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Phil Theobald Author Bio

Status: nom nom nom ... I like teh cheezburger!

Last Login: Never
Joined: March 6, 2008 4:50:54 AM

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Vitals: 32, taken (sorry, ladies)

Education: B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University East Bay with an option in Early Childhood Development. He is currently working on getting his teaching credentials.

Publications: Phil has been writing about videogames for over 11 years. He started as a Contributing Editor for Electronic Gaming Monthly and Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. After that, he wrote strategy guides for Expert Gamer, and became a reviews editor when that magazine evolved into GameNOW. From there, he moved on to GameSpy. Currently, he is a co-host on the Player One Podcast.

Platforms played: All the current consoles and handheld systems. I haven't played many PC games ever since games like Myst killed games like Day of the Tentacle. As a fan of classic gaming, I still have all of my old systems hooked up, too (along with a near-complete NES collection).

Genres played: Platformers, mostly. I'm also a big fan of retro games and goofy Japanese titles. I'd enjoy RPGs more if I had the time to sit down and play a game for 80 hours.

Multiplayer or single-player: Single-player. I've never been much of a competitive gamer.

My favorite Top 10 games ever played:

1) Yoshi's Island: Super Mario World 2 (SNES)
2) Mega Man 2 (NES)
3) Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
4) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
5) Super Metroid (SNES)
6) Gitaroo Man (PS2)
7) Katamari Damacy (PS2)
8) The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (SNES)
9) Mario's Super Picross (Super Famicom)
10) Ms. Pac-Man (Arcade)

When making this list, I tried to avoid putting multiple games from the same series on it. Same with compilations -- but feel free to imagine that Super Mario All-Stars and Mega Man Anniversary Collection are right at the top.

What makes me tick: Squirt, carnival food, TV shows on DVD, 'The Complete Peanuts,' my lovely lady and our cat.

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Weekend Playlist, 11/6/2009
2 Comments
Last November 7, 2009 by TaintedKane
I finally got all the achievements in Borderlands. Now I'm gonna play Dragon Age Origins on the Xbox 360. I also take my time to read the codexes. I'll ...
Games That Time Forgot: Jet Li: Rise to Honor (2004)
3 Comments
Last November 7, 2009 by Pojo
@Palalong: I think you're talking about Stranglehold from John Woo.
Torchlight
2 Comments
Last November 7, 2009 by CG-Prophet
I'm glad to hear you like the game, it is very good and worth playing. This was one of the first games where I didn't struggle with what I was going to ...
Dragon Age: Origins
11 Comments
Last November 7, 2009 by CG-Prophet
@garion333: after about a half hour of play i'm getting a Sacred 2 vibe. While the graphics might be better on the PC, they aren't as bas as ...

Borderlands
73 Comments
Last November 2, 2009 by Palalong
Here is my "halfway" review. I'm a level 33 on the PC version right now. Pros: weapon system, actual challenging battles, ability for multiplayer, interesting ...
50 Games That Sound Vaguely (or Not So Vaguely) Like Adult Films
27 Comments
Last November 2, 2009 by SillyNilly
@KingArmery: Yea, that probably would have been easier... and that's why they call me SillyNilly.
10 Things I'm Looking Forward to Doing in the NYC Crispy Office
23 Comments
Last November 5, 2009 by girlgamer21
@ScottJones: Parlez-vous français ?
Tokyo Santa Caption Contest: Winners!
22 Comments
Last November 2, 2009 by Palalong
Uh oh they're arriving, I'll be on the lookout this week! Haven't gotten mine yet but thanks again! Crispy is the best!

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	Column: Virtual Player: Samurai Shodown II, Ys Book I & II* and more* by Phil Theobald \| 9/16/2008 6:35:53 PM \| 1 comments Half-naked muscle men, a gold-digging bubble fish, the game that spawned Paper Mario and a certain Blue Bomber -- read Phil Theobald's take on the latest Virtual Console goodies.
	Column: Live Ware: Galaga Legions, Castle Crashers* and more* by Phil Theobald \| 9/15/2008 6:56:41 PM \| 0 comments Castle crashing, samurai showdowns and the return of Galaga are on tap at Xbox Live Arcade. Phil Theobald checks out the latest offerings.
	Column: Virtual Player: Sonic the Hedgehog, Star Parodier, Mega Man* and more* by Phil Theobald \| 8/25/2008 7:50:37 PM \| 1 comments A Sonic you might have missed, a Star Soldier parody shooter, Mega Man's debut adventure -- this is the way to put your Wii Points to work. Phil Theobald checks in with the latest offerings on the Virtual Console. Read on.
	Column: Live Ware: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, Braid, Bionic Commando Rearmed by Phil Theobald \| 8/18/2008 5:42:59 PM \| 1 comments Summer may be winding down, but it's been a hot few weeks for releases on Xbox Live Arcade, including a reimagined classic, an addictive sequel, an elegant newcomer and more. Phil Theobald rates the latest offerings -- read on.
	Column: Virtual Player: Fatal Fury 2, Donkey Kong 3, Ninja Commando* and more.* by Phil Theobald \| 7/30/2008 7:11:42 PM \| 0 comments What's the best way to put your Wii Points to work? Phil Theobald checks in with the latest offerings on the Virtual Console. Read on for his column.
	Column: Live Ware: Soulcalibur, Schizoid, Ticket to Ride* and more* by Phil Theobald \| 7/29/2008 9:08:35 PM \| 0 comments Does the original Soulcalibur hold its own nearly a decade later? Phil Theobald has the word on this and other recent offerings on Xbox Live Arcade.
	Column: Virtual Player: Ninja Combat, Dig Dug, Alex Kidd in Miracle World* and more* by Phil Theobald \| 6/24/2008 5:41:20 PM \| 0 comments The Virtual Console's latest round of vintage offerings includes some games you'll dig ... and some flat-out duds. Phil Theobald helps you sort them out in his column. Read on.
	Review: Secret Agent Clank (PSP) by Phil Theobald \| 6/24/2008 5:41:18 PM \| 0 comments Clank (of Ratchet & Clank fame) steps out on his own as a secret agent. Will the series' signature gadgetry, gags and gameplay carry him through his solo gig on the PSP? Find out in Phil Theobald's review.
	Column: Live Ware: Aces of the Galaxy, Frogger 2, Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 by Phil Theobald \| 6/20/2008 6:43:33 PM \| 0 comments Microsoft Points burning a hole in your pocket? Phil Theobald checks in with the latest offerings on Xbox Live Arcade -- read on.
	Column: Live Ware: Wits & Wagers, Assault Heroes 2, Penny Arcade Adventures* and more* by Phil Theobald \| 5/30/2008 6:08:00 PM \| 0 comments From trivia with a twist to Penny Arcade's gaming gambit, Xbox Live Arcade has had a lot to offer in recent weeks. Phil Theobald weighs in on which ones deserve your Microsoft Points. Read on.
	Column: Virtual Player: Pokémon Puzzle League, Renegade, SkyKid, City Connection by Phil Theobald \| 5/27/2008 7:29:23 PM \| 0 comments From a knockout puzzler to an arcade flashback to a side-scrolling shoot-'em-up, Phil Theobald knows the best ways to put your Wii Points to work. Read on for his latest picks on the Virtual Console.
	Review: Iron Man (PSP) by Phil Theobald \| 5/13/2008 3:37:29 PM \| 0 comments Will this blockbuster movie tie-in game take off like a rocket or sink like lead? Check out Phil Theobald's review of the game for the PSP.
	Review: Iron Man (DS) by Phil Theobald \| 5/13/2008 3:28:33 PM \| 0 comments Will this blockbuster movie tie-in game take off like a rocket or sink like lead? Check out Phil Theobald's review of the game for the Nintendo DS.
	Review: Iron Man (PS3) by Phil Theobald \| 5/13/2008 2:31:19 PM \| 0 comments Will this blockbuster movie tie-in game take off like a rocket or sink like lead? Check out Phil Theobald's review of the game for PS3.
	Review: Iron Man (Xbox 360) by Phil Theobald \| 5/13/2008 2:31:16 PM \| 0 comments Will this blockbuster movie tie-in game take off like a rocket or sink like lead? Check out Phil Theobald's review of the game for Xbox 360.
	Review: Iron Man (Wii) by Phil Theobald \| 5/13/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Will this blockbuster movie tie-in game take off like a rocket or sink like lead? Check out Phil Theobald's review of the game for the Wii.
	Column: Live Ware: Lost Cities by Phil Theobald \| 5/2/2008 3:06:59 PM \| 0 comments Truth be told, it looks like Microsoft realized you'd be playing GTA IV this week, because pickin's on Xbox Live Arcade have been slim. Nevertheless, Phil Theobald has his eye out for new downloadable content that might win over some of the downtime ...
	Column: Virtual Player: Phantasy Star III, River City Ransom, Double Dragon by Phil Theobald \| 4/29/2008 3:18:06 PM \| 0 comments It may not be a virtual cornucopia these days, but the few offerings on the Virtual Console do look pretty good. Phil Theobald has the low-down on these downloadable games.
	Column: Live Ware: Ikaruga, Battlezone, Rocky and Bullwinkle by Phil Theobald \| 4/18/2008 2:58:30 PM \| 0 comments From bullet hell to Bullwinkle, Phil Theobald keeps you up to speed on the latest offerings on Xbox Live Arcade. Read on.
	Column: Virtual Player: Bases Loaded, Yoshi's Cookie, Fantasy Zone, Mega Turrican by Phil Theobald \| 4/15/2008 2:21:36 PM \| 0 comments Some very good games get a new lease on life on the Virtual Console -- Phil Theobald has the rundown of the latest offerings in his column. Read on.
	Column: Virtual Player: King's Knight, Powerball, Cruis'n USA and Wonder Boy by Phil Theobald \| 4/8/2008 2:01:58 PM \| 0 comments Which offerings on the Virtual Console are worth your Wii Points? Find out in Phil Theobald's latest column.
	Column: Live Ware: TiQal and Mr. Driller Online by Phil Theobald \| 4/4/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Looking for games with more brains than brawn? Phil Theobald checks in with the latest puzzlers on Xbox Live in his column. Read on.
	Column: Virtual Player: DoReMi Fantasy, Puyo Puyo 2, Spelunker, Super R-Type by Phil Theobald \| 3/25/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Phil Theobald showcases the latest offerings of the Virtual Console.
	Column: Live Ware: Rocketmen: Axis of Evil, Brain Challenge, Bliss Island by Phil Theobald \| 3/21/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Put some power behind your Microsoft Points -- Phil Theobald puts in his two cents about the latest offerings on Xbox Live Arcade.
	Column: Virtual Player: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Psychosis, Super Turrican by Phil Theobald \| 3/14/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments In his new column, Phil Theobald covers the latest offerings of the Wii's Virtual Console. Read on.
	Column: Live Ware: Rocketmen: Axis of Evil, Brain Challenge, Bliss Island by Phil Theobald \| 3/11/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments What's new on Xbox Live Arcade? Phil Theobald helps you put your Microsoft Points to work with his latest column.
	Review: Pokémon Diamond (DS) by Phil Theobald \| 2/18/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 4 comments The hugely popular "gotta catch 'em all" RPG series is back with two new gems -- Diamond and Pearl. But even with double the pocket-monster pals, is Pikachu just for kids? Phil Theobold has the answer in his review of the first Pokémon outings ...
	Review: Pokémon Pearl (DS) by Phil Theobald \| 2/18/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The hugely popular "gotta catch ‘em all" RPG series is back with two new gems -- Diamond and Pearl. But even with double the pocket-monster pals, is Pikachu just for kids? Phil Theobold has the answer in his review of the first Pokémon outings ...
	Review: Samurai Warriors: Katana (Wii) by Phil Theobald \| 2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Can the Wii-remote-as-katana carve new territory for the Samurai Warriors action franchise? Phil Theobold reviews Samurai Warriors: Katana, developed by Omega Force and published by Koei for the Wii.
	Review: Bleach: Shattered Blade (Wii) by Phil Theobald \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The popular anime manga comes to the Wii as a fighting game developed by Polygon Magic and published by Sega -- does it have what it takes to be a champ? Phil Theobald reviews Bleach: Shattered Blade.
	Review: Bleach: The Blade of Fate (DS) by Phil Theobald \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 1 comments The popular anime/manga series makes its way the Nintendo DS as a 2-D fighting game that packs a surprising punch. Phil Theobald reviews The Blade of Fate, developed by Treasure and published by Sega.
	Review: Mega Man ZX: Advent (DS) by Phil Theobald \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Developed by Inti Creates and published by Capcom for the Nintendo DS, this Mega Man stays true to its old-school platformer roots while opening up the map with new areas for roaming. Is it worth exploring? Phil Theobald has the answer in his review.
	Column: Live Ware by Phil Theobald \| 1/29/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Microsoft Points burning a hole in your pocket? Phil Theobald steers you to the latest offerings of the Xbox Live Arcade in his new column, Live Ware.

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