Bullet Heaven Season 3 Premier: Episode 42 - Sky Destroyer

Bullet Heaven is back, and better than ever! In this episode, we welcome Player 2, Daeruna, to the fray and check out an old Famicom Classic, Sky Destroyer, released in 1985 by Taito.

Did you like what you saw here today? Comments, questions and suggestiosare not only welcome, ut encouraged! If you want to support Bullet Heaven, be sure to check out the newly released Bullet Heaven: The Original Tracks, composed by yours truly. For just $7, you get 13 awesome fan-favorite tracks and as a bonus, wallpapers and the Art of Bullet Heaven digital art book!

Visit http://smpmusicproductions.bandcamp.com to purchase it today!

Press Pause Radio Remembers Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, Apple Founder and Chairman (1955-2011)

Steve Jobs will be missed. Though his vision will live on through Apple, the world already feels like a darker place without him.

Jobs had many talents, including his charisma when pitching a product and his constant drive to redefine the meaning of "innovation" in our modern society. Without his confidence and determination to "wow" us all, MacBooks and iPods wouldn't have gone as far. Though Steve Wozniak played a giant roll in engineering the first Apple computers, it was Jobs who marketed the products with so much support and energy. Even Hewlett-Packard refused the original Apple, but Jobs found a way to make it work for his own new company; he simply knew how to speak to both the customers and shareholders alike.

Jobs redefined the way we view both computers and other consumer electronics. Portable gaming also underwent a major transformation, and Jobs' former roll at Apple played a hefty part in it all. For instance, many consumers are currently debating whether it's greater to go with dedicated handheld gaming devices (PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS) or simply play games on a single device like an iPhone. It was Jobs' leadership and management of the Apple empire that lead us to these debates, which only make us better by allowing us to move forward in the end. His attitude became that of society's, which continues to move at a faster pace during this digital era. Smartphones, tablets, and personal computers are just a few of the items revolutionized under Jobs' period at Apple.

He created products consumers loved, and never stopped changing how they enjoy them. It's uncertain what the future will hold for Apple and their influence in the world of gaming, but we can only hope for the best if the organization -- now under the guidance of former Apple COO Tim Cook -- continues to follow the same paths they did when under the guidance of Jobs.

So between loyal Apple followers and PC fans who thought your ideals were sometimes a tad wacky, you'll be missed. The world is now without one of the most innovative minds of its time, and we were lucky enough to have experienced your vision for a brighter tomorrow.

Rest in peace.

- Sean Bassinger, Managing Editor
  Press Pause Radio 

PPR Games Club: Ico/Shadow of the Colossus Collection Side A

So hopefully everyone knows how our Games Club works by now. We play through a game, and discuss it on the show along with your comments. However this time we are switching things up, by playing not one but two games. The recently released Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection on PS3 gives us the perfect opportunity to discuss some of the finest games ever released on the Playstation 2, now remastered in HD for the Playstation 3. So whether you are playing the original or the re-released version, we will discuss both in great detail. This week's show is Side A, where we discuss Ico. Please remember that this is a Games Club, and the entire game will be discussed. So play along and enjoy the show, and continue to play Shadow of the Colossus which will be recorded soon for next week's show.

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Second Hand Games

Video games have seen a flux of prices over the last ten years thanks in part to rising development costs, and the introduction of new market concepts and distribution routes. While talk of micro-economies and technological advancements are always fascinating, let’s focus for a minute on the second hand games market. On one hand is the producer that decries it, and on the other hand is the consumer that heralds it.

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Bits and Pieces: Underrated Retro Consoles

Believe it or not, there was a time when every major video game system had two or three underdogs trailing behind. Regrettably, most of them vanished if they didn’t impress consumers or find their target audience. In some cases the library of titles for these consoles wouldn’t even exceed 40, and had very little -- if any at all -- support from third-party developers.

Though each had their own unique advancements, fan base, and contribution to the games industry, the following is a list of underrated gaming consoles that faded from the market.

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QCF: Space Marine

As the light sets in, The Ultramarines, one of thousands of chapters within the rank of Space Marine are called into action to defend against the threat of an Ork invasion and uncover the motive behind their rampage. Its leader, Captain Titus, instills a solemn nod of confidence to the Space Marines under his command and leads them to the battle.

Space Marine is the newest attempt to branch the War Hammer 40,000 franchise beyond its table-top roots into another entry into the video game realm. Relic Entertainment tasked their efforts towards delivering an experience faithful to all who are loyal to War Hammer 40K, yet enjoyable enough to appeal to anyone unfamiliar with 40K’s expansive lore. But one question remains: have they succeeded?

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Looking Back: The Legend of Zelda Reflections

Reviewing a classic like The Legend of Zelda can be difficult, mostly because everyone and their mother already played it. It’s really no different than a seasoned movie critic reviewing Gone with the Wind or Citizen Kane in front of a group of enthusiasts, who memorized these movies and their offerings when they were still in diapers. But like any experience, there are still points and reflections that can be made about them -- even if they might seem redundant to some.

In an effort to point out more tedious and painful moments in a seemingly perfect game, here are some thoughts that crossed my mind as I was enjoying the original Zelda (for the umpteenth time) on the 3DS.

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QCF: Dead Island

Thanks once again to James Wells for reviewing Dead Island for the Xbox 360.

Ever since the now world famous trailer for Dead Island came from nowhere earlier this year, many gamers looked forward to this game with much skepticism and doubt on whether or not it could match the emotional levity of its trailer. I've seen the trailer, you’ve seen the trailer, and most likely Mrs. Heffernon, your neighbor with fourteen cats, has also seen the trailer. So does Dead Island live up to the hype? Or does this undead nightmare just shamble along the beach into obscurity?

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