After what seemed like the most worrisome week ever my drama practical is over, and I'm happy to say I managed to get an overall B! Which I have to say I'm quite surprised I got after forgetting half my monologue :( . But hey, I'm not going to complain about it :P. I am really glad I got that grade. I'm not as good at the written exam as I am at the practical (best I've ever got was a D :( ), so hopefully both the scores should even out at a C which should get me into Uni. :) In other, game related news I secured a free copy of Little King Story thanks to Nintendo Europe's Star Catalogue! It's been forever since I decided to get anything out of the Stars Catalogue. I think to last item I got from it was a Mario themed Gamecube controller back in 2005. I also got a free copy of the Zelda Collectors edition and I got my first DS from it as well (though it wasn't free I did get it two weeks before it was released in the UK as well as a free t-shirt). Over my four years of waiting for something decent to turn up (unlike the Wii Fit bottles and the Animal Crossing Watches) a great amount of stars accumulated in my account...which I really did need. You need to register around 25 Wii games to get the stars needed for Little King Story :shock:. I've been told I have to wait '8 weeks' for it but hey. You can't argue with the free! :) Hope y'all had a good weekend! PJ

Met a talking tree called Harold Been brainwashed by a blue(ish) man Used my face to ride a rollercoster Been jumping on several buildings...but faceplanted off more. Killed a cult of satanic mimes Proformed as a vocalist in a death metal group Became best friends with a chubby kid caling himself 'The Gourmond King' Defeated a two headed Ogre by smacking coloured gems together Beat a giant laser shooting robot by headbutting it...as a small robot pig I've won a banjo duel against a guy with an eye patch ...and those are just some of the reasons why I love games :) Part 1 Part 2

Sorry for not being my normal blogging self recently. I blame it on school coursework and Yagr's disease (slacking off) :P I think I'm going to have one of the most stressful weeks of my life next week so I'm slacking off as much as possible before it comes. The reason it's going to be stressful is that I have my practical drama exam next Saturday, and the practical last year made me feel like running away as fast as my legs would carry me. I can still remember the loudest ticking clock in the WORLD as me and my group waited to be examined :shudder: This year we are doing a production of Oh! What a Lovely War which is a musical play about World War. It done in a kind of sketch show style with both funny and serious scenes thrown in. One scene does involve me singing and another has me pretending to be burlesque dancer, flirting with the audience....I better get good grade for this :evil: wish me luck...I'm going to need it... Oh, and apologies to the people who couldn't comment in my last blog. I was trying to add something in my blog header and I accidentally turn the blog comments off :oops: All fixed now though :) PJ

After a week of calls to customer service I manged to get the right '20 Free Tracks Code' for Rock Band. While it was a struggle to get the new code the whole ordeal had given me 40 free tracks rather than 20. So it all worked out my way in the end :D Since it's currently the Easter holiday nothing much has been going on over at my end so I guess this blog is going to be pretty short...hmm...oh I know! Does anybody know if it's possible to buy Ramen in the UK? I've developed an interest in eating one after playing Persona 4. Am I the only one who think that look delicious? :P

I believe I had said quite a few blog comments that I would not be getting DSi, however yesterday I was lucky enough to win one. So, what do I think...

Camera

I have to admit I did have fun with the camera, there is just a lot of stupidly funny stuff you can do with it. Like how it automatically add a moustache to your face, how you can distort the lens or my personal favourite merging your face with another persons to get some weird hybrid face. :P

However I can already feel myself getting tired of it. If I got a group a friend and played around with it I'm sure we could get some great fun out of it but there just doesn't see like there is that much to do with it...

I've taken quite a few amusing photos with it. Unfortunately there is no way I upload them up here. (if anybody knows a way please correct me :) )

Sound Distortion Thingy

I only got a quick chuckle out of this. Whereas the novelty is starting to wear off with the camera it already has with this. Maybe if I had a way to put my music on the SD card I could get a bit more enjoyment out of it. But even so I can't see it begin much...

That said. I'd like to note that I did like the low harmony effect. I just makes you sound...I think 'satanic' is the closest way I can describe it :P.

Web Browser

I'm just going to come out with it...it's terrible. For me a minimum requirement for a browser is if it can load Gamespot. It can't. Too much for its memory to take apparently. Although even if it did work I can't see myself using it. Why use your DSi to browse when your computer is more likely faster, easier to type on and able to play music while your browsing?

DSi Shop

Pretty much the only aspect of the DSi I was actually interested in :P. It is pretty barren at the moment but if supported properly I can see myself getting excited about it (though, I HAVE only bought 1 game on Wii Ware).

There's not much to really say about the store. It looks pretty slick and clean. A little slow but that might just be my USB dongle I use...so...yeah :oops:

WairoWare: Snapped!

The only DSi Ware game I've bought so far. And if I'm honest it was a disappointment. While it is fun to perform all the wacky movements with the camera, the grinds to a holt between every minigame to make sure you face/hands are in the right place. It kills the fast pacing which I liked from the other Warioware games. Also, it only contains 20 minigames which pales in comparison to the 'over 200' from the other entries in the series. I know it's only a £3.50/$5 download game but even at that price I shouldn't be able to see everything to games has to offer in 10 minutes...

On a more positive note it is still fun to play the FEW minigames there are and the snapshots the game takes during play do a good job of showing how much of a berk you look while playing. :P

Overall

What I've wrote above isn't very positive. Most of the stuff that has been added seems very much like a novelty to me (with the exception of DSi shop). That said it is still a DS which is a console with some great games going for it like Pokemon, The World Ends with You, Mario Kart DS etc. If you don't own a DS and think the arrival of the DSi is a good time to invest in one by all means do. If you already own a DS though you're probably better off saving your £150 for something else.

PJ

Mario in short: The most popular character in the game industry today, has a magnificent moustache, looks creepy in real life

What is you're all time favourite console and why?

It would have to the Playstation. The people at Nintendo were going to create CD playing machine and I was so disappointed when they did that stupid cartridge N64 thing instead. Sony however did make one and I'm so happy because of it! I love Final Fantasy VII! (PJ: Everyone does...)

What would be your perfect setting for a game?

A game which involves me going into space! Oh, wait. I did do that...Hooray!

Which is better? Cats or Dogs?

Dogs of course! I prefer an animal to be obedient like Yoshis. They also come in many different colour...not as many as Yoshis though. Why aren't Yoshis on the list? (PJ: Maybe if we could all afford one like you I would...rich git)

Where do you get your clothes? I've been looking for some everywhere

These clothes are exclusive to me only, I consider it offensive if someone copys my style. In fact I'm glad to hear that you haven't been able to find any copies of my hat and overalls. It mean that the lawsuit I had against The Gap has gone well! :D (PJ: :evil: Anyway...)

What is the most frustrating game you've played and why?

Sonic the ****ing Hedgehog! It's the ****est most ****ed up game ever crated. Not to mention that the guy staring in it is a complete *****!

Wait a minute. I thought you and Sonic were on good terms now?

Hell no! I only agreed to face him in the Olympics if that matches were fixed. I fact I'm surprised nobody noticed that it was odd that a fat plumber could overtake that stupid hedgehog!...this interview isn't being made public right?

What is your favourite type of pasta?

Huh?! Are you asking that because I'm Italian? You know you a real piece of scum you know that!

Wait! I didn't mean it like that!

Yeah right! Guards! Teach this piece of **** a lesson! This interview is over!

NO! I'll change the question! What is your favourite type of cheeYARRRRGG! :bash: :thunk: :smash:

EDIT: In case you couldn't tell yesterday...APRIL FOOLS GUYS! :D

It's About Frikkin Time! To put it bluntly, it's awesome! It's amazing how much having a single player World Tour made can just transform to game so much! Love the tracklist too! My favourite to play so fat are Alive, Alabama Getaway and Aqualung...I guess something about the letter A rocks! :P That said somebody has made a HUGE mistake with this game. You know the code that comes with the game that gives you 20 free tracks? Well it didn't give me them...instead it gave me the contents of the Second Track Pack!. I'm not sure if I should be shouting 'Damn!' or 'Yippy!' I've content Sony Europe about it, (They printed the codes so their to blame) and hopefully I should get a reply soon. If all goes well I should get the other tracks...meaning I've been able to get a bunch of free music from this blunder :P Apparently all copies of the PAL PS3 version have this 'problem'...I think someone's in a LOT of trouble... Last but not least thanks to s0njas0n for the game last night, Next time we shout louder into the microphone :P

Well, my account is now four years old! To commemorate this occasion I'd like to do a run down of all my Gamespot friends and a few old one that went MIA. If I've missed you out few free to yell at me and I'll add you in later, this took me a while so I'm bound to have missed some. Without further ado...

5_LD_5 - For all his great monthly blogs, hope you get back to normal blogging soon!

aaronmullan - Avid blog commenter...just found out World of Warcraft attracts ;)

ajarbuckle - Again an avid blog commenter...sorry about the RRoD :(

Allicrombie - Keep up the great upbeat blogs, we WILL go on Home someday!

AndyWilliams24 - Possibly MIA, but I won't forget The Main Event!

canana - Keep up those reviews and thanks again for the Burnout trophies!

clownofpoetry - How could I forget anybody who one wrote a poem about me :P. I wish you a PS3 in the future!

Darkmagcite - Was nishamuffypuppy. Glad to see you back!

darthzew - The Siths number one man! I still remember you great 'real life achievements' blog :lol:

gagan21 - Possibly the guy who writes the longest blogs on Gamespot :P Will never forget your generosity with your special PSN gift :)

Gamer_152 - Always writes great blogs...but never seems to have many comments. Underappreciated, and I urge you all to track him :)

gbrading - Haven't know him for long but has some great blogs and we always seem to agree on things. Awesome guy :)

HavQ-san - The King of the Finnish people and avid fighting game fan. Need a re-match on Street Fighter 4 (if I get it). :D

hintaki - Maybe one day we'll go on LittleBigPlanet without lag :P

Hungry_bunny - Long-time friend and great funny sig maker. Don't hurt those poor bunnies with your suspension tooth!

katamari - I look forward to every blog you make. Keep up the coffee induced craziness!

kcwsk8 - Thanks a bunch the comments and hard drive help. Works like a charm! :D

lightwarrior179 - You always have some great opinions that are great to read...keep it up!

LordAbyssion - One of my oldest friends, one of the few guys that are still around from the 'Nintendo Times' era...I feel old now :oops:.

msudude211 - The guy who thinks 21 is better than 24 :P. Keep up those great reviews!

PAJ89 - Possibly MIA, but is without a doubt the second best guy named Paul on the site :P. I hope your still around...

porthand_jim - Gave me a taste of my own interview medicine. Never realized how hard I worked you guys :P Thank again! :)

razielnk - Perhaps the only guys who likes Rock Band more than me :P We really do have to play sometime if you get your net thing sorted ;)

ruff_edgz - Sorry I haven't been keeping track of Opinion Unlocked. I'm going to make a better effort to listen :). And of course thanks for interviewing me!

RuntyGorillia - The man who constantly makes the (copyrighted) happy dace popular. Just remember kids...at your own risk :pumps shotgun:

s0njas0n - Not just a Gamespot buddy, but a PSN buddy too! We haven't played for a while...I need a partner in Resi 5 ;)

stanhigareda - Thank a bunch for letting me on your podcast Mi Sa Ca, Su Casa (did I spell that right?). I'd be happy to come back if I didn't ruin it last time :P

treytakahashi - Has giving me some great tech help during my Smash Bros situation. Maybe one day we'll finish a Civ Revolution match ;)

VixDiesel - My great Burnout and LittleBigPlanet buddy. I think we are due for game soon...can't think of anything better than Rock Band 2 when I get it ;)

Yagr_Zero - The adventurer of Gamespot. I wish you luck in solving the mystery of the crashing cars!

zxv33 - Thanks for your great varied blogs. I hope the happy Japanese's song is still creating happiness :P

The Mods - For making my initiation (mostly) painless. You guys all rock!

MIA

Cwdrummer

game_fanatic

GoldenS1104

Gourguzz

Grigrog

Happy_Cloud

Homes225

Hyper_Pop

insanemonkey2

jpgalindo

kman219

mrneonape

nfhshockey17

Quintly

shasam712

shred_master

Snipe_You_Out

stephanime

tannernin

the_tomboy

trystkl1826

It's been a great four years. I fact I owe a lot to all you guys. If you told me four years ago I would be writing articles, blogs and moderating just from exposure to the community I don't think I'd believe you :P

Once again thanks to everyone for making this a great place to be. :)

PJ

This is just a (very) quick blog to let you guys know that I'm still planning to send new interviews soon. I just haven't got around to it yet because A)other stuff and B) thinking up random question is stating to become really hard :? a bit of thought I'm sure will fix the issue though, just bear with me :) I'd also like to remind you all the Rock Band 2 is coming out for the PS3 in the UK in 9 days. That is all, good day! PJ

It's been a long week that's been both enjoyable (Waiting for Godat) and stressful (5 Essays!?). However I have now had the weekend to relax and play my two new purchases. Resident Evil 5 has been very enjoyable so far. It's very similar to Resident Evil 4 but one thing I've noticed is there are a lot more set pieces (shooting people off bikes, machine gun fight on boat etc) which is awesome. I'm currently a little stuck fighting Wesker (Bullet dodging son of a *****) and *bleeped out for spoiler reasons*. So far I'd say the Gamespot score would be on par with my personal one ;) The game also further proves that shotguns rock :P I haven't played Persona 4 as much as I've played Resi 5 but so far it upholds the main thing I liked about Persona 3. A modern familiar world with very relatable characters. Remember RPG + Real life = awesomeness :P I think I'll write about Waiting for Godat another time. Wesker is in desperate need of some shotgun diplomacy :pumps shotgun: