Console Gaming

Nintendo Wii U - Will You Be Getting One?

Game Diary

Nintendo Wii U – Will You Be Getting One?

  The Nintendo Wii U media blitz has kicked into high gear now. The official Wii U Facebook page! The special incentives like the deluxe digital promotion! The countdown to November 18! Are you hooked? Thinking about buying? Here are the facts: This new Wii U next generation, high definition game console will release on November 18, 2012 in two versions: A white colored basic set (8 GB internal storage), Wii U GamePad controller, GamePad stylus, sensor bar, console AC adapter, GamePad AC adapter, and HDMI cable for $299.99. A black colored deluxe set (32 GB storage), Wii U GamePad…

Happy Anniversary Atari 2600!

Game Diary, Gear Bits

Happy Anniversary Atari 2600!

It’s a milestone year for me as a media writer. Born in the same year Atari was founded (June 1972), we both turn 40 this year and my all-time favorite game console, the Atari 2600 (a.k.a. the Atari Video Computer System (VCS)) just turned 35 years old this past Sunday on October 14. We still have it. It does not work, but our entire honors it like a valued piece on our personal museum. It was our opportunity to bring the video game arcade home. The paddle controller. The orange buttons. The signature “bleep/bloop” sounds. More than 400 games including…

Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue Special Edition Review for Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS

Reviews

Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue Special Edition Review for Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS

Finding Nemo fans can experience their favorite fish in 3D in theaters and in the palm of their hands on the Nintendo 3DS with regular viewing and comparable gameplay on the Nintendo DS. The Hype Inspired by the beloved original Disney•Pixar animated film “Finding Nemo” returning to the big screen—for the first time ever in thrilling Disney Digital 3D™, the Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue Special Edition video game puts the journey of a lifetime in your hands as you help Nemo and his friends find their way home.  Enjoy more than 30 engaging action-oriented mini-games, with your…

Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013, a Video Quick Look

Gear Bits, News

Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013, a Video Quick Look

I’m not big into killing things so hunting – not for me. That being said, I do like a good shooting game. (I mean, the Hit Man franchise?!?! Awesome!)  I got to see Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013 the other night, and it is pretty amazing. The game has unbelievable graphics, a nice physical rifle to aim and shoot and the addition of heart rate monitors built into the gun itself. Activision’s Press Release puts it this way –“Prepare for a wildly exciting and heart-stopping hunt that challenges gamers like never before!” The impact of the heart rate monitoring is part…

Brave: the Video Game Review on PlayStation 3

Game Diary, Reviews

Brave: the Video Game Review on PlayStation 3

The action-adventure Brave: The Video Game features single player, co-op, puzzle play and special bear modes in a third person perspective concentrating on the main character Merida. This game also expands the tale beyond the movie’s storyline and continues Disney Interactive’s impressive streak of quality game adaptations of their films.

DiRT Showdown for PlayStation 3 Review

Game Diary, Reviews

DiRT Showdown for PlayStation 3 Review

The latest instalment in the award winning DiRT video game series features racing events, demolition derbies, and special stunt (a.ka. Hoonigan) events plus split-screen multiplayer and online options with competitive challenges in on and off-line modes.

A Response to GameSpot's MOH: Warfighter Article; Let's Remember why we Play Games

Editorials, News

A Response to GameSpot’s MOH: Warfighter Article; Let’s Remember why we Play Games

    Image courtesy of EA, Medal of Honor The other day a friend showed me an article on GameSpot that made me perk up a bit; they published an article on Friday called “When did regenerating health become realistic”. As an avid fan of First Person Shooters, and a veteran of two Iraq tours myself, I have to say that Tom Mc Shea is quite off the mark on this one. In the article, Tom pretty much slams Medal of Honor’s latest title “Warfighter” as disrespectful to soldiers and for not being as “realistic” as claimed. I like Mc Shea’s…

FIFA Street for PlayStation 3 Review

Game Diary, Reviews

FIFA Street for PlayStation 3 Review

The most popular sport in the world gets the personal treatment as Electronic Art’s FIFA Street offers a very involving street football game experience features a huge real-life player cache and several worldwide locations.

Order Up! for PlayStation 3 Review

Game Diary, Reviews

Order Up! for PlayStation 3 Review

This virtual kitchen simulation PlayStation 3 game features a chef (male or female) working up the professional ladder in the island setting of Port Abello complete with multiplayer options, 3D viewing options, and PlayStation Move compatibility.

A Quick Hands-On with the PlayStation Vita

Events, Game Diary

A Quick Hands-On with the PlayStation Vita

  I simply could not leave CES without getting some hands-on with the new Sony PlayStation Vita. Having abandoned Sony’s PSP after the original device, I was hoping to get a feel of what the Vita had to offer. Gaming on a mobile device is coming along quite well, but I still feel the need to have a dedicated portable gaming device rather than a smartphone with gaming capabilities. We found a representative to give us a short demo of the device which highlights some of the features of the Vita and the new OS Sony put together. Sony Rep…

Rocksmith PlayStation 3 Review

Game Diary, Reviews

Rocksmith PlayStation 3 Review

All ages and skills should take the leap for some practical music knowledge with this impressive guitar music game strengthened by a large song list, great sound, split screen multiplayer mode, and appealing “go-at-your-own-pace” format.

PC Game (Non) Review: Rage

Game Diary, Reviews

PC Game (Non) Review: Rage

I had planned on reviewing the shooter Rage from id software back in early October – I really did. I had it pre-ordered on Steam, loaded it up when it was released and went to play it that night and … nothing. It simply didn’t work … well, that isn’t completely true. It would seem to want to start, but fail miserably, in spite of rebooting, checking drivers, and so on. A quick check on the Steam forums – and gaming forums in general – revealed that I wasn’t alone. How long have PC gamers had to deal with messy…

You Just Bought a Brand-New Game Console--Time to Upgrade!

Editorials, Game Diary

You Just Bought a Brand-New Game Console–Time to Upgrade!

Image courtesy of PS4 Talk How it started, basically, is because I can’t keep my mouth shut when something bugs the crap out of me.  I complain.  And sometimes, when the topic is gear, I complain to Your Humble Gear Diary Team. So what’s the problem?  Maybe you’ve noticed that when you buy a new game console or device (or even game), the first thing the system does, before you even create your character or run through all the “Welcome!” windows, is . . . check for updates and then “suggest” that you update the system. This happened to me…