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Review: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is Perhaps the Best in the Series A must-have for fans. 
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100 Hacks in 10 Minutes
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 4:57 PM PST
Instead of his usual speed runs, Ross Miller has instead this week brought us something quite different: 100 hacks in 10 minutes. Weird, wild, crazy, pointless, sadistic, and sometimes even offensive (so don't say you weren't warned), many of these hacks seem to prove that people the world over really just need something better to do with their time.
How many can you recognize?
A lot of Mario and Mega Man love in there... and sometimes both, together. Some look fun to play, others boring, and still others I can't even tell were touched at all.
There's also at least one "official" hack in there; can you spot it?
100 Hacks in 10 Minutes
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 4:57 PM PST
Instead of his usual speed runs, Ross Miller has instead this week brought us something quite different: 100 hacks in 10 minutes. Weird, wild, crazy, pointless, sadistic, and sometimes even offensive (so don't say you weren't warned), many of these hacks seem to prove that people the world over really just need something better to do with their time.
How many can you recognize?
A lot of Mario and Mega Man love in there... and sometimes both, together. Some look fun to play, others boring, and still others I can't even tell were touched at all.
There's also at least one "official" hack in there; can you spot it?
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Podcast: Kombo Breaker - Episode 50: We celebrate 50 episodes with John Davison (Gamepro), Jeff and Dan (Totally Rad Show), and James Stevenson (Insomniac Games)
by Dan Johnson | 11/06/09 | 4:48 PM PST
We promised #50 would be crazy and we feel like we delivered. Nearly two and a half times longer than our recent episodes, this behemoth may seem daunting at first, but we promise you'll want to sit through the whole episode. If for some horrible reason you refuse to do so, we're happy to provide the times for each guest so you can get your fix.
John Davison kicks off our first segment discussing his transition from whattheyplay.com to Editor in Chief of Gamepro Magazine. I know, I know, Gamepro does still exist. John Davison explains why you should care now that he's at the helm. We're convinced!
Totally Rad Show's Jeff Cannata and Dan Trachtenberg join us around the 40 minute mark to launch into a discussion about movie games and moreso game movies, especially in light of the fact that the Prince of Persia trailer has just been released. These guys know their stuff and it was a blast to have Jeff explain to us how Doom the movie could've been good.
Finally James Stevenson, Community Manager over at Insomniac Games, sits down with us to talk about their fantastic new release, Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. The interview starts around the 1:47 mark and delves into a lot of the design choices for the game, and he gives the slightest hint of what might come in the future.
It's hard to believe we've actually made 50 of these things. We just want to offer our sincere thanks to anyone who's been listening since the beginning, all the way to anyone who might've joined us even just last week. We're really privileged to be able to spend time with people from every corner of the gaming realm and hope to only bring you more guests that you (and we) love.
If you're new to the show, make sure you subscribe on iTunes. We'd love some feedback either here or on the iTunes show page itself. Follow us on Twitter (@KomboBreaker) or email us (kombobreaker@kombo.com).
Next week, gaming press legend Garnett Lee graces us with his presence. You won't want to miss it!
Download | Subscribe on iTunes | Episode 50 | 2h 25m
Podcast: Kombo Breaker - Episode 50: We celebrate 50 episodes with John Davison (Gamepro), Jeff and Dan (Totally Rad Show), and James Stevenson (Insomniac Games)
by Dan Johnson | 11/06/09 | 4:48 PM PST
We promised #50 would be crazy and we feel like we delivered. Nearly two and a half times longer than our recent episodes, this behemoth may seem daunting at first, but we promise you'll want to sit through the whole episode. If for some horrible reason you refuse to do so, we're happy to provide the times for each guest so you can get your fix.
John Davison kicks off our first segment discussing his transition from whattheyplay.com to Editor in Chief of Gamepro Magazine. I know, I know, Gamepro does still exist. John Davison explains why you should care now that he's at the helm. We're convinced!
Totally Rad Show's Jeff Cannata and Dan Trachtenberg join us around the 40 minute mark to launch into a discussion about movie games and moreso game movies, especially in light of the fact that the Prince of Persia trailer has just been released. These guys know their stuff and it was a blast to have Jeff explain to us how Doom the movie could've been good.
Finally James Stevenson, Community Manager over at Insomniac Games, sits down with us to talk about their fantastic new release, Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. The interview starts around the 1:47 mark and delves into a lot of the design choices for the game, and he gives the slightest hint of what might come in the future.
It's hard to believe we've actually made 50 of these things. We just want to offer our sincere thanks to anyone who's been listening since the beginning, all the way to anyone who might've joined us even just last week. We're really privileged to be able to spend time with people from every corner of the gaming realm and hope to only bring you more guests that you (and we) love.
If you're new to the show, make sure you subscribe on iTunes. We'd love some feedback either here or on the iTunes show page itself. Follow us on Twitter (@KomboBreaker) or email us (kombobreaker@kombo.com).
Next week, gaming press legend Garnett Lee graces us with his presence. You won't want to miss it!
Download | Subscribe on iTunes | Episode 50 | 2h 25m
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Game Boy Inducted into National Toy Hall of Fame
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 3:53 PM PST
While the Nintendo Entertainment System and SEGA Dreamcast recently made it into Good Housekeeping's "Best Toys of All Time" list, the NES's little brother, the Game Boy, may have received a more prestigious honor.
The National Toy Hall of Fame has announced that Portable Power is joining their ranks as they revealed the Game Boy in a ceremony yesterday, where it will join fellow 2009 inductees the ball and Big Wheel.
Game Boy Inducted into National Toy Hall of Fame
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 3:53 PM PST
While the Nintendo Entertainment System and SEGA Dreamcast recently made it into Good Housekeeping's "Best Toys of All Time" list, the NES's little brother, the Game Boy, may have received a more prestigious honor.
The National Toy Hall of Fame has announced that Portable Power is joining their ranks as they revealed the Game Boy in a ceremony yesterday, where it will join fellow 2009 inductees the ball and Big Wheel.
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Story Revealed for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (SPOILERS)
by Eric Jones | 11/06/09 | 2:09 PM PST
While the full details behind The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks were finally blown out last night, some story segments were still left a mystery.
Well, thanks to some new details (compiled by GoNintendo) we have a full idea of what to expect in the latest installment of one of Nintendo's premiere franchises. Since there's spoilers aplenty, all is posted after the cut, so beware.
Story Revealed for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (SPOILERS)
by Eric Jones | 11/06/09 | 2:09 PM PST
While the full details behind The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks were finally blown out last night, some story segments were still left a mystery.
Well, thanks to some new details (compiled by GoNintendo) we have a full idea of what to expect in the latest installment of one of Nintendo's premiere franchises. Since there's spoilers aplenty, all is posted after the cut, so beware.
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Capcom: The Best Third-Party at Cross-Platform Support?
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 12:51 PM PST
Sometimes it seems as though some developers and publishers hold a bias for or against certain platforms. But while their offerings may differ from platform to platform, Capcom does not believe they are in the business of playing favorites.
Capcom: The Best Third-Party at Cross-Platform Support?
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 12:51 PM PST
Sometimes it seems as though some developers and publishers hold a bias for or against certain platforms. But while their offerings may differ from platform to platform, Capcom does not believe they are in the business of playing favorites.
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WWE Superstars Talk SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, Plus the Making of with R-Truth and Cryme Tyme
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 12:07 PM PST
While we're working on our review of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 (expect the PS3/360 version's early next week, if all goes well; blame late delivery for that one), WWE.com has assembled some of the Superstars from SmackDown and Raw (what? No ECW?) to tell people what they think about the game, and moreso, what it's like to actually be in a game.
WWE Superstars Talk SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, Plus the Making of with R-Truth and Cryme Tyme
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 12:07 PM PST
While we're working on our review of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 (expect the PS3/360 version's early next week, if all goes well; blame late delivery for that one), WWE.com has assembled some of the Superstars from SmackDown and Raw (what? No ECW?) to tell people what they think about the game, and moreso, what it's like to actually be in a game.
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Mr. Keighley Goes to Washington (State): GameTrailers' Nintendo Special
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 11:30 AM PST
Last night, GameTrailers TV was at Nintendo of America's headquarters to check out their upcoming releases for the holiday season, check up on some other releases we've heard little about since E3, and chat for a bit with NoA President Reggie Fils-Aime and EAD General Manager Shigeru Miyamoto.
You can check all that out, along with the accompanying footage, here:
For those who can't (or just don't want to) view the video, we have recaps of what was said after the cut.
Mr. Keighley Goes to Washington (State): GameTrailers' Nintendo Special
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 11:30 AM PST
Last night, GameTrailers TV was at Nintendo of America's headquarters to check out their upcoming releases for the holiday season, check up on some other releases we've heard little about since E3, and chat for a bit with NoA President Reggie Fils-Aime and EAD General Manager Shigeru Miyamoto.
You can check all that out, along with the accompanying footage, here:
For those who can't (or just don't want to) view the video, we have recaps of what was said after the cut.
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Is Champions Online Ready for Consoles?
by Eric Frederiksen | 11/06/09 | 9:38 AM PST
In case it isn't clear just looking along the top bar, Kombo is a console-focused site. So why are we reviewing Champions Online? Other than just wanting to, I wanted to take a peek at a PC massively multiplayer game that lists a console as its next destination, see what works, what doesn't, and take a look at its prospects for making the jump to consoles. Though I won't be giving it a traditional review score, I'll review it in the usual Kombo format.
What the Game's About
Champions Online is the newest MMO from developer Cryptic Studios. Taking notes from their first outing, City of Heroes, they've returned to the Superhero genre once more in hopes of perfecting the formula. Licensing a classic pen-and-paper RPG, Champions Online brings the characters and stories of Champions to life for players to experience firsthand.
Is Champions Online Ready for Consoles?
by Eric Frederiksen | 11/06/09 | 9:38 AM PST
In case it isn't clear just looking along the top bar, Kombo is a console-focused site. So why are we reviewing Champions Online? Other than just wanting to, I wanted to take a peek at a PC massively multiplayer game that lists a console as its next destination, see what works, what doesn't, and take a look at its prospects for making the jump to consoles. Though I won't be giving it a traditional review score, I'll review it in the usual Kombo format.
What the Game's About
Champions Online is the newest MMO from developer Cryptic Studios. Taking notes from their first outing, City of Heroes, they've returned to the Superhero genre once more in hopes of perfecting the formula. Licensing a classic pen-and-paper RPG, Champions Online brings the characters and stories of Champions to life for players to experience firsthand.
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Media: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Trailer, Art, Screens, and More
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 9:18 AM PST
Did you tune in to GameTrailers TV's Nintendo holiday special last night? If you did, then you might have discovered the answer to a question that some might have wondered about The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. Namely, "why would a Phantom help Link?"
GTTV debuted a new trailer for the game last night which answers that question, and puts a new twist on the Zelda mythos:
Hit the cut for more info, plus screens, art, and other fun stuff.
Media: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Trailer, Art, Screens, and More
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 9:18 AM PST
Did you tune in to GameTrailers TV's Nintendo holiday special last night? If you did, then you might have discovered the answer to a question that some might have wondered about The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. Namely, "why would a Phantom help Link?"
GTTV debuted a new trailer for the game last night which answers that question, and puts a new twist on the Zelda mythos:
Hit the cut for more info, plus screens, art, and other fun stuff.
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What Makes a Game Worth It?
by Brian Langlois | 11/06/09 | 6:30 AM PST
So I'm reading an article today about Dead Space: Extraction not selling very well and everyone is saying "I told you so" because it's an on-rails shooter. Never mind the fact that it has only been out for two weeks as of this writing, but I guess that doesn't matter since this game has been unfairly derided since it was announced. It's no secret that I've been a big proponent of the game and think it offers an amazing experience. Anyway, I'm not really here to talk about Extraction per se, but rather the perception that any on-rails shooter is instantly not worth paying full price for. It's a mentality that could apply to any game genre, and one that I quite frankly do not understand.
What Makes a Game Worth It?
by Brian Langlois | 11/06/09 | 6:30 AM PST
So I'm reading an article today about Dead Space: Extraction not selling very well and everyone is saying "I told you so" because it's an on-rails shooter. Never mind the fact that it has only been out for two weeks as of this writing, but I guess that doesn't matter since this game has been unfairly derided since it was announced. It's no secret that I've been a big proponent of the game and think it offers an amazing experience. Anyway, I'm not really here to talk about Extraction per se, but rather the perception that any on-rails shooter is instantly not worth paying full price for. It's a mentality that could apply to any game genre, and one that I quite frankly do not understand.
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Activision Scores High in Q3 Financial Results
by Eric Jones | 11/06/09 | 12:42 AM PST
Despite a tough economy, Activision still managed to pull out a strong 3rd quarter, the company announced Thursday. In all, $755 million in sales were brought in, exceeding previously set goals of $700 million.
According to Activision, strong sales of Guitar Hero, World of Warcraft, and Call of Duty were the reason for sales upturn. While the first two - with four different Guitar Hero releases so far this year and the juggernaut that is WoW - are no surprise, the lasting power of Call of Duty: World at War is surprising. Then again, it could simple be due to all of those Modern Warfare 2 pre-orders.
Activision Scores High in Q3 Financial Results
by Eric Jones | 11/06/09 | 12:42 AM PST
Despite a tough economy, Activision still managed to pull out a strong 3rd quarter, the company announced Thursday. In all, $755 million in sales were brought in, exceeding previously set goals of $700 million.
According to Activision, strong sales of Guitar Hero, World of Warcraft, and Call of Duty were the reason for sales upturn. While the first two - with four different Guitar Hero releases so far this year and the juggernaut that is WoW - are no surprise, the lasting power of Call of Duty: World at War is surprising. Then again, it could simple be due to all of those Modern Warfare 2 pre-orders.
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Kmart's Black Friday Video Game Deals Revealed
by Kombo Staff | 11/05/09 | 5:00 PM PST
If you are a resident of the United States and have just finished taking down your Halloween decorations, you've no doubt noticed an ominous chill in the air, a foreboding cloud on the horizon that can only mean that time of year is soon approaching...
Black. Friday.
It is a day in which people lose all sense of their humanity as they line up at storefronts in sometimes ungodly conditions and at hours no ordinary, sane person would ever dare dream of being out. And they do it all for one reason, and one reason only.
To save money.
Kmart's Black Friday Video Game Deals Revealed
by Kombo Staff | 11/05/09 | 5:00 PM PST
If you are a resident of the United States and have just finished taking down your Halloween decorations, you've no doubt noticed an ominous chill in the air, a foreboding cloud on the horizon that can only mean that time of year is soon approaching...
Black. Friday.
It is a day in which people lose all sense of their humanity as they line up at storefronts in sometimes ungodly conditions and at hours no ordinary, sane person would ever dare dream of being out. And they do it all for one reason, and one reason only.
To save money.
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Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Creator Jordan Mechner Discuss the Prince of Persia Movie
by Kombo Staff | 11/05/09 | 2:20 PM PST
The official trailer for the Jerry Bruckheimer's Prince of Persia movie is out, and there has been quite a bit of subsequent buzz, with lots of interviews going around and offering plenty of new information.
What follows is a round-up of interesting tidbits from various interviews with the game's creator, Jordan Mechner, and Bruckheimer, the movie's Producer.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Creator Jordan Mechner Discuss the Prince of Persia Movie
by Kombo Staff | 11/05/09 | 2:20 PM PST
The official trailer for the Jerry Bruckheimer's Prince of Persia movie is out, and there has been quite a bit of subsequent buzz, with lots of interviews going around and offering plenty of new information.
What follows is a round-up of interesting tidbits from various interviews with the game's creator, Jordan Mechner, and Bruckheimer, the movie's Producer.
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No Doubt About It: Gwen Stefani and Company Suing Activision for Band Hero Likenesses
by Kombo Staff | 11/05/09 | 11:46 AM PST
It looks like Activision might start screening their phone calls, as No Doubt is now suing Activision and seeking damages for their portrayal in Band Hero.
Much like the Cobain controversy Courtney Love slurred at Guitar Hero 5, the group says they gave consent for their avatars to perform three of their own songs, but instead wind up performing more than 60 throughout the course of the game, all without their knowledge or approval. They say that underneath it all, it makes them look like "virtual karaoke players."
No Doubt About It: Gwen Stefani and Company Suing Activision for Band Hero Likenesses
by Kombo Staff | 11/05/09 | 11:46 AM PST
It looks like Activision might start screening their phone calls, as No Doubt is now suing Activision and seeking damages for their portrayal in Band Hero.
Much like the Cobain controversy Courtney Love slurred at Guitar Hero 5, the group says they gave consent for their avatars to perform three of their own songs, but instead wind up performing more than 60 throughout the course of the game, all without their knowledge or approval. They say that underneath it all, it makes them look like "virtual karaoke players."
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Japanese Gamers To Get Feather Stylus For Pre-Ordering New Zelda Game
by Zach Carmichael | 11/05/09 | 11:12 AM PST
Remember back in 2007 when Nintendo gave a special feather stylus to those avid Zelda fans who pre-ordered Phantom Hourglass? It seems history does in fact repeat itself, as Nintendo is doing this again, only this time with the upcoming Zelda game for DS, Spirit Tracks.
According to Kotaku, anyone who pre-orders Spirit Tracks in Japan will receive the special stylus. Sadly, this gift is apparently Japan-exclusive at the moment. Perhaps Nintendo will soon announce a similar promotion for North America and/or Europe.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is due for release in North America on December 7th, and the 11th for Europe; Japanese players will have to wait a bit longer, as it is released there on the 23rd.
Japanese Gamers To Get Feather Stylus For Pre-Ordering New Zelda Game
by Zach Carmichael | 11/05/09 | 11:12 AM PST
Remember back in 2007 when Nintendo gave a special feather stylus to those avid Zelda fans who pre-ordered Phantom Hourglass? It seems history does in fact repeat itself, as Nintendo is doing this again, only this time with the upcoming Zelda game for DS, Spirit Tracks.
According to Kotaku, anyone who pre-orders Spirit Tracks in Japan will receive the special stylus. Sadly, this gift is apparently Japan-exclusive at the moment. Perhaps Nintendo will soon announce a similar promotion for North America and/or Europe.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is due for release in North America on December 7th, and the 11th for Europe; Japanese players will have to wait a bit longer, as it is released there on the 23rd.
source: Kotaku
November 6, 2009
