Although this news is a few days old now, I figured I would post it anyway. For those unaware, the original Banjo-Kazooie was re-released on Xbox Live Arcade back in November to coincide with the release of Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (I’ll have a review of that up soon). Rare has now announced that Banjo-Tooie will be re-released via Xbox Live Arcade in April, and better still, the incredibly secretive “Stop N’ Swop” feature that was intended for the game’s original release will finally be properly implemented!

For those who aren’t familiar, Stop N’ Swop was a secret feature that was supposed to connect both of the original Banjo titles. It featured seven secret items found in the original game (that could only be unlocked via cheat codes) that included six giant eggs of various colors and a key made of ice (aptly named the Ice Key). The games were originally supposed to join together by swapping (or “swopping”) the game cartridges with the power left on, as the memory would be left intact for a few seconds. But after more updated editions of the N64 were released, the function became impossible to include in the game. They did include a way to unlock some secrets in Banjo-Tooie by defeating Banjo-Kazooie cartridge-shaped enemies, thus “unlocking the Stop N’ Swop items from Banjo-Kazooie”. But that cop out was lackluster at best given how it was originally supposed to join both games in one way or another.

But now with the upcoming release of Banjo-Tooie on Xbox Live Arcade, Stop N’ Swop will finally be realized, and one of gaming’s greatest mysteries will be solved.

Since my Xbox 360 is out for repair I can’t partake in the Resident Evil 5 demo that is available this week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. According to Ars Technica there is also going to be an exclusive xbox 360 bundle that includes among other things red hardware and a red controller. There are also some Resident Evil viral marketing (fitting what with the zombies and all) here http://www.residentevil.com/5/kijuju/.

I just read the recently announced nominees for this year’s Oscar ceremonies, and quite frankly, I feel a bit disgusted. After months and months of talk that a super hero film (The Dark Knight) had the potential to be a serious contender for best picture and Wall-E even had a bit of talk about becoming only the second animated film in history to be nominated, the Academy Awards disappoint (again). Unfortunately, the blatant ignorance of the Academy Awards knows no bounds, and the films in the running for best picture look about the same as they always do. Y’know, I was always under the impression that great storytelling is what made a great movie, but apparently in order to be a great movie the film has to revolve around drug addictions, mental disorders, politics, and anything else that only appeals to a particular crowd (in this case, pretentious snobs who think far too highly of themselves). Read more

It seems like everyone has their own little award ceremonies these days, so I figured I would keep this tradition alive with some awards of my own…the Yammies! I will be naming my personal best in movies, video games and characters of 2008! Who will take home the golden yams? Find out this March!

Keep in mind that this isn’t a “top ten list.” I am too big of a fan of video game music (and video games in general) to be able to make a “top ten” list for video game music. This is simply a list of ten pieces of video game music that I feel are truly great. I hope to do this every now and again to show my admiration for video game music (and in tern, video games). Read more

Today (Jan. 5) is the 68th birthday of animation living legend Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki’s newest film, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, is due for a U.S. release later this year (earlier it was said to be around March or April, but now there is word that it may wait for a Summer release).  Happy Birthday Miyazaki! May he make many more films.

I’ll keep you all (assuming people visit this site) updated on the release plans for Ponyo. Let us hope it will finally get the attention a Miyazaki film deserves in the U.S.

It’s a brand new year and it’s time for some more reviews! For my first review of the year, I choose The Day the Earth stood still. Read more