Akkhraziel

From the director of Shaolin Soccer...we have yet another entry into the wuxia comedy genre. It is absolutely worth seeing. I'm not going to go much into the plot, but if you: a) like wuxia/kung fu movies or b) like a good comedy, go see it. It goes by very quickly at 96 minutes, but if you get a chance, it makes a great evening flick. And if you haven't seen Shaolin Soccer, rent it Akkh

Not hard to guess what I got...with 90%. It was easy to lead the questions though, and I find it amusing, given I do actually like pirates. Akkh "But please just call me Zachary Yo Ho Ho and a strawberry daquiri -and so we called him Zachary"

63 % as well. I'm quite surprised, gievn that I don't have any of the theme. Yarr ! Akkh

Definantly a fun game. If you are familiar with Bioware, its another rpg offering from them with a more action based combat system. The setting is wonderful, the storyline isn't half bad, and there are just some simply wonderful elements to it. THe fact that John Cleese does a wee bit of voice acting for it just adds to the amusement value. All in all, give it a spin. Akkh

Wow...thats quite a collection. As embarassing as it is, I've only recently started working on picking up my favorite theme, and ony have one set to show for my efforts thus far, 6093. THat said, its probably my favorite out of any I've ever built. I'm actually planning to write a review of it for the site soon, it impressed me that much. One day, budget and time allowing, I'll get the rest of the line. Akkh

The only thing I was ever really confused by was the islanders theme. That seemed to pull the idea that all the pirate stuff was in the Carribean and move it over into the south pacific, given the the overall general look of the islanders. (Looks tiki-ized to me) Additionally, I've always vaguely wondered what Lego was planning to have you do with the Islander sets in the pirates theme...recreate Spanish visits ? There's a lovely idea. Don't get me wrond, the sets were pretty and all, I'm just curious as to the logic behind them. Oh, and on the note of Pirates not quite being done yet: as pirates weren't really my bag, I can't comment too much on it. But going off the theme I really like (ninja, for those who haven't caught on yet) it seems that Lego does sort of run out os steam after a year or two. I'm kinda glad there wasn't a third year of Ninja, it might have been fairly silly. Hmmm, taking that a bit firther, it might very well be that Lego has noticed that the average attention span of kids for any toy seems to be about a year to two years, after that they move on. Perhaps that is the other reason for the constantly shifting themes (in some form or fashion) or constant 're-imaging' of a line (Bionicle, Knights Kingdom part II, Electric Boogaloo). Just my two cents, Akkh

Its all good, and welecome aboard. Yay, someone esle to talk history stuff with. Catch yas around. Akkh

Welecome Grim, its a fun place to lay one's two cents in. And yes, remiain neutral in the great viking and pirate wars of 2005, or take the route I tend to and elect a third faction. Mmmm...ninja.... Akkh

Byt they are appropriately colored for a fantasy setting. Could they be more realsitic ? Sure, but they don't look half bad fighting lots of skeletons. Akkh

With no offense to sony, but there are products that do this better. I enjoy the PSP as a gaming platform. But if some of the hike up in the very high price was due to the inclusion of this feature, I 'd rather have a cheaper PSP and an iPod, personally. At the moment, the most I'm interested on in either system is the wi-fi capabilites, which both have. The notion of taking the effort to play a portable system online is not real appealing to me. I'd much rather do that with a gaming console. And even with the fact that the PSP has it built in, it does little good unless game makers incorporate that into the game design. Its the same problem the DS is suffering from with the touch screen. ITs all well and good, but someone needs to do something with it. Well, let's first address the PSP games. GTA...haven't seen it yet, can't really comment whta its going to look like. Untold Legends: I own this one. Great game. I do enjoy it, but its aliasing issues are a little annoying as well as the annoying habit that monsters chasing you run faster than if you are facing them. A few glitches that needed working out. Still, protable Diablo II style action is great. Darkstalkers Chronicles: A lovely port of a great series. I imported Vampire Savior for the Saturn, this game is just gorgeous. Wipeout Pure: Not a racing game fan, this one does nothing for me. Metal Gear Acid: Heard some interesting things...but not sure if I'm all that interested in a card game. Heard lots of people dissapointed with that aspect. Don't forget Lumines, its supposed to be a great puzzle game. You also forgot to emntion some of the good games on the DS. Super Mario 64 DS is a great port of a good platformer. Warioware Touched and Fell the Magic appeal very well to the mini-games crowd. So in essence, I stand by my first assessment. THe PSP is a great sysem, I'm just not completely certain its 100$ more great than the DS. Time will tell if both systems can get some truly killer apps, and appeal across their thus far genre specific niches. Akkh

Just becasue I'm an equal oppurtunist, and I'm curious, what ninja sets do people have. WHat sets have they always wanted to get ? Akkh

mmmmmMMMMMMmmmmm.... Beer is the path to the darkside. Beer leads to intoxication. Intoxication leads to hangover. Hangover leads to suffering. I sense much beer in you... Hrm, every time I see "Destroy all Gungans" it brings to mind destroy all monsters...but then again, Godzilla eating Gungans isn't exactly an unpleasant thought. Darth Guiness I mean, Akkh

On ohter possible good PSP news, it looks like The Ark of Utnapishtim might be making a port over...that'll be sweet. On the DS front, Metriod Hunters is getting closer. Good games all around.

Possibly...but it didn't for those of us in Europe in the States. At best, in Japan, it launched near the time. Why Sony didn't choose to release it in other markets before Christmas is explainable, but still not the most sound decision. Right now, I'd say both systems are plagued by a few things, chief among them a lack of attention grabbing titles. The PSP has impressive hardware, and thankfully Sony of America is taking great steps to recify the quality control issues. But then again, the gameboy thrived against competitors who generally always had more advanced hardware. Given a few months, though, I think we'll see the immergence of some high quality games that play to the strengths of both systems. Then, a better comparison can be made. Akkh

My pirates sets consists of: Is that crickets I hear chirping ? Alas, I own no pirate sets. They are, however, on my list of things ot get....as soon as I finish getting all the Ninja sets I want, which may take a very, very, very long time. Mmmmm....ninja *wub* UPDATED: After much thought and deliberation, I purchased my first Pirate set. And lo, it was a long wait, but soon my MISB 6286 arrived. (as well as a 6251, and a few other non-pirate goodies. Buying in bulk is a good way to even bring the highest prices down to normal). After gently opening the box, and a lovely build time later, it was finished. I have to say, I love the model, and its one of the best sets I've ever owned or put together. I'm quite impressed. So, Akkh now has: 6286 6251 That'll probaby be it for awhile...but no regrets on that end. Akkh

I haven't voted yet. Mostly becasue I'm still deciding. And talk about quality control issues...the PSP has been lousy with them. Fortunately, I've heard Sony may be doing something to rectify that directly, and if not, its why I bought a warranty. Exchanges are a beautiful thing. Still...this is my second PSP with dead pixels and air bubbles in the screen. I know that such things are part and parcle with mass produced LCD's....but for the cash, I'd also like the product to be mostly defect free. Akkh

I recently got a PSP and my wife has a DS. Both are absolutely awesome. Given the $100 difference between the two, the fact that the DS can play GBA games, and that there are some great titles coming down the pike, I'd give the current edge to the Ds. If/when Sony lowers the price a bit, or some even better games come out for, I think it will be a great day for gamers. Competition makes for good games. Akkh

I might be misremembering, but I think Ninja were on the whole a stand alone line. At the very least, the logo makes no mention of it being connected to Castle. THen again, I seem to remember that being the case with all the space lines. They didn't exactly say Lego Space: Ice Planet. But anyway, they were great sets, and many of them had castle like elements. Akkh

Don't forget Ninja !!! <ahem> Back to lurking.... Akkh

Okay, some bits updated. There are still three places left to Check. Akkh

Amusingly enough, The Thirtenth Warrior is an adaptation of Beowulf. As movies go, its quite entertaining, and the Vikings in it are very well done. Akkh

I checked one of the places while I was out picking up my PSP. I will be checking a few other locations this evening. List updated to reflect what I saw. Akkh

I'm aware they are not involved in the comparison, I was merely joking and voicing my preference. ;) As in some forms of american media, it is rumored that the ninja and the pirate are dreaded enemies. Its sorta a long standing joke. That, and I really like the ninja sets. :-D Akkh

There is no ninja option.... Actually, I'm about split on this one. I like both. Akkh

Wow...a Halo theme could be really sweet. But I've always been partial to the ninja sets. Tough call for me. Akkh