Acid for Blood

Cost of PC Gaming Versus Console Gaming

I stumbled across this interesting post which compares the cost of PC gaming and the cost of console gaming. In it, the author specs out a PC rig that delivers a similar high-quality gaming experience as the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360.

I don't have loyalty to any one platform; I'll game on just about anything. I will say that it's far more comfortable to game from my sofa than at my computer desk.

The PC I built almost five years ago with the help of a friend is barely chugging along, and generally not reliable for much. One thing that I dislike, in the aftermath of building my own PC, is the troubleshooting. Perhaps if I was more technically-minded and if I had more patience for having to constantly Google search for help when something went wrong, it would be fine. I mostly just find it irritating.

I'm using a laptop as my primary computing machine at home. I bought it a year after I built my PC, and it's still holding up very well. I bought it from an online store, after choosing the specs I wanted. I took advantage of warranty repair service twice before it ran out. It was a relief not to have to do any of that myself.

The next time I'm in the market for a gaming PC, I'm just going to buy something off the shelf with a decent warranty. It'll cost a bit more, but to me, it's worth it because I think it will save me headaches in the long run.

The entire cost exercise was interesting to me because it's been such a long while since I kept abreast of the latest PC gaming standards. Predictably, the article concluded that building your own PC will cost you less than purchasing a console, however not by that much.

T-Mobile myTouch 3G

Last summer, after my mobile contract with AT&T ended, I switched to T-Mobile because they have slightly better pricing on their plans. Initially, I tried to use my lovely, pretty, shiny LG Shine on the T-Mobile network. This did not go so well, as this model of LG Shine was built to work best on AT&T's network.

Given this turn of events, I took this opportunity upgrade to a fancy new smartphone, the stupidly-named, T-Mobile myTouch 3G (also known as the HTC Magic). There's an abundance of extremely detailed reviews for the myTouch 3G available online, so I'll just focus on my personal impressions.

Pluses

• I can use it to check my work emails. This is one of the reasons I chose the myTouch 3G over the T-Mobile G1, which doesn't have the ability to connect to an Exchange server as standard (though it's obtainable by downloading apps).
• There are tons of useful applications on the Android Market.
• • One of my favourites is Locale, which will change your phone settings based upon a number of different conditions, such as geographical location and time. When I go to work or to the library, I don't have to concern myself with remembering to put my phone on vibrate. Locale does it for me. 
  • Another favourite app is Twidroid, which is what I use to update Twitter from my phone.
• It looks good. I like the physical design of the phone. It's not as hot at the LG Shine, but I'm still happy with the design of the myTouch 3G.
• The desktop area, where you keep widgets and frequently-used apps, is nicely designed. I like the application drawer feature. You pull out the app drawer to access all your apps, and close it to keep the desktop uncluttered.
• It's very user-friendly. It didn't come with an instruction manual. Most users will probably never need one, but it's available on the web in a PDF document if they do.
• It synchs easily and seamlessly with a ton of Google services: GMail, Google Calendar, Google Voice, Google Talk, Google Maps, and so on. I'm not a Google fangirl, but I do use a lot of Google services because they're user-friendly for me and convenient. Having them linked to my mobile is helpful.

Minuses

• The on screen keyboard is occasionally fiddly. Either that, or my fingers are made of sausages.
• Sometimes navigating between applications and the desktop is a little slow.

I've used this phone for several months now, and I am completely satisfied with it. I absolutely love this phone. I really can't think of any other drawbacks. It's proven so handy for professional purposes, and useful for staying connected in my personal life through email, Twitter, and reading blogs on the go. I suppose there are other mobiles that can do the same or similar things as the T-Mobile myTouch 3G, but I'm perfectly happy with this one.

[Thanks, Twyst, for helping me out with Android phone advice!]

Samus Aran in the House

Most people know that Metroid is my favourite videogame series, with Super Metroid being my favourite game of all the Metroid games I have played. I have a few nice Metroid-related collectibles, such as this Super Metroid travel cup and this Metroid Prime studded leather bracelet, but nothing that knocks people over with its sheer force of its awesomeness. Over one year ago, I ordered the Samus Aran Phazon Suit limited edition statue from First 4 Figures. It arrived today.

Behold! The shining jewel of my Metroid collection!

I'm planning on putting my Sumo beanbag on the floor near the shelf the statue will be displayed on, just in case.

[Photoset]

Mother 3 Limited Edition Game Boy Micro

Because I didn't do this earlier, here are some close-up pictures of our Mother 3 limited edition Game Boy Micro, which was included with the Deluxe release of Mother 3 on the GameBoy Advance.

[More Photos]

Vibrant Blue PSP

Last week, I received a package in the post containing lots of goodies, including a PSP. Very exciting! In my continuing tradition of posting photographs of hardware and portable consoles that I own, I present the latest addition to my portable family: a Vibrant Blue PSP, part of Sony's Carnival Colors line:

[More Photos]

Hori DS Lite Silicone Skin

I got a new silicone skin for my DS Lite last summer, but I didn't post pictures of it. I was getting a little bored of the blue silicone skin which I'd had on my DS for over two years (at the time). I wanted a different colour, so I chose pink. This skin was made by Hori.

[Play-Asia]

Nintendo Customer Service Centre

Today I visited the Nintendo Customer Service Centre in Redmond, Washington to have oliemoon's and her friend's DS Lites repaired (the right shoulder buttons stopped working). I took a few pictures with my phone. I apologise if they're a little blurry.

This is a shot of the counter towards the back of the shop:

There are two seating areas, marked by Pikachu and Mario. Mario is closer to the entrance:

You can buy Nintendo merchandise and accessories:

 
 

This is a display case filled with Nintendo products. At the top, you can see hanafuda playing cards, which is what Nintendo was originally formed to create way back in 1889:

I'm guessing this is a majong set, but I'm not really sure:

I think that's a ROB at the top:

The customer service person was pleasant enough and efficient. Instead of repairing the DSs, Nintendo just replaced them with new ones, with a brand new one year warranty on each.

Winter Holiday in Japan: Game, Toy, Anime Edition

I was in Japan for two weeks and I just returned last night. I didn't do much gaming there because I placed more importance on other activities. I did take a lot of pictures and bought a bunch of stuff, though.

This is one of many used goods shops (recycle shops) I visited. The majority of items in these shops are in good condition, even the games. Most of the games, especially for the past two generations, come with boxes and manuals in good condition. This particular shop sells used toys, ...:

Used/vintage games, ...:

As well as many other second-hand items, such as CDs, records, clothing, and random assorted sundries.

I spent some time wandering Akihabara in Tokyo, looking at/for toys and games. Akihabara is one of the major places to go in Tokyo if you are looking for anime, toys, and games (new and vintage). Here are a couple of pictures:

I also went to Shibuya, also in Tokyo. If you've played The World Ends With You, this sight may be familiar:

A Final Fantasy: Dissidia advert at the Shibuya train/metro station:

Konami, known for the Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania, and Silent Hill series of games, also runs a chain of gyms in Japan:

The following was taken in Den Den Town in Osaka. Den Den Town is a section of Osaka where many game, anime, and toy shops are located, kind of like what Akihabara is to Tokyo.

If you've played Mirror's Edge, the next few pictures may be of interest. The Mirror's Edge developers have stated that the nameless city in the game is not modeled after any one particular city, however during my travels in Japan, many urban spaces reminded me so much of the architecture within the game

One of the interesting things about the Japanese games market is how varied the player base is, and consequently the types of games released. This is particularly true for the DS, but the PSP is also marketed as a portable console for all gamers, including women. For example, I found marketing advertising targeted specifically to women, in which the PSP was presented as a friendly and stylish product. On the subway, there were many types of people playing portable consoles. I saw more women playing PSPs in Japan than I think would be the case in the West. Judging by what is played on the subway, the PSP is performing well in Japan. For the DS, you can find games for (left to right) training/exercising your face (it comes with a camera so you can see your face on the DS screen), selecting wines for all types of meals (there is also a bartending/mixed drinks DS game in the same series, both published by EA), and practicing your kanji brush strokes (complete with a 'brush' stylus!):

I'm a huge Studio Ghibli film fan, and one of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Ghibli Museum:

This is a sampling of the goodies I came home with after the trip (there are other purchases I haven't shown such as my modest haul of J-music CDs and yet more Animal Crossing plushies). Click through to the Flickr page for notes about the picture:

The most expensive piece was a boxed, Limited Edition Mother 3 GameBoy Advance Micro:

I haven't played Mother or Earthbound, but my partner is a huge fan, and I have always wanted a GBA Micro, so it all works out. I just have to be extra super careful when I use the Micro.

So there you have it, a pictorial review of the gamer/anime/toy aspects of my holiday. All my pictures from my holiday in Japan are located here.

Mirror's Edge Runner's Bag

Eee! My Mirror's Edge "Runner's Bag Bundle" was waiting for me at my doorstep when I returned home from work. The bundle included the game and a limited edition Timbuk2 messenger bag.

The outside of the bag:

Inside flap:

Inside flap, detail:

Samus Aran Phazon Suit Statue

I don't think Santa Claus exists, because I wrote a very eloquent letter a couple years ago asking for the First 4 Figures limited edition Samus Aran Varia Suit statue, but he didn't come through.

First 4 Figures are at it again, and they've produced this completely awesome limited edition Samus Aran Phazon Suit statue, complete with over 25 internal LED lights and mirror base.

Check it out:

The statue is not available until 2009, is limited to 1 500 pieces worldwide, and comes with a $225 price tag. Yikes.

[Thanks, Twyst, for the tip and for starting my morning off with an internal struggle to stop myself from getting my credit card out. Must. Resist!]

EDIT: Shit. Okay, I pre-ordered it. They won't be charging my card until the statue ships though, which is nice.