Crispy's list of the twelve most uncomfortable pairings is video game history is pretty much spot-on, echoing my own sentiments at every turn. If you played through Professor Layton actively wondering about the professor's relationship with his young male companion, you've probably got the same sort of mindset. One that would make you question the relationship between Marcus and Dom in Gears of War.

Marcus and Dom have a special man-bond because they have endured things "down in the Hollow" — Roadie Runs, laying down suppressing fire for one another, enjoying tender moments during cut-scenes between levels — that no vacation at even the mighty Hedonism Resort with their bikini-clad lady friends could ever top. I picture Dom late in life, alone in his little trailer, holding Marcus' old bandana to his face, inhaling his scent, and remembering their down-in-the-Hollow times together. Those sure were some times...

Poor Dom. My favorite uncomfortable pairing, however, would have to be number two on the list.

The scariest videogame of the year doesn't have the words "Silent" or "Hill" in it. It's this game from the classy people at Activision. This is the first time in the series' history that the game actually features an Unlockable Ghost. That ghost is Kurt Cobain, who can be used — yes, that's the right word here — to create all sorts of uncomfortable pairings like these. Why not just go a step further, Activision, and include some autopsy pics as unlockables, too?

I'd have to agree here - playing as Cobain was hands-down the most uncomfortable experience I've had in a video game. What could be even more awkward? Hit up the link below to see the pairing Crispy Gamer thought was more awkward than zombie Cobain.

Uncomfortable Pairings [Crispy Gamer]

Anime Expo 2007 [i360 via Go Nintendo]

A few weeks ago, Stephen Munn over at Aeropause reported that Nintendo was replacing Twilight Princess discs (Wii version) that had been affected by the "Cannon Room Glitch." Stephen unfortunately got caught in this trap and dutifully returned his disc to Nintendo for replacement. Well, the new disc came back and Stephen says that once again all is well in Hyrule.

Starting the new Zelda disc the first time brings a message, "Initiating System Update." On confirmation, it does a very quick update (apparently from the disc), and then brings you back to the Wii Menu... Upon opening the game, Shad is in the room. Speaking to him makes him leave.

The problem with this bug was that the character of Shad was nowhere to be found in the room to talk to after saving and shutting off the console in the Big Cannon Room. If you talked to Midna and tried to warp out of the room, she would tell you you couldn't because "That guy is watching us." Searching for Shad in the room came up with nothing despite what some forums would have you believe about him being "invisible", thus making it impossible to leave the room.

So, if you were a victim of this unfortunate incident and were unsure about sending your disc back, you can rest assured that the new replacement will fix the issue. There is no word yet on whether this will also fix the Eldin Bridge glitch that was also present on some versions. Flynn De Marco

NOA replaces my Zelda disc, and then some. [Aeropause]