Posts Tagged ‘console’
August 22nd, 2010
A close up at the wii.
I'm eager to hear your comments...
February 4th, 2010
Classic Game Room reviews the NINTENDO Wii video game console! The Wii could be Nintendo’s best console since the original NES Nintendo Entertainment System. The Wii is a revolutionary gaming system and this Wii review shows what makes the Wii special vs. the PS3 and the Xbox 360. Is the Wii for you, would you rather play Wii fit or shoot things with massive laser cannons in HDTV graphics? The Wii may not be hi-def but it is hi-tech (owwww, that sucked!) and has a really unique controller that uses motion sensing technology and a nunchuk to make actions happen on the screen. The Wii is marketed as a unique social gaming console with a more family appropriate array of games. It gets you up off the couch (if you want that… boo standing!) and can have you dacing around the room playing games like Wii Sports Bowling, Golf and Far Cry Vengeance. This is a unique CGR review of the Wii not seen anywhere else, where Classic Game Room pours 30+ years of gaming experience over the Wii. Does the system have what it takes to be successful (it already is), will the Wii sell out in stores (yes), will the Wii dominate the universe in a way not seen since the Atari 2600??? With the unique controller, Nintendo proprietary games like Mario Cart, Super Smash Brothers Brawl and Metroid Prime 3 Corruption one could say the Wii has a chance… Wii vs. PS3 vs. Xbox 360. Bring it on into Classic Game Room stadium!
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December 21st, 2009
Why Deadly Creatures Will Be Unique In Today’s Market
Do battles between poisonous and deadly creatures fascinate you? Then it’s your lucky day. Deadly Creatures, a game developed for the Nintendo Wii, intends to capture the craziness of when two deadly animals collide in a fight to the very death. Deadly Creatures is looking to be a bizarre and interesting game, and there are a few reasons why I believe it will really stand out among today’s other franchise’s.
First of all, Deadly Creatures presents it’s storyline in a distinct and provocative manner. It would seem that the story is about a tarantula and a scorpion, as those are the two creatures that the player controls. However, overarching all of the twists and turns that the story about these two creatures takes is a story about two men (who happen to be voiced by Dennis Hopper and Billy Bob Thornton) searching in the middle of the desert for a certain someone. Or is it a something?
The story takes place over ten chapters, and every chapter the player switches between the scorpion and the tarantula. The result is that the player gets two different perspectives on just what is going on as the different pieces of the puzzle slowly start to come together. Each character will be able to access different areas in the same level the other cannot, due their unique abilities; such as digging(scorpion) and spinning webs(tarantula).
Secondly, the combat is presented in a unique fashion as well. After all, it’s about small, deadly creatures ripping each other to bits in cool ways. I’m not sure anybody has ever done that in a game before.
While the tarantula is fast and excels when it comes to dodging attacks, the scorpion is slow yet powerful, and relies on his blocking abilities to keep attacks at bay. Pressing A delivers a fast attack, while shaking the Wii remote execute a more powerful attack that requires more careful timing.
These attacks can be chained together to execute combos, more of which you will unlock as your character levels up. For example, for the tarantula you unlock a poisonous bite, and the ability to squirt webs at enemies and stun them.
Also, after stunning an enemy it is possible to perform a finishing move, which will completely defeat your foe if you follow the onscreen prompts exactly. The results of the execution of these finishing moves are intense, and often bloody. There’s a reason the game is rated T for Teen.
Lastly, the ambience and visual style is entrancing. Never before have players been able to explore the dark and treacherous world of insects in such a complete and vibrant form. That’s why Deadly Creatures should attract some well deserved attention this February when it’s released. In the midst of today’s generic action titles and simulators, Deadly Creatures will provide something fresh and new.
What are your thoughts on the subject?
December 14th, 2009
Video Gaming Technology Can Enhance Learning
Video games are not just for fun; they can also aid in helping students acquire valuable training and skills.
Flight Simulator Software
One of the earliest examples is that of flight simulators. Mechanical methods of flight simulation have been in place almost as long the airplane itself. Clearly the importance of training in a safe environment was recognized early on.
However, the advent of computer-driven flight simulation allowed for a much more realistic learning experience. The modern version boasts realistic colors, including daytime and nighttime variations, and furthermore can easily track flight instruments.
One of the most popular flight simulation games is produced by Microsoft. It is also one of the oldest, and in fact it was produced for three years even before Windows was released to the market! As such, the flight simulator program is the oldest continuously running franchise that Microsoft has on the market, further testifying to the timeless nature of this particular application.
Typing Tutor Software
Another early use of the computer for education is typing tutor software. Computers are ideally suited for this task because the computer can easily track typing speed and errors. Not only that, the computer can also track which keys produce the most errors.
Since typing is one of the most important skills associated with using a computer, typing instruction is a valid use of computer education and will likely remain so for as long as we have computers. Students can benefit by using the typing tutor every day, particularly while they are still learning how to type.
Typing tutor software often employ the use of games so that the student does not even realize they are “learning”. This can allow for great progress in a short amount of time.
The benefits of enhanced typing skill include: greater speed, greater accuracy, and reduced frustration while working on the computer. Greater accuracy means fewer mistakes and a lessened need to employ double-checking by others.
Language Instruction Software
Many students have reported excellent results from the use of computer software to learn a new language. This type of software is valuable due to the interactivity inherent in this technology. It allows for an “immersion” type of learning, in which one actually begins to think in the new language rather than simply learn how to translate from one language to another.
Language instruction programs will often employ the use of pictures to give a command. This method particulary benefits the visually-oriented reader and certainly aids in helping the student embrace the new language.
Language learning software will also give commands in the language being learned, so the student actually hears the language spoken correctly. This method is a clear advantage over instruction solely from books.
Whatever you need to learn, you can probably find a software program to help you learn it.
Participate in the conversation by leaving your comment below.
December 7th, 2009
Video Game Addiction and Today’s Youth
According to some studies, nearly 10% of American youth (ages 8-18) are clinically addicted to playing video games. Should parents and authorities be concerned?
According to one study, approximately 23% of youth felt they personally were addicted to video games, while 44% claiming their friends are addicted. Assuming that addiction is generally a negative phenomenon, these youth are concerned about themselves and their peers.
Some potential negative effects of video game addiction include the following:
Detachment from reality
Gamers who spend many hours playing games are by definition not paying attention to what is happening in the world around them. They can become interested in the fantasy or make-believe world inside the game than in the real world.
Inclination toward violence
Many adults have raised concerns about the violent nature of many video games. Indeed, at least a few cases exist of teens acting out the actions modeled in games, although hard data is hard to com by.
Games such as Grand Theft Auto include theft and sexual crimes. Parents obviously are concerned about their children taking part in these activities, even if it not “real”.
More common is the “war” type of game where the gamer merely shoots another combatant.
Physical impacts
Just as having a desk job often correlates with an overweight condition, so young adults who are heavily into video gaming have a tendency to be overweight. Clearly when sitting on a couch or the floor playing a game, one cannot be burning off many calories, although the Wii Sports and Wii Fit have addressed this issue to a degree. In addition, many gamers tend to snack on junk food and sugar-laden soft drinks while playing for long periods of time.
Mental development and thinking habits
Gamers addicted to playing video games may also suffer in their mental development, especially if homework and reading are neglected. While some gamers have argued that many games require critical thinking to play them successfully, others point out the nature of the typical game is quite limited in scope. In other words, one is limited by the world in which the game developer wished to create.
Gamers’ perspective
In response to claims of video gaming addiction, gamers point out several facts. First, addiction can take many forms, and video gaming addiction is much less harmful than say, alcohol or drug addiction. Second, many adults have addictions such as to caffeine and sugar and they seem to function reasonably well in society.
With the advances in video game technology, games are becoming more and more lifelike and enjoyable to play and we should therefore expect an increase in video game addiction. Whether it is truly harmful or not will continue to be hotly debated, as well as the extent of such addiction among youth.
Participate in the conversation by leaving your comment below.
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