The type of game makes a difference as well. "Doom 3," "Half-Life 2," and "Halo 2" are three of the most anticipated upcoming games among Western audiences. Don't expect them to do well in Japan, however. In fact, they will have two strikes against them even before they land on the docks. All three games are, in addition to being violent, played from the first-person perspective. Such first-person perspective shooters (FPS) are big in the West, but have never really caught on in Japan. And few violent games sell well there, either.

[ MSNBC - Video games that get lost in translation ]

Apparently the problem with quality consoles selling is due to their sphere of influence. GameCube seems to have only “Japanese” games and XBox has only “American” games. PlayStation provides both and therefore seems to be more popular. Of course consumers apparently don't mind crappier design, crappier price, crappier controls (multitap in specific), and crappier performance.

Here's hoping GameCubeNext and neXtBox both kill PS3 at the register... (Oh did I get off topic?)

For roughly eight years I've been doing work related to a game known as Zelda, but I never imagined that an opportunity for me to talk to all of you about this experience would ever come.

[ Nintendo ]

ACT II & Nintendo have teamed up for the ultimate gaming and snacking experience. Just look for specially marked ACT II Microwave Popcorn cartons and pop a bag to see if you're an Instant Winner of a Grand Prize Family Gaming Pack, which includes: a Panasonic 50" Widescreen LCD Rear Projection HDTV, a Nintendo GameCube™ System, including 4 Wavebird™ Wireless Controllers & 10 games, plus every newly released Nintendo GameCube game for an entire year* and a year's supply of ACT II Microwave Popcorn. It's just one more way ACT II Microwave Popcorn helps you and your family Get Ahead Of The Game.

[ ACT II ]

Time passes, the pages turn...and a new chapter unfolds in an unfamiliar land! Get ready for a two-dimensional role-playing adventure for the ages as Mario returns to paper form in pursuit of a threat unlike any he's ever faced.

[ Paper Mario 2 ]

I thought that Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga was going to be a nice sequel (of types) to Paper Mario, and I think I was a bit disappointed. You'll notice that it still sits on the side of my site as a game I'm playing, and that's mostly due to the fact that I'm just shy of completing the game. I'm stuck at a mega boss battle that may not even be my last battle, and the timing of defense is all important in this battle (even though it really hadn't been up to this point). Paper Mario 2, however, could be the gem I am looking for.

In this highly anticipated sequel to Metroid Prime, become the bounty hunter behind the visor once more and travel to a planet torn into light and darkness. Hunted by a mysterious entity and a warring race called the Ing, Samus Aran must explore the light and dark worlds of this doomed planet to discover secrets and augment her suit's weapons and abilities.

[ Metroid Prime 2: Echos ]

With quality games like this, why do people buy anything but a GameCube as their first console?

quickSub is a Javascript function that adds intelligence to the feed button on your web page. Just roll your mouse over the example above, and you'll be instantly greeted by one-click subscription links to the most popular aggregators.

[ quickSub ]

Now used on davidkearns.com where the Radio's “coffeecup” URL used to be.

In a dying village on Sylvarant, legend has it that a Chosen One will one day appear from amongst the people and the land will be reborn. Enter a world of beautiful cel-shaded graphics and high-quality Anime cut scenes by renowned artist Kosuke Fujishima.

[ Namco - Tales of Symphonia ]

Outstanding Anime cut scenes that are styled just like the cel shaded graphics. I forget which game it was, I think one of the Final Fantasy games, where all of the cut scenes were in a completely different style than the play, especially the characters that you played. It drove me crazy. This however looks outstanding on both parts, and seems to be epic in proportion. Here's hoping for a difficult month-long RPG experience.

The Cherry Cocktail is a tempting concoction of premium milk chocolate, freshly roasted peanuts and a creamy cherry center. The whole maraschino cherry creme center is buried in a mixture of ground peanuts and milk chocolate making the bar look like a textured mound of chocolate.

[ Idaho Candy Products ]

Truth be told, I've never had one, but they look so good that I must find these somewhere and try one.

Shrek 2 Trailer Great footage -- straight from the publisher!

[ Games : Audio/Video ]

And it does look like it could be fun to play. Recently the Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom impressed me as an above quality game based on a license, and this could be another one. Perhaps one day I won't be able to prejudge these games as all crap.

"He sidled up against us. The next thing I know he's banging away at the car and it's rocking like hell."

[ CNN.com - Rhino gets amorous with car ]

Renault, Rhino, I guess they sound a bit similar.

Props to Big G.

$g(Earth Day) is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.

[ Earth Day - US Government Portal ]

Here is your chance, if you live near San Jose or Southern California. NCsoft will be in Fry's Electronics on April 27th to celebrate their new products Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicle and City of Heroes.

[ Lineage II : The Chaotic Chronicle ]

And in a seemingly unrelated story, perfectutensil.com's new site delays launch 6-8 months.

Australia's longest-running soap, Neighbours, is making its debut on US television screens on Monday. Two episodes will be shown back-to-back every day for six weeks from 19 April on the Oxygen cable channel.

[ BBC NEWS | Entertainment ]

Whatever an “Oxygen” is. Isn't there a “Soap Opera” channel for this sort of material?