This is a cool device. As everyone knows, laptop speakers are not exactly the loudest or clearest way to listen to audio. If you are a heavy gamer or like to watch movies on your laptop than you need to check this thing out.

At first I was a little skeptical about it, but after giving it a try I could see a benefit to using the laptop booster. It is incredibly light weight and will house any Mac to PC laptop up to 17”. The underbelly of this will keep your legs comfortable with its padded base and a sturdy top to sit the laptop on. The glowing speakers run on your laptops power giving you a boost for your games or while watching a movie.

The Laptop Sound Blaster includes a USB dock for playing your iPod, downside is that it runs on C batteries. This is the only strike against it I would say there is.
Overall, this is a nice little device. I think that there needs to be a way to run an iPod without using batteries and this would be complete.

Paying for College Without Going Broke 2007 – (Book)
Author: The Princeton Review
If you don’t know how you’re going to pay for college, this book could be your new best friend. It has up-to-date application forms and will help you calculate your financial aid eligibility. It also gives great advice on negotiating with financial aid offices and receiving educational tax breaks. If you’re starting to feel stressed about paying for higher education, hit your local bookstore and grab a copy of this book.

Man of the Year
Rated: PG-13
Take a break from your English homework to check out Man of the Year, a film that’s both surprisingly serious and, at times, laugh-outloud funny. Robin Williams stars as Tom Dobbs, a talk show host whose audience helps him get on the presidential ballot. A flawed voting system leads to Dobbs unexpectedly winning the election. Laura Linney, Christopher Walken and Lewis Black all co-star in this powerful drama/comedy.

Introducing Joss Stone
Artist: Joss Stone
Introducing Joss Stone, the third album by British singer/songwriter Joss Stone, is a mix of R&B and soul sounds. This album, produced by Raphael Saadiq, was influenced by early Motown artists like Aretha Franklin. Stone combines this sound with several guest singers, including Common on the track “Tell Me What We’re Gonna Do” and Lauryn Hill on “Music.”

Rating: 2 out 5 Snickts
Manufacturer: Activision
Game System: Playstation 2

If this were an X-Men comic book and not a video game, I’d probably read it once and stick it under the bed to gather dust. The main problem with this one is not so much in the story but the game play and stage design. In terms of the story, the game developers made a great decision in not having the game follow the third movie, (which was released soon after the game) but build up to it. The story arcs the mutants against the Brotherhood of Mutants and the leftover remains of Stryker’s army. Also, the locales switch to include some of Wolverine’s past and a good variety of characters from the X-men universe.

However, with a large cast of characters, it is hard to figure out why only three of the mutants are available to play. Nightcrawler, Wolverine and Iceman are the only team members you can pick from and rather than being to pick of them freely, they are dictated based on the mission. Another big part of the let down is that you are paired at different times with mutants like Colossus and Storm, yet they are wasted, weak and not very helpful at all.

Along with those issues, the stage designs look pretty good overall, but are quite basic and uninteresting. There is a ton of repetitiveness in the levels and, for the most part, there is no real strategy to winning. You just push the buttons as fast as you can and beat the enemies before your life goes out.

Overall, the game has some pretty solid potential. Like I said, the story is quite good. It just has a “rushed” feeling to it that makes it feel incomplete. The graphics and sound are actually excellent with most of the film cast lending their voices. It is just hard to believe that this came from Activision.

For a better time, check out one of the other X-Men games out right now. In terms of this one, better luck next time.

RECOMMENDED: Big Brain Academy
Rating: Four Brains
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Game System: Nintendo DS

Description: All the parents out there can stop screaming about how video games are not educational; Big Brain Academy breaks all of those rules. This game is like having a small pop quiz in your pocket. You’ll gain the ability to increase you memory, critical thinking and problem solving skills in order to analyze each problem.

Playability: The controls are simple. The interactive touch screen “brain busters” will get your gears turning to perfect your test skills. Touch the stylus to the screen and pick your answer or draw lines to direct the interactive quiz’s to get the correct answer.

Challenge: Many of the questions will try and throw you a curve ball, but once you get used to the game’s thought process, you will be tearing through the questions and burning the timer while increasing brain capacity.

Graphics/Sound: Graphics don’t come any simpler than this. They are colorful which makes this game driven by its questions which will bust your brain.

Replay: You never get tired of feeling smart, which is why the replay value of this game is extremely high. You might actually feel yourself getting smarter. I did!

CLASSIC GAME REVIEW: Super Mario Brothers
Rating: Four mushrooms
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Game System: Nintendo Entertain System (NES)

Description: Back in the mid-1980s, this game came with every Nintendo system sold in North America. As the remarkably agile (especially for plumbers) Mario or Luigi, you stomp, throw fire, and warp your way through nine separate worlds to rescue the princess from the evil dragon, Koopa.

Playability: Game play doesn’t get much smoother than this. This side-scrolling classic offers a nice break from the super realistic games of today.

Challenge: The difficulty increases just enough with each level to make it fun, but so does your desire to see what obstacles faces you at the end of each level.

Graphics/Sound: The throwback look and feel was a nostalgic rush that made we want to bust out my other classic teenage titles that I still remember the ins and outs. Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, start anyone? And, admit it: 8-bit music rocks!

Replay: For some reason, this game might have the highest level of replay value in the history of video games. Maybe it’s the catchy Mario soundtrack or the rush you get from hurdling over the dragon to rescue the princess. Whatever it is, one thing’s for sure: If you do get tired of playing Super Mario, someday you’ll be overcome with the urge to play it again.

1. The StrokesJuicebox Somebody get this guy some Binaca – his voice is so loud you’ll be able to smell his breath through the speakers.
2. The KillersAll These Things I’ve Done This glam group from Vegas rocks this one out with a little soul, asking for forgiveness from the only woman who cares to listen.
3. Death Cab For CutieSoul Meets Body Take a journey through the thoughts of life and discovery of cleanliness with these suddenly hip geek rockers.
4. Keith UrbanBetter Life The upbeat tempo in “Better Life” brings to life the promise of tomorrow. Keith Urban’s happy, hopeful vocals make you look forwared to the future he’s singing of.
5. The SubwaysRock & Roll Queen Raw and unapologetic plea to be his rock-n-roll queen – repeat – be his rock-n-roll queen – repeat – be his rock-n-roll queen.
6. KornTwisted Transistor The crown princes of suburban un-metal angst strike again. This time around they prove if the lyrics can’t be upbeat, at least the dance floor-ready music can be.
7. Lindsey Lohan Confessions of a Broken Heart Herbie’s troubled teen pal gives a shout out to Daddy Dearest. This song basically disproves the notion that artists create their best work while starving.
8. System of a Down Hypnotize The most eclectic band in metal is back with the sequel to their May release, Mezmerize. This title track is stunning, sweeping, beautiful and deadly serious. A must have.
9. Kanye West Gold Digger Jamie Foxx channels Ray Charles once again to bombastic effect on his second tag team knockout with Kanye. Proof positive that Kanye is most secure in his trappings of fame and infamy.
10. Gorillaz Demon Days: Feel Good, Inc. Gorillaz continues the 2D dance party in The Matrix with direct effect, minus Dan the Automator behind the decks, but flexible bass lines and surgically placed vocal samples bring you back with shaking booty, once again.
11. 50 Cent Window Shopper 50 Cent proves that he’s no dime store bargain when it comes to lyrical flow. This smooth groovin’ cut features top shelf production, courtesy of the G-Unit Family.
12. Josh Ritter Thin Blue Flame Idaho-native Josh Ritter believes Ozzy shouldn’t have all the fun. Folksingers can sing about the apocalypse, too. Download TBF months before Josh’s CD release, The Animal Years.
13. Madonna Hung Up Madonna doesn’t exactly reinvent herself with her newest single, but she knows the perfect pop music equation: repeat same 13 words = easy top-10 hit.
14. Sufjan Stevens Chicago From the concept record Come On Feel the IlliNOISE, this tribute to the Windy City proves Sufjan can maintain his indie-cred while playing band instruments
15. Eminem When I’m Gone As Dylan is the poet laureate of Rock’n Roll, Em is the master wordsmith of Hip-Hop. When I’m Gone is the most honest look at the real Slim Shady to date.
16. Jace Everett Bad Things We suspect Jace has heard of Johnny Cash. We think he’s probably even listened to J.C.’s music . just minutes before he wrote Bad Things.

Manufacturer: Lucas Arts

Release Date: November 1st 2005

Playability: This follow up more than lives up to its prequel. If you don’t have the first Front, get them both. For the beginner or expert, these games provide limitless combinations and battle actions.

Graphics/Sound: The digital amenities of this game have been bumped up a notch. The addition of trooper comments add an element of realism not present in the prequel.

Challenge: The first person infantry mode hasn’t changed and doesn’t take long to get used to for a beginner. Learning to fly an X-Wing properly provides some difficulty and requires a little patience but is well worth the practice.

Replay Value: You are a Rebel, a Wookie, a Storm trooper, a Droidika, a Pilot, a Sith Lord and a Jedi Night. With the new addition of the Episode III battles, there is more than enough space (no pun intended) to flex your Republic, CIS, Clone or Imperial muscles.

Overall rating: Being that there are few games that offer similar experiences for Playstation II I would give this epic adventure part deux, five out of five X-wings. Non-stop action, flying eight different fighters and finally getting to wield Luke’s blade make this a must have.

Putt Nutz

By David Obenauf, Staff Writer

Manufacturer: Black Mountain Games

Playability: Your ability to play Putt Nutz is wholly determined by one thing, your balls. The game features huge amounts of special balls for specific situations.

Graphics/Sound: Putt Nutz is a mixed bag. The backgrounds are sweet and the courses are vibrant, but the character models are deformed and chunky.

Challenge: This game is hard. The courses can get pretty wicked and if you don’t have the right ball you’re stuck.

Replay Value: Even though you have 6 characters to choose from, they all play more or less the same but there are a ton of courses if you have the patience to unlock them.

Overall rating: From the outset it’s clear that the game has potential. Once you start playing however, you’re overwhelmed by how it falls short. I give this game 2 out of 5 balls.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

By Tracy Benbrook, Staff Writer

Manufacturer: Square Enix, Level 5

Release Date: Nov 15, 2005

Playability: While the gameplay is not perfect, Dragon Quest VIII is engaging enough that the flaws are easily overlooked. Navigation, combat and the various menus are intuitive and easy to learn. Strategy can be summed up fairly simply – talk to everybody you see, take everything you find and kill anything that attacks!

Graphics/Sound: The graphics are beautiful, richly detailed and filled with small touches which make the game incredibly realistic. Sound quality is excellent, and the voices and personalities of the various characters are a lot of fun.

Challenge: Combat is turn-based, making the game more about strategy than reflexes. The most important thing is to thoroughly explore the different areas.

Replay Value: Much of the charm of the game is in the discovery and dialogue of the first run through . Combat encounters are random and will add some variety, but once you’ve discovered the various NPCs and surprises, it won’t be quite the same the second time around!

Overall rating: Possibly the best way to describe Dragon Quest VIII is relentlessly cute. The game is light-hearted and a lot of fun to play. Overall, I give the game 4 out of 5 dragons, a high humor factor keeps the game lively and fun and some moments may actually make you laugh out loud in surprise.

Mario Cart DS

By Aaron Lindberg, Staff Writer

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 14th 2005

Playability: Mario Cart on the Nintendo DS is a highly addictive fast paced racer. Throw in the Wi-Fi USB connector which allows you to compete with thousands of people across the country and you have a successful handheld head to head video game that can fit in your back pocket.

Graphics/Sound: The vibrant colors and funny maps will keep your pulse raised as you barrel through various levels while unlocking new drivers and maps.

Challenge: Easy to pick up and hard to put down. One of the coolest features is the split-screen DS. It allows you to still see where you are going while you have an oil spill on your windshield.

Replay Value: Once you unlock all tracks and drivers it can be disappointing. Luckily with the Wi-Fi network, you can keep playing and challenging other players around the nation.

Overall rating: Great game, if you love any of Nintendo’s other Mario Carts than you will defiantly want to pick this game up and rock out on Nintendo’s Wi-Fi connection.

Tips & Tricks: Jak X: Combat Racing

• Grab all the Blue Eco you can.
• Don’t Sit On One Weapon For Too Long!
• Keep using up both your Yellow and Red Eco Weapons, especially if you’re about to run over a new Eco pod – this increase your chances of getting one of the really awesome weapons.
• There’s a cool secret short-cut in the Icebound Citadel that isn’t shown on any of the maps. From the start of the track, go forwards a short way, and then head left under into the triangular gap between the wooden beams.
• You’ll find a narrow alley with a terrifying jump across a pit of spikes – just make sure that you have enough Blue Eco to turbo-boost across the gap, and you’ll be certain to shave valuable seconds off your lap time!