video games

SimCity DS
For Nintendo DS

Since its first inception, Sim City has always been an amazingly complicated game. Complicated, but in a way that you are motivated to learn and do better at playing the game. To me, the original Sim City was one of the only PC games that would hold my interest in my old-school PC gaming years. So now that the series has had about a million upgrades, sequels and spin-offs, how does the newest, most portable edition of the game work out? Not too well I’m afraid. Or, at least, not as well as I had hoped it would have turned out. While the game maintains the same spirit of the series, the controls can often be awkward and frustrating. Zooming in and out on your city can be trying on your eyes, to say the least.

On the good side, there are some cool modes, including ‘Save the City’, in which you are given the task of saving a city that has some sort of disaster going on, and if your city is pollution-free come December, Santa Claus will come pay you a visit, bringing monetary gifts to help you with your city planning tasks. Overall, I found this game a bit more frustrating than fun, but I’m sure that if you are a fan and you are dedicated, you’ll find this a worthy translation of the hit game it was based on.

Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree
For Nintendo Wii

Do you feel stupid? ‘Cuz I do. These games always make me feel that way. No worries, though, because the more I play them, the bigger my brain will get. In just three short months, my brain will probably be so powerful that I will be able to invent a cure for cancer, solve the world’s hunger problems, and invent a two-seater flying car for my special lady and me. Don’t believe me? Well, obviously you haven’t been playing Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree. I bet you are still stuck on Brain Age for the Nintendo DS, aren’t you! GAH! What a dummy. It’s not about the strength of your prefrontal cortex-that is soooo last year. It’s all about brain SIZE these days!

Another Reason to Play Forza Motorsport 2
for Xbox 360

I was just surfing the net as I always do before work every morning, and I came across this interesting user-created paintjob that inspired me to issue a challenge to the readers of EU. Do you play Forza 2? Have you created a custom paint job for your car that is worth submitting? If so, send me an email. Be sure to include an attached photo of your car, along with your Xbox live Gamertag between now and June 25th. The best results will be posted both here and in full color on my EU Blog, and the number-one design will also receive a prize box containing some undisclosed Xbox 360 goodies. Good luck!