Review of Armored Core 2

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When we got a Playstation 2, the first PS2 game we put into it was Armored Core 2, by Agetec. This game style is definitely one we enjoy a great deal. Unfortunately, it appears they rushed this game out the door a bit too quickly.

The game design is really neat. Like most mech games, you start out slowly, getting money to customize your mech as you go. There are 50 'ranked' robots for you to fight your way through, as well as 35 missions to undertake to earn fame and fortune. There are hundreds of parts to choose from to customize your bot.

You can also go head-to-head by linking your PS2 to a friend's with the cable. Unfortunately the PS2 doesn't currently support modem play, so someone has to carry the unit to someone else's house to do this.

The plots are interesting with three factions trying to get control of Mars, the missions you choose help influence the fate of these companies. The customization is almost overwhelming. You can custom-design your own logo with their built in paint program, buy parts for a huge variety of systems on your mech, and then test it out in various arenas against various foes.

Why the disappointment, then? The learning curve on this is VERY steep the screens and layout could have been done much more intuitively. The game also runs extremely slowly. Sounds lock up, visuals will stick on the screen, etc. If you've spent hours and hours (if not weeks and weeks) working on designing the perfect mech, the last thing you want is for system failures to cause you to lose missions and die in battles.

A true mech fan might overlook these problems and enjoy the game, but those out to test the true power of their PS2 might want to look at other options.

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I bought this game because I was looking for a non-sports title for my PS2 and wanted something with a little more combat than SSX (excellent game see reviews). I'm glad I read reviews of it before I bought it! Armored Core 2 is a very good game, but it does have its flaws, and there is a learning curve involved. Some people may not want to take the time to get past the initial phase of the game.

The premise is simple you're on Mars and own a mech, a remote-controlled, armed robot. Mars is controlled by several corporations, each with their own agenda, and they're looking for hired help to help them get what they want. That means you. You provide help by way of accepting missions. From time to time, corporations will contact your advisor with opportunities. You can review the mission, see how much it pays (sometimes you get an advance), and choose to accept or decline. Upon completion of the mission, you'll get whatever portion of the reward you're owed, as well as any bonuses you may have earned, but you have to pay to repair any damage to your mech and you have to pay for ammunition that you've used.

You can also earn credits (money) and parts by beating other mechs in head-to-head combat in the Arena. The Arena is a ladder-based challenge system as you beat each opponent, you move up one rung and receive a correspondingly larger bonus. You don't have to pay for damage or ammunition in the Arena.

Here's where the work comes in. At first, you've got a very basic mech. Especially if you're not familiar with mech combat, as I wasn't, you'll get beat in the Arena or fail to complete missions. The expense of failing a mission is usually enough to set you back too far to continue, so you'll want to restart the mission. Easy enough? Think again.

The game doesn't lend itself well to this kind of progress (intentionally so, I think). If you want to redo a mission, you have to load a saved game (save after EVERY mission!), accept the mission, and start over again. It's not a quick process. Then again, it can still be done. In Arena mode, you can simply choose to fight the battle again, and can do so over and over until you win, although the losses are kept in your record.

As you progress through the missions, you get more offers, your ranking improves (you have a completion percentage based on how far you've gone), and you learn more about Mars, the corporations, and other things that are happening. Eventually, you'll have a well-armed mech and will be more able to do what you want. Corporations will also make more parts available to you, especially if you've been working for them, so don't think you're limited to the weapons, legs, and other parts you see when you start.

After each mission and Arena battle, you can take your credits and spend them in the Shop. Here's where Agetec makes up for the missions you sell parts back for 100% of the purchase price, so you can experiment to your heart's content (well, maybe your wallet's) when you upgrade your mech. However, you can't get everything you want. Your mech has an energy limit and weight limits for the legs and the core, and you can't spend more money than you have. If you're too heavy or can't afford required parts, you can't go into battle.

The control scheme is typical for mech games, which means if you were expecting to use the analog sticks for movement, you'll be disappointed. In their defense, this system is more realistic. After all, if your mech has legs, it's not going to be able to spin around very easily! It takes a bit of getting used to (and you need to know that the L3 and R3 buttons are the analog sticks push in to use), but once you've got the controls down, you'll be ready for battle. You can even use a USB mouse to design your emblem (the logo for your mech), and if you've got skills, you can design a really cool emblem.

The gameplay itself is good, although if there are many missiles on the screen, you'll definitely see some slowdown. Aside from that, it's nice once you've become accustomed to the controls, and there's something satisfying about taking out a plane or a chopper with one well-aimed missile. It's not all brute force, though. You'd love to be able to lay waste to a facility, but when you finish the mission and get your bill for the ammo, you'll wish you were a little more conservative.

You can play head-to-head against a friend, either in split-screen mode if you've got one PS2, or if you have two PS2s, two TVs, you each have the game, and you have one i.Link cable, you can play on your own systems.

There are many different types of mechs you can build, and the missions that you accept, in theory, steer your progress through the game (I've not played more than one game, so I can't verify that). I think the replay value of the game is pretty good, if you're a mech player, and I'm looking forward to going back and replaying some missions.

I've had a lot of fun with this game, but I've also had to be patient with it. If you've got the time, and if you like mech combat, this is a good game for you. If you're considering this for a younger person, or if you're new to the mech arena, you may want to look for something else.

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First off, this game is very hard. You have 32 difficult missions to complete, all the while trying to advance through around 50 other challengers in the Arena. The graphics are smooth and are beautifully rendered using the PlayStation 2's great processor. You didn't need to play this game's predecessors, because the storyline in this game kicks off from the beginning. It is an intertwining plot about heroism, sacrifice, betrayal, and mysteries of another race, particularly, the Martians.

Another great thing is that there are over 200 parts you can earn and find in missions, the shop, and the Arena. Customizing your mech is one of the great aspects of this game. There are thousands of combinations, insuring you that your mech is unique.

For all of you parents out there, this game has only robot violence, no "blood and guts" as in most other video games. For the kids, this game insures a challenge, so don't be afraid to lose.

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Dont let the title of this review turn you away from the game. But belive me, it is completely true. I loved AC 1 and PS2 I knew would deliver. It did thankfully. The graphics are smooth and there is absolutely no clipping. No pixels when your up close and only minor slow down in mission levels (this happens very seldom, usually when 10 missles are flying at you with 20 MTs shooting at you, which is only like 2 levels.) AThe game is fun, but only once you break through the begining of the game because I couldnt tell you how many times I got the ... kicked out of me and had to dig myself out of debt. Some of the first couple levels are [very] hard, as are some of the later missions. As the title reads, once you play the 4-5 mission you will hurl your Dual Shock 2 controller through your window and sit there meticulously thinkin of how you can get your self out of a -30k debt. Once you get a chance to build up your mech, this game shines through the darkness. You can create a really personalized mech, changing color, parts, weapons, speed. Everything is customizable. I am now begining to truely enjoy this game because if you have patience you will get to the point of this game which makes this a must have. Piloting your AC through Arena mode is a definite plus to get your mind off of frustrating mission battles. The story even progress fluidly with "Mail" that you get after certain missions or arena battles. The graphics are awesome, story is awesome, and after some broken controllers, gameplay is awesome and definitly warrants this a purchase.

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Apples versus oranges some might shout, but to me there are several parallels between this mech-warfare game and the highly structured race game, Gran Turismo.

In both games, you begin with a basic "vehicle" (the first and Armored Core or AC, the latter a race car). Both vehicles are customizeable and upgradeable, and both require money to make your vehicles better. Both involve competitions (the former in the Arena against other ACs or on missions for assorted corporations that, upon success, pay for services rendered the latter in races) to raise money to pay for your upgrades. Both require practice to master your machines. And, in my opinion, both are great games. In other words, if you like the features of Gran Turismo the building and bettering of a vehicles the challenge of mastering its operation the thrill of victory over difficult opponents and want a break from race games, give AC2 a try!

The play control isn't too tricky, I feel, once you learn the basic important movements. However, as you upgrade and switch your AC around, factors such as defense, mobility, energy, and the like, are all affected in different ways. This leads to countless combinations that, in my opinion, add to the fun.

The graphics are beautiful and the explosions are spectacular. There are so many different types of weapons from rocket launchers to machine guns, shotguns to missle launchers to bombs all featuring differing strengths and weaknesses (and ways to blow up your enemies!) that create yet more eye candy for the MechWar fiend.

The sound is nothing special, but once again, the explosions are quite exhilerating. I don't think the sound is bad, just typical of action based games, easily left to the background. For those of you who prefer female or male computer voices for your ACs, depending on how you upgrade, this sound can change.

Artisans have the option of customizing the colors of your mechs. There are many preset colors for impatient folks like myself to change the look of your AC with one click, or you can create your own combinations of colors out of scratch. ACs can also feature emblems which can be customized or created.

Thanks to all the combinations you can formulate when it comes to machinery, and all the missions and competitions, I feel this game will keep me entertained for quite awhile. If you like strategy, customization, competition, and just blowing things up, give AC2 a try. I think you, too, will find entertainment value in this for months to come.

Plantronics GAMECOM 1 PC HEADSET ( 67003-01 ) Reviews

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This headset has a good sound and, because they are lighter than other similar headsets and they have very soft cushioned ear pads, they are extremely comfortable to wear. I have also been extremely pleased with the quality of the sound recorded from the microphone. I've used this headset for voice-over recordings, online gaming, and talking on Skype, and I've been thrilled with the quality. I've recommended this set to numerous friends and family members because of the high quality combined with the low price. However, although this set has a good sound and records very well, this set won't last very long. I bought my headset about a year ago, and it has worked splendidly for the last year. But, today I was using it to record some audio for a project and it crapped out on me. The earphones still sound fantastic, but the microphone no longer works. However, because of the cheap price and great quality, I've decided to purchase another set. Some people have reported sound problems, which also happened to my sister. I suspect that problem might be related to the long cord. The cord on this headset is about six feet long, which is great for an extended reach, but bad because it means there's a bigger chance that you're going to roll over the cord with your chair or snag it on something and yank it off your head (I believe my sister did that, which damaged the headset). So, if you're careful you may be able to avoid that problem. In my case, the mic stopped working, so I assume that the wires in the positionable microphone have become frayed or loose. Although I'd expect that to happen over time, I do not expect that to happen in just a year. However, this headset is so cheap and the quality of the sound is so good, I'm still going to purchase another set. The bottom line with this set: Fantastic sound reproduction and recording capabilities from a cheap-as-dirt headset, but you pay for that in shortened lifespan.

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I decided to give the Plantroincs Gamecom 1 PC headset a try for a few reasons:

1. Good luck with other Plantronics products in the past

2. Reports of Comfort

I'm happy to say that so far they have lived up to expectations. Good quality sound and the foam pads are much more comfortable than the faux leatherette pads found on products like logitech. I can wear these comfortably for hours even though I wear glasses. Highly recommended.

Edit:

Almost 2 years later and still using the same headset. So add "durable and long lasting".

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Purchased these from an Amazon partner company for less than $12 refurbished, but I believe it was just an "open box" set. I've been using them to play online for about a month now and am completely satisfied.

I trashed a set of Altec Lansing AHS615 because the inner speaker sat on my ear along with the surrounding support cushion after a couple of hours my ears started to hurt.

I can wear the Gamecom models all day without a problem and, based upon other reviews, think they may be one of the best on the market. They're also very light in weight.

Sound quality is great, decent bass and high-to-mid frequency output levels all are mixed very well.

Overall I would recommend these to anyone looking for a nice headset/mic combo that provides quality performance without being overpriced.

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I got these headphones based on reviews i've read other places. I got them for under 20 dollars shipped and recieved them about a week later. They are very comfy and highly adjustable to fit anyones head (in fact my tower pc wears them when i am not)

I play a lot of battlefield 2 and other online games. Before the headphones i was a marginal player, but with the headphones and the built in mic, you have total immersion into the game. You can hear enemies approaching from further away that you couldnt hear before, not to mention that i hear ambient sound effects from the game that i didn't know existed. There have been times i have heard things to think that it was something in my room and it turned out to be the headphones. the sound is Excellent and i would reccommend them to anyone who plays games online. The mic is great and works well, it even folds up out of the way when you aren't using it. The bass is FANTASTIC and it makes explosions feel very loud and rumbley in your whole body it seems like.

The cord is about 10 feet long and although it is very thin and would probably break easy, i am not rough on my equipment. I think it will last long enough to get WELL over my 20 dollars worth. It also has a built in mic and volume control as well as a mic mute button in the cord. this comes in handy when you arent using the mic or when you want to mute your cursing when you get killed ;-)

Bottom line... if you play games online, get these. If you play games by yourself but want to crank the volume and play loud at night, get these. If you just want to hear the games the way they are supposed to sound, get them. I will get another set of these if they break.

Also, music is not bad, considering the price. Although there are sets that are better for music, these headphones do it all and very well. Cannot go wrong!

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Well, it was a great buy for the first year. After that it started loosing sound in the right ear. I figured I could live with that. Now it looses sound in both ears on and off. I go from sound to nothing to one ear all the time. It is the most annoying thing I have ever experienced. Buy a better headset and don't spend the money twice.

Reviews of Rango - Xbox 360

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I was surprised by the consistent quality of the game, and how fun it actually was. I got it for my child, but found I enjoyed it too. The graphics and animations do a great job mirroring the movie, and the gameplay is kind of Ratchet and Clank likeshooter/platformer with an upgrade system. It's a little derivative as movie games tend to be, but it's very well done. Johnny Depp doesn't voice Rango, which is disappointing, but whoever does Rango's voice does a good enough job. I do think it helps if you enjoyed the movie, but it's still a surprisingly fun game on it's own.

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Just wish it were a little more compatible with all ages. Unlike Crash games, changing difficulty really doesn't provide for a more adult friendly game. Finished it in three sittings and really had no desire to go back through to pick up missing items.

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The promotional code that I received for the free movie ticket expired 5/31/2011 Amazon was kind enough to give me a credit for $5.99 so I could by the digital version.

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My son loved watching me play, I even loved playing it. It was one of the more entertaining kid movie games I've ever played. Recommend it if you are thinking about a fun easy game to play with your kids.

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This game has really cool platformer elements from back in the day. Great story and goes well with the movie as a "semi" tie in. Recommended for all ages, even adults. Graphics are up to par and the gameplay is smooth and easy to master. There is even a level where you meet a "Gonzo journalist", or Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas). There is an achievement called "This is bat country!" which is a direct reference to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Reviews of The Warriors - Xbox

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To begin, I should say that watching the movie before you play the game will make it much more fun. Unlike most games based off of movies, this game is a prequel to the movie. It takes place three months before the beginning of the movie and you learn how the Warriors began and see the characters from the movie evolve. It's an ingenius idea and the game is terrific.

The graphics are great, the sound is great, the plot of each mission is great. It has the feel from the movie, too. The music comes straight from the movie score and dark feel, the movie carried, continues in this game. Playing, you get an opportunity to look into the background of the Warriors and the other gangs introduced in the movie. It's outstanding.

In all honesty, I have so much good to say about this game, I'm having trouble keeping my thoughts in order. All I can say is play it, and if you haven't seen the movie, rent the movie then play the game. I'm telling you, you won't be dissapointed.

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I have yet to see the movie so I don't know if the game is the same. But what I can tell you that this is a heck of a game and a must-buy for this holiday season.

The game starts of with a cutscene of the meeting with all the gangs. The gang leader of the Riffs, Cyrus, is giving a speech. He is talking of unity between all the gangs. Then, all of a suddenly, you see someone pull out a gun and shoot Cyrus dead.

The game then flashes back to 3 months prior to the meeting. You are playing as Rembrant, the newest member of the Warriors. You learn the controls and most of the major aspects of the game. You learn brutal combos, "Rage" moves, how to steal car stereos, pick locks of stores, mug people, throw items, uncuff fellow gang members, and tag other gangs territory. Now your on your way to becoming the baddest gang in New York City.

This may sound like a typical Rockstar game but believe me it is not. You have a main objective that you must complete and bonus objectives that help you unlock additional things. And its not like all you do is beat people up and move on. Your main objective may be to outrun a gang(Baseball Furies), cause a cetain amount of destruction(Hi-Hats' art gallery), tag a certain amount of territories(Boppers), or earn a certain amount of money. Oh, and if that doesn't sound good enough you can do everything in the game co-op. That's right, the entire campaign mode can be played co-op, but the only drawback is that it goes split-screen once you get too far from each other. But you can control your our screen so its not that bad.

Now that's just the campaign mode, you can also unlock missions to see how each gang member joined the Warriors. It will first start off as a cutscene but then you can play as that gang member as he goes through his initiation process.

This game also has its fair share of "minigames". You can do a wheelcahair race. King of the Hill and Survival mode. Duke it out with rival gangs and many other things.

Last but not least, you can leave the Warriors hangout and just screw around GTA-style. You can do all the things mentioned above, but get caught doing it around the cops and then the fun beings. If the cops catch you mugging, breaking and entering, vandalizing, or assaulting an officer then they chase you. Fighting cops while people are watching is another no-no. The witnesses will run to the nearest payphone and call more cops. Sounds fun right? It is.

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This game is what video games are supposed to be: Fun. It's not especially hard and doesn't require hours of practice to get good at. It has a nice story that goes back to the formation of the gang along with the build up to the big meeting where Cyrus gets whacked and the Warriors have to run for their boppin' lives. At more than one point you will laugh out loud at the flying bodies and killer dialogue (the original actors that played Swan and Ajax and a couple of others return for the game).

The only criticism I have of the game so far is that a couple of levels have bosses you need to defeat. I'm not a big fan of bosses (that's what ruined Dead Red Revolver for me) but so far the bosses haven't been that hard and with their dialogue and fighting style they have been entertaining.

There is some similarity to GTA with the environments and the controls. If you can move around in GTA you can move around here pretty easily.

Each chapter of the story takes around half an hour to play but there is a rumble mode where you can hop and beat the hell out of people for a few minutes if you care to.

A buddy and I played the co-op mode and had fun doing it. What was nice was he could jump in and play one of my chapters with me, either continuing my game or replaying a particular chapter. I didn't have to create a two-player game, he could just play with me for a while and when he left I could continue in single player mode. Maybe EA could learn from that.

Overall: good game, nice violence, great dialogue and re-playabilty. Recommended.

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I was scared when I bought this. I'm a teacher and don't have a lot of money to throw around. I thought I should wait until the price went down. I am so happy I didn't. This game is a blast!!! Great story. FANTASTIC fight scenes. Challenges and extras. I played it... finished it after a week or so... and immediately started over. This games replay value is great. In the positive, this game has a lot going for it

-varied fight styles for each character

-easily mastered controls for all the moves

-ability to "rumble" outside of the story with any gang you like

-plus, those rumbles can be one on one or have up to nine guys per gang!!! That was awesome!! Although the Baseball Furies ate me for breakfast.

-Great visuals. I love how each gang is introduced with the freeze frame.

-Remarkably great and cheesy bonus game at the end. That was way fun.

-Bonus missions that tell how the gang was formed. Fun from a game perspective and very entertaining for grizzled old fans of the movie like myself.

-Best replay value of any game I've seen in two years.

-Lots of insides in the story for the fan of the movie.

Some downsides

-Gets a bit confusing when all the fighters are standing in one spot. I end up hitting my own guys alot.

-Lots of time spent trying to beat a gang's boss. I hate that but these bosses are few (maybe a half dozen) and relatively easy to pass (compared to other games)

-You "work out" to improve your fighting skills; chinups and such. I found this kind of tedious but necessary. Still it doesn't take much time if you remember to do it. If you forget you are in trouble in the later stages.

-May be too violent and criminal for some and was right on the edge for me. You make money by mugging people and you get your health from a pusher. Authentic, sure, but not something you want the church group playing.

-Language. This game definitely earns its M rating.

In the end, the perks FAR outweigh the negatives though. At last, a game that was worth the money. Thanks Rockstar. You did it again.

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I loved how it ties into the movie...letting you know what happened leading up to the movie. I found many things good about this game. Having teammates really helps you get out of jams when the action gets thick. They pick up weapons and use them on your adversary and also you can join up with them on one person and do a special combo move. That is even more violent than the normal moves that are at your disposal. Although the game is quite violent. I felt that the Warriors with the circumstances they were in. It was more than justified. I mean you have all these gangs chasing you, trying to run you down (literally) and kill you. You use whatever force is necessary. I enjoyed the little things like unlocking new options in different modes being able to play multiplayer things like King of the Hill which is one of my favorite things in that mode. Being able to form your gang to pick and choose from the various gangs in the game.

Also there is tagging which i doubt needs to be explained. You basically buy cans of paint and go around different areas tagging the other gangs areas. Basically claiming that as your own. Its not hard to do just requires a semi steady hand. On a level or two there will be other things coming at you while your doing this. You get money by either robbing people on the street which has its own little technique as well. Steal car radio's or break into any one of various stores littered around the city. But keep in mind while doing this that some people take offense to this and try to call the police. You'll be able to recognize them by the icon over their head (that) and they'll running to get to the pay phone. So cut them before that because once the police are called. The situation can get kind of thick. If you get arrested however your gang members will come to your rescue and free you provided they havent been arrested. If everyone in your gang has been arrested. It's pretty much game over. Later on in the game you'll be able to buy things like keys to handcuffs and things like that. Also by helping people around town you will unlock new things as well. Different weapons, better abilities and things of that nature.

While in the Warriors hangout you can work on your combo moves and pull ups which help increase your abilites a bit. Its something different to do when your not doing story mode or trying to get everything you can in previously played levels. This is how a movie made into a video game should so others out there take note. People don't want crappy video games that tie into a movie, QUALITY is the key word this what the Warriors is. If it ever happened i could see myself easily getting the sequel to this. I doubt it will happen but that's how much i enjoyed the game. It's not something that you can run through in one sitting (well i guess you could). But you would miss out on so many things going in the game little extras and side stories to play as well. It makes the game all that much better. I had my doubts about this game but after going through this and beating it (unlocking a mode to play as well). I found that my concerns were not even necessary. The Warriors is a welcome addition to my Xbox lineup and its current price that just makes it that much better. This is how things should be done. I could write a lot about the game. But hopefully after reading all this. You'll be heading out the door or online to pick up this game that should not be missed.

Happy gaming and "come out to play!!!"

Reviews of EarlyBirdSavings Brand New Silicone Skin Case Combo for Microsoft

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I really enjoyed this controller cover the only thing I would mention about the cOntroller cover is that dog hair sticks to it.

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Alright, first off this thing comes from China. It takes forever and a hand biscuit to get here, and I mean that. You really gotta EXPECT this thing to come in a month's time. Don't expect it to come in 2 weeks, cause it won't.

Now, for the product. It's a silicone case, just as the title says. When looking closely at it, you can see how it was cut, which isn't really a good thing. It's relatively easy to put on, and it's cut very well around the buttons. It hugs the controller as well (my case is a little loose near the RT and RB buttons, but not annoyingly lose.)

I have a BLACK controller, and I must say that the pink looks a little weird against the black for some reason. It looks very nice with the white in that picture, but with the black, it looks a wee bit strange.

It is also a little bent near the bottom--whoever shipped my case decided to ball it up and squish it into a bag tiny enough to hold an electron molecule.

Overall, it's a good buy. It's cheap and it covers your controller with a color that you like! Don't expect it to be amazing--look at the price. This is a good buy for the PRICE, but if this was any more expensive, I wouldn't be happy with the purchase. But come on, who's really looking at your controller? You and your friends, not a beautician.

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Got it in a cute little envelope, abd went on my controller very easily! It helps you grip the controller and is agreat accessory for those gamer girls, or dudes who like pinkand other! With these things you'll decorate your game center, and tell your controllers apart :) I bought this so I know my littlr brother can't take it, and it worked! I recommend this to anyone and everyone, thank you for listening! :D

Review of Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance

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this game is great. it has an surprizeing story line. over 100 characters to be. 5 main characters for story. cool characters. change what your main character looks like such as hair,clothing,tattoos, and plastic surgery. so many options to chose what to do to your enemy. such as interrorgate,kill,recrut and more. create your own battles. sweat cutscenes. cool wepons such as katinas,shotguns,9mm, glass,steel beam, and tons more. your story could go good or bad. the differant ranks you have the different your story could go such as meating old friends and betraying old and new friends. and yes i know i can't spell. in the end just get this game and see for your self.

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this is one of my favorite games of all time. it is set in a scene of constant crime and corruption. You play as a choice of a few different characters with different fighting styles and seek vengeance on the mob that runs the town. a great way to get anger out. it is graphic and has harsh language but it all just adds to making the game more realistic and a great time.

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I was a huge fan of streets of rage, final fight and all those beat 'em ups, so I've always tried to find games like that. This is a little bit like but falls way short on almost all levels. You get to beat the crap out of generic baddies with a cheesy inner city plot. Gangs, betrayal, bad guys that are actually good guys and at times a bad irish accent. You can pick from a handful of run of the mill butt kickers and get some outfits and new moves. Typical stuff. Its fun but i'd probably be dissapointed if I hadn't nabbed it really cheap.

Reviews of Super Mario 3D World - Nintendo Wii U

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When this game was first revealed many were unimpressed as it seemed like a rehash of the 3DS game super Mario 3D World. Then we saw more and saw how wrong we were. This game is amazing. It is the culmination of all Mario games and a mix of old and new. Before even going into the multiplayer aspects I have to say that this game has so much to offer.

There are many secrets to unlock (including a 5th character), so many modes of gameplay and so much innovation. Whether it's the double cherry that creates copies of your character or the powerups that let you fight ghosts or the throwbacks to old powerups like the Kuribo's shoe, this game has it all. There are levels with Music reminiscent of Super Mario 64, Boss battles that are incredibly fun and amazing visuals throughout. This game must be seen to be believed. Running at 720p (upscaled to 1080p) at 60 fps, the game is gorgeous! At times you will simply stop and look and admire the visuals.

Speaking of the levels there is so much variety putting this on the same playing field as the Galaxy games (made by the same team) and other 3D Mario games. There is a level with silhouettes, a level that plays like an overhead shooter (with the double cherry as special powerup) and a Mario kart themed level and that's just some of it. The levels start out somewhat easy but this is to ease you into the game. It gets harder as you progress and it makes you want to play until you beat it.

The music is amazing and varies between big band music and orchestral remixes of older Mario music. It really fits the game well and you will want to listen for hours.

Now about the multiplayer, it's fun but be warned, the more players, the more chaotic it becomes. This isn't a bad thing though. Playing in single player and then in multiplayer will give you very different experiences. Playing with four players locks the camera up while playing in single player or with less than 4 characters allows freer roaming camera angles. As for controls, there are so many options, ranging from the gamepad, to the pro ctontroller, thewiimote to the nunchuck and the classic controller and they are all awesome!

While there isn't online co-op, the truth is that online co-op isn't needed and the game is fun without it, however there is an option to go online and submit your playthroughs of level and access other peoples' playthroughs and race against other peoples' ghost data. There are also stamps that can be obtained in the game and shared on miiverse and take part in the online community.

The different modes in this game are amazing, whether its speed running with the clock starting at 100 seconds, or the bonus levels, there is so much variety offered (including a hidden bonus game) and the game never stays constant and is always changing things up. There is no way to get bored and so much to unlock. This is the reason to buy a Wii U right now if you haven't yet!

This game marks the beginning of a new era of awesomeness for Nintendo and the Wii U. Its time to get hyped!

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Color me surprised. I thought there was no way Nintendo could possibly match the Super Mario Galaxy games in terms of quality and creativity, and yet, somehow, they have with this gem. Super Mario 3D World has somehow taken the core premise of Super Mario 3D Land (it itself a fantastic Mario game and essential for any 3DS Library) and launched it into the stratosphere with exceptional execution, staggering density of content, and breathtaking creativity. It's amazing to me how a game that is, at its core, centered around the simple joys of running, jumping, exploring, and playing, can be so full of brilliance and inspiration. If it's not already obvious, my wife and I both absolutely love this masterpiece. This is a *huge* game full of ideas and concepts both new and nostalgic, and while I will try to keep spoilers to a minimum, this will be a long, detailed review. It's the only way to do such a wonderful game justice. Either jump ship now or continue reading, you've been warned.

The story in Super Mario 3D World is as simple as it is in any Mario game, but 3D World's story is noteworthy simply because Peach's kidnapping is not the plot device used to introduce the exquisite gameplay (it also shows Mario and Luigi actually fixing something as plumbers, something I cannot recall a main series Mario game showing before, so that's special :D).While going for an evening stroll, Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Blue Toad stumble across a clear pipe, out of which pops a unique pixie-like princess from the Sprixie kingdom. She then informs them that Bowser has attacked and taken over her kingdom and requests help when, all of a sudden, Bowser pops out of the pipe, kidnaps this new princess, and absconds back into the recently conquered Sprixie Kingdom. Our four heroes give chase into the pipe to help their new friend, like any good Samaritans would do, thus beginning 3D World's platforming euphoria. Interspersed throughout the adventure are very simple cutscenes that are enjoyable and appealing.

The visuals in 3D World are exceptional. This is the first Mario outing in genuinely glorious HD, all at a smooth 60 fps, and it is beyond gorgeous. I've always loved the art design in Mario games. The focus on clean, imaginative style and vibrant color has always made Mario games stand out as some of the most beautiful releases on their platform, and 3D World is no exception. Impressive lighting effects and exceptionally well done textures make levels like Bowser's oceanside castle during a sunset, or sunny grasslands, or snowy wonderlands such beautiful, enchanting playgrounds to run and jump through. Character designs, whether friend or foe, are all very nostalgic and the new ones feel very fresh at the same time. Seeing classic enemies like Chargin Chuck from SMWorld is so nostalgic. The audio is equally charming, with many iconic sound effects returning. The real audio highlight, however, is the soundtrack. Anybody worried that this game would drop the beautiful orchestrations of the Galaxy games can rest easy. Whether the tracks are reminiscent of the symphonic majesty of the Galaxy soundtracks or more of the jazzy 3D Land variety, all songs in 3D World are super catchy and full of warm nostalgic magic, as befits a Mario game (even brand new songs immediately cultivated nostalgia in me). You'll be humming the tunes long after you turn off the game. From a visual and audio perspective, this game is a definite winner and a showcase for the Wii-U.

I've always loved the core concept behind Super Mario 3D Land/World: Take nostalgic gameplay concepts and goals from the classic Super Mario Bros. 1-3 and Super Mario World, and play through them from Mario's perspective in a 3-D game with all the refinements and conventions 3-D Mario games have introduced over the years. It's a perfect marriage of classic conventions and creative innovation, made so that fans of every style of Mario can enjoy themselves. For example, each level has you going for the end-pole as your goal, just like the 2-D Mario classics. However, each level features three green stars (first seen in Galaxy 2) that encourages 3-D Mario style exploration of the levels in order to collect them, and the levels are so well designed and massive, you'll enjoy every second you spend exploring them. It's a marriage of two different Mario styles that compliment each other very well and offer something to every Mario fan. That's great. The world map may seem to be styled after the New Super Mario Bros. games at first glance, except that you're given free rein to run all over the whole thing like some sort of 3-D playground overworld, another example of 3-D and 2-D Mario combining into something new and special, appealing to everybody.

When you turn on a Mario game, what do you except from the gameplay? Perfectly refined, intuitive control mechanics that make the character on screen feel like an extension of yourself? What about insightful, brilliant level design that perfectly compliments these mechanics and gives lots of variety to the experience? You'd probably want plenty of power ups to give even more satisfaction to the experience too right? Thankfully, 3D World nails every one of these core aspects, and expands them to previously unseen heights through new ideas and flawless refinement.

Even the controls feel like a perfect marriage between classic and modern Mario games, resulting in an entirely new experience. Like the classic 2-D Mario games, you can't double or triple jump, which is jarring at first but ultimately makes for unique, old-school gameplay that feels new for a 3-D Mario game. The rolling spin and rolling long-jump (returning from 3D Land) are wonderful additions to Mario's acrobatic repertoire. Jumping and stomping on enemies has never felt more satisfying. On the new side of things, you can knock shells off of Koopas and, in addition to throwing them as always, you can go inside and ride them as they slide along the floor. Talk about a blast! The new clear pipes introduce a ton of new gameplay possibilities too, such as choosing which branching paths to take, how to dodge the obstacles or enemies that can use the pipes too, or being able to hurl fireballs inside. So many new gameplay concepts, and all are super fun.

What's awesome about all of this is that you get to choose between several equally well-designed characters to play as, and all offer unique abilities and traits. Mario is an all-around balanced character, Luigi's controls are more "slippery" and he jumps higher, Peach runs slower but can hover like in SMB2 which makes her good for beginners, and Blue Toad runs faster than the others but he drops faster after jumps. That's not all, as there is an unlockable character with their own unique abilities and gameplay style too! This is such a great aspect of 3D World. Having so many unique characters practically guarantees that gamers of any skill level or play style will get the most out of their experience with the game, and that's awesome. Bravo Nintendo!

The suits that return from 3D Land (Tanooki, Fire, Boomerang Bros., propeller box, etc) all play extremely well and are super satisfying to use. New suits/items, such as the already-iconic Cat Suit or the new canon box fit in with the rest very well. The Cat Suit is ridiculously fun. Others are bizarrely appealing, like the double cherry, which creates a new clone of your character each time you grab one. Imagine the hilarious chaos that results from 10-12 fire balls bouncing around hurled from 5-6 Marios with fire suits. Boss fights that incorporate the double cherry are super fun too. There are many new items you can grab and carry along with you, like a baseball to throw at enemies, or potted Piranha plants that can rapidly eat enemies and other obstacles. Of course, these are just a few examples, and the game features many more.

The utterly brilliant level designs compliment the gameplay mechanics beautifully. There are so many new level ideas for a 3-D Mario game too, including but not limited to: riding a Loch Ness Yoshi monster through a tropical paradise, a level exploring a Japanese-style castle, a light/shadow/silhouette themed sewer level that really messes with your perception of size and distance, a level based on the classic Super Mario Kart (complete with overwhelmingly nostalgic music), the Captain Toad puzzle levels, the mystery houses, the speed run levels, a golden express segment that makes New Super Mario Bros. 2 look conservative by comparison... I could go on forever. Although a bit on the easy side, boss fights in the game overall are better than they were in 3D Land, full of variety and new ideas (and I LOVED the Bowser fights in 3D Land, by the way). Seriously, this game is bursting with creativity. New concepts are introduced at a breathtaking speed. Much like Galaxy 1 & 2, Super Mario 3D World feels like standing before a seemingly bottomless well of brilliant new ideas. If it doesn't top Galaxy 1 or 2 in that respect, 3D World at least matches them. That alone is impressive, especially since the overall focus of 3D World is more "conventional" in comparison to the mind-bending Galaxy games. The fact that it is easily as big as the first Galaxy game makes this even more amazing. Once you beat the main worlds, several more pop up, and the farther you get into the game, the more challenge there is to be had. This game has a fantastic density of content.

Another aspect that makes Super Mario 3D World a milestone for the series is its excellent multiplayer. This is the first 3-D Mario game to implement multiplayer and it is incredible! I was worried this would have the lazy multiplayer of the NSMB games where all characters play the same and offer no real variety, but thankfully 3D World delivers the goods. Each player gets to control a unique character (no generic, recolored Toads for player 4, thankfully), and as I said earlier, each character controls uniquely as well, so everyone will have their own experience! It also never become frustrating like it does in the NSMB games, where other players too often become obstacles to your enjoyment rather than enhancing it. In 3D World, it's super fun and really hearkens back to the old days where playing video games with friends and loved ones on the couch was a bonding, joyful experience. Any game that my wife and I bond over always gets bonus points in my book, and 3D World is superb in that regard. The game is so well designed that you will get the most out of your time with the game, regardless of whether you're playing alone or with others. That's awesome. Bravo Nintendo!

You might wonder how 3DW functions as a Wii-U exclusive and what features there are. Well, for starters, the touch screen and mic are used in several, unique ways that affect the levels you play through, adding complexity to the mix. The gyroscope can be used to get different angles in the levels, which is really helpful for finding collectibles. There are so many other things you can do using the gamepad, it's easy to lose count. Personally, I find the gamepad a lot more useful with more complex series, like The Legend of Zelda for example, but it works surprisingly well in 3D World. Miiverse is also utilized in the same fun way it was in NSMBU, but has been deepened with collectible stamps hidden in the levels that adds spice to messages. I like the Miiverse system here, it's a nice novelty at the very least. Overall, the Wii-U exclusive features don't feel like gimmicks, thankfully, and the game works well because of them and not in spite of them, which is all I ask for.

So, to all you who stuck around with this review, I really cannot emphasize it enough: this game is an absolute masterpiece. I really can't think of a single flaw or complaint to say about the game. Nintendo EAD has been on a roll for years with 3-D Mario releases, and with each new game, I always doubt and worry that they can't possibly top the game that came before it. With Super Mario 3D World, they have indeed continued their streak of top-tier quality. It may not have the brilliant gravity defying concept of the Galaxy games, but the sheer amount of creativity and innovation they poured into this game despite it being more "conventional" in its style just astounds me even more. The huge addition of well-executed multiplayer makes this a 3-D Mario milestone in yet another way. I bought this game at my local *cough cough* as soon as it opened and have been playing since then (alternating with The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, another masterpiece). In addition to its awesome creativity, this is one of the most celebratory Mario games I've ever played too, filled with salutes and homages that pretty much every Mario fan can appreciate and enjoy to the fullest. So do I recommend it? Oh yeah, you better believe I do. This is the undisputed Wii-U "killer app" and is an absolutely essential game for any Wii-U library. I'd even say the game is worth buying the system over. Seriously, it is such a masterwork in game design. Buy it immediately, enjoy the game either solo or with others, and experience another magical masterpiece with Nintendo's famous plumber hero.

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I've been playing this game for 9 hours straight so far and I'm loving every minute of it.

I'm the kind of person to take my time with video games! I like to find little secrets and hidden passages. So far I've gotten every green star (and stamp) in every level up until 6-2. I need to take a rest though. My eyes are killing me!

Anyway, more about the game!..

It is absolutely a MUST if you have a wii u. It's got those occasional classic frustrating levels, but it's got so much more this time around since the last installment of the super mario series.

For starters, it is very creative! There are many little details you'll notice in this game that will make you go "OH MY GOD... LOOK AT _____ !. Me, my two little brothers, and my sister were playing multiplayer for about an hour and it was MADDNESS! So many laughs and so much fun! It's pretty much like new super mario bros, except you can walk in all directions and (obviously) do more intricate things!

The artistic design to this game is amazing as well, I can't express how happy I am to see mario in HD. The worlds look more beautiful than ever!

I also enjoyed the throwback looks they gave the characters icons! Made me feel like I was little kid again! I also enjoyed the fact that on the map, you're not secluded to just using the directional pad to automatically move you from one world to the next.. Nope! You walk around the map in free direction!!! Amazing!!

I give it a 10/10 I love it!!! Worth the money for sure.!

Honest reviews on Super Mario 3D World - Nintendo Wii U

Every half-decade or so, a game comes along that's so good, it's worth buying the console just to play. Super Mario World, Ocarina of Time, Final Fantasy 7, etc.. This is one of those games. A must have for anyone who considers themselves a hardcore gamer.

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This game is absolutely amazing! I can't get enough of it! it makes me smile and laugh constantly! being luigi and all his abilities and the co-op! You can tell all of detail went into this game! so much depth! so much!! all the controllers and re-play value! This is by far one of the best co-op party games Me and my friends have ever played! just the style and gameplay makes you want to immerse yourself in the game! whenever and where ever and you can!!!! I love this so much! A true HD Experience with super mario bros 2 in a co-op 3D-ish world! I would be any character because the games is that amazing! I don't care who I am as long as I get to play I'm the the happiest You could ever see

Review of James Bond 007: GoldenEye - Nintendo Wii

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Goleneye for the Wii has some high expectations to live up to. The original N64 game was a classic, revolutionizing the FPS genre on consoles. Could this Wii game of the same name be just as important?

I think your enjoyment depends on just how into modern FPS you are. Personally, I absolutely loved Goldeneye Wii. But that's because I love the Call of Duty games...

Finishing the single-player campaign and logging in dozens of hours into the multi-player game is an ENORMOUS amount of time for me to invest in a game, in fact the last time I can think of spending that much time gaming was when Modern Warfare 2 came out. Which makes sense, since the game is so similar to that series.

Goldeneye isn't at all a remake of the Rare game. Everyone throws out "re-imagining", but that doesn't really explain it. The game is completely new, relying only on elements of the movie script to move along the gameplay. Eurocom uses a few familiar locations to invoke memories of playing through the N64 title, and then promplty throw you off with completely new level designs. The game is definitely its own beast.

The single player game is very fun. There's four difficulty levels, and it follows the mission structure Rare made famous. On the lower two difficulty settings only one or two missions are required per level, and they are usually simplistic (like "follow the bad guy" or "get out alive"). The higher two difficulty settings, including classic mode, involve more missions, and while you can finish levels without completing everything, you'll be unable to move on with that specific difficulty. I've been playing it on 007 difficulty (the equivalent of Secret Agent in the original) and have had to redo missions when missing something.

Goldeneye apes a lot from the Call of Duty series. The single player is very cinematic, the gameplay is almost exactly the same (from the constant location icon, to the look down the sight of your gun, to the icon indicating you're crouching), and the multiplayer might as well be called Call of Duty: James Bond. But is that such a bad thing?

Yes, the game is much more cinematic than the original, but it's VERY well-done. The voice acting is superb, the animation is excellent, and the pre-scripted events in the game just make it feel so much more alive than the original. And while you may or may not like the pop-up targeting, replenishing health, and down the sights view, you don't have to play that way. Eurocom had the great sense to make Goldeneye extremely flexible, and that's very much appreciated. Classic mode might be for you, and there's a wealth of more traditional control options available.

That said, I'm a big fan of the COD games, and I enjoyed playing Bond in that style. What separates Goldeneye from, say, Modern Warfare 2 is its reliance on stealth gameplay. I always thought the original's focus on stealth gameplay was a bit artificial, I never felt overwhelmed when setting off alarms or having enemies call for backup. In this game, it's practically required at the higher difficulty settings. This game does great job of allowing for different play styles. There's usually more than a couple paths to get around enemies (including a large number of vents) and you'll really have to take advantage of silencers on your pistol and sniper guns. The game also allows for melee stealth kills, which work great. Sneak up behind an enemy (by crouch-walking), and then snap your nunchuck forward and Bond will pull off a cinematic, and silent, kill. It works VERY well and gives the game its own feel.

The enemy AI is certainly better than the original, which is to say it isn't brain-dead, but not the best in the world. That's partially because there's a focus on stealth; because the game encourages you to sneak up and silently take out enemies, sometimes a fellow adversary a couple feet away might not even take notice. Again, it's not that big of a deal. It always feels like the AI smartens up once a large firefight ensues. Backups are called in and they become aggressive about taking you out. They'll flank you, throw well placed grenades to smoke you out, use cover, etc...

While not as deliberate as in something like Gears of War, Goldeneye has a pretty well implemented cover system. There's barriers around everywhere, and it's always smart to crouch behind them and pop up for a couple of shots. The best part, of course, is that most cover options are destructible, forcing you to constantly search for a better cover option. It's nothing super new, but it's really obvious that more attention was given to this game than most other third-party Wii games.

I've tried using three separate control schemes: Wiimote + Nunchuck, Classic Controller Pro, and the GC controller. And while the CCPro was instantly familiar and well-done, the Wiimote + nunchuck ultimately won out. There's a number of preset sensitivity preferences, of which I used "Experienced 3" the highest sensitivity. On top of those presets, you can customize the sensitivity further. I upped the sensitivity of movement while looking down the sight of the gun, as well as the turning axis (which helps making a 180 turn while in multiplayer matches).

Pointer controls take a little getting used to, especially getting your pointer hand to sit still, but once you've figured out that sweet spot (like I did above), the controls can't be topped on a console. Whether looking down the sights of my gun or mowing down enemies on the fly, the shooting feels silky smooth. As long as the frame-rate is running just as well, which it is 90% of the time.

Unfortunately, there is that 10% in which the game stutters. This usually happens when there's not only a ton of enemies on screen but also when some fancy particle effects are being used. In one way you'll appreciate the effort to make this game look good, in another you'll just wish the game had been created with optimized gameplay in mind. Again, drops in frame-rate are fairly rare, and if you were a fan of the original...

The multiplayer may be the best FPS experience on the Wii. Like Call of Duty, the game features an XP system that rewards players for kills, wins, and a whole bunch of conditions met. First time playing the complex? Here's +25XP for ya. Assisted in a kill by finishing it with a grenade? Here's an extra +20XP. It always feels like the game is constantly rewarding you in the beginning, probably because of how unbalanced you'll be against more experienced players.

Obviously the more XP you earn, the more you'll level up. Leveling up leads to unlocking better weapons, stat boosts, and "gadgets" Goldeneye's version of perks. These include gun modifiers like silencers (that will keep you off enemy radars), different sights, etc... The highest levels yield the best extras, like fan-favorite proximity mines. You can even customize you character with multiple "loadouts". Nothing I've said will be new to you if you've played a COD game since Modern Warfare.

None of these features would matter if the levels weren't well-designed and the matches ran smoothly, and so far so good. While I can't yet say if the maps are as memorable as the original's (that will warrant dozens more hours in gameplay) my suspicions tell me they aren't. They're a bit generic, and the levels that aren't meant to resemble the original's slightly resemble the original Modern Warfare's least popular maps. Not a big surprise there. With a max of eight players online at once, the maps typically run a bit small, which may be fine for fans of the original, but will disappoint anyone who became a FPS fan following the original Halo.

Luckily though they are small, the maps are fairly well designed with numerous access points, decent camping spots, and recognizable features that help in familiarizing yourself with the maps. Again, you might be disappointed if you're expecting maps from the original. Nothing is as good as the Temple,Facility, Complex, or Archives, though some replacements (Facility and Archives) are still pretty well done.

The multiplayer modes are also worth mentioning. While Conflict and Team Conflict are your standard deathmatch modes, there's also Golden Gun mode, Heroes mode, Goldeneye mode, etc... all fun and unique modes that really do separate Goldeneye from Halo and COD. You'll also be able to unlock a few hardcore modes that lower health and lose the radar. There's a lot of game here.

Of the dozens of hours I've put into the game so far, the majority have been dedicated to the multiplayer. Matches typically run smooth, which is somewhat rare for Wii games not made by Nintendo. I use a WiFi connection rather than the USB ethernet dongle, which is what I've always been told is a contributor to choppy online play, yet Goldeneye runs smooth almost all the time. I've only had a couple of matches run choppy, both of which took place in the nightclub level (which may be a factor, as the lighting is a bit hectic), but the game was still playable, there weren't any delay in input and on-screen action, simply a slower pace. I've also yet to have a dropped match, though when the host does leave the game after a match you might as well back out. The game will attempt to reassign a host, but it takes a bit, and usually fails since everyone else drops out.

I didn't intend for this to turn into such a long review, but there's just so many things to talk about when the topic is Goldeneye Wii. I think it's a great game. By far the best FPS on the Wii, which just seems right Goldeneye on a Nintendo console. The game is a complete package with a very well produced single player game and a very deep multiplayer that should satisfy until the next big thing comes along. And let's be honest, it might take until Wii 2 before we see another high-profile exclusive Wii FPS worth buying.

Ultimately, the only people who should be cautious approaching this game are those who don't like FPShooters and those who only want an exact remake of their beloved Goldenye. This isn't that classic, but it's probably the best Bond game since the original Goldeneye. Judged solely on its own merits, it should be in every Wii owner's collection.

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The Classic is back.

007 Goldeneye for the Wii is the classic redone, only this time with the controls that we all know and love from Metroid Prime 3. It remains the same solid FPS that we all grew up with, with a few improvements in storyline and graphics (relatively speaking).

THE GOOD:

-The motion controls make this game so much easier than any other FPS I have played. Please see Halo for example.

-Improved nuance. Ex. The sound of ears ringing when a grenade goes off nearby, or the way the head shifts with the movement of Bond's body

-Bring in the Daniel Craig. While the original GE was done with Pierce Brosnan, the modern Bond is a nice addition to an old classic.

-The familiar: Judi Dench as our beloved M.

-New Weapons: now kill with more ways than ever!

-Options: Go in stealth or guns blazing. Take your pick. Either usually works in any scenario if you're careful.

-Multiplayer: It is incredibly true when they say "bringing multiplayer back to its roots."

THE BAD:

-Graphics, dammit! "Metroid: Other M" is a clear example of what can be achieved with the Wii's limited graphics. Or how about Mario Galaxy 2? The machine is better than most give it credit for.

-The graphics again: Seriously, Nintendo, time to go HD. Gamecube graphics + 1 does not cut it anymore.

-A bit of change to the original story. Forgivable, however. It's GoldenEye.

OVERALL:

It's a solid FPS for the Wii, something that is desperately lacking. We have Metroid Prime and that's more of a puzzle/adventure than a true FPS. The controls are fluid, the nuance is great, and we have the lovely Judi Dench narrating our mission objectives to us. It is easily the best Bond game since Nightfire or Agent Under Fire for the GCN.

Highly recommended.

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As a teenager I spent countless hours with friends playing GoldenEye for the N64, and to this day I rate it as the second best multiplayer experience that I have ever had on a console (Perfect Dark takes the cake). Naturally I had high expectations for a reboot of the GoldenEye brand, but it seems that I set my sights too high and Eurocom set its sights too low.

GoldenEye for the Wii is not simply a remake, but a reboot. Daniel Craig takes the place of Pierce Brosnan as James Bond (I prefer Brosnan, but it doesn't really matter), and the story has been tweaked to reflect more modern technologies, namely a cell phone that does just about everything. The story is far from cerebral and hardly memorable, except for the scenes and areas you might recognize from the original game. While the single player campaign is enjoyable for the first runthrough if you like gratuitous explosions and dispatching a ton of enemies, it is ultimately short (under 10 hours), unrewarding (unlockables are few and far between), and plagued with annoying quick time events (moments that take you away from the gun action and ask you to press a button or waggle your controller so that you don't die). The thing that kills me most is the lack of replay value in the levels. Yes there are multiple difficulty settings and time trials, but, as far as I can tell after beating the game on the default difficulty setting, there are no mods like in the original game (such as infinite ammo or invincibility). Luckily the controls are outstanding, the graphics, while not great in the scheme of things, look decent for the Wii, and the nostalgia factor is there. And sound... Meh. Voice acting is good, but the synching is not ideal, and the music is simply not as interesting as the original game, despite using the same composer.

Multiplayer is the sole reason to lay down any amount of money for this game. You can play with 4 people split screen, which I think any console FPS worth its salt should do well, and GoldenEye does it well enough. However, where are the options that we knew and loved from the original game? Modifiers are limited, and so are the number of characters to choose from. I don't even think you can do License to Kill mode (1 hit kills) while offline! You also cannot put away your weapon. In the original putting away your weapon not only allowed you to karate chop, but it also made it so that players could not automatically target you. And why the heck is there regenerating health, like just about every shooter has today? If you get shot doesn't it make more sense that you don't suddenly heal? I miss running around like a madman, weapon put away to make myself a harder target, while trying to reach armor. Also there are no weapon sets and respawning ammo; now there are only loadouts (a collection of three or so weapons that you must use together until you die, unless you pick up something a dead player dropped). Really the lack of modes and weapon selection is what bothers me in offline multiplayer. Maps are largely disappointing (not to mention surprisingly dark) and the Facility, my favorite level in the original, is sadly one of the worst.

Online multiplayer is addicting because you VERY SLOWLY earn experience to unlock new weapons and gadgets for your custom loadouts (you pick the three weapons that you use). The games run smoothly for the most part (it gets choppy if you're hosting) but the implementation is miserable. Low level players are lumped together in games with high level ones who unfairly have access to more powerful weapons (presumably because not enough people play the game to warrant a separation of levels), you lose all of your hard-earned experience in a match if the host leaves the game, and you cannot choose your skin (there is one mode that lets you choose what you look like, but good luck unlocking it considering how long it takes to level up). Before a match you get a choice between two randomly chosen levels that you can vote on, so you don't even really get to pick the map.

In conclusion, do not buy this game for the single player experience. If you get it, do it for the multiplayer. The linear gameplay in single player, lack of modes, modifiers, and overall options make this game a sad addition to the GoldenEye brand (perhaps one day some cheats will be released--there is a cheat menu--that prove me wrong). While online multiplayer is undeniably addicting if you feel like you must unlock and try out all of the weapons and limited modes, it falls short in many other departments. What made the original game great was tons of unlockables (many of which were incredibly challenging to earn), a non-linear single-player experience, top-notch multiplayer level design, and a HUGE variety of gameplay options. GoldenEye for the Wii does not offer a similar experience.

Honest reviews on James Bond 007: GoldenEye - Nintendo Wii

When it comes to videogames, there is nothing I enjoy more than a good remake of a classic game. I'd rather have a remake of a superb, 13 year old game (like N64's "Goldeneye"), than a new and original but lousy one. This has been done a few times before with great results: PS1's "Resident Evil" was remade (from scratch) for the Gamecube in 2002, PS1's "Metal Gear Solid" was remade (from scratch) for the Gamecube in 2004 (under the name "Twin Snakes"), and PS1's "Silent Hill" was remade (from scratch) for the Wii in 2009 (under the name "Shattered Memories"). This remake of "Goldeneye" is just as good as those. However, this is more than just a remake of N64's "Goldeneye" from 1997. This is like "Goldeneye" + "all the other cool stuff from the James Bond-franchise" thrown together in the mix and shaken (not stirred). Classic guns (including the golden one) and characters from past Bond-movies are playable in the multiplayer mode. These characters include:

-Jaws (That big scary 7'2'' tall guy with metal teeth played by Richard Kiel in "The Spy Who Loved Me" (1977) and "Moonraker" (1979))

-Francisco Scaramanga (Played by Christopher Lee in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974))

-Oddjob (The Hawaiian guy with the lethal hat played by Harold Sakata in Goldfinger (1964))

-Ernst Stavro Blofeld (This is the Blofeld played by Charles Gray in Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Not the Blofeld played by Donald Pleasence or Telly Savalas)

-Baron Samedi (That scary voodoo-guy with the peculiar laughter and face-paint played by Geoffrey Holder in Live and Let Die (1973))

-Rosa Klebb (The dangerous little lady with the red hair and lethal shoe played by Lotte Lenya in From Russia with Love (1963))

-Red Grant (That blond henchman played by Robert Shaw in From Russia with Love (1963))

-Julius No (Played by Joseph Wiseman in Dr. No (1962))

The multiplayer is split-screen just like old times (up to 4 players), but an 8-player online multiplayer is also available. The single player story mode pretty much follows the same story as N64's "Goldeneye" from 1997. The only big difference is that you will be seeing the face and hearing the voice of Daniel Craig, rather than that of Pierce Brosnan. Personally I would have preferred Brosnan. Also, the rest of the cast (except Judi Dench) has been replaced by new "actors". Trevelyan, Ourumov, Onatopp etc. have different faces and voices than you see in the movie. Also here I would have preferred the old cast: Famke Janssen, Sean Bean, Robbie Coltrane etc.. But this isn't enough to ruin the game. Like I insinuated earlier, this is a remake made completely from scratch. This is not the Nintendo 64-game just printed onto Wii-discs. So you will have the pleasure of seeing the best graphics around. You can play this game with almost every controller ever released by Nintendo since the release of Gamecube: The Wii Remote with Nunchuk, Wii Zapper, Classic Controller, Classic Controller Pro, and the Nintendo GameCube controller can all be used with this game. I'm a bit old fashioned, so I prefer using the Gamecube-controller. Some parts of the story in this game are actually closer to what happened in the movie than the N64-game ever was. Like in that park in St. Petersburg when the identity of Janus is revealed, this time you will actually be sitting in the helicopter when those two rockets are fired. And you'll have to find a way to escape, just like in the movie. Some changes are made regarding locations I might add. The things that in the movie happened in Monaco, are here happening in Dubai, and what usually happened on Cuba is now happening in Nigeria etc.. I think this game is perfect as it is. Would have been fun with even more than 8 classic characters in multiplayer though. I am missing the likes of Auric Goldfinger, and I wouldn't mind having seen some of the newer characters like Jinx from Die Another Day (2002) and Solange from Casino Royale (2006) if you know what I mean :-). This game also lacks some of the humour that made the original so great. The AK-47 is among the weaponry here (wouldn't be Goldeneye without one) along with MP5 and SPAS 12, but nearly all the weapons have fictional names. Another thing that would improve this game: The original N64-game hidden somewhere like an easter-egg (just like "Maniac Mansion" was hidden in "Day of the Tentacle", and the original "Donkey Kong" was hidden in "Donkey Kong 64"). For example, in a video game arcade cabinet standing somewhere in that nightclub in Barcelona. I would even say this is the game of this decade (the 00s) I have been looking forward to the most, and for good reason. Oh, and unless you have been living under a rock the last 13 years, you know this is a first-person-shooter.

P.S. Is it just me or did they stop making games like "Goldeneye"(N64) and "Ocarina of Time"(N64)? Miss those times....

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for James Bond 007: GoldenEye - Nintendo Wii

You should know what you are getting with Goldeneye for the Wii. This is a sort of remake of the Goldeneye story. Although many characters and events from the movie are in the game they are done so in a more realistic "Daniel Craig" way, and thats great. The controls take some getting used to if you are using the nunchuk and remote. For a Wii game the animations are great. From a bad guy running away and shooting at you at the same time, to an enemy stumbling because you shot him in the leg. The only downside to the game is that the graphics make it hard to see enemies. In the second level you are in a dance club and must fight your way out, the problem is that the environment is blue and dark and you have enemies shooting at you from everywhere. Its just a small annoyance in an otherwise fantastic game.

Cheap Gun Metal

Customer Ratings:

I like this game a lot. It's got pretty nice graphics, just about par for the Xbox. It does get sluggish at times, though. The gameplay(shoot [almost] everything) is [really[ fun. (More fun than even MechWarrior, in my opinion.) I love a game that comes along every once in a while that forgets all the realism ... and goes back to the basics of why shooters are so fun.

But, don't get this game if you don't like 'em difficult. It does get frustrating at times, but the only thing I found was that it makes the game more rewarding knowing that you found out the STRATEGY of beating a mission. (Yes, strategy. It exists in this game.)

Yes, the voice acting can get a little annoying at times and the in game music is mediocre. That's the main drawback of Gunmetal. Still, it's definitely worth a buy if you're getting tired of "Counter-Hack" and want a back to basics shoot 'em up.

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Everyone knows in the summer, gaming is usually dull and the developers are working to live up to what they had said at E3 a month before the start of the season. Gun Metal is a fresh new title that's a bit short, and the price is pretty good.

Story:

Okay, in Gun Metal, you are in the future and Earth is all crapped up because of us, but from many decades of space exploration, we have finally learned how to utilize warp-holes to our advantage. Many people have moved to new places, but now a new place called Helios is in the spotlight. however only a few get to go and because of this, people start to bicker and fight, but a few make it through the warp-hole and when they finally reached Helios, they closed the gate for what they thought was forever. however, the people on earth opened up the gate to Helios and started to bring people to conqueror the place. the life on Helios used to be good, but now war is destroying the place and your people are starting to lose. Project Gun Metal is finally put into action to liberate the planet of Helios. Failure is not an option. 4/5

Gamplay:

Gameplay for the Havoc (Project Gun Metal Prototype 1, ie YOU!) battle suit and in jet mode is conducted in 3rd person. Mainly, you are a mech (big 40' robot, run 1 km in a matter of seconds) with missles, machine guns, so called "shotgun" for mechs of your size, plasma disc launchers, grenades, and other stuff you can think of the blow up stuff. In "mech" mode, you can strafe, jump, and absorb a limited amount of attacks via a rechargeable energy sheild (Halo, anyone?). and also in Mech mode, you can switch to a Jet, which is an airplane fighter with 10x the speed of the mech and the same amount of explosives. however you do have different weapons. There is no multilplayer in Gun Metal, which explains the below-average price. The single player campaign is short, but you'll find yourself replaying mission because of new weapons and to test new skills. however, the gameplay never goes beyond tried and true, its still a good addition to your xbox game collection. 5/5

Graphics:

Xbox is really an amazing machine that beats the PS2, GCN, and PC (sometimes!) at its graphical power. i would have to say that if you have ever seen halo's graphics, its on par with it. the explosions are amazing and each detail has been paid attention to. 5/5

Sound:

Finally, an xbox game that supports custom soundtrack, yet it is not a racing game! Also, you can hear huge explosion and if you have surround sound with your entertainment system, the bass frequencies get really low so you can feel the explosions! 5/5

Replayability:

This is where Gun Metal falls. it only has a single player mode, and there is only 14 missions in the entire game. no mission takes more than 30 minutes (it shouldn't). some are really hard though, and may take a little longer than 30 minutes to complete a mission (the time counter does not take in account on how many times you retried the mission. some of the missions are really hard becasue you have to keep from destroying something of your ally's and the thing that you have to protect gets broken really easily. 3/5 if you are a casual gamer 2/5 if you are hardcore. if ur hardcore, you'll finish it in about 4 days max and then trade it for something else.

overall:

there is absolutly nothing wrong about this game. replayability may be a slight issue, but this game is excellent and well worth its price. (note, the end missions get really hard, so if you are on the 7th mission, don't say that you are half done!)

i hope this helped you in your decision to buy a new game for your little xbox that has been sitting there collecting dust =)

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This is a completely awsome game, although challenging it is a ton of fun to play. i rented it one time to just check it out and i couldnt put the controller down after that. you can get awesome upgrades for your mech and jet forms. not HALO quality but still great

Honest reviews on Gun Metal

Well, I played this game when the XBOX majorily lacked Mech games. It was before games like MechAssualt, Steel Battalion, etc...

I poped this in my XBOX, and right from the top it was a lot of fun. But after awhile it got a bit old.

Here's what I thought of the first MAJOR Mech game for the XBOX:

1) Gameplay: It's fun! You can do all kinds of cool things, beggining with turning into a jet, TONS of upgrades, rockets, the ability to use incredible fire power, and the overall fun of the game. Unfortunantly, after the first cut scene, the game in NO way refers back to the story. It is fun, but it gets a bit dull on the *>12th mission (NO connection with the story) trying to now destroy a ship. You did it! Good job, now destroy that city. Good job! Now detroy that plane. Good job! Now, resist the battle tanks and protect the civilians. Good job! Mission complete, now this time...". The whole thing IS fun, but its just endless destruction. Then more destruction, then a bit more, now fly to this new base, a bit more action.

It is fun, but with NO story and minimal upgrades, it gets really dull, and has almost NO replay value. And to add to all this no multiplayer, this is probably just a rent, not a buy. No story, multiplayer, and no real organazation of levels or even ability to figure out what mission your on. If u like button mashing Mech killing, this is for u. But if your also looking for some sort of story, and maybe a good multiplayer game, this isn't for u.

As for the button mashing, flying Mech frenzy, its a BLAST! You can turn into a jet and fly all over the place freely, shoot rockets, machine guns, jump, etc... and its all a BLAST. Definantly a good rental, this will keep u busy for a FEW nights.

2) Graphics: Pretty good. Lots of shooting, explosions, dirt, destruction, etc...and it's brought to life pretty well. The problem I had with this was that u CANT really enjoy these graphics to their finest the entire time, as there is quite a bit of frame-rate slowdown (where when a lot is going on and the screen gets really slow and choppy). It happens so often it gets a bit annoying, and it took away largely from a great gaming experience. To finish this section, the graphics were very good, NOT GREAT, and the frame-rate slowdown was too big a deal to ignore, and it after awhile got so annoying, I shut the thing off for a few minutes. Its not 24-7, but its hard to go more than 15 minutes without seeing it...which is just not exceptable counsidering the XBOX's power.

3) Options: Where the game failed. No multiplayer, no different types of games or difficulty settings, NO way to have more than a few games. I mean, its like they just slapped this game together in less than a month. Theres a single player game with NO story, and thats it. No multiplayer, different game types, and or ways of playing the game.

What would have been cool was a way to win awards, train, a few more graphics, and actual story to go by. This game was not a very good one, because of the so few options and work seemed to be put into it.

Overall, this is a good rental on a night that your bored, but definantly NOT a buy unless u can find it for less than a twenty. It just doesn't go up there with the great games the XBOX has to offer, and the depth it claims to have just isn't there. A game that could have been so much more, GUNMETAL was a very good game...until u looked for more than endless button mashing and Mech power.

Overall, I'd give this a 2.5 stars* out of 5. Felt like a half game, not reccomended to anyone who wants more than a button masher.

Hope this helped,

Thx!

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I purchased this game almost as an afterthought, and was very impressed with how much fun it is. While the production values aren't stellar, the actual "meat" of the game is very well done. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed this game more than Robotech: Battlecry. Handling your mech is certainly a less cumbersome task, and the graphics (while not mindblowing) are rather good. Every mission is filled with a sense of urgency, as you must zip from location to location rather quickly in order to meet all of the mission goals. My favorite aspect of the game is it's controls. When one thinks of a mech game, a series of complicated controls come to mind. Not here. I jumped right into the game, and was flying around launching airstrikes and transforming for ground assaults in no time at all. It's not the ultimate mech game, but for the price, it certainly offers a fun (if somewhat short) ride.

Reviews of Snakebyte PlayStation Vita View Box Protective Case, Black (SB00498)

Customer Ratings:

Short and sweet. Very nice case, felt inside, holds 8 games, and it's a tough case. The holder for games also serves as a stand for your vita if you ever need to watch videos or netflix, which is why I think it's amazing. It's also an amazing product for the price.

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Overall I am pleased with this case.

My only gripe is that the Vita fits a little too loosely so sometimes when I open the case, my Vita slides out as I unzip. It's probably made a little larger to accommodate people who have silicon cases on their Vitas. I've used the Hori silicon case but I took it off recently for the naked feel.

Also the initial smell of the case was pretty pungent, but over time the smell went away.

I just wish it fit the Vita more snugly. I may be looking to import the Sony PS Vita Carry Case (not the Travel Pouch that's already been available here in the states)

Buy NHL 14 - Xbox 360

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $59.99
Sale Price: $56.82
Today's Bonus: 5% Off

Overall it is a fun game, but it does have some frustrating setbacks.

Pros

-3 game modes let you easily set your style of play without using tons of menu sliders (though they are available(

-1 touch juke and spin moves are very easy and natural.

-graphics look good overall, though some player faces are way off

Cons

-I've played every nhl game for the past 7 years or so and the face offs in this years release seem downright impossible. I have literally played games where I won no face off. Wtf!

-defensive AI is terrible and battles along the boards almost always go to the computer.

-the game often tries to keep things even, meaning that if I score a goal the computer often come right back and scores. It just doesn't feel realistic.

AND THE ABSOLUTE WORST CON IS...

-fighting. The fight controls have improved from last year, but the frequency of fights is infuriating at times. There should not be 4 fights in every period of play. It's rediculous. I turned the fight slider all the way down thinking it would eliminate fights, but there are still 3 or 4 a game. EVERY HOCKEY MATCH DOES NOT HAVE 3 or 4 FIGHTS EA! Additionally, the timing of fights is pretty random and unrealistic. With 50 seconds left I'm down by 1 and driving to the net and my player decides to start a fight? Wouldn't happen! Now I get to lose another impossible face off and try and steal the puck back once again.

Do you see the point I'm trying to make here? The base of this game is still the fun nhl platform we've enjoyed for years. But, the irritating quirks often completely ruin the experience.

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I'm a big fan of the NHL series and I've played all of them since '94. This game is amazing graphically and it is one of the greatest hockey games ever. What a nice way to end the NHL on the 360 and PS3 to get ready for next gen! This is great!

PROS:

It has a ton of game modes like Quick Game, Ultimate Team, '94 Anniverary Mode, Be A Pro Mode, Playoffs mode, and many many more!

The '94 controls are back! That means that you can change to these controls and have an even simpler and better experience.

The fights now have Fight Night mechanics which make the fighting experience in the game even better as I was a huge fan of Fight Night Champion and boxing in general so I'm happy to have it there.

The crowd! Oh my gosh what a crowd, "Did I just see John McEnroe at the Rangers game in NHL 14?" I just don't know but the way that the crowd explodes when a goal is scored or when a fight breaks out or clutch moments, it's purely amazing! I can see their disappointment and frustration when Ovechkin scores the game winning goal in OT at Madison Square Garden when I was playing as the Rangers.

Extremely smooth gameplay, the players don't get sucked in animations and it has the feel of a real hockey game.

I also like the screen at the end of each period where it shows the coaching adjustments and the success of each team.

I like the pre-game things that the game does and the introductions of each team as well.

CONS:

-The game lacks a large amount of realism. The game has fights happening like 2-5 times a game. Every time that I get a big hit on my opponent, his little friends shove their gloves in my players face and then take them off and a brawl starts. You can win a fight by only pushing the right stick up or down without using any defense at all! That's just disappointing to see this in a game like NHL 14. Don't you need at least some skill to win a fight?

Cheese. It's my good ol' friend cheese. I've seen cheese in so many games, I don't get it. There is a difference between the AI just getting in a rhythm and just cheese. I playing Playoff mode with my hometown Rangers and we made it to Game 7 of the conference finals vs. the Washington Capitals. It was 2-2 at the start of the 3rd period, one of my players got a penalty for elbowing. So the power play starts. In the first 12 seconds of powerplay we give up a close range goal. I just say, "Okay, we'll come back, it's all good." Apparently it was not all good as we lose the faceoff with 2:48 left on the power play and it's 3-2 and we give up a long range goal this time 4 seconds later. It's 4-2 now and we lose another faceoff and they score another goal in 9 more seconds. By this time, I'm raging. It is now 5-2 and we lose ANOTHER faceoff and we give up ANOTHER goal in 23 more seconds. I don't get it! 6-2, what of a game is this now? We FINALLY win a faceoff but we miss our shot at a goal and they go coast to coast for, you know, another goal!!! I finally can't take any more of this and I quit and it simulates to the end of the game...... Yup! We lose 9-2! Cheese at it's finest. Hopefully, THAT won't come again.

IN CONCLUSION:

This game is a great game for any hockey fan out there and certainly any old timer who have NHL '94 like me back in the di-zzay! This game is amazing graphically and I highly recommend buying this game!

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So first off let me say, i have NOT played an NHL hockey game since they went on strike in '99 or 2000 (can't remember exactly which year, sorry). So therefore i cannot judge from the past 12 years of their games.

With that said, this game however is FUN, right now i am playing live the life, where i am the pro. I enjoy it because i only need to focus on MY character, not the whole team, however on that same note, it annoys me because the team will make random passes or clear the puck way too often, when i am open or they could make a break for it. Sometimes i wish i could just take the puck handler and get it down ice for the score, i've lost quite a few games because my guy would be on the bench waiting for his next shift and the other team scores, then i will get on the ice, get something going, only to get called back to the bench in a few seconds and i have to wait again. However the overall of that feature is awesome, winning and losing does matter, but not as much as your person putting up good points (assits or goals) to impress the scouts and move you up to a better team.

I haven't played GM yet, so i can't comment on it. However just playing the games, are a blast. The hard hits, fights, presentation is just awesome!

Now for my negatives and why i gave it 4 out of 5. As much fun as it is, it can be frustrating, since i am back to being new at this game, i am not on the easiest setting, but one step up, i read others have had similar issues, where your team really don't know what they are doing and won't chase the loose puck, in fact i've passed a puck to a team mate, it bouced off an opponent, but still got to him, only to have him turn around as if he was going to the bench or to be on D so the puck just hit the wall and the opponent grabbed it. Really?! Come on EA, real life they WATCH the puck before they just leave the area to see where it goes. Anyhoo, also, on the lower level difficulty, the rubber banding is annoying as crap, i will score 3 to 6 goals in a game, feeling good, once im up by at least 2 or 3, they will immediately score 2 or 3 back to back to catch up. I've had so many shutouts and i suck at those so far, and then they usually win. I was up 6 to 2 one time, 3 period they tied me and won in overtime, seriously? So yeah be prepared for that.

Finally, my biggest gripe and probably don't matter any many, the menus are nice and options are alright, but clunky. I went to EA's music hub, turned off the songs i disliked the most, and would go to my be a pro season. For whatever reason, all the songs play, even the ones i turned off. In the main menu and normal game, its just the songs i want, but in live the life its like they forgot to propogate those settings over there, wouldn't that have been seen in testing? I guess i would of checked it out first, but thats just me.

Anyhoo, overall, besides my minor gripes, its a fun amazing game. Kills time, when you need time killed ;) And feels great to plow into that guy on the wall, hurt him, then start and win a fight against his buddy ;) 5 minutes well worth it lol.

Honest reviews on NHL 14 - Xbox 360

So far, I've played ~160 games (I had the early release) in EASHL with most being in club play, but a handful of OTP games as well. The good things I've seen so far are that hitting generally works, skating seems reasonably fluid once you have enough stats on your player, goalies aren't making saves they shouldn't and aren't letting in too many weak goals, the new EASHL seasons makes things a bit more exciting, stick lifting now seems to work well enough and not give constant penalties, and that the AI seems to be improving on the offensive side.

On the other hand, it also has a few areas for improvement. AI on D during a rush is almost useless and gives up the toe drag wrist shots from the high slot as it has in the last 5 years or so. On top of that, these seem to be going in at an alarming rate for players who likely are well below having their legend card yet. Larger players seem to have a big balance boost, which makes it nearly impossible to knock down a player more than 4 inches taller than you. Poke checking seems inconsistent. Forcing passes through defenders works too often, and offense seems to be much more able to pick up loose pucks than on defense.

While at first fighting seemed like an improvement over the old system, after getting into a few dozen fights the majority of online players just seem to mash the punch button and manage to win more often than not. There doesn't seem to be much of a way around this either. Using R2 to dodge and counter is somewhat difficult to do, and if they manage to connect with a hit, you might as well just let them win. At least the old system gave you a ton more control as far as dodging went.

More disappointing is that face-off spamming (continuously trying to win the draw before it is dropped, making your character twitch) still works in the game despite countless complaints and EA promising to fix it. As a top 50 center right now with 60% wins, I still manage to have games against these guys where I go 30% while they are clearly exploiting the system. Its been going on for a few years now, and should have been fixed long ago.

Finally a more minor issue is that low speed skating that you would do defensively to get into position and face the puck is more difficult than it should be, and results in too many cases where I'm out of position because the game decided I wanted to do a big spin rather than just turn my hips.

It will be interesting to see how future tuners change this, as EA doesn't seem to have much of a rhyme or reason for many of the changes they end up making, so we could be looking at a much different reaction in 3 months or so.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for NHL 14 - Xbox 360

Someone really needs to open up a shop to compete against these guys across franchises (NHL, FIFA, NFL, etc.). Back in the 90s EA Sports was a fresh and innovative game maker, now they are innovating for the sake of innovating and their "game improvements" are mostly just gimmicks. This game is pretty much the same as NHL 12 so there isn't really anything better about it, or new, or fresh that the older franchises don't have. You are basically paying $60 for new rosters (this is the case with almost all EA franchises these days).

Funny thing is, they don't even fix the bugs from the old game. In NHL 12 there was a bug that would happen where all the buttons would shut down and your guy would just randomly start skating backward in the middle of the game. You used to be able to disconnect the controller or pause the game and reset the controller configuration to fix it. In NHL 14 this bug is even worse, it happened to me while playing an online tournament against the machine. Luckily the issue disappeared with the end of the period, but it just shows how little attention EA pays to their product development I'm sure others have experienced this and requested a fix. It's two versions down the road and the same bug occurs worse hilarious!

The other hallmark of EA games (both FIFA and NHL) is poor server support. Last night the servers were down randomly for about an hour in the evening and then this morning I got booted from the servers while going into a second tournament game (thanks EA for wasting all my players contract game and giving me a loss I didn't earn for nothing oh and no coin). If you have ever played FIFA 13 you know exactly what I am talking about that was probably the worst sports game I ever played in terms of the glitches. EA Sports is a disaster as an organization and the only way they are going to get the message is for people to stop buying their sub par products year after year like lemmings.

This game's HUT is also sucky compared to FIFAs, the packs don't always download correctly once you purchase them, and the whole interface pales in comparison to FIFA. Now, I get that this isn't soccer, but the whole interface on FIFA works better and is more efficient than the NHL version and the games are made by the SAME DEVELOPER! For instance, it's ridiculous how you have to go through a bunch of different menus to find out who the hell your backup goalie is you don't have to do this for any other position and its absurd. I didn't even know who the hell the guy was until his contract was up. Again, this is still something that EA hasn't fixed from the NHL 12 version (and probably versions that predate that). Basically I can hit Y and see all my lines in one easy interface except for my goalie position. For that one position, I have to highlight the goalie and hit Y, then to replace the goalie I have to stand up dance in a circle, hit X or Y and some other buttons and finally I can replace him horrendous interface and there is nothing on the screen that tells you how or what to do I found out simply by messing around.

Oh and I agree with the other reviewer who wrote that the AI is crappy for lower experience levels. It has been for years. The engineers seems to believe that the only way to make the game harder is to make the machine score on less shots. So basically, as you increase the skill level in this game, all that happens is that the machine scores more quickly, no matter how bad the shot opportunity and he can move the puck easily with none of your defenders being effective at all. It sucks and is definitely the worst of the EA franchises. But worse, I played an online tournament on Amateur on HUT and clearly they didn't match me up with the people of my skill level I got shelled 6-0 by a guy/girl who was clearly on another level. Good job EA, that makes me want to keep playing! The HUT seasons are admittedly a bit better at matching the skill levels of the players. However, the overall gameplay is pretty poor when you aren't playing a friend or the HUT seasons.

Bottom line is that if you want to pay $60 for new rosters and a better fighting experience (NHL 12's was absurd) then have at it. But if you were expecting EA to spend substantial time and effort improving the game experience, forget it just keep playing your older version.