My profile looks absurdly bare.. so.. I'm going to list my new games-related puchases here every month, if only to fill space and keep a personal record. This month was my birthday month, so I had a bit more disposable cash to spend on my hobby than usual.

Xbox 360 [Premium Version]
NEW! €459.99
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My biggest purchase of the month, and more than likely will be my biggest purchase of the year. I held off on buying a Xbox 360 until E3 so I could see what Sony would throw up, and after that absurd price and a very disapointing showcase I decided on getting myself an Xbox 360 on the strength of Mircosoft's strong exclusive support.. and Oblivion. I got a bundle deal (remembering that a premium Xbox 360 costs €409.99 here) for the price above (in Xtra-Vision) which included the console, 2006 FIFA World Cup, Perfect Dark Zero, a wonderful waste of fossil fuel in the form of a faceplate and an Addidas football. I was very happy with the value of the bundle and I hope the console will provide me with more than a few great gaming expriences.



2006 FIFA World Cup
Xbox 360, New, Free(ish)
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Got as part of my Xbox 360 bundle, I doubt I'd have ever get this otherwise. Despite that, I was amazed at how well this plays, and it is a real evolution from the last FIFA game I played. It's not Pro Evolution Soccer great yet, but at least FIFA is a good alternative now.. and it's given me some easy Gamerpoints, so what's to complain about?!

Perfect Dark Zero
Xbox 360, New, Free!.. ?
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The other game that game with my Xbox 360, this really seems like a game that's been released past it's time. The game feels plastic in more ways than just the visual style; it seems rigid and overcooked. I'm not saying it's an awful game, though, as there are nice touches like the motion blur effect as well as some pretty good set pieces. Just not the kind of game you'd want to see being what is effectively the second sequel of GoldenEye.


Tales of Eternia
PlayStation Portable, Used, €20
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When I saw this game for €20 in GameStop I hadn't played any of the Tales series, but with my love for RPGs it would have to happen eventually. The fact it's a visually inspired game with an orginal battle system is just dressing, then. That and the fact the PSP version of Tales of Eternia was never released in the US. Sweet.


Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
GameCube, Used, €15.55
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My love for Super Metroid is far from a secret, it being one of my favourite games of all time and easily my favourite 2D game, so when Nintendo shipped out it's long overdue 3D debut to US developer Retro Studios I was wary.. but when I played Metroid Prime it turned out to be a brilliant update of one of Nintendo's more adult franchises. The dual world concept of Echoes confused me (in theory, at least) to the point where I missed out on it in 2004, but seeing it for under 20 Euro on eBay meant I had no excuse to get it. Echoes is another worthy addition to the Metroid series, even if it hasn't really prgressed sinc the first Prime.



Soul Calibur
Dreamcast, Used, €6.67
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Another purchase off eBay, and one I've been meaning to get since I was given a Dreamcast (a non-gamer friend of mine got one free with his mobile phone contract) a few years back. I loved Soul Calibur II and III, so it really was only a matter of time. I found it suprisng just how similar SC and SC III are in terms of pace and balance, despite the seven year between them. Impressive stuff, none the less.


ICO [Limited Edition]
PlayStation 2, Used, €17.99
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It was more than a little suprising to see a limited edition version of ICO in GameStop (with all the art cards, too), but at half the price it goes for on eBay, I wasn't about to suggest they raise the price. It was bought as part of a three for two offer on used games, along with the next two games. I still have yet to get around to playing the game, but that doesn't stop me from mentioning to just about everyone that I have the limited edtion European version of ICO. Mwaha?


Beyond Good & Evil
Xbox, Used, €12
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Another game bought as part of the three for two offer in GameStop, Beyond Good & Evil is one of those games I've been interested in playing ever since it broke the magic 15 Euro barrier. If Peter Jackson thinks it's good, it must be.. mind-numbingly boring? Whatever about anyone else, I've always been a fan of obscure French games.. weeeeeee.


Fight Night Round 2
Xbox, Used, €18
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And this is the last game in the three for two offer in GameStop that I got. Techincally this wasn't the free game (as it was 'cheapest game free'), but it was the last of three three I decided on. I was a mild fan of Knockout Kings 'back in the day' so I did want to try out at least one of the Fight Night games. The analog stick punch system is a real innovative and it is still one of the finest two-player games around. I like.


The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Xbox 360, Used, €40
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Another purchase off the wonderous eBay, this is the game that really sold the Xbox 360 to me. It arrived on the 31st of the month so it *just* made it onto the July list. So far Oblivion is a joy; the depth and beauty of the world is something to beyond. And of course there's Sean Bean still to come. I CAN'T WAIT.