The first couple of Wing Commander games (and expansions) are still among my absolute favorite gaming experiences of all time (hence the BlueHair thing), so I have been eagerly looking forward to Wing Commander Arena for XBLA since it was announced. Now if I paid more attention to console doings like that I'd have known the deal already, but I was shocked (shocked I say!) to learn this is a third-person space combat game, even though all the prior Wing Commander games were first-person, in spite of the series launching a full 17 years ago. Not only is it third-person, but it's basically 2D, offering simple loop-de-loops as a variation from combat that takes place on a horizontal plane that even includes obstacles that cannot be flown over or under, making it far more of a multiplayer Zaxxon with Wing Commander spacecraft. Now that having all been said, I have to say that my initial impression is the game is quite fun, and I look forward to playing around with it some more. However, it does nothing to satisfy my passion for a true multiplayer Wing Commander experience, with first-person combat in 3D space, and it saddens me that this game, which could have been released under any title, diminishes the prospects of a true WC1/WC2-style game.

Links!	Thanks Ant.
Links of the Morning:	Wild (depressing?) World Clock. Thanks Sharon. Dudeism.com - The Church of the Latter-Day Dude. Thanks Mike Martinez.
Stories:	Cat plays furry grim reaper at nursing home. I bet he can be beaten at chess. Dancing Elmo Smackdown (registration required). Thanks Neutronbeam.
Science!:	India Confirms Bird Flu Outbreak. FDA says no new labeling for nanotech products. Thanks Mike Martinez. Researcher develops allergy-free peanuts. Thanks Mike Martinez.
Image:	The sun is losing its spots.
Media:	Guy Attempts to Visit Every Starbucks in Manhattan. Next challenge: Pronouncing Manhattan. Kenyans cash in on Simpsons. Vegetable Musical Instruments.