Substance TV

I’ve been waiting a long time for this day. Finally, the classic 1994 Spider-Man Animated series can be watched in the comfort of your own home through Netflix streaming service. This marks the first time the show has been available in its’ entirety in the U.S. since it originally aired on Fox (well that’s if you don’t count t3h torrents or those lucky bums in the UK who got a DVD release). Though my only question is, why has this not been released on DVD yet? We’ve got the X-Men Animated series from 1992 on DVD, but no Spidey? Oh well, I’m just glad to watch old web head in action again.

I have to say this series has aged nicely. The animation is still great and I’m still blown awaythey got such top notch voice acting talent like Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jennifer Hale, Ed Asner, and more to bring these characters to life. My son and I have been watching the show together and it’s pretty awesome. So if you’ve got Netflix, go check it out!

The very first episode of Boomzies were Landon and Brian cover all aspects of the 2011 E3 conference. From the things we loved, to the things we were surprised by, and even the things we hated. All the while we make sure to include plenty of awkward pauses, sexual innuendo, and other politically incorrect behavior.

Do I really need to tell you how much I love Cave? No, not an underground hollow with access from the ground surface or from the sea, often found in limestone areas and on rocky coastlines. I’m speaking of the marvelous game developer.

If you weren’t convinced to import the region free versions of either Mushihimesama Futari ver. 1.5 or ESPGaluda II, I can understand. They were a bit pricey. If you weren’t convinced to buy the American release of Deathsmiles, I can almost understand. Even though it was on store shelves, $50 was still a hard pill to swallow for some. If you’re not convinced to buy the upcoming Gwuange, you plain suck. It’s coming stateside as DLC for only $10!

Gwuange is a vertically scrolling shump developed by Cave set during the Muromachi period of Japan. It’s certainly got an old oriental feel to it. Best yet, it’s a crazy fun game. Just look for yourself.

This marks the first time Guwange has been playable on a home console (I don’t think MAME technically counts). I was a little worried this wouldn’t be getting a U.S. release, but Cave is smarter then I gave them credit for.

Look out for it November 10th for just 800 MS point ($10). That ten bucks not only gets you the standard arcade mode, but also two new modes: An Xbox 360 mode for the shmup handicapped with autofire, and the “Blue Mode”, a super OMG pull your eyebrows out mode.

So summed up, $10 on the 10th of November in the year ‘10 for a perfect 10 of a game.

What, you say it’s also the Playstation’s 15th anniversary? I do loves me some Playstation action, but there’s another little system that holds a more special place in my heart.

It’s mind boggling to think 11 years has passed since the release of the little system that could, the Sega Dreamcast. My how time flies. On that fateful day of 9-9-99, the world would be introduced to Sega’s latest bundle of console joy. In fact the Dreamcast was my first new console since the Sega Genesis and the console that got me back into gaming. I can still remember going to Circuit City to buy my very first game, Maken X. Yea, definitely not the finest game on the platform, but it would be the start of a long lasting love affair with the Dreamcast. From games like Soul Calibur, Power Stone, Bangai-O, Project Justice, Mars Matrix, Grandia II, Fatal Fury Mark of the Wolves, Giga Wing, Marvel vs. Capcom, and so many more, it was a good ride while it lasted.

I love the system so much I even named my newest baby girl after its’ arcade counterpart “Naomi”. (Alright, it was a total coincidence, but for today, let’s just pretend I did it on purpose).

Less than three short years later, our beautiful baby console was dead in the water. Though the system lives on thanks to emulation, homebrew, and schmucks like me who can’t get enough of that little orange swirl (or blue for you UK folks). In fact games such as the Neo Geo game Fast Striker, developed by NG DEV TEAM, are still being released (Website for Fast Striker).

In the immortal words of Soul Calibur, “The soul still burns”.

So here’s to another year crack open a can of your favorite Dreamcast game and enjoy the smooth taste. Like a fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Share your favorite Dreamcast memories by posting a comment below.

Let’s face the facts, ever since Sonic & Knuckles on the Genesis, the Sonic series has sucked hard. Sorry, as much as you’d like to think Sonic Adventure was a good game, you’d be wrong. Dead wrong. Sonic Adventure was a nice try, but it still sucked. After the 100th time of falling off a course into the white abyss as Sonic lets out a pitiful “NOOOOO!” because the camera couldn’t keep up with the action, I had enough. The phrase “by Sonic Team” ranks up there with “by Uwe Boll”. The only true fan base of Sonic are those too ignorant to know better, or those trying to hold on to some shred of hope.

It’s no surprise the recent release of a Sonic 4 teaser has brought a certain optimism to the failing franchise. A return to 2-D and the classic platforming is a sight for sore eyes. But then I remember how time and time again Sega has failed us. Like a battered spouse we keep coming back even when we know the pain won’t stop.

Through the darkness, there may be a light. Read the rest of this epic article! »

From out of nowhere, Sunsoft announced yesterday the release of a new Blaster Master game titled: Blaster Master Overdrive. Announced on 2-6-10 for a release on 2-8-10 via WiiWare for 1000 Wii points (talk about no hype). This isn’t even listed on the ESRB website. Sunsoft likes to surprise us I guess. From first impressions, this COULD BE and amazing game. It looks and sounds reminiscent of the old style and many game mechanics look intact. But is Sunsoft rusty after all these dormant years? Will find out Monday when the game is released. We will be purchasing the game tomorrow and will post impressions as soon as possible to let you know if it’s worth your Wiibucks.

- Brian