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Posted on Sep 22nd 2011 at 06:09:03 AM by ( raptor94k) Posted under Games |
Finally, my last boring, already played games blog post. This list contains the last 9 games that I'm going to count as played for the purposes of this blog. These 27 games are by no means a comprehensive list of games I've beaten. They are just games that I have recently completed or that I know I've completed in the past that I have no current intentions of going back and playing again soon.
Ninety-Nine Nights
August 15, 2006 -- Xbox 360
  Ninety-Nine Nights is the result of Q Entertainment deciding they wanted to try their hand at making Dynasty Warriors, calling up Phantagram (the company responsible for the Kingdom Under Fire series) to help design it and getting Microsoft to pay them to do it. And it resulted in a decent first effort. The controls are a little unresponsive at times, the cutscenes are boring with bad voice-acting, the story doesn't make any sense and the gameplay is repetitive (See: Dynasty Warriors). But, I'm a sucker for repetitive hack-and-slash action games, so I liked it and one day I will go back and finish the rest of the character's storylines.
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel
May 12, 2009 -- Xbox 360, PS3
Action RPGs also fall into the category of things that I am a sucker for, especially ones that try to be like Diablo II (2000). All the standard fare is here: character classes, skills, different weapon and armor types, lots of monters, random loot, etc. and it is all handled really well. I might be alone in this, but I even enjoyed playing it on a console instead of a computer. I also like Blind Guardian a lot and since the following cutscene is played after you complete a particular quest which involves helping the members of the band get their instruments back from some monsters, I feel like I don't need to say anything else about how much I like this game.
<![CDATA[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/5fakNlghOJY&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/5fakNlghOJY&rel=0</a>]]>Those sweet instruments? Yeah, I helped get them back.
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
February 23, 2009 -- Xbox 360, PS3
My only prior experience with Star Ocean was playing the first 30 minutes of Star Ocean: The Second Story (1999). I've heard many complaints over this game, and it does have its flaws, but it is currently my favorite JRPG of this generation. The pacing is awful (hours of dungeons with no breaks followed by 45 minute cutscenes) and half of the characters have some of the most annoying voice acting I've ever heard. But, the battle system is where this game shines. In the middle of my third playthrough I'm not tired of getting in fights, even with the high, but avoidable, encounter rate. Plus, if you enjoy time-consuming achievements that require one to be very meticulous (who doesn't?) then this game will take 300+ hours of your life.
T&C Surf Designs II: Thrilla's Surfari
March 1992 -- NES
The sequel to T&C Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage (1988), this is definitely an underrated game on the NES. That might just be the nostalgia talking. My brother and I played this game a lot when we were younger. I wasn't very good at it, but my brother could make it pretty far thanks to the easier-to-find-than-to-complete-the-level warps to later stages. I remember watching him and getting excited every time he made it a little further than the last time we had played.
Fast forward to my junior year of college, second semester, final exam week. I decided I was going to beat Thrilla's Surfari, which surprisingly did not help me pass any exams. So I beat it and got C's.
Two Worlds
August 24, 2007 -- Xbox 360
 One can't help but compare 1st or 3rd person fantasy RPGs with fully-explorable worlds and (sort of) non-linear story progression to the Elder Scrolls series. Unfortunately for Two Worlds, its contemporary comparison was Oblivion (2006). Two Worlds is decidedly not as good as Oblivion. A lot.
This is not to say that there isn't an enjoyable game to play underneath the forgettable storyline and the horse control flaws. It just isn't an exceptional game. I had fun playing through the storyline and getting most of the achievements.
Viking: Battle for Asgard
March 25, 2008 -- Xbox 360, PS3
 This was the second game I bought for my 360. It's a fun, Norse mythology themed, part hack-and-slash, part action/adventure game. Limbs flying, blood spurting, heads getting ripped off, epic battle scenes with hundreds of demons fighting vikings, dragons flying around burning people alive. Everything that's needed for a good time is there, as long as you can ignore the repetitive nature of the story missions and the mostly uninteresting game world.
Warriors Orochi 2
September 23, 2008 -- Xbox 360, PS2
 If you have played any Dynasty or Samurai Warriors game then you have played them all. There hasn't been much changed from the formula since Dynasty Warriors 2 (2000), and Warriors Orochi 2 is no different. As a fan of the games, I can say that I enjoyed being able to play as characters from both series, and I also enjoyed the dynamic of switching between 3 characters during a level, but I don't truly have enough experience with the series as a whole to comment further than that.
Way of the Samurai 3
October 13, 2009 -- Xbox 360, PS3
 Honestly, I bought Way of the Samurai 3 on a whim based on the time-consuming and difficult achievement list. I wasn't disappointed, but it is definitely an odd game unlike any I've played before. And it is pretty difficult to explain why to any that haven't played it. Also, I'm terrible at the fighting system. I do look forward to going back and unlocking a few more weapons/endings at some point in the future, though.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
May 1, 2009 -- Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, Wii
 X-Men Origins: Wolverine is one of the (very) rare movie cash-in games that is actually better than the movie. In fact, the game pretty much follows the storyline of the movie exactly, so just do that instead of watching the movie. Plus, you get to tear shit up with Wolverine's claws. Though I do hear that the "Uncaged Edition," which was only released for 360 and PS3, is way better than the other versions of the game.
EDIT: It seems I won't be going to Magfest. Instead, I'm going to Anime USA! 
I love anime conventions. They're fun, and going to one can be quite the adventure. That being said, I'm going to Anime USA this Autumn!
It takes place in November, and this will be the 3rd time I've attended a Convention. Hopefully, it's a lot better than the last one I went to. Not that the last one was bad, mind you. They just could've had more stuff to do is all.
Anyway, when I get there, I'll be chronicling my adventure here on my Blog, so look forward to that!
While I can't trace back when my love for handheld/portable gaming started, I can pinpoint the exact moment it took over the rest of my gaming existence. August 19, 2010. The day after I had triple hernia surgery. For those that haven't (and hopefully never will), the pain can best be described as having a wipe-bladed, jagged knife being twisted in your belly. Women who had experienced childbirth described the recovery from hernia surgery as worse. Much worse.
This immense and ceaseless pain drove me to an existence in a single chair in the living room of my house. Before this I hadn't spent much time sitting in this chair, though we've had it for years, as I had always preferring the couch which is seated by the window, though I only read there, and only in the spring. Luckily the chair is quite comfy, and with the addition of a blanket, paradise. Very slowly the pain lessened, and I was able to get up more easily, though I was still confined to the chair (full recovery would be three months). I needed something to pass the time, so naturally I turned to video games. Only problem: No television in the living room. Since my trash-pile of a laptop was more of less out of the question (though I managed to create my own website, which is very embarassing to view), I managed to find entertainment in my PSP and Gameboy SP. Somehow, amidst the haze of pain and drugs, I found more fun than my meager writing skills can describe. I was able to truly get into Pokemon Gold, Final Fantasy Legend III, Star Ocean: Second Story, Metroid Fusion, and many others. I fell in love all over again with Link to the Past and Daxter, I delved into the depths of Vice City Stories (leaving no stone unturned), and I was finally able to beat Link's Awakening. I also was still unable to figure out Legend of the River King.
Considering the amount of physical pain I experienced in the chair, it is no wonder that it took me so long to get back into it. But recently when I really opened my eyes to iOS games, I found myself sitting in the chair again. Sitting in it was like coming home. More than ever I was aware of how soft it was. There is a vent right next to it, and when the AC runs a nice comfy breeze wafts up and cools everything off. Just thinking about it makes me sleepy and itchy (to play games).
I think all of us has a man-cave (I do) or some other refuge for gaming where systems and games are piled high. But I think we could all use a Gaming Chair (though no one should have to go through hernia surgery to discover it).
The 90s: Nintendo and Sega are tearing each other's throats out in the biggest Console War in history, while NEC's TurboGrafx-16 fades into obscurity.
Today: NEC's TurboGrafx-16 is a collector's item for hardcore gamers.
Then again, isn't that the case with most older consoles? Heh. Anyway, here's the story of my (failed) attempt to get a TurboGrafx-16.
.....Okay, there's no real story behind this one, I'm afraid. The only story here is that I've never been able to get one, US or JP because they're expensive. Even though I came into some money recently, all of them on eBay are out of my price range/missing stuff/broken.
Anyway, the point of this post, is to ask this: Does ANYBODY have a working one with a Controller and all the hook-ups? If you do, PM me, post in my Sales Thread, or leave a comment here.
Sorry for this entry, but I HAD to ask.
Nightmare Guy Savage (as dubbed by someone on a Message Board) is a Mini-Game (or Demo) of a game on Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence for the PS2. Some think it's just a Mini-Game, while others think it's a Demo for an unreleased Konami Game. Whatever it is, it's fun.
The game is pretty gory. In it, you play the role of a man with two hook swords. Using them, you can dismember enemies in more than one way. After you've killed enough of them in rapid succession, the man will transform into a creature with Werewolf like movements, and gain claws in place of his hook swords. Using the claws, you can rip open enemies, and see they're rib cages. It's nasty fun!
I would personally love to know more about this game, and that's why I'm posting this. If anyone has any other information on this game at all, or if there's a game just like it out there, give me a shout in the comments or PM me.
Thank you.
 
That's right kids. Dance Dance Revolution was brought to the Game Boy Color. If that wasn't surprising enough, there are five installments. Five. Including a Disney Mix. They were only released in Japan, and exercise is not required.
Dance Dance Revolution is a rhythm game, in which players hit four buttons (with their feet) in correspondence with the rhythmically arranged arrows on screen. DDR was aimed at being a dancing simulator, but has since become an arcade legend, that one game you're weird friend has for PS2, and even an exercise tool. With the Game Boy Color version, players use a handheld dancepad that hooks onto the Game Boy. Using crazy alien mechanics, it presses down the Game Boy's buttons. It can also be played with just the D-Pad, but you'll need to use the A and B buttons to press two "arrows" at once.
The Game Boy Color is known for having a wonderful 8-bit sound chip, used by almost every chiptune artist. Dance Dance Revolution GB3 takes advantage of this, by making well known DDR songs into thumpy, melodic and pulsating MIDI scores. They actually don't sound terrible. Just think chiptune music, but with DDR!! There was not a single song that I found difficult to listen to whilst playing, except for Pink Dinosaur.
DDR GB3 has 20 songs, all of which are MIDI versions from standard DDR games, including Dream a Dream, Love Again Tonight, and Trip Machine Climax. There are three difficulties, allowing first time players to easily get the "rhythm" of the game. Harder modes give you more arrows and "eighth notes" to deal with, making it get even more fun.
Being a huge DDR fan myself, I had low expectations for DDR GB3. But this is loads of fun. I'm serious. It becomes surprisingly addicting, and fun to beat your own high scores, play higher difficulties, and show off to your friends that you have DDR on the f***ing Game Boy. A great arcade game to bring on the go and have simple mindless fun. I suggest it to fans of the series, and anyone interested in rhythm games. DDR GB3 seems to be the best installment of the Game Boy Color iterations, as it has the most songs, and appears to the most abundant on the market.
As far as affordability is concerned, I have no idea if this is rare. I only see about 3-4 copies of any DDR GB game on Ebay at a time, but they usually sell for $20, most of the time bundled with the Dance Pad attachment. I got mine for $16 with the box and dance pad. My guess is that the DDR GB series was popular in Japan, but Japanese sellers probably don't think any American would want it (except for me... ^_^)
That's right boys and girls Star Fox is back in all of his Arwing glory, but this time its all in 3D. Sounds cool right well it it is so strap yourself in your in for quite a ride!!!
Story - 7.5/10
For all you SF64 vets you know the story, but newcomers don't so I'll explain the gist of it. The Star Fox Team (Fox McCloud, Peppy Hare, Slippy Toad, and Falco Lombardi) is hired by General Pepper the head of the planet Corneria's army to help stop Andross from invading the Lylat System and take over Corneria. Thats only a small fraction of the story so if you want to know more just look online because I don't want to bore you guys.
Sound/Music - 9/10
The music is outstanding for this remake, the reason for that is the music is re-orchestrated for all the music each music track sounds beautiful I loved it so much I searched for a rip of the music which I found it, but anyway you can listen to the music in the sound test by beating the game. My favorite remade music is the main menu music just so you know. Nintendo also managed to get most of the original voice cast from the N64 days, the only one that changed was Falco (I think), but they do sound older of course. Hey at least it brings back the classic feel.
Controls - 8.5/10
The controls for this are surprisingly great, they are very responsive for the most part. You can change control types to type A or type B, I use type B because it's based off the N64 controls. I won't go into what each button does because iy'll take awhile, but I will say you use the circle pad to move around and you can also invert the axis if you would like to, which means instead of pressing down to go down you would press up. I use this because its like that in the N64 version. I recommend using type B inverted vertical axis. Also they added a function for the d-pad which is cool, certain directions do certain maneuvers, example if you want to do a somersault you would press the corresponding button it says in the options menu.
The gyrosensor controls aren't so because if you are playing in 3D you won't be able to see it effectively cause you'll be to busy moving the system, unless you want to move your body while playing, but i find that annoying, so bottom line if your going to use the motion controls play in 2D. Another bad thing is its hard to aim your lasers at enemies, but you can turn on or off the motion controls by pausing the game and point to off on the touch screen. Oh by the way the only thing thr touch screen is used for is to listen to incoming messages from ROB64 or whoever it may be.
Gameplay/Graphics - 8/10
Now the gameplay is great there are 15 levels total, but you don't play through all of them in one play through. The reason for that is some levels have different endings which change the path, but if you do all the levels the right way you'll get the good ending, anyway there are multiple types of vehicles you could wind up using as well. They are:The Arwing, The Landmaster, and The Blue Marine which are used in different levels of the game. Also there is a mode called "Nintendo 64 Mode" which is the original difficulty of the game because the 3DS mode is easier, so this mode is for all the SF64 vets I guess you could say. Another nice feature they added was it saves after every level.
Now for the bad news guys. NO ONLINE WI-FI MULTIPLAYER!!! Yes that's right no Wi-fi Online its a local only multiplayer which sucks because the added new stiff that wasn't in there like a Cloaking Device, Supernova, and when you kill some one the game displays the players actual face live via the front camera, which is cool but I don't know anyone local to play multiplayer and see it for myself i'm just going from what i've read. Now you can play multiplayer with CPU opponents, but I haven't done it cause it sounds really dumb and boring.
The graphics are freaking amazing in my opinion, everything has been redone/re-polished and looks very crisp. I forgot to mention in the gameplay section that you can see the status of your arwing by looking at the bottom screen, it also shows the characters when they speak. Anyway the 3D effect is really nice there's some nice pop-outs of enemies, ship engine blast off, etc, But it also adds nice depth to the game too. To make you guys understand how well the graphics are here are some comparison screenshots:
Now I'm just going to tell you when they are N64 and 3DS
N64
3DS
You can't really tell from them how great they are so you'll have to check it out in person.
Replay Value 7.5/10
It has replay value to an extent because you can get gold medals on each of the 15 levels and if you get all medals on all levels you get expert mode, there is a Score Attack mode, which is where you get as many hits as you can before the level ends. Other than that nothing really that special.
Well I hope this review helps people that are on the fence about buying it. Oh and don't forget to DO A BARREL ROLL!!!
"It's time you did something about those Monsters under your bed!"
That cheesy, but somewhat cool line is from the back of Slayer's Box.
Released sometime in 1994 for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, Slayer is a D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) RPG, and my favorite 3DO Game. Having already completed the Easy and Normal modes of the game, I found it very fun and well worth my time. Aside from the lame Ending, here's why you should play this game:
Gameplay: 8/10
This is an Action-RPG that is VERY similar to a DOS Game called Arena. The goal is to traverse Maze-Like Dungeons and get to the exit in each one. The Dungeons are all part of a bigger Dungeon, and each floor is randomly generated, making for a new experience each time. While traversing these floor, you have to fight Monsters and find Treasure. On most floors, you need to find a key to proceed to the next floor, but you may find keys for other doors as well. Unfortunately, when you swing your weapon, you can't see it, so you have to get in the Monster's face to actually tell if your hurting them or not, which can sometimes lead to a quick Game Over. This is a HARD game, even on easy mode.
Graphics: 7/10
The graphics are of a very early 3D kind. Rather than try and describe them, take a look at these screenshots:
Music: 10/10
I absolutely LOVE the Music in this game. It's very eerie sounding. Here's a piece from the game, and my personal favorite from it:
<![CDATA[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/2iSZ-iSDJVk&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/2iSZ-iSDJVk&rel=0</a>]]>
Overall: 9/10
This is a great game, and probably the best game for the ill-fated 3DO. I love almost everything about it, and I recommend that everyone who loves RPGs find some way to try this game.
Fun Fact:
-Gary Gygax is the creator of the Table-Top RPG Game that this Video Game is based off of.
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Posted on Sep 13th 2011 at 06:36:17 AM by ( raptor94k) Posted under Games |
This post is a continuation of the last post about games that I have previously finished prior to this endeavor. Currently, I've been bouncing around to a lot of games and seriously playing Odin's Sphere (PS2) and Chrono Trigger (DS). I hope to finish up one of those soon so I can truly start this thing, but for now I have 18 more games to go through before I can get to the present. Here's 10-18:
Final Fantasy
July 12, 1990 -- NES
 Finally, a non-current generation game. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the current gaming systems. I just feel like I've neglected some of the older systems, which is exactly what this blog is about.
Final Fantasy is a game that I wish I would've played when I was younger. I was introduced to the Final Fantasy series with the seventh installation, like many people. I was actually later than most; I got Final Fantasy VII for the PC in 1999. As can be seen by this very endeavor, I've always had a penchant for long quests, complicated systems and small rewards. Younger me would've loved the original. Not that Final Fantasy is an exceptionally complicated or long game. In fact, it hardly has any of the things that Final Fantasy has become. But, in comparison to the games that I played as a child, it fits into the category nicely.
I bought Final Fantasy for $20 in 2000 from a Babbage's, before it was gobbled up by Electronics Boutique and then GameStop. I wouldn't get around to playing it all the way through (though I started it many times) until freshman year of college, the winter of 2005. And though that may have been a long time ago, I distinctly remember beating Chaos and accomplishing what I had been trying to do for five years.
Grand Theft Auto IV
April 29, 2008 -- Xbox 360, PS3
 Grand Theft Auto IV was the reason I purchased my Xbox 360. It was a disappointment. But, it introduced me to the Xbox 360 and achievements. And now I have an addiction.
I was a big Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas fan. GTA IV just seemed like it updated the graphics of San Andreas and changed the ethnicity of the main character. It wasn't a terrible game, but it was a game I had already played the hell out of a few years prior.
Halo 3
September 25, 2007 -- Xbox 360
 Speaking of hyped up games that I never bought into (except I bought into both of them because I own a copy of each). I'm not a huge console FPS fan. I'm not a huge online multiplayer fan. And I'm definitely not a huge Halo fan. I never got it, even when I played the original on the Xbox. That said, I enjoyed playing through the single player of Halo 3.
Left 4 Dead
November 18, 2008 -- Xbox 360
 Occasionally a game will come along that makes one rethink their opinions about console FPSes and online multiplayer. For me, Left 4 Dead was that game. I had a blast shooting zombies in the face with three of my IRL friends. Eventually, the gameplay became repetitive, which I'm assuming was the reasoning behind releasing Left 4 Dead 2 so quickly. Unfortunately, it wasn't just the content but the concept that was repetitive. Still, it's a lot of fun after a few months of not playing it.
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
November 6, 2007 -- Xbox 360, PS3, Wii
 Why did I 1000 this game? It was a welcome diversion from the abundance of story-driven epics that the current generation of gaming is filled with. Which is a little odd to say about a game that is a LEGO-inspired retelling of all six Star Wars movies. But, it is simple action/adventure gameplay with mindless collection achievements.
Lost Odyssey
February 12, 2008 -- Xbox 360
 A good, current-gen RPG from Sakaguchi, the creator of the Final Fantasy series, complete with achievements that involve doing ridiculous tasks like maxing out your characters and collecting every item in the game. When I first heard that, I had high hopes for Mistwalker's second outing, Lost Odyssey. I borrowed the game from a friend and played all the way to the 2nd disc, lost interest and gave up.
Deciding to give the game another shot, I bought it on a whim a couple of years later. It still didn't quite live up to the high expectations I had, but it is probably the most elegant and well-made JRPG on the 360.
Lost Planet 2
May 11, 2010 -- Xbox 360, PS3
 Lost Planet 2 is another game I bought on a whim, specifically because it was ranked 2010's hardest/most time consuming achievement list on Xbox 360 Achievements. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a fun, eastern take on 3rd person shooters developed and published by Capcom. I will definitely be going back to this game at some point in the future.
I've yet to finish the achievement list, mostly due to giving up after I realized I probably won't be able to be ranked #1 in the world. This in turn makes it so you can't get a particular title (in-game, "mini" achievements of which the game has 300ish) which causes you to not be able to unlock three achievements. I did give it my best shot, ranking 12th in the world on one of the training courses.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
October 24, 2006 -- Xbox 360, Xbox, PS2, PS3, Wii
 Marvel Ultimate Alliance is a fun action/RPG hybrid. Some of the levels and boss fights drift more towards button-mashing and away from tactical combat, but who doesn't enjoy some mindless fighting occasionally? Plus, comic book characters are badass.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
September 15, 2009 -- Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2
 I got this game at the local GameStop midnight release. Being much more polished than the original, it was definitely a worthy sequel. I only played through it one time and am definitely looking forward to going back and playing through it with the pro-registration side.
Hyperkin, the company that brought us the FC and Retron retro console series will soon be releasing their next great product to consumers. Many youtubers posted their visits to the Hyperkin booth during E3 2011, and this what they were looking at.
It's the SupaBoy! As of yet, there is no definitive release date, however I was fortunate to pick up one of the rare prototype models from a local store that probably didn't know what his Hyperkin distributor left him.
Here is the company's spec page:
http://hyperkin.com/index...pocket-snes-console.html/
First off, I loved the Super Nintendo and its games, so the prospect of a dependable handheld version being released?
As you can see, the SupaBoy resembles a large SNES controller and it feels about as comfortable. To test the comfort during an extended play session, I popped in Sim City and went to work...for hours. For the size it is fairly light and easy to hold. Because the console is fairly thick, I did find attempting special attack moves during Fatal Fury 2 to be somewhat difficult. The clarity of the screen was commendable and I very much enjoyed being able to play SNES on the couch while watching football. Confirmed working games include Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, Tetris Attack, Chrono Trigger, Plok, The Chessmaster, and Kid Klown.
As you can see in the pic (and as mentioned on the Hyperkin page), two compatible SNES controllers can be plugged into the SupaBoy, and the unit can be connected to any TV via a provided A/V cable. I have not tested this yet. It can also play all Super Famicom games and Hyperkin even tested the SuperScope.
So now the cons. The big one that I experienced with this specific console is the fact that it only works on AC power. Hyperkin shipped it with a rechargeable battery utilized by earlier Nokia cell phones. Maybe it's the battery and maybe it's the console. I can't confirm, since I can't find a local replacement to test. Also, I find myself re-seating the cartridge and pushing the reset button a few times to get the title screen. Reminds me a lot of the SNES. These two issues will surely be addressed before the final release. The only real problem I see with the design of the console is their attempt at a locking mechanism for the cartridge. It really seems to only catch on the Nintendo lettering on the back of the cart, but I anticipate this getting broken quickly for those that are forgetful.
Overall, I am very impressed and in awe. If you're going to release a handheld console for games from a classic system, making it look anything like the original is outstanding. This is how a retro rewind should be, and I can't wait to purchase one of the final releases.
This past Summer, I noticed a few people on here taking a "Summer Gaming Challenge", where they had to complete certain games before Summer ended. Well, I've decided to try my hand at this, except with Autumn, which starts September 23rd. It ends on December 22nd, so I will be given approximately 3 Months to finish. Here are the games I'm going to try and beat (in no particular order):
1. Zhadnost (3DO)
2. Wing Commander III (3DO)
3. Slayer (Hard Mode) (3DO)
4. Killing Time (3DO)
5. Halo: Reach (It's on Normal Mode, and I suck at FPS's, so...yeah) (X360)
6. Bubsy 2 (Normal Mode) (Genesis)
7. Phantasy Star 2 (Genesis game on PS2 Compilation)
8. Shaq-Fu (Genesis)
9. Home Alone 2 (SNES)
10. SVC Chaos: SNK VS. Capcom (Arcade)
Well, that's all. This is gonna be interesting. 
After some very positive feedback I am going to continue writing out my life story.... or at least the parts that are G rated and have something to do with video games. For anyone who has not read part 1 here is an easy to find link: LINK
When I finished the first part I had finished by writing about the Intellivision which remains my favorite pre-NES system. During this part I..... well you'll have to keep reading to find out.
Every summer we would go to a Kamp Ground of America(KOA) and there they would have an amazing room filled with arcade machines. I would estimate that they had between 8 and 10 games but as the years passed they decreased the number until they probably only had 2 or 3. As I said we never had a lot of money but I would always be given two quarters a day so that I could play a couple of games. Like most kids my age I would watch the games run through their attract mode, this is something that I have passed along to my own son so this tradition can continue(actually in all honesty I still love watching it play through). I have a vivid memory of sitting on a stool and watching Excitebike play through.
Continue reading Memories from 30 years of gaming Part 2
Everyone I know knows that I am a Gamer. Whenever I make a new friend, I make it known that I am a gamer. Whenever I meet someone new, I make it known. Even people who see me once know it.
But when did I become a Gamer? Where did it all start? Time to go back in time!
1990, 2 Years Old: I was introduced to the game "Super Mario Bros." for the NES by my Grandmother. She put the controller in my hands and told me to play. Being only 2, I naturally couldn't get very far, but I still kept playing.
1991, 3 Years Old: My older Sister brought home a Sega Genesis one day with Altered Beast. According to my Mom, I was trying to repeat those famous opening words all day: "RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE!!".
1992, 4 Years Old: My Grandfather introduces me to the Gameboy, and my Grandmother introduces me to the SNES. I remember it like it was yesterday. I just would not be stopped from playing.
Anyway, as the years passed by, I was introduced to most, if not all, the mainstream consoles. For whatever reason, no one ever took the time to acquaint me with the other consoles, like TG-16, 3DO, or CD-i. I actually learned of those long after they're discontinuations.
The point is, I've been a Gamer for a LONG time, and I've loved every moment of it. I'll probably be a Gamer forever...scratch that, I WILL be a Gamer forever.
Thanks for reading!
Nintendo Magic is a book that has a distinct Japanese quality about it. The attitude taken is far from objective, and even downright gushing at times. It looks mostly at Nintendo as a company and business, and spends its time describing the key players of such.
The book consists of eight chapters plus a prologue and epilogue, making it a fairly short read at roughly 200 pages. It is well translated and was written at the height of the Wii and DS bubble, which casts an extremely favorable light on its leaders. It begins by describing the ascension of Wii after the poor showing of the Game Cube, and the process and ideas behind it and the DS. Later the book backtracks to capture some history on Nintendo, focusing mostly on Gunpei Yokoi, his design philosophy, and the Game & Watch. It also spends a chapter giving an overview of Nintendo history from the beginning. Then the book wraps up by coming back to recent happenings and spends a moment discussing the only competitor really mentioned in depth in the book, Apple.
What I enjoyed most about this book is that the author actually got to interview Satoru Iwata, Shigeru Miyamoto, and even Hiroshi Yamauchi. While not heavy with quotes, it does give an intersting look inside that I have yet to see in any other books on Nintendo of Japan. There are even excerpts used from Gunpei Yokoi's book, which is still unavailable in English but has a French translation.
Being a business profile, Nintendo Magic includes the numbers and stats, but also manages to put together a very interesting narrative. For any Nintendo fan, I can't recommend this book enough. For those that aren't, it is still an insightful profile of one of the biggest players in the industry.
Nintendo Magic: Winning the Videogame Wars by Osamu Inoue
ISBN 978-1-934287-22-4
Summer is drawing to a close, and school is back in session. My Summer Gaming Challenge didn't go exactly as planned, but I think it turned out just fine. As you can see below, I didn't quite finish my list of games. However, I did get sucked into playing and beating other games, which was a great way to get me out of my gaming slump.
1.) Pokemon Snap - Beat. I still think this is a great game, but maybe it's because I like hitting Meowth with various objects...
2.) Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn (GC/Wii) - Unfortunately, I didn't start this. Maybe during Winter Gaming Challenge.
3.) Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (DS) - Beat. I enjoyed the game for the most part. I could have done without the touch screen controls, but I would definitely play a sequel if it is ever released.
4.) The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GBC) - Beat. It has become one of my favorite games. I loved the numerous Mario references and mechanics, and the atmosphere of Koholint was excellent. I loved the little bits of story sprinkled throughout the game, and I thought the ending was a pretty good way to end the journey. I definitely look forward to playing this through again someday. Maybe I'll hook up the Game Boy Player and play it on a TV.
5.) Brutal Legend (PS3) - Beat. I really enjoyed this game. As a fan of classic rock and metal, the soundtrack kicked ass and has turned me on to several excellent songs I had never heard before. It has the best soundtrack in a game that I have played. The story was interesting enough to keep me playing, and the way the game looks like an album cover is awesome. I felt that the battles could have been a bit more precise, but otherwise, I would have no complaints playing a sequel.
6.) Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (PS2) - Beat. It took me 78 hours, but I beat it. This, like Link's Awakening, has become one of my favorites. However, if I was to describe the core gameplay mechanics to myself, I would probably never have picked this game up. I've never been a huge fan of dungeon crawlers, but this game managed to make me want to play through more dungeons. I really enjoyed how each dungeon was themed (especially Void Quest), and fusing Personas to make new ones only had me wanting to test them out in battle. The story is excellent and kept pulling me at me to play until the morning. Most characters felt like they were unique and each had their own place in the story. Creating Social Links with individual characters was always addicting because I enjoyed seeing the progression of those characters, and the fusing bonuses they gave.
I could go on and on about what I loved, but I feel that I should touch upon a few small complaints. While the voice acting was excellent, I wish there was a way to either skip cutscenes or quicksave during them. There were a few occasions where I was unable to reach a save point for close to an hour. I probably could have kept pressing "X" to advance the dialogue much quicker, but I wanted to listen to the characters. A quicksave would also be very much welcome in the dungeons, which if you don't have a ton of spare time may leave you with no choice but to turn off the game without saving. I can say I'm definitely glad that I played this game during the summer because of the sheer blocks of time it would take up. There are probably a few other things that didn't sit quite right with me, but the overall experience of the game has made me accept these minor grievances, or forget them entirely. This game has left me with a really desire to play through again once I have the time. I am also really looking forward to Persona 5.
7.) Virtual Boy Wario Land (VB) - I never got around to starting this. 
8.) Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES) - Same as above.
9.) Monster Tale (DS) - Beat. Overall, I found it enjoyable. The game is definitely a "metroid-vania", albeit with quite a lot of backtracking, most of which is done to make the game longer. However, the sprites are excellent, and in-game areas and beautiful and bright, and the game controls pretty well. The main draw is the "pet"-raising sim which takes place on the lower screen. Your pet is named Chomp, and he initially only has one form. After eating or playing with different things, he can gain new forms which have unique power-ups and stat increases. After a certain amount of levels in the form, its' unique power is then open for use on other forms. It is a pretty interesting mechanic, but once I found a nice set of moves that worked for me, I was never penalized for not trying out others. The game could have used some fine tuning, but I liked the game overall.
10.) Castlevania: Double Pack (GBA) - I got pretty far in Harmony of Dissonance, but then I got stuck and lost interest. Not sure why though, as I had enjoyed it up until that point.
Now, for the games I did play over the summer. These games were not on my list, but once I started my Challenge, I found the will to play games again. When I should have been playing the above games, I instead played the following:
1.) Streets of Rage 2 (PSN) - I played through the story mode, and it was pretty fun.
2.) Dead Space Ignition (PSN) - I finally got around to getting all the trophies. It was an interesting, ummm, game? I find the Dead Space universe to be interesting, so this bit of story appealed to me. I'm not too sure I would have paid for it, but I'm glad that it was free.
3.) Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (PS3) - I went for the Platinum, and it was a nice way of playing small chunks of most every game on the disc. The ports seem to be pretty accurate from my limited time spent with the Genesis, and the interviews were a nice touch, as were the arcade games on the bonus screen. Of all the games in the collection, Sonic Spinball was probably my favorite.
4.) Cars 2: The Video Game (PS3) - I liked the first movie, and had a Redbox rental code so I figured I'd give it a try. The game is as decent a game as I expected a children's game to be, but the later races did become pretty frustrating. I had a bit of trouble, so I can only imagine how much frustration a child would get from playing those courses.
5.) Transformers: Dark of the Moon (PS3) - I was very disappointed in this one. I was expecting something more along the lines of War for Cybertron (which I thought was great), and it instead became a quick, disappointing movie cash-in. In hindsight, I should have seen this coming. But, I hope they eventually do release a true sequel to War for Cybertron, as I had a blast with that one.
6.) Resident Evil 5 (PS3) - This was my second time playing through the game, this time on Normal. I enjoyed it more this time around, and I find the save system for New Game + to be excellent. I really love how all your cash, weapons, etc., carry through which ever course you pick, no matter what difficulty. More games should use this system!
7.) God of War (PS3) - This was the second time I played the game, however, the first time was on PS2. I still really enjoyed the game, but felt that it was pretty lazy for them not to redo the cutscenes. Everything else looks good, crisp, and as inviting as a God slaying, blood-drenched man can be. I can't wait to play through GoW II on the PS3.
So, I didn't finish my initial list. However, I did end up beating 10 + games over the summer, which made me happy regardless. I don't think I failed my challenge necessarily, because I still got to play some great games. I love this idea, and thanks for bringing over to RFG noise!
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