Animal Crossing: A Quick Review

As I enter the little town known as Aberdeen, I find myself greeting furry residents as their new mayor. There's Astrid, some rainbow colored kangaroo, who always has fleas jumping around on her fur. I have Sally, a very masochistic squirrel who seems to do nothing but punish himself for little known reasons. And of course, I have Sully--there must be something with names that start with A and S in this game--who asks me if I even lift when I approach this boastful cat creature. I would be lying if I said that the towns people were far from unique...and weird. I make sure that everyday I gather resources to sell, outfit my museum with new things, and make sure that public works are funded properly. It's all in a days work as a mayor. For those that have not played the game yet, here is a quick review of the important things of the games.

Celebrating a new bench because why not?

Gameplay

Animal Crossing plays similarly to its predecessors. You go around the town and build it up. You make money by doing various activities like fishing and netting bugs. There are day specific events for you to attend.The new feature of swimming seams like a gimmick that really wasn't needed. This type of game play is fun and addicting though. It may seem like tedious task you do everyday like shoveling up fossils, but I can't find myself stopping it for one day. They really know how to get you into a routine that's fun to do everyday.

Music

The music in this game is fun and catchy. I mean, what makes a perfect song is how catchy it is to people. I find myself enjoying all the tunes that come through my headphones and sometimes coming up with my own themes at the office. These tracks are not hard, but are perfectly quirky. I have not had a chance to hear K.K. Rider yet, so I can't review that, sorry guys.

Graphics 

I would be lying if I said the look of the game didn't matter compared to the gameplay. Honestly, this is one of the best looking 3DS games out in the market. The only game I can think of that looks just as good was the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The 3D in this game was perfectly done...well as perfect as it could be done. It just looks fantastic. It helps to that all the colors are bright palates, but still, looks great. 

Value for your Money

If there is one thing that I will argue, this game is a steal for your money. The game itself is only $34.99 compared to many 3DS games that are priced at $39.99. The price does not only justify the cost, but the actual game does that for you. I honestly pick the game up for an hour a day, and I still feel fresh when playing it. I have yet to get bored of it, which is a big deal. There are also different seasons for you to play in and various events that go on. It really is worth the price tag and it probably is worth more than that.

Conclusion

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a welcome addition to the franchise as well as to the Nintendo 3DS. It's not often that good simulation games are made, but I think Nintendo really hit it with this one. Not only is it perfect for both casual and hardcore gamers, it's a great game for people of all ages. If you have not had a chance to pick this game up, I would suggest doing it soon.

Summer 2013 of Gaming

It's a beautiful, allergenic May with summer being around the corner. This summer will mark the last push of this era's consoles before the new ones kick into full steam. We will most likely see the end of the Nintendo Wii and  DS's game lineup as Nintendo moves forward with the Wii U and 3DS. We will see Sony and Xbox push an avalanche of big titles before their new systems come out for the holiday season. It's going to be a hectic and awesome summer of gaming. My intention over the next few blog post is to blog about my expectations of Summer 2013 in gaming.

Some Great News for the Nintendo 3DS

A new Legend of Zelda game has been announced for the Nintendo 3DS. It's about time that an original Zelda game was made for this system. It's not like I don't enjoy the ports, but I wanted an original title to the series. All anyone knows so far is that this is a sequel--or assumed sequel--to A Link to the Past and that it's a top-down view. I am excited and cannot wait for this game to come out. While we are all waiting, the Oracle and Ages came will be in the eShop in May...or so I have read. Here is a video of the new game below.

P.S. A Mario Party game has been announced as well for the 3DS.

What's So Great About Handheld Consoles?

A long, long time ago, my mother bought me copy of Pokemon Blue and a Gameboy Color. I spent countless hours catching monsters and battling gym leaders. I was even able to battle with friends through a cable link cord. Eventually, I began to build my library of games up with instant classics like the Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX and Super Mario Land 2. When the time came to upgrade, I bought myself a Gameboy Advance. Great games like Golden Sun and Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced were developed for this system and thrown into my giant library of videogames. Fast forward to today and now I own both a Nintendo 3DS XL and a Playstation Vita. I love playing on the both of them as well.

What made handheld consoles great and what makes them still great? For one, they are accessible no matter where you are located. When it comes to accessibility, that one is an easy answer. I can bring these bad boys with me and play. I don't care with what my friends playing on his Xbox? Fine, I can just reach for my 3DS and play Fire Emblem: Awakening or turn on my Vita and play some MLB: The Show '13. I am going from New York City to Washington, D.C. and staring out the window bores me. Not a problem with handheld games because I can play them right on that train for four hours. Yup, they are pretty awesome like that.

Believe it or not, handheld consoles have a pretty awesome game library. I mean, you get the Legend of Zelda, Sonic the Hedgehog, Monster Hunter,...and you get the point. These games are some of the best you will play too! Take for example Pokemon. Yeah, that sums up the greatness of portable systems. Even Persona 4: Golden on Playstation Vita was one of the best games put out last year. I could continue to name games all night, but I think everyone gets the point.

Lastly, they are affordable. That's right, they are affordable (see my last blog post). One thing I have always found convenient is the fact that I don't need to pay $300.00 for a videogame system to get the same quality. I can pay much less. I also don't need to spend money for extra controllers, adapters, wotcha-ma-callits, and miscellaneous things. Also, game are far cheaper and they can be just as entertaining. So I hope that answers my own question.

When is Owning a System Worth it?

While deciding on what Tuesday's classic game should be about, a thought popped in my head. When is it worth owning a specific system, or to phrase it more concisely, how do I know I got my worth out of a videogame system? This is a question that I think people really should contemplate. Why? Because systems are not cheap. Even a new PS3 or Xbox360 will cost you  $199.99-$299.99. We also need to keep in mind that many games are released on multiple systems as well. That can easily diminish the value of owning two separate systems. Well, I am going to do my best to argue when a system is worth the value you paid for it.

1. You Completed at Least a Few Games
One way you know you got your value from the system is if you played and completed at least four games. I know, that isn't a lot of game to complete for an expensive piece of hardware. Let's be honest though, who has time to complete a full library of games? Think about it, many of us have work, school, and an active social life. It's not easy to balance those aspects of life while still indulging in your favorite hobby. A lot of the time, you only get around an hour or so to actually play. It's just not easy to do because games can be difficult and time consuming. Basically, I found that I got my worth out of my systems when I could at least finish four good games.

2. When System Exclusives are Great Games
All systems have their own exclusive games. Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo all have their own franchises that define their success and pleasurable returns. Xbox has Halo and Fable; Playstation has Uncharted and Ratchet and Clank; and Nintendo has the Legend of Zelda and Mario. As I am naming these franchises, I hope you are understanding the point I am making. The purchase of a console is worth it when the exclusive franchises are always great to play.

3. Ability to Play with Friends
What's the fun of videogames when you can't share an experiences with your amigos? Not a very fun one. I won't lie, I am a fan of single player games but I still enjoy indulging in a good game of Madden or Borderlands. Now, I understand there are online communities to find people and play co-op or versus, but it just doesn't feel the same when you are turning your friend's quarterback into mush. If I find that it is accessible and even easy to play online or on the same console as a buddy, that system is worth owning.

4. Accessibility and Ease to Play
Having the accessibility and ease to play a system is very important. When you need to type in numerous passwords and wait for numerous updates, you must begin to question was this system worth your time and money. I am not one to sit around for two hours and wait for a game or system to update. If updates are a reoccurring event that takes some time, then it might be a system you want to avoid. It's the same with passwords. I honestly--and I am sure many people feel the same--don't want to sit around and type in passwords to play a game. It's redundant and it's pointless. If any system makes you do that, take a pass on it. Luckily, most of the system updates for these consoles are quick and painless.

5. Cost
You knew this topic would come up. When it comes to buying anything, the cost matters. Why pay $500.00 for a new system when you could wait a year and possibly pay less? This question is relevant with all the new systems that came out and are coming out. Is it worth paying $300.00 for a Wii U when there are little titles to compensate the price tag? Is it worth dishing out for a PS4 when Sony is known to support their systems up to ten years? It's not an easy decision and it sometimes falls down to costs. Can you budget a new system or do you need to save up for it? Would it be okay to own an older system and wait for a price drop on the newer system, essentially spending more in the end but having the ability to save up for it? Do you just forget about it because it's too expensive for you? I can't answer this one for you, but it is something you need to think about.

Ranking the System by this Criteria 
*For the purpose of this blog, I am ranking current systems that are in the market. I don't know much about the new systems like most, so that will be for a later date.
**This is also my opinion so don't go crazy because I found one system to be better. 
***I can only speak English and so Japanese only games are not included.  

 Nintendo 3DS/DS - 21/25
I am lumping both these systems together since the 3DS can play exactly like a DS. I am also not basing this on performance or graphics because that's not a deal breaker to me. There is a reason why these handheld devises sell so well. It's because they give you the best bang for your buck. That's why I am giving the 3DS/DS 4 points in cost. It is an affordable system with cheap games. The price of a 3DS XL is still a bit high, so it loses a point there. I have beaten plenty of quality titles on this system to proudly give it 5 points. I mean, they have Fire Emblem, Mario, and Legend of Zelda. It would be unfair to give this system less than 5 points in exclusive games based off of that statement. Playing with friends can be a hassle, so I am giving this one 3 points. First you have to find friends to play and then you have to deal with really poor internet connectivity. A lot of the older games needed a certain security protocol that no one really uses anymore. That means you had to manually change to it--I think it was WPA--and that's a big hassle if you don't know anything about computers. The same goes for the 3DS. If you want to play DS games online, you need to change what internet security you are using. Yuck! Luckily, newer games don't have this issue but that doesn't change the score. Lastly, the accessibility and ease get an obvious 3. It would have been perfect if not for the touch screen making some games difficult. I mean Kid Icarus: Uprising comes to mind with that. I rarely need to update my 3DS/DS and I never need to use a password. It does take some time to download updates though, so that hurts its cause. The 3DS/DS is a system worth owning if you enjoy playing videogames. It has a huge library and the system looks pretty nice too.

Xbox360 - 19/25 
I know, an American ranking the Xbox360 high on the list. In all fairness though, this system was great. Game completion on this system received a 5. I probably have beaten over ten quality titles on this system alone. What really helped the Xbox in my ranking is that the exclusives were much better, and therefore, received a 4. With the front runners of the system being Halo and Fable, you can't really go wrong. It would have probably scored a perfect if Fable III and some Halo installments didn't suck. Playing Xbox with friends can be a hassle and received a 3. My biggest problem was the fee to play online. That doesn't make it easy to play with friends who don't live around the corner. Money is tight and that can be the difference between a new game or a year of multiplayer. Personally, it was not worth the price for me since I rarely played online unless it was Madden, Halo, or Borderlands. I don't play a single system everyday and I play multiplayer on a single system even less than that. You get my point. The accessibility/ease for this console received 4 points from me. I honestly never wait for this system to update and even having to do that is rare. I did take a point off for passwords. If you lose your password, you are in trouble. Lastly, the cost only received 2 points. Even for how old this system is, it's still expensive. A 250 GB Xbox360 will run you $299.99 compared to the Playstation 3's 500GB HDD for the same price. A 4GB is $199.99 and that's still expensive. The Xbox hurts itself in costs, but is overall a great system to own.
 
Playstation 3- 18/25
I am giving the PS3 only 18 points. I was able to finish more than four amazing games for this system, earning 5 points in that category. The system exclusives only received 3 points since none of them really stood out to me. Infamous is boring as all fuck and Uncharted is an okay game...not great. What saves this system are titles like Valkyria Chronicles and Demon Souls, since both are great system exclusives. Actually, two more categories received 3 points. Those would be accessibility/ease and the cost. The PS3 updates constantly, and some of the updates can be time consuming. That's annoying. What saves it is the fact you don't need to type in a password a bunch of times. At $299.99 for white bundle, the cost of the system is still high for its age. That's enough to buy a new Wii U. The bundle is good and the HDD is huge, so it's a saving grace for the system. The last category is the ability to play with friends, which got 4 points. Despite the lag you get sometimes, online is free to play. That is a big money saver and makes it easier to face your friends...if they own the system. The PS3 might have scored average from me, but it's still a good investment due to the longevity of Sony's systems.  


Playstation Vita - 15/25
I want to start out by saying that I really enjoy my Vita. That being said, it is not the best system out right now, all though it's beginning to gain traction. For completion of games, I give it only 2 points. I have only finished one game on this system. I still have yet to finish Gravity Rush or even pick up Uncharted. The exclusives on this system are not really there besides Gravity Rush and AC: Liberation. You can't include Persona 4 Golden since that was a port of a Playstation 2 game. I know there are exclusives for this system but they are all in Japanese or not out yet, so I am only giving it 2 points in that category. The ability to play with friends is actually easy with this system. You can either go ad hoc or internet connection. I give it 4 points only because not many people own a Vita yet. Accessibility/ease get an easy 4 points. I never have to wait for my game to update or type in multiple passwords to access my stuff. I am able to transfer files between my PS3 and Vita with ease, all though that can take a bit when they are full games. Lastly, the cost gets a 3. What really kills the cost of this device is the price of memory cards. They are insanely expensive. It can cost you between $80.00-$99.99 for a 32 GB memory card. Yeah, that's insane. The cost of games are cheap though since they vary from $4.99-$39.99. The system is expensive though, costing $249.99 for just the wifi device. If you don't go for a bundle, the cost will bite you in the rear. I give it a 3 because the bundles and games are its saving grace.

Nintendo Wii U - ??/25
If you already have the Wii, you are better off waiting for more updates and games. This system only has a few titles, and most are already on other consoles like Batman. The game pad is attractive, but not enough to lure me in for a basic package at $299.99. I know little of the online but I have caught wind that there have been issues with it so far. It seems that there are a lack of online multiplayer games due to the shortage of actual games. Since this system has only been out for a little while, it might be best to wait a few months to see if Nintendo will get the ball rolling on this system or if it will fail.

As you can see I have listed in order what systems are worth getting. I hope this helps you in deciding if you want to pick up a console now or wait and see its overall future. Well, minus the PS3 and Xbox360 since they have been out awhile.

Wait What?

As I try and gather an idea to blog about today, I came across a peculiar sequel to a game. One is actually being made for a game called, Conception: Please have my Baby. I had to stop for a second and read the title again. I was not mistaken. Why do games like this exist? What makes it worse is that Conception's sequel will also be released on the Nintendo 3DS. Yes, that's right. A handheld owned by a company that generally releases family friendly games.

This game is a dungeon crawler in which you conceive children with 12 different maidens. You are supposed to save a world by having magical newborns with these maidens. Oh yes, you are a high school student and from what I read, you have already knocked up your cousin who is also Virgo. I feel like a pervert after reading and searching for pictures and videos of this game to show. Besides wiki, it is tough to find information about this game since it was never released outside of Japan.

This was the only video I could find after typing in the title for the game. I saw more real births then I needed today. I couldn't stomach anymore so this is all you are getting. 

 

I Am Going to Need a Bigger Memory Card

As I sit at my desk, drinking my coffee, and looking at future game releases, I realized that I am going to need a much bigger memory card for my 3DS and Vita. It was inevitable that I would run into this problem, considering the amount of downloadable games that are in both respective shops. For the Nintendo 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: Oracles' series will be coming to the eShop. I mentioned these games in a previous post in one of my classic game days. You know I can't just buy one and not the other. Yes, they may be two in the same game, but they still are different. There is also a deal going on with Nintendo that you can download a free game onto your XL if you purchase the new Pokemon game or Luigi's Mansion game. Yeah, I am totally digging that deal. The Playstation Vita is no stranger to downloadable releases. Heck, the Playstation Plus subscription nets you free games once a month, including titles like Gravity Rush and Ninja Gaiden--ended last month--that take up a good amount of space. You can't forget that with the Vita, the only way to play PSP games is to directly download them.

Also thinking about it too, it adds to your convenience. Who wants to lug around a bunch of game cards all the time? I don't always want to carry a suitcase with games in it. So the added convenience of having the game as an app is right there. Really, I just need bigger memory cards to get me through this year. It would be nice if they made bigger memory cards though...32gbs is not enough!

A Few Gaming Things on Monday

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate comes to Nintendo systems tomorrow. Honestly, I am not having it for the Wii U. I can understand porting the game to the 3DS but why remake and even purchase a game that was already created for the Wii? Because of a few extra items and monsters? It make no sense. What Nintendo should have done is pushed for a new entry to the Monster Hunter series instead of asking for a remastered version. The game isn't even old enough for that nonsense yet. If anyone purchases this game, spend your money on the 3DS version even if it it has no online capabilities.

This week also means to bring us new games to PS+. Those games will probably be Disgaea 3 and probably an Indie game for free. I have never played a Disgaea game but it might be worth a try if it's free. I mean, the game sells $35.00 + at retail so you might as well.

That's all for now. I will probably update this blog as the day goes on with more news because why not. 

Tuesday's Classic Rewind

I really need to make a clever name for Tuesday and Thursday's classic games. My classic game for today is the Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. It has been almost 10 years in North American (March 24) since this gem came out on the Gamecube. This game was quite controversial at first due to the game being cel-shaded but eventually people liked this game. I sure did. It's quite a whimsical and somewhat depressing game.
This game followed the same concepts as previous Zelda games. You got a music instrument, a legendary sword, and your green tunic with hat. What really made this game stand out was the fact in was cel-shaded. It's amazing how using a different type of art style can change the entire game. The graphics really set the game apart from any other past or future titles. The music in the game was amazing.The minute you begin to hear a song play, you know you are in the Zelda universe. Sorry, after posting about this game I am going to

Monday's Gaming News

It's the beginning of a new week and a new month as March is set to deliver us new games. This month, we are also being offered discounts from the PlayStation store for PS Vita games. You can't go wrong with that, right? That being said, it will be an exciting month for people who own consoles. The new Tomb Raider debuts tomorrow along with a few not so well known titles like Atelier Ayesha (I have never played any games in the series so I linked it to wiki). This month also marks when the updated version of Monster Hunter 3 comes to the Nintendo systems. Oh yeah, A new God of War game comes out soon too. That's all for now guys.   

On the Fence with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

After Fire Emblem debuted at the beginning of the month on the Nintendo 3DS, another popular franchize will grace Nintendo on both current generation systems. That game would be Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. Some people are probably wondering what is the difference between this game and the one on the original Wii. Well, to put it in layman's terms, it is just a graphically updated version of Monster Hunter Tri with added content. The added content consists of new monsters and areas to explore. So why am I on the fence on getting this game? I'll tell you now.

One reason I am hesitant about getting this game on the Wii U is that I don't own a Wii U. I will probably wait until Wind Waker HD comes out for it before I consider purchasing it. That is all I need to say about the Wii U version. The 3DS version is a whole different story though since I own one. The 3DS version is simply a portable version of the game. That's really cool if you think about it but it has to be missing a big component to it. What could it be? Oh yeah, there isn't any online capabilities for the game. How do you not include something like that for such a popular game? I will give it to Capcom though, they allow you to pick up your progress from either system and play on the other. That is pretty cool in my books. That deserves bonus points. They really should have allowed for online capabilities with a small party at least. With all the new content, no Monster Hunter fan should take a second look this game. If you are on the fence like me, it might be worth waiting until the fourth installment comes around or pick up a cheap ($17.99 used at Gamestop) used copy for the original Wii and give it a try.

This Weekend in Gaming

The weekend is finally coming to an end and a new week dawns on us to feel defeated. Speaking of defeated, I felt like that after playing on the lunatic difficulty in Fire Emblem: Awakening. Honestly, there is a tough difficulty level and then there is the lunatic difficulty in Fire Emblem. Oh, and to show how much of a masochistic I can be, I selected the classic mode option. You know, the one where troops permanently die. Yeah, I had to restart my game after loosing way to many of my guys.

Anyway, I had to work most of this weekend so I did not get to game as much as my heart desired. I tackled a new difficulty in Fire Emblem and that is about as far as my weekend went. I read that the Wii U and the Playstation Vita are not doing well as projected. I mean, what do you expect when a system cost $250.00 and more? Plus the Wii U has no original games worth buying currently when people still can play there Wii games on their Wii's. For the Playstation Vita? The memory cards are still killing them. Not that you cannot justify the price compared to paying for extra memory in an iPod. With that comparison, Sony needs to realize that their gadgets don't have as intense of a religious following as apple products and it's time to tone down the price.

Well anyway, I need to get ready for work. I promise tomorrow I will have a meatier and fatter blog post that will make your heads explode.

Four Games That I Think You Should Play

With all the games out in the market today, it is always a tough choice when it comes to where your money will be well spent. I am here to make that choice for you. This list will get you through the month of February and possibly longer if you shoot for the stars and try and beat them all. I

It wouldn't be Final Fantasy without a dragon destroying something

1. Final Fantasy IX - If you have not had the opportunity to play this Final Fantasy yet, you are really missing out. As a kid, this was my favorite Final Fantasy game and one of my favorite games of all time. Heck, it still is one of my favorite games to play. FFIX is one of the few games that have managed to stick around and still be as great as it was in 2000. Yikes, the game is almost thirteen years old and I would still play this game over most games that come out today. The characters and the story may be right out of a classic JRPG portfolio and yet it still remains intensely satisfying to play. The characters really do draw you into their fantastic journey and their personal dilemmas. Right now you can add this game to your collection for $4.99 through the Playstation Network. Not only are you getting a great game for cheap, you can even carry it around with you if you own a PSP or Playstation Vita! Let's pray that they eventually make a graphically updated version of this game in the near future. GO BUY IT NOW.

Air guitar anyone?

2. Code of Princess - I am sure many of you might have seen this game in the Nintendo eShop or in your local videogame stores if they still supply it, but this is one game that has definitely been looked over by many. It is actually a really fun beat-em-up game that you can play solo or with friends. If it were not for this game, I probably would have lost my marbles when Hurricane Sandy hit and took away our power for almost three weeks. Anyway, the cast of characters are interesting and cooky. It also has a killer soundtrack and awesome visuals. The controls are easy to figure out and the game play can be rather smooth with most of the characters having a unique move set. It's a fun game to pick up from time-to-time so get your hands on a copy before it's to late!

Belran really was the best part of this game

3. Lord of the Rings: War in the North - I am well aware that I mentioned this game a few post back, but it is just that fun of a game. LOTR: War in the North is a western type of RPG that allows up to three people to complete the main game and collect goods. This game demands team work or you will be stuck with really terrible equipment. Despite the games short comings like the occasional glitching, I can still play this game with friends for hours. Give it a shot, it can't be more than $20.00 at Gamestop right now.

Battles are this intense

4. Medieval II: Total War - This game, that's all I can start with right now. This game was a huge improvement of Rome Total War that came out almost a decade ago. For those that have never played a Total War game, you really are missing out. This is a military/political/society simulator that demands hours of game play to conquer most of Europe. You can go into battle and control units and defeat your enemies or simulate it and focus on maintaining your city-states. This game will demand at least half a day from you if you choose to try and beat it in one run. As long as you have a decent computer, you will be able to run this hidden gem on your computer. 

Real Quick Night Post

I figured I would give my Nintendo 3DS a rest today after dominating armies in Fire Emblem: Awakening and talk on a few subjects to close out the night for everyone. I think I will number these subjects tonight for you to find what you want to read and agree with or rage at the keyboard with. Yeah, I will do a little table of contents.
1. PS3 and why it is still worth purchasing the bundles

2. Shinning Force II and the quick rage quick


1. Who would have guessed Sony would give us such epic bundles at the supposed end of the PlayStation 3's lifecycle? I think everyone should be raising their hands on this one. Is this a sign that Sony is milking whatever they can for this system? Yes and no. Are any of these bundles worth purchasing? Ahh, yeah. How can it not be worth it to pick up one of these awesome bundles when they come to market, especially if you don't own a PS3 like I do. The new bundle coming out in March features a red PS3 and a God of War compilation as I pointed out in a previous post. It looks brutal and I know where my $300.00 from my already depleted (thank you Sony and Nintendo) account is going. With an amazing library that has become affordable and future games coming for this system still, it is almost a steal. Sony is also known for not letting their consoles die, look at the PS2 that finally ceased to be marketed. I think the bundles and the gaming speaks for itself (Tales series, God of War series, Kingdom Hearts series, etc).

2. I had to pull myself away from Fire Emblem today. How did I do that? By playing a game I have not played since the early 1990's when I was a weeee little lad. Yeah, that game was Shinning Force II and yes, I raged quick faster than a duck quacked.  Talk about a game that is hard. Right off the bat I was getting my butt handed to be by some ghost. How did I ever beat this game when I was younger and less aware of how to win games? If the game had any calming quality for me, it was the old school castle atmosphere and the fantastic sound track.

Another Snowy Day and Fire Emblem

Today is another new day to spend countless hours in front of a screen and play videogames, especially if you are in the snowy tri-state area. Trust me, I won't be doing much more than planting my rear on my friends couch and playing Fire Emblem: Awakening for a good portion of the day. For most of us in North America, we have had the blessing of playing this game yesterday through digital download. If you were really lucky, you were able to get your hands on a physical copy of this enormous game. It took me over 8,000 blocks (I think that is 1.5ish gbs) to download this game. You know this game will amass some serious playing time and possible achy muscles.

So let me tell you, this game is phenomenal. I know that you probably have heard every review site and most gamers tell you that much, but I am going to tell you one more time. It has to be one of the best games I have played on a handheld console in awhile.  I am going to break down my run in this game so far.

As I fired my game up, I decided to brave it and choose the option of allowing my characters to die in battle if they were defeated and man, that was a BIG mistake. Even on normal difficulty, one wrong move could land you into an ambush from your enemies. If the character is not strong enough to handle the onslaught of attacks, expect to restart the game if they fall in battle. It's incredibly frustrating if you really like the character or were working towards a character like Donnel. Again, be prepared to restart your game if you value a character and they defeated in battle.  
As I learned from my mistakes in battle, I began to really feel like the tactician your character is supposed to be. I am finally moving my characters like chess pieces on the board and bringing my opponents into submission. This game's enjoyment increases as you have more opportunities to wage war against stronger opponents and strategy becomes a big part of the game. Sorry, I need to go play some more so I will post more later!   
A quick note. It's a typical JRPG story. The End. 

A Couple of Things on a Snowy Sunday

Starting tomorrow in North America, we will finally be able to play Fire Emblem: Awakening for the Nintendo 3DS. As previously posted a few days ago, this is one game that I am truly looking forward to this year. The anticipation to pick up or digitally download this game is driving me up the wall. At least I will have work and the Superbowl to distract me for the time being.

All though I have never once touched an Animal Crossing game--I really should at some point since I am blogging about videogames--newish information has emerged about the version for the Nintendo 3DS. Apparently, South Korea will be playing this game for all hours of the day starting February 7 while the United States and most likely Europe will be waiting until the second quarter of 2013.  Oh well, not like we are new to waiting for a game to be localized in the West.

How many of you have had the opportunity to view the Killzone: Mercenary trailer for the Playstation Vita? If you haven't, do so right now. The game looks absolutely brutal. You get to shank a guy's crotch and finish him off with a chest stab. It seems so unnecessary that it's awesome. This game looks to bring the First Person Shooter (fps for short) to the handheld console in a mean and powerful way. This game looks like it could save the Playstation Vita from becoming irrelevant to all bro's all around the world.

That's really all I have time for today. Tomorrow, I think I will write something spectacular when I am not gaming. 

My Most Anticipated Games of 2013: A Short Hand Guide

After a great 2012 videogame catalog, the new year is upon us to embrace the upcoming games and sequels that will take days away and expand our waists by at least a quarter inch. I hope your New Year's resolution wasn't to lose weight since these games will have you on your fanny for hours on end.
P.S. I am only putting the release dates for the United States of America. Sorry Europe!

Fire Emblem: Awakening; Nintendo 3DS --Feb.4, 2013

I know, I know, everyone and their best friend have this game on their list as one of the most anticipated games of the year. I mean, who couldn't? It has been awhile since a good Fire Emblem--see the version for the Wii--has come to the states and it definitely has been awhile since I have played one. Geez, the last one I played had been for the Gameboy Advance close to a decade ago. My opinion hence forth well be based on the demo--download and try it--I have played on my own 3DS. The graphics for this upcoming Fire Emblem look great. The colors resonate well with the type of fantasy game and the 3D images do not disappoint at all. The characters so far seem to have their own cliche JRPG personalities, but heck, isn't that why we love these types of games? The movement of the characters are smooth as well. I don't feel like I am waiting a life time to watch my character attack with his tome spell. If you really enjoy tactical JRPG's I think you are going to like this game. This is one game that will separate the Nintendo 3DS from the rest of its competition. I know where my $40.00 is going next week!

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen; Playstation 3, Xbox 360 --Apr.23, 2013

This gem was obviously going to end up on my list. If you have played the original masterpiece from Capcom, you will understand the excitement of this new add-on. For those that have not played the original masterpiece, this expansion will contain the original game to play your hearts content out. For previous owners, Capcom being Capcom, will try and justify the $30.00-$40.00 tag with unlimited ferrystones, 100,000 rift stones, and new armor. What does this new expansion have to offer both veterans and new comers to the series? Well, this expansion adds more items, weapons/armors, new looks, and a whole new place to explore since it was not apparent that this game already had an abundance of items and quests. Obviously, new comers may not noticed the added content but it seems like Capcom has listened to their fanbase and brought a means to teleport from place to place. THANK GOD. Traveling in this game could take awhile, especially when you encountered a Griffin or Chimera and felt obligated to obliterate them. Yes, I am aware that Capcom added more to the game besides what I have stated, but those are the most important features right now. I am really looking forward to this game to continue on my quest as the Arisen and journey to--spoilers--get my heart back yet again. It's definitely a game to pick up if you are new player or a veteran looking to expand from the original.

Soul Sacrifice; Playstation Vita --Apr. 30, 2013

Oh man does this game sound brutal. I mean spine tearing, eye poking, flesh ripping brutal. This game is like Mortal Kombat and Monster Hunter had a love child and shared it with the world. Well, not the world but with a select few of us that purchased the Playstation Vita. It is a game that the Playstation Vita needs to make it a competitor in this changing game market. This game will do that, or so we hope. Who would not want to sacrifice body parts or their comrades to take down giant creepy looking monsters? I know I do since I am ruthless in combat.

Just look how crazy this game looks. LOOK I TELL YOU! The designs of these monsters are absolutely crazy. I mean acid trip crazy. What is with the long necked face coming out of the water like a serpent? Where do they come up with these designs? Well, I will go more in-depth of this game when I finally have a chance to play a demo or the real game. If you are a fan of Monster Hunter games, this is one game I don't think anyone will want to miss. PREPARE TO HAVE YOUR SOUL SACRIFICED!


Phantasy Star Online 2; PC, Playstation Vita --TBA

Nothing says we have a love-hate relationship with Sega by stating this game will be released in the West but not giving us release dates for the good 'ol USA's and EU's PC version and even worse, not letting us know if the Playstation Vita version will be localized in the West. It will be a crying shame if it isn't, since the Playstation Vita could really use it over here. Man, has it been a long time since I could beat up holiday on rappy's--not sure if that should be a 's or ies--for rare loot or make my HUmar look like a BAMF.

GOSH DARN I AM EXPLODING WITH ENTHUSIASM FOR THIS GAME. The graphics look much improved from its ancestor--yes I am calling PSO that since it's around a decade old--and it looks like this game will bring long time fans back for another round. I just hope it gets localized for the Vita for some of us who cannot afford a new computer at the moment. Oh, did I mention it's free to play and YOU CAN FINALLY JUMP?



The Last of Us; Playstation 3 --May 7, 2013

Yes, I am actually looking forward to a survival-horror game. I know, it sounds unusual for me since I am not a big fan of them--see almost every zombie game ever made that bores me to tears--but this game really does look good. This game looks to change that dynamic or at least attempt to change the dynamic of typical survival-horror games. The Last of Us as it currently seems to be a Resident Evil meets 40 Days and has a swingers party with Metal Gear Solid. You fight off infected people and people who don't like you while being all stealthy like Snake. I don't have much else to say about this game currently, but I hope it doesn't fail and does not end up being another boring zombie hybrid.


Tales of Xillia; Playstation 3 -- Q3 Hopefully

Last but not the least, the last game I am really anticipating is the Tales of Xillia localization. This game is already out in Japan has received many positive reviews. It has been a very long time since I have played a Tales game--the last one I believe was on the Gamecube--but this game looks like it will end this generations consoles with a bang. I can be a bit of a sucker when it comes to these types of games for a variety of reasons. For one, the visuals for this game look amazing. They are so colorful and vibrant that I might actually lose my sight from staring too long. Second, the Tales series have been known to bring a unique gaming experience by the way battles play out. You would probably have to play one to understand, it really has been awhile since the last one I have played so I cannot really describe it well enough for people. After seeing that this game will be localized, I might have to pick up the Vesperia and Abyss 3DS to prepare myself for this game.


Well that sums up the games I am really looking forward to this year. I well aware that other games like Pokemon X/Y, Monster Hunter 3,545^2, and Luigi's Mansion will be coming out soon, but those games are not my most anticipated. I also am well aware that my list doesn't really have any Xbox360 games but that is due to the lack of games being announced for the system that are not multi-platformed. I know this isn't a definitive list of games and I am sure more games will be announced for this year as time moves forward, but as of today, these are my most anticipated games.

Dusting the Old Sega Saturn

Your parents were probably close my age when this came out

As this being my fist blog post about the videogame universe and the correlation with the name 6 Button Mashing Machine, I figured I would start by dusting the old Sega Saturn off and quickly replaying a few of my old games. I figured this would be a great way to test the waters of videogame blogging and working kinks out of my writing.

The first game I decided to pop into the tray was Sonic R, a Sonic racing game created in the mid-90's. WOW, my eyes were burning more than Sonic's feet tearing up the race track. I mean, talk about an unresponsive game with an epic cast of characters mixed into the bunch.

Who needs retinas?

Try leaning left or right with your character, you are going right into a wall or water. Jumping is no better either. The controls in this game dare you not to throw the controller across the room or into a television set. I do have to give it that this game does have some nostalgia behind it and some epic 90's J-Pop, but that is not enough to have me coming back to this game anytime soon.

The second game I decided was Mortal Kombat II. That's right, Mortal Kombat II. I bet many of you had no idea this game was ported onto the Sega Saturn all that time ago. Well, it was and it was epic. I have to say that the controls for this game were better due to the 6 button layout. It really made a difference on how it played. The graphics are as expected, something from the mid-90's in 2-D and with actual actors as the cast. I am sure most of you have had the opportunity to play Mortal Kombat II so there is no need to continue with this game.

Oh man, what system is without its collections of old games to sucker us old timers into nostalgia? Even Sega got in the foray in the 90's with the Sonic Jam collection for the Sega Saturn. This collection consisted of Sonic's 1-3 and Sonic and Knuckles. Who could not love such an epic game collection like this? Heck, I think the Sonic games were around 5 years old when this came out, but who cares? This game had a hidden gem that made it worth all the money that you would spend on it, the "Sonic World" bonus that was included. I forgot how much history Sonic the Hedgehog had in the 6 years since the first one. They had anime, other games not included in the collection pack, merchandise, music, and on and on. They had little perks to the world like finding Tails or Knuckles. It was one of the few games that make the Saturn notable.

I cannot talk about the Sega Saturn without talking about Guardian Heroes. It is a fun adventure/action/side-scrolling game that features a few characters. You just go about beating people up with some friends and take different paths to the end. I don't have much to say but if you have recently played Code of Princess for the Nintendo 3DS and enjoyed it, you would enjoy this too. You can actually find it in the Xbox360 market place for $10.00. Don't hesitate, go snag it and play it.

Despite all the games I own for the Sega Saturn, one I will miss. The Panzer Dragon games. I wanted to blog about these games last, but I cannot find them anywhere. They must have gotten lost when I moved all those years ago and now I will have to try to find them cheap online--never happening--and replay them.