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Nintendo Reminding Gamers the Wii U is a new Console
Posted by Mike Yawney on May 2nd, 2013 View Comments
When Nintendo initially launched the Wii U late last year there was a lot of confusion over what exactly the device was. Many questioned if it was a brand new console or simply an upgrade to the existing (and aging) gaming machine. Turns out many are still confused.
Earlier this week, Nintendo sent out a software update for the Wii U, adding additional functionality. At the same time it pushed a notification to original Wii users, clarifying the Wii U is a brand new console.
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BlackBerry Z10 Review
Posted by Mike Yawney on February 5th, 2013 View Comments
Not too long ago you could have walked down the street of any major city and found the majority of people had a BlackBerry clutched in their hand. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Rather than build on the innovation that made it a smartphone pioneer, Canadian tech giant Research in Motion sat on the laurels of its success while rival companies delivered more powerful, sexier, user-friendly hand sets to market. It was a move that would set the company back years, and make it a shadow of what it once was.
Now the company that essentially introduced the smartphone to the world is fighting back, refocusing its efforts to create a device that will make the brand BlackBerry relevant once again — a device that not only catches up to existing smartphones, but one that will prove there is room for another major player in the smartphone market. After much speculation, criticism and numerous delays, BlackBerry has finally released the Z10, sporting the brand new BlackBerry 10 operating system. Is it the phone that will put BlackBerry on top once again? Read my review to find out.
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Sony to Unveil Playstation 4 on February 20th?
Posted by Mike Yawney on February 1st, 2013 View CommentsIs Sony ready to reveal its plans for a new Playstation console? Well it appears that could be the case.
Last night I received an invite to a press event later this month in New York City. Normally I wouldn’t think twice about receiving such an invite, however this one was a bit cryptic. Rather than stating what will be discussed, the invite simply stated it was to attend the “Playstation Meeting 2013″. There was also a cryptic video attached which can be watched above.
What does it all mean? The Wall Street Journal is saying “people in the know” are confirming the event will focus on the Playstation 4. However they don’t expect any specs of the console to be revealed, rather the event will focus on connectivity and how players will interact with the device.
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Review: Far Cry 3
Posted by Mike Yawney on December 2nd, 2012 View Comments
Every fall, video game journalists are inundated with copies of games from developers looking for press leading into the holiday season. As someone who reviews not only games, but a wide variety of electronics for a living, it’s important for me to limit the amount of time I spend with each title to ensure I can get to as many as possible. I’m not saying I rush through them, as I still tend to complete the majority, however I may not go after every weapon upgrade or achievement. Then a title like Far Cry 3 comes out and completely ruins my routine.
You know you play a game too much when you spend almost every waking moment sitting in front of it — when it finds its way into your dreams at night, preventing you from getting a good night sleep. Yes, Far Cry 3 is that game, and it’s easily one of the best of the year.
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Review: New Super Mario Bros. U
Posted by Mike Yawney on November 18th, 2012 View Comments
The launch of Nintendo’s Wii U is a historic one. Not only will we be seeing Nintendo games in HD for the first time, it’s also the first Nintendo console to launch with a new Mario title in 16 years. Seriously, no joke. Back in 1996, Nintendo launched the N64 with Super Mario 64. Sure we’ve Mario titles since then, but not coinciding with a console launch. Well friends, the wait is over.
New Super Mario Bros U brings a fresh coat of paint to a beloved franchise. Instead of showing off the Wii U’s graphical power with a 3D platformer, Nintendo has chosen to stick with the tried and true 2D side-scroller; one you can play with up to 4 of your friends. Multiplayer Mario may not be new, but Nintendo always has a way of taking their franchises to the next level and New Super Mario Bros U is no exception.
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Unboxing Nintendo’s Wii U Deluxe Set
Posted by Mike Yawney on November 16th, 2012 View Comments
Curious about what’s inside Nintendo’s Wii U box? We’ve received our Wii U Deluxe Set from Nintendo and thought we’d snap a few photos to show you what’s inside.
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Review: Surface
Posted by Mike Yawney on November 15th, 2012 View Comments
A few weeks ago Microsoft held a massive press event in New York where it invited media from around the globe to witness the launch of its latest operating system Windows 8. While the event focused on the software side of things, we didn’t know at the time a second event was to take place that afternoon; one which would show off its new Surface tablet. For some strange reason Microsoft was being very secretive about what would take place. In fact, once the presentation finally got underway Microsoft wouldn’t let the media record or broadcast any part of it. It got me thinking, maybe the presentation was smoke and mirrors. Maybe Surface really couldn’t perform as well as it did up on stage. It wasn’t until a few days later when I received a unit to test for myself. I decided to put away my other tablets and use Surface as my primary device for 10 days to see if it could possibly live up to Microsoft’s hype. How well did it perform? Read on to find out.
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Review: Paper Mario Sticker Star
Posted by Mike Yawney on November 13th, 2012 View Comments
When I was a wee lad I had a large album entirely devoted to stickers. I had hundreds, but the pride and joy of my collection was a set of felt Donkey Kong stickers, complete with Mario, which I still wish I had to this very day. As an adult, collecting stickers may have lost its appeal but leave it to Nintendo to resurrect a childhood hobby and turn it into something quite magical.
Paper Mario Sticker Star takes what we love about the Paper Mario franchise and gives it a unique twist; adding stickers to the paper, cardboard mix. And while it would be easy to dismiss this as a children’s title, let’s be clear on one thing; there’s enough challenge in this Nintendo 3DS title for even the most seasoned gamer.
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Review: iPad Mini
Posted by Mike Yawney on October 30th, 2012 View Comments
It wasn’t exactly the best kept secret. For weeks the rumour mills churned out tidbit after tidbit with supposed details of a smaller, more compact iPad. Speculation swirled and finally on October 23rd Apple unveiled the mythical iPad Mini, just as the rumours suggested.
The smaller sized iPad is new territory for Apple. For more than two years the tech giant has established a firm grip on the tablet market with its 9.7-inch iPad. Steve Jobs himself suggested Apple had no interest in following in Amazon’s, Kobo’s or Samsung’s footsteps by releasing a 7-inch tablet. Were his comments made to throw off the competition or did Jobs know all along a slightly larger 7.9-inch version would eventually hit the market? Either way the iPad Mini is here, but how does it compare to other tablets out there…
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Hands on with Apple’s iPad Mini
Posted by Mike Yawney on October 29th, 2012 View Comments
It may be small but Apple maintains it’s still mighty. The tech giant has finally announced the iPad Mini, a smaller version of its popular iPad, bringing weeks of speculation and rumours to end.
The iPad Mini isn’t simply a scaled down version of the iPad, it has been completely redesigned, now looking much like the iPhone 5. After seeing it for myself I can say it’s quite beautiful. The polished chamfered edges, found on the iPhone 5 are present, along with the smooth aluminum backing. There are no rough edges on this device. It by no means feels like a cheap tablet. There’s no plastic here, only aluminum and glass. Solid build.
