Super Mario, a name we all know and love...Has he ever disappointed us? Nope. However, even our friendly neighborhood Plumber has skeletons in his closet. Today, I'm here to tell you the story of the Mario Game that could have been. This is the story of...
[img width=497 height=375]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_60EdE-4xjwk/TADDkn-sYkI/AAAAAAAAHFA/sQ3fnkPENlk/s1600/front.jpg[/img]
Super Mario's Wacky Worlds was to be developed for the Philips CD-i by a company called NovaLogic. It was to be the sequel to Super Mario World. Developers Silas Warner and John Brooks were drafted as the game's designers, and worked 24 hours a day for two weeks on the game, finishing only a part of one level to present to Nintendo. Their meeting with the Nintendo developers came at 8:00 AM on a Friday morning, and they had their short part of the game on a disc four hours before this. Nintendo was very much impressed at the two men's job, but because of poor CD-i sales was forced to cancel the game. This ended the CD-i career of Warner, who had expected Nintendo's exact reaction, however other developers such as lead artist Nina Stanley stayed with the project.
So what became of this game? It was unfinished and ultimately never released. Well, officially, anyway. There is a Prototype ISO floating around the Web that can be played, but it is far from a complete game. Anyway, after this game was cancelled, we got this...
[img width=505 height=450]http://www.mariowiki.com/images/8/8f/Hmario.jpg[/img]
That's Hotel Mario, also for the CD-i. It's a Puzzle Game with some platforming elements. The general goal in each stage is to close all the doors on every floor. However, various enemies will interfere and reopen them at times. Elevators are needed to travel between floors. It can be quite difficult at times, even to the point where it would become un-fun to the casual gamer. Anyway, this game is generally not accepted by Mario Fans, or Nintendo for that matter, despite it being a decent game.
Well, that's all. Thanks for reading! 
[img width=256 height=224]http://www.mariowiki.com/images/a/a0/Smbtitle.gif[/img]
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!
Well, friends...this is it. I'm saying Goodbye. There's nothing left for me here at RFGeneration.
I've come to the harsh realization that no one reads this Blog of mine anymore, and that I have officially run out of ideas on what to write about. I've also noticed a lack of front-page updates and forum topics, which leads me to believe that no one visits this site anymore. (That, or I'm really oblivious.)
I've also come to the (extremely sad) realization that the Game Industry is dying, and once fine companies like Capcom and Square-Enix have been consumed by greed, wanting nothing but money, which hurts the quality of they're games. Let's face it. There's no such thing as a game made with Heart and Soul anymore. Even someone like me, who has grown up with Video Games, finds no joy in playing the crap released in this day and age. Dare I say it, even Nintendo has fallen. It's sad, but more than likely true.
I also believe that with the cancellation of Mega Man Legends 3, there is absolutely no hope for the gaming industry, or it's fans. Not to mention that I think the failing economy is going to cause a second Video Game Crash.
Well, that's it. Goodbye everyone. I leave you all with this:
[img width=300 height=300]http://www.megamancartoon.com/images/mega-man-cartoon.jpg[/img]
This is ReddMcKnight, your friendly neighborhood Nintendo man, signing off!
[img width=339 height=481]http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MikeRubino/TheWizardDVD.jpg[/img]
Today, I'm here to review the Movie known as The Wizard. Described by most as a "90-100 Minute Commercial for Nintendo", it's actually a lot more than that. It's a really good movie, but it's certainly not perfect. Here's why:
Story: The story is this, a Young Boy wants to go to California, but because of some emotional trauma, he can't get there alone. His mother puts him in a home, and his older brother breaks him out so they can get to California. They later find out from a girl that a Video Game Tournament, Video Armageddon, is being held in California. The older brother, Corey, finds out that his little brother, Jimmy, is good at Video Games, so to prove that he doesn't need to be placed in a home, he decides to enter him into the tournament and win the prize money. The girl, Haley, agrees to help them for half of the money, and they agree, which begins they're grand adventure to California.
Video Quality: Being an older movie, you wouldn't think that the quality of the movie would be that good, but it surprisingly is. The color is bright and clear, making this one pleasant on the eyes.
Sound Quality: The sound quality isn't as good as the video quality, but it's still good. It's just above average if you ask me. I don't have any samples from the movie, so you'll have to watch it if you want to hear it.
Fun Factor: This is definitely a fun movie to watch. While it does have some sadder, more emotional moments, it also has it's funny and heartwarming moments. It can also be cheesy at times, especially during the famous "Power Glove Scene". (Video at the bottom of this post).
Would I recommend it: Yes, I would, especially if you like Video Games. This is NOT a family movie though. There's lots of foul language, and a bunch of comic mischief.
Final Score: 8.0/10
2 Points taken off for:
1. Sound Quality
2. The sadder moments. I don't like sad movies. 
Well, that's it for this review. Thanks for reading.
Power Glove Scene:
NOTE: When I said I "had no samples", I meant of the DVD. I think this footage is taken from the VHS Tape.
Well, it's been a long, rather tedious quest, but I FINALLY have a working NES.
As you all may remember from my previous "Hunt For NES" Post, I bought one that didn't work, despite it supposedly having a *new* 72-Pin Connector. Anyway, I finally bought a new Connector, and now it works flawlessly. Well, ALMOST flawlessly. I still have to depress the games to make them work, which kind of worries me, but it definitely works for the time being, and that's just fine with me.
Well, excuse the short post, but I'm off to play Super Mario Bros. 3.
Did you know that in the 90s, a "Legend of Zelda" Game was released by Philips called Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon? After a botched deal between Nintendo and Philips to create a CD Add-On for the SNES, Philips got the (temporary) right to use some of Nintendo's Characters in they're games. As far as I know, 4 different games were created using the characters. One of them was Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon. It was a Side Scrolling Platformer much like Zelda II, but unlike Zelda II, the whole universe hates this game, and the other three games as well. Why? Like always, I have no idea. What I do know is that these games are fun to me, and I actually enjoy them. People say the Voice Acting is awful, the animation is awful, and the gameplay is awful, but I don't think so. As such, I did a whole LP (Let's Play) Series of Videos for The Wand of Gamelon. It was certainly tough, but I managed to play through the whole game. So, I now proudly present you with all the parts right here. Here we go!
Well, that's it. All 16 parts. I hope you enjoy watching it.
Let's face it: NES Games are TOUGH. Whether they provide a real challenge, or are just cheap, the majority of them are tough. Why? I'm not really sure. Sometimes I wish it was still that way. I feel that many games nowadays appeal to Casual Gamers only when it comes to difficulty. Don't get me wrong now. I know there are some tough ones today, like Demon's Souls for the PS3. Anyway, I'd like some assistance here. I want to compose a list of the toughest, most punishing NES Games out there, and that includes NTSC-J and PAL games. Here's some I personally know of:
Contra
The Adventures Of Bayou Billy
Little Nemo The Dream Master
Super Mario Bros. 2 (J)
Final Fantasy 2 (J)
The Legend of Zelda 2 (US)
That's only a few off the top of my head. If you can think of any more (and I'm sure you will), please shout them out in the comments. Thank you!
It's been a VERY long time since the NES was first released where I live (USA). That being said, if you find a Front Loader NES, odds are it won't work right, or at all for that matter. This is the story of my search for a working NES.
It all started last year, on Christmas. I had received an NES Game called Ultima: Quest of the Avatar. However, I had no way to play it, as I did not own an NES. Thus, my search began...
I first went to the Mall in town, as it had a retro store called Gamepad within. They had an NES, but when they plugged it in to test it, it did not work. Disappointed, I decided to buy Star Fox for the SNES. I got home, and it did not work, no matter what I did. I was pretty mad, so I went on Facebook, and posted a message going against them.
3 Days Later, I found out about another retro store in town, run by a man under the alias, Sage Mantis. I figured it couldn't hurt to try, so I went out there and bought an NES...It didn't work. The next day, I exchanged it for another...It also didn't work. Sage Mantis said that he was not aware of this, and gave me my money back.
I continued to search for an NES, and found several on eBay, but they were all quite expensive, especially the top loaders. Angry, I finally settled with buying a hardware clone. However, that hasn't stopped me in searching for an NES. Today, I continue my search in hopes that I will find a working one someday.
At one point, I had a chance to get one from a good friend of mine on a site called Racketboy, but certain events prevented it.
Someday, NES, I will find you. As the new Captain N, I will never give up my search.
Thanks for reading!
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