This is a Review for Kogans “Kogan Blu-Ray Player Wi-Fi BD 2.0 Full HD 1080p”, more specifically the current modal (mid 2010). If you want to buy or look at the product- check it out here on the Kogan website.
Quick Look
What’s Hot: Wifi, Appealing Form Factor, Great Price, Region Free (Blu-Ray with Code, DVD built in)
What’s Not: Hardware menu isn’t my cup of tea, For most users the Slim Model from Kogan would be enough.
Final Score: Thumbs Up (scroll down for full Final Score Blurb)
Overview
The player boasts a bunch of awesome specifications which would blow anyones minds to consider something like this would have something like that. Like any good Blu-Ray player the main requirement I dare say is to have a HDMI comparability of some sort. Outside of that- its anyones race, and Kogan has turned the Blu-Ray player of theirs into a media power house- it features playback for many common forms of files as well as having a USB on the front.
It also is 7.1 sound compatible. And a bunch of other tech based stuff which I’m to lazy to list.
Packaging
The Kogan Blu-Ray box contains nothing pretty much, they have slimed down most “rubbish” you would find in a package to “help save the trees” or something like that- oh and that keeps costs down too most likely. The box itself is nice, with it been Blue and White- how err…pretty?
Testing
For my test, I watched the Movie Triangle. Which was a Blu-ray title, I haven’t played any DVDs in the system- but it does boast Region Free playback for DVDs. I also wasn’t originally planning to watch a movie on the system- as I hooked it up to one of my more “dodgy” TVs – a random Dick Smith CRT with inbuilt sound etc. So while I didn’t get the full experience Kogans player could offer, I was able to experience the system outside of visual and audio restrictions.
I’m under the backwards assumption that if its on a disk then it plays like that- if the NES magically was capable of playing Blu-ray titles- I doubt they would magically appear all Retro and 8-bit on me now- that’s a fair assumption isn’t it?
I was impressed with the quality of the image even with it connected to my TV which I had it on with the basic cable which comes with the device (didn’t test it on a HDMI compatible TV- lazy me).
I also besides watching a movie, went through the menu and looked at all the pretty options. The Kogan player has many user friendly options for users to customize their experience, though in some regards I think the menu might be a bit confusing to some people. I set up my Wifi with no troubles, but didn’t test out any Blu-Ray Live features.
Final Score
Thumbs Up
I couldn’t find any major faults with the hardware or software which would ruin the viewing experience. Though I possibly am basis with my little tested.
For a “no name” brand it works well- defiantly worth the investment if you want a Blu-Ray player, or can’t afford “known brands”- but does that really matter?
Oh and I kind of think this review was pointless- what about you guys?
I look into 5 series that I wish would be created for Nintendo’s upcoming handheld the 3DS.
The successor to the Nintendo DS line is fast approaching, but there are so many games which are not announced which we wish would be. We know most of these would never see the light of day on the console- but it’s great to dream.
In no particular order, here are the five series we which would be released on the 3DS in one shape or another.
Lost in Blue (Survival Kids) Series
Released by Konami originally on the Gameboy Color in 1999, Survival Kids ended up growing a small cult following after its release. The game revolves around a kid who ended up shipwrecked on a small island- the goal is simple survive and escape.
I am not going to lie- the series is one of my favourites which is why it’s on this list. But at the end of the day it shows the unique and interesting ideas which gaming these days need. Survival games are coming back into popularity- and they could well be the next fad. Konami would be crazy not to take this opportunity with a new handheld launch to showcase the next generation in the series.
But at the same time they have almost destroyed the series themselves. With the three Nintendo DS releases feeling like experiments, in both seeing if the market will react to the game and what should be in the game full stop. Each game slowly progressed and added more marital and interesting ideas which frankly should have been in the original recreation on the Nintendo DS.
At the same time, they never reached perfection in the series before they stopped the Nintendo DS releases, they gave us a Wii version which felt like they took a step forward in the series. Only to take a few steps back in other regards. If the series was to see a return, it would need a serious rethinking.But at the same time they have almost destroyed the series themselves. With the three Nintendo DS releases feeling like experiments, in both seeing if the market will react to the game and what should be in the game full stop. Each game slowly progressed and added more marital and interesting ideas which frankly should have been in the original recreation on the Nintendo DS.
At the same time, they never reached perfection in the series before they stopped the Nintendo DS releases, they gave us a Wii version which felt like they took a step forward in the series. Only to take a few steps back in other regards. If the series was to see a return, it would need a serious rethinking.
The originals are still the best, as in the ones which were on the Nintendo Gameboy Color. Somehow they represent the series the strongest and have the most unique side ideas attached to the game. Sure the Nintendo DS versions introduced the mini games which creatively used the touch screen and microphone on the system, but the GBC versions had a range of items which didn’t need to be used for survival- and I’m pretty sure they never showed themselves in other games in the series.
At the end of the day to improve the series there are possible ideas and techniques which they could pull off. Heck even a port of the Japanese only Survival Kids 2, would be appreciated on the 3DS worldwide.
At the same time maybe destroyed villages or other unique landmarks would create new and useful twists to the series. The story doesn’t have to be flat and overused like it is now. The classic boat then disaster then washed up, could easily be replaced with something new and exciting, even the Survival Kids 2 twist was possibly one of the best in the series. How about a plane crash?
Disaster Series
Nintendo made something new and interesting by creating the Wii, developers flocked to the system and created some unique IPs. One of which was a brand new game- Disaster: Day of Crisis.
Another Survival game which could pave waves if it was released on the 3DS, even a direct port or remake of the Wii title could be useful for those in America, which never saw a release of Disaster: Day of Crisis.
Disaster: Day of Crisis revolves around the main character going after the evil terrorist group SURGE. While the game was centred around America, a possible sequel or a game which takes place at the same time- could happen in other locations around the world. Giving a fresh and interesting new take on the series.
Or it could be a direct sequel staring Ray again- the previous game revealed that anything could continue in some way.
3D wise, the game will be massive, taking explosions and other disaster effects to a whole new level- it would look magnificent on the small 3DS screen- and would really show off what the 3D can do.
Space Invaders: Extreme SpinOff
The spinoff to the Space Invaders series- Space Invaders Extreme took the game to a whole new level, it introduced some flashing lights, new backgrounds and other things which would make you go wow.
The reimaging of the series saw itself on the Nintendo DS with a few editions. So it isn’t far fetch that Taito would bring Space Invaders in some form to the 3DS, either one from the new Extreme series or another rethink of the original.
The Extreme series has one amazing thing about it- and that’s all the action which is going on the screen and colours that would look amazing in 3D. Something to think about ay Taito?
Another rethink of Space Invaders released around the same time was the Get Even WiiWare title. This is another title which would be perfect for the 3DS.
Mad World
While not a series yet- like Disaster it contains only one game. Mad World would be perfect for one simple reason- Blood.
Blood is a fluid, it flings through the air and splatters down on anything it touches- and it does a lot of that in SEGAs Mad World. Which is why it would be perfect for the 3DS, for the simple fact the 3D screen would offer blood splatting effects to the max. Imagine your walking slaughtering some guy on some spikes or whatever crazy contraption is included in Mad World, and then blood shoots out of the guy and literally flies into your face- now that is one amazing feature. I would be giddy with excitement and that’s Mad Worlds goal- to make you excited about killing things. I know it’s a bit mundane and roofless. But at the core- Mad World is a murder simulation which sparks the imagination.
It could just be a remake- a sequel or a prequel would be something nice- but this is one of those games you have a different experience in each time you play it- regardless if the level is the same or not.
Another Code or Hotel Dusk Series/es
CiNG created these on the Nintendo DS and brought with it some unique and interesting stories. While I don’t believe the games would be really cutting edge when it comes to 3D technology- I believe Nintendo could come with some unique ideas with the IPs now defunct developer CiNG made alongside them.
3D could be used to create puzzles, true- but I don’t believe that would really be ground breaking stuff. There is so much you can do before you start repeating yourself- and with the Nintendo DS most games which where puzzle games ended up using most of the same techniques and ideas when it came to puzzles.
Also a question is could the book style be used with the 3D screens? Or would side games be a thing of the past. It isn’t that big of a deal- as Another Code never used the technique, but later CiNG games on the Nintendo DS did use the style- and gave a unique outlook to the gameplay which Another Code didn’t have.