SUPER STREET FIGHTER II TURBO HD REMIX
Available Now on PSN, Tomorrow on LIVE Arcade
By Shaun Hatton - November 25th, 2008
Download Updates
By Shaun Hatton - November 25th, 2008
Rock Band adds free Stephen Colbert track
By David Wylie - September 12th, 2008
Stephen Colbert was a stalker? Who knew?
That’s what I learned Thursday night when I downloaded a free track by Stephen and the Colberts from the Rock Band music store.
Stephen Colbert was in a rock band? Who knew?
Most people know Colbert as the funny guy from the American political show, The Colbert Report. But it turns out he was the front man in an ’80s band. The free track is called Charlene (I’m Right Behind You Now). The video is here.
The song is a beautiful ballad of love, with such romantic lines as, “I think of you and I dream of you when I’m taking pictures of you,” and, “I’m right behind you now Charlene; waiting, watching.”
Ah, I’m such a terrible liar. After some intensive investigative Internet research, I discovered that the song is actually an old skit from Colbert’s show. . . . Or so it seems.
Since this is news for the Canadian gamer, and since we’re in the midst of an election, here are some classic Colbert witicisms on Canadian politicians, eh.
And on a serious note, the song is free and every Rock Band owner should download it. It’s a great conversation starter, and a catchy tune.
EVENT
Toronto Xbox LIVE Arcade Preview
By Shaun Hatton - June 12th, 2008
Last night, I found myself in the upscale Yorkville district of Toronto. To those not familiar with the area, it’s really quite something. It’s a prissy, shi-shi land of boutique shops, bottle blondes who shop all day, and other deluded individuals willing to pay millions for tiny condos the size of a Prius.
So why was I there? Well, apart from my doing a bit of people watching beforehand, which fueled my general disdain for the conspicuous consumption of those wealthier than I will ever be, I was there to play video games. There’s a small ’50s diner in the heart of Yorkville called Flo’s Diner, and this was the location of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Preview Event.
Flat-panel monitors were set up along one side of the restaurant’s tiny bar and at the end of booth tables. On each, different games were being displayed. As media personalities began filing into the tiny diner, the bleeps and digitized gunshots got louder and louder. A good variety of games were shown, and some were obviously more popular than others (I’m looking at you, 1942: Joint Strike).
OVERVIEW: Defend Your Castle
By Shaun Hatton - May 13th, 2008
Yesterday Nintendo released a bunch of downloadable games over their WiiWare service. If you have a Wii, you can check it out by opening up your Wii Shop Channel and then navigating to “WiiWare.”
Last night I checked out the various titles available in the catalogue and because of the Wii’s rather limited storage space the only one I had room to download was Defend Your Castle. And I downloaded it accidentally, at that. The title costs 500 Wii Points, which translates to five dollars in the real world.
Once it was downloaded, I gave it a shot. Defend Your Castle is as straightforward a title as you can get for this game. You have a castle and you have to defend it against an onslaught of attackers. Visually, the game is simplistic. The background and castle itself look like cardboard cut-outs against a cork board background. Clouds drift by along the top of the screen and they, too, look like cutouts. Blue yarn is affixed to the top of them, and presumable there is a hidden person behind the scenes acting as puppeteer to them.
WiiWare Finally Launches
By Frank Fennelli - May 12th, 2008
Check out the Wii Shop Channel today because WiiWare has gone live in North America. Right now the service features six different games that were developed just for the Wii. Here’s a list of the titles available today:
- FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King
- LostWinds
- Defend your Castle
- Pop
- V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack
- TV Show King
PlayStation Store Price Adjustments
By Michael Pugliese - May 5th, 2008
It looks like Sony is finally showing some love to us up here in the Great White North. Changes that have already taken effect as of May 1st will see Canadian prices for downloadable content at the PlayStation Store align more closely with the US pricing model. The reasoning stated in an earlier press release by Sony was due to the ongoing strength of the Canadian dollar.
This price adjustment is most welcome as I never really understood why I had to pay a few dollars more for a download than someone over the border, especially when the Canadian dollar has been consistantly on par or better with US currency. So what does everyone think? Will this adjustment be persuading you PS3 and PSP owners to purchase more off the PlayStation store, or did it really never bother you?
Fantasy Zone on Virtual Console
By Shaun Hatton - April 14th, 2008
Shooters do not get much stranger than Fantasy Zone. You pilot a craft that has flapping wings and that can use its feet to run along the ground of stages, all the while blasting brightly-coloured enemies that explode into showers of coins. You then use these coins to purchase upgrades to your… um… ship.
The game also allows you to control the speed of your ship and the direction in which you fly, making it someone unique among other titles in the genre (as if the off-putting neon greens and pinks didn’t already set it apart).
In any case, Fantasy Zone is a Sega Master System classic title, and one that is now available on the Wii Virtual Console for 500 Wii Points. It was a must-purchase for me despite my having the original cartridge somewhere in this maze of boxes that is now my living room. That’s right! I’m moving, which somewhat explains the recent posting lull here.
They’re out of beta and releasing on time:
“Still Alive” on Rock Band
By Syd Bolton - April 1st, 2008
Jonathan Coulton is Still Alive, last we checked. Check him out at jonathancoulton.com.
Rock Band fans can rejoice as today is no joke: 360 owners can download the hit track “Still Alive” from Valve’s hit Portal. The best part? It’s absolutely free. If you’ve just been passively enjoying Jonathon Coulton’s clever lyrics and addictive tempo it’s time to take a more active role.
Fans got a preview earlier this year when Coulton performed the Rock Band edition accompanied by Leo Laporte, Veronica Belmont, and Merlin Mann. We weren’t really sure when we’d get our chance, but the time has come.
PS3 owners can get the song as well. Alas, that was a joke… haha… fat chance. Due to the maintenance the Sony store is undergoing, you’ll have to wait until approximately April 19 to get it on the PS3. It will be worth the wait.
Thanks for the wonderful gift!
Virtual Console Update: Wonder Boy
By Shaun Hatton - March 30th, 2008
Sega Master System games had some awful and amazing box art.
Wonder Boy, the Sega Master System classic title, will be available on the Wii Virtual Console Monday. While we already have Adventure Island available now (which is very much the same game), this release marks the first Sega Master System title available for download over the service.
It’s no secret that I have a huge crush on the Master System. In fact, I just packed mine away this weekend in preparation for an upcoming move (yes, the Toronto Thumbs head office/Thumbscast recording studio will be relocating soon) and it saddened me a little. So tomorrow I may very well download Wonder Boy and relive some of those glory days. The hammers and skateboard were a winning combination.
The game is not to be confused with this “Wonderboy,” featuring Steven McDonald from Redd Kross on bass:
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey coming to XBL
By Syd Bolton - March 23rd, 2008
According to this recent post, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is coming to the Xbox originals marketplace. While this in itself is great news (since this game went mostly under appreciated) the label of “Game of the Year Edition” is slightly confusing. The GOTY edition that appeared on the PC included the original “Longest Journey” game and this would make one think that this is also the case for Xbox owners. If this was true, it would be enough to get me to buy the title for a second time, but it is looking more and more like it’s just a repackaging of the Xbox original.
Featuring over 50 voice actors, incredible worlds and a compelling story, Dreamfall will keep you interested in its immersive environments. The gameplay isn’t overly complex (and the fighting sequences are almost laughable) but the overall story and light puzzle elements will keep you pushing forward through this most enjoyable experience. If I didn’t already own the original I’d be downloading this one on March 24. You should be, too.
