PROS:

First, under the “PROS” section, there are PRO modes. See what I did there?  There are lots of new additions to the plastic instruments that we have grown to love.  It’s like the new season of a TV show, where you get some new characters and more character development for previous ones.

First, there’s an all-new guitar.  Well, two new guitars actually.  These Pro guitars both have to be string-plucked.  The Mad Catz Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar Controller (whew, what a mouthful) has a string box with 5 strings at the bottom.  Above that are the 102 fret buttons (!!) that you use to play.  It also can be used as a MIDI guitar controller while not playing the game.  This one will set you back $150 and isn’t available until November 16^th.  The Rock Band 3 Fender Squier Stratocaster has 6 strings (along the entire neck) and 22 frets.  There’s a sensor all along the neck that senses where you’re pressing down the strings.  Also, it can be plugged into an amp.  Harmonix has shown a screenshot of this one, but no one knows when it’s coming or how much it will be. These guitars can also be used in the PRO BASS mode.

Next is the keyboard, a dream of many Rock Band fans for a long time.  It’s wireless, spans two octaves, and even has a touch sensor for some WAH-WAHing sustained notes.  It feels like a well made MIDI keyboard, and can be used as such.  The modes for it are KEYS and PRO KEYS, with the normal one using only 5 keys while PRO uses the whole thing.  The regular KEYS mode can get very tiring on Expert on the hardest songs, so take some painkillers.  Also, you can play the guitar or bass track on the keyboard if you so choose.  The keyboard by itself is $76.99 and the bundle with the game is around $120 (this is the bundle I got).

There are also extensions for the drums in the form of the Pro-cymbals kit.  I don’t know too much about drums, but they are apparently the Crash, Ride, and Hi-Hat cymbals.  What’s great is that every song that has been created so far can be done in the PRO DRUMS mode, even songs that were made before the extensions were made.  They cost $39.99 by themselves or $129.99 for the Rock Band 3 drums and extensions.

Also, Vocal Harmonies are finally added. A feature first introduced in The Beatles:  Rock Band, Vocal Harmonies allow up to three vocalists to sing up to three-part harmony.  So, it’s kind of like a PRO VOX (vocals) mode.  Since Bohemian Rhapsody is included in this game, this is definitely a winner.

The “Overshell” is amazing. As you play the game, there is always an “Overshell” menu above the gameplay and other menus.  This allows people to actively drop in and out, breakneck speed can be turned on and off, and calibration can be instantly done.  Now you don’t have to completely back up to the main menu to do these things anymore.

In Quickplay, everything is tracked. All score information, star-tracking (something sorely missed in Rock Band 2), leaderboards, and more is available within Quickplay.  You can complete Challenges, save setlists, and even challenge other players within the mode.  You can now use your personal character in Quickplay, unlike in Rock Band 2, and you also gain fans for your band, even though you’re not in the “Road Challenges” (Career) mode.  Also, a complex search engine has been added that lets you tailor your available songs to exactly what you’re looking for.  It’s really awesome.

The setlist is great as well. Pretty much all of the songs are interesting to play on at least something.  With ten different instrument modes to try the songs out on (not including Band, which can have 5 players in all sorts of combinations), these songs, plus all of your DLC and Exported songs, will last an awfully long time.

CONS:

With the PRO Guitar modes, you think they would have their new guitar(s) out on release day.  I feel like I’m missing a vast amount of the game.  I guess we’ll all wait until November 16^th, then.

The Road Challenges mode (the new World Tour mode) seems shorter. Within 3 days of not playing it that much I had it beat.  You can make your own playlists on pretty much everything, though, so I guess it feels more like you’re managing your own band’s tour.  I guess they wanted to make the vast majority of the game in Quickplay, which is better in the long run.  It means that you’re working to further your career no matter what you do.

About 20 or so of the new Rock Band 3 songs don’t support keyboard. So, in addition to there being no Pro guitar yet, I feel a little lacking in the Keys department as well.  Add to this the fact that a lot of the least difficult songs have you barely play any keyboard at all.

Score Duel is gone. I love battling other players, but I can tell that these changes are Rock Band’s way of trying to stay as far away from Guitar Hero’s problems as they can.

With all of these add-ons and new controllers, it’s a lot to invest in. If new experiences are what you’re after, you’re going to be forking over quite a bit of money for it.  Make sure you’re willing to go all of the way before making any big purchases.  Find out if any of your friends have the new keyboard or drum extensions and ask to try them before you buy.

If you only buy the game, you’re basically getting just another Rock Band.  If you don’t have any DLC, your experience won’t be as diverse.  If you don’t plop down the money for the new stuff, you’re really missing out on a whole lot of fun.  As stated earlier, how good this game is depends on how devoted you are to it.

Goblin here, and I played alongside Vegieza when I could find the time. It was a lot of fun, and the character creation is something he didn’t touch on. It’s WAY more vast this time without feeling cumbersome, and the shopping basically takes care of itself. Instead of just stockpiling ridiculous amounts of cash, you complete challenges and bam: new clothes.

I will say, when some songs’ vocals merge too well and you can’t tell whose voice is whose, it’s a bit rough trying to sing along. Best try to find some solo tracks and listen well, or just trial and error if you can’t read pitch, my friends. Also, Vocals with Keyboard will equal win. Goblin out.

SPOILER ALERT

Now, all the characters have changed a bit over two years, and I’m super hyped about it. The changes may be minor, but they’re meaningful and varied.

LUFFY – He’s got a massive scar on his chest now and some baggier clothes. Looks tougher than ever.

NAMI – Taller, curvier, longer hair. Otherwise, it looks like Oda didn’t fix what the fanboys say was never broke, if you catch my drift.

ZORO – cool new scar. That’s about it for now.

SANJI – a goatee and a flip-flopped hair style! Holy cow, he DID have a left eye! …a friend DID pose that he might have moved the hair because he lost his LEFT eye… let the theories begin.

BROOK – A rock band and a bit less formality will surely lead to a spike in his popularity, but I hope he can calm down. I loved polite Brook. If not, then I’ll learn to love new Brook.

FRANKY – Bald and power packed. Can’t wait to see more.

ROBIN – didn’t see much of her. Judgment pending.

CHOPPER – the loss of the iconic hat. I will miss it, but his new hat is rockin. I love Chopper and I’m glad he’s still a fluffy ball of cute.

USOPP – Buff and tough with new gear all around. My favorite character just stepped his game up and went from zero to hero. Cue the Hercules j0kes. Or the Heracles jokes. Both are fine.

SPOILER END

I can’t wait to see some more here. Long live the Mugiwara!

Head here to read io9′s take on the situation.

That being said, it’s been a LONG wait. Apparently, for $15, you can see the new episode a week early in a bunch of large cities.

I saw this as a fan of theirs on facebook. If you’re a hardcore Gleek (though I really hate that term) go to a big city and show the show of the year some dang love!

Now, admittedly, Dimps made good sonic games, like Sonic Rush and Sonic Advance… but I had really hoped Sonic Team had simply shaped up. Well, it’s way better than another fail game, at least, but part of my nerd heart still doesn’t want to give up on Sonic Team, despite all their failings.

Oh well, either way, at least we have more proof that Sonic 4 will be a good game, and not another boil on my soul like so many Sonic Team games.

Here’s the links, and there’s a snazzy screen shot of the developer info  on Destructoid: CNET Destructoid

Yep, you read correctly. Johnny Yong Bosch is going to be in the next Saw film, obviously titled Saw VII, but possibly also calld Saw 3-freakin’-D.

Bosch, whom I’ve met at anime cons for the signing of everything Trigun I own as well as a Power Rangers VHS and to (admittedly creepily) ask him to record my voice mail message, has been in quite a few of this nerd’s favorite things. He was my favorite Ninja Ranger because I loved the Frog Zord, and because White Ranger was never as cool as Green Ranger. Sorry Tommy. Good luck in Mixed Martial Arts! He’s kicking serious tail, btw. Not to divert, but here’s the vid, which I saw on nerd news blog Topless Robot.

Holy crap, Jason, way to earn Tommy’s whopping four Ranger helmets, plus that shiny doctorate he got in the later seasons.

Back on topic, Bosch is also the voice of Vash the Stampede, from Trigun, as well as dozens of other anime, but Trigun is my favorite.

He’s also been in TONS of games and a few movies. His IMDB is worth a look.

It’s there that I saw, thanks to my good buddy Niko, that he is going to be in the next Saw movie.

Holy crap, I think the heroes of my childhood are clashing with the villains of my adulthood.

Jigsaw is going to kill my favorite voice actor, and second favorite power ranger… in 3D.

I think I need to pray. -GG

For the love of God, and all that is Holy...

And that’s just the GAMES. Let’s not gent into Sonic X, which was the biggest freaking fail since Sonic took the fail train into fail village and shacked up with princess fail at the fail hotel. Even the comics have gone to crap, not to mention Sonic Underground… ugh… I need to go puke…

I know, Jack, that’s how I felt when I played Sonic Heroes, too.

That being said, yesterday we got wind that Project Needlemouse is now, officially, Sonic the Hedgehog 4. It will be a downloadable game that comes in installments, like the Half Life Episode games. It’ll be released on Wii, PS3, and 360, as well as a ‘secret 4th system’ rumored to be the Ipod touch and the Iphone, which aren’t gaming consoles, you morons.

The plot, btw, is following the original, taking place just after the rescue of angel island and the destruction of the Death Egg.

The first chapter is now slated for later this year, expect spontaneous updates from me here, or you can go to more official sources, like SEGA or Wikipedia. -GG

If you somehow missed the funbus, get your ticket to ride over at SEGA’s blog.

So far, we know ONLY SONIC is playable. Thank you, merciful rainbow Obama Jesus. Will the others appear? Who knows, but if I had anything so say about it, most would die in terrible fires. Why? Here’s a bulleted list.

• Sonic, he can really move (but not in 3D)
• Sonic, he’s got an attitude (in the comics and pre 2000)
• Sonic, he’s the fastest thing ali-ee-ive (but not when next to ANY OTHER CHARACTER BECAUSE THEIR ALL THE SAME SPEED NOW.)

Here, I’ll even give you the Needlemouse teaser.

Sweet, huh?

Well, today we get the full details, like come new concept art and the true title. Brace for fail, pray for Sonic the Hedgehog 4, only on the Sega Genesis.

In honor of the next probably terrible game’s birth, I bring you a look back at better times, just funkily remixed.

I’ll hit you guys up later with details. Until then, -GG.

Pictured here: The iPhone+, Never lose it again!

So… it’s a laptop… with no protection for the screen. Brilliant. Two weeks from now, we’ll have 50 dollar broken iPads all over ebay.

You can draw, that’s nifty… I can’t imagine it’d be comfortable unless you had a table and a stand… Other than that, it’s just another step towards ‘why do I need that?’ brought to you by Apple.

…

WAIT A MINUTE.

Pictured: so THAT'S why I need one!

Holy cow… while this product isn’t anywhere NEAR practical… we can use it for Dungeons and Dragons. Well, not that guy in prison, but for the rest of us, AWESOME! My fire effect with have a FIRE graphic! It’s like SUPER CHESS!

Pictured Here: Check and mate. Now let's get the pawns back from the log flume.

Now… if you want to order one, go here, Now, for the rest of us, let’s roll up some characters. Dibs on Dragonborn Fighter!

Ripped from Spill.com, “The photo includes Bradley Cooper as Lt. Templeton “Faceman” Peck, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as Sgt. “B.A.” Baracus, Sharlto Copley as Capt. “Howling Mad” Murdock, and Liam Neeson as John “Hannibal” Smith.” and also, “The Joe Carnahan-directed The A-Team will hit theaters on June 11th, 2010.”

Here’s a link. -GG