Yesterday Xbox Live heaved a gurgling breath and shuddered back to life following some 24 hours of scheduled maintenance that gave me a similar feeling to when I'm in the midst of a power outage. So why were Microsoft playing Flatliners with Xbox Live?

It seems that the maintenance performed was all behind the scenes tweaks, but they coincided with xbox.com finally getting the New Xbox Experience treatment for My Xbox. Your friends list, messages and profile now have the NXE look to them and you can see all your friend's avatars as well as your own in a slick new layout. Now it's even easier to stare daggers at your shift-working friends who are playing the Xbox while you're supposed to be working.

This is great news for website blog owners who now have an easier time getting their Xbox avatars as their staff profiles simply using the PrtScn button!

Microsoft also released a mobile version of their website so now you can message your friends while you're laying cable.

So I had an idea the other day, I don’t have many so when I do have one I like to hold onto them very tightly, regardless of whether they’re good or bad. It was an idea for a game. I thought I’d maybe share it with you faithful TAGS readers and see what you think. This may become a regular column, but as I said, I don’t have many ideas.

I had my problems with MGS4 as did others. But it cannot be denied that the game was an example of poetry in motion. Visually the game was simply stunning and sits on a pinnacle that few can even come close to visually.

It surprised me to learn from the Konami podcast that the next game for consoles, MGS: Rising, will have an entirely new graphics engine built from the ground up to look better than MGS4.

I’ve long had a special connection with The Beatles. Courtesy of my baby booming parents I knew the words to plenty of Beatles songs before I even knew who or what The Beatles were.

Also my kitten blood drinking brother (we don’t get along, I like kittens) was born the same day John Lennon was shot which for me forever marks the 8 December 1980 as the darkest day in history.

Am I excited about Rockband: The Beatles? You bet your ass I am. Am I immediately furious at the leaked track list you can read after the jump? You can, again, gamble with your gluteus.

Given the fact there are no less than three outstanding open world new releases on sale right now, Red Faction: Guerrilla, inFamous and Prototype. You’re probably kicking yourself if you don’t have the cashola for even one.

Well in case you’re in the poor house Spare Change? has a suggestion that might just get you by. Early release for the Xbox 360 Crackdown.

Hosted by Mick and Jamie

Thats right not 1 but 2 episodes of  Thumbpad!

Reviews- Swing into action with Bionic Commando and UFC 2009 Undisputed. (Horrible pun yes I know)

Consoles of the past - The console that launched Sonic the hedgehog! Sega’s Mega Drive (Genesis)

Retro review- We take a look back at Sega’s take on final fight- The streets of rage trilogy.

Also a very special segment of Thumbwars!

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Dynasty Warriors: Strike Force delivers what many complain has been lacking from the key Koei franchise for the last five years, innovation. Unfortunately the innovative features of this latest instalment are hampered by the technical limitations of the PSP and an over reliance on multiplayer as a draw card. As with many of the off shoots from the primary Dynasty Warriors series it’s a strong indication of what features may be appearing in the as yet announced (but practically guaranteed) Dynasty Warriors 7.

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