GeekSugar

What Is the Best Video Game of the Decade?

GeekSugar — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:30:51 PST

It was pretty hard to narrow down the top games of the year, so imagine how painful it was to pick just a choice few games of the decade! It's almost impossible to cast one game aside for another, but ruthless decisions must be made. So out of these fine titles here, tell me what is the best video game of the decade?

And don't stop here - check the rest of my Best of 2009 polls, too!

The Sims (2000)

24%(108)

Halo (2001)

9%(40)

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)

5%(24)

World of Warcraft (2004)

19%(84)

Resident Evil 4 (2005)

2%(10)

Wii Sports (2006)

8%(38)

Rock Band (2007)

10%(46)

Super Mario Galaxy (2007)

7%(30)

BioShock (2008)

4%(17)

Mass Effect (2008)

4%(18)

Metal Gear Solid 4: Rise of the Patriots (2008)

4%(17)

Uncharted 2: Among Thives

5%(22)

Total votes: 454

Super Mario Galaxy Keychain and Charm Bracelet

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:00:39 PDT

So maybe after seeing Tiffany & Co.'s Gold and Diamond Camera Charm Bracelet, this Super Mario Galaxy keychain isn't looking all that glamorous - but hey, it's still geek chic and is a MUCH cheaper option than the Tiffany bracelet.

For only $12 you can choose from the Super Mario Galaxy keychain or the matching handmade bracelet which both feature signature Wii and Galaxy items like a wiimote, nunchuck, life mushrooms and star bits. . . and colorful beads of course (just in case the geek goods aren't enough!). Each trinket is made from polymer clay, which means there's still hope of me getting a necklace full of star bits!

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Hidden Super Mario Galaxy Secrets

GeekSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:00:37 PST

It has only been a week since the release of Super Mario Galaxy, and I'm still rehearsing levels in my head. From collecting, launching, and slinging stars to transforming Mario into an adorable flying bee, I'm having way too much fun trying to rescue Princess Peach.

Depending on how far you've made it through the game, you may want to know some good tips and tricks to help you navigate your way through the action-packed 3D galaxies. For instance, did you know you can spin while jumping to help you go higher? This also works really well in speed runs. Check out the video below for more!

Source

Super Mario Galaxy Review: We Aren't in Mushroom Kingdom Anymore!

GeekSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:15:55 PST

I was never so happy to see Super Mario Galaxy land on my desk Friday afternoon, knowing that I would have all weekend (and I do mean ALL weekend) to play and bask in the glory that is Super Mario. Not since 2002 in Mario Sunshine, have we met up with the pint-sized powerhouse, and it was good to catch up with an old buddy. Rushing home to get my first taste of one of the most anticipated games all year, I finally settled in for a serious Mario Marathon. After playing for much longer than originally planned, I could fully attest to this game's awesomeness.

Mario has been stealing hearts ever since the original Super Mario Brothers back back in 1985. Prepare to be swept off your feet again ladies because the plumber is back and going farther than ever to save his princess. Super Mario Galaxy begins with Mario on his way to a hot date with Peach for the 100-year Comet Festival. But natch, Bowser comes in and kidnaps Peach, this time taking her and her entire castle into the final frontier. Mario - being the knight in shining armor that he is - goes after her and will stop at nothing to get her back. With the help and direction of Princess Rosalina (love triangle anyone?), Mario will gather the Grand Stars needed in order to run Rosalina's space observatory and get back his Princess. A timeless story indeed.

So what's so great about this game, you ask? To find out just

For starters, Super Mario Galaxy brings back all the nostalgia of Super Mario Brothers, Super Mario Brothers 3, and Super Mario 64, but has reworked them to fit into this cool space-age installment. The music that you know and love are now all dramatically scored to fit in perfectly with each new level. More than once found myself walking away humming to the soundtrack that was stuck in my head, even hours later. The controls are fresh and you know right off that the Wii was made to play this game. The Nunchuck and Wiimote are both used during gameplay, one for directing Mario and the other for collecting weapons, currency, battling foes, and jumping from planet to planet. It may take awhile to master, but thankfully you get some practice maneuvering before jumping into the game. The levels are totally satisfying - you can wander around finding little secrets in each one or just go right through, enjoying the sights while you battle Goombas, Koopas, Piranhas, and some new pests to add to the list.

To say that this is the ultimate, Mario gaming experience is an understatement. It really is at the head of the class in gameplay, controls, graphics, and sound. Obviously, I am a total Mario groupie, having played since I was a little girl while others were playing with Barbies. But even if I wasn't such a superfan, I would be pining for this game anyway. For some, this will be THE game to own for the Wii, for others it will be the final straw to get in line and finally pick up the console. A final word of advice for all you Marioheads out there: Keep your Wiimotes charged, you're going to be playing for a loooong time. You can get your copy online or in stores tomorrow.

Source

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Super Mario Galaxy Teaser Video

GeekSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:01:13 PDT

Super Mario Galaxy is set to hit stores in Japan on Nov. 1 and the US on Nov. 12, and is currently the most preordered Wii software title, with 700,000 in Japan, and 400,000 in the US. Why are so many people itching to get their hands on the new game? Apparently, it's set in outer space and Mario is capable of jumping or launching from planet to planet in order to gather items and defeat enemies. While you may not be able to understand the voice over, check out this preview. It's out of this world.

For another fun commercial,

Hold On to Your Tanooki Suits: Super Mario 3DS Making Appearance at E3

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:57:44 PDT

Ever since the Nintendo 3DS hit the streets, I've been itching for a new Mario game to play. Turns out, there's a brand new one on the horizon that will make its first appearance at E3 this June.

According to Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, Super Mario 3DS (which will launch sometime this year) will be like a combination of Super Mario Galaxy and the N64 version of Super Mario, but it will be much easier to play thanks to the 3D nature of the portable console. "For example, the floors floating in space: in 2D it’s difficult to judge the distance, but in 3D it’s really easy." I'm so excited to get my hands on it. Look for more details to come!

Best Black Friday Deals Roundup

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:08:53 PST

It's hard to believe that we're halfway through November already, but it's true. Not only is it time to start thinking about your guest list for Thanksgiving dinner, but also your Black Friday shopping list. Get a head start on your planning by checking out these Black Friday ads that are already posted online for your browsing pleasure.

Amazon

Motorola phones will be on sale for just a penny. Some of the available models include Droid Razr 4G, BlackBerry Torch 4G, HTC Inspire 4G, HTC Rhyme, Samsung Focus Flash 4G, and more. This sale is available now through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28.
Verizon and Sprint customers are eligible for some extras. If they activate a mobile hotspot data plan on their hotspot-capable smartphone, they will also receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

Apple

Apple's sales will take effect on Friday, Nov. 25 at physical locations and online.

Get $101 off MacBook Airs, Pros, and iMacs. The 11-inch MacBook Air will be on sale for just $898!
Save up to $41 on iPods, including iPod Touch and Nano
iPads (first and second generation models) will be discounted up to $61.
Accessories for Macs, iPods, and iPads will be discounted as well.

Best Buy

Stores will be opening at 12 a.m. on Black Friday. Get a closer look at the Best Buy Black Friday ad here.

An insane deal, the Sharp 42-Inch LCD 1080p TV is only $200. Better get in line early for that one.
Capture precious moments with the Canon Power Shot ELPH 300HS Digital Camera for $150.
Alternatively, you can grab the Kodak PlayFull 1080p HD Camcorder for just $70.
Insane prices on DVDs - just $1 and up.
Or, grab Blu-rays starting at $5 and up.

GameStop

Stores will be opening at 12 a.m. on Black Friday.

Trade in your old DSi XL and get a 3DS bundle (that includes the system and a game) for $100.
The black Wii bundle, which includes Super Mario Bros. Wii and the official Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack, will be selling out at $150.
There's also a Xbox Kinect Bundle, which includes 250GB Xbox 360, Kinect, wireless controller, three-month Xbox Live membership, and two games for $300.

Kmart

If you're looking for a camcorder to capture family moments, snatch up the Sony Compact Camcorder with 60x Optical Zoom, which is on sale for $170.
Listen to your tunes on the cheap with Maxell Color Earbuds that are going for $2.50 a pair.
I love the Samsung PL120 DualView digital camera for self-portraits and videos, and on Black Friday, you can get one for yourself for just $99.
Looking for an affordable tablet that will let you surf the Internet on the fly? The Archos 8GB 101 Internet Tablet will be priced at just $219 on Black Friday.

Office Depot

The 17-inch HP g7 laptop is going for $350, but if you buy any HP laptop you can also get the HP Touchpad for $149.
The "tech bundle" from Office Depot offers a laptop sleeve, wireless mouse, and 500GB hard drive for $80.
8GB SanDisk SD cards are only $9 each.
All M-Edge Kindle accessories and cases are buy one get one free.
All tablets are on sale during the Black Friday sale. The BlackBerry Playbook is only $200, while the Lenovo IdeaPad is $300.
The Canon Power Shot A22 14.1MP digital camera is $90 and comes with a free 4GB SD card.

Sam's Club

Stores will be open starting at 5 a.m. on Black Friday and will include a complimentary egg sandwich breakfast for members!

It could be better, but for the price of this Samsung 51-Inch Class 720p 600Hz Plasma HDTV ($498), it's a nice upgrade for someone with a smaller screen.
If you don't already have one, the Sony PS3 160GB Bundle is going for $239.
Or, get a Nintendo Wii Limited Edition Blue Console for only $99.
Need a laptop? The HP Pavilion 17.3-Inch Notebook is $499.
And though model numbers haven't been released, select 4G Android Smartphones are going for just $1.

Target

Stores open at midnight on Black Friday.

Get your game on with the PS3 gaming bundle, that comes with a 160GB PS3 Slim, two games (including Little Big Planet 2 and a 30 day PlayStation Plus membership for $199.
The Acer 10.1-inch netbook is $72 off and priced at $157 on Black Friday.
Get a Westinghouse 47-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for $298. That's $250 off the regular price of $550!
Select video games start at $5 a piece and DVDs starting at just $2.
Other gaming bundles include the Kinect sensor bundle (Kinect, two games and two game downloads) for $99, and a 3DS bundle (red 3DS and a copy of Super Mario 3D Land) for $180.

Walmart

Walmart's Black Friday ad is available to view online. Electronics will be going on sale starting at 12 a.m. on Black Friday, while toys and other departments will be open for shopping at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Get your hands on an LG Blu-ray Player for movie-watching fun for just $49.
Or, if you're in need of some sweet sounds to go along with your flicks, the Philips WiFi Blu-ray Home Theatre is going for $178.
Upgrade your movie-watching experience with the Samsung 51-Inch Plasma TV, priced at $498.
Keep the fun coming with DVDs starting at just $2 and up.

Nintendo Releases New Wii Updates and Bundles

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:36:07 PDT

Looking to get a head start on holiday purchases for the gamer in your life? Nintendo just unveiled two new Wii bundles to get you thinking about a console for your shopping list. Available in stores Oct. 23, the black Wii holiday bundle ($150) includes a black Wii, a black Wii Remote Plus, a black Nunchuk controller, a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii game, and a special Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack CD. The updated Wii has been reconfigured to sit horizontally rather than vertically and - bummer! - no longer supports GameCube games.

The standard Wii bundle currently in stores ($150) will still be available for the holiday rush and includes a Wii console (white or black), matching Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers, Mario Kart game, and Wii Wheel accessory.

European Wii gamers get their own blue Wii bundle option to be excited for, which is in the theme of the Mario and Sonic 2012 London Olympics game. Included in this bundle available Nov. 18 are also the newly configured blue Wii console, blue Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers, and a copy of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. No word yet if the blue Wii will come to the US.