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Guitar Hero DS: DS Really Does Print Money Now

GHDS

TimWhat do you guys think? Is this merely intriguing or is it a must-buy? I have no doubt Guitar Hero: On Tour will sell millions, and that attachment looks pretty cool, but for me, Guitar Hero is about holding a Guitar, blaring high quality sound through your home entertainment system, and rocking out with your friends. I can't imagine you'd feel like a rock star holding a DS, with mediocre sound, by yourself. If you watch the little commercial on the IGN page, I think you'll know what I'm talking about. When they show the kids playing the DS with the touch screen strumming, it just looks a little weak. That's not to say it won't be fun, and I know it'll be much better than the hot-selling cell phone version of the game, but it still won't be the same. It does look like there will be some extra features like blowing out fires from pyrotechnics gone wrong by blowing into the DS mic, or signing autographs on the touch screen for raving fans. We'll see if those add to the fun or take away from the action. And there will be some nice multiplayer action too, which is a must. I will say that this is a no-brainer for Activision and I'm glad to see they're putting the effort in to make this a quality release.

Tags: wii

2P START! Live!: Comic Talk Edition

Live!

TimThis week Tim and Ray discuss the science of comic-making and what goes on behind the scenes of 2P START! While the process isn't really that interesting, hopefully this podcast is, so check it out!

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Tags: podcast

2P START! Live!: Happy Brawl Day Edition

Live!

TimSuper Smash Bros. Brawl is finally here and it would be wrong to discuss anything else! So get ready for a Brawl-tastic edition of 2P START! Live! with Ray and Tim's first impressions of the game as well as some minor gripes in the form of the Black Doom Award. So peel yourself from Brawl for a few minutes and tune in!

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Tags: podcast

Happy Brawl Day!

Brawl

TimYes, the day has finally arrived, March 9th, the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Ray and I do both have the game and if you'd like a challenge, step up to the plate against Ray, his friend code is: 4081-5167-3527. If his skill is too much for you, you're welcome to gain back your manhood by destroying me for a few rounds, my friend code is: 0387-8461-4907. Feel free to leave your friend code below so we and other 2P START! frequenters can Brawl together!

Tags: smash bros.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympics Sells 5 Million Copies

MSO

TimAwhile back, Ray and I scoffed at Sega's bold prediction that Mario & Sonic at the Olympics would sell 4 million copies worldwide. The game was pretty much crap mediocre and we had faith that consumers would recognize this despite the fact that Mario and Sonic were in the same game for the first time. We were wrong. Turns out they've now sold 5 MILLION copies worldwide between the Wii and DS and expect continued sales due to the fact that the Olympics are still 4 months away. Unfortunately, Ray did purchase the game and helped them reach that 5 million, but I forgive him because his 6.6/10 score for the game should have deterred others from buying the game. I'm a bit upset that this game sold so well because it just means more of the same from Sega, Sonic + Mediocre Game = Profit.

Tags: ds, wii

Are Guitar Hero Guitars Overpriced?

GHIII

RayFor Wii owners, Guitar Hero III with the guitar included is $89.99. When you do the math, it seems like a fair price. $50 game plus a $40 guitar peripheral.

For the last four months, Wii owners have been unable to buy a guitar separately, but sometime later this March they will begin to go on sale for $69.99.

What?! That's ridiculous! Just to make it worse, the product page also lists the guitar as having features including "2.4GHz wireless technology with a 30-foot range" and "Auto sleep mode saves battery power." I hate to be picky, but those features are in the Wii Remote. Have they forgotten their guitar has no wireless technology without your Wii-Remote plugged in?

Tags: wii

2P START! Live!: Calm Before the Storm Edition

Live!

TimThis week's podcast is the calm before the storm, 'the storm' of course refers to the Smash Bros. Brawl U.S. release on March 9th, the day Ray's life will be complete. As such, we have no Topic of the Week, but all our other segments give us plenty to talk about, so check it out!

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Tags: podcast

2P City Getting Bigger

2P

TimI thought I'd post another update to our 2P START! city on MyMiniCity. It's gone from a simple field to a budding metropolis and here's my push to build it up once more. By visiting the city (clicking the links once per day), you contribute to the growth of the city, so get to work!

Build Population

Build Industry

Build Transportation

Build Security

Tags: general

2P START! Live!: GDC08 Special Edition

Live!

TimIn this special edition of 2P START! Live!, Tim and Ray discuss the highlights of GDC '08. Also, Trivia for You is back after a week off and the dreaded Black Doom Award makes an appearance as well. Let this tide you over until our next comic on Wednesday!

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Tags: podcast

Mini-Reviews of All 7 XNA Demos on Xbox LIVE

XNA

TimI was excited to hear Microsoft announce this week that user-created XNA games would get a chance to be played over Xbox Live. The small studios and talented individual programmers are sure to have some unique ideas for games and now Xbox 360 owners will get a chance to see some of them through this 'YouTube for videogames'. With the announcement, 7 games were made immediately available to demo for a limited time. I decided to give each a shot and report back my findings. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a mixed bag, but I do see some potential with a few of these titles. Keep reading for my mini-reviews, ranked from worst to first.

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Tags: xbox 360