LostWinds is one of the "small" games launched along side Nintendo's WiiWare service. It's similar to the Xbox Live Arcade, in that you exchange points for short games. Usually this translates into a game that would never make it as a retail game, but might still be worthwhile.
I decided to give this a shot as it appeared to have a very unique control scheme, beautiful art style, and soothing music. With that said, this is the most relaxing game I have ever played! But not in the "I...can't...stay...awake.." way. Most games today rely on photo-realistic graphics, arsenals that would make Charlton Heston proud, and explosions that belong in Michael Bay films. LostWinds takes it in an entirely different direction. Check out Nintendo's description.
The game itself is very short, only about 3 hours. But at 1000 Points ($10 USD), it is easily worth it. And there is already talk of a sequel. I think the WiiWare service in general is going to be a source of great things to come. Developers can flex their muscles without the requisite monetary commitment of a full retail release.
Gameplay and story line are reminiscent of Legend Of Zelda titles. You are the hero, a young boy, who is tasked with finding and stopping a dark force that is threatening your world. Perspective is a traditional side scroller, but all environments are rendered beautifully in 3D. The nunchuk is used for motion and context sensitive commands such as Grab and Eat. The Wiimote controls a cursor that represents the spirit of wind. Using this power, you can elevate our young hero to heights he wouldn't be able to reach before. Check out the video for more detail.
Bottom line: If you have a Wii, you NEED this game.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
New Gadget: Asus EEE PC
Fresh delivery from Amazon. 1 Asus EEE PC and 1GB of So-Dimm Ram.
If you aren't familiar with this device, here's the run down:
-900Mhz Intel Celeron Processor
-512MB RAM
-4GB Solid State Drive (~2GB available)
-Integrated 802.11 b/g WiFi
-Webcam
-7" Screen (800x480)
-3 USB 2.0 Ports
-VGA output
-Headphone & Mic Jacks
-10/100 Ethernet Jack
-SD card slot (Compatible with SD and SDHC)
-Customized Xandros Linux OS
Weighs in at around 2lbs. Granted, at this size, the keyboard is teeny-tiny. It will take some getting used to, what with my E.T. fingers and all.
We bought this as a replacement for our 5+ year old 12" Powerbook. It's dead. :( The replacement just needed to be small, simple, inexpensive, and "internet capable". And I'm happy to say, this thing fills all requirements wonderfully!
The default OS is VERY simplified. Large icons representing either installed applications or links to web apps that open in the default browser, Firefox. It's executed very well for it's purpose. For the more adventurous amongst us, you can initiate an "Advanced mode" that is similar in layout to Windows XP. In fact, Asus supplies instructions and a DVD that allows you to install WinXP if you so choose. Many people have had great success with this by making custom installs using nlite. Reports of <600mb href="http://www.eeeuser.com/">This place has pretty much all information you could possibly want on using, tweaking, and playing with the EEE.
Priced at $399 for the 4GB model ("Surf", 2GB, and 8GB models also available) it fits somewhere between a PDA and a full size, desktop replacement laptop. So far, I am VERY please and impressed.
To the pictures!
EEE and Nintendo DS
Same stuff, different view
Yeah, it's a HD-DVD, so what? Ya wanna fight about it?!
If you aren't familiar with this device, here's the run down:
-900Mhz Intel Celeron Processor
-512MB RAM
-4GB Solid State Drive (~2GB available)
-Integrated 802.11 b/g WiFi
-Webcam
-7" Screen (800x480)
-3 USB 2.0 Ports
-VGA output
-Headphone & Mic Jacks
-10/100 Ethernet Jack
-SD card slot (Compatible with SD and SDHC)
-Customized Xandros Linux OS
Weighs in at around 2lbs. Granted, at this size, the keyboard is teeny-tiny. It will take some getting used to, what with my E.T. fingers and all.
We bought this as a replacement for our 5+ year old 12" Powerbook. It's dead. :( The replacement just needed to be small, simple, inexpensive, and "internet capable". And I'm happy to say, this thing fills all requirements wonderfully!
The default OS is VERY simplified. Large icons representing either installed applications or links to web apps that open in the default browser, Firefox. It's executed very well for it's purpose. For the more adventurous amongst us, you can initiate an "Advanced mode" that is similar in layout to Windows XP. In fact, Asus supplies instructions and a DVD that allows you to install WinXP if you so choose. Many people have had great success with this by making custom installs using nlite. Reports of <600mb href="http://www.eeeuser.com/">This place has pretty much all information you could possibly want on using, tweaking, and playing with the EEE.
Priced at $399 for the 4GB model ("Surf", 2GB, and 8GB models also available) it fits somewhere between a PDA and a full size, desktop replacement laptop. So far, I am VERY please and impressed.
To the pictures!
EEE and Nintendo DS
Same stuff, different view
Yeah, it's a HD-DVD, so what? Ya wanna fight about it?!
Friday, March 21, 2008
New Gadget: Sansa Clip
I've been on the look out for a small, inexpensive, and simple mp3 player for a while now. The iPod shuffle was on my list, especially after a recent price cut. That is until I found this:
Sandisk Sansa Clip. This one is a 2GB. It also comes in 1 and 4GB varieties with 5 color choices amongst them. As you can see it has a small OLED screen, something that the Shuffle lacks. It plays MP3, WMA, Secure WMA, and Audible formats. No AAC support here, but if you still like to use iTunes like I do, then it's very easy to convert those files into MP3's without too much hassle.
It also has a FM tuner, FM recorder, and Voice recorder. It is quickly gaining popularity in the Hi-Fi crowd as it seems to have some of the best audio output of ANY player on the market right now. It's not unusual for an audiophile to pair this cheapy player with a "less than cheap" set of headphones and/or an headphone amp. While I didn't go that far, I did swap out the crap packaged earbuds with some cheap Skullcandy Ink'd. These aren't the best, but they were $15 at Target (B&M) and work well for working out, running, etc. For at home listening I use my Bose Triports. Say what you want about Bose, but I got them at a great price and they are BY FAR the most comfortable headphones I've wrapped around my tremendous dome.
Back to the player: All of these features for the lowly price of $49.88!!! I had my local Best Buy price match Walmart.com. The local Wallies didn't have the 2GB in stock. BB did, but wanted $59.99 for it. Boo. The 4GB will set you back $79 from Best Buy or Sansa direct.
I hope the introduction of this product spurs Apple into producing something similar. Or at least dropping the price on the Shuffle even further. 2GB mp3 player with no screen for $79? OR a superior product with more features for $49? Gee, let me think....
Clip & Pedometer
1st Gen Nano, Clip, Pedometer
Sandisk Sansa Clip. This one is a 2GB. It also comes in 1 and 4GB varieties with 5 color choices amongst them. As you can see it has a small OLED screen, something that the Shuffle lacks. It plays MP3, WMA, Secure WMA, and Audible formats. No AAC support here, but if you still like to use iTunes like I do, then it's very easy to convert those files into MP3's without too much hassle.
It also has a FM tuner, FM recorder, and Voice recorder. It is quickly gaining popularity in the Hi-Fi crowd as it seems to have some of the best audio output of ANY player on the market right now. It's not unusual for an audiophile to pair this cheapy player with a "less than cheap" set of headphones and/or an headphone amp. While I didn't go that far, I did swap out the crap packaged earbuds with some cheap Skullcandy Ink'd. These aren't the best, but they were $15 at Target (B&M) and work well for working out, running, etc. For at home listening I use my Bose Triports. Say what you want about Bose, but I got them at a great price and they are BY FAR the most comfortable headphones I've wrapped around my tremendous dome.
Back to the player: All of these features for the lowly price of $49.88!!! I had my local Best Buy price match Walmart.com. The local Wallies didn't have the 2GB in stock. BB did, but wanted $59.99 for it. Boo. The 4GB will set you back $79 from Best Buy or Sansa direct.
I hope the introduction of this product spurs Apple into producing something similar. Or at least dropping the price on the Shuffle even further. 2GB mp3 player with no screen for $79? OR a superior product with more features for $49? Gee, let me think....
Clip & Pedometer
1st Gen Nano, Clip, PedometerFriday, February 15, 2008
NSLU2 Adventures
I've had a Linksys NSLU2 for about 2 years now. Have of that time, it's been sitting in a closet unused and unappreciated. I gathered my courage and dove head-first into the "SLUG" hacking community.
First stop, replace the stock firmware with uNSLUng 6.10 Beta. Great instructions at http://www.nslu2-linux.org
I originally wanted to get a simple web server running on it to host photos for family/friends. Following this article: http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/HowTo/RunGalleryOnApache
The install went as planned, but I ran into a brick wall when trying to set permissions. Boo. I kind of gave up on that part for now and decided to try running an iTunes server to feed my Mac Mini and my modified Xbox running the latest T3CH build of XBMC. I had a 40GB 2.5" hard drive left over from my 12" powerbook upgrade. Stuffed that in a external USB enclousure and installed mt-daapd.
So far, so good. I'm still VERY new to this type of hacking. Using Terminal, I can telnet into the SLUG and install "ipkg" packages. It's all very exciting and a great learning experience for me.
First stop, replace the stock firmware with uNSLUng 6.10 Beta. Great instructions at http://www.nslu2-linux.org
I originally wanted to get a simple web server running on it to host photos for family/friends. Following this article: http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/HowTo/RunGalleryOnApache
The install went as planned, but I ran into a brick wall when trying to set permissions. Boo. I kind of gave up on that part for now and decided to try running an iTunes server to feed my Mac Mini and my modified Xbox running the latest T3CH build of XBMC. I had a 40GB 2.5" hard drive left over from my 12" powerbook upgrade. Stuffed that in a external USB enclousure and installed mt-daapd.
So far, so good. I'm still VERY new to this type of hacking. Using Terminal, I can telnet into the SLUG and install "ipkg" packages. It's all very exciting and a great learning experience for me.
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