I’ve been a long time user of TomTom Navigator on my PDA, but I’ve been using my PDA less and less, in the end the only thing I’ve been using it for is TomTom. So I’ve done the logical thing and bought myself a standalone TomTom Go 720 T. One of the things that attracted me to the 720 is some of the “value add” features, such as iPod integration, FM transmitter and Bluetooth hands-free for the phone, all of which meant I could get rid of some of the gadgets and cables that litter my car.

Well this is where it kind of falls down. Don’t get me wrong the “core” Sat-Nav features on TomTom are excellent; I’ve never had any issue with these. But sadly the extra features they tout are where it’s really lacking (yes this is yet another of my “unhappy gadget” posts!):

• iPod integration – Don’t think they’ve completly thought this one through. The iPod plugs into the same hole as the TMC aerial, which means you can’t get any traffic info whilst using the iPod, not good. Secondly the iPod doesn’t charge while attached to the TomTom, and lastly the screens to control the iPod are too hard to access meaning lots of screen tapping while driving just to do something simple like skip tracks
• FM Transmitter – Too quiet, simple as that. Combined with the above iPod integration I had hopes that I could do away with at least one gadget in my car (the Griffin iTrip) But it’s not going to happen.
• Phone integration – I have a Windows Mobile 6 device as my phone (HP iPAQ 514) sadly TomTom can not use this device for a GPRS connection as TomTom only supports the older Bluetooth DUN (Dial Up Network) mode of connection instead of the newer PAN (Personal Area Network). To be fair the blame probably lays more at Microsoft’s door for removing a feature still in common use. The reading and sending of text messages also doesn’t work with my phone.
• Hands Free – The hands-free feature still works (thankfully) with my phone – I’ve only used it a few times but the volume is very low, at both ends of the call, and I’ve had calls cut out on me for no reason. I’m in two minds whether to go back to my old (but reliable) Bluetooth headset.

None of the issues are major problems – but when added together it really detracts from the appeal of the device. Verdict: it’s a nice sat-nav device but pretty poor at everything else.

Yeah still playing this. It’s been the best 800 points I’ve spent on Xbox Live since Castlevaina: SOTN. Finally unlocked everything last night, including the excellent “Retro Mode” basically a filter to make it look pixelated but it’s a nice little extra.

Really it’s only highscores to beat now (and single credit the game, but I doubt I’ll work towards that) I’ll see if I can top my current feeble highscore of about 2.6 million and maybe move onto playing something else.

First impressions…

The Wiimote control scheme is a bit rubbish – far less precise than the dual stick method. I mean you can get by with it, but soon as things become hectic (and lets face it – this game is all about hectic) it falls down. Thank god for the ability to use the Wii Classic Controller. I read somewhere that Sierra have claimed to get their best scores with the Wiimote control method – I find that very hard to believe.

It also suffers slightly from the lower resolution of the Wii. Part of the appeal of Retro Evolved on the Xbox 360 was the ultra-crisp vector like graphics. Now it all seems a bit of a “smush” at times (again when it gets busy)

But the game is still fun – of course, but overall it feels like the Wii wasn’t the natural home for this. I’d have been much happier to have seen this released on the 360…
Still can’t complain too much for £18.

I’ve picked up a fairly obscure Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) title called Omega Five, and it’s turned out to be a real gem. It’s kind of like a Hi-Def version of Forgotten Worlds (if you are old enough to remember that old Capcom classic) with elements of R-Type, and and a multiplier chucked in.

I like horizontal shooters, having a lot of love for R-Type and Gradius, now I’m not particularly good at them, OK at best but I’m a sucker for bright coloured lasers filling the screen with neon death. Omega Five isn’t a all time classic but for 800 MS points it’s a brilliant little title.

I mean look at the screenshot – what’s not to like!?

I used to enjoy the Metal Gear series, I’ve played through both MGS 1 & 2, and although they have their ups and downs – they were OK. I got MGS3 very late, as a cheapy last year – and hated every second of it. Despite this I figured I wasn’t giving the game a fair chance, and from reading the masses love the game gets over on RLLMUK I decided to buy the game again – this time getting the Subsistence edition for it’s improved camera.

It’s shit. It’s one of the most joyless, tedious, self-important, so called ‘games’ I’ve ever endured. Creeping around at a snails pace, endlessly replaying the same section over & over so you can memorise the guard positions and movements. Any mistake is punished either with death, or by being forced to hide like a coward for 6 or 7 minutes all the time praying the guards won’t find you. You are denied any chance to explore or experiment as the whole thing damn near impenetrable. It’s as if the developers have done everything they can to make you hate the game – and they succeed.

This isn’t fun, it’s punishment. There is more of a “game” in Microsoft Excel. What makes it worse is it’s a game I’ve stupidly bought twice.

Just finished Kororinpa on the Wii. No great achievement; as the game is fairly easy and very short. But that’s no bad thing. I bought this game knowing it wasn’t an epic, and so what – it’s a superb little game. It’s kinda like Marble Madness mixed with Super Monkey Ball, the game is controlled by tilting the Wiimote which in turn tilts the maze. Sat in the maze is a ball – roll the ball to the exit, collecting crystals as you go. Simple as that, it’s not going to win any awards for story or originality but it’s fun to play, the levels are very well designed and well it’s just nice!

Sometimes you need little games like this, fingers crossed for a sequel.

I completed Super Mario Galaxy the other night, well when I say completed I defeated Bowser; which requires getting 60 stars, and there are 242 in total to find!

Anyhow, since finishing it I’ve grown a lot fonder of it. I can sort of look back at it now and see all of the magic they packed in. Still not completely bowled over by it, but I think I’m going to be looking back on this in a years time with a much more affectionate view than I had when playing.

Dunno how much I’ll persevere with getting all the extra stars, I’ll see how I feel.

Bit behind the pack on this one I know….
Well I picked up the game on release, at the “special” release event in Oxford Street (which was basically a queue to buy the game and little more) but I held off starting the game until just before Christmas as I wanted to save it.

It’s a fantastic game, amazing in fact (in comparison to most of the drivel out there) but I can’t help but feel a little underwhelmed. A lot of people are raving about this game and claiming it’s the best game ever, lavishing it with masses of praise and superlatives. It’s good, it’s very good – but is it “best game ever” material? well hmmmm, sadly I’m not getting that vibe from it.

Take Zelda: Ocarina of Time (generally regarded as one of the greatest games of all time) this game has really stuck with me, I remember it very fondly, the whole game seemed epic, had a legendary feel to it. You were part of this amazing story.

Super Mario Galaxy is great fun, and it’s polished to sheen, but at times it feels like a series of mini-games; lots of 10 minute blasts of concentrated fun, but where is that “epic” feel?