Having become fairly disenfranchised with all things Star Wars over the years, I didn't really expect to like Star Wars: Trench Run.
And really, the new game from THQ is little more than two kinds of arcade sequences sprinkled with a few familiar cutscenes.
So why can't I stop playing it?
Because Trench Run ($4.99) is a little slice of Star Wars heaven, that's why. It reminds me of the old vector-graphics arcade game from the early 80s--a game that consumed a considerable number of my quarters.
Of course, visually Trench Run blows that coin-op classic out of the sky. And what it lacks in variety, it makes up for with engaging gameplay.
You're at the tilt-sensitive controls of an X-Wing, which you can view from inside the cockpit or from behind. Tapping the right half of the screen fires your guns; tapping and holding the left half engages Force Power, which temporarily slows down the action.
As you might expect from the title, half the game takes place in a Death Star trench. You've got to steer past obstacles, blast turrets, stay out of Darth Vader's gun-sights, and, eventually, "blow this thing so we can all go home."
When you're not racing through trenches, you're dogfighting TIE Fighters just above the Death Star's surface. The only thing that changes from one level to the next is the difficulty.
And Trench Run does get difficult, though a little Force Power goes a long way toward helping you lock in a target or avoid a rapidly approaching turret.
Throughout it all, you're treated to all the familiar Star Wars sound effects along with John Williams' timeless score.
There's not a lot of replay value in Trench Run, and the limited variety means boredom is pretty inevitable. But until then, you'll have a blast.
(Credit:
CNET)
If the $50 price drop on the Nintendo Wii was enough to make you pull the trigger, we definitely recommend checking out a few accessories for the console. Sure, not all of them are necessary, but we think most of them will improve your overall experience with the Wii.
(Credit:
Nyko)
The first pair of accessories you'll probably want to invest in is another Wii remote ($35) and nunchuk ($20) attachment. The Wii only ships with one set and if you plan on playing with more than one person, you're going to need these. While the nunchuk doesn't require batteries, the remotes do. Replacing their AA batteries can become expensive so we highly recommend picking up one of our favorite chargers, the Nyko Charge Station (in either two- or four-capacity models).
While the Wii can be hooked up to your television right out of the box, we definitely think you should consider upgrading the AV wires that ship with the console, especially if you have an HDTV. The Nintendo Wii Component Cable ($30) will give you a better picture and allow for 480p output.
Now that we've taken care of the basics, it's time to look at a few nonessential items for the Wii. While you don't need any plastic attachments for the system, the Wii Zapper ($20) is the cheapest plastic add-on around and it comes with a great shooting game (Link's Crossbow Training) to practice with.
(Credit:
CNET)
Nintendo recently introduced Wii MotionPlus ($20), a small device that attaches to the bottom of a Wii remote and improves overall accuracy and performance of motion control. While there aren't many games that take advantage of it, there are some that do require it (Wii Sports Resort, Red Steel 2). Don't forget, you'll need one unit for each Wii remote control you have.
Finally, if you're serious about retro gaming, you may want to consider purchasing the Nyko Wing Wireless Classic Controller($30). The Wii gives you access to a huge library of old school games via the Virtual Console and the Wing controller is the best way to play these older games. The included Wii remote will only work with some of the games, but the Wing's compatibility runs across the board.
For an easy to read, side-by-side breakdown of these accessories, check our must-have Nintendo Wii accessory roundup.
(Credit:
Helen Magg)
We chat with Kevin about some tips on eating well during these tough times and how shockingly easy it is to save money at the grocery store. Kevin also dishes out some of the dirt on his new sponsors and how his own show is in the works.
The second half of the show we dedicate to some questionable applications on the App Store. Trent Reznor is calling Apple the new Wal-Mart because of its questionable censorship practices regarding a Nine Inch Nails application. Next, we laugh at the idea of Sarah Palin on Twitter and Justin explains how your high school yearbook photo tells a lot more than just what was in style at the time.
We're still accepting Star Trek Photoshop submissions for a chance to see the film a day earlier with us in NYC! We've had a lot of great ones so far, so check out the competition below and be sure to send all of your creations to the404 [at] cnet [dot] com. As always, leave us a voicemail, 866-404-CNET.
EPISODE 335
Download today's podcast | Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe in RSS
... Read more
We've just posted our review of the highly anticipated Nyko Wing Wireless Classic Controller for use with the Nintendo Wii. Since the console's launch, owners of the system have had only one choice for universal compatibility with all Virtual Console games.
While the Nintendo Classic Controller has been a satisfactory accessory for retro-game enthusiasts, the Wing improves upon the design in almost every regard. Gamers not only have a wireless solution (unlike the Nintendo original), but a more comfortable and practical design.
Read our full review to find out why this is the only controller you'll need for the Virtual Console.
(Credit:
Nyko)
At first glance, the new Wing Wireless Classic Controller from Nyko looks like it's everything the original Nintendo Classic Controller should have been. While the Nintendo controller is oddly rounded, the Wing looks much more ergonomically satisfying with its edgier sides and form factor. It's almost as if they combined the Nintendo Classic Controller with a PlayStation DualShock.
Most noteworthy, the Wing will use a wireless dongle system, similar to the Kama Wireless Nunchuk setup where a dongle is attached to the Wii remote. This will eliminate the awkward wired connection that the Nintendo Classic Controller uses, but will also require two AAA batteries to work. However, if you decide to use rechargeable batteries, Nyko has fitted the Wing with a mini USB port that will allow for convenient charging.
Like the original Nintendo Classic Controller, the Nyko Wing will work with all Virtual Console games, select Wii games, and the recently added WiiWare library of games.
The Nyko Wing Wireless Classic Controller will ship sometime in October for $30, about $10 more than the Nintendo original. Check CNET in the coming weeks for a full review. For now, click through for some more photos of the Wing.... Read more
(Credit:
Cineversum)
(Credit:
DOD)
The Stealth bomber gadget trend is gaining momentum. The latest to join the fleet is the "BlackBird" line of projectors from France's Cineversum, a triad of high-end models all in 1080p resolution. We're not given to spreading conspiracy theories, so we'll just note that they bear a resemblance both in name and appearance to the U.S. Air Force's "Blackbird." To find out if there's a deeper connection, you'll have to pay dearly--as in a base price just shy of $16,000 for the cheapest model, according to Engadget. If there's a black helicopter involved, you'll know why.
The X-48B takes a breather from wind tunnel tests in 2006.
(Credit: Boeing)Get out bat signal. The Caped Crusader is going to want one of these.
Boeing calls the design of its new flying-wing lookalike, the X-48B, a "blended wing body." That's for obvious reasons: the aircraft's wings blend smoothly into the fuselage, where older flying wings were really just, well, wings.
The experimental X-48B has made a half-dozen flights so far, all at Edwards Air Force Base in California since the middle of July, and is in the shop for a brief stint as researchers do some scheduled maintenance and start poring through the aeronautical data. It'll make a flurry of test flights again before the end of the year. Along with Boeing, NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory are taking notes.
Don't go reaching for your Red Baron leather helmet, goggles and scarf just yet, though. See, this is just an unmanned scale model, with a wingspan of 21 feet. You wanna fly it, you'll have to keep both feet on the ground, though the remote-control apparatus is apparently full-fledged airplane equipment.
To find out what the plane looks like in flight, when a full-size model might be ready and how today's blended-wing design evolved from the 1940s-era flying wing, see "Photos: The blended-wing design of Boeing's X-48B."
WING Lounge Chair
(Credit: LYX Furniture and Light)*phew* Sorry its been a little quiet the last week, ever notice how everything sometimes comes down on you at once? Be it work, personal, business, family, new site launches, etc etc etc, oh how the list goes on. But, i'm back! And have some exciting fun new design finds to share with you.
You know how there's nothing quite like sinking into your temperpedic/memory foam/NASA developed craziness of a mattress? Well imagine that... all around you... in a designer lounge chair and ottoman? I wish i could tell you i was writing this from that chair now, but no such luck. This WING Lounge Chair is designed by Michael Malmborg, and "A reincarnation of the classic wing chair, created for the future. This recliner is made for serious cocooning and is the closest you can get to weightlessness. The upholstery in the Wing Chair is made by open cell visco elastic memory foam"
And as if we needed more reasons to be in complete awe of this wonder: "WING Lounge Chair is the first and only chair ever to be certified by The Space Foundation - tested and recognized by NASA. WING is also the biggest single piece of bendwood ever used to create a chair."
... Read more
(Credit:
Uber-Review)
It's just a guess, but something tells us that the person who occupies this abode doesn't belong to the kind of neighborhood association that regulates the colors of one's house.
(Credit:
Uber-Review)
In fact, if we didn't know that she lived in a Manhattan apartment, we'd be willing to bet a margarita that this DIY X-wing starfighter mailbox belonged to fellow Craver Caroline McCarthy.
The tribute to Star Wars, which Uber-Review says was made from wood and PVC piping, boasts a wingspan that's a full 5 feet long. We hope only that the postal worker on this route doesn't try to overstuff the precariously perched prize, or he might end up getting Darth Mauled.
Click on the image to start the T-Mobile Wing slide show
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)Finally! Ever since the release of Windows Mobile 6 back in February, we've anxiously awaited the arrival of supported devices, and we're not talking about software upgrades or smart phones of the announced-but-not-yet-shipping variety (a la Motorola Q 9). No, if you're anything like us, you want to get your hands on one now and you finally can.
T-Mobile and HTC today announced the immediate availability of the T-Mobile Wing (aka HTC Herald)--through select T-Mobile retail stores and online, for $299.99 with a two-year contract. As the successor to the T-Mobile MDA, the Wing runs the latest Windows Mobile 6 Professional Edition, sports a revamped design, and features an upgraded 2-megapixel camera. So why are we slightly disappointed? Read our full review to find out.
