Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Hunt for Red October [Blu-ray]

The Hunt for Red October [Blu-ray]

The Hunt for Red October [Blu-ray]


Before Harrison Ford assumed the mantle of playing Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan hero in Patriot Games, Alec Baldwin took a swing at the character in this John McTiernan film and hit one to the fence. If less instantly sympathetic than Ford, Baldwin is in some respects more interesting and nuanced as Ryan, and drawing comparisons between both actors' performances can make for some interesting postmovie discussion. That aside, The Hunt for Red October stands alone as a uniquely exciting adventure with a fantastic costar: Sean Connery as a Russian nuclear submarine captain attempting to defect to the West on his ship. Ryan must figure out his true motives for approaching the U.S. McTiernan (Predator, Die Hard) made an exceptionally handsome movie here with action sequences that really do take one's breath away. --Tom Keogh

Customer Review: The Hunt For Red October [Blu-ray]


BLU-RAY BUYER BEWARE!! The studios are playing us for dupes. In wanting us to buy their movies AGAIN (VHS, LaserDisc, DVD, now Blu-ray), with the expansive information a blu-ray will hold, they are cheating us!! Case in point..THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (and others). The previous DVD release contained BOTH a Dolby Digital AND the usually preferred DTS track. On the Blu-ray we only get the Dolby. Shame on them!!

It amazes me. You would think they would load these releases with much, much more than the standard DVD release to help get people to switch over to Blu-ray but, for the most part, they're not. I guess they figure they have enough control over people to get away with it. Do they? YOU answer the question.


Customer Review: Great movie!


Excellent movie. I was ecstatic to see that this movie was released to Blu-ray. I can clearly see that they simply didn't simply upscale a standard definition master, but that the film was rescanned and that special features have been added!

My only gripe would be: I would like to see this film get treated like the classic it is. It would be nice to see it get run through a dust buster, or color stabilizer. I don't have a problem with seeing grain, as that in itself has a flawed beauty to it, and does add to the aesthetics of the film.

Overall, it's great! Get it! Now!


The Hunt for Red October [Blu-ray]

Gemini GGE815 Universal Video Game Control Pad Converter

Gemini GGE815 Universal Video Game Control Pad Converter

Gemini GGE815 Universal Video Game Control Pad Converter

Convert any Playstation 2 controller to work with other game systems!

Customer Review: Great product, but only for DualShock 1 (PSOne Joysticks)


I bought it for using my PS2's DualShock 2 on my XBOX. Buttons are too laggy! This is a shame, because this is the third adapter I tried and there's a .25 seconds lag between button press and real action, just like the other ones.

It works great on PS1 Dualshock 1 controllers though.


Customer Review: Product works fantasically


I tested this converter out with the GameCube and Xbox, the PS2 controller works very well with it. When the system boots, your controller will be put into Analog mode, and analog mode cannot be turned off. Which is fine for Xbox and Gamecube. The rumble conversion works wonderfully with the Gamecube, but the Xbox rumble conversion works a tad light, the actual xbox controller shakes harder than the PS2 controller in this conversion (I would rate this converter 5 out of 5 stars if the rumble for Xbox isnt that big of a deal to you). but still i think the rumble is still at a sufficient level. As for the controls, it works beautifully. I tested this out with Halo 2 for Xbox and Resident Evil 0 and 4 for GameCube and the analog (i think) works better than the actual controller meant for each system. This converter is also great because you're playing Halo 2 and Resident Evil games like they should be played. I tryed the Dance Pad on the Xbox (not actually in a dance game, just in the menus but i will rent a DDR game and test it out later and update my review) and the buttons register quickly and sufficiantly, it responds well. Here is the button conversions,

For Xbox:
X is A
Circle is B
Triangle is Y
Square is X
Start is Start
Select is Back
L1 is White
R1 is Black
L2 is Left Trigger
R2 is Right Trigger
Dpad is Dpad
left analog is left analog
right analog is right analog
L3 is left analog stick button
R3 is Right analog stick button

(this layout matches perfectly with the Xbox Eclipse Controller (made by Pelican but some may have GameStop logo on it instead of Pelican's but it is still made by Pelican))

For GameCube:
X is A
Circle is X
Triangle is Y
Square is B
Start is Start/Pause
Select isn't mapped
L1 and R1 both are mapped to Z
L2 is Left Trigger
R2 is Right Trigger
Dpad is Dpad
left analog is analog
right analog is C analog
L3 and R3 aren't mapped

To sum up, this converter works wonderfully, for those who enjoy the PS2 controller, you should definitly order this. I would recommend using the GameStop Chameleon Pro controller for PS2 for best comfort (especially First Person Shooters). Btw, ignore what the other review says, PSone Controllers work fine with this converter as well. If you ask me, the only flaw with this converter is the rumble comes up a tad light for the Xbox (but it still rumbles sufficiently enough).


Gemini GGE815 Universal Video Game Control Pad Converter

VG Pocket Max All-In-One Handheld Video Game System

VG Pocket Max All-In-One Handheld Video Game System

VG Pocket Max All-In-One Handheld Video Game System

The VG Pocket Max All-In-One Handheld Video Game System puts a complete arcade in the palm of your hand. With a total of 75 classic games and a compact, stylish design, you'll be equipped with a full arsenal of fun no matter where you are. The 2.5-inch color LCD screen is great for playing your games on the go, and the included A/V cable easily hooks up to most TVs for that big screen experience.

Customer Review: Poor quality but what would you expect for the price?


Pros:
Plenty of games to choose from
Color screen
Looks cool

Cons:
Games are horrible, may find a couple you like
Sound is horrible
The player will freeze or restart often while your playing


VG Pocket Max All-In-One Handheld Video Game System

Nintendo 64 System - Video Game Console

Nintendo 64 System - Video Game Console

Nintendo 64 System - Video Game Console

Nintendo first dabbled in video games during the industry's early years of the mid-'70s. Generations of successful gaming console releases through the years led to the much-hyped 1996 launch of Nintendo 64, a system that represented a giant evolutionary leap in video game technology. Within the first three days of launch, hundreds of thousands of gamers hunkered down with Mario 64, considered by many to be one of the greatest video games ever created. Even today, the system's excellent design continues to host an ever-expanding library of breakthrough games.

Nintendo 64's popularity among younger gamers is no surprise. Well-respected games featuring such long-lived and much-loved personalities as Mario (of arcade classic Donkey Kong fame), Zelda, and Banjo-Kazooie are easy to learn and offer enormous replay value. But times are a' changin' and the system's ever-growing library of titles has expanded into every genre of games imaginable, including games better suited for older gamers. In fact, some of the most acclaimed--in some cases, groundbreaking--games available on any platform today are packed onto N64's old-school cartridges.

Under the system's hood, its appeal to the young certainly didn't produce a less mature gaming machine. On the contrary, the 64-bit system boasts impressive graphics, stereo sound, and numerous accessory enhancements, including a high-resolution pack that boosts graphics to awe-inspiring resolutions.

Start your library with Goldeneye 007, Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, and Star Wars: Episode One Racer--these titles represent a decent start to any N64 cartridge library.

With the recent launch of Sega's Dreamcast system, Nintendo 64 is being left behind as the leader in video game technology. And with newer game systems featuring CD-based games, the system's expensive cartridge format is proving itself an archaic and unconventional storage format. But, at a sub-$110 recommended retail price for a console with two controllers, innovative accessory enhancements and a great library of games keep the system's rabid fan base satisfied, if not eager for Nintendo's next evolutionary step. --Eric Twelker


Customer Review: very poor


the seller sent the 64 a month later with no plugs and no controllers so i never got to play. i sent it back. i am a faithful buyer at amazon and this is the first disappointment of trust. i am scared to order here again.


Customer Review: Nintendo 64: One of the Best Systems Ever Made, Now Discontinued


The Nintendo 64 had a small, yet a great library of games, including the best-selling The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

This console had the best-looking kiosk in retail stores.

But when the Gamecube came out in 2001, that, unfortunately, marked the end of the Nintendo 64. Nintendo published very few games for this system after the Gamecube came out.

The last game that was published for this system was Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, which, if you're lucky, you can still find that game new today at retailers.

I hate it when video game companies discontinue consoles because they released a new one. Look at computer manufacturers like Dell. Sure they make new computers, but you can still buy older models from them (not too old like a 486 computer, though... =D). Unfortunately, video game companies, even today, have failed to recognize this.


Nintendo 64 System - Video Game Console

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Turbo Grafx 16 System - Video Game Console

Turbo Grafx 16 System - Video Game Console

Turbo Grafx 16 System - Video Game Console


The TurboGrafx-16, known as PC Engine in Japan, is a video game console developed by the Nippon Electric Company (NEC) and released in Japan on October 30, 1987, and in North America on August 29, 1989. There was no official PAL version of the system, but a grey importer (Telegames), provided a very limited release in the United Kingdom and continental Europe in 1990 as the Turbografx.[2]

The TurboGrafx-16 had an 8-bit CPU and a 16-bit graphics chip capable of displaying 512 colors at once.

Customer Review: Bonk's Adventure..


NEC's TurboGrafx 16 originally came out in 1989 and was marketed as a "16-Bit" system to compete with the 16-Bit Sega Genesis. The system actually contained an 8-Bit CPU but it had a 16-Bit graphics chip. So pixel quality was on-par with the Genesis.

Of course, during the famous 16-Bit wars between Sega and Nintendo, the TurboGrafx was no competition and the system quickly slid into oblivion. I picked up a brand new TG-16 at my local Toys R Us in 1993 for only $50.

Although the Turbo never could compete with the Genesis or the Super Nintendo, there were still a small handful of fun games released for the system. The Japanese counterpart, PC-Engine, had a very large library of quality games since the system did pretty well in Japan.

Graphics-wise, Turbo games were very colorful as the system could display up to 512 colors. The games also tended to have less slowdown than both the Genesis and SNES.

The one major drawback is that you could only plug one controller into the system. Also, there is no audio-video output. You had to buy special adapters such as the Turbo-tap in order to plug in more controllers for multi-player games.

All the Bonk games, Y's Book, the only home version of Splatterhouse, and a decent amount of fast-paced shoot-em-ups make this a fun choice for enthusiast of the 16-Bit era.


Turbo Grafx 16 System - Video Game Console

Monday, April 20, 2009

Playseats Evolution Gaming Seat

Playseats Evolution Gaming Seat

Playseats Evolution Gaming Seat

With its completely renewed design and double-stitched vinyl cover, the Evolution Gaming Seat from Playseats puts you smack dab in the middle of your favorite racing game. The seat works with almost all racing peripherals on the market and every game console, including the Xbox 360, GameCube, PlayStation2, PCs, and more. More importantly, the chair is notably comfortable while delivering the most realistic racing simulation around.



Enjoy the ultimate race gaming experience with Playseats.
Details include a reinforced steel tubular construction that adds stability and eliminates excess wobble, a non-flammable seat material, and an easy-to-assemble design. Just install a game steering wheel, such as the latest Logitech model, on the middle pole and attach a couple of pedals along the bottom (all sold separately). The setup is also easily adaptable, with multiple adjustment knobs letting you move the wheel and pedals closer or farther, depending on your height. Appropriate for ages 8 and older, the Evolution seat is the perfect accessory for gamers who want to boost their lap times in style.

Once assembled, it measures 52.1 x 19.7 x 38.6 inches (L x H x W). It's recommended for ages 8 years and older.




Customer Review: This chair is awesome! Worth the money!


This chair is awesome! Took about 20 minutes to setup. Not a bad process. The manual could of been clearer on the instructions.
Once setup I mounted my XBOX steering wheel to it and turned on GRID for the XBOX 360. It takes about 30-60 minutes to really get good with the wheel, but once you do its hard to get out of the chair! Its the only game I have played since getting the chair. I dont want to play anything else. Its like having an arcade in your living room! If your on edge to buy this thing and have a XBOX 360, GRID and some money...I would definitely pick it up! You wont regret it. I like that it folds up for easy storage too so my Girlfriend doesnt have to look at it!


Customer Review: Flight Simulator Modification


I was looking at seats to construct a home flight simulator. After looking at cost of seats alone, my wife recommended that I look at gaming seats. An Amazon search found the Playseat Evolution...excellent idea.

The seat works great with the Playseats Gearshift Holder Mount on the left side to hold the throttle and the center post for the control stick. Flight controls are the Thrustmaster Hotas also here on Amazon. When I get rudder pedals, they will sit perfectly on the metal foot rest.

I plan to purchase the seat slider and an additional gear shift mount for a keypad on the right side. Recommend purchasing any accessories with the chair since the chair needs to be disassembled to install the additional equipment.

The chair system is designed for car controls but the kit came with zip ties and self-adhesive Velcro so modifying it for flight controls was very easy and with no additional cost since all hardware was provided.
Just look at the cost of other home flight simulators and this is the way to go. You can order all the parts from Amazon. Sign up for Amazon Prime and get them in two days.

Great product.



Playseats Evolution Gaming Seat