Showing posts with label Video Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Video Games. Show all posts

Saturday, May 23, 2020

That One Game...

That one game... what's the one video game I immediately think of when I think of one of the many game consoles I played over the decades. Not the best of my collection, not necessarily my favorite from each, but the one game I have most nostalgic and happy memories of playing the first or multiple times. Being born in the 80's my first system was the original Nintendo Entertainment System, so we'll start there and go to the generation right before the current systems currently out.

NES: Contra (Konami 1987)
One of the few NES games I beat as a kid, I've played and mastered the three Super Mario Bros. games hundreds of times, but Contra is the game I am truly skilled at and enjoy speed playing entirely from muscle memory. The music, the spread gun, co-op play with my brother, and the Konami code are all deeply ingrained in my psyche as early video gaming at it's best.

Sega Genesis: X-Men 2: Clone Wars (Headgames 1995)
I did not grow up with the Sega Genesis, we were a Nintendo household, I didn't play many Genesis games and didn't get an actual console 'til I was an adult from a friend. Out of the box of games it came with was X-Men 2, being a huge X-Men fan of course and not being good at the Sonic The Hedgehog games, it is the game I played and enjoyed the most on the Sega Genesis.

Super NES: Street Fighter II (Capcom 1992)
My love for Street Fighter II started with the original arcade machine, so I was so excited to finally have my favorite arcade game to play at on Nintendo's newest 16-bit console. The Super Nintendo has tons of the greatest home video games of all time and in my opinion is the greatest cartridge based system of them all. I love Super Mario World, and played that alot with the family, but when it came to solo playing or with my brother or friends it was Street Fighter II. Mastering the characters, the great music and sound effects, and challenge of arcade mode all made it my most addictive replay.

Nintendo 64: Star Wars: Shadows of The Empire (Lucasarts 1996) 
If you know me or read anything on this blog then you know I'm a die hard life long Star Wars fan, and before the prequels started even being rumored there was the Shadows of The Empire multimedia event that was hyped like a movie release that officially added a brand new story to the Star Wars universe with a novel, comics, video game, and toys. The one rendition experienced by the most people was the game for the recently released Nintendo 64, I did not have an N64 at the time, but I did rent the console from Blockbuster Video back in the day to play it several times, and since not getting the console until recently thus makes it my most well remembered and most played N64 game.

Playstation: Resident Evil: Director's Cut Dual Shock Version (Capcom 1998)
Yes, Resident Evil 2 is the better game in comparison, but before I got RE2, I played RE1 over and over again, and it hands down my absolute favorite PS1 game. I have the  mansion and all it's secrets permanently mapped out and etched in to my memory forever. Beating RE1 for the first time is one of my unforgettable favorite video gaming memories, and to this day is still a game I pop in and play to completion every few months.

Sega Saturn: X-Men: Children of The Atom (Capcom 1996)
Another system I didn't have until much recently, and I only have four games for it. Out of those four the one I have played the most and have the most affection for is X-Men: Children of The Atom, another game I already loved and played alot as an arcade machine. As a Capcom fanboy and all around lover of fighting games combined with being an X-Men fan and comic collector make it a prized addition to my collection.

Sega Dreamcast: Soulcalibur (Project Soul 1999)
The Dreamcast was the first Sega system I acquired,and had hooked along side my other consoles, and as a fighting game player and lover of the franchise's previous entry Soul Blade on the PS1 I had to get Soulcalibur. A truly gorgeous arcade port, and with it's evolution in graphics and fighting mechanics truly surpasses Soul Blade, and made me a forever Soulcalibur fan that'll be there for every release. 

Playstation 2: Resident Evil: Code Veronica X (Capcom 2001)
Ah, The Playstaion 2, my biggest collection of disc based games, and the one game that made me want to get the PS2 and could not wait to play was the fourth entry in the Resident Evil franchise. I did not get a Sega Dreamcast, so I couldn't play the original release of Code Veronica, but when I read in a magazine that the PS2 would have an enhanced version it increased my desire to acquire the system as soon as possible tenfold. So it became my very first PS2 game and most replayed.

Xbox: Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic (Bioware 2003)
The Xbox was not "my system" in more then one way, I didn't immediately jump onboard Microsoft's first foray into the console world, but my younger brother really wanted it to play the popular Halo: Combat Evolved, so I got it for him for Christmas that year. I eventually started finding games that were Xbox exclusives, but the one above them all that is my most played and the game that made me a devoted Bioware fan was KOTOR. I must have like 20 save files for it, I would replay each time going back and forth between Jedi and Sith. The third person action RPG with customizable character and decision based moral that effects the endgame was completely entrancing and it being Star Wars made it all the more irresistible pleasure.

Nintendo Gamecube: Resident Evil Remake (Capcom 2002)
The game that made want to buy a Gamecube Day 1. When I read Capcom had made a deal that all future Resident Evil games were going to be Gamcube exclusives, I was then destined to get one so I could play my beloved survival horror series. To remake and retell the original Resident Evil in the same location with same characters but in new high definition graphics truly shows off the difference and progression in six year of video game development. I was blown away by it's dedication to being a completely new, but some what familiar frightening gaming experience. I damn near ran out of the room when a Hunter jumped from upstairs to downstairs right as there was a lightning flash. 

Playstation 3: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Lucasarts 2008)
I like to consider myself a Playstation fanboy, but it seems when it comes to the 7th generation systems it seems I leaned more towards and got more Xbox 360 games. So when I was having trouble considering a PS3 game I looked at my collection of games and noticed most of them were games I enjoyed playing and beating but didn't have enthralling replayability. Out of the few I did replay multiple times, I have to say The Force Unleashed is probably my favorite PS3 game. Easy checklist to check off, it's Star Wars, it's a great prequel story to the Original Trilogy, and it was just plain damn fun to play. Hack and slash Stormtroopers, awesome over the top Force powers, and like KOTOR, light or dark side choices to end good or evil.

Xbox 360: Mass Effect 2 (Bioware 2010)
I followed Bioware from KOTOR to KOTOR II and Jade Empire, and even got the 360 to play the original Mass Effect, but it's sequel is the one that takes the cake of personal greatest 360 game. All the open world, custom character, RPG stats, and moral choices I loved from ME1 but now with more impressive graphics, superiorly improved battle mechanics, cinematic blockbuster storytelling, emotional character relations, long engaging gameplay with must play DLC missions all add up to one of my most revisited video games. If I had to have only one Xbox 360 game in my house it would forever be Mass Effect 2.

Nintendo Wii: Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Capcom 2007)
Truthfully, I've never considered the Wii as a serious video game console, to me it's more of a mass entertainment device for the family or group of friends, and it's library of games reflects that. So the one game I enjoy the most for solo gameplay is RE: The Umbrella Chronicles. Reliving scenarios from previous titles but as a first person rail shooter is the obvious selling point, and personally gives me those old arcade shooter day feels. Replayability come from using different weapons, going different routes, and of course always trying to get that better end score. I would be remiss if I did not say yes it is even more fun when playing with a second player in co-op mode, but I do like the challenge of solo gameplay.

Sunday, March 1, 2020

C2E2 2020


I attended my first Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo yesterday. Didn't do too much comic bin digging or toy hunting as I would of liked, but did find some goodies towards the end though. I spent most of my time at the convention waiting in lines for autographs and photo opportunities, so next time definitely getting a multi-day pass.


As a huge fan of Arrow and the other CW DC Universe TV shows, my most anticipated meet-up was with the Green Arrow actor himself Stephen Amell.




















In 1993 I was 9 years old so Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers was just as a huge part my childhood as much as any the late 80's stuff that came before. So I am on a quest to obtain autographs and photos with all the original three season cast. Walter Jones and David Yost are my 3rd and 4th off the list.







I don't remember the exact number of times I have meet Jim Lee, I want to say this is at less the 4th of 5th time I've got comics signed by him in the last few years. Forever my absolutely favorite comic book artist of all time.




For toy finds I got a Toybiz Blink ($5) to go with myother Age of Apocalypse X-Men 5in. figures from the 90's. Picked up Marvel Legends Bishop ($18) and Magneto ($25) loose, didn't care about Bishop's missing build a figure piece, was never gonna get the whole wave he was in and in Magneto's case saved me from spending $60 to get exclusive boxset. Now the Super 7 Masters of The Universe figures was an awesome find. He-Man's Japanese retro designed box ($20) immediately caught my eye, then had to get Skeletor ($15) to eternally battle his old nemesis.










As to comics, picked up Superman: Red Son I've been needing to read for years, and found the last three issues of Superman: Unchained I needed. Was hoping to run in to some retro video game booth, sadly only saw two, but did manage to acquire Ikari Warriors ($7) for the NES and Street Fighter Anniversary Collection ($8) for the PS2 for respectably low prices at one.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Batman: Arkham Knight Trailer

Bat-Damn it! Now I got another reason to want to get a PS4. After letting another developer create a prequel Rocksteady Studios returns for the epic finale to the Batman: Arkham video game series. Enemies unite in an all-out war for Gotham City prompting Batman to pull out an all new Tumbler-like Batmobile, and a fancy new Bat-suit.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Resident Evil: Damnation Trailer

The next Resident Evil CGI animated movie comes out on DVD & Blu-Ray September 25th. I love the previous movie Degeneration, and I'm totally stoked that Capcom and Sony are made another one, and hope more in the future. The greatest thing I love about these movies is that are officially canon, taking place in the same universe as the video games, with Damnation looking to take place before RE6, and maybe even setting up a couple things for 6.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Mass Effect: Paragon Lost Movie Trailer

Revealed to have the release date of Dec. 28th this year, and that Freddie Prinze Jr. is indeed reprising he's role as James Vega, joining a great cast of veteran voice actors. Set during the time after Commander Shepard was thought lost and The Collectors starting to attack human colonies, we get to see what Vega did before joining Shepard's team on The Normandy in Mass Effect 3. This looks great, finally seeing the Mass Effect universe in a different medium, and hopefully the first in a beginning of more expansion in to other media, I'd love more anime movies or perhaps a sweet all CGI movie, here's hoping.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC Trailer



Yay! More Mass Effect to play. Thank you Bioware, thank you so much. I still haven't fully forgiven you for the crappy ending extended or not, but this is a start, and hopefully not the last DLC mission. Wonder if this mission adds anything to the ending? Can not wait.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Injustice: Gods Among Us Announcement Trailer



Source:  Gamefreaks.co.nz
Brawler “Injustice: Gods Among Us” Revealed
Jun 01, 2012 No Comments by

Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment today announced Injustice: Gods Among Us, an all-new game in development by award-winning NetherRealm Studios.

Injustice: Gods Among Us debuts as a bold new fighting game franchise that introduces a deep, original story featuring a large cast of favorite DC Comics icons such as Batman, Harley Quinn, Solomon Grundy, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman and many others. Set in a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred, players will experience heroes and villains engaging in epic battles on a massive scale
“With Injustice: Gods Among Us, we are creating an all-new franchise with incredible battles set in the DC Comics Universe,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “NetherRealm Studios is the extremely talented team behind the latest Mortal Kombat hit and it is developing a game unlike any other in the fighting genre.”

“We can’t wait to reveal Injustice: Gods Among Us because it will give our fans and gamers an epic experience as they battle like gods as their favorite DC Comics villains and heroes,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios. “Our team is excited to make a fighting game that is filled with fast-paced action, incredible story-telling and iconic DC Comics characters.”

Injustice: Gods Among Us is scheduled for release in 2013 for the the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii U.
Wow, this certainly came out of nowhere, never even heard a rumor at all, I'm impressed. Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe with the Mortal Kombat characters, something I hoped for but never thought I'd see it. I'm sold, can't wait to see what characters are gonna be in it, and it looks like we'll being getting all are favorite voice actors as well.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

New Star Trek Game Teaser



Ooo, looking good, almost getting a Mass Effect vibe from that footage.  I can't wait to hear the banter between Kirk and Spock during the game, I really hope they can get Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto to do the voices. It looks like the game will come out in the first quarter of 2013, so we can play it before the release of the next movie in May that year. 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Resident Evil 6 Captivate Trailer

C-Virus!? Son of Wesker!? Sherry Berkin!? Chris Vs. Leon!? My brain has exploded and is now dripping down the inner walls of my skull. I love you Capcom.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

New Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Trailer

Oh yeah, and we have the official release date of August 28th, sweet. Game is definitely looking to be an epic telling of the last days of Cybertron and hopefully leads into and sets up a third game. Wonder if we'll get a new song from Stan Bush on this one too.

Mass Effect: Paragon Lost Teaser

Not much of a teaser, mostly character sketches we've already seen online just to official Mass Effect music, and the title revealed. I hope this movies does really, cause I would like to see another one along the lines of The Animatrix, Batman: Gotham Knights, and Halo Legends, different tales each with a different art style by different production companies, each tale would be a different version of Shepherd. Can't wait to hear when this is going out on Blu-Ray, Anime + Mass Effect = Liquified Brain.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Best of 2011

I know it 2 months in to 2012, but it only now hit me to sit down and make a quick list of my favorite things that came out of 2011.

Best Movie of 2011: X-Men: First Class 
If you read my review for the movie then you know I hold First Class as a damn near perfect example of a comic book team/friends/family brought to life realistically but still holds the core fundamentals and characteristics that you love and value.









Best TV Series: 
Stargate Universe & Terra Nova
SGU's first season was kinda rough, it was leaning towards being a Battlestar Galactica clone, and the emotional/indie/alternative song at the end of episode really annoyed me, but season 2 really found it's feet, we got better character development and the action was upped, it started to be it's own original show, then it got cancelled, damn you SyFy. I got say Terra Nova also was the best TV series, I mean come on: Time Travel, Dinosaurs, and Stephen Lang, it really turned out to be a great family drama in a sci-fi setting kinda like a modern Lost In Space, I really do hope Fox renews it for a second season.
Best Video Game: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
I know I haven't written a review for this game, but trust me I've tried, but I find it extremely difficult to summarize what I like about this game, which is everything. I LOVE this game, I haven't fallen for a game this hard since the first Mass Effect. If you haven't played this game yet, disregard anything bad you've heard and go buy or rent it right now, it is awesome, it has a little bit of everything for everybody from FPS, to stealth, to role playing with a deep engaging story, and spectacular graphics.

 Best Anime: 
Gundam Episode 3 &4  & Gundam AGE
Didn't watch much new anime in 2011, but as a huge Gundam fan you know I watched the new Gundam Unicorn OVAs and started watching Gundam AGE the latest TV series. Episodes 3 and 4 of Unicorn were freaking mind numbly beautiful and action packed as the previous two. Gundam AGE is unique in being a new ongoing series in being more aimed toward a younger audience with more colorful character designs, and not being as violent or psychologically damaging to characters but still conveys the same message about the atrocities of War, reasons to fight, and relationships made during as all the others. The Second Generation of the story is upping the action and testing the lines between friendship and enemy, it almost feels like a completely new Gundam show, nice going Bandai, keep it up.

Best Album: Rise Against-Endgame
I really like Rise Against and a lot of their songs, but I can say I don't like every single song off their previous five albums, but with Engame I love all twelve songs on it, I always listen to the album straight through. I mean I can't pick just one favorite song off the album, I think all twelve are equally perfect, and they are now my top 12 favorite songs from Rise Against. 

Best Action Figure: Marvel Universe Cable
Yep, my favorite cyborg mutant and the one figure the started me collecting the 3 3/4 inch scale Marvel Universe is my favorite action figures of 2011. Articulation, sculpt, accessories, paint, all make Cable THE Marvel Universe figure in which all others are compared to.

It's only two months in to 2012, and I know I already have two movies fighting for #1, and the best video game already picked. Now let's what else 2012 brings me...

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Mass Effect 2 Commander Shepard Review


With the huge success of the Mass Effect 2 video game and the cementing of Mass Effect as a money making franchise here to stay, DC Direct created a line of highly detailed action figures to be released almost a year and a half after the release of the game. At first I wasn't that excited to get an action figure of Commander Shepard with a head that wasn't my customized face and hair, but after seeing photos of Shepard out of package in reviews, I was amazed with the level of detail and paint application on he's N7 armor, then I knew I had to have him. For over a decade DC Direct has done incredible work bringing three dimensional life to DC Comic's plethora of Super-Heroes, but with this line they show that their sculptors can recreate a computer generated character model in plastic like they just walked out of the game.



















The sculpt in hand close up is a real sight to behold, tons of different textures with sculpted in details painted in, along with sweet mixes of black and gray variations, even the default male head sculpt is perfectly brought to physicality. Shepard comes with he's battle helmet, and he's trusty M-8 Avenger assault rifle, which I have to say is as accurately sculpted as he's armor, though I would of liked at least one more weapon been included, but it seems DC Direct's plan to have each character each come with a different weapon is a selling point to get the other figures. DC Direct isn't exactly known for their articulation in figures, so I was surprised to find out Shepard has got complete swivel just above he's elbow and knee joints, rotating wrist and balljointed ankles, only problem is you can just barely make him look like he's holding he's rifle, and can't even get he's arms high enough to look like he's firing it thanks to he super solid shoulder pads.



















If your a fan of the Mass Effect universe and a toy collector then DC Direct ME2 Commander Shepard is an awesome piece of fandom to have. Series 2 of this line was thought to have been canceled but has recently confirmed to be coming out soon, which I am glad cause I'm definitely thinking of getting Garrus and Legion to accompany Shepard on my shelf. I can only hope they'll make more characters from the first game later, I would love to have Saren to stand off against.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Soul Calibur V Collector's Edition Unpacking


I love same-day-as-release delivery, I've been playing this since Tuesday. A full review is coming after I do almost everything in the game, I want to be very thorough. The Collector's edition is very nice, pull it out of the sleeve and you got this nice almost faux-leather book, you open it up and you have the "Making Of DVD" on the inside of the cover, and then in the compartment you have the game case staring at ya, then you pull that to get to the beautiful artbook full of character details, full color art, and sketch work you won't see anywhere else. In the back of the artbook is stashed the official soundtrack CD, and as an additional bonus a redeem code is included to download Dark Knight and White Knight armor pieces to use in character creation.


I highly recommended this as a collector's items for hardcore Soul Calibur fans, I just love how freaking cool the book design is, looks great next to my Soul Calibur IV steel case.