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www.digitalchumps.com/
Louisville, Kentucky
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Videogames!
DigitalChumps.com
Louisville
KY
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12/02/2008 20:56:46Re:-- OSNMR General News and Updates --OSNMR Internet Radio557
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12/02/2008 09:28:55Re:Favorite Games of All Time?Everything Else Gaming1819
12/01/2008 20:02:52Re:Favorite Games of All Time?Everything Else Gaming1819
11/07/2008 14:07:50Re:-- OSNMR General News and Updates --OSNMR Internet Radio557
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My Reviews

48 results - showing 1 - 10 View all reviews
 
The Shawshank Redemption
Blu-Ray
 

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
The Shawshank Redemption speaks to us all in a common language. It tells a story of unshakable hope and enduring friendship in such powerful fashion that at times it almost seems spiritual. For all its markedly bleak moments, the film’s foundational theme of self-empowerment is so radiant that it manages to emerge an inspirational triumph. Wonderfully scripted and masterfully executed, it undoubtedly stands among the true classics of our time—and, arguably, in all of film history. The Blu-ray transfer of the film is all the more captivating than its comparatively blurry DVD counterpart, even if the picture quality can’t rival that of most modern juggernauts. And while the selection of special features hasn’t seen the meticulous attention that a film of this stature probably deserves, this is one disc that is worth the price of admission for simply owning the film alone.

Movies

The Film/Show A modern masterpiece by all facets of the term. Nearly unmatched in its sense of emotion and self-evidence, it should be experienced by all filmgoers and DVD collectors.
Presentation While the 1.85:1 widescreen presentation is soft on visual acuity and merely adequate in the realm of audio, Shawshank’s atmosphere is still strongly pronounced in its Blu-ray form. Menus can be somewhat difficult to navigate, though it’s a small nitpick. The Warner collectors’ book format is a nice touch.
Extra Features Almost nothing has changed since the film’s 2004 DVD special edition, but the existing features are still appealing in spite of their standard-def presentation. The aspect of value has to be taken into account here as well; the price point is quite reasonable for what is being offered, even if it isn’t state-of-the-art.
Overall rating:
 
 9.0
The Film/Show:
 
 10.0
Presentation:
 
 8.0
Extra Features:
 
 8.0
Tilt:
 
 10.0
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November 18, 2008
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Last updated: November 18, 2008
 
Namco Museum Virtual Arcade
360
 

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Everyone loves a little classic gaming, and with Namco Museum Virtual Arcade, you get more than just a little. With 34 games in all, it’s easy to forgive the ten or twelve that are merely throwaway material; and while they’ve been released time and time again over the years, this is by far the largest and most affordably-priced collection of Namco arcade titles to date. At least a dozen of the games are classics, pure and simple, and some of the more intricate among the collection can provide hours of fun—or, in the case of nine of the games, even heated online competition via the Xbox Live! leaderboards. If you ask me, old-school gamers have never seen a better compilation from Namco.

Videogames

Gameplay While it really isn’t the game’s fault, the Xbox controller is just too imprecise for some of these titles. Most of the games themselves are quite good, with several timeless standouts among the pack. Several others, meanwhile, might as well have been cut, but someone out there is bound to appreciate their inclusion.
Presentation It’s basic, and the XBLA installation sequence is certainly confusing, but once you get the hang of it, it succeeds at getting you from A to B. Apart from the menu system, the game’s presentation succeeds where it counts—the games all play as well as they did on their original hardware.
Value $30 for 34 games, several of which were originally sold for $5 – $10 apiece on Xbox Live!, is a great deal no matter how you slice it.
Fun Factor A mixed bag, with some of the games truly awful and others endlessly addicting. Overall, if you’re into classic arcade gaming, you’ll find plenty to like here. For bonus points, pick up a good arcade joystick and play them the way they were intended.
Overall rating:
 
 7.8
Gameplay:
 
 7.0
Presentation:
 
 6.0
Value :
 
 9.0
Fun Factor:
 
 8.0
Tilt:
 
 9.0
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November 16, 2008
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The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2
DVDs
 

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 is a thoroughly pedestrian romantic comedy that is likely to please fans of the series and few else. If you fit into that category, the DVD can provide you with the essentials… but don’t expect any award-winning extra content either. It’s a barebones release of an average film, and that’s about it.

Movies

The Film/Show Nothing special for certain, but it gets the job done. Sure, it’s predictable, and yeah, it’s sappy, but if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll enjoy this estrogen-charged popcorn flick.
Presentation The video transfer is good, with no visible artifacts and accurate color. Audio is equally adequate. Menus are simplistic, but then again, there isn’t much else to showcase apart from the film itself.
Extra Features The DVD includes literally sixteen minutes of special features divided into three different featurettes… that’s it. It’s as thin as it comes and what’s included really isn’t all that compelling. You also get an obligatory digital copy of the film, but it must be downloaded first.
Overall rating:
 
 5.5
The Film/Show:
 
 6.0
Presentation:
 
 7.0
Extra Features:
 
 4.0
Tilt:
 
 5.0
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November 15, 2008
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Last updated: November 15, 2008
 
Animal Crossing: City Folk
Wii
 

21 of 39 people found the following review helpful
6.6 (Average) - If this is your first crack at Animal Crossing, or if you enjoyed the GameCube original and missed out on the DS Wild World, you’ll still find plenty of addicting qualities in City Folk. In spite of some minor gameplay-related regressions, this is in fact the best Animal Crossing to date. The problem is, it receives this blessing purely due to the fact that it successfully combines the better qualities of the first two titles and then lumps more collectible content into the mix—not because it provides any sort of earth-shattering innovation that one might expect from a high-profile, full-price Wii title. Couple that realization with mediocre graphical presentation and recycled musical content and you have something that qualifies, in some regards, as a mere port. The online chat features are great, but the selection of activities is just as thin as ever; and for anyone who’s experienced this before, it’s tough to recommend more of the same. To everyone else: Dive in.

Videogames

Gameplay A solid, yet rapidly staling, core gameplay can’t rescue City Folk from a crippled online infrastructure that had held so much promise. If you’re new to Animal Crossing, you won’t mind the missteps so much… but veterans will cringe in disbelief.
Presentation Dated graphics are lightly polished, but still resemble that of an N64 title. Nearly all of the music, on the other hand, is directly lifted from the Nintendo DS title of three years ago. Inexcusably long load times contribute to the frustration.
Value Tons more collectible content has been added to the mix, with the total number of items now topping 2,400—25% greater than the previous figure. Still, it’s hard not to dream about what could have been had the creative minds at Nintendo approached this project in full force.
Fun Factor It’s hard to deny Animal Crossing its relaxing yet addictive appeal, however aged. Hardcore fans, however, are bound to find the formula tiring.
Overall rating:
 
 6.6
Gameplay:
 
 7.0
Presentation:
 
 5.0
Value :
 
 6.0
Fun Factor:
 
 7.0
Tilt:
 
 8.0
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November 15, 2008
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Last updated: November 18, 2008
 
Mystery Science Theater 3000 20th Anniversary Edition
DVDs
 

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
With every successive release of MST3K on DVD I’m invariably giddy. Even my wife, who began her journey positively apathetic toward the show, has come around to truly appreciate what’s available here. If you still recall the days when Mystery Science Theater 3000 saturated the programming at Comedy Central and even weekend syndicated television, you’ll share this enthusiasm; but even if you’re entirely new to the show, there has never been a better place to start. This is one of the best sets to date, featuring a truly fantastic collection of episodes that rarely loses its charm, as well as some fascinating special features. Pick it up today before the alien dinosaurs arrive and rip through all the remaining supplies.

Movies

The Film/Show Any MSTie will agree that the episodes on this set are not to be missed. Whether you’re a longtime fan or completely new to the concept, you can’t go wrong with nearly anything on this set. The only small gripe is that the laughs subside a bit during the slower-paced and less-poignant First Spaceship on Venus episode, but most people won’t be happy until every last episode is made available. Besides, that’s nothing a little Future War can’t solve!
Presentation The video quality is about as good as it’s going to get coming from the MST3K archive. There’s occasional noise and even some video tracking visible at the bottom of the screen at times, but it’s nothing that truly detracts from the experience. Packaging, on the other hand, is fantastic, with individual slim cases for each disc decorated by personalized hand-drawn art featuring Tom Servo and Crow.
Extra Features Some of the best special features ever to be released on a MST3K set. There’s over two hours of bonus content in total with some great personal contributions from the cast.
Overall rating:
 
 9.0
The Film/Show:
 
 9.0
Presentation:
 
 9.0
Extra Features:
 
 9.0
Tilt:
 
 9.0
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November 13, 2008
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Kirby Super Star Ultra
DS
 

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Kirby Super Star Ultra is a collection of some of the best action Kirby has ever seen. The various sub-games are entirely self-contained, bite-sized experiences, all of which contain some sort of unique gameplay elements to help differentiate them from their brethren. If you were a fan of the original Kirby Super Star, while this version doesn’t add a breathtaking amount of content, it should still warrant consideration. On the other hand, if you’ve never played the original, this ought to be near the top of your list this holiday season. It’s among the best 2-D platforming action/adventure titles to date in spite of its tragically low profile and (apparently) perpetually underrated status. Get it now and thank me later.

Videogames

Gameplay Tight controls and a vast array of different gameplay elements combine to form one of the most compelling (yet overlooked) Nintendo-published 2-D action/platforming titles to date. The bite-sized sub-game design is a very appealing approach that clearly set the stage for the Smash Bros. series.
Presentation Updated sprites and animation probably came from other recent Kirby titles, but they look fabulous nonetheless; everything is vibrant and attractive. Menus and status indicators are logical and unobtrusive. The music is as catchy and inspiring as ever.
Value $30 might sound like a lot for a port, but taken for what it is, this is one heck of a nice package. If you’ve never played the original, this is a must-buy; even if you own the SNES version, however, it’s worth considering revisiting the experience (and a little more) for half the price of the original.
Fun Factor This is where the Kirby games really shine. Regardless of difficulty, brevity, depth, and inevitable pinkness, you’re guaranteed to be enjoying yourself throughout this entire experience. And isn’t that what really counts?
Overall rating:
 
 8.8
Gameplay:
 
 9.0
Presentation:
 
 9.0
Value :
 
 7.0
Fun Factor:
 
 10.0
Tilt:
 
 9.0
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November 10, 2008
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Elf
Blu-Ray
 

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
It might take some time, but I’ll bet we’ll eventually find Elf hanging with the rest of the modern Christmas classics (The Santa Clause, et al). It’s got plenty of child-pleasing appeal woven with a perfectly sufficient amount of charm to provide for adult enjoyment as well. Will Ferrell delivers a charismatic performance as the lovably naïve Buddy, and his world is equally endearing. If you’ve got kids and you’re looking for wholesome laughs with a holiday theme to coax your family onto the couch this season, look no further than Elf.

Movies

The Film/Show Simple enough for kids while still sufficiently clever, Elf features an admirable balance of charm and comedy for a delightful experience.
Presentation Elf’s video transfer is sharp and extremely vivid with lots of pop. Its audio is similarly impressive, sporting a solid 5.1 mix with plenty of impact and clear dialogue.
Extra Features A respectable assortment of extras provides a healthy amount of supplemental entertainment for both kids and adults alike. The Christmas karaoke features notwithstanding, even adults will appreciate the more kid-oriented content, such as the excellent Film School for Kids. Too bad it's all in standard def.
Overall rating:
 
 8.3
The Film/Show:
 
 9.0
Presentation:
 
 9.0
Extra Features:
 
 7.0
Tilt:
 
 8.0
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November 10, 2008
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MySims
PC
 

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
MySims’ PC debut brings some welcomed improvements, such as an expanded database of characters, essences, and furniture pieces, as well as sharper visuals and a new online mode. But overall, the game misses the sweet spot between relaxed social simulation and outright tedium. It’s much too far toward the latter, featuring a neverending list of requests from residents and some truly monotonous collection qualities. That’s too bad, too, because with the level of customization possible in the game, a better motivational structure could have carved MySims a comfortable niche of its own within the budding new genre. As is, it might appeal fleetingly to children, but most adults will find little to enjoy between the cutesy presentation and endless chores.

Videogames

Gameplay Mouse-based movement works well, but there are some wrinkles in the furniture/structure building interface, which is where much of the game takes place.
Presentation Slick, crisp cartoon visuals look much better than their Wii constituents, although obviously the PC has seen better. Still, they fit with the package.
Value There’s more here than in the Wii version, but it all feels quite monotonous, and the collectible content doesn’t compare to even the first iteration of Animal Crossing. Still, the $30 price point is reasonable.
Fun Factor Everything feels just too much like a chore. The game’s characters and environments are charming, but there isn’t enough motivation to make the tasks feel worthwhile.
Overall rating:
 
 6.6
Gameplay:
 
 7.0
Presentation:
 
 8.0
Value :
 
 7.0
Fun Factor:
 
 5.0
Tilt:
 
 6.0
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October 30, 2008
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Looney Tunes: Spotlight Collection, Vol. 6
DVDs
 

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
If you’re into Looney Tunes for the humor—not the history—and you don’t mind missing out on the fantastic supplemental material, this is the way to go. This set is affordably-priced with some truly classic cartoons (most of which inhabit the second disc). If you’re a collector, you might want to consider the absolutely crammed Golden Collection; but if you’re merely a casual fan, add this to your Christmas list. You won’t be disappointed.

Movies

The Film/Show Great stuff for the most part. Some of the shorts are bordering mediocre, but there’s enough high-quality classic material here for the price to warrant a great score.
Presentation As usual, presentation is merely adequate. Video quality is good as most of the shorts have been cleaned up; audio is monaural yet sufficient. The menus are simple but functional.
Extra Features These sets aren’t strong on extras, and they aren’t intended to be. Warner packages eight of the 38 cartoons as “bonus” shorts, though there’s really no difference apart from the fact that they haven’t been cleaned up as much. In terms of overall value, 38 cartoons for the price is hard to argue with—especially when you consider some of the priceless additions found on the second disc.
Overall rating:
 
 8.5
The Film/Show:
 
 9.0
Presentation:
 
 8.0
Extra Features:
 
 7.0
Tilt:
 
 10.0
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October 20, 2008
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Looney Tunes: Golden Collection, Vol. 6
DVDs
 

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
If you’re a serious fan of Looney Tunes new and old, this is a worthwhile addition to your collection—no doubt about it. It’s chocked full of equal parts history and humor with some truly priceless supplemental features and extras. If you’re new to these sets, on the other hand, and you’re like most of us (you’re interested in Looney Tunes not for its profound political and cultural overtones but mostly for its raw humor), you’d be better served to start with one of the earlier volumes, where a greater number of conventionally-praised cartoons reside, and then plan your route through the parallel releases of Spotlight vs. Golden Collections based on your initial impressions of those sets. Regardless of where you begin, however, you owe it to yourself to experience these timeless animated classics somehow.

Movies

The Film/Show Even when they’re valued for their history rather over their humor, there’s still just too many one-and-done half-funny shorts on this set to award it top marks in this category. Contrarily, however, there are also some fabulous selections—most notably on Disc 4.
Presentation Noisy film abounds, but that’s difficult to avoid. Most of these shorts have been cleaned up to satisfaction with the exception of some of the really dated material. Menus are simple yet easily navigable. The audio mix is monaural, but what did you expect?
Extra Features Tons of deeply informative commentary, rare music-only tracks, and a few really priceless features make this a true collector’s set.
Overall rating:
 
 8.0
The Film/Show:
 
 7.0
Presentation:
 
 8.0
Extra Features:
 
 8.0
Tilt:
 
 9.0
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October 16, 2008
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48 results - showing 1 - 10 View all reviews

My Favorites

 
13 results - showing 1 - 10 View all favorites
Editor rating
 
 4.4
User rating
 
 0.0 (0)
 
7 Wonders of the Ancient World Hot
Game Reviews » PSP
Written by Eric Layman     May 26, 2008     Favorites 1
Shifting blocks are to puzzle games as frat boys are to Madden; it's a symbiotic relationship worthy of defining a genre.  Sure, a host of different puzzlers exist that use other means of delivery to tax your brain, but those infinitely descending stones/jewels/tetri often comprise the bulk of puzzle titles. ...
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Age of Booty from Capcom, something to Plunder Hot
E3 Coverage 2008 » Other/MultiPlatform @ E3
Written by Nathaniel Stevens     July 11, 2008     Favorites 1
Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, is pleased to announce that the game formerly known as Plunder is now called Age of Booty. Age of Booty is a casual, real-time multiplayer strategy game that puts players at the helm of their own pirate ship with the goal of sending...
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C&C: Red Alert 3 Exclusive Beta Impressions! Hot
News » Latest
Written by Steve Schardein     July 26, 2008     Favorites 1
Also, don’t miss our Exclusive Interview with the creators of the game! All right C&C fans, we’ve spent quite some time with the Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 beta (arriving sometime Monday reportedly to the first 2,000 people who checked in their Kane’s Wrath offers), and we’ve got great news:...
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Chrono Trigger Revived for Nintendo DS Hot
News » Latest
Written by Steve Schardein     July 02, 2008     Favorites 2
Talk about a week filled with amazing announcements.  First we got Mega Man 9, then it was Diablo III, and now here comes yet another blockbuster on the way: Chrono Trigger Revived for Nintendo DS.Sure, it's just a remake of the original with some added content, but have you any...
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Editor rating
 
 8.4
User rating
 
 0.0 (0)
 
Dr. Mario Online Rx Hot
Game Reviews » Wii
Written by Steve Schardein     May 26, 2008     Favorites 1
When you’ve found a game design that works, sometimes it’s better to simply build on that design rather than constantly reinvent it. Such a conservative approach is especially true for puzzle games, as they’re typically infectious enough as is, and they are extremely resistant to staling. Nintendo’s Dr. Mario Online...
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Exclusive Interview: Command + Conquer: Red Alert 3 Hot
E3 Coverage 2008 » Other/MultiPlatform @ E3
Written by Steve Schardein     July 19, 2008     Favorites 1
Gentlemen, it's a nuclear device Going into the show, my younger brother Greg Schardein and myself were quite excited about the prospect of playing the newest installment in the Command & Conquer: Red Alert series, Red Alert 3. Westwood Studios’ Red Alert 2 has always been at the top of our...
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Editor rating
 
 9.0
User rating
 
 0.0 (0)
 
Mega Man 9 Hot
Game Reviews » Wii
Written by Steve Schardein     September 23, 2008     Favorites 1
You laughed at its box art; now prepare to suffer its revenge.
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Mega Man 9 Pre-E3 Trailer Hot
E3 Coverage 2008 » Other/MultiPlatform @ E3
Written by Steve Schardein     July 12, 2008     Favorites 1
After squinting for a week or so at the exceedingly tiny screen shots and videos of Capcom's newest phenomenon, we've finally got our hands on an all-new, high-quality pre-E3 trailer of the game for you. Free Downloadable version HERE! (Right-Click) Capcom has also provided a few more details about the upcoming title...
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Editor rating
 
 3.0
User rating
 
 0.0 (0)
 
Target: Terror! Hot
Game Reviews » Wii
Written by Steve Schardein     May 09, 2008     Favorites 2
Who doesn’t hate terrorism? In a play to the American masses, Konami takes us on a journey back to the days of Area 51 and Lethal Enforcers with its release of Target: Terror! for the Nintendo Wii. Through the use of the Wii-mote’s pointer technology, the game attempts to recreate...
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The 2008 DigitalChumps E3 Awards Hot
E3 Coverage 2008 » Other/MultiPlatform @ E3
Written by Digital Chumps     August 02, 2008     Favorites 1
I'm pretty sure we're all doing this to have fun, but if I'm wrong about that, it's way too late to stop us from posting this article.  In light of IGN, Gamespot, et al sporting their professional picks for Game of the Show and all that jazz, we thought it...
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13 results - showing 1 - 10 View all favorites
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