Something very strange happened last night. Within seconds I was taken back to a forgotten time... a time when I went to primary school, had a silly haircut and enjoyed playing sports on the moors with other kids my age.
This was also a time when my household didn't have a games console or the like.
Last night Sony's PlayStation Network decided it didn't want to work anymore. Along with the thousands - if not millions - of gamers across the world, I was suddenly lost. I didn't know what to do.
In the last couple of years I have given up on watching TV because it's just pants (with the exception of Horizon and strangely Masterchef if only to see that bald dude keep the spoon in his mouth for an obscene amount of time), I don't really play a lot of sport and I'm not a big drinker.
I quite happily see my girlfriend, but other than that I like to immerse myself in something other-worldly.
The way I see it I spend all day every day talking and communicating, so the last thing I want to do is talk some more. This is my release and my down time.
So last night, when that joy was taken away from me like someone blowing out a candle, I struggled to cope.
All of a sudden I began to suggest alternative things to get stuck in to - like reading a book or doing the hoovering.
Jeez, my existence is questionable.
So thankfully today that technical problem has been fixed.
The bug hit at midnight on Sunday as the clock in the "fat" model of the console tried to recognise 2010 as a leap year.
Fans saw the console’s date reset to January 1 2000 and were unable to connect to the online gaming system PlayStation Network.
Sony had urged owners of the model to stop using the machine as it could result in errors in some functions or the loss of data.
The problem did not affect the newer slim PS3 model.
Patrick Seybold, spokesman for Sony, said on the PlayStation blog: "We are aware that the internal clock functionality in the PS3 units other than the slim model recognised the year 2010 as a leap year.
"Having the internal clock date change from February 29 to March 1 – both GMT - we have verified that the symptoms are now resolved and that users are able to use their PS3 normally."
In the hope that the problem doesn't resurface, why not try these latest releases?
Title: Heavy Rain
Platform: PS3
Genre: Adventure
Price: £49.99
Hit count: 5/5
If Heavy Rain is likely to teach you two things about video games, they will be: 1) Games have come an incredibly long way from the days of Space Invaders and Pac Man; and 2) We’re entering a strange territory in this world, where the boundaries between video game and movie are truly being transcended.
Heavy Rain is an outstanding, adult adventure, which puts you in control of the four protagonists on the tail of a serial murderer called the Origami Killer. Why is it so amazing?
It makes you genuinely care, for one, and graphically the facial animations of the characters are so lifelike you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a film.
This is a stunning looking game, which serves to only ramp up the immersion further as you make your way through a story that will twist and turn according to your own decisions, and provide almost everyone who plays it with a unique experience they won’t forget for a long, long time.
Title: Sonic & SEGA All Stars Racing
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Racing
Price: £39.99
Hit count: 4/5
There’s no doubt that Mario Kart in its various guises on successive systems has been celebrating atop the cartoon racer podium for many years now.
Now, there’s a serious challenger on 360 and PS3 to rival Nintendo’s diddy racing dominance, as you enter the frantic battle to the chequered flag with Sonic and friends, speeding around tracks set in medieval castle ramparts, lush rainforests and bustling cities, all taken from the familiar universes of Sonic and SEGA.
All the tricks, twists and turns are there, in the shape of custom-built vehicles for different characters, secret shortcuts, swift handling and specific All Star moves – such as Super Sonic, Banana Blitz and Tails Tornado – that allows a quick way for you to get back into the race!
There’s no doubt this is a worthy adversary to Mario, and certainly the best kart racer you can buy on either of these systems, but in the grand scheme of things, the plumbers remain in pole position.
Title: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Platform: Wii
Genre: Survival Horror
Price: £34.99
Hit count: 4/5
The Silent Hill series has been around for more than a decade, so now is probably a good time to go back to its roots, and at the same time, ’re-imagine’ the world that we were first introduced to all those years ago with a car crash on the outskirts of a strange town.
The first thing to note here is the superb Wii gameplay mechanics that feel as natural as they are effective.
Point the remote around the screen and you have your flashlight, independent of your character movement with the nunchuk. You can also take mobile phone calls through the speaker of your Wiimote too – it may look stupid, but it feels so right. And you’ll need these devices, as there are no weapons to help you through this eerie, adult story, which serves only to heighten the feeling of helplessness.
That’s only to the credit of the writers, who provide a nightmarish succession of psychologically disturbing scenarios that will thrill and chill in equal measure. The series, it seems, is in safe hands.
Title: Way of the Samurai 3
Platform: PS3
Genre: Action/Adventure
Price: £39.99
Hit count: 4/5
A cracking prospect – take the role of a samurai and choose your own path, blazing a trail of honour, loyalty and respect or one of villainy, corruption and greed. In a series best known for its high level of freedom and play style, fans won’t be disappointed here, as the slick sword-fighting combat system combines superbly with the open world exploration akin to the Grand Theft Auto series.
Wrapped around all this is a storyline that will take you down many different paths, with 15 different endings, giving the decisions you make during the game even more significance. Yes, the graphics could do with a bit more polish here and there, and some of the menu navigation aspects are a little frustrating, but overall, this visit to Japan’s Sengoku period is one well worth making. An excellent adventure all round.
Title: Lips: Party Classics
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Music
Price: £24.99
Hit count: 4/5
Lips is the real deal for karaoke-style gaming on the 360, with wireless microphones allowing you to not only prove that you’re a Leona Lewis or Dizzee Rascal in the making, but also groove to the tunes without getting yourself all tangled up.
There’s no doubt you’ll get in a spin over the staggering collection of tracks on this Party Classics disc, as around 40 tunes span genres and generations to ensure there’s more than enough to cater for all music tastes.
From The Righteous Brothers to Right Said Fred, Nancy Sinatra to New Order, the whole family can get involved, as Xbox 360 controllers double up as a variety of percussion accompaniments, too, rather than you just sitting there watching the tune pass by.
It’s a nice touch that adds to the party experience and overall, this is a fab development of the Lips series.
GAMES CHART: ALL FORMATS FULL PRICE
1. Aliens Vs Predator
2. Just Dance
3. BioShock 2
4. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
5. FIFA 10
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
7. Wii Sports Resort
8. Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Winter Games
9. Wii Fit Plus
10. Army of Two: The 40th Day
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (c) ELSPA (UK) Ltd
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