Astrosmash

Just came out yesterday and is available on the PS3 network now; the demo lets you play as either the Phillies or the Rays. I downloaded it and I must say, it is STUNNING. I'd heard a lot about the lighting effects in this game, but seeing them in person is really, really impressive - and they've finally got mascots in the game (well, the Phillie Phanatic, at least). Well worth the download. Obviously, being a demo, it doesn't have everything in it yet - still can't use that new mic to record chants or anything - but I guess this is just to whet our appetites before the full version comes out on March 3rd. I can't wait!

Oh yeah - if you check out that ESPN article I linked to, you'll see that this is just the tip of the iceberg; the amount of additions they're making to MLB 09 is SICK. Updates to "Road to the Show" (my fave), 40-man rosters, new stadiums (including the new Yankee Stadium, which isn't even open to the public yet) - they're even including MASCOTS in the game now! Last year's game was the best baseball title I've played in years, but this one may just top it.

I'll admit, I'm not much for online play, and I'm not the Guitar Hero/Rock Band music junkie that some of my friends are. I AM a sucker for updating my sports titles almost every year, though - mainly Madden for football and MLB The Show for baseball - and I saw this little blurb about one of MLB 09's new features that made me a bit giggly: "MLB 09 is about to bring out the crazed fan in all of us as not only can you record your voice screaming anything from "Where's Madonna?" to "we want a pitcher not a belly itcher" and put it in the game thanks to peripherals like the Rock Band mic and wireless headset, the fan yells will sound like your voice actually coming from the stands. You can even assign the recordings to be part of a chant and your voice will be put through a new process so that it sounds more like a crowd chanting "over-rated" and not just a single person yelling." (from this ESPN article: http://sports.espn.go.com/videogames/news/story?id=3775962) I've gotta admit, I DO like the idea of being able to pre-set the game to taunt my friends mercilessly before inviting them over to play (much as they demolish me whenever I foolishly agree to play Guitar Hero III with them). My question is: do I HAVE to purchase a Sony mic to do this kind of thing, or is there a way I can use the Bluetooth from my cell phone to record audio on the PS3? I've never tried hooking up a mic, so I'm not sure how it works.

I also love the white drums, but for me, no online play IS a dealbreaker. Lame - guess I've gotta keep saving up for that PS3 now.

WHAT?!?!? This is the #1 game I've been waiting for on the VC, and now it's not gonna happen?!?! I'm so mad right now, my head just might pull a Hitler.

I dunno - I enjoy it... but then again, I have a roommate to torment.

I would DEFINITELY be interested in a balance board Rabbids game!

Heck with that - I wanna see Intellivision games on there! I know... I'm dreaming.

I absolutely want GTA IV, but it ain't happening 'til I can come up with the obscene amount of cash required to purchase a PS3.

Wow, so many recommendations and no love for Triple Action?!?! That's a must-own; the race car game is terrible, and the tank game is fun, but it's the Biplanes game that makes it totally worthwhile - that game will CONSUME you.

Ooh... portable Intellivision gaming might be just enough to force me to buy a PSP! I would LOVE to have a little 'Smash on the go!