I'm not a big fan of the new look for the links. I like it when the top five games on the right of the main screen just has the console names as the icons, the mini-pictures just make it a visual mess.

Putting the OP's avatar infront of threads on the main page creates a very disorienting and messy vissage as well, it won't help new visitors navigate terribly well and I don't think most people are that terribly benefited by seeing the avatar as oppossed to reading the OP's name.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, that's my take on it though. Anyone else's thoughts? 

It's good, just too small and squished.

Also adds push my recent forum posts on the left all the way down so I have to scroll to find them, kinda annoying.

 I agree, the front page really hurts my eyes.  It's way too busy, and there's really no benefit to having the op's avatar there.

Eh It seems a bit funky to me but i'll get used to it

I don't really like the avatar images at the front of thread names (but can live with it). The thread name should be the most important thing, not who created it - or what they designate their avatar/icon to be.

I'm with Girl Gamer Elite on this one.. just make it how it was.

 maybe we could even get rid of the google link colors, but i dont really mind those much anymore 

I don't know and have no opinion. Either way works with me.

from a design perspective, it's pretty terrible. There's just too much going on. Things are squished tiny, pictures everywhere. Remember what made google what they are today. Lightning fast results and a no-nonsense homepage