Mr. Universal's Blog

A recent and completely unexpected racial controversy has sprung from a surprising source, as creative-minded and literate platforming game Scribblenauts (for Nintendo DS) has been accused of containing a racially-insensitive imagery and connotation that some fans may find offensive. The game utilizes a unique word-to-image system of gameplay that has the player literally writing words on the screen, only to have them matched to the game's internal image gallery and (with luck) become useful items to help the player complete various challenges. Unfortunately, it seems the particular pairing of the word ‘sambo' to an object that bares a strong resemblance to watermelon fruit (both traditionally offensive racial epithets) has caused some to question their unique combination in the first place.

Keep reading for all the details!

With the launch of the latest hardware revision to Microsoft's portable music and video playback device, the Zune HD is the company's next attempt to bring their unique service to those looking outside of industry leader Apple and others for a personal entertainment experience. But while Microsoft has loudly touted the new unit's enhanced HD video playback and connective features, one area they've been surprisingly quiet is the one they seem uniquely qualified to lead: videogames.

Keep reading to see how interesting things could really get!

While some jab playfully at the notion of Japan creating an army of artifical 'female' companion robots, it appears that a growing number of Japanese men are becoming increasingly satisfied with their digital sweethearts.

A recent survey by Japanese game developer Konami has revealed a surprising number of younger Japanese males, all in their twenties, have become quite comfortable with the idea of artificial (i.e. virtual) relationships, particularly with videogame characters. Roughly 20% of those questioned openly admitted to wanting a personal relationship with their in-game character, while roughly 40% were open to the idea. But most surprising was a whopping 63% of responders (equal to the number who would consider a digital relationship) were comfortable defining themselves as 'herbivore men'.

With Halo 3: ODST ready to invade the Xbox 360 console on September 22nd, anxious gamers who want to expand their love of Bungie's immensely popular first-person shooter can look forward to invading the real world with this set of detailed Halo RC Vehicles from popular radio-controlled manufacturer NKOK, Inc!

While the existance of these vehicles have been known for some time (and seem to have gone through slight color revisions), they're set to launch alongside the next chapter in the Halo franchise this month and feature detailed recreations of three popular Spartan vehicles for maximum entertainment and faux-destructive value.

Keep reading for all the details, pricing, and availability!

While the name and virtual appearance of three judges may suggest a political satire of the popular show American Idol, there's no mistaking both the subtle and overt nods of the viral animated video "Gitmo Idol" to the popular videogame Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises. While available online for months, the clip has recently begun to make a comeback of its own, perhaps to capitalize on the recent releases (and publicity) of both Guitar Hero 5 and The Beatles: Rock Band videogames.

Want to know more?  Keep reading for all the political intrigue and saucy details!

Making the online rounds this week is the latest edition to the increasingly lucrative world of videogame-branded energy drinks, the Gears of War-branded Imulsion Energy Drink, which promises 'a new form of tasty energy' packed in 8.4 oz cans of yellow Imulsion goodness.  While the thought of ingesting yellow-tinted sugar-infused energy beverages may not be for everyone, videogame fans looking to get that extra 'boost' now have a choice in how they power-up.

The Imulsion energy drink is just the latest product for Boston America C*O*R*P, whose proudly "designs, manufacturers, and distributes the world's most creative impulse items." Among their most notable items include Ghostbusters-brand Ectoplasm, Street Fighter Dragon Punch, Nintendo Power-Up!, as well as a variety of pop-culture and (especially) videogame-related items. Those looking to indulge their other sugar-cravings may also be interested in the company's large variety of branded mints, sour candies, and (in the case of the clumsy-types), even bandages.

While the website does not sell to consumers directly, those looking to pick up one of their products for themselves can head over to their official Amazon.com online retail outlet and experience the fun for themselves. Yum...?

Believe it or not, I've got friends who think the original Boondock Saints is the best movie they've ever seen. While I don't share their love for the 1999 cult-classic, I can see why so many fans are frothing over the upcoming (and let's face it, somewhat unexpected) Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day.

Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus return as the rogue (no pun intended) Irish brothers on a mission, as does Billy Connolly as their crazed papa along with a host of new and old characters that should drive hardcore fans wild. Troy Duffy also returns to writing and directing the follow-up, and judging from the debut trailer, it's like the past ten years never happened.

Better get ready, as the film opens October 30th.  Need to see more? Of course you do, and check out the official trailer for Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day by following the link right HERE!

If you're one of the millions of gamers who recently picked up Nintendo's Wii Sports Resort (happily packaged with the new Wii MotionPlus adapter), than chances are you're looking to expand your bragging domain just a bit.  Well, it looks as if the company is finally fixing that little omission by way of the new Wii Sports Resort Facebook Application, named the Wii Party Time Generator!  Here's what Nintendo had to say of their latest sojourn into the wild 'n wacky world of social-networking:

"By adding the Wii Party Time Generator application to your personal Facebook page, you will have the ability to invite all of your Facebook pals to friendly Wii Sports Resort competitions. You can set up parties, host tournaments, post scores and results, view medals and trophies, share photos from your Wii Sports Resort tournament and even do some trash talking. Wii Party Time Generator will allow you to spread the fun, social gaming experience of Wii Sports Resort."

Let's hope Nintendo plans to continue their road of accepting the wonders of online integration, as they've recently added free web browsing and Facebook photo uploads to the DSi hardware, freed the Internet Channel and its Opera Browser, all which signal a change in philosophy in how they view the online community.  Now if they could just improve their actual online multiplayer options, we'd really have ourselves a party!  Those looking to pick up the Wii Party Time Generator can do so by heading to the offical site right HERE!

One of the Nintendo Wii's most unappreciated and useful features is looking to become just a bit more appreciated and a whole lot more useful, as Nintendo has decided to make the Opera browser free-of-charge to all users from now on. The browser had previously cost users 500 Wii Points ($5), and previously before that had been offered free to all users until June 2007.  The console's Internet Channel (which houses the browser) has also updates the browser's relatively older Flash software to Adobe Flash Lite 3.1, which is basically the equivalent to Flash 8 with sprinkles of Flash 9 for good measure.  No doubt the update will significantly impact how some will use their Wii online, and given Nintendo's increasingly proactive look at social-networking features, this is definitely good news.

But if you're one of the internet-loving fans who did plunk down the 500 Wii Points for the browser, it looks like Nintendo isn't letting your investment go to waste. Says the company:

"Starting at the end of October, consumers who have previously exchanged 500 Wii Points to download the Internet Channel will be able to download, at no cost, one NES game of their choice valued at 500 Wii Points from Virtual Console. Details of this download offer will be provided via the Wii Message Board and on Nintendo.com." 

Some are reporting that Nintendo plans to offer a small selection of specific NES games for those early buyers, but no specific titles have been made available.  Regardless of which they choose, giving the Opera browser to all Wii users is a spectacularly smart move, especially as all three console makers move further into the worlds of social-networking via their living room televisions.  Free web access means free access to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and a host of other services that should help make browsing the web on your television a lot more interesting than sitting plopped in front of a monitor.

With millions sold and an entire industry responding, Nintendo hopes to continue their money-train of fitness success with the release of Wii Fit Plus, an enhanced version of their original smash-hit game Wii Fit that's designed to expand the focus of the original, while giving new users even more reason to shed the flab and start making healthy choices.

No doubt Nintendo hopes those healthy choices start with picking up the new bundle, which will replace the current smash-hit original, which has sold an astonishing 20+ million copies since it was first released in May of 2008. The new set will feature the enhanced edition of Wii Fit and the original Balance Board, although the price will reflect the addition and will now retail for $99, up from the original price of $89.

Those current Wii Fit owners can also get in on the enhanced fun with the standalone Wii Fit Plus disc, which will retail just for the relatively low asking price of $19.99.  Look for Wii Fit Plus to start pumping up retail muscles October 4th, but for now check out a small gallery of inspiring screens after the jump!

Nintendo plans to continue its long history of introducing new colors (i.e. flavors) to their existing family of controllers and consoles this holiday season with a slate of new colors and options for Wii and DSi fans to snag onto.  First on the block is the much-anticipated black Wii Remote, Wii MotionPlus, and Nunchuk peripherals. The new color has caused quite a stir online since first launching in the console's home country of Japan this summer, but sadly it doesn't look like Nintendo plans to complete the set as there's still no word if the black Wii console will ever hit our shores. The black Wii Remote and MotionPlus will bundled together, and features a surprisingly stylish black rubber enclosure that doesn't at all resemble medical equipment as the current one does. The black Nunchuk will be sold separately.

The 2006 shuttering of Capcom's acclaimed developer Clover Studio signaled for many that possible sequels for many of their most popular titles would be put in question. Chief among them was the Japanese influenced adventure Okami, which featured gorgeous watercolor-inspired visuals, Zelda-style gameplay, and unique calligraphy gameplay that helped make the game such a cult classic on the PlayStation 2. A port for the Nintendo Wii helped the game reach a larger audience, but sales were not impressive and the hope of ever seeing further adventures of the canine-manifesting Amaterasu were in doubt.

Online rumors and supposed leaks claimed that Capcom was interested in revisiting the franchise, and now a recent snapshot from the latest issue of Japan's biggest gaming magazine Famitsu (cleaned and enhanced above) seems to confirm what many thought impossible - a new Okami game is coming, and it's for the Nintendo DS and its called Okamiden.

The first look at the next game in the Okami franchise looks to retain the original PS2/Wii release's unique watercolor design, as well as the fully 3D level design that helped make the original such a cult classic. No word yet if Okamiden will also retain the artistic brushstrokes (most notable in its Wii incarnation), but given the inherent touchscreen capabilities of the DS hardware, this seems like a given.

While the Famitsu article doesn't give too much information on the upcoming Nintendo DS title, look for Okamiden to hit sometime in 2010.