My Top 5 Things I am Excited To See At E3

It's that time of year ladies and gentlemen. The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is the Super Bowl (or Auto Show for our Chicago readers out there) of the video gaming industry. Shown internationally all over the world and covered 24/7 on some network television, E3 is the expo that informs fans and consumers on the latest information on the future of their favorite brands and companies. What's on the horizon for E3? I will give you my predictions as well as tell you things you should be excited for.

5 - Sony Adresses It's Console Woes

     It's been an extremely tough last few weeks for Sony. Shutting down its free-to-use network service and jeopardizing it's users private information. It would be nice to see if Sony addresses these problems and assures customers that people are working diligently to make sure this problem does not happen again. Sony has already announced it's identity theft protection plan and free Playstation-Plus service to all its customers, the next smart move will have to continue their damage control and announce thier plans to move forward. Also, we need more Kevin Butler like we need more Cowbell! Have you ever noticed we haven't seen him in any commercials in the past 2 months..... fishy.

4 - Can Microsoft Expand Its Kinect Titles

      Possibly one of the biggest stories of last years E3, was the unveiling of the Kinect for the XBox. Microsoft took the idea of Nintendo's take on motion gaming and took it to the next step with controller-less gaming. Well months have passed, and the Kinect has only proven that it is a great way of navigating through XBox's dashboard. Yes Dance Central is an excellent dancing game (apparently you're not a real man until you ditch DDR and do the "KId & Play"). Yes, Skittles from Kinectimals (game shown above) is probably one of the most adorable characters I have seen in quite sometime. However, is this it Microsoft? What separates this from the Wii is strong third-party titles that made the Wii more than just a toy you dust off during family functions.

3 - Nintendo's Legends Are Back

     And my are they back with a vengeance. Do not be surprised if you see more footage of Kid Icaris, Star Fox, and Zelda for the 3DS. Hopefully Nintendo sees the need to no longer expand on its "money printer." Also, we should see how the Wii is gonna expand on it's catalog of classics. Or will they...............?

2 - Behold! Here Comes 3 New Challengers?!?

      It is that time again. Nintendo has announced the Wii 2 (Codenamed Project: Cafe), and it is said to be the first system released by Nintendo to have HD capabilities. In addition to its boost in graphics, it is also said to have a (wait for it....) "Ipod-esque" touch pad controller. Nintendo is not the only one throwing their hats in the ring, rumors have been circulating that Sony has put the finishing touches on "Vita," Sony's new handheld set pickup where the PSP left off (which is also like saying Obama's presidency after the Bush Administration). Also, a Playstation 4 is already being tested and it would be no surprise you will hear anything about that. While, there have not been any concrete evidence that an "XBox 2" is currently in the works, only one can speculate Microsoft will follow suit. 

1 - Mass Effect 3, Can Shepard Beat McTavish?

     Yes. I am putting my money down for Best In Show to the popular franchise, Mass Effect. It's the conclusion to the said series, and also the most important story in the franchise. Set right after the events of Mass Effect 2, Captain Shepard (first name varies because you can customize whether Shepard can be a man or woman), Earth has taken a severe beating and not only Shepard and his gang stop the evil forces that are destroying Earth, he must put an end to them once and for all (it is the conclusion, right?). While I have picked Mass Effect 3 as the coverage to DVR, it is by only a slim margin that this game will beat out Gears of War 3, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and the powerful juggernaut known as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (A lot of 3's here).

Are you guys excited about anything coming out? Hit the reply and tell me what you think!

Duke Nukem: Greatest Special Edition of the Year?

    

     As an avid gamer, I've had my share of collector's editions of new releases. From the old Mortal Kombat with the (Kollectable?) comic book that explained the story and characters, to Fallout 3's tin lunch box that I still use to this day. However, there is one collector's edition that made me choke on my morning cup of coffee. Introducing the (*ahem*) "Duke Nukem: Forever 'Balls Of Steel' Edition." Due in Stores the week of May 3rd, this mammoth collector's edition comes with the following:

* Collectible bust of the greatest alien ass-kicker of all-time
* Numbered, limited-edition certificate of authenticity
* 100-page hardcover book: The History, Legacy & Legend: Duke Nukem Forever Art from the Vault
* Duke Nukem Forever postcard series
* Duke Nukem Forever radioactive emblem sticker
* Duke Nukem Forever collectable comic book
* Duke Nukem Forever foldable paper craft
* Duke Nukem Forever poker chips
* Duke Nukem Forever mini-card deck
* Duke Nukem Forever radioactive emblem dice

     All for the low, low, price of $99, I found this as quite the steal, that is of course you're one of those fans that could not wait the 14 years it took to make this game. While other games would release collector editions that come with special controllers, I can really appreciate a game that literally says "Hey! Controllers can break. However, with this, at least you have something cool to look at on your coffee table." What do you guys think?

Trailer Park Thursday!

In spirit of keeping consistent with compelling plots and deep gameplay, Rockstar Games will be releasing L.A. Noire. According to Gamespot.com "it will have players entangled in a violent web of vice, corruption, and crime in the titular metropolis's underworld. Players will be tasked with solving a series of murders in what Rockstar describes as an "open-ended challenge," with atmosphere provided courtesy of a jazz soundtrack." Look for L.A. Noire to hit shelves May 17, 2011.

Rest In Peace Guitar Hero (My Heart Will Go On)

     It's been only six years since Activision (through the developer Neversoft) released a game that would bring crampy hands, cluttered living rooms, and pure joy for all ages, Guitar Hero. Announced yesterday, Activision (*cough* Legion Of Doom *cough* *cough*) has called it quits on the franchise, along with other titles. While the declining sales in the music genre, along with a focus on a more interactive approach (Dance Central, Just Dance etc.), this news didn't come as a surprise. With that being said, most are concerned of what MTV Games have planned for the Rock Band franchise and how will this affect the said declining music genre. Well, to commemorate the 6 six years of excellence and bad eye scrolling conditions I leave this post on a heartfelt note.


   

Trailer Park Thursday!

  
     Yeah I know, it's a working progress. However, I'm trying something new and showing the video game or anime trailer of the week. Starting off the debut is a game based from a movie that I hold very dear, to my heart:

THE BACK TO THE FUTURE TRAILER!!!



What do you guys think?

Studios.... STOP MAKING VIDEO GAME MOVIE ADAPTATIONS!!!!

     Last Friday, I posted a link from Kotaku, about Mark Wahlberg taking the helms as Nathan Drake in the upcoming Uncharted movie. I was the happiest 25 year old kid in town. This is a guy who has received his share of Oscar nods, and he's familiar with video game adaptations (Max Payne).
     However, A LOT has changed in the past seven days. Earlier, I came across an article that threw me into a livid fit of nerd rage:

LA Times Article On Uncharted Movie 
   
    I have numerous objections as to why this movie should not be made. For starters, NATHAN DRAKE DOES NOT HAVE A FAMILY!!!! Nor should he have one. I was more appreciative of Nathan being an unconventional ladies man and juggling between the woman of his dreams and the dangerous woman of her dreams. Loner by nature. It really upset me when I heard that now Nathan has a family of "Indiana Jones-esque" treasure hunters for the sake of, adding "character and heart." Not a fan at all ladies and gentlemen. Uncharted 2 was full of character development and heart by the load.
    I also can't help but to point out that Nathan Drake is an exact copy of Lara Croft, only more developed of a character. So how come we can't repeat this same method? It feels like the producers are taking a great game, great story, and tarnish the hard work writers and the good people at PlayStation work so hard to make. I'm done nerd raging, for now, but seriously can we at least try to make a movie exactly like its video game counter-part?   
    I know there are some people that are reading this that have played the Uncharted series that feel the same way. Let me know guys. Please tell me I need to calm down on the coffee and I am over reacting.


Until then this is on my "Movies To Ignore"

A Jeweler That Specializes In.... Limited Invincibility?

     Yes, the title should have been, "Yes, this is really what I want for Christmas, forget the Open Hearts Collection." I am a huge fan of these diamond encrusted pendants made by TraxNYC. Only problem is I am $2,699 dollars short of the $2,700 price tag. In an age of post-"bling," we still find cultures still indulging in the most horrendous pieces of jewelry imaginable (have you seen these rappers lately?). I am happy one person made something worth wearing. The only problem I can see with this is, for $2,700 I can literally have a small orchestra follow me through Chicago and play the "Invincibility" soundtrack from Super Mario Bros. That is just my opinion people.

To find more of TraxNYC's Mario Collection and their new Hellboy Collection, be sure to check out traxnyc.com