It’s another Wii day over in the Amazon.com GoldBox. Deep discounts on a few select Wii titles for your purchasing pleasure. The Deal of the Day is Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection for $13.98, and Lightning deals will be coming up all day long.

The first, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 for 50% off (a mere $19.97) has already sold out. The next deal will be coming up at 12:00pm. Other titles to be offered include No More Heroes, Mercury Meltdown: Revolution, My Word Coach, Ferrari Challenge, Fishing Master, and Little League World Series Baseball ‘08.

So Uwe Boll is back on the gaming news radar. And not because he’s making yet another craptastic movie based on a video game. No, this time, he’s branching out and making a video game based on his movie.

I can see only three possible outcomes to this.

1) Things will follow Uwe’s usual pattern, wherein the movie sucks and the game is a hit (unlikely, seeing as he’s involved in both)…

2) Both the movie and the game will be an abomination unto Nuggan…

3) Some sort of destructive temporal vortex will open when he decides to make a movie based on his video game based on his original movie, which launches him into a never ending cycle of movies based on games based on movies, resulting in the total annihilation of the world and all things in it.

For the more masochistic among you, here’s a link to the trailer for Uwe Boll’s 1968 Tunnel Rats.

Coming soon to an XBOX 360 near you (and a little later, to the PS3, as well…) is Square-Enix’s next RPG, The Last Remnant.

The story of the game concerns “remnants”, mysterious and coveted ancient artifacts of vast magical power. These artifacts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and have been the cause of several wars. Central to the story is a boy named Rush, who is trying to rescue his kidnapped sister, Irina, only to find himself pulled directly into the global conflict as a result.

Gameplay is said to be Turn/Command-based, and like several of Square-Enix’s more recent games, random encounters have been done away with. Players will also have the opportunity to command a team of soldiers in battles that can involve up to 70 enemies at once.

The game will be available November 20 for the 360. A PS3 release date has not yet been set.

Some interesting new today, the Pew Internet & American Life Project just released the results of the first-ever national survey of youth and video games in the U.S.

First some background.

The Pew Internet & American Life Project run by the Pew Research Center, a “nonprofit fact tank that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world”, according to their website. They are nonpartisan and take no position on policy issues, though the Pew Charitable Trusts from which they draw support, funds both advocacy and non-advocacy groups.

The survey was performed using a 16 page questionnaire with questions for the both the teenagers and their accompanying parent. The statistical data consists of information gathered nationally between Nov. 1 2007 and Feb. 5 2008 from 1102 youths aged 12-17.

The report is 75 pages long, and if you’d like to read it in it’s entirety, you can download the full report (PDF) here

So what did they find out? Well, here’s some numbers.

• 97% of those surveyed play some kind of video game. This includes console, PC, web, handheld, and cell games.
• 99% of the males survey, and 94% of the females surveyed play video games
• 80% of those who play games play five or more different genres
• 82% of those who play games, play games on their own, but 71% of this group also play games with others.
• 86% play games on a console

So what were the most popular genres? The top ten:

1. Racing
2. Puzzle
3. Sports
4. Action (in which they include GTA)
5. Adventure
6. Rhythm
7. Strategy
8. Simulation
9. Fighting
10. First Person Shooters

I was actually a little surprised (probably more than I should have been, now that I think about it) at this list, 1) to see that the FPS genre only just barely made the top ten, and 2) to see that RPGs and MMOs didn’t make the top ten (they came in at 11 and 13, respectively). In retrospect, though, is it really that surprising that games targeted more at older gamers (firmly at older gamers in the case of FPSs) don’t rank as highly for teens?

Furthermore, the survey determined that gaming is not only often a social experience, but also that gamers who take part in social interaction related to games tend to be more civically and politically engaged.

On the parental side of things,:

• 32% of teens who play games responded that at least one of their favorite games was rated M or higher
• 72% of parents check the rating before allowing their children to play a game, and only 46% say they sometimes stop their child from playing, and 13% say games have a negative influence on their children (though to be fair, 19% reported the opposite effect).

There is more to the report… much, much more, so I would suggest giving it a read if you have the time (and the inclination to ready some very dry statistics). Some things to keep in mind while reading, though… 1) the survey focuses exclusively on minors aged 12 to 17, and 2) it’s a survey of who’s playing what, with some relations to civics… not, for example, the effects of playing violent games on behavior, a comprehensive study we’re still largely waiting on.

Loads of games this week, including Rock Band 2 for the 360, which came out over the weekend. If you want that particular game on any other console, though, you’ve still got awhile to wait.

For Consoles

Rock Band 2 | 360
Rock out on the newest Rock Band title… but only on 360. If you want to give it a go on you PS3, you’ll have to wait until next month, as it won’t be out until October 19. And if you’re waiting on the Wii (or PS2), version, you’ve got until November 18. Rock Band 2 features 84 new songs, and also includes support for existing Rock Band downloadable content. Twenty additional tracks will also be available for download with a redeemable code included with the game.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Also available on: PSP | Nintendo DS
Continuing the Star Wars saga, The Force Unleashed is an action/platformer that casts players as Darth Vader’s “secret apprentice”, and takes place between Episodes 3 and 4 (or movies 6 and 1… damn prequels). Use the Force to hunt down fugitive Jedi and crush anyone who gets in your way.

Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 2 | Wii
For the DDR fans, Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 2 includes new and enhanced options and settings for players of all skill levels. Dance to hit songs from the last four decades, and take your game online to try your skills against others. The game even comes bundled with a dance mat.

Armored Core | PS3 | 360
Massive development and aerial pollution have been harming the planet, and people recognize how little time is left until the end of the world. Because of their military strength, The League corporations are in control of the planet’s infrastructure and their people have moved skyward to avoid the contamination. The ORCA, those forced to live on the surface, have organized the resistance and have amassed a formidable arsenal. As a mercenary you must choose your side and defeat the other factions by taking on giant mechanical weapons.

Zoids Assault | 360
When war broke out between the world’s two main superpowers, the effects rippled across the globe, dragging other nations into the fight. Two such nations were Maroll and Jamil. After a mysterious explosion at one of Maroll’s military bases, two covert ops teams are sent into Jamil territory, where they discover that, somehow, the events of the present are inextricably linked to the final days of the war, ten years ago.

Pure | PS3 | 360
Pure is an off-road ATV trick racing game that features vertigo-inducing aerial jumps and more than 80 spectacular airborne tricks in photo-realistic real-world locations all over the globe. Online multiplayer is supported for up to 16 racers, and you can customize your ATV from the ground up.

Battle Fantasia | 360
An all new fighting game from the creators of the Guilty Gear Series. Choose from 12 fighters, play online with gamers from around the world via Xbox Live, unleash deadly combo with Heat Up mode, and turn the tide with the GACHI battle mechanic.

Crazy Golf | Wii
Because apparently the Wii doesn’t have anywhere near enough Golf games yet… Crazy Golf is a mini-golf titles that features four complete courses for a total of 72 holes and several different modes of play.

Zoo Hospital | Wii
A sim title in which you’ve just graduated from veterinary college when your Aunt Lucy calls to ask for your help at Zoo Hospital. You have to help save the zoo from being turned into a mini-golf course (seriously, what is with the Wii and golf?) by treating its ailing inhabitants, improving its Zoo Rating and attracting new exotic animals that will in turn attract the crowds.

Dance Dance Revolution X | PS2 | PS2 with Dance Mat
Another new title for DDR fans, Dance Dance Revolution X includes a track list of 65 songs, a new LAN battle mode for up to 8 players, as well as EyeToy integration and the return of Workout Mode.

Naruto Ultimate Collection | PS2
A collection of three Naruto titles, including Naruto Ultimate Ninja 1, Naruto Ultimate Ninja 2 and Naruto Uzumaki Chronicles.

Namco Classic Fighter Collection | PS2
A collection of three classic fighters for the PS2, including Soul Caliber 2, Tekken 4, and Tekken Tag Tournament.

Pac-Man Power Pack | PS2
A collection of three last-gen Pac-Man titles, including Pac Man World 2, Pac Man World 3, and Pac Man World Rally.

New on WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free (1000 Wii Points)
The second of five games in the series, in Episode 2, Strong Bad is arrested for not paying the town’s new email tax and decides to unite the warring factions of the town under one flag… his own.

Potpourrii (800 Wii Points)
A puzzle game in which everything revolves around the seasons. You must help the leprechauns defeat an evil wizard who is throwing the seasons out of whack.

For Handhelds

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen | Nintendo DS
A remake of the original Dragon Quest IV, this classic RPG brings together an unlikely crew, including a respected army captain, two sisters out for revenge, and a princess, for an epic adventure. The game is set to be followed by remaining titles in the never-released-in-the-US Zenithia Trilogy, Dragon Quests V and VI, also on DS.

Yggdra Union | PSP
Does anyone know how the hell that’s pronounced? A sort of action/strategy game, and remake of the original title for GBA, in Yggdra Union, Fantasinia is a peaceful land until the Empire of Bronquia invades. The sole survivor of Fantasinia’s royal family flees with the kindgom’s only hope, the holy sword, Gran Centurio.

Mazes of Fate | Nintendo DS
A port of the original GBA game, Mazes of Fate is an RPG that spans the length and breadth of a huge, dynamic world, and tells an epic story of magic and conspiracy, with more than a hundred characters you can interact with, and over thirty hours of gameplay.

Slingo Quest | Nintendo DS
A follow up to the original Slingo, Slingo Quest is a puzzle game that combines bingo and slots into a whole new puzzle experience over the course of 60 levels. This sequel adds some new features and play modes to the game, as well as new power ups.

Line Rider 2: Unbound | Nintendo DS
In Line Rider 2: Unbound, the sled-stealing scumbag Chaz is up to no good and only you, as the clever and cunning Bosh, can defeat him. For Bosh to save his true love Bailey, players must solve over 40 puzzles created by the #1 Line Rider player in the world. Play through story mode, or create and share your own puzzles in Creation Mode.

Drawn to Life: Spongebob Squarepants Edition | Nintendo DS
I eagerly await the day when Nickelodeon gets tired of slapping Spongebob on everything and retires the obnoxious talking sponge. Until then, we get games like this. Based on the episode where a magical pencil results in Spongebob’s creepy drawing of himself coming to life, players must puzzle, race, platform and fight their way through more than 20 levels.

My Secret World | Nintendo DS
A diary game for the DS, My Secret World provides a scrapbook/diary, an interactive agenda, and quizzes. Customization elements can be shared with friends, and you can socialize over Nintendo Wireless.

I’ll admit, I’ve been looking forward to this game… and I’m not exactly disappointed with it, but to be honest, I’m nowhere near as impressed as I thought I’d be, especially with it being a game coming from Square-Enix (though to be fair, they only published the game… it was actually developed by TriAce).

First the good points.

The story is engaging. The characters are likable. The environments are pretty, colorful, and varied enough that it’s not one of those annoying games where every dungeon looks the same. The gameplay, too, is mostly solid, if a bit hack-and-slash (not that there’s anything wrong with that… I actually enjoy it). It does have it’s issues, but more on that in a minute.

Infinite Undiscovery is the story of a boy named Cappel, who right off the bat is tossed into the local prison because he happens to bear a striking resemblance to a rebel leader by the name of Sigmund. Sigmund and his allies have been traveling the world, battling the Order of Chains, and dangerous group who seeks to enchain the moon for their own devious motives. Cappel is rescued by Aya, thinking that he actually is Sigmund, and even after realizing her mistake, she still drags him along with her to meet us with the rest of the Liberation Force.

I won’t spoil the plot for you, because it really is a decent story that’s entirely worth playing through… if you can tolerate the less likeable parts of the game.

The first of these is the voice acting. I’m not even going to beat around the bush here… it’s awful. Really awful. Not all of it. There are a few well-done voice-overs, but they’re few and far between.

The other thing that bugs me… even more than than bad acting sometimes, is that lip syncing is almost non-existent throughout the game. The dialog isn’t exactly great in a few place, either, but that at least is tolerable. But with the lip sync (or rather, lack thereof), after awhile you get the impression that they didn’t even make the attempt.

But realistically, bad voice acting isn’t exactly uncommon in games, and poor lip syncing can be ignored if you put in a little effort (especially if you mute the voices). Some things that are a little harder to tolerate are the sometimes bizarre motivations of the characters. Every once in awhile there’s a situation where it feels like they decided to skip a few key events in character development altogether and beat you over the head with one character’s feelings towards another with no explanation as to how we arrived at that point. Unfortunately, this occasionally carries over into the plot as a whole, as well.

As for the gameplay itself…

My first qualm is that it’s not always clear what your next goal is supposed to be. For example, you’ll finish a mission, and then wind up in whatever town or locale you’re supposed to be in, with only a very vague idea of where to head next. There are hints… but they’re easy to miss, because they’re often spoken aloud by one of your party members as you’re heading out into the world map. Sucks for you if a random monster jumps you right out of the gate, because you’ll never hear the hint, and as far as I’ve been able to find, there’s nothing in the menus that states your current goal (which is a real pain in the ass if you stop around 2 am to sleep, then attempt to pick it up two days later and have no memory of what the hell you were doing the last time you saved).

The second thing that annoyed me was the multiple party system. Or rather the way it’s managed. See, you don’t always have multiple parties… which is fine because sometimes it’s not a good thing to have twelve people running around doing their own thing. You really don’t have much control over the secondary parties when you do get to use them. There are also a number of characters that are only allowed in secondary parties… which really sucks, because a couple of them seem to be pretty damn effective mages, and it’d be nice to have that in the main party once in awhile. The choice of ranged fighters is kind of limited.

And finally, two comments on the menu…

1) It’s nested like crazy, so it’s hard to find anything quickly.
2) God help you if you need to use a recovery item during battle.

All in all, it’s not a bad game, but it’s by no means a great game. It’s also a little on the short side for an RPG (I made it through the first of two discs in under 9 hours, taking my sweet time, and the second disc, at the beginning anyway, seems very cutscene heavy, limiting actual play time). The story is a good one, though, and there are some genuinely funny and emotional moments along the way.

My ratings on this game:

Story: 8/10 - Good plot, engaging events, but occasionally predictable.

Characters: 5/10 - There are a few memorable ones, and even some great ones. The villains, unfortunately, are rather weak, though, and there isn’t a whole lot of development of the main protagonists… even the ones closely tied to Cappel. I think this largely stems from the fact that there are just so many (18 playable characters can only get so much screen time for backstory).

Gameplay: 6/10 - In general, it plays very similar to Kingdom Hearts. Run up to an enemy, and button mash. But some of the things are extremely awkward. “Connecting” with other party members to control their special ability and give them a target, for example, is almost ineffective during battle because it’s such a pain to activate. The menu, too, as I mentioned is a challenge to work with.

Overall: 6.5/10 - It’s decent… worth at least one playthrough… but forgettable, which is a pity, because it had so much potential.

Some people are waaaaay too crafty. I’m jealous.

Sure, I can cross stitch and I’m not bad with a nail gun and a power drill on occasion, but beyond that, forget it. I can tell you point blank that nothing I made would ever look this cool sitting on my kitchen counter:

Yes, that’s an Zelda-inspired Octorock over on Etsy.com. I think he’s adorable… and if I had a spare $50, right now, I’d be sorely tempted to grab him… although he’d probably scare the hell out of my cats. They’re such cowards.

Welcome to Monday… everyone’s favroite day of the week, I’m sure.

There are lots of titles this week… but not a lot of substance. Still, you might find something interesting to pick up (or at least rent). Me, I think I’ll just keep working my way through Infinite Undiscovery from last week.

For Consoles

Active Life Outdoor Challenge | Wii
Get active as you play one of over a dozen games from river rafting to jump rope to trampoline. The game comes bundled with the “Active Life Mat”… which looks and functions suspiciously like the old NES Power Pad. Right down the the jogging-in-place that you can do a lot better if you sit down and bang on the mat with your fists, which brings back fond, repressed memories of that damn Track and Field game.

The Price is Right | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
All the fun of The Price is Right… minus Bob Barker (or even Drew Carey)… can be yours! Up to four players can compete for fabulous prizes, playing all of the classic Price is Right games. You can even unlock memorable moments from the show. Honestly, it just looks like a giant collection of mini-games, but I guess if you’re a fan of the show…

NHL 09 | PS3 | 360
Once again… can’t stand sports games. Pre-written summary follows. Become the first great name in videogame hockey with NHL 09. Jump into the EA SPORTS Hockey League and become part of the first console sports MMO. Take your created player online and join a team with friends, or scout for players. Featuring 6 vs. 6 online team play, the ability to level up your player, tournament brackets, and awards at the end of every season.

NHL 2K9 | PS3 | 360 | Wii | PS2
Not to be confused with NHL 09, apparently, NHL 2K9 offers multiplayer for up to 8 players. More. Hockey. Hell, even Amazon doesn’t give much info about this game.

Hell’s Kitchen | Wii
Also available on: Nintendo DS
Have you ever fantasized about being abused and belittled by Chef Gordan Ramsay? Well, now you can! At least as much as a T rating will allow… Masters all aspects of cooking, and gain access to authentic recipes. Solo, co-op and head to head multiplayer modes are available.

TNA Impact! | PS3 | 360 | PS2
Featuring 25 TNA superstars, you can create your own TNA wrestler, and customize their appearance, style, and moves. Play through story mode and find fame and fortune, or try some tournament play online.

Cabela’s Legendary Adventures | Wii | PS2
Also available on: PSP
In Cabela’s Legendary Adventures, the missions are based on some of the most famous animals ever hunted in the wild. Hunt in different eras and areas as you pursue game such as white-tailed deer, Yukon moose, Alaskan brown bear and Roosevelt elk. Shooting mechanics have been developed to reflect modern as well as historical hunting technology.

Ten Pin Alley 2 | Wii
Hit the lanes all over again in this sequel to Ten Pin Alley. This title supports multiplayer, and has 5 game modes, including Free Lane and Tournament. Play as any of nine characters, and master trick shots to win.

Yakuza 2 | PS2
Fans of the original Yakuza will probably be looking at this with glee. More than two years after it’s Japanese release, the sequel is finally making its way over seas. Taking place one year after the first game, Kiryu Kazuma must come to the aid or the floundering Tojo-guchi gang.

New On WiiWare

Groovin’ Blocks (800 Wii Points)
A puzzle game with a musical twist, in Groovin’ Blocks, you play to the rhythm of the music in 27 stages. The game has 3 skill levels, as well as co-op and head to head modes.

For Handhelds

Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise | Nintendo DS
An open-ended sandbox game, players must turn their plot of land into a beautiful garden and attract as many piñatas as they can. Collect over 60 species, complete missions, and transfers items and piñatas from your garden to a friend’s.

Rain Drops | Nintendo DS
In this puzzle game, you must help the Finkles on their voyage to restore their forest. Link the Rain Drops together, carefully time the movements, and unlock special items and skills that will allow you to assist the Finkles.

Air Traffic Chaos | Nintendo DS
The cover art for this actually made me laugh out loud… There’s just something funny (and a little pathetic) about a little cartoon guy happily shouting “I’m an air traffic controller!” as airplanes fly haphazardly in the background. The actual game itself is a sim title with 3 difficulty levels.

Lock’s Quest | Nintendo DS
After an evil mechanical army begins to decimate the villages of the kingdom, on after another, it is up to a boy named Lock… a newly trained Archineer… to use his construction skills to defend his homeland.

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir | Nintendo DS
Identify the heir in this search-and-solve detective story. Use the touch-screen to investigate 12 potential heirs, search the environment, and find hidden items and clues. The game even has a multi-player mode.

Apparently I wasn’t paying attention yesterday, and completely missed the announcement that Microsoft will slash the price of all 360 models by another $50 starting tomorrow. This means that the Elite will be dropping to $399.99 and the 60GB model to $299.99.

More importantly, though, this means that the hard drive-less 360 Arcade will be down to a scant $199.99, making it $50 cheaper than the Wii. Given that you can pick up a used or refurbished 20GB hard drive for around $40 and shipping, it puts it right on par with the Wii.

Of course it never fails. I bought my 360 Arcade (well, actually it was a refurbished Core system, not that there’s a whole lot of difference) used less than 6 months ago for $200, and added on a hard drive. Sure, it came with something like 12 games, but now I could get a new console for around the same price. Ah well. As long as the thing keeps working, I’ll be happy.

Now, if Sony would just put out a $200 PS3…

So, remember last week when Square-Enix made an offer to Tecmo for a “friendly takeover”? Yeah, turns out Tecmo wasn’t too impressed with it. They had until today to accept the offer, and Tecmo replied with a “friendly rejection”.

Instead, Tecmo has gone into talks with Koei (the people who brought you Dynasty Warriors) for a merger.

Is it me, or does this seem like the gaming industry equivalent of flipping Square-Enix the bird? I can certainly see Tecmo’s logic. Square-Enix is huge… a takeover would in all likelihood significantly dilute the Tecmo brand. Tecmo and Koei, on the other hand, are on much more equal footing, and are talking merger rather than a buy-out.