Visit the Shaks

I found this over at Neatorama, and it was just too awesome not to share.

Back in The Olden Days, when cartoons were actually good, both in quality of animation and quality of humor content, music, and stories told, ACME was the company to beat.  If you needed something, no matter how insane, you'd turn to your handy-dandy ACME catalogue and in 4-6 weeks you'd have your instant girl kit, your ultimatum dipatcher, or your toaster.  ACME truly was one stop shopping.

Before the days of the megastore, the megamall, and the Internet, you had to use mail order if you wanted something even slightly out of the ordinary for you convoluted plan to seduce and eat the Road Runner.  Nowadays, all it takes is one trip to Amazon.com, paying extra for good shipping, and whatever crazy product you might want will be at your doorstep in two days.  Really, in a way, Amazon and other big Internet retailers have turned the ACME catalogue from the fevered dream of a madman to a reality while crushing the old catalogue businesses.  That's a shame, in a way, when you think about how the Sears catalogue was around for over a hundred years. 

At least we still have our ACME catalogues.   

Boba Fett's Corvette, that is! Check out this awesome machinima video mashing up geeky white rapper mc chris (who has worked on many of the shows in Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup) and Star Wars Galaxies. mc chris raps extensively about geeky things, makes allusions to video games and Dungeons & Dragons, and is generally known to be a great guy who even takes fans from his shows to midnight movies of geeky fare like Transformers. Pretty cool, huh?

Here's the original version of the song with a pretty good accompanying video, for those who are no strangers to the occasional dirty word. I'm not crazy about the remix version that they used for this song, but I needed something relatively safe for work, despite the fact that this is a rap song and thus not safe for work at all.

I have a cardboard box full of Nintendo games from my old NES gaming system that I haven't been able to play since last century.  They're not all released on my Wii Virtual Console either, which is a crime because Caveman Games is awesome and everyone should play it, especially the wife-tossing event (If you pick the female Caveman Gamer, you can be the modern stone-age lesbian couple, way ahead of its time in 1988!).  I really want to play these games, but my NES has been broken for years now.  That's why I'm very interested in the FC Mobile. 

I'm not exactly crazy about the button positioning, and I'm not a fan of buying ANYTHING off eBay, but... it's really, really tempting.  Once I see some news about this thing from legitimate sources, I'll be more inclined to check it out.  One thing I don't see me doing is spending hard-earned money on an old NES.  You don't know if it works (even if it does, you'll still have to blow into the cartridges), it might cost a surprising amount of money... but man, do I want to play my NES games again!

Last week on Musical Monday, I featured the brilliant Jonathan Coulton and mentioned how he was included in the ending credits of the game Portal, as well as Rock Band.  Well his song from Portal's ending, Still Alive (click the link to enjoy the in-game version) has become a huge hit to the joy of geeks like myself.  Still, what's a way to make something already geeky geekier?  Use the beloved SNES game Mario Paint to do your own version of the Portal ending theme!

The more I hear by this guy, the more I like him. It gives me good memories of sitting around my college apartment, listening to my old roommate play the acoustic guitar and having adult beverages on the back porch.

As George Lucas' bank account could tell you, Star Wars fans are some of the most loyal fans of any science fiction film series in history.  While Star Trek has ebbed in popularity, Star Wars fans are still out there buying up video games, posters, tee-shirts, books, comics, and even better, Legos!  That's one of the reasons why, in honor of International Star Wars Day, I'm sharing with you the perfect marriage of two geek media, Lego Star Wars pens!

It's a shame these things weren't around in my younger days, as I would've been a huge fan.  I've got two different VHS boxed sets of Star Wars, though I've yet to buy them on DVD.  I'm waiting for the HD version to come out in the next 5 years or whenever George Lucas has the urge to build another mansion somewhere.  Still, it's to his credit that people love his product so much, and I know I'd buy those pens. 

To top off International Star Wars Day, here's the plot of the first Star Wars film as explained by a 3-year-old girl.

HT:  Coolbuzz

As usual, because I keep odd hours and don't sleep enough, I got my days confused and completely forgot about Musical Monday.  I know there were many tears shed, and since I hate to disappoint, I've got an extra double-geeky dose of Musical Monday for software fans, World of Warcraft geeks, and zombie fanatics. 

Jonathan Coulton is a musician who does things a little differently.  Because he's not signed to a big label, he distributes his music freely under the Creative Commons License, which basically says that you can use his songs for anything you want if it's a non-profit endeavor.  Like, say, a zombie-themed World of Warcraft machinima.  Jonathan is incredibly talented, as a lot of his songs have become big deals in the machinima world, and he's even gotten into the act as part of the latest Hit games Rock Band and Portal!  It couldn't happen to a more talented dude.

I'm a big fan of store promotions.  There are always such cool things at grocery stores, electronics stores, and even liquor stores that normal people can't get access to unless they know a distributor or work at the place and somehow escape with it after work.  Your best chance to get any of that kind of stuff, aside from becoming manager, is to check eBay.  That's where I found this incredible vintage World of Nintendo light-up sign!

I absolutely love things like this.  My room at home is full of posters from movie theaters and video stores I've worked at, collectible action figures I bought with employee discounts, and light up beer signs and displays from my time working at the liquor store.  I've got autographed teeshirts, pictures, posters, and DVDs all over the place.  I even grab set lists from concerts I go to.

Not only am I a big fan of collectibles, I'm also a hopelessly cluttered packrat.  I hate to throw anything out, which is why I have about 7 years worth of Sports Illustrated magazines filling my bookshelves and cardboard boxes.  I know I need to at least figure out a way to get more organized, but it's hard when your space is also everyone else's space for dumping stuff they don't want.    

There's a lot of gamer-themed clothing out there.  When I bought my laptop, one of the big bonus freebies was a teeshirt with the iconic Alienware alien on it, and basically the first week I got it, I wore it out to the movies.  Of course, because I wore it out, someone recognised it and made a positive comment.  I practically glowed, because it was like that stranger and I shared some connection, however tentative, to one another, based on his recognition that Alienware computers were awesome and that I had one.  It was like being part of a secret organization.

I doubt these Mario-themed Nintendo underwear would have the same effect.  Then again, I generally don't wander around in public with my pants off, so maybe it would.  Mario's an iconic character known the world over, so there's not a coolness factor involved with wearing Mario gear.  However, there is the joy of reconnecting with childhood memories for most people under 35 that you can't put a price on. 

Plus, y'know, it's underwear.  Guys don't have a lot of fun underwear options once you grow out of tighty whiteys.  I just wish there were more boxer briefs and less boxer shorts to pick from.

I've been a big fan of Homestar Runner for years now, so the announcement that Telltale Games is bringing Homestar Runner action to the Nintendo Wii in the upcoming Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People (or SGCG4AP). I could not be any more excited, you guys!  If I could ever get my stupid router to play nicely with my Wii, I'd be waiting in line to download this game! Bring it on, Wii!

This is the company that brought you the excellent Sam & Max, so you know it's going to be a great game. I'm insanely excited, and apparently, so is the rest of the internet.

H/T:  Go Nintendo

As much as I want to make a Chuck Berry or R. Kelly reference thanks to the Wii For Women name, I promise I won't.  Well, aside from the one I already made just in the sentence before this one. 

Per Gaming Bits (which are my favorite bits), Best Buy is having the Wii For Women event this Sunday, March 20, at participating locations.  The event runs from 1-4 PM, and there'll be giveaways throughout the day.  There's a Wii console, a Garmin Nuvi GPS system, and 6 spa gift cards to be given away.  Can't beat freebies!  So if you're a gamer of the female persuasion, and you want to join in on the fun and possibly win some free stuff. 

Personally, I can't shake the feeling that this is kind of condescending towards women, as if giving away spa gift cards is the only way you can get a lady interested in video games.  Surely there are girls out there who can get interested in video games the way boys do, right?  You know, by shooting things in Goldeneye, or stomping on heads in Super Mario Brothers, or eating faces in Mortal Kombat. 

Still, if it works, then I guess that's what matters.  Unfortunately, it's nowhere near my area, but if you're a gal (or guy) who checks it out, let me know how it looked in your neck of the woods.   

I spent two weeks traveling around France in the summer between my Junior and Senior years of high school, and it was incredible.  The sights, the sense of history, the people, food, and inspiring ambiance was just overwhelming.  I absolutely loved it, but it was a long flight and very expensive.  I’d love to go back, though, but until I do, I’ll have to settle for this interactive map of Paris done in World of Warcraft style for World Wide Invitational 2008! 

It’s pretty cool, though it’s missing a few of the things I went to see, like La Grande Arche, but since they included La Defense, where I stayed while in Paris, I can forgive it.  It was very cool, and it was at the end of main Metro line, so it was easy to figure out where I had to go to get to the touristy areas of the city.  When there’s only one direction you can go, it makes things a whole lot easier when you don’t really speak the language.

Hat Tip:  Business & Games

I’ve avoided the urge to buy a PS3 or an Xbox 360 since I’m not very good at video games (the shameful truth comes out!).  Well, most games anyway.  I prefer strategy games to first-person shooters, and I’m prone to nausea thanks to 3-D graphics and whatnot.  But these fake rock star games, after complaining about them forever, have me hooked.  So hooked that when Rock Band comes out for the Wii in June, I’ll be getting me a set of fake plastic drums to go along with my fake plastic guitar. 

It’s not enough that I have one game I’m mediocre to bad at, I need a second game to struggle through on easy mode so I can bang on some plastic drums instead of just wailing away on my plastic guitar.  I’ve always wanted to play drums, but real drums are expensive and fake drums are relatively cheaper.  If only they had some kind of free play mode to where I could just jam.

It's hard to believe that it's been 9 years since the release of Sony Online Entertainment's groundbreaking MMORPG, Everquest, but it has.  Nine years is an eternity, and good ol' EQ is still around and kicking, despite having been released my senior year of high school when everyone was on dialup modems and dinosaurs roamed the earth.  It's staggering to consider, especially in a world where most MMORPGs stumble and fade away in a matter of months. 

EQ is on its 14th expansion, with a 15th on the way next year and no end in sight.  It's spawned EverQuest II, with 7 expansions, and 6 other spin-off tabletop or console RPGs.  Not too shabby for a game launched with only modest expectations, huh? 

Even more frightening is the fact that EQ came out when I was a senior in high school.  That means next year will be my 10-year class reunion!  That's a frightening prospect. 

In his short time on the Internet, Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw's Zero Punctuation animated video game reviews have become famous and the object of fanboyism throughout the English-speaking world. The British-born, Australian-living gamer has become a sensation thanks to his fast-talking, profanity-laced, pants-soilingly hilarious take on popular games like Guitar Hero and Burnout: Paradise.

The language isn't safe for work by any means, but if you're at home and you want to laugh until your stomach hurts, I suggest following the link below and checking back at The Escapist every Wednesday for another Zero Punctuation game review. There really isn't anything better out there if you like video games and you want to snort Mountain Dew out of your nose (that hurts like CRAZY). Needless to say, with the guy's constant sarcasm and hilarious rambling, and all the amusing curse words, Yahtzee has become my favorite video game reviewer ever.

Here's his take on the console wars between the PS3, XBox 360, and Nintendo Wii. Be careful when you drink, as I'm not responsible for any broken keyboards. Anyone who can combine Schrödinger's cat and poop jokes is awesome in my book.

I can't tell you how excited this trailer for Starcraft II makes me.  Seriously, I got chills.  I loved Starcraft, and I can't wait to get my hands on this game.  I've already saved up money to upgrade my desktop to do this thing the right way.  Yes!  I love the zerg!

HT:  Destructoid.

Words can't express just how important Dungeons & Dragons was to a whole lot of kids over the past 35 or so years.  It opened the eyes of a generation and inspired hundreds of thousands of people to create their own worlds, their own adventures, and carve from the bedrock of the collective unconsciousness a thousand different video games, fantasy novels, tabletop games, miniature war games, works of fiction, and works of art.  None of the things gamers take for granted today would be present without the genius and determination of Gary Gygax.

No matter what game you might love above all others, you owe its existence to Gary Gygax and the success that is Dungeons & Dragons.  He was a creator to the very end of his days, and left a body of work the likes of which rivals any single person in any creative field.  Not only famous for D&D and its offshoots, he also created several other games, wrote 10 novels, contributed thousands of columns to magazines throughout the world, designed a dozen board games and tabletop miniatures games, and somehow managed to defy the common misconception about geeks and successfully marry and father 6 children. 

He was a true icon, and an American original the likes of which can never be replaced.  There was no bigger fan of gaming than he, and he acted as an evangelist for all the positive benefits of RPGs that sometimes went overshadowed by the negative actions of a small minority.  Rest in peace, Gary.  May all your rolls be natural 20s.   

So, let's say you're like me.  You've been subscribing to WoW for quite some time and, perhaps, you're a bit bored by it all.  Yes, the game's fun enough to where you don't want to stop paying for it, but sometimes you need a break WITHOUT paying for new software or subscribing to a new MMORPG.  Even trying games gets very expensive, unless you have friends with free trials to give away. 

That's why lists, like Massively's top 5 free MMOs, are incredibly helpful.  There are so many free games, but so few games that provide the depth and fun that a good MMO can offer.  Anything that separates the cream from the crop is very helpful, and it gives you a list of places to start your exploration.  You've got nothing to lose but time. 

If you want something like old-school Diablo, try Mythos.  Pirates of the Carribean Online looks like a blast, too, and it has the added benefit of being based off an IP already known and enjoyed.  Maple Story is crazy cute, and Dungeon Runners is like WoW with more goofiness.  So many choices, I'm not sure where to start. 

Anyone have any recommendations? 

Tomorrow, for Wii addicts like myself, Amazon.com has a great deal lying in wait.  Thanks to their special sales section, the Gold Box, there's going to be five Wii games on serious sale, so make sure you check your computers on schedule to ensure you don't miss out on any good bargains!  If you're unfamiliar with the Gold Box, I'll give you a run down.

Starting at midnight Pacific time, a deal goes on the Gold Box.  It stays there until it's bought up or expires.  Every four hours after that, another deal goes up on the Gold Box.  You've got four hours to buy whatever's on sale if you want it.  After that, the deal is no more. 

I don't know what the deal is going to be, but the thought of cheap Wii games is enough to make me click refresh on my browser so I don't miss something great. 

Here's a little bit of incredible cuteness from 4 Color Rebellion, one of my favorite video game blogs.  That's because, with stories like this, who wouldn't make it a stop on the feed reader every day?  You'd best go click it, because it's too cute for words.  Here's a little set-up, from poster Vinnk's experiences as an English teacher in Japan:

As with a lot of lessons I do with first graders, I have to make it as interesting as possible or I can’t hold their attention for more than about 7 seconds.  Kids this age love video games.  Especially Mario games, so when teaching the word “brother” I decided to use a word they already know from the game "Super Mario Brothers".  However as it turned out, the one who got the lesson was me.

Did I mention that this post was too funny and cute for words yet?  The last paragraph had me in tears from laughing. 

There are lots of MMOs in development for the younger generation of gamers.  Webkins, Teen Second Life, the upcoming Disney virtual world, and of course, Hello Kitty Online.  That’s right, everyone’s favorite mouthless kitten is getting her very own MMO, to the delight of sugar addicts everywhere.  But while achingly cute, don’t think Hello Kitty’s MMO is going to be kids stuff.

Oh no, this is going to be an actual MMO, albeit a free to play one that’s very colorful and shiny.  Check out the details provided by Destructoid:

This adorable MMO features characters from the Sanrio universe, including Badtz-Maru, My Melody, Keroppi, and many more, all running about a Sanrio fantasy world. Travel around Tokyo, Paris, Moscow, or even Flower Kingdom; build a house; and even craft tools and... weapons? Yes, Hello Kitty Online features MMO staples like monsters, combat, and experience points.

On top of that, there's customizable avatars, guilds, skill systems, and even a player economy. When launched, HKO can be downloaded and played online for free.

I’m sure kids everywhere will be overjoyed at this news, but not as overjoyed as Hello Kitty lover and Love Shak Baby blogger Ivy!

Valentine's Day is in T-minus 2 days, so if you haven't gotten that love note in the mail yet, it might not get there in time.  That's why the Internet is so handy.  It allows you to send cards and greetings to people all over the world in an instant!  Now you don't have an excuse when people get on your case for not observing holidays.

For those like me, old-school gamers who believe side-scrolling perfection begins and ends with Super Mario Brothers 3, 4 Color Rebellion has a set of awesome Nintendo valentines that you can either print out and give to your sweetie personally, or send as e-cards for those long-distance love affairs.  Or for people too lazy or forgetful to print the card out manually.

They're just the thing the doctor ordered... the luuuuv doctor! 

I ordered my Wii on January 18th.  Then I ran into problems, but I never cancelled my order.  It's February 6, and I still haven't gotten a Wii.  I recieved everything else in my Wii bundle well before January 29th.  Obviously, two boxes of Wii-related goodies don't do me any good without the console to play it on, and after two emails to Wal-Mart.com's support wing, I've finally gotten another promised Wii delivery day, February 9, after threatening to return all my unopened Wii peripherals to the nearest Wal-Mart.

Let's put it this way.  I'm not pleased that I had to email more than once to get a good result, and I somehow doubt I'll get my Wii on the 9th, but if I do, then I'll never complain about Wal-Mart.com again (until something else bad happens).  If I don't get my Wii, then the good news is I can just return my stuff purchased online to the nearest Wal-Mart meatspace store and get a refund.  You can't say the same about Amazon.

It's just a shame you have to make sure you get through the layer of automated customer service form emails to get a person these days.

Image:  Gadgets Reviews 

Virtual worlds are the hot new thing thanks to the massive success of World of Warcraft and Second Life, both of which I’ve spent a great deal of time in.  I was resistant at first, of course, and WoW has more love in my heart than Second Life does (because my computers don’t like SL), but there’s no denying it’s one of the biggest technical success stories in quite some time.

Pure West, the force behind Second Skin, peels back the pixels to get at the people behind the avatars.  It’s a study of virtual worlds and how they bring people thousands of miles apart closer together through the power of the Internet.  Every day, couples meet, fall in love, break up, and even marry inside and through connections made in virtual worlds, and every day those virtual worlds grow larger and larger, becoming more and more important in pop culture. 

Second Skin is shooting for a release at the prestigious South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas; if all goes well, I have no doubt you’ll be seeing it in the documentary section of your local video store or on Amazon before too long.  After checking out the trailer, it looks like it’s going to be incredibly interesting.

Everyone I know plays some sort of MMO-type game.  Everyone.  It looks as though this documentary is going to be a fair treatment of the average player.  We’re not all addicts, after all, and not everyone is going to kill themselves because of a virtual world or the actual people in said virtual world. 

Virtual worlders are just like you and me.  Actually, if you look at the roster of writers at Shak Media, they are you and me.  Or at least, me and Ivy, who is a reformed Second Lifer and Wii junkie.  We’re everywhere!

H/T:  Massively

According to Go Nintendo, one of my favorite Nintendo blogs, South Korea has one of the greatest things ever to be put on television:  Guitar Hero contests.  That's right, if you're good enough at everyone's fake guitar game, you too can be on TV and get your 15 minutes of fame. 

Now, I'm not very good at the game (about as bad as I am at real guitar), but check this kid out.  He's amazing for 8 years old, and pretty amazing for anyone of any age.  If only our video game television networks would, you know, have more video gaming contests and less reruns of "Cops."  Good luck with that.

See also:  Silicon Era