This week on the show, Jonah and Jesse are joined by Mike Bachmann of “A Fistful of Pixels” fame. It’s a rollicking good time filled with unicorns, laser swords and doughnuts. In our “What We’ve Been Playing” segment, Jonah has had The Old Republic sink its claws deep inside his tender flesh with its early access program. He did break away long enough to give Ghost Trick a try, but only just.

Jesse gives us an in-depth look at Nano Assault and a quick rundown of all the GBA games that were released as part of the 3DS ambassador program. Mike only plays the latest of jams, like Animal Crossing City Folk and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. If you were looking for tips on how to get mad stacks of bells by becoming a fruit farmer, look no further.

At the break, Jesse shares his latest song, “WHICH ONE DO I SHOOT?!“, created for the latest sleep crushing remix gauntlet he is participating in. We also talk Pokemon crossovers and cool things Japan gets that we don’t. All this and more on Barrel Roll #146, “Doughnut Drake and the Golden Corral”.

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On episode one-oh-one of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast”, Jonah, Jesse, and Adam come together to discuss the latest hot jams, like Mass Effect (the first one), Burnout Revenge, and Earth Defense Force 2017. They also go back for some unfinished 2010 gaming business with Dragon Quest IX and Valkyria Chronicles 2. Bringing it back to the present day, Adam discusses Ghost Trick and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West.

We also talk about the new game releases of the week and news, then read a fan letter.

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In Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, Lynne dies. Oops, did I spoil it for you? In truth, I spoiled nothing. Lynne has to die. If she didn’t, there would be no way to progress the storyline. That’s really how Ghost Trick rolls: death is only the first piece of the puzzle.

This latest adventure title from Capcom’s Shu Takumi is the first to come completely separate from the well known Ace Attorney series, and not only features a new world with unique characters and story, but an entirely different gameplay system as well. Nevertheless, logic and problem solving are still key in this quest to avert fate.

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On a very special seventieth episode of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast”, we talk all things E3.

As we mentioned last year, E3 talk is mandatory for every gaming blog. On that note, we bring reports from the field thanks to The Mega Man Network’s own Adam “Heat-Man” Anania being our eyes and ears of the con.

Check out his hands on impressions, then check out the podcast.

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As I mentioned yesterday, finding out when and where to eat at E3 is important business. While there is food on site, like at the Convention Center’s Galaxy Cafe, it’s just so-so and fairly overpriced. “Either eat on a budget or pay for a decent meal,” is my motto. But what’s the best way to go?

On day one, after exploring the grounds a bit, my friend and I left the Convention Center and found our way to Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge. They offered an $8 lunch special that included a round of bowling (yes, there are lanes on the site). That atmosphere was very laid back and comfortable, and the cheeseburger and fries were very satisfying. Sadly, we had no time for bowling. A fine meal, but a little pricey and time consuming.

For day two we decided to go totally budget. Unfortunately, there isn’t any fast food around the Convention Center, but we were still in luck. To promote the game Homefront, an upcoming FPS about North Korea taking over the US in the future, THQ subsidized a traveling food vendor to sell themed food items, like Korean BBQ tacos and kimchi quesadillas (clever, if not controversial). The food was pretty good for its simplicity, and two tacos and a quesadilla cost a mere $4.

But the best way to go is eating for free, though this may take investigation and connections. When we finally found Activision’s area (which was separate from the two main halls) and saw a presentation for Call of Duty: Black Ops, we realized they were serving free pizza. It was awful, but shoot, it was free. A little later we got free beef and cheddar sandwiches from Capcom, as we were invited to their swanky special event on site. I should also mention that there are plenty of people in and near the Convention Center who will give away free energy drinks, so keep your eyes peeled for them.

Boy, all this talk is making me hungry. Let’s get on with some games. Today I’m here to give impressions on NBA Jam, Bionic Commando ReArmed 2, Okamiden, Ghost Trick and Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes. And yeah, that’s me and Charles Martinet up top! Woohoo!

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