It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, but with my new iPhone and the WordPress app, I hope to update more regularly.

Anyway, this column contains the ten best games of 2009 that I played. I discussed some of these games on Cross Border Gaming, but I did not do a complete overall list. In the case of multi-platform titles, I indicated the version I played. Here are my picks:

10. Wii Sports Resort. Nintendo gives their “glorified tech demo” pack-in a very respectable successor. Not only does it succeed in showing off Wii MotionPlus, it maintains the level of fun of the original.

9. Guitar Hero 5 (XBox 360). GH5 borrows a lot of the things that made Rock Band 2 successful (the ability to switch instruments and difficulties in career mode, the ability to import songs from previous games), and adds a drop in/ drop out mode at the start of the game. With no proper Rock Band 3 in ‘09, it will be interesting to see what Activision does with GH6.

8. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord. I loved Darklord’s predecessor, My Life as a King, and I’m a sucker for tower defense. Darklord gives the genre a bit of a twist by setting it in a tower and having the player create floors and fill them with monsters to defend the crystal at the top of the tower from adventures sent by your nemesis, the protagonist from My Life as a King. This is the game that kept me playing my Wii this past summer, even after getting my 360.

7. Shadow Complex. I wouldn’t have tried this game if it wasn’t on sale during the end of December, but I really enjoyed the old-school sidescrolling Metroidvania approach. I can understand why the Giant Bomb guys and Cheap Ass Gamer’s Wombat named it as their Xbox 360 game of the year.

6. Civilization Revolution (iPhone/iPod Touch). If you listen to Cross Border Gaming, you know how much time I put into this game. I had previously owned the PS3 and DS versions, and when I saw 2K released a version on the App Store, it was a must-buy. It has owned me ever since.

5. Street Fighter IV (PS3). How do you improve upon a classic? Start with updated graphics, throw in a couple new characters and new moves, and you have Street Fighter IV. SF4 was exactly what it needed to be.

4. Lego Rock Band (Xbox 360). It’s Rock Band. It’s Lego. It has the best of both. The music selection is solid and the ability to import songs to RB 1&2, as well as some DLC compatibility (the E10 rating does limit some songs). The only shortcoming is on the zoo stage. “Another Postcard” by Barenaked Ladies would have fit well.

3. Plants vs. Zombies. This game was highly recommended by my sister. I was instantly hooked. I love PopCap’s take on tower defense, and the various modes and levels keep things fresh.

2. New Super Mario Bros. Wii. This is Mario done right. 3D Mario is frustrating and not fun. This is fun (although also frustrating). Multiplayer was also a nice addition.

1. The Beatles: Rock Band. This is a single-act music game done right. Although there are a few questionable ommisions (”Help”, “Strawberry Fields Forever”, “Please Please Me”), there’s a lot of Beatle essentials, as well as several songs I didn’t know, but enjoyed. I hope Green Day: Rock Band is at least half as good as this.

That’s it. I am currently working on my top ten games for the ’00s, and that should be up soon.

For those who don’t know, every year I participate my the local Walk Now for Autism. The walk on November 7 will be the 6th walk I have participated in. I have been working with autistic children since 2005. I see parents struggle with their children’s disabilities, and I walk to help these kids and their families and to hopefully come up with a cause and prevention for autism. (I hate the use of the word “cure” given the nature of the condition.)

Also, in 2006, at the age of 27, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which is on the upper end of the autism spectrum. Prior to that, I always knew there was something different about me. I had trouble making friends and fitting in. I realize that I’m a lot luckier than others on the spectrum, being able to carry on a (relatively) normal life, but it is still a condition I wish for no one.

If you wish to donate, you can do it here. Those who have supported me in the past, I appreciate you. Those who haven’t, I hope you will. This cause is very important to my heart, and I hope you will find in yours to help out. (And if you can’t financially, don’t feel bad. The economy sucks.)

Thank you.

Harold “Hbomb” Price

And here’s all the stats and stuff:

Please join me in my fight to make a difference in the lives of the more than 1 million Americans living with autism today. 

I am participating in Walk Now for Autism to help find a cure for autism. Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in every 150 children born today. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist. Research is crucial. Every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism. Not only must we find ways to improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism, but we also must find a cure, and soon.

Walk Now for Autism is our chance to make a difference in the fight against autism by raising money for autism research and heightening public awareness. Please join me in my fight as I raise money to help fund essential research. You can donate to Walk Now for Autism and/or join my team online using the links here. Donations can also be mailed to Autism Speaks using the donation form located on my page or send me a check made out to Autism Speaks.

Thank you for taking an important step in the fight against autism.

Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Autism Speaks 501 (C)(3) Tax Id #: 20-2329938

Matching gift program: Many companies provide their employees with matching gifts. Please consult your employer on its matching gift guidelines and attach matching gift forms accordingly.

Hey. It’s been awhile and assuming people are still viewing the site, I apologised for the lack of updates. Anyway, I’m currently trying out WordPress’s iPhone/iPod Touch app. This should make it easier for me to add brief tidbits here and there- but no promises. Anyway, to update, my 360 has been back for about a month and I’ve been playing a good deal of Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero 5, and Beatles Rock Band. All good games. I just wish either RB or GH would include some Barenaked Ladies music.

I’ve also been playing a good deal of Civilization Revolition on my iPod Touch. It’s been very addictive. I just ordered Scribblenauts last night, and it should be here by Tuesday. The reviews seem to be mixed but the general consensus seems to be that the game is loads of fun. I might get the new Professor Layton game with the gift certificate I won from Game Journal’s live podcast last night.

Anyway, that’s it for now. Hopefully more soon.

The one letter and 2 digits every 360 owner hates. It hit me on Friday. My cousins had begged me to play Viva Pinata: Party Animals, and when I turned it on, I got the dreaded error formerly known as the Red Ring of Death.

To make things worse, I just recieved the 360 version of Rock Band 2. It’s still in the box.

Well, it’s just as well. My summer vacation is almost at an end.

Yes, I have finally turned to the darkside. I purchased a used 360 off of eBay today, as well as a used 120 GB HD and a wireless adaptor.

Anyway, I was looking to get like Fable 2 for me or maybe like Lips or Viva Pinata to play with the kids. Any suggestions?

First, I’d like to apologize for my lack of E3 coverage. There was just so much to go through and I got overwhelmed.

Second, Radio DMG is online. Check us out here or find us on iTunes (and please review us).

Third, I guess I never did post about CBG #8 being up, so find it here (#9 should be up shortly, as well) or find it on iTunes (and again, please review us).

Finally, I know I have been slacking on Snowflake for the past few months, but come tomorrow (Sat.), Snowflake is back with Su/Tu/Th/Sa updates (plus a bonus comic on Monday).

As much as I wish I was at E3 this year, scheduling conflicts have kept me from doing so. Pretty much, Hblog’s E3 coverage will be limited to what I see and hear from G4 coverage and various sites and podcasts who are there. Also, E*Master and I will be recording a podcast at the end of the week (our previews of E3 will be in pisode 7, which shall be finished editing soon).

Well, a couple shows back, I reported that I sent an audio clip to A Life Well Wasted for their Episode 3 B-side “Why We Game”. Well, the B-side is up, and I’m in it.

Also, I mentioned (or will mention) in episode 7 about sending an e-mail to Rebel FM relating to my rant from episode 6 regarding usage of the word “retarded”. It has made it into their episode 20.

Both Rebel FM and A Life Well Wasted are available on iTunes. GBG#7 shall be up…. well, I guess that’s up to E*Master.

Hbomb and E*Master discuss music games, Apple vs. Nintendo, PETA, C&C Music Factory, E3 predictions and more.

More info here.

…is up. http://crossbordergaming.com

Are downloadable games the future? Should Sony be concerned about pirating? Do the guys pick a fight with Wombat, Nintendo, Sony, or Lars Ullrich? Who won the contest? Download and find out.