Saturday, August 13, 2011

A Toy Soldiers: Cold War giveaway and a bunch of links!

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Games: So, the excellent people over at Signal Studios have hooked me up with three codes for Toy Soldiers: Cold War to give away, and trust me, this is a great game worth playing. My full review hasn't gone up yet, but (spoilerzzzz!!!) it'll be a very positive one. You want this.


What do you need to do to win? It's pretty simple.

Since Cold War has such a strong 80s/GI Joe vibe, post a comment at the bottom of this blog and tell me which GI Joe figure/character was your favorite, and why. It can be as short as one sentence, or feel free to write as much as you like. Either way, share that little bit of info with me and I will add your name to the glass bowl currently sitting on my desk. I will draw three names randomly out of the bowl on the 15th (basically, forty-eight hours from now) and if I draw your name, you win!


Of course, not everybody was into GI Joe and I'm cool with that. If you don't have a favorite Joe, then tell me what toy/cartoon character (80s or otherwise) is your favorite and why. I'm all about equal opportunity here. I'll take anything.

So, there's the mission and there will be three winners. Get to it!

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The most recent GameCritics podcast is now available for download. The topics are Catherine from Atlus, and what it's like to be a game-playing parent. In addition to the usual crew, we were also quite thrilled to have @ind1fference on board as well, and it's a great listen. If you haven't already, click here and check it out.

(We also have new reviews for Catherine and Dungeon Siege III as well!)

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Finally, just a couple of quick links before I sign out for the night...

The first is from FMV Magazine’s Mark Butler. In this article, he expresses some concern about the future of Mass Effect and highlights the ways that it can (and probably will) go wrong.

...So am I gonna see some goddamned action this time?
Needless to say, I definitely agree with a lot of the sentiments here and I'm already bracing myself for what the final installment of the trilogy might turn out to be. Click here and see what he had to say.

The second link isn't really games-related, but I think it will be of great interest to many of you anyway... it's about Finnish sniper Simo Hayha. I had never heard of him before this week, but apparently he was a resistance fighter defending his homeland from Russian invasion and earned over seven hundred kills.

BAD. ASS.
That's an absolutely incredible number, and I can definitely say that this is one guy who should not have been messed with. Click here and check out the full story courtesy of BadassofTheWeek.com, and appreciation goes out to @ecavalli for originally sharing the link.

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75 comments:

  1. Juan SanchezAugust 13, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    I'm gonna be honest here... Never watched GI Joe :O

    However, I do enjoy watching Pink Panther :)

    Twitter: @liljrSanchez

    ReplyDelete
  2. downsouthtiggerAugust 13, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    Obviously I'll have to go with Snake Eyes, I mean he's a ninja. Plus he doesnt talk which is another plus. I remember Storm Shadow would just get pissed off cause quick kick talked to damn much.

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    Fred
    Twitter: @downsouthtigger

    ReplyDelete
  3. RobAugust 13, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    Duke without a doubt!!.Have you ever met a duke who wasn't bad ass!..think about it..John Wayne aka The duke,Duke Nukem?,Conrad Hauser aka duke.All bad ass men you don't wanna mess with and want on your side!

    Twitter:Hestar69

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nameme99August 13, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    I will have to say Brad J. "Ace" Armbruster, mainly 'cause allied airstrikes = epic win for allied ground forces. plain and simple

    Twitter = @Nameme99

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nikibaby219August 13, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Courtney Kreiger A.K.A. COVER GIRL because she was a strong female character and the figure came with a wolverine tank darn wish i still had it but i realize this makes me very old, that i used to own it <3<3<3 Awesome contest thanks for the chance <3<3<3 Twitter: @Nikibaby219

    ReplyDelete
  6. uhhwhatnameAugust 13, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    Snake Eyes or Storm Shadow because they were awesome ninjas in there own right and they were my favorite action figures too! i wish i knew where they were now...

    ReplyDelete
  7. ChronorayvenAugust 14, 2011 at 12:06 AM

    I'd have to say Snake Eyes just because he's a badass. If the joes need a job done they ask one person ... Snake Eyes is an one man army. Also having him as a commando/ninja makes him more lethal and bonus for being involved with Scarlet too. :P

    @Chronorayven

    ReplyDelete
  8. totoguyAugust 14, 2011 at 12:09 AM

    Snow Job!
    And not just because I giggle whenever characters refer to him!

    @totoguy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Skitz470August 14, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    Favorite GI joe would be Ace cause he is the first GI joe character who served in the USAF (ex USAF myself)

    twitter: @skitz470

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ryan721August 14, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    Just going to make it simple. Road Block because the great one the Rock is going to pay him.

    Twitter: @Forceman4077

    ReplyDelete
  11. GrizzlyBeardzAugust 14, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    My favorite 80's character would have to be Snarf, from Thunder Cats. Not a Joe, I know, because honestly, I never watched the series :'(

    Reason for my choice?
    Snarf Snarf Snarf Snarf Snarf Snarf Snarf, Snarf Snarf.
    Snarf.

    Anyways, thanks so much for this awesome chance to win. I absolutely LOVED the first game.

    Parker
    Twitter: @GrizzlyBeardz

    ReplyDelete
  12. neo-metatronAugust 14, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    GI JOE was pretty cool, but even as a child I was a total scifi addict.

    One of my favorite American 80's cartoons is "The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers". It's such a fleshed out and serious scifi space western oozing cool that I still get a kick out of it even if blend out the nostalgia factor. Youtube the intro with one of the most awesome themes ever "No guts no glory"! It's catchy as hell.

    My favorite character from that cartoon is 'Shane "Goose" Gooseman' a total bad ass.
    He was genetically produced in a test tube as part of a government genetic experiment to create a group of enhanced mutant soldiers known as "Supertroopers". A civilian adviser dosed the Supertroopers with a gas meant to speed up their mutation and make them more powerful, but it had the side effect of making the Supertroopers more aggressive and mentally unstable. Goose was at the firing range at the time, and thus avoided the gas, thereby becoming the only remaining unaffected trooper. The other troopers had to be cryogenically imprisoned, but some escaped. Goose was given the option to avoid cryogenic freezing on the condition that he join the Galaxy Rangers and hunt down the escaped Supertroopers. His series 5 bionic implants allow him limited control over his body's molecules giving him the ability to heal, absorb energies, and adapt to various environmental conditions by temporary shapeshifting. He is not a metamorph (i.e., he cannot choose specific forms), his power evolves and adapts his body to the environment he's in. Ranger Gooseman's implant supercharges his genetic bio-defenses, enabling them to react almost instantly, instead of minutes or hours, as would normally happen. This brings him close to the level of the rogue Supertroopers, and makes him the only one capable of going one-on-one with them in personal combat. His characterization is heavily inspired by Clint Eastwood. It is also noted during the show's credits that he is the only Supertrooper with compassion.

    He definitely deserves a spot on the Cartoon Badass of the Week column for sure!

    @neo_metatron

    ReplyDelete
  13. RyanAugust 14, 2011 at 2:51 AM

    Oh come on, it has to be Snake Eyes.
    During the 80s when we were all watching things like Enter the Ninja and Gymkata we all dreamed of being one (and, maybe still do *ahem*) and then a cartoon comes along with one! Yay.
    Oh and his figures were bloody brilliant too! They used to beat up Megatron in my little play-world!

    ReplyDelete
  14. MeteoraCedricAugust 14, 2011 at 3:49 AM

    When i was a child, Shadow Storm was my favourite. I buyed it 4 or 5timesa and one of them can change the color in the water. Seriously, i regret don't regret my childhood but Gi Joe Toys miss me. :)

    Twitter : MeteoraCedric

    ReplyDelete
  15. alaughingbuddhaAugust 14, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    Unfortunatly I was not into GI Joe as a kid. I was into Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and my favorite character was... The Brown Hornet! BTW, I loved the latest podcast. I'm a father of two boys (7 & 3) myself and would love to see Rockstar release some "Oregon Trail" DLC for Red Dead Redemption. What a missed opportunity!

    Twitter: @alaughingbuddha

    ReplyDelete
  16. @darrenyuenAugust 14, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    Never really got into GI Joe. When I was younger it was always transformers. Nothing was cooler than cars and robots. The toys were the best of both worlds. My favorite character was probably optimus prime. It was also the biggest toy I had.

    twitter: @darrenyuen

    ReplyDelete
  17. JasonAugust 14, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    I'd have to say Shipwreck, he was always the goofy one.

    ReplyDelete
  18. GarrettAugust 14, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    It has got to be Snake Eyes. I love being sneaky and people not noticing me while I go on with my plans. :P
    Twitter: @garrettyu

    ReplyDelete
  19. louiedogAugust 14, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Shipwreck. It was nice that GI Joe was so accepting of gays even back then.

    Thanks!

    twitter: @louiedog

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ben GrayAugust 14, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Jerry was my favourite cartoon character, from Tom and Jerry, because he was such a cheeky little git. ;)

    Twitter: @subjectxen

    ReplyDelete
  21. Daniel LipscombeAugust 14, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Hmm, I've never watched. A gap in my childhood viewing, finally found. I'd go with the dude in the green hat, with the stache. He looks like he wouldn't take any crap.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Huge HeffnerAugust 14, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    My initial thought is to say Storm Shadow because, you know, he was a bad ass ninja. But I'm gonna go the road less traveled and say Scarlet because she was the first cartoon woman to turn me on as a boy. Given how my taste in women has changed I'd probably prefer the Baroness now, though!

    My least favorite was Shipwreck. Awful.

    @huge_heffner

    ReplyDelete
  23. PeterAugust 14, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    I was pretty big into Legos as a kid in the 80s!

    Twitter @PeterTheFox

    ReplyDelete
  24. MagicMurderBag7August 14, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    I always preferred playing as the bad guy and what better GI Joe bad then Cobra Commander.

    Twitter: @MagicMurderBag7

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wesley J ColauttiAugust 14, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Cobra Commander all the way!

    "Coooooobbbbbrrrrraaaaalalalalala!!!"

    Twitter: @WeskerJ

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousAugust 14, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Snow Job, just because of all the puns you can make with his name.
    Twitter: @joshmanzors

    ReplyDelete
  27. Will1985August 14, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    I was not into GI Joe as a kid because I was too young. I was into Ninja Turtles !!!

    Twitter : @buddythebear

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousAugust 14, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    My favorite toy/cartoon would have to be Soundwave from Transformers. not only can he turn into a boombox, he has cassettes that can also transform such as lazerbeak and ravage.

    Twitter is @Evilteddy03

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousAugust 14, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Duke was my favourite - although I remember him most as an action man toy. I had one JI Joe movie on VHS once upon a time, although I can't really remember what it was called. I think I actually had a an army of the little plastic buggers, vehicles, camping gear, VR goggles... oh yeah, action man got crap in the mid-90s!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Jersey DevilAugust 14, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Favorite GI Joe character? I had all of the 1980's figures, play-sets and vehicles, but my favorite figure is Rock 'n Roll, especially the '89 figure. Dude had quad-mini-guns, belt-fed from a backpack. Can you imagine how much suppressing fire this guy could lay down? Absolutely crazy.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Geek LanternAugust 14, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    Sanke Eyes is my favorite, was a big fan of ninjas at the time.

    Twitter: @Geek_Lantern

    ReplyDelete
  32. JasonTHElungAugust 14, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Oh!I'm soooo sorry, I don't watch GI Joe.
    However, I like watching Keroro( a Japanese Carton). It is because its personality and the way to do jobs is very similar to me.
    Also, I think the plot is and creative very funny.
    These are the reasons why I love this carton.

    ReplyDelete
  33. cmh416556August 14, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    i am too young so i haven't watched G.I Joe. My favorite character is Luffy. He is a great goal to become the king of pirate and he never give up for doing everything.

    ReplyDelete
  34. MattAugust 14, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    My favorite 80s cartoon was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and I loved the toy van that shot pizzas.

    Twitter: @matt_247

    ReplyDelete
  35. JayAugust 14, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Dusty was my favorite...i lost him in my backyard and never found, his camo was too good, i'd like to think he's still hidden in the brush taking out cobra one by one.

    ReplyDelete
  36. ninjajoehenes48August 14, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    I used to like the hawk action figure, i think, he was just really awesome. But the first time i went to the shooting range, i shot him up with a hangun. Lol

    ReplyDelete
  37. benjaminAugust 14, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  38. benjaminAugust 14, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Cobra: I liked his voice... and who doesn't mind commanding an entire private army

    @BenjaminAbarca

    ReplyDelete
  39. ninjajoehenes48August 14, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    And i forgot, my twitter is @ninjajoehenes48.

    ReplyDelete
  40. ricardoAugust 14, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Storm Shadow is my favorite,because I think it's great

    @thepunisher6969

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousAugust 14, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    Snake Eyes!
    Why? cause he was such a awesome mute ninja. So much coolness without saying a word. The issues of the Marvel G.I.Joe comic book he has in were epic!
    @agentcoop007

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousAugust 14, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Low-Light, since it was the 1st GI Joe I had. I even had to rescue him from another kid but that's another story.
    Now if we talk about the series, Cobra was the most charismatic character.

    twitter: @VDH360

    ReplyDelete
  43. JD BlosserAugust 14, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Storm Shadow hard to beat being a GI Joe and a ninja!! Loved playing as him as a kid. thanks for the chance at this what I'm sure will be an awesome game.

    @mysticfail

    ReplyDelete
  44. RachelAugust 14, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    umm well I was more of a Barbie girl, so I didn't really play GI Joes (don't hold that against me) but I will say Scarlett pretty sure I played with her a few times when playing with cousins and brother.


    twitter
    @halorach

    ReplyDelete
  45. ChumushAugust 14, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Without a shadow of a doubt
    Count Duckula!!

    Everyone sing along.

    Castle Duckula, home for many centuries to a dreadful dynasty of vicious
    vampire ducks - The Counts of Duckula.
    Legend has it that these foul beings can be destroyed by a stake through the
    heart or exposure to sunlight.
    This does not suffice however, for they may be brought back to life by means
    of a secret rite that can be performed once a century when the moon is in
    the eighth house of Aquarius.
    (Blood!) (I'll get it!)
    The latest reincarnation did not run according to plan.
    (Oooh!) ]

    In the heart of Transylvan-ia,
    In the Vampire Hall of Fame-yeah,
    There's not a vampire zanier than...
    DUCKULA!

    He won't bite beast or man,
    'Cos he's a vegetari-an. (Aagh!)
    And things never run to plan for...
    DUCKULA!

    If you're looking for some fun,
    You can always count upon,
    The wild and wacky one they call,
    DUCKULA!

    Wow that brings back memories lol!!
    @chumush

    ReplyDelete
  46. Steven SummersAugust 14, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    I always was a fan of Crystal Ball, mainly because his figure looked like an evil psychic version of Kraven the Hunter, but also because the poor guy had to go through life with the first name Crystal.

    Steven
    Twitter: @DrScientifico

    ReplyDelete
  47. Chris HoferAugust 14, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Chris HoferAugust 14, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Chris HoferAugust 14, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    I wasn't really a huge GI Joe fan, so I'm going to have to say that my favorite cartoon character as a kid was Odie from "Garfield and Friends". I always liked seeing what Garfield had in store for Odie...whether that was kicking him off the table or getting him stuck in a tight spot. Odie sometimes had a trick up his sleeve as well, though...and that was one of the best parts about the lovable dog. :-)

    Twitter: @PriusGuy2004

    ReplyDelete
  50. Sid NullAugust 14, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Rock n Roll was always my favorite GI Joe when I was growing up. One of the original Joe members, a crazy stoner hippie with an insatiable rage. He was the backup drummer for Jefferson Airplane, when they changed to Starship it pissed him off and turned him into a machine gunning fool! If his awesome machine gunning skills don't kill ya his epic beard will! The best part about it when I was a kid though was that Rock n Roll looked just like my dad! haha

    Tyler
    Twitter: @Sid_1138

    ReplyDelete
  51. MattAugust 14, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Snake Eyes would have to be my favorite character from the series. He's literally the backbone of the Joes, I mean c'mon a silent Ninja with deadly accuracy wielding his signature uzi and ninja sword, how can you go wrong!?


    Matthew
    mbruton@email.itt-tech.edu

    ReplyDelete
  52. AnonymousAugust 14, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    My Favorite 80's cartoon Character was Michelangelo from TMNT. He reminded me of myself as the youngest member of 4 siblings who liked to joke and get on my older siblings nerves. And I love Pizza so he was naturally my fave.

    Brian
    Twitter:BConnorNY

    PS. Thanks for the chance at the Code...Big Toy Soldiers fan!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. BigGrimAugust 14, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    I gotta go with Cobra Commander, I love his look and Chris Latta was an amazing voice actor! :D COBRAAAAAAAA!

    ReplyDelete
  54. CyberdyingAugust 14, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Sgt Slaughter I loved doing the voice for my son when playing years ago. Thanks for the chance

    Twitter Cyberdyingsy

    ReplyDelete
  55. AnonymousAugust 14, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    Think I was a bit too young when GI Joe was around and never saw it. Although my fav cartoon character has to go to Trunks from DBZ (Future of course) just because he was so bad arse.

    ReplyDelete
  56. JeremyAugust 14, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    I don't know if he counts as my "favorite" per se, but I spent the most time thinking about my Mutt action figure.

    Remember that tiny piece of plastic between the GI Joes' legs? Mutt's broke off, so he was basically neutered.

    It made me reflect a lot on castration and gender identity in the military. I was probably 6 or 7.

    Other than that it might be Roadblock, because I think he has already been Badass of the Week. For the entire decade of the 80s.

    Thank you.

    -Jeremy

    ReplyDelete
  57. hodsey77August 14, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    Here in the UK, GI Joe was called Action Force and I don't know if they had individual names? but they were very cool and being a girl, I woul have given up my Barbies and Care Bears for one, no question!

    ReplyDelete
  58. MatthewAugust 15, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    snake eyes obviously cause hes one of the Greatest Ninja ever @_@ epic ninja battles rockkkk
    Twitter is as follows. just_1_just_i

    ReplyDelete
  59. patricAugust 15, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    grand slam was the best soldier in gi joe but also gung ho was a marine so he was a brilliant character

    ReplyDelete
  60. GaryAugust 15, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    Rock n Roll is the best GI Joe character!
    Twitter: @garymamba

    ReplyDelete
  61. JudyAugust 15, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    My favorite has got to be Gung-Ho. He is so strong and is such a bad-ass :P

    @kidojly

    ReplyDelete
  62. ese479August 15, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    I would have to go with with The Baroness. She was without a doubt, the smartest one on the Cobra side, and whether or not you admit it, a sex symbol or icon for all of us "boys" in the 80's!

    ReplyDelete
  63. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Snake Eyes because the dude is a ninja with a katana... nuff said
    twitter: @iTz_Dustin

    ReplyDelete
  64. RobinAugust 15, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    Salvo was my favorite GI JOE because he brought the heavy firepower! Can't wait to play Cold War!

    Thanks!

    twitter:@ResonantCowboy

    ReplyDelete
  65. TedAugust 15, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Thanks for the chances, I'd have to go with snake eyes, since you never saw his face, he could be anyone, even me...

    Twitter: @t3dgoodridge

    ReplyDelete
  66. ScottyBoy27August 15, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    All I can say is Ace because put it this way give him a plane and the target doesnt exist anymore. I admire Ace as I want to be a pilot in the Royal Air Force next year when my training has finished.

    ReplyDelete
  67. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Ace was pretty cool!

    fresh02_88@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Without a doubt best was snake eyes. A ninja, who messes with a ninja.
    @certifiedninja1

    ReplyDelete
  69. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Without a doubt best was snake eyes. A ninja, who messes with a ninja.
    @certifiedninja1

    ReplyDelete
  70. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Without a doubt best was snake eyes. A ninja, who messes with a ninja.
    @certifiedninja1

    ReplyDelete
  71. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Dusty, he was the only figure that I had with the cunning and skill to not allow himself to be stolen by the other neighborhood kids.

    ReplyDelete
  72. jose @kewljoeAugust 15, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    I gotta say Quick Kick he was a cool looking action figure and had a key role in the GI Joe movie.

    ReplyDelete
  73. ExEBGuyAugust 15, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Snake Eyes...hands down!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Darklurkr23August 15, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Cobra Commander! Because he said COBRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA And that suit was boss.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Darklurkr23August 15, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    @Darklurkr23

    ReplyDelete