This is probably the bagajillionth Merry Christmas journal post you're reading or half-mindedly skimming through, so I'll make it quick: Merry Christmas Newgrounds. I've only joined in just a few weeks prior to this day, and I'm really loving the enviroment; users are active and well-mannered and kind, which just shows that deep down inside, you guys can be real sweethearts.

Just kidding, that's probably not true. Or maybe it is. I wouldn't know, I've only been around for what, three, four weeks? Anyways, I have to go, I'm off to some Korean restaurant to eat delicious Korean-style fried chicken.

I recently purchased the game at my local GameStop, and I have to say that I was thoroughly disappointed when I discovered that the existence of a new and improved wi-fi mode was merely a myth, a rumor.

Why Nintendo would obliterate one of the main reasons why The Phantom Hourglass was a huge success, I don't know. This was probably the punishment and response to all those hackers that used Action Replays to cheat on the wi-fi mode. But why must we law abiding game players suffer?! I had high hopes for a modified wi-fi mode, after all the suggestions and advice had been put in on the official Nintendo boards, and they answer us devoted, legitimate fans with only local wi-fi mode?! Nintendo gets worse and worse every year, I'm telling you.

Lack of a solid online multiplayer mode aside, I'd say the Story Mode is on par with that of Phantom Hourglass, if not better. And you know how a boat was the only means of transportation in Phantom Hourglass? Well this time around, in Spirit Tracker, it's a train! And I have to say, the musical accompaniment for the train rides is a lot better than the boat rides' in Phantom Hourglass.

Spirit Tracker is the ideal successor of Phantom Hourglass, except for its one, major handicap. The multiplayer mode. I'm sure a lot of Zelda fans like myself were deeply pissed when we found out there would be no multiplayer mode, at least online. And really, how many of us actually have friends that we could play Spirit Trackerwith locally? I'm sure 25% of the gaming audience hide the fact that they play games like Legend of Zelda so as not to commit social suicide. Aren't I right?! And how many of our DS owning friends actually have Spirit Tracker, or a flash cart with Spirit Tracker on it?! Close to none, I assume. I'm really disappointed in Nintendo, up to this point, frankly.

It's official! I'm now an artist in the Art Portal! Sweet, eh? Many thanks to Sir Cannabis Clock for scouting me!

So, now that you guys know of the good news, head on over to my art, and rate 'n review! I'd love to hear what you guys think about my art style, and how you think I can improve.

Thanks for your time, Newgrounds!

You're kidding me, right.

The Sony Bravia has been made the official TV set of the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII. In my opinion, this is just BS. Square Enix has already made an FFXIIIperfume andFFXIIIsoda. As if the game isn't getting enough publicity already, they're making the new television from Sony the official TV set. Like I said, this is BS.

In other news, this occurence reminded me of an article I read in the newspaper: "HDTV's and LCD's are out-of-date, make way for 3-D TV's."

3D televisions? This is as bizarre as the Bravia being made FFXIII's poster TV. If you think about it, we don't even need 3D televisions to watch programs in 3D. All the TV stations have to do is broadcast 3D programming, and anyone who owns a cheap pair of 3D glasses can watch a program in 3D. Is it absolutely necessary to purchase a completely new and pricey TV when you've got a nice plasma sitting in the living room? Of course not. Manafacturers and electronics companies are just trying to find ways to squeeze money out of consumers, dollar by dollar, cent by cent. And really, who would be dumb enough to buy a 3D TV in the current economy?

Source: Andria Sang

The influx of Naruto games shows no sign of stopping. In fact, I'd say that the Naruto series is at its peak. The manga and anime have progressed ever so steadily, over the course of a really long time. (Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the Naruto series, but I have found the games to be quite entertaining, if not equally as ridiculous as Dragon Ball.)

Namco Bandai will be releasing Naruto Shippuden Narutimate Storm 2 for the 360 and PS3, and the previously announced Naruto Shippuden Kizuna Drive for the PSP in 2010.

Takara Tomy is responsible for the 2010 release of Naruto Shipuden Ninjutsu Zenkai! Chaku Rush!!.

If you ask me, this is just way too much Naruto fanservice in one year.

Source: Andria Sang

It's causing quite a stir in the anime blogosphere; it's the arrival of the second season of Ookiku Furikabutte, in the spring of 2010.

You might be wondering what Ookiku Furikabutte (Oofuri for short) is. Well, the literal meaning of it isBig Windup (this happens to be the name for the American release), which implies that the series is about windups that are big. Naturally, a baseball fan could connect big windups to baseball. And that pretty much sums up Oofuri.

It's a baseball anime, essentially, and it's the same as any other anime/TV show/movie about a team sport. Working together, hard work, and believing in yourself are the basic attributes of a sports series that make it so successful. But what's different about Oofuri is that it's a Japanese baseball anime. Moreover, it clearly shows the Japanese perspective of the sport that has been an American past-time since 1846.

(Plus, there are gay guys on the side. Can it get any better?)

For those of you who actually know what this is (which comes as a surprise), I imagine you'd be jumping for joy. Oofuri often leaves viewers wanting more. As generic as the plot and morals are, the manner in which the story is told, and the vibrant characters, make the series so enjoyable that a second season was sure to hit. Fans just didn't know when. And now the answer from the gods above has arrived.

Source: ANN