Natalia discusses what’s new with Pharrell Williams and her thoughts on Karl Lagerfeld’s mean comments towards Adele’s weight. She also shows a roster of animals behaving like humans and, wait until you see the new size of coffee available at Starbucks!
Natalia dishes the latest news on the Juno Awards nominees, the upcoming Spiderman 3D film starring Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield and is Katy Perry hooking up with Tim Tebow? Watch today’s episode to find out.
When The Kooks are in the studio they’re focused and most importantly, sober. Watch Hugh and Luke explain their reasoning below.
The Kooks released a new album called “Junk of the Heart,” and you would think Hugh and Luke would be very excited about it. Well, they seemed rather indifferent to be honest. We spoke about that and why they don’t care about critics.
Natalia dishes the latest in entertainment news on Joan Rivers, Lana Del Rey and a brand new trailer for the movie Hunger Games.
Natalia talks about how Snooki might be pregnant, Nicolas Cage’s Cage Rage, Elisabetta Canalis is dating Steve-O and more for Feb 1, 2012.
Natalia dishes the news on Miley Cyrus breaking her tailbone, a 100 year old woman who plays the Nintendo DS to stay young and Houston, Texas contemplating a statute of Beyonce.
David Beckham debuts a new line of underwear, the worst dressed celebrity – Shy’m and Matthew Broderick is back as Ferris Bueller with a brand new commercial airing during the Super Bowl on Feb 5th 2012.
Daniel Radcliffe is back with his new movie The Woman In Black. It’s a bone chilling remake of a film from the ’80s. Ironically, Daniel actually scares very easily but he’s not afraid of ghosts. In this interview he tells us what really gives him the creeps.
Next time you’re struggling to make conversation, try asking this question: “If you could invite anyone (living or dead) to the perfect house party, who would it be?”
Graffiti6 is starting to make their North American invasion, and they are hitting up the Tonight Show. Does this sound familiar? Well the Beatles made the exact same journey over 40 years ago. Naturally, @jordans_life had to make some comparisons.
Nick plays World of Warcraft. Not only that, he’s the head of his guild, demonstrating that it IS possible to juggle being a hardcore gamer with being a top-selling recording artist.
During a LIVE interview on andPOP.com Nick Carter gave out a number and took phone calls from his fans. These were real phone calls from real fans who we gave exclusive access to one of the biggest recording artists of our generation.
There were great questions about music, fitness, the backstreet boys but the most popular question, however, was about his underwear. In this clip Nick talks about his his ‘Haynes’ and covering his fans with glow in the dark paint.
When releasing new music today, half the battle is online promotion. However, contests, signed merch and giveaways aren’t always the best solutions. When working on their latest album, Hedley came up with a brilliant idea, they decided to make trailers.
It’s hard to prepare for an interview with Hedley. So in this interview, we threw caution to the wind, got a 24 of beer and broadcast the interview live on our USTREAM (andPOP.tv). Eventually Jacob, Dave and @jordans_life ended up talking about hairy legs, their newest music video and more.
Diamandis from Marina and The Diamonds talks to us about her very serious disease. It’s called synaesthetic. And we lied, it’s not a disease. More like a cool condition. Diamandis explains further.
Would you be embarrassed if someone scrolled through your iPod? We sit down with Spee and Brendan to talk about the diverse music on their playlist.
Marina and The Diamonds are working on some new music, but Marina is being very secretive about it. Although the release has been delayed, she let’s us in on some secrets about the new album, and how alcohol changed her life.
Once upon a time, long before the sold out stadiums and screaming fans, little Howie D was a self-proclaimed “Dough Boy.” Apparently, his first love wasn’t music, it was Twinkies. In all fairness, Howie went on to much better things, however, for this interview the guys reminisce about some of their more embarrassing moments.
19 hits! It reads...
Got no game…
I’ve always feared the day when I would come across a game that would be so terrible that its very existence would torment me. Maybe I am being a bit melodramatic but trust me when I say that Game Party 3 makes me very sad. You see a while back I wrote a good editorial piece about the Wii and how there are plenty of good games available for it. The main focus was to draw attention to stellar third party games and how they need our support if the Wii is to have a bright future. Game Party series makes it harder for any third party developer to actually make a decent game when publishers can see so much revenue created by this minimalist approach.
Yes I do sound pretty jaded and with good reason- I reviewed this title. (more…)
Adam Sandler once sang in The Wedding Singer,”All I wanna do is grow old with you,” which for many, whether we intended to or not, happened in the case of Mario and friends . Till this day, we can still see small children getting introduced to the ever flourishing franchise.
Who are we talking about? We are talking about the short, confident, Italian plumber who wears a trade mark red hat and overalls. Throw in his taller, more socially awkward younger brother who sports an identical outfit only in green. Also in the mix would be the dragon like figure bent on kidnapping a certain princess of the mushroom Kingdom.
Now Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Princess Peach and many other familiar faces are back for another game. So what’s happening in the world of Mario now? There are so many examples that could be used to explain the whole situation but the most simple is one quote:
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” (more…)
Ubisoft’s Quebec studios created an original IP titled Battle of Giants, the series grew in popularity to spawn a sequel – Battle of Giants: Dragons which has hit store shelves For the Nintendo DS and DSi.
This unique game focuses on giant beasts (dragons in this game’s case) that you use and duel with other players. The 3D engine is quite impressive and the promise of a deep upgrade centric quest ensures that you’ll always be playing hard to get that extra power up to best your friends with.
Adding to the list is a cross promotional card game that takes the experience beyond the game.
Pretty cool stuff, now lets bring on Dragons vs. Dinosaurs
Elementary my dear.
After almost a year and then some we finally get another Layton game in our grubby little hands. It’s sort of funny as I mentioned in the preview that Japan is on its 4th title and the series is fairly popular there and here is hoping it catches steam in North America. The title is developed by Level 5 who have been handling this small franchise called DRAGON QUEST. The thing that strikes me about The Professor Layton series is how it can be called a true successor to old-school point and click adventure games. Almost every artistic scenery is littered with interactive madness, whether it’s coins that need to be uncovered, a scene to be analyzed or your traditional brain teaser that needs to be solved. Combine the fact that the game follows a very well told story which runs at a decent 12 hours with over 150 puzzles and you have a solid title that is a must buy for gamers of any age group but especially those nostalgic for the old school adventure games. (more…)
ENTER THE MANSION
Layton, you’ve done it again.
Professor Layton is one of those unique titles that’s really hard to explain. The game isn’t just a puzzle/brain teaser compilation, it’s not entirely an old school adventure, nor is it a complete role playing game… its all of these combined into one of the most intriguing packages available on the DS and DSi. Developed by the fine folks at Level 5, who are responsible for some serious gems in gaming, the North American sequel should be on store shelves as we speak and it’s a title that’s not to be missed out on. (more…)
Coming this fall Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment is bringing you a party game compilation for all you party game fans!!
Yes it’s a double dosage with Game Party 3 and Touch Master 3 for Wii and the later for the DS.
Game Party 3 for wii features 19 game modes, customizable characters and 16 player tournament brackets to boot. No word if the title will use the Wii motion plus.
Touch Master 3 features a co-op game play mechanic that will have you playing through 20 plus games. Both games have been rated E for Everyone.
Encore once more…
You know what’s funny? I did a bit of digging around before I got down to writing my review and realized that the DS version of Guitar Hero has seen its third offering in about a years time. So you know it’s been selling relatively well to merit a sequel and since the Guitar Hero Brand is popular there is no stopping this juggernaut on any platform. Despite that it’s a bit too quick to be releasing so many sequels if you ask me.
With Activition’s third offering for the DS we dive into the basic same game with a different playlist and more broad approach to single player progression. Save for a few key setbacks this has become my favorite Guitar Hero title on the DS simply because of the aforementioned feature and playlist.
Now andPOP has reviewed the previous iterations so for a full understanding I will kindly ask you to refer to those in depth reviews to get a broader understanding of the game.
I find it funny that this game actually took physical form, it couldn’t be download only on the DS, but had they gone that way I wouldn’t be surprised since that’s the amount of content that’s packed within the cart. That’s not to say it’s not worth a pick up if you are a huge fan of the series on the DS but if you’ve played and owned the previous two versions than you’ve essentially played the third. Now if you don’t have any of the DS incantations then this is the version you have to pick up. (more…)
Nintendo is giving us all a treat.
Flipnote Studio, a free download application for the DSi is currently available (again, for free) from the Nintendo DSi Shop. This application gives users the ability to create quick simple animations, or highly detailed cartoons in a similar fashion to old school notepad flipping.
Utilizing a set of simple (yet extremely useful) tools anyone, and I mean anyone, can create an animation of their own with ease. Amateur animators can then register on Hatena’s website, upload their animations, and even download other users animations and then edit them to their own taste. Flipnote animations may also be shared through the DSi’s local wireless feature as well as saved onto a SD card. (more…)
Fans of the 1963 Maurice Sednak classic children’s book are in for a treat this fall. Warner Bros. has just announced a Where the Wild Things Are video game to coincide with the feature film release. The movie adaptation is directed by Spike Jonze and releases on October 16, 2009. Expect the game to launch sometime around then.
In the video game, players assume the role of the rambunctious young Max and can explore the island of the Wild Things, journey across its dangerous terrain, overcome hazardous obstacles and battle fierce creatures. “Through their action-filled adventure, players will team-up with the Wild Things – each with their own unique skills or special talents – learn valuable new abilities and work together to find a way to safety, ” said Samantha Ryan, senior vice president, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
Where the Wild Things Are is being developed for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 by Amaze Entertainment, a Foundation 9 studio, and for Nintendo DS by WayForward.
Yep, that’s right Might and Magic are back yet again, but this time in portable DS goodness. While I’m still unsure on the mechanics of this Might and Magic title (strategy puzzler?) you cannot deny the awesomeness the trailer provides for a portable taste of fantasy brand goodness.
While Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes is only coming out this fall, we have a nice little trailer to keep us excited until the actual release date. Developed by Toronto independent Capybara Studios, the Might and Magic brand continues to live on, on a much smaller scale. To see this trailer, continue on will this article. (more…)
Two versions of the upcoming Mega Man Star Force 3 title are coming to North America this week. Black Ace and Red Joker, this two-game setup allows friends to share unique items and powers through Nintendo’s Wi-Fi connectivity in order to enhance their individual characters.
Rated E for everyone by the ESRB and going for around $30, this latest installment of the Mega Man title offers everything fans of the blue bomber have come to enjoy in a new story with new weapons, bad guys and features. (more…)
There are three things I love about this job: being able to talk about gaming all the time, getting a chance to play alot of the newest titles and write about them, and special events. Now, these special events…well, they’re very special. They could be as big as going to E3 (maybe next year?) or as small as a demo station in a hotel lobby. Either way, it’s a break from the ordinary and it can lead to very unique experiences (such as playing NHL 10 with Patrick Kane and John Tavares likes we did earlier in the week).
Recently we were invited to another special event, the E3 of the North as they called it. We got a chance to not only sit down with Matt Ryan of Nintendo Canada (along with other members of the Nintendo family) but we also got an opportunity to try out some of the biggest titles that were revealed at this year’s E3!
Lets start with the DS titles. (more…)
Nintendo shipped its 100 millionth portable DS system on March 9.
The 100 million sales include Nintento DS, DS Lite and DSi systems. All sales have been since late 2004 when the product launched.
“Consumers have shown their love for Nintendo DS – 100 million times over,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “We are grateful that people of all ages continue to respond to our products, and we will continue to look for ways to please current gamers and create new ones.” (more…)
andPOP sat in on a developer’s call with Tim Huntsman (senior producer) and Mark Thompson (art director) from developer Fall Line Studios regarding the soon to launch Ultimate Band for the Wii and DS.
Ultimate Band is a peripheral free “Guitar-Hero” like game that uses the Wii Remote and Nunchuck for gameplay.
Below is the audio from the developer’s call we sat in on(approx 40 min).
Here’s some of the questions we submitted for the call:
- What does ultimate band offer that no other music game does?
- Where has the influence for the artistic style of the game come from?
- What gameplay modes are there?
(of course the first question asked came from andPOP)
Enjoy!
Ultimate Band, a Guitar Hero like – minus the peripherals – game for the Wii will be released November 25th. Instead of guitars and drums, gamers will use the Wii Remote and Nunchuck in an “air band” style gameplay.
One of the best thing about this release? Possibly the price-tag.MSRP is $29.99 for Nintendo DS and $49.99 for Wii.
Just released is a song list for both the Wii and DS versions of the game.
Wii Song List
· Girls Not Grey
· Complicated
· Hanging on the Telephone
· Song 2
· I Want You To Want Me
· All Right Now
· Anna Molly
· Club Foot
· Won’t Go Home Without You
· Dashboard
· Helena
· Get the Party Started
· Crushcrushcrush
· Just
· Stumble and Fall
· When Did Your Heart Go Missing?
· In Too Deep
· Unconditional
· Somebody Told Me
· Always Where I Need to Be
· Debaser
· Fell in Love With a Girl
· Break on Through
· Beverly Hills
· Move Along
· Rock Lobster
· First Date
· Whip It
· Take Over the Break is Over
· Hold On
· Our Time Now
· Just What I Needed
· All Day and All of the Night
· Steady As She Goes
· My Generation
DS Song List
· Move Along
· Rock Lobster
· First Date
· Whip It
· Take Over the Break is Over
· Hold On
· Our Time Now
· Just What I Needed
· All Day and All of the Night
· Steady As She Goes
· My Generation
· All Star
· Call Me
· Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
· 9 in the Afternoon
In a year of shooters focusing on guts, gore, and guns, I find myself looking through my video game library time after time for a light, fun adventure game to play. Luckily, Nintendo gave me a portable game to play when I don’t feel like venting my rage with murder, and what a game it was! The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, released in early October, is Link’s first adventure on the Nintendo DS. Nintendo definitely put a lot of thought and planning into this outstanding title before releasing it.
Taking place after The Wind Waker, Link begins on a ship with Tetra and her pirate crew only to be confronted by a ghost ship that takes her away and leaves you washed up on an island with many questions. A random fairy finds you and brings you to its elderly grandfather and the quest begins. A monster has sealed up the fairies and the Ocean King’s power and is causing havoc all over the ocean and its inhabited islands. You must go find the fairies, release the king’s power, defeat the evil and save your friend. All in a day’s work for a hero such as Link, right? This time, however, you must travel from island to island with your new friend, Linebeck, and his ship.
The majority of the game takes place exploring the islands in the four quarters of the sea and completing dungeons and puzzles, but a good portion also takes place on the ocean digging up treasure and fighting battles. An interesting twist in this title is that in order to find the sea charts and make your way to more distant new islands, you must keep re-entering the Ocean King’s temple and progress deeper and further using the new items you acquire throughout the game while limited to the amount of time left in your Phantom Hourglass (you obtain more time by defeating bosses). It’s an interesting concept, repeating the same dungeon time after time but exploring more of it each time you defeat a boss. Throughout the game, the only thing I found missing was the lack of jars, wallet upgrades and the single aspect of the game that disappointed me most was the fact that the only thing really needed to buy in stores was a shield at the beginning of the game. Otherwise all of your favorites return in this true Zelda title, from fairies to cuckoos, this title will make you remember why you fell in love with Link and his crew all those years ago.
The Phantom Hourglass’s graphics are by far the best I have ever seen on the Nintendo DS, as long as you can deal with the game’s cartoon cell shaded look first introduced in Wind Waker for the Nintendo Gamecube. Everything in the game (save the map and menus) are in 100% 3D and look stunning. The use of vivid colours (or dull grays depending on the situation) works perfectly in this light hearted adventure title. The design of islands and dungeons within the game are well laid out as one would expect from a Zelda game. Each dungeon is varied greatly, ensuring that the game does not get stale. From smoky explosions to witty cut scenes, the graphics hold their own in Phantom Hourglass.
From “HYAAs” to “BOOMs”, Phantom keeps true to its predecessors with all the sounds that make Zelda memorable. This includes Zelda-style Triforce music, effects for the boomerang and bombs, and beeping when your health is low. Of course the famous ‘secret passage opened’ sound is here too. Your ears will perk when you hear something so familiar, so calming as getting another heart. This game has all the sounds and music that made us hum and reminisce in past games while controlling Link on crazy, whimsical adventures. In this title, they even go a little further and in some instances the sound within the game actually influences the way the game is played (for example, in dungeons, certain floors make noises attracting enemies). This is definitely a game you would want to play with sound, so if you’re riding the bus, be sure to bring headphones.
The controls are where this game diverges from the tried, tested, and true. Although this one uses the same principles that past Zelda titles have, and has the same style and feel, the controls are totally different. To begin with, the entire game can be played with just the stylus if you wish (you can use the shoulder buttons or the D-pad for shortcuts to the map or items), controlling Link and all his weapons and items by using the stylus, you can roll and attack with a sword just by tapping or drawing lines with the stylus. Throw the boomerang or direct other items by drawing the path you want the weapon to take, creating new and innovative ways to overcome obstacles and puzzles. As well, the use of the dual screen works perfectly with this game. Often, the top screen shows the map, and with this, you have the ability to bring it down to the stylus screen at any time to draw paths, or write notes to help solve puzzles or just remind you to take out the trash when you get to a certain part of the game. Phantom uses the innovative aspects of the DS to their fullest: blowing into the microphone to brush off sand, revealing hidden items by wiping them with the stylus, and closing the DS to transfer an image from one screen to the other, for instance. The ways the DS is manipulated in this game are truly amazing but at the same time, they are simple enough not to get in the way of enjoying the fast paced battles or exploring the sea.
As with all other Zelda titles (it may very well be the biggest selling point in the Zelda name), there’s tons to do aside from the actual quest. There are dozens of citizens to speak to from all over the ocean. A few of them have little side quests for you to complete, which may fetch you interesting prizes. Some citizens can send you on wild goose chases while some might ask for your help through the in-game mailbox. The mini-quests are often varied and usually include a puzzle or two along the way. There are also a number of secret uncharted islands with mini-games or optional puzzles to complete for more prizes. Players will find treasure maps that pinpoint locations in the sea where Linebeck’s ship can enter a mini-game to try and salvage a chest at the bottom of the ocean while avoiding bombs. The prizes can also include pieces to upgrade and customize your ship for that sleek pimp look you’ve always wanted. Players can also go around finding courage, wisdom, and strength gems that can unlock your fairies’ power and make you stronger. On top of all these little additions to keep players interested, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass also includes some multiplayer aspects where players can compete in a game of cat and mouse trying to collect force gems. Two players take turns controlling Link collecting the gems or phantoms trying to stop him. The multiplayer aspect (both over local wireless and Nintendo Wi-Fi) can also have an effect on items Link collects and can trade later on in the single player adventure.
The world is large, the dungeons and bosses are as fierce as the game is long, and Link is back in all his glory. Not only is this the best Zelda title found on a portable gaming system but perhaps could be put up there with some of the best Zelda titles of all time.
Graphics: 5.0 / 5.0
Gameplay 5.0 / 5.0
Sound 5.0 / 5.0
Replay value 5.0 / 5.0
