When I got my Nintendo DS one of the first games I got hooked on was Space Invaders Extreme. It took the classic Invaders model and turned it up to 11. More colors, more sounds, more invaders, complete and glorious chaos. And it was tough too, enough to challenge any arcade fan like myself. But now there’s more.

What would you call a game where the goal is to move around and collect a bunch of random trash? You’d call it Katamari Damacy. But what would you call a shoot ‘em up that requires you to fly around and pick up parts to build the biggest, baddest spaceship? You’d call it Blast Works. The goal is the same as any other shooter - blow stuff up and get to the end, but Blast Works is ridiculous in the most fantastic way that will make any shooter fan laugh …

Retro gaming is yet one more vice I enjoy along with my Hot Wheels, although I don’t think I’ve spent as much on old video games as I have on my Hot Wheels…how bad is that? When I heard mention of a retro gaming convention last month or so over at the GameOn podcast, I marked it on the calendar. I knew it would be my kind of gamers - old gamers that remember high scores and multiplayer games that required you have friends close by.

I’m not one that puts a lot of stock in awards and accolades. For the most part I believe they’re completely arbitrary and in many cases the entrants have to pay the organization that gives out the awards. If awards were fair then I’m sure I’d be more inclined to care about them. However there seems to be one area where awards and championships are legit, despite what popular culture may otherwise suggest - video games.