Brendan2k5's Blog

It comes but once a year and it's coming this Weekend! Boston's is Saturday and Cambridge is Sunday. Those who are from the Carribbean Islands between the Americas (also known as the West Indies) come together for a weekend of music, food, culture, dance and all around fun. I live two streets down from one of the parade routes used in the Boston Carnival (Seaver Street, I live on Homestead) and my neighbor is going to be a part of it as a DJ. In fact, I was one of the performers in Cambridge Carnival last year.

 I'm from Trinidad and Boston Carnival is like a Family Reunion as I have family in New York, Toronto, Baltimore and all over who come to Boston for the weekend.In past years I went to New York Carnival (always the week after Boston's) so I can visit with family. I like it because as a first Generation West Indian (I was born here but my parents were born in Trinidad) I get to celebrate my heritage. It means alot to me as, unlike alot of people I know of African American descent, I at least know my heritage.

I'll make another blog detailing what parts of Dorchester, Roxbury, Jamica Plain and  Mattapan will be closed just like I did last year.

 
 

It comes but once a year and it's coming this Saturday (August 25). Those who are from the Carribbean Islands between the Americas (also known as the West Indies) come together for a weekend of music, food, culture, dance and all around fun. I live two streets down from one of the parade routes (Seaver Street, I live on Homestead) and my neighbor is going to be a part of it as a DJ.

 
I'm from Trinidad and Boston Carnival is like a Family Reunion as I have family in New York and all over who come to Boston for the Weekend. Some times I also go to New York Carnival (always the week after Boston's) so I can visit with family. I like it because as a first Generation West Indian (I was born here but my parents were born in Trinidad) I get to celbrate my heritage.

 

It means alot to me as, unlike alot of people I knoe of African American descent, I at least know my heritage.

 
I'll make another blog detailing what parts of Dorchester, Roxbury, Jamica Plain and  Mattapan will be closed for tomorrow. Cambridge Carinval is Sunday but I usually don't go myself--I'm so tired I sleep right through it!

 

I originally wrote this when I had a Nintendo DS. I now have its smaller cousin, the Nintendo DS Lite. Aside from two bits I'm adding, this I won't change anything. If you have a DS Lite (or are interested in buying one) then this Review still applies to you because of how I wrote it.

 

Released in 2005, The DS has proven itself over the longterm in terms of both durability and ingenuity. It's on par with the Nintendo 64 in many ways and if Super Mario64 DS is ANY indication, it's got the power to run 64-bit bit games with ease, too. Not only that, Nintendo went the extra mile with the GBA slot for single-player GBA fun, the DS Rumble Pak, The Expansion Pak or GBA/DS fun. ^_^


The Graphics vary from game to game but for the most part, the 3D ones are spectacular. You'd almost think you were playing the N64 at times. From what I can tell, once again Square-Enix will be the one to push the DS to its limits with the release of Final Fantasy III (11/14/06) and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (Release TBA).


Who says one screen's always the way to go? While all the action is going on you can use the stylus and lower (touch) screen to adjust settings, move around, tap on objects/characters or use magic/spells. What gave it an 8 out of 10 for me was being able to reverse controls for those who are left-handed. For those who've been disputing why some DS Games are set up a certain way, now you know.

I have my own acoustics system to play with but I know I can't speak for everyone. The music and sounds are a step up from the (Game Boy) Advance Generation. For those who have the Max Media Player for the DS, know that your money is well-spent!

Unfortunately, since the advent of the Action Replay DS, Online Play has been losing its appeal. This has become a real problem in Metroid Prime Hunters and Starfox  Command in particular. Complicated installation instructions for the USB Adapter ($40 USD, sold separately) would've made me return my DS and Wi-Fi games if not for already having a reliable Wi-Fi Connection already at home. Nintendo seems to have gotten the problem under control, as there have been less reports of Cheaters online. Besides, no one likes to play against a cheater.

The North American release of the DS Internet Browser (Powered by Opera, sold separately for $30 USD) has made it possible to use the internet anywhere wit ha Wi-Fi Connection. It;s a fully functioning browser and you can visit just about any kind of website on it. Check You Tube for footage of people using it on the go--I myself typed this entire message USING my DS Browser! As with a computer, you should consult the Application's Parental Settings before giving it to children (by default the parental lock is off).

Once again, Nintendo delivers an awesome product for all to enjoy. Casual Gamers will take to the Touch Generation Games like Tetris DS, Elite Beat Agents, Club House Games and Brain Age. Serious Gamers like myself will get into Metroid Prime Hunters, Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighters' Battle, Final Fantasy III and Mario Kart DS. At $120 alone or $150 with a game you're definitely getting your money's worth!


If you liked the Nintendo DS, try the DS Lite. It's lighter (obviously) and more compact than the original. At the time this review was written you can get it in Wihte, Black or Pink. If you buy it with Brain Age 2 it comes in Red. Finally, you could always try the Nintendo Wii. Consult my review for said system for more on the Wii.

 

I refer to it as my 'Unicorn' and a few months back, I finally got it. For those who don't know what's so special about it, here's the deal:

 

1. It's a $250 system. Compared to the Xbox 360 ($300 to $400 depending on which version you get) and the Playstation 3 ($500 now), it's the lowest costing of the three.

2. Nintendo breaks tradition and instead of using an Analong Controller like the other two systems do, with the Wii you take a more interactive approach in the games you play. With the Wii Mote ($40, though you get a free one when you buy Wii Play) and Nunchucks  ($20) you're motions are used to play the game.

 3. The System comes with a game called Wii Sports so you can have a taste of what the system and new control system can allow you to do. With the Boxing Game, you hold the Wiimote and Nunchucks and throw punches as if you were really in the ring. You can put up your hands to block and move your feet to dodge, too. With the baseball game, you can throw pitches and smash homeruns and you hold the Wii mote like you're holding a real bat.

 
In another game called Trauma Center: Second Opinion, you play as a doctor with the lives of patients in your hands. You can remove tumors via the Powell Procedure and even use a Defibulator to jumpstart patients that flatline. In one operation, you do a Kidney Transplant and in another you have to operate in the dark.

4. Perhaps the biggest reason to own a Wii is the Virtual Console. As long as you have an Internet Connection (or a Wireless Router) at home, you can download over 20 years worth of video games. You can get games for the NES, SNES, Nintendo64, Turbografix 16 and Sega Genesis Systems. via the Virtual Console.

5. Yet another reason people love the Wii is it's backwards compatible with the Nintendo Gamecube. You can play Gamecube games on the Wii and there's ports for the Gamecube Memory Cards and Controllers as well.

 

6. You can use the Internet (Powered by Opera) via the Wii as well. You point and click with the Wii Mote and can use it to browse just about any site you can with a computer--myfoxboston.com included. In fact, That's what I'm using to make this post.

7.  There's a Forecast Feature so you can get the weather. It can also be used to see the weather all over the world. There's also a Newcast Feature so you can read the news and of course I mean REAL news.

 
8. If you have an SD Memory Card or you can insert it into your Wii and do all sorts of stuff with your photos. You can even view them all in a slideshow if you want.

 

9. Contrary to popular belief, Nintendo is purposely releasing the system in limited quantities in stores. Most of the ones I've seen only get 15 per shipment. It's more about safeguarding against Piraters than anything else. Oh and of course it's to keep the demand high. Seeing as more people want a Wii than the other two systems, who can blame them?

 

10. Finally, unlike any other video game system made up to now (with the Nintendo DS being a possible exception) you're not just sitting and playing. You're getting and moving around while you're playing. It's like a workout for your entire body!

 

 My next blog in the Entertainment Section will be about the Nintendo DS. I'll open the floor for questions and NO, I am not a Nintendo Fanboy XD