Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the Seattle Mariners making out like bandits in the big MLB trade, Boeing finally getting the 787 Dreamliner off the ground, or Freddie Roach calling out Roger Mayweather, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
As I mentioned last week, I’ll be counting down my five favorite games of 2009 in this week’s Coffee Talk columns and I’d love for you to join me! Let me know what your favorite games of the year were in the comments section. Remember, this isn’t about what games you thought were “best”. I want to know what you had the most fun with in 2009.
#3 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 — I love videogames and I love WWE, so it’s no surprise that I love THQ’s WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010
Sure, I joke about the game being nominated for the best videogame writing in the history of man, but I love playing it. Getting to beat up Randy Orton with dozens of WWE Superstars — whether they’re real or imagined or downloaded — never gets old.
Scribblenauts for the Nintendo DS
It is easily one of my most favorite DS games ever. I really hope they do more in this series.
My #3 would have to be Madden 10. I love football but I was so disappointed in the last few Maddens that I was done with Madden but Madden 10 came along and EA finally got it right this gen. Madden 10 is a huge improvement over the previous Maddens. It's awesome and I love it. I know a lot of people have a gripe with EA releasing Maddens every year with little to no improvements and I understand that gripe but this year is different.
#5 Brutal Legend
#4 Madden NFL 10/FIFA Soccer 10 (tie)
#3 Assassin's Creed II
I loved the first Assassin's Creed despite it's flaws. I'm a history buff and a sci-fi buff, so the story in this series hits my sweet spot. Plus I truly enjoyed the gameplay improvements that this sequel had to offer. I could wax ecstatic about this game for quite a while, but it's easier to just link my review:
http://www.gamerswishlist.com/news/311-Assassin-s…
My #3 for this year is Shadow Complex. I've been really unimpressed with downloadable games (aka Arcade) games this generation. I find that more often than not these games can be fun for about 10 minutes or so, and quickly turn dull. Shadow Complex was one of the first arcade games that I played that actually felt like a real game. Not only that but the game felt like a steal at $15. I was able to get 30-40 hours of that game within only a couple of weeks and I find that I occasionally go back to it from time to time still. I think it still functions well as an arcade game in that I can jump in and out of it in 15-20 minutes, but in reality it is such a deep game with a lot going on. It sure has imperfections but for what it is they really did a good job with it. ever since the PS/N64 I was afraid 2D gaming died but it's nice to see some titles making a comeback.
Close runner up for downloadable game was Battlefield 1943. I'd like to see more titles like this on XBL and PSN.
My imaginary #3 was "Michael Dudikoff's Ninja Staring Competition" for Wii.
Since that doesn't exist… I'll go with Civ Rev for iPhone.
@N8R Did you download American Ninja or something? Did Smartguy inspire you to do that?
#3 Killzone 2
I personally liked the game. I may not have as much replayability as I would have liked, but to me it was a good game and I enjoyed playing through it.
@ R Pad
Yeah, I watched it last night. Hi-fricken-larious.
I'm a sucker for b-movies.
#5 – inFamous
#4 – WoW
#3 – Borderlands – Holiest of Craps. Gearbox did it. They took something that I loathed to the very core of me, mainly do to my own perceived non-twitchyness, and made me not only want to play it, but enjoy it. I get to shoot things, and collect loot? What? Wait, and the loot is seperated into colors that I am familair with to show their rarity? And I can play it with friends for more challenge and even more loot… ZOMG!
They took my love of Diablo, nay RPG looting (why was the skag carrying the assault rifle and wads of cash?) and turned it into something more. Currently I am in my second playthrough with Roland (Leader/Support Gunner) and I have to say that it has not lost it's appeal.
Gearbox, we who are about to kill, salute you.
@Shockwave: Shadow Complex was an amazing game. I also wish there were more XBLA games like that.
#3 Punchout! for Wii
I love how they gave me the choice for using classic controls. They took a 20 year old game and kept the controls the same. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
The inclusion of the two new characters was great, and the overall feel, speed, and flow of the game was just perfect. To top it off they make you go back through everyone with improvements, King Hippo was very tough the second time around.
I had a dream about this game before I bought it. In my dream I was in my new house, which I was due to close on in about a week, and could hear some noise in the room that would become my man cave. After having to figure out a jigsaw puzzle and beat a gnome in a game of dominos, my door finally unlocked and I saw the Punchout trailer playing on a television. I knew this game would be mine.
@Larcenous
WoW is amazing. I'm glad I kicked that habit in June. I left in the midst of the Thorim fight. I just couldn't stand it anymore.
@ Smartguy
If the gnomes name was Harry and he was naked except for the peanut butter… I think we had the same dream.
Except in my dream, the game trailer was for Jumper.
@smartguy – at the time when punchout wii came out I had a roommate who had a wii and I really wanted to buy it until I started reading reviews. One of my favorite wii sports games was boxing. When I heard that playing the game with motion controls is just about impossible I decided not to buy the game. that and the lack of new content. I already own Punch out for the NES and play it frequently. I guess I just wasn't convinced that the price tag was worth admission.
@N8R
I had watched a few episodes of David the Gnome. Except in my dream, the gnome was black. (not making a joke of stereotypes, just being honest)
Sad to say I haven't had the peanut butter covered gnome nightmare…I mean dream yet.
@shockwave
Man, you are doing yourself a huge disservice. Buy it. Turn that wii mote sideways, and get on it! Just a damn fun game. The mode where you go back through to beat everyone a second time is worth it. Trust me.
@ Smartguy
Forgive me, I'm married to a woman who's 4'8". I like 'em petite.
@N8R
I like'em ginger.
@Smartguy – not to fan the flames, but the new system they put in for random instance groups is actually really nice. I only play a few days a week to hang out with friends, but only being a few minutes away from a free form group/or having a group of friends and being able to queue for a random instance should have been in the game from day 1. A little late to the party, but damn them, they always show up.
@N8R – if we had never previously talked, I would worry about you. Not because of the gnome, though I am sure you are leaving out some sort of graphic part of the dream, where a short, plump prego had him bent over the couch of your man cave… but Jumper. Dude, that game was buried in Nevada with ET… or it should have been. Though you liked Superman Returns too…
@ Larcenous
I'm a man of many faults, one of them however is NOT having played Jumper.
It's just what my subconscious feels I should be playing to punish myself.
@smartguy – on that reccomendation I would but the point is moot cause I don't have access to a wii anymore. If I bought a wii I'd probably pick up Glaxy, new Mario bros wii and punch out. I just don't think it's worth the wii investment for how much I play games now.
@larcenous
I always thought they should have let you choose between earning gold or experience when grinding. With a good cooldown of course.
Damn you blizzard….damn you. They'll hook me right back with D3.
@shockwave
understood
Best story in a game I didn't expect to have a good story in was Dawn of War 2. i loved the first Dawn Of War, but I never expected any RTS to have a good story. The RTS genera as a hole has to many problems with the way they tell stories for me to enjoy any story in them. Dawn of War 2 broke that by giving consistent characters that were always on screen both in game and in-between games. This allowed me to actually care about what happened in the story. Something no RTS has actually done before. The RPG element helped too as it made me think about the individual character even more. Although its "story" wasn't the best in a RTS I played this year, it was more engrossing than any other. (which makes it the best IMO)
@myself
genre not genera
@Smartguy
Why does Nintendo get a pass for rehashing the same 20 year old games over and over again? You see the criticizing M$ gets for releasing Halo every year. No one ever says anything about Nintendo.
@RROD
Nintendo didn't release Punchout on the 64 or GC. Otherwise, I guess it's because they are Nintendo and can do no wrong. No clue.
Punchout was good nonetheless.
@RRODisHere I should tell TheFeed kids that you're defending a Microsoft practice. Heads would explode.
@Ray – *pop* lol
@RROD – I think because it's been done so many times, we have grown accustomed to seeing it. We're on Mario what, 15ish really if you count all of them together. We go into a new gaming cycle thinking about how Nintendo is going to bring Mario back. I honestly think there would be a huge outcry if they didn't keep bringing them back out.
But then again, I am also the guy who went off on a rant about Mario rescuing the same bloody princess day in and day out and Zelda not having any real discernable story. Come to think of it, when does he fit in time to learn navigation and train engineering. That buggery little fairy…..
@RRoD: Isn't every sequel a rehash by definition? So thus why single of Halo, Mario, CoD or anything for that matter in either a negative or positive light simply for offering up sequels. If they're high quality and maintain a sense of freshness despite having ties to a previous game, than what does it matter?
5-Infamous
4-Ratchet and Clank Future ACiT
3-Assassins Creed 2
@Nightshade – I think you do have a point, however, when you look at Super Mario Brothers for NES and Super Mario Galaxy (hell, even Super Mario 64) there is a large distinguishable difference there. Outside of better graphics Punch Out Wii hasn't changed at all in 20 years. Just a thought.
@RROD – Although many reviews I read of the game did knock the game for doing little to enhance the original punchout.
I do think there will continue to be Halo, Mario, Final Fantasy, CoD, GTA, and Metal Gear sequels as long as there are video games. and I see nothing wrong with that
@Shockwave: Exactly my point. There will be varying degrees of freshness of "rehashes" or sequels based on the series, but they should be judged separately.
I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just saying that if Sony and M$ did it then they would get heavily criticized. But oh well, if it sells then keep them coming.
Urelated:
X-Play gained some credibility back by giving Uncharted 2 GOTY last night.
@RRoD: Thee is some validity to your point. Maybe it's because we're just happy when Nintendo releases an actual game instead of a fitness sim? IDK. But if they're great games, and there's still sense of freshness there, what does it matter if it's been done before.
If Sony remade the first Ratchet & Clank with updated graphics but the game was the same and sold it for full price, would you guys have a problem with that?
or
If M$ remade Halo: CE with updated graphics but the game was the same and sold it for full price, would you guys have a problem with that?
One: Punchout added a new game mode and still kept what was liked about the original intact. Not many games are able to do that.
Two: If Punchout was remade as often as Mario/Halo/Madden i'd change my attitude about it.
A rehash isn't bad if it only comes up every few console cycles. I see people wanting a new twisted metal game…why??? What could it add that wasn't done on the PS1 or PS2?
disclosure: I hated twisted metal. Never cared for them. I hope they never resurface. Just my opinion.
@RROD
I wouldn't buy either one of them.
@RROD
You know my answer to the second question, but it is the same as with FFVII. There will always be some people out there who want it. Nintendo is just lucky most of their consumers are new because that adds more people.
@RRoD: No, but Nintendo isn't re-releasing prettied up versions the original games either, so it's not a valid argument. Even using Punchout as the example, there are new fighters and new game modes added to the game.
Drat. You've put me in the uncomfortable position of trying to defend Nintendo. As you may recall from my previous posting here and on TheFeed, I didn't care for the GameCube, nor do I now care for the Wii. I feel like I've outgrown most of the characters that they offer, and neither console has gotten good 3rd party support for the hardcore gamer. But I can't find fault in them offering up games that people apparently want, even if I'm not one of them.
Nintendo didn't make the new Punchout either I don't think.
@Smartguy: The Wii one was made by Next Level games, but it's definitely a Nintendo property.
@Smartguy
Bad example with Twisted Metal. I can assure you that the new Twisted Metal will be a brand new Twisted Metal and not the same Twisted Metal 1 from 15 years ago. There's a huge difference between a sequel(Assassin's Creed 2) and a rehash from 20 years ago(Punch Out Wii).
What defines a sequel and what defines a re-hash? Can you add a couple of new characters and game modes to an old game and call it a sequel? There was a lot of criticism for ODST, and rightfully so, for not being a full game worth full price but no mention of Punch Out Wii. Why? Not arguing, just curious.
@Nightshade
yeah, that is the studio name.
@RROD
I'm sure fans will like the game…but what can you add to a car game that is essentially a 3rd person shooter? It was released the previous two generations. That's the crux of the example.
@RROD
I believe the amount of time that passes inbetween introductions to the market. Mainly skipping a generation or two.
Example: I'd consider a new Kid Icarus a rehash and not a sequel.
Again, you guys rule for keeping this debate interesting and civil.
@Smartguy
"but what can you add to a car game that is essentially a 3rd person shooter?"
You lost me. What game are you referring to?
@RRoD: I disagree with the general criticism directed at Halo 3: ODST. It's as complete a package as any other Halo game. What that game suffered from was bad marketting. They originally said, "This is going to be an expansion pack," but they were able to put together a full game's worth of content. Is it worth the full $60 price point? Well, if Halo 3 was worth $60, than so was Halo 3: ODST. An 8 hour campaign and a bunch of deathmatch maps vs a 6 hour game with a bunch of firefight maps and all the previous Halo 3 DLC included. Similar total packages.
@Raymond Padilla
That's what happens when civilized adults are having a conversation.
@RROD
Sorry, that is my recollection of TM.
@ Nightshade
You have a son… like me and a few others here. When it comes to the child demographic… Nintendo pwns them all when it comes to variety of games for kids.
As parents, it really is something to consider. It will also keep your 360 controller from getting as dirty as it could get.
I started both my kids on the (indestructible) 64. Now, both of them play Wii and my oldest (7) prefers 360. But only because those are his options. He LOVES his DS and wants a PSP. He would certainly not turn his nose up at a PS3 either.
I asked him what games he wanted for Christmas, he said "all of them."
@N8R: Mine's only 3 (almost). We'll cross that bridge when we grow into it.
@Nightshade
Seriously? ODST re-sold the exact same multi player as Halo 3 with 3 new maps. What about all of the people who already bought all of the map packs? The had to pay $60 to buy them again with ODST. If MW2 was packaged with the exact same multi player as COD4 and sold it for $60, Infinity Ward would never hear the end of it. I bought the COD4 map pack and would not buy it again just to play a 4 hour campaign.
@ Nightshade
My daughter's 3. This is her (excuse the mess):
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs20…
She will be 4 in March. She takes after her daddy (as you can see) but she gets her adorableness from her mom. I myself am a tatted up surly bastard.
@RRod: If you already bought those Map Packs, you already paid well over the $60 that the actual game would have cost you. So it's no longer a fair comparison. If you take both games as originally offered, ODST has as much if not more content than Halo 3.
@N8R: My son and I play my 360 together. But it's pretty much just Connect 4 from the Hasbro Family Game night. I also own most of the Lego games, which he'll be able to play soon enough.
@N8R
Mines 11 and 3(almost too). I have a different problem. My 11 year old has a Wii and does not like it any more. He like it when I first bought it but not now. He wants a PS3 or Xbox 360. My almost 3 year old likes playing around with Patapon and Loco Roco on the PSP. As for my 11 year old I thought about buying a cheap Xbox arcade because going online is out of the question for him but then I thought having 2 PS3's in the house would be nice and we could play games together locally.
@Nightshade
I wanted to buy that Hasbro game but I couldn't bring myself to pay $39.99 for it. Is it worth it?
@ Nightshade
My kids were just playing Connect 4 on XBox with each other like an hour ago (both of them are sick today). The Lego games are awesome. I have all of them on Wii (the latest is under the tree as we speak) except for Lego Rock Band. I haven't made the venture for the fake guitars when I'd rather buy them real guitars.
Either way, Big N still has the most games for them.
Also, about Punch Out Wii, I wouldn't mind playing it but like I've said my son doesn't like his Will anymore so I didn't buy it just for my to play once or twice.
@RRoD: If you look at each board game offered as it's own $10 value, than yes because if you go to Target each of those game offered as part of the package will run you $12-15 a piece. If you're getting it just to play Scrabble, then no.
Plus you can't lose any of the pieces….
@ RROD
I see your dilemma. I would probably go for 2 PS3's since online is out. For exploring worlds single player, PS3 is what you want ultimately. 360 does a good job, don't get me wrong, but the PS3 graphics… well, you know.
Xbox has a larger community which makes online a bigger experience on it.
P.S. I'm awesome at Scrabble.
@N8R: I didn't care much for the latest Lego Indy, as it kept crashing on me.
http://www.gamerswishlist.com/news/340-Lego-India…
But otherwise those are all really fun games.
My son's home sick today too. He came out of his room at 10pm last night, looked at my wife and I and without saying a word threw up all over himself. So since I'm working from home anyway, I'm watching him today. About a half an hour ago all I heard was a constant barrage of, "I'm not tired, Dada." Next thing I know, he's asleep on the floor.
@N8R
Why do musically inclined people such as yourself think that playing music games is bad. It's nothing like playing real instruments. It's just for fun. If that's the case then we should go outside and find a pick up game of football instead of playing Madden. I have no interest in playing a real instrument but I love playing Rock Band 2. It's just fun. Like I've told you before, I'm a behind the board guy. I'm the sound engineer for my Church. I started green about 10 years ago and learned on my own. I've actually talked the Church into paying for me to take some classes to make my better. I'll start classes early next year.
I play guitar too, and I don't really enjoy the Guitar Hero/Rock Band games. My fingers tend to want to play the actual notes, and thus don't want to co-operate with the game. That being said, I can see how they would be fun for people who are not so musically inclined. But since my wife and I both play guitar, we have every intention of making real music a part of our son's life.
I don't think he said playing music games is bad, just stated he had a preference…..
I think these music games get a lot of people interested in playing real instruments.
We bought him a little drum set for X-mas. I'm going to be regretting that decision by Boxing Day I'm sure, but we did it……
@Music games
They should just let you plug a real guitar to your console and play. All it would take is to change the screen to sheet music. This would let both groups enjoy the game, assuming they let you play with fake guitars as well.
@ RROD
1) That's awesome. Best of luck.
2) I'm not down on them. Especially the drums. The drums are not only cheaper than real drums, but you can give the kid headphones and the game even provides them with a direction so they aren't just beating away with no rhythm for months… that's a good thing.
What it comes down to is economics. I can get a crap, mexican made acoustic at the swap meet for $20 bucks. It's crappy and hard to keep in tune (if you don't have someone around who can fix it), but they're otherwise great to learn on.
Whereas the Rock Band instruments… much more expensive. If they show true learning on the real, crap guitars, I'll buy them better instruments. As for now… I don't think my son understands the difficulty in the music games. He gets mad at them in the store because he has no idea why he's losing. With a real instrument… it's pretty easy to tell where you suck and why. And yes, you will suck for quite some time. Jimi Hendrix wasn't born like that… you know?
@Nightshade
I hear you. I had to rid my house of all toys that made noise. It was driving me insane.
@RRod: "With a stick….."
@ Nightshade
I fumble on the rhythm part of those games. I want to play every note on every beat and the game just doesn't lend itself to that.
However, since I don't play drums, I have actually had fun trying to work out the coordination in Rock Band with 2 people who couldn't play guitar.
If those mini drums don't have tunable heads… your gonna regret it twice as much.
@N8R: I don't have the co-ordination to play drum, even in the pint sized plastic variety. But I agree about rhythm sections giving me a hard time in GH. I hear the notes, but I get dinged for playing them? huh? But since I'm not a lead player, putting the game on expert lends itself to an auto-fail in my case as soon as the solo starts. I'm much more Hetfield than Mustaine, ya know?
Dang, now I want to learn how to play guitar. Good thing I spend to much time playing games so I can't learn anything. (That way I don't go wasting money) But if they made a Rock Band like the one I mentioned, I'm done for.
One thing I'll give the Wii credit for is it's durability. My 11 year old does not take the best care of his systems. That Wii has been dropped repeated, left on for days, yanked out of the entertainment center by my 2 year old while a game was spinning and didn't skip a beat, and I once found my 2 year old standing on the Wii jumping up and down on it and it still works perfectly. So now that I think about it, buying an Xbox 360 for my son is definitely out of the question………for obvious reasons.
@ Nightshade
That's exactly what I'm talking about. Getting dinged for hitting the note I hear on time. I'm a bassist so I have this natural urge for perfection. The saying goes: "If the bassist screws up, the whole band sucks. If the guitar player screws up, he's eccentric."
What gets me even more is when I know how to actually play the song in real life. That's when muscle memory takes over and it's auto-fail no matter what.
@Shockwave
A lot of the guys who get paid to play football professionally play Madden.
@RROD – not to minimize the 360 durability but if you do get a PS3 Slim I'd probably be worried about those occurrences too.
@ Sandrock
It really is never too late.
@ RROD
All Nintendo systems have that durability going for them. Wth maybe the exception of the original NES… then again, I propped up my bedroom window with one for 2 years, plugged it in one day, and played Ninja Gaiden.
@RROD – true, nothing bad about madden. hell if I was an athlete I'd love to play my team.
most kids have the ability to do real activities and play games also, I've managed it all my life, football, baseball, jobs, and gaming, I made it all work when I was young
@N8R: I had a bass for a while too, but sold it to get my Les Paul. As a rhythm player I can tell you, it's a lot closer to playing the bass then playing lead. Lead players are allowed to be eccentric. Rhythm players have much less room for error.
@ RROD
It's a completely different coordination. On a controller, I'd probably do fine in Guitar Hero… but where's the fun in that.
It would be like if Madden games made you actually run, but at a slower speed than you're used to in reality. Or made you make a passing motion in a completely different manner than a real one.
@N8R – even though you aren't learning the physical demands of football you really can dive in to the positions, play calling, clock management, routes, and so much more. even kids can help their pee-wee game out by paying attention to a game like madden
N8R's dead on with that analogy. It's not nearly the same thing. A more fair comparison would be Tony Hawk Ride….except that's not even fun from what I hear. I've got a slipped disc in my neck though, so the idea of playing any game where I might fall on my ass is pretty much out right now.
@ Nightshade
Oh, I play guitar too. I learned about 10 years ago to help my bass playing (and it did, exponentially). I just play bass professionally so I always refer to myself as a bassist. But I can keep a campfire going and I write on guitar.
When it comes to dischords and such… even rhythm players can get away with a little more. In fact, rhythm players can even drone the key chord alot of times through the whole song. When a bass player does that… you're '80's metal. And even alot of those guys HAVE to switch notes.
There are more reasons why bassists are so hard to find than most people think. The pressure is a bitch. My saving grace is that I always perform better with pressure no matter what I'm doing. If something's on the line, I instinctively put myself to task. That's just how I've always been.
@ Shockwave
I'm not talking about the mental side of things, I'm strictly talking about the physical side. The mental side of Rock Band (recognizing a beat, knowing the changes, etc.) are pretty similar.
However physically (i.e. muscle memory) totally different ball game (no pun intended).
@N8R
It wouldn't be the first instrument I've learned to play, just the first stringed instrument. I just don't want to spend the money when I know I will spend to much time gaming to learn how to play. But if they were combined, I would buy. (and fake aren't fun "enough" for me to spend that much money)
@ Sandrock
If you play a horn… STICK WITH IT!
I have scoured the earth for decent horn players to no avail.
If you play drums… STICK WITH IT!
If you play keys (technically a piano is a stringed instrument, but any way)…. STICK WITH IT! Also if you know keys, every other melodic/harmonious instrument is like a walk in the park after that.
N8R
you have a valid point. I think there's a lot more mental in madden than guitar hero.
@N8R
Woodwind actually. (without and wood though?) I would learn piano, but that is a very expensive instrument to play. (Not really interested in keyboards.)
@N8R;
I can play the jug. Any tips for me?
-M
@N8R Pianos are technically percussion instruments.
@ Sandrock
Your probably stuck with jazz or big band then.
@ Iceman
Blow hard… but be gentle… and watch the teeth.
@ Shockwave
The mental side of things missing from GH is knowing the chord formations, the math involved, getting along with douchebags for long periods of time in a cramped ass vans, being nice to shady promoters, etc. and so on.
The physical side lacking is hauling your own gear up numerous flights of stairs.
@ Nightshade
That reminds me, bass players have heavier gear as well. Every guitar stack I've ever had the misfortune of loading was at most 2 half cabs and one person could easily lift one of them.
Nobody I've ever played with could lift my Ampeg cab of 8 10's. It has a dolly built in to the thing for a reason..
@ R Pad
Percussive, stringed instruments. I hate to say they are that much different from a harpsichord. It just wouldn't make sense to me.
Kind of like how some people struggle to believe that Pluto is not a planet… it's a plutoid.
@N8R
I have no dreams of playing for people. It is just something I used to play for school and fun.
@ Sandrock
If you're talking about sax… I love the sax. I think if the almighty came down and spoke, it would sound like a tenor sax. Once again, really hard to find good sax players.
Ray's brother really is very good. I'm not in to jazz… but I can recognize talent.
I like soul music… and Springsteen.
@N8R: Dude, I'm 5'6" 140. There's no such thing as a light cabinet.
@ Sandrock
The only flutist I can name off the top of my head is Ron Burgundy… and i don't think that counts.
@N8R Does Zamfir, master of the pan flute, count? Antonio Salieri composed lots of great works for the flute before killing Mozart (in the movie).
@ R Pad
No, Zamfir does not count… how you pulled that guy out of your ass, I'll never know. The only reason I know who he is, is because I've seen an infomercial like 25 or 20 years ago.
The Salleri comment made me think of Last Action Hero.
Kid: "Don't trust him jack, he killed Mozart."
Governator: "Who's Mozart?"
@ Rbee
When it comes to drums vs guitar, I feel that individual people have a "calling" so to speak for one or the other. I think if someone hears the call… they should follow it, regardless.
@ Rbee
I want to learn to play the syntax drumitar (Bela Fleck fans, can you hear me!).
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids…
Granted, Futureman's brother Vic Wooten is the greatest bass player EVER!
@ rbee
Wooten is the monster of monsters.
wish I could play the real guitar. Guitar hero is a lot of fun though. I think if a kid has a genuine interest in learning an instrument it’s probably best to get them started on that young instead of a game that mimics it. Like RROD’s Madden comment if your kid likes football it would be best to get them in a league. I’m old and stuck in my ways, haha
I am really late to this one. But my 3rd favorite game was 1 v 100. It's just a lot of fun, and my girlfriend and I can play together (one of the few games we can play together)
@bsukenyan Love the out-of-the-box pick!
@N8R
Flute actually. What can I say, I just like the sound.
@topic
i am so late, but eff it.
#3 – Demon’s Souls – it probably is the most difficult game ever created, i never even finished it yet, but the atmosphere and the challenges this game offers are truly remarkable. the multiplayer experience makes it like an MMO, and the boss fights are just epic. it may have a mediocre and generic story, but the game just keeps on making me go back and back no matter how much i die. so yeah, that’s my number 3.
@N8R
you sound like my music teacher and mentor back then in high school, he told us to never switch to another instrument until you master the instrument you practiced on first. but i switched from drums to guitar anyway.
you guys know what instrument i’d like to learn? the freakin’ KEYTAR. the name of the instrument itself is awesome
@N8R Jim Cornette made tons of Zamfir jokes in WCW when Zan Panzer wrestled. That’s the only reason I know who Zamfir is.
@N8R
and they said cliff burton was the best. well, wooten and burton do play different genres from each other respectively. but yeah, wooten is a beast compared to burton for me now.
@N8R – Jazz Flute will live on!