G4TV

Here's what went on today in the world of video games, popular culture and technolgy!

• The G4tv.com and X-Play staff reveals what games they're looking forward to most in 2010.
• The Ramones, Blink 182, Paul McCartney and The Psychedelic Furs are coming to Rock Band.
• Check out the trailer for Dragon Age: Origins "Return to Ostagar" DLC.
• Check out the worst video game covers ever.
• VIDEO: You ARE A Flying Mount In Latest Divinity II: Ego Draconis Trailer
• Adam takes the opportunity to look back at the past decade of gaming and what made this such an important time for interactive entert

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It's the end of the year, so we're all totally nostalgic for 2009, so please enjoy the final part of X-Play's Sess Rider series. (Here are parts one and two, if you missed 'em.)

This week on the links, a complaint has been filed against Mario & Luigi for their reckless behavior as plumbers. Plus, we see if 2009 was a turning point for music games and examine the best movies of the year.

• Our friends at FilmDrunk list their 10 favorite films of 2009, and make the case as to why you really should see Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.

• Mario & Luigi are struggling to reconcile their lives in the mushroom kingdom with the real world. You have to see this CollegeHumor vid.

• Who knew mac & cheese could be more than just a delicious snack? Check out these 20 amazing cheese sculptures on SuperTremendous.

• Was 2009 the year that the music game died? Crispy Gamer sure thinks so.

• Uncoached has some pictures of the Spanish bull-leapers or "recortadores," which have to be seen to be believed.

• Crave Online counts down the top 10 athletes of 2010.

It's the end of the year. The end of a decade. The end of an era. What better time to sit down and look back at what the past decade of gaming has brought into our homes. Such is the subject of the last Soapbox of 2009. Adam sits down to talk about all the games and gaming trends that have come and gone since the year 2000. Some good, some bad, but mostly good. So sit back, press play, and enjoy the nostalgia. Happy New Year!

Subscribe to G4's Sessler's Soapbox Podcast by clicking your preferred service:

Super Fork Fighter Extreme IV HD Remix: Championship Edition 
 

 Pros:

• Frantic, realistic plastic cutlery combat
• Contains Forks!
• New character, “Spoon,” adds variety

Cons: 

• Knife over-powered
• Violence and gore may be disturbing to sensitive gamers
• Spork only available as DLC

After the controversy over Super Fork Fighter Extreme III, it’s surprising that Galactico Super Games had the courage to release Super Fork Fighter Extreme IV HD Remix: Championship Edition, but we’re glad they did. It’s a great multiplayer game, even if  the constant screens warning against sticking actual forks in your eyes can get a little distracting.
 
This latest chapter in the Fork Fighter saga contains everything you love about the series: The frantic, fast cutlery battles, smooth controls and stunning graphics you remember are all here. And there are plastic forks. Lots of them. Check out the exclusive gameplay video below to see what we mean.

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Upcoming fantasy RPG, Divinity II: Ego Draconis <span class="tooltip-content"> <span class='tooltip-tab-container'> <span class='tooltip-tab-wrapper active' onclick='tooltiptab(this);'><span class='tooltip-tab xbox-360'></span></span> <span class='tooltip-tab-wrapper' onclick='tooltiptab(this);'><span class='tooltip-tab PC'></span></span> </span> <span class='tooltip-active tooltip2 xbox-360'><div class='tooltip-name'><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/53178/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/index/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis">Divinity II: Ego Draconis</a></div><hr /><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/53178/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/news/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis news">News</a></h6> (1)</li> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/53178/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/news/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis news">Previews</a></h6> (1)</li> <li><h6>Review</h6></li> </ul></span><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/53178/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/videos/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis videos">Videos</a></h6> (8)</li> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/53178/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/screenshots-and-images/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis screenshots &amp; images">Screenshots</a></h6> (52)</li> <li><h6>Cheats and Walkthroughs</h6></li> </ul> </span><div style='clear:both;'></div></span> <span class='tooltip2 PC'><div class='tooltip-name'><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/pc/20635/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/index/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis">Divinity II: Ego Draconis</a></div><hr /><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/pc/20635/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/news/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis news">News</a></h6> (1)</li> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/pc/20635/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/news/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis news">Previews</a></h6> (1)</li> <li><h6>Review</h6></li> </ul></span><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/pc/20635/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/videos/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis videos">Videos</a></h6> (8)</li> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/pc/20635/divinity-ii-ego-draconis/screenshots-and-images/" title="Divinity+II%3a+Ego+Draconis screenshots &amp; images">Screenshots</a></h6> (42)</li> <li><h6>Cheats and Walkthroughs</h6></li> </ul> </span><div style='clear:both;'></div></span> </span><div class="arrow"></div> , has built-in versatility allowing players to switch between The Dragon Knight's human and dragon forms on-the-fly. The latest  video out from German publisher cdv Software, showcases both types of gameplay which caused (me at least) a bit of Panzer Dragoon flashbacks.

The image you see above is among the worst video game covers ever, as determined by The OC Weekly's website. I never played Rival Turf!, so I have no idea whether it was as "badass" as that cover makes it seem, but I can only hope. Check out the entire list at The OC Weekly's site...

Spoiler: They say the worst box ever is the cover of the original Mega Man. But I think it's the best. Sure, everything is out of proportion, the perspective is way off, and Mega Man looks like he's in the middle of taking a huge dump, but no art I've ever seen captures the juvenile excitement and joy of gaming quite like that image. Plus, it's "State-of-the-Art" and contains "High Resolution Graphics." How can you argue with that? Check it out yourself:

Source: OC Weekly (via GoNintendo)

It's already known that next week will bring Dragon Age: Origins "Return to Ostagar" DLC to your 360. But if you'd like an advanced look at what to expect, check out the trailer below:

If you're playing the game on PS3 like I am, you'll have to wait until later in January to download it. Sorry.

Next week is a big one for downloadable Rock Band and Rock Band 2 tracks. On tap: The Ramones (who are the greatest rock band ever), some live Paul McCartney, a Blink 182 three-fer, and even a couple tunes from underrated 1980s rockers The Psychedelic Furs.

Here's the full list:

• Paul McCartney – “Band on the Run (Live)”
• Paul McCartney – “Jet (Live)”
• Paul McCartney – “Sing the Changes (Live)”
• Blink-182 – “Adam’s Song”
• Blink-182 – “First Date”
• Blink-182 – “I Miss You”
• The Psychedelic Furs – “Love My Way”
• The Psychedelic Furs – “Sister Europe”
• The Ramones – “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School”

You'll be able to download these songs for the 360 and Wii on Tuesday, and for the the PS3 on Thursday. The usual 2 bucks per track price applies, but the McCartney and Blink packs, purchased whole, will only cost $5.49.

The inclusion of The Psychedelic Furs is indicative of what I like about Rock Band's downloads. They're hardly a chart-topping group these days, but if you're a fan, you can still pick them up. Thumbs up for DLC! Any obscure (or semi-obscure) band you'd like to see in Rock Band?

With 2010 about to kick off, the G4tv.com and X-Play teams took a look at the games set to release (or are likely to) in the next year. What follows is a list of the top 5 most anticipated games for each editor. How will it compare to your personal list? Which games will live up to the hype? Which games are you looking forward to? Leave your list in the comments section.

Rob Manuel -- Associate Producer, X-Play

The Last Guardian <span class="tooltip-content"> <span class='tooltip-tab-container'> <span class='tooltip-tab-wrapper active' onclick='tooltiptab(this);'><span class='tooltip-tab PS3'></span></span> </span> <span class='tooltip-active tooltip2 PS3'><div class='tooltip-name'><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/ps3/62320/the-last-guardian/index/" title="The+Last+Guardian">The Last Guardian</a></div><hr /><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/ps3/62320/the-last-guardian/news/" title="The+Last+Guardian news">News</a></h6> (5)</li> <li><h6>Previews</h6></li> <li><h6>Review</h6></li> </ul></span><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/ps3/62320/the-last-guardian/videos/" title="The+Last+Guardian videos">Videos</a></h6> (6)</li> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/ps3/62320/the-last-guardian/screenshots-and-images/" title="The+Last+Guardian screenshots &amp; images">Screenshots</a></h6> (12)</li> <li><h6>Cheats and Walkthroughs</h6></li> </ul> </span><div style='clear:both;'></div></span> </span><div class="arrow"></div>

Most gamers know Team Ico for their beautifully haunting landscapes, their quirky but always inspiring gameplay, and taking their sweet time producing their next masterpiece. A veil of mystery still surrounds The Last Guardian, a game that seemingly combines the companion aspect of Ico with the giant climbing action of Shadow of the Colossus. While the release date may slip into 2011, I will be patiently waiting to get back into a world that could only be designed by Team Ico.

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Welcome to Morning Hangover -- an excellent way to start your day with the crew at TheFeed...no matter what you're recovering from. Every morning you'll hear musings from our editors and have the chance to share your thoughts on what's going on in the gaming world.

Now that you've had a chance to dig into your Christmas games and really give them a thorough look, which newer games have let you down? Has anything you expected to suck really surprised you with its non suckitude?

Here's what happened today in the world of video games, popular culture and technology

• Rapper Ice-T recently posted a picture that proves he's really good at Modern Warfare 2.
• The G4tv.com and X-Play staff reveals what games they're looking forward to most in 2010.
• Check out the formative years of Attack of the Show's Olivia Munn.
• VIDEO: Assassin's Creed "Initiation" Fan Film Explains Missing Ring Fingers
• Wrapping up our look at the first ten years of gaming, Future Andrew Pfister gives himself a heads-up on what's going on in 2019.

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We're continuing our Munn-centric day with another video from Ms. Olivia's special on Attack of the Show last night. You are lucky. In it, you'll get to the bottom of Olivia's obsession with pie.

Remember that band Blackstreet? Me neither!* But Teddy Riley, a singer from the R&B combo, is accused of using a plastic Rock Band guitar to beat and terrorize his own daughters.

Riley's daughter Taja says the singer was "stomping, punching and bashing" her and her older sister, and at one point, the enraged vocalist picked up a plastic Rock Band guitar and "threatened to kill person(s) w/ it." Taja claims she suffered several injuries in the alleged altercation, including "bashes to temple, contusion on face" and "pain in knee." Ouch! She got rocked!

Hey, Teddy Riley, if you insist on murderousness, pick a better implement to get the job done.I can barely get that crappy peripheral to trigger "Overdrive;" I seriously doubt you're going to be able to kill anyone with it.

Update: Several of G4's commenters have pointed out that my dismissal of Teddy Riley as a member of a forgetable R&B group was unwarranted. They are right. Riley is an important figure in recent musical history; he sang with Guy, and as a producer, he basically created the "New Jack Swing" sound, produced many awesome Michael Jackson tracks and was pioneer of music whose influence is still heavy in the pop, R&B and hip hop genres.  Also: That song "No Diggity" is still pretty cool, and I totally remember it. Apologies, Teddy Riley fans!

All this doesn't change the fact that beating your family up with a plastic guitar sucks.

Source: TMZ

Right in the midst of football season, SouthPeak Games announces the fantasy football game (the kind with elves, orcs and goblins vs. the kind with fantasy drafts, screaming adults and feverish stat tracking) Blood Bowl <span class="tooltip-content"> <span class='tooltip-tab-container'> <span class='tooltip-tab-wrapper active' onclick='tooltiptab(this);'><span class='tooltip-tab xbox-360'></span></span> <span class='tooltip-tab-wrapper' onclick='tooltiptab(this);'><span class='tooltip-tab PC'></span></span> <span class='tooltip-tab-wrapper' onclick='tooltiptab(this);'><span class='tooltip-tab DS'></span></span> <span class='tooltip-tab-wrapper' onclick='tooltiptab(this);'><span class='tooltip-tab PSP'></span></span> </span> <span class='tooltip-active tooltip2 xbox-360'><div class='tooltip-name'><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/49271/blood-bowl/index/" title="Blood+Bowl">Blood Bowl</a></div><hr /><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6>News</h6></li> <li><h6>Previews</h6></li> <li><h6>Review</h6></li> </ul></span><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/49271/blood-bowl/videos/" title="Blood+Bowl videos">Videos</a></h6> (7)</li> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/49271/blood-bowl/screenshots-and-images/" title="Blood+Bowl screenshots &amp; images">Screenshots</a></h6> (10)</li> <li><h6>Cheats and Walkthroughs</h6></li> </ul> </span><div style='clear:both;'></div></span> <span class='tooltip2 PC'><div class='tooltip-name'><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/pc/40450/blood-bowl/index/" title="Blood+Bowl">Blood Bowl</a></div><hr /><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6>News</h6></li> <li><h6>Previews</h6></li> <li><h6>Review</h6></li> </ul></span><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/pc/40450/blood-bowl/videos/" title="Blood+Bowl videos">Videos</a></h6> (7)</li> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/pc/40450/blood-bowl/screenshots-and-images/" title="Blood+Bowl screenshots &amp; images">Screenshots</a></h6> (10)</li> <li><h6>Cheats and Walkthroughs</h6></li> </ul> </span><div style='clear:both;'></div></span> <span class='tooltip2 DS'><div class='tooltip-name'><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/ds/49269/blood-bowl/index/" title="Blood+Bowl">Blood Bowl</a></div><hr /><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6>News</h6></li> <li><h6>Previews</h6></li> <li><h6>Review</h6></li> </ul></span><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/ds/49269/blood-bowl/videos/" title="Blood+Bowl videos">Videos</a></h6> (2)</li> <li><h6>Screenshots</h6></li> <li><h6>Cheats and Walkthroughs</h6></li> </ul> </span><div style='clear:both;'></div></span> <span class='tooltip2 PSP'><div class='tooltip-name'><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/psp/49270/blood-bowl/index/" title="Blood+Bowl">Blood Bowl</a></div><hr /><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6>News</h6></li> <li><h6>Previews</h6></li> <li><h6>Review</h6></li> </ul></span><span class='tooltip-column'><ul> <li><h6><a href="http://g4tv.com/games/psp/49270/blood-bowl/videos/" title="Blood+Bowl videos">Videos</a></h6> (3)</li> <li><h6>Screenshots</h6></li> <li><h6>Cheats and Walkthroughs</h6></li> </ul> </span><div style='clear:both;'></div></span> </span><div class="arrow"></div> to be making it's retail shelf debut on the PC/360 next month, with a follow-up PSP release in Spring of 2010. Previously only available as an exclusive downloadable PC purchase, the Cyanide Studios game will look for a wider audience to cater to.

I guess if jocks had a Renaissance Fair in high school, it might've looked something like this.