A few years ago I remember playing Twisted Metal Black.  Until now they haven’t released another Twisted Metal title.  Avvailable only on the PS3 drivers will pit themselves against characters like Sweet Tooth, and many others.  There will be 7 different game modes, 7 sets of weapons, and spread out over 8 levels.

Calypso’s Twisted Chaos Continues…

High up in his penthouse office, a mysterious lunatic holds the infamous Twisted Metal tournament every year. Who is he? Calypso. And his thirst for chaos and destruction can only be quenched with death.

Contestants for Calypso’s Twisted Metal tournament are selected from all over the world to compete for the ultimate prize: Survival. Behind the wheel of the most twisted vehicles imaginable, contestants battle to the death until one, lone victor remains standing. The champion gets one wish granted by Calypso.

But there’s a twist.

This year, instead of offering the champion money, power or fame, rumor has it that Calypso is able to offer more…so much more. However, as contestants step up to prove themselves worthy of the Twisted Metal championship, a mysterious figure is tracking Calypso and preparing to strike back — someone who knows the truth behind where and how Calypso is getting his amazing prizes.

Drivers go out and get yourselves a helmet and strap yourself in for the best car action that you have played in years.

The headset retails for @$99.99.  It comes with a usb adapter that allows the headset to communicate with the PS3.  There is a full onscreen visualization of what is what with the headset when being used.

I recommend this headset for the full gaming experience.

Being a video gamer I am always looking for ways to make things a bit more comfortable.  Recently I was given the opportunity to test out the XTendPlay Ergonomic Adapter.  If you are a gamer then you know that a controller needs to work with you without major adjustments.  When I play FPS games I need my fingers to be in full synchronicity.  When I play casual board games, or slow paced games I can afford to be more flexible.  The XTendPlay Adapter worked for the casual games for me.  I tried playing Battlefield 3 for a few rounds with the adapter, and it seemed uncomfortable because of the squareness.

While I am not saying that this product is not well made I am stating that the product is best suited for those that play in a loose style, and are willing to make change.  The product is well made.  I will still use this for my family, and casual games.  Maybe in time I will grow to like it more for my FPS games.  The adapter fits all Playstation 3 controllers, and there is also an XBox version.  The adapter is made of a soft-touch, ultra-lightweight fleXlite™ foam.

Check out Gamingzap.com for their products.

XTendPlay Adapter Specifications

- Unique soft-touch ergonomic styling keeps hands and fingers relaxed during gameplay
- Airflow Channels ventilate the surrounding air to keep your hands cool and dry
- Fills empty space between body and controller, promoting comfort and stability
- Innovative design improves accuracy, precision and control
- Compatible with Sony Wireless Keypad allowiing uninterrupted console operations
- Compatible with allSony DualShock and Sixaxis controllers

What do you think about upgrading the printer capabilities of the PS3?

In my house I have a Cockatoo that likes to chew almost anything that it can get its beak on.  Well I came home one day to find out that the bird had gotten to my Playstation 3 controller somehow.  After hunting the internet I found replacement sticks so that the controller would work again.  Once I had gotten them, and replaced them I found out that the battery in the controller wouldn’t charge.  I dug around the house to find some of the rc batteries that I purchased months ago.  I had custom made battery packs for soem rc cars.  I found out that they were a bit big so they couldn’t be used.

After taking the controller apart to verify the specifications of the battery in the controller I located a replacement.  Now it is ordered.  The part that I dread is the actual replacement because changing the sticks was a bit of a chore.  They don’t make these controllers repair friendly.  I would only venture to guess that they would rather have people purchase new ones rather than fix them.

If you are not technologically gifted, then please take my advice… Don’t try these types of repairs on your own.

I am very curious as to what will be the actual quest in Unchartered 3.  In Unchartered 2 Drake had a very exciting quest, but probably only got to take back some Shamballa bead bracelets in the end.

Naughty Dog has not failed me with this series of games.  The graphics have been stunning, and they even added multiplayer to the Unchartered 2 title.

What lies ahead for us with Unchartered 3???

I am a tech that does handle sales quite a bit.  I wish all customers were like my buddy Keith.

When you are playing the Playstation Move you need to keep in mind a few important factors…

Keep the room bright, but not too bright.  The camera has a problem with a dark room.

Keep the tether on your wrist.  A Playstation Move controller in the screen of your expensive tv isn’t an option.

Do not stand up, or raise your arm too far in rooms that have ceiling fans.

Make sure that you stand a reasonable distance from the camera otherwise the camera will not get all of you.

Here is the listing of HP printers that are stated to work with the PS3.

• HP Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One
• HP Photosmart Premium e-All-in-One
• HP Photosmart Premium Fax
  e-All-in-One
• HP Photosmart eStation
• HP Envy 100 e-All-in-One
• HP Photosmart D7460
• HP Photosmart C6280 All-in-One
• HP Photosmart C6380 All-in-One
• HP Photosmart C7280 All-in-One
• HP Photosmart C8180 All-in-One
• HP Photosmart Plus All-in-One
• HP Photosmart Premium All-in-One
• HP Photosmart Premium Fax All-in-One
• HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web All-in-One

This information is from the Sony Playstation 3 site.

The following printers are compatible with the PlayStation 3.

For information about how to configure the PlayStation 3 to use a USB printer, see how to print images with the PlayStation 3.

Epson Printers

Visit the Epson website to see a list of printers that are compatible* with the PlayStation 3:

• Compatible Epson Printers
• Compatible Epson Printers (for Canadian Customers)

*Requires updated system software installed on your PlayStation 3 for compatibility (version 1.8 and higher)
Visit PlayStation 3 System Software Update to download and install the most recent version.

For support questions or information, please contact Epson Customer Support.

Canon Printers

Visit the Canon website to see a list of printers that are compatible* with the PlayStation 3:

• Compatible Canon Printers
• Compatible Canon Printers (for Canadian customers)

*Requires updated system software installed on your PlayStation 3 for compatibility (version 2.0 and higher)
Visit PlayStation 3 System Software Update to download and install the most recent version.

Hewlett Packard (HP) Printers

Visit the HP website to see a list of printers that are compatible* with the PlayStation 3:

• Compatible HP Printers

Please note that HP printers will not print from the PlayStation 3 if they are connected via a USB cable.  They will only be recognized if the compatible HP printer is connected on the same network as the PlayStation 3.

 *Requires updated system software installed on your PlayStation 3 for compatibility (version 2.50 and higher)
Visit PlayStation 3 System Software Update to download and install the most recent version.

Do you have the Playstation Move?  Has it helped you in any ways?

Here are some tips for you if you have the Move, or are thinking of getting the Move.  Make sure you have plenty of room to play the games.  Make sure the room you are playing in isn’t too dark, or too bright.  Furniture can get in the way so be sure you plan ahead.

My wife has always joked about wanting to do karaoke, but I am too scared to let her do it in public because I can’t bear to see her embarassed.  Well, we recently got to review the New DJ Hero 2 from Activision.  Now she can try out karaoke without going out in public.  We wanted to try this out because it looks like a good family gathering game.  My brother has told me many times how good the first DJ Hero was, and now he looks forward to getting his own DJ Hero 2 system because of the changes.

The turntables can be mixed and matched in a few different variations.  The turntables connect to the Playstation 3 via wireless adapter while the microphone connects to the usb port.

The turntables are identical to the original game.  You can play up to 3 people because of the 2 turntables, and the microphone.  There are 100+ different songs that can be played upon.  While playing the game you earn points.  Throughout the game you unlock various different customizations for your in game character.  You are also able to “Freestyle” at various points of the game.  This is so far one of the first games that actually talks between gaming XBox 360 and Playstation 3 systems.  Basically when you are done with a session you can send the results to your friend on either system and challenge them to beat your score.

For the business minded player you can play the Empire Mode.  The only thing that I noticed is that in this mode you can’t actually make money, or anything to make this better than what most games have in Career Mode.  There is a Battle Mode that pits 2 players against each other.  There is also multiple online multiplayer modes that you can earn different titles, and more.

DJ Hero 2 is available for the Wii, XBox 360, and the Playstation 3.

The game outputs to HD via 720.  Broadband connection required for online play.

MSRP is $59.99 game only – $99.99 turntable and game – $149.99 2 turntables, microphone, and game.

Check out the official DJ Hero 2 website located HERE.

**If you purchase the DJ Hero 2 system from Best Buy you get a code for a unlockable character “Deadmau5″, and also a turntable stand.

**While supplies last.

We received the DJ Hero 2 system so as to review the game.  Receiving the DJ Hero 2 system had no affect on our review.

For my daughters birthday she received the Toys”R”Us EyePet Bundle.  It comes with the EyePet game, PS3 camera, and the PS3 Move.  The EyePet game is an interactive pet.  You initially help to hatch the EyePet.  After that you teach it different things, and complete in challenges.  The EyePet also supports 3D for those that have a 3D tv.

How the Move is different than other game systems is that the Move is all controlled by the specially designed wand that the camera picks up the movements of.  At different times in the EyePet game you have to use special objects.  The Move wand is always a wand in your hand, but onscreen the Move turns into a hair dryer, remote control for a trampoline, a feeding bucket, kitchen faucet sprayer, and a lot more.

Upon initial use we found the system to be very tempermental.  What we didn’t realize was that we needed to adjust the camera a bit, and eventually it started working just fine.  Be sure to also have a room with very good lighting.  We found that our daughter can play the game during the day in our living room, but at night the game is almost unplayable because of the lighting.

The EyePet bundle has an MSRP of $99.99.

In general we give the EyePet bundle / Playstation Move a 8 out of 10.  We found the inital use of the system to be a bit difficult.  In the end the game works fine, but there are still little querks to the game / system.

While I am particular to anything that has my name, or sounds like my name I recently got to try out Rockstar Games – Red Dead Redemption for the PS3.  I was initially drawn to it because the main character is named John Marston.  Well, when he says his name, or someone else talks to him it sounds like my name.  Anyway… Rockstar has done a great job at recreating Grand Theft Auto in the Old West.

Throughout the game you run missions in order to get to the final objective of tracking down someone that did him wrong.  There is a horseshoe game that you play against other computer players.  There is also “Liars Dice”, and poker.  You get to wager in game cash that you have looted, or earned.  Be forewarned that betting higher in the games makes the games harder than normal.  I don’t like the fact that you can’t swim in the game.  I mean if I need to cross a creek, or something I should be able to swim across.  If you shoot a person that shouldn’t have been shot you will gain a wanted level.  These wanted levels can be cleared at locations throughout the game, or by being arrested.  In order to be arrested you need to stand still with guns holstered.  If you don’t have enough money to clear your wanted level, then the law will ask you to do a bounty mission to clear you.  Throughout the game you can shoot various animals, and skin them.  With the skins you can trade them for money at the general stores.

I did not have a chance to play the multiplayer side of this game, but there are several modes available including a co-op mode.

The graphics were very smooth, and the sound effects were also very appealing.  The loading times between missions, etc. is a bit long, but it seems worth it.

The game has a msrp of $59.99.

The game has a rating of

I did find a strategy guide over at Amazon books.  Here is the link if you are looking for this guide.