Dominate Halo Reach: 5 Simple Tips to Improving Your Game

Here are a few useful and easy tips to get you started on the path to Halo Reach Multiplayer Domination:

1. Shot Placement: There's a very common misconception out there that you should always be aiming for your opponent's head and that they will die faster when your shot grouping is focused above the shoulders. This is only partially true. When your opponents shield has yet to "pop", it does not matter where your shots are placed. You could hit your opponent in the pinky finger and it will do the same amount of damage as a shot to the center of his facemask will do. However, once the shield pops, then the head is key. One shot with the DMR, Pistol, or a couple of bullets with any weapon really will finish them off. So, the idea is to initially aim for the largest target there is, the chest. This way, once the shield pops, it's an easy shot to the head and you're off to the next victim.


2. Use Your Armor Well and Use it Often: There are a few maps where a certain armor type offers a real strategic advantage over the other armor types. For example, Sword Base. I always use the Jet Pack here. I started doing it, because I like to get to the shotgun first after initial spawn, and I get it in virtually every game on Sword Base. Also, you can move from level to level very easily with the Jet Pack and often have wide open grenade possibilities. What is most important is that you are comfortable with the armor ability you are using. Often, there is no real advantage from one armor type to another. It's really about how you use it and that you use it. Armor is far too important a tool to be sitting in the box. Lastly, where there may be no obvious advantage from one armor type to another. A chosen armor type on the wrong map can be a disadvantage. For example, on most indoor maps, the Jet Pack can be fairly useless. These maps are more catered to the fast (Sprint), furious (Armor Lock) and the cunning (Hologram/Active Camo).


3. Situational Weapons: Don't bring a knife to a gun fight, but most definitely do bring a knife to a dark room filled with opponents. Always pay attention that you are bringing the right weapon to the right situation. For example, if your running with the DMR and the Assault Rifle, have your DMR as primary for areas of long sight lines, but when you are heading into close quarters, switch to the Assault Rifle. Watch where you are and where you are going. If you are heading out into open space, get that DMR ready. Also, know which grenade you have active. If you are heading into a room, or into blind corners, have the Plasma Grenade active and be ready to stick the next croucher. And with open areas, the Frag Grenade is a better option where bounce shots and bank shots are more effective.


4. Don't Stop Moving Unless You're Crouching: If you stop moving in this game you will die. There are constantly snipers and adept shooters just looking for some dude standing still. If you stop moving, crouch. If you slow down, crouch. And if you crouch, never do it when you are open from any sniper angle. Crouch in rooms or behind walls, or in places where you can zoom and shoot accurately, but where your opponents don't have a good shot on you.


5. Practice and Warm-Up Offline: Use the additional game modes on Halo Reach to complete Daily Challenges, warm up, practice and cool your nerves. My favorite additional game mode in Reach is Firefight Matchmaking (specifically Score Attack). Check the Daily Challenges to see if they include Firefight modules and get yourself some easy credits. Score Attack is a great place to get a quick warm up in before entering the vicious, fast-paced Multiplayer realm. Another great tactic is to take a break from Multiplayer and re-focus with some Firefight. The easier, more predictable game play can be just what you need to cool your nerves and get back to dominating. Lastly, this is the best place to up your weapon and armor know-how. If there is a weapon armor type you want to become more proficient with, Score Attack is the place to do it. Play a few games with a particular Load Out and see what you can bring to your Multiplayer Game.

These are some basic tips to get you on the right track to Halo Reach Multiplayer Domination. I have created Halo Reach Multiplayer Tips site that includes more information on how to really change your game and start putting the competition to sleep!

I hope you found these tips helpful and wish you happy gaming! -Andrew

Top 10 Most Independent Women in Video Games

10. Chloe Frazer (Uncharted Series)

Quote: "Seems like I am always saving your ass."

Not only is she a treasure hunter, this Australian badass is equally comfortable in a gunfight or a fistfight, whatever the occasion demands. Chloe is fearless, brave, and possesses a saucy attitude to boot.

9. Samantha Byrne (Gears of War 3)

Quote: "Don't mind him, somebody stole his teddy when he was little."

Private Samantha "Sam" Byrne, also called "duchashka" or "lovely duchess" is not your typical soldier. She's a battle-hardened veteran who kills alien Locusts by day and fights for humanity's survival by night.

8. Oerba Yun Fang (Final Fantasy 13)

Quote: "You want to keep breathing? Shut up and come quiet."

With a name like Fang, this girl has to be tough. As a member of the Yun Clan, Fang is as intense and fearless as she is compassionate and caring. With willingness to fight and sacrifice for those she cares for and tremendous skill with a spear, Fang is more than able to handle business.

7. Chun Li (Street Fighter Series)

Quote: "Don't worry. I didn't damage anything permanently, I think."

Driven by a plot of revenge, Chun Li sought to avenge her father who was murdered while investigating the Shadaloo crime syndicate. As a talented martial artist with legs as thick as tree trunks, I'd say Li is undoubtedly a contender in the hardcore category. Since her origins in Street Fighter II in 1991, Li has been an icon of the entire franchise and has been dubbed, the "First Lady of Fighting Games".

6. Faith Connors (Mirror's Edge)

Quote: "The authorities said the changes, the monitoring, banning and regulations, were for the greater good. But good, isn't the same as right"

Not only is she a free-running expert, she's a tattoo-wearing, independent woman who jumps off of buildings for fun. To rebel against the totalitarian regime of her city, she joined the Runners, an illegal underground courier group who operate independently without the intrusion of governmental surveillance. Beauty, brains, and passion.

5. Jill Valentine (Resident Evil Series)

Quote: "It's true that once the wheels of justice begin to turn, nothing can stop them... nothing. It was Raccoon City's last chance... and MY last chance. My last escape..."

Special Agents are sworn to secrecy and for good reason. Jill Valentine has witnessed a multitude of government secrets over the years ranging from covert research facilities to genetic mutants. Despite the multiple zombie outbreaks, she managed survive and destroy the most menacing creatures in her path and with limited ammo mind you.

4. Sheik/Princess Zelda (The Legend of Zelda Series)

Quote: "Time passes, people move... Like a river's flow, it never ends... A childish mind will turn to noble ambition... Young love will become deep affection... The clear water's surface reflects growth..."

With exception to Kitana from the Mortal Kombat series, princesses aren't typically the toughest characters on the block. Princess Zelda fulfills this traditional role with an insufferable habit of getting kidnapped over and over again. In her usual form, she possesses the Triforce power of wisdom...yawn. As her alter ego Sheik, she takes on an entirely different persona becoming proactive, determined, and... a great harp player.

3. Jack (Mass Effect 2)

Quote: "Turns out, mess with someone's head enough, you can turn a scared little kid into an all powerful bitch."

Jack, also known as "Subject Zero", is a notorious criminal whose crimes include piracy, kidnapping, vandalism and murder. As a biotic, she has immense power allowing her to tear enemies apart and lift foes and objects from a distance. Jack exudes a tough exterior but under the surface, is still haunted by her troubling past. I wouldn't say that to her face though that's for sure.

2. Samus Aran (Metroid Series)

Quote: "My past is not a memory. It's a force at my back. It pushes and steers. I may not always like where it leads me, but like any story, the past needs resolution. What's past is prologue."

Samus shocked the world in 1986 when unsuspecting gamers discovered that the infamous bounty hunter and protagonist of Metroid was in fact a female. As one of the world's most loved video game heroines, her gender in no way hindered her from a lifelong career battling space pirates, clashing with extraterrestrial parasites, and exploring hostile, unfamiliar worlds. Not to mention that she owns an arsenal of lasers, rockets, gadgets and weaponry that make her formidable against any opponent.

1. The Boss (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater)

Quote: "One must die and one must live. No victory, no defeat. The survivor will carry on the fight. It is our destiny... The one who survives will inherit the title of Boss. And the one who inherits the title of Boss will face an existence of endless battle."

The Boss's story represents a tragic past, a courageous present, and an absent future. She sacrifices her life, her motherhood, and her legacy for the prospect of a country that had turned its back on her. There are very few characters in existence, let alone female characters, that portray this level of depth, complexity, and distinctiveness. Her story paired with her commanding physical ability of CQC (close-quarters-combat) is what sets The Boss apart as the most indomitable, creative, and profound female character of all time.

Connecting Your Xbox Using An Optical Audio Cable

Connecting your Xbox to the TV using S/PDIF is a great way to achieve fantastic sound quality. But would you know which type of cable to buy? Do you have to stick with Microsoft and spend a small fortune buying their original lead? The straight answer is no. But there are so many optical audio cables on the market today, you could easily purchase the wrong cable. However we will point you in the right direction to ensure you get the correct lead.

You first need to make sure your television has optical capability. Almost all modern flat screen panels will have an input known as S/PDIF (this is short for Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format) for optical cables the signal is transmitted over a TOSLINK cable which is made from fibre optical cable. You can also transmit S/PDIF over a solid copper lead but we will not go into detail as that's not relevant. When buying an a cable it's important you look for the name TOSLINK. Optical audio leads are also available in a smaller format similar to a 3.5mm jack, this is used for portable audio devices such as mini disc players and laptop computers. This size of connection will not work and should be avoided.

As mentioned previously, S/PDIF optical audio cables transmit the signal using light over fibre optic cable. You can actually see the red light at the end of the cable. Whilst it's always best using the shortest possible cable, you can get an optical audio lead up to 30 meters long. It's important not to bend the cable to tightly as this can kink the fiber optic inside and permanently damage the cable. If you are looking to purchase a higher quality cable you should consider a lead that uses quartz glass.

TOSLINK S/PDIF audio cables are relatively inexpensive. A simple internet search returns decent quality optical audio cables from as little as four pounds for a 1 meter cable. If that's too short we found a 20 meter cable on sale from a respected internet retailer for just twenty-four pounds in the United Kingdom. On final point to remember when you take delivery of your new cable, don't forget to remove the dust caps that protect the plugs on the end of the cable. You would be surprised just how many people ring the shop and say the cable does not fit.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 - Useful Facts and Information

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is the latest release within the successful Final Fantasy series, which has sold in excess of 100 million units world-wide. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a RPG title and will be the follow up to the previous hit, Final Fantasy XIII (which scored 83 within Metacritic), and offers numerous gameplay improvements with the aim to be better than its predecessor in every way.

The critically-acclaimed Final Fantasy combat model is totally overhauled, so gamers have got more options within battles through the use of dynamic cinematic quick-time actions. In this game players can also tame any monster in the game, and use these 'tamed monsters' as party members to help them fight in combat.

This game offers a multi-path, player-driven experience, and any choices made by the player within the adventure affects the way the story unfolds - Final Fantasy XIII-2 offers a number of story conclusions, and this offers extensive replayability. With larger, more user-interactive environments to discover, an abundance of side quests and secrets to discover, as well as fantastic visuals and sound effects, this game promises to be the most memorable Final Fantasy experience thus far!

GAME FEATURES:

A Wonderful New Story - Embark on an out of this world journey together with well-known as well as completely new heroes within the Final Fantasy story - the storyline for this game was written to ensure that anyone can play the game, even with no prior knowledge of the storyline through previous titles in the franchise.

Travel Through Time - A completely new gameplay feature known as the Historia Crux enables players to travel to places centuries into the future or centuries in the past. This gives players to experience possibilities like no previous title in the franchise, and many items in addition to information can only be collected in a certain location plus time within history. Additionally the scenery, plants, animal-life plus the weather within an environment will change according to 'when' one visits.

Monsters That Can Be Tamed - Any of the 150 various monsters you come across in the game can be tamed. Any creature that is tamed is enrolled within the player's party, and may then be used within combat. Each and every monster possesses unique abilities that may be further developed, and tactics are needed in order to choose the best tamed creatures for each battle situation.

Upgraded Battle System - Aided by the advantages of dynamic cinematic quick-time actions, gamers are provided with much more choices during combat. The new combat clock may punish or even compensate players based on the behavior and decisions made during battle, plus movie action scenes blur the line between battles and cut-scenes.

The actual release date for Final Fantasy XIII-2 is slated for 3rd Feb, 2012, with the video game to be available for the following gaming systems: Xbox 360 Consoles and PS3. The publishing house for the video game is Square Enix, and Square Enix were the developers for this game. The PEGI rating specified for this game is PEGI 16, so that it is suitable for ages 16 and upwards. The game will be single-player only.

Yellow Light of Death Fix: Ready Anytime, Anywhere

Hardcore gamers know how devastating it feels to encounter hardware problems with their PS3. It is like having your favorite pet die, knowing it will never come back. It is like losing an important document like your passport or a birth certificate. But good thing about PS3 equipment is that Yellow Light of Death problems can easily be addressed. Yellow light of Death fix can be obtained easily if you come to the right place and if you know the right person. To maximize the gaming experience with your PS3, problems on Yellow Light of Death should be solved with the help of a skilled repairman. A Playstation console is considered intricate equipment that contains great many parts which the untrained eye may not be able to handle effectively.

Yellow Light of Death may cause devastating problems for gamers, and most of the time console owners cannot help but feel helpless when struck with this problem. Out of desperation, some just junk out their malfunctioning console and just opt to buy a new one in order to get back to the game, but this is of course seriously impractical. A yellow light of death fix need not be expensive or costly. First, kindly check if the cords are placed in their sockets. If it is, check the power supply. Another thing is to check if the console is still covered by the company's warranty. Look online for the nearest service center that caters to the equipment's need. Compare also the service rates and decide which center you wish to entrust your console to. Find a reasonable rate and remember to keep it professional.

If you are not sure what caused the Yellow Light of Death to light up, do not panic. More importantly, do not undertake the task of performing a repair without proper and professional knowledge of the equipment. This may void the warranty (if it is still in effect) and may endanger you, should the equipment cause shock due to faulty electrical problems. Know first the company's profile and check with the people you know about the quality of service that they provided. Once you have settled on where you wish to have your console repaired, meet the technician and talk to him about what happened before the Yellow Light of Death lit up. A yellow light of death fix cannot be made if the technician does not have a background on the console's history. Remember to be honest as this will hasten up the process of a yellow light of death fix. If the technician knows what he is looking for, he can fix it faster. Agree on a reasonable service fee and do not be shy to ask for a discount; just remember to be gracious when he has done his job well too.

After having the PS3 yellow light of death fixed, remember to take care of the equipment. Check for overheating and make sure that adequate power supply reaches the console. Do not allow dust to build up on the console as this may affect the Blu-ray drive's ability to playback the disc. Place the console in a secure, well ventilated area. If possible, place a cooling fan near the console to prevent overheating. This will prevent the thermal paste to heat up to much and thereby cause the dreaded Yellow Light of Death. In the meantime, enjoy the endless possibilities with your PS3. You can challenge your friend on the latest first person shooting or your brother to a racing match. Whatever game you may choose, remember that Yellow Light of Death does not spell an end to your PS3 experience, if you know where to go and what to look for.

PS3 Repair: Important Tips You Must Know

To get the best of a PS3 repair, you must remember a couple of things. First, know what the problem is. It could be a YLOD, which generally means hardware malfunction, or a red light, which might indicate some mix up on the cords, but whatever it is, do not panic. The problem will be addressed as soon as you are ready to deal with it. If it is blinking too loud or hissing or making noises abnormally, unplug it from the power source and check for hardware damage. Be careful not to touch any exposed metal parts as those may cause shock, should the console be connected to the outlet.

Contact the nearest Sony service center and ask about a PS3 Repair. If you do not have the information at hand, you may browse their website and contact them immediately. Be careful in your search for online help. Hackers may present themselves as online customer service representatives and they may try to take your personal information as well as your banking details. Under no circumstances should you voluntarily give out sensitive information such as those mentioned above to those you do not trust. When you have contacted your trusted repair shop online, talk to the technician and describe your problem. If you can perform a self repair, the technician will guide you through the process. It is better to perform a PS3 repair with a trained technician guiding you through the process than opening the console at your own risk. Ask about data recovery and how you can salvage the game information if possible. If data recovery is not possible, proceed as instructed.

If you feel that the technician is not effectively guiding you through the repair process, do not hesitate to ask help from another, more skilled technician. This is to save you both from the agony of waiting and mind reading and to achieve faster PS3 repair. Never risk yourself or your hardware with the inexperienced or else your problem will just become aggravated when they mess up your entire system instead of fixing it. But rest assured that certified technicians will have had dozens of experiences similar to what you are experiencing at the moment. Do not also try to perform a PS3 repair by yourself with the aid of a video from the internet. It might worsen the problem and cause you a shock. Repairing the system requires true knowledge and mastery of the proper way of manipulating the parts.

Get the right PS3 repair with expert personnel who can help you in your trouble. If unsatisfied with the results, it is best to visit the nearest service center in town. You may bring the damaged console for a quality PS3 repair. An authorized service center is complete with the latest equipment to repair or replace damaged parts and is licensed to open your console without breaking the company's warranty. Bring in the equipment and explain the details to the technician making sure that you are on the same ground. Do not hesitate to ask questions if you are in doubt and in turn be ready to volunteer information that may hasten up the diagnosing process. It would be easier for the technician to perform a PS3 Repair if he knows where to look and what to look for. Agree on a reasonable service fee. Be generous to the technician and let him know that you will send word to your friends if he does a good job.

Lastly, once your PlayStation has been fully restored, take care of it like you would take care of your own body. Keep it away from dust and humidity making sure it is well ventilated and adequately powered.

PlayStation Vita Games - What You Can Play With the Latest PS Generation From Sony

PlayStation Vita is the next PS generation from Sony whose installment was released on 17 December 2012 in Japan and some countries in Asia and is due to launching on 22-23 February, 2012 in Europe, Australia, and North America. Along with that, several vendors are also attempting at developing games for the latest console. For you who live in Europe, Australia, and North America, here are some PlayStation Vita games you can pre-order along with the console. One of the cool fact when people buy this new console is there will be 25 games available on day 1 with the console and more than 100 games currently in development.

1. Ben 10 Galactic Racing
Monkey Bar Games is the developer of this racing game of the Ben 10 series. You can enable Ben's alien forms during the race in Galactic Grand Prix circuits. Released in North America on 18 October, 2011 and in Europe on 25 November 2011, Ben 10 Galactic Racing is also available for other gaming consoles such as PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS.

2. Uncharted: Golden Abyss
As one of the PlayStation Vita games developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, Uncharted: Golden Abyss offers versatile gameplay for Uncharted fans. Still with Nathan Drake as the story's protagonist, this latest Uncharted series takes its setting some time before the Uncharted: Drake's Fortune installment. In this story, you will undergo an adventure with Nathan Drake to uncover the mystery of a Spanish expedition massacre which happened 400 years ago while attempting to solve murderous problem amongst an ancient and secret Spanish sect.

3. Army Corps of Hell
Army Corps of Hell is a game designed by the Entersphere, Inc, which launches at the same time with the launching of Sony PlayStation Vita in North America. This action game will bring the player to a vicious combat between goblin soldiers and the enemies to regain the throne of the King of Hell.

4. Silent Hill: Book of Memories
For you who love survival horror games, you must be familiar with Silent Hill series. Good news for PS Vita enthusiast that in its latest installment of Silent Hill, Konami is releasing the Book of Memories only for the console. Silent Hill: Book of Memories will give you overhead isometric view, a new storyline, and recurring creatures from the previous series. Silent Hill: Book of Memories is the first series of the game which enables multiplayer gameplay.

5. LittleBigPlanet
Specially designed for PS Vita, the LittleBigPlanet is developed by multi-developer of Tarsier Studios, Double Eleven Limited, and Sony XDev Europe. This fifth installment of LittleBigPlanet series also launches in 2012. As other series of LittleBigPlanet, you will follow the adventure of Sackboy in many different kinds of world through the multi-touch display PS Vita.

Call of Duty and Their Greatness

If you are a game fanatic, chances are, you are one of the millions of people who play Call of Duty. The COD Games involve you as the central character. Your mouse or keyboard commands the guns and other weapons to action. Initially, such games don't look any different from the first-person games out there. It just looks so ordinary- same story of mercenaries fighting for a certain mission, unfolded before your very eyes.

So what makes it stand out from the rest? Call of Duty's success is the ideal example of quality over quantity. Its action-packed scenes can be compared to a Hollywood top-grosser film- full of action, very memorable and electrifying, minus the slower stuff. It doesn't take too long to play it, which is exactly the reason why people don't find it boring.

The scenes are so credible- the explosions, the script and even the finest details like the music heard from a radio, the game of checkers, even the chat you have with your imagined squad mates. Oh, yes, it is totally unlike the other games where you play ala Desperado or the Lone Ranger. In COD Black OPS, you are part of a team, a squad as they call it, that help each other, so you don't get too lonely. Even though you couldn't command the other members of your squad to make certain actions, it makes you feel connected to something you can hold on to.

Another thing with this type of game is that, it doesn't rely on a single plot. Other games of similar genre only featured one lone fighter for the game's entirety. In this game, the player gets to play five different roles, namely: Private First Class Joseph Allen aka Alexei Borodin when he's an undercover agent in Russia, Private James Ramirez, stationed in the United States, John "Soap" MacTavish who now acts as a superior officer, an unidentified International space Station astronaut, and of course, Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson, who is the focus of the game.

Due to the success of the game, Activision made several sequels. This actually met criticism from the media and users but these just died down because the players just can't seem to get enough of it. Each of the games are spectacular. New story plots and characters are added to each sequel, so the player doesn't feel bored even after he has already completed several games.

Gaming Time for Dads, Relaxing With Or Without the Kids

Males take over an extremely specific role once they turn into a dad. A dad is really a reward in itself. The smiles you see, the tears you wipe, the stories you share with your child about when you were young. These times are priceless and will often be held very close in your memories. Yet you still need time to yourself so you can enjoy what you like as a person.

One example would be a gaming dad. As a gaming dad, when your children are taking a nap or sleeping in bed, that's your time to play games and or socialize with other dads online. A great resource for this is the Xbox 360 where you can have other dads or friends you know in real life on your friends list. There are numerous games that appeal to gaming dads. From racing games to FPS (First Person Shooter) games like any of the COD (Call of Duty) games. It's a great relaxing way to unwind from a long day of being a great dad!

Now what if your little ones are old enough to play the Xbox with you? By all means let them join you in the fun. There are TONS of games that dads can play with his kids and everyone will enjoy themselves! Games like Castle Crasher's and Batman. There is nothing like a dad and his kids saving the day and having fun doing it.

Gaming dads with older kids may possibly want to play a dancing game with them. Dancing games will add comic relief since it is fun to watch everybody dance. Just Dance 3 is an excellent game which will accomplish this. You'll find 45 tracks on this game, so each person will discover a song they each like to dance to. Plus as an added benefit you'll be able to play the game you would like to play so game time will in no way be boring.

There is no reason why dads can't be gaming dads. Gaming time is relaxing time and can be utilized as time spent with the children. Gaming dads can appreciate time by themselves, and it's often a very good way for them to clear their heads. Or appreciate time spent gaming with their little ones. Anyway you look at it, gaming is often a fun way for dads to get to have some fun while relaxing with or without their kids. It's a win-win experience.

Best BF3 Guide - What To Look For?

Finding out what the best BF3 guides are is not as easy as one might think. There are quite a few factors that you should consider before deciding on one. Never before has there been a first person shooter game with such attention to detail that it seriously requires a strategy guide in order to play it properly. This game requires you to use teamwork and strategy like no other game on the market today. If you are looking to drastically improve your game play and kill/death ratio then you need to consider that not all guides are created equal. In this article I will discuss some of the most important factors to think about, as well as some specific things to look for.

First, you should be looking for a guide that discusses the importance of teamwork as well as delivers teamwork strategies that are proven and effective. Unlike most other first person shooter games out there, you can't just run around by yourself and expect to get many kills. You need the help of your teammates as well as your teammates need your help in order to survive and dominate in this game. A good guide will show you the best team player strategies as well as how to become a good leader. You can't just go barking orders at people if you don't know what you are talking about. However, if you show your teammates strategies that work it won't take you long to earn their respect and they will listen to your plans.

Second, you need a guide that offers you high definition videos of the tactics and techniques that they are describing in the guide so that you can see first hand exactly how to perform the strategies. There is no better way to learn than by watching someone else do exactly what they are telling you to do.

The third thing to look for is a guide that shows you how to build your specific class properly. This is probably the most important factor to consider when looking for a BF3 guide. Why? Because if you do not have your character build set properly you are going to get owned big time by all of the other players who do. Nothing is worse then trying to dominate a game and you end up getting nowhere because you are not playing your character properly. The key thing in BF3 is that you have to play your specific class as you would if you were in an actual battle in real life. This means if you are a medic, you are required to heal your team and keep them alive. You can't expect to be a medic and run around by yourself racking up kills, you need your team, and your team needs you.

Dance Video Games: Learn, Work Out, Have Fun

If you've never had the pleasure of experiencing a dance video game, you might wonder how dancing and gaming fit together.

Surprisingly well, it turns out. Even if you have very little sense of "natural rhythm," and would be embarrassed to be caught out on the dance floor or even in a dance class, you can learn to play and enjoy the various versions of dance games that are available on the market today.

So how exactly did the dance video game come about? Surprisingly, it happened before Dance Dance Revolution was released by Konami in 1998. It turns out that Dance Aerobics, which utilized a pad connected to the Nintendo gaming system as a user input device, was the true start of the genre when it hit the markets in 1989 (per GameFaqs, via Wikipedia). A certain segment of the Nintendo-owning population enjoyed this game, but the necessity of buying the floor-pad limited the appeal to a generation of gamers who simply couldn't put as much money into their habit as people do today.

There's no question, though, that DDR can be credited with starting the transformation that turned the dance gaming genre into the powerhouse it is today. And after the brand re-introduced dance pads, this time for all of the major gaming consoles, dance gaming seemed poised to enter homes across the country.

The only problem was that people who owned consoles at the time tended to be hardcore gamers, and dancing wasn't something a majority of hardcore gamers were into. Therefore, it wasn't until the release of the Nintendo Wii in 2006 that dance games in the home really became a marketable trend. The handheld motion controller created a more intuitive movement environment than standard handheld controllers, helping to get casual gamers and kids in on the dance game action more than ever before. Not to be outdone, PlayStation followed with its own Move controller in 2009.

Everyone has their favorites in the dance game genre, but there's no question that Microsoft's release of the Kinect hands-free motion controller in 2010 is what made the dance video game into something truly wonderful. The Kinect doesn't limit motion detection to the hands or feet; instead, it tracks everything, from head-bopping to hip-swiveling to knee-bending and more. The motion capture technology of the Kinect is so sensitive that it can detect slight variations in dance moves and correct players in real time. And, unlike the dance-pad controllers, the Kinect is compatible with a variety of games outside the dance genre.

There will probably always be a place for traditional dance-pad games, and the Wii provides a great gaming experience. But when it comes to working out, having fun, and learning new whole-body moves, the Kinect is the hands-down winner.

Credit: GameFaqs

MW3 Strategy Guides - Tips And Tricks For MW3

MW3 is the latest Call of Duty game to hit the shelves for PS3 and Xbox 360. Shortly after it was released we started to see quite a few MW3 strategy guides being released as well. Most of these guides make the claim that you will become a pro MW3 player literally overnight, however only a select few of them actually deliver on that promise. In this article I will discuss some of the major things to look for when obtaining a strategy guide for MW3, as well, you will learn some of my favorite tips and tricks.

One of the major things you should look for in a strategy guide is whether or not the guide is constantly updated with the latest secrets available. Who wants to get a guide that is out of date or that reveals tips and tricks that everyone already knows about? Not me that's for sure. When I went looking for a MW3 guide the first guide I obtained was pretty good, it revealed to me some of the things that I had been missing in my game play and allowed me to be a better player as it stated. However, there was one major thing I noticed, everyone else already knew most of the strategies shown in the guide. This rendered the guide all but useless in my eyes as I was battling other players, even my own teammates at times for the best positions and spots on the map.

So I kept searching for other guides that were out there, then I stumbled upon what I considered the holy grail of MW3 guides. It not only showed me awesome tips, but it also was being updated daily showing the latest secret finds in the game and things most players didn't even know existed in the game. The strategies were top notch and the support was second to none, I had finally found what I had been looking for and it didn't take long for my friends to notice my awesome kill/death ratio. They were begging me to show them what I knew and how I was staying alive so long to rack up all of the kills I was getting.

I told them that anyone can do it, and I pointed them in the direction of the guide I was using. Now a month later, when we play a map, we win 90% of the time because we have access to some of the best tips available. So I decided to help others that may be in the same situation I was in. I realized that almost everyone playing the game wished that they had a source of information that would allow them to dominate MW3, because we all know winning is a lot more fun then losing.

The Best Way to Capture Video Games Console Footage on Your PC

There are many reasons you might want to capture game footage from your Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 or Xbox 360. Maybe you want to review a video game, create a video log, or you might just want to brag to your mates about achieving a perfect score.

But capturing console footage isn't as easy as it sounds. There are a couple of options, which vary quite a lot in price. It all depends on how much you want to spend and the quality of capture you need.

The cheapest option is to simply film the TV or monitor. You can use any digital camera which has a video record option, for this. But you might see screen flicker on TV's, and reflections might be visible in the screen, so it's really not an option if you need a professional look.

Another cheap option is using the EasyCap USB device (or sometimes called EZ-Cap). This is a budget piece of hardware which captures any component-cable input and plugs directly into your PC via USB. It's extremely cheap because it's slightly out-dated hardware, but you can still achieve good results. It captures up to 640x480 resolution.

If you want to play your console on your TV at the same time as recording footage, you'll need to get some RCA splitters for your cables. Otherwise you can just watch your PC screen and play, although there might be some slight lag.

However, as the EasyCap takes an Analogue input, it records in interlaced mode. This isn't ideal, and requires de-interlacing after you've saved the file. Otherwise you might see small horizontal lines appear across your recording.

If you want to spend a bit more money, you should consider investing in a Roxio Game Capture card. This costs more but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. It is capable of capturing higher resolutions than the Easycap, and can also record in progressive scan mode rather than interlaced, which will result in a crisper, sharper picture.

It takes a digital input in the form of composite cables. You also get less lag if you want to play and record from the same display.

Finally, the best solution is to use a a DVR (or sometimes called a PVR) which stands for Digital Video Recorder. These are the most costly option, but also give best results. They can generally record up to 1080i resolutions, and can quickly record and burn DVDs.

So it all depends on what quality recording you need, together with the price you want to pay. EasyCap is recommended for beginners, but Roxio or a PVR should be used if you are more serious.

Battlefield 3 Strategies - Tips And Tricks To Improve Your Game

Battlefield 3 is one of the most complex first person shooter games to ever hit the market. You can no longer just run around head long into battle and expect to do well, you will have to play your character properly as well as learn to work as part of a team.

One of the most important features of the game is that you must play your class properly. You cannot expect to be a medic and run around racking up kills by yourself, you will have to help heal your teammates and learn to work together in order to accomplish the goals of the map. Battlefield 3 has set the standard in first person shooter games, and with it comes the requirement to actually play your class properly, or you and your teammates will die quickly. So for example. if you are an engineer, be sure you are repairing tanks and shooting enemy planes and helicopters out of the sky.

Another important aspect is the controls of the game. Some people prefer an inverted airplane style play so that when you pull down on the control stick, the view looks up, or if you push up on the control stick, the player view looks down. Be sure you try out both methods to see what best suits your style of game play. You may be surprised at your findings.

An excellent way for you to get some extra kills is to change up your game play style. For example, I found that when you come face to face with another player, instead of moving back and forth from side to side trying to avoid their gun fire, immediately drop into the prone position and aim for the head. This type of tactic works very well because most people are not used to facing an enemy who does this and gives you that extra bit of time to get your head shot in while they are confused. Ultimately this second of time will be a huge advantage for you. Try it and see for yourself.

What I would consider the most important Battlefield 3 strategy would be to get yourself a good strategy and tips guide. This will greatly improve your game as well as your experience. There are many types of guides out there, I personally prefer a guide that offers HD videos so that you can see exactly what tip or techniques is being described. There is no better way to learn than to watch someone else do exactly what they are describing on video for you to watch and imitate.

SSX - An Overview of the Game

The snow-boarding franchise that was a massive hit on the PS2, Wii and the original Xbox console is coming to PS3 and Xbox 360. In contrast to prior SSX releases that used imaginary courses, within this game gamers can now board down twenty-seven actual mountains in 9 mountain ranges around the globe, for example the Alps and Antarctica. This game now has enhanced free-roaming gameplay that has less barriers plus virtually no fixed paths, which means players can pick their very own route down the mountain. Within this game gamers may use a chopper drop to actually begin a descent plus may utilise a wing-suit to soar further in the air when jumping.

There are numerous gaming modes within this game. In 'Race It' race other players in order to win the race to the bottom of the mountain. In 'Trick It', complete the most extraordinary tricks seen in order to acquire enough points to move to the top of the leaderboard. In survival game mode gamers have to race ahead of plus live through a natural disaster for instance a rockslide or a snow avalanche. Within exploration mode players will be able to check out any descent within SSX, set a time/score for others to conquer, or compete alongside a run saved by another player.

FEATURES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

Actual Locations - NASA geotagging information was used in order to accurately reproduce numerous famous mountains in the world. This game includes twenty-seven various mountain slopes from nine mountain ranges throughout the world, for example the Himalayas, the Andes and Antarctica.

Racing Gaming Option - Race against many other players to be the first down the mountain. Snow board through landscapes with hardly any predefined race-paths and zero invisible obstacles - you have to pick the fastest path to the bottom of the mountain.

Trick Mode - Carry out tricks within a downhill descent in order to accumulate sufficient points to triumph. The more trick moves players perform the greater number of points gamers amass. The more outrageous a trick is, the greater number of points players earn.

Survival Gaming Option - Race before a catastrophe for instance a rock-slide or a snow avalanche. Compete against your opponents and race to stay alive. There are 9 perilous descents in this game.

Explore Gaming Option - Snowboard down more than 150 slopes within this game. Set a time for others to beat in a Race Drop, an impressive total to beat in a trick descent, and also find out the length of time one is able to survive a survival descent. Record your best runs online for other players can attempt to beat or attempt to beat descents recorded by other players. Whenever racing up against a recorded descent gamers compete within real time and your adversary can be seen as being a ghost which can be seen in your world.

Global Competitions - Compete in online competition against others in real time. Events may only be as long as one run, hours or perhaps days, and can consist of as much as 100,000 players. Players can drop-in as well as drop-out of a competition anytime.

SSX is scheduled for release from 2nd Mar, 2012, and is going to be released for the following systems: Playstation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360. The video game is published by EA Sports, and EA Canada were the developers of the game. Multi-player options will be catered for in this game. The video game has a PEGI 7 rating, which means it is appropriate for ages 7 and upwards.

Gears Of War 3 Review

Five years have passed between the release of the original game and Gears Of War 3 and the wait was definitely worth it, if you've been looking for an action packed alternative to first person shooters then you're likely to appreciate what Epic have managed to deliver.

Although you're likely to spend most of your time with multiplayer the single player campaign is superb, you'll take on the role of Marcus Phoenix in an effort to end the war between humanity and the locust horde.

You'll come across Dom at the start of the game who's taking care of tomato plants which seems a little uncharacteristic, you'll quickly meet the other members of your squad and shortly after that the action begins.

Gears Of War veterans will be on familiar ground although newcomers can quickly get the hang of the game play mechanics, the latest game in the series includes that same features such as shooting and running for cover that made the previous games such a success.

It's taken a while but Epic have finally included female troopers in the game who'll back you up during fire fights, Gears Of War has always been about working in a team and your squad mates do a good job of backing you up without robbing you of too many kills.

While you'll mostly play the part of Marcus Phoenix you'll also step into the role of Augustus Cole AKA Cole Train, while the action in the game is good the story is also top notch and delivered by characters with likeable personalities.

Boss fights are superb and you'll come across a vast array of them that are both impressive to look at and totally lethal, for the most part you'll be taking on enemies while you're on foot but you'll also get to stomp around with the armoured fighting machine known as the Silverback.

If you play the single player campaign on any skill setting higher than casual then it will likely take you 12 hours to complete, you can also play the campaign on Xbox live and friends can take on the roles of the various members of your squad.

Deathmatch is probably the most popular of the online modes but I found beast mode to be of particular appeal, in beast mode you can take on the role of one of the many aliens in the game and you'll be tasked with eliminating the humans in their base.

Getting to the humans can be tough as their bases are protected by defences such as barbed wire and gun installations, by selecting characters such as the ticker you can approach the mentioned defences and either scratch away at them or you can explode to take them down.

Later on you'll get to control much larger aliens such as the Berserker that's capable of inflicting some serious damage, the berserker is huge compared to humans and although it's half blind it has the raw power necessary to breach a bases defences in an instant.

Need For Speed - The Run Wii Review

It's fair to say the Wii hasn't had an abundance of decent arcade style racers added to its library of late, thankfully the latest game in the Need For Speed franchise comes to the rescue so if you like fast paced races you could be in for a treat.

When it comes to the visuals the cars in the game look pretty good but the background isn't that sharp, on the plus side the games frame rate is both fast and smooth and doesn't display any noticeable slow down during the main races.

It probably isn't fair to compare the game to the versions found on the PS3 and Xbox 360 as the Wii is quite different, during the games intro sequence you'll discover that your character is a racer known as Matt who comes across a mysterious woman.

The woman who remains nameless during the initial cut scene wants you to take part in a race known as The Run, The Run is a race from coast to coast and on the Wii You'll take part in 26 different races before crossing the final finishing line.

If you've ever played Burnout or Need For Speed Hot Pursuit then you'll be on familiar territory, while parts of The Run involve straightforward races in others you'll need to smash a set number of opponents off the road.

The game is far from being a driving simulator and it's not meant to be as you're able to pull off extreme power slides, features such as the hand brake and nitrous oxide add to the fun and it doesn't take long at all to get the hang of the controls.

Another feature that's been added to the game are the heroic manoeuvres and these can take a little practice, you'll use the heroic manoeuvres to dodge traffic, to dodge falling rocks and also to make insane jumps.

At times the heroic manoeuvres can feel a little tacked on especially then you're using them to dodge objects, other manoeuvres are done with the D pad on the remote and you have enter a specific sequence of button presses to carry them out.

The Wii is to date the most successful console to include motion controls but sometimes they're not needed, although there are exceptions the motion controls aren't always ideal for driving games and thankfully EA are well aware.

You can control the game with either a classic controller or you can use your Wii Remote and nunchuk, motion controls can be fun but in this case you can sit back on your sofa without bothering to point your remote towards your TV.

Birds of Steel Celebrates All Of Those Aviators Who Fought So Heroically In Those Dark Days Of WWII

Since the new game was announced I have been watching their news feed with eager anticipation. My Father served in the Royal Air Force, with Coastal Command, during the War, rising to the rank of Squadron Leader, and this game appeared to offer a real insight into what he might have experienced flying as a young man in War time.

Early indications were that they might achieve a November 2011 release date for "Birds of Steel" which would have been incredibly significant had they managed to release on the 11th Day of November 2011! However time passed by and they missed that deadline.

I kept a close eye though on the "Birds of Steel" news feed and gradually more details, screenshots, videos and technical data started to be published. The graphics look superb, with panoramic aerial perspectives and "tight to camera" views from inside the cockpit. As flight simulation goes, this looks as good as it gets.

Game players have many choices and have total control over their environment. Sorties can be made at any given time of day or night and players choose the prevailing weather conditions. Each of these variables will dramatically affect the outcome of any skirmish.

What is also very interesting is that the decisions made by the pilot materially affect the way the games protocol reacts, so both ground and opposition forces are never predictable or static but are totally variable dependent upon the actions of the pilot.

The planes of all participating Nations are available to players and the type, role and specification of each is clearly explained. I haven't counted all of the available options, but they are many fold and include all of the famous names we all remember from childhood. The Spitfire, which went through so many upgrades that it started the War as a Mark 1 and ended the War as a Mark 15 variant, the Mustang, the Messerschmidt, the Junkers Stuka bomber and the Japanese Zero, to name but a few.

Each "Birds of Steel" player can decide which plane he or she wants to fly and in which mission. Many of the missions are based on actual historical campaigns and there is vast catalog of fictional options.

The Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor will undoubtedly be a favorite for many "Birds of Steel" gamers but the available historical missions also include the Battle of Britain, the Allied Campaign to secure Malta, the intense aerial battles over the Ruhr valley in Germany and onwards into Russia and the defense of Stalingrad.

Games can be played by solo pilots in dogfight scenarios or as cooperative missions with multi-player options. There is massive flexibility and the delayed release time has clearly allowed the developer to really make this game something special.

It has recently been announced that "Birds of Steel" will now be released on March 12th 2012. I for one look forward to receiving my copy.

Three Reasons Why You Should Play Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption has been a huge success, and is another superb title from Rockstar Games (the creator of the Grand Theft Auto series). For those gamers who have not yet played the game, here are three quick reasons why you should, and you will see why you are missing out.

1. Open World Gameplay - Over the years, Rockstar Games has mastered the concept of the open world environment with video games. Not only does the game follow a main storyline, but the player can choose whether or not to do certain missions at their own discretion. In Red Dead Redemption, there are plenty of side missions and challenges to keep a player busy for hours without ever touching the main storyline. Of course, you must progress through the main story in order to unlock certain areas of the map and certain items, but if you feel like hunting, causing a ruckus, or just hopping on your horse and galloping off into the sunset, it is entirely up to you.

2. Immersive Environment - Red Dead Redemption is not only great fun, but it is also a beauty to look at. The art department deserves a great amount of credit in creating an environment that looks and feels genuine. Although the main locations for the game are in the Old West with sagebrush and cacti, there is something breathtaking about it all. There is also a seamless conversion from grassy plains in America to red rock formations in Mexico. No matter where you are on the map, it feels as if you are actually there.

3. Fantastic Storyline - The story of Red Dead Redemption is one of the best storylines I have ever experienced in a video game. It also has one of the most shocking and unanticipated climaxes that I have ever seen. It is a story that sucks you in, and you find yourself becoming emotional involved in the plight of the main character, John Marston. This makes the ending of the game all the more shocking. Even the side missions you find scattered around are entertaining in their own right (although not necessarily pertinent to the main story).

There are many other reasons to play Red Dead Redemption if you have not done so. It is a wonderful example of a top-notch video game, and hopefully there are or will be plans to release a sequel.

Review of Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 Video Game

For many gamers, exercise games may appear to be the perfect solution to meet their fitness goals. However, there are some aspects of exercise games that consumers should consider prior to making a selection. After all, the best fitness game must contend with gym memberships and personal training sessions. Exercise video games should include effective workout routines, plenty of exercise regimens and enough excitement to keep motivated. The best game also shouldn't inhibit gamers with a controller. Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 isn't one that meets these requirements for workout video games; rather, it exceeds expectations set by other games.

One setback that fitness video games must avoid is redundancy. This is the reason most fitness goals fail and is one that the best exercise game should avoid. With Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012, redundancy doesn't exist. In addition to the many routines, over a dozen fitness styles are included. If players wish to train for self-defense, cardio boxing offers the perfect combination of strength and technique development. If players prefer to just have fun and cut loose, the variety of dancing routines may be the right fit. Environments, music and other aspects also change periodically. You'll even find plenty of mini exercise video games within this title to enhance your success.

The best workout video game should also free players from burdensome controllers and allow them to enjoy their full range of motion. Your Shape Fitness Evolved: 2012 achieves this by utilizing the Xbox 360's Kinect technology. This option, which is only available to a limited number of exercise video games, uses state-of-the-art sensors to detect and track the player's body movements. Unlike most games, this frees player from using a controller, wearing sensors or even relying on an electronic floor mat and allows them to focus on exercising. This is a rare feature among exercise games but one that is sure to prove successful every time.

Want to bring your friends in on the fun? Not only is the excitement enhanced, it's essential for the success of fitness video games and available in Your Shape Fitness Evolved: 2012. You may want to exercise with friends in a session or compete with them across an entire regimen. You may also want to explore the many mini exercise games together. The game should leave the choice to you and, unlike many exercise games, it's what you'll find in this title.

Of course, it can be difficult to fit an exercise regimen into a busy schedule. This, however, is another advantage with fitness video games; you pop it in during your free time and end the session when necessary. However, Your Shape Fitness Evolved: 2012 goes further than most other exercise video games by not only providing you with a customizable schedule, but also routines designed to fit that schedule, regardless of how much free time you have.

This fitness game should also allow you to focus on specific areas to tone and strengthen. It may be a rare find in most workout video games, but it's a given in Your Shape Fitness Evolved: 2012. Unlike most other workout games, this title allows you to focus on certain areas of your body, including arms and legs. If you need to grow accustomed to heavy lifting, you'll also find exercises to help strengthen your back and other areas. This sets it apart from other games and may even help it qualify as the best exercise game.

Pokemon - The Nintendo Company's Multibillion Dollar Game Franchise

Pokemon, a portmanteau for the words pocket and monsters, is a very successful game title created by the Nintendo Company. The game was developed by Satoshi Tajiri in the nineties. This video game title is the second most lucrative franchise developed by Nintendo, after Mario. Pokemon was so successful, it is said to improve the marketability of Nintendo's handheld consoles which experienced a dip prior to the release of the first generation of the games.

The newest addition to the video game franchise is the 5th Generation Pokemon Black and White which features new creatures and characters from the region of Unova. Since its inception, the video game there are several movie adaptations, anime, manga, and other items inspired by Pokemon.

The concept behind Pokemon's gameplay draws heavily from the game creator's hobby of insect collecting. Similarly, the gameplay in Pokemon involves collecting creatures to add to the game's Pokedex or creature catalog with the intent of completing it, and training a team of Pokemon to battle against other wild and trained creatures.

Pokemon, as a popular franchise, has indubitably left a mark in pop culture. A number of movies and television programs have made references and spoofs of Pokemon. All Nippon Airways Boeing 747-400 are dubbed as Pokemon jets because their exteriors are painted with a Pikachu and/or several other Pokemon. The franchise is hugely popular among the kids, but there are also young adults who consider themselves as fans, having played the video games in their childhood.

The 5th Generation of Pokemon is said to be designed to appeal to older gamers who were introduced to the game during their younger years. One of the newest features on Pokemon Black and White is the C-gear which helps you connect with other players using wireless technology. It also has Pokemon Global Link, which is a platform where you can add new creatures otherwise unobtainable in Unova to your Pokemon Black and White Pokedex. You can also get custom skins for your Pokemon Black and White Pokedex from Global Link.

There are plenty of web forums about the video game. You can obtain Pokemon Black and White walkthroughs to help you complete difficult tasks much faster. There are also complete walkthroughs about them which basically provides you with a strategy guide on the best way to complete the game. Apart from walkthroughs these forums are also teeming with its cheats. These Pokemon Black and White cheats can quicken the evolution of certain creatures or so that they heal faster during Boss battles.

Top 10 Reasons To Rent Video Games Online

Renting video games online is gaining some serious popularity with hardcore and casual gamers alike. Whether you are just hearing about this industry for the first time or have been on the fence about joining here are 10 great reasons to start renting video games online.

10 - It's Easy. Digging through shelves at the local department store for games can be a nightmare. Especially when you are looking for a very specific title that you are not even sure they have in stock. When you rent online, a few mouse clicks are all you need to gain access to the titles you want.

9 - It's Fun. Braving crowds, traffic, and long lines to grab the latest video game isn't something gamers look forward too. When you rent online, you can rent all the games you want from the comfort of your own home.

8 - It's Organized. The game rental queue, personal rating system, peer reviews, and critic reviews are just some of the amazing tools to keep your gaming life organized. Renting games online lets you easily find and manage the games you want to play.

7 - No Buyer's Remorse. Unfortunately not all video games are winners. No one likes to spend top dollar for a game just to play it for 15 minutes and realize it stinks. What do you do then? Stick it on a shelf forever or return it to the store for a hardly any store credit? With renting games online, if you don't love the game, it can be zooming back to the warehouse within hours.

6 - Unlimited Information. Not sure what new games you want to play? No more guessing at the store, or reading random cases to find out if you will like it. Renting online gives you thousands of peer reviews, critic reviews, game-play videos, cinematic trailers, and screen shots all at your finger tips.

5 - Game Selection. With renting video games online, you have access to over 8,000 titles across 13 platforms, far more than any local store could carry. From hard-to-find classics to all the hot new releases, they will have everything you want.

4 - No Restrictions. When you rent games online there are no due dates and no restrictions. Play the games as long as you like with no late fees. You have the freedom to rent what you want when you want for as long as you want.

3 - Endless Inventory. Have you ever gone out to the store to purchase that hot new game just to find they are all sold out? Or find out that you have to stand in line at midnight just to get a copy? Renting games online gives you access to all the hot new releases, guaranteed.

2 - Save Money. This is were the choice gets obvious. It's not unusual for gamers to spend several hundred even thousands on games each year. How many of those games just sit on a shelf now collecting dust? Renting video games online gives you a wider selection, better access and outstanding features at a fraction of the price.

1 - Try Before You Buy. So you rented a game, and you LOVE it, it's got replay value, it's a keeper. No problem. Just log into your account online and select you want to purchase the game for a low used price. They send you out the case, the manual, and anything else along with your next game rental.

Video Game Repair: How To Clean Your Game Cartridges

Those great classic NES, SNES and Atari games we all love so much are getting pretty old. Most are over twenty years old and many weren't too well taken care of by their original owners. Cartridge games work with metal connectors and over time those connectors oxidize and become unusable. The good news is most cartridge games will work with a few simple cleaning techniques.

Method #1 Q-Tips and Alcohol. For this technique you'll need q-tips and alcohol. Dilute the alcohol with water it use a half and half mix of water and alcohol. Some people say that you should use distilled or purified water I haven't found that this makes any real difference in cleaning the cartridge. Take the q-tip and dip it in the alcohol then move it up and down across the metal contacts inside the cartridge. Then take a dry q-tip and dry off the alcohol in the same pattern. If the q-tip looks dirty then repeat the process until the q-tip is relatively clean.

Method #2 WD-40 or Audio/Video Cleaner. Some cartridges have oxidized to the point where the above technique will not work. So then we have to try something a little more harsh. Instead of alcohol we are going to reach for a can of audio/video head cleaner or WD-40. Spray a small amount into the cartridge let it sit for a few minutes for the chemicals to take effect. Then take the q-tips and dry off the contacts again going up and down each metal contact.

Method #3 The Eraser. I haven't ever had to use this technique as most games will work using the above two techniques. However, some swear that this works and I don't see it doing any damage so I'll include it. For this technique you'll need a small Security Bit screw driver (you can find them on ebay) and a rubber eraser. First you'll have to open the cartridge using the screw driver and take out the circuit board from inside. Now move the eraser up and down over each metal contact. Clean away any left over eraser residue. The idea here is that the eraser will act as an abrasive agent and remove some oxidation from the contacts without damaging the actual metal.

If those don't work some people suggest using metal cleaners such as those used to clean old coins and the like. I don't suggest this because those are very harsh and could leave you with a game that will never be able to be played again.

PS Vita: The Top 10 Must Have Video Games For Sony's New Generation Portable

The PS Vita highly anticipated launch is here. Some consumers pre-ordered their new handheld or imported it from another country so they would not have to wait until the new generation console's launch date. Sony has announced there would be 25 games available and another ten shortly thereafter with a 100 more video games to be released after the launch date.

Most gaming enthusiasts have already become familiar with the PS Vita games available for the device since they were able to purchase them early or from another country. Most people understand that the Sony has already stated it has produced a device that is going to offer an unprecedented and exciting gaming experience.

The games will be distributed on a game card or can be downloaded from the PlayStation Store. Since the PS Vita does not have onboard flash memory, users will need to purchase a separate Sony proprietary memory card to save digital content, network PlayStation apps and games. In fact, without this memory card some games and system apps will not work. Most gamers are purchasing the memory card and games while they wait for the arrival of their new console.

With that in mind, gamers everywhere will want to know which games are worthy of their attention, time and most importantly, their money. Let's take a look at the most popular and bestselling games that have been suggested for the PS Vita.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss Fortune Hunter, Nathan Drake takes on a deadly voyage to Central America, as he seeks to reveal the fate of a Spanish expedition that disappeared 400 years previously by jumping, swinging and cheating death. Users love the game play and graphics, stating that it is fun, challenging and with some cool twists.

Little Deviants this game has been described as not really being a game, but a series of demos that shows users how well the PS Vita performs especially with its alternate control functionality. Little Deviants is about the completion of mini-games while achieving certain point totals. Players unlock in-game medals that unlock new mini-games and more to round out the gaming experience. If you don't purchase this game outright, it does come part of a PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Limited Bundle, although the cost of the game is added to the price of the console.

wipEout 2048 if you like fast paced games, this is the game for you. This game is described as being all about fast racing. It is the ultimate adrenaline rush, lightning-fast-paced racing with touch, tilt and voice controls.

Ultimate Marvel versus Capcom 3 the PS Vita version of this game is an update to the game Marvel vs. Capcom 3. This game adds new fighters in eight new stages as well as the largest change that includes the options of using the touchscreen as an input source. In other words, players can fight by just tapping on the screen.

Lumines Electronic Symphony uses its combination of thumping soundtrack and flashy, beautiful imagery to engage you in the game. The core game is being able to arrange two-by-two (or more) squares of the same color, which are wiped away by a "time line" that moves at the tempo of the song playing.

ModNation Racers Road Trip is a kart racing game similar in concept to Little Big Planet. This game allows customization of characters, vehicles and tracks. Players can choose from an assortment of terrain types and use the rear touch pad to modify the environment (tracks). Players will find the gameplay to be fun and responsive.

Everybody's Golf (aka Hot Shots Golf) is an intuitive, arcade-style, vibrant golf game on some of the most beautiful and colorful courses. This is one of the bestselling games in Japan and is considered a really good golf game. Everybody's Golf can best be described as a fun-loving, feel good game that constantly rewards players for their efforts. Players earn and lose points for every shot which is more than enough motivation to encourage players to concentrate and absorb themselves in the games.

Escape Plan is an aesthetically pleasing 2-D puzzle that features a stylish, monochrome color scheme with two unique characters, Laarg and Lil. As the title implies, the two have to escape a variety of dangerous rooms filled with assorted challenges and objects making survival the ultimate objective.

Super Stardust Delta is one of the least expensive PS Vita games at $9.99, and it is also one of the popular games suggested as a must have. The game involves a player piloting his ship around a planet while firing weapons in any direction. If you are a fan of the shoot-em-ups and chaotic, fast-paced arcade type shooting games, this is the game for you.

Ridge Racer is a high-octane racing game with stunning graphics and heart-pounding action. Ridge Racer features high-speed action, high-performance racing machines, that creates an edge-of-your-seat type experience.

Wii Games for Health and Fitness

Wii Games were known to feature favorite action heroes, adventure and fantasy plots, and sports. But many are also enjoying it now to tone their bodies with programs like Nintendo Wii Fit and Zumba Fitness. Which would be the best pick for you? Here are some of the features of each game.

Wii Fit is built with the family's fitness concerns in mind. It's a fun core workout program that lets you compare your results instantly. Each Wii Fit set includes a Balance Board that you'll need in learning positions and movements in your sport, dancing, and yoga. Recently added games include Skateboarding and Rhythm Kung Fu.

Since not everyone's fitness goals are the same, Wii Fit lets you customize your training exercises. You can change the duration of every exercise session and spend the exact amount of time you have available. You can also choose the types of exercises to target certain parts of your body that you want to work on. In the comforts of your living room, you can virtually race in a Segway Personal Transporter or challenge yourself in an obstacle course. Just like an advanced fitness equipment, you can also check the estimate of the calories you've burned from the games.

Zumba, perhaps the hottest dance fitness program today, is a set of exercises taking its moves from various Latin dances like cumbia, meringue, salsa, mambo, samba, chachacha, and many more. It also infuses some hip hop moves and belly dancing. This fun fitness routine, which was created by choreographer Beto Perez in Colombia during the 1990s, can now also be enjoyed at home in the Majesco Zumba Fitness, one of the hottest Wii games these days.

The latest version of this game gives you a chance to sweat it out with no less than the creator himself, Beto Perez, plus other international dance instructors. You can choose from the 30 dance tracks to get you into the groove of fitness and Latin dance when you play the game in Single Song Mode. If you want more fun, you can select the Full Class setup or, better yet, the Zumba Party mode. You can also choose the ambience onscreen - from nightclub to yacht club.

If you're looking for a fun exercise program that you can access anytime you want in your home, these Wii games are great recommendations for you. If you're into dancing, the Majesco Zumba would be perfect. But if you want more variety, the Nintendo Wii Fit would be best for you.

What's Up With PlayStation 4

Back in the day, computer games were plain and had low-quality graphics and animation. However, computer technology advanced so quickly that games became more sophisticated and refined. Gaming consoles have improved sound and video quality. PlayStation enthusiasts can prove how technology has changed the way people play games. Creators of game consoles do not stop with their latest additions. The PlayStation 4 is one of the upcoming game consoles that are creating a buzz in the market now.

With the new game consoles nowadays, it is possible to pretend that you are looking at realistic images of the characters in the game. Players also have taken advantage of the greater flexibility of today's gaming consoles.

One of the top companies that manufacture gaming devices is Sony. This multimillionaire company is known for its excellent graphics and sound technology with its high-tech televisions, laptops, digital cameras, and camcorders which are also popular in the "games" market. Since Sony released the new PlayStation, it has since then become popular in the market. PS4 is the latest addition in the PlayStation series.

The early promotions for PS4 have circled around the assumption that it will provide an excellent gaming experience to buyers. However, it has to be understood that people have to try the product before making judgments. By this time, there will be too much anticipation, as reports about possible features the new PlayStation has are all over the place. Customers will now have their expectations. These bits of information may have been leaked by the game developers, who are still currently working on the release of the game console later this year.

However, this might cause a little inconvenience to those who have purchased the PlayStation 3 because, they might not have yet used the latest existing PlayStation model to the fullest. But since fanatics are loyal addicts and cannot wait, many may have already made reservations on the latest model. Pre-ordering may be a good idea if you are a carefree consumer. The others should be careful, though especially considering the fact that the upcoming PlayStation may be sold at a very expensive price.

Nonetheless, without analyzing too much, one can say that the PS4 is going to be a highly sophisticated gaming device. Reports say that developers have integrated the game console with an advanced graphics chip and processor. The PS4 is also said to be equipped with HDMI port so playing games is possible with high-definition television, which only enhances the playtime experience. Reports also say that it will be equipped with a flash card reader and an upgradable hard drive. These new features are expected to take the PlayStation 4 games further, but it seems as if it's still too early to tell. However, you may still be able to play PS2 and PS3 games on the console because of the so-called backwards compatibility feature.

Sony will actually release two configurations of the PS4 - the basic and premium. Of course, the latter does have more advanced specifications. Such differences will affect the price too.

Buying a gaming console is considered by some as a waste of money, but for game lovers, it is a fine investment as people by them to enjoy and have fun. These devices are perfect to beat the boredom since hardly anyone gets bored when playing games. Playing games is also a good father-son bonding moment.

The New Sony PS Vita, Why Should You Get One? Find Out Here!

The new PS Vita from Sony is here and it's their new handheld console, based on the previous PSP models they have released but made better by bringing the latest portable gaming technology in the sleekest package, taking in to account all of the feedback they have received from their customers to make the PS Vita the best portable console system, the one you have been asking for!

So a bit about the specs of the PS Vita.

It has two Quad -core processors (You read that right, two!), so you know it is fast! Which will help deliver your games faster and smoother than ever before.

It has a very impressive 5-inch touch screen OLED display, meaning that the games you play or movies you watch will look better then you have ever seen on a portable device before!

The PS Vita has something that ever gamer wants on a portable device, dual analogue sticks! Giving you more flexibility and accuracy in the games you enjoy.

It will also has a touch sensitive back, giving you more controller then ever before and helps immerse yourself deeper in to your games, using this new system not one finger goes to waste!

Using all these features the hand held console delivers your games like you have never seen before!

A few more features that you might be interested in about the PS Vita are:

It measures 7.2 inches from one end to the other, the height of the handled is 3.3 inches and the thickness is just 0.73 of an inch, on the back of the PSP you will find a 0.3MP camera and microphone, it also comes with in-built WiFi and there is also a 3G version. After all that the console weighs just 260g! So your hands won't get tired whilst you spend hours playing your favourite games.

Whilst the PS Vita might not support 3D like Nintendo's 3DS, the game graphics and the game play itself blow the 3DS away! Whilst the 3DS is considered a great handheld gaming device, the PS Vita is an amazing portable Console! This puts it in a league of its own and helps set the bench mark for future portable console gaming.

Just a few of the games that will be launching with the console are:

Army Corps of hell

Dungeon Hunter Alliance

FIFA Soccer

Marvel Vs Capcom 3

Uncharted: Golden Abyss

All of these are great titles, and reviews on these games will be soon to follow, so make sure to check back soon.

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Characters Come to Life

The world of Skyland has been taken over by KAOS and his cohorts. Skylander's original, native inhabitants have been frozen and vanquished to Earth. They can only be saved by placing them on the Portal of Power to thaw them and transport them back to their homeland of Skyland. Once there they will need to battle the evil, powerful KAOS and his forces to take back their native land. Using their magical powers and weapons, the Skylanders face many obstacles, adventures and battles before their mission can be completed.

In this adventure video game, toys come to life, characters remember and learn, battles rage and treasures are collected. Children can collect the toy character figures of Skyland and place the ones they wish to play into the game. The Portal of Power transports the thirty different Skylander figurines to life on the screen and allows interaction between toys, child and video game.

The thirty figurine characters each have their own personalities, abilities and magical powers to use to fight the dreaded Portal Master KAOS and his army of bad guys. Each Skylander character has their own personal history and originates from one of eight element categories: air, fire, water, earth, life, undead, magic and tech. The element origination helps determine their individual magical powers and abilities.

By placing these various characters on the Portal of Power, the toy comes to life in the game and can work alone or can join in cooperation with others to fight evil together. They can also fight one another in a battle arena if so chosen. Players choose which they wish to do.

Characters such as Spyros, Whirlwind, Ghost Roasters, Slam Bam and Dino Rang come in various packs. The Starter Pack, Single Character Pack, 3 Character Pack and Adventure Pack are all available and each contains characters, universe codes and sticker sheets, as well as trading cards. The Portal of Power comes with the Starter Pack which contains the adventure software for the game.

With many different adventures, locations, challenges and puzzles, the game is always a new and exciting experience rather than repetitive. Children become the good Portal Masters directing their magical warriors in a battle with the evil cohorts of KAOS, the evil portal master. There is cartoon violence in the game and it is suggested for play by children aged 10 and above. While made for children, many adults will enjoy these adventure figures and play action when their Spyro's Adventure characters come to life.

The special action figures for Skylanders have brought a new element to video games for children through the transportation of the figures with the Portal of Power to their gaming system screens. Video games will never be quite the same with this new avenue of interactive play now available for all to experience. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure can be played on most all major gaming systems and online. Game manuals are available online for download. The National Parenting Center issued their Seal Of Approval in 2011.

Get Your Money's Worth at Game Stores

If you are one for playing video games on the latest Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Nintendo platforms or even keen on buying one on PC format now and then but notice that buying the brand new releases can be more expensive, sometimes around £40 to £50 for the most popular! This quick three-step guide should help save you some money on your next and future purchases.

This easy technique should work every time for the frequent gamer.

What you will need.

1. A Game Reward Card - These are only £3 and can be bought at any Game store or online.

2. A Game Exchange Bag - Most Game stores will have these at the tills, they are free.

3. Some Money.

And that is it!

Step one.

To begin, it will be helpful if you have any unwanted games ready to trade-in as this will decrease the cost of the pricey new release. If you have some to trade-in make sure you pop them into your Game exchange bag, you will receive an extra £1 for each game traded this way. The trade-in value when spent in Game is also more than you would get if you were trading in for cash. If you do not have any to trade-in do not worry, you can still start saving money if you are a frequent purchaser.

Step Two.

Once you have a new release in your sights (let's say, worth £40), go to the till and hand them your trade-ins (if you had any). They will tell you the value of your games. Usually new releases can fetch you a trade-in value of £20 to £25!

You can now hand them your Game reward card to collect your points and complete the transaction.

Step Three.

Now if you did not have any games to trade-in and you have just purchased the new release for full price, that is a good start. Funny as it may sound but you would have still got 400 game points for your purchase (you collect ten points for every £1 you spend in store or online, 1000 points is worth £2.50 off in store). Also look out for special offers which can earn you extra points. This may not sound like much but when you go back to trade-in your newly purchased game you should get around £20 to £25 for it, plus £1 if you have a Game exchange bag. So in total you will only pay around £15 to £20 for future new releases and still earn 400 points given that the price of the game was £40.

Each 2-3 new releases you purchase you will get an extra £2.50 off as you should hit the 1000 point mark. From a personal point of view, this has proven to be a great way to save some money.

Happy gaming to you all.

Niche Game

Games

You know games are top of the line in terms of graphics and sound. However, you get frustrated when one tiny scratch can cause your entire game to stop working. You are tired of games being overused or mishandled by friends or relatives to the point where they break. You don't really want to have to go out and repurchase your broken games again so you have looked into ways to get around this.

How to Backup

Obviously, a standard DVD burning software such as Nero is not going to do the trick. Games are digitally signed and contain copyright protection. You cannot successfully get around this protection to copy with a DVD burner software. Successfully burning will require you to find a software that can break the digital code included. This can be a hard thing to find. Fortunately, many software programmers have noticed this difficulty and have created software that allows you to bypass the copyright protection. The process is simple. First you will want to take your original game and insert it into the DVD drive on your PC. Next you will want to go into your computer and copy the image to your hardware. This step will require somewhere from thirty minutes to a full hour depending on your processor. Once this is done you want to eject the game and replace it with a blank disc.

Know the legality

It's important to be aware of legal issues related to copying. Make sure that you're not using software to break any encryption. If you own the original version and contains no encryption, then it's perfectly legal for you to make backup copies.However, the games must strictly be used as backup copies that you alone use.

Be Wary of Some Hacks

A big point I'd like to mention about is that people think they can get the best method off the Internet through some forum. The truth is that the very best way is by using software that was specifically created to do that. The issue with forums and private reviews is such you don't really know if they're telling the truth.

• People often leave fake methods simply to destroy the consoles and disks of other people

• The information is usually long out-dated, completely useless or nonsensical garbage

• If you touch your console, it voids your warranty, which means no more tech support for you

If you follow their tips and you mess up your system - you're done. Microsoft will not repair your console because it's 'self-inflicted' damage; you damaged it yourself. And you'll lose 500$ for trying to save some money on the 50$ game. Silly situation, really.

Call of Duty MW3 Guide

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 was released last year and has again pushed the franchise up into new heights. The game brought with it a plethora of new emblems, maps, guns, situations and tactics to learn.

Millions of players around the world enjoy and dedicate many hours to being the best at MW3. However, not everyone can sit there playing for hours on end. This MW3 tips guide will teach you how to play like the pros and save you all that wasted time learning these MW3 tips the hard way.

First, why would you want to be competing with the best players in the world at a video game? The answer to that question is simple. Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 have released a new online service known as Call of Duty Elite, where players just like yourself will be able to compete for fantastic prizes worth large sums of money.

MW3 Tips:

• Keep Moving - This one is rather basic but you'll be surprised by how many new players will spend the entire match camped in a corner. Yes, there is a time for camping, like during defensive objective games. However, for the general part, staying still is a bad idea. For a start, whenever you kill an enemy he will witness a killcam showing your exact location. Now, with some very simple communication the enemy team can deliver a non lethal grenade through one entrance to distract you and a lethal attack through another, forming a bait and switch two pronged attack that even the best campers will struggle to out maneuver.

• Aim Down the Sights - Knowing when to fire from the hip and when to fire through the sights is a major part of MW3 and is something you should focus your time on learning and mastering. As a basic guide, anyone camping that you accidentally run into or anyone at a very close range, just outside of knife range, should be fired at from the hip. On the other hand, anyone who is not causing you to turn significantly should definitely be fired at through the sights. A general rule is that if you need to turn a lot in a battle, avoid turning while looking through the sights.

• Grenade Checking - When you throw a lethal or non-lethal grenade and you damage an enemy, a small hit marker will appear in the middle of your screen. Use this to your advantage and check rooms for enemies with non-lethal grenade checks before entering. If you see a marker appear, always attack from a different angle as your will now be the focus of your enemies attention.

Getting Into the World of Game Design

With everyone playing video games these days, have you ever wondered how they're designed, who designs them, and what's really involved in creating a video game? One way to get a sense of how this all comes together is at game design school.

So much goes into gaming these days. You have to consider many elements such as graphics, plot, narrative, content and characters. It's very similar to the structure of a film or TV show, as some games feature different levels and plot twists. You also have to have a knack for working with computers, probably the most important tool to be found at game design schools.

Video games have changed since they were first developed. One of the very first video games was called the Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device, which was developed by two scientists in 1947. It was a very crude invention that some could say was a prototype for Space Invaders. It was typical that most of the very first video games were primarily designed by scientists and technicians, and weren't for public consumption. However, technology improved, and video games were first made publicly available in the early 1970s, where they were considered revolutionary and state of the art. We're talking about games along the lines of Pong here, which is basically a variation of Tennis; not entirely thrilling when looked at today, but back then it was the rage.

You'll probably face some issues along the way, such as there being a great attention to detail, including writing code to get a game to look just the way you want it. It's important not to be discouraged at first; it never comes easy and you may find yourself going through a variety of different versions before you get the game design that you think will work.

If you're planning on attending a game design school, you want to make sure that it has a good reputation. While it's easy to the basic gist of programming, you may want to attend a game design school to learn how to work the kinks and glitches that you may come across with any programming issues. That's where the professors come in. It's important that the professors have a keen knowledge of the industry and are well versed in programming and design. It's not an easy skill to learn, so you want the best if you decide to attend game design school.

Video games take a great deal of time to produce. They involve storyboarding, similar to film production and a great deal of design capabilities. One of the first things I learned in game design school is that you have to be innovative. Many video games offer a lot of the same ideas, so originality is a plus if you choose to design something, but you won't be alone. While coming up with an idea for a game may be easy enough, you'll more than likely have to work with a team who handles different functions. That's one of the benefits of game design schools, for they allow individuals to work together, develop ideas and explore their potential.

Forza 4 Review and Thoughts

Forza 3 was a brilliant racing game, with great graphics and brilliant gameplay. Two years later Forza 4 has a tough act to follow, but perform it has and more! From the enhanced visuals to the improved car paint design features this game should not be missed for any car fan.

Forza 4 is like top gear, except you are Clarkson crashing into other cars sending them into the gravel, you are Hammond drifting round the top gear track in a cloud of smoke and you are May when you turn all assists off and spin around in circles going nowhere but having a whale of a time. The characteristics of Forza 3 are here in bulk but have been given a major overhaul with new modes added into the mix including auto vista and kinect features.

Forza''s graphics are nothing short of beautiful. There new engine allows the car to be placed in the environment and show the reflections from the environment. Taking this from a car placed in a track to a car driven in a track. Its not only the cars graphics that have been improved the tracks have all undergone overhauls to make vistas look even more stunning. Married with the new auto vista mode which allows you to get up close and personal with some of the best looking cars whilst Jeremy talks or in some cases rants about them. There's even Halos warthog.

Turn Tens decision to include top gear in this was brilliant. Jeremy lends his voice to auto vista whether it be slaging of cars or worshiping them and then there's the top gear test track. This programme is watched by millions here in Britain and to allow them to drive around it as much as they like in the Kia C'eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed or whatever car you want, which is frankly awesome.

Though it does have its "problems" and when I say problems I don't mean ones that affect your experience, and won't affect you at all if this is your first Forza game. My "problem" is that there are very few new tracks in this game compared to Forza 3 which is a problem considering that's were all the game takes place. However this is the only problem I have with this amazing game.

If you like cars there's no shortage here, with well over one hundred. All made with the same exquisite detail and care. This game is undoubtedly the best racing simulator to date and I can't wait for Forza horizon which lands this fall on Xbox 360.