Games Cheats and Reviews

Videogames based on comic books don’t have the best track record, but there have been standout titles, particularly Batman: Arkham Asylum. And games based on movies have an even more checkered past, mostly due to the accelerated development cycle needed to release a game to coincide with the film’s theatrical run. Sega Studios San Francisco’s final game, Iron Man 2, based on this summer’s movie, combines the worst pitfalls of both genres, leaving me with one simple conclusion: Iron Man 2 the videogame is not for anybody.

Iron Man 2 is not for the videogame fan in me.

There’s no nice way to put this — Iron Man 2 is a technical disaster. Visually, the game looks decent…from a distance at least; if you were to sprint by a TV with the game playing it wouldn’t look awful, but putting in any time with it reveals a heinous unpolished mess. Your character model’s texture is straight out of the pre-Nintendo 64 era. And my character frequently froze mid-animation, making me a sitting duck for enemies to take pot shots at.

Action in the game mixes up shooting and hand-to-hand combat, the former being the lesser of two evils. Ideally, shooting is assisted by auto-lock that centers the camera on the enemy you want to target, but all too often it doesn’t work properly. Any time you have a primary enemy to deal with to proceed in a mission, let’s say some spider-like robot, there are invariably any number of minor enemies that swarm around to pester you. In its great wisom, your targeting system gives the small enemies near you priority. You’ll be automatically flipped around to face these ineffectual enemies that don’t pose any threat, leaving you open to attack by the actually dangerous spider boss.

Released on the ol’ Nintendo 64 way back in 2000, many saw Perfect Dark as the spiritual successor to the seminal GoldenEye.

Developed by RARE, the game was very much a progression from the studio’s debut title and, whilst it wasn’t directly related to the previous Bond game, it bore many similarities in both its presentation and how it played.

Good morning and Happy Monday, everyone! It is time for another Lexi’s List! This week we are looking at mods, flexible keyboards, and nervous system inspired jewelry!

First up….a modded Nintendo 64 shaped to look like Princess’ Castle!

Let’s face it, the Nintendo 64 isn’t necessarily what one would call a handsome piece of machinery. I know, it never mattered to us, it was what was on the inside that counted. Some talented mod master brought the beauty of the inside, outside, by building a Super Mario 64 Castle case around their N64. But Lexi, you ask, is it still a functional piece of awesomeness? Fear not! The top of the castle can be removed to place in your favorite cartridge and play on, dear gamers, play on!

Next on the ‘List, a Radiolaria bracelet!

I talk so much about techy geek things, I decided to bring a different flavor to the party. Created by Nervous System on Etsy, this bracelet is inspired by radiolaria. These amoeboid protozoas produce intricate mineral skeletons. Truly inspired by nature, all of Nervous System’s creations are made with silicon rubber and are laced with a silk satin ribbon. Odorless and heat resistant, these bracelets will stand up to crushing and bending. Also available in white.

My third pick of the week….A Flexible Illuminated Keyboard!

I am not a fan of sharp edges. I run into them, stumble over them, and can boast many a scrape from them. This keyboard presented by PerpetualKid is the opposite of all things meant to maim and kill you, because it is flexible! Available in 3 colors, it is also illuminated for those times when you are just so tired of sitting in the dark…alone. Although it won’t cure your loneliness, it will give you a glow that is portable! Just roll it up and take it with you. This full size keyboard is spill proof, hygienic, and USB powered!

Last and certainly not least….The Anti-Theft Lunch Bag!

If you were a geek growing up, you probably had to deal with unscrupulous people who stole your lunch money and/or your lunch. When working in an office, you may still have the lunch problem, with no way to ID the culprit. Fear not, friends! This may prevent a lunch stealer from getting the drop on you. Each package comes with 25 bags per box, plenty of baggies to let your roommates or coworkers get the message! Side effects may include not wanting to eat your own lunch.

See you all next week! Make it a great one!

<3 Lexi

Sharing: It’s Win/Win

Associated Content: "PC Gamers," you’ve probably heard of them. They’re those people that game on their PCs instead of, or in addition to, the consoles. They’re also those people that boast about the supremacy of their gaming rig over that of the traditional console. And rightly so.

Let me just start off saying that I grew up playing on consoles. My first real console was the Nintendo 64, and later expanded to the PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, Wii, and briefly the PS3. It wasn’t until more recently that I fully realized the potential and power of the computer. Ever since I discovered the truth my PC has been my primary gaming machine. Here’s why.

ThisKidPlaysgames writes: "The Nintendo 64, is as we all know a gem of a console. The last of the cartridge based machines, and one that will be forever remembered. Here’s 15 games that’ll keep your memories so much sweeter."

Perfect Dark originally launched for the Nintendo 64 in 2000, and now, ten years later, it’s set to return on the current-generation through the Xbox 360’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Developed by 4J Studios – the team behind the conversions of RARE’s Banjo-Kazooie titles – Perfect Dark is easily the most anticipated Xbox LIVE Arcade release of the year, perhaps even since the digital distribution channel launched back in 2005. Priced at 800 Microsoft Points, Perfect Dark will be available from March 17th 2010, and is bound to become one of the most popular games played on the Xbox LIVE online service.

A video comparison of Perfect Dark on Xbox Live Arcade vs the original Nintendo 64 version.

Nintendo Now writes: Over the past 20+ years, Nintendo has created many new and cutesy gaming characters. From Donkey Kong, to Star Fox, and of course Super Mario. They had such a huge roster they created a game where all Nintendo characters could duke it out. Of course the game is Super Smash Bros. During those Nintendo 64 years, just about every character on the Nintendo roster made an appearance on the console. We saw Link, Donkey Kong, Mario, Star Fox, and many others. Just about every character that was in Super Smash Bros. made an appearance on the Nintendo 64. That was a good thing because it showed Nintendo hasn’t forgotten that the fans love many other franchises as well.

Known as the "Starlight 64? a modder on the ModRetro forums created what is the "worlds smallest" Nintendo 64. With a 5 inch screen, 3 hours of battery life, and a built in expansion pack (so you can play ALL N64 games)

It is never easy for a sequel to live up to its original, and so is the case of Star Fox Assault for the Nintendo GameCube. While the first Star Fox was a revolution in terms of 3-D games on the SNES and the remake for the Nintendo 64 solidified its presence as a strong franchise with top of the line graphics, loads of space themed dogfights and intense speed. However, Star Fox Assault just seemed to drop the ball in terms of like-ability and lasting appeal.