...but I did, didn't I?  By now you're likely well aware of the press release made yesterday confirming what I blogged about, Small Arms is indeed the Xbox Live Arcade game being released this week.  I love when people tease me with info, of course I enjoy when they just flat out tell me stuff.  So I'll definitely be downloading this game as anyone who sees me on forums knows I've been anticipating the release of this one forever now.

Let's face it, when it comes to the Xbox 360 there's just not a whole lot of huge news these day.  Accessories have been announced or realeased, the most anticipated game, other than Halo 3, is out and readily available.  Basically there's not much to look forward to other than the downloadable HD content, arcade games, and the announcement of a larger hard drive (which is coming, I promise).  So in some ways that explains the blogging droubt, sorry I just don't feel like it's worth it to blog about Defender. 

Luckily there is something worth blogging about,  but it's not major news, well it kind of is but not something you're going to see make major news around the web.  A few days ago a little birdy told me to keep an eye on Xbox Live Arcade and that I'd be pleasantly surprised.  I wasn't able to get much out of this sexually ambiguous bird but to me that means one of two or maybe three things.  This person knows I'm looking forward to Small Arms, in fact this person knows I'm looking forward to it in the way people were wating for Gears.  Now I've also heard the Roboblitz was sent to MS for certification (which means nothing as so many games get released with huge glaring problems and are complete shite).  So barring some huge problems I'm basically saying that you'll most likely see one of these titles on Wednesday, and if not this Wednesday than the following week.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see both available by next week.  Hell let's get crazy, I'm going balls to the wall on this one, I predict Small Arms comes out this week.

So Gamertag Radio is holding their second annual Xbox Community Awards and voting is going on right now as you read this.  This is an awards show focusing solely on the Xbox community and those that make it the great place it is.  There are 9 different categories to vote on so make sure to register on GamertagRadio.com and cast your vote.

GamertagRadio XCA Voting

With the launch of PS3 and the Nintendo Wii upon us I had some real fun looking over Joystiq's list of games shipping this week.  Actually I have even more fun looking at the PS3's launch lineup on and cancellations on 1up.com.  Do you realize that the PS3's launching with something like 15 games?  Two-thirds of which are available on the Xbox 360.  I know, the Xbox 360's launch lineup wasn't amazing, but when you're launching a console and your competitor has a lot of games out, launched what is arguably the best title this year, and is shipping 9 new games, it makes you look kind of silly.

The real thing that surprised me was the number of games being shipped for the Xbox 360 this week.  Nine titles?  Are you serious?  I guess it shouldn't be that shocking, but being someone who has been with the 360 since day 1 this is nice to see.  Anyone plan on picking up and of these games:
- Bionicle Heroes
- Blitz: The League
- Dead or Alive Xtreme 2
- Eragon
- History Channel: Civil War
- Pimp My Ride
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- World Championship Poker: All In
- WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007

I cringe when I say this, but I'm actually thinking about getting Viva Pinata.

Now you may already know that I do not have Gears of War, EB called to tell me there was difficutly with shipping and I would likely get the game today. So naturally I figured it was either and EB screw up or a Fed Ex screw up, but this does not seem to be the case. First you can reference the entry below for the Kotaku article about the lack of Gears in Timonium MD, but it's not just Timonium. I called around to a couple EB and Gamestop stores, none had the game, not even for preorders only. So I figure I'll just look for the game. My first stop was Toys R Us, when a game is rated M you have a good chance at finding it there on the realease day. They said they were supposed to get it but there was a problem with their shipment and should have it the next day. So I went to Comp USA because their games don't get picked over so quickly, no one knew anything about the game or shipment, basically they had what they had. Circuit City was my next victim, very helpful employees btw I was asked twice if I was looking for anything and needed help. So I said yes, I'm looking for Gears of War. Then I get told that a lot of people have been asking about that, something happened with the shipping of the game and they should have it soon. So I decide to make one last stop at Best Buy, they don't have it, it was supposed to be there today, but they didn't get it.

So basically all game stores and major retailers in my area didn't get it. Was it some internal problem with their individual store where there shipments didn't go out on time? I'd say no considering the 3 of the 4 major retailers had COD3 in stock and available for purchase. This flub had to happen on the other end, it couldn't have been ready to ship on the 7th. I never have problems getting a game the day after it ships, especially with a preorder. I know, there's the whole emergence day thing and they're saying that's when the game will definitely be in stores, so way to cover your ass on that one. One last thing, you'll be happy to know that there were plenty of Gears of War faceplates I could buy. At this point I think Cliffy B should feel obligated to spoon with me, afterall I'm the one who started the craze.

Yes it's true, I've been flamed by idiots on multiple forums, even had a stupid comment or two on here, but today I've reached a new level.  I was flamed in the comments ok Kotaku, it's great, I seriously love it.  I do enjoy being able to comment on Kotaku, but in some ways I hate how the two biggest gaming blogs, Kotaku and Joystiq, have phunky comment systems.  At least someone at Kotaku was nice enough to send me an invite to be able to comment.  On a side note if you want to be comment enabled on Kotaku, just send them a few tips for stories and you won't even have to ask, they'll just send you a random invite.  So this is in the comments section on a post of theirs about shipment delays for Gears of War where they site Timonium, MD as one place experiencing the problem.  I just thought this was hilarious and I had to share, so I will quote and provide a link.

Feelz Good
"Timonium MD, really? You're going to name a nothing area like that? How about the entire DC Metro Area of MD? I'm from Silver Spring (borders DC) my EB doesn't have it, none of the others I called did (cuz I can always manage to buy someone else's preorder). Now onto Rockville MD (home of Bethesda studios) Toys R Us, Comp USA, Circuit City, and Best Buy didn't get their shipments."

Neuromancer
"Hey Feelz Good, I'm glad you enjoy the ghetto you live in. Silver Spring is like the armpit of Maryland. Try not to get shot on your way to work/school tomorrow."

Gotta love it, check out Kotaku

"

Well you'll soon realize the title is a play on My Name is Earl.  So I just had to go and post the 10 things to do while waiting for Gears of War post, didn't I?  I should know better, karma's a bitch, so much so that she wouldn't be allowed in Gamerchix.  So last night I get that call from Erin,  you know the automated voice for EB that calls you to say your game will be in the next day, so I was happy.  I even decided to drive into work today because that would be faster and I could just go straight to EB then go home and play.  Well today I get another automated call from not so sexy sounding male voice tellilng me due to delays in shipping I won't be getting Gears of War today.  I called the store to confirm and yes, it won't be in until tomorrow.  Now the only question is should I hunt it down or not? 

Well let's face it, most of us won't be getting Gears of War today.  I for one knew this and I'm more than ok with it, but the wait is painful.  So what can do while waiting for Gears of War?  Let's start a list, feel free to add to it.

1.  Play F.E.A.R. (turn down the lights, and make sure your significant other knows there is no implication of romance)
2.  Visit the Xbox.com Gears of War forum and laugh at all the posts by people whining that they can't find it (could MS have been any clearer when explaining this release and the whole "Emergence Day" thing?)
3.  Go preorder the Halo 3 legendary pack, make sure to completely pwn the manager of EB or Gamestop, always fun
4.  Write Cliffy B a love letter (or write one to him for me), I wasn't joking about the spooning.
5.  Go to Major Nelson's blog and complain that he has the game and you don't (or send E messages on live, either way)
6.  Beat Trixie's high score in Zuma (although that would take a long time, last I checked she was at like 6 million something)
7.  Laugh at Godfree from Gamertag Radio because he has Gears of War right now and his Xbox 360 is broken
8.  Stock up on Hot Pockets, Bagel Bights, and Red Bull, you won't be going anywhere when you do get it
9.  Start trying to convince your mom to get the bedpan ready (this might be difficult if your mom never appeared on the cover of Crack Whore magazine)
10.  Enjoy being outside in the sun, soon enough you'll look like Powder

Okay, well maybe don't forget them completely, the new titles are going to rock.  *cough* Small Arms *cough*  I know it's crazy to say, but hey it's true, allow me to explain.  A few weeks back there was a great post on the Xbox365.com forums about a website that has NES games to play.  Yeah, I know, NES emulators are nothing new, but all these games flash based.  You don't have to download anything, just click and play over 300 of your favorite NES titles.  The person who created the site is constantly working on updates, adding games, fixing bugs, and is even working on gamepad support.  If gamepad support can be realized then this will be an even better site.  For right now some of the more basic sidescrollers are best to play.  I've had a blast playing NES games, Double Dragon is just sick.  So now I will bless you, and share a link I probably should've shared a long time ago.

VNES
http://www.vnes.thatsanderskid.com/

Ok well I guess it's not Contra time, but it's about to be.  Contra's supposed to be released on this Wednesday the 8th.  Now here's the thing, it's not the Nintendo version, it's the arcade version.  Now if you're around my age or older you likely played the arcade version and loved it since you could play with a friend at the same time.  It is a little different, but for the most part you're going to get what you want.  Now I heard earlier that the Konami code is going to work so hopefully that's still true with this being the arcade version. 

Now personally I've been planning to download this arcade game for a while now, but for some reason I'm not sure if I will right away.  Sure, 400 points isn't much, but I bought FEAR and I'm getting Gears of War, am I really going to have any time to play Contra? 

Sorry, no news, but an interesting story of something that just happened. We hired a new guy where I work, so far he seems cool, picks thing up quickly, just ya want basically. Well I'm walking past the mailroom and I hear someone say Xbox. Well since everyone here knows I'm an Xbox feind I figured they were making jokes about me, but they weren't. The "new guy" was talking about how Xbox is going to be nonexistant soon cuz the PS3 is coming. I felt the vein in my forehead start to swell, my heartrate increased, but I was able to not completely lose it. I tried to reason with him, but it just wasn't working. Not that I won't get a PS3, just not for like 2 years, but I love my Xbox 360

I kind of have to laugh at how defensive I got, but now I'm left feeling like a fanboy more than fan. I feel so weird, but I'm the folks at MS would love to see such loyalty.

UPDATE:  He actually has an Xbox and Xbox 360, plays halo and madden.  So he's into gaming, but prefers playstation, just thought you'd like to know.