The Top Five 3DS Titles You Must Have In Your Collection

The Top Five 3DS Titles You Must Have In Your Collection

With Nintendo’s newest foray into the handheld market taking off, its library of games is expanding every month as it releases hit after hit. As the 3DS’ library stands now, there are some clear victors in the popularity contest between its current releases as well as titles that some fans are sitting on the edges of their seats in anticipation for. Here’s a list of the top 5 games for the 3DS that are either currently released or have a release date in the near future.

1. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – The Legend of Zelda series has been a cornerstone in Nintendo’s lineup since the days of the NES with Ocarina of time sitting atop the list like a king on his throne, so it makes sense that fans are clamoring to get their hands on this portable re-release of their favorite title. Featuring slick, updated graphics, a remastered musical score, expansive environments given new depth using the 3DS’ stunning stereoscopic 3D, and AR elements like using the gyroscope to physically aim your projectile weapons with the 3DS itself, the Ocarina of Time re-release is something every 3DS owner should have in their collection.

2. Super Mario 3D Land – Mario is one of the most iconic characters in all of gaming’s history and he makes his newest splash hit on the 3DS. Super Mario 3D Land is a fusion of classic Mario gameplay mixed with the free roaming exploration style seen in super Mario Galaxy and the classic Super Mario 64. Super Mario 3D Land also makes full use of the 3D features of the 3DS with unique visual puzzles that pop out of the screen. If you’re a fan of Mario games or platformers in general, you’ll love this new Mario installment.

3. Resident Evil: Revelations – A decidedly more mature game, Resident Evil: Revelations sees the return of Chris and Jill of classic RE fame alongside all new characters as they explore a seemingly abandoned tanker in the middle of the ocean. As expected, though, the dark hallways and eerie paths of the tanker hold unspeakable horrors at every turn as what began as a simple investigation turns into a fight for survival. RE: Revelations is great on its own, but if you want the full 3D shooter experience, it’s best played with the Circle Pad Pro accessory, adding a right thumbstick to the original controls.

4. Cave Story 3D – While it’s not a huge release or one that received a lot of critical acclaim, Cave Story 3D is a game that 3DS gamers should not be without. Originally developed for the PC, Cave Story has made its way to the 3D and plays similarly to classic Metroid and Mega Man games, boasting a smooth pixel art style, catchy musical themes, and innovative weapon based gameplay that will sate the appetites of classic sidescrolling shooter fans and puzzle gamers alike.

5. Tales of the Abyss 3D – Classic JRPG lovers are probably already familiar with the Tales series of games and Tales of the Abyss 3D does well to meet the expectations of fans of the Action RPG genre as well. With this port of the PS2 classic, you can take the epic adventure of Tales of the Abyss on the go, enjoying its lush visuals and rich storyline without having to dust off an old home console or track down its expensive classic counterpart.

As the 3DS library continues to expand, more and more titles will vie for the top spots of popularity, but these particular titles are sure to please any style of gamer.

Finding The Flat Panel Monitor of Your Dreams

Finding The Flat Panel Monitor of Your Dreams

If you are still not on the flat-panel monitor bandwagon, you must be considering doing it soon. And, if not, then you should! Its the trendiest peripheral to own. It represents power, fashion and all things vivacious and happening. Until you replace your CRT display you wouldnt realize how much you detested that eyesore! But before you spend your hard earned money, getting to know the object of desire will do you wonders.

Buying information:

1. Flat panel monitors use interfaces – analog or digital. The newer models have digital interface but an all-digital configuration costs a good deal more. If you are purchasing an analog flat panel, you will have to attach it with a digital interface to your video card with a digital out jack to mainstream the signal.

If you are planning to buy a digital interface, you need to investigate its compatibility. There are several digital interface standards available today-Plug and Display (P&D) from the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), Digital Flat Panel (DFP) from the Digital Flat Panel Working Group, and Digital Video Interface (DVI) from the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG).

The P&D interface is the oldest of the three criteria and chances are your new model wont sport this convention. Support for DFP standard is seen across many hardware vendors. The DVI standard is the newer and the most popular. Do your research and whichever standard you chose, you need to match its ingredients that include cables and video cards!

2. Pixel-refresh response time: In a LCD monitor, the time required to switch from light to dark objects or vice versa, is referred to as Pixel-refresh response time. If the response time is poor (more than 40ms), you may see ghosting effect, i.e., the image seems to remain longer on the screen than it actually is!

Whereas in a text environment this would hardly matter, in a gaming or media centric environment the effect could be a nuisance. More inexpensive models give more ghosting than their pricey counterparts. Also, pixel-refresh response time is not articulated on the monitors. You need to watch thoroughly to judge the performance of each model.

3. Viewing angle: One problem with a flat panel monitor is its viewing angle. Laptop users must have experienced this problem. Moving away from the monitor in any way causes the monitor to black out! Various models offer different viewing angles horizontally and vertically.

Find the one better suited to your funds! In any case, for a home PC, the viewing angle doesnt make much difference but if the monitor is going to be used for official presentations then it should have viewing angle of at least 120 degrees horizontal and 100 degrees vertical. Also, ask for accessories like pivoting frames.

4. Size: bigger is better, but with flat panel, remember 15-inch screen gives you the experience of a 17-inch CRT monitor. If you can shell out for 17-inch flat panel, by all means, go for it, if not, a 15-inch screen should not be a downer.

Other things to check when buying a flat panel are guarantees and warranties. A three-year warranty is recommended. People change the monitor settings in stores and while purchasing; make sure that you check the piece adequately. You now have the basic information; all you need is time to check out the market!

Check out the great selection of big screen tvs and flat panel monitors at our site today!

High Definition DVD – The Format War’s Second Act

High Definition DVD – The Format War’s Second Act

Once again, there is a technology format war looming on the horizon. Many people don’t remember the VHS – Betamax battle that broke out when video players were first introduced, making it possible for people to watch movies at home. This was a case of two non-compatible technologies, each of which was a format for taping full length feature films. Ultimately VHS won out, and the movie companies put out their products in that format – thus dooming Betamax and the product manufacturers that had adopted their technology, not to mention the thousands of consumers that had invested in Betamax players. We now find ourselves on the verge of creating a new set of sore losers.

Skirmishes over LCD versus plasma screen HD TV technology are ongoing, but that type of technology contest isn’t as acute because you can watch TV or a movie on either type of screen. Currently, you can also play every DVD available on any DVD player that is in production and on the market. The next generation of DVD players, however, is coming over the horizon in the form of two distinct and incompatible technologies.

Toshiba versus Sony

Toshiba has developed a proprietary technology dubbed high definition DVD (HDDVD) and to support their format has developed alliances with Microsoft and Universal Films, among others. The HDDVD disks will be available in 15GB and two sided, 30GB versions.

By way of comparison, the current DVDs have enough storage for two hours of standard definition (SD) images, while the one-sided 15 gigabyte HDDVD disk can store up to eight hours of high definition (HD) images. The difference between SD and HD is simply twice the number of pixel lines displayed on the screen in the HD format, thus providing a crisper picture. The increased capacity of these disks will also allow for interactive features such as screen-in-screen director’s discussion of movie scenes playing behind him that today’s standard DVDs cannot support.

In the other corner is the Blu-Ray technology developed by Sony, who has lined up support from Apple, Disney and 20th Century Fox. Both formats use blue laser technology, which has a shorter wavelength than red, allowing it to read the smaller digital data “spots” packed a lot more densely onto a standard-size disc. Blu-Ray disks are designed to carry up to 50GB of digital material, which may mean that Sony wins the compression competition.

The Early Rounds

Sony Pictures released the first six films on Blu-Ray disks in June of this year, and have released a few more since. Samsung has a Blu-Ray DVD player in the stores, while Sony’s hardware division has released a Blu-Ray compatible PC. Toshiba has its initial HDDVD player on the market and there are a limited number of titles available in the format, mostly re-releases of previous first-run features.

Sony clearly jumped out to an early lead, with support from Dell, HP, Mitsubishi and a number of other hardware manufacturers. In addition, Sony Pictures also owns Columbia and MGM, giving them an enormous library to work with. Sony will also fold its technology into the PlayStation 3 gaming machine, their proprietary product whose 2nd version rules the roost in the videogame market.

On the Toshiba side of the battlefield, proponents argue that the HDDVD disks will be cheaper to produce and that it will be comparatively easy for disk replicators to retrofit their equipment for production purposes. The HDDVD format also makes production of recordable DVDs much simpler than with the Blu-Ray design.

Further, an alliance with Microsoft will be a formidable edge in this battle, should it turn into a protracted conflict. Microsoft’s operating systems are going to be important cogs in the development of future home viewing systems, as the technology moves closer to merging the functions of computers and televisions. If movie downloads become a commercial success, PC compatibility will be critical for these disks.

The Consumer Issues

One of the reasons that Microsoft aligned with Toshiba’s technology is that HDDVD provides for “mandatory managed copy.” What that means is that unlike with today’s conventional DVDs, managed copy allows consumers to make legitimate copies of their HD movies and enjoy this content around the home or across their personal networks. Making this feature mandatory will ensure a consistent consumer experience across all next-generation DVD content.

Then there is the element of iHD, which is the concept of maximizing high definition video for transport across the internet. This is a specific set of video specs which the iHD.org, a group of tech and media companies, is pushing as a cross-platform standard.

The theory is that next-generation HD movies will provide a level of interactive experience well beyond that of today’s conventional DVDs. iHD technology is meant to provide a broad foundation to enable new interactivity with standards-based development tools and technologies.

The pitch for this standard is that it will provide consumers with enhanced content, navigation and functionality for HD films. The business reality is that Microsoft plans to implement iHD support in its Windows Vista operating system, which will not only be a significant step towards integrated video and computer systems but will make help drive adoption of the new Microsoft platform.

Duel to the Death Unlikely

There is some indication that all of these conflicting issues may ultimately force a compromise – some sort of merger or unification of the two technologies. Hardware manufacturers are hedging their bets, with the latest wrinkle being that Blu-Ray-aligned Hewlett Packard has requested that mandatory managed copy and the iHD standard be included in Blu-Ray’s feature set. Sony has agreed to include the managed copy feature, but said no to iHD.

The Betamax – VHS battle was a tussle over hardware with the movie companies playing a predominant role, one Sony lost. This time around, there is much more uncertainty about how the next generation of home video will roll out. How will the Web and the PC fit in? Will the movies be delivered via disk or via download? How will the film industry protect its content rights and how can the hardware companies maximize their role?

PCs have become a commodity. If a scenario arises where every household needs a new computer to match up with new video technology, the Dells and HPs of this world stand to win big. If competing technology keeps people from investing in either, every involved business will suffer. If the film and DVD houses have to produce two sets of content and two disks for every film, their margins will grow considerably thinner as well. The tech bloggers seem to be increasingly inclined to believe that unification of some sort is inevitable. The corporations with the most to lose are too smart not to insist on it.