You know what stings?  There is no region protection built into the Xbox 360, but publishers lock their software and swallow the key anyway. This is especially lame thanks to all the great shoot 'em ups on the console - Death Smiles, Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta, Do Don Pachi Daioujo Black Label Extra, Shooting Love 200X, and more all have a home on Japan's black sheep console of the generation.  And we can't play them thanks to region lockout.  Well, we've finally been thrown a bone, as developer Cave chose to keep their most recent 360 port region-free.  But is Mushihime-sama Futari worth importing from the Land of the Rising Sun?  Oh, yes.  Yes it is.

Today in Japan, SNK Playmore will release twelve games.  Suck on that EA and Activision.  On the slightly less awesome side, all these games are re-releases of PS2 arcade ports.  But hey, they come in some of the classiest packaging I've ever seen.

Hit the link for the rundown on Neo Geo Online Collection Complete Box Volumes 1 and 2...

8-bit demakes.  They're so hot right now.

Capcom must be bustin' out a helluva budget for Dark Void.  They've been putting out a few press videos a week (try to keep up, I dare you), released a Jetpack Attack 2D customizable online game, and now this, an 8 bit game set in the Dark Void universe.  Entitled Dark Void Zero, the game will debut on DSiWare (!) for 500 points in January.  PC and mobile versions will follow a month later in February.

Anyone else feel like watching Rocketeer?

[Capcom-Unity]

Robotube's own Jason Cirillo just shared via Twitter the 18-hour Robotube/Gaijin game, Bit.Tonik.  As a collaborative challenge that took place over this past weekend's Blip Festival, the game was made in less than a day, features background tunes by Glomag, and combines the two styles perfectly.  

The Dreamcast is well-known for its library of exquisite shoot 'em ups and imports.  And the crown jewel of any Dreamcast shmup fan's library is the limited edition of Border Down, a horizontal shooter created by G.rev in 2003.  Border Down can go for as much as $200 thanks to its rarity - and that's just the standard edition.  The Limited Edition can cost up to $400.  Lucky for me, I was able to snatch up a limited edition copy for only $25.  So does Border Down break down the walls of the shooting genre, or is it simply an Ebay darling whose price outweighs its quality?  Hit the link for the review.

No longer content behind Anamanaguchi's drum set, Luke played this awesome Miley Cyrus cover at the Blip Open Mic for his pal USK.  I don't think much more of an explanation is needed.

I was recently turned on to Robert Ashley's "A Life Well Wasted" podcast.  It's in audio-form, and while not on a regular schedule, covers some really interesting topics and themes.  The first two episodes I listened to were about why we collect things, and why we play video games.  Pretty deep stuff.

Since January of 2009, there are only 7 total episodes, which makes it pretty easy to catch up on.  I'd go so far as to say it's the "This American Life" of video games.  Check it out at alifewellwasted.com.

I'm a gamer, always have been. Problem is for a large number of years that's really just consisted of the video variety. That's a huge mistake on my part, to not enjoy the video game's analog brethren... the board game. There’s actually a vibrant and intense board game world out there that’s been pushed to the sidelines by game players such as ourselves for too long. In this column I'll be diving into this world, looking at games that hopefully you'd like to try out for yourself.

OK I ain't gonna lie, last column's game ZERTZ was a bit of a mind-bender. Maybe abstract games aren't really your thing, and that's cool. Maybe you're looking for something a bit lighter, fun and fancy free... well that's fine too. Actually, it's better than fine because today I'm going to hit you right in the face with what you've been looking for! It's called Cloud 9 and point of the game is to earn points by braving the ride in a hot air balloon as it rises into the clouds. Potential points increase as the balloon rises, but so does the potential that it'll crash and you'll earn nothing! Jump out at the right time and you'll run away with the victory!

Ready to take a ride?

So Blip Fest has come and gone, and while it would've been impossible to record all of the great performances, I did shoot some interesting stuff at Wednesday night's Open Mic.  So many talented and diverse artists turned out, and despite technical problems, quite a lot of people got to perform.  From darker tracks, to reggae, to rapping over chiptunes, to playing notes on an SNES controller, to a sing-along Miley Cyrus cover, no genre went overlooked.  Here's until next year...

music in the video by ARY.

It took all of about 24 hours after the mention of Sheep Man for fans to start pumping out the tribute art.  No complaints here, though.  This Mega Fan says bring it on.

I personally like deez ones.  Hit the link to see more.

[Capcom-Unity]