...DS WiFi Woes Answered...I Feel Stupid!...

...so I know what my next purchase will be! i've had my Nintendo DS since Christmas (thanks to my loving GF) but I haven't really been able to reap the rewards of the WiFi on it because our WiFi router is set to WPA (WiFi Protected Access) encryption enabled. The DS only handles WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) enabled and I have my router on WPA...

...now, honestly, I have really no idea what the difference either of the encryptions are except that WPA allowed me to use a phrase/word as a password rather than using the bajillion numbers that the WEP passwords are. I really don't feel like doing that. Plus, I don't want to have to change the router settings and then tell my roommates why I did it just so I can play Mario Kart DS online. After doing a search (Processor.com has a great and easy to understand article on this), and a thread on the Penny Arcade Forums, i've found that the WPA is the best...for now...

...so, if you are having the problem like I am (and just didn't think about doing this), just get the Nintendo WiFi USB dongle, or the generic non Nintendo one which is what i'm doing thanks to Ebay. :) The WiFi USB dongle will create a WiFi access point from your computer that is already connected to the internet, may it be a wired or a wireless connection. When you're done, just unplug the dongle and the access point is gone! Simple as that...when I found out about this i just slapped my forehead and just thought...man...i'm stupid...

...hot hot heat...literally...

...it's a heat wave here in NYC and what do i do? i go to the beach with 3 hotties...and get a sunburn. I'm not feelin too hot since yesterday so i've been catching up on some old PS2 games that I haven't played in a long time...

...one in particular is Psi Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy. This game is just a lot of fun. The storyline reminds me a lot of the Jason Bourne series of books and movies. It's about a guy who doesn't remember who he is but learns along the way that he has the powers of telekenesis, pyrokenesis, remote vision, mind control and other powers. Basically you're going through the game learning that you have these powers, and what you've done in the past, therefore taking on revenge on those who made you who you are...

...fun, easy story no? There really isn't anything better than picking up an enemy soldier, spinning him around and throwing him into a barrage of other soldiers coming to kill you and setting them on fire. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE A GAME LIKE THAT?!. I'm currently stuck at a boss battle that's pretty easy but frustrating at the same time. First you battle the stone warriors in the room which is pretty easy but tedious. Then the actual boss (Wei Lu I want to say??) turns into a huge, green blob thinggee with 3 heads (not including his own)...

...I've come to the decision that I need to finish a game. I haven't finished a game since Zelda: Wind Waker for the GameCube (which was spectacular and I can't wait for the Phantom Hourglass for DS). I have so many games that I have yet to finish (RE4, Psi Ops, Metroid Prime, Getting Up, Ace Combat 5) but I keep on getting either bored or distracted. My DS isn't helping out either with all the games that I have for that also (I've made myself take out Pokemon Diamond because I need to stop walking around in circles looking for rare Pokemon). DAMMIT and I have an old Xbox which I started playing Fable on and Sudeki. AGHHHH!!! HELP!...

...a pleasant DS surprise...

...so ever since i've been watching movies on my Zune on my commute to work on the train, i've been neglecting my Nintendo DS until recent when I've been playing it during commercials or while i'm watching TV. now I can go on and on about all the other games people have been raving about that I too have found my mind go insane from the fun of them (Puzzle Quest, Planet Puzzle League, Elite Beat Agents)...but i'm going to write about a game that i got recently on a whim just cause that I found to be quite enjoyable: The Incredibles - Rise of the Underminer...

...this is obviously based on the movie The Incredibles. So far i'm on the 3rd area in the game and i'm enjoying it very much. this is a the classic platformer. you can switch between using Mr. Incredible (he's incredibly strong!) and Frozone (who freezes stuff ala Iceman). Each have their own special power where on each level you'll find you need to use one or the other to get past a certain obstacle. You can switch between characters whenever you want which is really handy. The enemy's are a little monotonous and the puzzles are a bit easy, but we're talking about a kids game no? This game really just reminds me of the old NES platformers from back in the day. Save points are distributed well through out the game and the boss battles aren't that hard. A perfect DS platformer...