Much like the increase in digital distribution over physical media, the injection of smartphones into the portable gaming ecosystem has quickly caused many to declare dedicated portable game systems officially dead. But is that really so?

I believe that each platform has its strengths and weaknesses. They can… no, they SHOULD coexist. To get rid of dedicated portable game systems in favor of touch screen phones would be to force an unnecessary limitation on ourselves.

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On this, the one-hundred and fourth episode of our fine internet radio program, the guys are too depressed to discuss the news. Layoffs, layoffs and more layoffs. The upside is lots of good games come out this week.

A few games were also played this week, including the iPhone versions of NBA Jam and Super Street Fighter IV. Jonah finally picked up Retro Game Challenge and Jesse dove back in to Star Soldier R. Adam lets us know why he is giving up on Bionic Commando ReArmed 2.

We also announce the winner of our last contest. All this and more on Barrel Roll #104, “Barrel Roll Triple Pack”!

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On a very special eighty-eighth episode of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast”, it’s an all-night dragon dance party. And there ain’t no party like a one-eyed dragon party, ’cause a one-eyed dragon party has historically accurate robo-samurai.

In our segment where we talk about the games we played the previous week, simply titled “video games”, Jesse and Jonah talk about the remix tour of NBA Jam, Jesse tries to get into Alan Wake and has even checked out the DSiWare title Shantae: Risky’s Revenge.

Jesse and Adam break down Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, which Adam managed to pull himself away from Minecraft for a few minutes to try out. Jonah finally started his epic western quest in Red Dead Redemption, and even had a chance to try out the multiplayer with Wes (even though he didn’t make the show).

In “Let’s Play Together”, Jonah and Jesse talk about Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes and its constant one-eyed dragon parties.

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On a very special eighty-seventh episode of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast”, only one wizard will rise up to save the world from the minions of darkness washing over the land. Select carefully…

In what we’ve been playing, Jesse hit up the demos for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. He also talks the nitty gritty of advanced classes in Valkyria Chronicles II. Jonah has played a little of several games, including The Longest Journey, Duke Nukem 3D, Minecraft and the PC Classic, Master of Magic, where he was implored to “select wizard”.

Wes is back with more on Red Dead Redemption and the third episode of the Doctor Who adventure game.

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It’s that time of year. You know, the time when your wallet begs you for mercy? Yes, as the last quarter of 2010 comes, so does the deluge of new releases. But have no fear, WingDamage is here to help you remember which games are coming out for the Nintendo Wii. Let the insanity begin!

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Longtime WingDamagarians know that I am a huge fan of the NBA Jam series. So when I heard that the upcoming NBA Jam game was going to be playable at PAX, I made my way over to the EA booth. Even before I could see the booth, I could hear people yelling in a mixture of excitement, anger, and joy, as they dunked on each other and caught on fire. It sounded like a Friday night at the arcade back in the day.

After chatting with some of the members of the dev team and getting some sweet hands-on time with the game, I can safely say that NBA Jam is back and better than ever.

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On a very special seventy-fourth episode of the video game podcast “Barrel Roll!”, the guys witness history in the making as Scissor-Man scores a million goal-points to win the World Cup for team ScissorMans.

We also talk about video games.

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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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“Friday Old Games” is a series of articles in which we review a game from the older generations of consoles, share why we picked it, and whether or not it holds up with time.

I was perusing the internetz when I came across the news that EA is bringing the NBA Jam franchise back. I knew immediately that my next FOG review would have to be about the pinnacle of the NBA Jam series, NBA Jam: Tournament Edition. I hooked up a Genesis and proceeded to rain 3′s on the computer’s head.

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I am playing Lumines. I am in the groove. The whole board is basically clear. I am already at my previous high score and I am quickly taking off for the stratosphere. If life were NBA Jam, I would literally be on fire. My hands are moving with a precision that a concert pianist would envy. There is nothing that can stop me. When Masterlookas sees this score, honest to god, tears are going to fall out of his eyes.

And then bloop blip.  I’ve got a message from my friend.

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