rebootied

I'm using an 8GB USB keychain drive for my Xbox 360 GamerTag account and some Rock Band content, so I can bring it to work and play during lunch without using up the company's 20GB HDD's storage space.

The 8GB unit was 3000 yen three months ago. I have been keeping an eye out for 16GB so I can carry more stuff around - I've got way too much Rock Band DLC, and I'd like to drag my music game data to my sister's place, so I can play there as well.

Locally the prices on 16GB USB drives has been unwavering in the nearly 6000 yen mark for months. Months. Today I've found myself scoping Amazon to order stuff to have it waiting for me at my sister's when I go to visit. It dawned on me that there may be a price difference. Lo and behold! Amazon's displaying really cheap prices. So cheap that I may even get a 32GB unit and enjoy the extra partition to sneakernet stuff from various machines and then use the 360's media features (sometimes my home wireless network appears asthmatic).

Japan really does ass-bash its consumer population. It's just nuts.

I bought a DSi yesterday. Found one "used" in mint-like condition without a box or manuals for 15,000 yen, down from the 18,900 yen for a new-new one. I bought the black one, because there is nothing kewler than a matte black portable gaming system.

Initial impressions: The camera is more fun than I expected it to be, but I'm probably going to need a GBA Micro to pick up slack for the missing GBA port/functionality.

Sony plans new PlayStation 3 bundles // News:

A LittleBigPlanet 80GB bundle is also due in Japan, retailing for JPY 44,980 (EUR 327 / GBP 255) complete with a copy of the Media Molecule-developed title and two DualShock 3 controllers.

In addition, the DualShock 3 will also be bundled with a copy of LittleBigPlanet for JPY 7980 (EUR 58 / GBP 45), and also available in silver, black and white.

My copy of Mercenaries 2 (360) arrived in the mail yesterday from Play-Asia.com.

The first game is the first game which took GTA's formula and did it better. While GTA just added more bells and whistles to its core gameplay with each sequel (until GTA IV), Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction took the challenge of allowing players to sculpt their own means of gameplay, either completing missions stealthily and with minimal body count, potentially without the victim even knowing who was responsible, or tackling them head-on in a blistering, booming, destruction without discretion manner where nothing but the trees are left standing. (A joke in itself for Mercenaries veterans)

After 2 hrs. of playing, I can confirm that the game is basically MORE OF THE SAME -- which in this case I wholly endorse. It's Mercs, plus some resource management, full game co-op play, and TREES YOU CAN DESTROY.

Bring that noise. I want some.

( list of what i bagged on the US trip )
Just a quick note on the restoration of my faith in humanity, or at least Gamestop and the retail game shopping experience: Both shops on this trip were immaculately clean, nothing on the floors, most of the games were in clean packaging without those ghetto DVD-case-inserts, the games were in alphabetical order on the shelves, and the staff were friendly and helpful without being invasive, pushy, condescending, or distracted by other employees. My time in the Gamespot stores on this trip were easily the best experiences I've ever had shopping for games in a retail store. I'd believe it was all just a dream, except the games are all on my shelf at home.

Gadget Lab from Wired.com | Myka: One Set-Top Box to Rule Them All?

Of course, they'll probably IP-block outside of the US for any official torrents. Their loss, of course people will still be able to grab the non-official ones, making life easier all around. I wonder how it will work with various net-controls, like being able to send the box a torrent remotely from, say, email or equivalent.

I forgot to look for a copy of Sid Meier's Pirates! for PSP while I was in the USA. Though I have to say all the GameStops and Targets I visited were pretty well picked bare when I was in them. They didn't even have GTA: Vice City Stories for PSP, though the game has been out for a while and still very popular... Still. CRAP!