[Editor's note: This is a new series from Loot Ninja where we'll all be bringing you the origins of our online gamer ID's. Check back as we delve deeper into what makes each of our online personas.]
When we game, we tend to hide behind a certain degree of anonymity. With the advent of online multiplayer gaming, what’s in a name can often sum up everything we’re up against in another player. PumpkinHeadRex, my gamer ID, is an odd handle for sure. To understand the name, you have to understand the player.
Before I’m a gamer, before I’m a writer, I’m a horror filmmaker. Some of you may recognize Pumpkinhead as a low budget horror flick from 1988. Directed by Stan Winston and featuring his insane creature FX work, it starred professional badass Lance Henriksen, fresh off his duties in the legendary bloodsucker romp Near Dark. The other half, the one represented by that long-haired, toothy fella up there, is Rawhead Rex. Based on a lesser known work by Clive Barker, Barker’s disappointment in the finished product ultimately prompted his taking complete creative control of the now classic Hellraiser adaptation. As for Rawhead Rex … it’s aged well, what can I say? I think I’m won over by the sheer ballsiness of the urine baptism scene. Currently out of print, an official DVD (or even VHS) can run you a good chunk of change. On the other hand, Pumpkinhead just got a new Collector’s Edition DVD last year. Oh, and the name’s case sensitive, too. On video, Rawhead Rex was always written out as RawHeadRex, hence PumpkinHeadRex. Get it?
Now, does this mean I only play horror games? No. Not that I don’t like a good horror game, it’s just there are very few of them out there. I am looking forward to the new Wolfenstein and Castlevania. If either of them have good multiplayer, look for PumpkinHeadRex.
We want to thank everyone who entered, but there can be only one, just like Highlander. For those of you not paying attention, we ran a contest last week to give away autographed Castlevania swag signed by the series’ producer, Koji Igarashi.
In the package, there is a really nice black hard-bound Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia notebook, a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia strategy guide, and a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia art print. All of them autographed by one of the great minds of game design.
So without further ado, the winner is… SnazzyGent. Congratulations! We’ll be emailing to get your address to send your prizes along.
Again, thanks to everyone who entered and Konami for hooking us up with this cool swag!
Today is your last chance! We’re giving away the autographed Castlevania swag we showed you before. Everything is signed by the series’ producer, Koji Igarashi.
In the package that you can win, there is a really nice black hard-bound Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia notebook, a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia strategy guide, and a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia art print. All of them autographed by one of the great minds of game design.
To win, leave a comment in the ORIGINAL post and tell us your favorite Castlevania game and why. Comments left here don’t count as entries. The contest ends tonight Sunday March 15th at 11:59pm ET, so get crackin’. With today being the last day, this is your last chance to enter and win. For a more pictures of the prizes, check out the contest post. We want to thank Konami for hooking us up with the cool autographed swag!
Reminder time to get some free stuff. We’re giving away the autographed Castlevania swag we showed you before. Everything is signed by the series’ producer, Koji Igarashi.
In the package that you can win, there is a really nice black hard-bound Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia notebook, a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia strategy guide, and a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia art print. All of them autographed by one of the great minds of game design.
To win, leave a comment in the ORIGINAL post and tell us your favorite Castlevania game and why. Comments left here don’t count as entries. The contest ends Sunday March 15th at 11:59pm ET, so get crackin’. You can enter once per day, so keep coming back for more chances to win. For a more pictures of the prizes, check out the contest post. We want to thank Konami for hooking us up with the cool autographed swag!
Time to win some free stuff again. Today we’re giving away the autographed Castlevania swag we showed you before. Everything is signed by the series’ producer, Koji Igarashi.
In the package that you can win, there is a really nice black hard-bound Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia notebook, a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia strategy guide, and a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia art print. All of them autographed by one of the great minds of game design.
To win, leave a comment in this post and tell us your favorite Castlevania game and why. The contest ends Sunday March 15th at 11:59pm ET, so get crackin’. You can enter once per day, so keep coming back for more chances to win. For a more pictures of the prizes, hit the jump. We want to thank Konami for hooking us up with the cool autographed swag!
Konami sent over a nice little swag package for Castlevania. Some cool stuff here, all autographed by the series producer, Koji Igarashi.
In the package, there was a really nice black hard-bound Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia notebook, a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia strategy guide, and a Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia art print. All of them autographed by one of the great minds of game design.
Now, what am I do with such cool swag? Of course, I’m giving it away. We’ll be running contests soon so that you can own some nice autographed material. Stay tuned for details over the next couple days. While you’re at it, check out more pics of the swag after the jump.
Castlevania Judgment is a fighter based on the Castlevania canon coming out for the Wii. This could be a huge sleeper this year considering there are not many fighters on the Wii outside of SSMB and MK. The graphics seem above average for the Wii and the game looks fun as hell. Here is Simon taking on Maria.
The current state of video games leaves a small void in some gamers. Sometimes you just want to pick up a game and play. Not have to worry about loading 5 different profiles or fishing for a game in the purgatory of gamer lobbies, Castlevania lets you just pick up them sticks and play now, not 15 minutes from now. Many of the XBLA games are way too juvenile and bare. SOTN however combines a rare breed of a game that can be played right away but still in depth and complete where it will satisifies the sophsticated palettes of today’s gamers. This game has it all. The boss battles are hard enough where you have to try and use strategy but not impossbile and of controlller throwing capacity. There is also character development that actually pertains to the game play. Collecting weapons and spells and knowing when to use them is basically what character developement is supposed to do and not roaming around towns engaging in meaningless conversation like most RPG’s do today. Finally, the graphics are true to the PS1, but look polished on a HDTV. Overall, this is probably the best XBLA game to date. Even though it is last, last gen, 10 bucks for a game that has high replay value and an addicting story line is absolutely fair market value. I mean someone had the balls to charge 60 bucks for Eragon.
You can now download Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for Xbox Live Arcade for 800 Microsoft Points (as long as they haven’t already been stolen from you), or $10 for those keeping score. The download weighs in at 95.32MB, making it the largest Xbox Live Arcade game to date. The rules were going to be bent for this game, but since Microsoft upped the limit to 150MB before it’s release, it’s no big deal for anyone.
You can also grab yourself a theme for 150 MS Points and gamerpics for 100 MS Points should your little heart desire.
It seems that XBLA is seriously stepping up the releasing of quality games available for download. On Wednesday March 21st at 2:00 AM in the east coast, the 12th installment of the unforgettable vampire chronicles will be up for a modest 800 microsoft points. There will be 12 acheivements totalling 200 points that can be obtained and unlocked. You get to be Alucard, the half brother of Dracula that no one lets the children near on the holidays, as you venture to his dad’s castle where shenanigans will certainly ensue. The game will be high definition supported as well as widescreen and enhanced graphics. Also, pour out some of your Bud 40 oz for Konami for keeping the game to only 10 bucks. They could have easily asked for 15 or more.
The current state of video games leaves a small void in some gamers. Sometimes you just want to pick up a game and play. Not have to worry about loading 5 different profiles or fishing for a game in the purgatory of gamer lobbies, Castlevania lets you just pick up them sticks and play now, not 15 minutes from now. Many of the XBLA games are way too juvenile and bare. SOTN however combines a rare breed of a game that can be played right away but still in depth and complete where it will satisifies the sophsticated palettes of today’s gamers. This game has it all. The boss battles are hard enough where you have to try and use strategy but not impossbile and of controlller throwing capacity. There is also character development that actually pertains to the game play. Collecting weapons and spells and knowing when to use them is basically what character developement is supposed to do and not roaming around towns engaging in meaningless conversation like most RPG’s do today. Finally, the graphics are true to the PS1, but look polished on a HDTV. Overall, this is probably the best XBLA game to date. Even though it is last, last gen, 10 bucks for a game that has high replay value and an addicting story line is absolutely fair market value. I mean someone had the balls to charge 60 bucks for Eragon.
You can now download 
It seems that XBLA is seriously stepping up the releasing of quality games available for download. On Wednesday March 21st at 2:00 AM in the east coast, the 12th installment of the unforgettable vampire chronicles will be up for a modest 800 microsoft points. There will be 12 acheivements totalling 200 points that can be obtained and unlocked. You get to be Alucard, the half brother of Dracula that no one lets the children near on the holidays, as you venture to his dad’s castle where shenanigans will certainly ensue. The game will be high definition supported as well as widescreen and enhanced graphics. Also, pour out some of your Bud 40 oz for Konami for keeping the game to only 10 bucks. They could have easily asked for 15 or more. 
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