New American Classic

For his birthday, Ben got the Simpsons game for our XBox 360. I'm not much of a gamer, myself (Marvel Alliance being about the only exception), but I must say that the Simpsons game is without a doubt the funniest video game I've seen. I've spent the last few evenings watching Ben play - I didn't join him initially as I was engrossed in a book about Robert Wadlow, the world's tallest man - and I can't wait to try it out myself. It borrows from several games, including Pokemon, Space Invaders (yes, the original), Grand Theft Auto, and a sort of Guitar Hero/Dance Dance Revolution crossover. It was endlessly entertaining, even just to watch. You play all of the Simpsons family at different levels throughout the game, and near the end you battle the Creator, Matt Groening himself (with whom I share a birthday, by the way) who sends none other Zoidberg and Bender to protect him.

In closing, a few memorable quotes from the game:

'I drink the blue juice under the sink!' Ralph Wiggum

'I can't believe you forgot our names! You've known us since we were born!' Bart & Lisa
'Yeah, but it's not like we're thinking about you all the time.' Lenny

'Where is Smithers? My eyeballs haven't been moistened in minutes.' Mr Burns

'I wish I could transform into a giant car that flies, and kicks everyone because it has kung fu feet!' Nelson

'I won't eat sushi. Unless it's covered in chocolate, and there's no sushi in it.' Homer

'Bart! You'll have to fight him! I'm too drunk to!' Homer