GeekSugar

6 Creep-tastic Video Games to Play on Halloween

GeekSugar — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:15:34 -0700

I have to admit - I sometimes like watching scary movies and playing creepy video games in the dark! It just adds to the already cringe-inducing nature of the games, and with today being Halloween, it's the perfect time to freak yourself out with one of these six scary video games. Round up a few of your friends and play on . . . if you dare!

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Daily Tech: Study Calls XBox 360 Least Reliable Console

GeekSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:05:28 -0700

A new study calls Microsoft's Xbox 360 the "least reliable of the current crop of set top systems" - PC World
Sprint has announced it will sell its first phone running Google Inc.'s Android software in October - Wall Street Journal
Microsoft wants you to host a Windows 7 party - PC Magazine
Amazon is trying to convince a federal judge to kill the $125 million settlement that would allow Google Books to make out-of-print works available online - Engadget
Robbers manage to clean out Apple store in 31 seconds - Boing Boing
How to turn the homework versus gaming battle into a win-win - Green Pixels

Mike and Maaike: Design Meets Tech

GeekSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:46:25 -0700

I was shocked to learn that the makers of the pixelated Stolen Jewels from a couple years ago, Mike and Maaike, were also the designers of the T-Mobile G1! After some investigation, I found that the SF-based design pair has designed even more geeky products - and you might be surprised what came from the modern "jewelers."

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Say Bling: Xbox 360 Mics Bedazzled in Swarovski Crystals

GeekSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:33:10 -0700

Considering I already feel like a superstar when I'm playing the Xbox 360 karaoke game Lips, a blinged out microphone could only be icing on the cake.

Oh and they are. The Crystallized Swarovski Lips Microphones are a pair of black and white crystal mics that will dazzle your fellow singers (after your voice does, natch). Of course, like most crazy fabulous things, they're limited edition and pretty pricey - $680.

Ridiculous, sure, but you have to remember - like Kelly Kapoor on a recent episode of The Office, you'll look like J. Lo.

Skate 2 Review: Frustrating, Then Totally Addictive

GeekSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:02:13 -0800

The first time I popped open my copy of Skate 2, I knew I was in for a different kind of skating game. Not only are you able to get a crash course in boarding trickery at the local skate park, but you can also roam free around the city of New San Vanelona - jumping curbs, popping ollies, accepting challenges and running from the police Burnout Paradise style. I later found that Skate 2 kept me entertained, but at times it would make me oh-so-frustrated.

Skate 2 starts with you getting released from prison. Your friend Al picks you up and immediately takes you to Slappy's skate park to reclaim your place at the top of the skateboarding food chain. If you played the first installment of Skate (I didn't), you'll find that your city has been taken over and "rebuilt" by a mega-corporation and all your old favorite skating spots have been deemed useless. Plus, the police take skateboarding seriously and if you're caught skating on public property, you might get pinched if you aren't quick.

There are many things I liked about Skate 2, and some things that had me cursing the skating gods. To see what I mean, read more.

In Skate 2's career mode, you are climbing your way back to being the best skater in San Vanelona and reclaiming the city for your comrades. Doing so involves taking on different challenges from other skaters, racking up high scoring tricks, and participating in magazine photo shoots. All of this is easy peasy if you get the moves down. And that's a big if.

So when I tell you that learning the tricks in the game can be frustrating, it's only because I was sloppy at my timing or my control combos. It's funny cause I've seen kids around my old neighborhood doing these exact tricks, so I feel like it should be easy, but it's not. Just like in real life, if you aren't popping your board at the right second, you fail. You either land (hard) on your rear, or you just simply jump off your deck. But once you get it, it's really, really fun. Plus, there's a cool feature in Skate 2 that allows you to mark the beginning of your trick so that if you fail (which will probably be often), you can go back to that spot and try, try again.

Exploring the city is awesome since almost anything you see is "skateable", and you can engage in different challenges along the way to increase your score. You are also super strong (must have been all those gym hours in the Big House) and can move almost any object with ease to make your own little skating heaven anywhere you find a spot. But watch out for the police - those dudes are everywhere. Overall, Skate 2 is entertaining, engaging, and addictive. Even at my most frustrated times, I just wanted to keep going so that I could learn just one more trick. Although I could do without the citizens of San Vanelona getting in my way when I'm trying to race (Hello? I'm trying to race here), but I suppose that is how it would be if I were a real life skating bad ass, which will probably never happen.

Skate 2 is available today on your XBox 360 and Playstation 3 consoles.

Source

The Most Mild-Mannered Xbox 360 Surprise Ever

GeekSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:00:26 -0800

Remember that kid on Christmas morning who totally freaked out when he got a Nintendo 64 (the one I parodied, ahem)? Yeah, this family is not exactly that excited about their Xbox surprise. Oh, they're excited, they just have a lot of control.

Multiple watchings are encouraged. Every time that kid asks where they're hiding the money tree, I lose it.

Get Your Game On: October Releases

GeekSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:00:31 -0700

Finally, October is here! Some of my most anticipated games are hitting the shelves this month, and I can hardly wait. One of the titles is even guaranteed to be on your porch on the date it hits the streets through Amazon's Release Date Delivery program. Excited much? Me too. Check out some of the October releases I recommend in this slideshow! Source

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Do You Have More Than One Video Game Console?

GeekSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:00:29 -0700

When I spotted Heidi and Spencer coming out of their Facebreaker release party with two Xbox 360s - ostensibly, one for each of them - I scoffed, "Do Heidi and Spencer really need two Xboxes?! Really?!" (You remember Facebreaker, the game where they knock each other out. Real healthy for the relationship).

Of course, I feel semi-hypocritical, since I actually have three consoles at home - albeit not the same ones (a Wii, PS3 and Xbox). And yes, I really do think I need all of them. The games aren't the same, and though they're all next-gen consoles, the game play is completely different (not to mention the Blu-ray player and other media capabilities of my PS3).

And, as undeniably geeky as I am, I don't think it's that geeky to have more than one gaming console, but rather common, actually. So tell me: Do you have more than one video game console in your place?

Pacific Coast News Online

Hot Games to Warm You Up This Fall and Winter

GeekSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:00:06 -0700

There are some games I get excited about, and then there are the games that I cannot live without. Remember how unbearable the lead up was to Super Mario Galaxy was? Yeah, it's like that over the next few months for me. I hope I can make it through! If you're a smart gamer, and you've been saving up for the end of the year game season, good news – I have some pretty sure bets on which ones you should be holding out for! Check out my upcoming game slideshow, and please try to keep your drooling to a minimum! Source

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E3 Roundup: All the Game News You Can Handle!

GeekSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:30:21 -0700

Although I wasn't able to make it to the Superbowl of gaming expos this year, I do have a few reliable sources who have been bringing the gaming noise all week. So rather than sprinkle in news here and there, I thought I'd bring it to you all at once! Whether you're into XBox, PS3, Wii, or your trusty handheld, there's something for everyone. Check out my slideshow and get your E3 gaming fix.

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