Synopsis The second title in Nintendo's series of brain games, Big Brain Academy features plenty of fun mental activities that everyone can enjoy. Take a five-category quiz and test your brain's ability to think, memorize, compute, analyze and identify. Compare stacks of coins to find the higher value. Quickly count a huge stack of books. Each brain exercise takes less than a minute to complete.When you're finished with the quiz, you'll find out the weight of your brain, your areas of strength and weakness and even what career is best suited to your unique talents. If you think you've taken your brain to the top of the class, try competing against up to seven friends or family members in lightning-quick activities to see who's really the biggest smarty-pants. Challenge and stimulate your mind with Big Brain Academy.
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 game is superior to Brain Age for a number of reasons: 1) They took away the voice recognition game because it was too buggy and frustrating 2) The score you get is based on how well you do instead of scoring you with an "age". 3) The games are more enjoyable. . I had fun playing the games and comparing my scores to my boyfriend and to my friends. Not to mention while playing you can be happy that you're improving yourself with mental exercise. If you have kids then have them play so they can learn hard work, patience, pattern recognition, critical analysis, etc. . My score was 1600+ - see if you can beat that!
Learn more about Call of Duty 2: Game of the Year Edition. (Flash demo) From the desert sands of northern Africa to the ransacked streets of Russian cities, you'll be at the center of WWII's deadliest combat zones. Step into the shoes of an average soldier and learn what it means to truly fight for justice, honor and freedom in this intense simulation of some of the greatest battles ever waged. In a game where every decision is a matter of life or death, you need to rely on your squad to back you up. With innovative new gameplay, your fellow soldiers will know when to draw enemy fire, lay down cover, use foxholes, move tanks and warn you of incoming troops. They even communicate vital information using the new context-sensitive battle chatter system.Call of Duty 2: Game of the Year Edition lets you watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video with the game's developer. Learn about the history of the actual assault on Point du Hoc in "Rangers Lead the Way." Enjoy a gallery of dynamic production art and discover how Call of Duty 2 went from vision to video game. Take mission walkthroughs accompanied by developer commentary.
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 game is meant to be played on veteran mode and if you do be prepared. The game is one of the hardest I have ever played. There is a sniper mission that you can do to end the D-Day level that is just insane. You have to snipe two guys with one shot that are sitting behind a mortar that is providing partial cover to them. You have to do this fast and to locate other mortar crews that randomly spawn and setup around the tower that you are stuck in till help arrives. So for 5 minutes you have to snipe two in one fast - with accuracy - without missing hardly ever, or you lose. You can't even memorize where they are because it is random. The first time I completed it I got so excited I fell down the ladder trying to get to my checkpoint and died. I had to do it all over again. I can laugh about it now but oh boy did that suck. It took me two hours just to get it the 1st time and not too long the 2nd time since I had the strategy down by then. . If you can beat this game on veteran mode you can be proud. It is one of the most satisfying achievements I have completed on the 360.
What's great about it: Challenging single player, intelligent AI, impressive tasks
What's not so great: At times frustratingly difficult on Veteran mode
Learn more about Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas. (Flash demo) SynopsisSin City is under siege and it is up to you, a Rainbow Six operative, to protect one of the world's most famous cities. Take to Las Vegas' chaotic streets and fight to disrupt a terrorist threat that could bring the world to its knees. Global security rests solely on your shoulders as you defend classic Las Vegas locations and environments, such as Fremont Street, the Strip and numerous casinos.Revolutionary next-generation technology brings Las Vegas to life and lets you experience the city like never before as you race against time to defend it from destruction. Real-time tactical advice and mission briefs provide a realistic experience. Maneuver through Las Vegas with precise tactical planning and utilize high-tech equipment to get an edge on your enemies. Next-generation artificial intelligence matches you against a smart enemy that will work in groups and counter your moves for added realism.
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.
*Single player* I love all the different ways that you can control your team in the single play campaign. You can tell them to stack up on a door and then flash and clear. Or maybe you want them to use a frag grenade, maybe smoke. You can even use your snake cam to look under the door and past it and target enemies. You can tell your team to hit a particular bad guy 1st or 2nd and plan your attack. The strategy is very deep and it is VERY satisfying to beat this game on the Realistic setting. It is hard enough to be challenging without being impossible. As an additional bonus - shooting the pistol on my home theater surround sound is AWESOME. My setup is in my basement and you can feel the floor shake on the 1st floor when I fire. I love the sound on this game. *Multiplayer* The multiplayer is fun but it didn't hold my interest for whatever reason, despite the fact that I was reasonably good at it. I would still recommend it to my friends who find R6V's playstyle right up their alley.
What's great about it: Squad control in single player, realistic weapon set, challenging gameplay
What's not so great: Grenade abuse in multiplayer, people only play the Casino on multiplayer
Learn more about Gears of War. (Flash demo) SynopsisIn a frightening future, humanity faces a new enemy of warlike creatures that have risen from the depths of the earth. As the Locust Horde marches forth, you'll take on the role of Marcus Fenix, a former war hero with his own internal demons to contend with. As he faces his most dangerous enemy yet, he must learn to lay his past to rest and lead a troop of soldiers to victory. In this epic tale of blood and glory, the fate of humankind rests on his shoulders alone. With realistic environments rendered in stunning detail, you will be immersed in a living, dynamic world governed by the laws of physics. Utilize the game's interactive environment to turn ordinary objects and natural elements into tools of war. Wield a massive arsenal of weapons designed to give you the power you need to succeed against your foes. Advanced artificial intelligence means the soldiers you command are nearly indistinguishable from human players. Multiplayer options abound via Xbox Live capabilities that help you take your online gameplay to the next level.
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.
The story mode crafts very realistic characters, down to the way their facial expressions and voice changes. They look and sound like real military men and their personalities range from funny to serious to sarcastic and arrogant. While easy on casual setting the game gets much tougher on the insane difficulty. . The multiplayer is the best part of Gears of War and what makes it so good. I've always wanted to be able to roll to the side instead of leisurely walk when someone surprises me and starts shooting at me. Now I can! The graphics are amazing - it is like watching a movie in real time. The weapons have a lot of parity. The lancer can defeat a shotgun and vice versa. A pistol can defeat either one and vice versa. A sniper rifle has more range than a torque bow and a faster reload time but the torque bow can be less accurate and kill since it uses exploding arrows. The boomshot is powerful but can only hold two shots and its rocket travels very slowly. This makes it about skill with the weapons instead of who grabbed the power weapon. . Bottom Line: Get it if you like serious shooters but stay away if you don't intend on sticking with it while you lose horribly for the first few weeks. It does have a learning curve.
What's great about it: Evasion tactics and freedom of movement, stunning graphics, weapon design
What's not so great: Small teams, host advantage, glitches
The Covenant rules the Earth ~ the Flood has been unleashed ~ and the fate of life everywhere hangs in the balance. Master Chief, a genetically engineered super soldier, is the last chance for humanity's survival. Stowed away on a Forerunner ship, he rushes back to Earth to defeat the Covenant once and for all. Hopelessly outnumbered, his outlook is bleak. But when you are bred for battle, you fight past the breaking point and bow to no one. It's all been building to this ~ a desperate, final war that leads to a soul-shattering climax of epic proportions. Help this incredible hero stop the Covenant, destroy the Flood and save the lives of every person on the planet.The third chapter in the critically acclaimed franchise features insane battles with an arsenal of alien and human weaponry. Discover all-new armaments and characters as you fight to the finish. You can even play online with Xbox Live and battle in pulse-pounding multiplayer action. Next-generation graphics and technological advances, such as enhanced artificial intelligence and a beefed-up real-time lighting engine, make Halo 3 shine with stunning realism.
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.
The game is casual and here is why: 1) You can only move in a single speed making it easy to lead and kill people. Not to mention that you cannot take cover or roll and dodge. Your character and other characters do not make noise when they run despite being in full armor and carrying clanky weapons. This makes no sense and removes any need for stealth. Any serious game should have noise be a factor. 2) The weapons are terribly designed. The sniper gets 4 shots before you get out of the scope meaning you don't have to be that good to kill with it. Not to mention besides the power weapons most other weapons take a long time to kill a person. Yet the power weapons just take one hit to kill, maybe two. This means that someone with a normal weapon vs. a power weapon will have no chance at all and encourages spawn killing as newly spawned players start with nothing more than an assault rifle that takes a full clip to kill someone with. 3) Luck of whether or not people spawn behind you determines a lot of battles rather than skill with the weapons and evasion. . It is pretty easy to pick up and play so it is very casual gamer friendly. The matching system will place you with people of the same skill level as well, so you don't get destroyed as that would be no fun. The ability to play ranked with your friends is a great touch and so is the theater. Being able to share clips with your friends is very cool. While the teams can be large there are very few maps to play. There are maybe 3 or 4 per game type and with the randomness I usually get the same 2 over and over. I got bored of Halo pretty fast because the same maps have the same tired strategy and it felt too repetitive. . Bottom Line: Good game, but not my type of game.
What's great about it: Fast paced, matchmaking system, theater, large teams
What's not so great: Bugs, Weapons are imbalanced, limited movement, few maps
Learn more about Bioshock - Xbox 360. (Flash demo) SynopsisImagine flying high above the arctic seas, anxiously awaiting your descent to dry land. Without warning, the plane plummets to the cold and unforgiving water at unimaginable speed. Once the aircraft makes contact, you realize that falling from the skies is only the beginning of this nightmare. Wrenched into Rapture, a doomed city beneath the sea, you come across a rusted bathysphere. You learn that this once idealistic society, the brainchild of a hopeful group of scientists, artists and industrialists, now has corpses littering the city limits.Going beyond run-and-gun corridors BioShock presents a unique and unpredictable first-person shooter experience in real time. In order to survive an onslaught of assailants, you must take control of your world by hacking mechanical devices, capturing security towers and crafting items to protect yourself. Upgrade your weapons and genetically modify your body to evade the grotesque ghouls who are after you. Make meaningful choices and mature decisions to ultimately answer the question: Should you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture or save them?
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 game has a very interesting story - a man has created a city that is "free from petty morality" as he put it. One where the great will not be limited by the weak. And in a way I admired the man who built a city from scratch, but then as you get further into the story you begin to see his dark side. The power struggles that go on and the atrocities commited keep getting deeper and I could barely stop playing because I wanted to find out what happened next. Why have the people gone crazy? What happened to the city? * The sound effects are awesome with a good system. I could feel it everytime the big daddy took a step. * The graphics are some of the best I've seen on the 360. * There is plenty of gameplay depth as far as abilities go. You can use all sorts of different tactics to defeat your enemies. There isn't one specific way that you have to do things, which is a sign of good game designers. * Bottom Line: If you appreciate a good story and a detailed world then you will love this game.
What's great about it: Story, abilities, sound quality, graphics