Team USA Gearing Up for the World Cup

Well, the World Cup is finally here! The final 23-man roster has been named, and Team USA is headed to South Africa. Following their friendly against Turkey on May 29th, which they won 2-1, their next match, also a warm-up, will be in South Africa against Australia before their first official match against England. Though the hype about the US squad is less than it was four years ago, there are high expectations to do better than the previous Cup.

In 2006, Team USA didn’t win a single game, only scoring two goals in a disappointing outing that saw the US sent off in the first round of play. The US was ranked No. 4 in the world at the time, but their opponents in the first round were also highly ranked, Italy eventually winning the Cup.

Now, the USA is ranked 14th in the world, a far cry from their previous ranking, but this time is different. Their opponents in Group C aren’t as highly ranked either, with the exception of England, who is ranked in the top ten at No. 8. Their other opponents, Algeria and Slovenia, are ranked 30 and 25 respectively. Read more »

Gary Coleman Dead

From running for Governer of California to punching people as a security guard, Mr. Coleman had his share of personal problems like many child actors. Sadly his life has come to an end, all from what seems to be a simple fall.  =/

Best wishes to his family.

DREAM.14 Is Almost Here

The powerful and epic Japanese promotion that is DREAM will have its fourteenth event this Saturday, May 29th. The official card is set, and weigh-ins, which were just streamed live on DREAM’s official site, are complete. Nick Diaz was somewhat fashionably late to the weigh-ins, but he respectfully apologized.

For just the second time, the promotion will have take place in the white cage rather than its usual ring. The reason for this seemed to be a request from the popular fighter, Hayato “Mach” Sakurai, to face one of Strikeforce’s best fighters, Nick Diaz, in a cage to defend Japanese pride after the defeat of Shinya Aoki at the hands of Diaz teammate, Gilbert Melendez.

To us at Pancake Landing, this is the most exciting event so far this year. Maybe we are too susceptible to slick promotional trailers with “Imperial March” remixes… but hey, DREAM knows how to make some bad-ass PVs. Of course, some of our favorite fighters are competing in DREAM.14: Sakuraba, Tokoro, and Maeda. Not only that, but included as well is a fight that almost guarantees excitement and also has title implications for DREAM’s featherweight division: Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Joachim Hansen.

Always in our spotlight, Kazushi Sakuraba is fighting another Gracie, one that is younger, bigger, and maybe even more accomplished in BJJ competition. My personal prediction is that Sakuraba has no chance and will be submitted for the first time in his career.  But speaking against what my head says… Sakuraba is going to knock this young punk out or break his arm with a slick kimura. Regardless of the outcome, Sakuraba is still a legend and will always be one of my favorite fighters.  I also have a feeling his retirement is coming soon and this event might have a hint or announcement concerning it. It’s just a feeling, but what better time to bow out for the Gracie Hunter?

For the entire fight card and some insightful pre-analysis, Bloody Elbow has a thorough rundown. Also be sure to check out all three event PVs after the jump. Read more »

Last Day for The Humble Indie Bundle!

Don’t you just <3 indie game devs? So nice of them to give us the option to pay what we want AND give to charitable causes?!?!

If you have some funds to giveth and don’t mind getting 6 quality games in return, hurry up and hit up The Humble Indie Bundle hosted by indie devs Wolfire Games. The hours are ticking down…

As you can see in the top image, the following games are included in the package:

• World of Goo
• Aquaria
• Gish
• Lugaru HD
• Penumbra: Overture
• Samrost 2

You can also opt to donate all or some of your monies to two charities:

• Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) – proponents for digital rights
• Child’s Play – collects and donates video games, toys, and other entertainment for needy children in hosipitals across the country and beyond.

It’s a win win any way you slice it. I really think it’s a slick idea as well as a slick implementation in terms of the actual site. It’s also fun to see real time stats, which currently show Linux users are comfortably in the lead when it comes to average contributions, with Mac in 2nd, and PC in last (come on PC users! we’re not that cheap… right? ).

Cat Shit One – Incoming August ’10!!!

After continually being told to “Keep our eyes on!” at Cat Shit One’s Official Site, there was FINALLY an update last Friday regarding the status of the much anticipated series. With practically no updates since it’s initial announcement and estimated early 2010 release… which is far gone, I was beginning to think the worse: massive delay or cancellation. However, according to ANN, we should be able to expect the first episode, out of a planned 12,  come this August. YAY! It didn’t die!

For those who are unaware, Cat Shit One is an animated adaptation by Studio Anima of the manga series (Apocalypse Meow, Cat Shit One ’80) by Motofumi Kobayashi. Each iteration takes place in a different militaristic era, and in the case of Cat Shit One: The Animated Series, the setting seems to be post-Gulf War 1991.

Speaking from experience with the manga, they really do present a unique way of portraying war through characters that take the form of analogous animals (cute as they may be, the tone is quite serious). Seeing the characters “live” and on screen should really be a treat.

Check out the manga if you can, and watch the (rawesome) PV after the jump. Read more »

Wha? There’s Reason to Step Foot in Kmart: FFXIII, Bayonetta, AvsP, MW2, Darksiders, Metro 2033 for $29.99 – Nier for $44.99

Ya, that store.

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t been inside of a Kmart in years, even though there is one right down the street from me. For whatever reason, it fades back in to a hazy fog in the shopping center, and I continually ignore it. Not today however!

The often overlooked department store put up a game sale yesterday, which runs from 5/4 – 5/10.  There are some pretty noteworthy games included, and discounts are valid both in-store as well as online. Check out the full list after the jump. Read more »