HEX1GON -- The Australian Video Game Collector

I finally have a tripod, more reviews very soon!

2012-03-04T23:37:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

I've finally got a tripod! I was meaning to last week, but I wasn't sure of the actual size of this and I didn't have a car to get to the store, which would involve me carrying the tripod on the bus really can't be fucked doing that. So just today I managed to have a car and headed down to the store and picked up this tripod. It's built out of plastic head to toe so not the best quality one, but it's sure heavy. -$25 fell out of my wallet for this and I can say it was money well spent it fits my camera perfectly and does the job.

So what does this mean basicly and why am I blogging this? Well this means I can do reviews of systems and what not shake free. It waited long enough so this is really exciting for me.
With my new camera being 720p, new videos will look more professional ^_^

Lollipop Chainsaw Censorship and Premium Edition

2012-03-02T22:28:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I'm REALLY excited for Lollipop Chainsaw, as far as I'm aware there are no *real* limited/special/collector's edition version of the game, sadly. It's a little early to say, but the amount of research I've done on the topic it appears Japan will only get the premium edition. Don't be alarmed though, *we're* not missing out on anything and by *we* I mean the US/UK. (I've stopped buying new games in Australia) the Japanese premium edition will only unlock the gore, sexuality and dual audio in the game, much like the US release but adds an additional outfit.

XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 will have their exclusive "premium" outfit. Below you'll find them. The bright pink "rider" suit is exclusive to XBOX 360 and the "cutie waitress" outfit is exclusive for the Playstation 3's premium.

If you want the extra outfit you'll have to cough up extra. There isn't much said about DLC for this game yet, however there's some feelings that these outfits will hit PSN Stores in the US. Making these outfits Japan exclusive is rather crazy, but since the Playstation 3 is region free there is nothing stopping you from owning this exclusive edition. For XBOX 360 users you're stuck with your region's default outfits sadly.

This is a form of censorship for the game, however it seems to only effect Japan's release. As Australian games don't have R18+ rating I wouldn't be surprised if this trend follows onto Australian release of Lollipop Chainsaw.

Playstation 2 Pick ups - Burnout 2 and Primal

2012-03-01T19:28:00.002+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today my second class got cancelled due to the inferior IT department not installing software we needed to learn, so I took this opportunity to check out the stores 10 minutes away.

As much as I dislike buying from these stores, sometimes I come across gems and that's what happened today. These are more personal gems (sounds so wrong) well Burnout 2 was. A non-platinum version of Burnout 2 is rather rare to come across. I bought the platinum version a long time ago, and as stupid as some EB staff are I got a non-platinum disc. This was when I was still in high school, which was many moons ago, anyhow I'm happy I found a black label copy today ^_^

My friends were with me today, and my friend said for me to get primal as it's a very good game he said, why not for $4 it seemed like a good buy.

I should also mention many stores now are clearing out Playstation 2 stuff, even lower than before! Most games are around the $1.50 - $5.00 mark! :<

Collecting Tips for Various Platforms -- Completeness

2012-02-29T16:46:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

Here is just a quick little guide on collecting, these tips will help you build your collection properly and help with the total value if you ever need to sell them in the future. Remember! You never know when you'll have money troubles if you're collecting for investment these tips are very important.

When buying retro games majority of them are loose meaning no box and manual or anything else they came with, just the game it's self. The NES, SNES and Nintendo 64 are known for this, many people I knew threw the boxes away and kept the manual of course not in the best conditions they got damaged.
Not only cart based systems suffered from this, believe it or not CD/DVD based game media also can be found loose. Some people buy those CD folders and store the games in there and throw the cases away.

Without getting to far into why games become incomplete, let's focus on how complete some platforms must be.
Believe it or not, if you buy limited edition version of games, sometimes they might come with a controller or postcards, a mug etc the wrapping those things came in also add to the value. I know that sounds stupid but it's the truth. So keep everything after opening your games, this means ties, bags etc!!

Now let's get into the completeness of the platforms. Of course I can't mention them ALL as I don't own all platforms nor complete games for that platform, so some online databases such as satakore.com will come in handy. Of course sometimes completeness varies from game to game, so make sure you do your research before buying!!

Nintendo 64 - Box, Inner Tray, Poster, Baggie, Cart, Safety Notice, Manual

Playstation - Original "Playstation" case (with Playstation written on the spine), Manual, CD.

Playstation 2 - Playstation 2 marked case (blue/black/white/red/silver with playstation logo), Manual, DVD

XBOX - Green case, Warranty Card, Manual, DVD, Seal Stickers

XBOX 360 - Light Green Case, Warranty Card, Manual, DVD, Seal Stickers

SEGA Saturn (JAPAN) - Jewel case, back inlay, spine card, registration card, manual, CD

SEGA Saturn (PAL) - Black long box case, Manual, CD

Nintendo Gameboy Color - Box, Safety Slip, Cart, Manual

Nintendo DS - Case, Manual, Safety Booklet, Cart

Nintendo 3DS - Case, Manual*, Cart, Quick Start Slip*, Club Nintendo Card*

Nintendo Wii - Case, Manual, DVD, Safety Slip, Club Nintendo Card*

* = Varies from game to game

A video about this and other collecting tips will be coming in the next few weeks on my YouTube channel, be sure to check it out. This should include all online databases, and what to look out for.

Happy gaming and collecting!!

Super Rare Neo Geo AES Games, between $500-$1500. You won't believe!

2012-02-25T21:43:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I've never ever heard of this game before nor have I seen a game this expensive. "Shin Gouketsuji Ichizoku Toukon Matrimelee" happens to be really rare, and sure is a mouthful to say, especially if you can't speak Japanese.

I know AES games are expensive now, and they were even expensive while they were in production.

After hearing about this game I started to look around on the cyber world to see exactly HOW expensive this can be. I've found a place selling this game for $500, but while looking for this game I found another one being sold for $1,500!! That's a lot of money!

And that game is "TWINKLE STAR SPRITES", I'm yet to find a more expensive NEO GEO AES game. Would any one spend this amount of money on a single game? Cause a boxed AES in A-1 condition doesn't go for more than $250...

Camera Test/Crazy Race Weekend: An!NE and I play Blur Multiplayer [videos]

2012-02-25T00:16:00.002+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today An!NE and I played Blur online, and wanted to test my new Panasonic Lumix TZ-10 camera, so we recorded some races with commentary. These videos were more of test than anything else, but some pretty insane stuff happened in the races. Enjoy!

HEX1GON and An!NE Play Blur Multiplayer - "Mine Lucky, Bitch!"

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

HEX1GON and An!NE Play an Insane Race in Blur Multiplayer

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Happy gaming!!

CAPCOM's "Marvel vs CAPCOM 3 Fan Page" shows popularity of the PSVita

2012-02-22T17:05:00.002+11:00

Hi gamers!

So the Playstation Vita gets released in the US and soon to be released in Australia tomorrow. With all this happening CAPCOM's MVC3 Fan Page on Facebook just shows the amount of Hype the PSVita has. Take a look for yourself.

So with the PSVita failing in Japan, and by the looks of it failing in the US I'm thinking Australia is soon to follow. I personally know NO ONE, that's NO ONE getting a PSVita any time soon, or even pre-ordered...

CAPCOM's "Marvel vs CAPCOM 3" Fan Page on Facebook

EB Games Rant - Club Nintendo Cards Follow Up [Video]

2012-02-19T23:49:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

As I've been up for pretty much 24hrs my brain is kinda mushy, but I must say I feel so more relaxed that I felt like making a video. I got this email a few weeks ago, but much like my previous entry I had computer problems which delayed the release of it. Well any how, here it is:

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

King of Fighters: Collector's Edition Arrived today!!

2012-02-17T22:01:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Another great auction won, with King of Fighters: Collector's Edition. I'm quite stunned I got this for $7.50! Best buy yet I reckon, I should mention it was a last minute bid too ROFL.

It comes complete with both discs, slip cover and art book I don't know if you can call it an art book but it shows some renders so I'd call it an artbook. ;) The condition is just amazing, I bought this from a collector the case and box doesn't have one scratch on it! This just has to be the best auction won for me so far! ^_^

PC Troubles encounters with bitcoin mining, Study, Figures and new Anime addiction!

2012-02-17T21:43:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Recently I've been so busy with studying and fixing my PC. Which came first? Well they both did, as soon as I started studying again my PC decided to catch a bitcoin miner, yeah a bitcoin miner that was embedded into my GPU causing it to lag out. How did I notice? Well from the lag, I'd usually get 230ish FPS in Counter-Strike: Source instead I was getting 50fps, so yes it was very noticeable. So exactly how did I get this bitcoin miner? Well I believe it was through an insecure torrent connection through the uTorrent client...

What I'd do to save power would be to let the torrent download over night and use auto shutdown feature. As I had to get up for study the next morning, I then woke up and found the PC off ( I had thoughts of it not turning off for some reason ).

So I just was a little worried I formatted and reinstalled Windows, the problem was gone. At this moment I didn't know what caused it, so I downloaded another full season of "Ikkitousen" over night with auto shutdown enabled... I bet you can see where this is going...

I woke up, turned on my PC and started Counter-Strike (at the back of mind, I thought this occurred again). Fuck me dead there was the dreaded 50FPS bitcoin mining son of a bitch draining my GPU's power. As it was in the morning and I had to leave to go to study I left it at that for the day.

I got back while not looking forward to seeing the Windows setup screen formatting my HDD. Windows finally installed after many races on Ridge Racer. Installed Steam again, installed Counter-Strike "cannot sync to steam cloud" *Great I thought*. So I thought this was a bugged install of Windows and formatted again, thankfully this second format was the final one. After this format Counter-Strike could sync to cloud, my GPU was running happy like a school girl and I can now play CS at full FPS and use a lag free Windows.

I promise this is last bit of text about the PC trouble. Either this was a payload or I was being hacked is completely over my head, so I mentioned this on the wonderful world of ASSEMbler forums and wanted to ask the awesome people there what they thought caused this. Without any doubt Bad_Ad84 mentioned bitcoin mining on my GPU, I take his word for it as it describes exactly the symptoms I was getting. The trojan was hidded I couldn't find any of it's melted exes, dlls or cmd any where. Possibly it was a rootkit but who knows, for all I care the problem is gone. I'll no longer torrent through Windows, it will all be done in another OS or a separate PC.

No no, really THIS is the last one; let this be a warning for all you torrenters out there. I'm a very knowledgeable PC user especially in Windows. I take every careful step through downloading content through torrents and this just happened to sneak through a connection. So I recommend NOT to use uTorrent right now as I believe there is a security breach in it somewhere. Oh and for fucks sake, don't download while leaving your PC unattended, especially over night.

FIGURES AND ANIME STARTS HERE

Now for some good news, finally! My Boa Hancock figure finally got shipped, even though I contacted the company about the lack of communication I got no reply, how ironic. On the topic of figures, my MAX-FACTORY Zero Suit Samus figure is secured so I will be getting one, now all I gotta do is wait till June ( i think ).

Right, so I've mentioned my PC troubles, study and figures what else? Oh yes I have a new anime addiction, I now understand why people get hooked on it. So what anime am I addicted to? Well it's "Ikkitousen" series, I won't go into detail about the series too much but basically it's a bunch of school girls fighting in championships around the world ( i think ), for what? I don't know yet.
There is quite a few series/seasons of this anime and I don't know the original order, it's based on the Manga which I plan on reading soon while on the bus or on break in class. I'm currently looking around libraries that have at least the first one, but no luck yet.
I happen to love old style Anime like Advanced VG, Sakura Wars but some more recent Anime I've like would be Rio Rainbow Gate, Shuffle, Azumanga. If you've noticed a pattern somewhere, well done I guess...

Apologies for the long, long post but really I haven't had a functioning Windows until now. A new game arrived today, with a nice story so I'll mention that in the next entry.

Happy collecting.

Some great 3DS titles to get you started!

2012-02-15T15:58:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

There has been some debates going around on various forums I'm on with people asking if there is actually any good 3DS games out there. Much portable systems have bad games/ports and this has happened ever since the Gameboy, so let's take a look at which games I recommend to a new 3DS owner. If you're thinking about getting a Nintendo 3DS this may help you decide.

straight off the bat I'd really recommend Dead or Alive: Dimensions, a really good solid fighting game with lots of street pass/spot pass features, nice online play and very appealing to look at. Plenty of unlockables like new characters, stages and costumes.
At around $25-$30 it's a good game to pick up as it's not too expensive and can be found quite easily.

Dead or Alive Dimensions review can be found here

Which brings us to our next game Mario Kart 7, another fantastic Mario Kart game. New features, fluent gameplay and some hidden retro gems inside. This was recently released late last year so it can still be quite expensive around $70 at local stores, keep an eye out online and on sales as this game is worth picking up. Plenty of unlockables, and great online play!

Mario Kart 7 review can be found here

Super Mario 3D Land is another great game to look for, much like Mario Kart 7 it's a new release and will most likely be expensive for a while, so keep an eye out online and local store sales.
Unlike Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land is a great game to play while you commute to and from school/work/uni or even going on a short trip as it's pick up and play style caters for these type of events.

Super Mario 3D Land review can be found here

Lastly Ridge Racer 3D, if you like previous Ridge Racer titles this would be a great game to pick up. Also very affordable at $20-$25 it's great to have. Unlike PSP Ridge Racer games the graphics are not as great and 3D effect is quite low..Apart from those aspects this game is a lot of fun and still looks very nice on the 3DS. Lots of cars, tracks and events to unlock, just like the other Ridge Racer games!

Well there you have, these are the only 3DS games I own so far and very shortly I'll be getting Resident Evil Revelations. I have played the demo of the game so I'd still say get if you can afford it, just like any other new release it's $70 here, of course you can check online for a much better price. Hopefully this will help kick start you on the 3DS!

EB Games and their "completeness" issues. Warning to all collectors!!!

2012-02-14T20:46:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

This is a long post, so if you can't be bothered reading on, I'll be making another rant video on this exact same topic later on in the week.

I have another issue I've currently been experiencing in a few stores. As you know, my friends and I go to various stores and buying uncommon games for Playstation 2, XBOX 360 and sometimes PSP.
Sometimes it does excite us to see an uncommon game in EB for around $4-$18, as it would for any collector.

We all know how much I've complained about bad condition cases, but that's the least of our worries. Once you've finally found a fair looking case(s) you take it to the counter for the staff member to look for the game behind the counter for 20 minutes. 15 minutes later we've walked out the store and finished our purchase, however only 3/4 games we wanted to buy we now own. They simply had bad organization in the draws that they have missed placed one of the games we were after, but that's only the icing on top of our cake here.

To finish things off, we got back to class and waited for our 15 minute breather, during that time I got my friend to open all the games he bought for me to take a look at (these are games I usually wouldn't buy). While opening the case I found it was very very flimsy like VERY flimsy, unlike the usual slight flexibility you find in the Playstation 2 flexcases these felt like poor poor knockoffs and that's because they were...
From the untrained eye these look very original, some Playstation 2 cases vary in colour but only very slightly and NOT very noticeable unless you compare them side by side.
A very easy way to notice these is by popping them open and to not find the Playstation symbol on the inside.

Knock off case

Colour comparison

This doesn't only apply to Playstation 2, there are incorrect cases for XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 sometimes, I know it just keeps getting better doesn't it?

What strikes me is, why some of these games have original cases and some have these replacement cases. Before you mention "that's how they're traded in" is a complete lie and you know it! They use these knockoff cases because the ones that are traded in are extremely poor condition or the game was traded in without it and it's simply more money in their till.

They seem to mix and match games thinking it just simply will not matter and yes fine for the average gamer it won't matter. Fine EB Games is a place that sells entertainment and not a collector's store but when since does carelessness take place over a presentable store and products?
It's like eating a filthy restaurant and saying it's only a place that sells meals.

You might be thinking; "Haven't thought of asking for a better case, or simply asking you don't want the game because it's incomplete?" In fact yes, I have and so has my friend. Last time we went to the store a game we wanted didn't have the booklet, so my friend said he won't be taking that game because there isn't a booklet. Without the staff member insisting on lowering the price or anything else rational, she hammered down replying that the game has on screen instructions as well... Are you fucking kidding me? What if he's a collector, What if it was a gift? What if he JUST WANTED THE FUCKING BOOKLET!!!?!?!? Don't think he only said no once, he said no a total of 10 times before she put the game down and started getting the other games he wanted to buy. Unbelievable...

On the final stretch there is just one more problem, JUST one more. If a game comes with two CD/DVDs, make sure you get both and both in the correct case and again this applies to collectors. My friend FINALLY found an reasonable priced copy of Final Fantasy-X, and guess what.. it's incomplete...

(Before you read any further on my collecting rants, please remember I nor or any other collector would like to hear your stupid comments about why it matters. You clearly just don't understand collecting to begin with, so this just isn't the blog for you to be reading...)

I know this a minor complaint but, take this as a warning guys. If you're collecting and you want stuff complete, help yourself and future collectors and not buy from EB for collection purposes unless you've pre-ordered. You get treated like an idiot. If you're a gamer who doesn't care about a missing booklet or incorrect case go right ahead it wouldn't bother you anyway. When it comes to reselling or trade in (another store) it maybe difficult! Keep it in mind.

All images taken by: An!NE

Finally got a HD Camera!! This means new content!!

2012-02-13T23:21:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I've managed to finally get a HD Camera, Panasonic Lumix TZ10.
All I have to do now, is buy a tripod from somewhere and viola! I can finally record steady videos in HD ^_^.
So you get a slight idea of what the camera looks like, here is a random image from Google ROFL.

I'll redo many, many of first videos like N64 collection, XBOX collection and so on.

You won't see these videos over night or even next week, I had to buy another charger for the camera as I got it without a charger I had to cut costs some where ><" Anyhow, my videos are not crash hot at the moment so I've got plenty of time to fine tune things.

As I've mentioned in one of my videos my original channel will be a gadget channel, so after I fool around with this camera for a bit I might review it for people who'd like to get into the review scene on a budget...

CLUB NINTENDO WIIMOTE STAND - Review

2012-02-13T15:17:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Here is what I have to say about Club Nintendo's WiiMote stand:

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Angel Graffiti S arrived today! ^_^

2012-02-13T14:26:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

This morning Angel Graffiti S arrived! I've been looking for this game for quite awhile now, the last time I was checking around eBay there was never any results even by searching the title in Japanese and just 2 weeks ago I thought I'd give it another try and search again.. what a turn around, there were pages of results. Many were incomplete as Japanese SEGA Saturn games came with a lot of stuff unlike the western releases.
I always aim for at least Manual, Spine card, Registration card and original case. Without the game being complete it's just not suitable for a collection I personally think.
So yes, the copy I managed to get from eBay was indeed complete with everything I mentioned above.

Exactly what is Angel Graffiti S? It's a typical anime love adventure game with walls of text and cute cut scenes.

It's surely a nice title to have in your collection if you haven't done so already, especially if you like anime as well. There are plenty of anime games for the SEGA Saturn, which makes the system a very fun system to collect for.

Flatout 3 Review is LIVE!

2012-02-12T21:26:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Here is a game I was hoping to reviewing, and now I wish I didn't

WATCH NOW ON YOUTUBE

Next XBOX has a HD Touch Screen controller... My thoughts.

2012-02-11T16:23:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I present another stupid rumour that's been spread around various gaming sites like IGN, Gametrailers, Gamespot and Eurogamer. Where any of this has come about is beyond all of us, just because Wii-U has a HD Tablet controller doesn't mean another company will soon follow, even if XBOX wanted to make a tablet controller there would be various amount of lawsuits...Don't you think?

We all know most of XBOX's market is the kinect more video game consoles are sold to families and so the parents would go for the most active console. So really the Next XBOX would surely have more kinect features than anything else I'm thinking.

The term "XBOX 720" has seemed to dive further down the list of titles for the next system. Now many are calling it the "NEXTBOX".

Well who knows, even though rumours this early on never match what the final is going to look like. There has been reports from Microsoft that the "NEXTBOX" won't be seen until 2013.

What's with all the rumours of this console that won't come out for another year!? Stupid game journalists, many of you have no clue what a CD-i is let alone the next XBOX. How come there isn't any rumours of the next Playstation yet?
They must be mind-mapping it still /sarcasm

Sources: Various stupid rumour articles on Gamespot, IGN and so on and so fourth.

Zero Suit Samus MAX-FACTORY Figure Pre-ordered!

2012-02-10T19:26:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers and collectors!

As a crazy Samus fan,
I'm excited to announce I pre-ordered the Zero Suit Samus figure by MAX-FACTORY. This figure appears very popular within the Metroid fan base and looks a hell of a lot better than "First 4 Figures" version. The MF version is a lot more detailed and bundled with a Metroid! From various details I could find on the internet the figure is around 24cm tall which is just a little smaller than my EVE figure by Daiki.

MAX-FACTORY version

I know it's kinda weird now that I've started buying figures, they seem to appeal to me now and look quite nice around a room. I also have a bootleg luckystar figure but my sister wasn't using it (still in box) so I took it ^_^

First 4 Figures version

Diskvision EVE

6000 fans reached! Thanks everyone!

2012-02-10T18:59:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Thought I'd quickly say that I have reached 6000 fans here. Thanks to you and everyone else who's been reading my blog ^_^.
Special thanks to everyone at ASSEMbler games and my buddy Haunted360!

10x Winning Streak on Blur, reached rank 50 and a ingame argument!

2012-02-08T21:44:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I've been pretty quiet on my blog as in, writing stories. This is due to the point that I've been playing Blur so much recently.

I stopped playing at rank 36, my memory is kinda foggy on that but sounds about correct. Anyway, as I started playing again I got addicted twice as much as before resulting me in rocketing up to rank 50 in just 2 days. Of course after rank 40 the last few levels are piss easy and the reason for that is mainly the cars you unlock through out 40 to 50 are useless/you can do with out them.

Last mod you unlock is silent running which indeed was a mod I wanted ever since the start of multiplayer, but I hardly use it as you come out of the cloak from the smallest hits. Was fun using it on a few races though.

What really made me rank up so quickly is how many times I came first in a row, amazingly I got a 10x winning streak which is really rare for me. Most other level 50 players rage quit. As many players do they fight for 7th-5th place all the time which only gives the top 3 distance, and with the bottom 3 always using bolts and shunts on each other rather than shocks for the leading pack. If only those players would think straight this winning streak would not of happened to me, it's a positive thing for me sure but it's just too easy when this happens.

Last time I was level 49 :'(

There are great amount of cocky players on Blur, always ramming and thrashing around on the track. Usually when players do this one of two things can happen for you.

1. You can avoid the 'riot' and drive straight past, giving you a great amount of distance from the rest of the pack.

2. Getting caught in the middle of the 'riot' causing you to be defensive and ram back. Slows you down a hell of a lot and can cause you to spin out. Also forced to being rescued and set back even further.

Exactly why am I bringing this up? Well I started to get really angry at one player, the amount of cockyness that was coming from his driving was just aggravating, so I thought I'd counter his cockyness and play cocky myself. At every race I'd counter his ramming, manoeuvres, and powerups shots.
At this point, my heart started to increase in BPM as what I did became very effective, he couldn't pass me, slow me down or get close to me at all.

I get a message from this player, calling me all sorts of female names. (bitch, hoe, whore. etc). When players say these things to me, I often wonder WHY they call me female names.. Like I just don't get it. :shrug:

I replied to one of his messages saying him to watch his mouth, as PSN and XBOX LIVE are very strict on foul language. He took the bait and I reported his sorry ass! While thrashing on the track and only aiming for him which only made him more angry I could see it in his driving. At this stage he couldn't message me (blocked) as he continually spammed my inbox cursing at me, so the only way for him to really reply was to be aggressive in the game which only made him screw up even more.

10 races later of him trying to counter my attacks he disconnected. BL!

Vigilante 8 Review is LIVE!

2012-02-07T17:21:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

The review is now LIVE! Enjoy!

WATCH NOW ON YOUTUBE

Vigilante 8 Review Uploaded, Public View Pending!

2012-02-07T00:09:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today I completed my Vigilante 8 review on the Nintendo 64, it's rather short but I'm pending permission to release it to the public. There is some video footage that was captured by someone else. This person is very busy, as he owns a business and is currently transferring his server, and all other stuff.
I'm doing the right thing here, by asking permission first of course if I don't get a reply stating yes OR no, I'll have to edit the video or release it anyway.

I would say this review is a lot smoother, short and sweet. There are quite a few things I didn't mention but that's because I'm leaving it for the sequel as that game has so much to talk about with much more features. I'll cover both anyway in the next review for comparison sake, and I don't mean between the different platforms as there isn't much difference other than the graphics.

Anyway, that's all for me today.. Rather late I know but I thought I'd share the status of my next review.

Collecting for January 2012

2012-02-06T00:43:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Here is a total collection I happen to get through out January.

WATCH NOW ON YOUTUBE

A quiet gaming evening ZZZZZZ and some updates!

2012-02-03T22:36:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I've been so tired today, putting off a few games to play mainly cause of my fatigue. No idea how it's just hit me, and it happened while playing Bayonetta. Possibly it's got to do with the relaxing soundtrack :P or getting my ass owned by Tekken 6 yesterday not really sure. What really sucks is, I planned to record some footage for my review today but I woke up and rushed out the door, by the time I got back from my haircut and had dinner I had no energy.. Where did it all go? -_-

Right now I'm into saving some money for recent releases, I've got in mind Resident Evil Revelations and Catherine. Also not really a game but Zero Suit Samus Other M figure by MAX-FACTORY pre-order. Such a sexy figure can't wait for the release, many places are stocking it so I have a big chance on getting it ^_^.
This doesn't mean I won't be getting any more games in, I have another two Angel Graffiti S and Silent Hill 4 and possibly some accessories. On the topic of current stuff I've bought I will be making a "January Collection" video soon, wow, January has already passed ><" so that should be uploaded sometime tomorrow.

MAX-FACTORY Samus Aran

Hopefully this entry made sense, I'm lacking in my chair and my eyes are half open why I'm lacking so much energy beyond me and is just not normal.
Happy gaming and collecting guys!

Rare Nintendo 64 Hudson-soft Controller aka JoyCard 64 - Review Video

2012-02-01T18:41:00.000+11:00

A very unique Nintendo 64 controller that was made by Hudson with first party parts, making it a 1st-3rd party controller! More information in the video.

WATCH NOW

TEKKEN 6 Limited Edition Unboxing Video XBOX 360

2012-02-01T17:37:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

This morning I received the Limited Edition of Tekken 6, check it out in the video below ^_^

WATCH NOW

Support Ciji Thornton (StarSlay3r) in Cross Assault!

2012-01-31T21:46:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

A pure gaming champion needs views in order to enter another event, by far Ciji stands out all her Guitar Hero videos are insane and worth a look. In this video she talks all about herself with a bit of history, so you should check her out at her audition video!

VIDEO LINK

GOOD LUCK CIJI!!!

PLAYSTATION | DESTRUCTION DERBY RAW REVIEW (Video)

2012-01-31T21:41:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today, I really wanted to another review as I enjoyed the DD64 one I did yesterday. I tried a lot harder in this and avoided more "mic popping", so it doesn't happen that much in this one. It was a lot more enjoyable to review RAW than it was to review DD64, not sure why but there was a lot more information to work with. Anyway, below you can find video link below.

WATCH NOW

HEX1GON Give away - Zelda Poster and a Game to be won!

2012-01-30T23:36:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I'm happy to announce that I've planned a my very first 'give away', all instructions can be found in the video.

VIDEO LINK

The first winner will receive a Zelda Poster exactly like the one in the video

The second winner will receive a copy of Midtown Madness 3

Any questions please ask in the comment section of the video. Most of all GOOD LUCK!

Destruction Derby 64 Review is LIVE!

2012-01-30T22:03:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

I'm proud to announce that my Destruction Derby 64 review is LIVE on YouTube! I planned this review for a very long time. I wrote the script last night and practised it all morning and afternoon and made the video. Lengthy process but I hope everyone understands it, and it's up to a good standard and most of all enjoy it!

Check it out ^_^

Upcoming reviews!! What I plan to do.

2012-01-29T17:26:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Last night while I couldn't sleep I kept thinking what game I should review next. As much as I love Arcade Racers I'm thinking of starting off with Destruction Derby 64, my first review was for 1ns2ne and well that's current generation so I want to try and review something current generation gamers may have missed or fans of the games will enjoy to hear about again.

My choice for Destruction Derby 64 was because it was the first game I reviewed, for an assessment in high school we had to review a movie, or book and I asked if I could do a game. The teacher allowed me to do so, and I happened to print of documents about the game and handed them out to classmates.. What a waste of ink that was..

As always I'll stick to Nintendo 64 Arcade Racers for now, and then branch off into other systems. There are actually quite a few games on Playstation 2 I'd love to review. That's only 1 other system and there are quite a few I want to get through, that's right you guessed it XBOX.

I've ran into a small problem however, I do have a capture card for RCA input but not S-Video or even HD.. Game footage won't be HD for now but since I'm reviewing games from Nintendo 64 it wouldn't really matter, but I thought I'd throw that out there..

I plan to somewhat script some and actually plan out these reviews, so they won't be like my Insane 2 review where it was a first impression video. I used the term "review" lightly for 1nsane 2, well it was a first impression video like I said. Don't worry my review for Destrutcion Derby 64 and other games won't be like that, as 1nsane 2 was only out for 1 day, I thought an first impression video would work well and too be honest it has. Just reached over 110 views for the 3 days it's been up on my channel.

I'll try and have my own style to the reviews after watching so many other people review games it's hard not to adapt to their style. Hopefully you understand what I mean by that ><

That's pretty much all for me, see you in my next review.
Happy gaming!

Finally the Owner of Rumble Roses XX - The Review

2012-01-28T18:12:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I happened to miss one package yesterday no idea how but I did. I ripped it open and and found it was Rumble Roses XX. Such a rare game, and pretty expensive for a second-hand one as well. The disc was covered and I mean covered in sticker glue, I got a bit of water and tried to scrub it off but no luck. I found that cooking oil removes it easily, a good 30 minutes later -_-..

Now for the review..

Rumble Roses XX enables you to modify your "Rose" from costumes, body features (I bet you know what I mean by that) and intros.. There is now a shop you can buy extra outfits depending on your character. I've chosen Candy Cane so it's a variety of school girl outfits, and there are also extra swimsuits.
On the topic of Swimsuits, I still yet to even find the "Mud Match"..Hmm.

I still think Rumble Roses is better than XX, for small factor of more simple game play. You have all these EXP points, stats, different weight and all that stuff. Although it "DOESN'T" make XX horrible, just more confusing for a veteran player but it is easy to adapt to once you start getting into it.

The visuals are pretty good, it's one of the early XBOX 360 games so some textures appear low res. It's shame this is the case the XBOX 360 has the memory to pull these details off yet Konami decided to cut some corners. Why would you do that?

Overall it's a pretty nice game, and very entertaining to play. Your favourite "Roses" are all there and just like Rumble Roses many of them are locked at the start. I can be Candy Cane so I'm happy ^_^

EB Games Rant - Club Nintendo Points out in the Open! [Video]

2012-01-27T18:54:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I made a quick rant video about how EB Games treat Club Nintendo Point Cards.. Take a look.

Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary 3DS has vanished from EB Games!

2012-01-27T17:30:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

Sadly the 4 EB Stores I've been to, have taken all Zelda 3DS Consoles off the shelf, resulting in Red,Blue,Black or Pink left. I think it's quite a coincidence that since the Nintendo 3DS Price drop has happened. They're now $194, the Limited edition has now vanished.. Don't forget EB was selling the that edition for $248 around Christmas time, that's $35 more than the standard editions. See here - I made a whole blog post about it.

Search results on EB Games website for "Zelda 3DS"

The Limited edition was seen on the EB Games web store earlier last week, customers were never notified it was a limited time offer. EB Games just don't seem to understand he word 'Limited', for example the White Playstation 3 Limited Edition is still being sold at their stores, so why has the Zelda 3DS vanished?

I personally feel that the limited edition didn't really have much shelf life, maybe in other countries but surely the Australian edition maybe quite rare in the future. Who knows what this means, we might see this back on the shelf if the 3DS ever has a price rise, but I highly doubt it.

eBay stores alike will now be taking advantage of the Limited Edition in Australia. As mentioned before I'm only aware of how Australian stores are, so it maybe still available in the US.

More Games, More Games, YEAH!!!!

2012-01-27T15:33:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today I went down to my Uni/TAFE to re-enrol for this year; after that was all done I later went to the mall across the road. Thought I'd try my luck and check out the JB Store there too, only to find one XBOX game there which happen to be 'Brute Force' it was like $7 and I didn't really want to spend that much, since I got XBOX games for $2 at the other store. To EB it was, as you know from my previous posts about Playstation 2 games becoming $4, also the PSP has the same price range and to be honest I don't collect PSP games however there are a few titles I'd like to have to complete a series like Ridge Racer and other games..
As I opened my front door I stepped on something on the step ROFL it was a package, so Sudeki arrived too. How I missed that when I went out this morning is beyond me.. ^_^

So there you have it, some games I managed to find today for $32 for the lot ^^

First game review on YouTube - Insane 2 PC

2012-01-26T01:45:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I know this isn't a retro game, but I thought I'd take a look at Insane 2 as I loved the original back in the late 90s. I talk about 1nsane and Insane 2 on their differences and how they chain together as a series. Enjoy!

Midweek Game Hunt Report! Each game was $2 :O

2012-01-25T20:46:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Last night I reported about a random game hunt which I usually do on weekends however the weather at the moment has been so god damn hot I took the opportunity to go out today (it was tolerable). As usual my friend An!NE tagged along, we went to a second hand store that was 20 minutes away nothing too special there I picked up a Logitech XBOX Controller ($3) (missing breakaway cable/Broken right trigger) and An!NE bough R-Type on Playstation 2 ($4) and Gran Turismo for Playstation ($3).

We jumped on the bus and travelled a further 15 minutes West and arrived at a local mall, as I've mention a few times already EB Games have been getting rid of Playstation 2 games and many of them are $4 each. An!NE again bought more games Super Bust-a-move, Half-Life and SSX all were $4. As we were leaving EB I mentioned I'm still empty handed and looks like I'll be going home that way, further up the mall there is another store JB they also have pre-owned games usually they're in big boxes and you have to flick the cases to see what they are it's such a pain in the ass, as I was looking through them I found was Fable looked a little harder on the price and it was $2, in fact every game you'll see below that was for XBOX was $2 so I bought every game they had in the box, of course ignoring all the sport titles.. yucky ^_^.
I do have one complaint how ever.. Why were most of the games covered in packing tape? Why were there so many pre-owned stickers inside and out? Why were some discs in the case and some were not.. Why what why!? ><"
I forgot to mention it took 20 minutes for the staff to find all the games.. ROFL.

Too much glare? The Playstation 3 game in the big box is Warhawk and the Playstation 2 game is R-Type. Sorry about the glare -_-

One of the staff has humour! ROFL

Another game hunt tomorrow!

2012-01-24T22:26:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers and readers alike!

I thought I'd share about a trip I plan to do tomorrow cause finally it's not over 30 degrees, as I've mentioned a few times in various entries that there are not really any retro gaming stores other than a chain of Gametraders stores, so I'll be searching Melbourne tomorrow for second hand stores that happen to have a few retro items, I'll try to get some video footage if I find interesting stores. I'll be revisiting a few stores I've already been to as it's been a few months within that time there has to be some "new" stuff there but that all depends..

There are quite a few second-hand stores in town, just not all of them take electronics so that's going to limit where I can go. -_- I hope something I've ordered arrives as well ^_^

BUNG DOCTOR V64 256MB Demonstration and Game Use Video

2012-01-23T19:19:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today I decided to make another video about the DOCTOR v64 in more depth, I got a few messages with people saying they wanted to see the back of the system and also how it runs. Well here is the video for you, hopefully it's answered all your questions. More videos about my collection during the week, stay tuned ^_^

Click HERE to view on YouTube

Resident Evil Revelations Release Dates AU and NA

2012-01-22T20:46:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Many gamers in Australia have to wait the longest for game to come out in our stores, how ever Resident Evil fans in Australia will be happy to hear it will be released here first on February 2nd followed by North America at the 7th.
I happen to play the demo of it yesterday and I really enjoyed it, the use of the 3D effect is pretty good in the game options you can increase the effect of the depth even more than the 3D Slider will allow. There is no way I could possibly play a whole chapter in strong 3D though..

I'd just thought I share that, I'm really looking forward to this game and just can't wait for it!

EXTREMELY Über Rare Nintendo 64 Controller Nintendo Power 100 Listed on eBay!

2012-01-22T02:54:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers and readers alike!

I have stunning news to share, as you know I'm collecting for XBOX as well as Nintendo 64 and while searching around eBay I stumbled upon this $350 controller without looking to far into the thumbnail it just looks like an ordinary gold controller, but if you look even more closely at it you'll notice a small emblem on the top centre of the controller displaying "Nintendo Power 100". Closer image here. What makes this controller so special is that it was only given to Nintendo Power subscribers who competed in a "luck of the draw" competitions and this was to celebrate their 100th issue.

The controller was posted out to the winners in a simple factory bag without a box.. Much like the Millennium and DK64 controller.

$350 is surely a collector's price, and if I had the money it would of been sold in a matter of seconds. Hopefully I have increased the awareness of this controller for a collector who has been looking for it. I believe the seller ships worldwide, so good luck!

For matters of privacy I will not post the link to the item on eBay, maybe on Twitter I will if I get asked by a collector... oh and of course, you can search on eBay yourself right? ;)

Game Hunting Weekend - The Report

2012-01-21T18:24:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today An!NE and I went into the city to find more games, we aim to do this every 2nd or 3rd week each month just to see what's new and hopefully find something interesting. We happened to find a HANIMEX pong console complete with the light gun and box, I didn't happen to buy it cause it was insanely over priced. They happen to look like this:

The Angry Video Game Nerd happen to review one of these, very compact for the time I must mention.
Anyhow, we went on looking and found a bin full of Playstation 2 games and guess what? Dead or Alive 2 was there, yeah AFTER I win a bid on eBay one just pops up.. My luck.
There were quite a few XBOX games a whole shelf full, and nothing really worth mention apart from the two consoles they had there. One was $70 and the other was $50, there was also a Playstation and Playstation 2.. fairly priced and around the usual price range for them $25 for the Playstation and Playstation 2 was $50.

When it came to accessories, the prices were great genuine controllers went from the $10 mark to the $20.

So what did I actually buy? Well I bought 1 game from EB on the way to the train station, King Of Fighters XII for XBOX 360
EB are currently clearing out last year's releases for around $13-$18 and the more recent games from last year are $27. If you're on the look out for Playstation 2 games, I suggest you jump in quite a few games were $3-$10. Most games however were either Platinum/No Cover, but some were complete.

That's it for me, I'll make another post soon. Thanks for reading ^^

New YouTube Channel is LIVE With 3 New Videos!

2012-01-20T21:49:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I'm happy to announce my brand new channel with 3 new videos, they're finally LIVE for everyone to see! Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed producing them. Any feedback is welcome I'm always wanting to improve them. Click here to view my channel

Enjoy! ^^

Updates on New YouTube Channel Videos

2012-01-20T18:24:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I've finally finished editing video number #2, one more to go and they will all be live! The continued support will always encourage me to make more videos. Only downside is, the videos are shaky and they bother me a bit once I buy a new camera I'll most likely redo these videos for now this will do. As for my game collections are pretty humble, until I move onto Hardware I'll have more to talk about.

Just to be clear, these videos will not be over exciting I've only started off and I'll eventually get the hang of things as I go on. Which is why the continued support is important. I have plans for true HD videos and I will be in front of the camera at some stage I just haven't got a tripod, well a decent camera as well.

Thanks for staying up to date with me, and all my plans hope you enjoy!

My New YouTube Channel has the green light! First video is rendering ^^

2012-01-19T22:14:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

Today I have fantastic news (once again), my first video was recorded today, edited together and finally rendering. In the first video I'm talking a bit about myself, the Nintendo 64 collection with small comments about each game and the future videos that will be uploaded. Hopefully this will get the ball rolling for the channel as I do have a lot more planned this week, also I'll be looking at getting a proper video camera for the videos as recording with the 3GS just isn't going to cut it, doesn't really look appealing it's only there temporarily don't worry.

Hopefully, you'll enjoy this series and the upcoming videos. I should mention that I've nearly gotten 5,000 views here? It's nearly 1,000 per month.. I'm still stunned at the amount of attention my blog is getting and I thank all of you! Of course the more views the more content. Stay tuned ^_-

Say Goodbye to Hudson..

2012-01-19T00:05:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

Sad sad news for all retro gaming fanatics, Konami has "dissolved" Hudson. The name will no longer be behind any of our games, much like Mario Party, Bomberman and many others. The cute bee will never be seen again on our screens, which gave many smiles to PC-Engine, Super Nintendo, Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and Gamecube gamers.

Konami bought majority of Hudson's shares in 2005 [link]

Konami have stated that they haven't had any plans to preserve any Hudson's franchises.

Goodbye Hudson, we will surely remember you and the bee will always be our hero.

Source: Eurogamer

HEX1GON is Also Protesting for SOPA

2012-01-18T18:10:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

If you haven't noticed already, my title has now got a "stop censorship" banner across for the Stop Online Piracy Act aka SOPA. I've taken the time to protest for SOPA right here, as it will affect my blog. This can or will affect all the sites we use everyday and will affect the end-user as well. For example if you post an image of anything copyrighted let it be a picture of Homer Simpson or a photo of a product it can be taken down. If you have a blog or website please add the "stop censorship" banner to your site! Let's stop SOPA.

For us in Australia, it won't take long for the Australian government to follow the American government. Our ISPs have already been removing Torrent sites from our service, and many other sites one by one behind our back. It's not only the American's that will suffer from this.

An insane half a million dollar NES game on eBay, has to be seen!

2012-01-18T03:11:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

This caught my eye on the forums, Stadium Events for the NES was listed on eBay for half a mill. I doubt even the most craziest collector will even think of buying this.. Yet who would have half a mill to spend on a NES game?! I can't write any longer about this, my head keeps falling in the palm of my hand.

Credits to BamBoo from ASSEMbler capture.

More game arrivals!

2012-01-16T16:17:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

This morning I found in the mailbox two packages which seemed to be the size of games. Ripped both packages open and found Dead or Alive 2 and Perfect Dark Zero: Limited Edition. These games are pretty common on eBay yes, but not in this condition. 90% of Dead or Alive 2 auctions were platinum and most Perfect Dark Zero: Limited Editions had parts missing, like the DVD, Slip cover or the Glyph, luckily I waited out and managed to find a complete version with A1 condition discs. Just what a collector wants ^^.

That's it for me, what ever happens I'll mention it here as usual, happy gaming!

eBay Auction Won, Nintendo 64 "Hudson Joycard 64" controller!

2012-01-15T23:12:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I've got pretty exciting news to share! I have won, yes won an eBay auction for a Joycard 64 controller by Hudson. Never heard of it? Well that's normal, many people just haven't.. Only released in Japan of course by Hudson which are a 3rd party company and it was actually licensed by Nintendo. With it being licensed by Nintendo it looks very close to the 1st party controller we're all familiar with, except the handles are much more steep and have a whole lot of dials thrown on the centre.

These do not come up on eBay very often, and one of these boxed are super rare and no idea how much they go for boxed. This brings me to my next point, exactly how much are they worth? The price finds it's self sandwiched between the original controller and the Hori Mini controllers, if you don't know what a Hori Mini controller looks like check it out here. Original controllers without being a special edition just everyday versions go for about $30 mark loose and $50+ boxed and the Hori Mini Pads go for around $60 mark loose and $100+ boxed. Hudson's Joycard 64 controller goes for $50 loose and without question $100+ boxed, recently I found a site that are selling them brand new in box for $102+Shipping...Wow. The Joycard 64 comes in one colour from what I can find on the Internet and I think it's the same black as the original controller.

What's so special about the Joycard 64? Well purely it was made for Bomberman Hero also made by Hudson, it also has rapid-fire switches on the front pane, Pressure sensitive joystick, customized grips on the fin handles and near the Z button.

Once the controller arrives I'll most likely do a video review of it as my first review on my new YouTube channel, apologies for lack of images as there are not many around other than stock photos and the box, the one I won on eBay is very similar to the image above.. More images when it arrives ^^

Check all you Nintendo 64 cartridge tabs if you haven't recently!

2012-01-15T01:04:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

10 minutes ago I opened my draw and wanted to check the condition of my Vigilante 8 cart, as I'm thinking of selling it and buying a boxed version however after see the cartridge was a bit warped I turned cart to the visible pin area to find the tabs underneath were starting to pop out on the right side [tweet], from what I can see without taking the cartridge apart is that the inner PCB is bending and causing the cart housing to pop open... Without the second tab in place there is no way to close the cartridge back up and remains open and unplayable (doesn't slide into my Nintendo 64). Until I buy a cartridge gamebit screwdriver I cannot see the full damage..

buckling pins and PCB/Broken tab

This game is an ex-rental as I bought it from EB Games many moons ago, and of course I avoid ex-rentals now. However from the time I bought it I had no problems until today. It's been sitting in my draw for years. What's causing this to happen? Is beyond me and how to prevent? I have no idea without pointing out the obvious.Which is why I've come to the conclusion that this can happen to other games as well.. Check your games over if you haven't recently!

So I've been boxing all my consoles up..

2012-01-14T19:49:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Formatting my PC was only the start to the new year clean, I've also been putting my consoles away in their boxes ready for the room transfer. The room I've currently got my stuff in is just getting too small for everything I've been getting in. After opening many of my boxes I've found most of the original baggies in there usually every day people those those out (I was an everyday person when I bought these), however some of them don't depending if I got them used or not.

A few consoles are really hard to box back up, Gamecube and the Dreamcast got me confused since they're such compact systems. So anyhow most systems that are used the least were boxed I still have my current generation systems out and the XBOX 360 and Playstation 2, however I'm thinking about boxing the Playstation 2 but at the same time there are a few games I like playing to pass the time like Rumble Roses and Dead or Alive 2..

The room transfer will be exciting as I've been thinking about the floor plan and exactly how everything will sort out. Thinking of completely white furniture with glossy finish, so the black 42" TV will look nice sitting on top of that. Also above the couch a canvas print of some sort of game character I haven't thought of who yet, and a low sitting couch. Maybe a mini-bar too :P

4,500 fans reached! Thank you!!! ^^

2012-01-12T20:00:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I have great news my blog has actually reached 4,500 hits! Too tell you all the truth I'm stunned, really didn't expect such a figure yet. I should surely get my new YouTube channel rolling, and hopefully create more of a viewer base than before.
My collection has also had a great start to 2012, and there a few games from my childhood I've been packing away that I'd love to do a review on. I know my writing skills are not the best and I doubt they'd ever be, but speaking from a collector's point of view may help my viewers understand better, without the need of extensive use of advanced vocabulary. Of course I want everyone to be able to understand my reviews even if my viewers default language isn't English.

I'd like to thank all my friends from ASSEMbler Games, and Haunted360 for the support through out my journey of blogging. I cannot forget to thank my buddy An!NE for going on those game hunting days, not as fun without you there pal! Also to all my readers, thanks for following and I hope my future stories will keep you entertained for as long as this blog lasts.

Recent XBOX Arrivals

2012-01-10T15:59:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Two XBOX games finally arrived into my collection, Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball and 007 Agent Under Fire. I'm 3 games away from completing the Dead or Alive collection, it will be complete sometime soon as I've been bidding on quite a few for the past few weeks. I managed to get both of these games under $10, so my collection will surely grow with the amount of games I've been finding under $10.
I also bought a XBOX USB Cable which is basicly a USB 1.1 adapter so I can use a keyboard and a USB memory stick to save games onto or back up my saves. Don't worry there are more stuff coming in so stay tuned ^^

Community 2012 Upcoming Game Release List

2012-01-09T00:41:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

2012 has some sweet kick ass games coming up, it's time to strap in and start saving the cash! Just to make gamers squirm even more, here is a reference list and which platforms they will be available on:

I'm really looking forward to Carmageddon, Lollipop Chainsaw, Tomb Raider, Soul Caliber V, SSX, Tekken Tag 2, Street Fighter vs Tekken, Dead or Alive 5, Counter-Strike: GO and Ridge Racer: Unbound.
Well thought I'd shoot a list out I found and hope to make some of you spend more money than planned. :P Don't worry it happens to me a lot.

Bidding Like a Madman | Updates

2012-01-07T19:39:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

Let me get the apology out the way, sorry I haven't been submitting as much content as I usually do. It's not the fact that I want to stop blogging in fact I want to blog even more.

I've been reorganizing a lot things and wondering what I'd be doing this year. I'm leaning towards taking a trip to America and doing some more game shopping over there, jumping into stores and markets (it's pretty big over there). If I don't happen to go for what ever reason I'd have to study or find a job and you know how hard both of those things are.

I happen to format my PC today, and install a 64-bit OS as I was running on a 32-bit OS and what a difference it makes! Took me a few hours to install and reinstall my must needed applications and what not, it's such a tiring process. Also trying to find 64-bit version of the programs you had.

Been up to a lot of bidding lately on eBay, a few games have popped up that don't usually show up as bids. I've been trying to get them for a single figure price including the postage as it happens from time to time. It looks like everyone else has the idea and keeps putting stupid automatic bids in, doesn't that bother you? Any how, a few current generation games are getting into the mix, and of course retro games. I always aim to buy retro, but bidding on those is nearly impossible sometimes, especially Nintendo 64 stuff.

On the topic of Nintendo 64, the EXTREME Green controllers I mentioned a few submissions ago are on their way! I might happen to see them next week or the following week.
There are quite a few Nintendo 64 games I'll be bidding on, and it's not like I haven't already. I've spent quite a bit of cash in the past week just on gaming stuff, so I might need to slow down next week.. Of course if it's possible :P

A look at different XBOX Development Kits

2012-01-05T19:34:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

XBOX has really been sticking to me recently, it's a very interesting system and some of it's versions are very cool to look at. It's (to me) always been the biggest system and takes a lot of abuse. There are systems that the general public haven't *ever* seen before, of course these would be the development and debug kits that are rented out to game developing companies.

This unit I'm about to show you is the DVT-4 unit, it's a prototype, Microsoft Asset development kit rolls right of your tongue. Gamers out there thought the public XBOX was big, just wait till you see this.

It's a little taller at the top mainly for the extra outputs/inputs at the back, possibly due to on the fly debugging, which you'll see below.
I'm always on the look out for one, and I've come across a few. They go for a ball park figure of $350-$400, so just a little more than a Playstation 3 to today's standards. One day, I'll get my hands on one it's a great piece of 128-bit history. Don't you think?

Next we have an Alpha Tower XBOX development system, which is basic looks like an ordinary PC. It's not at all and everything is highly custom. People in the past have tried to create one from scratch from "off-the-shelf" parts, of course without the custom BIOS and CPU it just wouldn't work. Yes, this one is also a beast!

Alpha II and XBOX Debug Kit box.

Images from ASSEMbler

1.1 XBOX Repaired. 1.6 XBOX nearly had another life.

2012-01-04T20:32:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today my friend An!NE and I planned to fix the XBOX today, that had the confused dashboard problem. After configuring the PC BIOS and unlocking the error 21 HDD we finally repaired the C partition. With the trusty XBOXHDM this problem was short lived. The process was interesting and took us a good 3 hours to complete, we didn't run into any problems during the process. Luckily the settings for UnleashX are saved into a different partition, so everything that was there before this error occurred was still there.

Luckily the floating point between the XBOX and PC didn't decide to jump out today, it's a step from the hotswapping art I happened to forget which could of killed the XBOX and the PC all together. What a close one.

I also have another XBOX that's running "Christmas Lights" this term comes from the colour of the front LED that flashes upon an error which happen to be Green and Red. It's got "ERROR 06" which means the BIOS cannot lock and unlock the HDD upon booting. We managed to get the drive locked again by using XBOXHDM. With an old blurry picture we managed to get the HDD Key however.. since it's now paired to the PC motherboard it's impossible to pair it with the XBOX retail BIOS. The only way to fix this error is with a Modchip, and luckily this is the XBOX I'm planning to hardmod (Modchip). Reason for this is that the Modchips have their own BIOS and which ignores the state of the HDD whether it's locked or unlocked thus letting users put any large capacity HDD and running games from that.

Interesting day and couldn't of worked out better without An!NE. Thanks pal!

Local game store chains, take note!

2012-01-03T01:13:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

As usual I go to local stores to find some current generation games here and there, I don't always buy current generation games but when I do it's a sequel or some interesting title that's been talked about a lot. Most my friends are not retro fans or as into retro gaming as I am, so a bit of current generation hangs around me. Take note that this up coming rant is going to be a *rant*, because I've got a lot of built up anger that's making my blood boil about local game store chains, yes like EB Games, GAME, and Gametraders also other retailing multi-stores like JB Hi-Fi.

Let's start off with this quality guarantee a lot of them say in their ads, bags, posters, magazines and what not. What exactly do they mean by this? They sell recent products that every other store sells and it's on their shelf? Or maybe it's got to do with how good their products are that stand out from their competitors... Well I think the last one takes the cake, however I beg to differ.
Not once have I bought a new or pre-owned game that is actually in acceptable condition, and I'm talking about cosmetically. I've seen a few game cases in EB that are scratched, torn, missing the plastic over the case, ripped inserts and the list goes on. Never have I seen these put into a scratch/dent bin, they're still on the shelf at full price, tossers.

Exactly where is this quality!? Now let alone buying a pre-owned game from any of the stores I mentioned above, the staff just don't understand that a Classics/Platinum goes in their own cases, NOT into a black label case you morons. I'm sorry, but if you accept a trade in with the incorrect disc, don't lay the blame on the customer, just refund the customer and stop making a scene about it. Also I should mention that, these experiences are also from my friends and people I know online. I just don't understand how getting a complete game is a taboo thing, once you hand over your cash it turns into store credit for THEIR mistake.. Wankers!

Not ALL stores and this doesn't happen ALL the time, but the problem seems to be with the staff.. They're obviously just not trained to understand that their products they have in the store should be cared for in a mature manner. I can accept bad quality games from Multi-Merch stores like K-mart (walmart), Target and other stores, but EB, and GAME!? They don't hire juniors and yet their products look like they do! Yet, I get turned down for every interview for their stores, and so do the rest of us.

The first thing people say to me when I mention this, is that "Staff get paid minimum wage... blah blah". So does every other man and his dog but you don't see every store you go to looking horrible and getting treated like your from space. Like I said, this doesn't happen ALL the time but when it does it's just plain annoying and needs to be addressed.

It's an on going problem and most likely it's here to stay, but I just had to get it off my chest once and for all. I think it's time Indie stores get back into the gaming store scene, I miss Gamerush, E2 and other great stores when I was younger..

Wanted list now live!

2012-01-02T01:22:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Yep, I've had a list of stuff I wanted for a long time ever since the start of this year. Can you believe it's a year old already!? Well if you haven't noticed there is now a new tab above "Wanted List" if you clicky that a list will appear of everything I'm currently stabbing at trying to find. The list is actually not 100% finished, but I'm half asleep right now so I thought I'd at least get half done for now.

Anyhow, that's about it now and I hope you all had a great new years!

HAPPY NEW YEAR1GON!

2012-01-01T00:10:00.001+11:00

Happy new year everyone, may 2012 bring you many awesome games and experiences!

Amazing Tie Fighter Nintendo 64 Custom Console on eBay

2011-12-31T15:05:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Remember the Green/White Yoshi Nintendo 64 I posted a few weeks back? Well here is another custom Nintendo 64, this time it's been stuffed into a Hasbro 1995 Tie Fighter from Star Wars. The system overall looks amazing no doubt about it, very unique mod. The controller ports seem a bit hacked up with a sharp tool but other than that it's very very neat!

If you want this, expect to pay $600 for it. I'm not too sure where this price is coming from, but I believe it's the original toy shell you're paying for as a standard Nintendo 64 is $30-$40 stock. It does have a built expansion pak so that won't be a worry. When powered on the cockpit lights up red, I think it should really of been changed though, maybe blue?

No bids and 5d to go, wonder if it will sell?

Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions -- I have completed it! Video review in next few months!

2011-12-28T22:19:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I just finish Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions on the XBOX, this game always takes me back to the days of playing an XBOX Kiosk/Pod/Demo Unit in K-mart and Target in primary school so I'm kinda a veteran. Anyway, this game is extremely difficult and tedious as the controls are sluggish and so are the cars and oh don't get me started on the smart ass traffic.

Many people on forums would rage about how annoying this game is, and I surely agree. The "A" mission set is piss easy for any average gamer, I instantly though "well, this game is simple" not until I started getting into the 4th mission in set "B" it was just getting ridiculous, jumping from boardwalk to boardwalk.. only talking about will get me frustrated so I'll leave it to the video review later on. Other wise there would be no point watching it ;)

I just wanted to share that with you guys, because this game is incredibly hard and not liked by many people. So this would be a good game for me to review since I've finished it. About my video reviews..
At this stage I'm still currently trying to figure out how I'd go about this, first off I will be making a *new* channel and will most likely have some collection videos with it. I just hope this kicks off and starts well also wishing I can pull this off. I better start dreaming now..

Promises made, more XBOX and Nintendo 64 stuff ordered!

2011-12-27T23:45:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

After the Christmas rush and boxing day, it's back on eBay for the new collection goals. As I mentioned a few moons ago I will be collecting mainly for XBOX and Nintendo 64, I know this seems like a weird pair but by far these consoles interest me the most.

So while searching through eBay I've found some games, accessories, and actually a figure found it's way into my buy list, I just keep getting geekier by the month :P. Some of them are more uncommon than others but at the moment, that's not really what I'm going for. I'm aiming towards good games that will really make nice additions to my current collection.

First off is an EXTREME Green Nintendo 64 controller, this would have to be the rarest accessory I have picked up so far. It was only sold in Toys 'R' Us. I have ordered two of these controllers as the seller was kind enough to put them into the same package for no additional costs, which was a very large opportunity as Australian sellers are selling these controllers for $120 each, boxed or not, how outrageous.
The name EXTREME Green really means extreme.. Well just look at it!

I'm quite the Dead or Alive fan, and so I'm missing Xtreme Volleyball, ordered that one too. Actually it's the best (by the photo) condition XBOX game I've ordered.
I'll be ordering more games soon, at the moment I've got orders going to all different places and I'm slowly getting confused but I'll be getting Bloodrayne 2 shortly.

Lastly the figure, I haven't actually ordered as of yet (Payment currently under transfer) but it's a promise I've told myself to keep. Morrigan from Darkstalkers is one of my favourite characters of all time very close to Samus and Kasumi. Sideshow is a pop culture figure designer for many game and anime characters, to me they seem to be very very high quality since some figures go for an amazing $500 on internet auction sites. Sideshow manage to make limited number of Morrigan figures, these figures are starting to get quite rare as I used to see quite a few of them on eBay.
I've been meaning to buy one of these figures for over 5 months now, I've just never had the money to do so after buying the Playstation 3.. oh god how that made me broke.

Anyhow I managed to find a place that has the Morrigan figure for $199 and now I have the money for it, yay! ^_^

Thought I'd give a little update, as nothing actually happened today that was that exciting. Didn't get to sleep until 6am from being in pain :< so I slept pretty much all day.. Quite excited about the next few weeks for deliveries ^^

Craziness of Boxing Day "Sales" -- XBOX and Playstation 2 Additions

2011-12-26T19:01:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

The weird thing I'd thought I'd never ever do is go along to a boxing day sale, but actually I bit the bullet today and rushed in. Took me and my friend 20 minutes to get to the other side of the mall to get into Gametraders and only to find people stuck in the store trying to move around, thankfully the XBOX and Playstation 2 games were at the front. My friend An!NE is currently collecting Playstation and Playstation 2 games and there were quite a few decent titles there, but of course with the price tag, luckily there was a boxing day sale for XBOX and Playstation 2 with games under $30. 5 for $50, there were only a few XBOX games that I wanted and so I picked up Project Gotham Racing, and MechAssault. Reason for MechAssault is that it's one of the exploitable titles for the "Mech Installer", so this game has quite a bit of history behind it and for $10 it's really good.

One of the games AniNE picked up was Kindom Hearts, with the current 5 for $50 this game qualified for the deal so we put that into the pile. As we finally found a place to sit down and get some food we opened all our games to check the condition and what not, he popped open Kindom Hearts to find a silver shiny disc...yes it was a platinum disc in a black label case thanks for the kick in the balls Game Traders!
After lunch we went back to exchange the game with Capcom Fighting Jam worked out the same price and after all this game isn't very common.

Sadly there wasn't that many games discounted at all, everything was mostly the same price as it was all year as everyone says there are discounts every where I rarely saw any that were really worth the hassle of finding a parking spot and pushing through waves of people with body heated stores with no air conditioning.

Yes, even HEX1GON has a Christmas Special!

2011-12-25T23:03:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

Merry Christmas, happy holidays it's the 25th of December hope everyone had a great lunch and dinner with their family and friends.

12AM today I got a gift from my sister which I didn't actually expect it was very much a surprise for me, I unwrapped the gift and found a Super Mario Collector's Edition Chess Set! Very beautiful gift, has many of the great characters from the Mushroom Kingdom in a sexy collector's tin. Most Nintendo collectables are expensive and sometimes not even license products. I'm happy to report that this is indeed a license Nintendo Chess Set! :) Thanks sis!

Merry Christmas! Go play Christmas Nights!!!

2011-12-24T18:50:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Just wanting to say hope tonight is the night everyone gets what they want for Christmas, and get to see their family and friends to celebrate this once a year event tomorrow. If you don't celebrate Christmas then Happy Holidays :)

We have an exciting year next year, Nintendo's Wii U will be out around March* the two handhelds Nintendo 3DS and SONY PSVita will be head to head, I can see amazing games coming out for both systems. Super Smash Bros 3DS is announced and may come out next year. Any how I won't hype it up for myself or you guys but anyway, Happy Holidays and have a great time.

Tonight I'll be playing Christmas Nights just to stay in the Christmas mood.
Also I'll mention a special Merry Christmas to all my friends that have given me gaming stuff to put towards my collection through out the year together with all the support for the drama that happened! Thank you so much guys, Merry Christmas to you all!

Super Mario Land 3D -- Review

2011-12-22T20:25:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today I took a trip down to the mall, and actually I regret it was really busy which delay everything I wanted to do anyhow.. I bought Super Mario Land 3D, one of the games I've been waiting to get since it ever came out which actually wasn't too long ago.

My first impressions of the game were again very positive, Nintendo haven't change one bit with bright colours, cheerful music and fun objects to help Mario get to the end and we couldn't forget those coins! This is apparently meaning to be the original Super Mario Bros. just updated with some 3D elements, it's mixed in quite well. There are stages were you're jumping down from cloud-to-cloud with having the 3D slider all the way up, you get a good feel of height.. well depth this actually made me think "wow!".

Controls are very easy, and spot on just like every other Super Mario game out there. Like I said Nintendo haven't torn Super Mario apart and glued it together again.

One thing that will get Super Mario veterans beginning to smile will be the familiar music playing in some of the levels, I've heard a few from Super Mario Bros 3 and 2. Exactly what I love to hear in a sequel to a game, is classic stuff like that.

There is not much to say negatively with this game, as all 3D Super Mario games you sometimes get confuse exactly where you can walk without falling. At the start of one of the early stages I walked to the left and feel straight to my death, as I saw a fence on that side thinking the platform was just a little lower.. It was nothing more than a beginner's trap, but it's one way to get players on their toes. It wouldn't amaze me to think Nintendo chucked a lot of those traps in through out the game, but out of all the 3D Super Mario games we've played this isn't the first time it's happened.

Just like Mario Kart 7 this only comes with a quick start guide and no manual, the manual is electronic.. Yet Dead or Alive: Dimensions that I got a few days ago has one, It's very weird for Nintendo to cheap on manuals and yes this still bothers me.

Super Mario Land 3D gets another 10/10 Koopa shells.

Dead or Alive: Dimensions Arrived, Thoughts and Review

2011-12-21T17:30:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

This afternoon Dead or Alive: Dimensions arrived, quickly I might add, got here in 1 day. Anyhow my first impressions on the game were quite positive, firstly I loved the little Kasumi on the 3DSOS and how the title screen uses the Gyro Sensor to look around the levels. However there are few 'misses' so to speak within the game which I'll get to later.

When I got into the game I selected Arcade straight away as I usually enjoy that mode on all other DOA games, I was greeted with a character select screen as usual but with *a lot* of "?" spaces the usual characters you get on all other DOA games were missing, like Christie, Hitomi, Helena just to name a few. This is some what ok as it drags the game's play time out, but I wanted to play as Hitomi first ah well. After that it's pretty much a shortened versions of the 8 stages you usually play in DOA, except you only play 5 I think. As usual there are loads of useless items you can unlock like Character "figurines", and there are the more useful unlocks like costumes (that's what we play DOA for right? :P).

The usual Arcade mode isn't the "story" mode as we are use to, it's now called "Chronicle", without spoiling too much there are some hints of Dead or Alive and I'm guessing it goes through the series from square one. By completing the set chapters you unlock extra characters, costumes and those pointless figurines. Well the figurines serve a small point, you can take pictures using the Gyroscope sensor much like the AR Games camera feature to take images of your favourite characters.

Graphics in the game are on par with Dead or Alive 2 just with a lot less AA, in some stages of the game you'll notice some FPS drop (and no I'm not talking about the slow motion Counter-Strike hits..) when you defeat your opponent you notice a lot of low FPS stages I really don't know why I guess there is too much detail in one scene. I have noticed this game drains a lot of my battery as apposed to Mario Kart 7, I guess it has some thing in relation to the very long FMVs you watch through out Chronicle mode.

On the topic of FMVs they're really well done some of them a stop motion camera pans but the dialogue is fantastic and the voice acting is spot on, some scenes got me a little emotional I know that's weird me saying that but I really got stuck into the storyline and started feeling sorry for certain characters and wanting to defeat others.

In conclusion this is a great Fighter for the Nintendo 3DS, takes good use and full potential of the 3DS hardware, great controls, animations, storyline, graphics and sound. This is a must for any DOA fan that has played the previous games in the series, and if this is your first DOA game don't worry as there is a lot of background information displayed through out Chronicle mode.

An Out-of-The-Park figure of 10/10 for me.

Custom Nintendo 64 Reaches $225 on eBay

2011-12-20T23:44:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

After doing a bit of virtual wonder around eBay I found this listing a few days ago, after watching how it would go for I was surprised to see it reached $225! Pretty good for a repaint very simple process yes, but it was a good job well done.

The repaint is meaning to represent the colour scheme of Yoshi, our favourite Dinosaur! The only thing that's disappointing is that it doesn't come with it's own custom controller, it would of been a perfect pair but you get a Yoshi figure!

PSP Save Game Exploit running on PSVita! Will this be the one!?

2011-12-19T20:27:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Some interesting news today, the PSVita which was only released a few days ago has already been hacked. Of course this isn't a full hack or anything like that, except there is a opening there with a save game exploit. The exploit is a PSP Exploit displaying "Hello World" text on the screen, and yes this is a PSP type hack exploit but it's still running on the PSVita. With having said that, the PSVita has the ability to download PSP Titles from the PSN, since the exploit is running from a PSP game which is emulated by software it can easily be patched if released to the public.

It's too early to tell if this is a wide opening for future hacks, and this could be completely false and useless. As stated before this is a PSP Exploit not a PSVita exploit however it's running on the PSVita so this could open some portals here. Now all end users will have to play the waiting game for now.

Source: exophase

XBOX BIOS is one tough cookie!

2011-12-18T22:47:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

This time for some XBOX stuff, as this is one of my favourite consoles of all time mainly because it's the closest we ever got to a new Dreamcast (often referred as Dreamcast2) some designers from the Dreamcast team were hired by Microsoft to create a new system. Which is why the controller is so similar...well kinda the Duke controller (Model 1 controller) is quite different, however the button/trigger layout is very similar.
Anyway, I'm getting a little of topic I happen to do that quite a bit :<

Let's get into it shall we? Today I was messing around on the XBOX and ever since I installed UnleashX the original dash got corrupted in the process, it could not be found by UnleashX for some reason or another it was bothering me quite a bit. I like the option of dual booting the XBOX, just happen to like that part of the mod.
So I tried FTP the missing xboxdash.xbe over to the C:/ and no go. I tried reinstalling the dash through AID (yuck, but worth a try) and it didn't like that either, so the silly mistake I did was renaming the backup of my original dash xb0xdash.xbe to the original file name and Error 21!

This is not a big deal, error 21 is one of those recoverable errors that can mean a list of things.. It all relates to the deal of the dash failing to load like missing font, sounds, images anything. Being that my XBOX is Softmodded and no modifications were done to my system there is a little more work involved with repairing it. Not the first time this has happened though, my first XBOX's HDD unlocked and refused to lock with the Password from config-magic. How ever that's a different error and story all together, but that one might be dead for a while until I put a mod-chip in it. Anyhow, to repair my 21 error XBOX I'll just have to do the hot swap method all over again.

I've now done the hotswap twice and this will now be my third time performing it, so it will be easy as pie. Luckily enough, I could also revert it back to factory and reinstall Ndure (UnleashX). Everything will be back to *normal* :). I shouldn't of been messing around with the C:/ partition, but for some reason the missing original dash was bothering me..

Dead or Alive Dimensions Ordered + Future Blog News

2011-12-18T15:12:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Yesterday I jumped on eBay looking for Dead or Alive Dimensions, weird thing is this game pre-owned goes for about $50 in stores and I still believe that's too much for this game it's been out for a while now, it's not even a first party game.

I manage to find a brand-new copy of the game for $33, much better than a $50 pre-owned copy. :)
With all the Christmas rush, I doubt I'd see this before Christmas but hopefully I do I mean it's possible right?

Now onto news of my blog, not much will change here don't worry but on my YouTube channel it will. I have been thinking of starting a brand-new channel that has only strictly video game collecting, as my current channel has random stuff now and then. This will mean I'll be doing V-Logs of my setup and collection talking about what ever is on my mind with my collection. It won't have any fancy editing or anything of that nature just pure raw V-logging, it's how I've seen many people showing their collection and it seems to be quite popular with collectors a-like.

In order to do all this, I'll need to make announcements here and on my current YouTube channel to keep most of my subscribers. I will not be deleting my current channel so all the old videos will remain there as long as they can, weirdly enough most of my old videos have the most hits..

Anyway, that pretty much sums everything up for the new YouTube channel, expect to see it in a few months or maybe eariler. I was hoping to start it this week but at the moment I've caught the flu and I don't really feel comfortable being in front of the camera.

Playstation 2 Analogue controller (Dual Shock 2 with no shock!)

2011-12-17T17:10:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

This caught my eye after jumping around on the ASSEMbler forums by one of the members Lum. These controllers stated on the packaging that it didn't support the vibration feature, and were released near the silent lifespan of the Playstation 2.

It appears quite weird for SONY to even release a controller without the shock feature, it's one of craziest cost cut I've ever seen.

Apparently now these are really rare (*never sold in Australia, or maybe even Europe*) and only sold in the US. These are most likely collector's items now :)

Source: Lum | SRK

I have hit 3,000 fans! Thanks everyone!!

2011-12-16T20:08:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I have gotten another 1,000 hits here, I can't believe this! Thank you all for following my blog and I hope you're all enjoying the content. I'll continue to make entries and vlogs, that won't stop for a while. More interesting news to be coming up in the next few months with PSVita and Nintendo news! Stay tuned :)

Thanks ASSEMbler Games community and Haunted360 for the support, this wouldn't of been possible without you guys!

PSVita Box and Game images released by Play-Asia!

2011-12-16T17:26:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers,

Anyone who is a member of Play-Asia's Facebook page would have seen they've been releasing photos of the PSVita game cases, games and system box, I forgot the mention the system it's self.

Overall the box looks like shit, and game cases look ugly however the system it's self looks very sleek and sexy! I'm not complaining about that!

The game cards are a little smaller than a standard SD card we're all familiar with.

The game cases as I said earlier are pretty ugly in my opinion the eight generation handhelds have really failed on this part, 3DS is just as guilty.

Many people are excited about the PSVita and so am I, the price on the otherhand is making me jump away for now. The launch price in Australia is $348 for the WiFi and $448 for the 3G+WiFi I can see many telecommunication companies taking advantage of this when it hits the Australian market and possibly already happening in Japan.

Source: PlayAsia PSVita unboxing Album (Facebook)

Playstation 2 Slim acquired!

2011-12-16T15:10:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

I feel a little better today so I'll make a short post for you all. The day I went out I managed to get a Playstation 2 Slim, free of charge I'm dead serious. It's complete has the original controller and came with a memory card, most of all it came with the box! The system is in pretty rough shape it needs a really, really good clean dust is all in the controller ports, USB hub and also the disc drive weirdly enough the laser is spotless.

I'm still in the process of cleaning the system, I got to get some a cleaning materials first. I know the system will overheat with the amount of dust living in it. Ah well at least I have both Playstation 2 models now :)

Apologies I've fallen very ill :(

2011-12-14T22:30:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

*cough* I apologize for the many days I won't be able to post any collection/gaming news in the next few days, or maybe weeks. I've caught something nasty on my day into town, didn't manage to buy anything new today but I had some news to share. Regarding more 3DS news, you'll see it someday.
Why you ask I'm posting this instead of some gaming news, well I don't really have to draft anything or think about how I'll word it as it's my actual thoughts here.

Again I apologize to you and other readers that will be reading this, but don't worry I'll keep a list of news I manage to find and when I'm back on my feet I'll make some interesting posts. Promise.
See you around soon!

More Limited Edition Zelda 3DS price news!

2011-12-13T18:00:00.000+11:00

Hi gamers!

Yesterday when I bought Mario Kart 7, I double checked the price for the Limited Edition Zelda 3DS I got a few weeks ago. It appears that it's still at its incorrect price of $235 as opposed to it's limited edition price of $248 (quoted from the EB Games website). The EB Store I happen to go to is the ONLY one that has the Zelda 3DS for $235, well to my knowledge. The other EB Games store 20 minutes way has them for the normal price.. This just has to be a mistake!

Also as you can see it's the same price as the pink, black and blue (not picture) 3DS... If there are any other EB stores that have the Zelda 3DS for $235 I'll sure mention it.

Bought Mario Kart 7, review of game style and packaging.

2011-12-12T19:01:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today I had personal matters that got me out of the house, and on my way back I run down to the local mall and bought Mario Kart 7. The main reason why I bought a 3DS in the first place! I must say this game is amazing, extremely well done, for any veteran Mario Kart player will find out that many classic Mario Kart elements are in Mario Kart 7! For the time you've been reading my blog you know I'm a retro gamer, so this game is right down my alley.

There is two things that bother me about the 3DS games, well not the games themselves but the packaging. First off lets start with the case, very flimsy plastic with holes in it what's the deal with this? One of the most important thing for a video game is the instruction manual, that's right it doesn't include a physical manual it's all electronic now. I can understand this for a Nintendo eStore game, but for a physical copy? Come on Nintendo! This is something SONY would do.. then again I wouldn't be surprised if PS Vita games come like this..

Although my above statement doesn't really effect the game in any way it's just very disappointing that game companies are taking this road to cost cuts. Electronic manual, what is this? A PC game? This will continue to bother me quite a bit.. You must be thinking it's just paper stuck together with useless information that nobody reads, that's fine but as a collector I'm paying for the game and not getting important documentation with it.. Look I know I'm digging deeper and deeper into the topic, but when did relevant information become a taboo thing? Well that's just how I feel about it...

More 3DS news relating to the Zelda 3DS price mistake after the break!

Production Quality SEGA GameGear by a Japanese modder

2011-12-11T20:26:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers,

This is surely one the *the best* console mods ever done, it's a SEGA GameGear mod made to look like a Mastersystem. Right down to custom outputs to polystyrene box inserts (yes a custom box was made).
It really deserves a trophy, this could easily be sold in stores and it's even better than those re-released Atari and SEGA consoles.. the official ones I mean.

You can check out the process of this lengthy mod here.

Sources: Johnny | Process

Nintendo Wii U expected Price has been suggested!

2011-12-11T00:43:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

It's already time to start pre-ordering Nintendo's eighth generation console, the Wii U. EB Games has listed the console to be priced at originally AU$699, but has now changed it to AU$598. As they do mention it's TBC 2012, it's been rumoured that the Wii U will be in stores after March 2012.

This is somewhat expensive for a Nintendo console, but it will have the power for 1080p, this is a first for Nintendo. Nintendo's game designer Shigeru Miyamoto has said "lack of HD and limited network infrastructure for the Wii also contributed to the system being regarded in a separate class to its competitors' systems" So with that being said the Wii U will be able to shape into the market as it progresses so to speak. This might have something to do with the price, but who knows.

It's early to start considering a pre-order has EB has gotten the price wrong once, and it maybe wrong again. It's incredibly expensive for Nintendo as I said earlier, it does however have much *better* technology inside it but it's still a lot for the big N!

As a Nintendo fan, I will be getting the console on launch as I did with the Nintendo Wii. It did nonetheless go unplayed for a year. I don't think I've learn't my lesson so to speak.

Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Zelda 3DS Overview

2011-12-10T20:21:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers! I made a quick overview video of the Zelda 3DS on Youtube. Click the image to watch.

Enjoy!

Convert 3D movies from YouTube and playback on 3DS!

2011-12-09T16:05:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

Even more 3DS news today that got brought to my attention from a user on the ASSEMbler forums.
At spinal's blog there is an entry there that helps you convert your favourite YouTube 3D videos so that you can play them back on the 3DS. It takes a bit of tinkering around but the effect is worth it.

YouTube has many 3D videos now with left + right videos, take your pick and get converting! You can view the tutorial here.

Please note that you can only convert videos that go no longer than 10 minutes, this is a restriction on the video viewer in the Photo app on the 3DS, not the conversion process!

Source: fasman | spinal's blog

Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Accessory battery life and price revealed!

2011-12-08T21:29:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

The odd looking 2nd circle pad battery life has been revealed! posted on Eurogamer via Andriasang, he/she says the accessory has 480 hours of battery life by a single AAA battery.

Battery life for this accessory is far more longer than the 3DS Li-On battery it's self. Of course this accessory doesn't have to power a graphics, processor and 3D screen etc.

Not only does this accessory give you another Circle Pad, it also features replacement shoulder buttons L + R and two triggers (LT + RT)

Price is estimated at 1,500 JPY, which translates to a fair $18 AU.

The slider pad will be on sale in Japan alongside Monster Hunter Tri G and launches 27th of January in Europe with Resident Evil: Revelations.

Source: Eurogamer | Andriasang

Nintendo releases new 3DS Firmware 3.0.0-5 E/U!

2011-12-08T20:27:00.001+11:00

Hi Gamers!

A little more 3DS news today, I got the notification about the new system update 3.0.0-5E/U (depending what region you are). This updates adds a few more "new" features to your 3DS, the biggest part of this update is what many 3DS users are waiting for.

- You can now record your own movies in 3D, of course with the limit of the 3DS 0.3MP camera...

- StreetPass Mii Plaza also gets a polish with additions to StreetPass Quest with new panels for Puzzle Swap. The update also says there is more content (this isn't mentioned in the notification letter from Nintendo).

- Nintendo eShop is now able to download while system is in Sleep Mode (stand-by) and the ability to save Credit Card information.

- Friends list, you and your friends will now be able to join games directly by supported titles.

- System transfer, addition to complete a full system transfer between two 3DS systems.

As you can see from the list many updates are behind the scenes stuff not much stuff for the end user and mainly these are tweaks more than new content, but hey we can now record short clips, and have extra time in Mii Plaza with our friends. Talking about friends we can now join directly from our friends list. Over all very nice update in this firmware, hopefully Nintendo has more interesting updates in the future.

Act Quick! One of EB Games Mistakes -- Under priced 25th Anniversary Zelda Nintendo 3DS!!!

2011-12-07T20:37:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

I've been doing a bit more game shopping recently, and a few posts back if you recall I bought a Nintendo 3DS Zelda 25th Anniversary Limited Edition from EB Games. After looking at other EB stores I happen to find the system is $248, for mine I paid $235 the same price as the normal Red, Blue and Black ones we're all familiar with.

I wasn't aware that not every EB Games has them for $235, instead every where (including their site) has them for $248. It's not a big price difference I know, but for a limited edition this is very good news to Zelda fans out there. Don't let this slip away, call different EB Stores for them to tell you how much they got them for. You might get one for a spoofed price like I did.

New release posters acquired!

2011-12-06T20:11:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today I took a trip into town with a friend I haven't seen in while. She took me to a few game stores, and one of them had new releases and posters which were fairly priced. Anyway, while looking around I was trying to find 3DS titles, unfortunately they didn't seem to stock any Nintendo titles other than Zelda (that I could find). Which then made me look around for the second time...

As I turned around I spotted a table full of posters as I looked through them I found a Mario Kart 7 and 5 Zelda Skyward Sword posters. I just had to get them, "stores" on eBay are charging $10 for each poster and of course the $4-5 postage.. They sold the posters there for $4 each which is really good considering that many stores throw their posters away or never give them away (which is really weird)...

I'll surely take a trip back with a postal tube, as carrying those posters on the tram/trolley was a real hassle.

A list of consoles I might be getting after Xmas + Ideas for new gaming room

2011-12-05T21:25:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

It's the last month of the year and sure the most busiest one, everyone rushing around for gifts for others and all that bullshit. After xmas it will all go back to real-time and everyone will have their gifts. One of my gifts came early as I pushed for it, yes I know a little low of me but my parents were hounding me "what do you want?" type thing. So I said to them pretty much "I want something that's limited edition", so they let me get it early and also well they didn't know what a 3DS was "Don't you already have a Nintendo DS?"..

Anyway, how about I get to it.. Usually from as gifts from others I get money, which is rather nice (don't have a job yet :<). A few systems I planned previously to get I haven't been able to and the problem was the money, at new year that's not really a problem for me. With the connections I have around the globe I can usually source consoles quite easily.

I've been looking for the following systems:

Neo-Geo AES

PC-Engine | PC-Engine DUO-RX

Intellivsion

Many of those are quite rare, with many known problems. I've asked around for their problems and fixes they don't seem that difficult. Anyhow, I want to focus on software more than hardware at the moment I have many systems in my collection that only have 1, 2, 3 or no games at all, then I'll have systems that have 20 and over so I'd like to enhance my library of games.. I need more space first.

Many of my systems are in storage at the moment, as I don't have a TV for my older systems and I'm waiting on moving into a larger room for gaming as my bedroom is a bit small for it...

I've also got many ideas for the layout of my new gaming space, going to make it as geeky as possible :P

Zelda 3DS Limited Edition overprice on eBay. Has to be seen to be believed!

2011-12-04T20:11:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

You want one? Want one badly? Go out and go to the store that only has it EB. This seller on eBay has a lot of balls to sell these at $370! You could import one for that price that includes Zelda Ocarina of Time!
Don't fall into traps like this on eBay, it's not like this edition is sold out everywhere. There are plenty in stock at the moment at EB stores around Australia. The bad thing is, this seller has sold 2 already. He should made a lot of money from that, by ripping off gamers.

See for yourself:

Click to believe!

Super Smash Bros 3DS announced, Best Buy are now taking pre-orders with no launch date announced

2011-12-04T14:48:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

Chain of Best Buy stores are taking pre-orders of the new Super Smash Bros 3DS. This is quite amazing actually, not 1 concept has even been created yet. It might not come out for years.
No stores in Australia are taking pre-orders for the game, let alone any other country that I know of. So why Best Buy? How can they do this without any street date? Looks like somebody made a mistake here.

PS Vita and it's Memory problem! Expect to pay a lot more! + cost comparisons!!

2011-12-04T01:43:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

It's PS Vita time again and after doing a bit of research about the PSVita, I was quickly disappointed when I saw that the system has no on board memory.. AT ALL. This would mean SONY/Playstation fans who are going crazy about the PSVita would have to pay an additional $120 for the expandable memory.
The card it's self is called the "PSVita Card" "can tell they asked the brains trust on that name". They come in variety of sizes and are flashed based, on launch they will be available with sizes 2GB and 4GB.

I'm convinced the PSVita will be released in Australia at $300 - $350 + Memory (which isn't inbuilt, and WILL be needed for patches, and other updates). If the price I found out is true for the memory, it comes to a total of $470 for the 3G+WiFi and $420 for WiFi only. The figure for the memory is an outright ball park figure, don't let this scare you too much.. but much like the PSP's Memory Stick Pro Duo, those bitches were expensive back in the day for 4GB, I think I paid $100 or $120 for that card too. So it's a pretty big possibility.

Now let's take a piss in the lake and think about the current portable gaming market, with the most affordable alternatives. We have the iOS (well let's call that mobile, including the green robot himself) Nintendo DS and 3DS.

Let's first take the iPhone, many games on that platform are around the $3 - $7 mark and most of them are pick and play. No need to buy memory, no need for any other accessories it's all there. Since there are many different plans for the iPhone I can't really give a ballpark figure.

Nintendo 3DS - System it's self is retailing for around $235 - $250, it comes with a 2GB SD Card. Games each are around $40 - $70. Total $305

PS Vita - System it's self in Australia is going to sell for around $300 - $350, Memory will/might cost $120+ (again it's ball park figure, but it's happened before), games each will most likely cost $100 (knowing SONY) so in total at launch the HANDHELD system is going to really hurt your pocket. In total it's $570. Now that's a lotta money if you ask me.

I know, I know the other two have been around for a little longer, and the 3DS is guilty as it was very expensive when it came out with very few interesting launch titles. It has picked up though, it's a lot more affordable for one, secondly the games are very affordable on release they go for around $60.. Did I mention it comes with Memory of some sort?

This whole idea of no included memory for the PS Vita has really disappointed me, sure the PSP was the same but it came with a 32MB card which you could at least save your games on! Who knows, maybe your saves upload to your PSN account or something, but that might be already too much to give for gamers who pay for the system, games and possibly shipping...

FOLLOW UP: After a bit more research I found out that some games do NOT require a memory card, however, many games do. Mainly the good ones you would want to get on launch. Unless you want to play Michel Jackson's Experience.

EA has bought out PopCap Games

2011-12-03T01:39:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers,

EA always have to stick their nose into other companies or just want to slap their logo on other's work. Anyway, they've seemed to have bought out PopCap. Now their terms of use is now all over PopCap's games, and user accounts.

I'll admit this doesn't really make me pull my hair out, but EA just need to stop buying companies out and changing games so much they're nothing like their counterparts! (Burnout series for example). Whether or not this is bad or good thing, we knew this was going to happen at some stage.

Source: pool7

Limited Edition Zelda 3DS - Christmas came early for me!

2011-12-02T20:49:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today I made my way down to EB games to pick up a Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Zelda 3DS. It's absolutely glorious! To put it short.
It's more than just a decal on the front like previous Zelda editions, it also has gold markings on the buttons, gold 3D slider, dark gold back and bright gold input area. It's overall very glossy with a nice faint gradient top.

The Australian release of this limited edition does not come with a copy of Zelda: Ocarina of Time unlike it's American counter-part. However, the system it's self cosmeticly is the identical. Packaging is a little different to the American release, you'll find it's a little thicker cause it comes with a copy of Ocarina of Time.

All the stock boxes you find on display are not the boxes for the system in Australia, the street box is a normal solid black box with White text on the spine mentioning it's the limited edition 3DS. It does come with a slip cover that has all the usual art you see around the internet.

Overall it's a VERY nice limited edition, and why not get it if you plan to get a 3DS soon? It was the same price as the standard Red, Blue or Black one you've seen before. I'm not sure how well these limited editions will sell for, and as many Zelda games and systems become collectables it's a pretty good investment.

Many images of the item are below, sorry for the 3GS quality images though.

Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 pick up. Tecmo physics in 1080i.

2011-12-01T16:45:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

I'll have to admit I'm a Dead or Alive fanboy, it's a very gimmicky game and strongly aimed towards the male market. I remember seeing Dead or Alive: Beach Volleyball on the XBOX many moons ago, there were figures, calendars and other accessories released along with the game. Nearly every gaming magazine had one of the DOA girls on the cover (it was an excuse to put a girl wrapped in a swimsuit to sell the mag). I think I was only 8 or 11 at the time and was always *interested* in the game, I just liked the girls.. There I said it :P

A few of my friends dislike Dead or Alive's fighting engine, I have to disagree with them it's a very solid, fast paced fighter with awesome visuals (no, I'm not using the term for the girls) the game is very appealing. Even back on the Playstation 2 for Dead or Alive 2.

Anyway, I'm getting a little carried away with the Dead or Alive series and I should just say I finally bought Dead or Alive Xtreme 2.. Really didn't feel comfortable holding this game in my hand waiting in line to buy it.. *_*.
As much as I don't *really* like buying games from EB as they're kinda careless when it comes to their games (broken cases, scratched cases, bend manuals etc) their sales are sometimes worth it. Oh and DOA:X2 is in pretty good condition, only did I find that the case was a bit cracked.. Not that big-o deal, still gotta test it.

Playstation 3 Firmware 4.00 enables PSVita connectivity

2011-11-30T17:44:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

A new firmware was released for the Playstation 3 on Nov 29th 2011 to enable connectivity to the PSVita, which will enable you to back up data from the PSVita to your Playstation 3's HDD. You'll also be able to copy your Videos, Music and Images to and from the Playstation 3 and vice versa. You can toggle individual settings like Game Patches, Trophy Data, System Updates and more.
Group messaging is also in FW4.00.

This is a pretty clear give away that the Playstation 3 will be around for 2012 (but it maybe it's last year) and will be paired with the PSVita for maybe game connections as well. Starting to look interesting gamers!

New XBOX rumours, two new systems by Microsoft

2011-11-29T20:43:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

Rumours have it that there are going to be two new XBOX consoles next generation (2012). With a causal package of a XBOX 360, which is a very basic XBOX 360 in set-top box form with kinect features.

The other model will be the very new next generation XBOX with 6-core processor and 2GB RAM. GPU is unknown at this stage. It will also be running a different version of Windows 8. This is aimed for the "hard-core" gamers type at a higher price range, with a, optical drive, HDD and backwards compatibly.

It's also rumoured that we will be getting confirmations about the next XBOX at the CES show in Vegas in January 2012.

Games for the XBOX 360 will continue to come out in 2012.

Sources/Credits: Eurogamer | Shadowlayer

Collecting for October & November

2011-11-28T21:59:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today I made a new video of my recent collecting for the last two months. This videos will get better I promise :<

Affordable Megadrive/Genesis Flashcart is on it's way! By Haunted360

2011-11-27T20:38:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

For any SEGA fan let alone a Megadrive fan will know how important it is to preserve their cartridges. There are ways of doing this but many of them require you to use the cartridge it's self.
There is the alternative of a flashcart, many many of these are on the market with various quality difference, some may have friendly UI and some might not. There are countless difference between them, and then comes the price.. This is what steers a lot of gamers away (including myself), as many of these cartridges are handmade they're also very difficult to make.

Haunted360.com has been developing a flashcart for a little while now it's still in early development however. It's in working state and does it promises, runs games. He aims for the flashcart to be affordable, and easy to use for all gamers, and with a clean simple UI. That's something to look forward to. I can't say too much yet as it's in early development stages, but looks very promising and sounds very interesting.

There is also some rolling footage (also known as a video) of it in action below.

You can follow it's progress here and also from Haunted360's twitter feed. Of course in the near future more progress will be made and reported here :)

Project Gotham Racing 4 car carry (Physics Glitch)

2011-11-26T23:50:00.001+11:00

Hi gamers!

Today while playing PGR 4 this happened. I just had to see this from more than one angle.

Apologise for the shaky camera work, but I am trying to use the controller as well :<