tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385764152012-02-12T00:49:56.304ZI used to be a games journalist for eight years, so I've played a few games, met Shigeru Miyamoto and still can't understand how bad Sonic games are these days. By day I'm a website editor, by night I change nappies and play Xbox 360. Tell me why I need a Nintendo Wii at tim_01702@yahoo.comTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.comBlogger681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-12042654500081722542009-09-03T21:20:00.003Z2009-09-03T21:29:43.878Z

The next time you pass Mothercare, go in and by a shampoo hat. That's what I'll be telling my brain this weekend. My little man hates getting shampoo and water in his eyes, and has done for the last year and a half. I've just trucked on pouring the shampoo over his eyes and grabbing a towel to wipe it away. Tonight's shouts of 'Daddy I can't see' were the straw that broke the camel's back. I've

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-47018558386663105002009-08-28T14:53:00.002Z2009-08-28T15:06:18.510Z

'Daddy! Cat song please' - right there the asks of son to dad began. Fast forward a few years and I'll be asked to give a lift to a friend's house, or drop Harry off with his girlfriend at the cinema. Problem was I had no idea what the Cat Song was. I thought it was on a Disney nursery rhymes CD we bought Harry a couple of weeks ago. I was spinning between Looby Loo and some stupid song about

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-34181171245485598422009-08-21T19:58:00.002Z2009-08-21T20:04:46.454Z

Today sums out why it's ace to be a dad. First up, to be woken up with a Lightning McQueen car in your face is funny, but to then be greeted with 'Come on Daddy, let's play' is another. If you don't get up within a couple of seconds you get another 'Come on Daddy', with a pull of the duvet. It doesn't matter if the clock reads 6.23am. You're up, and there's nothing you can do about it.This

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-85246427650227220002009-08-05T22:22:00.003Z2009-08-05T22:30:04.618Z

I haven't switched on my Xbox for about three months to play a game. It's been switched on to watch Cars, Bob The Builder and In The Night Garden. That's what a two-year-old son does to you. Even The Wire doesn't get much of a look in these days as I'm too knackered by 10pm to think about putting it on. But I wouldn't swap this for the world - the little man can watch all the Cars he wants. Just

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-25240949446302161112009-03-04T17:45:00.003Z2009-03-04T17:55:54.456Z

Work’s been pretty busy over the last few weeks, so that’s why the blog posts have dried up. But today was a great day.A new colleague has joined the magazine where I work, and he’s mad on Master System games, so we took a trip to Peterborough’s indoor market to check out what retro gear they had. I didn’t hold out much hope when the outside of the unit was all blacked out, but a spin around the

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-78135919408866531052009-02-06T13:56:00.003Z2009-02-06T14:02:34.753Z

I’ve never seen so much snow in Peterborough. We don’t usually get much round these parts, but we’ve been covered with at least six inches of the stuff since yesterday morning. It took me nearly two hours to travel about three miles. I was skidding up the main road into the city centre, with a sick child in the back, and a missus who had to get to London for vital meetings. It didn’t end

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-27091870505499103592009-01-21T17:47:00.003Z2009-01-21T18:02:17.095Z

No, not the ace snowboarding game that rocked on the N64. The 360 is now back downstairs in my front room, on the HD TV with 1080p. Playing FIFA 09 last night ensured that the Xbox has been No Nailed to the TV unit. It's never going back. Now I don't know what to start playing, or downloading. An old colleague of mine said Left 4 Dead is amazing in co-op.First things first though, and that's to

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-21410712713318295752009-01-15T13:47:00.001Z2009-01-15T16:02:15.581Z

For all those who read this, a belated happy New Year to you all.Gaming over Christmas consisted of a few matches of FIFA 09 when my Live connection survived long enough, and playing my way through the Be A Pro mode as Southend. I’m currently sitting second in League 1. I’m also a third of the way through Gears of War and am up to the level where you have to shoot the petrol cans to light your

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-60304064389318011742008-12-30T15:49:00.003Z2008-12-30T15:58:11.776Z

My day job doesn't take a break over the holidays, so while I update the MATCH website, I thought I'd let you know what's been keeping me sane while there's no one in the office, or milk in the fridge for a hot drink. It's freezing outside! Tsk.Got home last night to my missus listening to the end of Radio 2's Michael Jackson special - 30 at 50. This countdown of his biggest UK hits brings back

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-38902972017420679162008-12-23T15:56:00.000Z2008-12-23T15:57:34.847Z

By the power of Twitter I’ve discovered a great new blog called Gaming Never Sleeps. Loved the reviews of games that Jeff’s played in 2008 and the honest look at the likes of World At War and GTA IV. He’s also going to get into Braid in a big way. First thing this morning I got a phone call this morning from an old Nintendo Official Magazine colleague saying his Guitar Hero III and pair of Gibson

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-73986047288685644902008-12-22T16:49:00.001Z2008-12-22T16:59:32.902Z

I think I’m at this point in life where I have loads of games I want to play, and not enough time to play them. I think it’s been creeping up on me for some time now so I had to grab some time playing Elite Beat Agents at the weekend while I could, even if it was during a baby-crying session. It was the wife’s turn, before you think I’m a terrible father! I’m still not above grade C, but the

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-88955384256524422342008-12-19T17:08:00.002Z2008-12-19T17:10:11.979Z

My missus will be addicted to this over Christmas, so while my original DS is free to use I finally got down to some Elite Beat Agents action last night while she was out at *lost count* Christmas party.The poor fella has been sitting in my Games I Must Play pile for a few weeks, gently shivering in the cold and weeping when I reach for the 360 controller next to it. But last night I unwrapped

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-39945245536379441042008-12-17T17:40:00.002Z2008-12-17T17:45:11.575Z

I hit the high street today, not for gaming buys as I'm hoping for this to land in my lap shortly, but did notice that the Pro Evo-beater that is FIFA 09 is going for £20 at Gamestation until Sunday. Get it, then come and play me on Xbox Live.

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-21321477744725628942008-12-16T13:53:00.002Z2008-12-16T13:59:15.776Z

While I sit and suffer with a cough and bunged-up nose brought about by either someone coughing in my face at my Christmas party on Friday night, or through too much alcohol consumption, I thought I would update my blog, especially seeing as I’ve taken inspiration from reading this at Dubious Quality. Outside these blog walls are new screens of GTA IV DLC even though I should be blocked from

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-9371634851493427012008-12-03T13:44:00.003Z2008-12-03T17:52:58.717Z

The other night my missus was on the phone to her best mate who was celebrating her birthday. The conversation went something like this:Missus: ‘Oh wow, you’ve got a WII!’Friend: *Excitement at the other end*Missus: ‘Tim, my friend’s got a Wii! Oh, wait a sec…’Friend: *Excitement at the other end*Missus: ‘Make that a DS. Have you got Brain Training [to friend]’Friend: *Excitement at the other end

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-90595211814518440592008-12-01T13:26:00.000Z2008-12-01T13:27:32.867Z

Rumours doing the rounds this morning reckon Harry Potter is next in line for a Lego makeover after Star Wars, Indy and Batman.I’ve got the original Star Wars trilogy upstairs under the 360. My nephew and niece are always on it when they come up, though the wee man just charges around mashing Stormtroopers with his lightsaber. Thank god for two-player when my niece works out the puzzles before

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-67475121251507076812008-11-28T17:44:00.003Z2008-11-28T17:48:50.792Z

Above is a picture of a Stickie on my work Mac. I add games to it; forgotten classics, up-to-date titles and suggestions from blogs and friends.I’ve been eyeing up one of them, Professor Layton on DS, for ages but thought I would wait for the UK release. I’m happy to pay £25-£30 for a good DS game, like Phantom Hourglass. There’s no way I’m forking out nearly £60, Mr. Amazon. I’ll be looking

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-10618421299628377042008-11-28T14:00:00.001Z2008-11-28T14:02:20.280Z

I never jumped on the Gears of War bandwagon when it rolled into town two years ago. Back then I was convinced I was going to get a Wii, until my mates went all 360 on me and Wii at launch didn't exactly inspire a hardcore gamer did it? Wii Sports was good for a laugh with the missus, though Zelda: Twilight Princess still evades me to this day. I'll be getting a Wii then. *adds to Amazon wishlist

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-91193439277280052742008-10-23T15:29:00.002Z2008-10-23T15:38:57.103Z

You can thank the Today programme for why I’m back here blogging. An interview on the BBC Radio 4 claimed that blogging was dead, that Twitter was the new blog. Is my blog dead? Well, I don't know how many people read it, but this is my space to talk about my view of console games past and present. Let's get on with the show. And if you're on Twitter, come follow me - t1mstreetWhat have I been up

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-73596750921384404752008-09-11T07:56:00.002Z2008-09-11T08:11:35.109Z

Major news this morning for football fans is that the new Pro Evo will now feature the Champions League, a deal Konami has struck with UEFA for the next four years. The 2009 edition is gonna have the Champo League mode included within it, which I guess spells the end for EA's Champions League game? More on that when it appears. Check out Barcelona's Lionel Messi after the jump.I also noticed over

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-37257564858705431472008-09-10T16:54:00.002Z2008-09-10T17:21:47.261Z

Yesterday was a good day. EA fixed my colleagues and I up with a copy of the new Tiger Woods (comments coming your way over the next few days), then a little voice told me at lunchtime that Morrisons supermarket here in the UK are selling the latest 360, PS3 and DS games for £25. That's NEW RELEASES people. Not copies of Halo 3 in the bargain bin, but new stuff like Mercenaries 2. Suddenly

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-29593014263338118142008-08-08T12:27:00.003Z2008-08-08T12:46:23.893Z

Today sees the start of the Olympics in Beijing. I don't know what the official game of The Games is like, but it's probably not a great leap from Track and Field and Hyper Sports back in the early '80s, and not as fun as them either, if Metacritic is anything to go by. I remember first setting eyes on Track and Field during a summer camping holiday in Cornwall in 1984. There was this bloke

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-20592210024009805302008-08-07T16:36:00.001Z2008-08-07T16:37:45.050Z

Want to see a funny spoof of The Legend of Zelda? Check out The Legend of Neil…

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-29353551239567452042008-08-06T12:31:00.003Z2008-08-06T12:51:42.419Z

My 360 is gonna wonder what hits it when I switch it on tomorrow night. It's been about two months since I've had a go as I've been putting together a book for Bauer Media, my employer, where I work. This book, for MATCH magazine, has been a real labour of love for me and the team who produced it. I've not had much sleep over the last few weeks, but I don't care. I'm proud to have put my name to

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-69314651292597294712008-07-25T12:47:00.002Z2008-07-25T12:50:47.912Z

I was online last night, wondering whether to splash out on another gaming T-shirt. I'd love to wear them at work, but I'll get brandished a 'geek', by those who've finished GTA when I haven't. HA.Anyway I spotted these 1942 T-shirts over at Meatbun, which are ace but seeing as you have to get them shipped from the USA it costs slightly over $50. Hmm, think again geek.So I jumped on

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-74520655718814688432008-07-13T21:20:00.002Z2008-07-13T21:41:29.843Z

Hideous as this may sound, I've not picked up a game for about a month. My 360 coughs under the weight of dust and my DS lies forlorn in the drawer under my TV. I've not been a good dad. Sorry guys.It's not that I don't want to play games. Far from it. I've just not had any time to play games. My day job at Bauer Consumer Media of running the MATCH website has kept me busy, while my bosses have

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-88214946722677958152008-05-25T21:02:00.002Z2008-05-25T21:19:23.207Z

… so by my reckoning that's nearly a month. Not good if you want to be seen as a blog with a talking point. Blame the trawl for a GTA, and then not enough time to put the damn thing on.The week of launch I thought I'd just bowl down my nearest Gamestation and get it. Wrong idea, buddy. Eight shops in one lunch hour and not one of them had it. One online order with Game later and it was with me

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-91721548253230063412008-04-21T21:29:00.004Z2008-04-21T21:46:34.553Z

If only thhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gife designer of the Okami Wii packshot was in The Apprentice. He wouldn't have lasted long. Using a piece of IGN artwork WITH THE WATERMARK STILL ON IT as the main image AND THEN LETTING IT GO TO PRESS is a disaster. Check it out over at GameLife.Back on the blog after a few days and there's loads to tell you. I finally managed to get some hours on

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-1630217029381944372008-04-15T19:29:00.002Z2008-04-15T19:37:20.751Z

For once I'm not going to rant about games. It's time to rant about that box-in-the-corner. Hello TV, nice to see you again. Reasons being? I've just seen Empire's Top 50 TV shows of all-time. Now, I won't spoil the No.1 for you, but quite how Empire can rate the likes of ER, Family Guy, 24 and even the classic Quantum Leap below Buffy The Vampire Slayer is beyond me.It gets some things right,

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-8205574591851940462008-04-09T21:31:00.002Z2008-04-09T21:45:34.489Z

I haven't got much time to post today, except that I heard the giant price Rock Band is coming out at here in the UK.But anyway, I remember shelling out £60 notes for some import stuff in years past. And that's when games were rock hard to get on import!Last night my baby boy woke up crying every hour from 3am until 6.15, the time he normally wakes up regardless of whether the calendar says '

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-60990857959146225482008-04-03T12:30:00.002Z2008-04-03T12:48:43.803Z

As much as I'd love to say that Nintendo Official Magazine is going to return to its roots with the guys I worked with, I'd be lying. As much as myself and an old colleague would love to do it, it's just a daydream that will probably never happen.But what I do know is that Computer and Video Games magazine, CVG for short, is returning to newsagents later this month. The first issue, dedicated to

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-42744814823840071302008-03-25T21:49:00.002Z2008-03-25T22:02:58.826Z

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifWhile my wife comforts our teething, snotty 10-and-a-half month old, I'm taking refuge in the living room. I'm not getting away from the crying though - the baby monitor is in full voice, booming out the screaming to FULL RED OVERDRIVE. It's a horrible situation to be in.While I sit here, I'm looking across at pictures on our walls. Framed newborn baby pics,

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-7765149830300400622008-03-11T20:07:00.002Z2008-03-11T20:19:48.123Z

I love my loft. The ladder's a pain in the arse to get down at times and the hatch has this really annoying catch that never locks properly, but inside nests some classic videogames from the last 20 years or so.Going up there the other day to fish out some dodgy photos of my baby brother for his 30th birthday party, I rooted through the dusty boxes and found some right gems, memorabilia and other

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-69263091481922320452008-03-05T21:00:00.005Z2008-03-05T21:22:36.429Z

… is Tuesday. Xbox night if you must know. Me, some mates, my brother, all on Call of Duty. Leave a message if you want to join the fun. Clips at the ready from 8.30pm (GMT).Over the last week I've been contacted by two old friends of mine on Facebook. One works at Nintendo of Europe who I last saw at the Europeans Nintendo DS launch at a hotel in Paris, another edits Game Life over at Wired. The

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-25685782457776280912008-02-24T22:08:00.008Z2008-02-24T22:28:12.287Z

I've not actually picked up an Xbox controller for over a week. Not because I'm bored with it, but because of a little guy in a green suit. I bought The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for my Nintendo DS.Now, my DS hasn't seen the light of day for a year or more. It's not one of those Lite versions, I'm still admiring the touch screen on my original DS thank you very much. Heavier (yes),

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-15119564596656483992008-02-24T22:08:00.005Z2008-02-24T22:23:04.951Z

I've not actually picked up an Xbox controller for over a week. Not because I'm bored with it, but because of a little guy in a green suit. I bought The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for my Nintendo DS.Now, my DS hasn't seen the light of day for a year or more. It's not one of those Lite versions, I'm still admiring the touch screen on my original DS thank you very much. Heavier (yes),

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-72651280407194455202008-02-24T22:08:00.004Z2008-02-24T22:22:18.959Z

I've not actually picked up an Xbox controller for over a week. Not because I'm bored with it, but because of a little guy in a green suit. I bought The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for my Nintendo DS.Now, my DS hasn't seen the light of day for a year or more. It's not one of those Lite versions, I'm still admiring the touch screen on my original DS thank you very much. Heavier (yes),

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-65081988256895823372008-02-18T21:41:00.002Z2008-02-18T21:59:16.086Z

My wife calls me a games geek when I have ONE NIGHT A WEEK online with my mates. Tuesday's at 8.30pm if you want to know, usually on Call of Duty 4. If you wanna join in make Tiny1976 your friend on Xbox Live.Anyway, the week before last there were four of us fragging each other from the rain-soaked ship to that tiny container-infested multiplayer map. It was true carnage. Last week my gaming

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-6476355102080371852008-02-01T13:36:00.000Z2008-02-01T13:43:20.496Z

Last night I lost track of the time playing Call of Duty 4. I'm knackered today, but I feel relieved that I unlocked some new guns and cammo. The bug has bitten me again.Before I sunk into a world of guns 'n' ammo I actually managed to download Undertow and Sensible Soccer trial games off XBLA. Anyone who reads this blog may remember my delight at the arrival of Sensi. The trial game pitted my

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-16317116724678367992008-01-30T20:48:00.000Z2008-01-30T20:59:34.232Z

Taking a look over at my Favourite New Website, DS Fanboy, today I noticed the guys over there have a few new screenshots of Sega Superstars Tennis.Tennis games aren't new. I mean, can ANYONE beat the likes of Super Tennis on the SNES or Virtua Tennis? Back in my time on Nintendo Magazine Mario Tennis rolled up onto the N64. At the time it was awesome, but looking back on it I don't think it was

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-80090495456879221702008-01-28T22:18:00.000Z2008-01-28T22:21:28.485Z

I'm fed up. I move my 360 upstairs into the back bedroom and my Airport and router can't read it with a borrowed Microsoft Xbox Wireless Adapter. It did first time but playing CoD4 was like wading through setting concrete. Half an hour of trying to get CoD4 to find a m/p room and I was ready to kill. Apparently a wireless router will sort all that out but I have no idea how to access my ancient

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-44264170593122529322008-01-24T22:11:00.001Z2008-01-24T22:31:04.671Z

The 360 is back up and running, Call of Duty 4 has had a good workout tonight, and now it's the turn of the blog.So, what have I been doing of late, here's the run down:1. Finding my way around del.icio.usI'm sick of having one enormous list of bookmarks. The Mac bookmark bar is handy, but limited, so I've turned to del.icio.us to store them in one place. I'll be able to access this while not at

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-40236924690452849252008-01-11T17:31:00.000Z2008-01-11T17:51:52.819Z

Nintendogs, quite rightly, was one of the cutest games to grace the Big N's consoles in recent years. But they're dogs, and puppy versions of dogs. Of course it's going to be cute and get females into gaming, if they hadn't already been succumbed by the likes of Yoshi, Baby Mario, etc.But before the dogs, GameCube created some classic cuties, unfortunately now forgotten. One was called Pikmin,

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-17059126760797979262008-01-09T22:00:00.000Z2008-01-09T22:08:16.507Z

Read today over at MCV that Wii Fit has sold over one million copies over in Japan. Once again we're seeing the power of Nintendo at work.The game, which features a ton of exercises you can do standing on a 'balance board' just goes to show that like Wii Sports, Wii Play and Brain Training on Nintendo DS the Big N are opening up gaming to a whole new audience. It also shows that gaming isn't

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-67964870034617315272008-01-08T21:49:00.000Z2008-01-08T22:02:14.677Z

Ronald McDonald's crazy clown grin has turned into a frown. That's because Steve Easterbrook, chief executive of McDonald's UK, reckons the obesity problem among the nation's youth is down to a variety of things, especially gaming.In an interview on The Times website, Easterbrook said: "I don’t know who is to blame. The issue of obesity is complex and is absolutely one our society is facing,

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-47454093086514531312008-01-07T20:00:00.000Z2008-01-07T20:17:41.031Z

First of all, Happy New Year to anyone who reads this. I'll be making a bit more of an effort to use Del.icio.us and start linking to a few gaming blogs to see how far this blogging puppy can run.So what's been happening? Well, I bought a new TV over the Christmas sales so my old telly, which is a bitch to haul up the stairs, is now sitting in my gaming den that my missus has allowed me to create

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-21332356635076001112007-12-19T20:26:00.000Z2007-12-19T21:09:27.333Z

I've been working for Emap for just over ten years. If you've been reading my blog you'll know that I started my journalism life on Nintendo Official Magazine - I actually started on September 1, 1997, the day after Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris. It was a happy day on the commute into London.Walking into Emap Images in London Docklands, just down the road from where an IRA bomb had

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-86446639001791394022007-12-17T20:27:00.001Z2007-12-17T20:34:45.053Z

Has it really been nearly a week since my last post? Seven days is nearly up in he blogosphere and I feel slightly embarrassed posting again to my blog. Sorry, blog.To be honest, I've been trying to find some other blogs to link to. I hear this is a sure-fire way of spreading the word and bouncing your blog up the charts. Sounds good to me.One of the best I found was a blog by Gary Harrod, famous

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-56569908587100827142007-12-11T14:06:00.001Z2007-12-11T14:08:51.794Z

I picked up a £20 copy of Pro Evolution Soccer last week on Play.com. A true bargain if ever there was one for a game that reviews, across the board, weren't slating. Seeing as it had 'evolution' in the title I thought it would at least be more than just an annhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifual update, so I jumped in. Big mistake. Compared with some dream games online (Call of Duty 4 being

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-87303368150435816912007-12-06T19:41:00.000Z2007-12-06T19:51:52.725Z

I've been waiting on fresh new of Sensible World of Soccer for light years. First it was a summer release, then October, now it's finally lacing up its pixellated boots for a December launch. Game on.I can't confess to have been any good but I distinctly remember beating the computer 8-1 once. God knows how that score sticks in my mind. I remember saving the goals with a tap on the spacebar.

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-70858481765116550622007-12-05T22:22:00.000Z2007-12-05T22:36:36.580Z

Working on NOM you got to see some cool, crazy stuff. The Zelda Box, for the launch of The Wind Waker on GameCube, is one of my prize possessions, even though I can't read Japanese. Why don't they do this kind of stuff over here? Then there was the tiny mobile straps for tons of Nintendo classics and those oh-so-sweet limited edition Game Boy Advances. But when a friend of mine told me that you

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-22029906980599118512007-12-03T13:08:00.000Z2007-12-03T13:21:25.231Z

I worked on over 100 issues of Nintendo Official Magazine (NOM). Most of my words are gathering dust in some corner of a dusty archiving warehouse because I only kept a couple of issues I ever worked on. Stupid. Over the weekend I had a reminiscing moment, remembering this Christmas ten years ago. That was when a certain contender to the Mario Kart crown rolled up to the start line - Rare's Diddy

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-67885148986391614672007-11-30T13:21:00.000Z2007-11-30T13:55:58.830Z

Seeing as I used to work for Nintendo Official Magazine two years ago some people, rightfully, think I can either (a) get them a Wii for nothing this Christmas or (b) tell there where they can buy a Wii this Christmas. I could line my pockets if I knew the answer, sadly I don't. Try the main retailers, get on the waiting list, or pay over the odds on eBay I tell them. Advice like 'you should have

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-60283144028626422002007-11-29T19:32:00.000Z2007-11-29T19:47:26.798Z

Video games are once again being blamed, not for another mass school shooting in the States, but something much more closer to home. According to Britain's biggest selling daily tabloid, The Sun, games are to blame for England's plummet down the ranking of children's illiteracy. In the latest survey we've fallen from third to fifteenth. That's probably on a par with the England football team.But

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-82738789183358952582007-11-28T22:23:00.000Z2007-11-28T22:40:42.151Z

I've just been checking out Wired's games blog, written by an excellent voice in the games industry going by the name of Chris Kohler. Chris used to freelance for Nintendo Official Magazine when I was editor a few years back.Some research he's uncovered in the States reports that gamers are less likely to buy a game if they rent it first. I get their point, but with the saturation of sites like

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-41984629926561122007-11-10T23:13:00.000Z2007-11-10T23:19:19.232Z

Kylie Minogue isn't a good thing for my Xbox. Her show's just been on itv, and with Match of the Day due on at 11 I could only get 25 minutes in of CoD4. Still, it was enough 'cos the TV room I mentioned yesterday was a pain in the arse to get through. And you want to know why? Respawning troops. Until I got past 'that' particular point in the room did they stop charging in through the back door

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-48558203640395714082007-11-09T22:02:00.000Z2007-11-28T17:59:49.430Z

I've just played two hours of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and so far, so good. I was a bit hesitant when I first saw the game's trailer earlier this year, ditching the Second World War for modern day guns, Middle East scenarios and WMDs.War games have been part of my gaming diet ever since North and South on the Amiga, moving onto Desert Strike on the Megadrive, check out this geek, and more

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-67721215837587537792007-11-01T13:53:00.000Z2007-11-01T14:00:38.837Z

Track and Field on Xbox Arcade is awesome, though events like the hammer throw and hurdles, when precision timing is all important, suffers due to time-lag when playing online.Last night's events were hilarious. Three-player T&F with two American guys online, all yelling at each other down the headset. They may have sounded like geeks telling me their longest throws on the javelin, but it was

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-59184419161534960472007-10-31T13:56:00.001Z2007-10-31T14:00:22.787Z

I've finally succumbed. Not to watching Come Dancing, but to buying something off Xbox Arcade. The arcade gem that was Track and Field from Konami has recently been made available and I've got it for 400 points, what that is in REAL money I can't remember. But it's not REAL money buying games with points is it? I'm not going to become skint if I keep doing it am I? That's the danger.So, I've

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-66771356028003405922007-10-12T21:50:00.000Z2007-10-12T22:09:10.574Z

On came the green light of my 360 tonight for the SECOND NIGHT IN A ROW. Call of Duty 2 will be finished soon, if I can get past the bloody D-Day level. I'm losing my touch, I used to be alright at GoldenEye.As for old TV adverts, remember this for Super Mario Bros. 3? Now, I live in the UK, but this was definitely shown during ad breaks, and this is what made me start thinking about getting a

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-68554902131725487112007-10-09T21:29:00.000Z2007-10-09T21:38:52.651Z

February 7? Hmm, that makes this blog unloved for just over eight months. Sorry blog, it won't happen again. Blame it on the baby son that entered my world on May 4. No Star Wars gags please.Well, I got the Xbox 360 back in late February and it's been awesome so far. Look out for me - Tiny1976. As usual with my gaming life I haven't finished ANY games for it. I've played Pro Evo a lot though,

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-1170839454150446332007-02-07T09:07:00.000Z2007-02-07T09:10:54.150Z

The Xbox 360 fund is go! After playing Pro Evo at the weekend and getting humped by some Spaniard on Lee's 360 1-4, despite going 1-0 up after nine minutes, the race is on to bag one of those beaut consoles. Call of Duty 3 was pretty slick, too.

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-1170249675322580732007-01-31T13:12:00.000Z2007-01-31T18:16:35.076Z

It's been a week, which is too long not to blog. So I'm back blogging again. The PS2 I was playing is now back with my brother-in-law, so after completing 12 hours of 24, Jack Bauer hasn't saved the world. I'm a loser. So there's now a big hole under my TV where the PS2 was. About big enough for a 360 or those tiny little Wiis. What did I do at the weekend? Well I checked out the Wii and the 360.

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-1169415602007447512007-01-21T21:26:00.000Z2007-01-21T21:43:03.956Z

The Wii-Box(TM) fund is going well. Over £30 after my recent flirt with eBay, though some shit wanted to buy one of my games, so I took the listing off. Now they won't get in touch. Thanks mate, thanks a bunch. Do you know how much next-gen is hurting me, laughing it's ass off in HMV while I go around looking at DS games like Scooby-Doo and Pokémon?24: The Game did my head in for about two hours

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-1168984324142394892007-01-16T21:50:00.000Z2007-01-16T21:52:04.150Z

There's a new game I can't wait for on PSP - EA Replay or something. It's got Road Rash and Desert Strike on it. Two quality games from the early 90s. I need me a copy of that. No update on my 24 fun, and my Wii-Box fund is now £1 heavier. Great stuff.

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-1168847363956888892007-01-15T07:36:00.000Z2007-01-15T07:53:08.806Z

I'm £2 nearer my Wii-Box fund. Viewtiful Joe and Dead To Rights are so far sitting on a £1 each, and they will sell on eBay. In the mean time I found a picture of Invader 1000, the second game I ever played after Striker. I've still not found a picture of that football game, I just remember it had two teams - one orange and one blue - with a red bulb on the pitch as the ball. You just used the

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-1168729277331044632007-01-13T22:46:00.000Z2007-01-13T23:17:04.823Z

I need a Wii. That's so not original that it isn't funny, but I need a Wii or a 360. Christ knows how I'm gonna do it with a baby due in three-and-a-half months, but that's where eBay is gonna come in.I've thrown a load of shit Nintendo games on there tonight see what I get. I may even flog my PSP and the games I've got for it. For now though you can check out one of 'em here. Talking of eBay

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38576415.post-1168610657104077812007-01-12T14:03:00.000Z2007-01-13T23:09:29.126Z

Another blog, another bloody boring blog. This isn't different to any other nobody trying to out-blog everyone else's blog. And they're all full of pretentious statements at the start just to make you want to read on.This blog is all about my love for games. I used to edit a games magazine here in the UK. Now I do something completely different, but I had a great time on that magazine. Some

Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10747486359901820328noreply@blogger.com1