I don't know if I'm just behind the times on this, but damn I'm excited!

Watch the REAL bootlegged trailer here

That will be the one movie I see in the theaters this year...

Yesterday I went browsing around to several different GameStop locations. Not something I really wanted to do on my day off, but it was a necessary evil. I strolled in at one location right after a class meeting (yeah, we still have classes every 2 weeks during our clinicals) and what do I find? A preowned copy of Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core and Atari Classics Evolution for the PSP. Employee discount + Edge card discount + preowned price = a decent deal. Right? I guess so.

Later in the day, I had a chance to try out both titles. I wasn't extremely satisfied with the Atari collection, and even less so when I discovered that the casing was scratched to hell. (It's a neurosis...as a collector, I want my games in near perfect condition if at all possible.) So, I swapped discs to give Crisis Core a try to see what all the hype was about. I was disgusted. I wanted that chunk of garbage out of my house immediately, but wait...I didn't buy it for myself in the first place. It's for my girlfriend. So, I have to let her try it out and see if she likes it before I can return it. In the meantime, I start running through my mental list of titles I want to swap the Atari collection for. That is where our real journey begins...

I won't bore everyone with the details of the trip, but I ended up visiting a total of 6 GameStop locations yesterday. I ended up swapping out the Atari collection and grabbed 2 copies of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fate for the DS. I have been wanting to play this one, but I didn't want to play by myself since the GameCube Crystal Chronicles was a bit boring to play alone. My girlfriend was a bit miffed when she saw me walking back to the car with 2 copies, but mostly because she had it confused with Final Fantasy Tactics, which she has no interest in. After a quick explination and demo, she became more than happy to join me in the quest.

So, 2 Final Fantasy titles on 2 different systems. Where to begin? Well, I wasn't interested in Crisis Core from the beginning since I really hated the Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children movie. I am one of the few people that feel the story was complete with the original Final Fantasy 7 on the PS1 and didn't need to be revived through horrible spin-offs. It almost seemed as if the Final Fantasy series was suffering some kind of downfall and needed a saving grace to get people interested again. I may end up playing through it, but I just can't seem to warm up to it at all. I know there are tons of people who will love this game and play through it many times and memorize the story and where to find every last materia. I was turned off by the new battle system and the horrible dialogue and voice acting. Voice acting is a big deal to me. If I don't like the characters, I won't play the game. This is why I couldn't get through but a chapter or two of Kingdom Hearts. Crisis Core has this cocky kid, who was just a footnote in the original Final Fantasy 7, whining about everything and supposed to be the one Cloud models himself after when he goes through his disassociative identity crisis. This really reminds me of Star Wars: Shadow Of The Empire. Did anyone else read that book or play the N64 game? It was all about a Han Solo-like character even though Han Solo was not in the game. It was the same thing in Lord Of The Rings: Third Age. I wanted to shout out "Send in the B-squad!" They're really stretching for a plot and tie-ins with Crisis Core and I just can't let go of that thought long enough so I can try playing through it.

Crystal Chronicles, on the other hand, is already shaping up to be an adventure I'm going to enjoy. I know nothing about the story as of yet, but I've played a bit with the battle system to know this is a title I'll enjoy. It reminds me a lot of Y's: Ark of Napishtim and what I hoped the Mana DS titles would have been. I know it hasn't been received as well as Crisis Core, and quite frankly has been far overshadowed, but so far I'm enjoying it a lot more. Maybe I'm just a little too old-school, but these are the kind of games I enjoy and I hope they don't give up on this side of the Final Fantasy series. I like the cutesey visuals and the more fantasy-style story lines where the more recent entries have seen more technologically advanced civilizations. I'll play Final Fantasy 9 before I'll play FF12. Which reminds me...I have a copy of 9 sitting on the shelf, and I never finished it. Maybe it's time to go back and do so. So many RPGs...so little time...but that's for another blog.

Cheers!

Today is officially my last day of Spring Break. Tomorrow morning it's back to clinicals at 6 AM and probably a few days at GameStop. I'd like to take this last day to finish Super Paper Mario and watch lots of Doctor Who (we'll get back to those subjects soon enough), but alas, so many things to do as always. I am taking the time now that my internet service is working properly to share a little of my life and what I did for Spring Break...

The majority of the week was spent with my daughter. Most of you may already know that I am divorced and have moved back to North Carolina for school. My daughter, now 2 years old, still lives with her mother in Florida. I miss her more than anything in the world. She came to visit for Spring Break and we had lots of fun. We built a Duplo train set (Thomas and Friends), read books, watched movies, went shopping (for more train parts, books, and movies) and even took some time to sit together while Daddy played Super Paper Mario. I couldn't tell who she liked more...Mario or Princess Peach. She kept telling me to switch back and forth between the two so she could see them both. We had a great time together, and I was heartbroken when I had to take her back on Saturday. But she will be coming back to see me for my birthday and graduation, so I have something to look forward to. Of course I can't talk about my daughter without a picture to share...

Taking her back to her mother was a difficult thing as I mentioned, but I did catch something I wanted to share with all my friends here...Cafe Risque. It's a topless truck stop on I-95 in North Carolina. It's not the actual Cafe I wanted to mention...it's their advertisements. All over I-95 you'll see signs boasting "We bare all". But I saw a particular sign that made me laugh and cringe at the same time. I do have to mention that these pictures were taken at 70 MPH so it's not the best quality, and a tree got in the way, but here they are...

Do you see what I see? Let's get a little closer...

Hmmm...the tree might be blocking the view...let's try one more time...

Yes...there you have it everyone! Trucker Showers and Adult Toys! Damn. That's all I can say. Do you really want to put those two in the same advertisement? They seriously need a new Ad agency.

So that was most of my Spring Break. What? I didn't get back to Doctor Who? Oh yeah...sorry 'bout that. I did take some time to watch a few episodes when I got back from dropping off my daughter. But here's the real shocker...I wasn't watching the David Tennant or Christopher Eccleston series. I'm old school. I've been collecting the original "Who" DVDs. Mind you, I do have the Eccleston series DVDs, and I've seen a Tennant episode, but I grew up with Tom Baker and Peter Davison. In fact, I'm trying to get all the old-Who DVDs before I really get into the new-Who. So, yesterday I watched a Jon Pertwee story, Inferno, which I really enjoyed. The special effects and monsters are very hokey by today's standards, but it was 1970. Things were much simpler and you had to use your imagination a bit more. I'm not saying that the new shows are bad...in fact I love what I've seen so far...I just want to start near the beginning so I can enjoy the referrences in the new stories. For instance, the very first Jon Pertwee episode, Spearhead From Space, had the Doctor battling the Autons and the Nestene Consciousness. The very first episode of the Christopher Eccleston series, Rose, has the Doctor battling the same villans. And there's plenty more to come. Characters such as Sarah Jane, K-9, the Cybermen, the Daleks, and the Sontarans have all held a place in the series, some dating back as far as 1963 (the Daleks) with the original Doctor, William Hartnell. For those who don't know their Who, do your homework kids...it's a fantastic series and to fully enjoy it, you must know the origins.

That's all from me today...cheers!

The title is no joke. I am boycotting both RedOctane and Activision and encouraging others to do the same. Why you ask? The recent announcement of Guitar Hero: On Tour has really steamed my @$$. Not the game itself...one particular feature. For those who haven't read the article yet, Click Here.

Hopefully we're all on the same page now. The feature I speak of is having players "blow into the microphone to extinguish a pyrotechnics effects gone wrong". What are you people thinking?!?! Are you not aware of the tragedies that occurred from "pyrotechnics effects gone wrong", RedOctane? The big one that comes to mind is the 100+ people that lost their lives at the Station nightclub in Rhode Island in 2003. (For more on the incident, Click Here) Another pyrotechnical incident some of you may remember involved James Hetfield of Metallica in 1992 (again, Click Here). And for those of you old folks such as myself, Michael Jackson's incident in 1984 (Click Here).

I would sincerely hope RedOctane would have a bit more respect for those who have lost their lives or been severely burned in pyrotechnical accidents, but until they do show respect, I will continue to boycot RedOctane and Activision products and I will continue to encourage others to do the same.

Cheers.

...Smash Brothers...tomorrow...it's only a daaaaaaaay....aaaaaaaaaawaaaaaaaaay!

Eat your heart out Little Orphan Annie. :D

I've never been one to get caught up in the hype of new releases. Rarely will I buy a game on release day just for the sheer fact that I usually don't have the money for it and will justify waiting until I can find a used copy and trade a few games towards the price. But something has happened this morning. I think it's because my store has receieved it's alotment of Smash Bros. Brawl for tomorrow and Gamespot's front page advertisements, but for the first time I'm getting excited about a game being released. Well, I can't say the FIRST time. Silent Hill Origins was a big day for me, being the huge Silent Hill fan I am. But Smash Bros. didn't appeal to me the way Silent Hill did. So this is an odd sensation to be thinking that I'll be selling it all day tomorrow and won't be able to play until after 7 pm when I get home. Then, I have work all day Monday, clinicals and work Tuesday and Wednesday, clinicals Thursday, I need to set up my daughter's room because pick her up on Friday...it's one thing after another. So when will I get to play Smash Bros? It's a little distressing now that I'm finally excited about a game, but who knows when I'll get to enjoy it? It's going to be a tough week with the thought of knocking the hell out of Pickachu with a well-placed right hook from Samus but not knowing when I'll actually get to do so.

This makes me think back to the days of the original Game Boy. For you kids who are too young to remember, that was the original monochromatic system (i.e. 4 shades of green were the only colors) that debuted in 1989. I was 12 and it was the coolest thing I had ever seen...portable video games! And what did they package with it? Tetris. One of THE most addictive games ever created. Many a day I would sit in class and imagine falling blocks and where to place them. I would walk the halls humming the music to myself. These were the days that handhelds were not allowed in school...even during recess or lunch. Those who were caught with them in class, or at the school in general, had them taken away until the end of the school year. So I would long to get home and finish my homework and dinner just to flop down on the bed and play Tetris for an hour before sleep.

And there once was a time when I was only allowed to play video games on the weekend. Imagine if we had to do that now. Imagine if you picked up Super Smash Bros. Brawl while out with Mom and Dad at the mall, had to wait until you got home to play, stop for dinner and, oh wait! You didn't finish that worksheet for class tomorrow! Ahhh the horror! Rush through last minute homework and then just as you're sitting down with your Wii, it's time for bed. The next day is Monday. No video games until Friday night...IF you have no homework. And on top of that, you have to tip-toe through the week and not do anything stupid that will get you grounded from video games for a month. Like getting a bad grade on that worksheet you rushed through just so you could go back to your game before bed on Sunday. Oops.

This situation has happened. Of course things aren't like that anymore, but there was a time that I was grounded from my NES and had to sit around my room looking at the blank tv screen as my video games sat there waiting to be played. It's funny now to think back about those days and compare to my life today. But this is what happens as we get older. We have less time to do the things we want and that's probably why I don't get excited about new releases anymore. Who knows when Kirby will get to smack Pit in the head with a hammer. Will Mario be throttled by Luigi in a Bros. grudge match? It'll be going on all over the United States starting at 12:01 Sunday morning (damn, I'm glad we aren't doing a Midnight launch!) but who knows when that war will wage in my livingroom.

So to all of you, my friends, who have the opportunity to whoop @$$ this weekend; whoop a little harder just for me. I'll be there in spirit every day as I imagine battle royales while ringing up the next customer or drawing blood off the next patient.

Cheers!

My internet service has been acting up yet again but I'm back now...so it seems. In the meantime I've been focusing on a few games to get finished. (Being stuck in bed with the flu for a few days helped too.) I began with Professor Layton and the Curious Village for the Nintendo DS. A brilliant piece of work that I couldn't stop playing until I found every last puzzle. I highly recommend this one to anyone who likes the Brain Age titles, a good light-hearted mystery, and Hayao Miyazaki films. With downloadable extras each week from Nintendo Wi-Fi, I put 15 hours into this title easily.

Moving on, I popped in Nanostray...a title I had purchased when I first got my DS. I had never finished it, but I figured it was time. An extremely short shooter with only 8 levels, the challenge levels are where the game gets its replay value...unless you just aren't into playing the same levels over and over to get the target score or finish it in one life. Either way, it's a beautiful game and should be played through at least once if you like this style of game. Just don't use the touch screen EVER. Probably the most useless feature tacked on to a game. I would have rather seen the game stretch across both screens rather than have the extra(useless) weapon options and boss-scanner.

Once I got over the flu and back on my feet, I decided it was time to quit playing around and start enjoying some of my next-gen titles. I chose Assassin's Creed on the PS3 and I am addicted. I don't want to plow through the story too fast so I've been saving as many citizens as I can and seeking out view points to climb. I'm working on the flags as I find them, but I don't think I'll seek out every last one. Some controls could be a bit tighter, but overall I'm enjoying myself.

And finally, I've put Puzzle Quest back in my DS. I was on hiatus with it for a while since I got Lego Star Wars and hadn't come back to it yet, so it's time I got on it. I'm thinking Luminous Arc will be on deck for when I finish Puzzle Quest, but that may change by the time I get finished with it. I'm also debating which title to put in my PSP. I love Patapon, but God Of War: Chains of Olympus just came in and I've had that on reserve for about a year now. So many games yet again...

Here's just a short list of titles I think I may add to my collection as they come in (some depending on how they shape up in the end) and for which system...Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii...this is a no-brainer for any Wii owner), Mario Kart (Wii), Star Wars: Force Unleashed (PSP for sure, but which next-gen system to buy it for???), Alone in the Dark (again, which system? Perhaps I'll do this one on the 360 and Star Wars on the PS3), Turning Point: Fall Of Liberty (most likely I'll get the 360 version...or whichever one I find used at a good price first), Silent Hill 5 (PS3...no doubt about that one. I have all the Silent Hill games on Sony systems so I have to stick with them), Lego Batman and Lego Indiana Jones (I'll probably end up with these on a next-gen and handheld each), Condemned 2 (Xbox 360...I have the 1st one on 360 so I have to stick with it), Soul Calibur 4 (PS3. I know I'll be able to download the extra character for either system, but I'm more able to get online with my PS3 since I don't have a network adapter for my 360), Faith and a .45 (Xbox 360. The title was enough for me to latch on to), N+ (PSP. It reminds me of Exit for some reason), Ninja Gaiden 2 (Xbox 360...unless it shows up on the PS3 before I get it), Gears Of War 2 (360...duh), Professor Layton and Pandora's Box (DS...what an amazing series this is turning out to be), Professor Layton and the Last Time Travel (DS...they need to hurry up and get these games State-side!), and last but not least...Aliens: Colonial Marines (PS3...I've got so many titles for my 360 already, I need a bunch on my PS3 to validate the purchase :D )

So what's caught your eye? Any games on the horizon that you're following? Have I missed something that looks completely amazing that I should run look at right away? Let me know...I don't think I have enough games ;)

Well, I've been a PS3 owner for 2 weeks and a Wii owner for 1 week and I must say I've been doing a LOT of gaming in that time. In case a few of you were on the fence about getting one of these systems (or some of these games for that matter) here are some of my early impressions...

Playstation 3:

System - What a heavy piece of machinery! I thought the Xbox 360 was a monster, but this was rediculous! That aside, I have to admit that the hook-up for this was quite easy. I haven't even looked at the instructions yet. I guess it was made easier by the fact that I work at a GameStop, but I was glad to find that most things were self explanatory. I managed to get everything up and running with no issues, but the one thing I have not liked so far has been the content installation for each and every game I've put in so far. Drop a new title in, install something to make it work. It's not that it has to be connected to the internet and I think it's to make the game run faster, but damn it takes a loooong time to get started on a new game. The controllers seem to hold quite a bit of charge (I have not yet recharged them in 2 weeks....but then again, I only play about 30-45 minutes a day) and the graphics are quite nice. I also love having the built-in blu-ray player and free online capabilities.

Assassin's Creed - I was planning on getting this one for my 360 but Best Buy had a sale on it for the PS3 so I figured I would save $30 and grab it while I could. I've briefly played the 360 version and this one looks identical as far as I can see so I'm not complaining about my choice. An interesting story and cool gameplay.

Genji: Days of the Blade - So far, all I've done is watch the intro video and it looks awesome. I'll probably have more to say once I've had time to really get into the game.

Heavenly Sword - A beautiful button masher, what more can I say? I haven't played much; I actually have only watched as my girlfriend played, but the story seems to be really well done and the graphics are great. If it's as short as they say, I don't know if it's actually worth what I spent on it, but she's enjoying it and that definately balances out the cost.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Second most beautiful game I have ever seen...second only to Bioshock. I played the first 'level' and liked the "Indiana Jones meets Tomb Raider with a splash of Han Solo attitude" feel. I'm not really far enough in to know how good the story is, but the set up is cool and the characters look like they could have been modeled after real people...however they still look a bit less realistic than Heavenly Sword and Bioshock.

Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom - Another one I bought just for my girlfriend...she loves the Untold Legend titles on the PSP. From what I've seen, all hack-n-slash, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Not the best graphics for a next-gen title, but it'll do.

Virtua Fighter 5 - A $30 next-gen fighting game...I'm sold. I was not about to pay $60 for the 360 version when all they added was online play. I don't even play online with my 360. Now if I could just learn how to do a few combos so my girlfriend will quit kicking my @$$...

Sony Network games:

I had a friend come over last week and he signed in to my system and downloaded a few titles for me...Flow, Blast Factor, Pixel Junk: Monsters, Loco Roco: Cocoreccho, and Pain. If you need stress relief, Pain is definately worth the $10. Nothing is better than flinging a guy around the city and doing as mch damage as possible. Oh, and spend the extra $1 for each of the bonus characters...they give the game so much more flavor.

Blu-ray movies:

Damn they're pretty. I'm so glad I jumped on board with this format. I was hesitant to side with one or the other, but then I saw one movie that changed it all for me...Disney/Pixar's Cars. That's all it took to sell me on blu-ray. It's my daughter's favorite movie and I love all of Pixar's films. Now if they would just release all of the Star Wars films...(This has to be the first time I've said I wanted to spend money on those AGAIN...) So far I've picked up Cars, The Corpse Bride, the 5 Harry Potter films, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, Silent Hill, the Spider-man trilogy, Underworld, War, and X3: Last Stand. I think I've actually watched...uhm...1 movie so far.

Nintendo Wii:

System - It was a bit frustrating to figure out how I was going to hook up this little machine. I just got my HDTV and I didn't want to put sticky tape all over it to hold the sensor bar down, but I got it sorted out with no sticky what-so-ever. Again, kudos for free internet access (Microsoft really needs to get off their 'charge you for everything' kick) although it seems a bit more limited than Sony's access. I did however spend the first 10 minutes with my system browsing the downloadable virtual console games...

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - I haven't even turned this one on yet. I'm an avid fan of the series, but I haven't had time to finish the second one yet...I grabbed it because I got a good price on it and I'm a bit of a collector.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon - Wow this is weird! I'm having to learn to play MK all over again, but I think I like the idea. It was much easier when I found out I was supposed to hold the 'B' button before waving the remote around...

Rayman: Raving Rabbids 2 - I got the first one for my girlfriend on the 360. We LOVE Rabbids. This was a no-brainer. She's played it. I've watched. It's quite amusing. I'll play it later...right now I have more on my mind (you'll see which one in a sec...)

Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles - I haven't played a decent rail-shooter since the arcade version of Area 51. I love rail-shooters, but I never got that arcade feel from any console version until now. I borrowed a Wii Zapper but that just slowed me down (that and the set-up to use the Zapper was a pain in the rear). I'm looking forward to playing more of this one, but I'll stick to the remote and nunchuck rather than mess with goofy gadgets that do nothing for the game.

Super Mario Galaxy - It's a Mario title so I bought it...I'm not as interested in this one yet, but I will play it.

Super Paper Mario - Ah, yes...the reason I own a Wii. This was the first game to catch my attention for the console and it's the one taking most of my time. I've clocked in a good hour or two with the adventure and I absolutely LOVE this game. In fact, I had to force myself to turn it off so I could come type up this blog. So far, this is my favorite Wii title.

Wii Play - Why else would you buy this game except for the remote that comes with it? I haven't even taken the celophane off the game package, but I'll get there. I'm just not ready to put down Super Paper Mario to play Pong.

Wii Sports - It came with the system...if I had a choice, it wouldn't have. I'm sure I'll play it, but why now when I have so much more to play?

Nintendo Virtual Console:

My first 10 minutes on my Wii were spent 'window-shopping'. It's so addictive! I ran out and bought Wii Points like they were going out of stock. So far I've gotten Super Mario 1, 2, and 3, Legend of Zelda 1, 2, and 3, Castlevania 1 and 2, Ninja Gaiden 1 and 2, and Bubble Bobble. Now I'm planning my next trip to the store to trade some GBA titles towards more points to get Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario World and Lost Levels, Castlevania 4, DK Country 1-3, Cybernator, Paper Mario, Toe Jam & Earl 1 & 2, World Heros, Bonk's Adventure, and Mario Kart 64. Classic gaming is about to get expensive.

Other random additions:

Nintendo DS - Professor Layton and the Curious Village and Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (Both excellent games, but Professor Layton has captured my attention and the weekly puzzle downloads have made this a title to keep)

Game Boy Advance - Star Wars Trilogy: Apprentice of the Force (It's portable Star Wars...does it really need to be good? It kinda reminds me of the Super Star Wars titles on the SNES. Now if they would just put those on the Wii's Virtual Console...)

Xbox 360 - War Tech: Senko Ronde (this one I got for $4 at Best Buy...for that price it's good)

Sony PSP - Hot Pixel, Exit, Rocky Balboa, Dead Head Fred, Prince of Persia: Revelations and Rival Swords (Nothing here really stands out as more than just a fun game. Hot Pixel is Atari's answer to WarioWare, Exit and Rocky were on clearance at Best Buy, Dead Head Fred dropped to $15 at Gamestop, and I never finished the Prince of Persia games on the consoles, so I grabbed the handhelds in hopes of completing them at some point. It should benoted that Exit and Hot Pixel have a ton of downloadable content that makes them worth grabbing for the extended replay value.)

So that's it...not much to say other than I've got a lot of gaming to do. I really need to stop collecting and get to the gaming. I am a junkie and it shows. Which reminds me...I haven't updated my games list in a while. But that'll just have to wait for another day. While I'm thinking about it, does anyone else have the problem of starting a game but not saving so they have to start fresh again? I've noticed that I'm trying out all these titles but not making save files. I think I'm afraid I'll run through them too fast and not get the full enjoyment of the game. Oh well...I'll crack eventually and get to work on something. So far it looks like Super Paper Mario, Assassin's Creed, and Professor Layton are my games of choice at the moment. I just hope they don't update the virtual console store any time soon. :D

Cheers all!

What can I say? I was in the right place at the right time. Here I was just getting used to the idea of having an Xbox 360, then I get an HD-TV AND a PS3, and what should happen Monday? I pick up a Wii. Call the Pope, hell hath frozen. Why you ask? I was dead set against buying one until the hype went down. Well, I have one now, so I might as well enjoy it. Now if I could just find time to hook it up...

Here it is...not one, but TWO top 10 lists!

Top 10 irritations as a video game retail employee:

10. Idiot co-workers - Just because we're gamers, we don't have to live the stereotype. So many days I have been embarrassed for my co-workers because they don't know how to act. It's one thing to enjoy a game or to be passionate about a title, but really, the average person wandering in is not going to care exactly how super awesome the latest import rpg is when it's not going to be out for another year in America and they were just in to buy a new controller and Madden '08 for their PS2.

9. ESRB Policy - It's my job to ask you for ID before selling an 'M' rated game. You know the rules already. DON'T ASK ME AGAIN! I won't sell it to you if you are under age!

8. Credit Card ID Policy - It's company policy to check ID on credit cards. Anyone can steal a card and go off shopping. IT'S FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION!

7. Returns - I'm not the manager. I will do whatever is within my power to take your return, but if it is something I am not allowed to do, don't b**** at me. You don't write my checks.

6. Trade values - I don't decide how much to give you. All I say is if it is resellable or not. It's not my fault if you can't take care of your discs. If you don't like the trade value I offer, don't trade your games. Simple as that. Don't b**** at me. You don't write my checks.

5. Pushed-back release dates - It's not my fault the game you pre-ordered months ago is not out yet. I'm not the publisher. I can't hold a gun to their heads and make them finish it on time. Hell, if I thought it would work, I probably would have tried it by now, but a.) it WON'T work, b.) I'd rather have a later release with more development time for a better game, and c.) I don't have a gun.

4. Quit complaining about the line - most retail stores in the mall only have one register. Some have two. We can only go so fast and we give each and every customer the same courtesy. You will get your turn.

3. Just tell me what you want - don't tell your 4 year old to ask for something when they have shyness issues. I have my own child. I don't need to decipher what your kid is trying to say. I don't bite; I promise! And while I'm at it, don't give your kids the money to hand to me when you could have saved a step and just given it to me yourself. Chances are the kid's going to drop it all over the counter and I'm going to have to go searching for a lost quarter because 'Junior' can't reach up that high.

2. Put it back where you found it - it's such an easy concept. You take a game off the shelf, it leaves a hole. You need to put a game down, put it back in the hole you created. If your unruly child is grabbing things off the shelves, maybe you should either find where they got it or give it to me. I'd rather re-shelve it myself than have you derange my alphabet. And by the way, 'C' is not followed by 'T'. Is it really that hard to get it even CLOSE to the right place?

And the number 1 irritation as a video game retail employee...

Console shortages - It's not my fault a certain game system is not available! Don't get p***ed off at me! Here's an idea: contact the manufacturer of the console you want and let them know you want one and maybe they will make more. In the meantime, don't come off sideways at me for not having it or selling out when we do get some in.

Now, as promised, part 2:

Top 10 irritations as a game store customer:

10. Idiot employees - don't look at me like I'm stupid when you obviously have no clue what's going on.

9. Creepy employees - don't follow me around like I'm your buddy just because we might have had a 'bonding moment' when we agreed that a certain game was purely underrated.

8. A**h*** employees - your opinion is unnecessary unless I ask for it. Your job is to answer my questions and make my visit to your store pleasant; not to p*** me off to where I don't want to come back. This also includes rushing me out the door at exactly 9pm so you can close up exactly on time and go home to play your online game with the people you work with.

7. Persistant employees - I don't need games for a system I don't have. Tell me about your specials and leave me alone. Don't crowd me. Don't touch me. If you look at my girl like that again, I'll break a foot off. Personal space is very important to me and I like for you to be outside of said space. I will let you know if I can use your help.

6. Useless employees - quit standing around like you're working if you aren't going to do so. Don't argue over who's going to get off their ass and help me when I come to the counter. Don't look like I've asked you for the impossible when it's a simple question. You get paid to answer my questions. Don't di*k me around and pretend to look for an answer or for a product. Don't ust tell me "no one has it" unless I ask for a Wii or DS Lite.

5. Price drops - it always seems to happen right after I buy anything...

4. Inappropriate conduct/language - nothing I hate worse than going in to a game store and hearing the employees babbling on about how f'n awesome this was or how f'n stupid that game was. And it's not just the employees...the people that are getting loud at the demo units...were you raised in the wild and don't know any better? Damn, people! Act like you got some smarts!

3. Food, gum, drinks, etc. on the floors, product, counter, and/or demos - there is nothing I hate more than to go to try out a demo on the in-store system and there's something sticky on the controller. I've stepped in gum, found under shelves, and even seen barbecue sauce on game cases. Don't go shopping if you can't wash your hands.

2. Stoner/boozer employees and customers - nothing worse than walking into a store and getting hit with the pungent stench of burnt hemp or overhearing employees talk about how hungover they are (this ties in with the "inappropriate language"). If you're going to smoke up, don't do so right before you go into a store. We can smell it. We KNOW you're high. We don't WANT to smell it because you freakin' STINK! And I don't care how awesome that party was last night and how much you drank...sober up, brush your teeth, and get back to work!

1. Opinionated/Know-it-all employees & customers - I really don't care how "aweful" a game was. Just because you read a review that gave it less-than-perfect ratings doesn't mean I'm going to hate it. If I want to buy Bad Boys 2 for my PS2, that's my problem. If I don't play online, don't keep going on about how awesome Call Of Duty 4 is. Don't tell me what to play because you "know it's awesome". Rather, suggest something that would be like the games I already like, and perhaps mention that I may want to RENT a copy of a game that I've never had any interest in for $6 instead of pushing a copy of it into my hands and insisting that I should BUY it for $60. And for the record, I thought Halo 3 was s***.

Well, I was going to follow ZXV33's example and do my own list of top 10 customer irritations (and another list of top 10 irritations of being a customer), but I've been out of the house all day long and returned with a very large surprise...I have finally joined the ranks of most people on GameSpot and have added a 40GB PS3 to my home...along with a 32" Hi-Def TV. No, I didn't trade my 360...it was just a very good tax year so I made the best of it while I could. So suspend disbelief and add me to your friends list. I'll be MarkedByAshes on there as well.

I promise I'll be ranting again soon, but right now I have a system to hook up...