R.O.I.D, a new gaming console from Level 5 Inc, which also transforms into a robot was on display at the Tokyo Game Show 2008.

Well, actually despite it`s looks, R.O.I.D isn`t exactly a gaming console and certainly doesn`t transform - a little prank from Level-5 which did create some excitement amongst the crowd.

Basically, it`s a web portal which Level 5 will use to sell games for the PC and hand-head platforms such as the Nintendo DS and PSP.

In my eyes it just seems like another STEAM. Personally, I have always been a fan of going to a store in person and handing over the cash for a game but unfortunately it seems like those days may well soon be over.

Never heard of Level 5? Me neither until the Tokyo Game Show.

Think back to your last 700ml bottle of spirits. How much did you pay? Probably quite a bit I should think. In Australia a bottle of Jim Beam fetches for around $30 and Wild Turkey about $40 - a fair chunk of the price coming from government tax.

The price in Japan for a bottle of Jim Beam and Wild Turkey is 1,300 yen and 1,600 yen respectively. This equates to around $13.00 and $16.00! (One Aussie dollar is roughly 100 yen).  If Vodka is more your taste then a bottle of Smirnoff will set you back 900 yen ($9.00).

The reason you can buy cheap alcohol in Japan is because consumption tax is set at a rate of 5 percent for everything, unlike other countries where governments tag as much tax to alcohol as possible. The same 5 percent consumption tax naturally applies to cigarettes also. A pack of 20 costs 300 yen.

Now, how about going out to drink at a bar you ask? Things start to get a little more expensive here, rivaling prices you are probably more familiar with. On average you will pay around 500 - 600 yen per drink varying from place to place.

However many places such as izakaya`s and yakiniku shops have a nomihoudai (all you can drink) deal, giving you access to many but not all drinks on the menu for 90 minutes (Beer is always included)! The price varies from place to place but for around 1,000 to 1,300 yen you definitely won’t be disappointed. That’s right! 90 minutes all you can drink for a measly 1,300 yen, meaning you can party hard without busting your wallet.

I seriously doubt you will find a better deal than this, anywhere.

kanpaiii…!

(cheers)