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I got bored and bought all the hRRY POTTEER games and turned out I liked plying them wasn't bad dand good time waster! went along with the book and not really the movie on some but for most part fun to play
Showing posts with label xbox 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label xbox 1. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Discount Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Xbox
Great product, this game is so comforting and such a huge nostalgia high. I would highly recommend, definitely worth every penny.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Buy Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Pro GamePad Controller for Xbox 360
List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $43.98
Today's Bonus: 12% Off
Deffinately work I bought this to play my PC games and feels great in hand not bulky like regular 360 controllers looks nice and plays great I'm goin to order another soon for company
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I would give this controller 5 stars but there's one place that hurts it...but I'll go over the good things first. The controller feels good when you hold and it won't slip out of your hands because of the material it's made out of. The LB,RB, LT and RT are very responsive when pressed. The bad things about the controller are the combat buttons on the back of the controller and the A,X,Y and B buttons. For me, the combat buttons felt like a pain to press on the back of the controller. The placement just didn't feel right. The A,X,Y and B buttons...oh man, they stick when pressed. This will hurt you in any kind of game you play especially if the game requires a lot of button spamming. I did fix this problem by taking the controller apart and made the holes for the A,X,Y and B buttons bigger. I wouldn't suggest you do this because it would void your warranty.Best Deals for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Pro GamePad Controller for Xbox 360
It's a decent controller. For the money it's a really good controller. If you don't sit to far from your console this controller works well. My kid loves it so that's all that matters.Honest reviews on Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Pro GamePad Controller for Xbox 360
THE PROSSo I've had this controller since November 2012. Me and my brother use CONSISTENTLY with our shooters so I know that it can take normal wear. This was a surprise to me since Mad Catz made this and they have a bad reputation for making cheap 3rd party controllers that give out after 2 months. I've had this for almost half a year and it is barely showing wear on the left stick.
The grips on the controller are awesome. I usually play for 2-3 hours straight during each session and my hands have yet to sweat and slip off during some intense gaming. However, don't pick at the edges like me or you will see faster deterioration at the edges.
The bumpers are also better placed at a better angle which makes it easier, and faster, to press.
THE CONS
One problem I had with this was the mic jack. I use a Turtle Beach 12x with this controller and I found out that they don't like each other. Every time I shoot, the controller will rumble, and the result will be horrible static sound being sent to anyone who is listening to me. Thanks to the feature in my Turtle Beach, I can hear what they hear and it sounds bad. I eventually found the problem through forums and apparently the mic wiring in this controller is not so good (as with most other wired controllers, according to the forums). The answer to this was that I turn off the rumbling, which fixed the audio mic problem but now I miss my rumbling. If you don't use a mic, then you're good.
The LED lights in this controller are awesome but they are LED so be prepared to be annoyed if you're playing in a dark room. When the sticks are in neutral position, they're cool. However, the moment I move them, light will shine straight into my eye. So that's another problem if you play in a dark room.
The left and right triggers are more digital than analog. I play Forza and I've had a hard time slowly accelerating. With a MS controller, you wont have any problems. So if you are a racing fanatic, this is not the controller for you. If you buy it for racing games, be prepared to train your fingers to be more gentle.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Pro GamePad Controller for Xbox 360
I have own two of these controllers, they will never stop working if you use them right and be carefull, i dropped them 5 times a week, and they hand in there for 8 months avrg,The buttons:
Everything is Ok, but they could have improved the mapped buttons on the back, you will get used to it, I used these specially for ghost recon, and i dont think they're the best choice if you play other games, because mostly the Dpad are useless in FPS, and your left back button can only map dpad arrows, but i will always recommend this ones. they can handle the hard work, they can be dropped, and you can rely on them for unleveleing your ghost recon experience
Friday, December 12, 2014
Cheap PlayStation 3 (20GB)
Once considered the red-headed stepchild of Sony's large, confusing fleet of Playststion 3 models, the news that new models of the PS3 will contain no PS2 compatibility gives this model some extra appeal.
Just like the 60GB model, this system has full hardware backwards compatibility and will play the vast majority of PS2 games very well. Replaying Metal Gear Solid 3 on the system, there was noticeable improvement in some of the game's loading from my old PS2, and the game looked great upscaled over HDMI.
There are three drawbacks I can think of with this modelwhich are easily addressed for the most part.
1. The 20GB Hard drive fills up very quickly on the PS3, even if you're just using the system for gaming and not as a media hub. The game I purchased with the system, Metal Gear Solid 4 took up 4.5 GB on it's own. Thankfully, it's cheap and simple to drop a much larger SATA laptop drive into the system.
2. This is the only Playstation 3 model that does NOT include built-in Wi-Fi and Sony doesn't have an officially supported adapter. That's a pretty big drawback since so many of the PS3's cool features are online. A gaming ethernet bridge does a pretty good job of taking care of this.
3. No media card slotsI can't plug a compact flash card into my PS3 like the 60GB models can... oh, wait. Why would I want to plug media cards into my system anyways? If I did, it would be as simple as buying a $6 hub.
So, if you want a system that plays all your Playstation games and have a wired internet connection, I highly suggest giving this PS3 model a look. It doesn't fetch the premium price that the 60GB units currently are and its drawbacks are easily addressed.
To start with, the PS3, like the XBox 360, supports full high definition. The Wii only supports a lower resolution. Since the Wii has a much lower price tag, that is a fair trade-off for people with a tighter budget. Gamers for whom a very high level of graphic detail is important will have to pony up for that ability.
Along the same lines, the XBox 360 supports the HD format of high definition DVDs for movies, while the PS3 supports the Blu-ray format. If you haven't been following the whole format war for high definition DVDs, I have several articles on the topic on my gaming site. In short it's like the VHS/Beta wars when the VCR first came out. Is one better than the other? Will one format win out as the sole survivor? There's no way to tell. People will argue vehemently that one is better than the other. From a gaming point of view, the PS3 has the Blu-ray BUILT IN meaning every game can have 50 GIGS worth of game information. Think MASSIVELY huge maps, types of characters, etc. The XBox 360 only uses "regular" DVDs as its base game holder, which is 7 GIG. That is much smaller. You can buy an add-on HD DVD unit for about $100 but the storage is still smaller than Blu-ray about 30 gig.
People will argue about graphics until they're blue :) A lot of this comes down to how a specific game company *uses* the ability of the system. Looking at graphics on a tetris-like game will be much different than viewing the graphics of Oblivion or Gears of War. I found 360 graphics amazing on Oblivion. I equally found the PS3 graphics quite impressive on Genji's cut scenes (no enemy crabs in sight). Since both are high definition, I think that both have the same potential in real life terms. Both really shine in terms of fluid motion, precise detail and realism. I've seen it on both systems, on certain games. I've also seen junky graphics on both systems. Both are much better than the Wii.
How about sound? All of these can plug into your stereo system. My boyfriend and I are both musicians. We have decibel meters and other sound-sensing tools. All three systems can create amazingly complex sounds, music, and in general a "gaming environment". Again I think it comes down to specific game makers, how they choose to use or not use that ability. It also comes down to how much you the gamer spent on your stereo system :)
Speaking of sound, I do have to comment that our 360 is quite loud when it runs, despite our many attempts to help it be quieter. The PS3 right out of the box is MUCH quieter. Score 1 point for the PS3.
On the general operating system for the units, all three consoles are going for more of a "general use entertainment system" presentation. The XBox has customizeable tabs that let you download new games, manage your environment and so on. The Wii also has channels that let you organize your gaming world. The PS3 has an interface almost exactly like that of the PSP, complete with cool drifting smoke waves in the background. You choose which area you want to work on game, music, internet connection etc., and drop down to alter whatever feature you're interested in.
So on to the on-line aspect, which most gamers are now fully interested in. Where the XBox 360 makes you buy an external connector for wireless, the PS3 has that built-in on the 60 gig model. The 20 gig model still requires an external connector (these run about $100). All will let you plug in a cable if you're still running a wired household.
As a side comment on that, the XBox 360 has a 20 gig hard drive. However, they take up about 12 gig of that with their base system. So really you get 8 gig "free" for other things. Now, 8 gig might sound like a lot. But I still remember when the PS2 first came out and everyone was raving about the 8mb memory cards, how you could never possibly fill one of those up. We now have 8 memory cards and all are pretty much full. I have no doubt that 8 gig or even 20 gig is going to fill quickly. With the PS3 you at least do have that option for the 60 gig and it is really worth it. With the 360 your only option is to get an add-on drive to in essence back up the content you're not currently using and free up the main drive.
How does the online world work on the PS3? The XBox definitely has the advantage here. Until this generation, *only* the XBox had a thriving community in their live world. The XBox 360 connected right into that XBox Live world, and they boast a *huge* community of gamers who actively gain points, play online and form virtual worlds. The PS3 and Wii both have to play catch-up at this point. Even if they have better interfaces, it's a matter of converting over all those players who have clans, familiarity and high point collections on the XBox world. Imagine if a new MMORPG came out right now that had fantastic graphics. Sure it might be wonderful but will you really get all 800 trillion WOW players to drop their world and characters and friends to convert, especially if it costs more? It'll be a hard, slow sell.
My summary? I definitely think all three have great games and that all three are worth owning. Of course I'm in a position that I *can* afford all three, which many people are not in. For example, I *love* the Zelda series, and I *love* the Final Fantasy series. I would be hard put to tell a person "you need to get Zelda instead of Final Fantasy". I would want the person to have both, because both are great for different reasons. If you really truly can only save up for one of the three consoles this holiday season, it isn't going to come down to which console is "best" for all players in some sort of a global way. It is going to come down to which console is best for YOU based on your specific gaming style.
If you're on a really tight budget and just want something better than the previous generation, go for a Wii. It's cheap, the graphics are better, and the remotes are great fun. It has Zelda :) If you have a larger budget and really want the high definition, you're now choosing between the 360 and the PS3. You really do have to look at the specifics of each, and think seriously about your gaming style, to see which matches you best. If I were to make a flip summarization, if you really love online gameplay, I'd go with the XBox 360. Its years of head-start really give it a robust environment here. If you are looking for more of a home-based media center for your MPs3, photos and huge world gameplay, I'd go with the PS3. It definitely has the advantage on large scale games.
Feel free to email me if you have more specific questions, or for screenshots, graphic descriptions, or interface information on any of the three systems.
Resistance was good but did not look as good as Gears of War on the 360. MotorStorm was fun but is not out yet and Lemmings was just interesting. A not-so-impressive opening lineup. I realized that I was waiting mainly for Lair to come out.
The system is cool... I really wanted to like it but the cons out-weigh the pros at this point. We downloaded update version 1.31 but that made no difference.
The Pros: Blu-Ray player, wireless controllers, nice touch sensitive disk eject, memory card reader for backwards compatibility.
The Cons: Poor launch line-up, glitches during blu-ray playback, awkward positioning of the R2 and L2 buttons underneath the controller (different than on the ps2), no replaceable battery in the controllers, short usb cable if controller battery dies, way too expensive to start out a new system, limited customization settings in the control panel, ps2 games looked awful displayed on the ps3
Overall: I really wanted to like this system and kept finding reasons to keep it but I finally boiled it down to what I really liked and not what I hoped to like. I ultimately prefer HD DVD to Blu Ray (I have the hd dvd player for my 360) and I think Xbox Live has Sony's online system beat. There are very few exclusive games for any one system now and I think the 360 coming out first made a difference. We enjoy the feel of the 360 better than the PS3.
I'm not saying we won't buy another one in a few months but I just couldn't see spending $600 (system and extra controller plus tax) right now when there are so many great games out there for the 360 that I could play now.
At one point I thought I'd just keep this for the kids and my eventual benefit as Sony continues updating and making it better through firmware upgrades... then I came down one morning to find the kids had hooked up their ps2 and used that instead of the ps3 (even though I had loaded everything from their memory cards on the ps3)... they just preferred the $100 ps2 to the $500 ps3... that was the final straw.
We packed it up and returned it to let some other person with money to burn to buy it.
I'll wait a few months before buying a PS3 again. Thanks for reading.
Just like the 60GB model, this system has full hardware backwards compatibility and will play the vast majority of PS2 games very well. Replaying Metal Gear Solid 3 on the system, there was noticeable improvement in some of the game's loading from my old PS2, and the game looked great upscaled over HDMI.
There are three drawbacks I can think of with this modelwhich are easily addressed for the most part.
1. The 20GB Hard drive fills up very quickly on the PS3, even if you're just using the system for gaming and not as a media hub. The game I purchased with the system, Metal Gear Solid 4 took up 4.5 GB on it's own. Thankfully, it's cheap and simple to drop a much larger SATA laptop drive into the system.
2. This is the only Playstation 3 model that does NOT include built-in Wi-Fi and Sony doesn't have an officially supported adapter. That's a pretty big drawback since so many of the PS3's cool features are online. A gaming ethernet bridge does a pretty good job of taking care of this.
3. No media card slotsI can't plug a compact flash card into my PS3 like the 60GB models can... oh, wait. Why would I want to plug media cards into my system anyways? If I did, it would be as simple as buying a $6 hub.
So, if you want a system that plays all your Playstation games and have a wired internet connection, I highly suggest giving this PS3 model a look. It doesn't fetch the premium price that the 60GB units currently are and its drawbacks are easily addressed.
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I'm gonna make this simple , the 20gb , 60gb , and early 80gb versions are the only ps3 models that support ps2 playback, only drawback on the 20gb is there is no built in WiFi .But ethernet allows faster downloads and wifi supposedly makes anything run hotter . I had a 40gb ps3 and its the same except obviously ps2 backwards compatibility and wifi. also there are 4 usb slots instead of 2. If you want ps2 support for your future ps3 get a original model ! But if you can care less get a 40gb , newer 80gb or 160gb .Its all about personal preference ! but get a ps3 .Best Deals for PlayStation 3 (20GB)
We got our hands on an XBox 360, a PS3, and a Wii on launch day. Each is good at specific tasks. Here is a fully unbiased review of how the PS3 performs as a next generation console unit.To start with, the PS3, like the XBox 360, supports full high definition. The Wii only supports a lower resolution. Since the Wii has a much lower price tag, that is a fair trade-off for people with a tighter budget. Gamers for whom a very high level of graphic detail is important will have to pony up for that ability.
Along the same lines, the XBox 360 supports the HD format of high definition DVDs for movies, while the PS3 supports the Blu-ray format. If you haven't been following the whole format war for high definition DVDs, I have several articles on the topic on my gaming site. In short it's like the VHS/Beta wars when the VCR first came out. Is one better than the other? Will one format win out as the sole survivor? There's no way to tell. People will argue vehemently that one is better than the other. From a gaming point of view, the PS3 has the Blu-ray BUILT IN meaning every game can have 50 GIGS worth of game information. Think MASSIVELY huge maps, types of characters, etc. The XBox 360 only uses "regular" DVDs as its base game holder, which is 7 GIG. That is much smaller. You can buy an add-on HD DVD unit for about $100 but the storage is still smaller than Blu-ray about 30 gig.
People will argue about graphics until they're blue :) A lot of this comes down to how a specific game company *uses* the ability of the system. Looking at graphics on a tetris-like game will be much different than viewing the graphics of Oblivion or Gears of War. I found 360 graphics amazing on Oblivion. I equally found the PS3 graphics quite impressive on Genji's cut scenes (no enemy crabs in sight). Since both are high definition, I think that both have the same potential in real life terms. Both really shine in terms of fluid motion, precise detail and realism. I've seen it on both systems, on certain games. I've also seen junky graphics on both systems. Both are much better than the Wii.
How about sound? All of these can plug into your stereo system. My boyfriend and I are both musicians. We have decibel meters and other sound-sensing tools. All three systems can create amazingly complex sounds, music, and in general a "gaming environment". Again I think it comes down to specific game makers, how they choose to use or not use that ability. It also comes down to how much you the gamer spent on your stereo system :)
Speaking of sound, I do have to comment that our 360 is quite loud when it runs, despite our many attempts to help it be quieter. The PS3 right out of the box is MUCH quieter. Score 1 point for the PS3.
On the general operating system for the units, all three consoles are going for more of a "general use entertainment system" presentation. The XBox has customizeable tabs that let you download new games, manage your environment and so on. The Wii also has channels that let you organize your gaming world. The PS3 has an interface almost exactly like that of the PSP, complete with cool drifting smoke waves in the background. You choose which area you want to work on game, music, internet connection etc., and drop down to alter whatever feature you're interested in.
So on to the on-line aspect, which most gamers are now fully interested in. Where the XBox 360 makes you buy an external connector for wireless, the PS3 has that built-in on the 60 gig model. The 20 gig model still requires an external connector (these run about $100). All will let you plug in a cable if you're still running a wired household.
As a side comment on that, the XBox 360 has a 20 gig hard drive. However, they take up about 12 gig of that with their base system. So really you get 8 gig "free" for other things. Now, 8 gig might sound like a lot. But I still remember when the PS2 first came out and everyone was raving about the 8mb memory cards, how you could never possibly fill one of those up. We now have 8 memory cards and all are pretty much full. I have no doubt that 8 gig or even 20 gig is going to fill quickly. With the PS3 you at least do have that option for the 60 gig and it is really worth it. With the 360 your only option is to get an add-on drive to in essence back up the content you're not currently using and free up the main drive.
How does the online world work on the PS3? The XBox definitely has the advantage here. Until this generation, *only* the XBox had a thriving community in their live world. The XBox 360 connected right into that XBox Live world, and they boast a *huge* community of gamers who actively gain points, play online and form virtual worlds. The PS3 and Wii both have to play catch-up at this point. Even if they have better interfaces, it's a matter of converting over all those players who have clans, familiarity and high point collections on the XBox world. Imagine if a new MMORPG came out right now that had fantastic graphics. Sure it might be wonderful but will you really get all 800 trillion WOW players to drop their world and characters and friends to convert, especially if it costs more? It'll be a hard, slow sell.
My summary? I definitely think all three have great games and that all three are worth owning. Of course I'm in a position that I *can* afford all three, which many people are not in. For example, I *love* the Zelda series, and I *love* the Final Fantasy series. I would be hard put to tell a person "you need to get Zelda instead of Final Fantasy". I would want the person to have both, because both are great for different reasons. If you really truly can only save up for one of the three consoles this holiday season, it isn't going to come down to which console is "best" for all players in some sort of a global way. It is going to come down to which console is best for YOU based on your specific gaming style.
If you're on a really tight budget and just want something better than the previous generation, go for a Wii. It's cheap, the graphics are better, and the remotes are great fun. It has Zelda :) If you have a larger budget and really want the high definition, you're now choosing between the 360 and the PS3. You really do have to look at the specifics of each, and think seriously about your gaming style, to see which matches you best. If I were to make a flip summarization, if you really love online gameplay, I'd go with the XBox 360. Its years of head-start really give it a robust environment here. If you are looking for more of a home-based media center for your MPs3, photos and huge world gameplay, I'd go with the PS3. It definitely has the advantage on large scale games.
Feel free to email me if you have more specific questions, or for screenshots, graphic descriptions, or interface information on any of the three systems.
Honest reviews on PlayStation 3 (20GB)
I was getting a little worried with a lot of negative reviews I was reading about the PS3. So much so that at one point I actually considered a Wii. Thankfully I stuck with what I really wanted and though it's only been two weeks I'm loving this thing. Sure I wish there were more games out at launch but I know they're coming. Besides at $50-$60 a pop for games it's not like I have the cash to just buy a stack of games at one time anyway. I have Resistance, Madden '07, and Need for Speed: Carbon. I'm happy with what I'm seeing so far. I like the wireless controllers though like a little kid I sit close enough to the TV to use a wired one. The graphics and sound are awesome. I'm curious to see what game developers will come up with when they don't have a strict launch deadline to meet and can really use this machine to its potential. There are a lot more Blu-ray titles available than I thought so I'll pick up a few and test the player more. The unit does produce a lot of heat so that comment I'm sure you've read elsewhere is true. I haven't tried the online network so I can't comment on that. One thing I will note is that the operating software had to be updated before it would play a game so if you don't have a high speed internet connection forget about using it right out of the box. Overall I'm happy I took the plunge. One more point. I don't think you have to have a HDTV to use a PS3 but to really appreciate it you should use something other than a standard tube. I have a 42" Panasonic EDTV so it's not full high def but it can receive up to a 1080i signal and man it makes a difference. Wow.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for PlayStation 3 (20GB)
We are a family that plays games and enjoys them. The kids have theirs, my wife has hers and I have mine. We have a 360 and a ps2 and just returned (that's right... returned) our PS3 with a 20gb hard drive. I was very excited to get it and hooked it up with hdmi and network cables as soon as I got home and watched Ricky Bobby that night on blu-ray. The system froze twice while watching the movie and it would only display in 1080i or 480p (my tv looks best in 720p and the ps3 would not display this). We went to the online store and downloaded motorstorm and resistance as well as lemmings to try out. They all took an incredibly long time and the store was very slow to load even though we are connected via DSL.Resistance was good but did not look as good as Gears of War on the 360. MotorStorm was fun but is not out yet and Lemmings was just interesting. A not-so-impressive opening lineup. I realized that I was waiting mainly for Lair to come out.
The system is cool... I really wanted to like it but the cons out-weigh the pros at this point. We downloaded update version 1.31 but that made no difference.
The Pros: Blu-Ray player, wireless controllers, nice touch sensitive disk eject, memory card reader for backwards compatibility.
The Cons: Poor launch line-up, glitches during blu-ray playback, awkward positioning of the R2 and L2 buttons underneath the controller (different than on the ps2), no replaceable battery in the controllers, short usb cable if controller battery dies, way too expensive to start out a new system, limited customization settings in the control panel, ps2 games looked awful displayed on the ps3
Overall: I really wanted to like this system and kept finding reasons to keep it but I finally boiled it down to what I really liked and not what I hoped to like. I ultimately prefer HD DVD to Blu Ray (I have the hd dvd player for my 360) and I think Xbox Live has Sony's online system beat. There are very few exclusive games for any one system now and I think the 360 coming out first made a difference. We enjoy the feel of the 360 better than the PS3.
I'm not saying we won't buy another one in a few months but I just couldn't see spending $600 (system and extra controller plus tax) right now when there are so many great games out there for the 360 that I could play now.
At one point I thought I'd just keep this for the kids and my eventual benefit as Sony continues updating and making it better through firmware upgrades... then I came down one morning to find the kids had hooked up their ps2 and used that instead of the ps3 (even though I had loaded everything from their memory cards on the ps3)... they just preferred the $100 ps2 to the $500 ps3... that was the final straw.
We packed it up and returned it to let some other person with money to burn to buy it.
I'll wait a few months before buying a PS3 again. Thanks for reading.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Rock Band 3 PRO-Cymbals Expansion Kit Reviews
List Price: $39.99
Sale Price: $28.47
Today's Bonus: 29% Off
For everyone on here who can't figure out how to assemble these (which is understandable, because the directions are terrible):
Each clamp comes in two pieces, with a slight space between them. Take them and SQUEEZE THEM TOGETHER as hard as you can until you hear two loud pops, one on each end. Don't worry, you didn't break it. You're just putting it together. If you don't do this, the tightening nuts won't work, no matter how much you try to turn them. Now they don't slide down when you hit them! No tape necessary!
Now. Speaking as an actual drummer, these are the best accessory for Rock Band ever. Quieter and more responsive than the RB2 cymbals. As for the hi-hat clamp length issue, here's what I do. To set up like an actual drummer, you need to connect your crash and your hat on the LEFT side of the kit. Put the green crash on the tall tube. Connect it to the set with a short clamp. Now connect the hat to that tube with the long clamp, putting the hi hat on a short tube to the left of your snare. Now put your ride on the right side. There. May take some adjustment, but you're playing like an actual drummer. HAVE FUN!
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I purchased this RB3 Cymbal kit to go along with my RB2 drum kit to use in Pro Mode in Rock Band 3. Out of the box these cymbals are WAY too sensitive to be even remotely fun to play. I was extremely frustrated at double-hit notes coming through constantly. I searched around online for an answer and found a partial solution. If you look for the "Penny" mod it will clear up a lot, but not all of the issues (although it will void your factory warranty). I added some extra foam padding above the actual sensor and now the cymbals work perfectly. So, as an out-of-the-box item these cymbals are pretty much useless for the precision needed for RB3. With a couple of simple mods, though, these puppies work great. Granted they should have worked great straight from the factory but they are so much fun now I'm willing to overlook the simple mods I had to do to make them work properly. A worthwhile investment if you don't mind doing a little work to get them to function properly. Hopefully Madcatz will clear this issue up with future releases of the cymbals.Best Deals for Rock Band 3 PRO-Cymbals Expansion Kit
I was a little skeptical to buy the cymbal expansion kit. I read reviews where there had been problems with stability and the cymbals generally not working correctly. I've been using these for the past couple of months now, and they work wonderfully! They are completely sturdy when attached the CORRECT way, and add a whole new dimension to an already great game! I am very, VERY pleased that I went with my instincts to buy the expansion kit over getting a whole new set. I am not disappointed at all! Highly recommend!Honest reviews on Rock Band 3 PRO-Cymbals Expansion Kit
UPDATE: After I posted this scathing review of the new Rock Band 3 cymbals, someone mentioned that the slipping problem a lot of people (including myself) have been suffering from might be related to the quick-snap part of the clamp. Sure enough, when I tried snapping the quick-snap part together again, this time using a wrench instead of my bare hands, it seems to have worked. Therefore, if the manual would have noted that you should use a wrench to snap the quick-snap parts together, it would have saved me and a lot of other people a lot of grief and removed the impression you need to tape the metal pole up for the cymbal to stay put. The quick-snaps are not something you should be snapping together with your hands unless you happen to be a gorilla.This single oversight in the manual caused me a ton of hassle, as you can see from my original review below, so I'll remove one star for that. Otherwise, this seems to be a decent product. I'd give the game Rock Band 3 itself 5 stars, but these cymbals get 5 stars minus 2 for the pain and aggravation caused by this oversight in the manual. Maybe in a month after I forget how much the installation experience sucked, I'll want to increase the rating for the cymbals to 4 stars or so...we shall see...
Here's the original review for your um, edification:
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Unfortunately, the Rock Band 3 version of these cymbals still retains a fatal design flaw that existed in the previous version whereby the yellow cymbal's clamp fails to perform the very basic function of clamping. The yellow cymbal starts to slide down immediately when you start playing, and no amount of turning the screw (even with a wrench) provides enough tension to hold the cymbal up for more than a few hits. It would be bad enough if this type of design flaw existed in the first iteration of the product, but this is the second iteration, and the manufacturer has obviously known about this problem for over a year, yet arrogantly decided that its customers would, I don't know, not notice? Only use two out of three cymbals? I have no idea what they were thinking when they let this product escape the quality assurance process. There really is no excuse.
Although customers can jury-rig a fix with tape, this is by no means acceptable. Such failures in basic functionality should never be allowed in a finished product.
Epic fail. Shame on Harmonix for allowing this headache-inducing product to sully the Rock Band name, much like the original drum pedal. Customers deserve products that at the very least *work*.
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I would have gave it 5 if worked for rock band 1 but got my money back for a friend who wanted them. They were in excellent condition.Sunday, November 9, 2014
Review of Scene it? Box Office Smash (GameOnly) - Xbox 360
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $5.55
Today's Bonus: 72% Off
We own both Xbox 360 Scene it? games. I have been a fan of the previous edition, and was excited to see a new version available with new puzzles. The thing I like about this series of games for the 360 is that the game flows well, compared to the traditional DVD-based game, and the scoring is a lot of fun. You can see where you or your team stands against your opponents in real time. The bonus scoring is fun as well. This edition (Scene it? Box Office Smash) adds an interesting element of in-game avatars that represent each player/team on screen. If you have an avatar set up on your Live account, that is who you see representing yourself in-game. The new challenges and game types are fun and are a nice addition to the previous version of the game. If you don't have the special Scene it? controllers, I would highly recommend purchasing the package deal that includes the controllers. Especially if you plan to play with "newbies".
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This one is much better than the first one. Its very fun to get your family together to play this game. There are a few puzzles that are kind of boring, like word scrambles. Besides that this game is very fun for the price!Best Deals for Scene it? Box Office Smash (GameOnly) - Xbox 360
Got this for my wife to get her into the xbox thing. It seems that when we have friends over this is all that we play. Great fun for a small party.Honest reviews on Scene it? Box Office Smash (GameOnly) - Xbox 360
Scene It? is a great family fun game. Sit around and play it together as a group or play against each other. Either way it's awesome!Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Scene it? Box Office Smash (GameOnly) - Xbox 360
Great game to play with friends and a real improvement to the former game. I like seeing my avatar whoop butt. I love the nes style animation questions.Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Buy Backyard Soccer (Jewel Case) - PC/Mac
Bought this for my 8 year old daughter, and she loves it. She and her friends especially love to pick their teams from the bleacher full of kids, and getting to see how they are rated on individual skills. It took us a little bit of time to figure out how to move your player, since the player that you represent changes often, but once you get used to that, it gets easier to play. Overall, we really enjoy our Backyard Soccer game.
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My kids loved this. We then ordered Backyard Football and Basketball, which they've also enjoyed.Best Deals for Backyard Soccer (Jewel Case) - PC/Mac
I bought this game, hoping to bring back the nostalgia I felt when I first had this game. When I installed it, I eagerly began playing and remembering all the memories I made. However, when I let my son download the game, I couldn't play anymore because it required the disc to be in at all times.Honest reviews on Backyard Soccer (Jewel Case) - PC/Mac
The sellers description of the game leads you believe that it will work on the newer computers. The words used were "works or windows 2000/me/xp 32 bit or higher". If you have windows 7 with a 64 bit, it does not work. False advertisement.Saturday, October 4, 2014
Cheap *New* Custom Xbox 360 Metal Red 9mm ABXY/Guide bullet buttons
These buttons and stick are both all metal. I was not disapointed!!! They are the best and coolest one I have ever bought!! They got here WAAYYYYY ahead of schedule, within two days I mean that's awesome. So for sure get there If you like them you will not be disapointed.
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They arrived as promised in the shipping details. The only thing I can say about them is my 13 year old son assembled them in his game controller and likes them way more than the originals.Best Deals for *New* Custom Xbox 360 Metal Red 9mm ABXY/Guide bullet buttons
I love these buttons! I would have rated five stars if the analog sticks weren't all metal. But I still like the buttons. They're so awesome!Honest reviews on *New* Custom Xbox 360 Metal Red 9mm ABXY/Guide bullet buttons
The buttons were cool looking and arrived promptly, I just still haven't been able to replace them yet. I thought it was going to be an easier process. I see now that other buttons come with a T8 Security driver. I thought with all the tools my husband owns, we surely had something that would unscrew the screws of the controller. We didn't. Home depot didn't. I forgot where my husband finally did find one, but then the head was still too short to fit in 2 of the deep holes to completely unscrew the controller.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for *New* Custom Xbox 360 Metal Red 9mm ABXY/Guide bullet buttons
Buttons look all good but the Y didn't really fit look and was really tight and I never got a B and got 2 A buttonsMonday, September 29, 2014
7th Guest - PC Reviews
Trapped in the haunted mansion of the mad toymaker, Stauf, with no memory of your past, you must seek out your past ... your purpose ... the fate of the six murdered guests, long ago ... and the seventh guest. To begin with, this is *not* an action title. With this game, you can give your flying fingers a rest. Everything's connected with puzzles, and there are no time limits (though you may wish there were when you hit your twentieth dead end in the Maze and hear Stauf say, "Feeling ... lonely ... ?" again ... ). Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles. A profusion and plethora of puzzles in prodigious plentitude. Switch puzzles, slider puzzles, card and coin puzzles ... even the old game of Jump-Away. (Played with knives on a pentagram, mind you ... )And with each puzzle solved (the game can even solve them for you) you learn a little more about what happened on that long-ago night. The puzzles range from, "Okay, this is tricky", to "HELP! ". But with all the walkthroughs out here on the 'Net, plus the hint book in the library, you'll muddle through eventually. Graphics: This game is beautiful. The knives, the cards, the house itself ... everything is in fully-rendered 3-D, with remarkable shading and texture. Mind you, this takes some computer time ... the Minimum Requirements list a Pentium 133MHz. My P100 made it, but the MIDI tended to stall sometimes. Sound: Speaking of MIDI, this game is loaded with it. Eerie, haunting refrains accompany most of your actions, while screams, moans, and eerie footsteps whisper in your ears. I've worked in a professional haunted house ... these guys are GOOD. That said, the voice acting is a hash. Most of the actors are almost laughably bad, playing a gam-ut of emotions that result in an almost campy atmosphere. Note I said "almost". Stauf has the biggest part in the game, and he knows how to work it. The actor really leans on it, but the character is a dyed-in-the-wool villain anyway ... he can take it. The children, on the other hand ... . You'll have to hear it for yourself. It's chilling. On the whole, a solid game, with few flaws.
The premise is that Stauf, a former criminal turned rich toymaker has invited people to his mansion and offered whomever can solve his puzzles whatever they desire. It's hinted to you that none of the guests were ever seen from again so not only do you have the mystery of the mansion itself to solve but you also have the mystery of finding out what happened to everybody to figure out as well.
The interface is clean and easy to use. You wander around in a very Myst-like first person perspective and your cursor changes whenever you wave it over something you can look closer at, a movie you can watch, or a puzzle to solve... it's nice to have this little detail instead of clicking madly on the screen trying to find the 'magic pixel' that will take you further into the game.
The music by The Fat Man is also very well done (In fact you can buy the soundtrack right here on Amazon!)and adds a lot to the game. Overall it has just the right mixture of intrigue as you watch Stauf set the guests against each other and play his little psychological games, and puzzles as you progress your way deeper and deeper into the mansion.
For the price, you get a lot. And its worth it.
And filled it with his toys
Six guests all came one night
Their screams the only noise...
No one knows what happened next
There's no one left to say
But if you should see Old Man Stauf
Get on your knees & pray..."
You have been sent an invitation to attend an event by Mr. Stauf, world-renowned toymaker.
There are many legends surrounding this enigmatic man he has quite an infamous reputation. Are they truths or lies? That is for you to decide. Either way, mystery surrounds him, just the way he likes it. Rumour has it he's a Warlock in league with The Devil...
Dare you go through the Gates of his ominous mansion?
You are set free to peruse the many darkened rooms & hallways. Each contains a different puzzle to solve, a different riddle to decipher. Eventually, you will find who this "madman" really is.....are you prepared?
Overall, this game is multi stimulating. Aesthetically, it is just beautiful splenderous gloriously gloomy. The digital artwork is visually stunning, & very detailed. The artistry of it all draws you into the scenery, with third-dimensional effects so much so, you could get lost within those lambent corridors for hours.
The puzzles are a bit trying at first, especially because you even have to figure out how they particularly work but after that, it's one brainblending / gratifying riddle after another.
The music therein provides for a thickly eerie atmosphere that makes one want to jump right into the screen.
The CD Music on disc II
If you play this CD on your CD player alone, there are a series of songs available just to listen to, based upon those within the game. Some songs contain lyrics, some are instrumentals. The first is a rather mediocre attempt at replicating the Gothic, or Death Rock style.
Most of the same effects are used throughout, with sound samples of Mr. Stauf & terrified guests.
It seems the music was orchestrated to accentuate Stauf's "insanity", or genius, depending upon how you look at it.
There are a couple of Noiresque tunes, the most notable being "Dry Bones", sung with a very sultry female voice, which I picture being sung by a cross between Jessica Rabbit & Morticia Addams.
The 7th Guest is a veritable ghoulish conundrum that will have you become a regular guest of The Stauf's Manor again & again.
Kudos to the Technomancers. The 7th Guest is Spooktacular.
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When The 7th Guest was first released in 1993, it was pretty much just a CD-ROM showcase: "Look what I can do." Further technological advancements, though, haven't proven kind to The 7th Guest, but the game remains as good now as it ever was. It's mostly an series of puzzles and brain teasers with only the barest thread of a story (and not always a clear, sensible one, at that) to connect them. Some of the puzzles, however, are pretty good, and the game has a wonderful, creepy style that infects every puzzle with an energy that definitely sets The 7th Guest apart from most other puzzle games. If you know what you're getting yourself into, there's no reason you can't enjoy The 7th Guest today.Best Deals for 7th Guest - PC
I really liked this game, it had just the right mixture of subtle creepiness and intrigue to keep me interested. As it's an older game the graphics might not look impressive by today's standards, but the store more than makes up for it.The premise is that Stauf, a former criminal turned rich toymaker has invited people to his mansion and offered whomever can solve his puzzles whatever they desire. It's hinted to you that none of the guests were ever seen from again so not only do you have the mystery of the mansion itself to solve but you also have the mystery of finding out what happened to everybody to figure out as well.
The interface is clean and easy to use. You wander around in a very Myst-like first person perspective and your cursor changes whenever you wave it over something you can look closer at, a movie you can watch, or a puzzle to solve... it's nice to have this little detail instead of clicking madly on the screen trying to find the 'magic pixel' that will take you further into the game.
The music by The Fat Man is also very well done (In fact you can buy the soundtrack right here on Amazon!)and adds a lot to the game. Overall it has just the right mixture of intrigue as you watch Stauf set the guests against each other and play his little psychological games, and puzzles as you progress your way deeper and deeper into the mansion.
For the price, you get a lot. And its worth it.
Honest reviews on 7th Guest - PC
"Old man Stauf built a houseAnd filled it with his toys
Six guests all came one night
Their screams the only noise...
No one knows what happened next
There's no one left to say
But if you should see Old Man Stauf
Get on your knees & pray..."
You have been sent an invitation to attend an event by Mr. Stauf, world-renowned toymaker.
There are many legends surrounding this enigmatic man he has quite an infamous reputation. Are they truths or lies? That is for you to decide. Either way, mystery surrounds him, just the way he likes it. Rumour has it he's a Warlock in league with The Devil...
Dare you go through the Gates of his ominous mansion?
You are set free to peruse the many darkened rooms & hallways. Each contains a different puzzle to solve, a different riddle to decipher. Eventually, you will find who this "madman" really is.....are you prepared?
Overall, this game is multi stimulating. Aesthetically, it is just beautiful splenderous gloriously gloomy. The digital artwork is visually stunning, & very detailed. The artistry of it all draws you into the scenery, with third-dimensional effects so much so, you could get lost within those lambent corridors for hours.
The puzzles are a bit trying at first, especially because you even have to figure out how they particularly work but after that, it's one brainblending / gratifying riddle after another.
The music therein provides for a thickly eerie atmosphere that makes one want to jump right into the screen.
The CD Music on disc II
If you play this CD on your CD player alone, there are a series of songs available just to listen to, based upon those within the game. Some songs contain lyrics, some are instrumentals. The first is a rather mediocre attempt at replicating the Gothic, or Death Rock style.
Most of the same effects are used throughout, with sound samples of Mr. Stauf & terrified guests.
It seems the music was orchestrated to accentuate Stauf's "insanity", or genius, depending upon how you look at it.
There are a couple of Noiresque tunes, the most notable being "Dry Bones", sung with a very sultry female voice, which I picture being sung by a cross between Jessica Rabbit & Morticia Addams.
The 7th Guest is a veritable ghoulish conundrum that will have you become a regular guest of The Stauf's Manor again & again.
Kudos to the Technomancers. The 7th Guest is Spooktacular.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for 7th Guest - PC
This is one of the most amazing games I have ever played. This game was originally released in 1992 or 1993 and for it's time, it was way ahead in terms of graphics and story telling. Hell, it still has better graphics than some of the games that come out now. For me, this is the game that made me want to buy a computer which I did less than a month later. It has very challenging puzzles and some comedy along the way as Stauf adds his comments to either the path you choose or your success/failure to do a puzzle. If you like action, this is not your game. If you like solving puzzles, unraveling mysteries, and a game that makes you use your head, this is it. One of the best games of all time and the best puzzle solving game ever. But don't take my word on it. Get this for yourself.Sunday, September 14, 2014
Angry Birds Trilogy - Xbox 360 Reviews
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $19.60
Today's Bonus: 2% Off
If you have small children that love Angry Birds and frequently monopolize your phone wanting to play it, then this game is for you! :) My sons love it and now I can have my phone free when I need it. They do not enjoy the Kinect side as much (it's a little difficult for 4 year olds), but can easily play with the controller.
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Greetings! As of this review, the price is a lot higher than people are willing to pay--I think it's been mentioned already. Having never played this game on mobile platforms, I had no idea if the game is worth the money. It was my son that convinced me that the game is a ton of fun and the trilogy edition contained a lot of different levels and challenges.Is it worth the price? For my family, it certainly was worth it. Four of us play this game on a big screen LED HDTV and it looks and sounds amazing. With the scoring based system, there is incentive to play through the same levels multiple times trying to outdo your previous score or a family member's score. Add in hidden bonuses and achievements, and there is plenty of long term replayability in this game. Compared to some of the high-end $60 games that come with a 10-15 hour playthrough (and are often inappropriate for kids), Angry Birds offers a game for everyone that contains more content than a lot of other games.
The controls are simple and responsive, making the game fun to play and removing the frustration of trying to figure out what button does what; you can jump right in, it's simple enough to pick up and play. My son, who has played on the touch screens, says the console controls are just as easy and he doesn't notice any lack of responsiveness. For any level, you can immediately restart the level by holding a button; this makes it quick and easy to try different strategies without having to go through the menu system.
Overall, despite the concern about an inflated price, this game is well worth it. No one in my family owns a smartphone or tablet, so this Angry Birds game is our first experience with it. If it didn't exist in a free or cheap version for mobile platforms, I suspect the game would do very well at the current price point. It's fun, addicting, simple to play, and looks fantastic on an HDTV.
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There's a reason why "Angry Birds" is the most popular mobile game app in the world the gameplay is simple, streamlined, fun, and is perfectly suited for short bursts of gaming while doing other things in life such as waiting at a doctor's office, getting your oil changed, etc. And best yet, each game is only $.99 cents.One of the benefits of publishing for a console vs mobile apps is the price point you get to charge more for your product. It makes sense that Rovio wants to bring their "Angry Birds" franchise to the console. "Angry Birds" is probably one of the few franchises popular and well-known enough to merit a console publication, and you can make a lot more money.
But here's the problem. The price point has drastically so been altered and the differences for the increased price is negligible. The first three games are present and accounted for but at a much higher price. For the 3DS version, we go from $.99 cents a game to about $10 dollars a game. Likewise, Rovio is charging over $13 dollars per game on the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3. If a console game went up that much, instead of paying $59.95 for "New Super Mario Bros. U", you would be paying $600
Rovio has decided to publish the first three "Angry Birds" games, "Angry Birds", "Angry Birds Seasons", and "Angry Birds Rio", on the XBOX 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo 3DS. The two home consoles has an MSRP of $39.95 and the $3DS 29.95. But is "Angry Birds Trilogy" really worth purchasing when the same games are available for so much cheaper?
Really depends, but for most consumers, the answer is no. Now, there will be fans out there of the games that this will be an automatic purchase regardless. For those undecided, here is what the console versions of "Angry Birds Trilogy" offers, as well as cons.
PROS:
-HD GRAPHICS
-Exclusive new level per episode
-Achievements and Trophies
-New Cutscenes
-3D gameplay (for 3DS version ONLY)
-XBOX 360 version supports Kinect, Playstation 3 supports Playstation Move.
CONS:
-Ludicrous price point compared to mobile version
-Obviously PS3 and XBOX 360 lacks touch screen capabilities. As touchscreen gameplay is a cornerstone of "Angry Birds", there is a brief adjustment period but ultimately is not that much of an issue. 3DS does feature touchscreen gameplay
-Unable to use the game on multiple devices for the same purchasing dollar
-Angry Birds are available for TV play on streaming devices for much cheaper
The HD graphics look great, and as far as gameplay the console experience of "Angry Birds" is just as addictive as the mobile apps.. The controls are tight. Of the three different versions I would recommend the 3DS version due to the 3D graphics and the lower price
Another added benefit (for me, anyway) of the console versions how the Angry Birds games play into the dynamic of the contrasting nature [of] between console vs mobile apps. Mobile apps are often used for short bursts of gaming for time killers. Often times console gameplay is often a more prolonged experience. Playing "Angry Birds" for extended periods of times (something more likely to happen on the consoles), demonstrates just how good these games really are and how they hold up even for hours at a time. Few mobile games can say that.
As far as the "exclusive new levels", for me that's not much of a draw. First off, the mobile versions have TONS of content with hours and hours and hours of avian-throwing. All three titles have a large number of levels, which will take you a good deal of time to get through, especially when trying to get three stars per each level. Rovio has added lots of new content to all three titles since initial release. "Seasons" which originally started out as a Halloween themed game now has (at the time of this writing) "Seasons 2011" and "Seasons 2012". When I purchased seasons, only "2011" existed. Now I am getting both as Rovio has updated the game. There can be no updates to these console versions unless they are downloaded, possible for a price.
Another factor to consider is how mobile app purchases work, at least on Apple devices (personally I am not familiar with other mobile carriers). I have purchased all three games, including the fourth ("Angry Birds Space", not included on this package). These purchases are linked to my iTunes account, meaning I can download the game to multiple devices because the purchase is account based, not device based. Obviously this is not a possibility on the home console versions or 3DS version.
And for those who want a larger screen, you can just as easily download "Angry Birds" to a tablet or iPad. For my money, I'd much rather spend three dollars and play these games on tablets than a 3DS or console anyway.
So there you have it. Mobile games and console games are drastically different, and I understand why Rovio wants to monetize their most successful franchise in this manner. It's simply the nature of the market that mobile games are so much cheaper than console titles. Honestly, given how much content already existed within these games to begin with, there's not a lot more Rovio could really do to justify the radically different price points between the two main competing versions of "Angry Birds". Of all the mobile games, "Angry Birds" is easily the most renowned, so they are in the best position to tap into the console market. Consumers may bite the bullet and get the titles in this form simply because "Angry Birds" is so widely popular but for most other mobile app developers, console publication will not be an option (though obviously downloads, such as Nintendo's Wiiware, is possible)..
Ultimately, only you can decide if you want to spend the money on "Angry Birds Trilogy". My recommendation is buy the mobile app versions if you haven't already and if you really enjoy the games, consider purchasing the console versions. Graphically the updated games are gorgeous. If you are more of a casual fan, stick with the mobile app versions.
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A brief overview of the games themselves:
The story (what story there is) is simple green pigs steal the eggs of several different bird species, and the birds want their eggs back. Using a slingshot, you launch the birds (a pre-set number per level) at the pigs, which are in pre-existing structures of various items (mostly wood and ice blocks), with the intent to rid the level of those slimy green pigs. The more damage you cause to the pigs and the structures, the higher you score. Unlike so many other games, there is actual motivation to score high. You get three stars for a high score, two stars for a medium score, and one star for a low score. Several of the levels are quite challenging to get three stars.
As you progress throughout the game, the birds become more varied, with different birds having different abilities. The red bird is standard, the yellow bird gets a burst if speed if you touch the screen after initial launch, the black bird acts as a bomb, the white bird lays bombing eggs, the blue bird breaks into three birds, the boomerang bird doubles back as a boomerang, and the balloon bird inflates to many times its original size. You activate these special abilities by pressing the bird a second time after launch.
Honest reviews on Angry Birds Trilogy - Xbox 360
I was not aware it is single player. Boys have a hard time taking turns with this game since they are going for a highscore.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Angry Birds Trilogy - Xbox 360
Bought this for a Christmas present but gave it to my husband early, he loves it with the controller but didn't have much luck with the kinnect.Friday, September 12, 2014
Buy WWE All Stars - Xbox 360
IF you remember the old wrestling arcade games that quarter after quarter was pumped into when you was a kid/teenager this is an exact equal to that experience.
This is an arcade wrestling game. Over the top moves with nonstop action.
Controls take alittle getting use to but within 30 minutes you are laying the smackdown like it has never been laid down before.
This is an equal to the Nintendo64 wrestler we loved back in the day.
Controls 8/10
Presentation 9/10
Sounds 8/10
Fun Factor 10/10
Fantasy Warfare
The buildup for each match in Fantasy Warfare is nothing short of awesome. Its sinks you into the moment of the match
Nothing like whoopin CM Punk with Stone Cold!!
Path Of Champions
You have three roads to take on this one Battle Undertaker, Randy Orton or DX...But before you get to them you must win 10 matches to prove your mighty skills. Wait until you start the DX road. Classic DX Humor to get you on your way. Use Hogan and Macho man and pop an achievement after your first win for using them two as your tag team.
Online Play
So Far So Good. No lag for me. 4 player slobber knocker fun.
If your still on the fence about this game go rent it. But it will be money wasted you could have used to buy it.
Im Off to lay down some Latino Heat!!!
I enjoy Smackdown vs Raw for what it is, and I think they've made a decent amount of progress since the PSOne Smackdown games, but the recent titles just haven't been that much FUN to play. The moves are mostly accurate, but many feel weak and lack hard-hitting impact. There are STILL things, over 10 years later, that the N64 titles did better (including submissions, location-specific damage, weight detection, momentum shifts, and overall pacing), and I honestly feel that SvR has become more of a yearly roster update and cheap cash-in, similar to what EA does with their annual sports titles. Remember the amount of progress made between Smackdown: Just Bring It and SD: Shut Your Mouth? And the equal amount of progress made with Here Comes the Pain? We never see that anymore. Yeah, we have more match types, features, and modes than ever before, but the in-ring gameplay has become an afterthought.
Enter WWE All-Stars. Gameplay is the focal point of this title. Sal Divita, formerly of Midway Studios and creative mind behind titles like NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, and WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game, has given us something completely new and fresh. Yes, the character models look like action figures on steroids, but they're some of the most beautiful graphics I've ever seen. Yes, many of the moves are completely over the top and ridiculous, but they're also so much fun to watch. There aren't very many game modes or match types (1 vs 1, 2 vs 2, Handicap, Elimination, Extreme Rules, Steel Cage), but this type of game doesn't necassarily need them. I rarely even leave the ring to grab weapons or climb the turnbuckles, because I'm too busy pulling off crazy combos and defending myself from my opponents attacks. Yes, the entrances are very short, but this is an arcade-style game and isn't trying to be a simulation.
Beneath the cartoony style and crazy moves is a surprisingly complex and VERY responsive grappling engine. If you played TNA Impact, they based this game on the same engine, but seriously tweaked and expanded on it. You have 2 buttons for weak and strong strikes, and various combos that can be performed by entering different sequences. You also have weak and strong grapples, then each face button will perform a different move. You can also tap the right analog stick while in a weak or strong grapple transition into a headlock, go-behind, or other positions and perform alternate moves w/ the face buttons. Also, you can irish whip by holding the right trigger after you lock up, then perform a number of moves out of the irish whip position. There are a number of turnbuckle moves, flying moves, springboard moves, and so much more. I was shocked by the hidden depth, and it reminded me of Day of Reckoning with much better animations and a great reversal system.
Each character class (acrobats, brawlers, etc) plays differently, but the thing I was most impressed with was the difference between individual wrestlers. I expected more generic movesets and repeated moves (similar to TNA Impact) and was pleasantly surprised by THQ San Diego's attention to detail. For example, when you play as Rey Mysterio, he does a lot of his signature lucha-libre style moves. Although John Morrison is also in the "acrobat" class, his moveset is much different and includes moves that you'd expect Morrison to perform. Randy Savage has his signature punches and taunts, Randy Orton has his signature stomps, kneedrop, and other moves. Each wrestler has a number of signature moves than can be performed from various positions (Orton has his punt as a ground signature, his neckbreaker as a standing signature, etc), and of course one finisher, which has to be activated and then performed. Many times you'll activate it, then get attacked and have to rebuild your momentum. This makes for some amazing back and forth endings to matches. The best thing is that most wretlers have moves that they don't use anymore. HBK has his old side suplex finisher as a signature move. Sheamus has the Fiery Red Hand, which he hasn't used since his days on the independent circuit. Orton has his old standing neck-drop move that I haven't seen him use in at least 5 years. The developers paid very close attention to the wrestlers movesets and mannerisms, and clearly are passionate about their product.
The steel cage match is my favorite match type, by a long shot. During this match, your signature moves include crazy slams and throws into the cage wall, and you can perform multiple diving moves from the cage wall and the top. I can't describe in words how awesome this is. There's also a challenging mini-game for escaping the cage (similar to TNA Impact's Ultimate X mini-game), but it's not frustrating and makes sense for this particular match.
In future All-Stars games (if they continue this series), I think they have the potential to really expand on what they've done here. The grappling engine, while deep, could be much deeper. They could have twice as many grapples if they would assign different moves to different directions on the analog stick. Right now, if I grapple and press A, for example, I'll do the exact same move if I press a direction + A. I remember the old wrestling games had different moves for Up + A, Down + A, etc, etc. This could really open up the moveset and make the game feel less repetitive. They also need to place more emphasis on submissions and have the wrestlers stay down longer and sell the moves a little more. They could give us tables and ladders, and definitely Hell in a Cell. I'm sure they could find a way to make those match types insanely fun. The surrounding environments could be more interactive (i.e. announcer tables, ringside barricades, backstage areas, parking lot brawls, the stage itself could be used to toss opponents off of, etc). I'm sure THQ SD is one step ahead of me, and they're probably working on implementing new match types.
Even if the gameplay was garbage, the roster is clearly the game's best feature. When I began watching WWF programming in 1990, Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, and Randy Savage were the biggest stars. Then came Bret Hart, Undertaker, and HBK, followed by Rock and Austin, and now Cena, Edge, Orton and The Miz are the top guys. So I basically get all my favorites in one game, and it's actually a GOOD game. I do have a few gripes about the roster (Drew McIntyre?), particularly the upcoming DLC. Mark Henry? R-Truth? Michael Hayes?? Where's Batista, Evan Bourne, and Rick Rude? Why do we have to wait for guys like Chris Jericho, Big Boss Man, Road Warriors, and "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase??
Bottom line This game is the polar opposite of Smackdown vs Raw, and that's a very good thing for fans who are growing tired of the same old thing. Don't expect a wrestling simulation, and don't expect the huge number of wrestlers, modes, and match types that you would get from SvR. If you're simply looking for a fun, solid WWE game that doesn't take itself too seriously, pick this one up.
There's a nice intro video showing the wrestlers greatest moments before the match. I thought that was a nice touch. I like the nice stylish cartoon graphics, but I feel they go a bit overboard. I wish they would have gone for the Legends Of Wrestlemania look instead. It's odd seeing Randy Orton with a Jay Leno chin, but to each his own. Overall they're nice. The entrances are cut short. They fade as you walk down the aisle. Think No Mercy. The only time I went online it was a bit laggy, but I was connected wirelessly. A good game overall, but I'd be a bit weary of the 60 dollar price tag. If you can wait, get it when there's a price drop.
Honestly, this is the most fun I can recall having with a video game in possibly this entire console genre. I never once got frustrated, in fact I spent the majority of the time laughing until tears rolled down my face at some of the outrageous things that happened. This is THE local multiplayer game I have been searching for since.... a long time.
I can not praise WWE All Stars enough, it is just that good. I can say without a doubt this will be a title played in my house for years to come. I feel sorry for people who don't know what a great game they are missing out on, I was one of them until a couple days ago.
This is an arcade wrestling game. Over the top moves with nonstop action.
Controls take alittle getting use to but within 30 minutes you are laying the smackdown like it has never been laid down before.
This is an equal to the Nintendo64 wrestler we loved back in the day.
Controls 8/10
Presentation 9/10
Sounds 8/10
Fun Factor 10/10
Fantasy Warfare
The buildup for each match in Fantasy Warfare is nothing short of awesome. Its sinks you into the moment of the match
Nothing like whoopin CM Punk with Stone Cold!!
Path Of Champions
You have three roads to take on this one Battle Undertaker, Randy Orton or DX...But before you get to them you must win 10 matches to prove your mighty skills. Wait until you start the DX road. Classic DX Humor to get you on your way. Use Hogan and Macho man and pop an achievement after your first win for using them two as your tag team.
Online Play
So Far So Good. No lag for me. 4 player slobber knocker fun.
If your still on the fence about this game go rent it. But it will be money wasted you could have used to buy it.
Im Off to lay down some Latino Heat!!!
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Let me start by saying I've been playing wrestling games since I was about 6 years old, beginning with the NES games like WWF Wrestlemania and Steel Cage Challenge. I've owned nearly every console since then and have also purchased almost every WWF/WWE game ever released (exceptions being WWF In Your House, King of the Ring, Crush Hour, and the Game Boy Advance titles). Like many other fans, I felt that THQ's N64 wrestling games (WCW vs NWO, Wrestlemania 2000, No Mercy) were the most fun to play overall, and will always be considered classics.I enjoy Smackdown vs Raw for what it is, and I think they've made a decent amount of progress since the PSOne Smackdown games, but the recent titles just haven't been that much FUN to play. The moves are mostly accurate, but many feel weak and lack hard-hitting impact. There are STILL things, over 10 years later, that the N64 titles did better (including submissions, location-specific damage, weight detection, momentum shifts, and overall pacing), and I honestly feel that SvR has become more of a yearly roster update and cheap cash-in, similar to what EA does with their annual sports titles. Remember the amount of progress made between Smackdown: Just Bring It and SD: Shut Your Mouth? And the equal amount of progress made with Here Comes the Pain? We never see that anymore. Yeah, we have more match types, features, and modes than ever before, but the in-ring gameplay has become an afterthought.
Enter WWE All-Stars. Gameplay is the focal point of this title. Sal Divita, formerly of Midway Studios and creative mind behind titles like NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, and WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game, has given us something completely new and fresh. Yes, the character models look like action figures on steroids, but they're some of the most beautiful graphics I've ever seen. Yes, many of the moves are completely over the top and ridiculous, but they're also so much fun to watch. There aren't very many game modes or match types (1 vs 1, 2 vs 2, Handicap, Elimination, Extreme Rules, Steel Cage), but this type of game doesn't necassarily need them. I rarely even leave the ring to grab weapons or climb the turnbuckles, because I'm too busy pulling off crazy combos and defending myself from my opponents attacks. Yes, the entrances are very short, but this is an arcade-style game and isn't trying to be a simulation.
Beneath the cartoony style and crazy moves is a surprisingly complex and VERY responsive grappling engine. If you played TNA Impact, they based this game on the same engine, but seriously tweaked and expanded on it. You have 2 buttons for weak and strong strikes, and various combos that can be performed by entering different sequences. You also have weak and strong grapples, then each face button will perform a different move. You can also tap the right analog stick while in a weak or strong grapple transition into a headlock, go-behind, or other positions and perform alternate moves w/ the face buttons. Also, you can irish whip by holding the right trigger after you lock up, then perform a number of moves out of the irish whip position. There are a number of turnbuckle moves, flying moves, springboard moves, and so much more. I was shocked by the hidden depth, and it reminded me of Day of Reckoning with much better animations and a great reversal system.
Each character class (acrobats, brawlers, etc) plays differently, but the thing I was most impressed with was the difference between individual wrestlers. I expected more generic movesets and repeated moves (similar to TNA Impact) and was pleasantly surprised by THQ San Diego's attention to detail. For example, when you play as Rey Mysterio, he does a lot of his signature lucha-libre style moves. Although John Morrison is also in the "acrobat" class, his moveset is much different and includes moves that you'd expect Morrison to perform. Randy Savage has his signature punches and taunts, Randy Orton has his signature stomps, kneedrop, and other moves. Each wrestler has a number of signature moves than can be performed from various positions (Orton has his punt as a ground signature, his neckbreaker as a standing signature, etc), and of course one finisher, which has to be activated and then performed. Many times you'll activate it, then get attacked and have to rebuild your momentum. This makes for some amazing back and forth endings to matches. The best thing is that most wretlers have moves that they don't use anymore. HBK has his old side suplex finisher as a signature move. Sheamus has the Fiery Red Hand, which he hasn't used since his days on the independent circuit. Orton has his old standing neck-drop move that I haven't seen him use in at least 5 years. The developers paid very close attention to the wrestlers movesets and mannerisms, and clearly are passionate about their product.
The steel cage match is my favorite match type, by a long shot. During this match, your signature moves include crazy slams and throws into the cage wall, and you can perform multiple diving moves from the cage wall and the top. I can't describe in words how awesome this is. There's also a challenging mini-game for escaping the cage (similar to TNA Impact's Ultimate X mini-game), but it's not frustrating and makes sense for this particular match.
In future All-Stars games (if they continue this series), I think they have the potential to really expand on what they've done here. The grappling engine, while deep, could be much deeper. They could have twice as many grapples if they would assign different moves to different directions on the analog stick. Right now, if I grapple and press A, for example, I'll do the exact same move if I press a direction + A. I remember the old wrestling games had different moves for Up + A, Down + A, etc, etc. This could really open up the moveset and make the game feel less repetitive. They also need to place more emphasis on submissions and have the wrestlers stay down longer and sell the moves a little more. They could give us tables and ladders, and definitely Hell in a Cell. I'm sure they could find a way to make those match types insanely fun. The surrounding environments could be more interactive (i.e. announcer tables, ringside barricades, backstage areas, parking lot brawls, the stage itself could be used to toss opponents off of, etc). I'm sure THQ SD is one step ahead of me, and they're probably working on implementing new match types.
Even if the gameplay was garbage, the roster is clearly the game's best feature. When I began watching WWF programming in 1990, Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, and Randy Savage were the biggest stars. Then came Bret Hart, Undertaker, and HBK, followed by Rock and Austin, and now Cena, Edge, Orton and The Miz are the top guys. So I basically get all my favorites in one game, and it's actually a GOOD game. I do have a few gripes about the roster (Drew McIntyre?), particularly the upcoming DLC. Mark Henry? R-Truth? Michael Hayes?? Where's Batista, Evan Bourne, and Rick Rude? Why do we have to wait for guys like Chris Jericho, Big Boss Man, Road Warriors, and "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase??
Bottom line This game is the polar opposite of Smackdown vs Raw, and that's a very good thing for fans who are growing tired of the same old thing. Don't expect a wrestling simulation, and don't expect the huge number of wrestlers, modes, and match types that you would get from SvR. If you're simply looking for a fun, solid WWE game that doesn't take itself too seriously, pick this one up.
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So my little brother got this game as a gift from my sister, I couldn't help but think how stupid it looked when I would walk by and see him playing it. I eventually picked up the control and played an exhibition match. My initial impression was it was too damn hard as many people have said. It is a bit challenging, it's not your typical arcade style game, but you adapt to it the more you play so don't give up on it right away. It has 3 different path of champions mode featuring DX, Randy Orton, and The Undertaker. I haven't watched wrestling in quite a few years due to it being awful, so seeing Paul Bearer in the story with the Undertaker was really cool. There are unique wrestler classifications, (Brawlers, Big Men, Acrobats and Grapplers) that all come with their own unique abilities. There are also 15 Legend/Superstar matches that are battle for a specific title such as The Undertaker vs HBK for the honor of holding the title "Mr.Wrestlemania".There's a nice intro video showing the wrestlers greatest moments before the match. I thought that was a nice touch. I like the nice stylish cartoon graphics, but I feel they go a bit overboard. I wish they would have gone for the Legends Of Wrestlemania look instead. It's odd seeing Randy Orton with a Jay Leno chin, but to each his own. Overall they're nice. The entrances are cut short. They fade as you walk down the aisle. Think No Mercy. The only time I went online it was a bit laggy, but I was connected wirelessly. A good game overall, but I'd be a bit weary of the 60 dollar price tag. If you can wait, get it when there's a price drop.
Honest reviews on WWE All Stars - Xbox 360
This game is great fun to play, but I feel the roster is lacking. If you add a few more 70's, 80's, and 90's stars to the mix,this game would have been the ULTIMATE.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for WWE All Stars - Xbox 360
I remember hearing how good it was a few months back when it came out, and I planned to check it out and forgot about it. I just played it for 6 hours strait with my friends and I had to force myself to stop after "just one more match" turned into just 20 more matches. I am trying to think of something about it I DON'T like, I guess I wish it had a few more modes. That is about it.Honestly, this is the most fun I can recall having with a video game in possibly this entire console genre. I never once got frustrated, in fact I spent the majority of the time laughing until tears rolled down my face at some of the outrageous things that happened. This is THE local multiplayer game I have been searching for since.... a long time.
I can not praise WWE All Stars enough, it is just that good. I can say without a doubt this will be a title played in my house for years to come. I feel sorry for people who don't know what a great game they are missing out on, I was one of them until a couple days ago.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Reviews of Flatout: Ultimate Carnage
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $5.00
Today's Bonus: 75% Off
Really enjoy this game!! If you like driving mind blowing fast and then crashing into objects and other cars, and of course watching them blow-up, you won't do much better than this game.
Make sure you've got a beefy machine to run this, especially a good video card. It's the only way to do this game justice.
Had to knock off one star due to the music. A little too hard core RAP Crap for my liking. Could have thrown in something for the 40+ driving fans who know a good driving game and what good music is. Have fun!!
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This game is lots of stupid "bash the other guy with you car" fun. There are several fun race modes including, but no limited to, racing (in three classes: derby (using junker cars), race (using smooth racers), and street race (using the famous cool looking sedans and coupes everybody knows), and demolition derby (bashing good fun!). The graphics are pretty good (not incredible) and run smoothly on my modest rig (2.4GHz core 2 duo, WinXP, 2GB RAM, 2ms monitor, nVidia 8800GTX video, and SB LIVE! 24bit sound).Some game modes are smashing fun that will make you laugh out loud. Like the driver throw. It's tremendous fun. To play online you need to register a LIVE account and an xBox account (exactly as in Kane & Lynch: Dead Men).
One tiny flaw of the same (in my opinion) is the music. They definitely dropped the ball here. The "heavy" metal is not heavy at all and you best turn it off completely and enjoy your own WMP in the background. People who played NFS:U2 (remember the soundtrack?) will understand me.
Overall the game is pretty fun and probably worth buying.
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My family loves this game. We all play together, taking turns driving. The game is simply VERY fun. It may not be the best sim, the hottest cars, the most glamorous settings etc but all together, the sence of humor, action, and mood make it one of the best games I have ever played. I use a logitech g25, and a 101 inch projection screen and this really makes the fast paced action come alive. Runs great in Win 7, and controllers work perfectly. I highy recomend it. I wish they would make a deathtrack like version with guns etc. I think they would do a good job.Honest reviews on Flatout: Ultimate Carnage
You'd never think of driving your car into another car in real life, but in this game, you get _points_ for doing that. And nitro. Bonus! So, you get used to looking for other cars which are vulnerable to a big hit, and you go after them. It's quite satisfying to "blast out" another driver (knock him/her through their windshield). And the more damage you do in the hit, the more points and nitro you get.Sounds violent, but this is about escape. I have a lot of stress in my life right now, and it's a great way to blow off some steam.
Game Modes: Flatout Mode and Carnage Mode.
Flatout Mode: This is a sequence of increasingly difficult races. Each set of races comprises a "cup". You must win or place highly in multiple races to win the cup and move on. You must win 3rd or better (Bronze) to advance. Each cup you win opens a bonus race--either a Carnage Race (points for winning, passing checkpoints, and damage to other cars), a Demolition Derby (usually a deathmatch--survive as long as you can, and get bonus points for the damage you cause), or Time Trial (reach a time goal on a track--no nitro). When you've passed enough cup levels, you get some big bonus cash and unlock cars. There are three Flatout levels: Derby, Race, and Street. There's also a bonus level which uses all cars. Each level uses faster cars and gets increasingly harder. Nice thing: you don't have to finish a given level to start the next level (e.g., you don't have to finish Derby 100% to start Race, etc.).
You have to manage your cash in Flatout Mode to get the best car for your driving style and trick it out to be the fastest and strongest it can be. The mid-level bonus cash coincides with unlocked cars, so it's a nice time to upgrade. You might have to buy a car in order to figure out if it's right for you. It's a bummer that you only get 50% back from the investment if you decide to sell, but at least you can sell it if you need to. Keep in mind that you can do cups and bonus events as many times as you wish in order to build up cash.
Carnage Mode: This is more of an arcade mode. You might be familiar with "get this many points and unlock this next event" kinds of games, and this is one of those. You start out with a Carnage Race, a Stunt (using the driver as the projectile!), a Demolition Derby (do as much damage as you can with four lives), and a Beat the Bomb run (go as far as you can and pass as many checkpoints as you can before your car explodes). For each event, you get points. At certain point levels, you open up new events. You then do those, get more points, open other events, etc. This is a nice mode to be in if you only have a few minutes to play (which frequently happens in my house). There are probably (I'm guessing) about 40 or so events.
In Carnage Mode, the cars for each event are chosen for you, and so you get a lot of variety. This can be a good thing, but it also means that for each event, you have to learn the quirks of the particular car. They all drive differently.
The stunts are really fun and interesting. Many are quite hard, and require some practice to get right. The carnage races are fun, the Beat the Bomb runs are my least favorite (I just do them for the points), and the Demo Derbies are great fun.
Stunts are done in a stadium atmosphere with some very European-sounding, incomprehensible blather coming from a PA announcer. Meh.
The Demo Derbies at the end get quite hard--the last one is with the smallest, weakest Derby car, which makes scoring points way hard.
In addition to the Flatout and Carnage modes, there's also a Single Event mode in which you can pick any event to do.
I hate the music and I have it turned off.
All in all, a fantastic game that cost me about six clams. I plan to continue playing this one for a long while.
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I just got this, and I have to say the price is worth it. I'd expected Flatout Ultimate Carnage might be a pretty tired rehash, given that it's up against the likes of Gran Turismo, Grid, Need for Speed, Sega Rally Revo and especially Burnout.Thankfully, Flatout seems to have pulled the best features of its competitors together in a game that's not very sophisticated, but is a lot of fun. Here you have the environmental physics of Sega Rally Revo and Dirt: standing water, mud, dust, and pavement all have an effect on your vehicle. You have the damage gradient of Need for Speed: Pro Street in that your car can lose bits and pieces of itself and get a bit shaky, but it'll still run all the way through the race. And finally, you have the crazy antics of Burnout: crash your car (or other players), smash into things, and you charge your boost meter. Wreck spectacularly to get achievements. Tap the "Reset" button and you plunk back down in the middle of the road, in the middle of the action.
As if that isn't enough, like its cousins in the genre, Flatout lets you keep a garage of many cars, customizing each to your liking with specific upgrades. Since the physics is an integral part of the enviroment, you feel the difference with each vehicle and each change you make to it. You go through a career mode with multiple race types and varying tracks. Some tracks will repeat themselves across tiers, but the fact that you have a different goal (e.g., race versus derby mode) makes it never a dull moment.
The only real drawback to Flatout Ultimate Carnage is that it is easy. I'm no pro, but I quickly climbed the ladder. Many places in the road are designed to hand you stuff to smash into so you charge your boost meter, most AI drivers aren't too smart, and I often found myself with a nice healthy addition to my boost meter if I had to reset the vehicle: use it immediately and you're back up to speed within seconds.
One other drawback for PC users is that this game really doesn't play well with a keyboard. It's awkward, and without bothering to map the keys to some custom configuration, I found it much easier to just go ahead and use the XBox 360 Controller like the manual tells you to. You'll find the biggest advantage in the gas pedal: on the keyboard it's either full throttle or coasting when you tap the accelerator, but on the XBox 360 Controller, the trigger understands the difference when you just give it a squeeze: it picks up on the nuances you need to handle your car through the curves.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Veecome 320GB Hard Drive HDD for Xbox 360 Reviews
This item is not 100% compatible with the xbox 360 as listed, while it does work in its basic form your xbox will no longer be able to play backward compatible games. I spoke to Microsoft about the problem as well as searching online. what i was told and confirmed by doing a search on my problem, a lot of these companies are selling rip off drive units using normal laptop hard drives. The problem comes in that when these places setup the hard drive they forget to add a special partition on the drive that the Xbox 360 only uses for backward compatible games, if this partition is mission these games will not work. This is such the came with this company so I am going to try and return the drive unit and search for a Microsoft made drive unit.My son has an older Xbox and needed more memory to keep up with newer games. This did the trick!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Review of Skullcandy SLYR Gaming Headset, White (SMSLFY-205 )
List Price: $79.99
Sale Price: $72.96
Today's Bonus: 9% Off
You may know me as Mad Lust Envy on Head-fi, and Shin CZ/Raven Crimson elsewhere. Google Mad Lust Envy, to find my full gaming headphone guide.
I'm sure that pretty much anyone interested in headphones know the Skullcandy brand. Their name is instantly recognizable, and their headphones can be found in many stores, ranging from their very entry level headphones, to their higher end Aviator and Mix Master headphones. They do not have a shortage of headphones, and as such, have been the target of a lot of criticism for not catering to audiophiles but to the domestic market. Personally, I can easily say that I do not have a lot of experience with Skullcandy products. My first pair of Skullcandy headphones were a pair of Ink'd IEMs that I bought ages ago loved. I didn't know a thing about headphones back then, but I do remember liking their sound signature, and their cheap price. The next product I had some time with was the Lowriders...a PINK pair, I had bought for my then girlfriend, hahaha. I have never been a fan of on ear headphones, and the Lowriders couldn't stay on my head. I honestly couldn't tell you if they were halfway decent or not. I have a slippery dome it seems, lol. I wasn't exactly pleased with them, and their build quality was quite lacking from what I'm used to today, but they were very inexpensive, and my girlfriend liked them well enough.
Anyways, my point is, I don't have a bias for OR against Skullcandy. What I DO know is that they have made great strides in improving their line and becoming more serious about the quality of their products. I can surely appreciate any company doing that. With the arrival of the SLYR, PLYR, and PLYR2 (with help from Astrogaming, which is well known in the gaming community, and which they now own), it's hard to not be curious about what Skullcandy has up their sleeves for us gamers.
So I'm approaching these headphones with a completely open mind. Okay, maybe not completely open. I do have ONE bias: I don't expect much from headsets. With as many headphones as I have owned and tested, gaming headsets have been, for the most part, disappointing. Save for the Sennheiser PC360 (which remains the best headset I have used, and still among the best competitively even among the amazing headphones I have owned), the next best headset for me was the Tritton AX720 which was decent, but not 'good' overall. They are excused as they come with a Dolby Headphone decoder box which more than makes up for their lack of pure sound quality. Everything else was borderline forgivable to 'blegh'. So, with that bad taste in headsets overall, the SLYR had an uphill battle, and that's before I even opened the package. Still, I was excited.
Hmm, the Skullcandy SLYR (pronounced Slayer). Upon opening the package and taking them out, I was still neutral. They were unassuming, and relatively stealthy in a dominantly matte black finish with sort of yellow/green 'windows' on the cups. From what I have seen of earlier Skullcandy designs, they tend to be fashion statements, with lots of urban/street flavors, etc. The SLYR is humble looking in comparison. I actually like this. I tend to prefer a more classy approach to my headphones, rather than ones that scream at you. The SLYR still has an edgy design to them with sharp angles, but it's not 'loud'. It's hip for the younger crowd, but still reserved enough for adults.
So that was my first impression on looks. Looks are not my top priority in a headphone. Comfort and sound first. How did they fare? Well, as soon as I put them on, I immediately thought: "Crap, these are on ear." I'm not a fan of on ears. Still, the pads were very soft, and they weren't pleather. Things I DEMAND in a headphone nowadays. I absolutely avoid pleather/leather like a plague. Then I realized, with a little bit of adjusting, the SLYR is actually circumaural/over ear! YES! Very happy about that. Certainly not the biggest cups, but they did fit my ears well enough (bigger openings than the Creative Aurvana Live, and much deeper pads). The SLYR is off too a good start, and I haven't even heard them yet.
As with every headphone I buy, my first listening test is ALWAYS music. Gaming comes later. I fired up some songs, let my ears adjust to their sound signature and soon after, I knew; Skullcandy meant business. These don't just sound like a good headset. They sound like a good headphone. PERIOD. I absolutely did not expect this sound coming from an $80 headset. The first thing that I immediately noticed was the balance between the bass, mids, and treble. I am not exaggerating in saying that headphones costing 3x the price of the SLYR can't manage to find such a great balance between fun and balance the way the SLYR does. I mean it. With the Sennheiser PC360, you get a really good and overall neutral-ish tonal balance, with not much sticking out of place, but not being exciting tonally. The SLYR on the other hand manages to sound balanced, with the right amount of bass emphasis and energy to make them exciting. They are forward sounding headphones, with not a hint of boredom in it anywhere. The Creative Aurvana Live sounds considerably more reserved in direct comparison, darker, and warmer. (which I had on hand at the time of review). While the CAL was still more refined overall, I have to say, I preferred the sonic signature of the SLYR. It was immediately more engaging and exciting. The SLYR isn't the fullest sounding headphone I've heard, nor the most refined, but they definitely got the balance right for my ears.
Bass: To be honest, I expected to have more bass than they did. I expected bloated bass. Bass that gets in the way of detail. This is NOT what I got. Instead, I got punchy, impactful, energetic bass that is quite present, but never overwhelming. It also has good speed and decay. Quite impressed with the SLYR's bass. A very good start. If I had to give the bass a quantity, I'd give them an 8. Plenty of bass for me. Not perfectly in line with mids and treble, but it's a GOOD emphasis.
Mids: I'm used to v-shaped curves, with bass and treble emphasis, and recessed mids. Yet, the SLYR has some pretty up front mids next to the typical v shaped can. Can't pinpoint if it's the smaller soundstage, or just the mids in general, but they certainly weren't what I consider really recessed. Maybe just slightly so next to the bass, but I'd say they're pretty in line with the treble. They are pretty forward in the sense that vocals are near you basically at all times unless a song purposely mixes them further back.
Treble: You either expect dull, veiled treble, or treble that is too sharp, too spiky, too peaky. Again, the SLYR surprises in it's sonic characteristics. The treble is energetic, but it's not harsh. It's very close in balance to the mids for me. It is RARE for treble to be in the safe zone between too soft, and too harsh. The SLYR is DEFINITELY in that safe zone. I honestly wish the DT990's treble had a similar line. That's right.
Amping: As to be expected, the SLYR is a very efficient headphone, and I didn't feel they needed any extra amping.
Soundstage: This is definitely the only aspect of their sound that I was personally not entirely happy with. Part of it is because I'm grown so accustomed to open headphones, with an airy, wide/deep soundstage, and going back to a closed headphone's soundstage and typical closed headphone signature is a bit jarring. After getting used to the closed headphone sound, I'd still say the SLYR's weakest aspect is the soundstage. It's relatively small even comparing other closed headphones. I have VERY little experience with closed headphones, and I feel that out of the few I have on this guide, the SLYR is near the bottom in terms of soundstage. Thankfully, everything else is so good, so this drawback doesn't hurt as much. Still, it is small, and everything sounds pretty packed together next to other headphones in direct comparison like the CAL and A40s (the two main headphones I had on hand).
Positioning: Now that we're getting into the gaming side of this review, the first thing to discuss is positioning. Since I feel that positioning is very dependent on soundstage, I feel they did suffer just slightly compared to my faves. That is the nature of closed headphones (with the exception of the D7000, and DT770s which have some truly large soundstages for closed headphones), and the Pro 900 which, with the aid of S-Logic helps give a sense of depth not typically found on closed headphones, though not by much. The SLYR does place positional cues properly around you, though with the lack of soundstage, there isn't much space between you and the virtual space to make pinpointing easy. Still, it does a good job. Not great. I was able to dominate pretty easily in Call of Duty 4, and didn't feel lie I was at all hampered by the SLYR's positional cues. I didn't feel like they gave me a huge advantage compared to some of my fave headphones, but they did their job well. Again, good. Bear in mind, the SLYR was definitely marketed as a stereo headset with a mixer that plugs into RCA cables. I'm fairly certain that those who play in stereo will have VERY little to complain about.
Clarity: The SLYR is a warm headphone, but with enough crispness to say that they are plenty detailed for gaming. The closed design hurts clarity again only compared to open headphones like the PC360 and K701. As a closed headphone, I found them to have a nice balance between fun and detail-whoring, so I'd say that if I had to rate clarity separately, they'd get a 7 (good). I doubt there will be any complaints about clarity, especially at their price range.
Comfort: Pads? Soft, deep, comfy velour. They could definitely be bigger as larger ears MIGHT make these on ear ear headphones. Clamp? Not too loose, not too firm. I find them just right. Weight? Very light. Check. They stay relatively in place at all times, with not a lot of readjusting needed. A huge win here.
Microphone: The microphone is permanently affixed to the SLYR, but like the PC360, you swing it upwards. Unlike the PC360, the mic on the SLYR tucks away nicely into the cup, and is relatively well hidden when not in use. it's also small, but sensitive enough to pick up my voice quite easily. My voice came through clearly on my PS3 device settings, so I have very little to say about it, other than it does it's job well. It may be just a little too sensitive for my setup, as I have a large, noisy fan near me, and the mic picks it up unless I sit further back than what I'm used to. Still, that shouldn't be an issue for most people.
Build Quality: The SLYR is made out of all plastic. The plastic feels sturdy enough for my taste, somewhat reminiscent of the PC360 plastic. I have more faith in tossing these around than I would the Creative Aurvana Live. Assuming you're not abusing the hell out of the SLYR, I don't see these breaking with normal use.
Accessories: The SLYR comes with a stereo mixer. Think of it as a stereo alternative to the Mixamp, with the ability to mix voice/game audio at your desired levels, with three different EQ presets. One bass heavy, one flat, and the other treble heavy. I personally don't have much use for the Mixer since I own the Mixamp and prefer gaming in Dolby Headphone surround, but I did test the mixer and found the presets to work relatively well, and the mixer to also work pretty well in mixing game and voice without a lot of distortion. If anything, the closest alternative to this Mixer is the Steelseries Spectrum Audio Mixer, which retails for $40 and is for the 360. The SLYR's mixer works for both the 360 and PS3 (as well as PC). I didn't find a need for the EQ presets as the SLYR already has such an agreeable sound signature.
The Mixer has a very lengthy cable terminated in RCA jacks with piggyback female inputs. The Mixer is powered by a standard USB plug, and comes with a 3.5mm input for ANY headphone, as well as the 2.5mm input for the 360's controller for chat audio. The SLYR comes with a detachable 3.5mm male/male cable (a bit on the short side, IMHO) that carries chat audio. You can indeed use your own 3.5mm male/male standard audio cables, though the entry on the headset side may not accommodate thicker plugs. I found that the CAL's extension cable fit, but the first gen Astro 3.5mm cables didn't. I used the CAL's extension on the headset side, and my own 3.5mm male/male cables on the female end of the CAL's extension cable when using the SLYR for music on my main headphone setup (non-gaming). Basically, you will want cables with thin 3.5mm plugs if you want a lengthy cable for the SLYR. I don't know where to get lengthy ones that also carry voice audio, unfortunately.
Value: $80 gets you a damn good headphone that just so happens to actually be a headset. Convenience, comfort, and a relatively forward, engaging, and still balanced tone makes the SLYR the very first headset in the sub-$100 bracket that I recommend to anyone who absolutely needs a headset.
Final Impressions: While the SLYR isn't perfect, and aren't as refined as to what I'm personally used to (hello "Head-fi standards"), I must say that even with my higher end tastes, I really, REALLY like the SLYR from the sound, all the way to the comfort. These are great for music, pretty good for fun gaming, and good enough for competitive use. Skullcandy's first serious gaming headset gets a solid B from me, and have made me a true believer. I can't wait to see what else Skullcandy has up their sleeve. If their $80 headset is this good, I have high hopes for their higher end models. One last thing that you will want to know: I prefer the SLYR over the A50s.
Final Scores...
Fun: 7.5 (Pretty good. They really did a great job in finding a great balance between fun and balance. Very impressive for this price.)
Competitive: 7 (Good. They absolutely do their job. I'd say stereo gamers will particularly love them, kind of like how I personally see the M50s if a little better in terms of positional cues. For us virtual surround gamers, I'd still say they are worth looking into if you absolutely need a headset.)
Comfort: 7.5 (Very good. Those with larger ears may have to use them as on ear as mentioned before, though they are still comfy in that way.)
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I've had this headset since about a month before Christmas and I must say that the sound from it is *above* what I'd normally expect from Skullcandy and I usually prefer the Skullcandy Ink'q headphones, which are usually pretty good sounding cheap ones. These however make them look like tin cans tied together on string! The bass is where I like it, the sound is so crisp and clear that when I played Mass Effect 3 with them on for the first time. I was noticing sounds that I had *never* noticed before. With even the TV at a loud setting, I don't recall hearing footsteps from whenever I walked but with the headset, I was doing much more than hearing them, I was *feeling* them with the bass! I played other games and could hear the bullets as they whizzed by my head (saved my life a few times too!) Oh, one thing to note about the sound. The headset can start out *loud* but the in-line controls can easily turn it down to a comfortable setting. Be sure to turn the tv to mute(won't affect the headset unless you use the TV headphones port) or you won't hear anything and the headset can adjust the sound for either voice or game sound. Oh, and the leather ear coverings can muffle sound quite a bit, combined with the high volume it can start out with, you might miss your boss calling you on your phone to tell you that you're late again. Lol!I did test hearings of Turtlebeach X-12's, Astro's from Best Buy and the Slyr had the best sound, best mic (never did like having to move it in front of my mouth) and plus the Slyr mic could be put away making it look like a normal pair of over-the-ear headphones. The others that I tried were good sounding, tho the x-12's oddly sounded better than their higher number versions. The Astro's had good sound and comfort. The Slyr had great sound and was the most comfortable to me out of all the ones I tried. Like any over-the-hear deals, they could get a little warm when wearing them for prolonged periods but that may not be a bad thing when you're outside during cold weather. lol! :)
One thing I liked about the Slyr is that the default cord that goes from the in-line usb one to the headset is just the right size for going from the headset to my pocket, where the others where so long that I was left wondering what to do with all the extra cord. Another selling point for me was that the Slyr was Xbox,PS3, and of course PC/phone/mp3 player compatible. :)
I found you could plug them into a phone (if it took normal headphone jack) and use it for listening to music or use the mic and have a conversation with people. People would tell me that they couldn't tell that I was using the headset versus the normal phone mic. Although for me, it saved me from having a hot phone pressed against my cheek and freed my hands to do chores that required both hands.
The headset was also more easier to adjust upon my head than some others. Some headsets were the "one-sizes-fits-all" and thus required "stretching" to get comfortable in, if at all. The Slyr were comfortable and adjustable from the get-go since it had fabric padding on both the headband and ears. Both the headband slides up and down as well as the ear padding was big enough for someone like me with big ears to fit within them and even people with in-ear hearing aids can wear them without them squealing due to over-closeness. Even when wearing glasses, you can wear them comfortably as they don't press too tightly like some others do to leave them hurting you.
If the in-line boosting and volume controls are not important to you, you can use the headphone cable to connect to your tv's headphone port and still use the usb part of it to connect with the xbox to your xbox controller. It'll look weird but still work. So truthfully there are lots of ways of using a headset like this.
So whether you are using it for talking on a console, your phone, or just listening to your mp3 player blast music at you. You can't go wrong. This is just a plain awesome headset.
If anyone has used them for the PS3, I'd be happy to hear their experiences.
PS> Like any headset that costs more than $12, you should treat them with care. Don't grab them by the earpads. Grab them *gently* by the headband. These aren't your $12 headset that comes with the xbox, they are a sound investment in your hearing pleasure. So if you do grab it by the earmuffs, don't twist as you pull them off. That's the easiest way to break *any* headset. I've seen too many youtube reviews and friends where they break even $300 headsets by rough twisting or improper handling and in some cases just bad placing where they can get stepped on by a friend or family when one's not around or chewed on by the family pet. Remember: all things these days are made with a limited lifespan (on purpose) to get them to break and you buy them again. If you take gentle care of them, then they will last far longer than the manufacturer wants them to last. :)
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I liked the headset A LOT! There isn't many reviews on Amazon so I based most of my judgment of the product from the reviews on Skullcandy's website (very good reviews).The problem I had was with the mic. First kind of annoyance is no mic monitoring, I think I get a little loud sometimes because of this. Second is the entire headset worked great for about a week before the mic started going dead one day while I was deep into a game that requires me speaking through the mic to get even further (Tranzit zombies on Black Ops 2). My friend suddenly couldn't hear me. I realized and made sure my connections were all good (they were) and finally just unplugged and replugged the USB, and the mic came right back up again. Literally a couple of minutes later the exact same thing happens.. So I go through the unplugging and replugging, problem solved... Then a couple minutes later the problem happens again.. This happened a good 10 or so times before the game finally ended.. Frustrated I just stopped playing and hoped it would never happen again. A couple of days went by and everything was fine. Then it happened again... same thing.. Every couple of minutes. even more frustrated I called Skullcandy who did offer to replace them which was great. They said it would take a couple of weeks. I opted to return them.
DON'T GET ME WRONG!!
I liked the headset A LOT until I had the mic problem. Very comfortable, awesome sound, and style. The wire is 5 meters long so plenty of length to reach anywhere in the room. Some people complain about the set up but even that took no more than 10 minutes.
I just have a hard time keeping an item I paid $85 for and having it fail in 1 week... Very disappointed skullcandy.
Last but not least. I submitted a review that almost exactly mirrored this one on Skullcandy's website (I didn't have it saved so I can't remember what I wrote word for word) and they rejected it in a noreply email. If nobody can leave an honest review on their website without it being rejected, then the reviews aren't valid in my opinion. Made me even more frustrated with Skullcandy.
Honest reviews on Skullcandy SLYR Gaming Headset, White (SMSLFY-205 )
lol dude. You can use an HDMI cable and just plug your component cables in also and only use the audio from it. Or you can buy a $5 piece made JUST FOR THIS. And on top of all that. The VGA cable used by MLG pro's that play on computer monitors because of the lag time, comes with component audio cables. Do your research before you leave a bad rating. This is an excellent headset. Great value for the money. You just need to stop being so technology illiterate.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Skullcandy SLYR Gaming Headset, White (SMSLFY-205 )
I've been using these headphones for a month now and I couldn't be happier with them. They provide great sound and the mic works great. Great for any gamer.
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