Archive for September, 2007

Ninjabread Man on Wii

// September 7th, 2007 // No Comments » // Fun Whatnot

Ninjabread ManEmmons sent along a link to this upcoming game from Conspiracy Entertainment: Ninjabread Man.

From the video, the graphics look terrible, the worlds empty, and the game play basic. However, the premise is so maddeningly entertaining that it needed to be pointed out regardless of quality.

Conspiracy Entertainment is attempting to put out nine games for Wii in 2007 including: Offroad Extreme, Mini Desktop Racing, Action GirlzRacing, Rock ‘N’ Roll Adventures: Elviz, Monster Trux Extreme, Myth Makers Super Kart GP, Billy the Wizard, and Anubis II (there was an Anubis 1?!?). I weep for game industry reviewers who will be tortured through these games. Not a one of them looks useful enough to be in a pack of mini games… An IGN commenter couldn’t have said it better – “Oh for the love of god burn them all!”

Sadly the box art and the following description are probably the best Ninjabread Man will ever deliver…

Hordes of snapping Cup Cakes, angry Bees and Jelly Monsters have taken over this once sweet and tasty land. Only one man can stop this evil army of monster cakes. He’s one tough cookie, a guy that won’t crumble under the pressure……’Ninjabread Man’ is here!

Throw Ninja stars to stun enemies and then follow up with Ninjabread Man’s mighty samurai sword, reducing enemies into a quivering pool of Raspberry Jam.

Collect power ups to increase the power and range of Ninjabread Man’s weapons and use Ninja skills to jump onto high ledges, dash past enemies and find the Magic Candies! Can the Ninjabread Man save the day? Candy Land’s future depends on you!

candy land, conspiracy entertainment, cup cakes, game, jelly monsters, magic candies, ninja, ninjabread, ninjabread man, nintendo, nintendo wii, rasberry jam, videogame, wii

iPhone Early Adopter Rebate

// September 7th, 2007 // No Comments » // Technology Bits

Once again reminding me why I love Apple, Steve Jobs wrote a letter to iPhone customers today. As part of the new product launches and updates revealed yesterday, came a shocking $200 price drop in the 10-week old iPhone. This change was not received so happily by the early adopters who felt a bit gouged by this sudden drop.

In summary from Jobs:

I have received hundreds of emails from iPhone customers who are upset about Apple dropping the price of iPhone by $200 two months after it went on sale. …

First, I am sure that we are making the correct decision to lower the price of the 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399, and that now is the right time to do it. iPhone is a breakthrough product, and we have the chance to ‘go for it’ this holiday season.

Second … If you always wait for the next price cut or to buy the new improved model, you’ll never buy any technology product because there is always something better and less expensive on the horizon.

Third … Our early customers trusted us, and we must live up to that trust with our actions in moments like these.

Therefore, we have decided to offer every iPhone customer … a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. …

This is the sort of stand up move that truly separates evil corporation from rabidly followed fan favorite company. Yes, I’m proud to be an Apple fan.

apple, iphone, iphone rebate, rebate, steve Jobs, letter, fan, apple fanboy

iPod Touch vs iPhone

// September 6th, 2007 // 4 Comments » // Technology Bits

iPod TouchApple’s new iPod touch is an odd device to me. It has all the beauty and touchy sweet interface of the iPhone, but without the phone. It has the iPod base purpose of music and video, but with 10% the capacity of the conventional iPod. The Apple store does a great job comparing the iPod models, but doesn’t clearly compare the iPod Touch with the iPhone.

They have done away with the 4GB iPhone, leaving 3 options for multi-touch iPod/iPhone devices. The 8GB iPod Touch costs $299, but has no phone capability. The iPhone increases the price to $399, but is in every other way identical. The 16GB iPod Touch is again $399, but like the 8GB model has no phone capability. There is currently no 16GB iPhone.

I’m a little unsure why they made this quite so complicated. I’d have a hard time justifying a purchase of an iPod touch. The loss of cellphone capability seems like a massive loss, and not having the option to upgrade or trade-in or something makes that a non-expandable option.

As for the chunky little iPod nanos, I can’t begin to understand the design decision on those. Maybe they look cool in person…

As a final note, the trademark bright white color that seemed most indicative of the iPod is now completely gone across the whole line. The black, silver, and cool colors down the line are sweet, so I’m not complaining…

I still want an iPhone…

apple, iphone, ipod, ipod nano, ipod touch

Heroes Graphic Nover Hardcover

// September 6th, 2007 // No Comments » // Fun Whatnot

heroes hardcoverCurious about some of the details that occur between scenes or episodes in NBCs hit series Heroes? This additional content was made available for free in a series of short digital comics available for free on the Heroes site (unfortunately not in CBR or CBZ).

Now, those digital comics are being delivered by DC and their Wildstorm label in a 240 page hardcover starting October 24th! Even better, it’s only $29.99. If you are on top of things, you can also order from Discount Comic Book Service, preorders go for $14.99 there! It’s on my pull list and I can’t wait.

This stunning hardcover collects the amazing online comics based on the smash-hit, Emmy Award-nominated NBC show HEROES! This volume — featuring two stunning covers by comics legends Jim Lee and Alex Ross — also includes an introduction by Masi Oka (Hiro), all 34 chapters of Season One, and Tim Sale’s artwork as seen on the show.

comics, dc, graphic novel, hardcover, heroes, nbc, show, television, tv, wildstorm

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