Tech-Gaming Technology, Gaming, and Culture
Pity the poor retailer. With the conclusion of holiday clearance sales and the lack of any new titles on the shelves, there’s really no reason to venture out to the stores. Luckily, for gamers, there’s a still a steady flow of digitally delivered titles to carry us through January, sparing unnecessary travel through these cold winter months.
360
Amy (XBLA, $9.99)
Choplifter HD (XBLA, $14.99)
PS3
Amy (PSN, $12.99)
Choplifter HD (PSN, $14.99)
Crazy Machine Elements (PSN, $9.99)
Wii
Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Case of the Crumbling Cathedral (WiiWare)
3DS
Zen Pinball 3D (eShop, $6.99)
DS
Hip Hop King: Rytmik Edition (eShop)
PSP
Final Fantasy Origins (PSOne Classic)
Mecho Wars (Mini)
Stick Man Rescue (Mini)
PC
Choplifter HD
Conquer Online: Invasions of Pirates Expansion
DesertEagle’s Pick: Just a few years ago, it looked like pinball was fated for obscurity, with almost all manufacturer’s abandoning efforts to create new machines. With a realistic physics model and competently-crafted tables, Zen Studios was able to reinvigorate pin with their line of digital simulations. Although, I’ve poured countless hours into Earth Defense, Shaman, Excalibur, and El Dorado tables, $6.99 is a reasonable price to play these tables on the go in Zen Pinball 3D for the Nintendo 3DS.
Samurage’s Pick: If I had to pick something this week, I would go with Zen Pinball 3D. I used to be a pinball maniac when I was younger, and while I prefer the arcade version to the screen version, I like the idea of “Zen” pinball because playing was always a meditative experience for me. So I’ll settle in for some pin and for the rest of my un-played Steam steals.
BlueSwim’s Pick: I’m going with the underdog, Amy, and no, not because the game shares its name with my favorite Sailor Scout. Amy is a somewhat different take on the zombie genre in that the character you play as is infected with the zombie disease. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking “didn’t the first Dead Rising already do this?” and you would be correct. However, what’s different about Amy is that her condition isn’t just a plot-point; it’s a gameplay mechanic. The body of the main playable character, Lana, zombifies as you play, requiring health packs, oxygen masks, and the game’s mysterious title character to keep the disease in-check. Allowing Lana’s body to physically degrade to a certain point can enable you to walk right by other zombies without starting a BRAAAAINS stampede. I’m hoping that this is only the beginning of Amy‘s innovation.
SeanNOLA’s Pick: HD remakes of classic games have been hit-or-miss, to say the least. That being said, I really hope Choplifter is one of the hits. The original was hours of fun, and hasn’t really been revisited in ages.
first!
Question does Nintendo eShop ever have sales? I’d like to get Zen Pin, but I don’t have to grab it this week. I still have a ton of games to play though first.
Oh, Carmen Sandiego, what has become of you?
You used to hide your educational intentions so well. Now, you put “math” right in the title. Obviously, you’re selling to the parent, not the kids.
Some people still like Carmen. Maybe a bit too much.
http://www.destructoid.com/i-want-to-have-sex-with-carmen-sandiego-26155.phtml
Can’t read the wallotext, so I walked away with this:
I’ll have to give Choplifter HD a try. Hopefully, they didn’t muck with the game too much.
Never heard of Amy, the game. Although with a title like that, I’m not surprised.
Deagle is the only picker this week? I’ll post mine then:
Wyatt’s Pick: Sure, you’ve probably played all the Zen Tables, but have you played them in the middle of class or at the mall? With Zen Pinball 3D you now longer have to be home to get your kickers kicking or your flippers flipping.
Now, Can I haz a job?
Your first assignment is to review Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math. Deagle want 1000 words and at least three drafts. He’ll pay you in broken Prinny figurines.
I’d like to play pinball on my 3DS, but using only one screen seems like a bad way to do this.
Are you going to review Zen Pinball? I liked your past reviews/discussions on the game.
I’ll get my crunk cup ready for Hip Hop King: Rytmik Edition.
(I’m kidding, I have no intention of buying this at all)
Amy looks like it could be a sleeper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=Ox0NrQAaAQo
I heard good things about AMY, hopefully it will be worth the money.
Seems novel for a zombie game, at least.
The guys voice made me feel a bit worse on the inside. Maybe I’m turning.
Choplifter seems a bit expensive for $15.00. I’ll try the demo and hopefully, I’ll be wrong.
I think you made a mistake- there’s two prices for Amy.
Zen Pin For the Win.
Sage, Zen Pinball really isn’t Zen-like. It got it’s name because it’s made by Zen Studios.
Maybe it is for her 😉
My pick this week is Monster Hunter. Seriously, America- what the hell is wrong with you? This game is great!
Sounds like him, but it’s missing the dino icon.
I appreciate the sentiment, little NOLAite, but no, that is not me. Funny you should mention my Avatar – I hadn’t realized that it was becoming iconic. I was wrestling with the idea of changing it, but I guess I’ll keep it as-is.
I don’t know about anyone else, but when I listen to you on the podcast, I imagine a grumpy dinosaur talking.
I’ll try Choplifter out. Hopefully they did the concept justice.
Chicken puree in the rotors blade is an interesting addition. Don’t remember that in the original.
Pinball on a small screen doesn’t sound good. Neither does a remake of a Choplifter. Enough with the remakes- developers need to create new ideas- stuff like Minecraft.