Benkelmonkey's Gamer's Gallery

Iron Man 2: The Game

2010-05-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Movie games have a stigmata of being... well... down right horrible. This doesn't help that stereotype. Here's Kotaku's review of Iron Man 2, The Video Game (the movie wasn't half bad!)

A Cataclysm only the World of Warcraft could survive.

2010-05-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

When you've got all your characters to level 80, got the top tier gear, and running through instances has lost it's fun, you are one sad little nerd. But fear not! World of War is on the case with a new expansion back on the way. Kotaku has all the information.

Doane College's Relay for Life

2010-04-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

You might be wondering, "what does Relay have to do with you blog, Mr. Benkelmonkey?" And to that I answer, video game fundraisers. Going along with the theme "Crusin' for a Cure" The Doane Players team has "Cruisin' USA" the Nintendo 64 game in their camp site while Alpha Pi Epsilon has an Xbox 360 set up and playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and other games.

Come join in the festivities if you get the chance!

Sprite Comic for the Win!

2010-04-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! It's been a long time to be away from the internet, but I'm back.

Something video game related I like to check on is the this webcomic done by Brian Clevinger called 8-bit Theatre. It follows (loosely) the story of Final Fantasy 1 and adds in clever and not so clever shenanigans to get all the nerds a-laughin'. He's actually finished the story, it only took him around 10 years I believe. Enjoy!

Nerd Threads... the non-blog kind!

2010-04-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

I want one!

Square Enix and their constantly changing platforms

2010-04-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

They started out on Nintendo, then moved to Playstation... then to Xbox 360... now the Iphone? Wow Square Enix, pick a platform and stick with it. Oh well, maybe they're just spreading the love. This is their new Iphone game Chaos Rings.

Time for me to be buying an Xbox 360!

2010-04-05T23:21:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, I have finally finished all the Final Fantasies I can play on my Playstation 2. It is time to move on to the big new and exciting Final Fantasy 13 on the Xbox 360. One more game, just one more before the big review is ready. I know the wait is difficult (mostly on me) but it is almost time!

What Could be Better than Mario is Missing?

2010-04-02T08:57:00.001-07:00

Mario Text Adventure, that's what. This is pretty clever and I think everyone should give this one a try.

The Cutest Zombie Game You Ever Did See

2010-03-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

If you thought Plants vs. Zombies was cute... this is about the same. Here's a review of Age of Zombies.

Also, I'm finally on Final Fantasy 12. The big Final Fantasy blow out review is on the way, I promise!

Mega Man and his Robot Master fails

2010-03-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

GameFAQs has put together a list of The Top 10 Most Pathetic Robot Masters in there Series. This was one of my favorite games growing up and I have to say; the list is pretty spot on. Check it out.

Gotta Catch 'Em All... again!

2010-03-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

I love nostalgia games. Old games make me happy. The only thing that makes me happier is when Nintendo remakes one of their games, and in the remake they just clean it up and DON'T SCREW IT UP! That is the case with Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver.

IGN reviewed these remakes of the classic Pokemon Gold and Silver. Check it out.

PS. Sorry for the lack of new posts lately. I've been working hard on getting ready for the big post I will make with my massive Final Fantasy review. That's also why you haven't seen a Final Fantasy 13 review on here, that's gonna be all me!

Tron 2.0- It's about time.

2010-03-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

Way back before my time, Disney attempted to show off it's graphic ingenuity by putting together the movie Tron. Most nerds know about the film as it takes place inside a computer and truly is just a giant nerd-fest. I personally love it. But now, THEY'RE MAKING A NEW ONE! AND, Jeff Bridges is taking the lead role once again. IGN has the trailer for your viewing pleasure.

The Console B-Listers

2010-03-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

Not all video game consoles are winners. Many companies (outside of Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft) have felt the need in the past to prove their gaming... "expertise." And that has led to some horrible games, horrible voice overs and just plan... horribleness. Kotaku reminds us of the systems that could have been and the others that shouldn't have. In Remembrance.

Something Entertaining for Fighter Fans

2010-03-08T11:13:00.000-08:00

In my wanderings around youtube, I found something nerd-tastic. It is an epic 9 part series called Street Fighter: The After Years. Unfortunately, College Humor, the group that put these fine hilarious videos together, was smart enough to make you go to their website for the 9th installment

Hope you all enjoy!

New Halo Reach Trailer? Sweet Action Jackson!

2010-03-05T07:14:00.000-08:00

I might be awful at Halo (or first person shooters in general) but I can respect a game with a pretty trailer! Halo Reach has improved itself, at least graphically from Halo ODST by leaps and bounds. Give it a look.

Rock and Roll all Night... with New Downloadable Content!

2010-03-04T11:56:00.000-08:00

When 80 songs per Rock Band game isn't enough... bring on the DLC! (Downloadable Content that is) The Rock Band Network is growing and expanding and new hardware is being added. Check it out!

The Modern Warfare Within

2010-03-02T08:44:00.000-08:00

So, it seems that there is some sort of an internal struggle over Modern Warfare 2. Some odd happenings have been reported happening at Infinity Ward studios... They might be in some trouble with their publisher Activision. This is a developing story and I'll do my best to keep you updated on it.

Now for a GOOD review.

2010-02-25T14:53:00.000-08:00

So this is how my mental process went on this one. I'm subscribed on Youtube to Supra Darky's channel where this Canadian guy puts up a different video game song nearly EVERY DAY. I hadn't checked my subscription in awhile so I decided to see what video game tunes he was rocking today. I found a song from the game No More Heroes 2 and this intrigued me. I reviewed this bloodstained Wii game back in 2008 for the Doane Owl, and wanted to see what good ol' Travis Touchdown, the main character was up to. The song is poppy, catchy and borderline the greatest thing I've heard all week. This led me to check out the game in general. and IGN brings us their review of No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle.

Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting!

2010-02-25T14:21:00.000-08:00

Do you love Mortal Combat, but think it's too bloody and violent? Do you love Street Fighter, but are tired of Ryu and Chung-li hogging the spot light? Well I've got the generic fighter for you. King of Fighters XII. Gamespot shares a video review with us. Sorry guys, this one doesn't sound like a knock out.

Video Game Movies, a Collection of Hit and Miss Masterpieces

2010-02-23T09:31:00.000-08:00

Prince of Persia may be the newest video game movie to come out (why Disney has it I'll never know...) but let us not forget the roots! IGN just created an index of all video game movies made or in development. Roll, Camera, Action!

Prince of Persia- the newest Disney princess

2010-02-22T09:00:00.001-08:00

Disney has grabbed the Prince of Persia series and has made it their newest comodity... but it's going to be a pretty! The upcoming Prince of Persia movie looks gorgeous, but before we get to that, there is a new game. Here's Gamestop's first impression.

I'd eat it.

2010-02-22T00:08:00.000-08:00

Enough Said.

Final Fantasy XI; Down but not Out

2010-02-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

With the release of the new bright and shiny Final Fantasy XIV as a Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) coming sometime this year, many of begun to believe the less successful MMORPG Final Fantasy XI is going to be shut down for good. But the head Honcho of Square Enix says differently.

Australia's gamers are the scariest gamers

2010-02-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

Fear the computer nerd! Or at least that's what they're doing in Australia as one single politician refuses to allow mature rated video games in the country. His latest announcement of the fear baffles the mind. It's the land down under restrictions...

Video Game Love is in the Air!

2010-02-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

Valentines day approaches. Stereotypically, it's not a big day for game nerds as they wallow in their basement on a "date" with Zelda, Jill Valentine or any other video game heroine. X-play was nice enough to share with us the Top Five Gaming Love Stories and show us at least someone is getting some... even if they are digital beings.

The Final Fantasy Challenge

2010-02-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

This is my attempt to prove my gamer cred. I have started what I call "The Final Fantasy Challenge." The idea originally was to play through all the Final Fantasy main series games (Final Fantasy 1-12 with Final Fantasy X-2 replacing the MMORPG that was Final Fantasy 11) before the March release of Final Fantasy 13. For those of you who know about Final Fantasy games, they aren't short and they aren't easy.

With every passing day I realize that I am not going to make it to my scheduled finish time. I started the challenge December 1st and have played through Final Fantasy 1-7 as of now. What excites me the most about this project I can couple it with my blog and when it is over give an in-depth review on all the games and perhaps even rank them. This will all be topped off with my review of Final Fantasy 13, which hits stores in the U.S. March 9th.

But for now, as I am going to need to buy a new copy of Final Fantasy 8 as my disc is scratched to hell and back, I am off to play Final Fantasy 9!

A New Rock Band For All us American Idiots

2010-02-11T08:48:00.000-08:00

There has been many Rockband/Guitar Hero games featuring a single artist as a God among rockers. First there was Aerosmith, followed by Metallica, then The Beatles and most recently Van Halen. Who is next to join the ranks of such All Star music makers? ...Greenday??? Interesting choice MTV Games...

New Games from Nintendo!? About Time!

2010-02-10T08:58:00.001-08:00

I've been waiting since The New Super Mario Bros. Wii for another Mario infused platforming fun fest. Nintendo is ready to spill the beans on their most recent projects.

And the OTHER Big Game Release Today...

2010-02-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

The long awaited sequel to Bioshock has finally arrived at your local gameatorium. Bioshock 2 has promised a lot for it's anxious fanboy to wait for; does it live up to they hype? Let's let IGN decide.

See!? Old books are Good for Something!

2010-02-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

A video game based on a book... that didn't get turned into a movie!? This is most intriguing. The game is based on the old poem by Dante called Divine Comedy. But the important part to know is this is all about the different levels of hell. Here's everything G4 says you know to know about Dante's Inferno.

Xbox Leaves the Internet

2010-02-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

The original Xbox has been getting up there in years and now is losing it's online support. This is causing quite a few issues, especially for Halo 2 fans. Kotaku explains what all the trouble is here.

Our First Post!

2010-02-03T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! I'm Benkelmonkey, and I'll be posting all sorts of video game news, reviews and all sorts of odd and wonderful video game tidbits for your reading delight!

Our first post, is the review of the recently released game, Mass Effect 2. Here's what IGN thought about the game.