Alfred Challenge Maps

Like a lot of gamers out there I'm about to start playing Batman Arkham City. I pre-ordered mine from GameStop because, even though I am not typically a pre-order kind of guy I knew for sure I was going to buy it and love it so I figured I might as well get the freebie. GameStop's came with the Joker's Carnival Challenge Map and I like Joker better than Robin (Best Buy's pre-order came with 2 Robin challenge maps).

But I'm not here to discuss pre-ordering. And don't get me started about that BS unlockable Catwoman content that you have to buy the new game to get the one-time use code for. Like I mentioned to Fallguy I am more tolerant of that one-time pass crap for the online play on sports games that get some tiny incremental update each year (especially since I pretty much never buy those), but locking legitimate 1-player campaign content that is apparently a fairly integral part of a story-based game?  C'mon guys.  Oops - I started getting started after all.

No I just wanted to share with you the challenge map that you could have expected had you pre-ordered Arkham City from Bed Bath and Beyond. Shamelessly pilfered below from the fine gents at Dorkly - the Alfred Challenge Maps:

Arcades and the Ladies

If there's one thing my old arcade flyers have reminded me of it's how much chicks dig arcade guys. Especially back in the 70's and 80's. Back in those days when a guy walked into an arcade he could fully expect to see at least one hot arcade groupie - or as they preferred to be called - "arcade escorts" standing at each cabinet just waiting for him to come and play with them. It was a simpler time. It was a sexier time. It truly was the golden age of video games. Of course that was before Congress passed the Arcade Fairness Act (AFA) of 1990 that allowed women to actually play the games themselves rather than only participating in the supporting role of escort. It was the just move to be sure, but still I am saddened that by the time Street Fighter II hit the scene you rarely spotted even a single escort in the arcades anymore. The proud tradition of the arcade escort rapidly faded into history and now few people recall them or their seductive cosplay at all. I salute you arcade escort.

New PS3 Commercial - Michael

Shortly after my last post about a video game commercial that annoyed me I saw the new PS3 TV spot below that I quite liked so I figured I'd do another quickie video post on here to share it.  It features characters from some of my favorite PS3 titles like God of War III, Uncharted (3), Resistance, Infamous, Metal Gear Solid 4 and more. Reminded me of the old Dreamcast commercials that pulled a bunch its games' characters together except those were typically humorous and this one has a more dramatic flavor. Check it out.

Uncharted 3 Commercial for Subway

In case you haven't seen it yet there is a new commercial for Subway Sandwiches starring Nathan Drake of the PS3 Uncharted franchise. Uncharted 2 is pretty much my favorite game on the PS3 but rather than react with a "hey check it out a mainstream commercial with Nathan Drake in it!" my gut reaction was more a disappointed "what the hell? Oh c'mon.".  I realize everything is a cash grab to the big game companies, but somehow seeing the hero of my favorite game on the PS3 reduced to hawking 5 dollar foot longs left me feeling like a Subway sandwich maker had just stuck his big fat ungloved thumb right in my meatball sandwich before handing it to me.



I guess the bit of what I assume was entirely new animation when Drake was talking to the camera wasn't too bad, but I winced when I saw him running through the same scenes I'd already seen several times on trailers except this time carrying a CGI'd Subway cup and sandwich.

I'm pretty sure that if, many years from now when the PS3 is considered retro, I go back and watch this video again it will bring a smile to my face. But for now while it's fresh it just left me with a slight case of indigestion.

What the Hell is Up With This Arcade Flyer?

Arcade flyers used to have some nice looking babes on them hawking their electronic wares so when I saw an arcade game called Sexual Trivia I figured it would be pretty steamy.  I was quite wrong. For some reason the Kinky Kit and Game Company of Hollywood, Florida decided to go a different route with the spokeswoman in this case apparently being a child sporting a Strawberry Shortcake outfit and blue shoes.



"Sexual Trivia - It's statutorific!" WTF? I mean how old are those girls? Like 12?  Of course I've seen the studies from U.C. Berkeley that demonstrated that approximately 60% of the population of Hollywood California are pedophiles so that's old news, but et tu Hollywood Florida?  A quick scan of the comics in the local newspaper from the sick fucks at Hollywood, Florida confirms my fears.



And there were dozens more like it. So beware - avoid Hollywood Florida at all costs. Go to Orlando instead. Yes, Orlando is brimming with pedophiles as well, but they have some pretty cool theme parks you can check out. Just keep an eye on your kids.