gadget news and reviews

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 1

Sonic the Hedgehog is finally coming back and at top speed. Sega is bringing the blue speed-demon back to what he does best. This new teaser for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4 arcade game shows how the high-octane 2D platformer stays true to its roots. If you’ve been nothing but disappointed with the “next generation” of the Sonic series over the past few years, you aren’t alone. Fans have spoken and Sonic is racing back at top gear to catch up with his loyal followers.

The franchise has struggled to catch up with the current consoles which has resulted in clunky, awkward controls for our favorite blue hedgehog. The new Sonic games have tried hard to look great and expand on the classic gameplay, however flashy changes have proven successful. The introduction of new gameplay elements have proven as overkill, changing the franchise altogether. If any ounce of high-speed gameplay is present in the newer games, it’s only there to tease on how great the game series was. Anybody who still owns a Sega Genesis knows how Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles work at their best.

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iFrogz EarPollution Timbre With Mic (Review) +

Over the past few weeks, Skatter Tech has published reviews of two iFrogz EarPollution headphones. So far, all these headphones have been unique in their own way, both functionally and artistically. Now it’s time to see what iFrogz brings to the table with earphones.

Admittedly, headphones are not for everyone. Some find them too bulky and overbearing, and prefer the alternative being earphones. iFrogz offers a variety of products each varying in aesthetics, style, and quality. Today I’ll be focusing on the Timbre earphones. Advertised for its sound quality and a built-in microphone, let’s see if these affordable earphones really live up to their name. Read More

Lost Planet 2 (Preview) +

There were high hopes for the announcement of Lost Planet 2 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC given the success and popularity of the original Lost Planet: Extreme Condition. During Capcom’s Press Event at CES 2010, Skatter Tech was able to take a look at the upcoming sequel and check out the dramatic changes that have been made thus far. After playing the demo and getting a walk through of new gameplay mechanics, I’m pleased to say that all of these changes have added to an already great game.

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Netflix Comes To The Wii! 2

Hey Wii owners, have you ever been mockingly asked “so can your Wii play DVDs yet?” Respond proudly because, thanks to Netflix, now it can do even better. Owners have indubitably learned to settle for less since the console’s raw power lacks in comparison to the competition. A few good games, the Virtual Console, and Wii Ware add more value for the, but it still struggles to compete with other consoles when it comes to handling multimedia. Veterans of the console and more experienced players will definitely be glad to see the Wii spreading its wings and building on its potential. Read More

iFrogz EarPollution CS40 (Review) +

Aside from a wide range of unique iPod accessories, speakers, and apparel, iFrogz also has a large selection of headphones. Each of these headphones are unique and focus on different features and styles. For this review, I took a look at the EarPollution CS40, a member of the iFrogz Comfort Series. Unlike other EarPollution headphones, this series comes in one general style with different color schemes available. Although a bit cheaper than the other models, these headphones focus less on style and more on simplicity. The question is, can the CS40’s come through on their promise as the most comfortable headphones out there?

EarPollution CS40 Comfort Series Specs

• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Speaker Driver: 40mm
• Cable Length: 1.6m
• Plug Size: 3.5mm
• Sensitivity: 115dB +/- 3dB
• Impedance: 32 ohms +/- 15%
• MSRP $40 (Available for $20-$25)

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Tatsunoko vs. Capcom (Preview) +

Games like Capcom’s Street Fighter IV and the remake of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for next-gen consoles have helped in the recent popularity of fighting games. Because of their previous success, Capcom has decided to continue the cross-over fighting genre. The newest addition to the Capcom Versus series for the Wii looks to be the best yet. Skatter Tech brings you an exclusive preview to Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars.
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Mega Man 10 (Preview) +

This is a personal favorite of mine. Mega Man 9 was such a huge success among fans of the “returning” series and the confirmation of a sequel at CES was truly exciting. Mega Man 10 plans to pick up on that 8-bit glory while changing some of the gameplay elements to further improve the overall experience. Mega Man 9 left newcomers crying across the country due to the excruciating difficulty that the series brings back from its roots in the older titles. To them I say, suck it up and earn the M. Buster. Capcom, however, has taken a more sympathetic approach and is bringing you a brand new Mega Man. Read More

iFrogz EarPollution DJ Style (Review) 4

Aside from a wide range of unique iPod accessories, speakers, and apparel, iFrogz also has a large selection of headphones. These are appropriately named EarPollution and are available in countless styles sure to compliment any personality. This review pertains to the DJ Style series with the Billionaire theme. Although it’s great to have options when finding a style that artistically represents you, I was pressed to figure out whether the DJ Style focused too much on looks and not enough on quality.

DJ Style Billionaire Specs

• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Speaker Driver: 50mm
• Cable Length: 1.2m
• Plug Size: 3.5mm
• Sensitivity: 105dB +/- 3dB
• Impedance: 32 ohms +/- 15%
• MSRP: $50 (Available for $35)

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CES 2010: The Peregrine +

Gamers rejoice, the inventor of The Peregrine, Brent Baier, has come from the future to bring you the latest in gaming tech. The Peregrine gaming glove is proof that the once thought Sci-Fi technology is coming closer and closer to reality. This device will immerse the gamer into a completely new gaming experience that has only before been imagined. The Peregrine is a comfortable flexible glove that uses innovative technology to completely replace the keyboard. Read More

Holiday Gift Guide: Wii Games +

Skatter Tech brings you this list of top Wii games for this year’s season shopping for friends and family. The list contains the top five games to consider getting based on their overall value and game play quality. The games are more rescent games, particularly of the past few months, and do not include several other games worth purchasing for new Wii owners. Suchgames worth noting not included in the list follow: classic, popular titles, like Super Smash Bros. Brawl or Super Mario Galaxy, hidden gems like Okami and No More Heroes, or upcoming releases worth pre-ordering like Capcom vs. Tatsunoko, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Metroid: Other M.

Best Overall: New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Great for any gamer, casual or experienced, the newest addition to the Super Mario Bros. series holds true to its roots with traditional platforming game play.  Following the well thought out New Super Mario Bros. available on the Nintendo DS, the Wii version continues the story while adding new worlds and well thought out fights to the game.  With its hyped multiplayer capability, the game guarantees a nostalgic experience for any age and the ability to play with friends definitely adds worth to an already classic.

Buy: New Super Mario Bros. Wii
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