, they have such highly specialized pieces**; going free-form is challenging in a good way – working around the super-specialized pieces can really help to stretch your noodle. On the other hand, there are a lot of tie-ins to movies and such with recognizable vehicles – it is just a different level of fun! Since the big dog’s patent ran out, other folks have moved in to fill in the gaps – and that’s where Hasbro’s Kre-O comes in.

Read the rest »

Posted in Awesome, Contests, Gadgets, Holiday Hints, News Bytes, Toys | 2 Comments »

Event
PS Holiday Preview – Interview with Matt Levitan

Click the pic to watch the interview.

We had the chance to interview Matt Levitan from Sony Playstation Canada about new titles, old titles, and faded dreams about being a rockstar. We apologize for the crappy audio* – we tried to fix it in post prod, but it didn’t turn out as well as we would have liked.

In any case, this interview is full of win.

Posted in Awesome, Interviews | No Comments »

Event
Midnight Opening for Arkham City

This image makes me very sad that I cannot attend this event.

The release of Batman: Arkham City into the wild is nigh; where will you pick it up? On Monday, October 17 at midnight, select Future Shop locations will be open so that you might sink your teeth into B:AC for the PS3 or the Xbox360. The first customers who buy this game will be eligible to win stuff like branded merch; up for grabs are also bonuses, like the Frank Miller Dark Knight DLC skin shown above, as well as Batman Begins on Blu-ray. Remember, there are limited quantities!

These events are wildly popular, so don’t expect to waltz up to a participating FS and hope to breeze through in record time. Oh no. Definitely not. Given how popular this game appears to be, you may have to prepare to move at the speed of molasses. In any case, it’s definitely fun to go and hang out with like-minded, sleep-deprived people!

A full listing of the participating stores can be found here.

Posted in Awesome, Events | 2 Comments »

Events
FanExpo Canada 2011

Toronto Thumbs had the privilege of covering FanExpo Canada. For four days, waves of both costumed and non-costumed fans of gaming, sci-fi, horror, anime and comics flooded the south building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It was definitely tiring, but the fun factor gave us all second, third and fourth winds*. In the pages following, we’ll give you the skinny on the stuff we managed to see. It’s a bit of a mash-up from the four of us that attended the event (Erika, Mike, Ricky and myself).

Mike, Jorge, Erika and Ricky. The fab four who covered this awesome event.

Click here to see general images from FanExpo Canada 2011. »

• Introduction
• On FanExpo (Ricky’s Take)
• Gaming Booths
• Thoughts on FanExpo (Mike’s Take)
• The Electric Playground/Reviews On the Run
• Other Friends
• Cosplay Galleries
• Panel – The State of Local Gaming
• Toys – Kre-O
• Interviews
• Shaun Hatton

Posted in Awesome, Events | 6 Comments »

EVENT
NERD-APPROVED MUSIC

brentalfloss throws it down!

If you happen to be a fan of music, specifically the kind that’s seasoned with references from the best nerd culture has to offer, there’s an upcoming event that was made for you: Nerd-Approved Music. With FanExpo coming up next week, a lot of fans of comics, movies, videogames, horror, anime, and all things awesome will be descending upon Toronto for a weekend full of fun. The convention has all the bases of popular nerd and geek culture covered, but once the convention doors close each night, you may find yourself looking for something to do around town. This is where Nerd-Approved Music comes in!

With the assistance of FanExpo Canada, I’ve put together a night of music at The Rivoli featuring my favourite local hip-hop acts who I’ve also had the pleasure of featuring on The Electric Playground. Peter Project, apart from producing some of the best hip-hop beats I’ve ever heard, has worked on music for the games ModNation Racers and Tales From Space: About a Blob. He’ll be spinning beats as Wordburglar and More or Les wow the crowd with their lyrical skills.

As the night continues, we’ll be switching genres to rock as my band Cobra takes the stage. The one and only brentalfloss will be headlining the event. As if this already wasn’t a totally sweet lineup, I’ll be hosting the night, offering jokes and some very cool prize giveaways (toys and videogames!) to trivia winners between acts!

If you’re going to FanExpo, you have the added bonus of getting into the show for half price, but you need to have your FanExpo badge with you. Otherwise, it’s still a great price for admission: $10! This includes a free hug!

Nerd-Approved Music is happening at The Rivoli on Friday, August, 26 at 8pm. You can buy tickets at the door but if you’re worried they’ll sell out (they will) you can also purchase them in advance online. If you’re going to the show and you want to brag about it, RSVP on Facebook and tell your friends!

Posted in Awesome, Events, Metal, Music | No Comments »

Avast, Me Hearties!
Picaroon Nations’ Challenge

A little while ago, our own Ricky reviewed Picaroon, an online, persistent, real-time strategy game centered around piracy. Other than a few glitches in art direction, the game is fairly fun (more kinks are worked out as time goes on). At the beginning of August, the fine folks that brought us the game have invited anyone and everyone to participate in a four-week Picaroon Challenge called Nations’ Challenge: a global battle between Picaroon players from different countries.

We at Toronto Thumbs are suckers for cool initiatives like this, so we encourage you to check it out, especially if you are a Canuck! There are in-game prizes and it looks like it will be a lot of fun!

Posted in Awesome, Events | No Comments »

Watch Out!
Angry Birds Plushies Are Here!

If you have been banished to the Phantom Zone for the past few years then you might have an excuse for not knowing about Rovio’s Angry Birds puzzle game. So popular is this franchise that there are even official plushies that you can buy! Future Shop was kind enough to send us a few to play with. What do we think? They are awesome!

Read the rest »

Posted in Awesome, Odd Prods, Toys | 3 Comments »

Awesome
Do Or Die – Follow-Up

Our intrepid travelers have returned home from their spontaneous trips. They all survived (which is awesome) and are settling back into their routines.

For those who don’t know (and are too lazy to click on the link), Microsoft Canada started a contest called “Do Or Die” which involved a group of potential survivalists lobbying for the support of the internet community. Each of the top three candidates received some swag (in the form of laptops and phones) and two plane tickets to a city somewhere in the world; their destinations were a mystery to them until the last minute.

Toronto Thumbs was lucky enough to catch up with these crazy Do Or Die peeps to ask a few questions! Don’t forget to visit the page to check out the official event page!

• Introduction
• Alex Hugh
• Trevor Jones
• Josette Jorge

Posted in Awesome, Events, Interviews | No Comments »

Event
Where You Should Be This Saturday

Click for the full poster, in all of its awesomeness!

This Saturday (July 9), Bryan Lee O’Malley (the creator of Sciott Pilgrim) will be at The Beguiling* for a Scott Pilgrim Anniversary Party. The party is from 14:00-16:00. There will be games, bands and an overall awesome time! Bryan will be hanging out, signing books and just chatting with folks who want to chat with him.

However, more importantly, Cobra will be playing The Central** at 13:00 and 15:00. You know what you have to do, folks.

Posted in Awesome, Events, Music | No Comments »

Awesome
Do Or Die

So, a little while ago, Microsoft Canada started a bit of an interesting contest called “Do Or Die” which involved a number of would-be survivalists gaining the support of the internet community to help them get a seat on a plane to a mystery destination; once at these places, the finalists would have to survive using their wits and a Windows 7 PC (no money, no suitcase and no security blanket). Well, those three finalists have been chosen and are already at those destinations.

What kind of people would be crazy enough to do this? Well, Toronto Thumbs managed to score some quick interviews* with these globe-trotting folks so you can see for yourself what it takes to be someone that will Do Or Die! Don’t forget to visit the page and follow these stalwart survivalists!

• Introduction
• Alex Hugh
• Trevor Jones
• Josette Jorge

Posted in Awesome, Events, Facebook | No Comments »