PAC-MAN on the Apple Mac App store

Just downloaded PAC-MAN from the Apple Mac App store and I’m a tad disappointed.

I was overjoyed when I saw the original Japanese artwork (the one for PUCKMAN, not the ugly Midway version, but once I started the game I was greeted with the Japanese table graphics.

Artwork as present in the Apple App Store:

201106101147.jpg

But when you start the game it looks like the Japanese cocktail, 2 times instructions and a tiny playfield that a lot of people complained about online:

201106101147.jpg  

If it was up to me I would have it like this:

201106101210.jpg

But seeing every reviewer complained about the small size of the play-field maybe something like this would be much better:

201106101217.jpg

Of course the above only works for the die hard PAC-MAN fans who are aware of the much better Japanese PUCKMAN graphics. The rest of the world sadly only know PAC-MAN by the hideous graphics made my Midway games, the American distributor.

Midway USA on the left, Namco Japanese on the right.

201106101223.jpg

UPDATE:

I contacted Namco and explained my concern with the misleading screenshot on the Apple store as those graphics are no where present in the actual game app. received a rude reply on how that was a flyer and not a representation of the actual game.

Steve Jobs in Carbonite iPhone case

When I saw this case pop up on Society6 I knew I had to act quick before Apple put a stop to it so placed a order straight away.

On the left what it looked like on the webpage, on the right what it really looks like. For some reason I thought, or maybe better hoped, that it would be a plastic shape with Stevo sticking out, sadly it’s just a print.

Guess much better for sticking the phone in my pocket ;)

The quality of the case is very good, snaps real tight and plenty of space around the camera so the case does not interfere with the lens like some cases do.

sjobs-iphone-cover.jpg

  sjobs-iphone-cover-detail.jpg

Wearing a facemask in Japan

2011-04-22-mask.jpg

My son refused to wear his facemask when he got some baikinman from school and now me, my wife, my daughter and the grandparents are all sick.

Of course people here wear masks to keep germs out but the other big reason is to keep your germs to yourself, never thought of it that way, makes perfect sense! Only problem for me with my big nose is that the mask does not close so I steam up a lot.

Otaku heaven!

Today we went to a second hand shop close to the coast to buy dad a portable heater for his garage only to discover that apart from the usual stuff they had rows upon rows of video games from early Nintendo systems till the very latest 3D DS.

Took some photos but that’s not even 10% of what they have, if anyone is every looking for something rare and would like to get it mint, often in original box, let me know!

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-1.jpg

Rows and rows of dirt cheap PS2 games.

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-2.jpg

Nintendo DS

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-3.jpg

Classic NES and SNES games.

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-4.jpg

Handheld LCD games.

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-5.jpg

Wonderswan, NeoGeo Pocket, Gameboy etc

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-6.jpg

Wonderswan, NeoGeo Pocket, Gameboy etc

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-7.jpg

Misc boxed games.

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-8.jpg

Steering wheels, joysticks and proper NEO GEO consoles.

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-9.jpg

Controllers for pretty much any console.

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-10.jpg

Stacks of GameCubes, Panasonic 3DO units and some NEC consoles.

2011-04-13-otaku-heaven-11.jpg

Plenty of vintage Nintendo consoles with some boxed, new, never opened Nintendo Gamecubes!

Hinata’s school bus

Today Hinata went to school for the first time with the school bus. We live really close to school but thought it would be good for him to be on a school bus with other kids. The bus is scheduled to arrive at 8:22, guess when the bus arrived, yup, at 8:22!

2011-04-11-waiting-for-bus.jpg

Hinata waiting for his school bus to arrive.
2011-04-11-hinata-in-bus.jpg

The school bus has a girl opening the door and helping the kids get in. Judging by Hinata’s face he’s LOVING it!

2011-04-11-school-bus.jpg

Off they go, is that not the cutest school bus ever?

Hinata’s first day in school

2011-04-09-hinata-first-schoolday.jpg

A super proud dad posing under a cherry blossom tree!

2011-04-09-hinata-march.jpg

Mum in the march with Hinata.

2011-04-09-greetings.jpg

A little play teaching kids how to great people.

2011-04-09-uniform.jpg

Going to school is so much fun, first you wear your little jacket.

2011-04-09-mr-bag.jpg

Next comes your very own bag.

2011-04-09-shoes.jpg

Of course you need little white shoes for inside the school, you leave your outside shoes at the door.

2011-04-09-mother-to-school.jpg

Sometimes little kids don’t want to go to school (the little hat is the little kid) but the mummy (the big hat) will give you a cuddle which makes it all ok!

2011-04-09-complete.jpg

Yeah, jacket, hat, shoes, bag, we can go to school and have a great day!

2011-04-09-head-of-school.jpg

Head of the school with LOTS of parenting advise, including one for mum’s not to pester their husband after a long day at work… Seeing I will be the one staying at home does this mean I can’t pester my wife after a long day at work? ;)

2011-04-09-maki-sensei-2.jpg

The one on the left is Maki Sensei, Hinata’s teacher, she is going to have her hands full with Mr “I want and I don’t want”.

2011-04-09-maki-sensei.jpg

Maki Sensei giving Hinata his first school book.

2011-04-09-first-book.jpg

Hinata checking out his first school book.

2011-04-09-closeup.jpg

The green bus tag on the left shoulder is for his school bus that will pick him up in the morning at 8:22 sharp, not 8:21 or 8:23 but 8:22, LOVE Japan!