I think Japan was being facetious, but to the point, I bristle at empty hipsterism as much as the next guy. This game has real, challenging ideas behind it, not just a weird look.

It's in the info box to the right of the review.

Yeah, for these semi-obscure downloadable games, I try to get on the review as soon as I can after it goes up to post a link, since there's no good place to include it in our current review template. I'll look into figuring out a more efficient way to point people in the right direction.

Where to Get It
Download it here:

I'm glad you mentioned that, Jewbacca. It bugged me, too. You knew they weren't going to eliminate two people who hadn't even gotten off the couch yet.

Yes! This episode was a train wreck production-wise. The tape problems, the even-worse-than-usual audio mix, the multiple cuts to the wrong camera (shots of floor and wiring), and poor Ricky Braddy's malfunctioning lapel mic.

As a fellow game-show buff, I'm surprised to find myself on the other side of this one from the esteemed Noel Murray, but I hate the addition of the clock. Rather than making the game go more smoothly, it has gummed up the works, with Meredith constantly saying "start the clock," "stop the clock," stating the amount…

Yes! I had the same problem. You have to push the "fire" button — I think it's "Z" by default — to skip the cutscene and bring up the menu.

Where to Get It
You can buy Cloudphobia here:

Granted. The glitches happen from time to time but are admirably rare.

Just to clarify the backward compatibility debate, the original 20 GB and 60 GB models of the PS3 are fully, 100% backward-compatible with the PS2. These models essentially have a PS2 chipset on the motherboard. Unfortunately, they aren't in production anymore, but you can get them used (although they go for a premium…

If only you could see how furiously I am shaking my fist at the screen right now.

If you're dipping your toe into the water, why not get a slimline PS2 and some used games on eBay? The system goes for around $70, and you get access to a huge library of fantastic games, all of which are also considerably discounted at this point.

Check again — there's a mirror download site on the page that I linked above.

If by "torture" you mean "sublime," then yes, I agree, Mastrapa. But let's not fight in front of the children.

Where to Get It
You can download Spelunky here:

Breakfast Balls: I agree, the 16-year-old that Simon put through seemed like she could use another year or two to develop, at which point she may be great. She sounded just a little raw. But AFAIK, going to Hollywood Week doesn't preclude her coming back in the future. Gina Glocksen was cut during Hollywood Week in…

Tiebreaker
Is this the first time Idol has (tacitly) acknowledged on air that Simon gets the tiebreaking vote? Tonight, there was a contestant who needed Simon to give the second "yes" that would put her through. Before tonight, the show was tiresomely building up the "suspense" when contestants were waiting for a…

No, LOTR: Conquest is markedly inferior to the Battlefront games.

I usually like uncovering weird achievements/trophies. This one, though — in a game full of random, stupid ways to die, it rubbed me the wrong way that Conquest found it SO FUNNY to suddenly kill me with the angry bird. I think the game actually peed itself a little the first time that happened. And really,…