The Love Show!

(Click any image to embiggen it beyond belief. See Joe's entry on the event by clicking his name, and maybe I'll link to Josh's...well, if Josh gets around to it.)


The Promos reunite for America's Video Game Expo in Philadelphia! Joe, Josh and I stand in line, catching up on wacky things I've missed at The Old Station (TM), and joking about what we may or may not see today.


After about 15 or 20 minutes in line, we make it to the front and cash in our print-out confirmation sheets (Josh's was on resume paper - classy!). Check my pass, foolz. Also, a program.


No turning back, now. We had no clue what we'd find on the other side...would it be lame or cool? One way to find out.


Joe's ass, Josh's ass and some random dude's ass, as they soak in the lush splendor of the convention hall.


Proof that Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is a total draw. People surrounded this kiosk all damn day. I've played it. It's...decent. Still, just one of many GH or Rock Band sets in constant use around the hall. Some were being used for contests - high score contests, beat-the-expert stuff, etc.


Later in the day, an extremely attractive young woman who looked quite a bit like she didn't belong at the expo passed us on the show floor. We all kind of did a double-take...and then noticed the photog right behind her. That reporter sat in one of these race cars later and probably cut a segment for either her news package on the event or the tease for her story. Not sure who she was, because I don't watch her station's newscast. Vroooom.


INSIDE A COMPUTER! IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!

(I...guess. Why else would they put it out there?)


We came to a large portion of the floor dedicated to a collection of classic (and not-so-classic-but-really-just-kind-of-old) arcade games - FREE PLAY!


They had Time Traveler! I played the crap out of this awful game back in the day - I think my bowling alley had it for a while.


Remember...turn before you shoot!


Mortal Kombat v. DC Universe was one of the more-popular new games available for play or Spectator Mode around the floor. Crowds gathered to see it in action...and it didn't look half bad. I'd play it.


Um...these, uh, are little remote robot car things. They...well, they push tennis balls, apparently. Whatever, I don't know. There have to be some video game-related things around here somewhere, right?


Yes! Two girls playing Wii. And what hot, new advances are on display for Nintendo's super-seller? Why, Wii Sports Bowling, of course! Wii Sports - the ONLY Wii game you'll EVER need!


Near the back of the floor, stands were set up in front of a stage. Something truly magical had to be happening here, later. Right?


I ditched the guys for a few moments, then spotted them watching a "zany" game of Simon Says up on a stage in the middle of the hall. A crowd had gathered, and I assume the "winners" got prizes of some sort. Whatever. I just posted this because Josh is so damn cute.


I had ditched them to look at this thing called Beamz. And people said Wii Music was gimmicky...at least it's not hundreds of dollars! And this manages, somehow, to make you look like an even BIGGER tool!


Blurry Raccoon Mario Cosplay Pic, in Which I Hold His Tail While Joe Scowls in the Background - GET!


Less-Blurry Raccoon Mario Cosplay Pic - GET!

Moments later, as Mario walked away, he lost his tail. And my man Josh was the one who gave it back to him, saving the day, and - possibly - the life of Princess Toadstool.




And people say the Wiimote's a gimmicky controller. Yeesh. Nothing like gaming from the comfort of a Pod Racer. Go, Ani! Yoosa' gonna' winda' game!


Luigi Cosplay Pic - GET!

Luigi was not only obviously aware that his costume would make him extremely popular...but also that his "brother" was around. When someone pointed out that Mario was there, he said, "Yeah, I know."

Heh.


Star Wars Universe Icon Cosplay Pic - GET!

You probably can't tell, but I'm rolling my eyes.


Back to actual gaming! We're about to leave the show floor. We've covered everything and swiped plenty of free crap (thanks, Game Stop booth!), so it's up to Josh the Navigational Genius to get us to something new and interesting.


In the Retrocon side room (we covered the actual convention hall relatively quickly), classic game systems and games were well represented (and, often, available for purchase).

Josh says, "The hat is off!" late in the clip.

He's reffing the kid in the red coat who leans in at the end - who had been wearing a too-warm Phillies hat that Josh knew would have to leave his head, at some point. Comfort trumps team loyalty...very sad.


This still-wrapped, Japanese Chrono Trigger made me pee a little. Love that game.

Screw Aerith dying in Final Fantasy 7. Not being able to rescue Schala in CT STILL bugs me, to this day.


O. M. G. C. T.


R.O.B. next to a Sega Master System? This is the room for me! Never had one of those Nintendo robot controller dealies, though I contemplated purchasing one I kept seeing at an independent game store I used to frequent, as a kid. (It was called Microplay.) I did have a Power Glove, though. Still do, in fact - it's in a drawer in Delaware, along with a bunch of old consoles and games.

Power Glove totally sucked and didn't work, by the way. But it's still cool as hell to have one.


Tony's Offical Game of the Show - Action GIRLZ Racing! What a find! And people say the Wii doesn't have enough hardcore games. There's a "Z" in the title! That's one of the Top 3 Most-Extreme Letterz! (See?!)


This one's posted for Dad, if he happens to see this entry. I found Food Fight. I know, seriously! Awesome.


Here's a better-ish shot of the logo. For some reason, Dad and I have fond memories of this game from when I was a little 'ute.


And, now, actual gameplay footage. (It's shaky, 'cuz I'm PLAYING.)


Master Chief Cosplay Pic - GET! I don't like Halo, and will never own a game in that series or a Microsoft console. But, still! PICTURE GET!


Luigi has clearly become a VGXPO mini-celebrity. Plenty of awful, little websites are tooling around, shooting unfunny, unhip video segments. Good for that guy, though. He earned his 15 seconds.


So, THIS is what an HDTV looks like. Wow! And we're ON it!


Idiots. In HD.


Suicide Girls Totally-Not-Cosplay Pic - GET!

We walked past their booth, after I stopped to look at their collection of freebie stickers (and being handed several of them, none of which was the design I actually was going to pick up). A few moments later, Joe snapped, "Wait a minute - what just happened, here? You've taken pictures with people all day, but we walk right past the Suicide Girls without taking one with them?"

Were we SCARED of girls with tattoos and piercings, he asked?

Hell, no.

By the way, their website is all about pictures of freaky, sometimes-Gothy art chicks. Totally not safe for work.

At the risk of sounding uncool or prudish, I had no idea this site or these girls existed until...well, just before this picture was taken. They were delightful, and happy to pose with me (one suggestively)!


Attacked by Ice Climbers Cosplay Pic - GET!

Will Tony survive?

Will he take more pictures with Cosplay geeks?

Will anything of note happen, giving us a reason to stay at this expo after having already covered the hall multiple times?

Stay tuned...