Bioshock Ultimate Rapture Edition Winner

Congrats, Christina!

Hey there.  Check out this awesome picture that I recently received from the Bioshock Ultimate Rapture Edition winner, Christina!  She can't wait til she gets to pop this baby into her Xbox 360 and get started on exploring the dystopian world of Rapture!  But it looks like her son jumped in and snatched it away from mom so it's looks like our winner, Christina will have to wait until he goes to bed!!!  lol

Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi Fortune Cookies

I LOVE Yoshi's reaction!  LMAO!!!

What I'm Playing... Magnetic by Nature

Hey there.  I know I haven't posted a What I'm Playing post in quite awhile.  To be quite honest, I've been stuck playing Bioshock Infinite (read my thoughts on the game here) for the past couple of weeks and I don't see myself stopping until I earn most of the achievements!  lol  I've gotten through the game, but I've spent quite a bit of time I'm battlimg my way through 1999 mode.  Anyways, in between my bouts with the HandyMan and Sirens, I'll jump on the Xbox Live Marketplace and play an indie game or two.  The most recent one I've gotten?  Magnetic by Nature.

The Appeal of a Classic Car and Retro Gaming

You can't beat an 8 bit classic!

Hey there. You know, I got to thinking today about what the appeal of a classic car is. Considering that today's technology has been implemented into most of today's modern cars, I don't understand why someone would want to own a car with no power steering or one that still has a cassette player.  I simply just did not understand that... that is, until today.  As I was browsing through Facebook and checking out some of the fan pages that I frequent, I noticed that I have a lot of retro gaming fan sites on my list.  Retro gaming... my passion of games from years past is huge.  I love the 8 bit classics from Nintendo.  I grew up with them.  They are embedded in my memory and those experiences have molded me into what I am today.  Is my love for retro gaming similar to that of a car enthusiast's love for classic cars?  I think it's a fair comparison.

Avatar Trials: Ninja Rising Released on Xbox Live Indie by the Students at the University of Utah's Entertainment Arts and Engineering Program

Hey there.  Have you guys had a chance to check out Avatar Trials: Ninja Rising on the Xbox 360?  It's currently available on the XBLIG marketplace and our good friends at Stunt Bear Games have provided me a code for their awesome game and I will be giving in depth review once I've had a chance to play the game.  But in the mean time, I do want to share their story and some of their game!

Avatar Trials: Ninja Rising is the senior project game of the student development team Stunt Bear Studios at the University of Utah's Entertainment Arts and Engineering (EAE) Program.  Let that sink in for a minute.  Students at the University of Utah submitted an indie game as their senior project!  How freakin' awesome is that?!  Anyways, Avatar Trials: Ninja Rising is a Mirror's Edge type game that will feature YOUR avatar.  The game will time you as your avatar performs parkour type action and I for one can't wait to see my avatar jump, flip, and ninja my way through this promising 3D platformer.

Thoughts On... Bioshock Infinite

Hey there.  I am finally getting around to posting my thoughts on Bioshock Infinite.  After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, finally we got to play the game.  The game is beautiful.  The game is awesome.  The game lived up to MY expectations.  I purchased the Songbird Edition of the game and when the kids saw it, they asked that they get to watch me play the game.  lol  My older two kids (14 and 11) have seen me play through Bioshock 1 and 2 and they wanted to know how the next installment would play out.  I promised them they could, but it proved costly on my end.  There were many nights where I itched to play but couldn't because the kids were asleep. lol  Anyways, after finishing the game, I knew I had to give some insights, but before I do, be warned!  THERE WILL BE SPOILERS IN THIS POST!  If you have not finished the game and plan to, do not read below!  Go and finish and then come back.  Trust me, you'll get more insight from this post AFTER finishing the game.  Also, keep in mind that this is NOT a review.  This post is simply my thoughts on the game.  I did write a review for Dragonblogger.com and you can check that review out here.  Now, my thoughts on Bioshock Infinite.

The Ultimate in Protection for Safe Sex

Is there anything that Charizard DOESN'T do?!?!

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Sequel Announced

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past sequel has been announced!!!

Hey there!  Did you guys catch this morning's special announcement on Nintendo Direct?  No?!  Then you missed out!  This mornings direct video announced that a NEW Legend of Zelda game will be released this "holiday season" for Nintendo 3DS and it will take place in the same universe as A Link to the Past!  How awesome is that?!  A Link to the Past is one of my all time favorite SNES games and it's definitely the first Zelda game that I felt emotionally invested in.  I'm extremely exciting knowing that a second game set in that universe will be heading to the Nintendo 3DS!

Bioshock Ultimate Rapture Edition OR Bioshock Infinite Art Book Giveaway

Hey there.  It's time for another giveaway!  But this is one is going to be a little different the others I've had.  I've been in Bioshock mode for the past few weeks.  I've been playing Bioshock Inifinte and it's been one hell of a ride!  I promised the kids that they can watch me play, since they've seen me play the first two Bioshock games and have an interest in the Bioshock series.  Last night, I finally got through the game and it brought a smile that my 14 and 11 year old were discussing the possible meaning of the ending.  Anyways, I decided that this giveaway will be Bioshock related and I've come across 2 prizes that should make anyone who loves the Bioshock series happy.  The prizes up for grabs are the Bioshock Ultimate Rapture Edition OR The Art of Bioshock Infinite Hardcover Book!  The winner will get to decide which on the prizes they would like!

How Tough Are You? How About No Memory Card Tough!

NO MEMORY CARDS!  That's not tough... that's HERCULEAN!

Defiance Premiers on April 15th on SyFy

Hey there.  Who's excited for the brand new series, Defiance, on SyFy?!  I know I am.  Ever since Battlestar Galactica ended, there hasn't been a good sci-fi series on TV.  Defiance has it's sights on changing that!  The show premiers on Monday, April 15 but guess what....  I got invited to advance screening of Defiance at The Landmark theater in Los Angeles!  And to top it off, there will be game and console giveaways at the screening!  How awesome is that?!  If I'm lucky enough to snag one or two, I'm thinking it may just be given away to one of you lucky readers!  So what is Defiance?  Let's go into a little bit of details, shall we?

Get a Life Ep. 12 - The One About Movies Based on Video Games

Hey there.  Are you ready for another episode of the Get a Life podcast?!  This week, Brian and I discuss video game movies!  We have yet to see that one great movie based on a video game.  We all know that the Super Mario Bros. movie is known as one of the worst video games movies ever... but when will Hollywood redeem itself and provide us witha  quality video game movie?  Brian and I give our two cents on what works in a video game movie and what doesn't!  Now, the Get a Life Podcast Ep 12 - The One About Movies Based on Video Games!!!!  Enjoy!

What I'm Playing... Kersploosh!

Hey there.  Do you member a time when it fun to toss a rock?  Whether it be trying to knock over a tin can or trying to get it to skip across water, as a child, the most mundane of objects could become an afternoon of fun.  That is the first thought that came to my head to moment I started playing Kersploosh!, on the Nintendo 3DS.  The good people at Nintendo provided me a copy of the game and I am thankful that they did.  The family and I have been taking turns trying to 1 up each others times, and even though there are many big name downloads on the Nintendo eShop, Kersploosh! is one of those rare gems that the whole family can enjoy together.  Well, let's get into it, shall we?

Get a Life Ep. 11 - The One About Go to Hell Dave

Hey there.  I know... I know... we took almost 2 weeks to record a new episode but don't worry guys, we're back!  We had a show scheduled for last week but we had some technical difficulties and we had to scratch the show that was recorded!  It sucks that we cannot use that show that we recorded but we are in the process of rescheduling with Steve Redmond at N0rty Games and having that chat about their awesome shoot em up, Chronoblast!

So on to this week's show!  Special guest, Alex Byrom, from Falchion Games, joins Brian and I this week to discuss their upcoming point and click game, Go to Hell Dave, a dark humor game that is definitely on our radar!  But enough of me babbling, check out the show!  Now, the Get a Life Podcast Ep 11 - The About Go to Hell Dave!!!!  Enjoy!

Chuck & Beans - The Three Stages of Gaming

Oh man... this is going to be me when I get Bioshock Infinite next week!

What I'm Playing... Mutant Mudds

Hey there.  You know, I love playing on the Nintendo 3DS.  It's an extremely convenient way to get my gaming on when I'm on the go or when I don't have too much time on my hands.  But you know what the absolute best part about it?  Some of the games made for the 3DS are short, challenging, and fun.  And that is where Mutant Mudds falls in.  Our good friends at Nintendo were kind enough to provide a copy of the game to me to check out.  Like with Mighty Switch Force, Mutant Mudds is simple to pick up and play but offers a unique challenge as well as a moderately high replay value.  So let's get to it!  Let's take a look at the game, Mutant Mudds.

Get a Life Ep. 10 - The One About the PS4

Hey there.  I know... I know... we took almost 2 weeks to record a new episode but don't worry guys, we're back!  So, are you ready for another episode of the Get a Life Podcast?  Awesome!  In this episode we discuss Sony's announcement of the PS4 and what we know of the PS4.  I'm sure that the gaming community is well aware of the PS4 announcement that took place on Feb. 20th. 2013, but we'll give our two cents into what features are promising and which are a bit curious.  If you would like to check out some more details on the PS4 from Sony themselves, check out the PS4 webpage.

Now, the Get a Life Podcast Ep 10 (wow... 10 already?!?!) - The One About the PS4!!!!  Enjoy!

What I'm Playing... Mighty Switch Force

Hey there.  So what has Metallman's thumbs and fingers busy these past few weeks?  Mighty Switch Force by WayForward Technologies for the Nintendo 3DS!  Our good friends at Nintendo provided me with a copy of this great action/puzzle game I haven't been able to put it down.  From what I have been told, there are other Switch Force games out there but this is my first time playing any game in the series and I would like to think that it's one of the best.  So let's take a look at the game, Mighty Switch Force.

Don't Be a Shy Guy! Woo Your Boo!

C'mon Shy Guy, tell your Boo she looks pretty!

Give Your Sweetie the Gift of Focus this Valentine's Day with Brain Age: Concentration Training

Hey there!  Valentine's Day is tomorrow!!!  What do you have planned for your Valentine?  A sweet dinner for two?  A bouquet of roses?  A box of chocolates?  That's all well and good... if you want your Valentine's Day to be just like everybody else's day!  Why not change it up?  Why not be spontaneous?  Why not give the gift of focus?!  A gift of gaming?  Well, lucky for you that I have solved that dilemma for you!  BAM!  A pink Nintendo 3DS with Brain Age: Concentration Training!  Let's be honest here, candy, flowers, and dinner are standard gifts now for pretty much any occasion.  Your Valentine COULD be thinking that their gift will be similar to millions.  It’s the romantics who look to breathe new life into their relationships through spontaneity and surprise and what better way to say “I love you” than with something they’ll use every day and by giving them the gift of focus?  You just can't go wrong with that!