Regular Show Mordecai & Rigby in 8-Bit Land

For Nintendo 3DS only. 8-Bit Land is a game based off of Regular Show.

Premise of this game includes Mordecai and Rigby as usually being assigned menial work by Park manager Benson. Mordecai and Rigby slack off by playing a new retro video game system which they begin playing but are sucked into the TV with Mordecai and Rigby navigating their way out of the 8-Bit world while facing enemies and obstacles.

Gameplay resembles that of Super Mario Bros. You play as either Mordecai and Rigby but can switch in game between both of them. Both have certain exclusive skills such as Rigby fitting through small spots, and Mordecai jumping higher. Controls are very simple as this game doesn't have much to talk about in terms of gameplay. You can also collect Golden VHS tapes, money, tape recorders, and even the power up that allows you to shoot mega punches to eliminate enemies, similar to some combat power ups in Super Mario Bros. You can usually eliminate enemies via jumping on them like in Super Mario Bros. You will lose a life and start back at either beginning of level or at checkpoint should you get hit by enemy or jump into an abyss. Lose all lives and it shows Mordecai and Rigby banging on the TV screen begging to escape. You play Mordecai and Rigby simultaneously meaning it's a simple single-player game only  and you switch between the two character at any point in the game. There will be several boss battles between Worlds such as Regular Show antagonists like the 8-bit monster and the audio cassette.

Display here concerns graphics, design, and appeal. Graphics and display here are meant to resemble classic NES style with Regular Show design being used. Noises sound 8-bit but the music is repetitive as there is no other game music aside from the single 30 second long loop of the same music. Level designs look like that of Regular Show episodes with the designs of Mordecai and Rigby looking like spitting images. I like how the levels remind you of Regular Show from Cartoon Network itself. The designers of this game though they made this game casual, made it so it would feel like Regular Show and the game actually makes sense for both a side scrolling platformer and a game based off of a cartoon series.

The game feels short compared to New Super Mario Bros. U and 8-Bit Land could easily be an iOS/Android game since it's so casual in nature and easy to develop for limited hardware systems. You won't see this game on any other consoles besides the 3DS. When I first heard of this game I though it was going to be an internet flash game but it turns out it's a 3DS only game. Despite Regular Show 8-Bit Land's great functionality and charmingly simple gameplay that fully works, I feel that games like this need to have a chance for iOS and Android development due to it's simple nature. Handheld consoles like the Nintendo DS are getting obsolete in it's form and in the near future game developers for simple games will most likely prefer iOS and Android devices over handhelds like the 3DS and Playstation Vita. Compare 8-Bit land to Angry Birds and you'll see that they fare nearly all similarities in gameplay, graphics, and content minus platforming vs. sling shot style gameplay.

There's really not much to do in this game and if it were an Android or iOS title, it would be only under $8, instead of $29.95. Best things about this game include it's resemblance of Super Mario Bros. in terms of gameplay plus resemblance of Regular Show with respect to display and graphics. Bad things however include repetitive music, feeling short, and why it won't reach iOS and Android systems despite having the price cut by more than 67%.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes review

For Windows, Nintendo DS & 3DS, Playstation Vita, Wii U, Playstation 3 & 4, Xbox 360 & One.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes is a Lego game based off the Marvel franchise. This game includes over 100 playable characters including Hulk, Iron Man, Deadpool, Black Widow, Captain America, Wolverine, Spider-man, and Thor for examples. Don't forget about the remarkable voice acting including voice actors Phil Lamar, Robert Craig Smith, Dee Bradley Baker, Troy Baker, and John DiMaggio just to name a few.

Gameplay between portable and console versions differs as the portable versions are linear and do NOT include freemode unlike the console versions which have a more complex structure. Gameplay mechanics are typical of any 2010's Lego game such as Lego City Undercover where you smash Legos to get nuts for fueling your health and other power-ups. Each superhero for both games has their own abilities and powers such as Hulk's Super Smash and Spider-man's Webs. Controls are very decent as they can easily be worked with plus more challenges in both portable and console versions. Also bring another player as you switch between two different characters, each having special abilities. I like how each character is unique and looks fantastic. The Hulk looks very big and muscular despite this being Lego's.

The game can feel too challenging at time and even feel like a chore, which is a setback to this game. Examples I've ran into are for the console version I wasn't able to figure out how to wet the sand wall in the Grand Central Station part which is at the beginning of the game. I like that this game has puzzles just like Lego City Undercover but I've searched everywhere to find something and the closest thing to water is the pipe near a door which I have to figure out how to open but I don't know what I'm supposed to use. Iron-Man and Hulk are the first characters you use in console versions. Can't Iron-Man just fly over the wall and Hulk smash it? C'mon! It's common sense! The portable version has you needing to acquire gold bricks which are gained by completing objectives in platform style levels. However I've found the camera angles to be somewhat constricting as it's semi-top down at a bird's eye view. The portable version although linear and shorter is more simple and easier.

Graphics for both portable and console versions vary. Examples would include DS, 3DS, and Vita versions having bird's eye view and lesser resolution graphics that aren't bad actually as compared to previous portable games, while the console version graphics will range from standard(Xbox 360-PS3) to HDMI(Wii U, PS4, Xbox One) for examples. Designs for environments and characters look so real for a Lego game and the 2010's Lego engine makes Lego games like Undercover and Marvel Superheroes the best Lego games of all time. The framerate and movements for example are smooth and thinned out to make gaming experience look and feel pleasant as you play. One problem with camera angles is it doesn't control like a third person game and only looks towards one direction regardless of which direction the character is facing. I feel that should be addressed for the 2010's Lego engine.

This incredible yet somewhat too hard of a game makes The Incredibles look juvenile. Lego Marvel Super Heroes gets an 85/100 for it's amazing graphics, awesome design, great gameplay, while occasionally feeling like a chore.

Just Dance Kids 2014 review

For Wii, Wii U, and Xbox 360.

Just Dance series got not only a new game but a new Kids version as well, being the third installment in the Kids lineage of Just Dance games. In reviewing this game, I find this game is a more watered down and more limited and casual game than Just Dance 4.

Gameplay consists of doing dance moves to over 30 different watered down kid style songs from bands and singers such as Wiggles, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, One Direction, etc. There are four modes which consist of Shake and Freeze, Just Dance, Balloon Pop, and Team Point Dance. Just dance consists of the simple mode of dancing for a high score. The dance moves are side scrolling towards the center of the screen to see what dance moves to make. It was hard for me with the Wii remote in just one hand to articulate most of the moves as you may have to switch hands quickly with the remote. Plus, you'll have to in order to articulate most of the time mirror image the moves as swinging with the left hand could be considered doing so with the right hand. This game makes it hard to do moves perfectly and most players will probably only get just one star. Shake and Freeze is the same as Just Dance mode but with sequences in having to shake the Wii remote and stop when told to do so. Sounds easy but the challenge lies in your attention span. Balloon Pop has you doing correct moves to inflate balloon into popping in which you must then shake the Wii remote to collect stars, which raise your score. I like this mode as it really gives some more gist to it. I don't know exactly how Team Dance goes but I feel it has something to do with multiplayer and it is multiplayer such as for some songs having another player.

I feel the controls are flimsy and the game itself is very casual and limited compared to Just Dance 4. Having no unlockables nor progressions. Just scores. Any hardcore gamer would be repelled by this and even casual gamers would find this game very short after going through the songs. Just Dance 4 looks hardcore compared to Just Dance Kids 2014. But what do you expect with water down singing in which some of the songs will sound nothing like the original. I know it's supposed to be juvenile as it's targeted towards kids but you don't have to water down songs. You can simply choose songs that don't have explicit or non-kid friendly songs for the game since most songs in this game are pop songs. Though the Kinect use may seem better since you just use your body, you will still have the same difficulties.

Graphics and display are suitable with live action dancers fitting the theme of the song. With the "Footloose" song you have a countryside background and country dress. I like it better when the dancers look real instead of being shaded weird color filters like in Just Dance 4. I don't see anything wrong with graphics and display with live action actors making the movements.

While Just Dance Kids 2014 isn't terrible, it's not great either but is at least playable with the exception of some flimsy controls and watered down singing.

Wii Party U review

For the Wii U, Wii Party U is an amazing multiplayer and party game involving the Miiverse. Could you ask for a better Wii Party U game? I fell not as it involves flexible gameplay and controls plus more HD graphics than Wii Party. Nintendo can keep being profitable in console hardware so long as they can make their consoles appealing for markets.

Gameplay involves House, TV, and GamePad Party modes which have great and somewhat good games for playing. The controls function like the games should in real life such as sports for example. Don't forget about the amazingly fun mini-games that will be the real deal breaker. What I really love is the board games and how fun they are. For some of the Wii U Gamepad games, I find it unnecessary sometimes to hold the Wii U Gamepad vertically instead of horizontally. I also like how this game plays well either single or multiplayer, which is something party games need to be, flexible! A good party game needs to be something memorable and classic. Wii Party U gives the Wii and Wii U something to go one as there would be no Wii styled games without either Wii or Wii U. Nintendo has proven with this game and others like it that it is still worthy of having their own console like Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox series.

Graphics look average to great for a Wii U game as comparing it with Wii and Wii U, you can see the latter has HD while Wii doesn't. It's great this game has the best of both the Wii U GamePad and Wii Remote. The game's graphics and design center around the Miiverse and the characters such as players will look like Mii avatars. I like how Nintendo is able to make the Wii and Wii U unique and what makes Wii Party U amazing is using the Miiverse characters to the fullest, unlike the terrible Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade .

Conclusion here is Wii Party U can substantially relate to the Wii based franchise not just in being a Wii U only game but also part of the Wii franchise like Wii Fit. a marvelous edition to the Wii based family entertainment. Don't forget Wii Party U also has a Wii Remote Plus bundled with it, all for the price of $49.99 in total.

Gyrobot Experimental Kit review

Gyrobot is an experimental robot that can be made into different forms emulating different robotic experiments. However, I wish to state how the robots works overall.

Just how does this work. After putting it together like Legos, the gyrobot once turned on will start moving and balancing itself on it's own. I do however feel the wheels start up too slowly as it really is disappointing, even for a toy robot. The robot does however balance itself despite having it's wheels be disproportionate to it's upper height. I like how that was done. It was smart to have the robot balance on it's own. however it's main problem is how slowly it starts and stops. Many electronics don't work that way. Imagine having a game be designed where it had slow loading screens!

You can put the Gyrobot together different ways according to directions in the booklet. I chose to stick with the most common design being the one that looks on the box. Don't forget that unless the bot is fully moving, it will need some support or it will fall to whatever surface it's on. It has a neat design to it and it's head looks similar to that of Iron-Man's. Gyrobot was also easier to assemble compared to the 600+ Lego pieces for some sets.

Conclusion is Gyrobot is awesome but it's robotic wheel structure is cryptic in starting and stopping.

Sonic Lost World review

Sonic Lost World for 3DS and Wii U. Sonic Lost World is a platform game that is long the lines of the Sonic franchise. Sega has put out this new game for Sonic fans to enjoy. Quite a challenge this game has as it will destroy those non-hardcore gamers with some tricky and salad spinning controls such as having to use jump+kick combos to eliminate enemies and feeling like it's risky to attempt the simple speed roll. The level designs, graphics, gameplay, and environments are just fine.

Gameplay consists of platforming such as sonic running, collecting rings, and using powers such as speed roll. If Sonic gets hit by an enemy, he will lose 100 coins and if hit without any coins he will fail. This is similar to New Super Mario Bros. U where if Mario gets hit, he fails or downgrades. Controls in this game are less appealing and more frustrating than New Super Mario Bros U. While the controls aren't broken and are playable, the controls are hard to understand in sense of not being able to take down a boss in the boss battle using only the roll move or even the flying kick move. I couldn't get past the first boss battle cause I had to use some tricky combo move to eliminate this first boss. Of course, I hardly had any trouble with other enemies. All Mario had to do in New Super Mario Bros. U in boss battles was jump on the boss three times despite being easier said than done. Why can't Sonic just roll zoom to get this boss guy?

Graphics are superior and high definition, giving a bigger and better outlook than New Super Mario Bros U. I can say the environments and designs are superior and magnificent. Remember 16 bit Sonic the Hedgehog? Say hello to HD Sonic! I like how the environments make you feel like you're on a roller coaster ride of fun!

Story here is Dr. Eggman Robotnik kidnaps cute critters for use as Batnik minions with Sonic and his gang having duty to rescue the critters and stop Eggman Robotnik and his minions. What a thrilling story with great characters.

For Sonic and Sega fans, this game is worth a challenging try but for other gamers you could find yourself frustrated with control moves to attack bosses.

Skylanders Swap Force review

For PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS, Wii U, PS4, and Xbox One, Skylanders Swap Force is the third game in the Skylanders series.

Gameplay consists of swaping between different skilled Skylanders. The twist here is you have a power base which you place Skylander figurines on it and the placed figurine will be the one you play in the game. Ok now i have a problem with this as I mentioned something like this in my Disney Infinity review. Beofre that is discussed, I want to discuss overall gameplay and the fact that for some Skylanders you can swap figurines to combine abilities. Some figurines are one piece while others can be merged by swapping bottom and top halves. Some abilities handle better in certain environments than others while some abilities are required for certain actions or advances. Several elements for Skylanders and around one dozen environment types for Skylanders to explore in. Gameplay and controls are functional and you choose difficulty of Easy, Normal, Hard, and Nightmare(unlocked after completing game). However, my main concern is having to use a base and numerous figurines, the latter ends up costing more than the base game when instead Activision could have opted for ability to unlock additional Skylanders beyond the starter ones as story progresses while having you swap in the menu or do quick swap. Action like gameplay!

Story of this game involves an evil force harnessing the energy from the Skyland's Volcano with the Skylanders coming to stop evil minions but are sucked into the volcano. Story then cuts to an adventurer named Flynn(who is voiced by Patrick Warburton) who is approached by Tessa whom he escapes with through the volcano while your Skylander fights off enemies and debris. The flying ship is wrecked and your Skylander must go through the game map to progress through the story.

Graphics for instance are very well done and well constructed to make the game have a great visual presentation and design. The designs do match the figurines.

For final balance, Skylanders Swap Force is a great game with the same problem as Disney Infinity as both require some power base and figurines, which is absurd.

Electronic Toys: Marvel Avengers Assemble and Tosy Disco Robo review

Marvel Avengers Assemble: This consists of a semi-Styrofoam Iron-Man toy that's main function is to fly and turn around, flying like Iron-Man. I just wish to say the mechanics in this Iron-Man toy work fine and the design resembles Iron-Man. However, I do feel there is some problem as the toy once in the air will sharply fall down despite having the throttle at full speed. You can however see some flying as when in full throttle you see the toy fly a little before flying down compared to just dropping. The harder you throw the toy like a glider, the further it will fly. I think it's readiness to fly down is influenced by it's heavier front weight which includes Iron-Man's head and pecks. However, it's not such as good aviation design as you don't want an aircraft that can easily crash down due to it's uneven weight. This toy can also teach you about physics and how physics works. You can also turn the Iron-Man toy when it's flying. I like how this toy added a style of realism to it in making it look like Iron-Man. This toy is definitely better than the two awful Iron-Man video games.

Tosy Disco Robo: What does this funky little robot toy do? This device responds to loud enough sounds and music and will light up to whatever color the robot itself is while also making several digital faces. It's hard to ignore how responsive this toy really is as it will respond not only to sound and music but also to you touching and moving it. Movements can emit sounds. The robot toy design looks like a funky Japanese Tech dude, reminding you of Tokyo. There are four different Disco Robos named Ruby(pink), Lucas(blue), Alex(purple), and Andy(red). I like how responsive this toy is. It deserves it's recommendation for a spot in robotic marvels. A robot that has a high to more than expected response to something is very innovative.

EZ Pro DJ review

EZ Pro DJ is a DJ style electronic that requires an app but the app itself is free. What is EZ Pro DJ anyway? It's is a musical electronic toy that works like a DJ machine giving you the ability to mix numerous DJ sounds into songs.

The app and the buttons actually communicate with each other like bluetooth. You do have a small cord that has an end which looks like one you plug headphones, which you plug into the device with the app. Once connected, the device really works and both the app and device are interconnected. Just play around with it and record your DJ mixes. Also upload songs to the app to create a remix with the song. I like how you can do that along with selecting other mixes such as pro packs with the 1-6 pad which adds Pro-Pack remixes to the musical equation. It's fun to spin those spinners which are labeled A and B. Other features include the Microphone which enables you to talk, record, and loop. There are two extra mic inputs to insert a microphone in. This device makes it feel like a real portable on the go DJ machine.

The buttons are over one dozen as the functions seem many with recording abilities and digital works to make this DJ machine much like a real one. Compared to real DJ machines, this one is portable and only requires you to acquire an app which though is free, you must have a tablet or smartphone(not free). I like how this EZ Pro DJ toy is convenient as it has a small booklet which includes everything to do even though somethings aren't included such as a microphone. For a electronic toy like this, most buttons appear to be decoration but they are fully functional and reflect on the app.

Overall, EZ Pro DJ could very well be a new type of DJ machine, one that is fully digital yet retain the design and feel of a DJ machine in a physical sense. Replace the big old DJ machine with EZ Pro DJ so long as you have the digitally downloaded songs on the app in use.

Leapster Games Vol. One

Wall-E is a Preschool to 1st Grade Leapster game from Leap Frog. This is an educational game featuring several mini games that include pattern making, solar system, and other Wall-e sci-fi themed puzzles for young children. The games are so easy to play as they easily fit the description of being kindergarten level games. Though it may not seem educational for people like me, for young children ages 4-7 it presents an introduction to digital technology such as touchscreens. Graphics for a Leap Frog game are not the best but fine to say as Leap Frog Leapsters use very basic technology. Wall-e theme is very accurate and consistent with for example Wall-E, Buy N Large logos, and Science-Fiction. Controls do work well though using a D-Pad to steer may feel awkward since controllers nowadays have analog sticks. The touchscreen works fine but is not as good as tablets or smartphones.

Star Wars Jedi Math takes kids K-2, 5-8 years on a beginners math adventure with favorite Star Wars adventures. Join R2-B2, Anakin, and Clone Commander Rex on a mission to rescue key members of the republic. This game relies on simple math and time telling skills plus raising your Jedi ranking. Avoiding enemy ships and defeating evil with the power of simple mathematics. This game has a fair amount of action for an educational game plus the game is also very responsive to touchscreen controls. However, touchscreen controls are better on tablets and smartphones. While graphics are not the best, they do fine and present a clear image. Though this is a walk in the park for people like me, for young children it's a new beginning for them in technology and math such as counting, addition and subtraction, and telling time, which are very important skills. Star Wars Jedi Math manages to combine Star Wars, Science Fiction, Action, and basic beginner math skills together for an all out learning experience for young children.

Leap Frog games are so simplistic in nature that they could be developed for iOS and Android systems. This type of software could revolutionize homeschooling and unschooling, reducing dependence on the public school system, and make it easier for parents to homeschool their children. Forget about the Leapster handheld consoles and make it more affordable for Leap Frog to simply stick to learning software where students learn at their own pace by using the educational software.

A Lesson in Launching MMO Games

Grand Theft Auto Online was released October 1, 2013 with many glitches and roadblocks. By that I mean many coul;dn't even do the first race due to having a failure to do job message appear, then an error returning me to the main Grand Theft Auto V game. Some people could get through the first race but not me. I think it's a problem with the servers. Other major online multiplayer games experienced similar problems and I feel it's just that Rockstar servers are overwhelmed. Here are five online multiplayer games that had horrible launches as bad or worse than the disastrous opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955. Final 

Fantasy 14 games Final Fantasy Online Games started in 2010 with poor everything. It seemed unplayable. The game received poor reviews due to it's broken gameplay structures with many bugs and glitches. Final Fantasy 14 wasn't just bad at launch but bad at everything. Who would want to play a MMORPG that is full of bugs and glitches even weeks after launch and virtually unplayable. Why would anyone want to pay $50 then $12.99 per month after 30 days for a broken online game? WTH! I could only imagine the torture the servers went through within the launch time. The Angry Video Game Nerd would have a field day ranting about this horribly structured game on his AVGN show. Square Enix eventually had to tear down the structure and build a more stable one. Final Fantasy a Realm Reborn was launched Augusy 27, 2013 but it's servers were quickly overwhelmed at launch. However, after giving many players the try again finger, The Realm Reborn was given much praise for it's improvements compared to it's predecessor. The lesson to be learned from Final Fantasy 14 is if an online game cannot anticipate problems before hand, it will most likely have so many bugs and glitches and problems that the structure remains too unstable to even fix one bit. To be learned from The Realm Reborn is that the reason it may seem unplayable at first is due to serv ers being unable to meet the demand, most notably at launch. Comparing the Disneyland opening day vs. Final Fantasy 14 is that while both had awful starts, it was Final Fantasy 14 that got demolished and replaced with The Realm Reborn while Disneyland just after July 17, 1955 fixed it's noticable problems and went without problems. Final Fantasy 14 had so many glitches and bugs that it couldn't be fixed. It was like an unstable building and a nest for hoarders, you just can't fix or clean this up at all. So the only solution for Square Enix was to tear down the unstable building and rebuild with a more stable building, with it being called The Realm Reborn. Final Fantasy 14 is one bad example game developers would have shame in repeating.

  SimCity 2013 How come a single player game should have an online requirement when servers will likely almost combust due to high demand. When SimCity launched, so many problems made the game virtually unplayable with EA servers ready to combust and shut down. EA had an excuse citing server side data which was non-existant. Hackers were able to mod the game to make it play offline, which worked much like a charm. EA realized this and eventually pulled the persistant online connection requirement. Long loading times, disconnections, crashing, and loss of saved game data is more than enough to frustrate the average gamer to heck! The lesson learned for SimCity 2013's disastrous launch is requiring online connectivity unless absolutely necessary(if no alternatives found) is a very bad idea. Though The Sims 4 will not require online connectivity for single player, it will require you have online connection for installation plus an EA Origin account. I have no idea exactly how this will turn out but concern here is will installation be disastrous with slow install, crashing, and involuntary cancellation of install? Compare SimCity launch to DisneyLand opening you can see that both EA Games and Disney fixed their respective problems but all EA had to do was remove the persistant online requirement while Disneyland had problems with concessions running dry, mechanics failing, and plumbing being a big B! After all, necessity is the mother of invention. If you put burdons more than their necessary use, then there is bound to be awful problems ahead! Those hackers taught EA a lesson the latter will never forget.

  Diablo III Boy did May of 2012 include a host of frustrations including the persistent online connection requirement and auction house. Error 37 was the finger given to taunt the 10 million gamers who purchased Diablo III. Error 37 prevented gamers from even logging into Diablo III and with no offline mode available, Diablo III remained unplayable until the issues could be worked out. This took days to work out but in the long-run Diablo III eventually worked as it should with positive reviews, even offline single player modes. While online connection requirements are sensible for multiplayer modes, going solo should not require consistent online connection unless it absolutely cannot work offline. Lesson here is a bad launch can make gamers believe the game is broken, unplayable and terrible. Diablo III shattered the trust of those who purchased it and caused frustrations for weeks. Good thing Diablo III's console versions evolved to having offline play for single player. Comparing Diablo III to Disneyland opening is that Diablo III's launch shut players out for weeks wheres Disneyland opening had problems with overcrowding but that was resolved in a matter of less than a week.

  Half-Life II Half-Life II from Valve Corporation didn't have as many severe problems at launch as Diablo III but the former did require internet connection to set up which met with overloading of servers due to one time validation. Half-Life 2 didn't require internet connection for single player mode which was a good thing so players could get used to the game. Half-Life II on this list has had the least bad launch of Online games. At least Half-Life II became one of the best MMORPG games of all time. Lesson here is single-player modes should be as offline as possible so players can get used to the game itself while the servers sort themselves out. I can't even play GTA Online single player due to server issues. I know it's suppose to be online but I should have the option of having it single player offline to get used to playing it while servers get straightened out. Half Life II's launch was less disastrous than Disneyland's opening due to players being able to at least play single player waiting for more responsive servers.

  World of Warcraft World of Warcraft is what I consider until Grand Theft Auto Online to be the best MMORPG game. However, World of Warcraft was launched with regular server problems due to high volume of traffic. Not only that but latency made the game very cryptic. World of Warcraft back in 2004 was in my view considered experimental due to having no other game like this before it. While World of Warcraft had a congested start, it became the best MMORPG game of all time. While launch issues cannot be entirely avoided, it's a great idea to review the servers first and foresee the problems before launching it to the public. Both World of Warcraft and Disneyland became phenomenons in their respective industries. If only Grand Theft Auto Online had some offline modes other than GTA V and had tested server capabilities by having a soft launch for testing before launching it to the public so volume of traffic to server capability ratio could be calculated and launch days for the public could run smoother. Gamers for GTA Online should have the option of playing it somewhat offline to get used to the online version of Los Santos and Blaine County in GTA Online. Once GTA Online gets off the ground, it will become in my view the best MMORPG game, exceeding World of Warcraft. Grand Theft Auto Online's launch is about the same as World of Warcraft, facing the same problems but in the end prevailing in their gameplay. While World of Warcraft gave you an online world video game where you could interact with other real players like a real world, Grand Theft Auto Online exceeds WOW by making the game feel like a real life simulation, ever expanding and evolving, giving players the ultimate gaming experience of any open world game before it.

When Rockstar Games gets the servers straightened out, Grand Theft Auto Online will not only be the best MMORPG, but also the best game ever released, exceeding Grand Theft Auto V itself.

Nintendo Package of Reviews

Nintendo 2DS is the newest redesign of the 3DS. How is 2DS different? The 2DS cannot play games and video in 3D, has a flattened unbendable surface, and a mono speaker. The 2DS is more like a downgraded version of the 3DS as the former is cheaper but has the same hardware as 3DS. 2DS also plays DS and 3DS games. Amazing design this 2DS has, making the original 3Ds look somewhat obsolete. The 2DS is merely a redesign 3DS removing just few features usch as 3D display and stereo speakers for examples.

  Mario Kart 7 was released in December of 2011 but this game is worth reviewing since Mario games define Nintendo. What's Nintendo without Mario? Mario Kart 7 combines Nintendo characters such as Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Princess Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong, etc. with Nintendo environments with GoKart tracks. Mario Kart 7 has awesome physics and controls and plays like any Mario Kart game before it. The graphics for this game look great for 3DS quality as you will be wondering could the graphics for a portable Nintendo game system get any better? What Mario Kart 7 comes down to is also bringing the nostalgia of past Mario Kart games such as tracks from previous Mario Kart games on for example the N64, GBA, and DS systems. So many Mario decorations and colors it's almost infinite in description as a Nintendo themed racing game.

  New Super Mario Bros 2 is a platform game that follows the same theme and gameplay as previous Super Mario titles only improvements and tweeks are made as technology advances. Objective and gameplay is for Mario to get from point A to point B within a time limit plus collect coins and avoid hits by enemies such as Goombas and turtles for examples. The graphics for this game look like state of art for a 3DS game and collecting over 100 coins will give you an extra life and reset back to zero. You can also collect big star coins which three exist for each level. These star coins will enable you to apply for mini challenges such as collecting extra lives and coins plus power-ups. Power-ups include fire and freeze, racoon where you could not only glide but swag tail to eliminate enemies, and star which makes you temporarily invincible. Controls for New Super Mario Bros. 2 work like any other title before it and work pretty well but I do feel you need to have the jump button be the bottom button instead of the right one since sprinting is the left button. Level designs offer a different layout but stay consistant with the Mario franchise as design and environments feel lot like a Super Mario game. You have occasional boss battles in castles plus the story as with any Super Mario Bros. game involves rescuing Princess Peach and defeating Bowser. Super Mario Bros. is old school, meaning something to have nostalgia over and go back to and the New Super Mario Bros. series continues to emulate the Super Mario Bros. series with updated graphics, different environments, and enhanced gameplay. What New Super Mario Bros. games do is continue the legacy of Mario when he started with the all famous Super Mario Bros. for the NES in 1985. Nearly all Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario Bros. games follow the precedent set by the NES original of 1985 and over time make improvements in graphics, gameplay, and environments and New Super Mario Bros. 2 is no exception. I realize this game was released in 2011 but it's worth reviewing since it descends from the old school 1985 NES original.