The Blog for the Sports Gamer

Well today was out with the old and in with the new. The PS2 and Original Xbox have been removed and so has the s-video switch box.

Now there: PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 all vertical with Component cables. New component switch box (which now requires power for some reason, but hey for a $29.99 Switch box, it’s not bad).

I was able to play a game of Resistance. I will say graphics are impressive, even at 480p (heh). Signing up for the PS Network was easy. Thankfully a USB keyboard is supported (hello, Nintendo). Apparently if i want to watch BD movies i need an HDMI cable and my Samsung old TV doesn’t have a DVi or HDMI interface so I believe I”m screwed. I do not have a BD to test with as I’m console number 500,001 and didn’t get the movie.

I’m headed to bed, in the meantime my PC is charging up my 360 controller and the PS3 (which you have to leave on to charge) is downloading the NBA 07 demo and charging my SIXAXIS controller.

And thanks to Glen and all the guys that offered advice and posted. In the end, you know me and you know my videogame addiction. There’s no way I can take it back. Now I need a nice LCD that supports 720p and has HDMI in for $399. I see that Circuit City has a nice 19″ Samsung widescreen. I may have to hit that. I’m tired of having to go from 4:3 mode to 16:9 mode. lol

And you know the funny thing is that while I’m “settling” for 19″ on my 2nd TV, when I first got married over a decade ago, we were thrilled to have a 19″ TV. How things change.

Also my new Wii wrist strap order is now in production. And I got this from PS Support when I bitched about the lack of upscaling:

“The PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system is designed to be compatible with the latest High-Definition resolutions. However, if you are attempting to play a game that has a maximum resolution of 720p and your television only supports 480i/p and 1080i only, the PLAYSTATION 3 will only display the image at 480p at this time”

At This Time is a key phrase…

Glen tells me that CH2K7 is on sale for $29.99 for the 360 at Best Buy. Hurry.

In other news, I went to GameStop…they now know me by name which is scary. I told him my predicament. I went looking for advice. He said to go ahead and open it and if it didn’t work out, I could bring it to him — so there’s that.

I did play some Resistance on their console and it looks pretty good — plays well too but with no shock it could have been better.

I have decided to keep my ba—oops PS3. I know I’d get it at some point. It’s stupid to bring it back at this point. Worst case scenario — I have an inexpensive BD player.

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Festivus, Hannakah (sp?), insert holiday of choice here. It’s been quiet on my front the last few weeks, very little gaming; hence no posts from me. We also had the grim death visit the house earlier this week. Nothing like sleeping through 48 hours. Anyway, we’re blowing town to see family for the next few days. I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday!

When the Weather channel was released, I had seen this in the Nintendo forums, but figured it was a fan boy posting so didn’t bother posting it.

However it seems to have taken up steam:
basically Madden 07 on the Wii uses the weather channel to determine the weather of the game you are playing. Not sure how exactly this works — ie if you’re home weather is Missouri and play a game in New England, does it just take Missouri’s weather or does it check New England’s weather?

There’s a lot of vagueness in the posts…but if it’s true, it’s a nice feature. Speaking of Madden for the Wii, my review is now up on GameShark. And yes, it’s an EA game and no I’m not on drugs with that review. Seriously it was the most fun I’ve had with a Madden title in a long time. Not only that, I’m still playing it after my review. Pretty amazing, I know.

I know you’re all dying to read more. The PS3, Resistance and the Target Extended Warranty are all sitting here, unopened.

On one hand I’m dying to open it. On the other hand, I have one of those old 1080i TVs that does not work with the PS3 for HD — as in any game at 720p will only display 480p. Great.

It’s not a big deal with the Wii, after all I paid $250 for that vs $600 for this thing. Then I was reading the outside of the box. I guess Sony sold more than 500,000 PS3’s now because this unit does NOT have the free Will Farrell move included with it.

And what the hell? So besides the fact I just dropped $600 all I get is an RCA standard A/V cable?

I am a little appalled and disgusted. I mean I can understand GameStop doing a PMITA bundle…but Sony gives you this console that’s all HD and the future of gaming and then they include 1995-era cables?

What a disappointment. And despite all this, I still want to open it. I just don’t know what to do…I have time thanks to the Target return policy. Hopefully they’ll take back stuff that’s unopened. Help me!!

The few minutes of blogger upgrading became a few hours but we’re now on the new blogger. Bill/Todd, if you’re there, let me know if you can get into the server ok.

I did something either wicked smart or wicked dumb today.

You see, while I went to Target looking just to pick up some unsalted nuts, I went by the electronics section. I saw 5(!) 60 GB PS3s…I asked the guy how long they’ve been there. He said all morning but they’ll go fast because people sell them on ebay. I said yeah for $599.

Anyway, I hemmed and hawed and rationalized myself into thinking “But I NEED this for reviews!!”and I bought it, the Extended Warranty ($59..ugh), and Resistance, because I need a 3rd copy of Madden like I need a hole in the head (although I really enjoy Wii Madden, call me weird).

So it’s sitting here, I’m still at work, debating , omg what have I done, I bought the dumbest console ever and I bought my wife a $30 gift and this is $600. No wonder why I don’t get lucky. I should take it back. But then I keep thinking, I need this for work. What if Prophet needs a PS3 review and I’m the only person who has a PS3.

I just am a sad sad person, having dropped over $1400 on 2 consoles in a week. (Remember the Wii was only available in a PMITA bundle). At least I didnt’ pay $1200 for a PMITA PS3 bundle with NBA 07 I guess…

That’s what I keep thinking..I will love this in a month when MLB 08 The Show comes out…I’m really trying to rationalize here. I know you don’t care… LOL

As we migrate from old blogger to new blogger, I’m not expecting many problems. You never know however.

How about that new Wii channel. Across the internet, people are getting moist about the new Weather Channel! After a 15 minute download, you can new view the weather on your Wii! Wow!

Actually, it is kinda cool. Someone said on the IGN forum that Madden gets its weather from the Weather Channel, but I have yet to prove that…anyone notice this?

Blogger has ended their ‘new’ blog beta, which means a massive clusterfrick. We’re still here.

Anyone buy a PS3 yet? According to Bill Harris, PS3s are selling on eBay for as much as $50 over retail. LOL. No one wants one. What a turd.

Meanwhile Wiis are selling over $200 above retail. I’d link you to Bill’s auction analysis, but I’m lazy.

EA announced their new Arena Football game will be released February 20 and only for the PlayStation 2. Interestingly enough there are some upgrades to last year’s game but I mean really, the PS2 only? Does anyone care?

I know I’m sounding condescending to those that only have a PS2, but seriously, I doubt Sony bought the exclusive on this one :).

Getting back to actual sports games, GameShark has posted my review of Tecmo’s Super Swing Golf for the Wii. Sorry, even though it’s Tecmo, it’s not Dead or Alive Golf :).
Click here to read.

Back by popular demand, it’s the post your Wii friend code thread…

I just finished the mother of all review submitting weekends, having written up 5 in two days..still have one to go. And for the record, the writing is probably the most difficult part.

Anyway, they should be posted within the month. Maybe I’ll even update my sidebar! HA!

In other news, isn’t that cute how the gamer cards are all Christmassy?

Keep posting your Wii friend codes and your Miis, I’m getting a nice collection.

You know that your team is going to when if: 1) you are playing the Texans, 2) CBS thinks the game is such crap, they don’t even bother to bring the HD cameras. It’s the first Pats game in 3 years that didn’t have HD….

I see why — I lost interest after the 1st Quarter when it was 17-0.

My fantasy team took it up the butt this week and I’m out of the playoffs. Best of luck to Sean who has been kicking butt all year.

Toys R Us — in store only — is giving customers a $100 TRU gift card when they purchase an Xbox 360 Premium pack for $399. Not a bad dealio at all. Not sure if it’s an instant issue card or a mail in, but click here for the TRU weekly ad.

If your net cost for the 360 is $299, that is definitely nothing to shake a stick at.

This Saturday Night Live is only 20 minutes in but it is probably the funniest one I’ve seen in some time.

I just submitted my Madden Wii review. I won’t spoil it but I can say I was pleasantly surprised. And you know for me to be pleasantly surprised with an EA game is kind of a shock. Review to be posted later this week.