Grumpy Old Gamer
I just read on Major Nelson that today is the one year anniversary of the Xbox 360. As you know I have been bitching quite a bit lately about the two new consoles and many commenters have noted this.
I just went back in time to last year's posts and as you can see, I was just as bitchy about the 360. Of course, back then I didn't know about GamerCrack Score, which is a pretty big incentive for me to finish games. I know Bill and Todd pooh-pooh GamerScore, but if you had a GamerScore of 1200, you'd say it sucked too 
. Yes it's a pissing contest. I was going to say schlong size contest, but then Jonah would post something, and we don't want to go there.
Maybe November is just a grumpy month for me. Most not get enough action, I guess and I'm not talking about videogames. Heh.
In other news the 360 now has added the videomarketplace. Great idea, crappily executed. Why you ask? Well, I love the idea. My cable DVR is a turd. With only 10 hours of HD recording capacity, there's not a lot of time for stored shows -- also, it can be hit or miss with recording. (If only HD TiVo wasn't $800 + cable cards)... Anyway XBLVM is a great idea. If you miss a show, you can buy it and download it to your 360 and watch in in HD. Why does it suck? Well aside from the cost, there really aren't that many shows available. If you missed CSI you are in luck, but if your DVR didn't record The Unit, tough. When everything is available, I'll be excited. Edit: Shows available include Studio 60 and the Nine. Shows in HD are $2.99 (240 points), movies are $5.99.)
I also only have one 360 and that's on my office/work center, not on the main TV...so I gotta cart everything back and forth. Hmmm..if that Core 360 does go for $100 on Amazon tomorrow..maybe I'll get that .
Every time I think I'm going to go for the Wii, I hear about how it's not fun and just a tech demo. I don't know what to think.
In other news, I did rent Blitz from Gamefly for the 360. I gotta talk to the producer and see what's new, because I don't see much. The graphics aren't great -- it seems like you are watching the game through gasoline fumes the way it's all wavy....and the load times..ugh..I love the concept and the idea though, and I'm very early in the game. Love the 'virus' achievement. Great idea!
I played some TDU last night....what a very underrated, fun game that is. I can't wait for my Wireless Wheel. (Pick it up from Overstock -- $25 off!).
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Dan:
November 22nd, 2006 - 12:42
Yes it’s a pissing contest. I was going to say schlong size contest, but then Jonah would post something, and we don’t want to go there.
Oh, Dan, I just “love” it when you feature me and it in your posts.
November 22nd, 2006 - 13:08
Where are you hearing the tech demo comments about the Wii?
I’m just curious to read some people who are saying that they don’t like the system, just to hear what their complaints are.
I love mine. I’m still playing Wii sports every night along with a bit of Rayman and Zelda.
One of the comments that my wife made the other day while I was playing was that I was smiling while playing a game. I can’t remember really truly enjoying myself while playing games in quite some time.
November 22nd, 2006 - 15:36
You’re not smiling when you play Gears of War because there’s blood all over the screen.
I have heard from some industry friends of mine that Wii Sports is more like a tech demo than a game. I have read that on Gamespot, the baseball game is only pitching and batting — no fielding at all…
November 22nd, 2006 - 15:53
That would be if I was playing Gears of War, which I’m not.
Baseball is just hitting and pitching. Tennis is just swinging the racket.
It doesn’t make the games any less fun though. Getting in a batters stance and taking a curve ball out of the park sure is a hell of a lot more fun when you’re making the swing that does it though.
The way I look at it is if it was a tech demo, I wouldn’t have put 5 or 6 hours in on it this week. All of the Sports games are deep enough to have you come back and play them a bit more every day.
I’m betting that if you had the system, you would be enjoying yourself quite a bit.
November 22nd, 2006 - 16:38
You are probably right. For me I was most excited about Wii sports. Bill Harris is just spooging about the system and I’m really feeling inadequate by not having it. However, I will not fucking spend $500 for a console bundle!!!
November 22nd, 2006 - 17:09
Oh, I wouldn’t go in for the bundles either.
I got lucky and showed up at Best Buy an hour early on launch day and got one of the last ones. Picked up the system, Zelda, and Rayman and love all three of them.
November 22nd, 2006 - 18:58
If you love them, why don’t you marry them?
Pee-Wee is awesome.