GeekSugar

Mini Ninjas DS vs Xbox 360 Smackdown: Which Is Better?

GeekSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:06:44 -0700

You already know about my addiction to Mini Ninjas, which I played on the Xbox 360 at this year's E3, but did you know that this game also came out on other platforms? I haven't tested out the Wii or PS3 editions, but I have been able to get my hands on both the Xbox 360 and DS versions to test and play.

As you may know, not all games are created equal on all platforms. Just take Tomb Raider Underworld for example - although the game is entertaining on both the DS and Wii consoles, when push came to shove, I much preferred the DS version of the game for its controls and fun factor. So where do these two versions of the same game stand? Find out when you read more.

Everything I love about the Xbox 360 version of Mini Ninjas - the painfully cute graphics, the music, and the easy and intuitive control system - is missing on the DS version. It's a given that the graphics on the DS will never match up to that of the Xbox, but honestly, this is a major part of what gives Mini Ninjas its charm. Even the music of the Xbox version (a nice and calming soundtrack) gets ramped up to a beat-driven tune in the DS version. I'm not sure why this particular change was made, but I'm not sure I like it.

Overall, the Xbox version of Mini Ninjas is superior in nearly every way (well you gotta give some credit to the DS here - at least you can take it with you on the road), but if I were investing and had a choice, I'd go for the Xbox version here.

Portable Chic: My Favorite DS Cases

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:50:29 -0700

Since Nintendo releases a new DS model every few years or so, I gotta keep mine covered and clean (so I can recycle or donate it later once I upgrade). But really, I just want to add a touch of style to my gaming to show off on the bus, plane, or wherever the need to play strikes. Check out a few of my favorite DS cases, including a few I just recently saw at the Tokyo Game Show in Japan!

View Slideshow ›

Daily Tech: The Nintendo DS Lite Is Now Only $89

GeekSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:20:23 -0700

The Metallic Rose, Cobalt/Black, and Crimson/Black DS Lite is on sale for $89 at Target - CrunchGear
The new $400 Logitech Harmony One remote comes with a charging dock and RF to IR control adapters - Gizmodo
Ice-T decides to take a hammer to his old aluminum G4 laptop - Switched
Now that Facebook has scooped up FriendFeed, Facebook is already showing off some feature enhancements and changes - TechCrunch
Apple has just brought back the matte-finish screen option on the 15-inch MacBook Pro - Wired
Predictive texting is making kids more prone to impulsive and thoughtless behavior - DailyMail

Taylor Swift Joins the Band . . . Band Hero, That Is

GeekSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:05:39 -0700

If you just can't get enough music games in your life (what, like Rock Band, Guitar Hero and all those DJ games weren't enough?), then make room for Band Hero. Activision's answer to all those other hero games ups the ante by including a motion captured country superstar, complete with three hit songs (along with a few other pop favorites) to rock out to. Taylor Swift makes a cameo in the latest band-centric game to hit the market, and she wasn't just emulated in Band Hero, she was duplicated. Taylor spent hours in a motion capture stage to get her performance just right so you can play along as if you were on stage next to her.

Check out the labor intensive process of capturing Taylor's movements for the game, and look for Band Hero to hit the shelves just in time for the holiday shopping rush this November.

A DS Stylus Fit For the My Favorite Gadgets Group

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:45:25 -0700

I'll admit it, I haven't shown that much love to the My Favorite Gadgets group lately, but trust me, it's not due to lack of options! Worthy of its own entry, I found this DS Stylus pack at E3, and couldn't get over how I haven't seen them anywhere before. I mean, a light up Lightsaber-shaped stylus? Come on, that's too easy!

Although I didn't grab a pack for myself while hitting up the merch booths, I did make a mental note for future birthdays, Christmases, and heck, even anniversaries. There's never really a bad time for Star Wars.

Do you have a favorite gadget you can't live without? Post it to our Favorite Gadgets Group! Find out how to get started when you read more.

First of all, join the My Favorite Gadgets Group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite gadget and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "My Favorite Gadgets" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "My Favorite Gadgets).
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I’m done" to submit content.

So join the My Favorite Gadgets group and share information about all your favorite gadgets and accessories! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

The Other Side of E3: Shopping!

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:25:03 -0700

Although my eyeballs were plastered to LCDs for the majority of E3, I managed to take some breaks and head on over to the merch booths. I picked myself up one of these DS Lite organizers, which caught my eye from their resemblance to the one that comes with the lime green DS bundle. Brought to you by Power A, who makes tons of portable gaming accessories, you can get your own case from Target (my fave), Best Buy, and even Kmart.

The tri-fold organizers not only hold your DS, but three game cartridges, and some extra styli just in case. Although I haven't seen these in my Target (trust me, I'd know), I did find them online for $15 bucks.

Must Haves For May

GeekSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:01:57 -0700

With Mother's Day right around the corner, you may be looking for some ways to spoil mommy dearest. Now I can't say these are the most inexpensive options, but they will make a gadget girl drool and are guaranteed to grab the attention of a geeky guy. Each item is brand spanking new, or will be released later this month, so you'll be fresh on the tech scene - just in time for Summer!

View Slideshow ›

Get Your Game On: February Releases

GeekSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 04:03:07 -0800

Traditionally, when I think of February, I think of love and chocolate. But this year I'm also thinking about snowy mountains, supernatural powers, space exploration, and kicking butt old-school style. Before you start calling me insane, find out why I associate those things with February - click through my slideshow of all the games hitting shelves this month!

View Slideshow ›

Daily Tech: Mimobot Is Having a Huge Cyber Monday Sale!

GeekSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:03:17 -0800

Head on over to mimoco.com today because everything is 36-60 percent off. And with orders over $75, you'll also get free shipping. - Gizmodo
Did you see The Simpsons last night? It was all about Apple, or "Mapple" as they dubbed it, with Springfield mall getting its very own Mapple store. The episode included six minutes of hilarious Apple mocking. - Switched
If you have an American Express card, you can pick up a T-Mobile G1 for only $125, as oppose to the regular $179 price tag. - Gadgetell
Amazon is going all out today for Cyber Monday. The Nintendo DS Lite Pink Ribbon Edition only costs $100. - i4U
It's giveaway time on geeksugar! Be sure to log in and enter our laptop giveaway for your chances to win a Windows Vista powered Sony VAIO CS laptop or a Windows Vista powered Acer Aspire Gemstone Blue Notebook. - geeksugar

Colorful DS Bundles Available on Black Friday

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:00:26 -0800

I know I don't need an excuse to buy a new Nintendo DS, but if you don't have one yet (side note: Why?), then Black Friday is the perfect time to dive in. Starting November 28, you can pick up a DS in one of two new colors: Mario Red and Ice Blue. This is great news since the majority of you like your gadgets with a little hue on them. But the best part isn't just the new shades. Just like we saw last year, these hot new handhelds are being bundled with two of my favorite games to get you started - Super Mario Bros, and Brain Age.

The bundles will set you back $150 bucks, but the price is totally right for a limited edition color. I'm getting up early to snatch one up as a Christmas gift, although I'm not sure yet who will be the lucky recipient. But really, who wouldn't love a new DS? And if they don't, then it's more DS action for me. Merry Christmas, indeed.