Half-Life 2, LAN Parties, DOD Source, Final Fantasy 11, I've spent a fair amount time with each of these games and I've had a lot of fun on each of them. But my most memorable experience was none of them. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 for NES takes the cake since it is a cooperative game which are by far the most fun. I was about 11 years old and I was at my friends house for the weekend. When we started we didn't have in mind to beat the game exactly but we sure did turn into a great gaming duo.
We battled the Foot Soldiers with brute force, Mousers stood no chance against us, the bosses were a bit of a challenge but we had them beat pretty easily. Krang proved difficult too since it had two mode, body mode and floaty mode. Still yet we powered through, in a mode of concentration like no other. We made it all the way to Shredder, the final boss. Shell shocked and hungering for more pizza we battled every hologram, and beat Shredder to within an inch of his life but we both died and the game was over.
Even today I struggle with losing in games. I get angry, curse, hit the desk, and just act ridiculous. Mom used to always say "It's just a game." Yeah? Well tell that to all the soccer fans of the world. I am passionate about video games. While I am playing a video game, in that moment, it feels like the ultimate accomplishment, or failure of my life depending on how I do. I vividly remember shouting a curse word while playing the NES, which was usual when Mom wasn't home, but Mom was home this time. I got the worst hot sinking feeling I think I have ever had that day. The punishment wasn't grand, but that feeling alone was enough.
The peculiar thing was that -- instead of trashing the place out of so much blinding anger we had this incredible rush of energy. It was like we had reached the peak of our lives. So since we were still brimming with energy, we walked -- no we floated through his cow field for over an hour blurting out our excitement to one another, talking of the intricacies of how we played and how we in many ways had triumphed, and yet ultimately failed. As we dodged cow patties we were truly elated. We wished of course that we had beat the game, which I had done a few times playing the game alone, but never in cooperative mode. We really enjoyed the experience.
I suppose that looking back on this experience, even though I'm not a huge fan of sports, I do understand why sports are so important to so many people. The passion for gaming and camaraderie I felt that day was almost an out of body experience. Which seems kind of dangerous when I think about it now. I think it would have been if that happiness had been replaced with the rage that I would normally have had. The absence of which baffles me to this day.
Showing posts with label gaming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gaming. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, October 6, 2008
Game Cube Wave Bird.
As I have stated before the Wii has its faults. I'm not here to trash it this time though, I'm here to address that Nintendo really needs to consider putting out another run of Game Cube Wave Bird controllers. True, there is still a third party wireless controller on the market but from my experience one should never buy a third party controller. Few people would use the Wiimote and nunchuk for certain games if they had a GCWB. One significant example is Super Smash Bros Brawl. The Wave Bird just works best for SSBB. The GCWB is wireless which is how controllers for the Wii should be and I just refuse to buy the "Classic Controller" they made for the wii.
This controller plugs into the wiimote and is powered by it. The way they made the cord come out of the bottom of this controller suggests to me that they want players to sit on the wiimote for a more enjoyable playing experience.
The idea of having to plug the classic controller into the wiimote just seems so inefficient to me. Perhaps since it does plug into the wiimote there would be a plus to hearing the sounds that are made to play through the wiimote's speaker, but this is a minor feature that wouldn't be missed. Why doesn't Nintendo just make a new version of the Wave Bird and make it so that the receiver fits flush on top of the Wii, and instead of gray it's white and shiny, heck even put rumble and a speaker in it too! This post may not have came to fruition if the GCWB is easy to find in used games stores but they're a rarity now.
The reason for this is because people are still using them! I went to a LAN party not too long ago and a lot of people were playing Smash Bros Melee on their Wii consoles (before Brawl came out) and everyone was using GCWBs!
Think about it Nintendo.
This controller plugs into the wiimote and is powered by it. The way they made the cord come out of the bottom of this controller suggests to me that they want players to sit on the wiimote for a more enjoyable playing experience.
The idea of having to plug the classic controller into the wiimote just seems so inefficient to me. Perhaps since it does plug into the wiimote there would be a plus to hearing the sounds that are made to play through the wiimote's speaker, but this is a minor feature that wouldn't be missed. Why doesn't Nintendo just make a new version of the Wave Bird and make it so that the receiver fits flush on top of the Wii, and instead of gray it's white and shiny, heck even put rumble and a speaker in it too! This post may not have came to fruition if the GCWB is easy to find in used games stores but they're a rarity now.
The reason for this is because people are still using them! I went to a LAN party not too long ago and a lot of people were playing Smash Bros Melee on their Wii consoles (before Brawl came out) and everyone was using GCWBs!
Think about it Nintendo.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Patapon Pace.
I recently got a PSP. I used it during GDC to show people my demo reel. I only used it three times, but one of the companies I showed it to was Valve, and that was a great experience. But, since I bought it, of course I had to go out and buy a ridiculous amount of games. One of the ones I bought recently was Patapon.
Just to inform those of you who haven't played it, there are a few things you should know. Patapon is a rhythm game, but nothing like DDR or Guitar Hero which have the scrolling indicators that let you know when to hit a button once the indicator reaches a designated point on the screen. In Patapon, you are essentially the god of a tribe. This tribe will react to the music depending on the combination of beats you use. There are three main types of commands, Guard, Attack and Advance.
The driving force that helps you keep the rhythm is the constant 1-2-3-4 of the tambourine. If you do well and hit exactly on beat with the tambourine you can tell by the sound of the drumbeat, if you're a little off, so is the sound of the drum. But if you do well enough you can send your tribesmen into a fever where they start jumping up and down and flinging enough arrows and spears to fill the sky. While playing you help the tribesmen hunt for food, defeat all kinds of large creatures, and fight other tribes. It's a good game!
Today, I decided to try taking a walk while playing Patapon, taking a step to each beat and it turned out to be a good walk! The persistent beat of the tambourine beckoned me to take each step at a faster pace than what I normally go. I actually worked up a sweat while walking today because of Patapon. It was very difficult to keep the rhythm with my thumbs without keeping rhythm with my feet, so there was a sort of synergy between my body and the game because of it.
Despite the fact that it was an enjoyable experience, there was a downside to playing the game. For one, I was horrible at the game while walking. I only came away with a handful of meals for my tribesmen after playing about 6 times (about a game per lap around my property). I lost the movement of my arms since I had to hold the PSP. Finally, it wasn't easy to see the screen because of the sunlight. But, I may do it again so that I can see if I can both keep walking with the beat and get my tribesmen into a fervor, because that would feel more like true synergy.
Just to inform those of you who haven't played it, there are a few things you should know. Patapon is a rhythm game, but nothing like DDR or Guitar Hero which have the scrolling indicators that let you know when to hit a button once the indicator reaches a designated point on the screen. In Patapon, you are essentially the god of a tribe. This tribe will react to the music depending on the combination of beats you use. There are three main types of commands, Guard, Attack and Advance.
The driving force that helps you keep the rhythm is the constant 1-2-3-4 of the tambourine. If you do well and hit exactly on beat with the tambourine you can tell by the sound of the drumbeat, if you're a little off, so is the sound of the drum. But if you do well enough you can send your tribesmen into a fever where they start jumping up and down and flinging enough arrows and spears to fill the sky. While playing you help the tribesmen hunt for food, defeat all kinds of large creatures, and fight other tribes. It's a good game!
Today, I decided to try taking a walk while playing Patapon, taking a step to each beat and it turned out to be a good walk! The persistent beat of the tambourine beckoned me to take each step at a faster pace than what I normally go. I actually worked up a sweat while walking today because of Patapon. It was very difficult to keep the rhythm with my thumbs without keeping rhythm with my feet, so there was a sort of synergy between my body and the game because of it.
Despite the fact that it was an enjoyable experience, there was a downside to playing the game. For one, I was horrible at the game while walking. I only came away with a handful of meals for my tribesmen after playing about 6 times (about a game per lap around my property). I lost the movement of my arms since I had to hold the PSP. Finally, it wasn't easy to see the screen because of the sunlight. But, I may do it again so that I can see if I can both keep walking with the beat and get my tribesmen into a fervor, because that would feel more like true synergy.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Why the Wii sucks. *Now with more video!
There are several good points to the Wii. The motion sensing, the wifi, the virtual console... sorta. But I gotta throw off on the Wii a little. Here's a list:
1 Shovelware.
2 Lack of non crappy games.
3 Virtual Console.
4 I had to pay for the internet browser.
5 What? No Flash?
6 Lack of online play.
7 Making friends is a painful process.
8 You can fill up your memory easily.
Here's the Details:
1. Chicken Shoot, Pool Party, Carnival Games, Anubis, etc... Don't buy em, they're crap.
2. This one holds less water, there are several good games, but I feel like I'm being let down since the 360 has a ton of great games and most of them have multiplayer capabilities. I don't have a 360.
3. They seem to be neglecting the VC. Where's Battletoads? Earthworm Jim? Final Fantasy IV (then called FFII in America)? A Nintendo 64 game is 10 dollars. 10 Dollars! I can find Perfect Dark for $5 in a used game store, and yes, I still have my Nintendo 64.
4. My friend Josh got a Wii before I did. He got the Opera Browzer for free. I had to use 5 dollars worth of wii points. What the Crap!?
5. I want to watch a lot of video through my internet browser, especially Alluc.org but I can't because the internet browser doesn't have the latest version of flash equipped.
6. This is as much the fault of the developers. Medal of Honor 2 has online play, Smash Bros Brawl has online play, So does GH3. But I know you couldn't count all the games with online play on your fingers for the 360.
7. In order to make friends on the Wii you have to input their 16 digit code. They also have to input your code. Once you have done this you have to spin around without pausing 18 times with the wiimote in your hand. On the 360, it's just a matter of knowing the person's screen name.
8. I don't know what happens when you use all the memory available on the Wii, but I'd hate to think you would have to delete a game to get another one. After all you paid for it.
I suppose that's why it costs less. I suppose if I wanted all those things I would just have to buy a 360. But I'm trying to hold off because I need to learn some software for my job, else I would have one now and it would rule my life. But alas, if I actually bought more games for the Wii, I'd probably have a better experience on it. I've mainly been using it to play Game Cube games right now so I'll keep my Wii for a long time. Because I sold my Game Cube.
1 Shovelware.
2 Lack of non crappy games.
3 Virtual Console.
4 I had to pay for the internet browser.
5 What? No Flash?
6 Lack of online play.
7 Making friends is a painful process.
8 You can fill up your memory easily.
Here's the Details:
1. Chicken Shoot, Pool Party, Carnival Games, Anubis, etc... Don't buy em, they're crap.
2. This one holds less water, there are several good games, but I feel like I'm being let down since the 360 has a ton of great games and most of them have multiplayer capabilities. I don't have a 360.
3. They seem to be neglecting the VC. Where's Battletoads? Earthworm Jim? Final Fantasy IV (then called FFII in America)? A Nintendo 64 game is 10 dollars. 10 Dollars! I can find Perfect Dark for $5 in a used game store, and yes, I still have my Nintendo 64.
4. My friend Josh got a Wii before I did. He got the Opera Browzer for free. I had to use 5 dollars worth of wii points. What the Crap!?
5. I want to watch a lot of video through my internet browser, especially Alluc.org but I can't because the internet browser doesn't have the latest version of flash equipped.
6. This is as much the fault of the developers. Medal of Honor 2 has online play, Smash Bros Brawl has online play, So does GH3. But I know you couldn't count all the games with online play on your fingers for the 360.
7. In order to make friends on the Wii you have to input their 16 digit code. They also have to input your code. Once you have done this you have to spin around without pausing 18 times with the wiimote in your hand. On the 360, it's just a matter of knowing the person's screen name.
8. I don't know what happens when you use all the memory available on the Wii, but I'd hate to think you would have to delete a game to get another one. After all you paid for it.
I suppose that's why it costs less. I suppose if I wanted all those things I would just have to buy a 360. But I'm trying to hold off because I need to learn some software for my job, else I would have one now and it would rule my life. But alas, if I actually bought more games for the Wii, I'd probably have a better experience on it. I've mainly been using it to play Game Cube games right now so I'll keep my Wii for a long time. Because I sold my Game Cube.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
GDC Photos.
Live Katamari.
Bioshock's Big Daddy.
Super Smash Brothers Brawl
Morgan Webb playing the Wii Fit.
Recoil Steam Punks.
Man I need a flash for my camera, but I assure you I was packing around enough equipment already, so that's why some of the photos.. well... all the photos blow.
Bioshock's Big Daddy.
Super Smash Brothers Brawl
Morgan Webb playing the Wii Fit.
Recoil Steam Punks.
Man I need a flash for my camera, but I assure you I was packing around enough equipment already, so that's why some of the photos.. well... all the photos blow.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
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