Straight away, you should know that many are calling “Don Bradman Cricket 14” one of the finest cricket-centric video games ever made.  Simply put, it accurately captures many of the elements of the game while also surrounding it with nicely packaged systems that enhance the overall entertainment factor.  For starters, if you don’t know who Don Bradman is, you need only know he’s a legend of the game.  In short, what Babe Ruth is to baseball and Michael Jordan is to Basketball, Don Bradman is to Cricket.  The real question is, does this game live up to his incredible reputation?…

Let’s face it, a lot of motocross titles tend to border on the unrealistic or unbelievable.  Perhaps this is because developers are trying to “jazz up” the action or for other, more technical reasons, but the fact remains that there aren’t really many companies that are making these kinds of games that are also interested in realism.  With the release of MXGP however, that trend is being broken.  You won’t be hitting any massive jumps and performing tricks or triggering explosions here, that sort of arcade flair has been replaced with more believable additions and physics (this is after all,…

Following in the footsteps of titles like “Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island”, “Yoshi’s New Island” for 3DS builds upon well-known and accepted gameplay mechanics.  Many critics have decried its somewhat unoriginal nature, claiming that it’s basically an attempt to rehash shop-worn formulas, but in all actuality it’s but another great installment to explore.  In other words, rather than trying to build a better mousetrap, developer Arzest is simply providing fans with more of what they want. A game that tells the story of a stork delivery gone wrong and the subsequent kidnapping of baby luigi, Yoshi’s New Island adds…

When “Super Mario 64” was initially released, many didn’t know how to take it.  Up until that time, platformers (particularly those featuring Mario) tended to be extremely linear 2D side-scrolling experiences, not open-world fantasies.  Needless to say, Super Mario 64 remains a landmark title, the sort of game that essentially rewrites the rules and setting expectations much higher. Right off the bat, what set SM64 apart was its very thoughtfully-designed 3D design.  As opposed to doing something conventional and well-explored, Nintendo EAD decided to eschew traditional menus altogether, essentially creating a world that was self-contained.  In other words, everything was…

“GoldenEye 007” probably needs no introduction, especially if you gaming in through the late 90’s on up into the early 2000’s.  Quite simply, this wonderful little title actually helped to put Nintendo’s N64 console on the map in many ways.  Almost overnight everyone was raving about how awesome this new bond game was, prompting legions of gamers to run out and purchase their very own console after experiencing it.  Of course now, in hindsight, the game certainly appears to be rather blocky and dated, but that initial appeal is still there and it’s still a hell of a lot of…

With the 8th generation of consoles now officially launched and stretching out into their new role at the top of the heap, 2014 is only now starting to begin taking shape in terms of game releases.  Spring tends to usher in new life, not just in terms of organic flora / fauna, but also within the domain of software and gaming as well.  Likewise, many of the really “big” titles that have long been in the works are being rolled out for pre-order.  Naturally, this is your cue to begin setting aside reservations – preparing for the awesomeness that is…

Turtle Beach is an organization that’s really made a name for itself within the realm of gaming accessories over the course of the last few years.  This is especially true when you look at the various headsets they’ve been steadily releasing.   In fact, the Ear Force XO Seven model that we’re taking a look at here is essentially an upgraded counterpart to another entry from Turtle Beach, the XO Four (which is also a fine piece of gaming equipment).   Truth be told however, the XO Seven is truly of an entirely different caliber – suitable for everything from professional tournament…

Nintendo EAD Tokyo & 1-UP Studio’s “Super Mario 3D World” is pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted in a Mario title.  First off, it artfully blends together the trademark overhead 2D gameplay you find throughout recent series releases with some abstract 3D designs.  The result is a game that looks, plays and responds like you’d expect a truly classic platformer to.  It’s basically the sort of game that can transport you back to a simpler time in gaming without sacrificing modern visuals, of course. If you’re already familiar with the way Super Mario 3D Land worked then 3D world is…

The highly-entertaining and often hilarious Sims series has long been a fixture of PC gaming thanks to its extremely addictive strategy-based gameplay and comic visuals.  Luckily of course, the game’s developers Maxis / The Sims Studio aren’t attempting to reinvent the wheel, as they say.  The winning formula which they’ve worked so hard to develop leading up to the release of The Sims 3 is merely being cultivated with this upcoming release in order to produce an even more engrossing nonlinear experience. The Sims 4 is bringing new things to the table, as it were, including even more lifelike sims…

In short, Dong Nguyen’s “Flappy Bird” is a no-frills mobile game which provides exactly the sort of experience it advertises.  You control the side-scrolling movement of a somewhat clunky “Flappy” bird, the ever-present goal being to avoid steering your fowl into any of the green pipes which are located above of below.  That just about sums it up right there, no additional elaboration required.  Having said that, there is actually a subtle element which adds another layer of depth to “Flappy Bird” – it can be quite addictive. Traditionally speaking, when you think about 2-D platformers (especially those featuring lower-bit…

Sony and Microsoft have really become quite the competitors.  While the Nintendo empire is always a threat (and always seemingly popular with a certain demographic), it is the animosity between the PlayStation and Xbox franchises which most seem to be more interested in.  Naturally, it’s more or less an issue of which box has the most power and features (while remaining sturdy enough to handle the sort of routine abuse that consumers might throw at it). However, the real question is “what about the software and games?”    In short, the PS4 and the Xbox ONE are both soon going to…

When you first lay eyes on “Banished” it’s easy to simply think that it’s just another strategy / sim title which involves building cities – nothing particularly new, in other words.  Of course if you did this then you would seriously be short-selling this wonderfully inventive and rustically-styled game.  You essentially act as some sort of omnipresent guide whose goal is to make sure that a burgeoning settlement of outcasts is able to grow and thrive.  Think of it as a spin on a familiar theme – a kind of sim city-meets-Elder Scrolls-type affair, where you’re treated to a RTS…

Business simulator games clearly aren’t meant for everyone, but if you can appreciate the finer points of a game which allows you to effectively control all the various aspects of running something fairly complex, Zoo Tycoon is a pretty enjoyable game.  One of the things which tends to remain rather sparse in a lot of simulator titles is in-depth research.  Yes, there are some which do place you into a situation where you can check on various stats, conditions and projections, but few which offer what ZT can give. Some will delight in every aspect of building a new structure…

In case you haven’t heard, this time around Microsoft is being a little bit more understanding with regards to non-OEM headset users.  As per this story from ITworld, a specialized headset adapter is being rolled out in March (2014) which allows a person to use whatever audio hardware they might already have.  In other words, if you’re mad because you haven’t been able to use your Xbox 360 headset, after purchasing the $25 adapter you will finally be able to do so. Having said that, this essentially means that you can use any pair of headphones that you wish to…

Given the incredible success of “Grand Theft Auto V”, we thought it appropriate to take a track back in time to see where the series got its start.  While GTA III is often seen as being the progenitor of the series, the fact of the matter is that the open-world car-jacking formula actually got its start much earlier.  “Grand Theft Auto” first appeared on the PS1 in 1997, and was created by a DMA Design, which would become Rockstar North.   The game featured a distinctive top-down / overhead viewpoint which perhaps paid homage to some early-period video games such as…

Do you find yourself often bored or on the lookout for something interesting to do in your off time?  Do you own a device which utilizes the iOS mobile operating system, such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod or second-generation Apple TV?  If so, you’re in luck because we have a perfect suggestion for you – download a few quiz apps.  Yeah, yeah…while you might be inclined to think that trivia is tedious or dreary the truth is the following 5 examples will change your mind.  Each one features an interface which is both appealing and easy to navigate along with…

Like its predecessor, “Grand Theft Auto”, “Grand Theft Auto 2” is yet another open world game that’s based on a fixed top-down / bird’s eye view perspective. Similarly, GTA 2 also involves lots of violent activities such as car-jacking, contract killing, and completing missions for select groups (gangs / corrupt corporations). However, unlike the first title in the series, this one saw various elements “toned-down” for the PlayStation version, such as far less bad language and violence. Don’t get the wrong idea though; GTA 2 is still a raucous game that mires you in its stew of cartoon-ish violence. As…

If you’re a PC gamer you are probably already well aware of the insane amount of software that’s out there available to download.  Truthfully, there are so many games on hand that it’s virtually impossible to even give most of them a test run, for lack of time.  Moreover, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to locate those few titles which truly stand-out from the rest, being able to deliver a unique, entertaining or original type of gameplay. Not to worry though, we’ve rounded up several which will certainly tickle your fancy if you’re in the mood for something amusing and altogether…

One of the great things about PC gaming is that there’s a super-abundance of choice out there.  If you’re the type of person that likes 3D gaming, particularly of the open-world variety, then you’re in luck.  We’ve compiled a list of some of the more notable open / semi-open world games of late, many of them also being found on consoles.  It should also be noted that each of the following titles have their own indie modding resources online as well, which you can often access free of charge (for those who are into that).  Alright, let’s quit stalling, here…

When it comes to PC gaming, people often neglect the importance of having a good, quality mouse; with most only purchasing a pro model after having worn out one or more default models.  Needless to say, after playing around with a solid, customizable mouse, especially within the context of playing an interesting game, you’ll begin to see just how much more control you have over things like player movement.  Similarly, if you’re into MMO’s (or MMORPG’s), you might need a mouse that’s capable of storing / executing different types of macros, which will greatly free up your ability to enjoy…

One of the great things about PC games (aside from the fact that they tend to support active modding communities) is that they’re often cheaper than their console counterparts.  In fact, you can actually score some pretty awesome games on Amazon.com for $1 or less. NOTE: Prices don’t include shipping, they are in used condition.  Here are some of our personal favorites… Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Anyone who owns a PC and considers themselves to be a gamer on that particular platform probably already has at least one simulator of “Sim” type of game in their library.   For many it’s probably…

If the following 15 selections are an indication of anything, it’s that 2014 will likely be somewhat memorable for video gamers.  Anyway, without further ado – here are our top (multiplatform) selections for 2014. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One) Serving as an introduction of sorts to (the upcoming) Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, “Ground Zeroes” is going to feature the all-new gameplay concept that’s been devised for the series which includes more open-world mechanics.  Of course “The Phantom Pain” is still going to be (according to series creator H.…

When it comes to gaming with a headset, there are essentially two types of players – those who like the immersive feeling brought on by a direct connection to game audio or those that consider themselves to be of a “professional” caliber, relying on sound to pinpoint enemies and so forth.  Of course you can also use a good, quality headset for other applications as well, be it audio production / editing or other projects involving mixed media / video.  Still, many others might prefer to have some solid headphones on hand, especially if they tend to disturb others with…

“Theme Park World” (aka – “Sim Theme Park” in the US) is a simulation title that focuses on placing gamers in the shoes of a theme park manager / developer.  While that premise might sound somewhat droll, the game is actually quite fun, as it challenges you to think like a business person whose main interest is in creating a really great theme park for guests to enjoy.  As you might expect though, this is easier said than done.  You’ll not only have to research and build these rides and amusements, but you’ll also need to turn a profit if…

For a while now, there has been a date in most gamers diary; the release of Grand Theft Auto V! Grand Theft Auto has improved year on year so it’s no wonder that this is a highly anticipated release. Some people wonder how it could possibly improve, me included! So let’s see what’s new. Detail This game never fails to amaze me at how realistic and detailed the city feels. There are gangs hanging on street corners and police lights highlighting the night sky to give you the sense you are in the poor backstreets. If you head over to…

Battlefield 4 is just one short week away! It’s so close yet so far! My impressions took longer to form than I thought they would, which is my way of saying – I was too busy enjoying the beta and may have forgotten to share my insight right away. Still, for anyone reading, it’s not too late to get an early idea of what’s to come and maybe pre-order the game. The sequel is everything a franchise improvement should be (based on the beta). It didn’t just try to rehash the same things giving off an overwhelming sense of being…

Fans of the Command & Conquer series certainly have something to celebrate as the latest installment is about to be released, sometime this fall, actually.  What’s more, this game will mark something of a return to the franchises roots in terms of gameplay, which is something that will undoubtedly excite more than a few die-hard proponents of its unique strategic action. If you’re completely unfamiliar with C&C, you should know that the series has always been about real-time strategy, placing you at the helm of a range of forces and then lets you figure out a way to achieve your…