This episode I go over my 2012 Golden Cock video game, movie, tv and anime awards.  I review my pick for the best anime of 2012, Space Brothers (currently streaming on Crunchyroll), and go over my New Years resolutions in a timely and relevant fashion.

Videos of interest

Space Brothers

And for good measure, one of my favorite closing songs from Space Brothers

Chris Hatfield and the Barenaked Ladies: "ISS (Is Somebody Singing)"

Drunk Tali



Oh Javik, you're incorrigible.


Blasto 6

Musical Accompaniment

The song played was "We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn.  It's in the public domain and can be found at Archive.org

Promotional consideration

If you want a list of great podcasts to listen to, just go to http://upapaddle.com and look at the links on the right hand column of the site.

Also, check out the band my little brother is in at http://scottbensonband.com.  It's like Evanescence without all those pesky words.  Here's one of their songs:

Contact Info

You can email me at upapaddle@gmail.com, and follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/upapaddle.

Thanks for listening!

This episode I talk about iPads, wannabe iPads posing as controllers, Mr. Feeny, the end of the world and other stuff.

News

Apple released stuff.

Nintendo released stuff too.  And then we ruined it.

George Lucas released Star Wars into Disney's custody.

Nicholas Cage gets "Left Behind".  As I mentioned in this episode, the following clip should be released as "Left Behind".

CONTROVERSY with a capital DORITOS.  Here's the edited Eurogamer article and here's the director's cut.

What I've been playing

Resident Evil 4 HD

Halo 4

Borderlands 2

Unfinished Swan


Papo & Yo


Promotional consideration

Anime Pacific: Boy, I wish they'd take a break from all of their Bible study and release another episode.  Also, family may be keeping them preoccupied.  It's probably mostly the first thing though. 

Musical Accompaniment

Can't Buy Me Love by the Midtown Men. 

Contact Info

Email: upapaddle@gmail.com
Twitter: @upapaddle

Thanks for listening!

In this episode I rant about the Mass Effect 3 Endings and associated iPhone apps.  I also review the ending DLC for Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and Prince of Persia 2008

News

Battle.net hacked. And slashed.

The London 2012 Olympics are over.  As are all the wanton acts of carnal lust going on in the Olympic Village.  I really need to start training for 2016.  I will be the Dressage Champ, as soon as I can acquire a horse.

Silent Hill HD Collection for Xbox not getting patched.  Konami lost the code for it.  Psst!  It's up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A.  

Street Fighter x Tekken Character Pack released.  I can't wait to play as Blanka finally ... so I won't.  If you need me, I'll be playing Super Street Fighter. 

Reviews

Mass Effect 3: Infiltrator (14:00 - 20:24)

This section does include a brief overview of the Mass Effect series.  If you absolutely don't want to be spoiled, don't listen to this segment.

Mass Effect 3: Datapad (20:25 - 25:06)

In this in depth review I ... now buffering ... and the horse he rode in on.  

Prince of Persia: Epilogue (25:07 - 30:47).

Prince of Persia?  More like Prince of Cel-Persia, amirite?

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West: Pigsy's Perfect 10 (30:48 - 35.17).   



I give it a Perfect 7 out of 10.

Mass Effect 3 Endings (35:18 - 49:20). 

Spoilers Ahoy! Partly for ME3 but mostly for The Sixth Sense. Bruce Willis was a Ghostbuster all along...  That would actually have made that movie much better. 

After hearing me whine about the Mass Effect endings you might be wondering why you should still play the game.  Here is the reason: The best easter egg ever!



Contact Info
You can email me at upapaddle@gmail.com and follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/upapaddle

Promotional consideration given to:
Fightbait podcasts
Atomic Trivia War 9000

Musical Accompaniment:
"End of the World" by Great Big Sea

Thanks for listening!

This episode I go over E3 in a timely and relevant fashion.  Here are some timely and relevant videos:

Games I'm looking forward to:

Papo & Yo

Unfinished Swan



Watch Dogs



The Last of Us

Ni no Kuni



Here's a game I'm not looking forward to:
Tomb Raider



Here is the article with the quote I talked about in this episode.  And here is another article that you should definitely read about this game: "On Tomb Raider and Torture".

And for something a little more cheery, here's the Video Game Choir with "Escape from the City"

Promotional Consideration

ThereBeGeeks.com. Here's a link to their show in itunes so that you can rate and review their show (positively).

I'll just put this link to the Up a Paddle podcast right here. Do with it what you will.

Musical Accompaniment

Ultimate Epic Video Game Medley 3rd Strike: Revenge of the Return of the Rise of the Remake of the New Challengers by Insane Ian

Contact Info

Email: upapaddle@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/upapaddle

Thanks for listening!

Comments

So, it's about that time again, that is, time to wildly speculate about the upcoming announcements that will be announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.  I was going to record this in audio form as part of my next episode, but that probably won't be out until after the expo, thus rendering my predictions moot.  An episode is on the way, though, so don't think you are off the hook just yet.  If I have to suffer, so do you.

Anyways, on with the predictating.  First up, Nintendo:

I know that the Wii U will be the focus of Nintendo’s E3 press conference this year but I still have a good feeling about the Wii Vitality Sensor.  This year’s my year.  I’m totally going to use it to test how vital I am if you catch my drift.  Wink emoticon Wink emoticon.  And by that I mean I’m going to use it to test my blood pressure.   I am getting older and high blood pressure does run in my family.

That being said, since the Wii U will go on sale this year, Nintendo will finally announce a release date for the system and a price point.  I’m going to hazard a guess and say the system will be released in November, in time for the Christmas shopping season, and for $299.99 US.   There will be “shortage” of systems at launch that will level out in the coming months.  

We may also get specs for it.  It’s going to be way more powerful than 2 Gamecubes duct taped together.  It will have the mighty power of two Gamecubes and a Wii.  That’s like 4 Gamecubes.  It will be a fierce competitor in the HD console market until next year when the next Sony and Microsoft consoles are released. 

It will not play blu-rays or DVDs as it will have its own proprietary disc format, thus making porting to the system much more costly.  It won’t do a lick of good to stop game piracy, though.

Anyway, I’m assuming that Ninty will have the following games to show:

New Super Mario Bros Wii U 2: New Super Mario Brothers 3 (with Bono).  This will be basically the same game as the Wii iteration, except that 1) you will be able to play as your Mii character and 2) one player will have a gross advantage over the others due to being able to use the Wii U tablet controller.   The advantage being that that tablet having player will be able to play another, better game while everyone else is stuck playing the same old, same old.  Also, there will be a raccoon tail power up.

Metroid/Star Fox fan fiction crossover game.  The current grist in the rumor mill is that there will be a Samus / Fox McCloud teamup game for some reason.  They are both bounty hunters so I guess it works.  I would advise that if Nintendo does go through with this, that they must include Captain Falcon as he too, is a bounty hunter.  As is Boba Fett, but as he is currently preoccupied in the Sarlacc Pit, I’d understand his absence.*

* The expanded universe doesn’t count.  Neither do the prequels nor any scenes added or edited after 1983.  I will allow the following, however:  Star Wars: the Radio Play

Pikmin 3:  Now with PikWomin.  In addition to new colors of pikmin (orange, pink, and periwinkle), we will see Olimar’s family entering the fray.  There will be his wife Peech, his son Tode, and another bastardization of another Mario character’s name, possibly Yoshee or Browser. Who am I kidding, if there is another playable character, it will be a Mii.

Some sort of Wii Sports variant.  I can’t wait to see someone smacking someone upside the head with the tablet controller.  That’s curling for you, which better be one of the sports included in this minigame collection.

Wildcard game: Mario Paint.  Everyone’s favourite “Smurfs: Paint and Play Workshop” ripoff will be announced.   This time you will finally be able to paint on Mario.  This will open up all sorts of creative possibilities but inevitably everyone will draw a penis on his forehead.           

Wildcard Teaser Announcements: Super Smash Bros U and Legend of Zelda U.  Neither game will be past the planning stages yet, let alone have screen shots for them, but they will still get the most press.

Several HD remakes of Gamecube classics will be announced (Luigi’s mansion, etc).   They won’t come out until next year though, if ever.  And Eternal Darkness will not be one of them, no matter how awesome that would be.

Finally for the Wii U, Nintendo will have a sizzle reel of all the PS3 ports and Xbox 360 ports coming later this year.  Darksiders II,  Assasin’s Creed III and probably Grand Theft Auto 5 will all be announced, with tacked on functionality for the tablet to boot.   In particular, Ubisoft will rush a number of ports to the system, Rayman Origins being the main one.

Also, there is the 3DS to consider.  New Super Mario Brothers 2 will be coming out.  In 4D.  The fourth dimension is 2D.  Because I’m pretty sure I’ll be turning off the 3D when I play it.  Hopefully it’s not as bland and generic as the other New Super Mario brother games, but it definitely will be.

There will also be a Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask remake for the Thirds.  Other than that, there’s not going to much fan fare for the 3DS as Nintendo has to focus on getting the Wii U out the door.  And quite frankly, they don’t have any competition in the hand held market to worry about.  Well, except for Apple.  Yeah, they should be extremely worried.  

Microsoft:
Since Microsoft and Sony have officially announced that they are not announcing any new hardware at this E3 convention, both of their press conferences are going to be boring.  As usual. 

Unfortunately, since this is a transition year, there aren’t going to be a lot of surprising announcements coming from either company.   Why waste killer IPs on dying systems when you can use them to sell the next one?  So yeah, we probably won’t be seeing too many new franchises or updates to existing franchises.   This is a shame as we are at the point now where game devs should be comfortable enough with the hardware to crank out some really stellar games.  Case in point:  It was about this time in the PS2’s life cycle that Shadows of the Colossus was released.

Anyway, here are the games I’m expecting to see from Microsoft:

New Gears of War prequel .  This isn’t a prediction as Microsoft has already leaked that this game is on the way.  Yay, I guess?

Dance Central 3: Electric Bugaloo.  Although they won’t do it, Harmonix should release a version of the game with classic pop and rock songs from the 20th century.   I’m guessing it would have a broader appeal as Baby Boomers might not want to dance to Lady Gaga but they may want to do the hustle.

Kinect Adventures 2: Now with Bears.  Or more minigames where you pantomime plugging things up with your extremities.  By which I mean my penis.

Harry Potter Kinect will be showcased.   My favourite level is the one where your character is locked under the staircase.

Sony:

Uncharted Prequel.  If previous games can be taken as precedent, Nathan Drake will somehow be estranged from Elena in the game and will somehow end up back together with her at the end.  This will be slightly more bizarre as this will be a prequel and the characters will not have met yet.  Only slightly, though.  As long as Sully is there to crack wise, I’m good to go.

Infamous 3.  Shocking, I know.

More on the Playstation Battle Royale will be revealed.   I’m guessing it will have a special guest star Scorpion from Mortal Kombat, because making a kid friendly fighting game with Kratos from the God of War series isn’t wrong enough already.

The Last Guardian will be dated, finally.  2015.  Mark your calendars.

And finally, little to nothing will be announced for the Vita.  Perhaps a price cut, but not any good reasons as to why you should buy one.

Other game company announcements:

Activision, taking the path less traveled, will shock the gaming world by showing off Black Ops 2 and possibly even announcing Modern Warfare 4.

Capcom will announce Darkstalkers 4.  And when it comes out next year, no one will buy it.  Partly because the fighting game market is flooded right now (thanks in part to Capcom) but mostly because a super ultra lemon scented edition of the game will be released three months afterwards.

Also, Capcom will announce when you will be able to pay to unlock the remaining characters on Street Fighter x Tekken from the disc you already bought.  Because I’m stupid.  I mean, you’re the stupid one for buying it.  I totally didn’t get suckered by buying it. No siree.  If I say it enough times, it’ll come true.  

Sega will announce Sonic Generations 2.  This one will ignore what made Sonic Generations so good and will revolve around his friends.   There’ll also be Yakuza 5 and a lot of focus on Mario & Sonic at the London Olympic games (the xbox one will have Kinect support).  And there won’t be any more Valkyria Chronices news.  What they should announce, but won’t, would be a Valkyria Chronicles 2 & 3 HD collection for the PS3.  I’d buy it.  Twice.

Konami will have Metal Gear Rising on display and will drop a teaser for Metal Gear Solid 5.

Bioware will announce Dragon Age 3.  They will also tease a bit about the new Mass Effect 3 ending, which itself will be an advertisement for Mass Effect Online.  There will be three playable factions in that game: Red, Green, and Blue.  Fortunately, it doesn't matter which one you pick as the game will be the same regardless. 

Ubisoft will announce a ton of ports for the Wii U, none of which will be good.  They’ll even manage to screw up porting Rayman Origins and that game is amazing.  Also, Beyond Good and Evil 2 will not be at the show.

Theres really only one game  I’m looking forward to Quantum Conundrum (by Valve) as it looks to be the spiritual sequel to the Portal Franchise.  I hope this one has cupcakes that are half truths.

Anyway, those are all the predictions I have for now.  If I can think of any more, I'll update them here.  Probably after the convention so that it will appear that I'm a regular Nostradamus.  As opposed to an unleaded one, I guess.  Anyway,  talk to you guys later.

In this episode I discuss DLC woes and pandas.  Full show notes can be unlocked by buying this dlc unlock key: Click here to purchase the DLC Unlock Key.

That key can be used to unlock the full episode found here by right clicking and "Saving As": Download Episode 107.

Contact Information
You can email me at upapaddle@gmail.com or tweet me at http://twitter.com/upapaddle.

Promotional Consideration given to:
The Starlight Megaphones Ahoy Podcast: http://lusipurr.com
Anime Pacific: http://animepacific.blogspot.com
Eeepers Choice: http://eeeperschoice.com

Musical Accompaniment
"Till the Money Comes" by Jonathan Coulton"

Thanks for listening!

In this timely and relevant episode, I go over my New Years resolutions and review Interstella 5555: Story of the Secret Star System.  I also talk about censorship, non-announcements and more.

News
- Internet Blackout Day was a thing
- The PS4 isn't a thing (yet)
- Bandai doing their own domestic publishing isn't a thing anymore
- Funimation and Section 23 are having a thing
- Dear God, why is this a thing?

Also, here is the going price list for licensing some anime. 

Review
Interstella 5555: 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem

Here are the videos as promised:
One more time

Digital Love

Harder Better Faster Stronger

Contact Info
You can email me at upapaddle@gmail.com and follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/upapaddle
Promotional consideration given to:
Eeepers Choice: http://eeeperschoice.com
Animentors: http://themented.com
Anime Pacific: http://animepacific.blogspot.com

Musical Accompaniment:
Stefano Prada - Forever Young (Makrolon Remix) by Makrolon

Thanks for Listening!

This episode I catch up on the geek news from the past two months and I also review the movie no one was demanding a review for, The Smurfs: In 3D.  It's more of an overview, really. 

News
Steve Jobs and Dennis Ritchie RIP

Nintendo 3DS right thumbstick attachment announced.  Also announced, a game that will use said thumbstick.  The game is scheduled to come out in 2017. 

Back to the Future, Part II: The Shoes sold on eBay for charity (Parkinson's research).  They're all sold out, so if you want some, you'll need a Delorean, which you could then trade for the shoes.  Also, apparently the shoes only have a battery live of 4 hours, and not 6 as reported by me.  To distract you from my mistake, enjoy this commercial:



Arrested Development movie no longer in arrested development.

Simpsons voice cast almost make one of my dreams come true.

Funimation and NicoNico.com to form Voltron, I mean Funico. 

Shonen Jump Alpha re-invents the way you read manga.  With your eyes.

Speaking of eyes, this next picture is for the Smurfettes out there.  Please enjoy this picture of me "cosplaying" as the smurf from the 1982 classic Colecovision game, "Smurfs: Rescue In Gargamel's Castle" (picket fence not shown). 



Review
Smurfs: The Movie

I'm not going to link to the trailer, because if you've listened to my latest episode, you've already been through enough.  Instead, enjoy this much less traumatic video with our little blue buddies, the Smurfs:



Contact Information
If you are so inclined, you can email me at upapaddle@gmail.com, follow me at http://twitter.com/upapaddle or go to plus.google.com and add upapaddle to one of your circles.  No rhombuses, though.  I draw the line at rhombuses.

Promotional Consideration
The promo played was for Eeepers Choice podcast.  Eeeper has been prolific with episode releases lately.  Well, compared to some people, me.  He's even promised a new episode of the I Heart Sign the 80s podcast.  I'm looking forward to that, since I'm from the 80s.  I hope it's about the Smurfs. 

Musical Accompaniment
The song played was Gargamel by Swing Ding Amigos

Thanks for listening!

This episode I talk about E3, Marvel vs Capcom 3, the Nintendo 3DS and other things that come in threes.  I also regale you with tales of my Florida vacation and talk about the Florida Anime Experience. 

News
3DS Price slashed by $80.  Now you'll be able to afford all those 3DS games that don't exist and have probably been cancelled.  Like Megaman Legends 3.  I am looking so foward to not being able to buy that one ever.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 announced.   You should probably hold out for Ulitmate Marvel vs Capcom 3 Arcade Edition Turbo Hyper Fighting + Jazz Hands edition.  I still haven't forgiven Marvel for Spider-man 3.  Putting Nightcrawler into the game would help to put them back in my good books. 

Review
Ok, I didn't actually review anything this time.  I did talk about my Orlando vacation, and memorable rides from Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios.  Pretty much everything I missed out on the last time I went (Episode 38 - Don't listen to it).  I also talk about going to the Florida Anime Experience, a con that made its debut this year.

Here's the clip from the Disneyland 35th Anniversary Special that warped my fragile sensibilities when I was but a lad:

Promotional Consideration Given To:
The Starlight Megaphones Ahoy Podcast: This is the new home of Jake the Root Beer King, where he talks about everything but RPGs.  Be forewarned.  If you listen to this podcast for an extended period of time, you will become a writer for Lusipurr.com.

The Anime Pacific Experience: This is still the home of Dane and Alex, I think.  But they haven't updated their site in over a month.  What kind of a jerk does that?

Musical Accompaniment:
Blisters by Creature Republic

Contact Info
Email: upapaddle@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/upapaddle
Google Plus: Search for upapaddle@gmail.com

If you like what you heard, or detested it with hate of a thousand suns (suns are bitter, bitter stars), leave me a review on iTunes.  I'll return the favor, as only podcasters listen to other podcasters. 

Thanks for listening!

This episode I talk about various bits of old news (so exciting) and review (kind of) the Secret of Kells. 

News

Japan Earthquake - Donations are still being accepted by Red Cross

Osamu Dezaki has passed away.  RIP. 

Apple iPad 2 released - but it still doesn't taste like apples.

Duke Nukem Forever delayed, again - Game devs apparently still chewing their last pieces of gum.  

Nintendo 3DS released - The third dimension is boring.  Now when the Nintendo 5DS is released, then we'll be playing with power. 

Sony hacked - Again and again.

Futurama renewed for two more seasons.  So was Venture Bros

Sgt Frog Season 3 licensed.  So was Revolutionary Girl Utena

Odd video

The cat with hands.  It's disturbing, to say the least.

Review

The Secret of Kells

I'd tell you what the secret is, but then it wouldn't be a secret.  Ok, I'll tell you.  Hearts, Stars, and Horseshoes, Clovers, and Blue Moons, Pots of Gold, and Rainbows, and me Red Balloons!

Contact Information

Email: upapaddle@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/upapaddle

Promotional Consideration

Eeeper's Choice -  I know Eeeper and Oni are taking a podsabattical right now, but for some reason I felt compelled to play their promo. 

Lather's Blather - Lather has a new site for his blather.  Check him out at http://lathersblather.com.  Also, check out HRH the Root Beer King at http://lusipurr.com

Musical Accompaniment

Ordinary Day by Great Big Sea.  I suppose it would have been more appropriate to play "End of the World as We Know It" given that the Rapture happpened today, but ah well.

Thanks for listening!