Game Goob's Video Games

Nintendo (Super Mario Galaxy) Video Game Poster Print - 16" X 20"

Based on the classic "Rubik's Cube" puzzle of the 80's, this other worldly game will look like and play like no other game out there. Rubik's World is a collection of extremely addictive, easy to pick up puzzle games that increase in difficulty as the player delves deeper in this brave new world. But, these games are not mere mini-games, but serious puzzlers and brain teasers, offering the player an immersive experience whether it be for a few minutes or a few hours.

But miss! I have nothing more than video games on my mind! Cherry red shirt has a distressed silkscreen of white text that reads: "LET'S PLAY DOCTOR mario". The good Dr. points his finger upward in an 'a-ha!' gesture. Below the image, silkscreened in distressed maroon ink is the Nintendo logo. Sizes in inches: S (34-36) M (38-40) L (42-44) XL (46-48) This shirt is 100% cotton, but final materials depend on the manufacturer and may vary.

The Sims has much in common with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater: There's a great emphasis trial and error, it encourages personalized solutions to problems, and overall success comes down to both balance and timing. Also, like the Tony Hawk games, The Sims is a very addictive game.

Players micromanage the lives of a family of virtual people and influence the outcome of their lives, be it success or something akin to a nervous breakdown. The bestselling PC version of the game has, in recent years, been upgraded with elements like parties, pets, and vacations, but this iteration is closer to the basic formula.

You start the game living with Mom in a one-story suburban house. You are immediately presented with certain life tasks, such as fixing the TV and making lunch, which are aligned with the skills you'll need for the game's main challenge--keeping your sims in balance on eight conflicting categories. For example, eating will have an impact on your sim's hunger rating, but it will also impact his bladder rating. You'll have to make sure that he keeps himself and the house clean, that he sleeps to restore his energy, and that he also has time to keep himself entertained. The free will option lets your sims coast a bit, and you can also save time by stacking tasks together. Time passes at the rate of about one minute per second in the game, but you can fast-forward sim time when you need to, such as when they're sleeping.

The controls are justifiably complex, but adjusting to them is not difficult. You see your sims from an overhead perspective that you can both rotate and zoom. You direct their actions by moving a line cursor to where you want them to go or to what object or person with which you want them to interact.

The game is surprisingly funny. Neglect your sims and they'll shout and wave their arms to get your attention. Allow one's energy to get too low and he or she will likely collapse and sleep right where they were standing. When that happens, Mom is likely to serve them dinner on the floor.

Gamers may find that it takes a while to get the hang of The Sims' style and control scheme. Stick with it and you may find real time fast-forwarding by. --Porter B. Hall --The text of this review refers to the PlayStation2 version of the game.

Pros:

• Interesting, open-ended gameplay
• Lots of quirky humor
• Two-player split-screen option

Cons:

• Can be frustrating for those unfamiliar with strategy games
• Controls take some getting used to
• Long save times

Start out with just one Sim, living in a shack. Help him advance through life's important moments and make a better life for himself
Meet and interact with neighbors, flirt with attractive members of the opposite sex, and move into bigger houses
Explore a fully interactive 3D world as you try to get love and money
Meet and interact with a wide variety of new characters found only on the GameCube version of the game
Play with a friend as you play Two-player Sims -- each person controls their own Character in split-screen mode