BUZZKILLER'S DOMAIN

Not able to attend PAX East this year like me? well then I have a special treat for you. Last year at PAX, I had a chance to check out Twisted Pixel’s latest game Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley. While the teaser was pretty cool and funny, this new video contains actual gameplay footage of Captain Smiley and Star in action against the evil Dr. Winklemeyer and Brad. So far the platform gaming action looks pretty good and the humor is well done.

No word yet on a release date for Comic Jumper on Xbox Live Arcade, but I’ll keep you posted on all the latest details as they arrive. Until then…enjoy the video!

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (Sega, Sumo Digital, $49.99)

Sega characters…Start Your Engines! Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing is an arcade kart racing game that represents everything that is Sega. While some of you out there would want to call it a Mario Kart ripoff, let me assure you that this game stands out on it’s own with plenty of fun to be had by all both online and offline. If your a diehard Sega fan, Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing should definitely be in your collection.

CLICK HERE for the full review.

Asylum (Silver Dollar Games, 80 Microsoft Points)

Asylum works as a reverse tower defense game with the goal of getting the monsters to escape their captivity in the asylum by reaching the exit on each level. The only things that stand in the way of freedom and certain death is a variety of towers out to shoot them.

CLICK HERE for the full review.

Celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year, Atari’s Missile Command is considered by many as one of the greatest games of all time. The game is so popular that you can find it in any video arcade even today with people still inserting tokens to play it. There was just something special about a game that had you defending cities and shooting missiles out of the sky. The U.S. Military even played Missile Command for real during the first Gulf War shooting SCUDs out of the skies with Patriot missiles. I guess you can say that this classic game sure has an effect on today’s culture.

Released in 1980 during the height of the “Cold War” between the United States and the former Soviet Union, Missile Command had you defending six cities from total annihilation from a nuclear attack. These missile were considered MIRVs due to the fact that they can separate into split into multiple missiles to destroy multiple targets. Of course there’s also planes shooting missiles and the occasional smart bomb which is tough to destroy as well. Of course every world has it’s own defense system. Standing in the way of the nuclear holocaust were three turrets armed with a stockpile of missiles. Your mission was to destroy any missile that was raining down on you while defending the cities. If all six cities were destroyed, it was game over. This was represented by a big explosion and the words “The End” flashing on the screen.

Missile Command is a game where your high score was the only thing that was relevant. Scoring was determined by incoming missiles destroyed. The end of each level gave you bonuses based on the cities that were still standing, and missiles you had left. Bonus cities were also awarded based on your overall score. During my gameplay, my scores were in the 100,000 range which made me happy. World records on the other hand are made in the millions of points range. The current world record is 80,364,995 points set by Victor Ali in 1982. It’s safe to assume that I don’t think I’m going to beat that score anytime soon. Then again I don’t think that anyone else will either.

The arcade version of Missile Command was very unique. Since quick timing and accuracy was important for destroying the incoming missiles, a simple joystick just wasn’t going to get the job done. Instead what you had was a trackball which was able to move the cursor on the screen quickly. The game also had three buttons each controlling a tower. The arcade controls were perfect to me because I can get the cursor anywhere on the screen and fire my missiles. Home versions starting with the Atari 2600 unfortunately had you using the joystick which was adequate. Future versions of the arcade game could be found on practically any console using analog controls which were much better than the average joystick.

Missile Command had a quite an impact on popular culture throughout its 30 year history. It’s been mentioned in television shows, it’s been played in movies like Terminator 2: Judgment Day with Edward Furlong as John Connor playing it in an arcade and in 1982’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High where the infamous “The End” message was displayed. There is also plans to make a big budget Hollywood movie based on the classic game. Let’s just cross our fingers and hope that Uwe Boll is not attached to the project.

I’ve always had fond memories of playing Missile Command in the arcade and the Atari 2600. To me it led to hours and hours of gaming goodness. These days I still play the game on my Xbox 360 with the Xbox Live Arcade version which features not only the original game, but also a high-def makeover as well. Sure the new HD look is great, but I still end up playing the original version more. Call me retro, but I still think that there’s nothing better than an original.

When I was at PAX 2009, there was no bigger buzz then with Klei Entertainment’s Shank. Everyone at the show wanted to get their hands on the game because of just how cool it was. When I asked about what console this game was coming to, they replied with they didn’t know. Well now we do. Klei has teamed up with EA to bring the 2D side-scrolling bloody story of betrayal and revenge to Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, and PC this summer. Trust me when I tell you that this game is awesome and a day one must buy. Thousands of PAX attendees can’t be wrong can they?

Shank is also a finalist for “Excellence in Visual Art” at this year’s Independent Games Festival and will be featured at the IGF Pavilion during the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco next week.

Here’s the trailer for the game as well from PAX 2009.

Shoot 1UP (Mommy’s Best Games, 80 Microsoft Points)

I bet that screenshot got your attention! Shoot 1UP is a shmup that allows you to have up to 30 ships (60 in multiplayer) on screen at the same time blasting away at enemies, huge bosses, and a chick with large mechanical breasts. All of this for only a dollar! What’s not to like about this game? Download it now!

CLICK HERE for the full review

Press Start Studio has announced a major DLC announcement for their hit game Twin Blades on Xbox Live Indie Games and on the iPhone/ iPod Touch. The new DLC, which will be FREE by the way, will include an immersive storyline, new slash combos, mini maps, all new environments, day and night cycles, and badass bosses. Of course the game will still have all the awesome zombie slaying action as you hack, slash, and shoot the undead while upgrading your abilities.

Like what you hear so far? Well check out the trailer below. The new DLC will be out before the end of this month. Enjoy!

Toy Soldiers (Microsoft Game Studios, Signal Studios, 1200 Microsoft Points)

Toy Soldiers reenacts the first great war, but with children’s toys. This tower defense game has you defeating wave after wave of enemy soldiers before they reach your toy box. The best part is that you can take direct control of the action as well. A great game that is fun for all gamers both casual and hardcore.

CLICK HERE for the full review.

MotorHEAT (Milkstone Studios, 240 Microsoft Points)

Get behind the wheel of a superfast sports car with the only goal being to drive as fast as you can while dodging traffic. There is no accelerator and no brakes. It’s just you, the road, and your need for speed. MotorHEAT will bring out your aggressive driving nature just like when you we’re playing the Burnout games.

CLICK HERE for the full review.

Lazy Raiders (Sarbakan Game Studio, 800 Microsoft Points)

The laziest adventurer in the world is on the search for the 16 Lost Relics. Guide Dr. Diggabone through more than 80 levels which will have you tilting and flipping each maze to acquire valuable loot while avoiding various dangers. By the way, beware of the thief who’s out to steal your treasure.

CLICK HERE for the full review.