In another kick-back to the beauty of retro gaming, I was called to the attention of a interesting little pocket of nostalgic gold not too long ago – a quaint little album of independently-created fan covers of Sega Genesis music.

LOSER: A Sega Genesis Tribute Album is a collection of fan-made tracks from several of the popular games from the 16-bit era that graced the Genesis console. A wide range of classic and not-so-classic game music from several Genesis games are covered on the album, from the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco The Dolphin, Golden Axe, and even John Madden Football. Arrangements come in all sorts of flavors, from totally remastered melodies to those barely above chiptune-level.

Granted, while I may not agree that the Genesis was a “loser” in the 16-bit war of the 1990’s, I do appreciate the fact that a few brave souls managed to gather together to give the console its proper due – even if their choice of titling sucks.

Check out the album – LOSER Website

Tetris is one of the oldest and most endearing puzzle games ever. Most other puzzle games that have come out since then have not steered too far away from Tetris’s basic design. So how does the age old-formula manage to remain fresh for its Nintendo DS debut? Nintendo has combined Tetris’s classic gameplay with the look and feel of several of its classic franchises, added several new game variations, and added online play to boot. Even the classic version of the game has a new twist; as players create lines, Mario moves through the levels. Puzzle mode, which has its look inspired by Yoshi’s cookie, has players using a set amount of blocks in order to clear the screen. Mission mode, inspired by Legend of Zelda, has players completing lines while having to follow various rules, such as not being able to use a certain block. Touch mode, which is taken from balloon fight, has players use the touch screen to slide blocks into place to clear the screen, kinda like those slide puzzles. A mode inspired by Metroid has players scrolling upwards, kinda like a vertical shooter. You combine falling pieces into clusters of blocks to get rid of them. Finally, a duel mode inspired by Donkey Kong, has players making lines in order to push the stack onto their opponent. In short, Nintendo has done so much more than simply regurgitate another version of Tetris with touch screen controls. They have created an all new way to experience Tetris, and created a must-have title for the Nintendo DS.

Are you a fanboy or fangirl? Would you like a shot at your 15 minutes of fame? Are you ok with millions of people seeing just how big of a dorky otaku you really are?

Then MTV and Anime-Expo want you!

Anime-Expo, the largest anime convention on the west coast, has seemingly teamed up with MTV to showcase geeks on an episode of their reality TV show, “True Stories”. The only stipulations of entry are that you must be between the ages of 16 and 28, and you *must* be identified as a true fanboy/fangirl of any one thing or genre in geekdom. I can only guess that the latter requirement is to guarantee that only the biggest freaks will be chosen and make the rest of us look bad.

Applicants can sign up for the chance to be showcased on the Anime Expo website. No deadline for sign-up is given, but the MTV website says that episodes will be filmed and debuted soon, so I can only guess the window of opportunity is short.

The prospects of this seem truly terrifying if you think about it. Or terrifyingly hilarious. One or the other. I look forward to seeing the results with a slight sense of dread.

Our own gangsta thug gives us a glowing review of the newest installment in the Saints Row series.

Check out this ad for the Transformers Animated DS game that just popped in my mail box.

Notice anything fishy?

Yeah, I know this game is OUT, why is Activision sending me an email now?

But seriously, they’re hyping Revenge Of The Fallen in the lower right corner there. And since this is an Activision ad, chances are its not for the movie. Its for the tie in game.

I seriously, seriously hope they do a better job than the last time around.

Find out more about the actual advertised game at the obviously titled www.transformersanimatedgame.com

The trailer showed up over the weekend in front of the latest 007 film, but those that want to see it again or missed it in theaters can watch it on Apple’s movie trailer site

Doesn’t look like any of the usual video sites are hosting a good quality embedded version, but the link above will get you HD versions of the trailer.

Now I love Star Trek — LOVE IT. But this trailer does something Star Trek has never done, which is look exciting. I’ve always cared about the drama and suspense of Star Trek, but the action has always been lacking, its best moments carried out by older captains and slow space fights. This new Star Trek is going for Star WARS fans, and that cool. As long as they stay true to those characters and this universe, it’ll be a thing worth celebrating for Star Trek fans. Engage.

Right after the two-part Season 3 premiere, I lobbied on this very site to give Heroes the benefit of the doubt. Unofortunately, things have only gotten worse, and very quickly.

Ratings have plummeted. The show’s reputation has been harmed to such a degree that even the obvious scape-goat firings of writer-producers Jesse Alexander and comics scribe Jeph Loeb can’t save it. NBC wants to let you know that the’ve heard you, and that this time they plan to get it right.

When I saw last week’s episode, I knew it was too late. I promised I would tell you if the show “nuked the fridge”, and it has.

It’s time to stop watching Heroes.

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