CID the dummy is set in a near-future version Earth where people have become obsessed with safety. Whether it’s surviving a steamroller or even a book, everything in the future is safety checked by the Crash Impact Dummies. CID is one dummy, but he’s bored with life. He wants to adventure … with you!

CID can climb walls, swing on ropes, burn obstacles, destroy exploding barrels, use lifters, bounce on springs and with a neat head butt destroy walls. Game environment interaction is VERY important part of the gameplay. This is one reason you might like it, especially if you’re into this type of game.

There are, of course, a lot of enemies for CID to battle in this immersive environment. This looks to be a very fun game. It won’t be for everyone maybe, but it’s going to be popular for a lot of people.

Sure, a crash test dummy is an unlikely hero, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a likable her. And CID is likable, for a dummy.

Here’s how Oxygen (who came up with the game) describes him:

CID is a young, funky Crash Impact Dummy. He’s knows he’s cool, he knows he’s street, he knows he’s widdit. He’s not really sure where he’s heading in life. He kinda knows he’s destined for bigger things, but he’s stuck in this damn job…. He’s got a quick sense of humour, and uses his wit as a defence.

Sounds kinda fun, huh? This will definitely be a video game to watch. If you have any thoughts about CID (or know any dummies – crash test or otherwise – please input your comment below.) Thanks!

The game has the same controls as Excite Truck. If you’re not familiar with that, it’s one of those video games you can just “pick up” and magically know how to play. Well, that game was so popular this is a spin-off with … well, excitebots! Heh. How can you not like a name like that? You can even choose to be the frog. Ribbit! Ribbit!

Nintendo Wii is coming out with some great games and this is one of them, especially if you like action racing games (or frogs.) As with Excite Trucks, this uses the special Nintendo Wii Driving Controller, which is kinda cool. (At least I like it. If you disagree with me, first – how dare you! Second, leave a comment so I can defend myself at least!

Ok, back to the video game.

Up to six of your friends can race online via a Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in both the Excite Race and the Poker Race modes. Broadband Internet access is required for online play. (Duh.)

You can activate in-race mini-games including:

• Soccer
• Bowling
• Darts
• Clowns
• Sandwiches

What other game combines high-speed robot racers with bowling, poker, clown faces and sandwich making? Not many. Leave it to the Nintendo Wii to come out with such a game.

If you have any Excitebots: Trick Racing stories, we really do want to hear from you. (Seriously – some night I lay awake for hours wondering why there are no real comments on the blog. Smile. Just kidding. It’s free to join the conversation, though!)

Til next time, excite your bot.

NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 is not going to be for everyone out there, but for some people it’s gonna hit the spot. It gives you a great sporty FPS feel without all the blood and guts typically associated with those types of games. (Some people like those, but they’re not for all types of people, which makes games like this welcome additions.)

If you’re ready for one of the more realistic paintball games on the market, load up the hopper on your weapon of choice, lower your mask, and take cover because “it’s on!”

“We appreciate the fact that the bar has been raised with extreme sports games, and that paintball enthusiasts demand an obsessive attention to detail. Our goal has been to over-deliver in a way that pleases both camps,” said Shawn Walker, NPPL President. “It’s been a long wait for next-gen paintball experience, but the work on NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 has paid off and the game is a huge step forward for the genre and the sport.”

NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 had in-depth design consultation by Team Dynasty and Bob Long. The game strives to make players feel like they are on the field – with motion-captured player movements such as slides, dives, snapping and leading-edge ballistics that affect where the paintballs go.

Ryan Greenspan of the world champion San Diego Dynasty paintball team said, “We’ve gotten to play the game quite a few times along the way, and it is definitely the best paintball game we’ve ever played. The graphics are amazing, it’s lots of fun, and super realistic. The beautiful thing is that people are going have an absolute blast playing it from the most hardcore paintball junkies to those who might never have even tried the sport. The breadth of its appeal is huge.”

If you’ve played this game, leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

And the music. The game uses a lot of hip-hop and eastern influenced tunes to put you into the mood of Afro Samurai’s world. If you didn’t know, the game is based on an Anime series. (If you don’t know what Anime is, well, go Google it…)

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the franchise. There’s not a lot to know other that you have an Afro, smoke cigarettes, and are out looking to avenge the death of your father. You’ll meet plenty of crazy characters from the Afro Samurai series along the way, getting to dismember and kill them in a variety of ways.

If you’re not into blood and guts and killing, this game is definitely not going to be for you. If, on the other hand, you’re somehow attracted to that type of thing (like Kill Bill the movie), you’re gonna love this game. It has a lot of flaws, but if it sells well, it may lead to other games in a series that continually gets better.

If you’ve played Afro Samurai for the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below.

Until next time, keep gaming.

The game is definitely fast paced, with most characters only “surviving” for minutes at a time because there is so much carnage going on in the game. This leads to a gameplay that’s reckless and also a little exhilerating. Don’t worry, though, as it only takes seconds to respawn your character and get you back into the action.

There are a lot of different weapons and they’re pretty balanced – no one weapon dominates the game. This is a good sign of game balance, something that’s important to most gamers who game a lot. They don’t want it too easy or too hard, but they do want a challenge. And Crash Commando definitely offers a challenge.

There are six basic weapons in the game, but as you play, you’ll also come across some super “power-up” weapons. Keep your eyes open as these really enhance your ability to do damage in the game! Chaingun anyone?

Unlike a lot of side-scrollers from the past, Crash Commando’s scenery is very impressive. Beyond just looking good, though, they also offer great gameplay. The level design is a work of art too.

One thing they might have added to make a good game great is some kind of level advancement where your character gets better and better as the game progresses – maybe keeping you alive and in the action longer with more health points?

If you thought side-scrollers were dead, think again and pick up Crash Commando. If you liked side-scrollers in the past (Contra!!!!), you’re sure to love this next gen version of a classic game style.

What makes the early part of the game so … well, boring? Perhaps it’s the old school walking around and talking to characters that, for the most part, look pretty much the same. Ah, the good old Zelda and Ultima days of wandering around talking to people from villages far and wide…

Like I said, if you can get past that, there’s some decent damage able to be inflicted later in the game as it takes on a more heroic stance with, yes, wait for it – fighting and carnage. Let’s face it – in the action/adventure genre, that’s what gamers are looking for, right?

Throughout the game you’ll pick up special abilities – some that are constand and other that must manually be put into use during combat. You get the abilities by making the right decisions in combat and also on the (boring) dialog pieces.

The action and combat is fast paced and exciting, but the game could do with a lot more of it that it has. It’s still an ok game you might want to add to your collection, but only if you’re really into the genre.

Have you played Rise of the Argonauts? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you liked the game or hated the game (and the dialog), leave a comment and share with us. I’m sure other gamers reading the Video Game Freaks site would enjoy hearing some different viewpoints on the game as well.

Until next time, keep gaming.