This ain't no dog.

How many of you would admit to playing cute games? Animal Crossing, pretty cute, but at least you could say you’re only playing it for the NES games. Katamari Damacy, well you could admit to liking the music and hearing the people scream as you roll them up. I hate to break it to you, but there are no such excuses for Nintendogs. My little guy is a Siberian Husky named Lothar (yes from an old SNL bit). He’s pretty smart and can go through an agility trial with skill. For a guy gamer who loves a good head shot in any FPS or pounding some virtual goons into submission a game like Nintendogs is a tough sell. Once you pick it up though, and start messing around with your new best friend you are hooked. I won’t even go into some of the cruel things you can do to your pooch. It is funny to see them shake and cry whenever you pull out a toy that scares them. “Don’t make me get the cube!” Still this is a video game experience unlike any I have had before it. It is also an experience that only Nintendo, or maybe Sega back in their day, would have the stuff to bring out. I applaud that. It is worth buying a DS just for it.

I Want a Revolution

I can’t say I am surprised to hear from all the naysayers out there about Nintendo’s new controller. I imagine anything that isn’t easy to quantify becomes easy to ridicule. I think Nintendo is going right where they should with this one. Why even compete with Sony and Microsoft? They offer something completely different and I for one am happy to buy in. Look at it this way, so far for the PS3 and Xbox 360 all we’ve seen so far is prettier versions of the same games we are playing on our current systems. They may be new titles and franchises but they are essential the same thing we have now. At least Nintendo is showing us a different way to game. Is it better? Who knows? Should it be lauded because it is different? Hell no. If the experience isn’t fun then it is fun, no matter what techno-wonder accounts for it. Right now and until we see some games for the Revolution all we can do is speculate. We may get it wrong but it is something to talk about.

Best 10 Bucks Spent Ever

I picked up the PS2 version of Constantine for only $10 at Electronics Boutique. This game is pretty cool. I like going to Hell to solve some of the puzzles and find the artifacts. There is an annoying boss fight her and there. God I hate bosses. Still it isn’t unbearable and so far the story has me engaged. I’m glad it isn’t just a retelling of the movie, which rocked by the way. It’s just another case of bargain bin hunting that paid off really well. It kind of makes me wonder who would pay $70 for a game when you could get three or more for that price. And it doesn’t look like there’s any stopping the bargain bin from growing either. I just saw Mortal Kombat Deception for the Cube hitting the $20 price point only what six months after it’s release. You can also find Mercenaries now for half it’s original price. You rule bargain bin. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to Hell with my buddy Constantine, John Constantine, Asshole.

Lego Star Wars – It is that fun

I’ve been playing Lego Star Wars some. My wife has been hogging it a bit, but its fun watching her play. We can’t play together because she says, “I screw around to much,” and “Jedi don’t skip.” It is such a relief when something that is both original (in theme/execution) and fun to play. Plus blowing stuff into it's tiny Lego pieces is so cool. Granted it’s just another action platformer with some shooting parts and an annoying pod race, but taken all together it is a load of fun. Give it a try soon.

Nanostray Rocks

I just finished Nanostray on my DS. As my previous rant would indicate I think the reviewers at EGM are way off base. Then again maybe they’re too busy playing sequels to try something new. Actually there is very little that is new in Nanostray. It’s a vertical shooter and we’ve been playing them since Space Invaders or closer Galaga. That doesn’t make it any less fun. It’s just not as innovative as we were promised for the DS. To that I say oh well. I’m still having fun with it, even after I beat it. So if you’re like me and play games to have fun I would definitely check this one out.