This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I am a big fan of Mahavishnu Orchestra (MO). After getting all MO albums as well as founder John McLaughlin's discography, I've started seeking out other works from its band members. MO drummer Billy Cobham's Spectrum remains one of my favorites. The sound is "lighter" and more whimsical than MO, nonetheless it stands better to repeated listening than any MO album. Although, some of the drum solos do tend to be overlong - Billy Cobham *is* a drummer after all. "Spectrum" does not typically come mind when I am asked what my all-time favorite albums are, nonetheless, a perfect album -- each track is outstanding.
What's great about it: Great jazz fusion classic. Stands the test of time.
What's not so great: More whimsical, less intense than Mahavishnu Orchestra. Overly long drum solos.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I always thought the original album was overproduced - too much orchestra, too much "wall of sound" that was quite popular then. This re-take stripped off all the extra sounds and we get a more honest and intimate sound. In some cases this greatly improved the song such as on "Across the Universe" where I can hear nuances on the vocals. In other cases such on "The Long and Winding Road" this downgraded the song to sounding like a demo. Definitely try to listen to the album before buying since your musical tastes may prefer the original recording over this "naked" version. Overall, I liked this "naked" version better.
What's great about it: Stripped down, honest sound. Interesting take on the classic originals.
What's not so great: Different from the original, may sound like a demo.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
This remote came with and is mostly used for our DirecTV receivers. It recognized our TVs: a 2005 Toshiba rear-projection TV, and two ~10-year old TVs. However it did not recognize some of our DVD players, home theater systems. Not a big deal.
My main gripe is its slow response between remote and receiver, such as when scrolling through channel listings or searching for shows. Otherwise, this a good remote.
What's great about it: Almost universal support for most TVs and DVD players.
SynopsisCelebrate the unique features of your Nintendo Wii with Game Party, a collection of fun and familiar challenges from all over the world. Featuring Darts, Table Hockey, Hoop Shoot, Trivia Contests and more, Game Party has something for everyone. Aim, shoot and answer to the best of your ability in games you probably already know how to play. All this fun is made possible with the unique Wii Remote that gets you out of your chair and on your feet.Each game takes place in an exciting environment designed specifically for that activity. Throw darts in a British eatery, shoot hoops in a sports entertainment center and visit other fascinating areas. Participate as one of more than 175 characters, 50 of which become available as you complete more and more activities. Try your skills in fun-filled single-player or multiplayer games. Watch yourself rise through the ranks as your name moves up the leaderboard. There's always new laughs and joys to be found when you are part of the Game Party.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Once you start playing each game, it becomes apparent quickly that some games are better than others. My family enjoys the trivia and darts while we absolutely hate ping cup. Very uneven title.
Witness the return of those kooky, diabolical bunnies in Rayman: Raving Rabbids 2. After invading Rayman's world, those wacky Rabbids have set their sights on Earth. But before they can invade, they must learn how humans think and act. The Rabbids set up shop and use a shopping mall as their base. From there they dispatch explorers who try to live like earthlings and mimic everything we do. Rayman disguises himself and enters the mall to stop the crazy Rabbids from launching their evil plan. Can Rayman prevent these not-so-nice bunnies from carrying out their attempt at world domination?Accompany Rayman to the plaza of the shopping mall. There you can customize a character, play fun shooting games at the arcade, listen to music on the jukebox and more. Venture out into the world in Trip mode to unlock awesome extras, such as more shooting games and additional songs for the jukebox. Dress Rayman or an unlucky Rabbid in crazy outfits and unlock even more for them to wear throughout the game. Easy and Normal gameplay options let beginners or advanced players take part in the adventure.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Buy this game to entertain your youngsters or even youngsters at heart. The rabbids are wacky, fun, sometimes gross ... but that's part of the fun too. Don't think too much about getting points or "winning" the game - all the fun is in laughing at the rabbids doing wacky things and laughing at yourselves performing wacky gestures using the controllers.
If you must play this game alone, go to the arcade section and shoot plungers at the rabbids.
What's great about it: Wacky, fun mini-games to keep young guests entertained.
Brace yourself for a new set of tricks, tracks and ways to race. The included Wii Wheel transforms your Wii Remote into a steering wheel that feels great in your hands, while the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller supply a classic control style for veterans of this racing series. Either way, you'll be able to perform impressive speed-boosting tricks, such as jumps, flips and wheelies.You can zip through brand-new tracks and arenas, and also tour classic courses from Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart: Double Dash and Mario Kart DS. There are even options for trying all-new motorbikes that have their own special tricks and techniques. The action gets fast, furious and funny when you race in Mario Kart Wii.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Wow. This game never gets old. It gets played very often in my household (ages: 41, 34, 22, 17, 13) and by our nephews (ages: 9, 8).
Don't use the wheel! For us, the biggest problem with this game is when we try to use the "wheel". Unfortunately, the reaction time of the Wii remote is so slow and uneven that racing with the wheel (that is, just using the Wii remote alone) is impractical and infuriating. However, once you attach the nunchuck or a classic controller, the control sensitivity increases and game gets really good!
This game already has a multitude of excellent reviews, so I won't add too much more except to say: Best game ever!
What's great about it: Great racing fun, once you get the hang of it.
What's not so great: Don't use the wheel! Use the nunchuck or classic controller instead.
Perfect for smoothies, dips, sauces and more, the Oster~ Master Series Pre-Programmed Blender with Reversing Blade Technology is loaded with extras to make blending easy and more convenient. A powerhouse-of-a-blender with 7 speeds, it starts up at 1000 watts then blends steadily at 600 watts for superior crushing, pulverizing and extracting. With Smart Settings~ Technology, this blender is designed to provide expert results at the touch of a button for everything from blending frozen drinks and shakes to finely chopping your favorite ingredients. Dual Direction Blade Technology~ automatically kicks the Crush Pro 6~ Blade into reverse to move ingredients down into the jar, making blade jams virtually nonexistent. For easy cleaning, the Boroclass~ glass blending jar is dishwasher safe and shatter-proof, so it can go to right from the dishwasher to blending icy, cold drinks.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Our family needed a powerful blender/food processor, so we retired our old one and bought this, fairly expensive blender. We've been using it for more than a year now and it still works great. Clean up is easy as the blade holder (quite sharp!) twist off so you can clean its nooks and crannies.
As mentioned by another reviewer, the glass container is not stable off its base so we just keep in on all the time. Other than that the motor is very powerful and the product looks great. I just wished we used it more that the occasional shakes and smoothies that we do.
What's great about it: Very powerful motor, easy cleanup.
In a galaxy far, far away, the legend of an iconic villain grows ~ and you are at his right hand. Darth Vader's plan to exterminate all the Jedi has been set into action, and as the Sith Lord's Secret Apprentice, your actions will be crucial in ensuring his quest is a success. Unleash the powers of the Force as you scour the galaxy for remaining Jedi, and prepare to confront decisions that will affect not just your destiny, but that of the entire universe. In this chapter in the Star Wars saga, the path you choose may lead to an outcome that will rock your perception of Star Wars continuity down to its foundation.Experience the power of the Force like never before. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, you'll explore the era between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope as you toil as Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice, assisting him in his quest to rid the universe of Jedi. Wield four core Force powers against your enemies as you execute amazing, never-before-seen combos that let you not just Force grip enemies, but Force grip them in midair, zap them with lightning, then drop them to the ground and make them explode like bombs. Incredible new technology brings the story and action to life with stunning realism. With the debut of Digital Molecular Matter from Pixelux and NaturalMotion Ltd.'s euphoria behavioral simulation engine, you'll experience both environmental objects and interactive characters that move and behave just like they would in real life, from wood that breaks and splinters like actual wood to characters that think and act adaptively just like real human beings, producing different outcomes every time. The result is an incredible, immersive gaming experience in which your every act delivers real consequences. The Star Wars universe will never be the same.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
When the Nintendo Wii came out I though to myself: the Wii remote would make the perfect lightsaber controller. Well, it is not perfect, but it gets you close to it. However, the controls for this game requires too much waggling: wiggle the nunchuck and you control force powers; wiggle the remote and you control your lightsaber. During boss fights the game asks you to wiggle either. That said, I suppose the controls feel more natural than, say, pushing buttons on a classic controller. Boss fights can be a pain and repetitive - if you don't follow on screen wiggles precisely.
Nonetheless, the game itself is fun and engaging. Worth the $20 price.
What's great about it: Finally, wield your game controller like a lightsaber.
What's not so great: Too much waggling of the Wii remote needed.
SynopsisFinally there's a game that friends, kids and parents can enjoy together ~ Smarty Pants. This trivia showdown proves once and for all who's the brainiest one in the bunch. This intelligent game for Nintendo Wii tracks each answer and adjusts the difficulty level for each player, so questions aren't too easy or too hard. Knowledge is only part of this equation; you'll still need to use the unique Wii gestures to spin the category wheel, engage in tugs-of-war over correct answers and dance for additional points.Smarty Pants features 20,000 questions that are sorted according to players' ages in order to level the playing field. Use the interactive Wii Remote to crank the spinner, raise your hand and perform other movements that get your body moving and grooving. In addition, each category is fully localized with country-appropriate content for North America, the UK, France, Germany, Spain or Italy. Up to four friends or family members can play at once in the fast-paced, quick-fire Versus mode or team-based co-op play. Get your mind and your muscles in gear and get ready to show everyone who is the Smarty Pants in your family.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I agree with most of what others have said. This is a great kid-friendly game that can be a bit hard for really young players. Here's a tip for playing with the youngsters: older players should enter as the same ages as the youngest ones, this way the game will always ask questions targeted to the youngsters. You'd be surprised at the questions that can stump you at this age level.
We played this game at many a family game night. Highly recommended at $20.
What's great about it: Great fun for family game night.
What's not so great: Can be hard for really young players. Tip below.
Crazy criminals run wild in Gotham City. Only two champions ~ Batman and Robin ~ step out of the shadows to defend the innocent. This time they're stepping out as LEGO characters, bringing the fun-filled colors and charm of LEGO to the action-packed thrills of Batman. Heroes, villains, vehicles and settings all come to life in the unique LEGO style. Prepare for crime-fighting in a whole new way as you head out as the Dynamic Duo.In LEGO Batman: The Videogame, you'll be able to build and control amazing vehicles, including the LEGO Batmobile, LEGO Batboat and LEGO Batwing. Play the game as Batman or his sidekick Robin, swooping through the streets of Gotham City to apprehend the Joker and other evildoers and return them to Arkham Asylum. For a change of pace, engage in a life of villainy as one of a multitude of sinister criminals, including Catwoman and Penguin, and defeat the Caped Crusader once and for all. Utilize exciting gadgets and weapons that are unique for each character. With LEGO Batman, the next exciting adventure is only a stackable block away.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I can't believe Lego Batman is $20 now. I got this last Christmas for $50, but even at that price this game is worth it. I would say this game is as good as Lego Star Wars -- lots of levels, puzzles and "special" powers. Of course the cuteness of the game is always a plus, but the game play is great too. As with the other Lego adventure games, after you've played it twice it gets boring - once to get through the story, and twice to get all the bonuses. But at $20, I'd highly recommend this even for non-fans.
What's great about it: Fans of the Lego adventures games will love the price.
What's not so great: Doesn't stand up to repeated plays.