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Posts Tagged ‘Mario Games’

Gears Of War

May 21st, 2009

Gears Of War




Gears of War thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind’s epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. players live and breathe the role of Marcus Fenix. A disgraced former war hero, Marcus seeks personal redemption as he leads his fire team against an onslaught of merciless warrior fiends. Gamers immerse themselves in an experience so intensely emotional and gut-wrenching that playing will be like controlling a blockbuster action movie. Control Marcus Fenix and his fire team as they pit advanced human technology against the overwhelming and horrific Locust Horde. Gears of War unites next-generation technology with classic, emotional storytelling and a revolutionary tactical combat system, engrossing the gamer in a horrifying epic story of war and survival Unreal Engine 3 technology pushes high-definition visual designs and brings out the smallest details in the largest battle. Experience a rich dynamic world with an unprecedented level of detail

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars newbie to this kind of thing
My experience with video games has been the various older Mario games on the original NES system and Mario Kart Double Dash, which is so much fun to play. This was my first Xbox game and I think it’s going to be difficult to find another game as amazing as this one.

When first starting the game I felt completely incompetent, but it was so much fun that I just had to stick with it. I play GOW with my husband and we’ve even managed to complete the insane level. I highly recommend GOW, but if you’re new to this type of game it would be helpful to have a more experienced player with you.

My husband and I are now playing GOW 2 in Horde…it’s stunning how quickly time flies when playing this.

4 Stars They will keep fighting, and they will win
Ever wanted to play “Starship Troopers” or a Michael Bay movie? Well for the zero of you that wished that now you have your wish

The game starts 14 years after “E Day” and we meet our main man Marcus Fenix who is voiced to perfection by John Dimaggio *aka Bender from Futurama* sitting in jail and rescued by his teammate Dom. Soon after we break out and get to know the world of “Gears of War” and get familiarized with it’s cover and fight game play, it’s raw in your face attitude, and it’s never ending horde of various baddies dubbed….. “The Locust”

Visually the game is something to behold. It has this grey almost black and white look to it, and in fact if you pause the game or try to give command to your squad it does go black and white for a second. The creatures, the characters, the expansive environments as well the weapons all have a sharp quality to it that makes one feel like they were watching a live action movie. I only have a standard TV and looked this good so I can only imagine how it looks like on HD. I read this game was responsible for the 360 having a 512 ram and it takes full advantage of every bit of it. Amazing looking game.

Only slight complain about the visuals is that when you first start to play the game it’s a bit difficult to tell who you’re suppose to be shooting at since the baddies look identical to your teammates. I have that same problem with the “Call of Duty” games. Yeah you get use to their sight after the first couple of levels, but overall when there is a big battle going on it becomes very difficult to know who is who till they start biting or shooting at you.

The cut scenes in the game are a lot of fun to watch mainly for the over the top characters and their cliched demeanor. My personal favorites are the opening one in which after Dom tells Marcus; “Welcome back to the Army”, his response is “S**t” and another favorite is the very last cut scene with The Queen making a dire warning to mankind.

My problem with the cut scenes is that I wish they had let the player actually play most of the cut scenes instead of just putting the controller down and watching some of the lengthy well animated scenes. A great example would be the last level in which you just watch the climatic ending. It would have been great to have played that cut scene instead of watching it but hopefully that problem will be fixed with the many sequels I’m sure is to come. “Half Life 2″, “Resident Evil 4″ and “Prince of Persia” all actively involve the player in the cut scenes and that makes them unique. Makes you feel like a part of the world

The audio goes hand in hand in hand with the excellent visuals and delivers a blistering track that stays very busy. The gunshots have a nice low end effect to them when you fire them that coupled with the shaking of the controller makes for a very satisfying shooting experience. The howls and screams from the creatures fills the speakers quite nicely and the “boom” from the Boomers gives the already busy subwoofer some work to do.

The music however is terrible in the game and I can now understand why they went with Jablonsky for the 2nd game. This is a game that plays and feels like a Michael Bay movie and yet the music is just lazy brass and a lot of non melodic noise. I actually had to turn off the music from the menu screen because it got too distracting but glad they have someone on board to get that “Media Venture” sound that the game called for.

There are lots of clever level designs in this game that require clever thinking and planning. The level with The Berseeker is a great example of this. Here is a level in which you have to be quiet because if this beast hears your footsteps he’ll run at you and rip you to shreds, but on the other hand you need him to run at you so he can break open a hole in the wall for you. It’s probably my favorite level in the game and I had to play it quite a couple of times to finally beat the guy.

The level with the birds that kill you in a heartbeat if you step in the dark is also a clever one. It forces the player to think before they move which is a welcome notion for me. You just don’t run, shoot and cover, but you to apply some strategy here and there if you want to make it to the next chapter.

My big complaint and what keeps me from hailing this game as a masterpiece is that it’s pretty much the same thing on every level and gets a bit tiring after a while. The first time you play it’s great but the 2nd time it gets a bit tedious, but that’s what multiplayer is for I guess. Where the game lacks in replay value for the single campaign, it makes up for with Co-Op play and online play, but it still would have been nice if the game offered a bit more in terms of what you had to do on every level.

It’s a very short game with great visuals, great sound, and some occasional clever level designs. May not be the greatest game ever made, but it sure is a lot of fun

A must have for all 360 owners

5 Stars good service
the game was in good condition,shipping was fast. i’m happy wiht my purchase. my only regret is that I didn’t get the manual of the game or the original box. but the game was running perfectly.

5 Stars Addictive Game
I love this game. I beat it so quickly because I couldn’t get enough of it. It’s pretty to look at and very realistic. Makes you feel like a child with a cool toy. The online wasn’t great, though.

3 Stars Decent game
The most impressive thing about this game is the graphics period.

There is no other game that comes close.

It is groundbreaking!

The distant second thing about this game is the cover and duck type movements. Quite realistic and original.

Cool characters and enemies round out a solid but not perfect game.

Perfection is hard to achieve and some minor things here and there bring down the enjoyment level from full blown perfection.

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PS3 Games Action , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Super Mario Kart

May 11th, 2009

Super Mario Kart




The first Go-Kart Racing game to come out for the SNES. Featuring all of the Super Mario bunch like Mario, Luigi, King Koopa, Toadstool, and the almost forgotten Donkey Kong Jr. Collect many power ups like mushrooms to speed you up; throw Koopa shells or banana peels at your opponent’s to slow them down, plus many more items. The Battle mode is an excellent two player game, use the split screen view to watch both players battle it out. Super Mario Kart is fun and exciting addition to family of Mario games.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Without a doubt…
One of the best overall video games of all time! I grew up in the era or NES, SNES, Genisis, etc. I played a lot game back then and this is one I still play. Friends of the family will come over and we will hold tournements on this game playing the ever-great battle mode. I swear this game never gets old. Well worth getting.

5 Stars Classic
This is still the best version of Mario Kart out there. It has some of the best maps, music, and it doesn’t try anything fancy like some of the newer Mario Karts. You really can’t go wrong with this game. Everyone should be able to appreciate this game, whether you enjoy racing games or not.

5 Stars Great Nostalgic SNES fun
Great quality game, which is hard to come by since these have been around since the early 90’s. I would recommend GeeksEtc to anyone if you’re looking for any older system games.

3 Stars Get set. GO
This game is fun to play. I prefer the version that N64 has out though.

4 Stars Not like I remembered but still fun
I guess I’ve just been spoiled with all the good graphics out there today. This game looks like pixelated garbage. It’s still fun, but gives me a headache after ten minutes. Also, no reverse? WTF??? I hate bouncing off of walls to turn around!

Buy/More Info

PS3 Games Racing & Flying , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games

April 28th, 2009

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games




Two of the most beloved icons in the world, Mario and Sonic, are joining forces to star in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Developed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, this momentous agreement marks the first time these two renowned stars have appeared together in a game. The game’s all-star cast of characters including Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles,Yoshi, Tails and more. Innovative usage of the Wii control system to maneuver your favorite character wil allow players to race the likes of Mario and Sonic down the 100m track, leap over the high jump or churn water in a swimming heat, all while competing for the much sought-after Olympic gold medal. With multiplayer capability up to four people, the stage is set for Olympic excitement with Mario and Sonic! ESRB Rated E for Everyone.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Very enjoyable for the kids, amusing for adults
The game arrived promptly, actually before I expected it. Kudos to Amazon for the quick shipping. Worked very well after my son learned to put it in the right way round! Now we can laugh at the way they look trying to swim while standing upright! Good value. Certainly not a game to make a couch potato out of our kids.

One note of caution: At $45 for the game, you want to make sure your kids will enjoy the game before you put down money for it. I would suggest renting it locally to give it a trial for at least a couple of days first.

4 Stars My mother loves it!
We rented this one first and my mother had a blast. She’s in her 50s and really got a kick out of the way the characters reacted to their triumphs and defeats. My husband thought the best entertainment was watching her really get into the game! I find myself hitting A a lot to skip over all the hoopla type parts and get to the actual game parts but it’s definitely good family fun.

5 Stars Fun family game
This is pretty fun as a family game. Motions that are used in the games are very much the same (nunchuck & remote in fast running motion). Would like more variety in motions, but otherwise it is a fun clean game for the whole family!

5 Stars Great fun and Challenge
This game is great. Great challenges, I thought it was be easier to play each event but boy was I wrong! It’s challenging but in a fun sort of way. It has been a blast playing each event and missions. But you have to have great eye / hand coordination but some games take great skill.

Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I am!!

5 Stars hack link
The basic premise of the game is that you select a character to compete against either other people or AI characters in various Olympic events. You have your choice of 8 classic Mario characters, 8 Sonic characters, or anyone from your Mii Village. Each character has different strengths and weaknesses, though what those precisely are is revealed only through game play. Out of the box, you know which characters are generally more speedy, powerful, skilled, or all around talented.

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PS3 Games Sports , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

New Super Mario Bros

April 24th, 2009

New Super Mario Bros




New Super Mario Bros. for the DS lets you play an updated version of the classic Super Mario Bros. world, with all-new moves taken from other hit Mario games. When Mario and Princess Peach are taking a walk, a bolt of lightning hits Mushroom Castle. Mario goes off to investigate, but he returns Bowser has kidnapped Peach! He’ll track down Bowser on the classic, original Super Mario Bros. map with all the moves he’s picked up in the other games. Throw turtle shells, butt-stomp to crack open floors — you can even use the tanooki suit from Super Mario Bros. 3. Use the DS dual screen to see where you are on a map & play fun minigames. Also includes a two-player mode where Mario and Luigi race and compete for coins.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Great NDS game.
New Super Mario Bros. I’m 10 years old and believe me,it’s great, but I found myself stuck in a lot of places and tore-up about 10 couches till’ I got past one! Though, don’t let this review stop you from getting it, it’s one of the best games I ever played!!

4 Stars Great title for the DS
I was trying this game while my daughter was watching a DVD in car. Next thing you know, I get hooked. This is similar to Super Mario Brothers that I played on the Super Nintendo as a teenager. There are some interesting twists like the ability to shoot your opponents and a super mushroom that allows you to just destroy everything in your path. It does a great job incorporating the touch screen.

What I also found entertaining were the mini games, when you want to take a break from the frustration of the main game. I admit, some levels are easy, but there are some levels that are a bit challenging. There is a good entertainment factor but certain sections have a high level of difficulty that needs to be planned out.

Overall, for a ‘retro-type’ game, it is well done and will entertain all ages.

I highly recommend this game.

5 Stars great game
I bought this for my 6 yo who couldn’t play her other games bc she couldn’t read what the game was telling her to do on the screen. She loves it! My 8 yo kept trying to take it to play with so I bought a second one. Great product for all ages

5 Stars Fun update to the original
This game is a lot of fun! It takes the original platformer, updates the graphics, and the game mechanics, and makes it even more fun. It falls into that “easy to learn, hard to master” category.

It is also really cute - my wife really likes the new tiny Mario that can run on water.

I think this is a definite must buy for DS/DSi owners.

5 Stars Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got this game when I was in the hospital 2 years ago. Now,I still have the castle level in world 7 and a level in world 5 to complete. This is my all time favorite game for my favorite system, the DS.

Buy/More Info

PS3 Games Adventure , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games

April 22nd, 2009

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games




Two of the most beloved icons in the world, Mario and Sonic, are joining forces to star in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Developed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo DS, this momentous agreement marks the first time these two renowned stars have appeared together in a game. The game’s all-star cast of characters including Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles,Yoshi, Tails and more. Innovative usage of the DS control system to maneuver your favorite character wil allow players to race the likes of Mario and Sonic down the 100m track, leap over the high jump or churn water in a swimming heat, all while competing for the much sought-after Olympic gold medal. With multiplayer capability up to four people, the stage is set for Olympic excitement with Mario and Sonic! ESRB Rated E for Everyone.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Great game for ages 12 and up
I bought this game for myself but thought it would be okay for my two children to play, ages 7 & 6. I love the game although there are many steps, controls, and actions, etc to remember. It’s really not age appropriate for younger children under 12 because of this reason. Any adult or older child would have fun playing it though. There are many different modes to play it in and the game is very challenging. You use all the buttons and your stylus for the game, sometimes separately and sometimes together. I’d recommend it to anyone who is a Mario or Sonic fan or anyone looking for a game that has a few challenges.

5 Stars Gift for granddaughter
My granddaughter played this game with her friend and asked for one for her Nintendo DS. She enjoys the challenge of the competition.

5 Stars Fun for kids!
Reader,

This game is amazing. Of course I lost it 4 weeks after I bought it, because of the awful size, but I really want to find it again because of how fun it is! Play as any of your fave characters from the gang, plus maybe a character from Sonic’s squad. You should really buy this because it is definetly NOT a waste of money. Go out and buy it now!

~L.A.T.

5 Stars hack link
There are 3 circuit classes - Beginner’s, Advanced and Master’s - each containing 5 circuits made up of several events from different sports. The circuits involve a special opportunity to win called the “Circuit Chance” which will double the points you earn in 1 chosen event. Contestants earn up to 10 points each match which are added to all the match points to determine the winner of the circuit, who earns a trophy.

1 Star Not good in the long run…
So I was excited about getting this game - I couldnt wait to try it out and I played all the time because I wanted to do it all… Win all the trophies and medals unlock all the special stuff! There are endless options… But some of the way you play each “sport” is weird and there is too much stylus play (that ended up messing up my touch screen and have since had to get a replacement). Ended up gettin rid of the game please dont waste the money on this game. I’ve read the other reviews and it looks like it might be better getting this on the Wii.

Buy/More Info

PS3 Games Sports , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,