Gaming Video Games Tips Video Games

Online Video Game Reviews

2008-06-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

Many gaming websites that are on the internet are all pretty much the same. On every front page they have the newest and more anticipated games that are going to be released as well as the latest news in the gaming world. They all pretty much score their games out of 10, they all have cheats and walk-throughs. Plus they all have reviews. I'm sure many of us are all familiar with gaming reviews, and many of us have been to some form of gaming website in the last little bit. Now here's my question, is it just me or do many of the video games reviews on every gaming site seem. . . the same?

Actually I think I like the idea of that, a video games reviews website that has actual game reviews written by actual gamers. You know, the gamers who know these games completely inside and out and can tell you everything that is totally wrong or right with the game, easily at the drop of a hat. These gamers love these games and play them all of the time, what better way to find out a certain game, then through these people? They are the ones who spend their hard earned cash on the games and use their free time to play them.

As was mentioned before, many of the reviews from all of the well known gaming sites, all seem the same and it seems to me anyway, that they are all written by the exact same people. I'm not sure about many gamers, I can only talk about myself. However when I'm interested in a video game I'm the type of person that I will go to a video gaming website and just check out the score out of 10. However once I've done that, I'll go read all of the gamers reviews about the game to find out how they feel about it, and I'll talk to my gaming friends about the game as well.

Personally I think it would be cool to have a website that has video games reviews written by the actual gamers who love the game. To me, there's no other way to find out about a game then by somebody who loves to play it in their spare time for hours. I'm not the type of person who is really interested in reading a review by somebody who may or may not be a gamer, or by somebody who has only played the game through maybe once or twice. I'd rather read it from the true gamers, who are playing each and every day. Who knows better about the games then them?

Wondering what's up and coming for your favorite gaming console? Get the latest information from the gaming world in the best video game reviews, and get your name in for a chance to win a PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii. Full details are available at http://www.gamerzreviewz.com

Ninja Gaiden 2 Review - Xbox 360

2008-06-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Being a fan of the original Ninja Gaiden series, you could have imagined my excitement when NG was released for the Xbox. The game was non stop action and a difficulty level great enough to challenge even us hardcore gamers.

The main story in the game is that a woman representing the CIA is looking for Ryu, and in doing so, she gets captured in the process. After saving her, you find out that the enemies are after the demon statue that's hidden away in the Hayabusa Village. The statue has the power to awaken greater fiends that are slumbering throughout the world. This game is a supposed prequel or takes place before the events in Ninja Gaiden 1 for the NES.

Ninja Gaiden 2 follows the tradition of "No way this game is that hard" difficulty. The enemies in the game have been given a higher difficulty level and they always attack you in groups greater than 3. On screen, I have encountered at least 8 active enemies thirsting for my blood and didn't encounter any slow down.

The new feature of being able to chop off your enemies limbs is a great new addition. It makes things a little more interesting because some enemies become more dangerous when their trying to kill you with one arm. Example, in the first couple of levels there will be an enemy that unless you finish them off will kamikaze himself and take a huge amount of health from you. Let's not forget to mention that the level of gore in the game is pretty high.

Speaking of finishing enemies off, the new obliteration moves are not only bloody, but extremely useful. These moves can be done when an enemy is hopping around on one leg. There are also new moves, new ninpo and new weapons. Just to name a few, a sickle with a weight at the end, Tonfa's and my favorite, claws.

Wall running and other jumping puzzles are still pretty much the same. There really isn't any new moves that Ryu has acquired. Guess he just trained in the ancient art of I'm going to chop your head off for looking at me the wrong way.

To end it all, I would give this game a 8.9 which is a really good score. So, whether your a fan of the series or your looking for a hella good Hack and Slash, this game should be one you add to your collection.

Andre Garcia is a fan of gaming and follows the industry very closely. For more gaming goodness, you can check out his blog at http://www.videogamesforus.com If your not satisfied enough with a text review of this game, you can also check out his video review of Ninja Gaiden 2 for the Xbox 360.

Call of Duty 4 - Review

2008-06-24T07:50:00.001-07:00

When I began playing COD 4, I was skeptical due to its lack-luster predecessor. Those doubts were very short-lived. When the game begins, you are given an obstacle course of sorts, like all COD games. Afterwards, you are treated to a training mission that takes place in Tanker. This is what truly made me realize how powerful the Unreal 3 Engine truly is.

The graphics, mechanics, sound effects and just overall feeling sucks you into the game very quickly. Not to ruin the game for anybody, but like all COD games, you play as different soldiers, each from their respective Countries. You start as a S.A.S officer, than as the game progresses, you play as a U.S. Marine Core Officer.

The weapons and different things available in this game are unbelievable. Everything from the M920 to the Javelin truly make it an enjoyable experience. Environment also comes into effect, as exploding cars and what seems at times, an endless barrage of grenades can seem to kill you. Enemies have gone to school and now don't just randomly pop out to get shot at. Lucky for you, your squad is a grade higher. Sometimes just when you think its over, your squad mate will take out the enemy that got you pinned. Needless to say, you start thanking your squad.

What makes a great game even better? Great replay value and this games multi-player adds this without effort. The different modes available provide such a great online experience. There is no one guy that takes out a whole team with a pistol and a melee. Every kill here you work for it, and just as it is a bit easy to kill, being killed is also just as easy. Don't fret though, as the kill cam allows you to see how you got killed. Like all games, you win by getting points, either by killing enemy's, or holding a base, or calling in an air strike. Yes, air strikes, choppers and radar are all gained by consecutive kills. Great little reward system.

How does COD4 compare to the monster that is Halo 3? Simple, they are 2 different games that in ways compliment eachother and use what works. The online community in COD 4 is excellent and people really know what they are doing. Halo has the same thing, but we get treated to the oh so often 11 year old who thinks he is Master Chief and that every kill we "cheated."

Overall, this is one fabulous game that deserves every good score it has received.

Andre Garcia loves video games and you can check out his most recent posts by visiting http://www.videogamesforus.com If you enjoyed this review, you may want to check out his review of the online portion of Call Of Duty 4

The Best Lineage 2 Bots - L2Walker and L2Superman

2008-06-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

Botting is something that many people have already discovered and do in many popular games, including Lineage 2. If you are familiar with the game Lineage 2, you know that Lineage 2 adena can be hard to get. That becomes a whole lot easier when you use a Lineage 2 bot. There are two popular bots for the MMORPG Lineage 2. One is L2Walker. It is a simpler to use program and great for someone getting started. Another bot that is more complex but offers al ot more control over your character is L2Superman. You can use either on of these bots with your Lineage 2 account to get lots of levels for your character and lots of adena so you can buy just about anything in the game that you want to. If you have ever tried to use a macro before for Lineage 2, L2Walker and L2Superman are much better. They are easier to setup because you don't have to script them if you don't want to and they bypass the protection software that tries to catch you cheating in Lineage 2. With L2Walker and L2Superman, you can spend a few minutes setting up the bots and then sit back and relax, not having to mess with macros, Lineage 2 cheats, or scripting, unless you want to.

If you are like me, you like the idea of doing less to get more. You can buy Lineage 2 accounts and run many of them from the same computer with either of the two Lineage 2 bots. L2Walker is usually better for smaller groups of two or three characters while L2Superman is better for use with larger groups. With the ability to put up to nine character in the same group in Lineage 2, having all those character running by themselves while you eat, work, sleep, or play something else, all from one computer, is wonderful. I personally love to run a full group of nine Lineage 2 accounts, gaining adena and levels, all while playing World of Warcraft on the same computer. I get to play two games I love and only really put time into the one. Since Lineage 2 can be boring when you are lower level, having a Lineage 2 bot like L2Walker or L2Superman can be a great thing.

Many professional Chinese farmers who spend their days gaining Lineage 2 adena use L2Superman or L2Walker. They are professionals, doing this for a living, so you know that L2Superman and L2Walker must be the best programs for automating your Lineage 2 accounts and the characters on them. I even met a person at gogygo.com who runs three computers with twenty-seven Lineage 2 accounts all on L2Superman. He makes a living letting the bots do the work for him, selling the Lineage 2 adena that he has extra and even selling the accounts for hundreds of dollars more than he paid for them. Last time I talked to him a few weeks ago, he had just bought a fourth computer, a new Alienware. He wanted to see how it compared to the Dell XPS that he bought with the money from selling his extra Lineage 2 adena before. I can't wait until I get good enough at running L2Superman to be able to have enough adena to sell to buy a new computer with the cash I get from selling it. I could go out and buy a computer anyways from my job, but that just isn't as much fun as letting a Lineage 2 bot do the work and make the money for me.

Another person that I talk to started up his own power leveling website for Lineage 2. He has people pay him hundreds of dollars to level their Lineage 2 characters on their accounts and he doesn't have to do it himself. He just sets up L2Walker because it is so fast and easy to setup and then lets the L2Walker bot do the work for him, leveling their Lineage 2 account characters. He makes hundreds of dollars per account and runs up to fifteen at a time from the same computer. He is the wealthiest person I know who sits at home and plays games all day. He always seems to have the best new computer and never has to complain about his day at work, because all he does is spend a little time setting up a bot and then just waits until it is done leveling the character so he can go spend his money.

If you want to know more about Lineage 2, L2Superman, L2Walker, Lineage 2 botting, and how you can get your Lineage 2 accounts more level and more adena, make sure to check out the site I joined, gogygo.com. They sell the activation codes you need for L2Superman and L2Walker, plus have a forum with lots of information and cool people who are fun to talk to about botting in Lineage 2. There are even some really good guides posted as stickies in the forum that make it easy for some new to Lineage 2 botting to get started get level for their Lineage 2 characters and making more adena than they could before. It is risky, but there are even a few people who discuss strategies for botting all day and all night for maximum level and adena gains. I hope you check out gogygo.com and like it as much as I did. It completely changed the way that I played the game, or rather don't play the game, because the bots do it for me. Do not to forget to look through the forum when you go there for the great Lineage 2 guides for botting that they have at gogygo.com. They are some of the best Lineage 2 bot guides I have found, even better than the sites that try to charge you money for information about the bots.

If you play Lineage 2 and aren't botting it already, or are looking for an easy way to make money while you play other games, make sure to check out www.gogygo.com and read though more information on Lineage 2 bots and how to use them to make money or just have more fun with the game.

This author, Edward Austen, runs his own business consulting for websites in various capacities and in his free time enjoys food, the beach, and various hobbies.

Download PS2 Games Review

2008-06-23T07:49:00.001-07:00

If you are looking to download PS2 Games, Music, Movies, or Software, the good news is there now are a number of services that offer exactly this.

This new breed of online service will allow you to download anything you want, any time you want. The best of these services actually offers up to 800 million files available for download. Thus members can literally find anything they want to pimp our their gaming console with.

With PS2 games now essentially being the legacy Sony console - now that the PS3 is released, PS2 games have begun to become both more available and more affordable. Not only have many gamers been cashing in on their old PS2 titles, whereby making a flood of used PS2 games hit the market, but publishers have also dropped the price of newly released PS2 games given the preference of many gamers to reach for the PS3 alternative.

The smart PS2 owners out there however have cashed in their PS2 games and signed up for one of the many PS2 download services available. For a once off fee many of the services available provide instant access to literally hundreds (possibly thousands....hard to tell) of PS2 games. A good service will provide everything from the latest PS2 releases all the way back to the original PS2 titles.

After you download PS2 games from one of the online services, the games do need to be transferred to DVD for playback on the console. This is a simple process (think Burning a CD) however you should have access to a DVD burner in order to ultimately be able to play these games.

Check out a full PS2 and Gaming service reviews about how to download PS2 games at Maximum Game Downloads

Download PS2 Games - How to Download PS2 Games Online

2008-06-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

What would you say if I told you, you can now download PS2 games online? Not only has the newly arrived PS3 been out for quite a while now...but the previous systems games (the PS2) are still costing almost as much as they did when released. These days it now a lot more convenient and practical to be able to download PS2 games online and transfer to DVD through the power of the internet.

When downloading any software program or game from the internet it is always good to know the risks and issues involved. There has been much publicity in recent times on people using illegal peer-to-peer applications to enable free downloads. This is where you really benefit from using one of the paid services online for peace of mind when do download PS2 games. For a one time fee, not only do you get peace of mind any files downloaded are legal, safe and virus free, but also many of the better download sites will offer a comprehensive library of PS2 games.

Having the service archive a list of games and provide both the games, software and licensing required is generally well worth what is typically a once off nominal fee.
So, Are these sites user friendly and easy to use? Well, from the investigation I have done most seem to be. Of the 3 sites tested the process generally involves logging onto the website, performing a search for the games title, then clicking the 'download PS2 game' button. The game will generally take around 2 hours to download, (although this may change depending upon the speed of your internet connection).

Upon downloading the games will need to be transferred to DVD before they can be played on your PS2. Thankfully each of the services I subscribed to had their own DVD burning software, and as I have a DVD burner in my laptop is was no issue transferring the games onto disk.

Which are the best sites to use? There are quite a few sites available; many may be specific to a certain platform of console. Generally speaking the services that offer a large collection of games and downloads (think 10,000+) are reliable platforms that will offer both a good service and solid support and tools for the user should you encounter any problems.

I am an avid PS2 gaming Fan and crazy about console gaming in general. Check out my full PS2 Download review on how to download PS2 games

Forza Motorsport 2 Free Download

2008-06-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

Forza Motorsport 2 is a racing game developed by Turn 10 Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios. The game is available for Xbox 360 exclusively. It is the sequel to the Forza Motorsport marking the expansion of the Forza Motorsport racing games franchise. It was released on 24 May, 2007 in Japan; 29 May, 2007 in North America; 8 June, 2007 in Europe and 14 June, 2007 in Australia. It is available in single player mode as well as multiplayer mode. You can play either online multiplayer or through system-link.

Forza Motorsport 2 features over 300 cars divided into six production classes and four race classes. Graphics and aerodynamics of the cars can be visually customizable. The game runs at the speed of 60 frames per second while replays at 30 frames per second. No point to point race is featured in this version of the series. The game focuses on circuit race only. The physique is refurbished from the Forza Motorsport. There are multiple settings possible in the game now. "Simulation" the severest, takes car out of commission, "limited" limits the relentless crashes and damages, and "cosmetic" means damages are not visible.

Forza Motorsport 2 features 14 playable tracks out of which 10 are real-world tracks and remaining four are fictional tracks. The scoring system of the game is similar to that of Halo 2. Cars can be auctioned online and purchased cars come with all the new and old stats. Players need to logon to the official website to check for the scores. Game allows players to take in-game photos and upload them to the forza website. Players can also schedule tournaments in the game. Microsoft has developed Xbox 360 Wireless racing wheel that works in conjunction with the game.

Lot of Forza Motorsport 2 free downloadable content is available. Players can download free cars and tracks along with the paid one. There is also one limited collector's edition released. The limited collector's edition contains 157 pages booklet giving the details about the cars and how to obtain the game achievements. Limited Collector's Edition wasn't available in United States while it was available in rest of the world. Many bugs had been detected and removed in online multiplayer mode. Below is a link to Forza Motorsport 2 free download. To download it free you need to click on the link. Just click on the link to free download it.

Forza Motorsport 2 Free Download
For more free games visit http://softwarengameslinkshere.blogspot.com

Resident Evil 4 Overrated?

2008-06-23T07:47:00.001-07:00

Let me start off by saying Resident Evil 4 was a great game. Sure it may have lacked the classic thriller gameplay the past Resident Evil games had, but overall it did well introducing a more action adventure game. Resident Evil 4 was awesome when it came out on the PS2 and Gamecube as the whole concept of shooting and killing zombie monsters pumps any Resident Evil gamer out there. Now the controls were a little hard to master at first, but after a couple hours it was fairly easy to use and well worth the wait. Let's get a little further deep with the controls. First of all it's addicting. Yes being able to shoot zombies anywhere in the body and having a different effect as to where the zombie was shot is amazing. With different guns and shotguns players are even able to shoot the zombies head off. Yes i know what your picturing a headless walking zombie. Well that's what you see in this game. Besides shooting players are even allowed to perform some fight moves such as kicking and punching.

The storyline is impressive, but most of the time the game is heard as save the President's daughter, kill zombies, bring the President's daughter home. Let me tell you that is completely false! The storyline for the game goes on for a long time with many new zombies and bosses players will encounter. Killing the zombies isn't that easy, plus they hold up well when being shot multiple times. The bosses are somewhat difficult to kill especially since they don't seem to do the same movement over and over again. They're actually pretty smart and know how to find you when your hiding. I'll try to clarify this, when hiding from let's say this huge beast like creature, one would assume it's just going to walk around smash anything it sees and repeat the process. A game routine which is quite common for some bosses in video games. However in RE4 this does not happen. The enemy monsters are will aware of where you are hiding and they will find you.

The setting and environments in this game are outstanding. And no it does not all take place on a farm. Players will encounter enemies in factories, freezers, cannons, industrial areas, caves, and castles. All these areas contain well detailed exposure to what environments like these actually contain. Players will have fun and enjoy the aspect of killing new enemies at different locations. As players make their way through out the game they will receive and find money which will be very useful in purchasing new weapons from what looks to me like an old guy that follows you and sells guns to you. DO NOT SHOT HIM! Like other shooting games players will be able to purchase new and more powerful weapons and are even allowed to upgrade each weapon. It will cost you though, nothing in this game is free.

Overall i give this game a 9.5/10 maybe i am overrating it, but who knows this is the way i feel about the game. Resident Evil fans will be hyped and gasped at the concept Capcom has done to make this game so darn good. There is literally so much action in this game, players will always have something to do whether it's killing zombies, fighting enemy bosses, or just solving little missions every step of the way in this game.

Well that's all i have to say about Resident Evil 4, hope you enjoyed my review. If you haven't already go online and buy the game. It's an extremely fun game to play.

Also check this website out as this is where i pur

Resident Evil 4 Overrated?

2008-06-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

Top Hidden Object Games

2008-06-22T07:47:00.001-07:00

Hidden Object Games are quite a hot favorite among many avid game players and that's why you have we sites specially dedicated to Hidden Object games. These games are so addictive that they are sure to make anyone playing them to go simply crazy. Once you are on to them there's no stopping.

People who are new to games would wonder what these hidden object games are. Well hidden object games are basically games where a player has to look for hidden pictures or objects inside the screen to move on to the next level. These games are highly exciting and thrilling especially when there a few players playing simultaneously. This sort of mystery games create a competitive mood and excitement in the air when the game is being played as many people are competing with one another to locate the hidden object the quickest.

If you log on to the internet you will find many web sites which are offering these hidden objects games as free downloads/trial versions where a player can play a part of the game and if they like to play the whole game then they can buy it online.

Here are some of the top hidden object games that are currently being played by most people:

Mystery Case Files games, like Madame Fate where there is a fortune teller working in a carnival and who is highly mysterious, who has foreseen her own death the very same day at midnight. She now requests your help to investigate and locate the whereabouts of all the carnival workers at midnight. Here you will find lots of intriguing personalities and you will be unfolding the magical world of Fate's carnival. In this game the player will find that each and every suspect has some motive to want to murder Madame Fate and it lies in the detective ability in the payer to find the hidden secrets. This is truly a challenging game to play.

The Mystery Case Files is a smash hit hidden object game and there are many sequels to the original version. One sequel is a game where you have to look for the Queen's Hope Diamond which has been stolen. It is up to the player to look for clues which could lead them to the culprit. Once the culprit has been located then the diamond can be retrieved. The game has 29 locations in it which are unique and each location will unfold the moment the player locates an object. This will lead the player on to the next location which is the next level to the game. The game has plenty of beautifully created illustrations and which contain thousands of clues inside these illustrations for the player to find.

Hidden Expedition is another player favorite, as is Big City Adventure.

Mortimer Beckett and the Secrets of Spooky Manor is another Hidden Object Game which is a hot favorite. Here the player has to hunt the halls of the spooky manor looking for objects which have been broken, and return some of the objects that may have been displaced from their original places. The game has an intriguing story line which keeps the player spell bound.

In Mystery in London the player gets to explore historic locations in London looking for clues to solve a mystery and track a killer on the prowl. In this game you get to explore places like Westminster Abbey, Buckingham palace and other important places in London to locate and solve the mystery of Jack the Ripper's identity. What are you waiting for? Go get yourself a Hidden Object Game right now!

What's The Best Wii Download Service?

2008-06-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

As most Wii fans already know Wii has been virtually sold out since November of 2006 and it has outsold Xbox 360 AND PS3 every month since it was launched. It without a doubt has outlived its fad phase and become the most viable platform of this generation in terms of gaming.

When purchasing Wii Downloads from an Online service you want to look for the following features:

1.Make sure you get immediate access to the download area.

2.Make sure you are ordering through a secure server.

3.Make sure that the charge is a ONE TIME fee only, no recurring download fees.

4.Make sure the service assures you that there are no spyware or adware with the downloads.

5.Make sure there is instructionals within the service.

6.Make sure that there are no restrictions to your downloads and that you have access to every file.

7.Make sure you have access to tech support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

8.Make sure the service is all digital quality.

9.Make sure the service works with all Wii versions.

Wii owners are seeking to side-step the cost of Wii games simply by downloading them off the internet,which is fine but just make sure you are using a reputable service and no torrents or bootleg sites.Many of these contain viruses, spyware and adware.Keep in mind there are no commercial free sites, because they are illegal and you will be getting into big trouble using these services and even worse you will end up buying into torrent garbage.

Downloading Wii games online would provide you with great fun and is a time saver too. Downloading games from the online sites has numerous advantages for the user.in that it is faster,cheaper and more convenient than having to head to the mall.

Fortunately, there are several Nintendo Wii services that offer unlimited game downloads that can meet the mark.

Feed Your Wii @ http://www.squidoo.com/wiisoapsdownloads

Grand Theft Auto IV

2008-06-22T07:46:00.002-07:00

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is an action-adventure sandbox style action adventure computer and video game, produce by Rockstar North. It is the third 3D video game in the Grand Theft Auto Video game series.

This game was originally release for the Playstation 2 in October 2004, the game has since been ported to the Xbox and Microsoft Windows, and has received wide acclaim and very high sales figures on all of the afore mention platforms. Sand Andreas was preceded by Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and is succeeded by Grand Theft Auto IV.

The game revolves around the main character Carl "CJ" Johnson returning home from the Liberty City to Los Santos after learning of his mother's murder. CJ finds his family and his old gang, the Grove Street Families, in disarray. Over the Over the course of the game, CJ gradually unravels the plot behind his mother's murder while reestablishing his gang and exploring his own business ventures.
Like the previous entries inn the Grand Theft Auto Series, San Andreas's critical and commercial success has not been without controversy. Most notably being over the explicit" hot Coffee" sex minigame, which was disabled but left within the game's code. This discovery led San Andreas to be re- rated for a short time as an adult game and thus it was pulled from the shelves.

Grand Theft Auto IV is structured similarly to previous games in the series. The core game play consists of elements of a third-person shooter and a driving game, affording the player a large, open environment in which to move around.

On foot, the player's character is capable of walking, running, swimming, climbing and jumping, as well as utilizing weapons and basic hand to hand combat. Players can steal and drive a variety of vehicles, including automobiles, boats, helicopters, and motorcycles. So that's a brief on Playstation 3 newest video game so enjoy.

Juni Daniel is the moderator of the website Playstation Video Game

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 Personal Review

2008-06-22T07:46:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I've played Rainbow Six Vegas (the first one) on my PC. I was still using my old video card, GeForce 6600GT back then with low to medium graphics settings :) It was quite a cool game but got repetitive afterwards. Find an enemy, hide, and shoot from your hide-out. Go to the next room and repeat. So I was quite excited that they've made the second one. While Rainbow Six Vegas 2 has the same kind of formula, it's an under estimation to say Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the same like its predecessor. Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is an FPS (First Person Shooter) game. You are the leader of a small team (a 3-man team) of an international special force organization called Rainbow Six.

You can issue simple commands to your team (Go to a certain location, stacking up on doors preparing for an entry, throwing grenades at a certain point, etc) but it will be very minimal and if you really up to a challenge, you can simply ask your team to "Hold position" and do your mission Rambo-style. As you may have noticed from the title, Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is played on...Vegas. Well luckily, not all of the time though. You'll be hopping from the casinos to an airstrip, so be prepared for both close quarter combats and long range combats.

A.C.E.S and Ranks

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 offers new features such as the A.C.E.S points and Ranks. You'll gain experience from killing enemies and when you complete an Assault, a Close Quarter Battle (CQB), or a Marksman level. Once you gain experiences, you can be promoted to the next rank of military (sergeant, lieutenant, etc). Being promoted to higher ranks will open up new armors for both appearance and protection. By gaining ranks in Assault, CQB, or Marksman, new weapons will be available for you to play around with. Each weapon will be available once you've completed a certain rank of a specific area. So for example, obviously, to get a better sniper rifle, you'll need to complete a certain rank of Marksman, etc.
Depends on how you kill the enemy, you'll gain these points accordingly. For example:

* Killing someone with a head-shot, or while climbing down a rope: Get Marksman Points.
* Killing someone at close range, or while you are being blinded with Flashbang: Get CQB Points.
* Killing someone with an explosive, or when hiding behind a cover: Get Assault Points.

You can find out how to get these points from the main menu. Your character will "level up" RPG style and although you won't be gaining any attributes, you'll gain more arsenal for some killin' frenzy. Sadly though, when you unlock new weapons, they don't necessarily better than your old ones. It'd be great if the newer weapons are all better than the one that you are currently using, but some do and some don't.

Character Customization

After you have access to new armors, clothing, and weapons, you can customize them in-game or on the main menu. You'll see this on your character in-game, so it's quite fun actually to customize your character a bit.

Storyline

Nothing much to tell, apart from a big-bad terrorist trying to wreak havoc in the city by taking hostages and bombing stuffs. Very old school and very predictable. However, fun is the key in this game, not the storyline.

Gameplay

Fun is what this game is all about. It's fun to play, especially once the action starts. Hiding behind covers, throwing grenades, breaching a room, playing it as if you really are in a special force team, are all fun to do. There are 3 difficulty levels in the game, but I wish there were 4. The realistic mode (the hardest) can get on your nerves as the enemies are more accurate when they shoot. While it can be fun and challenging, sometimes I had to repeat 5-6 times of a certain sub-level (Your game will be saved automatically on a certain checkpoints during a mission, so, No, no quick-saving and loading :)). If you've been playing some FPS games, I'd suggest to use the hardest level (Realistic) but when you get frustrated, tone down the difficulty a bit (You only need to repeat that mission and not the entire game!). I think I've repeated about 10 times on the final boss (at the end of the game) lol. Or maybe I'm just suck. The medium difficulty however, is kind of a joke, as you can have 10 grenades instead of 4 and also unlimited ammo :)

A.I

The A.I is okay, I guess. It's not dumb but it's not the best, either. Your teammates are good on their own and won't block your path. They'll find their own cover when the shooting starts. This goes to the enemies too. They'll find somewhere to hide, shoot behind covers, keep hiding when being suppressed, and will try to flank you sometimes. It's kinda funny though when you start putting your silencer on. It feels as if you are turning on a cheat mode. It's kinda cool to play stealthily on certain areas and you'll find that the enemies are dumb enough not to notice your presence. Once you take out that silencer however, one shot from you will invite the whole cavalry.

Conclusion

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 offers a new ranking and points system to its predecessor. It also improves what was offered before on the first series. I found that Rainbow Six Vegas 2 single player campaign was quite short (probably as short as Call of Duty 4?). So if you want to buy it, do so but make sure that you'll play it online too. If you haven't got Call of Duty 4, it will be a tough decision to choose between the 2, but Call of Duty 4 has a more variety of missions to play, compared to Rainbow Six Vegas 2. The fun factor is different, though. One word to describe them: Call of Duty 4 is "cool" where as Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is "fun".

Michael Aulia
http://www.michaelaulia.com/blogs

Read on more up-to-date technology news & personal reviews on my blog.

PS3 Vs Xbox 360 - Which Console To Use For Playing NCAA 09 Football

2008-06-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

For all you gridiron fans out there, life just got sweeter thanks to the release of NCAA 09 Football. Other than McFadden on the cover, there are also plenty of new drool-worthy features on this version, available for Playstation, Xbox, Wii, DS and PC. Just imagine this: wider spaces, bigger holes, directional pump, play bluffs, enhanced passing control, open receivers and cutback lanes. You could also manipulate the ambience, with better customization controls and better-looking fields. And yes, enjoy the dynamic crowd in the sidelines with cheerleaders, mascots and more players getting in on the action. When there's so many of these waiting for your shaky hands to handle, where do you play? The PS3 or Xbox 360? We examine the pros and cons:

Play with PS3

Okay, so you probably weren't too happy with NCAA 08 playing on your Playstation. After all, you got into the action at just 30 fps (frames per second). Xbox players had it better - at 60 fps. Sony has heard your cry and answered your prayers. NCAA 09 can now be played on the PS3 at a faster, smoother 60 fps.

And if you want to be part of the Blu-ray DVD wave of the future, this is an excellent console to get. After all, there are other games out there that you want to immerse yourself in. Playing control and manipulation on the NCAA 09 is also much improved, so that's probably something you can perform deftly with the PS3. If you don't mind the occasional less-than-perfect color, images and graphics, go ahead and choose the PS3.

Play with Xbox 360

If it's graphics you're after, go with the Xbox. Per pound of muscle, Xbox 360 easily trumps PS3, even if Sony's release papers say otherwise. Its GPU is simply much more powerful, allowing you to enjoy the stadium views in all its pixilated glory. Vertex processing is also well worth it.

If you're talking high def, Xbox can deliver, something than PS3 can't, since its anti-aliasing technique is a wee bit backward than that of Xbox. Since you'll probably want to take pleasure in scoring that touchdown without feeling like you've been blinking the whole time, get your NCAA 09 Football game on the Xbox. After all, your hands may do all the work but your eyes are the ones doing the navigating. Give them a good treat.

Which one to use to play NCAA 09 Football with?

If price matters to you, get the Xbox 360. For one, the PS3 is more expensive, although you'll need to shell out additional cash to get HD-DVD on your Xbox. But with the faster rate of running NCAA 09 Football, there shouldn't be a lot of complaints on your part if you choose the PS3.

However, for the money and the sheer enjoyment of a great-looking game at its spiffiest, you might want to try the Xbox 360. NCAA 09 Football's latest enhancement suit this gaming system. But again, it still depends on your own inclinations.

Gamerosters.com provides NCAA Football rosters files for PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360. We offer purchase new memory card, memory card mail-in, and roster download service particularly NCAA Football 09 Rosters.

Grand Theft Auto IV - Best Game To Date?

2008-06-21T07:45:00.001-07:00

Grand Theft Auto IV is receiving 10's like hot cakes from a whole variety of gaming websites. They admit a 10 does not mean it is a perfect game, instead it means it is a game that has set the bar very high for games to come. If this is the merit of a 10 rating, I would have to agree. All aspects of the game have improved from the previous versions.

The graphics are unprecedented for a game that is so interactive. Games that are less interactive have more leeway to pump up their eye candy. For an example of this, I don't believe Gears of War has been beat graphically yet on the Xbox 360. Being a limited shooter, Gears of War does not compare to the scope of Grand Theft Auto IV. That aside, Grand Theft Auto IV is truly a beautiful game. The character models are very detailed, and the cut scenes use the game engine so you can gander at them up close. The cars look realistic - like their counterparts - and their impending damage also looks realistic enough. The water textures are groundbreaking; you can see the sun reflect off of each subtle motion of the ocean up close (you can swim in this version). Not to forget explosions. The realistic explosions turn artistic when you stand next to a car on fire or over a grenade. All of a sudden your screen goes black and white and you witness your character flying into the air in slow motion, only to fall down later (dead) with impressive ragdoll physics.

The game play has also been improved dramatically. First of all, the storyline is compelling. This appears to be a pleasant change from the other Grand Theft Auto's. You play as an immigrant named Niko Bellic whose sole drive is to garner more money. You first meet and do jobs for your cousin and slowly start to expand in both connections and power. Each person has their own distinct personality that can actually be particularly interesting. The story has some twists and turns and does plenty to keep you interested through the tens of hours you will spend doing the storyline. What else is there? Well the Grand Theft Auto series is notorious for the sandbox game play that is offered. This sandbox play is meticulously expanded in Grand Theft Auto IV. You can quite literally sit down on a couch and watch the in-game television for as long as you desire. And the television channels are actually quite interesting. The sense of humor by the creators is spot-on. You will find yourself laughing at the in-game television possibly more than what you would with real television. If the television doesn't hold your interest you can do an assortment of other activities such as playing pool, bowling, drinking, driving, dating, text messaging, prank calling the cops & many other activities including the ever popular pointless rampage.

Online play has never been established before for a sandbox game such as Grand Theft Auto IV. This implementation really did satisfy the dreams of gamers that have played the preceding games. It has always been a common thought: "What if we could play this game online - what fun!" Finally, it is here. There is a multitude of game types that can be selected, or you can just wander around the city with a few friends.

The audio is also magnificent. Rockstar has really managed to include a wide assortment of music for the car radios. Honestly, my favorite is Liberty Rock, so I cannot tell you how the other stations are. But whenever I borrow cars from Liberty City residents I'm usually hearing a different tune from a different station. Rockstar appears to have outdone themselves in this department. The sound effects are also top notch, from the childish whining of people that remain in the car after you jack it, to the booming explosions found throughout the game.

In conclusion this game does expand the genre and sets the bar higher than anyone has ever done so before. This is very exciting in that future developers will be pressed to put similar extravagancies in their games - improving them and making them that much more enjoyable. While I am not quick to label any game as "Best", overall I would agree with most gaming sites out there and give this game a 10/10. Bravo Rockstar.

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Futurama Playstation 2 (PS2) Game Review

2008-06-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

Based on the TV series, the Futurama video game has all your favorite characters, Bender, Fry, Lela, Professor Zoidberg and more, with voice overs from the original cast.

Gameplay:

The game starts out in the hangar at Planet Express as you play as Fry, on the look out for missing tools for Professor Zoidberg. Search the hangar, offices, corridors, avoiding electrical wires, perform some platform jumping, collecting cash and filling up on extra health from the "Slurm" vending machines, and find the hidden key card to unlock doors. Fry starts out with a hammer on this level, but works up to some cooler, more powerful guns throughout the game.

Head underground into the Sewers, where as Fry you have to kill mutants, underwater snakes with one eye, and pipe tentacles with your laser gun and avoid the deadly sewer canals whilst jumping over crates to cross to other areas. Shoot crates for cash and ammo.

Go through the Mine Facility as Bender, defending yourself against robots with his twirl attack, sliding lunge, collecting power-up crystals and avoiding the heat blades on the conveyor belt. In Run Bender Run, head into the mine shaft and run for your life to avoid a giant boulder coming up behind you, whilst jumping over caverns, collecting your crystals, and dodging barrels.

Or as "one-eyed" Leela in Market Square, you get to fight with your punch and kick attacks against skeletons, avoid the crazy bombers which will try and blow you up, solve codes in the puzzle rooms, by stepping on the correct tiled squares in sequence on the floor. Collect gold bars by destroying objects.

There are plenty more levels to explore, and when you reach the last level in Fry Fight's Back, you battle against the "Destructor", the big boss robot with his one arm missile launcher. Before you meet Destructor, you have to search through various corridors for the last lot of keycards. Dodge some spinning blades and gas vents, hide in the crevices as you dodge a couple of huge laser machine guns, destroy some half-bodied robots and work out some numbered codes to unlock your master laser weapon. You then meet the Destructor for the final showdown. He shoots missiles, lasers and then stands still while his stomach opens and you are attacked by flies. Avoid his firepower and get him in the belly where it hurts enough times and "yay", you've saved the planet and get to watch the final movie scene.

All up the game has 21 levels, there are heaps of items to collect throughout, find switches and credit cards to unlock doors, solve an array of puzzles, but more importantly, destroy the bad guys! Each character has their own weapon/attacks/health power-ups and you get to travel through some other amazing levels, from Red Rock Creek, Old New York, the Junkyard, Temple Courtyard, Red Light District and more. Other baddies include rock monsters, swordsmen, weasels, lava monsters, evil cactus, and sentry's to name a few. There's also plenty of slick Futurama-style humor to keep you laughing.

Extras: If you collect all nibblers (creatures in cages) in each level you also get to unlock movies, music and characters. There's a total of 20 minutes worth of unlocked movie footage never seen. You can also switch from first to third person view anytime during the game, and there are cameras for viewing other areas in each level.

Summary:

Number of Players: 1

Graphics:

Animated and resembles same as in the TV show. Good colour, with darker areas that set the scene.

Controls:

The controls are okay, but the side view movement can be a bit tight during the game when turning around.

Fun-factor:

9/10 - Overall, really enjoyed this game and there's a good variety of action and puzzle solving to get through. I would recommend this video game for kids and adults if you enjoy the Futurama TV show, as you'll definitely get some value out of it.

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Eye for Design - Game Review, Download, Tips and Tricks

2008-06-21T07:44:00.002-07:00

Today let's look into a new design game Eye for Design - the latest title developed by Techfront and published by Sandlot Games.

Speaking about the task, your point is to help Halle - a young talented designer who's just graduated from the design academy to meet all the whims of her customers and get to the top of the business.

Similarly to many designing games, Eye for Design features funny cartoon graphics and amusing soundtrack. Moreover, this game will introduce you to a bunch of lovely characters. Just like in other games created by Sandlot, all customer types are very realistically and ironically depicted (you're going to design interior for students obsessed with video games, hippies that cannot stand anything new and fashionable, cowboys, Adams-like families etc.).

Basically, your task is to place furniture items from the obligatory and optional lists on the available spots in a room. But there are few things for you to remember:

1. Each customer has their whims. Some of your customers would like "oldie" or cowboy-style furniture even though it looks ugly. But as you know, a customer is always right; so be sure to pick a cowboy-style interior elements out of all the furniture items available. So, just like in Wedding Dash, you'll have to read the wishes of your customers in the beginning of each level carefully.

2. There will be 3 types of goals for you. You'll have to achieve the required goals by placing the furniture items highlighted in orange in your list. Those are obligatory items required to reach the minimum score. Optional elements are highlighted in blue. They will boost your score significantly. And the third - hidden goal is what you achieve when you fulfill customer's wishes.

3. If you earn silver trophy for every room in the house, you'll unlock bonus round where you'll be able to decorate the room to your heart's content.

4. Colors. You will be able to change colors of the furniture, but you have to be pretty careful with the palette. Try to choose two colors that complement each other and look nice together. Use them for the furniture for a better score. Don't stick to a solid color and don't make the furniture too multicolored.

5. Start to work on interior design with the most useful items (like a bed for a bedroom, dining table for a kitchen). Once you place them right, you'll see the logics of interior design: a nightstand goes by the bed, a TV set should be in front of a couch or chairs, a chair should stand next to a desk etc.)

6. Even if you have scored enough to go to the next room in the house, be sure to click Accessories tab and decorate the room with extra pictures, mirrors, carpets, lamps etc. They will never reduce your score. Keep your customer's wishes in mind while accessorizing the room.

Speaking about the drawbacks of the game I would admit its somewhat repetitive background melody.

And as always, I appreciate the titles that blend different game-play mechanics (not only object placing puzzles). It would be nice to see some mini-puzzles, like point-and-click or hidden object in the game.

For more in-depth reviews, downloads and tips on family-friendly games of all genres please visit http://blog.gameglamour.com - a resource created for casual game fans by casual game fans.

Test Drive Unlimited Overall Verdict And Insight Into Games Inspired By Test Drive

2008-06-21T07:44:00.001-07:00

Well I think Test Drive Unlimited is fantastic and opens the door to a lot of possibilities, and a new direction for driving games to go. Like GTA revolutionized a open world game,I feel test drivedoes this again,though purely for driving games. I think it still has one of the largest environments of any game to date, It's got a great online community and is just the funnest racing game to play online at the moment.

I hope like GTA many developers will copy the concept, and develop it further in other areas. This really is something fresh in a pretty polluted genre. That said being a wildly ambitious concept-it shows in some places, there's numerous glitches and small niggling problems here and there, but when the game runs well, few things feel as solid as it does.

Since I wrote this review, a new Burnout has come out using this open world massively online style of game play, called Burnout Paradise, it's taken it all a step further and it really is an incredible game, Theres objectives and crashes you have to do with your friends, someof the stunts can't be completed unless you do them with a friend. It has a very intuitive map system, much like test drives world map view. It really is a step further.

More recently GTA 4 has come out, again pushing the open world game play to further heights, I have yet to play this online but I've read a fair bit about it. What more can I say? It's GTA, the whole of liberty city online, for you and a group of friends to wreak havoc on, One of the greatest parts of the online system has to be the free mode, your dumped in the city with everyone to do what ever you like, there's going to be some great games derived from this complete freedom in GTA 4.

The upcoming midnight club needs a shout about as well, it's very far in the distance at the moment, but it's a whole recreation of LA to the point you would recognize your local shops, with tons of cars and unimaginable customization, and they are trying to get 16 people on a server at any one time in the city. So unlike burnout and test drive with 8 players, you will see a lot more, this is going to be quite a spectacle with everyone's unique tastes, keep a serious eye out for it.

A lot of this is inspired by test drive showing what this generation of technology can do now, we really have hit a new high, and the gaming worlds can only get better and more immersive.

So what do I think overall? Get Some scores here:

Cars and cool stuff

Tips in Hiring NCAA Roster Editing Services

2008-06-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

NCAA Football is a video game created by EA Sports, a branch of Electronic Arts. It features the best collegiate football teams in the United States. Presenting a whole new gaming experience for football fans around the world, it is available for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360.

When you purchase an NCAA Football game, you will notice that only the numbers of the players are appearing in your teams. It does not include the real players' names. You will have to enter these names yourself manually through the device's controller. The NCAA football rosters will provide the names of the players and the announcers' voices saying their names for you making the football experience worth the play. But what if you don't have the time to edit your rosters' names? You can always hire roster editing services to get rid of the burden of having to edit all the players' names.

So are you just planning to hire roster editors to avoid having to consume lots of time in changing the names of your NCAA players?

There are many NCAA football roster editors that claim that they offer the best quality of roster editing service. But claims can be just that - claims. Here are some things you have to look out for before agreeing to let a roster editor help you in getting the right players' names for your NCAA football teams:

1. Roster Editing Services that Don't Offer a Variety of Options

If you are sure that the roster editor is legitimate enough to give him your money without giving you different options in editing your rosters - say just purchasing a new memory card or only sending him your memory card so he can upload the rosters, then fine - give him business. However, if the roster editor was not able to build a solid reputation yet, if he's offering both of those options, you can have more choices on how you'd like your rosters edited.

2. Roster Editing Services that Takes too Long to Ship Your Memory Card

Another way to check whether you're about to get quality roster editing service is to learn how long it takes for the company or editor to ship back your memory card if you plan to avail the mail-in option or when you purchase a new memory card or stick. To be sure, don't believe promises of quick shipping. Check out forums and other NCAA football gaming sites or blogs that talk about how quick the roster editor ship back memory cards.

3.Scams

This is definitely one of the most important things to look out for. Many "providers" will offer you promos and discounts when purchasing a new memory card or availing of their services. Do not let this offers blind you. Some of these are scams. They will sucker you into giving them your bank account numbers or credit card numbers to pay for, what they say, their quality products or services. And then the next thing you know, they have robbed you by either charging you too much or transferring your money to another account or if you've availed of a mail-in option in getting your rosters edited, you might never get back your memory card again. Always check on the site's business background.

Also, read the terms of payment and the transaction contract carefully. Make sure that there is a contact number in their site. It is advisable to call them for inquiries first before availing their services. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

FKrosters.com provides NCAA Football rosters files for PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360. We offer purchase new memory card, memory card mail-in, and roster download service particularly NCAA Football 09 Rosters.

What Differentiates NCAA 09 Football Video Game from Its Older Versions

2008-06-20T07:43:00.002-07:00

Fans anticipating the release of NCAA 09 probably won't be disappointed when they finally get to play the game. EA seems to have focused on refining options and feel of the running game, certainly what you'd expect from a NCAA game. Also, NCAA 09 comes with a new Break Away Animation Engine to provide larger cutback lanes and bigger holes for the offense and greater opportunities for players in the clear.

Screens and Stadiums

Many have compared and contrasted the screens and stadiums of both NCAA Football 08 and its 09 version. The lighting, texture, colors and other details have contributed to a more authentic look for the NCAA 09.

Playing to the Crowds

One change that EA is probably hoping fans would love is the enhanced crowd system. Now players can customize stadium music and sounds, choose the crowd's reaction to breakaways, and of course, expect to have mayhem and confusion cloud decisions of the teams. Visuals for the crowds have also been improved. You'll notice that there are more people in the sidelines, from mascots to cheerleaders to backup players, and lighting and texture for the fields had also been improved.

Mascot Mode

Acknowledging the importance of team mascots, NCAA 09 now allows players to customize celebrations whenever a touchdown is scored. NCAA 09 also allows for several mascot games, but the jury's still out on this one since it's too early to tell how NCAA fans will react to this.

Choice of Players

With NCAA 09, game users can expect new college player models to be available for their teams together with over fifty alternate uniforms to choose from. Non-players may think uniforms don't make a difference to the game you play, but NCAA enthusiasts certainly know better.

Game Enhancements

First off, expect to adjust to several changes - all for the better, though, so don't worry - to how the recruiting system's going to work. Rest assured that you can look forward to fair play when it comes to choosing recruits for your team.

College specific tackling engines have also been added, making your game all the more accurate. So if you're playing for the #1 team in the West Division, don't expect your tackling engine to be similar to the #1 team in the East. Also, players have now been granted the ability to return missed field goals. In relation to this, you also get better passing control, bobble catches, smart routes, formation audibles, and bluffed plays so that players near you won't have the chance to find out about your game plan.

So far, we've mentioned the added features to help you win a game. But as far as added features to make a game more enjoyable are concerned, NCAA 09 brings to you offline cooperative play up to four players. Not only that, but you can also expect new play-by-play sequences and post-game presentations, many mini-games to while away the time, quick replay and post play continuation, and random play selection for practices. Last but not the least, NCAA 09 also allows you to play now using the even teams option.

So what are you waiting for? Go tackle NCAA 09!

FKrosters.com provides NCAA Football rosters files for PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360. We offer purchase new memory card, memory card mail-in, and roster download service particularly NCAA Football 09 Rosters.

Grand Theft Auto (GTAIV) on PS3

2008-06-20T07:43:00.001-07:00

Grand Theft Auto IV (GTAIV) on PS3 is a game with an amazing and nonlinear storyline, a game with a great protagonist who you can't help but like, and a game that boasts a large selection of online multiplayer features in addition to its lengthy story mode. Of course, it is not without some flaws, but GTAIV is undoubtedly the best Grand Theft Auto yet.

The Grand Theft Auto IV on PS3 story starts with Niko Bellic stepping off a boat in Liberty City, which is modeled after New York City. Right away, you get the sense that Rockstar North's latest GTA offering is something very special. Yes, this is another Grand Theft Auto game in which you'll probably spend most of your time stealing cars and gunning down cops and criminals, but it's so much more than that. You will find that Niko decides to help out Roman with his rundown cab stand and keep thugs off his back until he can figure out how to make money and connections in Liberty City. You also get to discover the real reasons that Niko left his homeland.

So begins Grand Theft Auto IV, the newest - and easily the best - entry in the wildly popular GTA series. The game manages to take the tried-and-true already successful game experience , which involves taking missions to earn cash and climb the corporate ladder of a criminal operation or sightseeing in Liberty City, and turns it into something that feels completely new and updated. Some even claim that it a gaming masterpiece that is a picture-perfect snapshot of the underworld of today's big cities

When the pedestrians, cars and buildings became repetitive in previous GTA releases it was always tempting to get bored, steal a cop car and end up in your own North Hollywood shootout. There are many more times as many distractions in GTA IV, including working cell phones, televisions that can flip channels and the Liberty City version of the Internet. This time, the mundane is as interesting as the some of the unsavory elements of the game.

But that's not to say it's empty of meaning. GTA IV is a crass cultural commentary that mocks the American media's obsession with sex and violence and money. This is the reason why so many people in the media and government are bothered by the Grand Theft Auto games. For example, the Chicago Transit Authority pulled 385 ads for the game from its subways, but the same organization has no problem letting violent films advertise in the same places.) If these people actually played GTA IV, maybe they would realize that not all videogames are for kids and ultimately get the joke - that the game also rejects the violence, sexism, and consumerism it appears to embrace. It is worth mentioning that Grand Theft Auto IV is definitely for a mature audience.

In case you haven't guessed already, Grand Theft Auto IV on PS3 is a game that you will have to play to appreciate it. The single-player game, which you can still play long after you complete the story, is the series' best by far, and the multiplayer features are good enough that you'll likely have no problem finding people to play with you for many months into the future. The minor flaws that you'll experience are no different than those in previous GTA games, and they're greatly outnumbered by the new features that will amaze you anytime just when you think you have already seen everything that the game has to offer.

You can avoid the long lines waiting to buy Grand Theft AutoIV (4) on PS3. Besides, it is sure to sell out at your local store. Why waste your time? Where to find the best deals on Grand Theft Auto?

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Morrowind Game Of The Year

2008-06-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Morrowind is a fantasy adventure RPG offered on the XBox gaming system and PC. In the video games and gaming world, Morrowind is a best of all game. Hours and Days of replay value and excitement await you as you delve deeper into the land of Vardenfell, on the Island of Morrowind.

After loading screen and going through the cool intro, you choose a name and listen to Jiub, you begin on a ship and beginning tutorial is provided. From the dock, you choose to be one of the 10 races and continue with guards to the census office where you have many options for "class".

Morrowind's choice of "Class" is defined as your style of play such as combat specialist, magic specialist, or stealth specialist with sub classes, and melding of classes.

Knights aren't just pure combat specialists, they can enchant equipment and cast restoration spells.

A witch hunter does not need to be just a magic user they also can be adept fighters with ranged weapons or staves.

Spellswords are exceptional magic users and fair me lee fighters that can augment themselves to do Titan-like damage.

Nightblades are the ultimate in thieving. They use the illusion of invisibility, alteration of undetectability, and can be virtually untouchable.

A Battlemage is a Spellsword on steroids. Basically their magic is almost entirely damage oriented. The weapons the Battlemage uses, like the Ax, does uber damage.

Healers are just as the name implies. They heal others as well as themselves but also hold their own as excellent hand to hand combatants. Morrowind is a totally different game played as a healer and is very challenging. The utmost challenge if you don't glitch. Glitching basically nullifies all class restrictions.

Monks use no swords and wear very little, if any, armour. They rely on hand to hand combat with blunt weapons such as staves and hammers. Restorative spells augment their hand to hand combat. Monks are a fun challenge to be played as a beast race.

The agent is for lack of a better destination, a great spy. They were born with a silver tongue, sneaky individuals that use illusion spells to augment their charms. Are able to conquer beasts to assist their fighting. The agent needs not carry any weapons as he can manifest them out of thin air.

The other classes are very specialized with little room for customization. They are fun but more challenging. Here is a short list of the other classes: Acrobat, Archer, Assassin, Barbarian, Bard, Crusader, Mage, Pilgrim, Rogue, Scout, Sorcerer, Thief, and Warrior.

Creating a custom class is also an option and a great way to continue Morrowinds "play your own way" feel. Morrowinds replay value can't be beat by any game except other Elder Scrolls games. Morrowind was chosen as game of the year by Gamespy and Gamespot in 2002 and voted RPG of the year by XBox magazine. "Each event is preceded by a prophecy, but without the hero, there is no event." Zurian Articus.

Stephanie Haile enjoys teaching new people to the Internet how to navigate and become comfortable with their computers. She is a business owner, wife, mom, pet lover, video gamer, and beach enthusiast who writes, reads, and helps others create a residual income for financial stability. Google Stephanie Haile and get in touch or give her a call and find out about how her business can help you! 321-745-6202

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Mario Kart - The Original Series

2008-06-20T07:42:00.001-07:00

Crazy enough, I remember when Super Mario Brothers first came out on the original Nintendo system. Because I loved this game so much, I followed Nintendo's newest games and systems.

One of the reasons why I enjoy Mario Kart is the fact that I get to play with familiar characters, but with much better technology and graphics. I thought it was so fun to play against my friends on the multi-player maps.

If you are a Mario Brothers fan, you will be familiar with Mario Kart's characters: Mario, Luigi, Wario, Bowser, Princess Toadstool, along with others.

The Mario Kart characters race in go-karts. It sounds really simple, right? It is so fun though.

Each go-cart has its own racing capabilities and style. And my favorite aspect of all of this is the chance to compete.

Most modes have the ability to have at least 4 people play. This game carried on to the next couple of game systems, including Nintendo 64 and the Gamecube. Some versions of the game are also available for Gameboys.

When Mario Kart became available on Wii, I thought I died and had gone to heaven. For some, it may be pretty surprising to see that this game has been so popular for so many years. For me, it is like playing with old friends. It is not surprising at all that Mario and his friends have passed the test of time.

So, as newer technology comes out on the market it is quite fascinating to see younger generations pick up on the love of this game.

Looking for more information? http://www.KartBargains.info/mariosuper.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Hilburn

Mario Kart Wii - Ready To Push The Envelope

2008-06-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

So what is the Mario game for the Nintendo Wii? It's Mario Kart Wii. For some, this game is described as Nintendo's best, while others claim that it is too complicated.

Personally, I think the ability to race up to 12 people online makes the game so much more fascinating. There is some great competition out there that you need to take seriously.

Before you start playing online, it is a good idea to practice Mario Kart Wii on an offline mode. That way you can pick up on how the game is played, strategies, and build confidence in your abilities.

The nice thing about playing offline is that you can practice the same playing styles that you would online. It's a good idea to become accustomed to the character and the kart that you are going to race with before you compete online.

If you want some great strategies to win your race, keep reading!

1. Just so you know there are various places where you can get speed boosts. If you need to hold a drift, the best places are in corners. A great way to get speed boosts is to stunt jump or do wheelies as often as you can. Hitting power ups is also a good technique to use.

2. If you are in the lead you need to be aware of Blue Shells. When these bad boys hit you, you automatically lose 5 seconds, and sadly, there isn't too much you can do to prevent it. However, you are given some warning before one hits you. In this case, you should try to slow down and in the process wipe out as many of your competitors. The best way to do this is to drive with the A button held down.

3. One great technique is to position yourself in second place up until the very end. With this in mind, you can overtake the number one position without having too many Blue Shells.

4. The best advice is to enjoy your Mario Kart Wii! Hopefully we see each other online.

Learn more about Mario Kart Wii and the Mario Kart Franchise.
http://www.KartBargains.info/mariowii.html

Beetle Bug 3 Game Review

2008-06-19T07:41:00.003-07:00

The Beetle Bug 3 game coming from casual game developers Intenium is a Platformer game adventure featuring the famous Irish insect, Beetle Bug as he tries to save his bug-napped children from the clutches of enemy fly swatters. Well, yes, I did realize that it's really one absurd story, but I liked it anyway, and it effectively opened up Beetle Bug 3's long platform-style puzzle adventure.

The story behind Beetle Bug 3 opens up as our insect hero was tasked by his wife to buy some supplies in the supermarket. Joined by 2 bugs from his thousands of sons and daughters, Beetle Bug was surprised afterwards when he found out that the rest of his family had been bug-napped! Well, not entirely all because his irate wife is still safe, but since he doesn't want to experience again the pressure of making another set of children, Beetle Bug goes off to the rescue, while utilizing a number of tools they get to discover along the way.

Just like its predecessor, the Beetle Bug 3 game plays just like a Pacman-style adventure where you're objective is to save all of Beetle Bug's children by leading them safe to the nearest exit. You'll be able to use some nifty tools too to help you out, but always keep in mind that all the tools are also limited in use. Enemies are also present to prevent you from saving your precious children but nothing good planning and wise tool usage can easily solve. Basically, you just have to protect the little bugs, plan your every move, and utilize quick thinking too and you're all set to finish the game. However, that's also easier said than done since the vast number of platform puzzles can also take its toll on the old noggin'.

The Review

The Beetle Bug 3 game easily proves that Intenium games had really put in a great production value into their casual game releases. The 3D graphics are very nice on this release and the game play is very smooth too even though you're using mouse actions to move Beetle Bug around the play area. And coupled with such a funny storyline, I'm really impressed and honestly, I think that Beetle Bug 3 is one of the best platformer casual games that I've played in a while since Super Granny 4.

This game doesn't even deliver less when it comes to challenge because I actually found myself stuck many times on most of the game's puzzles. The difficulty can get quite frustrating too though because if you ran out of lives, you'll have to contend with starting the game all over again. And considering if you're already on the later levels, this can be such a pain too.

In terms of audible quality, the Beetle Bug 3 game features great action sounds as well as many amazing voice-overs. Beetle Bug's many comments and quips during play are so funny that I bet you'll smile just even once when you play this game. I guess that the translations and quality of voice talents can use some work though, but that's really not enough of a complaint to warrant me having less fun with this game.

All in all, the Beetle Bug 3 game is fun and challenging and it's definitely worth your try even for the free trial mostly offered on casual game titles. It has such a hilarious storyline and I bet you'll crack up too on many of our hero's wacky quotes during the smooth flow in game play.

I had always loved playing games and this simple review is really my own way of giving back to the Casual Gaming community of developers, gamers and fans alike.

For more Casual Game Reviews like this, please do visit my blog as we feature reviews on many of today's newest and hottest Casual Games. The blog is updated everyday and you guys will definitely find it a good resource on game reviews and free downloads of many Casual Game titles. And don't forget to subscribe to our RSS feed too, since reading our everyday service is way much easier that way! ;-)

So, I hope to see you guys there as we go on spreading Casual Games to the world. Happy gaming and many thanks for viewing this article! :-)

PS2 Video Game Tips For Parents

2008-06-19T07:41:00.002-07:00

Surely, you have heard of kids talking about the latest video games for their Playstation 2. As parents, you are always on the lookout to make sure that your children would only be playing those games which would be appropriate for them. And so, here are the games in the different categories which you may deem suitable for your kids, depending on their ages.

The first would be the E rated games. These would be the "for everyone" games. These could be SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer or even Madden `08 or any of the other sports video games. Probably the best age appropriate games would be those that go from movie screen to game console. Examples would be Cars, Madagascar, Meet the Robinsons along with the other ones where you have already seen the endings.

The next would be the T or "for Teen" video games. These would be those games which offer graphics that are a bit more detailed. An example would be WWE Smackdown vs. RAW. You could expect a little violence and sexual graphics. However, when death comes into play, the graphic gore is not present.

Last would be the M or "Mature" games. These would be the games that only adults could really understand. There are a lot more gore as well as sexual narratives and the killing is usually graphic. Example of these games would be Grand Theft Auto where there is a lot of shooting of police officers as well as picking up of prostitutes are involved. Also examples are the God of War and Metal Gear because of how people are killed and their overall strategy.

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Will Grand Theft Auto Four Live Up To Its Hype?

2008-06-19T07:41:00.001-07:00

Has there ever been a more anticipated new game than Grand Theft Auto Four? As I write this on April 16, 2008. there are already people all over the world camping in tents outside gaming stores waiting for the May 1, 2008 launch.

"Sure," you say, "there are always a few nutjobs out there lining up for any new entertainment release." There is nothing new anymore about seeing people living in tents to be first in line to get a new product or see a new movie.

But the buzz around Grand Theft Auto Four has also reached Wall Street and analysts are predicting it will not only be the biggest launch in gaming history (anticipated to smash Halo 3's box office record of $300 million in its first week last year), but it is also expected to topple all records for the entire entertainment industry as well. Based on pre-orders, it is expected to break the $404 million raked in by Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

And that is not all when it comes to Wall Street's interest. Grand Theft Auto Four's creator, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. has been the target of a $2 billion buyout offer by Electronic Arts Inc., which it recently rebuffed. Most financial analysts predict that a slightly higher offer is in the works, so only time will tell if such a merger will take place.

But all this financial talk begs the question of whether Grand Theft Auto Four will live up to its hype when gamers finally get their hands on it May 1. Based on early reviews, the game has a realism never before seen. The streets of Liberty City come alive with hustle and bustle, and it has a sense of place that reportedly puts one right into this gritty metropolis.

Add that to the fact that its streets will soon be filled with mayhem come May 1, and you have a reason for fans sleeping in pup tents around the world.

Charles Brown is freelance writer with an unhealthy curiosity about nearly everything, including gaming. If you must, you can visit him at his Squidoo lens, Grand Theft Auto Four

Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360) - Marvelous Action Packed Game

2008-06-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

Resident Evil 5 Review

2008-06-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

Resident Evil 5, the sequel to Resident Evil 4, is the fifth game in the series. It is currently under development but people have started talking of it. What did they heard about it? Not much about the Resident Evil 5 has been yet revealed by its developer CapCom. Few details have been released about the game. The concept is believed to be similar to Black Hawk Down. The gameplay as announced by the producer, Jun Takeuchi, will be similar to Resident Evil 4. Then what else will be included in the Resident Evil 5.

It is the most anticipated game of the year and it is not going to be released in 2008 too. Resident Evil 5 was announced in 2005 but its release date is pushed forward sometime in 2009. Developers had also stated that the darkness concept of Resident Games will diminish. Players can hunt zombies in the sparkling light instead of the dark. This will be a totally new concept in the series to be introduced through Resident Evil 5. Besides zombies, two new enemies will also be introduced in the game. They will be different from zombies and ganados in the sense that they will posses more intelligence and weapons than their predecessors.

The plot of the Resident Evil 5 will be set in an Africa. First human being was originated in Africa. But in game, Africa will be shown as the land where viruses were originated. Resident Evil 5 will also feature improved graphics and lightening effects. Players can go outside at different moments of the day as well as in different weather conditions. Player's ability to work in light and darkness will be based on the real human ability to work under such conditions. In Resident Evil 5, player will take sometime to adjust accordingly as the humans do.

Resident Evil 5 gameplay and controls are highly based on the Biohazard 4. Capcom will announce latest news about the game at E3 conference that is going to be held in July, 2008. There have been issues associated with the Resident Evil 5. Controversies became part of it before it is released. Resident Evil 5 came under the controversy of racial discrimination. Criticizers concerns about how white man is shown as the hero while black zombies in the African village. They believe that it is not zombie shown as black but the black Africans shown as zombies which really looks to be.

I think Resident Evil 5 like previous Resident Evil games will be a major hit for the Capcom. The game will surely demonstrate itself. Resident Evil 5, after being released, will be acclaimed by many reviewers and criticizers despite of few controversies that will become its forgotten past. I also believe that the issues of racial discrimination shown in Resident Evil 5 will just let the world know what's all happening in Africa and how the people are being treated there. We all know how dodgy AIDS or HIV could be, and through Resident Evil 5 developers have made the efforts to show the same thing. So I give full marks to the Resident Evil 5 for the efforts that it will be making to raise the personal standards of the people of Africa directly or indirectly. I hope Resident Evil 5 proves to be super hit.

By Nikhil Mahajan,
Resident Evil 5 Review

Video Game Review - Land Of The Dead - Road To Fiddler's Green

2008-06-18T07:40:00.001-07:00

On a remote farm in the country things are peaceful. Everything isn't as it seems though. A stranger appears outside of your home; little do you know that he is one of the many walking dead. In a desperate struggle for survival you make your way to the one city still controlled by the living. The only thing standing between you and your goal are several thousand zombies and one very crappy game brought to you by our friends at Grove Games. This review is based on the PC version of the game, though it is available on the original Xbox as well.

Graphics: 6.5/10

The best way to describe the graphics of this game is "ok". Not great but not terrible. The zombies are well animated and detailed with huge chunks of flesh missing from them. The character movements are fluid and smooth. The weapons though are very bland and plain looking and there are some animation glitches. For example: the shot gun. No matter how many rounds you have left the animation stays the same. If you have 2 rounds left out of four and then you reload, it shows your character putting four shells in the gun.

Sound: 7.0/10

Ah, the sounds of zombies crawling around... beautiful. Too bad all the other sound effects are low quality at best. The voice acting is horrible and at times it even sounds like the actors are half asleep. The greatest disappointment is the weapon sounds. Not all of them are terrible, but most of them are. The sound of a baseball bat connecting with a zombie's skull is music to my ears and the other melee weapons sound equally as cheery. However the guns in the game sound weak and pathetic.

Artificial Intelligence: 5.0/10

Zombies are dumb, that's a fact of life but this is just sad. I'm standing on top of a car shooting at a zombie and it doesn't even react. The zombies around it just stand there even though I am in plan view in front of them. Only when I actually engage the zombies back on the ground do they go into attack mode. Sometimes I even stand on the ground right in front of a zombie and it won't attack me until I shoot it once first.

Multiplayer: 7.0/10

It's hard to connect to a server to play land of the dead. It's even harder to find decent people to play with but once you do and download some "modded" content, this game's online play really shines. Nothing like trying to kill someone while trying not to be eaten by zombies.

Overall Score: 6.5/10

The game is not horrible but it does suffer a lot from its many flaws. If you're a die hard zombie fan then pick up a copy (good luck finding one). If not then don't waste your time. There are a few communities out there dedicated to "modding" and improving the game with better weapons and online maps which makes the game much more enjoyable but not anywhere near perfect.

Eric Pratt plays and reviews games and also serves as a moderator for the popular gaming tournament website PrizeArena. To read more game reviews, or win money playing games, visit his site and sign up for your free account.

RC Pro Am NES Review

2008-06-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

RC Pro AM, was one of my favorite games for the NES. Compared to today's console games, the graphics were not as good, but for that time period it was a great game and I remember playing for hours trying to get to the next level. It was one of those type of games that was addictive and something I'd love to see in today's systems even if it was one of those nostalgic type things.

They have brought back countless NES game, why not bring RC Pro AM back? The game was even more fun when you played with your friends rather than just playing with the NPC cars. To get a better car, you had to keep collecting the word Nintendo until you could get another car. There were other things that you could collect along the way like ammo and tires and there was even a thing that made your car go faster for a bit which helped win the race.

The key to this game was to finish towards the top three of every race otherwise the game would be over. There were times I remember thinking I was winning the race and in the end I lost maybe because the car swerved the wrong way or one of the cars I was racing against, just grabbed the turbo just seconds before crossing the finish line. Towards the later levels, it always seemed that the computer would "magically" come back to cut me off at the end. In all, it was a wonderful game that I would love to revisit anytime.

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Violence in Video Games

2008-06-18T07:39:00.002-07:00

There have been hundreds and thousands of debates on whether the violence that can be seen in television shows and movies could really cause violent behavior in people, particularly in children. And the debates have included the issues of violence in video games as well.

There are those who say that violent video games are catalysts in bringing about more violent behavior in individuals, young or old and there are those who say that there is actually no correlation between violent behavior and watching or playing violent video games.

And although most agree that video games do offer an educational value as well as being helpful in making the sick get better faster, particularly those who are undergoing physical therapy, there are those that quickly point out that it would still be the video games that promise the most sex and violence would be the most bought and popular.

Video games have their own rating system that is similar to the one used for the TV and film industry. Not surprisingly, children still choose the ones that are rated as not suitable for children, and they can always find ways to play with those types of video games rather than the ones which are more age-appropriate.

There have been a lot of studies conducted on the true effects that these violent video games have on children and it has been found out that they can actually help children in their physical ad mental development as long as their parents are able to provide them with enough guidance and teach them with moral values.

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The Evolution of Video Games

2008-06-18T07:39:00.001-07:00

The history of video games is generally filled with all kinds of ups and downs and its evolution of video games happened slowly but surely - it was not an overnight success.

Most people remember "Pong" as the first video game ever. It was a simple computerized version of the game of table tennis. However, there have actually been a lot more video games that were already existing way before "Pong" made its debut in the gaming world. Today, video games have transformed into a very lucrative entertainment industry. It rivals feature films in terms of popularity and has even made its way into glamorous Hollywood - with some movies based on popular games like Resident Evil and Doom and the other way around, as there have also been video games that were developed based on films like Star Wars and Transformers.

Currently, there are three major console manufacturers which have each released their own new consoles out on the market. These would be the Sony PlayStation3, the Nintendo Wii and the Microsoft Xbox360. The companies which have made these have carefully planned all the elements of the video games they produced to make sure that theirs would be one with the best gimmicks and innovations that would surely beat out their competition.

With its success, many also speculate on its effects in the society, particularly on the younger generation. Though a lot of people dismiss the idea of children using video games as toys and diversions, the fact of the matter is they actually have been proven and studied to bring about positive effects on the mental and physical development of children, as long as they were used in moderation.

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Team Fortress 2 Free Download And Review

2008-06-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

Team Fortress 2 is the much awaited game of the 2007. It is the first person shooter game developed and published by Valve Corporation. However Team Fortress 2 is distributed by Electronic Art. The online multiplayer version of Team fortress 2 is managed by the Steam. It was released on October 10, 2007 and is available for Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (PS3). Team Fortress 2 is developed on the same source game engine on which Counter Strike: Source was developed. Only multiplayer mode is available for Team Fortress 2. It also comes bundled in The Orange Box. The Orange Box is the pack of five games bundled together which also include Team Fortress 2.

There are two opposite teams in Team Fortress 2, just like Team Fortress, competing with each other to finish an objective. Objectives to be fulfilled are defined in the game modes. Two opponents are builders actually named Reliable Excavation Demolition and Builders League United. The good feature incorporated by the Valve Corporation in Team Fortress 2 is the detailed statistics of the players. This is first time Valve has incorporated such a feature in its multiplayer games. Players are also rewarded for completing achievements in the Team Fortress 2.

Team Fortress 2 features nine classes all taken from the Team Fortress. All these classes are playable. It also features 6 maps released officially. In 2008, many more new game maps for Team Fortress 2 would be released by the Valve Corporation. The concept for developing the game was formulated in 1998 as a mode for Quake but the development could not be completed until 2007. Throughout its development phase, Team Fortress 2 has gone through a series of changes and modifications. The Team Fortress 2 version that we see today is the outcome of hard work done for almost 9 years.

Despite of its late release, Team Fortress 2 met with high reception from various parts of the world. It has got high scoring rates from various game reviewers including gamer's magazine, IGN, Game Spy etc. You can click the link below that will take you to the site where you can free download the Team fortress 2 full version for windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

http://softwarengameslinkshere.blogspot.com/2008/04/team-fortress-2-free-download-and.html

Boxhead - The Zombie Wars Review

2008-06-17T07:38:00.002-07:00

The Boxhead series has pretty much been the same the whole way through. Kill zombies. Only a few things has changed since the beginning. The introduction of a health bar instead of a 'one hit and you're dead' system and the introduction of new enemies such as the demon. Boxhead: The Zombie Wars follows in the same way. New features, better graphics and more weapons. Let's begin.

Boxhead: The Zombie Wars is the fifth game in the flash series. You still have your favourite weapons from the previous games and the addition of a few more. They are a mounted turret that you put down and they shoot the enemies for you. A barricade that just protects you. An interesting feature of this is the fact it has its own health bar. So does the turrets. A minigun that fires bullets extremely fast. Grenades that you throw at the zombies and kill them and airstrikes, well I actually haven't ever gotten this far but the description says it devestates masses of zombies in a single blow. Wow! For those who haven't played any of the other Boxhead games, here are the descriptions for the rest of the weapons. The pistol is a basic weapon with unlimited ammo. The shotgun is stronger but has limited ammo. The barrels explode when shot at. The rocket launcher fires rockets (My personal favourite!). Unfortunately the Uzi isn't present in this game but it is replaced by the minigun which is about a hundred times better!

There are multiple types of zombies. Normal zombies which are weak and have no special abilities. They just walk towards you. The mummies that appear out of the ground. The runners which run after you. The demons that shot massive fireballs at you. Please avoid him! The vampires that can teleport around the course and hit you anywhere.

The graphics have had a HUGE revamp from the previous games. Before they were just bright and blocks and now its actually outside with trees and rocks and grass!

There are 4 difficulty levels from beginner to nightmare. The difficulty levels just start you off at a higher level and a higher score multiplier. When you kill an enemy the multiplier goes up one and it slowly goes down. It goes down faster the more of the multiplier you have.

There are really any flaws. I really only noticed a funny bit with the character. His head slightly tilts to the left and it makes him look funny! :)

To sum it up, Boxhead: The Zombie Wars is a great game to play if you have the chance. It is at the Official Boxhead website so go check it out and look at the other Boxhead games! I'll give it a 9.5/10!

See you later!

-Shaun McGarry

Console Abuse - Abusing Consoles

Infinity Wards Awesome New Map Packs For Call of Duty 4

2008-06-17T07:38:00.001-07:00

On April 5th 2008 Infinity Ward released new maps for Call of Duty 4. Xbox Live was abuzz with the long awaited release. Many subscribers were frustrated as the download servers were swamped but it was worth the wait.

The new Call of Duty 4 map packs are totally awesome. Infinity Ward has out done themselves in the quality and the detail in the new maps. Call of Duty 4 is the game of the year. The new maps are much larger and the graphics are state of the art.

Creek is by far the most popular map for snipers you will find one hiding behind every boulder and tree. The map is divided in half by a rugged ravine with waterfall and creek running through the middle. A cave allows for a quick pass-through, but watch poking your head out as a sniper is always waiting for you. The map features many farm houses and one with a large deck overlooking the creek. Exceptional detail down to spider webs in the cave and under the wood deck. In the center of the map you will even find a campfire with your dinner and a pot of coffee waiting for you. In parts of the map you can even hear the crickets.

Chinatown the moonlight offers dim lighting which is brightened by the streetlights and neon signs. The maps makes you want to take an evening stroll through Chinatown but there is a sniper in almost every window. Much detail was added the fruit stands you can shoot the watermelons and potatoes. The streets are well designed and inside the buildings are detailed stores, shops, Laundromat and video store. I was a little disappointed not to find a local deli with chickens hanging in the window.

Broadcast is a large map featured in a TV studio. Much detail was paid expansive offices and the bright colors are awesome. The boardroom even has a colorful floral arrangement on the table. Television monitors line the walls and when shot they explode and through sparks. The map expands to a large parking lot with outer buildings that offer great sniping spots into the main lobby.

Killhouse offers tight quarters set in a warehouse. This is a small map for tactical teams and cage matches. Plywood walls offer no protection from the flying bullets.

We take our hats off and give a standing ovation to Infinity Ward and XBOX Live for this long awaited addition to Call of Duty 4.

Call of Duty 4

Online Pedophile

Joust for the Arcade Review

2008-06-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Joust was by far one of the simplest and easiest games to master; you had to simply learn to knock other players from their flying ostrich and avoid falling into a lava pit yourself. The challenges progressed as you knocked more opponents down and more land disappeared forcing you to keep your ostrich in the air ever longer while fighting an onslaught of ever more cunning opponents.

Of course your skills increase, as the land changes locations and the opponents start arriving more frequently and even faster than ever before. You had both single and two player mode which made it fun to play as a team versus just against one another.

Normally when in two player mode it was important to keep your partner alive as well, as they helped in those moments against overwhelming odds. Overall the initial rating was very simple for the game, but as things increased you had better be ready for a challenge. The opponents which normally started at two would increase in number and their level of aggressiveness. I don't know of many people who ever finished the game (actually completed the game), everyone got finished at some point though. You did earn extra lives as you completed certain levels and as you gathered bonus material.

You did need to avoid the creatures other than the knights as they would finish off both you and the opponents. Overall it was a lot of fun, and was often a good way to waste a little money on a Saturday afternoon. It gave you a place to hang out with your friends and play games in either single or two player mode.

Are you a fan of the original Joust arcade game? You'll find the original arcade version as well as all the classic arcade games of the past at ClassicArcadeStore.com.

Test Drive Unlimited

2008-06-17T07:37:00.001-07:00

Test Drive Unlimited is the most amazing racing game, I think ever to exist. While it may not be the best ever it's stunning none the less. It has revolutionized racing games.

Believe me there's nothing cooler than cruising round with a bunch of your friends online. The best part is you can cruise around the whole island of Oahu!. It's apparently been very accurately recreated, I can believe it. There seems to be the WHOLE of Pearl Harbor in there and the massive city, Honolulu. it really is a pleasure to drive around. There's lush beautiful countryside and some stunning mountain roads to drive round. One of my personal favorites is Kelekole Pass. It's a very undulating road with ups and downs, tight chicanes, two gradual off camber harpins, and a few miles of perfectly straight road at the bottom. Pretty much every kind of corner you can think of and piece of road you dream of is on this touge.

Although its a "next-gen" game, the graphics don't necessarily give the impression it's next-gen, but theres moments when you just cant help but say 'wow' . It's got some of the most beautiful scenery, when your at the top of a mountain road looking down into a valley, you can't help but be slightly awe-struck, it's wonderful. The most memorable moment I've had was when i was doing the millionaires challenge in a V12 Lamborghini Murcielago, the sun was setting and there was a very mellow beautiful warm glow coming off the rear quarter panels of my Lambo, the road was reflecting a golden glimmer off the horizon and blind jumps accompanied by the sound of the V12 engine as it was hitting the redline on a very long straight down the north side of the island by a military base. It was a beautiful experience.

The car models are very accurately recreated, in the garage you can zoom right into just about every aspect of the car, this will blow you away as you feel you can almost touch them at some points, what amazed me is the fine curvature of the e-type bonnet and body, you could zoom right in and really admire it.

Get Lost In Test Drive Here:Cars And Cool Stuff

Animal Crossing Wild World For Nintendo DS Review

2008-06-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

First impression: Well, when I got my DS Animal Crossing Wild World was the only game I owned for a month.. so I had to like it... And (luckily)I really really did like it! I love that you have a town that you get to run around and make friends and money and plant flowers in.

The game: Like I said, you have a town that you live in (with up to three other people in your home) and you get to name the town and move into it. Your town has a river and a beach/shore as well as fruit trees, other people in homes, a town hall with a post office, town gates (for leaving and visiting), a museum, a clothing shop and an all-in-one shop.

First thing to do in Animal Crossing Wild World you have to go work for Tom Nook, the guy at the all-in-one shop.. which is sort of a pain.. but you can't get around doing it unless you never ever set foot into his shop, which is kind of hard.. I thought about never going in the second time I set up a town.. just because it's such a hassle to do all of his errands for him..

As far as plants and other life: I get kind of tired of weeding the town and keeping it super clean.. but if you don't do it, the town becomes one solid weed patch. I like how you can get fruit from other towns and plant it and have other fruit trees in your own town. You just have to get out and go to another town!

For a while I was addicted to making snowmen so that they would send me snowman presents. You just roll two snowballs around until they're big enough and push them together.. but if you do a bad job they get a bit upset and angry. Lately I've lost my talent for making good snowmen, so I haven't been making as many. I wonder what spring will bring once the snow melts?

You have to make money to pay off your mortgages so you can get a bigger house and a bigger mortgage. This latest town I made I haven't been paying off my mortgage very fast.. but I figured it can't hurt anything much.

Making money! It's super easy! Fishing is easy, and so is fruit gathering. Or you can be the town bum and everyone will give you stuff constantly that you can sell for money.. Also digging up fossils is good.. Once you donate so many the museum gets full and if they already have a fossil you can sell it for a nice chunk of money. Or if you're really bored you can shake trees and smash rocks with shovels for money that might pop out..

I love getting mail, but usually it's pretty boring stuff unless you have other people living in your house mailing you presents and stuff. I also love giving other animal characters new catch phrases.. but just be warned that they delete/bleep any bad words you might use.. although not all of them.. Right now all of my people say "hooty hoo" just like the museum owl.

Changing your clothes constantly is also fun. I tend to get attached to outfits though.. Last time I had a red and orange kimono and an old fashioned space helmet and an umbrella with hearts on it.. Now i have a military uniform dress and a halo with a masquerade mask and a giant leaf umbrella. I think I'll stick with that one for now.

Conclusion: I give Animal Crossing Wild World a 9. There isn't much to be said that hasn't already been said about this particular game.. It's just a good game! Addictive and fun, even if you play too much and get burned out.. you eventually go back to it. I do wish there was an option to visit any open town.. rather than having to have a friend code.. that would be so much more fun.

DSmaster is a blog on Wordpress that writes lots of reviews on the hottest and newest Nintendo DS games. If you want to find more reviews like Animal Crossing Wild World then visit DSMaster!

Petz Bunnyz For Nintendo DS

2008-06-16T07:36:00.002-07:00

First impressions: Cutest bunny graphics ever! Well maybe not.. but as far as petz games go.. cutest one I've seen! The cover of the game just has real bunnies on it.. which made me think "eh.. boring.. they didn't try very hard with that.." but the game itself looks so different from that.

Game: Once you've picked out and named your new pet rabbit.. then brushed it, fed it, held it and carried it around with your super long arm (why??), taken it out of the cage into the house, cleaned the cage and trained it.. there isn't much to do.. and all of those things happen really fast in game play.

I chose a white Norwegian Dwarf rabbit and named it Fluff. Then I brushed it and held it.. took it out of the cage to watch it hop around a room.. fed it.. trained it (but I wasn't sure what I was training it to do.. that part was a bit confusing) and cleaned the cage. After that I looked around the menus a bit trying to find something else to do with my pet.. but found nothing and saved the game and quit.

I wish the menus did not take up the entire bottom screen. For some reason that bugged me. I would rather it have a pull down menu like Petz Horsez and have the animal on the bottom screen. Just seems like the main focus of the game (the rabbit..) isn't treated as the main focus as far as screen use goes.

I will turn the game on again and try to train it some more.. you get rewards (toys and decorations) for training the better your bunny gets.

As far as wi-fi.. h'm not sure I'll be able to test that because I don't know of anyone else who owns this game or would buy it! Definitely a niche game for younger kids. But with Wi-fi you can play games and visit your friend's bunnies.

Conclusion: I give it a 5. It's cute as far as the Petz games goes.. but you can't do much with it.. and what good is spending $29.99 on a game that you can't do much with?

Shelby is an author for dsmaster, a blog on wordpress that gives great reviews on the newest and hottest games for Nintendo DS. See http://dsmaster.wordpress.com for more awesome reviews!

Mystery Dungeon - Shiren the Wanderer

2008-06-16T07:36:00.001-07:00

First Impressions: Hmm... this seems somewhat familiar, somewhat ancient in my vast ocean of memories. Yes, it's very similar to an old PC game called Hack, and more recently called Nethack! You hack your way through increasingly tough monsters and find tons of cool items and random subquests along the way. Hack was wayy to hard though, so... this is schweeet!

The game: Shiren the Wanderer, you start out with nothing (unlike nethack), but once you go on a few adventures and save things in the warehouses then you will always have something to start with. This way you can also create really powerful weapons by upgrading them every time you go on an adventure but leaving them in the warehouse. So yeah, there are lots of weapons, scrolls, jars (they hold items for you when your inventory is stuffed), shields, armbands, and lots of riceballs! You have you eat or you might die from hunger.

The coolest thing about Shiren is the WiFi feature. This game really does have the best WiFi feature of any DS game yet. Whenever an adventurer dies they can choose to use one of their three rescue requests. Then someone else finds their rescue request on the server and goes on an adventure to rescue them. After the rescue is complete the rescuer usually gets a reward, and this makes a really interesting way to get new items from other players. You can also send a short message like "Would you send me a weapon?". Or just... " : ) " Anyway that's really cool. I have just been rescuing people nonstop and I get showered with presents and thanks, it makes me feel good. The only problem with trying to be rescued is that it may take a while for someone to rescue you, especially if you went to one of the last floors.

Other than that, your main goal is to get through Tabletop Mountain. There are also some sidequests like these 50 puzzle games where you get an item for each puzzle you complete. So far none of them have been too difficult. I have done 30 of them. Then there's a guy in a village that claims to be your brother and will actually join your party depending on what you do and say. You can use extra party members in different ways. The worst part is having to feed them though. I couldn't deal with that. They're like, "I want a rice ballllll!". Then, five steps later they say "Oh, I can't move any more I give up". Seeeeeya seeeya seeya......

Conclusion: Great game! If anyone has played Nethack, I'm sure they will find some enjoyment with this game. The WiFi features are awesome and so is the rest of the game. I want to give this game a 10 so bad but... My 10 is reserved for a game that changes my life, haha. So Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer gets a 9!

If you get stuck playing Shiren the Wanderer and need rescuing, Kindly Old Man will rescue you! kindlyoldman@gmail.com

For more video game reviews visit http://dsmaster.wordpress.com

Postman Pat for DS - Review

2008-06-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

First impression: The first thing that attracted me to this game was that it was for ages 3+. What 3 year old can handle playing video games on a Nintendo DS? They don't have the motor skills yet!

The game: That being said.. this is a British game for younger children. The music was actually good for once! I had some hope that the game would be good as well. And it was actually pretty good! I didn't play too far into it (I failed at the 4th or 5th task somehow.. ) but I can tell that children would really like it. It has cute cartoon characters and little animals and such.

You do little tasks for Postman Pat like finding his missing kitty in the house by touching on places that he could be hiding, and stamping letters for him at the post office.

The directions aren't the best. I got confused during the letter stamping part. Having an adult there to help the child might be a good idea. Also for American children, some of the language is a bit different than what we're used to. He uses terms like "franking" the envelopes. I can guess what that means... but a child probably won't be able to figure it out.

I went back and played the game again, having failed so early on the first time. This time I finished easily, I just had to read the instructions better.

Pros of the game: It is a good children's game overall. You can do story mode where you go through the story and play the games in a row, and it saves your progress which is nice. So you can play a couple and go back and start where you stopped before. It reads like a children's book, with Postman Pat reading the text to you. Very well produced in that way. You can also play practice mode where you go directly to the different games separately.

Cons of the game: There are only 10 games in the story. I went through the entire game in less than 45 minutes, and I had to restart a couple of the games a few times. A smart kid could get through that entire game in an hour and probably wouldn't want to go back to it again.

Conclusion: This is still a good game for children. If you child gets through things quickly and then gets bored you may not want to get this one, but try renting it or borrowing it from someone.

Good music and graphics (for a children's game) and an actual storyline that they might be interested in made this game worthwhile for kids. Still not sure about thee 3+ part, but maybe for 6 or 7 year olds. I'll give Postman Pat a 5!

DSmaster is a blog on Wordpress that gives all kinds of reviews on all kinds of Nintendo DS games. If you are looking for more reviews like Postman Pat, then visit DSmaster

Super Mario 64 for the DS

2008-06-16T07:35:00.001-07:00

efore they came out with the DS version of Super Mario 64 I hadn't played this game in years! To see and play it again was a huge "blast from the past" for me, along with tons of great memories. On the Nintendo 64 I never got to finish the game, so when I got the DS version I was so excited!

Control is much easier with the DS stylus instead of a small, joystick type object like on the Nintendo 64 controller. I didn't think that a stylus would give you the same feel for the game that we're used to, but so help me, it does. With this being a portable game, you can take Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Wario with you wherever you go, instead of only being able to sit at home in front of the TV. With bright colors and screen of the DS, Mario and his friends seem to almost come to life right in front of your eyes!

The game's graphics are totally awesome, and the sound and sound effects are wonderful! The game has, I believe, 50 or so More stars than the original game! Plus, tons of mini games you can play by catching rabbits in the various levels of the castle! With the various levels, comes unique, and sometimes difficult opponents! With tasks like, chasing underwater creatures to a high flying journey through the sky, to solving the endless stairway, to get those needed stars to defeat Bowser, Super Mario 64 for the DS is a fun game for any gamer!

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Medieval Madness Pinball Machine Review

2008-06-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

Medieval Madness has to be one of the few pinball games ever created that has a universal draw. It doesn't matter if you're pro or novice, young or old, man or woman, you WILL have fun playing this game.

It has incredible effects, especially with the exploding castle. It has some of the most hilarious audio on a pinball game ever. It's a straight forward in, but with its satisfying gameplay it all ads up an incredible pinball game.

I always catch myself repeating most of the funny lines while I'm playing the game. It sticks with you long after the game is over. You'll find yourself muttering the lines in the shower. Medieval Madness also has really beautiful artwork. The design of the drawbridge and castle are nothing short of inspiring was great. Defeating each of the castle lords is a very rewarding feeling.

If there is one slam on the game its that, mechanically, it's a delicate machine and I've played over ten different games and each one of them has had at least one hiccup, such as when you hit the trolls sometimes you don't score any points as well as the castle gate not operating correctly.

Beginner pinball players will find it easy to get into and forgiving enough to keep on playing it. The expert players will find it thoroughly enjoyable. I have met people who couldn't stand pinball games but they just seem to really dig this game. If you're a pro, you're probably not going to find it too challenging but that's you'll have so much fun with it, you won't even care.

Are you a fan of Medieval Madness too? Then check out PinballStore.net to find more pinball reviews as well as hundreds of listings on classic pinball machines for sale.

Contra 4 DS Review

2008-06-15T07:52:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since I played my DS. For awhile there, not too much interested me. That all came to an end when I saw Contra 4 on display!

Now, there have been many attempts on making a next-gen Contra. Needless to say, all have failed miserably. There was one with a samurai for some reason I don't know. Contra is a game that should have always stayed as a side-scroller and never brought to 3-D.

First thing I noticed when I popped it in, the classic Contra jingle - that instantly made me warm up to this game.

When the game starts, you are in a very nostalgic jungle. It has everything from the enemies that charge straight ahead to the exploding bridge. It has some very welcome new elements as well. First off, both top and bottom screens are used. If an enemy is shooting you from the top screen, you better shoot up. Also, the grappling hook is introduced. This allows you to actually get on the top screen.

The enemies are in abundance, but so are the weapons. When there are 7 guys coming at you, that good old spread shot is a life savor. There is also the laser, fire and heat seeker. Best part, they all upgrade when you get 2 of the same weapon icon. Speaking of weapon icons, they use the Contra 3 system where you can hold 2 different weapons at once, losing the equipped weapon if your killed.

There are about 7 levels in the game. Some new levels with a classic feel and some old levels with new elements. I don't want to give too much away, but yes, there is a Base Level. 3 difficulties in the game: Easy, Medium and Hard. Or as I come to know them by: "Lets see whats ahead. This is really hard and Aghhh, this will be the end of me." This game will test not only your skill as a gamer, but your patience.

Classic Contra multiplayer is available. Remember when you and a buddy would play and one would take high and the other low? Somewhere along the level you both got mixed up and yell at each other saying, "I thought you had that guy" or "too bad I am taking a life". Contra multiplayer has always been great, and this is no exception.

I recommend this game for people looking for a challenge and for us who played the other Contras to the point we didn't need the cheat codes.

Andre Garcia is a video game fanatic. If your interested, you can check out his gaming blog at http://www.videogamesforus.com If you like the Contra franchise, you might want to check out his recently posted video review of Contra & Super Contra

Double Dragon Arcade Game Review

2008-06-15T07:35:00.001-07:00

Double Dragon has to be my original arcade favorite when I was a kid. This was the game that other people looked in awe of me as I played. I was quite frankly a master of the game. It only took me a couple of times before I was able to beat the entire game with just one life.

In Double Dragon you play an 80s street punk who's girlfriend was kidnapped by rival thugs. It's a basic side scrolling beat-em up arcade game. Its considered be many as the original fighting that many others copied.

There were three buttons and a joystick. The three buttons consisted of jump, kick, and punch. Combining the buttons would mean you could pull of different moves. I know this is something that every single fighting game that has come out since Double Dragon, but they were the first.

What makes Double Dragon so great is when you play with a friend. This is what made the game so iconic. Not to sound square but the game really promoted cooperation to young kids. It felt all you had were just each other to beat all these thugs. I know its hard to think of a fighting game as kid friendly, but that's one way you can spin it.

Now, how did I become a master of Double Dragon? Well, it isn't much of a secret. The key to this game was just using the elbow. It was unstoppable. You could pretty much beat the entire game with just using the elbow and no other fighting techniques.

For any die hard fans of the action fighting genre, this game is a must have, especially if you're a video game historian.

Are you a fan of the original Double Dragon arcade game as well? Then check out ClassicArcadeStore.com. You'll find arcade game reviews as well as thousands of listings on classic arcade machines for sale.

Double Dragon III NES Review

2008-06-15T07:34:00.004-07:00

A game I just have to talk about is Double Dragon. Not the first or second, but the third. This game is horrible for a few reasons. One reason being that it is entirely too hard. You get one life, the bad guys are tougher, there are more of them, and your power drains quicker than in any of the other games. Second, when you finally get another life, it is using a character that you met along the way. Sounds cool, right? WRONG! The guy you get is some fat guy in a business suit. Worst of all he is slow and his move is doing a belly flop. What is that supposed to do?

Aside from the game play, there is a fun flaw in the game. If you choose two players you get a screen that shows both Lee brothers on the screen. The caption basically sets up the story. The only thing is that they made the biggest, dumbest mistake. Instead of saying Billy and Jimmy Lee. They wrote BIMMY and Jimmy. First, it is the first screen, and second, Bimmy is not a name, so whatever.

If you like Double Dragon, just pretend this third one never happened. I give it two thumbs down. I'd give more if I actually had more thumbs!

PS. If you want to make it through to any level on this game besides the first, you'd better play two players. Also, don't pick game B because that is where you can hit each other, and that defeats the purpose of two players. And beware. The spin kick has a habit of not working every time. Usually when it is needed the most.

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Ninja Gaiden Has to be the Hardest NES Game of All Time

2008-06-15T07:34:00.003-07:00

Ninja Gaiden has to be the hardest freaking game to ever come out for the NES.

I will always remember Ninja Gaiden for the NES for several different reasons. The first reason that I remember it is because it actually had cut scenes as part of the story line. Obviously, ever since the PS 1 came out, cut scenes aren't exactly revolutionary. But to think that the prehistoric Nintendo Entertainment System was able to pull off cut scenes is very cool. Ninja Gaiden had a great soundtrack too. You could tell that tecmo really went all out for this game.

Now, the obvious reason I remember it so well, as does anybody that played it, is because it was you had to be a freak of nature to defeat it. Playing Ninja Gaiden actually gave my thumb blisters. I cannot make this any clearer: If you are not a hardcore gamer, ninja Gaiden will make you want to put your fist through the TV.

But difficulty aside, Tecmo made a heck of a game. It was a creative side scroller whose plot was about a son's revenge over his father's supposed death. You could do everything a Ninja could: You could climb walls, throw Chinese stars, do really cool karate moves.

The popularity of the original paved the way for a couple more sequels for the NES. The play control was way ahead of its time. It has to be probably one of the best non sports video games that Tecmo has ever made.

Are you a fan of old school NES games? Then make sure to check out NESNintendoGames.com. You'll find NES Reviews & thousands of listings on all your favorite NES games for sale.

Double Dragon Arcade Review

2008-06-15T07:34:00.001-07:00

Double Dragon: The predecessor to all of the arcade fighting smash hits such as Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, Virtua Fighter and about a dozen others.

How come Double Dragon is never talked about in the same breadth as those games?

One can't help but wonder would all of those 90s arcade fighters have come out if it wasn't for Double Dragon? Prior to everybody lining up and waiting to put quarters into Street Fighter II, Double Dragon was the game everybody waited in line for,

While the game may not hold up as well as once did, Double Dragon was the first real brawler that became an arcade hit. The story was based around a guy (or 2 guys, if you were playing co-op) who has to get his girlfriend back. He goes through al these levels and has to beat up a gang of hoodlums who have taken her hostage.

Every level has enough depth to keep you coming back for more. The difficulty progresses just perfectly as to help the gamer get used to the controls.

The control system of Double Dragon was quite unique for its time. First of all the game had 3 buttons. It seemed like almost every arcade had at most two buttons. Hitting the buttons in a different combination would make the character pull of a new move. Obviously these are things that are commonplace in games now, but at that time, they were considered groundbreaking.

Hopefully gamers could take another look back and give this game the credit it truly deserves.

Are you as big of fan of classic arcade games as I am? Then check out Classic Arcade Game Reviews. You'll find countless reviews on all your favorite arcade games you grew up playing with

Tecmo Bowl Review for the NES

2008-06-15T07:33:00.008-07:00

Tecmo Bowl has to stand up as one, if no the greatest sports video game of all time.

If you think that is an overstatement just think back to when this game came out in 1988. Prior to Tecmo Bowl, can you remember a time when you played a sports game that involved the real players?

The amazement one had when he saw the names MARINO and ELWAY on the monitor. You were actually able to control the great Jerry Rice. Of course, this may seem like an informality now, but it was incredibly cutting edge at the time.

Where would sports video games be without Tecmo Bowl?

Would we still be playing the same generic characters. They all looked the same and had the same character traits.

Not only was it revolutionary from that aspect but it was an incredibly fun game to play. You could look back and say it was simple. But that's exactly what made it so great. It seems that most football video games nowadays have absolutely no life to them. The developers are so preoccupied with making the current video games look and play as much as the real life game, that they forgot to actually throw some fun in the formula.

You don't need to read the instruction booklet to understand how to play the game. You don't even need to understand the game of football to Tecmo Bowl. Simple gameplay and simple design can still lead to incredible results. Just because the current video game crop has the world's most advanced technology doesn't necessarily make it an enjoyable game. I hope video game developers can think about that for their next game.

Are you as big of fan of the old NES Nintendo video games as I am? Then check out NES Video Game Reviews. You'll find tons of great info and cool stuff about this iconic video game machine

Street Fighter II Pinball Machine Revie

2008-06-15T07:33:00.007-07:00

One of the most underrated pinball games of all time has to be Street Fighter II. It was one the first pinball games that really got me into playing pinball in the first place. When I went to an arcade I just stuck with the games and never bothered with the pinball machines.

I was a huge fan of the Street Fighter II video game, just like everyone in my generation. But once I found the pinball version, I was hooked. My only real knock on the game is that I wish the order of the fighters had followed closer to the video game, but it's not a big deal.

The greatest part of this game is that it was like you were playing through levels. Every time I would pass a level, it would open up another fighter to I had to defeat. It was the same concept as the arcade game.

Defeating each fighter required some special mission to complete, whether it was knocking down targets, getting up a ramp or just getting a certain number of points.

There were a ton of ramps in the game, well-paced levels, and it was just great fun. If you managed to defeat all of the fighters in the game, then you beat the game. I put a ton of quarters into this machine and the first time I finally beat the game, it was well worth it.

I have played many pinball games since then, but I don't think any of them carry such great nostalgia as Street Fighter II.

Are you as big a fan of The Street Fighter II pinball game as I am? Then take a look at PinballStore.net. You'll find great info on pinballs as well as hundreds of listings on all kinds of classic pinball machines for sale.

Curse of the Pharaoh - The Quest For Nefertiti Game Review

2008-06-15T07:33:00.005-07:00

The Curse of the Pharaoh: The Quest for Nefertiti game is the latest Hidden Object release from education-entertainment programming company, Ph03nix New Media. And since most of the time, Hidden Object games can be so repetitive with the same concept used over and over again, it would be nice to see some changes once in a while. Let's see then how this game fares on this review.

In the Curse of the Pharaoh: The Quest for Nefertiti game, you play as the adventurous heroine, Anna, as she tries to solve the mysterious disappearance of her brother, William. After receiving a note asking for rescue, Anna sets off to Egypt searching for clues to catch her brother's trail and hopefully recover him in the end. What follows though are a series of puzzles leading to the same discoveries of her brother, and thus, opens up your objectives in this game.

Unlike most games coming from the Hidden Object genre, the Curse of the Pharaoh: The Quest for Nefertiti game mainly involves a spot-the-difference theme wherein you are to find 10 differences between 2 pictures shown on your screen. Aside from this though, there are also special items you need to find to unlock the hidden areas of the game, where certain puzzles await you. And of course, there are also mini games involved but you have to buy these games with in-game gold found scattered throughout all the levels to gain access.

The Review

One thing I can definitely say is that the Curse of the Pharaoh: The Quest for Nefertiti game has some very good graphics and sound blending perfectly to its Egyptian theme. The game play is very smooth also and does a great job in preventing you having those annoying miss-clicks. The best part about the game though is that it's not timed and unlike games of this type, the only consequence of frequent error-clicking is that the game lights go out and you're forced to find object differences by using just a small flashlight. This happens for only a minute or so, so I guess having this penalty is really no big deal too.

On the negative side, the Curse of the Pharaoh: The Quest for Nefertiti game can be relatively easy compared to other Hidden Object games. Another thing to complain about also are the scene borders which sometimes block the differences between critical objects in the game. It seems that the border corners are too big to obstruct your view, but this problem is seldom encountered throughout the game so I guess it can be fine if you have stashed an extra hint to help you out.

All in all, the Curse of the Pharaoh: The Quest for Nefertiti game can be a really great game for kids due to the ease of most of its puzzles. However, I can say that playing the game can be also fun for adults and the very engaging story line is enough to keep you asking for more, making it an all around interesting game.

I had always loved playing games and this simple review is really my own way of giving back to the casual gaming community of developers and gamers alike.

Please do check out my blog too at http://www.casualicious.com/ where I feature news and reviews of casual and online web games everyday. You'll find it a great resource of up and coming games, and while you're at it, please do subscribe to my RSS feed to keep yourself informed.

See you there soon! :)

Bubble Bobble for the NES Review

2008-06-15T07:33:00.003-07:00

Bubble bobble for the NES is a surprisingly fun adventure. This interactive fantasy puts you in control of a beanie-bag type dragon hopping around in a room of cute monsters to merry go-round type music.

Despite its elementary appearance, it proves to be both fun and challenging. It really is indicative of a time when video games couldn't rely solely on having state of the art technology. It was a time when graphics took a backseat to fun. It was all that mattered and Bubble Bobble delivers it in spades.

The player will find his or herself using a variety of tactics through the game to encapsulate the monsters in bubbles and send them sailing into oblivion. You will learn to build streams of bubbles and hop around on them while shooting more at monsters, using speed-boost and lighting bolt powerups to conquer each level and reap the showers of candy rewards. Even better, you can have a friend join in and lose yourself in the dynamic teamwork of this delightful game. The learning curve is just right and is sure to bring hours, if not days of care-free entertainment.

At first glance the video game looks very childish and lightweight. But thats where looks can be deceiving. The game really focuses the player to use their mind. It isn't about mashing buttons incoherently until something happens. You really have to think several steps ahead in order to be successful. It's a video game that never got the credit it fully deserved and should be considered a classic just like many of the games of the NES era.

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Magic Farm Game Review

2008-06-15T07:33:00.001-07:00

The Magic Farm game coming from game development company Meridian 93 is a Time Management installment about a young entrepreneur with a magical green thumb off to save her beloved parents. While the theme of the story is not entirely new, there may be still something about this game that holds it interesting, and that's what we'll get to see on this review.

The story of the Magic Farm game starts as a young country girl sets off on a quest to find her long lost parents. Hoping to gather some money for her journey, she then starts to do what she does best - planting flowers and selling them for profit. And that sums up also the game's overall objectives.

Half of the mechanics of the Magic Farm game involves you planting flower plants, watering them and keeping them away from pests until they grow blooms for sell. Buy additional equipment to expand your production and gain experience for you to level up your skills in planting. In later parts, you'll also get to have a companion in the form of a little dragon named Robin. Robin can level up his skills too, making him a very valuable ally as the game goes along.

The other half of this game is an RPG-like adventure that involves you talking to people for the further development of the story. The NPC characters in the game present you tasks and quests to accomplish, thus adding more interest to the whole game experience.

The Review

The Magic Farm game consists of a very engaging story line coupled with visually attractive graphics and relaxing music perfect for the game's mood. The game play is very smooth too and you won't have any trouble clicking through the several items during the actual action game.

The presence of the dragon, Robin, is also very convenient. Besides from being a cute little creature, he's also a great help during the frantic Time Management parts of the game. One bit of trivia: Robin Games is actually Meridian 93's casual gaming branch. You think there's a connection between the two? :-)

Anyway, a little bit of downside to the Magic Farm game is that for every town you're character visit, you'll have to start over from scratch into building another farm. While this may annoy you because of the seeming loss of your progress, it's also one way the game introduces you to more plants, more enemies and more profit from your products. I guess, basing on that, it can be quite a good thing too.

All in all, the Magic Farm game is really an engaging game filled with hours and hours of great story line and game play. I had fun playing it and I suggest you try it out too.

I had always loved playing games and this simple review is really my own way of giving back to the casual gaming community of developers and gamers alike.

Please do check out my blog too at http://www.casualicious.com where I feature news and reviews of casual and online web games everyday. You'll find it a great resource of up and coming games, and while you're at it, please do subscribe to my RSS feed to keep yourself informed.

See you there soon! :)

How Guitar Hero For Wii Changed Family Friday Nights

2008-06-15T07:32:00.007-07:00

For almost three whole months, all I ever heard was "can we get a Wii, please?" You see I have a family of three kids and the oldest even had the little one begging for it. I hesitated for a long time as I didn't want them simply laying around a TV all day with a little controller in there hand when they could be outside having real fun instead. Before long, Christmas rolled around and that's when we decided to go ahead and get a Wii console for the kids as it would still let them be somewhat active as it seemed more interactive than simply pushing a few buttons and besides, we would make it a family game instead of someones personal entertainment console.

The first game we had actually came with the Wii console itself and was the sports package. This game turned out to be a real blast at family time as we could make some hot dogs and pop some popcorn and have our own little bowling tournaments and such. My middle child that has an age difference of about 5 years to her older sibling actually got so good at it, that she started beating him. It was really exciting to see how they interacted and was relating to each other. It actually started bringing them closer together with the friendly and sometimes not so friendly competition.

We soon found out though, that as with most sports (either real or virtual) you either like it and it sticks with you or it becomes old and boring and soon forgotten or never to be played again. Thus, Wii Sports went by the wayside into that unplayed bin of games that never fails to accumulate. I still like it though so it does see some action still these days. We started looking around some more for different games that we might all still enjoy together and that's when we stumbled onto Guitar Hero.

This game has truly revolutionized our Friday nights as we now know it. It took a little getting used to but soon my son and I were playing on the more difficult levels and actually trading secrets on how to hit those notes that seem to be flying at you. Now, instead of taking the family to the movies or heading out to dinner and spending close to a hundred dollars every Friday, we hold our own little mini-concerts in the comfort of our own home and only end up denting the budget for about twenty dollars with a much needed and aligned Friday nights together and some simple fast food. Besides, who has time to cook when you can be heating up the guitar instead.

Chris is a Guitar Hero For Wii fanatic who's family has turned into a bunch of Guitar Hero 3 Wii junkies.

Animal Agents Game Review

2008-06-15T07:32:00.005-07:00

Cerasus Media has delivered quite a good one-two punch with their Animal Agents game, a Hidden Object mystery casual game that offers twice the action, twice the puzzles, and twice the excitement than other games within its genre. And why is that so? Well, let's find out with this review, shall we?

Well, as far as Hidden Object games go, the mechanics of the Animal Agents game is just the same as you may have been used to before. Find all the objects within your list per each level, unlock another part of the story, and then you're done... just as simple as that. But what really sets this game apart is the two unique features I have not yet seen on other Hidden Object games. One is the parallel story lines, and the other is the one of a kind list presentations. And really, with these stuff added to this game, we may be looking at the evolution of the Hidden Object genre and eventually say goodbye to its almost redundant game play.

Anyway, as I said before, the Animal Agents game actually has parallel story lines wherein you get to play each version of the game's story between the two protagonists. At the start of the game, you get to choose between Anna and Justin on how you will tackle your sleuthing adventure and solve the mystery between their two different point of views. These two stories are just the same but each protagonist tackles it on a different approach, thus doubling the overall game time of the adventure. This may also mean that in the end, we may get to see them meet each other, but I won't spoil your fun so that's really for you to find out. :-)

Another unique feature of the Animal Agents game is how the object lists are presented depending on each level. Most of the time in Hidden Object games, we're already used to the static object lists, therefore I'm really glad that I get to experience uniqueness in this game for a change. Anyway, the object lists are presented in either of the following varieties:

1. Traditional object list - what we are already used to see in most Hidden Object games.

2. Silhouette object list - you'll have to pattern the given white silhouettes to the actual objects in the room.

3. Phrase object list - various NPCs in the game are talking to you and instructing you to find particular objects of interest.

4. Sound object list - you have to listen carefully on this one and try to associate the sound with a hidden object.

All in all, the Animal Agents game is really a fun game that fuses a great story line to its one of a kind Hidden Object game play. I really find it very engaging mainly because unlike most games of this type, the Animal Agents game actually offers something new for my senses and from what I know about players is that they really do appreciate experiencing something unique in their choice of game genres. Of course, the game is also not perfect in all ways, but most of its imperfections are just minor things that you can easily overlook - like some unrelated music with respect to the background and some objects unrealistically hidden on a particular scenario.

It's unique, it's challenging and it's fun. And considering its minor flaws, I really suggest you try the Animal Agents game too.

I had always loved playing games and this simple review is really my own way of giving back to the casual gaming community of developers and gamers alike.

Please do check out my blog too at http://www.casualicious.com/ where I feature news and reviews of casual and online web games everyday. You'll find it a great resource of up and coming games, and while you're at it, please do subscribe to my RSS feed to keep yourself informed.

See you there soon! :)

A Gamer's Review of Marapets

2008-06-15T07:32:00.003-07:00

Marapets is an interactive virtual pet site for children of all ages, as long as they can sit at a computer and make sense of it. Of course, there is no upper limit for age, so grown ups are welcome as well.

The site has many flash games that you can play for points and with these earned points you can then buy various items in the virtual world of Marada, or so it's called. There are areas in this make belief map which you can click on and you will be redirected to the different places that make up Marada.

There is a city, a castle, an amusement park, a village, a mountain and even an alien world to choose from. Each of these places are very different from each other and don't just exist as places to visit as you would find at Club Penguin. currency used by marapets to buy and sell and make most moneyed transactions.

In fact, you need to posses certain items and you are given an avatar to dress and style all by yourself. All the garments and hairstyles that you would need to do this are available in Marada. The object however is for you to look for these items and locate them. For instance the hairstyles are available at the barbershop.

All you need to do is visit the barbershop and pick the hairstyle and hair colour that you think suits you the best and purchase it for 'mp'. 'Mp' in this case stands for mara points, the

However, the main attraction of the game, as the name suggests, is creating your own pet and then taking care of your pet and nurturing its growth. You can educate your pet and also employ it at the job centre in the city.

For More information, Please visit: Marapets Cheats and www.marapets.com

Joe, a reporter, has been traveling around the world for more than a decade now and has extensive experience in many fields. Now he has a blog along with other article writers. To know more about him, do visit: Passive Income from your Website

How to Play Games on Club Penguin

2008-06-15T07:32:00.001-07:00

In the gaming site for children called Club Penguin, each player has to play games to earn money to buy stuff from their market.

Some of the popular games are as follows:

Hydro Hopper:

Formerly known as the "Ballistic Biscuit", in this game the player or penguin has to ski on water while strung up to a boat. This game is found in the Dock. The player has to avoid bumping in to the obstacles set up on the way. Each time a player misses getting hit he/she earns points.

Catchin Waves:

In this game the player has to show off some tricks he knows on the surfboard. He/she can switch to the survival mode and save him/herself from all the obstacles. The players may even choose to just practice with their puffles. This game is played at the Cove.

Astor Barrier:

This game involves the penguin player to shoot the targets while on a ship. It is played at the Dance Lounge.

Bean Counters:

This is a very simple game which involves the penguins to unload a truck of coffee beans and carry them without carrying anything else. It is played at the Coffee Shop.

Ice Fishing:

As the name suggests, this game involves the penguins to catch fish without getting the line caught in the obstacles under the water. It is played at the Ski Lounge.

Thin Ice:

In this game the penguin player has to lead the way of a black puffle to safety on thin ice. It is played at the Dance Lounge.

Puffle Round Up:

In this game the penguin player has to round up all of the puffles on the screen using his/her mouse. It is played at the pet shop.

Jet Pack adventure:

In this game the penguin player has to fly using a jet pack. While flying the player must remain far from the obstacles and also not run out of fuel. It is played at The Lighthouse Beacon.

For more information, please do visit: Cheats for Club Penguin and Club Penguin Coins

Joe, a reporter, has been traveling around the world for more than a decade now and has extensive experience in many fields. Now he has a blog along with other article writers. To know more about him, do visit: Passive Income from your Website

Video Game Reviews - Tips for Gamers in Writing Video Game Reviews

2008-06-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

Let's face it the average video gamer has the attention span of a gnat. so of you are going to catch their attention when writing a video game review you need to do it quick. In other words, start with a 5-star method at the top. How many stars is it worth?

Next you must explain at the bottom who you rate the video games, and your criteria, because a true gamer is not interested in your opinion unless you quantify things. The next critical point of contention in video game review writing is to explain the level of play; is it for a beginner, intermediate or advanced player.

Of course, the feel of the game, responsiveness and speed of play are also extremely important to the video gamer and its okay to tell it like it is. If the graphics are gay or they suck, then say so. How realistic are the characters and scenery? This is where you can go into detail about the landscape, buildings, attire of characters and how they interact, how real to life is it?

Another significant factor is the point system; is it fair, does it cheat the gamer, and are there ways to boost the point score using various strategies and tricks. If you really want your gaming reviews to get the five stars that you only give the very best video games that you review, then you must give the gamer pointers and tricks to better their scores, and better their chances of winning. Tips and tricks are the most interesting points of any gaming review, so don't let us down.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance Winslow's Bio

Video Games and Gaming - A Review of Ogre Island

2008-06-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

Ogre Island is an outstanding free to play MMORPG! Get ready for adventure with trolls, hill giants, dragons, skeletons, zombies, imps, farm animals, and dungeons. Start off with a choice of basic skills. Choose three different ones with choices like swordmanship, magic of all kinds, alchemy, and fishing.

As you continue through the wilderness meeting players, battling monsters, finding ancient tomes of wisdom be sure to keep a keen look out for some special players! The most skilled player in the game though not the highest level (timetogonow) is a very intense and highly adept player.

The expert on the player market (Alturia Raven) is a colorful female with skills a plenty. She is up to date on the prices of items in the player market.

Alturia's significant other (Jayce Atkins), they are hardly ever apart, he is the magic man and knows the location of all the scrolls and is a magic man with knowledge of spells.

The Master of Arms (CanadianWarrior), he makes all the equipment that you'll ever need though it is pricey because of the quality, if he doesn't have it, timetogonow does.

The man to speak with of the tomes and mines (Graganor), if he doesn't know, it doesn't need to be found.

(Wyverex) also known as Nail or Helper, he is an expert on Monsters and Leveling, also quite the knack for making money outside the player market, cha-ching.

Also (Vagabond) is THE CREATOR! If you find him on the map.... consider yourself blessed. He is the originator and freely hands out birthday cakes on your birthday and random items throughout the holidays like SANTA HATS!

Ogre Island is a brilliant free MMORPG! And, well worth the time it takes to level up and then it is enjoy your time playing, making friends and conquering the island.

Stephanie Haile enjoys teaching new people to the Internet how to navigate and become comfortable with their computers. She is a business owner, wife, mom, pet lover, and beach enthusiast who writes, reads, plays video games, and helps others create a residual income for financial stability. Google Stephanie Haile and get in touch or give her a call and find out about how her business can help you! 321-745-6202

Stephanie Haile AKA Wavecritter
http://www.wavecritter.com
http://www.BerryCritter.com

Choosing And Comparing Weapons - In Call Of Duty 4 Based On Stat Charts

2008-06-10T11:49:00.001-07:00

One of the most important Call of Duty 4 skills is being able to choose good weapons and classes. You can do this partly by personal experience and trial and error but it you also need some hard facts and information. Unfortunately the in game graphs that show weapon information are totally wrong. The link on the bottom of the page has the correct weapon stats chart, this information is up to date and is taken directly from the Call of Duty program files.

The chart is fairly simple to read, each column represents an individual characteristic and each row shows which weapon it refers to. The first column is the most important, it is the damage each bullet does. Bullets subtract damage from your starting 100 health in normal games and 30 health in hardcore modes. The damage shows a range, like 40-30 for the M16. This means at closer range the M16 does 40 damage and as you get get further away the damage incrementally decreases to 30. The next column is the damage multiplier which tells you how much the original bullet damage is multiplied by depending on where it hits an opposing player. For example headshots do 1.4x times as much damage then shots elsewhere on the body for the M16. Next is range which we talked about earlier, range is the distance your bullet can travel before it becomes ineffective. Range also determines how soon your bullet damage begins to drop. Rate of Fire, Fire Type, Clip Size and Reload Time are all pretty self explanatory. Penetration tells you how well the bullet penetrates walls and how much damage it does on the other end. Weapons with high penetration like the Barrett will be able to go through thick walls while weapons with low penetration like the M9 will be stopped. Lastly we have Hip Fire which tells you how accurate the weapon is when firing without a scope.

So how do we use all this information to choose good weapons? Lets try using the chart to compare the SAW and the RPD. That chart tells us that the RPD has a higher bullet of 40, while the SAW is advantageous in reload time and rate of fire. To delve deeper the RPD's higher damage value means that with Stopping Power equipped it two shot kills any enemy. The SAW on the other hand requires three shots to get a kill. This means that although the SAW has a better reload time and rate of fire the RPD is overall a better weapon because it can get two shot kills. We can apply this chart to every single other weapon and it can help as make intelligent classes and improve at Call of Duty 4.

A Few Tips On Buying Good Memory Cards And Other Hi-Tech Electronic Accessories

2008-06-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

If you have ever tried shopping for memory cards you know how difficult it can be especially if you don't know much about them! Here are some basic tips to help you buy the best memory card that suits your needs.

Know the formats

There are many different formats available in the market as far as memory cards are concerned. Having knowledge about these is critical before you start shopping otherwise you risk buying a memory card which might be incompatible with your PC, digital camera or other host device.

SD Cards are a highly secure stamp-sized digital camera memory card, which weigh approximately two grams. Brands available include Sandisk, Toshiba, Kingston and Lexar. SD Cards can be used in a variety of digital devices, including mobile phones, digital music players, handheld PCs (HPCs), digital cameras, car navigation systems and electronic books. SD Cards have cryptographic security for copyrighted data based on proven security concepts from DVD Audio.

SDHC Cards are the next generation of SD cards but offer increased capacities (4GB - 32GB) and faster transfer speeds of up to 6MB per second (Class 6). These memory cards are primarily designed to be used in digital camcorders and digital cameras. However, their large capacity does allow them to be used in many other devices for additional storage, such as the new Asus eePC and other laptops.

Mini SD: This is available in sizes ranging from 1GB, 2GB and even 4 GB. They are compatible with all smart phone devices with a Mini SD or SD Card (with SD adaptor) slot and even digital cameras.

Micro SD: These are even smaller than mini SD cards. They range in capacity from 512MB to 2GB and are the most common form of mobile phone memory due to their compact size. They can be used as an SD card if inserted into an SD card adaptor, giving you versatility to use them in digital cameras and other memory card devices.

Micro SDHC: These cards are the next generation of Micro SD cards but offer much higher capacities, from 4GB - 32GB, and faster transfer speeds up to 6MB per second (Class 6). They will be use in next generation mobile phones to cope with capacity hungry files, such as MPEG4 and MP3.

USB Readers: You will most likely require a USB reader for accessing data on your memory card. Today's PCs often come with readers installed as standard so that you can insert as many as 5-6 cards at a time. This enables good compatibility with digital camera memory card formats.

Compact Flash: These are cheap compared to many other types of memory card, readily available and can be used with several different devices. Using integrated ATA controllers these memory cards enable file management, I/O, error correction functionality etc. Traditionally Compact Flash cards have been favoured by Professional Photographers as they are available in various capacities and have a very high file transfer rate. To enable many photos to be taken in quick succession.

MMC: Also known as multimedia cards these are the size of a regular postage stamp. They are easily integrated into different devices and consume less power compared to other memory cards, so are ideal for devices that need to conserve battery power for other functions. They are generally used in digital cameras, MP3 players and older Nokia mobile phone models.

Memory Stick PRO DUO is a versatile memory card, suitable for several device types, including digital cameras, digital music players, digital voice recorders and the Sony PSP. Memory Stick PRO DUO is also compatible with all devices that accept Memory Stick PRO. Simply use a DUO adaptor and the Memory Stick PRO DUO becomes the size of a Memory Stick PRO memory card.

M2 Memory Stick Micro, available from Sony, Lexar and Sandisk, is approximately one-quarter the volume of Memory Stick Pro Duo memory cards, yet only about 1.2mm thick. M2 is designed as an externally removable memory card with a controlled eject function to prevent users losing their media, providing a secure storage solution for music, videos and photos. M2 Memory Stick Micro is also compatible with all devices that accept Memory Stick PRO DUO or Memory Stick PRO. Simply use an adaptor and it becomes the size you need.

To know more about: A Few Tips on Buying Good Memory Cards and other Hi-Tech Electronic Accessories, Visit This: http://www.mymemory.co.uk

Barbie Games And Makeover - Most Fantastic Ways Of Spending Time With Your Barbie

2008-06-10T11:48:00.001-07:00

Sweet little girls are always passionate about Barbie's. Every time you see them you will find that they like to spend most of their leisure time in dressing up their Barbie dolls. So, all you girls out there who want to discover some of the coolest and happiest ways of spending time with your Barbie must go online to find out new Barbie Games.

These games give you the concepts and help you to imagine something more which you can try out with your favorite friend of all time, i.e. the Barbie. You can search in different websites which deals with these games. Some of the most popular games are 'Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs' where the Snow White is usually a Barbie; the 'Christmas Party', 'Neverland', 'Bedroom Barbie', 'Barbie in the Kitchen' and so on. Different Barbie websites will offer you lots of attractive games which you surely don't want to miss.

An exciting feature which is now added in many of these websites is the Barbie makeover. Use this to be the Makeover artist of your Barbie. Dress her hair in various styles you like. Some of the websites allows you to add your personal creative touch of hair styling. You can also apply cosmetics and accessories to enhance the look and glamour of your Barbie.

What's more you can customize the dresses of your Barbie too all online. In many websites you can find exclusive Barbie dress up games which you can try out. You will be thrilled to apply lots of dresses to your Barbie for various occasions and place like wedding ceremony, party, kitchen maid etc. Also select the perfect shoes and gloves for her to add style. Sometimes you can get the best rating for dressing up your Barbie perfectly. So go online today!

My name is Angela Aberdeen. I specialize in interests of girls and online dress up teen communities. I am a dreamer who can visualize what kids want and try to find best content that will be safe and entertaining. Girls love Barbie games and I consider them best online dress up games for kids.

Have The Entire Fun With Your Barbie!

2008-06-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

It is said that 'Barbie's are a girl's best friend'. Yes. It is completely true because small girls and even many teenage girls like to spend most of their time with their Barbie dolls. Although it is a doll but it's like a friend to them with which they like to interact. Till now this is a common fad and this is being utilized by many online websites to let every Barbie lovers have all the fun. If you also like to try out some new interesting things which you can do with your favorite Barbie then definitely go online and search for websites which features all these stuffs.

Playing Barbie games is one of the most popular items featured here. If you haven't tried out such games and like to play them then you must have a tryout in these websites. Play games like 'Restaurant Design', 'Room Decoration' 'Party Time Barbie' and lots of other interesting games. All of these games vary in different websites so you will never get bored.

How about playing some Barbie dress up games? Here you are actually needed to dress up your Barbie as per the situation demands. Whether you want to keep her home or in a party occasion you can choose the perfect attires for her. Use matching shoes, hats and gloves accordingly. Become a fashion designer for your Barbie online!

Apart from playing games you can also try out the Barbie makeover sections of these websites made for kids. Spend a little time to customize your Barbie's looks as per the occasion. You can use various cosmetics, ribbons, bangles, necklaces and other jewelries to change or create the perfect look of your Barbie. Also you will love to spend time combing her hair all online. Stylize Barbie's hair in short, medium or long fashion as per your heart's content.

I am Angela Aberdeen who makes her own dreams come true through doing things for Barbie. A small girl locked in me still loves playing barbie dolls and new age online Barbie dress up games are perfect for my online entertainment.

Barbie Games, Makeovers, And Dress Up Games - Not Just For Children But Also Adults

2008-06-10T11:47:00.002-07:00

Ever since its launch in 1959 the Barbie doll has become immensely popular with both children and adults. Over a period of time Mattel, the company manufacturing Barbie has added many clothes, accessories like shoes and jewelery etc. not to mention Barbie playmates like Skipper and Ken. Also available in the market are Barbie playhouse, kitchen and household items and furniture.

The popularity of the Barbie doll has spawned many online Barbie games, which include makeover games and Barbie dress up games. These games are suitable for both children and adults. In these games Barbie can be dressed up for a party or as a bride, complete with dress, shoes, handbag etc.

These games also include Barbie games in which Barbie makeovers can include dressing up game and giving Barbie different hairstyles. The Barbie doll is marketed worldwide and at times is dressed up according to the dress code of the country in which it is being marketed.

The online Barbie games not only include Barbie makeover and Barbie dress up games but also present different challenges at different levels. In these games Barbie may be a spy chasing some anti social elements and may be fighting with the help of Skipper and Ken or she may be a scuba diver who has to save herself from underwater obstacles and sea animals like sharks, octopuses or make believe sea monsters.

But among all Barbie games, Barbie makeover games and Barbie dress up games are the most popular among young girls who love to dress up Barbie in different clothes to suit different occasions and in the process live out their wish of being adults and dressing up like them. Adults prefer the challenge games which challenge their mental skills apart from being a source of good entertainment.

I am Angela Aberdeen who makes her own dreams come true through doing things for Barbie. A small girl locked in me still loves playing barbie dolls and new age online Barbie dress up games are perfect for my online entertainment.

New Generation Of Games - Hidden Object Games

2008-06-10T11:47:00.001-07:00

For the past several years hundreds of thousands of gamers all over the world have been persistently clicking their mice buttons peering at the disorder of their computer screens. The one to blame is not a new evil virus messing up shortcuts on the desktop, but quite harmless and absorbing games commonly called Hidden object games.

Given the name, it's easy to guess that their main target is to search for some hidden objects. A basic screenshot of a hidden object game is a nice (or not necessarily nice) room in a mess, where you have to find 10-15 objects in order to move up to the next level. Moreover you need to find them within a limited period of time. It may not sound very interesting but as you get down to play such a game, you forget about everything else; there's only a room full of objects.

Hidden object games are extremely popular. As of the day this article is being written, hidden object games occupy seven of the top ten positions in the list of the major casual games publisher, Bigfishgames. So, what's the secret of their popularity?

One of the elements of success is a nice story and a capturing plot. The first games of this genre were based upon some detective story, where level by level you were approaching the solution of a murder mystery or some other great secret. There are typical examples of detective plots in the Mystery Case Files line of games. Its idea was so successful that 4 games have already been released in this line. The legendary Hercule Poirot, an Agatha Christy's character, is worth mentioning. There are 3 titles in the line of games based on Agatha Christy's detective stories. Later on game designers started to release games with more varied stories. A bright example is Escape the Museum, where you have to get out of the museum destroyed by an earthquake, collecting on your way the most valuable exhibits. The Azada game features an original plot too. Here you must help Titus to get out of his uncle's study. To do this you have to solve the mysterious Azada brain-twisters.

Game designers approach the graphics of hidden object games very seriously, as much of the game's success depends on the graphics. In most cases graphic design is of a very high quality, and is accomplished by some mood music. Many games can be called masterpieces of the game industry.

Moreover most of the hidden object games are distributed as downloadable games, which means that you can download a game for free and play it for a limited time period. If you like it, you can buy a full version and play without any limits.

If you want to take part in "peaceful" adventures or detect a mysterious murder but you don't want to deal with complicated rules, then hidden object games will be an ideal choice for you.

Max Smolin is the webmaster for cimax-games.com, a website specializing in distribution of downloadable games. Get more information regarding Hidden object games.

Buying World of Warcraft Gold

2008-06-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

When buying gold World of Warcraft it is best to keep your wits about you. To put it very mildly, there is a jungle out there, virtually (pun intended) speaking. A scam targeting World of Warcraft gamers has recently come to light. It is called 'phishing' whereby users (in the process of) buying gold World of Warcraft get an email stating that their account has been suspended and then directs them to a website directing them to click on it. The website, actually falsely set up by a hacker, then requests the users to punch their account details.

Blizzard Entertainment has now issued a notice to all its players educating them about the dangers of buying gold World of Warcraft. The company claims that the practice of buying gold World of Warcraft online using actual currency is threatening the stability of the game as well as that of the servers that support it. They report, rather alarmingly, about the high trade turnout in real money through hacked accounts. Just bear in mind that if you are found involved - albeit indirectly - in a scam or fraud you stand to lose your account, definitely. You could also be banned forever from all Blizzard games.

A good rule to remember is that on receiving an email, do check its address. If it ends as @battle.net or @blizzard.com you may consider it safe.

Sometimes phishing mail appears within the game as in through an avatar posing as an employee of Blizzard who asks you for your account details. Simply stand your ground and say an emphatic 'NO'. Blizzard Entertainment never ever asks its subscribers for their account details in-game - you would do well to remember this one important point. Blizzard representatives would never ask you for your account details, whether or not you are buying gold World of Warcraft. So if you receive a message asking you for your account details in order to claim a reward, you know what to do don't you? That's right; just go ahead and delete it without further delay. And if you're bent on buying gold World of Warcraft then it doesn't hurt to do your research regarding the reputation of potential sellers.

A word regarding your password. Certainly, don't let it out to anyone online - that's the golden rule (did we need to reiterate that?) Another thing to remember is that while it is a good idea to keep your password simple, don't make it so simple that guessing it becomes second nature to cyber crooks. The most common password, let it be known, is GOD. Ask scamsters. A mix of letters and digits makes your password perfectly secure.

Also be wary of carriers who promise to deliver if you 'pay half now'. They are as bad as 'players' offering you free trips but ask you to pay up 'NOW'. Walk away without looking back, is the virtual advice if you are buying gold World of Warcraft.

It may have occurred to you by now that buying gold World of Warcraft is not without attendant hassles and probably the best way out is to make your own gold easily. In order to expedite buying gold World of Warcraft in the most effective way try and find the best place for it.

When buying gold World of Warcraft put your common sense to the best use and just try this link http://www.warcraft-gold-wow.com

Bobby Wilson writes articles on different topics that interest him.

Download The Game Of Life - What The Game Of Life Is And How To Download It

2008-06-10T11:46:00.002-07:00

If you are a game lover, you simply must download The Game of Life - a new PC version of a classic Milton Bradley board game. Actually, anybody who used to enjoy board games will find the computer version even more exciting and addicting. In fact, even those who always sniffed at board games will love the new concept!

The Game of Life makes you plunge into a fun and thrilling small world, where you are given a chance to build your life and career just the way you want. Basically, to live your life again and again - striving to achieve more each time, while realizing your previous mistakes - this is what makes The Game of Life so exciting.

For kids, it can be a highly useful experience, too. The game puts them in different real life situations requiring them to show their responsibility, ability to make fast and wise decisions, as well as creativity. Indeed, it is one of the greatest educational games ever invented.

When you download The Game of Life, you will be able to involve the whole family in it, because the game allows more than three people to play it at the same time! Advanced 3D graphics, fast pace and realistic settings make this game larger than life. Whoever said board games are boring had no idea about The Game of Life!

Additional features include the possibility to play with computer players in case human players are not available, or connect and play with your friends over a network or online. After you download The Game of Life to your PC, you can start playing immediately with no set-up needed.

Download The Game of Life and make it one of the best gifts ever for your child. Instead of seeing him/her wasting away time playing meaningless and full of violence computer games, introduce a better alternative which will allow your kid learn in a fun way. Spending some time and playing all together as a family, you will discover a new way to bond with your child.

There are many online sources you can download The Game of Life from. While the ultimate choice is completely yours, be suspicions about free downloads. Those available on torrent websites may be infected or simply not up to the standard. Others normally offer either a shortened version with fewer features or a free full game download without activation code, for which you will have to pay.

However, it is easy to get a full game version without spending much. Visit my blog and learn how you can download The Game of Life at the lowest price around.

Davion is a game fanatic. Find out where millions of gamers are going for the latest and unlimited game downloads. Also read another interesting article about free full version game downloads.

A Metagame Shift in Competitive DotA

2008-06-10T11:46:00.001-07:00

Upcoming DotA tournaments will be moving away from version 6.48b and will be using version 6.51. This change will be significant in the tournament scene. Aside from changes made to professional team rosters over the past few tournaments, this new version will show the creativity and ingenuity of the players involved.

The most significant change will have to be the "nerf" to Kelen's Dagger of Escape, also known as the Blink Dagger. Well folks, Blink Dagger will have to be the more appropriate name here since the blink ability is disabled for THREE whole seconds (counting from the last time you were hit). If you've watched tournament replays before, it's easy to see how Kelen's Dagger of Escape is a fitting name. With this change, the dagger will probably be used for the occasional escape. An escape which you most probably would have accomplished without the dagger in the first place. The dagger will be primarily be used as a positioning tool for a key abilities, such as Epicenter, Reverse Polarity, Echo Slam or Freezing Field.

Conversely, heroes that have a blink-like ability will probably have an increased priority in lineup selection. Heroes like Queen of Pain, Faerie Dragon, and Dark Seer will most likely see tournament play in the games to come. Considering how Akasha, Queen of Pain is already widely used in tournaments, it's going to be interesting to see how the teams pick their lineups during the selection process of each match. Although Puck, Faerie Dragon and Ish'kafel, Dark Seer are new heroes that have yet to be allowed in tournament play, their innate ability to blink will be a key factor in their selection.

The next key factor that will come into play is the loss of Empty Bottle from the top and bottom lane secret shops. You need your chicken more than ever. Now called the Goblin Shops, it showcases a slew of different items are obviously key components to higher level items. These shops are also no longer accessible from the lane. You have to navigate your hero closer to the shop before you are allowed to purchase anything. These shops also create flexibility in lane selection due to the items available.

From a higher view, a lot of the changes in new version makes the game better. Games should end faster than usual because it's a lot easier to get killed. On a whole, these changes are good and fit with the overall goal of the maker. It's going to be interesting to see what the professionals do with these changes and how they incorporate them into their strategy.

Mic is an avid gamer and blogger. He can be followed on his blog, where he talks about a lot of different topics under the sun.

Educational Benefits of Online Rebus Puzzles

2008-06-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

Rebus puzzles are word puzzles that use strategically placed letters or words to represent a common phrase, saying, or word. They are a popular type of puzzle for both children and adults and can be very fun and educational at the same time. There are a few basic types of rebus puzzles that employ different types of designs that you must look at in order to solve the puzzle. Each type of puzzle has different educational benefits as well.

One of the most common types of online rebus puzzles is one that uses word positions to create another word or phrase. A puzzle that contains the word "man" placed inside the word "moon" creates the phrase "man in the moon because of the way the words are positioned. This type of rebus puzzle helps develop early reading skills by helping children to differentiate between and identify different words.

Some rebus puzzles will use word repetition and highlighting to lead the viewer to solve the puzzle. A puzzle with the word "base" written three times in a row with an arrow pointing to the first base would denote the phrase "first base." This type of puzzle introduces the early learning concept of reading text in a certain order, either left to right or top to bottom as text is usually written in this way.

Sometimes an online rebus puzzle does not follow the traditional left to right or top to bottom pattern, rather it uses direction as a clue to the solution. The word "break" written with the letters from bottom to top would be solved as breakup. This type of rebus puzzle encourages creativity in early education and gives children the opportunity to look at words and letters in a different way.

An online rebus puzzle can also use size as an indicator of the solution. Very large or small words or letters are usually part of the solution. The word "fry" written in very small text would represent the phrase "small fry." Rebus puzzles that use size to represent a solution also foster creativity in early education and are a way to introduce children to new ways of thinking about language.

Rebus puzzles can also use repetition as a way to represent a word or phrase. Puzzles that repeat a letter or word a certain number of times may allude to a word or phrase that includes a word that sounds like a number such as to (two) or for (four). The word "sight" repeated four times will represent the word "foresight." This type of online rebus puzzle is valuable in early education because it helps children to make connections between numbers and words and to think of language in an abstract way.

There are many online rebus puzzles for you to enjoy, or if you need something more personalized you can always use an online rebus puzzle maker to create personalized rebus puzzles that are suitable for all age and ability levels. Rebus puzzle makers can be found online and are a great way to make rebus puzzles that are specialized for your needs as an educator, parent, or just for fun.

Computer Games - Make the Best Use of Your Leisure Time

2008-06-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

Whether you are an adult or a youngster, computer games would appeal you with their entertainment features. Who does not love to play exciting and thrilling games? After a hectic day schedule, we feel like relaxing. Some amount of entertainment is important to keep us healthy. By playing these enticing games, we would never be away from fun and enjoyment. These games are a form of entertainment just like movies and songs.

Computer games offer an efficient means of entertainment with their stunning graphics and amazing visuals. They keep us engrossed throughout the game with their interesting moments. With the growth in technology, these games have enhanced a lot. These sophisticated games allow us to play with multiple players in a real time environment.

With interesting story lines they ensure to offer a great gaming experience to the gamers. There are fantastic high speed racing games, fighting games, etc. Some of the highly popular games include the incredible Mario Brothers series by the Nintendo. Presently, the games are coming up with more advanced graphics and special effects

The user does not require a separate gaming console to play these games. They can be played easily on your home PC. With advanced graphics and enhanced sound effects, they are sure to offer a fascinating gaming experience to the users. These computer games are designed keeping in mind the different interests of people. The user can play computer games anytime after downloading them on the computer.

There are amazing games like Halo and Mass Effect offer a thrilling experience to the gamers. These games are based on the great science fiction plots. Some of the more games include Mortal Combat which offers entertainment to full extent. Fighting games appeal a lot to the gamers who like action and suspense. The player can compete with these virtual characters. You can find personal computer games in various DVDs and CDs which can be bought from the online shops. The gamers can find a lot of twists and turns in these games. Video games can be divided into various categories of different generations.

With the increasing demand for computer video games, people can find more advanced games available with the online shops. These video games allow the users to have a real life experience by fighting with a variety of players. The user can also play online video games which are available on the internet.

Alden Jerry is an expert writer who provide the relevant information on various topic through articles.

Price Comparison

The Importance of Classic Board Games on Computer

2008-06-09T11:44:00.002-07:00

Board games are classic and improve the mental growth of a person. In today's technological era, majority of traditional board games are available as computer games. It enhances the critical and logical thinking of a person and develops a sense of reasoning. The simple versions of these board games are very popular among common man. It is proven that a person's thinking skills is well supported by the simple reasoning and basic strategy games such as chess, checkers or rummy. By playing these games regularly, probably is that the brain capability is likely to get increased.

Playing board games is beneficial especially for growing children. Most of these board games can be used to stimulate the reasoning power. Medically, it is proven that children who play board games are less likely to affect certain mental disorders like Alzheimer's.

One of the most interesting features of board games is that they can be played rather very easily. A person does not have to apply a great deal of mind. Rules are rather easy and can be easy to comply with. In addition, these games are commonly available as computer games where there are virtual opponents available in the computer version. Some of these interesting games include Polly Pride: Pet Detective Game, Pet Shop Hop Game, Escape the Museum Game etc.

Different websites offer different kinds of board games which gives the option to choose from a variety of computer board games so that you don't have to download the game in your computer there by saving space. These games are quality entertainment and provoke a constructive development in children. Kids who find it difficult to learn these under the strict and tense atmosphere of the school can very easily achieve through these games. Introduce your kids to these games in their early age so that they will gain a lot.

The aforementioned article has been contributed by the webmaster of chocosnow.com - A best place to download polly pride pet detective, can you see what I see and download escape the museum game online.

Review of Crysis PC Game

2008-06-09T11:44:00.001-07:00

Crysis is not only a stunning visual package, but the game provides excellent game play along with a good, solid storyline. Crysis is based in the year 2020 where aliens have invaded the planet. An archaeological team on a remote tropical island is captured by a north Korean team, and the US special forces are sent into the field to locate and rescue the scientists. Equipped high-tech nano suits boosting strength, speed and armour, you're parachuted into a sprawling tropical jungle to face intelligent enemies of a different kind that are tearing US and Korean forces to shreds.

Missions are allocated throughout the game, but how you go about it is entirely up to you. There is no set path to how you complete missions as long as you cover the objective.

The map consists of a variety of different terrains allowing you to complete your missions uniquely each time. This provides endless replay value.

The weapons and vehicles in the game are well thought through. Almost every vehicle in the game is accessible providing a more realistic and exciting spin to the game.

Crysis is very demanding when it comes to graphics and processing. When the first screen shots of the game were released gamers and editors were blown away with the graphics and attention to detail. More surprising, after the game was released, people realized their system couldn't cope with the high system requirements. Overall Crysis provides thrilling visuals and is a great action packed FPS, and I recommend anyone interested in gaming to give it a try.

Feel free to visit our site for more software reviews and computer tips plus keep updated with the latest PC news.

World Of Warcraft Ultimate Guide To Guides

2008-06-09T11:44:00.000-07:00

If you're a Wow player like me, you want to know as much as there is to know about playing and all the secrets. If you want to look to a guide to help, you just don't buy the first one that you look at. Take a look around, they offer different things. Like some are for Alliance and Horde, but others are just for one or the other.

Some offer promises like "This guide contains the same exact gold making strategies that ALL the gold farmers use". Find out which strategies and secrets they don't want you to know about. Brian Kobbs, one of my favorites, offers you fee updates for life. Which you should make sure that the guide you buy is up to date with the newest patch.

In most guides you will learn

* What Professional gamers know... that you don't.

* How to power level all the way to 70 in the Outlands in the Burning Crusade!

* Learn the right way to play their class and character.

* Learn How To Farm Gold Faster.

Close your eyes for a moment and picture this.

You're on an epic mount near the Bank in Stormwind. Other players are running back and forth but send you whispers of how much they love your epic gear. You open up your bag slot to see a few thousand gold.

You have your epic flying mount so you send all that gold to your lower alt. You can pick up any profession and max it out in just a few hours, using materials straight from the auction house.

You could buy any enchant for your weapons. You have built a few nice twinks that others are envious of.

Would you like to level and character in Days? Build and army ?

That's what you get with a guide to wow...

Now tell me your not interested.

Please head to my Web page to get more information on the tools that are out there: http://wow-guidetoguides.blogspot.com/

Who Was the First Person to Make a Video Game?

2008-06-09T11:43:00.001-07:00

The absolute earliest and first game to be played on some type of a cathode ray tube, and use some type of computer, was a missile simulator type game played on circular screen that looked much like the old radar screens used during World War II. This game was created by Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann in 1947. The creation of this game was significant because it marks the beginning of a new age of cathode ray tube and what they can be used for. Up until this point any display like this was simply used as something to be seen. With this game a player could look at it and make changes to what happened on it. It was interactive!

In 1952, what many consider to be the first graphical game was created by A.S.Douglas and it was a tic-tac-toe game called OXO. Over the course of the next two decades between the 1950's and 1960's a variety of other rudimentary games started to make appearances with the use of large computers that were tube based. One of the most notable was the game Tennis for two which was created by William Higinbotham in 1958. This game was played on an oscilloscope display.

Video games start to become more sophisticated and take on more realism in the 60's and the first game to do this was a game called Space War. It was created for a Digital Equipment Corporation computer and it was two spaceships (players) that engaged in a shootout on a starry background. One of the significant things about this game was that the ships were in a gravity well that affected how they moved and how the player had to operate them. This game has been recreated and copied in many different arcade and home versions like Galaxy Wars and in variations like Asteroids.

The First Publicly Released Game

The first game released to the mass public was called Computer Space. It was based on the Space War game and it was a coin operated arcade style game created by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was released in 1971. And in 1972 they released the arcade game Pong which was a big success. These games were the beginnings of the Atari Company.

Video Games Move onto the home Television Set

The very first console video game system that could be played on a television set at home was the Magnavox Odyssey. It was designed by Ralph Baer and it was first released to the public in 1972 and It only met with limited success. In 1975 the real revolution in video games for the home began with the release of the home version of Pong by Atari. Atari landed an exclusive contract for 175,000 units with Sears who would market it and sell It in their stores. The game was a smash success for the 1975 Christmas season. One of little thought about revolutions about this game was that all the discrete wiring was designed into a single chip which was the most advanced consumer electronics chip ever made until then. This opened up a whole new world of computer games.

Video games have had an interesting history with a lot of different people contributing to their success. They have come a long way and there are no doubt many more interesting and exciting developments to come.

Want to Make Video Games?: make-video-games.com- Creative resources for making video games for free

Will DirectX 10 Be Good For Gaming?

2008-06-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

DirectX 10 is the current talk of the town in PC gaming. The promises that DX10 have made has breathed new life into PC gaming that routinely called a dying breed. It is touted as bringing a new era to PC gaming. Is all this buzz really worth getting excited about? Let's take a look...

With any brand new technology that is introduced, there is always a period where the rest of the industry needs to play catch up. It takes time before it is fully taken advantage of the way it was planned. But how long to PC gamers truly have to wait until DX10 comes into full fruition?

How long will it take before DX10 can bring gamers those amazing graphics they drool over in screenshots and videos to their own PC's in their own homes? To the layman, all of it can be very confusing. New buzz words and terms come out every year and getting a grip on what they all mean can be very demanding.

First off, what exactly is DirectX? It is a development tool made by Microsoft that lets developers make games with higher performance. Anthing from the graphics, sound, and even network functionality is developed through DirectX. There have been many revisions of DirectX, each bring about new techniques for eye candy and better performance. And now with Vista, we have DX10. Each interation brings us closer to having true gaming realism.

Within DirectX are what are called API's. This stands for application programming interface. They act as a bridge that allows the software and hardware to communicate with each other. They are what allow our games to bring us the graphics and sound we know and love.

Hardware makers like nVidia are now creating GPU's with tons more capability and power than we've seen in the past. Video cards like the GeForce 8800 provide better image quality and can even process video for Blu-ray playback. So DirectX 10 is not just for gamers, being able to process Blu-ray videos will give any entertainment enthusiast something to cheer about.

Gaming computer makers are also now creating computers that come with these DirectX 10 capable cards.Companies like Alienware, Dell, and Vigor are now in full swing in carrying a fleet of DirectX 10 capable computers.

But all this hardware isn't any good without the games to run on all of it. But don't worry. There is a whole slew of DirectX 10 capable games out now and even more are scheduled to come out in the next year. Some of the biggest games of 2007 were DX10 capable. Crysis and World in Conflict to name a couple award winners.

One of the biggest advantages that DX10 provides is power it gives to developers to develop better games easier and faster. This is good for the gamer as we'll be seeing a much wider variation in games and more to choose from all of which provide a better experience.

So is DirectX 10 still worth all of the buzz in the end? Absolutely. But, it will definitely take some time before the gaming industry catches on and us gamers see the results were are looking for. With all new technology, it takes time before you see the results that the original designers had envisioned. But, rest assured we'll be there soon!

Aaron Guhl a long time PC gamer and has followed the industry closely. He works in the IT industry and has a tremendous love for working with computer hardware. He also develops websites on the side which he writes articles for. Visit http://www.8800-video-cards.com for more information on DirectX 10 and GeForce 8800 video cards that support it.

Video and Computer Games that Sharpen Math Skills

2008-06-09T11:42:00.002-07:00

Working with numbers improves concentration, problem solving skills, memory, focus and general clarity of thought. And there is great news for gamers young and old! Video and computer games are rich with numbers! I have done some research to hone in on the games that utilize math skills to a greater extent.

Computer Games are generally less expensive and a bit more versatile. They are usual sought after by a slightly younger audience. By younger I am referring to school age children. being that a very large portion of video game users are adult males! So I will start with a review of a couple of math focused computer games that I feel are of good quality. Math Munchers Deluxe by The Learning Company reinforces math skills by encouraging problem solving through gaming in areas of whole numbers, decimals, factors and simple geometry. Mighty Math by Edmark teaches geometry concepts using math and and problem solving-solving skills. Students explore attributes of shapes and solids, constructions and transformations, 2D and 3D coordinates, and the relationships between length, perimeter, area, and volume. Teaching Pro: Middle and Highschool Math by Mathsoft has comprehensive coverage to insure students learn math concepts and understand how math is utilized in the real world. The program includes focus in Basic Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Algebra II, Geometry, and Trigonometry. It meets mandated curriculum standards in all states!

There are many math focused games readily available online. Suduko revolves around attempting to fill in a grid so that each line contains the numbers one through nine only once. This games is a widely known addictive brain teaser. It is a great game for sharpening math skills and is available for free on numerous websites and downloadable for your cell phone! Timez Attack is real video game created by the same engineers who have worked on Play Station games. The object of the game is to your way through the dungeon maze and foil those who would get in your way. You will develop your math skills while defeating a host of challenging obstacles and characters. The base version of this game is free at big online. The full length version is also available.

Nintendo offers a game called Math Play for the DS. This game encourages the player to create equations in four different game modules by arranging numbered cards. There are a variety of difficulty levels. There is also competitive multiplayer action and addictive puzzle play.

Donkey Kong Jr. Math has received mixed reviews. By mixed I mean not so great. It is one of the only math specific games however, that my search turned up for GameCube or Wii. When dealing with the game consoles, such as PS2, Gamecube or Wii I would choose puzzle games which are more abundant and tend to require math skill.

Working with numbers keeps many of our skills sharp including problem solving and improves general clarity of thought. Video and computer games are rich with numbers whether they are geared to be a math games or not. Research has brought a few games that focus on math to the surface so they might catch your eye more easily in the future!

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Monopoly Tycoon - Monopoly And Sims Combined

2008-06-09T11:42:00.001-07:00

Monopoly Tycoon is Monopoly game board and SimCity combined. Derived from the classic Monopoly board game, it is the type of game most people can remember from their childhood. It has a touch of the Sims computer game, making it even livelier. It includes all basic elements of the classic Monopoly like buying and selling, paying for utilities and collecting payment for rent.

How the Game Works

However, Monopoly Tycoon deviates a bit from the classic Monopoly game. In a way, the player can already build a business on a certain property, and not just simply buy a property to start a business. A player may even lease a property and have an auction. If a player wins, his competitors who built a business on that same property will have to pay him rent. A player may also make buildings and manage businesses by setting prices, rent and stock amounts. A person can also buy out companies for a lower cost especially if he owns the block.

Monopoly Tycoon's time period is different because it begins at 1930. At the end of each day, the year moves up 5 years. And just like an ordinary day, a day in this game is worth 24 hours. At 6:00 a.m., players are required to pay the utilities. Tenants would also have to give the payment for their rents. At 9:00 a.m., the companies that operate in the day open up until 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

Everyday at 6 o'clock p.m., the companies and entertainment businesses that run during the night start operating until midnight. And then another 5 years pass by, a new day starts while the night businesses close. In this game, time moves so fast that even businesses and buildings change.

The World of Monopoly Tycoon

When Monopoly Tycoon starts in 1930, basic businesses are opened right away. These basic businesses include diners, grocery stores and clothing stores. Bakeries, cafes, clinics, book stores, toy stores, news stands, hardware stores and jewelry stores are also available. Night businesses on the other hand, include bars, cinemas, restaurants, ballrooms and theatres. And then by 1940, new concepts of businesses are opened, such as ice cream parlors, department stores, travel agents, health clubs and supermarkets.

Becoming the Top Gun

Success on each stage will depend on the player's choice of business type that the period offers. He will have to analyze each scenario according to difficulty levels. Players can either choose a single-player or a multiplayer mode. A player who chooses single player mode competes against the computer's 16 situations or scenarios in 3 levels of difficulty. If one wants to play multiplayer, he has to be connected to a network because the time in Monopoly Tycoon is continuous. This means that there is no time for switching of players on one computer.

Loyalists of the classic Monopoly board game may cautious of the number of additions and changes that have been made with the Monopoly Tycoon. There is no doubt that it is indeed a very enjoyable game. It can even become a training ground for future businessmen since this game provides the challenge that they have to face in real life.

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Playing Diablo 2 as a Barbarian in Multiplayer

2008-06-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

When you first start playing Diablo 2, Barbarian looks like the easiest-to-play character0. Grab a weapon; get some armor and fight up close and personal with the nasties - that's all that seem to be the tactic to you. Au contraire. Indeed, playing as Barbarian is not at all easy.

First off, you MUST have high proficiency in a melee weapon. There are throwing barbs and even the party-buffing war cry builds, but please, don't even think about making these builds the first time you play. Unless you have someone to guide you (who has the experience of playing through Hell in D2 at least a couple times), you will be crying into your hanky halfway through Normal difficulty. So, we need a weapon. What to choose? Well, consider the possibilities. If you choose a sword, you have a highly customizable hero that can equip one two-handed sword in each hand. Need some extra protection? Throw one sword away and get a shield. It's that simple. First time players - consider taking specialization in swords. It will help you a lot. Axes are good in the sense that these will cause good number of critical hits and also provide better attack rating and damage compared to most other weapons. But (yes, there is a big "but" here), axes are slow. Besides, you cannot use a two-handed axe and a shield at one time. So, high damage axe means no shields. Remember, you have to protect yourself properly if you are to protect your team. So, get a good sword and a shield and ample points in sword mastery.

Second, go for Bash and Concentrate. Yes, I am serious. Don't even think of Whirlwind on your first attempt as a barbarian. Bash up your enemies when you begin, and as you reach level 18, Concentrate on finishing your enemies (pun intended). Also, concentrate will provide you with insanely high defense rating at higher levels, thus you can just stand at one place and act as an impenetrable shield wall while your party members happily blast those nasties into oblivion.

Third, don't forget Battle Orders. This is a must-have for party players. Use high-level Battle Orders to boost yours and your teammates' hit points and mana reserves.

Fourth, if you are playing for the first time, put some points into Battle Cry. It will help reduce the damage you take from enemies. Your melee team members will also thank you for that; remember, you are not the only one taking direct damage from enemies, paladins also suffer a lot at the hands, er, claws of the demons. Plus if you have a necro in your team, ask him to cast Decrepify. That way, your Battle Cry will lower the defense of enemies even below zero, i.e. negative value. Have a jolly good time chopping them up.

So, have fun. Play Diablo 2 happily with your pals.

Preetu is a contributed writer for Batchmates.com the largest Alumni portal in India. With her research work and articles she has added an additional edge to the entertainment e-magazine BM Times. Her articles reach to millions of readers every day which are varied in subjects.

Farmers and Traders of World of Warcraft Gold

2008-06-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

In World of Warcraft, one of the top selling massively multiplayer online role-playing game, many players are playing the game for fun. This game is so interactive, everyone can play together with others, sharing their experience and playing as one team to finish some difficult tasks. But at the same time, many smart world of warcraft players make use of this game to make money. These kinds of players are known as Farmers and Traders, most of their activities are collecting world of warcraft gold and selling wow gold to other players.

Usually, world of warcraft gold farmers spend most of their time killing monsters and collecting the items these monsters drop, like weapons, world of warcraft gold pieces, and many other items. Sometimes they could have the chance to get very rare and valuable items. For the weapons and items they get, the common way they do is to go to the Auction House and exchange them with a certain amount of wow gold. But for World of warcraft gold pieces they gathered during the hours of killing and combating, they usually sell them to vendors or to other game players to earn a lot of cash.

The majority of world of warcraft gold farmers come from China, usually operated by some dedicated groups. These groups provide professional training to them and tell them how to collect as much gold as possible in the shortest time. Usually farmers don't speak English at all and their routine job every day is log in the game, go to certain places, killing monsters and collecting items and gold pieces. Yes, the job is simple, What they need to do is spend most of their waking hours in front of computer screens, immersed in complex, three-dimensional virtual world, and meeting and vanquishing enemies or even the same enemy over and over. They suffer from a lot of resentment from other players because these players believe the farmers who concentrate on violent games become wealthy by defeating enemies and harvesting the spoils of victory. Actually, their lives are not so easy as it may sound with the low salary and the bad working conditions.

Traders are those who are engaged in selling world of warcraft gold to game players. They usually buy world of warcraft gold from gold farmers with a very low price, and then sell the gold to the millions of players at high prices to seek for profit. To meet the players who want to buy world of warcraft gold online, these traders established their own companies, developed the professional websites, hired many staffs for customer support and operated in a professional way as most business do. and Usually some gamers consent the involvement of world of warcraft traders because it disrupts the flow of the game and drives inflation for goods and services. The dispute also exists between the traders and Blizzard Entertainment, which owns "World of Warcraft". Blizzard has shut down thousands of suspected accounts, But the gold traders are becoming increasingly brazen because they think they are maximizing the gamers' experience with this kind of dedicated services.

Victor Wilson is the dedicated trader selling world of warcraft gold for those who are constantly seeking for cheap world of warcraft gold. Review more if you are going to buy world of warcraft gold.

Buy Cheap World of Warcraft Gold to Play the Game - Bad or Good?

2008-06-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

Recently there are many reports in the market saying playing video games, especially World of Warcraft, has a lot of bad effect to the game players. Some experts claimed that playing world of warcraft can cause the players addicted in the virtual gaming world. And even more, some psychologist reported that those who suffered from dry eyes, headaches, back aches, erratic sleep patterns should stop playing the video games.

These psychologists who provide specific treatment for game addiction believe that gaming addiction is a true and terrible mental disorder. They cited numerous cases to illustrate the gravity of this kind situation. Based on their opinions, more than half of the world of warcraft players are addicted in the game and continued to grow rapidly. They said they were much swamped in the past with people asking for help, especially a lot of people asked them to get help for their teenaged children, boyfriends, spouses and sometimes themselves.

They also said the heavy world of warcraft players always have the similar characteristics, for example, they constantly buy world of warcraft gold to exchange weapons in game and wasted a lot of money they could spend on more value things; they are usually engaged in the game for a long time and should spend the time they wasted in game on reading books and etc. And furthermore, these addicted players feel like they are completely in the game while not simply playing a virtual character. And they criticized these players expected to find a sense of belonging each time they turn on the game.

And yes, all above they mentioned is true for most of game players. But My opinion is, it's not a bad thing to play world of warcraft. It's true the side effects do exists, While at the same time, it brings a lot of pleasure to the game players themselves. You could image how much you can relax yourself in game after one day of hard work. And it is normal for the gamers to buy world of warcraft gold, since they need to get weapons and interact with other game players. Also because most players could find ways to get cheap world of warcraft gold, they enjoyed themselves with the excitement of playing game with a small amount of money. Except the players, these video games bring a lot of economic values, for example, due to the high demand of world of warcraft gold, many companies who are engaged in world of warcraft gold trading come out and grow rapidly; also they helped a lot of people find jobs, for example, many Chinese people could make a living by farming world of warcraft gold for these virtual gold traders.

What the video game players, especially those who play world of warcraft, should keep in mind is to make the right balance between playing games and other daily activities. The role one video game should play is to just to make their life more colorful and enjoyable.

Victor Wilson is the dedicated trader selling world of warcraft gold for those who are constantly seeking for cheap world of warcraft gold. Review more if you are going to buy world of warcraft gold.

So What Computer Games Are Your Children Playing?

2008-06-08T11:40:00.001-07:00

The four year review printed in 1999 by the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification, reported that hardly any of the members of the community saw games as a social issue. Within the findings they stated that there wasn't any evidence that watching material seen in R18+ games causes bad behaviour in adults. Australia is one of the few countries in the world without an R18+ category for games. Looking at it when I was between the age of 13 and 18 I was watching DVD's and Movies that werent legal, age wise. A bit of why it was so thrilling was because I wasn't meant to, so it just gives a game more credability giving it a rating.

We know that children's reactions to with games vary widely from child to child, with some children playing frequently, others hardly at all, with preferences ranging from strategy games to shoot-'em-ups to puzzles. We also know that there are large variations in terms of regularity and varieties of games played between boys and girls. Gaming can be massively successful in promoting moral or social values basically by producing an evocative, plausible universe in which the gamer makes moral decisions. The down side is unfortunately, many teens charge through their homework so that they will have larger amounts of time to watch TV, a movie or to play computer games (understandable, if not exceptable!).

Computer games and graphics have developed to such a degree that they sometimes blur the borders between the real and the virtual. Games like 'Crysis' have largely pushed the edge of the envelope in this case. Games can be works of art and literature - and they're still developing. The stories they can tell, and the experiences they provide, are increasingly sophisticated and glorious.

There are educational games that have the graphic qualities and engagement of mainstream games, but are designed to attain specific instructive goals. One example is DoomEd, which has changed an existing game to create a 'first-person-shooter' in which the player moves around the London underground during the second world war killing aliens, the education being that they need to understand radiation and chemistry in order to defeat dangerous obstacles. (Obviously not one for younger children)

Research discoveries are more varied, however, when it comes to the effects on children's social integration. Although little evidence shows that the reasonable use of PC's to play games has a negative influence on children's friendships and family relationships, recent survey information shows that increased use of the Internet may be linked to increases in loneliness and depression (Lets face it, if your child is just sat in front of a box 24/7, they aren't going to be making any friends).

World of Warcraft Gold Guide Tips and Strategies for Beginners

2008-06-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

Many new players find it difficult even frustrating to make gold. I've seen new players begging for gold in the trade and chat channels till they get some gold out of pity. It's really not their fault, it's not that they're lazy, they just don't have a clue on how to earn gold. They think World of Warcarft is just another video game. Unfortunately, while it is a game, you do have to earn
money to buy things you want or need. In this World of Warcraft gold guide you'll learn straight forward steps on how to earn gold while still enjoying the game.

Having leveled 5 toons myself, a level 70 warrior, a level 70 rogue and 3 battleground
twinks, it does take a bit of effort especially at the lower levels. However, once you
know how and where to grind for gold, you will find that it's actually pretty easy.
Read on as I mention some quick tips to help you get started.

Learn two gathering professions early on

It may not seem important, but the sooner you get your professions the faster it will
be for you to start earning gold. As soon as my warrior hit level 6, I ventured out of the human starting area (Northshire) and headed over to Goldshire
to pick up mining from the mining trainer.

From there, as I explored Elwyn forest while doing quests, I discovered copper nodes
along the way. After a couple hours of mining, I had a stack of 20 copper ore which
I quickly smelted into bars. I then turned around and sold that same stack of
copper bars at the Auction House for 1g 80s! This may not sound like a lot but
a 1g 80s is a small fortune for level 6 who just started playing. I soon realized
that I could earn even more gold by taking up another gathering profession and that
was skinning. For me it was a good idea since I was killing a lot of wolfs, bears and
boars.

You need to equip more bags!

Once you start making a little gold it's time to get some more bags. More bags equals
more gold for you. Especially with two gathering professions, your backpack will
fill up fast forcing you to sell what you have loosing valuable grinding time. In the World of Warcraft, time is money and wasted time is time you can't afford to lose.

Create a bank alt

You'll find it inconvenient to go back and forth to a town or city to sell stuff that
you've farmed especially when you're venturing far from civilization. In this case it's
a good idea to create a alternate character that can do the selling while your main
character is gathering. Once your bags are full, mail everything to the bank alt.
You'll need to get that bank alt to a major city because you'll be listing stuff at
the auction house most of the time.

Kill everything in sight

Killing mobs may be boring but it's guaranteed income. When ever you kill mobs, they will drop
all kinds of loot. There are 6 different types of loot. Purple-Epic, Blue-Rare,
Green-Un Common, White-Common and Grey. In the lower levels, you'll mostly get green,
white and gray loot. You won't see any purple or blues until you hit higher levels,
at least this is how it was for me. Always use the green loot (gear, weapons) for yourself or put them up at the AH. You can sell the white items at the AH but from my experience, they didn't
sell well so I always sold them to vendors along with the grey items.

If your an enchanter, you can dis-enchant the green items and sell the mats at the
auction house as well. Wait till you have a stack of one item. For example, if you get strange dust from a single item, wait till you have about 20 of them and sell it as a stack.

Start doing instances when you reach a high enough level

One of the first instances for Alliance is Dead Mines in Westfall. Dead mines has
plenty of excellent loot for lower level players especially rogues. Depending on your
class you can start this instance at 16 or so. You'll need a group to get through it.
You will see your first Blue drop from here.

If you have a high level friend that can complete a certain instance by himself, ask him if he can run you through it. You'll make a ton of gold this way because you are the only one getting all the loot. Since your friend is a high level, he has no need for the loot. You can always pay him some gold for his time, but most friends do it for free. You can also ask people you don't know and some of them will do it for free but most will charge you.

Don't go crazy at the auction house

Once you've accumulated some gold, you'll be tempted to buy a lot of stuff like gear,
weapons, etc at the auction house. Don't do it. Save your gold. You'll find everything
you need from quests and loot. You will need all that gold to get your mount at level
40. Even more gold at level 60 for an epic mount and then 70 for a flying mount. Finally, 5,000g gold
for the epic flying mount!

These are the same basic techniques I have used since I started playing WOW almost two
years ago. It has allowed me to get the things that I really needed such as my mounts,
gear, epic weapons you name it. Follow these steps outlined in this guide and you'll achieve the same results I have.

As an avid player averaging 2 to 4 hours a day playing online, Joen has been hooked on World of Warcraft for almost 2 years and shares many useful tips and guides to the game. World of Warcraft Gold Guides and Tips

Play Lunar Lander Online Free - Classic Computer Game

2008-06-08T11:39:00.001-07:00

This article is for anyone interested in playing classic title Lunar Lander online. It was less popular than other earlier game titles due to the fact it was a computer game. That is compared to Arcade titles like Galaga, Frogger, Space Invaders, Centipede, Dig Dug, and more. You control a Lunar Lander and thrust it/controlled it to further and more difficult landings. You must control the Lunar Lander when descending or the Lander will be destroyed. If the Lunar Lander hits anything at anytime except an even landing it will be destroying. You must also watch the fuel so you don't come barreling down destroying the ship.

The game will take a few tries to learn without destroying the Lunar Lander. It is very easy to find online and can be played from your internet browser window. The controls are usually either space bar or enter key as the thruster and the arrows move you. The game has a very simple concept behind it.

This was one of the earliest Educational games ever created and even paved the way for the bigger companies. Nintendo later made Educational titles Mario is Missing and Donkey Kong Jr Math. Lunar Lander compared to those games has very little replay value. That was due to the fact that it got repetitive fast and doesn't offer any different modes.

This game has been inspiring kids to be Astronauts since 1973 on ancient computer platforms and modern computer platforms. It has been remade dozens of times which you can find easily on either Google or Yahoo! Search Engines. For those of you who this inspired to play this classic computer game have fun and good luck not destroying the Lunar Lander.

Play NES Games Online Free at http://www.originalnintendo.net

If you're interested in finding Nintendo related careers or becoming a Game Tester you can find free information right here

Buy Every Nintendo Console Low Price Online at http://www.originalnintendo.net/shop

Beautifully Designed Computer Games

2008-06-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

As a result, those first games included gems such as Pong, Pac Man (while fun and a classic, let's face it: it was a yellow circle that moved around in circles "eating" dots); and asteroids (stick figure space ship shoots at stick figure rocks).

The next generation of games sought to improve the visual appeal somewhat. And so we received the slightly better games like Donkey Kong, Galaxian and Frogger. While these were definitely primitive by today's standards, they did at least have some more color and in some cases, a "cuteness" factor.

It was in the late 1980s that two things impacted the graphic look of computer games. First was the dawn of graphical adventure games. As classics like Space Quest, Police Quest, and George Lucas' Monkey Island became hits, they showed that there was a market for games that were not only fun, but which were pleasing to look at. Here were games that, at least for their time, were genuinely beautiful in their look.

The second thing that impacted computer games' graphic look was the appearance of the first Nintendo Entertainment System. This showed the world that electronic games could and should not only have fun game-play, but be fun to look at as well. Almost immediately, computer game designers began modeling their games to reflect the Nintendo style and philosophy. From that point on, almost monthly, some computer game was released that surpassed the graphic look of anything that had come before it.

One game in particular floored fans and critics alike for its beautiful design: MYST. The game was gorgeous, in addition to being mysterious and captivating. Around the same time, the first DOOM game was released. This was the first 3D-shooter that was truly beautiful to look at. It inspired the look of 3D games for years afterward, and in fact, its impact is still felt on the 3D genre.

The late 1990s and early 2000s brought new generations of all of the major gaming consoles. We now have Playstation III, XBox 360, the Nintendo Wii. With these, the visual look has approached photo-realism. With some games, it's almost impossible to tell the difference between a computer generated person and a live person. This is important for the continued evolution of the industry, as the next big thing will be virtual reality. And true virtual reality can only come to pass as the graphic looks become more and more realistic looking.

And so, the beauty of computer games will, more and more, reflect the beauty of real life.

Tips For Playing Free Games Online

2008-06-08T11:38:00.002-07:00

There is nothing better to do with your ideal time than play free games online. In fact, there are so many online gaming portals available that you will have a hard time choosing which one to play first! The following tips will help you find the best free ones on the Internet and help you choose the ones to play.

Tip #1 Game Review Sites

If you search Google or other search engine for the best free online gaming portals you will find that there are actually some review sites that show which ones are the best, or at least the ones that have the highest rankings.

Generally, on these review sites the players rank the games depending on their opinions. So, if one is ranked really low that does not mean it is necessarily a bad one. It just means the majority of people did not really care for it.

You can start with any that gets your attention. However, keep in mind that if it is ranked really bad it might be so be prepared for that. The same goes for those that are ranked really well. They might be awesome and you could love playing them, or they might not be that much fun depending on what you like.

The good thing is that on the review site you can become a member and access and then rank them, too. So, your opinion will count!

Tip #2 Game Sites

There are lots of free games on the Internet. All you have to do is search for them and you will get them. When you locate your favorite site you will certainly want to bookmark it so you do not lose it. Also, remember the name of your favorite game so you can always search for it quickly and start it when you have ideal time.

Tip #3 Play At Home

One tip for playing on the Internet is to always access it at home or a friend's house. You can really get in trouble playing games on the Internet when you are work. So, resist the urge even one game while you are at your job.

The reason why is that with most of these games you get addicted. And, you will have a hard time playing just one game. This could cause you problems at work so the best thing to do is simply avoid it while you work. If you save this for home then you will have something to take up your ideal time and something to look forward to.

These are just a few tips to help you find and start with it on the Internet. In general, you will be able to find a great deal of them with no problem at all and it will not take you long at all to find a favorite that you will become addicted to. Go ahead and start searching for online gaming portals today so you will have something fun to play online!

PC Games - Fun and Enthrallment Guaranteed

2008-06-08T11:38:00.001-07:00

Video games have been the craze of the youngsters and the adults for ages. Everyone loves to play the exciting and thrilling games that offer invigorating entertainment. Throughout the day we are occupied in the hectic and relentless chores that make us feel as if we are mechanical beings devoid of any fun and enjoyment. Our strict regimes and tough schedules hardly give us any chance to get entertainment. Most of the times, we remain busy working on some or the other process which keeps us involved in complex computations and boring practices. Certainly work is of top most priority, however some amount of entertainment and relaxation is also important to keep one fresh and in good spirit. As it is rightly said that "All work and no play make Jack a dull boy", it is always admirable to have enthrallment in one way or the other. PC games are an efficient means of entertainment as they have incredible graphics, great visuals and interesting moments.

We all have grown playing these enticing games. Time and again, there have been new additions and enhancements in the arena of these games. There has been immense growth in terms of technology, mechanics and the sophistication of these games. People admire them because they offer them great entertainment and real time experience. These games are created with interesting story lines and amazing characters that attract the players a lot. Everyone loves to compete with their friends and peers in these games. You can try your expertise with the wonderful high speed racing games or can challenge your friends in the fighting games. There have been innumerable series of games that have been highly popular amongst the gamers. The incredible Mario Brothers series by the Nintendo has entertained the gamers for many years.

Unlike the earlier games which were played on the arcade machines, these games are easily played on your home system and you need not buy a separate gaming console to play games. These games have grown tremendously with time and now they have advanced graphics and enhanced effects. The game play has become more interesting and lively. PC gaming has taken the form of a complete industry and now advanced technology is used to develop these games. Efficient programmers and animators invest their intellect to create games that enthrall the gamers. Now you can find PC games in a variety of genres and classifications. You can find games specially created to cater to the distinctive priorities, nature and interests of the people. You can easily get the game of your interest these days. High speed racing games like Need for Speed Pro etc are immensely popular amongst the youth.

Advanced games like Halo and Mass Effect etc are completely thrilling as they are based on the amazing science fiction plots. The incredible games like Mortal Combat give users great thrill. These fighting games are a great lure for the people who admire action and thrill. You can compete with these virtual characters that have great powers. Games like Star Wars have also gained great fame and have been well accepted by the players. Now, the games have advanced graphics and special effects. 3 dimensional graphics and real time animations make these games an amazing replica of thrill that's close to veracity. The personal computer games are available in the form of DVDs and CDs. The gamers love to play games with great twists and turns. These days advanced games are also distributed via the internet in downloadable format.

These pc games are facilitated as a shareware which can be attained though different online delivery options like Steam and Direct 2 Drive. For playing these advanced games it is important to check the system requirements. The system configuration should meet the minimum requirements other wise the game will not run properly. Since these games involve advanced graphics and fast processing, the system should have sufficient memory and high speed processor so as to ensure that the games can be played in full swing. Slow loading and interrupted graphics spoil the impact of the game.

Know more about latest Nintendo DS and xbox 360 games

World of Warcraft Karazhan Raid Guide - The Curator

2008-06-08T11:38:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a Karazhan Guide and Walkthrough for The Curator, you've found the best on the internet.

The Curator is the first of two bosses in Karazhan that drop T4 gear. He is not an optional boss.. He can give raids a bit of trouble, but remember that practice makes perfect.

Ideal Group Composition:

1 Main Tank

3 Healers

6 Good DPS

Most of your raid will probably be in at least 5-6 epics if not more before you can consistently kill The Curator. Your DPS needs to be strong as you need to be able to kill the Arcane Flares he summons within 10 seconds or you will get overwhelmed by them.

NOTE: Be extremely careful when you first go in to The Curator's hall because he has a very large aggro radius.

The positioning for this fight is fairly straightforward. Line up all your ranged DPS and healers against the wall in The Curator's room. They should all be spread apart roughly in a semi-circle. The tank will then pull the Curator about 30 yards away from the ranged DPS in the middle of the hall.

For most of the fight The Curator summons Astral Flares to attack the raid at a rate of one every 10 seconds. All DPS needs to attack these for most of the fight. Whenever there is a flare, DPS needs to be attacking the flare.

Periodically, The Curator will turn blue and use Evocation to restore his mana. While he is blue he doesn't attack anyone and takes 200% damage. He does this for 20 seconds, then goes back to shooting Astral Flares again. When he is Evocating is when your DPS will attack him. DPS must also remember to stay on Astral Flares until the last one is dead, even when he Evocates. For this reason we usually just assign two specific DPS to take care of the last Flare when he Evocates, this way the rest of the DPS is free to switch over immediately.

He goes back and forth between shooting Astral Flares and Evocating for nearly the whole fight. You just need to continue killing Flares and then attacking him when he's Evocating until he gets down to 15%. Before that, though...

The Curator also uses something called Hateful Bolt, which does 5-6k arcane damage to whoever is second on threat. For this reason, we usually have one DPS member with a lot of health stay second in threat and just eat the Hateful Bolts. You can also use an off-tank instead, though we found this slowed our DPS down too much in this DPS race. He enrages and will kill the raid after 10 minutes so DPS is very important in this fight.

Once you get him to 15%, the Curator hits harder, stops Evocating and stops shooting Astral Flares. At this point, all there is left to do is DPS him down. Pop cooldowns and keep all heals on the main tank and Hateful Bolt tank. Once you get him down to 15%, you should be able to kill him unless you hit the enrage timer.

If you are having problems with The Curator, remember that most of the problems you have with him can only be solved by leaving and coming back with better gear, better raid specs, better consumables or some combination of the three. The Curator was the first boss in Karazhan that most of our raid needed to use flasks before we were able to down him. Bad DPS cannot and should not be tolerated - while Subtlety rogues may be fine in 5-mans, they're horrible raid DPS for example. Of course, you could always go PvP for a day or two and come back with a few extra epics, it can make a world of difference.

For more of Adam Fox's WoW Raid Guide, including Tips & Tricks for The Curator and the rest of Karazhan, check his free site here http://wowraidwalkthroughs.blogspot.com/ or here http://wowraidwalkthroughs.blogspot.com/2008/04/curator-guide-world-of-warcraft.html

Secret Ways to Level Characters in WoW

2008-06-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

Speed leveling in world of warcraft is one thing every world of warcraft player wants to be able to do. There are tons of world of warcraft speed leveling guides written out there, some are good and some are not. The problem with most of them is they are designed around a particular playing style, with a certain character and with a certain race. This is fine if you wish to emulate someone else but isn't the point of playing a mmo role playing game to create your own uniqueness inside a massive world filled with hundreds and thousands of other characters. It is for this reason alone that world of warcraft players are always on the hunt for more efficient means to speed level wow characters to level 70. With this in mind let's look at how we break the mold, and learn how to power level with our own methods and our own playing styles yet still be efficient at doing so.

Secret ways to level characters in wow start with an understanding of how 80% of the people play the game. This is true for most people even if they are playing with some of the more popular wow speed leveling guides like Joanas Horde leveling and Brian Kopp Alliance Guide. Ok here is the common play.

You are trying to power level your way through a certain zone or even trying to speed through certain levels to reach a certain goal in mind like hitting level 40 for your first mount etc. everyone gets stuck or forgets stuff as they play the game, so the common method is to simply Alt+Tab out of the game check out their leveling guides or one of the many wow databases out there, find what they need then Alt+Tab back into the game and carry on power leveling. Sound familiar? I bet it does, this is because this playing style is so common, in fact I used to play exactly like this for years. The problem is this is not the most efficient way to play the game or play with the aid of a speed wow leveling guide.

Here's why. If you were to add up how much game time you used up Alt+tabbing each and every time and add this amount of time up over the course of say several levels, I bet you would be surprised at the amount of time you wasted. I tried this as an experiment on my last speed leveling run and found that I wasted enough time to be easily a couple levels higher then I should. So what's the solution? What are secret ways to level characters in wow? The answer is simply and it also lets you play how you like and with whatever race and class you want as well.

There is no doubt that guides like Joanas Horde Guide and Brian Kopps Alliance guide contain great speed leveling information. Again the problem lies in their inefficiency as Joanas Horde guide assumes you want to play as an Orc or Troll Hunter etc. But what if you could have information like this and all the questing information you need without having to Alt+tab outside of the game? Thankfully you can. Because wow is an evolving game developers have now created an in-game speed wow leveling guide that sits like a map mod. What a difference this can make to your playing. It's flexible enough to be used for whatever character or class you want to play and it lets you grab the information you need right inside the game without having to go find a tree to hide behind so you don't get ganked while you Alt+Tab over to the internet to find the information you want.

Obviously one article isn't enough to cover about the secret ways to level characters in wow and as a hardcore gamer myself I wrote more about it.

T Nantais is a hardcore world of warcraft player. His discovery of the only in-game world of warcraft speed leveling guide that acts just like a map mod has made the whole difference to his playing style. For more information check out http://www.squidoo.com/ultimate-world-of-warcraft-leveling

Halo Multiplayer - Even More Game Tips

2008-06-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

Looking to dominate Halo Multiplayer? This short guide will show you how to overpower other players on two of Halo's multiplayer maps. Take your Halo play to the next level and shutout those Master Chief wannabes.

Infinity

Infinity is a gargantuan, figure-eight-shaped map where vehicles dominate. You'll be spending a lot of time in transit to the enemy base and there isn't much to see and do along the way, so the key to owning Infinity is knowing your own base.

Taking the ramps all the way to the top level will lead you to two Banshees and a sniper rifle. These craft are the quickest and easiest way to capture the enemy flag.

On the main level of your base, note the health pack in the rear (i.e., farthest from the flag). In front is a Shade for base defense, a flamethrower, and a couple of grenades. Directly beneath the Shade on the ground is a pair of Warthogs, one of each type. The flag is on a pad adjacent to the base, and a room accessible from the side closest to the canyon wall contains a valuable health pack and shotgun.

When making a flag run, you can do it solo using a Banshee if you're good enough. When traveling by Warthog, use the buddy system. Well-coordinated teams will use multiple Warthogs with air support.

The alternate way to reach the flag is walking via teleporters at the back of the enemy base. You may be able to sneak in, but you'll need to do so much walking back that your odds of survival plummet.

Timberland

Small and square, Timberland is simple. There are no backdoors into either base here. Each team's HQ has two levels, the second of which holds extra grenades and a sniper rifle. Be careful: a zoomed-in sniper rifle can shoot into the second level of the opposing base. If you're up there, be quick about it and keep moving.

In front of your base is a pair of Ghosts and two Warthogs, one of each type. Take a buddy if you go via Warthog, but it's actually pretty easy to make solo runs with the Ghost. The key there is to avoid the temptation of the open middle area and the over shield located there, and stick to the outside edges instead.

Cruise out of your base to the left and stop at the first corner you come to. Pick up the fuel-rod gun and plasma grenades. That gun is your key to stomping any troops you run into at the enemy base. Hop back on the speeder and hug the outermost path. There's an optional second stop just before the path forks where you can grab an invisibility. When you're equipped to your satisfaction, keep to the outside edge, zoom up to the enemy-base entrance, deal some major pain, then return home with the flag via the same outside route for an easy score.

And there you have some very successful tips to use to dominate two of the maps in Halo multiplayer.

==============================================
Kevin Krebs is the author of many articles describing strategies and tactics to be used in playing many of today's popular games.

5 Ways That Anyone Can Gain Experience To Become A Game Tester

2008-06-07T04:54:00.003-07:00

When it comes to testers, education is one thing and experience is another. How can you gain experience if you can not get a job? And, how can you get a job if you have no experience? It is a no-win situation for most people, but have no fear. There are actually several ways that you can gain the experience needed to become a game tester before you ever fill out a job application. Here are 5 ways that anyone can gain experience needed to become a game tester:

1. Create your own "mini" games. This is easier than it sounds, especially for those who are familiar with computers and languages already. There are many places online where you can learn how to create your own games and play them. This will show potential employers that you know what it takes to make, and test, a game.

2. Write reviews. This is a simple one that anyone can do no matter how good your writing skills are. Start with some of the sites on the web that will allow anyone to post review about games. Write short reviews at first, until you get the hang of what needs to be done and how to do it. Then, move on to longer reviews and other web sites. Knowing what makes a good game and what does not, is a great way to show employers that you can be a good game tester.

3. Create mods. For example, write a game mod for one of the MMO or MMORPG games out there today. You can find out how to write these simple programs many different places on the Internet and then post them on different gaming sites for download. While you probably will not make any money with mods, you will gain the experience needed to show gaming companies that you know what you are doing.

4. Organize local events. This can work in many different ways, make sure that you are an active part of the video or computer gaming community and then start getting involved in different areas. Show people that you have what it takes to organize a gaming event, either online or off, and you will also show potential employers that you can be a great game tester.

5. Beta test new games. You can easily find different games online that are in the beta testing phases. You will have to be quick to get in on the beta, as most of the vacancies will fill up fast, but this is as close to real game testing experience as you can get without actually being hired as a game tester.

While there are many other things that you can do to gain experience in game testing, these are the top 5. To learn other ways that you can gain the experience needed to become a good video or computer game tester, head over to http://www.becomeagametester.com and take the game tester course. You will find that becoming a game tester is not as hard as you might think.

MD Weems has been a professional writer for over a decade and is an avid MMO gamer. She also runs the MMORPG/MMO gaming web site, Zownder.com, and is the head of an elite MMO gaming team. She has several MMORPG gaming guides to her credit and is constantly writing articles and information about all types of MMORPG and MMO games.

Becoming a Video Game Expert - You've Got the Skills, So Why Not?

2008-06-07T04:54:00.001-07:00

If you find yourself playing video games day-in and day-out, you might be a prime candidate for establishing yourself as a gaming expert. All you need is a good knowledge of a wide range of games and gaming systems, and a lot of patience. The rewards are phenomenal and in the end, you'll be a better person for it.

So what is a video game expert anyway? Just what is it that qualifies anyone to be an expert on anything? Since there aren't any colleges that offer degrees in video game expertise, pretty much any gamer as an expert who has the qualities described above could be classified as an expert. If you have the knowledge or ability to play a game skillfully and you enjoy solving problems, you could probably claim the rights to an expert status.

Just be sure that you keep up with all the latest developments and trends in the gaming industry. Part of being an expert is admitting that there's always more to learn and in the gaming industry, this should never be a hard thing to pull off. Exposing yourself to new games and new game systems allows you to turn every time you play into an opportunity to expand your knowledge. In doing so, you'll learn tons of new strategies and improve your value and status as an expert gamer.

It's also a great idea to make an effort to collaborate with other gamers. Get off the game and get out into the public where other gamers go so that you can network and discuss your discoveries with others. Networking gives you the opportunity to talk shop, swap secrets, teach others, and learn a little something new at the same time. The relationships that you build as a result are simply invaluable. There's probably no other way you could gain access to little known gaming secrets than to network among the best gamers around.

If you're totally focused on becoming a gaming expert, consider taking some classes in game programming. Seek out an apprenticeship and find training programs that are offered in both your local area and the gaming industry as a whole. This is an excellent way to learn everything you could ever want to know about gaming, and it's a good entrance into the gaming industry if you aren't too crazy about making a commitment to a full time gaming career. You could also subscribe to gaming magazines, participate in online discussion boards, or sign up for book clubs that focus on gaming material.

Take note that your status as a gaming expert may not always be appreciated. Strong criticisms - whether right or wrong - come with the glory of being perceived as an expert. You may be rejected for an opportunity that you feel you're perfect for, or you may experience the wrath of a less-than-experienced heckler. The first rule of thumb is not to take rejection or criticism personally. Some people may be jealous of your position, or they may want to test you just to see how much you really do - or don't - know. Just remain confident in your knowledge and abilities. A true expert looks past these things and they constantly look for ways to improve themselves.

Denise Villani is an author and the webmaster of several websites and article directories. Find more articles and information on video games and gaming by visiting VideoGameStuffSite.info

Gaming Desktops - The Desktop for Super Gamers

2008-06-07T04:53:00.004-07:00

For playing network and computer games, gaming desktops are the best since they are optimized for displaying graphics (as opposed to regular desktops, which are optimized for storage). This is because a lot of gaming media is being read from removable drives. The best feature of the gaming desktop is their graphics card that ensures smooth frame rates and perfect video quality. These desktops are also equipped with bigger RAM and faster hard drives compared to your regular desktop computer.

Kinds

There are two types of gaming desktops: the pre-built and the custom-built.

The prebuilt gaming desktop: They are in pre-assembled cases that already include a motherboard, processor, and the necessary sounds and graphics cards. They may also come with different input and output devices necessary for plug-and-play of gaming controls like game pads and joysticks. Other controllers may also be connected like the wheel for racing games. They are more expensive compared to custom-built ones but are easier to set up.

The custom-built gaming desktop: This includes the basic components like the processor and the motherboard, but you can easily assemble and customize them based on what you need in a gaming desktop. They also let you add more peripherals and components. While they are commonly cheaper than pre-built ones, they typically require more skills and set-up time in your part.

Buying your gaming desktop

If you are looking for a gaming desktop, you need to check on its ventilation and upgrading options.

Gaming desktops are usually easy to be upgraded and you can easily add components into them, too. Look for one that has standard ports like the USB 2.0 to ensure that it is highly compatible with different kinds of add-ons like new hardware and controllers.

Ventilation is important for a gaming desktop to avoid overheating and damage. Check for enough fans or vents.

Complete information

A complete Guide to GAMING DESKTOPS is available in Picky Guide, one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.

Community of Million Gamers - Online Gaming Communities

2008-06-07T04:53:00.003-07:00

Are online gaming communities the new member's clubs or will the next generation of online gamers will be lacking any social skill who cannot recognize a three dimensional object even if it falls on his head? Looking at some of today's online games shows that despite all the gloomy prophecies, virtual games create a new, bigger, world-wider form of communities based on human interaction.

One of the most ancient and common claims against online gaming was directed towards its anti social nature. Internet opponents saw online gaming as the community enemy, which causes people to prefer the solitary act of playing internet games over taking part in more traditional types of social activities such as playing sports games, visiting the local bingo hall, etc.

However, the growth and the development of online games, made this claim a little bit irrelevant. About ten years of broadband internet access proves the opposite: online gaming is a social activity by nature. From classic card, board, puzzle, and sports games to massive multi player online games (Second life, World of Warcraft, etc), online games are nothing but isolated and/or antisocial.

Let's take online backgammon for example. Backgammon, the ancient board game, was traditionally played in backgammon clubs as a one-and-one game or a tournament. Backgammon rules used to be spread around in the old fashioned viral marketing - by word of mouth.

But what would do a small town backgammon player who has no backgammon clubs nearby? Online gaming solved this dilemma. The largest online backgammon rooms host hundreds of thousands of players who can practice backgammon games against each other, chat with one another, discuss game tactics and strategy, share information, gossip and do whatever members of community do when gather together.

Another game that proves the importance of the social aspect in today's online games is Second Life. The relatively new game has become a phenomenon. Although defined as a game, Second Life had shed all traditional characteristics of a game: it has no rules, no strategy and no actual competition or goal.

Instead, Second Life players, excuse me, residents, can keep themselves occupied in various social activities including buying and selling stuff, throwing parties or being invited to ones, exhibiting art objects or visiting art exhibits and involve in other life like behaviors. At the same time they can make new friends and/or foes and experience the entire scope of human emotions towards one another.

These were only two extreme examples – the classic board game turns virtual and the embodiment of the cyberpunk authors' visions. However, online gaming communities are far richer. Online gaming communities can be based on a shared interest in a certain game or on the abstract idea of interaction. Either way, the basic need in human communication did not pass from the world with 3D web technologies.

Saul Rivers is a new media expert who covers the online gaming industry and related topics. Rivers contributes articles to various skill gaming websites including online billiard, chess and backgammon sites such as http://www.play65.com for example.

Turning Gaming Into Money?

2008-06-07T04:53:00.001-07:00

Gaming technology can be readily adapted for positive uses in training and rehabilitation. Gaming also opens up legal avenues to finding precedents for blocking packet prioritization on the basis of the irreparable harm done to gaming communities. No matter where you are in the world or your gaming experience, if you are a mature online gamer that values teamwork, communication and the desire to win, you will find the right gaming group or organization to join.

As a form of multimedia entertainment, modern video games contain a unique synthesis of 3D art, CG effects, architecture, artificial intelligence, sound effects, dramatic performances, music, storytelling, and, most importantly, interactivity. This interactivity enables the player to explore environments that range from simulated reality to stylized, artistic expressions (something no other form of entertainment can allow) where the actions of the player operating as a single, irreducible variable.

Games have often been easier to classify by genre due to the technical constraints of various platforms, and commercial pressures like one would experience in any hit driven, entertainment market. Perhaps the most visible benefits of video gaming are its artistic and entertainment contributions. Indeed, most games require a great deal of patience and focus from the player, and, contrary to the popular perception that games provide instant gratification, games actually delay gratification far longer than other forms of entertainment such as film or even many books.

Advertising keeps magazines and television channels afloat, and so they feel obliged to cover the games that pay for their advertising space. Advertising content is delivered to gaming platforms in dependence upon a location of the mobile platform. While many games charge a monthly fee to web surfers, such as World of Warcraft, many other sites relied on advertising revenues from on-site sponsors, while others, like RuneScape, lets people play for free while leaving the players the option of paying, unlocking new skills for the members. Since we’re at the start of an online advertising boom right now, expect to see more free ad-supported games in the years to come.

Gaming companies see ancillary opportunities in related businesses as well. It is this experience of escapism, community and a psycho-social moratorium in which identity, issues and cultural forms can be freely explored, that lies at the heart of gaming and the gaming sub-culture. Gamers also used conventions, forums in magazines like “Dragon” and in local gaming groups to coordinate local lobbying of law enforcement, schools and parents as well as engage in numerous letter campaigns and articles submitted to mainstream news letters, magazines and television programs with varying degrees of success.

Video Game Demographics

2008-06-07T04:52:00.006-07:00

Video game demographics involve the study of video gaming habits of people of various ages. It requires a variety of primary and secondary research techniques such as telephone and personal interviews, analysis of market surveys, trade journals, and company literature.

The demographics of video game players and the related studies reveal that video gaming is mainly an adult-oriented form of entertainment! Video games are played extensively by both men and women too. Almost 60% of the Americans play video games.

Demographic is the common name for population studies. Video game demographics involve the analysis of different demographic variables such as how many people are playing video games, age of the average gamer, gender of the gamers, what they play and how video gaming affects television viewing. Recent studies show that people have accepted video games as an important entertainment medium.

According to video game demographics, 39% of people who play computer and video games are women. Forty percent of online gamers are also women. Thirty five percent of game players are usually under eighteen years, and 65% of game players are over eighteen years old. The average age of a video game player is 18 years old. Video games are widely used by 18 to 34 year old people. People in this age range spend more time in playing video games than watching the television.

Video game industries make the most of video game demographics. They identify the characteristics of their customers using this. The information provided by video game demographics can be used to enhance the quality of their service.

Demographics provides detailed information on Demographics, City Demographics, Census Demographics, American Demographics and more. Demographics is affiliated with Buy Business Mailing Lists.

Refurbished Gaming Computer - A Good and Cheap Way to Own a Gaming Computer

2008-06-07T04:52:00.005-07:00

If you’re on a budget, getting a refurbished gaming computer is a cheap and good way to own a gaming computer.

Refurbished means it is not new, but don’t go away thinking that ‘used’ computers are inferior. You will be surprised to find that most of the refurbished computers can perform tasks as good as a new computer. In fact, more and more gamers are buying cheap refurbished computer and then reconstruct them by adding higher RAM and better graphics card. The result is: a gaming computer that performs, but at the price of peanuts.

There are several benefits in getting a refurbished gaming computer.

Firstly, of course, is the price. A brand new gaming computer usually lies in the range of $1500-$3000, depending on the parts you choose. For half the price, you can easily get a refurbished computer that can perform the same tasks as the brand new one. Unless you are a technology geek who goes for the latest gadgets in the market, it makes no sense to spend the extra money on something where you can get it for less.

Secondly, the refurbished computer you are getting comes with parts that are reconditioned and re-certified, which means that they have been through a series of tests to ensure that they are working perfectly. All refurbished computers and parts also come with warranty. It is really the safest way you can get a cheap gaming computer.

If you are thinking of building a budget gaming computer, you may want to follow the way of what many gamers are already doing: buy a cheap refurbished computer and reconstruct it by adding on new parts. You can easily get a cheap refurbished computer for under $200. You may need to purchase the add-on parts separately. They are mainly the computer RAM and graphics card.

In conclusion, there are thousands and one ways to get a cheap computer. Getting a refurbished gaming computer is surely one of the best ways. Hopefully, this article has helped you in making a selection.

Damien Oh has been a computer consultant for the past 7 years. Over the years, he had help many organisations to build and maintain their computer system. His website http://www.build-gaming-computer-guide.com/articles.html contains a lot of informative articles, resources and tips on computer building and performance improvement that will be useful to gamers and PC enthusiasts.

How The Gaming Industry Plays A Roll In The Tech World

2008-06-07T04:52:00.003-07:00

Any one who plays games on there computer or even on a console like a play station two, x- box, game cube, can tell you that the games today have a lot of technology put into them. It’s that technology that going to create more and more business for the computer world.

More and more people are playing games today. Games are one of the top most favorite pass times for people all over the world. The interest in gaming has grown a lot in the past few years, and it’s that interest that is making the gaming industry a top contender in the Technology world.

As more people get caught up in the gaming world. The demand for better games have become a must have. The better the game is the more people want to play it, and if more people want to play it. The better the sales are.

So you can figure just as much as the gaming technology has increased in the world today. The demand for better technology to run the games is on the rise also. This is giving both the gaming world as well as the computer world a great big foot in the supply and demand market.

It’s really hard to tell which one. The gaming world or the computer world has more of the control in this market. What I do know is that both of them are not going to be going any where soon. As long as there are gamers there will always be a demand for better games. If there is always going to be a demand for better games there will always be a demand for better technology to run the games

Robert Emler: Avid computer gamer. I like being in the game. I also like to have the rite equipment to play the game. For fun family games an a lot of other games go to: http://extreamgamers.com

How The Gaming Industry Plays A Roll In The Tech World

2008-06-07T04:52:00.001-07:00

Gaming Captures the Hearts of Gamers, Alleviates Loneliness and Creates a New Market for Businesses

2008-06-07T04:51:00.000-07:00

Gaming is popular with teenagers, women, children, as well as men. Older people say they play games as it alleviates loneliness and puts them in contact with others. Statistics reveal that 41% of gamers are women and more than 43 % gamers are aged 25-49. And, research predicts that the games market in 2005 will be US$ 29 billion.

Players can choose between stored games and online games. Stored games are played on consoles while online games are played on a computer using either a broadband or dial up Internet connection. The growth in online gaming according to IDC, a research firm, is set to touch 256 million users by 2008. And, that gaming is serious business is conformed by the hosting of international conferences devoted to gaming and the formation of “Casual Games Special Interest Group.”

Gaming captures the imagination of the players and uses the senses: sight, sound, as well as touch. Many need the use of intelligence as well as strategy. Complex graphics, colors, high quality virtual realities are all set to grab as well as hold the attention of players. Multi-player gaming takes the interest to the next level –offers challenges as well as new horizons to be conquered.

Games played on the Internet are such that clever participants find ways to push the game beyond its visible limits, one can even device cheats to circumvent problems posed by the game. Games test the skills, intelligence, concentration ability as well as techie know how.

Online gaming architecture has six business aspects: the subscriber; the advertiser; the gaming platform provider; the broadband service provider; the network service provider; and the gaming content provider. It is big business—hardware revenues in 2005 are expected to be: US$ 9.4 billion with software and content revenue touching US$16.9 billion.

However, there is a downside, gaming can become addicted and affect normal life—kids stop studying, housewives neglect their daily routine, and people are tempted to play games even at work. It can lead to suicides, mental imbalance as well as destroy marriages and careers. Gamers become recluses and rarely make social contact outside their gaming groups.

Addiction studies indicate that gaming can result in: obsession, neglect, lying, socially unacceptable behaviors, carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes, neglect of personal hygiene, as well as sleep disorders.

Popular gaming sites include: MSN games which has 3.4 million monthly registered users ; Pogo which has 8.6 million monthly registered users; and Yahoo games which has 10.1 million registered monthly users.

Analysts predict that by 2007 online gaming will be at least 285 petabits a month, the revenue generated by online subscriptions for gaming is expected to reach US$ 650 million annually.

The future according to Peter Molyneux, is in developing games that “reward a player for “out of the box” thinking and creativity. Games must encourage players to be interactive and decide the direction the game will take.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com/, the premier website to play thousands of free online games including arcade games, action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle games and more. He also freelances for http://www.1888SoftwareDownloads.com