Pads & Panels

Interview with WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes

WWE Extreme Rules Preview

Interview by Bill Jones – Images courtesy of WWE

Cody Runnels, better known by his ring name Cody Rhodes, is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, a fact he played into with the multi-generational stable The Legacy. Cody Rhodes cut his teeth in the WWE in tag team competition with Ted DiBiase, but in recent years, Rhodes has made a name for himself as a singles competitor poised to be a main eventer. He has had great feuds and even better matches with the likes of Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton and Booker T. But his current feud sees him up against the 7-foot 441-pound Big Show, upholding the time-honored pro wrestling tradition of fighting a giant, in this case a giant who beat him Sunday, April 1, for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.

Rhodes will get his rematch Sunday, April 29, at the Extreme Rules pay per view, held at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. (Chicago). Rhodes was kind enough to take 15 minutes out of his busy travel schedule Thursday, April 26, to chat on the phone about the upcoming show and his career, delving into his mask, video games, his father, Chicago, twitter, the return of Attitude Era Superstars, dream matches, mystery stipulations and, of course, the Big Show. (more…)

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Title: Alice: Madness Returns

Platform: 360 (PS3, PC)

ESRB: M

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Spicy Horse

Review By: Eric Stuckart

Rating:

American McGee’s Alice was a PC game that perfectly illustrated gaming at the turn of the millennium. Its art style was influenced by Tim Burton’s subverted gothic style — despite beating even him to the punch in weirding up the property, as he would nearly a decade later — and it had the extreme type of gameplay that was really starting to popularize gaming at the time. It hasn’t aged particularly well, but its blend of PS1-inspired platforming with a more mature combat style helped it stand out among other titles in its day.

It’s hard to say if that uniqueness alone was enough for it to deserve a sequel, but its cult status among its fans probably more than likely guaranteed that Alice would once again return to Wonderland, this time with Alice: Madness Returns. Fans of the series will probably find much to love in the game, with its creepy art style, its new game plus and enough collectibles to drive a player mad as a hatter, but ultimately its questionable design choices that pop up from time to time and clear lack of polish will be the true element to drive them insane, albeit in a less enjoyable way. (more…)

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“8-Bit Religion”

By Bill Jones

I wrote a poem once. Actually, I’ve written several, but the one in question is called “8-Bit Religion.” I wrote it for a contest. I did not win, but I was still pretty happy with the way it turned out. We don’t regularly post poetry on Pads & Panels, but maybe we should. And either way, we are today. It just sort of seemed like a good day to post poetry. This is a poem about religion, or more accurately it’s a poem about forming a cool religion based on awesome, old games. Enjoy it. (more…)

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2010 Holiday Gift Guide – Beyond the Games and Books: Fun Collectibles

By P&P Staff

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Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Play Arts Kai Snake “Jungle Fatigues”

It may cost a little more than the Toys R Us packaged-variety action figures, but Play Arts Kai makes a meanly detailed figure for the hardcore fan. Its Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Snake in Jungle Fatigues is a perfect example. With accessories and plenty of ways to pose the combat veteran, this camouflaged figure will blend right in with the rest of your collection. (more…)

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Product: The ThinkGeek 8-Bit Tie

Company: ThinkGeek

MSRP: $19.99

Review by: Jason King

Need to geek out your wardrobe? ThinkGeek has just the tie for the occasion. If Link needed to go to a formal event in Hyrule, this is likely the tie he’d wear (and, owing to its blue color, he might even discover he took half-damage). The tie is a clip-on – it would be difficult to imagine this would work any other way, really – and comes in blue or red. It is made of silky microfiber polyester, it’s 20 inches long and handmade.  Be warned, though, to those that didn’t spend their youth playing 8-bit Nintendo, the boxy tie will look a little … odd.

For more info, www.thinkgeek.com

Pads & Panels received an 8-Bit Tie courtesy of ThinkGeek for review purposes.

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The Electronic Entertainment Expo meant a few things for a few different reasons for me, but mostly it was NINTENDO. To paraphrase Ralphie from A Christmas Story, it was total “electric sex.” And sure, much could be said about Nintendo still having trouble, if you can call it that, developing new intellectual properties. However, I wouldn’t call it that. I’d say it’s them smartly sticking to what works, and why not?

After a number of E3s having passed with Nintendo not really announcing much aside from the more “productive” gaming peripherals and casual games, I was happy as a pig in shit to see not only a new Zelda, but a killer new Metroid trailer, Donkey Kong Country Returns – a big “wow” moment for me – Kirby’s Epic Yarn, a new Mario Kart, and that’s just the few that really stuck out to me. (more…)

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Title: 3D Dot Game Heroes

Platform: PS3

ESRB: E

Publisher: Atlus

Developer: From Software

Rating:

Review By: Eric Stuckart

It seems telling that my favorite current game on the PS3 is one that is heavily inspired by a nearly 20-year-old Super Nintendo game. It either says something about modern video games or me, but I’d like to think it’s the latter. However, I’ve made no secret my admiration for nostalgia-laden games, so it should surprise no one that I’ve fallen in love with 3D Dot Game Heroes.

Coming across like a bizarro world mash-up of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and any of the countless Lego games, 3D Dot Game Heroes is steeped in old-school elements and references to games from the past. Featuring a nameless hero tasked with the mission of retrieving six mystical orbs from six different temples in order to fight an evil priest trying to glean power from an evil orb. (more…)

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