Merry Christmas! The party's a little late this year, but that's alright. I'm your host..

Travo!

This year, we'll have a seafood feast with shrimp kabobs.

An oyster roast..

And a southern favorite, a Low Country Boil.

Doesn't it look delicious? Mmmmm.

Let's add a little beer to wash it all down with..

Ah, that's better.

Ah, glad you could make it!

We all have something to celebrate even if times are tough. I've had one crazy year, with some highs, and lots of lows. But now, during the Christmas season, I'm gonna remember the good things in life. I'm glad to get 2012 out of the way and am certainly looking forward to the upcoming year and the arrival of my baby girl in April.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone. Glad you can make it. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and I just want you to know that you are all the jolliest bunch of **** this side of the nuthouse.

Merrry Christmas!

I created a new thread dedicated to the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises. I'm trying to pack it with as much info., photos and videos about the movie as I possibly can. Check out if you're interested. All spoilers should be marked as so.

I just got into 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R. R. Martin and I have to admit they are excellent. I've heard about the series for years, many users claimed they were a favorite book series of theirs. I kept telling myself that I would get around to reading them one day. Of course, it took hype from the HBO show before I would really consider actually buying a book and it was a wise decision. I'm currently near the ned of the second book and am sure I'll dive right into the third. How good is this series? I've haven't touched a videogame in weeks, which is quite an accomplishment for me. I'm not sure if these will end up becoming my favorite book series, but I suspect they will be near the top. If you haven't watched the HBO show...don't till after you've read the books. It's so much richer that way.

So, what are you reading lately?

Let's see if this works.

Real Mario

Did I do it right? Now, let's see if I can post an image.

I did it! Cheers!

I'm thirsty, you?

I named mine.

http://thevgpress.com/#!/do/seeComment.php?externalID=2129&commentType=4&date=1334234896&id=133783

Feel free to join us at the VGPress where we talk about games, movies and ...ahem..vasectomies. You know, the important things in life. We even have weekly podcasts with Aspro and Tom Towers plus a slew of guests.

Merry Christmas to all! Let's party. I'm your gracious host...

Travo!

Now let's take this party outside this year. It's been very warm for a December, so why not? Since this party is now an outdoor party so we need a bonfire.

How about these guys singing Christmas tunes for us?

They make take requests for Kumbaya.

How about some Marshmallows and hotdogs for roasting? Roasted weenies?

Plus regular Christmas food as well

And let's not forget the Christmas sprits to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Oh, I meant these spirits..

But I won't be so quick to kick her out.

Anyway, enjoy the party and join me on the dance floor. There are free refills for everyone, so have a Merry Christmas!

Plenty of time has passed during this generation and all of us have had plenty of time to try out all three of this gen's consoles.Now, what's the verdict? Which is the best?How does the controller feel?Are the exclusive games worth it?Do the visuals pass muster?Online capability?

I'm giving out letter grades here, college style: A (4.0), B+ (3.5), B(3.0), C+ (2.5), C (2.0), D+ (1.5), D(1.0), F (0.0 Didn't think we needed a half point if they failed)

Nintendo Wii

Controller-The minute I got ahold of the Wii controller, I was in love.I love the design of it, the seperate nuchuk and remote, the ability to fight in Zelda using actual motions.It was perfect.Then I tried Wii Sports and was in heaven.It was 1:1 control, but it was still fun.I love how it turned game control on it's ear.If I needed a steering wheel, I just turn it horizontally.If I need a gun, I just aimed it at the screen.It simply felt revolutionary.

Of course, after a year, the honeymoon was over.There were too many games that had tacked on motion controls.The motion seemed imprecise at times.A lot of developers weren't really taking advantage of the motion controller, only Nintendo, it seemed.It was also unfortunate that you needed other attachments to play games...Wii balance board, classic controller.We even had to add another attachment for true 1:1 motion control.All of these things can add up, price-wise.Not to mention the clutter.

In the end, the good outweighed the bad.A part of me is sad to see Nintendo pretty much abandon motion controls for next gen. because it seemed so revolutionary.Controller grade- B+

Interface/visuals-Yeah, it's true, Wii graphics are not next gen.But in 2006,I was still impressed by what I saw.Nintendo was bringing out the big guns and, boy, did they look impressive.It would be difficult to find any flaws in Metroid Prime 3 and Super Mario Galaxy.Over time, the divide between Wii's visuals and others got wider.If you owned an HDTV, things got worse.Maybe it's all in the timing for me since I didn't start gaming with an HDTV till this year, butit's certainly a turnoff now.If I had a choice between getting a multiplatform game on the Wii or on another console, I would probably choose the other because of the downgraded visuals.

The Wii channels were brilliant, easy to navigate and easy to use. I loved arranging my VC games by order of preference.The Mario games were all on the first page. Mii's were also a work of genius.Remember all the time you used to spend creating the different, celebrity Miis?Using Miis also elevate some of the mediocre shovelware that the wii received.C+

Online- The online aspect started out slowly, but great.We were getting some awesome Virtual Console games, three a week.Smash Bros and Mario Kart were perfect for online.I spent countless hours playing Brawl against online opponents.Then Nintendo just completely dropped the ball here.What happened?

Uhhh...I didn't like Nintendo's approach to online gaming at all.Friend codes, again? Seriously?Didn't I just enter a code already to be friends with someone, now I've gotta do it again to play Animal Crossing with them?And the microphone?A glorified baby monitor?Plus, where did the VC games go?D+

Exclusives-This is where Nintendo will always shine brightest and they certainly pulled out all the stops here.During the Wii's lifetime, we got TWO incredible Mario games, one 2D Mario platformer, two Zeldas, another AAA Metroid Prime a 2D Metroid platformer, a Donkey Kong Country revival, Punchout, Wii Sports...It's amazing all the exclusives we've seen, so a grade of A

Overrall-The Wii started out strong out of the gate, but is now limping to the finish line. Where are the games for us Americans?Online didn't turn out like it should and had a very archaic system for onliner play.

But we can't forget the Mii's, exclusive Nintendo games, revolutionary controller and the huge number of Virtual Console games that were released.

Overral grade- B

Wii Valedictorian- Super Mario Galaxy

Yesterday, I got 1000/1000 score from L.A. Noire. I honestly don't know what possessed me to go for it, it wasn't that great of a game. I guess once I found all of the cars I knew I should go for it. So I five-starred all the missions and found the last five locations. It was certainly a flawed game, like how you could only perform certain actions such as firing a warning shot only during certain parts of the game. You could also nearly fail the questioning and still have enough proof to accuse someone. That's not to say it didn't have a lt of fun parts, but it was frustrating at times. I really wished I had gotten it for the PS3 now since it was only one disc and that would've have been my first platinum trophy.

End the end, I would probably score it about a 9.

Two years ago tomorrow, I was sitting on the couch typing this blog. Baby J. is no longer a baby, he's just J. Well, to avoid confusion, I'll call him Little J on here. He's doing very well, very mischievious and somewhat defiant. That little personality of his is coming out. Of course we'll celebrate tomorrow with a "Buzz, Buzz" theme (Toy Story), his favorite. If we go a day without a viewing of "Buzz" then look out.

I thought I was stuck in purgatory for a while. I was stuck on 99% on my previous level for about four days and thought that maybe I had this odd Gamespot gltich that would keep me there forever. For those that don't know, level 63, aka Big Smoke, takes a long time to get through. I started that level on August 4 of last year and just completed it yesterday. Easter Egg takes even longer to get through, but at least I made it through one of the dreaded levels.

Yesterday was my Gamespot anniversary and I completely forgot. What do you do when you forget your anniversary? Bring roses? Chocolates? Promise to post more? Lately, I haven't been here that much. It just hasn't been the same. Sure, I stop by pretty much everyday, but mostly as a lurker.Work and real life have taken over.GGD is kinda a wasteland at the moment and OT has lost a lot of good users. Users who've moved on, sometimes by choice, sometimes not. Unfortunately, other good users seem to have gone through a personality change of sorts. It's disheartening to see guys and gals who I used to love talking to become rather trollish in nature. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I didn't notice till I put onmy mod goggles.

So what do you do when your first love has changed? Well, I strayed. I've been posting more and more on another site, one with current and former Gamespot users. No, no one there has been banned from Gamespot, just moved on. It's a very small community, one made of guys I wouldn't hesitate to call friends. I think there is a place in my heart for both sites.

One day I will return to posting on a regular basis. The community is still good, just off at the moment. Plus there are a few old timers who are fun to talk to and I would dearly miss. Hears to a bright futureahead and possibly another eight years!

Hey again. Tax season is upon us and we usually spend our returns on home improvements every year. One year it was a new counter, another was for a new water heater. A couple of years ago, it was for a new trim and columns covering around the house. This year, I told the wife that we should spend it on a couple of indulgences. We got a new king-sized bed and willl probably give my son our bed that we are currently using. As a part of the deal for buying the bed, we're getting a new HDTV which I'll hook up the PS3 that I plan to get tomorrow. Yeah, we went a little crazy. I promised myself that I would pay off some bills and other debts, then buy everything else with what was left over. It worked out really well in the end. I am excited to check out the new console tomorrow.

On a more personal note, I want to send best wishes to a very good Gamespot friend of mine. He is an awesome contributor to this site as well as others. I learned that he was in an accident this past weekend and I want to wish him a very speedy recovery. Out of respect for his privacy, I don't wanna say his username, but if he is reading, I hope he knows that there are several of us wishing for him to get well soon. Here's to a speedy recovery! I hope to see you on LIVE or PSN in a couple of days.

I'm sure you all have experienced a time when you had your heart set on doing something, then when the time came, your plans had to change. My family had plans to go to Gatlinburg Tennessee this weekend. It's become a traditon of sorts. We've stayed in a nice rental, explored the town, which is quite nice, and even done some fun things at the Ski Resort, Ober Gatlinburg. It really is a cozy, wintry type town and the snow would've been an added bonus.

This year, I haz no monies. With furloughs, my bank account has been a little smaller than normal this school year. My parents and my sister's family are down there now and I'm a little jealous. I don't think I would feel so bad but I've been at home for the last ten days doing absolutely nothing thanks to the snow days. Cabin fever has really set in. On Friday, we actually decided to go, money to spend or not, but my family had already reserved a room with two bedrooms. The wife and I decided we couldn't just sleep in the living room with our toddler. It wouldn't have been good nor fair for him.

So here I am, wishing my life away. :p Well, not really.

2011 is upon us and I'm kinda indifferent about it. I not big on celebrating New Years. I think My mom, the wife and I are gonna see True Grit tonight and then go to my sisters. She is supposed to be having a Wii party tonight with a bunch of friends.

I'm glad to see BTaylor return to Gamespot. I hope everything is alright on the homefront and we'll see more of him in the near future. But I'm alsosaddened to see dave12332, a great user, leave. I wish him the best and maybe he'll return to visit us one day.

I've never done this before but here is my favorite games of 2010. These are only my completed games so some are missing from the list like Goldeneye, LIMBO and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

1.(GOTY) Red Dead Redemption. A Rockstar game that perfects the sandbox concept. Great story, great visuals, great gameplay and characters that we come to care for and love.I've have never seen a game with backdrops as amazing as this one.I've probably spent over 70 hours in this game and I just downloaded the Undead Nightmare pack, so I'm sure there's another thirty to put into it.You know one of the things I loved the most?How near the end, the missions kinda slow down to a crawl.They're almost like tutorial missions instead of the big explosive ones that we usually see near the end of the GTA games.They give you time to apreciate the relationship between John and his son, making the ending so much richer.And what an ending!I certainly don't want to spoil it, but I never felt so satisfied when the credits rolled.It's just a perfect game.

2.(Tie) Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Donkey Kong Country Returns.As easy as it was to figure what my number one is, it was equally as difficult to decide which games get the number 2 spot.Both of these are platforming greatness, one in 2D, one in 3D. I honestly cannot decide which I loved more.I''ve spent twenty to thirty hours with both of these and know that I want to revisit both over and over again.Two sequels that revitalize their series with a huge shot of adrenaline.

4.Mass Effect 2.I actually loved how this became more action oriented.I love returning to this universe and seeing how much has changed, how some things will never change and how one little choice can change the course of things.I'm eagerly awaiting the return of Commander Shepherd.

5.Metroid: Other M.Other M is truly a Metroid game through and through.Congrats to Team Ninja.I would probably rank it higher but sometimes the controls seemed a little clumsy, but otherwise, sheer perfection.

6. Splinter Cell: Conviction.I wished I still owned this game when Leo did because the multiplayer rocks.I breezed through the single player in about eight hours, but the meat of this game is the multiplayer modes, the many, many multiplayer modes. I hate playing with strangers, but with SC, I didn't really mind.

7.Bioshock 2.I enjoyed it a lot, but it neither improved or degressed from the original.It's just there, more as an expansion.

8. Alan Wake.I love the Stephen King feeling that this game has.I'm lukewarm on the gameplay though.I'm not sure I would call this game a disappointment because I'm not sure what I was expecting from this game.I still enjoyed the experience, it just didn't grab me and pull me in.

9.Epic Kirby. This game is fun, it's inventive, it has tons a secrets, and wonderful music.The epitome of a Nintendo game.So what's the problem?There is no challenge. It was fun to play through, but I guess I need a challenge, some difficulty to fully enjoy this.

Anyway, I think I want to host another gaming night soon. Maybe the Undead Nightmare pack or Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Anyone up for that?

Did I do this right?

Clue 1: Van Nguyen
Clue 2: Jody Robinson
Clue 3: Guy Cocker
Clue 4: Matthew Gravish
Clue 5: Chris Watters
Clue 6: Kevin VanOrd
Clue 7: Aaron Sampson
Clue 8: Alex Sassoon Coby
Clue 9: Wernher Goff
Clue 10: Jan Heir
Clue 11: Randolph Ramsay
Clue 12: Andrew Park
Clue 13: Mark Walton
Clue 14: Justin Calvert
Clue 15: Sophia Tong
Clue 16: Kurtis Seid
Clue 17: Giancarlo Varanini
Clue 18: Justin Porter
Clue 19: Ryan McDonald
Clue 20: Tyler Winegarner
Clue 21: Maxwell McGee
Clue 22: James Kozanecki
Clue 23: Frank Adams
Clue 24: Sarju Shah
Clue 25: Shaun McInnis
Clue 26: Ricardo Torres
Clue 27: Tom Magrino
Clue 28: Dan Chiappini
Clue 29: Homer Rabara
Clue 30: Takeshi Hiraoka
Clue 31: Tor Thorsen
Clue 32: Jim Maybury
Clue 33: Carolyn Petit
Clue 34: Tom McShea
Clue 35: Dan Mihoerck
Clue 36: Jane Douglas
Clue 37: Brendan Sinclair
Clue 38: Laura Parker

Ok, Travo here...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas by hosting another party for you. There's plenty of beers, music, dancing, food and

girls(somewhere). So place your coats on the bed and don't stick to the corners and pretend that you're shy. Let's mingle.

I thought I would treat you all to rack of lamb this year.

How about some snacks?

Plus some refreshment.

Sweet Tea! It doesn't get any better than that...

Well, beer is nice as well.

Let's swing......dance that is.

I actually broughtsome music this year. So baby, please stay.

Hope about some jazzy Christmas tunes?

For some of my favorite OTers.

Alright, I hope you enjoy the party. Please feel free to mingle with the others and if you have any Christmas tunes in mind then just let me know. If you can't stay but a minute, that's fine. We're all busy this holiday season.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy the party!

I can't believe we are in the Christmas season. Where has 2010 gone?

We are planning a trip to Fort Meyers, Florida a week before Christmas to see my wife's grandmother. It's a twelve hour drive and we plan to drive it through the night while baby J is asleep. It shouldn't be that hard with three of us taking turns driving. Has anyone ever been through that town before?

It's time for me to finish some of the games in my backlog. I've never had trouble finishing a game before purchasing another one, but now there's just too many ways to game. I'm glad that there is nothing interesting to buy until mid November. Here are the games that I need to complete:

Prince of Persia (2010)

Just Cause 2

The Ballad of Gay Tony

LIMBO

Banjo-Kazzoie (360) Finished the 64 vertsion years ago.

Perfect Dark (360) I also fionished this on the N64.

Half-Life: Episodes 1 and 2

Portal

Maybe I can finish some of these before Donkey Kong and Epic Mickey arrive.