Player One Podcast

You hear a lot of talk these days about games with open worlds, co-op gameplay, where exploration is key. Those three very buzz-worthy concepts of today also came into play in our fourth Game Club game, ToeJam & Earl for the Sega Genesis. One of the era's few co-op games, its emphasis was not on combat unlike so many of the other games it shared the shelf with. It was about avoiding enemies, managing your items, and (if you had a buddy to play with) teamwork. In the second segment we talk all about TJ&E and our experiences with it.But of course we also discuss the games we played this week, which include N+, Dragon Quest Swords, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, The Club, Rock Band, Dynasty Warriors 6 and Lost Odyssey.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's link:Gametrailers - Space Invaders Extreme digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

It's a different kind of podcast this week. Greg is absent, CJ and Phil are LIVE from San Francisco. It's the first time we've recorded an episode where any of us were in the same room. We talk about the Game Developers Conference and seeing it from two angles (press and industry), as well as some of the bigger news of the week (NPD numbers, oh boy!).But we spend most of the show talking about the games we've been playing over the past week. And that includes Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, Professor Layton and the Curious Village, PixelJunk Monsters, Team Fortress 2, Poker Smash, Discs of TRON, LEGO Star Wars TCS, Endless Ocean and Warriors Orochi.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Dolphins may be warm-blooded, but Sega's Genesis hit Ecco the Dolphin...cold-blooded. One of the company's most experimental and renowned releases from the 16-bit era is P1P Game Club game #3, so we spend the second half of the show discussing it. A breakthrough game at the time, its age exposes the cracks of its control and gameplay mechanics.But if fish talk isn't your speed we spend the first half of the show shootin' the bull with Patrick Klepek of MTV Multiplayer and talk about the games we've been playin' over the week -- Rock Band, Kingdom Hearts II, Kim Possible: What's the Switch, Chessmaster Live, Poker Smash, Twisted Metal Head-On, Puzzle Quest and Burnout Paradise.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:MTV MultiplayerVoid Star CreationsYouTube: Poker SmashYouTube: Zanthue is Coming!YouTube: Ecco the DolphinYouTube: Ecco the Dolphin: Enter the Machine digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Step back in time nearly 15 years to a time when, if you believed the hype, the number of bits your system had mattered. And for Atari, it was the only card they had to play against industry bigwigs Sega, Sony and Nintendo. Certainly the software wasn't doing the talking... The worst "major" video game console ever made? We think so.Also this week: Rez HD, PixelJunk Monsters, Burnout Paradise (PS3), One Piece Unlimited Adventure and Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:YouTube: Atari Jaguar 1994 Promotional Tape (Part 1/5)YouTube: Tempest 2000 footageYouTube: Cybermorph footageAtari Jaguar...dental camera? (PDF) digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week we spend most of our time talking about last week's release of Burnout Paradise. Plus Rock Band, Samurai Warriors Katana, Sonic & Mario at the Olympics, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and more. And of course, Game Club #2: Ninja Gaiden for NES.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:YouTube: The ending of Ninja Gaiden NESYouTube: Ninja Gaiden Speedrun, Part 1 digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Burnout Paradise hits the 360 and PS3 on Tuesday, so we spend some time talking about the series' history and its journey from being an Acclaim-published title that no one paid attention to to one of the biggest game franchises around. Also this week, we talk about some of the games we've been playing, including Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Rock Band, Boogie Bunnies, Metal Slug 3, Omega Five, Bonk 2 and Just Cause. Next week's game club game is Ninja Gaiden (NES). If you'd like to participate in the fun, play it, discuss it on our forum, call our voicemail and tell us your memories/thoughts on the regular 8-bit NES version.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

In a clever scheme to tie the episode number into the content of the show, this week we spend some time talking about the Nintendo 64. From Project Reality to the limitations of the cartridge format to the system as a turning point for Nintendo's position in the industry, we talk about it all. Also, the first installment of a new segment where we pick a retro game and break it apart. We start with Star Tropics, and if you're a fan...you might not like what you hear.We also discuss the games we played this week, which includes Tron, NFL Tour and Omega Five.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week, we take a few moments to ponder the year ahead with some predictions and issues that the big three need to address. But not before we get Dan's Top 5 of '07, talk Dormerbot for a few, and catch up on the games everyone's been playing this week. Oh, and a CJ vs GJ gamerscore update, of course.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week -- a look-back on the year that was 2007. A little rundown of the big headlines, a little discussion of our personal Top Fives for the year, and your calls on gaming highs and lows of the year. Oh, there's also a What'cha Been Playing segment in there, and the first appearance of a new fourth host.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's link:Phil's Flickr account (Portal cake pics) digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week, we talk Mega Man (whose 20th birthday was last week). A little about the highs, the lows, the undiscovered games in the MM canon. We spend a little time reminiscing about the blue bomber and his many adventures against nefarious robot oppressors. But before that we talk about the games we've been playin' this week, including: NiGHTS, Sonic the Hedgehog (360/iPod)Just Cause, Unreal Tournament III, Everyday Shooter, PSP/PS3 Remote Play, Dirt, Peggle (iPod) and Mega Man ZX Advent.Next week being our year-end spectacular, we'd like to hear from you guys on what your gaming high/low was for the year. Give our voicemail a call at 713-893-8069 (or Skype us at playeronepodcast) before Friday, December 28 and tell us all about it. We'll play those on next week's 'cast.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week Greg, Phil and Dan pick up CJ's slack. The boys suffer some early holiday blues as they realize most of the big game releases for '07 have come and gone. That doesn't shorten the Whatcha Been Playin' segment, however. Thrill to discussions about Super Mario Galaxy, The Orange Box, Zack & Wiki, Burnout Paradise, and the unlicensed version of Tengen's Gauntlet for the NES. After all that, Phil tells everyone how he really feels about NPD discussions while Dan uses a lot of flowery prose and $10 words to explain away the Wii's holiday woes. hanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week, we dust off our FZ-1s and take 'em for a cruise down memory lane. That's right, we're talkin' the 3DO REAL Interactive Multiplayer. Way of the Warrior, Gex, Samurai Shodown, Twisted, Zhadnost, Total Eclipse, Crash N' Burn and more. Trade in your entire game collection, plunk down your $700 and join the club.Other games we talk about this week -- Rock Band, Halo 3, Catan, Avatar, Scene It, Uncharted, Xbox 360 Dashboard Update, Bleach, Dragon Ball Z, Godzilla, Cooking Mama 2 and more.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week, we talk a little bit about the implications of Gamespot supposedly firing Jeff Gerstmann over his review of Kane & Lynch. Also: we talk about some of the games we've been spending time with in the last week. Rock Band, Avatar: The Burning Earth, Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe, Super Mario Galaxy, Shrek n' Roll, MLB Power Pros, Impossible Mission, Halo 3, Front Mission DS and Victorious Boxers Revolution.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:Gamespot: Kane & Lynch reviewYouTube: Kane & Lynch video reviewValleywag: Gamespot editor (?) on fired reviewerGameSetWatch: Numerals, Game Reviews, and the Game MediaJoystiq: GameSpot issues short comment on Gerstmann firing digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

You're not hearing things, the audio quality on three of the four hosts in the first 40 minutes of this week's podcast is messed up. But there is a reason for it, which you'll soon find out about. Nevertheless, we soldiered on and ended up with an hour-fifteen's worth of talk on the big games of the last few weeks. That includes discussion of Mass Effect, Rock Band, Assassin's Creed, Contra 4, Trauma Center: New Blood, Uncharted, Super Mario Galaxy (with spoiler warning), Call of Duty 4, Viva Pinata Party Animals and Beautiful Katamari.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:YouTube: 1000 achievement points in two minutes digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week we talk Xbox Live. The beginning, the middle, and its glorious refinement into the service we now have on the Xbox 360. From XSN Sports to Xbox Originals, we discuss various points in Live's history and go over our favorite/least-liked Xbox Live Arcade games.Not only that, but we mull over the games we played this week, including Super Mario Galaxy, Call of Duty 4, Blue Dragon, BioShock, The Simpsons Game DS, Kane & Lynch, Mario & Sonic at the Olympics, Halo 3 and Cars: Mater-National.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

In honor of this week's release of Mario Galaxy, we spend the second segment of this episode talking about Mario games. From Super Mario Bros. on the NES to his latest adventure in space, Mario has been a mainstay in gaming since the '80s--and one of the few video game mascots to star in million-selling games across multiple console generations.But we begin the show as we always do, talking about the games we've been playing over the last week. In this case the discussion includes Lego Star Wars The Complete Saga, Switchball, Word Puzzle, Phase, Airball, Halo 3, Puzzle Quest, Blue Dragon, Guitar Hero III, Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, Need For Speed Pro Street, and the Uncharted demo.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:Child's Play CharityAirballYouTube: Mario series commercialYouTube: Super Mario 2 endingYouTube: Super Mario 3 endingYouTube: Super Mario Bros Super Show intro digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Two segments this week. The first is a rather long (nearly an hour) discussion on the games we played this week. That includes such games as Guitar Hero III, Viva Pinata Party Animals, The Simpsons Game, Ratchet & Clank Future, Portal, Bleach (Wii and DS), Zack & Wiki, Rock Band, Mega Man ZX Advent, Mutant Storm Empire and Namco Museum Remix. We also managed to squeeze in talk about a Kotaku editorial called "Video Game Reviews Are Broken, Please Fix"...that didn't offer any possible fixes but reveled in pointing out the broken points. Way to be.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:Kotaku: Reviews Are Broken, Please FixKotaku: Reviewer Response To... digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week we turn our eyes towards Nintendo's original, black and white (or is that green and...lighter green) Game Boy. The portable that was too large for a pocket may not have had the graphical oomph of its competition, but the Game Boy sure wedged its way into our hearts. And with the rumor last week that Nintendo may soon begin offering downloadable GB games for play on the DS via flash cartridge, it seemed the right time to talk about our fave handheld and its pea-soup screen.Also: The games we've been playing this week include The Simpsons Game, Ratchet & Clank Future, Exit, Beautiful Katamari, Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles, Mega Man ZX Advent, Battlestar Galactica, Prism, Puzzle Quest, and the Guitar Hero III and Scene It demos.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

It's a special One-Year Anniversary episode of the Player One Podcast this week. We've got all the usual plus an extended chat about Capcom's slate of retro remakes, a rundown of the news that caught our eyes last week, and lots and lot of other stuff. Plus, all the greetings and salutations we could stuff into a single episode. Some of the games we discuss in the What'cha Been Playin' this week--Beautiful Katamari, Flash Focus, Thrillville, E4, Puzzle Quest and more.Thanks for listening to the past year of shows! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

There's a fine line between a good game and complete crap. Last week saw the release of Yaris on Xbox Live Arcade. Our stance on it...pretty clear. Game of the YEAR. OK, not really. It's not even terribly effective as an advergame. Take a listen to this episode and you'll hear our opinions of Yaris, The Orange Box, Puzzle Quest, Hot PXL, Rock Band, MLB Power Pros, Ratchet & Clank Future (demo), Warriors Orochi, Phantom Hourglass and Halo 3. Plus we discuss a few of the news stories that caught our eyes over the last week.Next week is our One-Year Anniversary Extravaganza. We'll be playing lots of voicemails, most likely. So call, email us an MP3 message, leave us an Odeo message via our blogpage. Whatever you'd like. The voicemail number is 713-893-8069, our email addy is [email protected]. Oh, and don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:YarisCastaway EntertainmentGameLife: Interview with Perrin KaplanGamePro gets rid of pseudonyms digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Here it is, our 50th episode. Amazed that we've lasted this long on such a regular basis? So are we. This week we've got a super-sized Game Tape Impressions segment where we talk about such new releases as The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, Project Gotham Racing 4, Halo 3 and MLB Power Pros. We also quickly tackle a couple of news headlines (including two rumors that turned true last week) and take a few calls from listeners.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week is the episode of flubbed/bombed segues, mispronunciations and Game Fuel buildup. Oh, and Halo 3. Yes, we talk about that a little bit too. No story spoilers here, so fear not (we didn't play much single player or co-op this week). And if Halo 3's not your thing, worry not -- we've thrown that segment at the end of the podcast. You're welcome.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:CJ's Bungie.net File ShareHalo 3SkatePersona 3Soltrio SolitaireMario Strikers ChargedMetroid Prime 3Pokemon Diamond/PearlBlue DragonJam SessionsSonic Rush AdventureBioShockMTV Multiplayer: "Rock Band" Price, DateWii Fanboy: Link's Crossbow ScreeningJoystiq: New Xbox 360 bundle, Core this holidayBizarre Creations: Hello Activision!Gamerscore blog: MGS Committed to Project Gotham RacingMercury News: Nintendo exec: 'We're working very hard' on Wii supplyGametrailers: T2/Sega Menacer commercial digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Don't worry, there are no Halo 3 spoilers in this episode (in case you were wondering). Actually there's barely any Halo talk in this episode at all. In the run-up to Tuesday's mega-launch of the most anticipated game of the year, we spend this episode talking about other, less Master Chief-y games, go over some Tokyo Game Show news, and Dan gives one listener a verbal thrashing...over Halo.BTW, we're going to do another Player One Podcast Game Night this Friday, September 28. If you've been unable to find decent, non-griefing people to play with this could be your chance. Click here to go to our forums, register, and you'll see a thread about the Game Night in our Online Gaming area.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums if you haven't already!This week's links:Persona 3.skateBlue DragonBomberman LiveViva Pinata Party AnimalsPixelJunk RacersBioShockJoystiq: Grade-grubbing Gamestop manager gets suspendedFuture US doing Nintendo Power magazineSmash Bros. Brawl has online playBloomberg: Sega Sammy Says Sonic and Mario Game Sales May Reach 4 MillionGamesIndustry.biz: Thompson: Home delay is "disappointing"Gametrailers: Metal Gear Solid 4 trailerJoystiq: Hands-on with NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week we welcome ex-Electronic Gaming Monthly editor and Shawnimals creator Shawn Smith to the program for 90 minutes of chatting about games, ye olden days of EGM, and what it's like to leave a video game magazine, start a line of designer plush and then turn that work into a video game—Southpeak Interactive's recently announced Ninjatown for Nintendo DS.Plus we talk about the games we've been playing in the past week and go over a few of last week's big headlines. Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums!This week's links:ShawnimalsNinjatownSonic the Hedgehog 2Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade SquadronSudoku 2007 NESDonkey Kong Jungle ClimberHeavenly SwordPersona 3Blue DragonPixelJunk RacersSpider-Man Friend or Foe digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Admit it. You're biased. You have likes, dislikes, loves, hates, etc. And we jump into that a bit this week as we talk about fanboy logic -- the propensity to defend something you own/like even when that position is indefensible or seemingly illogical. We go through a few of the previous system wars and even fess up to our own personal biases. Maybe you'll be able to do the same after listening. Thanks go to Declivity Man on our forum for suggesting the topic.But that's not all, we also discuss the games we've been playing this week, including Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Blue Dragon -- two titles which have had very different reactions from the gaming community at large (that, for the most part, don't gel with our own).Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums!This week's links:Blue DragonMetroid Prime 3Donkey Kong Jungle ClimberBioShockDynasty Warriors GundamCrazy Taxi PSPNHL 08Fatal Inertia digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week the boys spend the entire podcast talking about all the boffo games they've been playing over the past week. Thrill as they go toe-to-toe on whether Metroid Prime 3 is "the tits" or yet another GameCube game with gimmicky controls. Witness them talk up Blue Dragon like it's not just another average RPG. Groan as Greg calls out Folklore for being a warmed-over turd. Plus! Be sure to take part in Player One's first game giveaway!Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week it's BioShock, BioShock, BioShock...and some Space Giraffe. And some other games. But mostly, BioShock. We suppose we should say before you listen that if you don't want to hear minor BioShock gameplay spoilers, you may want to skip from around the 28-minute mark to around the one-hour-and-20-second area. The spoilers are fairly minor, and if you've played up to Arcadia Hills (think "trees") they're nothing big.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums!This week's links:NASCAR 08Heroes of ManaStuntman IgnitionDead Head FredSpace GiraffeBioShockLlamasoft digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Madden last week, BioShock this week. The evidence is all around us -- we've started into the fall gaming season where players will part with exorbitant amounts of cash to play the games they've been waiting all year for. And we're gonna like it, damnit! In this episode, we run down the releases month by month and discuss what we'll buy, what we'll skip, and what we'll wait till it's half-off to pick up sometime next year. To wrap it up, we limit ourselves to just five games -- the ones we absolutely have to pick up this fall and list them for you. What's your list look like?But of course we begin the show by talking about the games we played this week, including plenty of Madden and BioShock talk with a couple other things thrown in there as well. Possible spoiler warning: CJ talks about the retail version of BioShock during his segment. It's not particularly spoilery but if you want to remain completely untainted you may want to skip ahead.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums!This week's links:Formula One Championship EditionMega Man Star ForceMadden NFL 08BioShockHexic 2Ecco the DolphinBeautiful Katamari (demo)Stranglehold (demo)Picture: Using BioShock as a coaster digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Are Public Relations representatives really the secret evil behind all that is wrong with videogame journalism? Or are they just another necessary evil in the giant game of game media? The boys discuss a recent article over at Gamasutra regarding this very subject, as well as wax nostalgic about some of their run-ins with over-zealous PR folks and publishing CEOs. But first they talk about what's been gracing the disc-trays of their various consoles this past week. Games ranging from the original Tomb Raider to Picross DS to Persona 3 and more are all included. Numan Athletics even gets a mention! Finally, the boys listen to (and mock) your feedback. There were some great calls this week. Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums! This week's link: Gamasutra: PR and the Game Media digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Twenty years ago, gaming began and ended with the Nintendo Entertainment System. You either owned one or desperately wanted to. It's been nearly 20 years since that time for most of us, and we spend a good portion of this episode telling tales of the NES -- reminiscing about our first experiences with the system, our favorite games, and the highs and lows of relying solely on allowances and birthdays for new games.That's not all though. Thanks in part to a little blow-up on 1UP.com, we also spend a little time talking about the effect price should/should not have on review scores. And we discuss the GTA IV delay, Halo 3 online co-op and the games we played this week.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069 or you can send a comment via MP3 to our email address, [email protected]. Don't forget to join our forums!BONUS AUDIO: Phil's NES Collection Reading.* Special thanks to mik @ thefanboys for the post-zinger audio.This week's links:Picross DSMarathon DurandalSpyglass Board GamesParappa the Rapper PSP1UP.com: How Will Sony Price Warhawk?Sam Kennedy blog: Price Does MatterPlayStation.blog: Warhawk Goes GoldCover art of Anticipation digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week the boys spend a lengthy amount of time talking about what they’ve been playing. Titles like Super Contra, Wing Commander Arena, Alien Syndrome, Overlord, Heavenly Sword, Project Sylpheed and more. And Phil has a total "Shane" moment in the process.Then, thrill to the story of how young Dan Dormer got his first break in the videogame industry, and get a bit of advice on how you, too, could do the same.Finally, we field some calls from our awesome listeners, and find out just how much Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 are going to suck. Oh, and just how little CJ knows about sports games. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

We open this episode by talking a little bit about which outlet we thought had the better E3 show coverage (or, rather, whose coverage we looked at most). But E3 is but a distant memory for the remainder. While we chat about what games we've been playing and rap for a little while about the Jeff Bell Internet drama (full story at links in the show notes) and game developer Dave Perry's comment about the Wii's fad factor, we spend most of this episode on more of the crew's "Tales of How I Got Into the Industry."This time it's CJ and Phil, whose stories about breaking into the industry run parallel at one point (thus why we did them at the same time, aside from it also generally being a slow news week). No Greg this week and no feedback section, though if we get enough calls on the voicemail line that'll return next time.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks to all who participated in our Bomberman Live game night last Friday.* BTW, "Playing like Derek" is a reference to an Easter Egg in Bomberman Live for Xbox 360.This week's links:Kotaku: Just Doing Our Job: AP Interrupts Our Miyamoto InterviewPicross DSBomberman LiveNCAA '08Sonic the HedgehogSuper Stardust HD1UP.com: Microsoft's Jeff Bell Calls Out Message Board PosterJoystiq: Jeff Bell asks message board user: "And your contribution to society is...what?"Next-gen.biz: In Defense of Jeff BellCJ's blog: Three and a half months later, the dream is overMagweasel: Phil's first issue of EGMMagweasel: CJ's first issue of EGM digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

It's the happiest time of the year for game companies. A time when they take precious manpower from their development cycle and cobble together an E3 demo in the hopes that some unwashed game journalist won't pass judgement on their product based on a five-minute demonstration and a press release. This week four of your favourite unwashed game journalists pick apart the three big press conferences as seen from the sidelines. Who did well? Who did poorly? Who the hell wrote Reggie's "Zap A Zombie" line and do they still have a job? Along the way the boys tackle issues like the imminent death of the Guitar Hero franchise, Nintendo's apparent lack of "real" games, the Sega Vintage line of Live Arcade games, and CJ's refusal to acknowledge any of our fine forum members on the show. Thank goodness our three other hosts do it for him. Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

We began recording this episode on Sunday with really just one thought in mind--talking about E3. And in the second segment we do that, mostly focusing on E3s passed and how the show changed during the time we (well, minus Dan) were actively involved in gaming magazine publishing. We share a few stories, a few yarns, a few fun anecdotes. The perfect thing in case any of you are heading down to the "new" E3, which takes place this week (none of us are, btw -- though two of us were invited).Other topics briefly touched upon including Microsoft's admission of defects with the 360 and the new warranty/repair program they've got going for anyone who's experienced red rings past, present and future. Unfortunately too late for those who just up and bought new systems. And we talk about the PS3 price cut coming this week, which was confirmed in between the time we recorded this and the time the finished episode was posted. Unfortunately it's just a temporary price cut in lieu of another $599 PS3 hardware SKU coming in August. What the heck is Sony doing?And naturally we begin the show by talking about what we played this week. Which isn't much, but there's some good stuff in here. If you like Moist Hollows, and awesome segues.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!This week's linksOverlordThe DarknessTransformersMissile CommandFinal FantasySuper Mario Bros. 2Miyamoto Mario PictochatOpen Letter From Peter MoorePlayStation.blog: New PS3, New Price Drop & More News Coming digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Two members of our cast are total Harry Potter geeks. In fact, the only passion that outstrips their love of the bespectacled wizard has to do with the Transformers. So you can guess what most of this episode is about. Who has the better game -- Harry or Optimus? Along with the two biggies, the boys tackle Carcassonne and Final Fantasy this week. Plus a look at some of the latest headlines in the gaming industry. And finally, they talk a bit about the licensed movie game genre. Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!

This week: A continuation of last week's discussion about game pricing. This time 'round we tackle the price of portable gaming, downloadable content, Xbox Live Arcade game price drops (or nonexistence of any) and more. Plus, we go over what we've been playing this week and play a couple voicemails.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!This week's links:Planet Puzzle LeaguePac-Man Championship EditionBand of BugsTransformersHot BrainTime AceDiRTTenchu Z digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Whether it's Microsoft having to publicly justify the $10 price tag of Pac-Man Championship Edition and explain the reason why Shadowrun on 360 is $10 more than it is on PC, or news the Sony is "studying" PS3 price cuts...the price of gaming is a big topic of discussion these days. In the second segment we kick off a conversation about game/console pricing that will continue in next week's cast. Have $60 games changed the way you decide what to buy? Have you jumped ship to Gamefly and other rental services to continue enjoying your hobby? And we'd actually like to hear your opinions on it as well, so call that voicemail line and leave us a message--we'll be playing a few of them in part two next week.As always we begin the 'cast by talking about what we're playing (not much, really) and finish it out by going over some of the feedback from the last few episodes.Thanks for listening! You can leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!This week's links:Planet Puzzle LeaguePrince of PersiaPuzzle QuestVirtual Console: Punch OutFinal Fantasy IXPac-Man Championship EditionYouTube: Pac-Man C.E.Gamerscore blog: Lunchtime Conversation (Pac-Man and Pricing)Level-Up: Disparity from Microsoft Game Studios: PricelessPS3 price drop only a matter of timeJoystiq: May NPD: Nintendo still on top, industry sales up 49% digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

To celebrate the release of Tomb Raider Anniversary (or, depending on who you ask, Pac-Man Championship Edition) the boys tackle the topic of retro remakes this week. Do we like �em? Do we hate �em? Should Square Enix just give up on the Final Fantasy remakes already? You�ll have to listen to find out. And after that, we take some listener calls (Dan likes to call them �reader� calls�he�s so cute) and discuss the current state of game magazines, the reaction to the most recent EGM redesign, and why dudes are so compelled to call us when they�re drunk. Of course, before all that the guys talk about the games they�ve played in the last week, and somehow manage not to mention Catan or World of Warcraft�at least no more than a passing mention. So listen already!This week's links:Planet Puzzle LeagueYoutube: Tetris AttackPac-Man Championship EditionPuzzle QuestTomb Raider AnniversaryShadowrunC.R.U.S.H. digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This is the episode that almost didn't happen. Or, rather, it's the episode that happened three times and we still didn't make it out alive. Either way you look at it, here it is and let's all just be glad it's over. The first two tries at recording this over the weekend were foiled by CJ's laptop teetering on the brink of obsolescence. The third time was the charm, except that halfway through Dan's Internet went wonky and his recording software crashed, leaving us with only a rough backup track of his contributions to this episode. If you're wondering why Dan sounds like he's broadcasting from a dark cave somewhere, this is why.But there are bright spots in this episode. It's not all bad (we swear). Thanks to Forza 2, Mad Tracks and the DIRT demo, we decided to spend the second segment talking about racing games. And despite Dan being disconnected during it and Phil's near complete lack of interest in the genre, we think it turned out OK. You be the judge.Thanks for listening and for hanging in there during our technical difficulties! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums!This week's links:Forza 2ShadowrunOuendan 2Planet Puzzle LeagueCatanDIRT demoMad TracksYoutube: Speed Devils Online digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

It's Memorial Day weekend in the USA, generally thought of as the "official" start of the summer movie season (though more and more films are opening well beforehand every year). This weekend it's Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End. But 30 years ago it was Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. To commemorate the occasion, we spend the second half of this episode talking about Star Wars as the series has appeared in video games. From the original 1980s arcade game to Masters of Teras Kasi and KOTOR, join us for a walk down memory lane.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Halo 3 BetaCatanAegis WingWorld of WarcraftGuitar Hero IIWii SportsGuitar Hero III songlist previewPirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndXeviousOuendan 2Taito Legends 2 / Power UpSoltrio SolitaireFamicom Star WarsMasters of Teras Kasi digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Last week the rumor hit the Internet that Nintendo was planning to shutter their Nintendo Power magazine. Sad news for those of us in the "Nintendo generation" that grew up reading it religiously. So we invited Kevin Gifford of magweasel.com and GameSetWatch's weekly Game Mag Weaseling column to talk about it. We not only discuss the rumored shutdown of Nintendo Power but also about the current state of video game magazines in the US and UK and the changing nature of print publishing.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Magweasel.comGame Mag WeaselingIGN: Rumor: Nintendo Power Shutting DownYoutube: Nintendo Power commercialThe (Unofficial) Ace Ebb Fan ClubEdge Presents FileCrackdownHalo 3 BetaRistarPokemon Diamond/PearlCatanOuendan 2Odin SphereLunar Knights digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week we take a minute (OK, more like 30) to talk about the ill-fated 32-bit Sega Saturn system. But we're not just doing it because we like to shoot the bull about classic game hardware--May 11 marked 12 years since the system launched in North America, the first (and last) time a game console has been stealth-surprise launched. Maybe our discussion of the system and its games will spark a few memories in your mind (and if it does, pick up the phone and tell 'em to our voicemail line so we can play them on the air).While that's the main focus this week we also do a super-sized What'cha Been Playing that includes talk about the 360 Spring Dashboard Update, discuss whether we think Guitar Hero 3 or Rock Band will be better, and ponder which gaming genre will "die" next.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Puzzle QuestPokemon Diamond and PearlCatanCalling All CarsSuper Paper MarioDouble Dragon XBLALegend of the Mystical Ninja Virtual ConsoleSNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters DS1UP Yours: May 4, 2007 episode1UP Boards: Did you ever overreact to a game's low score...EGM Review: Star Fox Adventures (Shane)EGM Review: Star Fox Adventures (CJ)Joystiq: Is Catan changing Xbox Live?Youtube: Sega Saturn promo videoYoutube: Sega Saturn commercialYoutube: Freaky Sega Saturn commercialYoutube: Segata Sanshiro commercialYoutube: Dragon ForceYoutube: NiGHTSYoutube: Winter HeatYoutube: Radiant SilvergunYoutube: Keio YugekitaiYoutube: Burning Rangers Promotion VideoYoutube: Segata Sanshiro final commercial digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

The title of this episode is a choice piece of advice on how to get into the industry from this week's special guest, 1UP.com's Patrick Klepek. If you've always wondered how to get your foot in the door, you'll want to stick around for the last part of this episode where Patrick and co-host Greg Sewart share their stories of how they got started. (We'll get to the rest of the crew and other guests in the next few weeks.)Two other big topics this week -- First, David Jaffe's blog blow-up against game reviewers and gaming blogs (Joystiq in particular). We discuss reviewers taking the price/distribution model of a game in mind, developers versus journalists, fixing bugs after reviews have been printed, and the importance of playing a game so reliant on the quality of the online community "in the wild." Then we switch gears a little and discuss Microsoft's new territory controls built around the Xbox Live Marketplace.One more thing, if you've seen Spider-Man 3 or don't mind hearing spoilers, stick around after the ending theme music for 10 minutes or so of talk about the movie.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Guest Patrick Klepek's blog and 1UP blogLord of the Rings OnlinePokemon Diamond and PearlThe Red StarRaiden IIIOdin SphereSpider-Man 3CatanCentipede/MillipedeSuper Rub-a-DubCastlevaniaBoom Boom RocketDavid Jaffe's blog: Comments on first Calling All Cars reviewsJoystiq on Calling All Cars delayDavid Jaffe's blog: That's it for now...see you soonAndrew Pfister's 1UP.com blog: Reviewing Reviewers of ReviewsGamerscore blog: Xbox 360 Marketplace Territory Controls StrengthenedGamerscore blog: More on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Content digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Ken Kutaragi. He wasn't just the CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, he was also the father of the PlayStation. Without him, Sony never would've gotten into the gaming business to begin with. So it seems a bit odd that on the eve of what should be their triumph, he's retiring. While it's debatable as to whether he should've ascended to the heights he did within Sony (and his rambling, eccentric speeches at various press conferences point directly at this), it does seem like his stepping down is in response to the PSP's lackluster performance and the PS3's rocky launch. Join us as we talk a little bit about this and Sony's future steps.Naturally, that's not all we talk about in this episode. There's lots of Pokemon talk (so be prepared), as well as discussions about the use of webcams in console gaming, the anniversary of the Wii name, the analyst that thinks Wii/DS success is bad for the industry, and much much more. Join us, won't you?Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Pokemon Diamond and PearlGuitar Hero IIPinball FXEets ChowdownNinja Gaiden SigmaPlanet Earth Blu-RayCastlevania: Symphony of the NightWonder Boy in Monster WorldOblivionPac-Man (1982 cartoon)YouTube: Pac-Man introNextGen.biz: Kutaragi to Retire in JuneGameDaily: Analysts Weigh in on Kutaragi's Departure1UP.com: Celebrate the Past with Ken Kutaragi's Greatest Hits!Joystiq: Wii name celebrates first anniversaryNext-Gen.biz: Analyst: Wii, DS Success a Bad ThingKotaku: PS3 EyeToy Dated For US (Too)Pikachu: "Bitches Love Me"Seaman 2 digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

To mark the glorious occasion of the release of a brand-new Pokemon game, we take a look back on the series as a whole -- the ups, the downs, the seizure-inducing TV show, all of it. Is it wrong that grown adults love the Pokemon games too? Certainly not -- after all, they're just plain ol' RPGs with 400 cute characters to capture. At the end of the segment we issue a challenge to any Pokerapping listeners we might have out there. Any takers?Before all that we talk about what we've been playing and briefly go over the March NPD sales numbers. Not so hot of a month for Sony, strange since Motorstorm was considered a potential system-seller and Casino Royale hit Blu-Ray, figuring that it would've helped sell a few systems too.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Lego Star Wars IIPokemon Diamond and PearlGuitar Hero II3D Ultra MinigolfGyrussViva PinataPunch-Out!!!Jetpac RefuelledHalo 2 (new maps)Xbox 360 backward compatibility updateJoystiq: NPD: March belongs to DS, PS2PS3 System UpdatePokemon: Legend of Dratini (banned episode)Pokemon: James' Boobs (banned episode)Pokemon: Porygon clip (seizure episode)Pokerap (not the real one)Pokemon theme song live digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Warning: Depending on your stance on game spoilers, you'll either love or hate this episode of the Player One Podcast. Because Gamestop locations are running a video in-store that shows the ending of Zelda: Twilight Princess, we thought it would be the perfect time to talk about spoilers. What is and is not a game spoiler? Is watching the first 10 minutes of a highly anticipated game via a webcast spoiling the experience? When is the statute of limitations up, making it OK to spoil? After all, Twilight Princess has been out for a few months -- but is it still too early? Join us as we discuss these questions and more. (But if you care about spoilers for Metal Gear Solid 2, Halo 2 and Super Paper Mario you may want to skip it to keep yourself pure.)Also this week we discuss Activision's Guitar Hero II microtransaction buzzkill. We were all ready (as some of you probably were too) to buy tracks from Guitar Hero 1 to play on our 360s. What we weren't prepared for was the cost of the privilege. And because it wouldn't be a show without talking about Sony, we spend a segment talking about Sony officially killing off the 20GB PS3 in North America. Good idea, or bad idea?Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Super Paper Mario WiiBoom Boom Rocket Xbox 360MLB 2k7 Xbox 360World of Warcraft PCBeyond the Red Line PCSingstar Pop PS2Guitar Hero II Xbox 360Pokemon Diamond and Pearl DSOblivion Xbox 360Joystiq: Major Nelson talks Guitar Hero II microtransactionsAndrew Pfister 1UP blog: Guitar Hero sells out1UP.com: Sony officially dropping 20GB PS3 in North AmericaJoystiq: Gamestop spoils Twilight Princess ending in stores digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

We kick off this episode on a bit of a sour note -- Phil's Xbox 360 was visited by the system-killing three red lights just two weeks after CJ's died. Clearly, Greg and Dan's systems are next. But we quickly move into greener topics, discussing Super Paper Mario (which CJ got to play a bunch of this week) and Guitar Hero II at length in our first segment.We also discuss the recent PSP price drop. Is it enough? Can the PSP be saved by adding a second analog stick or getting rid of UMD? And finally, following the announcement of Rock Band -- EA/MTV/Harmonix's new all-encompassing music game -- we discuss the advancement of the genre, from PaRappa to Dance Dance Revolution to Taiko Drum Master and Guitar Hero.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:Meet the RobinsonsGuitar Hero IIXbox 360 Three Red LightsXbox Domain: Towel TrickEpisode 11: The Dead PoolSuper Paper MarioJetpac RefuelledSony PSP hardware drops to $169.99Variety.com: MTV, Harmonix Form Rock Band digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

This week all four regulars are back, and just in time too for a rousing discussion of the pros and cons of the newly announced Xbox 360 Elite. With its 120GB hard drive, HDMI port (plus included cable--take that, Sony!) and sleek black curves, you'd think it'd be everything you'd ever want in a 360. Only, it's not. Let the complaining commence.Our other big discussion in this episode is about Sega's NiGHTS sequel and the screenshots/info that were revealed via several European sources last week. Is it going to be a Sega fan's wet dream or do Sonic Team's recent weak efforts hint at it being utterly underwhelming? The majority consensus here is that Sega and Sonic Team have an uphill battle.Thanks for listening! Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.This week's links:EGM April Fools JokesXbox 360 Three Red LightsTetris EvolutionJetpac RefuelledCastlevania Symphony of the NightGameLife: Jobs: Run Nintendo's Virtual ConsolePolicenauts.netOblivion: Shivering IslesWorld of WarcraftCustom Robo ArenaBurnout DominatorPuzzle QuestTMNTGamevideos.com: Grand Theft Auto IV trailerXbox 360 EliteKotaku: Sony working on PS3 "Elite" model?GamesIndustry.biz: 360 Elite validates Sony's hi-def focus - analyst360-Gamer: The Xbox 360 Hardware Failure SurveyJoystiq: NiGHTS Wii screens, interview found in Portuguese game magSonic and Mario at the OlympicsHype: Mario and Sonic Come Together in the Spirit of Friendship for the 2008 Olympics digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

CJ's away in San Francisco, which means Phil and Greg are taking over this week and spending way too much time talking about one of their favorite systems--the Sega CD. Thrill to stories of the Sega CD launch; the greatest pack-in software bundle of all time; the synergy of Hollywood and Silicon Valley; and an in-depth review of the greatest Sega CD game you've never played. Dan even says two or three words during the segment!Of course, we begin things this week with Whatcha-been playin'? Here we talk about everything from God of War II and sucking less than CJ to Tetris Evolution on 360 and everything in between. Oh, there's some Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Earth Defense Force 2017 in there as well. And in the following segment we tackle Jack Thompson's latest frivolous lawsuit, 2K Games' tendency to stick their heads in the sand, and Dan gets really angry about the European PS3 launch. Plus, is the third-party exclusive dead? You'll have to listen to find out.Leave us a voicemail comment by calling 713-893-8069. Or you can e-mail us, vote for us on Digg, leave a comment on the iTunes Music Store, leave a comment on the blog page or join our forums! Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week.Tetris Evolution 360God of War 2 PS2Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 360Castlevania Symphony of the Night 360Earth Defense Force 2017 360World of WarcraftCall of Duty PSP1UP.com: Devil May Cry 4 heads to 360, PCGamespot: Thompson countersues Take-TwoJeremy Parish 1UP blog: Why there won't be a System Shock RetronautsEngadgetHD: London's crime-free PS3 launch results in free HDTVs / cab ridesWikipedia: Sega CDLunarNET (Lunar series fansite)YouTube: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Sega CDSnatcherGood Deal Games (new or recovered Sega CD games)YouTube: Penn & Teller: Smoke & Mirrors digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';

Welcome to a very special edition of the Player One Podcast. This is not a regular episode. It's a fan commentary for Episode 1 of Captain N: The Game Master (available now on DVD from Shout Factory). Note: You must have a copy of the set for most of the audio in this podcast to make any sense whatsoever. Here's how it works: Load up Disc 1, and go into the Episode Selection menu. Start listening to this episode, and when you hear the Mario "pipe" sound effect press enter on your DVD remote to start playing Episode 1 "Kevin in Videoland." Or, if your iPod/iTunes/media player plays enhanced podcasts and you downloaded the AAC version of this podcast, you can skip to the second chapter marker just after the three-minute mark and begin playing from there.We hope you enjoy this, our first fan commentary track. Go to www.playeronepodcast.com, tell us what you thought, and let us know if you have an idea for a show we should do another commentary on. Or call us on our voice mail line at 713-893-8069. Thank you for listening!Show Links:Shout FactoryShout Factory: Captain N The Game MasterAmazon.com: Captain N The Game Master digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Player_One_Podcast'; digg_bgcolor = '#FFCC99'; digg_skin = 'compact';