Answers on a postcard...

The other day I was reading 360 magazine and came across a competition to win a copy of Metro 2033. Being a bit of competition fanatic, I was all set to email in my entry... but to my surprise, you have to POST your entry. You have to actually send in your answer on a postcard. Crazily retro.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to enter. I'll just expect my prize to be delivered by a carrier pigeon, or perhaps a postman riding a penny farthing...

Top Five Game Sounds #1

So what's number one? Well, for me, it's a sound that gives me goosebumps, while at the same time giving me the confidence to sneak up on big, burly guys, silently take them down and dump them in a rubbish bin where the body will never be found...

Game: Splinter Cell

Sound created by: Night vision goggles
Sound: Whirrr...

I'm a big fan of the Splinter Cell series (particularly the night vision goggles), so was particularly upset to read the following blurb on the soon-to-be-released Splinter Cell: Conviction -

'Sam Fisher can no longer rely on his trusted bag of tools and iconic goggles. He's gone beyond being a double agent. Now he's a fully fledged fugitive without the intel of 3rd Echelon or the support of his friends. Those custom gadgets can't be found at your local hardware store.'

Excuse me? Does this mean there won't be night vision goggles? I don't think I could bear it. And anyway, while 'those custom gadgets' might be tricky to find at your local hardware store, somebody should tell Sam Fisher that you can get a fully functional pair of goggles as part of the prestige edition of Call of Duty: MW2.

Top Five Game Sounds #2

Time for an old-skool entry in the top five. Because frankly - who doesn't love Sonic? Well, possibly not Dr Robotnik and people that work at Nintendo. Anyway, second place in this countdown of top game sound effects, goes to...

Game: Sonic the Hedgehog
Sound created by: Collecting gold rings
Sound:  Kerching!

I spent around 80% of my childhood collecting those sparkly gold rings. The other 20% was spent forming an intense hatred of rock, paper, scissors, courtesy of Alex Kidd. I particularly enjoyed collecting rings in a loop the loop (see above) or in the snakey high-speed tunnels.

Losing rings was hearbreaking, especially when followed by death. Very similar to the feeling of losing studs in any of the Lego games. GET THE BLUE ONE! Sorry, where was I? The sound of gold rings being collected by a blue hedgehog, that's right. A truly iconic gaming sound... but not the number one. Think you can guess what it is? Add a comment below...

Achievement unlocked

Recently in my web travels I've come across some pretty funny, alternative xbox achievements that people have created. Like this...

Genius! I've gathered together some of my personal favourites below. I'm particularly jealous of the person who created the last one :(

Top Five Game Sounds #3

Okay, so this one isn't from a specific game, but I couldn't let the top five go by without giving a special mention to a sound that's made me happy on so many occasions...

Game: Everything
Sound created by: The glorious xbox
Sound: Blip!

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a total achievement hunter. Recently, while playing 1 vs 100, I intentionally got three consecutive answers wrong just to get an achievement. Admittedly, it's likely I would have achieved this feat without trying particularly hard, but I was keen to hear the ping! as soon as possible. I'm a total sell-out when it comes to the ping.

I can have a really unproductive day, but as soon as I hear that sound I can't help but feel like I really... achieved something.