I'm back from my third suspension. What was it for this time? Who knows. But I've had about enough of the people here on GameSpot. Somehow something I wrote, which isn't appearing in my moderation history, was meant to upset people or something. Whatever, GameSpot. Since I'm almost 100% anti-GameSpot now, with their utterly ignorant reviewers, their Nazi moderators, and the dozen mails I get a day about joining a stupid union, I'm sorry to say this, but I'm putting a halt on my giving away Gears of War for Christmas. Basically, I'm still going to be around, but thanks to the Nazis on this stupid website, not as much. I hope all of you understand and you all still visit my blog... DAILY.

Either way, Merry Christmas.

Before I started this, I wanted to ask everyone if anyone has bought Blu-Ray players (PS3s are included) or the HD-DVD players (Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on included as well). Also, I'd like to know how old you guys are. If you bought a PS3, cool, I understand. But you guys going out spending the money on a standard that might not make it is pretty out there. Do you guys know the story of VHS? During the times VHS was released, another 'standard' was around called Beta Max. Some people bought a Beta Max player and Beta Max tapes. Some people bought VHS and VHS tapes. Needless to say, VHS won that war and those people that bought Beta Max wasted their money. The same thing will happen to Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD. One of them will drop and then the guy who bought the player that drops will be ranting and raving. Before you do go into a rant, remember, Dinghy is telling you now to not waste your money on this crap before the standards are set for what will replace DVD, and second, remember that we have history (even history in electronics) that we should be aware of and learn from. If you think this isn't another Beta Max/VHS war in digital times, you're a very foolish person. I'm just saying, hold up for a few years because honestly, you can't tell THAT big of a difference unless you're own a 1080p TV. Even then, it's not worth it just so you can say "Whoa, I watched a movie in HD last night.". Back to Christmas...

ˇDay Three: Movieˇ

I know you guys have been flipping out about me putting this up, and trust me, I love this movie more than the next guy. Eddie (the fat drunk cousin) reminds me a little too much of one of my uncles. But, for those of you who are unsure about what this movie is about, here it goes. The Griswold's decide to stay home and have a huge traditional Christmas with their families coming in and staying with them in their home. Clark (Chevy Chase) is saving up to buy a pool for his family for Christmas, but is waiting on his big bonus to come through so he can afford it. The real fun is when Eddie and his trash family comes. A great classic, and if you haven't seen this, go find your grandfather's gun and clean it with your tongue!! Just kidding. Just go watch it. If you have Xbox 360, you can rent it directly off of Marketplace right now. I think I saw it on there...

ˇDay Three: Gameˇ

Finally, a game even a Wii owner can get. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a really good game for you guys to ask for this Christmas holiday. I just recently wrote a review for the game (check it out). I think the reason this game is good to ask for is because it truly is a game you and your friends can sit down and play. Everyone knows Marvel. Everyone knows how to hit random buttons. My preferred console to play this on is the 360 for the achievements. They're a lot of fun to collect in this game and give you a little more for your money. That's if you care about achievements.

Sorry I was out yesterday. I've been running through Marvel: Ultimate Alliance again with my cousin, Jman. Between that and trying to run Baylor through the championships in NCAA Football 07, it was a busy day. I would like to point out that I hate Disney DVDs. I got the new Pirates of the Carribean movie, and low and behold, there were around 8 chapters before I got the the menu of stupid previews. Kill Disney. Now, onto the Christmas Special.

ˇDay Two Movie: Home Aloneˇ

Face it: Macaulay Culkin is a freak. Home Alone is probably the only good movie I've ever seen him in. The Good Son was alright, but Home Alone basically is Macaulay Culkin. Macaulay... what were his parents thinking? Anyway, if you've never seen this movie, it's awesome. It's basically a huge family going away on vacation, and the forget this little brat kid in the attic. He later runs around trying to act like an adult and take care of his parent's huge mansion, while his family tries to find a way home to be with him. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Mr. Culkin finds his home trying to be overrun by two bird brained crooks called the Wet Bandits. The best part of the movie is the booby traps he lays down. It's an overall good Holiday flick.

ˇDay Two Game: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivionˇ

If you know someone that has a good PC, Xbox 360, and/or a PS3, but has never played this game, then they're stupid and don't deserve you to be your friend. But, so they can maintain that relationship with you, I'd suggest getting this game for them and also including a few bucks for them so they can get the expansion, Knights of the Nine. If you want my honest opinion on which one is the best version, I'd say go with the PC version. PC versions of any game are going to be better because of the price and because of the fact you can modify the game with custom content without a fee.

I'm back after a 4 day suspension. I tell ya, saying the word "r*m" or "em*lation" around this place is like saying bomb on an airplane. You can't say it. Oh well, if GameSpot decides to ban me, it's their loss, not mine. GameSpot has always been ran by these Nazi moderators that love to abuse their power. Not all, just some. Obviously, they're little monkeys... Is that considered trolling?

It's more than twelve days until Christmas, but I probably won't be on GameSpot around the 22nd until the 29th. I'm just going to go ahead and do all this early so you guys can enjoy an early Christmas from Dinghy. After Christmas, one of you (at random from the classic 'hat drawing') will be winning your very own copy of Gears of War. That's right! A brand new spankin' copy of Gears of War. Let me create a small faq on what I assume will be some questions:

Q) But I already have Gears of War? (or) I don't have an Xbox 360!
A) You can always take it to your local Walmart (not sure what you guys have across the pond) and just exchange it for store credit.
Q) The game's rated Mature. My parent(s) would kill me!!
A) You have two choices: be a nice person and tell me 'I can't accept this' so I can redraw, or be a sneaky little kid. I'd go with the second.
Q) Are you stealing games to give away?
A) No. If I was stealing, I think I would be letting you guys pick which games I would go steal. Probably not though.

Besides just being a decent dawg, I'm also going to be doing a daily Game & Movie recommendation, much better than the Dinghyween I was doing. So, let's just get this rolling, and for the complainers out there, I'm so sorry for making a very long blog today. Remember though, it's my blog and if I want, I will post the Ghettoberg Address up in this joint.

ˇDay One: Movieˇ

Question: Who hasn't seen this movie? I hope I don't have to explain to people why this is a classic Christmas movie. Even if you hate the festive holidays, this movie is just classic. To just sum up the movie, it's the story of a little boy who is dying to get a bb gun for Christmas but everyone keeps saying he'll shoot his eye out. It's the trials he goes through to get to the Christmas day that makes the movie. Overall, it's one of my top favorite holiday movies.

ˇDay One: Gameˇ

Unlike the movies, this is just what you kids (or adults that act like kids) should be asking for under the Christmas tree. It has nothing to do with a holiday theme, just what you should be getting for Christmas. This game is a tricked out version of Gears of War, and for the people saying "Ugh, Tom Clancy game? Must be slow paced crap.", you're wrong. It's just about as intense as Gears of War, minus the huge monsters. I think if you want a game to last you, this will last you some time.

Remember a while back I told you about my Virtual Console Center? Well, I upgraded it. It now actually looks like a bigger Xbox 360 in my living room. It's a white and silver compact computer instead of a dark gray-blue compact. It just matched our living room more. It's pretty cool. Basically, the specs went from this:
Intel Pentium 4 533FSB
256MB DDR SDRAM
Dell motherboard
Integrated graphics and sound
80GB 7200RPM hardrive
DVD -RW
Now to the new and improved:
AMD Athlon 64 3200
512MB DDR2 SDRAM
Dell motherboard
128MB ATI Radeon X1300 PCI Express
160GB SATA2 hardrive
DVD -RW
With this, I can now load up games that look better on my television, such as the new Sam & Max: Culture Shock, and actually play with out the random slowdowns in games. Overall, I rate my new VCC a perfect 10, since the emulators and everything work so well on it. (Dinghy does not promote software piracy. Go buy the originals! W00f!).

Now, on to the matter at hand: Lost Planet. I've played the E3 demo. I've seen the trailers. I'm going to be playing the multiplayer demo tonight. I just have to say I don't see why people are hyping this crap up. I said it first: it's crap. It's a graphically impressive game, I must admit, but people, graphics aren't everything. They do account for part of the game, but I mean, c'mon. Can someone "sell" me the game in other words? I'm not just picking on the game because it's being hyped. I just don't see why if a game has beautiful graphics, people instantly attach onto it, and think it's going to be the game to get this holiday season or whenever it comes out. Maybe it's just my prejudice towards robot games (or how we left the 80s and robots behind us).

~Dinghy Dawg