A couple weeks ago, I excitedly dropped the news that I was going to be a zombified character in Panda Cake’s new iPhone game Pocket Zombie (yay, self-promotion!). At the time of the post, an early version of the game was available, but some minor kinks had to be ironed out. Well, it’s now official: the final version of Pocket Zombie is available on iTunes!

Pocket Zombie allows you to take care of a zombie on your iPhone by feeding it brains, changing its outfit, and leveling it up. I have said it before, but think Tamagotchi meets 28 Days Later. It’s a clever little title that is surprisingly addictive and impressively polished. And, even better, it’s only 99 cents!

Here are the highlights, professional bullet points and all:

• Adopt your own pet zombie and gain experience by killing survivors, leveling up, and purchasing upgrades!
• 5 unique zombie girlfriends including:
  
  • IGN's Jessica Chobot
  • Destructoid's Chad Concelmo
  • Freezepop's Liz Enthusiasm
  • Game Informer's Meagan VanBurkleo
• Secret “Thriller” outfit for your pet zombie!
• Achievements, leaderboards, friends list and more!
• Donate to the girlfriends' charities through the main menu!

Yup, I am a “zombie girlfriend” and damn proud of it! (Check the below gallery for my special zombie Valentine.)

If you have an iPhone, you really have no reason to not download Pocket Zombie. It is a really fun game, you can donate to some great charities, and it costs about as much as the spare change jingling around in your pocket right now. You really can’t lose! All the cool kids are downloading it. You want to be cool, right?

*I will be posting five free promo codes for the game in the comments during the day. Check back and grab one!

_{[Editor's Note: We're not just a (rad) news site -- we also publish opinions/editorials from our community & employees like this one, though be aware that it may not jive with the opinions of Destructoid as a whole, or how our moms raised us. Want to post your own article in response? Publish it now on our community blogs.]}

Compared to most of my friends, I am a master at videogames. I know everything there is to know about them. When I play a game in front of my friends, they are blown away that I am actually controlling the incredible things that my on-screen character is doing. Granted, most of these friends are semi-gamers (people that only play party games like Rock Band or Scene It?), so, to them, my obsession with videogames translates to me being an undeniable expert.

But when I fully immerse myself into a world of gamers, my videogames skills don’t seem nearly as impressive. I can breeze through the single-player campaign on something like Modern Warfare 2, but I pop online and get absolutely destroyed by the competition. I can joyfully complete Mirror’s Edge on the toughest difficulty setting, but then check the time trials and realize I am only a disappointing speck on the ranked leaderboards. (Sadly, this shameful pattern is the online norm for me.)

I have been playing videogames for a vast majority of my entire lifetime. Why can’t I compete with so many other gamers around the world? Am I doing something wrong? Am I not in on some secret technique that could make me a better player? Or, after all these years, am I -- gulp! -- just not as good at videogames as I always thought?

Hit the jump for the sad and shocking truth.

Me!

Since it is impossible to avoid sounding douchey in a post about yourself, I am going to try my best to replace the awkwardness of writing this with my genuine excitement for this really cool news.

The makers of the soon-to-be-released Pocket Zombie for the iPhone -- think Tamagotchi meets 28 Days Later -- have decided to offer a special Zombie Charity Pack that will feature zombie versions of real-life gaming-related figures: specifically Meagan VanBurkleo from Game Informer, Jessica Chobot from IGN, Liz Enthusiasm from Freezepop, and -- gasp! -- yours truly!

By purchasing the charity pack for only $0.99 (for a limited time), you receive the full Pocket Zombie game, all four bonus zombies, and the satisfaction of knowing a portion of your purchase is going to each of the charities of our choosing. (For the record, mine is CCIS Pasadena!)

It goes without saying that the game is really fun -- taking care of a zombie by feeding it brains and dressing it up in adorable clothes is super addictive -- but having the chance to be a part of something that is actively trying to help people in need? Well, that’s pretty gosh darned cool. Also, MY CHARACTER IS IN A SAILOR OUTFIT! And you really aren’t ready for the music that plays when my zombie is on-screen. In a word: amazing.

Check out more info on the game in the current issue of Game Informer (page 11!). And then go purchase the Zombie Charity Pack (the final build of the game will be ready in less than a week)! Not only will you be helping some great causes, but my brain-eating doppelgänger will be only inches away from your privates at all times! Hot.

_{Editor's Note: We're not just a (rad) news site -- we also publish opinions/editorials from our community & employees like this one, though be aware that it may not jive with the opinions of Destructoid as a whole, or how our moms raised us. Want to post your own article in response? Publish it now on our community blogs.}

A couple months ago, I would have never considered writing a feature about how review scores work. First off, I rarely review games for this site, and, secondly -- and most importantly -- I have no interest in getting involved in the never-ending, exhaustingly fruitless argument over why certain games are scored a certain way.

But over the holiday break, something changed. As I started reading the comments on some of Destructoid’s more recent reviews -- specifically Assassin’s Creed II and VVVVVV -- I felt the need to throw in my two cents.

You see, there is one particular issue that is bothering me that I think a lot people genuinely may not understand. Of course, this has nothing to do with people’s opinions on how a videogame is scored. If you love a game and it gets a low score, it makes sense to respectfully disagree with the review. This feature is not about telling anyone that they are wrong for feeling the way they do.

No, this feature involves comparing one review to another -- a misconception that is starting to infect the comments of almost every review that is posted on this site.

Hit the jump for a simple solution to solve everyone’s review score woes. Let’s all hold hands and read together.

_{“The Memory Card” is a seasonal feature that dissects and honors some of the most artistic, innovative, and memorable videogame moments of all time.}

I can’t believe this is the fourth season finale of the Memory Card. I remember writing this feature for the first time more than three years ago. Wow. Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess. Anyway, thanks to everyone for reading, commenting, and ultimately supporting this series after all these years. It means the world to me.

With Memory Card season finales, I like to focus on moments from more recent games that have an extra dramatic impact on me. For me, focusing on a recent moment not only allows the opportunity for gamers of all ages to reminisce, it reassures me that videogames -- and the emotions they elicit -- are still going strong.

For this season finale, I chose to focus on a moment that is unlike any I have ever experienced in a videogame before. I may even go so far as to say it is in the upper tier of my favorite videogame sequences of all time. I really love it that much.

The moment is in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for the PlayStation 3. Since this moment makes me unbelievably emotional on several levels, I am just going to keep it simple and say hit the jump. I don’t want to embarrass myself or jam one of keyboard keys with any lone, shame-filled tears. This moment is haunting, beautiful, innovative ... yeah ... just hit the jump. You won’t regret it and certainly won’t ever forget it.

Have a happy and safe New Year! See you all next season!

_{“The Memory Card” is a seasonal feature that dissects and honors some of the most artistic, innovative, and memorable videogame moments of all time.}

As a huge fan of old school videogames (SNES 4 LIFE!), I love when I play a recent release that reminds me of a retro game. Usually this whiff of nostalgia’s sweet scent comes from playing a new game in a series that has been around forever (e.g. Mario, Zelda), but sometimes it is much more surprising than that. Sometimes a new game just feels like a retro game wrapped in a super fancy, high-def package.

The best recent example of this is Gears of War 2 for the Xbox 360. I know, I know -- before any of you cry foul that a game most retro lovers think is the definition of what is wrong with videogames today could ever remind anyone of the good old days, hear me out.

Gears of War 2 is a remarkably well-designed game under its tough, trash-talking exterior, and there are parts of the game that feel exactly like what a modern, 3D Contra game would feel like -- even outside of the over-the-top guns, gigantic bosses, and chiseled main characters. I may hate to admit it, but the Gears of War series feels like what the next generation of Contra would be if it moved into the hardcore world of cursing and Unreal Engines.

This observation is never clearer than in one particular sequence from Gears of War 2. Hit the jump to revisit a creative, surprisingly nostalgic level in a game I never predicted I would love so much. A word of warning, though: This sequence is so manly that you might need to chew some tobacco or chop down a tree before continuing. It doesn’t get anymore badass than this.

Some people seem to complain that this was a rough year for videogames when compared to the glory of 2007 and the not-as-glorious, but still pretty impressive, 2008. To that, I say, “Fiddlesticks!” Sure, some of the huge releases of the year were pushed back to 2010, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t a ton of great games to play in 2009! Fiddlesticks to all of you naysayers out there! FIDDLESTICKS!

Just look at our list of nominees for Destructoid Game of the Year 2009 (and the runner-ups!). They are all pretty gosh-darned great videogames! All last week we revealed the five nominees, and now it’s time to reveal the winner. I know most of you lost sleep all weekend waiting for this historic moment, but it’s finally here.

To recap, here are the nominees:

Batman: Arkham Asylum
Borderlands
Left 4 Dead 2
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Which game do you think will take the crown and join BioShock (2007) and Left 4 Dead (2008) as the official Destructoid Game of the Year 2009? The answer is only one click away. It’s right after the jump! Wait, not yet. Be patient. Get ready to clutch those pearls. Wait. Wait. Okay ... okay ... okay, GO! HIT THE JUMP AND WATCH THE VIDEO! THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CLICK YOU WILL MAKE ALL YEAR!

Every day this week, we here at Destructoid are revealing one of the five nominees for Game of the Year 2009, with the winner being announced next Monday (12/21). What game will take the crown this year?

Here we are with our final nominee for Destructoid Game of the Year 2009. (You can click here, here, here, and here for the previous four that were revealed all week!)

First off, we need to give props to Destructoid's "video-in-chief", Rey Gutierrez for producing the amazing videos that have accompanied each of these nominees this week. Regardless of how you feel about half-naked women dressed in revealing videogame costumes and dancing around to pop music, you have to admit Rey did an excellent job with the production values on these things. He is one talented guy. And, seriously, if I had a nickel for every time I walked down the street and was randomly surrounded by half-naked women dressed in revealing videogame costumes and dancing around to pop music ... I would have exactly 30 cents.

Hit the jump to find out the 5th nominee for Destructoid Game of the Year 2009 (and for the list of runner-ups as well!), watch Rey’s video for your daily fix of pretty people, and make sure to check back this Monday (12/21) for the grand announcement of the winner! Who knows? Maybe I will be the one wearing a tight t-shirt, cut-off shorts, and dancing around to something by that Lady Gaga character.

Can’t read my p-p-p-poker face, indeed, Ms. Gaga.

Every day this week, we here at Destructoid are revealing one of the five nominees for Game of the Year 2009, with the winner being announced next Monday (12/21). What game will take the crown this year?

A multiplayer zombie apocalypse extravaganza. A magnificent, thrilling around-the-world adventure. A classic, perfectly designed platformer. Those are the three games that have already been nominated for Destructoid Game of the Year 2009. What will the fourth be?

If you look up a few inches you will know, but let’s just pretend you went blind for a second and formed some sort of tunnel vision that only allows you to see these few paragraphs and nothing else. Oh God! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?!

First, calm down. I will help you through this. Second, forget about the fact that you should probably be rushing to the hospital right now. Instead, just stick around for a second and find out what game takes the honor of being the 4th nominee for Destructoid Game of the Year 2009. Here’s a hint: It rhymes with “porderhands.”

Hit the jump, watch Rey’s amazing video, celebrate the exciting announcement by taking off your top, comment about how handsome you look with your top off, and GET YOURSELF TO THE DOCTOR! Seriously. Something is wrong with your eyes, man.

_{“The Memory Card” is a seasonal feature that dissects and honors some of the most artistic, innovative, and memorable videogame moments of all time.}

The realistic passage of time is something surprisingly ignored in the world of videogames. In most cases, it is handled in one of two ways. Either it is ignored entirely, as in almost all games, with an adventure sometimes taking multiple hours without time ever changing within the game.

Or, in the cases of most role-playing games, a day or night cycle will be established, with some characters even sleeping in inns to pass the time, but, still, no indication of how much time has actually passed comes into play. Characters never change clothes; they never age. Regardless of how many nights you sleep or days you journey through the world, nothing really significant changes.

This all changed with Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride on the Super Famicom. The entire game takes place over almost twenty years, but one sequence in particular shows time passing in one of the most creative and interesting ways ever.

Hit the jump to witness one of my favorite videogame moments of all time -- an affecting, profound moment that was years ahead of its time.

Every day this week, we here at Destructoid are revealing one of the five nominees for Game of the Year 2009, with the winner being announced next Monday (12/21). What game will take the crown this year?

Come and knock on our door! We’ve been waiting for you! Where the kisses are hers and hers and his, it’s time for the third Destructoid nominee!

Okay, fine, that classic ditty doesn’t work as well with new lyrics, but you can’t punish a guy for trying to shoehorn in a Three’s Company reference, can you? *tightens Mr. Furley ascot*

Since Rey is secretly creating the videos that accompany these nominations in his techno-fueled laboratory, I don’t get to see them until right before the post goes live. Because of this, I never really know how to introduce them except by just making an educated guess and saying they are amazing. Since Rey is super talented, usually that guess is quite accurate. Whew! Thank God for talented people!

The videos are obviously the stars this week, so let’s all bask in the glory of Rey’s work by watching the above video and then, if you want to, hit the jump for a text description of the 3rd nominee for Destructoid Game of the Year 2009. Ugh. Text. It’s like drinking a stale beer at the Regal Beagle. Am I right, guys?

... guys?

Every day this week, we here at Destructoid are revealing one of the five nominees for Game of the Year 2009, with the winner being announced next Monday (12/21). What game will take the crown this year?

This morning Left 4 Dead 2 was unveiled as the first nominee for Destructoid Game of the Year 2009. Today it’s time to reveal the second! Since Rey put together a kickass video for each of these nominees -- and there is a description of each choice after the jump -- I am left with the tough job of making these introductory paragraphs interesting enough to keep people reading, but cryptic enough to not reveal too much.

So, with that being said, for today’s post, I am going to play a little round of Internet charades to see if you can guess the 2nd nominee before you hit the jump and watch the video. What? You say charades will never work over the Internet? It sounds like someone has never heard of the asterisk before!

Here we go:

*holds up four fingers*
*holds up one finger*
*tugs on ear*
*points to poster of Martin Scorsese film starring Matt Damon*
*holds up four fingers*
*sticks out hand in the shape of a gun*
*grabs something and mimes running away*

And … scene.

Did you figure out our 2nd nominee? Hit the jump and watch the (amazing) video to see if you are right!

[UPDATE: Okay, I just realized the name of the second nominee is in the video label and in the header pic. Oops. Easiest guessing game EVER!]

During the holidays, it has been said that every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. On the Internet, you can replace “bell rings” with “videogame Web site posts a ‘best of the year’ list” and “angel gets its wings” with “argument begins.” Despite the fear of people not agreeing with our opinions, we have chosen to brave the rough waters of angry comments and appease the list gods by releasing the official nominees for Destructoid Game of the Year 2009.

It was a tough year to decide on five nominees to compete for our coveted Game of the Year award (previous winners: BioShock and Left 4 Dead). Not because there weren’t enough good games to choose from, but our list of favorite games of 2009 was a lot longer than five. It was tough to narrow down the list to just five nominees.

But we finally did! Jim Sterling may have wrestled Grim to the ground a few times in an act that went from violent to erotic in less than two seconds, but our work is finally done! So what games have been nominated?

All this week we will be revealing the five nominees, one a day (well, two today since yesterday's post exploded), until the actual winner is revealed next Monday (12/21). To accompany each reveal, video editor Rey Gutierrez has put together individual videos that really need to be seen to be believed. You are not ready.

But enough of this crazy talk! Watch the above video and hit the jump for our 1st nominee for Destructoid Game of the Year 2009! Let the bells ring!

_{“The Memory Card” is a seasonal feature that dissects and honors some of the most artistic, innovative, and memorable videogame moments of all time.}

What makes a good boss battle? When you break it down, it’s not whether the boss is super challenging, has incredible graphics, or fills the entire screen. Sure, all of these aspects are very important, and, if used correctly, help make a boss battle successful and satisfying. What is most important, though, is creativity. Really, that’s all it takes. By presenting the player with something new and exciting, some boss battles have the power to soar above other standard fare and easily be the most memorable thing in a videogame.

Because of this, a lot of the most creative boss battles are from the earlier era of videogames. Designers during the 8- and 16-bit generations could not necessarily fall back on impressive technology to mask the lack of creative design in their videogames. If a boss battle was poorly designed, it showed (see: every single moment in Total Recall).

One of my favorite creative boss battles is from Super Nintendo classic (and the best 2D platformer ever, in my opinion) Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island. It can be argued that every boss in Yoshi’s Island is memorable, but certain ones -- including this one! -- stand out as true examples of stellar game design.

Hit the jump to revisit a fun little boss battle that is wildly creative, and just a little bit gross.

BONUS: I picked this particular videogame moment to post this specific week for a reason. If you can figure out why, you are officially the coolest person of all time. Just for some added fun, make your guesses in the comments. I am genuinely curious to see if anyone can figure it out! (Also, a little embarrassed if anyone does.)